OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of myogenic stem cells on contractile function of the external anal sphincter after transection with or without repair in an animal model. METHODS: One hundred twenty virginal female rats were randomly assinged to repair (n=60) or no repair (n=60) after anal sphincter transection. Animals were further divided into two groups: 40-microliter injection at the transection site with either phosphate-buffered solution (control) or myogenic stem cells (3.2×106 cells). Animals were killed at 7, 21, or 90 days, and the anal sphincter complex dissected and analyzed for contractile function. RESULTS: Contractile function of the external anal sphincter was severely impaired 7 days after sphincter transection with or without repair. Twitch tension, maximal tetanic contraction, and maximal contractile force in response to electrical field stimulation improved significantly with time after sphincter repair. Injection of myogenic stem cells in the anal sphincter at the time of repair resulted in superior contractile function at both 7 days and 90 days compared with controls. Interestingly, contractile function of the nonrepaired external anal sphincter did not improve with time with or without myogenic stem cells. Indicators of denervation (fatigue and twitch or tetany ratios) did not change among groups. CONCLUSION: In this animal model, injection of myogenic stem cells at the time of external anal sphincter repair resulted in enhanced contractile function at 90 days compared with repair alone. Without repair, function of the external anal sphincter was not improved by stem cell therapy at any time point. These results suggest that addition of myogenic stem cells improves both acute and long-term function of the external anal sphincter after mechanical injury.


A distributed, serotonergically innervated neural system comprising extrastriate cortex, amygdala and ventral prefrontal cortex is critical for identification of socially relevant emotive stimuli. The extent to which a genetic variation of serotonin transporter gene 5‐HTTLPR impacts functional connectivity between the amygdala and the other components of this neural system remains little examined. In our study, neural activity was measured using event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging in 29 right‐handed, white Caucasian healthy subjects as they viewed mild or prototypical fearful and neutral facial expressions. 5‐HTTLPR genotype was classified as homozygous for the short allele (S/S), homozygous for the long allele (L/L) or heterozygous (S/L). S/S showed greater activity than L/L within right fusiform gyrus (FG) to prototypically fearful faces. To these fearful faces, S/S more than other genotype subgroups showed significantly greater positive functional connectivity between right amygdala and FG and between right FG and right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC). There was a positive association between measure of psychoticism and degree of functional connectivity between right FG and right VLPFC in response to prototypically fearful faces. Our data are the first to show that genotypic variation in 5‐HTTLPR modulates both the amplitude within and the functional connectivity between different components of the visual object‐processing neural system to emotionally salient stimuli. These effects may underlie the vulnerability to mood and anxiety disorders potentially triggered by socially salient, emotional cues in individuals with the S allele of 5‐HTTLPR.


The point of departure of this work is the situation occurring in the Crau area (South-East of France). In this region, organic farmers use surface water for irrigation and excess water percolates into an aquifer that is used as a source for local residents. In contrast to the standard framework, agricultural production thus increases groundwater levels. In this paper, using a dynamic model, we derive the myopic and socially optimal food and water consumption paths. The first aim is to bring to the fore that an intervention is needed and that, in such a specific case, the environment can be protected thanks to some "good" production incentives. We then analyze the problem of coordination that can occur when two distinct local authorities - an agricultural and a water one, optimize food production and water use. In order to do so, we use an open-loop Nash game. We furthermore add into the picture environmental externalities linked with irrigation water flows that can generate amenities when they replenish wetlands or negative externalities when they induce floods.


In removable complete dentures, the occlusal vertical dimension is an important factor for patients' satisfaction with aesthetics. An excessively reduced occlusal vertical dimension is especially likely to lead to complaints about aesthetics, whereas an increased occlusal vertical dimension may lead to discomfort and a decision not to wear the complete dentures. There are various methods for determining the occlusal vertical dimension in complete dentures, based on the vertical dimension in the rest position of the mandible or on phonetics. However, none of the methods have proven to be clearly superior, in terms of reliability, than the others. The assessment of the occlusal vertical dimension will become more reliable if several methods are used simultaneously. Moreover, knowledge of the characteristics of the ageing face is essential.


The use of the target language to manage a class and organise its work
represents one of the few genuinely communicative uses of the target language
in many formal foreign-language or bilingual-education teaching situations. It is
thus important that both teachers and learners understand and know how to use
the key expressions involved. These tend to be highly metaphoric (Low, 2008)
with one particularly productive conceptual metaphor involving the JOURNEY
(or TRAVEL) source domain seemingly standing out. There seems to have been
little investigation to date into whether or not learners whose first language is not
English actually understand the expressions involved in such classroom
management language. Moreover, with the recent growing interest in the area of
content-based learning, there is increasing pressure on language teachers, whose
first language is not English, to use English as their classroom management
language. Our first aim was to look at whether the acceptability judgements for
classroom management expressions offered by non-native speaking teachers of
English resembled those of native speakers, and whether these judgements
reflected corpus findings regarding the frequency of usage in spoken English. To
do this, we analysed native and non-native speaker responses to a short
questionnaire. Our second aim was to look at how non-native speakers of
English perceive the meanings of these expressions, comparing our findings to
native speaker judgements and corpus results


Inferring Interwell Connectivity from Injection and Production Data Using Frequency Domain Analysis. (May 2007) Ayse Nazli Demiroren, B.S., Istanbul Technical University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Jerry L. Jensen This project estimates interwell connectivity, a characteristic that is crucial to determine reservoir continuity while developing a waterflooding project. It tests the combination of Fourier transforms (FT's) of the flow rate data and analytical solutions from analog electrical circuits to infer the inverse diffusivity coefficient (IDC). I solved the transmission line equation analytically for 0D, 1D, and 2D resistance/capacitance (RC) network models and used those solutions to compare with the flow rate FT's to determine the diffusivity parameters. I used the analogy between the electrical response of RC networks and the fluid response of permeable reservoirs on the basis of the similarities in the governing equations. I conclude that the analogy works accurately in simple reservoirs, where the assumptions of an analytical solution are met, i.e. single-phase fluid and a homogeneous system. For two-phase liquid cases, I determined that the analogy remains applicable because we still could produce accurate interwell connectivity information. When I investigated cases with dissolved-gas production around the wellbore, however, the analogy broke down and the results were not as good as the liquid systems.


This study evaluates the reliability and cost-effectiveness of using commercial plastic-encapsulated microcircuits (PEM) in a typical military system, with a view to increasing their acceptability in military applications. The cost comparison indicates an average 6-fold decrease in cost when commercial devices are used. Assurance testing did not reveal any special problems with commercial parts. Thus, if commercial PEM were proven to be sufficiently reliable for an intended military application, large cost savings would be gained by using them instead of hermetic packages. The 4.5 sigma enhanced inspection program and the process-control methods suggested here would enhance the manufacturing yield of the PLGR (precision lightweight global positioning system receiver) by encouraging improvements in the manufacturing process while simultaneously cutting the cost of a 100% rescreen to qualify the final product. Neither the requirements assurance tests (including the step-stress test-analyze-and-fix test), nor the reliability demonstration test, nor the operational test, showed more failures than are typical for any new development, and no problems unique to PEM were observed. Thus, the use of PEM did not lead to any special problems that caused PLGR-use specifications to be violated. Complete failure analysis of the isolated parts is in progress, and the results will help to understand the specific reliability issues involved with the use of PEM in military systems. These issues can then be addressed to improve the acceptability of such devices in future military applications.


History, Distribution, and Habitats of Algae of the Genus Dunaliella TEODORESCO (Chlorophyceae) Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Genus Dunaliella Cultivation, Growth Media, Division Rates and Applications of Dunaliella Species Cultivation of Dunaliella for High Value Compounds Pigments of Green and Red Forms of Dunaliella, and Related Chlorophytes Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Dunaliella (Chlorophyta) Acquisition and Metabolism of Inorganic Nutrients by Dunaliella Bioactive Compounds: Glycerol Production, Carotenoid Production, Fatty Acids Production Photosynthesis Energy Relationships in Dunaliella The Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Dunaliella: Growth, Development and Metabolism Chloroplast Acclimation, Photodamage and Repair Reactions of Photosystem-II in the Model Green Alga Dunaliella salina Photoacclimation and Photostasis in Dunaliella Selected Functional and Molecular Adaptations Contributing to the Exceptional Stress Tolerance of Dunaliella Salinity Tolerance and Iron Deprivation Resistance Mechanisms Revealed by Proteomic Analyzes in Dunaliella salina Carbon Dioxide Fixation by Dunaliella spp. and the Possible Use of this Genus in Carbon Dioxide Mitigation and Waste Reduction Paratransgenic Approaches to the Control of Infections of Shrimp: Prospects for Use of Dunaliella Development of Genetics and Molecular Tool Kits for Species of the Unicellular Green Alga Dunaliella (Chlorophyta) Application of the Colorless Carotenoids, Phytoene, and Phytofluene in Cosmetics, Wellness, Nutrition, and Therapeutics Biofuels from Microalgae: Review of Products, Processes and Potential, with Special Focus on Dunaliella sp. Application of Dunaliella in Atherosclerosis Utility of Dunaliella in Ecotoxicity Testing


The aim of the research was to test the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) on soybean seed germination and yield depending on specific field conditions, years of study, exposure duration and frequency. Field trial was conducted on an experimental field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, Serbia in 2010–2013. Seeds of the soybean (Glycine hispida (Moench)) medium-early cultivar ʻValjevka' were exposed to the PEMF therapy using the impulse generator and strip. Low-frequency (16, 24, 30 and 72 Hz) PEMF was used in the duration of 0, 30, 60 and 90 minutes. Research results indicate that this method can increase seed germination up to 8.00% and yield by 960.5 kg, or 21% in field conditions, which is a significant increase and a solid basis to introduce this practice, primarily in organic production with a very limited use of seed treatment preparations. However, the practice can have an inhibitory effect under an unfavourable combination of exposure duration and frequency. The obtained data were processed using the analysis of variance of three-factorial trials considering all years of study. Due to different meteorological conditions in the study years, analysis of variance was conducted for each year of study and correlations between the tested traits were examined.


