Aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in the brain in the form of neuritic plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a key feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglial cells surround aggregated Aβ and are believed to play a role in AD pathogenesis. A therapy for AD that has entered clinical trials is the administration of anti-Aβ antibodies. One mechanism by which certain anti-Aβ antibodies have been proposed to exert their effects is via antibody-mediated microglial activation. Whether, when, or to what extent microglial activation occurs after systemic administration of anti-Aβ antibodies has not been fully assessed. We administered an anti-Aβ antibody (m3D6) that binds aggregated Aβ to PDAPP mice, an AD mouse model that was bred to contain fluorescent microglia. Three days after systemic administration of m3D6, there was a marked increase in both the number of microglial cells and processes per cell visualized in vivo by multiphoton microscopy. These changes required the Fc domain of m3D6 and were not observed with an antibody specific to soluble Aβ. These findings demonstrate that some effects of antibodies that recognize aggregated Aβ are rapid, involve microglia, and provide insight into the mechanism of action of a specific passive immunotherapy for AD.


Some major types of water of "deep" origin are believed to be recognizable from their chemical and isotopic compositions. Oil-field brines dominated by sodium and calcium chlorides differ markedly from average ocean water. In general, the brines are believed to be connate in origin ("fossil" sea water) with a negligible to high proportion of meteoric water. Many brines, particularly in pre-Tertiary rocks, are much higher in salinity than sea water and are greatly enriched in calcium as well as sodium chloride. Brines near the salinity of sea water are generally higher, relative to sea water, in bicarbonate, iodine, boron, lithium, silica, ammonium, and water-soluble organic compounds, and lower in sulfate, potassium, and magnesium.

Many changes take place after sea water is entrapped in newly deposited marine sediments: (1) Iodine, silicon, boron, nitrogen, and other elements have been selectively concentrated in organisms that decompose during and after burial in sediments. Many of the elements may redissolve in the interstitial water. (2) Bacteria are active in the sediments and reduce sulfate to sulfide and produce methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and other products. (3) Some elements have been selectively removed from sea water by inorganic processes, such as adsorption on clays and colloidal matter. When this matter is reconstituted by diagenetic and other changes, some components are redissolved. The abundance of lithium and possibly boron and other elements may be controlled to a considerable extent by these inorganic processes. (4) The interstitial water may react chemically with enclosing sediments and produce dolomite, reconstituted clays, and other minerals. The high loss of magnesium relative to calcium in most connate waters is probably caused by such reactions.

Volcanic hot-spring waters of different compositions have been discussed in an accompanying paper (White, 1957). The most significant type is believed to be dominated by sodium chloride, and is best explained as originating from dense gases driven at high temperature and pressure from magma and containing much matter of low volatility that is in solution because of the solvent properties of high-density steam. This dense vapor is condensed in and greatly diluted by deeply circulating meteoric water. Most other types of volcanic water are believed to be derived from the sodium-chloride type.

Volcanic sodium-chloride waters are similar in many respects to connate waters but are believed to be distinguishable by relatively high lithium, fluorine, silica, boron, sulfur, CO2, arsenic, and antimony; by relatively low calcium and magnesium; and by lack of hydrocarbons, water-soluble organic compounds, and perhaps ammonia and nitrate. Relatively high boron and combined CO2 are alone not reliable indicators of a volcanic origin.

During compaction, rocks lose most of their interstitial high-chloride water; much additional water may then be lost during progressive metamorphism, and the content changes from about 5 per cent in shale to perhaps 1 per cent in gneiss. This expelled water is here called metamorphic. Because of pressure and permeability gradients, it must normally escape upward and mix with connate and meteoric water. Even though large quantities must exist, no example of metamorphic water has been positively identified.

Some thermal springs in California are high in salinity and relatively low in temperature and apparent associated heat flow. Some are clearly connate in origin. Other springs are characterized by very high combined carbon dioxide and boron, relative to chloride. Their compositions are considerably different from known connate and volcanic waters and are believed to be best explained by a metamorphic origin.

Although some major types of deep water seem to be recognizable, there is much danger of oversimplifying the problems. Many waters are no doubt mixtures of different types, and some of high salinity result from dissolution of salts by meteoric water.


A copper-nitrosyl intermediate forms during the catalytic cycle of nitrite reductase, the enzyme that mediates the committed step in bacterial denitrification. The crystal structure of a type 2 copper-nitrosyl complex of nitrite reductase reveals an unprecedented side-on binding mode in which the nitrogen and oxygen atoms are nearly equidistant from the copper cofactor. Comparison of this structure with a refined nitrite-bound crystal structure explains how coordination can change between copper-oxygen and copper-nitrogen during catalysis. The side-on copper-nitrosyl in nitrite reductase expands the possibilities for nitric oxide interactions in copper proteins such as superoxide dismutase and prions.


Both Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) have shown improvements over Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) across a wide variety of speech recognition tasks. CNNs, LSTMs and DNNs are complementary in their modeling capabilities, as CNNs are good at reducing frequency variations, LSTMs are good at temporal modeling, and DNNs are appropriate for mapping features to a more separable space. In this paper, we take advantage of the complementarity of CNNs, LSTMs and DNNs by combining them into one unified architecture. We explore the proposed architecture, which we call CLDNN, on a variety of large vocabulary tasks, varying from 200 to 2,000 hours. We find that the CLDNN provides a 4-6% relative improvement in WER over an LSTM, the strongest of the three individual models.


Purpose – The paper, covering the actual argument of open innovation, aims to answer two main research questions, namely: "Which open innovation approach is adopted by the companies belonging to the ICTs industry?" and "Which types of collaborations are carried out by the companies and which are the dynamics that characterize it?". Design/methodology/approach – In order to answer the research questions a multiple case study methodology is adopted. The research framework was structured in three main phases: first, a literature review on the matter of open innovation in general and within the ICTs industry in particular, as well as of the specific features of the industry investigated, was carried out. Second, a list of questions containing the main issues that arose from the previous step has been designed for the case study protocol, to be used in the following structured interviews. Finally, structured direct interviews were conducted on three important Italian companies active in the telecommunications area. Findings – Results highlighted different ways to manage the open innovation processes, based on teamwork or task forces, and the different roles, more or less proactive, that an information communication technology (ICT) company may undertake within this process. Moreover, they show that ICT companies acquire external knowledge and skills mainly from universities and research centers, as well as from value chain's actors (suppliers in primis). Originality/value – Still little attention has been paid to the understanding of the open innovation approach of Italian firms belonging to the ICT industry, thus the authors believe that this paper may represent a valuable basis for future research on the open innovation issues in the field of ICT.


A test for preference stability is developed that strengthens existing nonparametric procedures. The test uses indifference curve convexity to restrict (unobservable) compensated consumption bundles. Adding up, noninferiority, and the Slutsky equation are used to limit the range of these compensated consumption bundles. A program is proposed that simultaneously measures the changes in consumption quantities satisfying the theoretical restrictions and the expenditure elasticities minimizing the required changes. The program is applied to meat consumption data and is shown to be capable of detecting small changes in preference.


The main points of this paper are :— (i) The construction of a linear substitution from its poles or linear invariants and its multipliers (§§3, 7); (ii) a formula for r repetitions of a substitution (§ 4); (iii) a specification of the types of linear substitutions of order r, with examples of the simplest of those types(§§9ff.); (iv) The geometrical illustration of the case of three variables (§§15 ff.)


In this paper we explore classification techniques for ill-posed problems. Two classes are linearly separable in some Hilbert space X if they can be separated by a hyperplane. We investigate stable separability, i.e. the case where we have a positive distance between two separating hyperplanes. When the data in the space Y is generated by a compact operator A applied to the system states φ ∈ X, we will show that in general we do not obtain stable separability in Y even if the problem in X is stably separable. In particular, we show this for the case where a nonlinear classification is generated from a non-convergent family of linear classes in X. We apply our results to the problem of quality control of fuel cells where we classify fuel cells according to their efficiency. We can potentially classify a fuel cell using either some external measured magnetic field or some internal current. However we cannot measure the current directly since we cannot access the fuel cell in operation. The first possibility is to apply discrimination techniques directly to the measured magnetic fields. The second approach first reconstructs currents and then carries out the classification on the current distributions. We show that both approaches need regularization and that the regularized classifications are not equivalent in general. Finally, we investigate a widely used linear classification algorithm Fisher's linear discriminant with respect to its ill-posedness when applied to data generated via a compact integral operator. We show that the method cannot stay stable when the number of measurement points becomes large.


