Real-world problems are often not fully characterized by a single optimal solution, as they frequently involve multiple competing objectives; it is therefore important to identify the so-called Pareto frontier, which captures solution trade-offs. We propose a fully polynomial-time approximation scheme based on Dynamic Programming (DP) for computing a polynomially succinct curve that approximates the Pareto frontier to within an arbitrarily small epsilon > 0 on tree-structured networks. Given a set of objectives, our approximation scheme runs in time polynomial in the size of the instance and 1/epsilon. We also propose a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) scheme to approximate the Pareto frontier. The DP and MIP Pareto frontier approaches have complementary strengths and are surprisingly effective. We provide empirical results showing that our methods outperform other approaches in efficiency and accuracy. Our work is motivated by a problem in computational sustainability concerning the proliferation of hydropower dams throughout the Amazon basin. Our goal is to support decision-makers in evaluating impacted ecosystem services on the full scale of the Amazon basin. Our work is general and can be applied to approximate the Pareto frontier of a variety of multiobjective problems on tree-structured networks.


: The recent reaffirmation of the National Collaborative Study and similarly designed studies that reject the efficacy of corticosteroid administration to patients with preterm premature rupture of the membranes prompted us to reevaluate patients screened for inclusion in our recently reported series. Fetal maturity studies performed upon 135 consecutive singleton pregnancies of 26-35 weeks' gestation produced values consistent with fetal immaturity in only 6% (eight of 135) cases. The percentage that was immature did not change substantially when gestational age was restricted to those less than 34 weeks' gestation (11%; eight of 73). This information, from an institution whose patients were members of the original collaboration, suggests that the design of that study (which did not require maturity studies in gestations less than 34 weeks) and other studies with similar or less restrictive enrollment criteria may have permitted the inclusion of a significant number of fetuses in whom pulmonary maturity was already present, thus reducing the likelihood that differences in outcome could be demonstrated between groups.


1. The growth-curve of the embryo of Salmo fario is asymmetrical and inflects when the embryo has completed approximately 70 per cent, of its development. 2. For any given temperature of incubation the final size of the embryo is proportional to the total amount of yolk present in the newly fertilised egg. If the amount of yolk is reduced experimentally the final size of the embryo is reduced, but its morphological form is normal. 3. The growth-rate of the embryo is shown to be proportional to its own size and to the amount of yolk in the yolk sac. Assuming that the amount of yolk required for the maintenance of a gram of embryo at all periods of its life is constant, the dry weight of the embryo ( x ) can be expressed in terms of the yolk in the yolk sac ( y ) by means of the equation x = y 0 - y - k 2 log e y 0 + k 2 / y + k 2 , where y 0 = the dry weight of yolk in the newly fertilised egg, and where k 2 is a constant which alters with the temperature of incubation. 4. On theoretical grounds there should be a period towards the end of incubation when the total wet weight of the larva is decreasing, whereas the wet weight of the embryo is still increasing. This is shown to be the case. 5. If the temperature is raised, the final size of the embryo at the end of incubation is reduced. This fact is also deducible from the initial assumption that the specific rate of growth is proportional to the amount of yolk available. 6. The factors controlling the specific rate of growth of a fish embryo are, therefore, (i) temperature, (ii) food, i.e. the amount of yolk in the yolk sac. These two factors operate in precisely the same way as on a culture of bacteria, and it may be concluded that the processes of metazoon growth in vivo are similar to those of bacteria. 7. The so-called "efficiency" of development falls as incubation proceeds, and no single figure holds good over more than very limited periods.


Abstract. Corrugated roof sheets used for large-scale industrial rooftops have the potential to carry solar panels. The sheets, however, need to be surveyed so that the solar panels can be installed according to the measurements of various features. For this purpose, information about exhausts, skylights, corrugation spacing, including extraction of roof slope, which is essential for planning solar panel installations, needs to be measured and mapped. UAV surveying, in contrast to traditional surveying and manual measurements, has proven to be of great benefit in the recent years due to its mobility and low-cost operations and with photogrammetric processing, 3D information with sufficient details can be obtained. In this study, we explored the use of UAV platforms for extraction of fine features (corrugations) of industrial rooftops. The point cloud obtained after photogrammetric processing contained significant geometric information about the corrugation, along with noise. The point cloud was processed to remove noise. Smoothing and exaggeration in the Z-direction, without altering X and Y coordinates, ensured a smooth profile with pronounced peaks at the location of corrugations. Cross-sectional profiles were extracted as a vector and peaks in the profile indicated presence of the corrugation. A peak identification algorithm was used to extract local maxima with corresponding distances along the profile. The peak points were plotted on the ortho-image, and the mean distance between subsequent peaks was approximately 20.3 cm with a standard deviation of 1–2 cm. The spacing between the corrugations was approximately 20 cm when measured manually.


Processing, mining, and learning complex data refer to an advanced study area of data mining and knowledge discovery concerning the development and analysis of approaches for discovering patterns and learning models from data with a complex structure (e.g., multirelational data, XML data, text data, image data, time series, sequences, graphs, streaming data, and trees) [1–5]. These kinds of data are commonly encountered in many social, economic, scientific, and engineering applications. Complex data pose new challenges for current research in data mining and knowledge discovery as they require new methods for processing, mining, and learning them. Traditional data analysis methods often require the data to be represented as vectors [6]. However, many data objects in real-world applications, such as chemical compounds in biopharmacy, brain regions in brain health data, users in business networks, and time-series information in medical data, contain rich structure information (e.g., relationships between data and temporal structures). Such a simple feature-vector representation inherently loses the structure information of the objects. In reality, objects may have complicated characteristics, depending on how the objects are assessed and characterized. Meanwhile, the data may come from heterogeneous domains [7], such as traditional tabular-based data, sequential patterns, graphs, time-series information, and semistructured data. Novel data analytics methods are desired to discover meaningful knowledge in advanced applications from data objects with complex characteristics. This special issue contributes to the fundamental research in processing, mining, and learning complex data, focusing on the analysis of complex data sources.


Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) in IEEE 802.11 WLANs cannot guarantee per-station TCP fairness among wireless stations. In order to satisfy users, and guarantee to allocate fair bandwidth among wireless users regardless of the number and direction of flows, the Weighted Window method is proposed. This method can be simply implemented in mobile stations without having to modify the MAC layer. In this paper, the proposed method and its properties will be presented in detail using ns2 simulation tool under various network conditions. The simulation results are shown that the proposed method achieves fair throughput among stations as compared with previous methods.


Objectives: A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity at Air Force Base Bloemspruit in Bloemfontein, Free State, and the dietary and lifestyle factors and physical activity which may play a role in the development thereof. Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Five units situated at the Air Force Base Bloemspruit, Bloemfontein were included. Subjects: The study included 166 active-duty military personnel (136 males and 30 females) aged 21–59 years. A convenience sample of volunteers participated in the study. Outcome measures: The body mass index (BMI) of the participants was calculated using weight and height, and waist circumference was measured using standardised techniques. The dietary intake of participants was evaluated using a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Results: A high prevalence of overweight (38.6%) and obesity (36.1%) was identified in the study population. No significant associations were detected between lifestyle factors or physical activity and BMI. The majority of participants (59.6%) consumed three meals per day. Meal frequency did not differ between different BMI categories, and no associations were found between meal frequency and being overweight or obese. Inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables was observed. Conclusion: A high prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed in this study, which calls for urgent intervention. No associations were, however, found between dietary and lifestyle factors and the presence of overweight and/or obesity. Further investigation is required to identify the causes of overweight and obesity and effective ways to address this health challenge.


UNLABELLED All bronchoscopies in our institution are performed by physician-respiratory therapist teams. The therapist instructs the patient, anesthetizes him, does the biopsies, and prepares specimens for laboratory testing. METHODS We undertook a retrospective study of our performance to evaluate the safety, yield, and cost of this system. RESULTS Of 216 procedures evaluated, therapist-performed biopsies provided a specific diagnosis in 55%. When a tumor-like mass was seen directly, biopsies were positive 95.7% of the time. No procedure was associated with death. Complications included fever in about 9%, hoarseness in 2%, hemoptysis in 1%, and pneumothorax in one procedure (0.5%). Our institutional costs for flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy by a physician-respiratory therapist team were only 34% of what they would have been if the same procedures had been performed in the operating room. RESULTS performed were comparable to all others reported in the literature. CONCLUSION This study clearly demonstrates that respiratory therapists can provide high quality, low cost, safe bronchoscopic assistance to pulmonary internists.


This paper argues that externalities stemming from inadequate use of domestic competition laws are hard to measure and if at all that practice shows that they are rather unimportant. On the other hand, the existing framework (unilateral bilateral / multilateral), if used properly, can provide at least some answers to the questions raised by proponents of international competition rules. The next logical question would be why is the current system not used then? Even if good arguments can be advanced justifying the reticence of states to have recourse to the existing framework, the careful study of what exists will help interested parties to avoid the same mistakes in the future shaping of international competition rules. The paper adopts as working hypothesis the agenda of the proponents of international competition rules, as expressed in various documents, and then tries to "match" the proposed agenda against the existing framework. It concludes that clarifications may be needed as far as the expression of current rules is concerned but, most importantly, that proponents of international competition rules should care more about the shaping of institutions to deal with those issues, rather than take if for granted that the existing multilateral framework (World Trade Organization, WTO) can aptly accomplish the task.


