Objective: We aimed to establish whether employing the strain index method by applying manual compression synchronized with the diastolic period of the carotid artery by sonoelastography was useful to manage thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: Some 289 nodules belonging to 260 consecutive patients with thyroid nodules were prospectively included in this study. Both B-mode sonography and sonoelastography images were taken for each lesion. The strain indices (ratio of normal thyroid parenchyma to nodule strain) for the nodules were computed by making use of the same level and normal-appearing thyroid region as an internal reference. A comparison was made between the findings and histopathology or fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The diagnostic performances of both the strain index method and B-mode sonography were determined. Youden's index was utilized to compare the two methods. Results: The mean strain index values were 1.52±2.43 (in the range 0.49-29.70) for 268 benign nodules and 4.94±3.96 (in the range 1.28-47.60) for 21 malignant nodules. Sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 80%, respectively, for B-mode sonography, whereas they were 75% and 93%, respectively, for the strain index method when the cutoff point used was 3.40. Youden's index was 0.68 for both B-mode sonography and the strain index method. Conclusion: The strain index method using the external manual compression method synchronized with the diastolic period of the carotid artery by sonoelastography may be a diagnostic method that increases specificity in the management of thyroid nodules. Nevertheless, its diagnostic performance appears not superior to B-mode sonography.


It is widely held that long‐term relationships between buyers and suppliers are beneficial for both parties. This view has become axiomatic in contemporary management. However, little empirical evidence exists to support the benefits of long‐ versus short‐term relationships. This study examines the degree to which export relationships can be sustained over time, thus producing mutual benefits for the parties involved. The perceptions of 212 UK export managers from a broad range of industrial sectors were obtained. Using relationship duration as a categorising variable four groups of international relationships were examined based on relationship elements (e.g. trust, commitment) and performance components (e.g. relationship costs, value). The findings reveal that there is some weakening of the relationships over time as is illustrated in terms of the reduced level of affective commitment; however, perceptions of competence and performance show signs of significant increase. Further, the findings indicate that exporters in relationships with a high relational content (e.g. trust, commitment) generally achieve higher than average performance outcomes. Long‐term relationships do indeed suffer from a "dark side"; however, this is lightened by a mutual appreciation of competencies that enable sustained performance.


Delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions to a battery of recall antigens, haemoglobin and albumin concentrations, arm-muscle circumference, and percentage of ideal weight were determined before operation in 244 patients undergoing elective major surgery. Depressed skin reactions were found in 70 patients (28%), but this group did not have significantly higher sepsis or mortality rates when compared with patients with normal reactions. Significant associations were found between depressed skin reactions and increasing age, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, low arm-muscle circumference, and low weight. Patients with benign and malignant disease had similar distributions of skin reactions. Hypoalbuminaemia was associated with a higher rate of serious postoperative sepsis, and hypoalbuminaemia, low arm-muscle circumference, and low weight were all associated with a higher mortality. These results suggest that the routine use of delayed hypersensitivity skin testing in the preoperative assessment of surgical patients is not justified.


SUMMARY: The transformability of 25 strains of yeasts belonging to 23 species in three genera - Saccharomyces, Hansenula and Candida - was investigated with respect to ten characters. Eighteen hour cultures at about the end of the log phase of growth, addition of 10 μg DNA/ml, and an incubation time of 30 min at 30 to 37 °C usually yielded best results. Of the 109 pairs of strains investigated 11 yielded positive results, which included intraspecific, interspecific and intergeneric transformation. Three adenine-requiring mutants of S. cerevisiae were transformed to prototrophy with the DNA of S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus. DNA of the latter strain also transformed three other species of Saccharomyces. In Candida, reciprocal transformation was observed between C. utilis and C. lipolytica. Hansenula petersonii transformed H. jadinii to rhamnose utilization. In intergeneric experiments, H. mrakii was transformed with S. cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus DNA and C. utilis with the DNA from H. petersonii. Attempts at transformation between Saccharomyces and Candida were unsuccessful. The GC content of DNA from the strains which yielded positive results varied from 36.0 to 37.3 mol%. The implications of these findings for the inter-relationships and taxonomy of yeasts are discussed.


Venous thrombosis affects numerous sites in human beings, and signs and symptoms resulting from its presence are extremely variable. Small veins, large veins, minor tributaries, and major stems show protean effects when they are involved by thrombosis. The causative factors, too, are numerous and extremely variable—blood stasis, changes in known and unknown coagulation factors and trauma, malignancy, systemic diseases: cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, hematogenous, vascular. These features are important, but the objectives of this discussion will be confined mainly to treatment. A classification of venous thrombosis may be very useful in discussing the practical aspects of treatment, and with this in view the following is a classification based on anatomic location, degree of involvement, and presence or absence of infection in thrombus. Classification A. Superficial vein thrombosis B. Deep vein thrombosis Mild Severe Phlegmasia alba dolens Phlegmasia cerulea dolens C. Septic thrombosis Using this classification it is possible to segregate the


Inborn errors of metabolism are examples of monogenic disease in man that, more often than not, impair adaptation. Appropriate modification of the nutritional environment has been used in several instances to offset the phenotypic effects of the mutant allele, with resultant relaxation of selection. Despite an impressive, if brief, record of its efficacy, nutritional treatment of inborn errors of metabolism remains suboptimal in the absence of relevant and superior food technology and well-established systems for its application to the patient. Some of the more commonly encountered multifactorial diseases are likely to yield in the future to the type of genetic analysis that has been effective for monogenic disease. Delineation of various monogenic subsets in a multifactorial disease profile may permit the application of specific treatment to persons in the universal population at particular risk with the disease. Coronary heart disease is an example of a major disease burden now undergoing such delineation, which may benefit from the assignment of specific nutritional and pharmacological treatment for particular forms of the disease.


The aim of the study: Modification in the treatment of patients with herpes associated with psoriasis. Materials and methods: 30 patients were included in the study divided into two groups. In the 1st group the patients received standard treatment for herpes and two daily applications of cikloferon liniment for seven days. In the 2nd group the patients received only standard treatment for herpes. The patients were followed-up for six months. The study was open-label randomized. Results: The results obtained show that general infectious symptoms of herpes subsided considerably faster in the 1st group of patients treated with cikloferon liniment. The applications with the topical immunomodulator enhanced more dynamic disappearance of erosions. During the six months follow-up exacerbations of herpes were noted in 10% of patients in the 1st group and in 30% of patients in the second group. Cikloferon liniment was well tolerated and no side effects were noted. Conclusion: Cikloferon liniment used for the treatment of patients with herpes exacerbation associated with psoriasis contributes to more dynamic disappearance of infectious syndrome, enhances epithelization of herpetic erosions, and lowers the duration of erosions and local inflammation as well as the number of exacerbations in catamnesis.


Clostera anachoreta is one of the important Lepidoptera insect pests in forestry, especially in poplars woods in China, Europe, Japan and India, et al, and also the target insect of Cry1Ac toxin and Bt plants. In this study, by using the different dosages of Btcry1Ac toxin to feed larvae and analyzing the transcriptome data, we found six genes, HSC70, GNB2L/RACK1, PNLIP, BI1-like, arylphorin type 2 and PKM, might be associated with Cry1Ac toxin. And PI3K-Akt pathway, which was highly enriched in DEGs and linked to several crucial pathways, including the B cell receptor signaling pathway, toll-like receptor pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway, might be involved in the recovery stage when response to sub-lethal Cry1Ac toxin. This is the first study conducted to specifically investigate C. anachoreta response to Cry toxin stress using large-scale sequencing technologies, and the results highlighted some important genes and pathway that could be involved in Btcry1Ac resistance development or could serve as targets for biologically-based control mechanisms of this insect pest.


My thesis examines judges acting as mediators in the court process. I wanted to examine how judicial mediation compares to private mediation through identified best practices. Styles of mediation are examined looking at evaluative mediation, facilitative mediation, transformative mediation and interest-based mediation. The rules of court dealing with judicial mediation in British Columbia are then examined to identify how judge lead mediations become part of the court process. Identified best practices of mediation are set out with an emphasis on process, neutrality, communication, emotions, culture and continuing education. These identified best practices are then compared and contrasted to how mediation is incorporated into the court process. The interviews of judges from the Supreme Court of British Columbia are used as an entry to their particular views about the benefits judicial mediation has to parties engaged in the court process and to the court process itself. I conclude by identifying the important role judicial mediation has within the court process and how the prevalence of judicial mediation will likely continue in family law litigation. Given that judicial mediation will continue, I argue it is important that the judicial mediation process be as effective as possible to maximize the benefits to parties and the court system. To move towards this goal, I make a number of recommendations on how the judicial mediation process may be changed.


In Danger Undaunted , based on 338 manuscript boxes deposited in 1942 in the archives of the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and peace, conveys the logic, complexity, and passion of the anti-interventionist movement. The book illustrates the dramatic impact this well-organized and vocal group had on the foreign policy of the United States and on the political behavior of many of America's most prominent statesmen of the prewar years.


The desire to equip students with 21st-century skills has prompted teachers to find alternative ways to promote real learning of mathematics. One of these ways includes building communities of best practices, with the collaborative efforts of parents. This study aims to investigate how mathematics teaching communities develop mathematical knowledge and skills in students. This study interviewed four teachers for insights into their teaching practices, specifically, how they built a learning community to foster the learning of mathematics. The findings showed that the teachers, working with parents, provided substantial support to develop students' knowledge of mathematics and 21st-century skills, such as life skills. This study shows how mathematical knowledge and skills can be developed within a community with little access to advanced technology and how students can be supported to acquire life-long learning skills.


