We are at the advent of a new era, that of the emergence of a complex multifaceted type of literacies that the contemporary person is expected to master, far beyond the traditional one, which used to merely assume reading and writing abilities. The newly occurred paradigms comprise digital, information and media literacies components, with an intricate pattern of relationships connecting them. Knowledge of only one of these is gradually becoming insufficient, as the new waves of youth, whether they are called Millennials or the Z Gen, are expected to enter the labor market endowed with at least basic skills of all the new kinds of literacies. There are major risks that, if appropriate education is not widely provided in this respect, the new generations may be negatively affected at personal and global levels, at all three phases of action: searching for, evaluating information, and even creating it. Against this background, the paper aim is to propose a coherent comprehensive approach to empowering IT engineering students in higher education in order to become media-savvy and to develop an array of information and media literacy skills and competences that would prevent them from being prone to maneuvering forms of any type. Moreover, another important objective of the proposed approach is to contribute to developing the trainees' critical thinking, as well as their awareness raising attitude and mentality meant to support them throughout their lifelong learning process. A technical university can get involved in this mission, which will result in delivering better prepared, work-ready engineering graduates, with both soft and hard skills at a high level of complexity. A foreign language course of the ESP (English for Specific Purposes) type can accommodate an approach to developing the students' information and media literacies quite successfully, as a CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) based module, with content about information and media literacy, and with the corresponding linguistic input blended. It will include a Student Questionnaire on the topic, as well as a chain of other activities/tasks, designed to collect data, sensitize the learners and increase their awareness of the phenomena under focus, by providing models of analysis, reflection opportunities and discussion topics.


BACKGROUND
The uptake of the combined measles, mumps and rubella immunisation (MMR) in Britain has fallen since 1998, when a link was hypothesised with the development of bowel disorders and childhood autism. Despite reassurances about the safety of MMR, uptake levels remain lower than optimal. We need to understand what influences parents' decisions on whether to accept MMR or not so that health professionals can provide a service responsive to their needs.

AIM
To investigate what influences parents' decisions on whether to accept or refuse the primary MMR immunisation and the impact of the recent controversy over its safety.

DESIGN
Qualitative study using focus group discussions.

SETTING
Forty-eight parents, whose youngest child was between 14 months and three years old, attended groups at community halls in six localities in Avon and Gloucestershire.

METHODS
Purposive sampling strategy was used to include parents from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Three groups comprised parents who had accepted MMR and three groups comprised parents who had refused MMR. Data analysis used modified grounded theory techniques incorporating the constant comparative method.

RESULTS
All parents felt that the decision about MMR was difficult and stressful, and experienced unwelcome pressure from health professionals to comply. Parents were not convinced by Department of Health reassurances that MMR was the safest and best option for their children and many had accepted MMR unwillingly. Four key factors influenced parents' decisions: (a) beliefs about the risks and benefits of MMR compared with contracting the diseases, (b) information from the media and other sources about the safety of MMR, (c) confidence and trust in the advice of health professionals and attitudes towards compliance with this advice, and (d) views on the importance of individual choice within Government policy on immunisation.

CONCLUSIONS
Parents wanted up-to-date information about the risks and benefits of MMR to be available in advance of their immunisation appointment. Many parents did not have confidence in the recommendations of health professionals because they were aware that GPs needed to reach immunisation targets. Most parents would, however, welcome more open discussion about immunisation with health professionals.


Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of mortality among cardiovascular diseases, responsible for 16% of the world's total deaths. According to a statistical report published in 2020, the global prevalence of CAD was estimated at 1655 per 100,000 people and is predicted to exceed 1845 by 2030. Annually, in the United States, CAD accounts for approximately 610,000 deaths and costs more than 200 billion dollars for healthcare services. Most patients with CAD need to be treated over long periods with a combination of drugs. Therefore, the inappropriate use of drugs, or drug-related problems (DRPs), can lead to many consequences that affect these patients' health, including decreased quality of life, increased hospitalization rates, prolonged hospital stays, increased overall health care costs, and even increased risk of morbidity and mortality. DRPs are common in CAD patients, with a prevalence of over 60%. DRPs must therefore be noticed and recognized by healthcare professionals. This chapter describes common types and determinants of DRPs in CAD patients and recommends interventions to limit their prevalence.


Objective : to determine the impact of aneurysm of intracranial arteries on cerebral collateral circulation and to assess the relationship between these changes and the site of the aneurysm. Material and methods . CT perfusion and CT angiography were performed in 41 patients with 47 unruptured intracranial aneurysms of different sites and sizes. Results . Impaired perfusion was not found in the majority of the patients with intracranial aneurysms less than 15 mm in diameter. Hypoperfusion in the respective temporal and occipital lobes was noted in 70% of  patients with aneurysms greater than 16–25 mm. Generalized hypoperfusion was diagnosed in 100% of patients with aneurysms more than 25 mm, with the partially thrombosed aneurysms accompanied by the severer, irreversible deficit immediately around the aneurysmal sac, which was induced by the effect of volumetric exposure while in the presence of unthrombosed aneurysm, hypoperfusion occasionally involved the cortex of the entire hemisphere. In this investigation, the extent and depth of hypoperfusion depended on the thrombosis of the lumen and the size of an aneurysm rather than the site of the latter. Conclusion . CT perfusion may be recommended as a standard examination of patients with detected intracranial aneurysm that is 16 mm or more in size for the timely diagnosis of cortical microcirculatory disorders and collateral circulatory insufficiency, which can affect the choice of a treatment option for the patient


A modification of the subhologram-based approach to the calculation of a computer generated display hologram of a 3-D scene is presented. The hologram area is split into subholograms. For each of them, a perspective image with depth coordinate is rendered and converted to a point cloud. These points are processed in a novel way and the optical field in the subhologram is calculated. The processing guarantees that the points used for the optical field calculation are the same for all subholograms (i.e., coherent). The coherence provides sharp hologram reconstruction. The parameters of the processing are designed to match the human vision requirements.


As the result of an easily inferred turn of events, "Goldfish Ghost was born on the surface of the water in a bowl on the dresser in a boy's room." Lonely with no one to talk to, he floats (belly up, of course) out the window and to various stops in the seaside town. However, neither the noisy gulls at the pier, the families at the beach, nor even the ghostly fish are the right fit for him ("It can be hard to find the company you are looking for"). Finally he's invited into the lighthouse (that "everyone said was haunted") by the ghost of the lighthouse keeper, and the two make a happy haunted home together. The tone of the measured text perfects this odd story: confident, quiet, and slightly formal, it's surprisingly touching as the ghost fish moves on regretfully from encounters with animals that are "not good company." Line and watercolor art gives Goldfish Ghost an unexpected robustness as he palely wafts through the steely sky, balanced by the busyness of the earthly scenes below him; he's a reassuringly homey and accessible ghost even in his unearthly state. Like Snicket's The Dark (BCCB 6/13), this could be a way to make uncomfortable spaces friendlier; it's also a logical go-to for smaller pet death, and adults who come to snicker will leave unexpectedly moved. DS


Macrophage scavenger receptor A (SR-A) is a multifunctional, multiligand pattern recognition receptor with roles in innate immunity, apoptotic cell clearance, and age-related degenerative pathologies, such as atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Known endogenous SR-A ligands are polyanionic and include modified lipoproteins, advanced glycation end products, and extracellular matrix proteins. No native plasma ligands have been identified, but it is known that SR-A recognition of unidentified serum components mediates integrin-independent macrophage adhesion, which may drive chronic local inflammation. In this study, we used a high-throughput fractionation and screening method to identify novel endogenous SR-A ligands that may mediate macrophage adhesion. SR-A was found to recognize the exchangeable apolipoproteins A-I and E (apo A-I and apo E, respectively) in both lipid-free and lipid-associated form, suggesting the shared amphipathic α-helix as a potential recognition motif. Adhesion of RAW 264.7 macrophages to surfaces coated with apo A-I and apo E4 proved to be integrin-independent and could be blocked by anti-SR-A antibodies. The presence of apo A-I and apo E in pathological deposits, such as atherosclerotic lesions and neurotoxic Alzheimer's plaques, suggests a possible contribution of SR-A-dependent adhesion of macrophages to an inflammatory microenvironment.


Abstract. Particle precipitation of magnetospheric origin causes additional ionization in the auroral zone at E-layer heights. During night-time, in particular at winter-night, the E-layer ionization may dominate over the F2-layer ionization level. To study the geophysical conditions and characteristics of the related ionospheric processes in more detail, we use GPS radio occultation electron density profile retrievals from CHAMP and Formosat-3/COSMIC to extract those vertical profiles which show the absolute maximum of ionization in the E-layer height range of 90–150 km. In order to select these profiles, we have developed an algorithm which can recognize the shape of a given profile by fitting an empirical Ansatz to it. Using data from CHAMP collected since 2002 and Formosat-3/COSMIC data starting from 2006, we are able to study both, the local-time dependence and the solar-cylce variability of the observed processes.


Surface electromyograms of the laryngeal muscles were made while subjects read silently. Those who showed an increase in electrical activity over that at relaxation were provided with auditory feedback of the muscle activity.This treatment resulted in immediate and long-lasting cessation of the subvocalazation. This method should prove valuable in treating some reading problems.


