FRK is an R software package for spatial/spatio-temporal modelling and prediction with large datasets. It facilitates optimal spatial prediction (kriging) on the most commonly used manifolds (in Euclidean space and on the surface of the sphere), for both spatial and spatio-temporal fields. It differs from many of the packages for spatial modelling and prediction by avoiding stationary and isotropic covariance and variogram models, instead constructing a spatial random effects (SRE) model on a fine-resolution discretised spatial domain. The discrete element is known as a basic areal unit (BAU), whose introduction in the software leads to several practical advantages. The software can be used to (i) integrate multiple observations with different supports with relative ease; (ii) obtain exact predictions at millions of prediction locations (without conditional simulation); and (iii) distinguish between measurement error and fine-scale variation at the resolution of the BAU, thereby allowing for reliable uncertainty quantification. The temporal component is included by adding another dimension. A key component of the SRE model is the specification of spatial or spatio-temporal basis functions; in the package, they can be generated automatically or by the user. The package also offers automatic BAU construction, an expectation-maximisation (EM) algorithm for parameter estimation, and functionality for prediction over any user-specified polygons or BAUs. Use of the package is illustrated on several spatial and spatio-temporal datasets, and its predictions and the model it implements are extensively compared to others commonly used for spatial prediction and modelling.


The Sustainable Process Index (SPI), a member of the ecological footprint family, is an ISO 14000 compatible tool for the evaluation of environmental impacts of processes. It allows the calculation of the relevant ecological pressures of a process including prechain and product usage. The SPI focuses on aspects of environmental sustainability and is aimed at engineers and the factors they can influence most effectively: material and energy flows that processes exchange with their environments. The data of these flows are roughly known early in process development. The corresponding data for natural systems are the sedimentation rate of carbon in oceans, the natural concentrations of substances in soil and water, the exchange rates per area unit of airborne pollutants between forests and air as well as the replenishment rates for soil and water. Most of the natural flow and quality data allow a certain "regionalization" of the SPI wherever that is needed. For a fast calculation of the SPI a computer program based on MS Excel has been developed. This tool has proven its usefulness in comparing different engineering options in view of their ecological impact. The most recent case studies are the investigation of the ecological and economical feasibility of small-scale ethanol production facilities that use corn or wheat as a raw material and the analysis of alternate usages of (by)products of the European sugar industry. The results of these case studies will be discussed here


Between 2009 and 2013 aerosols, sea ice properties and meteorological variables were measured during several
airborne campaigns covering a wide range of the western arctic ocean. The campaigns were carried out with the aircraft Polar 5 of the German Alfred-Wegener-Institute (AWI) during spring and summer periods. Optical properties of accumulation mode aerosol and clouds were measured with the nadir looking AMALi aerosol lidar covering the atmospheric boundary layer and the free troposphere up to 3000m, while dropsondes provided coincident vertical profiles of meteorological quantities.
Based on these data we discuss the vertical distribution of aerosol backscatter in and above the atmospheric boundary layer and its dependence on relative humidity, dynamics and underlying sea ice properties.We analyze vertical profiles of lidar and coincident dropsonde measurements from various locations in the European and Canadian Arctic from spring and summer campaigns. Sea ice cover is derived from modis satellite and aircraft onboard camera images.
The aerosol load in the arctic atmospheric boundary layer shows a high variability. Various meteorological parameters and in particular boundary layer properties are discussed with their respective influence on aerosol features. To investigate the effect of the frequency and size of open water patches on aerosol properties, we relate the profiles to the sea ice properties influencing the atmosphere in the upwind region.


Photonic crystal nanocavities are expected to make great contributions in areas of physics and engineering such as the slowing and stopping of light and optical quantum information processing. We first review approaches to the goal of increasing the quality factor of two-dimensional photonic crystal nanocavities. Losses from a cavity can be suppressed, with a consequent increase of the quality factor, by containing the electromagnetic field in the form of a Gaussian envelope function. We then propose a new method of analytical cavity design, based on the detailed investigation of waveguide modes, in order to realize Gaussian cavity mode fields. This has enabled us to achieve a quality factor of while maintaining a cavity volume of one cubic wavelength.


Pulmonary agenesis is a rare congenital defect associated with certain previously described anomalies. This is the first case described associated with exomphalos. In addition there were 13 other congenital defects, three of which have not previously been recorded with either condition.


Questionable Validity of Data Sources The conclusion of the study (1), that relevant differences between German federal states exist in the lifetime prevalence of impor tant cardiovascular disorders, which can only partly be explained by variations in age, sex, social status, and size of municipality, is not validated by the data sources. The basis of the conclusion is anything but solid, for the following reasons. The basis of the survey is a random sample derived from landline telephone numbers; households or persons without a landline are therefore not included. The proportion of actual interviews was between 23.9% and 34.5%, the cooperation rate between 51.2% and 76.6%—in other words, only 12–17% of the target population provided data. The question of whether this population is actually representative would require further study. Fundamentally, in a sample based on landline telephone connections, a bias towards a sick, immobile population cannot be ruled out. Such a sample bias cannot be balanced by representative weighting. The information on cardiovascular events was based on medical diagnoses reported by lay persons. Was this information validated? Figure 2 implies that the non-reported confidence interval for Germany would have had overlaps with all federal states—this would mean that no significant difference exists between the states and Germany overall. In the absence of statistical significance, it is pointless to reflect on differences. Data from the cause of death statistics of the Federal Statistical Office were used to capture death rates. The death statistics are based on death certificates, which—according to several studies—are barely, if at all, valid. Furthermore, the data were coded at state level, which means that the data possibly reflect differences in state-specific completions of death certificates and coding behaviors. The section on limitations points out the weakness of this data source, but it states that it would be unlikely to have any effect—which should have been proved. DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2017.0211a


This paper analyses the European Central Bank (ECB) monetary policy over the period 1999-2005, both from a qualitative and a quantitative perspective, and compares it with the Federal Reserve Bank. The qualitative approach builds on information conveyed by various speeches of the central bank officers, mainly the President of the ECB, Jean-Claude Trichet. The quantitative analysis provides several estimates of what could have been the ECB and Fed interest rate rules. It also develops a VAR model of both the Euro zone and the US economy so as to analyze dynamic effects of an interest rate shock. Both the qualitative and quantitative analyses point to the difficult task of the ECB, which must build credibility while managing monetary policy under major uncertainty about the structure of the new Euro area. They also suggest that, apart from the ECB's credibility building, differences between the observed behaviour of the ECB and the Fed over the time period under investigation should be accounted for by differences in the economic outlook of the two areas, rather than in the goals of the central bankers.


ABSTRACT The fepB gene encodes a periplasmic binding protein that is essential for the uptake of ferric enterobactin by Escherichia coli. Its transcription is regulated in response to iron levels by the Fur repressor. The fepB transcript includes a 217-nucleotide leader sequence with several features suggestive of posttranscriptional regulation. To investigate the fepB leader for its contribution to fepB expression, defined deletions and substitution mutations in the leader were characterized using fepB-phoA translational fusions. The fepB leader was found to be necessary for maximal fepB expression, primarily due to the influence of an AU-rich translational enhancer (TE) located 5′ to the Shine-Dalgarno sequence. Deletions or substitutions within the TE sequence decreased fepB-phoA expression fivefold. RNase protection and in vitro transcription-translation assays demonstrated that the TE augmented translational efficiency, as well as RNA levels. Moreover, primer extension inhibition assays showed that the TE increases ribosome binding. In contrast to the enhancing effect of the TE, the natural fepB GUG start codon decreased ribosome binding and reduced fepB expression 2.5-fold compared with the results obtained with leaders bearing an AUG initiation codon. Thus, the TE-GUG organization in fepB results in an intermediate level of expression compared to the level with AUG, with or without the TE. Furthermore, we found that the TE-GUG sequence is conserved among the eight gram-negative strains examined that have fepB genes, suggesting that this organization may provide a selective advantage.


Background The efficiency of transient elastography for the assessment of liver fibrosis has been evaluated mainly in patients with chronic hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis B, with few studies with nonviral chronic liver disease (CLD) such as autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In this study, we examined the value of transient elastography in a number of groups in comparison with the Fibrotest/Actitest (FT/AT), using the liver biopsy (LB) as the reference standard. Methods An unselected and consecutive group of 65 patients had an LB either as part of an initial diagnosis or of a follow-up assessment, and in addition had a transient elastography measurement [Fibroscan (FS)] and serum blood tests FT/AT performed before the LB. The group consisted of patients diagnosed with a variety of CLD: chronic hepatitis C (n=27), chronic hepatitis B (n=8), alcoholic liver disease (n=14), autoimmune hepatitis (n=13) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (n=4). Results FS optimal cutoff values were 9.70 kPa for F at least 2, 13.00 kPa for F at least 3, and 16.00 kPa for F=4. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of FS and FT for F at least 2 were 0.88 versus 0.78 in the viral CLD group and 0.81 versus 0.70 in the nonviral CLD group and 0.87 versus 0.80 in all patients. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for A at least 2 in all patients was 0.83. The optimal cutoff for A at least 2 was 0.50. Conclusion FT/AT is a reliable method for predicting significant liver fibrosis and necroinflammation in both viral and nonviral CLD patients with a value measurement comparable with that of the FS.