Abstract
 Based on samples collected from two mountain lakes named as Lacs Paponoun located in the Cameroon Highlands (Africa), an assemblage of chrysophycean stomatocysts was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Twenty stomatocysts are reported and described following the guidelines of the International Statospore Working Group (ISWG). Eleven cysts are described as new morphotypes. The present study documents the largest assemblage of chrysophycean stomatocysts from the recent sediments in tropical Africa detected so far. Additionally, it provides new data on global diversity of chrysophycean stomatocysts.


prophylactic surgery, their prophylactic surgery decisions, risk perception, breast cancer worry and adherence to screening recommendations. The contribution of sociodemographic variables, family history and medical variables, psychological and behavioural variables und variables of counselling and the influence of the health care system are analysed in terms of their effectiveness to predict prophylactic surgery attitudes and decisions. Predictor of prophylactic surgery intentions will be described in detail.


The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting the relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and physical acceleration (PA) in daily lives of free-moving adults. In 65 subjects comprising 18 young (20 to 39 years), 26 middle-aged (40 to 59 years), and 21 elderly (≥ 60 years) subjects, ECG R-R intervals and PA data were simultaneously obtained every minute for 24 hours as the subjects went about their normal daily lives. The R-R intervals were subjected to linear frequency domain analysis, and the low frequency (LF)/high frequency (HF) and HF/(LF+HF) ratios were used as HRV indices. Lag was de ned as the time difference that gave maximum cross-correlation between the HRV parameters and PA. The proportion of subjects who exhibited no lag was signi cantly higher in young subjects, and was signi cantly lower in elderly subjects. After waking, the proportion of subjects who exhibited no lag tended to decrease in all groups. The lag between HRV and PA correlated signi cantly with psychological conditions and/or mental stress.


Sea level rise amplifies flooding from tides and storms for coastal communities around the globe. Although the characterization of these physical hazards has improved, it is people's behavior that will ultimately determine the impact on communities. This study adds to our understanding of how people may respond to various adaptation options and policies, using a household survey in New York City, New York, neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Sandy. We investigate previously overlooked factors that may influence intended household adaptive behavior, such as single-action bias, a cognitive trade-off that households make between adaptation options, whereby taking a small (and often less effective measure) may strongly discourage uptake of a more protective measure. Through a novel application of discrete choice experiments in the coastal adaptation context, we simulate plausible future conditions to assess potential adaptation under climatic and nonclimatic stressors. Our findings suggest that single-action bias plays a substantial role in intended coastal adaptation, whereby the odds of homeowners who have already implemented a modest-cost measure to insure and relocate in the future are 66% and 80% lower, respectively. The odds of homeowners to relocate are also ~1.9, ~2.2, and ~3.1 times as great if their peers relocate, nuisance flooding becomes a frequent occurrence, and property values fall substantially, respectively. We find that renters' motivation to relocate is largely driven more by external issues such as crime, gentrification, and economic security than by flood hazard.


In general relativity, the equation of motion of the spin is given by the equation of parallel transport, which is a result of the space-time geometry. Any result of the space-time geometry cannot be directly applied to gauge theory of gravity. In gauge theory of gravity, based on the viewpoint of the coupling between the spin and gravitational field, an equation of motion of the spin is deduced. In the post Newtonian approximation, it is proved that this equation gives the same result as that of the equation of parallel transport. So, in the post Newtonian approximation, gauge theory of gravity gives out the same prediction on the precession of orbiting gyroscope as that of general relativity.


Background-INDIA EBUS is a cloud-based software aimed at supporting optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes in NICU. INDIA is an acronym for Individual New-born Developmental Intervention Application which is based on the available evidence. It includes various aspects like Neurodevelopmental, Neurophysiological, Neurobehavioral, developmentally supportive and Trauma informed care, Splinting, Occupational Therapy intervention, etc., which helps in clinical assistance, interpretation and documentation for professionals. The objective of the study was to check the content validity of the INDIA EBUS. Prospective online survey was used. Methods- The professionals were contacted and a letter of request was sent to them. An online process was used to select the participants. For the online survey, 30 people were chosen using a convenient sampling method. Request letter was sent to the professionals. After that investigator briefly introduced the INDIA EBUS. Later software access was given for seven to ten days to the participant. After sending google form online recruitments of the participants, if they click to I agree as per google form, data was collected. The main inclusion criteria were that the participants had at least one year of clinical experience in the NICU. Results-INDIA EBUS uses the combination of different models aimed at neuroprotection by the multidisciplinary team in NICU and post discharge follow up as a theoretical framework. The literature review & expert-based panel supported the Content Validity of the INDIA EBUS. Content Validity Index for the Components relating to the Developmentally supportive care and neuromotor assessment was 0.87. The neurodevelopmental assessment and intervention had a CVI greater than or equal to 0.78. For the Trauma informed care, chest physiotherapy, and neurobehavioral assessment, it was below 0.50. The health care workers confirmed the understandability, completeness & credibility of the INDIA EBUS. The different stakeholders in the study considered the software would be helpful for the brain-oriented care in NICU (neuroprotection) & beneficial for neurodevelopment. Negative ratings referred to the time required for the use of data entry and the use of digital devices. Conclusion- There was substantial evidence supporting the content validity of the INDIA EBUS. Despite the substantial length & time requirement, software was considered helpful for comprehensive neurodevelopmental care in NICU. Further research on psychometric qualities, implementation and effectiveness is needed.


This paper describes a non-invasive measurement technique for the characterisation of acoustic fields generated by a commercially available 33 kHz Tonpilz transducer in fluid loaded cylindrical test cells. Firstly, a harmonic field prediction model was used to verify the experimentally measured pressure fields at various distances from the device front face under free field conditions. Next, the finite element code PZFlex was employed for the prediction of pressure field within cylindrical cell configurations. Finally, precise manipulation of the laser firing angle and position was implemented in order to compensate for the breakdown of the reconstruction procedure due to refraction at the cell walls. Results demonstrate reasonable correlation with the PZFlex predictions.


Background and Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between blood biomarkers of inflammation and lesion growth within the penumbra in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Methods The HIBISCUS-STROKE cohort enrolled patients admitted in the Lyon Stroke Center for an anterior circulation AIS treated with MT after brain MRI assessment. Lesion growth within the penumbra was assessed on day 6 MRI using a voxel-based nonlinear coregistration method and dichotomized into low and high according to the median value. C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I, soluble form suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), soluble P-selectin, vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 were measured in sera at 4 time points within the first 48 hours. Reperfusion was considered as successful if Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score was 2b/2c/3. A multiple logistic regression model was performed to detect any association between area under the curve (AUC) of these biomarkers within the first 48 hours and a high lesion growth within the penumbra. Results Ninety patients were included. The median lesion growth within the penumbra was 2.3 (0.7–6.2) mL. On multivariable analysis, a high sST2 AUC (OR 3.77, 95% CI 1.36–10.46), a high baseline DWI volume (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.32–10.12), and a lack of successful reperfusion (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04–0.92) were associated with a high lesion growth within the penumbra. When restricting analyses to patients with successful reperfusion (n = 76), a high sST2 AUC (OR 5.03, 95% CI 1.64–15.40), a high baseline DWI volume (OR 3.74, 95% CI 1.22–11.53), and a high penumbra volume (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.10–9.57) remained associated with a high lesion growth within the penumbra. Discussion High sST2 levels within the first 48 hours are associated with a high lesion growth within the penumbra.


