Technological developments in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology have led to the development of several newly engineered nanoparticles. These materials are already being applied in a variety of consumer contexts, as well as business products, and are expected to be more widely used in the coming years. Despite all the promises, novel nanoparticles are still accompanied by scientific uncertainty about their hazardous effects. Due to these uncertainties, conventional methods for managing risk are deemed insufficient. In response to this, it has been proposed that the management of uncertain risks requires a forwardlooking notion of responsibility, which entails various kinds of anticipatory activities to ensure an adequate and timely response to emerging risks. The question of who should bear this responsibility often remains implicit in such discussions. However, innovation processes cannot be responsible, nor can they reflect on or account for what they do, or make intentional choices. Ultimately, responsibility should rest with particular individuals. At the same time, it has been recognized that the collaborative nature of innovation processes creates problems for the allocation of responsibility to individual actors such as scientists, engineers and product developers. Activities that lead to the development of nanoparticles and nanoproducts are often complex and distributed; they take place at multiple locations, combine insights from several disciplines and involve many different agents. This suggests that in order to determine a viable allocation of responsibility for uncertain nanoparticle risks, it is necessary to reflect on the way people interact in the field, and how this influences the capacity of individuals to take responsibility for emerging hazards. This thesis contributes to this discussion by exploring the relationships between people who are involved in various ways in the development and use of nanoparticles, and by exploring how such relationships should be taken into account in the allocation of responsibility. The ultimate aim is to align the responsibilities that people have with the relevant relationships in the field. The goal of the thesis is primarily normative: it develops a framework to ethically assess relationships. However, the normative analysis is strongly empirically informed: it is supported by data from two case studies, one on the use of nanoparticles in a work environment and one on the use of nanoparticles for Managing the uncertain risks of nanoparticles 162 land remediation, complemented with literature from the empirical sciences and a collaborative paper with two nano-engineers. As a first step, this thesis explores how relationships matter to the way we deal with the uncertain risks of nanoparticles. Exploring the possibility of informed consent in relation to nanoparticles, Chapter 2 shows that several features of relationships, such as dependency, proximity and the existence of shared interest can influence the quality of decision-making processes about uncertain risks. Following this, Chapter 3 shows that relationships, such as those between employer and employees, can give rise to duties of care for uncertain risks. Chapter 4 argues that the existence of relationships is necessary in order to be able to respond to new and emerging hazards in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. On this basis, Chapter 4 argues that in some cases there is an obligation to establish relationships. In particular cases, where there is a need for collective action, but no such collective exists, individual engineers involved in innovation processes would have a duty to collectivize: they must organize themselves into a collective that can adequately act upon emerging and unwanted hazards. Finally, in Chapter 5, this thesis explores the characteristics required of such relationships to foster responsibility in nanoparticle development. In doing so, I shift from a narrow notion of responsibility focused on dealing with risks to a broader conception of responsibility that not only takes into account risks, but includes the potential benefits of innovation as well. The chapter develops a framework to characterize morally relevant features of relationships based on the Ethics of Care. Several features of relationships are identified that can be used to evaluate whether relationships amongst those developing and using nanoparticles are caring. These include dependency, power, attention, responsiveness, emotional engagement and availability. The usability of this framework is explored by applying it to the context of innovation in relation to nanoparticles used in the context of land and water remediation. In Chapter 6, the thesis concludes with a reflection on the alignment of relationships and responsibilities, discussing whether relationships should be adjusted to responsibilities or – vice versa – whether the responsibilities we allocate for nanoparticle risks should be adjusted to the relationships at hand. I suggest that there is a middle ground between these two options – an understanding of responsibility that is based on a certain characterization of relationships. This understanding holds that having 'the right kind of relationships' is part of what it means to take responsibility. This thesis ends with a discussion of the implications of these findings for the practice of and scholarship in Responsible Research and Innovation.


Acroptilon repens is an herbaceous perennial that propagates by seeds and vegetative means. Its natural range extends from Turkey throughout Central Asia to China. A. repens is a major weed for grape, orchards and meadow area in Central of Turkey. Our objective was to determine density and expanding of A. repens patches in Central of Turkey. The patche experiments were conducted for an 6 undisturbed meadow in 2002-2003. Six of 1x1=1 m 2 plots were randomly selected in each patch (2 central (C), 2 middle (M) and 2 edge (E). Shoot density and height of A. repens were recorded at two different times (May and August) and also, fresh-dry weight and patch growth were recorded in August for each of the years from each plots The results of the 6 patches experiments for shoot height of A. repens in 2002 and 2003 ranged from 24.94 -31.33 cm and 19.31-25.41 cm plot -1 , respectively. In addition to this, the shoot density of A. repens in 2002 and 2003 ranged from 5.83-26.83 shoot plot -1 and 7.50-24.83 shoot plot -1 , respectively. The shoot density of A. repens was higher in central plot than the edge plot in 2002-2003. The patches of A. repens in Goreme1, Urgup 1, Urgup 3 and Urgup 4 in 2002-2003 were extended totaly 5, 16, 9 and 12 shoot plot -1 , respectively.


Cryptocurrencies as applications on the Blockchain and community based decentralized open ledger technologies have been very controversial issues ever since they have come into existence. The underlying technology of cryptocurrencies, the Blockchain, may be an as disrupting technology leap as the invention of the Internet. In simple terms, Blockchain technology is a concatenation of blocks of information – transactions in the case of cryptocurrencies – with certain hashing algorithms using the hash values of previous blocks in the following ones. A copy of the entire Blockchain is stored on each participant's computer. In case any Blockchain copy is manipulated, for example by changing the transactions data, the other participants will notice this manipulation and overwrite the faulty information. Blockchain technology is claimed to be a very secure technology for storing information. The aim of this paper, which is part of the research for my doctoral thesis, is to create a deeper understanding of what the Blockchain actually is and how its technology is capable of changing the way people interact with each other without a centralized trusted third party.


BACKGROUND
 Scotland—a country of 5.5 million people—has a rugged geography with many outlying islands, creating access challenges for many citizens. The government has long sought to mitigate these through a range of measures including an ambitious technology-enabled care (TEC) program. A strategy to develop a nationwide video consultation service began in 2017. Our mixed-method evaluation was commissioned in mid-2019 and extended to cover the pandemic response in 2020.

 OBJECTIVE
 To evaluate the introduction, spread and scale-up of Scotland's video consultation services both before and during the pandemic.

 METHODS
 Data sources comprised 223 interviews (with patients, staff, technology providers and policymakers), 60 hours of ethnographic observation (including in-person visits to remote settings), local and national documents, and process data such as uptake statistics, patient and staff satisfaction surveys, and patient enablement scores. Fieldwork during the pandemic was of necessity conducted remotely. Data were analysed thematically and theorised using our newly-developed PERCS (Planning and Evaluating Remote Consultation Services) framework which considers multiple influences interacting dynamically and unfolding over time.

 RESULTS
 Video consultation services pre-pandemic were patchy, with just two of Scotland's 14 regions (where enthusiasts were based) accounting for most activity. By 2019, a national program to extend the service was well under way, driven by an ethos of collaborative quality improvement, reducing inequalities and achieving cross-government low-carbon goals. By the time the pandemic hit, there had been considerable investment in material and technological infrastructure, staff training, and professional and public engagement. Scotland was thus uniquely well placed to expand its video consultation services at pace and scale, resulting in a dramatic increase in number of services using video and consultations conducted. While not everything went smoothly, video consultations became available as business-as-usual for a much wider range of clinical problems, vastly extending the pre-pandemic focus on outpatient monitoring of chronic stable conditions.

 CONCLUSIONS
 Scotland provides an important national case study from which other countries may learn.

 CLINICALTRIAL
 Not applicable.


Very little is known regarding soil-forming processes on marine terraces along the Pacific Coast. This study examined a soil chrono-sequence on an elevated marine terrace sequence in south-coastal Oregon in order to investigate changes in soil-forming processes with time. The soils range in age from 80 000 to >500 000 yr, and with increasing age classify as Inceptisols, Spodosols, and Ultisols. Relevant pedogenic processes were studied using morphological properties; extractable Fe, Al, and Si; dissolved Fe, Al, and Si in soil solution; and micromorphology. Podzolization and in situ weathering of silt to clay are the dominant and contemporary processes on the young and intermediate-aged terraces, and argilluviation and clay neoformation are dominant processes on the older terraces. Evidence for podzolization includes organically complexed Fe and Al that peak in Bs horizons and mineral grains coated by Fe as evidenced in thin section. In addition, up to 93% of the Fe and Al in solution in the E horizons is retained in the Bs horizons. In situ weathering of fine silt in the younger soils is indicated by irregular depth trends in fine silt/total silt ratios. Argilluviation is manifested by clay films observed in the field and in thin section, which increase in thickness and abundance with time. Evidence for clay neoformation includes the retention of up to 54% of dissolved silica in the Bt horizons of the older soils. Podzolization and in situ weathering decrease in importance with time, and argilluviation and clay neoformation become increasingly more significant.


