Safety cognitive risk (SCR), which has aroused extensive concern in recent years, is the subject of many safety management studies. However, studies on the safety cognitive risk of scaffolding workers by questionnaire survey in construction industry remain scarce. The purpose of this study was to verify safety cognitive risk with the aim at scaffolding workers' unsafe behaviors in China. In order to obtain the safety cognitive risk test model, taking working without safety belts and throwing objects from the high as specific examples, the SPSS 17.0 (Statistical Product and Service Solutions) was used to verify safety cognitive risk and analyze influence factors through ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and T test methods. The results show that the safety cognitive risk is exist, especially evaluating the severity of injuries to others. What's more, influence factors of age and working tenures are not significant in the SCR. The results of this study will provide the improvement consult and management suggestion in safety management of scaffold.


The use of biofuels in replacement of fossil fuels is rising, prompting research for what organisms are suitable for biofuels and how they thrive. In order to understand how to help develop effective utilizaton of this resource, we decided to investigate the effects of varying amounts of nitrogen on the growth of algae Picochlorum oklahomense. In order to conduct this experiment, we made four photobioreactors including controls and different experimental groups with 40 microliters NaNO3 or 80 microliters NaNO3 and placed them by a window for one week. Using a hemocytometer, we counted the cells on day 1 and day 8 to measure the growth of the algae. We hypothesized that an increase in the amount of nitrogen would result in an increase in algal growth due to the importance of nitrogen in photosynthesis. Our results supported our hypothesis, influencing the conclusion that a greater presence of nitrogen stimulates growth in P. oklahomense.


In this paper, we present our implementation of an Auto tuning system, written in C++, which incorporate the use of OpenCL kernels. We deploy this approach on different GPU architectures, evaluating the performance of the approach. Our main focus is to easily generate tuned code, that would otherwise require a large amount of empirical testing, and then run it on any kind of device. This is achieved through the auto tuning framework, which will create different kernels, compile and run them on the device and output the best performing kernel on the given platform. BLAS is much used in performance critical applications, and is a good candidate for execution on GPUs due to its potential performance increase. Our implementation was benchmarked on various of test environments, with different GPUs, where we achieved comparable results to the ViennaCL library. We also tested against the native vendor specific BLAS libraries from AMD and NVIDIA.


One of the concerns of the air pollution studies is to compute the concentrations of one or more pollutants' species in space and time in relation to the independent variables, for instance emissions into the atmosphere, meteorological factors and parameters. One of the most significant statistical disciplines developed for the applied sciences and many other disciplines for the last few decades is the extreme value theory (EVT). This study assesses the use of extreme value distributions of the two-parameter Gumbel, two and three-parameter Weibull, Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) and two and three-parameter Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD) on the maximum concentration of daily PM 10 data recorded in the year 2010 - 2012 in Pasir Gudang, Johor; Bukit Rambai, Melaka; and Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. Parameters for all distributions are estimated using the Method of Moments (MOM) and Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE). Six performance indicators namely; the accuracy measures which include predictive accuracy (PA ), coefficient of determination (R 2 ), Index of Agreement (IA) and error measures that consist of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Normalized Absolute Error (NAE) are used to find the goodness-of-fit of the distribution. The best distribution is selected based on the highest accuracy measures and the smallest error measures. The results showed that the GEV is the best fit for daily maximum concentration for PM 10 for all monitoring stations. The analysis also demonstrates that the estimated numbers of days in which the concentration of PM 10 exceeded the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (MAAQG) of 150 mg/m 3 are between ½ and 1½ days.


Prolonged high temperature exposure of welded C-Mn steels is likely to cause microstructural changes leading to an inrease in the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of the welded joint. Consequently, such degrading material properties should be quantified in view of establishing accurate component life prediction model. This study examined effects of isothermal aging on DBTT behavior of the heat affected zone (HAZ) in welded Type A516 Gr 70 steels. Microstructures of the as-received weld region revealed the presence of pearlite and ferrite in the base metal while upper and lower bainite are found in the HAZ and weld metal, respectively. Hardness measures for the weld metal region, HAZ and base steel are 172, 209 and 150, respectively. Aging at 420 oC, 500 hours lowers hardness value of the HAZ by 20 %. A series of Charpy impact tests on V-notched specimens are performed for as-received and thermally aged samples at 420 oC for 500, 800 and 1200 hours. Results showed that the absorbed impact energy displays a sigmoidal variation with test temperatures. DBTT ranges from -60 to 5 oC for HAZ while narrow range from -25 to 12 oC for weld metal region. Absorbed impact energy variations in samples aged for durations up to 800 hours display another saturation level over test temperatures between -30 to 10 oC. Fractographic analysis on HAZ fracture surface indicated brittle fracture at -60 oC while ductile failure dominated at 27.7 oC. A mix-mode fracture mechanism is displayed for test conducted at -38 oC.


The main objective of this working is to bring a novel resolution for the quadrilateral pattern fixing problem providing endless advantages to that including the capture of the strings on license areas at the all sorts of time zones in the all assorted states of ambience conditions involving foggy, snowy and darkness forms. Blender system of our techniques applied a well-recognizing differentiation of the numbers and the letters; thereof such like "Figures" are not intermingled with "Characters". This is a great advantage particularly in the check-in/out-systems where there is only a petty errortolerance as the scenery pass once in a snapshot time though. Auto-detection system can be installed/deployed to missioncritical-places in the each and every highway by up linking to an in/external-database file also. The system became effective towards licence-registration, in traffic control-points either in protecting the paints at the checkpoints as the fine-cutter or as an all round recognizer for fully-automated check-outs.


Introduction: The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF), a visual memory test, is accepted as an important and useful tool to get and follow the achievement and some behavioral or neuropsychological factors. Methods: A total of 123 Nigerian university students were involved in the study. Participants were 53 men and 70 women who were 16-18 years of age. The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) test developed by Rey and standardized by Osterrieth used to screen for visual memory. To get their self-esteem scores were used the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Friendship graphing and the concept of the degree of the nodes were used. To take the aggression score was used the aggression questionnaire developed by Orpinas and Frankowski in 2013.

Results: In the present study, there were significant positive correlations between self-esteem score and short-term (Immediate recall) and long-term (Delayed recall) visual memories in the ROCF test, especially in female subjects. And, there was a negative correlation between self-esteem score and aggressiveness in the present study. Also, there were significant positive correlations between friendship and short-term (Immediate recall) and long-term (Delayed recall) visual memories in the ROCF test, especially in female subjects.

Conclusions: University students need low aggressiveness and depression and high self-esteem and friendship for high visual memory and even academic success. For this reason, the family and school support are necessary to increase friendship, to decrease aggressiveness, to decrease depression and to increase visual memory and school and life successes.


An electron beam probe (EBP) is a detector which makes use of a low-intensity and low-energy electron beam to measure the transverse profile, bunch shape, beam neutralization and beam wake field of an intense beam with small dimensions. While it can be applied to many aspects, we limit our analysis to beam distribution reconstruction. This kind of detector is almost non-interceptive for all of the beam and does not disturb the machine environment. In this paper, we present the theoretical aspects behind this technique for beam distribution measurement and some simulation results of the detector involved. First, a method to obtain a parallel electron beam is introduced and a simulation code is developed. An EBP as a profile monitor for dense beams is then simulated using the fast scan method for various target beam profiles, including KV distribution, waterbag distribution, parabolic distribution, Gaussian distribution and halo distribution. Profile reconstruction from the deflected electron beam trajectory is implemented and compared with the actual profile, and the expected agreement is achieved. Furthermore, as well as fast scan, a slow scan, i.e. step-by-step scan, is considered, which lowers the requirement for hardware, i.e. Radio Frequency deflector. We calculate the three-dimensional electric field of a Gaussian distribution and simulate the electron motion in this field. In addition, a fast scan along the target beam direction and slow scan across the beam are also presented, and can provide a measurement of longitudinal distribution as well as transverse profile simultaneously. As an example, simulation results for the China Accelerator Driven Sub-critical System (CADS) and High Intensity Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) are given. Finally, a potential system design for an EBP is described.


Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is currently one of the most important machining processes for manufacturing in industry. This is because the CNC machine offers favorable accuracy and precise machining. However, the frictional behavior in linear guideways is one of the most crucial challenges with CNC machining, as higher friction produces motion and accuracy problems. Lubrication in CNC machine guideways is used to overcome such problems. Currently, a predefined lubrication system via CNC coding command is used to lubricate guideways in CNC machines. This lubrication process is performed based on fixed times and amounts of oil injection regardless of cutting force value, weight and size of the workpiece, friction force on the guideways, and machining process conditions. This leads to less protection of guideways against high friction force or excessive oil consumption to attain less friction force in the guideways.
For these reasons, a new lubricant control technique is introduced based on the friction conditions in CNC machine linear guideways. Controlling the lubricant amount and time based on friction force values in linear guideways exhibits a major difference between the new proposed lubrication technique and existing systems. First, the friction force values in dry lubrication conditions in linear guideways and in the X and Z directions are calculated from the cutting force measured via force analysis in the guideways. Second, servomotor current is predicted using adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) modeling, as the ANFIS system is ideal for predicting motor current in dry lubrication conditions due to the nonlinear condition in the machining process. Third, the friction forces predicted with ANFIS modeling are verified using a new testing scheme to identify the average predicted error and accuracy, which were found to be 1.38% and 98.62% respectively, on the Z-axis. Because the predictive errors are low, the ANFIS model is used to build an oil feedback, lubrication control unit (LCU) to be able to predict friction force values based on a comparison between online measured and predicted servomotor current signals. The LCU sends a signal to the actuators to trigger the oil pump to inject oil. The oil injection amount and time (pump response interval (PRI)) are identified based on the ANFIS-predicted friction force values in the linear guideways. The predicted friction force values are categorized into five levels corresponding to five servomotor current levels. In each level, the PRI is defined optimally to protect the guideways. Finally, the controller's performance is verified through a new set of experiments where the proposed lubrication technique results are compared with ordinary lubrication system results. In these tests, several parameters are monitored in both lubrication systems, including temperature, servomotor current, cutting force, PRI, and oil consumption. The verification experiments are prepared for five cutting force levels, including low, medium, and high, to ensure correctness and control accuracy in different machining conditions. According to the results, the measured temperature, servomotor current, and cutting force values are nearly the same in both lubrication processes. However, oil pumping time and amount are different. The PRI in the new lubrication control technique shows significant reduction of oil consumption by 67% for finishing, 33% for medium turning and 100% for rough turning compared with ordinary lubrication modes.
The new technique can control not only the lubrication oil based on friction conditions in CNC machine linear guideways but is also useful in terms of cost effectiveness and preventing environmental pollution.