Background
 While hypomethylating agents (HMAs) can improve cytopenias and even survival for MDS patients (pts), only 30-40% of pts respond to HMAs. Predicting response or resistance to therapy can improve pt outcomes, decrease cost and toxicities, and suggest alternative therapies when response is unlikely. No clinical or molecular model can reliability predict response or resistance to HMAs.
 We developed and validated a model to provide personalized predictions of response or resistance to HMAs during 12 weeks of treatment by monitoring changes in blood counts during therapy.
 Methods
 MDS pts treated with HMAs (azacitidine or decitabine) at Cleveland Clinic (314 pts) and the Moffit Cancer Center (100) and had their CBCs with differential monitored every 1-2 weeks in the first 12 weeks of therapy compromised the training cohort. The final model was externally validated in 80 MDS pts treated with HMAs at Sunnybrook hospital. Responses were defined per 2006 IWG criteria and pts with complete response (CR), marrow CR, partial response (PR), or hematologic improvement (HI) were considered responders.
 Time series analysis (analysis of serial changes in blood count parameters) using machine learning technology was used to develop the model, analogous to voice recognition algorithms such as Apple's Siri and Alexa, in which the sequence of words allows these algorithms to understand sentences. Changes in blood counts and monitoring the patterns of these changes during HMA therapy similarly can predict response/resistance to treatment. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of the final model. A feature importance algorithm was used to define the variables that most impacted the algorithm's decision for a given pt.
 Results
 For 494 included pts from all cohorts, the median age was 72 years (range: 40-94), 145 (29%) were female. Pts' IPSS-R scores at the time of treatment were: very low 4%; low 21%; intermediate 24%; high 21%; and very high 22%. Responses included: 56 (11%) complete remission (CR), 17 (3%) marrow CR, 6 (3%) partial remission (PR), and 143 (29%) hematologic improvement (HI).
 When trained exclusively on serial CBC values (adding other clinical or molecular values did not improve the model's performance), the model achieved an AUC of 0.82 in a cross-validated train/test schema and a similar AUC of 0.78 when it was applied to the Sunnybrook cohort.
 Feature importance algorithms identified improvements in hemoglobin from baseline between days 21-30 of therapy, improvement in platelets between days 51 and 60, changes in monocyte % between days 41 and 50, and changes in MCV and RDW between days 31 and 60 as predictors of response, Figure 1a. The model also can provide a personalized heatmap that summarizes the variables that impacted the response or resistance to HMAs and are specific for a given pt, Figure 1b, 1c.
 Conclusions
 We developed and externally validated a personalized prediction model that uses changes in blood counts during the initial 3 cycles of HMA therapy and can predict response or resistance to treatment with high accuracy. The model can provide personalized explanations of the variables that inform a given outcome. It can be used to develop novel clinical trial designs in which pts who are predicted not to respond within 3 cycles of HMA therapy can receive an investigational agent in addition to continuing HMA or change treatment entirely, whereas patients who are predicted to respond continue to receive HMA monotherapy.

 Sallman: Agios, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celyad Oncology, Incyte, Intellia Therapeutics, Kite Pharma, Novartis, Syndax: Consultancy; Celgene, Jazz Pharma: Research Funding. Buckstein:Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Astex: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Brunner:Forty Seven, Inc: Consultancy; Biogen: Consultancy; Acceleron Pharma Inc.: Consultancy; Jazz Pharma: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Xcenda: Consultancy; GSK: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding. Mukherjee:Celgene/Acceleron: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squib: Honoraria; Partnership for Health Analytic Research, LLC (PHAR, LLC): Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; EUSA Pharma: Consultancy. Komrokji:Abbvie: Honoraria; Agios: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria; Acceleron: Honoraria; Geron: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Maciejewski:Novartis, Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Alexion, BMS: Speakers Bureau. Sekeres:BMS: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Takeda/Millenium: Consultancy. Nazha:Jazz: Research Funding; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; MEI: Other: Data monitoring Committee.


BACKGROUND
Quantifying qualitative data as part of mixed-methods research (MMR) can add to the study results' analysis. Comparable results may reinforce the conclusions, while differences hold an opportunity for an in-depth discussion. To date, there is little guidance for researchers seeking to quantify their qualitative data.

OBJECTIVES
Describing conversion of qualitative data to quantitative values, comparison with matched questionnaire results, discussing the benefits of this process and the matched MMR design.

METHODS
We describe in detail how qualitative data from 46 interviews were converted into quantitative values (i.e., quantitative-qualitative values, QQVs) using MMR design, enabling a comparison of results from interviews and questionnaires obtained from the same participants. This process was embedded in a larger MMR study on family-caregivers caring for people-with-end-stage-dementia conducted between the years 2020-2021.

RESULTS
A QQV was generated for three main themes and compared to the questionnaires' scores regarding the same topics. There were no significant differences between the scores regarding 'satisfaction with nurses and physicians care', and 'discussion with nurses and physicians about end-of-life care'. However, for 'burden', the QQV score was significantly higher than the questionnaires' score.

DISCUSSION
We described how to use a matched MMR design to produce and compare QQV from interviews with questionnaire scores. This methodology may allow further valuable discussion if the results are either similar or not, and for better integration and easier presentation of the results. Comparable results can reinforce the conclusions from both parts of the MMR study, while differences hold an opportunity for an in-depth discussion regarding their meaning and context. Although we claim that this methodology can be embedded in the MMR structure and contribute significantly to the discussion's depth, it by no means replaces the traditional MMR design.

PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
No patient or public contribution.


The lateritic weathering crusts exposed in Siruka, Choiseul Islands, Solomon Islands, were developed on the expense of serpentinized peridotite underlain by Siruka schists and Voza lavas with a subhorizontal contact. The lateritic profiles consist of three generalized zones: bedrock, saprolitic zone (weathered and decomposed zone) and the limonitic zones. The profiles demonstrate variations in depths and continuity but illustrate mineralogy and geochemical affinity down profile and are analogous to saprolitic nickel laterite deposits. Silica and magnesia in the bed rock and the saprolitic zones have been removed and only the residual elements (iron, chromium, aluminium, manganese, cobalt and nickel) remain in the limonitic zone. These elements are relatively concentrated as a result of the removal of the soluble elements. Nickel is associated with silica and magnesia, as lizardite ormixed gels (garnierite nickel ore) at the weathering fronts. On the other hand, nickel, with generally low concentrations (<2% NiO), is also hosted by several secondary mineral phases (goethite and Mn-oxyhydroxides locally) as residuals in the surface limonitic zone. Cobalt, on the other hand, is generally of higher grade (up to 0.9% CoO) and is associated with cryptocrystalline and crystalline manganese-oxyhydroxides. Cobalt and manganese are concentrated in the limonitic part of the profiles (~3-7m depth) of which are poorly protected against erosion. The behavior of nickel is different from that of cobalt and manganese as its relative mobility is a little higher than them. Nickel is suggested to have been leached out of the limonitic concretions, where it is first concentrated with cobalt and manganese, and migrates to the bottom part of the profiles. Significant supergene nickel enrichment occurring in the saprolitic zone indicated that water had percolated downward to a very low water table at depth during weathering. The structure and mineralogy of the weathering profile is consistent with the alternating wet and dry periods of the studied area.

Keywords: Siruka ultramafic rocks, laterization, Choiseul-Solomon Islands


The effect of initial frequency chirp is numerically investigated to obtain high-efficient supercontinuum radiation in photonic crystal fibers with two closely spaced zero-dispersion wavelengths. Our results show that the positive chirp can significantly improve the probability of energy transferred from the soliton to the dispersive wave. And with the increase of the chirp, the energy increases obviously. At the same time, the intensity of the dispersive wave is proportional to the chirp value. Especially, solitons will not appear when the chirp value exceeds 3.9. Therefore, choosing an appropriate positive chirp, we can regulate the energy of the dispersive wave and solitons in photonic crystal fibers.


Periodic structures that vary spatially in coupling strength, period, and gain/loss are analyzed using a perturbation technique to determine their response as Bragg reflectors or filters. A formula for the response, accurate to first order in the perturbation, is given. Results obtained by evaluating the formula are presented graphically. It is also shown analytically that antisymmetric variations in coupling and/or periodicity have a negligible effect on response (to first order) when neither gain nor loss is present.


Abstract Export restrictions imposed on various food products and natural resources have been subject to extensive public attention. Most recently, China's restrictions of its exports of certain minerals and rare earth metals have led to heated debates. The United States (US), European Union (EU), and Mexico have already filed a WTO dispute case against China on this matter. This paper describes the policy objectives and the global welfare implications of export restrictions. It summarizes the relevant WTO regulation, and offers a detailed analysis of the China–Raw Materials case which is before the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB). It argues that although export restrictions is arguably an area of 'under-regulation' or 'regulatory deficiency' in the WTO law, it is strongly biased against the late accession Members, including China. Yet, the way that China institutes its export restrictions raises serious questions about its role in the multilateral trading system, which it relies on for its economic prosperity. Hence, this is an area where China is likely to feel the implications of its so-called 'WTO-plus' commitments on its domestic and trade policies.


We propose an efficient service management technique that enhances the quality of experience (QoE) of 4G users by enabling them to locate the best available network service provider (NSP) among many existing NSPs. We also propose a practical method that 4G users can use to implement the proposed technique in a purely distributed manner. Using simulations, we show that the proposed technique i) increases network service availability by allowing 4G users to quickly find available NSPs, ii) are very scalable by performing well regardless of the number of users in the system, and iii) are implementable in decentralized fashion by relying on information that can be observed locally and without any cooperation.


The present research study aimed to describe the nature of peer-feedback in a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) offered by a German University. The MOOC was team-based, it offered the support of different actors, and allowed learners to participate in two different roles: students or supporters. Considering participants' diversity and voluntary participation in the MOOC, three aspects of feedback were explored: 1) the quantity and quality of feedback provided throughout the course; 2) the feedback provided by students and supporters; and 3) the feedback provided by females and males in their roles as students and supporters. For this purpose, the method of content analysis and a regression model with a Poisson distribution were employed. Findings from the research study indicate a positive trend in the quantity of peer-feedback provided throughout the course, a constant use of those types of feedback expected to support the formative function of assessment, and an alternate use in other types of feedback identified as quality feedback. A statistically significant difference could be established between both roles. Supporters used a set of types of feedback more often than students. Finally, although no statistically significant differences could be established between both genders, differences could be established in relation to the types of feedback used in the role they had performed. The study concludes that the purpose and value of assessment were not threatened by the peer-feedback offered by its participants, despite their diversity and voluntary participation. Additionally, it recommends to present assessment criteria principally as a suggestion. Lastly, it encourages researchers on the field to inquire into a) mechanisms that motivate learners to engage in the voluntary activity of peer-assessment, thereby contributing to a sustainable participation throughout a complete course; and b) understanding participants' commonalities, needs and expectations by analysing the feedback they provide.


Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid extra-cranial malignancy of childhood and is responsible for approximately 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths. AIM: The purpose of this report is to provide and analyze specific epidemiologic data regarding the frequency, demographics, age and stage of the disease at diagnostic, treatment methods and outcomes of the treatment of NB in Romania over a 3 years period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this purpose, we inquired the database of the National School of Public Health, Management and Professional Development using specific principal diagnosis codes, for NB tumors. RESULTS: 623 cases with NB were reported in Romania in a 3 years period (2007-2009). The sex ratio of M: F 1.1: 1. In the majority of the cases (67%), the tumor origin was the adrenal gland. Only in 31 patients a surgical procedure was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: NB is an aggressive tumor with high incidence in the 1-6 years age group and with equal sex distribution. Currently there is a high rate of hospital admission/ patient with a median hospital stay of 5 days. Only in approximately 10% of the patients, the tumor is resected, meaning a complete cure of the disease. We consider that the current medical system for diagnosis and treatment of NB must be improved and, is our believe the way for this is to concentrate the resources in fewer but more specialized medical centers for diagnosis and treatment of NB. Keywords: neuroblastoma, epidemiology, treatment methods, outcomes


The dynamic model of a Four Control Moment Gyroscope (4-CMG) is traditionally obtained after computing the derivative of the angular momentum equation. Although this approach leads to a simple dynamic model, new models have been introduced due to terms not taken into account during the computation of the angular momentum equation. In this paper, a new dynamic model for a 4-CMG based on the Newton-Euler algorithm, which is well accepted in Robotics, was developed. This new approach produces a complete dynamic model.


In this study operating characteristics of a compression-ignition engine using mixtures of ammonia and dimethyl ether (DME) are investigated. Ammonia can be regarded as a carbon-free fuel that can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Ammonia is one of the world's most synthesized chemicals and its infrastructure is well established. Recent technological advances also show that ammonia can be produced from renewable resources, making it an attractive energy carrier. In the present study, a high-pressure mixing system is developed to blending liquid ammonia with DME that serves to initiate combustion. The engine uses a modified injection system without fuel return to prevent fuel mixture from vaporizing in the return line. Results using different mixture quantities of ammonia and DME show that ammonia causes longer ignition delays and limits the engine load conditions due to its high autoignition temperature and low flame speed. The inclusion of ammonia in the fuel mixture also decreases combustion temperature, resulting in higher CO and HC emissions. NOx emissions increase due to the formation of fuel NOx when ammonia is used. However, improvements for the same operating conditions were made by increasing the injection pressure using 40%NH3– 60%DME. Exhaust ammonia emissions is on the order of hundreds of ppm under the conditions tested. Soot emissions are extremely low for all cases. Double injection schemes using 20%NH3–80%DME are also employed and found not to extend engine performance. Its effects on the exhaust emissions vary with operating conditions.


Design thinking can be a critical facilitator of new technologies, but it is also a technology in its own right—a social technology that encourages more productive innovation conversations that are strategically valuable for dynamic capability building. By overcoming social and psychological barriers in innovation processes, design thinking accelerates progress on critical imperatives: allowing innovators at all levels to sense new opportunities; seize them by overcoming cognitive biases and aligning stakeholders; and transform and reconfigure resources. It accomplishes this through a set of well-recognized practices.


We present a method for efficient learning of control policies for multiple related robotic motor skills. Our approach consists of two stages, joint training and specialization training. During the joint training stage, a neural network policy is trained with minimal information to disambiguate the motor skills. This forces the policy to learn a common representation of the different tasks. Then, during the specialization training stage we selectively split the weights of the policy based on a per-weight metric that measures the disagreement among the multiple tasks. By splitting part of the control policy, it can be further trained to specialize to each task. To update the control policy during learning, we use Trust Region Policy Optimization with Generalized Advantage Function (TRPOGAE). We propose a modification to the gradient update stage of TRPO to better accommodate multi-task learning scenarios. We evaluate our approach on three continuous motor skill learning problems in simulation: 1) a locomotion task where three single legged robots with considerable difference in shape and size are trained to hop forward, 2) a manipulation task where three robot manipulators with different sizes and joint types are trained to reach different locations in 3D space, and 3) locomotion of a two-legged robot, whose range of motion of one leg is constrained in different ways. We compare our training method to three baselines. The first baseline uses only joint training for the policy, the second trains independent policies for each task, and the last randomly selects weights to split. We show that our approach learns more efficiently than each of the baseline methods.


Background: The postpartum period is a critical life event for women leading physical, emotional, and social changes. Postpartum quality-of-life may be affected by delivery mode. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between postpartum health related quality-of-life (HRQoL) and mode of delivery. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study, 300 women consisting of 150 vaginal deliveries (VD) and 150 cesarean sections (CS) were recruited between August 2007 and October 2008 from health centers. Stratified random sampling was performed to select 10 Health Centers in Kashan City, Iran. Physical and mental HRQoL was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire and compared between VD and CS groups 2 and 4 months after delivery. Data were analyzed by using the Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, and Chi-square test. Results: Results showed physical HRQoL at 2 months after VD was better than CS significantly; there were significant differences in the physical functioning and role physical subscales. Furthermore mental HRQoL at 4 months after VD was better than CS significantly; there were significant difference in the social function and emotional health subscales. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that VD leads to a better physical health at 2 months after delivery and mental health at 4 months after delivery. Efforts should be made to reduce CS.


The paper studies the dynamical behaviors of a recurrent neural network model consisting of three neurons with time delays through theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. The local stability of the trivial equilibrium of the network is analyzed and the sufficient conditions of the existence of Hopf bifurcation are given by discussing the associated characteristic equation. The direction and stability of the bifurcated periodic oscillations arising from Hopf bifurcation, which depend on the nonlinear terms of the network, are determined by means of the normal form and the center manifold theorem. Afterwards, numerical examples are performed to validate the theoretical analysis. The case studies of numerical simulations reach nice agreement with the theoretical results.


We consider the multicast scheduling problem in the heterogeneous network using a half-duplex relay station (RS). Our goal is to minimize the delay of transmitting a block of packets to users over time-varying channels using rateless codes. Due to half-duplex operation, at each time slot, the RS can choose to either multicast a packet to the users, or fetch a packet from the macro base station. We formulate a fluid relaxation for the optimal decision problem, and reveal that the optimal policy has a threshold-based structure so as to exploit the opportunism of multicast channel: the RS should multicast only when the channel quality is sufficiently "high". We propose an online policy based on the relaxation which does not require the knowledge of channel distribution. When the channel distribution is symmetric across users, we provide a closed-form expression of the asymptotic performance of our policy. For two-user systems, we prove that our scheme is asymptotically optimal. When the users' channels are independent, we derive a performance bound based on water-filling rate allocation which approximates the optimal policy well. Simulation results show that our scheme performs close to theoretical bounds, under correlated as well as independent fading channels.


Background: Shewanella spp. are gram-negative bacteria, saprophytes, and rarely pathogenic. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the well-known yeast used for fermentation in industry and molecular biology for research. In humans, it is a very rare pathogen which colonizes the digestive tract, and its utility has been linked to the treatment and prevention of diarrhea associated with Clostridium difficile. Case Report: A 27-year-old male, victim of aggressive, blunt trauma with a 4-day history of symptoms was admitted to our surgery unit. Abdominal sonography revealed peritoneal fluid in all spaces with fibrin. We performed laparotomy and observed perforations on the ileum and general peritonitis with pus. Following surgery, patient was admitted to the intensive care unit with septic shock. The antibiogram from the peritoneal liquid revealed S. putrefaciens and S. cerevisiae. Conclusion: Although very rare, S. putrefaciens and S. cerevisiae may colonize in the peritoneum after blunt abdominal trauma.


The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system is involved in the rewarding process of drugs of abuse and is activated during the anticipation of drug availability. However, the neurocircuitry that regulates ethanol (EtOH)-seeking has not been adequately investigated. The objectives of the present study were to determine 1) whether the posterior ventral tegmental area (p-VTA) mediates EtOH-seeking, 2) whether microinjections of EtOH into the p-VTA could stimulate EtOH-seeking, and (3) the involvement of p-VTA DA neurons in EtOH-seeking. Alcohol-preferring rats were trained to self-administer 15% EtOH and water. After 10 weeks, rats underwent extinction training, followed by 2 weeks in their home cages. During the home-cage period, rats were then bilaterally implanted with guide cannulae aimed at the p-VTA or anterior ventral tegmental area (a-VTA). EtOH-seeking was assessed by the Pavlovian spontaneous recovery model. Separate experiments examined the effects of: 1) microinjection of quinpirole into the p-VTA, 2) EtOH microinjected into the p-VTA, 3) coadministration of EtOH and quinpirole into the p-VTA, 4) microinjection of quinpirole into the a-VTA, and 5) microinjection of EtOH into the a-VTA. Quinpirole microinjected into the p-VTA reduced EtOH-seeking. Microinjections of EtOH into the p-VTA increased EtOH-seeking. Pretreatment with both quinpirole and EtOH into the p-VTA reduced EtOH-seeking. Microinjections of quinpirole or EtOH into the a-VTA did not alter EtOH-seeking. Overall, the results suggest that the p-VTA is a neuroanatomical substrate mediating alcohol-seeking behavior and that activation of local DA neurons is involved.


