STUDY OBJECTIVES
Gender differences in the prevalence of sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome may be mediated via male sex hormones. Our objective was to determine the exact pathway for a testosterone-mediated increased propensity for central sleep apnea via blockade of the 5α-reductase pathway of testosterone conversion by finasteride.

DESIGN
Randomization to oral finasteride vs. sham, single-center study.

SETTING
Sleep research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS
Fourteen healthy young males without sleep apnea.

INTERVENTION
Hypocapnia was induced via brief nasal noninvasive positive pressure ventilation during stable NREM sleep. Cessation of mechanical ventilation resulted in hypocapnic central apnea or hypopnea.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS
The apnea threshold (AT) was defined as the end-tidal CO₂(P(ET)CO₂) that demarcated the central apnea closest to the eupneic P(ET)CO₂. The CO₂ reserve was defined as the difference in P(ET)CO₂ between eupnea and AT. The apneic threshold and CO₂ reserve were measured at baseline and repeated after at a minimum of 1 month. Administration of finasteride resulted in decreased serum dihydrotestosterone. In the finasteride group, the eupneic ventilatory parameters were unchanged; however, the AT was decreased (38.9 ± 0.6 mm Hg vs.37.7 ± 0.9 mm Hg, P = 0.02) and the CO₂ reserve was increased (-2.5 ± 0.3 mm Hg vs. -3.8 ± 0.5 mm Hg, P = 0.003) at follow-up, with a significantly lower hypocapnic ventilatory response, thus indicating increased breathing stability during sleep. No significant changes were noted in the sham group on follow-up study.

CONCLUSIONS
Inhibition of testosterone action via the 5α-reductase pathway may be effective in alleviating breathing instability during sleep, presenting an opportunity for novel therapy for central sleep apnea in selected populations.


atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular arrhythmias thyrotoxicosis should always be looked for whether or not amiodarone is to be prescribed. Secondly, although we agree with Dr McKenna and others that the clinical and biological diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis may be difficult in patients receiving amiodarone, it is not our experience that the assay of T3 serum concentration is "the most helpful test" to solve this problem. In those patients with amiodarone treatment and clinical suspicion of hyperthyroidism whom we have investigated, serum T3 measurement appears to be a poorly sensitive test. The decrease of T3 value up to the normal range in hyperthyroid patients receiving amiodarone might be explained by a partial blockade of the conversion of T4 to T3 due to the drug.2 Moreover, T3 serum concentration may be lowered by other factors including nonthyroidal illness, concomitant treatment, and age.3 Thus, although a raised T4 concentration is not sufficient to assert hyperthyroidism, a normal T3 value does not rule out this diagnosis. Dr McKenna and others also indicate that a flat thyroid stimulating hormone response to thyrotrophin releasing hormone occurs in thyrotoxic patients with amiodarone treatment. The reliability of thyrotrophin releasing hormone testing in patients receiving long term treatment, however, has been questioned. For instance, a rise of both basal thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations and those stimulated by thyrotrophin releasing hormone was reported in patients with a high T4 concentration, in whom one might have expected a suppression of thyroid stimulating hormone release.4 On the other hand, a diminished or absent thyroid stimulating hormone response to thyrotrophin releasing hormone was observed in clinically euthyroid subjects receiving long term treatment with amiodarone.5 In view of the controversial data we studied the thyroid stimulating hormone responsiveness to thyrotrophin releasing hormone in 25 patients receiving long term amiodarone treatment in whom thyroid function was checked (unpublished observations). We found a raised thyroid stimulating hormone response in seven patients, a normal response in 11 patients and a flat response in seven patients. There was a significant inverse correlation between both basal and thryotrophin releasing hormonestimulated concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone and the serum concentrations of total T4 (respectively r=-0-61, p<0-01; r=-074, p< 0-01) and of free T4 (respectively r=-044, p<005; r=-0 57, p<0-01), as there is in subjects not receiving amiodarone. It is noteworthy that total T3 and reverse T3 serum concentrations were not found to be significantly correlated with any other variable studied. Among the seven patients with clinical features compatible with thyrotoxicosis and a flat thyroid stimulating hormone response, only two had a T3 concentration above the normal range; none of them had normal free T4 and total T4 values.


Objective: The objective is to evaluate the antioxidant potential of several polar fractions of Pluchea carolinensis and Pluchea rosea as well as pure chemicals, some of them quantified in both species by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Methods: The antioxidant potential of polar fractions and pure chemicals were assayed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and oxygen radical potential methods. The phenolic content was performed by using Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent. Specific phenolic acids and flavonoids were quantified by diode array detector-reversed phase-HPLC. Results: The highest DPPH antioxidant potential expressed in milligrams of trolox equivalents per gram of dry extract (mg TE/gDE) were frequently measured in fractions from n-butyl alcohol, i.e., 2 (192.1 ± 0.3); 6 (181.0 ± 0.1) of P. carolinensis and in fraction 7 (188.1 ± 5.5) of P. rosea while for oxygen radical scavenging capacity (mg TE/gDE) assay fraction 2 (543.0 ± 64.6) and 4 (501.4 ± 49.7) of P. carolinensis and 3 (401.3 ± 16.1) and 6 (401.3 ± 16.1) of P. rosea showed the best results. Some flavonoids and phenolic acids were also assayed; all of them showed highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity values. Conclusion: We report the antioxidant potential of polar fractions, as well as of some pure phenolics responsible of the antioxidant potential. Some phenolics were identified and quantified for the first time in both species. Apparently, caffeoylquinic acid derivatives contribute more significant to the total antioxidant potential of the extracts.


ABSTRACT We characterize in vitro resistance to and demonstrate the in vivo efficacy of two antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) against West Nile virus (WNV). Both PMOs were conjugated with an Arg-rich peptide. One peptide-conjugated PMO (PPMO) binds to the 5′ terminus of the viral genome (5′-end PPMO); the other targets an essential 3′ RNA element required for genome cyclization (3′ conserved sequence I [3′ CSI] PPMO). The 3′ CSI PPMO displayed a broad spectrum of antiflavivirus activity, suppressing WNV, Japanese encephalitis virus, and St. Louis encephalitis virus, as demonstrated by reductions in viral titers of 3 to 5 logs in cell cultures, likely due to the absolute conservation of the 3′ CSI PPMO-targeted sequences among these viruses. The selection and sequencing of PPMO-resistant WNV showed that the 5′-end-PPMO-resistant viruses contained two to three mismatches within the PPMO-binding site whereas the 3′ CSI PPMO-resistant viruses accumulated mutations outside the PPMO-targeted region. The mutagenesis of a WNV infectious clone demonstrated that the mismatches within the PPMO-binding site were responsible for the 5′-end PPMO resistance. In contrast, a U insertion or a G deletion located within the 3′-terminal stem-loop of the viral genome was the determinant of the 3′ CSI PPMO resistance. In a mouse model, both the 5′-end and 3′ CSI PPMOs (administered at 100 or 200 μg/day) partially protected mice from WNV disease, with minimal to no PPMO-mediated toxicity. A higher treatment dose (300 μg/day) caused toxicity. Unconjugated PMOs (3 mg/day) showed neither efficacy nor toxicity, suggesting the importance of the peptide conjugate for efficacy. The results suggest that a modification of the peptide conjugate composition to reduce its toxicity yet maintain its ability to effectively deliver PMO into cells may improve PMO-mediated therapy.


0001. Jacobs, Z. et al. AGES FOR THE MIDDLE STONE AGE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA: IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND DISPERSAL. Science. 2008,322(5902):733-735. The expansion of modern human populations in Africa 80,000 to 60,000-years ago and their initial exodus out ofAfrica have been tentatively linked to two phases oftechnological and behavioral innovation within the Middle Stone Age of southern Africa-the Still Bay and Howieson's Poort industries-that are associated with early evidence for symbols and personal ornaments. Establishing the correct sequence of events, however, has been hampered by inadequate chronologies. We report ages for nine sites from varied climatic and ecological zones across southern Africa that show that both industries were short-lived (5000 years or less), separated by about 7000 years, and coeval with genetic estimates of population expansion and exit times. Comparison with climatic records shows that these bursts of innovative behavior cannot be explained by environmental factors alone.


SUMMARY There are an estimated 277 000 cases of campylobacteriosis in Australia each year, most of which are thought to be sporadically acquired. To explore causes for these infections, we conducted a multi-centre case-control study of patients and community controls across five Australian States during 2001–2002. A total of 881 campylobacter cases and 833 controls aged ⩾5 years were recruited into the study. Crude logistic analyses were conducted within various food and non-food exposure groups. A final most parsimonious multivariable logistic regression model was developed and adjusted odds ratios (aOR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were derived together with adjusted population attributable risks (PAR). Consumption of undercooked chicken (aOR 4·7, 95% CI 2·6–8·4) and offal (aOR 2·0, 95% CI 1·0–4·0), ownership of domestic chickens aged <6 months (aOR 12·4, 95% CI 2·6–59·3) and domestic dogs aged <6 months (aOR 2·1, 95% CI 1·1–4·2) were found to be independent risk factors for illness in the final model. The PAR proportions indicate that eating chicken meat, either cooked or undercooked may account for approximately 30% of campylobacter cases that occur each year in Australia. These results justify the continued need for education of consumers and foodhandlers about the risks associated with the handling of raw chicken and the potential for cross-contamination.


