We develop a novel technique to determine call provenance in anonymous VoIP communications using acoustic side-channels. The technique exploits location-attributable information embedded within audio speech data. The victim's speech is exploited as an excitation signal, which is modulated (acted upon) by the acoustic reflection characteristics of the victim's location. We show that leading VoIP communication channels faithfully transfer this information between sender-receiver pairs, enabling passive receivers to extract a location fingerprint, to establish call provenance. To establish provenance, a fingerprint is compared against a database of labelled fingerprints to identify a match. The technique is fully passive and does not depend on any characteristic background sounds, is speaker independent, and is robust to lossy network conditions. Evaluation using a corpus of recordings of VoIP conversations, over the Tor network, confirms that recording locations can be fingerprinted and detected remotely with low false-positive rate.


Graph matching has a wide spectrum of real-world applications and in general is known NP-hard. In many vision tasks, one realistic problem arises for finding the global node mappings across a batch of corrupted weighted graphs. This paper is an attempt to connect graph matching, especially multi-graph matching to the matrix decomposition model and its relevant on-the-shelf convex optimization algorithms. Our method aims to extract the common inliers and their synchronized permutations from disordered weighted graphs in the presence of deformation and outliers. Under the proposed framework, several variants can be derived in the hope of accommodating to other types of noises. Experimental results on both synthetic data and real images empirically show that the proposed paradigm exhibits several interesting behaviors and in many cases performs competitively with the state-of-the-arts.


A successful ethnobotanical garden tells a compelling story about the relationship between people, plants, and the natural world in a particular place at a particular time, within a broader cultural or environmental context. We propose a framework for programming and design based on five attributes of a successful ethnobotanical garden. The proposed framework can help landscape architects answer six basic questions when programming and designing an ethnobotanical garden: What people are being interpreted? What aspects of their culture? How did they use this place? What plants did they use? How did they use them? What did they make with them? More importantly, the framework provides a tool for expanding our collective vision of what an ethnobotanical garden can be. By sharing this framework, we encourage landscape architects to approach ethnobotanical gardens from the broader context of a people's relationship to the Earth. In this way, we can improve the quality of ethnobotanical garden design and interpretation, and increase these gardens' effectiveness in changing visitors' perceptions of, attitudes towards, and behavior on the land.


Ultrastructual investigations and chemical determinations of compression wood from Abies balsamea, Picea mariana and Pinus strobus after decay by white or brown rot fungi demonstrated that this type of wood is more resistant to decay than normal wood. Hyphae colonizing compression wood were found in cell lumina and intercellular spaces whereas normal wood cell had hyphae only in cell lumina. Compression wood did not alter the type of cell wall degradation produced by the various fungi tested, but the rate and extent of decay were limited. The white rot fungus, Trametes versicolor, caused a nonselective attack of all cell wall components as indicated by erosion of secondary wall layers and middle lamellae. A selective removal of lignin occurred throughout the cell walls of wood decayed by the other white rot fungi (Phellinus pini, Phlebia tremellosa and Scytinostroma galatinum) that were evaluated. The brown rot fungi, Fomitopsis pinicola and Oligoporus placentus caused a diffuse removal of polysaccharides from both compression wood and normal wood. Tension wood from Populus temuloides and Acer rubrum decayed by white or brown rot fungi had similar amounts of decay to those observed in normal wood. Ultrastructual observations, however, showed striking differences in the progressive stages of decay. Hyphae of Tremetes versicolor located in cell lumina did not cause erosion or severe degradation of the adjacent, underlying gelatinous layer associated with tension wood. A typical nonselective degradation of the secondary wall layers and middle lamellae, however, occurred beneath this gelatinous layer. In areas of advanced degradation, the secondary walls and middle lamellae between cell walls were completely degraded leaving only the gelatinous layer and cell corner regions of the middle lamellae. Brown rot fungi were able to degrade the gelatinous layer and other cell wall layers resulting in extensive degradation of polysaccharides.


Purpose: The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of varying geometric magnifications on the edge definition as well as conspicuity of calcifications in images obtained using a full field digital mammography system. Method and Materials:Images of the wax insert of an ACR mammography phantom, sandwiched between two clear acrylic slabs simulating scattering in breast tissue were obtained on flat panel FFDM system at five different geometric magnifications between 1.4 and 2.2 plus a contact image. The x‐ray technique was the same for all images. All images were viewed on a soft copy work station. Observers were asked to judge the quality of the images in terms of edge definition (largest speck group) and conspicuity (two smallest speck groups) and assign a score on a scale of 1 to 4 for each speck in the group. Additionally, the system MTF was measured using the edge method at each of the magnifications in order to correlate the system response with the observer scores. The MTF was measured in the anode‐cathode (AC) direction as well as perpendicular (LR) to it. Results: The trends in the scores indicated that the conspicuity of the smallest speck group increased with magnification. The edge definition of the largest speck group was found to increase and then decrease depending on the magnification, reaching a maximum at a magnification of 1.6. This correlates well with the measured MTF in the LR direction. Conclusion: Geometric magnification improves image quality in digital mammography. Conspicuity of the smallest calcifications improves with magnification. However, this is accompanied by a decrease in the edge definition of the larger calcifications after a magnification of 1.6. The optimum magnification depends on the specific task (edge definition or conspicuity).


A patient with idiopathic myelofibrosis with nephrotic syndrome is reported. Seven months after the initial diagnosis of myelofibrosis, the patient was presented with dyspnea, generalized edema, heavy proteinuria, massive pleural effusion, and ascites. Renal biopsy showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. After starting immunosuppressive therapy consisting of cyclosporine and steroids, his renal function and proteinuria improved and transfusion requirements decreased.


Abstract Due to their mobile, self‐propelled nature, independent cycle tourists are a unique group because they are reliant upon accurate wayfinding aids to facilitate trip planning and navigation while en route. Directorial and/or informative signage and cartographic maps are important wayfinding aids for these tourists. However, little research to date has considered the needs and preferences of independent cycle tourists with reference to wayfinding aids. This paper presents a combination of quantitative and qualitative evidence collected from a broader study of independent cycle tourists in Australia. The research found that the personal health and safety of cycle tourists can be compromised by the provision of inaccurate information published on maps and signage. Female cycle tourists appeared to be more susceptible to wayfinding anxiety than males, and exhibited a stronger desire to be well informed about the nature of the routes they will cycle on. Implications for the planning and management of initiatives designed to attract independent cycle tourists to a destination region are highlighted, as are potential areas for future research.


The 49 nucleotide fragment derived from the 3' end of 16S rRNA by cloacin DF13, is not cleaved by ribonuclease T1 at a guanosine residue that is present at 27 nucleotides from the 3' terminus (position 1515 in 16S rRNA). Analysis of the isolated nucleotide indicates that it is a modified G residue. In vivo labeling with (3H)methionine shows that this G is methylated and co-chromatography with markers reveals that it is N2-methylguanosine.


Abstract. Hasenburg A, Fischer DC, Tong X-W, Rojas-Martinez A, Nyberg-Hoffman C, Orlowska-Volk M, Kohlberger P, Kaufman RH, Ramzy I, Aguilar-Cordova E, Kieback DG. Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of tissue response to adenovirus-mediated herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene therapy of ovarian cancer. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase (tk) gene incorporated into adenovirus was delivered intraperitoneally (ip) followed by an antiherpetic prodrug and topotecan in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Tissue response was evaluated. Ten patients underwent secondary debulking with subsequent delivery of ADV-HSV-tk therapy. Two patients each were treated at dose level 1 (2 × 1010 vector particles = VP), 2 (2 × 1011 VP), and 3 (2 × 1012 VP); four patients were treated at dose level 4 (2 × 1013 VP). Five patients underwent second-look surgery about one month after gene therapy (GT). Treatment response, presence of vector DNA, protein expression of steroid hormone receptors, p53, c-erbB2 and Ki67 protein were analyzed. At second-look, two out of five patients were tumor-free and none of their peritoneal biopsies showed vector DNA. After GT, the vital tumor mass was smaller, desmoplastic reaction had increased, and tumors were less differentiated with an increase of Ki67 expression. There was no change in expression of hormone receptors, p53, or c-erbB2. ADV-HSV-tk GT appears to eliminate cells with higher differentiation first and might induce fibrosis. Dedifferentiation might render residual cells more sensitive to chemotherapy secondary to their subsequent higher mitotic activity.


The functioning of the guinea-pig isolated portal vein was monitored by measuring spontaneous mechanical activity, responses to electrical stimulation and administered noradrenaline in normoxic conditions. The effect of hypoxia, induced by bubbling the physiological bathing solution with a 95% N(2)/5% CO(2) gas mixture, on the mechanical performance of the vein was then assessed. Spontaneous activity declined in hypoxia, with mean contraction tension reduced by 55 + or - 8.8%. The responses to electrical field stimulation (2-32 Hz, 0.7 msec. 70 V) were lowered by 14 + or - 4.6% but contractions produced by a range of noradrenaline concentrations (0.01-160 mu M) were unaffected by hypoxia. Substitution of glucose in the bathing solution with sucrose, a substrate unavailable to the cells for energy generation, produced a marked enhancement of the effect of hypoxia. Spontaneous activity was reduced by 76 + or - 8.3%, electrically-induced activity by 80 + or - 14.4% and noradrenaline-induced responses by 85 + or - 6.8%. Although in normoxia the activity and responses of the portal vein were unaffected by the presence of alpha-tocopherol, it significantly protected the functioning of the vein in hypoxic conditions. This effect was concentration-dependent within the range 10-160 mu M and was most marked when glucose was replaced by sucrose in the bathing solution.