We show the initial results of our three-dimensional MHD simulations of the flow of the Galactic atmosphere as it responds to a spiral perturbation in the potential. In our standard case, as the gas approaches the arm, there is a downward converging flow that terminates in a complex of shocks just ahead of the midplane density peak. The density maximum slants forward at high z, preceded by a similarly leaning shock. The latter diverts the flow upward and over the arm, as in a hydraulic jump. Behind the gaseous arm, the flow falls again, generating further secondary shocks as it approaches the lower z material. In cases with two arms in the perturbing potential, the gaseous arms tends to lie somewhat downstream of the potential minimum. In the four-arm case, this is true at large r or early evolution times. At smaller r, the gaseous arms follow a tighter spiral, crossing the potential maximum and fragmenting into sections arranged on average to follow the potential spiral. Structures similar to the high-z part of the gaseous arms are found in the interarm region of our two-arm case, while broken arms and low column density bridges are present in the four-arm case. Greater structure is expected when we include cooling of denser regions. We present three examples of what can be learned from these models. We compare the velocity field with that of purely circular rotation and find that an observer inside the Galaxy should see radial velocity deviations typically greater than 20 km s-1. Synthetic spectra, vertical from the midplane, show features at velocities ≈-20 km s-1, which do not correspond to actual density concentrations. Placing the simulated observer outside the Galaxy, we find velocity structure and arm corrugation similar to those observed in Hα in NGC 5427.


Behavioral responses to social challenges like territorial intrusion occur in widely diverging species. Recent work has suggested that evolutionary "toolkits" – genes and pathways with lineage-specific variations but deep conservation of function – participate in the behavioral response to social challenge. Here, we studied this toolkit at scale by probing brain transcriptomic responses to social challenge in three distantly related species: honey bees, mice, and three-spined stickleback fish. We aggregated multi-species RNA-seq expression data from specific brain regions and time points after social challenge, achieving spatio-temporal resolution substantially greater than previous work. We conducted sequencing in parallel across species, allowing fair comparison of responses. Because of our complex study design, we developed new comparative analytical methods – including a new cross-species network analysis algorithm. We identified six orthogroups of genes involved in a conserved response to social challenge, including groups represented by Npas4 and Nr4a1, as well as conserved modulation of gene systems such as transcriptional regulators, ion channels, G-protein coupled receptors, and synaptic proteins. We identified two deeply conserved gene modules enriched in mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism and heat shock proteins. Our analysis of this multi-species spatio-temporal expression dataset spanning phyla describes a system wherein nuclear receptors, interacting with chaperones, induce transcriptional changes in mitochondrial activity, neural cytoarchitecture, and synaptic transmission. These data provide support for the hypothesis that core genes and gene sets conserved across animal species have been repeatedly co-opted during evolution of analogous behaviors and may therefore be considered essential toolkits of response to social challenge.


In this study I explore the emergence in Patrick White of a myth which embodies the primal concerns of human beings, as opposed to the artificial, merely habitual or conventional, I argue that in this process he returns us to religious imperatives. I show how Australia is the setting for this myth and is charged with a special imaginative importance. White's quest is seen as an attempt to make new or revivify perceptions in an environment uncongenial to over-domestication and which relativizes artificial attempts at order and system. This leads me to examine White's treatment of art and iconoclasm; and I look at the theme of sacrifice in his work, as that which strips away in order to reconstitute afresh. I devote a chapter to the 'crucifixion' scene in White's novel Riders in the Chariot, trying to point to a redemptive stability underlying White's work and suggested by this novel. In conclusion, I briefly place White's work within the context of a post-modern world.


The focus of this book is to investigate solutions that, when implemented in any heterogeneous wireless network, shall enhance the existing standard without impacting the standard or changing the wireless transceiver's functions. Thus achieving efficient interoperability at much reduced overheads. The techniques proposed in this research are centred on the lower layers. This because of the facts that WiMax and WiFi standards have not addressed the backward compatibility of the two technologies at the MAC and PHY layers for the baseband functions.

The proposed technique is to combine WiMax and WiFi signals so to utilise the same "baseband implementation chain" to handle both of these technologies, thus insuring ubiquitous data communication. WiMax-WiFi Baseband Convergence (W2BC) implementation is proposed to offer an optimum configurable solution targeted at combining the 802.16d WiMax and the 802.11a,n WiFi technologies. This approach provides a fertile ground for future work into combining more OFDM based wireless technologies. Based on analysis and simulation, the W2BC can achieve saving in device cost, size, power consumption and implementation complexity when compared to current side-by-side implementations for these two technologies.


The socio-economic reforms implemented since 1989 have highlighted the economic, social and civilizational weakness of rural areas. The presence of economically weak areas translates into differences in intraregional what is contrary to the principle of consistency. In response to these challenges was the introduction of a new instrument of local development of Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI). ITI are the result of selection by the EU " top-down" approach to local development. As the research conducted in the area of Walbrzych Agglomaration, ITI may be an instrument that can support the development of rural areas. The positive effect of the introduction of the ITI, may be greater integration of comminities and joint investment policy. Such action may limit the costs of the communities and contribute to the optimization of the investment policy.


The aim of present study was to optimize the radiation dose for maximum reduction of aflatoxin content by varying the distance between the contaminated peanut samples and the UV-C light source and duration of exposure to UV-C light. Studies were also undertaken to evaluate the effect of UV-C exposure on the various quality parameters of peanuts. Two different studies were conducted in a sterilized wooden box fitted with a 15 W UV-C tube in the centre at the top of the box, where the contaminated samples were placed at a distance of 15 cm and 30 cm respectively from the UV-C light source. The duration of the exposure was varied from 2 h to 12 h. The fungicidal activity of UV-C radiation was found to be more pronounced in peanuts exposed at a distance of 15 cm. Maximum reduction of aflatoxin concentration in both the studies was found after 10 h of exposure. In the studies, conducted at a distance of 15 cm, aflatoxin concentration reduced to 99.1 % (350 ppb to 3 ppb) with decrease in fungal count to < 10 cfug-1and at a distance of 30 cm, reduction of 97.4% (350 ppb to 9 ppb) of the aflatoxin content with< 10 cfug-1 of fungal count was observed. However, the quality parameters including nutritional values and physico-chemical parameters of peanuts remained relatively unaffected (within the national and international regulatory limits). The present study thus provides a validated practical method of using UV-C irradiation to reduce aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, intended to be used for the purpose of food and feed.


'Inclusion is a process of identifying, understanding and breaking down barriers to participation and belonging.' - Early Childhood Forum (2003)


This paper seeks to carry out the design of a pelleting machine with a capacity of 900kg per hour for the Company X. Apparently the boilers at the plant are using wood chips, a by-product from the milling operations as their source of fuel but off late the plant has been experiencing a serious fuel shortage. The fuel crisis emanated from low plant availability caused by old and dilapidated machinery. Major breakdowns that brings the plant to a halt for long hours are abrupt and rampant and during that time no wood chips are produced resulting in a fuel shortage. Following this fuel shortage the boiler operators have resorted to rationing the fuel input into the boiler as it has to run continuously regardless of whether the plant is moving or not. This rationing has resulted in poor boiler performance and low efficiency which has in turn affected the timber drying kilns. The boilers are producing poor quality steam which has had the effect of doubling the timber drying cycles. As a result of doubled timber drying cycles half of the timber produced is sold as wet off sawn at a relatively low price which is a loss to the company. The management and the engineering team in a bid to do away with this problem proposed the use of sawdust as additional boiler fuel. After a consideration of the type of boiler fire grates at the plant it was found that raw sawdust cannot be used as it has a tendency of choking the grates blowing out combustion so it has to be pelletized. With this problem at hand this project zeroed in at the design and development of a pelleting machine that will specifically meet the pellets need at the wattle company. Literature review was done on several types of pelleting machines' operating mechanisms and from this literature three possible concepts were generated. These concepts were evaluated and the best was chosen and developed into a finished design ready for fabrication with all working drawings available for each component. The machine was designed with a constraint budget of USD $10 000 and it will provide a backup and additional boiler fuel to the already being used wood chips. Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Rabat, Morocco, April 11-13, 2017 © IEOM Society International


The purpose of this paper is to propose a deterministic method for optimizing a structure with respect to its worst possible behavior when a "small" uncertainty exists over some of its features. The main idea of the method is to linearize the considered cost function with respect to the uncertain parameters, then to consider the supremum function of the obtained linear approximation, which can be rewritten as a more "classical" function of the design, owing to standard adjoint techniques from optimal control theory. The resulting "linearized worst-case" objective function turns out to be the sum of the initial cost function and of a norm of an adjoint state function, which is dual with respect to the considered norm over perturbations. This formal approach is very general, and can be justified in some special cases. In particular, it allows to address several problems of considerable importance in both parametric and shape optimization of elastic structures, in a unified framework.


Secretory conglutinin-like factor (SKF) reacts directly with an unknown surface component of some, but not all, oral gram-positive organisms. The absorption of SKF by bacteria is EDTA-sensitive and cannot be blocked with immunoglobulins. High levels of SKF in EDTA extracts of washed salivary sediment reveal the direct in vivo reaction of SKF with oral bacteria. Mixed aggregation with alexinated erythrocytes showed the SKF corresponds to the secretory bacterial aggregating factor (SBAF) for Streptococcus mutans serotype c and also that for Streptococcus mitis. These reactions represent a cross-reaction between bacteria and complement component C3. SKF/SBAF non-mucin glycoproteins and immunoglobulins possess receptors for bacterial components while mucins are passive carriers of blood group determinants.


