Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a naturally occurring gas and originally the primary focus of research was to investigate its toxicity. In 1989 a physiological role of H2S was proposed after endogenous levels were detected in the rat brain and normal human post-mortem tissue. This discovery has led to an explosion of interest in H2S as a biological mediator. Identification of H2S synthesising enzymes in the cardiovascular system has led to a number of studies examining specific regulatory actions of H2S. The hypothesis underlying the studies in this thesis was that H2S synthesising enzymes exist in the myocardium and the resulting H2S provides cardioprotection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury. This was investigated using a broad range of experimental techniques including Langendorff isolated perfused rat heart models, biochemical H2S stimulation and detection assays, PCR, and Western blotting. The principal findings can be summarised as follows: 1. Rat myocardium has the potential to express both CSE and CBS H2S synthesising enzymes, due to the confirmed detection of mRNA. 2. Furthermore it was possible to exogenously stimulate the CSE enzyme, with its substrate L-cysteine, to produce H2S gas which limited infarct size during regional ischaemia-reperfusion. 3. Endogenous H2S levels were up-regulated during ischaemia-reperfusion, consistent with an endogenous protective role within the myocardium. 4. Simple and complex H2S/thiol containing compounds produced cardioprotection during regional ischaemia-reperfusion, with a mechanism that involves PI3k and Akt activation, implicating recruitment of downstream kinases within the RISK pathway. The studies presented have provided a significant advancement in understanding the involvement of H 2S in cardioprotection during ischaemia-reperfusion. It has also raised questions such as the exact mechanism of action of H2S donor/thiol containing compounds and highlighted the need for more robust H2S donors. The scope for H2S as an endogenous mediator also stems beyond that of cardioprotection, as the range of body systems and cell types are continually expanding.


A general discussion of a wire-coupled crystal mechanical filter and its problem on the design and fabrication is followed by a detailed description of transducer-coupler-transducer system named the two-element type, which is the simplest construction of electromechanical filters. This filter is composed of quartz crystals as the transducers and resonators and fine wires as the couplers. The theoretical possibilities of this construction are discussed by the longitudinal-vibration type and its nature is examined by the several experiments. Then, a filtering characteristic of a flexural-vibration type filter is illustrated as an example of filters constructed by the other vibration modes. The limits of usuable frequency ranges are approximately from 10 to 1000 kc in view of their fabrication easiness and the preferred fractional bandwidths are from 0.05 to 3 per cent.


In many countries around the world, the mechanisms of civil society have become very commonplace. Large companies are under constant pressure from civil society organizations to change their policies, strategies and approaches. The tobacco industry in particular is under heavy pressure in many parts of the world. Smoking has been prohibited in many public as well as private or semi-private areas in a large number of countries. However, while smoking as an addic- tion seems to be declining in some countries, in others it is not. This paper presents an example of a country (Indonesia) in which smoking is still on the rise. We discuss how mechanisms of civil society are a chance to at least improve the situa- tion and effectively combat a grave social problem.


BACKGROUND
 Children with motor impairments affecting the upper extremity benefit from task-specific therapy, such as constraint-induced movement therapy. However, there is a need to improve engagement and compliance with task-specific exercise programs that target manual dexterity for children with cerebral palsy (CP). A computer game–based rehabilitation (GRP) platform was developed that combines fine manipulation and gross movement exercises with engaging game activities appropriate for young children with CP.

 OBJECTIVE
 The objectives of this qualitative analysis were to compare parents' perspectives and opinions about expectations, challenges, and benefits between 2 interventions.

 METHODS
 A mixed methods, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to examine the feasibility and estimate the effect size of 2 exercise programs for rehabilitation of manual dexterity of children with CP using either GRP or conventional therapy. Parents of 26 of the children who completed the GRP program (n=33) and parents of 15 of the children who completed the conventional therapy program (n=27) participated in the interviews. A general conductive approach was used to analyze the data recorded during the parents' interviews.

 RESULTS
 Five themes captured the range of the parent's experiences, viewpoints, and ideas: (1) parents' expectations, (2) child's engagement with therapy, (3) positive effects of the interventions, (4) challenges, and (5) improving the protocol.

 CONCLUSIONS
 Parents from both groups recognized that their expectations related to improving children's object handling and manipulation skills including participation in activities of daily life were addressed during the 16-week therapy program. Parents perceived a change in the children's level of independence in their daily tasks at home, school, and leisure activities.

 CLINICALTRIAL
 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02728375; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02728375


This article aimed to ascertain the point of view of Guardianship Councilors about the main difficulties of operation and mobilization faced by the Guardianship Councils network in ensuring full protection to children and teenagers in a situation of sexual abuse and exploitation in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The qualitative study, based on thematic analysis of 12 interviews (with individuals and as focus groups), reconstituted the scenario reported by the Councilors and the limitations that they experienced on their sphere of activity. The results indicate the following problems perceived: (i) insufficiency of institutions for specialized care; (ii) professionals without the necessary training/experience; (iii) delays; and (iv) lack of communication and coordination between institutions able to ensure the necessary protection measures for the cases concerned.


Background and objective: In some situations, the use of muscle relaxants (neuromuscular blocking drugs) are undesirable or contraindicated. We compared intubating conditions without muscle relaxants in premedicated patients receiving either alfentanil 40 μg kg−1 or remifentanil 2, 3 or 4 μg kg−1 followed by propofol 2 mg kg−1. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind study, 80 healthy patients were assigned to one of four groups (n = 20). After intravenous atropine, alfentanil 40 μg kg−1 or remifentanil 2, 3 or 4 μg kg−1 were injected over 90 s followed by propofol 2 mg kg−1. Ninety seconds after administration of the propofol, laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were attempted. Intubating conditions were assessed as excellent, good or poor on the basis of ease of lung ventilation, jaw relaxation, laryngoscopy, position of the vocal cords, and patient response to intubation and slow inflation of the endotracheal tube cuff. Results: Seven patients who received remifentanil 2 μg kg−1 and one patient who received remifentanil 3 μg kg−1 could not be intubated at the first attempts. Excellent intubating conditions (jaw relaxed, vocal cords open and no movement in response to tracheal intubation and cuff inflation) were observed in those who received either alfentanil 40 μg kg−1 (45% of patients) or remifentanil in doses of 2 μg kg−1 (20%), 3 μg kg−1 (75%) or 4 μg kg−1 (95%). Overall, intubating conditions were significantly better (P < 0.05), and the number of patients showing excellent conditions were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in patients who received remifentanil 4 μg kg−1 compared with those who received alfentanil 40 μg kg−1 or remifentanil 2 μg kg−1. No patient needed treatment for hypotension or bradycardia. Conclusions: Remifentanil 4 μg kg−1 and propofol 2 mg kg−1 administered in sequence intravenously provided good or excellent conditions for tracheal intubation in all patients without the use of muscle relaxants.


This thesis introduces Pulse Project (2011-2016), a creative research series exploring an
ecology of complex relations between art, humanities, medicine, and technology. In this
series, I embody transdisciplinary research practice through my performing as an
instrument or medium between others and myself, and between cultural traditions for
understanding and mediating the body. Drawing upon my expertise as a clinical
acupuncturist with training in biomedicine, I use Chinese medicine and music theories to
inform my algorithmic soundscape compositions. These soundscapes are not
sonifications of modern Euro-American principles of circulation or embodiment but offer
another perspective to conceive of/listen to the interior spaces of the body-in-being.
In this transdisciplinary study, practice-based research is used to give form to the
transdisciplinary research process by producing performances, personalised sound works,
graphic notations and interpersonal correspondences that interweave artistic, medical and
technological ways knowing together into new material configurations. This project also
questions the distinctions between premodern and modern, East and West and self and
other.
To investigate these distinctions, Pulse Project interrogates the aesthetic and
philosophical axioms underpinning modern and contemporary art, medicine and
technology through using premodern Chinese medicine and music theories in tandem
with cutting edge technology. Thus, this research travels laterally between cultures,
practices and epochs and calls for a radical change in conceiving of the body in 'oriental'
and 'occidental' terms in order to both reduce ethnocentrism and also to travel beyond the
tired bifurcations between mind and body, self and others and Western and othered
cultures. In combining art, technology and diverse medicines together with contemporary
digital culture, this project opens transverse lines of inquiry that create new
interconnections between disciplinary practices, whilst at the same time, it generates new
forms of cultural engagement through performance and sound works.


Computer graphics is a vast field that is becoming larger every day. It is impossible to cover every topic of interest, even within a specialization such as CG rendering. For many years, Noriko Kurachi has reported on the latest developments for Japanese readers in her monthly column for CG World. Being something of a pioneer herself, she selected topics that represented original and promising new directions for research. Many of these novel ideas are the topics covered in The Magic of Computer Graphics. Starting from the basic behavior of light, the first section of the book introduces the most useful techniques for global and local illumination using geometric descriptions of an environment. The second section goes on to describe image-based techniques that rely on captured data to do their magic. In the final section, the author looks at the synthesis of these two complementary approaches and what they mean for the future of computer graphics.


Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) extracts of bacterial cells was used to assess the similarity of polypeptide patterns in 15 isolates of the rumen cellulolytic bacterium Bacteroides succinogenes. Analysis of densitometer traces of the polypeptide band patterns suggested that the majority of the isolates tested were closely related to the type strain S85. Representatives of other species of Gram-negative rumen bacteria had distinct SDS–PAGE patterns, and it is concluded that SDS–PAGE is a useful aid to the identification of B. succinogenes.


