Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the oral cavity and is a potentially fatal disease that proved to be a bane to clinicians throughout the world. In spite of various treatment modalities to manage oral SCC, one key factor for the prognosis is the early detection. Over the past two decades, there has been a surge in the investigations conducted pertaining specifically to oral cancer. Therefore, the purpose of the current case report is to focus on the use of newer techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC) which is a valuable tool in diagnosing cases with atypical presentation. J Med Cases. 2016;7(6):242-244 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2497w


The expansion of European Union (EU) foreign policy cooperation since 1970 presents a number of puzzles for theorists of regional integration and International Relations. It is not directed by supranational organizations, does not involve bargaining over policy alternatives, and is not dominated by the largest EU states. Nor do the EU's common foreign policy decisions reflect 'lowest common denominator' preferences. Instead, cooperation has been achieved through decentralized institutional mechanisms, involving processes associated with both intergovernmental and social constructivist theories. This article first explains how changes in institutional context — in terms of intergovernmental, transgovernmental and supranational procedures — affect the propensity for cooperation. It then links processes of institutionalization to an expansion of foreign policy cooperation among EU member states. Finally, it explores three policy areas (the Middle East, South Africa and nuclear non-proliferation) where EU states have adjusted their national foreign policies in line with EU foreign policy norms.


The motto of the conference "Let's build the future through learning innovation" is the best way to formulate the proper development strategy for higher education. First of all this motto is valid for engineering higher education. When training specialists, particularly in the period of economic distress, it is necessary to focus on the most promising the so-called "critical technologies" considering technological, economic and environmental components in the aggregate.Production and application of technical textiles and fibre-reinforced composites have a high importance for technological breakthroughs in many industries. In this direction the study was carried out.
A technical textile as the most dynamically developing innovative textiles requires new approaches in the designing. Geotextiles as a significant part of technical textiles are different depending on application, soil composition, raw materials used the structure and usage conditions. Developed a theoretical description of the interaction of geotextiles with the soil, the method of its calculation by numerical methods which allows to predict (simulate) the permeability properties with IT. This approach in the design of newly materials will be useful for students and researchers from theoretical, methodological and instrumental perspectives.
The research substantiates the use of warp-knitted mesh structures geotextiles from the flax yarn for prevention of surface soil erosion complex relief and slope.
The analytical analysis of fluid filtration across textile geomaterial multilayer structure which is laid inside a soil under overlay load is done. The technique has based on finite element method (FEM) makes it possible to forecast of geotextiles permeability properties which are necessary for granulated solids reinforcement.
The theoretical analysis of the transport properties of porous structures depending on the degree of contraction by external loads using finite elements method was done. Methods for calculating in MatLab the moisture permeability of multilayer porous materials depending on the contraction degree in relation to geotextiles were developed.


The number of adults above sixty-five years of age in the United States will expand considerably over the next thirty years. However, many dentists believe that their dental education did not adequately prepare them to treat an older adult population. Consequently, it is important to review dental curricula to determine where these gaps in education may occur and what can be done to address them in order to improve access to care. In this study, information was gathered from the websites of sixty-two U.S. dental schools in order to understand the types of geriatric courses offered. This review revealed that while most schools (89 percent) provide their predoctoral students with some education in geriatrics, only fourteen (22.6 percent) offer clinical training specifically for older adult care. In addition, forty-three schools (69 percent) include a geriatric component in either their General Practice Residency or Advanced Education in General Dentistry programs or have a certificate program in geriatric dentistry. Only about 23 percent of the schools offer a continuing education course in geriatrics at any one time. Previous studies have shown that clinical training is the most effective method of increasing students' confidence in treating older patients. Consequently, dental schools should work to incorporate clinical experience into geriatric education to prevent widening an existing gap in older adult oral health care.


This paper deals with neo-Paganism in Sweden today and how WicCivil and criminal law suits and verdicts show in details how people learn rhetorical or behavioural practices and their socially desired interpretations, how they develop certain relatively stable convictions about other people and why. cas, Druids and Asatruers, the believers in the Old Norse gods, celebrate annual rites. Neo-Paganism has existed in Sweden since the late 1970s (Asatru) and early 1980s (Wicca). The believers celebrate the turning points in the natural year. Wiccas celebrate between four and eight festivals. A few Wicca covens even celebrate every full moon. The rituals can be seen as a mixture between old and new beliefs. The Asatruers, for example, seek inspiration from ancient festivals and adapt these in accordance with modern occultism, popular beliefs and the spiritual needs of the worshippers. There is always room for improvisation in the rituals and they are characterized by a playful attitude.


There is increasing interest in the role of RNA-binding proteins during neural development. Drosophila Musashi is one of the neural RNA-binding proteins essential for neural development and required for asymmetric cell divisions in the Drosophila adult sensory organ development. Here, a novel mammalian neural RNA-binding protein, mouse-Musashi-1, was identified based on the homology to Drosophila Musashi and Xenopus NRP-1. In the developing CNS, mouse-Musashi-1 protein was highly enriched in the CNS stem cell. Single-cell culture experiments indicated that mouse-Musashi-1 expression is associated with neural precursor cells that are capable of generating neurons and glia. In contrast, in fully differentiated neuronal and glial cells mouse-Musashi-1 expression is lost. This expression pattern of mouse-Musashi-1 is complementary to that of another mammalian neural RNA-binding protein, Hu (a mammalian homologue of a Drosophila neuronal RNA-binding protein Elav), that is expressed in postmitotic neurons within the CNS. In vitro studies indicated that mouse-Musashi-1 possesses binding preferences on poly(G) RNA homopolymer, whereas Hu is known to preferentially bind to short A/U-rich regions in RNA. Based on their differential expression patterns and distinct preferential target RNA sequences, we believe that the mouse-Musashi-1 and Hu proteins may play distinct roles in neurogenesis, either through sequential regulatory mechanisms or differential sorting of mRNA populations during asymmetric division of neural precursor cells.


Purpose Repeated exposure to bacterial superantigens, such as staphylococcal enterotoxin A or B (SEA or SEB), is known to induce Vβ-specific anergic T cells which suppress the proliferative and cytokine responses of naïve T cells to SEA or SEB. We sought to determine if repeated exposure to another bacterial superantigen, Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 (TSST-1), could also generate regulatory T cells. Method 6-8 week-old female C57B6 mice were injected subcutaneously with 4μg TSST-1 or saline for three doses at 4-day intervals. After the 3rd injection, mice were sacrificed, splenocytes were obtained, and CD4+ T cells were purified by magnetic separation. Splenocytes from TSST-1 or saline-treated mice were stimulated with either TSST-1 (22 ng/ml) or SEB (1 μg/ml) for 48h. The suppressive effect of CD4+ T cells from TSST-1 or saline-treated mice were evaluated by co-culture with naïve splenocytes and stimulation with TSST-1 or SEB in vitro. The proliferative response was measured by carboxy-fluorescein diacetate (CFSE)-staining and flow cytometry, and various cytokines in the culture supernatant were assayed by ELISA. Results Splenocytes from TSST-1 treated mice produced lower levels of IL-2 and higher levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ, compared to saline-treated mice (p≤0.05), when re-stimulated with TSST-1 in vitro, consistent with a Tr1 phenotype. Stimulation with SEB in vitro induced a similar cytokine production profile as with TSST-1. Moreover, TSST-1 primed CD4+ T cells proliferated at a higher rate than saline-primed CD4+ T cells when re-stimulated with TSST-1 in vitro (74% vs. 16%; p≤0.01, paired t test), indicating that in vivo administration of TSST-1 did not result in anergy of TSST-1 responsive CD4+ T cells. Co-culture of TSST-1 primed CD4+ T cells with naïve splenocytes in the presence of TSST-1 led to decreased production of both IL-2 and IL-12, and increased production of IL-10 (p≤0.05). Furthermore, naïve CD4+ T cells proliferated in response to TSST-1 at a higher rate when co-cultured with TSST-1 primed CD4+ T cells, than with saline-primed CD4+ T cells (55% vs. 27%; p≤0.05). Co-culture of naïve splenocytes with TSST-1 primed CD4+ T cells in the presence of SEB showed a similar pattern of cytokine production as with TSST-1 stimulation. Conclusion Repeated subcutaneous injection of TSST-1 induced CD4+ regulatory T cells that were non-anergic, and mediated both antigen-specific (TSST-1) and by-stander (SEB) inhibition of IL-2 and IL-12 production by naïve splenocytes. The therapeutic application of these regulatory T cells is currently under investigation.


This paper is intended to discuss the concept of "darkness" in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. It incorporates a fairly detailed linguistic and stylistic analysis of the novel in terms of setting, lexical choices and grammatical choices which all indicate mystery, obscurity, murkiness and then darkness. A linguistic and stylistic analysis of the novel is used to illustrate the literary value of the book. Most specifically all linguistic and stylistic devices used can not only provide a more detailed descriptive basis for widely accepted interpretation of the novel , but also identify the significant linguistic features which may not noticed by critics.


