This study proposed more practical and realistic optimal pipe design approaches, using metaheuristic optimization algorithms. The first method considered the continuity of the pipe size in a pipeline to establish an effective design and construction, using Revised Harmony Search (ReHS). The proposed method is applied to Hanoi network, which is often used as a benchmark network in optimal design problems. Although slightly more expensive compared to previous studies the proposed method brings about more practical, realistic, and still close to optimal results. The second approach applied the optimal cost design of parallel main pipes. In general, diameter of parallel main pipes is decided with very ambiguous guideline that suggests a diameter of about 65% of that of the pipes used in practice. However, the instruction is not clear, so decision of the optimal diameter is necessary. Therefore, this study focused on how to decide the optimal diameter, using Multi-objective Genetic Algorithms (MOGA) to strengthen the CW Industrial water supply system by installing dual and additional main pipes. The objective functions are to minimize the amount of the expected water shortage and pipe construction cost. As a result, optimal design can reduce the costs by 3.0% and the expected water shortage by about 3.8%, compared to the costs when applying the existing guideline. These two approaches show that meta-heuristic techniques can be applied to practical optimal design of water distribution systems and achieve successful results.


In this work, we propose an alternative method using MBTH (3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazine) as a spectrophotometric probe for the determination of total phenolic compounds. The method is based on the oxidative coupling reaction of MBTH with phenolic compounds in acidic medium to generate a colored product. Under optimum conditions the oxidizing Fe(III) was prepared in H2SO4. The sensitivity of the MBTH method was compared with that of the Folin–Ciocalteu (FC) method for 17 phenolic compounds. Samples of wines (red and white), coffees (instant and brewed), teas and infusions were analyzed by the proposed method and the results were compared with those of FC and 4-AAP (total phenolic compounds) besides ABTS˙+ and DPPH˙ (antioxidant capacity) methods. The results were submitted to a linear correlation analysis at a 95% confidence level, between MBTH and FC (r = 0.9665); MBTH and 4-AAP (r = 0.8425); MBTH and DPPH˙ (r = 0.9667) and MBTH and ABTS˙+ (r = 0.9670). A more detailed analysis was performed according to the different sample classes and we observed that the results of the MBTH method were more consistent with those of DPPH˙ and ABTS˙+ than those of other methods. Thus, the spectrophotometric method developed was characterized as simple and feasible for the samples analyzed and with results comparable to the usual assays.


Aims Health information technology (HIT) is increasingly being promoted as a medication error reduction strategy. Electronic prescribing and smart-pump technology are examples of HIT widely advocated in the hospital setting. In critical care, the risks associated with paediatric infusions have been specifically addressed with calls for the use of standard concentration infusions (SCIs) in conjunction with smart-pump technology. Evidence on the benefits of HIT in the paediatric setting remains limited. This study aims to assess the impact of both electronic prescribing and a smart-pump drug library of SCIs on medication errors in paediatric critical care. Methods A retrospective, observational study based on an interrupted time series design was conducted in the 23-bed paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary children's hospital. 3400 randomly selected medication orders were reviewed over 4 epochs: pre-implementation of either technology (Epoch 1); post-implementation of SCIs (Epoch 2); immediate post-implementation of electronic prescribing (Epoch 3); and 1 year post-implementation of both (Epoch 4). Orders prescribed during the study period were included provided they had undergone clinical pharmacy review. Intravenous fluids, epidural/regional blocks, total parental nutrition, chemotherapy and patient/nurse controlled analgesia were excluded. Medication error rates were calculated applying pre-specified definitions and inclusion criteria. 1 Novel technology-generated errors were identified and defined using a modified Delphi process. Errors were graded for severity using a combination of two validated grading tools. 2,3 Results Overall medication error rate based on all orders were similar in Epoch 1 and 4 (10.2% vs 9.7%; p=0.66). Altered error distribution was however evident. Incomplete and wrong unit errors were eradicated, but duplicate orders increased. Dosing errors remained the most common. 77% of pre-implementation errors were considered likely to be removed by the new technology. 24% of post-implementation errors were considered to be novel technology-generated errors. Examples included incorrect formulation selection and errors on altered electronic orders. In Epoch 2, the implementation of SCIs prior to electronic prescribing significantly reduced infusion-related prescribing errors (31.4% to 12.6%; p Conclusion The overall medication error rate in PICU was largely unchanged by the introduction of electronic prescribing. Some errors disappeared but new errors directly attributable to the implemented technologies emerged. In the complex PICU environment, dosing errors remain common. A significant reduction in infusion-related errors was found as a consequence of the introduction of SCIs and smart-pump technology. The introduction of electronically-generated standard infusion orders brought further benefits. The results of this study show that the benefits of HIT in the paediatric setting cannot be assumed and highlight the need for further studies with increasing use of HIT in paediatric settings. References Ghaleb MA, Barber N, Dean Franklin B, et al. What constitutes a prescribing error in paediatrics?BMJ Qual Saf2005;14(5):352–7. Dean BS, Barber ND. A validated, reliable method of scoring the severity of medication errors. Am J Health Syst Pharm1999;56(1):57–62. National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. Taxonomy of medication errors 1998. http://www.nccmerp.org/about-medication-errors


This article explores the determinants of local resilience in the form of local COVID-19 mutual aid groups. These groups were formed to offer mutual help to those who had experienced a loss of social quality. We test a series of hypotheses, considering which conditional factors are most connected to the formation of these groups, particularly focusing on those that influenced the earliest and most resilient local response to the pandemic. The presence of radical environmentalist activists is a better predictor of resilient community responsiveness than either the activity of the local state or the activity of more moderate community-based environmental civil society organizations. Conclusions are presented on the implications of these findings for the future of localism, social quality, and public policy in the United Kingdom.


Readers or speakers of a particular language break up sentences into lexical/syntactic entities while reading or speaking. Pausing, being one indispensible characteristic of this process, forms a basis for this study. President Obama's address at the G-20 summit was analyzed in terms of intrasentential pausing strategies with due focus on duration of pauses preceding and following the that complementizer in noun and adjective type that-clauses. Recordings of the speech were analyzed in two separate parts: (1) the first part - assumed as pre-prepared and thus considered as read speech, and the second – question/answer session –considered as spontaneous speech. Pauses were measured in milliseconds utilizing Goldwave™, the sound analyzing software, and later, a comparison was carried out between pauses in the two speech types to observe any potential differences and/or similarities. Overall findings obtained reveal that while preceding pauses in read speech were significantly longer than following ones, in spontaneous speech, however, the difference was statistically insignificant. One interesting outcome was found to be clause-type specific, in that while preceding pauses regarding adjective clauses were considerably longer than following pauses in read speech, with noun clauses, however, the difference was insignificant. And, in spontaneous speech, the situation was completely the opposite, such that while following pauses concerning noun-clauses were significantly longer, regarding adjectives, although preceding pauses were observed to be longer, the length did not display any statistically significant difference


Adaptive traffic controller systems based on image processing have been developed widely. Nevertheless, in a developing country, the systems often could not be easily applied because all types of vehicle use the same road. Therefore, to overcome the problem, the new concept of the systems is proposed. The systems were developed from a pre-timed traffic controller system that based on AVR microcontroller. By default, the systems use the signal-timing plans to control the vehicle flow. To accommodate the traffic variations, a new method of vehicle detection has been built. The method calculated an intensity histogram standard deviation of the image representing a detection area to determine traffic density of each intersection lane. The systems modified the green-time of each lane based on the traffic density. The method could detect all types of vehicles and work properly in a day and a night time.


This article outlines the process and challenges involved in designing and building a new structure to span the Uupaachikus Pass in Mistissini, Quebec. The 160metre-long bridge was designed using semi-continuous arches made of glued laminated wood (glulam) girders. The bridge is 9.25 metres wide and has spans of 37, 43, 43 and 37 metres. The Glulam Bridge features straight girders with a maximum length of 24 metres attached to 15-metre arched girders by means of steel plate assemblies. The arches are connected to the piers and abutments using pins.


Abstract Recent changes of the environment and in the society have altered consumers' preferences and brought new concerns among local communities regarding environmental protection and organizations responsibility, the adoption of environmentally friendly strategies, as well as offering more sustainable products. Consumers tend to select retailers based on their focus on environmental friendly products and on various "green" strategies regarding waste disposal, package recycling, etc. This study aims to highlight Romanian and Slovak consumers' attitudes towards purchasing of goods from retailers that strive a clear focus on environmental responsibility and environmental friendly practices in apparel, footwear and sportswear retail. By means of a quantitative research based on a questionnaire administered to consumers of international retail chains with operations in both countries, the authors highlight differences in their perceptions and attitudes for buying green apparel, footwear and sportswear. Whereas Millennials and Gen Xers consumers in Romania and Slovakia believe that international apparel, footwear and sportswear retailers are less concerned about environmentally responsible behavior and the need of selling green products, Baby Boomers are more sensitive to such aspects and carefully select retailers according to their green strategy. This research provides specific findings about attitudes of different consumers' generations within two emerging European countries (Romania, Slovakia).


Perspectives on inequality differ greatly regarding whether the logic of bureaucracy undermines sex-based ascription in work organizations by reducing subjectivity in personnel decisions, or instead merely serves to obscure or "scientize" inequality. Past research has tended to operationalize bureaucratization in terms of the adoption of formal procedures and structures; the authors argue instead that disagreements about whether bureaucracy promotes or ameliorates inequality and segregation have less to do with the contours of bureaucracy than with the underlying logic of bureaucratic organization. Accordingly, the authors assess the link between bureaucratic organization and labor-market ascription by characterizing the logics underlying organizational employment systems. Using data on young high-technology companies in California's Silicon Valley, they find evidence that bureaucratization improves employment prospects for women in core scientific-technical roles within these enterprises. They further explore path dependence in organizational logics and find that such logics, when adopted, have powerful enduring effects on labor-force composition.


