This paper investigates the packet error rate (PER) performance enhancement through the antenna and the transceiver co-design for MB-OFDM UWB system. Five different UWB antennas, covering the whole UWB spectrum, are selected for study. Through the link-margin analysis and PER performance simulation, radio transceiver design specifications are optimized according to different antennaspsila performance at different band groups. Transmitter pre-distortion and receiver equalization are applied at the front-end of the transceiver to co-design with the antenna, which further enhance PER performance. Our study reveals that, antenna is an important part of radio transceiver which has to be considered in advance during the chip design, particularly in the ultra-wide band radio system. Through the antenna and radio front-end co-design, not only could PER performance be enhanced, but also could design parameters be relaxed for the power amplifier (PA) and the low noise amplifier (LNA), particularly for higher band groups.


Most crop species upon which we depend are glycophytes, which lack the mechanisms required to tolerate ion excesses present in high concentration in saline soils. Therefore, it is important to understand how salt-resistant plants respond to external salinity. What is known is that a number of physiological processes are involved in salt-tolerance and each of these processes requires the co-ordinated expression of a number of genes. One way to identify putative genes encoding Na+ and Cl- transporters from salt-resistant plants is to use an approach involving heterologous probes. Genomic Southern blots of barley and sugar beet were performed using a range of H+-ATPase, Na+ / H+ antiporter and Cl- channel sequences as probes. Some sequence homology to both p-type and v-type H+-ATPases, and to clc-0 (a voltage gated Cl- channel) was found. However, Northern analysis showed that only in barley was the clc-0 homologue expressed; the transcript was ~ 1.4 kb and probably not poly-adenylated. Attempts to isolate a voltage gated Cl- channel from barley genomic library constructed in lambda Dash II by colony hybridization using clc-0 as probe were unsuccessful. In 1996 the first plant voltage-gated Cl- channel, clc-nt1 was cloned from tobacco using an RT-PCR approach. A similar strategy was then adopted in this study. Seventeen putative CLC sequences were found in the databases and these were aligned. Three regions of consensus were identified that were suitable for designing degenerate PCR primers. Two PCR approaches were used, conventional PCR and RT-PCR, to identify clc homologues in sugar beet, barley and red beet. The conventional PCR approach used cDNA libraries and genomic DNA as template, but failed to identify any clc homologues. RT-PCR was performed on oligo dT - and random primed cDNA from root and leaf tissues of high-salt-grown plants. A 600 bp fragment, bv600, from sugar beet leaves, and two shorter fragments, bv160 and bv163, from red beet cell suspension cultures, were amplified and demonstrated to be authentic plant sequences. These fragments were then sequenced and this information used to interrogate the databases using BLAST searches. The fragment bv600 was identified by BLAST as homologous to an ATP-dependent protease. Similar comparisons using the bv160 and bv163 sequences suggested that they are almost identical, but BLAST failed to identify any homologues in the databases. The red beet fragment bv160 was used to identify a 7 kb sugar beet genomic fragment, bvFAS1.7. This fragment was sequenced and analyzed by a range of computer programs. The bvFAS1.7 fragment, containing the bv160 sequence, probably encodes a reverse transcriptase although this is by no means certain. More recent alignments of all of the clc sequences, and of the six plant sequences deposited in the databases, suggests that better (i.e. less degenerate) primers can now be designed which should improve the success of an RT-PCR approach in cloning clc homologues in salt-resistant plants.


Abstract This paper presents a parameterized gait generator based on linear inverted pendulum model (LIPM) theory, which allows users to generate a natural gait pattern with desired step sizes. Five types of zero moment point (ZMP) components are proposed for formulating a natural ZMP reference, where ZMP moves continuously during single support phases instead of staying at a fixed point in the sagittal and lateral plane. The corresponding center of mass (CoM) trajectories for these components are derived by LIPM theory. To generate a parameterized gait pattern with user-defined parameters, a gait planning algorithm is proposed, which determines related coefficients and boundary conditions of the CoM trajectory for each step. The proposed parameterized gait generator also provides a concept for users to generate gait patterns with self-defined ZMP references by using different components. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed method is validated by the experimental results with a teen-sized humanoid robot, David, which won first place in the sprint event at the 20th Federation of International Robot-soccer Association (FIRA) RoboWorld Cup.


ABSTRACT Models of care developed to improve the lives of people with chronic diseases highlight integrated care as essential to meeting their needs and achieving person (patient)-centered care (PCC). Nevertheless, barriers to collaborative practice and siloed work environments persist. To set in motion some groundwork for intersectoral collaboration this study brought two expert groups of epilepsy care practitioners together to engage in participatory action research (PAR). The expert practitioner groups were hospital-based epilepsy specialist nurses (ESNs) and community-based resource officers (CROs). The PAR highlighted, that while the participants share a mutual interest in caring for people with epilepsy, underdeveloped CRO-ESN relationships, arising from unconscious bias and ambiguity can result in missed opportunities for optimal care coordination with consequent potential for unnecessary replication and waste of finite resources. However, through dialogue and critical self-reflection, a growing emotional connection between the disciplines evolved over the course of the PAR. This allowed for buds of collaboration to develop with CROs and ESNs working together to tackle some of the key barriers to their collaboration.


These studies considered the nature of cognitive avoidance, a maintaining factor in worry and generalized anxiety disorder (Borkovec, Ray, & Stober, 1998; Dugas, Gagnon, Ladouceur, & Freeston, 1998). First, the psychometric properties of the English translation of Gosselin et al.'s (2002) Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire (CAQ) were examined. The CAQ assesses five cognitive avoidance strategies: Thought Substitution, the Transformation of Images into Thoughts, Distraction, Avoidance of Threatening Stimuli, and Thought Suppression. The CAQ was administered to 456 students at Concordia University in Montreal. The CAQ total scale and subscales demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency and good test-retest reliability. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the five-subscale structure, though the model's goodness-of-fit was lower than expected. Finally, the CAQ showed convergent validity with measures of worry, thought suppression, information-avoidant coping in controllable situations, and information-seeking coping in uncontrollable situations. The CAQ also demonstrated divergent validity, showing negative correlations with information-seeking in controllable situations. Subsequently, Study 2 examined whether two worry-related processes, negative beliefs about worry and the fear of anxiety, may be contributing to cognitive avoidance in worry. A total of 259 students participated in this study. In hierarchical multiple regression analyses, negative beliefs about worry and the fear of somatic symptoms of anxiety, rather than the fear of losing control over anxiety, were found to predict cognitive avoidance. All process measures were significantly correlated with worry. Negative beliefs about intrusive thoughts, the fear of the anxiety symptoms, and cognitive avoidance showed stronger relationships with catastrophic worry than with generalized worry.


This research estimates the effect of independent factors like filler  (3%, 6%, 9%, 11% weight fraction), normal load (5N, 10N, 15N), and time sliding (5,7 , 9 minutes) on wear behavior of unsaturated polyester resin reinforced with jute fiber and waste eggshell and, rice husk powder composites by utilizing a statistical approach. The specimens polymeric composite prepared from resin unsaturated polyester filled with (4% weight fraction) jute fiber, and (3%, 6%, 9%, 11% weight fraction) eggshell, and rice husk by utilizing (hand lay-up) molding. Dry sliding wear experiments were carried utilizing a standard (pin on disc test setup) following a well designed empirical schedule that depends on Taguchi's experimental design L9 (MINITAB 16) with the determined (S/N) ratio and analysis of different (ANOVA) optimal factors to minimize the wear rate. Results exhibit that the presence the of 11% weight fraction eggshell and rice husk powder with 4% weight fraction jute fiber improves the wear resistance of unsaturated polyester composite materials significantly. The filler content was observed to be the major significant factor influencing the wear rate followed by time sliding and normal load. From the results of the S/N ratio, the optimization of wear parameters is obtained at specimens A3, A6, A7, and A10 as to minimize wear rate.


On October 2012, a large share of Dutch websites, including the websites of the leading Dutch newspapers but also of the public service media forced their users to accept tracking technologies (cookies) before being allowed to enter. The Dutch cookie-walls were a response to, or rather: act of resistance against a new Dutch law that was originally meant to protect users privacy vis-a-vis the placing of cookies. The incident is not only an interesting example of how website publishers in the Netherlands managed quite successfully to get rid of an uncomfortable law. The incident also gives rise to a number of more fundamental concerns about tracking, profiling and the personalization of media content. This paper will discuss three in particular. One concerns the transition from "broadcasting" to personalized or even intimate media, and speculates about the norms and guiding principles that should govern this new symbiosis between the media and audiences. The second concerns the pricing of media access. The paper will argue that current rhetoric's of a "public's right to free access to media content", a popular idea in European media policy, is misleading and diverts attention from the fact that users always pay "a fee" for media content, be it in the form of money, attention or personal data. The real question is when and under which conditions the price of access to media content becomes too high, for example in situations that people are forced to accept hundreds of cookies in the process. The paper will then, thirdly, turn to a key player in the Dutch cookie-wall debate, public broadcasting, and examine how the cookie-walls, and more generally, targeting and personalization strategies relate to the public service media's mission to provide the public with universal access to a broad range of diverse content from diverse sources, also online.