Field observations from a range of permafrost landscapes convincingly show that melting of ground ice can lead
to modifications of the drainage regime so that soil moisture conditions can radically change in short time. This not only leads to significant changes in the carbon turnover, but can also trigger further permafrost thaw through complicated feedback loops. Representation of small-scale interactions between hydrology and ground thermal state are a crucial prerequisite for credible projections on a future permafrost carbon feedback. However, the present generation of Earth System Models, based on single column ground models representing coarse grid cells,
can not account for such processes, although spatial heterogeneity is to a certain extent represented by means of tiling.
Aiming for structural changes to overcome these challenges, we present the concept of "interacting tiles" developed in the Permanor, COUP and PermaRisk projects: by coupling tiles through lateral fluxes of heat, water and snow, it becomes possible to explicitly represent changes of microtopography, drainage regime and soil watercontents triggered by melting ground ice. Simulations with the CryoGrid permafrost model and the Noah-MP land surface scheme suggest that "interacting tiles" is capable of representing a range of thaw phenomena in strongly different permafrost landscapes, ranging from lateral erosion of peat plateaus (sporadic permafrost) to formation of thermokarst ponds and ice-wedge degradation in polygonal tundra (continuous permafrost). Using field observations from permafrost landscapes, we discuss prospects and challenges for application in coupled circulation models, focusing on model architecture and possibilities for model calibration/validation with field and remote sensing data sets.


Not Out of Hate is the first Burmese novel to be translated into English and published outside of Myanmar. It offers unusual insights into the social history of the late colonial period. Set in pre-World War II Burmese society, the story centers on the relationship and marriage of seventeen-year-old Way Way with U Saw Han, a much older Burmese agent for a British trading company. The subtle but deep misunderstandings they experience mirror the cultural confrontation of Eastern and Western values in modern society, still evident in Burmese life today. The work is also a poignant and pointed commentary on a young woman's struggle against a suffocating love.


This paper develops an adaptive control coordination scheme for power system stabilizers (PSSs) to improve the oscillation damping and dynamic performance of interconnected multimachine power system. The scheme was based on the use of a neural network which identifies online the optimal controller parameters. The inputs to the neural network include the active- and reactive- power of the synchronous generators which represent the power loading on the system, and elements of the reduced nodal impedance matrix for representing the power system configuration. The outputs of the neural network were the parameters of the PSSs which lead to optimal oscillation damping for the prevailing system configuration and operating condition. For a representative power system, the neural network has been trained and tested for a wide range of credible operating conditions and contingencies. Both eigenvalue calculations and time-domain simulations were used in the testing and verification of the performance of the neural network-based stabilizer.


This paper seeks to contribute to the interdisciplinary discussion of the all-too-often- contested concept of multicultural education and, specifically, the way it is conceptualized and put into practice in city libraries, museums, cultural centers, and other emerging sites of public education. As the formal education system has so far been seen as the main venue for research on multicultural education, to date there is relatively little empirical inquiry exploring how the ideas of multicultural education play out outside the school settings. The study aims to address this gap and explore the educators' perspective, the views of those who set the agenda for educational programs. Based on 10 in-depth interviews with the educators in Oslo and Moscow, two cities with extensive networks of public education, the study sheds light on how multicultural education is interpreted in this often-overlooked context. Drawing on the transformative approaches in multicultural education on the one hand and the concept of public pedagogy on the other, the discussion uncovers some of the potentials and limitations intrinsic to the practices of multicultural education in the settings of public education.


Diachasmimorpha longicaudata is a koinobiont larval parasitoid that is currently used to control fruit flies of the genera Anastrepha, Ceratitis and Bactrocera. In the rearing process, a fraction of the host larvae that are exposed to parasitoids escape from parasitism and develop into viable and fertile flies. This creates the need to eliminate emerging flies before the parasitoids are shipped for release, increasing costs due to additional handling steps. Exposure of fly eggs or larvae to gamma-irradiation before they are parasitised has been used to reproductively sterilise hosts, or even inhibit their emergence. Our aim was to determine whether X-ray radiation applied to Anastrepha fraterculus third instar larvae before they are exposed to parasitoids, inhibits fly emergence in non-parasitised larvae without affecting the performance of the parasitoids that emerge from parasitised larvae. Three X-ray doses: 6250.2 R, 8333.6 R and 10417 R (equivalent to 60, 80 and 100 Gy, respectively) and one γ-ray dose (100 Gy) were tested. Fly emergence decreased with increasing doses of radiation, showing null values for the higher X-ray dose and the dose of 100 Gy. Irradiation showed either no impact or a positive effect on parasitism rate and fecundity. Sex rate was biased towards females in almost every dose. We conclude that the two types of radiation evaluated here were equally effective in suppressing fly emergence with no detrimental effects on the biological quality of the produced parasitoids. X-rays offer an alternative method of irradiation than the conventional radiation source, i.e. γ-rays. These results represent a significant improvement in the development of a biological control programme against A. fraterculus.


This paper aims to illustrate how a Mixed-Cross-Section Global Vector Autoregressive (MCS-GVAR) model can be set up and solved for the purpose of forecasting and scenario simulation. The application involves two cross-sections: sovereigns and banks for which we model their credit default swap spreads. Our MCS-GVAR comprises 23 sovereigns and 41 international banks from Europe, the US and Japan. The model is used to conduct systematic shock simulations and thereby compute a measure of spill-over potential for within and across the group of sovereigns and banks. The results point to a number of salient facts: i) Spill-over potential in the CDS market was particularly pronounced in 2008 and more recently in 2011-12; ii) while in 2008 contagion primarily went from banks to sovereigns, the direction reversed in 2011-12 in the course of the sovereign debt crisis; iii) the index of spill-over potential suggests that the system of banks and sovereigns has become more densely connected over time. Should large shocks of size similar to those experienced in the early phase of the crisis hit the system in 2011/2012, considerably more pronounced and more synchronized adverse responses across banks and sovereigns would have to be expected. JEL Classification: C33, C53, C61, E17


We performed an audit of booked and unbooked admissions to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after anaesthesia over a 19 month period in order to determine whether unbooked admissions were predictable, or whether there were any preventable anaesthetic factors responsible for PICU admission, and to evaluate the necessity of PICU admission in all study patients. Data was collected from the PICU database and from the medical records, especially the anaesthesia records, of unbooked admissions. There were 640 admissions to the PICU from the operating theatres, with 35 (5%) unbooked. Of the unbooked admissions, 71% were considered predictable and 20% had preventable features. There was an appropriate use of intensive care resources by these unbooked patients, with 77% having PICU-specific therapies (compared with 88% of booked cases). This quality assurance tool was relatively easy to perform, however it has numerous limitations hampering future routine use.


Accumulation of the transcription factor GOLDEN2-LIKE 1 in response to plastid signals is regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system in Arabidopsis thaliana. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) GOLDEN2-LIKE (GLK) transcription factors promote chloroplast biogenesis by regulating the expression of photosynthesis-related genes. Arabidopsis GLK1 is also known to participate in retrograde signaling from chloroplasts to the nucleus. To elucidate the mechanism by which GLK1 is regulated in response to plastid signals, we biochemically characterized Arabidopsis GLK1 protein. Expression analysis of GLK1 protein indicated that GLK1 accumulates in aerial tissues. Both tissue-specific and Suc-dependent accumulation of GLK1 were regulated primarily at the transcriptional level. In contrast, norflurazon- or lincomycin-treated gun1-101 mutant expressing normal levels of GLK1 mRNA failed to accumulate GLK1 protein, suggesting that plastid signals directly regulate the accumulation of GLK1 protein in a GUN1-independent manner. Treatment of the glk1glk2 mutant expressing functional GFP-GLK1 with a proteasome inhibitor, MG-132, induced the accumulation of polyubiquitinated GFP-GLK1. Furthermore, the level of endogenous GLK1 in plants with damaged plastids was partially restored when those plants were treated with MG-132. Collectively, these data indicate that the ubiquitin-proteasome system participates in the degradation of Arabidopsis GLK1 in response to plastid signals.


On the basis of Bandura's social cognitive theory, researchers often assume that a teachers' self-efficacy (TSE) will have a positive effect on teaching quality. However, the available empirical evidence is mixed. Building on previous research into TSE, we examined whether assessing class-/task-specific TSE gives a more accurate indication of the associations between TSE assessments and student-rated teaching quality. The analyses were based on the English sample of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) Video Study. Mathematics teachers (N = 86) rated their self-efficacy beliefs using generalized task-specific TSE items and class-/task-specific TSE items. Their students (N = 1,930) rated the quality of teaching in their math class. Multilevel regression analyses revealed stronger associations between student-rated teaching quality and class-/task-specific TSE than generalized task-specific TSE. We discuss possible reasons for these results and outline the potential benefits of using class-specific assessments for future TSE research.


Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, is an ecotourism destination that is well known in the international tourism scene, where nature and culture has been positioned as the two main products. With high biodiversity and more than 30 distinctive cultures, ecotourism has been embraced by all stakeholders in the state since the 1990s. After a decade or so, many stakeholders are very eager to judge and give judgments of what success entails. The complexity of the stakeholders' characteristics usually results in various perceptions of success. The thesis sets out to interpret and develop the indicators for success of local community participation and ecotourism sites in Sabah. Both, local community participation and ecotourism site were chosen due to the nature of the ecotourism industry where business and community development is very closely tied together. This thesis employs plans and policy analysis and comparative case study as its methodology. The data were then analysed to get the results, which are success indicators for local community participation and ecotourism sites based on the perception of stakeholders. The indicators emerged from the analysis are put into perspective by analysing the results with the analysis of plans and policies and case studies. Two sets of indicators are proposed, both for local community participation success and ecotourism site's success, which is valuable to the industry in reviewing their current plans and policies. It is also useful in monitoring and evaluating current local community participation activities. The indicators are quite consistent with those others drawn from the literature review. The analysis also shows that there are issues that need to be addressed with regards to these indicators. These indicators are output-based, therefore there is a need to establish the measurement or the parameters of these indicators to make it more quantifiable and more meaningful. Another aspect that the thesis identified is that the strongest indicators are those that were agreed by all stakeholders and the recipients that benefits are both the site and the local community. While this is emphasising the importance of local community in the ecotourism set up, it is also suggested that a set up of an integrated development and management among stakeholders, of local community and ecotourism with the common objective and common operational process, are seen as successful. This will contribute to tourism literature by enhancing the knowledge of ecotourism, and to the ecotourism industry by providing a means of evaluating local community participation activities and ecotourism sites.


Accuracy and reliability of major positioning systems is a crucial enabler for autonomous shipping worldwide and, in particular, in the Arctic region. Satellite positioning can be used in conjunction with other situational awareness systems that provide relative positioning information for decisionmaking. This work describes high-level requirements and concentrates on studying the current stateof-the-art performance of the satellite-based positioning systems. We provide a comparative study between three Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellations, namely Galileo, Global Positioning System (GPS), and GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS) suitable for autonomous vessels operation in the Arctic Region. Simulation results show that all studied constellations achieve accuracy of fewer than three meters in the analyzed scenarios. The results also show that all GNSSs provide good visibility with low elevation angles, whereas with high elevation angles, which might be needed due to natural barriers, the GLONASS provides the highest number of visible satellites. The paper also outlines the main strategies applicable for improving the positioning accuracy as well as overviews active positioning projects specifically for the Arctic region.


Urban is a complex domain, dealing with characteristics of life in cities to meet the needs of urban society. With a changing demography, spatial and socio-economic conditions, urbanization is experienced in the globalized cities, as half of the world's population live in large cities and towns in 21st century. There are ongoing debates on positing 'urban' in social science, science and technology and in arts disciplines, which interpret and define the meaning of 'urban.' However, the existing disciplines are interdisciplinary, intersectional and diversified with various approaches, models and theories to study urbanism. Towards the goal of arriving at the subject treatment of urban, this paper analyzes the domain of urban studies through Library of Congress (LC), Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) and Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) schemes. Through this analysis, we investigate the key disciplines, vocabularies, and diversity of subjects in urban studies.


Abstract. Inland waters are large contributors
to global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, in part due to the
vulnerability of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to microbial decomposition
and respiration to CO2 during transport through aquatic systems. To
assess the degree of this vulnerability, aquatic DOM is often incubated in
standardized biolability assays. These assays isolate the dissolved fraction
of aquatic OM by size filtration prior to incubation. We test whether this
size selection has an impact on the bacterial community composition and the
consequent dynamics of DOM degradation using three different filtration
strategies: 0.2 µm (filtered and inoculated), 0.7 µm
(generally the most common DOM filter size) and 106 µm
(unfiltered). We found that bacterial community composition, based on 16S
rRNA amplicon sequencing, was significantly affected by the different filter
sizes. At the same time, the filtration strategy also affected the DOM
degradation dynamics, including the δ13C signature. However,
the dynamics of these two responses were decoupled, suggesting that
filtration primarily influences biolability assays through bacterial
abundance and the presence of their associated predators. By the end of the
41-day incubations all treatments tended to converge on a common total DOM
biolability level, with the 0.7 µm filtered incubations reaching
this point the quickest. These results suggest that assays used to assess the
total biolability of aquatic DOM should last long enough to remove filtration
artefacts in the microbial population. Filtration strategy should also be
taken into account when comparing results across biolability assays.


A p-channel memory with Ge/Si heteronanocrystals (HNCs) as the floating gate was fabricated and tested. The nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition of Si NCs followed by selective growth of Ge on top of Si. Both hole and electron storages were characterized in Ge/Si HNC memory. Fowler-Nordheim and hot carrier injection programming operations were studied. Compared to Si NC memory, enhanced memory performances were demonstrated in Ge/Si HNC memory in terms of longer retention, larger storage capability, and faster programming.


This is the second part of a review of research performed in the former USSR. Experimental data were used from several regions of the USSR, including Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. Many of the publications are available in U.S. libraries. Some of them are translated into English. This part considers results of studying rocks with the Complex Electrical Resistivity method, primarily in the frequency range from 0.01 Hz to 50 MHz. Results of studying polarization processes in sedimentary rocks of different lithology and porosity with different types of saturation (salt solutions of various salinity and hydrocarbons) are described. Laboratory studies of ore-mineral containing rocks are also considered. Describing the measurement methods, we have placed primary emphasis on means for avoiding or reducing the electrode polarization effects. It is shown that wet rocks may have two polarization processes: one at low frequencies, below 1 Hz, and one at high frequencies, above 10 kHz. The mechanisms of these processes are discussed based on experimental results.


Cell surface blebbing is an early, reversible characteristic of anoxia described in several different cell types. Blebbing may lead to the formation of large terminal blebs, and ultimately cell death upon rupture of the membrane. In the present work, evidence is presented indicating that Pi may be the immediate mediator of cell surface blebbing: (1) cell surface blebbing can be induced in normoxic Ehrlich ascites tumour cells by a high extracellular concentration of Pp leading to an increase in the cellular Pi concentration; (2) anoxia induces sustained elevation of the cellular Pi concentration and (3) cell surface blebbing during anoxia is reversed upon reoxygenation, and the disappearance of blebbing depends on the decrease in cellular Pi concentration. The rate of disappearance of blebs may be enhanced by the simultaneous addition of adenine and inosine to the growth medium. This leads to a decrease in cellular Pi concentration and to an almost complete restoration of the cellular ATP concentration. It is suggested that Pi is an important mediator of anoxia induced cell damage.


PURPOSE
Post-implant dosimetric assessment is essential for optimal care of patients receiving prostate brachytherapy. In most institutions, post-implant computed tomography (CT) is performed in the supine position. This study aimed to assess variability in dosimetric parameters with postural changes during acquisition of post-implant CT scans.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
In total, 85 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. Fifty-three patients underwent seed implantation alone, and the remaining 32 received a combination of seed implantation and external beam radiotherapy. For post-implant analyses, CT scans were obtained in two patient positions, supine and prone. To evaluate differences in dosimetric parameters associated with postural change, the dosimetric data obtained in the supine position were defined as the standard.

RESULTS
The median prostate volume was 22.4 ml in the supine and 22.5 ml in the prone position (p = 0.51). The median prostate D90 was 120.1% in the supine and 120.3% in the prone position, not significantly different. The mean prostate V100 was 97.1% in the supine and 97.0% in the prone position, again not significantly different. Median rectal V100 in supine and prone positions were 0.42 ml and 0.33 ml, respectively (p < 0.01). Rectal D2cc was also significantly decreased in the prone as compared with the supine position (median, 59.1% vs. 63.6%; p < 0.01). A larger post-implant prostate volume was associated with decreased rectal doses in the prone position.

CONCLUSIONS
Though there were no significant differences among prostate D90 assessments according to postural changes, our results suggest that post-implant rectal doses decreased in the prone position.


This paper outlines PhD research which suggests mobile learning fits the cultural philosophies and roles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are preservice teachers in the very remote Australian communities where the research was conducted. The problem which the research addresses is the low completion rates for two community-based Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs in South Australia (SA) and Queensland (Qld). Over the past decade, the national completion rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in teacher training was 36 per cent, and in these two community-based programs it was less than 15 per cent. This paper identifies the perceptions of the benefits of using mobile devices by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are preservice teachers in very remote communities. They report ways in which mobile learning supports their complex roles and provides pragmatic positive outcomes for their tertiary study in remote locations. The paper describes the apparent alignment between mobile learning and cosmology, ontology, epistemology and axiology, which may underpin both the popularity of mobile devices and the affordances of mobile learning.


The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin in the plasma and maternal and fetal tissues of pregnant ewes when administered within 24 hours of a single, IV Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) challenge. Twelve, pregnant ewes between 72–92 days of gestation were challenged IV with C. jejuni IA3902 and then treated with 1.1 ml/45.36 kg of tulathromycin subcutaneously 18 hours post-challenge. Ewes were bled at predetermined time points and euthanized either at a predetermined time point or following the observation of vaginal bleeding or abortion. Following euthanasia, tissues were collected for bacterial culture, pharmacokinetics and histologic examination. The maximum (geometric) mean tulathromycin plasma concentration was estimated at 0.302 μg/mL, with a peak level observed at around 1.2 hours. The apparent systemic clearance of tulathromycin was estimated at 16.6 L/h (or 0.28 L/kg/h) with an elimination half-life estimated at approximately 22 hours. The mean tissue concentrations were highest in the uterus (2.464 μg/g) and placentome (0.484 μg/g), and were lowest in fetal liver (0.11 μg/g) and fetal lung (0.03 μg/g). Compared to previous reports, results of this study demonstrate that prior IV administration of C. jejuni appeared to substantially alter the pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin, reducing both the peak plasma concentrations and elimination half-life. However, additional controlled trials are required to confirm those observations.