The paper by Jonathan Weiner includes important improvements in the methodology used to compare the physician workforce in prepaid group practices (PGPs) with the U.S. physician workforce. It also provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers. Despite the improvements, concerns remain regarding the comparability of the populations served and physician activities in PGPs and the country as a whole. While PGPs appear to offer valuable lessons on how to use physicians effectively and efficiently, it is inappropriate to use the PGP physician rates to determine the number of physicians needed in the United States.


Freeform optical surfaces have been in much demand recently due to improved techniques in their manufacturability and design methodology, and the degrees of freedom it gives the designers. Specifically in the case of off-axis mirror systems, freeform surfaces can considerably reduce the number of surfaces and compensate for some of the higher order aberrations as well, which improves the overall system performance. In this paper, we explore the design of freeform surfaces to obtain full aplanatic mirror systems, i.e., free of spherical aberration and circular coma of all orders. It is well know that such a system must be stigmatic and satisfy the Abbe sine condition. This problem is well known (Schwarzschild, 1905) to be solvable with two aspheric when the system has rotational symmetry. Here we prove that a rigorous solution to the general non-symmetric problem needs at least three free form surfaces, which are solutions of a system of partial differential equations. The examples considered have one plane of symmetry, where a consistent 2D solution is used as boundary condition for the 3D problem. We have used the x-y polynomial representations for all the surfaces used, and the iterative algorithm formulated for solving the above mentioned partial differential equations has shown very fast convergence.


Lineage tracing queries help to locate updated views quickly in data warehouse. Materialized views can improve the efficiency of the data lineage tracing and view maintenance. This paper, a method to select materialized views using Top-k query algorithm is presented. The selection is based on the query frequency, the view storage space and maintenance cost. Experimental results show that Top-k query algorithm has a better query performance than the Heuristic algorithm for lineage tracing query.


Public concerns Plans to improve how organisations in Wales deal with public concerns about health services have been put forward for consultation by the Welsh assembly government. The main proposal in Putting Things Right: A Better Way of Dealing with Concerns about Health Services is to replace the current two-stage complaints process of local resolution and independent reviews with a simpler, one-stage process in which all concerns are examined, run by trained teams based in NHS organisations. Full details, and a response form, are available at http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/puttingthingsright/?lang=en Reply by April 2.


This paper addresses the role of governance of urban areas in shaping energy use in LICs and MICs, from the perspective of the poorest and disadvantaged. Urban dwellers in LICs and MICs often access electricity through irregular, patchy and informal connections which are frequently considered illegal. This situation is closely linked to how urban areas develop in LICs and MICs, often with weak urban governance and little control, resulting in what is termed'informal settlements' and slums. Studies of urban infrastructure in LICs and MICs have tended to concentrate on water and sanitation networks, with comparatively very limited attention being paid to access to electricity. The paper reviews the literature that exists on access toelectricity in urban areas in the Global South, and draws on experiences in other urban infrastructures that may provide lessons towards improving such access for the poorest and disadvantaged.


The industrial and infrastructural development is the key word to the success of any country. However, when this lead to the internal displacement of millions of people the same become a boomerang for the country with the rise of problems like insurgency, poverty, illiteracy etc. The present paper tried to highlight the shift in the policy of the Government of India from only developmental to humanitarian developmental programme.


A constructive function approximation approach is proposed for adaptive learning control which handles finite interval tracking problems. Unlike the well established adaptive neural control which uses a fixed neural network structure as a complete system, in our method the function approximation network consists of a set of bases and the number of bases can be increased when learning repeats. The nature of basis allows the continuously adaptive tuning or learning of parameters when the network undergoes a structure change, consequently offers the flexibility in tuning the network structure. The expansibility of the basis ensures the function approximation accuracy, and removes the processes in pre-setting the network size. Two classes of system unknown nonlinear functions, either in L/sup 2/(R) or a known upperbound, are taken into consideration. With the help of Lyapunov method, the existence of solution and the convergence property of the proposed adaptive learning control system, are analyzed rigorously.


Abstract Stockholm syndrome, or captor-bonding, is a psychological crisis response to which women are considered especially susceptible. The term was coined in connection with a 1973 hostage situation in Stockholm, Sweden. I argue that the syndrome originally indicated a crisis of state authority. The conception of Stockholm syndrome projected a crisis of the legitimate state onto the women hostages and reinforced connections between state protection, masculinity and physical force. Crisis narratives specifically targeted the women's agency, and the state's protector status was restored by gendering dependency and victimhood. The particular circumstances of the original Stockholm incident were a prerequisite for the syndrome's appearance and continue to inform common understandings and scholarly writing on the syndrome. When crisis discourse appropriates the Stockholm syndrome, a unitary perspective and gendered foundations of state power are reinforced. Possibilities of divergent perspectives and counter-discourses, which are critical to feminist interventions into crisis narratives, are thereby diminished.


Abstract New stratigraphic, geochronological and palaeomagnetic constraints allow updates to be made to a synthesis of Neoproterozoic glacial palaeolatitudes, including modifications to some reliability estimates. The overall pattern of a Neoproterozoic climatic paradox persists: there is an abundance of tropical palaeolatitudes and near to complete absence of glaciogenic deposits demonstrably laid down between latitudes of 60° and 90°. In addition to 12 units with palaeolatitude estimates that are somewhat reliable, estimates with moderate to high reliability now include Konnarock (less than 10° from the palaeo-equator), Elatina, Rapitan, Mechum River, Grand Conglomerat (10–20°), Upper Tindir, Puga (20–30°), Nantuo, Gaskiers (30–40°) and Walsh (40–50°). Among these, Elatina, Upper Tindir and Nantuo are considered to have the highest reliability, all with estimates of low to moderate palaeolatitude. The Elatina result stems from sedimentary rocks with quantitative correction of inclination-shallowing effects, and the Upper Tindir result stems from data collected from igneous rocks that are precisely coeval with the glacial deposits. Despite continuing debate on the global character of Neoproterozoic ice ages, their pan-glacial extent (ice extending to low latitude in a low-obliquity world) is well demonstrated.


Owing to their low deployment costs, wireless sensor networks (WSN) may act as a key enabling technology for a variety of spatially distributed cyber-physical system (CPS) applications, ranging from intelligent traffic control to smart grids. However, besides providing tremendous benefits in terms of deployment costs, they also open up new possibilities for malicious attackers, who aim to cause financial losses or physical damage. Since perfectly securing these spatially distributed systems is either impossible or financially unattainable, we need to design them to be resilient to attacks: even if some parts of the system are compromised or unavailable due to the actions of an attacker, the system as a whole must continue to operate with minimal losses. In a CPS, control decisions affecting the physical process depend on the observed data from the sensor network. Any malicious activity in the sensor network can therefore severely impact the physical process, and consequently the overall CPS operations. These factors necessitate a deeper probe into the domain of resilient WSN for CPS. In this chapter, we provide an overview of various dimensions in this field, including objectives of WSN in CPS, attack scenarios and vulnerabilities, the notion of attack resilience in WSN for CPS, and solution approaches toward attaining resilience. We also highlight major challenges, recent developments, and future directions in this area.


ABSTRACT Introduction The establishment of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in primary care is central to substantially reduce the antimicrobial use and the associated risk of resistance. This perspective piece highlights the importance of systems thinking to set up and facilitate AMS programs in primary care. Areas covered The challenges that primary care faces to incorporate AMS programmes is multifactorial: an implementation framework, relevant resources, team composition, and system structures remain under-researched, and these issues are often overlooked and/or neglected in most parts of the world. Progress in the field remains slow in developed countries but potentially limited in low- and middle-income countries. Expert opinion The key AMS strategies to optimize antimicrobial use in primary care are increasingly known; however, health system components that impact effective implementation of AMS programs remain unclear. We highlight the importance of systems thinking to identify and understand the resource arrangements, system structures, dynamic system behaviors, and intra- and interprofessional connections to optimally design and implement AMS programs in primary care. An AMS systems thinking systemigram (i.e. a visual representation of overall architecture of a system) could be a useful tool to foster AMS implementation in primary care.


The History of Brabant Unfolded. Die alder excellenste cronyke van Brabant and the Brabantine View of the Past in the Year 1500 Die alder excellenste cronyke van Brabant, an incunable published in Antwerp in 1498, was written by an anonymous compiler, and consists of two parts. The first parts contains the lives of saints and religious associated with Brabant. The second part contains the actual chronicle; here the history of the dukes and duchy of Brabant is described from the creation of the world to the end of the fifteenth century. This section includes a fold-out sheet of some two metres long on which the genealogies of the kings of France and the dukes of Brabant have been depicted. The genealogy also registers the names of a large number of saints, with special emphasis on saints from Brabant. This fold-out sheet, a visualisation of the history of Brabant and a summary of the chronicle as a whole, has been the starting-point for a study of the sense of history in Brabant in the year 1500 as expressed in the words of the compiler. The most striking of the significant emphases that the compiler introduced in the Brabantine view of history, is doubtlessly the extension of the history of Brabant with the lives of its saints. From the perspective of the compiler Brabant's history was shaped not only by its dynasty, but also by its saints and believers. An investigation of the fold-out sheet and the text of the chronicle shows that the compiler felt particularly sympathetic towards the French monarchy. It is shown that the dukes of Brabant have for many centuries been closely related to the high dynasty of the divinely anointed French kings. A striking divergence between the fold-out sheet and the chronicle text concerns Brabantine prehistory. In the chronicle the history of Brabant is told from Adam and Noah, but on the fold-out sheet the genealogy begins much later, not until the year 380 A.D., with a certain Ansises, the first Christian prince to rule over Brabant. The compiler does not want to depict the history of Brabant on the fold-out sheet until the arrival of an exclusively Christian dynasty. By preferring Christian Ansises as the founder of the ducal dynasty the compiler distinguishes himself from all other historiographers in Brabant. It appeared that the compiler attempts to bring his chronicle into line with the writing of the history of Brabant as it was practised in the second half of the fifteenth century in those monasteries in Brabant that belonged to the congregation of Windesheim. A painstaking reading of the chronicle reveals the likelihood that the author should be placed in these or in closely related monastic circles. Die cronyke may be characterized as conservative historiography in which a markedly spiritual-national consciousness is manifest. In the first appendix (on cd-rom) the text of the chronicle is made available in the form of a first transciption.