In the present study silver nanoparticles were synthesized using wild Cucumis anguria leaf extract using the green route which is a simple, cost-effective and an environmentally friendly technique. When the aqueous silver ions were exposed to the wild C. anguria leaf extract, they were reduced and this resulted in the formation of silver nanoparticles. The conditions of synthesis were optimized by adjusting the pH, time and amount of leaf extract. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by different techniques, namely ultra-violet visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The ultra violet-visible spectrum of the synthesized silver nanoparticles shows a maximum peak at 420 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results show the presence of alcohols, aromatics and amines suggesting the presence and binding of proteins with silver nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the silver nanoparticles synthesized were spherical in shape with their sizes ranging between 11 and 27 nm depending on the pH conditions. X-ray diffraction analysis results show the presence of silver metal nanoparticles and their crystalline nature. The antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles synthesized was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) bacterial and kanamycin was used as a control. The green chemistry route has proven that silver nanoparticles can be synthesized using C. anguria leaf extract in which biomolecules effectively act as reducing and capping agents.

 Key words: Silver nanoparticles, green synthesis, Cucumis anguria, antibacterial activity.


This paper conceptualizes the techno-environmental habitus to explore differentiation among media users and their climate change awareness by adopting a dynamic concept that takes into consideration both pre-existing conditions and interactions with the technological field of action. The paper investigates the characteristics of multi-layered dispositions towards climate change in the U.K. through an online survey of a representative sample of the U.K. population (N=1,013). Results show that, despite the predominance of advocacy positions, four different techno-environmental habitus point to a fragmented landscape, but also a "chameleon", transformative capacity of habitus, given that some common traits are shared by the groups. Beyond the four different patterns related to techno-environmental attitudes, one of the most interesting findings relates to the fatalistic techno-environmental habitus, which presents some traits in common with the scepticism and advocacy approaches but tends to be discouraged with regard to taking action. The identification of the nuances of techno-environmental habitus is relevant for climate change policy implementation because they may facilitate or hinder both individual and collective action.


We present an interdisciplinary study on the interaction between the interpretation of noun-noun deverbal compounds (DCs; e.g., task assignment) and the morphosyntactic properties of their deverbal heads in English. Underlying hypotheses from theoretical linguistics are tested with tools and resources from computational linguistics. We start with Grimshaw's (1990) insight that deverbal nouns are ambiguous between argument-supporting nominal (ASN) readings, which inherit verbal arguments (e.g., the assignment of the tasks), and the less verbal and more lexicalized Result Nominal and Simple Event readings (e.g., a two-page assignment). Following Grimshaw, our hypothesis is that the former will realize object arguments in DCs, while the latter will receive a wider range of interpretations like root compounds headed by non-derived nouns (e.g., chocolate box). Evidence from a large corpus assisted by machine learning techniques confirms this hypothesis, by showing that, besides other features, the realization of internal arguments by deverbal heads outside compounds (i.e., the most distinctive ASN-property in Grimshaw 1990) is a good predictor for an object interpretation of non-heads in DCs.


Conceptions of self‐management and the labor managed firm (LMF) have not been well received by economists. They have, however, proved to be a continuing (though minority) interest in the socialist movement from Marx onwards. Prychitko claims that by examining the humanist side of Marx, a socialist case can be made both for the LMF and markets in a postmodern world. Such a case rests upon an assumption that self‐management confers competitive advantage by enhancing information sharing (increasingly important in postmodern conditions). The case, though interesting, is not yet made.


Most numerical solvers used to determine free variables of dynamical systems rely on first-order derivatives of the state of the system w.r.t. the free variables. The number of the free variables can be fairly large. One of the approaches of obtaining those derivatives is the integration of the derivatives simultaneously with the dynamical equations, which is best done with the automatic differentiation technique. Even though there exist many automatic differentiation tools, none have been found to be scalable and usable for practical purposes of dynamic systems modeling. Landau is a Turing incomplete statically typed domain-specific language aimed to fill this gap. The Turing incompleteness provides the ability of sophisticated source code analysis and, as a result, a highly optimized compiled code. Among other things, the language syntax supports functions, compile-time ranged for loops, if/else branching constructions, real variables and arrays, and the ability to manually discard calculation where the automatic derivatives values are expected to be negligibly small. In spite of reasonable restrictions, the language is rich enough to express and differentiate any cumbersome paper-equation with practically no effort.


Background: The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), is an important health and economic pest. Due to the development of resistance to insecticides and medical and economic importance of German cockroaches in urban areas, researches have been focused on using environmental-friendly biopesticides. This study aimed to evaluate the contact toxicity of essential oils of Allium sativum L. and Citrus nobilis var. deliciosa (Ten.) Swingle against adults of B. germanica. Materials and Methods: The plant essential oils were obtained using a modified Clevenger-type apparatus through hydro-distillation. Bioassays were conducted using essential oil impregnated filter papers, which were placed at the bottom of plastic containers. The A. sativum oil was applied in the concentration ranges of 0.19-0.36 and 0.09-0.17 ml/m2, and the C. nobilis oil was applied in the ranges of 5.82-7.23 and 3.15-5.50 ml/m2 on females and males, respectively. Results: The results of probit analyses of mortality data after 24 hours indicated that mortality of cockroaches was increased with increasing oil concentration. The toxicity of A. sativum oil (with the LC50 values of 0.12 and 0.26 ml/m2 on males and females, respectively) was significantly higher than C. nobilis oil. Moreover, males were more susceptible than females to A. sativum and C. nobilis oils (2.24 and 1.58 times, respectively). Conclusion: To have a healthy and safety environment, the use of environmental-friendly biopesticides including essential oils is suggested for integrated management of German cockroaches' populations in urban areas.


A rare childhood disorder caused by mitochondrial dysfunction is treated by the drug rapamycin in a mouse model of the disease. [Also see Report by Johnson et al.] Leigh syndrome is a fatal, infantile neurodegenerative disease first described more than 60 years ago (1). Children with Leigh syndrome typically are born with normal prenatal development, but decline after intermittent episodes of encephalopathy and metabolic acidosis, leading to death within the first few years of life. The diagnosis is based on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, which reveals bilaterally symmetric lesions in the brainstem and basal ganglia (see the figure) that correspond to regions of necrosis, gliosis, and hypervascularity, with relative sparing of neurons in the early stages of the disease. At present, no effective therapies are available for Leigh syndrome, and the mainstay of management is supportive care. On page 1524 of this issue, Johnson et al. (2) demonstrate that rapamycin, a compound that inhibits a protein kinase called mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), delays the onset and progression of neurological symptoms in a mouse model of Leigh syndrome. mTOR lies at the hub of cellular signaling, sensing nutrient availability to regulate protein translation, autophagy, and metabolism. The new connection to mitochondrial disease widens our view of the signaling pathway, with potential therapeutic implications.


Cold therapy application is commonly used to relieve pain symptoms, to reduce inflammation in chronic diseases and damage in injuries at the musculoskeletal level. Two types of technologies, Partial Body Cryotherapy (PBC) or Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC), are available in the market. This narrative review reports data from trials exploring WBC in Sport and in physical activity with the aim to show limitations and effectiveness in healthy subjects performing sport activity. The systematic search was conducted on the past ten years. The search keywords were "Whole Body Cryotherapy" OR "Cryogenic chamber therapy" OR "Cryostimulation" AND "Sport" OR "Exercise" OR "Athlete" OR "Physical Activity." The sample size, subject's age and gender, year of publication, duration and temperature of exposition, physical activity and outcomes were extracted. 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data on 265 subjects aged between 20 to 56 years were reported. The WBC protocols covered temperatures from -20 to -120 degrees Celsius. Exposure times ranged from 1 minute to 3 minutes. The cryostimulation sessions were coupled to normal daily recreational activities or, in the case of athletes, competitive activities during the competition season. WBC is a safe procedure and no major adverse events neither alteration of vital parameters were reported. The benefits have been found especially in post-exercise DOMS. Since many aspects need to be clarified a research agenda has been produced to answer crucial questions. In conclusion WBC seems to be a useful tool in Sport Medicine. However, further studies are necessary to establish standardized protocols.


The Autonomous Exploration for Gathering Increased Science (AEGIS) system enables automated data collection by planetary rovers. AEGIS software was uploaded to the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission's Opportunity rover in December 2009 and has successfully demonstrated automated onboard targeting based on scientist-specified objectives. Prior to AEGIS, images were transmitted from the rover to the operations team on Earth; scientists manually analyzed the images, selected geological targets for the rover's remote-sensing instruments, and then generated a command sequence to execute the new measurements. AEGIS represents a significant paradigm shift---by using onboard data analysis techniques, the AEGIS software uses scientist input to select high-quality science targets with no human in the loop. This approach allows the rover to autonomously select and sequence targeted observations in an opportunistic fashion, which is particularly applicable for narrow field-of-view instruments (such as the MER Mini-TES spectrometer, the MER Panoramic camera, and the 2011 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) ChemCam spectrometer). This article provides an overview of the AEGIS automated targeting capability and describes how it is currently being used onboard the MER mission Opportunity rover.