Introduction: Hamartoma of the breast is a rare entity, frequently underdiagnosed by pathologists. It is a benign tumour-like nodule with overgrowth of mature cells that normally occur in the affected part. Patients present at an average of 45 yrs. with a unilateral, well defined, painless mass or enlargement; incidence being 0.1% to 0.7%. The aim of our study was to investigate clinical and histopathological features of breast hamartomas.
Materials and Methods: Eighteen cases of breast hamartomas operated our hospital, between Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2012 were included in this study. The clinicopathological features and follow up data were analysed in all the cases.
Results: All cases in our study were female patients with age group ranged between 23-40 yrs. All patients presented with unilateral breast masses. Clinically majority of patients were suspected to have fibroadenoma with only 2 cases suspected to be cystosarcoma phyllodes. Lumpectomy was performed in all the cases. Grossly all tumors were well circumscribed, grey white, lenticular masses with some showing cystic changes, myxoid areas and nodular areas. The maximum dimension of the tumors ranged from 4 to 16 cms. Microscopically, all hamartomas demonstrated good demarcation with fibrous tissue condensation and hyalinisation. Epitheliosis, apocrine metaplasia, pseudo angiomatous stromal hyperplasia, atrophy and cystically dilated ducts were among the major microscopic features observed. No recurrence or malignant components were noted in our case series.
Conclusion : The diagnosis of hamartoma is difficult as no specific diagnostic histological features are present. The presence of fibrous tissue within the lobules, or fibrous tissue and fat in the stroma, with or without pseudoangiomatous changes, should alert the pathologist to the possibility of a hamartoma. The role of FNAC and needle core biopsy is limited. Coincidental malignancy can occur in hamartomas and hence the importance of its diagnosis.


In this study, we will investigate the interleukin-6 (IL-6) -634C/G polymorphism and the risk of osteosarcoma in the ethnic group Han of China. The subjects in this study consisted of 191 patients with primary sporadic osteosarcoma and 207 cancer-free controls. The IL6-634 G/C polymorphism was determined by PCR followed by restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis. High risk of osteosarcoma was found in the CG genotype of IL6 -634 G/C polymorphism (OR=1.88, 95% CI 1.23-2.85). However, no significant association was found between GG genotype and osteosarcoma risk (OR=1.62, 95% CI 0.78-2.69). When CG and GG carriers were grouped together, higher osteosarcoma risk was detected (OR=1.81, 95% CI 1.21-2.71). The G allele was significantly associated with risk of osteosarcoma (OR=1.66, 95% CI 1.20-2.28). In conclusion, this study found a significant association between the IL6 -634 G/C polymorphism and osteosarcoma risk.


BACKGROUND
The European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) guidelines were revised in 2023 for the 19th time, and all aspects of HIV care were updated.

KEY POINTS OF THE GUIDELINES UPDATE
Version 12.0 of the guidelines recommend the same six first-line treatment options for antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naïve adults as versions 11.0 and 11.1: tenofovir-based backbone plus an unboosted integrase inhibitor or doravirine; abacavir/lamivudine plus dolutegravir; or dual therapy with lamivudine or emtricitabine plus dolutegravir. The long-acting section has been expanded in the ART and drug-drug interaction (DDI) panels. Tables for preferred and alternative ART in children and adolescents have been updated, as has the section on prevention of vertical transmission, particularly with new guidance for breastfeeding. A new DDI table has been included for the ART and anti-infective drugs used for opportunistic infections, sexually transmitted infections, and other infectious conditions; lenacapavir has been included in all DDI tables. New sections on alcohol use and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been included in the comorbidity panel, in addition to updates on many relevant topics, such as new resource guidance for deprescribing in people with HIV. Other sections, including travel, cognitive impairment, cancer screening, sexual health, and diabetes have also been revised extensively. The algorithm for the management of acute hepatitis C virus infection has been removed, as current guidelines recommend immediate treatment of all people with recently acquired hepatitis C virus. Updates on vaccination for hepatitis B virus and recommendations for simplification to tenofovir-free two-drug regimens in people with isolated anti-hepatitis B core antibodies are provided. In the opportunistic infections and COVID-19 panel, guidance on the management of COVID-19 in people with HIV has been updated according to the most up-to-date evidence, and a new section on monkeypox has been added.

CONCLUSIONS
In 2023, the EACS guidelines were updated extensively and now include several new sections. The recommendations are available as a free app, in interactive web format, and as a pdf online.


Objective: To compare outcomes among newborns of opioid-using and nonopioid drug-using mothers with those of control mothers who did not report substance use.
Methods: Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, newborns diagnosed with drug withdrawal syndrome (per ICD-9 or ICD-10 codes) from January 2010 through June 2017 were identified. For mothers, data collected included age, race, drug use, number of prenatal visits, and results of the urinary drug abuse survey, meconium test, and self-report survey. Demographic and perinatal data collected for newborns included birth date; sex; Apgar scores at 1, 5, and 10 minutes; neonatal intensive care stay; and vital status. Controls (n = 771) were similarly selected in regard to sex, birth date, and county.
Results: Of 328 infants identified, 168 were born with opioid neonatal abstinence syndrome and 160 with a nonopioid withdrawal syndrome. Control mothers had more prenatal visits than mothers in the nonopioid and opioid groups. Newborns of control mothers had higher Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes than both substance-using groups. Opioid-using mothers were almost twice as likely to have newborns requiring intensive care and 3 times as likely to use benzodiazepines compared to the other substance-using mothers. Substance-using mothers had more premature babies than controls.
Conclusions: Prenatal opioid use is a substantial risk factor for prematurity. Newborns diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome are at risk of perinatal complications. Mothers using opioids during pregnancy also tend to use other substances. Longitudinal research should clarify how prenatal substance use interacts with other risk factors during a child's first years.


The impact of innovation and human capital on economic performance has drawn more and more attention. This is greatly due to the strong trend of globalization and technology development, which characterize the economy as technology or innovation oriented developing pattern. Human capital and innovation are considered as the endogenous factors for supporting the long run economic growth in the new growth theories. In the thesis, we emphasized the multiple relationships between innovation, human capital and economic growth. In the quantitative analysis, the econometric test basically supports the conventional theories about human capital and innovation's significant positive influence on economic performance in the long run. Thus promoting innovation's development would be the top priorities for both policy makers and individual firms. In the short run analysis, the Swedish empirical case implies that economic level and old knowledge's impact on innovation's creation is tremendous. What's more, we should also notice that there is an obvious time lag for human capital and R&D investment to significantly affect innovations' development.


The present study was designed to compare the protective effect of selenium and garlic against liver and kidney damage induced by (ip) injection of 0.5 mg/kg mercury chloride (HgCl(2)) in rats. Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the present experiment and divided into six groups: one group was orally given (1 ml) saline and served as a control group; two groups of rats were given either selenium (0.1 mg/kg) or garlic (63 mg/kg) alone, once daily an oral dose for 30 successive days; other two groups of rats were given either selenium or garlic alone, once daily a dose for 15 successive days prior to HgCl(2) injection and on the next 15 successive days simultaneously with HgCl(2) injection; and the last group of rats was injected ip with HgCl(2) for 15 days and at the end of the experiment (which lasted 30 days), blood samples for the biochemical analysis were obtained from all rats after being lightly anesthetized with ether, and specimens of kidney and liver were removed and prepared for histochemical study. Computer image analysis was applied to liver and kidney tissues to evaluate the DNA density and DNA ploidy pattern in different groups. The results revealed that the rats injected with HgCl(2) showed a significant increase in levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) by 29.3%, 62.5%, 29.46% and 30.61%, respectively, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) showed a significant decrease by 22.6% as compared with saline control group. Rats that were given selenium in combination with the HgCl(2) injection showed a significant decrease in BUN, Serum creatinine, ALT and AST levels, while ALP was significantly increased as compared with HgCl(2) group. Also rats that were given garlic in combination with HgCl(2) injection showed a significant decrease in BUN, Serum creatinine, ALT and AST levels, although serum ALP level showed an increase as compared to HgCl(2) group. Rats that had been orally administered selenium or garlic alone did not show any significant changes in the serum level of BUN, Serum creatinine, ALT and AST but there was a significant decrease in ALP level as compared with saline control group. The cytometric results revealed that injection of HgCl(2) induced an increase in the DNA density in kidney tissues with an increase in aneuploid cells and decrease in diploid cells. However, DNA density decreased in liver tissues with mild decrease in diploid cells and little percentage of aneuploid cells. We can conclude that oral administration of either selenium or garlic produces a significant protection against liver and kidney damage induced by the HgCl(2) injection, but garlic appears to be more protective.


Objective: To establish a nude mouse model of subcutaneous lung cancer using dual fluorescence reporting genes of luciferase (Luc) and near-infrared fluorescent protein (iRFP). Methods: The Luc and iRFP expressed lentiviral vector was constructed by Gateway method. After verified by sequencing, the lentivirus particle was prepared and infected into lung cancer A549 cells. Successfully infected A549 (mA549) cells were selected by puromycin and amplified. The expression of Luc and iRFP were observed under fluorescence microscope, and the expression of c-Met protein on the cell surface was detected by immunofluorescence. Twelve female nude mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, 6 in each group. A549 and mA549 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the right forelimb of nude mice. The growth and fluorescence expression of the tumor were observed by in vivo imaging. The tumor formation was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry. Results: The Luc and iRFP stably expressed mA549 cell line was successfully constructed. The expressions of iRFP and Luc in mA549 cells were observed under fluorescence microscope. The results of immunofluorescence showed that c-Met protein expressed in both A549 cells and mA549 cells. The growth period of mA549 xenograft in nude mice was moderate and the tumorigenesis rate was 100%. The growth trend of mA549 cells in vivo was not significantly different from that of A549 cells (P>0.05). HE staining and immunohistochemistry results showed that the tumor issues displayed typical histopathological features of tumor. Immunohistochemistry results showed that both A549 and mA549 tumors expressed c-Met protein. Conclusion: A stable, real-time monitoring model of iRFP-Luc-A549 lung cancer cell xenograft in nude mice was successfully constructed.


