firstname.lastname@example.com Abstract The aims this research to improve students' ability to understand and curve the basic techniques of service in badminton games using Hula Hoop media. This research is a sports class action research. The research subjects were seventh grade students in SMP Negeri 24, Makassar. The results of the study concluded that: there was an increase in the ability to do long service using the Hula Hoop media on class VII students in SMP Negeri 24, Makassar. After going through the implementation of the teaching method with the Hula Hoop tool and at the end of the study showing that the ability to do long service in badminton games students showed improvement, it was shown from the results of the first cycle at the level of completion at standard 70, only 12 students or (34%) declared complete and 23 students or (66%) not yet completed. In the second cycle the level of completeness increased to 32 students or (91%) and did not complete the decline to 3 students or (9%). Thus it can be concluded that through teaching Hula Hoop's auxiliary media it can increase the long service ability students by


The current characteristics of a rural landscape may be better understood if suitable information related to its past is available. The availability of a Geographical Information System (GIS) can enable the analysis of landscape features in relation to several aspects, e.g., the evolution and mutual inter-relation among different ecosystems, the impact and sustainability of human activities, the visual characteristics of a landscape, etc. The analysis of geographical information, derived from historical maps, within a GIS could, therefore, prove to be a very powerful tool, for a better-informed decision-making and management of a rural landscape. With the aim to identify the land use changes in a rural area located in the Basilicata Region (Southern Italy), a territorial analysis was conducted through a GIS, in which data taken from historical maps—covering a period of 184 years, from 1829 to 2013—were implemented. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the rural landscape during different periods were obtained through digital terrain models (DTM). The land cover changes were also evaluated, demonstrating how they have affected the quality of the forest ecosystem in the area. The final results that were obtained comparing historical documents and current maps enabled the evaluation of the multi-temporal, morphological, and vegetation variations in this rural landscape. The analysis that was conducted has great potential for assessing and monitoring landscape diversity and typical changes of vegetation, even in different geographical locations, where appropriate interventions in landscape structures may be so planned.


Background: Family planning is a crucial issue for all women of reproductive age, but in women with severe mental illness (SMI) there may be particular challenges and concerns. As primary care-based mental health services are expanding in low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs), there is an opportunity to improve family planning services for women with SMI. However, research exploring unmet family planning needs of women with SMI in such settings is scarce. Therefore, the present study explored the family planning experiences, unmet needs and preferences of women with SMI who reside in a predominantly rural area of Ethiopia Methods: A qualitative study design was used. Women with SMI who were participating in the ongoing population-based cohort study in Butajira were selected purposively on the basis of responses to a quantitative survey of current family planning utilization. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women with SMI who were of reproductive age. Audio files were transcribed in Amharic, translated into English and analyzed using the Framework Approach using Open Code qualitative data analysis software. Results: Participants reported pervasive effects of SMI upon the intimate relationships and sexual life of women. Although women with SMI felt that family planning was important, they had limited knowledge of family planning generally and a lack of understanding of the specific family planning needs relevant to having SMI. None of the women with SMI in the present study had received any recommendations to use family planning services while accessing mental health care services. The participants identified ways in which primary care-based mental health services could better meet their family planning needs. Conclusion: This study has provided in-depth perspectives from women with SMI about the broader context of their family planning experience, needs, and barriers and how integrated primary care services could better meet their needs. Empowerment of women with SMI to access information and services needs to be an important focus of future efforts to improve the reproductive experiences of this vulnerable group. Key words: Family planning, severe mental illness, Contraceptives, Reproductive age


Ensuring availability of essential goods, such as medicines or vaccines, at the point of care in the villages is a significant challenge in rural supply chains. The crux of the problem lies in information asymmetry of supply and demand, as well as ad hoc distribution practices. These supply chains are not managed efficiently, and often information flows upstream in the chain in an incomplete, incorrect and untimely manner. This ultimately affects procurement and distribution decisions, consequently leading to stock outs of important goods at the point of care. To address the problem of stock availability, we have implemented a "Bulletin Board" that digitally captures needs (demand) and availability (supply) of goods in real-time from any location using low-end mobile phones, and broadcasts this information to vendors and managers, upstream in the supply chain. We demonstrate that by reducing information asymmetry between supply and demand, the overall system "self-organizes" in a manner that stocks are appropriately re-distributed, thereby improving availability at the point of care. We demonstrate these concepts in the context of vaccine and medicine availability in a public health supply chain. In a study in Karnataka, India, we have observed vaccine stock availability increase to 99% and replenishment responsiveness improve by 64%. However, such an approach relies on obtaining high quality of data from the last mile, which is a big challenge in low-resource environments, where mobile networks are unreliable and human capacity is low. We describe the design of a mobile phone based service that leverages insights from information asymmetry theory and effective service design to achieve sustainable supply chain performance in low-resource environments.


Series elastic element stiffness was studied during isometric muscle contraction in cylindrical segments of dog common carotid artery. These vessel segments were mounted in vitro and restored to in situ length. Vessel diameter was constantly monitored with a linear displacement transducer. The arteries were subjected to isometric contraction by adding norepinephrine to the bath and elevating the transmural pressure enough to maintain constant vessel diameter. Small, rapid quick release-quick stretch cycles were performed repeatedly during isometric contractions to evaluate the stiffness of the undamped series elastic element. After contraction was complete, repeated quick release-quick stretch cycles were also performed during inactivation of the muscle caused by the administration of potassium cyanide. At strains up to the peak in the length-active tension curve, series elastic element stiffness was a linear function of stress thoughout both isometric contraction and isometric relaxation for both quick releases and quick stretches. Vessels excited at strains less than that associated with the peak in the length-tension curve (100 mm Hg) exhibited similar stress-series elastic element stiffness slopes, but vessels excited at larger strains exhibited decreased or negative stress-series elastic stiffness slopes. Studies on potassium cyanide-poisoned vessels failed to indicate any alteration in the quick release properties of the connective tissue at large strains. The concomitant decline in the stress-series elastic element stiffness slope and the active isometric stress at large strains suggests (1) that the series elastic element undergoes mechanical yielding at high stresses or (2) that the series elastic element is an integral part of the force-generating apparatus.


A RARE form of congenital defect of the palate has been operated on by Mr. Pollock at St. George's Hospital. The patient was a young female. There was a small perforation in the posterior part ,of the hard palate, situated in the middle line, and divided into two parts by a thin strip of the mucous membrane of the mouth bridging over the fissure. The uvula also was bifid, and the left segment adhered to the edge of the soft palate near the tonsil, producing a very singular appearance. The chief inconvenience which resulted from the defect in the hard palate, was that distinct speech was much interfered with by a sort of whistle produced by the passage of air through the small hole at each utterance. The operation was not very difficult; the edges of the cleft were pared, and the surrounding mucous membrane was dissected up and united across the cleft; tension being obviated by lateral incisions. Two sutures were then passed through the flaps, and a stout piece of silk through the lateral incisions, from one to the other behind the flaps, partly to press the latter together, but also and mainly to prevent the too speedy union of the incisions, which often occurs before union is completed. and produces tension on the wound. REM1ARKS. It may be observed that Mr. Pollock usually adopts the plan of freeing the mucous membrane from the hard palate by dissection carried on from the lateral incisions towards the cleft. This is not only more easy to do in the majority of cases, but has the important advantage of leaving a perfectly fresh and -ininjured edge, when the latter has been pared. If the dissection is carried on from the cleft outwards, it is difficult to avoid bruising the edges which are to be united, and which are thus, of course, rendered miore liable to slough.


Kidneys of 29 patients without clinical renal disease were studied by electron microscopy for the presence of glomerular basement membrane deposits: those from 11 of 20 patients with cancers of various sites, but only 1 of 9 patients without cancer contained electron-dense subendothelial deposits. The majority of these kidneys gave positive immunofluorescent reactions for immunoglobulin and complement. However, among a number of the cases studied, a lack of correlation between electron microscopic and immunofluorescence findings has yet to be investigated. Although the number of patients in this study is small because of the difficulty in obtaining tissue for electron microscopy, it is postulated that the deposition of immune complexes in the kidney occurs with a high frequency among cancer patients. The kidneys may thus be a valuable source for isolating tumor-associated antigens and corresponding antibodies.


Objective:To analyse the effect of viral coinfections on immune reconstitution in HIV-1-infected children (< 18 years) taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Methods:Absolute lymphocyte numbers of various subsets of CD8 T cells were measured. Results:Prior cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection correlated with an increased number of CD8 effector T cells (i.e., CD45RA+CD27−) at baseline (CMV-seropositive versus CMV-seronegative patients; P = 0.009), as well as an increased state of T cell activation as defined by HLA-DR and CD38 expression. The expansion of effector CD8 T cells persisted over time, independent of the HIV response to HAART. Numbers of CD8 effector T cells were significantly higher in patients with CMV replication as reflected by persistent urinary CMV shedding and periodic CMV DNAaemia (P = 0.02). These patients also showed an increase in CMV-specific antibodies compared with those without CMV shedding (P = 0.007). The number of CMV-specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing CD8 T cells was lower in children who persistently shed CMV compared with those who did not (P = 0.02). In contrast, CMV-specific CD4 T cell responses were detected at similar levels in both groups. Conclusions:In HIV-1-infected children, CMV infection correlated with the outgrowth of CD8+CD45RA+CD27− effector T cells. Activation of the immune system by persistent CMV secretion resulted in increasing CMV-specific IgG and higher numbers of CD8 effector T cells. Despite these increases, the CMV-specific IFN-γ-producing CD8 T cell response was diminished, which could explain the inability to suppress CMV completely in 41% of HIV-1-infected children.


