and abnormal S/D ratio group(n = 11). All cases were delivered at 37 + 0–41 + 6 weeks of gestational age from January 2001 to December 2008 at Ajou University Medical Center. The criteria for S/D ratio of umbilical artery was 3.0 and the neonatal weight < 10percentile compared to gestational age was used for definition of IUGR. Gas analysis and blood tests, including nRBC count in umbilical artery, were done during delivery. Results: The abnormal S/D ratio group showed significantly higher numbers of nRBC compared to the other groups (2.25 vs 4.67 vs 8.91/WBC100, p < 0.05). Also there was a significant decrease of neonatal weight in the abnormal S/D ratio group compared to the other groups (2130gm vs 2420gm vs 3211gm, p < 0.005). Conclusions: The number of nRBC of the umbilical artery showed an increase in the group of abnormal S/D ratio and associated with decreased neonatal weight.


Purpose - As the Chinese economy continues to develop, rising incomes for many people has meant significant shifts in consumption patterns. Over the past several years, per capita wine consumption in China has doubled. Although off a relatively low base, this still represents a significant sales volume. At the same time, the wine industry in the country has been undergoing restructuring with China now emerging as a major producer in world terms. These developments have been occurring at a time when the global wine industry has become increasingly globalised with so-called new world (NW) suppliers challenging established European companies in existing and emerging wine markets. In this context, the paper aims to look at the possible threats as well as opportunities presented by China as a relatively new player in the market. Design/methodology/approach - The paper reviews recent production and consumption trends in the world wine market. The changing patterns and growing volume of global wine trade is then assessed in light of the significant structural changes occurring in the industry in both importing and exporting countries. Recent developments in the wine market in China are identified and possible future implications for the world market are discussed. Findings - NW wine producers are increasingly encroaching on traditional wine consuming markets and gaining advantage in new and growing markets. One result has been an expanding and increasingly competitive global market place. China, meanwhile, is seen to have considerable potential for growth in terms of wine consumption, while at the same time posing a possible threat to existing exporters in third markets. Originality/value - Knowledge of emerging trends in wine markets and likely future developments are important for industry participants as well as policy makers in countries where wine is an increasingly important traded commodity. The paper provides an important contribution to the understanding of the global nature of the wine industry and the potential influence of China as both a major producer and consumer of wine.


In this paper, the new path planning algorithm for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which is widely used in various practical applications, is introduced. The essence of the algorithm comes from the existing limit cycle navigation method for works in 2D and 3D, respectively. In addition, the ray tracing method is applied in order to enhance the work in 3D. The combined method of ray tracing and limit cycle is the core of the proposed path planning algorithm, and it is verified through a set of simulations. And then, the results show that the algorithm can generate the ideal path among the possible paths to reach the destination.


In a mobile wireless network, the main impact to the dynamics of the received signal power in radio channel is made by the transceivers' movement. The paper examines the influence of users' mobility model parameters on the radio channel quality metrics, which include signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) and the stable connection period. The peculiarity of the article is the type of movement under investigation-a fractal random walk. Studying the sensitivity of the quality metrics to the parameters of Fokker-Planck kinetic equation with fractional spatial derivatives the elasticity matrix was constructed. The numerical analysis demonstrated the significant influence of the fractal dimension in addition to the number of transceivers and diffusion coefficient.


Generally the dark forward bias current voltage (JD-V) characteristics of a-Si:H solar cells are analyzed without clearly separating their contributions due to carrier recombination in the bulk from that at the p/i interface regions nor those imposed by carrier injection from the p and n contacts. Furthermore their exponential regimes are interpreted and fitted with constant diode quality factor n with modeling which is based on many fitting parameters that have not been reliably established. A new approach has been developed for the analysis of JD-V characteristics for the entire voltage range relevant to the operation of solar cells, which has allowed the three contributions to be identified and characterized. It is based on the analysis of their bias dependent differential diode quality factors, n(V), from which important information on the energy distribution of the defect states in the i-layers has been obtained. Results are presented and discussed here for p-i-n a-Si:H solar cells having sufficiently low p/i interface recombination so that the limitations by the bulk recombination on open circuit voltage, Voc, can be identified. These results are then correlated with the defect state distributions previously obtained from the analysis on differential diode quality factor n(V) characteristics for hydrogen diluted and undiluted intrinsic layers both in the annealed state as well as after introducing light induced defects.


Research is focused on the field of comparative criminal procedure. Classical distinction between accusatorial and inquisitorial approaches, which are found in common law and civil law systems respectively are examinated. Inquisitorial criminal procedure, which is followed in continental Europe, has a pejorative connotation by contrast to accusatorial one. Both inquisitorial and accusatorial models are seen as irreconcilable and as having conflicting characteristics. However, in practice, both models are not as different as the abstract descriptions suggest. The criminal procedures followed in continental Europe, influenced by American practices, have many of the features associated with the accusatorial/adversarial models. In addition, in accusatorial and/or adversarial systems, especially in the United States, the trial is not the general rule. In fact, in more than 90% of criminal cases in the United States, resolution is reached through plea bargaining. This is now a part of the adversarial system that also represents a failure of the system as far as the trial, which should be the general rule, is now the exception. My proposal is that we should eliminate the two categories or labels (inquisitorial and accusatorial) for two reasons. First, the distinction is no longer accurate. The two models might have had distinctive and competing characteristics in the past, but this is no longer the case. Second, there is no longer a clear distinction between the two models because of the ways these models have influenced each other, especially the influence of the Anglo-American model on the European model.


This report presents numerical simulations of isothermal reactive flows which might be induced in the caprock of an Italian depleted gas reservoir by the geological sequestration of carbon dioxide. Our objective is to verify that CO2 geological disposal activities already planned for the study area are safe and do not induce any undesired environmental impact.Gas-water-rock interactions have been modelled under two different intial conditions, i.e., assuming that i) caprock is perfectly sealed, or ii) partially fractured. Field conditions are better approximated in terms of the sealed caprock model . The fractured caprock model has been implemented because it permits to explore the geochemical beahvior of the system under particularly severe conditions which are not currently encountered in the field, and then to delineate a sort of hypothetical maximum risk scenario.Major evidences supporting the assumption of a sealed caprock stem from the fact that no gas leakages have been detected during the exploitation phase, subsequent reservoir repressurization due to the ingression of a lateral aquifer, and during several cycles of gas storage in the latest life of reservoir management.An extensive program of multidisciplinary laboratory tests on rock properties, geochemical and microseismic monitoring, and reservoir simulation studies is underway to better characterize the reservoir and cap-rock behavior before the performance of a planned CO2 sequestration pilot test.In our models, fluid flow and mineral alteration are induced in the caprock by penetration of high CO2 concentrations from the underlying reservoir, i.e., it was assumed that large amounts of CO2 have been already injected at depth. The main focus is on the potential effect of these geochemical transformations on the sealing efficiency of caprock formations. Batch and multi-dimensional 1D and 2D modeling has been used to investigate multicomponent geochemical processes. Our simulations account for fracture-matrix interactions, gas phase participation in multiphase fluid flow and geochemical reactions, and kinetics of fluid-rock interactions.The main objectives of the modeling are to recognize the geochemical processes or parameters to which the advancement of high CO2 concentrations in the caprock is most sensitive, and to describe the most relevant mineralogical transformations occurring in the caprock as a consequence of such CO2 storage in the underlying reservoir. We also examine the feedback of these geochemical processes on physical properties such as porosity, and evaluate how the sealing capacity of the caprock evolves in time.


Provides a portrayal of the history of the 20th century from the expansion of colonial empires at the turn of the century to the decline of the Soviet empire and the unification of Germany. The book details the changing fortunes of nations since 1900, catalogues the events and consequences of wars and summarizes the more subtle social and economic shifts that have underpinned recent history. The book is divided into six chronological sections. Each section starts with an essay to introduce the historical themes of the period and concludes with a detailed chronology of events. In between are double page spreads on particular topics - the cause of World War I, the Russian Revolution, the Spanish Civil War, Nazi Europe, decolonization in Africa, communist China, the world in 1990 - in which maps and text provide a easily assimilated introduction to the rapid changes of this century.