The function and the role phytoceramide (PCER) and phytosphingosine (PSO) in the central nervous system has not been well studied. This study was aimed at investigating the possible roles of PCER and PSO in glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in cultured neuronal cells and memory function in mice. Phytoceramide showed neuro-protective activity in the glutamate-induced toxicity in cultured cortical neuronal cells. Neither phytosphingosine nor tetraacetylphytosphingosine (TAPS) showed neuroproective effects in neuronal cells. PCER (50 mg/kg, p.o.) recovered the scopolamine-induced reduction in step-through latency in the passive avoidance test; however, PSO did not modulate memory function on this task. The ameliorating effects of PCER on spatial memory were confirmed by the Morris water maze test. In conclusion, through behavioral and neurochemical experimental results, it was demonstrated that central administration of PCER produces amelioration of memory impairment. These results suggest that PCER plays an important role in neuroprotection and memory enhancement and PCER could be a potential new therapeutic agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.


The main objective of this research is to design an adaptable smart home environment that is based on resident's activity and behavior. In today's world, smart homes are becoming the norm and many people use smart appliances on daily basis. The main purpose of smart home is to make a life more comfortable for residents that lives in it. But different people have different needs, so smart home should recognize their needs and adapt towards them. Previous studies focused on designing a smart home and how to make it more effective. These studies are not considering that smart home should continue to learn and adjust. Related to smart home adaptability, there is space for improvement and this research is trying to focus more on adapting smart home towards residents needs. Smart home system designed in this research features the following steps: collecting data via sensors, analyzing it, predicting behavior and adapting towards residents needs. The main result achieved in this research is a designed smart home system that is able to predict residents' behavior at a specific time of the day. Perspective for designing a smart home has been shifted towards adaptability to specific residents, instead of creating a solution based on standardized user. Adaptable smart home environment is even more important for residents that needs special assistance, like elderly people or people with disabilities. The suggested prediction system for smart home environment has the main goal to increase resident satisfaction and to make smart home more comfortable for living.


In the middle part of last century, the «second wave» feminism fully develops an intuition that was already ambedded in the feminist movement since its origins: the recognition of equality between the sexes is not sufficient to liberate women from their condition of subordination. This idea questions the legal science: the feminist discourse gives rise to a legal theory that bases its claims on gender studies and relies on the contributions of the social sciences, as well as of political militancy. Italy has dedicated the last two decades to this line of research; within it the book edited by Thomas Casadei, "Donne, diritto, diritti. Prospettive di giusfemminismo" (Giappichelli 2015), which collects contributions from gender researchers, jurists, philosophers of law and politics. With reference to Casadei's book, this paper points out that the effective implementation of women's rights is not an operation of mere analogical interpretation; but, it's necessary to build a social context which enables them to be effective and, since rights have traditionally been designed for men, sometimes they need to be transformed, rewritten, even reinvented.


This study investigates the negative impact of age and gender diversity between supervisors-subordinate on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The hypotheses were tested with a sample of 35 employees in Teikomsel Grapari West Jakarta Branch and 47 employees in Telkomsel Grapari South Jakarta Branch. Data were collected using quesioner and were analyzed using ANOVA. The result indicate that neither age differential and gender differential interaction were found that have no negative impact to job satisfaction and organizational commitment.Keyword : Age, gander, organizatinal commitmentjob satisfaction, telecommunication industry


Abstract Semi-supervised text classification-based paradigms (SSTC) typically employ the spirit of self-training. The key idea is to train a deep classifier on limited labeled texts and then iteratively predict the unlabeled texts as their pseudo-labels for further training. However, the performance is largely affected by the accuracy of pseudo-labels, which may not be significant in real-world scenarios. This paper presents a Rank-aware Negative Training (RNT) framework to address SSTC in learning with noisy label settings. To alleviate the noisy information, we adapt a reasoning with uncertainty-based approach to rank the unlabeled texts based on the evidential support received from the labeled texts. Moreover, we propose the use of negative training to train RNT based on the concept that "the input instance does not belong to the complementary label". A complementary label is randomly selected from all labels except the label on-target. Intuitively, the probability of a true label serving as a complementary label is low and thus provides less noisy information during the training, resulting in better performance on the test data. Finally, we evaluate the proposed solution on various text classification benchmark datasets. Our extensive experiments show that it consistently overcomes the state-of-the-art alternatives in most scenarios and achieves competitive performance in the others. The code of RNT is publicly available on GitHub.


Model checking is an automatic technique for the verification of temporal properties of a system. In this technique, a system is represented as a labelled graph and the specification as a temporal logic formula. The core of temporal logic model checking is the reachability problem, which is not expressible in first-order logic (FOL); as a result, model checking of finite/infinite state systems without the use of iteration or abstraction is considered beyond the realm of automated FOL theorem provers. In this thesis, we focus on formulating the temporal logic model checking problem as a FOL theorem proving problem and use automated tools, such as SAT/SMT solvers to directly model check a system without the need for a fixed-point calculation or abstraction. We present CTL-Live: a fragment of computational tree logic whose model checking for (infinite) Kripke structures is reducible to FOL validity checking. CTL-Live includes the CTL connectives that are often used to express liveness properties. We also derive decidability results about CTL-Live model checking by examining decidable subsets of FOL. We evaluate our reduction technique for CTL-Live model checking. Our case studies show that state-of-the-art SMT solvers are capable of verifying CTL-Live properties of infinite systems; moreover, the verification of an infinite state model can sometimes complete more quickly than verifying a finite version of the model. We prove the maximality of CTL-Live: we show that CTL-Live is the largest fragment of CTL whose model checking is reducible to FOL validity checking. The maximality of CTL-Live implies that model checking safety properties requires a logic more expressive than FOL; as a result, we examine FOL plus transitive closure (FOLTC). We can reduce model checking of a more expressive fragment of CTL, which we call CTL\EG, to validity checking in FOLTC. CTL\EG is more expressive than CTL-Live and yet less expressive than CTL. By adding a finiteness restriction, we can reduce model checking of all of CTL with fairness constraints (CTLFC) formulas to validity checking in FOLTC. The finiteness restriction requires that the system under-study must have a finite number of states, but it does not require this number to be known. Reduction of CTLFC to FOLTC allows us to use the Alloy Analyzer for model checking. Our case studies show that the Alloy Analyzer can analyze CTLFC formulas up to the same scopes that Alloy models are analyzed.


The reliable operation of the power distribution system is a matter of national security. Increasingly, urban distribution systems rely on communications between customers and the utility to implement consumer-centric programs such as demand response that enhance the grid resilience. This paper reports an unconventional and previously unexamined mode of malicious attack on the power distribution infrastructure of cities. It demonstrates that consumer behaviors in such a system could be manipulated by an attacker using false communications, which could significantly impact the system reliability. Using a novel decision-making model for consumer response, possible network impacts of such an attack are examined, which include reduction in system reserves, increase in peak demand, lower voltage profiles, and potential system blackouts. These detrimental effects are shown to worsen in the future as more consumers join such programs and adopt flexible high-power loads. Furthermore, though the system is resilient to random errors or failures, it remains highly vulnerable to strategic attacks such as those demonstrated here. These results recommend urgency in developing solutions to detect and tackle possible injection of fake information into such critical systems, which, as shown here, can have a very real impact on the energy infrastructure reliability.


Polyaniline(PANI)-decorated Cu nanoparticles were prepared by a facile solvothermal method. Different reaction temperatures resulted in different morphologies of the Cu/PANI composites, which exhibited good photocatalytic activities. When the mass ratio of PANI increased to 2.5 wt%, the H2 evolution rate reached 1.97 mmol g-1 h-1 in lactic acid solution under solar light irradiation, which is about 2 times higher than that of pure Cu nanoparticles (1.06 mmol g-1 h-1). The introduction of PANI can improve the separation efficiency of the photo-generated electron-hole pairs, where PANI acts as a hole reservoir for trapping holes generated by the Cu NPs and hindering the recombination of the electron-hole pairs. A possible mechanism is presented to explain the photocatalytic process using Cu@PANI core-shell nanospheres as the photocatalyst.


[This section of the ANNALS is published in collaboration with the two abstracting Journals, Abstracts of World Medicine, and Abstracts of World Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, published by the British Medical Association. The abstracts are divided into the following sections: acute rheumatism; chronic articular rheumatism (rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis, spondylitis, miscellaneous); sciatica; gout; non-articular rheumatism; endocrinology; general pathology; other general articles. At the end of each section is a list of titles of articles noted but not abstracted. Not all sections may be represented in any one issue.]


Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, an endemic pest in southeast Asia, has invaded Europe and the U.S.A. Unlike most of its closely related sibling species, the serrated ovipositor of D. suzukii permits ovipositing in undamaged fresh fruits. In the present study, volatiles are identified from host plants that are potentially involved in D. suzukii host recognition and oviposition behaviour. It is shown that mated females are attracted to volatiles emitted from intact fruits. The antennally‐active suite of compounds released from the fresh fruits is identified by gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection, as well as gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. In olfactometer bioassays, mated females are significantly attracted to an electroantennographically active volatile, isoamyl acetate, when tested at 10 µg of synthetic compound in a rubber septa, which has a release rate comparable to that of fresh fruits. In addition, a genomic survey shows that D. suzukii not only possesses the full repertoire of genes encoding odorant receptors activated by isoamyl acetate in D. melanogaster, but also that one of the genes, OR67a, is represented by five duplicated copies. These results indicate that D. suzukii uses olfactory cues to select oviposition sites. The identification of volatiles emitted by host fruits that attract D. suzukii may aid in the development of a selective and efficient synthetic lure for monitoring this pest. As a close relative of Drosophila melanogaster, D. suzukii provides a unique opportunity for understanding the physiological mechanisms involved in the shift of this species from use of rotten to ripe fruits for oviposition.