Paracetamol is one of the most common analgesic and antipyretic drugs. Recently intravenous paracetamol has been widely used to treat moderate postoperative pain. Surgery is the main method of treatment of renal cancer. Total or partial nephrectomy can be performed, depending on the size and location of the tumor. Pharmacokinetics of drugs may depend on the type of surgery. The aim of the study was to compare the postinfusion pharmacokinetics of paracetamol in patients after total nephrectomy (TN) and nephron sparing surgery (NSS).The research was carried out on two groups of patients after nephrectomy: total (TN n = 37; mean [SD], age, 60.4 [10.9] years; BMI, 26.5 [3.8] kg/m2; creatinine clearance, Cl, 80.9 [37.1] mL/min) and nephron sparing surgery (NSS n = 17; 57.9 [16.5] years; BMI, 29.5 [5.3] kg/m2; Cl, 97.6 [27.8] mL/min). The patients were treated with paracetamol (PerfalganO Bristol-Myers Squibb) at an intravenous dose of 1.000 mg, which was infused for 15 minutes after surgery. The concentrations of paracetamol in the patients' plasma were determined by the HPLC method with UV detection (X = 261 run). The main pharmacokinetic parameters of paracetamol in the TN vs. NSS group were as follows: C.. 29.08 [17.39] vs. 27.54 [15.70] pg/mL (p = 0.6692); AUC5, 29.24 [13.86] vs. 34.85 [14.28] pg.h/mL (p = 0.2896); AUMC5,,,, 47.58 [26.08] vs. 62.02 [27.64] pg-h/mL (p = 0.1345); to. 2.34 [0.96] vs. 1.93 [0.50] h (p = 0.1415), respectively. In both groups the exposure to paracetamol was comparable. The t1/2 after nephron sparing surgery was shorter than after total nephrectomy. Therefore, these patients may demand more frequent drug administration. In the NSS group the C. of the analgesic was considerably reduced in men.


and side effects. So the objective of the present research work is to reduce the side effects, Topical administration of drug is better for local action and the efficiency of the topically administered drug is increased with vesicles like Liposomes. Liposomes were prepared by rotator evaporation method and optimized on the basis of average vesicle size, % drug entrapment and polydispersity index. The optimized formulation was further encorpoated with gel base (carbapol gel) and characterized for their viscosity, extrudability, spreadability and drug release study. The NSAIDs is mainly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Sulfasalazine is non steroidal anti inflammatory drug with analgesic, antipyretic and anti inflammatory activity and it is commonly used in the treatment of acute mild to moderate pain, as well as inflammation of the joints caused by certain type of rheumatoid arthritis. The sulfasalazine drug has less bioavailability(10-30%), more dose frequency dose frequency, increase the bioavailability and  therapheutic efficacy.  So sulfasalazine is chosen for development of liposome preparation.
Keywords: Liposomes, rheumatoid arthritis, sulfasalazine


The pattern of the radio emission of air showers is finely sampled with the Low-Frequency ARray (LOFAR). A set of 382 measured air showers is used to test a fast, analytic parameterization of the distribution of pulse powers. Using this parameterization we are able to reconstruct the shower axis and give estimators for the energy of the air shower as well as the distance to the shower maximum.


The negative effects of globalization led ship owners to inadvertently abuse the market. Too much competition created a market imbalance, hence, the need for legitimacy and governance in the shipping sector. Seafarers are faced with the reality of having minimally tangible protection against the terrors of the sea. Cases, which resulted to physical injuries, disability or death caused by harmful hazards and accidents, maritime terrorism, labor malpractice and piracy, call for a legitimacy of establishing minimum working standards. Countries do not abruptly raise their labor standards without the just cause. This study explored the concept of state preference as determinants to understanding how a state improve and meet international standards. Motivations compel states to become part of an international convention. The Philippines was used as a case study as it was the first top labor-supplying state that ratified the convention. The research posed the question, how does state preference contribute to a country's membership to international cooperation, specifically, does labor representation contribute to the success of membership of the Philippines to join international maritime cooperation.


Cell-intrinsic immune mechanisms control intracellular pathogens that infect eukaryotes. The intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) evolved to withstand cell-autonomous immunity to cause persistent infections and disease. A potent inducer of cell-autonomous immunity is the lymphocyte-derived cytokine IFNγ. While the production of IFNγ by T cells is essential to protect against Mtb, it is not capable of fully eradicating Mtb infection. This suggests that Mtb evades a subset of IFNγ-mediated antimicrobial responses, yet what mechanisms Mtb resists remains unclear. The IFNγ-inducible Guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) are key host defense proteins able to control infections with intracellular pathogens. GBPs were previously shown to directly restrict Mycobacterium bovis BCG yet their role during Mtb infection has remained unknown. Here, we examine the importance of a cluster of five GBPs on mouse chromosome 3 in controlling Mycobacterial infection. While M. bovis BCG is directly restricted by GBPs, we find that the GBPs on chromosome 3 do not contribute to the control of Mtb replication or the associated host response to infection. The differential effects of GBPs during Mtb versus M. bovis BCG infection is at least partially explained by the absence of the ESX1 secretion system from M. bovis BCG, since Mtb mutants lacking the ESX1 secretion system become similarly susceptible to GBP-mediated immune defense. Therefore, this specific genetic interaction between the murine host and Mycobacteria reveals a novel function for the ESX1 virulence system in the evasion of GBP-mediated immunity.


Ulcers were induced in thirty six hours fasted Sprague Dawley rats by aspirin or ethanol or pylorus ligation plus aspirin treatment. In each induction procedure there were three groups namely, normal control, positive control and test. In all the three separate experiments the group receiving oral administration of E. alba prior to ulcer induction showed highly significant reduction in the occurrence of gastric ulcers as well as gastric inflammation (after 4 h of treatment) as compared to the control groups. Moreover, the potency of E. albaas an antiulcer agent was comparable to the activity of the proton pump inhibiting drug rabeprazole (positive control). These results emphasize on the need to diversify into alternative therapeutic approaches pertaining to herbal medicine where in a single easily available plant may provide answers to several therapeutic challenges as observed in the anti ulcer activity shown by methanol extract of E. alba.


Abstract Sovereign nations have the right to regulate the activities and operations of civil society organizations (CSOs) within their jurisdiction. The nature of official policy controls bears important implications for the breath and health of associational life, to the degree that they are relaxed, restrictive, or intrusive. Since nations in Africa have often been seen to subvert the growth and impact of CSOs, this article traces the policy controls that govern CSOs in Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Within the context of policy change, the article employs the Advocacy Coalition Framework in an effort to trace the policy process in these two countries. It particularly focuses on CSOs-focused policies and on clarifying the role and influence of non-state actors. Although political elites continue to dominate the policy process, non-state actors increasingly permeate the process through various formal and informal strategies, including the use of venues and influencing public opinion. Overall, CSOs-focused policies reflect distorted beliefs originating from the West's preoccupations with a homogeneous, governance-focused African civil society.


A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary enzyme supplementation in broilers exposed to a live coccidia oocyst vaccine. In each experiment, Cobb 500 broilers were obtained at day of hatch from a commercial hatchery. Half of the chicks were sprayed with Coccivac B and housed in battery brooders in experiment (EXP) 1 and 2 or floor pens (EXP 3). Experimental diets were formulated according to Cobb 500 nutrient recommendations (positive control; PC) with the exception of Ca and available P (aP), which were reduced in the negative control (NC) diets approximately 0.1% (EXP 1), 0.11 and 0.13%, respectively (EXP 2), and 0.13% (EXP 3). Negative control diets in EXP 1 were supplemented with phytase (PHY), protease (PRO), xylanase (XYL), and the combination of PHY+PRO, PHY+XYL, and PHY+PRO+XYL. Negative control diets in EXP 2 were supplemented with PHY A, PHY B, and PHY C. In EXP 3, PC diets were supplemented with PHY at 1000 FTU/kg, and NC diets were supplemented with PHY at 1000 or 5000 FTU/kg. In all three experiments PHY supplementation generally improved (P ≤ 0.05) broiler performance and bone ash. Vaccination reduced (P ≤ 0.05) broiler performance in EXP 1 and 3, but increased (P ≤ 0.05) broiler performance in EXP 2. Xylanase and/or PHY supplementation tended to improve (P = 0.10) ileal amino acid digestibility (IAAD) in vaccinated broilers in EXP 1 and EXP 3. Phytase supplementation improved (P ≤ 0.05) IAAD and vaccination reduced (P ≤ 0.05) IAAD in EXP 3.


Little, Bovaird and Widaman (2006) proposed an unconstrained approach with residual centering for estimating latent interaction effects as an alternative to the mean-centered approach proposed by Marsh, Wen, and Hau (2004, 2006). Little et al. also differed from Marsh et al. in the number of indicators used to infer the latent interaction factor and how they were represented, but this issue is separate from the mean versus residual centering distinction that was their primary focus. However, their implementation of the Marsh et al. mean-centered approach failed to incorporate the mean structure that Marsh et al. argued was necessary to obtain unbiased estimates. One might suppose that their new approach would suffer this same problem, an issue not addressed by Little et al. However, we demonstrate here why the Little et al. approach obviates this requirement that heretofore was thought to be necessary for all constrained, partially constrained, and unconstrained approaches. Both the Marsh et al. and Little et al. unconstrained approaches typically result in similar results and are much easier to implement than traditional constrained approaches. They differ primarily in that the Little et al. approach is a 2-step approach involving a potentially large number of separate analyses prior to estimating the structural equation model that apparently does not require the estimation of a mean structure, whereas the Marsh et al. approach is a 1-step approach that includes a mean structure.


