The ephemeral nature of graphic design is the focus of the paper, and specifically the way in which the shift from print to digital-based artefacts has affected an interpretation of the graphic object and its place in history. The case study is the British punk fanzine Ripped & Torn produced by Tony Drayton in print form (1976–79) and his website of the same name (2011–present). With the full cooperation of Drayton, the author conducted in-depth interviews, gaining access to personal archive material. Such an analysis of Drayton's punk fanzines and website has not been published previously.

This research began in response to an invitational keynote talk for 'Impact 7: Intersections & Counterpoints: International Multi-disciplinary Printmaking Conference', Monash University, Melbourne, Australia 27–30 September 2011. The conference was international in scope with 420 academics, printmakers, book artists and graphic designers a day in attendance (with 600 delegate tickets issued in total). The resulting 8000-word paper was published in 2013 in a substantial book of the proceedings (96 authors) which has been considered as essential reading for anyone interested in the past, present and future of print.

The paper draws on methods from historiography and (sub)cultural theory and addresses two main questions: 'What does it mean when an ephemeral graphic object is captured in time?' and, 'When does the fleeting moment become "fixed" and what impact does this have on meaning, history and the notion of original intent?'. The paper examines the printed fanzine and its history, but also explores the future impact of electronic archives and the historiography of fanzines. A 2,600-word essay on the subject was also commissioned for a special issue of the French academic journal Poli: Politique de l'Image, on questioning the role of archives and documents (2012).


Soaking of paddy (rough rice) is the most time-consuming operation in the paddy parboiling process. A Hot water soaking in two temperatures of paddy parboiling has developed based on the gelatinization temperature of rice starch to achieve rapid completion of absorption of water into the rice kernel. This study was conducted to eliminate the steaming process in paddy parboiling without loosening the parboiled rice qualities such as less broken grain percentage, high head rice yield percentage and kernel hardness. Treatments also caused to improve kernel whiteness and palatability characteristic of rice. BG 358 rice variety (short grain rice) was used for the experiment. Experiment had two treatments and existing method was kept as the control. Out of these treatments, the soaking procedure in two temperature, involving 70 o C water as the first stage until an intermediate moisture content of 34.8% d.b. (approx. 2 hours) followed by 80 o C (approx. 1 hour) as the second stage up to the saturation moisture content of 43.8% d.b., resulted in a 37.5 % time reduction compared with single-stage hot water soaking at 70 o C and 87.5 % time reduction compared with conventional cold water soaking of paddy at 25-30 o C and also it can be eliminated steaming completely in paddy parboiling. Also in milling analysis, treated rice by hot water soaked in two temperatures show significant improvement in terms of kernel colour, and palatability characteristics such as taste, texture and odor with compared to other two treatments. However, there is no significant difference among treatments in terms of head rice yield percentage, kernel hardness and broken grains percentage.


This paper presents the first iteration design of the Flotant concept developed within the framework of a Cooperation Research Project funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The Flotant concept is a hybrid concrete-plastic barge-type floating offshore substructure holding a 12MW wind turbine with the singularity of getting floatability by using plastic foam material fitted within the floater substructure.
 The INS12MW generic wind turbine, an upscaling exercise based on the DTU10MW reference wind turbine, is presented and simulated using open-source certified aeroelastic code.
 The floating platform and the mooring system are designed for two different sites, West of Barra and South East of Gran Canaria island. The principal dimensions are presented along with the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic properties of the floating system.
 A relevant subset of design load cases derived from International Electrotechnical Commission and Det Norske Veritas standards was simulated using an open-source aeroelastic code (NREL FAST) to check the coupled aero-hydro-elastic behaviour of the floating system and to generate the required load-matrix for the structural assessment of the different components.
 The evaluation of the design includes the seakeeping performance, the stability of the floating platform and the global performance analysis for the abovementioned sites. It demonstrates the technology developed within the Flotant project is feasible even in rough conditions like the ones in the West of Barra site.


Significant research implicates the involvement of free radicals in the manifestation of Parkinson's disease. The antioxidant, selenium is a vital dietary component for mammals. It is present in the active center of glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme that scavenges peroxides and protects membrane lipids and macromolecules from oxidative insult. The purpose of this research was to determine an effective means of delivering selenium as well as an appropriate time frame for antioxidant administration that would elicit a protective response in rats challenged with an intranigral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion. In the first part of this study, Fischer 344 rats were placed into one of four groups: selenium enhanced diet, control diet, intraperitoneal injection of selenium as Na2SeO3 or intraperitoneal injection of distilled water. All treatments were delivered prior to an intranigral 6-OHDA lesion. Animals were euthanized two weeks post lesion and their brains processed for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry. Average dopamine neuron survival in the substantia nigra of control animals was less than 22%; whereas nigral dopamine neuron survival in the selenium fed group was 49.7% and 56.0% in the selenium injected group. Based on these results, a subsequent study was designed utilizing the selenium enhanced diet method of antioxidant administration. To examine the neuroprotective effect of long-term selenium treatment, pregnant Fischer 344 rats were exposed to either selenium enhanced or control rat chow. Their pups were treated with the same diet as their mothers and lesioned with 6-OHDA at two months of age. Animals were euthanized and their brains were processed for TH immunocytochemistry. Nigral dopamine neuron survival for the selenium treated animals was significantly protective (59%) when compared to the control chow fed animals (29.6%). However, when compared to the short-term exposure of selenium rat chow in the previous study, there was no significant increase in neuroprotection.


Background Patellar tendinopathy is a clinically identified overload injury associated to jumping activities. The symptoms may last for years, affect sports participation and even lead to the end of a sport career. Therefore, is necessary to understand the profile of injury/complain in a sports team in order to plan preventive strategies. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of patellar tendon pain history in Brazilian volleyball and basketball athletes. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Sports Science Laboratory in the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Patients (or Participants) One-hundred and ninety and one volleyball and basketball athletes with a mean age of 18.29 (+4.9) years, body mass of 76.50 (+13.8) kilograms and height of 1.85 (0,11) meters participated in this study. Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) The athletes were questioned by the examiner about patellar tendon pain history related to sports practice. If the athlete had history of other knee complains (as patellofemoral pain and bursitis) and/or Osgood-Schlatter, he/she was excluded. Main Outcome Measurements History of pain, in the last 6 months, localized at the patellar tendon, which compromised the sports participation and/or sports performance. Results The prevalence of patellar tendon pain history was 22.5% (n=43) in the athletes participating in this study. Fifteen were female and 28 male, 25 were juvenile and 18 adult and 34 practiced volleyball and 9 basketball. Ten athletes reported patellar tendon pain in left lower limb, 14 in right lower limb and 19 bilaterally. Therefore, 147 athletes did not had patellar tendon pain history in the last 6 months. Conclusions The prevalence of patellar tendon pain history in this study was 22.5%. The major occurrence was bilateral pain history and the results suggest that male volleyball athletes had higher prevalence.


Abstract Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligator weed) grows abundantly in polluted Peri-urban Greater Hyderabad, India. It is collected at no cost and sold in the market as a leafy vegetable in the name of "Ceylon Spinach". The plant accumulates iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in roots and leaves. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, EC, available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and showed significant metal concentrations of Pb, Mn and Zn, which varied from one location to another. The metal accumulation order in the plants is root>leaf>stem in all the studied sites. The results revealed that the massive roots of alligator weed are effective in the bioconcentrating Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb and Cd, although the plant parts are rich in nutraceuticals like phenolics and antioxidants. Therefore, low income community prefers to consume it as vegetable. However, its consumption as a leafy vegetable can cause health risks.


Emotions play an important role in cognition, memory, attention and motivation but the current generation of educational games largely ignore emotions' role in learning. However, there is a movement within games development for entertainment to create more affective gameplay. As such this paper will discuss how new research from affective neuroscience, affective computing and contemporary psychological learning theories can inform educational game development. Firstly outlining our current understanding of emotions in learning, this paper will then explore three key aspects of affective game design: sensing and recognition of emotions; modelling emotions and emotion expression by game characters and player avatars. In this section it will review currently available technology, theories and models as appropriate. Finally this paper will explain how incorporating these aspects in educational game design can produce more effectual learning experiences by being aware of affective game design principles that effect attention, memory and motivation. Although this paper is not conclusive, it is comprehensive enough to bridge the gap between academia and industry, so that commercial educational games development can benefit from our current understanding of affective game design and emotions role in attention, memory and motivation.


ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence and factors associated with falls in a nationally representative sample of older Brazilians residing in urban areas. METHODS Data from 4,174 participants (60 years or older) from the baseline of ELSI-Brazil, conducted between 2015 and 2016, were used. The outcome variable was the reporting of one or more falls in the last 12 months. The exploratory variables were sociodemographic characteristics, factors related to the urban environment, and health conditions. Statistical analysis was performed using Poisson regression. RESULTS The prevalence of falls was 25.1%. Of these, 1.8% resulted in a hip or femur fracture and, among them, 31.8% required surgery for prosthesis placement. Statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) with falls were observed for females [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.26], age group of 75 years or older (PR = 1.21), fear of falling due to defective sidewalks (PR = 1.47), fear of crossing streets (PR = 1.22), diabetes (PR = 1.17), arthritis or rheumatism (PR = 1.29), and depression (PR = 1.53). No significant associations were found for educational level, marital status, hypertension, and perception of violence in the neighborhood. CONCLUSIONS The factors associated with falls among older adults are multidimensional, comprising individual characteristics and the urban environment, which indicates the need for intra and intersectoral actions to prevent falls in this population.


Using X-ray data from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer, we report the pulse timing results of the accretion-powered, high-mass X-ray binary pulsar 4UU 1907+09, covering a time-span of almost two years. We measured three new pulse periods in addition to the previously measured four pulse periods. We are able to connect pulse arrival times in phase for more than a year. The source has been spinning down almost at a constant rate, with a spin-down rate of v = (- 3.54 +/- 0.02) x 10(exp -14) Hz s(exp -1) for more than 15 yr. Residuals of pulse arrival times yield a very low level of random-walk noise, with a strength of approximately 2 x 10(exp -20) rad(exp 2) s(exp -3) on a time-scale of 383 d, which is 40 times lower than that of the high-mass X-ray binary pulsar Vela X-1. The noise strength is only a factor of five greater than that of the low-mass X-ray binary pulsar 4U 1626-67. The low level of the timing noise and the very stable spin-down rate of 4U 1907+09 make this source unique among the high-mass X-ray binary pulsars, providing another example, in addition to 4U 1626-67, of long-term quiet spin down from an accruing source. These examples show that the extended quiet spin-down episodes observed in the anomalous X-ray pulsars 1RXS J170849.0-400910 and 1E 2259+586 do not necessarily imply that these sources are not accreting pulsars.


Apart from their antimicrobial properties, tetracyclines demonstrate clinically validated effects in the amelioration of pathological inflammation and human cancer. Delineation of the target(s) and mechanism(s) responsible for these effects, however, has remained elusive. Here, employing quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we identified human 80S ribosomes as targets of the tetracyclines Col-3 and doxycycline. We then developed in cell click selective crosslinking with RNA sequence profiling (icCL-Seq) to map binding sites for these tetracyclines on key human rRNA substructures at nucleotide resolution. Importantly, we found that structurally and phenotypically variant tetracycline analogs could chemically discriminate these rRNA binding sites. We also found that tetracyclines both subtly modify human ribosomal translation and selectively activate the cellular integrated stress response (ISR). Together, the data reveal that targeting of specific rRNA substructures, activation of the ISR, and inhibition of translation are correlated with the anti-proliferative properties of tetracyclines in human cancer cell lines.


Rain forests on Borneo support exceptional concentrations of endemic insect biodiversity, but many of these forest‐dependent species are threatened by land‐use change. Totally protected areas (TPAs) of forest are key for conserving biodiversity, and we examined the effectiveness of the current TPA network for conserving range‐restricted butterflies in Sabah (Malaysian Borneo). We found that mean diurnal temperature range and precipitation of the wettest quarter of the year were the most important predictors of butterfly distributions (N = 77 range‐restricted species), and that species richness increased with elevation and aboveground forest carbon. On average across all species, TPAs were effective at conserving ~43% of species' ranges, but encompassed only ~40% of areas with high species richness (i.e., containing at least 50% of our study species). The TPA network also included only 33%–40% of areas identified as high priority for conserving range‐restricted species, as determined by a systematic conservation prioritization analysis. Hence, the current TPA network is reasonably effective at conserving range‐restricted butterflies, although considerable areas of high species richness (6,565 km2) and high conservation priority (11,152–12,531 km2) are not currently protected. Sabah's remaining forests, and the range‐restricted species they support, are under continued threat from agricultural expansion and urban development, and our study highlights important areas of rain forest that require enhanced protection.


The malocclusions are one focus of discussions in public health, due to which it is necessary to incorporate correction procedures that are inexpensive, easy to perform and which can be made in health services. Planas Direct Tracks meet such characteristics which make them advantageous for the crossbite correction. The aim of this study was to present a case in which correction of unilateral crossbite was performed with the resources available in a public clinic. This is a 6 year-old patient who presented functional unilateral crossbite in canines and posterior teeth. A cross decreased maxillary arch leading to a condition of unilateral posterior crossbite was detected. Occlusal adjustments were performed in canine and posterior teeth; however it was not enough to restore the occlusal balance. It was decided to prepare Planas Direct Tracks in canines, allowing functional balance, which prevented masticatory movement alteration during the growth phase and malocclusion correction. Controls were performed every six months to evaluate the patient's progress and whether or not new occlusal adjustments were necessary. Monitoring and treatment were conducted for 5 years, until stabilization of the permanent dentition ensuring treatment. It is concluded that Planas Direct Tracks were effective for the correction of unilateral posterior crossbite. So, it is essential to note that this procedure can be performed in public services.


Meal-induced insulin sensitization (MIS) refers to the augmented glucose uptake response to insulin following a meal. Absence of MIS (AMIS) causes significant decrease in post-meal glucose disposal leading to postprandial hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, adiposity, increased free radical stress, and a cluster of progressive metabolic, vascular, and cardiac dysfunctions referred to as the AMIS syndrome. We tested the hypothesis that fat accumulation in the liver and heart is part of the AMIS syndrome. Questions examined in the study: (1) Is prediabetic fat accumulation in the heart and liver a component of the AMIS syndrome? (2) Is fatty liver a cause or consequence of peripheral insulin resistance? (3) Is early cardiac dysfunction in the AMIS syndrome attributable to fat accumulation in the heart? and (4) Can the synergistic antioxidant cocktail SAMEC (S-adenosylmethionine, vitamin E, and vitamin C), known to benefit MIS, affect cardiac and hepatic triglyceride levels? Four animal models of AMIS were used in aged male Sprague-Dawley rats (52 weeks ± sucrose ± SAMEC), compared with young controls (nine weeks). Fat accumulation in the heart was not significant and therefore cannot account for the early cardiac dysfunction. Hepatic triglycerides increased only in the most severe AMIS model but the small changes correlated with the much more rapidly developing peripheral adiposity. Systemic adiposity represents an early stage, whereas accumulation of cardiac and hepatic triglycerides represents a late stage of the prediabetic AMIS syndrome. Fat accumulation in the liver is a consequence, not a cause, of AMIS. SAMEC protected against the sucrose effects on whole body adiposity and hepatic lipid accumulation.


Introduction: Patients with diabetes are more susceptible to infections and sepsis. Activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a substantial role in the pathophysiology of sepsis and diabetes. Here we investigate i) the effect of preexisting type 2 diabetes mellitus on cardiac dysfunction associated with sepsis and ii) whether inhibition of NF-κB using IKK-16 or linagliptin attenuates cardiac dysfunction in mice with sepsis and diabetes. Methods: Ten-week old male C57BL/6 mice received high fat (HFD) or chow diet for 12 weeks, and were then subjected to caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham surgery for 24 hours. At 1 hour after CLP, mice received IKK-16, linagliptin, or vehicle. Results: Administration of HFD resulted in a significant impairment in glucose tolerance and a small, but significant, reduction in ejection fraction. Immunoblot analysis of hearts tissue showed that HFD caused significant NF-κB pathway activation and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Mice on HFD subjected to CLP showed further (i) decline in EF, (ii) increase in NF-κB pathway activation, (iii) increase in iNOS expression, (iv) an increase in serum ALT, and (v) a significant renal dysfunction. Treatment of HFD-CLP mice with IKK-16 or linagliptin resulted in significant reduction of the CLP-induced i) cardiac dysfunction, ii) NF-κB pathway activation, and iii) iNOS expression when compared to mice treated with vehicle. Conclusion: Our results show that HFD results in inflammation and cardiac dysfunction. Moreover, a preexisting diabetic phenotype worsened the cardiac dysfunction associated with CLP-sepsis. Most notably, inhibition of NF-κB reduced the cardiac dysfunction caused by sepsis in animals with preexisting T2DM. Disclosure S. Al Zoubi: None. J. Chen: None. L. Martin: None. C. Murphy: None. G.S. Purvis: None. F. Chiazza: Other Relationship; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. D. Collotta: None. M. Collino: None. C. Thiemermann: None.