Maximal oxygen uptake is a powerful prognostic indicator and a reliable measure of physical conditioning. It can be measured directly by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) or indirectly by formulas derived from conventional protocols. We compared the VO 2 max obtained by formula using exercise testing with Bruce protocol (BP) with the VO 2 max obtained by CPET on the treadmill. We selected 41 healthy, non-obese, physically inactive young volunteers, aged between 21 and 50 years, residents of Florianópolis, Brazil. Twenty-one women (52%) with mean age of 35.62 ± 8.83 years, and 20 males, with mean age of 32.5 ± 7.18 years participated in the Abstract Background: Maximal oxygen uptake is a powerful prognostic indicator and a reliable measure of physical conditioning. It can be measured directly by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) or indirectly by formulas derived from conventional protocols. Objective: We compared the VO 2 max obtained by formula using exercise testing with Bruce protocol (BP) with the VO 2 max obtained by CPET on the treadmill. Methods: We selected 41 healthy, non-obese, physically inactive young volunteers, aged between 21 and 50 years, residents of Florianópolis, Brazil. Results: Twenty-one women (52%) with mean age of 35.62 ± 8.83 years, and 20 males, with mean age of 32.5 ± 7.18 years participated in the study. Statistically significant differences were found for VO 2 max between the two methods (BP - 42.31 ± 5.21 ml/kg.min vs. CPET - 30.46 ± 5.50 ml/kg.min., p < 0.0001). The Bruce formula overestimated the result by 34.1% (BP - 45.95 ± 3.94 ml/kg.min vs. CPX - 34.27 ± 4.20 ml/kg.min, p < 0.0001) for men, and by 44.8% (BP - 38.84 ± 3.72 ml/kg.min vs. CPX - 26.83 ± 3.90, p < 0.0001) for women. A moderate correlation was observed between the methods (r = 0.65). When classifying the results according to the table of aerobic capacity of the American Heart Association, the agreement was null (kappa = 0.0034; Pearson chi2 = 0.001). Conclusion: VO 2 estimated by BP is not capable of demonstrating the true aerobic capacity in these individuals, while CPET is an important tool for early detection of diminished functional capacity in sedentary young men and women. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2019;32(4):362-367) study. Statistically significant differences were found for VO 2 max between the two methods (BP - 42.31 ± 5.21 ml/ kg.min vs. CPET - 30.46 ± 5.50 ml/kg.min., p < 0.0001). The Bruce formula overestimated the result by 34.1% (BP - 45.95 ± 3.94 ml/kg.min vs. CPX - 34.27 ± 4.20 ml/ kg.min, p < 0.0001) for men, and by 44.8% (BP - 38.84 ± 3.72 ml/kg.min vs. CPX - 26.83 ± 3.90, p < 0.0001) for women. A moderate correlation was observed between the methods (r = 0.65). When classifying the results according to the table of aerobic capacity of the American Heart Association, the agreement was null (kappa = 0.0034; Pearson chi2 = 0.001). Conclusion: VO 2 estimated by BP is not capable of demonstrating the true aerobic capacity in these individuals, while CPET is an important tool for early detection of diminished functional capacity in sedentary young men and women.


Maternal anemia affects approximately 56 million women worldwide and increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our study aimed to summarize the evidence for the association between maternal hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and maternal or infant outcomes, evaluating it in a continuous manner. In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we conducted an electronic search on PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science from inception to April 19, 2017, and further updated to November 21, 2018, applying subject heading terms related to pregnant women with anemia. We included 117 studies with 4,127,430 pregnancies. Maternal anemia increased the risk of low birth weight (odds ratio (OR), 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45−1.87), preterm birth (PTB) (OR, 2.11; 95% CI: 1.76–2.53), perinatal mortality (PNM) (OR, 3.01; 95% CI: 1.92−4.73), stillbirth (OR, 1.95; 95% CI: 1.15−3.31), and maternal mortality (OR, 3.20; 95% CI: 1.16−8.85). A nonlinear relationship was found between maternal Hb and adverse maternal and infant outcomes. The OR of outcomes such as PTB, small‐for‐gestational age, PNM, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and postpartum hemorrhage was increased by two to three times. Assessing Hb as a continuous variable is important to determine the associated risk of adverse outcomes with decreasing or increasing levels.


'Globesity' is a descriptive term for the obesity epidemic now facing the U.S. and indeed, the world. Hyperphagia (i.e. overeating) can lead to metabolic syndrome which in turn can lead to Type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disease, stroke and some cancers. The World Health Organization even states that more people die each year from the consequences of obesity than from hunger. Something must be done to stem the tsunami of obesity and its resultant medical complications. Our work and that of others suggests that new obesity treatments and anti-obesity medications should be based on those already successful in treating other addictions. This paper looks at empirical evidence linking addictions to food and to drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, and cocaine. Hypotheses are put forth as to why hyperphagia is so difficult to treat. Additionally, prenatal programming for addiction is explored. Lessons from successful drug treatment are elucidated and potential pharmaceutical targets for hyperphagia and obesity are suggested.


Viewshed calculation is one of the basic procedures existing in an Information System, which has the ability to manage elevation data. Visibility calculation used to be a very time consuming procedure. The rapid development of computer technology propagated the demand for faster and better algorithms, of higher quality and of a more sophisticated logic. Viewshed depends on the height of the viewing point. The alteration of this height brings alteration of the viewshed. Different techniques have been developed concerning the different ways according to which: (a) data are collected from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the viewshed calculation, (b) Visual Point and Target Point is defined horizontally and vertically, (c) the decision VISIBLE or NOT VISIBLE is taken for a point. An answer "VISIBLE" or "NOT" is not enough information to define if a point is really visible or not. Visibility depends on a series of factors and conditions that must be taken into account. This article attempts to collect all necessary information about visibility and viewshed analysis concerning conventional approaches. Basic viewshed algorithms are described, alternative methods of viewshed analysis are examined and different techniques used in viewshed calculation are referred. All this analysis of algorithms and techniques is accompanied by certain environmental application examples. Further on, factors that influence the accuracy of a viewshed and also possible control procedures are referred.


The end of the apartheid regime was a great human achievement. Yet the 1994 election of an African National Congress (ANC) majority—with Nelson Mandela as the new president—did not alter the enormous structural gap in wealth between the majority black and minority white populations. Indeed, it set in motion neoliberal policies that exacerbated class, race, and gender inequality. To promote a peaceful transition, the agreement negotiated between the racist white regime and the ANC allowed whites to keep the best land, the mines, manufacturing plants, and financial institutions. There were only two basic paths that the ANC could follow. One was to mobilize the people and all their enthusiasm, energy, and hard work, use a larger share of the economic surplus (through state-directed investments and higher taxes), and stop the flow of capital abroad, including the repayment of illegitimate apartheid-era debt. The other was to adopt a neoliberal capitalist path, with a small reform here or there, while posturing as if social democracy was on the horizon.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.


Objective: To assess the impact of the worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic on the prevalence of HIV in women in the United Kingdom (UK), particularly in the large immigrant and ethnic minority communities. Method: Unlinked anonymous neonatal seroprevalence survey with electronic record linkage of data from child health computers (maternal age and ethnic status) and birth registration (parent's country of birth). Results: Of a total 137 456 samples collected in 1997–1998, 188 (0.14%) were anti-HIV-1 seropositive. Seroprevalence was highest in women born in East Africa (2.3%) and Central Africa (1.9%). 76.4% of seropositive newborns were delivered to mothers born in sub-Saharan Africa; a further 6.0% had fathers from sub-Saharan Africa. However, there was little evidence of HIV in women born in Southern Asia [prevalence 0.0081%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0–0.04], and none within UK-born Asian communities. Prevalence among the UK-born Black African community was low (0.14%; 95% CI 0–0.6). Among infants with both parents known to be born in the UK, seroprevalence was 0.023% (95% CI 0.01–0.04) in London, and zero (95% CI 0–0.007) in non-Metropolitan areas. Irrespective of mother's region of birth, seroprevalence was 4.2 times higher (95% CI 3.0–5.8) in newborns whose father's details were not recorded at birth registration, a marker for single unsupported mothers. Conclusion: The risk of HIV among pregnant women from sub-Saharan Africa has been recognized. However, in southern England, HIV is very rare in women from Southern Asia and in UK-born women in ethnic minority communities, in spite of cultural and travel ties to high-prevalence countries. Data linkage in anonymous surveys assists in monitoring the impact of the worldwide epidemic on prevalence and incidence locally.


Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) are oral mucosal disorders which have a high potential to turn into malignancy. A recent report suggests that 16%–62% of epithelial dysplasia cases of OPMD undergo malignant transformation, showing the need for early detection of malignancy in these disorders. Micro RNA (miRNA) plays an important role in cellular growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune response, and hence, deregulation of miRNA is considered a signature of oral carcinogenesis. A search was done using MeSH terms in the PubMed, ScienceDirect databases, hand search, and finally, six studies were included in this systematic review. A total of 167 patients with oral cancer, 78 with OPMDs, 147 healthy controls, and 20 disease controls were analyzed for the expression of salivary miRNAs. Quality assessment based on the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool was used to obtain a risk of bias chart using Revman 5.3 software and it was proved that the study done by Zahran et al. in 2015 had a low risk of bias. The results of this study revealed upregulated miRNA 184 with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 and miRNA 21 with an AUC of 0.73 and downregulated miRNA 145 with an AUC of 0.68, which proved that these miRNAs are significant in detecting early malignancy in OPMD and should be further analyzed in various populations. This systematic review explored the potential of expression of salivary miRNA in OPMD for future studies. This could pave the way to utilize saliva as a surrogate marker in diagnosing early malignant changes in OPMD.