Two methods for assessing the status of an individual rainbow trout Oncorhynchus
mykiss within a group hierarchy, radiographic determination of individual food intake
and analysis of brain serotonergic activity, were compared. The results showed that
individual food intake, measured as the average share of the group meal, and brain
serotonergic activity, measured as brain levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)
or as 5-HIAA/5-HT (serotonin) ratios, were inversely correlated with each other,
suggesting that both methods could be used as indicators of the position of the rainbow
trout in a dominance hierarchy. In addition, specific growth rate correlated significantly
with brain 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios.
The results indicate that the increase in brain 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios in subordinate
individuals is caused by an increased use (release) of 5-HT in these fish, and not by an
increase in the level of tryptophan, the amino acid precursor of 5-HT. The relationships
between social rank, food intake, growth, stress and brain serotonergic activity of fish in a
social hierarchy are discussed.


For decades, the 'make-believe' world of Bollywood has created elaborate imaginaries of India. A sizable part of its audience consists of diasporic communities, who not only consume Bollywood movies for entertainment but also as a way to stay connected with their Indian heritage. This study closely looks at one such diasporic community, namely the Dutch Hindustanis, investigating how Bollywood cinema affects their image of India, and how influential Bollywood cinema is in influencing their travel decisions to India. In-depth interviews indicate that Bollywood is a dominant cultural source for defining the respondents' relationship with India. Moreover, the repeated consumption of Bollywood cinema stirs the desire to actually travel to India, seldom in search of 'home', but to visit sites associated with multiple Bollywood movies. Bollywood cinema being from their 'distant homeland' also incentivizes their travels to India thereby making it a meaningful experience. This study contributes to film (and) tourism research by introducing the concept of 'cinematic itinerary' to refer to these comprehensive film tourism practices.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a paradigmatic foundation for educators to prepare students of management accounting for the new demands of the role of trusted business partner in practice.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper argues for the use of pragmatic constructivism as a basis for development of a paradigmatic foundation for educating advanced students of management accounting. Furthermore, it contains an empirical insight through a case example of how pragmatic constructivism can be used as a pedagogical tool in different management accounting educational situations.

Findings
The analysis shows how pragmatic constructivism can be used as a less reductionist paradigm than realism to tackle the research-teaching-practice deficiencies found in conventional thinking on accounting education. Pragmatic constructivism is shown to provide important methodological and conceptual elements in developing, understanding and guiding the application of management accounting techniques in dynamic business practices. Placing an emphasis on teaching methodological skills relevant for management accountants is shown to have an important impact on students and their ability to act as business partners.

Research limitations/implications
The analysis is exploratory in the sense that a new paradigmatic framework for educating students of management accounting to be business partners is outlined and illustrated through its implementation in a specific master's degree programme. However, this analysis should be viewed as only a first step towards developing pragmatic constructivism as a paradigmatic foundation for teaching management accounting as a basis for a business partner role.

Originality/value
The proposed use of research on pragmatic constructivism as a basis for management accounting education to support a future business partner role is novel in the literature on management accounting. The value of its application lies in its potential to create successful utilisation of the practices of management accounting.


Order-revealing encryption is a useful cryptographic primitive that provides range queries on encrypted data since anyone can compare the order of plaintexts by running a public comparison algorithm. Most studies on order-revealing encryption focus only on comparing ciphertexts generated by a single client, and there is no study on comparing ciphertexts generated by multiple clients. In this paper, we propose the concept of multi-client order-revealing encryption that supports comparisons not only on ciphertexts generated by one client but also on ciphertexts generated by multiple clients. We also define a simulation-based security model for the multi-client order-revealing encryption. The security model is defined with respect to the leakage function which quantifies how much information is leaked from the scheme. Next, we present two specific multi-client order-revealing encryption schemes with different leakage functions in bilinear maps and prove their security in the random oracle model. Finally, we give the implementation of the proposed schemes and suggest methods to improve the performance of ciphertext comparisons.


We have examined the ability of misonidazole (MISO) or etanidazole (ETA) to improve the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin (CDDP), hyperthermia, and radiation in the FSaIIC murine fibrosarcoma. A growth delay of about 25 days was produced with CDDP (5 mg/kg) and hyperthermia (43 degrees C, 30 min) prior to radiation (3 Gy daily for 5 days) on day 1. The addition of MISO (1 g/kg) on day 1 resulted in a tumor growth delay of about 28 days. The addition of ETA at 0.5 g/kg or 1 g/kg resulted in tumor growth delays of about 33 and 43 days, respectively. Tumor cell survival assay showed that MISO was additive with CDDP either at 37 degrees C or with hyperthermia (43 degrees C, 30 min). In contrast, ETA at both 0.5 g/kg and 1 g/kg was dose modifying over the CDDP dosage range at 37 degrees C or 43 degrees C. Analysis of tumor cell killing in Hoechst 33342 selected bright (presumably oxic) and dim (presumably hypoxic) tumor cell subpopulations demonstrated that the addition of MISO to the CDDP trimodality regimen increased killing in the dim cell subpopulation, while the addition of ETA increased tumor cell killing in both subpopulations, although the greater effect was in the dim cell subpopulation. These results indicate that ETA may add to the efficacy of the CDDP trimodality in the clinic and may be of value as a chemosensitizer with CDDP.


Abstract. Polarimetric calibration (PolCAL) of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images is a significant preprocessing for further applications. Since the reflection symmetry property of distributed objects can provide stable constraints for PolCAL. It is reasonable to extract these reference samples before calibration. The helix scattering generally appears in complex urban area and disappears for a natural scatterer, making it a good measure to extract distributed objects. In this paper, a novel technique that extracts reflecting symmetry samples is proposed by using helix scattering. The helix scattering information is calculated by Yamaguchi four-component decomposition algorithm. An adaptive threshold selection algorithm based on generalized Gaussian distribution is also utilized to scale the helix scattering components automatically, getting rid of the problem of various numerical range. The extracting results will be taken as PolCAL reference samples and the Quegan method are utilized to calibrate these PolSAR images. A C-band airborne PolSAR data was taken as examples to evaluate its ability in improving calibration precision. Traditional method i.e. extracting samples with span power was also evaluated as contrast experiment. The results showed that the samples extracting method based on helix scattering can improve the Polcal precision preferably.


Background and purpose: Over the last few years, phthalic acid esters (PAEs) have attracted great attention due to their extensive production and use. These compounds are not only associated with endocrine disruption and cancer, but also considered as emerging and hazardous pollutants. Large amounts of PAEs are detected in industrial wastewaters. Due to the widespread use of adsorption method in industrial wastewater treatment, this study aimed to synthesize chitosane-graphene oxide composite and use it in diethyl phthalate (DEP) and diallyle phthalate (DAP) removal from industrial wastewater. Materials and methods: For the purpose of the study, Hummer's method was used with some modifications to prepare graphene oxide synthesis. Adsorbent characteristics were analyzed using SEM and XRD techniques. The effect of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and concentrations of DEP and DAP was determined. Subsequently, the isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic equations of adsorption were investigated based on optimum conditions. Results: According to the results, the highest removal efficiency rates for DEP and DAP were 96% and 99%, respectively, which were observed in pH=4, contact time of 180 min, 0.3 g/L of adsorbent dose, and 15 mg/L initial concentration of PAEs. Isotherm and kinetic studies also showed that adsorption process of PAEs followed the Langmuir and Freundlich models (R2>0.96) and pseudo-second order model kinetics (R2>0.99), respectively. In evaluating the thermodynamic reaction, the positive values of ΔH ̊ and negative values of ΔS ̊ illustrated that the reactions were endothermic and spontaneous, respectively. Conclusion: Chitosan-graphene oxide composite is capable of removing DEP and DAP effectively and can be used as an efficient adsorbent for the related industrial wastewater treatment.


A method for image analysis, based on the formalism of functional analysis is proposed. This approach, which is employed for pattern recognition in the combined position-orientation space, is motivated by a variety of neurophysiological findings that emphasize the importance of the orientation feature in visual image processing and analysis. The approach is applied to the so-called Glass patterns, which are special cases of images characterized uniquely by their orientational feature of local correlations between pairs of corresponding dots. The approach can be of interest in the analysis of optical flow. >


Emerging market economies were major beneficiaries of the economic boom before 2007. More recently, they have become victims of the global financial crisis. Their future development depends, to a large extent, on global economic prospects. Today the global economy and the European economy are much more integrated and interdependent than they were ten or twenty years ago. Every country must recognize its limited economic sovereignty and must be prepared to deal with the consequences of global macroeconomic fluctuations. The statistical data for 2009 provides a mixed picture with respect to the impact of the crisis on various groups of countries and individual economies. On average, Central and Eastern Europe experienced a smaller output decline than the Euro area and the entire EU while the CIS, especially its European part, contracted more dramatically. However, there was a deep differentiation within each country group. Looking globally, richer countries, which are more open to trade and in which the banking sector plays a larger role and which rely more on external financing, suffered more than less sophisticated economies, which are less dependent on trade and credit (especially from external sources). With some exceptions, the previous good growth performance helped rather than handicapped countries in the CEE and CIS regions in the crisis year of 2009. The post-crisis recovery has been rather modest and incomplete. It remains vulnerable to new shocks (like the Greek Fiscal crisis), the danger of sovereign default and other uncertainties. Full post-crisis recovery and increasing potential growth will require far going economic and institutional reforms on both national, regional (e.g., EU) and global levels.