Sap flow rates were measured simultaneously by the heat pulse and deuterium tracing techniques in nine Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden. trees at two sites (1) to compare results from the two techniques and (2) to assess the impact of the assumptions underlying the deuterium tracing method on the calculation of sap flow for a range of tree sizes. The trees ranged in height from 4 to 14 m with leaf areas of 5 to 35 m(2). In all trees, sap flow estimated by the deuterium tracing technique was higher than sap flow estimated by the heat pulse method, with differences of 11 to 43% in eight of the trees and 113% in one tree. The largest difference was attributed to errors in the heat pulse method, as indicated by aberrant relationships between sap flow measured by the heat pulse method and tree size characteristics (i.e., diameter, sap wood area, leaf area) for that tree compared with the other experimental trees. Drilling holes in the trees to allow injection of deuterium had no significant effect on sap flow, even when 32 holes were drilled. Sap flow measured by the heat pulse method was only lower after drilling than before drilling in three trees, and the difference only persisted for about 1 h. Deuterium concentrations of water collected from the tree canopies had not returned to background values 17 days after injection. Twenty-one days after injection, sapwood and heartwood samples taken from trunks near the injection sites contained considerable concentrations of deuterium, indicating that some of the deuterium injected into the trees was still present. An experiment performed on two trees showed that deuterium was stored in the heartwood and sapwood throughout the trees, and its distribution within the trees four days after injection was similar whether it was injected into only the sapwood (where it should mix with sap and be transported from the tree most readily) or into both the sapwood and heartwood, indicating that there was considerable movement of deuterium between the heartwood and sapwood. Deuterium storage was accounted for by an approximate means in the sap flow calculations, and may have resulted in an error of about 10% in sap flow estimated by this method. We conclude that the heat pulse and deuterium tracing techniques can be used simultaneously to increase the number of sap flow measurements obtained from a forest, thereby increasing the precision of forest water use estimates. Their combination would be most effective in stands with a wide range of tree sizes and sap flow rates, where the relative differences in sap flux estimates between the methods is small compared with differences in sap flow between trees.


Currently, information is lacking on gene flow in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at distances greater than 300 m based on commercial-scale fields. The objective of this research was to measure pollen-mediated gene flow rates from a blue-aleuroned pollinator (T. aestivum cv. 'Purendo-38') to neighboring commercial fields of common wheat grown within a 10-km radius of a central pollinator field. In the 2-yr study, 33-ha (2002) and 20-ha (2003) fields of Purendo-38 were sown 200 km east-northeast of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Sixty-nine fields in 2002 and 76 fields in 2003 were identified as having overlapping flowering relative to Purendo-38. At maturity, up to 2 m2 samples were harvested from each corner of each recipient field. Gene flow was identified by the expression of a light-blue pigment in the aleurone layer of F 1 hybrid seed. In 2002 one case of gene flow was confirmed at 190 m northeast of the pollinator at a rate of 0.01%. In 2003 nine putative hybrid seeds were confirmed to be the result of gene flow between Purendo-38 and the recipient field using gliadin fingerprinting. Consequently, gene flow was confirmed at 0.01% at 500 m northeast, 630 m southeast, and 2.75 km northwest from the pollinator. In commercial production, gene flow in wheat occurs at trace levels (≤ 0.01%) at distances up to 2.75 km.


Abstract Background Prior studies have documented associations between preterm birth and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) but the prevalence and correlates of dual burden are not adequately understood, despite significant family implications. Purpose To describe the prevalence and correlates of the dual burden of SMM and preterm birth and to understand profiles of SMM by dual burden of preterm birth. Approach: This retrospective cohort study included all California live births in 2007–2012 with gestations 20–44 weeks and linked to a birth cohort database maintained by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (n = 3,059,156). Dual burden was defined as preterm birth (<37 weeks) with severe maternal morbidity (SMM, defined by Centers for Disease Control). Predictors for dual burden were assessed using Poisson logistic regression, accounting for hospital variance. Results Rates of preterm birth and SMM were 876 and 140 per 10,000 births, respectively. The most common indications of SMM both with and without preterm birth were blood transfusions and a combination of cardiac indications. One-quarter of women with SMM experienced preterm birth with a dual burden rate of 37 per 10,000 births. Risk of dual burden was over threefold higher with cesarean birth (primiparous primary aRR = 3.3, CI = 3.0–3.6; multiparous primary aRR = 8.1, CI = 7.2–9.1; repeat aRR = 3.9, CI = 3.5–4.3). Multiple gestation conferred a six-fold increased risk (aRR = 6.3, CI = 5.8–6.9). Women with preeclampsia superimposed on gestational hypertension (aRR = 7.3, CI = 6.8–7.9) or preexisting hypertension (aRR = 11.1, CI = 9.9–12.5) had significantly higher dual burden risk. Significant independent predictors for dual burden included smoking during pregnancy (aRR = 1.5, CI = 1.4–1.7), preexisting hypertension without preeclampsia (aRR = 3.3, CI = 3.0–3.7), preexisting diabetes (aRR = 2.6, CI = 2.3–3.0), Black race/ethnicity (aRR = 2.0, CI = 1.8–2.2), and prepregnancy body mass index <18.5 (aRR = 1.4, CI = 1.3–1.5). Conclusions Dual burden affects 1900 California families annually. The strongest predictors of dual burden were hypertensive disorders with preeclampsia and multiparous primary cesarean.


The Smart Grid has three main characteristics, which are to some degree antagonistic. These characteristics are: provision of good power quality, energy cost reduction and improvement in the reliability of the grid. The need to ensure that they can be accomplished together demands a much richer ICT monitoring and control network than the current system. In this paper we particularly investigate the design and deployment of the ICT system in the urban environment, specifically in a university campus that is embedded in a city, thus it represents the Neighbourhood Area Network (NAN) level of the Smart Grid. In order to design an ICT infrastructure, we have introduced two related architectures: namely communications network architecture and a software architecture. Having access to the characteristics of a real NAN guides us to choose appropriate communication technologies and identify the actual requirements of the system. To implement these architectures at this level we need to gather and process information from environmental sensors (monitoring e.g. temperature, movement of people and vehicles) that can provide useful information about changes in the loading of the NAN, with information from instrumentation of the Power Grid itself. Energy constraints are one of the major limitations of the communication network in the Smart Grid, especially where wireless networking is proposed. Thus we analyse the most energy efficient method of collecting and sending data. The main contribution of this research is that we propose and implement an energy efficient ICT network and describe our software architecture at the NAN level, currently very underdeveloped. We also discuss our experimental results. To our knowledge, no such architectures have yet been implemented for collecting data which can provide the basis of Decision Support Tools (DSTs).


We introduce a family of bi-dimensional theta functions which give uniformly explicit formulae for the theta series of hermitian lattices over imaginary quadratic fields constructed from codes over GF(4) and F 2 x F 2 , and give an interesting geometric characterization of the theta series that arise in terms of the basic strongly modular lattice Z + √Z. We identify some of the hermitian lattices constructed and observe an interesting pair of non-isomorphic 3/2 dimensional codes over F 2 × F 2 that give rise to isomorphic hermitian lattices when constructed at the lowest level 7 but nonisomorphic lattices at higher levels. The results show that the two alphabets GF(4) and F 2 x F 2 are complementary and raise the natural question as to whether there are other such complementary alphabets for codes.


This thesis describes the growth and characterisation of gallium nitride, indium nitride and indium gallium nitride semiconductors primarily carried out using a novel growth technique called Anion Modulation Epitaxy (AME) and also plasma-assisted MBE (PA-MBE). Characterisation was typically performed by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and optical reflectance studies.
All of the work in this thesis was carried out in the hope to improve layer structure and quality which in turn would create higher efficiency solar cells.
Nanorods were grown using PA-MBE as these are known to form entirely defect-free material and this would be an attractive quality when trying to increase the efficiency. InN rods were grown at temperatures between 350 C and 450 C on SiC substrates of both Si- and C-polar faces at various indium fluxes to establish optimal growth conditions. It was found that a BEP flux of approximately 2x10-7 Torr and a growth temperature approximately 400 C provided a large array of rods. Samples produced tall, thin nanorods as well as short, fat ones. CBED analysis revealed that the tall nanorods were growing In-polar which mimics the behaviour seen for GaN. Photoluminscence (PL) data for the rods agrees with the bulk PL measurement of InN in the literature confirming that reasonable quality films have been produced. Coalescence of the rods was achieved by increasing the flux to 2x10-6 Torr. Also, p-n junctions were grown on both faces of SiC and preliminary tests have shown a response to light.
A new growth method was developed from conventional PA-MBE known as Anion Modulation Epitaxy (AME) and gives rise to improved growth compared with equivalent samples by PA-MBE as the growth temperature is decreased. It also allows p-doping for GaN to be carried out at lower temperatures and more consistently. Direct comparison of GaN samples grown at equivalent temperatures by PA-MBE and AME show improved structural, electrical and optical properties for the samples grown using AME. It has also proven to be a useful tool for studying temperature changes at the substrate surface when using any pulsed growth technique. Substrate temperature was shown to vary by approximately 15 C each time the flow was interrupted. Slower, long-term trends were also monitored depending on the average nitrogen to metal ratio. An increase in overall temperature is derived from increasing metal rich growth, whereas the opposite effect is true for increased nitrogen rich growth.
AME was also used for the growth of intermediate band solar cells (IBSC). The entire growth is easily monitored and altered using AME without altering the growth parameters drastically. Pulsing the nitrogen allows for variations in the metal cell fluxes to be kept under control at the surface. The discovery of `hidden' metal in the layer would have taken a lot longer to discover, and would have ruined the sample without utilising AME.


Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis is crucial for proper β-cell function as evidenced by rare monogenic diabetic disorders, such as Wolfram syndrome, arising from genetic defects in key ER molecules. Wolfram syndrome stems from mutation of the ER transmembrane protein, Wolfram Syndrome 1 (WFS1), resulting in a recessive, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that first manifests as juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus (DM). While many WFS1 variants are associated with DM, the role of WFS1 in β-cell viability and function remains unclear. Our central hypothesis is that WFS1 regulates β-cell viability through downregulation of ER stress-responsive pro-apoptotic factors and β-cell function through modulation of key ER Ca2+ transporters. To test this hypothesis, we generated inducible β-cell models of WFS1 knockdown and overexpression using rat insulinoma cell lines to monitor β-cell function and β-cell death. We employed chemical and physiologic stimuli to model ER stress and monitored its downstream effects by real-time PCR, immunoblot and intracellular calcium mobilization. Our data indicate that β-cells depleted of WFS1 exhibit impaired insulin secretion and reduced insulin content. Additionally, knockdown of WFS1 is associated with decreased ER Ca2+, increased cytosolic Ca2+ and increased β-cell death. Conversely, increasing WFS1 expression in vitro increases insulin production and confers protection against ER stress-mediated β-cell death. Our data suggest that WFS1 may preserve β-cell viability by reducing the expression of pro-apoptotic factors CHOP and TRIB3. Future studies seek to clarify the mechanisms by which WFS1 protects β-cells against metabolic stressors and promotes insulin production. These studies will expand our understanding of the broader mechanisms by which ER dysfunction triggers β-cell pathology in more common forms of diabetes, and provide potential novel targets for intervention that center on preserving ER homeostasis. Disclosure D. Abreu: None. Z. Lavagnino: None. C.M. Brown: None. D.W. Piston: None. F. Urano: Research Support; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Stock/Shareholder; Self; CytRx.


Diffractive MEMS are interesting for a wide range of applications, including displays, scanners or switching elements. Their advantages are compactness, potentially high actuation speed and in the ability to deflect light at large angles. We have designed and fabricated deformable diffractive MEMS grating to be used as tuning elements for external cavity lasers. The resulting device is compact, has wide tunability and a high operating speed. The initial design is a planar grating where the beams are free-standing and attached to each other using leaf springs. Actuation is achieved through two electrostatic comb drives at either end of the grating. To prevent deformation of the free-standing grating, the device is 10 μm thick made from a Silicon on Insulator (SOI) wafer in a single mask process. At 100V a periodicity tuning of 3% has been measured. The first resonant mode of the grating is measured at 13.8 kHz, allowing high speed actuation. This combination of wide tunability and high operating speed represents state of the art in the domain of tunable MEMS filters. In order to improve diffraction efficiency and to expand the usable wavelength range, a blazed version of the deformable MEMS grating has been designed. A key issue is maintaining the mechanical properties of the original device while providing optically smooth blazed beams. Using a process based on anisotropic KOH etching, blazed gratings have been obtained and preliminary characterization is promising.


Epididymal spermmaturation is considered as an integral part of the process that permits mammalian gamete fusion and formation of the zygote. The present studies aimed at the identification of sperm maturation proteins namely, ER-a, CK-19, AQP-1, and SLPI in the different region (cauda, corpus, caput) of the normal and castrated bull epididymis by employing RT-PCR and western blot analysis. The study also aimed at understanding the intrinsic role of androgens in regulation of epididymal functions. The study revealed the presence of ER in all the three regions of the epididymis. However, castration caused a significant decrease in expression of ER-a in caput region and complete down-regulation on corpus and cauda region of epididymis. The expression of CK-19 was found to be more or less equally expressed in all the three regions of the normal bull epididymis. AQP-1 expression was observed only in the caput region of normal bull epididymis and there was complete absence of its expression in castration bull epididymis. Likewise, SLPI expression was also observed in the regions of normal bull epididymis. However, it was completely downregulated upon castration. Thus, the presence of ER-a, CK-19,AQP-1 and SLPI in the epididymis of the bull suggests their functional role in sperm maturation. Further, the presence of ER-a and CK-19 only in a particular region and complete absence ofAQP-1 and SLPI in all the three regions of the epididymis of the castrated bull was suggestive of dependence of epididymal function on androgens. Identification of specific markers for these proteins may pave way for diagnosis and treatment of infertility in domestic species as well as potential targets in the design of specific contraceptive medicines.


Expertise is the primary resource and product of professional service and technical firms. These firms often organize around project teams that advise and work under contract for clients. A key problem for management is to deploy expertise in project teams so as to meet the expertise requirements of projects and clients. Because expertise may be geographically distributed across multiple sites, many of these firms create virtual or distributed teams. Doing so gives these firms access to a larger pool of knowledge resources than would be available at one site and helps leverage expertise across the organization. However, geographically distributed collaboration in teams incurs coordination and other costs that local work does not. Is a distributed team worth these costs? We studied a professional service firm with distributed and collocated project teams. In this firm, domain expertise tended to be concentrated within geographic sites, whereas methodological expertise was distributed across the firm. We examined whether a better match of domain and methodological expertise to the needs of projects resulted in more profitable projects, and whether distributed teams matched these two types of expertise to the requirements of projects as well as or better than did collocated teams. We found that most projects were collocated, with members drawn from one site who had domain expertise that matched project requirements as well as when members were drawn from other sites. The profits of projects were unrelated to the match of domain expertise with project requirements. However, project profits were significantly and positively related to a match of methodological expertise with project requirements. Furthermore, distributed projects showed a stronger match of methodological expertise with project requirements than did collocated projects, and predicted disproportionately more profits. We conclude that an appropriate utilization of organizationally distributed expertise has a positive impact on project performance.


To quantitatively evaluate the mechanical effect of plants' roots on slope reinforcement, this paper probes into the application of composite material theory and finite element method (FEM) to analysis of mechanical properties of soil and soil/root respectively. Soil with herbage roots is regarded as a kind of special composite material, soil is matrix and root is intensifier. Comparing to the test result, the result obtained by composite material model is not perfect but can be used to estimate the effect of roots on soil reinforcement. Moreover, the result obtained by FEM analysis confirms the effect of root on soil reinforcement, especially along the direction of root length.


The complete covalent structure has been determined for a human myeloma IgA1 immunoglobulin. This protein has unique features in the amino acid sequence and disulfide bridge structure of the variable (V) and constant (C) regions of both the alpha heavy and the lambda light chains, and in the number and loci of oligosaccharides. Whereas C region domains of heavy chains have evolved independently over eons, recent isotypic variations have occured in lambda light chains and possibly in alpha heavy chains.


This research focused on the effects of electron beam irradiation (EBI) on the hydrolysis and antioxidant activity of rice proteins (RPs). The RPs were treated with 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 kGy doses of EBI. The results showed that EBI pretreatment improved significantly (P < 0.05) the degree of hydrolysis, increasing the DH value by more than 15.09% at a dose of 30 kGy. In addition, radical scavenging results showed that EBI treatment had effects on antioxidant activity and could increase the DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activity of rice protein hydrolysates (RPHs) by 32.06% and 79.11%, respectively (30 kGy). The CAA test also confirmed that EBI pretreatment could effectively improve the ability of RPHs to remove intracellular free radicals. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that EBI treatment destroyed microstructures and resulted in cracks and fragments of RPs. Circular dichroism analysis showed that EBI affected the secondary structure of RPs by destroying the α-helix structure. Changes in the UV visible spectra indicated unfolding of RPs by EBI. Amino acid and molecular weight distribution analysis revealed that EBI pretreatment could increase the ratio of antioxidant-related amino acids and produce smaller peptides. Therefore, EBI pretreatment is an efficient method to promote protein proteolysis due to its effect on the molecular conformation as well as on protein microstructure. Moreover, EBI treatment applied before enzymatic hydrolysis has the potential to prepare hydrolysates with high bioactivity.


Abstract–Zearalenone (ZEA), a common contaminant in food and feedstuffs, threatens human and animal health. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of modified palygorskite (MPal), a ZEA-targeted adsorbent, on broilers (young chickens) fed a ZEA-contaminated diet. Broilers were subjected to one of three treatments for a period of 42 days: a basal diet (control group), a ZEA- contaminated diet, and a ZEA-contaminated diet supplemented with 1 g/kg of MPal. Blood was collected for serum metabolite assay, and liver and kidney were sampled to determine ZEA residue and antioxidant- related parameters, using commercial spectrophotometric kits. Compared with the basal diet, the ZEA- contaminated diet resulted in compromised growth performance (reduced daily gain and feed intake during finisher period), disordered relative liver weight (decreased at 21 days but increased at 42 days), increased ZEA residue in liver and kidney, abnormal serum metabolites (decreased total protein content but increased alanine aminotransferase activity at 21 and 42 days, reduced albumin content at 21 days, and elevated aspartate aminotransferase activity at 42 days), and disrupted antioxidant capacities of broilers (increased total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity in liver at 21 and 42 days, decreased T-SOD activity in kidney at 21 and 42 days, and in serum at 42 days, greater malondialdehyde accumulation in liver and kidney at 42 days, and lower glutathione content in kidney at 21 days). The adverse consequences resulting from the ZEA-contaminated diet were relieved by the supplementation of MPal (except albumin concentration in serum and T-SOD activity in liver at 21 days), with the values of growth-performance parameters, liver weight, renal ZEA accumulation, total protein content, transaminase activity at 42 days, and antioxidant indexes being similar to those in the control group. These results suggested that MPal supplementation could promote growth performance, attenuate liver damage, and improve the antioxidant abilities of broilers fed ZEA-contaminated diet by reducing ZEA accumulation.


Why do human beings interpret their overall experience in terms of selfhood? How was the notion and sense of self shaped at different times and in different cultures? What sort of problems or paradoxes did these constructions face? These lectures address these and related questions by sketching a roadmap of possible theoretical avenues for conceiving of the self, bringing to the foreground its soteriological implications, while also testing this theoretical outlook against insights offered by various disciplines. Exploring the crosscultural spectrum of possible ways of conceiving of the self invites the more existential question of whether any of these possibilities might offer resources for dealing with the tragedies of today's world, or maybe even saving it from some of them.