This study reports a new perfusion-based, micro three-dimensional (3-D) cell culture platform for drug testing using enabling microfluidic technologies. In this work, a perfusion-based, micro 3-D cell culture platform is designed and is fabricated based on SU-8 lithography and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) replication processes. One of the key features of the system is that the incorporation of a multiple medium pumping mechanism, consisting of 15 membrane-based pneumatic micropumps with serpentine-shape (S-shape) layout, coupled with a pneumatic tank, into the micro 3-D cell culture platform to provide efficient and economical culture medium delivery. Moreover, a "smart cell/agarose (scaffold) loading mechanism" was proposed, allowing the cell/3-D scaffold loading process in one step and avoiding too much laborious works and manual error. The results show that in all of the 15 S-shape pneumatic micropumps studied, the medium delivery mechanism is able to provide a uniform flow output ranging from 5.5 to 131 μl/hr depending on the applied pulsation frequency of the micropumps. In addition, the cell/agarose (scaffold) loading mechanism was proved to be able to perform sample loading tasks precisely and accurately in all of the 15 microbioreactors integrated. Furthermore, anti-cancer drug testing was successfully demonstrated using the proposed culture platform and fluorescent microscopic observation. As a whole, because of miniaturization, not only does this perfusion 3-D cell culture platform provide a homogenous and steady cell culture environment, but it also reduces the need for human intervention. Moreover, due to the integrated pumping of the medium and the cell/agarose (scaffold) loading mechanisms, time efficient and economical research work can be achieved. These characteristics are found particularly useful for high-precision and high-throughput 3-D cell culture-based drug testing.Copyright © 2008 by ASME


Temporal pattern learning, control and prediction, and chaotic data analysis share a common problem: deducing optimal equations of motion from observations of time-dependent behavior. Each desires to obtain models of the physical world from limited information. We describe a method to reconstruct the deterministic portion of the equations of motion directly from a data series. These equations of motion represent a vast reduction of a chaotic data set's observed complexity to a compact, algorithmic specification. This approach employs an informational measure of model optimality to guide searching through the space of dynamical systems. As corollary results, we indicate how to estimate the minimum embedding dimension, extrinsic noise level, metric entropy, and Lyapunov spectrum. Numerical and experimental applications demonstrate the method's feasibility and limitations. Extensions to estimating parametrized families of dynamical systems from bifurcation data and to spatial pattern evolution are presented. Applications to predicting chaotic data and the design of forecasting, learning, and control systems, are discussed.


Background: Diazepam is a benzodiazepine which has a history of usage among problem drug using groups. It has also been linked to aggression in laboratory settings. This article will examine illicit diazepam use and violence amongst predominantly alcohol-orientated offenders. Methods: A self-complete survey of male Young Offenders (n = 172) recruited during their induction into Scotland's only Young Offender's Institution was carried out during 2007. Qualitative interviews (n = 30) were conducted during 2008 on another sample recruited in the same way. Results: Survey respondents tended to report alcohol, rather than illegal drugs as being related to their offending behaviour. The exception to this pattern was diazepam, which when used in conjunction with alcohol was associated with violence, including weapon use. The 2008 interviews confirmed this and raised further concerns about the way in which diazepam was being mixed with alcohol, in relation to its mode of action, source of supply, dosage and users' beliefs. Conclusion: Although it receives little dedicated research, education or media attention, diazepam was a factor in more (violent) crime among this population than any/all other illegal drugs.


Antimicrobials such as nanoparticles and biocides are used to control microbial growth. We used Escherichia coli to study the process of acquired resistance to silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) and the industrial biocide DBNPA when grown in sub-MICs. ABSTRACT Antimicrobials such as nanoparticles and biocides are used to control microbial growth. We used Escherichia coli to study the process of acquired resistance to silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) and the industrial biocide DBNPA when grown in sub-MICs. We determined the MICs of these two antimicrobials against E. coli. We then performed an experimental evolution study where E. coli was grown in subinhibitory concentrations of the antimicrobials and transferred 10 times. We then tracked the changes in growth characteristics, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, reactive oxidative species (ROS) production, and the role of efflux pumps in conferring resistance. We also performed genome sequencing to determine the genetic basis for acquired resistance. Our results showed that E. coli could rapidly develop resistance to Ag-NP and DBNPA after growth in low concentrations of the antimicrobials. The expression of efflux pumps plays a vital role in both Ag-NP and DBNPA resistance. Multiple mutations occurred in the adapted strains that may confer resistance to both Ag-NP and DBNPA. Our study provides insights into mechanisms of adaptation and resistance to antimicrobials. Our results suggest that there are some shared mechanisms to resist nanoparticles and biocides as well as some key differences. The mechanism of resistance to Ag-NP might be related to flagellin production, while efflux pumps seem to be associated with resistance to DBNPA. This work provides a comparative study of the mechanisms of acquired resistance to these two types of antimicrobials.


Food allergy is a reaction of the body immune system to the presence of the proteins in the body introduced through food. Allergic reactions can affect the skin (hives), gastrointestinal organs (nausea, cramps, diarrhea), respiratory system (attenuation) and circulation (drop in blood pressure). In extreme cases, anaphylaxis can occur.. In this case, death can occur within minutes. Food allergens are natural proteins that are resistant to the action of heat, proteolytic enzymes, and pH change. The immune system of an individual may react in a very small amount of allergen present (the amount expressed in ppm). Different individuals have different levels of sensitivity and specific response to the presence of the same allergen. Avoiding contact with the allergen is the only way a person can prevent allergic reactions. An estimated 2-4% of the total population in Europe, 4-8% of children and 1-2% of adults in the US have food allergies. Allergic reactions to food in the United States are causing 150-200 deaths per year. Reducing the risk of food elergene faced by consumers can be mitigated by timely identification of food products that contain substances causing allergic reactions, adequate control of the manufacturing process and storage of food (GMP, HACCP) and the use of tools that can be conducted to verify the control (regulations, labeling).


Abstract The awareness of and attitudes toward gut health, probiotics, prebiotics and factors associated with probiotics use in Australian adults have been explored in a cross-sectional study using CQUniversity's National Social Survey (N = 1,265; 667 females). 58.9% of the participants were probiotics users, who were most commonly identified as female, younger, more educated (Ps < 0.05), with a higher awareness of gut health, and overall healthier lifestyle behaviors (fruits intake, activity, alcohol intake risk) compared to non-users. Maintaining health was the main reason for use. Many (59%) non-users reported a willingness to try probiotics, but only if recommended by a health professional. Probiotics use was associated with awareness of probiotic (odds ratio (OR): 2.02, p < 0.001) and prebiotic (OR:1.59, p = 0.003) terms, natural source of probiotics (OR:2.38, p < 0.001), recommended fruit serves (OR:1.32, p = 0.001), and alcohol score (OR:0.95, p = 0.036). Overall, those who had a healthier lifestyle and better understanding of gut health and probiotics were more likely to use probiotics. Education on gut health and probiotics from health professionals may improve probiotic use, especially in populations that are likely to benefit the most, including those with a specific condition or poor lifestyle.


We present neuropathological findings based on sural nerve biopsy in six children with mutations of the mitofusin 2 gene (MFN2). All six children had severe axonal neuropathies (mild or severe hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, HMSN), with onset in early childhood. All had a marked decrease in the density of mainly large myelinated fibers. Although neurophysiological findings were suggestive of axonal degeneration, some onion bulbs were present in each case. Unequivocal mitochondrial changes were apparent only on longitudinal sections. Many axonal mitochondria appeared smaller than normal and round or spherical instead of tubular. These mitochondria were abnormally aggregated, accumulating primarily at the axon periphery. This peripheral distribution was clearest in residual large myelinated fibers. The inner and outer mitochondrial membranes were irregular, and the cristae were quite often disrupted. These changes were observed in both myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. Mitofusin 2 is a large mitochondrial transmembrane GTPase, with two coiled coil domains and two transmembrane spans. It is targeted to the outer mitochondrial membrane, where it interacts with mitofusin 1 to regulate the mitochondrial network architecture by stimulating mitochondrialfusion. The mitochondrial changes we observed could thus result from abnormal mitochondrial fusion and fission. Neuropathologic abnormalities can be sufficiently characteristic to suggest the genetic basis of some hereditary neuropathies such as those associated with mutations in MPZ, GJB1, GDAP1, MTMR2, SH3TC2, PRX, FGD4 and LMNA. This may also be true of MFN2-related neuropathies.


Features of symbiotic coexistence of bacteria of the genus Bacillus with ciliates Colpoda steinii have been studied. In their mutual cultivation during 10 days the number of bacteria B. subtilis IMV V-7023 was reduced 4.4 times, B. pumilus 3 - 3.4 times, B. megaterium 12 - 2.5 times. In the mixed culture with B. pumilus 3 the number of the ciliates increased gradualluy while under availability of the other two bacilli strains the number of protozoan increased in the first two days, after that their amount decreased. Treatment of some plants seeds by suspension of B. subtilis IMV V-7023 with the protozoan increased their germination and stimulated the growth of plants at the early stages of development.


Even when the domestic political system has undergone reform, it sometimes seems unlikely that any outside force can introduce enough of a "carrot and stick" approach to persuade a country to maintain momentum. This article is concerned with understanding the cultural peculiarities of fighting corruption and building civil society in Romania, where despite the tough EU monitoring and domestic anti-sleaze efforts, corruption, and low trust remain significant problems. Many of the theorists in the post-communist literature argue that socioeconomic factors and the communist legacy have weakened post-communist civil society in the region. This article explores the question whether corruption has replaced the legacy of communism as a factor undermining trust in others and government in Romania and presents an examination of the association between corruption and post-communist civil society. The article argues that future research needs to switch focus from discussing Romanian social, political, and cultural behaviors from a longue duree perspective to evaluating the impact of political corruption on trust and, hence, civil society in Romania.


Two greenbug resistance genes Gb2 and Gb6 derived from the same donor rye line Insave , are present in wheat germplasm lines Amigo and GRS1201 , respectively as 1AL.1RS wheat-rye translocations. The allelic relationship between the two genes has not been determined, and no molecular markers for Gb6 are available. In this study, molecular mapping of Gb2 and Gb6 was performed in a mapping population derived from a cross between N96L9970 (Gb6Gb6) and TAM 107 (Gb2Gb2). Segregation among F2:3 families of host responses to infestation of greenbug biotypes E and KS-1 revealed that Gb2 and Gb6 were different linked loci in 1RS. Gb2 and Gb6 were 15.8 cM apart with Gb6 being distal to Gb2. Despite the low number of marker polymorphisms between the parental lines, eight markers linked with Gb2 and Gb6 were identified. The closest marker, XIA294, was 11.4 cM proximal to Gb2. Deletion mapping indicated that both Gb2 and Gb6 were physically located in the satellite region of 1RS.


