Advective fluxes influence methane and CO2 soil emissions into the atmosphere on Earth and may drive trace gas emissions in the Mars atmosphere. However, their relevance in the Martian regolith has not been evaluated to date. Our regolith transport simulations show that advective fluxes can be relevant under Martian conditions and may drive the methane abundance detected by Mars Science Laboratory. Trace gas emissions would be highest in regions where winds interact with topography. Emissions in these regions may be further enhanced by time‐varying pressure fields produced by diurnal thermal tides and atmospheric turbulence. Trace gases such as methane should be emitted or produced from the first layers of regolith, or quickly transported to this region from a deeper reservoir through fractured media.


In the discourse on photographs taken by the SS or the Wehrmacht at concentration camps, ghettos, and during mass shootings, the 'perpetrators' gaze' or 'perpetrators' perspective' is referred to repeatedly. Notwithstanding the ubiquity of the term, theoretical or empirical approaches to the issue are largely missing from the discussion. Drawing on a well-known photo album produced by SS-photographers at the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) concentration camp in 1944, this article analyses the photographic mediation and narration of events preceding the mass murder of hundreds of thousands of Jewish deportees from Hungary. To this end, the paper explores the limited scope of the representation, the construction of an alleged rationale behind the murder and various dimensions of photography in the context of violence.


Background Although over 1400 Salmonella serovars cause usually self-limited gastroenteritis in humans, a few, e.g., Salmonella typhi and S. paratyphi C, cause typhoid, a potentially fatal systemic infection. It is not known whether the typhoid agents have evolved from a common ancestor (by divergent processes) or acquired similar pathogenic traits independently (by convergent processes). Comparison of different typhoid agents with non-typhoidal Salmonella lineages will provide excellent models for studies on how similar pathogens might have evolved. Methodologies/Principal Findings We sequenced a strain of S. paratyphi C, RKS4594, and compared it with previously sequenced Salmonella strains. RKS4594 contains a chromosome of 4,833,080 bp and a plasmid of 55,414 bp. We predicted 4,640 intact coding sequences (4,578 in the chromosome and 62 in the plasmid) and 152 pseudogenes (149 in the chromosome and 3 in the plasmid). RKS4594 shares as many as 4346 of the 4,640 genes with a strain of S. choleraesuis, which is primarily a swine pathogen, but only 4008 genes with another human-adapted typhoid agent, S. typhi. Comparison of 3691 genes shared by all six sequenced Salmonella strains placed S. paratyphi C and S. choleraesuis together at one end, and S. typhi at the opposite end, of the phylogenetic tree, demonstrating separate ancestries of the human-adapted typhoid agents. S. paratyphi C seemed to have suffered enormous selection pressures during its adaptation to man as suggested by the differential nucleotide substitutions and different sets of pseudogenes, between S. paratyphi C and S. choleraesuis. Conclusions S. paratyphi C does not share a common ancestor with other human-adapted typhoid agents, supporting the convergent evolution model of the typhoid agents. S. paratyphi C has diverged from a common ancestor with S. choleraesuis by accumulating genomic novelty during adaptation to man.


Objectives: To determine the incidence, timing and predictors of periprocedural valve dislodgment with the Medtronic Corevalve System (MCS). Background: Periprocedural valve dislodgment may occur during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods: Ninety‐eight consecutive patients underwent TAVI with the MCS after a comprehensive baseline assessment including invasive angiography, echocardiography, and Multi‐Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT). The invasive monitoring charts and angiographic studies of all TAVI procedures were reviewed to determine the incidence and timing of valve dislodgment. Results: Valve dislodgment occurred in 18 patients. Patients with valve dislodgment had a larger Aortic Valve Area (0.76 ± 0.25 cm2 vs. 0.61 ± 0.19 cm2, P = 0.007), lower mean transaortic gradient (37.65 ± 14.62 mm Hg vs. 47.11 ± 16.08 mm Hg, P = 0.03) and significantly less aortic root calcification (Agatston score median 1951 AU (IQR, 799–3103) vs. 3289 AU (IQR 2097–4481), P = 0.016). A lower aortic root calcium score (Agatston score < 2359 AU) was the single independent predictor for valve dislodgment (OR 3.10, 1.09–8.84). After valve dislodgment, the valve could be successfully retrieved and implanted in the proper anatomic location in all cases. Valve dislodgment was associated with a lower incidence of post‐procedural AR ≥ 2 (11.1% vs. 34.6%, P = 0.05). There were no relevant procedural or clinical implications to valve dislodgment. Conclusions: The incidence of periprocedural valve dislodgment was 18% in these series. Less aortic root calcification appeared the single independent predictor. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


The paper presents two different projects: The first involves a case with limited rock cover on a side of an excavated surge shaft located near a steep slope. The second involves the assessment of design parameters of an existing masonry dam for use as input in dynamic analysis. The induced stresses in the surge shaft of Koyna Hydro Electric Project (K.H.E.P.) stage-IV were measured with flat jack. These tests were first performed in a 4 m diameter pilot shaft and after the shaft was excavated to its full diameter of 22.70 m. The stresses increased from 3.96 MPa to 5.09 MPa, when the 4m-diameter surge shaft was expanded to its full diameter of 22.70 m, in the case where significant rock mass cover existed at EL 651.00 m. However stress reduction or no variation in the induced stress was measured in the portion of insufficient rock cover. In the second case, to determine the design parameters of Kolkewadi masonry dam of K.H.E.P stage-III, flat jack tests were conducted at the upstream side of Kolkewadi masonry dam in masonry of 1:4 and 1:3 and at downstream sloping side in masonry of 1:5. It is impractical and difficult to obtain mechanical properties of masonry in laboratory from the extracted core samples, due to intrinsic nonhomogeneity of the material. The brick/stone and mortar layers caused anisotropic behavior of masonry. Average deformation modulus for 1:3 masonry was 32.8 GPa. Similarly, the average deformation modulus for the 1:4 and 1:5 masonry was 19.0 and 13.7 GPa respectively and were adopted for the dynamic analysis. Induced stresses in the masonry dam were found to be nearly equal to the overburden.


Background: Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) mediated resistance to carbapenems is an emerging threat in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) nosocomial infections. Limited data on role of Imipenem resistant MBL positive PA (IR-MBLP-PA) and IR-MBL negative-PA (IR-MBLN-PA) infections on mortality and morbidity initiated the present study. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the role of IR-MBLP-PA and IR-MBLN-PA infections on mortality and morbidity. Materials and Methods: Prospective observational study of 1 year with 110 PA nosocomial infections was conducted with Imipenem + ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid combined disc test for MBL detection. Role of IR-MBLP-PA and IR-MBLN-PA infections on the outcome and morbidity were assessed in terms of crude mortality rate, Charlson's comorbidity score and mean duration of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) until cure and until death, number of episodes of complications and underlying disease. Results were analyzed by z test for proportions and Student t-test. Results: Relatively high crude mortality was observed among IR-MBLP-PA infections than IR-MBLN-PA (42.86% [6/14] vs. 20% [2/10], Z = 0.69, P = 0.49 NS). Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the underlying disease and a confounding factor in all deaths due to IR-MBLP-PA infections. IR-MBLP-PA infections resulted in rapid downhill course to death with short mean duration of stay in ICU until death than IR-MBLN-PA infections (3.167 ± 0.98 days vs. 16 ± 2.82, P < 0.001 highly significant [HS]) with more number of complications (5.85 ± 1.65 vs. 3.7 ± 1.31, P < 0.001 HS). With the exception of previous Imipenem therapy, association of higher Charlson's comorbidity score, severe underlying diseases, multidrug and pandrug resistance and pre-disposing risk factors with IR-MBLP-PA infections was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Higher mortality in IR-MBLP-PA than in IR-MBLN-PA was not significant indicating IR as an important predictor of mortality than MBL production. Higher morbidity and increased virulence was observed with certainty in IR-MBLP-PA infections.


Database machine architectures have been proposed as a promising alternative to improve database system performance, control, and flexibility. While many claims have been made for the database machine concept, few studies have been made to test the performance advantages and disadvantages of a database machine in an application environment. A comprehensive benchmark study comparing the performance of database systems on a conventional computer system and a database machine is reported in this paper. The results show the database machine architecture to have superior performance in most cases. The performance advantage is sensitive to the communication line speed between the host computer and the database machine. The effects of line speed are studied and displayed in the benchmark results. A summary of the similarities and differences between the architectures based upon our benchmark results completes the paper.


Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) is a model of care designed to provide 'low risk' pregnant women with continuous care by one midwife throughout pregnancy, labour and birth and the early postnatal period. A one-year trial of this model concluded in June 2005 at Wollongong Hospital. Evaluation of the MGP program focused on clinical outcomes and consumer acceptance. Data sources included peer reviews of selected cases and satisfaction surveys of the women who took part. During the antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods, midwives noted any deviations from normal and followed specified criteria for consultation and referral to other health professionals. Women who developed risk factors or complications during pregnancy or during delivery were transferred off the program into routine care. Trial data demonstrate that a model of continuous primary care by midwives can operate safely and effectively, with very high levels of consumer satisfaction.


Using a 3-D electromagnetic particle-in-cell model an evolution of the electron distribution function in the beam-plasma system with the return current is computed. It was found that the resulting electron distribution func- tion depends on the magnetic field assumed along the beam- propagation direction. While for small magnetic fields the electron distribution function becomes broad in the direction perpendicular to the beam propagation due to the Weibel (fil- amentation) instability and the return current is formed by a shifted bulk distribution, for stronger magnetic fields the dis- tribution, especially on the return current side, is extended in the beam-propagation direction. To understand better the instabilities influencing the mentioned processes, the disper- sion diagrams are computed and discussed.