This book offers real-time, intimate reflections on Dr. Friedberg's patients as they struggle with COVID-19 and its disruptive, dispiriting fallout. Through a Screen Darkly identifies the psychological distress caused by the pandemic, examining how the particular elements of COVID-19 – its ability to be spread by those who seem not to have it, its intractability, the long-term uncertainty that it engenders – leave even relatively stable people shaken and unsure of the future. The book examines how, amidst radical uncertainty and the prospect of massive social change, such people learn to become resilient. The main theme of the book is that, of necessity, we learn to adapt. Though we still can only see –darkly,— we can call on the resources that we have, as well as those we can reasonably acquire, so as to retain a sense of our dignity and purpose. Through a Screen Darkly examines what is possible now as the pandemic runs its course. It makes no predictions of how all this will ultimately play out, but offers a time capsule of how people have coped with a disease that landed suddenly and that we still do not fully understand. Offering a series of intense encounters with worried, traumatized people, this book will be invaluable to in-training and practicing psychiatrists, as it points to the several possible directions for our national, psychological recovery from the pandemic. © 2021 Ahron L. Friedberg


In the latest amendment to the TSI Noise, the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/774 from year 2019 (TSI NOI EU 2019/774, 2019), the term "quieter brake blocks" was introduced. The purpose was to distinguish between brake blocks that cause a high rolling noise level by roughening the surface of the wheels and quieter brake blocks with acoustic properties that better correspond to the pass-by noise limit for freight wagons. However, it has remained an open point which methods and procedures should be used for the assessment of the acoustic properties of new brake blocks. This open point shall be closed in the new revision of the TSI Noise, which will become effective in year 2022. It requires a new acoustic certification procedure for brake blocks to be developed. A new procedure for the acoustic certification of new brake blocks should be reliable, easy to use and less expensive in terms of time and costs than full scale pass-by noise measurements in field. These conditions could be fulfilled by a certification procedure based on the wheel roughness level caused by the specific brake block. The relationship to the TSI-noise limit value can be established by defining reference values for the rail roughness and transfer function according to the well-established rolling noise model. Besides the certification procedure, a practical method should be defined how to generate and assess the wheel roughness that is characteristic for a specific brake block product. This project is financed by the German Centre for Rail Traffic Research in cooperation with the Federal Railway Authority and executed by DB Systemtechnik GmbH. The objective of the presentation is to introduce the research project "Acoustic Certification of New Composite Brake Blocks". This presentation summarizes the project work so far and gives explanations and background knowledge to the development of the methods as well as to railway noise. A calculation example is given to comprehensibly demonstrate the proposed procedure. At the time of the EuroBrake conference the project is still ongoing, and the final results cannot yet be presented. The focus for the discussions is to put on the practicability of the methods and the needs of the user regarding for instance documentation, required efforts or material and qualification.


Significance Motivated by the conical shape of so-called oriented meteorites, we assess experimentally how the flight dynamics and postural stability of a body moving through a fluid depend on its shape. The family of cones of varying apex angle permits the systematic study across shapes from slender or sharp to broad or dull, and we find that only specific forms achieve the stably oriented flight needed to explain this class of meteorites. More generally, our study provides the map relating body shape to free fall motions, such as gliding, tumbling, straight descent, and fluttering, which will prove useful in aeronautics, the atmospheric sciences, and chemical engineering. The atmospheric ablation of meteoroids is a striking example of the reshaping of a solid object due to its motion through a fluid. Motivated by meteorite samples collected on Earth that suggest fixed orientation during flight—most notably the conical shape of so-called oriented meteorites—we hypothesize that such forms result from an aerodynamic stabilization of posture that may be achieved only by specific shapes. Here, we investigate this issue of flight stability in the parallel context of fluid mechanical erosion of clay bodies in flowing water, which yields shapes resembling oriented meteorites. We conduct laboratory experiments on conical objects freely moving through water and fixed within imposed flows to determine the dependence of orientational stability on shape. During free motion, slender cones undergo postural instabilities, such as inversion and tumbling, and broad or dull forms exhibit oscillatory modes, such as rocking and fluttering. Only intermediate shapes, including the stereotypical form carved by erosion, achieve stable orientation and straight flight with apex leading. We corroborate these findings with systematic measurements of torque and stability potentials across cones of varying apex angle, which furnish a complete map of equilibrium postures and their stability. By showing that the particular conical form carved in unidirectional flows is also posturally stable as a free body in flight, these results suggest a self-consistent picture for the origin of oriented meteorites.


An efficient call admission control scheme for handling heterogeneous services in wireless ATM networks is proposed. Quality-of-service provisioning of jitter bounds for constant bit rate traffic and delay bounds for variable bit rate traffic is used in the CAC scheme to guarantee predefined QoS levels for all traffic classes. To reduce the forced handoff call dropping rate, the CAC scheme gives handoff calls a higher priority than new calls by reserving an appropriate amount of resources for potential handoff calls. Resource reservation in the CAC scheme makes use of user mobility information to ensure efficient resource utilization. Simulation results show that the proposed CAC scheme can achieve both low handoff call dropping rate and high resource utilization.


Glyphosate is a pesticide widely used in agriculture, horticulture, and silviculture as well as around homes and gardens. It was introduced by Monsanto in the early 1970s, and it is a broad spectrum, nonselective, post-emergence herbicide that inhibits plants' shikimic acid pathway. Glyphosate is considered as "difficult herbicide" in terms of trace analysis. It has low molecular weight, low volatility, thermal lability, and good water solubility. These properties cause problems in its extraction, purification, and detection. The determination often requires additional processes that may allow quantification by chromatographic methods. Several analytical procedures have been developed based on solid-phase extraction, ion-exchange chromatography, or matrix solid phase dispersion. Most published methods involve liquid extraction followed by clean-up. This review would like to revise the literature on this issue discussing the relevant chromatographic methods reported in the literature in terms of analytical parameters for analyzing such compound in food chain.


Structural and functional diversities of the subunits of Panulirus japonicus (spiny lobster) hemocyanin were investigated. The hemocyanin mostly exists as a hexamer in the native state. It was found that the hemocyanin is composed of three major subunits (Ib, II and III) and one minor subunit (Ia), which differ in N-terminal sequence. In the dissociated state, the major subunits (Ib, II and III) showed no or very small Bohr effects. The O2 affinity of the subunit III was about three times as high as those of the other two.

The subunits could be reassociated into homogeneous and heterogeneous hexamers, which exhibited the cooperativity in O2 binding. The homohexamers were similar to each other in O2 affinity and the Bohr effect, though some differences were observed in the magnitude of the cooperativity. In particular, the subunit II homohexamer exhibited a high cooperativity, which was comparable to that of the native protein. The heterohexamers showed slightly higher O2 affinities and slightly lower cooperativity, as compared with the parent homohexamers.

It was concluded that there is no essential difference among the three major subunits of P. japonicus hemocyanin in the O2 binding and assembly properties.


This paper aims to enhance the thermal performance of an industrial shell-and-tube heat exchanger utilized for the purpose of cooling raw natural gas by means of mixture of Sales gas. The main objective of this work is to provide an optimum and reliable thermal design of a single-shelled finned tubes heat exchanger to replace the existing two- shell and tube heat exchanger due to the space limitations in the plant. A comprehensive thermal model was developed using the effectiveness-NTU method. The shell-side and tube-side overall heat transfer coefficient were determined using Bell-Delaware method and Dittus-Boelter correlation, respectively. The obtained results showed that the required area to provide a thermal duty of 1.4 MW is about 1132 m2 with tube-side and shell-side heat transfer coefficients of 950 W/m2K and 495 W/m2K, respectively. In order to verify the obtained results generated from the mathematical model, a numerical study was carried out using HTRI software which showed a good match in terms of the heat transfer area and the tube-side heat transfer coefficient.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma is a rare and poorly understood variant of urothelial bladder cancer, which is believed to carry a worse prognosis. A 69 year old male presented with urinary symptoms and was diagnosed with plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. He was found to also have rectal thickening on initial imaging, which was investigated extensively but no malignant pathology was identified. He underwent radical cystoprostatectomy then adjuvant chemotherapy. 5 months after completion of treatment he developed abdominal discomfort with Computerised Tomography scan showing previously investigated rectal thickening to have progressed to involve the whole colon, in keeping with metastatic disease in the form of linitis plastica of the large bowel. He also developed left thigh pain and was found to have a soft tissue metastasis of the left adductor muscle. Despite treatment with immunotherapy his condition worsened and he developed large bowel perforation and passed away. To our knowledge this is the first report of plasmacytoid urothe


Abstract The current study aimed to capture empathy processing in an interpersonal context. Mother–adolescent dyads (N = 22) each completed an empathy task during fMRI, in which they imagined the target person in distressing scenes as either themselves or their family (i.e. child for the mother, mother for the child). Using multi-voxel pattern approach, we compared neural pattern similarity for the self and family conditions and found that mothers showed greater perceptual similarity between self and child in the fusiform face area (FFA), representing high self–child overlap, whereas adolescents showed significantly less self–mother overlap. Adolescents' pattern similarity was dependent upon family relationship quality, such that they showed greater self–mother overlap with higher relationship quality, whereas mothers' pattern similarity was independent of relationship quality. Furthermore, adolescents' perceptual similarity in the FFA was associated with increased social brain activation (e.g. temporal parietal junction). Mediation analyses indicated that high relationship quality was associated with greater social brain activation, which was mediated by greater self–mother overlap in the FFA. Our findings suggest that adolescents show more distinct neural patterns in perceiving their own vs their mother's distress, and such distinction is sensitive to mother–child relationship quality. In contrast, mothers' perception for their own and child's distress is highly similar and unconditional.