The importance of dietary fat in the expression of multiple genes is clear, in the case of beef cattle, fat in the form of fatty acids (saturated or unsaturated), vitamin A (mainly retinoic acid), or carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein, licopen and their metabolites), is obtained constantly from the dietary feed or from pasture. This review tries to summarize the advances in the study of some of the transcription factors and their co-regulators, specifically coactivator PGC-1, which has been observed to affect the transcription of genes involved in energy homeostasis. The capacity of dietary lipids or their metabolic products, to influence on PGC-1α, due in part to the presence of an element of answer to PPAR in its genic promoter, which appears to be conserved in different species of mammals including bovines. It might be important to find nutrients or other types of compounds, that could act as ligands of the factors of transcription of specific genes, that control metabolic processes such as gluconeogenesis and lipolysis in rumiants so in a near future they would contribute to improve the production in the specie.


Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate and analyze the reasons as given by the Norrbotten County Council behind the Sunderby hospital merger. Background Mergers and Acquisitions have grown to become very popular as a way for achieving organizational development. This has been seen in both public and corporate sectors. Mergers did not become popular in the Swedish health care sector until the end of the 21th century, when the first merger took place many followed. In this case the authors investigate one of these hospital mergers. Method The authors have made a qualitative research. To gather data they contacted the authorities and interview politicians. The authorities provided them with public documents from their archive. The interviews were semi-structured with open-ended questions. Conclusion The authors of this thesis have found that the Sunderby hospital merger was supported by academic literature. The reasons stated by the Norbotten County Council (NCC) for doing the merger, were consistent with theories about mergers found in academic research. The authors have also provided their non-supported beliefs under the Discussion section, as well as recommendations for further studies.


We present algorithms for routing in advanced technology nodes, used by BonnRoute (BR) to obtain efficient and almost design rule clean wire packings and pin access solutions. Designs with dense standard cell libraries in presence of complex industrial design rules, with a special focus on multiple patterning lithography are considered. The key components of this approach are a multilabel interval-based shortest path algorithm for long on-track connections, and a dynamic program for computing packings of pin access paths and short connections between closely spaced pins. The multilabel path search implementation is very general and is driven with different labeling rules, allowing to trade-off runtime against accuracy in terms of obeyed design rules. We combine BR with an industrial router for cleaning up the remaining design rule violations, and demonstrate superior results over that industrial router in our experiments in terms of wire length, number of vias, design rule violations, and runtime.


Author(s): Al-Sanei, K. S.; Zaghloul, T. M.; Salit, A. M.; Omar, M. T.; Balba, M. M. | Abstract: The preliminary rat survey prior to the actual attack phase of Rat Control Programme in Kuwait revealed an infestation rate with the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, in buildings ranging between 32.7%.and 70.7%. The comparatively high infestation was observed in 92.5% of Kuwait buildings. Moreover, the infestation reached 99% in certain districts of the country. This high infestation was associated with an increase in rat-borne diseases particularly murine typhus, salmonellosis rat-bite fever, and certain parasitic diseases. A programme for rodent control in Kuwait was initiated through a political decision by the cabinet which gave the full responsibility of rodent control to the Ministry of Public Health coordinating with other authorities involved in the problem in addition to an independent budget to fulfill all the programme requirements. Financing, administration, guidance, public health information, field work, and research studies were all monitored by the High Committee in addition to Supervising and Following up Committee. The first phase of the programme began in the late months of 1979. It included geographical reconnaisance, survey of rodents and their ectoparasites, establishment of the general plan, and a skeletal organization for the programme. The second phase was the attack phase. It highlighted biological and epidemiological studies, bioassays of pesticides, and training of personnel, which was followed by the actual chemical attack of the incriminated rodents and their ectoparasites for three consecutive years. In addition, sanitation and health education were involved. The third phase, i.e., the maintenance phase, began in August 1982. It is still running to maintain the drastic drop of the Norway rat infestation and to control the house mouse. Kuwait's control programme, based on a scientific basis and with a well-organized administration, has successfully realized 99.7% reduction in the infestation rate, with a 99.6% density of infestation of Norway rats remaining at the end of the attack phase. However, the control of the house mouse produced a reduction of only 71.4% in the infestation rate, and 20% in the density of infestation, possibly indicating intraspecific competition between the two species or less-effective control measures against the mice.


Our commentary concerns the Competing Factors Model (CFM). As Drozd says, the CFM is fictitious and without proponents. (See also McDaniel, 2001.) But we will argue that something like it is necessary to our field. Everyone recognizes multiple influences on language performance, even C&T. Most important, recognizing these factors does not require a denial of the grammar's existence or even of its dominance.


The Central Asian Orogenic System (CAOS) is one of the largest Phanerozoic accretionary orogens in the world and may represent a signifi cant site of continental growth. Its origin has been explained by two competing models: syn-subduction strikeslip duplication of a single (>1000 km) long-lived arc (ca. 630‐360 Ma) or collision of multiple arcs and micro-continents. Central to the debate are the relative roles of syn-subduction strike-slip faulting versus thrusting. In both models, the Ertix fault fi gures prominently, either as a roof fault of a large strike-slip duplex system developed during oceanic subduction or as a suture of arc-continent or continent-continent collision. In order to differentiate between the above models, we conducted fi eld mapping, detailed kinematic analysis, and geochronological dating of the Ertix fault zone in the Chinese Altai. Our work indicates that the fault is a crustal-scale thrust that was active in the Permian. Its hanging wall records two pulses of magmatism ca. 450 Ma and ca. 280 Ma and experienced peak pressure and temperature of 6.2‐7.7 kbar and 560‐ 670 °C. Our geologic observations, together with the existing geologic information, favor a tectonic model that involves two episodes of subduction below the Altai arc: fi rst, in the Ordovician, along a south-dipping subduction zone; and second, in the late Carboniferous and early Permian along northdipping subduction of the Junggar ocean. It was during the latter event that a melange complex was underplated below the older Ordovician arc, metamorphosed at lower crustal depths, and then exhumed to the upper crust along the south-directed Ertix thrust zone.


High throughput screening (HTS) campaigns, where laboratory automation is used to expose biological targets to large numbers of materials from corporate compound collections, have become commonplace within the lead generation phase of pharmaceutical discovery. Advances in genomics and related fields have afforded a wealth of targets such that screening facilities at larger organizations routinely execute over 100 hit-finding campaigns per year. Often, 10(5) or 10(6) molecules will be tested within a campaign/cycle to locate a large number of actives requiring follow-up investigation. Due to resource constraints at every organization, traditional chemistry methods for validating hits and developing structure activity relationships (SAR) become untenable when challenged with hundreds of hits in multiple chemical families per target. To compound the issue, comparison and prioritization of hits versus multiple screens, or physical chemical property criteria, is made more complex by the informatics issues associated with handling large data sets. This article describes a collaborative research project designed to simultaneously leverage the medicinal chemistry and drug development expertise of the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research Inc. (NIBRI) and ArQule Inc.'s high throughput library design, synthesis and purification capabilities. The work processes developed by the team to efficiently design, prepare, purify, assess and prioritize multiple chemical classes that were identified during high throughput screening, cheminformatics and molecular modeling activities will be detailed.


Introduction: One of environmentally friendly method for controlling plant diseases is the use of Trichoderma spp. as a natural controlling agent.
Objectives: The objective of this research was to find out the effectiveness of Trichoderma spp. against downy mildew disease.
Methodology: This research was conducted in the Plant Pest and Disease Laboratory in the Plant Protection Department of Faculty of Agriculture in Lampung University. This research used completely randomized design consisting without treatment (0), Trichoderma spp. Gading Rejo Region (GDR) isolate (1) Trichoderma spp. Nusantara Tropical Farm (NTF) isolate (2), and Trichoderma spp. Trimurjo (TRJ) isolate (3) treatments which were applied to the plant growing points as fungicide (B) and as inducer of plant resistance to be applied in the plant roots (P).
Results: The research results showed that the Trichoderma spp. treatments could reduce the disease occurrence at 4 and 5 days after inoculation, but they could not reduce the disease severity and improve stover dry weight of corn plant.
Conclusion: The Trichoderma spp. Treatment as biofungicide and plant resistance inducer are effective against the incubation period and suppress the disease occurrence of downy mildew disease significantly at the early course of the disease.


With observations from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, we track the complete evolution of ∼11 MK evaporation flows in an M1.1 flare on 2014 September 6 and an X1.6 flare on 2014 September 10. These hot flows, as indicated by the blueshifted Fe xxi 1354.08 Å line, evolve smoothly with a velocity decreasing exponentially from ∼200 km s−1 to almost stationary within a few minutes. We find a good correlation between the flow velocity and energy deposition rate as represented by the hard X-ray flux observed with the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager, or time derivative of the soft X-ray flux observed with the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites and the HINODE X-ray Telescope, which is in general agreement with models of nonthermal electron heating. The maximum blueshift of Fe xxi appears approximately at the same time as or slightly after the impulsive enhancement of the ultraviolet continuum and the Mg ii 2798.8 Å line emission, demonstrating that the evaporation flow is closely related to heating of the lower chromosphere. Finally, while the hot Fe xxi 1354.08 Å line is entirely blueshifted with no obvious rest component, cool chromospheric and transition region lines like Si iv 1402.77 Å are often not entirely redshifted but just reveal an obvious red wing enhancement at the ribbons, suggesting that the speed of chromospheric condensation might be larger than previously thought.