Smallholder farmers in East and West Hararghe zones, Ethiopia frequently face problems of climate extremes. Knowledge of past and projected climate change and variability at local and regional scales can help develop adaptation measures. A study was therefore conducted to investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics of rainfall and temperature in the past (1988–2017) and projected periods of 2030 and 2050 under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) at selected stations in East and West Hararghe zones, Ethiopia. To detect the trends and magnitude of change Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator were employed, respectively. The result of the study indicated that for the last three decades annual and seasonal and monthly rainfall showed high variability but the changes are not statistically significant. On the other hand, the minimum temperature of the 'Belg' season showed a significant (p < 0.05) increment. The mean annual minimum temperature is projected to increase by 0.34 °C and 2.52 °C for 2030, and 0.41 °C and 4.15 °C for 2050 under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively. Additionally, the mean maximum temperature is projected to change by −0.02 °C and 1.14 °C for 2030, and 0.54 °C and 1.87 °C for 2050 under RCP4.5 and RCP 8.5, respectively. Annual rainfall amount is also projected to increase by 2.5% and 29% for 2030, and 12% and 32% for 2050 under RCP4.5 and RCP 8.5, respectively. Hence, it is concluded that there was an increasing trend in the Belg season minimum temperature. A significant increasing trend in rainfall and temperature are projected compared to the baseline period for most of the districts studied. This implies a need to design climate-smart crop and livestock production strategies, as well as an early warning system to counter the drastic effects of climate change and variability on agricultural production and farmers' livelihood in the region.


Mankind has not changed biologically throughout history but human society is undergoing continuous development through the harnessing of information and knowledge in the form of various technologies which have affected our value systems, power structures, everyday routines and environment. In an attempt to understand what drives this development, this article suggests that rules, chance and the role of the individual all affect the outcome. The main conclusion is that future society will be divided between those living in either physical or virtual reality and that we are heading towards unprecedented turmoil where there may be much suffering to do before we find a new equilibrium. It is important to distinguish between real options and the unavoidable, in addition to individual deeds, to reach a general consensus enabling progress.


Desiccation tolerance in seeds of Prosopis ferox and Pterogyne nitens (Fabaceae). The high number of endemisms and species diversity together with the accelerated biodiversity loss by deforestation, especially in North Western Argentina, points out the need to work on species conservation combining ex situ and in situ strategies. The aim of this work was to study the desiccation tolerance in seeds of P. ferox and P. nitens for long term ex situ conservation at the Germplasm Bank of Native Species (BGEN) of the National University of Salta (Argentina). The fruits were collected from ten individuals in P. ferox at the National Park Los Cardones and from two sites (Oran and Rivadavia) for P. nitens. Desiccation tolerance was assessed following previous established methodologies. The moisture content (MC) of the seeds was determined by keeping them in oven at 103°C and weighting the samples at different intervals till constant weight. Germination essays were carried out with two treatments (control and scarification), with different seed MC (fresh, 10-12%, 3-5%) and in desiccated seeds (3-5% MC) stored six months at -20oC. The MC in P. ferox seeds was 14.2% and 10% in P. nitens, for both populations studied. Percentage germination in P. ferox was higher in the scarification treatments (<82%). The difference between treatments increased with the reduction in MC and the storage for six months at -20°C. Fresh seeds of P. nitens do not need scarification treatment, but it is required with the reduction in MC and storage. Mean germination percentage of desiccated seeds stored six months at -20°C was similar in both populations and greater than 82%.We concluded that both species are probably orthodox because seeds tolerated desiccation to 3-5% and storage for six months at -20°C. Rev. Biol. Trop. 61 (1): 335-342. Epub 2013 March 01.


The study evaluated the effects of dietary fiber and energy levels administered during two growing periods (d 0–28 and d 29–56) for pigs exposed to a high temperature. A total of 96 growing pigs were used in six treatments as: Two treatments in thermoneutral temperature (21 ℃ –24 ℃ ) with dietary energy of 3,300 and the inclusion of high or low fiber, two treatments in heat stress (30 ℃ –34 ℃ ) with dietary energy of 3,300 and the inclusion of high or low fiber, and two treatments in heat stress with dietary energy of 3,450 and the inclusion of high or low fiber. Among standard energy level treatments, heat-stressed pigs showed lower average daily gain (ADG), feed intake, digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, and crude fiber in phases 1 and 2. Moreover, higher concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) in feces were shown in pigs fed high fiber diets. There was a negative interaction between dietary fiber and energy for the fecal concentration of isobutyrate in phase 1 and valerate in phase 2. Pigs in heat stress treatments showed a higher rectal temperature, respiratory rate, hair cortisol, plasma zonulin, and fecal lipocalin-2. Among heat stress treatments, the overall ADG was increased in pigs fed high fiber. Pigs fed high dietary fiber showed a greater concentration of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFA. High fiber treatments decreased plasma zonulin. In conclusion, the inclusion of beet pulp, soluble fiber, at the level of 4% looks necessary in pigs diet during heat stress.


The author examined 64 adolescents with schizophrenia with a prevalence of phasic affective disorders in the clinical picture. In accordance with the degree of severity 4 groups of patients were distinguished. A comparison of these groups depicted some structural traits of the depressive and manic attacks and their dynamics which correlated with the progress of the process. The conclusion is being made that shift-like schizophrenia with a prevalence of affective disorders in adolescency is characterized by frequent bipolar phases, a tendency towards a continual course and a more rapid than in adults modification of the phenomenology of attacks with increasing personality changes.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) express transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) that regulates differentiation and proliferation, and plays key roles in homeostasis of PDL tissue. Transgelin is a cytoskeleton-associated protein with an Smad-binding element in its gene promoter region. In this study, we examined the localization and potential function of transgelin in PDL tissue and cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Microarray analysis of HPDLC lines (2-14, 2-23 and 2-52) was performed. Expression of transgelin in HPDLCs was examined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis. Effects of TGF-β1 and its signaling inhibitor, SB431542, on transgelin expression in HPDLCs were examined by western blot analysis. The effects of transgelin knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on HPDLC proliferation stimulated by TGF-β1 were assessed by WST-1 assay.

RESULTS
In microarray and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses, the expression levels of transgelin (TAGLN) in 2-14 and 2-23 cells, which highly expressed PDL markers such as periostin (POSTN), tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), α-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) and type I collagen A1 (COL1A1), was significantly higher than those in 2-52 cells that expressed PDL markers weakly. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining revealed expression of transgelin in rat PDL tissue and HPDLCs. In HPDLCs, TGF-β1 treatment upregulated transgelin expression, whereas inhibition of the type 1 TGF-β1 receptor by SB431542 suppressed this upregulation. Furthermore, TAGLN siRNA transfection did not promote the proliferation of HPDLCs treated with TGF-β1. The expression levels of CCNA2 and CCNE1, which regulate DNA synthesis and mitosis through the cell cycle, were also not upregulated in HPDLCs transfected with TAGLN siRNA.

CONCLUSION
Transgelin is expressed in PDL tissue and might have a role in HPDLC proliferation induced by TGF-β1 stimulation.


The purpose of this work was to analyze the interactions between oxidative phosphorylations and glucose metabolism on yeast cells aerobically grown on lactate as carbon source and incubated in a resting cell medium. On such respiratory-competent yeast cells, four different metabolic steady states have particularly been studied: (a) glucose feeding under anaerobiosis, (b) ethanol supply under aerobiosis, (c) glucose supply under aerobiosis and (d) glucose plus ethanol under aerobiosis. For each condition, we measured: (a) the cellular ATP/ADP ratio and NADH content sustained under these conditions, (b) the glucose consumption rate (glucose conditions) and the respiratory rate (aerobic conditions). Under aerobic conditions, when ethanol is used as substrate, the ATP/ADP ratio and NADH level are very high as compared with glucose feeding. However, the rate of oxygen consumption is similar under both conditions. The main observation is a large increase in the respiratory rate when both glucose and ethanol are added. This increase corresponds to an ATP/ADP ratio and a NADH level lower than those observed with ethanol but higher than those with glucose. Therefore the response of the respiratory rate to the ATP/ADP ratio depends on the redox potential. We studied the way in which the ATP-consuming activity was increased under glucose+ethanol conditions. By NMR experiments, it appears that neither the futile cycle at the level of the phosphofructo-1-kinase/fructo-1,6-bisphosphatase couple nor the synthesis of carbohydrate stores could account for the increase in oxidative phosphorylation. However, it is shown that, in the presence of glucose+ethanol, ATP consumption is strongly stimulated. It is hypothesized that this consumption is essentially due to the combination of the well-known plasma membrane proton-ATPase activation by glucose and the high phosphate potential due to oxidative ethanol metabolism. While it is well documented that oxidative phosphorylations inhibit the glycolytic flux, i.e. the Pasteur effect, we clearly show in this work that the glycolytic pathway limits the ability of mitochondria to maintain a cellular phosphate potential.


Love, care and solidarity are at the heart of humanity. They are evident in and through the bonds of interdependency that are key in human development, learning relationships and education encounters. This paper explores the care implications of the changing political, economic and cultural context of Irish higher education in recent decades. Lynch et al (2007) and Lynch et al. (2015) argue that a longstanding culture of carelessness in education, grounded in Cartesian rationalism and Western scientific knowledge, has been exacerbated by the rise of neoliberalism in an increasingly volatile context of global capitalism. This paper explores the implications for learners and educators in terms of the politics of the caring roles we occupy, our relationships with colleagues and learners, how we are positioned in the organisational structures of higher education and the broader implications for how we know and care about our world.