The relationship between the number of vesicles in smooth muscle cells in mesenterial arteries and calcium concentration in incubation medium was studied in experiments on normotensive control rats (NKWR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Extracellular elevation of calcium resulted in an increase in the number of vesicles, which was more demonstrable in SHR than in NKWR. After preliminary adrenalectomy the same high concentration of calcium in incubation medium did not induce any changes in the number of vesicles in both animal groups. The decrease of calcium concentration did not produce any changes in the number of vesicles in SHR or NKWR before and after adrenalectomy. The increase of the number of vesicles in response to high extracellular concentration of calcium is assumed to be a means of raising the active surface of the smooth cells and compensates for membrane deficiency seen under pathology.


Opportunistic Networks (OppNets) are an extension to the classical Mobile Ad hoc Networks
(MANETs) where the network is not dependent on any infrastructure (e.g. Access Points or
centralized administrative nodes). OppNets can be more flexible than MANETs because an end
to end path does not exist and much longer delays can be expected. Whereas a Rogue Access
Point is typically immobile in the legacy infrastructure based networks and can have considerable
impact on the overall connectivity, the research question in this project evaluates how the pattern
and mobility of a rogue nodes impact the dependability and overall "Average Latency" in an
Opportunistic Network Environment. We have simulated a subset of the mathematical modeling
performed in a previous publication in this regard.
Ad hoc networks are very challenging to model due to their mobility and intricate routing
schemes. We strategically started our research by exploring the evolution of Opportunistic
networks, and then implemented the rogue behavior by utilizing The ONE (Opportunistic
Network Environment, by Nokia Research Centre) simulator to carry out our research over rogue
behavior. The ONE simulator is an open source simulator developed in Java, simulating the layer
3 of the OSI model. The Rogue behavior is implemented in the simulator to observe the effect of
rogue nodes. Finally we extracted the desired dataset to measure the latency by carefully
simulating the intended behavior, keeping rest of the parameters (e.g. Node Movement Models,
Signal Range and Strength, Point of Interest (POI) etc) unchanged. Our results are encouraging,
and coincide with the average latency deterioration patterns as modeled by the previous
researchers, with a few exceptions. The practical implementation of plug-in in ONE simulator has
shown that only a very high degree of rogue nodes impact the latency, making OppNets more
resilient and less vulnerable to malicious attacks.


Abstract We conducted a 3-yr cropping systems experiment in central Pennsylvania, USA, to determine the effects of initial cover crop species, tillage and resulting environmental variables on the activity–density (A–D), species richness, community composition and guild composition of carabid beetles (Carabidae: Coleoptera) during the transition from conventional to organic production. We compared four systems in a factorial combination of a mixed perennial sod (timothy, Phleum pratense L.) and legumes (red clover, Trifolium pratense L.) or annual cereal grain (cereal rye, Secale cereale L.) followed by a legume (hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth) as initial cover crops, and soil management using full tillage (moldboard plow) or reduced tillage (chisel plow) implemented in soybeans followed by maize in the subsequent year. The experiment was established twice, first in autumn 2003 (S1) and again in autumn 2004 (S2) in an adjacent field, in a randomized complete-block design with four replicates in each Start. We collected a total of 2181 adult carabid beetles. Approximately 65% of the carabid beetles collected were from six species. Indicator Species Analysis showed that several carabid species were indicative of treatment, e.g., Poecilus chalcites was a strong indicator for treatments with an initial cereal rye cover crop. Eleven environmental variables explained variation in carabid A–D, richness and the A–D of species categorized by size class and dominant trophic behavior, respectively, but varied in significance and direction among guilds. Soil moisture was a significant effect for total carabid A–D in both S1 and S2. Redundancy analyses revealed some similar and some idiosyncratic responses among informative species for the cover crop×tillage treatments through the 3-yr rotation. The most consistent factors that distinguished species assemblages among years and treatments were the number and intensity of soil disturbances and perennial weed density. The consistent occurrence of soil disturbance indicators in multivariate analyses suggests that future studies that aim to compare the effects of nominal soil management treatments on carabid beetles and other soil-associated arthropods should quantify frequency and intensity of disturbance associated with crop management practices.


I will write about product placement in film from a Swedish point of view. This entails writing about Swedish films with different types of product placements, not only how they are done but also discuss how they succeed from a sales perspective. In my earlier work I have written about the product placement of watches. In this thesis I focus on the film series about the Swedish agent Carl Hamilton, since here you can see how Swedish film has developed during the past 30 years with regard to product placements. Both world politics and the concrete placements are illustrated in a clear way. In such an international context it is also of value to compare recent Hollywood remakes of a Swedish film, in this case Man som hatar kvinnor that was turned into The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Both are based on the same book by the Swedish author Stieg Larsson, Man som hatar kvinnor.


In this paper, I test and reject the separability of production and consumption decisions of agricultural households in Ethiopia, using data from a rural household survey conducted in 1994 and an estimated labor demand equation. I also elicit socio-demographic and asset variables that are positively linked with agricultural labor demand. These results reflect the limited development of fully organized labor markets in rural Ethiopia. They also imply that price subsidies, taxes and other purely market-driven agricultural policies may have only limited or perverse impacts. They should be complemented by policies directly affecting household decisions, such as food aid, technology transfer, free supply of fertilizers and so on.


Gamma uranium-molybdenum alloys has been considered as the fuel phase in plate type fuel elements for MTR reactors due to its performance under irradiation and metallurgical processing. To its usage as dispersion phase in aluminum matrix, a necessary step is the conversion of the as cast structure into powder, and the technique considered at IPEN / CNEN - Brazil was HDH (hydration-dehydration). This work has the aim to study the hydrogen incorporation by gamma-UMo alloys with 8% weight molybdenum. The samples were thermally treated under constant flow of hydrogen, for temperatures varying from 500oC up to 600oC and times of 1 to 4 hours. Some of the curves relating mass incorporation and time for the above temperatures were obtained, and the results related to its microstructures and ease of fragmentation.


This paper suggests a modification to the Pension Loan Scheme intended to help boost the retirement incomes of a large number of current retirees. Summary The Australian government is currently willing to boost the retirement incomes of wealthy Australians by providing low cost 'reverse mortgages' through Centrelink. The Pension Loan Scheme (PLS) allows eligible Australians to receive payments equivalent to the full age pension paid into their bank account on a fortnightly basis, borrowed from the government and secured against the value of property owned by the recipient. These government-issued loans allow wealthy older Australians to boost their own incomes by converting equity in their home into a fortnightly flow of cash from the government. Remarkably, to qualify for the PLS you must be too wealthy to be eligible for the full age pension. Retirees who are on the full age pension and who own their own homes are unable to boost their income via the PLS. This paper suggests a simple modification to the PLS that would, in making it fairer, significantly help to boost the retirement incomes of a large number of current retirees. We propose that the PLS payments be made available to all citizens of pension age.


There is lack of research on effects of red wine on consciousness when drank in wine bars designed to enhance the pleasurableness of wine drinking experience. Effects of a moderate dose of red wine (≈ 40.98 g of ethanol) on consciousness were examined in a naturalistic study taking place in a wine bar located in one of the most touristic areas of Lisbon, Portugal. One hundred two participants drank in one of three conditions: alone, in dyad, or in groups up to six people. Red wine increased pleasure and arousal, decreased the awareness of time, slowed the subjective passage of time, increased the attentional focus on the present moment, decreased body awareness, slowed thought speed, turned imagination more vivid, and made the environment become more fascinating. Red wine increased insightfulness and originality of thoughts, increased sensations of oneness with the environment, spiritual feelings, all-encompassing love, and profound peace. All changes in consciousness occurred regardless of volunteers drinking alone, in dyad or in group. Men and women did not report different changes in consciousness. Older age correlated with greater increases in pleasure. Younger age correlated with greater increases in fascination with the environment of the wine bar. Drinking wine in a contemporaneous Western environment designed to enhance the pleasurableness of the wine drinking experience may trigger changes in consciousness commonly associated with mystical-type states.


The lack of responsiveness of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to vasopressor catecholamines is termed vascular hyporeactivity. Vascular hyporeactivity is an important component of sepsis. ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) play a fundamental role in vascular hyporeactivity in long-term (>20hrs) sepsis. These channels remain in the open state, leading to membrane hyperpolarisation and subsequent relaxation of VSMCs. However, the precise mechanism of KATP activation in sepsis has yet to be elucidated. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton, the direct effect of nitric oxide and the metabolic state of the cell all activate KATP channels and are possibilities. Therefore, three hypotheses were investigated: 1). Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton alters KATP channel function 2). Nitric oxide exerts a direct effect on the KATP channel. 3). Metabolic derangement is responsible for altered KATP channel function. Using confocal microscopy and biochemistry, it was demonstrated that the actin cytoskeleton of VSMCs was not disrupted in sepsis, and is therefore an unlikely mechanism for KATP channel activation. There was, however, a functional impairment of vascular function, indicating a lack of correlation between structure and function in the context of the model investigated. That NO has a direct effect on the KATP channel, and is subsequently responsible for its altered function in sepsis was also inconclusive. Finally, using HPLC techniques, no evidence to suggest that altered levels of adenosine nucleotide phosphates cause dysregulation of the KATP channel in either in vitro or in vivo models of sepsis (despite evidence of functional impairment) was observed. Therefore, in the context of the models used, none of the afore-mentioned mechanisms were shown to be responsible for the altered KATP channel observed in vascular tissue in sepsis.


