Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia (SMECE) is a recently recognized malignant neoplasm of the thyroid gland. About 14 cases of SMECE have been reported and this is the first reported case in Korea. A 57-year-old woman presented with right neck mass for 20 years. Total thyroidectomy was performed under the impression of thyroid carcinoma. The resected thyroid gland showed a poorly circumscribed hard mass. Histologically, the tumor consisted of solid nests of large atypical cells with dense fibrous stroma. The tumor cells showed squamoid appearance with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. There were also rare mucin-containing cells within the nests. Within the hyalinized stroma, numerous eosinophils were found. The surrounding thyroid parenchyma displayed Hashimoto's thyroiditis. There was metastasis in a regional lymph node. Two years after initial surgery, she underwent a modified radical neck dissection due to recurrent neck mass. After the radiation therapy for eight weeks, laryngectomy and esophagectomy were performed due to a recurrent carcinoma in the esophageal wall. We report an additional case of SMECE, with metastasis to regional lymph nodes and esophagus. The tumor appears to be more aggressive than previously reported and a correct diagnosis can be rendered by just examining the metastatic lesions.


This study deals with the problems of finite-time stochastic stability and stabilisation with partly unknown transition probabilities for linear discrete-time Markovian jump systems (MJP). The definition of finite-time stochastic stability for discrete-time MJP is firstly given. Based on it, a sufficient condition is proposed to guarantee that the state of the system does not exceed a certain threshold in mean-square sense during a specified time interval. The above result is then extended to the finite-time stochastic stabilisation case. By introducing some free-weighting matrices, the proposed method leads to less conservatism compared with the existing ones. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.


Purpose - This paper aims to investigate the role of corporate governance and information technology in fraud prevention and detection within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Design/methodology/approach - This study uses a survey of financial accountants and internal and external auditors to assess their perceptions of the effectiveness of IT and corporate governance as measured in terms of the audit committee's effectiveness, internal audit functions, external audit functions, culture of honesty and employee training programmes in preventing and detecting fraud in the UAE. Findings - The results indicate that corporate governance has a moderate role in preventing and detecting fraud in the UAE and that IT has the same role as traditional fraud prevention and detection techniques. The results also show no significant difference between internal and external auditors in their use of technological and traditional techniques during the course of audits. Research limitations/implications - The findings suggest that the senior management and boards of directors must better understand the importance of their oversight function. The finding that a culture of honesty has a low positive impact on fraud prevention and detection in the UAE indicates that chief executive officers and boards of directors must make more efforts to set the "tone at the top" to improve the corporate environment in terms of integrity and ethics, among other factors. Furthermore, as IT and traditional techniques provide the same function, senior management and boards of directors must be alerted to the importance of developing systematic approaches to fraud investigation that involve greater reliance on technological approaches. Practical implications - The moderate role of corporate governance suggests that senior management and boards of directors must better understand the importance of their oversight function to meet their obligations and fiduciary responsibilities to stakeholders. Furthermore, greater adoption of IT to detect and prevent fraud contributes to developing a systematic approach to fraud investigation, capable of identifying unusual activity using effective software. Originality/value - This study contributes to the literature on the role of corporate governance and IT in preventing and detecting fraud, particularly for Middle Eastern countries and other emerging nations. The study may provide insights to academics and practitioners in the UAE and their international counterparts.


Abstract Gneiss domes in the Himalaya and southern Tibet record processes of crustal thickening, metamorphism, melting, deformation and exhumation during the convergence between the Indian and Eurasian plates. We review two types of gneiss domes: North Himalayan gneiss domes (NHGD) and later domes formed by orogen-parallel extension. Located in the southern Tibetan Plateau, the NHGD are cored by granite and gneiss, and mantled by the Tethyan sedimentary sequence. The footwall of these were extruded southwards from beneath the Tibetan Plateau and subsequently warped into a domal shape. The second class of domes were formed during displacement on normal-sense shear zones and detachments that accommodated orogen-parallel extension during the Late Miocene. In some cases, formation of these domes involved an early stage of southwards-directed extrusion prior to doming. We review evidence for orogen-parallel extension to provide context for the formation of these gneiss domes. Compilations of pressure–temperature–time–deformation data and temperature–time paths indicate differences between dome types, and we accordingly propose new terminology. Type 1 domes are characterized by doming as an artefact of post-high-temperature exhumation processes in the Middle Miocene. Type 2 domes formed in response to exhumation during orogen-parallel extension in the Late Miocene that potentially post-dates south-directed extrusion.


Handbook of Analytical Design for Wear. Edited by C. W. MacGregor. Plenum Press, New York. 1964. 97 pp. Diagrams. Tables. 12.50 dollars. The page size of this book is large—11 inx8£ in; the book has one editor, two authors, and five contributors, an unusually large number for such a slim volume. Wear is one of the trio of associated problems, of which the other two, friction and lubrication, have been the subject of many books, papers, and so on, while wear has been accepted as a necessary or unavoidable evil. The subject of wear has been incidental in engineering literature, and the reviewer knows of no work dealing specifically with wear from the design aspect, so that the book under review is of particular interest. As a "first book" in this subject one would expect to find an exposition on the basic mechanism of wear, backed up by extensive test data. It does not fully meet these requirements, for, as the editor states in the preface, "It does not, therefore, purport to be a treatise on general wear phenomena, but is more of a practical design handbook. The material used in this work has been used successfully by IBM engineers . . . ." So the concepts used in this book appear to have some experimental and operational confirmation. The few basic expressions are quoted without derivation or origin, in spite of the many names cited in the preface, occasional footnotes, and the six references at the end of the book. The first three pages deal with the two engineering models, one for zero wear (i.e. wear of such a magnitude that surface finish in the wear track is not significantly different from the finish in the unworn portion) and the other nonzero wear (i.e. a finite amount of wear for a given number of cycles of operation). The next 33 pages deal with the Design Procedure for zero wear; this appears to be the more common problem of IBM and similar engineering activities. The next 20 pages deal with the design procedure for non-zero wear, a category into which most mechanical engineering problems will occur. The remaining 40 or 50 pages contain the Tables, and so forth. This book conforms to the usual practice of such American publications, by giving a step-by-step procedure for a number of examples, a practice not to be despised, as the reviewer discovered when lecturing to potential draughtsmen. There are several disconcerting features; for example, it does not matter how often a given expression appears, it is always given a new reference number instead of retaining the one given to it the first time it appears. As expected, the examples are based on the IBM activities, so that the loads are relatively very small, e.g. a few ounces. The non-zero wear part leaves much to be desired, particularly as it is more difficult and/or laborious than for zero wear, it should be expanded and applied to problems a little more in keeping with the usual loading and operating conditions of general mechanical engineering, and how the results obtained stand up to practice. This book is the thin edge of the wedge (a little blunt perhaps) in meeting a real want—Design for Wear. Unfortunately its price is high (about £4 12s 6d or 1/per page) and will preclude many "would be" or "should be" purchasers.— C. D. HOLLAND.


Our study commenced in the last quarter of 2013, concluded in May 2014, and was presented at the Symposium Neuroradiologicum held in Istanbul on September 7–12, 2014. As a result of multipdisciplinary authorship and distant collaborations, the manuscript was finally submitted to the American Journal of Neuroradiology in December 2014. At the initial period of our study, there were 2 articles in the literature concluding that hyperintense dentate nuclei (HDN) on T1-weighted MR imaging were secondary to rapidly progressive MS and radiation therapy (RT) effect. We, therefore, investigated this entity in a large cohort of irradiated individuals and found no apparent associations between HDN and RT. During the data gathering and after the submission of our manuscript, several studies were published on this topic, mainly arguing the possible association of HDN and repeated performance of gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging. McDonald et al were the first to show actual gadolinium deposition in the human brain by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in postmortem subjects. Although linear gadolinium-based contrast agents were reported to be associated with HDN, the exact mechanism and clinical ramifications remain unclear. T1-weighted FLAIR is a recently described MR imaging sequence. In brain imaging, it is mainly used to better differentiate gray and white matter, owing to its improved contrast difference. In our institution, it is not a part of the standard brain MR imaging protocol and is mainly performed for epilepsy. Because our cohort was obtained from those with a history of RT for underlying tumoral lesions, only a handful of the subjects were imaged with the T1 FLAIR sequence. As far as the authors' qualitative assessment, differentiating HDN from normal dentate nuclei (NDN) on axial T1 FLAIR images was not a matter of debate in any of subjects included in our study (Fig 1). On sagittal T1 FLAIR images, given the enhanced brightness of white matter, qualitative differentiation of faint HDN and NDN could be doubtful, particularly if the reader is not familiar with appearance of HDN. Nevertheless, without specific research on this topic, we do not speculate on the superiority of one technique (T1 FSE, FLAIR, MPRAGE, and so forth) over another in differentiating faint HDN from NDN. From our study cohort, we randomly looked into 7 subjects with NDN who underwent at least 6 contrastenhanced MR imaging examinations by using linear gadolinium agents (Table). Not a single case was imaged with T1 FLAIR, practically excluding the possibility of HDN being misinterpreted as NDN. The mechanism of gadolinium retention in the dentate nuclei is unknown, and individual factors contributing to the normal appearance of the dentate nuclei in some patients, despite the large amount of gadolinium administered, remain unclear. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank Kanda et al for their interest in our study and their contribution to the knowledge of gadolinium safety.


Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) has displayed pro-angiogenic properties in metabolic diseased states. Renowned for modulating IGF, IGFBP-2 also exerts IGF-independent effects. Angiogenic signalling mechanisms activated by IGFBP-2's interactions with integrins (RGD), heparin (HBD) and nuclear entry, as well as IGF, remain unestablished. Therapeutic angiogenesis is a potential acute treatment to aid restoration of tissue perfusion in ischaemic diseases. With clinical trials of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) failing, we aim to exploit the pro-angiogenic effects of IGFBP-2 therapeutically via one or a combination of its structural domains. Real-time (RT) PCR and Laser Doppler imaging was carried out on the limb, 24 hours after hind limb ischemia (HLI) surgery from wild-type (WT) and globally over-expressing hIGFBP-2 (TG) mice. Mutant variants of WT IGFBP-2 were generated containing a non-functional IGFΔ, RGDΔ or HBDΔ binding site. Functional angiogenic assays were explored in vitro using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the mutants or recombinant IGFBP-2 (REBP2). We identified elevated mIGFBP-2 expression following hind limb ischemia in WT mice. This increase does not correlate with VEGF-A expression in the ischaemic muscle. Global over-expression of hIGFBP-2 significantly enhanced perfusion at day 7 (p<0.05) compared to WT littermates. Elevated hIGFBP-2 levels are localised in the Soleus muscle compared to the Gastrocnemius and Tibialis. RGDΔIGFBP-2 failed to replicate the significant enhancement in tube formation following stimulation with WTIGFBP-2, IGFΔIGFBP-2 and HBDΔIGFBP-2 (p<0.05). HUVEC adhesion to fibronectin was significantly increased following stimulation with WTIGFBP-2 and mutants (approximately 2 fold), except RGDΔIGFBP-2. HUVEC wound closure was significantly disrupted in the presence of RGDΔIGFBP-2 compared to WTIGFBP-2. WTIGFBP-2 does not initiate a hyperpermeability response to the HUVEC cell barrier as exhibited by VEGF-A. Stimulation of endothelial cells with WTIGFBP-2 (500 ng/ml; 15 min) induced phosphorylation of Akt (1.4 fold) and MAPK. RGDΔIGFBP-2 failed to induce Akt and MAPK phosphorylation in HUVECs, whereas the other mutants replicated the effect of the complete functional protein. Neither WTIGFBP-2, nor the mutants activated other angiogenic factors, eNOS or FAK. Elevated IGFBP-2 levels in response to ischemia confirm its role in angiogenic recovery, also supported by in vitro and in vivo findings. Mechanistic studies confirm the RGD domain is critical in the angiogenic activity exerted by IGFBP-2 via Akt and MAPK activation. IGFBP-2's RGD domain may provide a potential acute therapeutic treatment for ischemia without the negative effects exhibited by VEGF.


Sclerostin, a secreted protein encoded by the Sost gene, is produced by osteocytes and is inhibited by osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Recently, a functional association between bone and fat tissue has been suggested, and a correlation between circulating sclerostin levels and lipid metabolism has been reported in humans. However, the effects of sclerostin on adipogenesis remain unexplored. In the present study, we examined the role of sclerostin in regulating adipocyte differentiation using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In these cells, sclerostin enhanced adipocyte-specific gene expression and the accumulation of lipid deposits. Sclerostin also upregulated CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β expression but not cell proliferation and caspase-3/7 activities. Sclerostin also attenuated canonical Wnt3a-inhibited adipocyte differentiation. Recently, the transcriptional modulator TAZ has been involved in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Sclerostin reduced TAZ-responsive transcriptional activity and TAZ-responsive gene expression. Transfection of 3T3-L1 cells with TAZ siRNA increased the lipid deposits and adipogenic gene expression. These results show that sclerostin upregulates adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells, suggesting a possible role for the osteocyte-derived sclerostin as a regulator of fat metabolism and as a reciprocal regulator of bone and adipose tissues metabolism. Introduction The existence of reciprocal regulation between bone and energy metabolisms is demonstrated by recent several reports [Karsenty and Oury, 2012]. Adipocytes play critical roles in the maintenance of energy balance, and these cells store energy in the form of lipids and release fatty acids in response to metabolic signals or to energy insufficiency [Ali et al., 2013]. Adipocytes are also known as endocrine cells that secrete a number of adipocytokines [Kadowaki and Yamauchi, 2005]. Among them, two adipocyte-derived secreted molecules, adiponectin and leptin, which are specifically and highly expressed in the adipose tissue and abundantly secreted into the blood, are known to regulate bone mass, and bone could be a target tissue for these hormones [Kajimura et al., 2013; Takeda et al., 2002]. In contrast, bone-derived molecules, which regulate adipocytes, have not been investigated yet. It was only reported that the osteoblast-specific secreted molecule osteocalcin behaves as a hormone regulating glucose metabolism and fat mass in mutant mice [DiGirolamo et al., 2012; Ferron et al., 2008]. However, it remains to elucidate which molecules secreted by bone cells can affect fat metabolism. Sclerostin (the Sost gene product) is a 29 kDa secreted protein of 213 amino acids characterized as a negative regulator of bone formation [Baron and Kneissel, 2013; Ke et al., 2012; van Bezooijen et al., 2005]. In the adult bone, Sost is constitutively expressed by osteocytes, final differentiated cells of the osteoblast lineage [Burgers and Williams, 2013; van Bezooijen et al., 2005]. Their role was first appreciated when excessive bone mass was observed in patients with sclerosteosis or Van Buchem's disease, an autosomal recessive disease with mutations or deletions in the Sost gene [Balemans et al., 2001]. Furthermore, a high bone mass phenotype was observed in sclerostin-null mice [Li et al., 2008] and a low bone mass phenotype in sclerostin-overexpressing mice [Kramer et al., 2010]. Sclerostin was detectable in serum in all healthy human subjects studied, suggesting that the protein is secreted and enters the circulation. From several data on circulating sclerostin serum levels in humans, a positive correlation was reported between circulating sclerostin and the percentages of abdominal fat, gynoid fat, and fat mass [Amrein et al., 2012; Klangjareonchai et al., 2014; Urano et al., 2012]. Consequently, it was suggested that sclerostin regulates adipogenesis or fat production. To date, little is known on the regulation of adipocyte differentiation in response to sclerostin. During adipocyte differentiation, committed preadipocytes undergo growth arrest and subsequent terminal differentiation into adipocytes. In 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, growth-arrested cells have been shown to re-enter the cell cycle synchronously and to undergo mitotic clonal expansion in response to differentiation inducer treatment (a combination of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine; [IBMX], dexamethasone, and insulin), before exiting the cell cycle and terminally differentiating [MacDougald and Lane, 1995]. Many transcription factors act sequentially during the differentiation processes [Rosen and Spiegelman, 2000]. Among them, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) β is a key transcription factor transcribed, phosphorylated, and activated immediately after exposure to the differentiation inducer treatment, thus resulting in the transactivation of C/EBPα and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ [Guo et al., 2015]. C/EBPα and PPARγ can initiate differentiation, and acquisition of the adipocyte phenotype is characterized by an increase in the expression of adipocyte-specific genes such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL) [Rosen and Spiegelman, 2000]. Several hormones and growth factors that affect adipocyte differentiation in a positive or negative manner have been identified. Growth hormone and insulin like growth factor 1 stimulate adipogenesis. In contrast, the epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor (TGF)-α, TGF-β, and retinoic acid are generally considered inhibitors of adipocyte differentiation [Rosen and Spiegelman, 2000]. Also, canonical Wnt ligands are known to inhibit differentiation [Ross et al., 2000]. The effects of Wnt ligands on the canonical signaling pathway involving β-catenin are mediated by their binding to the Frizzled receptor and to coreceptors, low-density lipoprotein receptor–related proteins (LRPs) 4/5/6 [MacDonald et al., 2009]. Sclerostin was reported as an antagonist of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway by binding to the extracellular domain of LRP4/5/6 and disrupting Wnt-induced Frizzled–LRP complex formation [Baron and Kneissel, 2013; Li et al., 2005]. Canonical Wnt signaling causes stabilization of β-catenin, which then translocates into the nucleus, where it interacts with transcription factors including the lymphoid enhancing factor 1 and T-cell factors (TCFs) that regulate the expression of several target genes [MacDonald et al., 2009]. Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding domein (TAZ) is a transcriptional coactivator originally identified in a proteomic screening for 14-3-3 binding protein [Kanai et al., 2000] and is well known to be regulated by the Hippo signaling pathway [Piccolo et al., 2014]. Recently, Azzolin et al. [Azzolin et al., 2012] reported TAZ as a downstream component of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway and as a mediator of Wnt biological responses independent of the Hippo pathway. It has been proposed that the canonical Wnt pathway induces TAZ protein stabilization and transcriptional activity in multiple cell types [Azzolin et al., 2014; Azzolin et al., 2012]. In the present study, we investigated whether osteocyte sclerostin regulates adipocyte differentiation. We found that sclerostin enhances adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and reduced TAZ-responsive transcriptional activity and TAZ-responsive gene expression, indicating a role for TAZ as a regulator of adipogenesis by sclerostin. Materials and Methods Reagents IBMX and dexamethasone were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). Insulin was purchased from Cell Science and Technology Institute Inc. (Sendai, Japan). Recombinant mouse sclerostin and Wnt3a were purchased from R&D Systems


Importance
Post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) coagulopathy and bleeding are among the most common reasons for blood product transfusion in surgical practices. Current retrospective data suggest lower transfusion rates and blood loss in patients receiving prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) compared with plasma after cardiac surgery.

Objective
To analyze perioperative bleeding and transfusion outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery who develop microvascular bleeding and receive treatment with either PCC or plasma.