Synthetic peptides offer enormous potential to encode the assembly of molecular electronic components, provided that the complex range of interactions is distilled into simple design rules. Herein is reported a spectroscopic investigation of aggregation in an extensive series of peptide-perylene imide conjugates designed to interrogate the effect of structural variations. Throughout the course of this study, the self-assembly and photophysical properties of the compounds are explored to better understand the behavior and application of these materials. Three principal avenues of inquiry are applied: (1) the evaluation of structure-property relationships from a thermodynamic perspective, (2) the examination of peptide chiral effects upon properties and self-assembly, and (3) an application of the understanding gained from rationally designed systems to effectively utilize naturally optimized peptides in bio-organic electronics.  By fitting different contributions to temperature-dependent optical absorption spectra, this study quantifies both the thermodynamics and the nature of aggregation for peptides with incrementally varying hydrophobicity, charge density, length, amphiphilic substitution with a hexyl chain, and stereocenter inversion. Coarse effects like hydrophobicity and hexyl substitution are seen to have the greatest impact on binding thermodynamics, which are evaluated separately as enthalpic and entropic contributions. Moreover, significant peptide packing effects are resolved via stereocenter inversion studies, particularly when examining the nature of aggregates formed and the coupling between π-electronic orbitals.  Peptide chirality overall is seen to influence the self-assembly of the perylene imide cores into chiral nanofibers, and peptide stereogenic positions, stereochemical configurations, amphiphilic substitution, and perylene core modification are evaluated with respect to chiral assembly. Stereocenters in peptide residue positions proximal to the perylene core (1-5 units) are seen to impart helical chirality to the perylene core, while stereocenters in more distal residue positions do not exert a chiral influence. Diastereomers involving stereocenter inversions within the proximal residues consequently manifest spectroscopically as pseudo-enantiomers. Increased side-chain steric demand in the proximal positions gives a similar chiral influence but exhibits diminished Cotton Effect intensity with additional longer wavelength features attributed to interchain excimers. Amphiphilic substitution of a peptide with an alkyl chain disrupts chiral self-assembly, while an amphiphilic structure achieved through the modification of the perylene imide core with a bisester moiety prompts strongly exciton-coupled, chiral, solvent-responsive self-assembly into long nanofilaments.  Informed by rationally designed sequences, and capitalizing upon the optimization seen in many natural systems, specific peptide sequences designed by inspection of protein-protein interfaces have been identified and used as tectons in hybrid functional materials. An 8-mer peptide derived from an interface of the peroxiredoxin family of self-assembling proteins is exploited to encode the assembly of perylene imide-based organic semiconductor building blocks. By augmenting the peptide with additional functionality to trigger aggregation and manipulate the directionality of peptide-semiconductor coupling, a series of hybrid materials based on the natural peptide interface is presented. Using spectroscopic probes, the mode of self-assembly and the electronic coupling between neighboring perylene units is shown to be strongly affected by the number of peptides attached, and by their backbone directionality. The disubstituted material with peptides extending in the N-C direction away from the perylene core exhibits strong coupling and long-range order, which are both attractive properties for electronic device applications. A bio-organic field-effect transistor is fabricated using this material, highlighting the possibilities of exploiting natural peptide tectons to encode self-assembly in other functional materials and devices.  These results advance the development of a quantitative framework for establishing structure-function relationships that will underpin the design of self-assembling peptide electronic materials. The results further advance a model for adapting natural peptide sequences resident in β-continuous interfaces as tectons for bio-organic electronics.


Chlornaltrexamine irreversibly inactivates opiate receptors in intact NG108-15 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. This inactivation is seen as a loss in the number of receptors per cell (decrease in B max), and is quantitatively the same whether based on the number of specific binding sites for the agonist opioid peptide [D-Ala2-Met5] enkephalinamide or those for the opiate antagonist naltrexone. Inactivation appears to require direct interaction of chlornaltrexamine with these receptors as naltrexone and [D-Ala2-Met5]enkephalinamide protect against the irreversible effects of chlornaltrexamine. Furthermore, treatment with chlornaltrexamine does not decrease muscarinic or prostaglandin receptors or diazepam binding sites in NG108-15. In intact NG108-15 cells, the opioid peptide [D-Ala2-Met5]enkephalinamide can inhibit 80 ± 10% of the accumulation of cyclic AMP that is stimulated by prostaglandin E1. In control cells, the action of this peptide is cooperative and the half-maximum effect ( K inh) occurs with 3.3 nM peptide. Under identical conditions, the half-maximum receptor occupancy by the peptide ( KD ) is 23 nM. After the opiate receptor number is significantly decreased by previous incubation with chlornaltrexamine, both the maximal effects of prostaglandin E1, as stimulator of cyclic AMP accumulation, and the opioid peptide, as inhibitor of this accumulation, are maintained. In the case where the receptor number has been reduced by 95%, although there is a small change (≤3-fold) in the KD and K inh values for this opioid peptide, there is no significant change in the KD / K inh ratio which remains ≃7. These results indicate that the high density of opiate receptors which exist in intact NG108-15 cells is not necessary for the maximum inhibitory effect of this enkephalinamide on adenylate cyclase. In addition, the mode of action of this peptide also appears to be relatively independent of the density of the opiate receptors in these cells.


Purpose – About one third of all automatic washing machines sold in Japan in 2007 had built-in dryers. The operation of the machines can be difficult because of the many functions it offers. The aim of this study was to improve the usability of a new model of washing machine. Methodology/Approach – The authors conducted usability experiments in both the planning and preproduction phases of the new Sanyo AWD-AQ3000 prototype, comparing it to the conventional model. The subjects were asked to set the machine to perform the designated washing tasks using the two simulator and preproduction panels. The time and the sequence of steps to complete each task were recorded along with a subjective 5-point irritation score for each subject. All operations were recorded on video tape. The hierarchical task analysis was used to determine the incorrect steps. The new model using the improvements based on the results was released in February 2008. Findings – Based on the results of the analysis at the planning phase, we decided to use the control knob to alleviate the operational steps and irritation score, and isolate the mode-selection buttons from the others. The locations of the start button and the control knob were also changed. The rotation of the control knob was consistently related with curved arrows pointed both ways on the horizontal display of LCD. Based on the results at the preproduction phase, in particular, changing the layout and adding the control knob was found to improve the results for the waterless function (disinfects and deodorizes using ozone instead of water) task, the average completion time of which was 34.5% that of the conventional model. Small problems noted in the experimental stage were fixed on the final production model. Originality/Value of paper – The practical case example of usability improvement for the commercial product development, from the planning phase to the release was described.


An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of municipal household solid waste compost on N, P and K uptake and yield of carrot ( Daucus carrota ), using a coastal savanna Haplic Acrisol. Bulked samples of fresh solid waste from 45 households within the Cape Coast Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana with 57 % total mass of organic components were composted using the pit method. Treatments applied were control, single supper phosphate (SSP) at 1.8g pot -1 and sulphate of ammonia (SoA) at 2.0g pot -1 , compost at 7.0g pot -1 and 14.0g pot -1 ,  combined application of the 2 rates of compost and mineral fertilizer, and combined application of the 2 rates with 2.0g pot -1 SoA. Each pot contained 7.0 kg of soil. A completely randomized design with four replicates was used. Carrot seeds were sown and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentrations in carrot shoots were determined at six weeks after germination. Combined application of compost and inorganic fertilizer significantly increased N, P, K and ash concentration in the carrot shoot. Compost applied at 14.0g pot -1 in combination with 1.8g pot -1 SSP and 2.0g pot-1 SoA supplied 23 % N, 34 % K and 20 % ash to the carrot shoot, whereas sole application of compost at 14.0g pot-1 contributed 4.9 % N, 7.4 % K and 13.65 % ash respectively to the carrot shoots. Phosphorus content measured in the carrot shoots were however Keywords: Household solid waste, compost, biodegradable, Haplic Acrisol, Daucus carrota.


1-Palmitoyl phosphatidylcholines (1-palmitoyl PCs), in which the 2-position was occupied respectively by C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C14:1, n-7, C16:0, C16:1, n-7, C18:0, C18:1(t), n-9, C18:1, n-9, C18:2, n-6, C18:3, N-3, C18:3, n-6, C18:3(5t,9,12), C22:0, C22:1, n-9, C22:2, n-6, C22:3, n-3, C22:4, n-6, C22:5, n-6 or C22:6, n-3 fatty acids, were studied as monolayer films at the air/water interface. Results for molecular area indicated that the areas of the PC (phosphatidylcholine) did not continuously decrease as the length of one chain increased. For series of saturated, monoenoic and dienoic 1-palmitoyl PCs the smallest molecular area was occupied by the PC containing a 20-carbon acid at the 2-position. In the 18-carbon series, introduction of the first and third cis double bonds caused a large increase in molecular area, but in the 22-carbon series the first and second cis double bonds produced large increases in molecular area. Molecules containing three or more cis double bonds varied little in molecular area, regardless of chain length (18-22 carbon atoms). The influence of a trans double bond was intermediate between that of a saturated and a cis double bond. The 18- and 22-carbon series of PCs were studied in mixed monolayers with cholesterol and desmosterol. Condensation of molecular areas occurred in all sterol PC mixed films, and similar results were obtained with cholesterol and desmosterol. Condensation of PC containing a cis or trans double bond within 10 carbon atoms of the carboxy group initially increased with increasing surface pressure. Condensation of other PCs decreased as surface pressure increased. All cis- or trans-unsaturated PCs condensed maximally in mixtures of approximately equimolar ratios with sterols, but saturated PCs condensed to the greatest extent in mixtures that contained about 30 mol% sterol.