Having briefly reviewed implicit measures, including the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP), and examined the small number of published studies that have explored the possible role of methodological features of the task itself, the current thesis set about investigating other procedural parameters that may influence IRAP effects. The increasing use of the IRAP in clinically-relevant domains made this task seem even more pressing and necessary. At one level, we simply hoped to contribute to the small literature on the possible influence of these factors on IRAP outcomes. At another level, we hoped that these exploratory methodological analyses would help to pave the way for more robust use of the IRAP in applied and clinical domains.
The current thesis comprised of four studies (Experiments, 1, 2, 3a and 3b). In order to permit useful comparisons of the response patterns of the various procedural manipulations, there are strong overlaps in the experimental designs and analytic strategies employed across the four studies. Namely, all four studies involve a Typical IRAP as a control procedure and this is systematically compared to IRAPs with specific procedural modifications.
In Experiment 1 (Chapter 2), we compared a Typical IRAP with a Natural Language IRAP in which the label and target stimuli were combined, rather than presented separately as is usually the case. This manipulation was simply to determine whether the use of more complex label-target combinations (that would perhaps be better suited to clinical research) would produce different IRAP effects than those typically observed with separate label and target stimuli. Overall, patterns of responding were very similar across both IRAPs and the findings, therefore, from
Experiment 1 supported existing evidence which suggests that combining the label and target stimuli produces sound IRAP effects. However, such a manipulation involving the labels and targets appeared to have little or no direct impact on the outcomes.
In Experiment 2 (Chapter 3), we employed a Self-esteem IRAP and manipulated the order in which the self vs. others rules were presented. In the Self-Rule First Condition, participants were presented with the rules as follows: the self-positive rule followed by the others-negative rule, while in the Others-Rule First Condition participants were presented with the others-positive rule followed by the self-negative rule. This manipulation sought to determine whether the simple order in which the rules are presented influenced IRAP outcomes. The results indicated that patterns of responding appeared to differ somewhat, but not significantly, between conditions, especially on Self-Negative and Others-Positive trial-types. Overall, the findings from Experiment 2 supported some existing evidence which suggests that rules exert some influence on IRAP effects, and thus warrant empirical attention.
In Experiment 3a (Chapter 4), we employed the Spider Fear IRAP and manipulated the length of the test blocks presented between rules. To do so, we compared a Fast Switching IRAP and a Typical Switching IRAP. Specifically, the Fast Switching IRAP halved the length of the test blocks between rules, relative to the Typical Switching IRAP (and IRAPs generally), such that each block now contained only 16 trials, and not 32. Again, this manipulation sought to determine whether the typical rate at which blocks switch exerts its own influence on outcomes normally observed with the IRAP. Patterns of responding were somewhat similar across the two IRAPs. Stronger responding was recorded on the Fast Switching IRAP on the Fear-Spiders and Approach-Spiders trial-types, while the Typical Switching IRAP was
stronger on the Fear-Nature and Approach-Nature trial-types. The difference on Fear-Spiders was significant. While there were differences in the two outcomes, one could not argue that either condition yielded a better IRAP outcome than the other.
In Experiment 3b (Chapter 4), we again employed the Spider Fear IRAP and now manipulated the number of the test blocks presented. To do so, we compared a Double Length IRAP and a Typical Length IRAP. That is, instead of the typical 6 test blocks (i.e. 3 per rule), the Double Length IRAP presented 12 test blocks (6 per rule), although each test block contained the typical 32 trials. Overall, therefore, this modified IRAP presented a total of 384 trials -- that is double the number of trials presented in the Typical Length IRAP (i.e. 192). Again, this manipulation sought to determine whether the typical number of blocks exerts its own influence on outcomes normally observed with the IRAP. Patterns of responding were very similar across the Typical and Double Length IRAPs. In both cases, participants showed consistent responding with increasing numbers of block pairs, with no significant differences across each trial-type of increasing block pairs.
The current thesis, therefore, undertook a number of systematic manipulations of various procedural parameters of the IRAP. Overall, one must conclude that these exerted practically no significant influence on the observed IRAP effects, although some variations were detected. These changes are discussed in the context of the existing literature and particularly with regard to more extensive use of the IRAP in the future.


In this paper a numerical model is developed to examine the effect of thermal radiation on magnetohydrodynamic heat transfer flow of a micropolar fluid past a non-conducting wedge in presence of heat source/sink. In the model it is assumed that the fluid is viscous, incompressible, and electrically conducting. The Hall and ion slip effects have also been taken into consideration. The model contains highly non-linear coupled partial differential equations which have been converted into ordinary differential equation by using the similarity transformations. These equations are then solved numerically by Shooting technique along with the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg integration scheme for entire range of parameters with appropriate boundary conditions. The effects of various parameters involved in the problem have been studied with the help of graphs. Numerical values of skin friction coefficients and Nusselt number are presented in tabular form. The results showed that the micropolar fluids are better to reduce local skin drag as compared to Newtonian fluids and the presence of heat sink increases the heat transfer rate.


"This paper estimates the relationship between frequent-flyer programs (FFPs) and fares at hub airports. I exploit the formation of partnerships that allowed members of one airline's FFP to earn that airline's points on flights operated by its partner. If FFPs allow an airline to charge higher fares on routes that depart from its hubs, these partnerships should allow an airline's partner to charge higher fares on routes that depart from these same airports. I find that offering the FFP points of the dominant carrier at an airport does, indeed, lead to higher fares. Combining these estimates with estimates of the "hub premium" suggests that FFPs may account for at least 25% of the "hub premium."" Copyright 2008 Blackwell Publishing.


Alas S.A. is an entrepreneurial firm located in Quito, Ecuador. The goal of Alas S.A. is to provide the target market a unique and original product through butterflies' release designed for any social event; targeting social economic status A and B. This firm is created by Nicolas Almeida, Ma. Jose Bustamante, Daniela Contreras, Anggelo Toscano y Samantha Vergara. Alas S.A. is a pioneer enterprise in the national market, being this one of its competitive advantage. Its competitors designed other specific products in order to ornament the atmosphere of the event. However, Alas S.A. is committed with its consumers since its proactive behavior create memories and unique moments through the butterflies' release. This project will be profitable since its third year; the breakpoint will be in the 52.38th month. Alas S.A. is an opportunity for presenting the target market a new way of executing wonderful events.


In a voice transformation context, prosody transformation using parallel corpora is quite unrealistic as such corpora are difficult and also expensive to build. Based on this observation, we propose an approach for transforming prosody using non-parallel corpora thanks to the MLLR adaptation strategy. This methodology is applied to the joint transformation of duration and F0 at the syllable level. The source data are modelled by a GMM which is adapted to the target by applying a linear transformation to the mean vectors of the gaussian mixture. This methodology is applied to the conversion of duration and F0 between two french speakers and is evaluated by cross validation between the models and the test datasets.


The paper addresses the problem of effectively controlling a two-wheel robot given its inherent non-linearity and parameter uncertainties. In order to deal with the unknown and uncertain dynamics of the robot, it is proposed to employ the adaptive dynamic programming, a reinforcement learning based technique, to develop an optimal control law. It is interesting that the proposed algorithm does not require kinematic parameters while finding the optimal state controller is guaranteed. Moreover, convergence of the optimal control scheme is theoretically proved. The proposed approach was implemented in a synthetic two-wheel robot where the obtained results demonstrate its effectiveness.