Design, Setting, and Participants
A single-institution, prospective, randomized clinical trial performed at a high-volume cardiac surgical center. Patients were aged 18 years or older and undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. Patients undergoing complex cardiac surgical procedures (eg, aortic replacement surgery, multiple procedures, or repeated sternotomy) were preferentially targeted for enrollment. During the study period, 756 patients were approached for enrollment, and 553 patients were randomized. Of the 553 randomized patients, 100 patients met criteria for study intervention.

Interventions
Patients with excessive microvascular bleeding, a prothombin time (PT) greater than 16.6 seconds, and an international normalized ratio (INR) greater than 1.6 were randomized to receive treatment with either PCC or plasma. The PCC dose was 15 IU/kg or closest standardized dose; the plasma dose was a suggested volume of 10 to 15 mL/kg rounded to the nearest unit.

Main Outcomes and Measures
The primary outcome was postoperative bleeding (chest tube output) from the initial postsurgical intensive care unit admission through midnight on postoperative day 1. Secondary outcomes were PT/INR, rates of intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion after treatment, avoidance of allogeneic transfusion from the intraoperative period to the end of postoperative day 1, postoperative bleeding, and adverse events.

Results
One hundred patients (mean [SD] age, 66.8 [13.7] years; 61 [61.0%] male; and 1 [1.0%] Black, 1 [1.0%] Hispanic, and 98 [98.0%] White) received the study intervention (49 plasma and 51 PCC). There was no significant difference in chest tube output between the plasma and PCC groups (median [IQR], 1022 [799-1575] mL vs 937 [708-1443] mL). After treatment, patients in the PCC arm had a greater improvement in PT (effect estimate, -1.37 seconds [95% CI, -1.91 to -0.84]; P < .001) and INR (effect estimate, -0.12 [95% CI, -0.16 to -0.07]; P < .001). Fewer patients in the PCC group required intraoperative RBC transfusion after treatment (7 of 51 patients [13.7%] vs 15 of 49 patients [30.6%]; P = .04); total intraoperative transfusion rates were not significantly different between groups. Seven (13.7%) of 51 patients receiving PCCs avoided allogeneic transfusion from the intraoperative period to the end of postoperative day 1 vs none of those receiving plasma. There were no significant differences in postoperative bleeding, transfusions, or adverse events.

Conclusions and Relevance
The results of this study suggest a similar overall safety and efficacy profile for PCCs compared with plasma in this clinical context, with fewer posttreatment intraoperative RBC transfusions, improved PT/INR correction, and higher likelihood of allogeneic transfusion avoidance in patients receiving PCCs.

Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02557672.


The newly introduced simplified syndromic approach for the mamagement of sexually transmitted diseases was used in a case of balanoposthitis. Gram staining from the glans penis confirmed the case as bacterial balanoposthitis. Topical zinc-sulphadiazine cream was found to be very effective in curing bacterial balanoposthitis within seven days


Laryngology and laryngeal surgery have been in the vanguard of minimally invasive human procedural interventions for approximately 150 years. The natural passages through the oral cavity, nose, and pharynx have provided an accessible gateway to the larynx that has allowed for rapid translation of a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Trans-oral and transcervical laryngeal surgery have been further facilitated by progressive advancements in local, topical, intravenous, and general anesthesia. With rapid developments in engineering disciplines (ie, tissue, chemical, mechanical) and voice science, there are a variety of current and near-term opportunities to advance our field. This report represents a panel at the 2005 American Broncho-Esophagological Association meeting that sought to use present perspectives, combined with cutting-edge research insights, to provide foresight into key aspects of laryngology that we believe will be developed by the year 2020. We hope that aspiring laryngeal surgeons will find elements of this discussion valuable for devising a strategic roadmap for research initiatives in laryngology and laryngeal surgery.


The informal market of purified water in Mexico grew in 2004 to 50% in some areas. Currently, the sale of bottled water is equivalent to 26.03 million l/year, 18.22 million in water jug and 7.81 million in individual water bottles. However, the commonwealth of Infiernillo, municipality of Arteaga, Michoacan, the market niche demand is unsatisfied; coupled to 2,600 habitants of the Colonies Pitireras and Morelos consume untreated water, that contain salts and these are extracted from the dam Infiernillo. The main objective of this research is to evaluate financially a water purification plant to meet quality and quantity of product demand in the study area. For this purpose, were evaluated the assessed the economic feasibility, the economic costs of production and the monetary benefits of commercialization. Financial indicators Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Benefit Cost Ratio (B/C) and Net Benefit-Investment (K/N) are determined using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, the program analysis projects (ANPRO) and the Statistical Analysis Sistem package SAS. The economic information was obtained from an water purifying plant pre-feasibility study carried out in this community. The variables considered were costs of staff (509,400 pesos), raw and annually supplies (187,635 pesos), costs of fixed investment (309,543 pesos), deferred (35,087 pesos), annual costs (108,692 pesos) and revenue (3´077, 280 pesos). The results were going NPV = 6´745, 459.75 pesos; TIR = 44.15%; R B/C = 2.16 pesos and N/K = 21.73. To perform the analysis of sensitivity of total costs and total income, the project stand a decrease in the first of an increase of 20%, while in the second case it stand a decrease of 20%. However, the project shows viability.


The published beetle fauna of the island of St. Lucia is summarized. It contains 135 genera, and 175 species in 25 families. Four species are accidentally introduced by human activities. Twenty three species are endemic (restricted) to the island. Twenty seven species on St. Lucia are shared only with other islands of the Lesser Antilles, and 22 species are widespread Antilles endemics. The remaining 56.6% of the fauna is otherwise mostly one which is widely distributed in the Antilles and the Neotropics. This suggests that it is mostly an immigrant fauna originating in the continental Neotropics. Undoubtedly, the actual numbers of species on St. Lucia are many times higher than now reported and may originally have been as high as around 1400 species. Of the St. Lucia species known to occur on other islands, the largest numbers are shared with Guadeloupe (102), St. Vincent (79), and Martinique (55).


Inactivated concentrated and unconcentrated vaccines against tick-borne encephalitis given to 80 normal subjects produced no suppressing effect on the quantitative values of the immune status. Immunogenesis was characterized by stimulation of both T- and B-links of the immune system of the vaccines. With the unconcentrated vaccine a greater response was demonstrated after 3 injections; the concentrated vaccine induced an intensive immune response after 2 injections.


We investigate the problem of introducing consistent self-couplings in free theories for mixed tensor gauge fields whose symmetry properties are characterized by Young diagrams made of two columns of arbitrary (but different) lengths. We prove that, in flat space, these theories admit no local, Poincare-invariant, smooth, self-interacting deformation with at most two derivatives in the Lagrangian. Relaxing the derivative and Lorentz-invariance assumptions, there still is no deformation that modifies the gauge algebra, and in most cases no deformation that alters the gauge transformations. Our approach is based on a Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) -cohomology deformation procedure.


Against the common perception that media consumption engenders inactivity, in recent years the technology sector has developed an extensive catalogue of games for bodily and cognitive exercise. Despite their popularity, however, and despite their potential ability to affect perceptions and experiences of health and fitness, there remains a shortage of academic research on video games of this kind. Drawing from earlier studies, the central contribution of this article lies in the introduction of "bio-play" and "bio-games" as terms for conceptualizing these new fitness products. The former term refers to the conjoining of self-care—specifically, self-assessments, surveillance, and discipline—and entertainment in games such as Nintendo's Wii Fit; the latter refers to the technological genre as a whole that is characterized by such activity. The prefix "bio" in each case reflects the contribution of new fitness technologies to the broader conjuncture in which they are located—namely, their discursive and material support of the (neoliberal) presumption that biological "self-improvement" is achievable through the marketplace. Acknowledging their possible benefits, in this analysis I also highlight concerns associated with the arrival of bio-games. These include the relations underlying the production of these technologies, their manner of proffering fitness services, and their representations of the "ideal" body and brain. I close by outlining challenges for researchers, educators, and policymakers that follow from industry's newfound promise that, with the help of new media, we can amuse ourselves to life.


This research was survey which title "Pengaruh Faktor motivator dan hygiene terhadap kepuasan kerja karyawan Perusahaan Sepatu Verona Malang " The objectives of its was knew the motivation which content of motivator factor and hygiene factor, to knew work satisfaction of employees in Perusahaan Sepatu Verona Malang, to knew influence of motivation to the work satisfaction and the dominant value of them.
The population of this research is all of the employees in production department at Perusahaan sepatu Verona which amount 52 persons. The sample method was used total sampling, because it was used all of the number in population. Analyze data tools was used multiple regression. Hypothesis test was used f test and t test and comparing of regression coefficient.
Based on analyze data is known that Execution of motivator factor Perusahaan Sepatu Verona Malang included in low category with variable score value equal to 129. Execution of [gift/ giving] of factor of hygiene at Company Of Shoe of Verona Unlucky is included in low category with variable score value equal to 123,8. Satisfaction Of activity Employees Company Of Shoe of Verona Unlucky [is] included in category less satisfied with variable score value equal to 129,86. Pursuant to result of calculation of obtained [by] doubled linear regression analysis [of] coefficient of determinasi ( R2) equal to 0,401, its meaning [of] ability of equation of regression in memprediksi assess variable tied [is] 40,1%. Pursuant to coefficient value of regression known that Factor motivator variable ( X1) equal to 0,769. Coefficient value of regression factor of hygiene ( X2) equal to 0,306. This value indicate that motivator factor have dominant influence to work satisfaction.