The isolation of cell organelles from Dictyostelium discoideum was attempted using a variety of techniques. Cell homogenization (e.g. Potter-Elvehjem, glass beads) gave poor yields of organelles which were, in addition, exceptionally fragile and unstable in density gradients. An isolation method was developed using Triton X-100 in buffered sorbitol/Ficoll solutions at concentrations optimal for plasma membrane rupture. Immediately following cell lysis the solutions were diluted to sub-optimal Triton X-100 concentrations. Sedimentabilities of malate dehydrogenase, citrate synthetase, urate oxidase and catalase of around 55%, 40%, 35% and 55% respectively could be demonstrated using this method. The organelles were more resistant to breakage during resuspension following differential centrifugation and remained largely intact during density gradient centrifugation. The distribution of adenylate kinase activity in gradients showed that at least half the mitochondria retained an intact outer membrane. The mitochondria and peroxisomes could not be clearly separated using conventional sucrose-Ficoll density gradients. Separation was achieved by incubating the cell homogenate with succinate and a tetrazolium dye (2-p-iodophenyl-3-p-nitrophenyl-5-phenyl monotetrazolium chloride). Succinate dehydrogenase activity of mitochondria reduced the tetrazolium dye and the product (formazan) was deposited on the mitochondrial membranes ("heavy-labelling"). The mitochondria then sedimented to denser regions of the gradient while catalase distribution remained unchanged. The treatment left both organelles intact. The mitochondria (1.21 g/ml) were slightly denser than the peroxisomes (1.19 g/ml). The peroxisomes contained catalase and urate oxidase; no other hydrogen-peroxide-producing oxidases were detected. The slime mould urate oxidase resembled the mammalian enzyme. It had an apparent Km value of 12.5 muM, an optimum of activity at pH 8.5 in borate buffer and was competitively inhibited by trichloropurine.


To the Editor.— Granuloma annulare is not an uncommon clinical cutaneous disease. A hereditary predisposition to this disease has been suspected because of reported cases in twins or siblings that have occurred almost simultaneously. 1,2 In a comprehensive review of this disease, Wells and Smith note that less than 5% of patients have facial lesions, and that cases occurring in siblings are not common. 1 The case reported here is distinctive because of the appearance of unilateral multiple lesions on the face and the positive family history of the disease. This healthy 10-year-old boy had first noticed a 2-cm oval lesion with an indurated border on the dorsal aspect of the right hand 1½ years ago. Shortly thereafter, similar but smaller confluent lesions appeared on the right cheek, left forearm, and left hand. The lesions were oval patterns having a papular border and clear center. A biopsy specimen from the


Abstract Echinobase (www.echinobase.org) is a third generation web resource supporting genomic research on echinoderms. The new version was built by cloning the mature Xenopus model organism knowledgebase, Xenbase, refactoring data ingestion pipelines and modifying the user interface to adapt to multispecies echinoderm content. This approach leveraged over 15 years of previous database and web application development to generate a new fully featured informatics resource in a single year. In addition to the software stack, Echinobase uses the private cloud and physical hosts that support Xenbase. Echinobase currently supports six echinoderm species, focused on those used for genomics, developmental biology and gene regulatory network analyses. Over 38 000 gene pages, 18 000 publications, new improved genome assemblies, JBrowse genome browser and BLAST + services are available and supported by the development of a new echinoderm anatomical ontology, uniformly applied formal gene nomenclature, and consistent orthology predictions. A novel feature of Echinobase is integrating support for multiple, disparate species. New genomes from the diverse echinoderm phylum will be added and supported as data becomes available. The common code development design of the integrated knowledgebases ensures parallel improvements as each resource evolves. This approach is widely applicable for developing new model organism informatics resources.


This article analyzes the various ways in which philosophy transformed in the West from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century, thereby making it appealing to Chinese scholars at the end of this period. In a first step, it presents the type of philosophy that was introduced to China by the Jesuits and, in a second step, the various transformations philosophy underwent until its reintroduction in the nineteenth century. The study thereby problematizes and challenges the assumption that philosophy was important always or by default in the West and therefore no justification was needed for its introduction to and importance in Asia. Philosophy, of course, has never been an immutable category changing in content alone; the term itself has had different referents and thus its own intellectual history. Moreover, in none of periods examined here was there a single type of philosophy; my focus is therefore on the kinds of philosophy – or rather, the kinds of perceptions of philosophy – that ended up in China in the context of philosophy's transformations in the West.


This paper investigates postverbal imperative subjects (e.g., get you to school), ungrammatical in standard English but grammatical in certain contexts in dialects of Scottish and Belfast English. Henry (1995) reports that unaccusative verbs generally allow postverbal subjects in Belfast English, but in the Scottish English (ScotE) dialect considered here, only a very restricted subset of verbs allow it. Moreover, in ScotE, the preposition away can appear without an overt verb (I'll away to my bed); this also allows a postverbal subject in imperatives (away you to school). The ScotE data cast doubt on Henry's (1995) proposal that the licensor of postverbal subjects is weak agreement. The paper argues that the subjects in these constructions are actually external arguments of small clauses (of which goal PPs are taken to be a subset following, e.g., Beck & Snyder 2001). The differences between dialects are located in the structure of resultatives; Belfast English allows Case to be assigned to the subject of small clauses in resultative constructions via a functional head endowed with a causation feature, allowing them to remain in situ in imperatives. In standard English, the causation feature is directly merged onto the verb, not allowing for Case assignment and forcing raising of the subject of the small clause. The ScotE data is argued to arise from the availability of a very 'light' verb which is realized as get in some contexts and as silence in others.


A study was conducted to examine the growth responses of different Rhizobium japonicum strains to increasing temperatures, determine the degree of variability among strains in those responses, and identify temperature-related growth characteristics that could be used to select temperature-tolerant strains. Each of 42 strains was grown in liquid culture for 96 h at 19 incubation temperatures ranging from 27.4 to 54.1 degrees C in a temperature gradient apparatus. Growth was estimated by measuring the change in optical density over time. Strains differed in their responses to increasing temperatures. Three characteristic temperatures were determined for each strain: the temperature giving the maximum optical density at 96 h (optimum temperature), the maximum temperature allowing a continuous increase in optical density during the 96-h period (maximum permissive temperature), and the maximum temperature allowing growth of the cultures after they were transferred to a uniform incubation temperature of 28 degrees C (maximum survival temperature). The three characteristic temperatures varied among strains and had the following ranges: optimum temperature, from 27.4 to 35.2 degrees C; maximum permissive temperature, from 29.8 to 38.0 degrees C; and maximum survival temperature, from 33.7 to 48.7 degrees C. Significant positive correlations were found between maximum permissive temperature and optimum temperature and between maximum permissive temperature and maximum survival temperature. Eight strains which had the highest maximum permissive temperature, optimum temperature, and maximum survival temperature were considered tolerant of high temperatures and were able to grow at temperatures higher than those previously reported for the most tolerant R. japonicum strains. The strains were of diverse geographical origin, but the response to high temperatures was not related to their origin. Evaluation of the temperature responses in pure culture may be useful in the search for R. japonicum strains better suited to environments in which high soil temperature is a limiting factor.


Conducting-tip atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to electronically probe silicon nanocrystals on an insulating substrate. The nanocrystal samples were produced by aerosol techniques and size classified; nanocrystal size can be controlled in the size range of 2-50 nm with a size variation of less than 10%. Using a conducting tip, the charge was injected directly into the nanocrystals, and the subsequent dissipation of the charge was monitored. Estimates of the injected charge can be made by comparison of the data with an intermittent contact mode model of the AFM response to the electrostatic force produced by the stored charge.


Both the quality and the quantity of food ingested are relevant to the genesis of risk factors for coronary heart disease and the two are inseparable. Nevertheless they have a major common pathway through hypertension, which may well be the most important consequence of a high-protein, high-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-energy and high-sodium diet. Because body fatness is a strongly genetically determined characteristic and because it evolves over the whole period of childhood a vigorous and sustained programme of health education is required at all levels. The aim of such a programme is to effect a small shift in the fatness of the whole population; such a shift would dramatically and disproportionately reduce the incidence of obesity. Since the morbidity and mortality which is found in obese subjects arises primarily from cardiovascular disease in general, and coronary heart disease in particular, nutritional influences have obvious relevance to the prevention of coronary heart disease.


Today's businesses are more and more dependent upon their information technology (IT) infrastructure. Therefore, the managers are aware of the huge costs associated with data loss (and recovery) and invest millions of dollars in special equipments in order to increase the reliability of their IT systems. Thus, the focus in this article is on the practical modalities of designing a reliable IT network infrastructure in an enterprise. In this direction an algorithm has been developed that is a hybrid between classic greedy and simulated annealing that search for the most reliable IT network infrastructure meeting the imposed budget cost constraints and the enterprise managers' decisions constraints. A key point of the proposed solution is the way in which the enterprise managers are involved in the estimation of the relative importance of their interconnections between their business's data centers. Furthermore, the algorithm presented in this article has been evaluated in the case of a retail enterprise for addressing the business's demands for a higher reliability of their IT network infrastructure.


We describe a technique that allows end-users to specify automated transformations of structured text by inferring an underlying model. Inference is achieved with a novel algorithm, Structured Prediction by Partial Match (SPPM), a generalisation of the well-known PPM approach to predictive text entry and compression. We created two simple applications, as examples of "first steps" end-user programming tasks that can be achieved using SPPM. In empirical evaluations, each of these applications proved to be substantially superior to equivalent facilities in leading commercial products.