Purpose: Little is known of Motion-Controlled Video Games (MCVGs) as an intervention for people with chronic pain. The aim of this study was to explore the experience women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) had, using commercially available MCVGs; and to investigate indicators of symptom severity and performance of activities of daily living (ADL). Method: Of 15 female participants diagnosed with FMS, 7 completed a program of five sessions with Nintendo Wii (Wii), five sessions with PlayStation 3 Move (PS3 Move) and five sessions with Microsoft Xbox Kinect (Xbox Kinect). Interviews were conducted at baseline and postintervention and were supported by data from observation and self-reported assessment. Results: Participants experienced play with MCVGs as a way to get distraction from pain symptoms while doing fun and manageable exercise. They enjoyed the slow pace and familiarity of Wii, while some considered PS3 Move to be too fast paced. Xbox Kinect was reported as the best console for exercise. There were no indication of general improvement in symptom severity or performance of ADL. Conclusion: This study demonstrated MCVG as an effective healthcare intervention for the women with FMS who completed the program, with regards to temporary pain relief and enjoyable low impact exercise. Implications for Rehabilitation Exercise is recommended in the management of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). People with FMS often find it counterintuitive to exercise because of pain exacerbation, which may influence adherence to an exercise program. Motion-controlled video games may offer temporary pain relief and fun low impact exercise for women with FMS.


The majority of David Suzuki's books have been a response to the processes causing environmental degradation. In The Sacred Balance, he addresses the apathy behind these processes. If people are apathetic or indifferent to the degradation of their environment, it is almost impossible to bring about the change which can lead to environmental restoration and biological conservation. Poor environmental attitudes dominate in western society. Re-establishing the link of humankind to nature is the key to changing attitudes and Suzuki explains the physical, social and spiritual needs that must be satisfied to achieve this.


By using relatively high laser power densities, it is possible to quickly heat this small portion of the explosive to the critical temperature. The application of lasers to initiate explosives is advantageous because it allows the researcher to closely control and measure how much energy is delivered to the explosive and the rate at which that energy is delivered. The researcher has some degree of control over how much of the explosive material is heated by the laser. This is accomplished primarily by varying the spot size produced by the laser, as control over the penetration depth of the laser light into the explosive is much more limited and difficult to measure.


In order to develop miniaturized and integrated electron vacuum devices, the electron beam modulation in a field-emission (FE) electron gun based on carbon nanotubes is researched. By feeding a high-frequency field between the cathode and the anode, the steady FE electron beam can be modulated in the electron gun. The optimal structure of the electron gun is discovered using 3D electromagnetism simulation software, and the FE electron gun is simulated by PIC simulation software. The results show that a broadband (74–114 GHz) modulation can be achieved by the electron gun with a rhombus channel, and the modulation amplitude of the beam current increases with the increases in the input power and the electrostatic field.


BACKGROUND
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been associated with increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in both people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Too few studies using data from high-quality registries exist, that attempt to determine the real-world impact of the increasing use of this drug.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk of DKA in connection with SGLT2i treatment in Denmark between 2013-2017.

METHOD
A nationwide retrospective cohort of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus using SGLT2i or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) was established and analysed using both Cox-proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

RESULT
The 37,058 individuals included in the cohort, were made up of SGLT2i (10,923), GLP1-RA (18,849), SGLT2i+insulin (2,069), and GLP1-RA+insulin (10,178) users. The incidence rate (IR) of DKA was 0.84 (95% CI 0.49- 1.44) and 0.53 (95% CI 0.36-0.77) for the SGLT2i and GLP1-RA groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant increase in the risk for DKA with SGLT2i use (HR 1.02, 95% CI, 0.44-2.36). However, for the SGLT2i+insulin and GLP1-RA+insulin groups, IRs were 3.47 (95% CI 1.92-6.27) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.68-1.37) respectively, and the risk was statistically significantly higher (HR 5.42, 95% CI 2.16-13.56).

CONCLUSION
We observed no significant increase in risk of DKA for SGLT2i users compared to GLP1-RA. However, a significantly higher IR of DKA was observed with concomitant insulin use, and the risk of DKA was considerably higher for the SGLT2 group using insulin.


The use of surface plasmon resonance as a powerful tool for the nonlinear characterization of ultrathin dielectric layers is investigated and experimentally demonstrated. The off-resonant intensity-dependent refractive index of 10–200-nm-thick films of the soluble polycarbazolyldiacetylene 1,6-bis-(3,6-dihexadecyl-N-carbazolyl)-2,4-hexadiyne deposited upon silver was measured at 1064 nm and with picosecond pulses.


And herein lies my concerns about the ways in which GP work is increasingly being shifted to other healthcare professionals.1 In the case of my friend, although I'm not his doctor, I know his medical history well. I knew he suffers from indigestion. I knew he recently had a tooth removed. I knew he likes a few beers after football and that he smokes five cigarettes a day. It emerged he had been taking high doses of ibuprofen to control his toothache. The multivitamin he was taking contained just 14 mg of iron. He went straight to A&E, and by the following morning had been diagnosed with a gastric ulcer. Thankfully, he is now on the road to recovery. This is in no way meant to be disparaging towards pharmacists, colleagues whom I respect immensely. But it does concern me. The RCGP's The 2022 GP talks about working in federated organisations, with patients receiving routine care from a variety of healthcare professions.2 But who will take overall responsibility for patients' care? I fear that in our need to alleviate pressure, we run the risk of going too far in asking other professionals to take on some of our duties. With this we not only lose part of what makes our job the one we chose, but also risk doing our patients harm. As GPs we have a unique and privileged role. We get to know our patients well. We take on all aspects of their clinical care, and have the breadth of training to enable us to do so, safely and effectively. Although multidisciplinary teams are no doubt effective, we must remember to ensure that someone is looking at the wider picture.


ABSTRACT In Australia, a country ravaged by bushfire, stories of widespread destruction are shared every summer. The 2019–2020 bushfire season in Australia, for example, received global news coverage with heartbreaking stories of lives lost, heroic firefighters killed on duty, over a thousand homes and businesses destroyed, and millions of native animals and their habitats wiped out. In this paper we present a case study of one of Australia's past catastrophic bushfire events, the Canberra Firestorm of 2003, in which four people lost their lives, nearly 500 families lost their homes, and Australian infrastructure and historic sites, like the Mount Stromlo observatory, were damaged or destroyed. This paper examines how the bushfire survivors drew upon embodied memories and sensory metaphors to make sense of and narrate their experiences, providing vivid imagery that reflected the multiple sensory inputs people saw, felt, heard, and smelled during the firestorm. We argue that oral history is an essential methodology to explore how sensemaking theory can be used in studies of traumatic experiences.


In this thesis, we study the quantum phase transition triggered by an external random po- tential in ultra-cold low-dimensional weakly-interacting Bose gases at zero temperature. In one-dimensional systems, the quantum phases are characterized by the decay at long-range of the one-body density matrix. This decay exhibits an algebraic behaviour in the superfluid quasi-condensed phase while in the insulating Bose glass phase this it becomes exponen- tial, signaling the complete loss of coherence in the system. In two-dimensional systems, a characterization based on the long-range behaviour of the one-body density matrix appears to be highly demanding from a computational point of view. We therefore characterized the superfluid-insulator transition in two-dimensional systems by the low-energy behaviour of the cumulative density of states of the Bogoliubov excitations. While in the superfluid condensed phase this quantity grows as the square of the excitation energy in agreement with the existence of a finite velocity of sound, in the insulating Bose glass phase this power law is less than quadratic. This study is performed in the framework of an extended Bogoliubov approach properly adapted to treat low-dimensional Bose gases. Using a systematic numerical study, we draw the interaction-disorder phase diagrams of the superfluid-insulator transition in 1D and 2D. The phase boundary follows two different power- laws depending on the length scales characterizing the spatial correlations of the disorder and the strength of interactions. The power-law exponents were found to be in agreement with the ones predicted by scaling arguments, both in the white noise and the Thomas-Fermi regimes. In the two-dimensional system, the classical percolation threshold in the Thomas-Fermi limit was found to overestimate the critical disorder below which the onset of superfluidity should be observed for a given interaction strength.


Amorphous and crystalline (rhombohedral structure with [111] growth direction) boron nanobelts were synthesized by the vapor-liquid-solid technique. Their structure and chemical compositions were studied by various electron and atomic force microscopy techniques. Most amorphous and crystalline belts have a width to thickness ratio of 2 and are covered with a layer of amorphous silicon oxide. The crystalline belt cores are defect-free single crystals. Gold catalyst thickness and synthesis temperature are the two prominent parameters determining structure of the synthesized nanobelts. The elastic modulus and hardness were measured using nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy three-point bending techniques. The indentation elastic modulus and hardness were measured to be 92.8±4.5 GPa and 8.4±0.6 GPa for amorphous belts, and 72.7±3.9 GPa and 6.8±0.6 GPa for crystalline ones, respectively. The three-point bending elastic moduli were found to be 87.8±3.5 GPa and 72.2±2.4 GPa for amorphous and crystalline, respectively. The measured mechanical properties are 4-5 times lower than those of the counterpart bulk materials.


Abstract This paper considers three different methods for low-order anti-windup (AW) compensator design and compares their application to a realistic flight control problem, where the dominant actuator nonlinearity is aileron rate saturation. The compensator design methods all rigorously enforce at least local exponential stability via absolute stability results, but differ in both the construction of the AW compensator itself and the performance requirements used in the design. In particular, the paper compares a low order AW "optimal" design method in which the compensator poles and zeros are chosen by the designer and the accompanying gains synthesised optimally; a new low order method in which the optimisation procedure optimally chooses both the zeros and the gains; and a recently introduced classical design method where loopshaping is used to completely determine the gains and dynamics of the compensator. The methods are compared using a high-order nonlinear model of the lateral dynamics of an experimental aircraft, on which similar compensators have recently been flight tested.