Springer et al. (2003) proposed a sequential megafauna collapse hypothesis to explain the decline of pinniped species and northern sea otters in the North Pacific. This hypothesis has been critiqued at length by DeMaster et al. (2006), Mizroch and Rice (2006), Trites et al. (2007), and Wade et al. (2007). At the core of the sequential megafauna collapse (SMC) hypothesis is the idea that predation by killer whales caused the sequential declines of four prey species (Springer et al. 2003) in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and Gulf of Alaska. Wade et al. (2007) plotted trends regionally and argued that the declines of pinnipeds appeared to be concurrent rather than sequential. DeMaster et al. (2006) statistically analyzed the available data and concluded that the data did not support the hypothesis that the declines of populations of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) were sequential. In response, Springer et al. (2008) have fit a model similar to that used in DeMaster et al. (2006) and noted that the midpoints of the declines (the inflection points, representing the year in which 50% of the decline had occurred) are, in many cases, significantly different by their calculations. From this they conclude that the pinniped declines are sequential. The objectives of this letter are to clarify issues of statistical modeling in DeMaster et al. (2006) and Springer et al. (2008) and include further data and analyses. Springer et al. (2008) extended their work by selecting and analyzing several subseries of the Steller sea lion and sea otter (Enhydra lutris) count data. To respond to Point 2 of Springer et al. (2008), here we reanalyze subseries


This is a collection of 65 photocopiable pair work activities for students of business English. Each activity is based on a topic from a wide range of professional areas. They include advertising, agendas, budget presentation, market research, sales targets and training priorities. The book also has teacher notes for each activity, an A-Z of language exponents and a glossary of business terms.


Distributive laws between functors are a fundamental tool in the theory of coalgebras. In the context of coinduction in complete lattices, they correspond to the so-called compatible functions, which enable enhancements of the coinductive proof technique. Amongst these, the greatest compatible function, called the companion, has recently been shown to satisfy many good properties.

Categorically, the companion of a functor corresponds to the final object in a category of distributive laws. We show that every accessible functor on a locally presentable category has a companion. Central to this and other constructions in the paper is the presentation of distributive laws as coalgebras for a certain functor. This functor itself has again, what we call, a second-order companion. We show how this companion interacts with the various monoidal structures on functor categories. In particular, both the first- and second-order companion give rise to monads. We use these results to obtain an abstract GSOS-like extension result for specifications involving the second-order companion.


It is believed that estrogen deficiency, lipid profile alterations, body weight gain, and sedentary lifestyle are strongly associated with the increased incidence of arterial hypertension in postmenopausal women. In an attempting to reduce the incidence of arterial hypertension in this population, a variety of approaches has been used, but the results are conflicting and the changing in lifestyle has been proposed and an important preventive action to control the arterial hypertension and associated risk factors in this women age - mainly practice of physical exercise. Continuous exercise has been used as an important approach in management cardiovascular disease and endocrine-metabolic disorders. Continuous exercise prescription is characterized by, at least, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (60 to 70% of maximum heart rate), three days of the week. Intermittent exercise is characterized by low intensity exercise periods, alternating with high-intensity exercise periods, ranging of 50 to 85% of the maximum heart rate, during ten minutes. Intermittent exercise has been employed as training program in weight loss therapy and personal training because previous studies have shown similar metabolic adaptations and aerobic capacity after continuous or intermittent exercise. This review focused on the relevance of continuous and intermittent exercise on the blood pressure control, discussion of the data found in experimental model of menopause and in women and the relationship between incidence of arterial hypertension and its genesis in postmenopausal women.


Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most prevalent form of adult leukemia. The most common chromosomal translocation associated with this malignancy is t(8;21)(q22;q22), which generates the fusion protein RUNX1-ETO (AML1-ETO), a transcription factor that both activates and represses target gene transcription. However, RUNX1-ETO alone is insufficient to cause leukemia. Herein we examine the mechanisms of t(8;21)-associated AML development. We identify the N-CoR binding site in the NHR4 domain as a critical factor inhibiting the leukemic potential of RUNX1 -ETO. When this site is removed through mutation or deletion, there is an attenuation of both RUNX1-ETO transcriptional repression and negative cellular effects, such as induction of apoptosis and cell cycle block, and the fusion protein is able to induce leukemia in a murine model. This supports the idea that the degree of transcriptional dysregulation by RUNX1-ETO is an important factor in AML development. Therefore, we next examined gene classes differentially regulated by RUNX1-ETO and its leukemogenic isoforms RUNX1-ETO9a and RUNX1-ETO-W692A. We thereby identify type I interferon signaling as being strongly upregulated by RUNX1-ETO but less so by its leukemogenic isoforms. We further determine that interferons inhibit RUNX1-ETO-induced increases in self- renewal in vitro and that knockout of the type I interferon receptor significantly accelerates RUNX1-ETO9a- induced leukemia development in vivo. This identifies interferon signaling as one mechanism of RUNX1-ETO-induced cellular toxicity that must be overcome in leukemia development and supports the use of interferons in the treatment of AML. Finally, we examine the regulation of Alox5 by RUNX1-ETO9a. Although Alox5 has been shown to be critically required by BCR-ABL to induce chronic myeloid leukemia, our data demonstrate that it is not required in vivo for the induction of AML by RUNX1-ETO9a. However, in studying its regulation we identify KLF6 as a novel regulator of RUNX1-ETO9a transcriptional activation. KLF6 itself is strongly upregulated in primary human t(8;21)+ AML patient samples as well as in leukemia cell lines by both RUNX1-ETO and RUNX1-ETO9a. Furthermore, KLF6 interacts with both wildtype RUNX1 and the t(8;21) fusion proteins. This identifies KLF6 as a novel mediator of t(8;21) target gene regulation, providing a new mechanism for RUNX1-ETO transcriptional control


Issues of waste management and recycling have taken on increased importance in recent years. Kerbside waste recycling programmes are a relatively recent development in the field of municipal waste management. Although forms of waste recycling have been practised for many years, it is only within the last decade or so that kerbside recycling has developed in the Perth Metropolitan area. In fact, many council recycling programmes are only a few years old.

The aim of the current study is to document and investigate local council municipal recycling programmes, in particular the kerbside recycling services, to determine those factors that affect the performance of recycling programmes. Data was collected on all municipal recycling programmes in the Perth Metropolitan area via a
Questionnaire. A draft questionnaire was developed and tested on two Councils, and the refined questionnaire was sent to all 26 Councils in the Perth Metropolitan area. Students from the Murdoch University course "Waste Treatment and Recycling" (N211) interviewed the Council recycling or waste management officer, collected the questionnaire and (where appropriate) directed further questions at private recycling contractors.

The questionnaire was structured in five parts and focussed on current and previous recycling programmes, financial and employment aspects of the current recycling programme, and a comments section to note special features of the programme.

The Questionnaire achieved a 100% response rate. Almost all Councils (92.4%) have some form of organised recycling, either at selected drop-off points, or a kerbside collection service. 76.9% of Councils provide a kerbside collection service for recyclables. The most common collection containers are bags (46.2%) and Mobile
Garbage Bins (19.2), with a few councils (11.5%) using crates. Two Councils (7.6%) have no recycling programmes. The most commonly recycled materials include newspaper, glass, plastics and aluminium cans. It was found that public interest in recycling is a major factor behind the establishment of local recycling programmes, in addition to Council reviews of waste management. Participation rates varied markedly, from high levels (79-93%) associated with the use of the MGB systems, to much lower levels (approximately 35%) for bag systems.

The study tested a number of hypotheses and the findings are presented below.

Hypothesis 1. Current recycling activity in the Perth metropolitan region is diverting a significant portion of waste from landfill disposal. The study found that Municipal recycling programmes are diverting significant portions of waste from the total waste stream, and in particular, the from the Municipal waste stream.

Hypothesis 2. Strong promotional campaigns for recycling are associated with high levels of waste recycling. No clear relationship was found between the number of promotional mediums used by local council and the participation rate and yield. However, the extent and frequency of promotional campaigns are probably significant factors.

Hypothesis 3. High Council charges for waste disposal are associated with high levels of household recycling. No statistically valid relationship was found between recycling rates and charges for the rubbish and recycling service. The hypothesis is not supported by the data. However, it is likely that the rate structure (ie. other than a flat rate structure, such as a volume or weight based structure) provides significant incentive to recycling. This could not be tested as all Councils charge their services on a flat rate basis.

Hypothesis 4. Recycling programmes that use the Mobile Garbage Bin container for the collection of recyclable materials performs at higher levels than other containers. The Mobile Garbage Bin clearly has the highest average participation rates overall (85.5%), the crate system performs moderately at 49%, and the bag system generally performs at low participation rates (43%). Thus the data supports the hypothesis.

Hypothesis 5. Kerbside recycling programmes that are serviced on a weekly basis perform at higher levels than fortnightly collection services. The general trend in the data shows that the weekly collection of containers is associated with higher levels of participation, recycling rates and yields. Thus, hypothesis 5 is supported by the general trend in the data.

Hypothesis 6. Recycling activity declines as the recycling programme ages. The data was consistent with the hypothesis, but the relationship was not found to be statistically significant, due to most recycling programmes being of recent origin.

The study has identified potential improvements in overall strategy and policy and these are outlined under "Recommendations". The recommendations focus on the establishment of a consolidated Government Waste and Recycling Authority, development and implementation of variable rate charging systems for rubbish and recycling programmes, improvements in the monitoring of private contractors and associated data collection, and investigations into the development of reprocessing industries within the Perth region.


