The majority of the protein mass of HeLa 40S heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleo- protein monoparticles is composed of multiple copies of six proteins that resolve in SDS gels as three groups of doublet bands (A1, A2; B1, B2; and C1, C2) (13eyer, A. L., M. E. Christensen, 13. W. Walker, and W. M. LeStourgeon. 1977. Cell. 11: 127-138). We report here that when 40S monoparticles are exposed briefly to ribonuclease, proteins A1, C1, and C2 are solubilized coincidentally with the loss of most premessenger RNA sequences. The remaining proteins exist as tetramers of (A2)3(B1) or pentamers of (A2)3(B1)(132). The tetramers may reassociate in highly specific ways to form either of two different structures. In 0.1 M salt approximately 12 tetramers (derived from three or four monoparticles) reassemble to form highly regular structures, which may possess dodecahedral symmetry. These structures sediment at 43S, are 20-22 nm in width, and have a mass near 2.3 million. These structures possess 450-500 bases of slowly labeled RNA, which migrates in gels as fragments 200-220 bases in length. In 9 mM salt the tetramers reassociate to form 2.0 M salt-insoluble helical filaments of indeterminant length with a pitch near 60 nm and diameter near 18 nm. If 40S monoparticles are treated briefly with nuclease-free proteases, the same proteins solubilized by nuclease (A1, C1, and C2) are preferentially cleaved. This protein cleavage is associated with the dissociation of most of the heterogeneous nuclear RNA. Proteins A2 and B1 again reassemble to form uniform, globular particles, but these sediment slightly slower than intact monoparticles. These findings indicate that proteins A1, C1, and C2 and most of the premessenger sequences occupy a peripheral position in intact monoparticles and that their homotypic and heterotypic associa- tions are dependent on protein-RNA interactions. Protein cross-linking studies demonstrate that trimers of A1, A2, and C1 exist as the most easily stabilized homotypic association in 40S particles. This supports the 3:1 ratio (via densitometry) of the A and C proteins to the B proteins and indicates that 40S monoparticles are composed of three or four repeating units, each containing 3(A1),3(A2),1(B1),1(B2),3(C1), and 1 (C2).


Trademark law recognizes that the same word can mean different things in different commercial contexts.  Legal protection might extend to two or more owners who use the same symbol (like Delta) to indicate different sources of disparate goods or services, such as airlines and faucets.  Generally, only those uses that threaten to confuse consumers—the use of similar symbols on identical or related goods—are subject to legal sanction.
But the law extends special protection to famous trademarks, not only against confusing use, but also against dilution:  non-confusing use that blurs or tarnishes the distinctiveness of the famous mark.  The result of protection against blurring is that the law treats the famous mark as if the sole proper use of the term in the commercial context is to designate goods and services from the famous mark's owner.
Protection against dilution extends only to famous marks, but courts and scholars apply differing standards for assessing fame.  Nonetheless, the trend over time has been to treat fame as a threshold requiring both sufficient renown—the famous mark must be a household name—and relatively singular use.
This article argues that corpus linguistic analysis can provide evidence of whether a mark is sufficiently prominent and singular to qualify for anti-dilution protection.  Corpus linguistics detects language patterns and meaning from analyzing actual language use.  This article draws data primarily from two large, publicly accessible databases (corpora) to investigate whether litigated trademarks are both prominent and unique.  Courts and parties can consider frequency evidence to establish or refute prominence, and contextual evidence like concordance and collocation to establish relative singularity.
Corpus evidence has some advantages over standard methods of assessing fame.  Corpus evidence is cheaper to generate than survey evidence but may be equally probative.  Corpus analysis can help right-size dilution litigation:  A litigant could estimate the prominence and singularity of an allegedly famous mark using corpus evidence prior to discovery and better predict whether the mark should qualify for anti-dilution protection.  Judges should be able to rely on the results of corpus analysis with reasonable confidence.  Additionally, corpus evidence can show use of a mark over time, providing courts with tools to assess when a mark first became famous, a question that a survey generated for litigation cannot readily answer.


The natural gas industry combines activities with natural monopoly characterisitics with those that are potentially competitive. Pipeline transport and distribution, which have natural monopoly characterisitcs, require regulation of price and non-price behavior. Production is a contestable activity, but in a few countries (including Mexico) it remains a state monopoly. Gas marketing is also contestable, but the presence of a dominant, upstream, vertically integrated incumbent may pose significant barriers to entry. Market architecture decisions--such as horizontal structure, regional development, and the degree of vertical integration--are also crucial. The authors report that Mexico has undertaken structural reform in the energy sector more slowly than many other countries, but it has introduced changes to attract private investment in natural gas transport and distribution. These changes were a response to the rapid growth in demand for natural gas (about 10 percent a year) in Mexico, which was in turn a response to economic development and the enforcement of environmental regulations. The new regulatory framework provides incentives for firms to invest and operate efficiently and to bear much much of the risk associated with new projects. It also protects captive consumers and improves general economic welfare. The continued vertical integration of the state-owned company Pemex and its statutory monopoly in domestic production posed a challenge to regulators. Their response in liberalizing trade, setting first-hand sales prices, and regulating natural gas distribution makes the Mexican case an interesting example of regulatory design. As the first phase of investment mobilization and competition for the market in Mexican distribution project concludes, remaining challenges include consistently and transparently enforcing regulations, coordinating tasks among government agencies, and ensuring expansion of gas transport services and domestic production. A key challenge in the near term will be fostering competition in the market. In strengthening the role of market forces, one issue is Pemex's discretionary discounts on domestic gas and access to transport services, made possible by its monopoly in domestic production and marketing activities and its overwhelming dominance in transport. The main instrument available to the regulator is proscribing Pemex contract pricing, but more durable and tractable instruments should be considered.


Pore geometry is a difficult parameter to quantify, but it affects the elastic moduli in a fundamental way. The uncertainty in elastic moduli is to a large degree due to the uncertainty in pore geometry. The authors inverted the velocity measurements of ninetyseven sandstone samples for the pore aspect ratio spectra. It was found that the porosity of round pores is in direct proportion to total porosity, and that the porosity of cracks is small and varies randomly for a large set of samples from different geological backgrounds but may be linearly related to total porosity for a small subset from some specific area. This pore geometrical model is central to predicting the elastic properties in sandstones. The dry elastic moduli at a given porosity vary chiefly due to cracks and the variability increases with decreasing porosity. This causes the cross-plot of dry elastic moduli versus total porosity to scatter in a triangular form, and is also responsible for higher stress sensitivity of low-porosity sandstones. The linearity between total porosity and elastic moduli results from strong correlation between crack porosity and total porosity, and it becomes more pronounced at high effective pressure or at saturation with a less compressible fluid such as water. The Vp/Vs ratio in wet sandstones is affected by the Vp/Vs ratio of rock solid and pore geometry, but the former has far more influence, which may provide the rock physics basis for lithology identification using the Vp/Vs ratio. Vp and Vs are correlated very well for both dry and wet sandstones. The two straight lines are separate at low velocities but merging toward high velocities. In addition, clay content has been found with little relationship to pore geometry and with some connection to the elastic moduli of rock solid.


Answer Set Programming (ASP) is a fully-declarative logic programming paradigm, which has been proposed in the area of knowledge representation and non-monotonic reasoning. Nowadays, the formal properties of ASP are well-understood, efficient ASP systems are available, and, recently, ASP has been employed in a few industrial applications. However, ASP technology is not mature for a successful exploitation in industry yet; mainly because ASP technologies are not integrated in the well-assessed development processes and platforms which are tailored for imperative/object-oriented programming languages. In this paper we present a new programming framework blending ASP with Java. The framework is based on JASP, an hybrid language that transparently supports a bilateral interaction between ASP and Java. JASP specifications are compliant with the JPA standard to perfectly fit extensively-adopted enterprise application technologies. The framework also encompasses an implementation of JASP as a plug-in for the Eclipse platform, called JDLV, which includes a compiler from JASP to Java. Moreover, we show a real-world application developed with JASP and JDLV, which highlights the effectiveness of our ASP-Java integration framework.


In this work, numerical simulations describing the circular plate vibration suppression are presented. It was assumed that the vibrating plate is clamped at the circumference of a planar finite baffle and that it interacts with an ideal homogeneous compressible fluid. The formal solution of the fluid-plate-coupled equation is given for a plate driven by a harmonic surface force with constant density; the state-space realisation of the model is given. Three parameters that characterise fluid loading, internal damping of the plate material and the ratio of the plate radius to the baffle size are included in this model. The modern control theory is then applied to the system state-space equation. An optimal reduction of the plate vibrations was obtained for the point control force located centrally using a linear quadratic regulator (LQR). The simulations of the active attenuation of the plate vibrations were made with a Simulink/Matlab® computer program. The results indicate that it is possible to achieve a significant reduction of the vibration amplitude using only one control force.