Effects of repetition rate, phase, and frequency on wave V latency of the auditory brain‐stem response (ABR) were evaluated and compared in ten normal newborn neonates and adult subjects. Single cycle sinusoids at 0.25 and 2.0 kHz were presented monaurally via an insert earphone at 75 dB nHL, using either a condensation (C) or a rarefaction (R) stimuli at two rates, 11.1 and 55.5/s. The stimulus phase by frequency interaction was significant. In both neonates and adult subjects, the ABR wave V latency for R stimuli was significantly shorter compared to C stimuli at 0.25 kHz. However, the effect of phase on wave V latency was insignificant at 2.0 kHz. Furthermore, the stimulus rate by age interaction was significant. The ABR wave V latency shift with an increase in repetition rate was significantly greater in the newborn neonates than in the adult subjects.


alifornia's natural, agricultural and urban environC ments have been permanently altered by both intentional and unintentional introductions of exotic organisms. Spanish settlers brought exotic crops with them to California, inadvertently introducing complexes of associated pests. Subsequent immigrants and visitors also brought their familiar plants and animals, which harbored exotic pest species. To combat the introduction of new pests, California developed a comprehensive exotic pest prevention program within the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). However, with increased trade and travel, there has been a dramatic increase in the invasion pathways for new species. CDFA statistics show that a new pest is now introduced into California every 60 days on average. More than 10% of all plant species growing in California are exotic, as are 33% of all freshwater fish species. Exotic pests that have become established are responsible for two-thirds of all crop losses, and it has been estimated that nearly half the organisms listed as endangered or threatened by the federal government are at risk primarily because of competition and predation from introduced plants and animals. While Mediterranean fruit fly continues to receive considerable attention, both in terms of public investment and press coverage (see p. 28), scores of other pests also pose threats. Examples are the red imported fire ant, the Africanized honey bee (see pp. 4-5) and the Formosan termite. These organisms affect both our urban and rural populations. Exotic fungal diseases such as karnal bunt of wheat and rice blast, and new pests such as the glassywinged sharpshooter, which transmits the pathogenic bacterium causing Pierce's disease of grapes, almond leaf scorch and oleander leaf scorch, also pose serious economic threats to the state (see pp. 22,26). Yellow starthistle, just one of many invasive weed species, now infests an estimated 22 million acres of California rangelands, wildlands, parks and roadsides (see p. 7). Like other noxious weeds, it effectively displaces native plant species, and has cost ranchers and state agencies millions of dollars to control. When new exotic pests present serious economic threats, regulatory officials attempt to eradicate or contain them. The possibility of successful eradication is enhanced by the existing research database, which deals with biology, detection and control. However, once an exotic pest becomes established, strategies for its management must be developed. Classical biological control is the intentional importation and colonization of natural enemies (predators, parasites and pathogens) that are believed to regulate populations of a pest species in its native territory. This approach represents a very specific tactic for managing, but not eradicating, an exotic pest. Over 400 species of natural enemies have been intentionally introduced into California over the past 100-plus years targeting a number of exotic insects and weeds. Some introductions have proven to be phenomenally successful. One recent example was the successful introduction of a parasite that has reduced ash whitefly populations to acceptable levels throughout California. This issue describes a current attempt at classical biological control of yellow starthistle, and indicates the complexities facing scientists who pursue such studies (p. 8). Integrated Pest Management (IPM) places the management of pests in a systems framework. It focuses on longterm prevention of pests and their damage through a combination of techniques, including biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices and the use of resistant varieties. In an IPM program, pesticides are used only after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target pests. Most key pests of California's agriculture and urban areas were once exotic, and the challenge is to provide growers with enough information to effectively manage them within an IPM system. Exotic pest introductions continually threaten to destabilize established IPM systems. If an exotic pest successfully invades and becomes established, an IPM system will need to be altered to manage the pest with a minimum of economic and environmental disruption. Classical biological control or some combination of IPM tactics may be necessary. UC scientists have been among the leaders in conceptualizing and implementing biological control and IPM, but the scope of exotic pest research now possible pales in comparison to the need. Prevention and control of exotic pests in California would benefit from research on newly introduced exotic species, and the adaptation of research conducted elsewhere. Expanded biological control and IPM research, and increased collaboration with our partners at CDFA, can play an essential role in the management of an exotic pest should it become established. UC scientists constitute a unique resource of pest management research and outreach expertise. Priorities for research should include investigations of the biology of pests that threaten California, and their mode of entry into the state, as well as development of methods to reduce introductions, eradicate new infestations, or manage species that cannot be eradicated. Such investigations would greatly assist California in meeting the challenges of future exotic pest introductions.


A vehicular adhoc network (VANET) is a mobile adhoc network in which moving road vehicles are network nodes. The major problem faced in VANET is transmitting the safety message or an ALERT message between the vehicles to avoid collisions. The large number of vehicles moving in a particular area will cause the data congestion that results in a long delay on delivering the messages. Clustering the vehicles into groups is an efficient approach to broadcast the messages with a less delay and high delivering ratio. The performance of the clusters is greatly influenced by the selection of Cluster Heads (CHs). In this paper, the formation of clusters and cluster head selection is formulated as optimization problem in order to maximize the efficiency of the network energy and link quality. The formulated problem has been solved using two approaches: Density based Clustering and the cluster heads selection using Differential Evolution (DE) Algorithm. By combining these approaches the safety or Alert messages will be transmitted easily to all the vehicles by dynamically adapting transmission power and contention window size. The performance of the proposed ESMBS protocol is compared and evaluated against the existing AdvB and CBAPA protocols.


In e-commerce platforms, sponsored and non-sponsored content are jointly displayed to users and both may interactively influence their engagement behavior. The former content helps advertisers achieve their marketing goals and provides a stream of ad revenue to the platform. The latter content contributes to users' engagement with the platform, which is key to its long-term health. A burning issue for e-commerce platform design is how to blend advertising with content in a way that respects these interactions and balances these multiple business objectives. This paper describes a system developed for this purpose in the context of blending personalized sponsored content with non-sponsored content on the product detail pages of JD.COM, an e-commerce company. This system has three key features: (1) Optimization of multiple competing business objectives through a new virtual bids approach and the expressiveness of the latent, implicit valuation of the platform for the multiple objectives via these virtual bids. (2) Modeling of users' click behavior as a function of their characteristics, the individual characteristics of each sponsored content and the influence exerted by other sponsored and non-sponsored content displayed alongside through a deep learning approach; (3) Consideration of externalities in the allocation of ads, thereby making it directly compatible with a Vickrey-Clarke-Groves (VCG) auction scheme for the computation of payments in the presence of these externalities. The system is currently deployed and serving all traffic through JD.COM's mobile application. Experiments demonstrating the performance and advantages of the system are presented.


The location of this research is in the Pitu Ulunna Salu (PUS) region, Mamasa Regency, Indonesia. The aim is to examine and report on the function of the Andiriposi' in traditional houses in the Pitu Ulunna Salu area in the past. The methodology involved carrying out a qualitative study by exploring all research areas. Data was collected by observation and in-depth interviews with the local elders who still have knowledge of the function of the Andiriposi' in traditional houses in the past. Data analysis involved qualitative analysis, which included data collection, data presentation, data reduction and drawing conclusions. The results showed that the function of the Andiriposi' in traditional houses in the Pitu Ulunna Salu area was: 1) Structural: as the main pillar in the middle of the house and as the central point of the lower structure and the floor of the building; 2) Adats (customs): as a starting point for the construction of houses and as a seat for the traditional leader during the implementation of adat meetings; and 3) Practical function: as a mortar where rice is pounded in the house, and as a place to slaughter pigs, when there is a traditional ritual performed inside the traditional house.


We model astrophysical disk surface brightness fluctuations as an inhomogeneous, anisotropic, time-dependent Gaussian random field. The field locally obeys the stochastic partial differential equation of a Matérn field, which has a power spectrum that is flat at large scales and falls off as a power law at small scales. We provide a series of pedagogical examples and along the way provide a convenient parameterization for the local covariance. We then consider two applications to disks. In the first we generate an animation of a disk. In the second, by integrating over an animation of a disk, we generate synthetic light curves and show that the high frequency slope of the resulting power spectrum depends on the local covariance model. We finish with a summary and a brief discussion of other possible astrophysical applications.


Unauthorized access to online information costs billions of dollars per year. Software vulnerabilities are a key. Software currently contains an unacceptable number of vulnerabilities. The standard solution notes that the typical software business strategy is to keep costs down and be the first to market even if that means the software has significant vulnerabilities. Many endorse the following remedy: make software developers liable for negligent or defective design. This remedy is unworkable. We offer an alternative based on an appeal to product-risk norms. Product-risk norms are social norms that govern the sale of products. A key feature of such norms is that they ensure that the design and manufacture of products impose only acceptable risks on buyers. Unfortunately, mass-market software sales are not governed by appropriate product-risk norms; as result, market conditions exist in which sellers profitably offer vulnerability-ridden software. This analysis entails a solution: ensure that appropriate norms exist. We contend that the best way to do so is a statute based on best practices for software development, and we define the conditions under which the statute would give rise to the desired norm. Why worry about creating the norm? Why not just legally require that software developers conform to best practices. The answer is that enforcement of legal's requirement can be difficult, costly, and uncertain; once the norm is in place, however, buyers and software developers conform on their own initiative.


PURPOSE
To investigate the effect of two cavity disinfectants, a 2% chlorhexidine (Bisco) and a 0.11% iodine/potassium-iodide/copper sulfate solution (ORA-5), on the shear bond strength of composite to dentin mediated by the dentin bonding agents (DBA), Syntac and Tenure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The occlusal surfaces of 72 noncarious extracted human molar teeth were flattened to dentin using 500 grit sandpaper. They were randomly assigned (n = 12) to three groups within each DBA system: Bisco/Tenure, ORA-5/Tenure, Tenure, Bisco/Syntac, ORA-5/Syntac and Syntac. Dentin disinfectants were applied for 20 seconds and dried. DBA was applied following manufacturer's instructions. A hybrid resin composite (Tetric) was then bonded to all treated samples. The samples were thermocycled and tested in shear until failure. Fracture analysis was performed on dentin surfaces with both light and scanning electron microscopy. Shear bond strength data was analyzed using ANOVA, Student-Neuman-Keuls and Dunnett tests at P < 0.05.