: In a hyperkalemic patient with stable chronic renal failure and suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system intravenous infusion of hypertonic glucose induced a paradoxical transitory rise in serum potassium accompanied by a similar change in plasma aldosterone. The close significant correlation indicated a prominent role for serum potassium in the acute regulation of plasma aldosterone when the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was suppressed. However, when the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was stimulated by sodium depletion the glucose-induced paradoxical hyperkalemia was abolished and the governing role of potassium became less evident. The results support the concept of an equal and supplementary role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and potassium in the acute regulation of aldosterone production.


Objective To determine the location of the vertebral artery foramens from C 3 to C 6 and their relationship to the point 1 mm medial to the center of the lateral mass and to identify the value of oblique radiograph for cervical lateral mass screw trajectory by a cadaveric study. Methods (1)Twenty eight cervical specimens (C 3 C 7) of human cadavers aged from 28 to 79 years were analysed. The transverse radiographs of C 3 C 6 vertebrae were taken and the angle between the parasagittal plane and the line connecting the point of the lateral mass with the lateral limit of the transverse process foramen of C 3 C 6 were measured.(2)The K wires were drilled into lateral mass of C 3 C 6 starting 1mm medial to the center of the lateral mass and exiting by the juncture between the transverse process and the facet in ten specimens. Four wire placements under direct visualization, including placement of the wire tip staying the ventral cortex and 2, 4, 6 mm overpenetration of the ventral cortex of lateral mass, were performed separately on each specimen. After each placement, radiographs were taken on 45°oblique left and 45°oblique right views. Each intervertebral foramen on the oblique radiographs was divided into two parts: superior and inferior parts. The former is the true intervertebral foramen, while the latter is the intertransverse foramen on the gross specimen. The number of wire tips in each part was quantified for each placement. All results on the radiographs were compared with those on the gross anatomy. Results (1) The angles between the parasagittal plane and the line connecting the posterior starting point of the lateral mass with the lateral limit of the transverse foramen (C 3 C 6) were lateral to the sagittal plane, ranging from 5° to 12 °. Among the vertebrae, there were no statistically significant difference ( P 0 05). (2) 15% of the wires without overpenetration and 41 3% with 2 mm overpenetration were found in the inferior parts of the intervertebral foramen in oblique views, while the wires were not noted in the intervertebral foramen by gross anatomy. with 4 mm overpenetration of the ventral cortex, 35% and 65% of wires were noted in the superior and inferior parts of the intervertebral foramen respectively, while only 28 8% of wires were found in the inferior part approximating the nerve roots in gross specimens. With 6 mm overpenetration, the number in the intervertebral foramen were 63 8% superiorly and 36 2% inferiorly on the oblique radiographs while all the tips were at the inferior part (intertransverse foramens) in gross specimens. The tip of wire crossed the line connecting the posterior borders of the intervertebral foramens in oblique radiographs when it penetrated the ventral cortex of lateral mass 4 mm or more. Conclusions (1) There is no risk of damaging the vertebral artery if a screw is directed more than 15° lateral to the sagittal plane at C 3~6 starting 1 mm medial to the center of the lateral mass. (2) Ideal screw tip position on oblique radiograph may not cross the line connecting the posterior borders of the intervertebral foramen on radiograph. If the screw tip is noted in the superior part of intervertebral foramen on the oblique radiograph, the screw may be identified as dangerous.


BACKGROUND Primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin (PMCS) is a rare adnexal eccrine sweat gland neoplasm, often mistaken for metastasis from extracutaneous sites or misdiagnosed. Primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin is a slow-growing tumor with a high recurrence rate after conventional excision. OBJECTIVE To describe clinicopathologic features, rate of recurrence, and metastasis and to review relevant literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors identified patients with PMCS treated from January 1992 through December 2012 at Mayo Clinic. The authors retrospectively reviewed medical records and histology slides. Relevant publications were identified through Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed. RESULTS Six patients with PMCS were identified (1 male). The average age at diagnosis was 63 years. Tumor size ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 cm, and all were confined within the dermis. No evidence of metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma was documented at the time of diagnosis. Five patients underwent Mohs micrographic surgery, and 1 was treated with wide local excision. There were no episodes of recurrence or metastases after a median follow-up of 20 months (range, 0.5–207 months). CONCLUSION Mohs micrographic surgery may offer reduced recurrence rates and better outcomes in PMCS. Further studies with longer follow-up and bigger cohorts of patients with PMCS are warranted.


Exercise tolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients has been shown to be related to airway limitation and dyspnoea, but little is known about the effects of an emotional status on physical performance. We examined 49 COPD patients with a wide spectrum of airway limitation severity and hypoxaemia. Exercise tolerance was evaluated using the Six-minute Walking Distance Test (6MWD), dyspnoea at rest and on exercise was measured using the visual analogue scale, and the emotional status was evaluated using the battery of psychological tests. The average 6MWD (mean+/-SD) was 355+/-112 m. In the majority of patients a fall in arterial blood oxygen saturation (Sa,O2) on exercise of >3% was found. The mean dyspnoea score of 21+/-19 at rest increased to 66+/-19 on exercise. All subjects demonstrated an increased level of anxiety. The majority also demonstrated elevated emotional tension, and half of the study group showed signs of depression. Step-wise multiple regression analysis with results of 6MWD as dependent and other studied variables as independent variables showed that exercise tolerance depended mainly on airway limitation. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) explained 24% of the variance. The forced vital capacity added a further 10%, and arterial blood carbon dioxide tension contributed 7%. The dyspnoea level on exercise added only 0.9%. All four variables explained 42% of the variance. There was no correlation between 6MWD and any of the variables characterizing the emotional status. We conclude that the emotional status of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients is characterized by an increased level of psychological tension, anxiety and depression, but these do not affect exercise tolerance as assessed by the six-minute walking distance test.


Background and aims: One of the reasons of electric shocks is failure to provide efficient training to the individual. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of practical and lecture training methods on skill and ability of electrical technicians in recognizing and control electrical hazards by TIER model. Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental (before and after type). First stage, training need assessment was conducted using DACUM model, being immediately followed by the pilot test results a sample of 61 workers of Steam Generator and 61 workers of Electric Generator were randomly selected. In second stage, two performance tests performed separately one month before and after treatment sessions then the validity and reliability of tests were calculated. Then selected intervention methods, 'Hands-on Practice' method for vapor generator personnel and 'Classroom' method for generator personnel, were assigned to the treatment groups within three sessions separately. Results: After education, scores of skill and ability in steam generator staff were 13.10, 15.27 and in generators staff group were 7.24, 11.81. And ability and skills scores in both groups showed significant differences (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Hands-on practice" was more effective than "lecture method" to increase firstaid skills and electrical hazard recognition abilities.


One goal of wine industry logistics is to preserve wine quality during transit between winemaker and wine consumer. This study monitored temperatures during bulk shipments from Australia to Germany and investigated their impact on chemical and sensory characteristics of Chardonnay wine. The objective was to optimize scheduling and logistic conditions and determine the critical time-temperature relation for intercontinental shipments, thus minimizing unfavorable changes in chemical and sensory composition. Three intercontinental shipments were conducted between November 2015 and October 2016; each shipment lasted between 58 and 63 days and comprised six 20-foot containers holding 24,000 L of wine in flexitanks. The containers were positioned at three different locations on the vessel: on deck, below deck near the bow, and below deck further aft. Air temperature inside containers ranged from 4 to 47°C, with peak temperatures reached during daytimes in ports. Different container locations on the vessel contributed to a mean wine temperature difference of 5°C. Shipping during north- and southward equinox kept mean wine temperatures 6°C lower than shipping during June and December solstice. Decreased SO2 content and increased yellow color were observed for containers exposed to higher temperatures. Ethyl decanoate, ethyl dodecanoate, and phenylethyl acetate were lower in wine transported via container ships than in air-cargoed wines, while diethyl malate and diethyl succinate, decanoic acid, and dodecanoic acid increased as a result of the temperature impact during transportation with the container ship. Descriptive sensory analysis revealed increased honey intensity and decreased freshness when shipping scheduling and logistic conditions were associated with high temperatures. The loss of freshness was most pronounced when wine temperatures reached >25°C.


In front of a patient with arthritis, clinical good-sense tells that the most probable diagnosis are the most prevalent ones. Nevertheless, we have to exclude a multiplicity of other aetiologies, less frequent, but with highest implications in the therapeutic conduct. Infections by Brucella and by Borrelia are rare causes of chronic arthritis, yet are diagnosis to consider, even when the clinical manifestations aren't the most typical, as there still exist endemic areas in Portugal. Here we report two clinical cases about patients with arthritis for more than one year, subject to ineffective exams ant treatments. Only the clinical history could put on evidence clinical-epidemiological data, suggestive of Brucellosis and Lyme Disease, namely the professional contact with infected animals, and the history of probable erythema migrans, that pointed toward the correct diagnosis. So, with directed therapeutic, there was complete resolution of the inflammatory symptoms.


Abstract
Probing the biologic mystique of the herpesvirus family, we find elements of antigenic similarity, the capacity of virions to persist within our cells in complete form, and the potential at some later time for these virions to undergo renewed replication. A venereal mode of transmission from one host to another may be characteristic of some of these viruses. Similar patterns of illness may be produced by several of the herpesviruses. Within the cellular framework of inflammation and necrosis which infective virus may evoke in the host, there may also reside the capability of neoplastic transformation.


. After having explained Samuel Clarke's conception of the new philosophy of physical reality, we will treat the electron field in this context as a field modifying the void. From this we will be able to derive the so-called quantum rules just from Noether's theorem on conserved currents. Thus quantum theory appears as a kind of nonlocal field theory, in fact a new theory.