In this thesis, general theoretical tools are constructed which can be applied to develop ma- chine learning algorithms which are consistent, with fast convergence and which minimize the generalization error by asymptotically controlling the rate of false discoveries (FDR) of features, especially for high dimensional datasets. Even though the main inspiration of this work comes from biological applications, where the data is extremely high dimensional and often hard to obtain, the developed methods are applicable to any general statistical learning problem.
In this work, the various machine learning tasks like hypothesis testing, classification, regression, etc are formulated as risk minimization algorithms. This allows such learning tasks to be viewed as optimization problems, which can be solved using first order optimization techniques in case of large data scenarios, while one could use faster converging second order techniques for small to moderately sized data sets. Further, such a formulation allows us to estimate the first order convergence rates of an empirical risk estimator for any arbitrary learning problem, using techniques from large deviation theory.
In many scientific applications, robust discovery of factors affecting an outcome or a phe- notype, is more important than the accuracy of predictions. Hence, it is essential to find an appropriate approach to regularize an under-determined estimation problem and thereby control the generalization error. In this work, the use of local probability of false discovery is explored as such a regularization parameter, which forces the optimized solution towards functions with a lower probability to be a false discovery. Again, techniques from large devi- ation theory and the Gibbs principle allow the derivation of an appropriately regularized cost function.
These two theoretical results are then used to develop concrete applications. First, the problem of multi-classification is analyzed, which classifies a sample from an arbitrary proba- bility measure into a finite number of categories, based on a given training data set. A general risk functional is derived, which can be used to learn Bayes optimal classifiers controlling the false discovery rate.
Secondly, the problem of model selection in the regression context is considered, aiming to select a subset of given regressors which explains most of the observed variation i.e. perform ANOVA. Again, using techniques mentioned above, a risk function is derived which when optimized, controls the rate of false discoveries. This technique is shown to outperform the popular LASSO algorithm, which can be proven to not control the FDR, but only the FWER.
Finally, the problem of inferring under-sampled and partially observed non-negative dis- crete random variables is addressed, which has applications to analyzing RNA sequencing data. By assuming infinite divisibility of the underlying random variable, its characterization as being a discrete Compound Poisson Measure (DCP), is derived. This allows construction of a non-parametric Bayesian model of DCPs with a Pitman-Yor Mixture process prior, which is shown to allow for consistent inference under Kullback-Liebler and Renyi divergences even in the under-sampled regime.


Over the last decades, two basic design alternatives for spot markets for electricity have been established: The zonal approach as used, for example, in Europe and the nodal approach as applied notably in US markets. Since 2015, Flow-Based Market Coupling is used as an advanced market coupling approach to facilitate the exchange of electricity between the zonally organized markets in Central Western Europe. But how good is this state-of-the-art zonal approach compared to its nodal benchmark? And can enhancements to its relatively new rules and procedures improve the performance of Flow-Based Market Coupling?

We develop a model framework to analyse and quantify the welfare of Flow-Based Market Coupling relative to benchmarks like nodal designs in a real-world setting. We find that under ideal circumstances, where price zones are well-configured, Flow-Based Market Coupling approaches the efficiency of nodal pricing - realising 87% of the possible gains in comparison to a scenario with unlimited trade as lower benchmark. We also find it to be relatively robust in the presence of forecast errors. When taking the current European price zone configuration into account, however, the efficiency of Flow-Based Market Coupling decreases significantly. Only 59% of the efficiency of the nodal market design can be attained, creating societal losses of more than 500 million Euros each year. Moreover, we find the measures envisaged by European regulators to do further harm in terms of welfare. These measures are designed to enhance trade but, to a certain extent, ignore the physical reality of the transmission network. This entails significant increases of redispatch quantities, and operational system costs further rise by about 100 million Euros per year.


At a CFB boiler a system has been tested based on a Modelica model together with a decision support system. The model is a physical model including energy and material balances, chemical reactions like combustion and gasification reactions. For the combustion system we primarily consider equilibrium conditions while for gasification the kinetics is important and thus PLS-models built on experimental data in a pilot plant are combined with literature data and a physical model. The simulation model is first developed in Modelica, but then placed as an object in Simulink/Matlab, from which data is communicated to and from the data base through OPC-server. Measured data are collected from the process data base and inserted as initial data into the simulation model, including the boiler, separator, heat exchangers and steam system. A simulation during 300 seconds is performed and the data after this is compared to the initial data. If we have steady state conditions, the values after the simulation will be the same as the initial data, while if the data are not balanced, the difference will correspond to a balanced state between all measured data and the physical correlations in the boiler. This procedure is repeated on a regular basis and the trend of the difference between the measured and the balanced data is plotted and analyzed with respect to slope respectively variance. These data are combined with other type of information like standard deviation of sensors, which corresponds to noise; is the data value changing at all? Input of manual information like lab-data, unexpected events like noise; maintenance actions; activities like how many times a valve has been opening and closing; combination of data like Energy and Mass balances combined with conductivity in blow down from steam drum to detect possible leakages in piping or boiler systems;All this information is introduced into a BN, Bayesian Net, which has been built from known relations, but where the quantitative data is built from experience and statistics. In this way we can then detect possible faults or probable faults coming up. This information is used by both the operators and maintenance staff. The mathematical simulation model over the CFB boiler and results from the utilization is presented in this paper.


Abstract In this work a double exponential time inseparability result is proven for a finitely axiomatizable first order theory Q+. The theory, subset of Presburger theory of addition S+, is the additive fragment of Robinson system Q. We prove that every set that separates Q+ from the logically false sentences of addition is not recognizable by any Turing machine working in double exponential time. The lower bound is given both in the non-deterministic and in the linear alternating time models. The result implies also that any theory of addition that is consistent with Q+—in particular any theory contained in S+—is at least double exponential time difficult. Our inseparability result is an improvement on the known lower bounds for arithmetic theories. Our proof uses a refinement and adaptation of the technique that Fischer and Rabin used to prove the difficulty of S+. Our version of the technique can be applied to any incomplete finitely axiomatizable system in which all of the necessary properties of addition are provable.


Introduction Live attenuated oral vaccines against rotavirus (RV) have been shown to be less efficacious in children from developing countries. Reasons for this disparity are not fully understood. We assessed the role of maternal factors including breast milk RV-specific IgA, transplacentally acquired infant serum RV-specific IgG and maternal HIV status in seroconversion among Zambian infants routinely immunized with Rotarix™ (RV1). Methods 420 mother-child pairs were recruited at infant age 6–12 weeks in Lusaka. Clinical information and samples were collected at baseline and at one month following the second dose of RV1. Determination of breast milk RV-specific IgA and serum RV-specific IgA and IgG was done using standardized ELISA. Seroconversion was defined as a ≥ 4 fold rise in serum IgA titre from baseline to one-month post RV1 dose 2, while seropositivity of IgA was defined as serum titre ≥ 40 and antibody variables were modelled on log-base 2. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of the odds of seroconversion. Results Baseline infant seropositivity was 25.5% (91/357). The seroconversion frequency was 60.2% (130/216). Infants who were IgA seropositive at baseline were less likely to seroconvert compared to their seronegative counterparts (P = 0.04). There was no evidence of an association between maternal HIV status and seroconversion (P = 0.25). Higher titres of breast milk rotavirus-specific IgA were associated with a lower frequency of seroconverson (Nonparametric test for trend Z = -2.84; P<0.01): a two-fold increase in breast milk RV-specific IgA titres was associated with a 22% lower odds of seroconversion (OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.68–0.94; P = 0.01). There was seasonal variation in baseline breast milk rotavirus-specific IgA titres, with significantly higher GMTs during the cold dry months (P = 0.01). Conclusion Low immunogenicity of RV1 vaccine could be explained in part by exposure to high antibody titres in breast milk and early exposure to wild-type rotavirus infections. Potential interference of anti-RV specific IgA in breast milk and pre-vaccination serum RV specific-IgA and IgG titres with RV1 seroconversion and effectiveness requires further research.


This paper looks at intensive program students' perceptions of English-speaking skills and emphasizes the immediate need for improving them at all levels of higher education. For this purpose, 100 students (50 males and 50 females) of the intensive program from colleges of Arts, Business and Community, Saudi Arabia were administered a questionnaire. The data were analyzed quantitatively with SPSS. The findings of the study show that male and female students do not differ in their perceptions about learning to speak English and they are now becoming more aware of the growing importance of learning English. It is also found that lack of environment, interest and motivation are the most important factors that affect students' speaking skills. In addition, female students' perception towards English learning is more positive. The analysis also indicates that there is an undisputed agreement among the learners that English language will play an important role in Saudi Arabia. Finally, some implications for teachers to develop students' speaking skills are presented.


This Article argues that university discipline procedures likely discriminate against minority students and that increasingly muscular Title IX enforcement — launched with the best of intentions in response to real problems — almost certainly exacerbates yet another systemic barrier to racial justice and equal access to educational opportunities. Unlike elementary and secondary schools, universities do not keep publicly available data on the demographics of students subjected to institutional discipline, which prevents evaluation of possible disparate racial impact in higher education. Further, several aspects of the university disciplinary apparatus — including broad and vague definitions of offenses, limited access to legal counsel, and irregular procedures — increase the risk that minority students will suffer disproportionate suspensions and other punishment.
This Article brings needed attention to an understudied aspect of Title IX enforcement and raises concerns about the potential effects of implicit bias. While many commentators and courts have addressed whether university disciplinary procedures mistreat men — or, instead, even now provide inadequate protection for college women — few observers have discussed possible racial implications, which may explain (and be explained by) the current lack of data. Outside the context of sex-discrimination cases, university discipline procedures for quotidian matters such as plagiarism and alcohol abuse likely exhibit similar racial biases.
This Article argues that the U.S. Department of Education should use its authority under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require that colleges and universities immediately begin collecting and publishing the sort of data already reported by elementary and secondary schools, thereby allowing observers to assess the scope of disparate impact in campus discipline processes.


Abstract Boxwood (Buxus spp.) blight is a devastating disease caused by the Ascomycete fungus Calonectria pseudonaviculata in the U.S. and Europe. A second Calonectria species, C. henricotiae, is also pathogenic on boxwood in Europe, but is not present in the U.S. where it is classified as a quarantine pathogen. Composting can eradicate various plant pathogens and high temperature is likely the most important factor influencing pathogen eradication. We previously reported that C. pseudonaviculata microsclerotia survived exposure to 40 °C in an incubator without compost, whereas exposure to the same temperature and time, but with compost added, greatly decreased survival. That is, the decrease in Calonectria growth and survival in compost was greater than could be accounted for by high temperature alone. We hypothesized that the enhanced decrease in Calonectria growth and survival might be due to ammonia, a fungitoxic gas produced during composting. In this laboratory study, we determined that ammonia within agar in Petri plates reduced radial growth of both C. pseudonaviculata and C. henricotiae. In studies with C. pseudonaviculata, gaseous ammonia reduced microsclerotia survival. Our findings suggest that composting dead or dying blighted boxwoods in the presence of ammonia could reduce dissemination of both Calonectria species from blighted to healthy boxwoods.