Cd(Se)Te solar cells have considerable headroom to increase voltage. Voltage losses occur due to incomplete absorption above bandgap Eg and band tail absorption below Eg; such losses are quantified using radiative voltage. The largest voltage losses are attributed to nonradiative recombination, which is quantified via carrier lifetime and radiative efficiency. We compare radiative voltage, radiative efficiency, and carrier lifetime for Cu-doped CdSe/CdTe solar cells and for undoped polycrystalline CdSeTe heterostructures passivated with Al2O3. Using external quantum efficiency spectrum and a CdSeTe absorption spectrum obtained from absolute photoluminescence (PL), we show that the radiative voltage is greater than 1.1 V. Time-resolved PL experiments and modeling show that a major part of voltage losses can be attributed to recombination in the absorber bulk. The front interface recombination makes a larger impact within the first few nanoseconds after pulsed excitation, and the comparison of time-gated and time-integrated PL can be used to assess relative contributions of front interface and bulk recombination rates.


Based on the Theory of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), the Big Mac Index is widely used to measure whether a country's currency is at its "correct" level since it is easy to understand and clear and also is considered to be one of the important indices for evaluating a country's currency real exchange rate. This paper performed empirical study on the Big Mac index of Australia, Britain, Japan and Singapore by adopting regression analysis model. The test results show that the regression analysis results support the PPP theory, namely the big MAC index is an effective tool to determine exchange rate equilibrium. On this basis, this paper analyzed the RMB exchange rate level evaluated by Big Mac index, and considered that RMB exchange rate is a certain degree undervalued, and will be at a slowly rising trend consistently.


The case of a healthy aviator incidentally found to have an asymptomatic wide complex tachycardia on routine exercise treadmill testing is discussed. Electrophysiologic studies provided the diagnosis of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with aberrant conduction. Radio frequency modification of the AV node was performed with good results. Following the procedure, the reentrant tachycardia could not be induced either by repeat electrophysiologic testing or by an exercise treadmill test. The individual was returned to flight status in a restricted capacity.


Background
Exposure to biological materials is common among hospital workers, even when preventive measures are suggested. Few studies assessed the incidence of this type of exposure and the impact of preventive measures.

Objective
The aim of the present study was to describe occupational exposure to biological materials at Base Hospital of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil, along one year.

Methods
Observational retrospective study conducted with data for 2014, which were analyzed according to epidemiological and occupational exposure characteristics before and after exposure, such as previous immunization and follow up of workers, respectively.

Results
Forty-two accidents involving biological materials were recorded; 85.7% affected the nursing staff, mainly nursing technicians. The incidence of accidents involving sharp materials was 83%; the upper limbs were the most frequently affected (81%) body part. Vaccination campaigns and specific care protocols achieved effective results, allowing to avoid disease transmission and reducing the costs associated with the follow up of affected healthcare professionals. Few accidents (17%) occurred during emergency procedures, which shows that most instances of exposure might be prevented through safety measures.

Conclusion
The study revealed some aspects of the workers involved, exposure type and follow up after accidents with biological materials at the investigated hospital and discusses measures likely to reduce risk.


For violin, bass clarinet, and piano, duration 12 minutes.

This piece was first performed on 24 September 2013 by the Pacific Trio: Adrian Hon Wai Poon (clarinet), Immaculata Setiadi (piano) and Michael Foyle (violin), at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London.

A version for violin, cello and piano is also available; SPIKE (I) in this version was premiered on 11 September 2015 by Jieun Han (violin), Ji-Yeon Kim (cello), and Hye-in Wang (piano), at the Dream Forest Arts Centre, Seoul, Korea.


An algorithm is presented for the calculation of stable AFM mineral assemblages in the KFMASH system based on an internally consistent thermodynamic data set and the petrogenetic grid derived from this data set. The P-T stability of each divariant (three-phase) AFM assemblage is determined from the bounding KFASH, KMASH, and KFMASH reactions. Macintosh regions (enclosed areas defined by a sequence of x-y points) are created for each divariant region. The Macintosh toolbox routine "PtInRgn" (point-in-region) is used to determine whether a user-specified P and T falls within the stability limit of each assemblage, and the compositions of minerals in the stable assemblages are calculated and plotted. Implementation of the algorithm is coded in FORTRAN as a module for program Gibbs (Spear and Menard, 1989). Users can calculate individual AFM diagrams at any P-T condition within the limits of the P-T grid, and sequences of AFM diagrams along any P-T path. Diagrams can be saved as PICT images for creating animations. The internally consistent thermodynamic data sets of Holland and Powell (1998) and Spear and Cheney (unpublished) are supported. The algorithm and its implementation provide a useful tool for researchers to explore the implications of a petrogenetic grid and to compare predictions of different thermodynamic data sets. Comparison of natural samples with predictions from the grid can be made if appropriate projections of the natural data into the KFMASH system are made. Results are also useful to students learning to understand petrogenetic grids and the progressive metamorphism of pelitic mineral assemblages.


This thesis studies transform-domain model-based algorithms to improve the feedback and noise control performance of hearing aids processing wideband speech in non-stationary environments. Subband adaptive filter structures are investigated for continuous and non-continuous adaptation feedback compensation, and the particle filter framework is used to develop state-space model-based speech enhancement algorithms.
Subband feedback compensation is shown to offer several advantages. The flexibility offered by the frequency division allows subband systems to offer faster and more stable convergence for wideband signals, and better tracking of changing acoustic feedback paths. Robustness is also improved, as divergence caused by path changes or input signal correlation is confined to individual frequency bands.
A Rao-Blackwellized particle filter (RBPF) algorithm is proposed for enhancement of speech discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients, and is evaluated in comparison to the standard fullband RBPF. The DCT subband decomposition is shown to enable improved modeling of wideband speech signals, especially in spectral troughs, thereby decreasing intra-speech noise in both best-case and real-world conditions.
A novel particle filter algorithm is also proposed for short-time spectral amplitude (STSA) speech enhancement. A dynamic model of spectral amplitude evolution is used to allow for speech signal correlation in the frequency domain. Two variants of the basic algorithm are presented: the first incorporates phase information to improve the spectral amplitude estimates; the second uses interacting multiple models to account for speech presence uncertainty. The monaural algorithm is extended to the binaural case with a filter based speech and noise parameter estimator. The estimator exploits knowledge of the diffuse noise field coherence to separate the clean speech and noise power spectra without external noise or voice-activity estimation.
In both feedback and noise control, the transform domain allows for processing strategies that take into account the diverse frequency-dependent characteristics of the wideband signals. Incorporating models of speech, noise and the acoustic environment allows the addition of time-domain constraints and a-priori knowledge to address signal non-stationarity. The developed algorithms are evaluated using real speech and noise signals recorded with a commercial hearing aid.


In obese Blacks presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at new-onset of diabetes, intensive insulin treatment improves β-cell function so that ˜70% achieve near-normoglycemia remission (HbA1c < 7%, fasting blood glucose [BG]<130 mg/dl while off insulin for ≥1 week) and maintain glycemic control without medications. The 2021 American Diabetes Association (ADA) consensus defined diabetes remission as HbA1c <6.5% or BG 126 mg/dl while off medications for >3 months. It is unknown whether glycemic measures and insulin secretion differ between patients who achieve the new ADA definition of remission (intensive remission [IR]) compared to near-normoglycemia remission (non-intensive remission [NIR]) .We performed 75-g, 240-minute (min) oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in 13 obese (BMI>30 kg/m2) Blacks who presented with DKA (BG>250 mg/dl, HCO3<18 mEq/L, pH<7.3) and achieved remission from insulin. Glucose and C-peptide levels were measured at -15, 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min during OGTT. Insulin secretory rates (ISR) , first phase (Φdynamic) , second phase (Φstatic) and total (Φtotal) insulin secretion were calculated using a previously published model. Data was compared between IR, (HbA1c<6.5%, n=7) vs. NIR, (HbA1c≥6.5%, n=6)) There were no differences in age, BMI and mean BG levels during OGTT between groups. Model estimates of Φdynamic were significant (P=0.046) and 5-fold higher in IR (Marginal Mean: 514.00, 95% CI: 134.53-893.47 [109]) vs. NIR (Marginal Mean: 100, 95% CI: 100.45, 95% CI: -41.97-242.87 [109]) . Estimates of Φstatic were significant (P=0.022) and 2-fold higher in the IR (Marginal Mean: 31.84, 95% CI: 19.88-43.80 [min-1]) vs. NIR (Marginal Mean: 14.59, 95% CI: 6.79-22.39 [min-1]) with no significant (P=0.058) group differences between Φtotal.In comparison to NIR, obese Blacks with IR exhibit marked preservation of β-cell function suggesting that HbA1c <6.5% should be targeted for insulin remission after presentation with DKA.