It has been shown that detailed and continuous riverine discharge and nutrient input data are fundamental to the successful simulation of biogeochemical processes in the ocean using numerical models. Currently, no discharge data for the river mouths on the Mexican side of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) is available. In the present study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to simulate the daily discharge of five major rivers that flow directly into the GoM. Two periods were used in the analysis: 1997 to 2013 for the Grijalva basin and 1989 to 2013 for the Usumacinta, Papaloapan, Coatzacoalcos, and Panuco basins. The model was successfully calibrated for monthly time steps using an automatized technique for the five watersheds. The sensitivity analysis of the calibration process showed that for most of the watersheds, the model was sensitive to groundwater and soil moisture parametrizations.


Little is known by non-Spanish speakers about the history of Spiritism and psychical research in Spain. Standard English-language sources such as Frank Podmore's Modern Spiritualism (1902) and Arthur Conan Doyle's The History of Spiritualism (1926) do not cover developments in that country.1 There is a useful historical outline of the topic in philosopher and educator Mario Méndez Bejarano's Historia de la Filosofía en España Hasta el Siglo XX (n.d., Chapter 17, Part 14). Much of relevance can be found in the new historiography about the subject in Spain which, like that in some other countries, has grown in recent decades.2 Other recent studies have included psychical research as well. Particularly useful are the essays compiled by Annette Mülberger (2016) in Los Límites de la Ciencia: Espiritismo, Hipnotismo y el Estudio de los Fenómenos Paranormales (1850–1930), and articles about such topics as the attitudes and approaches of specific investigators (Vilaplana Traviera & Mülberger, 2003), turning tables (González de Pablo, 2006), and prominent clairvoyance studies (Mülberger & Balltondre, 2013). Andrea Graus, the author of the book reviewed here, has also made various significant contributions.
Graus, a historian at the Centre Alexandre Koyré, has published various articles about mediumistic investigations, and the ideas of Spanish physicians (e.g., Graus, 2015, 2016). This work has been expanded in the book reviewed here, Ciencia y Espiritismo en España, 1880–1930 (see Figure 1).


Parameter identification of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is very helpful for understanding cause-effect relationships of physical phenomenon, investigating system performance and characteristics, fault diagnostics, control development/tuning, and more. Traditional ways of performing parameter identification involve establishing a mathematical model that describes the system's behavior. The equations in the model contain parameters that are estimated indirectly from measured flight data. This parameter identification process requires knowledge of the physics involved. Also, it necessitates a careful consideration of the aircraft instrumentation for accurate measurements. It also requires careful design of the flight maneuvers to ensure thorough excitation of the flight dynamics involved. Finally, one must select a suitable identification method. The purpose of this paper is to show the application of machine learning for parameter identification of a UAV model. The machine learning algorithm does not require developing parameterized models; hence it is an equation-less identification method. To provide input to the system, a simulation model of the aircraft is generated. The parameters of the model can be modified in the simulation. The aircraft flight measurement data is obtained directly from the model as simulation outputs from a predetermined flight path. The data is submitted to a machine learning algorithm that can read and recognize the data. The machine learning algorithm is trained with a set of flight data that incorporates variations in the parameters to be identified. Finally, the algorithm is tested by feeding unknown flight data to predict the output. To achieve autonomous and consistent flights, a Software-In-the-Loop (SIL) simulation is constructed between X-Plane and Mission Planner. X-Plane is a realistic flight simulator where the UAV model is created, and flight physics are modeled. Mission Planner is the Ground Control Station (GCS) that generates and sends the flight commands to be executed in X-Plane. Several machine learning regression models are explored including linear


In this paper, effects of storage and diesel generator on the availability hybrid renewable energy microgrid have been investigated. Markov technique has been used for the analysis of the output powers of the wind energy conversion system (WECS) and solar energy conversion system (SECS).The proposed method has been tested by increasing the rated power of the WECS and SECS by 25 %, 50%, 75% and 100%. The results have shown a decreased in the number of times a diesel generator starts by 2 %, 7%, 9% and 9 % for WECS. Similarly, SECS decreased same by 4 %, 8 %, 11%, and 13 %. Also, the study of wind generator parameter at different cut-in-speeds levels, including 2 m/s, 2.5m/s, 3.5m/s and 4 m/s reduced the number of times a diesel generator start by 122, 147, 116 and 134. In addition, the effects of weather on the availability of system have been investigated using Boolean Logic Driven Markov process. In the same way, neglecting weather factor overestimate the system availability by 3.55%. Also, increasing the rated power of the WECS is the best way of maximizing the benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) of the system. Keywords: Microgrid, renewable energy, wind storage diesel generator, availability weather, PV


AIM: To study special characteristics and prognostic value of cardiac remodeling in patients with unstable angina (UA). MATERIAL: Throughout 2 years we performed repetitive echocardiographic examinations of 166 patients with Braunwald class IB and IIB-IIIB UA for assessment of left ventricular (LV) structural-functional changes. RESULTS: More severe form of remodeling (eccentric hypertrophy) was significantly more frequent in patients with IIB-IIB class UA. However in IB class UA during first year after episode of UA we noted rapid progression of remodeling mainly at the account of transition from concentric hypertrophy. Tissue Doppler study revealed more severe type of diastolic dysfunction (type 2 - pseudonormalization) in patients with class IIB-IIIB UA. Changes of some echocardiographic parameters correlated with severity of subsequent remodeling of the heart, development of chronic heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction, and recurrent episodes of UA. In UA rate of unfavorable outcomes was related to degree of ischemic myocardial remodeling. We established a number of early EchoCG markers of LV remodeling increases of endsystolic dimension and volume, myocardial stress, lowering of ratios of diastolic peaks of filling and relaxation (/ and E`/A`) - preceding the development of systolic, diastolic dysfunction and CHF. IMPLICATION: The use of complex therapy with acetylsalicylic acid in patients with UA, perindopril, nebivolol and simvastatin is justified for prevention LV remodeling and lowering of rate of acute ischemia recurrence and CHF development.


Interviews with 23 massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) addicts revealed that they were addicted to the games because they lacked worthwhile activities, MMORPGs offer online game features and deep online experience, they were interested in technological trends and gained personal satisfaction from playing MMORPGs, and due to their exposure to the game through the mass media, peers and relatives. Respondents said that playing MMORPGs is advantageous because it recreational entertaining; enhances interaction and socialization among peers and new acquaintances; promotes knowledge and improves players' computer skills; neutralizes mood and relieves stress; serves as an escape from problems; improves self-confidence and develops self-expression; enhances trading skills and provides business opportunities; improves English communication skills; provides bragging rights among gamers; and it provides deeper online experience. However, MMORPGs are disadvantageous because they negatively affect gamers' health, academic performance and analytical skills, relationship with peers, friends and family; these games expose them to deceit, distrust, cheating and sham; leads to financial setback; and develops negative personality among players. Respondents said that they quit playing due to the monotony and software flaws of the MMORPGs and the games' financial, time and health effects. Other reasons cited were their diversion of their attention to other activities and influence of people they consider significant to them. To quit playing, respondents re-oriented their priorities, diverted their attention, sought guidance from significant others, and set themselves to quit the game. When they quit MMORPGs, they felt that they were able to improve management of their finances, became mature, and improved their academic performance, family and peer relationship, and health conditions.


As the demand of higher throughput in high volume surface mounting technology (SMT) industry, inspection and testing have been notably emphasized. To alleviate concerns associated with board level soldering inspection, automatic optical inspection (AOI) has been actively used in SMT industry [1]. In this paper, statistical quality control method has been applied for board level inspection to maximize the performance of a commercially available AOI system. Considering its complication of SMT assembled board, implementing the quality control scheme for the measured variable data is fairly expensive. However, the proposed system efficiently utilizes both attribute and variable data collected for the daily/weekly based production yield reports, and further utilize as a method for in-line diagnostics in SMT manufacturing process.


Objective: Labyrinthitis ossificans consists of novel osteogenesis that fills the normally patent cochlear and vestibular lumen as an end‐stage sequelae to various pathologies. This study was designed to establish the sequence of events and chronology of the osteoneogenesis and calcification. Study Design: A prospective randomized double‐blind study. Methods: By using serial application of different colored fluorochromes, which deposit in newly forming bone, the timing of bone deposition and bone remodeling can be established. Labyrinthitis ossificans was induced in she groups (n = 5) of gerbils by an intrathecal injection of live Streptococcus pneumoniae. Group 1 received no fluorochrome labels, group 2 received one label, group 3 received three labels, and groups 4, 5, and 6 received four labels. The temporal bones were harvested after 2 weeks (group 1), 1 month (group 2), 3 months (group 3), 4 months (group 4), 6 months (group 5), and 12 months (group 6). Results: Sixteen of the 25 animals that received labels developed ossification, demonstrated with fluorescent microscopy. In the animals that developed labyrinthitis ossificans, newly formed disorganized bone began calcifying as early as 3 weeks (label 1) after S pneumoniae injection. Osteoneogenesis continued as evidenced by the presence of the other labels when first applied at 6 weeks (label 2), and 10 weeks (label 3). Ossification, calcification, and remodeling proceeded through a 12‐month course, wherein a reduction of labels was present at 6 months and total disappearance by 12 months. Conclusions: The use of fluorescent stains in this animal model provides a means to establish a timeline of the ossification seen in labyrinthitis ossificans. Key Words: Ossified cochlea, labyrinthitis, deafness, cochlear implant, meningitis.