A novel interferometric parallel spectral detection method for optical signals with finite time duration is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Unlike the conventional schemes that detect temporal signals in the time domain, the proposed method recognizes the frequency spectral components of an optical signal in parallel by observing the spatial interference pattern formed between the optical signal and a multifrequency local light. The operating principle is experimentally confirmed by use of 4-bit-long 200-Mbit/s optical cells.


This article describes the development of the Norwegian Historical Population Register, which is the first open national register. In the period 1735–1964, 9.7 million people lived in Norway, and for them 37.5 million events (such as birth, death, or migration) have been recorded in sources. We link together as many events as possible for the same persons and families, but only include links that have a high probability of being correct. The linking is performed by automatic methods and crowdsourcing. A national population register is important for migration research. It allows us to reconstruct (stepwise) internal migration in Norway, frequently followed by international migration from Norway, as well as return migration to Norway. Many non-Norwegian sources also specify place of birth by country, and this makes it possible to identify individuals in Norwegian sources.


Previous research has found that people generally contribute more to a charitable or collective cause when they expect to endure pain and exert effort for that cause (Olivola & Shafir, 2013; see also Olivola, 2010). That is, the prospect of their own pain and effort led them to donate more to the cause – a phenomenon called the 'martyrdom effect' (Olivola & Shafir, 2013). This paper shows that the martyrdom effect extends beyond the self: Enduring pain and effort for a charitable cause also motivates others to contribute more to that cause. Across five experiments, we test this hypothesis, consider alternative accounts, and examine the underlying mechanism. The martyrdom effect extended to others has important implications for designing successful charity fundraisers. Common sense and many theories of human behavior assume that people prefer that others – especially close others – not endure pain and effort, and would therefore prescribe making the fundraising experience as easy and enjoyable for people as possible in order to get their friends, family, and colleagues to donate. However, our results suggest that people are more – not less – willing to sponsor a close other's fundraising when the fundraising process is painful and effortful. Therefore, making a person's fundraising experience challenging is often the best way to attract donations, whereas making the experience easy and enjoyable is likely to backfire in many cases.


4 MNlasters CL, Gajdusek DC, Gibbs CJ. The familial occurrence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Alzheimer's disease. Brain 198 1;104: 535-58. S Masters CL, Ga'dusek DC, Gibbs CJ. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease virus isolations from the Gerstmann-Straussler Syndrome. Brain 1981;104:559-88. 6 Masters CL, Harris JO, Gaidusek DC, Gibbs CJ, Jr, Bernoulli C, Asher DM. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: patterns of worldwide occurrence and the significance of familial and sporadic clustering. .4nn Neurol 1979;5:177-88. 7 XWill RG, Matthews WB. A retrospective study of CreutzfeldtJakob disease in England and Wales 1970-79. I. Clinical features. ] Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1984;47: 134-40.


Organizational social networks (OVSN) are socio-technical artifacts, based on social
networks that allow the development of relationships between people in organizations. Our
assumption is that OSVN are capable of fostering organizational innovation. Organizational
innovation means the creation and adoption of new products, processes and methods and its
relation with OVSN is not yet well developed in the literature. Our research aims to analyze
how the structuration of OVSN influences the structuration of organizational innovation. Our
theoretical references are the Structuration and Institutional Theories. The research is under
development in a large semi-public Brazilian organization and concerns three nation-wide
educational projects. Qualitative data is collected through semi-structured interviews and
participant observation. Our results should reveal the relationship between the structuration
of OVSN and organizational innovation, analyzing how this process occurs dynamically and
over time.


Aims Minimally manipulated cells, such as autologous bone marrow concentrates (BMC), have been investigated in orthopaedics as both a primary therapeutic and augmentation to existing restoration procedures. However, the efficacy of BMC in combination with tissue engineering is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the addition of BMC to an osteochondral scaffold is safe and can improve the repair of large osteochondral defects when compared to the scaffold alone. Methods The ovine femoral condyle model was used. Bone marrow was aspirated, concentrated, and used intraoperatively with a collagen/hydroxyapatite scaffold to fill the osteochondral defects (n = 6). Tissue regeneration was then assessed versus the scaffold-only group (n = 6). Histological staining of cartilage with alcian blue and safranin-O, changes in chondrogenic gene expression, microCT, peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT), and force-plate gait analyses were performed. Lymph nodes and blood were analyzed for safety. Results The results six months postoperatively showed that there were no significant differences in bone regrowth and mineral density between BMC-treated animals and controls. A significant upregulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) for types I and II collagens in the BMC group was observed, but there were no differences in the formation of hyaline-like cartilage between the groups. A trend towards reduced sulphated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) breakdown was detected in the BMC group but this was not statistically significant. Functional weightbearing was not affected by the inclusion of BMC. Conclusion Our results indicated that the addition of BMC to scaffold is safe and has some potentially beneficial effects on osteochondral-tissue regeneration, but not on the functional endpoint of orthopaedic interest. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(10):677–689.


Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) following solid organ or hematologic malignancy (secondary ALL, s-ALL) is not well characterized. We analyzed the characteristics and outcome of patients with s-ALL and compared them with those of patients with de novo- ALL. Of 448 patients, 24 (5%) had previous neoplasia. Sixteen patients had received previous cytotoxic therapy (therapy-associated ALL, t-ALL), and eight had not (antecedent-malignancy ALL, am-ALL). Except for more advanced age in patients with s-ALL, no statistically significant differences were observed in WBC count, CNS involvement, immunophenotype or cytogenetics between the groups, nor in complete remission (t-ALL: 94%; am-ALL: 75%; de novo-ALL: 85%), 3-year remission duration (58%; 50%; 72%), overall survival (71%; 38%; 60%) or event-free survival (53%, 38%; 53%). Our study did not show poor clinical or cytogenetic features or inferior outcome in ALL patients with antecedent neoplastic disease, irrespective of the type of treatment received for the neoplasia.


Transcript:
Governor Christie: As we now sit a little more than a week away from Christmas, I want all of you to remember and understand how each one of you have people in your lives who love you and would consider you a special gift. Work hard not just for yourself but for those people as well, because I can guarantee you that your sobriety could be the greatest gift you give to anybody this Christmas. First it's the greatest gift you can give to yourself. The greatest gift you can give to yourself. And if you have a husband or a wife, or significant other, I can guarantee you that for that person, that can be the greatest gift you give to him or her. If you have a son or a daughter, guaranteed the greatest gift you can give to that son or daughter " whether they're thirty years old or three months old " is your sobriety. If you have a brother or a sister, I can guarantee you that's the greatest gift you can give them, too. And so as you get up to Christmas, just remember that when you wake up on Christmas morning and you're clean and you're sober, that is the gift. That is the gift that you've given to yourself. No one else has given it to you. You've earned it, you've given to yourself. And it's the gift that you've earned, that you can give to everybody else in your life. To see them that day or call them that morning, and say "I feel good. I'm clean. I'm working.' I can guarantee you that they will feel enormously, enormously happy when they hear that from you and they know it's real. They know it's not one of those lies that we tell, right? But it's the real deal. That will make them feel so good and that's the only gift they'll want, I can guarantee you. You can't wrap that and put it under a tree, but let me tell you it's a heck of a lot better. It's a heck of a lot better. It absolutely is.


In the first workshop held at FIE 2005, we identified the elements of an engineering education that would promote social justice. After an identification of these elements, participants were challenged to identify how well their particular institution aligned with these components. The Ideal Final Result from TRIZ, a problem identification technique, was used to identify the fundamentals in a highly interactive format. The use of TRIZ provides for a visual representation of the results with typical examples provided below. The initial segment of the special session will be dedicated to describing the results. With the initial results as a foundation and with discussion on the elements of the TRIZ algorithm, the second segment of the special session will focus inwardly; that is, we shall examine how each of us contributes to the promotion of social justice as teachers, as practitioners and as scholars. We shall again explore first our understanding of what are the essential elements of promoting social justice as individual faculty members and subsequently identify how close each of us is to the envisioned "ideal final result"


In high-pressure phase transition experiments, the crystal structure of the intermediate phase in some phase transitions is difficult to successfully measure due to the limitations of the experimental conditions. The absence of crystal structure data for the intermediate phase also makes it difficult to calculate the pressure point from the intermediate phase to the new phase by the traditional thermodynamic criterion in theoretical simulations. The Conch Criterion is employed by us to successfully verify the phase transition points by observing the reverse shifts of the DOS (electron density of states) curves for the new phase of Cu2S, PbS, PbSe and PbTe, which breaks through the constraints of the traditional criterion and realizes tracing the source of the phase transition in theoretical calculations.