 D.Stefanovski: None. O.Oladejo: None. G.E.Umpierrez: Research Support; AstraZeneca, Dexcom, Inc., Novo Nordisk. P.Vellanki: n/a.

 NIH/NIDDK K23 DK11324-01A1


We demonstrate transmission of a 200-Gb/s superchannel over 3-km single-mode optical fiber (SMF) targeting intra-data center interconnect applications using a novel single-section quantum-well passive-mode-locked laser that generates an optical frequency comb. The transmitted optical signal consists of 16 subcarriers filtered from the optical frequency comb of the laser and modulated with an advanced modulation format of Baudrate-pilot-aided quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation that enables direct detection. Bit error rates below the forward error correction limit have been confirmed for all subcarriers, and the detailed noise characteristics of the passive-mode-locked laser have been investigated to support the understanding of the system performance.


Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Platinum-based chemotherapy is standard-of-care but has limitations including toxicity and resistance. Metal complexes of gold, ruthenium, and other metals have emerged as promising alternatives. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of metallodrugs for NSCLC. Bibliometric analysis reveals growing interest in elucidating mechanisms, developing targeted therapies, and synergistic combinations. Classification of metallodrugs highlights platinum, gold, and ruthenium compounds, as well as emerging metals. Diverse mechanisms include DNA damage, redox modulation, and immunomodulation. Preclinical studies demonstrate cytotoxicity and antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo, providing proof-of-concept. Clinical trials indicate platinums have utility but resistance remains problematic. Non-platinum metallodrugs exhibit favorable safety but modest single agent efficacy to date. Drug delivery approaches like nanoparticles show potential to enhance therapeutic index. Future directions include optimization of metal-based complexes, elucidation of resistance mechanisms, biomarker development, and combination therapies to fully realize the promise of metallodrugs for NSCLC.


Aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between esophageal motility and pharmacology. The use of a drug during manometry may have three goals: physiopathologic, diagnostic and therapeutic. In the first case, the manometric examination after administration of drugs, hormones and neurotransmitters allows to study esophageal receptors and innervation and to understand the alterations that are at the basis of esophageal motility disorders. Pharmacological stimulations with Bethanechol and Edrophonium is useful in the diagnosis of non cardiac chest pain, when alterations of esophageal motility are sporadic and difficult to diagnose with a standard manometric examination. Finally esophageal manometry is indispensable in clinical practice to establish therapeutic activity and mechanism of action of drugs.


ABSTRACT The correlation between the functional and chemical properties of U. kirkiana fruit pulp was studied. The functional and chemical properties of the fruit pulps were determined and data were analyzed by regression and principal component analysis (PCA) to show correlations and variances. Results showed a 51.4% variance, PC 1 had a 37.31% variance. PC 2 showed a 14.17% variance. Antioxidant activity (AOA), Cu, vitamin C, total titratable acid (TTA), and Mg had a positive variance in PC 1. TTA and pH were significant and correlated in PC 1. Titratable acidity and pH had a variability of 69% and 74%. Iron and Ca were significant and correlated in PC 2. Phosphorus and AOA were positively correlated. Pulp yield had a weak positive correlation with dry matter, Ca, K, and Zn content. Fruits from Bikita were grouped according to pH levels, AOA, Cu, vitamin C, TTA, and phosphorus content. Fruits in Kazangarare were high in Fe and Ca and grouped together. Magnesium content was significant in fruits obtained from Gokwe. Phosphorus and TTA had significant effect (p < 0.01; p < 0.05) on pulp yield. The results provide useful data about relationship, chemical composition variation of U. kirkiana fruit pulp obtained at the different regions of Zimbabwe.


BACKGROUND
Cartilage surface contact geometry influences the deformational behavior and stress distribution throughout the extracellular matrix (ECM) under load.

OBJECTIVE
To test the correlation between the mechanical and cellular response of articular cartilage when loaded with two different-sized spherical indenters under dynamic reciprocating sliding motion.

METHODS
Articular cartilage explants were subjected to a reciprocating sliding load using a 17.6 mm or 30.2 mm spherical ball for 2000 cycles at 10 mm/s and 4 kg axial load. Deformation of the cartilage was recorded and contact parameters were calculated according to Hertzian theory. After mechanical loading cartilage samples were collected and analyzed for ECM collagen damage, gene regulation and proteoglycan (PG) loss.

RESULTS
Significantly higher ECM deformation and strain and lower dynamic effective modulus were found for explants loaded with the smaller diameter indenter whereas contact radius and stress remained unaffected. Also, the 17.6 mm indenter increased PG loss and significantly upregulated genes for ECM proteins and enzymes as compared to the 30.2 mm indenter.

CONCLUSION
Sliding loads that increase ECM deformation/strain were found to induce enzyme-mediated catabolic processes in articular cartilage explants. These observations provide further understanding of how changes in cartilage contact mechanics under dynamic conditions can affect the cellular response.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of a novel double stent in patients with malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
This prospective pilot study enrolled 45 consecutive patients with malignant extrahepatic biliary obstructions from January 2008 to December 2009. All patients were treated with a novel double stent system (covered stent in uncovered stent).

RESULTS
The double stents were successfully placed in all patients. Bilirubin levels decreased significantly after stent placement (p < 0.001). Median patient survival and stent patency times were 149 days (95% CI, 126-172 days) and 439 days (95% CI, 123-755 days), respectively. Cumulative stent patency rates at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were 91%, 89%, 82%, and 82%, respectively. Five patients (11.1%) presented with stent occlusion due to tumor overgrowth (n = 3) or sludge incrustation (n = 2) and required repeat intervention. Tumor ingrowth, acute cholecystitis, pancreatitis, or stent migration was not observed in any of these patients.

CONCLUSION
Preliminary results indicate that percutaneous treatment of malignant extrahepatic biliary obstructions using a novel double stent is feasible, safe, and effective in achieving internal biliary drainage.


This paper establishes the existence of deterministic cycles in infinite-horizon open economy models with a flow collateral constraint. It shows that for plausible parameter configurations, the economy has a unique equilibrium exhibiting deterministic cycles in which periods of debt growth are followed by periods of debt deleveraging. In particular, three-period cycles exist, which implies by the Li-Yorke Theorem the presence of cycles of any periodicity and chaos. The paper also shows that deterministic cycles are absent in the Ramsey optimal allocation providing a justification for macroprudential policies even in the absence of uncertainty.


Background Achieving a satisfying quality of life for a patient by applying individually matched therapy is, simultaneously, a great challenge and a priority for contemporary medicine. Patients with visible dermatological ailments are particularly susceptible to reduction in the general quality of life. Among the dermatological diseases, acne causes considerable reduction in the quality of life and changes in self-perception that lead to the worsening of a patient's mental condition, including depression and suicidal thoughts. As a result, difficulties in contact with loved ones, as well as social and professional problems are observed, which show that acne is not a somatic problem alone. To a large extent, it becomes a part of psychodermatology, becoming an important topic of public health in social medicine practice. Pharmacological treatment of acne is a challenge for a dermatologist and often requires the necessity of cooperating with a cosmetologist. Cosmetological treatments are aimed at improving the condition of the skin and reduction or subsiding of acne skin changes. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the influence of selected cosmetological treatments on the general quality of life of patients with acne. Materials and methods The study group consisted of 101 women aged 19–29 years (x¯=22.5 years, SD =2.3 years). All subjects were diagnosed with acne vulgaris of the face. In the study group, the acne changes occurred over the course of 3–15 years (x¯=8.1 years, SD =2.7 years). Selected cosmetological treatments (intensive pulsing light, alpha-hydroxy acids, cavitation peeling, needle-free mesotherapy, diamond microdermabrasion and sonophoresis) were performed in series in the number depending on the particular patient's chosen treatment, after excluding contraindications. General quality of life of the patients was estimated using the Skindex-29 and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaires, before and after the cosmetological treatment. Results Statistical analysis of the data obtained from the Skindex-29 questionnaire in areas (emotions, symptoms and physical functioning) and DLQI questionnaire in areas (daily activities, leisure, work and school, personal relations and treatment) showed great improvement in the general quality of life after applying a series of cosmetological treatments. The results are statistically relevant at P<0.0001. Conclusion The cosmetological treatment significantly improved the general quality of life of patients with acne vulgaris and their skin condition, which was evaluated by the Hellgren–Vincent scale. It was proven that therapy performed in cosmetological clinics may become an integral part of or complete dermatological treatment.


Neuroblastoma (NB) is a tumor which arises from neural crest cells. In the developing neural crest cells, the induction of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) decarboxylase is more delayed than that of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. If NB cells are arrested in an early stage of neural crest development, the induction of DOPA decarboxylase is insufficient and the accumulation and secretion of DOPA can be caused. The biochemically immature phenotype is thought to represent the undifferentiated characteristics of the cells and might correlate with the grade of malignancy. To investigate whether the hypothesis is clinically applicable or not, we have measured plasma DOPA, dopamine and urinary catecholamine metabolites in NB patients. The levels of plasma DOPA, dopamine, urinary homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillactic acid (VLA) were significantly higher in patients with unfavorable NBs and the higher plasma DOPA level was significantly associated with the patients' age (> 1 year old), tumor stage (III, IV) and DNA diploidy. Serial determination of plasma DOPA was a good monitor of the disease course. These results are compatible with the hypothesis on DOPA decarboxylase deficiency and DOPA secretion in undifferentiated, unfavorable NBs. In conclusion, the plasma DOPA can be used to predict patients' prognosis as well as to follow up patients with NB.


shown a shortage of postnatally dividing microneurones in the cerebellar granular layer and other neurones in the deeper layers of the cerebral cortex. The deficit is particularly surprising in view of the comparatively mild growth retardation imposed during the brain's vulnerable period of development. The comparable period of human brain growth extends from about 30 weeks of gestation into the second year of postnatal life. Behavioural correlates in the experimental animal were also discussed.