This paper reports on findings of a research study that sought to investigate the relationship between classroom environment and candidate teachers' social and psychological wellbeing. Dimensions of psychological and social well-being models include constructs such as personal growth, positive relations with others, and social contribution. Such constructs have impacts on teachers' creating a positive classroom environment, which is a predictor of students' academic achievement. Therefore, this study aims at exploring whether and how psychological and social well-being shape candidate teachers' perceptions of positive classroom environment. To address the focus of this study, the data were collected from 157 senior students at the English Language Teaching department through three questionnaires. The questionnaires measured mainly three variables: Participants' perceptions of positive classroom environment and their psychological and social well-being. The relationships between these variables were tested through Structural Equation Model (SEM) using AMOS (22.0). The results of the study revealed some significant relationships between some of the dimensions only, which may indicate that the participant pre-service teachers are expected to promote positive classroom environment in some aspects, but not all. Regarding this, the study provides valuable suggestions to be included in teacher development programs.


: For the period from 2000 through 2007 there were 27 patients treated for lesions of extrahepatic bile ducts of different genesis. Since all the lesions were high, we have formed biliodigestive anastomoses on the exchangeable transhepatic drains by the method of Groetz-Saypol-Kurian. In a month after the operation and a standard management of the exchangeable transhepatic drains we departed from the classical technique and applied nonperforated drains. Using the nonperforated exchangeable transhepatic drains in patients after reconstructive operations on the extrahepatioc bile ducts gave good immediate results of operations and substantially improved quality of life of the patients in the postoperative period.


Accurate power spectrum (or correlation function) covariance matrices are a crucial requirement for cosmological parameter estimation from large scale structure surveys. In order to minimize reliance on computationally expensive mock catalogs, it is important to have a solid analytic understanding of the different components that make up a covariance matrix. Considering the matter power spectrum covariance matrix, it has recently been found that there is a potentially dominant effect on mildly non-linear scales due to power in modes of size equal to and larger than the survey volume. This beat coupling effect has been derived analytically in perturbation theory and while it has been tested with simulations, some questions remain unanswered. Moreover, there is an additional effect of these large modes, which has so far not been included in analytic studies, namely the effect on the estimated average density which enters the power spectrum estimate. In this article, we work out analytic, perturbation theory based expressions including both the beat coupling and this local average effect and we show that while, when isolated, beat coupling indeed causes large excess covariance in agreement with the literature, in a realistic scenario this is compensated almost entirely by the local average effect, leavingmore » only ∼ 10% of the excess. We test our analytic expressions by comparison to a suite of large N-body simulations, using both full simulation boxes and subboxes thereof to study cases without beat coupling, with beat coupling and with both beat coupling and the local average effect. For the variances, we find excellent agreement with the analytic expressions for k < 0.2 hMpc{sup −1} at z = 0.5, while the correlation coefficients agree to beyond k = 0.4 hMpc{sup −1}. As expected, the range of agreement increases towards higher redshift and decreases slightly towards z = 0. We finish by including the large-mode effects in a full covariance matrix description for arbitrary survey geometry and confirming its validity using simulations. This may be useful as a stepping stone towards building an actual galaxy (or other tracer's) power spectrum covariance matrix.« less


Mitotic catastrophe (MC) has long been accounted as a cell death path activated by pre‐ mature or inappropriate entry of cells into mitosis following chemical or physical stress‐ es. Although various possible explanations related to MC have been formulated, no general accepted definition of this phenomenon has been found yet. Recent evidences, however, demonstrate that MC is not a distinguished way of cell death, rather a "pre‐ stage" anticipating cell death, taking place in mitotically disrupted cells, which later oc‐ curs via necrosis or apoptosis. Moreover, even though it is widely accepted that MC is the main outcome after ionizing radiation treatment or treatment with drugs that influence microtubule assembly/stability inducing mitotic failure, the final cell death pathway and the final outcome of MC, which strongly depend on the cell type and its related molecu‐ lar profile, still need to be fully elucidated. Post-mitotic cells, like neurons in the central nervous system, and podocytes or tubular cells in the kidney, are particularly susceptible to MC. In the central nervous system, MC has been claimed as the cause of neuronal death in many neurologic disorders, while MC in podocytes and tubular death is con‐ nected with the development of progressive glomerulosclerosis.


This presentation will focus on meeting current challenges in decentralised diagnostics by using amperometric and votammetric systems printed on paper or plastic substrates to deliver inexpensive instruments for a wide range of electroanalytical applications. This approach combines the sophistication of advanced electrochemical biosensors with a simple manufacturing technique to create a use-and-throw instrument. The system is manufactured under ambient conditions. All interconnections are printed and an anisotropic conductive glue is used for interconnection between the chip and conductors. A screen-printed manganese dioxide battery and a vertical electrochromic display are incorporated in the instrument. The display is paper-like in the sense that it works in reflective mode, that is, no backlight is used to light up the pixels. This integrated biosensing platform forms a workhorse in our hands for a variety of diagnostic systems including enzyme electrodes for multi-parametric diabetes monitoring and for the management of chronic kidney disease, electrochemical sensors for enzymes such as G6-P or amylase (a marker for stress), label-free affinity sensors for cancer markers and heart disease, aptasensors for cancer cells, DNA Sensors and robust devices based on imprinted and smart polymers. Using these technologies, we envision over-the-counter paper instruments for self-diagnosis of common diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease and urinary tract infection; inexpensive devices for use by caregivers or paramedics such as the "Stressometer" or heart attack indicators; home kits to support people after transplant surgery or cancer treatment, smart cartons for pharmaceuticals; pocket tests for allergens, food toxicity, drinking water etc. and strips or patches that communicate with mobile telecommunications. Realisation of these paradigm-changing new products requires the effective harnessing of emerging technology, inspired vision from clinical partners or others "users" and leading-edge engineering to design and produce functional systems in appropriate volumes at the right cost.


Background/Objectives : This paper reviews the performance and emission characteristics of C.I. engine fueled with preheated vegetable oil. Methods/Statistical Analysis : Vegetable oils can be a good alternative source for fossil fuel. The engines available in the market are designed for petroleum diesel which found to be less efficient while using vegetable oil as fuel. The main problem in the usage of vegetable oils in C.I. engine is their high viscosity and low calorific value. The viscosity is reduced by methods such as transesterification, blending of vegetable oil with diesel, preheating the vegetable oil. Only few authors had done experiment with preheated vegetable oil in C.I. engine. Findings: From the result and output given by the authors the review is done. The results are favor for preheated vegetable oil than unheated vegetable oil. In all the cases BTE of preheated vegetable oil is higher than unheated vegetable oil. Most authors said that BSEC of preheated vegetable oil is almost equal to diesel and lesser than unheated vegetable oil. It was found that HC and CO emission for preheated vegetable oil is lesser than unheated vegetable oil, were NO x is found to be higher for preheated vegetable oil. CO 2 emission while using preheated vegetable oil is higher than unheated vegetable oil and diesel. The usage of vegetable oil neutralizes CO 2 emission, so there will not be any new CO 2 emission into the atmosphere. Preheated vegetable oil is a promising alternate for mineral diesel. Applications/Improvements: Long term usage of preheated vegetable oil may affect the lubrication oil and fuel line so change in rescheduling of replacing the lubrication oil is needed. Pongamia oil, neem oil and jatropha oil are found to be reliable alternative fuels. Combined effect of preheated and blending of vegetable oil as an alternative fuel for diesel engine would give best result in performance and emission wise.


The frictional resistance and abrasion mechanism of high vanadium high speed steel were studied by the self-made friction wear testing machine under the conditions of 10% slip-roll ratio. Results show that the frictional resistance increases with the increase of carbon content and is optimal when the carbon content is 2.92%. The carbon content affect the wear resistance by changing the amount of the retained austenite and the shapes of carbides, the moderate quantities of retained austenite makes the matrix have better impact toughness and hardness; The spherical VC can prevent the initiation and expansion of cracks forming and make the frictional resistance increase. The abrasion mechanism is fatigue flake under the condition of rolling and sliding.