The purpose of this paper is to examine the causes of welfare state expansion, specifically the causes of welfare state expenditure of active labor market policy (ALMP). ALMP aims at reducing unemployment and increasing participation in the labor market. The field of political economy has long asked the question of why certain welfare states are characterized by generous social policy, while others are not. Several theories have been presented over the years, each providing new perspectives. The two theories that could be considered to be the most prominent are the Power Resource Theory, which centers on the importance of power resources of major classes, and the Varieties of Capitalism, which is more focused on the different needs of capitalists.The specific interest of this paper is the varying orientations of ALMP. It is argued that ALMP should not be understood as a homogenous concept, but instead as a category of policy which consists of a range of tools from which a government can choose. Analyzing the expenditure of these tools separately is thus of great importance for the development of a deeper understanding of the welfare state.Using regression analysis, I analyze which of the theories mentioned above is most strongly correlated to increased expenditure of ALMP. I use a total expenditure of ALMP, as is customary within the field, but I also include two other measures for specific tools of ALMP; incentive reinforcement programs and training programs.The results indicate that when looking at the total expenditure of ALMP the VoC approach appears to better explain the cause of welfare state expenditure. However, when including the measures for the specific tools of ALMP, the classic notion of VoC is confirmed only regarding incentive reinforcement programs, and contradicted regarding training programs. Moreover, the classic notion of PRT is confirmed regarding the expenditure of training programs, albeit with quite limited evidence. Also, the classic notion within PRT finds little support in the analysis of total expenditure of ALMP and the expenditure of incentive reinforcement programs. Only making a distinction between large and small welfare states is thus argued to be a simplification. Welfare states with similar levels of social expenditure might in fact differ significantly regarding actual policy preference.It is concluded that the continued disaggregation of ALMP is necessary in order to further the research field. Acknowledging the highly heterogeneous nature of ALMP is essential when understanding its expenditure.


Decapod crustaceans, in particular semiterrestrial crabs, are highly visual animals that greatly rely on visual information. Their responsiveness to visual moving stimuli, with behavioral displays that can be easily and reliably elicited in the laboratory, together with their sturdiness for experimental manipulation and the accessibility of their nervous system for intracellular electrophysiological recordings in the intact animal, make decapod crustaceans excellent experimental subjects for investigating the neurobiology of visually guided behaviors. Investigations of crustaceans have elucidated the general structure of their eyes and some of their specializations, the anatomical organization of the main brain areas involved in visual processing and their retinotopic mapping of visual space, and the morphology, physiology, and stimulus feature preferences of a number of well-identified classes of neurons, with emphasis on motion-sensitive elements. This anatomical and physiological knowledge, in connection with results of behavioral experiments in the laboratory and the field, are revealing the neural circuits and computations involved in important visual behaviors, as well as the substrate and mechanisms underlying visual memories in decapod crustaceans.


IL-4 is a potent, pleiotropic cytokine that, in general, directs cellular activation, differentiation, and rescue from apoptosis. However, in mast cells, IL-4 induces the down-regulation of activation receptors and promotes cell death. Mast cells have been shown to transduce IL-4 signals through a unique C-terminally truncated isoform of STAT6. In this study, we examine the mechanism through which STAT6 is processed to generate this isoform. We demonstrate that STAT6 processing in mast cells is initiated by IL-4-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of full-length STAT6 and subsequent cleavage by a nuclear serine-family protease. The location of the protease in the nucleus ensures that the truncated STAT6 has preferential access to bind DNA. IL-4-responsive target genes in mast cells are identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation of STAT6, including the IL-4 gene itself. These results suggest a molecular explanation for the suppressive effects of IL-4 on STAT6-regulated genes in mast cells. The Journal of Immunology, 2002, 169: 3811–3818.


— This paper models recent data in the field of postu-ral coordination showing the existence of self-organized postural states, and transition between them, underlying supra-postural tracking movements. The proposed biomechanical model, capitalizing on stability and optimization criteria, captures the complex postural behaviors observed in humans and can be used to implement efficient balance control principles in humanoids. Experimental results on humanoids show the relevance of this work.


Our best hope of helping patients who appear to be demented lies in the painstaking diagnostic evaluation of each such patient whom the physician encounters. The first step is to separate out those patients who appear to have organic dementias but in fact do not. These pseudodemented patients, i.e., patients with functional psychiatric disorders mimicking dementia, often have an excellent prognosis. Next, in those patients with diffuse organic dysfunction, a diligent search must be made for those disorders that are amenable to specific therapy. Good evidence is available to demonstrate that thorough diagnostic evaluation pays off in the identification of a significant proportion of treatable disease. Even when no treatable disease can be identified, treatment of coexisting medical and physical problems, environmental manipulation, and pharmacologic therapy can do much to alleviate the patient's plight.


—Nowadays, interactive multimedia systems are part of everyday life. The most common way to interact and control these devices is through remote controls or some sort of touch panel. In recent years, due to the introduction of reliable low-cost Kinect-like sensing technology, more and more attention has been dedicated to touchless interfaces. A Kinect-like devices can be positioned on top of a multimedia system, detect a person in front of the system and process skeletal data, optionally with RGBd data, to determine user gestures. The gestures of the person can then be used to control, for example, a media device. Even though there is a lot of interest in this area, currently, no consumer system is using this type of interaction probably due to the inherent difficulties in processing raw data coming from Kinect cameras to detect the user intentions. In this work, we considered the use of neural networks using as input only the Kinect skeletal data for the task of user intention classification. We compared different deep networks and analyzed their outputs.


This thesis discusses one of the probes of a Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP):
direct photon emission. The QGP is a state of matter that is
hypothesized to exist at high baryon densities and high temperature.
These circumstances are only available for experiments in heavy-ion
collisions, and even there the presence of the QGP cannot be measured
directly. Several indications of a QGP have already been detected in
experiments at the SPS collider at CERN, but the evidence is still
inconclusive whether the QGP has been seen.

The direct photon signal consists of the photons emitted in the early
phases of a collision, partly in thermal processes. The spectrum of
these photons is highly dependent on the thermal evolution of the
medium, and a phase transition from the QGP to hadronic matter will have
a detectable effect on this thermal spectrum. Observation of the direct
signal is complicated by the presence of a high number of other photon
sources during the collision, mainly the decay of neutral mesons, in the
later phases of the collision. One way that this background can be
estimated is by an invariant-mass analysis, in which the invariant mass
is calculated of all pairs of detected photons.

in this thesis, an alternative method is proposed to eliminate the decay
photons from the detected photon signal. The method depends on the
measurement of the photon spectrum for several centrality classes. By
subtracting a scaled peripheral photon spectrum from the central photon
spectrum, the decay photon spectrum can be eliminated, and the remaining
signal consists of direct photons only. Because this analysis uses the
ratio of measured spectra at different centralities, it is less
sensitive to a number of systematic effects, compared to the invariant
mass analysis.

Our inclusive photon analysis has been performed on the photon data of
Pb+Pb collisions in the WA98 experiment at a beam energy of 158 GeV per
nucleon.. Using our method, it was possible to produce a direct photon
spectrum for transverse photon momenta between 0.5 GeV/c and 2.0 GeV/c.
For the lower part of this interval, this is the first time that a
direct photon signal has been extracted. At higher momenta, the results
show a good correspondence with earlier results of the WA98 invariant
mass analysis.

The results are compared with the outcome of a simple hydrodynamical
model first proposed by Bjorken. This shows that the direct photon
signal that we found is compatible with an initial temperature of about
300 MeV, and a transition temperature of 180 MeV. With these
parameters, the model shows that most of the thermal photons originate
in the QGP/hadron gas mix during the phase transition, or in the
following hadron gas phase.


Networked governance requires public managers to think and act strategically across organizational boundaries. Taking the literature on the transition from government to governance and its implications for Human Resource Management (HRM) as a starting point, we argue that not only top management, but also lower-level employees are likely to be involved in this work. In order to invest effectively in the strategic and collaborative competencies required for networked governance at all levels of the organization, one needs to be able to assess strategic capacity. This article develops an assessment framework based on an in-depth case study conducted in a government department in the Netherlands over a 6-month period. We evaluate an initial framework to assess strategic capacity derived from existing literature and propose an augmented framework that acknowledges the tension between different accountability relationships and the need for continuous, structured, reflective interaction between managers, employees, and key stakeholders.


We consider the Approximate Nearest Line Search (NLS) problem. Given a set L of N lines in the high dimensional Euclidean space Rd, the goal is to build a data structure that, given a query point q ∈ Rd, reports a line l ∈ L such that its distance to the query is within (1 + e) factor of the distance of the closest line to the query point q. The problem is a natural generalization of the well-studied Approximate Nearest Neighbor problem for point sets (ANN), and is a natural first step towards understanding how to build efficient nearest-neighbor data structures for objects that are more complex than points.

Our main result is a data structure that, for any fixed e > 0, reports the approximate nearest line in time (d + log N + 1/e)O(1) using O(N + d)O(1/e2) space. This is the first high-dimensional data structure for this problem with poly-logarithmic query time and polynomial space. In contrast, the best previous data structure for this problem, due to Magen [16], required quasi-polynomial space. Up to polynomials, the bounds achieved by our data structure match the performance of the best algorithm for the approximate nearest neighbor problem for point sets.