The effectiveness of aqueous extracts of four plants(Azadirachta indica, Piper guineese, Moringa oleifera and Aframomum melegueta) and aqueous  formulation of Beauveria bassiana were evaluated against larvae and pupating larvae of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera;Tephritidae) in the  laboratory. Bioassays were conducted on B. dorsalis larvae for contact and residual effects of these four botanicals and effects of soil treatments with botanicals and B. bassiana against B. dorsalis pupating larvae were assessed. Larval mortality on bioassays was recorded at 20 min intervals for 1440 minutes while adult emergence and pupating larvae mortality on treated soil were recorded after 21 days. All the extracts significantly (p<0.05) showed contact and residual effects on B. dorsalis larvae. Piper guineese recorded 100% larval mortality and was the most effective for contact toxicity while A. melegueta and A. indica recorded 87% larval mortality for residual action on B. dorsalis larvae. Effects of the extracts and B dorsalis on treated soil against pupating larvae revealed that A melegueta was the most effective among all the treatments. A. melegueta recorded 100% mortality of the pupating larvae, followed by B. bassiana recording 83.3% pupating larvae mortality with 17% adult emergence. The efficacy of A.  melegueta was comparable with cypermethrin against B. dorsalis on treated soil while B. bassiana was more effective than other plant extracts.  Therefore, the use of aqueous seed extracts of A. melegueta, A.indica, P.guineense and B. bassiana for soil applications could be incorporated in Integrated Pest Management component for the management of African invader fly in fruits orchards.
Key words: Bactrocera dorsalis, aqueous extracts, fungal pathogens, soil treatment, control


Objectives Previous investigations on microalbuminuria in acute myocardial infarction have been performed in heterogeneous populations of hypetensive/nonhypertensive, diabetic/nondiabetic patients, submitted to either thrombolysis or mechanical revascularization or not revascularized. Therefore, the aim of our investigation was to assess, in 242 consecutive hypertensive patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction without previously known diabetes, all submitted to mechanical revascularization, whether microalbuminuria, in the early phase, has a prognostic role for in-hospital mortality or complications (acute pulmonary edema and arrhythmias). Methods The study population was divided into two groups according to microalbuminuria excretion: group A (microalbuminuria within the normal range); group B (microalbuminuria above the normal range). Results The incidence of microalbuminuria was 52.1% (126/242). No significant difference was detectable in the incidence of in-hospital mortality and complications between the two groups. Patients with microalbuminuria exhibit a larger infarct size as indicated by higher values of troponin I. Microalbuminuria was associated with higher values of glucose and a higher prevalence of insulin resistance. Conclusion In ST elevation myocardial infarction hypertensive patients without previously known diabetes, all submitted to mechanical revascularization, microalbuminuria is a common finding but it does not yield prognostic information about in-hospital mortality or complications. Interestingly it was associated with acute glucose dysmetabolism (as inferred by hyperglycemia and the prevalence of insulin resistance), thus suggesting that it can be considered part of the acute metabolic response to the acute coronary event.


This report follows a series of seven first-level Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) testing reports, two laboratory reports on shear and fatigue testing, a forensic investigation report, and a report on the backcalculation of deflection measurements, all of which document an investigation undertaken to validate Caltrans overlay strategies for the rehabilitation of cracked asphalt concrete. It presents the findings from a detailed analysis of the laboratory fatigue and shear results, and a series of simulations using CalME mechanistic-empirical design software and continuum damage mechanics implemented using a finite element method. The work was conducted by the University of California Pavement Research Center (UCPRC) as part of Partnered Pavement Research Center Strategic Plan Item 4.10: "Development of Improved Rehabilitation Designs for Reflective Cracking." This work was originally requested by the Caltrans/Industry Rubber Asphalt Concrete Task Group (RACTG) to compare the performance of one set of examples of thin overlays of cracked asphalt pavement containing different types of binders modified with recycled tire rubber. This work, included as Appendix H of the Rubber Modified Binder Pilot Projects Review prepared by the RACTG is part of a more comprehensive work plan prepared by the Task Group that included evaluation of pilot projects and construction and monitoring of field test sections (undertaken by Caltrans). The objective of this UCPRC project will be met after completion of the following four tasks: 1. Develop improved mechanistic models of reflective cracking in California, 2. Calibrate and verify these models using laboratory and HVS testing, 3. Evaluate the most effective strategies for reflective cracking, and 4. Provide recommendations for reflective cracking strategies. This report addresses all the tasks and consists of six main chapters. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the HVS testing program for the study. Chapter 3 summarizes a second-level analysis of the laboratory fatigue and shear test results. Chapter 4 discusses mechanistic-empirical modeling and simulations of the HVS results using CalME software, which is currently being developed for Caltrans by the UCPRC. Chapter 5 discusses modeling and simulations using continuum damage mechanics implemented using finite-element models. Chapter 6 lists key findings of the study, and provides recommendations for implementation.


Corrosion-related defects in pure Al and AA 2037 Al alloy have been investigated by positron beam-based Doppler broadening energy spectroscopy. Defect profiles have been analyzed by measuring the S parameter as a function of incident positron energy up to 30 keV. When pure Al samples are immersed in 1M NaOH for various times, a significant increase in the S parameter near the surface is observed. This implies that the corrosion process involves the creation of defects and nanometer voids. In contrast, a significant decrease in the S parameter is observed after the corrosion of water-quenched Al alloy by the same method, which is interpreted as being a result of Cu enrichment near the metal-oxide interface layer.


abstract:Digital media have provided new avenues of distribution for serial fiction and created new narrative possibilities for the form, including the widespread use of what Margolin labels "concurrent narration" and Page terms "real-time narration." This form of serial publication, where a story is distributed in installments coterminously with the events being reported, is enabled by the Internet's possibilities for instantaneous transmission, and it appears in narratives on various platforms that rely on the web for content distribution. To discuss this temporal confluence of the narrated, narration, and publication, we analyze the use of concurrent narration in two digitally distributed serialized narratives, David Mitchell's Twitter story "@I_Bombadil" (2015), and the Norwegian webserial Skam (2015–17), both of which were originally transmitted piecemeal in near-concurrence with the narrated events. Furthermore, we analyze the participation surrounding the two stories. Serial fiction has always encouraged the active engagement of its audience, and this tendency becomes especially pronounced when stories are distributed via social media that allow for rapid exchanges between readers. The participatory practices that emerge in the wake of digitalization are often conceived as inherently democratic forms of engagement, but this predominantly positive conception may be questioned, since participation is a complex concept that covers a range of different practices. By analyzing the participation that surrounds "@I_Bombadil" and Skam we nuance the perspective on digitally enabled participatory culture and thus contribute to a better understanding of how new digital forms of distribution affect the modes of narrating and engaging in serialized narratives today.


The morphometry of a kidney tumor revealed by contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) imaging is an important factor in clinical decision making surrounding the lesion's diagnosis and treatment. Quantitative study of the relationship between kidney tumor morphology and clinical outcomes is difficult due to data scarcity and the laborious nature of manually quantifying imaging predictors. Automatic semantic segmentation of kidneys and kidney tumors is a promising tool towards automatically quantifying a wide array of morphometric features, but no sizeable annotated dataset is currently available to train models for this task. We present the KiTS19 challenge dataset: A collection of multi-phase CT imaging, segmentation masks, and comprehensive clinical outcomes for 300 patients who underwent nephrectomy for kidney tumors at our center between 2010 and 2018. 210 (70%) of these patients were selected at random as the training set for the 2019 MICCAI KiTS Kidney Tumor Segmentation Challenge and have been released publicly. With the presence of clinical context and surgical outcomes, this data can serve not only for benchmarking semantic segmentation models, but also for developing and studying biomarkers which make use of the imaging and semantic segmentation masks.


A nondestructive inspection is required to check for defects inside of the actually used components and structures and to confirm their generation and growth rate. Using the backward radiated ultrasonic inspection system, we performed nondestructive inspection of cracks and micro cavities resulting from creep. From the ultrasound test results, the generation and growth of cracks and micro-cavities were confirmed, and the fracture life of the components and structures could be predicted. We confirmed degraded region by crack size and cavity based on the amplitude of the backward radiated ultrasound. The size of degraded region at 600oC was about 10mm, while that at 650oC was about 15mm. The size of crack and the cavity area fraction confirmed by ultrasound were very close to the actual size and cavity area fraction, indicating the validity of the predicted creep crack growth rate and creep.


Incorporating radical ligands into metal complexes is one of the emerging trends in the design of single-molecule magnets (SMMs). While significant effort has been expended to generate multinuclear transition metal-based SMMs with bridging radical ligands, less attention has been paid to mononuclear transition metal-radical SMMs. Herein, we describe the first α-diiminato radical-containing mononuclear transition metal SMM, namely, [κ2-PhTttBu]Fe(AdNCHCHNAd) (1), and its analogue [κ2-PhTttBu]Fe(CyNCHCHNCy) (2) (PhTttBu = phenyltris(tert-butylthiomethyl)borate, Ad = adamantyl, and Cy = cyclohexyl). 1 and 2 feature nearly identical geometric and electronic structures, as shown by X-ray crystallography and electronic absorption spectroscopy. A more detailed description of the electronic structure of 1 was obtained through EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopies, SQUID magnetometry, and DFT, TD-DFT, and CAS calculations. 1 and 2 are best described as high-spin iron(II) complexes with antiferromagnetically coupled α-diiminato radical ligands. A strong magnetic exchange coupling between the iron(II) ion and the ligand radical was confirmed in 1, with an estimated coupling constant J < -250 cm-1 (J = -657 cm-1, DFT). Calibrated CAS calculations revealed that the ground-state Fe(II)-α-diiminato radical configuration has significant ionic contributions, which are weighted specifically toward the Fe(I)-neutral α-diimine species. Experimental data and theoretical calculations also suggest that 1 possesses an easy-axis anisotropy, with an axial zero-field splitting parameter D in the range from -4 to-1 cm-1. Finally, dynamic magnetic studies show that 1 exhibits slow magnetic relaxation behavior with an energy barrier close to the theoretical maximum, 2|D|. These results demonstrate that incorporating strongly coupled α-diiminato radicals into mononuclear transition metal complexes can be an effective strategy to prepare SMMs.