We investigate unusual surface plasmons polariton (SPP) propagation and light–matter interactions in ultrathin black phosphorus (BP) films, a 2D material that exhibits exotic electrical and physical properties due to its extremely anisotropic crystal structure. Recently, it has been speculated that the ultra-confined surface plasmons supported by BP may present various topologies of wave propagation bands, ranging from anisotropic elliptic to hyperbolic, across the mid- and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. By carefully analyzing the natural nonlocal anisotropic optical conductivity of BP, derived using the Kubo formalism and an effective low-energy Hamiltonian, we demonstrate here that the SPP wavenumber cutoff imposed by nonlocality prohibits that they acquire an arbitrary hyperbolic topology, forcing operation in the canalization regime. The resulting nonlocality-induced canalization presents interesting properties, as it is inherently broadband, enables large light–matter interactions in the very near field, and allows extreme device miniaturization. We also determine fundamental bounds to the confinement of BP plasmons, which are significantly weaker than for graphene, thus allowing a larger local density of states. Our results confirm the potential of BP as a promising reconfigurable plasmonic platform, with exciting applications, such as planar hyperlenses, optoelectronic components, imaging, and communication systems.


Abstract. In South Africa, a team of analysts has for some years been using statistical techniques to predict election outcomes during election nights in South Africa. The prediction method involves using statistical clusters based on past voting patterns to predict final election outcomes, using a small number of released vote counts. With the US presidential elections in November 2016 hitting the global media headlines during the time period directly after successful predictions were done for the South African elections, the team decided to investigate adapting their meth-od to forecast the final outcome in the US elections. In particular, it was felt that the time zone differences between states would affect the time at which results are released and thereby provide a window of opportunity for doing election night prediction using only the early results from the eastern side of the US. Testing the method on the US presidential elections would have two advantages: it would determine whether the core methodology could be generalised, and whether it would work to include a stronger spatial element in the modelling, since the early results released would be spatially biased due to time zone differences. This paper presents a high-level view of the overall methodology and how it was adapted to predict the results of the US presidential elections. A discussion on the clustering of spatial units within the US is also provided and the spatial distribution of results together with the Electoral College prediction results from both a 'test-run' and the final 2016 presidential elections are given and analysed.


Two radiocarbon dates of about 12,000 B.C. for a new prehistoric culture from a stratified site at Kom Ombo, Upper Egypt, throw light on a deposition phase of the late Pleistocene Nile. The dates reveal that the associated blade industry is coeval with at least the later part of the Upper Paleolithic in Europe and Southwestern Asia


The theme of "embodiment" has emerged over the last two decades as a highly prominent topic in the human sciences. Much of this discourse has been developed from the work of Foucault, some of it is derived from Merleau-Ponty, and other points of view have contributed by way of anthropology, feminism, and psychoanalysis. Though this discourse has energized contemporary discussions of power and agency, there is a difficulty that this thinking must eventually encounter as it addresses the experience of embodiment as an intersubjective encounter with its own otherness. More specifically, Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology, as it unfolds in The Visible and the Invisible challenges reflective consciousness to open itself up to a genuinely "post-Cartesian" experience of spirit and substance. ' It is not at all clear to me that this post-Cartesian challenge has been sufficiently taken on by the human sciences. Phenomenology awakened the modern mind to the possibility of embodied subjectivity, of reason grounded in the experience of a vital, fleshly consciousness. Yet, for all of the discourse generated on the body as a site of power and contest, the concept of the body still seems too often discussed as a creature of organic autonomy, as a soft, at times bony tissue that encloses a shell of subjective experience and existence. It is my belief that an attentive reading of Bachelard's reflections on air, water, and dreams can offer a unique possibility for revisiting the thought of Merleau-Ponty-of awakening postmodern and post-Cartesian consciousness to a much richer encounter with the phenomenology of the body and the experience of the flesh. Merleau-Ponty defines "flesh" as chiasm, as an interlacing of a being with, potentially, all other beings. As a complex tissue of 'experience and in experience, flesh cannot, thus, be encountered as a familiar "thing." It is continually in process, continually alive and dying, made up of flows and vapors, presenting itself to everyday perception as an illusion of substance and a deception of material stability. I will argue that flesh might best be understood as an intersubjective plasma, as a complex of fluid elements that are just as capable of hardness as they are of liquidity. "Assets" of memory and experience become "liquid" in moments of communicative intimacy and psychological transformation. As such, this essay will consider the concept of the body not as a medium of communication but as communication itself, as communication entered and exited by way of liquidity and crystallization. The Conditions of Embodiment What is my body?-this body that writes and speaks these words? Is it merely a bio-mechanical thing? My eyes that gaze upon my arms, my legs, my face in the mirror: they too are "of this body, this body upon which they are focused like alien and mysterious cameras. That which gains the attention from the modern psychiatrist and neuroscientist-in other words, my brain-still, through their investigations, continues to earn the full academic credit for thinking about this body, my body. Yet it too is entirely of this body. This place of thought, where Descartes once began, is also the place of feeling and sensation. I am conscious of my body and its parts. And by way of my body and its thinking and reflective properties, I am also conscious of being conscious-as I am also aware of what coming-to-consciousness feels like, especially of moving from sleep to awakening, or of being jarred to attention from reverie. Conscious of my body, conscious of my consciousness, and of even my capacity for self, I remain somewhat baffled-especially in this context-about the comfortable certainty exhibited currently across academic fields that my mind is embodied.2 There is still so much to be discovered regarding the limits and conditions for both my body and this entity that has been named "mind." In German, the preferred term for "mind" is Geist, which is customarily translated as "spirit" (or its Anglo-Germanic cognate equivalent "ghost"). …


Since the 1960s researcher have developed various storage assignment strategies for different warehouse scenarios. Much of this research has been devoted to re-warehousing, which involves extensive re-arrangements akin to filling a warehouse from scratch. However, due to seasonal fluctuations in demand or product mix, operations managers need to periodically review item placement in practise and re-organize the warehouse to keep it operating efficiently. In this paper we demonstrate for a sample warehouse how applying a small number of cleanup tasks (=healing) every day will lead to a good total warehouse assignment over the course of many months and show that the results are competitive to re-warehousing.


BACKGROUND
Myoclonic status epilepticus (MSE) is rarely found in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and its clinical features are not well described. We aimed to analyze MSE incidence, precipitating factors and clinical course by studying patients with JME from a large outpatient epilepsy clinic.

METHODS
We retrospectively screened all patients with JME treated at the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria between 1970 and 2007 for a history of MSE. We analyzed age, sex, age at seizure onset, seizure types, EEG, MRI/CT findings and response to antiepileptic drugs.

RESULTS
Seven patients (five women, two men; median age at time of MSE 31 years; range 17-73) with MSE out of a total of 247 patients with JME were identified. The median follow-up time was seven years (range 0-35), the incidence was 3.2/1,000 patient years. Median duration of epilepsy before MSE was 26 years (range 10-58). We identified three subtypes: 1) MSE with myoclonic seizures only in two patients, 2) MSE with generalized tonic clonic seizures in three, and 3) generalized tonic clonic seizures with myoclonic absence status in two patients. All patients responded promptly to benzodiazepines. One patient had repeated episodes of MSE. Precipitating events were identified in all but one patient. Drug withdrawal was identified in four patients, one of whom had additional sleep deprivation and alcohol intake. Two patients received inappropriate treatment (carbamazepine, phenytoin).

CONCLUSIONS
MSE is a rare event in JME. Precipitating factors are commonly identified and for such cases the treatment response and outcome are excellent, in contrast to other cases with unknown causes.


Radical as this claim may seem to a casual reader, the actual alternative that emerges from integrating No ë's arguments with the state of the art in vision research is in fact rather tame, if not entirely mainstream (hence the title of my review). The main reason for this happy, if somewhat anticlimactic, conclusion is that the first part of Nöe's thesis — that perception cannot be fully internal — is perfectly in tune with quite a few existing theories of cognition [3, 13, 6, 5, 7]. The unifying framework behind these theories is this: they all take heed of the injunction that the external world should bear the main burden of being its own representation [17, 15, 16]. Some of the many existing arguments in favor of this approach are computational: reconstructing the world in an internal memory space is infeasible, ultimately futile, and actually unnecessary [17, 6]. Others are psychological: people's performance in perceptual tasks suggests that no reconstruction is attempted [2, 6]. Excellent philosophical works compatible with the idea that the world is its own best representation are also available [13, 5]. Much of the present book is a useful contribution to this latter literature, made all the more valuable by the fine balance it strikes between the roles of internal and external components of representations (rather than rejecting the former entirely; cf. [6]). What about the second part of No ë's thesis — that "to perceive you must be in possession of sensorimotor bodily skill " [p.11]? In my understanding, this statement (and many others similar to it in the book) unpacks into the following postulate: to perceive the world as a human does, you must reside in a human body, and, moreover, be in constant, full sensorimotor control of that body. We thus discover that there are actually two independent claims here: (i) the body must be human, because it is human perception we are interested in, and, (ii) active control of that body is required to support perception. Let us examine these in turn. ∗The final version of this article will appear in Artificial Life, published by The MIT Press.