Purpose: This study presents case studies of selected remanufacturing operations in Japan. It investigates Japanese companies' motives and incentives for remanufacturing, clarifies the requirements and obstacles facing remanufacturers, itemizes what measures companies take to address them, and discusses the influence of Japanese laws related to remanufacturing. Methods: This study involves case studies of four product areas: photocopiers, single-use cameras, auto parts, and ink and toner cartridges for printers. Results and conclusions are based on the authors' discussions and interviews with 11 remanufacturers–four original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and seven independent remanufacturers (IRs). In the discussions and the interviews, we asked the companies their motives for remanufacturing and asked the measures they take to overcome the obstacles of remanufacturing. This study highlighted three requirements for remanufacturing: (1) collection of used products, (2) efficient remanufacturing processes, and (3) demand for remanufactured products. Results: Where OEMs are the main remanufacturers of products covered by this study, their motives are long-term economic and environmental incentives. Where IRs are the main remanufacturers, it is often because OEMs shun remanufacturing, fearing to cannibalize new product sales. Companies' efforts to meet the above mentioned three requirements were observed and documented: (1) establishing a new collection channel; (2) developing reverse logistics to collect used products; (3) designing products for remanufacturing (DfReman); (4) accumulating knowhow to establish remanufacturing processes; and (5) controlling product quality to stimulate demand for remanufactured products. This study also notes that (6) OEMs who engage in remanufacturing build consumer demand by incorporating remanufactured components into new products. This point has not been particularly noted in previous studies, but it has an important implication for OEMs' remanufacturing. The authors found that Japan's Home Appliances Recycling Law and End-of-Life Vehicle Law have promoted material recycling but have been insufficient to stimulate remanufacturing within the country. Conclusions: This study clarified the differences between OEMs' and IRs' remanufacturing. Both IRs and OEMs are important for remanufacturing. Institutional measures to encourage appropriate competition between OEMs and IRs and to enhance consumers' acceptance of remanufactured products is important to promote remanufacturing.


Welcome to Faculty Resources, your guide to using library resources (including books, databases, and equipment), following copyright rules, putting items on reserve, and expanding your options through Interlibrary Loan and reciprocal borrowing! EbscoHost: CINAHL, Medline & PsychInfo


Circulatory change and alteration of salinity in Galveston Bay is investigated numerically by using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic and transport model. Galveston Bay is an extremely complex and dynamic estuarine system. Tides, freshwater inflows, wind, and bathymetry all affect the circulation patterns and salinity distribution. A thorough understanding of the physical hydrodynamic and environmental impact on the estuary, due to the influences of stream inflows, wind, tides, bathymetry, and pollutant transport, is essential to develop a rich and healthy estuarine ecosystem. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic and salinity transport model is applied to simulate the whole Galveston Bay. This model solves coupled full Navier-Stokes equations and salinity transport equations in a curvilinear coordinate system. By inputting freshwater inflows, tide, and wind data into the model, the time variation of the three-dimensional circulation patterns, free-surface elevations and salinity profiles are obtained to describe this dynamic system. A curvilinear grid to the Galveston Bay is generated for computation. A monthly simulation has been conducted to study the tide and freshwater induced circulation. The free-surface elevations and salinity distribution are also presented. The predicted free-surface elevations in the bay are in good agreement with the field measurements. The results also indicate that the bottom salinity in the bay increases during a monthly tidal-forcing. The impact of velocity and the salinity field caused by the freshwater inflows are discussed.


A compound Chaos encryption algorithm for digital images is designed in this paper. Lorenz Chaotic system and Logistics map are linked in cascade to generate Chaos sequences. Then the permutation matrix is constructed to encrypt the digital image. The new algorithm can expand the key space and improve anti-aggressive ability. Matlab7.0 is used for simulation testing of the image encryption. Experimental results show that the algorithm is feasible and it can satisfy the security requirement for image transmission and storage. The compound Chaos algorithm can be also used for color digital image encryption.


Abstract An advanced analysis code, ARKAS_cellule, has been developed to determine the core distortion and the mechanical behavior of fast reactors. In this code, each hexagonal subassembly duct is represented by a folded thin plate structure divided into a user-specified number of shell elements so that the interduct contact forms and the cross-sectional distortion effect of each duct are properly taken into account. In this paper, the numerical model of the ARKAS_cellule code is introduced, and the analytical results for two validation problems are presented. From a single duct compaction analysis, the first validation problem, it is clarified that the new analytical model is applicable to simulating the change of duct compaction stiffness that depends on the loading conditions such as the loading pad forms and the number of contact faces. The second validation analysis has been conducted by comparison with the experimental values obtained by the National Nuclear Corporation Limited in the United Kingdom using the core restraint uniplanar experimental rig (CRUPER), an ex-reactor rig in which a cluster of 91 short ducts is compressed by 30 movable peripheral rams toward the center of the cluster in seven stages. The analysis clarified that the predictions obtained using ARKAS_cellule agree well with the measured ram loads and interwrapper gap widths during the compaction sequence. One may conclude that ARKAS_cellule is valid for quantitative analysis of the core mechanical behavior and will be particularly useful for the evaluation of transient deformation of core assemblies during accidents in which the distortion of loading pads have important effects on obtaining favorable reactivity feedback.


Historically, papers have been physically bound to the journal in which they were published; but in the digital age papers are available individually, no longer tied to their respective journals. Hence, papers now can be read and cited based on their own merits, independently of the journal's physical availability, reputation, or impact factor (IF). We compare the strength of the relationship between journals' IFs and the actual citations received by their respective papers from 1902 to 2009. Throughout most of the 20th century, papers' citation rates were increasingly linked to their respective journals' IFs. However, since 1990, the advent of the digital age, the relation between IFs and paper citations has been weakening. This began first in physics, a field that was quick to make the transition into the electronic domain. Furthermore, since 1990 the overall proportion of highly cited papers coming from highly cited journals has been decreasing and, of these highly cited papers, the proportion not coming from highly cited journals has been increasing. Should this pattern continue, it might bring an end to the use of the IF as a way to evaluate the quality of journals, papers, and researchers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


In January 2008, the European Commission proposed a directive on the geologic storage of CO2 in the EU. Simultaneous to the development of the directive by the EC, the CO2 ReMoVe project, funded by FP6 and industry, wrote a draft contribution to future guidelines for licensing of CO2 storage in saline reservoirs and depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs. This document contains detailed checklists for operators and authorities in each of the stages of a licensing procedure for a CO2 storage operation. The draft guidelines will be updated as results from monitoring ongoing CO2 storage operations become available. They may serve as a contribution to the regulation of CO2 storage anywhere in the world, and may be also be of use in evaluating the EU directive in the future.


In this paper we present some results on the uniqueness and existence of a class of weak solutions (the so called BV solutions) of the Cauchy-Dirichlet problem associated to the doubly nonlinear diffusion equation
$$
b(u)_t-\operatorname{div}(|\nabla u-k(b(u))\boldkey{e}|^{p-2}(\nabla u-k(b(u))\boldkey{e})) +g(x,u) = f(t,x).
$$
This problem arises in the study of some turbulent regimes: flows of incompressible turbulent fluids through porous media, gases flowing in pipelines, etc. The solvability of this problem is established in the $BV_t(Q)$ space. We prove some comparison properties (implying uniqueness) when the set of jumping points of the BV solution has $N$-dimensional null measure and suitable additional conditions as, for instance, $b^{-1}$ locally Lipschitz. The existence of this type of weak solution is based on suitable uniform estimates of the BV norm of an approximated solution.


With the current adversities in business, where stakeholders are in search for strategies to contain business havoc, there is one sure-fire way that gathers the resources of an organization and transform them into the much sought after competitive advantage. This advantage can be brought about by Organization Development (OD). It is a system-wide application of behavioral science knowledge to the planned development, improvement, and reinforcement of the strategies, structures and processes that lead to organization effectiveness (Cummings & Worley, 2005). In the words of Warrick (2005), organizational development equips organizations the advantage of being the best-led, best-prepared, best-run with the best skills in adapting and managing change.


In trying to construct a more humanistic economic science in which women's contribution is duly acknowledged, feminist economics proposes quantitative methods to compute non-market activities in traditional or novel economic indicators. Additionally, feminist economists seek to refocus economists' attention from material dimensions such as income to subjective categories such as well-being. For this purpose, the capability approach is introduced to widen the concept of well-being beyond materialistic, gendered conceptions. However, from a subjectivist Austrian viewpoint, it is erroneous to quantitatively measure non-market activities and subjective dimensions such as well-being or happiness. Moreover, the use of quantitative methods (including the capability approach) strengthens a gender dichotomy --rigor is associated with quantitative techniques, an androcentric bias--, leading feminist economics to a contradiction. It is more coherent to use a qualitative methodology, such as that provided by Austrian economics, to study and describe economic phenomena and so that the contribution of women can be more accurately highlighted.


A method based on microwave-induced combustion (MIC) was applied for digestion of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and subsequent determination of bromine and iodine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Ten APIs including amoxicillin, atenolol, clavulanic acid, clonazepan, diltiazem, haloperidol, imipramine, nimesulide, propranolol and sodium diclofenac were decomposed by MIC. Combustion of 500 mg of each API was possible in less than 30 s using 20 bars of oxygen as initial pressure. A single and diluted solution (50 mmol L−1 (NH4)2CO3) was used for the absorption of both analytes and a reflux step of 5 min was applied to improve analyte recoveries. Final digests were suitable to Br and I determination by ICP-MS. Accuracy was evaluated using certified reference materials and agreement better than 95 and 97% for Br and I was obtained, respectively. Results were also compared with those obtained by ion chromatography (IC). The carbon content in digests obtained after decomposition was lower than 500 mg L−1 avoiding interferences in the determination step for both techniques. With the use of MIC, up to eight samples could be processed simultaneously and only diluted solutions are required, minimizing reagent consumption and waste generation. The limits of detection for Br and I by ICP-MS were 0.02 and 0.001 μg g−1, respectively, that were considered suitable for the determination of these elements in the investigated active pharmaceutical ingredients.