Microstructure and mechanical properties of hot rolled steel plate strengthened complexly by titanium and molybdenum at different final rolling temperature and coiling temperature were studied by optical microscope (OM) and material testing machine. The precipitation behaviors of precipitates phase were obtained using transmission electron microscope (TEM) with EDS analysis. The results showed that at final temperature 850°C, microstructure of experimental steel were fine, uniform polygonal ferrite and acicular ferrite. With the coiling temperature decreasing from 620°C to 580 °C, the grain of polygonal ferrite became finer, and the amounts of acicular ferrite became more; precipitates phase mainly maintained both coarse TiN and small square round sheet (Ti,Mo)C. On the condition of the final rolling temperature (850°C) and coiling temperature (580°C), experimental steel acquired properties as follows: yield strength 608 MPa, tensile strength 720 MPa, elongation 24%. Ti-Mo composite strengthening effect had achieved, and significantly improved the strength of ferrite steel.


Rate coefficients, k(T), for the OH + CHF=CF2 (trifluoroethylene, HFO-1123) gas-phase reaction were measured under pseudo–first-order conditions using pulsed laser photolysis to produce OH radicals and pulsed laser induced fluorescence to measure the OH radical temporal profile. Rate coefficients were measured over the temperature range 212–375 K at total pressures between 20 and 500 Torr (He, N2 bath gas). The rate coefficient was found to be independent of pressure over this range of pressure with a temperature dependence that is described by the Arrhenius expression (3.04 ± 0.30) × 10–12 exp[(312 ± 25)/T] cm3 molecule–1 s–1 with k(296 K) measured to be (8.77 ± 0.80) × 10–12 cm3 molecule–1 s–1 (quoted uncertainties are 2σ and include estimated systematic errors). Rate coefficients for the reaction of CHF=CF2 with 18OH and OD were also measured as part of this study at 296 and 373 K and a total pressure of ∼25 Torr (He). The isotope measurements were used to evaluate the observed OH radical regeneration. CHF=CF2 is a very short-lived substance with an atmospheric lifetime of ∼1 day with respect to OH reactive loss, whereas the actual lifetime of CHF=CF2 will depend on the time and location of its emission. The global warming potential for CHF=CF2 on the 100-year time horizon (GWP100) was estimated using the present results and a lifetime correction factor to be 3.9 × 10−3.


This study uses a Delphi analysis to identify significant barriers to the development of sustained and meaningful pressure on the Alberta government to increase the enforcement of its laws regulating the employment of teenagers. In addition to general employment laws (e.g., wage payment, occupational health and safety) that appear to go broadly unenforced, Alberta also appears not to enforce laws specifying the hours during which teens may work, the occupations in which they may work and the job tasks they may perform. The result is wage theft, workplace injury and illegal forms of employment among teens. The seven Delphi panelists—a mixture of academics, trade unionists and staff members in not-for-profit agencies with an interest in employment matters—identify a tight business-government relationship as an important limit on the political opportunities available to insurgents seeking change. Insurgents must also grapple with a framing that minimizes concerns around teen employment, i.e. by framing illegal or injurious work as an educational rite of passage and complaints as whining. Together, these barriers significantly limit the opportunities to pressure the state to enhance enforcement. Panelists also noted that there is no mobilizing structure in place that teenage workers and their allies can access. Alberta's labour movement has had limited success organizing the service sector (where most teens are employed). Some panelists suggested leveraging the widespread sexual harassment of female teen workers as a way to access existing networks and resources in feminist and labour organizations. Other panelists argued that focusing on sexual harassment would emphasize individual employers' misbehaviour and obscure the class-based nature of inadequate enforcement. Most panelists suggested that highlighting the socially inappropriate nature of the death or serious injury of teen workers would be the best way to destabilize the existing barriers to better enforcement of employment laws. The opportunity to do so is (fortunately) rare and may be difficult to leverage. Indeed, research on high profile occupational fatalities in Canada (e.g., the Westray Mine disaster) suggests that such fatalities do not have a significant effect on state enforcement efforts. In the meantime, advocates such as organized labour and community groups may also work to alter conventional views of teen employment by supporting educational or artistic endeavours that problematize teen employment. This could include identifying the risks and consequences of the non-enforcement of laws regulating the employment of teens (such as injury and wage theft) as well as highlighting the reasons why teen workers warrant the enforcement of their workplace rights by the state.


This study explored challenges encounter by MSD employees in their career development and suggested measures to countercheck the situation. The logic behind this study was the presence to human resources practitioners with minimal knowledge and experience despite massive efforts taken by the government to make them competent. The study expected to be valuable not only to government but also to all government actors. The study was guided by specific research objective which measured career development in terms of effectiveness and analyzed the contribution of the training and development programmes in employee career development. Also the link between training opportunities and employees' career development were determined. Finally, measures to improve career development were brought into attention. The study employed case study of MSD. While secondary data were gathered from different MSD reports primary data were gathered through questionnaires and in-depth interview. Data were coded and analysed using percentages and frequencies. Findings were summarized into tables and figure. The analysis was aided by SPSS and special template. Generally, data revealed that career development was ineffective as factors that could make it effective such as overall training was lacking. Other factors which made training to be ineffective were lack of clear training policy and lack of enough training opportunities. Again MSD employees' have promotion chances. The study made three recommendations that were to design policies that would have been guided MSD management to improve its strategy regarding human resources management. Secondly, was to allow free and fair competition in employees'. Thirdly; to have collective decision making based on mutual consensus and self development.


We used microdialysis to distinguish the effects hyperinsulinemia of and hypoglycemia on glucose, gluconeogenic substrate, and catecholamine levels in adipose and muscle extracellular fluid (ECF). Ten lean humans (six males and four females) were studied during baseline and hyperinsulinemic (3 mU · kg−1 · min−1 · for 3 h) euglycemia (5.0 mmol/l) and hypoglycemia (2.8 mmol/l). In muscle and adipose, basal ECF glucose was lower (muscle, 3.5 ± 0.2 mmol/l; adipose tissue, 3.3 ± 0.2 mmol/l) and lactate was higher (muscle, 2.2 ± 0.2 mmol/l; adipose, 1.5 ± 0.3 mmol/l) than respective plasma values (glucose, 4.9 ±0.1 mmol/l; lactate, 0.7 ± 0.1 mmol/l), whereas alanine was higher in muscle ECF (379 ± 22 μmol/l) than adipose tissue (306 ± 22 μmol/l) and plasma (273 ± 33 μmol/l). Plasma catecholamines (unchanged during euglycemia) rose during hypoglycemia with epinephrine, increasing approximately fivefold more than norepinephrine. In contrast, the hypoglycemia-induced increments in muscle dialysate norepinephrine and epinephrine were similar, suggesting local generation of norepinephrine. Compared with euglycemia, hypoglycemia produced a greater increase in lactate and a smaller reduction in alanine in muscle ECF, whereas hypoglycemia caused a greater relative fall in ECF glucose concentrations in muscle (72 ± 16%) and adipose tissue (69 ±9%) than in plasma (42 ± 3%) (P < 0.05). We conclude that hypoglycemia increases the generation of norepinephrine and gluconeogenic substrates in key target tissues, while increasing the plasma-tissue concentration gradient for glucose. These changes suggest the stimulation of glucose extraction by peripheral tissues, despite systemic counterregulatory hormone release and local sympathetic activation.


To the Editor: West Nile virus (WNV) is an arthropod-borne virus that is transmitted to humans by mosquitos, primarily of the genus Culex. Most human infections are asymptomatic. Clinical symptoms occur in ≈20% of case-patients and include fever, headache, and myalgia; <1% of WNV infections develop into severe neuroinvasive disease (1).

The virus was discovered in 1937 in the West Nile district of Uganda. WNV is endemic to parts of Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and since its introduction in New York in 1999, in North America. In Eurasia, human WNV infections were first reported in Israel and France during the 1950s–1960s, and the first major outbreak in Romania occurred in 1996 (1). The disease emerged recently in Greece; a large outbreak in 2010 caused neuroinvasive disease in 197 patients, of whom 33 died (2). Since 2010, occasional and local epidemics have been ongoing in Greece, Italy, Romania, Hungary, Spain, and the Balkans (3,4).

Clinical diagnosis may be difficult because WNV infections resemble other (arbo)viral diseases. Laboratory diagnosis relies primarily on serologic testing. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) can be used to detect viral RNA during the acute phase of the disease, but its use is hampered by the patient's low-level and transient viremia (1).

We here describe a confirmed case of WNV encephalitis imported by a traveler returning from Greece. A 73-year-old Belgian woman, who had a medical history of lymphoma, traveled to Kavala city (Macedonia, Greece). On August 14, 2012, she sought treatment at the Kavala General Hospital with a 6-day history of fever, headache, malaise, nausea, confusion, decline of consciousness, and neck stiffness. Results of laboratory testing on admission demonstrated an increased leukocyte count (9,670/µL; 80% neutrophils) and lactate dehydrogenase level (522 IU/L), a low C-reactive protein level (0.7 mg/dL), and hyponatremia (131 mEq/L). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing showed 90 cells/µL (79% lymphocytes) and glucose and protein levels of 72 and 100.9 mg/dL, respectively. Serum obtained on August 15 was sent to the national reference laboratory at Aristotle University (Thessaloniki, Greece), and IgM against WNV was detected by ELISA (WNV IgM Capture DxSelect and IgG DxSelect; Focus Diagnostics, Cypress, CA, USA). IgG was absent. On the second day of hospitalization, the patient exhibited seizures (speech arrest); she was given phenytoin (1/2 amp 3×/day intravenously). On August 18, the patient was transferred to a private hospital. Further treatment included intravenous fluid, antipyretics, antimicrobial drugs, mannitol, and oxygen. On August 30, she was returned by plane to Belgium.