This work examines the role of specific miRNAs in the molecular etiology of prostate cancer, their secretion from cells, and their application to blood-based biomarkers of aggressive prostate cancer. In Chapter II, we identified the miR-183 cluster in the regulation of zinc homeostasis in prostate cells. Zinc is normally accumulated to high levels in prostate tissue, yet is lost in prostate cancer. The miR-183 cluster was overexpressed in prostate cancer tissue and targets zinc transporters, reducing the cellular import and concentration of zinc. The secretion of the miR-183 cluster in cellular exosomes was investigated in Chapter III. Of the members of the miR-183 cluster, only miR-182 was secreted in exosomes from prostate and breast cancer cell lines. When miR-182 was overexpressed in breast cancer cells, it was packaged into exosomes at a higher level. Furthermore, these exosomes reduced zinc in recipient cells. In Chapter IV, we examined circulating miRNAs as potential prognostic biomarkers for prostate cancer. A signature of fourteen miRNAs was discovered that identified a subset of patients that have indolent, non-aggressive disease. Furthermore, eight of these miRNAs also identified patients that do not have biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy. We took a translational approach with this work, from discovering the miRNA-mediated basis of zinc loss to the application of miRNAs to a clinical need.


A novel visible light responsive polymeric multilayer was constructed by layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic self-assembly, from which the trapping/release of cargoes via azobenzene/cyclodextrin-based host–guest interactions could be realized upon light stimulation. Visible light responsive poly{6-[(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)azo-4-(2′,6′ dimethoxy)phenoxy]propyl dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-random-poly(2-(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate)} (Azo-PDMAEMA) was synthesized, which was used as a polycation to combine with polyacrylic acid (PAA) for the construction of multilayers through the LbL electrostatic self-assembly technique. The cargo molecules, cyclodextrins modified with rhodamine B, could be loaded into the multilayers via the interaction between the trans azobenzene and cyclodextrin. Green light would induce isomerization of azobenzene from the trans-configuration to the cis, which disassembled the host–guest complex and resulted in the release of cargoes from the multilayers. Upon blue light irradiation, the cis azobenzene could recover to the trans form, thus a stable inclusion complex would be formed and the cargoes could be reloaded into the multilayers again. It is noted that the visible-light-controlled trapping/release of cargoes from the multilayers could be reconstructed reliably and conveniently. The electrostatically self-assembled multilayers of the prepared azobenzene-functionalized polymers combined with cyclodextrin show great potential in reversible trapping and release of cargoes controlled by visible light.


Objective: Mutations in the progranulin (PGRN) gene were recently described as the cause of ubiquitin positive frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Clinical and pathological overlap between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and FTD prompted us to screen PGRN in patients with ALS and ALS–FTD. Methods: The PGRN gene was sequenced in 272 cases of sporadic ALS, 40 cases of familial ALS and in 49 patients with ALS–FTD. Results: Missense changes were identified in an ALS–FTD patient (p.S120Y) and in a single case of limb onset sporadic ALS (p.T182M), although the pathogenicity of these variants remains unclear. Conclusion:PGRN mutations are not a common cause of ALS phenotypes.


Planning the motion of bodies in contact requires a model of contact mechanics in order to predict sliding, rolling, and jamming. Such a model typically assumes that the bodies are rigid and that tangential forces at the contacts obey Coulomb's law. Though, usually assumed to be constant, the static and dynamic coefficients of friction vary in space and time and are difficult to measure accurately. In this paper, we study a quasistatic, multi-rigid-body model for planar systems, in which the coefficients of friction are treated as independent variables. Our analysis yields inequalities defining regions in the space of friction coefficients for which a particular contact mode is feasible. The geometrical interpretation of these inequalities leads to a simple graphical technique to test contact mode feasibility. This technique is then used to generate a nontrivial example in which several contact modes are simultaneously feasible. Despite model ambiguity, there are factors which argue in favor of using a quasistatic, rigid-body model. This point is highlighted by the successful application of our results to the planning of two manipulation tasks. >


The sigma1 receptor acts as a chaperone at the endoplasmic reticulum, associates with multiple proteins in various cellular systems, and involves in a number of diseases, such as addiction, pain, cancer and psychiatric disorders. The sigma1 receptor is encoded by the single copy SIGMAR1 gene. The current study identifies five alternatively spliced variants of the mouse sigma1 receptor gene using a polymerase chain reaction cloning approach. All the splice variants are generated by exon skipping or alternative 3' or 5' splicing, producing the truncated sigma1 receptor. Similar alternative splicing has been observed in the human SIGMAR1 gene based on the molecular cloning or genome sequence prediction, suggesting conservation of alternative splicing of SIGMAR1 gene. Using quantitative polymerase chain reactions, we demonstrate differential expression of several splice variants in mouse tissues and brain regions. When expressed in HEK293 cells, all the splice variants fail to bind sigma ligands, implicating that each truncated region in these splice variants is important for ligand binding. However, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) study in HEK293 cells co-transfected with tagged constructs reveals that all the splice variants maintain their ability to physically associate with a mu opioid receptor (mMOR-1), providing useful information to correlate the motifs/sequences necessary for their physical association. Furthermore, a competition Co-IP study showed that all the variants can disrupt in a dose-dependent manner the dimerization of the original sigma1 receptor with mMOR-1, suggesting a potential dominant negative function and providing significant insights into their function.


A quantum stabilizer code over <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\operatorname{GF}(q)$</tex-math></inline-formula> corresponds to a classical additive code over <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\operatorname{GF}(q^2)$</tex-math></inline-formula> that is self-orthogonal with respect to a symplectic inner product. We study the decoding of quantum low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes over binary finite fields <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\operatorname{GF}(q=2^l)$</tex-math></inline-formula> by the sum-product algorithm, also known as belief propagation (BP). Conventionally, a message in a nonbinary BP for quantum codes over <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\operatorname{GF}(2^l)$</tex-math></inline-formula> represents a probability vector over <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\operatorname{GF}(2^{2l})$</tex-math></inline-formula>, inducing high decoding complexity. In this article, we explore the property of the symplectic inner product and show that scalar messages suffice for BP decoding of nonbinary quantum codes, rather than vector messages necessary for the conventional BP. Consequently, we propose a BP decoding algorithm for quantum codes over <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\operatorname{GF}(2^l)}$</tex-math></inline-formula> by passing scalar messages so that it has low computation complexity. The algorithm is specified in log domain by using log-likelihood ratios of the channel statistics to have a low implementation cost. Moreover, techniques such as message normalization or offset can be naturally applied in this algorithm to mitigate the effects of short cycles to improve the BP performance. This is important for nonbinary quantum codes since they may have more short cycles compared to binary quantum codes. Several computer simulations are provided to demonstrate these advantages. The scalar-based strategy can also be used to improve the BP decoding of classical linear codes over <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\operatorname{GF}(2^l)$</tex-math></inline-formula> with many short cycles.


Video object detection is a fundamental tool for many applications. Since direct application of image-based object detection cannot leverage the rich temporal information inherent in video data, we advocate to the detection of long-range video object pattern. While the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) has been the de facto choice for such detection, currently LSTM cannot fundamentally model object association between consecutive frames. In this paper, we propose the association LSTM to address this fundamental association problem. Association LSTM not only regresses and classifiy directly on object locations and categories but also associates features to represent each output object. By minimizing the matching error between these features, we learn how to associate objects in two consecutive frames. Additionally, our method works in an online manner, which is important for most video tasks. Compared to the traditional video object detection methods, our approach outperforms them on standard video datasets.


Tensor methods are of great interest since the development of multicomponent sensors. The acquired multicomponent data are represented by tensors, that is, multiway arrays. This paper presents advances on filtering methods to improve tensor data denoising. Channel-by-channel and multiway methods are presented. The first multiway method is based on the lower-rank (K1, . . . ,KN ) truncation of the HOSVD. The second one consists of an extension of Wiener filtering to data tensors. When multiway tensor filtering is performed, the processed tensor is flattened along each mode successively, and singular value decomposition of the flattened matrix is performed. Data projection on the singular vectors associated with dominant singular values results in noise reduction. We propose a synthesis of crucial issues which were recently solved, that is, the estimation of the number of dominant singular vectors, the optimal choice of flattening directions, and the reduction of the computational load of multiway tensor filtering methods. The presented methods are compared through an application to a color image and a seismic signal, multiway Wiener filtering providing the best denoising results. We apply multiway Wiener filtering and its fast version to a hyperspectral image. The fast multiway filtering method is 29 times faster and yields very close denoising results.


Nuclear weapons have both blast injury and radiation effects on the gut. The successful management of survivors requires a combined medical and surgical approach, and is likely to need at least 5 - 6 weeks of in-patient therapy for gastrointestinal radiation syndrome. It should be remembered that the haemopoietic syndrome is an invariable companion. The chance of survival for people with acute radiation syndrome decreases with increasing radiation dose. Most people who do not recover from ARS will die within a few weeks of exposure. The cause of death in most cases is the destruction of the bone marrow, which results in infections and internal bleeding. For the survivors, the recovery process may last from several weeks up to 2 years. Long-term survivors face an increased solid cancer risk of approximately 47% per sievert.


Three hypotheses concerning the controllability of rationally expected real interest rates are examined here. These hypotheses, which are suggested by recent literature, assert in different senses that the stochastic properties of expected real interest rates are independent of the Fed policy rule. We discuss the meaning and implications of the hypotheses, and how they might be tested. Evaluation of the hypotheses is attempted by examination of the Fed's "quasi-controlled experiments," historical changes in policy regimes, Granger-Sims causality tests, Barro unanticipated money regressions, and other methods. Questions as to the relevance of any such methods are discussed.


This paper presents an experimental study in high speed milling of SiCp/Al composites. Machining tests were carried out on a high speed milling machine by using chemical vapour deposition (CVD) diamond coated tools. The surface micro-topography was tested by the OLS3000 Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope. The Gaussian filtering method and the least square fitting method were used to treat the measured results. Two methods are compared according to the effect on keeping important original surface's character. The results showed that the least square fitting method is suitable due to its good accordance to the original surface's character.