Graphene-based electrocatalysts have been extensively developed as a metal-free alternative to noble metals for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Till date, however, their OER performance is far from satisfactory in terms of both activity and stability due to low amount of active sites and a severe aggregation/restacking effect. Herein, we developed the in situ growth of nitrogen-doped, oxygen-functionalized and edge/defect-rich vertically aligned graphene nanosheets on the surface of a carbon cloth (N, O-VAGNs/CC). The separate graphene nanosheets fixed to the surface of the carbon cloth could effectively avoid aggregation. In addition, the vertically aligned morphology provides a highly superficial area and open space, resulting in maximally exposed active sites and unhindered gas transport. Moreover, compared with undoped graphene, the N, O-VAGNs/CC possesses numerous functional groups, abundant defects and active-edges, which are favorable to OER activity. Impressively, this graphene design drastically enhanced OER activity with an overpotential of 351 mV and a Tafel slope of 38 mV dec−1 in alkaline solution, which is superior even to the state-of-the-art RuO2 electrocatalysts, indicating remarkable stability and durability in alkaline media. This study may provide an insight into the design and fabrication of alternatives to noble metal-based catalysts for the OER.


The broad-scale ecology of coral bleaching and coral upper thermal limits were investigated to improve the basis for risk assessment and prediction of possible climate change effects on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Evidence from the spatial distribution of bleaching on the GBR in 1998, and a temporal study of physical variables at two reefs over a 10 — 12 year period, indicates that temperature is the single most important factor leading to coral bleaching. A novel empirical approach was developed to quantify the bleaching thresholds of reefs in terms of the magnitude and duration of thermal stress. Results from this study provide the first comprehensive synthesis of exposure times and temperatures involved in coral thermal stress, allowing more accurate predictions of the time-temperature thresholds that are likely to lead to bleaching for a variety of reefs throughout the GBR. Bleaching threshold curves indicate that both latitudinal and cross-shelf trends exist in the bleaching thresholds of reefs. These trends correlate with local temperature regimes and suggest that thermal adaptation has taken place over local and regional scales (10's — 1000's km). These bleaching curves provide the basis for the development of an early warning system for coral bleaching using near real-time automatic weather stations.

Experimental studies involving temperature manipulation show that three species of corals (Pocillopora damicornis, Acropora elseyi and A. formosa) from Orpheus Island on the inshore central GBR have sharply defined temperature tolerances and, like corals in other reef provinces, live precariously close to their upper thermal limits during most summers. Winter upper thermal limits of P. damicornis were 1°C lower than summer limits, raising the possibility that corals may be capable of short-term thermal acclimation. However, a short-term (10-day) acclimation study of two coral species (P. damicornis and Porites cylindrica) indicated that their thermal tolerance limits could not be extended beyond existing summer limits. Although these results indicate that the potential for development of short-term phenotypic tolerance to increasing temperatures may be limited, they do not preclude the possibility that acclimation may take place over longer time periods.

Experimental studies also indicate that the breakdown of symbiosis between corals and zooxanthellae initiated by thermal stress continues for up to six weeks after removal of stress. Heat stress has a longer-term effect on coral health than can be accounted for by existing bleaching models, suggesting that an additional mechanism or process may be involved in coral bleaching. The delay in onset, or full development, of bleaching symptoms also has implications for the timing of bleaching surveys, namely, that to capture the full extent of bleaching, surveys need to be carried out 4-6 weeks after a stress event.

An aerial survey method was employed and evaluated to document the spatial extent and intensity of bleaching on the GBR during the severe 1998 event. This method provided a spatially comprehensive, cost-effective and conservative estimate of bleaching over large areas (>2000km). An equivalent overview of bleaching could not have been obtained from visitor-based reports or small-scale in-situ surveys. The aerial survey results, together with historical reports of bleaching covering six separate events since 1980, were used to detect spatial patterns in bleaching on the GBR. These results indicate that inshore reefs are more prone to bleaching than offshore reefs. Coupled with higher rates of temperature warming on the southern GBR compared to the northern GBR over the 20th century, inshore southern reefs may be at greater risk of climate change-related changes in sea temperature than other areas on the GBR.


Purpose

To compare external dacryocystorhinostomy versus canalicular silicone intubation with the use of Mitomycin C (MMC) in primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO).

Methods

the study was carried out at the department of Ophthalmology, Menoufia university Hospital, Egypt, between June 2012 to July 2014. Fifty-six patients who were diagnosed with primary acquired NLDO. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: thirty cases underwent external DCR and twenty-six cases underwent silicone intubation with MMC.

Results

No significant difference was detected in success and failure rates between external DCR (90%) and silicon intubation with MMC (80.7%) at 6 months follow up. Also, both procedures were associated with low rate of intraoperative adverse events, with no postoperative adverse events were detected, however, intubation was relatively safer than DCR.

Conclusion

Silicon intubation with MMC is as effective and safe as external DCR and should be considered as a minimally invasive procedure in primary acquired NLDO.


Abstract Background: We evaluated the body fluid (BF) module on the new Sysmex XN-1000 for counting blood cells. Methods: One hundred and eighty-seven BF samples [73 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), 48 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), 46 ascites, and 20 pleural fluid] were used for method comparison between the XN-1000 and manual microscopy (Fuchs-Rosenthal chamber and stained cytospin slides) for counting red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) (differential). Results: Good agreement was found for counting WBCs (y=1.06x+0.09, n=67, R2=0.96) and mononuclear cells (MNs) (y=1.04x–0.01, n=40, R2=0.93) in CSF. However, the XN-1000 systematically counted more polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) (y=1.48x+0.18, n=40, R2=0.99) compared to manual microscopy. Excellent correlation for RBCs >1×109/L (y=0.99x+116.56, n=26, R2=0.99) in CSF was found. For other fluids (CAPD, ascites and pleural fluid) excellent agreement was found for counting WBCs (y=1.06x+0.26, n=109, R2=0.98), MNs (y=1.06x–0.41, n=93, R2=0.96), PMNs (y=1.06x+0.81, n=93, R2=0.98) and RBCs (y=1.04x+110.04, n=43, R2=0.98). By using BF XN-check, the lower limit of quantitation (LLoQ) for WBC was defined at 5×106/L. Linearity was excellent for both the WBCs (R2=0.99) and RBCs (R2=0.99) and carry-over never exceeded 0.05%. Conclusions: The BF module on the XN-1000 is a suitable tool for fast and accurate quantification of WBC (differential) and RBC counts in CSF and other BFs in a diagnostic setting.


Background/Aim: Patients with metastatic head-and-neck cancer require individual therapies facilitated by prognostic tools. A tool to estimate the risk of recurrent or new cerebral metastases following whole-brain irradiation (WBI) is presented. Patients and Methods: Age, gender, performance status, cancer site, number of cerebral lesions, extracerebral metastases, and time between cancer diagnosis and treatment of cerebral metastases were evaluated for intracerebral control in 23 patients. For characteristics showing a trend (p<0.07), points for these characteristics were created by dividing 6-month intracerebral control rates by 10. Patient scores were obtained by adding these points. Results: Better intracerebral control was significantly associated with oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer (p=0.014). Absence of extra-cerebral metastases (p=0.069) and longer time between cancer diagnosis and treatment of cerebral metastases (p=0.053) showed trends. Three groups were identified, namely with 3-11, 13-18 and 20-24 points. Six-month intracerebral control rates were 0%, 50% and 100% (p=0.003), respectively, for these groups. Conclusion: A new tool was created to predict intracerebral control following WBI and should contribute to personalization of treatment for patients with cerebral metastases of head-and-neck cancer.


The electricity grid is undergoing a major renovation and becoming a smart grid by integrating the advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Current applications in energy generation, power distribution and its consumption need improvement in several ways, such as, making efficient use of green energy, increasing automation in distribution and enabling residential energy management. The existing grid does not provide sufficient mechanisms to manage the residential electricity consumption. However, interconnecting consumer devices with the home area networks, and at the same time, communicating with the utility networks through a home gateway facilitate residential energy management in smart grids. Residential energy management uses utility-driven price signals which vary depending on the time of the day. This is called as Time Of Use (TOU) pricing. In TOU pricing, electricity consumption during peak hours costs more than electricity consumption during off-peak hours. TOU prices reflect the variation in the actual cost of power during one day. Utilities run bas plants to supply power for the base load. In peak hours, demands of the consumers rise, and utilities bring peaker plants online to supply additional power. Peaker plants have higher operating costs and higher GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emission rates than base plants. Therefore, reducing peak load decreases the expenses for energy generation and it decreases the GHG emissions. Wireless sensor networks can play a key role in reducing the demand of the consumers in peak hours. In this paper, we employ TOU-aware energy management in a smart home with wireless sensor home area network and analyze the impact of this schemes on the peak load. We show that our scheme decreases the use of the appliances in peak hours and reduces the energy bills for consumers.


12 Floods kill several numerous people every year in both developed and developing countries. The transfer of research findings from the academic community to practitioners, policy ‐ makers and citizens may reduce the impact of floods on mortality. This systematic review analyzes 44 scientific articles extracted from WOS and SCOPUS databases written in English, published between 2010 and 2020, and focuses on flood fatalities. The 16 first main finding of this review is the classification of drivers of flood mortality into two groups: the first group relates to the environment and the second group relates to the victimsfatalities. The second main finding is the identification of strategies to practically cope with the identified drivers of flood fatalities. The main lacks of the review concern: a) the unavailability of papers based on flood fatality occurrence in 20 developing countries and b) the absence of data focusing on people who have survived floods. This review amplifies useful findings, best practices, and lessons learned that can be useful for administrators, risk managers, and teachers of primary and secondary schools to mitigate the impact of future floods on human life.