This paper focuses on the efforts of one organisation to develop the organisational competences required to succeed in realising benefits from IS/IT investments. The case study takes the perspective that the development of competences for benefits realisation is a programme of organisational change. This perspective has been valuable and has helped identify a number of lessons for other organisations. Previous work on benefits realization from IS/IT has largely focused at the project level. The main contribution of this paper is to focus upon the management of benefits at the portfolio level, and then identify a number of areas in which portfolio-level practices might fruitfully be established. The study also makes a contribution to the developing literature on IS competences and capabilities by providing new insights into why it is as important to proactively manage IS projects at the portfolio level, as it is at the individual project level.


I present reasons for adding an embodiment criterion to the list defended by Anderson & Lebiere (A&L). I also entertain a likely objection contending that embodiment is merely a type of dynamic behavior and is therefore covered by the target article. In either case, it turns out that neither connectionism nor ACT-R do particularly well when it comes to embodiment.


Understanding macroevolutionary processes using phylogenetic trees is a challenging and complex process that draws on mathematics, computer science and biology. Given the development of complex mathematical models and the growing computational processing power, simulation tools are becoming increasingly popular. In order to simulate phylogenetic trees, most evolutionary biologists are forced to build their own algorithms or use existing tools built on different platforms and/or as standalone programmes. The absence of a simulation tool accommodating for user‐chosen model specifications limits, amongst others, model testing and pipelining with approximate Bayesian computation methods or other subsequent statistical analysis. We introduce "TreeSimGM," an r‐package simulation tool for phylogenetic trees under a general Bellman and Harris model. This package allows the user to specify any desired probability distribution for the waiting times until speciation and extinction (e.g. age‐dependent speciation/extinction). Upon speciation, the user can specify whether one descendant species corresponds to the ancestor species inheriting its age or whether both descendant species are new species of age 0. Moreover, it is possible to scale the waiting time to speciation/extinction for newly formed species. Thus, "TreeSimGM" not only allows the user to simulate stochastic phylogenetic trees assuming several popular existing models, such as the Yule model, the constant‐rate birth–death model, and proportional to distinguishable arrangement models, but it also allows the user to formulate new models for exploration. A short explanation of the supported models and a few examples of how to use our package are presented here. As an r‐package, "TreeSimGM" allows flexible and powerful stochastic phylogenetic tree simulations. Moreover, it facilitates the pipelining of outputs or inputs with other functions in r. "TreeSimGM" contributes to the tools available to the r community in the fields of ecology and evolution, is freely available under the GPL‐2 licence and can be downloaded at https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/TreeSimGM.


The purpose of this study was to examine three experimental hypotheses: (1) each grade level in the study will show greater physical distances in interpersonal spacing as the grade level increases in both child-to-child and child-to-adult relationships, (2) interpersonal spacing will be greater in child-to-adult relationships than in child-to-child relationships, and (3) there will be a correlation between a child's self-esteem and his interpersonal spacing in both child-to-child and child-to-adult relationships. Two basic instruments were used in testing the hypotheses: (1) Interpersonal Spacing Measurement Apparatus and (2) modified Self-Esteem Inventory Short Form B. The three hypotheses were accepted and significant at better than the .01 level.


The induction dose of propofol is higher in younger children (2.9 mg/kg for infants younger than 2 years) than in older children (2.2 mg/kg for children 6-12 years of age). A modest reduction in systolic blood pressure often accompanies bolus administration. The major concern with propofol is the potential for propofol infusion syndrome (lactic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, cardiac and renal failure), which is generally associated with high-dose infusion for an extended period. We report a 38-days-old male infant underwent emergency bilateral inguinal hernia repair who accidentally received a five-fold dose of propofol for induction of general anesthesia.


This report is the consensus-based, agreed position of the participants in a workshop for experts in sputum smear microscopy organised in August 2005 by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), and as such reflects their views, but not necessarily those of their respective organisations. The group reviewed current practices in sputum smear microscopy for tuberculosis (TB) and suggests considering certain changes in standard guidelines for the sputum collection strategy and the definition of sputum smear-positive TB. The Ziehl-Neelsen staining guidelines need to incorporate a wider error margin for widespread application under field conditions. Quality assurance is of utmost importance, and needs more commitment from National Tuberculosis Programmes and other health authorities. In particular, allocation of sufficient resources for rechecking and integration of laboratory supervision must be ensured. Countries must make better investments in the purchase of high quality microscopes and laboratory supplies. To address the human resource crisis, personnel without specific laboratory schooling can, in principle, be trained to respond to immediate needs for TB diagnostic microscopy services. Periodic reporting on acid-fast smear examinations is highly desirable for regular monitoring and a more balanced provision of supplies.


OBJECTIVE
To study the mechanism of Shenkangling (SKL), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, combined with prednisone in treating adriamycin-induced nephropathy in rats.

METHODS
Sixty-six SD male rats were randomly divided into normal control group, untreated group, prednisone group, SKL group and SKL plus prednisone group. Except the normal control group, rats were injected once via caudal vein with adriamycin (5.5 mg/kg) to induce nephropathy. Then, the rats were administered with prednisone, SKL, prednisone plus SKL or distilled water for 3 weeks, respectively. After harvest, 24-hour urine protein excretion, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) contents in serum, and content of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 in mononuclear cells were determined, and correlation analysis among these parameters was performed. The content of NF-kappaB p65 was assayed with the patented method of Active Motif; TNF-alpha was assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the content of NO was assessed by the method of nitrate reductase. The change of foot process in renal glomerulus was observed under an electron microscope.

RESULTS
When the rats were administered with prednisone, SKL correspondingly, the contents of NF-kappaB p65, TNF-alpha and NO as well as 24-hour urine protein excretion were lower than those in the untreated group (P<0.01), and the fusion of foot process only recovered partially. Compared with other treated groups, the contents of NF-kappaB p65 and NO as well as 24-hour urine protein excretion were significantly decreased in SKL plus prednisone group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the fusion of foot process recovered mostly also. There was no interaction between SKL and prednisone in decreasing the content of TNF-alpha.

CONCLUSION
Renal injury can be postponed and improved when treated with SKL plus prednisone; it may contribute to the depression of abnormal activation of NF-kappaB, and the inhibition of production of TNF-alpha and NO.


Pre-industrial human impacts on the past environment are apparent in different proxy records at different times in different places. Recognizing environmentally transformative human impacts in palaeoenvironmental archives, as opposed to natural variability, is a key challenge in understanding the nature of the transition to the Earth's current 'Anthropocene' condition. Here, we consider the palaeoenvironmental record for Iceland over the past 2.5 ka, both before and after the late ninth century human settlement (landnám). The Scandinavian colonization of the island was essentially abrupt, involving thousands of people over a short period. The colonization triggered extensive changes in Icelandic ecosystems and landscapes. A volcanic ash known as the Landnám tephra was deposited over most of Iceland immediately before the settlement began. The Landnám tephra layer thus provides a uniquely precise litho-chrono-stratigraphic marker of colonization. We utilize this marker horizon as an independent definition of the effective onset of the local palaeoanthropocene (which is conceptually related to, but distinct from, the global Anthropocene). This allows us to evaluate proxy records for human impact on the Icelandic environment and to assess how and when they show transformative impact. Based on this analysis, we consider the implications for understanding and defining the Anthropocene in those areas of the Earth where such a clear independent marker of the onset of significant human impacts is lacking.


Slow natural variations of the tropical Pacific Ocean have a worldwide climatic impact which motivates understanding and predicting this low-frequency variability. The Pacific subtropical cells (STCs), an ocean circulation that connects the subtropics to the tropics in each hemisphere, have been proposed to drive such slow variations. In this thesis, we closely analyse different physical mechanisms by which the STCs can act as a driver. We show that variations in the strength of the Southern hemisphere STC as well as the equatorward transport of density compensated temperature anomalies by both STCs play a dominant role in inducing low-frequency variability.


Radio frequency identification (RFID) has been considered as a time- and money-saving solution for a wide variety of applications, such as manufacturing, supply chain management, and inventory control. However, there is a growing need in the RFID community to research and find out the approach to overcome the problems posed by the privacy and information security of RFID system. This paper briefly presents the current solutions to security and privacy of RFID application system. After that an improved approach is proposed which is based on random number assisting and symmetric encryption. Then, the paper analyzes it from both security and privacy points of view. Finally, it gets the conclusion that this scheme prevents tracking, spoofing and attacking by adversaries effectively.


This work briefly assesses the history of the AIDS epidemic in different geographic regions and examines factors that render developing countries particularly vulnerable. It reviews the three main techniques of traditional therapeutic systems and examines their implications for psychiatric treatment of AIDS patients from developing countries. Young age structures, low rates of condom usage, women's lack of education and of sexual bargaining power, and the deficiencies of health and educational facilities are among factors that increase risks of HIV in developing countries. Health education geared to specific audiences should encourage condom use and other preventive measures. Among factors to encourage condom use, group decision making appears to be of greatest potential influence on behavior in sub-Saharan Africa and among African immigrants to Europe. To encourage preventive measures and to understand reactions of non-Western populations to HIV, it is desirable to understand the deeper meanings of their cultures and of traditional therapies. It is difficult and misguided to pose a diagnosis according to the criteria of Western psychiatry. Western psychiatry has been proven incompetent in its attempts to treat members of traditional societies, whether immigrants or in their countries of origin. And attempts to integrate traditional healing into a western medical system have not been successful. Traditional systems accomplish therapeutic goals by three major techniques, possession, shamanism, and clairvoyance, or their numerous variants. It is recommended that group sessions be held with immigrants requiring treatment, in which the principal therapist is assisted by translators, who help create a space for the patient intermediate between the two cultures, where the therapies can coexist without conflict.