Management ties together resources in an organization, mobilizes resources, and harmonizes efforts of all stakeholders to achieve organizational goals. Management in modern organizations have been challenged to adopt approaches that will keep organizations afloat. Arguably traditional approaches mainly aiming at effectiveness can no longer be relied on. This paper discusses project management approach in comparison to general management, its influence on organizational performance, highlight success cases and use of monitoring. It concludes that project management approach is core for organizational success and provides a flexible way to enhance continuous quality improvement, effective and efficient production within budget and set timelines.


The mechanisms underlying the origin, evolution, and distributional patterns of organisms are a major focus of biogeography. Vicariance and long‐distance dispersal (LDD) are two important explanations for disjunctive distribution patterns among lineages. In‐depth biogeographic studies of taxa that exhibit wide‐ranging disjunctions can provide valuable information for addressing the relative importance of these biogeographic mechanisms. The genus Celastrus contains ca. 30 species that are disjunctly distributed in five continents of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, providing an excellent system for historical biogeographic analyses. Here, we used sequence data from five markers (nuclear external transcribed spacer and internal transcribed spacer, and plastid psbA‐trnH, rpl16, and trnL‐F) to reconstruct the phylogeny of Celastrus and investigate its phylogenetic relationships with Tripterygium, estimate clade divergence times using the fossil‐calibrated method, and infer its ancestral distribution range. Celastrus and Tripterygium were each supported as monophyletic. The morphology‐based classification systems were not supported by the phylogenetic results. The divergence time between Celastrus and Tripterygium was estimated to be 26.22 Ma (95% highest posterior density: 24.46–28.17 Ma), and the diversification of Celastrus were suggested to be linked to global warming events during the Miocene. Celastrus was suggested to have a tropical Asian origin, and dispersed to Central and South America, North America, Oceania, and Madagascar at different periods, most probably through LDD. Birds may have facilitated transoceanic migrations of Celastrus because of its bicolored fruits, which contain red and fleshy arils. Our results highlight the importance of key morphological innovations and animal‐mediated dispersals for the rapid diversification of plant lineages across vast distributional ranges.


The authors first investigate a polymeric composite material ( epoxy resin with silicone nanoparticles) and determine its mechanical properties (coefficient of thermal expansion-CTE and Young's Modulus-E) by a combined experimental and simulative (homogenisation) approach. The size distribution and the volume fraction percentage of the nanoparticles were determined as well as the variation of the mechanical properties of the pure epoxy resin compared to the composite material especially synthesized for this investigation. Then the diffusion coefficient of water in amorphous polymeric materials is measured (aromatic epoxy: 1,3-Bis-(2,3- epoxypropyl)-benzene and amine hardener: 1,2- Diaminoethan). Mechanical characterization of the materials, diffusion experiments (gravimetric), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations examine the temperature range of 300-400 K, where diffusion coefficients will be calculated under thermodynamic boundary conditions by using a classical force-field MD. The diffusion mechanisms and the mechanical characterization are examined as a function of the stoichiometry and molecular weight of the polymers.


Abstract. Herein, we describe the external larval morphology, internal oral features, and chondrocranium of Trachycephalus imitatrix and Trachycephalus dibernardoi and the advertisement call of T. imitatrix. To our knowledge, this is the first thorough description of the larval chondrocranium for the genus Trachycephalus. The tadpole of T. imitatrix is overall similar to the other congeneric species, but can be distinguished from them by the following combination of characteristics: presence of two folds in the posterior labium, clumped submarginal papillae, tail ending in a flagellum, buccal roof arena lacking papillae, and seven postnarial papillae. The tadpole of T. dibernardoi can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characteristics: snout rounded in lateral view, absence of interruption in teeth rows, uniseriate and alternated row of marginal papillae, two pairs of infralabial papillae, and absence of projection of the dorsal velum. The advertisement call of T. imitatrix is very similar to that of Trachycephalus nigromaculatus, but can be distinguished from it by its lower dominant frequency. Additionally, both spectral and temporal features of the call can distinguish T. imitatrix from other congeneric species. Our results help understand the differentiation of larval and acoustical characteristics within the genus Trachycephalus.


ABSTRACT The European Commission has established legislation for toxic metals in certain foodstuffs in order to protect public health already in 1993. After several amendments, new maximum levels for cadmium and lead in certain foods were set as per 30 and 31 August 2021 for lead and cadmium, respectively. The new Serbian Regulation on "maximum levels of certain contaminants in food" is fully harmonised with this European legislation. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) were determined in 832 samples of 39 species of fruits and processed fruits, collected during the period January 2015 to December 2017. Fruits and fruit products originated from 45 countries, including Serbia. Samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Concentrations of cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic in fruits and fruit products were compared to these maximum levels (MLs). Overall, measurable Cd, Pb, Hg, and As were found in 377 samples (45.3%). According to the former regulations, the maximum levels of Cd and Pb for analysed fruits and fruit products were exceeded in only 10 samples (1.20%; n = 832): Cd in 6 and Pb in 4 samples, but according to the latest regulations, the maximum levels of Cd and Pb for fruits were exceeded in 196 of the samples (23.9%; n = 820): Cd in 191 and Pb in 5 samples. The increase of ML exceedances shows that attention needs to be paid for compliance of food to the recent MLs for these metals.


ABSTRACT Aflatoxins are carcinogenic mycotoxins that contaminate a variety of crops worldwide. Acute exposure can cause liver failure, and chronic exposure can lead to stunting in children and liver cancer in adults. We estimated aflatoxin exposure across Uganda by measuring a serum biomarker of aflatoxin exposure in a subsample from the 2011 Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey, a nationally representative survey of HIV prevalence, and examined its association with geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic variables. We analysed a subsample of 985 serum specimens selected among HIV-negative participants from 10 survey-defined geographic regions for serum aflatoxin B1-lysine (AFB1-lys) by use of isotope dilution LC-MS/MS and calculated results normalised to serum albumin. We used statistical techniques for censored data to estimate geometric means (GMs), standard deviations, and percentiles. We detected serum AFB1-lys in 71.7% of specimens (LOD = 0.5 pg/mg albumin). Unadjusted GM AFB1-lys (pg/mg albumin) was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.21–1.47). Serum AFB1-lys was higher in males (GM: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.38–1.80) vs. females (GM: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.97–1.30) (P = .0019), and higher in persons residing in urban settings (GM: 2.83; 95% CI: 2.37–3.37) vs. rural (GM: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.99–1.23) (P < .0001). When we used a multivariable censored regression model to assess confounding and interactions among variables we found that survey region, gender, age, occupation, distance to marketplace, and number of meals per day were statistically significant predictors of aflatoxin exposure. While not nationally representative, our findings provide an improved understanding of the widespread burden of aflatoxin exposure throughout Uganda and identify key geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic factors that may modulate aflatoxin exposure risk.


The aim of this paper, as a continuation from an initial paper( Amaratunga & Baldry 1998) is to describe the research and the findings to date, including some of the outcomes of a pilot study. The paper also aims to provide a clear understanding of the perceived role of facilities management in higher education institutions and discusses the degree to which user based measurements are used and probes into relationships of satisfaction and dissatisfaction in higher education teaching facilities using content analytical methodologies. It also presents some of the results of statistical tests of association which details where there are relationships among functional performance and behavioural aspects of users whilst there are aspects of their facilities from which they derive some dissatisfaction. The paper concludes by identifying the need for further research before performance measurement in higher education properties may be promoted as an integral part of management practice.


To recognize an object in an image one must have some internal model of how that object may appear. We show how to learn such a model from a series of training images depicting a class of objects. The model represents a 3D object by a set of characteristic views, each defining a probability distribution over variation in object appearance. Features identified in an image through perceptual organization are represented by a graph whose nodes include feature labels and numeric measurements. Image graphs are partitioned into characteristic views by an incremental conceptual clustering algorithm. A learning procedure generalizes multiple image graphs to form a characteristic view graph in which the numeric measurements are described by probability distributions. A matching procedure, using a similarity metric based on a non‐ parametric probability density estimator, compares image and characteristic view graphs to identify an instance of a modeled object in an image. We present experimental results from a system constructed to test this approach. The system is demonstrated learning to recognize partially occluded objects in images using shape cues.


In situ assembly of high thermal conductivity materials in severely confined spaces is an important problem bringing with it scientific challenges but also significant application relevance. Here we present a simple, affordable, and reproducible methodology for synthesizing such materials, composed of hierarchical diamond micro/nanoparticle scaffolds and an ethylenediamine coating. An important feature of the assembly process is the utilization of ethylenediamine as an immobilizing agent to secure the integrity of the microparticle scaffolds during and after each processing step. After other liquid components employed in the scaffolds assembly dry out, the immobilization agent solidifies forming a stable coated particle scaffold structure. Nanoparticles tend to concentrate in the shell and neck regions between adjacent microparticles. The interface between core and shell, along with the concentrated neck regions of nanoparticles, significantly enhance the thermal conductivity, making such materials an excellent candidate as thermal underfills in the electronics industry, where efficient heat removal is a major stumbling block toward increasing packing density. We show that the presented structures exhibit nearly 1 order of magnitude improvement in thermal conductivity, enhanced temperature uniformity, and reduced processing time compared to commercially available products for electronics cooling, which underpins their potential utility.