Drawing on rich oral histories from over two hundred in-depth interviews in West Africa, Europe, and North America, Robtel Neajai Pailey examines socio-economic change in Liberia, Africa's first black republic, through the prism of citizenship. Marking how historical policy changes on citizenship and contemporary public discourse on dual citizenship have impacted development policy and practice, she reveals that as Liberia transformed from a country of immigration to one of emigration, so too did the nature of citizenship, thus influencing claims for and against dual citizenship. In this engaging contribution to scholarly and policy debates about citizenship as a continuum of inclusion and exclusion, and development as a process of both amelioration and degeneration, Pailey develops a new model for conceptualising citizenship within the context of crisis-affected states. In doing so, she offers a postcolonial critique of the neoliberal framing of diasporas and donors as the panacea to post-war reconstruction.


The U.S. Bureau of the Census is locked in a high-stakes political battle with Congress over a plan to reduce uncertainties in the year 2000 survey through statistical techniques rather than direct head counts. The crux of the dispute is how to account for those Americans who statisticians say are too costly to track down or who might elude a head count entirely. At stake is how House seats will be divided up among the states, as well as how federal funds are to be distributed.


How much of our daily lives are influenced and co-constructed by the paradigm of automobility as originally conceptualised by Urry (2004). This is just one of the big questions that the author attempts to address within the book. Many readers of the Journal of Transport Geography will find this book interesting and provocative as it tends to open up many questions for further work and debate. The author's skillful framing of the exploration of cars and our relationships towards these artefacts and all their associated complex webs addresses many issues. By viewing the car and society through various facets such as car admiration, technical and cultural glamorization, and our attachment and subsequent addiction to automobiles Gossling rises to the challenge of achieving a more sustainable form of automobility.


Study Design. Retrospective Objective. To predict satisfaction with medical rehabilitation. Summary of Background Data. While spinal cord injury (SCI) patient satisfaction with life and community services has been investigated, satisfaction with medical rehabilitation has not. Methods. Information submitted to the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (1998–2001) by 134 hospitals/rehabilitation facilities in the United States (n = 6,205 patients with SCI) was examined. Predictors were sociodemographic variables, Case Mix Groupings (CMG) (401–505, 5001), length of stay, rehospitalization, follow-up therapy, and health maintenance. Satisfaction was assessed at a mean of 92.2 days (SD 11.9 days) postdischarge. Data were analyzed according to who reported the outcome (patient, n = 3,858 or family/other, n = 1,869). Statistical modeling was conducted using logistic regression. Results. High overall satisfaction was reported (94%). Significant predictors for the patient report data were CMG and rehospitalization. Compared with CMG 5001 (short stay, <3 days), patients in CMGs 401/2/3 and 501/2/3/4/5 had a 54% to 74% lower likelihood of being dissatisfied. Rehospitalized patients had a higher likelihood of dissatisfaction (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.7 to 3.2). Significant predictors for the family/other report data were CMG (compared to CMG 5001, CMGs 401/2, 403, and 501/2 had a 70% lower likelihood of dissatisfaction), rehospitalization (odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1–2.5), and marital status (married = 50% lower likelihood of dissatisfaction, 95% confidence interval 0.26–0.96). Conclusions. Satisfaction with medical rehabilitation services following SCI is related to functional abilities, rehospitalization, and marital status. Slightly different results were found for whether satisfaction was rated by the patient or family/other. The complex relationships among satisfaction, patient demographics, and functional status require continued examination.


This paper presents a detailed model of the AC 2 × 25 kV High Speed/High Capacity (HS/HC) railway lines in order to dynamically analyze the electric systems. The power quality analysis reported here is important considering that these lines are directly connected to the high voltage (HV) transmission grid and also that the control and auxiliary devices are directly connected to the feeder wire. The accuracy of the results, obtained by carrying out numerous simulations, was confirmed via comparison with dedicated experimental surveys on the lines during their operation.


Nonlocal vibration of double-smart nanobeam-systems (DSNBSs) under a moving nanoparticle is investigated in the present study based on Timoshenko beam model. The two smart nanobeams (SNB) are coupled by an enclosing elastic medium which is simulated by Pasternak foundation. The energy method and Hamilton's principle are used to establish the equations of motion. The detailed parametric study is conducted, focusing on the combined effects of the nonlocal parameter, elastic medium coefficients, external voltage, length of SNB and the mass of attached nanoparticle on the frequency of piezoelectric nanobeam. The results depict that the imposed external voltage is an effective controlling parameter for vibration of the piezoelectric nanobeam. Also increase in the mass of attached nanoparticle gives rise to a decrease in the natural frequency. This study might be useful for the design and smart control of nano-devices. © 2015 IAU, Arak Branch.All rights reserved.


Allotetraploid cyprinids have a unique strategy for balancing subgenomic stabilization and diversification in rediploidization. A persistent enigma is the rarity of polyploidy in animals, compared to its prevalence in plants. Although animal polyploids are thought to experience deleterious genomic chaos during initial polyploidization and subsequent rediploidization processes, this hypothesis has not been tested. We provide an improved reference-quality de novo genome for allotetraploid goldfish whose origin dates to ~15 million years ago. Comprehensive analyses identify changes in subgenomic evolution from asymmetrical oscillation in goldfish and common carp to diverse stabilization and balanced gene expression during continuous rediploidization. The homoeologs are coexpressed in most pathways, and their expression dominance shifts temporally during embryogenesis. Homoeolog expression correlates negatively with alternation of DNA methylation. The results show that allotetraploid cyprinids have a unique strategy for balancing subgenomic stabilization and diversification. Rediploidization process in these fishes provides intriguing insights into genome evolution and function in allopolyploid vertebrates.


Abstract
Saba Samreen Ansari[1] & Sana Kousar[2]
 Islam does not encourage divorce. Prior to Islam, there were two extreme views regarding divorce. In some societies and religious doctrines, divorce could be sought only one of the spouses died or when adultery had been committed. Neither spouse was permitted to remarry after divorce. In some other societies, it was very easy to dissolve marriage bonds and there was no check against the abuse of the practice of divorce. In fact, the consequence of both too much restriction and too much liberalization is harmful. In the former case, i.e., keeping an unsuccessful marriage intact, a permanently bitter and hostile relation between the husband and wife develops. In the latter case, the family disintegrates as an institution and society as a whole suffers. In contrast to these extremes, Islam takes a moderate view on divorce in order to end the misery of an unsuccessful marriage. But it does not mean that Islam does not give the wife the right to break the marital bond whenever she wants so. It only checks the abuse of such a right. Thus, this article discusses the conditions under which a wife can unilaterally divorce her husband.
[1] Ph.D. Research Scholar, CAS. Department of History, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, INDIA. Email: email@example.com.
[2] Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Urdu, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, INDIA. Email: email@example.com


Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is currently the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the US because of late detection and resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. This tumor resistance is partially due to high activity of the transcription factor, NF-κB which promotes cell survival and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2 (PDK2) which regulates aerobic glycolysis (Warburg Metabolism), cell proliferation, and inhibition of apoptosis. We have shown that simultaneous treatment with the chemical NF-κB inhibitor DMAPT and the Warburg inhibitor DCA is cytotoxic and enhances radiation-induced cell death in human PDAC cells. We have also shown that double gene knockdown of the P65 (RELA) subunit of NF-κB and PDK2 by siRNA increased cytotoxicity and radiation sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells but to a lesser extent than DMAPT and DCA treatment.
Experimental Design: Western blots suggested the siRNA did not completely suppress p65 and PDKS protein levels. To test the hypothesis that more complete inhibition of NF-κB and PDK2 is required to increase cytotoxicity in PDAC cells, we transfected the Mia PaCa-2 cell line with appropriate siRNA and exposed the cells to the chemical inhibitors DMAPT and DCA. The cells were plated and followed by irradiation with either 0, 2, 4, or 6 Gy of 160 kVp X-rays
Results: Compared to previous experiments that utilized siRNA knockdown alone, the combination of dual drugs and dual siRNA shows an increase in both cytotoxicity and radiation-induced cell killing (p< 0.001, t test)
Conclusion: The data suggest that a more definitive approach such as utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 may be required to ensure complete gene knockdown of p65 and PDK2 to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which simultaneous inhibition of NF-kB and PDK2 inhibition enhance cytotoxicity and radiation-induced cell killing in pancreatic cancer.


Crop yields on cleared forest land of the humid tropics are often highly variable due to spatial heterogeneity of soil properties. This study aimed to characterize spatial variation of soil chemical properties and yield components of upland rice (Oryza sativa) on a 0.1-ha field of recently cleared land in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Plants were taller, stover and grain yields higher on sites where forest rash had been piled and burned, compared to the surrounding soils and other sites where topsoils had been removed. This pattern was largely caused by lower levels of Al saturation and higher concentrations of exchangeable cations in burned sites compared to other parts of the plot. The range of spatial dependence for soil acidity and exchange characteristics was 3 to 4 m, but increased to 7 m for organic C, total N, and extractable P. Semivariograms of crop components were better structured and had longer ranges (up to 20 m) than the soil chemical properties. Block kriging gave more precise local estimation of grain yield at unsampled locations than terrain unit means because it utiliized the inherent structure of variation determined from quantitative spatial analysis of observed values. Block kriged values of grain yield ranged from 11 to 355 g/m² with estimation standard deviations ranging from 9 to 24 g/m², depending on distance of interpolated cells from the 122 sample locations.