In acute experiments on anaesthetized rats from three age groups (15-20, 25-30 days of postnatal life, adult ones), studies have been made on water basins of the organism after peroral injection of hypertonic (2.5-5%) solutions of NaCl (5 and 10 ml per 100 g of the body weight). It was demonstrated that during ontogenesis, total content of water decreases mainly at the expense of extracellular fluid. Infusion of saline solutions into the stomach of rats decreases fluid content in all water basins, especially in the interstitial one. The level of changes depends on the volume of the injected solution and, to a greater extent, on the concentration of the latter and the age of animals. The described response is due to osmotic transport of water into the alimentary tract, as suggested by the decrease of water content in this tract. The role of the digestive tract in osmotic and volume regulation during peroral salt loading is discussed.


A novel wire bonded GaN rectifier for high-power wireless power transfer (WPT) applications is proposed. The low breakdown voltage in silicon Schottky diodes limits the high-power operations of microwave rectifier. The proposed microwave rectifier consists of a high breakdown voltage GaN rectifying element for high-power operation and a novel low loss impedance matching technique for high efficiency performance. Wire bonding method is adopted to provide electrical connection between GaN chip and board which induces undesirable inductance. In order to realize high efficiency performance, an impedance matching network is proposed to exploit the unavoidable inductance along with a single shunt capacitor, resulting in a low loss matching circuit to achieve a compact high-power rectifier. The fabricated GaN rectifier exhibits a good performance in the high-power region and can withstand up to 39 dBm input power before reaching the breakdown limit at the operating frequency of 0.915 GHz and load resistance of $100~\Omega $ . It has a compact size and exhibits high efficiency performance in high-power region (achieved a maximum efficiency of 61.2% at 39 dBm), making it suitable for high-power applications like future unmanned intelligent devices and WPT in space applications.


The present study was designed to investigate the anti-allergic effects of ethanolic extract of Alternanthera sessilis (AS-1) in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. It significantly reduced the β-hexosaminidase release from anti-DNP-IgE sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. AS-1also inhibited the IgE antibody-induced increase in Interleukin-6 (IL-6), TNF-α, IL-13 and IL-4 production in these cells. The inhibitory effect of AS-1 on these cytokine was found to be nuclear factor-KB (NF-kB) dependent, as it attenuated the degradation of IKBa and nuclear translocation of NFkB. In addition, AS-1 significantly attenuated the DNP HAS-induced intracellular Ca2+ release from these cells, which makes us speculate strongly that the decreased intracellular Ca2+ is involved in the inhibitory effect of AS-1 on β-hexoaminidase release. Taken together, anti-allergic effects of AS-1 suggest possible therapeutic application of this extract in allergic diseases.


Every language which conforms to classical logic is shown to have an extension for which a consistent definitional theory of truth is formulated. Also a consistent semantical theory of truth is formulated for that extension if every sentence of the object language is valuated by its meaning either as true or as false. These theories contain both a truth predicate and a non-truth predicate. The case where they compose with predicates having several free variables is also included. Theories are equivalent when the sentences of the object language are valuated by their meanings.


Insulin resistance is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, an increasingly common disorder. The cause of insulin resistance is supposedly failures in the processes used by insulin to signal to the interior of its target cells. These failing steps are still unknown, most probably because of incomplete knowledge of how the insulin signals are transmitted. Since insulin resistance is strongly linked to obesity, defects in lipid metabolism or other adipocyte functions, may be an important factor in the development of this pathological states. It is therefore of particular interest to study insulin signalling and lipid metabolism in adipose tissue. More specifically, the aim of this thesis was to study the regulation of adipocyte protein kinase B (PKB), an insulin-stimulated kinase that has been implicated in mediating many of insulin's metabolic as well as mitogenic effects. We have shown, that in response to insulin, adipocyte PKB translocates from the cytosol to the plasma membrane in a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K)-dependent manner. This is believed to induce a conformational change in PKB, allowing it to be phosphorylated and activated by the upstream kinases phosphoinositide-dependent kinase (PDK) -1 and 2. We have demonstrated that PKBs in primary adipocytes is unphosphorylated prior to stimulation, and insulin mainly induces phosphorylation on Ser-474. Furthermore, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) was identified as the phosphatase responsible for dephosphorylation and deactivation of PKB in adipocytes. In addition, we have initiated an investigation regarding the regulation and role of PDK1 in adipocytes. Endogenous PDK1 was shown not to be activated, but to translocate from the cytosol to the membrane fraction, in response to insulin. Moreover, adenoviral-mediated expression of PDK1 was used in order to assess the role of PDK1 in primary adipocytes. A recent study has been focused on the kinase inhibitor dimethylaminopurine (DMAP), and its effects on metabolic signalling pathways in adipocytes. DMAP was demonstrated to inhibit insulin-induced glucose uptake, antilipolysis and lipogenesis. Possible molecular targets, inhibition of which may mediate the effects of DMAP, were shown to be PKB and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In summary, this thesis has provided valuable information regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying insulin-induced activation of PKB, a key component of the insulin signalling pathway. (Less)


The effects of social transfers on individual participation and working hours are theoretically shown to differ for unitary and bargaining intra-household allocation models. This result is attributed to both the non-transferability of in-kind social transfers and differences in control of these transfers among household members. Using elasticities of social transfers on work effort (estimated through sample selection corrected participation probits and working hour OLS), new tests on intra-household allocation are developed for Chile. These tests strongly reject the unitary model and exogenous bargaining, accepting endogenous bargaining only among non-poor households. Poor households may use social incomes as investments for the future rather than for short-term strategic power relations.


A safe and affordable ingestible thermometer measuring core body temperature has the potential to become a future healthcare device for versatile applications in daily life. In this study, we developed an ingestible thermometer charged by a gastric acid battery. The device can operate in bowels by using the charged energy in multilayer ceramic capacitors as a storage capacitor. Adopting this strategy for energy storage solves the issues related to a conventional button battery: risk of injury to the digestive tract, bad disposability, and degradation. Additionally, to make it easy to assemble a coil antenna and electrical circuits in the device automatically, we developed a fabrication process based on a vertical stacking process of printed circuit boards with coil patterns. The dimensions of the prototyped device were smaller than those of existing ingestible thermometers. In an experiment involving a dog, we successfully recorded the temperature in the digestive tract for 24 h in cycles of approximately 10 or 20 min, using a rectal thermometer and an existing ingestible thermometer as references. The temperature variations in time among our device, rectal thermometer, and existing ingestible thermometer were almost parallel. The recording ability of the core body temperature using our device has the potential to measure basal body temperature during sleep, the circadian rhythm, and fever type easily and robustly in daily life. Our ingestible thermometer is a step toward the development of sensors that can be swallowed for preventive medicine and health promotion.


This catalog explores the psychological and social implications contained in the hybrid creatures and fantastic scenarios created by contemporary artists whose works will appear in the exhibition "Fairy Tales, Monsters, and the Genetic Imagination, " which opens at Nashville's Frist Center for the Visual Arts in February 2012. Curator Mark Scala's introductory essay focuses on anthropomorphism in the mythology, folklore, and art of many cultures as it contrasts with the dominant Western view of human exceptionalism. Scala also provides an art historical context, linking the visual fabulists of today to artists of the Romantic, Symbolist, and Surrealist periods who sought to transcend oppositions such as rationality and intuition, fear and desire, the physical and the spiritual. Discussing how artists adapt traditional stories to give mythic form to the very real dilemmas of contemporary life, Jack Zipes's "Fairy-Tale Collisions" centers on Paula Rego, Kiki Smith, and Cindy Sherman. From a generation of women who have attained prominence since the 1980s, these artists alter fairy-tale imagery to subvert or rewrite social roles and codes. In "Metamorphosis of the Monstrous," Marina Warner discusses works in the exhibition in the context of historical conceptions of monsters as expressions of alterity, bestiality, or sinfulness. Her reminder that contemporary monster images offer "a promise and a warning about the variety, heterogeneity, and possible combinations and recombinations in the order of things" sets the stage for Suzanne Anker's essay, punningly titled "The Extant Vamp (or the) Ire of It All: Fairy Tales and Genetic Engineering." Considering representations of hybrid bodies by Patricia Piccinini, Janaina Tschape, Saya Woolfalk, and others, which evoke imagined beings of the past as a way to envision the recombinant creatures that may lie in the future, Anker shows how artists explore the social, ethical, and future implications of biological design and enhanced evolution. Accompanying an exhibition of contemporary art in which depictions of marvelous creatures and fantastic narratives provide both chills and delights, the essays in "Fairy Tales, Monsters, and the Genetic Imagination" explore the meaning of this fabulist revival through the lenses of social and art history, literature, feminism, animal studies, and science.


In his "Theses On the Philosophy of History" (1940), Walter Benjamin called for a blasting open of the continuum of history. His call was one that would bring into question teleological narratives of progress, and urge a radical rethinking of the concept of the "present". Similarly, Judith Jack Halberstam considers the ability of new temporal logics to "open up new life narratives and alternative relations to time and space" (2005). Though differently conceptualised, these insights from Benjamin and Halberstam make poignant interventions on the pitfalls of unreflective time, and the political possibilities of imagining a new temporality. What do such insights mean for feminist legal studies? Has an orientation towards a "future" feminist ideal been productive in feminist legal scholarship and activism? How does your own work engage with temporality? Does a reconceptualization of time offer any insight for your work, or for feminist legal projects more generally? Discussion of these questions intends to interrogate what is often taken for granted as "progress" within the field, and to consider the benefits and drawbacks of thinking feminist research and activism inside or outside (or indeed of deploying this dualism in the first place) the domain of chronological time. This Roundtable Discussion was recorded at the PECANS (Postgraduate and Early Career Academics Network) conference, 'Transgressing Power(s)', held at the University of Westminster, UK, on 30 April 2010. It was organised by Stacy Douglas and chaired by Sarah Keenan.