The database was collected within an ESRC-funded research project (RES-000-22-4075), Principal Investigator Dr Natalia Zharkova. The data consist of ultrasound video recordings of tongue movement (at 100 Hz), synchronised with the audio signal. There are 15 adult and 15 preadolescent speakers. The data are stored in two formats: 1) AVI video (e.g. "Adult1.7z"); 2) internal format used by the Articulate Assistant Advanced software (e.g. "Adult1_AAA.7z"). The database also includes text files exported from the Articulate Assistant Advanced software, with x-y coordinates representing the curves fitted to every tongue shape throughout each repetition of the consonants /s/ and /sh/ in two different vowel contexts (2 consonants x 2 vowel contexts x 30 speakers). The data have been archived using 7-zip software (freely available, http://www.7-zip.org/).

Database citation:
Zharkova, Natalia (2011). High speed ultrasound/acoustic database of lingual articulation in preadolescents and adults [data-set]. Queen Margaret University data repository. Available from http://edata.qmu.ac.uk/14/


The triple test (TT), comprising fineneedle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), physical examination, and mammography, is a financially important diagnostic modality in the capitation era. During 31 months, 43 patients in the Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic had 46 temporally congruent physical examinations, mammograms, FNABs, and biopsies with histopathologic results. False-negative rates for physical examination were 4.3%; for mammography, 2.2%; and for FNAB, 2.3%. False-positive rates for physical examination were 15.2%; for mammography, 15.2%; and for FNAB, 0. The TT results presented in this study are essentially identical to those reported elsewhere. The TT is demonstrably more accurate than physical examination or mammography, either alone or in various double combinations. Monetary savings are substantial when FNAB data are used in patient management algorithms based upon the TT. This is the fourth and final article in the CE Update series on cytology. Look for the CE Update exam in this issue.


The decisions of firms on investment and hiring play a crucial role in business cycle fluctuations. This paper explores their dynamic behavior in the presence of frictions. It does so within a unified framework, stressing their mutual dependence and placing the emphasis on their joint, forward-looking behavior. Using estimation of aggregate, private sector U.S. data, it shows that the model with frictions is able to fit the data. A key element is the interaction of hiring and investment costs. It is significant and negatively signed, implying complementarity between investment and hiring. There is a substantial role for aggregate labor market conditions in hiring costs, whereby the latter are lower in "good times." The fit of the investment part of the model is poor if hiring is left out completely or is introduced without the interaction between the two. The results capture the not so-well known fact whereby there is negative co-movement of gross investment and gross hiring, the former being pro-cyclical while the latter is counter-cyclical. This is so as they follow the cyclical behavior of their respective present values. The relevant intertemporal considerations are highlighted. An asset-pricing type empirical analysis of the estimation results indicates that the hiring rate depends mostly on future labor profitability while the investment rate depends mostly on future returns.


Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), also known as prion diseases, are fatal neurodegenerative disorders which can affect both in humans and animals. They occur as sporadic, infectious or genetic disorders (Prusiner et al.; 1998). A major feature of these diseases is the conversion of the non-pathogenic cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the pathogenic scrapie isoform (PrPSc). This isoform has a strong tendency to polymerize, forming amyloid aggregates and accumulating in the cells, thus resulting in neurodegeneration. The possible mechanisms of the prion conversion reaction into the PrPSc are still unknow; and could be involved other cellular factors which could trigger, enhance, or accelerate scrapie prion formation. An important role has been proposed for the 37/67 kDa laminin receptor in prion infections, since it has been shown to act as the receptor for both PrPC and PrPSc (Reiger et al.; 1999, Gauczynski et al.; 2001). Moreover, the 37/67 kDa laminin receptor is required for PrPSc propagation in cultured cells, thus suggesting that 37/67kDa LR-PrPC interaction is related to the pathogenesis of prion diseases. As a result, the inhibition of this receptor may be a strategic therapy against prion diseases.
In the first part of my thesis we have investigated the relationship between 37/67kDa LR and PrPC in the presence of specific LR inhibitor compound. We have characterized the trafficking of 37/67kDa LR in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells, finding the receptor on the cell surface and nuclei, and identified the 67kDa LR as the almost exclusive isoform interacting with PrPC.
Here, we show that the treatment with the 37/67kDa LR inhibitor, NSC47924, affects both the direct 37/67kDa LR-PrPC interaction in vitro and the formation of the immunocomplex in live cells, inducing a progressive internalization of 37/67kDa LR and then its degradation via-lysosomes. On the other hand, PrPC is stabilized on the cell surface.
These data reveal NSC47924 as a useful tool to regulate PrPC and 37/67kDa LR trafficking and degradation, representing a novel small molecule to be tested against prion diseases.
Another important issue in prion diseases is the search for a cofactor involved in the conversion process of PrPC into PrPSc. Thus, it is important to evaluate the role of other genes and proteins in TSE pathogenesis and susceptibility. A very promising candidate is Shadoo, a glycosylated GPI-anchored protein like PrPC. It is a natively unstructured protein (Watts et al. 2007) that resembles aspects of the PrPC N-terminal and central region (Daude et al. 2010). Physiologically, Shadoo shows neuroprotective properties similar to those of PrPC (Watts et al. 2007): therefore, it is possible that Shadoo and PrPC may be functionally related. Shadoo is expressed in the mouse brain less widespread than PrPC and is prominent in two regions in which PrPC is notably absent, suggesting that it could provide a PrPC-like function into areas of the brain in which PrPC is deficient. The downregulation of Shadoo expression in the brain of prion-infected animals and the direct in vitro interaction between prion protein and Shadoo (Jiayu et al. 2010) suggest a relationship between Shadoo and prion replication. However, the contribution of this interaction to the evolution of prion pathologies or to the PrPC folding pathway remains uncertain (Ciric et al. 2015). Similar to PrPC, Shadoo recombinant protein is able to form amyloid assemblies in vitro (Watts et al. 2010): this feature, however, hasn't been verified in vivo yet. Our laboratory has demonstrated that a perturbation of the lipid rafts induces PrPC misfolding (Sarnataro et al. 2004), suggesting that they have a protective role in pathological conversion of PrPC. Therefore, in the second part of my thesis we have characterized Shadoo subcellular localization and folding properties in neuronal cells because we reasoned that, if Shadoo possesses the natural tendency to convert to amyloid-like forms in vitro, it should also be able to acquire scrapie-like characteristics in live cells also.
We have found that Shadoo, under native conditions, is partially misfolded in neuronal cells. Moreover, lipid rafts perturbation and proteasomal block increased misfolding of the protein.


The 'Smart City' is a topic widely discussed in different academic fields. This research investigates the Smart city as a mega project due to the time and budget it consumes. The research has found that some iterative changes (e.g. profit) could reshape projects and planning away from what was originally envisaged and, potentially negatively impact the overall smart city project. The absence of citizens has the potential to detach the project from a focus, in part due to the missing information about actual needs. The aim of this paper is to investigate the reasons why a Smart City vision becomes shifted during the delivery by which the citizens voice becomes lost. Recently COVID-19 has demonstrated vividly that technologies integral to Smart City developments can have a transformative impact on life in cities, which may increase the interests in smart city building. The use of such technologies has also focused attention on the place of the citizen in the technology ecosystem – drawing on the quality of life of citizens as a central theme for the vision of any Smart City.


This contribution proposes a U.S. contribution for the February, 1997 ITU-T SG 13, Q.18 (formerly Q 21) meeting to provide the basis and network need (i.e., network drivers) for the requirements in New Revised Draft ITU-T Recommendation G.812 for clock types II, III, and IV. These clock types correspond to stratum 2, 3E, and 3, respectively. NOTICE This document has been prepared to assist the Standard Committee T1-Telecommunications. It is offered to the Committee as a basis for discussion and is not a binding proposal on Lucent Technologies. The requirements presented in this document are subject to change in form and numerical value after more study. Lucent Technologies specifically reserves the right to add to, or amend the statements contained within.


This study was conducted to investigate factors that affect food selection, intake and the nutritional status of the elderly in Mathare slums of Nairobi Kenya. The major objectives for this study were: to determine the nutritional status of the elderly in Mathare slums; to determine the food preferences, satisfaction! dissatisfaction with foods available in the market for the elderly in Mathare slums; to determine factors that influence food selection among the elderly in Mathare slums; to investigate the nutritional knowledge of the elderly in Mathare slums, and to establish the dietary intake of the elderly in Mathare slums. Data were collected using an interview schedule administered on a sample of 90 elderly people, aged 55 years and above and living in Mathare slums, between April and June, 2001. Anthropometric measurements, such as height, weight, armspan and MUAC were taken. A food frequency questionnaire was administered to assess the dietary intake of the respondents. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) for frequencies and percentages. Anthropometric data were analyzed using BMI cut-off point of 18.5kglm2 for underweight and MUAC cut-off points of 22cm for women and 23cm for men. The study composed of 57 (63%) men and 33 (37%) women. The most represented age group was 55-59 years. Most respondents were married and had at least some primary education. Forty one percent of the respondents had 4-6 dependants on their income. The elderly did not score well on the items on nutritional knowledge and therefore can be said not to be nutritionally knowledgeable. The physiological factors that affected their food selection and intake were dental problems, loss of taste and appetite and chronic diseases and 90% of them reported loss of weight. The psychological factors that affected food choices were loneliness and bereavement. The socio-economic factors that had most influence on the respondents' choices were income, cost offood, place where the food was bought, the cooking .•. facilities available and the means of transport to the market place. Eighty seven percent of elderly were satisfied with the foods available in the market for their use though they expressed a need for some specific modifications like reduction of prices, providing variety and improving the standards of hygiene. Thirty eight percent of respondents ate vegetables and cereals because oflack of money. The nutritional status of the elderly in Mathare was generally fair though 31% were underweight using BMI whereas 21%were malnourished using MUAC standards. Using a food frequency questionnaire, the dietary intake of the elderly in Mathare can be said to be high in cereals, low in animal foods and medium in vegetables and fruits.