CSF obtained 26 days after symptom onset and serum obtained 29 days after symptom onset were sent to the Institute of Tropical Medicine (Antwerp, Belgium) because of its function as a national reference center for Belgium. IgM and IgG against WNV were detected in both samples by ELISA (Focus Diagnostics) (Table). Immunofluorescence assays on serum revealed IgM against WNV only and IgG against West Nile, dengue, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis viruses, with the strongest reaction against WNV (Flavivirus Mosaic 1; Euroimmun, Lubeck, Germany). Real-time RT-PCR (adapted from [5]) on the serum demonstrated a weak positive signal. Repeated RNA extraction and RT-PCR were confirmative (Table). Sequencing of the RT-PCR product confirmed the detection of WNV. Although the product was short (116 bp), it was highly suggestive of WNV, lineage 2. Flemish regional authority in Belgium, national authorities (both in Belgium and Greece), and European health authorities were notified of the imported case of WNV encephalitis. According to the case definition of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden, the patient met the laboratory criteria of having a confirmed case.

Table

Laboratory results confirming WNV infection of 73-year-old woman, Greece, 2012*†

To date, autochthonous WNV infections have not been reported in Belgium, although the presence of the mosquito vector provides a potential risk for transmission (6). This WNV infection was acquired in Greece (a leading travel destination for tourists from Belgium), specifically in the Kavala region, which was highly affected by WNV in 2012. The lineage responsible for the WNV encephalitis was identified as lineage 2, the currently circulating strain in Greece (7). Our report highlights the need for physicians and laboratory staff to be aware of imported WNV infections originating from southeastern Europe, especially Greece and its neighboring countries, where recent and recurrent outbreaks have occurred (3,4).

Special attention should be given to immunosuppressed and elderly patients who are at higher risk of acquiring neuroinvasive disease. The 73-year-old patient described here was unconscious when she arrived in Belgium. After a short period of relative improvement (more reactive and cooperative), her condition deteriorated, and she died on November 23, 2012. The detection of viral RNA 29 days after symptom onset was surprising but might be explained by the immunocompromised status of the patient. Several studies have reported persistent WNV RNA for 30 days, 77 days, and even years after the symptom onset in serum, CSF, and urine, respectively (8–10), and a prolonged period of viremia in immunocompromised patients (9).


In the rural areas where there is an economic potential clearly defined by the agricultural or commercial activities, tourism is the business key within reach. Under the circumstances, the socio-economic reflex takes the form of developing projects for tourist services, especially in the places with tourist potential. Further, the local economy, at least with respect to the private initiative, advances towards agritourism.
In the present study we aim to run a discursive analysis of the presentation messages offered by 54 accommodation units from the touristic basin of Sucevița. Making an inventory of the online messages (own sites and platforms for touristic services) we could identify 24 key concepts (keywords and key phrases) and starting from their occurrences within the identity narratives of the accommodation units we have analysed their relationship with the supra themes and the themes belonging to the local and regional brand. Further on, we have outlined the general profile of the accommodation units and the profile of the target group as they appear in their presentation discourses. The relationship between these two profiles reveals strong brand connections but also shows some fractions which can be mended. To repair these inconsistencies, we provide a few handy recommendations in formulating medium and long-term strategies of development in the rural tourism.


This study analyses the meteorological impact of the variability of precipitable water vapour (PWV) retrieved from ground-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) stations over Nigeria from 2013 to 2014; these measurements represent the foremost probe of GNSS PWV distribution and variability over Nigeria. In this study, GNSS PWV daily estimates were grouped into monthly and seasonal averages; the variations in the monthly and seasonal estimates of GNSS PWV were characterized and correlated with different weather events that are regarded as good climate change indicators. The results revealed that the spatiotemporal changes in PWV content are largely subjugated by the effects of latitude, topographical features, the seasons and the continental air masses. Our study shows that there is a very strong seasonal interplay among the GNSS PWV, relative humidity, rainfall and cloud estimates. In addition, GNSS PWV and total electron content (TEC) estimates show an opposite relationship; the semi-diurnal relationship between GNSS PWV and TEC is stronger than the seasonal relationship. The seasonal relation among GNSS PWV, temperature and wind speed appears weak, while very strong interplay exists among the GNSS PWV, sun spot number and total solar radiation estimates. Our results confirm that GNSS PWV is a good pointer for weather forecasting/monitoring and fit for climate monitoring if available on a longer time scale. Finally, we recommend the densification of the GNSS network in Nigeria, as this will enable 3D profiling of PWV, thereby providing more information on GNSS PWV time series, which is needed for long-term climatology.


This guide is devoted to helping students and faculty find the best computer studies resources using Coulter Library's research tools and librarian selected websites. Please use the tabs at the top of the page for more information.


Today's business people have generally used information technology for business activities, one of which is the use of a website as a medium to facilitate the promotion of business activities to a wider market. There are many ways that business people can use to promote the website pages they have for potential customers, the common methods used include using email blast, advertising using third party services, the use of social network media and media blog. One very effective way is to utilize search engine optimization techniques, this is because internet users often search for information through search engines like Google.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a series of processes carried out systematically and aims to increase the volume and quality of traffic visited by search engines to certain websites by utilizing the search engine algorithm, which is called PageRank. The purpose of SEO is to place a website on the top position of search results based on certain keywords targeted.
This research will apply SEO techniques to increase the number of visitors to the Bima Utomo Waterpark website through the Google search engine. The results of this study are expected to increase the popularity of the Bima Utomo Waterpark website.


Online social networks (OSN) are prime examples of socio-technical systems in which individuals interact via a technical platform. OSN are very volatile because users enter and exit and frequently change their interactions. This makes the robustness of such systems difficult to measure and to control. To quantify robustness, we propose a coreness value obtained from the directed interaction network. We study the emergence of large drop-out cascades of users leaving the OSN by means of an agent-based model. For agents, we define a utility function that depends on their relative reputation and their costs for interactions. The decision of agents to leave the OSN depends on this utility. Our aim is to prevent drop-out cascades by influencing specific agents with low utility. We identify strategies to control agents in the core and the periphery of the OSN such that drop-out cascades are significantly reduced, and the robustness of the OSN is increased.


The present study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activities of Swietenia mahagoni crude methanolic (SMCM) seed extract. The antimicrobial activity of the oily extract against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, yeast and fungus strains was evaluated based on the inhibition zone using disc diffusion assay, minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. The crude extract was subjected to various phytochemicals analysis. The demonstrated qualitative phytochemical tests exhibited the presences of common phytocompounds including alkaloids, terpenoids, antraquinones, cardiac glycosides, saponins, and volatile oils as major active constituents. The SMCM seed extract had inhibitory effects on the growth of Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Streptococcus faecalis and Proteus mirabillase and illustrated MIC and MBC values ranging from 25 mg/ml to 50 mg/ml.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate potential risk factors for Coccidioides infection among dogs living in a region in which the organism is endemic (Pima and Maricopa counties, Arizona).

DESIGN
Community-based longitudinal and cross-sectional studies.

ANIMALS
104 healthy 4- to 6-month-old puppies (longitudinal study) and 381 4- to 18-month-old dogs with unknown serostatus (cross-sectional study).

PROCEDURE
Dogs in the longitudinal study were tested 3 times at 6-month intervals for anticoccidioidal antibodies; dogs in the cross-sectional study were tested only once. Owners of all dogs completed a questionnaire on potential environmental exposures.

RESULTS
In the longitudinal study, the relative risk of infection for dogs that were outdoors during the day was 4.9 times the risk for dogs that were kept indoors. Seropositive dogs in the cross-sectional study were 6.2 times as likely to have access to > 1 acre to roam as were seronegative dogs. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds of infection increased with age (odds ratio [OR], 1.1), amount of roaming space (OR, 2.4), and walking in the desert (OR, 2.2). Walking on sidewalks had a protective effect (OR, 0.4).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Results suggest that in regions in which the organism is endemic, dogs that spend more time outdoors or have more land in which to roam are at greater risk of infection with Coccidioides spp.


Therapeutic advances have significantly improved the survival of premature infants. However, a high burden of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) persists. Aiming at prevention of neonatal lung injury, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) strategies have replaced mechanical ventilation for early respiratory support and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. Multiple randomised controlled trials have demonstrated that broad application of CPAP/NIV decreases exposure to mechanical ventilation and reduces rates of BPD. Here, we explore why this treatment effect is not larger. We discuss that today's neonatal intensive care unit population evolving from the premature to the extremely premature infant demands better targeted therapy, and indicate how early and accurate identification of preterm infants likely to fail CPAP/NIV could increase the treatment effect and minimise the potential harm of delaying exogenous surfactant therapy in these infants. Finally, we argue that less invasive modes of surfactant administration may represent both a pragmatic and beneficial approach in combining CPAP/NIV and early surfactant. Beneficial treatment effects might be higher than reported in the literature when targeting this approach to preterm infants suffering from respiratory failure primarily due to surfactant deficiency. Considering ongoing limitations of current approaches and focusing both on prospects and potential harm of modified strategies, this commentary ultimately addresses the need and the challenge to prove that pushing early CPAP/NIV and strategies of early and less invasive surfactant application prevents lung injury in the long term.


In this essay, I propose that memory and the imagination partake of the same mental processes: that they are driven by emotion and often take narrative form. Through reflective self-consciousness, human beings are not bound to the phenomenal present. They can recall themselves in the past, imagine themselves in the future, and inhabit fictive realms. Borrowing William James's distinction between narrative thought and reasoning, as well as the difference between first- and third-person perspectives, I describe the varying approaches of fiction, psychoanalysis, and neuroscience to remembering and imagining. Conscious episodic memories are consolidated by emotion, but they are also reconsolidated—subject to Freud's "deferred action"—to fictionalizing over time. Story organizes the affective material of memory into a temporal, linguistic schema that is necessarily dialogical: "I" implies "you." As articulated representation, narrative recollection inevitably distances and cools past emotion. This is not true of involuntary and traumatic memories that are sensorimotor, affective replays of an event, are not codified in language, and cannot be located in a subjective time or space. Research into self-versus other-"processing" in the brain has largely failed to understand that at an explicit, representational level, there is no difference between memories and fantasies about self and other. Culling insights from Freud and research in neuroscience and phenomenology, I argue that a core bodily, affective, timeless self is the ground of the narrative, temporal self, of autobiographical memory, and of fiction and that the secret to creativity lies not in the so-called higher cognitive processes, but in dreamlike reconfigurations of emotional meanings that take place unconsciously.