The Health and Social Care Bill—all 281 clauses of it—was introduced into Parliament last week. The draft legislation for England is largely the vision of health secretary Andrew Lansley. Health unions fear that the reforms, which hand general practitioners control of over 80% of the NHS budget, are a cloak for privatisation.

Lansley's insistence on a breakneck speed for his reforms could be his downfall, say critics. By April 2013, the 152 primary care trusts will be abolished and all general practitioners required to join a commissioning consortium. The pace is breathtaking. One scenario is that this wholesale transition won't be possible. Nuffield Trust director Jennifer Dixon believes that "in areas where there are the weakest consortia, PCTs will remain in existence for much longer than 2013."

The upfront cost of putting reforms in place—to be largely incurred between this year and 2013—is estimated to be £1.4bn (€1.6bn, $2.2bn). This includes redundancy costs of £1bn. The remainder of the cost will be run up by transferring IT systems and staff from PCT to consortium premises, and start-up costs for consortiums. The Department of Health expects 50-70% of staff will transfer from PCTs/strategic health authorities to new structures, including consortiums.

Lansley is hoping for a reduction of a third in administration spending. By 2014-5, the NHS in England (excluding the acute sector) is expected to be spending £1.7bn less …


The shipping industry has become more and more demanding as far as the General and Maritime English are concerned. This is due to the fact that most merchant ships are owned by foreign companies and manned by multinational crews who need to be competent to communicate in English orally and in writing. In this respect, the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and the STCW'95 (Standards of Training Certification and Watch-keeping) convention and code imposed a number of requirements regarding the seafarers' Maritime English knowledge and adequate use. As a result of the international maritime bodies' requirements, the SMCP (Standard Marine Communication Phrases) has become mandatory for the shipping industry worldwide. The SMCP is a comprehensive standardized safety language, precise, concise, simple and unambiguous so as to avoid confusion and error. It consists of a set of terms, definitions, phrases used on board ships, for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication. Therefore, the MET (Maritime Education and Training) teachers have to meet the challenge of designing attractive and efficient courses to motivate their students to acquire more easily and in a more pleasant way the maritime terminology. It seems that the solution would be the on-line courses which are becoming more and more popular with the 21st century students. Last year we piloted the first year deck cadet on-line course, which was originally a traditional class course-book. At the end of the course, we administered a course evaluation form, which the majority of the students filled in. After analysing the learners` commentaries and suggestions, we revised some of the units and added on more information. In a learner-centred type of education it is very important to involve the learners in teaching/learning materials or even course design. This makes them more responsible for the learning process and more willing to achieve success. In this paper we will present the students` and teachers` feedback on the e-learning course revised version presently in progress in the 2014-2015 academic year.


Decisions about preservation issues are made both deliberatively and unconsciously. Heuristics operate as intuitive processes which are rapid and can be reliable and effective. Deliberative decisions require time to complete and can be described by an analytic-deliberative model. The characteristics of these two processes and their relevance to preventive conservation decision-making are discussed. Each of these two processes has its strengths and weaknesses. People naturally make decisions and utilise a range of strategies without necessarily having insights into the process. This paper provides a frame to help examine, describe, and reflect upon our own and others' decision-making in order to improve both processes and outcomes.


The concentrations of POC in the Eastern Harbour of Alexandria (average 2.2 mg/I) are high when compared with other coastal and estuarine areas. The inverse relation between POC and salinity (r = - 0.4493) suggests an allochthonous origin of POC in the harbour. The living fraction of POC (about 75%) included zooplankton 50.02%, phytoplankton 21.8%, and bacteria 28.18% while the detrital fraction constituted between 25 and 28% in the surface and bottom waters, respectively. PIC (average 4.62 mg/l ) constituted between 45 and 49% of the total particulate carbon in the bay. The coincidence between DOC, chlorophyll a and total living biomass peaks indicate that extracellular loss of phytoplankton and herbivores faecal pellets are major sources for DOC (average 5.27 mg/l) to the harbour water. The forms of organic carbon in the harbour can be used as organic matter pollution indices. The DOC/POC ratio was about 2.5:1. Dissolved inorganic carbon (average 11.38 mg/I) is the highest with regards to concentrations among the carbon forms, constituting about three quarters of TIC. The average percents of TDC/ TC, TOC/TC and POC/PC were 73.5%, 31%, and 39%, respectively. The basin receives annually about 229, 96, 191, and 448 metric tons of POC, DOC, PIC, and DIC, respectively. The difference between sewage addition and the carbon present in the harbor as well as the differences in the proportionality of species is due to the short residence time of the harbour water and the dilution by Mediterranean waters.


The replacement of models by emulators is becoming a frequent approach in environmental science due to the reduction of computational time, and different approaches exist in the water resources modelling literature. In this work, an emulator to mimic a hydrological model at catchment scale is proposed, taking into account the effect of land use on the hydrological processes involved in water balance. The proposed approach is novel for its combination of techniques. The dimension of the temporal model output is reduced via principal component analysis, and this reduced output is approximated using Gaussian process emulators built on a conditioned Latin hypercube design to reflect constrained land use inputs. Uncertainty from both the model approximation and the dimension reduction is propagated back to the space of the original output. The emulator has been applied to simulate river flow in a rural river basin located in south west England, the Frome at East Stoke Total, but the methodology is general. Results showed that the use of the emulator for water resources assessment at catchment scale is an effective approach, providing accurate estimates of the model output as a function of land use inputs, for a reduction of the computational burden.


Abstract Humic acid (HA) is the result of organic matter decomposition and is beneficial to plant growth and development. The objective of the study was to find the influence of foliar and soil HA application on fruit quality and yield of organically grown pepper. Pepper plants were treated with soil and foliar HA applications at various concentrations (0 ml/l, 10 ml/l, 20 ml/l, 30 ml/l, and 40 ml/l). Starting four weeks after planting, HA was applied via spraying and/or drenching to the plant root area three times during the growth period at 15-day intervals. HA treatments had no significant effect on fruit firmness, fruit length, or diameter. Total and reducing sugar contents significantly increased in response to both foliar and soil HA treatments. Moreover, HA application significantly influenced total chlorophyll content and this effect was mainly on chlorophyll b content. Foliar 20 ml/l and soil 20 ml/l HA application resulted in the highest total chlorophyll content. Foliar and soil HA applications also led to significantly higher mean fruit weight, and early and total yield than for control. The study demonstrates that both soil and foliar HA treatment might successfully be used to obtain higher fruit yield and can significantly enhance fruit quality in organically grown pepper.


The Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE 1 & 2) was deployed August 10,2001 and retrieved July 30,2005. This experiment is a co-operative endeavor by NASA-LaRC. NASA-GRC, NASA-MSFC, NASA-JSC, the Materials Laboratory at the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the Boeing Phantom Works. The objective of the experiment is to evaluate performance, stability, and long term survivability of materials and components planned for use by NASA and DOD on future LEO, synchronous orbit, and interplanetary space missions. Temperature is an important parameter in the evaluation of space environmental effects on materials. The MISSE 1 & 2 had autonomous temperature data loggers to measure the temperature of each of the four experiment trays. The MISSE tray-temperature data loggers have one external thermistor data channel, and a 12 bit digital converter. The MISSE experiment trays were exposed to the ISS space environment for nearly four times the nominal design lifetime for this experiment. Nevertheless, all of the data loggers provided useful temperature measurements of MISSE. The temperature measurement system has been discussed in a previous paper. This paper presents temperature measurements of MISSE payload experiment carriers (PECs) 1 and 2 experiment trays.


Objects recognized as Pellets are plastic granules of tiny dimensions (< 5mm) derivatives of propylene. Due to their porosity the plastic Pellets have a high capacity of association to contaminants, mainly organic, acting as a transport and exposure to pollutants in marine organisms. It is known that, among other causes, the growing increase of this material in the marine environment comes from port activities in their handling and transport. In this work we present a method to calculate the incidence of pellets in the sands of the Santos city beaches through a monitoring and analysis with reference to a statistical study quantitative based on non-classic logical. To create metrics in comparative study of the incidence of Pellets we use algorithms originated from the foundations of a non-classical logic capable of dealing with contradictory results called of Paraconsistent Annotated Logic - PAL. The values obtained in the degrees of evidence format show that the Paraconsistent/statistical method is valid and creates the conditions of use of this technique for quantitative analyzes in other ecological sites with collections similar to those presented in this work. Keywords Ecology, ecological measures, pellets, environmental preservation.


When we search for information using a search engine, sometimes our results consist of a lot of junk! This guide is to assist you with using the CRAAP test to identify what is junk/fake information and what is real.


Aqueous biphasic extraction systems are being developed to treat radioactive wastes. The separation technique involves the selective partitioning of either solutes or colloid-size particles between two Immiscible aqueous phases. Wet grinding of plutonium residues to an average particle size of one micron will be used to liberate the plutonium from the bulk of the particle matrix The goal is to produce a phrtontum concentrate that wfll integrate with existing and developing chemical recove~ processes. Ideally, the process would produce a nonTRU waste stream. Coupllng physical beneficiation with chemical processing wiff result in a substantial reduction in the volume of mixed wastes generated from dissolution recovery processes. Aa part of this program. we will also explore applications of aqueous biphasic extraction that include the separation and recovery of dissolved species such as metal ions and water-soluble organics. The expertise and data generated in this work will form the basis for developing more cost-effective processes for handling waste streams from environmental restoration and waste management activities within the DOE community. Tfris report summarizes the experimental results obtained during the first year of this effort. Experimental efforts were focused on elucidating the surface and solution chemistry variables which govern partitioning behavior of plutonium and sifica in aqueous biphasic extraction systems, Additional efforts were directed toward the development of wet grinding methods for producing ultrsfine particles with diameters of one micron or less.