The following "Country report Switzerland" has been prepared for the COST Action 51. The main objective of the Action is to develop knowledge that enables the integration of
 innovation and development policies for a more effective and sustainable development of the forest sector. Therefore we had a look at nine different sector policies in Switzerland, namely
 forest policy, forest-based industries policy, innovation policy, rural development policy, regional development policy, sustainable development policy and renewable energy policy. We
 analysed, if available, the current key documents for each sector in terms of their general content and the integration of innovation. The documents refer to the federal level and comprise
 Swiss national strategies and programmes as well as federal messages. As actual surveys show, the economic situation in Switzerland is very positive and it is ranged among the most
 competitive countries in the world. Despite this fact, the economic situation of Swiss forest enterprises is by the majority in deficit and the forest sector is mainly supported by subsidies.
 A positive development is the currently rising wood price. Also there is a still unused potential in timber industry as well as in alternative uses of the forest, like non-wood forest
 products and services. The latter offers opportunities for different kinds of product innovations. Another product innovation is found in the energy sector, where renewable energies are
 strongly promoted, with a new focus on energy wood, like pellets, wood chips, wood briquettes and biogas. This also includes new methods in supply like the energy wood contracting, where long
 term contracts between producers of energy wood and house owners are signed. But the most important innovations in the forest sector took place on an organisational and institutional level,
 with the reorganisation of the forest services. The Swiss National Forest Programme (Swiss NFP) therefore plays an important role as a procedure innovation by reformulating Swiss forest
 policy and legislation. For sure also projects linked to the forest-based industries (though no special policies or documents for this sector could have been identified), like "Netzwerkholz",
 "KMU Zentrum Holz" or "Innovation Roadmap 2020", play a crucial role for new innovations and the development of the forest sector. Besides this, the regional development policies have a high
 impact on the forest sector. That includes regional development programmes like Regio Plus or INTERREG as well as a political instrument like the NFA (Reorganisation of financial
 equalisation). Innovation policy, rural development policy and sustainable development policy are less connected to the forest sector and have an impact on it only in an indirect way. As for
 example innovation policies take care for the promotion of education and science in general, or the "Sustainable Development Strategy 2002" gives measures for sustainability in various
 fields. Such policies are also important as they strengthen basic concepts (sustainability) and needs (e.g. scientific inventions) from which the forest sector can profit. As the analysis
 shows there are a lot of interlinkages between forest and other sector policies. The impacts of these policies and optimal coordination between forest and other policies are research issues
 still to be continued. All these research topics contain fundamental institutional, organizational and financial questions to be tackled as crosscutting issues in forest policy
 research.


The general theme of this thesis is an exploration of the relationship of Legal Theory to the general part of philosophy. Ordinary Language philosophy is uiniquely role-conscious, concerned not only with the what but with the why of philosophy; as such, it offers jurisprudence not only a contribution ab extra, but holds forth a more intimate offer in a role of philosophy which it may adopt to rehabilitate or accommodate itself within the realms of that very philosophy. This general theme is sometimes explicitly considered, but is implicit throughout the four chapters of this thesis, of v/hich the following synopses are provided, CHAPTER 1. ORDINARY LANGUAGE PHILOSOPHY The development of this modern philosophy is traced from its earliest adumbrations in the concerns of Frege and Russell with logic and language. The career of Wittgenstein, universally recognised as its most influential, if its most idiosyncratic philosopher, is tised as an ideal narrative vehicle for the chronicling of that development, and the ideal exponent of its characteristic doctrines. The ideas of the earlier and the later Wittgenstein are in turn considered with due regard paid to his methodological and substantive contributions and the extent to which these changed, endured, or interinformed throughout his philosophic development. Finally, his relationship to the generality of ordinary language philosophers, is considered by means of a comparison with Gilbert Ryle, equally a member, if less the leading light, of that movement. CHAPTER 2. ORDINARY LANGUAGE PHILOSOPHY AS APPLIED TO LEGAL THEORY To illustrate this, the writings of H.L.A. Hart are considered, firstly, to exhibit how the methods and substantive ideas of that philosophy can, almost intact, be applied within jurisprudence; secondly, it is shown, beyond this mere fact of application, that Hart's insights are not only successful applications, but are effective almost in proportion as they are exact applications of that philosophy's insights. Two major contributions by Hart, those on Ascriptive Language, and the Law as a system of rules, are subjected to an in-depth and corrective criticism,. This chapter concludes with a brief statement of the significance of the argument to date upon the relationship of legal theory to general philosophy. CHAPTER 3. ORDINARY LANGUGE PHILOSOPHY - REVIEW AND CRITICISM Here are treated several criticisms of crucial importance to this philosophy, the rebuttal of which is necessary to confirm our earlier advocation of it as the most rewarding method of philosophy. Firstly are considered criticisms made by structural linguists, that ordinary language philosophy, especially Wittgenstein's, is too much an abreaction from the errors of Logical. Positivism, and so misconceives the role of language in philosophy. Secondly, a set of criticisms, made by several philosophers, among them, phenomenologists, is considered to the effect that this philosophy has too arbitrarily and too behaviouristically excluded the "inner" or the "mental" from philosophy. Thirdly, an attempt is made to characterise, or expose the manner of conviction sought and achieved by this philosophy to vindicate it against charges of subjectivity. CHAPTER 4 JURISPRUDENCE - AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH To provide a useful comparison, Scandinavian Realism, and the writings of Olivecrona, among other realists, are examined. As a relatively modern school in jurisprudence, its development, and that of Olivecrona's thought, are traced to reveal the important formative influences, upon Olivecrona, of the theories of Petrazycky, and upon both, the broadly anti-metaphysical movement in philosophy of the early part of this century. Olivecrona's ideas are critically evaluated with reference both to ordinary language philosophy, and to other theorists of the realist school. A comparison of the Realist and the Linguistic approach, as a philosophy of law, concludes this chapter. CHAPTER 5. A SHORT EXERCISE IN JURISPRUDENCE The thesis is concluded with a brief practical example of the use of a linguistic approach as a solvent to some traditional problems of legal theory. The grammar of the legal rule is examined to provide a distinction between rule as practice and ruling as 'speech-act'; this distinction is then applied to the relationship of the courts etc. to the corpus of legal practice and behaviour in both municipal and international law, and usefully extended to provide some insights into the interrelationship of those two structures of law themselves.


ABSTRACT Well‐planned and conducted health care simulation scenarios provide opportunities for staff development in areas such as communication, patient care, and teamwork. Consideration of resources, the location for the training, preparation of learners, and use of either a high‐fidelity mannequin or a trained actor (eg, a standardized patient) are all part of the operational attentions needed to conduct a simulation training scenario. In order for participants to meet training objectives, the execution of the simulation session must be both planned and purposeful.


RCC is broadly defined as a stiff, lowwater concrete that is mixed and placed at a no-slump consistency, then compacted with vibratory rollers. RCC has similar strength properties and consists of the same basic ingredients as conventional concrete—well-graded aggregates, cementitious materials, and water—but has different mixture proportions. The major difference between RCC mixtures and conventional concrete mixtures is that RCC has a higher percentage of fine aggregates, which allows for tight packing and consolidation. RCC is a durable, economical, low-maintenance material for many pavement applications. It has been used for pavements carrying heavy loads in low speed areas because of its relatively coarse surface. However, in recent years its use in commercial areas and for local streets and highways has been increasing.


We prove that the permutations of $\{1,\dots, n\}$ having an increasing (resp., decreasing) subsequence of length $n-r$ index a subset of the set of all $r$th Kronecker powers of $n \times n$ permutation matrices which is a basis for the linear span of that set. Thanks to a known Schur-Weyl duality, this gives a new basis for the centralizer algebra of the partition algebra acting on the $r$th tensor power of a vector space. We give some related results on the set of doubly stochastic matrices in that algebra.


The number of patients with non-insulin-dependent-diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is dramatically increasing in Japan and estimated to be 6 million, more than one of ten adults. It is well known that more than a half of diabetics are hypertensive. Therefore, it is very important to treat hypertension to reduce cardiovascular events as well as end-stage renal disease. At first, life style modification such as body weight reduction, exercise and restriction of salt and alcohol intake will be recommended. Improved glycemic control by such a non-pharmacological therapy will lower blood pressure. Recent studies demonstrated that hypoglycemic agents improving insulin resistance such as metformin and troglitazone reduce blood pressure. If these maneuvers do not lower blood pressure, hypotensive medication will be necessary. As a first line therapy, ACE inhibitor, alpha 1-blocker or Ca-channel blocker will be selected. In diabetics with proteinuria or micro-albuminuria, ACE inhibitors will be effective to delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy.


Thrombophilia can result from either inherited or acquired conditions. We describe a teenager who developed extensive thrombosis requiring aggressive and prolonged anticoagulation. Laboratory evaluation revealed an acquired lupus anticoagulant, consistent with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). DNA analysis revealed inherited thrombophilic mutations in the factor V and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase genes. We believe that the combination of inherited and acquired hypercoagulable conditions affected her therapeutic response to anticoagulant therapy. Inherited thrombophilic DNA mutations may contribute to the hypercoagulability observed in patients with acquired thrombophilic conditions such as APS and systemic lupus erythematosus.