This article describes a method for modeling the propagation of cracks on any 3D surface. Taking a previous cellular automata model as basis, this method allows any type of cracks on any type of triangulated 3D object. Our model's main advantage is that it proposes a semi-physical solution, making it at the same time user controllable and easily extensible. After summarizing works in the literature, we make a brief and simple description of what physically are cracks and how they are generated. Based on this idea, we detail our model of crack propagation. We first introduce the general development of cracks. We then propose our original model of spectrum stress. This is followed by the description of the mutual interaction between cracks and stresses. Finally, a set of graphical examples, with their respective parameters, concludes this paper.


Jane Austen is the world's bestselling novelist - 200 years after her death. We seem to have a never-ending appetite for the swooning of Sense & Sensibility; smouldering passion of Pride & Prejudice - resulting in a near constant supply of film adaptations and spin-off books. The fan market for Austen - the Austenites - is huge and international. Her novels are about to celebrate their bicentennials (Sense & Sensibility 2011). 30,000 visitors each year to Chawton, Hamspshire and Jane Austen Centre, Bath. This book will reveal the real Jane: bitchy, gossipy, badly behaved at times as well as show the side we all love: the writer, sister, true romantic.


The importance of teaching, for the development of economies, cultures, and the enrichment of people's lives cannot be overstated. These days biomass and bioenergy teaching has a pivotal role to play in influencing all of the aforementioned areas of life, since fossil fuels are becoming depleted. However, what good is teaching if it cannot be communicated in an intelligible, persuading, and egalitarian manner? A dynamic educational construct between "teacher" and "student" will be the chief mode of promoting knowledge and provoking research for engendering more knowledge. This editorial attempts to show how teaching is a living and symbiotic discipline that we typically take for granted, but once we do it right, we have the power to change the world as we know it. We will briefly explore the example of BioSUCCEED, a platform at NC State University, as a means of communicating knowledge related to biomass and bioenergy.


Aim: To investigate whether the presence of left ventricular myocardial dysfunction (LVMD) assessed by Tei index (LVTX) impacts the outcomes of healthy infants with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis (RSVB). To explore whether N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) increases the accuracy of traditional clinical markers in predicting the outcomes. Methods: A single-centre, prospective, cohort study including healthy infants aged 1–12 months old admitted for RSVB between 1 October 2016 and 1 April 2017. All patients underwent clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic evaluation within 24 h of admission. Paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission was defined as severe disease. Results: We enrolled 50 cases of RSVB (median age of 2 (1–6.5) months; 40% female) and 50 age-matched controls. We observed higher values of LVTX in infants with RSVB than in controls (0.42 vs. 0.36; p = 0.008). Up to nine (18%) children presented with LVMD (LVTX > 0.5), with a higher incidence of PICU admission (89% vs. 5%; p < 0.001). The diagnostic performance of NT-proBNP in predicting LVMD was high (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) 0.95, CI 95% 0.90–1). The diagnostic yield of the predictive model for PICU admission that included NT-proBNP was excellent (AUC 0.945, CI 95% 0.880–1), and significantly higher than the model without NT-proBNP (p = 0.026). Conclusions: LVMD could be present in healthy infants with RSVB who develop severe disease. NT-proBNP seems to improve traditional clinical markers for outcomes.


This letter considers a multi-channel access problem in a cognitive radio network with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${M}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> primary users and a multi-channel secondary user (SU). SU selects <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${K}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> channels for transmission without knowing the channel states or statistics of channel evolution processes. If SU senses that a selected channel is available, it sends data over that channel at that time. Otherwise, SU does not use it in that slot. Under average throughput criteria, myopic policy is proposed and upper bounds of its throughput performance are derived for this problem. It is shown that it achieves optimality over block fading channels for certain channel evolution processes although it is generally suboptimal.


SUMMARY Marek's disease was diagnosed as the cause of prolonged high mortality in two commercial flocks of white leghorn layers by gross and microscopic examination of affected tissues and by immunofluorescent study of live tumor cells using anti-Marek's disease tumor-associated surface antigen, antiimmunoglobulin M, and monoclonal antibodies. The disease was characterized by swollen, necrotic, lymphomatous combs and mortality that rose above normal at 28 weeks of age, peaked at 35-36 weeks, and returned to normal by 45-46 weeks.


Conservation scientists increasingly recognize the need to incorporate the social sciences into policy decisions. In practice, however, considerable challenges to integrating the social and natural sciences remain. In this article, we review the US Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) 2009 decision to remove the northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolves from the federal list of endangered species. We examine the FWS's arguments concerning the threat posed by humans' attitudes toward wolves in light of the existing social science literature. Our analysis found support for only one of four arguments underlying the FWS's assessment of public attitudes as a potential threat to wolves. Although we found an extensive literature on attitudes toward wolves, the FWS cited just one empirical research article. We conclude that when listing decisions rest on assumptions about society, these assumptions should be evaluated using the best available natural and social science research.


High-voltage underground cable systems are becoming more common as the demand for electrical power within urban centers increase, also considering the difficulties in building new overhead power lines in the vicinity of city centers because of authorization issues. Therefore, interest towards the evaluation of magnetic fields produced by high-voltage power lines has been triggered during the last decade and concern about effects on human health of exposure to extra low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields due to power lines has been increasing as well. Hence, the evaluation of the magnetic field produced by underground power cables is important in order to develop methods for mitigating their influence on the surrounding environment. In this paper, after a description of some technical solutions adopted nowadays to reduce ELF magnetic fields generated by power cables, a case study on a 380 kV power line will be considered.


Activated alumina granules is a primary sorption media . The intention of this experiment is to get out of the difference between the different regenerate medias, caustic soda and alumina sulfate . Experimental result shows the renewal adsorption capacity of activated alumina using caustic soda regenerate is more than using aluminum sulfate .Under the same experiment condition ,aluminum sulfate can regain 13.27mg/g adsorption capacity while using 0.8 per cent caustic soda to regenerate alumina and 5.36mg/g using 4 per cent aluminum sulfate .The intensity of activated alumina granules reduces when we use caustic soda as regenerate media .The mass wastage of activated alumina granules is between 12% and 14% using caustic soda as regenerate media and between 6% and 8%uing aluminum sulfate .It is needed to neutralized by hydrochloric acid or aluminum sulfate after regenerated by caustic soda .Without neutralized, the concentration of treated water is over 1.0mg/l in the beginning.And neutralized with hydrochloric acid or aluminum sulfate, the efficacious run time can achieve 23 hours and 31hours .


BACKGROUND
Previously reported outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis associated with aircraft have been limited to transmission during a single flight sector. During October 2009, an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting occurred among different groups of flight attendants who had worked on separate flight sectors on the same airplane. We investigated the cause of the outbreak and whether the illnesses were attributable to work on the airplane.

METHODS
Information was obtained from flight attendants on demographic characteristics, symptoms, and possible transmission risk factors. Case patients were defined as flight attendants with diarrhea or vomiting <51 hours after the end of their first flight sector on the airplane during 13-18 October 2009. Stool samples were tested for norovirus RNA.

RESULTS
A passenger had vomited on the Boeing 777-200 airplane on the 13 October flight sector. Sixty-three (82%) of 77 flight attendants who worked on the airplane during 13-18 October provided information, and 27 (43%) met the case definition. The attack rate among flight attendants decreased significantly over successive flight sectors from 13 October onward (P < .001). Working as a supervisor was independently associated with development of illness (adjusted odds ratio, 5.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-25.6). Norovirus genotype GI.6 was detected in stool samples from 2 case patients who worked on different flight sectors.

CONCLUSIONS
Sustained transmission of norovirus is likely to have occurred because of exposures on this airplane during successive flight sectors. Airlines should make provision for adequate disinfection of airplanes with use of products effective against norovirus and other common infectious agents after vomiting has occurred.


During the second half of the 20th century, the idea of establishing hospital ethics committees emerged as a result of technological developments in the medical field, of new approaches towards patients' rights, and of facts which were unacceptable from medical, judicial and moral perspectives. Among the goals of hospital ethics committees which begun to be established after the 1970's are consulting, educating hospital personnel, patients and patients' relatives, as well as building a health policy for the health institution. It is important to note, however, that the decisions of such committees are only in the nature of recommendations. In Turkey, there is a need for functionally serving ethics committees which the doctors can consult if they are seeking solutions for ethical dilemmas they face during medical practice. Ethics committees established at university hospitals with such a purpose in mind could not go beyond Pharmaceutical Research Ethics Committees. In our study we will briefly review the history of Hospital Ethics Committees in Turkey and will present the work done in this area. While emphasizing the place of Ege University Hospital's Hospital Ethics Committee established in Turkey in 1999 for this purpose and the experience of this committee, we will present two current case studies with ethical dilemmas and the ethical decisions taken in these two cases.


Fracture toughness KC and fatigue crack growth behavior of commuter train's rail track material used in Klang Valley, Malaysia was investigated. Two different tests were performed in accordance to ASTM E399 and E647 testing procedures using single edge notch bend (SENB) and compact tension (CT) specimens, respectively. The results showed that the average KC value of the rail track material was 51.7 MPa√m. On the other hand, from the fatigue crack growth test, both longitudinal (LD) and short-transverse (TD) direction specimens demonstrated identical Paris' Law constants C and m of 1.3 x 10-12 m/cycle and 3.54, respectively. Prediction of bending fatigue life of rail track material using the above obtained parameters showed a good agreement with the experimental results.


This study explored the relative contribution of the therapist's technical skills and the qualities inherent in any good human relationship to outcome in time-limited individual psychotherapy. Highly experienced psychotherapists treated 15 patients drawn from a relatively homogeneous patient population (male college students, selected primarily on the basis of elevations on the depression, anxiety, and social introversion scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory). By traditional diagnostic categories, they would be classified as neurotic depression or anxiety reactions. Obsessional trends and borderline personalities were common. A comparable patient group was treated by college professors chosen for their ability to form understanding relationships. Patients treated by professors showed, on the average, as much improvement as patients treated by professional therapists. Treated groups slightly exceeded the controls. Group means, however, obscured considerable individual variability.