Metal–support interactions are of significance in clarifying the support–activity relationship over deposited metal catalysts yet rarely considered on single-atomic-site species. Herein, using two single-atomic-site Ir samples supported by the defective metastable phase of titanium dioxide or mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride as the research objects, we demonstrate the effects of metal–support interactions on regulating the geometric and electronic structures of the central Ir species, through which, the catalytic properties are further affected. Experimental results show that the single-atomic-site Ir catalyst supported by the defective metastable phase of titanium dioxide exhibits excellent catalytic performance for the hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol, showing outstanding conversion (99%), high selectivity (99%), and good stability that are superior to the mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride supported single-atomic-site Ir sample as well as Ir nanoparticles. First-principles simulations reveal that the excellent catalytic performance of the single-atomic-site Ir on the defective metastable phase of titanium dioxide can be attributed to the appropriate strength of interactions between the active metal sites and the reactant molecules owing to the regulation of the supports.


The personal brand derives from the marketing brand, and argues that a person can take control over other people's perceptions about him or her. The personal brand can benefit the person but it can also give advantages to his or her company. The interest in, and the purpose of the personal brand, has increased the last ten years. Leaders of large companies in Sweden consider it to be of utmost importance to have an influence on their co-workers. They consider their personal brand to be advantageous in their practice of leadership. The leaders personal values are the foundation of the identity in their personal brands. The values of their personal brand should reflect the values of their company because it helps building an organisational culture in accordance with the companies' values. The personal brand has many advantages and the purpose of this paper is to focus on the values of the personal brand and what it can contribute to their company. To focus on the personal brand we also want to create understandings and dissect its constituents, image and identity. To do so we refer to the model by Kapferer (2008) the "identity prism", where the brand consists of six parts. This paper is a qualitative research with a deductive approach. We interviewed four business leaders from four different large companies in Sweden.This paper argues that the personal brand of business leaders has a great effect and influence on the organisational culture, which is made up by the co-workers together with the leader. Furthermore, great assets are brought in to the organization depending on how well the leader makes use of his personal brand. These assets contribute to brand equity to the company.


Author(s): Peng, Grace Eulan | Advisor(s): von Zastrow, Mark | Abstract: There is a growing body of evidence from the last decade that supports the ability of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to signal from the endosome. With examples of different subtypes (Gs, Gi, Gq) of GPCRs now recognized with this ability, we still have much to learn about the role of the endosomal signal. This work explores how endocytosis selectively promotes cAMP-dependent transcription by studying a Gs-coupled GPCR, the beta-2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR). To begin to investigate the mechanism of how the endosome signal is selective for transcription, I utilized recently developed tools including a cAMP fluorescence biosensor, and a knock-in cell line endogenously expressing fluorescently-labeled protein kinase A catalytic subunit (PKAcat). I examined the effects of endocytic blockade on each step of the cAMP signaling cascade using primarily spinning disk confocal microscopy, genetic manipulations, biochemical and molecular biology methods. In this study we found that endocytosis greatly affected PKAcat nuclear accumulation, and that the accumulation in the nucleus was necessary for cAMP-dependent transcription of PCK1.Because this is still a relatively new area of GPCR cell biology, many questions remain unanswered, including how does endocytosis affect the functional relationship between two receptors? β2ARs, known to signal from the endosome, have an antagonistic relationship with the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M2R). These Gs- and Gi-coupled receptors, respectively, control the overall cAMP produced in the cell by stimulating or inhibiting the cAMP producing enzyme. The functional relationship between these two receptors are a great example for studying the effects of endocytosis on integrative cellular signaling. This work explored the relationship between the β2AR and M2R both by examining the trafficking of each receptor and by registering the endosomal signal of the β2AR, cAMP-dependent transcription. I utilized already established imaging and molecular biology methods to probe the effect of M2R inhibition on β2AR-stimulated cAMP signaling. I additionally generated modified constructs complementary to existing nanobody biosensors to detect activated states of the M2R and Gαi protein. This work found that it was not necessary for M2R to undergo endocytosis in order to inhibit β2AR cAMP-dependent transcription.


Many early studies laid the foundation for our understanding of the mechanics of chewing, the physiological role of chewing for the cow, and how chewing behavior is affected by dietary characteristics. However, the dairy cow has changed significantly over the past decades, as have the types of diets fed and the production systems used. The plethora of literature published in recent years provides new insights on eating and ruminating activity of dairy cows. Lactating dairy cows spend about 4.5 h/d eating (range: 2.4-8.5 h/d) and 7 h/d ruminating (range: 2.5-10.5 h/d), with a maximum total chewing time of 16 h/d. Chewing time is affected by many factors, most importantly whether access to feed is restricted, intake of neutral detergent fiber from forages, and mean particle size of the diet. Feed restriction and long particles (≥19 mm) have a greater effect on eating time, whereas intake of forage neutral detergent fiber and medium particles (4-19 mm) affects rumination time. It is well entrenched in the literature that promoting chewing increases salivary secretion of dairy cows, which helps reduce the risk of acidosis. However, the net effect of a change in chewing time on rumen buffing is likely rather small; therefore, acidosis prevention strategies need to be broad. Damage to plant tissues during mastication creates sites that provide access to fungi, adhesion of bacteria, and formation of biofilms that progressively degrade carbohydrates. Rumination and eating are the main ways in which feed is reduced in particle size. Contractions of the rumen increase during eating and ruminating activity and help move small particles to the escapable pool and into the omasum. Use of recently developed low-cost sensors that monitor chewing activity of dairy cows in commercial facilities can provide information that is helpful in management decisions, especially when combined with other criteria. Although accuracy and precision can be somewhat variable depending on sensor and conditions of use, relative changes in cow behavior, such as a marked decrease in rumination time of a cow or sustained low rumination time compared with a contemporary group of cows, can be used to help detect estrus, parturition, and some illnesses. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the dietary, animal, and management factors that affect eating and ruminating behavior in dairy cows and presents an overview of the physiological importance of chewing with emphasis on recent developments and practical implications for feeding and managing the modern housed dairy cow.


This major research project explores the potential function of a mobile application to organize the consignment of wheelchairs at airports. Right now, many airports around the world are struggling to deal with the influx of wheelchair passengers. Many airports do not utilize any digital technology tools to assist them in the process of providing wheelchair service.
Specifically, at Toronto Pearson International Airport (Pearson), wheelchair service is decentralized meaning that all airlines are responsible for organizing their own processes and service. This research uncovers some of the most commonly reported problems from both customers and employees regarding current wheelchair service at airports. This project finds that there is currently a fundamental communication gap between the employees and customers. Many passengers reported poor service due to not being about to navigate themselves through the process. Additionally, passengers report that the overall consignment of wheelchairs is often so poor that they are left waiting long periods of time for a chair and can sometimes be taken out of their chair before they are ready to walk. This project designed a mobile application interface that could provide both customers and employees with a way of communicating. This mobile application focuses on assisting employees with the organization of chairs and helps customers guide themselves through a more efficient process. This project applies itself to the model and processes that currently exist at Toronto International Pearson Airport.


We retrospectively analysed the clinical results of 30 patients with injuries of the sternoclavicular joint at a minimum of 12 months' follow-up. A closed reduction was attempted in 14 cases. It was successful in only five of ten dislocations, and failed in all four epiphyseal disruptions. A total of 25 patients underwent surgical reduction, in 18 cases in conjunction with a stabilisation procedure. At a mean follow-up of 60 months, four patients were lost to follow-up. The functional results in the remainder were satisfactory, and 18 patients were able to resume their usual sports activity at the same level. There was no statistically significant difference between epiphyseal disruption and sternoclavicular dislocation (p > 0.05), but the functional scores (Simple Shoulder Test, Disability of Arm, Shoulder, Hand, and Constant scores) were better when an associated stabilisation procedure had been performed rather than reduction alone (p = 0.05, p = 0.04 and p = 0.07, respectively). We recommend meticulous pre-operative clinical assessment with CT scans. In sternoclavicular dislocation managed within the first 48 hours and with no sign of mediastinal complication, a closed reduction can be attempted, although this was unsuccessful in half of our cases. A control CT scan is mandatory. In all other cases, and particularly if epiphyseal disruption is suspected, we recommend open reduction with a stabilisation procedure by costaclavicular cerclage or tenodesis. The use of a Kirschner wire should be avoided.


Aggregates – i.e. short-ranged ordered moieties in the solid-state of π-conjugated polymers – play an important role in the photophysics and performance of various optoelectronic devices. We have previously shown that many polymers change from a disordered to a more ordered conformation when cooling a solution below a characteristic critical temperature T c . Using in situ time-resolved absorption spectroscopy on the prototypical semiconducting polymers P3HT, PFO, PCPDTBT and PCE11 (PffBT4T-2OD), we show that spin-coating at a temperature below T c can enhance the formation of aggregates with strong intra-chain coupling. An analysis of their time-resolved spectra indicates that the formation of nuclei in the initial stages of film formation for substrates held below T c seems responsible for this. We observe that the growth rate of the aggregates is thermally activated with an energy of 310 meV, which is much more than that of the solvent viscosity (100 meV). From this we conclude that the rate controlling step is the planarisation of a chain that is associated with its attachment to a nucleation centre. The success of our approach for the rather dynamic deposition method of spin-coating holds promise for other solution-based deposition methods.