Concern about the effects of pesticides on human health and the environment, has been a major rationale for pro- moting  transgenic crops, often  referred  to as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or as genetically  enhanced (GE) crops.   Companies  that sell genetically engineered crop plants claim that biotechnology offers a safe alterna- tive to agricultural chemicals and is  necessary to feed the world's expanding human population. However, there are still many unknowns about the safety of GMOs for human health and the  environment, and virtually nothing is known about  how  the  genomes  of  organisms may  be  affected by horizontal transfer of alien genes into plants, animals, and even humans. An alternative approach  to  transgen- ic  technology  is  the exploitation of beneficial genes  from wild  relatives of crop plants using conventional breeding methods. This paper describes how genetic engineering differs  from conventional plant breeding,  then compares and  contrasts benefits  from  transgenic engineering with traditional methods of crop  improvement. An example of how the ancestral genes model has been employed to im- part an insect resistance trait to corn based on native re- sistance  from  a wild  relative  is  compared  to  transgenic corn with  resistance  to  the same  insect engineered with a transgene from a bacterium. Using the ancestral genes approach, harmful chemicals used to control the worst in- sect pest of corn can be eliminated with no  consequenc- es to human health or the environment; whereas with the transgenic approach,  there are many safety concerns  in both arenas.


Franchisors and franchisees are legally and financially independent parties responsible for their own torts, contracts and other legal obligations. From the perspective of the general public however the independent contractor nature of the relationship is obscured by system standardisation and uniformity which conveys the appearance of a single entity. Although in law there is a fundamental difference between a system outlet operated by a franchisee and a system outlet operated by the franchisor through a manager, the outlets are otherwise identical and the legal subtleties are imperceptible to customers and the public generally. The legal ramifications are nevertheless significant. In general terms a franchisor is liable under the principle of vicarious liability for the torts committed by employee managers but not for the torts committed by franchisees who are independent contractors. Franchisors may also be liable under agency principles - for contracts made by those agents who have the actual or apparent authority to make contracts on behalf of the franchisor principal - which may be the case for employed outlet managers but rarely for franchisees. This article reviews the law relating to franchisor liability for franchisee conduct in Australia and concludes that legal principle and commercial practice have been largely effective in insulating franchisors from liability under vicarious liability and agency principles. Such actions are nevertheless not the exclusive sources of potential franchisor liability and franchisors and their legal advisors need to be aware of the potential consequences beyond unwelcome system publicity which might arise from franchisee conduct.


In this paper, two different shapes of thin film bulk acoustic resonators (TFBARs) are characterized with respect to electrode thickness and overall area, and gold plated on-wafer inductors are employed to tune the TFBAR filter performance. Air-gap type TFBARs are fabricated with aluminum nitride (AlN) as a piezoelectric material and platinum as top and bottom electrodes. An equivalent inductor model is employed for the tuning of fabricated TFBAR bandpass filters, designed based on the modified Butterworth-Van Dyke (MBVD) equivalent circuit. Fabricated inductors revealed inductance of 3 nH and Q factor of about 8 at 2 GHz. It is clearly shown that tuning inductors can enlarge the bandwidth of the TFBAR ladder filters by about 10 MHz and suppress the out-of-band rejection around 10 dB further.


The use of biodiesel has been widely accepted as an effective solution to reduce greenhouse emissions. The high potential of biodiesel in terms of PM emission reduction may represent an additional motivation for its wide diffusion. This potential is related to the oxygenated nature of biodiesel, leading to a different PM-NOx trade-off. Wide diffusion is also under debate as it may represent a solution to the highly disputed issue of the development of alternative biofuels sources not competing with the food chain. In fact, besides second generation biofuels (e.g. from algae), the transesterification of Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) is another option, that however needs additional insight. In fact, in this case, the effects on particle emissions are still not well assessed, as well as the impact of fuel distillation on engine performance and emissions.In this paper an experimental study on particle emissions of a DEUTZ 4L off-road Diesel engine coupled to a DOC-DPF system is proposed. Experimental data have been gathered at the engine test bench of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, by using baseline fossil fuel (B06) and blends (30% vol) with both distilled and non distilled WCO biodiesel. Data have been acquired with respect to the three most probable engine points referring to the NRTC (Non-Road-Transient-Cycle), upstream and downstream of the AfterTreatment System.Results show that B30 fuels have always lower emission on a mass and number basis, and that distillation process may have an impact especially at high power and torque operation. A slightly better behavior in terms of mass emissions has been observed for the blend with distilled fuel, while a slightly better behavior in terms of particle number has been observed for the blend with non-distilled fuel.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


This paper attempts to explain decision-making structures in Swiss politics. Decision-making structures describe the relations between collective actors collaborating and fighting for influence in a policy network and are defined by two main dimensions, which are power and conflict. For the explanation of decision-making structures, the paper relies on factors such as Europeanization, media presence, federalism, the pre-parliamentary phase and the referendum. I assume that these different factors interact with each other when they influence the decision-making structure. In order to assess the importance of these factors, the paper compares the 11 most important decision-making processes in Switzerland between 2001 and 2006. The analysis relies on an innovative integration of two methods. In a first step, I apply Social Network Analysis to describe the two dimensions of decision-making structures. In a second step, in order to detect the different combinations of causes which lead to different structures, the 11 cases are compared by a Qualitative-Comparative Analysis (QCA). The results suggest that all five factors are important to understand decision-making structures and that equifinality and conjunctural causation are at work.


Abstract This article offers an intra-cultural pragmatic analysis of some aspects of the interactional behaviour of Uruguayans (Montevideans) in non-emergency service calls to two telephone service centres. In both sets of calls customers telephone to confirm delivery of a service for which there has been some delay. In particular, this study investigates the strategies employed by service representatives to apologize for a perceived company's shortfall. The findings show similarities in the overall organization of both sets of calls as well as in the type of apologizing sub-strategy deployed. Service representatives in both companies coincided in choosing explanations as an expression of remedial work. Although explanations figured in both sets of calls, those given by the call-takers of one of the companies consisted of justifications for the service shortfall and contained explicit expressions of apology, while those of the other company comprised excuses and expressions of evasion of responsibility. The choice of apologizing sub-strategy is explained by the fact that the offence was regarded as non-severe and by the state of consumer rights in the country. The variation observed in the way the explanations were constructed is attributed to the different micro cultures of the companies.


In this work, the self assembly ability of chromophores covalently linked to aliphatic dipeptides is described. Altering various parameters such as the protecting group, the solvent mixture, the dipeptide and the chromophore resulted in different nanostructures. Interestingly, a peptide-porphyrin hybrid is capable of forming a hydrogel in HFIP-water solvent mixture.


The effective enrichment of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in sea spray aerosols (SSA) demonstrated in previous laboratory studies suggests that SSA is a potential source of PFAAs to the atmosphere. In order to investigate the influence of SSA on atmospheric PFAAs in the field, 48 h aerosol samples were collected regularly between 2018 and 2020 at two Norwegian coastal locations, Andøya and Birkenes. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) between the SSA tracer ion, Na+, and PFAA concentrations were observed in the samples from both locations, with Pearson's correlation coefficients (r) between 0.4–0.8. Such significant correlations indicate SSA to be an important source of atmospheric PFAAs to coastal areas. The correlations in the samples from Andøya were observed for more PFAA species and were generally stronger than in the samples from Birkenes, which is located further away from the coast and closer to urban areas than Andøya. Factors such as the origin of the SSA, the distance of the sampling site to open water, and the presence of other PFAA sources (e.g., volatile precursor compounds) can have influence on the contribution of SSA to PFAA in air at the sampling sites and therefore affect the observed correlations between PFAAs and Na+.


This essay, entitled Masculinities and Femininities in Vilhelm Moberg's Raskens and Mans kvinna, is about the masculinities and the femininities that are depicted in Vilhelm Moberg's two novels Raskens (1927) and Mans kvinna (1933). The theory consists of masculinity studies and femininity studies which are complemented with historical research about masculinity and femininity. In my analysis I found several motives concerning the masculinities and femininities. The motives are infidelity, possession of property and land, appearance, revenge, violence and alcohol. The ideal man in Moberg's novels is tall, strong and strong-willed. The two male main characters, Rasken and Hakan, have this in common, even though they have very different goals in their lives. One thing that is different about the masculinities portrayed in the novels is that possession of property and land is depicted as desirable in Raskens, while freedom from property is desirable in Mans kvinna. The ideal woman, at least the woman who is desired by the men in the novels, is young and beautiful, but also hardworking and industrious. At large, it is a traditional and norm based image of the woman and the man that is described in the novels. However, Moberg problematises these images by showing the women's vulnerability and how the men's "manly" behaviour leads to destructiveness.


The paper describes an innovative, laser based joining method for dissimilar Al-Cu connections. The main objective is the improvement of the mechanical and electrical properties of the joints. Storing electrical energy plays the key role in the E-Mobility. Li-Ion batteries (LIB) provide high energy and power density as well as excellent cycle durability. A battery stack consists of multiple LIB cells in parallel and serial connection. Therefore, the electrical connection tabs, which are made of aluminum and copper, have to be joined. Hence, beside the Al-Al and Cu-Cu, also the Al-Cu connection is important. Due to the small thickness of the tabs (0.4 to 0.1 mm) conventional mechanical fastening, e.g. bolting, known from prismatic LIB cells, would destroy the tabs. Therefore, a non-contact thermal joining method is desirable. The challenges for thermal joining of dissimilar Al-Cu connections are evident: Brittle intermetallic compounds (IMC) occur. Due to their complex atomic structure, dislocating is hindered and, thus, stresses cannot be relieved. Above a critical seam width of 10 µm, IMC strongly reduce the mechanical properties of the joint. Compared to pure Cu and Al, the electrical resistance diminishes for alloys between the two. Periodical formation of intermetallic superlattice structures has positive influence on the electrical conductivity. The present paper introduces a joining method which addresses the above mentioned challenges. On the one hand, the objective is to reduce the IMC phase width, on the other hand to form a homogenous but thin IMC phase in the joining area. Therefore, a combined laser welding and brazing process is applied, where the melted Al layer wets the solid state cu layer in overlap configuration. The paper shows the latest experimental results of these investigations.