Aggression manifestation in familiar and urban context, where the dog lives, requires careful management as canine aggressions constitute an event which often provokes serious injuries. Our research aim was to develop a test to assess the potential dangerousness of the dog (DDT). The test was carried out in an open space and it is divided into four phases: Step 1: Reaction of the dog on the leash towards a stranger. Step 2: Reaction of the dog when a fake hand is positioned on his hear by a stranger.. Step 3: Reaction of the dog to the positioning of the muzzle by the owner. Step 4: Walking on the leash. All phases of the test were evaluated separately by two different observers (a veterinarian expert in animal behavior and an expert dog trainer). To evaluate the efficacy of the test, two groups of dogs were selected: the first group was composed of dogs classified by their respective owners as non-aggressive dogs (n. 12 dogs), while the second group was composed of dogs that were potentially dangerous (n. 11 dogs) towards strangers in a public environment. Statistical analysis performed on the test scores of the dogs in group 1 and 2 showed a significant difference concerning the total score assigned to each subject (U = 0.000; p = 0.000) and in relation to step 1 (U = 36.00; p = 0.010), the step 2 (U = 0.00; p = 0.000) and the step 3 (U = 36.00; p = 0.010), but not for the step 4 (U = 60.00; p = 0.269). Based on the results obtained it was possible to create an evaluation grid where dogs are divided, according to the behavior exhibited in the test, in three categories: Category A: not aggressive dogs; Category B dogs with reduced aggressiveness; Category C: dogs with potentially high aggressiveness. The test allows users to carry out a rapid screening of animals suspected to be potentially dangerous, to put in place all necessary measures to avoid accidents and then send the dog to a specialist.


The goal of this paper is to point out the possibility of occurrence of vibration during milling due to changing depth of removed layer of the material. Growth of values of mechanical vibration in depending on the value of the nominal thickness of the splinter was monitored during changing technological parameters of the milling process due to rotation speed of the engine. The results of the experimental part are values of vibration acceleration amplitude measured by a piezoelectric sensor on the head of the milling machine. Two types of tools have been used for the measurements a plate and a monolith milling machine and rotation speed and material removal have been changed on the selected device. Based on the analysis of created graphical dependencies a set of new knowledge, conclusions and recommendations is formulated.


Gravitational waves are oscillations in the geometry of spacetime caused by the movement of mass or energy. In loop quantum gravity, geometry is quantized so spatial quantities such as area and volume take on discrete values. We worked on quantizing plane gravitational waves, which propagate in one direction and have uniform wavefronts perpendicular to the direction of travel, using the method of canonical quantization on general relativity. For canonical quantization, a theory is expressed in terms of its canonical variables and constraints on those variables, then the variables and constraints are taken to quantum operators and the states of the quantum theory are those that satisfy the constraint operators. The canonical variables of general relativity are Ashtekar variables, which represent gravitational fields in a way that reveals their similarity to electromagnetic fields and other gauge fields. The symmetries of general relativity are formulated as constraints. We used vectors to visually represent the constraints on a spacetime diagram in a manner that is consistent with their actions and their algebra. We represented the constraints as either a Lorentz boost, a directional shift, or a propagation along a light cone. We verified the algebra of these constraints for gravitational waves. A correct quantum theory will have algebra that is consistent the classical constraint algebra. We found possible quantum operators for the unidirectional constraint, the constraint that ensures the plane wave moves only in one direction. We found quantum states satisfying the different versions of the operator and checked that these states were normalizable. We determined that two different versions of the operator had nontrivial normalizable solutions. These solutions could be used in conjunction with a consistent quantization of the other constraints as a quantum formulation of plane gravitational waves.


There is a need for modeling livestock production and factor use incorporating the interlinked dynamics of breeding herd adjustments in a theoretically consistent manner. Therefore, a multiple input-multiple output theoretical model is developed based on the adjustment cost hypothesis of production relationship involving sluggish adjustments of quasi-fixed inputs. Employing the results of intertemporal analogue of Hotelling's lemma, a system of equations of optimal output supply, variable input demand, and quasi-fixed inputs (livestock breeding herds) investment is derived. Various issues like aggregation, expectation formation, and nonjointness in implementing this theoretical model are appraised.;A normalized quadratic value function is used to implement the proposed theoretical model. Beef, milk, pork, chicken, turkey, eggs, sheep and lambs, and wool (including mohair) are the eight outputs considered. The five variable inputs included in the empirical model are labor (numeraire), operating capital, grain feed, high protein feed, and hay. Various stocks of breeding herds like beef cows, dairy cows, sows, chicken layers, turkey breeder hens, and ewes (including Angora goats) are treated as appropriate nonallocatable quasi-fixed inputs. Stock of durable capital used in livestock production is also included in the list of quasi-fixed inputs studied. Sector-level aggregate data for the sample period 1950-1987 are used in the estimation. All parametric restrictions implied by the underlying theory of producer behavior (homogeneity, symmetry, and convexity) are maintained throughout the analysis.;The estimated model is subjected to a series of tests of hypotheses on the structure of dynamics of the livestock breeding herds. Nonjointness in production of some outputs is also tested. Results indicate the validity of the present approach in capturing the interlinkages that exist among the dynamics of these breeding herds. The nature and magnitude of such linkages are assessed by means of the coefficients of dynamic adjustments matrix. The important distinction of short run versus long run in responses for simulated external economic stimuli like changes in relative prices is accounted for in the elasticities calculation. In general, the reported elasticities compare favorably with similar estimates from other studies.;The present modeling effort does have few restrictive assumptions like static price expectation formation and a simple linear first order differential equation for approximating the dynamics of herd building. Nevertheless, it amply demonstrates that the theoretical requirements of economic modeling can be fully and meaningfully incorporated in practical applications for realistic results.


Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the enzymatic soil and the number of selected microorganisms in urban soil, which are located in the lane of the reconstructed road and compare it with a soil cultivated for agricultural purposes. The conducted analysis showed significant differences between the results of the soil taken from the roadway and the soil cultivated from agricultural purposes. The C:N ratio in soils of the roadway (from 24 to 31) indicated that they were degraded and heavily degraded soils. Urban soils had a neutral pH. The activity of dehydrogenase (1.93–6.95 μg TPF g−1·h−1), acid phosphatase (2.42–4.92 mM pNP·g−1·h−1) and alkaline phosphatase (2.34–4.80 mM pNP·g−1·h−1) in urban soils were low. In agricultural soils the acid phosphatase enzyme levels ranged 6.32–8.04 mM pNP·g−1·h−1, and alkaline phosphatase were 7.26–9.16 mM pNP·g−1·h−1. In urban soil samples collected along the roadway, a significant correlation between potassium and dehydrogenase activity, and between the C:N ratio and the activity of acid phosphatase was found.


The aim of this study is to determine the coronavirus anxiety level of individuals, their physical activity levels and to evaluate the relationship between them. The study was carried out in Konya city center, Selçuklu district. Individuals who resided in all neighborhoods of Selçuklu district of Konya province and had not been diagnosed with Covid-19 before or who did not enter contact quarantine due to Covid-19 constituted the study. When the physical activity level of the individuals was evaluated, it was determined that 64.8% of them were not physically active, 19% of them had a low physical activity level and 16.2% had sufficient physical activity level. The coronavirus anxiety scale mean score of the individuals was found to be 11.87 ± 3.85. As a result, while women were in the risk group in terms of physical activity, perceiving their health badly and having any chronic diseases were determined as risk factors.


The supervision and audit of agricultural cooperatives in Greece are neither defined nor used with a clear content in the Greek legal texts. Nevertheless, it has been argued that supervision is mainly associated with broad monitoring duties, including advice and guidance, whereas audit is usually limited to a financial and legal control of the enterprise.
 The aforementioned institutions have not been adequately prescribed by law and effectively applied in practice, in order to address the cooperatives' needs and protect the members', the minority's and the public interest. The recent legal reforms, since the outbreak of the crisis, brought to the fore the topic of cooperative supervision and audit. Thus, a question is posed of whether they have been a positive step forward.
The present article, therefore, aiming to analyze relevant past and recent laws, concluded that despite minor innovations the shortcoming of the above institutions are yet to be resolved. Thus, a politically independent supervisory authority, a cooperative- oriented audit examining the cooperative's impact to its members, the environment and the local community, as well as the formation of a scientific committee to monitor the cooperative laws' implementation are suggested as necessary changes for the improvement of the existing regime.


Motion planning is a computationally intensive and well-studied problem in autonomous robots. However, motion planning hardware accelerators (MPA) must be soft-error resilient for deployment in safety-critical applications, and blanket application of traditional mitigation techniques is ill-suited due to cost, power, and performance overheads. We propose Collision Exposure Factor (CEF), a novel metric to assess the failure vulnerability of circuits processing spatial relationships, including motion planning. CEF is based on the insight that the safety violation probability increases with the surface area of the physical space exposed by a bit-flip. We evaluate CEF on four MPAs. We demonstrate empirically that CEF is correlated with safety violation probability, and that CEF-aware selective error mitigation provides 12.3 ×, 9.6 ×, and 4.2 × lower dangerous Failures-In-Time rate on average for the same amount of protected memory compared to uniform, bit-position, and access-frequency-aware selection of critical data. Furthermore, we show how to employ CEF to enable fault characterization using 23, 000 × fewer fault injection (FI) experiments than exhaustive FI, and evaluate our FI approach on different robots and MPAs. We demonstrate that CEF-aware FI can provide insights on vulnerable bits in an MPA while taking the same amount of time as uniform statistical FI. Finally, we use the CEF to formulate guidelines for designing soft-error resilient MPAs.