In this paper we use translation theory from organization studies [1] to discuss the Green IT Audit, which is a consultancy model developed in Sweden, following the recent industry shock-wave of Green IT [2]. Translation theory is based on social constructionism [3], which inter alia posits that concepts, such as Green IT, do not have intrinsic meanings, but that meaning is created in social interaction. The theory is therefore part of an interpretive turn in organization studies, where effort is dedicated not to increasing the efficiency or effectiveness of organizations (the main concern of more functionalist studies), but to see how people that constitute them, make sense and interpret their work.


Murine monoclonal antibodies to monomorphic components of HLA-DR antigen were used to analyze the distribution and function of DR molecules on non-T mononuclear leukocytes from peripheral blood. On the basis of indirect immunofluorescence and complement-mediated cytolysis. DR antigen was detected on approximately 70% of non-T cells (DR+) and could not be detected on approximately 30% of non-T cells (DR-). A fluorescence-activated cell sorter was used to separate non-T cells into DR+ and DR- populations, and each population was studied. At least one-third of DR- cells were monocytes, and the remainder were surface-immunoglobulin-negative lymphocytes. Analysis of [35S]methionine-labeled proteins by the method of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that DR+, but not DR-, cells biosynthesize DR molecules DR+ cells stimulated strongly in the autologous and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) and supported T cell proliferation to soluble antigens, whereas DR- cells stimulated in the allogeneic MLR but failed to stimulate in the autologous MLR or to support T cell proliferation to soluble antigens. When present continuously in culture, one monoclonal anti-DR antibody (antibody 2.06) modestly inhibited T cell proliferative responses. Another antibody (antibody 1.35) markedly enhanced the autologous MLR and the proliferative response to soluble antigens, but had no effect on the allogeneic MLR. These data suggest that DR+ and DR- non-T populations are functionally distinct, and that DR antigen may be required for presentation of soluble antigen and stimulation in the autologous MLR. Antigens in addition to DR may stimulate allogeneic T cell proliferation.


Given the need to provide users with reasonable feedback about the "costs" their network usage incurs and the increasingly commercial nature of the Internet, we believe that the allocation of cost among users will play an important role in future networks. This paper discusses cost allocation in the context of multicast flows. The question we discuss is this. When a single data flow is shared among many receivers, how does one split the cost of that flow among the receivers? Multicast routing increases network efficiency by using a single shared delivery tree. We address the issue of how these savings are allocated among the various members of the multicast group. We first consider an axiomatic approach to the problem, analyzing the implications of different distributive notions on the resulting allocations. We then consider a "one-pass" mechanism to implement such allocation schemes and investigate the family of allocation schemes such mechanisms can support.


Fracture analysis has been made for a 2 dimensional prototype of recycled aggregate concrete using the discrete cracking model. The discrete element method has been developed based on quasi-brittle constitutive law to simulate the behavior of the 2 dimensional recycled aggregate concrete prototype under uniaxial compressive loading. The relationship between stress distribution and failure mechanism of the recycled aggregate concrete plate has been investigated and analyzed. The numerical model proposed in the paper is in the first time used to analyze the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete. Efficiency and accuracy of the numerical model has been demonstrated. It is indicated that this model has potential to be extended for 3 dimensional structural analysis of recycled aggregate concrete.


Nutrient additions to intensive agricultural systems range from inadequate to excessive—and both extremes have substantial human and environmental costs. Nutrient cycles link agricultural systems to their societies and surroundings; inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus in particular are essential for high crop yields, but downstream and downwind losses of these same nutrients diminish environmental quality and human well-being. Agricultural nutrient balances differ substantially with economic development, from inputs that are inadequate to maintain soil fertility in parts of many developing countries, particularly those of sub-Saharan Africa, to excessive and environmentally damaging surpluses in many developed and rapidly growing economies. National and/or regional policies contribute to patterns of nutrient use and their environmental consequences in all of these situations (1). Solutions to the nutrient challenges that face global agriculture can be informed by analyses of trajectories of change within, as well as across, agricultural systems.


Geographical versus industrial diversification has been the subject of much debate in equity investment strategies. This article revisits this issue and analyzes the contention that if national factors have lost importance since the launch of the euro, then the regime dynamics of industry indexes in the eurozone countries should be more similar. Results show a core group of country-industry indexes sharing the same regime dynamics, which comprise the majority of industry indexes of France and Germany. After the euro launch, a group of industry indexes gained more similarities with the core group of the eurozone – notably industries from Italy, Spain and Finland. Nevertheless, dynamics in a small group of industries did not change. Overall, synchronization between country-industry indexes has increased except for a small group of industries.


Internet scam is fraudulent or intentionally misleading information posted on the web, usually with the intent of tricking people into sending money or disclosing sensitive information. We describe an application of logistic regression to detection of Internet scam. The developed system automatically collects 43 characteristic statistics about websites from 11 online sources and computes the probability that a given website is malicious. We present its empirical evaluation, which shows that its precision and recall are about 98%.


The rise of the intelligent, local charging facilitation and environmentally friendly aspects of electric vehicles (EVs) has grabbed the attention of many end-users. However, there are still numerous challenges faced by researchers trying to put EVs into competition with internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The major challenge in EVs is quick recharging and the selection of an optimal charging station. In this paper, we present the most recent research on EV charging management systems and their role in smart cities. EV charging can be done either in parking mode or on-the-move mode. This review work is novel due to many factors, such as that it focuses on discussing centralized and distributed charging management techniques supported by a communication framework for the selection of an appropriate charging station (CS). Similarly, the selection of CS is evaluated on the basis of battery charging as well as battery swapping services. This review also covered plug-in charging technologies including residential, public and ultra-fast charging technologies and also discusses the major components and architecture of EVs involved in charging. In a comprehensive and detailed manner, the applications and challenges in different charging modes, CS selection, and future work have been discussed. This is the first attempt of its kind, we did not find a survey on the charging hierarchy of EVs, their architecture, or their applications in smart cities.


Editorial to the first issue of ÉpiDEMES.Among the research in Mathematics Education devoted to higher education, two types of initiativescan be distinguished: those promoting the development of research results and those promotingreflections on mathematics teaching. In both cases, mathematics educators and Mathematicsresearchers have played – sometimes jointly – a leading role. The creation of the journalÉpiDEMES (Epijournal de Didactique et Epistémologie des Mathématiques pour l'EnseignementSupérieur in French) is positioned in the continuity of these efforts.


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been monitoring the microbial burden of spacecraft since the 1970's Viking missions. Originally culture-based and then focused 16S sequencing techniques were used, but we have now applied whole metagenomic sequencing to a variety of cleanroom samples at the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), including the Spacecraft Assembly Facility (SAF) with the goals of taxonomic identification and for functional assignment. Our samples included facility pre-filters, cleanroom vacuum debris, and surface wipes. The taxonomic composition was carried out by three different analysis tools to contrast marker, k-mer, and true alignment approaches. Hierarchical clustering analysis of the data separated vacuum particles from other SAF DNA samples. Vacuum particle samples were the most diverse while DNA samples from the ISO (International Standards Organization) compliant facilities and the SAF were the least diverse; all three were dominated by Proteobacteria. Wipe samples had higher diversity and were predominated by Actinobacteria, including human commensals Cutibacterium acnes and Corynebacterium spp. Taxa identified by the three methods were not identical, supporting the use of multiple methods for metagenome characterization. Likewise, functional annotation was performed using multiple methods. Vacuum particles and SAF samples contained strong signals of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and of amino acid biosynthesis, suggesting that many of the identified microorganisms have the ability to grow in nutrient-limited environments. In total, 18 samples generated high quality metagenome assembled genomes (MAG), which were dominated by Moraxella osloensis or Malassezia restricta. One M. osloensis MAG was assembled into a single circular scaffold and gene annotated. This study includes a rigorous quantitative determination of microbial loads and a qualitative dissection of microbial composition. Assembly of multiple specimens led to greater confidence for the identification of particular species and their predicted functional roles.