A novel dry etching process of a poly-Si/TaN/HfSiON gate stack for advanced complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices is investigated. Our strategy to process a poly-Si/TaN/HfSiON gate stack is that each layer of gate stack is selectively etched with a vertical profile. First, a three-step plasma etching process is developed to get a vertical poly-Si profile and a reliable etch-stop on a TaN metal gate. Then different BCl3-based plasmas are applied to etch the TaN metal gate and find that BCl3/Cl2/O2/Ar plasma is a suitable choice to get a vertical TaN profile. Moreover, considering that Cl2 almost has no selectivity to Si substrate, BCl3/Ar plasma is applied to etch HfSiON dielectric to improve the selectivity to Si substrate after the TaN metal gate is vertically etched off by the optimized BCl3/Cl2/O2/Ar plasma. Finally, we have succeeded in etching a poly-Si/TaN/HfSiON stack with a vertical profile and almost no Si loss utilizing these new etching technologies.


Highly anticoagulant covalent antithrombin-heparin complex (ATH) was covalently grafted onto polyurethane catheters to suppress adsorption/activation of procoagulant proteins and enhance adsorption/activation of anticoagulant proteins for blood compatibility. Consistency of catheter coating was demonstrated using immunohistochemical visualization of ATH. The ability of the resulting immobilized ATH heparin chains to bind antithrombin (AT) from plasma, as measured by binding of (125)I-radiolabeled AT, was greater than that for commercially-available heparin-coated catheters, and much greater than for uncoated catheters. Complementary measurements of antifactor Xa (FXa) activity and plasma protein binding were also performed. Both ATH-coated and heparin-coated catheters demonstrated functional binding of exogenous AT. However, the ATH-coated catheters gave a trend towards elevated anti- FXa activities/AT binding ratios, consistent with the higher active pentasaccharide content in starting ATH. Western blot analysis of proteins adsorbed to catheters after incubation with rabbit plasma established protein binding profiles that showed AT and albumin as major plasma proteins adsorbed to ATH-coated catheters, while AT and altered forms of fibrinogen were major plasma protein species adsorbed to heparinized catheters.


Does the choice between price-based or quantity-based regulation matter for the formation of an international environmental agreement (IEA)? We introduce abatement cost uncertainty in a standard coalition formation model and let countries choose their preferred regulatory instrument. It is shown that a coalition of cooperating countries is more likely to prefer a quantity regulation than non-cooperating countries. However, uncertainty also aggravates free-riding whenever the endogenous preference of the coalition is to implement quantities, which implies lower equilibrium participation than in the benchmark case without uncertainty. A restriction to price-based agreements can lead to higher participation, but does not necessarily raise global welfare. Tradable quantities can both increase participation in the agreement and achieve higher global welfare. Overall, our results suggest that free-riding incentives in global public good problems with uncertainty may be underestimated if the strategic implications of instrument choice are ignored.


155 Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most frequent neurologic emergencies. Generalized convulsive SE, which is the most frequent and easily recognized type of SE, has the highest morbidity and mortality rates. It is important to initiate early and aggressive treatment without delay. In recent years, clinical studies have focused on the prehospital treatment of epileptic seizures. Therefore, written algorithms including prehospital settings will provide rapid application of diagnosis and treatment protocol steps. In this article, the results of the workshop on multidisciplinary treatment of SE are reported in light of new literature.


Extra- and intracellular responses of primary auditory cortex (AI) neurons were studied in acute experiments on non-anaesthetized cats. It was found that auditory cortex neurons having similar best frequencies revealed various forms of responses to corresponding frequency tones. Neurons responded to the tone by on reactions constituted about 40% of nerve cells studied. 27% of neurons revealed responses of on-off and off types. 27% of cortical neurons responded by steady excitation or by inhibition of background activity. About 6% of neurons did not respond to the tone. During intracellular recordings about 85% of neurons studied responded to switching on and/or off of the tone by a spike-IPSP sequence. 96% of cortical neurons generated IPSP as a constant component of the response to tone. Tonic responses of auditory cortical neurons were the result of powerful and lasting depolarization of the postsynaptic membranes. The conclusion is made that interaction of excitatory and inhibitory processes is the most significant in any kind of responses of the auditory cortical neurons to tones.


Background: Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a relatively common genetic disorder that can lead to the development of pulmonary disorders. Diagnosis of AAT deficiency is typically performed by isoelectric focusing (IEF) protein phenotyping in concert with determination of AAT serum concentration levels. The "P" phenotypic variant is associated with several known genetic variants that are found at unknown relative frequencies. Aims: To investigate the genetic variation of "P" alleles in patient samples. Methods: A DNA sequencing protocol for the full AAT coding region from serum was developed. Additionally, a retrospective evaluation of AAT concentrations in serum samples containing "P" allele IEF phenotype variants was undertaken. Results: "P" phenotypic variants are observed in ∼1 of every 900 samples received in the reference laboratory. Heterozygous "MP" allele samples exhibited a wide range of serum protein concentrations. Genotyping revealed the presence of the deleterious Plowell variant in six heterozygous MP samples, two heterozygous PZ samples, and one homozygous PP sample. A non-deleterious Pst albans variant was observed in a single MP sample. A novel heterozygous AAT M"P" variant, Psalt lake was identified, that did not exhibit a reduced AAT serum concentration. Conclusions: Genetic heterogeneity is present in clinical "P" phenotype variants identified by IEF, and the deleterious Plowell variant appears to be relatively common. Sequencing of "P" phenotype variants can provide useful clinical information, especially when the "P" phenotype variant is paired with a deficiency phenotype allele.


In order to understand the thermodynamic behaviour of carbon in steelmaking slag at high temperature, the carbon dissolution into CaO-SiO2 slag system has been investigated including the effects of temperature and slag components on the carbon dissolution reaction. It was found that carbide solubility in the CaO-SiO2 slag decreased with increasing oxygen potential to confirm the theoretical relationship of -1/2, which reflected the ionic exchange reaction mechanism between carbon and oxygen ions. Carbide solubility in slag as a function of slag basicity for various slag systems appeared to confirm this mechanism. This reaction mechanism implied that the carbide dissolution proceeded due to the reaction of solid carbon and oxygen ions supplied from (CaO) in slag. The oxygen ion appears to be the driving force as it is influenced by the slag components as well as the temperature as shown in the concept of the carbide capacity of slag. The solubility of carbide in the CaO-SiO2 slag increased with the addition of CaF2; the role of CaF2 for carbide dissolution into slag could be speculated to have complex effects on indirect increase in basicity in spite of (CaO) dilution. Substitution of CaO by MgO decreased the solubility of carbide in the CaO-SiO2-MgO slag, possibly caused by the relatively low electro-negativity of MgO.


Background Combined liver-kidney transplant is a routine procedure in many transplant centers. The increase in its number coincided with the introduction in 2002 of the MELD (Model for End-stage Liver Disease) score for allocation of livers, prioritizing patients with renal dysfunction. Aim To analyze the experience with combined liver-kidney transplantation in a liver transplant center in Brazil. Method A retrospective review was conducted. All transplants were performed using grafts from deceased donors. Results Sixteen combined liver-kidney transplantations were performed in the same period, which corresponds to 2.7% and 2.5% of the kidney and liver transplants, respectively. Fourteen patients were male (87.5 %) and two were female (12.5%). The average patients and donors age was 57.3±9.1 and 32.7±13.1, respectively. The MELD score mean was 23.6±3.67. The main cause of liver dysfunction were chronic hepatitis C virus (n=9). As for renal dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy (n=4) was the most frequent. There were six deaths, two of them by severe dysfunction of the liver graft and four by infectious causes. The 1, 3 and 5 years survival rate in patients undergoing liver-kidney transplantations was 68.8%, 57.3% and 57.3%, respectively. Conclusion The survival rates achieved in this series are considered satisfactory and show that this procedure has an acceptable morbidity and survival.


Next generations of compute-intensive real-time applications in automotive systems will require more powerful computing platforms. One promising power-efficient solution for such applications is to use clustered many-core architectures. However, ensuring that real-time requirements are satisfied in the presence of contention in shared resources, such as memories, remains an open issue. This work presents a novel contention-free execution framework to execute automotive applications on such platforms. Privatization of memory banks together with defined access phases to shared memory resources is the backbone of the framework. An Integer Linear Programming (ILP) formulation is presented to find the optimal time-triggered schedule for the on-core execution as well as for the access to shared memory. Additionally a heuristic solution is presented that generates the schedule in a fraction of the time required by the ILP. Extensive evaluations show that the proposed heuristic performs only 0.5% away from the optimal solution while it outperforms a baseline heuristic by 67%. The applicability of the approach to industrially sized problems is demonstrated in a case study of a software for Engine Management Systems.


Over the past few decades, due to increase of industrialization and urbanization in Wah town and surrounding area, the risk of groundwater contamination has increased greatly. All most all the industrial and municipal waste of Pakistan Ordinance Factories Wah is being disposed off indiscriminately in the natural surface water stream, Dhamrah Kas Nullah (DKN) which is a major source of recharge for shallow aquifer under lying new urbanization along the bank of DKN. Practically Dhamrah kas Nullah has become sink for industrial effluent. Due to proven recharge from DKN the unconfined shallow aquifer in the study area became contaminated. Analysis of the water samples from a number of effluents entering into stream and groundwater samples collected from dug wells were tested for health related trace elements.  The results indicate that the industrial and municipal effluents contain high amount of health hazard trace elements which are being migrated into the unconfined shallow aquifer due to recharge from DKN. This Nullah has become a source of health hazard for local inhabitants. Suggestions to improve the situation are also made.