Background. Secreted clusterin (sCLU) promotes survival and stimulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells, leading to tumor invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance. AB-16B5 is a humanized IgG2 mAb specific for the EMT-inducing region in some isoforms of sCLU produced by tumor cells, with much less affinity for sCLU found in healthy individuals. Pre-clinical models showed that AB-16B5 inhibits EMT and displays synergy with chemotherapeutic agents. We performed a first-in-human phase I trial to assess safety and tolerability of AB-16B5 and to determine a recommended dose for phase II studies. Methods. Patients (pts) with evaluable and refractory advanced solid malignancies were eligible with adequate organ and bone marrow functions and an ECOG of 0-2. AB-16B5 was administered as a 60-min IV weekly infusion (21-day cycles). Dose escalation followed an accelerated scheme for the 1.5 and 3 mg/kg dose levels and a standard 3 + 3 design for subsequent levels (6, 9 and 12 mg/kg). All pts underwent collection of blood samples for PK analysis. Pre-treatment and post-treatment (end of cycle 2) tumor biopsies were collected if feasible in pts dosed at 9 and 12 mg/kg. Biopsies were used to evaluate EMT status and to investigate the presence of AB-16B5. Radiological imaging was performed every 6 weeks for the first 8 cycles, then every 9 weeks thereafter. Results. 15 pts (13 carcinomas of various origins, 1 melanoma and 1 sarcoma) were enrolled from May 2015 to October 2016. Pts received between 1 and 53 weekly doses (median: 9 doses). The most frequently reported adverse events (AEs, all causalities) were nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, back pain, pruritus and dyspnea. Most of the AEs were of Grade 1 or 2. Among the AEs ≥ Grade 3, only 2 (Grade 3 infusion related reaction and rash) were judged related to AB-16B5. No dose-limiting toxicities were identified during the first cycle of treatment for any pt. 5 serious AEs were reported (sepsis, pyrexia, dyspnea, intra-abdominal hemorrhage and main stem bronchus obstruction), none of which were judged related to the study treatment. PK analysis across all dose levels confirmed that systemic exposure to AB-16B5 increased in a dose proportional manner. The presence of AB-16B5 at the tumor site was confirmed in all 5 pts where a post-treatment tumor lysate could be generated. Biomarker analysis in paired tumor biopsies provided some evidence for EMT inhibition as seen by increased E-cadherin expression after treatment with AB-16B5 in 2 pts. In one of these 2 pts with advanced gastric cancer, this was also accompanied by a loss of vimentin expression. This pt had stable disease (SD) with clinical benefit and remained on treatment for 24 weeks. Another pt with follicular thyroid cancer had SD for almost 1 year. Conclusion. Weekly infusions of AB-16B5 are well tolerated up to 12 mg/kg. This dose level is the recommended phase II dose for future trials. Early correlative studies on tumor tissue provide evidence of molecular modulation of the tumor environment in humans. Clinical trial registry number: NCT02412462 Citation Format: Cristiano Ferrario, Julie Laurin, Leon Van Kempen, Caroline Lambert, Alan Spatz, Oksana Markova, Gerald Batist, Adrian Langleben, Mario Filion, Jacques Jolivet. Phase 1 first-in-human study of anti-clusterin antibody AB-16B5 in patients with advanced solid malignancies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT098. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-CT098


Effective organizations have often been associated with the kind of leadership practice exercised in such organizations. When schools are not performing well, the blame is usually put on the principal who is the leader of the school. This study explored the relationship between secondary school Principals' transformational leadership practice of inspiring a shared vision and students' academic performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).  The study was carried out in Nairobi County, Kenya. Stratified sampling process was used to ensure that both public and private schools in Nairobi were captured in the study.  Leadership behaviour was measured using the Leadership Practices Inventory-("Self" and "others"). Correlational research design was employed in data analysis. Pearson correlations were used to establish if there was a relationship between transformational leadership characteristics and academic performance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test if a relationship existed between selected demographic characteristics and the interaction of leadership characteristics of principals' and students' academic performance. To test relationships between principals' ratings and teachers' ratings, ratings of male principals and female principals, t-test was used. Results indicated a positive correlation of "Inspiring a shared vision". It was recommended that secondary school principals should exhibit transformational leadership of inspiring a shared vision   in order to succeed in today's changing world of educational leadership. Keywords: Transformational leadership, inspiring a shared vision, secondary school principals, teachers, academic performance


High-grade invasive transitional cell carcinoma (InvTCC) kills >14,000 people yearly in the United States, and better therapy is needed. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is overexpressed in bladder cancer. Cox inhibitors have caused remission of InvTCC in animal studies, and cancer regression was associated with doubling of the apoptotic index in the tumor. The purpose of this study was to determine the apoptosis-inducing effects of celecoxib (a Cox-2 inhibitor) in InvTCC in humans. Patients (minimum of 10 with paired tumor samples) with InvTCC who had elected to undergo cystectomy were enrolled. The main study end point was induction of apoptosis in tumor tissues. Patients received celecoxib (400 mg twice daily p.o. for a minimum of 14 days) between the time of diagnosis [transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT)] and the time of cystectomy (standard frontline treatment for InvTCC). Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and immunohistochemistry were done on TURBT and cystectomy samples. Of 13 cases treated with celecoxib, no residual invasive cancer was identified in 3 patients at the time of cystectomy (post celecoxib). Of the 10 patients with residual cancer, 7 had induction of apoptosis in their tumor. Induction of apoptosis was less frequent (3 of 13 cases; P < 0.04) in control patients not receiving a Cox inhibitor. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the tumor cells decreased more frequently (P < 0.026) in the treated patients as compared with nontreated control cases. The biological effects of celecoxib treatment (increased apoptosis) justify further study of the antitumor effects of Cox-2 inhibitors in InvTCC. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(5); 1371–7. ©2010 AACR.


Cervical cancer develops from precancerous high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) harboring a transforming infection with high-risk human papillomavirus, which is characterized by p16(INK4a) overexpression. Once such a lesion has developed, progression toward an invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may take one or more decades, underlining the heterogeneity of these lesions in terms of duration of existence and progression risk. We performed array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) on 46 p16(INK4a) immunopositive CIN2/3 lesions to determine whether this heterogeneity is reflected in their chromosomal profiles. Chromosomal profiles of CIN2/3 lesions were related to those of invasive cervical SCC and promoter methylation of CADM1, a tumor suppressor gene known to be functionally involved in the tumorigenic phenotype of cervical cancer cells. Frequent alterations found in CIN2/3 lesions included gains located at chromosome 1, 3, 7, and 20 and losses located at 4, 11, 16, 17, and 19. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering identified two subsets of CIN2/3 lesions, chromosomal profiles of one of which closely resembled invasive SCCs. Gains of 1, 3q, and 20 were characteristic for CIN2/3 lesions with chromosomal signatures resembling carcinomas. In addition, dense promoter methylation of the CADM1 gene was significantly more frequent in these CIN2/3 lesions (P = 0.004). No chromosomal alterations were detected in six CIN1 lesions, five of which were completely p16(INK4a) immunonegative. These findings suggest that biomarkers associated with gains at chromosomes 1, 3q, and 20 are potential hallmarks of advanced p16(INK4a)-positive CIN2/3 lesions with a high short-term risk of progression.


Pakistani female writers in English continue to highlight the struggles of women within patriarchal Pakistani society. The emphasis of my research project has been to explore and analyse the struggle and resistance of female figures against patriarchal structures as presented through the fiction of my chosen female writers. I have analysed the works of Pakistani Anglophone women writers, Bapsi Sidhwa and Qaisra Shahraz. The thesis concludes with the analysis of a novel by a contemporary Urdu Pakistani female writer,
Umera Ahmad. Analysing an Urdu feminist writing along with feminist writing in English has allowed my thesis a broader scope as Urdu feminist writings are an indispensible part of the Pakistani literary canvas in general and feminist literary canvas in particular.

Through sexual awakening, sexual victimisation (rape, forced marriage) and sexual discrimination Sidhwa, Shahraz and Ahmad's women learn of the gendered oppression that works through their bodies. Grappling with a range of victimisations, the female figures, from across the chosen works, expose how female sexuality and bodies are defined, controlled and exploited by men under the guise of socio-cultural and religious traditions. My research explores both the violent and subtle ways in which patriarchy represses female sexuality to control and restrict women in Pakistani society.

A further underlying motive of my research has been to stress the importance of writing in allowing the female figures a 'voice' to aid their struggle against patriarchal structures.
I believe feminist writings, specifically by female authors, both in English and Urdu, are a
much needed contribution to the already existing Pakistani literary canon. Therefore, the works of chosen female writers are critically examined in order to understand their role and importance towards addressing, exploring and devising solutions, through a literary medium, to the issues women face in patriarchal society.


This publication is the result of the International Conference held in Frankfurt, Germany 14-16 June 2011 organized in the framework of an International UN Project funded by IFAD "Reinforcing the resilience of poor rural communities in the face of food insecurity, poverty and climate change through on-farm conservation of local agrobiodiversity". Twenty seven scientists from 11 countries participated and contributed to this publication with their long-term experience and expertise in agricultural research for the conservation and use of agrobiodiversity and the adaptation to climate change in support of the rural poor around the world. The lessons learnt through this exercise will be tested by the countries involved in the IFAD project (India, Nepal and Bolivia) and the results will be used for the development of enabling policies in support of in situ/on farm conservation of traditional crops and varieties/Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) around the world.


The risk of sudden unexpected death in patients with epilepsy (SUDEP), is 20 to 25 times greater than in the general population. This increased risk is seen specially in refractory epilepsy, with an incidence of 9:1,000 patients-years. Risk factors have been established based on retrospective studies, finding that the frequency of seizures, specially generalized tonic clonic seizures, is the most important one. The physiopathological mechanism of SUDEP is not yet fully understood. Autonomic system abnormalities, as well as cardiac and respiratory changes have been found. The finding of new molecular biomarkers to identify patients with increased risk should be a priority. Treatment is based in the management of risk factors, although clear recommendations are hard to establish given the low level of evidence.