Background: Academic reports have confirmed Moringa oleifera leaves to possess significant antioxidant capacities; however, such studies are unavailable for its ripe seeds even though they are more desirous for consumption due to their sweet taste. Objective: In this study, we investigated antioxidant capacities of four polar extracts (crude water, ethanol, butanol, and aqueous residue) from the plant's ripe seeds. Materials and Methods: Phytochemicals were extracted from the ripe seeds of M. oleifera using ethanol and water solvents at initial stage. Butanol and aqueous residue were then subsequently fractioned out from the ethanol extract. Phenolic and flavonoid contents of the polar extracts were determined. Then, their antioxidant capacities were quantified by 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. Finally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of the extracts were performed. Results: DPPH and ABTS tests showed that the polar extracts possess significant antioxidant capacities that ranged from 29 to 35.408 μM Trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/mg sample and 7 to 29 μM TEAC/mg sample, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of the extracts corresponded to their phenolic and flavonoid contents that varied from 13.61 to 20.42 mg gallic acid equivalence/g sample and 0.58 to 9.81 mg quercetin equivalence/g sample, respectively. Finally, GC-MS analyses revealed antimicrobial phenolic compounds, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde in crude water extract and 4-hydroxybenzene acetonitrile in the ethanol and butanol extracts, and aqueous residue. Conclusion: Our results established that M. oleifera ripe seeds have significant antioxidant activity which may be due to its phenolic and nonphenolic compounds content. Abbreviations used: ABTS: 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid); DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; TEAC: Trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity; QE: Quercetin equivalence; GAE: Gallic acid equivalence; GC-MS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.


Author(s): Badgett, M.V. Lee; Kastanis, Angeliki | Abstract: Extending marriage to same-sex couples in Illinois would generate up to $103 million in spending to the state and local economy. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 23,049 same-sex couples live in Illinois. Of those couples, the report estimates that 50% (11,525 couples) would choose to marry in the first three years, a pattern that has been observed in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Of the couples that will marry, 64% of those marriages will occur during the first year, 21% in the second year and 15% in the third year.In the first three years of extending marriage to same-sex couples, the study estimates that the state's wedding business would see an increase by $74 million, and an increase of $29 million in tourism expenditures made by out-of-town guests over the same period; total state and local tax revenue would rise by $8.5 million, including an estimated $1-2 million in local sales taxes. The first year would produce $5.4 million of this spending; the boost in wedding spending will generate approximately 281 jobs in the state.


A mathematical model on a coil basis is used to study the characteristics of the zero sequence voltage of a generator. The proposed technique for the stator ground fault detection simultaneously takes into account the fault contributed zero sequence fundamental voltage and the fault contributed third-harmonic voltage (Δ-zero sequence voltage). The effect of the start-up component based on the wavelet transform is also highlighted. As information both on the fault contributed zero sequence fundamental voltage and the third-harmonic voltage is used simultaneously, the scheme can obtain higher sensitivity. Results from the experiment and in the field show that the proposed technique can detect the ground fault with high sensitivity and reliability during all operating conditions.


An assessment of genetic diversity of marine populations is critical not only for the understanding and preserving natural biodiversity but also for its commercial potential. As commercial demand rises for marine resources, it is critical to generate baseline information for monitoring wild populations. Furthermore, anthropogenic stressors on the coastal environment, such as warming sea temperatures and overharvesting of wild populations, are leading to the destruction of keystone marine species such as kelps. In this study, we conducted a fine-scale genetic analysis using genome-wide high-density markers on Northwest Atlantic sugar kelp. The population structure for a total of 149 samples from the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and Southern New England (SNE) was investigated using AMOVA, FST, admixture, and PCoA. Genome-wide association analyses were conducted for six morphological traits, and the extended Lewontin and Krakauer (FLK) test was used to detect selection signatures. Our results indicate that the GOM region is more heterogeneous than SNE. These two regions have large genetic difference (between-location FST ranged from 0.21 to 0.32) and were separated by Cape Cod, which is known to be the biogeographic barrier for other taxa. We detected one significant SNP (P = 2.03 × 10–7) associated with stipe length, and 248 SNPs with higher-than-neutral differentiation. The findings of this study provide baseline knowledge on sugar kelp population genetics for future monitoring, managing and potentially restoring wild populations, as well as assisting in selective breeding to improve desirable traits for future commercialization opportunities.


The objective of the present study was the contemporary folk medicine application of snakehead, Arum maculatum L. (Araceae) with an emphasis on its effect against haemorrhoids. Therefore we set ourselves the following tasks: 1) to collect the contemporary traditional knowledge about the therapeutic effects of snakehead; 2) to collect anecdotal reports from persons who are known to have used the snakehead for treating haemorrhoids; 3) to analyze the data obtained about the effectiveness of this herb against haemorrhoids and other medicinal conditions in order to determine the mechanism of its activity; 4) to investigate how popular snakehead is nowadays in Bulgaria as a medicinal plant. All randomly selected informants basically recognized the plant but only 16% knew about its medicinal properties. With regard to the medicinal application, its properties as a cure for haemorrhoids was most frequently cited. Less frequently mentioned was the use of A. maculatum for chronic traumatic pain, purulent infections, and for "melting of adipose formations". Informants who had used snakeshead for haemorrhoids categorically reported improvement of the condition. The analysis of the therapeutic effect of A. maculatum tuber both directly in the treatment of various haemorrhoids and indirectly in cases of chronic traumatic pain and purulent infections allows us to hypothesise that the plant substance: 1) contracts the blood vessel walls; 2) has an anti-inflammatory effect and 3) has a painkiller effect. The knowledge about these empirically established activities will be used to design in vitro pharmacological tests to better study the therapeutic effect in the treatment of haemorrhoids. Even though the definitive treatment of haemorrhoids is basically considered surgery it has sometimes side effects that make the possible application of the herb preferable.


Precision agriculture is a farming system based on the combination of detailed observations, measuring and rapid-response to optimize energetic input to maximize crops production. Precision agriculture use decision support system (DSS) for optimize farm management. In this context, EVJA Observe Prevent Improve (or just EVJA) is an Intelligent Support System for precision agriculture. A vast set of data (i.e. temperature, relative humidity, deficit of vapour pressure, leaf wetness, solar radiation, carbon dioxide concentration, soil moisture etc.) is continuously collected, submitted to a local control unit, and processed through algorithms specifically developed for different crops. On the other hands, farmers can access EVJA from their pc and mobile devices, and monitor complex agronomic data analysis presented in a user-friendly interface.In this article, we will show how EVJA works, and how its output can be used to assess the health state of plants through a specific set of functions. Moreover, we will show the methodology to develop useful predictive models based on this information.Specifically, we will describe a predictive algorithms capable to predict the infection risks of downy mildew for baby leaves plantations and for Fusarium ear blight of wheat.


Laboratory and greenhouse studies compared the ability of water treatment residuals (WTRs) to alter P solubility and leaching in Immokalee sandy soil (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Arenic Alaquod) amended with biosolids and triple superphosphate (TSP). Aluminum sulfate (Al-WTR) and ferric sulfate (Fe-WTR) coagulation residuals, a lime softening residual (Ca-WTR) produced during hardness removal, and pure hematite were examined. In equilibration studies, the ability to reduce soluble P followed the order Al-WTR > Ca-WTR = Fe-WTR >> hematite. Differences in the P-fixing capacity of the sesquioxide-dominated materials (Al-WTR, Fe-WTR, hematite) were attributed to their varying reactive Fe- and Al-hydrous oxide contents as measured by oxalate extraction. Leachate P was monitored from greenhouse columns where bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) was grown on Immokalee soil amended with biosolids or TSP at an equivalent rate of 224 kg P ha(-1) and WTRs at 2.5% (56 Mg ha(-1)). In the absence of WTRs, 21% of TSP and 11% of Largo cake biosolids total phosphorus (PT) leached over 4 mo. With co-applied WTRs, losses from TSP columns were reduced to 3.5% (Fe-WTR), 2.5% (Ca-WTR), and <1% (Al-WTR) of applied P. For the Largo biosolids treatments all WTRs retarded downward P flux such that leachate P was not statistically different than for control (soil only) columns. The phosphorus saturation index (PSI = [Pox]/ [Al(ox) + Fe(ox)], where Pox, Al, and Fe(ox) are oxalate-extractable P, Al, and Fe, respectively) based on a simple oxalate extraction of the WTR and biosolids is potentially useful for determining WTR application rates for controlled reduction of P in drainage when biosolids are applied to low P-sorbing soils.


Background: Disease risk is lower in metabolically healthy obese adults than in their unhealthy obese counterparts. Studies considering physical activity as a modifiable determinant of healthy obesity have relied on self-reported measures, which are prone to inaccuracies and do not capture all movements that contribute to health. Objective: We aimed to examine differences in total and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity between healthy and unhealthy obese groups by using both self-report and wrist-worn accelerometer assessments. Design: Cross-sectional analyses were based on 3457 adults aged 60–82 y (77% male) participating in the British Whitehall II cohort study in 2012–2013. Normal-weight, overweight, and obese adults were considered "healthy" if they had <2 of the following risk factors: low HDL cholesterol, hypertension, high blood glucose, high triacylglycerol, and insulin resistance. Differences across groups in total physical activity, based on questionnaire and wrist-worn triaxial accelerometer assessments (GENEActiv), were examined by using linear regression. The likelihood of meeting 2010 World Health Organization recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous activity (≥2.5 h/wk) was compared by using prevalence ratios. Results: Of 3457 adults, 616 were obese [body mass index (in kg/m2) ≥30]; 161 (26%) of those were healthy obese. Obese adults were less physically active than were normal-weight adults, regardless of metabolic health status or method of physical activity assessment. Healthy obese adults had higher total physical activity than did unhealthy obese adults only when assessed by accelerometer (P = 0.002). Healthy obese adults were less likely to meet recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than were healthy normal-weight adults based on accelerometer assessment (prevalence ratio: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.79) but were not more likely to meet these recommendations than were unhealthy obese adults (prevalence ratio: 1.26; 95% CI: 0.89, 1.80). Conclusions: Higher total physical activity in healthy than in unhealthy obese adults is evident only when measured objectively, which suggests that physical activity has a greater role in promoting health among obese populations than previously thought.