Summary — Cationic acrylamide copolymers with diallyldimethylammonium chloride and terpolymers of the both monomers with N-vinylformamide were synthesized, characterized by capillary viscometry and their flocculation efficiency evaluated by extinction, sludge volume and solid matter recovery measurements. The polymerization reactions were carried out either as thin-layer processes in aqueous solutions or as microsuspension polymerization. The results from the numerous flocculation tests performed on model aqueous suspensions of fine coal, colloidal silica and talc have been presented and discussed. Flocculation efficiency was determined taking into account the type and dose of the used copolymer.


Output phase noise for edge-combining delay-locked loops (DLLs) is derived in this study, which is obtained by decomposing the synthesized output waveform into a noise-free signal and a corresponding noise perturbation on it. The noise-free signal, which is affected by the systematic errors as the phase offset between phase detector inputs or delay mismatches among delay cells, possesses a periodic steady-state solution, and therefore leads to output spur. The noise perturbation, on the other hand, will be upconverted to the frequency-multiplied output based on this solution. A general analysis approach is provided that can be applied to the case such as the change of the frequency multiplication factor or the variation of the output duty cycle. The theory is verified by a programmable edge-combining DLL, which has been realized in a CMOS 90-nm technology. The predicted output phase noise has close agreement with simulation results, as well as the measurement data when the frequency multiplication factor changes.


Characterization of monocopper intermediates in enzymes and other catalysts that attack strong C-H bonds is important for unraveling oxidation catalysis mechanisms and, ultimately, designing new, more efficient catalytic systems. Because initially formed 1:1 Cu/O2 adducts resulting from reactions of Cu(I) sites with O2 react relatively sluggishly with substrates with strong C-H bonds, it has been suggested that reductive O-O bond scission might occur instead to yield more reactive [CuO](+) or protonated [CuOH](2+) cores. Experimental and theoretical studies of [CuO](+) species in the gas phase have provided key insights into the possible reactivity of these species, but detailed information is lacking for discrete complexes with the [CuO](+) or [CuOH](2+) core in solution or the solid state. We describe herein our recent efforts to address this issue through several disparate approaches. In one strategy based on precedent from studies of enzymes and synthetic compounds with iron-α-ketocarboxylate motifs, reactions of O2 with Cu(I)-α-ketocarboxylate complexes were explored, with the aim of identifying reaction pathways that would implicate the intermediacy of a [CuO](+) species. A second approach focused on the reaction of N-oxides with Cu(I) complexes, with the goal being to elicit O-N bond heterolysis to yield [CuO](+) complexes. For both strategies, the course of the reactions depended on the nature of the supporting bidentate N-donor ligand, and indirect evidence in support of the sought-after [CuO](+) intermediates was obtained in some instances. In the final approach discussed herein, strongly electron donating and sterically encumbered pyridine-dicarboxamide ligands (L) enabled the synthesis of [LCu(II)OH](-) complexes, which upon one-electron oxidation formed complexes with the [CuOH](2+) core that were characterized in solution. Rapid hydrogen atom abstraction (HAT) from dihydroanthracene (DHA) was observed, yielding LCu(II)OH2. The O-H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of ∼90 kcal/mol for this complex was determined through evaluation of its pKa (∼19) and the [LCu(II)OH](-)/LCu(III)OH reduction potential (approximately -0.08 V vs Fc/Fc(+)). Thus, the poor oxidizing power of the complex is offset by the high basicity of the hydroxide moiety to yield a strong O-H bond. This high BDE provided a thermodynamic rationale for the rapid HAT rate from DHA and suggested that stronger C-H bonds could be attacked. Indeed, using an inert solvent (1,2-difluorobenzene), substrates with C-H bond strengths as high as 99 kcal/mol were shown to react with the [CuOH](2+) complex, and a linear log k vs C-H BDE plot supported similar HAT pathways across the series. Importantly, these results provided key evidence in favor of the possible intermediacy of this core in oxidation catalysis, and we suggest that because it is a more energetically accessible intermediate than the [CuO](+) moiety, it should be considered as an alternative in proposed mechanisms for oxidations by enzymes and other synthetic systems.


Introduction Despite advances in surgical and endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms, the management of wide necked basilar tip aneurysms poses substantial treatment challenges. Y stenting, in which one stent is deployed through the side wall tines of a previously placed stent, is a feasible adjunct to coiling of these aneurysms. Case series describing this technique are small with limited follow-up. We describe our experience with the Y stent assisted, coil embolization of basilar tip aneurysms in the largest case series to date with medium term follow-up data. Methods A review of our prospectively maintained database from 2004 to 2009 was performed to assess technical factors associated with treatment, complications and radiographic follow-up of patients undergoing Y stenting for basilar apex aneurysms. Results 11 patients with wide necked basilar tip aneurysms were treated. Average follow-up was 13 months. Post-procedure surveillance was carried out by MR angiography (n=6), cerebral angiogram (n=9) or CT angiography (n=1), with several patients undergoing multiple types of radiographic follow-up. All patients' aneurysms were completely or nearly completely (>95%) occluded at the time of treatment. No patient required retreatment. One patient suffered an asymptomatic vertebral artery dissection that required stenting and another suffered a minor stroke but recovered completely. Conclusion Y stenting is a viable treatment modality for this complex subgroup of aneurysms. Our series demonstrated the safety of this technique, with no patients suffering permanent complications. While the efficacy of Y stenting has yet to be established, medium term radiographic follow-up suggests durable results.


On the basis of earlier observations dealing with the relation of a petroleum ether-soluble material (cord factor) obtained from young cultures of virulent tubercle bacilli to the pathogenicity of these organisms, it was expected that young cultures yielding more cord factor than older ones of the same strain would also be more virulent for susceptible animals. By infecting mice with equal numbers of bacteria from 3 day and 3 week old cultures, significant differences in the character of disease produced were observed. The mice infected with the younger cultures died of a rapid, septicemic infection with tuberculous lesions in many organs including the heart. A tuberculous myocarditis was probably the immediate cause of death. Mice infected with the older bacteria died of a chronic disease corresponding to the well known mouse tuberculosis. In these cases, the heart was completely free of lesions. No histologic tissue reactions typical of tuberculosis were seen in the animals dying from the acute type of the disease. A similar rapidly progressing infection was observed in rabbits infected with bacteria from young cultures. The symptoms corresponded to the ones seen in the disease known as the Yersin type of tuberculosis. It seems that the pathology of this latter can be produced with every type of pathogenic mycobacteria, human as well as bovine and avian, provided the cultures used are young. Thus it may be inferred that the acute type of tuberculosis is more frequent than commonly accepted both in experimental infection and in the naturally occurring disease. It is proposed to explain the mechanism of this acute infection within the framework of the cord factor hypothesis.


Abstract The chemical composition and the crystal structure of a gem-quality brazilianite from the Telírio pegmatite, near Linópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, [NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4, a = 11.2448(5) Å, b = 10.1539(6) Å, c = 7.1031(3) Å, b = 97.351(4)°, V = 804.36(7) Å3, space group P21/n, Z = 4], have been reinvestigated by means of electron microprobe analysis in wavelength-dispersive mode, single-crystal X‑ray and neutron diffraction. The chemical analysis shows that brazilianite from Telírio Claim approaches almost ideal composition. The neutron anisotropic structural refinement was performed with final agreement index R1 = 0.0290 for 211 refined parameters and 2844 unique reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo), the X‑ray refinement led to R1 = 0.0325 for 169 refined parameters and 2430 unique reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo). The building-block units of the brazilianite structure consist of chains of edge-sharing AlO4(OH)2 and AlO3(OH)3 octahedra. Chains are connected, via corner-sharing, by P-tetrahedra to form a three-dimensional framework, with Na atoms located in distorted cavities running along [100]. Five independent H sites were located, here labeled as H(1), H(2a), H(2b), H(3), and H(4). The configuration of the OH groups, along with the complex hydrogen-bonding scheme, are now well defined. The O-H distances corrected for "riding motion" range between ~0.992 and ~1.010 Å, the O···O distances between ~2.67 and ~2.93 Å, and the O-H···O angles between ~151° and ~174°. The H(2a) and H(2b) are only ~1.37 Å apart and mutually exclusive (both with site occupancy factor of 50%). The differences between the crystal structure of brazilianite and wardite [ideally NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4·2H2O] are discussed. This work fulfills the need for accurate crystal-chemical data for this gem mineral.


Introduction: by the end of the 20 th century contingent labour as a specific socio-legal technology began to be used around the world. Today, this type of alternative labour relations is common in Russia. However, in Russian law there are no special rules on contingent labour. Purpose: to study the current state and prospects of legal regulation of contingent labour in Russia. Methods:the methodological framework of this study is based on a set of methods of scientific cognition, among which the main ones are systemic and comparative law methods. Results: considering experience of foreign countries, the author analyzes the concept of contingent labour in correlation with the concepts of temporary employment, employee leasing, outsourcing and so-called outstaffing. According to the results of the comparative analysis, outstaffing is concluded to be the least socially acceptable form of contingent labour, since it often leads to abuse of rights in the sphere of tax and other types of relations. However, proper putting outstaffing under a ban through law, without recognizing contingent labor as a whole as an illegal phenomenon, seems to be a difficult technical problem. Furthermore, the author provides a general analysis of the Federal Law of 05.05.2014 № 116-FZ, which is supposed to bring contingent labour under regulation and define the legal status of private employment agencies in Russia. Conclusions: on the whole, the author evaluates the Federal Law of 05.05.2014 № 116-FZ positively, but is critical of some ambiguities and excessive restrictions. In particular, it is noted that restrictions on the use of contingent labour should not impede the development of outsourcing in business.