We discuss the measurement uncertainty in the presence of different types of fundamental noise processes, especially 1/f noise. The treatment is based on the Allan variance of an n-sample average with two deadtime parameters relevant in metrology. Some results applicable to situations that are common in metrology, e.g., international comparisons, are derived. Experimentally, the output of Zener voltage standards in the frequency range from 10/sup -6/ Hz to 10/sup 3/ Hz is studied and behavior closely resembling that of 1/f noise is found at all time scales of practical interest. The noise floor of a 10 V Zener standard was found to be 60 nV and the 1/f corner frequency 3.5 Hz. Environmental variations cause the long-term (>100 s) deviations of the Zener voltage to slightly increase from the limiting 1/f noise level.


Abstract. In this paper we present an automated method to derive highly detailed 3D vector models of modern building facades from terrestrial laser scanning data. The developed procedure can be divided into two main steps: firstly the main elements constituting the facade are identified by means of a segmentation process, then the 3D vector model is generated including some priors on architectural scenes. The identification of main facade elements is based on random sampling and detection of planar elements including topology information in the process to reduce under- and over-segmentation problems. Finally, the prevalence of straight lines and orthogonal intersections in the vector model generation phase is exploited to set additional constraints to enforce automated modeling. Contemporary a further classification is performed, enriching the data with semantics by means of a classification tree. The main application field for these vector models is the design of external insulation thermal retrofit. In particular, in this paper we present a possible application for energy efficiency evaluation of buildings by mean of Infrared Thermography data overlaid to the facade model.


The spin-dependent electronical conductivity of polarons is studied in the spin polarized organic semiconductor .It is found that the spin dependence of the electronical conductivity is induced by the spin polarization of the organic semiconductor, for the spin polarization makes the up-spin and the down-spin polarons have different density, which generates the spin-dependent electronocal conductivity. The spin-dependent electrical conductivity can be directly affected by the match level of conductivities s0/sf at the interface of the FM/OSE. Moreover, the current spin polarization in the organic semiconductor can be strengthened by the electric-field in the low-electric-field region .


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Early specialist care of patients with renal disease, including timely and planned onset of dialysis, determine the course of the disease, quality of life, hospitalization and life expectancy. A multi-centre enquiry by standardized questionnaire was undertaken to define and analyse medical care of newly dialysis-requiring patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on 551 patients in five different regions of Germany who for the first time required renal replacement treatment were prospectively collected between July 2002 and March 2003. Documentation of history, clinical findings and biochemical tests was done on consecutive patients with a standardized questionnaire, until the desired number of cases was reached. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients (55.4% males) was 64.8 years. 30.7% had diabetes mellitus, 22.3% arterial hypertension/nephrosclerosis and 16.9% glomerulonephritis/vasculitis. Early predominantly nephrological care had been undertaken in 38.7% of patients. 59.0% were cared for almost exclusively by their general practitioner until the time when dialysis was started. 229 patients (41.6%) were referred to specialist (nephrologists) only when dialysis had become necessary. The onset of dialysis was at the right time in only 50.5% of this group. Comparing the care given by nephrologists with that by general practitioners, elective (i.e. planned) dialysis was begun in 81.0% vs. 48.0% (p<0.05). Hospitalization in the two groups was 54.5% vs. 83.7% (p<0.05), the duration of hospital stay 11.4 vs. 17.4 days (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fewer than 40% of patients with chronic renal disease in preterminal renal failure (stage IV) were under the care of nephrologists. The lower the degree of nephrological care the more frequent was there a delay in the onset of dialysis treatment. The incidence and the duration of hospital stay was longer. Structured treatment pathways and incentives need to be formulated to reduce the incidence of wrong or substandard treatment of patients with impaired renal function.


A cost combined life cycle assessment was carried out to estimate the economic and environmental impact of redmud as aggregate in cement production. Results showed that the raw materials, transport, electricity and coal had the highest contribution to overall cost, while coal production and direct emissions represented the dominant contribution to overall environment impact. Improving energy and raw material efficiency and minimizing raw materials transport distance are the efficient way to minimize overall environmental and economic impacts.


Our recent BJSM editorial petitioned for 'a time for action' regarding physical activity (PA) and pregnancy guidance in the UK.1 We highlighted that despite pregnancy providing a unique opportunity to promote PA behaviour change,2 healthcare professionals (HPs) lack the confidence, knowledge and resources to deliver appropriate PA advice. They feel under-resourced, uncertain regarding safety concerns and inadequately trained.3 Consequently, despite being receptive to PA advice, pregnant women receive inconsistent, vague and conflicting guidance.4 These issues may contribute to reduced levels of PA during pregnancy, leaving few women meeting the recommended activity levels.5

The 2011 UK Chief Medical Officers' (CMO) PA recommendations led to the development of a series …


Evolutionary processes leading to adaptive radiation regularly occur too fast to be accurately recorded in the fossil record but too slowly to be readily observed in living biota. The study of evolutionary radiations is thereby confronted with an epistemological gap between the timescales and approaches used by neontologists and paleontologists. Here we report on an ongoing radiation of extant Bellamya species (n = 4) from the African Rift Lake Malawi that provides an unusual opportunity to bridge this gap. The substantial molecular differentiation in this monophyletic Bellamya clade has arisen since Late Pleistocene megadroughts in the Malawi Basin caused by climate change. Morphological time-series analysis of a high-resolution, radiocarbon-dated sequence of 22 faunas spanning the Holocene documents stasis up to the middle Holocene in all traits studied (shell height, number of whorls, and two variables obtained from geometric morphometrics). Between deposition of the last fossil fauna (∼5 ka) and the present day, a drastic increase in morphological disparity was observed (3.7–5.8 times) associated with an increase in species diversity. Comparison of the rates of morphological evolution obtained from the paleontological time-series with phylogenetic rates indicates that the divergence in two traits could be reconstructed with the slow rates documented in the fossils, that one trait required a rate reduction (stabilizing selection), and the other faster rates (divergent selection). The combined paleontological and comparative approach taken here allows recognition that morphological stasis can be the dominant evolutionary pattern within species lineages, even in very young and radiating clades.


Within their upper approximately thousand meters, ice sheets on Earth contain a significant amount of air and air hydrates below. In the permeable firn, this air is still exchanging with the atmosphere and is under atmospheric pressure, whereas the air bubbles are entrapped at the firn-ice transition 60 – 120 m depth. As recent research showed, the presence of air bubbles can significantly influence microdynamical processes such as grain growth and grain boundary migration (Azuma et al., 2012, Roessiger et al., 2014). Understanding the dominant deformation mechanisms has essential implications on paleo-atmosphere research and allows more realistic modelling of ice sheet dynamics. Therefore, numerical models were set up and performed focussing on the implications of the presence of bubbles on recrystallisation and the mechanical properties of ice with air inclusions. The 2D numerical microstructural modelling platform Elle was coupled to the full-field crystal
plasticity code of Lebensohn (2001), which is using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) following the approach by Griera et al. (2013). Taking into account the mechanical anisotropy of ice, FFT calculates the viscoplastic response of polycrystalline and polyphase materials that deform by dislocation glide, predicts lattice re-orientation and using the local gradient of the strain-rate field, dislocation densities are calculated. FFT was used for the simulation of dynamic recrystallization of pure ice by Montagnat et al. (2013).
Polyphase grain boundary migration driven by surface energy and internal strain energy reduction was incorporated in the code and now also enables us to model deformation of ice with air bubbles. The approach is based on the methodology of Becker et al. (2008) and Roessiger et al. (2014). During Deformation, spherical to elliptical bubble shapes are only maintained, when surface energy based recrystallisation is activated, whereas they quickly collapse at low strains in the absence of recrystallisation. The presence of bubbles leads to increased localization of stress, strain and dislocation densities, a reduction of the bulk strength of the bubbly ice is observed. Furthermore, strain-induced grain boundary migration already occuring in the uppermost levels of ice sheets (Kipfstuhl et al. 2009, Weikusat et al. 2009) is confirmed by our modelling.

References
Azuma, N., Miyakoshi, T., Yokoyama, S., Takata, M., 2012. Journal of Structural Geology 42, 184-
193.
Becker, J.K., Bons, P.D., Jessell, M.W., 2008. Computers & Geosciences 34, 201-212.
Bons, P.D., Koehn, D., Jessell, M.W. (Eds.), 2008. Microdynamic Simulation. Springer, Berlin.
Kipfstuhl, S., Faria, S.H., Azuma, N., Freitag, J., Hamann, I., Kaufmann, P., Miller, H., Weiler, K.,
Wilhelms, F., 2009. Journal of Geophysical Research 114, B05204.
Lebensohn, R.A., 2001. Acta Mater 49 (14), 2723e2737.
Montagnat, M., Castelnau, O., Bons, P.D., Faria, S.H., Gagliardini, O., Gillet-Chaulet, F.,
Grennerat, F., Griera, A., Lebensohn, R.A., Moulinec, H., Roessiger, J., Suquet, P., 2014.
Journal of Structural Geology 61, 78-108
Rosiger, J., Bons, P.D., Faria, S.H., 2014. Journal of Structural Geology 61, 123-132
Weikusat, I., Kipfstuhl, S., Faria, S.H., Azuma, N., Miyamoto, A., 2009. Journal of Glaciology 55,
461-472.