AIMS
This study was designed to compare the characteristics of nonobese and overweight/obese subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in an urban South Indian population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
The study group comprises 541 subjects drawn from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES), which was carried out on a representative sample of Chennai city in southern India. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography. Subjects with NAFLD were classified as nonobese (body mass index of ≤22.9 kg/m(2)) and overweight/obese (body mass index of ≥23 kg/m(2)) based on World Health Organization Asia Pacific guidelines. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was assessed by a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram that was Minnesota-coded. Insulin resistance was assessed by using the homeostasis assessment model (HOMA-IR) using the following formula: fasting insulin (μIU/mL)×fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5.

RESULTS
In total, 173 of 541 (32%) subjects had NAFLD, of whom 48 (27.7%) had nonobese NAFLD and 125 (72.3%) had overweight/obese NAFLD. Compared with overweight/obese NAFLD patients, fasting blood glucose (104±29 vs. 119±45 mg/dL; P<0.05) and HOMA-IR (2.1±1.8 vs. 2.9±1.8; P<0.001) were lower and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (43±9 vs. 39±8 mg/dL; P<0.001) was higher among nonobese NAFLD subjects. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between nonobese NAFLD and CAD (P=0.013) even after adjusting for age, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, HOMA-IR, and hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that even nonobese NAFLD subjects have an association with CAD.


Abstract.
 The primitive blastozoan Felbabkacystis luckae n. gen. n. sp. is described from the Drumian Jince Formation, Barrandian area (Czech Republic) from eleven fairly well-preserved specimens. Its unique body plan organization is composed of a relatively long, stalk-like imbricate structure directly connected to the aboral imbricate cup of the test and of an adoral vaulted tessellate test supporting the ambulacral and brachiolar systems. Its bipartite test, called prototheca, highlights the evolution of the body wall among blastozoans. Felbabkacystis n. gen. shows the combination of plesiomorphic (imbricate stalk-like appendage) and derived features (highly domed peristome, elongate epispires). The new genus is interpreted as a transitional form between calyx-bearing and theca-bearing blastozoans, and is attributed to the new family Felbabkacystidae. The lithology, the associated fauna, and the possession of a long stalk suggest that Felbabkacystis was probably a low-level suspension feeder living in relatively deep settings.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the magnitude of the discrepancy in injury death rates between urban and rural counties and which types of injury deaths contribute most to this discrepancy.

DESIGN
A review of Nebraska death certificates over the period 1985-1989 was undertaken. Counties were divided into four groups according to population. Group I: urban counties (n = 3); group II: counties with a town of greater than 10,000 (n = 9); group III: counties with a total population of greater than 10,000 (n = 19); group IV: counties with a total population of less than 10,000 (n = 62). Age-adjusted death rates for heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, and injury were tabulated. Injury deaths were further categorized by intentional injury (homicide, suicide), and unintentional injury (motor vehicle-related, falls, drownings, poisoning, farm machinery-related, choking, firearms-related, fire-related and burns).

INTERVENTIONS
None.

RESULTS
Age-adjusted death rates per 100,000 population (with 95% confidence intervals) in group IV were lower than in group I for heart disease: 209 (193.9-224.1) vs. 227.4 (216.3-238.5); cancer: 135.9 (123.7-148.1) vs. 176.3 (166.6-186.0); cerebrovascular disease: 39.9 (33.3-46.5) vs. 44.6 (39.7-49.5); pneumonia: 19.6 (15.0-24.2) vs. 23.4 (19.8-27.0); and intentional injury deaths: 13.3 (9.5-17.0) vs. 15.1 (12.2-18.0). However, age-adjusted unintentional injury death rates were 54.2% higher in group IV than in group I: 42.7 (35.9-49.5) vs. 27.7 (23.8-31.6). Motor vehicle-related death rates were 93% higher: 23.3 (18.2-28.4) vs. 12.1 (9.5-14.7); and farm machinery-related deaths were 1250% higher: 2.7 (1.0-4.4) vs. 0.2 (-0.1-0.5).

CONCLUSION
Age-adjusted unintentional injury death rates are higher in the rural counties of Nebraska, even though death rates for the four other leading causes of death (heart disease, cancer, cerebral vascular disease, and pneumonia) and intentional injury are lower. Although farm machinery-related deaths have the largest percentage difference between rural and urban counties, motor vehicle-related deaths are the major contributor to the unintentional injury death rate discrepancy in rural Nebraska.


Oregon white oak is reportedly a deeply rooted species, but its rooting habit on coarse-textured soils is undocumented. In the Puget Trough of western Washington, Oregon white oak grows in coarse-textured glacial outwashsoils on lowland sites. Our objective was to quantify the gross root system morphology of Oregon white oak in these soils, thereby improving our understanding of its belowground resource acquisition on these sites. Study trees were located on a Spanaway gravelly sandy loam soil near Olympia, Washington. Root systems of 27 oak trees (age 3-95 yr) were excavated and measured. Root systems of seedlings and small trees had prominent taproots, but root systems of larger trees were structurally dominated by shallow lateral roots. Vertical penetration of roots, including the taproot, was restricted by gravelly and cobbly layers within the C horizon, which began at a depth of about 70 cm. Although most roots were located in the finer-textured A horizon, some small roots penetrated to depths greater than 150 cm, where soils remain moist in summer. The predominance of shallow roots suggests that management of understory vegetation or overstory conifers, which both have a similar rooting zone, will likely influence growth and survival of oak. Activities, such as vehicular traffic, that significantly disturb surface soils may adversely affect oak trees.


Over the past decade, the power industry has been undergoing deregulations to introduce competitions among market participants. Once centralized decision making must now adapt to the new market structure. The optimal cross-border electricity trade planning is an important issue in interconnected power systems under transmission open access. In this paper a decentralized approach is suggested to solve the problem using multiagent technology. In the new approach rational market participants make decisions based on their own benefits; in the meantime the minimum production and transmission cost of the whole system can be reached without a central coordination except necessary information exchange through media like the Internet. A relevant lemma has been proven. The approach is implemented via a multiagent system using Java programming language. Computer tests on a five-area test system show that the suggested new approach is effective and promising.


Background Early-life socioeconomic circumstances (SEC) are associated with health in old age. However, epidemiological evidences on the influence of these early-life risk factors on trajectories of healthy ageing are inconsistent, preventing drawing solid conclusion about their potential influence. Here, to fill this knowledge gap, we used a statistical approach adapted to estimating change over time and an outcome-wide epidemiology approach to investigate whether early-life SEC were associated with the level of and rate of decline of physical, cognitive and emotional functioning over time. Methods We used data on more than 23 000 adults in older age from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, a 12-year large-scale longitudinal study with repeated measurements of multiple health indicators of the same participants over time (2004 –2015, assessments every 2 years). Confounder-adjusted linear growth curve models were used to examine the associations of early-life SEC with the evolution of muscle strength, lung function, cognitive function, depressive symptoms and well-being over time. Results We consistently found an association between early-life SEC and the mean levels of all health indicators at age 63.5, with a critical role played by the cultural aspect of disadvantage. These associations were only partly explained by adult-life SEC factors. By contrast, evidences supporting an association between early-life SEC and the rate of change in health indicators were weak and inconsistent. Conclusions Early-life SEC are associated with health in old age, but not with trajectories of healthy ageing. Conceptual models in life course research should consider the possibility of a limited influence of early-life SEC on healthy ageing trajectories.


Ablation of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II‐B (NMHC‐B) in mice results in severe hydrocephalus with enlargement of the lateral and third ventricles. All B‐/B‐ mice died either during embryonic development or on the day of birth (PO). Neurons cultured from superior cervical ganglia of B‐/B‐ mice between embryonic day (E) 18 and P0 showed decreased rates of neurite outgrowth, and their growth cones had a distinctive narrow morphology compared with those from normal mice. Serial sections of E12.5, E13.5, and E15 mouse brains identified developmental defects in the ventricular neuroepithelium. On E12.5, disruption of the coherent ventricular surface and disordered cell migration of neuroepithelial and differentiated cells were seen at various points in the ventricular walls. These abnormalities resulted in the formation of rosettes in various regions of the brain and spinal cord. On E13.5 and E15, disruption of the ventricular surface and aberrant protrusions of neural cells into the ventricles became more prominent. By E18.5 and P0, the defects in cells lining the ventricular wall resulted in an obstructive hydrocephalus due to stenosis or occlusion of the third ventricle and cerebral aqueduct. These defects may be caused by abnormalities in the cell adhesive properties of neuroepithelial cells and suggest that NMHC‐B is essential for both early and late developmental processes in the mammalian brain. J. Comp. Neurol. 433:62–74, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


We discuss how to optimize the third-generation gravitational-wave detector to maximize the range to detect core-collapse supernovae. Based on three-dimensional simulations for core-collapse and the corresponding gravitational-wave waveform emitted, the corresponding detection range for these waveforms is limited to within our Galaxy even in the era of third-generation detectors. The corresponding event rate is two per century. We find from the waveforms that to detect core-collapse supernovae with an event rate of one per year, the gravitational-wave detectors need a strain sensitivity of $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}27}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{Hz}}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$ in a frequency range from 100 to 1500 Hz. We also explore detector configurations technologically beyond the scope of third-generation detectors. We find with these improvements, the event rate for gravitational-wave observations from core-collapse supernovae is still low, but is improved to one in twenty years.