Photocatalytic abatement of o-xylene was investigated by immobilized ZnO on granular activated carbon (ZnO/GAC) under UV irradiation. Immobilization of ZnO increased the breakthrough time and removal capacity by 51 and 57%, respectively, in optimal conditions. The catalytic potential of the ZnO/GAC (86.5%) for o-xylene removal was far greater than simple GAC (13.5%), at the optimum condition. The maximum removal capacity with ZnO/GAC (3.12g o-xylene /gZnO/GAC) was observed at 100 °C, while the maximum removal capacity of simple GAC (1.37 g oxylene/g GAC) was observed a t 20 °C. The main intermediates of the o-xylene oxidation in photocatalytic process with GAC were methanoic acid, o-nitro-p-cresol, phenylmethanal, and methyl di-phenyl-methane. ZnO/GAC can highly catalyze the degradation of o-xylene in the presence of UV, with methanoic acid being the major intermediate desorbed from the bed. The results demonstrated that the ZnO/GAC is an efficient option for the removal of VOCs and biohazards emitted from industrial streams.


We report a developed single-flux-quantum (SFQ) circuit fabrication process for vertically-stacked interface-treated Josephson junctions by using high-temperature superconductor (HTS) and also report the 500 GHz operation of a toggle flip-flop (TFF). As the first trial of the circuit operation, we fabricated TFF circuits, because TFF is used as a benchmark circuit to indicate potential of the circuit operating speed. To develop the circuit fabrication process, we utilized the counter YBCO layer as a wiring layer. We obtained resistively-shunted-junction behavior of single junction fabricated by new process. In addition, we observed current-voltage characteristics at the input port and the output port of the TFF, and confirmed that the input voltage coincided with twice the output voltage up to 1.1 mV at 4.2 K, which corresponds to the correct operation up to 500 GHz. This frequency is the highest value in HTS circuits ever observed, which suggests the high potential of the vertically-stacked JJs for the circuit operation.


It has been well-documented in the literature that there are many physical and psychological benefits to be derived from regular aerobic exercise. It has also been noted that adherence/compliance to aerobic exercise regimens tends to be quite low. Investigators have found that a number of factors tend to correlate with adherence, but it has been difficult thus far to determine a mechanism which underlies a tendency to adhere versus a tendency to drop-out. This study examined the problem of non-adherence from the perspective of Self-Efficacy Theory (Bandura, 1977). Subjects for this investigation included all patients seen during a four week period in the Cooper Clinic at the Aerobics Center in Dallas, Texas. Patients at the clinic receive a complete physical examination and health prescriptions based upon the results of their examination. During this four week period, half were administered a Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Approximately three months later all patients seen during this four week period received a followup (adherence questionnaire in the mail). It was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between responses on the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and responses on the Adherence Questionnaire. A second hypothesis stated that there would be a positive relationship between items which specifically pertained to exercise on each of the questionnaires. In addition, it was expected that there would be no difference in adherence rates between those who made self-efficacy judgments and those who did not. Results of a t-test conducted between the group which made self-efficacy judgments and the group that was not asked to make such an evaluation demonstrated no significant difference in adherence rates. A correlational analysis revealed that there was not a statistically significant relationship between total self-efficacy scores and total adherence scores. There was, however, a statistically significant relationship between levels of exercise self-efficacy and levels of exercise adherence. In addition to these main variables of interest, correlations between other variables (sex, age, percent bodyfat, etc.) were examined and discussed.


Background Injury is one of the leading causes for deaths of adolescent at present, and injury in adolescent has become a major concern for international researchers. China Health Statistical Yearbook 2011 reported that injury has become the most prevalence cause of death for both urban and rural adolescents. In order to have a thorough understanding of current situation of adolescent injury, and to give scientific evidence in the future, this article tries to systematically estimate the incidence and to examine factors that contribute to the variations in incidence of adolescent injury among studies. Methods The term "adolescent" in this study is strict to population aged between 10 and 19 years old. Wanfang, CNKI, EBSCO and PubMed Databases were searched for adolescent injury data, based on quantitative studies between 2005 and 2015. Meta-analysis was used to calculate the pooled size of effect and to identify the sources of variation using STATA Version 12.0. Results A total of 71 articles using data from regional surveys were identified in the review. Results showed that the estimated injury number of people and person- time were 26.4% (95% CI: 21.8%–31.1%) and 24.0% (95% CI: 22.4 % −25.7%), respectively. Differences by gender and grade could be found. When summarising data of the past decade, it is found that the incidence of adolescent injury fluctuated, while recent years have witnessed a significant increase. The type occurred in adolescents with the highest frequency is falling. Conclusions Male and middle school students are more vulnerable to get injured, which indicates close attention should be paid to those groups. Moreover, due to increasing incidence of injury during the past years, efficient monitoring and intervention should be taken into consideration for administrators and policy-makers.


Sectoral and territorial specificities affect a firm's capabilities of being productive. While there is a wide consensus on this, a quantitative measure of these effects has been lacking. To this end, we combine a data-set of Italian firms with some meso regional and sectoral variables and apply a cross-classified model that allows for a clear distinction between firm, region-specific and sector-specific effects. After observing a marked TFP heterogeneity across firms, the paper addresses the issue of understanding how much differences in firms' productivity depend on regional localisation and sector specificities. Results refer to 2004–2006 and have three aspects. First, they confirm that the main source of firm variety is mostly due to differences revealed at individual level. Secondly, we find that the sector is more important than location in explaining firms' TFP. Lastly, the results show that firm TFP increases when it belongs to more innovative sectors. Similarly, companies get benefits from belonging to sectors where there is a high proportion of firms using R&D public support and a high propensity to collaborate in innovative projects.


The Jannelsepan Formation forms part of the 1.30 to 1.24 Ga Areachap Group. It is a pre-tectonic calc-alkaline volcano-sedimentary unit in the 1.2 to 1.0 Ga Namaqua Sector of the Namaqua-Natal Metamorphic Province. The main rock types are amphibolites with subordinate clinopyroxene or biotite. Although some primary volcanic textures have been identified, primary features are generally poorly preserved. Minor interlayered units include felsic metavolcanic rocks, pelitic schists and calc-silicate rocks which may represent primary marls. Field and geochemical evidence suggests that the Jannelsepan Formation represents metamorphosed basaltic to intermediate lavas and associated sedimentary rocks which formed in a subduction-related arc setting.


Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) is currently performed in multiple centers world-wide, with several different surgical approaches and techniques utilized. A comprehensive review of the published literature worldwide on laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was performed to outline the evolution of this technique, and to review the published surgical, oncological and functional results. A systematic review of peer reviewed articles concerning laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was obtained using Medline query. LRP is being performed in multiple centers worldwide, using a variety of surgical approaches and technologies. Analysis of perioperative parameters, including surgical blood loss, operative time, complications and convalescence, demonstrates a low morbidity and shows a clear trend in improvement with increased experience. The functional results, as recorded by postoperative urinary and sexual functions, appear encouraging. The reported positive surgical margin rates decrease with more recent series. Oncological results and cancer control rates as measured by PSA recurrence and disease-free intervals are difficult to ascertain in the immature series published to date. LRP has witnessed tremendous popularity and widespread implementation in specialized centers worldwide. LRP represents a technically demanding laparoscopic procedure with a difficult learning curve, but can be performed systematically with standard techniques. The advantages include shorter convalescence and markedly lower operative blood loss, with quicker removal of the urinary catheter. Long-term functional and oncologic results are not yet available.


Being an extreme environment, the atmosphere may act as a selective barrier for bacterial dispersal, where only most robust organisms survive. By remaining viable during atmospheric transport, these cells affect the patterns of microbial distribution and modify the chemical composition of the atmosphere. The species evenness and richness, and the community composition of a storm cloud were studied applying cultivation-dependent and cultivation-independent techniques to a collection of hailstones. In toto 231 OTUs were identified, and the total species richness was estimated to be about 1800 OTUs. The diversity indices - species richness and evenness - suggest a functionally stable community, capable of resisting environmental stress. A broad substrate spectrum of the isolates with epiphytic origin (genus Methylobacterium) implied opportunistic ecologic strategy with high growth rates and fast growth responses. These may grow in situ despite their short residence times in cloud droplets. In addition, epiphytic isolates utilized many atmospheric organic compounds, including a variety of carboxylic acids. In summary, the highly diverse bacterial community, within which the opportunistic bacteria may be particularly important in terms of atmospheric chemistry, is likely to remain functional under stressful conditions. Overall our study adds important details to the growing evidence of active microbial life in clouds.


Prevalence and incidence of foodborne illness in developing countries has risen in recent times as a result of increased demand for Ready-To- Eat (RTE) foods. The current study assessed the microbiological quality of khebab sold at selected areas within the Kumasi metropolis. A total of 36 khebab samples were purchased and analyzed for Total Viable Count (TVC), Total Coliforms Count (TCC) and Thermotolerant Coliforms Count (TTC). The results showed that the mean TVC, TCC and TTC in beef khebab at the different locations ranged from 6.91- 7.23 Log10 CFU/g, 7.25-9.23 Log10 MPN/g and 4.97-7.75 Log10 MPN/g respectively. For chevon khebab, it ranged from 6.83-7.25 Log10 CFU/g, 7.98 - 9.23 Log10 MPN/g and 6.61-8.81 Log10 MPN/g respectively. That of gizzard khebab ranged from 6.89-7.30 Log10 CFU/g, 7.98-9.23 Log10 MPN/g and 6.89-7.53 Log10 MPN/g respectively. The mean TVC, TCC and TTC for the beef khebab were not significant (p = 0.680, 0.055 and 0.070) respectively. For the chevon, the TVC and TCC were not significant (p = 0.547 and 0.121) respectively but that of the TTC was significant (p = 0.034). The mean TVC, TCC and TTC of the gizzard were not significant (p = 0.794, 0.056 and 0.822) respectively at the different locations. These mean microbial loads (TVC, TCC and TTC) in the khebab samples exceeded the standard acceptable limits (? 5 Log CFU/g and ? 2 Log10 MPN/g). Since the microbial loads exceeded the standard acceptable limits, it could put consumers at high risk of contracting foodborne infection. This result should prompt the relevant institutions responsible for ensuring food safety in the metropolis to strictly enforce the standard regulations on food safety practices as well as carry out adequate monitoring to avoid possible foodborne infections.