RESULTS
Shear bond values (Mean +/- SD, MPa) were: Syntac control 14.3 +/- 2.0, Bisco/Syntac 8.1 +/- 4.9 and ORA-5/Syntac 5.7 +/- 5.1; Tenure control 15.0 +/- 1.9, Bisco/Tenure 14.2 +/- 3.0 and ORA-5/Tenure 13.9 +/- 3.7. The only significant difference found between disinfectant treatment groups and the control groups was with Syntac. Fracture surface analysis revealed that with Tenure most failures were cohesive in resin but with Syntac, the disinfected samples displayed adhesive failures.


Expandable polystyrene and expandable polyethylene foams are frequently used in packaging of products. The study on their cushioning properties is important for the design of the transport package. The effect of compression speed and multiple reloading on the cushioning properties of HDEPS, LDEPS and HDEPE was studied in this paper. The results indicate that the cushioning properties of HDEPS and LDEPS are affected obviously by the compression speed, but the change of the cushioning properties for LDEPE was unconspicuous with the compression speed. LDEPE appeared obvious fatigue after twice reloads.


In response to recent articles questioning the validity of some perilymphatic fistula diagnoses, another small series is presented, reconfirming the enigmatic clinical appearance of perilymphatic fistula. Histologic evidence and experimental pathophysiology that explain the varied symptoms are reviewed. A pressed-fat fibrin-glue technique that seems to prevent recurrences is described, as well as a technique that may be helpful in confirming the presence of inapparent fistulas in surgery. Argument is advanced that this is a safe, minor surgical procedure helpful in alleviating vestibular and/or auditory symptoms in more than 70% of patients.


The Call for Proposals for the 2016 conference of the International Association for Media and Communications - IAMCR's 2016 - is now published on the conference website at http://iamcr.org/leicester2016 The conference will be held from 27 -31 July 2016 in Leicester, UK. The deadline to submit abstracts is *midnight GMT on 15 February 2016*. The individual CfPs of IAMCR's sections and working groups are also online.


The introduction of the implantable cardiac pacemaker has revolutionized the clinical management of heart block in the past three years. 1 Prior to this period, the treatment of the acute phase of Stokes-Adams syndrome and its long-term management was based on temporary artificial pacing of the heart and the use of drugs to improve atrioventricular (A-V) conduction and stimulate idioventricular pacemaker centers. At present, surgical implantation of an artificial pacemaker has become the standard procedure for the treatment of heart block. It therefore behooves the clinician to know the present indications for pacemaker implantation, the optimal time for surgery, the preoperative preparation, and the problems arising following pacemaker implantation. Recent experience has indicated that our present equipment, although superior to the original units introduced three years ago, is far from foolproof and that frequent mechanical and electrical breakdowns occur. This applies not only to the electrode wires, but also to


The paper proposes a technique for constructing a wavelet matched to a given signal. The design of the match wavelet can be formulated as finding a minimal or maximal projection of a given signal on to scaling subspace. The key development is to construct the match wavelet by a structural filter bank of the wavelet rather than by a scaling function. The method can reduce the cost of calculation when decomposing a signal by wavelet. The design procedures for the match wavelet and an example for matching to an ultrasound echo are also presented.


Three patients with restless legs syndrome, two of whom also had nocturnal myoclonus, responded well to treatment with low doses of opioids. The pathophysiology of the syndrome and the mechanism of opioids' therapeutic action are discussed.


A vast literature has grown up around the value distribution theory of meromorphic functions, synthesized by Rolf Nevanlinna in the 1920s and singled out by Hermann Weyl as one of the greatest mathematical achievements of this century. The multidimensional aspect, involving the distribution of inverse images of analytic sets under holomorphic mappings of complex manifolds, has not been fully treated in the literature. This volume thus provides a valuable introduction to multivariate value distribution theory and a survey of some of its results, rich in relations to both algebraic and differential geometry and surely one of the most important branches of the modern geometric theory of functions of a complex variable.Since the book begins with preparatory material from the contemporary geometric theory of functions, only a familiarity with the elements of multidimensional complex analysis is necessary background to understand the topic. After proving the two main theorems of value distribution theory, the author goes on to investigate further the theory of holomorphic curves and to provide generalizations and applications of the main theorems, focusing chiefly on the work of Soviet mathematicians.


The synthesis is described of analogues of L-tryptophyl-L-methionyl-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine amide (the C-terminal sequence of the gastrins) and/or its N-benzyloxycarbonyl or N-t-butoxycarbonyl derivatives wherein the terminal amide group has undergone replacement by hydrogen, carboxy, hydroxymethyl, glycyl amide, L-phenylalanyl amide, or various mono- and di- substituted amide groups.


This comment points out four severe reservations regarding Cho et al.'s (PS 2017) finding that U.S. federal judges punish more harshly on "sleepy Mondays," the Mondays after the start of Daylights Savings Time. First, Cho et al.'s finding pertains to only one of at least two dimensions of harshness, and the opposite result obtains in the second dimension. Second, even within the first dimension, Cho et al.'s result is statistically significant only because of a variable transformation and sample restrictions that are neither transparent in the article nor theoretically sound. Third, reanalysis of the data with superior methods reveals no significant "sleepy Monday" effect in the years 1992- 2003. Fourth, sentences were on average shorter on "sleepy Mondays" out of sample, namely in 2004-2016.


We present a coarse-grained molecular model of the surface of human hair, which consists of a supported lipid monolayer, in the MARTINI framework. Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we identify a lipid grafting distance that yields a monolayer thickness consistent with both atomistic MD simulations and experimental measurements of the hair surface. Coarse-grained models for fully-functionalised, partially damaged, and fully damaged hair surfaces are created by randomly replacing neutral thioesters with anionic sulfonate groups. This mimics the progressive removal of fatty acids from the hair surface by bleaching and leads to chemically heterogeneous surfaces. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we study the island structures formed by the lipid monolayers at different degrees of damage in vacuum and in the presence of polar (water) and non-polar (n-hexadecane) solvents. We also use MD simulations to compare the wetting behaviour of water and n-hexadecane droplets on the model surfaces through contact angle measurements, which are compared to experiments using virgin and bleached hair. The model surfaces capture the experimentally-observed transition of the hair surface from hydrophobic (and oleophilic) to hydrophilic (and oleophobic) as the level of bleaching damage increases. By selecting surfaces with specific damage ratios, we obtain contact angles from the MD simulations that are in good agreement with experiments for both solvents on virgin and bleached human hairs. To negate the possible effects of microscale curvature and roughness of real hairs on wetting, we also conduct additional experiments using biomimetic surfaces that are co-functionalised with fatty acids and sulfonate groups. In both the MD simulations and experiments, the cosine of the water contact angle increases linearly with the sulfonate group surface coverage with a similar slope. We expect that the proposed systems will be useful for future molecular dynamics simulations of the adsorption and tribological behaviour of hair, as well as other chemically heterogeneous surfaces.


Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a major phospholipid of all cellular membranes in eukaryotes, and it is also present in large quantities in both mitochondrial membranes. Since the final steps of PC biosynthesis take place in the endoplasmic reticulum, proper mitochondrial biogenesis necessitates PC transport to the mitochondria and intramitochondrial sorting of PC over both mitochondrial membranes. The mechanisms and regulatory aspects involved in these processes are unknown. The work described in this thesis was primarily aimed at elucidation of the mechanism of PC import and identification of the components involved. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was chosen as the model organism for these investigations, because it shares similar features of cellular organization and phospholipid composition and biosynthesis with higher eukaryotes. Its facultative requirement for mitochondria makes it a convenient model organism to study mitochondrial biogenesis. In addition, it offers the potential for classical genetics and genetic manipulation. This, in combination with its sequenced genome, allows for genetic as well as biochemical studies on candidate genes and gene products involved in PC import.
In chapter 2 of this thesis, the investigation of the transbilayer movement of PC across the outer mitochondrial membrane is described. An in vitro approach using isolated mitochondrial outer membrane vesicles (OMV) was applied, and the possible involvement of protein factors in this process was studied. Variations observed in mitochondrial PC and PE content were investigated by addressing the influence of growth phase and carbon source on the phospholipid composition and phospholipid biosynthetic activities, as described in chapter 3. In chapter 4, the possibility was examined, that the methyltransferases, catalyzing the conversion of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to PC, are able to act upon a substrate, localized in another membrane than the one in which the enzymes reside. Such a mechanism would preclude the need for actual transport of PC between the endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondria. Subcellular fractions isolated from opi3 and cho2 knock-out strains were used. It is important to know that the integrity of mitochondria is preserved in in vitro studies, and the buffer requirements for maintaining mitochondrial intactness and membrane potential are reported in chapter 5. The possibility of developing a genetic approach for identifying yeast mutants in PC import depends greatly on knowledge on the role of PC in mitochondria, since such an approach requires an appropriate screening or selection method, preferably making use of PC dependent processes in mitochondria. Chapter 6 explores the interaction of PC with mitochondrial proteins, using a photoactivatable phospholipid analog, since this might shed light on the specific role of PC in mitochondria, or even allow the identification of proteins directly involved in the intramitochondrial transport of PC. Finally, in chapter 7, the results of these studies are summarized and discussed


Rapid prototyping (RP) can efficiently fabricate high level models with complex shapes. Hence the RP has been widely applied in various industrial fields. However, as the technology is inherently performed by layered manufacturing process, the surface quality of the RP part is not satisfactory to use general industrial purpose. This is the reason that surface roughness problem has been key issue in RP. In this paper, relation between surface roughness and overlap interval is investigated based on a surface roughness formulation in fused deposition modeling (FDM). Additionally, effects of surface angle and filament shape are analyzed and discussed to predict surface roughness distribution by the overlap interval variation.