Street gangs first emerged on a broad scale in U.S. cities in the late 19th century in step with industrialization, urbanization, and mass waves of European immigration. Up until the 1960s, the vast majority of gang members in the United States were second- and third-generation European immigrants. Like their Black and Latino successors, these groups routinely engaged in collective violence, which helped push nationwide levels of homicide to a historic peak toward the end of Prohibition. At the same time, White ethnic gangs were integrated into the urban political machines and organized crime syndicates of that era. Moreover, these groups existed within a burgeoning urban industrial economy in which an abundance of low-skilled manufacturing jobs provided readily available opportunities for gang members to transition out of gang life in late adolescence or early adulthood. New Deal policies institutionalizing protections for unions and workers and expanding homeownership opportunities via federal mortgage underwriting, in turn, greatly enhanced economic security for widening sectors of the working class, especially White workers. In short, political patronage, lucrative illegal rackets, a vibrant labor movement, and New Deal labor and housing policies variously punched a ticket to upward mobility for countless White gang members during this period, and, by the mid-1960s, White street gangs had largely disappeared from the urban landscape.
 During and after World War II, meanwhile, millions of Southern Blacks as well as Mexicans and Puerto Ricans migrated to America's urban industrial centers. Conversely, millions of Whites left these cities in the postwar decades, an exodus facilitated by federal highway construction and housing policies that promoted racially exclusive suburbanization. Industry largely followed this outmigration in search of cheaper land, more pliable labor, lower taxes, and greater profits, leaving many central cities economically devastated and without an industrial base for their increasingly Black and Latino working class. At the same time, the urban political machines and organized crime groups that had once provided mobility for White ethnic gangs were in dramatic decline as municipal governance was bureaucratized and criminal rackets were supplanted by the development and expansion of legalized gambling and revolving credit markets. It is within this context that contemporary Black and Latino street gangs emerged and have persisted since the 1960s. Unlike their White predecessors, today's gang members have been largely excluded from the conventional economy at the same time that society has abandoned the welfare state in favor of incarceration as its major strategy for managing inequality. Prison, the illicit drug trade, and persistent economic dislocation are among the fundamental realities shaping life for contemporary gang members.
 Street gangs, violence, and crime, both historical and contemporary, must be understood against this broader backdrop of societal transformation.


While the 'media city' has gained academic attention for over a decade, the role of the media in urban gentrification processes has been an overlooked issue. Due to the rapid expansion of geomedia technologies, for example, app-based social media and location-based services on mobile platforms, there is a growing need to address this area from a critical perspective. The article develops and tries out an analytical framework for studying the mutual shaping of geomedia technologies and gentrification processes, using alternative tourism apps as its illustration. The middle-class biased appearance of such mobile apps is hypothesized as an articulation of a broader trend, through which geomedia recognizes and gains affordances that fit the ambitions of certain social groups and their spatial norms, preferences and practices. The framework comprises two steps: (1) a media-technological unpacking exercise inspired by affordance theory and (2) a critical consideration of how geomedia play into the distribution of spatial capital in the city. The first step outlines how representational, logistical and communicational affordances of alternative tourism apps represent the broader shift from mass media to geomedia. The second step discusses the social logics whereby alternative tourism apps are adapted to middle-class spatial interests, and thus to gentrification, and how geomedia technologies in general affect the ability of different groups to access, appropriate and define different places and neighbourhoods in the city.


This chapter discusses research conducted to understand the requirements of elderly for informal social telecommunication media that may be addressed through awareness technologies. It discusses the relation between the concept of social presence and the notion of awareness that the class of systems studied supports. Finally, we draw attention to the research method used which we feel is the most appropriate for gauging the social effects of technologies introduced to support social activities through ICT.


The ultimate limitations to the performance of long-range sonar are due to ocean sound speed perturbations and the characteristics of the ambient acoustic noise field. Scattering and diffraction resulting from internal waves and other ocean processes limit the temporal and spatial coherence of the received signal, while the ambient noise field is in direct competition with the received signal. Research conducted in the North Pacific Acoustic Laboratory (NPAL) program at the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL-UW) is directed toward a complete understanding of the basic physics of lowfrequency, long-range, broadband acoustic propagation, the effects of ocean variability on signal coherence, and the fundamental limits to signal processing at long-range that are imposed by ocean processes. The long-term goal of NPAL is to optimize advanced signal processing techniques, including matched-field processing and adaptive array processing methods, based upon knowledge about the multi-dimensional character of the propagation and noise fields and their impact on longrange ocean acoustic signal transmissions.


This paper presents the method and performance of a coarse-mesh finite difference (CMFD) scheme for accelerating neutron transport calculations based on the finite element method (FEM). The transport solution based on FEM does not satisfy the neutron balance exactly because FEM yields a nonconservative discretization. A modified CMFD formulation has been developed to correct the limitation of the conventional CMFD that is applicable only to neutronics solvers with a conservative discretization. A consistent CMFD problem for the transport solution based on FEM is constructed by enforcing the neutron balance in each coarse mesh by introducing a pseudo absorption cross section, and the well-established alternating solution process of CMFD and transport calculations is employed to accelerate source convergence. The applicability of the modified CMFD scheme to transport calculation based on FEM was first tested for a one-dimensional, discrete ordinates (SN), discontinuous FEM. The performance of CMFD acceleration was then investigated with a two-dimensional/three-dimensional method of characteristic transport solver for thermal and fast reactor problems with various core sizes. It was observed that the consistent CMFD scheme could improve the computational efficiency of eigenvalue calculation significantly in the framework of a transport solver with fission source iteration.


The assumption of the Group of 20 (G20) rotating presidency in December 2017 has created a meaningful window of opportunity for Argentina in order to wield its influence on the international agenda and build its reputation within the global arena. In addition, the Argentinean G20 presidency has become a significant chance to project a Southern and/or developing perspective within this global forum established to debate and address the most pressing economic and political international challenges. This article aims to analyse the agenda and challenges of the Argentinean G20 presidency. In so doing, it attempts to shed light on the following questions: What mechanisms or means will the Argentine Republic deploy in order to exert its influence on the group? Will Argentina represent the voice of Latin American and emerging countries or will it have an acquiescent behaviour towards the central powers? Will the Argentinean presidency be able to ease the group's internal tensions? Finally, might the Argentinean presidency overcome the critics regarding the G20's legitimacy?


We consider N transmitter-receiver pairs that share a wireless channel and we address the problem of obtaining a schedule for activating subsets of these links so as to empty the transmitter queues in minimum time. Our aim is to provide theoretical insights for the optimality characterization of the problem, using both a cross-layer model formulation, which takes into account the effect of interference on achievable transmission rates, as well as a collision-based model, which does not incorporate the physical layer realities into the problem. We present the basic linear programming formulation of the problem and establish that the optimal schedule need not consist of more than N subset activation frames. We then prove that the problem is NP-hard for all reasonable continuous rate functions. Finally, we obtain sufficient and/or necessary conditions for optimality in a number of special cases.


Normal ovulatory menstrual cycles were initiated in prepubertal female rhesus monkeys by the infusion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone for 6 minutes once every hou;. When this regimen was discontinued, the animals promptly reverted to an immature state. These findings permit the conclusion that neither adenohypophysial nor ovarian competence is limiting in the initiation of puberty and suggest that this process depends on the maturation of the neuroendocrine control system that directs the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus.


Erwinia amylovora is responsible for fire blight of apple and pear trees. Its pathogenicity depends on a type III secretion system (T3SS) mediating the translocation of effectors into the plant cell. The DspA/E effector suppresses callose deposition on apple leaves. We found that E. amylovora and Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 tts mutants or peptide flg22 do not trigger callose deposition as strongly as the dspA/E mutant on apple leaves. This suggests that, on apple leaves, callose deposition is poorly elicited by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as flg22 or other PAMPs harbored by tts mutants and is mainly elicited by injected effectors or by the T3SS itself. Callose elicitation partly depends on HrpW because an hrpW-dspA/E mutant elicits lower callose deposition than a dspA/E mutant. Furthermore, an hrpN-dspA/E mutant does not trigger callose deposition, indicating that HrpN is required to trigger this plant defense reaction. We showed that HrpN plays a general role in the translocation process. Thus, the HrpN requirement for callose deposition may be explained by its role in translocation: HrpN could be involved in the translocation of other effectors inducing callose deposition. Furthermore, HrpN may also directly contribute to the elicitation process because we showed that purified HrpN induces callose deposition.


Background/Objectives: The brute-force attack is one of popular cyber security threats in the secure shell (SSH) service environment. The SANS Institute has warned about SSH brute-force attacks against remote services. Methods/Statistical Analysis: We describe two brute-force attack detection methods are applied in the High Performance Computing (HPC) service environment which has been operated by KISTI in KOREA. The first way parses failed authentication logs of systems. The second way analyze dropped events of network firewalls. Findings: We analyze SSH brute-force attacks that are detected applying these methods in our service environment. The analysis results show that SSH brute-force attacks are classified '1:N' or 'N:1' types of attack between source and destination IP address. And a duration of attacks that is generally the time it takes to execute attacks keeps enough long times. Improvements/Applications: Two detection methods which are deployed in our HPC multi-user service environment are complementary to each other. These methods will be also able to apply for other service environment.