The potential of bacterial and fungal isolates from root and soil samples of faba bean and other crops, was assessed for biological control of Botrytis fabae (chocolate spot) and rust (Uromyces viclae-fabae) through in vitro and in vivo screening. In total, 690 bacterial and fungal isolates were obtained and screened with B. fabae mycelium in a preliminary screen on agar plates. Potential antagonism was exhibited by approximately 30% of these isolates, as indicated by at least one of the following visual symptoms: a brown discoloration of mycelium or media, a zone of inhibition of mycelial growth, a zone free of sclerotial formation or contact inhibition between isolates. Detached leaf studies rejected a further 20% of the isolates due to their pathogenicity towards the leaves. Further replicated antagonism tests in vitro allowed more detailed studies, where the percentage inhibition in radial growth of B. fabae and the zone of inhibition were recorded. Some isolates which exhibited potential antagonism in the initial preliminary screen did not do so in this test. Bacterial isolate LL1.F23, identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens, exhibited the largest inhibition zone (11.2 mm), inducing malformations and severe browning of mycelium at the culture edge. Overall, fungi produced smaller inhibition zones than bacterial isolates. Germination tests with B. fabae conidia showed that isolate LL1.F23 significantly reduced the germination, length of germ-tubes produced and appressorium formation relative to the control. Other isolates reduced germination significantly but to a lesser degree. Some fungal isolates inhibited mycelial growth of B. fabae through the production of volatile and nonvolatile antibiotics. However, due to the production of secondary colonies of antagonists, the results were variable and inconsistent. Spore germination tests on V. viclae-fabae in the presence of antagonists showed that uredospore germination was reduced by up to 90%. Following in vitro screening, 35 isolates (15 fungal and 20 bacterial isolates) were chosen for application to bean plants in the glasshouse. Against chocolate spot, the fungal isolate AP1.S20 (Penicillium chrysogenum Thom.) showed the greatest potential, reducing disease levels by up to 80%. Fungal isolate AG1.F4 (Geomyces pannorus (Link) Singler and J.W. Carmich.) and bacterial isolate P1.S13B, reduced chocolate spot infection to 19% and 12% of the control respectively, when applied simultaneously with B. fabae conidia. The percentage leaf area covered with rust pustules was reduced by 78% following simultaneous application of isolate AP2.R16 with rust uredospores. The most consistent reductions in chocolate spot and rust were obtained with simultaneous inoculation of the antagonist and the pathogen. It was found with rust that the greater the concentration of antagonist inoculum, the greater the reduction of rust on the leaf surface. A suspension of 1 x 10.


Cellular chaperones and folding enzymes play central roles in the formation of positive-strand and negative-strand RNA virus infection. This article examines the key cellular chaperones and discusses evidence that these factors are diverted from their cellular functions to play alternative roles in virus infection. For most chaperones discussed, their primary role in the cell is to ensure protein quality control. They are system components that drive substrate protein folding, complex assembly or disaggregation. Their activities often depend upon co-chaperones and ATP hydrolysis. During plant virus infection, Hsp70 and Hsp90 proteins play central roles in the formation of membrane-bound replication complexes for certain members of the tombusvirus, tobamovirus, potyvirus, dianthovirus, potexvirus, and carmovirus genus. There are several co-chaperones, including Yjd1, RME-8, and Hsp40 that associate with the bromovirus replication complex, pomovirus TGB2, and tospovirus Nsm movement proteins. There are also examples of plant viruses that rely on chaperone systems in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to support cell-to-cell movement. TMV relies on calreticulin to promote virus intercellular transport. Calreticulin also resides in the plasmodesmata and plays a role in calcium sequestration as well as glycoprotein folding. The pomovirus TGB2 interacts with RME-8 in the endosome. The potexvirus TGB3 protein stimulates expression of ER resident chaperones via the bZIP60 transcription factor. Up-regulating factors involved in protein folding may be essential to handling the load of viral proteins translated along the ER. In addition, TGB3 stimulates SKP1 which is a co-factor in proteasomal degradation of cellular proteins. Such chaperones and co-factors are potential targets for antiviral defense.


A study was made of the morphological status of hepatocytes, the antioxidant activity of lipids and composition of phospholipids, and dehydrogenase activity in the liver of field mice taken from seven regions of the Chernobyl A.P.S. zone with different levels of contamination in 1987. There observed multiple types of destructive damages to the organ; depletion of liver lipids by antioxidants; diminution of phospholipids within the total lipid level; considerable increase in the phosphatidyl choline/phosphatidyl ethanolamine ratio and in the relative content of phospholipid lysoforms; and inhibition of dehydration processes. In the absence of a strict correlation between the changes in the biophysical and biochemical parameters or between the severity of degenerative changes in hepatocytes and the level of external irradiation, certain relationship was followed up between liver lipid depletion by antioxidants, inhibition of dehydration processes and the number of wild rodents which developed dystrophic changes in the organ. These structural and functional changes were found in the liver of wild rodents taken from all the regions: this indicated a considerable sensitivity of the parameters of the regulatory cell systems and hepatocytes to the effect of technogenic contamination.


This thesis examines the role of a financial accelerator mechanism for housing in the context of a small open economy. Following the seminal financial accelerator framework in a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model set out by Bernanke, Gertler and Gilchrist (1999) (BGG), Aoki, Proudman and Vlieghe (2002, 2002a, 2004) (APV) examine the role of the financial accelerator for the housing market. In my basic model (Chapter 2), I extend the analysis of APV from a closed economy to a small open economy in which imports are used as intermediate inputs into the production process and foreign demand for domestically produced goods is influenced by the real exchange rate. Unlike APV, I set the endowment of housing to be consistent with the nature of consumer behaviour, in that "rule of thumb" (ROT) consumers (who do not save) are renters, further differentiating them from "permanent income hypothesis" (PIH) consumers. I find that in contrast to APV, the financial accelerator effect does not increase the responsiveness of consumption and output to various shocks. This is due in part to the endowment of housing being restricted to PIH households. I find that the presence of a financial accelerator increases the responsiveness of the housing market to nominal interest rate, technology, and foreign shocks. Moreover, even though the financial accelerator reduces the reaction of the nonhousing variables to shocks, there is still a positive correlation between house prices and consumption, consistent with the widely observed empirical relationship between the two. Furthermore, given that PIH households have access to the capital markets, the model does not rely on a wealth effect to generate this correlation even though homeowners can engage in housing equity withdrawal. In Chapter 3 I extend the DSGE model to include a more fully specified fiscal sector. I find that consistent with the RBC view of fiscal policy, a positive government spending shock has a negative impact on the housing market. Using the type of fiscal rule proposed by Gal´ı, Vall´es and L´opez-Salido (2004), I find that government spending crowds out private consumption, including the purchase of housing services and has a negative impact on house prices. Despite the positive short-term impact on output, tax increases that would ultimately fund the spending shock act as a drag on consumption. In Chapter 4 I examine the New Zealand empirical data in order to see whether a financial accelerator effect can be detected. Using a small seven variable Structural Vector Auto-Regression model I find that shocks to house prices do not have a significant impact on the mortgage rate-benchmark interest rate spread in the manner suggested by the financial accelerator model. This may be due to other costs (such as funding mortgage lending through the international swap market by New Zealand banks) having a significant impact on the setting of mortgage rates and thus the spread. I also find that government spending does not appear to have a significant impact on house prices and the median response is mildly negative - consistent with the result from the DSGE model. Nevertheless, the SVAR does detect a significant relationship between shocks to house prices and household consumption.


Building on previous works (e.g. Kubozono 2006, and Kang 2010), this article attempts to establish a taxonomy for loanword prosody, referring specifically to the patterns of stress, tone, or pitch-accent that are found in loanwords. Toward a taxonomy, we consider the following factors: (i) whether the pronunciation of the word in the source language influences the assignment of prosody in the borrowing language; (ii) whether prosody assignment is aided by rules (or constraints) that are specific to loanwords; and (iii) whether segmental features or suprasegmental features play a role. Exemplification of languages instantiating the taxonomy will be provided with discussion regarding issues that arise from the proposed taxonomy.


A new borosilicate, NaCa5BO3(SiO4)2, has been synthesized by a high-temperature solution method, which crystallizes in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P21/ c (No. 14), having a tangled three-dimensional (3D) network including isolated [BO3] triangles, isolated [SiO4] tetrahedra, and [CaO n] ( n = 7-9) and [NaO7] polyhedra. According to our surveys, it is the first compound containing both isolated [BO3] triangles and isolated [SiO4] tetrahedra in alkali- and alkaline-earth-metal borosilicates, which enriches the structure chemistry of borosilicates. The UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectrum shows that NaCa5BO3(SiO4)2 exhibits a wide transparent region which covers the near-IR, visible, and UV windows and displays a short UV cutoff edge at about 240 nm. Additionally, the thermal behavior (TG and DSC) and IR spectrum were also analyzed. For a deeper understanding of the relationships between the structure and properties, an analysis of theoretical calculations by density functional theory was also performed.


The treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction by thrombolytic agents affects several indices characterizing the pathological process. The effect of thrombolytic therapy was studied with reference to the activation of the blood kinin system. The data on a activating effect of myocardial infarction upon the state of the kinin sys tem were proved. When thrombolytic agents (streptoliase, streptase and fibrinolysin) and heparin are given, the kinin system is activated still further which clearly correlates with an elevated fibrinolytic activity of the blood. Under fibrinolytic therapy the most sensitive component of the kinin system proves to be kallikreinogen. The possible effect of the activation of the blood kinin system by thrombolytics upon the state of myocardial infarction patients is discussed.


Mintek and BacTech have joined forces to provide the metallurgical industry with bacterial-oxidation processes for the treatment of sulphide ores. The processes are aimed at both refractory goldbearing and base-metal concentrates. Previously, BacTech had commercially implemented the refractory gold process at the Youanmi Gold Mine in Western Australia. More recently, the process has been incorporated in the Sulphide Treatment Plant at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine in Tasmania, Australia. In addition, Mintek and BacTech have recently signed an agreement with the Laizhou Gold Metallurgy Plant in Chinai?½s Shandong Province, which will see the third commercial realization of the technology for refractory gold. Development of the base-metal technology is the subject of several papers in the proceedings of this colloquium. The implementation of the refractory gold technology at Beaconsfield is discussed in detail. Some important aspects that are covered include: * Test work, and the choice of bacterial culture * Process design choices, and the advantages of the Mintek- BacTech process * Inoculum build-up * Plant commissioning * Plant performance. Besides the Laizhou project, Mintek and BacTech are currently investigating several other commercial prospects for the technology. These include the use of the technology for a goldcopper deposit, where the production of both gold and copper is envisaged.