In the present investigation, LiNbO3 dispersed Li2CO3 composite of varying volume fraction is prepared. Its validity of placement in ionic conductor is verified by determining ionic transference number by Wagner's dc polarization technique and bulk electrical conductivity is estimated with complex impedance spectroscopy. Two different conduction mechanisms are revealed by the complex impedance plots at low and high frequencies. Significant enhancement in the ionic conductivity has resulted due to enhancement in vacancies at the grain boundary interface facilitated by the localized polarization of carbonate grains due to the presence of ferroelectric phase. The effect on electrode kinetics is studied by characterizing an electrochemical CO2 gas sensor with this composite as sensing electrode which showed significant reduction in response time and recovery time (<10 sec). The use of such composite systems will benefit the development of fast electrochemical devices. Copyright © 2014 VBRI press.


The best known software developers all offer cloud storage services. Microsoft offers Onedrive to its users, Apple offers iCloud Drive and Google offers Google Drive or GDrive. The battle between these software developers is ongoing and they will always strive to give the best services to their users. It is not only technology that is evolving, however, but also ways in which security can be breached and data abused. The security of information on the Internet is increasingly at risk and there are many threats to cloud storage platforms. This research used the mobile forensics approach to help in identifying and analyzing user behavior that may occur while using GDrive application for cybercrime. The novelty of comparison and analyzing methods performed in this research can help to find remnant data from all activities performed by GDrive users in Android smartphones. Hence, this proposed method can assist investigators in finding remnant data on GDrive client and can provide knowledge for legal practitioners.


Addition of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 at micromolar concentrations causes release of Ca2+ from electroporated L1210 cells, but not from digitonin-permeabilized cells. This was shown to be due to its conversion into Ins(1,4,5)P3, because only the electroporated cells convert Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 into Ins(1,4,5)P3. Thus electroporation appears to activate or expose an Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 3-phosphatase.


Modern trends in metal cutting, high speed/feed machining, dry cutting and hard cutting set more demanding characteristics for cutting tool materials. The exposed parts of the cutting edges must be protected against the severe loading conditions and wear. The most significant coatings methods for cutting tools are PVD and CVD/MTCVD today. The choice of the right substrate or the right protective coating in the specific machining operation can have serious impact on machining productivity and economy. In many cases the deposition of the cutting tool with a hard coating increases considerably its cutting performance and tool life. The coating protects the tool against abrasion, adhesion, diffusion, formation of comb cracks and other wear phenomena.


This study examines what Busoni meant by "formal deficiencies" when he described his 1884 version of Chopin Variations, and reveals that changes made to the 1884 version during its process of revision in 1922 correct the "formal deficiencies" and show a fundamental change in Busoni's compositional style and perception of musical motion. Including a detailed analysis of the modifications, omissions, and additions made to the 1922 version (including an examination of the Chopin Prelude in C minor, op. 28, No. 20 as a theme to reveal aspects of its construction used in the variation process), which shows how these changes affect the work's compositional structure.


Abstract The steady and dynamic shear viscosity of fish muscle protein paste obtained from Alaska pollock surimi at 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, and 75% of moisture contents were measured in the temperature range of 5°C to 20°C. To estimate the steady shear viscosity at high shear rate from dynamic shear viscosity, the modified Cox-Merz rule was applied by introducing a frequency shift factor. The concentration dependence of zero-shear viscosity showed power-law dependence with an exponent of 3.5, and the universal behavior of viscosity at different protein concentrations was observed by a introducing reduced variables. The Carreau model was applied to describe the shear- thinning behavior of the surimi paste, and the model parameters estimated empirically showed moisture content dependence. The viscous flow behavior was independent of temperature (5°C to 20°C), and addition of starch decreased the flow index and viscosity of the paste, compared to the pure surimi paste.


The controllable synthesis and tailoring of the structure of metal oxide electrodes to achieve high rate capability and stability still remain formidable challenges. In this paper, a room-temperature solid–solid transformation route was introduced for the fabrication of a hierarchically structured porous CuO octahedron (HPCO) electrode by treating a copper metal–organic framework template, namely, Cu-BTC, with an alkaline solution. The HPCOs substantially inherited the morphology and size of the precursor Cu-BTC and were constructed by the assembly of many ultrathin nanosheets with average lateral sizes of ca. 250 nm. When acting as a host for the storage of Li+ ions, the as-fabricated HPCO electrode exhibited unprecedented performance that benefited from its advantageous structural features, with an ultrahigh capacity of 1201 mA h g−1 and superb high-rate performance with excellent cycling stability (1062, 615, and 423 mA h g−1 at 0.5, 2, and 5 A g−1, after 200, 400, and 400 repeated cycles, respectively). It is noteworthy that a surface redox pseudocapacitive effect contributed significantly to the high capacity and high rate of Li-ion storage of the HPCO electrode. This encouraging result may accelerate the further development of LIBs by a smart strategy for the micro/nanoengineering of metal oxide-based electrode materials.


This book contains information on the latest research on linoleic acid composition, in a wide range of dietary sources, as well as advancements in food technology to ensure better nutritional quality of LA. Biochemists, nutritionists, dieticians, food industry technologists, clinicians, and allied health professionals will find the information in this book essential and immensely valuable. Topics discussed include: natural sources of linoleic acids (LA); variations in the LA content of plant and animal products; extraction methods for LA; plant adaptation in the polar region and its effect on LA composition in agricultural animals; the effect of geographical variation on consumer preferences for olive oil types; the influence of plant lipids on the LA composition of animal fat; the oxidation kinetics of LA; the potential benefits of LA isomers in treatment of obesity, ischemic stroke and atopic dermatitis; and the possible mechanisms linking LA with the development of various types of cancers. © 2012 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.


Okra is an essential vegetable plagued by postharvest losses with a total of 25-30% loss accrued between handling and consumption. Drying is one process that can reduce postharvest losses. Sadly, several chemicals and structural changes occur during drying, which are not accounted for, and some moisture mediated biological reactions are halted. The current research was poised to determine the functionality of the functional properties of okra powder under diverse processing techniques/local storage conditions. Standard food assessment techniques were conducted using the principles of AOAC. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in the water absorption capacity [WAC] and water solubility index [WSI] of the freshly prepared okra powder and those stored in cupboards and on the shelf for one month. The bulk density of Kubewa okra powder [stored on the Shelf (0.76cm3) and in the Cupboard (0.76cm3), respectively] showed no significant difference with that of the freshly prepared okra powder [sun-dried (0.79cm3) and oven-dried (0.78cm3), respectively] regardless of the drying technique used in the removal of moisture from the raw okra samples. The current research was able to determine a suitable storage method for processing okra powder in places where there are power insurgences, poor urban amenities or rural areas with poor market facilities.


The lymphocyte K+ channel Kv1.3 constitutes an attractive pharmacological target for the selective suppression of terminally differentiated effector memory T (TEM) cells in T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. Unfortunately, none of the existing small-molecule Kv1.3 blockers is selective, and many of them, such as correolide, 4-phenyl-4-[3-(methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-2-azapropyl]cyclohexanone, and our own compound Psora-4 inhibit the cardiac K+ channel Kv1.5. By further exploring the structure-activity relationship around Psora-4 through a combination of traditional medicinal chemistry and whole-cell patch-clamp, we identified a series of new phenoxyalkoxypsoralens that exhibit 2- to 50-fold selectivity for Kv1.3 over Kv1.5, depending on their exact substitution pattern. The most potent and "drug-like" compound of this series, 5-(4-phenoxybutoxy)psoralen (PAP-1), blocks Kv1.3 in a use-dependent manner, with a Hill coefficient of 2 and an EC50 of 2 nM, by preferentially binding to the C-type inactivated state of the channel. PAP-1 is 23-fold selective over Kv1.5, 33- to 125-fold selective over other Kv1-family channels, and 500- to 7500-fold selective over Kv2.1, Kv3.1, Kv3.2, Kv4.2, HERG, calcium-activated K+ channels, Na+,Ca2+, and Cl- channels. PAP-1 does not exhibit cytotoxic or phototoxic effects, is negative in the Ames test, and affects cytochrome P450-dependent enzymes only at micromolar concentrations. PAP-1 potently inhibits the proliferation of human TEM cells and suppresses delayed type hypersensitivity, a TEM cell-mediated reaction, in rats. PAP-1 and several of its derivatives therefore constitute excellent new tools to further explore Kv1.3 as a target for immunosuppression and could potentially be developed into orally available immunomodulators.


ABSTRACT Antagonistic Interaction between Lactobacillus 5NS and Candida tropicalis. Centrifuged supernatant of medium where Lactobacillus 5NS grown inhibited growth of three strains of Candida tropicalis. The Inhibition activity was detected using paper disc method. When the supernatant was induced with living cells of C. tropicalis Y393 strain, it inhibited the tested yeast strains. Inhibition activities of this supernatant against C. tropicalis Y390, Y391 and Y393 were equivalent to that of phenol at the concentration of 20.56 , 25.02 and 25.04 mg/ml, respectively. However when the supernatant was induced with heated or living cells of Candida tropicalis Y390 and Y391, it did not show any inhibition activity on all yeast strain tested. Thus the data indicates that there may be a specific interaction between Lactobacillus 5NS and C. tropicalis Y393 in which under the induction of specific certain yeast such as C. tropicalis Y393, Lactobacillus 5NS produces a toxin-like that is not spesific for the yeast target. Such interaction between normal flora and patogenic yeast may be happen in the digestive tractus. Key words: Lactobacillus, yeast, Candida tropicalis, antagonist


This article considers the cultural relationship in the transatlantic space from the perspective of US cultural diplomacy. It interprets cultural diplomacy as the mobilization of soft power resources in the support of foreign policy goals, as distinct from the cultural relations pursued by non-state actors. During the second half of the twentieth century, a large-scale investment by US cultural diplomacy was aimed at developing and nurturing the cultural ties with Europe, as part of the wider integration of (Western, later also Eastern) Europe into a US-led world order. This involved combining the unique outreach possibilities provided by the appeal and excellence of US cultural producers with an anti-communist agenda that sought to reverse the negative perception of the United States as culturally 'barren'. This effort declined following the end of the Cold War, since it was no longer considered important. The shock of 9/11 once again directed attention to how the US portrays itself abroad, reviving interest in cultural diplomacy and generating a wide range of programmes to (re-)engage with European publics, particularly minorities. The article begins by introducing the concept of cultural diplomacy, and examining its uses during the Cold War. It then evaluates the specific cultural tools that have been used to establish transatlantic connections in the wake of 9/11. It concludes by considering the growing significance of the 'transnational transatlantic' for developing goal-driven ties between the US and Europe across a range of issues.