ABSTRACT One of the responses that honey bee workers can make in the event of queen loss is to develop into false queens. False queens are workers that exhibit both behavioural and physiological traits similar to those of a true queen. However, the presence of more than one false queen in a colony distorts the established hierarchies. As transformation into a false queen occurs after emergence as an adult, we tested the effect of worker mobile pheromone carriers (PCs) treated with exogenously supplied pheromones on their nestmates. The PCs carried either synthetic mandibular gland pheromones or pheromones extracted from Apis mellifera capensis parasitic workers. Only the PCs attracted retinues of workers, increased pheromone production and activated their ovaries, becoming false queens. Pheromones from A. m. capensis workers were more effective than extracts of commercially available synthetic queen pheromones in eliciting these effects. Using this simple mobile pheromone delivery system, we have shown that carrying amounts of exogenous pheromone can induce pheromone production in the carrier, resulting in the production of false queens within experimental groups. Possible implications of using this technique to modify and regulate worker reproduction in colonies are discussed. Summary: Carrying amounts of exogenous pheromone can induce pheromone production in the carrier, resulting in the production of false queens within experimental groups.


Currently, the development of the visual design of Web Information Systems is mainly based on developers' experiences. Late considerations of graphical issues during the development of WISs often result in visually inflexible solutions and cause problems for extension and change management. This article discusses screenography, attempts to systematise WIS layout and thus to complement existing development methods. This amounts to guidelines for partitioning pages and using layout objects, colour, light and texture to obtain rhythm, contrast and perspective as the carriers for web page comprehension. Further, it aims at an adaptive and flexible presentation of information that takes into consideration users and providers needs and preferences as well as equipment and application demands.


Background: Literature evaluating outcomes following operative fixation of Lisfranc injuries has demonstrated high rates of chronic disability, particularly in those returning to prior levels of physical function. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the occupational outcomes and return to running after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or arthrodesis for Lisfranc fracture-dislocations in a moderate- to high-demand military cohort. Methods: All active-duty servicemembers undergoing ORIF or primary arthrodesis (Current Procedural Terminology 28615 and 28730, respectively) for confirmed Lisfranc fracture-dislocations (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes 838.03 or 838.13) with minimum 2-year follow-up were isolated from the Military Health System. Demographic and surgical variables were recorded. Return to military function, return to running, perioperative morbidity, and rates of reoperation for complication were the outcomes of interest. Univariate analysis followed by multivariate logistic regression determined the association between patient demographics, type of fracture fixation (ie, ORIF vs arthrodesis) and functional outcomes, including medical separation. Results: Among Lisfranc injuries, 64 patients underwent ORIF while 6 underwent primary arthrodeses with a mean age of 28.1 years. At mean follow-up of 3.5 years (range, 2.0-6.3 years), 20% of servicemembers underwent medical separation due to limitations related to their injuries. body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 (OR 17.67; 95% CI, 3.69-84.53) and Army or Marines service branch (OR 3.86; 95% CI, 1.08-13.86) were significant independent predictors for medical separation. Among servicemembers undergoing ORIF or primary arthrodeses, 69% returned to occupationally required daily running during the follow-up period. Servicemembers with a BMI <30 kg/m2 were more likely to return to running (OR 13.14, 95% CI, 2.50-69.19). Radiographic evidence of posttraumatic Lisfranc osteoarthritis occurred in 10 (16%) servicemembers who underwent internal fixation, and 82% of ORIF patients underwent implant removal. Conclusions: At mean 3.5-year follow-up, 80% of servicemembers undergoing ORIF or primary arthrodeses for Lisfranc injuries remained on active duty or successfully completed their military service, and 69% were able to resume occupationally required daily running. Surgeons should preoperatively counsel patients with these injuries on the possibility of persistent long-term disability. Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Retrospective series


BACKGROUND
A low consumption of fruit and vegetables (F&V) represents a high burden on health. The present study evaluates sociodemographic, lifestyle and anthropometric determinants of an inadequate consumption of F&V (<5 servings per day).

METHODS
Participants were randomly selected within the adult Porto population (n = 2485). Those with normal cognitive function and information on key variables were analysed (n = 2362). Diet was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by logistic regression, after sex stratification and controlling for age, education, marital status, smoking, regular physical exercise and total energy intake.

RESULTS
Older women and men had 37% and 67%, respectively, lower odds of inadequate F&V consumption (≥65 versus <40 years: OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.42-0.94; OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.20-0.56). More educated subjects (>12 versus <5 years) and those engaged in regular physical exercise had approximately 50% lower probability of F&V inadequacy compared to nonpractitioners, and this was similar in both sexes. On the other hand, female and male current smokers had 1.86- and 2.05-fold higher probabilities of having inadequate F&V consumption. Individuals consuming excessive alcohol (women: ≥15 g day(-1) ; men: ≥30 g day(-1) ) presented a two- and four-fold higher probability of having inadequate F&V consumption compared to nondrinkers (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.38-2.77 in women; OR = 4.40, 95% CI = 2.70-7.18 in men).

CONCLUSIONS
In both sexes, an inadequate consumption of F&V was more frequently found in younger, less educated and less physically active subjects with smoking and drinking habits. Strategies aiming to increase F&V consumption should consider these target groups that present a clustering of unhealthy lifestyles.


Two symmetric-top,delta J = 1 progressions were observed for the C6H6–H2S dimer using a pulsed nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The ground-state rotational constants for C6H6–H2S are B = 1168.53759(5) MHz, DJ = 1.4424(7) kHz and DJK = 13.634(2) kHz. The other state observed has a smaller B of 1140.580(1) MHz but requires a negative DJ = –13.80(5) kHz and higher order (H) terms to fit the data. Rotational spectra for the isotopomers C6H6–H234S, C6H6–H233S, C6H6–HDS, C6H6–D2S and 13CC5H6–H2S were also obtained. Except for the dimer with HDS, all other isotopomers gave two progressions like the most abundant isotopomer. Analysis of the ground-state data indicates that H2S is located on the C6 axis of the C6H6 with a c.m. (C6H6)–S distance of 3.818 A. The angle between the a axis of the dimer and the C2v axis of the H2S is determined to be 28.5°. The C6 axis of C6H6 is nearly coincident with a axis of the dimer. Stark measurements of the two states led to dipole moments of 1.14(2) D for the ground state and 0.96(6) D for the other state. A third progression was observed for C6H6–H2S which appear to have K0 lines split by several MHz, suggesting a nonzero projection of the internal rotation angular momentum of H2S on the dimer a axis. The observation of three different states suggests that the H2S is rotating in a nearly spherical potential leading to three internal rotor states, two of which have Mj = 0 and one having Mj = ±1,Mj being the projection of internal rotational angular momentum on to the a axis of the dimer. The nuclear quadrupole hyperfine constant of the 33S nucleus in the dimer is determined for the two symmetric-top progressions and they are –17.11 MHz for the ground state and –8.45 MHz for the other state, consistent with the assignment to two different internal-rotor states. The 17O quadrupole coupling constant for the two states of C6H6–H2O were measured for comparison and it turned out to be nearly the same in the ground and excited internal rotor state, –1.89 and –1.99 MHz, respectively. The rotational spectrum of the C6H6–H2S complex is very different from that of the C6H6–H2O complex. Model potential calculations predict small barriers of 227, 121, and 356 cm–1 for rotation about a, b and c axes of H2S, respectively, giving quantitative support for the experimental conclusion that H2S is effectively freely rotating in a nearly spherical potential. For the C6H6–H2O complex, the corresponding barriers are 365, 298 and 590 cm–1.


The aim of the study was to examine the role of COPD in the structure of respiratory diseases in HIV patients and the course of these comorbidities among hospitalized patients with HIV infection. Methods . A continuous longitudinal retrospective study was conducted in the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious Novokuznetsk City Clinical Hospital No.2 and included all HIV patients with respiratory diseases (n = 185) hospitalized in the therapeutic department in 2017 – 2018. About 2% of population in the Kemerovo region (with the population 2.7 million people) is known to be HIV-infected. The regional COPD incidence is 124.7/100 000. Results . COPD was diagnosed in 19 (10.3%) of all HIV patients hospitalized with respiratory diseases. 73.7% of patients with COPD were aged ≤ 40 years, the mean age was 37.6 ± 5.0 years. All patients (100.0%) were known to have smoking and intravenous drug use as potential risk factors for the development and progression of COPD. The ART coverage was low (21.1%). 68.5% of patients with COPD had severe bronchial obstruction with a decrease in FEV1 < 50% of predicted values (GOLD grades III – IV). 73.7% of the patients were assigned to COPD group B, the rest 26.3% – to group D. In 31.6% of patients, the main cause of hospitalization was COPD itself, in 68.4% – COPD combined with other lung diseases (community-acquired pneumonias, septic embolism, tuberculosis and pneumocystosis). The CD4-lymphocyte count in cases of COPD combined with other respiratory diseases (median 214.0 cell/μl) was lower than in COPD as the only respiratory disease (median 495.5 cells/μl) (p = 0,014). Conclusion . The socio-economic significance of both HIV-infection and COPD argues the further study of the course and treatment of COPD in persons with HIV-infection.


This chapter provides an overview of the various aspects involved in the development of a home care system for the management of dementia, based on the experience of ALADDIN implementation. The ALADDIN platform aims to provide a trustworthy and reliable solution supporting patients and their informal carers in the management of the disease from home. Based on a set of monitoring parameters and measuring scales feeding a reconfigurable Event Detection mechanism used for Risk Assessment and Analysis, the system aims to early detect symptoms predicting decline, avoid emergencies and secondary effects and thus prolong the period that patients can remain safely cared at home. Informal carers are also monitored by the system whereas additional features supporting networking, education and cognitive stimulation are also integrated along with decision support tools for the clinicians. It is an open, secure, interoperable, integrated IT-solution designed according to Service Oriented Architecture principles and credible methodologies for patient follow-up, risk detection and adaptive care.