Dormant seeds are capable of remaining alive in the hydrated state for extended periods of time without losing vigor, until environmental cues or after-ripening result in the release of dormancy. Here, we investigated the possible role of the regulatory subunit of the sucrose non-fermenting-related kinase complex, MtSNF4b, in dormancy of Medicago truncatula seeds. Expression of MtSNF4b and its involvement in a high-molecular-weight complex are found in dormant seeds, whereas imbibition of fully after-ripened, non-dormant seeds leads to dissociation of the complex. MtSNF4b is capable of complementing the yeast Delta snf4 mutant and of interacting with the MtSnRK1 alpha-subunit in a double hybrid system. Transcriptome analyses on freshly harvested and after-ripened RNAi Mtsnf4b and wild-type embryos implicate MtSNF4b in the defense response in hydrated dormant embryonic tissues, affecting the expression of genes encoding enzymes of flavonoid and phenylpropanoid metabolism, WRKY transcription factors and pathogenesis-related proteins. Silencing MtSNF4b also increased the speed of after-ripening during dry storage, an effect that appears to be related to a change in base water potential. No significant difference in ABA content or sensitivity was detected between mutant and wild-type seeds. Pharmacological studies using hexoses and sugar analogs revealed that mannose restored germination behavior and expression of the genes PAL, CHR and IFR in RNAi Mtsnf4b seeds towards that of the wild-type, suggesting that MtSNF4b might act upstream of sugar-sensing pathways. Overall, the results suggest that MtSNF4b participates in regulation of a constitutively activated defense response in hydrated, dormant seeds.


PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
To examine the cultural beliefs and attitudes of African American prostate cancer survivors regarding the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities.

RESEARCH APPROACH
Mixed methods with primary emphasis on a phenomenology approach.

SETTING
In-person interviews in participants' homes and rural community facilities.

PARTICIPANTS
14 African American men diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer.

METHODOLOGIC APPROACH
Personal interviews using a semistructured interview guide.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES
Prostate cancer, CAM, African American men's health, culture, herbs, prayer, spirituality, and trust.

FINDINGS
All participants used prayer often; two men used meditation and herbal preparations. All men reported holding certain beliefs about different categories of CAM. Several men were skeptical of CAM modalities other than prayer. Four themes were revealed: importance of spiritual needs as a CAM modality to health, the value of education in relation to CAM, importance of trust in selected healthcare providers, and how men decide on what to believe about CAM modalities.

CONCLUSIONS
Prayer was a highly valued CAM modality among African American prostate cancer survivors as a way to cope with their disease. Medical treatment and trust in healthcare providers also were found to be important.

INTERPRETATION
Most participants were skeptical of CAM modalities other than prayer. Participants expressed a strong belief in spirituality and religiosity in relationship to health and their prostate cancer. Participants' trust in their healthcare providers was important. Healthcare providers must understand how African Americans decide what to believe about CAM modalities to improve their health. This research provided valuable information for future development of culturally sensitive communication and infrastructural improvements in the healthcare system.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to develop and characterize a spontaneously arising, nonimmunogenic experimental animal model of epithelial ovarian cancer.

STUDY DESIGN
NuTu-19 is a cell line derived from a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma formed in a female athymic mouse after subcutaneous injection of spontaneously transformed Fischer 344 rat ovarian surface epithelial cells. This cell line was injected intraperitoneally into naive, immunocompetent Fischer 344 rats to determine tumor growth and animal survival. Immunogenicity of this cell line was determined by repetitive vaccination of naive rats with either mitomycin C-treated or irradiated (5000 cGy) NuTu-19 cells, followed by intraperitoneal rechallenge with viable tumor cells. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to analyze survival data. Major histocompatibility complex class I and class II and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 cell surface antigens were determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis.

RESULTS
NuTu-19 cells injected intraperitoneally grew progressively as numerous serosal nodules (peritoneum, omentum, diaphragm, liver, bowel), exhibited local tissue invasion and formed malignant ascites in a manner typical for human ovarian epithelial carcinomas. Animal survival was dosage dependent where as few as 10(4) cells were fatal when introduced intraperitoneally; mean animal survival was noted to be approximately 49 days when 10(5) cells were injected intraperitoneally. Repetitive immunizations of animals with large doses (10(7)) of inactivated NuTu-19 cells did not confer immunity to the animals, which all died on subsequent challenge with viable parental tumor cells. NuTu-19 cells expressed high levels of major histocompatibility complex class I and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 cell surface antigens and very low levels of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens.

CONCLUSION
This is the first report of a reliable, spontaneously arising, nonimmunogenic epithelial ovarian cancer animal model. Because this model exists in an immunocompetent animal, it will be useful for studying the biologic and immunologic features of ovarian cancer.


Over a recent short period, a number of interventions potentially helped move the Romanian accounting system away from being a tool simply used to support a planned economy. They include harmonization with the European Directives, the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and an increased move towards modern information technologies such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. In this study, we directly explore these influences by applying job-offer analysis as a reflection of the current and future demand for accounting competencies. We first document current competencies expected from accountants in Romanian businesses and then assess the intervention impact on financial and management accountants. We hypothesize external influences would move Romanian accountants away from the traditional separate specialized positions towards more hybrid accounting positions, such as that adopted in the UK. Whilst our analysis supports a degree of transition with alignment to recent global trends, it also reveals some intransigence in the sense that management and financial accounting positions still tend to retain attributes associated with the two-cycle accounting system. Our findings have implications for harmonization issues and accounting education in Romania.


Rationale: α-calcitonin gene related peptide (αCGRP), one of the strongest vasodilators, is cardioprotective in hypertension by reducing the elevated blood pressure (BP). Objective: However, we hypothesize that endogenous, physical activity-induced αCGRP has BP-independent cardioprotective effects in chronic hypertension. MMethods and Results: Chronically hypertensive (one-kidney-one-clip surgery) WT and αCGRP-/- sedentary or voluntary wheel running mice were treated with vehicle, αCGRP, or the αCGRP receptor antagonist CGRP8-37. Cardiac function and myocardial phenotype were evaluated echocardiographically and by molecular, cellular and histological analysis, respectively. BP was similar among all hypertensive experimental groups. Endogenous αCGRP limited pathological remodeling and heart failure in sedentary, chronically hypertensive WT mice. In these mice, voluntary wheel running significantly improved myocardial phenotype and function, which was abolished by CGRP8-37 treatment. In αCGRP-/- mice, αCGRP treatment, in contrast to voluntary wheel running, improved myocardial phenotype and function. Specific inhibition of proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation of primary, murine cardiac fibroblasts by αCGRP suggests involvement of these cells in αCGRP-dependent blunting of pathological cardiac remodeling. Conclusions: Endogenous, physical activity-induced αCGRP has BP-independent cardioprotective effects and is crucial for maintaining cardiac function in chronic hypertension. Consequently, inhibiting endogenous αCGRP signaling, as currently approved for migraine prophylaxis, could endanger hypertensive patients.


Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluate possible effects of chronic exposure to 900 - 1800 MHz radiation emitted from 2G cell phone and 1900 -2200 MHz from 3G cell phone on the testis of mice and to compare the effects of 2G and 3G radiation on testis at the histological level. Methods: Mice were exposed to 2G and 3G ultra-high frequency radiation, 48 minutes per day for a period of 30 to 180 days. The sham control mice were exposed to similar conditions without 2G or 3G exposure. Animal's weight of 2G and 3G cell phone exposed group were recorded before sacrificing at the end of 30, 60, 90,120,150 and 180 days. Same numbers of control animals were sacrificed on the same period. Blood samples were collected to measure plasma testosterone. Both the testes were dissected and its size, weight and volume were measured. The testes were processed for histomorphometric study. Results: Following chronic exposure of 2G and 3G cell phone radiation in mice, there was significant reduction of animal weight at first, second and fourth month. The mean testis weight and volume of 2G and 3G radiation exposed mice were significantly reduced in the first three months. The comparison between 2G and 3G exposed groups, showed no significant changes in mean body weight, mean testis weight and mean testis volume. The mean density of seminiferous tubule, mean seminiferous tubule diameter, mean number of Sertoli and Leydig cells of 2G and 3G exposed groups had significantly lower value than the control. The following microscopic changes were observed in the 2G and 3G radiation exposed mice testis over control. 1. Wide interstitium 2. Detachment of Sertoli cells and spermatogonia from the basal lamina. 3. Vacuolar degeneration and desquamation of seminiferous epithelium. 4. Peripheral tubules showed reduced thickness of seminiferous epithelium and maturation arrest in the spermatogenesis. 5. Seminiferous tubules scored 7 to 9 using Johnson testicular biopsy score count. The mean total serum testosterone level of first, second, third, fourth and sixth month 2G and 3G exposed mice had significantly lower serum testosterone level than control. However, comparison between 2G and 3G showed no significant difference in the mean serum testosterone level. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to ultra-high frequency radiation emitted from 2G and 3G cell phone could cause microscopic changes in the seminiferous epithelium, reduction of serum testosterone level, reduction in the number of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells.


Based on the seminal work of Robert K. Greenleaf, a former AT&T executive who coined the term almost thirty years ago, servant-leadership emphasizes an emerging approach to leadership—one which puts serving others, including employees, customers, and community, first.