Management of polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ) populations requires the periodic assessment of life history metrics such as survival rate. This information is frequently obtained during short-term capture and marking efforts (e.g., over the course of three years) that result in hundreds of marked bears remaining in the population after active marking is finished. Using 10 additional years of harvest recovery subsequent to a period of active marking, we provide updated estimates of annual survival for polar bears in the Baffin Bay population of Greenland and Canada. Our analysis suggests a decline in survival of polar bears since the period of active marking that ended in 1997; some of the decline in survival can likely be attributed to a decline in springtime ice concentration over the continental shelf of Baffin Island. The variance around the survival estimates is comparatively high because of the declining number of marks available; therefore, results must be interpreted with caution. The variance of the estimates of survival increased most substantially in the sixth year post-marking. When survival estimates calculated with recovery-only and recapture-recovery data sets from the period of active marking were compared, survival rates were indistinguishable. However, for the period when fewer marks were available, survival estimates were lower using the recovery-only data set, which indicates that part of the decline we detected for 2003 – 09 may be due to using only harvest recovery data. Nevertheless, the decline in the estimates of survival is consistent with population projections derived from harvest numbers and earlier vital rates, as well as with an observed decline in the extent of sea ice habitat.


Quantum computing is a rapidly developing technology, and we are experiencing an urgent need for experts in the field. However, there is a lack of traditions, research, and development on to what extent, and how, information technology students without a background in physics should be taught quantum physics. This paper contributes to the field by suggesting key topics in a course for information technology students on the master's level. We have identified a core content of eight key topics, ranging from content purely from quantum physics and the formalism of quantum mechanics to its use in quantum algorithms and coding. The proposed content forms part of a master's course developed for information technology students at Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway. By means of group interviews and questionnaires to students, the students' experiences of the course are investigated. Results indicate that information technology students are capable, and interested in, learning quantum physics for the purpose of education in quantum computing. An integrated approach, where students learn quantum physics and quantum computing in the same course is found to work well for most students. However, as the challenge is extensive for some, it is important to make the purpose of each component of the content clear.


Acknowledgments. The Authors. Editor's Note (Warren Bennis). Foreword (David Gergen). Introduction: True North. Part One: Leadership Is a Journey. 1. The Journey to Authentic Leadership. 2. Why Leaders Lose Their Way. 3. Transformation From "I" to "We." Part Two: Discover Your Authentic Leadership. 4. Knowing Your Authentic Self. 5. Practicing Your Values and Principles. 6. What Motivates You to Be a Leader? 7. Building Your Support Team. 8. Staying Grounded: Integrating Your Life. Part Three: Empowering People to Lead. 9. Leadership with Purpose and Passion. 10. Empowering People to Lead. 11. Honing Your Leadership Effectiveness. Epilogue: The Fulfillment of Leadership. Appendixes. A Research Study on Development of Authentic Leaders. B Authentic Leaders Interviewed for True North. C Leadership Exercises for Each Chapter. References. Index.


The optical lattice clock NICT-Sr1 [1] regularly reports calibration data for the international atomic time TAI, obtained by intermittent measurements of a flywheel hydrogen maser. Continuous frequency measurements of this maser against the local UTC(NICT) and a GNSS satellite link then provide a traceable chain to UTC, which differs from TAI by the number of accumulated leap seconds, but shares its frequency. By using data publicly available from the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), we extend the chain to eight individual primary frequency standards that reported calibration data for suitably similar intervals.
For 63 such directly traced comparisons, we individually determine nine uncertainty contributions, including clock statistical and systematic uncertainties, the satellite link instability, and operating interval extrapolations that address measurement deadtime and mismatched evaluation periods. A covariance matrix constructed from these contributions addresses correlated and uncorrelated uncertainties. A suitable distribution of weights is found by a least-squares approach based on the Gauss-Markov theorem. Direct tracing to individual primary standards allows a flexible choice of evaluation intervals and provides results in terms of the nominal SI second even when the BIPM calculation of the TAI scale interval error includes contributions of secondary standards.
From 776 hours of strontium clock data acquired over four years, we thus find the absolute frequency of the 87Sr clock transition to be f(Sr) = 429 228 004 229 873.08(8) Hz [2], with a fractional uncertainty of less than 1.8e-16, approaching the systematic limits of the best realizations of the SI second. The evaluation shows no statistical anomalies or significant variation over time. Our result is consistent with a recent measurement performed at PTB [3] against local primary standards, which determined the 87Sr clock transition frequency as f(Sr@PTB) = 429 228 004 229 873.00(7) Hz. A loop closure over the absolute frequencies of 87Sr, 171Yb [4,5] and direct optical measurements of their ratio [6] also finds excellent consistency.
If this level of agreement between independent measurements is reflected in a revision of the recommended frequencies provided by the International Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM), it will support optical lattice clocks operating as frequency standards with absolute uncertainties of 2e-16 or below, outperforming all but the best cesium clocks even before a redefinition of the SI second.

References:
[1] H. Hachisu et al. "SI-traceable measurement of an optical frequency at the low 10?16 level without a local primary standard", Opt. Express 25 8511–23 (2017)
DOI: 10.1364/OE.25.008511
[2] N. Nemitz et al. "Absolute frequency of 87Sr at 1.8 × 10?16 uncertainty by reference to remote primary frequency standards", submitted to Metrologia
arXiv:2008.00723 (2020);
[3] R. Schwarz et al. "Long term measurement of the 87Sr clock frequency at the limit of primary Cs clocks", Phys. Rev. Res. 2, 033242 (2020)
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.033242
[4] W. F. McGrew et al. "Towards the optical second: verifying optical clocks at the SI limit", Optica 6 448-454 (2019)
DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.6.000448
[5] M. Pizzocaro et al. "Absolute frequency measurement of the 1S0–3P0 transition of 171Yb with a link to international atomic time", Metrologia 57 035007 (2020)
DOI: 10.1088/1681-7575/ab50e8
[6] Boulder Atomic Clock Optical Network, "Frequency ratio measurements with 18-digit accuracy using a network of optical clocks"
arXiv: 2005.14694 (2020)


In his latest book, Rationality: What It Is, Why It Matters, Why It Seems Scarce, Steven Pinker brings attention to how we might strengthen our reasoning powers, as well as be more cognizant of the ways we might fall short. This mostly takes the form of a wide-ranging tour, acquainting us with various forms of fallacious reasoning as well as tools to improve our reasoning faculties. As a famous professor of psychology at Harvard, Pinker is arguably well-equipped to provide a comprehensive survey on various sorts of cognitive biases and ways of thinking about rationality. The book provides a useful introduction on various tools and models that arguably characterize rational thinking. But as I'll discuss, despite his considerable knowledge and expository skills, he stumbles in areas where his own motivated reasoning clouds subject matter he is either attempting to explain or dismiss. In the first chapter, he notes that while rationality often appears to be in short supply, he provides evidence for its universality even among hunter–gatherer tribes, with the San of southern Africa being his example. Here, Pinker demonstrates that many of the sophisticated hunting and decision techniques employed by the San suit their goals admirably. But then Pinker pivots toward areas where our reasoning could be flawed in the areas of math, logic, and probability, according to psychologists. And he highlights that even experts in math or probability can succumb like the rest of us. How do we reconcile this with Pinker's observation of the sophisticated reasoning of hunter–gatherers? Pinker eventually gives us something of an answer toward the end of the book, where he explains that we do much better with the problems we face in our immediate surroundings (and where there are real stakes) than relatively more abstract and remote problems.Pinker explains that rationality, essentially, is "a kit of cognitive tools that attain goals in particular worlds" (p. 5). Later, he puts it slightly differently as an "ability to use knowledge to attain goals" (p. 36). And for Pinker, knowledge is "justified true belief," or the things we know confidently that are grounded in facts. Of course, Pinker acknowledges that our quest for truth requires epistemic humility, as perfect rationality and purely objective truth must elude all humans. But we can nevertheless aim to be aware of various rules and models of reasoning that can aid us in avoiding biases that obstruct rationality, and "allow us to approach the truth collectively in ways that are impossible for any of us individually" (p. 41). Much of the book provides a tour of cognitive biases and tools for avoiding them.


In the current study determinants of cherry production and marketing in Pakistan are estimated. For the study cross sectional data set of 60 cherry producers was collected from Kalat and Ziarat districts of the Balochistan province. The analysis was carried out by employing a number of different econometric models and techniques like poison regression model was employed for estimating number of hectares under cherry orchard while logit model was employed for farmers' decision making like selling at farm gate or taking the commodity to the market. Propensity score matching technique was employed for estimating the cherry net returns and cherry yield. The empirical results indicate that farmers selling cherry at market are obtaining higher net returns.


The phase transition behavior of the (1–x) PbZrO3-xPb(Co1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PZCN) solid solution system (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.30) has been investigated by X-ray diffraction and DSC. In the solid solution, for x ≤ 0.20, the transition shows a first-order phase transition behavior and its antiferroelectric (AFE) crystal structure is orthorhombic. The transition temperature gradually decreases with increased Co2+/Nb5+ concentration. On the composition range 0.20 ≤ x ≤ 0.30, a typical relaxor-like behavior is displayed. The low temperature crystal structure is pseudo-cubic in this composition range. With these data, the ferroelectric phase diagram between PZ and PCoN has been established.


The high Antarctic Weddell Sea is inhabited by several thousands ofspecies. Trophic interactions between these organisms are the major bioticstructuring force of this complex ecosystem. Therefore, a first step towardsunderstanding and modelling of the dynamics of this system is to analyse"who eats whom". The complexity of the system requires a somewhatreductive approach, as species have to be organized in functional groups inorder to identify the major pathways of trophic flow. Information on trophicrelations is available from own investigations and from the literature. Bycombining these data with information on trophic levels based on isotopicsignatures, we can estimate a number of food web characteristics, e.g. foodchain length or predator-prey ratio. This is a significant step forward towardsa realistic mass-balanced model of trophic flows within the Weddell Seaecosystem.