World Bank demographic and country characteristic statistics identify 16 small landlocked countries that are similar to Lesotho. Ng and Yeats attempt to determine what useful policy information can be derived from the recent trade performance of these "comparators." Among questions they pose are whether the trade profiles of the comparators suggest potentially promising export ventures for Lesotho, do they indicate directions for a geographic diversification of trade, or do they suggest products in which Lesotho might acquire a comparative advantage. The authors also use U.S. partner country statistics to evaluate Lesotho's export performance in this major market. The U.S. data indicate Lesotho lost competitive export shares for about three-quarters of its major clothing products during the late 1990s. The data show these losses were primarily to the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries in the Caribbean. Lesotho was competing on basically equal terms and did not fare well. But it is generally held that the most efficient clothing exporters are in the Far East and not Latin America. Lesotho's difficulties in competing with the latter have worrisome implications for its ability to compete with East Asian exporters when the Multifiber Arrangement is phased out. The comparative advantage profiles of the landlocked comparator countries suggest Lesotho's options for a greatly needed export diversification may be wider than is assumed. One or more of the comparator countries developed a comparative advantage in 110 four-digit SITC (non-clothing) manufactures which are generally labor-intensive in production. Many of these goods should also be suitable for production and export by Lesotho. International production sharing often involves the importation and further assembly of components in developing countries. This activity can significantly broaden the range of new products in which a country can diversify. Statistics show many landlocked comparator countries have moved into component assembly operations, and it appears this activity could contribute to Lesotho's export diversification and industrialization. But the quality problems associated with Lesotho's trade statistics makes it impossible to determine the extent to which local production sharing is occurring. A special effort is needed to tabulate reliable statistics on Lesotho's current involvement in this activity. Finally, the authors attempt to determine how the commercial policy environment in Lesotho compares with that in other countries. Policymakers previously had difficulty in addressing this issue, but several recent efforts to compile comprehensive cross-country indices of the quality of governance and commercial policies now provide relevant information. These statistics suggest domestic commercial policies make Lesotho relatively less attractive to foreign investment than many other developing countries. Less than 20 percent of all Latin American countries have a domestic commercial environment judged to be inferior to that in Lesotho, while the corresponding share for East Asia is under 30 percent. Overall, almost 70 percent of all developing countries appear to pursue commercial policies that make them as, or more, attractive to foreign investment than Lesotho.


The ultrasonic wave propagation characteristics were measured for IN-100, a powder metallurgy alloy used for aircraft engine components. This material was selected as a model system for testing the feasibility of characterizing the microstructure of a variety of inhomogeneous media including powder metals, ceramics, castings, and composites. The data were obtained for a frequency range from about 2–20 MHz and were statistically averaged over numerous volume elements of the samples. Micrographical examination provided size and number distributions for grain and pore structure. The results showed that the predominant source for the ultrasonic attenuation and backscatter was a dense (∼100/mm3) distribution of small micropores (∼10 µm radius). Two samples with different micropore densities were studied in detail to test the feasibility of calculating from observed microstructural parameters the frequency dependence of the microstructural backscatter in the regime for which the wavelength is much larger than the size of the individual scattering centers. Excellent agreement was found between predicted and observed values so as to demonstrate the feasibility of solving the forward problem. The results suggest a way towards the nondestructive detection and characterization of anomalous distributions of micropores when conventional ultrasonics imaging is difficult. The findings are potentially significant toward the application of the early detection of porosity during the materials fabrication process and after manufacturing of potential sites for stress-induced void coalescence leading to crack initiation and subsequent failure.


Abstract : A proposed Attitude Stabilization Display (ASD) is evaluated against the traditional Attitude Indicator (AI). To understand the merit of this research, U.S. Air Force Class A spatial disorientation (SD) mishaps over the past 21 years were analyzed. This analysis applied Human Factors Analysis and Classification System codes to determine mishaps involving SD. This data was combined with data from the Reliability and Maintainability Information System to determine accident rates per flight hour. Seventy-two SD mishaps were analyzed, resulting in the loss of 101 lives and 65 aircraft since fiscal year (FY) 1993 for a total cost of $2.32 billion. Results indicate that future SD research should be focused on fighter/attack and helicopter platforms. With these results as the motivation, the graphical portions of the ASD were compared to the AI through a desktop flight simulation experiment in which participants used each display to recover from unusual attitudes. Participants completed recovery tasks approximately 2 seconds faster with the AI, on average. This time difference was greatest for participants having flight experience. Survey responses revealed that certain ASD design choices could be beneficial. Further investigation of the ASD is recommended as are updates to the Air Force safety center database.


Purpose: Although evidence suggests an inverse association between calcium intake and colorectal cancer incidence, the influence of calcium on survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis remains unclear. Experimental Design: We prospectively assessed the association of postdiagnostic calcium intake with colorectal cancer–specific and overall mortality among 1,660 nonmetastatic colorectal cancer patients within the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Patients completed a validated food frequency questionnaire between 6 months and 4 years after diagnosis and were followed up for death. Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Comparing the highest with the lowest quartile intake of postdiagnostic total calcium, the multivariable HRs were 0.56 (95% CI, 0.32–0.96; P trend = 0.04) for colorectal cancer–specific mortality and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.59–1.09; P trend = 0.11) for all-cause mortality. Postdiagnostic supplemental calcium intake was also inversely associated with colorectal cancer–specific mortality (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.42–1.06; P trend = 0.047) and all-cause mortality (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54–0.94; P trend = 0.008), although these inverse associations were primarily observed in women. In addition, calcium from diet or dairy sources was associated with lower risk in men. Conclusions: Higher calcium intake after the diagnosis may be associated with a lower risk of death among patients with colorectal cancer. If confirmed, these findings may provide support for the nutritional recommendations of maintaining sufficient calcium intake among colorectal cancer survivors.


Village midwives' main role is to support the government in reducing maternal mortality. In Probolinggo District. Village midwives have been allocated in almost all villages, but their performances were not optimal. In order to improve the village midwives performances, a cross sectional study was conducted in year 2003. The respondents were 35 village midwies.Data were analyzed descriptively and Spearman's correlation test was used. Results showed in Probolinggo District the management factor, training variable had never been trained about filling up mother cards and to do standard ANC. Moreover for midwive factor such as motivation, attitude and knowledge variables, the results showed that most respondents with adequate and lack of knowledges didn't fill up the mother cards. Then for village midwive work factor which consisted of midwive tasks, work plans and schedules showed that all respondents had made the schedule. But not all schedules were done in accordance to the plans because every village had different situation and condition hence the schedule had to be adapted. Besides, there were lack of mother cards at village delivery posts, lack of supervision by district programmers and lack of training for village midwives to fill up the mother cards properly, especially for new midwives. Key words: village midwives, filling up, mother cards


Under what conditions can new technologies enhance the well-being of poor communities? The study designs an alternative evaluation framework (AEF) that applies Amartya Sen's capability approach to the study of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in order to place people's well-being, rather than technology, at the center of the study. The AEF develops an impact chain that examines the mechanisms by which access to, and meaningful use of, ICTs can enhance people's informational capabilities and improve people's human and social capabilities. This approach thus uses people's individual and collective capabilities, rather than measures of access or use, as its principal evaluative space. Based on empirical evidence from indigenous communities' use of new technologies in rural Bolivia, the study concludes that enhancing poor people's informational capabilities is the most critical factor determining the impact of ICTs on their well-being. Improved informational capabilities, like literacy, do enhance the human capabilities of poor and marginalized peoples to make strategic life choices and achieve the lifestyle they value. Evaluating the impact of ICTs in terms of capabilities thus reveals no direct relationship between improved access to, and use of, ICTs and enhanced well-being; ICTs lead to improvements in people's lives only when informational capabilities are transformed into expanded human and social capabilities in the economic, political, social, organizational, and cultural dimensions of their lives. The study concludes that intermediaries are bound to play a central, even fundamental, role in this process. They help poor communities to enact and appropriate ICTs to their local socio-cultural context so that their use becomes meaningful for people's daily lives, enhances their informational capabilities, and ultimately improves their human and social capabilities.


This study aims to examine the current state and needs of continuing education among cataloging and metadata professionals regarding metadata creation and management. Using nationwide survey data, the study finds an active interest in pursuing training and education opportunities on a wide variety of metadata-related topics. The survey results indicate, however, that some professional education needs are not being met by the type of training the respondents have received. In particular, there is strong interest in receiving training in topics relating to planning and management for metadata application, such as metadata quality control mechanisms and documentation, as well as training materials providing hands-on, practical solutions and guidance in an implementation environment. The survey also indicates a strong interest in short courses, including online programs, that are affordable, flexible, and practical for professionals in the field. Keywords: metadata, metadata quality control, catalogers, metadata professionals, continuing education, needs assessment Introduction The ever-growing universe of digital library projects demands a broad community of information professionals with the up-to-date knowledge, skills and competencies needed to address new challenges in metadata creation and management. The rapid growth of digital repositories has led to an acute awareness of metadata as the principal building block in facilitating effective resource description, access, and sharing. New metadata standards and digital library technologies are being developed at a rapid pace as diverse communities of practice seek new ways to organize massive quantities of digital resources. The pace of change in the metadata environment creates an increased demand for continuing education programs that are designed to allow cataloging and metadata professionals to stay up-to-date with current and emerging standards and technologies for describing networked and digital resources. The need for ongoing professional education is made even stronger by the collaborative, decentralized nature of bibliographic control in the twenty-first century. As evidenced in On the record: Report of the Library of Congress Working Group on the Future of Bibliographic Control (2008), the evolving digital information and technology environment will likely require more active collaboration of the library and information communities as data are increasingly mined and shared from multiple information providers for resource discovery and sharing. Such data sharing and access across ever-growing distributed digital repositories and collections are derived from the creation of interoperable metadata based on accurate, complete and consistent resource description. In turn, factors hindering shared notions of metadata quality are also in part derived from resource constraints related to staff expertise, educational tools, and opportunities among institutions and communities implementing metadata projects. Research on continuing education needs is therefore needed to build a network of competent information professionals with the requisite knowledge, skills, and competencies to create, manage, and exchange quality metadata in a digital environment. This study aims to examine the prevailing perspectives and interests of cataloging and metadata professionals regarding continuing education in metadata creation and management. While traditional library cataloging remains the principal responsibility expected from cataloging professionals, emerging knowledge and skill sets are increasingly being integrated into the core technical aspects of cataloging (Park, Lu, & Marion, 2009). Therefore, it is essential for this study to evaluate the continuing education needs of cataloging professionals and metadata professionals inasmuch as they play a major role in metadata creation and digital library projects within their own institutions (Park and Lu, 2009). …


Using original survey data linked with the financial statements of Japanese listed firms, this study presents an ex post evaluation of firms' ex ante subjective uncertainty. Ex ante forecast uncertainty in terms of sales and employment growth is derived from firms' subjective confidence interval around their point forecasts. Ex post forecast error is calculated as the deviation of the realized figures from the point forecasts. The results indicate that ex ante subjective uncertainty has a positive association with realized absolute forecast error. The subjective confidence interval for a firm's own business forecast, in comparison with that for macroeconomic variables, is reliable as a measure of uncertainty. These findings indicate that the subjective probability distribution of business outlook captured by firm surveys contains valuable information for measuring economic uncertainty at the micro-level.