It has recently been demonstrated that complex fracture networks (CFN) especially activated natural fractures (ANF) play an important role in unconventional reservoir development. However, traditional rate transient analysis (RTA) methods barely investigate the impact of CFN or ANF. Furthermore, the influence of CFN on flow regime is still ambiguous. Failure to consider these effects could lead to misdiagnosis of flow regimes and underestimation of original oil in place (OOIP). A novel numerical RTA method is therefore presented herein to improve the quality of reserves assessment. A new methodology is introduced. Propagating hydraulic fractures (HF) can generate different stress perturbations to allow natural fractures (NF) to fail, forming various ANF pattern. An embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM) of ANF is stochastically generated instead of local grid refinement (LGR) method to overcome the time-intensive computation time. These models are coupled with reservoir models using non-neighboring connections (NNCs). Results show that except for simplified models used in previous studies subjected to traditional concept of stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), in our study, the ANF region has been discussed to emphasis the impact of NF on simulation results. Henceforth, ANF could be only concentrated around the near-wellbore region, and it may also cover the whole simulation area. Obvious distinctions could be viewed for different kinds of ANF on diagnostic plots. Instead of SRV-dominated flow mentioned in previous studies, ANF-dominated flow developed in this work is shown to be more reasonable. Also, new flow regimes such as interference flow inside and outside activated natural fracture flow region (ANFR) are found. In summary, better evaluation of reservoir properties and reserves assessment such as OOIP are achieved based on our proposed model compared with conventional models. The novel RTA method considering CFN presented herein is an easy-to-apply numerical RTA technique that can be applied for reservoir and fracture characterization as well as OOIP assessment.


Theoretical modeling and computer simulations of molecular motors provide insight that engineers can exploit to design and control artificial nanomotors.For obvious reasons, the study of molecular motors has been a traditional area of research in molecular cell biology and biochemistry, but in recent years, it has attracted physicists' as well as engineers. Exploring the design and mechanisms of these motors from an engineering perspective requires investigating their structure and dynamics using the fundamental principles of physics at the subcellular level. The insights gained from such fundamental research could also find practical applications in designing and manufacturing artificial nanomotors - motors whose typical size is usually in the rage of a few nanometers to a few tens of nanometers. In contrast to man-made macroscopically large motors, natural nanomotors have evolved over billions of years. While discussing the design, mechanism, and control of molecular motors, this article also compares their macroscopic counterparts to emphasize common features as well as differences.


Copolymerization of self doping monomer aniline and oxalic acid (OA)/ acetic acid (AA) in different molar ratio via the self- assembly process were conducted to prepare self-doping polyanilines (SD-PANIs). In this polymerization process, AA or OA plays the roles of surfactant and dopant for the self-doping PANIs. The morphology, UV-Vis absorption behaviour, crystalline density and electrical conductivity of self-doped PANIs are investigated. Depending on molar ratio of aniline to OA/AA, nanotubes structure of polyaniline (PANI) can be formed. Higher concentration of OA leads to increase in the diameter of the tubes in which micelles act as the template in the self-assembly of PANI to form nanotube structures, whereas increase in concentration of AA leads to change the structure of polyaniline from microspheres to nanotubes. The nanotubular structure aggregates to form a bundle structure as the concentration of AA increases. More uniform structure is observed in case of OA than that of AA, which may be due to the bulky structure of OA than AA. Higher absorption intensity in UV-Vis spectra of self-doping PANIs was observed for lower concentration of OA/AA. The crystal structure for the synthesized self-doped PANIs is orthorhombic and the C-N-C angle is larger. High electrical conductivity of the self-doped PANIs was observed as a function of degree of doping. Copyright © 2011 VBRI press.


In this study, the morphology of the Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings sprayed on Ti alloy samples by Detonation Gun Spray (D-Gun) and the effect of aging before and after heat treatment in physiological solution were observed. Cross-sectional porosity and percentages of amorphous and crystal phase were measured using optical, electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Differential Thermogravimetric Analysis (DTA) was performed to estimate the glass-crystalline phase transformation temperatures. Heat-treatment at 300, 500, 700, 800 and 1200 degrees C were carried out to confirm DTA results. As a final analysis, the aging effect using Ringer's solution for 1 week on heat-treated and non-heat-treated samples was measured. It was observed that, in D-Gun sprayed samples, the cross-sectional porosity stayed in the accepted 5% range as reported for other spraying techniques.(1-5) On the other hand, surface porosity measured using the water immersion method remained in the conventional porosity limit of 15% for non-heat-treated samples. Heat-treatment had a small influence on the porosity while the crystallinity increased considerably; in addition, aging had little effect on HA crystallinity for heat treated samples. This work showed that D-gun sprayed HA coatings had lower porosity and better integrity than other coatings, due to which we can expect better performance during in vivo applications.


Distributed Energy Resources (DER) have great potential to enhance the operation of electric power distribution systems. Previously, we explored the use of 2 Dimensional Extremum Seeking (2D-ES) control algorithms to enable model-free optimal control of DER to provide grid services to both the distribution and transmissions systems. Motivated by preliminary deployments of DER managed by 2D-ES algorithms in hardware-in-the-loop tests and in operational distribution grids, in this work, we extend the control scheme to accommodate communication delays and information loss. We propose a modification to the 2D-ES scheme to allow for the processing of batches of possibly noncontiguous objective function measurements at unknown and possibly uneven intervals. We provide a proof of the convergence of the batch 2D-ES (2D-BES) scheme when optimizing a generic convex objective function, as well as simulation results that demonstrate the suitability of the approach for substation active and reactive power target tracking.


Due to demographic transition (DT) and budget cuts, the municipal budget is under pressure, which nourishes the debate about municipal public real estate. An increasing number of regions in the Netherlands will cope with DT in the near future. Due to DT, the lower bound of the threshold for public services is reached sooner than in other areas which do not cope with DT (Rijk et.al., 2012). Due to such developments, the current de-central spatial allocation of public services cannot be maintained. The concentration of (public) services is seen as beneficial by experts. The municipal councilors are mainly reluctant towards concentration and are eager to maintain all public services in all villages. This thesis provides insight in the preferences of the municipal actors and consequences of spatial allocation of public services in municipal real estate and attempts to show financial consequences. This research should contribute to the awareness of municipalities for the need to change the current structure of public facilities and related municipal real estate.


This paper addresses the problem of optimizing a device by using an interpolation of the objective function. Optimization by means of stochastic methods can explore the objective function and give reliable indications on its global extrema, but the number of function calls can be unacceptably large when numerically evaluated functions are used. An optimization procedure applied not directly on the objective function but on its interpolation can significantly reduce the cost of the optimization. An efficient coupling between interpolation technique and optimization method is needed both to explore features of the optimization algorithm and to exploit advantages of the interpolation. This paper analyzes the performance of a multiquadric interpolation procedure on analytical functions and on finite-element evaluations.


Unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) has the function of improving voltage supply, compensating load reactive power, suppressing harmonic current and increasing power factor; however, tradition control method has a certain extent limitation for such multiple input, multiple output, close coupling nonlinear issue. Artificial neural networks (ANN) can deal with data for multiple objectives learning in parallel continuous way, the control of complex object is achieved through interactions between nerve cells. Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm optimized back propagation neural network has, the characteristic of efficient learning and faster convergence; ANN outputs control signals for voltage and current compensation to UPQC through weights training. Simulation model is built in Matlab, load which is three phase unbalanced and has badly distorted current is simulated under the case of voltage sag. Simulation experiment indicates its compensation effectiveness is much more satisfying than traditional control method


We present measurements of the expansion of Kepler's Supernova Remnant (SNR) over three epochs of Chandra X-ray observations from 2000, 2006, and 2014. As the remnant of a historical supernova (observed in 1604 CE), Kepler's SNR presents the rare opportunity to study the dynamical evolution of such an object in real time. Measurements of the asymmetry in the forward shock velocity can also provide insight into the nature of the explosion and density of the circumstellar material. By combining data from 2014 with previous epochs in 2000 and 2006, we can observe the proper motion of filaments along the outer rim of the SNR. Prior studies of Kepler's SNR have shown proper motion differences up to a factor of 3 between the northern and southern regions around the remnant. With the longer time baseline we use here, we find results that are consistent with previous studies, but with smaller uncertainties. Additionally, by adding a third epoch of observations, we search for any systemic change in the velocity in the form of a deceleration of the blast wave, as was recently reported in Tycho's SNR. We find little to no conclusive evidence of such deceleration, and conclude that Kepler's SNR is encountering circumstellar material that is roughly constant in density, though substantially varied around the periphery.


This chapter examines whether a chromosomal conjugation system exists in Legionella pneumophila. Mating experiments between K6 (approximately 2.6 X 109 CFU) and Chicago-2S (approximately 8.5 X 109 CFU) typically yielded 103 Kmr Smr LacZ+ recombinants. All recombinants tested (100/100) belonged to serogroup 6, which is the same serogroup as strain Chicago-2S. This result suggested that the donor was strain K6 and the recipient was strain Chicago-2S. The mechanism of the DNA transfer was most consistent with conjugal transfer. To genetically examine the DNA transferred from K6 to Chicago-2S, genotyping by arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were performed among strains K6, Chicago-2S, and their transconjugants. The restriction fragment patterns of the transconjugants were distinct from the pattern exhibited by K6 and were similar to that exhibited by Chicago-2S. The transfer of DNA from the chromosome of strain K6 to Chicago-2S could occur by a variety of mechanisms. Transposition would presumably transfer only the transposition sequences to random sites that would differ in different recombinants. Researchers showed that a thymine auxotroph of L. pneumophila was repaired by plasmid R68.45-mediated chromosomal mobilization of a prototrophic donor strain. Therefore, if L. pneumophila had acquired an onT by integration of these conjugative elements, it would become selfmobilizable like the Hfr of Escherichia coli.