The vertical slice method is generally adopted for calculation of slope stability safety factor. The algebraic expression of stability safety factor of the slope under horizontal seismic forces is deduced based on the idea of calculation via the inclined slice method and according to the force limit equilibrium conditions of inclined slices. It replaces conventional integral or differential expressions with advantages such as simplified calculation process, convergence performance guarantee and rapid calculation via simple iterative. The example shows that the slope stability safety factor derived from this method is very similar with that from conventional methods, which proves that this method is feasible and brings convenience to technical personnel of slope engineering.


By applying the behavioural economics approach and the findings of the empirical survey we conducted, this paper analyses constraints on the pursuit of self-interest. The objective is to transfer scientific insights about the impact which general rules of morality have on human activities; to establish what moral standards govern the community we researched and to provide new empirical evidence about the influence which the sense of duty has on human behaviour. Our research supports the thesis that people are governed by their sense of duty; they care about the well-being of other people and act responsibly and responsively, whether or not they benefit as individuals and groups; they also seek to treat others reciprocally and evaluate market phenomena from the perspective of their moral feelings. Unlike the Homo Economicus, real people are more moral, good-natured and attractive when treated in compliance with established moral standards and more immoral, evil and repulsive when treated contrary to them.


Studies of the interaction of nutrients and toxic substances in soils of different acidity levels have shown that liming will raise the pH, increase the calcium supply and lower toxic levels of manganese and aluminum to tolerable amounts. When the pH of soil reaches 5.5, water soluble manganese is increased as compared with more alkaline soils. As the pH approaches 5.0, aluminum toxicity enters the picture. The amount of lime added should be regulated since an excess can induce deficiencies of iron, magnesium and other nutrients.


Abstract Background: Globally, there is growing concern regarding workers' illicit drug use and its implications for health and workplace safety. Young workers in male-dominated industries, such as construction, may be more susceptible to illicit drug use, risky drinking and its associated harms. Purpose/objectives: To investigate drug use and perceptions of risk among male construction workers, drawing comparisons between workers under 25 years with older age groups. Methods: Workers in Sydney, Australia (N  = 511) completed a survey measuring past year illicit drug and alcohol use, psychological distress and perceptions of drug-related risks to health and safety. Prevalence in the total sample was compared with national estimates, and differences between younger and older survey respondents were examined using logistic regression models. Results: Survey respondents' cocaine, meth/amphetamine and cannabis use was significantly higher than estimates of male employees nationally (OR = 6.60, 3.58, 1.61, respectively). Young workers ≤24 were more likely to frequently use illicit drugs, drink heavily, and report psychological distress than those aged 35+. Workers ≤24 were least likely to perceive that drug use posed high risks to health or safety when compared with 25-34 and 35+ age groups. Conclusions/importance: The findings highlight the high prevalence of illicit drug use amongst young construction workers, representing threats to workplace safety even if used outside work hours. Greater emphasis on potential adverse effects of alcohol and drug use and closer examination of contributory workplace factors are required. These findings have practical implications to inform occupational health and safety programs and interventions in high-risk workplaces.


Background: The Stature or height is one of the most used anthropometric measurements in clinical medicine for the calculation of many parameters. When the accurate measurement for stature is unobtainable, other surrogates are used to predict stature. Arm span and knee height are proven to be reliable predictors of stature in such circumstances. Inter and intra population variations may be observed in relation to anthropometry due to factors such as genetic makeup, age, gender and ethnicity. Though many Asian races have been studied in relation to these parameters, similar studies were not reported among any ethnic group or age group in Sri Lanka. Thus the aim of the present study was to analyze the correlation between stature and two anthropometric variables; the arm span and knee height of young Sinhalese medical students of University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and to predict the best. Methods: Young Sinhalese medical students were selected randomly and stature, arm span and knee height were measured using standard anthropometric techniques. Pearson's coefficients of correlation and regression equations were calculated using SPSS statistical package between stature and the two anthropometric variables. Results: A total of 196 Sinhalese medical students (101 male, 95 females) of 20-26 years of age were studied. The arm span showed a strong significant linear correlation(r) with stature (r=0.832,r 2 =0.692; r=0.879,r 2 =0.773, p=0.000.for males and females respectively) while knee height too has shown a similar relationship. (r=0.740,r 2 =0.0548;r=0.668, r 2 =0.446, p=0.000. for males and females respectively) However arm span correlates best with the stature in this study group. Following equations were derived to predict the stature (Y). In males Y=48.801+ 0.6784 Arm span, and Y=73.945+ 1.784 Knee height, in females Y=47.451+ 0.678 Arm Span and Y=95.427+ 1.249 Knee height. Conclusion: Arm span is the best parameter to predict stature for both genders of young Sinhalese medical students of University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/slja.v19i2.4245 Sri Lankan Journal of Anaesthesiology Vol.19(2) 2011 pp.76-80


James R. Millar and Sharon L. Wolchik, eds. The Social Legacy of Communism. Cambridge: Woodrow Wilson Center Press and Cambridge University Press, 1994. xiii, 404 pp. Illustrations. Index. $69.95 Cloth. $18.95 Paper. This is a collection of sixteen articles grouped into four parts: ethnic issues (Part I); deviance and health (Part 11); social cleavages (Part III); and labour and elitism (Part IV). The focus of the volume is primarily on the negative legacies of communist rule in the former Soviet Union and the formerly communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Part I discusses in articles by Peter Juviler, Marjorie Balzer, and Maria Todorova the growth of ethnic identity and the emergence of nationalism in Russia and Eastern Europe. Juviler concludes in his article that the legacy of communism in post-Soviet states created not only an ethnic identity crisis for many nationalities, but also a civic void in institutions for peaceful resolution of tensions over self-determination, power, citizenship, and property. Balzer reviews the political and cultural history of five republics in the Russian Federation. She notes that, apart from the desire of Chechen leaders to opt for secession from Russia, leaders in Tatarstan, Buryatia, Sakha, and Tyva preferred to negotiate with Moscow for more local sovereignty. Todorova concludes from her discussion of ethnicity and nationalism in Eastern Europe that its growth is more of a European phenomenon than a legacy of communism. The ethnic strife that came with the collapse of Yugoslavia, in Croatia (1991-92), Bosnia (1992-95), Kosovo (1999), and Macedonia (2001) suggests that her approach of explaining ethnicity in Eastern Europe within a European framework may be correct. Part II devotes considerable coverage to issues of social deviance, crime, drug abuse, medicine, and health in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Andrea Sanjian writes that the rise of social deviance following the collapse of communism in the former Soviet Union is not so much the consequence of communism's collapse as of communism itself, of its criminalization of market activities as violations of socialist morals. The rise of crime in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, argues Louise Shelley, resulted largely from the decline of centralized control and the diversion of police resources, means, and attention to controlling interethnic conflicts and safeguarding public order. John Kramer writes that under communism, authorities contributed to the spread of drug abuse through neglect and indifference. This indifference toward substance abuse was equally apparent in the health care field. Mark Field argues that the treatment of health care in the Soviet Union as a "residual budgetary item" and "socially unproductive service" created conditions in which future reforms of the health care system would be a slow and uneven process. Furthermore, as long as governments and populations continue to believe that socialized medicine is a universal entitlement, medical insurance will be slow to develop. Nicholas Eberstadt shows that the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact Europe encountered a serious deterioration in the health of their populations in the 1980s and that the sharp rise in mortality rates, for males and females alike, was a contributing factor to the collapse of communism. One main cause for rising mortality rates in the 1980s was the rapid rise in deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease, prompted by heavy smoking, heavy drinking, poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and psychological stress. Part III contains three articles on youth expectations in Russia, the status of women in Central and Eastern Europe, and the religious revival in the Soviet Union and its successor states. Richard Dobson notes in his article that by 1991 young Russians had largely repudiated communist principles and were the most willing of all age groups in Russia to seize the opportunities that were to come from privatization. …


This chapter explores class action nuisance suits by examining the plaintiffs that bring them. It focuses on merger litigation—claims brought by shareholders in the wake of corporate mergers and acquisitions transactions—and uses as evidence the litigation history of seven "frequent filer" shareholder plaintiffs. Over a five year period, from 2014 through 2018, these plaintiffs filed 281 shareholder suits nationwide. Compiling data on these filings and their outcomes, this chapter reveals a transformation in merger-related nuisance suits. Plaintiffs went from challenging mergers in fiduciary duty suits under state law to challenging merger disclosures in federal court under the federal securities laws. Just as state fiduciary duty suits were typically settled for supplemental disclosures, federal securities claims are typically resolved by mooting the claims through corrective disclosures. The common denominator between these two types of claims is that both entitle plaintiffs' counsel to collect fees from the corporation on the basis of supplemental disclosures. The data also reveal two further nuisance suit developments: (1) the filing of disclosure-related claims under the federal securities laws not related to merger activity, and (2) the filing of individual rather than class complaints.

The chapter argues that these litigation patterns have evolved in response to efforts to contain nuisance suits. Claims moved from state to federal court to evade hostile state law precedent. Once in federal court, claims changed from settlement to mootness resolutions to avoid further judicial scrutiny and to avoid possible application of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"). Further innovations in nuisance filings seem specifically designed to evade the PSLRA.

Consistent application of the PSLRA to merger litigation would reverse the flow of claims back to state court if not eliminate them altogether. However, any hope of this depends upon a more coordinated judiciary. Courts must coordinate their approach to merger litigation generally and to the PSLRA in particular. Fortunately, coordination mechanisms do exist. Courts should use them to halt the inundation of merger-related nuisance suits.