An hallucinogen analogue, trans-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)cyclopropylamine (DMCPA), was resolved into ints two enantiomers by fractional crystallization of salts with d- or l-O,O-dibenzoyltartaric acid. A comparison of the ORD and CD curves of the N-5-bromosalicylidene derivatives of trans-2-phenylcyclopropylamine of known absolute configuration and of the title compound established the stereochemistry of the latter to be (1R,2S)-(-) and (1s,2r)-(+). We have earlier shown that the (-) isomer shows selective behavioral effects in cats and mice. In present study it was found that the (-) isomer selectively elicits rabbit hyperthermia when compared with the (+) isomer. In view of the stereoselective ability of the (-) isomer to elicit hallucinogen-like behavioral profiles in these animal models, the proof of absolute configuration lends further support to a new model which interrelates the active binding, conformation of phenethylamine hallucinogens to that of serotonin and tryptamines.


ABSTRACT While the E2F transcription factors (E2Fs) have a clearly defined role in cell cycle control, recent work has uncovered new functions. Using genomic signature methods, we predicted a role for the activator E2F transcription factors in the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-polyomavirus middle T oncoprotein (PyMT) mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. To genetically test the hypothesis that the E2Fs function to regulate tumor development and metastasis, we interbred MMTV-PyMT mice with E2F1, E2F2, or E2F3 knockout mice. With the ablation of individual E2Fs, we noted alterations of tumor latency, histology, and vasculature. Interestingly, we noted striking reductions in metastatic capacity and in the number of circulating tumor cells in both the E2F1 and E2F2 knockout backgrounds. Investigating E2F target genes that mediate metastasis, we found that E2F loss led to decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegfa), Bmp4, Cyr61, Nupr1, Plod 2, P4ha1, Adamts1, Lgals3, and Angpt2. These gene expression changes indicate that the E2Fs control the expression of genes critical to angiogenesis, the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, tumor cell survival, and tumor cell interactions with vascular endothelial cells that facilitate metastasis to the lungs. Taken together, these results reveal that the E2F transcription factors play key roles in mediating tumor development and metastasis in addition to their well-characterized roles in cell cycle control.


This article is provided as a self-study feature on care of organ donors. Questions and possible responses are provided. Review all the responses for each question.


The real space technique, "the Augmented Space Formalism (ASF) coupled with Recur-sion method and Density Functional Theory (DFT) based Tight-Binding Linear Muffin-Tin Orbitals (TB-LMTO) method" is applied to carry out the layerwise electronic and magnetic properties of transition metals (Fe, Co and Ni) rough surfaces and their alloyed interfaces with metal (Ag, Cu and Au) substrates. The potential parameters are generated by TB-LMTO method. These parameters are used to set-up Augmented space Hamilto-nian. Finally the density of states are calculated by recursion technique. The relativistic self-consistent calculation is based on local spin density approximation (LSDA). There are two parts in the thesis work. The first part deals with the surface electronic and magnetic properties of only transition metal layers. The second part includes the electronic and magnetic properties of interface of transition metals with metal substrates. The surface properties are carried out for bcc Fe(001), fcc Co(001) and Ni(001) transition metals. And the interface properties are carried out for Fe, Co and Ni transition metals on (001) surfaces of Ag, Cu and Au metal substrates. We have considered both smooth and rough surfaces and alloyed interfaces. ASF is a most successful method to study disordered alloys. We have considered here a rough surface. Roughness is due to randomly replacement of transition metal atoms by empty spheres (vacancies). Interface is taken as an alloy of transition metal overlayer and metal substrate. Therefore in both the cases, surface and interfaces, resemble as disordered systems. Hence ASF is an appropriate technique to study surfaces and interfaces. We have also shown that ASF can be extended to study almost smooth surfaces and interfaces. We have defined our systems as twelve atomic layers of the transition metals along (001) direction. We have considered two layers of empty spheres above the surface to take care of charge leakage into the vacuum. Relaxation of the top most layer is considered using minimum energy principle. Two types of roughening are considered. One with roughening of the top layer only with 10% & 20% empty spheres. The second one is by roughening the first four layers with 20%, 15%, 10%, & 5% from top layer respectively. The second type resembles a more realistic surface as observed in any experimentally grown surface. We have made a comparisons between these two types of rough surfaces. For four layered rough surface, the bulk properties of the systems are obtained at the 9th layer from the top in the case of Fe(001) whereas at 8th layer in the cases of Co(001) & Ni(001). The trend in the variation of the width and the structure of DOS among the layers changes when a realistic surface is considered in comparison to a smooth surface. With the change in roughness in different layers, the appearance of new peaks in DOS for all these systems, corresponds to disorderedness. The magnetic moment of the top layer is maximum for Fe(001) and Co(001) and of 3rd layer for Ni(001) among all the roughed layers. Layered based magnetic moments differ between both type of rough surfaces. Work functions are found to be almost same for both type of rough surfaces. We have extended ASF to study almost smooth surface to compare our result with other existing theoretical results. We have considered nine layers of bcc Fe(001), fcc Co(001) and fcc Ni(001) to carry out layerwise properties. The lattice relaxation of the top most layer is carried out using energy minimization procedure. For bcc Fe(001), fcc Co(001) and fcc Ni(001), the lattice relaxations of the surface layer are obtained at 5%, 16% and 9% respectively. Surface magnetic moment has been found to be higher than that of the bulk and in different layers below. Magnetic moments show Friedel oscillations in agreement with other studies. Work functions of these systems have been found to agree with experimental values. The orbital resolved density of states show the significant contribution of d-orbital towards the surface as well as bulk magnetic moments. The bulk magnetic property is attained at the 5th layer down the top most surface layer in the case of Fe(001) and at the 4th layer in the cases of Co(001) and Ni(001).

We have carried out the layerwise interface electronic and magnetic properties of rough and sharp transition metals interfaces with metal substrate along (001). The potential parameters of the top layer are generated by considering surface lattice relaxation using energy minimization procedure. We have carried out the electronic and magnetic prop-erties for one monolayer, two monolayers of transition metals to compare our result with other theoretical studies. We have also considered a more realistic interface, that is, an alloyed interface consisting of two layers of transition metals and two layers of metal sub-strates. We have also carried out the properties for three layers of transition metals for sharp and rough interfaces to compare our results with few existing experimental studies. For one smooth monolayer of transition metal deposited on Ag and Au substrate, the magnetic moment of the overlayer enhances compared to its bulk value. But in case of Cu substrate, the magnetic moment enhances for Fe overlayer but not for Co and Ni. For all the systems, with one ML of transition metals on metal substrate, the bulk electronic and magnetic properties is attained at the fourth substrate layer from the interface. We have also calculated the interface properties for single monolayer of transition metal with 5%and 10% interdiffusion of atoms to compare our result with previous existing work. We have compared these results with the sharp interface properties. For one ML of transition metal with 5% interdiffusion of atoms at the interface, the average magnetic moment of the top layer decreases and the average induced magnetic moment of the top substrate layer increases than that of without interdiffusion case, except for Ni/Ag(001). With increasing the amount of interdiffusion from 5% to 10%, the average magnetic moment of the overlayer further decreases and that for the substrate further increases, except for Ni/Au(001). In case of two and three ML of transition metals on Ag and Cu substrates, the bulk properties of the substrate are obtained at the third substrate layer from the interface. But in case of Au substrate, the bulk properties are attained at the fourth layer from the interface. The properties of three layers of Fe/Ag with rough interface agrees with few available experimental results.In case of more realistic four layered rough interfaces, the layerwise magnetic moment and density of states show the effect of roughness at the interface. The magnetic moment of the transition metal as well as the average magnetic moment of these interface layers gradually decreases towards the substrate for all the systems. The effect of hybridization on the magnetic properties are discussed.


The location and nature of the moisture leakages are sometimes difficult to detect. Moreover, the relation between observed inside surface moisture patterns and where the moisture enters the construction is often not clear. The objective of this paper is to investigate inverse modeling techniques as a tool for the detection of moisture leakage locations in building constructions from inside surface moisture patterns. It is concluded that although the presented methodology is promising, more research is needed to confirm its usability.


In this paper the importance of practice of human resource management as of a significant driver of business ethics in companies has been considered. The basic premise of the paper is the fact that the company's main source of unethical behaviour is situated in its people's activities which further implies that many measures aimed to apply and improve business ethics belong to the domain of human resource management. Based on research results on a sample of 36 enterprises, the paper attempts to answer important questions as: what are the problems regarding business ethics facing human resource experts and to what extent the existing human resource management practices influence the application and improvement of business ethics in Serbian enterprises


As the matrix of sisal fiber, thermoplastic tapioca starch(TPS) was prepared with the mixed plasticizer, formamide and urea (mass ratio 2:1). X-ray diffractograms showed that with increasing fiber content(below 30phr), cellulose crystallinity at 22.5° gradually got stronger but starch crystallinity at 15.3°, 17.1°, 18.2°, 23.5° already disappeared, showed that this matrix still restrained the retrogradation of starch. SEM micrographs showed good dispersion and adhesion between starch and fiber. Studies in the dependence of mechanical properties of reinforced TPS on the fiber content from 0 to 30phr, the initial tensile strength was quadrupled up to the maximum 21.83MPa at 20phr fiber content, while the elongation at break was reduced from 72% to 0.44%. TG mass loss curves showed that thermal stability of this composites had great improved under 500°C.