A two‐dimensional heat transfer model was proposed to numerically investigate the effect of enriching phase change material (PCM) with different kinds of nanoparticles on thermal performance of glazing windows in different seasons of the year. The results were presented in terms of liquid fraction of PCM, inner surface temperature and temperature difference between interior and exterior surfaces of glass window, and their occurrence times. The results showed that adding nanoparticles into PCM can promote the melting and solidification processes, extend the total time of PCM being in the liquid state, and raise the internal surface temperature of glass. However, in summer season, the internal surface temperature decreases and the total melting time respectively reduces by 7 and 1.5 minutes by introducing TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles into PCM. Furthermore, the introduced nanoparticles do not have the same effect on the thermal performance of the window unit. While the inner surface temperature decreases by 0.82 K in summer by addition of TiO2 to PCM, it increases by 0.84 K in transition season and 0.89 K in winter season by utilizing ZnO nanoparticles. Although the nano‐PCM remains in the solid state in winter, the existence of nanoparticles can still increase the inner surface temperature.


: Cornual pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. Its diagnosis is challenging as the fetus usually appears as being inside the uterus on ultrasound scanning. Cornual pregnancy is more dangerous than other forms of ectopic pregnancy since a severe maternal hemorrhage can result during a cornual rupture. A case of a uterine rupture in a 14-week cornual pregnancy is reported.


In 1844 Schwabe discovered that the number of sunspots increased and decreased over a period of about 11 years, that variation became known as the sunspot cycle. Almost eighty years later, Hale described the nature of the Sun's magnetic field, identifying that it takes about 22 years for the Sun's magnetic polarity to cycle. It was also identified that the latitudinal distribution of sunspots resembles the wings of a butterfly \-- showing migration of sunspots in each hemisphere that abruptly start at mid-latitudes (about $\pm$35$^{o}$) towards the Sun's equator over the next 11 years. These sunspot patterns were shown to be asymmetric across the equator. In intervening years, it was deduced that the Sun (and sun-like stars) possess magnetic activity cycles that are assumed to be the physical manifestation of a dynamo process that results from complex circulatory transport processes in the star's interior. Understanding the Sun's magnetism, its origin and its variation, has become a fundamental scientific objective \-- the distribution of magnetism, and its interaction with convective processes, drives various plasma processes in the outer atmosphere that generate particulate, radiative, eruptive phenomena and shape the heliosphere. In the past few decades, a range of diagnostic techniques have been employed to systematically study finer scale magnetized objects, and associated phenomena. The patterns discerned became known as the ``Extended Solar Cycle'' (ESC). The patterns of the ESC appeared to extend the wings of the activity butterfly back in time, nearly a decade before the formation of the sunspot pattern, and to much higher solar latitudes. In this short review, we describe their observational patterns of the ESC and discuss possible connections to the solar dynamo as we depart on a multi-national collaboration to investigate the origins of solar magnetism through a blend of archived and contemporary data analysis with the goal of improving solar dynamo understanding and modeling.


InAs (p-doped) is grown on a GaAs-buffered GaSb substrate via molecular beam epitaxy. The heterostructure is tested as an emitter in a terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system with a 1550-nm-wavelength femtosecond laser. We achieve an enhancement in the terahertz radiation intensity of approximately twice compared to that of bulk p-InAs. Pump power dependence of the THz signal (800-nm femtosecond laser excitation) show similar trend in the saturation fluence of the samples. Azimuthal-angle measurements reveal surge current mechanism via photo-Dember effect.


Background: Quercetin, which is considered as a health-promoting antioxidant, belongs to the broad flavonoids group. Numerous experimental studies have proved that quercetin and vitamin C provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of both quercetin and vitamin C on lipid profile and muscle damage in human subjects. Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was carried out on 60 males for eight weeks. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: 1) quercetin + vitamin C (500 mg/day quercetin + 200 mg/day vitamin C) 2) quercetin (500 mg/day quercetin + 200 mg/day placebo) 3) vitamin C (500 mg/day vitamin C + 200 mg/day placebo) and 4) placebo (500 mg/day placebo + 200 mg/day placebo). Blood samples, body weight and percent of body fat were measured before and after intervention. In addition, dietary intake was estimated using 24-h recall. Results: No significant changes occurred in high-density lipoprotein levels between groups and in the four groups before and after supplementation. Low density lipoprotein values decreased significantly (P = 0.048) in the "Quercetin + Vit C" group but decrease was not considerable in other groups before and after intervention and among groups. Fat-soluble vitamins' intake was significantly high among 4 groups. Conclusions: Quercetin and vitamin C supplementation may not be beneficial in lipid profile improvement, although it may reduce induce muscle damage and body fat percent.


This new edition of the "Dictionary of Economics" has been extensively revised and expanded and now contains more than fifteen hundred entries covering common and less usual economic terms, the contributions made by noted economists such as Ricardo, Marx, Keynes, Galbraith, Hayek, and Friedman, and the historical development of economics over the years. With its comprehensive cross-referencing, this authoritative yet concisely written dictionary is an essential source of reference for anyone who needs to understand this large and growing subject.


Context: The outbreak of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has posed new challenges to surgical care throughout the world. Laparoscopic guidelines were revised to address the theoretical risks associated with transmission of viral droplets and many elective surgeries were suspended.Aims: We aimed to describe strategies that lowered viral transmission risks such as alternative anaesthetic techniques and low-cost infection control and prevention practices for laparoscopic surgeries.Settings and Design: Seventy two patients who presented to hospital as acute surgical emergencies between April and July 2020 and analyzed clinical data of 50 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgeries. This was a prospective observational study.Methods and Material: Procedures were performed under spinal anaesthesia utilizing alternate electrosurgical units and simple smoke evacuation systems.Statistical analysis used: Continuous variables were summarized as mean and standard deviation (SD) or median and range. Discrete variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Univariate testing was performed using t test or Mann-Whitney U test. ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for categorical data.Results: Of the 50 operated patients, the median age was 23 years with 54% females. The most frequently performed procedure was laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the overall median theatre time was 47 minutes, and 40% patients were managed as day cases with reduced hospital stay.Conclusions: Use of spinal anaesthesia, a simple smoke evacuator and some additional measures during laparoscopic surgeries reduce theatre time and length of hospital stay. These strategies could address and minimize the risks associated with Covid-19 transmission in surgical settings in low-resource countries.


An elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) can reduce stomatal conductance of leaves for most plant species, including rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, few studies have quantified seasonal changes in the effects of elevated [CO2] on canopy evapotranspiration, which integrates the response of stomatal conductance of individual leaves with other responses, such as leaf area expansion, changes in leaf surface temperature, and changes in developmental stages, in field conditions. We conducted a field experiment to measure seasonal changes in stomatal conductance of the uppermost leaves and in the evapotranspiration, transpiration, and evaporation rates using a lysimeter method. The study was conducted for flooded rice under open‐air CO2 elevation. Stomatal conductance decreased by 27% under elevated [CO2], averaged throughout the growing season, and evapotranspiration decreased by an average of 5% during the same period. The decrease in daily evapotranspiration caused by elevated [CO2] was more significantly correlated with air temperature and leaf area index (LAI) rather than with other parameters of solar radiation, days after transplanting, vapor‐pressure deficit and FAO reference evapotranspiration. This indicates that higher air temperatures, within the range from 16 to 27 °C, and a larger LAI, within the range from 0 to 4 m2 m−2, can increase the magnitude of the decrease in evapotranspiration rate caused by elevated [CO2]. The crop coefficient (i.e. the evapotranspiration rate divided by the FAO reference evapotranspiration rate) was 1.24 at ambient [CO2] and 1.17 at elevated [CO2]. This study provides the first direct measurement of the effects of elevated [CO2] on rice canopy evapotranspiration under open‐air conditions using the lysimeter method, and the results will improve future predictions of water use in rice fields.