As far as ecclesiology is concerned, Calvin experienced a great dilemma during his lifetime. On the one hand, there was the clear teaching of Scripture on the unity of the church of Christ, as confirmed by the great church father Augustine. On the other hand, a separation from the Catholic Church of the sixteenth century was unavoidable. Calvin wrestled intensely with this problem and tried to adhere to biblical teaching on unity. He was disappointed that the Protestant churches distanced them-selves from the theme of unity and declared himself willing to cross ten seas in order to recapture this unity. This leaves us with the question to what extent the reformational churches today take the (visible) unity of the church of Christ seriously.


In Natural Language Understanding (NLU) systems in voice assistants, new domains are added on a regular basis. This poses the practical problem of evaluating the performance of NLU models on domains where no manually annotated data is available. In this paper, we present an unsupervised testing method that we call Cross-View Testing (CVT) for ranking multiple intent classification models using only unlabeled test data. The approach relies on a number of labeling functions to automatically annotate test data in the target domain. The labeling functions include intent classification models trained on different domains, as well as heuristic rules. Specifically, we combine the annotations of multiple models with different output spaces by training a combiner model on synthetic data. In our experiments, the proposed model outperforms the target models by very large margins, and its predictions can be used as a proxy of ground truth for unsupervised model evaluation.


A computational theory for the classification of natural biosonar targets is developed based on the properties of an example stimulus ensemble. An extensive set of echoes (84 800) from four different foliages was transcribed into a spike code using a parsimonious model (linear filtering, half-wave rectification, thresholding). The spike code is assumed to consist of time differences (interspike intervals) between threshold crossings. Among the elementary interspike intervals flanked by exceedances of adjacent thresholds, a few intervals triggered by disjoint half-cycles of the carrier oscillation stand out in terms of resolvability, visibility across resolution scales and a simple stochastic structure (uncorrelatedness). They are therefore argued to be a stochastic analogue to edges in vision. A three-dimensional feature vector representing these interspike intervals sustained a reliable target classification performance (0.06% classification error) in a sequential probability ratio test, which models sequential processing of echo trains by biological sonar systems. The dimensions of the representation are the first moments of duration and amplitude location of these interspike intervals as well as their number. All three quantities are readily reconciled with known principles of neural signal representation, since they correspond to the centre of gravity of excitation on a neural map and the total amount of excitation.


The identification of transcription factor binding sites in promoter sequences is an important problem, since it reveals information about the transcription regulation of genes. In this paper, a novel motif discovery method based on motif clustering and matching is proposed. Against a precompiled library of motifs which is represented by position weight matrices(PWMs), each L-mer in the dataset is matched to a motif base on the match score's P-value, then the PWMs are updated and clustered according to their similarity. Motif features are ranked in term of statistical significance (P-value). The advantage of this approach is that it can be used to simultaneously characterize every feature present in the dataset thus lessening the chance that weaker signals will be missed. We apply our method (implemented as a computer program called MotifCM) to the benchmark which has 56 datasets, and demonstrate that MotifCM achieves improved performance over several other popular motif discovery tools.


Transfer function analysis of spontaneous fluctuations in BP (blood pressure) and CBFV (cerebral blood flow velocity) has been widely used to study dynamic CA (cerebral autoregulation). The inverse Fourier transform and its integral, giving the impulse and step responses, have been used to gain perspective of the state of dynamic CA from the frequency and time domains respectively. The occurrence of ectopic heartbeats in the data has usually been treated as an artefact. Data containing multiple ectopic heartbeats were selected from a data set compiled for an acute stroke study which also included bilateral middle CBFV, concurrent surface ECG and non-invasive beat-to-beat BP recordings. Transfer function analysis and impulse and step responses were calculated from these data by (i) retaining ectopic heartbeats, (ii) after removal of ectopic heartbeats and replacement by linear interpolation, and (iii) using a narrow window of data surrounding selected ectopic heartbeats. Coherent averaging of the raw data of the selected ectopic heartbeats also allowed direct visualization of the relationship between BP changes and CBFV. The impulse and step responses were similar in shape whether or not ectopic heartbeats had been removed and showed characteristics of active dynamic CA. Removal of ectopic heartbeats from the CBFV and BP tracings, by linear interpolation or other methods, is not necessary to provide reliable estimates of dynamic autoregulation in subjects with ectopic heartbeat rates of up to eight per min. Additionally, impulse-like disturbances of BP induced by single-beat ectopic heartbeats provide enough information to characterize the autoregulatory response of the subject in agreement with more traditional methods of dynamic autoregulation assessment.


Two new adaptive routing algorithms named Enhanced Confidence-based Q (ECQ) and Enhanced Confidence-based Dual Reinforcement Q (ECDRQ) Routing Algorithms are proposed in this thesis. These two adaptive routing algorithms enhance the existing Confidence-based Q (CQ) and Confidence-based Dual Reinforcement Q (CDRQ) Routing Algorithms.

In CQ Routing Algorithm, the confidence value (C value) can be used to improve the quality of exploration in Q Routing Algorithm. However, the C value incompletely evaluates how closely the Q value represents the current state of the network, which is measured in terms of estimated delivery time for a packet to arrive at its destination. An integrated solution for the above problem is the ECQ Routing Algorithm. ECQ Routing Algorithm is integrates the Variable of Decay Constant and Update All Q Value approaches for updating the C values of non-selected Q values. Using these C values would make those non-selected Q values more competitive in order to achieve updated and more reliable values.

The CDRQ Routing Algorithm provides a solution to the problem addressed above by integrating the advantages of CQ Routing Algorithm and Dual Reinforcement Learning. The CQ Routing Algorithm is intended to improve the quality of actions made in exploration phase while dual reinforcement learning emphasises on increasing the number of actions occurred in exploration phase. However, the introduction of Confidence value and Backward Exploration may provide a solution to the problem stated above but it falls to another shortcoming known as the partially learning cycle problem, which is presented in this thesis.

The ECDRQ Routing Algorithm integrates the ECQ and Dual Reinforcement Q (DRQ) Routing Algorithms with Alternative Q Value Approach to minimise the effect of partially learning cycle. By comparison, the proposed routing algorithms, ECQ and ECDRQ Routing Algorithms are more superior to its ancestors CQ and CDRQ Routing Algorithms in terms of average packet delivery time and average number of packets delivered. The ECDRQ and ECQ Routing Algorithms are tested against CDRQ and CQ Routing Algorithms respectively on an irregular 6 x 6 nodes network grid.


The Nursing and Midwifery Council's (2008a) Standards to Support Learning and Assessment in Practice have been strengthened, with an expectation that mentors develop their knowledge and skills beyond registration to enable credible decisions about the competence of students. As a result, there are a number of conflicts for students and mentors to negotiate, not least in maintaining a fair and transparent assessment process. This review identifies different interpretations of competence and competence assessment. Competence assessment should be given greater credibility when student learning is set in a context of care involving patient experience and evaluated by reflexive and inclusive mentors.


Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome typified by development of tumors in parathyroid, pituitary and endocrine pancreas, as well as less common sites including both endocrine and nonendocrine organs. Deletion or mutation of the tumor suppressor gene MEN1 on chromosome 11 has been identified in many cases of MEN1 as well as in sporadic tumors. The molecular biology of menin, the protein encoded by MEN1, remains poorly understood. Here we describe a mouse model of MEN1 in which tumors were seen in pancreatic islets, pituitary, thyroid and parathyroid, adrenal glands, testes and ovaries. The observed tumor spectrum therefore includes types commonly seen in MEN1 patients and additional types. Pancreatic pathology was most common, evident in over 80% of animals, while other tumor types developed with lower frequency and generally later onset. Tumors of multiple endocrine organs were observed frequently, but progression to carcinoma and metastasis were not evident. Tumors in all sites showed loss of heterozygosity at the Men1 locus, though the frequency in testicular tumors was only 36%, indicating that a different molecular mechanism of tumorigenesis occurs in those Leydig tumors that do not show loss of the normal Men1 allele. Menin expression was below the level of detection in ovary, thyroid and testis, but loss of nuclear menin immunoreactivity was observed uniformly in all pancreatic islet adenomas and in some hyperplastic islet cells, suggesting that complete loss of Men1 is a critical point in islet tumor progression in this model. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


This article addresses a comparatively neglected corpus of Italian travel and migrant writing in Mexico, ranging from Luigi Bruni's Attraverso il Messico (1890) to Emilio Cecchi's Messico (1932). It does so from the methodological angle of nation-making and through the seemingly counter-intuitive prism of Italian Orientalism(s). This article focuses on two key moments of both Italian and Mexican history: Post-Unification/Porfiriato and Ventennio/Post-Revolution. The discussion revolves around the problematization of the construction of an Otherized subalternity as a way for the emerging elites to discursively develop and circulate their worldview.