This study evaluated the performance, immune response to vaccination, digestive organs, intestinal histomorphometry, and microbiological development in the diet and litter of Isa Brown strains at growing receiving phase alternative additives in the place of antibiotics. Four treatments were arrayed in a completely randomized design: T1) Basal diet without antibiotics, T2) Basal diet with antibiotics, T3) Basal diet with probiotics, and T4) Basal diet without antibiotics and water modified by a photoelectron generator. There were six replications of eight birds each and thus a total of 192 birds. Performance was evaluated for eight weeks and during this period blood samples were collected at 9, 12 and 15 weeks of age for serological evaluation. At the end of the experimental period, 24 birds were euthanized, collecting the intestinal tract and later performing histomorphometry. Microbiological analyses were performed in the experimental diets and in the material of the litter of the boxes. The results obtained were analyzed by analysis of variance and the contrast between treatment means when significant by Tukey's test. The results indicate that the replacement of antibiotics with T3 or T4 did not interfere negatively (P >0.05) in the performance of the birds, immunological response, viscera analyses and intestinal histomorphometry. In addition, use of T3 and T4 might lead to more rapid decomposition of excreta and reduce antibiotic residue in the soil when the litter is used in crop production.Keywords: dileka, Gallus domesticus, histomorphometry, laying hens, probiotics, serum biochemistry, water


Aaptamine is a bioactive marine alkaloid containing a unique of 1H-benzo[de][1,6]naphthyridine skeleton. Aaptamine was isolated from marine sponge, Aaptos aaptos and was proposed as starting material for semi-synthetic modifications. A series of aaptamine derivatives were synthesized which consisted of 1,4-dialkyl (2-7), 4-alkyl (8-10) and 9-O-butyryl-1,4-dialkyl (11-16) aaptamine derivatives. Each derivative was characterized by FT-IR, UV-visible, NMR and MS. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus sp. bacterial strains using the disc-diffusion method. Some of the derivatives showed potent antibacterial activity against certain bacterial strains. - See more at: http://www.asianjournalofchemistry.co.in/user/journal/viewarticle.aspx?ArticleID=26_21_43#sthash.Cij7XzYA.dpuf


Women and Power at the French Court, 1483—1563 explores the ways in which a range of women " as consorts, regents, mistresses, factional power players, attendants at court, or as objects of courtly patronage " wielded power in order to advance individual, familial, and factional agendas at the early sixteenth-century French court. Spring-boarding from the burgeoning scholarship of gender, the political, and power in early modern Europe, the collection provides a perspective from the French court, from the reigns of Charles VIII to Henri II, a time when the French court was a renowned center of culture and at which women played important roles. Crossdisciplinary in its perspectives, these essays by historians, art and literary scholars investigate the dynamic operations of gendered power in political acts, recognized status as queens and regents, ritualized behaviors such as gift-giving, educational coteries, and through social networking, literary and artistic patronage, female authorship, and epistolary strategies.


The application in July 2005 by Wal-Mart to obtain a specialized bank charter from the state of Utah and to obtain federal deposit insurance re-opened a national debate concerning the separation of banking and commerce. Simultaneously, bank regulators were considering the possibility of allowing banks to enter the area of residential real estate brokerage, which is another facet of the same set of issues. Though Wal-Mart withdrew its application in March 2007, the issues and the debate continue. This paper offers a principles-based approach to these issues that begins with the recognition that banks are special and that safety-and-soundness regulation of banks is therefore warranted. Building on that recognition, the paper lays out the principle that the "examinability and supervisability" of an activity should determine if it should be undertaken by a bank or by a bank's owners. Even if an otherwise legitimate activity is not suitable for a bank, it should be allowed for a bank's owners (whether the owners are individuals or a holding company), so long as the financial transactions between the bank and its owners are closely monitored by bank regulators. The implications of this set of ideas for the Wal-Mart case, for real estate brokerage, and for banking and commerce generally are then discussed.


We present timing solutions and analyses of 11 pulsars discovered by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). These pulsars were discovered using an ultra-wide bandwidth receiver in drift-scan observations made during the commissioning phase of FAST, and were then confirmed and timed using the 64-m Parkes Radio Telescope. Each pulsar has been observed over a span of at least one year. Highlighted discoveries include PSR J0344-0901, which displays mode-changing behaviour and may belong to the class of so-called `swooshing' pulsars (alongside PSRs B0919+06 and B1859+07); PSR J0803-0942, whose emission is almost completely linearly polarised; and PSRs J1900-0134 and J1945+1211, whose well defined polarisation angle curves place stringent constraints on their emission geometry. We further discuss the detectability of these pulsars by earlier surveys, and highlight lessons learned from our work in carrying out confirmation and monitoring observations of pulsars discovered by a highly sensitive telescope, many of which may be applicable to next-generation pulsar surveys. This paper marks one of the first major releases of FAST-discovered pulsars, and paves the way for future discoveries anticipated from the Commensal Radio Astronomy FAST Survey (CRAFTS).


Quantum distortion operator is introduced based on canonical operators. As the lower bound of quantum information rate distortion, the entanglement information rate distortion is achieved by Gaussian map for Gaussian source. The entanglement information rate-distortion function is calculated for one-mode Gaussian source, it is achieved by a nontrivial unitary transfor- mation. The rate distortion is achievable at zero distortion point. In contrast to the distortion defined via fidelity, our definition of the distortion makes it possible to calculate the entanglement information rate-distortion function for Gaussian source.


Are the methods and strategies that evolutionary psychologists use to generate and test hypotheses scientifically defensible? This target article addresses this question by reviewing principles of philosophy of science that are used to construct and evaluate metatheoretical research programs and applying these principles to evaluate evolutionary psychology. Examples of evolutionary models of family violence, sexual jealousy, and male parental investment are utilized to evaluate whether the procedures for developing and testing evolutionary psychological models are consistent with contemporary philosophy of science. Special attention is paid to the generation of competing theories and hypotheses within a single evolutionary framework. It is argued that this competition is a function of the multiple levels of scientific explanation employed by evolutionary psychologists, and that this explanatory system adheres to the Lakatosian philosophy of science. The charge that evolutionary theories and hypotheses are unfalsifiable is unwarranted and has its roots in a commonly accepted, but mistaken, Popperian view of how science operates. Modern evolutionary theory meets the Lakatosian criterion of "progressivity," based on its ability to digest apparent anomalies and generate novel predictions and explanations. Evolutionary psychology has the hallmarks of a currently progressive research program capable of providing us with new knowledge of how the mind works.


Abstract: Microtus quasiater (Coues, 1874) is a small arvicoline rodent commonly known as the Jalapan pine vole. It is 1 of 7 species of Microtus that live in Mexico. M. quasiater has a restricted distribution, and typically inhabits mountain cloud forest in the Sierra Madre Oriental along a narrow zone at elevations from about 700 to 2,150 m. It is a generalist herbivore known to feed on at least 36 plant species, including both monocotyledons and dicotyledons. The species is considered as "Near Threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and some data indicate low population sizes. Version of Record, first published online August 22, 2018, with fixed content and layout in compliance with Art. 220.127.116.11 ICZN


This series deals with the worldwide economic effects of automation on manufacturing processes. Robotics and Manufacturing is an exhaustive source of scientific and technical progress by top international researchers. Its contents are invaluable for tracking the trends and directions of this important field. Unrivaled in its complete and far-ranging coverage, these volumes are packed with the highest quality research, covering: - robot kinematics, dynamics, analysis, and design - sensing and sensors - robot control - parallel and redundant robots - telerobotics and space applications of robots - flexible and mobile robots - fuzzy logic applications in robots and manufacturing - intelligent systems and intelligent manufacturing - design and economics of manufacturing systems.


Studies have been made on the molecular weight, solubility, electrophoretic mobility, isoelectric point and N-terminal fragments containing 4 amino acids of the serum albumin in two strains of hens and their hybrids. In all the animals studied, the albumin had Asp as the N-terminal amino acid. Amino acid sequence in the 4-acid fragments was also identical: NH2--Asp--Ala--His--Lys. With respect to all the physico-chemical parameters investigated (except isoelectric point), proteins of the parental strains and of their hybrids did not exhibit significant differences.


THIS is a report on some theoretical and technical contributions to the investigation of the double bind; they are the product of an ongoing research project on communication in the families of schizophrenic patients. The purposes of the present paper are to describe a researchable elaboration of the double bind theory, specifying the minimum level of complexity deemed necessary for such a communicational study and suggesting a method of breaking the data into units which are neither meaninglessly isolated nor too complex to be handled. Having proposed disqualification as an operational component of the overall double bind pattern, we will identify, define, and illustrate some varieties of what will be called transactional disqualification and emphasize another equally essential component, the response of the "victim." The Double Bind Hypothesis In essence, we will describe disqualification as one, but definitely not the only,


The frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease in pediatrics has increased. There is not a clear explanation, some believe there is more awareness of the disease, others believe that new formulas, which are richer in nutrients, may irritate the gastrointestinal tract of the infant. Clinically, children present with regurgitation-malnutrition, respiratory disease, and esophagitis. The medical treatment aims to improve the eating techniques, to decrease the gastric acid output, and to improve the motility function of the esophago-gastrointestinal tract. Surgical treatment is rarely needed.