 Key words: Khebabs, total viable count, total coliforms count, thermotolerant coliforms count.


Carbon/phenolic composite (CPC) materials have obvious advantages over conventional materials, which are consisting of carbon fibers embedded in a carbon matrix. The CPCs have become to be utilized as parts of aerospace applications and its low density, high thermal conductivity and excellent mechanical properties at elevated temperatures make it an ideal material for aircraft brake disks. Because of permeation of coupling medium such as water, it is desirable to perform contact-less nondestructive evaluation to assess material properties and part homogeneity. In this work, a C/P(Carbon/phenolic) composite material was characterized with non-contact and contact ultrasonic methods using automated acquisition scanner. Also through transmission mode was performed because of the main limitation for air-coupled transducers, which is the acoustic impedance mismatch between most materials and air. Especially ultrasonic images and velocities for C/C(Carbon/Carbon) composite disk brake was measured and found to be consistent to some degree with the non-contact and contact ultrasonic measurement methods. Low frequency throughtransmission scans based on both amplitude and time-of-flight of the ultrasonic pulse were used for mapping out the material property inhomogeneity. Measured results were compared with those obtained by the motorized system with using dry-coupling ultrasonics and through transmission method in immersion. Finally, results using a proposed peak-delay measurement method well corresponded to ultrasonic velocities of the pulse overlap method.


A chapter on yarns presents the different processes of yarn spinning, explains twisting, and includes in the illustrations single, ply, core, chenille, and novelty yarns magnified to bring out characteristics which influence and contribute to the appeal of the final fabric. The preparation of the yarns for further processing on the different machines which construct the fabric is adequately explained. The construction of fabrics is treated by chapters covering weaving, knitting, lace-making, and felting. The dyeing, printing, and finishing information further guides the reader to the ultimate fabric. Included in the illustrations are photographs which show principal steps in all phases of manufacture and photographic studies of representative fabrics to convey texture and pattern. A chapter on fabric names, descriptions, and end-


The current paper describes finite element simulation of the complete manufacturing and service exposure history of girth-welded austenitic steel pipes fabricated from ESSHETE 1250 material for the STYLE Framework 7 project. The simulation campaign examines the impacts of prior quenching of pipe material, fabrication of closely adjacent welds, variation in mixed isotropic-kinematic hardening material constitutive models, and high temperature (650°C) service exposure (thermal ageing). The predicted residual stresses are validated using measurements made with the deep hole drilling (DHD) and incremental deep hole drilling (iDHD) techniques.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


Digital tomosynthesis is an imaging technique that reconstructs tomographic planes in an object from a set of projection images taken over a fixed angle1. Preliminary results show that this technique increases the detectability of lung nodules2. Current settings acquire images with approximately the same exposure as a screen-film lateral. However, due to the increased detectability of lung nodules from the removal of overlying structures, patient dose may be reduced while still maintaining increased sensitivity and specificity over conventional chest radiographs. This study describes a simulation method that provides realistic reduced dose images by adding noise to digital chest tomosynthesis images in order to simulate lower exposure settings for the purpose of dose optimization. Tomosynthesis projections of human subjects were taken at dose levels which were specified based on either patient thickness or a photo-timed digital chest radiograph acquired prior to tomosynthesis acquisition. For the purposes of this study, subtle nodules of varying size were simulated in the image for demonstration purposes before the noise simulation in order to have a known truth for nodule location and to evaluate the effect of additive noise on tumor detection. Noise was subsequently added in order to simulate 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 of the original exposure in each projection. The projections were then processed with the MITS algorithm to produce slice images. This method will be applied to a study of dose reduction in the future using human subject cases.


The use of bamboo as an aggregate substitution is an effort to reduce the specific gravity of concrete, especially in the production of lightweight concrete. The use of bamboo material has the consequence of decreasing the compressive strength value of concrete. This study aims to determine the magnitude of the effect of the use of bamboo substitution on concrete on the compressive strength and specific gravity values. The bamboo material used is sized 15-30 mm in various shapes. The type of bamboo used is petung bamboo (Dendrocalamus Asper). As for the variations in the use of bamboo in the test specimens are 50% and 75% pieces of bamboo of the same shape, 50% and 75% pieces of bamboo form variations, of the weight of coarse aggregate. The research sample is in the form of a cube test object with a size of 15 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm. Based on the results of the study there was a decrease in the value of the concrete mortar slump along with the addition of the percentage of bamboo aggregate substitution. Concrete absorbs water which is indicated by an increase in water absorption in concrete test specimens which reaches 4.81%. The decrease also occurs in the specific gravity and compressive strength of the test specimen. The minimum value of average concrete density with bamboo substitution for various variations was obtained at 1902.2 kg/m3 (Bamboo Test Objects with Variation Shape 75%), and a maximum of 1991.1 kg/m3 (Bamboo Test Objects with 50% Equal Shape and Objects Bamboo Test Variation in the Form of 50%). The maximum compressive strength value is 135.1 kg/cm2 (Bamboo Test Objects of the Same Shape of 50%) and a minimum of 104.4 kg/cm2 (Bamboo Test Objects of 75% Variation Shape). Variations in the shape of bamboo pieces do not have much effect on the compressive strength of concrete.


These seven essays offer fresh perspectives on beauty's role in revelation. Each essay features a hermeneutical approach informed by the contemporary study of aesthetics. Covering a series of texts in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, from Adam and Eve in the garden to Jesus on trial in the Fourth Gospel, the authors engage beauty from three overarching perspectives: modern philosophy, contextual criticism, and the postcritical return to beauty's primary qualities. The three perspectives are not harmonized but rather explored concurrently to create a volume with intriguing methodological tensions. As this collection highlights beauty in the narratives of scripture, it opens readers to a largely unexplored dimension of the Bible. The contributors are Richard J. Bautch, Jo-Ann A. Brant, Mark Brummitt, David Penchansky, Antonio Portalatín, Jean-François Racine, and Peter Spitaler.