This work concerns controlled Markov chains with finite state space and nonnegative rewards; it is assumed that the controller has a constant risk-sensitivity, and that the performance of a control policy is measured by a risk-sensitive expected total-reward criterion. The existence of optimal stationary policies is studied within this context, and the main result establishes the optimality of a stationary policy achieving the supremum in the corresponding optimality equation, whenever the associated Markov chain has a unique positive recurrent class. Two explicit examples are provided to show that, if such an additional condition fails, an optimal stationary policy cannot be generally guaranteed. The results of this note, which consider both the risk-seeking and the risk-averse cases, answer an extended version of a question recently posed in Puterman (1994).


The experiments have revealed that (NH4)2SO4 combined with KNO3 at low concentration is of advantage to the formation, growth and differentiation of pollen callus in rice, whereas the high concentration of (NH4)2SO4, whether used separately or in combination with KNO3, obviously inhibits the pollen callus formation. The optimum NH4+ concen- tration is about 7.0 mM (equal to 3.5 mM (NH4)2SO4). A basic medium containing 3.5 mM (NH4)2SO4 and 28 mM KNO3 as nitrogen sources has been established. On such medium the frequency of the pollen callus formation is higher than that on Millers me- dium, and the differentiation of shoot from pollen callus is satisfactory.


The use of zinc coated steel in the automotive industry is rapidly increasing as a result of consumer demand for improved corrosion resistance of automobile bodies. Plasma arc welding of zinc coated steels is currently under investigation, with a strong emphasis on their weldability. In the present study, plasma arc welding has been performed on zinc coated steel with several welding parameters, such as current, travel speed and flow of plasma gas. Those parameters are interrelated in their effect on penetration, in order to produce sound welds. An optimum combination of parameters was sought, which would give full penetration of the weld, with the highest travel speed and no visual defects on every steel-sheet as a basis; hence, characterizing the process in the most interesting way and into a useful industrial applications. It is found that zinc coated steel sheets of 0.7 mm and 1 mm thickness can be welded by plasma arc welding. The microstructures of welds were almost similar. There is a slight difference in chemical composition of the welds because of zinc pick-up which varies from the top surface to the bottom welds. The presence of zinc in the welds did not have any effect on the mechanical properties.


The STREAMES (STream REAch Management, an Expert System) European project is an attempt to develop a knowledge-based environmental decision support system (KB-EDSS) to help water managers in making decisions. Such a KB-EDSS involves the evaluation of the ecological status of a river. Particular emphasis is placed on Mediterranean locations. The data from the STREAMES project are scarce and incomplete. They include several types of variables, including physical, chemical and biological parameters. The following preliminary question must be addressed: are we allowed to assume that the same water quality model is valid over the variety of rivers under consideration, or should we assume a different model for each river? Between these two extreme assumptions, rivers could be grouped according to the available measurements. This is a clustering problem, and the current study attempts to find an answer to the posed question using the Generative Topographic Mapping (GTM), a probabilistic alternative to the Self-Organizing Map (SOM). Amongst the many advantages of the probabilistic setting of GTM, one is especially relevant to the problem at hand: its ability to reconstruct missing data in a principled way.


The learned practitioners of medicine at the beginning of the fourteenth century knew little about the structures and workings of the human body beyond what they had read in their books or gained from their experience of patients. Three hundred years later, anatomical study was a fundamental part of medical training throughout Western Europe, the dissection of human corpses was common in universities and enormous changes had occurred in the understanding of all aspects of the body. Anatomy, which encompassed what today includes physiology as well as anatomy itself, became the touchstone of the new medicine, and, thanks to the invention of printing, penetrated the cultural scene. Poems, plays, essays and images propagated to a wider public the results of dissection.

Keywords:

anatomy;
art;
printing;
education;
Galenism;
dissection


The clinical progress was studied in a series of 590 patients documented to have significant obstructive disease by coronary arteriography. Ventriculographic findings, age, history, cigarette smoking, hypertension, serum cholesterol, and diabetes were correlated with prognosis. In categories separated on the basis of left ventricular angiogram the 5-year cardiac mortality rates ranged from 25% among patients with normal left ventricles to 69% among patients with dilated and generally poorly contracting left ventricles. Combining the results of coronary and left ventricular angiography yielded a better prediction than either method separately. Most of the other parameters studied were related to a certain extent to mortality, but their predictive power was limited and could partly or entirely be explained by the associated obstructions of the coronary arteries or the condition of the left ventricle. The most significant clinical determinants were the history, the electrocardiogram, and the presence of diabetes mellitus. Particularly high mortality was found in patients with congestive heart failure or electrocardiographic conduction disturbances.


Synopsis The Cambrian Eriboll Sandstone, 150–225 m of quartz arenites deposited on the western margin of the Iapetus Ocean, consists of a Lower Member (75–125 m thick) overlain by the Pipe Rock Member (75–100 m thick). The basal 10 m consists of tabular cross-bedded sands deposited within channels of a mesotidal barrier island system. These sands are truncated by an extensive ravinement surface overlain by thin cross-bedded and parallel-bedded shoreface sands with bimodal palaeocurrents. The ravinement surface reflects erosional retreat of the barrier foreshore and upper shoreface during transgression. Lower shoreface deposits were dominated by storm and tidal processes. Palaeocurrents in these were enhanced by superposition of northwards flowing geostrophic storm currents. Shoreface sands pass upwards into tidal shelf sands deposited as dunes and sandwaves. Sandwave cosets thicken upwards in the Lower Member indicating increased tidal current velocities. This may reflect resonant amplification of tides as the shelf became wider during sea level rise. As the transgression proceeded the bioturbated Pipe Rock was deposited. Proximal deposition was by large compound sandwaves, similar to those below, and grading offshore into small, simple dunes and sandwaves. Distal fades were storm dominated. Both were populated by suspension feeding animals which produced abundant Skolithos burrows.


Introduction: Fish tend to accumulate large quantities of environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dioxins, furans, and methyl mercury. Many environmental pollutants have been associated with increased risk of CHD, and since fish have generally been accepted as a healthy source of protein and n-3 PUFAs, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits of fish consumption and potentially modify dietary recommendations to prevent exposure to environmental pollutants. However, the mechanisms through which POPs may increase risk of CHD are unclear. One plausible mechanism through which PCBs may influence risk of CHD is modification of steroid sex hormone metabolism. This study aimed to (1) explore longitudinal relationships between fish consumption, POPs, and CHD-related outcomes in the GLSCF Consumer Cohort, (2) explore longitudinal relationships between POPs and endogenous steroid hormones in the GLSCF Consumer Cohort, and (3) explore cross-sectional relationships between POPs and endogenous steroid sex hormones in using data from the NHANES.

Methods: For statistical analyses, PCB congeners were summed over all congeners and grouped according to their proposed metabolic pathways (1) for the following four PCB groupings: (1) Total PCBs, (2) MC-type PCBs, (3) PB-type PCBs, and (4) Mixed-type PCBs. DDE was included as a sum of all isoforms only in analysis of data from the GLSCF Consumer Cohort.
Proportional hazards regression was used to estimate longitudinal associations of PCB groupings and DDE with time to diagnosis of CHD, MI, and angina using data from the GLSCF Consumer Cohort (n = 819). Likelihood-based longitudinal mixed models were used to estimate associations of PCB groupings and DDE with total testosterone, SHBG, SHBG-bound testosterone, and free testosterone using data from the GLSCF Consumer Cohort (n = 466). Linear regression models were used to estimate associations of PCB groupings with total, free and bound testosterone and estradiol as well as SHBG and 3-α androstenedione glucuronide (3α-ADG) using data from NHANES 1999-2002 (n = 595).

Results: After adjusting for known and suspected confounders as well as comorbid hypertension, a 2-fold increase in PCBs was associated with increased risk of CHD for PB-type PCBs (HR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.06-2.81; p=0.0294).
After excluding participants with liver disease, a 2-fold increase in PB-type PCBs was associated with a 17% decrease in SHBG (p=0.03), an 18% decrease in SHBG-bound testosterone (p=0.02), and a 10% increase in free testosterone (p=0.07). We found a similar significant inverse
association of DDE with SHBG-bound testosterone (-23%, p=0.3), but limited evidence for an impact of DDE on SHBG (-8%, p=0.14) and free testosterone (3%, p=0.45).
After adjusting for known and potential confounders, a 50% increase in PB-type inducer PCBs were associated with an 8% increase in SHBG (95% CI: 2.2, 14.1; p=0.009). A 50% increase in most PCB groupings were associated with a decrease in 3α-ADG, but associations were strongest in males age 20-39 years and near null among males age 60-85 years. Among males age 20-39 years, decrease in 3α-ADG was 18.2% (95% CI: -28.4, -7.9; p=0.001) for a 50% increase in PB-type inducer PCBs. After standardizing 3α-ADG concentrations to total testosterone concentrations using the 3α-ADG to total testosterone ratio, these associations become more consistent across age groups.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence that PCBs, and particularly PCB congeners that are known PB-type inducers of CYP2A and CYP2B, may increase risk of CHD and the increase in risk of CHD may, at least in part, be a result of decreased androgenicity in men. The difference in results according to PCB grouping method highlights the importance of developing new methods for assessing the impact of multiple exposures to environmental pollutants in the presence of highly correlated exposure mixtures.