We investigated the carrier dynamics near basal stacking faults (BSFs) in m-plane ZnO epitaxial film. The behaviors of the type-II quantum wells related to the BSFs are verified through time-resolved and time-integrated photoluminescence. The decay time of the emission of BSFs is observed to have a higher power law value and longer decay time than the emission of the donor-bound excitons. The spectral-dependent decay times reveal a phenomenon of carriers migrating among band tail states, which are related to the spatial distribution of the type-II quantum wells formed by the BSFs. A high density of excited carriers leads to a band bending effect, which in turn causes a blue-shift of the emission peak of BSFs with a broadened distribution of band tail states.


In steady, fully developed and unventilated cavity flows occurring in practice, air (originally dissolved in the water) and heat are diffused through the fluid towards the interface providing a continuous supply of air and vapour to the cavity. This must be balanced by the rate of entrainment of volume of air and vapour away from the cavity in the wake. These equilibria which determine respectively the partial pressure of air within the cavity and the temperature differences involved in the flow are studied in this paper. The particular case of the cavitating flow past a spherical headform has been investigated in detail. Measurements indicate a near-linear relation between the partial pressure of air in the cavity and the total air content of the water. From a second set of experiments, designed to estimate the volume rates of entrainment under various conditions by employing artificial ventilation, it appears that this is a function only of tunnel speed and cavity size within the range of the experiments. A simplified theoretical approach involving the turbulent boundary layer on the surface of the cavity is then used to estimate the rates of diffusion into the cavity. The resulting air balance yields a partial pressure of air/air content relation compatible with experiment. The water vapour or heat balance suggests that the temperature differences involved are likely to be virtually undetectable experimentally.


Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) form a group of diverse disorders that lead to the degeneration of the light-sensing cells of the retina: the photoreceptors. IRDs are among the leading causes of blindness in working-age adults living in industrialized countries and their treatment has been a long-term challenge in medicine. Given the heterogeneity of IRDs in terms of causative genes and symptoms, finding a common therapy is not a real possibility. Conversely, it is important to research as many different approaches as possible so as to have the opportunity to decide which one to use for a specific patient. The outcome of clinical interventions depends in large part on the preclinical research conducted on animal models. As an example of this, this thesis illustrates two preclinical approaches to the treatment of retinal degenerations that lie at the opposite ends of the spectrum of available therapies. The first approach discussed is gene editing. This strategy is most effective during the development of the retina and can be used to correct genetic mutations causing the degeneration of photoreceptors on the progenitor cells. Here, we used a tailored gene editing system based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) to prevent photoreceptor death in the retinal degeneration 10 (Rd10) mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. The construct was delivered in the photoreceptor cells by electroporation and targets the mutated gene, editing its sequence with the help of a DNA repair template. This technique for gene editing has shown promising results in terms of visual function preservation in mice, inspiring further research into viral-free gene editing approaches. On the opposite side of the range of therapeutic options, prosthetic devices are generally used for late-stage retinal degeneration since they bypass the photoreceptor layer and rely on the retinal internal circuits to perform visual stimulation. In this work, I describe a series of experiments performed to test the POLYRETINA photovoltaic epiretinal visual prosthesis, previously developed by our laboratory, in a minipig model of chemically induced retinal degeneration. First, the visual responses were carefully characterized in the animal model before and after the injection of the toxin. Then, preliminary results were obtained using the prosthesis to stimulate the blind retina. Although the experiments are still ongoing, the results are encouraging and demonstrate that we could indeed use a completely photovoltaic prosthesis to restore visual perception in blind patients. In conclusion, this thesis displays preclinical research concerning two ways to restore vision, each adapted to a different stage of retinal degeneration. The overarching goal is to improve as much as possible the outcome of the therapy for the benefit of blind patients. To this end, we need to continue to test all the approaches that have so far showed promising results, such as the ones presented herein, while continuing to develop new ones. This outlook, implemented at the preclinical level, can lead to the best chances of a successful clinical intervention. At the same time, the diagnostic tools need to be perfected and precisely utilized to determine which therapeutic option is best suited for a specific patient.


In this paper an output distance function framework is exploited to analyse the agricultural Polish technology and output mix adjustments due to transition. In order to overcome the limited available data the output distance function is estimated by Generalized Maximum Entropy (GME) for the 1991-2001 time period. Besides the sample data, the estimation procedure exploits prior information e.g. several regularity conditions and a 'weak revenue maximization' assumption. We find that after transition the implicit share of milk and beef and veal output declines over time whereas cereals output and potatoes and rapeseeds and sugar beets output increases. Our estimates suggest a clear complementarity relationship between chicken and pig meats output and cereals output. The EU accession resulted in a relative increase of cow milk/beef and veal meats output over chicken and pig meats output, and in a relative increase of cereals output over potatoes, rapeseeds and sugar beets output.


Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from patients with advanced melanoma but not from healthy individuals were found to undergo spontaneous ex vivo apoptosis upon incubation in medium. PBMCs were evaluated for evidence of apoptosis using Annexin V binding, caspase-3 activation, and DNA fragmentation (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling). PBMCs of patients with melanoma contained a significantly higher proportion (P 5 0.0027) of spontaneously apoptotic cells than PBMCs of controls after 24-h incubation in medium alone. The relative proportion of activated Fas and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1-positive (TNFR1) PBMCs was significantly higher in patients with melanoma than that observed in controls. To demonstrate that the TNF family of receptors and ligands was involved in this type of apoptosis, PBMCs were incubated in the presence of agonistic anti-Fas antibody (CH-11) or TNF-a. The proportion of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling-positive PBMCs undergoing spontaneous apoptosis was found to be comparable with that induced by CH-11 antibody or TNF-a. Three-color flow cytometry revealed that CD3 Fas T cells were especially sensitive to apoptosis and were preprogrammedin vivo to die. Apoptosis occurred in all subsets of PBMCs but was significantly higher (P 5 0.01) in the CD3 CD8 T-cell subset in patients relative to controls. In two patients with melanoma, who responded clinically to dendritic cell-based peptide vaccines, the proportion of apoptotic T cells was decreased by half after therapy. In patients who were treated previously with vaccinationbased therapies, levels of T-cell apoptosis were lower than in the other melanoma patients. The observed accelerated death of T cells, which are activated and susceptible to apoptosis in patients with melanoma, may contribute to a rapid turnover of immune cells, resulting in a decreased immunocompetence.


Ambient computing refers to the development of physical environments enhanced through information and communication technology to better serve the needs of users. In contrast with traditional computer applications, ambient computing offers a vision in which computer support migrates from the desktop to the physical environment, thus demanding natural means of interaction, in contrast with the traditional keyboard and mouse. This approach to computing is particularly well suited for working environments characterized by local mobility, frequent activity switching, and intense collaboration, as it is often the case in healthcare. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of research conducted in Mexico for several years towards the development of an ambient computing environment in support of hospital work, the iHospital. The paper describes the research methodology used, major findings, ambient computing technology that has been designed and developed as a response to the needs identified, and results from its evaluation with potential users.


An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal. This may include pain or discomfort especially with coughing, exercise, or bowel movement. In children, a hernia present as bulges in the groin area which become more prominent and protrudes during muscular stretching like coughing, crying, straining, or standing up; getting worse throughout and feels better while resting. In the present case, a male child aged one and a half years old presented with swelling of left testicle on 30/5/2016. He had been suffering from the complaint since 2 months. According to the child's mother, the swelling got worse on passing stool, urinating and while crying. By considering symptoms, mental generals and particulars; Homeopathic remedy Thuja Occidentalis was given. The complaints got cleared and there were no recurrence after 18-6-2016.


ESSAYS ON GLOBALIZATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH Constanza Isabel Vergara Delgadillo Jesús Fernández-Villaverde Globalization, characterized as enhanced trade integration among countries, has make nations vulnerable to forces emanating from their borders. The following essays contribute to the understanding of how forces of globalization interact with national economies. The first two chapters focus on a specific feature of globalization: the fragmentation of the production process across borders. The first chapter finds a novel way of solving a multistage version of Eaton and Kortum (2002)'s trade model, which contradicts previous findings that trade barriers have a larger impact when, not only final goods are traded, but also inputs along the production chain. Previous findings where based on unrealistic assumptions, that in this chapter are not made. The second chapter, estimates a multi-country version of the previous model, and evaluates the impact on the distribution of welfare among countries of eliminating trade barriers. The chapter concludes that when there is multistage production, eliminating trade barriers carries an increase in welfare inequality, while a classical one-stage production/trade model predicts a decrease in inequality. The final chapter of this dissertation focus on the relationship between human capital and the decision of whether to imitate foreign technologies or to innovate, in order to increase productivity. The papers suggests that differences on human capital endowments, makes technologies developed in advanced countries less productive in the developing world, and therefore, the optimal decision for firms in less developed countries, is to create their own technologies.


This US Bureau of Mines report describes the results from an in-mine investigation of an alternative longwall gate road design. The coal mine operator modified the pillar layout (reversed the location of the big and small pillars) in a portion of a three-entry longwall gate road area. The modified pillar layout was an attempt to reduce stress and, subsequently, stress-related ground control problems (cutter roof and dynamic floor heave events) in the tailgate region during second-panel mining. The results from borehole pressure cells installed in the modified gate road area showed that the ground pressures in the panel edge and adjacent small pillar were significantly reduced during second-panel mining compared with ground pressures experienced in the typical pillar layout gate road areas. The reduced stress levels around the tailgate entry adjacent to the second panel, as compared with the tailgate stress levels with the typical pillar arrangement, contributed to improved tailgate ground conditions in the test pillar zone.