As times are changing. Technology integration becomes challenging and also progressively harder to replace. This bring changes to teachers' instructional roles in the classroom. Rather than using technology for its sake, the university can develop a vision of how technology can improve teaching and learning. eLearning can be used to promote the professional development opportunities, it is offering possibilities of convenience, accessibility, and personalization. With technology becoming more affordable, it's really no surprise that eLearning becomes comparative and competitive tool. The objective of this research is to implement teaching and learning process with the purpose to understand how LMS (Learning Management System) supports leaning process. The research is comprised of 2 phases. The first phase of the research involved a qualitative study by searching some related documentary data to the study. The second phase of research, a quantitative method was undertaken; three hundred and seventy-five questionnaires were distributed to respondents. The results from the qualitative survey suggested that the university should put more focus on the needs of users and thereby improve user satisfaction and the findings from a quantitative method point out the strong relationship between management information system (MIS) quality towards user satisfaction as well as perceived importance of the IT attributes of IT applications provided by the university. Furthermore, the results also contribute to our knowledge by providing support the contention that user satisfaction depends on LMS quality that means the quality of management information system has an influence on user satisfaction. A user who has perceived better LMS quality is more satisfied with IT applications provided by his or her institution.


Sera from patients with Stages A and B infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast, benign breast disease, cancers other than breast carcinoma, and normal female controls were examined by indirect immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) and a viral agglutination test for evidence of antibodies directed against murine mammary tumor virus (MMTV). Sera from 41 (79%) of 52 patients with breast carcinoma and eight (19%) of 42 normal subjects or patients with benign breast disease (noncancer subjects) showed evidence of MMTV labeling by IEM. In the MMTV agglutination test, significant virus agglutination (2+ to 4+) was present in eight (13%) of 61 noncancer sera, 58 (86%) of 68 breast carcinoma sera, and two (11%) of 18 other cancer sera. The results of the more rapid MMTV agglutination test correlated well with IEM. Analysis of reacting antibody by IEM revealed no immunoglobulin A and significant immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibody. Serum reactivity against MMTV was completely absorbed by MMTV but not by the glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 52,000 of MMTV, Friend murine leukemia virus, avian myeloblastosis virus, or sheep erythrocytes. It is concluded that reactivity of human antibodies to MMTV is strongly associated with, but is not entirely specific for, breast carcinoma. It remains to be determined if normal persons with these antibodies will ultimately develop breast cancer and should therefore be considered at high risk. These tests may have potential usefulness as a diagnostic screen for breast cancer.


SUMMARY

The propagation delay when radar signals travel from the troposphere has been one of the major limitations for the applications of high precision repeat-pass Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR). In this paper, we first present an elevation-dependent atmospheric correction model for Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR—the instrument aboard the ENVISAT satellite) interferograms with Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) integrated water vapour (IWV) data. Then, using four ASAR interferometric pairs over Southern California as examples, we conduct the atmospheric correction experiments with cloud-free MERIS IWV data. The results show that after the correction the rms differences between InSAR and GPS have reduced by 69.6 per cent, 29 per cent, 31.8 per cent and 23.3 per cent, respectively for the four selected interferograms, with an average improvement of 38.4 per cent. Most importantly, after the correction, six distinct deformation areas have been identified, that is, Long Beach–Santa Ana Basin, Pomona–Ontario, San Bernardino and Elsinore basin, with the deformation velocities along the radar line-of-sight (LOS) direction ranging from −20 mm yr−1 to −30 mm yr−1 and on average around −25 mm yr−1, and Santa Fe Springs and Wilmington, with a slightly low deformation rate of about −10 mm yr−1 along LOS. Finally, through the method of stacking, we generate a mean deformation velocity map of Los Angeles over a period of 5 yr. The deformation is quite consistent with the historical deformation of the area. Thus, using the cloud-free MERIS IWV data correcting synchronized ASAR interferograms can significantly reduce the atmospheric effects in the interferograms and further better capture the ground deformation and other geophysical signals.


This paper discusses the design and development of software tools for simulation of social networks. It is well known that social networks have become the object of attention of sociologists, political scientists, marketers, etc. The paper identifies two trends in the investigation of social networks: static and dynamic. Static approach involves the study of geometric forms of social networking, network structure (topology), its basic properties (the degree of centrality, distance, and so on). The dynamic approach makes it possible to follow the various stages of a social network formation, to identify the connections between nodes of social network, to identify the formation of clusters in the Internet-graph. Paper considers the existing software tools for social network simulation and put forward demands to the software of this kind (agentbased approach, distributed simulation). Moreover paper discusses if it is possible to use computer network simulator TriadNS for modeling of social networks and the definition of both static and dynamic characteristics of these networks.


The Gulf coastal drainages of central Mexico are a faunal transition zone between North and South America and harbor a unique assemblage of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida). However, little information is available regarding the taxonomy, distribution, and evolutionary history of the Mexican mussel fauna due to limited sampling over the last 100 years. To address these knowledge gaps, we evaluated species-level diversity in the genus Popenaias Frierson, 1927, in Mexican Gulf coastal drainages as part of a larger effort to inform conservation efforts for members of this genus both in Mexico and the United States of America. Based on our analyses, we describe Popenaias berezai n. sp. from the Río Valles of the Río Pánuco basin, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. We also provide presumptive distributional range, phylogenetic structure, and molecular and morphological diagnoses of the new species and provide comments on the other species currently in Popenaias. Our findings highlight the high levels of endemism among freshwater mussels in Mexican Gulf coastal drainages and will help guide impending conservation actions for P. popeii, which is listed as "endangered" in the United States.


The amount of water released on Mars in association with volcanism is estimated to equal a layer 46 meters deep over the entire planet. Most of this water was released in the first 2 billion years of martian history. The estimate is based on mapping the volcanic materials and by inferring the volatile content of the lavas. Water from other sources, such as plutonic activity and cometary contributions, is not included in the estimate.


Welcome to the MODEC2017 workshop. This is Amazon State University's (UEA) first workshop, devoted to the promotion and application of  the Multidisciplinary Sciences to the development of natural products and agro-industrial processes in Ecuadorian Amazon regions. This includes the application of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) for data analysis and computational model including the fields of Agro-industrial Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Veterinary Medicine, and/or Environmental Sciences, etc.  This workshop runs both online and on location at the university. The online portion of the workshop is powered by the SciForum platform of MDPI, hosted by the MOL2NET International Conference on Interdisciplinary Sciences. Additionally, the physical component of the workshop is also scheduled to run through the Department of Earth Sciences (Facultad de Ciencias de la Tierra) at Universidad Estatal Amazonica (UEA), Puyo, Ecuador. Please, contact the workshop chairmen for further details. Paper submission is already open and  the publication of papers for conference purposes in SciForum platform is free of cost.


The purpose of this experiment was to determine (a) the magnitude of alcohol impairment of driving skills as blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) varied from zero to 0.10% and (b) whether age, gender, and drinking practice characteristics of the subjects would differentially affect alcohol impairment in a sample of subjects who were broadly representative of the driving population. Using a driving simulator and a divided attention task, 168 subjects were examined at BACs to 0.10% for moderate and heavy drinkers and to 0.08% for light drinkers. Alcohol significantly impaired performance on some measures at all examined BACs from 0.02% to 0.10%. The magnitude of the impairment increased with increasing BAC. Differences in the magnitude of alcohol impairment between categories of age, gender, and drinking practices were small, inconsistent in direction, and did not reach statistical significance. It is possible that significant differences would have emerged if a wider range of subject characteristics and BACs had been examined. BACs over 0.10% were not tested, and the sample did not include subjects under 19 years and over 70 years, or very light and very heavy drinkers. Within those limits, no significant differences in the magnitude of alcohol impairment within the categories of age, gender, and drinking practice appeared for this diverse sample.


Whistleblowing: Subversion or Corporate Citizenship Edited by Gerald Vinten. Published by Paul Chapman, Publishers, London and St Martins Press, New York, 1994. 197 pp. £15. 95. Paperback. ISBN: 185396-238-4 This text is edited by member of Council, Professor Gerald Vinten. Whistleblowing informing on illegal and unethical practices in the workplace is increasingly common. It can have tragic consequences to the individual, and threaten the survival of the organisation complained about. A possible Code of Practice and agreed procedures, including arbitration, is recommended. The book provides a balanced approach to a topic that generates much emotion and debate. A


The standard Real Business Cycle literature mainly focuses on Walrasian models designed to fit the US institutional framework. Differences between the US and Europe, mostly evident in the labor market, suggest that a purely Walrasian model may be inappropriate to study European business cycles. I present a stochastic version of the dynamic general equilibrium model in Daveri and Maffezzoli (2000), where unemployment is generated by monopolistic unions, and calibrate it to reproduce several long-run features of the Italian and US economies. The properties of our model are compared to an indivisible labor model built on Hansen (1985) and Rogerson and Wright (1988). I focus on the impulse reponse functions, the standard business cycle statistics, and the ability to reproduce the cyclical components of the main macroeconomic variables. The main results are: (i) the impulse response functions of the Monopoly Union (MU) model show a higher degree of overall persistence; (ii) the business cycle statistics are similar; (iii) the MU model enjoys a statistically significative advantage in reproducing the Italian business cycles, while its alternative seems to better explain the US business cycles. (Copyright: Elsevier)


In this report an ad hoc system is defined with the capabilities to validate the integrity ofevery node in the network without a third party, as long as every node has possession of acertificate. The system is developed to function in an ad hoc network with many externalthreats. The main target group would be the military and first responders. There are manydifferent problems with such a network, and many parts have been researched, but few fullsystems have been developed. This report defines a hierarchical system where nodes cancommunicate in an encrypted way, with the help of certificates. In a military situation therisk for compromised nodes must be considered. Therefore, the system can both detectand handle compromised nodes by revocation certificates. The proposed system is alsodetecting and handling partitions. The system has been put together by first making aliterature study to find existing solutions to different problems, then making a synthesisof those solutions. We also came up with new solutions where the three cornerstones ofsecurity: availability, confidentiality and integrity were in focus. To make the solutionmore trustworthy a risk analysis on the resulting system was made, which defined theweak points of the system.