A major concern with the use of silicon sensor in nuclear and particle physics experiments is its survival in the intense radiation environment. The unprecedented increase in fluence in these experiments affects its long-term sustainability due to both bulk and surface damage, resulting in the deterioration of its static and dynamic properties. Hence, stringent tolerance criteria are imposed on these sensors to maintain the physics performance of an experiment. This necessitates the testing of the silicon sensors' performance under temperature and humidity controlled, dark and dust free, environment. Our Group at the University of Delhi is in the process of establishing such a characterization system, for the first time in India, for testing a large array of silicon micro-strip sensors. A set of electrical characterization units, capable of providing 3000 V and measuring pico-Ampere currents and pico-Farad capacitances, are installed in the facility. Among other features, the probe station has a capability to translate in three directions, with a step size of 2 micro-meter over the range of 20 cm in XY directions. The entire system is interfaced through the Automated Characterization Suite (ACS) software and can be programmed in such a way that one does not need to intervene manually as it switches from one silicon strip to another. Several measurements involving currents, capacitances and resistances can be performed for the total, strip and inter-strip parameters. It is primarily envisioned to utilize the setup for the qualification of micro-strip silicon sensors for the CMS outer tracker in the high-luminosity LHC upgrade. In this work, we present the details of this state-of-the-art characterization system and measurements performed on silicon strip sensors. The 27th International Workshop on Vertex Detectors VERTEX2018 22-26 October 2018 MGM Beach Resorts, Muttukadu, Chennai, India


This study explores the effect of regulatory and political constraints on the level of CEO compensation for 87 state-regulated electric utilities during 1978-1990. The results suggest that political pressures may constrain top executive pay levels in this industry. First, CEOs of firms operating in regulatory environments characterized by investment banks as relatively `pro-consumer' receive lower compensation than do CEOs of firms in environments ranked as more friendly to investors. Second, CEO pay is lower for utilities with relatively high or rising rates, or a higher proportion of industrial sales, consistent with earlier research that describes political pressures on electricity rates. Finally, attributes of the commission appointment and tenure rules affect CEO compensation in ways consistent with the political constraint hypothesis: for example, pay is lower in states with elected commissioners than in states where commissioners are appointed by the governor, all else equal. Despite apparently effective pressure to constrain pay levels in this sector, however, we find no evidence of related intra-industry variation in the sensitivity of pay to firm financial performance.


This page contains assessment/exam questions using data, figures, and graphs from research journals such as the Journal of Biological Chemistry which allow their use, or from journals such as from PLOS that are completely open access The papers and topics chosen were selected to assess student understanding of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) foundational concepts and learning objectives as well as MCAT2015 foundational concepts and objectives. These two sets of standards broadly overlap. Both ASBMB and the MCAT2015 strongly emphasis scientific inquiry and reasoning skills, which are perhaps best assessed by open-ended questions derived from the literature in which students must employ higher level Bloom skills of application and analysis.


Monoclonal antibodies recognizing epitopes expressed by invasive mouse trophoblast cells were obtained by immunizing male mice of the NMRI strain with mouse egg-cylinders obtained by culturing blastocysts on agarose for 4 days. Immunization was achieved by intrasplenic and in vitro methods. The procedures described outline a rational way of producing and selecting antibodies which are stage-specific for the mouse trophoblast at implantation and early placentation. Preimplantation stage-specificity was tested and adhesive blastocysts only were detected by 4 antibodies. Thus, these antibodies become markers for that developmental stage which characterizes an adhesive blastocyst ready to implant. Postimplantation stage-specificity was demonstrated by 6 antibodies, which labelled trophoblast cells of day 7 implantations only. Thus, there is a specific expression of some epitopes by the invasive trophoblast. Cell surface epitopes were detected on adhesive blastocysts by 4 antibodies and on the invasive trophoblast of the egg-cylinder by 7 antibodies. Shedded antigens from egg-cylinders in vitro were detected by 5 antibodies. Four of these antibodies detected substances released only from early implantation stages. A functional effect was demonstrated for an IgM antibody which impaired hatching and outgrowth of blastocysts in vitro.


SUMMARY The objective of this study was to compare donor site morbidity after reconstructive surgery with Ulnar Forearm Free Flap (UFFF) and Radial Forearm Free Flap (RFFF) with subjective methods. The UFFF and the RFFF were applied for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the head and neck region in 30 patients (20 M and 10 F; age range 28-75 years) affected by head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used to assess morbidity of the donor site. Analysis of the patients' DASH scores showed an overall median DASH total score of 9.17. No significant differences were observed for median values of the RFFF and UFFF groups (7.14 vs 10 respectively) or for the values in males and females (5 vs 13.3 respectively). The UFFF can be considered a valid alternative to the RFFF for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the head and neck area; it is safe, easy to harvest and is not associated with major morbidities of the donor site as demonstrated by the DASH questionnaire.


Understanding individual reactions to computing technology is a central concern of information systems research. This research seeks to understand these reactions from the perspective of Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura 1977, 1978, 1982, 1986), a widely accepted theory of behavior in Social Psychology and Industrial/Organizational Psychology. The theory holds that behavior, environment, and cognitive and other individual factors are engaged in an ongoing reciprocal interaction. Two cognitive factors in particular are given prominence in the theory: (1) outcome expectations, or beliefs about the consequences of behavior and (2) self-efficacy, beliefs about one's ability to successfully execute particular behaviors. A model of individual reactions to computing technology based on this theory was tested on a sample of 940 Canadian knowledge workers. Eleven of the fourteen hypotheses were supported by the analysis. Key findings were that self-efficacy, outcome expectations, affect and anxiety all had a direct influence on computer use. In addition, outcome expectations and self-efficacy were found to indirectly influence computer use through affect and anxiety. Tile behavior and influence of others in the individuals' reference groups was found to exert a small influence on selfefficacy and outcome expectations.


New ways of coffee consumption have emerged with the development of specialty coffees and terroir coffees. Producing coffee in a European country is a challenge according to the cost of labour. Nevertheless, farmers of the Reunion Island, the French island in the Indian Ocean, decided to grow coffee helped by a development project ("Cafe Bourbon pointu de la Reunion") with the aim of producing a high value coffee for a niche market. Producing coffee on the Reunion Island is not new: the first coffee plants were introduced in the 18th century from Yemen. Coffee cultivation has contributed to develop the island. "Bourbon pointu" is the result of a natural mutation of a Yemen Arabica coffee plant, discovered in 1771 in a plantation near the village of Sainte Marie. The coffee Bourbon pointu, caffeine low, is well known for its special citrus fruity taste. (Resume d'auteur)


Recent years have increased the number of studies focusing on development and co-production of industrial services together with partners. The complexity of managing industrial services (e.g. maintenance) also causes crucial managerial needs; e.g. how to find the focal areas that should be paid attention to in order to find solutions for developing the collaboration between service provider and client. This study aims to provide a comprehensive and objective viewpoint to the development of collaborative relationships in industrial environment. The paper especially focuses on studying the antecedents affecting the development of collaboration and realization of the common value in the case of maintenance of industrial asset fleet. The current study is a part of larger applied research project focusing on the industrial service business development. Individual and group interviews in three case organizations as well as client interviews have been utilized in order to form a reliable view on the relationship development in maintenance management. The results of the study bring forth the following development areas and also specific managerial recommendations related to these four main areas, which are; 1) strengthening the customer perspective, 2) collaborative capability development, 3) organizing and decision support, and 4) monitoring of relationship development.


This article explores the impact of regular perturbations (ie, small terms) in input constrained optimal control problems for nonlinear systems. In detail, it is shown that perturbation terms of magnitude ε appearing in the dynamics or the cost function lead to a variation of magnitude Kε2 in the optimal cost. The scale factor K can be estimated from the nominal (ε=0) solution and the analytic expressions of the perturbations. This result extends existing results that have been established in the absence of input constraints. Technically, the result is proven by means of interior penalties which allow constructing a sequence of suboptimal feasible solutions. Two numerical examples serve as illustration.


Abstract We propose a trimmed strategy for affine registration of point sets using the Lie group parameterization. All affine transformations form an affine Lie group, thus finding an optimal transformation in registration is reduced to finding an optimal element in the affine group. Given two point sets (with outliers) and an initial element in the transformation group, we seek the optimal group element iteratively by minimizing an energy functional. This is conducted by sequentially finding the closest correspondence of two point sets, estimating the overlap rate of two sets, and finding the optimal affine transformation via the exponential map of the affine group. This method improves the trimmed iterative closest point algorithm (TrICP) in two aspects: (1) We use the Lie group parameterization to implement TrICP. (2) We also extend TrICP to the case of affine transformations. The performance of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by using the LiDAR data acquired in the Mount St. Helens area. Both visual inspections and evaluation index (root mean trimmed squared distance) indicate that our algorithm performs consistently better than TrICP and other related algorithms, especially in the presence of outliers and missing points.