Transfer zones form important structural elements in extensional basins, accommodating displacement changes between individual fault and basin segments. Transfer zone geometry is related to the extension direction and the displacement, dip polarity, overlap and overstep of fault/basin segments adjacent to the zone. Topographic changes associated with transfer zones have a direct influence on drainage basin evolution, sediment transport and stratigraphy. Two main categories of transfer zone can be identified: (i) interbasin transfer zones, linking individual half graben, and (ii) intrabasin transfer zones, linking individual fault segments within a half graben. Interbasin transfer zones range from interbasin ridges to broad faulted highs and major relay ramps. They have a marked influence on basin stratigraphy and drainage evolution, often separating half graben with distinct stratigraphies and acting as conduits through which major axial depositional systems enter the rift zone. Intrabasin transfer zones range from relay ramps separating adjacent en echelon normal faults to discrete fault jogs. Intrabasin transfer zones commonly act as a conduit for local sediment transport, but have minimal effect on basin-scale stratigraphy. Transfer zones also affect early post-rift sedimentation and are important elements in controlling fluid migration in the subsurface.


Nick and Laurie thought their giant problems were solved after they lured all the giants into the sea. But now, the Grace kids are back to tell them they may have caused more trouble! It turns out the giants control the population of Hydra, a dragon-like creature that creates sinkholes all over Florida. But with the mermaids refusing to return the giants to the shore, Taloa still demanding their help in looking for her lost sisters, and the threat of Florida's destruction drawing closer, the kids have to take matters in their own hands. Will Nick and Laurie be able to stop the chaos they unwittingly caused? Is the giant hunter Noseeum Jack really as helpful as they thought? Can Arthur Spiderwick's infamous Field Guide help them out of this mess? Find out in this final instalment Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles series!


Synaptotagmin I, a synaptic vesicle protein required for efficient synaptic transmission, contains a highly conserved polylysine motif necessary for function. Using Drosophila, we examined in which step of the synaptic vesicle cycle this motif functions. Polylysine motif mutants exhibited an apparent decreased Ca2+ affinity of release, and, at low Ca2+, an increased failure rate, increased facilitation, and increased augmentation, indicative of a decreased release probability. Disruption of Ca2+ binding, however, cannot account for all of the deficits in the mutants; rather, the decreased release probability is probably due to a disruption in the coupling of synaptotagmin to the release machinery. Mutants exhibited a major slowing of recovery from synaptic depression, which suggests that membrane trafficking before fusion is disrupted. The disrupted process is not endocytosis because the rate of FM 1-43 uptake was unchanged in the mutants, and the polylysine motif mutant synaptotagmin was able to rescue the synaptic vesicle depletion normally found in syt(null) mutants. Thus, the polylysine motif functions after endocytosis and before fusion. Finally, mutation of the polylysine motif inhibits the Ca2+-independent ability of synaptotagmin to accelerate SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor)-mediated fusion. Together, our results demonstrate that the polylysine motif is required for efficient Ca2+-independent docking and/or priming of synaptic vesicles in vivo.


This article pursues an antihermeneutic conception of Socratic irony that troubles the borders between pedagogical authority and humility. One of the most tenacious ways of troping the teacher-student relation, Socratic irony is often figured as a way for a masterful teacher to exercise authority over a student. Drawing on the writings of Søren Kierkegaard and Avital Ronell, this article repositions such irony as an uncontrollability in language itself—one that can humble and humiliate teacher and student alike. Via divergent readings of Plato's Gorgias and Aristophanes' Clouds, as well as Bruno Latour's interpretation of the former, I question how this approach to Socratic irony might re- and unwork rhetoricians' positions of mastery with regard to both students and systematized bodies of knowledge.


The use of UV/visible light irradiation as a means to initiate organic syntheses is increasingly attractive due to the high spatial and temporal control conferred by photochemical processes. The aim of this work is thus to demonstrate that alkoxyamines bearing a chromophore on the alkyl moiety can provide a photoprotecting group for the sensitive nitroxide functionality, that is known to degrade through redox processes. The dissociation of various photosensitive alkoxyamines was studied from 223 to 298 K under UV/visible irradiation, depending on the nature of the chromophore. In each case a rapid (typically in less than 1 h) and near-quantitative dissociation was observed. As an illustration of the interest of this approach, a pyrene-based alkoxyamine was employed for the spatially controlled coupling of polymer chains onto Si wafers to produce micropatterned surfaces.


We present a framework for reasoning about actions that not only solves the frame and ramification problems, but also the state default problem—the problem to determine what normally holds at a given time point. Yet, the framework is general enough not to be tied to a specific time structure. This is achieved as follows: We use effect axioms that draw ideas both from Reiter's successor state axioms and the nonmonotonic causal theories by Giunchiglia et al. These axioms are formulated in a recently proposed unifying action calculus to guarantee independence of a specific underlying notion of time. Reiter's default logic is then wrapped around the resulting calculus and plays a key role in solving the ramification as well as the state default problem.


Composed in honour of the sixty-fifth birthday of Lloyd Shapley, this volume makes accessible the large body of work that has grown out of Shapley's seminal 1953 paper. Each of the twenty essays concerns some aspect of the Shapley value. Three of the chapters are reprints of the 'ancestral' papers: Chapter 2 is Shapley's original 1953 paper defining the value; Chapter 3 is the 1954 paper by Shapley and Shubik applying the value to voting models; and chapter 19 is Shapley's 1969 paper defining a value for games without transferable utility. The other seventeen chapters were contributed especially for this volume. The first chapter introduces the subject and the other essays in the volume, and contains a brief account of a few of Shapley's other major contributions to game theory. The other chapters cover the reformulations, interpretations and generalizations that have been inspired by the Shapley value, and its applications to the study of coalition formulation, to the organization of large markets, to problems of cost allocation, and to the study of games in which utility is not transferable.


ABSTRACT Information on regional diversity of hyperiid amphipods of the eastern Pacific Ocean is still largely incomplete. Recent surveys of hyperiid fauna from the Mexican Pacific motivated a revision of extant faunistic accounts. This revised list includes all records from Mexican waters of the eastern Pacific (MP) from Baja California to the southern border with Central America. A total of 150 species belonging to 19 families and 48 genera of the Hyperiidea was included in this account; seven are new records in the MP. Up to 31 nominal species were excluded from previous listings. Overall, the epipelagic infraorder Physocephalata is highly diverse in the MP (119 species); Physosomata, containing deep-living forms, are less diverse (31 species). The northern part of the MP (including the gulf and off the Baja California peninsula) harbors the highest number of species/records, whereas nearly half of the species are known from the central areas and six from the southernmost sector of the MP. This pattern reflects current knowledge of the group in these areas and also geographic differences in the sampling/research efforts, but it is not a diversity gradient. Species richness of the MP is comparable with that known from other Pacific subregions. The epipelagic hyperiid fauna of the tropical MP remains relatively unknown and should be studied further to reveal regional patterns of diversity. The deep-living hyperiid community of the tropical eastern Pacific harbors a diversity that is deserving of further study.


Research on limnology in southern Europe had achieved a notable presence in the international arena before the onset of
the current dramatic cuts in public investment in science. We assessed the limnological research published in peer-reviewed
journals by Spanish and Portuguese (i.e., Iberian) researchers during the decade prior to the economic recession (2000 to 2009).
The Thompson ReutersWeb of Knowledge database was used to retrieve all publications on limnology authored by researchers
affiliated with Spanish or Portuguese institutions independently of the geographical setting of the study. The publishing pattern
was characterised in terms of authors, journals, and citation statistics. In addition, a thematic characterisation of the research
was performed by a manual assignation of several categorical descriptors combined with a blind word count analysis. Iberian
researchers produced an annual mean of 278 papers on limnology. Papers were published in journals that had impact factors
ranging from 0.1 to 31.4, with a mean of 2.0. Based on citations, the impact of the Iberian limnological research was not
due to a few highly cited papers but rather to a wide number of publications; each paper received a mean of 8 citations. The
Iberian limnological research involved up to 5460 researchers, with a mean of 4.3 authors per paper. The research largely
focused on fluvial systems, with 47 % of total publications (2778) devoted to these ecosystems. There was a dominant focus
on local, within-system aspects of study sites and the research was mostly restricted to the Iberian Peninsula; larger spatial
scales of analysis (i.e., landscape, regional, or global) tended to be overlooked. Iberian research addressed fundamental (75 %)
rather than applied (17 %) or methodological (5 %) questions and was vastly dominated by observational approaches (75 %).
Interestingly, Iberian limnological research increased its scientific productivity during the analysed decade at a higher rate
than its international counterpart (increase of 119 %). Overall, Iberian research on limnology appeared to be in good health
during the analysed decade. Certain areas have been more studied than others, which opens opportunities to develop new
research.


The colanic acid polysaccharide capsule biosynthetic genes (cps genes) are primarily clustered at one site located at about 45 min on the Escherichia coli chromosome. The network of proteins involved in regulating the expression of these genes includes the two positive regulators RcsA and RcsB. This work describes the site of action of these two activator proteins and the promoter of the cps genes. It is likely that the cps genes are arranged in a single long operon that is at least 13.5 kb. The promoter region was identified with fusions to lacZ that resulted in regulated expression by the Rcs network of regulatory proteins, and the start site of transcription was identified by primer extension. The operator region was cloned from Kohara phage to multicopy plasmids and identified by titrating RcsA or RcsB. Sequence analysis of the promoter and operator region revealed homology to the JUMPstart element found in the untranslated region of many exopolysaccharide biosynthetic operons. In addition, the deduced amino acid sequence of the amino terminus of the first open reading frame of the cps operon was found to be homologous to proteins encoded by the exopolysaccharide biosynthetic operons of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Erwinia amylovora.