 The Power of Servant Leadership is a collection of eight of Greenleaf's most compelling essays on servant-leadership. These essays, published together in one volume for the first time, contain many of Greenleaf's best insights into the nature and practice of servant-leadership and show his continual refinement of the servant-as-leader concept. In addition, several of the essays focus on the related issues of spirit, commitment to vision, and wholeness.


Etoricoxib is a selective COX-2 inhibitor, a potent widely prescribed anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, belongs to Class II under 'BCS' and exhibit low and variable oral bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility. Seven formulations were developed with various binders. The formulations were tested in-vitro drug release and hardness, friability disintegration and other tablet properties. Hardness of the tablets was in the range 5-6.5 Kg/sq.cm in all the batches of tablets except those prepared using methyl cellulose and HPMC as binders. The correlation coefficient (r) value between log percent undissolved and time was in the range 0.974-0.999 with various tablet formulations. Much variation was observed in the dissolution characteristics of tablets prepared with various binders.


Quantity or numerosity is one of the basic properties of our environment. Humans and animals both have the neural representation of quantity or 'number sense'. The ability to extract and to manipulate numbers is closely related to our various cognitive functions such as the capacity of working memory, mathematical achievement, and texture perception. Evidence shows that the sense of number is not a unitary mechanism but rather a composition of two distinct processes; enumeration and estimation. The review examines how numerosity is represented in the visual domain and its relation to different modes of attention. Enumeration or counting permits an exact representation of a distinct number of objects, with an awareness of each object achieved through focal deployment of attention to each object serially. On the other hand, estimation involves an approximation of the number of different items or a sense of ensemble statistics, achieved through fast deployment of distributed attention over a set of objects as a whole. In this overview we suggest that a focused attention mode is more suitable for enumeration, whereas a distributed attention mode is better for estimation. WIREs Cogni Sci 2011 2 634-638 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.136 This article is categorized under: Psychology > Attention.


We present three different fractional versions of the Poisson process and some related results concerning the distribution of order statistics and the compound Poisson process. The main version is constructed by considering the difference-differential equation governing the distribution of the standard Poisson process, $ N(t),t>0$, and by replacing the time-derivative with the fractional Dzerbayshan-Caputo derivative of order $\nu\in(0,1]$. For this process, denoted by $\mathcal{N}_\nu(t),t>0,$ we obtain an interesting probabilistic representation in terms of a composition of the standard Poisson process with a random time, of the form $\mathcal{N}_\nu(t)= N(\mathcal{T}_{2\nu}(t)),$ $t>0$. The time argument $\mathcal{T}_{2\nu }(t),t>0$, is itself a random process whose distribution is related to the fractional diffusion equation. We also construct a planar random motion described by a particle moving at finite velocity and changing direction at times spaced by the fractional Poisson process $\mathcal{N}_\nu.$ For this model we obtain the distributions of the random vector representing the position at time $t$, under the condition of a fixed number of events and in the unconditional case. For some specific values of $\nu\in(0,1]$ we show that the random position has a Brownian behavior (for $\nu =1/2$) or a cylindrical-wave structure (for $\nu =1$).


textabstractOne of the most widely used and effective agents in the treatment of metastatic
breast cancer is the anti-estrogen tamoxifen. The efficacy of therapy with this low
toxic anti-honnonal drug is based on the dependence of many breast tumors on
estrogen for growth and survival. The mechanism of action of anti-estrogens
relies on their ability to compete with estrogens for binding to the estrogen
receptor (ER) and to block cell proliferation in honnone-dependent cells.
Many breast carcinomas express the estrogen receptor a (ERa) and are eligible
for treatment with tamoxifen. Nearly 50% of ER-positive tumors respond to
tamoxifen treatment by tumor regression or long-term disease stabilization.
However, the response duration is limited due to the inevitable development of
tamoxifen-resistant tumors (acquired resistance). Moreover, half of the patients
with ER-positive tumors do not respond to tamoxifen treatment (intrinsic
resistance). Tamoxifen resistant proliferation of human breast cancer cells results
from yet umesolved mechanisms. Presumably, there are several mechanisms
capable of bypassing estrogen dependency and causing tamoxifen resistance. The
working hypothesis for this study was that (epi)genetic alterations occurring in
the tumor cells might playa role in intrinsic and acquired resistance to tamoxifen
treatment.
In search of genes involved in tamoxifen resistance of breast cancer cells, an ill
vitro model system has been developed which mimics the clinical situation.
Accordingly, the breast cancer ant-estrogen resistance I (BCARI) locus has been
identified, harboring a gene involved in tamoxifen resistance in vitro. The
objective of this study was to identify and characterize the gene in the BCARI
locus, and to delineate the importance of BCARI in clinical tamoxifen resistance.


In AFM study of cell mechanical properties, the apparent elastic modulus of a cell is affected by many factors, especially the AFM tip geometry, indentation site of the cell, the application of the mathematical model and testing conditions.In AFM study of cell mechanical properties, the apparent elastic modulus of a cell is affected by many factors, especially the AFM tip geometry, indentation site of the cell, the application of the mathematical model and testing conditions.In this study, indentation experiments of living cells under different conditions were performed aiming to build an accurate evaluation system of mechanical properties of lung cancer cells based on AFM. Comparisons of the effects of spherical and pyramid AFM tips, Hertz model of semiinfinite and finite thickness, cell nuclear and cytoplasmic indentation regions on the cell apparent elastic modulus were accomplished.In this study, indentation experiments of living cells under different conditions were performed aiming to build an accurate evaluation system of mechanical properties of lung cancer cells based on AFM. Comparisons of the effects of spherical and pyramid AFM tips, Hertz model of semiinfinite and finite thickness, cell nuclear and cytoplasmic indentation regions on the cell apparent elastic modulus were accomplished.Compared with the calculated results by spherical tip, the elastic modulus distribution of non-small lung cancer cells (NSCLC) by pyramid tip was observed to be similar while the absolute values increased obviously, which were more than twice the numerical values by the spherical tip (p<0.05). The apparent elastic modulus values were the overvalued cause of the underestimation of the contact region in pyramidal tip measurement. Two different indentations over nucleus or lamellipodium of NCI-H520 cell and NCI-H1299 cell were analyzed. Consequently, the exact elastic modulus over the nucleus area can be calculated accurately using the semi-infinite Hertz model while the finite thickness Hertz model should be used for elasticity assessment of cell lamellipodium with a small thickness.Compared with the calculated results by spherical tip, the elastic modulus distribution of non-small lung cancer cells (NSCLC) by pyramid tip was observed to be similar while the absolute values increased obviously, which were more than twice the numerical values by the spherical tip (p<0.05). The apparent elastic modulus values were the overvalued cause of the underestimation of the contact region in pyramidal tip measurement. Two different indentations over nucleus or lamellipodium of NCI-H520 cell and NCI-H1299 cell were analyzed. Consequently, the exact elastic modulus over the nucleus area can be calculated accurately using the semi-infinite Hertz model while the finite thickness Hertz model should be used for elasticity assessment of cell lamellipodium with a small thickness.This evaluation system provides technological support for accurate evaluation of viscoelastic properties of living cancer cells.This evaluation system provides technological support for accurate evaluation of viscoelastic properties of living cancer cells.


Maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment is of paramount importance for human well-being and economic activity. Hence, environment protection, requiring continuous and reliable monitoring, has become a major mandate at various levels of government. There is a direct link between the availability of information about environmentally endangered areas and sound decision-making for effective and sustainable management. While remote sensing allows acquiring relevant information on a regular and repetitive basis even in areas where accessibility is limited, geographic information systems (GIS) provide unique tools for storing, processing, and integrating this information with other sources enabling the development of spatial models that help identify and characterize environmentally endangered areas. In this chapter, we will discuss how GIS-based modeling is applied for solving diverse environmental problems using case studies from United Arab Emirates.


According to Giumelli v Giumelli (1999) 196 CLR 101, where A successfully makes out a proprietary estoppel claim, courts must positively exercise two sets of remedial discretion. The first concerns whether expectation relief is a disproportionate remedy in view of the detriment A suffers. If expectation relief is held to be justified, a second set of discretion obliges judges 'to consider all the circumstances of the case', including 'the impact upon relevant third parties', to decide whether to enforce A's expectations in specie or to provide a monetary award. This article discusses the problems with Giumelli, both as to the principle it propounds and as to its application on the facts. It then introduces a fundamental analytical proposition, concerning the relationship between different types of private law remedies and discretion, and explores the two options available for the future development of proprietary estoppel in Australia.


This study examines the factors that influence write-off decisions in German-listed companies. Write-offs have been widely discussed, especially for the US-American market, and a relation to earnings management has been found in existing studies. German companies differentiate from the companies that have already been analyzed as they operate under different accounting standards (IFRS) and in a different institutional setting.Additionally, managers are confronted with the task to derive the IFRS annual statements from the existing annual statements according to local GAAP which follow a differing objective. Based on a sample of 805 observations of German companies listed in the DAX, MDAX, TecDax and SDAX indices between 2004 and 2010, we analyze the impact of firm performance as well as reporting incentives on the write-off decision. We find that the write-off probability rises significantly with decreasing overall firm performance, which is in line with the legal requirements. Additionally, we find a strong relation of the write-off probability with unexpectedly high earnings, which is an indicator for income smoothing. Besides influencing the shareholders perception, income smoothing can serve to minimize overall tax payments or to influence the banks risk assessment. In contrast with prior studies focusing on the US-American market, we found no evidence for other capital market motives, like big bath accounting and management changes; neither could we confirm the hypothesis that earnings-based management compensation or leverage have a significant influence on the write-off decision. These results indicate that German managers aim to influence tax payments and potential lenders in contrast to the perception of potential shareholders.