[1] Paleoceanographic studies using benthic foraminiferal Cd as a nutrient tracer have provided a robust means of reconstructing glacial Atlantic Ocean water mass geometry, but a paucity of data from the South Atlantic above 1200 m has limited investigation of Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) configuration and formation. A new Cd depth profile from Brazil margin sediments suggests that AAIW penetrated northward at 1100 m to at least 27°S in the glacial Atlantic. It exhibited substantially reduced δ13Cas values, confirming preliminary evidence that this AAIW was unique to the glacial Atlantic and that it formed differently than today, with less atmospheric contact.


Your one stop shop to check out all of the fun summer activities the city of San Antonio has to offer. This guide compiles various virtual exhibits, services, and activities this summer.


The molecular mechanisms involved in sleep regulation and function are largely unknown, and our understanding of the localization of such mechanisms within specific brain structures is still incomplete. In this work, we explored the consequences of sleep deprivation by the immunocytochemical mapping of the induction of the protein product of the immediate early gene c-fos in the brain of sleep-deprived rats. The expression of Fos protein is an indicator of neuronal activity. In addition, since immediate early genes can function as "third messengers" and regulate the transcription of a number of target genes, their induction could be directly relevant to the homeostasis and functions of sleep. The present results show that, as a result of 24 hours of manual sleep deprivation, Fos-like immunoreactive cells are found in specific brain areas. These areas include the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus, the nucleus accumbens, the lateral septum, several regions of the dorsal pontine tegmentum (central gray, dorsal raphe, locus coeruleus, pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei, parabrachial nuclei) and an area medial to the parabigeminal nucleus at the ponto-mesencephalic junction. Some of these areas had already been implicated in slow-wave sleep and desynchronized sleep regulation.


This paper studies the interplay between the operational and financial facets of capacity investment. We consider the capacity choice problem of a firm with limited liquidity and whose access to external capital markets is hampered by moral hazard. The firm must therefore not only calibrate its capacity investment and the corresponding funding needs, but also optimize its sourcing of funds. Importantly, the set of available sources of funds is derived endogenously and includes standard financial claims (debt, equity, etc.). We find that when higher demand realizations are more indicative of high effort, debt financing is optimal for any given capacity level. In this case, the optimal capacity is never below the efficient capacity level but sometimes strictly above that level. Further, the optimal capacity level increases with the moral hazard problem's severity and decreases with the firm's internal funds. This runs counter to the newsvendor logic and to the common intuition that by raising the cost of external capital and hence the unit capacity cost, financial market frictions should lower the optimal capacity level. We trace the value of increasing capacity beyond the efficient level to a bonus effect and a demand elicitation effect. Both stem from the risk of unmet demand, which is characteristic of capacity decisions under uncertainty.


Beans crop is an agricultural staple largely consumed in Brazil because it is part of the basic food of the population. Such a crop is usually grown by small growers and turns out to be of a great social and economical importance. The aim of the current manuscript was to scrutinize the effect of soil water status on its physical attributes, such as bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, hydraulic conductivity under protected environment conditions on beans crop ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The effect of the soil physical attributes on the biological response of the plants was also investigated. The experiment was installed in March of 2016 in a greenhouse. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme with four replications. The soil moisture within the stipulated levels (14, 21, 28 and 35% at a volume basis) was monitored by a TDR. Bulk density and microporosity did show an increasing linear trend as a function of the soil moisture levels adopted, whereas total porosity and macroporosity revealed a decreasing linear tendency. The cultivar factor affected bulk density, total porosity and macroporosity. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil did not demonstrate any correlation with crop yield components and was not governed by the beans genotypes grown under protected environment conditions.


This report is a qualitative research effort which strives to investigate the use of objectives as a tool for management in investment projects within private industry, represented by the Gjoa development project in the Norwegian oil and gas industry. Through qualitative research interviews and empirical findings, the factual use of objectives as tool for management within the Gjoa project is evaluated. The research task is a case study of the Gjoa development project, and compares relevant theories with empirical findings especially regarding the Gjoa project, and the operating company Statoil in general. The presented theories are basically developed by the Concept program at NTNU.The purpose of formulation of objectives is primarily to clarify the direction of what the project wants to achieve. By defining correct and well-formulated objectives, the performance can be improved. Yet, it is a premise that the project organization is capable to transform extensive procedures into functional objectives, and further into factual results. Inappropriate objectives or poor correspondence between formulation and action will not contribute towards achievement of the intended effect of the project.The use of objectives as a managing tool in regards to the Gjoa development is mainly limited to the execution phase. Further, formulation of objectives has not been used as a part of the decision basis of the concept selection, because the Capital Value Process, which is Statoil's stepwise decision process for investment projects, is requirement-driven instead of objective-driven. It secures an appropriate strategy of the Gjoa project, but it does not secure that the level of ambition is sufficiently high.The factual use of objectives as a tool for management is primitive compared with the intention of required procedures. Basically, this is caused by too extensive procedures and a lack of simplicity. The use of objectives beyond the execution phase is of formal character.The Capital Value Process is a rational procedure, which normally ensures investment projects to become successful. However, the use of objectives as a part of the decision basis is insufficient, and the absence of an overall clarification of the essential issues of projects has the potential to create inappropriate concept selection, and the result can be project failure. The problem will increase as the complexity of the project increases.Statoil considers implementing two potential workshops in order to increase the probability of achieving project success. This report recommends implementing the Setting Business Priorities Value Improving Practices in order to clarify the underlying logic of projects and to improve the use of objectives as a tool for management. By actively using the SBP VIP, the project organization as a whole will better understand the role of the project related to its surroundings. This model is strongly corresponding with the theories presented in this assignment.In addition, the Asset Optimization Workshop can be appropriate as an independent and external third party evaluation. The CVP has seemingly excellent routines regarding these issues, but it is usually valuable for projects to be evaluated from another point of view.


Background. Light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy has been reported to relieve pain and enhance tissue repair through several mechanisms. However, the analgesic effect of LED on incised wounds has never been examined. Objectives. We examined the analgesic effect of LED therapy on incision pain and the changes in cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Methods. Rats received LED therapy on incised skin 6 days before incision (L-I group) or 6 days after incision (I-L group) or from 3 days before incision to 3 days after incision (L-I-L group). Behavioral tests and analysis of skin tissue were performed after LED therapy. Results. LED therapy attenuated the decrease in thermal withdrawal latency in all the irradiated groups and the decrease in the mechanical withdrawal threshold in the L-I group only. The expression levels of COX-2, PGE2, and IL-6 were significantly decreased in the three LED-treated groups, whereas IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly decreased only in the L-I group compared with their levels in the I groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions. LED therapy provides an analgesic effect and modifies the expression of COX-2, PGE2, and proinflammatory cytokines in incised skin.


AIM
To investigate the putative role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the carcinogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China.

METHODS
Twenty-three esophageal squamous cell carcinoma samples and the distal normal epithelium from Shanxi Province, and 25 more esophageal squamous cell carcinoma samples from Anyang city, two areas with a high incidence of esophageal cancer in China, were detected for the existence of HPV-16 DNA by PCR, mRNA in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) targeting HPV-16 E6 gene.

RESULTS
There were approximately 64 % (31/48) patients having HPV-16 DNA in tumor samples, among them nearly two-thirds (19/31) samples were detected with mRNA expression of HPV-16 E6. However, in the normal esophageal epithelium from cancer patients, the DNA and mRNA of HPV-16 were found with much less rate: 34.7 % (8/23) and 26.1 % (6/23) respectively. In addition, at protein level detected by IHC assay, 27.1 % (13/48) tumor samples had virus oncoprotein E6 expression, while only one case of normal epithelium was found positive.

CONCLUSION
HPV infection, especially type 16, should be considered as a risk factor for esophageal malignancies in China.


Th e fi rst survey of rove beetle species from Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is presented. Th irty-fi ve species are reported from the following subfamilies: Aleocharinae (14), Micropeplinae (1), Omaliinae (7), Oxytelinae (2), Paederinae (1), Proteininae (2), Pselaphinae (1), Staphylininae (3), and Tachyporinae (4). All species are listed in Table 1. One new species, Oxypoda stanleyi Klimaszewski & McLean, sp. n., is described and illustrated and three new adventive aleocharine species are recorded for the fi rst time from British Columbia. Th ey are: Dalotia coriaria (Kraatz), Mocyta fungi (Gravenhorst), and Oxypoda opaca (Gravenhorst). Th ese exotic species were previously known from the Palaearctic region, eastern Canada, and the United States.


This report examines the relation between state variations in the regulation of nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and the employment of these nonphysician providers (NPPs) by community health centers (CHCs). Data for this report came from a 1991-92 survey of CHCs assessing the employment of NPPs, and secondary available data. The dependent variables examined were the numbers of NPPs currently employed by CHCs. Independent variables included 1992 practice environment scores, CHC location, number of CHC physicians, and NPP-to-population ratios. The number of NPs and PAs employed by CHCs was significantly associated with practice environment for these practitioners. NPP-to-population ratios and the number of CHC physicians are also significantly associated with NPP employment by CHCs. State decision makers may reduce legislative and regulatory barriers to practice as a way to improve the practice environment for nonphysician primary care providers, particularly NPs and PAs. Thus, community health centers can employ adequate number of NPPs to fulfill their mission of serving the poor and underserved population.