Introduction: Gallstone disease is being increasingly diagnosed as a cause of pediatric pain abdomen, requiring cholecystectomy. Most cases are idiopathic, while uncommon etiologic associations nowadays include obesity and hemolytic anemias/hemoglobinopathies; prolonged disease and high fat diet are predisposing factors. Management aspect is similar to adults. Aim: This study aims to compare the profile, interventions, and outcomes of pediatric gallstone disease patients, having undergone cholecystectomy, between two surgeons working at separate centers in India. Materials and Methods: Case records of all pediatric patients (≤15 years' age) having undergone cholecystectomy at both the centers by the respective surgeons (AP = 43 and KA = 17; total = 60 cases), between August 2015 and November 2019, were examined. Data were tabulated and inferences were drawn. Results: Male patients outnumbered female patients in both the studies (AP – M: F = 24:19, KA – M: F = 12:5). Anemia/hypoproteinemia and obesity were prevalent among the operated children (AP = 6 and KA = 3). Biliary pancreatitis (AP = 2 and KA = 2)/choledocholithiasis (AP = 7 and KA = 3) was the uncommon presentation; common bile duct obstruction with cholangitis/sepsis was rarer still. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was the commonly performed procedure (AP lap: open = 41:2 and KA lap: open = 10:7). Choledocholithiasis patients underwent prior endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (AP = 7 and KA = 3). Most patients had cholesterol/mixed gallstones. Complications were minimal, comparable with adult procedures. Conclusion: Pediatric gallstone disease is understated in literature and underestimated in clinical practice. Early diagnosis and timely referral to a surgeon for appropriate treatment can help prevent complications and reduce time–work–loss to child/parent.


This study explored strategies from the Intimate Partner Violence Strategy Index (IPVSI) that a sub-set of 20 rural, low-income, abused women of a larger, multi-site, mixed-method study employed to deal with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) during the perinatal period. We conducted 32 in-depth interviews with women who were pregnant (N = 12) and/or three months postpartum (N = 8). We then conducted content analysis of the IPVSI strategies employed by these women to halt, escape, or avoid the violence. We found that the women used the entire IPVSI range of safety planning, resisting, placating, and formal and informal support networks to deal with abuse in their lives. The urge to protect the unborn fetus and be a "good mother" seemed to be the impetus for halting, avoiding, or escaping the violence. Language: en


We have developed analytical methods to measure the biological functions of pVGI.1(VEGF2), a naked plasmid DNA product containing vascular endothelial growth factor 2 used in clinical trials for coronary artery diseases (CAD) and peripheral artery diseases (PAD). After being injected into muscles, vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGF-2), presumably expressed in muscle tissues, binds to the endothelial cell receptors VEGFR2 or VEGFR3, triggering the downstream responses including cell proliferation and vascularization. As it is important to make sure clinical material is biological active, we developed a quantitative assay first to measure the receptor binding activity of the pVGI.1(VEGF2) gene product expressed by the transfected host cells, and then a qualitative assay to confirm the cell proliferation promoting activity of the expressed protein. In both assays the signals were plotted directly against input DNA concentrations used to transfect the host cells. We confirmed specificity for both assays. In addition, we demonstrated acceptable levels of spike recovery (86.7-116%), precision (largest relative standard deviation (RSD)=19.3%), linearity and range (60-140% relative potency, 15 - 35 µg/mL) for the quantitative assay. We intend to use the potency assays for routine lot release and stability studies.


Field study was conductedunder sodic soil conditions with two crop varieties of greengram VBN (Gg) 2 andblackgram VBN (Bg) 6 with ten treatment combinations were employed by seed treated with cowpea sprout extract (2%), GA3 50 ppm and ammonium molybdate 0.05 % followed by foliar spray with ZnSO4 (0.5%), panchagavya(1%) and KCl(1%) along with control to improve the establishment under sodicity stress. The foliar spray was imposed on 30th and 45th day after sowing. Among the treatment combinations, seed treatment with cowpea sprout extract (2%)+ foliar spray of panchagavya (1%) treatment recorded higher grain yield (785.3 Kg/ha) and harvest Index (29.6%) under sodicity compared with control. In blackgram also same treatmentrecorded higher grain yield and harvest index but the crop establishment and yield was lesser than greengram. From this study, it was concluded that,seed treatment with cowpea sprout extract (2%) + foliar spray of panchagavya (1%) was more effective to increase theseedling establishment, physiological traits and yield under sodic soil.


Coronary thrombosis is regarded as the final occlusive event in the progress of coronary heart disease (CHD). Disturbances of the hemostatic system may favor this process and thus may indicate increased risk of myocardial infarction. Coagulation and lipid factors were measured in 2116 healthy male participants of the Prospective Cardiovascular Münster (PROCAM) study. After 6 years of follow-up, 82 coronary events (9 sudden cardiac deaths and 14 fatal and 59 nonfatal myocardial infarctions) were observed. The mean plasma fibrinogen levels of the event and nonevent groups differed by 0.25 g/L (2.88 [SD, 0.68] versus 2.63 [SD, 0.63] g/L, respectively; P = .001). The incidence of coronary events in the upper tertile of the plasma fibrinogen distribution was 2.4-fold higher than in the lower tertile. By multiple logistic function analysis, plasma fibrinogen was found to be an independent risk indicator for CHD (P < .05). Individuals in the high serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol tertile who also showed high plasma fibrinogen concentrations had a 6.1-fold increase in coronary risk. Unexpectedly, individuals with low plasma fibrinogen had a low incidence of coronary events even when serum LDL cholesterol was high. The mean factor VIIc activities in the event and nonevent groups did not differ significantly (112.3% [SD, 19.9] versus 108.4% [SD, 21.6]; P = .09). There was, however, a trend toward higher factor VIIc values when only fatal events were taken into account. Thus, higher levels of plasma fibrinogen markedly increased the predictive power of high serum LDL cholesterol. Low plasma fibrinogen is associated with low coronary risk even when LDL is raised.


Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare 30-day marijuana use by sexual orientation identity. Methods: Data came from the 2016-2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Prevalence estimates and logistic regression models compared 30-day marijuana use controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Lesbian women, gay men, and bisexual adults were more likely to use marijuana compared with heterosexual adults. Other characteristics predicting marijuana use included frequent mental distress, cigarette smoking, and binge drinking. Conclusion: Health professionals should identify the risk factors for elevated marijuana use, especially as more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana use despite uncertain health risks.


During the coming decades energy efficiency will be a critical factor in reducing carbon emissions and fighting global warming. The power generation industry and transmission and distribution industries (T&D) contribute to a large part of energy losses in the society. The losses in T&D systems alone are total 10 % of a global average of the T&D energy transferred. One-third of these T&D losses have their origin in transformers and shunt reactors.This report emphasizes the need to bring in appropriate financial incentives and directives to utilities, in order to encourage investment in energy efficient electrical power systems. A critical financial parameter is the internal interest rate. In some countries there are directives from the authorities that internalinterest rates shall be 5 %. If this is to be applied together with the current prevailing electricityprices in Europe, capitalized cost of total transformer losses should increase by 2-3times of the average value used in the European market today. It isshown that the capitalized cost of losses may vary from 8,000 to 17,000 €/kW today or even higherin the future.This paper highlights cases where low and high capitalized costs of losses are used and the implications for cost related factors of transformer and shunt reactor are analyzed. It isshown that the transformer losses and total ownership cost (TOC) can be substantially reduced with an increase in price(first cost) of the transformers or shunt reactors. With increased value of losses, accuracy of loss measurement will play a much more important business role and require action to improve International Standards. New energy efficientsolutions to combat network losses will require further research and development. Different focus and strategies regarding interest rates and electricityprices in transmission companies lead to very different investment decisions. Without clear regulations promoting reductions in power loss, there might notbe enough incentive for more aggressive innovation in the field of transformer and electrical system technology and efficiency.


Abstract. Ecosystems in river valleys are affected mainly by the hydraulic conditions in wetlands including groundwater dynamics. The quantitative prediction of changes in groundwater dynamics caused by river embankment relocation requires numerical modelling using a physically-based approach. Groundwater recharge from the intermittently flooded river plains was determined by a leakage approach considering soil hydraulic properties. For the study area in the Elbe river valley north of Magdeburg, Germany, a calibrated groundwater flow model was established and the groundwater dynamics for the present situation as well as for the case of embankment relocation were simulated over a 14-year time period. Changes in groundwater depth derived from simulated groundwater levels occurred only during flood periods. By analysing the spatial distributions of changes in statistical parameters, those areas with significant impact on the ecosystems by embankment relocation can be determined. Keywords: groundwater dynamics,groundwater recharge, flood plains, soil hydraulic properties, numerical modelling, river embankment relocation


To provide satisfactory customer experience, modern server clusters like Amazon usually set Service Level Agreement (SLA) as guaranteeing a certain percentile (i.e. 99%) of the customer requests to have a response time within a threshold (i.e. 1s). One way to meet the SLA constraint is to serve the customer requests with sufficient computing capacity based on the worst case workload estimation in the server cluster. However, this may cause unnecessary power consumption in the server cluster due to over-provision of the computing capacity especially when the workload is highly dynamic. In this paper, we propose an adaptive computing capacity allocation scheme referred to as TailCon. TailCon aims at minimizing the power consumption in the server cluster while satisfying the SLA constraint by adjusting the number of active servers and the CPU frequencies of the turn on machines online. In TailCon, we analyze the distribution of the request response time dynamically and leverage the measured request response time to estimate the workload intensity in the server cluster, which is used as a continuous feedback to find the proper provision of the computing capacity online based on optimization techniques. We conduct both the emulation using the real-word HTTP traces and the experiments to evaluate the performance of TailCon. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of TailCon scheme in enforcing the SLA constraint while saving the power consumption.