Within many-body perturbation theory we apply vertex corre ctions to various closed-shell atoms and to jellium, using a local approximation for the vertex consistent with starting the many-body perturbation theory from a DFT-LDA Green's function. The vertex appears in two places – in the screened Coulomb interaction, W and in the self-energy, Σ – and we obtain a systematic discrimination of these two effe cts by turning the vertex inΣ on and off. We also make comparisons to standard GW results within the usual random-phase approximation (RPA), which omits the vertex from both. When a vertex is incl uded for closed-shell atoms, both ground-state and excited-state properties demonstrate little improvem ent over standard GW. For jellium we observe marked improvement in the quasiparticle band width when the vertex is included only inW, whereas turning on the vertex inΣ leads to an unphysical quasiparticle dispersion and work fu nction. A simple analysis suggests why implementation of the vertex only in W is a valid way to improve quasiparticle energy calculations , while the vertex inΣ is unphysical, and points the way to development of improved vertices forab initio electronic structure calculations.


Based on decomposition and reconstruction principle, by analyzing the limit essence of rigid body in generalized coordinate system, the paper proposes growth conceptual design model from function to structure. It applies the mechanism of biological growth into conceptual design of products, realizes the stable mapping from function to structure, and also solves the issues of multi-solutions, uncertainty, etc, existing in the mapping process from function to structure of mechanical products in conceptual design stage. Establish the product knowledge model supporting product conceptual design, use the Case-Based reasoning (CBR) technology into entities match and verify it by case, which provides a new idea for the conceptual design of computer aided product.


In this paper, it describe the content based image retrieval system based on three major types of visual information color, texture and shape, and their distances to the origin in a three dimensional space for the retrieval. It also describes a multimodal interactive image search system using mobile devices. This system useful for users who already have pictures in their minds but have no precise descriptions or names to address them. By describing it using speech and then refining the recognized query by interactively composing a visual query using exemplary images, the user can easily find the desired images through a few natural multimodal interactions with their mobile device.


The impact of forest operations on soil properties has been a concern in forest management over the past 30 years. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of forest thinning operations on soil hydraulic properties of a shallow organic (Belhaven series) soil in the Tidewater region of North Carolina. Soil physical properties were evaluated in a nested design by collecting soil cores from an unthinned control and following a 40 ha fifth-row thinning with selection performed on a 14-year-old loblolly pine plantation in April 2001. Thinning decreased saturated hydraulic conductivity and drained volumes for a given water table depth; however, changes in bulk density were not detected. Saturated hydraulic conductivity determined by the constant head method before thinning was 100 cm h-1. Thinning resulted in a 3-fold decrease (from 100 to 32 cm h-1) in saturated hydraulic conductivity. The thinned watershed had less drainage at low pressures and greater retained water contents under increased soil water tensions in comparison with the control. Drained volume on the thinned watershed for a water table depth of 200 cm under drained to equilibrium conditions was reduced by 60% in comparison to drained volume for the control watershed. The reductions in ksat, drained volumes, and drainable porosity will likely result in shallower water tables and increased runoff for the thinned watershed.


The corpus luteum (CL) lifespan is characterized by a rapid growth,
differentiation and controlled regression of the luteal tissue, accompanied by
an intense angiogenesis and angioregression. Indeed, the CL is one of the
most highly vascularised tissue in the body with a proliferation rate of the
endothelial cells 4- to 20-fold more intense than in some of the most
malignant human tumours. This angiogenic process should be rigorously
controlled to allow the repeated opportunities of fertilization. After a first
period of rapid growth, the tissue becomes stably organized and prepares
itself to switch to the phenotype required for its next apoptotic regression. In
pregnant swine, the lifespan of the CLs must be extended to support
embryonic and foetal development and vascularisation is necessary for the
maintenance of luteal function. Among the molecules involved in the
angiogenesis, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is the main
regulator, promoting endothelial cells proliferation, differentiation and survival
as well as vascular permeability and vessel lumen formation. During vascular
invasion and apoptosis process, the remodelling of the extracellular matrix is
essential for the correct evolution of the CL, particularly by the action of
specific class of proteolytic enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases
(MMPs). Another important factor that plays a role in the processes of
angiogenesis and angioregression during the CL formation and luteolysis is the isopeptide Endothelin-1 (ET-1), which is well-known to be a potent
vasoconstrictor and mitogen for endothelial cells. The goal of the present
thesis was to study the role and regulation of vascularisation in an adult
vascular bed. For this purpose, using a precisely controlled in vivo model of
swine CL development and regression, we determined the levels of
expression of the members of VEGF system (VEGF total and specific
isoforms; VEGF receptor-1, VEGFR-1; VEGF receptor-2, VEGFR-2) and ET-
1 system (ET-1; endothelin converting enzyme-1, ECE-1; endothelin receptor
type A, ET-A) as well as the activity of the Ca++/Mg++-dependent
endonucleases and gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). Three experiments
were conducted to reach such objectives in CLs isolated from ovaries of
cyclic, pregnant or fasted gilts.
In the Experiment I, we evaluated the influence of acute fasting on VEGF
production and VEGF, VEGFR-2, ET-1, ECE-1 and ET-A mRNA expressions
in CLs collected on day 6 after ovulation (midluteal phase). The results
indicated a down-regulation of VEGF, VEGFR-2, ET-1 and ECE-1 mRNA
expression, although no change was observed for VEGF protein.
Furthermore, we observed that fasting stimulated steroidogenesis by luteal
cells. On the basis of the main effects of VEGF (stimulation of vessel growth
and endothelial permeability) and ET-1 (stimulation of endothelial cell
proliferation and vasoconstriction, as well as VEGF stimulation), we
concluded that feed restriction possibly inhibited luteal vessel development.
This could be, at least in part, compensated by a decrease of vasal tone due
to a diminution of ET-1, thus ensuring an adequate blood flow and the
production of steroids by the luteal cells.
In the Experiment II, we investigated the relationship between VEGF,
gelatinases and Ca++/Mg++-dependent endonucleases activities with the
functional CL stage throughout the oestrous cycle and at pregnancy. The
results demonstrated differential patterns of expression of those molecules in
correspondence to the different phases of the oestrous cycle. Immediately
after ovulation, VEGF mRNA/protein levels and MMP-9 activity are maximal.
On days 5–14 after ovulation, VEGF expression and MMP-2 and -9 activities
are at basal levels, while Ca++/Mg++-dependent endonuclease levels
increased significantly in relation to day 1. Only at luteolysis (day 17),
Ca++/Mg++-dependent endonuclease and MMP-2 spontaneous activity
increased significantly. At pregnancy, high levels of MMP-9 and VEGF were
observed. These results suggested that during the very early luteal phase,
high MMPs activities coupled with high VEGF levels drive the tissue to an
angiogenic phenotype, allowing CL growth under LH (Luteinising Hormone)
stimulus, while during the late luteal phase, low VEGF and elevate MMPs
levels may play a role in the apoptotic tissue and extracellular matrix
remodelling during structural luteolysis.
In the Experiment III, we described the expression patterns of all distinct
VEGF isoforms throughout the oestrous cycle. Furthermore, the mRNA expression and protein levels of both VEGF receptors were also evaluated.
Four novel VEGF isoforms (VEGF144, VEGF147, VEGF182, and
VEGF164b) were found for the first time in swine and the seven identified
isoforms presented four different patterns of expression. All isoforms showed
their highest mRNA levels in newly formed CLs (day 1), followed by a
decrease during mid-late luteal phase (days 10–17), except for VEGF182,
VEGF188 and VEGF144 that showed a differential regulation during late
luteal phase (day 14) or at luteolysis (day 17). VEGF protein levels paralleled
the most expressed and secreted VEGF120 and VEGF164 isoforms. The
VEGF receptors mRNAs showed a different pattern of expression in relation
to their ligands, increasing between day 1 and 3 and gradually decreasing
during the mid-late luteal phase. The differential regulation of some VEGF
isoforms principally during the late luteal phase and luteolysis suggested a
specific role of VEGF during tissue remodelling process that occurs either for
CL maintenance in case of pregnancy or for noncapillary vessel development
essential for tissue removal during structural luteolysis.
In summary, our findings allow us to determine relationships among factors
involved in the angiogenesis and angioregression mechanisms that take
place during the formation and regression of the CL. Thus, CL provides a
very interesting model for studying such factors in different fields of the basic
research.


Agrarian reform is back on the political agenda. However, from a human rights perspective this notion is little developed. In international human rights law an individual right to land does not exist. The present article aims at establishing the link between human rights norms and agrarian reform issues, such as access to land as a productive resource. It argues that agrarian reform be characterised as a human rights obligation. The article also discusses whether, and if so in what way, UN human rights bodies and specialised agencies have dealt with agrarian reform as a human rights issue. It concludes that the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food has contributed substantially to putting agrarian reform on the human rights agenda. However, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has failed to develop the notion agrarian reform in a progressive way. Modest and prudent efforts have been made by the FAO and IFAD to mainstream human rights in their policies and programmes on agrarian reform. Although the World Bank lacks an agrarian reform policy that is inspired by human rights, the Bank seems to be willing to give more attention to the social effects of land reform programmes on the living conditions of the rural poor.