The achievements in the development of horticulture is laudable, as the sector now contributes more than 30.5 per cent to GDP of agriculture and has maintained the growth rate of more than 5 per cent during the last two decades. Among the horticulture crops, fruit crops recorded a two fold increase in area and production in the last decade. India is the second largest producer of fruits (63.5 million ton) obtained from 5.78 million ha area; contributing 11 per cent share in global fruit production arising from 9% area under horticulture providing 30.4% value at constant prices. India occupies first place in the production of mango, banana, papaya, pomegranate, sapota and aonla. Production of vegetables has increased manifold to the tune of 125 million tonnes. Commercial floriculture have recorded faster pace of growth during the last decade. Medicinal and aromatic plants, which have immense potential got due recognition in the decade. We continue to be the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices and spice products in the world producing more than 50 spices. India is also a leading producer of plantation crops in the world and with contribution of 22.34% in coconut, 25% in cashewnut and 55% in arecanut. During the last decade is that horticulture has moved from rural confines to commercial production, and this changing scenario has motivated private sector investment in production system management. The economic importance of horticultural produce has been increasing over the years due to increasing domestic and international demand. Area, production, productivity, availability and export have improved manifolds. But, in every discussion, availability of quality seeds and planting material continues to be critical issue of constraints in the development of horticulture. Seed and planting material is the most important input for the success of development of horticulture. Although last decade has witnessed many innovations in production of quality seed and planting material, but the technological advancements are yet to be converted into realities for commercial production. The seed chains addressing the production of nucleus seed, foundation and certified seeds are weak, planning do not commensurate with needs, management of quality and health of plants needs upgradation, in order to ensure quality seeds and healthy planting material. Therefore, it is essential that dynamics of technologies and policies are analysed in perspective to address the challenges of the future.


This study investigates a performance-based design optimization for a Kaplan hydro turbine at a maximum water head of 2.6 m (8.5 ft), micro-sized horizontal Kaplan turbine with 7.6 cm (3.0 in) diameter that is featured fixed blades to attain the optimum performance for such type and size of hydro turbines. Optimization process includes solving design problems and enhance design development by applying a multi-disciplinary design optimization (MDO) technique. Varying the geometrical parameters of the turbine, i.e., dimensions, number of blades, blade wrap angles, and different rotational speeds (500–3000 RPM) are the relevant proposed disciplines of this study.
 An in-house code is used for optimizing the geometrical parameters of the turbine. A numerical solution that utilizes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for a 3D, turbulent, transient unsteady and swirl flow is developed using STAR-CCM+ software in conjunction with an experimental setup of a lab-sized closed-loop water system for validation. The performance of the turbine is predicted by evaluating the power output (in watts), mesh independency analysis is also presented for CFD results validation.
 Two multi-simulation matrices were solved by using the high-performance computing (HPC) cluster of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. First matrix includes different number of the blades (3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 blades) over six different rotational speeds (500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000), while the second matrix includes 121 possible combinations of blade wrap angles starting at 60°-60° (hub-shroud) angle to 110°-110° angle with 5° increment alternated at both sides, the hub and the shroud.


Wood chips and polymer composites are effectively used in the industrial products. It is important to establish a relationship between mechanical strength and processability in extruder of these composites. Especially, the most important factor is to determine the time-dependent strength. Although many short-term values were obtained via normal mechanical experiments, very little effort has been spent in order to estimate the long-term behavior of polymer. Composites were prepared with processed and unprocessed wood chips. Pretreatment of wood chips were carried out by using hydrochloric acid (HCl) and water. The products were prepared with different ratios of mixtures which contain wood chips and high density polyethylene (HDPE) grains. The long-term mechanical behavior and viscoelastic behavior of these composites were analyzed using Dynamic Mechanic Analyzer (DMA) test equipment. The effect of composite content and pretreatment method of wood chips on mechanical strength of wood plastic composites (WPCs) were determined. The relationship among the composite content, preparation method of wood chips, DMA and TG/DTA test results were tried to establish. FT-IR spectrums of the beginning materials and the composites are also examined in order to determine the chemical bonds of these materials.


Casting metal alloys in the semi-solid state is now becoming a well established manufacturing technique. But, the success of this technology necessitates a good understanding of the feedstock material behaviour. To obtain high quality components with semi-solid metal processing, a homogeneous distribution of phases must be maintained in the material during the die filling stage. Many parameters affect the process such as temperature, time and stress history, which influence the shape, size and connectivity of the particles that make up the slurry. The subsequent phase interaction mechanisms are quite complex and have direct effects on the flow and final micro-structure distribution of the cast part and thus, without any doubt, on its mechanical properties. Two-phase numerical models have been developed to account for the liquid-solid phase separation e.g. [1,2]. Several two-phase models have been elaborated on the basis of soil mechanics and consider that the phase interaction term is mainly due to the flow through a porous medium. Because of the difficulties of making direct measurements in an extremely hostile environment, there has been very little work done to validate these models. In order to fill this gap, a better understanding of the phase distribution and phase segregation mechanisms during the filling step is required. In this work, the post-solidification primary α-phase distribution inside an industrial semi-solid cast part has thus been investigated. A thorough metallographic analysis has been performed using an upright microscope coupled to a Clemex image-analysis software. The results were then processed to produce a map of the final α-phase distribution. Many different grain scales have been observed in the solidified part and their distributions seem to be closely associated to the velocity field. Contacts between moving particles seem to play an important role in the phase distribution and show many similarities to granular materials. This latter aspect should be considered in the development of new constitutive models for semi-solid slurries.


We propose a theory of bank behaviour under capital requirements. The sign of the lending response to a change in capital requirement is ambiguous due to the interplay between risk-taking incentives and debt overhang considerations. Optimal lending is typically U-shaped in the capital requirement. Changes in expected returns on loans shift this relationship. The lower expected returns the lower its slope. Using UK regulatory data (1989-2007), we find support for this prediction. It follows that a bank mainly adjusts to a higher capital requirement through cutting lending when expected returns are low, and by raising capital when they are high.


In accordance to the needs and current educational policy, higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) have become the focus in daily teaching and learning processes. History is regarded as a must-pass subject for the Malaysia Certificate of Education (SPM) since the year 2013. Therefore, the Ministry of Education of Malaysia (MoE) highly recommends History teachers to apply various teaching strategies that could attract students' interest towards learning the subject. One of which is the Multiple Intelligence Theory, proposed by Howard Gardner in 1983. A qualitative study was carried out to identify the type of multiple intelligence applied and the teaching approaches that complement the identified intelligence during the inculcation of HOTS in History subject. The samples involved were three Excellent History Teachers. The data were collected through the process of triangulation, of which teaching and learning process observation, interview, and document analysis. The data were then analysed and triangulated using the ATLAS.ti 7.0 software. The findings showed that all informants applied the verbal-linguistic, interpersonal, and visual-spatial intelligence dominantly during the process of inculcating HOTS in History subject. Excellent History Teachers were also found complementing other teaching approaches such as discussion, questioning, and graphical presentation with the appropriate multiple intelligence in inculcating HOTS among students.


This article presents a case of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) located in the mandible, involving teeth 36 to 45, with significant loss of alveolar bone and aseptic pulp necrosis, emphasizing on root canal treatment after surgical intervention. Orthopantomogram and computed tomography examinations revealed an extensive, well-defined, and multilocular radiolucent lesion. Histopathological examination after incisional biopsy confirmed OKC, which was removed completely with enucleation and curettage, followed by the endodontic treatments of teeth 36 to 45 using reciprocating nickel-titanium files (Reciproc) in a single session. Afterwards, teeth 33 to 36 underwent apical surgery to create an appropriate bone development. Panoramic radiographic images showed bone formation and no sign of recurrence after one-year follow-up. In conclusion, this surgical approach, combined with the endodontic treatments of the teeth involved in the lesion, was effective for the management of OKC, promoting injury regression and preservation of the natural teeth.


Interactions between societies are among the most powerful forces in human history. However, because they are difficult to reconstruct from archaeological data, they have often been overlooked and understudied by understudied by archaeologists. This is particularly true for hunter-gatherer societies, which are frequently seen as adapting to local conditions rather than developing in the context of large-scale networks. When Worlds Collide presents a new model for discerning interaction networks based on the archaeological record, and then applies the model to long-term change in an Arctic society. Max Friesen has adapted and expanded world-system theory in order to develop a model that explains how hunter-gatherer interaction networks, or world-systems, are structured--and why they change. He has utilized this model to better understand the development of Inuvialuit society in the western Canadian Arctic over a 500-year span, from the pre-contact period to the early twentieth century. As Friesen combines local archaeological data with more extensive ethnographic and archaeological evidence from the surrounding region, a picture emerges of a dynamic Inuvialuit world-system characterized by bounded territories, trade, warfare, and other forms of interaction. This world-system gradually intensified as the impacts of Euroamerican colonial activities increased. This intensification, Friesen suggests, was based on pre-existing Inuvialuit social and economic structures rather than on patterns imposed from outside. Ultimately, this intense interacting network collapsed near the end of the nineteenth century. When Worlds Collide offers a new way to comprehend small-scale world-systems from the point of view of indigenous people. Its approach will prove valuable for understanding hunter-gatherer societies around the globe.