Nanomaterials are materials with particle sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nm in at least one dimension and have properties that are different from their bulk material. Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are a promising field of study for science and engineering since it offers many prospects for new products. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have the widest range of applications due to their antimicrobial, catalytic, optical, electronic and magnetic properties. The increasing production of AgNPs will, without a doubt, lead to the emission of these materials to the environment. AgNPs can enter the soil from different pathways. Their available concentration in soil is expected to be low which makes their detection beyond the ability of many current measuring techniques. Moreover, extracting AgNPs from soil samples is a troublesome process due to the difficulties posed by the soil matrix and the high adsorption affinity between soil particles and AgNPs. The possible risks and impacts of AgNPs on soils and plants have been confirmed by many studies. However, knowledge about the transport mechanisms of AgNPs through soil and over soil surfaces as a result of leaching, runoff and erosion is still limited. These soil processes can facilitate AgNP migration to deeper soil layers and downhill areas and to ground and surface water systems. This thesis presents results for AgNP detection in soil as well as measurements and modelling results of its fate and transport. In chapter 2, this thesis describes the development and validation of an extraction method for AgNP quantification and particle size determination in soil samples. The developed method is simple and fast thus reducing analysing time and costs. AgNPs recoveries were calculated by comparing AgNP concentration measured in the soil samples to the initial (spiked) AgNPs concentration. Two AgNP-spiking suspensions were prepared with concentrations of 0.5 and 5 (mg L-1) using commercially obtained 60 and 100 nm stock suspensions. The extraction method was developed in multiple steps but the final method consisted of pre-wetting the soil sample, exposing it to sonication and then extracting from the aqueous solution. Pre-wetting was done with the aim of re-suspending the adsorbed AgNPs, which facilitated their extraction. All of the samples were analysed using the principle of single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS). Validation of the method showed that the recovery rate of AgNPs was 44% for sandy soil and 42% for clayey soil. The repeatability and reproducibility values for the concentrations were 1.2 %, which is within the limits of the Horwitz ratio (0.5-2). This makes the method suitable for its purpose and effective in environmental, toxicological and pollution studies since the method limit of detection for concentrations (LOD c) is 5 µg kg‑1soil. In chapter 3, AgNP transport through the soil profile was monitored using a series of polyethylene (PE) hydraulic soil columns with a diameter of 12 cm and a depth of 25.5 cm. Three soil types were used: loam soil with high organic matter (3.4±0.46) (LSH), loam sand with low organic matter (1.8±0.11) (LSH) and sand (zero organic matter). Soils were put into soil columns to a depth equal to ±16 cm in 4 equal layers. The column was filled with 3 soil layers without AgNPs. A top layer that contained AgNPs was then added. The results showed that in the LSH columns, 6.7% of the AgNPs applied to the top soil layer (layer 1) was transported to the 3 other soil layers in the soil column, 3.4% was leached with effluent water and the rest (89.9%) stayed in the top soil layer. In the LSL columns, 8.9% of the AgNPs applied to the top layer was transported to the 3 other soil layers and 4.3 % was leached with effluent, leaving 86.8% in the top layer. In the sandy soil columns, 24.6% of the amount applied was transported to the 3 other soil layers and 13.9% was detected in the effluent. AgNP size decreased during transport through soil layers due to the soil cation exchange capacity (CEC). The decrease in AgNP size increased as the AgNPs moved deeper though soil column layers. Thus, the size of the AgNPs in layer 1 was > in layer 2, and so on. In addition to that, AgNP size in the columns packed with LSL and LSH decreased more than that in the columns packed with sand because of the limited value of CEC. There was less of a reduction in AgNP size in the effluent water for all soil columns as compared to AgNPs that were retained in the soil layers. Similar to what was seen in the soil, the effluent from the sand columns had the least amount of reduction in their particle size. This work highlights the ability to track the concentrations and particle sizes of low concentration applied AgNPs as they leach through soil into groundwater, which increases our knowledge of the patterns of AgNPs during their transport in soil. In chapter 4, AgNP transport via runoff and erosion processes were analysed using 2 different soil flumes slopes (10% and 20%). Each soil flume had the same dimensions 100x50x30 cm (length x width x depth). These flumes were divided into 5 segments of 20 cm each and a bucket was placed at the flume outlet to collect runoff water (RW) and sediment (RS). Rainfall application was constant (60 mm h-1) during the whole experiment. AgNPs mixed with soil were applied to the top (first) flume segment with the target (initial) concentration of AgNPs in the soil at 50 μg kg−1. Due to runoff and erosion processes which occurred after applying the rain, two main soil clusters with different characteristics appeared on the flume surface and were categorized as background soil (BS) and surface sedimentation (SS). Therefore, the AgNPs were measured in these different soil clusters on flume as well as in the eroded sediments and runoff water. BS samples contained a higher amount of silt while SS samples had a higher sand content. Organic matter (OM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in the BS samples were about three times higher than those measured in the SS samples, while the pH was found to be similar for both. Thus, AgNP content was higher in the BS than in the SS. The measured AgNP content in the BS samples in the S20 experiments were higher than in the S10 experiments however, the SS distribution area on the soil flume surface in S10 (measured by picture analysis) was larger than in S20. This could raise concerns for AgNPs pollution on the soil surface where the slope is less steep. The amounts of RW collected were comparable for the 10% and 20% slopes, while the amounts of RS collected after each event were higher for the S20 than for the S10. With each subsequent rain event, the AgNP content increased in the RS samples and decreased in the RW samples. Overall, the total AgNP content measured was higher in S20 than in S10 since 7.3% of the total applied AgNPs was transported in the S20 flume, while only 4.3% was transported in the S10 flume. This study also confirmed that the highest amount of AgNPs was transported with RW, which enhances our understanding of the potential river water pollution by AgNPs due to the runoff process. In chapter 5, a hydrological soil erosion model (LISEM) was combined with a recently developed particle-transport model (PestPost) in order to simulate the transport of AgNPs caused by runoff and erosion processes. AgNPs were mixed with soil and applied to the upper part of the soil as described in the previous chapter (Chapter 4). The models were calibrated separately using the results of the flume experiment conducted in the laboratory. The aim of this study was to simulate AgNP transport over the soil surface with runoff water and sediment samples for each time-step during runoff and erosion processes. This was achieved using the output of the LISEM of runoff and erosion that migrated in the PestPost model and using this as data base for measuring AgNP transport over soil surface. The calibration of the LISEM showed high model efficiency (MEF) for both sediment =0.81 and runoff =0.79. For the PestPost model, a simple optimisation procedure was used to find the simulated results that were closest to the measured ones. The results of the AgNP simulation in runoff water were better than those in the eroded sediment for both flumes (Δpl for runoff Overall, the outcome of this study shows the possibilities of AgNP detection and transport in the soil, which will increase the knowledge and awareness of AgNPs in our daily-life applications.


Application of private international law is impossible without deciphering the meaning of the legal rules specific to this branch or without classifying the test cases on categories. This dual mental operation that the judge has to do is called qualification. The notion of qualification is defined by authors differently. According to a first opinion the qualification is defined as the operation performed by an authority that is required to solve a conflict, when asked to find the conflict category of the situation, in order to decide what rule should be applied. According to another opinion, the qualification establishes the meaning of the notions of legal rules on the subject of regulation and the law applicable to the legal relationship. In a reverse operation, through qualification, they determine the legal category to which a fact situation belongs and indicate the competent law. According to a last opinion, qualification is defined in two ways: starting from the conflict of laws towards the facts (legal relationship) or vice versa. Thus: a. the qualification is the logical-judicial operation of determining the exact full meaning of legal terms expressing the content and relations of the conflict of laws, in order to see whether a legal relationship (a state of facts) is included (or not) among these terms; b. the qualification is the interpretation of a legal relationship (of a specific fact situation)in order to see the to which conflict of laws, in terms of content and relationship, it belongs. In foreign literature qualification is defined differently. Thus, according to a first view, the qualification is defined as the legal operation performed to include a specific legal situation in the contents of a conflict of laws. This operation gives rise to a conflict between the contents of the conflict of laws belonging to the same legal system, and to a qualifications conflict when another system of law, which relates to the facts, places it within the content of a conflict of laws different from that chosen by the legal system of the forum. According to another point of view, the qualification means defining the terms used by the rules of private international law: nationality (citizenship), domicile, residence, capacity, family rights, inheritance rights, etc.


A dataset of particle optical properties of highly polluted urban aerosol over the Pearl River Delta, Guangzhou, China is presented. The data were derived from multi-wavelengths Raman and depolarization lidar Polly and AERONET sun photometer measurements. The measurement campaign was conducted from Nov 2011 to June 2012. High aerosol optical depth was observed in the polluted atmosphere over this megacity, with a mean value of 0.54 ± 0.33 and a peak value of even 1.9. For the particle characterization the lidar ratio and the linear particle depolarization ratio, both at 532 nm, were used. The mean values of these properties are 48.0 sr ± 10.7 sr for the lidar ratio and 4%+-4% for the particle depolarization ratio, which means most depolarization measurements stayed below 10%. So far, most of these results indicate urban pollution particles mixed with particles arisen from biomass and industrial burning.


One of the functionalities of software development environments is to maintain all the documents produced in the software development process. To facilitate the much needed traceability support for the software process, the representation of the software documents should capture not only the individual documents, but also their relationships and structural properties. We present an approach to the representation and description of software documents. Syntax trees, structural relations and structural constraints are introduced to capture the syntactic structures of documents, the inter- and intra-document relationships and the structural properties of these documents and relationships. With this three-tiered approach, we are able to obtain a complete, static representation and description of the documents' syntactic and structural features.<<ETX>>


ABSTRACT The Ceratocystis fimbriata complex includes many undescribed species that cause wilt and canker diseases of many economically important plants. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences have delineated three geographic clades within Ceratocystis fimbriata. This study examined host specialization in the Latin American clade, in which a number of lineages were identified using sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA. Three host-associated lineages were identified from cacao (Theobroma cacao), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), and sycamore (Platanus spp.), respectively. Isolates from these three lineages showed strong host specialization in reciprocal inoculation experiments on these three hosts. Six cacao isolates from Ecuador, Trinidad, and Columbia differed genetically from other cacao isolates and were not pathogenic to cacao in inoculation tests. Further evidence of host specialization within the Latin American clade of Ceratocystis fimbriata was demonstrated in inoculation experiments in growth chambers using sweet potato, sycamore, Colocasia esculenta, coffee (Coffea arabica), and mango (Mangifera indica) plants; inoculation experiments in Brazil using Brazilian isolates from cacao, Eucalyptus spp., mango, and Gmelina arborea; and inoculation experiments in Costa Rica using Costa Rican isolates from cacao, coffee, and Xantho-soma sp. Hosts native to the Americas appeared to be colonized by only select pathogen genotypes, whereas nonnative hosts were colonized by several genotypes. We hypothesize that local populations of Ceratocystis fimbriata have specialized to different hosts; some of these populations are nascent species, and some host-specialized genotypes have been moved to new areas by humans.


Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) kinetics in urokinase-type plasminogen activator/severe combined immunodeficient (uPA-SCID) mice reconstituted with humanized livers from inoculation to steady state is highly dynamic despite the absence of an adaptive immune response. We developed a stochastic agent-based model that includes virion production cycles in individual infected human hepatocytes. The model was calibrated using a genetic algorithm approach with the serum HBV kinetics observed in mice inoculated with 108 HBV genome equivalents and fit the data well when the following viral production parameters were assumed: (1) An eclipse phase lasting 5-50 hours and (2) a post-eclipse phase production rate that is based on increasing production cycles initially starting with a long production cycle of 1 virion per 20 hours that gradually reaches 1 virion per hour after approximately 3-4 days before virion production increases dramatically to reach to a steady state production rate of 4 virions per hour per cell. The model was then validated by showing it could accurately simulate the viral kinetics observed with lower HBV inoculation doses (104-107 genome equivalents) in which similar, but delayed patterns were observed. Together, modeling suggests that it is the cyclic nature of the virus lifecycle combined with an initial slow but increasing rate of HBV production from each cell that plays a role in generating the observed multiphasic HBV kinetic patterns in humanized mice.


The effects of technology condition and performance of calcium carbonate/titanate composite material (CCTCM) prepared by mechano-activated method were studied in this paper. The results show that CCTCM can be prepared by the surface modification of calcium carbonate using titanate as a modification agent incorporated with the simultaneous wet ultra-fine grinding, and the modification results and performance of composite material are affected by the grinding condition of calcium carbonate. CCTCM has good application characteristics from its physical property and the performance of packing polyethylene (PE).