A mild protocol for the conversion of β-ketoesters and β-diketones to carboxylic acids with use of CAN in CH3CN is described. The method is compatible with a number of functional groups, and can generate carboxylic acids under neutral conditions at room temperature. The reaction is fast and general, providing an alternative method to the commonly used malonic ester acid preparation. Initial mechanistic studies show that initial oxidation of the enol form of the β-dicarbonyl initiates the reaction. The presence of nitrate as an oxidant ligand or as an additive is critical for success of the reaction.


Myocardial oxygen consumption (MOO2)and lactic acid release were measured in the isolated heart of a hagfish (Eptatretus cirrhatus Forster) perfused in vitro. Two different ranges of partial pressures of oxygen were employed (PIOO2 3.87-5.87 and 1.60-2.67 kPa). All hearts released lactate into the perfusate, but the rate of release was greater and MOO2 was depressed at the lower PIOO2. When energy production through the glycolytic pathway to lactate is converted to oxygen equivalents and added to measured oxygen consumption rates, over a wide range of power outputs and different values of POO2, the data can be fitted to a single linear regression line. The rate of oxygen consumption of the hagfish myocardium, so obtained, is similar to values reported for teleost fish. The unusual ability of the hagfish myocardium to support perhaps up to 50 + of its maximal power output through anaerobic metabolism is related to its extremely low cardiac energy demand.


High-power broad-band millimeter-wave radiation is emitted from a plasma in a strong Langmuir turbulence state driven by an intense relativistic electron beam. We measured directivity and spectrum of this radiation with a filter-bank spectrometer, a heterodyne spectrometer, and a filter-waveguide-combination spectrometer covering 18-140 GHz. The directivity measurement indicated that the radiation was relativistically beamed. The observed spectra were nearly flat up to about 40 GHz and declined steeply above 40 GHz. Discussion is given on the experimental results in connection with the collective Compton boosting model proposed by Benford and Weatherall (1992).


"Black Maps" is the first in-depth survey of the major aerial projects by David Maisel, whose images of radically altered terrain have transformed the practice of contemporary landscape photography. In more than 100 photos that span Maisels career, "Black Maps" presents a hallucinatory worldview encompassing both stark documentary and tragic metaphor, and exploring the relationship between nature and humanity today. Maisels images of environmentally impacted sites consider the aesthetics of open pit mines, clear-cut forests, rampant urbanization and sprawl, and zones of water reclamation. These surreal and disquieting photos take us towards the margins of the unknown and as the "Los Angeles Times" has stated, argue for an expanded definition of beauty, one that bypasses glamour to encompass the damaged, the transmuted, the decomposed. David Maisel was born in New York in 1961. His photographs have been exhibited internationally, and are included in many permanent collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Maisel was a scholar in residence at the Getty Research Institute in 2007, an artist in residence at the Headlands Center for the Arts in 2008, and a recipient of an individual artists grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. He is a trustee of the Headlands Center for the Arts.


Nowadays, the European electricity systems are evolving towards a generation mix that is more decentralised, less predictable and less flexible to operate. In this context, additional flexibility is expected to be provided by the demand side. Thus, how to engage consumers to participate in demand response is becoming a pressing issue. In this paper, we provide an analytical framework to assess consumers' potential and willingness to participate in active demand response from a contract perspective. On that basis, we present policy recommendations to empower and protect consumers in their shift to active demand response participants.


This paper deals with procedures used for designing pillar systems in hard-rock tabular mines operating at shallow depths, typically less than 1000 m. A comprehensive review of current practice identifies four types of pillars, namely non-yield, yield, crush and barrier pillars, and the main principles for designing these pillars are outlined. It is shown that the current design methods for pillar systems in South Africa are mainly empirical, each mine developing its pillar-design methods based largely on practical experience. This results in varying pillar layouts, even between neighbouring mines, despite similarities in geology, and depth of mining. It is suggested that some current layouts may fall short of being the best as regards safety, the maximum safe extraction percentages, or flexibility in accommodating future mining scenarios in deeper or otherwise different geological conditions.


This document describes a neural method for clustering words and its use in language modeling for speech recognizers. The method is based on clustering the words which appear on similar local context and estimating the parameters needed for language modeling based on these clusters. The language model used is similar to the traditional n-grams.


Language is alive; it lives and continuously develops. If we say this it means that discussions about language will continue as long as human beings exist. Every new thing builds up its own language and terminology. However, it is difficult to say that this development is built up appropriately by the rules of the language.

In this study, the affect of media in developing Turkish sports own language will be indicated with examples, especially when football reaches to a position that no one could remain uninterested.

There has been many things written and said aboutthe language usedin the media. But media has to produce and sell. Thus, no matter what the rules of language, article and speech say, it will continue using the language how its customers want. It is obvious that, a commentator who insults and uses the slang words will attract more audience and listener.

Actually, the language of the news should be simple and neutral. However, the usage of distant, dull and colourless language started to be abandoned all around the world. Herein, it can be said that the sports programs are pioneered. It's identified that the sports media is more independent in the usage of language, it frequently uses the metaphors, which are taken from many other fields, and personalization are constantly applied. Of course, all these things are to attract the attention of the reader and the audience.

In this study, further clarification of the issue will be aimed by giving some examples of bad language and slang used by the supporters of the football teams, the sports columnists and the titles of news in sports press.


Wontra provides vacation and holiday packages to places like Dubai, London, Cape Town, and more. We are a professional travel and tour company rendering services to both corporates and individuals


Excessive use of social network sites (SNSs) can often lead to negative consequences of frequent upward social comparisons despite having the social network platform to present users in a favorable light. However, the existing literature gives little evidence to social comparison related antecedents and consequents of uncontrollable use of SNSs. The present study aimed to investigate the contributions of social comparison to SNS addiction. In Study 1, using a convenient sample in Austria (n = 103), we showed that the tendency to engage in social comparisons of ability (but not of opinion) predicted self-reported SNS addiction over and above the feelings of relative deprivation on social support and status. SNS addiction mediated the relations between social comparison of ability and stress, but not self-esteem. In Study 2, using a broad sample of participants in Austria (n = 500), we replicated the findings observed in Study 1 and showed that contrastive upward social comparison emotions (i.e., envy, depression) mediated the relation between SNS addiction and lower self-esteem whereas the contrastive downward social comparison emotion (i.e., contentment) mediated the relation between SNS addiction and higher self-esteem. Our findings suggest that SNS addiction closely relates to psychological constructs relevant to social comparison, mediates the link between social comparison of ability and detrimental consequences (i.e., stress, well-being) and demonstrate how social comparison emotions relate to both positive and negative associations between SNS addiction and self-esteem.


A substantial percentage of the kindergarten population in the Netherlands lags so far behind in L2 profi ciency that they may hardly profi t from picture storybook reading promoted as a remedy for vocabulary defi cits. The fi rst aim of this study was to test whether young children with limited profi ciency in their second language benefi t more from repeated readings of a digitized storybook that includes video instead of merely static illustrations. Subjects (N = 106) were randomly assigned to a control condition or one of four treatment conditions crossing two levels of repetition (one or four exposures) with two versions of the same story (merely static pictures vs., instead of pictures, video representations). A second aim was to test the hypothesis that video storybooks promote the acquisition of new language because children are more inclined to sustain their efforts to extract meaning from the text when video is added. As indicator of the amount of mental effort, skin conductance was monitored in a sub-group that encountered the same story four times (N = 42). The results support the hypothesis that video storybooks offer a suitable framework for vocabulary acquisition in kindergarten children with low L2 profi ciency. Furthermore, mental effort remains at a higher level when a video storybook is repeated and this stability is one of the generating mechanisms through which video storybooks are more effective than static storybooks at stimulating L2 vocabulary.


Higher education institutions operate in a complex environment that includes influence from external factors, new technologies for teaching and learning, globalization, and changing student demographics to name a few. Maneuvering such complexity and change requires a leadership strategy that is flexible and supportive. This paper reviews two leadership theories in reference to this need: adaptive leadership theory and transactional leadership theory. Three conceptual categories of environmental readiness, leadership complexity, and followers' motivation are used as points of comparison for each theory. A recommendation is made for leadership strategy in higher education institutions based on this comparison.


Large-scale data mining and retrieval applications have increasingly turned to compact binary data representations as a way to achieve both fast queries and ecient data storage; many algorithms have been proposed for learning eective binary encodings. Most of these algorithms focus on learning a set of projection hyperplanes for the data and simply binarizing the result from each hyperplane, but this neglects the fact that informativeness may not be uniformly distributed across the projections. In this paper, we address this issue by proposing a novel adaptive quantization (AQ) strategy that adaptively assigns varying numbers of bits to dierent hyperplanes based on their information content. Our method provides an information-based schema that preserves the neighborhood structure of data points, and we jointly nd the globally optimal bit-allocation for all hyperplanes. In our experiments, we compare with state-of-the-art methods on four large-scale datasets and nd that our adaptive quantization approach signicantly improves on traditional hashing methods.


This presentation provides comparative analysis of agricultural holdings in Estonia based on the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) data. The FADN data for reference years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 have been analysed. The FADN data analyses showed, that there are very big differences in the structure of the agricultural holdings. Individual farms represent ca 92% of the total population of agricultural producers but at the same time their part in total production attains less than 50% according to the FADN data for year 2003.