Does external monitoring improve democratic performance? Fact-checking has come to play an increasingly important role in political coverage in the United States, but some research suggests it may be ineffective at reducing public misperceptions about controversial issues. However, fact-checking might instead help improve political discourse by increasing the reputational costs or risks of spreading misinformation for political elites. To evaluate this deterrent hypothesis, we conducted a field experiment on a diverse group of state legislators from nine U.S. states in the months before the November 2012 election. In the experiment, a randomly assigned subset of state legislators was sent a series of letters about the risks to their reputation and electoral security if they were caught making questionable statements. The legislators who were sent these letters were substantially less likely to receive a negative fact-checking rating or to have their accuracy questioned publicly, suggesting that fact-checking can reduce inaccuracy when it poses a salient threat.


Memory size has long limited large-scale applications on high-performance computing (HPC) systems. Since compute nodes frequently do not have swap space, physical memory often limits problem sizes. Increasing core counts per chip and power density constraints, which limit the number of DIMMs per node, have exacerbated this problem. Further, DRAM constitutes a significant portion of overall HPC system cost. Therefore, instead of adding more DRAM to the nodes, mechanisms to manage memory usage more efficiently -- preferably transparently -- could increase effective DRAM capacity and thus the benefit of multicore nodes for HPC systems. MPI application processes often exhibit significant data similarity. These data regions occupy multiple physical locations across the individual rank processes within a multicore node and thus offer a potential savings in memory capacity. These regions, primarily residing in heap, are dynamic, which makes them difficult to manage statically. Our novel memory allocation library, {\it SBLLmallocShort}, automatically identifies identical memory blocks and merges them into a single copy. Our implementation is transparent to the application and does not require any kernel modifications. Overall, we demonstrate that {\it SBLLmalloc} reduces the memory footprint of a range of MPI applications by $32.03\%$ on average and up to $60.87\%$. Further, {\it SBLLmalloc} supports problem sizes for IRS over $21.36\%$ larger than using standard memory management techniques, thus significantly increasing effective system size. Similarly, {\it SBLLmalloc} requires $43.75\%$ fewer nodes than standard memory management techniques to solve an AMG problem.


A three-phase ac to dc converter employing a new control scheme is presented. Only four power switches and two current sensors are required in this system. By using the proposed control scheme, just two of the switches are active to approach the desired waveform at any timer, hence the switching numbers can be reduced, compared with the conventional six switches converter. Furthermore, the local average method is presented to verify that the instantaneous power between ac source and dc source is balanced. Finally, simulated and experimental results are presented to verify the characteristics of unity power factor, sinusoidal input current, and bidirectional power flow capability.


The parliamentary elections of 3 November 2002 in Turkey gave a
large majority to the Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party
(AKP), a successor to two previously banned Islamist parties (Refah and
Fazilet) that now rejects the Islamist label. The Republican People's
Party (CHP) took all remaining seats. The AKP, a group of self-avowed
"Muslim Democrats," was led by the charismatic former mayor of Istanbul,
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who became prime minister of the Turkish Republic
in March 2003. The AKP's victory was the product of a series of events
including the Susurluk scandal, the postmodern military coup, the Izmit
earthquake, and deep economic problems.


We applied an Ecohealth perspective into a State of the Environment report for Grey Bruce Health Unit and summarized environmental and health data relevant for public health practice. We aimed for comprehensiveness in our data compilation, including: standard media categories (e.g., air, water, land); and ecological indicators (e.g., vectors, forests, wetlands). Data sources included both primary (collected by an organization) and secondary (assembled by others). We organized indicators with the Driving forces-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action (DPSEEA) framework created by the World Health Organization. Indicators of air, water and land quality generally appeared to point towards a healthy state. Vector-borne diseases remained low. Forests and wetlands appeared to be in good condition, however more monitoring data was needed to determine trends in their ecological indicators. Data were not available on biodiversity and fish conditions. The results of our application of the DPSEEA framework suggest that routinely collected environmental and health data can be structured into the framework, though challenges arose due to gaps in data availability, particularly for social and gender analyses. Ecohealth approaches had legitimacy with broader healthy community partners but applying such approaches was a complex undertaking.


The management of a poly trauma patient requires a collaborated, multidisciplinary approach in order to get a favorable patient outcome. Knowledge of type of problems these patients encounter is critical to ensure that life threatening problems are timely recognized and treated and minor injuries are not ignored. The article highlights the management of a poly trauma patient using ATLS protocol and also throws light on the area of specific involvement of the medical team. ATLS protocol although regarded as a gold standard for the management of a trauma patient, but strict adherence to this protocol may not be always possible in case of a patient with facial trauma. An Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon needs to be aware of these probable problems and should be aware of how to manage them if the need arises.


Abstract. This paper presents an approach for estimating and then removing image radial distortion. It works on a single image and does not require a special calibration. The approach is extremely useful in many applications, particularly those where human-made environments contain abundant lines. A division model is applied, in which a straight line in the distorted image is treated as a circular arc. Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) iterative nonlinear least squares method is adopted to calculate the arc's parameters. Then "Taubin fit" is applied to obtain the initial guess of the arc's parameters which works as the initial input to the LM iteration. This dramatically improves the convergence rate in the LM process to obtain the required parameters for correcting image radial distortion. Hough entropy, as a measure, has achieved the quantitative evaluation of the estimated distortion based on the probability distribution in one-dimensional θ Hough space. The experimental results on both synthetic and real images have demonstrated that the proposed method can robustly estimate and then remove image radial distortion with high accuracy.


Faculty of Medicine University of Riau has been implementing Competency Based Curriculum (KBK) with the Problem Based Learning (PBL) since 2007 with the implementation of teaching and learning activities of the system consists of a tutorial activities, skillab, expert lectures, independent and practical. However, there are still many problems in the implementation of the KBK on preclinic degree. One part of the block that is identified to be one of the causes of low graduation exam block is less efective coaching laboratory practice. Parasitology is one part of the task is to provide laboratory practice in several blocks on the stage of preclinic especially digestive and hematoimunology block. This study aimed to compare the results of the evaluation of parasitology laboratory practice in hematoimunology and digestive assistance and posttest in large classes with small class. Assistance and posttest in large class performed on the digestive block implementation and hematoimunologi in 2011 while assisting and posttest of small classes on a block implementation in 2012. Average value of small class digestive laboratory practice was not significantly lower than the large class but the proportion of the value of quality B and C more many in small classes. The mean value of the block hematoimunologi laboratory practice significantly higher on small class assistance and posttest as well as the proportion of the value of quality A, B and C was higher in small classes than large classes.


Modern society has become ocular-centric as a result of technological development making the production and distribution of images easier than ever before. This ocular bias extends to architecture. Rather than resisting the increasingly ocular-centric nature of our social-media driven culture, this research aims to find new methods for designing space which incorporate a tactile process. This process simultaneously focuses on the creation of marketable perspectives. Through this research I advocate for tactility in the design process to evoke spatial awareness of the image.  This research portfolio operates through a design-led research methodology where knowledge is uncovered by designing. Hundreds of models were produced and critically reflected upon in terms of both their process and outcome. The research culminates with the development of a design process centred on using architectural models as design tools. Referred to as devices, these models are spatial systems that are able to be manipulated by hand to alter the composition of a perspective view. Although focusing on the image, the physicality of the devices implicate spatial awareness in the design process ensuring the design is considered in both two and three dimensions.  A design for the proposed Kapiti Island Biosecurity Gateway Centre formed an architectual testing ground which was used to evalute the design process developed in this research. Influenced by the design process the architecture itself also became an optical device. The resulting design controls and composes views through concealing, revealing, superimposing, aligning and framing particular elements. The final outcome provides visitors with a choreographed journey of highly considered perspective compositions


IntroductionThe Ontario Brain Institute has developed Brain-CODE, an informatics platform designed to support the collection, storage, federation, sharing and analysis of different neuroscience research data types across several brain disorders. Linking such "deep" research data with "broad" health administrative data allows for improved characterization of disorders and supports the development of related health and social policies (Anderson et al., 2015). A privacy preserving record linkage protocol, developed through the Indoc Consortium, has been used to facilitate such linkages between Brain-CODE and administrative data holdings at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES; e.g., emergency department use, inpatient records, prescription drug utilization) (Gee et al., 2018).
Objectives and ApproachThree linkage pilots in the areas of neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy, and stroke research have been completed with >99% success match rates across all projects. However, each of these projects required a significant amount of human and computational resources to complete. With other similar data linkages being planned, it was determined that a more permanent solution was required rather than completing linkages on a project-by-project basis. The governance and technical elements to support the creation and maintenance of such a crosswalk between Brain-CODE and ICES were reviewed with an implementation plan subsequently developed.
Results:A methodology for creating a crosswalk between Brain-CODE and ICES has been established. The same privacy preserving record linkage protocol, as used in the previous linkage pilots, will support the creation of this crosswalk. A plan has been established to update this crosswalk annually to account for new study participants on Brain-CODE.
Conclusion / ImplicationsThe creation of this crosswalk will allow for a more streamlined approach of data linkage between Brain-CODE and ICES. Such an approach can significantly reduce overall resourcing requirements, enable more efficient data linkages, and contribute to the coupling of "broad" and "deep" data.