Technical artifacts and mental concepts that help to master, and make sense of, the flood of information surrounding us are vital. This article, based on the 1998 IFIP "History in the Computing Curriculum" report, and existing methods of history didactics, proposes incorporating computing history in secondary schools' informatics curricula. The suggestions made here can be adopted, and adapted, for any informatics curriculum.


Steganography is a technique of concealing secret information within an innocuous-looking carrier signal. Speech steganography has become increasingly important in a variety of applications, including military, satellite, and mobile communications. However, conventional methods have failed to meet the maximum-security requirements, resulting in reduced robustness and imperceptibility performance. In this paper, a novel speech steganography mechanism is proposed to address these issues by using shift invariant continuous wavelet transform (SI-CWT) for data hiding. The message data is hidden in the low-level speech bands using pseudo noise sequences, resulting in a steganography output speech signal. To recover the original speech and message signal, a zero-crossing rate (ZCR)-based speech activity and message detection (SAMD) mechanism is applied on the receiver side. The proposed steganography system is evaluated using various performance metrics, including robustness, imperceptibility, and security. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed system outperforms conventional methods in terms of these metrics, indicating that it is a promising solution for secure speech communication. Additionally, potential limitations and weaknesses of the proposed system are discussed, highlighting the need for further research in this area. Overall, this novel speech steganography mechanism has significant potential for enhancing the security and reliability of speech communication in various applications.


The To Kill a Mockingbird project will require students to find three articles from three different sources on their assigned topic. (Julie Ponce)


"Fruhe" is the name of a fresh cheese traditionally manufactured in Sardinia (Italy) from sheep or goat
milk. When the cheese is stored for long time in brine it is called "Merca". The Fruhe is a fermented curd
characterized by a compact coagulum, a white shining paste and a soft texture. The taste is slightly sour
and aromatic.
The Fruhe is manufactured from whole milk, raw or heat-treated, deriving from Sardinian farms. It is
produced using the following general manufacturing process:
- the milk, brought at 36-38 °C, is inoculated with autochthonous lactic acid bacterial (LAB) cultures and
coagulated with calf or lamb liquid rennet;
- this milk is now distributed in plastic containers that can have a variable volume;
- the cheese ripening takes place in 12-24 hours;
- the coagulum within the container can be cut in cubes of approximately 4 cm and the whey is usually
partially discarded;
- the cheese is stored at 4 °C.
In the present study we investigated the microbial populations associated with this traditional product.
For this aim twenty samples of Fruhe, manufactured from sheep and goat milk by using different cheesemaking
technologies, have been investigated. Microbiological analyses showed that total mesophilic bacteria counts of Fruhe samples were between 1.00E+06 and 2.70E+09 CFU/g. Lactobacilli and lactic streptococci were constantly present in a 1:1 ratio and in a few samples they reached significant numbers (around 1.00E+09 CFU/g) while in general the size of these populations was more limited (around 1.00E+06 CFU/g). This was attributed to an excessive acidification and post-acidification of the cheese. It is important to mention that the presence of a suitable number of LAB (at least 1.00E+07 CFU/g) is
crucial for the nutritional quality of fresh dairy products. The presence of total coliforms and coagulasenegative staphylococci was limited and related to some extent to the reduced number of LAB in most of
the samples. Heterofermenting LAB, faecal coliforms and coagulase-positive staphylococci were always absent while yeasts were isolated only from three Fruhe samples.
The study showed that lactic microflora associated to Fruhe cheese was substantially homogeneous in all the samples analyzed. However, the number of LAB was globally low in the majority of samples and quite different from other fresh cheeses.


LH-NUMAs are essentially clusters of NUMA nodes with a globally shared memory abstraction, either in hardware or in software. This Abstract architecture just like expensive mainframe, while keep the price low as commercial clusters of servers. It is a prospective optional major architecture for cloud computing in today's era of big data. This article studies the special needs for OS requested by LH-NUMA. And we push the OS design principles of Hive, Fos, Multikernel, etc., a little further by embracing the characteristics of LH-NUMA. The contribution includes: 1) Analyzing the architectural of LH-NUMA, a distinctive architecture located between cluster and mainframe. 2) Analyzing the challenges to the OS for LH-NUMA according to the characteristics of LH-NUMA. 3) Analyzing the inefficiency of running current OSes for many-core system on LH-NUMA. 4) Try to apply the Hive, Fos, Multikernel and other design principles of many-core OS to LH-NUMA and analyzing the advantages and insufficiency for LH-NUMA. 5) Listing the requirements and picturing the framework principle for OS on LH-NUMA.


This study of the Spanish expression "hacerse el sueco" shows that there are several theories about the origin. Which of the theories is the most correct is not known but it is popularly thought that the expression "hacerse el sueco" makes references to Swedish tourists who act dumb and pretend not to understand. The analysis of this study is made of the corpus CORDE and CREA and shows that the meaning of the term "hacerse el sueco" no has changed over time, but has the same meaning today as before. This study is also made of surveys that indicate that the term is used today with the same meaning but also shows that Spanish speakers use the phrase rarely and the Swedish speakers with knowledge of Spanish never use the expression. The study also shows that the Swedes who know the expression "hacerse el sueco" perceived the phrase more negatively than Spanish speakers.


The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) represents the traditional food consumption patterns of people living in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and is associated with a reduced incidence of obesity and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this study was to examine differences in the composition of the oral microbiome in older adults with T2DM and/or high body mass index (BMI) and whether the microbiome was influenced by elements of a MedDiet. Using a nested case-control design individuals affected by T2DM were selected from the Seniors-ENRICA-2 cohort concurrently with non-diabetic controls. BMI was measured, a validated dietary history taken, and adherence to a Mediterranean diet calculated using the MEDAS (Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener) index. Oral health status was assessed by questionnaire and unstimulated whole mouth saliva was collected, and salivary flow rate calculated. Richness and diversity of the salivary microbiome were reduced in participants with T2DM compared to those without diabetes. The bacterial community structure in saliva showed distinct "signatures" or "salivatypes," characterized by predominance of particular bacterial genera. Salivatype 1 was more represented in subjects with T2DM, whilst those with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) had a predominance of salivatype 2, and control participants without T2DM or obesity had an increased presence of salivatype 3. There was an association of salivatype 1 with increased consumption of sugary snacks combined with reduced consumption of fish/shellfish and nuts. It can be concluded that the microbial community structure of saliva is altered in T2DM and obesity and is associated with altered consumption of particular food items. In order to further substantiate these observations a prospective study should be undertaken to assess the impact of diets aimed at modifying diabetic status and reducing weight.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate an outbreak of surgical site infections (SSI) in a vascular surgery unit.

SETTING
A 60-bed unit of vascular surgery, where surgeons performed an average of 30 operations per month at the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, a 1,000-bed tertiary care hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

DESIGN
We included in the case group nine patients who had limb amputations or arterial reconstructions, October 16 through 23, 1992. We included in the control group patients whose operations were performed within 30 days of the outbreak period. Control patients were matched for sex and type of operation.

RESULTS
Six of 9 case patients experienced SSI, as compared with 3 of 18 control patients (P = .026) and 28 of 244 patients in the pre-epidemic period (P = .0002). Risk factors were identical for case and control groups. Factors assessed were American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) status, duration of surgery, wound class, emergency status, remote site infections, preoperative length of stay, use of prophylactic antibiotics, and underlying diseases. Possible common sources also were analyzed. No differences were observed concerning hair removal, preoperative shower, wound dressing, and surgical team present in the operating room. During the outbreak period, the operating room was not provided with povidone-iodine, used in our hospital for skin cleansing and handscrubbing. Surgeons from all departments, including vascular surgery, used 2% iodine with 70% alcohol for skin cleansing. Surgeons from other departments used this iodine solution for handscrubbing, but the vascular surgeons used plain soap for handscrubbing. No increases in SSI rates were reported in other services. Comparison of case and control groups for handscrubbing was statistically significant (P < .00001). After reinstitution of povidone-iodine, only one SSI was diagnosed in 13 vascular procedures.

CONCLUSIONS
Although we could not demonstrate definitely that scrubbing with plain soap was related to SSI, we found a strong suggestion of this association.