Background Burn injury is one of the most devastating forms of trauma which can have physical, pyschological and sociological consquences (Blakeney et al , 2007). It requies a multi-disciplinary team approach for optimum outcome (Butler, 2013). An in-house training programme has been developed at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield to improve the knowledge, skills and competency of the team working within the Burn service and to deliver a high quality, evidence-based service. Methodology The training programme is still in it's infancy and has been delivered utilising a variety of teaching methods such as didactic teaching, case-based discussion and a simulated burn scenario in mock clinical environment. Results Eight participants engaged in the simulated scenario which was about the admission of a patient with a significant burn. They felt that it re-enforced the importance of early intervention and need to calculate burn size, depth and appropriate resuscitation fluids which they were given the opportunity to do as individuals. Conclusion Simulation has been found to be a relaible tool in assessment and of both teamwork and communication skills (Okuda et al, 2009). Clinical medicine is increasingly focused on patient safety issues and quality- understandably patients are reluctant to have staff "practice" on them, so simulation allows us to bridge the educational gap and train the multi-disciplinary team in theory, practice and human factors in a realistic and safe clinical environment (Wilford and Doyle 2006). References Blakeney P, Rosenberg L, Rosenberg M, Faber A. Pyschosocial care of the person with severe burns. BURNS 2007b;34(4):433–440 Butler D. The 21st Century Burn Team. BURNS 2013;39:375–379 Okuda Y, Bryson EO, DeMaria S Jr, et al. The utility of simulation in medical education MOUNT SINAI. Journal of Medicine 2009;76(4):330–343 Wilford A, Doyle T. Integrating simulation into the Nursing Curriculum. British Journal of Nursing 2006;15(11)


Abstract:This article draws on personal experience with stalking to argue that crises of stability in higher education and institutional problems of hostile workplaces for women, gender-nonconforming, and transgender people are linked issues that work simultaneously to create conditions that push critical feminists out of the academy. Critical feminism as an intellectual and political tradition attracts scholars from marginalized groups, but our personal and scholarly locations combine to place us in more marginal positions within the academy. Critical feminists are more likely to be in teaching intensive positions that are more likely to be cut or threatened; we are more likely to do more emotional labor as a result of these same jobs and, often, our personal attachment to them; we are more susceptible to harassment from students, colleagues, and the outside public as a result of our work; and we are subject to less institutional protection for the same reasons. These factors all contribute to critical feminist exhaustion, and an inability to produce scholarship that would allow us to move on rather than out. This phenomenon has serious consequences not only for our presence in the academy but also for the type of knowledge that is produced as a result.


The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, signed in February of 2016, is an ambitious effort to set high standards on a 'mega-regional' level. This paper examines the TPP's investment provisions with a focus on their most controversial dimension: the extent to which they constrain the 'state regulatory space' (SRS) of host states. We embrace the text-as-data approach by coding the TPP and other investment agreements among TPP parties on designed features related to SRS. The challenges presented by this coding exercise demonstrate some of the advantages of manual coding over automated methods when nuance and interpretation are required. With our data, we first compare the TPP to other agreements and find that it scores relatively high on SRS, although it falls within the range of existing agreements and does not seem to chart new territory in this regard. We then investigate which existing agreements are most similar to and dissimilar from the TPP with respect to SRS. Using regression analysis, we consider a number of factors to explain this variation and find that the TPP is most similar to agreements involving the United States, to agreements among Western Hemispheric countries, to other free trade agreements with investment chapters, and to more recent agreements. However, different factors seem to matter if we look only at provisions related to investor-state dispute settlement versus substantive provisions, implying that it is important to distinguish between the substantive and procedural dimensions of treaties.


Pollinators provide crucial ecosystem services that underpin to wild plant reproduction and yields of insect‐pollinated crops. Understanding the relative impacts of anthropogenic pressures and climate on the structure of plant–pollinator interaction networks is vital considering ongoing global change and pollinator decline. Our ability to predict the consequences of global change for pollinator assemblages worldwide requires global syntheses, but these analytical approaches may be hindered by variable methods among studies that either invalidate comparisons or mask biological phenomena. Here we conducted a synthetic analysis that assesses the relative impact of anthropogenic pressures and climatic variability, and accounts for heterogeneity in sampling methodology to reveal network responses at the global scale. We analyzed an extensive dataset, comprising 295 networks over 123 locations all over the world, and reporting over 50,000 interactions between flowering plant species and their insect visitors. Our study revealed that anthropogenic pressures correlate with an increase in generalism in pollination networks while pollinator richness and taxonomic composition are more related to climatic variables with an increase in dipteran pollinator richness associated with cooler temperatures. The contrasting response of species richness and generalism of the plant–pollinator networks stresses the importance of considering interaction network structure alongside diversity in ecological monitoring. In addition, differences in sampling design explained more variation than anthropogenic pressures or climate on both pollination networks richness and generalism, highlighting the crucial need to report and incorporate sampling design in macroecological comparative studies of pollination networks. As a whole, our study reveals a potential human impact on pollination networks at a global scale. However, further research is needed to evaluate potential consequences of loss of specialist species and their unique ecological interactions and evolutionary pathways on the ecosystem pollination function at a global scale.


Perceptive deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has lead to many recent breakthroughs for complex AI systems leveraging image-based input data. Applications of these results range from super-human level video game agents to dexterous, physically intelligent robots. However, training these perceptive DRL-enabled systems remains incredibly compute and memory intensive, often requiring huge training datasets and large experience replay buffers. This poses a challenge for the next generation of field robots that will need to be able to learn on the edge in order to adapt to their environments. In this paper, we begin to address this issue through differentially encoded observation spaces. By reinterpreting stored image-based observations as a video, we leverage lossless differential video encoding schemes to compress the replay buffer without impacting training performance. We evaluate our approach with three state-of-the-art DRL algorithms and find that differential image encoding reduces the memory footprint by as much as 14.2x and 16.7x across tasks from the Atari 2600 benchmark and the DeepMind Control Suite (DMC) respectively. These savings also enable large-scale perceptive DRL that previously required paging between flash and RAM to be run entirely in RAM, improving the latency of DMC tasks by as much as 32%.


This work presents Flow, an open-source Python library enabling the application of distributed reinforcement learning (RL) to mixed-autonomy traffic control tasks, in which autonomous vehicles, human-driven vehicles, and infrastructure interact. Flow integrates SUMO, a traffic microsimulator, with RLlib, a distributed reinforcement learning library. Using Flow, researchers can programatically design new traffic networks, specify experiment configurations, and apply control to autonomous vehicles and intelligent infrastructure. We have used Flow to train autonomous vehicles to improve traffic flow in a wide variety of representative traffic scenarios; the results and scripts to generate the networks and perform training have been integrated into Flow as benchmarks. Community use of Flow is central to its design; extensibility and clarity were considered throughout development. Flow is available for open-source use at flow-project.github.io and github.com/flow-project/flow.


In this work we present a new dataset of literary events—events that are depicted as taking place within the imagined space of a novel. While previous work has focused on event detection in the domain of contemporary news, literature poses a number of complications for existing systems, including complex narration, the depiction of a broad array of mental states, and a strong emphasis on figurative language. We outline the annotation decisions of this new dataset and compare several models for predicting events; the best performing model, a bidirectional LSTM with BERT token representations, achieves an F1 score of 73.9. We then apply this model to a corpus of novels split across two dimensions—prestige and popularity—and demonstrate that there are statistically significant differences in the distribution of events for prestige.


This article aims to analyse, and point to the reasons of, the low participation of women in the public sphere. in particular, it focuses on the image of women's involvement created in Poland and other EU-member-states in the recent campaign preceding the 2004 Elec- tions to the European Parliament.The empirical material used in the study comes from the international Research Project "Gender and European Elections", co-ordinated by Karen Ross (Coventry University, UK) and focusing on the role of women in EP-Election Campaign in 'old' and 'new' EU- member-states. The detailed examination of Polish daily newspapers: the liberal 'Gazeta Wyborcza' and the communist 'Trybuna' (constituting the Polish part of the said project) is in the main focus of the analysis. The latter is further supplemented with, and compared to, results from other countries such as Lithuania, Czech Republic and France.As it appears from the analysis of the Polish case, the very limited interest in the EP elections among Polish voters (evading in the, eventually, very low EP-electoral turnout in Poland) stems from the fact that Poles still have a very limited knowledge about the his- tory and functioning of the EU in general, and of the European Parliament in particular. accordingly, the image of the European Parliament which appears from the study sees the EP as a 'distant' and 'supranational' body which bears little influence on the life of 'ordi- nary', Polish citizens. Therefore, prior to the analyses described above, my study provides an extensive introduction highlighting the institutional and political ontology of the EP, while it also focuses on the earlier studies analysing Polish attitudes towards the European Parliament.


Objective To evaluate the mediating/moderating effects of common internalizing /externalizing disorders on the association between ADHD and adolescent substance use disorders (SUD) in a population-based birth cohort. Methods Among 5718 children in the birth cohort, 343 ADHD incident cases and 712 matched controls were identified. Psychiatric diagnoses prior to age 19 were classified into DSM-IV categories. The association between ADHD and SUD was summarized (hazard ratios (HR), 95% CI). The effect of depression, CD/ODD, anxiety was evaluated separately. Results Assessment of the joint effects of ADHD and each psychiatric disorder did not support a moderating effect of these disorders on SUD on additive scale. However, the association between ADHD and SUD was partially explained by a mediating role of these psychiatric disorders. Conclusion For clinicians our results emphasize that depression (or CD/ODD) confers greater risk for SUD than ADHD alone. Early detection/treatment of SUD among adolescents with depression (or CD/ODD) is crucial regardless of ADHD.