: In a 66-year-old woman with pruritus, jaundice, dark-brown urine and light-colored faeces obstructive jaundice was diagnosed. Despite extensive investigations, it was not possible to clearly distinguish if varicosis or cholangiocarcinoma was the cause of the obstruction. During laparotomy the right lobe of the liver was seen to be greatly underdeveloped. The portal system showed a varicose deformation with compression of the bile ducts and portal hypertension. The right lobe of the liver was removed and the portal hypertension was treated by creating a shunt between the hepatic portal vein and the right ovarian vein. The jaundice disappeared and the patient recovered. Histological investigation showed atrophy, secondary biliary fibrosis, cirrhosis and a biliary cystadenoma. There were no signs of malignancy. The varicose deformation can be considered to be a result of the portal hypertension caused by fibrosis and cirrhosis with possibly a history of thrombosis and insufficient recanalization.


A 27-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of right eye enophthalmos. He had no visual symptoms and detailed ophthalmic examination showed a right-sided enophthalmos with hypoglobus, giving a sunken sulcus appearance to the right upper lid. The clinical picture was inferior displacement of orbital floor without recent history of orbital trauma. The patient also had no recent history of sinusitis.

A subsequent CT and MR scan of the orbits …


main medical interest should be in further refinements of these techniques. The whole problem of restoring patients' muscle function is far more complicated than the simple application of resistance to individual muscles or muscle groups. In recent years there has been much more interest in the neuromuscular adaptations necessary for complex functions requiring strength than in strength as an isolated phenomenon. If a patient with poliomyelitis or paraplegia finds it difficult to climb stairs or get out of a wheelchair, there can be no doubt whatever that it is a good thing to practise these procedures. By so doing he is learning the skilled use of available muscle strength, and the fact that individual muscle groups are not recruited maximally is not important. It has not been proved that increase in muscle strength is largely due to an increase in cross-sectional area of the muscle fibres. Dr. H. D. Darcus discussed this point at the meeting and concluded that "muscle bulk is not a reliable criterion of strength." It is quite wrong to assume that an exercise is incorrect if it does not increase muscle bulk. " File-cutters' paralysis " was a form of lead-poisoning that disappeared with the introduction of machine methods. It should not be invoked as a criticism of any particular form of exercise. When dealing with a painful joint it is true that resistance should be applied within a limited range where pain is least. It is not true that the resulting increase in strength is confined to this limited range.-I am, etc.,


Nongenetic phenotypic variation can be identified by its occurrence within genetically uniform clones. A histocompatibility bioassay of clonal identity was used to ascertain the extent of phenotypic variation within natural clones of two species of marine sponges. Multiple morphological forms of the sponge Aplysina fistularis were found to occur within single clones, indicating a nongenetic polymorphism. In contrast, a genetic basis is suggested for a polymorphism of Aplysina cauliformis; within single clones of this species, individuals were uniform in color and morphology.


The capture of gestures in order to use them as input for intuitive control has been investigated exhaustively in recent years. However, for the most part this has resulted in relatively expensive devices. The contribution of this report is the investigation on the feasibility of the development of a low-cost vision based input device for the tracking of head movements, concerning the use of them for motion control. The input device relies on the infrared camera, along with the built-in image analysis tools, present on a Nintendo Wii remote for the measurement of the location and orientation of a head-mountable marker. The marker consists of a set of optical feature points which are easily detectable, and organized in a fashion which allows for the determination of its position and orientation in space. The developed input device was then evaluated in order to determine the operating range, accuracy and robustness, and was shown to be feasible for its intended use. Finally, the implemented device was utilized to control a mechanical output device, being a unit capable of panning and tilting.


The accurate 3-D coordinate's measurements of the global positioning systems are essential in many fields and applications.  The GPS has numerous applications such as: Frequency Counters, Geographic Information Systems, Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems, Car Navigation Systems, Emergency Systems, Aviations, Astronomical Pointing Control, and Atmospheric Sounding using GPS signals, tracking of wild animals, GPS Aid for the Blind, Recorded Position Information, Airborne Gravimetry and other uses. In this paper, the RTK DGPS mode has been used to create precise 3-D coordinates values for four rover stations in Baghdad university camp. The HiPer-II Receiver of global positioning system was used to navigate the coordinate value. The results will be compare with the Google Earth viewer coordinates values, the comparison shows that absolute error was few millimeters between actual and measured coordinate's values.


Mars' present climate is extremely cold and arid. Until recently, it was widely thought that debris-covered glaciers in Mars' mid-latitudes have been pervasively cold-based since their formation 10s–100s Myr ago. However, we recently discovered eskers associated with ~110–150 Myr old glaciers in the Phlegra Montes [1] and NW Tempe Terra [2] regions of Mars' northern mid-latitudes. Eskers are sinuous ridges comprising sediments deposited in glacial meltwater conduits. Therefore, eskers associated with existing mid-latitude glaciers on Mars indicate that localised wet-based glaciation did occur during Mars' most recent geological period. Eskers are important tools for reconstructing the nature, extent, and dynamics of wet-based glaciation on Earth, and have similar potential for Mars.

We used 1–2 m/pixel resolution digital elevation models derived from 25–50 cm/pixel High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment stereo-pair images to measure the planform and 3D morphometries of the Phlegra Montes and NW Tempe Terra eskers, and compare them with the morphometries of Quaternary-aged eskers in Canada [3] and SW Finland [4]. We found that the Martian eskers have remarkably similar lengths, sinuosities and heights to terrestrial eskers, but that the Martian eskers are typically wider and have lower side slopes. Large width-height ratios of the Martian eskers are consistent with our previous measurements of ancient (~3.5 Ga) eskers close to Mars' south pole [5], and may arise from differences in either: esker degradation state, or fundamental glacio-hydrological controls on esker formation between Mars and Earth. Portions of the two Martian eskers with comparable crest morphologies (e.g., sharp- or round-crested) have similar width-height relationships, suggesting that glacio-hydrological processes may exert controls upon the observed relationships between esker morphology and morphometry.

Our morphometric analyses also reveal that the Martian esker in NW Tempe Terra has a 'stacked' morphology: the crest of a wide, round-crested underlying ridge is superposed by a narrow, sharp- to multi-crested ridge. Based on morpho-sedimentary relationships observed along terrestrial eskers [6], we interpret this transition to represent waning sediment supply and meltwater discharge towards the end of the esker-forming drainage episode(s). Direct sedimentary insights into Martian eskers are not yet possible so we emphasise that such inferences should be rigorously grounded in observations of analogous landforms on Earth.

This work was funded by STFC grant ST/N50421X/1.

References: [1] Gallagher, C., and Balme, M.R., (2015), Earth. Planet. Sci. Lett. 431, 96-109,
[2] Butcher, F.E.G., et al. (2017), J. Geophys. Res. Planets. 122(12), 2445-2468,
[3] Storrar, R.D., et al. (2014) Quat. Sci. Rev. 105, 1-25,
[4] Storrar, R.D., and Jones, A., Unpublished,
[5] Butcher, F.E.G., et al. (2016), Icarus 275, 65-84,
[6] Burke, M.J., et al. (2010) Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 122, 1637-1645.


The former concentration camp of Dachau is one of the memory sites that have been highly contested for the past 60 years. Having been a concentration camp for mainly political prisoners and boasting a still very active committee of former prisoners, Dachau has always constituted one of the focal points for political struggles and social conflict in the present. This chapter traces some of the predominant mechanisms of political and social contestation of its memory over time. As prominent example of how struggles for political dominance can influence the form public commemoration takes, the discussions surrounding the setup of an International Memorial on the premises of the former Dachau concentration camp is discussed in detail. It traces the political debates preceding the construction, analyses the controversies surrounding the question of who should be represented and focuses on the repercussions the exclusion of certain victim groups had for today's commemorative practices.


Purpose: To study the prevalence of concurrent use of herbal and synthetic medicines among outpatients in a mission hospital in Nigeria.
Methods: A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 278 outpatient respondents in a mission hospital.
Results: One hundred and ninety three (69.4%) of the study population had used herbal and synthetic drugs concurrently within one-month of the study period. The top three conditions for which they were used were Malaria (88.5%), typhoid fever (69.8%), cough and sore throat (60.1%) and asthma (19.1%) was the least. Concurrent use of herbal and synthetic drugs was significantly associated with age group (p< 0.001), gender (p = 0.026), monthly income (p < 0.001) and level of respondent?s education (p < 0.001). Using multiple logistic regression models, the risk estimate of using of herbal drugs along side with synthetic drugs was higher among the middle aged (40- 59 years) group (OR: 2.4; 1.60 - 3.22). The risk was least common among age of ≥ 60 years (OR: 0.16; 0.18-0.21) compared to youngest age group. The practice was higher among females (OR: 2.8; 2.2 -3.4) compared to males. The risk was most common among the middle income group (OR: 4.2; 3.1-6.4) and it was increasing as the education level of the respondents increased.
Conclusion: The prevalence of concurrent use of herbal and synthetic medicines in Nsukka is high. This could be the reflection of what is happening in whole Nigeria. The risk of this practice is significantly associated with demographic and socio-economic characteristics of respondents.