By the hybrid movement/force control policy, machining force could be controlled in aspheric surface polishing. However, the controller could not eliminate and restrain the errors of position and pose which would disturb the force controll consequentially in real system. In this paper, an angle is defined to express all the errors of position and pose for aspheric surface polishing, and the errors are modeled for machining force controll. By detecting this angle, the errors of position and pose could be used by the system controller to eliminate the disturbance in hybrid movement/force controll system and compensate feed movement controll in aspheric surface polishing. Simulation shows that the model could effectively express the errors of position and pose .


Why evaluations of the ecological outcomes of stream and river restoration have largely reported inconclusive or negative results has been the subject of much debate over the last decade or more. Understanding the reasons behind the lack of positive results is important for bettering future restoration efforts and setting realistic expectations for restoration outcomes. This thesis explores possible explanations for why researchers have failed to find clear and predictable biotic responses to stream restoration: recovery time has been too short, that restoration of habitat complexity is not clearly linked to instream biodiversity, that one monitored organism group is not representative of the entire community, that restoration effort was not intense enough to restore the potential habitat complexity of a system, and that reach-scale restoration done in the presence of catchment-scale degradation obscures restoration results. The overarching goal of this thesis is to study the holistic effect of reach-scale restoration of historic reach-scale simplification, due to timber floating in northern Swedish streams, thus avoiding the added pressure of catchment-scale degradation typically found at most restoration sites (e.g., non-point-source pollution and impervious cover). Using this model system, I was able to show that it took 25 years for riparian plant species richness at restored sites to increase above that of channelized sites. Furthermore, it was clear that restoration of these streams caused a large and rapid change in N-processing in the riparian zone and this alteration persists for at least 25 years. Additionally, multiple metrics of geomorphic complexity were needed to explain some of the more subtle responses of organism groups. Macroinvertebrates, diatoms, and macrophytes did not respond concordantly and cannot serve as surrogates or indicators for each other. I found that older best practice methods of restoration rarely restored the large-scale features needed to bring the sites up to their potential complexity because these elements were destroyed or removed from the system. Advanced restoration techniques used in more recent restorations added big boulders and instream wood and increased complexity to a level that elicited a biological response. By combining surveys of multiple metrics of structure, diversity of multiple organism groups, and process in this thesis I was able to get a holistic view of the effects of restoration of streams after timber floating. We now know that it takes at least 25 years for riparian plants and N-cycling to recover, we understand that multiple metrics of geomorphic complexity should be measured to be able to explain biotic responses, and that restored complexity should better match the potential complexity of the site in order to elicit a biological response. Finally, we know that multiple organism groups need to be assessed when evaluating the response of biodiversity to restoration.


In Reply —Drs Cass and Volk suggest that the NNT concept should be applied to inform decisions about the trade-offs between postpartum hospital days and newborn readmissions. Based on findings from the studies by Dr Liu and colleagues ' and by Dr Edmonson and colleagues, 2 they calculate that society and insurers would be expected to pay for an estimated 232 additional days of postpartum hospitalization to save an estimated 2.5 newborn readmission days. We believe that framing decisions about early discharge in terms of a trade-off between LOS and newborn readmissions oversimplifies the relationship between services and outcomes. The experiences of Dr Cook and colleagues, who describe the range of services associated with a voluntary early-discharge program offered by their managed care organization in Connecticut, suggest that we should consider the full span of relevant services actually received by mothers and infants before, during, and after the postpartum hospital stay, rather than


A brief historical review of the intranasal antrostomy is followed by a list of possible causes of failure of the procedure. Definitions of various terms employed are given and a full description of the author's technique of making the antral window. Long-term follow-up of between 6 and 12 years has been possible in 87 patients. The various causes of recurrent problems in this group of patients are reported. Emphasis is placed on the desirability of informing the patient of the reasons for the antrostomy and explaining what can and cannot be expected from the procedure.


No doubt, film has become a potent agent for social change in societies through its continued transition of historical, sociopolitical, religious and educational lessons channeled through its audio visual properties. In African societies for instance, film has captured the realities of existence thereby making its audience conscious of themselves and proffering a leeway out of so many misconstrued philosophies of life. But due to the unsatisfying and the rising audience's taste or superfluous directorial interpretations, African film makers principally those of Nollywood and Ghallywood have continued to trample on some hallowed African cultural heritage thereby promoting "anti-African" norms and behaviours such as pornography, indecent dressing, vulgarity and uncultured sexual behaviours that are found in some Western films. Using the tenets of media content analysis of selected Nollywood/Ghallywood films, this paper believes that African films particularly those of Nollywood and Ghallywood should not be a means of promoting violence, "gangsterism", promiscuity, and sexual immorality. Instead, it should be seen asa viable tool for satirizing evil and promoting good in the society. The paper concludes that African filmmakers should strictly respect African culture and use film as a weapon for social change while entertaining their audience. It advocates also that film should not be used as a tool to showcase shame by debasing female gender in the name of meeting the demands of realism, making quick money or gaining cheap popularity by portraying African women as "professional sex objects" in an attempt to please their audience. Keywords : Pornography, Sex object, Debasement, African film, Womanhood, Sexual behaviours


Coherence phenomena, the increase with energy of coherence length and the non-universality of parton structure of the effective Pomeron are explained. New hard phenomena directly calculable in QCD such as diffractive electroproduction of states with $M^2\ll Q^2$ and the color transparency phenomenon as well as new options to measure the light-cone wave functions of various hadrons are considered. An analogue of Bjorken scaling is predicted for the diffractive electroproduction of $\rho$ mesons at large momentum transfers and for the production of large rapidity gap events, as observed at HERA. A phenomenological QCD evolution equation is suggested to calculate the basic characteristics of the large rapidity gap events. The increase of parton densities at small $x$ as well as new means to disentangle experimentally soft and hard physics are considered. We discuss constraints on the increase of deep inelastic amplitudes with $Q^2$ derived from the inconsistency of QCD predictions for inclusive and exclusive processes and from unitarity of the S matrix for collisions of wave packets. New ways to probe QCD physics of hard processes at large longitudinal distances and to answer the long standing problems on the origin of the Pomeron are suggested. Unresolved problems and perspectives of small $x$ physics are also outlined.


Abstract Collaborative safety practices between construction site managers and workers are considered essential in occupational safety and health (OSH). However, establishing joint OSH engagement between managers and workers is still a challenge. Little is known about how managers and workers' "complaining" about OSH affects collective OSH action and the quality of manager-worker relations. Drawing on an understanding of complaining as "boundary work", this study empirically analyses how managers and workers' verbalisations either downplay (collaboration) or build (demarcation) boundaries. Interviews and observations between managers and workers were carried out on a construction project in Denmark to identify why and how complaining is used. A typology consisting of four "complaining" mechanisms was developed, highlighting their associated relational dynamics: (1) Shifting responsibility for advancing OSH, (2) Defending oneself against strained working conditions, (3) Dealing strategically with criticism, and (4) Blaming other occupational groups. Complaining about OSH as boundary work – both collaboration and demarcation – between managers and workers furthers professional fragmentation and conflicts OSH collaboration, yet it occurs in a "safe space" for professional disagreement. We suggest that these communicational aspects and associated relational dynamics should be an area of increased focus in order to promote managers and workers' OSH collaboration.


Incorporation of supramolecular cross-linking motifs into low-ceiling temperature (Tc) polymers allows for the possibility of remendable polymeric networks and nanoparticles whose structure and chemical backbones can be dynamically modified or depolymerized as desired. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of phthalaldehyde–benzaldehyde copolymers bearing a pendant dimerizing 2-ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) motif. The UPy moiety promotes single-chain polymeric nanoparticle formation through non-covalent cross-linking at intermediate concentrations and results in reversible polymer network formation at high concentrations. Furthermore, due to the low Tc polymer backbone within such macromolecules, the materials depolymerize to monomer under appropriate conditions. We envision that the synthesis of such depolymerizable, adaptive supramolecular polymeric materials may find use in materials capable of self-healing and remodeling as well as in triggered release applications or the development of nanoporous structures.