This paper presents the concept and preliminary modeling of a legged microrobot locomoting in a tubular, compliant and slippery environment. The envisaged application field is related to capsular endoscopy, i.e., the development of a mobile swallowable capsule for navigation inside the gastrointestinal tract for diagnosis and therapy. After introducing and discussing the issue of autonomous locomotion of endoscopic devices, with reference to worldwide ongoing research in the field, the legged solution is proposed and peculiarities of this approach are described. The importance of simulation for developing a legged device is discussed and a locomotion model is presented. Experimental results are described for the definition of biomechanical parameters necessary in the model. Thanks to this work first simulations have been obtained, in which the microrobot's body moves according to arbitrary gait patterns for the legs and to its interaction with tissue. The resulting tool will be used for the design synthesis, for defining the optimal number of legs and the best number of degrees of freedom for each leg. It will be also used for controlling the device, by identifying the gait pattern to be adopted in order to obtain different capsule movements.


Introduction: The role of microRNAs (miRs) in articular cartilage is still not well established, however many studies have reported the differential expression of a number of miRs between healthy and osteoarthritic (OA) articular cartilage. These studies have focused on the OA pathology itself without considering the impact of mechanical load, which is one of the major risk factors implicated in the loss of cartilage integrity and the onset of OA development. Previous studies have already identified a number of mechanically-regulated miRs, therefore I hypothesised that (i) physiological and non-physiological magnitudes of compressive load differentially regulate the expression of mechano-sensitive miRs, and (ii) mechanically-regulated miRs differentially expressed in response to a non-physiological magnitude of load are implicated in the regulation of mechano-sensitive matrix molecule turnover and are involved in OA development.

Results: Transcriptional assessment of selected mechanically-regulated matrix molecules demonstrated that loading regimes of 2.5MPa and 7MPa (1Hz, 15 minutes) induced homeostatic and catabolic responses at the gene level respectively, therefore they were selected to represent 'physiological' and 'non-physiological' magnitudes of loads which have the potential to induce biosynthetic and degradative protein responses if applied for prolonged periods of time. Next generation sequencing (NGS) of articular cartilage miRs libraries demonstrated that the alteration in expression of specific miRs occurs in a magnitude- and time-dependent manner. However, 24h post-load, according to the NGS data, seems to be the most appropriate to observe significant changes in miRs levels. Validation of a few miRs, important for cartilage integrity, at 24h post-load indicated up-regulation of miR-21-5p, miR-27a-5p, miR-221 and miR-222 and
down-regulation of miR-483 in response to the 'non-physiological' 7MPa magnitude (1Hz, 15 minutes) whereas in explants subjected to a 'physiological' 2.5MPa magnitude (1Hz, 15 minutes) the level of these miRs remained unchanged. Identification of target genes of miR-21-5p, miR-221 and miR-222 performed by NGS of RNA extracted from primary articular chondrocytes transfected with specific miR inhibitors demonstrated
a number of differentially expressed genes. qPCR validation of these potential miR target genes on RNA collected from cells transfected with functional miR-21-5p, miR-221 and miR-222 inhibitors or mimics identified TIMP-3 as a direct target of miR-21-5p, miR-221 and miR-222, whereas CPEB was targeted by miR-21-5p.

Conclusion: This current study confirms the reported mechano-regulation of miR-221 and miR-222, and furthermore demonstrates the novel mechano-regulation of
miR-21-5p, miR-27a-5p and miR-483 in cartilage explants. This work is the first to identify TIMP-3 as a target of miR-21-5p and miR-221/-222, and CPEB3 as a direct target of miR-21-5p in primary chondrocytes. An association between the identified differentially-regulated miRs in response to a non-physiological magnitude of load, with those that are expressed in OA cartilage and their regulatory effect on molecules important for cartilage integrity, described in this thesis may pioneer future studies aimed at identifying cartilage biomarkers of load-induced OA and provide therapeutic potential for OA treatment.


The objective of this work was to evaluate the carbon content of the physical, chemical and oxidizable fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) and to calculate the carbon management index (CMI) in an area managed under an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS) in the western region of Paraná Brazil. The experiment was carried out at the experimental farm, belonging to the Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná. Seventeen areas, which are managed in different ways, fifteen in ICLS and two areas of controls (Forest and Haymaking), using the design divided with two nested controls, with three replications were evaluated. Deformed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from all the areas to determine the total organic carbon (TOC), carbon stock, the physical, chemical and oxidizable fractions of SOM and the CMI in the layers of 0-0.05, 0.05-0.1 and 0.1-0.2 m. Little significant changes in the fractions were found for the management of the ICLS area in relation to the Forest and the area of Haymaking, although the Forest presented the best values for most of the studied fractions. It is recommended to adopt sustainable practices, such as ICLS, even though the average fractions tend to take time to match reference areas.


Research has highlighted a growing gap between public perceptions of farming and the realities of modern agriculture and the food industry. A number of food scandals have exacerbated consumers' critical perceptions of the agribusiness sector. This can threaten the reputation and legitimacy of companies. For this reason, companies in the food industry strive to meet the expectations of society in order to safeguard their future license to operate. One proactive means of doing this is for a firm to make an active commitment to society and the environment; this commitment is known as corporate social responsibility (CSR). Arguing that consumers are a firm's most important stakeholders and referring to Carroll's distinction between economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibility, this paper seeks to empirically measure consumers' attitudes towards the CSR commitment of agribusiness companies. The results do not confirm Carroll's distinction between four responsibility classes; instead, they show that consumers distinguish between a firm's economic, internal and external responsibilities. Furthermore, political support of a company's CSR has a positive influence on consumers' attitude towards that firm's commitment. Other positive influences are the respondent's age, buying behavior with regard to organic products and CSR knowledge. These results improve our understanding of what drives public perceptions of firm behavior and have interesting implications for agribusiness firms designing and implementing their CSR strategies.


Introduction Opioid prescribing rates are disproportionately high in the North of England. In addition to patients' complex health needs, clinician prescribing behaviour is also a key driver. Although strategies have been initiated to reduce opioid prescribing nationally, the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted service provision and created challenges for the system and health professionals to tackle this complex issue. A pilot intervention using smartphone video messaging has been developed to remotely explain the rationale for opioid reduction and facilitate self-initiation of support. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential benefits, risks and economic consequences of 'at scale' implementation. Methods and analysis This will be a mixed-methods study comprising a quasi-experimental non-randomised before-and-after study and qualitative interviews. The intervention arm will comprise 50 General Practitioner (GP) Practices using System 1 (a clinical computer system hosting the intervention) who will deliver the video to their patients via text message. The control arm will comprise 50 practices using EMIS (a different computer system) who will continue usual care. Monthly practice level prescribing and consultation data will be observed for 6 months postintervention. A general linear model will be used to estimate the association between the exposure and the main outcome (opioid prescribing; average daily quantity (ADQ)/1000 specific therapeutic group age-sex related prescribing unit). Semi-structured interviews will be undertaken remotely with purposively selected participants including patients who received the video, and health professionals involved in sending out the videos and providing additional support. Interviews will be audio recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been granted by the NHS Health Research Authority Research Ethics Committee (22/PR/0296). Findings will be disseminated to the participating sites, participants, and commissioners, and in peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences. Trial registration number NCT05276089.


Since the beginning of the modern environmental legal framework in the early 1970s, the credibility of government science has been the focus of constant scrutiny and controversy. This article examines the role of science in environmental regulatory decisions and identifies some persistent problems and recent controversies over the role of science in regulatory decisions. It then proposes two new alternative institutional innovations for improving the science on which the government's environmental decisions rest: a Scientific and Engineering Investigation Board, which would be appointed by EPA and work with key stakeholders to frame and promote progress on scientific issues at the early stages of the regulatory process, and an Institute for Scientific Assessments, which would be an independent agency that would review and resolve key issues of science for use in regulatory decisions. Both proposals seek to minimize the influence of politics on science.


In general, the role of the low-speed vehicle bumper is to absorb the impact during a collision and protect the vehicle with its occupants. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the bumper, each country must follow some domestic and international low-speed bumper impact standards and specifications to determine damaged regions. But it is only a consultation or confirmation and not actually the regulation of the efficiency of the bumper. Most automobiles evaluate the balance of the development stage of the bumper with the resultant price of completion which should not yield to a many difference. In this paper, we propose to automobiles possible conditions for an impact test of the low-speed vehicle bumper with great value results.


We consider the problem of efficiently computing isolated coefficients cn in the Fourier series of the elliptic modular function j(τ). We show that a hybrid numerical-modular method with complexity n1+o(1) is efficient in practice. As an application, we locate the first few values of cn that are prime, the first occurring at n = 457871.


A fast contingency screening algorithm using SIME for the transient stability monitoring of the KEPCO system is implemented. This method evaluates the first-swing stability of a large number of contingencies in a short time with reliable accuracy. The salient features of the proposed screening algorithm are as follows. First, a critical cluster of generators is identified by a new index in the early stage of the time domain simulation. Thus, the computational time required for finding the equivalent one machine infinite bus system can be reduced significantly. Second, clustering critical machines can perform even in very stable cases. This allows us to avoid the extra calculation of the time trajectory that is needed in the SIME for classifying the stable cases. Third, the screening capability is improved using the power-angle trajectory and subdividing the contingency classification. The test results on the KEPCO system show that the proposed method can be adopted as a contingency screening function and the transient stability assessment for the transient stability monitoring of the KEPCO system.