This study aimed at examining the relationship between the role of interpersonal competencies and students' academic performance in the education sector of Pakistan. Students of Public sector universities operating in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan were considered the population for the research. A stratified random sampling method was adopted for the selection of the sample. A survey method based on a questionnaire was applied for the collection of data. Before the conduction of the field survey, the validity of questionnaires was confirmed through a pilot study followed by an expertise review. A total of 328 questionnaires were administered and responses were received from 261 with duly filled questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed through SPSS and LISREL software. Analysis included Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Regression Analysis. CFA model fitness was evaluated based on seven fit indices and the model was significant and well fitted. Regression analysis was undertaken to examine the association amongst dependent variables and independent variables. Regression analysis values depict a positive significant association among communication skills and students' academic performance also show positive significant association among group/teamwork skills and students' academic performance. Students' findings were found consistent with previous studies conducted by (Latif 2006; Nasser, 2014; Nurmi, 2012; Korthagen, et al., 2014). The study recommended that at university level foundation course regarding the development of communication skills may be introduced to enhance the communication skills among students. It is also recommended that students may be engaged in interactive sessions for the development of their group/teamwork skills. The study further suggests that interactive seminars/workshops shall be arranged for students to exercise the importance of interpersonal competencies.


Objective: The topical fluoride application is the main strategy to remineralize white spots lesions (WSL). It is assumed that increasing its retention in the surface can favor remineralization. Therefore, previous treatments of the enamel surface are purposed to optimize its efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the remineralization capacity of the fluoride without and with the pre-treatment of the enamel with phosphoric acid and aluminum nitrate and then, the enamel acid-resistance after new acid challenge. Material and Methods: Twenty-four enamel bovine blocks were obtained and selected by means of initial surface microhardness (SMH) measurements. In sequence, WSL were artificially inducted by DE-RE cycling and randomized in two groups according to the enamel pretreatment to be tested (n=12): F (1.23% fluoride gel - APF- 4min) and P-Al-F (37% phosphoric acid- 30s + 0.05M aluminum nitrate 1min + APF- 4min). After then, a new acid challenge was equally performed. Additional SMH assessments were performed in each step. The values were processed and the percentage of SH loss (%SHL) was obtained. Data were statically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p<0.05). Results: There was no difference between evaluated protocols. For both groups, a significant difference among the steps of study was detected: it was observed a decrease of %SHL after the treatment and increase of %SHL after the new acid challenge. Conclusion: Enamel pretreatment with phosphoric acid associated with aluminum nitrate promoted similar protective effect compared to fluoride itself on the remineralization of artificial WSL, partially recovering the surface hardness. After new challenge, they also offered partial resistance.KeywordsDental caries; Dental enamel; Fluoride; Tooth remineralization.


In Reply. —The cautions noted by Drs Casele and Laifer are appropriate; fortunately, the problems they mention are neither common nor serious. Hypertension is relatively uncommon in women of childbearing age, and most women who are hypertensive are beyond the age when unscheduled pregnancies are more common. As they note, the only antihypertensive drugs currently used that pose a serious threat to fetal health are the ACE inhibitors (and likely the angiotensin II-receptor blockers). Clearly, ACE inhibitors should not be prescribed for women who may become pregnant. There is little evidence that any of the other classes of antihypertensive drugs pose the threat raised by Casele and Laifer that patients with hypertension may conceive while taking a drug that could cause serious adverse effects in the fetus. Once the patient conceives, most US obstetricians prefer to use methyldopa or hydralazine because these drugs are the only drugs approved for use in pregnancy.


The composition, microstructures and properties of the Ti(CN) based cermets have been characterized by using SEM/BSE and energy spectrometer. Results shows that the carbon content of the cermets through N2 and Ar sintering was lower by 0.5% than vacuum sintering and the nitrogen content of the cermets through N2 sintering was higher by 20~25% than the Ar and vacuum atmosphere sintering. When sintered in Ar or N2, the balance between the carbon and nitrogen in the cermets was broken to form a surface defects, which would result in poor properties. The structure of vacuum sintering is more uniform and the properties are better.


Based on characteristics of small batch and multi types of electroplating, a new method on mixed line production is proposed for an enterprise. PLC is used as control core to achieve accurate docking of multi-hoists and coordination mechanism of hoists. A hoist control system of electroplating product line, which is flexible, safe, reliable and high degree of automation, is built via associating PLC with rectifier power supplies, inverters, sensors, drive units etc. This system greatly improves the automation and efficiency of electroplating product line.


Automobile parking will also be a crucial trouble in fashionable engorged towns of nowadays. There definitely rectangular diploma too severe vehicles on the street and not enough parking regions. We've an unethical to diode to the need for cheap parking manage systems. This we have got have been given an unethical to illustrate the usage of IOT based absolutely parking manage machine that permits for finances satisfactory parking lot usage victimization IOT technology. To reveal the theory, we have got were given a unethical to apply IR sensors for sensing parking slot occupancy on the aspect of a dc motor to simulate as gate opener cars. We've an unethical to currently use a WLAN machine for net property and a chunk controller for operative the tool. We've were given an unethical to deliver an internet net web page for on line property and IOT manage interface style. The machine detects the parking slots square degree occupied victimization IR sensors.The tool reads the amount of parking slots to be had or occupied and updates records with the cloud server to allow for checking parking slot handiness on line. This permits customers to decide for available parking regions online from everywhere and to be had problem-free parking. Therefore the tool solves the parking hassle for cities accomplice degreed receives clients a reasonably-priced IOT primarily based totally parking manage tool


Author(s): Kaeser, Gwendolyn Elizabeth | Advisor(s): Chun, Jerold | Abstract: The human cerebral cortex makes up approximately 82% of the total brain mass, has 52 distinct Brodmann areas, and contains approximately 16 billion neurons. In recent years, neuroscientists, geneticists, bioengineers, and bioinformaticians, by working in collaboration have only begun to scratch the surface towards understanding the enormous cellular complexity and heterogeneity that exists in our brains. My thesis work in has focused on the investigation of the immense diversity that comprises both the genomic and the transcriptomic landscapes of the human brain through the use of traditional, and newly engineered, single-cell technologies. Neuronal genomic mosaicism – the phenomenon wherein neurons possess unique somatically altered genomes – was first identified as mosaic aneuploidies, a gain or loss of an entire chromosome. In recent years, multiple labs have now demonstrated that the somatic genomic changes also include LINE-1 retrotransposons, both large (g10 megabases (Mb)) and small (l1 Mb) copy number variations (CNVs), single nucleotide variants (SNVs), and regional patterns of total DNA content changes referred to as DNA content variation (DCV). Genomic mosaicism has potentially important implications for the development of somatic brain diseases of which there is no known cause. Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD), constitutes ~98% of cases, and bears a striking clinical and pathological resemblance to familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). This dissertation began by exploring the hypothesis that somatic genomic alterations occur in SAD brains to produce CNVs of AD related genes. We found that in the frontal cortex (FCTX) of SAD patients, neurons displayed an increase in total DNA content when compared to FCTX neurons from non-diseased patients. Importantly, this was accompanied by an increase in APP gene copy number, as determined by single-cell qPCR and peptide nucleic acid (PNA) fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), independent from chromosome 21 trisomy. In continuation of this work, I hypothesized that the DNA content increases observed may develop throughout the decades of life preceding Alzheimer's disease symptoms. Down sydome (DS) patients, possess three copies of APP, a gene dosage effect strong enough to result in FAD. Therefore, to test this hypothesis I examined Down syndrome (DS) patient samples from ages 0-65 both with DSAD and without. We observed a steady increase in neuronal DNA content throughout life, that began to decrease again, at the onset of AD. Additionally, non-diseased neurons observed a similar increase in DNA content but, at a significantly lower rate. This age dependent increase in DNA content is highly significant, because it is some of the first evidence that neuronal mosaic increases are occurring post-mitotically. In addition, I have been an integral part of a highly collaborative single-cell transcriptome brain mapping initiative. As part of this team, we have sequenced the nuclear transcriptome of over 3,000 neurons from 5 different brain regions. We identified 16 different neuronal subtypes that were cortical layer and region specific. Together, these genomic and transcriptomic assessments are integral to understanding the normal functioning of the human brain, in order to better understand neurological diseases.


abstract A number of seismic source models for underground nuclear explosions have been developed over the past 2 decades. These models include the spherically symmetric compressional source model, the wave conversion source model, the tectonic strain release source model, the spall slapdown source model, and the near-regional source model. These model are reviewed in this study and are shown to be inconsistent with various geophysical data associated with underground nuclear explosions. In particular, the Rayleigh and Love wave signals generated by underground nuclear explosions have not been explained satisfactorily by any of these source models. To explain the observed explosion data, it may be necessary to model the explosion seismic source as a sequence of mechanisms producing seismic signals. These mechanisms all act within the first few seconds following the explosion detonation. One of the most important of these mechanisms is probably explosion-induced thrust faulting.


Plant pathogens pose major threats on agriculture and horticulture, causing significant economic loss worldwide. Due to the continuous and excessive use of synthetic pesticides, emergence of pesticide resistant pathogens has become more frequent. Thus, there is a growing needs for environmentally-friendly and selective antimicrobial agents with a novel mode of action, which may be used in combination with conventional pesticides to delay development of pesticide resistance. In this study, we evaluated the potentials of lichen substances as novel biopesticides against eight bacterial and twelve fungal plant pathogens that have historically caused significant phytopathological problems in South Korea. Eight lichen substances of diverse chemical origins were extracted from axenic culture or dried specimen, and further purified for comparative analysis of their antimicrobial properties. Usnic acid and vulpinic acid exhibited strong antibacterial activities against Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. In addition, usnic acid and vulpinic acid were highly effective in the growth inhibition of fungal pathogens, such as Diaporthe eres, D. actinidiae, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Intriguingly, the growth of Rhizoctonia solani was specifically inhibited by lecanoric acid, indicating that lichen substances exhibit some degrees of selectivity to plant pathogens. These results suggested that lichen substance can be used as a selective biopesticide for controlling plant disease of agricultural and horticultural significance, minimizing possible emergence of pesticide resistant pathogens in fields.