Background: National Health Insurance (NHI) intends to provide universal health coverage to all South Africans, with equity and quality as its tenets. The participation of private general practitioners (GPs) in NHI is essential. The aim was to explore perceptions of GPs on NHI in Chris Hani district, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study using semi-structured individual interviews of 12 GPs from six municipalities was undertaken. Data analysis used the framework method assisted by Atlas.ti software. Results: GPs in Chris Hani district felt that NHI would improve health and benefit society and be of particular benefit to poor and rural people as it will improve access to healthcare. Lack of governmental administrative capacity and a human resource plan were seen as barriers to implementation. They believed that NHI would benefit them through a single purchaser system and support more comprehensive care. GPs were concerned about a lack of information on primary care packages, accreditation, remuneration and patient allocation. They thought that NHI might disadvantage solo GPs. NHI implementation could be improved by actively engaging with GP organisations. Improvement of existing government health facilities and continued medical education were seen as possible ways to better implement NHI. Conclusion GPs in this study were generally positive about NHI and thought it would benefit both patients and providers. However, they had concerns regarding the capacity of government to implement NHI and the implications for solo GPs, and needed more information. Government needs to actively engage GPs.


Innovation is a multilevel phenomenon. Not only characteristics of firms but also environment within which firms operate matter. Although this has been for long recognized in the literature, a quantitative test that explicitly concerns the hypothesis that framework conditions affect innovativeness of firms remains lacking. Using a large sample of firms from many developing countries, we estimate a multilevel model of innovation that integrates explanatory factors at different levels of the analysis. Apart from various firm's characteristics, national economic, technological and institutional conditions directly predict the likelihood of firms to innovate.


With the use of [U-14C]glucose tracer methodology, the rates of umbilical uptake, utilization, oxidation, and production of glucose were determined in nine chronically catheterized fetal foals in the fed state between 268 and 325 days of gestation (term approximately 335 days). At the same time, the rates of umbilical O2 and lactate uptake were measured in all nine fetuses by Fick principle. The mean fetal rates of umbilical glucose uptake, glucose utilization, and CO2 production from glucose carbon were 36.9 +/- 2.5, 36.4 +/- 1.7, and 117.7 +/- 17.4 mumol.min-1.kg fetal body wt-1, respectively (n = 9). Endogenous glucose production was therefore negligible in the fetal foal in the fed state. Production of CO2 from glucose carbon accounted for 40.9 +/- 6.5% of the umbilical O2 uptake, which averaged 292 +/- 15 mumol.min-1.kg-1 (n = 9). No significant changes in fetal glucose or O2 metabolism were observed with increasing gestational age. The rates of umbilical glucose uptake, glucose utilization, and CO2 production from glucose carbon (P < 0.01), but not the rate of umbilical O2 uptake (P > 0.05), were positively correlated with the fetal blood glucose level. There was a significant umbilical lactate uptake in the fetuses older than 290 days (12.3 +/- 4.1 mumol.min-1.kg-1, n = 5, P < 0.05) but not in the younger animals (6.2 +/- 9.6 mumol.min-1.kg-1, n = 4, P > 0.05). Hence, glucose is used for both oxidative and nonoxidative metabolism in utero and is a major, although not the sole, oxidative substrate in the fetal foal during late gestation.


We consider the online problem of non-preemptive queue management. An online sequence of packets arrive, each of which has an associated intrinsic value. Packets can be accepted to a FIFO queue, or discarded. The profit gained by transmitting a packet diminishes over time and is equal to its value minus the delay. This corresponds to the well known and strongly motivated Naor's model in operations research.
 We give a queue management algorithm with a competitive ratio equal to the golden ratio (φ ≈ 1.618) in the case that all packets have the same value, along with a matching lower bound. We also derive Θ(1) upper and lower bounds on the competitive ratio when packets have different intrinsic values (in the case of differentiated services). We can extend our results to deal with more general models for loss of value over time.
 Finally, we re-interpret our online algorithms in the context of selfish agents, producing an online mechanism that approximates the optimal social welfare to within a constant factor.


To the Editor. — In the June 1988 issue of theARCHIVES, Bartter et al 1 described a toxic shock-like syndrome in patients with group A streptococcal infections and coined the term toxic strep syndrome . Since then, there have been numerous articles 2-6 describing the clinical manifestations and virulence factors of "toxic strep syndrome." We recently treated a patient with a toxic shock-like illness that was associated with a group C streptococcal infection. As far as we know, group C streptococcus has not been associated with the toxic strep syndrome or with the pyrogenic exotoxins thought to cause the syndrome. 8 Report of a Case.—— A 41-year-old woman was admitted with hemodynamic shock and necrotizing fasciitis of her right calf. She was confused and had marked metabolic and hematologic abnormalities including a serum urea nitrogen concentration of 32 mg/dL, creatinine concentration of 2.0 mg/dL, an elevated aspartate aminotransferase level that


Most of the statistical procedures in meta-analysis are based on the estimation of average effect sizes from a set of primary studies. The optimal weight for averaging a set of independent effect sizes is the inverse variance of each effect size, but in practice these weights have to be estimated, being affected by sampling error. When assuming a random-effects model, there are two alternative procedures for averaging independent effect sizes: Hunter and Schmidt's estimator, which consists of weighting by sample size as an approximation to the optimal weights; and Hedges and Vevea's estimator, which consists of weighting by an estimation of the inverse variance of each effect size. In this article, the bias and mean squared error of the two estimators were assessed via Monte Carlo simulation of meta-analyses with the standardized mean difference as the effect-size index. Hedges and Vevea's estimator, although slightly biased, achieved the best performance in terms of the mean squared error. As the differences between the values of both estimators could be of practical relevance, Hedges and Vevea's estimator should be selected rather than that of Hunter and Schmidt when the effect-size index is the standardized mean difference.


PURPOSE
To determine if microtechnology-derived collision loads discriminate between collision performance and compare the physical and analytical components of collision performance between positional groups.

METHODS
Thirty-seven professional male rugby union players participated in this study. Collision events from 11 competitive matches were coded using specific tackle and carry classifications based on the ball-carrier's collision outcome. Collisions were automatically detected using 10 Hz microtechnology units. Collision events were identified, coded (as tackle or carry), and timestamped at the collision contact point using game analysis software. Attacking and defensive performances of 1609 collision events were analyzed.

RESULTS
Collision loads were significantly greater during dominant compared with neutral and passive collisions (P < .001; effect size [ES] = 0.53 and 0.80, respectively), tackles (P < .0001; ES = 0.60 and 0.56, respectively), and carries (P < .001; ES = 0.48 and 0.79, respectively). Overall, forwards reported a greater number and frequency of collisions but lower loads per collision and velocities at collision point than did backs. Microtechnology devices can also accurately, sensitively, and specifically identify collision events (93.3%, 93.8%, and 92.8%, respectively).

CONCLUSION
Microtechnology is a valid means of discriminating between tackle and carry performance. Thus, microtechnology-derived collision load data can be utilized to track and monitor collision events in training and games.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Kidney stones and their risk factors aggregate in families, yet few studies have systematically estimated heritabilities and genetic correlations of the numerous urinary traits associated with risk of kidney stones.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS
Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected from the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy cohort of families in Rochester, Minnesota, to measure urinary determinants of supersaturation. Diet was assessed using the Viocare food frequency questionnaire. Heritabilities and genetic correlations among the urinary traits were estimated using variance components methods.

RESULTS
Samples were available from 811 individuals (344 men, 467 women; mean age 66 ± 9 years). Age, sex, and weight were significantly correlated with the majority of urinary traits. Many urine excretions (calcium, magnesium, citrate excretion) had strong evidence for heritability (P<0.01) both before and after adjusting for the identified covariates. Among significantly heritable urinary traits, genetic factors explained 20%-36% of interindividual variation after adjustment for covariates. Urinary calcium excretion was significantly genetically correlated with urinary magnesium and with urinary citrate excretion (P<0.05). Although eGFR influenced many urinary traits, controlling for eGFR did not greatly affect estimated heritabilities.

CONCLUSIONS
Evidence from this cohort suggests a strong heritable component to many urinary nephrolithiasis risk factors. Further study of genetic influences on urinary traits relevant for kidney stone pathogenesis is warranted.


An Ni—Al—Co system embedded-atom-method potential is constructed for the γ(Ni)/γ'(Ni3Al) superalloy based on experiments and first-principles calculations. The stacking fault energies (SFEs) of the Ni(Co, Al) random solid solutions are calculated as a function of the concentrations of Co and Al. The calculated SFEs decrease with increasing concentrations of Co and Al, which is consistent with the experimental results. The embedding energy term in the present potential has an important influence on the SFEs of the random solid solutions. The cross-slip processes of a screw dislocation in homogenous Ni(Co) solid solutions are simulated using the present potential and the nudged elastic band method. The cross-slip activation energies increase with increasing Co concentration, which implies that the creep resistance of γ(Ni) may be improved by the addition of Co.


This paper presents a very large-scale integration implementation of Galois field arithmetic for high-speed error-control coding applications that is based on the field GF(p/sup m/) with m a small integer such as 2 or 3 and p a prime of sufficient value to generate the required field size. In this case, the Galois field arithmetic operations of addition, multiplication, and inversion are based on architectures using blocks that perform integer arithmetic modulo p. These integer arithmetic operations modulo p have previously been implemented with low delay power products through the use of one hot coding and barrel shifters circuits based on transistor arrays. In this paper, the same one hot coding and barrel shifters circuits are used to construct circuits that implement addition, multiplication, and inversion over GF(p/sup m/). The circuits for GF(p/sup m/) addition and multiplication with p/spl ne/2, achieve a lower power-delay product than designs based on GF(2/sup m/). Also, the architecture for GF(p/sup m/) inversion can be efficiently implemented when m=2 or m=3.


The focus of this study is on computer automated perception of human emotion. We explore the use of Fisherfaces for the recognition of human emotion in facial images. We train a multitude of Fisherface models and evaluate their performance against an independent test set. We build and test a compound hierarchical system that attempts to interpret human emotion in real time using face detection and tracking algorithms in conjunction with our facial expression analysis methodology. Our results indicate that Fisherfaces can be useful in predicting emotion based on content retrieved from facial images. We note that, with this approach, some emotions are more easily predicted than others. We also suggest that a compound hierarchical model is more effective than a single stand-alone Fisherface model.