The seismicity of the Arabian plate, which is the aim of this paper, is controlled by the ZagrosTaurus collision zone in the North, the Indian expansion zone and the Arab golf in the South and the East, the Dead Sea Fault, the North continuity of the Red Sea, and the Syrian rift, which links the rigid Arabian plate to the mobile ophiolite belt of Cyprus-Southern Turkey in the West. These major elements with their related fracture system, make the Arabian plate an important seismic centre. To attain our purpose, a variable methodology is used in: measurements of movement rate-displacement in the field, the analysis of historical and recent seismic data, and physical effects on the structures. The movement rate-displacement, calculated in the field by different specialists, varies from 2 to 6 mm/year. This rate increases from 2 - 3 mm/year in the North, to 6 mm in the South. These estimations are confirmed by historical seismic data, the recent seismic recorded by the Arab seismic centers, and physical effects on the building structures in the region. The analysis of historical and recent seismic data recorded in the seismic centre show that the seismicity in this plate, tend to fade out with time. This result is in agreement with recent estimations on the movement rate, and in line with the decrease of major seismic intensity, which has occurred during the last millennium. A conclusion of time-evolution seismicity is traced, and a seismic zoning map, for the Arabian plate, using movement rate, seismic data, and tectono-geodynamic analysis, is proposed.


This paper presents a new rotation-invariant image retrieval method, which extends a recently introduced classification technique based on steerable wavelet transforms. In the proposed procedure, the feature extraction step consists of estimating the covariations (lower-order cross-correlations) between the wavelet subband coefficients, which are modeled as subGaussian random vectors. The similarity measurement is carried out first by employing norms calculating the distance between the covariation matrices representing two distinct images and second by evaluating the Kullback-Leibler Distance (KLD) between their corresponding subGaussian distributions. We provide analytical expressions relating the subGaussian features corresponding to a rotated image from the features of the original image. Finally, we relate the employed optimal lower-order correlation (p/spl les/2) to the degree of nonGaussianity of the wavelet coefficients, and we demonstrate the effectiveness of our method using real texture images.


This report summarizes the research work carried out in studying the combustion characteristics of biomass in a fluidized bed combustor. The study was carried out using the air staging technique to control and reduce the emissions from the combustion of biomass. The gaseous emissions studied include nitrogen oxide, NOx and carbon monoxide, CO. Fluidized bed combustion has been recognized as a technology that can generate power from solid wastes and more importantly it has been known as a suitable combustion system for biomass. The objective of this research is to study the effect of using the air-staging technique on the combustion characteristics including the effect on the gaseous emissions from a fluidized bed combustor firing biomass waste as a source of fuel. In this research work, palm shell is used as the source of fuel. This report describes the results obtained and the methodology adopted. Air staging is achieved by dividing the total combustion air supply into the in-bed primary air and the secondary air. The secondary air is injected into the freeboard. The study was carried out based on the ratio of the secondary air to the total combustion air which was varied from 0 to 0.4 and by taking into consideration the percentage of excess air. The outcome of this research work has shown that air staging affects the temperature distributions as well as the combustion efficiency. It also indicates that significant reductions in NOx emissions were obtained for the staged operation when compared to the un-staged operation. The CO emission was mostly affected by the percentage of excess air. This significant reduction is a clear indication of the prospect of using this technology for sustainable management of the environment and a better future for our palm oil industry.


The paper studies patterns of female-to-female intimacy, conceptualized under the heading Shift-F2, where F2 stands for stable or fairly regular sexual relations between women, and Shift designates a transition to such relations. The study is based on interviews with women from Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk as well as online forums and mass media. Consumer-oriented mass media and show business exploit the topic of female homosexual intimacy, presenting it as an extension of the admissible range of sexual pleasures. Internet communication transforms dating rituals and is conducive to Shift-F2 scenarios of sexual behavior. However, the Internet also imposes structural limitations because of the mediated nature of first contact, which brings with it an increased need for mutual trust.


This Technical Report:
1. Introduces observed and expected effects of rising temperature, elevated CO2 and soil water availability on temperate forests;
2. Outlines current knowledge on impacts of climate change on tree phenology and reproduction;
3. Suggests forest management approaches and options suitable for adapting UK forests to climate change.
The key findings of the Technical Report are:
1. Temperature rise in the predicted band of 2-4oC in this century is likely to increase forest productivity in tree populations which are currently not at the southern boundary of species distribution, directly by increasing the rate of CO2 assimilation and indirectly by lengthening the growing season [high confidence].
2. Elevated CO2 will stimulate forest net primary production, at least in the short term (1-2 decades). Any long-term stimulation is subject to limitation by other factors, notably water availability in the South and East and soil nutrient availability across the UK [high confidence].
3. Unseasonal low or high soil water availability and high water table levels will negatively affect growth of species not adapted conditions of drought or flooding; this effect is very localised as it is moderated by soil type, topography and artificial drainage [moderate confidence].
4. Increasing temperature has already resulted in documented shifts in phenology. Potential impacts on productivity can be both positive (longer growing season) and negative (suboptimal release from dormancy) [high confidence].
5. Elevated CO2 may delay autumnal senescence in broadleaved species, however, there is no indication whether this has an impact on productivity [low confidence].
6. Rising temperature, elevated CO2 and unseasonal fluctuation of soil water availability are expected to interfere with seed production, particularly with masting events which are important for natural regeneration of forests [moderate confidence].
7. Higher winter temperature will affect natural regeneration by impacting on seed dormancy status of species and provenances that have a substantial chilling requirements to break seed dormancy [high confidence].
8. Management plans for UK forests will have to adapt to increased uncertainty and to accommodate a greater variation in site conditions over the rotation, the length of which may become shorter [high confidence].


A series of complexes were prepared by self-assembly of copper(I) precursors and arylnitroso species. The nature of the copper(I) supporting ligand (bi-, tri- or tetradentate as well as secondary vs. tertiary amine donors) and the electronic nature of the arylnitroso species (electron-donating or withdrawing substituents) were varied. The stoichiometry of the reaction, the topology and the electronic properties of the adducts were characterized by means of UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and DFT methods. The more electron-rich ligands and the more electron-poor arylnitroso species lead to an inner-sphere electron-transfer and formation of copper(II)–(arylnitrosyl radical) complexes, with a linkage topology that depends on the denticity of the supporting ligand. These results provide a canvas by which the products of similar self-assembled redox reactions can be predicted.


Feasibility Studies on Grape Production and Business Plan Development in Axum, Ethiopia
Ecological and socio economic feasibility studies were conducted for establishment of a vineyard in Aksum Maykerah by Aksum University. Sustainable vineyard proper management is a paramount important in decision making ecologically and many socio economically over the long productive seasons of the vine grapes. Determining the vineyard design, including the location, land slope, water accessibility, the type of irrigation system, soil and nutrient status and the type agronomic management practices should be made prior to farm establishment. There would be a requirement of regular assessments of production costs and advantages of major agronomic practices such as soil tests and amendments, fertilizer recommendations, vine-training, pruning, pest and disease management, land cultivation, gardening, seasonal management and irrigation scheduling. Satisfactory analysis of farm determining factors favorable for economic operation would indicate profitably of a farm. Farms economic feasibility analysis essentially entails identifying major factors that directly impacts the enterprise's market potential, resource constraints, and the production processes. However, the ultimate profit-determining factor is the whole farm management practice. Feasibility studies help to avoid costs associated with a wrong decision. Hence they will designate whether or not a projected business plan could succeed. Feasibility studies on a farm can be carried out any time as managers consider any alteration to the farms current operation. There is a considerable initial capital investment requirement for the establishment of this vineyard as a communal development project and it takes five to six years to recover the costs associated with the establishment and get a first profit. The vineyard would be operated as a communal business enterprise via crucial considerations on details in both the production and financial management for a successful and sustainable production and profitability....


The capacitance–voltage (C–V) characteristic of the TiW/p-InP Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) is analyzed considering the effects of the interface state (N ss), series resistance (R s), and deep level defects. The C–V of the Schottky contact is modeled based on the physical mechanism of the interfacial state and series resistance effect. The fitting coefficients α and β are used to reflect the N ss and R s on the C–V characteristics, respectively. The α decreases with the increase of frequency, while β increases with the increase of frequency. The capacitance increases with the increase of α and the decrease of β. From our model, the peak capacitance and its position can be estimated. The experimental value is found to be larger than the calculated one at the lower voltage. This phenomenon can be explained by the effect of deep level defects.


There has been increasing interest in informal learning in recent years alongside interest in how such learning can be supported by technology. However, relatively little is known about the extent to which adults make use of their own mobile devices to support informal learning. In this study, a survey was used to investigate whether, and to what extent, experienced users of mobile devices use their mobile devices to support intentional informal learning. If so, do they make use of mobile device connectivity to support opportunistic informal learning and does such connectivity support or encourage collaborative informal learning? Experienced mobile device users were recruited from web forums and business, and asked whether they used their devices to support informal learning. A pattern of learning uses emerged, some of which deployed the mobile device capabilities relatively unchanged, others triggered adaptations to typical learning activities to provide a better fit to the needs of the learner. These informal learning activities provided the basis for the design of a flexible mobile learning framework that can be extended to support developments in mobile technology, and increasing use of Web 2.0 technologies by informal learners.