Background The occurrence of azithromycin resistance in M. genitalium infection is unknown in Africa, where diagnostic resources are limited and STIs are managed syndromically. This study aims to gain insight in the molecular epidemiology including antimicrobial resistance of M. genitalium infection in South Africa. Methods We collected 87 M . genitalium-positive samples obtained from participants in three study cohorts: HIV-infected pregnant women residing in townships in Pretoria (n=44), men and women accessing primary healthcare services in rural Mopani District (n=32), and men accessing sexual health services in Johannesburg (n=11). Molecular typing was performed using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis of the MG191 gene to determine sequence type (ST) combined with variable-number of tandem-repeat (VNTR) assessment of the MG309 gene. Molecular detection of macrolide resistance-associated mutations in the 23S rRNA gene was done and, if detected, subsequent sequencing of the parC and gyrA genes for quinolone resistance. Results SNP analysis was successful in 22 specimens and showed 17 different STs (9 known and 8 new STs). VNTR assessment was successful for 36 specimens and showed variation in the number of repeat, ranging from 8 to 19; four strains had the same number of repeats (11). There was no geographic clustering of specific STs or number of repeats observed. Azithromycin resistance was detected in only 1/87 specimens (1.1%); a mutation in the parC gene associated with quinolone resistance was also detected in this case. This specific strain was a unique novel ST, but with similar tandem repeats, compared to the drug-susceptible stains. Conclusion This study shows a well-established, genetically diverse epidemic of M. genitalium infection in South Africa. The prevalence of azithromycin resistance was low, which is probably the result of the relatively recent introduction of azithromycin in the syndromic management guidelines. Nevertheless, introduction of diagnostics and surveillance of resistance is urgently warranted. Disclosure No significant relationships.


To realize a comprehensive service, one big university in Jakarta organize medical check up for freshmen students which include physical and mental health. The purposes of this study were to identify the characteristics of students who have mental disorder and factors related to visit for consulting doctor or psychologist after the medical check up. A cross-sectional study was conducted in January-February, 2017. The study used secondary datas from freshmen medical check up of  2015 and 2016 and medical records of university student clinic in 2015-2016. Mental health evaluation done by using SRQ20 (self-reporting questionnaire) that filled online by students' re-registration. A total of 1,793 (12.4%) of freshmen  students from 14,129 students fill out 'yes' answer for at least 6 question and called as having mental disorder. There were only 24% of mental disorder students had come to doctors at university hospitals and only 2.4% who come to the counselor psychologist at the clinic during the year 2015-2016. The factors associated of visit the doctor in clinic were living in a dormitory or boarding (p<0.05 OR 2.82) and having physical problems at medical check up (p<0.05 OR 1.49). The factor associated with of visit the psychologist was male (p<0.05 OR 2.16). Number of mental disorder students who visited the doctor almost ten fold than visited the psychologist. So university clinics doctors as primary care physicians need to be more competence in identifying and detecting early mental disorder symptoms that hide in somatic symptoms.


Histone lysine methylation and DNA methylation contribute to transcriptional regulation. We have previ- ously shown that acetylated histones are associated with unmethylated DNA and are nearly absent from the methylated DNA regions by using patch-methylated stable episomes in human cells. The present study further demonstrates that DNA methylation immediately downstream from the transcription start site has a dramatic impact on transcription and that DNA methylation has a larger effect on transcription elongation than on initiation. We also show that dimethylated histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me2) is depleted from regions with DNA methylation and that this effect is not linked to the transcriptional activity in the region. This effect is a local one and does not extend even 200 bp from the methylated DNA regions. Although depleted primarily from the methylated DNA regions, the presence of trimethylated histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) may be affected by transcriptional activity as well. The data here suggest that DNA methylation at the junction of transcription initiation and elongation is most critical in transcription suppression and that this effect is mechanistically mediated through chromatin structure. The data also strongly support the model in which DNA methylation and not transcriptional activity dictates a closed chromatin structure, which excludes H3K4me2 and H3K4me3 in the region, as one of the pathways that safeguards the silent state of genes.


This thesis analyses the problem of creating computational models of ontology evolution in legal reasoning. Ontology evolution is the process of change that happens to a theory as it is used by agents within a domain. In the legal domain these theories are the laws that define acceptable behaviours and the meta-legal theories that govern the application of the laws. We survey the background subjects required to understand the problem and the relevant literature within AI and Law. We argue that context and commonsense are necessary features of a model of ontology evolution in legal reasoning; and propose a model of legal reasoning based upon creating a discourse context. We conclude by arguing that there is a distinction between prescriptive and descriptive models of ontology evolution; with a prescriptive model being a social and philosophical problem, rather than a technical one, and a descriptive model being an AI-complete problem.


As it ignorance the effect of intermediate principal stress, traditional Duncan - Chang model has limitation when applied into geotechnical engineering. It was improved through incorporating the effect of intermediate principal stress based on unified strength theory. Under the help of customized modification platform in ABAQUS, the applicability and stability of the improved model and the reliability of subroutine were validated through simulation of several examples. The results show the improved model can better reflect the deformation behavior of soil through taking the influence of intermediate principal stress into consideration. The improved model in paper can be applied into dense sand, fine sand and clay.


The villous syncytium of the placenta of the macaque was found to contain channel-like formations bounded by syncytial membrane. They were present in placental specimens obtained from rhesus monkeys at periods of gestation varying from 90 to 164 days and were identifiable only by electron microscopy. These syncytial channels communicated with the intervillous space but were quite distinct from junctional complexes described in the syncytium of human placental villi. They appeared to be extensions of the intervillous space whereby areas of the syncytium would come in contact with maternal plasma flowing at a greatly reduced rate. Features of these channels, of their bounding membrane and of the adjacent cytoplasm, could point to a phenomenon of regional specialisation in the syncytiotrophoblast.


A hybrid energy system is a combination of renewable energy sources with back up, as well as a storage system used to respond to given load energy requirements. Given that the electrical output of each renewable source is fluctuating with changes in weather conditions, and since the load demand also varies with time; one of the main attributes of hybrid systems is to be able to respond to the load demand at any time by optimally controlling each energy source, storage and back-up system. The induced optimization problem is to compute the optimal operation control of the system with the aim of minimizing operation costs while efficiently and reliably responding to the load energy requirement. Current optimization research and development on hybrid systems are mainly focusing on the sizing aspect. Thus, the aim of this paper is to report on the state-of-the-art of optimal operation control of hybrid renewable energy systems. This paper also discusses different challenges encountered, as well as future developments that can help in improving the optimal operation control of hybrid renewable energy systems. Keywords—Renewable energies, hybrid systems, optimization, operation control.


The circle and sphere theorems in classical hydrodynamics are generalized to a composite double body. The double body is composed of two overlapping circles/spheres of arbitrary radii intersecting at a vertex angle π/n, n an integer. The Kelvin transformation is used successively to obtain closed form expressions for several flow problems. The problems considered here include two-dimensional and axisymmetric three-dimensional inviscid and slow viscous flows. The general results are presented as theorems followed by simple proofs. The two-dimensional results are obtained using complex function theory, while the three-dimensional formulas are obtained using the Stokes stream function. The solutions for several flows in the presence of the composite geometry are derived by the use of these theorems. These solutions are in singularity forms, and the image singularities are interpreted in each case. In the case of three-dimensional axisymmetric viscous flows, a Faxen relation for the force acting on the composite bubble is derived.


We introduce a novel adaptive targeted treatment assignment methodology for field experiments. Our Tempered Thompson Algorithm balances the goals of maximizing the precision of treatment effect estimates and maximizing the welfare of experimental participants. A hierarchical Bayesian model allows us to adaptively target treatments. We implement our methodology in Jordan, testing policies to help Syrian refugees and local jobseekers to find work. The immediate employment impacts of a small cash grant, information and psychological support are close to zero, but targeting raises employment by 1 percentage-point (20%). After four months, cash has a sizable effect on employment and earnings of Syrians.


Objectives This study aims to evaluate whether ultrasound (US)- guided facet joint injection reduces pain and improves mobility in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Patients and methods This retrospective study included 27 patients (8 males, 19 females; mean age 43.6±11.5 years; range, 31 to 54 years) who underwent US-guided facet injections for FBSS between January 2017 and January 2019. Patients' medial records were assessed. Pain rating scores were evaluated with the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Functional status was assessed with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) version 2.0. Lumbar flexion degree was noted. After injection (lidocaine-betamethasone mixture), patients were reevaluated at first and sixth months. The study data were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results Successful facet joint injections were achieved without any complications in all patients. The median duration of time after surgery was 7.8±1.3 months. Mean duration of pain was 6.7±5.7 months. There was a significant decrease in NRS values between baseline and sixth month comparison (7.0 at baseline and 6.0 at sixth month, p=0.006). Baseline-first month and first-sixth months comparisons were not significant (p=0.165 and p=0.106, respectively). For ODI, no significant change was observed between baseline-first month, first-sixth months, and baseline-sixth month comparisons (p=0.109, p=0.857, and p=0.095, respectively). For lumbar flexion, all comparisons resulted in significant increase (50.0° for baseline, 60.0° at first month, and 70.0° at sixth month; p<0.001 for baseline-first month comparison, p<0.001 for baseline-sixth month comparison, and p<0.001 for first-sixth months comparison). Conclusion Our results show that pain is reduced and mobility is improved with US-guided facet joint injections in patients with FBSS.