Developed by the Center for History and New Media at the George Mason University, Virginia, Zotero is an open source easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources.


France Culture : the second radio
channel of intellectual and cultural professions in France.
The French public radio has a cultural channel since 1963. There has been many
controversies about the structure of its audience. We studied the profile of its listeners
during 3 weeks in 2000 and 2001 thanks to their listening notes. Thus we outline the
profile of the categories which are most akin to this cultural radio and the representation
of the various categories within its audience. We show that the upper categories range
this channel at best as their second radio. Therefore one has to qualify the conventional
idea of a democratisation of this established cultural media and of a specific profile of
assiduous listeners.


Based on the "QiangGuang-I" facility, a 1-m-long magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL) with a 2-cm anode-cathode gap was designed and experimentally studied. The experimental results show that with the load resistance of 2.07 , current loss along the 1-m-long MITL is negligible, and nearly all of the current loss occurs in the transition from conical disk to coaxial geometry or the output port of the line. At the same time, a 1-D circuit model was developed for the analyses of the MITL on the basis of the transmission-line code. By using this model, the experimental MITL was simulated, and pivotal parameters were estimated. Comparisons indicate that the simulation results agree to 5% within those of the experiments.


Global Value Chain (GVC) has been a global phenomenon since 1980s when export values no longer represented the actual benefit of a country' economic measure. Furthermore, GVC measurement applying input-output table approach has quite rapidly developed. Given the fact that the role of Indonesian pulp and paper industry is increasingly important in the country's economy, this study aimed at measuring the pulp and paper industry GVC in 1995 and 2011 as well as its position and participation in the global GVC using Inter-Country Input-Output (ICIO). The results show that GVC of Indonesia's pulp and paper industry is generally in the form of value-added exports in intermediate absorption by direct importers and indirect final exports and also in the form of foreign value-added return in foreign countries in intermediate exports and also value-added exports in intermediate goods exports to the third countries. GVC Indonesia is also still dominated by domestic value-added compared to foreign value-added and remains in a "downstream" position and has decreased its GVC participation globally. In the future, it is important to strengthen GVC participation by maintaining greater ownership of domestic value- added in Indonesia's pulp and paper industry. Keywords: global value chain, pulp and paper, Intercountry input-output, GVC position and participation


Given the ubiquity of organic–metal oxide interfaces in environmental and medical systems, it is necessary to obtain mechanistic details at the molecular level from experimental procedures that mimic real systems and conditions. We report herein the adsorption pH envelopes (range 9–5), isotherms at pH 7, and H/D exchange spectra using attenuated total internal reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) for citrate, oxalate and pyrocatechol on hematite nanoparticles. Experimental data were coupled with the application of triple layer surface complexation models derived for each organic compound based on the interpretation of spectral data. These studies showed that the structure of the organic species influences the type and relative amounts of inner- versus outer-sphere surface complexes. This has consequences on the surface charge as shown from electrolyte concentration-dependent studies. For example, citrate forms a mix of protonated monodentate inner-sphere complexes with one negative charge and deprotonated outer-sphere complexes with net two negative charges. Oxalate forms mostly doubly deprotonated outer-sphere complexes with inaccessible neighboring sites with contributions from deprotonated inner-sphere complexes. Lastly, pyrocatechol forms mostly bidentate inner-sphere complexes. Layering of interfacial electrolyte ions from KCl, NaCl and KBr, used to adjust the electrolyte concentration, caused an overall enhancement in the amount of adsorbed weakly-bonded citrate and oxalate. Also, hematite nanoparticles retain more adsorbed citrate and pyrocatechol than adsorbed oxalate when chloride or bromide was flowed as a negatively-charged weak desorbing agent at pH 7. These results have implications for the overall surface chemistry of hematite nanoparticles in the presence of organic matter, particularly those containing carboxylate and phenolate functional groups.


ABSTRACT Cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) being multipotent offer a promising source for cardiac repair due to their ability to proliferate and multiply into cardiac lineage cells. Here, we explored a novel strategy for human CPCs generation from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using a cardiogenic small molecule, isoxazole (ISX-9) and their ability to grow in the scar tissue for functional improvement in the infarcted myocardium. CPCs were induced from hiPSCs with ISX-9. CPCs were characterized by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. The CPC survival and differentiation in the infarcted hearts were determined by in vivo transplantation in immunodeficient mice following left anterior descending artery ligation and their effects were determined on fibrosis and functional improvement. ISX-9 simultaneously induced expression of cardiac transcription factors, NK2 homeobox 5, islet-1, GATA binding protein 4, myocyte enhancer factor-2 in hiPSCs within 3 days of treatment and successfully differentiated into three cardiac lineages in vitro. Messenger RNA and microRNA-sequencing results showed that ISX-9 targeted multiple cardiac differentiation, proliferation signaling pathways and upregulated myogenesis and cardiac hypertrophy related-microRNA. ISX-9 activated multiple pathways including transforming growth factor &bgr; induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition signaling, canonical, and non-canonical Wnt signaling at different stages of cardiac differentiation. CPCs transplantation promoted myoangiogenesis, attenuated fibrosis, and led to functional improvement in treated mice.


The critical salt concentration (CSC) of injected water used for various water-based oil recovery operations is the salt concentration below which fine particles are released and their migration starts within sandstone reservoirs containing clays. This phenomenon could be one of the potential causes of formation damage and associated injectivity and productivity declines. This paper proposes a novel method of quantifying surface forces between fines and sand grains and using DLVO (named after Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek) modeling to predict a CSC pre- and post-nanofluid treatment. Furthermore, the effectiveness of varying concentrations of silica nanoparticles (SNPs) in controlling fines migration and reducing CSC was modeled by the DLVO approach and experimentally validated. The experimental CSC was determined by performing corefloods and analyzing effluent turbidity and absorbance under various salinities of the injected brine to validate the developed models. The zeta potentials of sand-fine-brine (SFB) systems were measured and ranged from −35.2 to 29.5 mV. The average size of fine particles was 800 to 900 nm based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results. Using DLVO modeling before the application of nanoparticles (NPs), the CSC was predicted to be 0.11 M (6,400 ppm) NaCl brine, at which the total DLVO interaction energy shifted from attraction to repulsion. Moreover, another DLVO model was developed considering the effect of SNPs. Models predicted 0.085 M (4,900 ppm) and 0.075 (4,400 ppm) NaCl CSC values after the application of 0.05 and 0.1 wt% SNPs, respectively. Afterward, corefloods were performed that showed that the experimental results of CSC with and without SNPs treatment were in close agreement with the DLVO models. Fines migration was observed at 0.08 M (4,700 ppm) and 0.07 M (4,100 ppm) salinity after nanofluid treatments. Many oil recovery processes, including but not limited to low-salinity waterflooding and alkaline flooding, require the estimation of the CSC to avoid formation damage. The proposed DLVO model is instrumental to predict the CSC for monovalent NaCl brine pre- and post-nanofluid application without requiring extensive experimental work. Moreover, the use of nanofluid showed promising results in terms of fines migration control and reduction in CSC.


In August-September 1928 appoximately 650,000 residents of Athens and Piraeus contracted dengue fever, and 1,061 died. We were interested in the etiology of this severe epidemic in which many cases resembled dengue hemorrhagic fever or the dengue shock syndrome, and have attempted a retrospective seroepidemiological study. Serum specimens were obtained from 111 residents of Athens or Piraeus who were born in 1927 or 1928, and were studied by plaque reduction neutralization test for antibodies to dengue 1-4 viruses. Of 75 persons born in 1928, 20 (27%) had monospecific dengue 1, 10 (13%) had monospecific dengue 2, and 1 (1%) had dengue 1 and 2 neutralizing antibodies. When prevalence of neutralizing antibody was analyzed by month of birth in 42 individuals, evidence of both dengue 1 and 2 infections was found in persons born in January-July, but only dengue 2 antibody was detected in those who were born after July. This study dates dengue 1 and dengue 2 transmission to 1928, allowing for the possibility that sequential infections with these viruses could have played a pathogenetic role in the outbreak.


Geotropism is an analog meter's response due to orientation in a gravitational field whether radiation is present or not. For a conventional analog meter, the geotropic response is reflected in the movement of the meter needle. Geotropism is not relevant for digital portable survey (e.g., liquid crystal displays) or stationary bench top meters. The degree of geotropism must be evaluated during type testing and routine calibration when dealing with portable survey instruments. Geotropism is defined in ANSI N323-1978, ANSI N323A-1997, and ANSI N42.17A-2003 as a change in instrument reading with a change in instrument orientation as a result of gravitational effects. Ideally, the manufacturer when selecting a meter movement for a particular portable survey instrument application considers geotropism in their selection. However, simply employing high quality meters in the manufacture of instruments is not sufficient, since survey meters may be damaged to the point that geotropism may be exhibited. Awareness of geotropism and the ability to recognize its occurrence are invaluable to radiation protection technologists, especially those who calibrate or evaluate survey instruments in the course of doing their job.