Borderlines in Borderlands: James Madison and the SpanishAmerican Frontier, 1776-1821. By J. C. A Stagg. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2009. Pp. x, 307. Maps. Cloth, $50.00.)The Madisons at Montpelier: Reflections on the Founding Couple. By Ralph Ketcham. (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009. Pp. 200. Illustrations. Cloth, $23.95.)Reviewed by David PenningtonHistorians have long been interested in James Madison's public service, but this interest has traditionally been confined to his time in Congress and the Constitutional Convention through the time of the diplomatic debacle with England in which he became the only U.S. president to flee the capitol before an invading army. As a result, a complete and accurate appraisal of Madison's accomplishments has remained elusive. J. C. A. Stagg and Ralph Ketcham, two of the most practiced Madison scholars, offer new contributions to the historiography that help complete our understanding of this most revered yet often criticized statesman.Stagg's book, Borderlines in Borderlands, is a determined effort to examine James Madison's diplomacy with Spain and challenge longstanding theories that the president acted in a manner contrary to international law, deploying subversive strategies in West Florida, East Florida, and Texas in order to expand federal territory. In doing so, Stagg calls into question earlier theories that suggested that Madison was inept in matters of foreign policy. Madison did in fact believe the United States had credible claims within these territories, first through independence and the assumption of all territories formerly a part of the British imperial domain, and later as a "natural" right of a sovereign nation.There was also the 1803 treaty that secured the Louisiana Territory, with which his predecessor Thomas Jefferson further challenged Spain's right to the aforementioned regions. Madison chose to address territorial claims through international law and calculated diplomacy; his strategy was greatly influenced by the hostilities that plagued Europe. Knowing that Spain's defeat by Napoleon and France during the Peninsular War was inevitable, Madison understood that working with Spain, rather than against it, would ensure the successful transition of any disputed territories to the United States. He employed this strategy for several reasons, the most significant of which was the desire to have irrefutable, legally binding agreements in accord with international law that would prevent the continued presence of foreign imperial claims - particularly French and British - to territories in North America. Equally important was Madison's desire to protect the economic development and prosperity of New Orleans and parts of southern Georgia in relation to East Florida.In the event that formal agreements could not be reached with Spain, the president needed to explore the prospect for favorable relations with various local dissident groups who could potentially assume power and displace Spanish authority. To gain a better understanding of regional prospects, Madison dispatched executive agents to observe and make contact with leading revolutionary factions. Stagg emphatically insists these appointees were given specific instructions in accordance with domestic and international law, and consequently they were not "covert" operatives, jargon, as Stagg points out, that is improperly steeped in the language of the Cold War.Drawing on a vast collection of resources from both U.S. and European archives, Stagg has determined that unforeseen events and the personal ambitions of key characters forced Madison on several occasions to take action, not the other way around. Formally or otherwise, the president did not support civil disobedience in any of Spain's North American territories. In West Florida in 1808, it was American citizens living under Spanish rule who put into motion a series of events designed to break formal ties with Spain, not intending to create a new independent nation, but to force the United States to intervene. …


The magical place commonly called the "Grand Canyon" is Native space. Eleven tribes hold traditional connections to the canyon according to the National Park Service. This Article is about relationships between these tribes and the agency—past, present, and future. Grand Canyon National Park's 2019 centennial afforded a valuable opportunity to reflect on these relationships and to envision what they might become. A reconception of the relationships has begun in recent decades that reflects a shift across the National Park System as a whole. This reconception should continue. Drawing on the tribal vision for Bears Ears National Monument, this Article advocates for Grand Canyon tribes and the Park Service to consider forming a Grand Canyon Commission for cooperative management of Grand Canyon National Park. Establishing this Commission would mark the vanguard of the relational reconception, and, in this precise sense, the Commission would lay a foundation for "indigenizing" Grand Canyon.


A major challenge for forest landscape restoration initiatives is the lack of quantitative evidence on how social factors drive environmental outcomes. Here we conduct an interdisciplinary quantitative analysis of the environmental and social drivers of tree biomass accumulation across 639 smallholder farms restoring native tree species in Mexico, Uganda and Mozambique. We use environmental and social data to assess the relative effects of key hypothesised drivers on aboveground biomass accumulation at the farm-level over ten years. We supplement this with a qualitative analysis of perspectives from local farmers and agroforestry technicians on the potential causal mechanisms of the observed social effects. We find that the material wellbeing of farmers (e.g. assets) and access to agroforestry knowledge explain as much variation in biomass as water availability. Local perspectives suggest that this is caused by the higher adaptive capacity of some farmers and their associated ability to respond to social-ecological shocks and stresses. Additionally, the variation in biomass between farms increased over time. Local perspectives suggested that this was caused by emergent exogenous and stochastic influences which cannot be reliably predicted in technical analyses and guidance. To deal with this persistent uncertainty, local perspectives emphasised the need for flexible and adaptive processes at the farm- and village-levels. The consistency of these findings across three countries suggests these findings are relevant to similar forest restoration interventions. Our findings provide novel quantitative evidence of a social-ecological pathway where the adaptive capacity of local land users can improve ecological processes. Our findings emphasize the need for forest restoration programmes to prioritise investment in the capabilities of local land users, and to ensure that rules support, rather than hinder, adaptive management.


Purpose:To describe a technique for deploying an AneuRx stent-graft in an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with an acutely angled aortic neck.Technique:In routine cases, the AneuRx stent-graft main body is positioned with the nose cone notch facing the contralateral side. In severely angulated aortic necks, however, the main body of the AneuRx stent-graft can be positioned with the nose cone notch and iliac limb gate facing the ipsilateral side; this dramatically reduces the acuity of the angle at the aortic neck and the iliac gate. This technique of "crossing the limbs" has been successfully used in 7 cases since FDA approval of the AneuRx device.Conclusions:Proximal neck angulation is an important factor for successful endovascular AAA repair. Crossing the graft limbs reduces the effect of neck angulation on the proximal main body and may decrease the stress upon the contralateral limb gate, which may avoid graft gate disconnection and endoleak.


We study the best-arm identification problem in linear bandit, where the rewards of the arms depend linearly on an unknown parameter θ* and the objective is to return the arm with the largest reward. We characterize the complexity of the problem and introduce sample allocation strategies that pull arms to identify the best arm with a fixed confidence, while minimizing the sample budget. In particular, we show the importance of exploiting the global linear structure to improve the estimate of the reward of near-optimal arms. We analyze the proposed strategies and compare their empirical performance. Finally, as a by-product of our analysis, we point out the connection to the G-optimality criterion used in optimal experimental design.


Exploration of competitive electrocatalysts to replace Pt-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells is one of the most promising strategies to confront the energy and environmental crises. Herein, we highlighted an FeCo alloy catalyst encapsulated in N-doped graphitic carbon nanotubes (FeCo@N-GCNT-FD) as a highly efficient non-precious electrocatalyst for the ORR. The FeCo@N-GCNT-FD catalyst exhibits a positive onset (0.96 V vs. RHE) and half-wave potential (0.88 V vs. RHE) as well as 5.6 times the specific activity of commercial Pt/C at 0.70 V in alkaline media. The excellent catalytic behavior of FeCo@N-GCNT-FD is attributed to the structural properties, including a large surface area, and the synergistic effect of FeCo alloy and N-GCNT, which guarantee a large number of accessible catalytic sites and rapid mass-transfer kinetics. Theoretical calculations further confirm that the strong synergistic and electronic effects, especially the FeCo-NG sites, provide a favorable local coordination environment and electronic structure and a lower oxygen absorbance energy. The improvement of ORR activity and durability of the catalyst by the synergistic and electronic effects between the metal and carbon provides a versatile approach for tuning the catalytic performance of non-noble electrocatalysts.


Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is today considered to be the second most common primary neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease. However, the disease has only been a clearly defined entity for 13 years. Due to its recent recognition, DLB is still not as extensively studied as are other major dementia disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia, and fronto-temporal dementia. In summary, this thesis demonstrates important differences between AD and DLB. Paper I and II focus on the ultimate consequences of the disease, including resource consumption and impact on quality of life, and demonstrate much more severe consequences of DLB. Paper III and IV focus on diagnosis and prediction of disease progression through CSF analysis, and demonstrate a robust increase of CSF Ca and Mg in DLB but not in AD. Furthermore, CSF t-tau, a marker of AD and neurodegeneration, is demonstrated to increase mortality in DLB, but not in AD. These DLB specific CSF findings give us further understanding of the factors that may trigger the disease and determine disease course. Furthermore, CSF Mg and Ca may be a valuable tool in making a DLB diagnosis, especially when the considered differential diagnosis is AD. (Less)


This article analyzes the modified form of ad valorem royalty recently announced by the WA government in relation to gold production, which features a threshold price below which there is no tax liability and compares this royalty with a profit-based royalty. The level at which the threshold price is set plays an important role in determining the performance of the royalty in relation to its impact on production and the expected level and variability of tax revenue. It is argued that the higher this price is set, the stronger the grounds for preferring a profit-based royalty, eve taking into account the reliability of each form for generating tax revenue.