A rational approach to monitoring and assessment is prerequisite for sustainable management of ecosystem resources. This features innovative ways to advance the concept of monitoring ecosystem sustainability across spheres of environmental concern, natural and anthropogenic processes, and other hemispheric issues over a variety of spatial scales and resolution levels. Individuals and institutions, committed to mutual sustainability of ecosystem resources and human institutions, shared experiences and outlined a foundation for advancing the science and practice of monitoring and assessment at multiple geographical and organizational scales. Questions addressed in the proceedings papers include: What is the status and condition, and what are the trends in ecosystem sustainability? What are the strategies and opportunities for solving the sustainability dilemma? What are the individual and institutional responses to the sustainability challenge? Discussion during the symposium fostered the creation of coherent and unified ecosystem resource sustainability assessments and syntheses valuable to support environmental management and decision-making processes. The proceedings is a testimonial to the wealth of information presented at the symposium and a positive indicator of inter- and transdisciplinary scientific and technical success.


The objective of this case series was to characterize the population, case presentations, and outcomes of 28 equids diagnosed with cleft palate over a 25-year period. The incidence of cleft palate was 0.04%. The median age at presentation was 2 mo (range: 1 d to 3 y). Fifty percent of the animals were < 2 mo old, 21% were ≥ 2 mo but < 1 y old, and 29% were 1 y of age or older. Males and females were nearly equally represented. Short-term outcomes included euthanasia in 50%, surgical repair in 11%, supportive care in 4%, and no treatment in 32% of cases; 46% of the animals survived to discharge. Defects involving both the hard and soft palate and/or aspiration pneumonia generally had less favorable outcomes. Though cleft palate is rare in horses, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses of all ages with nasal discharge, a cough, a history of recurrent respiratory infections, poor growth, or chronic submandibular lymphadenopathy. Endoscopic evaluation of the pharynx may aid in earlier diagnosis and prognostication for owners.


Neighborhood (spatial) models of plant populations have assumed implicitly that competition between adjacent individuals is the primary determinant of observed dynamics. In contrast, non-spatial models now routinely test this assumption against the null hypothesis that individual differences in intrinsic growth rate alone can explain observed patterns. In a widely-used neighborhood model (Pacala and Silander 1990), competition is modelled as a direct effect of neighbors on target plant biomass, which in turn affects plant fecundity. We have developed a statistical null model for Pacala and Silander's (1990) neighborhood model for plant monocultures that explicitly incorporates variation in plant growth rate, and permits a test of the hypothesis that neighborhood competition controls plant ground area occupied (= rosette diameter) and biomass. An additional alternative hypothesis to our model is that neighbors can affect fecundity independently of their effects on plant diameter and biomass. We tested these three hypotheses (1) no effect of competition (null); (2) neighborhood competition directly affecting plant diameter and biomass, and indirectly affecting fecundity (Pacala and Silander 1990); (3) neighborhood competition directly affecting plant diameter, biomass, and fecundity by replicating, with appropriate controls, Silander and Pacala's (1985) experiments with the rosette-forming crucifer, Arabidopsis thaliana. Neighborhood competition in dense stands resulted in simultaneous changes in plant diameter, biomass, and fecundity relative to plants grown in the absence of competition. There also were apparent effects of neighbors on plant fecundity independent of their effects on plant size alone. The null model was not supported, but Pacala and Silander's model did not fit the data as well as the model that incorporated direct effects of neighbors on plant fecundity.


Groundwater has been used from past centuries to fulfill the water demand of people in the valley. However, at the present scenario, groundwater extraction has moved beyond ground's natural recharge capacity which has caused depletion of groundwater level. As people are being aware about this issue, they don't have enough open space to let monsoon water percolate inside the earth. So, they have started artificial groundwater recharge methods in the dense settlement areas of Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC). Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and a survey were deployed to collect information about the artificial groundwater recharge systems being practiced in LMC. In the similar way, recharge methods being employed were compared with a manual developed by CSE, India for recharging groundwater. According to the study, different agencies have been involved in artificial groundwater recharge. They are using seven types of recharge methods altogether. However, all of these methods have used well shaped structure to infiltrate water to shallow aquifer. Beside recharge well, they have used almost common types of filter material with different proportion to separate sediment load from runoff water that is supposed to be recharged. likewise, certain recharge methods have sedimentation chamber too. Altogether, three types of catchment areas are used for groundwater recharge and there also exists variation in the catchment area from one method to the next method. Additionally, all of these recharge methods do not have any provision to tackle with water contamination. However, artificial groundwater recharge systems that are being implemented in LMC have some short comings which can be seen during the design and operation phase. So, it will be a great idea for the agencies to develop a proper design for recharge methods which can operate smoothly in the coming days ensuring water quality.


Objective: To compare ophthalmic and central retinal arteries Doppler in preeclamptic women with and without visual disturbance and headache. Methods: Transversal study that compared the ophthalmic and retinal central arteries Doppler indices of 40 preeclamptic women with no symptoms compared to 7 preeclamptic women with visual disturbance and headache. Right and left eyes averages Doppler indices were evaluates and resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and peak ratio (PR) were calculated. Wilcoxon test was performed to compare the two groups, with significance level of 5%. Results: The main visual disturbance was photophobia. All the seven women referred headache associated with photophobia, and they were not using any medication. There was no statistical significant difference in RI, PI, PSV, EDV, PR (p = 0.99; 0.23; 0.84; 0.85; 0.08) ophthalmic artery and RI, PI, PSV, EDV (p = 0.34; 0.35; 0.87; 0.57) central retinal artery, comparing women with and without visual disturbance and headache. Conclusion: Preeclamptic women with visual disturbance and headache do not show any worse in the orbital vascular vasodilatation or hyperperfusion. This is a preliminary analysis, and furthers studies will be necessary to clarify this question.


ABSTRACT Described here is a rating scale to provide feedback about the success of training and of program implementation when a new program is being adopted. It allowssproject personnel to determine whether trainees possess the knowledge and skills necessary to implement a new program for which they are being trained. It also informs project personnel of the extent to which a program has been implemented. The elements of the rating scale include columns containing descriptions of the activities and attributes associated with the educational program, criterion levels for each attribute, data sources and monitoring or documenting activities for measurement of each attribute, reports of the level of implementation, and an indication of whether the criterion level has been met. The level of implementation is stated in terms of precise levels of compliance. Information c..ncerning the implementation of program attributes is collected by internal and external pr.-7-gram evaluators using multiple techniques. Programs adapted for use in new situations can be evaluated using the same attribu+ .Rd criteria used for the original program. (Author/JM)


Background: Knee injuries are a major injury concern for Australian Football players and participants of many other sports worldwide. There is increasing evidence from laboratory and biomechanically focused studies about the likely benefit of targeted exercise programmes to prevent knee injuries. However, there have been few international studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of such programmes in the real-world context of community sport that have combined epidemiological, behavioural and biomechanical approaches. Objective: To implement a fully piloted and tested exercise training intervention to reduce the number of football-related knee injuries. In so doing, to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness in the real-world context of community football and to determine if the underlying neural and biomechanical training adaptations are associated with decreased risk of injury. Setting: Adult players from community-level Australian Football clubs in two Australian states over the 2007–08 playing seasons. Methods: A group-clustered randomised controlled trial with teams of players randomly allocated to either a coach-delivered targeted exercise programme or usual behaviour (control). Epidemiological component: field-based injury surveillance and monitoring of training/game exposures. Behavioural component: evaluation of player and coach attitudes, knowledge, behaviours and compliance, both before and after the intervention is implemented. Biomechanical component: biomechanical, game mobility and neuromuscular parameters assessed to determine the fundamental effect of training on these factors and injury risk. Outcome measures: The rate and severity of injury in the intervention group compared with the control group. Changes, if any, in behavioural components. Process evaluation: coach delivery factors and likely sustainability.


Context: Patients, who present at the orthopaedic department with a flexible mass in the forearm, are often considered to have an aberrant muscle or other muscle pathology. However, the differential diagnosis also includes different vascular malformations. Case report: We report a 20-year old Dutch woman who presented at the orthopaedic outpatient department with a soft tissue mass of the forearm since seven years. The differential diagnosis includes different vascular malformations, hemangioma, angiosarcoma and accessory muscle. After MR imaging and MR angiography, this mass was diagnosed as an intramuscular slow-flow venous malformation. Treatment consisted of repeated embolization with the sclerosant aethoxysclerol. After five months a control MR Angiograph showed an evident reduction in size of the malformation. Patient had no complaints any more. Conclusion: In fertile woman with a painful swelling located at the wrist or forearm, the diagnosis of a venous malformation should be included in de differential diagnosis. The normal work-up is an ultrasound and if this is suspect for a venous malformation, a MR angiography should be made.


Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related multiphenotypic sinonasal carcinoma (HMSC) is a recently described neoplasm entity that presents only in the sinonasal tract. Histologically, it displays features of both a surface-derived carcinoma and a salivary gland carcinoma, and is associated with high-risk HPV, specifically HPV type 33. Whereas majority of the cases display high-grade histologic features, HMSC paradoxically behaves in a relatively indolent fashion. It is important and meaningful to distinguish HMSC from other histopathologic mimickers as the clinical features and management are distinctive. A 64-year-old woman presented having intermittent left-side epistaxis and progressive nasal obstruction. A well-defined, solitary, friable mass with an irregular surface that easily bled upon contact was found in the posterior part of the left nasal cavity. Endoscopic excision of the tumor which was originated from left nasal septum was done and the tumor was confirmed as HMSC. After surgery, definitive radiotherapy was performed in 28 fractions. HMSC is a histopathological type that has been rarely reported so that we report this case with literature review.