Recent studies have suggested a partial block in somatomedin (SM) production or growth hormone (GH) action in IDDM. Twelve well-nourished diabetic children (9 males and 3 females with a mean age of 11.2 ± 3.3 yr), six with an HbA1c of 7.9–11.2% (group A) and six with an HbA1c of 12.5–15.6% (group B), were studied as follows: the GH response after 100 μg of oral clonidine and the SM generation capacity after i.m. administration of 0.2 U/kg/dose of human growth hormone (hGH) for 4 days. Group B diabetic subjects had a significantly higher mean ± SD GH increase after clonidine than did group A patients (Δ of 17.4 ± 4.9 versus 5.7 ± 6.0 ng/ml, P < 0.01); the basal GH of both groups were similar (1.6 ± 0.7 versus 2.3 ± 1.4 ng/ml). In contrast, the SM response to hGH was significantly decreased in group B children as compared with those in group A (Δ of 0.3 ± 0.3 versus 1.2 ± 0.4 U/ml, P ± 0.01). The basal SM levels of both groups were normal for age. GH and SM correlated with HbA1c levels (r = +O.80, P < 0.01; r = −0.79, P < 0.01, respectively); there was no correlation with plasma and urine glucose or serum cholesterol, cortisol, and transferrin. Our data indicate a blunted SM response to hGH in group B diabetic subjects; this defect in SM generation is apparently not present in group A subjects. A biologically inactive GH molecule and poor nutrition seem unlikely, but circulating inhibitory factors not picked up by our radioimmunoassay, the degree of diabetes control, or a still unclear metabolic derangement may be contributing to this defect.


Abstract We studied the sedative, analgesic and amnesic effects of intravenous midazolam and meperidine for colonoscopy, and also compared patient's satisfaction, changes of vital signs, safety and complications with intramuscular meperidine during the colonoscopy. Two hundred and ninety-nine patients undergoing physical check-up were randomized to receive intramuscular meperidine 50 mg and Hyoscine-N-Butylbromide (buscopan) 20 mg (Group IM-MB, n = 57) or intravenous midazolam 0.05 mg/kg, meperidine 1 mg/kg and buscopan 20 mg (Group IV-MMB, n = 242) before colonoscopy. All patients were closely observed and arterial oxygen saturations (SaO2) were monitored with pulse oximeter in Group IV-MMB. The demographic data of both groups were similar. There were significantly more severe pain responses (grimacing, moaning, shouting for pain, abdominal rigidity and body moving during colonoscopy) in Group IM-MB (51%) than in Group IV-MMB (13%) (p < 0.01). In immediate procedure recall after recovery from medications, 39% of Group IM-MB remembered severe pain during colonoscopy and only 3% of Group IV-MMB did (p < 0.01). 92% of Group IV-MMB who felt satisfactory with the medications were significantly higher than 21% in Group IM-MB (p < 0.01). Both groups significantly increased in heart rate after the injection of medications (p < 0.01). Group IM-MB increased 15 +/- 18% and Group IV-MMB 61 +/- 28% with significant difference between groups (p < 0.01). This might be caused by meperidine, buscopan, and relative hypovolemia of patients. There were significant decreases in SaO2 in Group IV-MMB, mean 4.5 +/- 1.7% (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


We report an analytical method and results for a chemical's potential for corrosion of metal contacts. Corrosion rates were measured via a galvanic cell, where we measure the current and potential between two wafers coated with dissimilar metals, submerged in process solvents, strippers, and etch solutions (see Figure 1). Galvanic corrosion was more closely correlated to the current of the galvanic as opposed to the potential in static sovent tests. In addition to the static-solvent tests, large current spikes were observed when transitioning from one solvent to another as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4. Based on these results, the fundamental design of the metallization scheme as well as multi-solvent process flows can be optimized to minimize galvanic corrosion and subsequent electrical and visual defects. Visual defects were observed on metal stacks consisting of metals with high galvanic potentials, specifically Aluminum (Anodic) , Nickel, Platinum and Gold (Cathodic). The corrosion effect was verified to be due to galvanic corrosion versus purely chemically etching the metal layers by solvents. Electrically isolated Al pads were unaffected by process chemistry, while Al pads overlapping with Au/Ni pads showed severe corrosion patterns.


The Anti-Corruption Evidence (ACE) research consortium takes an innovative approach to anticorruption policy and practice. Working with a multi-country coalition of 12 partners over five years, ACE is responding to the serious challenges facing people and economies affected by corruption by generating evidence that makes anti-corruption real and using those findings to help policymakers, business and civil society adopt new, feasible, high-impact strategies to tackle corruption.


Air pollution monitoring is extremely important as air pollution has a direct impact on human health and environment. In this paper we introduce a wireless sensor network system for participatory air pollution monitoring. The traditional air quality monitoring system, controlled by the Pollution Control Department, is extremely expensive. Analytical measuring equipment is costly, time and power consuming. In contrast to traditional air pollution monitoring stations, we present the design, implementation, and evaluation of low power, low cost WSN based Air Pollution Monitoring System which provides real time monitoring of polluted materials at proper locations by using distributed (real time) air pollution monitoring systems Index Terms – MQ7 Co detector, MQ 135 Air quality sensor, Wireless Sensor Network and ATmega 16 Controller. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________


In November 2016 the Parliamentary Deputy-Ombudsman of Finland conducted an inspection in Mikkeli Prison. His report, issued in January 2017, uncovered numerous serious breaches of the law. It was revealed, for instance, that prisoners had received relatively harsh disciplinary punishments for their criticisms of prison guards. This article examines whether solitary confinement, imposed as a punishment for expressing such criticisms and using abusive language, may constitute an unnecessary and unlawful interference with a prisoner's right to freedom of speech. In addition, this article considers the conditions under which restrictions of prisoners' constitutional rights, particularly the right to freedom of speech, can be applied. The case law of the European Court of Human Rights has played an essential role as a source in the research process. In conclusion, the writer advances the view that the use of disciplinary punishment in prison as a consequence of exercising the right to freedom of speech should be exceptional and reserved solely for the worst excesses.


designing and implementing local area networks is available in our book collection an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our digital library spans in multiple locations, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the designing and implementing local area networks is universally compatible with any devices to read.


Chinese and foreign scholars agree that felt is an important invention of ancient central asian nomads. The art of handcrafted felt is a direct product of their pastoral lifestyles. The long-established and traditional Uyghur handicraft of felt making has over the ages developed unique ethnic distinctives and an inheritable nature. It has value in the historical, cultural, scientific, aesthetic, and economic realms, and thus qualifies as priceless intangible cultural heritage. Felt products with decorative designs are the most precious of the felt products. This paper discusses in detail the process of crafting traditional Uyghur decorative felt, and sets forth suggestions for its preservation.


The study was carried out to examine the status and constraints of finger millet Eleusine coracana L.) production in four districts of Metekel zone in Benishangul gumuz region, Ethiopia. Primary data were collected from 120 farmers using structured questionnaire. The analytical tool that was used included descriptive statistics. Results showed that farmers cultivated finger millet, sorghum, maize, pulse and oil crops in 95%, 59%, 69%, 23% and 47% proportions of their total cultivate lands respectively. The result indicated that majority of the population cultivates finger millet since it is the main staple food in the area. The study also showed that weeds were the major constraints of finger millet production which was accounted for 55%, of the production loss. On the other hand insects (termite), diseases (e,g blast), and rat infestation had an impact on production lose with 23%, 16% and 16% respectively. The study identified no application or improper application of inputs (fertilizers and seed) and not exercising the recommended management practices were the major problems in finger millet production. Therefore, it is necessary to provide intensive training and adequate extension services to the farmers and development agents to promote better finger millet production in the above mentioned study areas of Ethiopia.


Background Previous studies have established the efficacy of neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up programs at reducing the risk of injury in youth in sport-specific contexts and, more recently, in a pilot study that included two Calgary junior high schools. Objective To determine the efficacy of iSPRINT (Implementing a School Prevention program to Reduce Injuries through Neuromuscular Training), a NMT warm-up program in reducing sport and recreational (S&R) injuries. Design Cluster randomized controlled trial. Setting Junior high school physical education (PE) classes in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Participants Students in grades 7–9, ages 11–16 years (n=429), from four of twelve junior high schools in the first of three study years. Interventions The iSPRINT NMT program was taught to and delivered by teachers as a S&R injury prevention warm-up program in PE classes. Schools were randomized into the NMT intervention group or a control group (two schools per group). Main Outcome Measurements Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated using Poisson regression analyses to compare injuries between groups. Injuries were assessed by a physiotherapist or athletic therapist and included any S&R injury that resulted in inability to return to the same activity, time loss from physical activity, or required medical attention. Results Injury rates (adjusted for hours of sport participation, previous injury, and clustering by class) were significantly lower in the intervention group (n=241) compared to the control group (n=188) for all sport injury (IRR=0.48, 95% CI; 0.26–0.91) and lower extremity injury (IRR=0.38, 95% CI; 0.20–0.74). Crude time loss injury rates (IRR=0.09, 95% CI; 0.02–0.45) and knee injury rates (IRR=0.18, 95% CI; 0.05–0.66) were also significantly lower in the intervention group. Conclusions These preliminary results suggest the efficacy of the iSPRINT program in reducing the risk of S&R injury in a junior high PE context. This research will inform the public health impact of school-based injury prevention programs.