Recent socioeconomic development, increased transport and new agricultural technology are endangering the survival of traditional agriculture and the Yi people's traditional knowledge of cultivating Tartary buckwheat. The cultural heritage of Tartary buckwheat cultivation among the Yi communities needs to be investigated and protected before its loss. The main objectives of this study are to document the Tartary buckwheat cultivation system, to analyze the agroecosystem networks that support the current system, and to measure the resilience of the ecological, agricultural and social systems using relevant indicators. The Tartary buckwheat cultivation system in Meigu County uses a rotation system, in which various crops are planted alternatively (e.g., Tartary buckwheat, green manure and potato/corn), utilizing bunch planting and furrow drilling technology. Tartary buckwheat has an important position in the major festival activities among the Yi people's communities. Network analysis on the current agricultural system, ecosystem and social system indicated that the system was stable. The mean score of ecological, agricultural and social stability were 2.50, 2.85 and 2.53, respectively, indicating moderately stability. In contrast, socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) resilience indicators in Meigu performed only moderately, with a score of 2.63. The assessment of the resilience of the Tartary buckwheat cultivation system can provide some guidance for policy makers to strengthen biodiversity conservation, sustainable agricultural production and livelihood development (e.g., land use, responding to extreme environmental stresses and improving education levels).


Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) is a heterotrimeric transcription factor that consists of three subunits, NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC. Although NF-Ys play multiple roles in plant development, their functions during endosperm development are not well understood. In this study, we identified eight NF-Y encoding genes, including OsNF-YA8, OsNF-YB1,9, and OsNF-YC8,9,10,11,12, which predominantly express in the rice endosperm. Interestingly, the closest homologs of these OsNF-Ys are present only in the monocot species. All the genes are preferentially expressed in the endosperm, suggesting their roles in the regulation of endosperm development. A systemic analysis of the interactions between rice endosperm-preferential NF-Ys in yeast revealed that NF-YBs and NF-YCs could interact with each other. OsNF-YA8 is a recently evolved NF-YA in rice. Generally, NF-YA does not interact with NF-YB monomers in plants; however, in the present study, we found that OsNY-YA8 interacts with OsNF-YB9. Our results also indicated that the endosperm-preferential OsNF-YBs and OsNF-YCs could interact with some ethylene response factors (ERFs) of rice. Unlike the OsNF-YC8,9,10, the members of OsNF-YB1, 9 or OsNF-YC 11 and 12 showed lack of transcriptional activation when present alone. However, they displayed functional activity while in dimer form. In addition, OsNF-YB1 knockout lines showed significant changes in the seed morphology, further confirms its role in endosperm development. Our findings have provided strong evidences that the group of phylogenetically conserved NF-Ys are differentiated in monocots to regulate the endosperm development.


: The child with subglottic stenosis and a tracheotomy is a management problem. To date, a consistent method for successful and expeditious correction of the primary lesion to permit decannulation has eluded clinicians. The child is tracheotomized and thus frequently hospitalized for a lengthy period. Personal development and family relationships are adversely affected and the mortality rate during this period of cannulation is significant. During the past eighteen months in an attempt to achieve earlier decannulation, three children with subglottic stenosis have undergone a surgical procedure in which division of the anterior and posterior aspects of the cricoid ring are the key surgical maneuvers.


Background Of late, there has been discussion around the potential for vaccinating males in addition to the routine female human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme against cervical cancer. While men who have sex with women (MSW) will likely receive some protection from female vaccination, men who have sex with men (MSM) remain vulnerable. Incidence rates of vaccine preventable cancers are disproportionately represented among MSM. Methods Based on the natural history of infection progression for HPV subtypes 6, 11, 16 and 18, mathematical transmission dynamics and cost-effectiveness analysis models were developed to assess the prevalence and incidence of these subtypes among the MSM population in the Greater Vancouver Area, British Columbia, Canada. Model parameters, demographic, and epidemiological data were informed from provincial data and the literature. We simulated three additional vaccination strategies, in combination with the current programme (Grade 6 schoolgirls (with 70% vaccine coverage)): first, vaccination of Grade 6 boys (with 70% vaccine coverage); second, vaccinating 18-year old self-identified MSM (with 25, 50 or 75% vaccine coverage); and finally, vaccinating any MSM within the vaccine-approved age range (with 25, 50 or 75% vaccine coverage). Results There is significant variability of cost estimates associated with clinical outcomes related to the HPV vaccine-preventable strains in the literature. Our sensitivity analysis indicates that the implementation of any scenario tested is incrementally cost effective, assuming a baseline of the current girls-only immunisation programme. On average, overall incidence of anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancer cases attributable to vaccine-preventable strains will be reduced by approximately 90%, within 50 years, and given effective prophylaxis and lifelong immunity. Conclusion All targeted MSM immunisation scenarios tested were cost-effective by averting high costs related to each cancer case avoided and given the relatively low number of vaccine doses required within this population, compared to the male population at large.


Abstract Nonnormal phenotypic distributions introduce significant problems in the estimation and selection of genetic models. Here, a semiparametric maximum likelihood approach to analyzing non-normal phenotypes is described. In this approach, distributions are explicitly modeled together with genetic and environmental effects. Distributional parameters are introduced through mixture constraints, where the distribution of effects are discretized and freely estimated rather than assumed to be normal. Semiparametric maximum likelihood estimation can be used with a variety of genetic models, can be extended to a variety of pedigree structures, and has various advantages over other approaches to modeling nonnormal data.


PURPOSE In February 2000, the criteria for measuring tumor shrinkage as an indicator of antitumor activity were redefined by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). This resulted in simplifying bidimensional to unidimensional measurement of lesions. Under RECIST, all lesions, up to 10, must be measured. Scanning and measuring multiple lesions is costly, time-consuming, and a disincentive to participation in clinical trials. We investigated whether fewer than 10 lesions can be measured without compromising the accuracy of assessing a regimen's activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-two North Central Cancer Treatment Group trials including 2,374 patients were analyzed. Twelve studies were conducted before RECIST; 20 were conducted post-RECIST. Agreement between objective status by cycle, confirmed response, overall response rate, and time to progression (TTP) was evaluated based on all 10 versus the largest one through five lesions. Results The median number of lesions reported on RECIST trials did not differ from pre-RECIST trials (median = 2.0). One lesion at baseline was reported in 49% of patients, two lesions in 28% of patients, three lesions in 12% of patients, four lesions in 6% of patients, and five lesions in 5% of patients in post-RECIST trials. Utilizing the largest two lesions produced excellent concordance with that using all lesions for all end points. In no trial did the overall response rate differ by more than 3% when two versus all lesions were considered. Evaluating more than two lesions did not significantly improve agreement. CONCLUSION Based on these trials, the assessment of more than two lesions did not alter the conclusions regarding a treatment's efficacy as judged by response rate or TTP.


In this study, removal of original biodiesel wastewater (BOD, COD, oil&greas) by yellow mustard seeds was examined by a batch system. The effect of the adsorption time 300 minutes, adsorbent dose (1.0 g/L) and mixing rate (120 rpm) on the adsorption capacity of pollutants. The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were examined. According to the data obtained from experiments, biodiesel wastewater can be treated by adsorption using yellow mustard seeds.


Objectives : To determine the ratio of Obstetric and Gynecological (OBGYN) cases at Srinagarind Hospital that can omit a blood transfusion; To analyse the factors effecting the success in omitting  blood transfusion; To review the symptoms and side-effects of iron-sucrose in clinical use; and, To compare the risk/benefit of iron-sucrose as an alternative/adjunct to allogeneic blood transfusion. Methods :  We retrieved the records of Ob-Gyn cases between January 2007 and July 2009 that received iron-sucrose (Venofer â ) as an intervention; and, analysed the data on age, hematocrit before and after intervention with iron-sucrose, estimated blood loss, intervention with blood transfusion, symptoms and side-effects of the iron-sucrose. Results :  Fifteen cases received intravenous iron therapy, 13 of which did not need a blood transfusion (86.7%). Five of 6 obstetric cases (83.3%) and 8 of 9 gynecological cases (88.9%) did not need a blood transfusion.  The factors associated with omitting blood transfusion in the obstetric cases included:  initial hematocrit, amount of blood loss and hematocrit post-intravenous iron therapy.  In the gynecological cases, they were: initial hematocrit, amount of blood loss and type of operation.  Only one case in these 15 cases had an adverse reaction (i.e., feeling hot and flush).  These reactions disappeared when the infusion rate was extended from 1 hour to 4 hours. Considering the risk from blood transfusion, intravenous iron therapy represents a valuable alternative. Conclusion s :  Intravenous iron therapy with iron-sucrose in Ob-Gyn cases was a safe and valuable procedure.  Appropriately selected cases had a high percentage of success in omitting blood transfusion; nevertheless, more cases are needed for confirmation.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose hydrocortisone therapy in patients with septic shock.

DESIGN
Multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING
Nine centres (including 52 intensive care units) in Europe and the Middle East.

PATIENTS
Patients with clinical evidence of infection, evidence of systemic response to infection and onset of shock within the previous 72 hours (defined by systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg despite adequate fluid replacement or a need for vasopressors for at least 1 hour) and hypoperfusion or organ dysfunction attributable to sepsis.

INTERVENTION
INTERVENTION group (n = 251) was randomly assigned to receive 50 mg of hydrocortisone intravenously, and the control group (n = 248) was randomly assigned to receive placebo every 6 hours for 5 days; the dose was tapered during a 6-day period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Death at 28 days in patients who did not have a response to corticotrophin.