Myocardial dysfunction is one of the main predictors of poor outcome in septic patients, with mortality rates next to 70%. During the sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction, both ventricles can dilate and diminish its ejection fraction, having less response to fluid resuscitation and catecholamines, but typically is assumed to be reversible within 7-10 days. In the last 30 years, It´s being subject of substantial research; however no explanation of its etiopathogenesis or effective treatment have been proved yet. The aim of this manuscript is to review on the most relevant aspects of the sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction, discuss its clinical presentation, pathophysiology, etiopathogenesis, diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies proposed in recent years.


A precise understanding of the orientalists' opinions about the qur'ānic and Islamic knowledge and a scientific evaluation of their viewpoints is an undeniable necessity for Muslims. Accordingly, the article at hand aims at evaluation of John Burton's research on the collection of the Qur'ān. The study adopts a library research method through an analytic-critical approach, though this should not be taken to mean that descriptive methods have not been used. Burton's research manifests his extensive investigation of the qur'ānic and Islamic sources. The information that he has reported in his research indicates that the traditions on the collection of the Qur'ān started to extend and evolve in the third century AH. Nonetheless, he has not tried to explain that whether any source historically substantiates his illustration of the evolution of these traditions or not. This is the most important criticism against Burton's research on the issue of the collection of the Qur'ān


Obstructive azoospermia was corrected surgically in 233 cases of vasovasostomy and 97 cases of post-inflammatory epididymovasostomy. Good results were obtained for groups of: younger age; shorter duration of obstruction; bilateral vas-to-vas anastomosis level; bilateral end-to-end anastomosis technique; bilateral oozes; no splint; and vasovasostomy patients hospitalized for seven days. Satisfactory results were obtained for groups of: nontuberculous epididymal obstruction; side-to-side anastomosis technique; and bilateral vas-to-epididymal head anastomosis level in epididymo vasostomy. Reversibility of post-vasectomy azoospermia averaged 82% for patency, and 34% for pregnancy, and for post-inflammatory azoospermia, 31% for patency, and 13% for pregnancy. Failure of operation was due mainly to fibrosis and sperm granuloma on the anastomosed site.


Asset-intensive companies face tighter maintenance budgets, stricter regulations and increased pressure to improve asset performance, whilst confronted with aging assets and workforce. Managing an asset with these challenges requires informed decision-making based on insight, knowledge and forecasting. Data is a powerful tool to achieve this goal.
 'Internet of things' innovations have led to a rapid increase in the availability of technical and business data. A few years ago, techniques that were complex and expensive are now more affordable, accessible and increasingly important in order to compete in this world of rapid change.
 Field data is faster and immediately available for processing, while more relevant measurements and observations of similar or better quality are leading to more reliable information for decision-making.
 The transition from data to information has been made possible through development in the usability of applications in the field of data science, and more advanced software and information systems are on the market for data analysis, diagnostics and simulation.


: The review presents the results of experimental studies conducted by the author. CBA, SHR, HER-2/neu and SAM mice revealed inhibition of age-related alterations in estrus function and spontaneous tumour development and showed life span extension under the influence of the pineal gland hormone Melatonin, synthetic peptide bioregulator Epitalon, delta-sleep-inducing peptide Deltaran, enterosorbent Aqualen and succinic acid containing preparation Neuronol (Noogam). The observed effect depended on the dose and conditions of administration, as well as genetic predisposition of the particular mice strains to tumour development.


Measuring reliability of edge networks in the Internet is difficult due to the size and heterogeneity of networks, the rarity of outages, and the difficulty of finding vantage points that can accurately capture such events at scale. In this paper, we use logs from a major CDN, detailing hourly request counts from address blocks. We discovered that in many edge address blocks, devices, collectively, contact the CDN every hour over weeks and months. We establish that a sudden temporary absence of these requests indicates a loss of Internet connectivity of those address blocks, events we call disruptions. We develop a disruption detection technique and present broad and detailed statistics on 1.5M disruption events over the course of a year. Our approach reveals that disruptions do not necessarily reflect actual service outages, but can be the result of prefix migrations. Major natural disasters are clearly represented in our data as expected; however, a large share of detected disruptions correlate well with planned human intervention during scheduled maintenance intervals, and are thus unlikely to be caused by external factors. Cross-evaluating our results we find that current state-of-the-art active outage detection over-estimates the occurrence of disruptions in some address blocks. Our observations of disruptions, service outages, and different causes for such events yield implications for the design of outage detection systems, as well as for policymakers seeking to establish reporting requirements for Internet services.


Background Leksell frames are high precision CE-approved medical devices used in the stereotactic department, gamma unit and neurosurgery. They can be considered as "critical" because of their use and price. The French legislation recommends a prionicidal detergent to clean sterilisable devices, whereas the company only recommends enzymatic detergents. Our position is uncomfortable. We have both to respect the recommendations provided by the company in order to protect the device's surface and the legislation concerning the risk of prion colonisation, but those 2 elements are contradictory. Purpose To highlight the impact of the cleaning process on the frames in order to optimise their management and guarantee they are used correctly. The cleaning process is selected by and under the pharmacist's responsibility. Material and methods We analysed the treatment of the frames from their use during surgery to their sterilisation. To build up a picture library we inspected the frames and their containers. Results We noted 2 major concerns: The plastic containers were damaged, linked to the high rate of use of the frames (14 sterilisation cycles/month). The use of metal containers would be more suitable. 4 out of the 11 frames were showing signs of several anomalies concerning the graduations and their visual appearance. Those anomalies could be linked to the anodized aluminium surface damaged by the alkaline detergent. Conclusion The absence of a comprehensive approach of the data sheet provided by the company (neither including our detergent on the agreed list, nor prohibiting it) is a true concern, and involves the company in case of deficiency. After sharing feedback with other hospitals, it appeared they were being confronted with the same issues. The alkaline detergent seems to damage the graduations and to accelerate the wear of our frames. Although we haven't experienced any aftermath yet, we must be aware of this concern. The consequences of misuse could be highly damaging for the patient. Reference Elekta's data sheet for use of the Leksell stereotactic system No conflict of interest.


The systematic kinetics of the holoenzyme F oF 1-ATPase has been investigated by a tri-site filled, random binding order, and stochastic mechanochemical tight coupling model. The connection between the mechanical rotation speed and the chemical quantities such as the concentrations of substrates, the proton motive force, and the mechanical damping coefficient, has been analytically derived. The enzymatics based on ensemble experiments and single-molecule assays can be discussed systematically. Our model predictions agree well with both ensemble and single-molecule experimental results. Furthermore, this model can be used to study the dynamics of F oF 1-ATPase in a vesicle system.


Information technology in combination with changes in organizational structures and methods of working has led to an increasing amount of information and also to totally new forms of information as well as in the creation of records. Furthermore the egovernment services, where the whole idea is to exchange information electronically, will speed up this development. A 10-year period is a long time when dealing with the preservation of electronic records. This is of course due to the rapid technological development, for example the problems associated with obsolete software and file formats. However, since archives are records of permanent and enduring value, it is essential that methods must be developed to ensure that digital records can be preserved for a much longer time. Archival practice has for a long time been intertwined with information technology, dealing with the production, organization, storage, dissemination, and retrieval of records, using the available technology. This implies that the responsibility for research and development should lie upon researchers from both these domains in collaboration. In this paper some problem domains of long-term preservation and how ongoing research matches these domains is presented. It appears clear that although much of the challenges associated with digital preservation is strategic, organizational, and structural and not only technical, the research mainly concentrates on solving the technical issues.


Modern Radiotherapy and Oncology. Malignant Diseases in Children. Edited by THOMAS J. DEELEY. (Pp. xi + 512; illustrated + tables. £9.80.) London: Butterworths. 1974. This book is a multi-author text with chapters on the common tumours of childhood and also on some of the rarer ones. There are chapters on the incidence and importance of malignancy in childhood, tumour registries, pathology, and diagnostic radiology. Other authors cover immunology, the use of radioisotopes, growth impairment after irradiation, and radiation carcinogenesis. There is also a chapter devoted to the sick child in hospital. There is great variation in the quality of individual chapters and some of the contributors rely heavily on references to published work from other centres rather than on personal experience when discussing methods oftreatment. Little comment is made about multi-modal protocols of therapy, and hence there is a tendency to a more pessimistic prognosis than is warranted at present. The chapter on the management of acute leukaemia suffers from the problem of the author having to try to cram too much information into the space allocated, but does succeed in giving a good resume ofpresent protocols and emphasizes the optimistic outlook. The chapter by the same author on chemotherapy is also a succinct review. There is an excellent chapter on malignant lymphomas in childhood which summarizes the recent changes and advances in management. The careful analysis of results from the author's own institution and comparisons with other series will help the reader to establish a policy of treatment in these diseases. The chapter on the incidence and importance of paediatric malignancy emphasizes the epidemiological significance ofthese diseases and shows how their implications spread beyond the patient and can act as an index of other malignancies and other diseases in relatives. This broad approach is needed if we are to improve prognosis further. This book should prove to be a very useful textbook for those with an interest in paediatric oncology. Those who are closely involved in the work are unlikely to find any very new information, but rather a well summarized collection of established data and methods of treatment.