Recent advances in semiconductor and packaging technologies have accelerated the miniaturization of portable sensing devices including visible-domain cameras, IR cameras, and millimeter-wave (mmWave) radars. Simultaneously, image and sensor data processing capabilities based on Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) have evolved as well to the extent toward the goal of implementing learning-based automatic recognition capabilities. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with the vertical sensors-to-software integration of portable systems capable of performing multi-spectral imaging, where data from different portions of the EM spectrum is captured, processed, and displayed simultaneously. An example hardware implementation, multi-spectral image data, and potential applications are discussed


In contrast to some published studies of murine macrophages, we previously showed that ACAT inhibitors appeared to be antiatherogenic in primary human macrophages in that they decreased foam cell formation without inducing cytotoxicity. Herein, we examined foam cell formation and cytotoxicity in murine ACAT1 knockout (KO) macrophages in an attempt to resolve the discrepancies. Elicited peritoneal macrophages from normal C57BL6 and ACAT1 KO mice were incubated with DMEM containing acetylated LDL (acLDL, 100 lg protein/ml) for 48 h. Cells became cholesterol enriched and there were no differences in the total cholesterol mass. Esterified cholesterol mass was lower in ACAT1 KO foam cells compared to normal macrophages (p < 0.04). Cytotoxicity, as measured by the cellular release of [C]adenine from macrophages, was approximately 2-fold greater in ACAT1 KO macrophages as compared to normal macrophages (p < 0.0001), and this was independent of cholesterol enrichment. cDNA microarray analysis showed that ACAT1 KO macrophages expressed substantially less collagen type 3A1 (26-fold), which was confirmed by RT-PCR. Total collagen content was also significantly reduced (57%) in lung homogenates isolated from ACAT1 KO mice (p < 0.02). Thus, ACAT1 KO macrophages show biochemical changes consistent with increased cytotoxicity and also a novel association with decreased expression of collagen type 3A1. 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


Summary was undertaken in an attempt to help clarify the relationships of the genus. Detailed descriptions of leaf, stem, nodal, wood, and floral anatomy are presented. Wood is characterized by a combination of solitary and grouped vessels with elements having few-barred scalariform perforation plates, imperforate tracheary elements with very reduced pit borders, exceptionally tall and broad hetero- cellular rays, and vasicentric axial parenchyma. Of special interest is the presence in Sanango of a very uncommon multilacunar nodal structure having split-lateral traces. Stems possess cortical vascular bundles. Leaf stomata are anisocytic and distributed in clusters on the undersurface of the lamina. Anatomical evidences suggest that Sanango is most closely related to the Scrophulariales, sharing many important features with the Gesneriaceae.


Investigators in population-based studies confront unique ethical challenges due to the community context of their research, their methods of inquiry, and the implications of their findings for social groups. Issues surrounding requirements for informed consent, the protection of privacy and confidentiality, and relationships between investigators and participants take on greater complexity and have significance beyond the individual research subject. In this paper, ethical challenges associated with community-based epidemiological research are briefly examined. We argue that ethically responsible population-based studies must seriously consider community needs and priorities and that researchers should work collaboratively with local populations to implement study goals. Strategies that promote respect for populations in community-based studies are outlined. These include community participation in research development, implementation and interpretation; adequate provision of information about study objectives to community members; and systematic feedback of study results.


This paper reports on changes in temperature and moisture content after plasticizing beech wood by microwave heating. There is currently no known use of microwave heating for plasticizing wood. Therefore, a proper procedure was developed to verify the use of microwave heating for the purpose of plasticizing. Moisture content was monitored in beech test samples with dimensions of 25 × 25 × 400 mm and 40 × 40 × 600 mm, while temperature was investigated only on samples 25 × 25 × 400 mm. In all cases, the temperature was suitable for the wood bending process. Microwave heating is quite intense, therefore for this kind of heating, it is better to have higher moisture content in the appropriate power device and minimal plasticizing time. The biggest advantage of microwave heating is the short plasticizing time, a few minutes, while steaming requires tens of minutes or even hours.


It is a crime to practice phishing by employing technical tricks and social engineering to exploit the innocence of unaware users. This methodology usually covers up a trustworthy entity so as to influence a consumer to execute an action if asked by the imitated entity. Most of the times, phishing attacks are being noticed by the practiced users but security is a main motive for the basic users as they are not aware of such circumstances. However, some methodologies are limited to look after the phishing attacks only and the delay in detection is mandatory. In this paper we emphasize the various techniques used for the detection of phishing attacks. We have also discovered various techniques for detection and prevention of phishing. Apart from that, we have introduced a new model for detection and prevention of phishing attacks.


Lesions of the area postrema/nucleus of the solitary tract (AP/NTS) region abolish feeding induced by mercaptoacetate (MA) and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), metabolic inhibitors that selectively impair fatty acid and glucose utilization, respectively. Because the AP/NTS region is important for both MA- and 2DG-induced feeding, the present experiment investigated the involvement of the lateral parabrachial nucleus (1PBN), which is innervated by AP/NTS neurons, in these feeding responses. Electrolytic and ibotenic acid lesions were directed at the entire parabrachial nucleus or at specific lateral parabrachial subnuclei. Rats with electrolytic lesions were tested for feeding in response to 0.9% NaCl (subcutaneous or intraperitoneal), MA (400, 600, and 800 mumol/kg ip), and 2DG (100 and 200 mg/kg sc). Ibotenate-lesioned rats were tested with NaCl and MA only. Lesions were verified either by cresyl violet staining or by glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry. Bilateral destruction of the 1PBN severely impaired or abolished MA-induced feeding. Cell bodies important for MA-induced feeding appear to be localized in the dorsal-central 1PBN subnuclear area, because both electrolytic and cytotoxin microlesions centered in this area abolished feeding in response to MA. Fibers of passage important for MA-induced feeding appear to pass through the external and superior 1PBN because electrolytic but not cytotoxin lesions of these subnuclei disrupted the feeding response. In contrast, 2DG-induced feeding did not differ significantly from sham-lesioned controls in any of the 1PBN lesion groups. These results indicate that 2DG and MA stimulate feeding by activating separate central neural pathways and, perhaps, distinct metabolic controls of food intake.


SIR,-We compliment Dr J Bennett (4 October, p 867) on bringing an important topic to general notice. However, there are points with which we would disagree. The Purkiss rating for dependency is not known to us, and the reference suggests that it is not generally available for critical analysis. As such it is unsatisfactory to use such a scale, and a more generally accepted scale might have been that of Akhtar. ' We would also like to know which mental test questionnaire was used to assess confusion, as subjective analysis can be notoriously misleading. We would also draw different conclusions from the facts presented. Compared with nursing homes the long stay wards had a greater proportion of dependent patients (grades 3 and 4)~60v 80%. The long stay wards were, however, deficient in qualified nursing staff and physical environment. Thus, before NHS facilities are further extended into the community or alternative care explored, the staffing and environment of NHS long stay wards should be made at least as good as those of private nursing homes, which are grossly subsidised by public money. The figure of7-8 beds per 1000 population aged 65 years and over is not, to our knowlege, in general use. The DHSS has suggested to regional health authority chairmen that the recommended norm should be reduced from 10 beds to 8 5 beds per 1000 population aged 65 years and over. This is a topic which is hotly contested.2 It is indeed a laudable aim to promote meaningful dialogue between the NHS and private sector in terms of further education and continuing good relations. However, it would be dangerous to include private beds in overall NHS planning for the elderly in a health district. Private beds are not planned but driven, either up or down, by market forces. It is interesting that 18% of the nursing home patients were admitted from outwith the Brighton health district and thus they would be difficult to include in any planning. In addition, there appears to be no control over the suitability of admissions to private homes, other than the ability to pay. It is possible that some of the 36% of patients admitted directly to nursing homes from their own homes may have had rehabilitation potential. Clearly the Brighton geriatric service is underbedded, as are many around the country. Equally clearly, the DHSS is paying considerable amounts of money for a service in the private sector over which it has no direct control. Finally, although the situation in Brighton is interesting, it is not necessarily typical. This is exemplified by the numbers of nursing homeresidents who pay their own fees. This being the case, heavy reliance on private nursing homes is not a pattern of care which can, or indeed should, be pursued elsewhere. PAuL V KNIGHT GORDON P CANNING Department of Geriatric Medicine, Southem General Hospital, Glasgow G51 4TF


Inflorescence stalks produced the highest amount of ethylene in response to IAA as compared with other plant parts tested. Leaf age had an effect on IAA-induced ethylene with the youngest leaves showing the greatest stimulation. The highest amount of IAA-induced ethylene was produced in the root or inflorescence tip with regions below this producing less. Inflorescence stalks treated with IAA, 2,4-D, or NAA over a range of concentrations exhibited an increase in ethylene production starting at 1 μM with increasingly greater responses up to 100 μM, followed by a plateau at 500 μM and a significant decline at 1000 μM. Both 2,4-D and NAA elicited a greater response than IAA at all concentrations tested in inflorescence stalks. Inflorescence leaves treated with IAA, 2,4-D, or NAA exhibited the same trend as inflorescence stalks. However, they produced significantly less ethylene. Inflorescence stalks and leaves treated with 100 μM IAA exhibited a dramatic increase in ethylene production 2 h following treatment initiation. Inflorescence stalks showed a further increase 4 h following treatment initiation and no further increase at 6 h. However, there was a slight decline between 6 h and 24 h. Inflorescence leaves exhibited similar rates of IAA-induced ethylene between 2 h and 24 h. Light and high temperature caused a decrease in IAA-induced ethylene in both inflorescence stalks and leaves. Three auxin-insensitive mutants were evaluated for their inflorescence's responsiveness to IAA. aux2 did not produce ethylene in response to 100 μM IAA, while axr1-3 and axr1-12 showed reduced levels of IAA-induced ethylene as compared with Columbia wild type. Inflorescences treated with brassinolide alone had no effect on ethylene production. However, when brassinolide was used in combination with IAA there was a dramatic increase in ethylene production above the induction promoted by IAA alone.


Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeasts. They are administered in different quantities that allow for colon colonization. These products help in stimulating health promoting flora and also suppressing the pathologic colonization and disease spread. The use of probiotic plays an important aspect in dentistry too ever since the oral infections occupied the prime space among the other infections effecting the humans. This concept of microbial ecologic change both for medical and dental changes has accumulated a lot of evidence in recent times. But to date, no substantial literature and use has been postulated. There are claims that probiotics strengthen the immune system to combat allergies, stress, exposure to toxic substances and other diseases. There are reports of their beneficial use in HIV infection and cancers, mostly, the colo-rectal carcinomas. Their use in pre malignant and malignant oral disorders is yet to be probed. Strains of genera lactobacillus and bifidobacterium are the most widely used probiotic bacteria. Keywords : Probiotics, lactobacillus, bifidobacterium


Aims: Campylobacter is the most widely reported zoonotic bacterial agent that causes enteric disease in humans worldwide with millions of cases recorded far exceeding salmonellosis in Europe and United States. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter in dogs and cats and their associated risk factors. Methodology and results: A total of 101 rectal swabs were collected from both pets (n=40) and stray dogs (n=61) for the study. Similarly, a total of 86 rectal swabs were taken from stray cats (n=46) and pet cats (n=40) from client pets at a university veterinary hospital and from stray dogs and cats from animal shelters. Campylobacter were isolated by culture, identified by biochemical tests and confirmed and speciated, using mPCR assay. The result showed occurrence of Campylobacter in stray dogs and stray cats were 16.3% and 32.6% respectively, while in pet dogs and cats were 12.5 % each. Based on the mPCR assay, three species of Campylobacter were identified in dogs namely Campylobacter upsaliensis (66.6%), C. jejuni (6.7%) and C. heliviticus (20%), while C. upsaliensis (55%), C. helviticus (20%) and C. jejuni (6.7%) were identified in cats. The risk factors for the presence of Campylobacter in the animals were analysed but none was significantly associated, however the occurrence in cats was found higher in adults, females, those kept outdoors and residing in town areas, multipets household, cats with no history of being given antibiotics in past infections and being fed on raw meat and fish while the occurrence of Campylobacter was high in dogs of local breeds, females, of young age, being kept outdoors and fed raw meat and fish. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: These findings showed that Campylobacter were quite prevalent in both stray and pet dogs and cats which may contaminate other animals and spread in the environment as Campylobacters. It is of public health concern as humans can contract the disease if they do not practice proper hygiene after coming into contact with an infected animal or contaminated environment.


The use of Virtual Reality Systems (VRS), as a learning aid, encourages the creation of tools that allow users/students to simulate educational environments on a computer. This article presents a way of building a VRS system with Software Packages to support Electrical Engineering Virtual Laboratories to be used in a near future in the teaching of the curriculum unit of Circuit Theory. The steps required for the construction of a project are presented in this paper. The simulation is still under construction and intends to use a three-dimensional virtual environment laboratory electric measurement, which will allow users/students to experiment and test the modeled equipment. Therefore, there are still no links available for further examination. The result may demonstrate the future potential of applications of Virtual Reality Systems as an efficient and cost-effective learning system.


PREVALENCE OF THE DISEASE Diphtheria has been endemic in New York City for at least 150 years. Until the clear description of the disease by Bretteneau in 1828, which made it possible to combine under the name diphtheria all of the diseases that had previously been given other names, it was impossible to obtain from the statistics on morbidity an exact idea of the prevalence of the disease. Before 1860, the death rate was apparently about 100 per hundred thousand. In 1871, the incidence of the disease began to increase greatly, so that by 1875 the death rate had reached 280. For a time the number of deaths declined, until the rate dropped to 130; in 1881, the rate was again up to 260; in 1887, 200, and in 1894, 155. The duration of each decline and rise covered from six to eight years. A further increase in 1895 was


For general-use turbopump inducers, high suction performance is required in a wide operating range including the cutoff point. At the low flow rates, low frequency cavitation surge is known to occur with the strong inlet backflow from the inducer. The reduced inlet blade angle would be favoured for the suppression of this inlet backflow, whereas the reduced inlet blade angle causes the deterioration of suction performance through the reduced inlet throat area. In this study, a splitter blade was adopted for the helical inducer to overcome or relieve these two conflicting problems, and the effectiveness was investigated by CFD considering cavitation. First, the favourable length and the circumferential position of short blade were investigated by 2-D cascade model. Then, the obtained suitable cascade design was applied for the 3D helical inducer. As a result, the inlet backflow was found to be weakened at the low flow rates as expected, while keeping the good suction performance of inducer in the whole flow rate range.


Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of topical calcipotriene in comparison with topical calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate in the treatment of localized vitiligo.
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Place and Duration of Study: Study was carried out at department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH) Rawalpindi and Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore from June 2015 to December 2015.
Material and Methods: Informed consent of the patients and approval of the hospital ethical committee were duly obtained. A total of 60 patients aged 15-40 years of either gender with localized vitiligo were included in the study. The disease was diagnosed on the basis of clinical features and wood's lamp examination. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups (30 patients in each group) by lottery method. Group A patients, were given topical 0.005% calcipotriene ointment twice daily. Group B patients were given combination of topical 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate and 0.005% calcipotriene ointment twice daily. For evaluation of comparative efficacy, patients of both groups were examined every 4 weeks and at the end of 12th week of treatment. Repigmentation greater than 75% of the affected area in any case was documented as effective response.
Results: Total 60 patients were inducted in the study, out of them treatment was effective in 35 (58.3%) patients whereas in 25 (41.7%) patients the treatment was ineffective. In-group A (calcipotriene), 13 (43.33%) patients had more than 75% repigmentation where as in group B (calcipotriene plus betamethasone), 22 (73.33%) patients had more than 75% repigmentation. Group B was numerically and statistically superior to group A in terms of effectiveness of drugs.
Conclusion: Based on our study combination of topical betamethasone dipropionate with calcipotriene was found to be more effective than topical calcipotriene used alone in the treatment of localized vitiligo.


Numerico-empirical expressions for the particle displacement probability density function from which the mean concentration of material in turbulent fluid may be obtained are derived from the numerical planetary boundary layer model of Deardorff. These expressions are then used to compute profiles of the mean, cross-wind-integrated concentration of an inert pollutant issuing from a continuous point source below a stable layer. Profiles are derived for each of two conditions of atmospheric stability: zi/L=0 and –4.5, where zi is the inversion base height and L the Monin-Obukhov length. The resulting concentration profiles [referred to as the numerico-empirical (NE) profiles] are then used in two separate experiments designed to assess the adequacy of conventional atmospheric diffusion formulations.

First, the validity of the atmospheric diffusion equation is assessed by determining for each of the two stabilities cited above the profile of vertical eddy diffusivity that produces the closest fit of the mean concentration predicted by the atmospheric diffusion equation with the NE profiles.

Second, comparisons are made between the NE profiles and the corresponding concentration distributions predicted by the Gaussian plume formula with Pasquill-Gifford dispersion parameters, and the Gaussian puff equation with McElroy-Pooler travel-time-dependent dispersion parameters.


An important tool in the study of the complexity of Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSPs) is the notion of a relational clone, which is the set of all relations expressible using primitive positive formulas over a particular set of base relations. Post's lattice gives a complete classification of all Boolean relational clones, and this has been used to classify the computational difficulty of CSPs. Motivated by a desire to understand the computational complexity of (weighted) counting CSPs, we develop an analogous notion of functional clones and study the landscape of these clones. One of these clones is the collection of log-supermodular (lsm) functions, which turns out to play a significant role in classifying counting CSPs. In the conservative case (where all nonnegative unary functions are available), we show that there are no functional clones lying strictly between the clone of lsm functions and the total clone (containing all functions). Thus, any counting CSP that contains a single nontrivial non-lsm function is computationally as hard to approximate as any problem in #P. Furthermore, we show that any nontrivial functional clone (in a sense that will be made precise) contains the binary function "implies". As a consequence, in the conservative case, all nontrivial counting CSPs are as hard to approximate as #BIS, the problem of counting independent sets in a bipartite graph. Given the complexity-theoretic results, it is natural to ask whether the "implies" clone is equivalent to the clone of lsm functions. We use the Möbius transform and the Fourier transform to show that these clones coincide precisely up to arity 3. It is an intriguing open question whether the lsm clone is finitely generated. Finally, we investigate functional clones in which only restricted classes of unary functions are available.


: In disease states, loss of homeostatic control may be countered by the provision of external inputs or therapy. Where the variables of interest may change rapidly and respond predictably to therapy, a patient/computer interface may be used to enhance data collection and/or in the formation of appropriate therapeutic responses. Ultimately, if appropriate dynamic responses are achieved, the patient therapy loop may be closed. Realisation of problem-free interfaces requires careful design of input transducers, computing hardware and software, output therapeutic devices and their integration. This process will require ingenuity, engineering competence and a thorough understanding of medicine and the clinical environment. In addition to sound technological solutions, the designer must be cognisant of the human aspects, for both patient and user of interface operation.


DNA metabarcoding is routinely used for biodiversity assessment, in particular targeting highly diverse groups for which limited taxonomic expertise is available. Various protocols are currently in use, although standardization is key to its application in large‐scale monitoring. DNA metabarcoding of arthropod bulk samples can be conducted either destructively from sample tissue, or nondestructively from sample fixative or lysis buffer. Nondestructive methods are highly desirable for the preservation of sample integrity but have yet to be experimentally evaluated in detail. Here, we compare diversity estimates from 14 size‐sorted Malaise trap samples processed consecutively with three nondestructive approaches (one using fixative ethanol and two using lysis buffers) and one destructive approach (using homogenized tissue). Extraction from commercial lysis buffer yielded comparable species richness and high overlap in species composition to the ground tissue extracts. A significantly divergent community was detected from preservative ethanol‐based DNA extraction. No consistent trend in species richness was found with increasing incubation time in lysis buffer. These results indicate that nondestructive DNA extraction from incubation in lysis buffer could provide a comparable alternative to destructive approaches with the added advantage of preserving the specimens for postmetabarcoding taxonomic work but at a higher cost per sample.