This paper presents a color dimming (CD) method for Light Fidelity (LiFi), enabling the ability to change the color of a light-emitting-diode (LED) and adjust the brightness of the light. The proposed CD scheme targets both high spectral efficiency and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In order to achieve a high spectral efficiency, a superposition modulation scheme called augmented spectral efficiency discrete multi-tone (ASE-DMT) is used with multi-layer modulation and iterative detection. In order to achieve a high SNR, different modulation layers of ASE-DMT are loaded onto different LEDs. This is called a multi-layer multi-output modulation (MLMO) scheme. The proposed MLMO scheme supports single photo diode (PD) demodulation, thus reducing the receiver complexity. Results show that red/green/blue channels can adjust their brightness levels independently within a brightness range of 16 % to 84 % to produce a mixed color. Within the operating color plane, the proposed MLMO ASE-DMT provides a consistently high SNR of up to 33 dB, which is 8.3 dB higher than the typical ASE-DMT with multi-layer single-output modulation (MLSO).


MABRY, GEORGE L., arr. (b. 1945). SIX FOLK SONGS OF THE AMERICAS. Medium high voice and piano. Roger Dean Publishing Company, 2002. Traditional keys/modes; B[musical flat]^sub 3^-G^sub 5^; Tess: M; regular meters; slow to moderate tempos; V/M, P/M; 38 pages. Medium high voice-mezzo soprano perhaps best. 4. "Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies." [duet] E[musical flat] major; B[musical flat]^sub 3^-G^sub 5^/B[musical flat]^sub 3^-D^sub 5^; Tess: mH/M; 4/4, Slowly and gently; V/M, P/M; 5 pages. New settings of American folk songs are always welcome, as singers of all levels enjoy exploring new interpretations of old songs. George Mabry has chosen four familiar American folk songs, one Canadian folk song, and one unfamiliar South American (Brazilian) folk song for this collection. All of the arrangements are quite different from those currently available, with the exception of "He's Gone Away," the tune and harmonies of which are so familiar and well loved as to merit being kept close to what people expect to hear. "The Riddle Song" is set quite simply in the first stanza with a melodic change only at the end. The second stanza takes the vocal line up a third, as though singing a harmony part, and the third stanza returns to the original melody, ending with a coda vocalized on "Ah." The piano part supports the voice throughout and also spins out a countermelody much of the time. "Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies," based on a nineteenth century American ballad, has quite a different melody from other arrangements. In addition, the text is somewhat different and uses a third stanza not commonly found. Setting the ballad as a duet is a nice touch. It seems as if two girls-or two older women-are giving this advice to a group of other "fair and tender ladies." Perhaps the two have even been jilted by the same boy? In any case, they speak from experience. "Lullaby to the Christ Child," translated from the Portuguese by Martha Williams and George L. Mabry, and in a minor key, is a lovely song in which the mother promises to keep the sleeping child safe though surrounded by the dark night. The melody is simple and haunting, and the piano part makes use of an opening motif in a descending pattern to create the mood. These notes are then spun out into other obbligato figures throughout the song. "The Blackbird's Courting Song," marked "Playful, whimsical," is a clever setting of this jaunty song about birds seeking a mate. …


In our experience, the modeling of events of all sorts is often central in ontology development. Indeed, many proposals for models of events exist, some in the form of lightweight vocabulary, and some in the form elaborately axiomatized ontologies. However, there is as of now no clear, generic, and concisely described pattern for modeling events as part of an ontology. In this brief paper, we describe such a core, minimalistic, generic pattern, and we describe it in the way in which we would have found it useful in our own modeling activities. We do not claim a lot of originality in doing this, we are rather filling an obvious gap in the ontology design patterns landscape.


Biodiversity has always been predominantly microbial and the scarcity of fossils from bacteria, archaea and microbial eukaryotes has prevented a comprehensive dating of the tree of life. Here we show that patterns of lateral gene transfer deduced from the analysis of modern genomes encode a novel and abundant source of information about the temporal coexistence of lineages throughout the history of life. We use new phylogenetic methods to reconstruct the history of thousands of gene families and demonstrate that dates implied by gene transfers are consistent with estimates from relaxed molecular clocks in Bacteria, Archaea and Eukaryotes. An inspection of discrepancies between transfers and clocks and a comparison with mammal fossils show that gene transfer in microbes is potentially as informative for dating the tree of life as the geological record in macroorganisms.


Over the past few years, consumers have begun to pay more attention to the nutritional benefits, sustainability, and environmental impact of consuming seafood. However, media coverage of these concerns may leave consumers confused and uncertain about how they should incorporate seafood into their diets. In 2013, a survey was conducted to better understand Florida seafood consumer preferences, perceptions, and concerns. This 4-page fact sheet explains the survey's findings and how they might help Extension deliver effective seafood-based education to Florida residents. Written by Lisa Krimsky, Charles Adams, and Bryan Fluech, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, May 2015.
FE965/FE965: Seafood Knowledge, Perceptions, and Use Patterns in Florida: Findings from a 2013 Survey of Florida Residents (ufl.edu)


In this paper, the mechanical properties of carbon fiber polypropylene composites prepared under various process conditions were investigated. Two different types of polypropylene composites were produced by mixing and compressing the mixtures using hot press. The mixture was prepared by mixing polypropylene with chopped carbon fiber and carbon fiber percentage (wt%) was varied. Mechanical properties investigated were tensile test, impact test, bending test and density test. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was employed to study the morphology of the composites. The highest tensile strength was obtained for polypropylene (MFI 60) composites reinforced with 10 wt% carbon fiber. The composite also exhibited the best tensile and flexural properties.


Galactorrhea, or inappropriate lactation, is a relatively common problem that occurs in approximately 20 to 25 percent of women. Lactation requires the presence of estrogen, progesterone and, most importantly, prolactin. Stress, suckling, sleep, sexual intercourse and medications may increase prolactin levels, whereas dopamine inhibits its release. The differential diagnosis of galactorrhea includes pituitary adenomas, neurologic disorders, hypothyroidism, numerous medications, breast stimulation, chest wall irritation and physiologic causes. The evaluation includes a thorough history and physical examination, as well as selected laboratory and imaging studies to rule out secondary causes such as an intracranial mass or a tumor. Diagnostic studies include a pregnancy test, a prolactin level, renal and thyroid function tests and, if indicated, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Treatment options for prolactinomas include observation, dopamine agonists, surgery and radiation therapy, depending on tumor size and associated symptoms. Fortunately, the prognosis for patients with prolactinomas is good: most prolactinomas remain stable or regress. In pregnant women, prolactinomas must be observed closely because the lesions may greatly increase in size.


ACW LEE MBBS, FHKAM Abstract A survey was performed in late-2003 by questionnaire to all paediatric and adolescent departments under the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong to study the epidemiology and clinical status of local haemophilia patients under 19 years of age. A total of 90 patients were recruited, corresponding to a local prevalence of 6.4 per 100,000. Among these 90 patients, 83.3% were haemophilia A and 16.7% were haemophilia B cases. Maternal carrier status was uncertain in 44.6% of patients and genotypic assessment was not performed in most of these cases. None had received primary prophylaxis although 42.9% of them were severe haemophiliacs and 46.4% had already suffered from chronic arthropathy. Inhibitors were detected only in 8.1% of patients. None was infected with human immunodeficiency virus but hepatitis C antibody was detected in 12 and hepatitis B surface antigen was positive in two patients. All but one of the infected patients were older than 13 years with only one patient suffering from chronic hepatitis. Twelve patients had history of intra-cranial haemorrhage. While infective complications were uncommon in our young haemophilia patients, improvement in carrier detection, prevention and treatment of haemophilic arthropathy should be considered in the future development of local haemophilia care.


In higher plants, the most abundant sterol derivatives are steryl glycosides (SGs) and acyl SGs. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) contains two genes, UGT80A2 and UGT80B1, that encode UDP-Glc:sterol glycosyltransferases, enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of SGs. Lines having mutations in UGT80A2, UGT80B1, or both UGT80A2 and UGT8B1 were identified and characterized. The ugt80A2 lines were viable and exhibited relatively minor effects on plant growth. Conversely, ugt80B1 mutants displayed an array of phenotypes that were pronounced in the embryo and seed. Most notable was the finding that ugt80B1 was allelic to transparent testa15 and displayed a transparent testa phenotype and a reduction in seed size. In addition to the role of UGT80B1 in the deposition of flavanoids, a loss of suberization of the seed was apparent in ugt80B1 by the lack of autofluorescence at the hilum region. Moreover, in ugt80B1, scanning and transmission electron microscopy reveals that the outer integument of the seed coat lost the electron-dense cuticle layer at its surface and displayed altered cell morphology. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry of lipid polyester monomers confirmed a drastic decrease in aliphatic suberin and cutin-like polymers that was associated with an inability to limit tetrazolium salt uptake. The findings suggest a membrane function for SGs and acyl SGs in trafficking of lipid polyester precursors. An ancillary observation was that cellulose biosynthesis was unaffected in the double mutant, inconsistent with a predicted role for SGs in priming cellulose synthesis.


The availability of realistic simulated corpora is of key importance for the future progress of distant speech recognition technology. The reliability, flexibility and low computational cost of a data simulation process may ultimately allow researchers to train, tune and test different techniques in a variety of acoustic scenarios, avoiding the laborious effort of directly recording real data from the targeted environment.
In the last decade, several simulated corpora have been released to the research community, including the data-sets distributed in the context of projects and international challenges, such as CHiME and REVERB. These efforts were extremely useful to derive baselines and common evaluation frameworks for comparison purposes. At the same time, in many cases they highlighted the need of a better coherence between real and simulated conditions.
In this paper, we examine this issue and we describe our approach to the generation of realistic corpora in a domestic context. Experimental validation, conducted in a multi-microphone scenario, shows that a comparable performance trend can be observed with both real and simulated data across different recognition frameworks, acoustic models, as well as multi-microphone processing techniques.