The study presents the results of a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of converting an existing kiln facility, the KILnGAS Commercial Module (KCM) in East Alton, Illinois, to a hazardous waste incinerator. The study examined the RCRA and Superfund waste volumes and characteristics as well as the treatment and disposal capacity of the State of Illinois to identify potential incineration capacity shortfalls. A centerline waste, soils contaminated with PCBs, was selected to provide a reference case to study the facility conversion. A conceptual facility design was developed using the technical and environmental criteria for the selected waste as a design basis. Major process equipment was identified, sized, and priced. A heat and material balance was developed for a centerline mode of operation to forecast performance. Economics for waste treatment were examined based upon a range of competitive tipping fees and other parameters impacting commercial viability. Finally, tentative conclusions regarding feasibility of the facility conversion are presented and a next step action plan is outlined to corroborate the technical, economic, and regulatory assumptions and to examine design alternatives with the potential for reducing facility costs and/or enhancing its performance or siting potential.


Mediterranean and EU member countries consider enhancing innovation and R&D an important policy objective. In order to improve economic competitiveness and increase their citizens' welfare, these countries have been formulating and implementing innovation policies. In recent years, the volume of resources allocated to such policies has considerably increased and the number of instruments used in this framework has widened. Nevertheless, a relatively limited number of studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of innovation policies in these countries and formulate proposals for those aspects of policies that are in contradiction with the aims.Creation-Date: 2012-09


We live in a world of information, and emerging technologies, which compel us to look for new ways to collect, process, and distribute information. Today we are faced with an information overload problem as users struggle to locate the right information in the right way at the right time. In my view this is an "overload" of trivial information coupled with a gap in access to important information. Digitization of information and communications has seen the rise and rise of computers to a now ubiquitous position in our society. However, the problem remains as to how to merge the digital world with sensing, and respond to changes in the real world. Ubiquitous information systems are needed that will automatically sense and importantly, respond to changes in their environment and usage in order to deliver a more intelligent, proactive and personalized information service. These systems may be wearable, enabling them to disappear into our personal space, enhancing rather than burdening our daily activities. Conventional sensors are generally unsuitable for wearable body monitoring devices either due to their physical structure or their functional requirements. This thesis examines this area of wearable sensors, detailing the development and characterisation of novel sensing materials and outlines their performance in various on-body monitoring applications.


Several studies indicate that physical performance of children and young people is declining. However, actually available data on physical performance and physical activity of children and young people are not representative and hence no countrywide predictions can be made. The examination of motor fitness in association with development and health of children and young people is indispensable for the implementation of appropriate measures of intervention. The module 'Motoric' in the National Health Survey for Children and Adolescents shall remedy the deficiency of information. For the module, 6,000 children and adolescents, age 4-17 years, will be representatively drawn from the total survey sample. Their physical performance and physical activity will be comprehensively assessed. For this purpose, appropriate tests have been developed. In pilot studies, all methods were tested for practicability, objectivity, reliability, and validity. The application of methods was coordinated between the Robert Koch-Institute and the Institute of Sport and Science of Sports, University of Karlsruhe.


This work presents a method for identifying all the kinematic designs of spatial positioning manipulators that are optimally fault tolerant in a local sense. We use a common definition of fault tolerance, i.e., the post-failure Jacobian possesses the largest possible minimum singular value over all possible single locked-joint failures. The large family of physical manipulators that can achieve this optimally failure tolerant configuration is then parameterized and categorized. We develop a general computational technique to evaluate the resulting manipulators in terms of their global kinematic properties, with an emphasis on failure tolerance. Several manipulators with a range of desirable kinematic properties are presented and analyzed, with a specific example of optimizing over a given class of manipulators that possess a specified kinematic constraint.


Thyroid dysfunction constitutes the most common endocrine abnormality in the world second only to diabetes mellitus. Thyroid hormones play a central role in homeostasis of calcium and phosphorous levels in the body. Only few studies have been to find alterations of serum calcium, phosphorous and magnesium levels in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and overt hypothyroidism (OH). Hence present study was aimed to find the changes in serum calcium, phosphorous and magnesium levels in SCH and OH and also correlate these parameters with serum TSH.
Methodology: The study participants were selected from patients who have undergone thyroid profile evaluation. 50 subclinical hypothyroid patients, 50 overt hypothyroidism patients and 50 euthyroid patients were taken as control. Blood sample was collected from all these subjects and estimation of serum TSH, FT3, FT4, calcium, phosphorous and magnesium was done.
Results: Our study shows the mean serum calcium levels were significantly (p<0.001) lower serum phosphorous and magnesium levels were significantly increased (p<0.01) in SCH and OH when compared to euthyroid. We also found there was statistically significant negative correlation between TSH and serum calcium positive correlation between TSH and serum phosphorous levels among both SCH and OH.


Background: Ear, nose and throat disease remain a common diseases in children in developing countries. It is usually wrongly or late
diagnosed or complicated at presentation to Otorhinolaryngologist.
is study aimed at determines the common ear, nose and throat diseases and their prevalence in children at studied age group with possible
responsible factor.
Materials and method: It is a prospective study of pupils in a private nursery (preschool) and primary school in urban area of Lagos, Nigeria.
Inform consent was obtained from parent or guardian through the parent-teachers association of the school.
A total of 512 consented subjects were enrolled into the study between March 2015 and February 2016.
Data obtained were collated and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 16.
Results: A total of 512 pupils were enrolled into the study with male: female ratio 1:1. Commonest age group were 0-5 years.
Normal otorhinolaryngological findings was noted in minority population 71 (13.9%) of our enrollee. Ear, nose and throat diseases accounted
for 54.1%, 55.3% and 18.0% respectively.
Earwax impaction 23.0% accounted for the commonest ear pathology. Other common ear diseases were otitis media with effusion, hearing loss
and otitis externa were 15.0%, 8.3% and 5.1% respectively. Nasal diseases were found to be 26.2%, allergic rhinitis 12.1%, infective rhinitis and
9.4% adenoid enlargement. Distribution of throat diseases were 9.0% tonsillitis and 5.5%speech disorders.
About 98.0% had past history of ear, nose or throat diseases treated by 60.9% family physician, 20.1% paediatrician and 87 (17.0%) of the
participants has had otorhinolaryngological consultation in life and 16 (3.1%) had either major or minor ear, nose and throat surgery before.
ere is scarcity of ear, nose and throat care centre and otolaryngologist and their services.
Conclusion: Preventable ear, nose and throat diseases were common among school children. Routine annual school otorhinolaryngological
screening is recomended for preschool and school children.


A significant percentage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -infected individuals are also infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). With the much-improved survival of HIV-infected patients through the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy, liver disease caused by coinfection with HCV has emerged as a significant threat to the health and survival of persons with HIV disease. HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with ongoing HIV viremia have a faster rate of HCV-related liver fibrosis progression and a more rapid progression to liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma than HCV-monoinfected persons. In contrast to the deleterious effect of HIV on HCV-related liver disease, most studies have shown that HCV does not influence progression of HIV infection to AIDS or death. HCV therapy with peginterferon alfa (2a or 2b) plus ribavirin can achieve a sustained viral response in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients of up to 38% in HCV genotype 1 and up to 73% in genotypes 2 and 3. The safety profile is largely similar to therapy in HIV-monoinfected patients, but there is a higher incidence of mitochondrial toxicity in patients taking didanosine or stavudine and of anemia in patients taking zidovudine. There is no proven anti-HCV therapy for HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Liver transplantation is being investigated as a potential therapeutic option for HIV-infected individuals with ESLD, and initial reports are encouraging. Given that pegylated interferon and ribavirin have been shown to be safe and effective for HIV/HCV coinfection as well as HCV monoinfection, all HIV/HCV-coinfected patients should be evaluated for therapy.


Metabolic Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is estimated to affect 20% of the world's population. NAFLD begins with an abnormal buildup of fat in the liver that is "clinically silent." In a subset of individuals, NAFLD progresses to liver inflammation, cirrhosis, and cancer. Identifying which individuals will progress is a major goal of current research. Stender et al. take a step toward this goal by studying gene-environment interactions. They find that high BMI (body mass index), a well-known risk factor for NAFLD, amplifies the effects of certain genetic risk factors. Obese individuals carrying a specific allele of the PNPLA3 gene, for example, have nearly a sixfold greater risk of developing cirrhosis than obese individuals carrying a different allele.

Nat. Genet. 10.1038/ng.3855 (2017).


ABSTRACT Recently we reported an unusual multicellular organization in yeast that we termed stalk-like structures. These structures are tall (0.5 to 3 cm long) and narrow (1 to 3 mm in diameter). They are formed in response to UV radiation of cultures spread on high agar concentrations. Here we present an anatomical analysis of the stalks. Microscopic inspection of cross sections taken from stalks revealed that stalks are composed of an inner core in which cells are dense and vital and a layer of cells (four to six rows) that surrounds the core. This outer layer is physically separated from the core and contains many dead cells. The outer layer may form a protective shell for the core cells. Through electron microscopy analysis we observed three types of cells within the stalk population: (i) cells containing many unusual vesicles, which might be undergoing some kind of cell death; (ii) cells containing spores (usually one or two spores only); and (iii) familiar rounded cells. We suggest that stalk cells are not only spatially organized but may undergo processes that induce a certain degree of cell specialization. We also show that high agar concentration alone, although not sufficient to induce stalk formation, induces dramatic changes in a colony's morphology. Most striking among the agar effects is the induction of growth into the agar, forming peg-like structures. Colonies grown on 4% agar or higher are reminiscent of stalks in some aspects. The agar concentration effects are mediated in part by the Ras pathway and are related to the invasive-growth phenomenon.