The response of corals to future conditions of global warming and ocean acidification (OA) is a topic of considerable interest. However, little information is available on the seasonal interaction between temperature, pCO2, and irradiance under ecologically relevant experimental conditions. Controlled experiments were performed in continuous-flow mesocosms under full solar radiation to describe the direct and interactive effects of temperature, irradiance, and pCO2 on growth of a Hawaiian reef building coral (Montipora capitata) over an annual cycle. Corals were subjected to 12 experimental treatments consisting of two pCO2 levels (present-day levels, 2× present), two temperature regimes (ambient, heated +28C), and three conditions of irradiance (ambient, 50 and 90% reduction). A multiple polynomial regression model with full factorial fixed factors (temperature, pCO2, irradiance) was developed. Temperature and irradiance were the primary factors driving net calcification (Gnet) rates of M. capitata, with pCO2 playing a lesser role. Gnet showed a curvilinear response to irradiance and temperature, which defines thresholds at the end members. Also, high irradiance regimes under elevated temperatures showed a negative synergistic effect on Gnet. Therefore, decreasing irradiance penetration resulting from greater depth and/or higher turbidity will lower the impact of ocean warming on M. capitata. Results suggest that under future climate conditions, the interaction of environmental parameters may shift seasonal patterns in Gnet and timing of growth optima for M. capitata. Ocean warming in shallow water environments with high irradiance poses a more immediate threat to coral growth than acidification for this dominant coral species. In the future, increased temperature and the interaction between high irradiance and high temperature will be the main factors controlling Gnet with OA playing a less important role. This observation is congruent with other reports that high temperature combined with high irradiance is the main cause of high coral mortality during mass bleaching events.


Mutant genotypes are essential to uncover the role of any gene of interest (GOI), however, the absence of a wt (normal) allele in the entire organism might be obstructive for taking such approaches. If a GOI is essential in early developmental stages (e.g., embryogenesis), homozygous knockout individuals do not reach adulthood and mutant alleles cannot be studied in later stages. Together with advances in molecular biological techniques that are designed to address more specific and fine-tuned questions, cell/tissue specific knockout (or knockdown) methods are continuously developed. Several methods make use of two-component systems such as the Cre/lox mechanism to excise a genomic sequence, which can subsequently lead to elimination and/or activation of a GOI. One of our focuses was the cell specific role of the RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED (RBR) gene in the Arabidopsis root stem cell (SC) niche. In animals, the homologous gene, RETINOBLASTOMA (Rb), was the first identified tumor suppressor, leading to 2.5 decades of research that disclosed Rb as one of the chief regulators of cell cycle, cell differentiation and cell death. Previous studies in plants suggested that RBR functions in a variety of developmental processes, amongst which, the maintenance of shoot and root meristem. We sought to create cell specific RBR loss of function using the Cre/lox system to study its distinct (and/or overlapping) activity in several types of root meristem cells. This kind of analysis, also known as clonal deletion, relies on loss of heterozygosity, where null and wt sectors are compared to study the local effect of a knockout genotype. However, these methods are not applicable for RBR since the protein is essential in the parental gametophytes. Therefore, hemizygous genotypes are rare and practically not available for research. To circumvent this obstacle, we design a new recombination system, Brother Of Brainbow (BOB) and also made use of tissue specific, inducible Cre recombinase to create and visually identify mutant clones. We found that RBR is required cell-autonomously in the QC and columella SCs to suppress unscheduled proliferation. Using the BOB system as well as artificial microRNA based silencing method (amiGO), we showed that the QC serves as a reservoir for columella SCs and that RBR interaction with SCR is necessary to keep its quiescent state as well as to protect it from genotoxic stress. Further examination of hypomorphic RBR genotypes revealed that reduced RBR levels lead to cell death. This phenotype partially requires the ATM/ATR machinery, whereas several mechanisms that induce differentiation including RBR over-expression partially reduced the cell death. Last, we investigated transcriptional regulation by the root specific transcription factor, PLETHORA2. We identified two targets, HAN and ARF10 that could either mimic PLT2 over-expression phenotype or complement plt1;plt2 mutant, respectively. Over-expression of either PLT2 or HAN was especially intriguing since it was sufficient to revert differentiating cells back to proliferation state. These findings together with the BOB and amiGO tools can set the basis for further studies on the mechanisms that underlie proliferation and differentiation in the root SC niche and the interaction between the two pathways


Controlling selectivity is a key goal in the design of a heterogeneous catalyst. Herein, we present detailed characterization and activity of silica‐supported cobalt catalysts modified by atomic layer deposition of ZnO. After reduction, the resulting catalysts exhibit substantial selectivity towards alcohol production during CO hydrogenation compared to catalysts containing only cobalt. The prepared catalysts have up to 46 % selectivity toward alcohols with 39 % of the alcohols corresponding to ethanol and other higher alcohols, albeit with reduced activity. In situ characterization of the catalyst by X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy reveals details on the structural evolution in syngas, CO+H2, and shows that ZnO promotion of Co results in the formation of Co2C under catalytic conditions. A mechanism is proposed, supported by density functional theory calculations, which explains Co2C formation by the blocking of Co step sites by Zn species. The ZnO acts a dual promoter both by facilitating Co2C formation and by modifying the resulting Co2C. The Co2C formed from the ZnO‐promoted Co catalysts displays improved thermal stability and selectivity compared with similar Co2C catalysts without Zn.


Physical modelling of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) is challenging due to the complexities associated with simultaneous application of two different scaling laws, governing the hydrodynamic and aerodynamic loading on the structure. To avoid these issues, this paper presents a real-time hybrid testing strategy in which a feedback-loop, consisting of an on-board fan, and control algorithm, is utilised to emulate the aerodynamic forces acting on the FOWT system. Here, we apply this strategy to a 70th-scale IEA Wind 15MW reference wind turbine mounted on a version of the VolturnUS-S platform. Unlike other similar methods, which directly simulate the aerodynamic loads for the fan's control using an aerodynamic code running in parallel with the experiment, this example utilises a surrogate model trained on numerical model data calculated in advance. This strategy enables high fidelity numerical model data, or even physical data, to be included in the aerodynamic emulation, by removing the requirement for real-time simulation, and, therefore, potentially enables more accurate loading predictions to be used in the experiments. This paper documents the development of the real-time hybrid testing system in the Coastal Ocean And Sediment Transport (COAST) Laboratory at the University of Plymouth in the U.K., including the hardware, software and instrumentation set-up, and demonstrates the power of the surrogate-based aerodynamic emulator based on numerical data calculated using OpenFAST.


Recent studies have reported the cloning of several sodium-dependent phosphate cotransport proteins from the apical membrane of proximal tubules of several species. The human proximal tubule apical sodium-phosphate cotransport protein maps to chromosome 5 in the 5q35 region, indicating that this gene is not a candidate for the genetic defect leading to X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). Studies in what is thought to be the murine XLH homologue, Hyp, also indicate that the proximal tubular phosphate cotransporter gene does not map to the X chromosome. In Hyp, message levels for the apical membrane sodium cotransport protein are reduced by approximately 50%, similar to the reductions in the apical membrane protein levels of the transporter. This indicates a potential transcriptional defect in Hyp, leading to underexpression of the sodium-dependent phosphate transport protein. Recent studies in the Hyp osteoblast have characterized the intrinsic abnormalities of the cell leading to the osteomalacia characteristic of both Hyp and XLH. These studies demonstrate that the Hyp osteoblast expresses normal rates of phosphate transport, but altered gluconeogenesis similar to the proximal tubule, and that there is an underphosphorylation of an important matrix protein, osteopontin. Since osteopontin is involved in matrix mineralization, defective posttranslational modification of the protein could be a factor in producing the osteomalacia of the Hyp. Other recent studies have demonstrated improved modalities of treatment for Hyp and potentially for XLH. These involve the use of phosphate and nonhypercalcemic analogues of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Thus, although the detection of the genetic defect producing XLH and Hyp is awaited, significant advances in the characterization of the phenotype and the bone abnormalities continue.


The inherent structural features of environmental problems cause environmental law to be written in a particular way and have led to the creation of novel adjudicative institutions, such as specialist environment courts and tribunals. But they also force us to view core constitutional principles, such as the rule of law and separation of powers, from different perspectives. By placing greater weight on certain components of these principles and lessening the force of others, solving environmental problems through law is rebalancing legal thought. Using New Zealand as a case study, this article explores how the legal infrastructure might respond to this contextual force by ensuring decision-making institutions operate with integrity and reflect public reasoned thoughtfulness, so fostering the rule of law within this unusual legal landscape.


General education reform is one of the most difficult challenges facing higher education institutions because general education is embedded in organizational culture. This paper examines the reform of general education as a process of organizational change and illustrates how deeper, more sustainable reform may be achieved by integrating cultural and structural approaches to change.


Freshwater is a precious resource, and shortages can lead to water stress, impacting agriculture, industry, and other sectors. Wastewater reuse is increasingly considered as an opportunity to meet the freshwater demand. Legislative frameworks are under development to support the responsible reuse of wastewater, i.e., to balance benefits and risks. In an evaluation of the proposed European regulation for water reuse, we concluded that the proposed regulation is not practically feasible, as the water provider alone is responsible for the risk assessment and management, even beyond their span of control. The required knowledge and resources are extensive. Therefore, without clear guidance for implementation, the regulation would hinder implementation of reuse programs. As a consequence, the current practice of uncontrolled, unintentional, and indirect reuse continues, including related risks and inefficiency. Therefore, we provide an outline of the interdisciplinary approach required to design and achieve safe, responsible water reuse. Responsible water reuse requires knowledge of water demand and availability, quality and health, technology, and governance for the various types of application. Through this paper we want to provide a starting point for an interdisciplinary agenda to compile and generate knowledge (databases), approaches, guidelines, case examples, codes of practice, and legislation to help bring responsible water reuse into practice.