OBJECTIVEWe studied the effect of hypothermia on intracranial pressure, systemic and intracranial hemodynamics, and metabolism in patients with severe traumatic brain injury to clarify the optimal temperature for hypothermia, with a view toward establishing the proper management techniques for such patients. METHODSThe study was performed in 31 patients with severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score as high as 5). All patients were sedated, paralyzed, ventilated, and cooled to 33°C. Brain temperature, core temperature, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, jugular venous oxygen saturation, mixed venous oxygen saturation, cardiac output, oxygen delivery, oxygen consumption, and resting energy expenditure were monitored continuously. RESULTSIntracranial pressure decreased significantly at brain temperatures below 37°C and decreased more sharply at temperatures 35 to 36°C, but no differences were observed at temperatures below 35°C. Cerebral perfusion pressure peaked at 35.0 to 35.9°C and decreased with further decreases in temperature. Jugular venous oxygen saturation and mixed venous oxygen saturation remained in the normal range during hypothermia. Resting energy expenditure and cardiac output decreased progressively with hypothermia. Oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption decreased to abnormally low levels at rectal temperatures below 35°C, and the correlation between them became less significant at less than 35°C than that when temperatures were 35°C or higher. Brain temperature was consistently higher than rectal temperature by 0.5 ± 0.3°C. CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that, after traumatic brain injury, decreasing body temperature to 35 to 35.5°C can reduce intracranial hypertension while maintaining sufficient cerebral perfusion pressure without cardiac dysfunction or oxygen debt. Thus, 35 to 35.5°C seems to be the optimal temperature at which to treat patients with severe traumatic brain injury.


Berenstein, Maldacena, and Nastase have proposed, as a limit of the strong form of the AdS/CFT correspondence, that string theory in a particular plane wave background is dual to a certain subset of operators in the = 4 super-Yang-Mills theory. Even though this is a priori a strong/weak coupling duality, the matrix elements of the string theory hamiltonian, when expressed in gauge theory variables, are analytic in the 't Hooft coupling constant. This allows one to conjecture that, like the masses of excited string states, these can be recovered using perturbation theory in Yang-Mills theory. In this paper we identify the difference between the generator of scale transformations and a particular U(1) R-symmetry generator as the operator dual to the string theory hamiltonian for nonvanishing string coupling. We compute its matrix elements and find that they agree with the string theory prediction provided that the state-operator map is modified for nonvanishing string coupling. We construct this map explicitly and calculate the anomalous dimensions of the new operators. We identify the component arising from the modification of the state-operator map with the contribution of the string theory contact terms to the masses of string states.


Background and Objectives: Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are increasingly found in the clinical practice because of the widespread use of imaging modalities. Although differential diagnosis of nonneoplastic and neoplastic pancreas cysts is not certain markers, endosonography which has been taken place in cyst management shows morphologic specialty of cyst and cyst fluids by fine needle aspiration (FNA). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-FNA performed patients were evaluated to pancreas cyst features for the differentiation of neoplastic or nonneoplastic. Method: Between January and July 2016, sixty patients with PCLs were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were recorded with undergoing pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, and hematologic and biochemical parameters. EUS evaluation of PCLs was noted according to size, focal irregularity, wall thickness, and echo-dens mucus or debris. EUS FNA fluid was evaluated with biochemical (amylase, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9) and cytology. Results: Finally, 73.3% were nonneoplastic cases, whereas 26.7% were found to have malignant or premalignant. On comparing nonneoplastic and neoplastic groups, age (P = 0.002), alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.001), and g-glutamyl transferase (P = 0.004) were high and hematocrit (P = 0.001) and albumin (P = 0.001) were low in malignant groups. Of the non-neoplastic PCLs, 61.3% were atypical pseudocysts, 20.4% were serous cystadenomas, and 18.1% were simple cysts, whereas of the malignant PCLs, 26.7% was intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, 18% were mucinous cystic neoplasms, and 25% were adenocacinomas. The septation in the nonneoplastic group was 25% and in the neoplastic group was 56.2% (P = 0.023). Cyst lobulation was 25% in the nonneoplastic groups and 56.2% in the neoplastic group (P = 0.014). Mural nodularity was 2.5% in the nonneoplastic group and 26.7% in neoplastic group (P = 0.005). Conclusion: Majority of patients who needed EUS-FNA that EUS and clinical investigation were insufficient for final diagnosis were nonneoplastic. This situation is thought that the management of PCLs for clinician poses still problems. Although cholestasis findings in the malign PCLs are more common than the non-neoplastic group, EUS-FNA performed in this cholestasis group is thought helping to differentiation of between neoplastic and nonneoplastic situation. In our study, the presence of mural nodularity and cyst septation in PCLs were found effective in differentiation of pre-malign and benign as in other studies. In addition to, we think that cyst lobularity may help differentiation of neoplastic and nonneoplastic.


A series of five novel air-stable alkali salts of the 4,5-dichloro-3,6-dioxocyclohexa-1,4-diene-1,2-dicarbonitrile radical anion (DDQ) were prepared and structurally characterised. Four of them (Li, Na and two Cs salts) involve Peierls-distorted π-stacks of radicals, while the K salt-structure comprises equidistant stacks of radicals. Different orientations of radicals in the stacks and different directions of the offset have been observed. For an unambiguous description of the π-stacking geometry of quinones and semiquinone radicals, the geometric parameters calculated by the program PLATON are not sufficient. Therefore, two additional geometric parameters are introduced: δ (torsion angle between molecular axes OC⋯CO of contiguous rings) and e (angle between the molecular axis OC⋯CO and direction of the offset). On the basis of these geometric parameters, the optimal stacking orientations can be quantified and correlated with the polarity and steric effects.


A method for collecting genealogical data with respect to an individual, a family, and members of the whole population is suggested. The essence of vertical pedigree construction consists of the same type of steps for filling in data (in the fixed order which excludes skips in the enumeration of lines of descent) about the father and the mother of the next ancestor. Each number in the received ordered list of ancestors uniquely determines a path (line of descent) to the given pedigree member. The path is explicitly described by a sequence of digits 0 and 1 (that corresponds to the sequence of fathers and mothers in the line of descent) at binary notation of this number. As a result, a pedigree is presented as a set of numbered rows that contain information, which uniquely identifies direct ancestors as individual persons. Results of joining separate pedigrees are recorded as a family list that contains lists of children for each parental pair. A pair of parents (more exactly, pointers of their families in the previous generation and numbers of pair members in their families) plays the role of the family "heading." Such a family list permits one to trace lines of descent and relationships for any population members presented in the list. It contains all genealogical information within the bounds of the study in a compact form. Here the process of collection requires considerably less time than traditional graphic representation of pedigrees. In addition, due to repeated checks of data during accumulation of material, error is minimized. Using pedigrees that have been collected, it is possible to calculate the coefficient of inbreeding manually. In connection with the wide prevalence of personal computers at present, it is also important that the data received are in fact ready to direct input to a computer for further automated data processing.


Introduction: Mediastinal masses divided into three major categories, inflammatory masses, cysts and tumors. Meanwhile, the tumors in the most dangerous. The aim of this study was to assess demographic characteristics, clinical signs and histopathology in patients with mediastinal masses. Materials and methods: we design a retrospective study between the 2001-2011 in sari (north of Iran) to review patient records and pathology reports that they have mediastinal masses. Results: This study consist of 60 patients with mean age of 40.41±17.58 years. 41.7% patients were between 20-40 years old age. our study show that exist of the 56.7% of mass in anterior mediastinum, 21.7% in medial mediastinum and the 21.7% in posterior mediastinum. the most common clinical manifestation was cough (28.3%), dyspnea (21.7%) and pain (18.3%). furthermore, 8 patients (13.3%) don't have any clinical manifestation. lymphoma (36.7%), thymoma (11.7%) and metastatic cancer (10%) were common tumors. a significant difference between the age and tumor type was detected (P=0.033). Conclusion: our study showed that the mediastinum mass more involvement patient in the 3 and 4 dace of their age. the common clinical manifestation was cough and dyspnea. the major cusses of mediastinal mass were tumors and the common tumors type included lymphoma, thymoma and metastases.


Today, many manufacturing companies have chosen to outsource the maintenance function, often as part of a cost reduction program. The result of the outsourcing has been successful in some cases and unsatisfactory in others. In order to make a sound sourcing decision the company needs to be fully aware of the strategic importance of the maintenance activities. Such awareness will also have an impact on the result of the chosen sourcing strategy. To assess the strategic impact of maintenance, it is essential to find relevant measurements in order to evaluate the performance and quality, as well as the profitability of the investments that maintenance activities are supposed to be. In order to be relevant, the measurements should be well aligned with the company's vision and mission for the maintenance, which in turn should be supporting the company's over-all business strategy. The objective with this paper is to discuss and exemplify the importance of assessing the strategic impact of the production maintenance when evaluating maintenance related sourcing decisions. Together with a theoretical overview, this paper will present a case study performed at three companies with different sourcing solutions. The findings of the study indicate a relationship between the alignment of the over-all company strategy, the used maintenance performance measurements, and the perceived contribution of maintenance for fulfilling the competitiveness of the company. Regardless of how companies choose to source its maintenance it is obvious that a strategic view of the maintenance function will support the sourcing process by setting relevant measurements and target values for the expected performance and development of the maintenance function. One way of achieving this might be to use a model for alignment of maintenance performance indicators and business strategy.