EDOARD (Electrodynamic De-Orbiting And Re-entry Device) exploits the basic concepts of electrodynamic drag on conductive tethers to de-boost LEO spacecraft efficiently and reliably. The system is jointly developed by Alenia Spazio and by University "La Sapienza" in view of potential commercial exploitation. An innovative engineering approach has tackled four critical issues: 1) the deployment mechanism, which ensures a purely passive extension of the tether under extremely small gravity gradients; 2) the tether structure and configuration, which guarantees a very high survivability to impacts from artificial and natural debris; 3) the inflatable passive electron collector, which increases the efficiency of the system while reducing the tether length to 4-5 km and 4) the electrodynamic control of the tether librations, which limits the effects of inherent dynamical system instability, while preserving high de-orbiting efficiencies. The configuration ensures de-orbiting times per unit mass of about 0.09 day/kg from a circular, 1500 km altitude, 55 degree inclination.


OBJECTIVE
To observe the therapeutic effect of Wumei Baijiang prescription empirical prescription of Lu Zhizheng, on experimental ulcerative colitis (UC) mice, and to investigate the mechanism of the prescription in UC from the perspective of the immune balance of regulatory T cells (Treg) and helper T cells (Th17).

METHODS
Sixty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, model group, Chinese medicine group (high, medium and low dose group of Wumei Baijiang prescription) and control group (mesalazine sustained-release granules). Except for the normal group, the other groups used 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium to induce UC mice model. At the end of the model, the Chinese medicine group was given high, medium and low dose administration of Wumei Baijiang prescription, the control group was given slow-release granules of mesalazine, and the model group was given equal volume saline for 10 d. The changes of food intake, body weight, disease activity index (DAI) score, length of large intestine and histopathology were observed. The number of Treg, Th17, CD4+, CD8+ cells in spleen was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS
The middle and high-dose groups of Wumei Baijiang prescription were superior to the model group in terms of increasing food intake and body weight of colitis mice, restoring colon morphology, improving pathological damage, and reducing DAI (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference with the mesalazine group (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the spleen Treg and CD4+ of the mice in the high and middle dose groups of Wumei Baijiang prescription were higher, while Th17 and CD8+ were lower (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference compared with the mesalazine group (P > 0.05). In addition, compared with the model group, the serum levels of TNF- and CRP in mice with high and middle doses of Wumei Baijiang prescription and mesalazine group were lower (P < 0.05), and IL-10 content was higher ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
Wumei Baijiang prescription can improve the general conditions of colitis mice, such as diarrhea, hematochezia, weight loss, and mucosal damage. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of Treg/Th17 immune balance.


A total of 83 faecal samples carrying rotavirus were used in this survey. Five different electrophoretypes were distinguished according to their migration patterns. All the rotaviruses examined in this research proved to be group A and to have short migration patterns. While local migration patterns were detected in individual herds (e.g. A, B, C, M, P and T), two different migration profiles were detected in herd K during rotavirus enteritis after a two year interval. The greatest variations in electrophoretic mobility in the groups were found in segments 2-4, and 6-9, while segments 1, 10, and 11 showed the most unchanged mobility.


Escherichia coli are the leading non-pathogenic flora of the human intestine. However, some E. coli strains have developed the capability to cause infection in gastrointestinal, urinary, or central nervous system in human hosts. O157 strain is an in frequent source of infection, although it can be severe and may lead to a serious intestinal infection along with bloody diarrhea. Most of the people fully convalesce from a O157 infection. However, in only some people, it can be lethal. In this study, the rapid detection method of Escherichia coli O157 in feces by using the latex agglutination test kit (Remel-wellcox) and latex agglutination reagents (Remel-wellcolex,) was studied. The latex test was found to be a straightforward, highly competent and reliable test for detecting E. coli O157. Out of 52 samples, 20 samples were tested positive tested. The existence of O157 positive clinical sample appeared to be an indicator of presence of this hemorrhagic strain. For the strains of E. coli O157 latex reagents used with high (100%) sensitivity and specificity. Our results revealed that the commercial latex reagents are fine substitutes to typical serologic methods for categorizing the O157 antigens of E. coli.


Abstract Based on 41 semi-structured interviews with young Latvians and Romanians in Malmö, Sweden, this article explores why Europeans from new European Union (EU) member states want to move to, and stay in, Sweden despite economic difficulties and underemployment. Six main factors for explaining mobility patterns are highlighted: free university education, romantic relationships, cosmopolitan lifestyle, presence of English language, idealisation of Sweden and work–life balance. We read these factors as ideas and aspirations of well-being in the 'imagined space' of Sweden. The findings illustrate that many young migrants do not chose to move to Sweden for short-term economic opportunities, but rather to experience a different lifestyle. In most cases, these expectations are met, although over time.


Aligning and distributing graphical objects is a common, but cumbersome task. In a preliminary study (six graphic designers, six non-designers), we identified three key problems with current tools: lack of persistence, unpredictability of results, and inability to 'tweak' the layout. We created StickyLines, a tool that treats guidelines as first-class objects: Users can create precise, predictable and persistent interactive alignment and distribution relationships, and 'tweaked' positions can be maintained for subsequent interactions. We ran a [2x2] within-participant experiment to compare StickyLines with standard commands, with two levels of layout difficulty. StickyLines performed 40% faster and required 49% fewer actions than traditional alignment and distribution commands for complex layouts. In study three, six professional designers quickly adopted StickyLines and identified novel uses, including creating complex compound guidelines and using them for both spatial and semantic grouping.


Vulnerable children are crucial in Greek tragedy and to the philosophy of suffering that it explores. They attract high levels of emotional concern that spill over from the human arena into the divine. As a means of exposing the presence or absence of the power and influence of the gods, children in tragedy are pivotal voices in the integrity and survival of the tragic family. The literary, social and historical contexts within which this importance falls are set out in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 investigates how tragedy features important roles for vulnerable children and how ritual human sacrifice and murder highlight the importance of divine intervention in family life. Chapter 3 looks at the underlying reasons for parents killing their children and examines how this can destroy the family unit by eradicating the family line and preventing the continuance of name and inheritance. The chapter also analyses how divine interference can override a parent's will and sense of right. Chapter 4 considers how the killing of parents by children destroys the vertical family structure and so threatens a crucial aspect of social order. It analyses how the plays test allegiances, power relations and filial obligations to the limit and, within this context, the involvement of the gods creates different levels of liability and degrees of authority. Chapter 5 shows how when planning to murder the most vulnerable children, or in circumstances of abandonment or illegitimacy, the relative power and influence of the divine and human is brought under conclusive and central scrutiny. From this the Conclusion pinpoints the importance of children in Greek tragedy in (i) showing the family capable of repairing itself and establishing values sufficient for it to recover from the worst events, and (ii) suggesting that this can be done without the involvement, interference, or influence of the gods. This realisation offers a fresh aspect to further analyses of Greek tragedy, its form and implications.


This research proposes to model a solar photovoltaic system connected to the grid to attend to the energy demands of the rural settlements in the Brazilian semi-arid region. In addition, to sell the surplus energy produced in order to generate income for farmers. The settlement has high solar radiation, 6.03 kWh/m2 d. The computational tools, HOMER and SAM, were used to model the system. A group of ten families and a cooperative is part of the case study. The electrical load is 2,350 kWh/month. The system would be able to deliver a minimum of 3,500 kWh/month and a maximum of 5,500 kWh/month, as per HOMER results. SAM results show 4,257.01 kWh/month and 5,504.01 kWh/month respectively. The surplus could provide an annual income ranging from US$ 1,122.36 to US$ 2,243.63 for HOMER results, US$ 1,340.75 to US$ 2,681.50 for the SAM results. The applied methodology can be replicated in other regions where conditions are similar.


This volume provides statistics on all large-scale family planning (FP) programs in the developing world, together with selected demographic and socioeconomic statistics. Time trends are given for some indicators, and data are arranged for comparative analysis across countries. Where available, time trends go back to the mid-1980s. This volume's predecessor, published in 1992, should be consulted for earlier demographic and socioeconomic data, and for tables on maternal and child health indicators that are not repeated here. The data on FP programs come from a series of three questionnaires sent since 1987 to 100 developing countries, which have generally been kept consistent in their subject matter and wording. The latest questionnaire round reflects information accessible to each country as of early 1993. Questionnaire forms were sent out in late 1992 and returned through spring 1993. Each questionnaire displayed the data previously published for that country in each table concerning the FP program. This let respondents enter corrections in the past time series, as well as provide the updates that were the primary objective of the inquiry.


While the agenda of "beyond GDP" encompasses measurements that lie outside boundaries of the System of National Accounts, key aspects of individual well‐being and social welfare can be incorporated into an SNA framework. We bring together the relevant theoretical literature and the empirical tools needed for this purpose. We show how consumption‐based measures of economic welfare can be integrated into the national accounts without changing their production or asset boundary. At the same time, explicit normative and methodological choices are required to select a social welfare function. The paper provides guidance how to make these choices transparent and how to present social welfare measures.


Progress in the adequate nutrition of pilots during long-term flights since 1935 is discussed. Special attention is given to the arrangement of meals inflight. The nutritive value of the flight rations and methods of maintaining high quality of diets inflight are described. The hygienic estimate of diets and their efficiency is given. Attention is paid to the development of the main method of nutrition in long-term flights--diets consumed by pilots with an oxygen mask on. Nutrition in high altitude flights is discussed. The development of flight diets from "sandwich rations" (1935-1958) to up-to-date food products and polyvitamins (since 1958) is described. Further pathways for the study and improvement of flight rations are outlined.