Background The purpose of this biomechanical study was to determine the effect of shortened clavicle malunion on the center of rotation of the glenohumeral (GH) joint, and the capacity of repair to restore baseline kinematics. Methods Six shoulders underwent automated abduction (ABD) and abbreviated throwing motion (ATM) using a 7-DoF automated upper extremity testing system in combination with an infrared motion capture system to measure the center of rotation of the GH joint. ATM was defined as pure lateral abduction and late cocking phase to the end of acceleration. Torsos with intact clavicle underwent testing to establish baseline kinematics. Then, the clavicles were subjected to midshaft fracture followed by kinematics testing. The fractured clavicles underwent repairs first by clavicle length restoration with plate fixation, and then by wiring of fragments with a 2-cm overlap to simulate shortened malunion. Kinematic testing was conducted after each repair technique. Center of rotation of the GH joint was plotted across all axes to outline 3D motion trajectory and area under the curve. Results Throughout ABD, malunion resulted in increased posterior and superior translation compared to baseline. Plate fixation restored posterior and superior translations at lower abduction angles but resulted in excess anterior and inferior translation at overhead angles. Throughout ATM, all conditions were significantly anterior and superior to baseline. Translation with malunion was situated anterior to the fractured and ORIF conditions at lower angles of external rotation. Plate fixation did not restore baseline anteroposterior or superoinferior translation at any angle measured. Conclusions This study illustrates the complex interplay of the clavicle and the GH joint. While abnormal clavicle alignment alters shoulder motion, restoration of clavicle length does not necessarily restore GH kinematics to baseline. Rehabilitation of the injured shoulder must address the osseous injury and the dynamic forces of the shoulder girdle.


This research guide is intended to provide students in Scope and Theory a supporting guide for organizing and accessing library material relevant to the course. The guide includes instruction for accessing print and electronic material via the library, as


We propose a simple yet effective L0-regularized prior based on intensity and gradient for text image deblurring. The proposed image prior is motivated by observing distinct properties of text images. Based on this prior, we develop an efficient optimization method to generate reliable intermediate results for kernel estimation. The proposed method does not require any complex filtering strategies to select salient edges which are critical to the state-of-the-art deblurring algorithms. We discuss the relationship with other deblurring algorithms based on edge selection and provide insight on how to select salient edges in a more principled way. In the final latent image restoration step, we develop a simple method to remove artifacts and render better deblurred images. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs favorably against the state-of-the-art text image deblurring methods. In addition, we show that the proposed method can be effectively applied to deblur low-illumination images.


[1] A method is described for the generation of multivariate stochastic climate sequences for the Berg and Breede Water Management Areas in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The sequences, based on joint modeling of precipitation and minimum and maximum daily temperatures, are conditioned on annualized data, the aim being to simulate realistic variability on annual to decadal time scales. A vector autoregressive (VAR) model is utilized for this purpose and reproduces well those statistical attributes, including intervariable correlation and serial autocorrelation in individual variables, most relevant for the regional climate in this setting. The sequences incorporate nonlinear climate change trends, inferred using an ensemble of global climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Subannual variability is simulated using a block resampling scheme based on the k-nearest-neighbor approach, preserving both temporal patterns and spatial correlations. Downscaling to a network of quinary-level catchments enables distributed runoff, streamflow, and crop simulations and the assessment and integration of impacts. Final output takes the form of daily sequences, structured for driving the ACRU agrohydrological model of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.


Abstract Direct solar radiation intensity was measured with an Eppley sun photometer at 380 and 500 nm near Page, Ariz. The turbidity coefficient B derived from these measurements was anomalous, B380 < B500. This unusual condition seems to be caused by a combination of an appreciable amount of water vapor in very clean tropospheric air plus an almost monodisperse stratospheric aerosol. We recommend the inclusion of a water vapor term in the basic turbidity equation.


In order to increase polarity and widen application of natural rubber, the natural rubber (NR) was modified by graft copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The grafting reaction was carried out using emulsion polymerization at 40°C. Redox initiator was used to initiate polymerization. Weight percentage ratio of MMA to GMA was firstly fixed at 90/10 in order to study the effects of amount of initiator and monomer mixture-to-rubber ratio on grafting efficiency [GE(%)] and percentage conversion of monomer (%conversion). The graft copolymerization condition that showed the highest grafting efficiency was chosen to study the effect of MMA-to-GMA ratio. It was found that the highest grafting efficiency [GE(%) = 85.11] were obtained when 1 part of NR, 0.75 part of monomer mixture and 1 phr of initiator were used. 1H-NMR spectrum of the graft copolymer with grafting efficiency of 85.11% illustrated that main monomer grafted onto NR chain was MMA. However, there was a signal of GMA that attached onto the NR chain. The results from an adjustment of MMA-to-GMA ratio showed that grafting efficiency tended to decrease with increasing the amount of GMA. On the other hand, an adjustment of MMA-to-GMA ratio did not significantly affect %conversion.


Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films exhibit high hardness, high wear resistance and a low friction coefficient. They are extensively utilized in the mechanical, electronic and biomedical industries. Due to the gas barrier properties, it is used in the food industry also. To investigate the binding capacity of the DLC with the substrate and reduce the contamination for foods. The DLC (a-C: H) films on the glass slide and PET film were prepared successfully for different process parameters by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). In order to characterize the DLC film, the images of DLC was visualized by the atomic force microscope (AFM). The films were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (RTIF). The contact angle and oxygen permeation analyzer (OTR) of the PET with and without the DLC coating were investigated experimentally. The results show that the DLC coating can improve the barriers and surface properties.


Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a group of physical and mental disorders with no medical treatment, can disturb quality of life and daily routine of the sufferers. An extract from a traditional herb, Ganoderma lucidum, was applied in this preliminary study on fatigue and quality of life of CFS. A total of 50 volunteers were randomly assigned to receive G. lucidum extract or placebo. Each volunteer was asked to respond to SF-12 questionnaires for quality of life and score the levels of fatigue and VAS, before and 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the first dose. Serum cortisol level was measured before and 12 weeks after the first dose. Satisfaction and side effects were also evaluated at the end of the study. In comparison to placebo, a significant increase in quality of life (p=0.005) with a decrease in VAS scores (p=0.010) of those who received G. lucidum extracts was observed 4 weeks after the first dose. An increase in serum cortisol was observed in volunteers who took G. lucidum extract for 12 weeks, but not placebo. Satisfaction of volunteers with 12-week G. lucidum extract was significantly higher than those with the placebo group (p<0.001) while side effects, diarrhea and nausea, from both groups were not significantly different (p = 0.785). It is concluded that G. lucidum extract could be potentially effective in the treatment of fatigue and improve quality of life in CFS patients.


Widely studied mesoporous oxide materials have a range of potential applications, such as catalysis, absorption and separation. However, they are not generally considered for their optical and electronic properties. Elemental semiconductors with nano-sized pores running through them represent a different form of framework material with physical characteristics contrasting with those of the more conventional bulk, thin film and nanocrystalline forms. This thesis describes two different routes to synthesize thin film mesoporous silicon and powder mesoporous germanium.Thin film of mesoporous silicon was produced from thin film of mesoporous silica at low temperature (<700C) using magnesium as reducing agent. Excess magnesium risks the generation of volatile products and destruction of the bulk objects. In thin films, excess magnesium was convenient resulting in some structural loss. However, our X-ray diffraction data show that conversion to silicon and retention of order is possible even after exposure to HCl to remove magnesia and HF to remove remnant silica. Top-view SEM and low angle X-ray diffraction also proves retain in order and cross-section SEM shows retention of the surface features and pores in the bulk of the film. Nanoscale ordered germanium composite materials were produced from solution phase using surfactant as structural directing agents. Non-classic anionic germanium Zintl clusters, discrete Ge94- or polymeric (Ge92-)n, co-assemble with cationic surfactant molecules via electrostatic interactions. Depending upon size and overall charge of polymerized Zintl clusters, shape of the inorganic/organic hybrid micelle can be varied, and the periodical nano-structures of composites can be hexagonal, lamellar, or worm-like, as determined by low angle X-ray diffraction (XRD). The anionic germanium framework of the 2-D hexagonally ordered germanium cluster/surfactant composite is condensed via oxidative coupling between the germanium Zintl clusters. EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) study indicates that the germanium clusters were destroyed upon oxidation and tetrahedrally coordinated germanium was produced afterwards. IR absorption shows that the surface of this material is mostly hydrogen terminated. Majority of the cationic surfactant molecules inside the pores can be removed. The resulting dark brown mesoporous germanium exhibits surface area up to 500 m2/g.


BaF2-based precursors were deposited on various substrates by electron beam coevaporation and trifluoroactates-involved metal organic deposition (TFA-MOD) for fabricating biaxially-textured YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) films. A low-pressure processing system was established for the conversion of the precursors. High critical current densities near 4 MA/cm (77 K, self field) were obtained for the first time through the exsitu conversion under the total pressures as low as 10 mTorr. The viability of the lowpressure conversion may enable a large-scale, cost-effective batch production of YBCObased high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires. The effects of the processing conditions on the film structure and properties were studied. It was found that the structure of YBCO films is very sensitive to the processing parameters. The optimal processing window for making high Jc films from the asdeposited e-beam co-evaporated precursors was relatively small and the conversion rate was limited to less than 1 Å/sec. The e-beam co-evaporated precursor and the TFA-MOD precursor were compared in terms of the precursor characteristics and the conversion behavior. It was found that the precursor crystallanity and chemistry have strong effect on conversion. It was demonstrated that an intermediate heat treatment could drastically change the precursor conversion. The modified e-beam co-evaporated precursor can be converted at an effective conversion rate of 12 Å/sec and in a much wider processing window. The result suggested that the precursor structure and chemistry can be further tailored to facilitate fast conversion and high Jc film fabrication. Conversion of fluorine-free precursors made by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) from an YBCO target was investigated to probe an alternative ex-situ route for fabricating biaxially-textured YBCO films. Epitaxial YBCO film with critical temperature Tc of 88 K and critical current density Jc (77 K, self field) of ~ 1 MA/cm was obtained. Nearly perfect c-axis YBCO structure exposed by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) suggested that oxygen deficiency and a lack of defects for flux pinning were the main reasons for the relatively lower Tc and Jc. Therefore, appropriate defects need to be introduced into the films.