ABSTRACT New-generation gels that deliver potent antiretroviral drugs against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 have renewed hopes for topical prophylaxis as a prevention strategy. Previous preclinical research with monkey models suggested that high concentrations and drug combinations are needed for high efficacy. We evaluated two long-acting reverse transcriptase inhibitors, tenofovir (TFV) and emtricitabine (FTC), by using a twice-weekly repeat challenge macaque model and showed that a preexposure vaginal application of gel with 1% TFV alone or in combination with 5% FTC fully protected macaques from a total of 20 exposures to simian-human immunodeficiency virus SF162p3. FTC and TFV were detected in plasma 30 min after vaginal application, suggesting rapid absorption. FTC was detected more frequently than TFV and showed higher levels, reflecting the fivefold-higher concentration of this drug than of TFV. Two of 12 repeatedly exposed but protected macaques showed limited T-cell priming, which did not induce resistance to infection when macaques were rechallenged. Thus, single drugs with durable antiviral activity can provide highly effective topical prophylaxis and overcome the need for noncoital use or for drug combinations which are more complex and costly to formulate and approve.


The Mirdita-Subpelagonian ophiolites of the Albanide-Hellenide orogen are parts of a continuous belt extending from the former Yugoslavia to Greece, and share common geological, litho-stratigraphical, geochemical, and metallogenic features.
In the Albanian sector, two distinct ophiolitic belts can be clearly identified: the Western Belt, mainly composed of mid-ocean ridge (MORB) ophiolites, and the Eastern Belt characterized by supra-subduction zone (SSZ) ophiolites with prevalent island arc tholeiitic (IAT) and minor boninitic affinity. In the easternmost border of the Western Belt (Central Mirdita), a transitional zone with MORB/IAT intermediate basalts and boninitic dykes also occur.
In the Greek sector, a definite distinction into two ophiolitic belts cannot be made, and MORB-type ophiolites (western type) are subordinate, being represented only by the intrusive and lower volcanic sequences of the Pindos Massif. By contrast, SSZ- ophiolites (eastern type) are predominant and well-represented by the IAT and boninitic sequences of the Vourinos Massif, as well as by MORB/IAT intermediate basaltic-andesitic suites and boninites of the upper part of the Pindos volcanic sequence.
Petrological and geochemical modelling suggest that the different Albanide -Hellenide ophiolitic sequences originated from distinctly different parental magmas by partial melting of mantle sources progressively depleted by previous melt extractions. MORB may have derived from 10 - 20% partial melting of an undepleted lherzolitic source, while MORB/IAT intermediate basalts may have generated by ca. 10% of H2O-assisted partial melting of a cpx-poor lherzolite that had previously experienced MORB extraction. IAT magmas and boninites may, in turn, have derived from 10 – 20 % and ca. 30% partial melting of the same source, variably enriched by subduction-derived fluids and related incompatible elements.
The favoured tectono-magmatic model for the genesis of the Albanide-Hellenide ophiolites implies a low plate-convergence velocity with: 1) intra-oceanic subduction within a pristine MORB lithosphere, resulting in SSZ magmatism with IAT affinity, and generation of a nascent arc by nearly open-system supply of undifferentiated basalts (sheeted dyke complexes); 2) progressive slab sinking and retreat coupled with mantle diapirism and extension from the arc axis to the forearc region, with generation of boninites and/or very low-Ti tholeiites from depleted sub-arc sources, leaving highly depleted harzburgitic residua; 3) contemporaneous generation at the spreading axis of IAT/MORB intermediate basalts resulting from the interference of MORB-source diapirs with suprasubduction mantle sources; 4) convergence processes leading to obduction of large and relatively intact lithospheric sections of SSZ ophiolites onto the Pelagonian continental margin, often with the interposition of metamorphic soles. The latter have prevalent MORB affinity and represent relics of the pristine MORB lithosphere overthrust by the still hot ophiolitic slab.


Auster's first novel The Invention of Solitude was significant, in that it not only catalogued his own experiences, but also provided one of the earliest examples of the psychological processes involved in trauma and memory storage. It demonstrates the self's psychological use of the Ego, in a classical sense, to negotiate between emotional response and reality, in order to create meaning around a set of events. More specifically, the death of Auster's father operates as a catalyst for the author's journey of self-discovery, which is richly tied to the psychoanalytical principles of Freud and Lacan, and which ultimately allows him to fully appreciate his experience of loss, by supporting the wish fulfillment related to his relationship with his father, and his need to understand the rejection he perceives suffering as a child. This highlights the difference between the inner child's ego-centric or narcissistic perception, and the adult's ability to rationalize, especially as it relates to memory and unfulfilled need.


Social Value Orientations (SVOs) represent an individual's preferred outcome in resource allocation decisions. The four main SVOs are Altruism, Prosocial, Individualism, and Competitive. A review of literature on SVOs and their relationship to the important topic of social dilemmas is discussed. After this the results of the current study are presented. This study attempted to prime the different types of SVOs through presentation of outcomes from previous decisions. The different formats for these presentations were modeled after the utility functions of the four main SVOs. Presenting results of prior decisions in these different formats was predicted to act as a goal prime for subsequent decisions, pushing subject's SVOs towards the primed SVO. A significant effect between results presentation and SVO was found. Another significant effect was found between results presentation and Prosocial type, which distinguishes between the two different motivations, Inequality Aversion and Joint Gain Maximization, that can result in the more general Prosocial SVO. This is a novel type of priming effect, and the avenues for follow up research, as well as consequences of implementation are discussed.


Background: This study evaluates the global economic effects of the current US RFS2, and the potential contribution from advanced biofuels. Results & discussion: Our simulation results suggest that these mandates lead to an increase of 0.21% in the global gross domestic product in 2022, including an increase of 0.8% in the USA and 0.02% in the rest of the world, relative to our baseline no-RFS scenario. The incremental contributions to gross domestic product from advanced biofuels in 2022 are estimated at 0.41 and 0.04% in the USA and the rest of the world, respectively. Conclusion: Although production costs of advanced biofuels are higher than for conventional biofuels in our model, their economic benefits result from reductions in oil use and their smaller impacts on food markets compared with conventional biofuels. Thus, the US advanced biofuels targets are expected to have positive net economic benefits.


The 79 A.D. plinian eruption of Vesuvius ejected ∼4 km3 (ORE) of phonolitic magma over a period of ∼19 hr. A change in magma composition during the eruption is marked by a sharp transition from white, evolved phonolitic pumice to denser, overlying gray pumice, at mid-level within the fall deposit. Deposition of the upper, gray pumice fall was interrupted six times by the emplacement of pyroclastic surges and flows. Reverse size grading is conspicuous in the fall deposit. Measurements of maximum pumice and lithic diameters have been used to construct isopleths for eight chronostratigraphic levels within the fall deposit. The temporal evolution of eruption column height and magma discharge rate have been evaluated from these isopleths, using a theoretical model of pyroclast dispersal from explosive eruptions. During ejection of the white pumice, the column height rose from 14 to 26 km, as the magma discharge rate increased to 7.7 × 107 kg/s. Shortly after onset of the gray pumice fall, the column reached its maximum altitude of 32 km, with a discharge rate of 1.5 × 108 kg/s. Subsequent generation of surges and pyroclastic flows was associated with fluctuations in column height, supporting an origin by column collapse. At the white-gray boundary in the fall deposit, pumice density increases abruptly from 0.60 g/cm3 in the white pumice to 1.10 g/cm3 at the base of the gray pumice. Higher in the gray fall, the density decreases continuously to 0.60 g/cm3. The variation in pumice density is attributed primarily to differences in volatile content of two magmas which were tapped and mixed in varying proportions during ascent and eruption.


By facing the problem to describe the history of a virtual community as the sequence of events generated by its participants, a different perception of the meaning of communitywares emerges. This paper describes a proposal for a virtual community system based on the narrative process that supports the social evolution of the community.


This introduction sets the context for the following articles by first conceptualizing the divergent post-uprising trajectories taken by varying states: these are distinguished first by whether state capacity collapses or persists, and if it persists, whether the outcome is a hybrid regime or polyarchy. It then assesses how far starting points – the features of the regime and of the uprising – explain these pathways. Specifically, the varying levels of anti-regime mobilization, explained by factors such as levels of grievances, patterns of cleavages, and opportunity structure, determine whether rulers are quickly removed or stalemate sets in. Additionally, the ability of regime and opposition softliners to reach a transition pact greatly shapes democratic prospects. But, also important is the capacity – coercive and co-optative – of the authoritarian rulers to resist, itself a function of factors such as the balance between the patrimonial and bureaucratic features of neo-patrimonial regimes.


This is a collection of nine exceptional short stories from the author of "The Catcher in the Rye", J D Salinger. The book includes two of Salinger's most famous and critically acclaimed pieces, which helped to establish him among contemporary literary greats. The title story - a soldier's recollection of his meeting with a young girl, Esme, before being sent into combat - prompted a flood of readers' letters when it was first published in "The New Yorker in 1950". The haunting, "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" is the first of the author's many stories to feature the Glass family and follows eldest sibling, Seymour Glass, and his wife, Muriel, as they honeymoon in Florida.


: The transition from benign adenosis to clear cell carcinoma of the vagina has not been established beyond doubt. The history of a patient regularly followed in a diethystilbestrol (DES) clinic shows initial benign adenosis with normal cytology and subsequent development of abnormal cytology and clear cell adenocarcinoma. The authors suspect transition from benign epithelium to malignancy; however, detailed serial histologic study failed to show clear transition. Frequent and thorough examination of DES patients is needed if malignant change is to be diagnosed early.


Methods to control the unwanted effects of low-frequency modes in critical listening rooms range from complex signal processing to the positioning of loudspeakers and listeners. A rigorous scientific experiment has been conducted to evaluate the perceived quality of eight low-frequency reproduction systems used to control the unwanted effects of room modes in a standard listening room. A strong correlation has been demonstrated between perceived improvements in quality and the decay times of low-frequency energy. For critical listening conditions, those systems ensuring a faster decay of low-frequency energy are preferred over those attempting to "flatten" the magnitude frequency response.