RESULTS
In all, 233 (46.7%) patients did not have a response to corticotrophin (125 in the treatment group and 108 in the placebo group). At 28 days, there was no significant difference in mortality between patients in the 2 groups who did not have a response to corticotropin (39.2% in the treatment group and 36.1% in the placebo group, p = 0.69) or between those who had a response to corticotropin (28.8% in the treatment group and 28.7% in the placebo group, p = 1.00). At 28 days, 86 of 251 (34.3%) patients in the treatment group and 78 of 248 (31.5%) in the placebo group had died (p = 0.51). In the treatment group, shock was reversed more quickly than in the placebo group. However, there were more episodes of superinfection, including new sepsis and septic shock.

CONCLUSION
Hydrocortisone cannot be recommended as general adjuvant therapy for septic shock (vasopressor responsive), nor can corticotrophin testing be recommended to determine which patients should receive hydrocortisone therapy.


In this thesis, I work through the educational narratives of young Aboriginal women and men as I explore the relationship between cultural programming and student engagement. My analysis is structured through a collaborative Indigenous research project. My overarching task is to explore how a cultural support program, the Native Youth Advancement with Education Hamilton (NYA WEH) Program, offered at Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School, located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, attempts to re-imagine Aboriginal education in ways that directly challenge the residential school legacy. In particular, I work to illuminate how particular forms of Aboriginal education are connected to the graduation rates of Aboriginal youth. I argue that the ways in which the NYA WEH Program navigates Native Studies curriculum, relationships, and notions of culture and tradition are significant to the engagement of Aboriginal youth. This research develops theoretical connections between the contemporary experience of Aboriginal social inequality and educational initiatives which attempt to reverse that legacy. By placing the NYA WEH Program narratives side-by-side with literature supporting Aboriginal education for Self-determination, I work to learn how to best support and encourage Aboriginal student engagement in secondary schools across Ontario.


Pachychoroid neovasculopathy is a form of type 1 (subretinal pigment epithelium) neovascularization characterized by the involvement of dilated choroidal vessels in areas of increased choroidal thickness. This disease was originally described in three white female patients. Here we report the multimodal evaluation of a clinical case of PN in a white male patient.


Introduction Manganese is a potent MRI contrast agent and can enter myocytes through l-type Calcium channels, making it an interesting imaging probe for Ca2 +channel activity.1 2 Mn2 +accumulates in the normal myocardium, reducing the longitudinal (T1) relaxation rate and increasing the relaxivity (R1) of the tissue. Hence, we hypothesised that Mn2 +mediated changes in T1 could reflect intracellular Ca2 +changes in the myocardium acutely after myocardial infarction (MI). By preloaded the heart with Mn2 +prior to coronary occlusion, we aimed to assess the efficacy of T1 mapping-Manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) in quantifying intracellular Ca2 +response to ischaemic injury in a mouse model of MI. Materials/methods In the MI group, adult male C57B1/6 mice received intraperitoneal injections of 0.10 mmol/kg MnCl2 40 min before left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion. T1-mapping was used to monitor dynamic alterations of calcium influx at 1, 2 and 3 hours after LAD occlusion and at 2 days, with Mn2 +injected 100 min prior to MRI (Mn2 +loading time similar to the 1 hour post-MI group). Imaging was performed in the mid-short axis view as described3 4 using a Look-locker inversion recovery sequence: TE/TR=0.99/3 ms, effective TR=~3 s, TI=~100 ms intervals, FOV=25.6 mm, matrix=128, slice thickness=1.0 mm using a 9.4T MRI Agilent system. T1 maps were generated using MATLAB.5 For analysis R1 values (1/T1=the relaxivity of the tissue) were analysed from 3 tissue types: Infarcted hearts were classified into area at risk segments (AAR-MI, n=12) and viable segments (Viable-MI, n=12): These were compared to naïve control heart data (Viable-Naïve, n=12). R1 values of the LV blood pool were also measured. Results As soon as 1 hour after LAD occlusion R1 values were significantly higher in the Viable-MI tissue compared with AAR-MI tissue (p<0.0001), allowing early delineation of the infarct region (figure 1, 2 and table 1). R1 in the Viable-MI tissue continued to rise at 2 and 3 hours post-MI (p=0.02 and p=0.01), but remained constant in the AAR-MI. When compared to naïve control animals, R1 values were slightly, but significantly increased in the AAR-MI tissue at 1 and 2 hours after occlusion (p=0.006 and p=0.03), while R1 was elevated to an even greater degree in the Viable-MI tissue (figure 1, 2 and table 1). The R1 values of LV blood pool in MI and Naïve groups did not change over the 3 hours. When the same animals were imaged at 2 days post-MI, R1 values were still significantly higher in the Viable-MI tissue compared with AAR-MI tissue (p=0.03). However at this point Viable-MI tissue had a similar R1 to naïve hearts, while R1 in the infarcted AAR-MI was lower than controls (p=0.03) (figure 1, 2 and table 1). Discussion Acutely after ischaemic injury a large increase in R1 (reflecting increased Mn2 +uptake) occurred in the Viable-MI myocytes, while a small Mn2 +increase was also present in the AAR-MI. Increased R1 in the viable-MI myocytes is likely due to elevated catecholamine levels acutely post-MI leading to increased cardiac work and thus Ca2+/Mn2 +uptake. The increased R1 at 1 and 2 hours post-MI in the AAR-MI segments following ischaemic injury may be a result of calcium overload in the ischaemic tissue, which reduces over time as cell integrity is lost. By 2 days the catecholamine storm has passed and R1 levels in the surviving myocardium had normalised, while Mn2 +uptake in the dead infarct region was reduced due to lack of functional myocytes. Conclusion The present study shows that T1-Mapping MEMRI allows sensitive in vivo detection of subtle changes of Mn2+in viable myocytes in the early phase after myocardial injury. Preloading of the myocardium with Mn2+prior to infarction makes this a sensitive approach which could be used to monitor imbalance in Ca2+homeostasis. References . Huijuan Y, Ramamoorthy H, Abraham P, Isaac B. Decreasing expression of α1C calcium L-type channel subunit mRNA in rat ventricular myocytes upon manganese exposure. Journal Biochem. Mol. Toxicol 2006;20(4). . Nordhøy W, Anthonsen HW, Bruvold M, Jynge P, Krane J, Brurok H. Manganese ions as intracellular contrast agents: Proton relaxation and calcium interactions in rat myocardium. NMR Biomed April 2003;16(2):82–95. . Price AN, Cheung KK, Lim SY, Yellon DM, Hausenloy DJ, Lythgoe MF. Rapid assessment of myocardial infarct size in rodents using multi-slice inversion recovery late gadolinium enhancement CMR at 9.4T. J. Cardiovasc. Magn. Reson 2011;13(1):44. . Stuckey DJ, McSweeney SJ, Thin MZ, Habib J, Price AN, Fiedler LR, Gsell W, Prasad SK, Schneider MD. T1 mapping detects pharmacological retardation of diffuse cardiac fibrosis in mouse pressure-overload hypertrophy. Circ. Cardiovasc. Imaging 2014;7:240–249. . Jackson LH, Vlachodimitropoulou E, Shangaris P, Roberts TA, Ryan TM, Campbell-Washburn AE, David AL, Porter JB, Lythgoe MF, Stuckey BJ. Non-invasive MRI biomarkers for the early assessment of iron overload in a humanised mouse model of β-thalassemia. Sci. Rep. February 2017;7:43439.


Mixed reality headsets, such as the Microsoft HoloLens 2, are powerful sensing devices with integrated compute capabilities, which makes it an ideal platform for computer vision research. In this technical report, we present HoloLens 2 Research Mode, an API and a set of tools enabling access to the raw sensor streams. We provide an overview of the API and explain how it can be used to build mixed reality applications based on processing sensor data. We also show how to combine the Research Mode sensor data with the built-in eye and hand tracking capabilities provided by HoloLens 2. By releasing the Research Mode API and a set of open-source tools, we aim to foster further research in the fields of computer vision as well as robotics and encourage contributions from the research community.


Sompo Japan, which is the second largest Property and Casualty Insurance Company in Japan, has produced variety of index-typed products over 10 years period. While the traditional insurance products compensate the actual loss after the cause of loss has to be duly verified, the index-typed products provide compensation when the index during the observation period matches the predefined condition, which makes it possible to pay out compensation at an earlier date. The Weather Index Insurance for Agriculture (WIIA) is the weather index insurance designed to mitigate economic losses of rice farmers due to drought in northeast Thailand. Sompo Japan Thailand, which is our subsidiary in Thailand, commenced the sale of WIIA in January 2010. In 2007, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) studied the possibility and potential of Weather Index Insurance for Agriculture together with Sompo Japan and other experts. Following this study, Sompo Japan produced WIIA in order to verify the effectiveness of the functionality of the insurance as a climate change adaptation measure. Economic losses caused by abnormal weather impact agricultural communities where infrastructure improvements and other disaster management measures are insufficient. Effective adaptation measures for climate change, including the mitigation of economic damage caused by abnormal weather, require vast funding. It suggests that private funding via market mechanisms could play a role, in addition to each nation's public funding. Many of the farmers in Thailand's agricultural regions borrow money from banks prior to commencing farming operations. There has been a serious problem with farmers being unable to repay their loans due to decreased crop yields resulting from drought and other such climate associated challenges. The WIIA will pay out contractually predetermined insurance payments when the observed result of accumulated precipitation as measured against the Thai Metrological Department accumulated rainfall index fall below a determined value for the predefined period. The JBIC supported us to introduce the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), which has strong presence in the farming region of Thailand, as our local partner for sales of this product. The Thai Meteorological Department also supported our project by providing the historical rainfall data and setting up new observation points since the historical data and reliable observation system is necessary to develop the insurance product. Thus, public-private partnership was achieved for this project. Since 2010 the sales area has been expanded from one prefecture to nine prefectures in northeastern Thailand. The product is revised this year and the number of the insurance contracts sold has been in good progress. Sompo Japan Group will continue to make efforts to develop and offer new insurance products as effective adaptation measures for climate change.