A growing focus on the use of coordination polymers for active device applications motivates the search for candidate materials with integrated and optimized charge transport modes. We show herein the synthesis of a linear coordination polymer comprised of Mo2(INA)4 (INA = isonicotinate) metal–organic clusters. Single-crystal X-ray structure determination shows that this cluster crystallizes into one-dimensional molecular chains, whose INA-linked Mo2 cores engage in alternate axial and equatorial binding motifs along the chain axis. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra, absorption spectra, and density functional theory calculations show that the aforementioned linear coordination environment significantly modifies the electronic structure of the clusters. This work expands the synthetic foundation for assembly of coordination polymers with tailorable dimensionalities and charge transport properties.


A number of dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies are known to contain a more extended, metal-poor population with a flattish velocity dispersion profile, and a more concentrated, metal-rich population with a velocity dispersion declining with radius. The two populations can be modelled with Michie–King distribution functions (DFs) in the isothermal and in the sharply truncated limits, respectively. We argue that the truncation of the metal-rich population can be traced back to the spatial distribution of the star-forming gas. Suppose δ is the exponent of the first non-constant term in the Taylor expansion of the total potential at the centre (δ= 1 for Navarro–Frenk–White or NFW haloes, δ= 2 for cored haloes). Then, we show that the ratio of the half-light radii of the populations Rδ/2h, 2/Rh, 1δ/2 must be smaller than the ratio of the line-of-sight velocity dispersions σlos, 2(Rh, 2)/σlos, 1(Rh, 1).

Specializing to the case of the Sculptor dSph, we develop a technique to fit simultaneously both populations with Michie–King DFs. This enables us to determine the mass profile of the Sculptor dSph with unprecedented accuracy in the radial range 0.2 < r < 1.2 kpc. We show that cored halo models are preferred over cusped halo models, with a likelihood ratio test rejecting NFW models at any significance level higher than 0.05 per cent. Even more worryingly, the best-fitting NFW models require concentrations with c ≲ 20, which is not in the cosmologically preferred range for dwarf galaxies. We conclude that the kinematics of multiple populations in dSphs provides a substantial new challenge for theories of galaxy formation, with the weight of available evidence strongly against dark matter cusps at the centre.


The goal of the present research was to examine how approach relationship goals shape shared activity planning and engagement. In a two-part study, 135 primarily dating participants planned a date to engage in with their partner, and were instructed to engage in the date during the next six days. One week later, participants completed a follow-up questionnaire about their enacted date. People higher in approach goals engaged in shared activities that were significantly more self-expanding, and desired to participate in these activities more frequently in their relationship. Thus, people higher in approach goals are more dedicated and committed to the dates that they engage in, believe their partner will be interested in these dates, and have a greater desire to participate in future self-expanding dates. These findings suggest that people higher in approach goals are more adept at planning growth-enhancing time with their partners.


The poultry industry has the most formal employment in the region of Santander, Colombia and presents different challenges, especially in the energy part, because the prices of energy and fuels have high prices; In addition to this, it is a generator of residual sludge, especially in the processes of slaughtering birds for national consumption and export. This study shows the possibilities of the energetic use of residual sludge, by means of the implementation of an anaerobic bioreactor, which can generate biogas with high concentrations of methane, which can be used in boilers and other industrial uses. This study analyses the flow of waste sludge from a slaughterhouse of chickens in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area, which slaughters sixty thousand chickens a day and has a wastewater treatment plant that operates with coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and filtering using ferric chloride; According to the sludge flow, the bioreactor is designed and an operative simulation is made with the LabVIEW software, which allows to determine all the electronic control devices of the bioreactor, which will allow to maintain a constant temperature, a control on the income and expenses of the bioreactor and an operation very similar to reality, taking into account that this residual sludge has already been characterized and tested in a laboratory pilot reactor at the University of Santander. This work deals with the implementation of an exploitation of biogas, derived from the microbiological activity of anaerobic microorganisms, to supply part of the fuel necessary for chicken slaughtering operations, besides this is a technological option for this industrial sector. The entire food industry in Santander, Colombia, has problems with sludge from wastewater treatment plants, but the use of this biologically derived fuel as part of its energy consumption has not been seriously explored. The methodology addressed gives us a clear vision of the true possibilities of the use of biogas in Colombia, because if you have different sources, but have not implemented plants that produce biogas for industrial use.


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Abstract Annual hybridization is taking place between representatives of the parthenogenetic lizard Cnemidophorus tesselatus (2n = 46, 47) and males of the bisexual species C. tigris marmoratus (2n = 46) in desert grassland habitats at Arroyo del Macho, Chaves County, New Mexico. This raises the question of whether a new triploid parthenogenetic species may be originating as a consequence of this activity. Hybrids were collected in each of four years (1996–1999), and 20 of 21 hybrids collected (12 males and 8 females) were available for study. Although a triploid parthenogenetic species (Cnemidophorus exsanguis 3n = 69) and a diploid bisexual species (C. inornatus 2n = 46) were also found at the hybridization site, the genealogy of the hybrids was determined unequivocally with karyotypic and electrophoretic evidence (34 loci tested). The specimens examined electrophoretically included an adult female and one of her laboratory-reared daughters, which demonstrated for the first time clonal inheritance in C. tesselatus pattern class E. The population of C. tesselatus at Arroyo del Macho is characterized by two karyotypic cytotypes. The ancestral one (2n = 46) occurs at about half the frequency of the derived cytotype (2n = 47), which apparently was produced by centric fission of the ancestral X-chromosome from C. tigris In contrast, the occurrence of the two cytotypes was reversed and strongly asymmetrical in the hybrids; only one of nine hybrids possessed the fissioned X-chromosome. This individual was significantly different in 12 meristic characters from the sample of hybrids with intact X-chromosomes. Predictably, principal components scores for this individual fell outside the 95% confidence ellipse of scores of the other eight hybrids that were karyotyped. The skewed ratio and multiple phenotypic differences suggest that hybrids inheriting a fissioned X-chromosome might be at a selective disadvantage compared to hybrids with intact X-chromosomes. All 20 hybrids closely resemble C. tesselatus in most color pattern features. However, these hybrids, like C. tigris marmoratus lack lateral stripes. Because the population of C. tesselatus at Arroyo del Macho has lateral stripes (or their remnants), hybrids can be readily distinguished from C. tesselatus by this color pattern feature. Compared to the two parental species, hybrids had a significantly lower mean number of scales around midbody, but hybrids resembled either C. tesselatus or C. tigris marmoratus in other univariate meristic characters. This mosaic pattern of resemblance was simplified to a three-dimensional depiction of variation using principal components analysis. Each of two principal components expressed the resemblance of hybrids to one of the two parental species. A third component reflected the difference between hybrids and both parental species. A canonical variate analysis of meristic characters demonstrated the multivariate distinctiveness of each group—hybrids, C. tesselatus and C. tigris marmoratus However, based on Mahalanobis D2 distances, the closest morphological resemblance among hybrids and parental species was between hybrids and the maternal species, C. tesselatus Nine additional museum specimens, suspected of being C. tesselatus × C. tigris marmoratus hybrids, were identified, as such, by a canonical variate analysis using our samples of C. tesselatus, C. tigris marmoratus and hybrids from Arroyo del Macho as a priori groups. These nine individuals document hybridizations between C. tesselatus and C. tigris marmoratus at two additional localities in Chaves County, New Mexico, two localities in Sierra County, New Mexico, and a cluster of sites near Presidio, Presidio County, Texas. Previously, several of these hybrids had been misidentified as male C. tesselatus The reproductive systems of female and male hybrids were compared histologically to those of C. tesselatus and C. tigris marmoratus respectively. Sexually mature and reproductive adults of C. tesselatus usually have oocytes in the ovary, complete and well-organized ovarian follicle walls, inconspicuous connective tissue and fewer vacuoles in the well-vascularized ovary, the distal oviduct with a thin mucosa, well-developed alveolar glands restricted to the middle oviduct, a proximal oviduct with a thick mucosa and well-developed folds, and small mesonephric tubules. Female hybrids have a poorly defined follicular epithelium with little vascularization in small ovaries, empty or fluid-filled follicles without oocytes, few or no cilia in the middle oviduct, and numerous abnormally large mesonephric tubules. There is no evidence that Cnemidophorus tesselatus × C. tigris marmoratus females can produce viable and fertile eggs. Although hybrid males are capable of producing sperm that appear normal and were present in the epididymides, the allotriploid chromosome complement reduces the chance that sperm would carry genetically balanced sets of information. Although the annual production of hybrids could affect the long-term success of this local population of C. tesselatus two lines of evidence indicate that hybridization is unlikely to result in its extirpation. First, the population of C. tigris marmoratus at Arroyo del Macho is tightly associated with a microhabitat dominated by creosote bush. Because creosote bush is distributed there in small, widely scattered patches, the density of C. tigris marmoratus is relatively low, and many individuals of C. tesselatus escape insemination. This was evident from an absence of sperm in the reproductive tracts of 11 individuals of C. tesselatus collected during the peak reproductive season (May and June) of three different years. Second, reproductively mature individuals of C. tesselatus are significantly larger than comparable females of C. tigris marmoratus This translates into larger clutches, with the mean clutch size of C. tesselatus being twice as large as that of C. tigris marmoratus The disparity in mean clutch size in conjunction with habitat constraints on C. tigris marmoratus probably explains why C. tesselatus outnumbers both C. tigris marmoratus and hybrids by a ratio of approximately 2:1 at the hybridization site. Although hybridization between C. tesselatus and C. tigris marmoratus appears to be an annual event at Arroyo del Macho, there is no evidence that a new triploid parthenogenetic species is resulting from this hybridization activity—all female hybrids examined were sterile. Nevertheless, the hybridization taking place at Arroyo del Macho is a remarkable natural experiment in progress, with either evolutionary alternative—speciation vs. destabilizing hybridization—adding to an understanding of the dynamics between parthenogenetic and bisexual species in sympatric associations.