Snow cover is one of the most important factors controlling microclimate and plant growing conditions for Arctic and alpine ecosystems. Climate change is altering snowfall regimes, which in turn influences snow cover and ultimately tundra plant communities. The interest in winter climate change and the number of experiments exploring the responses of alpine and Arctic ecosystems to changes in snow cover have been growing in recent years, but their outcomes are difficult to summarize because of the large variability in manipulation approaches, extents and measured response variables. In this review, we (1) compile the ecological publications on snow manipulation experiments, (2) classify the studies according to the climate scenarios they simulate and response variables they measure, (3) discuss the methods applied to manipulate snow cover, and (4) analyse and generalize the response in phenology, productivity and community composition by means of a meta-analysis. This meta-analysis shows that flowering phenology responded strongly to changes in the timing of snowmelt. The least responsive group of species were graminoids; however, they did show a decrease in productivity and abundance with experimentally increased snow covers. The species group with the greatest phenological response to snowmelt changes were the dwarf shrubs. Their abundance also increased in most long-term snow fence experiments, whereas species richness generally declined. We conclude that snow manipulation experiments can improve our understanding of recently observed ecosystem changes, and are an important component of climate change research.


With nearly one billion online videos viewed everyday, an emerging new frontier in computer vision research is recognition and search in video. While much effort has been devoted to the collection and annotation of large scalable static image datasets containing thousands of image categories, human action datasets lag far behind. Current action recognition databases contain on the order of ten different action categories collected under fairly controlled conditions. State-of-the-art performance on these datasets is now near ceiling and thus there is a need for the design and creation of new benchmarks. To address this issue we collected the largest action video database to-date with 51 action categories, which in total contain around 7,000 manually annotated clips extracted from a variety of sources ranging from digitized movies to YouTube. We use this database to evaluate the performance of two representative computer vision systems for action recognition and explore the robustness of these methods under various conditions such as camera motion, viewpoint, video quality and occlusion.


The five ruined castles are all situated in the valley of the Aberdeenshire Don. With the exception of Tillycairn, no architectural description or plan of any of them has yet been published, and the notes and sketches of Tillycairn are not reliable. All five castles are excellent examples of the different types of fortified mansions, or "houses of fence," which were being constructed during the last half of the sixteenth century. In addition to Tillycairn, the castles at Pitfichie, Balfluig, Asloun and Culquhonny are described with accompanying plans.


ABSTRACT The measurement of the avidity of cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies has been shown by several investigators to be useful in identifying and excluding primary CMV infections in pregnant women. In this work, we examined the diagnostic utility of reflex testing of CMV IgM-positive specimens from pregnant women by using a CMV IgG avidity assay. The utility of this approach was directly dependent on the sensitivity of the CMV IgM assay employed during the initial screen. The higher initial reactivity rate of the AxSYM CMV IgM assay was necessary in order to detect CMV IgM in specimens containing low-avidity CMV IgG antibodies, indicative of a primary CMV infection, which other CMV IgM assays (Behring, Vidas, Captia, and Eurogenetics) fail to detect in some cases. The use of the AxSYM CMV IgM assay, followed by an avidity test, should result in more accurate diagnosis of CMV infection in pregnant women.


This document to evaluates the effectiveness, in terms of macroeconomic stability, of monetary policy rules and instruments of prudential supervision. Specifically, it seeks to distinguish between the gains of including in the standard monetary policy rule indicators of financial stress, such as credit growth -augmented rule-; and the gains of applying, in parallel to this augmented rule, a macroprudential instrument that allows a supervisory authority to affect credit interest rates directly. This analysis is performed using a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model for a small open economy with financial rigidities, and is evaluated in the context of four shocks: financial, productivity, foreign demand and foreign interest rate. The model is calibrated in order to reflect the stylized facts of the Peruvian economy. The results obtained suggest that the effectiveness of the rules depends on the nature of the shock affecting the economy.


We present a framework for black-box and flexible simulation of soft tissue deformation for medical imaging and surgical planning applications. Our main motivation in the present work is to develop robust algorithms that allow batch processing for registration of brains with tumors to statistical atlases of normal brains and construction of brain tumor atlases. We describe a fully Eulerian formulation able to handle large deformations effortlessly, with a level-set-based approach for evolving fronts. We use a regular grid—fictitious domain method approach, in which we approximate coefficient discontinuities, distributed forces and boundary conditions. This approach circumvents the need for unstructured mesh generation, which is often a bottleneck in the modeling and simulation pipeline. Our framework employs penalty approaches to impose boundary conditions and uses a matrix-free implementation coupled with a multigrid-accelerated Krylov solver. The overall scheme results in a scalable method with minimal storage requirements and optimal algorithmic complexity. We illustrate the potential of our framework to simulate realistic brain tumor mass effects at reduced computational cost, for aiding the registration process towards the construction of brain tumor atlases.


Security is becoming an important issue in the recent System on Chip (SoC) design due to various hardware attacks that can affect manufacturers, system designers or end users. Major issues include hardware Trojan attack, hardware intellectual property (IP) theft, such as an illegal sale or use of firm intellectual property cores or integrated circuits (ICs) and physical attacks. A hybrid model consisting of Arbiter PUF and Butterfly PUF are used to generate random responses which are fed to a Finite State Machine (FSM). A three-level FSM was designed to generate the signature correctly to authenticate IPs. The results were obtained with the help of three Intellectual Property (IP) cores – Zedboard OLED IP, ISCAS'89 s1423 Benchmark IP and a Full Adder IP. A 16-bit arbiter PUF and Butterfly PUF have been implemented on a 28nm FPGA. The average execution time to generate hardware signature for three IP cores was found to be 4.78 seconds (5 iterations) which is considerably low.


Scale-space representation has been extensively studied in the computer vision community for analyzing image structures at different scales. This paper borrows and develops useful mathematical tools from scale-space theory to facilitate the task of image compression. Instead of compressing the original image directly, we propose to compress its scale-space representation obtained by the forward diffusion with a Gaussian kernel at the chosen scale. The major contribution of this work is a novel solution to the ill-posed inverse diffusion problem. We analytically derive a nonlinear filter to deblur Gaussian blurring for 1D ideal step edges. The generalized 2D edge enhancing filter only requires the knowledge of local minimum/maximum and preserves the geometric constraint of edges. When combined with a standard wavelet-based image coder, the forward and inverse diffusion can be viewed as a pair of pre-processing and post-processing stages used to select and preserve important image features at the given bit rate. Experiment results have shown that the proposed diffusion-based techniques can dramatically improve the visual quality of reconstructed images at low bit rate (below 0.25bpp).


The dimensionality of light field data is typically very large for efficient implementation of sparse representation algorithms, such as for dictionary training and sparse coding. We propose a framework for creating light field dictionary using the method of perspective-shearing. Such a dictionary has a special organized structure for different central view patterns and perspective disparities. Based on this dictionary structure, a two-stage sparse coding algorithm is proposed to speed up the reconstruction process by incorporating an interim Winner-Take-All (WTA) hash coding stage into the Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) algorithm; this stage proves to speed up the sparse coding process by almost three times but still maintains the reconstruction quality. The proposed scheme produces impressive light field reconstruction qualities for compressed light field sensing.


Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, a well-known toxic effect of bleomycin therapy, usually presents radiographically as diffuse reticularity. The authors report an unusual case of biopsy-proven bleomycin toxicity that presented as pulmonary nodules mimicking metastatic tumor. The histologic findings resembled those seen in the diffuse form of toxicity but notably also included foci of bronchiolitis obliterans.


Integration of the distributed business process is a hard task within the enterprise. It has a very high cost for the integration between enterprises. There is still a lot of work to do in order to simplify coordination of business process within or between the corporations in essence. XML has broad prospects in e-commerce application, promoting the development of distributed business processes to some extent. In many XML-related technologies, XML-based Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and WEB services technology is particularly prominent. Using XML and related standards and technologies, combined with e-commerce security and other available technologies, the paper established WEB services for SOAP as the media. It proposed economical, compatible, extensible and safe e-commerce data integration scheme, so as to deal with the problems in E-commerce data integration for enterprises.


TWILLEY, R.R. and RIVERA-MONROY, V.H., 2005. Developing performance measures of mangrove wet lands using simulation models of hydrology, nutrient biogeochemistry, and community dynamics. Journal of Coastal Research, SI(40), 79-93. West Palm Beach (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The goal of mangrove restoration projects should be to improve community structure and ecosystem function of degraded coastal landscapes. This requires the ability to forecast how mangrove structure and function will respond to prescribed changes in site conditions including hydrology, topography, and geophysical energies. There are global, regional, and local factors that can explain gradients of regulators (e.g., salinity, sulfides), resources (nutrients, light, water), and hydroperiod (frequency, duration of flooding) that collec tively account for stressors that result in diverse patterns of mangrove properties across a variety of envi ronmental settings. Simulation models of hydrology, nutrient biogeochemistry, and vegetation dynamics have been developed to forecast patterns in mangroves in the Florida Coastal Everglades. These models provide insight to mangrove response to specific restoration alternatives, testing causal mechanisms of system degradation. We propose that these models can also assist in selecting performance measures for monitoring programs that evaluate project effectiveness. This selection process in turn improves model development and calibration for forecasting mangrove response to restoration alternatives. Hydrologic per formance measures include soil regulators, particularly soil salinity, surface topography of mangrove land scape, and hydroperiod, including both the frequency and duration of flooding. Estuarine performance mea sures should include salinity of the bay, tidal amplitude, and conditions of fresh water discharge (included in the salinity value). The most important performance measures from the mangrove biogeochemistry model should include soil resources (bulk density, total nitrogen, and phosphorus) and soil accretion. Mangrove ecology performance measures should include forest dimension analysis (transects and/or plots), sapling recruitment, leaf area index, and faunal relationships. Estuarine ecology performance measures should include the habitat function of mangroves, which can be evaluated with growth rate of key species, habitat suitability analysis, isotope abundance of indicator species, and bird census. The list of performance mea sures can be modified according to the model output that is used to define the scientific goals during the restoration planning process that reflect specific goals of the project.