Hatchability is a trait of major economic importance on the poultry industry, because it has a strong effect on chick output. For poultry production at all scales to operate, it is solely dependent on regular or continuous supply of day old chicks. Besides egg cannot hatch, if they are not fertile. Hence the various factors which can influence the hatchability of a fertile egg in a contemporary situation includes environment of the egg, nutrients for the poultry, the laying bird, the egg itself, and tools used for hatchability processes. These factors bring about problems associated with poor hatchability like early embryonic death, egg rots, dead- in- shell chicks, prolonged pre-incubation storage, incubators and hatcheries malfunctions. Therefore to ensure successful production of day old chicks through successful, and prompt hatchability of fertile eggs, proper selection, management of breeding stocks, also improved handling of fertile eggs and correct incubating process are veritable tools.


The vagal motor neurons project to the gastrointestinal tract by way of the gastric, celiac and hepatic branches of the vagus trunk. We have examined whether single neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV) have collateral projections to the stomach, the duodenum and the intestines using a double-labeling tracing method. Following application of Fluorogold to the cut end of the accessory celiac branch and injection of cholera toxin subunit b (CTb) into the body of stomach, many Fluorogold- and CTb-labeled neurons were found throughout the DMV. Most CTb-labeled neurons (about 90%) were also labeled with Fluorogold. When Fluorogold was applied to the cut end of the accessory celiac or the gastric branch and CTb was injected into the duodenum, many Fluorogold-labeled neurons and CTb-labeled neurons were found in the DMV. About 20% of CTb-labeled neurons were also labeled with Fluorogold. These results indicate that many neurons in the DMV send collateral projections to both the stomach and the intestines innervated by way of the celiac branch. However, many neurons in the DMV projecting to the duodenum do not project to the stomach or the intestines caudal to the duodenum.


Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between bacteria and methanogenic archaea appears to be an important syntrophy in both natural and engineered methanogenic environments. However, the electrical connections on the outer surface of methanogens and the subsequent processing of electrons for carbon dioxide reduction to methane are poorly understood. Here, we report that the genetically tractable methanogen Methanosarcina acetivorans can grow via DIET in coculture with Geobacter metallireducens serving as the electron-donating partner. Comparison of gene expression patterns in M. acetivorans grown in coculture versus pure-culture growth on acetate revealed that transcripts for the outer-surface multi-heme c-type cytochrome MmcA were higher during DIET-based growth. Deletion of mmcA inhibited DIET. The high aromatic amino acid content of M. acetivorans arch-aellins suggests that they might assemble into electrically conductive archaella. A mutant that could not express archaella was de fi cient in DIET. However, this mutant grew in DIET-based coculture as well as the archaellum-expressing parental strain in the presence of granular activated carbon, which was previously shown to serve as a substitute for electrically conductive pili as a conduit for long-range interspecies electron transfer in other DIET-based cocultures. Transcriptomic data suggesting that the membrane-bound Rnf, Fpo, and HdrED complexes also play a role in DIET were incorporated into a charge-balanced model illustrating how electrons entering the cell through MmcA can yield energy to support growth from carbon dioxide reduction. The results are the fi rst genetics-based functional demonstration of likely outer-surface electrical contacts for DIET in a methanogen. IMPORTANCE The conversion of organic matter to methane plays an important role in the global carbon cycle and is an effective strategy for converting wastes to a useful biofuel. The reduction of carbon dioxide to methane accounts for approximately a third of the methane produced in anaerobic soils and sediments as well as waste digesters. Potential electron donors for carbon dioxide reduction are H 2 or electrons derived from direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between bacteria and methanogens. Elucidating the relative importance of these electron donors has been dif fi cult due to a lack of information on the electrical connections on the outer surfaces of methanogens and how they process the electrons received from DIET. Transcriptomic patterns and gene deletion phenotypes reported here provide insight into how a group of Methanosarcina organisms that play an important role in methane production in soils and sediments participate in DIET.


Aim: The aim of this research is to develop the technology for producing antianemic smoothie for pregnant women based on the optimization of the composition and organoleptic characteristics of the final product. Methods and Materials: The relationship of organoleptic criterion with the quantitative composition of the formulation is identified by neural network and regression analysis of the ranking score of organoleptic characteristics. The model parameters are obtained by means of "Statistica" software package. Convolution of balancing index and sensory evaluation is proposed in the form of a multiplicative function of desirability. The weight optimizing problem of the smoothie composition was solved by means of MathCAD scripts. Results and Discussion: At that, wheatgrass juice is an alternative source of iron supplement in the recipe of the smoothie. When modeling the weight composition of the developed product, particular attention was paid to the physiological need of pregnant women in nutrients and their content in food sources such as kiwi, grapes, yogurt, wheat germ juice, and honey. Mathematical optimization model of the smoothie composition for pregnant women needs to take into account the organoleptic characteristics of the combined product. The sensitivity of the network was the main criterion for the selection of ingredient composition that maximally contributes to sensory evaluation when mixing a smoothie. Conclusion: We came up to the conclusion that the most important components of the smoothie mix (in the context of organoleptic characteristics) are wheatgrass juice and yoghurt. In consequence of the research, we have developed the methodology of mathematical modeling of the smoothie composition for pregnant women, which meets most fully the following requirements: Optimal content of feedstuff with antianemic properties, and high organoleptic characteristics of the final product.


A microchanneling process utilizing microscopic reactive infiltration produces microchannels and alloy lining layers in metal bodies. We examined the composition and structure of a Ni-Al intermetallic lining layer with a peculiar porous structure produced by Ni-Al reactive infiltration. The Ni-Al lining layer is a thick film consists of multiple sub-layers and has many micropores. Such a porous structure and the heat resistance of Ni-Al intermetallic compound are appropriate for a catalyst support in high-temperature use. Image analysis and EPMA revealed that both aluminum concentration and voidage in the Ni-Al lining layer show a graded distribution along the thickness direction of the lining layer.


In a lot of real-life legal disputes, the parties have the obligation to nego- tiate before an external solution is imposed to them. We investigate theoret- ically and experimentally the impact of such a constraint on the behavior of bargainers and on the outcome of this bargaining. Individuals initially choose whether to bargain over the division of a pie, and if one of them refuses, then the bargaining may be imposed to them with some probability. We show that individuals who are forced to bargain are significantly more aggressive than those who initially choose to bargain, and this behavior is indeed partly due to the constraint. This implies that the fact to be constrained does not bring individuals to behave as if they had freely made this decision, which proves that the way the bargaining process is enforced is not neutral, and affects the outcome of this process. This feature should be taken into account for the design of legal procedures of resolution of individual and collective conflicts.


Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is the factor with the highest rate of morbidity and mortality. ACS compromises Myocardial Infarction (MI), and Unstable Angina or sharp, sudden chest pain which typically appears when the person is resting.Approximately 1.4 million people suffer from ACS in Europe, each year. Symptoms of ACS include: chest pain or discomfort (the pain may radiate to the shoulder, arms, neck, lower jaw, or back; the chest pain may be described as substernal, un-clear, pressuring, burning, and sometimes sharp pain. The pain which lasts approximately 30 minutes is in accordance of diagnosing Acute Myocardial Infarction (IAM)). Except the known etiologic factors for Cardio-Vascular Diseases (CVD) such as: (genetical predisposition, age, gender, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, adiposity, sedentary life style, physical inactivity, psychological stress, oxidative stress, dyslipidaemia, hyperfibrinogenaemia), as a new risk factor is included Troponin also, during the last years, which in patients with ACS appears in very higher-than-normal concentrations, and servers as a new biomarker in patients suffering from CVD. Atherosclerosis is the most often causative factor which contributes to ACS, in more than 90 % of the cases of IAM.
Purpose of this research: to determine the level of cardiac troponins (cTn) during the acute phase of the myocardium injury, which is utilized as a new biomarker for myocardium injury – ACS. The high levels of troponin have a very important role for detection and early diagnosis of CVDs.
Materials and methods: patients' venous blood was used as a working material and as a control group. The environments' conditions in which blood was drawn were: room temperature of 19 – 24 °C, at 8 o'clock in the morning, and the patients were in a lying position. The cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) was determined in 60 patients (35 male patients, and 25 female patients), with a mean age of 51.0 ±12 years. The troponins' values were determined within 20-30 minutes after appearance of symptoms and hospitalization. We divided the patients based on the primary disease: ACS (AMI) = 25 patients, post-AMI state = 15 patients, stable angina = 10 patients, unstable angina = 10 patients. Out of the total patients' number (60 patients, mixed gender), 40 patients were smokers, and 28 patients were diabetic (18 were insulin-supplement depended, whereas 10 patients were under oral therapy). In this study we had the control group consisting of 50 (30 male and 20 female) healthy individuals who also were voluntary blood donors, with a mean age of 50.6 ±10.8 years old, Table 1.
Statistical analysis: the software package SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, ver. 17) was used. The normal distribution of the obtained results was tested by utilising the method of Skewness and Kurtosis. The obtained results from the parameters tested in this research will be described with the basic statistical methods (average value, standard deviation, etc.).
Conclusion: in all of the examined ACS (AMI, stable and unstable angina) patients, high concentration of cardiac troponin (cTn-I) was found and the obtained results correspond to the published and evidenced results in a large number of studies for the role of the new cardiac biomarker (cTn-I) and its effect in the appearance of CVDs.