Information is an essential component of all financial markets and transactions. However information can arrive in multiple forms. In this paper, I begin to define what is meant by hard and soft information. Hard information is quantitative, easy to store and transmit in impersonal ways, and its content is independent of the collection process. Technology is changing the way we communicate and thus must fundamentally change the way financial markets and institutions operate. One of these changes is a greater reliance on hard relative to soft information in financial transactions. This paper discusses the advantages and costs of this substitution and the possible consequences of the hardening of information on both financial markets and institutions as well as those who study them. 2 I. Introduction: The History of Soft and Hard Information.


Acknowledgments. 1 Introduction: Theories of Urban Development and Their Implications for Policy and Planning (Susan S. Fainstein and Scott Campbell). Part I The Changing Urban and Regional System. 2 Regulation Theory, Post-Fordism and Urban Politics (Joe Painter). 3 Neoliberalization and Democracy (Mark Purcell). 4 The Global City: Strategic Site/New Frontier (Saskia Sassen). 5 The Fifth Migration (Robert Fishman). 6 Urban 'Regions' and Their Governance (Patsy Healey). Part II Diversity: Race, Gender, Ethnicity and the Partitioning of Space. 7 Cities and Diversity: Should we want it? Can we plan for it? (Susan S. Fainstein). 8 Conceptualizing Recognition in Planning (Ruth Fincher and Kurt Iveson). 9 Women's Aspirations and the Home: Episodes in American Feminist Reform (Gwendolyn Wright). 10 Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women? (Susan Moller Okin). 11 Cities in Quarters (Peter Marcuse). 12 Social Exclusion and Opportunity Structures in European Cities and Neighbourhoods (Alan Murie and Sako Musterd). Part III Redevelopment and Urban Transformation. 13 Partnership and the Pursuit of the Private City (Gregory D. Squires). 14 Gentrification, the Frontier, and the Restructuring of Urban Space (Neil Smith). 15 Promoting Tourism in US Cities (Dennis R. Judd). Part IV Culture, Design, and Urban Form Introduction. 16 The End(s) of Urban Design (Michael Sorkin). 17 Changing Landscapes of Power: Opulence and the Urge for Authenticity (Sharon Zukin). 18 The 'Bilbao Effect' (Donald McNeill). 19 Connecting New Urbanism and American Planning: An Historical Interpretation (Emily Talen). 20 Blurring the Boundaries: Public Space and Private Life (Margaret Crawford). Part V Cities and Space in a Globalized World. 21 Uneven Geographical Developments and Universal Rights (David Harvey). 22 Transnationalism and Citizenship (Michael Peter Smith). 23 Reflections on Place and Place-Making in the Cities of China (John Friedmann). 24 The Economic Theory of the Developmental State (Ha-Joon Chang). 25 The Prevalence of Slums (Mike Davis). 26 Dangerous Spaces of Citizenship: Gang Talk, Rights Talk and Rule of Law in Brazil (James Holston). Credit and Source Information. Index.


Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) contributes to multiple health problems including obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay, especially among children. Excise taxation has been proven efficacious in changing purchasing behaviors related to tobacco use with resulting improvements in public health outcomes. Similar taxes applied to SSBs are starting to take hold internationally and domestically. SSB taxes have been proposed in over 30 U.S. jurisdictions since 2009, but only Berkeley (CA) has passed and implemented one to date. Given empirical evidence of their effectiveness, governments should consider implementation of SSB excise taxes based on uniform definitions of SSBs and other factors.


Desprez, M., Pearce, B., and Le Bot, S. 2010. The biological impact of overflowing sands around a marine aggregate extraction site: Dieppe (eastern English Channel). - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 270-277.The study investigates the physical impact of sediment deposition associated with aggregate dredging at a site off Dieppe, and the consequences for benthic fauna. Sampling stations were sited across potential zones of impact classified as high, moderate, and low deposition, depending on their proximity to dredging activities and their position relative to the net sediment transport route. Samples were also taken west of the dredge site outside the zone of likely impact (no deposition). A strong gradient was observed from the sediments dominated by fine sands in the high and moderate deposition zones, through to coarse sands and gravels in the low and no deposition zones. The benthic fauna sampled from the deposits of fine sand in the high and moderate deposition zones were sparse compared with the coarser deposits sampled from the low and no deposition zones. There was a strong correspondence between the distribution of different sediment fractions and the associated benthic fauna, with a weighted Spearman rank correlation of 0.638, higher than reported in related studies. This suggests that in deposition areas such as this, biological interactions play a less important role in shaping communities than the changes in the physical environment, which may have a greater impact on the biological communities.


Container traffic at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, has tripled in the past 15 years, resulting in massive port-related heavy-duty diesel truck (HDDT) traffic on surface streets in the low-income and minority communities of Wilmington and western Long Beach adjacent to the ports. In response to the limitations of existing data on the volumes of HDDTs on surface streets, this study used direct video measurements of surface street traffic at 11 intersections and line segments in these communities to document port-related truck traffic traveling to and from inter-modal facilities, truck service sites, local amenities. and regional goods movement roadways. The volumes of HDDTs often reached 400 to 600/h for several hours immediately upwind of sensitive land uses, such as schools, open-field parks, and residences. Diurnal truck traffic patterns on surface streets varied by intersection, local conditions, and passenger car commute patterns. Given the documented health and environmental consequences of HDDT emissions, the results raise serious public health concerns for the inhabitants who reside, work, attend school, or recreate in close proximity to roadways with HDDT traffic in these communities adjacent to ports. This paper discusses the environmental justice implications of truck-related land use conflicts and current planning and emission control strategies to mitigate the local air pollution impacts of increasing port-related truck traffic in these low-income, minority communities.


ABSTRACT Ca2+ plays an important role in the physiology of bacteria. Intracellular Ca2+ concentrations are tightly maintained in the nanomolar range. Molecular mechanisms of Ca2+ uptake in bacteria remain elusive. Here we show that CtpE is responsible for Ca2+ uptake in Mycobacterium smegmatis. It represents a previously uncharacterized P-type ATPase family in bacteria. Disruption of ctpE in M. smegmatis resulted in a mutant with impaired growth under Ca2+-deficient conditions. The growth defect of the mutant could be rescued by Ca2+ or by ectopic expression of ctpE from M. smegmatis or the orthologous gene (Rv0908) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Radioactive transport assays revealed that CtpE is a Ca2+-specific transporter. Ca2+ deficiency increased expression of ctpE, resulting in increased 45Ca2+ accumulation in cells. ctpE is a gene that is part of an operon, which is negatively regulated by Ca2+. The ctpE mutant also showed hypersensitivity to polymyxin B, increased biofilm formation, and higher cell aggregation, indicating cell envelope defects. Our work establishes, for the first time, the presence of Ca2+ uptake pumps of the energy-dependent P-type ATPase superfamily in bacteria and also implicates that intracellular Ca2+ is essential for growth and cell envelope integrity in M. smegmatis. IMPORTANCE Ca2+ is essential for gene regulation, enzymatic activity, and maintenance of structural integrity of cell walls in bacteria. Bacteria maintain intracellular calcium concentrations in a narrow range, creating a gradient with low cytoplasmic calcium concentration and high extracellular calcium concentration. Due to this steep gradient, active pumps belonging to family 2 of P-type ATPases and antiporters are used for Ca2+ efflux, whereas Ca2+ uptake is usually carried out by channels. Molecular mechanisms of Ca2+ uptake in bacteria are still elusive and are mainly limited to a nonproteinaceous channel in Escherichia coli and a pH-dependent channel protein from Bacillus subtilis. Energy-dependent active transporters are not reported for Ca2+ uptake from any organism. Here we show that CtpE belonging to a family of previously uncharacterized bacterial P-type ATPases is involved in specific uptake of Ca2+ into Mycobacterium smegmatis. We also demonstrate that intracellular Ca2+ obtained through CtpE is essential for growth and maintenance of cell surface properties under Ca2+-deficient conditions. IMPORTANCE Ca2+ is essential for gene regulation, enzymatic activity, and maintenance of structural integrity of cell walls in bacteria. Bacteria maintain intracellular calcium concentrations in a narrow range, creating a gradient with low cytoplasmic calcium concentration and high extracellular calcium concentration. Due to this steep gradient, active pumps belonging to family 2 of P-type ATPases and antiporters are used for Ca2+ efflux, whereas Ca2+ uptake is usually carried out by channels. Molecular mechanisms of Ca2+ uptake in bacteria are still elusive and are mainly limited to a nonproteinaceous channel in Escherichia coli and a pH-dependent channel protein from Bacillus subtilis. Energy-dependent active transporters are not reported for Ca2+ uptake from any organism. Here we show that CtpE belonging to a family of previously uncharacterized bacterial P-type ATPases is involved in specific uptake of Ca2+ into Mycobacterium smegmatis. We also demonstrate that intracellular Ca2+ obtained through CtpE is essential for growth and maintenance of cell surface properties under Ca2+-deficient conditions.


The influence of maternal attachment on children's attachment and executive functioning skills through maternal sensitivity and decentered tutoring were studied in 40 middle-class mother–child dyads. Infant attachment security in the Strange Situation Procedure was related to maternal attachment security, evaluated with the Adult Attachment Interview. When the children were six–seven months of age, maternal sensitivity was evaluated. When the child was six years old, maternal decentered tutoring and the children's executive functioning were evaluated. Regression analyses indicated that maternal tutoring accounted for the association between maternal attachment and child cognitive functioning, whereas maternal sensitivity accounted for the association between maternal and child attachment.