Extracellular electron transfer (EET) is a process in which microorganisms due to cellular structures such cytochromes, trans-membrane proteins or outer membrane proteins are able to transfer electrons to a conductive surface of an insoluble electron acceptor. From the combination between electrochemistry and microbiology, microbial electrochemistry techniques (METs) appear. These techniques have been applied in wastewater treatment, energy production and water desalination. In spite of positive results, this field is in constant optimization in order to improve the efficiency. Furthermore, one of the novel applications is the biofuel production and high-value products generation in microbial electrochemical reactors. Even though it is in its infancy, it might have great potential owing to the low implementation cost. Purple bacteria are gram-negative bacteria, they inhabit anoxygenic aquatic environments, extreme habitats in temperature alkalinity, acidity and high salt concentrations, and in different types of wastewater such brewery wastewater. This wide ecosystem range is the result of the metabolic diversity in purple bacteria, being one of the most extended group in all Earth. These microorganisms perform anoxygenic photosynthesis and CO2 fixation, which makes them potentially useful when it comes to produce biofuel, volatile fatty acids or functional membrane proteins. The combination of purple phototrophic bacteria and METs allow us to take advantage of their adaptive qualities in order to improve the reactors. This could open new research field due to the possibilities of their metabolism, not only in biofuel production, but also in pesticide degradation, ground decontamination, toxic metals removal and nitrogen fixation. Moreover, working with purple photobacteria would allow reducing energy waste in high-value products generation process because of the working condition would not be as restrictive as other microorganisms. These conditions would be standard temperature and using a non-specific growth culture being the wastewater itself. In this project, purple photobacteria enrichment from brewery wastewater was done. The objective of this work is to study electroactive capacities of purple photobacteria and its bio-electrosynthesis potential. The microorganisms grew under infra-red and dark conditions plus three different carbon sources with different oxidative values in order to study the influence of these carbon sources in carotenoid and bacteriochlorophyll production. Spectrophotometric measurements were performed in order to characterize microbial growth under the effect of three different electron donors. The high valued products generation and carbon source consumption was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Besides, the different communities and their variations in the mixed culture were studied by 16S sequencing being Bosea spp the most predominant genus. To conclude with, an electrochemical reactor was optimized and inoculated with the purple phototrophic bacteria previously grown on acetate and polarized at -0,5 V. Cyclic voltametries showed that purple phototrophic bacteria are able to modify electrode surface and they might also take electrons from an insoluble donor, therefore, more experiments are needed in order to confirm bio-electrosynthesis.


Abstract The imperative to transform car-dependent cities for a low-carbon future requires that we engage with the challenge of increasing densities along existing road-based transit corridors – within the constraints of existing morphologies. Such corridors are often lined with small lots that are valued for their functional mix and urban character. This paper explores the degree to which small and narrow lots constrain urban intensification through a study of tram corridors in Melbourne. We examine the impact of site area, shape and access conditions as constraints on re-development and increased density. We find that small and narrow lots have not prevented intensification that is substantial in its accumulated effect and contributes more to urban character than large lot re-development. The paper discusses the relations of urban morphology to questions of car-dependency, development capacity and resident resistance.


INTRODUCTION
Tobacco use is more prevalent among sexual minority populations relative to heterosexual populations. Discrimination is a known risk factor for tobacco use. However, the relationship between exposure to different forms of discrimination, such as racial/ethnic discrimination and sexual orientation discrimination, and tobacco use disorder (TUD) severity has not been examined.

METHODS
Using data from the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (n=36,309 U.S. adults), we conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine the associations among racial/ethnic discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, and TUD severity for lesbian/gay-, bisexual-, and heterosexual-identified adults. Consistent with the DSM-5, past-year moderate-to-severe TUD was defined as the presence of ≥4 DSM-5 TUD symptoms.

RESULTS
Higher levels of lifetime racial/ethnic discrimination were associated with significantly greater odds of past-year moderate-to-severe TUD among sexual minorities (AOR=1.03, 95% CI=1.01-1.05) and heterosexuals (AOR=1.04, 95% CI=1.03-1.05). Stressful life events, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder had significant associations with moderate-to-severe TUD among sexual minorities (AOR range: 1.86-5.22, p<.005) and heterosexuals (AOR range: 1.71-3.53, p<.005). Among sexual minorities, higher levels of racial/ethnic and/or sexual orientation discrimination were associated with greater odds of any TUD (AOR=1.02, 95% CI=1.01-1.03).

CONCLUSIONS
Sexual minorities and heterosexuals who experience higher levels of racial/ethnic discrimination are at heightened risk of having moderate-to-severe TUD. Exposure to higher levels of discrimination also increases the risk of having any TUD among sexual minority adults. Health providers and tobacco cessation professionals should be cognizant of the minority stressors experienced by their clients and their potential impact on TUD severity.

IMPLICATIONS
This study is the first to show how experiences of racial/ethnic and sexual orientation discrimination are associated with DSM-5 tobacco use disorder severity among sexual minority and heterosexual populations. Individuals exposed to multiple minority stressors may have increased vulnerability for developing tobacco use disorder and related adverse health consequences. Our study underscores the importance of considering racial/ethnic discrimination and the multiple minority statuses that individuals may hold. Eliminating all forms of discrimination and developing interventions that are sensitive to the role that discrimination plays in tobacco use disorder severity may attenuate the tobacco use disparities between sexual minority and heterosexual adults.


During the atherosclerotic process, calcification occurs and is associated with a high likelihood of adverse events. Coronary calcification has been perceived as a passive precipitation of mineral. Recently, calcification associated with atherosclerosis has been found to be the result of an organized, regulated process that is similar to the process of calcification in bone. Mineralization in skeletal tissue can form by endochondral ossification in which mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondroblasts and produce a cartilage matrix which then degenerates and is remodeled to form bone. In this study, hearts from oophorectomized, aged female Sprague Dawley rats were found to contain areas of cartilage. Micro-computerized tomography radiogrammetry provided quantitative images of the architecture and confirmed the calcified tissue. Histological analysis revealed staining for several markers consistent with cartilage and bone tissue: acid phosphatase and bone matrix proteins, osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteonectin, and bone sialoprotein. In addition, cartilage types II, X, and procollagen type I were present. The presence of chondrocytes in the aged rat heart provides insights into the process of calcification in coronary arteries. Many proteins associated with calcification in bone are present in the cartilage that is present in vascular tissue, suggesting that endochondral calcification is another possible mechanism by which calcification of vascular tissue may occur.


Body mass index (BMI) is an important diagnostic tool for determining obesity; however, while BMI reflects the influence of body height over body weight, it does not reveal body fat percentage (BF%). We explored whether BF% correlated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome and whether metabolically obese, normal weight people were at risk for these diseases. A total of 2,867 healthy volunteers participated in this study. Blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, BMI, BF%, lipid profile, fasting glucose, uric acid, and lifestyle factors were collected from healthy subjects during their annual health examinations. In both males and females, BF% correlated positively with BMI and waist circumference. Participants were divided into three groups according to BF% and data were compared between groups. The results suggest that BF% correlates with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome for both men and women, and that BF% may be a useful predictor of risk, particularly in metabolically obese, normal weight individuals.


In the present investigation synthesis, microstructure, mechanical and wear behavior of 5 weight percentage of nano Al2O3 particulate reinforced AA7475 alloy composites has been reported. AA7475 matrix composite containing nano Al2O3 were fabricated by conventional stir casting method. The microstructures of the composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Further, mechanical and wear behavior of as cast AA7475 alloy and AA7475 - 5 wt. % nano Al2O3 composites were studied. Mechanical properties like hardness, ultimate, yield strength and percentage elongation were evaluated as per ASTM standards. Pin on disc apparatus was used to conduct the dry sliding wear tests. The experiments were conducted by varying loads and constant sliding speed of 300rpm for sliding distance of 4000m. Microstructural observation revealed the uniform distribution of particles in the AA7475 alloy matrix. From the analysis, it was found that the hardness, ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of composites were increased due to addition of nano Al2O3 particle in the AA7475 alloy matrix. Percentage elongation of the composite decreased in 5 wt. % nano Al2O3 reinforced composites. Further, the volumetric wear loss was found to increase with the load and sliding distance for all materials. Worn surface analysis made by using scanning electron micrographs to know the various mechanisms involved in the wear process.


The main aim of this study was to investigate the quality of service experienced by male spectators at a sporting event as well as well as to establish if there is a relationship between a core sport product and the product servicescape in conjunction to male spectator satisfaction. The study also investigated the perceived value that male spectators receive from the total sport product which forms an integral part of the total market offering to spectators. It is important to establish this relationship as it will have an impact on future attendance of these type of events. In order to achieve the objectives of the study a survey was distributed to male spectators who watched soccer and basketball games on the grounds of a particular university. The respondents were exposed to the services, staff and activities in and around the stadium before, during and after the matches to ascertain total male satisfaction of the sporting event.


The retrospective exhibition of the work of William T. Wiley that this publication accompanies is the first to be organized since 1979, when Wiley Territory opened at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Thirty years later, "What's It All Mean: Willliam T. Wiley in Retrospect", considers the artist's entire career (including films) through 2008. The art of William Wiley (b. 1937) has stood the test of time in the face of changing styles, successive movements, critical theories, and passing fashion. Wiley's self-deprecating humor and sense of the absurd make his art accessible even to those who do not comprehend his more ambiguous ideas, allusions, narratives, private symbols, and layers of meaning. His liberal use of puns makes more palatable his deadly serious commentary on war, pollution, global warming, racial tension, and other threats to contemporary civilization. Wiley is best known as a leading California artist, whose influence and importance in the San Francisco Bay area are well established. This exhibition and catalogue affirm his significance as an artist of national stature whose accomplishment resonates well beyond the region in which he has chosen to live and the time period when he first achieved recognition. It is co-published by Smithsonian American Art Museum.