The race for speed ruled the early Jet Age on aviation. Aircraft manufacturers chased faster and faster planes in a fight for pride and capability. In the early 1970s, dreamed that the future would be supersonic, but fuel economy and not acceptable noise levels made that era never came. After the 1973 first oil crisis, the paradigm changed. The average cruise speed on newly developed aircraft started to decrease in exchange for improvements in many other performance parameters. At the same pace, the airliner's powerplants are evolving to look more like a ducted turboprop, and less like a pure jet engine as the pursuit for the higher bypass ratios continues. However, since the birth of jet aircraft, the propeller-driven plane lost its dominant place in the market. Associated with the idea of going back to propeller-driven airplanes, and what it represented in terms of modernity and security, it started a propeller avoidance phenomenon on the travelers and thus on the airlines. Today, even with the modest research effort since the 1980s, the advanced propellers are getting closer efficiencies to the jet-powered engines at their contemporary typical cruise speeds. This paper gives a brief overview of the performance trends in aviation since the last century. Comparison examples between aircraft designed on different paradigms are presented. The use of propellers as a reborn propulsive device is discussed.
Keywords: Propeller, Aircraft, Turboprop, Flight efficiency, Flight speed


This study examines evidence of limb manipulation and positioning in a sample of eighty one (n=81) Egyptian human mummies archived in the IMPACT radiological database housed at The University of Western Ontario. The purpose of this research is to expand upon the existing research on the positioning of the arms and hands in Egyptian mummies (cf. Gray, 1972) to include the lower body in order to shed light on how the embalming process altered the legs and feet. The results of this study demonstrate that some aspects of lower body positioning vary across time periods in conjunction with other stylistic elements of mummification (e.g. upper body position), while others were more closely related to age and sex. These results support the hypothesis that the positioning of the lower body was a dynamic, varied process deliberately enacted to afford the deceased an appropriately reconstructed body suitable for use in the afterlife.


Clinical signs of vitamin K deficiency have been observed in cats offered two commercial canned diets high in salmon or tuna. Some of the queens and kittens offered these diets had died while survivors had increased coagulation times. Necropsies revealed hepatic and, or, gastrointestinal haemorrhages. Coagulation times of survivors returned to normal after vitamin K therapy. The purpose of this study was to induce a vitamin K deficiency in kittens and determine the dietary requirement. Kittens were offered vitamin K-deficient purified diets containing antibiotics and, or, substances inherent in canned fish diets that may have contributed to the deficiency. Clinical signs of vitamin K deficiency were not observed, even though one purified diet contained only 4 micrograms K1/kg diet compared with 60 micrograms in the commercial tuna diet. Therefore, a minimum vitamin K requirement could not be determined using purified diets; nevertheless, canned commercial diets formulated primarily with fish should contain more than 60 micrograms K1/kg diet.


As mediated communication becomes an increasingly central part of everyday life, people have started going online to conduct business, to get emotional support, to find communities of interest, and to look for potential romantic partners. Most of these social activities take place primarily through the exchange of conversational texts that, over time, accrue into vast archives. As valuable as these collections of documents may be for our comprehension of the online social world, they are usually cumbersome, impenetrable records of the past. This thesis posits that history visualization the visualization of people's past presence and activities in mediated environments helps users make better sense of the online social spaces they inhabit and the relationships they maintain. Here, a progressive series of experimental visualizations explores different ways in which history may enhance social legibility. The projects visualize the history of people's activities in four different environments: a graphical chat room, a wiki site, Usenet newsgroups, and email. History and the persistent nature of online communication are the common threads connecting these projects. Evaluation of these tools shows that history visualizations can be utilized in a variety of ways, ranging from aids for quicker impression formation and mirrors for self-reflection, to catalysts for storytelling and artifacts for posterity. Thesis Supervisor: Judith S. Donath Assistant Professor, Program in Media Arts and Sciences


The paper reports the advance of Polish companies in business excellence initiatives. It indicates how these activities influence their performance. EFQM Excellence Model indicators are used as the evaluation criteria for the study. The performance variable is introduced to ensure the calculation of correlations between EFQM model indicators and performance results. The data are next estimated as a structural equation model by partial least squares using SmartPlS software (ringle, Wende, Will, 2005). That estimation is conducted on the model of the Danish Business Excellence Index methodology (Kristensen, Juhl, Eskildsen, 2001a). The correlations and estimation results are used to discuss the condition of Polish companies and to point out the efforts that should be made for further development. The presented data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire which was sent to companies in the year 2005. The examined sample consisted of 79 companies coming from different areas of Poland representing 19 sectors. It appears from the data that the efforts of Polish companies undertaken in most areas of self-assessment according to the EFQM model do provide them with economic value. Nevertheless, people, people results and customers' results are the areas which need the improvements to be made. at the same time they can be treated as potential for future growth.


The dissolution of interstitial-type end-of-range (EOR) damage in preamorphized Ge is shown to induce a transient enhanced diffusion of an epitaxially grown boron delta at temperatures above 350 °C that saturates above 420 °C. The B diffusion events are quantitatively correlated with the measured positive strain associated with the EOR damage as a function of the annealing temperature with an energy barrier for the EOR damage dissolution of 2.1±0.3 eV. These results unambiguously demonstrate that B diffuses in Ge through a mechanism assisted by self-interstitials, and impose considering the interstitial implantation damage for the modeling of impurity diffusion in Ge.


In the process of milling thin-walled plate, chatter is one of the major limitations on productivity and part quality even for high speed and high precision milling machines. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid chatter with a suitable choice of cutting condition. This paper studies the dynamic stability models of milling the thin-walled plate by analyzing the geometrical relationship of cutting, and derives the mathematic expressions in theory. Moreover, this paper develops a three-dimensional lobes diagram of the spindle speed, the axial depth and the radial depth. Through the three-dimensional lobes, it is possible to choose the appropriate cutting parameters according to the dynamic behavior of the chatter system.


Food security faces challenges that must be addressed from multiple perspectives. Ecology and agronomy contribute to that endeavour, allowing improvement in management practices. However, not only management affects food provision but also crop traits modulate key ecosystem services (ESs), including sustained yields. Here we highlight that understanding how crop traits evolved under domestication, affecting ESs delivery, should help to breed future crops. We address the effects of crop evolution (from initial domestication to current times) on crop traits and key ESs: crop yield and its stability over time, soil carbon sequestration, soil nitrogen retention and water provision. Synthesis. There is evidence that crop domestication affects the delivery of ESs. However, most of these evolutionary effects are understudied. Accordingly, we identify research gaps and necessary actions, including (i) assessing whether performance in polyculture is lower for modern crop mixtures than for mixtures of wild progenitors, and breeding for more efficient crop polycultures; and (ii) investigating how crop evolution impacted on plant effects on soil carbon sequestration and nitrogen retention, and how such effects contribute to yield stability. The provision of cropland ESs, and thus food security, will benefit from exploring those avenues from an ecological perspective.


Recent studies show that individuals in a social network can be divided into different groups of densely connected communities, and these individuals who bridge different communities, referred to as structural hole spanners, have great potential to acquire resources/information from communities and thus benefit from the access. Structural hole spanners are crucial in many real applications such as community detections, diffusion controls, viral marketing, etc. In spite of their importance, little attention has been paid to them. Particularly, how to accurately characterize the structural hole spanners and how to devise efficient yet scalable algorithms to find them in a large social network are fundamental issues. In this paper, we study the top-$k$  structural hole spanner problem. We first provide a novel model to measure the quality of structural hole spanners through exploiting the structural hole spanner properties. Due to its NP-hardness, we then devise two efficient yet scalable algorithms, by developing innovative filtering techniques that can filter out unlikely solutions as quickly as possible, while the proposed techniques are built up on fast estimations of the upper and lower bounds on the cost of an optimal solution and make use of articulation points in real social networks. We finally conduct extensive experiments to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model, and to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms using real world datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model can capture the characteristics of structural hole spanners accurately, and the structural hole spanners found by the proposed algorithms are much better than those by existing algorithms in all considered social networks, while the running times of the proposed algorithms are very fast.


Summary Propolis is thought to help prevent thrombotic and related cardiovascular diseases in humans, but this has not yet been definitively demonstrated. Elevated levels of plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), an inhibitor of fibrinolysis, predisposes individuals to a risk of developing thrombotic diseases. Plasma PAI-1 increases under inflammatory conditions such as infection, obesity and atherosclerosis. Maintaining physiological PAI-1 levels in plasma might represent a promising intervention for treating various diseases. The present study examines the effects of propolis and its components including flavonoids and derivatives of benzoic, cinnamic and quinic acids, on the increase in PAI-1 induced by inflammation. Propolis inhibited the increase in PAI-1 induced by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in HUVEC culture medium. We also showed that the flavonoid chrysin is an active constituent. Both propolis and chrysin inhibited the increase in PAI-1 induced by LPS in mouse plasma. Thus propolis and its constituent, chrysin, inhibited PAI-1 production. The present findings confirmed the potential of propolis and its constituents in treating or preventing thrombotic disorders, or as an antithrombotic food supplement.


The common evaluating indicators of female physical beauty aren't able to point out which parts and how many sizes need to be reshaped. So, other indicators must be introduced, which are present proportions of the perfect body, some critical parts are selected. Unmarried female college students, 18-25, are chosen in the experiment and their sizes of BWH are collected by non-contact 3D body scanning apparatus. Compared with the best proportions, some need breast implants and waist diminution; others need hip implants and waist diminution. Then, the relevant data is analyzed in SPSS software, refer to the national shape standard of reshape underwear and two kinds of females are separately classified to four categories. It may be helpful to provide adjusted sizes of reshape underwear in industrial production.