OF DISSERTATION ESSAYS ON PRICE DISCRIMINATION AND DEMAND LEARNING This dissertation consists of three essays examining how and why firms set prices in markets. In particular, this dissertation shows how firms may utilize nonlinear pricing to price discriminate, how firms may experiment with the prices they set to learn about the demand function in the market they serve in later periods and the effects of these pricing strategies on consumer welfare. In Essay 1, I show how firms in the milk market use nonlinear price schedules – quantity discounts – to price discriminate and increase profits. I find that firms have a greater ability to price discriminate on their own "private label" products rather than regional branded that they sell alongside their own. Though some consumers benefit from a lower price as a result of the price discrimination, total consumer surplus is lower than if the store had to offer a fixed price per unit. Additionally, I compare my structural demand estimates, which using the Nielsen household panel data include consumer demographic information and actual household choices, to the standard approach in the literature on price discrimination that uses only market level data. By doing so I find that ignoring demographic information and actual consumer choices leads to biased parameter estimates. In the case of the milk market, the biased parameter estimates due to ignoring household demographic information and actual consumer choices lead to underestimating welfare harm to consumers on average. After finding that price discrimination harms consumers overall in this market, I quantify which consumer demographic are better off and which are worse off. I find that households with children and low income households with children are the only households to benefit from the price discriminatory practices of firms in this market. Since these groups are particularly vulnerable, I suggest that policymakers take no action to correct this market, as any action will directly hurt these consumer groups. In Essay 2, I study how firms learn about the demand in a new market by exploiting a significant change in Washington's state's liquor laws. In 2012, the state of Washington switched from a price-controlled state-store system of selling liquor to one in which private sellers could sell liquor with minimal restrictions on price and range of products. As a result, a heterogeneous group of firms entered the liquor market across the state with little knowledge of the regional demand for alcohol in the state of Washington across heterogeneous localities. Using the Nielsen retail scanner data I am able to observe the variation in pricing and offerings seasonally and over time to see if there is convergence in offerings and prices, and how quickly that convergence occurs across different localities depending on local demographics and competition. I also investigate the extent to which the variation is "experimentation" by the firms, i.e., the firms purposely experimenting to learn more about demand and the extent that local demographics and competition can affect the experimentation and whether there are spill-overs from local competition (i.e. do firms learn from each other and does this effect how much they experiment and how quickly they learn). My main findings are that over time, firms within this market have learned better how to price discriminate over the holiday season; firms experiment more with prices for the pint sized products than the larger sizes; and that menu of options that firms have offered has been expanding but at a slower rate, suggesting that they are approaching a long-run steady state for the optimal menu of options.


BACKGROUND
The effectiveness of mammography screening could be improved if factors that influence nonattendance were better understood.

METHODS
We examined attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge in relation to nonattendance in a population-based mammography screening program, using a case-control design. Data were collected from November 1997 to March 1998 through telephone interviews with 434 nonattenders and 515 attenders identified in a population-based mammography register in central Sweden. The questions asked drew primarily upon the components constituting the Health Belief Model.

RESULTS
Multivariate analysis showed that nonattendance was most common among women within the highest quartile of perceived emotional barriers, compared to women within the lowest quartile (OR = 4.81; 95% CI 2.96-7.82). Women who worried most about breast cancer were more likely to attend than those who worried least (OR = 0.09; 95% CI 0.02-0.31). Women with the highest scores of perceived benefits were more likely to attend than women with the lowest ones (OR = 0.35; 95% CI 0.08-0.75). Other factors associated with nonattendance were less knowledge about mammography and breast cancer, lack of advice from a health professional to participate, and very poor trust in health care.

CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that increased participation in outreach mammography screening programs can be achieved through enhancement of breast cancer awareness and possibly by reducing some of the modifiable barriers. mammography; mass screening; breast cancer; attitudes; Sweden.


: Multiple diagnostic tests are available for determining the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Some tests rely on endoscopy while others are non-invasive. The accuracy of a test depends on the clinical situation in which it is used. Most tests have been evaluated in untreated individuals, while few studies have investigated their performance post-treatment when bacterial counts might be low. In this overview we first discuss the different diagnostic techniques available to the clinician, and their value in the pre-treatment and post-treatment settings. Finally, we discuss the patient management-related question that arise in several clinical settings and recommend when to use which tests and why.


Abstract Plants possess an innate immune system enabling them to defend themselves against pathogen attack. The accumulation of newly synthesized pathogenesis-related proteins (PRs) is one of the most studied inducible plant defence response. In this paper, we report on the characterization of a class I PR4 vacuolar protein from Arabidopsis, named AtHEL. The protein has a modular structure consisting of an N-terminal hevein-like domain (CB-HEL) and a C-terminal domain (CD-HEL) that are posttranslationally processed. Both domains show a strong antifungal activity, but they do not have chitinolitic properties. CD-HEL was found to be endowed with RNase, but not DNase activity. Molecular modeling carried out on both domains revealed that CB-HEL possesses a chitin binding site strictly conserved between hevein-type peptides and that the cavity involved in substrate interaction of CD-HEL do not show any residue substitution with respect to the orthologous wheatwin1 from wheat. Using a fishing for partners approach, CB-HEL was found to interact with a fungal fruiting body lectin. According to literature, we can hypothesize that CB-HEL could cross the pathogen hyphal membrane and that its interaction with a fungal lectin could knock out one of the weapons that the fungus uses.


Alongside the growth of interest in Games-Based Learning, there has been a notable explosion of interest in the use of 3D graphical multi-user virtual environments (MUVE) for learning. Platforms such as Second Life® or alternatives (Theresm, Active Worlds, OpenCroquet, and so on) have potential for online tuition in ways quite different from those offered by traditional Web-based Virtual Learning Environments (VLE, a.k.a. Learning Management System or LMS). The Sloodle project is working to integrate Second Life with the Moodle VLE – and to investigate how this might support learning and teaching with the Second Life platform. Second Life can be considered as a 3D client for Moodle learning activities, while a complimentary view is to consider Moodle as a back-end for Second Life learning activities – enabling virtual world learning activities integrated with Web-based class lists and grade books. The authors close by considering future directions and applications.


The differences method between 1-D wavelet transform and 2-D wavelet transform in image processing is discussed. Both proposed method uses the quotient of complex valued time-frequency information of observed signals to detect the number of sources. No less number of observed signals than the detected number of sources is needed to separate sources. The assumption on sources is quite general independence in the time-frequency plane, which is different from that of independent component analysis. Using the same given Algorithm and parameters for both method, the result on separated images are compared.


Australia has announced the need to review the distribution of responsibility among individuals, businesses and governments, as a consequence of the move to digital citizenship. Australia has formally framed the issues in these terms and has opened dialogue between government and citizens regarding responsibilities for the use and protection of digital identity. This article examines digital citizenship in Australia and considers the implications for individuals, government and the private sector of the requirement for an individual to use his/her digital identity for transactions. The features and functions of digital identity are examined, and the consequences for individuals, business and government of system failure are considered. The analysis shows that, while there are consequences for all, individuals are most affected. The author argues that the traditional approach of relying on privacy for protection is inadequate in these circumstances. Privacy, by its nature, cannot adequately protect the part of digital identity which is required for transactions. The argument presented is that, unlike privacy, the right to identity can protect the set of digital information required for transactions. Considering the new system is literally being imposed by government, the inherent vulnerabilities of the system, and the consequences of system failure for individuals, formal recognition of the right to identity is an essential element of accountable and responsible governance. Whilst in time the right to identity in this context may be recognised by the courts, the author argues that legislative recognition and protection of an individual's right to digital identity is needed now as a key component of the distribution of responsibility in this new digital era.


Background The ISEAN-Hivos Program is a Regional Global Fund Program that focuses on reducing the vulnerability and risks of MSM and TG to HIV infection in Insular Southeast Asia. The Program also intends to address critical gaps in supporting and scaling up activities that reduce HIV/AIDS among MSMs and TGs. One of the key strategies of the Program is the development and implementation of training modules that address stigma and discrimination among health workers when they provide clinical and related services to MSMs and TGs, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor Leste. This study describes the strategy used by the ISEAN-Hivos Program towards achieving this goal. Methods Based on strategy evaluations, it was deemed that the modules need to include clinical skills training for the health workers, as a springboard towards changing their negative attitudes about their MSM and TG clients. Results Key initial findings while preparing the modules include the following: There is a need to engage country-recognised "experts" that can provide the trainings. There is a need to engage the Ministries of health in the four countries to enable the module to be used as well by health care workers in public settings. The modules must be flexible enough to be able to be tailored in terms of content, length of training and level of skills or knowledge required, depending on the needs of the targeted health care workers' contexts. Conclusion The findings from the initial strategic evaluation of the approach used in the development of training modules that address healthcare workers' stigma and discrimination against MSM and TGs who seek STI-HIV-related services support a multi-agency approach working at a regional level. The modules will then be translated into local languages for ease of use among the target training participants.