In this paper, we propose a depth-map merging based multiple view stereo method for large-scale scenes which takes both accuracy and efficiency into account. In the proposed method, an efficient patch-based stereo matching process is used to generate depth-map at each image with acceptable errors, followed by a depth-map refinement process to enforce consistency over neighboring views. Compared to state-of-the-art methods, the proposed method can reconstruct quite accurate and dense point clouds with high computational efficiency. Besides, the proposed method could be easily parallelized at image level, i.e., each depth-map is computed individually, which makes it suitable for large-scale scene reconstruction with high resolution images. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are evaluated quantitatively on benchmark data and qualitatively on large data sets.


Professor Irma Glicman Adelman, an Irish Economist working in California University at Berkely, in her research work on 'Development Over Two Centuries', which is published in the Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 1995, has identified that India, along with China, would be one of the largest economies in this 21st Century. She has stated that the period 1700 - 1820 is the period of Netherlands, the period 1820 - 1890 is the period of England the period 1890 - 2000 is the period of America and this 21st Century is the century of China and India. World Bank has also identified India as one of the leading players of this century after China. India will be third largest economy after USA and China. India will challenge the Global Economic Order in the next 15 years. India will overtake Italian economy in 2015, England economy in 2020, Japan economy in 2025 and USA economy in 2050 (China will overtake Japan economy in 2016 and USA economy in 2027). India has the following advantages compared with other economies. India is 4th largest GDP in the world in terms of Purchasing Power. India is third fastest growing economy in the world after China and Vietnam. Service sector contributes around 57% of GDP. The share of agriculture is around 17% and Manufacture is 16% in 2005 - 2006. This is a character of a developed country. Expected GDP growth rate is 10% shortly (It has come down from 9.2% in 2006 - 2007 to 6.2% during 2008 - 2009 due to recession. It is only a temporary phenomenon). India has $284 billion as Foreign Exchange Reserve as on today. India had just $1 billion as Foreign Exchange Reserve when it opened its economy in the year 1991. In this research paper an attempt has been made to study the two booming economies of the globe with respect to their foreign exchange reserves. This study mainly based on secondary data published by respective governments and various studies done on this area.

 Key words:  People's bank of China, reserve bank of India, foreign exchange reserve, international exchange reserve, gold, currency assets.


In recent years, a real tsunami has flooded many human activities. Genomics, Astronomy, Particle Physics and Social Sciences are just a few examples of fields which have been intensively invaded by a massive amount of data coming from simulation, experiments or exploration. This huge pile of data requires a new way to deal with, a real paradigmatic shift respect to the past as for theories, technologies or approaches in data management. This work outlines the current wave front of Big Data, starting from a possible characterization of this new paradigm to its most compelling applications and tools, with an exploratory research of Big Data challenges in manufacturing engineering.


The laser scattering in tissue is significant in diagnostic and therapeutic purposes of laser. Many studies have been conducted to minimize laser scattering in tissue and therefore, to maximize the clinical efficacy by enhancing photon density. Optical clearing agents (OCAs) have been employed for optical tissue clearing (OTC). This study was aimed to investigate the optimal concentration of an OCA, glycerol, in topical application,, so that it can be utilized for clinical diagnosis and therapy in dermatology. Glycerol was topically applied to avoid possible edema caused by dermal injection. The effect of OTC was quantitatively evaluated as a function of the concentration of glycerol with various methods. Optical methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and an integrating sphere were used to assess the enhancement of light penetration depth and refractive index matching. In addition, a non-optical method, ultrasound scanner, was utilized to evaluate quantitatively collagen dissociation. The results revealed that 70 % glycerol was the optimal concentration of OTC for topical application. This study may provide a guideline regarding to the use of glycerol for optimal diagnostic and therapeutic effects in dermatology.


In magneto-plasma-dynamic (MPD) arcjet generators, plasma is accelerated by electromagnetic body forces. The MPD arcjet generator can produce higher-velocity, higher-temperature, higher-density and larger-area plasmas than those of conventional thermal plasma torches. Two types of MPD arcjet generator were developed for applications to ceramic spray coatings. One generator was installed with a cathode covered with mullite or zirconia ceramics and the other with a titanium cathode. The former was operated with Ar for mullite or zirconia coating by an ablation process of the cathode cover and the latter with N2 for titanium nitride coating by a reactive process between ablated titanium particles and nitrogen plasma. Silicon nitride reactive spraying was also carried out. The MPD spray process could successfully form dense, uniform and hard ceramic coatings. In titanium nitride reactive spraying, plasma diagnostic measurement and flowfield analysis were conducted. A large amount of N and N+ was expected to be exhausted with a high velocity from the MPD generator. Both the electron temperature and the electron number density were kept high at a substrate position compared with those for conventional low-pressure thermal sprayings. A chemically active plasma with excited particles of N+, Ti, Ti+ and Ti2+ was considered to contribute to better titanium nitride coatings. All coating characteristics showed that the MPD arcjet generators had high potentials for ceramic spray coatings.


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objective: To delineate temporal and spatial dynamics of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) transcriptomic changes during aortic aneurysm development in Marfan syndrome (MFS). Approach and Results: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing to study aortic root/ascending aneurysm tissue from Fbn1C1041G/+ (MFS) mice and healthy controls, identifying all aortic cell types. A distinct cluster of transcriptomically modulated SMCs (modSMCs) was identified in adult Fbn1C1041G/+ mouse aortic aneurysm tissue only. Comparison with atherosclerotic aortic data (ApoE−/− mice) revealed similar patterns of SMC modulation but identified an MFS-specific gene signature, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (Serpine1) and Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4). We identified 481 differentially expressed genes between modSMC and SMC subsets; functional annotation highlighted extracellular matrix modulation, collagen synthesis, adhesion, and proliferation. Pseudotime trajectory analysis of Fbn1C1041G/+ SMC/modSMC transcriptomes identified genes activated differentially throughout the course of phenotype modulation. While modSMCs were not present in young Fbn1C1041G/+ mouse aortas despite small aortic aneurysm, multiple early modSMCs marker genes were enriched, suggesting activation of phenotype modulation. modSMCs were not found in nondilated adult Fbn1C1041G/+ descending thoracic aortas. Single-cell RNA sequencing from human MFS aortic root aneurysm tissue confirmed analogous SMC modulation in clinical disease. Enhanced expression of TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta)-responsive genes correlated with SMC modulation in mouse and human data sets. Conclusions: Dynamic SMC phenotype modulation promotes extracellular matrix substrate modulation and aortic aneurysm progression in MFS. We characterize the disease-specific signature of modSMCs and provide temporal, transcriptomic context to the current understanding of the role TGF-β plays in MFS aortopathy. Collectively, single-cell RNA sequencing implicates TGF-β signaling and Klf4 overexpression as potential upstream drivers of SMC modulation.


This article attempts to find common ground between Plato and Kant on the topic of beauty and aesthetic contemplation. The Kantian notion of "liking devoid of interest" is interpreted in such a way that it can be brought into harmony with two Platonic accounts of beauty found in the Symposium and the Hippias Major. I argue that both thinkers do justice to the relationship between desire and beauty, while also both asserting that the proper appreciation of beauty per se—whether in an object or as an essence—requires a disinterested stance.


BACKGROUND
To investigate the roles of transient receptor potential cation channel 6 (TRPC6) and calcineurin (CaN) in proteinuria pathogenesis and the mechanism of action of the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus (FK506) in adriamycin-induced nephropathy.

METHODS
The adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats were established and randomly divided into adriamycin nephropathy (ADR), low-dose FK506 treated (ADR + FK0.5), high-dose FK506 treated (ADR + FK1.0) and Control groups. Twenty-four hour urinary protein and blood biochemistry were measured on weeks 2, 3, 5 and 7, and the distributions and expressions of TRPC6 and CaN in the renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS
The study showed the 24-hour urinary protein increased significantly in ADR rats compared with Controls whilst for ADR rats hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, renal functional lesion and renal pathologic changes appeared. The areas and intensities of TRPC6 and CaN expressed in the glomerulus and tubulointerstitium of ADR rats increased significantly. The expression of TRPC6 mRNA in ADR rats began to increase on the 3rd week and persisted to the 7th week, and CaN mRNA increased throughout the period. Protein expressions of TRPC6 and CaN in ADR rats were significantly higher than those of Controls. FK506 can inhibit CaN activity in the renal tissues and further decrease TRPC6 expression and therefore reduce renal damage and proteinuria in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggested that TRPC6 and CaN were up-regulated on mRNA and protein levels in adriamycin-induced rats. FK506 had a therapeutic effect on the progression of proteinuria and renal damage by down-regulating of TRPC6 and CaN in the renal tissues.


This paper reflects and discusses the results of English accentual focus perception by native English listeners vs. Basque learners of English. Two focus structures were studied: focus on subject and focus on verb. Twenty native English listeners and twenty native Basque speakers took part in two different types of test: identification and naturalness ratings of focus in English sentences. There were two kinds of focus identification test: half the listeners did a multiple choice test, whereas the other half took and open test. The results show that, as was expected, Basque learners had more problems in identifying focus than native speakers. This trend was much more pronounced in the case of verb focus. For both groups of listener verb focus was more difficult to identify and considered to be less natural. Basque listeners rated subject focus in English as even more natural than native listeners did. Some of these results are probably due to first language interference since pre-verbal focus is the neutral case in Basque. However the difference in performance by Basque listeners in multiple choice and open test must be partly due to differences between their passive and active knowledge of English. In the case of verb focus it may be that this difference is also present in their knowledge of their native language and transferred to their multiple choice and open test performance: listeners may understand focus on verb in Basque even if they do not use it often themselves.