Background People living in areas with higher material deprivation have poorer health and increased mortality. In order to study these inequalities context-specific indicators of material deprivation are necessary. In this study, we present the first step in the development of an index to investigate the effects of spatial concentration of deprivation on health status and mortality in Brazil. Our goal was to obtain a summary indicator of deprivation in the environment surrounding each household by census tract. Methods Neighborhood conditions at the smallest level available (census tracts) were characterized using data from the latest edition of the Brazilian Census (2010). We selected variables that measure the deprivation of the area surrounding a household. These were lack of paving, street lighting, sidewalks, presence of open sewage and accumulated waste. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using a Structural Equations Model approach was performed to reduce the number of variables and test the existence of the two underlying dimensions: sanitary conditions and infrastructure. Factors were extracted as index variables through regression scores and classified in population quintiles, as categories of deprivation intensity. QGis and ArcGIS were used to plot these deprivation factors on a map for face validity and analysis of overlap with other similar indexes (i.e. Human Development Index and MPI-Multidimensional Poverty Index). Results The 2 77 576 census tracts in Brazil, cover a population of approximately 97,613,505 in 56,528,865 households CFA identified the two factors proposed, with good indexes of fit and model specification (x²8=11606.06; CFI=0.98; RMSEA=0.07; p<0.05). To test the index in use, we analyzed the distribution of deprivation throughout the regions and federative states of Brazil. The quintiles of census tract showed a clear geographic pattern, with most deprived areas (the fifth quintile) concentrated within the poorest regions of each state (as classified by the MPI). Conclusion The selection of variables was based on an extensive theoretical framework, combining a variety of aggregate variables with coverage for more than 98% of the Brazilian population. This data-reduction demonstrates there are underlying deprivation factors which means there is considerable potential for creating a small area deprivation index using other indicators of material deprivation for the whole of Brazil at the census tract level. Use of the census will enable replication with future versions of the census. Therefore, it will be crucial for monitoring inequalities in health and mortality in Brazil.


The entire range of hydrocarbons in Bashituo oils from Devonian and Carboniferous reservoirs were investigated to determine their origin, as well as their alteration, mixing, and maturity using gas chromatography, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and stable carbon isotope analysis. These geochemical studies indicate that the crude oils in the Devonian and Carboniferous reservoirs share similar C15+ molecular marker compositions of marine organic matter origin, whereas their light hydrocarbon compositions show distinct differences. The Carboniferous-reservoired oils are characterized by a relatively greater abundance of cycloalkanes and methylcyclohexane, which indicate a terrestrial organic matter (OM) contribution. Based on biomarker and carbon isotope analysis, Cambrian–Ordovician (J-O) marine rocks are assumed to be the main source for both the Devonian- and Carboniferous-reservoired oils, whereas Carboniferous rocks with terrestrial OM input also contributed to the Carboniferous-reservoired oils. The coexistence of 25-norhopanes, evident humps from unresolved complex mixture, and intact n-alkanes in Devonian-reservoired oils indicate a mixture of early-charged biodegraded oils with late fresh oils, corresponding to at least two oil-generation episodes by the J-O rocks. Light hydrocarbon indicators suggest a relatively high maturity beyond peak oil generation for the J-O–sourced late fresh oil, whereas C15+ molecular marker parameters indicate a maturity equivalent to early peak oil generation for the J-O–sourced, early-charged biodegraded oil. The maturity of the Carboniferous-sourced oil is equivalent to peak oil generation. The application of the entire range of hydrocarbons is essential when assessing a mixed or altered oil system because light hydrocarbons and biomarkers may yield different source-oil–correlations and maturities.


The dissertation uses health related quality of life (HRQoL) for evaluating treatment effectiveness. The research settings in the dissertation include observational cohort study and randomized clinical trial. The first research project examines the effect of Sahaja Yoga Meditation on quality of life. The study investigates whether the post intervention HRQoL, perceived anxiety assessment and hypertensive control is different in patients treated with meditation plus conventional therapy than patients treated with conventional therapy alone. The study shows that Sahaja Yoga Meditation treatment is associated with significant improvements in quality of life, anxiety reduction and blood pressure control. The second research project examines the association of age on clinical and quality of life outcomes in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes Trial (BARI 2D); specifically, among patients with both type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, whether a treatment strategy (prompt revascularization or medical therapy for heart disease and insulin sensitizing or insulin providing drugs for type 2 diabetes) is more preferable for older individuals in terms of clinical and HRQoL endpoints. The study shows that older patients are at greater risk for cardiovascular events but the effectiveness of cardiac treatment strategies and glycemic control strategies does not differ by age. Older patients experience an accelerated decline in health status than their younger peers. The third research project investigates the longitudinal relationship between body mass index (BMI) and heath status outcomes in BARI 2D. The study reports an inverse association between BMI and health status outcomes in patients with both stable ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Weight reduction is desirable for obese patients, but may not be necessary for overweight but non-obese patients to achieve improvements in functional capacity and perceived Energy outcomes. The public health significance of the dissertation lies in the research findings on treatments that result in better clinical or quality of life outcomes for patients with chronic diseases, but also contrasts the strength and weakness of HRQoL studies and demonstrates strategies to overcome the methodological challenges in conducting HRQoL research in clinical studies.


Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was repurposed for COVID-19 treatment. Subtherapeutic HCQ lung levels and cardiac toxicity of oral HCQ were overcome by intratracheal (IT) administration of lower HCQ doses. The crosslinker-free supercritical fluid technology (SFT) produces aerogels and impregnates them with drugs in their amorphous form with efficient controlled release. Mechanistic physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling can predict the lung's epithelial lining fluid (ELF) drug levels. This study aimed to develop a novel HCQ SFT formulation for IT administration to achieve maximal ELF levels and minimal cardiac toxicity. HCQ SFT formulation was prepared and evaluated for physicochemical, in vitro release, pharmacokinetics, and cardiac toxicity. Finally, the rat HCQ ELF concentrations were predicted using PBPK modeling. HCQ was amorphous after loading into the chitosan-alginate nanoporous microparticles (22.7±7.6 μm). The formulation showed a zero-order release, with only 40% released over 30 min compared to 94% for raw HCQ. The formulation had a tapped density of 0.28 g/cm3 and a loading efficiency of 35.3±1.3%. The IT administration of SFT HCQ at 1 mg/kg resulted in 23.7-fold higher bioavailability, fourfold longer MRT, and eightfold faster absorption but lower CK-MB and LDH levels than oral raw HCQ at 4 mg/kg. The PBPK model predicted 6 h of therapeutic ELF levels for IT SFT HCQ and a 100-fold higher ELF-to-heart concentration ratio than oral HCQ. Our findings support the feasibility of lung-targeted and more effective SFT HCQ IT administration for COVID-19 compared to oral HCQ with less cardiac toxicity. Graphical abstract Graphical abstract


Abstract:The parliamentary diary of Sir Henry Cavendish, probably the most detailed record of speaking practices in the eighteenth- century House of Commons, confirms the claims made, from the beginnings of the rhetorical tradition, for the power of ethos as a means of persuasion. Yet precisely because it is such a valuable rhetorical resource, the parliamentarian's character inevitably excites contradiction and dissent. Drawing on the debates reported by Cavendish, this article argues that the influence of party divisions in the later eighteenth-century House sharpened these contests for character. It concludes by illustrating the tendency of the speaker's character, even as it is constructed in parliamentary discourse, to disclose the terms in which it may be challenged or negated.


The powerful antibiotic everninomicin 13,384-1 (1, Ziracin) has been prepared for the first time through a total synthesis. The 1-->1'-disaccharide and the two orthoesters of this target molecule were introduced by new methodologies using a tin acetal and 1,2-phenylseleno migrations. The reaction sequence also relies on stereoselective glycosidations and subtle manipulations of protecting groups. In addition to the introduction of new synthetic methodologies, this total synthesis should allow the preparation of combinatorial libraries of semisynthetic analogues of this highly promising antibiotic for biological screening purposes.


This work studies the most basic and important behavior of entangled linear polymer melts in sudden large shear deformations. In particular, melt elasticity resulting from the large step shear is extensively shown to produce cohesive breakdown. Unlike entangled solutions studied in Macromolecules 2007, 40, 8031, the residual elastic forces in sheared melts struggle quiescently for a significant induction period before bringing down the entanglement network. The induction time for the elastic yielding can be much longer than the longest Rouse relaxation time τR, making it difficult to associate this cohesive failure with a chain retraction process envisioned in the tube theory. The cohesive failure also occurs upon a step strain produced at rates too slow to produce chain stretching, again making it unreasonable to invoke the concept of chain retraction due to chain stretching.


The discovery that light beams with a helical phase front carry orbital angular momentum (OAM) has enabled applications in many fields ranging from optical manipulation to quantum information processing and, recently, free-space information transfer and communications. Here, a novel three-dimensional fabrication process by electron beam lithography was finely tuned in order to realize high-quality spiral phase plates (SPPs) for the generation of OAM-carrying optical beams. Single- and multi-step SPPs have been realized for the generation of high-order Laguerre–Gaussian beams with different values of topological charge and radial index. The optical response of these optical elements was experimentally investigated and compared with theoretical models.