In this paper, the hosting capacity considering harmonic distortion is estimated for single-phase-connected photovoltaic inverters (PVIs) in low-voltage distribution networks. A stochastic approach is used to calculate the harmonic voltage distortion with each customer in the network. The method has been applied to a 6-customer network for the connection of 2.5-kW single-phase PVIs with and without harmonic voltage background. From the results, it was observed that the contribution from 2.5 kW single-phase photovoltaic inverters to the individual harmonic distortion will not cause the established limits to be exceeded. Also, that the harmonic voltage background is often dominating and should be continuously observed.


Background Although current alcohol consumption is a risk factor for incident atrial fibrillation (AF), the more clinically relevant question may be whether alcohol cessation is associated with a reduced risk. Methods and results We studied participants enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) between 1987 and 1989 without prevalent AF. Past and current alcohol consumption were ascertained at baseline and at 3 subsequent visits. Incident AF was ascertained via study ECGs, hospital discharge ICD-9 codes, and death certificates. Of 15,222 participants, 2,886 (19.0%) were former drinkers. During a median follow-up of 19.7 years, there were 1,631 cases of incident AF, 370 occurring in former consumers. Former drinkers had a higher rate of AF compared to lifetime abstainers and current drinkers. After adjustment for potential confounders, every decade abstinent from alcohol was associated with an approximate 20% (95% CI 11–28%) lower rate of incident AF; every additional decade of past alcohol consumption was associated with a 13% (95% CI 3–25%) higher rate of AF; and every additional drink per day during former drinking was associated with a 4% (95% CI 0–8%) higher rate of AF. Conclusions Among former drinkers, the number of years of drinking and the amount of alcohol consumed may each confer an increased risk of AF. Given that a longer duration of abstinence was associated with a decreased risk of AF, earlier modification of alcohol use may have a greater influence on AF prevention.


In the eleven days following the Chernobyl catastrophe on April 26, 1986, more than 116,000 people were permanently evacuated from the area surrounding the nuclear power plant. Declared unfit for human habitation, the zones of exclusion includes the towns of Pripyat and Chernobyl. In May 2001, Robert Polidori photographed what was left behind in this dead zone. His richly detailed images lead us from the burned-out control room of Reactor 4, where technicians staged the experiment that caused the disaster, to the unfinished apartment complexes, ransacked schools, and abandoned nurseries that remain as evidence of those who once called Pripyat home. Nearby, trucks and tanks used in the cleanup efforts rest in an auto graveyard, some covered in lead shrouds and others robbed of parts. Houseboats and barges rust in the contaminated waters of the Pripyat River. Foliage grows over the sidewalks and hides the modest homes of the small town Chernobyl. Polidori captures the faded colors and desolate atmosphere of Pripyat and Chernobyl in his large-scale photographs. His images are haunting documents that present the reader with a rare view of not just a disastrous event, but of a place and the people who lived there.


BACKGROUND
The galaxy sign is an irregularly marginated pulmonary nodule formed by a confluence of multiple small nodules, and it is a diagnostic radiological finding for pulmonary sarcoidosis. However, the clinical significance of the galaxy sign for sarcoidosis has been poorly investigated.

OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance and detailed radiological features of the galaxy sign in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 87 patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis and 108 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Galaxy sign incidence was assessed on thoracic high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images from each group. Correlations of galaxy sign with clinical characteristics and disease outcomes were evaluated for patients with sarcoidosis.

RESULTS
HRCT findings were available for 65 of 87 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and all 108 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Galaxy sign incidence was significantly higher in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis (n=15, 23.1%) than in those with pulmonary tuberculosis (n=2, 1.9%, p<0.001). Among the 65 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, those with galaxy signs (n=15) were significantly younger (median: 32 years, interquartile range [IQR] 28-38 years) than those without (n=50) (median: 62 years, IQR 37.7-73 years). The CD4/CD8 ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was also significantly lower in the former group (median: 2.6, IQR 2.0-3.9 vs. median 5.8, IQR 3.7-8.6, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION
Galaxy signs are associated with younger age and low BALF CD4/CD8 ratio but not disease severity.


ABSTRACT:The causes, course and consequences of the unilateral declaration of independence [UDI] by Southern Rhodesia have generated a large scholarly literature. Less frequently accounted for is the growth of the Colony's secondary industrial sector, for a time the most sophisticated in Africa north of the Limpopo. Almost entirely lacking is analysis of the relationship, structural and political, between the two. Without an already existing secondary industrial base, UDI would have been impossible if not unthinkable. While some attention has been paid to the political attitudes of industrialists, no serious attempt has been made to identify the composition, capitalization, ownership, or product range of the manufacturing sector in the first half of the 1960s. In placing the two side by side, this article seeks to cast new light on the business and political dynamics shaping Central Africa during the era of decolonization.


Abstract. The occurrence of various types of winter precipitation is an important issue over the southern Canadian Cordillera. This issue is examined from January to April of 2010 by exploiting the high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model Version 3.4.1 dataset that was used to simulate both a historical reanalysis (CTRL) and a Pseudo-Global Warming (PGW) experiment (Liu et al., 2016). Transition regions, consisting of both liquid and solid precipitation or liquid precipitation below 0 °C, occurred on 93 % and 94 % of the days in the present and PGW future, respectively. This led to accumulated precipitation within the transition region increasing by 27 % and was associated with a rise in its average elevation by 374 m over the Coast and Insular Mountains and by 240 m over the Rocky Mountains and consequently to an eastward shift towards the higher terrain of the Rocky Mountains. Transition regions comprised of only rain and snow were most common under both the CTRL and PGW simulations although all seven transition region categories occurred. Transition region changes would enhance some of the factors leading to avalanches and would also impact ski resort operations.


Almost all econometric analyses of mega sporting events show nonsignificant results, i.e., they fail to reject the null hypothesis at the usual α levels of significance. Our contribution takes up the recent critique against the usual handling of the term of significance and qualifies the common interpretation that from a statistical point of view, the effects of mega sporting events are not significant. For this purpose, we use employment data from the World Cup 2006 in Germany. We determine empirical power functions of the relevant t-tests by means of a simulation study with autocorrelated and heteroscedastic error terms. In addition, we consider equivalence tests. Despite the relatively large goodness of fit of the model, it is not possible to reject the hypothesis of zero employment effects of the World Cup. At the same time, our simulation experiments show that even a fundamental raise/decline in unemployment in the World Cup venues of 6 to 7 percentage points would not be recognized in 50% of all cases


We introduce "financial imperfections" – asymmetric net wealth positions, incomplete risk-sharing, and interest rate spreads across member countries – in a prototypical two-country currency union model and study implications for monetary policy transmission mechanism and optimal policy. In addition to, and independent from, the standard transmission mechanism associated with nominal rigidities, financial imperfections introduce a wealth redistribution role for monetary policy. Moreover, the two mechanisms reinforce each other and amplify the effects of monetary policy. On the normative side, financial imperfections, via interactions with nominal rigidities, generate two novel policy trade-offs. First, the central bank needs to pay attention to distributional efficiency in addition to macroeconomic (and price level) stability, which implies that a strict inflation targeting policy of setting union-wide inflation to zero is never optimal. Second, the interactions lead to a trade-off in stabilizing relative consumption versus the relative price gap (the deviation of relative prices from their efficient level) across countries, which implies that the central bank allows for less flexibility in relative prices. Finally, we consider how the central bank should respond to a financial shock that causes an increase in the interest rate spread. Under optimal policy, the central bank strongly decreases the deposit rate, which reduces aggregate and distributional inefficiencies by mitigating the drop in output and inflation and the rise in relative consumption and prices. Such a policy response can be well approximated by a spread-adjusted Taylor rule as it helps the real interest rate track the efficient rate of interest.


BACKGROUND
Internet addiction is an emergent health hazard among adolescents, especially after COVID19. Parenting factors in a family environment specifically, have potential roles in either causing excessive internet usage, or in protecting teenagers from internet addiction.

AIM
The aim of the study was to understand factors in parent-adolescent relationship that determine low and excessive internet usage.

METHODS
A total of 102 adolescents within the age group of 13 to 18 years from two different schools in urban Bengaluru, India were recruited. Data was collected using three instruments namely semi structured tool to assess socio-demographic characteristics, Young's internet addiction test for internet usage and parental bonding instrument for adolescent perception about parenting dimensions.

RESULTS
Half of the participants were found to have mild to severe levels of internet addiction, and the remaining half had normal levels of internet usage. The results showed that decreased care and increased control from the mother, high autonomy from father and increased rejection from both parents as risk factors associated with adolescent internet excessive use. No other significant associations were found between adolescents' demographic, academic, peer and school profile and their internet addiction.

CONCLUSION
As internet has become an inevitable part of our life, parent-adolescent relationship forms an essential moderating factor in adolescents' internet usage.


A multi-criterial analysis has been proposed for choosing the optimal method of dewatering and final disposal of sludge from small wastewater treatment plants. A multi-criterial analysis is a method of compromise programming, selecting the best solution from four possible technological variants of sludge treatment. Based on these calculations, the best method from 4 variants was selected. It can be used in selection of optimal solution of sludge treatment and designing of small communities in rural areas.