An estimated eleven million undocumented immigrants live in the United States. These individuals have become integral members of American families and vital components of the American economy. Yet repeated efforts to meaningfully reform the nation's immigration laws — to more fully integrate these individuals into American society — have failed to garner sufficient political support in Congress. The prospects for significant congressional action on immigration remain bleak into the foreseeable future because our nation's debate on immigration has been warped by powerful, but largely inaccurate, themes of criminality, lax border enforcement, and national security threats. These themes have been crafted and cemented in large part by aggressive restrictionist state immigration laws in places like Arizona and Alabama. Until recently, integrationists have failed to similarly capitalize on the power of states to shape both the nation's policies and, perhaps more importantly, the nation's discourse on immigration. Recently, however, immigrant advocates have begun looking to the power of inclusive state citizenship schemes to reorient our nation's immigration conversation.This article explores the outer boundaries of state power to promote the integration of immigrants and to reorient the nation's conversation around more accurate and helpful themes of family, democracy, and economic vitality. Specifically, I explore the constitutional power of states to extend state citizenship to undocumented immigrants. The article argues that the federalist structure enshrined in the Constitution and prevailing interpretations of the Fourteenth Amendment leave untouched the historic power of the states to define the boundaries of their own political communities more generously than the federal government. In addition, the article argues that such state citizenship schemes could deliver substantial tangible support for the integration of undocumented immigrants though traditional levers of state power: granting state political rights, granting access to state programs and benefits, and granting state protections against discrimination and mistreatment. Perhaps most importantly, state citizenship could be a powerful expressive tool for states to reorient our national conversation on immigration in ways that may, in the long term, be the key to eventually unlocking substantial federal reform.


Dispersal, the movement of individuals among populations, is a life history trait that affects ecological and evolutionary dynamics of species. It has gained much interest in the context of metapopulation dynamics which aim to understand how species cope with habitat loss and fragmentation. In this thesis, I used controlled microcosms of a unicellular organism, the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, to experimentally investigate various aspects of dispersal ecology. Firstly, I describe how digital image and video analysis can be used to rapidly and reliably quantify traits and abundances of the model organism. Secondly, I investigated the relative roles of the genotype and the environment on dispersal in a two-patch system by comparing how 44 genetically different lines dispersed in response to conspecific density. We found genetic variation for dispersal plasticity and hence potential for dispersal plasticity to evolve. Thirdly, I report how an individual-based simulation model parameterized with characteristics of video-recorded cell trajectories accounted for 45% of the variation in dispersal observed among genotypes. Finally, I describe the dispersal syndromes (co-variation of dispersal with other traits) found in this set of genotypes, which bear important information about the costs and evolution of dispersal: (1) negative co-variation of dispersal-related traits with peak cell density and cell survival; (2) the absence of a link between short- and long-distance dispersal. The results in this thesis contribute to our understanding of condition-dependent dispersal, dispersal syndromes, links with the general movement ecology and introduce several methodological advances widely applicable in experimental laboratory systems.


The Business Roundtable has played a key role in the opposition to the SEC shareholder access proposal. While the strong resistance to the proposal has been thus far successful in discouraging the SEC from adopting it, this paper considers the merits of the Business Roundtable's substantive arguments in opposition to the proposal. The paper provides a detailed examination of the wide range of objections to shareholder access that the Business Roundtable put forward in its submissions to the SEC. I conclude that none of these objections provides a good basis for opposing shareholder access.


Lloyd Bitzer's 1968 article, "The Rhetorical Situation," reframed scholarship on communication. Prior to this, rhetorical studies primarily looked to content and style of discourse in order to provide an analysis of meaning and value; however, scholars became frustrated with the limited access that this type of framework afforded. The 1960s marked a dramatic shift in dominant rhetorical thinking from modern thought toward a realm of new ideological approaches, including postmodern thought. Environment became a major focus of postmodern communication studies, claiming that the situation, more than the content itself, determines the message. Rhetorical frameworks continue to rely on a modern or postmodern consciousness, despite the emergence of yet another societal shift into an evolved postmodernism, a reaction to the biases inherent in this relativism. Specifically, the evolution of the postmodern mind into an apathetic consciousness leads to an expiration of exigency as Bitzer defined it 50 years ago. This paper argues that current scholarship lacks a complete awareness of these new assumptions and understandings, specifically relating to cultural apathy. This paper will recount the historical context that leads into this modern framework, illustrate the situation, and argue the potential solutions. Ultimately, this paper reveals that much exigency inhabits a devalued position in the now-evolved postmodern mind, and rhetorical theory must renovate its understanding on discourse accordingly through three steps: acknowledgment, updated definitions, and thoughtful discourse.


Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects more than 200 million people worldwide and is caused by occlusions resulting from atherosclerosis in arteries supplying blood to the lower limbs. Treatments for limb ischaemia in PAD is an unmet medical need. Novel treatments are sought to improve limb blood supply and function in PAD patients unlikely to benefit from existing treatments such as surgical revascularisation, structured exercise programs and cilostozol. Currently, the main pre-clinical experimental model employed in PAD research is based on induction of acute hind limb ischemia (HLI) which results in rapid natural recovery of blood supply to ischaemic tissues. There are concerns regarding the ability to translate findings from this mouse model to PAD patients and a clinically relevant mouse model of HLI is lacking. Evidence suggests metformin may be a potential treatment for PAD and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) may play a role in limb ischaemia. This thesis aimed to develop a clinically relevant mouse model of PAD that involved a two-stage induction of HLI and examine the effect of exercise training, metformin and ACE2 deficiency in the two-stage model of HLI.

Two-stage HLI was induced in male Apolipoprotein E (ApoE-/-) deficient mice by slow onset of severe ischemia over 14 days. This 2-stage HLI model was compared to the acute HLI model and sham controls. Limb blood supply was assessed by Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging (LDI). Ambulatory ability was assessed using a treadmill test and established scoring scales. Running wheel exercise training was examined in the two-stage mouse model and limb function was assessed by a treadmill exercise test and blood supply was assessed by LDI. Next, the effect of metformin on limb ischaemia was assessed by LDI in the two-stage HLI mouse model. Lastly, the effect of ACE2 deficiency (ACE2-/y) on limb ischaemia was examined in the two-stage mouse model of HLI.

HLI was significantly more severe in mice receiving the two-stage compared to the acute HLI induction procedure as assessed by LDI (p=0.013), and reflected a higher ischemic score (p=0.003) and lower average distance travelled on a treadmill exercise test (p=0.045). Mice with two-stage HLI receiving exercise training showed significantly greater improvement in their ambulatory ability on a treadmill test than the sedentary control group (p=0.003). However, limb blood supply was comparable between mice receiving exercise compared to controls (p=0.700). Mice with two-stage HLI administered metformin had greater blood supply than mice with two-stage HLI receiving vehicle control (p<0.001). The two-stage HLI mice receiving metformin had increased adenosine monophosphate kinase alpha (AMPKα) activity (p=0.041), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) activity (p=0.031), nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability (p=0.024), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor 1 alpha (PGC1-α) expression (p=0.026) and decreased thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) expression (p=0.038) compared to mice with two-stage HLI receiving vehicle. ACE2-/y in mice with two-stage HLI had comparable limb ischaemia to ACE2 unmodified control mice with two-stage HLI (p=0.263).

In conclusion, this thesis showed that the novel two-stage mouse model of HLI had severe ongoing HLI and functional impairment. Exercise training augmented treadmill walking capacity in the new mouse model which was independent of changes to limb blood supply and mirroring patient response to exercise therapy. Metformin administration improved limb blood supply in the two-stage mouse model of ongoing HLI. Improvement in blood supply was associated with the upregulation of AMPKα activity, increased activation of e-NOS in the ischaemic muscles, increased bioavailability of circulating NO, increased expression of PGC1α and reduced expression of TXNIP. This suggests metformin may have potential to be used as a treatment to improve limb blood supply in PAD patients. ACE2-/ did not worsen limb blood supply after two-stage HLI induction suggesting ACE2 may not play an important role in limb ischemia. The results do not encourage the pursuit of ACE2 for pharmacological management of PAD in clinical trials and ACE2 is unlikely to be an important target for improving limb blood supply or function in patients with PAD.


This paper presents the results of an experimental comparison of two competing predictions based on different theoretical models explaining the process of resolving the 9-dot problem. The first model is based on the concept of insight (the solution is found by instant transformation of the problem representation) and the second model is based on a stepwise approach and denies the existence of instant changes in the problem-solving process. Mental operators (i.e. the procedures described by Newell and Simon in their theory of problem space) were experimentally studied.It was shown that the declarative hint of an essential operator did not lead to improved performance; on the contrary, it delayed the solution compared to the control group. Experimental manipulation of various operators could not identify any single one that, when activated, could alone speed up the solution. Apparently, a change in the holistic task representation (or at least, a change in some larger parts of the task structure, larger than those manipulated in this study) underlies the correct solution. The high efficiency of the hint consisting of four different operators provides indirect evidence of the same: in fact, in that case, the subject was presented with a unified visual pattern that was then entirely transferred from perceptual to mental space. Presumably, insight suggests the possibility to procedurally operate some earlier inaccessible parts of the problem conditions and the change in problem representation.Thus, the present study provides evidence that the operators do not have the key to solving the problem of 9 dots and the arguments in favor of the classical understanding of insight - as a general rather than local change in the representation of the problem during the problem-solving process.