Prismatic adaption (PA) has been proposed as a tool to induce neural plasticity and is used to help neglect rehabilitation. It leads to a recalibration of visuomotor coordination during pointing as well as to aftereffects on a number of sensorimotor and attention tasks, but whether these effects originate at a motor or attentional level remains a matter of debate. Our aim was to further characterize PA aftereffects by using an approach that allows distinguishing between effects on attentional and motor processes. We recorded EEG in healthy human participants (9 females and 7 males) while performing a new double step, anticipatory attention/motor preparation paradigm before and after adaptation to rightward-shifting prisms, with neutral lenses as a control. We then examined PA aftereffects through changes in known oscillatory EEG signatures of spatial attention orienting and motor preparation in the alpha and beta frequency bands. Our results were twofold. First, we found PA to rightward-shifting prisms to selectively affect EEG signatures of motor but not attentional processes. More specifically, PA modulated preparatory motor EEG activity over central electrodes in the right hemisphere, contralateral to the PA-induced, compensatory leftward shift in pointing movements. No effects were found on EEG signatures of spatial attention orienting over occipitoparietal sites. Second, we found the PA effect on preparatory motor EEG activity to dominate in the beta frequency band. We conclude that changes to intentional visuomotor, rather than attentional visuospatial, processes underlie the PA aftereffect of rightward-deviating prisms in healthy participants. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Prismatic adaptation (PA) has been proposed as a tool to induce neural plasticity in both healthy participants and patients, due to its aftereffect impacting on a number of visuospatial and visuomotor functions. However, the neural mechanisms underlying PA aftereffects are poorly understood as only little neuroimaging evidence is available. Here, we examined, for the first time, the origin of PA aftereffects studying oscillatory brain activity. Our results show a selective modulation of preparatory motor activity following PA in healthy participants but no effect on attention-related activity. This provides novel insight into the PA aftereffect in the healthy brain and may help to inform interventions in neglect patients.


OBJECTIVE
To provide an empirical examination of the effect that chronic illicit drug use has on emergency room (ER) utilization, controlling for the potential biases introduced by correlation between unobservable determinants of chronic illicit drug use and ER utilization.

DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING
From the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse 1994 (NHSDA94).

STUDY DESIGN
Chronic illicit drug use and ER utilization are analyzed for 5,384 females and 4,177 males in 1994. The study uses a two-stage estimation technique. In the first stage, sociodemographic, drug use history, and drug use risk variables are used to estimate the probability that the subject is a chronic illicit drug user (CDU). In the second stage, the first-stage estimates provide information needed to test for the possibility of bias in the estimation of ER utilization. This bias is the result of the correlation between unobservable influences on the probability that the person is a CDU and the probability that he or she uses an ER.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS
The data were collected through a multistage stratified sampling design. With the use of this methodology, the resulting data set provides the most comprehensive information on household drug use.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Without a correction for the possibility of endogeneity bias, chronic illicit drug use is a positive (for both males and females) and a significant (for females only) determinant of the probability of using an ER for medical treatment. After a correction for endogeneity, the influence of chronic drug use remains positive and significant for females and becomes significant for males. The corresponding change in probability for females is from 6 percent to 30 percent, while for males the increase is from an insignificant 0.1 percent to a significant 36 percent change.

CONCLUSIONS
We estimate that chronic drug-using females and males, after adjustments for bias, increase the probability that they use an ER by more than 30 percent compared to their casual or non-drug-using counterparts. Therefore, policymakers and health services providers may consider designing programs to bring primary care and prevention services to facilities where drug users are more likely to seek access to care, within an ER setting.


The high-medium voltage level distribution networks have their own characters. Because of the radiation characteristic of the network, this paper looks on the network as the combination of some small optimization unit. The paper simplifies the resolution of the reactive power optimization by the way of alternatively solving the adjusting transformer taps and switching capacity banks. At the same time, considering the practical operation request, the paper evaluates the regulation effect and improves the practicability of the software.


Medicine involves a number of events and environments that are stressful, both for patients and (if you include qualifying examinations) for students. This issue presents some evidence that acupuncture seems to help a bit. The intensive care unit is a stressful place, particularly to patients who are intubated. Zheng and colleagues report a sham-controlled trial which strongly suggests that acupuncture reduces the dose of sedative needed by these patients. However, our expert commentary by Farquhar-Smith highlights some limitations and suggests caution and more evidence in different patients and settings before it can be adopted. The various procedures involved in in vitro fertilisation are known to be challenging, and so women will welcome our second sham-controlled trial in which Isoyama and colleagues show an effect of acupuncture on anxiety, though admittedly small groups. Our next study involved students working up to their fi nal examinations, a nervous period for anyone, the memory of which will resonate with readers. Dias and colleagues also randomised participants, but this time the control group had no acupuncture rather than sham acupuncture. The students benefi tted, but we do not know precisely how. Rather ironically, one student stopped acupuncture because he found the needles stressful. Many of the symptoms of anxiety involve the autonomic nervous system. One research group from Tsukuba, Japan, has previously shown that the pupil diameter narrows after acupuncture, due to increased parasympathetic stimulation. In the group's latest paper, Mori et al show that the effect can be observed even if the experiments are conducted in daylight instead of a dark room. Still pursuing the topic of autonomic changes, Suzuki and colleagues show an effect in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that seems to involve the opposite change – parasympathetic inhibition or sympathetic stimulation. Another possible speculative mechanism could be direct effects on the respiratory muscles. In their case series of 26 patients, breathlessness assessed by Borg score improved after a course of acupuncture. The benefi ts were clinically relevant, and interestingly were more marked in patients with more severe disease. Neurophysiological studies suggest that these different neuromodulatory effects of acupuncture can require different techniques of stimulation, so analysing precisely how practitioners manipulate the needle is important. Davis and colleagues present an innovative study using apparatus that directly measures the movement of the needle during stimulation. So where should this stimulation be given? Acupuncture 'points' clearly exist on charts, but can we identify them in the body? It is probable that some effects like inactivating myofascial trigger points are best needled in 'the right place'. For other effects, there is precious little evidence that 'points' have any specifi c distinguishing features, though the search goes on for features such as electrical phenomena. The literature on this is still inconclusive, as we saw in our December issue. Now two more papers are presented which are undoubtedly interesting and add new rigour. They describe technical advances using standardised multiple measurements. Kramer and colleagues use a fi xed array of electrodes (fi gure 1) and Rezaei and colleagues use a special four-electrode device. Neither claims conclusive results, but both provide food for thought. Inoue and colleagues take point-fi nding to a new level of precision by using x-ray imaging to locate the needles in their case series of patients with resistant back pain. In our laboratory study section, Zhang and colleagues show that acupuncture enhances the effect of cucurmin in preventing the development of liver fi brosis. Our shorter items show the usual fascinating diversity of acupuncture, but are united in suggesting that acupuncture may promote changes in tissue levels of various molecules: calcium in the tendons, cytokines in the fi ngers, and fat in the ageing skin. But, fi rst of all, turn the page and enjoy a cheerful tale of veterinary acupuncture from South America, told in charming images.


Recent developments at Thales Cryogenics have been aimed at improving the performances of 100 W and 200 W input power class flexure bearing Stirling coolers. The aim of these developments has been twofold: To enable multi-year operation with a vanishingly small failure probability (high availability) and to extend the usable range down to below 42 K (low temperature). As the starting point for development, the LSF9589 and LSF9340/LSF9350 cooler ranges were selected. By performing these upgrades, the usability range of the cryocoolers is extended. Multiple upgrades will be shown such as tuning for low-temperature operations and material upgrades. Test results will be presented and potential future improvements will be discussed. The work performed was done for a variety of customers, with applications including nitrogen recondensers for zero boil-off dewars, high temperature superconducting filters, and low temperature longwave infrared detectors.


In remote areas, settlements are usually established for specific purposes such as: an administrative outpost; to support a specific transport technology; service extractive natural resource industries such as mining, farming, fishing and forestry, or; provide a location for a military establishment. If the purpose for which a settlement was established changes, there is potential for decline to occur unless a replacement industry can be established. As the authors of Chapter 3 have conveyed, resource based settlements in particular are susceptible to boom and bust cycles linked to overdependence on external markets (Schmallegger and Carson, 2010). Finding replacement industries is generally difficult although in recent decades tourism has been flagged as an activity that has some potential to assist settlements that are in danger of decline. However, for a strategy based on tourism to succeed in the long term, the communities living in these settlements must be able to offer attractions capable of generating visitor interest, provide long term employment options for the community and contribute to long term community economic stability. This is not always possible. This chapter examines the potential for tourism to be developed as an alternative industry sector in remote settlements that are either facing decline or wish to find an alternative economic base.
Following a brief review of the issues that face remote settlements this chapter outlines a management model that uses an action pathway approach to identify alternative or replacement exportable resources. Three settlements, two Australian and one Canadian, are examined to identify how communities have reacted to decline and what factors are likely to produce positive outcomes. The Australian settlements are former railway towns that have attempted to utilise a perceived comparative advantage based on rail heritage to develop a competitive tourism experience. One has been successful and established a sustainable replacement economic sector based on tourism; the other was unsuccessful and entered a long period of decline. The Canadian case study investigates how a former Canadian Klondike gold rush town has been able to capitalise on its mining heritage to build a sustainable tourism sector. In these case studies, a triple bottom line approach is used to define sustainability including: fostering the long term protection of the resources used by the tourism sector; building a profitable business sector and; enhancing community cohesiveness and supporting its long term survival.