Ultrasound-based algorithms are commonly used to assess mechanical properties of arterial walls in studies of arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis. Speckle tracking based techniques used for estimation of myocardial strain can be applied on vessels to estimate strain of the arterial wall. Previous elastography studies in vessels have mainly focused on radial strain measurements, whereas the longitudinal strain has been more or less ignored. However, recently we showed the feasibility of speckle tracking to assess longitudinal strain of the carotid artery in-silico. The aim of this study was to test this methodology in-vivo. Ultrasound images were obtained in seven healthy subjects with no known cardiovascular disease (39 ± 14 years old) and in seven patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), (69 ± 4 years old). Speckle tracking was performed on the envelope detected data using our previous developed algorithm. Radial and longitudinal strains were estimated throughout two cardiac cycles in a region of interest (ROI) positioned in the posterior vessel wall. The mean peak systolic radial and longitudinal strain values from the two heart cycles were compared between the groups using a student's t-test. The mean peak radial strain was −39.1 ± 15.1% for the healthy group and −20.4 ± 7.5% for the diseased group (p = 0.01), whereas the mean peak longitudinal strain was 4.8 ± 1.1% and 3.2 ± 1.6% (p = 0.05) for the healthy and diseased group, respectively. Both peak radial and longitudinal strain values were thus significantly reduced in the CAD patient group. This study shows the feasibility to estimate radial and longitudinal strain in-vivo using speckle tracking and indicates that the method can detect differences between groups of healthy and diseased (CAD) subjects.


Ernesto Laclau's Marxist and post-Marxist works are best understood when they are embedded in the history of Argentina's National Left. This socialist-populist current underpinned his strategic horizons onward of at least 1963. While purely theoretical interpretations of Laclau can sometimes be enlightening, they tend to lose sight of the historical density of the Argentine's thought. Over the course of his working life, Laclau's theories presented the Argentinean Left with a challenge concerning how to engage with Peronism: specifically, how to develop a leftist hegemonic project in an era when the working class remained stubbornly linked to a Peronist political identity. Laclau's political trajectory and his understanding of Marxism are analysed here in order to explain the nature of his post-Marxism.


Our interest in software assurance extends from critical infrastructure to finance to manufacturing, and almost everything in between. Yet, if you look at our computing curricula, you will find almost no attention to this topic at the undergraduate level, and the fact is that many in the field of computing do not go on to receive advanced degrees. Until we recognize this need, as educators, our curricula will continue to fall short, and our critical systems will be subject to attacks, break-ins, and compromises, resulting in financial loss, loss of credibility, and even more grave consequences.


There is growing popularity in the use of composite indices and rankings for cross-organizational benchmarking. However, little attention has been paid to alternative methods and procedures for the computation of these indices and how the use of such methods may impact the resulting indices and rankings. This dissertation developed an approach for assessing composite indices and rankings based on the integration of a number of methods for aggregation, data transformation and attribute weighting involved in their computation. The integrated model developed is based on the simulation of composite indices using methods and procedures proposed in the area of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) and knowledge discovery in databases (KDD).
The approach developed in this dissertation was automated through an IT artifact that was designed, developed and evaluated based on the framework and guidelines of the design science paradigm of information systems research. This artifact dynamically generates multiple versions of indices and rankings by considering different methodological scenarios according to user specified parameters. The computerized implementation was done in Visual Basic for Excel 2007. Using different performance measures, the artifact produces a number of excel outputs for the comparison and assessment of the indices and rankings.
In order to evaluate the efficacy of the artifact and its underlying approach, a full empirical analysis was conducted using the World Bank's Doing Business database for the year 2010, which includes ten sub-indices (each corresponding to different areas of the business environment and regulation) for 183 countries. The output results, which were obtained using 115 methodological scenarios for the assessment of this index and its ten sub-indices, indicated that the variability of the component indicators considered in each case influenced the sensitivity of the rankings to the methodological choices. Overall, the results of our multi-method assessment were consistent with the World Bank rankings except in cases where the indices involved cost indicators measured in per capita income which yielded more sensitive results. Low income level countries exhibited more sensitivity in their rankings and less agreement between the benchmark rankings and our multi-method based rankings than higher income country groups.


This paper presents a methodology for analyzing the thermal performance of compact planar wound components. A high-energy-density prebiased choke is used to demonstrate and validate the proposed approach. Loss predictions from electromagnetic finite-element analyses are coupled to an equivalent lumped-circuit thermal model and used to determine the operating thermal envelope for the wound component. Results from the proposed method are directly compared with test measurements taken from the prototype choke and are shown to be in good agreement. A sensitivity analysis indicates that copper loss is the dominant component in such devices and that AC resistance effects are more prominent than core loss.


Resources that will help you in English 60A and English 60B. The library has a variety of materials both online and in print to help you learn!


Background: Diabetes is a chronic disorder which requires long-term treatment. Non- adherence to treatment is a major factor responsible for morbidities and mortalities associated with diabetes. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has been one of the reasons for discontinuation of treatment. This study was conducted to assess the extent to which CAM and non-CAM users adhere to medical treatment. Methods: 200 patients attending the diabetic clinic over a period of 2 months participated in the study. After obtaining written informed consent, they were administered a CAM use and satisfaction questionnaire (TSQM) based on effectiveness, no side-effects, convenience and global satisfaction. Results: Out of 200 participants, 29% (58) used CAM. Naturopathy was the most commonly followed type of CAM (60 %; 35). Residing in the rural areas (OR-3.7), Socio- economic status above poverty line (OR- 9), diabetics with co- morbidities (OR- 6) and microvascular complications (OR-6) and using insulin (OR-3) was found to be the predictors of CAM use. However, the incidence of hypoglycemic episodes was 52 times higher among CAM users. (91%; 52) of the CAM users did not reveal the use to their physicians, out of which (70%; 40) did not disclose due to the fear of discouragement by the doctor. CAM was found to be better in all aspects of patient satisfaction like effectiveness, no- side-effects and global satisfaction than conventional medicine while conventional medicine users scored it to be more convenient to use than CAM. Conclusions: Doctors should enquire diabetics regarding CAM use since the voluntary disclosure is very less. Keeping lines of communication open for any discussions regarding pros and cons of CAM. Increasing patient awareness about potential drug interactions, when CAM is practised along with conventional medicine.


Humans have been trading seafood and seafood products since time immemorial. This trade has commonly crossed national boundaries, but the scale of trade has increased markedly in the past twenty years. By and large the distilled view of nations is that trade is good and there has been considerable international pressure to encourage and facilitate trade. As trade has increased, so too have the debates over the costs and benefits due to the changes to incomes, wealth distribution, cultures and social cohesion that this trade has driven. Whilst trade has undeniable impacts on natural resources such as fisheries, it is not the sole and ultimate reason for the perilous state of many fisheries in the world. The sustainability of fisheries is ultimately dependent on good management, whether trade occurs or not. The impacts of the increasing trade in seafood need to be seen within a wider context of societal change and the capacities of communities to embrace and manage such change. The question over whether increased trade poses an opportunity or threat depends on the perspective of those who stand to gain or lose — either financially or in some other way. The tools used by societies to manage the impacts of trade-induced change are many and varied. This paper explores some of the well-known tools such as tariffs, subsidies, phytosanitary measures, international agreements and the like. It places a particular focus on the impacts of such measures on developing countries. The paper also explores some of the increasing range of private sector measures which either enhance or constrain trade. These measures have arisen as the private sector has sought to either address issues of governmental failure or exploit real or perceived demands from consumers. Finally, in seeking to address the issue of whether trade is a threat or opportunity, some speculation about the future trade in seafood and the development of measures to control and harness it are discussed.


ABSTRACT The rust fungus Puccinia punctiformis has potential as a biological control agent for creeping thistle Cirsium arvense, because systemically infected shoots usually die before flowering. The mechanism of rust transfer as well as the spore type responsible for systemic infections have been a source of controversy. One possibility of successful transmission is the use of the weevil Ceratapion onopordi as a vector. Our results from a garden experiment show that urediniospores transmitted by the weevil are able to induce systemic infections in established thistle clones. Furthermore, the weevil origin and the date of rust treatment significantly influenced the number of rust-infected shoots. The earlier a shoot was treated, the higher the probability of rust transmission. These results challenge the current belief that teliospores passing through the soil and infecting root buds are the major cause of systemic infections in the field. Further research on biological control of creeping thistle should therefore concentrate on the application of urediniospores to enhance systemic rust infections.


Adoption has existed for thousands o f years. Originally, the process was closed, i.e., the natural and the adopting parents did not have direct contact with one another. They remained anonymous. Recently, the process has opened up to include an open adoption, i.e., the natural and adopting parents meet each other before the adoption process is completed and they maintain contact with each other thereafter. This has created some anxiety among the prospective adoptive parents regarding the possibility that their contact with the birth mother may some how create a problem or spoil a successful adoption from taking place. Anxiety surrounding this process may manifest itself in three ways: (1) physical and (2) psychological (to include; general signs, attitudes and thoughts) and (3) behavioral outcomes. This study examines the relationship between the gender o f the adoptive parents and the degree o f anxiety which they may experience. The hypothesis o f this study states that first time prospective adoptive mothers, working within an open adoption tend to have more anxiety toward the birth mother than their male counter parts. To assist with this study, 16 Catholic Charities Adoption Services located in the Western region o f the United States were solicited to participate. 298 self-reporting, questionnaires were mailed out with 52 responses: 17 male, 31 female and 4 no response were returned. O f the completed responses, the results indicate a trend that the women tend to be more anxious than men toward the birth mother prior to the completion of the adoption process.