The COVID-19 pandemic has unexpectedly transformed the access and the organization of health services for an indeterminate time, circumventing the efforts made in recent years to improve women, children, and adolescent health indicators in Latin America and the Caribbean. In most countries, the segmentation of health services, the concentration of human resources and medical technology in some urban hospitals, the under-financing of primary health care and epidemiological surveillance, and the lack of coordination between the different levels of care weaken the coordination of national response actions. Maintaining essential health services for women, children, and adolescents while mitigating the pandemic's impact represents an unprecedented challenge. This report presents estimates of the effects of the reduction of health services coverage on achieving or maintaining the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development's Goal 3 targets – reducing maternal, neonatal, and under-5 mortality and guaranteeing universal access to sexual and reproductive health services. The pandemic and its response make it challenging to reach or sustain these targets, even though the region was well on track to achieve them. Urgent priorities oriented towards achieving women, children, and adolescent health equity during and after the pandemic require to 1) increase public spending on health and social policies to control the pandemic and to favor social and economic reactivation and reconstruction, 2) restore and rebuild essential health services, and 3) strengthen the primary health care strategy. UNDP Latin America and the Caribbean #COVID19 | POLICY DOCUMENTS SERIES


Parallel kinematic machine tools (PKM) are developed to increase dynamic parameters for high speed and high accuracy machining to gain short lead times and high productivity. One of the most important components of machine tools is the numerical controller (NC). Most NCs are organized in a cascaded structure, comprising the position, velocity and current loops. Commonly applied servo controllers generate tracking errors in each axis. These tracking errors are a significant factor that affects machining accuracy, beside geometric machine errors, vibrations, temperature changes and tool errors. In this paper the contour error originated from servo tracking controller in Cartesian kinematic machine tools (CKM) with perpendicular arranged machine axes and PKM is presented. The effects of the forward transformation of the tracking errors in PKM are addressed with experiment and simulation results. The servo tracking effect on trace accuracy is discussed by a tripod mechanism and radial deviations are measured with double ball bar method (DBB).


This paper is concerned with the role of phonatory quality in signalling affect. An overview of perception experiments is presented, which used synthetic stimuli with different phonatory qualities and f 0 contours in order to explore the mapping of voice quality to affect as well as the way in which voice quality combines with f 0. Results highlight the need for these phonetic parameters to be considered together. To identify the phonatory correlates of affect, we also need to understand the substrate of voice source variation, due to the linguistic content of utterances (prosodic and segmental) as well as to speaker specific characteristics. Illustrations of the former type of variation are presented, based on source parameterisation of inverse filtered data. A holistic analytic approach is advocated, which incorporates the main phonetic dimensions (voice quality, f 0 and temporal parameters) and which integrates the affective dimension with the more linguistic dimension of prosody.


Background: People at or over the age of 60, constitute above 7.7% of total population. Traditionally this segment of population depends on their children for their health and social welfare, However owing to the social and cultural changes that are taking place within the Indian society, this support may not be as readily available, as it is believed. With the changing demography of India, there is urgent need to look at the health status of elderly for planning appropriate health facilities for them. Objectives: To study biosocial, nutritional and chronic disease risk factor profile of elderly population. Methods: Cross-sectional Study was conducted in Doiwala block of Dehradun district, Uttarakhand. 122 elderly persons of age 60 years and above were interviewed on predesigned questionnaire by house to house visit in the selected village. Results: Overall prevalence of risk factors found to be higher amongst elderly females. Unutrition was higher amongst elderly males. In all, 48.6% elderly were underweight ,10.3% were overweight and 5.6% cases were in obese category. As per the Waist and hip ratio 47.2% elderly belonged to the moderate to high risk category. 30.8% people were hypertensive. Conclusions: Prevalence of high-risk factors for chronic diseases is quite high amongst elderly population, especially amongst elderly females.


It is important to estimate the exact rotor speed for field weakening operation in the speed sensorless stator flux oriented (SFO) induction motor drive. Several methods have been reported to estimate exactly the speed in the speed sensorless system. In this paper, we apply two observer-based methods, the Luenberger observer (LO) and the Kalman filter (KF) to SFO induction motor drive in order to achieve a speed sensorless operation in field weakening region. Two control methods are reviewed and discussed. The operation characteristics of these methods in the field weakening region is compared by simulation and experiment.


Limestone karsts across southern China to southeastern Asia are renowned biodiversity hotspots. The karst are characterized by exposed calcareous rocks, seasonal droughts and thin soils that are deficient in N and P but with high Ca and Mg content. The stressful habitat may result in high biodiversity through mechanisms such as niche differentiation, hybridization, polyploidy and apomixis. The genus Elatostema (Urticaceae) has particularily high species diversity in this area and can be used a model genus to explore the mechanisms of speciation. We conducted cytological studies on 11 species of Elatostema from 12 populations in Guangxi, China. We found five populations to be diploid (2n = 26), and seven triploid populations (2n = 39). We infer x = 13 as the basic chromosome number of Elatostema. The chromosome numbers 2n = 26 and 2n = 39 were both found in populations of E. longistipulum, indicating that this species comprise both diploids and triploids. Both male and female plants of Elatostema were found to be diploid. In contrast, the triploids found were all female plants, and these produce seeds, presumably by apomixis. We found no clear relationship between ploidy level or reproductive pathway and endemism in Elatostema which might be because Elatostema species are wind-pollinated and independent of biotic pollinators. However, a random sample of 11 karst species revealed that ca 2/3 appeared to be apomictic, suggesting that it is a widespread reproductive strategy of Elatostema in the limestone karsts of Guangxi. Apomixis enables plants to reproduce and disperse from a single individual, allowing 'hopeful monsters' adapted to a new habitat to form stable populations.


ABSTRACT There is currently limited research exploring the relationship between growth, training load and injury in gymnasts. Twenty-one national level, trampoline gymnasts recorded training load and injury for 8-weeks. Percentage of predicted adult height (%PAH) was calculated using the Khamis–Roche method and used to define growth spurt status. Training load was calculated using the session rate of perceived exertion and analysed as differential loads and as a 7-day exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA7day). There was a significant non-linear association between %PAH and the probability of injury when adjusting for either training load metric (differential load, P = 0.015; EWMA7day; P = 0.008), with the highest injury risk estimated at ~90% PAH (circa growth spurt). The probability of injury significantly increased with increases in EWMA7day training load (RR: 1.88 95% CI: 1.21– 2.91, P = 0.005) but not with differential load. No significant interaction between %PAH, training load and the probability of injury were observed. Data suggest that competitive trampoline gymnasts are at an increased risk of injury during the adolescent growth spurt or with higher weekly training loads. Coaches should be educated and encouraged to identify periods of rapid growth and monitor training load, to reduce the risk of injury.


Multicast solutions have been evolving from "bottom" to "top", i.e., from IP layer (called IP multicast) to application layer (referred to as application layer multicast). Recently, there are some new proposals (named as overlay multicast) using certain "infrastructure" (composed of proxies) in the middle. Although it is well accepted that application layer multicast and overlay multicast are easier to deploy while sacrificing bandwidth efficiency compared with IP multicast, little research has been done to systematically evaluate and compare their performance. In this paper, we conduct a comparative study of different types of multicast routing protocols. We first present a qualitative comparison of three types of protocols, and then we provide a quantitative study of four representative protocols, namely, PIM-SSM, NARADA, NICE, and POM by extensive simulations. Our studies will help to answer some of the most important questions, such as which way to go: top, bottom, or in the middle?.


Arizona State University's (ASU) Office of Minority Engineering Programs (OMEP) has hosted two successful Minority Engineering Program (MEP) Summer Bridge Programs to promote greater awareness of and recruit potential candidates to the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS). Through a collaborative effort, the two-week residential program was funded by the Western Alliance to Expand Student Opportunities and the CEAS Dean's Office. The program content and curriculum were designed to prepare underrepresented ethnic minority students for success in the CEAS at ASU. The curriculum focused on engineering design, technical communications, and included a design project. Academic scholarships were awarded to all participants based on a team design project competition. The competition included the design of web pages, documentation in individual design notebooks, and a presentation to industry representatives and parents. During the summer of 1996, 44 students participated and completed the program. As a recruitment tool, the program was an overwhelming success with 43 of the 44 students completing the academic year (one chose not to because of the family's financial situation). During the summer of 1997, 39 students also completed the program. Currently, 38 of the 39 from the 1997 program have enrolled in the CEAS (one choosing not to enroll because of problems with financial aid). During both programs, the students were given university mathematics placement examinations. The students were then advised to take either MAT 117: College Algebra, MAT 170: Pre-Calculus, MAT 270: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I, or more advanced classes based on their placement test results. However, students were not required to register for a mathematics course based on their exam score. The academic success of these students in their first mathematics course is evaluated relative to their placement score as well as their participation in an academic success seminar and use of the MEP tutoring program. INTRODUCTION In Fall 1997, Arizona State University (ASU) enrollment figures including the East, West and Main campuses grew to over 47,000 students, placing it as the fourth largest university in the United States. The Main campus supports 44,255 students: 33,497 are undergraduate (75.7%) and 10,758 are graduate students (24.3%). The undergraduate underrepresented minority students included 2.2% Native American, 3.1% African American, and 10.5% Hispanic students. The graduate underrepresented minority students included 1.3% Native American, 2.4% African American, and 6.3% Hispanic students. 1 Within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS), the Fall 1997 enrollment of undergraduate engineering students increased by 5.9% (3,625) and the increase in graduate level


The addn. of a miscible org. solvent, which decreases the water concn. of the system, is considered as a means to reduce hydrolysis when transesterification is the desired reaction. This approach is illustrated by the study of a model reaction, the kinetically controlled transesterification of a racemic mixt. of phenylalanine Pr ester with 1,4-butanediol by chymotrypsin (EC 220.127.116.11) in the presence of the miscible org. solvent, DMSO. The results showed that no appreciable effect on the transesterification productivity or on the initial differential and integral selectivity is obsd. for DMSO concns. up to 20%. At higher concns., the transesterification productivity diminishes while the initial differential and the integral selectivity remain essentially unchanged. These observations can be explained by attributing an inhibitory role to DMSO acting on the formation of the acyl-enzyme intermediate. [on SciFinder (R)]