Introduction: Patients with distal rectal cancer with predicted poor functional outcome for primary anastomosis, there are two proposed non-restorative surgical management include Ultra Low Hartmann's (ULH) and Intersphincteric abdominal perineal resection (IAPR). The aim of this study is to compare short term postoperative morbidity and mortality between the two groups.
Methods: Patients who either had a ULH or an IAPR between 2013-2019 in a single centre were included in this retrospective cohort study. Follow-up for 30 days was performed and data was collected and analysed.
Results: A total of 54 patients were included in the study, 14 in the ULH group and 40 in the IAPR group. There was no difference in age between the groups however the ULH had more patients with comorbidities and higher ASA scores compared to the IAPR group. ULH resulted in more severe complications 14% compared to IAPR with 2.5% (p=0.18). three out of 14 patients (21%) in the ULH group develop a pelvic collection compared to one out of 40 (2.5%) in the IAPR group (p=0.01). Reintervention were performed in 2 patients in the ULH group (14%) compared to 5 patients in the IAPR group (12.5%) p=0.24. The readmission rate was 14% in the ULH group and 27.5% in the IAPR group (p=0.73).

Conclusion: The results from the study suggest that IAPR can be considered an alternative to ULH in patients with low rectal cancer given that ULH was associated with a higher rate of pelvic abscesses and reoperation.


In 13 chronic hemodialysis patients who required frequent arteriovenous recannulation, the technique of internal suture stabilization was used. To achieve maximum cannula-vessel stability, two nonabsorbable sutures were passed through the cannula wall at the proximal end of the silicone rubber outer cannula where it overrides the Teflon tip, and then secured to the underlying muscular fascia. None of the individuals who handled the cannulas daily were aware that the stabilization procedure had been performed. Mean cannula survival in the nonstabilized group was 85.2 days and in the suture-stabilized group was 242.2 days, a highly significant difference. In addition, these patients have shown a marked reduction in the frequency and severity of cannula infection.


OBJECTIVES
A growing literature suggests that missed nursing care is common in hospitals and may contribute to poor patient outcomes. There has been scant empirical evidence in pediatric populations. Our objectives were to describe the frequency and patterns of missed nursing care in inpatient pediatric settings and to determine whether missed nursing care is associated with unfavorable work environments and high nurse workloads.

METHODS
A cross-sectional study using registered nurse survey data from 2006 to 2008 was conducted. Data from 2187 NICU, PICU, and general pediatric nurses in 223 hospitals in 4 US states were analyzed. For 12 nursing activities, nurses reported about necessary activities that were not done on their last shift because of time constraints. Nurses reported their patient assignment and rated their work environment.

RESULTS
More than half of pediatric nurses had missed care on their previous shift. On average, pediatric nurses missed 1.5 necessary care activities. Missed care was more common in poor versus better work environments (1.9 vs 1.2; P < .01). For 9 of 12 nursing activities, the prevalence of missed care was significantly higher in the poor environments (P < .05). In regression models that controlled for nurse, nursing unit, and hospital characteristics, the odds that a nurse missed care were 40% lower in better environments and increased by 70% for each additional patient.

CONCLUSIONS
Nurses in inpatient pediatric care settings that care for fewer patients each and practice in a professionally supportive work environment miss care less often, increasing quality of patient care.


Change is a constant in organizations. This quantitative study measured self-awareness in relation to personal orientation to change style among graduate students enrolled in the Master of Science in Organization Development at Queens University of Charlotte. This study focused on self-reported emotional self-awareness. The literature review identified the relevance of self-awareness throughout the change process. Data was collected through two instruments: the Change Style Indicator assessment measuring individual orientation to change style, and the Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI) assessment measuring self-awareness. Only the quadrant of self-awareness was used for inquiry regarding correlation with change. After examining and discriminating items in the self-awareness quadrant of the ESCI assessment, the researchers established a positive correlation between self-awareness and change. These results led the authors to propose increased attention to the aspects of the person involved in the change effort.


Chlorogenic acid (CGA) one of tea biomolecules is a natural antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body. It has also anti-obesity, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-cancer properties. Gallic acid exists in form of free acids and esters in plant material. This ubiquitous chemical is one of the many biologically active phenolic compounds of plant origin. Theanine a non-protein amino acid also called L-theanine is speculated to increase the levels of GABA, serotonin and dopamine. It has been used as a nutritional supplement in reducing stress, causing feelings of relaxation and improved mood. The aim of this study was to determine the variation of the levels of CGA, GA and theanine with processing technologies. Six tea cultivars TRFK 6/8, TRFK 11/4, TRFK 12/2, TRFK 31/8, TRFK 54/40 and TRFK 306/1 were selected for use in the study. Their leaf was processed to obtain CTC and orthodox tea products with green and black tea types being made. Profiling was done using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (Shimadzu Japan) equipped with photo-diode array detector (SPD-M20A). Graphical representation of the mean levels of Chlorogenic acid, Gallic acid and L-theanine contents was done using Microsoft® Excel, version 2010. Standard error of the mean was used to determine levels of significant differences. The result showed that TRFK 306/1 had the highest levels of CGA for both CTC and orthodox processing techniques while TRFK 12/2 had the lowest levels. In general, the levels were higher in black teas than in the green tea types. The levels of GA were in the range of 0.28-0.51% in green teas and 0.28-0.55% for the black tea types. At the cultivars level, black teas had significantly high levels of GA than the green teas. The theanine levels ranged at 0.97-1.87% for green teas and 0.79-1.47% for the black tea types.


Among the four African otter species, the Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) is the least known due to the remoteness of its Central African equatorial rainforest range. The taxonomic status and the criteria to differentiate A. congicus from the quite similar Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) are reviewed. The current distribution and status of A. congicus (Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, southern Cameroon and Central African Republic, northern Angola, and probably western Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) is updated using an information network, surveys in Gabon, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and localities of museum specimens. The species is mainly threatened by deforestation, hunting for bush meat and use for witchcraft materials.


: This paper shows how to improve optical flow estimation by considering a neighborhood consensus strategy along with a reliable flow propagation method. Propagation takes advantages of reliability measures that are available from local low level image features. In this paper, we focus on color but our method could be easily generalized by considering also texture or gradient features. We investigate the conditions of estimating accurate optical flow and managing correctly flow discontinuities by proposing a variant of the well-known Kanade-Lucas-Tomasi (KLT) approach. Starting from this classical approach, a consensual flow is estimated locally while two additional criteria are proposed to evaluate its reliability. Propagation of reliable flow throughout the image is then performed using a specific distance criterion based on color and proximity. Experiments are conducted within the Middlebury database and show better results than classic KLT and even global methods like the well known Horn and Schunck or Black and Anandan approaches.


Automatic evaluation of the goodness of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) has been a challenge for the field of machine learning. In this work, we propose a distance complementary to existing measures: Topology Distance (TD), the main idea behind which is to compare the geometric and topological features of the latent manifold of real data with those of generated data. More specifically, we build Vietoris-Rips complex on image features, and define TD based on the differences in persistent-homology groups of the two manifolds. We compare TD with the most commonly-used and relevant measures in the field, including Inception Score (IS), Fr\'echet Inception Distance (FID), Kernel Inception Distance (KID) and Geometry Score (GS), in a range of experiments on various datasets. We demonstrate the unique advantage and superiority of our proposed approach over the aforementioned metrics. A combination of our empirical results and the theoretical argument we propose in favour of TD, strongly supports the claim that TD is a powerful candidate metric that researchers can employ when aiming to automatically evaluate the goodness of GANs' learning.


Hollow Bridge section inspection was carried out in this study and different reasons may cause major failure of bridge. The field inspection of bridge structural elements has been paying more attention of engineering academic researchers. The bridge has been exposed to fire accident in additional to the excessive load and environmental factors effects. This study dedicated for inspection the White River Bridge elements (Bai xi da Qiao/ China) including the essential damage in main girder , concrete spalling, deformation due to deflection and excessive stress and strain, deck slab and concrete cover, steel corrosion…..etc. The analysis of field test evaluates the performance of whole structure of bridge element under static load test. The investigation results shows that the bridge has minor defects through the substructures such as there is no major corrosion of reinforcement and the concrete in a good condition. The upper structure depending on analysis field test of deflection and strain at the critical section, that the main girder has no enough capacity and need to be strengthened.


The last interglacial (LIG; Marine Isotope Substage 5e, ~127–117 ka) experienced globally warmer than modern temperatures; however, profound differences in regional climate occurred that are relevant to the assessment of future climate change scenarios. Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) and hydrology are intrinsic to the spatiotemporal evolution of past and future climate. We present eight monthly resolved coral Sr/Ca and δ18O records (130–118 ka) to reconstruct mean western tropical Atlantic SST and seawater δ18O changes during the LIG. Cooler and fresher than modern surface waters are indicated for the middle of the LIG at ~126 ka. This was followed by a rapid transition to modern‐like SSTs and salinities that characterized the remaining part of the LIG. Our results, which account for differences found among corals, proxies, and SST calibration uncertainties, agree with western tropical Atlantic sediment records. Together, they suggest that an oceanic regime existed that differed from today.


One of the common research goals in disciplines such as computer graphics and robotics is to understand the subtleties of human motion and develop tools for recreating natural and meaningful motion. Physical simulation of virtual human characters is a promising approach since it provides a testbed for developing and testing control strategies required to execute various human behaviors. Designing generic control algorithms for simulating a wide range of human activities, which can robustly adapt to varying physical environments, has remained a primary challenge.
This dissertation introduces methods for generic and robust control of virtual characters in an interactive physical environment. Our approach is to use the information of the physical contacts between the character and her environment in the control design. We leverage high-level knowledge of the kinematics goals and the interaction with the surroundings to develop active control strategies that robustly adapt to variations in the physical scene. For synthesizing intentional motion requiring long-term planning, we exploit properties of the physical model for creating efficient and robust controllers in an interactive framework. The control design leverages the reference motion capture data and the contact information with the environment for interactive long-term planning. Finally, we propose a compact soft contact model for handling contacts for rigid body virtual characters. This model aims at improving the robustness of existing control methods without adding any complexity to the control design and opens up possibilities for new control algorithms to synthesize agile human motion.