OBJECTIVE The catabasis of inflammation is an active process directed by n-3 derived pro-resolving lipid mediators. We aimed to determine whether high-fat (HF) diet-induced n-3 deficiency compromises the resolution capacity of obese mice and thereby contributes to obesity-linked inflammation and insulin resistance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used transgenic expression of the fat-1 n-3 fatty acid desaturase from C. elegans to endogenously restore n-3 fatty acids in HF-fed mice. After 8 weeks on HF or chow diets, wild-type and fat-1 transgenic mice were subjected to insulin and glucose tolerance tests and a resolution assay was performed. Metabolic tissues were then harvested for biochemical analyses. RESULTS We report that the n-3 docosanoid resolution mediator protectin D1 is lacking in muscle and adipose tissue of HF-fed wild-type mice. Accordingly, HF-fed wild-type mice have an impaired capacity to resolve an acute inflammatory response and display elevated adipose macrophage accrual and chemokine/cytokine expression. This is associated with insulin resistance and higher activation of iNOS and JNK in muscle and liver. These defects are reversed in HF-fed fat-1 mice, in which the biosynthesis of this important n-3 docosanoid resolution mediator is improved. Importantly, transgenic restoration of n-3 fatty acids prevented obesity-linked inflammation and insulin resistance in HF-fed mice without altering food intake, weight gain, or adiposity. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that inefficient biosynthesis of n-3 resolution mediators in muscle and adipose tissue contributes to the maintenance of chronic inflammation in obesity and that these novel lipids offer exciting potential for the treatment of insulin resistance and diabetes.


Abstract The article presents the impact of the edge detection method in the image analysis on the reading accuracy of the measured value. In order to ensure the automatic reading of the measured value by an analog meter, a standard webcam and the LabVIEW programme were applied. NI Vision Development tools were used. The Hough transform was used to detect the indicator. The programme output was compared during the application of several methods of edge detection. Those included: the Prewitt operator, the Roberts cross, the Sobel operator and the Canny edge detector. The image analysis was made for an analog meter indicator with the above-mentioned methods, and the results of that analysis were compared with each other and presented.


Introduction: Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILSTM) has been developed as a less invasive laparoscopic surgery. On the other hand, robotically assisted surgical technology has offered new options for minimally invasive surgery. In this study, we report a new surgical technology to perform SILS using the da Vinci S surgical system (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA). Materials and Surgical Technique: A porcine liver with gallbladder was placed on an endoscopic surgery trainer, and a 25 mm incision was made for one robotic camera and two instruments at the umbilicus position. Both instruments were crossed while preventing them from colliding with each other, and Robot-assisted single-incision cholecyctectomy was perfumed. Discussion: This technique is expected to contribute to the development of a number of procedures in the future.


Objective was to determine correlations between serum AMH and reproductive traits in ewes. Blood was collected at breeding from Katahdin ewes between 0.7 and 9 yr age in 2015 (n = 158) and 2017 (n = 233) for the analysis of serum AMH concentrations using different immunoassays (Equine and Ovine AMH in 2015 and Ovine AMH in 2017; AnshLab). Relationships between AMH and first exposure pregnancy rate (PR) to spring or fall breeding, number of lambs born to first lambing, age at first lambing (using lifetime records), and estimated breeding values (EBVs) for number of lambs born (NLB), number of lambs weaned (NLW), maternal weaning weight (MWT), weaning weight (WWT), and maternal index were determined. Correlations were determined using PROC CORR (SAS), and PROC GLM used with AMH or AMH quartile as dependent or independent variables, and season in models. Serum AMH or quartiles did not correlate with any reproductive trait. In 2017 but not 2015, AMH concentrations (P = 0.02) and quartiles (P = 0.04) were greater in ewes that became pregnant than nonpregnant ewes to first breeding. Ewes that were pregnant at a younger age had a higher WWT (P = 0.002), NLW (P = 0.04) and Index (P = 0.02), and more prolific ewes at first lambing had a higher NLB (P < 0.001), NLW (P < 0.001), and Index (P < 0.001), regardless of season of first breeding. Mean PR was -4.6 ± 3.8% and 68.4 ± 3.8% for spring and fall breeding (P < 0.001), resulting in older spring compared with fall bred ewes at first lambing (2.04 ± 0.08 vs. 1.52 ± 0.05 yr, P < 0.001). While AMH did not appear to consistently predict fertility in ewes, higher EBVs (NLB, NLW, Index) were associated with younger ewes and greater prolificacy at first lambing.


The demand for liquid helium (LHe) for users at CERN without dedicated cryogenic infrastructure is set to increase due to future projects and experiments in the Antiproton Decelerator. LHe is supplied to the users by means of 500 liter dewars filled by the central liquefier (B165) that comprises a cryogenic plant of 400 W @ 4.5 K. In addition, the Superconducting Cable & Wire Test Facility (B163) located nearby will be upgraded to incorporate the forthcoming installation of the new test station FRESCA 2. B163 includes a second cryogenic plant of 400 W @ 4.5 K and a dedicated cryogenic distribution system. To maximize the production of the two cryogenic plants and their ancillary infrastructure, thus improving the subsequent distribution of LHe, a combined cryogenic distribution system has been developed. This system will increase the LHe storage capacity; allow the direct transfer of helium inventory between both facilities and the gravity filling of large capacity trailer dewars in addition to the 500 liter dewar fleet. This paper details the architecture of the new cryogenic distribution system, the analysis undertaken to define it, the design and specifications of the various components and the schedule of the realization of the project.


This article takes upon basic principles of recording and defining intervals of muscle activity during rowing on rowing ergometer (Concept 2 model C). Recording was done on the sample of four rowers and for purpose of this work only three specific muscles were observed (Biceps Brachii, Vastus Medialis and Gastrocnemius Caput Mediale). In order to obtain which muscle has been active in particular rowing phase, 2D kinematics analysis of the rowing stroke in sagittal plane was done simultaneously. After EMG data aquisition we approched their processing, which included noise removing with the wavelet method and defining moments of muscle activity and inactivity on an average envelope of rectified signal using the threshold method.


This thesis presents a design study of Turkish Black Sea fishing vessels, which are mostly built by traditional methods. These vessels provide the highest catch rate of Turkey's total, and their numbers and sizes are increasing year by year. The Black Sea fishing vessels rely heavily upon anchovy stocks for their survival. In this study it has been assumed that the anchovy stocks are reasonably abundant to exploit. Because of the growing importance of the Black Sea fishing vessels in Turkey's fishing structure, it was considered to be worthwhile carrying out such study on this particular type of vessels. This thesis, therefore, contains detailed information on the Black Sea fish and fish stocks and it covers the general aspects of Turkey's fishery structure. This thesis provides a basic understanding of the design of a fishing vessel and outlines the factors that influence the design in general. A number of formulae of practical use are presented to estimate the main dimensions and group masses for preliminary design purposes. The thesis then focuses on the Black Sea fishing vessels which are of major interest to the study. A representative fishing vessel of the Black Sea type, called the parent vessel, was chosen to be analysed on the basis of the data collected from Turkey. The lines plan of the parent vessel has been redrawn to build a model, whose scale was 1/12.5. The towing experiment, on which basis the speed-power curve of the parent vessel has been evaluated, was conducted in the Hydrodynamic Laboratory of Glasgow University. The hydrostatic and stability characteristics of the parent vessel have been determined by using a computer program from the WOLFSON UNIT, which is available in the Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. Having analysed the parent vessel it was possible to improve certain features of the traditional design. In accordance with the improvements made within the parent vessel, two sets of general arrangement plans have been produced. On the structural side of the study, a comparison of midship sections between the parent vessel and the proposed vessel based on the Lloyd's Rules has been made. The proposed design has also been checked for longitudinal strength and stability based on IMO criteria. An economic model of the Black Sea fishing for anchovy has been included. In this study, all costs are expressed in US$ and decisions about loans, interest rates and inflation rate reflect Turkish Government's policy as it was at the time of writing of this thesis.


Laminated, lacy, and pisolitic carbonate crusts have been found on and within some outcrops of Pleistocene limestones which rise above the modern sabkha surface in Abu Dhabi. These sediments are similar in many ways to typical caliche but have unusual mineralogies and cement textures. Internally, the pisolites are uniformly aragonitic and are cemented together by fibrous aragonite and micritic and fibrous high-Mg calcite in isopachous, meniscus, and microstalactitic textures. It is suggested that caliche crusts with unstable carbonate mineralogies, together with marine or brine associated isotopic ratios and trace element concentrations, yet showing dominantly vadose textures, can develop in marine influenced areas where vadose and phreatic pore waters have unusually elevated salinities and high concentrations of Sr and Mg. Thus, in strongly evaporitic, low relief settings such as the Persian Gulf sabkhas, supratidal vadose areas are characterized, not by "fresh water," but by hypersaline brines which allow the precipitation of cements of marine chemical character with vadose textures. Similar examples are known from Bonaire, another evaporite locality. Thus, very clear distinctions should be drawn between the terms "vadose" and "fresh water"; ancient vadose textures do not immediately imply fresh-water pore fluids. One can have "hypersaline vadose" as well as "meteoric vadose" conditions. The Abu Dhabi pisolitic crusts with their "unusual" mineralogies (including some dolomite) appear to be quite analogous to the pisolitic facies of the Permian reef complex of Texas and New Mexico and may provide a model for their formation and diagenesis. The initial presence of aragonite and high-Mg calcite in the pisolitic and microstalactic crusts of the Permian back-reef sediments would be more compatible with the observed penecontemporaneous dolomitization than would a stable low Mg calcite caliche.