Objectives To know the distribution features of injury of Chinese population in rural and urban areas, and further to provide basic scientific data for injury prevention and control in different areas. Methods Fatal injury data were derived from official death certificates by the National Disease Surveillance Points System (DSP). Hospital injury visit data were from emergency and outpatient rooms of the 126 hospitals of the National Injury Surveillance System (NISS). Descriptive analysis was used to explore the differences between and similarities in rural and urban areas. Results While the order of the five main causes of injury deaths were the same in rural and urban areas, mortalities of injury and main types of injury were higher in rural areas than urban areas in 2006. Most of the hospital injury visits from emergency and outpatient rooms were male, 15–64 years old both in rural and urban areas in 2006. The cause or mechanism, location, activity and intent of injury and the clinical conditions of injury patients have both differences and similarities in rural and urban areas. Conclusion The epidemiologies of both death and hospital visits from injury are different between rural and urban areas in China according to the national surveillance systems. Thus, appropriate strategies and schemes should be taken in injury prevention and control in different areas.


A step towards improving living standards for elderly and patients is to incorporate healthcare systems in the home. Aiming to increase the safety and independence of these groups this paper highlights a few possible approaches. Specifically the focus has been on; fall detection using the Electroencephalography (EEG) sensor Emotiv EPOC, a monitoring and drug administration system, a control system for home appliances based on EEG and sleep improvement with EEG in the smart home.A fall detection study has been performed, determining whether a fall can be differentiated from similar events. The study concludes that EEG sensors might have potential as part of a fall detection system. The remainder of the project is theoretical. It holds potential, however experiments need to be performed for further conclusions.


Immobilization osteoporosis represents a severe complication in hemiplegic patients (HPs), causing fragility fractures, which may occur during rehabilitation reducing functional recovery and survival. The aim of the study was to investigate determinants of bone loss, independent from length of immobilization, which may be useful in early identification of HPs at higher risk of demineralization. Forty-eight HPs of both sexes underwent anthropometric measurements, evaluation of scores of spasticity and of lower limb motory capacity. Laboratory tests were performed. On serum: calcium; phosphorus; creatinine; ALP; iPTH; 25(OH) vitamin-D; sex hormones; Δ4-androstenedione; DHEA-S; insulin; IGF-1; FT3; FT4; TSH; c-AMP. On urine: c-AMP and calcium/creatinine ratio. Two bone turnover markers were measured: serum osteocalcin (BGP) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD). Bone mineral density was determined at both femoral necks, defining a percentage difference in bone loss between paretic and non-paretic limb, thus controlling for the complex cofactors involved. Only bone turnover markers significantly and directly correlated with the entity of demineralization, controlling for age, sex and length of immobilization in the multivariate analysis (BGP coefficient estimate=0.008; SE=0.003; p=0.020; DPD coefficient estimate=0.005; SE=0.002; p=0.036). BGP and DPD are not dependent on anthropometric and endocrine-metabolic parameters, disability patterns and duration of immobilization, thus represent independent determinants of the degree of demineralization. A cutoff was defined for BGP and DPD above which subjects show significantly greater risk of demineralization. The immobilization event generates more severe bone loss when it occurs in subjects with higher bone turnover. BGP and DPD measurements may be of primary importance for early identification of HPs at risk, with relevant preventive implications.


We report a receiver for four-level pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM-4) encoded data signals, which was measured to receive data at 22 Gb/s with a bit error rate (BER) <10/sup -12/ at a maximum frequency deviation of 350 ppm and a 2/sup 7/-1 PRBS pattern. We propose a bit-sliced architecture for the data path, and a novel voltage shifting amplifier to introduce a programmable offset to the differential data signal. We present a novel method to characterize sampling latches and include them in the data path. A current-mode logic (CML) biasing scheme using programmable matched resistors limits the effect of process variations. The receiver also features a programmable signal termination, an analog equalizer and offset compensation for each sampling latch. The measured current consumption is 207 mA from a 1.1-V supply, and the active chip area is 0.12 mm/sup 2/.


The concept of fictionality has been undermined by developments in two distinct areas of research in recent years: on the one hand, the interdisciplinary ambitions of narrative theory have tended to conflate fictionality with a general notion of narrativity that encompasses nonfictional narrative; on the other hand, fictional worlds theory, in response to philosophical and linguistic concerns, has sought to disarm fictionality by literalizing fictional reference. Dorrit Cohn, in The Distinction of Fiction, has made a case against the former tendency in the interest of her own reassertion of a generic focus upon fiction as "nonreferential narrative," although this involves no confrontation with fictional worlds theory, which does not contest the generic integrity of fiction (12). My concern here is somewhat different, in two respects: I want to allow a little more force to those narratological perspectives that tend to merge the concept of fictionality with that of narrativity; and I want to distinguish more sharply between my own understanding of fictionality and the way it is framed by the philosophical and linguistic perspectives of fictional worlds theories. These differences arise because in my view the concept at stake is not fiction as a generic category, but fictionality as a rhetorical resource. By identifying what is excluded by the perspectives of a generalized narrativity and fictional worlds theory, I hope to make some progress toward a fuller characterization of the rhetorical nature of fictionality. This undertaking will lead me to a reconsideration of the concept of mimesis in relation to narrative fictions, from which vantage point I want to draw an analogy between "fiction" and "exercise" that I think captures something of the distinctiveness of the fictional use of narrative.


We present measurements of the singly ionized helium-to-hydrogen ratio ( ) toward diffuse gas surrounding three ultracompact H ii (UCH ii) regions: G10.15-0.34, G23.46-0.20, and G29.96-0.02. We observe radio recombination lines of hydrogen and helium near 5 GHz using the GBT to measure the ratio. The measurements are motivated by the low helium ionization observed in the warm ionized medium and in the inner Galaxy diffuse ionized regions. Our data indicate that the helium is not uniformly ionized in the three observed sources. Helium lines are not detected toward a few observed positions in sources G10.15-0.34 and G23.46-0.20, and the upper limits of the ratio obtained are 0.03 and 0.05, respectively. The selected sources harbor stars of type O6 or hotter as indicated by helium line detection toward the bright radio continuum emission from the sources with mean value 0.06 ± 0.02. Our data thus show that helium in diffuse gas located a few parsecs away from the young massive stars embedded in the observed regions is not fully ionized. We investigate the origin of the nonuniform helium ionization and rule out the possibilities (a) that the helium is doubly ionized in the observed regions and (b) that the low values are due to additional hydrogen ionizing radiation produced by accreting low-mass stars. We find that selective absorption of ionizing photons by dust can result in low helium ionization but needs further investigation to develop a self-consistent model for dust in H ii regions.


Abstract Temporal variations in the sex ratio, or the ratio of boys to girls at birth, have been widely studied and variously attributed to social changes, conditions of war, and environmental changes. Recently, Mathews et al. ["You are what your mother eats: Evidence for maternal preconception diet influencing fetal sex in humans," Proc. R. Soc. bond. B 275:1661–1668 (2008)] studied the direct evidence of individual pregnancies and established an association between the sex at birth and the mother's preconception diet. We examined the hypothesis using new evidence from the wartime famine in Holland in 1944–1945 and failed to show an association between maternal diet in pregnancy and the sex ratio. This makes a causal link highly improbable.


The emergence of recent disease outbreaks calls for the design of new educational games aimed at increasing awareness in disease prevention. This article presents StopTheSpread, an educational mobile application that seeks to improve awareness about the best practices to prevent the spreading of seasonal flu in the general public. StopTheSpread integrates concepts in network science and epidemiology, within a freely available mobile application that provides a unique learning experience for free-choice learners about flu prevention. StopTheSpread teaches users basic concepts about flu prevention, within a series of games of increasing difficulty that maintain user engagement and offers a user-friendly design. StopTheSpread provides a summary of the best practices to prevent flu spreading according to the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization, while connecting users to citizen science projects aimed at worldwide flu tracking. Through Facebook, Twitter, and email we reached volunteers during the COVID-19 confinement, to conduct an online feasibility study, toward assessing learning outcome in playing with our mobile application. Our results indicate that the use of StopTheSpread increased by 20% the awareness about the spreading mechanism of flu, compared with the baseline population.


This paper presents necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of general interconnected dynamical systems. The results are expressed in terms of the graphs of the interconnection's subsystems. Conditions for robustness of stability for an interconnection with additive disturbances are also provided. Finally, the paper gives sufficient conditions for stability using conic sector conditions that generalize earlier conditions and that incorporate a recent nonlinear small gain idea.


Recent experience in using meter and sub-meter satellite images in support to crisis management is discussed in this paper. Technical challenges and conceptual gaps in automatic information extraction are described from a perspective of the Joint Research Center's experience in crisis management. Some methodological propositions are given to cope with these challenges, which were revealed in experiments realized in various crisis scenarios.