Automatically annotating column types with knowledge base (KB) concepts is a critical task to gain a basic understanding of web tables. Current methods rely on either table metadata like column name or entity correspondences of cells in the KB, and may fail to deal with growing web tables with incomplete meta information. In this paper we propose a neural network based column type annotation framework named ColNet which is able to integrate KB reasoning and lookup with machine learning and can automatically train Convolutional Neural Networks for prediction. The prediction model not only considers the contextual semantics within a cell using word representation, but also embeds the semantics of a column by learning locality features from multiple cells. The method is evaluated with DBPedia and two different web table datasets, T2Dv2 from the general Web and Limaye from Wikipedia pages, and achieves higher performance than the state-of-the-art approaches.


The use of dynamic information to aid in software understanding is a common practice nowadays. One of the many approaches concerns the comprehension of execution traces. A major issue in this context is scalability: due to the vast amounts of information, it is a very difficult task to successfully find your way through such traces without getting lost. In this paper, we propose the use of a novel trace visualization method based on a massive sequence and circular bundle view, constructed with scalability in mind. By means of three usage scenarios that were conducted on three different software systems, we show how our approach, implemented in a tool called EXTRAVIS, is applicable to the areas of trace exploration, feature location, and feature comprehension.


The steppe in the region of Ain Skhouna (Department of Saida) includes three major
vegetation types: Stipa tenacissima, Artemisia herba alba and Lygeum spartum. They have a very important ecological and socio-economic role. Nevertheless, they
are exposed to a threat of deterioration due essentially to a combination of
adverse climate circumstances and human impact. In the field, we found three
physiognomic stages for each type of vegetation: degraded, moderately degraded
and well growing. For a better comprehension of the process of each facies, we
considered that the dynamic of the above-ground biomass is an interesting
indicator for quantifying the degree of degradation of the steppic ecosystems.
For that, we have adopted a combined method: linear transects and vegetation
harvests over a one-square meter surface. This approach allowed us to identify
the chosen site taxa on the one hand and quantify the above-ground biomass of
each plot on the other hand. The obtained results reveal a significant regression
of the above-ground biomass when moving from one site to another. The values
about the Stipa formations present an average biomass oscillating
between 1024 and 271.7 kg DM/ha for perennial species and between 367 and 68.8
kg DM/ha for annuals. Those about Artemisia formations fluctuate between
3584 and 805 kg DM/ha for perennials and between 524 and 66 kg DM/ha for
annuals. Those about Lygeum formations oscillate between 274.4 and 87.9
kg DM/ha for perennial species accompanying Lygeum spartum and between
162.3 and 31.6 kg DM/ha for annuals.


Ubiquitous natural organic matter (NOM) controls the environmental behavior, bioavailability, and toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). However, NOM is heterogeneous and little is known about the reaction between its specific components and AgNPs. We investigated the effect of molecular weight (MW)-fractionated NOM (Mf-NOM) and its chemical composition on the stability, dissolution, and bioavailability of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated AgNPs in their interactions with rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. The amendment of Suwannee River NOM modified the size and surface charge of the AgNPs as well as their released Ag ion concentrations, thereby decreasing total Ag uptake rates. Mf-NOM addition also inhibited AgNP availability, but the extent of inhibition differed among NOM fractions. This effect was likely associated with the dissolution, not the aggregation of AgNPs. Moreover, neither the aromaticity nor the fluorescence intensity at the humic-like peaks of Mf-NOM explained its effects on AgNP bioavailability. The thiol group of cysteine, rather than the hydroxyl group of its analogue (serine) or the carboxylic groups of malic and citric acids, was more effective in reducing AgNP bioavailability. Hence, in AgNP risk assessments, in addition to the types and sources of NOM, the heterogeneity of the obtained NOM samples should be considered.


Methanol dehydration is currently of industrial interest as a means of dimethyl ether production. Pertinently, dimethyl ether may be used as an alternative LPG fuel. This reaction is acid catalysed and in this study a number of microporous catalysts, containing the unique MFI framework structure, have been investigated. Attention has also been directed towards the application of binders and their effects.
Temperature ranges for selective dimethyl ether formation were found to be 150- 275 °C over H-ZSM-5, 300-350 °C over Na-ZSM-5 and 150-350 °C over γ-Al2O3 catalysts (where ZSM-5 = MFI zeolites). Comparison of commercial ZSM-5 materials with a wide range of SiO2/Al2O3 ratios (23-1500) showed methanol dehydration to increase with increasing framework aluminium content. B-MFI, Fe- MFI and Ga-MFI zeotypes were synthesised for comparison to zeolites. 11B and 71Ga MAS-NMR measurements showed boron and gallium to be tetrahedrally coordinated within their MFI frameworks. The following ranking of methanol dehydration activity: Al > Ga > Fe > B was observed. Large scale zeolite and zeotype applications require the use of binders such as silicas and aluminas to provide desirable physical properties. Despite their necessity in scale-up, zeolite binding and its effects have been largely ignored and there is a general misconception that they are inert components. Silica binders were found to decrease the activity of the catalyst by dilution, alkali metal poisoning and pore filling. Sodium content had a stronger negative effect than binder dilution and pore blockage on the methanol dehydration activity. Furthermore, increasing sodium content resulted in decreasing extra-framework aluminium formation. Arrenhius plots of sodium-exchanged zeolites showed increasing sodium content to decrease the number of zeolite active sites. The methanol dehydration activity of H-ZSM-5 (1500) was increased in the presence of an alumina binder and the method of binding had little effect on the catalytic activity. A small degree of aluminium insertion into the zeolite framework was indicated by 27Al and 29Si MAS-NMR in bound and aluminium impregnated systems. 27Al and 29Si MAS-NMR also showed the change of the nature of active sites in Arrenhius plots of extremely calcined and extremely steamed aluminium-impregnated ZSM-5 (1500) catalysts to be the result of zeolite dealumination.


Absfruct- An analytical solution is determined in a simple shape region considered between the moving part and the fued one, and it is built as a special finite element called "MacroElement (ME)". The rest of the domain is finite element meshed. The coupling between both solutions is carried out when assembling finite element and ME matrixes. The movement is then considered by only the modification of the ME matrix. In this way, the matrix due to the finite element discretization is calculated once and used for every relative position of the moving part. The formulation is elaborated in the case of an axisymmetrical structure and its validity is achieved when applying it to study an electromagnetic actuator. The proposed model proves itself economic and accurate


Crop management affects soil attributes as well as its quality. We evaluated the following soil physical attributes: saturated hydraulic conductivity (K0), soil resistance (RP) and soil bulk density (BD), in Araras-SP, Brazil. Areas with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), soybean (Glycine max), physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) and native forest presented an increase of soil compaction in the 0.10 m surface layer for the three attributes in a following order: native forest <physic nut < soybean < sugarcane. Significant regressions were obtained for RP × K0; BD × K0 and BD × RP. Penetrometer measurements were essential to indicate differences among areassugarcane, native forest, physic nut and soybean; but for the measurements of K0, only between sugarcane and native forest. RP measurements confirm anthropogenic changes in the soil profile up to the 0.3 m depth. In the "Canarache soil resistance classification" soils showed "low resistance" "without limitations to root development" for native forest and physic nut; "medium resistance" for soybean area with "some limitations to root development" and "high resistance" for sugarcane with "limitations to root development". The use of penetrometers is discussed in relation to the readiness of field measurements.


Data centers currently waste a lot of energy, due to lack of energy proportionality and low resource utilization, the latter currently being necessary to ensure application responsiveness. To address the second concern we propose a novel application-level technique that we call event-driven Brownout. For each request, i.e., in an event-driven manner, the application can execute some optional code that is not required for correct operation but desirable for user experience, and does so only if the number of pending client requests is below a given threshold. We propose several autonomic algorithms, based on control theory and machine learning, to automatically tune this threshold based on measured application 95th percentile response times. We evaluate our approach using the RUBiS benchmark which shows a 11-fold improvement in maintaining response-time close to a set-point at high utilization compared to competing approaches. Our contribution is opening the path to more energy efficient data-centers, by allowing applications to keep response times close to a set-point even at high resource utilization.


Sciencenet.cn is the leading online portal serving the Chinese scientific community. This paper intends to analyze the interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary knowledge communication patterns based on friends-list links in the blog community at Sciencenet.cn by using hyperlink analysis and social network analysis. The major findings are: 1) More bloggers have an academic background in management science and life science; 2) there are some core actors in co-inlink network and co-outlink network, who take the lead in engaging with knowledge exchange activities and produce a great influence on interdisciplinary communication; 3) interactive relationships commonly exist between a blogger and those on his/her friends list, and the most linked-to blogs usually play a key role in generating interactive communication; 4) management science has the highest co-inlink count with life science or information science and it has the highest co-outlink count with life science or mathematical and physical science; 5) management science and life science have the greatest impact on information science and the interdisciplinary knowledge communication will also produce relatively significant influence on the development of information science discipline. It is our hope that this research can serve as a reference source for the future studies of academic virtual communities, and the development of mechanisms for facilitating increased engagement in knowledge exchange activities in academic virtual communities.