In this paper promising technologies and a network architecture are presented for future Optical Packet Switched networks. The overall network concept is presented and the major choices are highlighted and compared with alternative solutions. Both long and shorter term approaches are considered as well as both the WAN and MAN parts of the network. The results presented in this paper were developed in the frame of the research project DAVID (Data And Voice Integration over DWDM) project, funded by the European Commission through the IST-framework.


The trial of Dmitri Karamazov embodies Dostoevsky's general legal and moral philosophy. This book explains and critically analyses such notions as the rule of law, the adversary system of adjudication, the principle of universal moral responsibility, the plausibility of unconditional love, and the contours of human nature. The ballast for conclusions about all these ideas is an understanding of the relationship between individuals and their communities.


The paper presents the LinkSmart middleware platform that addresses the Internet of Things and Services approach. The platform was designed to support the interoperability and seamless integration of various external devices, sensors, and services into the mainstream enterprise systems. The design and development of LinkSmart goes across two integrated European research projects, namely the FP6 IST project Hydra and the FP7 ICT project EBBITS. Modular architecture and functionality of LinkSmart prototype, developed by combining the service-oriented architecture, peer-to-peer networking, and semantic web services technologies, is described with focus on semantic binding of networked devices by means of underlying ontologies and knowledge-based inference mechanisms. Extensions of the solution towards the service orchestration, complex event handling, business process modelling and workflow processing are discussed and described on a mechanism of context-aware processing of sensor data.


– Genetic differentiation between two reproductive ecotypes of anadromous steelhead found in the Middle Fork Eel River in northern California was tested using 16 microsatellite loci. Twelve of these loci showed significant differences in allelic frequency between the two Middle Fork Eel River steelhead populations (Fisher's exact P <0.05). Fisher's combined test for independence also supported significant genetic separation between the two reproductive ecotype (P < 0.001). Analysis of molecular variance indicated that only 1% of the overall microsatellite allelic variation contributed to differences between summer- and winter-run steelhead in the Middle Fork Eel River. Variation found among individuals within the two runs equaled 18.2%. Analyses showed less genetic distance between the two populations of steelhead in the Middle Fork Eel River than in comparisons made with geographically proximate coastal winter-run fish. Divergence time based on genetic distance for the two within-basin reproductive ecotypes was estimated to be 16,000–28,000 years ago.


The multiplicative structure of parameters and input data in the first layer of neural networks is explored to build connection between the landscape of the loss function with respect to parameters and the landscape of the model function with respect to input data. By this connection, it is shown that flat minima regularize the gradient of the model function, which explains the good generalization performance of flat minima. Then, we go beyond the flatness and consider high-order moments of the gradient noise, and show that Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) tends to impose constraints on these moments by a linear stability analysis of SGD around global minima. Together with the multiplicative structure, we identify the Sobolev regularization effect of SGD, i.e. SGD regularizes the Sobolev seminorms of the model function with respect to the input data. Finally, bounds for generalization error and adversarial robustness are provided for solutions found by SGD under assumptions of the data distribution.


Conventional water treatment technologies for the removal of fluoride ion may not be feasible for developing countries due to their high investment and operational costs. The aim of this study was therefore, to investigate the fluoride biosorption potential of the seeds of the cabbage tree ( Moringa stenopetala ). The influence of Moringa dosage, pH, contact time, and initial concentration of fluoride ion was investigated. The maximum fluoride sorption capacity was found to be 1.32 mg.g -1 of dry weight of Moringa seeds at a biomass dosage of 2 g L -1 , pH 7.00, initial fluoride ion concentration of 10 mg.L -1 and a contact time of 60 min. The fluoride level was reduced from 10 to 3.4 mg L -1 . The adsorption of fluoride ion onto Moringa powder was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.99). The adsorption equilibrium data have been fitted well to Langmuir as well as Freundlich adsorption models (R2≥0.97 for both models). The distribution constant (K d ) and maximum adsorption capacity (Bmax) were significantly influenced by the amount of Moringa and equilibrium fluoride ion concentration (p<0.05). The desorption tests indicated that only 20% of the initially bound fluoride ion was regenerated, while the remaining 80% were bounded with the Moringa powder. This suggests that chemisorption was the possible mechanism of fluoride removal. Key words : Biosorption, chemisorption, desorption, fluoride, isotherm, Moringa stenopetala.


One of the most important issues facing ocean acoustic experimentalists when attempting to perform calibrated experiments is distinguishing measurement errors from environmental variabilities. These errors include accuracy of monitoring hydrophones, ship positioning (hanging sources), and, for a broadband source in particular, spectral level and phase variations of the source. Statistical analysis is used to investigate the repeatability of source and receiver signatures collected from a series of broadband experiments performed in very shallow water at the Atlantic Generating Station (AGS) site. Classification of the factors inducing signal variation, which may arise from surface and bottom roughness and time‐varying volume inhomogeneities, in addition to source errors, is made for several experimental configurations. It is shown that the coherence of the received signals is directly related to the environmental effects on the acoustic waves and the shot‐to‐shot correlation decreases with increasing range.


Kansei engineering or 'affective engineering' is the key of product development methodology by translating customer's psychological feeling and demands on this product into product's design parameters. This process allows you to design with the customer's responses such as feelings and emotions in order to guarantee that your product or service will evoke desirable customer's emotional responses. It was developed in Japan in the early of 1970s and now is widely spread in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and it is applied in Europe such as Sweden, Spain and France. In the early of 2000s, it has been new departures for Kansei engineering that is in the applied science linking with psychology and neural sciences. In this paper, the Kansei engineering is discussed in the various topics in both Japan and Western lifestyle. The author took a general view of them in relation to knowledge based on engineering from the view points of the own author.


Background: Enterococcus faecalis is a persistent organism that plays a major role in the etiology of persistent periradicular lesions after root canal treatment has been associated with different forms of periradicular disease including primary endodontic infections and persistent infections. The present study compares the antibacterial activities of calcium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide mixed with silver zeolite, and calcium hydroxide mixed with 2% chlorhexidine against E. faecalis using direct contact test. Materials and Methods: The test materials of the in vitro experimental study were grouped as group 1—calcium hydroxide mixed with sterile water, group 2—2% silver zeolite added in calcium hydroxide mixed with sterile water, and group 3—calcium hydroxide mixed with 2% chlorhexidine. The bottom of microtiter plate were coated with freshly mixed tested material and a 10 μL of bacterial suspension was placed. After 1 h of incubation at 37°C, brain—heart infusion (BHI) broth (245 μL) was added and mixed for 2 min. These were designated as "subgroup 1" wells. A volume of 15 μL of broth then transferred from subgroup 1 wells to an adjacent set of four wells containing fresh BHI medium (215 μL); these wells were designated as "subgroup 2"' wells. The optical density was measured by a spectrophotometer after the first day, third day, and seventh day. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey tests were performed for the analysis. Results: Calcium hydroxide mixed with silver zeolite showed maximum antibacterial activity. Conclusion: Silver zeolite can be added in calcium hydroxide to enhance the latter's antibacterial activity against E. faecalis.


Ransomware encrypts user files making management of the encryption key(s) critical to its success. Developing a better understanding of key management in ransomware is a necessary prerequisite to finding weaknesses that can be exploited for defensive purposes. We describe the evolution of key management as ransomware has matured and examine key management in 25 samples. Based on that analysis, we introduce a ransomware taxonomy that is analogous to hurricane ratings: a Category 5 ransomware is more virulent from a cryptographic standpoint than a Category 3. In our analysis of samples in light of the taxonomy, we observed that poor cryptographic models appear as recently as 2018.


In 2007 the Government of Indonesia launched the Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH), the first conditional cash transfer programme in Indonesia. The programme seeks to improve the quality of human capital by providing cash transfers conditional on households accessing specified health and education services. The PKH helps to reduce the burden of household/family expenditure for very poor households (the immediate consumption effect), while investing in future generations through improved health and education (the human capital development effect). This combination of short- and long-term assistance is the government?s strategy to sustainably lift PKH recipients out of poverty. (?)


Hygienic standards of microbial contamination of water in water-bodies for different types of water consumption have been developed to prevent intestinal infections amongst the population. The current methods of microbiologic examination of water in water-bodies used for different types of water sources in Uzbekistan do not always meet the ISO requirements. This sets the goals of studying the validity of the bacteriological and viral indicators as well as implementing appropriate methods of laboratory analysis. Timely identification of microbial contamination of water is of special importance for correct and quick arrangement of anti-epidemic and sanitation activities. Among all other activities aimed at the reduction and prevention of viral infections, early and prompt identification of viral pollution of water is of top priority. According to the Uzbek State Standard 950:2000 "Drinking Water" a number of plague forming units (PFU) of coliphages in water was recommended as an indirect indicator of water pollution by enteroviruses. The study conducted in Khorazm and Karakalpakstan (in the Aral Sea area) could find no correlation between the rate of viral hepatitis A (VHA), percentage of tap-water samples that do not meet the standard and the quality of water from surface water-bodies tested for coliphages. This makes questionable the sanitary-indicative value of coliphages and their usefulness for evaluation of epidemiological safety of water regarding viral infection. It is necessary to set modern and more representative direct methods revealing the indicators of viral pollution of water in water-bodies and tap-water in Uzbekistan.