Background: People with aphasia are often excluded from research because of their communication impairments, especially when an investigation into the communication impairment is not the primary goal. In our research concerning social participation of people with aphasia, we wanted to include people with mild, moderate as well as severe aphasia. Aim: To suggest strategies and techniques for research in people with aphasia based upon experiences in conducting research in this group of people. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study and a quantitative study in people with aphasia concerning their social participation. In these studies different strategies were developed based upon the literature, conversations with people with aphasia and speech and language therapists, to facilitate the inclusion of people with aphasia, even those with severe communication problems. Several strategies were evaluated. The strategies used and our experiences are outlined in this report. Main contribution: It is possible to conduct research in this group. Several strategies were helpful to make this mission possible: the use of pre-structured diaries, the use of in-depth interviews with attention to non-verbal communication, the use of existing measurements, adjusted for people with aphasia by: using pictograms, placing one question per page, bolding the key concepts in the question, using large font, visualizing the answering possibilities in words and in pictures, reducing the question length, and excluding negatives in the question. Conclusion: Research in people with aphasia is possible when using strategies adjusted to the communicative impairment.


A 10-year-old boy presented with a 1-week history of crampy abdominal pain and haematuria. He complained of flank tenderness and the abdominal X-ray and ultrasound of his abdomen suggested a left renal stone. This was confirmed on CT scan as 3 mm in size. At a handover meeting, it was suggested that alpha-antagonists, which are often used in adult patients, could be used in the treatment of this child. You wonder whether these are better than conservative medical management.

In children with renal stones (population) does treatment with an alpha blocker (intervention) compared with conservative medical management with analgesia alone (comparison) increase stone expulsion rate (outcome)?

We searched PubMed on 14 March 2018 using the terms (paediatric OR pediatric OR child) AND (renal calculi OR renal stone OR nephrolithiasis OR urolithiasis OR ureteric stone OR ureteric calculi) AND (alpha blocker OR doxazosin OR tamsulosin). Non-paediatric studies and those which looked at the use of alpha-antagonists after shock wave lithotripsy were excluded. Twenty-one papers were found and assessed and 17 qualified for further review. Nine were found to be relevant on abstract review, of which four were systematic reviews. Five of these relevant papers were not included as they had been included in the systematic review articles. A total of four systematic reviews were subsequently analysed (table 1).

View this table:

Table 1
Summary of included articles

See table 1.

The incidence of renal stones in children is increasing.1–5 In adult patients, the use of medical expulsive therapy is well established to …


Abstract Even in a world with zero transaction costs, status seeking can prevent efficient Coasean bargaining. Using simple illustrations and various examples, we show that ignoring this impediment can explain the failure of some negotiations where an efficient bargain seems a priori reachable and expected. Rather than just emphasizing this neglected issue, we discuss various institutional and behavioral strategies by which this impediment can be overcome and even strategically used in socially desirable directions, such as bargaining over status.


The US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recognizes two forms of problematic drinking: 'willful alcohol abuse', a behavioural problem, and 'alcohol dependence', a true medical disorder, which includes a genetic component, that can be scientifically understood and medically treated. Current biomedical research has linked specific neurotransmitters to certain effects of alcohol that are unique to alcoholics. An inadequate flow of information between the victims of alcoholism, researchers, and the public has impeded further exploration of the genetic and neurochemical underpinnings of alcohol dependence. This is due in part to continuing misconceptions about alcohol dependence, not only among the general public, but within the scientific and medical communities as well. Consequently. compared to other diseases, research in alcohol dependence is proceeding with less urgency despite its relatively high economic and social costs. Incorporating the input of recovering alcoholics into future research agendas can help to ensure relevant scientific investigation and the delivery of a more accurate and consistent message to the public with regard to alcoholism.


Massive stars play an important role in explaining the cosmic ray spectrum below the knee, possibly even up to the ankle, i.e. up to energies of 10 15 or 10 18.5 eV, respectively. In particular, Supernova Remnants are discussed as one of the main candidates to explain the cosmic ray spectrum. Even before their violent deaths, during the stars' regular life times, cosmic rays can be accelerated in wind environments. High-energy gamma-ray measurements indicate hadronic acceleration binary systems, leading to both periodic gamma-ray emission from binaries like LSI + 60 303 and continuous emission from colliding wind environments like η-Carinae. The detection of neutrinos and photons from hadronic interactions are one of the most promising methods to identify particle acceleration sites. In this paper, future prospects to detect neutrinos from colliding wind environments in massive stars are investigated. In particular, the seven most promising candidates for emission from colliding wind binaries are investigated to provide an estimate of the signal strength. The expected signal of a single source is about a factor of 5–10 below the current IceCube sensitivity and it is therefore not accessible at the moment. What is discussed in addition is future the possibility to measure low-energy neutrino sources with detectors like PINGU and ORCA: the minimum of the atmospheric neutrino flux at around 25 GeV from neutrino oscillations provides an opportunity to reduce the background and increase the significance to searches for GeV–TeV neutrino sources. This paper presents the first idea, detailed studies including the detector's effective areas will be necessary in the future to test the feasibility of such an approach.


Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy is a powerful NMR technique extensively used to obtain epitope maps of ligands binding to biologically relevant protein receptors. This allows to reveal semi-quantitative structural details of the interaction, which is key to direct lead optimization efforts in drug discovery. However, it does not give information about the nature of the amino acids surrounding the ligand in the binding pocket.
In this thesis, the main effort has been put to develop two novel implementations of STD NMR, aimed at elucidating the surroundings of the ligand (i.e., the amino acids lining the binding pocket, or an adjacent bound ligand) in biologically relevant complexes. First, we report the development of the novel "DiffErential EPitope mapping STD NMR" (DEEP‐STD NMR), a method producing differential epitope maps through i) differential frequency and/or ii) differential solvent (D2O/H2O) STD NMR experiments. These two approaches provide complementary information on the architecture of the binding pocket. The second novel method we propose is "Inter-ligand STD NMR" (IL-STD NMR), which relies on on-ligand differential frequency STD NMR to detect contacts between ligands bound to adjacent sites of a receptor.
These novel STD NMR methodologies, in combination with traditional STD NMR and computational tools, have been applied to the study of two systems: the interactions of Cholera Toxin subunit B (CTB) with a set of promising inhibitors; and the interactions of an intramolecular trans-sialidase from Ruminococcus gnavus, a gut microbiota symbiont, with a set of mucin-related sialylated ligands. In the first study, we discovered the existence of a hitherto unknown binding subsite in the GM1 binding site of CTB. In the second study, we provided the first 3D molecular model of a Michaelis complex for an IT-sialidase.
In both cases, we demonstrate that our newly developed approaches increase the level of resolution of STD NMR, widening its potential to impact the field of ligand design for biologically relevant receptors.


In the late 1960s and early 1970s bioethics was born in the USA and rapidly spread across the world. Bioethicists have traditionally argued that their discipline was the answer to the ethical challenges posed by the scientific and technological progress in biomedicine, although others have emphasised the abuses committed in biomedical human research and the dehumanisation of medicine. Notwithstanding the great excitement produced by the rise of the new field, its foundations, scope, and official historical accounts have been criticised. Calls to give bioethics better philosophical foundations –beyond the American principlism- and to broaden the field, particularly to include problems typical of the developing world such as poverty, exploitation and inequality have grown in the last twenty years. In Colombia, the idea that bioethics is an advocate of life, a discipline to protect life on earth from the dangers of an irresponsible scientific and technological advance as well as from a wrong model of development has been promoted by the Colombian bioethical establishment.

Drawing on the Foucauldian view on power and knowledge, this thesis analyses the connections between the flourishing of bioethics in Colombia and the implementation of a neoliberal healthcare system in the 1990s. The historiographies and hagiographies that have dominated the official history of bioethics in Colombia are criticised and, instead, a historical approach is offered. The central argument is that bioethics, and other discourses of surveillance of medical practice such as medical liability are part of the governmentalization of the Colombian medical ethos, and that bioethics has become a totalising, all-embracing field, constituting a form of power exercise over the biomedical scenario. Complementing the analysis, information from 27 semi-structured interviews is provided. Chapter one, the introductory chapter, discusses medicine as a contemporary cultural phenomenon and the birth of bioethics in the USA, while chapter two describes the elements of the Foucauldian toolkit that I use in the analysis. Chapters three and four critically approach the arrival and development of bioethics in Latin America and Colombia. Chapter five discusses the transformation of the Colombian medical ethos, describing the political transformation of the country in the 1990s and the healthcare reform. Chapters six and seven examine the discourses and practices around medical ethics in Colombia as well as how bioethics, medical practice, medical liability and biopolitically relevant legal decisions in the context of the new constitutional reality of the country became intertwined discourses.