Context: Clinical studies about detailed spectrum of aspergillosis in treated tuberculosis (TB) patients are lacking. Hence, a study was undertaken at the Institute of Respiratory Disease, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Treated patients of pulmonary TB having any symptom such as hemoptysis, cough with expectoration, weight loss, and whose chest X-ray showed residual cavitation were enrolled for the study. Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pulmonary aspergillosis in treated cases of pulmonary TB and to study the social, demographical, and clinical characteristics of these patients. Settings and Design: A descriptive type of observational study was conducted at the Department of Respiratory Medicine in a tertiary care center of Rajasthan. Subjects and Methods: This descriptive type of observational study was conducted on seventy patients, whose sputum or bronchial wash showed isolation of Aspergillus. Demographic details, predisposing factors, and clinical findings were noted. Statistical Analysis Used: Data collected were entered into Excel spreadsheet and quantitative data were expressed as number and percentage. Results: The presentation of pulmonary aspergillosis in treated cases of pulmonary TB varies from aspergilloma (57%) to chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (36%) to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (7%). The most common symptom was recurrent hemoptysis. Most of the patients were farmers by occupation, but no significant comorbid illness was seen. X-ray chest missed about 70% of cases. The most common species were Aspergillus fumigatus; others were Aspergillus terreus (13%), Aspergillus flavus (13%), and Aspergillus niger (7%). Conclusions: All treated cases of pulmonary TB presenting with recurrent hemoptysis and/or cough with expectoration should be evaluated in detail for pulmonary aspergillosis as chest X-ray alone can miss the diagnosis.


Dynamic plan execution strategies allow an autonomous agent to respond to uncertainties, while improving robustness and reducing the need for an overly conservative plan. Executives have improved robustness by expanding the types of choices made dynamically, such as selecting alternate methods. However, in some approaches to date, these additional choices often induce significant storage requirements to make flexible execution possible. This paper presents a novel system called Drake, which is able to dramatically reduce the storage requirements in exchange for increased execution time for some computations. Drake frames a plan as a collection of related Simple Temporal Problems, and executes the plan with a fast dynamic scheduling algorithm. This scheduling algorithm leverages prior work in Assumption-based Truth Maintenance Systems to compactly record and reason over the family of Simple Temporal Problems. We also allow Drake to reason over temporal uncertainty and choices by using prior work in Simple Temporal Problems with Uncertainty, which can guarantee correct execution, regardless of the uncertain outcomes. On randomly generated structured plans with choice, framed as either Temporal Plan Networks or Disjunctive Temporal Problems, we show a reduction in the size of the solution set of around four orders of magnitude, compared to prior art.


This Article explores the ability of reparations litigation to transform the American debate about race by promoting "interest convergence" between reparations advocates and the majority population. As Professor Derrick Bell has argued, only when the interests of the majority converge with those of the minority will the minority achieve its goals. Reparations lawsuits-especially those framed as traditional civil rights claims. as in the ongoing litigation seeking reparations for the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot-can begin to promote the convergence of interests between reparationists and the reluctant majority population by forcing the majority population to confront past and present injustices against African Americans. The Article concludes that litigative reparations are a promising first step toward insuring justice for those who were sacrificed during slavery and Jim Crow oppression.


This article explores two interrelated aspects of the new dynamics within the CCP leadership – the new elite groups and the new ground rules in Chinese politics. The first shows profound changes in the recruitment of the elite and the second aims to reveal the changing mechanisms of political control and the checks and balances of the Chinese political system. The article argues that the future of the CCP largely depends on two seemingly contradictory needs: how broad-based will the Party's recruitment of its new elites be on the one hand and how effective will the top leadership be in controlling this increasingly diverse political institution on the other. The emerging fifth generation of leaders is likely to find the challenge of producing elite harmony and unity within the Party more difficult than their predecessors. Yet, the diverse demographic and political backgrounds of China's new leaders can also be considered a positive development that may contribute to the Chinese-style inner-Party democracy.


Spray cooled side wall and tap hole cover for an eccentric bottom tap (EBT) electric furnace which is unitary, i.e. one-piece, and has an inter-connected coolant supply and inter-connected spent coolant drain.


Horticultural farms in Germany face substantial business risks. However, fruit farms often struggle to implement appropriate risk management processes, and the risk management literature widely has ignored this farm type. The aim of the study was to improve the assessment of risks by farmers and the choice of suitable risk management instruments. Therefore, a risk management process based on subjective probabilities and suitable for small and medium-sized farms was developed, considering the specific needs of family run businesses. An online survey was conducted to achieve a comprehensive view of the risk perception and risk management practices of German fruit producers. Price and production risks are the most relevant risk categories for fruit farmers. However, among single risk sources, those in the people risk category were seen as the most important. Results show significant interactions among risk categories and a significant correlation between loss experience and the rating of risk categories. The assumption that risk averse farmers generally rate risks higher than risk neutral or risk seeking farmers cannot be confirmed. Diversification seems to be the most important risk management instrument for many fruit producers, especially diversification of marketing channels, farm income, and production activities. Further research should focus on the apparent inconsistency between the satisfaction with instruments reported by farmers and the actual implementation of many of them (e.g., hail insurance and anti-hail net). Furthermore, there is a need for research, to develop decision models considering the interactions of risks and risk management instruments, loss experience and risk seeking attitudes.


Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI is an inheritable lysosomal storage disorder that is often associated with orthopedic problems such as hip dysplasia, spinal deformities, and deformities in the skull, knees and hands. We describe the progression and management of three MPS VI cases with focus on their orthopedic problems.


We consider two types of folding applied to equilateral plane graph linkages. First, under continuous folding motions, we show how to reconfigure any linear equilateral tree (lying on a line) into a canonical configuration. By contrast, such reconfiguration is known to be impossible for linear (nonequilateral) trees and for (nonlinear) equilateral trees. Second, under instantaneous folding motions, we show that an equilateral plane graph has a noncrossing linear folded state if and only if it is bipartite. Not only is the equilateral constraint necessary for this result, but we show that it is strongly NP-complete to decide whether a (nonequilateral) plane graph has a linear folded state. Equivalently, we show strong NP-completeness of deciding whether an abstract metric polyhedral complex with one central vertex has a noncrossing flat folded state with a specified "outside region". By contrast, the analogous problem for a polyhedral manifold with one central vertex (single-vertex origami) is only weakly NP-complete.


Variable order sequence modeling is an important problem in artificial and natural intelligence. While overcomplete Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), in theory, have the capacity to represent long-term temporal structure, they often fail to learn and converge to local minima. We show that by constraining HMMs with a simple sparsity structure inspired by biology, we can make it learn variable order sequences efficiently. We call this model cloned HMM (CHMM) because the sparsity structure enforces that many hidden states map deterministically to the same emission state. CHMMs with over 1 billion parameters can be efficiently trained on GPUs without being severely affected by the credit diffusion problem of standard HMMs. Unlike n-grams and sequence memoizers, CHMMs can model temporal dependencies at arbitrarily long distances and recognize contexts with 'holes' in them. Compared to Recurrent Neural Networks and their Long Short-Term Memory extensions (LSTMs), CHMMs are generative models that can natively deal with uncertainty. Moreover, CHMMs return a higher-order graph that represents the temporal structure of the data which can be useful for community detection, and for building hierarchical models. Our experiments show that CHMMs can beat n-grams, sequence memoizers, and LSTMs on character-level language modeling tasks. CHMMs can be a viable alternative to these methods in some tasks that require variable order sequence modeling and the handling of uncertainty.


The Pitcairn Islands, located in the central South Pacific, contain near-pristine marine ecosystems which support unique fish assemblages, together with both endemic and threatened species. Pitcairn itself is the only inhabited island in the group and, before this study, the environmental impact of local fisheries was unclear, with little data to inform conservation and management. In 2014–2015 coastal fish populations were assessed using a mixed methods approach: a newly introduced system of fishers' catch monitoring and Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS). Thirty-nine BRUVS deployments recorded 88 species in total, with small-bodied herbivores (e.g., Kyphosus pacificus) and mesopredators (e.g., Xanthichthys mento) dominating a "bottom heavy" assemblage. Several large pelagic predators were recorded, but reef-associated predators were rare with only one shark observed. Pitcairn's top predator assemblage was relatively impoverished compared to global "pristine" sites, including other islands within the Pitcairn group. Top predator scarcity may be explained by local artisanal fisheries, which have historically targeted sharks and other large reef carnivores, and these taxa may not have recovered despite subsequent declines in fishing pressure. The dominant small-bodied species may have proliferated as a result of diminished top predator populations. Subsequent to BRUVS sampling, a local fisheries officer post was created to collate catch data from coastal fishers. Regular returns were obtained from over half of the active fishers (representing approximately 80% of catches), with K. pacificus also dominating catches and the small grouper Epinephelus fasciatus frequently targeted. Thirty fish species were represented in the recorded catch over a 12 month period. Results were shared with the local community, providing a basis for the cooperative design of a Fisheries Management Plan. This plan ensured traditional fisheries could continue in a sustainable manner within Coastal Conservation Zones around each of the four Pitcairn Islands, established within the large, no-take Marine Protected Area designated in 2016, covering the entire Pitcairn Exclusive Economic Zone. Monitoring of Pitcairn's artisanal fisheries should be continued beyond this one-off study in order to inform adjustment of the Fisheries Management Plan, as the ongoing island fishery may still have consequences for long-term sustainability, particularly for pelagic species caught in coastal waters which remain a significant data gap.