Effective segmentation prior to recognition has been shown to improve recognition performance. However, most segmentation algorithms adopt methods which are not explicitly linked to the goal of object recognition. Here we solve a related but slightly different problem in order to assist object recognition more directly - the extraction of a foreground mask, which identifies the locations of objects in the image. We propose a novel foreground/background segmentation algorithm that attempts to segment the interesting objects from the rest of the image, while maximizing an objective function which is tightly related to object recognition. We do this in a manner which requires no class-specific knowledge of object categories, using a probabilistic formulation which is derived from manually segmented images. The model includes a geometric prior and an appearance prior, whose parameters are learnt on the fly from images that are similar to the query image. We use graph-cut based energy minimization to enforce spatial coherence on the model's output. The method is tested on the challenging VOC09 and VOC10 segmentation datasets, achieving excellent results in providing a foreground mask. We also provide comparisons to the recent segmentation method of [7].


In early period (1-4 day) after exposure to stress, CBA and C57B1/6 female mice excrete (with urine) volatile components (chemosignals) more attractive for intact males of the same strain than excretions of intact females irrespective of the genotype. In later period, attractiveness of excretions of these mice varies in an undulatory way. The difference in attractiveness between compared groups of females disappears within the period of a month after exposure to stress. Comparison of CBA and C57BL/6 strains shows that, within the period of 1-14 days, males prefer syngenic chemosignals (from mice of the same strain). Thus, a post-stress reversion of the genotype-dependent female olfactory attractiveness for males was observed. Such kind of attractiveness substantially differs from that in intact mice, for which the male preference to allogenic chemical signals (female mice of the same genotype) is natural. Features of male preference to chemical signals of females after their exposure to stress were demonstrated in direct comparison with the attractiveness of allogenic female signals. The normal chemosignalization is becoming restored from two to three weeks after the exposure to stress. The biological significance of the described phenomenon is discussed.


The thermal sprayed coatings are widely used in waste incineration boilers and fossil fuel-fired boilers. However, the defects, such as porosity, cracks and unmelted particles, in these coatings are detrimental to corrosion performance. In this study, the nickel based self fluxing alloy coating was fused by YAG laser to improve hot corrosion resistance of the coating. Under appropriate laser parameters, the nonporous, crack-free coating was produced. Hot corrosion test, conducted in the presence of a mixed salt of Na2SO4/NaCl/KCl at 550Гshowed that the modified coating exhibited excellent corrosion resistance compared with the as sprayed and gas fused coatings.


Deciphering biodistribution, biokinetics, and biological effects of nanoparticles (NPs) in entire organs with cellular resolution remains largely elusive due to the lack of effective imaging tools. Here, light sheet fluorescence microscopy in combination with optical tissue clearing was validated for concomitant three-dimensional mapping of lung morphology and NP biodistribution with cellular resolution in nondissected ex vivo murine lungs. Tissue autofluorescence allowed for label-free, quantitative morphometry of the entire bronchial tree, acinar structure, and blood vessels. Co-registration of fluorescent NPs with lung morphology revealed significant differences in pulmonary NP distribution depending on the means of application (intratracheal instillation and ventilator-assisted aerosol inhalation under anesthetized conditions). Inhalation exhibited a more homogeneous NP distribution in conducting airways and acini indicated by a central-to-peripheral (C/P) NP deposition ratio of unity (0.98 ± 0.13) as compared to a 2-fold enhanced central deposition (C/P = 1.98 ± 0.37) for instillation. After inhalation most NPs were observed in the proximal part of the acini as predicted by computational fluid dynamics simulations. At cellular resolution patchy NP deposition was visualized in bronchioles and acini, but more pronounced for instillation. Excellent linearity of the fluorescence intensity-dose response curve allowed for accurate NP dosimetry and revealed ca. 5% of the inhaled aerosol was deposited in the lungs. This single-modality imaging technique allows for quantitative co-registration of tissue architecture and NP biodistribution, which could accelerate elucidation of NP biokinetics and bioactivity within intact tissues, facilitating both nanotoxicology studies and the development of nanomedicines.


The structure of the vestibular organs of the teleost fish (bluegill), newts (Japanese fire-belly newt), frogs (black-spotted pond frog), snapping turtles and birds (chicks) was morphologically compared, with particular attention to the lagena macula, and the differences between animal species with relation to evolution were considered. Teleost fish had no striola on the lagena macula. The striola of newts were short and restricted to the central area of the macula, but those of frogs, snapping turtles and chicks extended from the anterior to posterior edges of the macula. This indicates that the frog is more highly evolved than the newt. The length of the kinocilium of sensory hairs was equal to that of the longest stereocilium in teleost fish and newts, but the kinocilia of frogs, snapping turtles and chicks were longer than the longest stereocilium. This indicates that the function of the lagena of teleost fish and newts is for hearing whilst in the other animals they are for posture. The diameter of the sensory hair bundles is small in teleost fish and frogs, but large in newts and snapping turtles. This indicates that the sensitivity of the sensory cells of the lagena towards outer force is low in teleost fish and frogs, high in newts and snapping turtles and intermediate in birds. The lagena of snapping turtles protrudes from the basilar papilla into the vestibule but the lagena of chicks lies on the tip of the long projecting basilar papilla. From observation of the locations of lagenae it is natural to speculate that there must have been some species of animal now extinct that had the evolving location of the lagena prior to that of chicks. In future it will be very interesting and useful to identify this extinct animal using DNA techniques.


Several BPMN graphical tools support, at least partly, the OMG's BPMN specification. The BPMN standard is an essential guide for tools' makers when implementing the rules regarding depiction of BPMN diagrammatic constructs. Process modelers should also know how to rigorously use BPMN constructs when depicting business processes either for business or IT purposes. Several already published OMG's standards include the formal specification of well-formedness rules concern-ing the metamodels they address. However, the BPMN standard does not. Instead, the rules regarding BPMN elements are only informally specified in natural language throughout the overall BPMN documentation. Without strict rules concerning the correct usage of BPMN elements, no wonder that plenty of available BPMN tools fail to enforce BPMN process models' correctness. To mitigate this problem, and therefore contribute for achieving BPMN models' correctness, we propose to supplement the BPMN metamodel with well-formedness rules expressed by OCL invariants. So, this document contributes to bring together a set of requirements that tools' makers must comply with, in order to claim a broader BPMN 2 compliance. For the regular process modeler, this report provides an extensive and pragmatic catalog of BPMN elements' usage, to be followed in order to attain correct BPMN process models.


Although requirement for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the initiation of spermatogenesis is well documented, its role in adult spermatogenesis is still debated. In the present communication, we have investigated the effect of specific immunoneutralization of FSH on apoptotic cell death in the testicular germ cells both in immature and adult rats. The germ cells of control animals showed predominantly high molecular weight DNA while the antiserum (a/s) treated group showed DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis. The pattern could be detected within 24 hours of a/s treatment, and became more pronounced after 48 hours. The germ cells were purified from FSH a/s treated rats by centrifugal elutriation and vulnerability of each cell type to undergo apoptosis on FSH neutralization was investigated. The pachytene spermatocytes were found to be most sensitive to absence of FSH, even in the adult animals suggesting the involvement of FSH in spermatogenesis. The in situ analysis of DNA strand breakage following FSH a/s treatment showed fragmentation of the DNA of the pachytene spermatocytes confirming this observation. The in situ analysis also showed that the spermatogonia undergo apoptosis in addition to the pachytene spermatocytes. These data clearly demonstrate the role of FSH in the adult rat spermatogenesis.


It may not be any consolation to you, but many investors have become concerned about, or are now discouraged with, the performance of their investments. Standing by and watching years of savings and past gains slip away over a 2-year period has many people wondering what to do next. According to the September issue of the AARP Bulletin, more than $7 trillion has evaporated since this bear market started. Of this, about $700 billion disappeared in value within retirement savings. To give you another perspective, a dollar invested in the broad-based S&P 500 in March 2000 is now worth about 55 cents.


The Image Content Engine (ICE) is being developed to provide cueing assistance to human image analysts faced with increasingly large and intractable amounts of image data. The ICE architecture includes user configurable feature extraction pipelines which produce intermediate feature vector and match surface files which can then be accessed by interactive relational queries. Application of the feature extraction algorithms to large collections of images may be extremely time consuming and is launched as a batch job on a Linux cluster. The query interface accesses only the intermediate files and returns candidate hits nearly instantaneously. Queries may be posed for individual objects or collections. The query interface prompts the user for feedback, and applies relevance feedback algorithms to revise the feature vector weighting and focus on relevant search results. Examples of feature extraction and both model-based and search-by-example queries are presented.


Content-based retrieval of multimedia database calls for content-based indexing techniques. Different from conventional databases, where data items are represented by a set of attributes of elementary data types, multimedia objects in multimedia databases are represented by a collection of features; similarity of object contents depends on context and frame of reference; and features of objects are characterized by multimodal feature measures. These lead to great challenges for content-based indexing. On the other hand, there are special requirements on content-based indexing: to support visual browsing, similarity retrieval, and fuzzy retrieval, nodes of the index should represent certain meaningful categories. That is to say that certain semantics must be added when performing indexing. ContIndex, the context-based indexing technique presented in this paper, is proposed to meet these challenges and special requirements. The indexing tree is formally defined by adapting a classification-tree concept. Horizontal links among nodes in the same level enhance the flexibility of the index. A special neural-network model, called Learning based on Experiences and Perspectives (FEP), has been developed to create node categories by fusing multimodal feature measures. It brings into the index the capability of self-organizing nodes with respect to certain context and frames of reference. An icon image is generated for each intermediate node to facilitate visual browsing. Algorithms have been developed to support multimedia object archival and retrieval using Contlndex.