The internet has profoundly changed how we produce, use and collect research and information for public policy and practice, with grey literature playing an increasingly important role. The authors argue that grey literature (i.e. material produced and published by organisations without recourse to the commercial or scholarly publishing industry) is a key part of the evidence produced and used for public policy and practice. Through surveys of users, producing organisations and collecting services a detailed picture is provided of the importance and economic value of grey literature. However, finding and accessing policy information is a timeconsuming task made harder by poor production and management of resources and a lack of large-scale collection services able to host and make available relevant, high-quality resources quickly and efficiently. The paper makes recommendations for changes that would maximise the benefits of grey literature in the public interest and seeks feedback from readers to inform the final report of the research project.


Silencing the Sea follows Palestinian poets' debates about their craft as they traverse multiple and competing realities of secularism and religion, expulsion and occupation, art, politics, immortality, death, fame, and obscurity. Khaled Furani takes his reader down ancient roads and across military checkpoints to join the poets' worlds and engage with the rhythms of their lifelong journeys in Islamic and Arabic history, language, and verse. This excursion offers newfound understandings of how today's secular age goes far beyond doctrine, to inhabit our very senses, imbuing all that we see, hear, feel, and say. Poetry, the traditional repository of Arab history, has become the preeminent medium of Palestinian memory in exile. In probing poets' writings, this work investigates how struggles over poetic form can host larger struggles over authority, knowledge, language, and freedom. It reveals a very intimate and venerated world, entwining art, intellect, and politics, narrating previously untold stories of a highly stereotyped people.


Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-changing event that is often accompanied by a loss of normal quality of life. Survivors of AD go on to have a chronic disease that requires lifestyle modification, medical management, and surgical repair of the aorta. Clinical care includes multiple disciplines, health care settings, and often different geographic locations. This qualitative assessment examined the experiences of people with and at risk for AD. The following four themes emerged: "unnecessary drama" at diagnosis, unmet needs for information and support, the burden of self-advocacy and care coordination, and living with unaddressed mental health impacts. Our findings inform recommendations to advance patient-centered care delivery for individuals with and at risk for AD, improving communication of timely and relevant information, and an approach to care that acknowledges the whole person in clinical decision making.


OBJECTIVE To test the feasibility and safety of salvage laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (sLRP) for recurrent prostate cancer after high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. METHODS Thirteen men (median age 61.3 years) fulfilled the criteria of recurrent prostate cancer after HIFU undergoing sLRP with HIFU performed using Ablatherm devices (EDAP TMS, Lyon, France). The median interval from primary treatment and biochemical recurrence was 38 months, and the median serum PSA nadir after primary therapy was 1.05 ng\mL. Perioperative data and functional outcome were recorded for each patient. Complications were recorded and graded according to Clavien scale. The prostatectomy specimens were analyzed for Gleason score, extracapsular extension, and surgical margins. Mean follow-up was 14 months. RESULTS There was no perioperative mortality and no conversion to open surgery was necessary. Mean operation time was 220 minutes, mean blood loss was 150 mL, and none of the patients received any transfusion. On histopathologic evaluation, 8 patients had extracapsular extension (pT3a) and 5 patients had intracapsular disease (pT2b). Positive surgical margins (PSMs) were detected in 2 patients in the pT3a group. Gleason score was 7 (3 4) in 6 patients and (4 3) in 5 patients. Two patients had a Gleason score of 8. The median time to achieve continence was 6 months. Four patients showed mild incontinence and used 2 pads per day. None of the patients in our series were potent after sLRP. CONCLUSION sLRP is feasible for men in whom HIFU has failed but has a higher morbidity rate than primary surgery. UROLOGY 80: 130‐133, 2012. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.


Abtract A fuel cell test system that is powered by proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has been developed. It consists of two parts: hardware units and software programs. The hardware units contain a PEMFC stack, water-cooling components, air-cooling, hydrogen humidifying and filtering, temperature and pressure monitoring, and voltage and current measuring of the stack. The software programs, developed according to the features of the PEMFC stack, are used to control the whole process. The software programs are composed of the control interface of the PEMFC test system and controllers, such as the basic measurements and control tools, proportionalintegral-derivative (PID) controller, fuzzy logic controller, and other advanced controllers. The system can supply 500 W of DC 20 V / 30 A power continuously by using hydrogen. This paper describes a high-efficiency development method, and PID and fuzzy-PI controller design, which are suitable for various applications in experiment and study of PEMFC engineering. The test system has a good human-machine interface. It is easy to operate and control all kinds of parameters and variables, and clearly shows the charts and graphs. By using this test system, a lot of research projects can be conducted in the field of PEMFC in the future.


Control units and serial processing units of today's information processing systems must realize complex processes, which are usually described in the form of a sequential machine or a number of cooperating sequential machines. Large machines are difficult to: design, optimize, implement and verify. Therefore, there is a real need for CAD tools, which could decompose a complex sequential machine into a number of smaller and less complicated partial machines. For many years, the decomposition of only the internal states of sequential machines has been studied. However, this sort of decomposition is not a sUfficient solution. The complexity of a circuit implementing a sequential machine is a function not only of machine's internal states but as well of inputs and outputs. Furthermore, the possibility to implement a machine with today's array logic building blocks depends not only on the number of internal states but as well on inputs and outputs. So, there is a real need for decompositions upon the states, inputs and outputs of a sequential machine, i.e. for fulldecompositions. During the full-decomposition process, the input and/or state and/or output symbols (values) can be decomposed or the input and/or state and/or output bits. So, it is possible to perform the symbol fulldecomposition or the bit full-decomposition. This report provides the classification of full-decompositions and describes briefly the theoretical foundations of bit fulldecomposition. Comparing to the symbol full-decomposition,the bit fulldecomposition has the following advantage: input and output decoders are reduced to an appropriate distribution of the primary input and output bits between the partial machines. In the report, definitions of a bit partition and bit partition pairs are introduced and their usefulness to bit full-decompositions is shown. It is proved, that the bit full-decomposition can be treated as a special case of the symbol full-decomposition; therefore, no new decomposition theory is needed for this case, but the symbol fulldecomposition theory together with the theorems introduced here constitute the theory of bit full-decomposition. Finally, a comparison is made between the symbol and the bit fulldecompositions and some practical conclusions and remarks are presented. In the appendix, an example is provided that illustrates the possibility and the practical usefulness of bit full-decomposition. Based on the developed theory, the CAD algorithms calculating different bit full-decompositions have been developed and implemented. Those algorithms and the practical results are presented and estimated in the separate paper [5]. Index Terms Automata theory, decomposition, logic design, sequential machines. Acknowledgements The author is indebted to Prof. ir. A. Heetman and Prof. ir. M. P.J. Stevens for making it possible to perform this work, to Dr. P.R. Attwood for making corrections to the English text and to mr. C. van de Watering for typing the text.


: The Indian model of plague transmission by Xenopsylla cheopis, discovered by P.L. Simond, has been largely adopted even though it is flawed. X. cheopis cannot be the primitive vector, for neither its nor the rats' cradle is the same as for plague. Furthermore, the insect's vital cycle is impaired by proventriculus blocking. The combination of three factors--the synathropic rat, X. cheopis and Yersinia pestis--coupled with man's seafaring was what led to the multiplication of plague foci. This in turn "created" the third pandemic only because the disease was thus spread to very diverse biogeographical zones. The perennial establishment of the cycle happened through the bacillus' adaptation to many endemic fleas and parasites of numerous endemic animals. Indeed, in many countries, X cheopis is not involved in the persistence of selvatic plague.


In Ordos basin, which is rich in oil shale resource, oil shale is mainly found in the southern part of Chang 7 member of the Triassic Yanchang-3 Formation, with common thickness of 5 to 30 m and 40 m of maximum. In this pa- per, a statistic synthetic study on test data of both surface and borehole oil shale sample was conducted based on the field measures of oil shale sections. Research shows that oil content ranges from 4% to 9% with average of 7%, calo- rific value varies between 7 MJ/kg and 13 MJ/kg with average of 9.1 MJ/kg, ash content is between 45.6% and 90.1% with average of 69.5%, and total sulfur values are between 0.01% and 14.01% with the average of 2.82%. The oil shale in the mass is characterized as high ash, medium to high rich sulfur, and medium grade oil shale. The organic matters of oil shale, with high content and mainly of sapropelic and humic-sapropelic type, are dominantly in the mature stage and have good hydrocarbon generation potential. It is made clear by geological and geochemical study that the Chang 7 oil shale was formed in semi-deep and fresh-half salt lake with water depth more than 15 m under warm-humid climate, where it was a closed, stagnant, anoxic and strong reducing sedimentary environment. During Chang 7 deposition stage of Late Triassic, biological prosperity provided a source of organic matter for the formation of Chang 7 oil shale, the stable water stratification resulted in the strong reducing environment of the lake bottom, which was favorable for the accumulation of organic matter and its preservation and thereafter forming good type oil shale of high organic carbon content and high oil content.


Step and stare imaging with staring arrays has become the main approach to realizing wide area coverage and high resolution imagery of potential targets. In this paper, a backscanning step and stare imaging system is described. Compared with traditional step and stare imaging systems, this system features a much higher frame rate by using a small-sized array. In order to meet the staring requirements, a fast steering mirror is employed to provide backscan motion to compensate for the image motion caused by the continuously scanning of the gimbal platform. According to the working principle, the control system is designed to step/stare the line of sight at a high frame rate with a high accuracy. Then a proof-of-concept backscanning step and stare imaging system is established with a CMOS camera. Finally, the modulation transfer function of the imaging system is measured by the slanted-edge method, and a quantitative analysis is made to evaluate the performance of image motion compensation. Experimental results confirm that both high frame rate and image quality improvement can be achieved by adopting this method.