Religious figures basically have a very important and strategic position and role, mainly as a spiritual, moral and ethical foundation in the life and life of mankind. a religious figure is a figure or role model in society. Has a position and great influence in the midst of society, because it has advantages, both in science, integrity, and so forth. Religious figures also serve as community leaders, as priests in religious matters and community issues and state affairs in order to succeed government programs and foster community life harmonization. Religion as a value system must be understood, lived and practiced by all adherents in the life order of every individual, family and society and animates the life of the nation and the state. The current situation of harmonization and community behavior requires the role of religious leaders to be significantly expected to take the initiative in the development and development of morality. This means that every development effort must always be directed to have a positive impact on character development.
Keyword: Religious figures and character development


Platelets exhibit a major role in development and progression of atherothrombosis. The normal function of platelets is to secure hemostasis at sites of vascular injuries. Abnormal endovascular structure may result in excessive platelet function with consequence of progressive or acute reduction in vascular lumen and cessation of blood flow. Despite succeeding in averting bleeding, total occlusion of a vessel leads to inevitable ischemia with eventual cell death upon lack of blood supply clinically manifesting as myocardial infarction in coronary vessels, cerebral infarction (stroke) in cerebral vessels, or peripheral gangrene in peripheral arterial disease. Antiplatelets long have been used to halt the process of atherothrombosis preventing further tissue damage at the expense of bleeding as well as other side effects. In this review, the role of antiplatelets in primary and secondary prevention of thrombotic events is explored in light of evidence based clinical practice.


This paper presents a process of instruction to improve the teaching quality of lecturers in higher education through the development of communication skills. One of the main instruments in the process of the personal instruction of lecturers is the filming of lessons. The lesson is observed both by the lecturer and the observer. Then a conversation that includes feedback and reflection constitutes the tool for changing behaviors and improving the quality of the interpersonal communication. The instrument is aimed at the empowerment and personal growth of the lecturer and is not focused on assessment. The observation tool using lesson filming and personal conversation can contribute to reducing fears of feedback and to improving the lecturer's reflective ability and interpersonal communication.


Bloodstream infections (BSIs) represent a substantial mortality risk, yet most studies are limited to select pathogens or populations. The aim of this study was to describe the population-wide prevalence of BSIs and examine the associated mortality risk for the responsible microorganisms. ABSTRACT Bloodstream infections (BSIs) represent a substantial mortality risk, yet most studies are limited to select pathogens or populations. The aim of this study was to describe the population-wide prevalence of BSIs and examine the associated mortality risk for the responsible microorganisms. We conducted a population-wide retrospective cohort study of BSIs in Ontario in 2017. Blood culture data was collected from almost all microbiology laboratories in Ontario and linked to data sets of patient characteristics. For each organism, we determined the prevalence and crude mortality risk, and using logistic regression models, the adjusted odds of 30-day mortality was calculated relative to patients with negative blood cultures and matched patients without blood culture testing. From 531,065 blood cultures, we identified 22,935 positive BSI episodes in 19,326 patients, for an incidence of 150 per 100,000 population. The most frequently isolated organisms were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Klebsiella species, and Enterococcus species with 40.2, 22.4, 12.1, 11.1, and 7.1 episodes per 100,000 population respectively. BSI episodes were associated with 17.0% mortality at 30 days. Compared to patients with negative cultures, the adjusted 30-day mortality risk for positive BSIs was 1.47 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.41 to 1.54) and compared to matched patients without blood culture testing was 2.62 (95% CI, 2.52 to 2.73). Clostridium species were associated with the highest adjusted odds of mortality compared to that of negative cultures (adjusted odds ratio, 5.81; 95% CI, 4.00 to 8.44). Among high incidence pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus had the highest odds ratio of mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.94 to 2.36). BSIs are associated with increased mortality risk, varying across organisms.


We have identified pairs of residues across the two parallel β strands of green fluorescent protein that facilitate native strand register of the surface-exposed β barrel. After constructing a suitable host environment around two guest residues, minimizing interactions of the guest residues with surrounding side-chains yet maintaining the wild-type protein structure and the chromophore environment, we introduced a library of cross-strand pairings by cassette mutagenesis. Colonies of Escherichia coli transformed with the library differ in intracellular fluorescence. Most of the fluorescent pairs have predominantly charged and polar guest site residues. The magnitude and the rate of fluorescence acquisition in vivo from transformed E. coli cells varies among the mutants despite comparable levels of protein expression. Spectroscopic measurements of purified mutants show that the native protein structure is maintained. Kinetic studies using purified protein with fully matured chromophores demonstrate that the mutants span a 10-fold range in folding rates with undetectable differences in unfolding rates. Thus, green fluorescent protein provides an ideal system for monitoring determinants of in vivo protein folding. Cross-strand pairings affect both protein stability and folding kinetics by favoring the formation of native strand register preferentially to non-native strand alignments.


ABSTRACT Approximately 36,000 Swedish children seek medical care annually because of injuries during school time. The purpose of this field study is to investigate risky outdoor play at the school yard and to describe teachers' perceptions of risk and safety in relation to learning and development. The study includes observations of children (6–12 years old) during outdoor activities as part of the school's activities and includes focus-group interviews with teachers and children. Children were seen climbing high in play facilities, speeding down slides, or competing with sticks in the woods. Different views of risk and safety among the participants influence outdoor play activities. Teachers' knowledge of risk seems to be derived from common sense and personal experiences rather than from a professional perspective. A joint approach of educational and medicine disciplines is desirable when it comes to children's health and development.


This article explores a discussion in a class of Haitian students where a non-teacherdirected discussion format and an emphasis on the students own questions encouraged the use of the students everyday ways of talking and exploring ideas. The article addresses the questions: will students unfamiliar with the discourse and practices of science more successfully engage in them, if they are able to bring more of their language and their everyday ways of making sense to the task? Or will the students in this case simply remain where they are, comfortable in a non-academic discourse, and unlikely to explore science as a different way of thinking and acting? Analysis of a discussion shows what and how the students are learning in this context. This is presented as a grounded example of what it might mean, in Bakhtin s terms, to populate with one s own intentions a new discourse.


The effects of clonidine on intraocular pressure and perioperative cardiovascular variables were studied by a randomized double blind design in 80 elderly patients (ASA physical status I-III) scheduled for elective ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia (GA) and local anesthesia (LA). Group 1 (n = 40), the control group, received diazepam po (0.1 mg·kg-1) 90–120 min prior to arrival to the operating room. Group 2 (n = 40) received clonidine po approximately 5 μg ± kg-1 po at the same time. Each group was divided into subgroups of 20 patients each to be managed with GA (GA subset) or LA (LA subset). Ninety to 120 minutes after the premedication, a large decrease in IOP from 20 ± 3 to 12 ± 3 mmHg (P < 0.01) and a small but significant reduction of both systolic and diastolic BP and HR were observed in patients receiving clonidine, while no changes occurred in controls. In the patients managed with GA, clonidine effectively prevented IOP rise and attenuated the associated cardiovascular response (P < 0.01) following laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, and significantly reduced intraoperative cardio vascular lability and anesthetic requirement for isoflurane (P < 0.05) and for fentanyl (P < 0.01). In patients managed with LA, intraoperative systolic (P < 0.01) and diastolic BP and HR variability (P < 0.05) were significantly lower in patients receiving clonidine as compared to controls. Intraoperatively, a significantly higher incidence of hypertension (P < 0.01) and tachycardia (P < 0.05) were respectively observed in the LA subset and GA subset of the controls when contrasted with the corresponding subset of those receiving clonidine. Moreover, clonidine was more effective than diazcpam as a premedicaltion; in fact, satisfactory intraoperative sedation and cardiovascular stability were observed in 85% of the patients who received clonidine, and in 50% of those patients who did not receive clonidine (P < 0.01). Thus, clonidine may represent a useful adjunct in the management of the aged patient in the setting of ophthalmic surgery.


Introduction Primary congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) is due to reduced thyroid hormone production. Oral thyroxine therapy commenced soon after birth improves cognitive development and growth. Despite 30 years of newborn screening for CHT in the UK, its success in identifying babies who require lifelong therapy for CHT remains unclear. Aim To determine, through UK-wide active surveillance, the number and characteristics of children aged ≤5 years diagnosed annually with CHT, detected by screening or after clinical manifestations, and to describe clinical management. Results During 13 months of surveillance, 704 children with positive screening results were reported by screening laboratories. Local clinicians completed 643 questionnaires (response rate = 91%). An additional 20 children aged <5 years were notified who were not identified through screening, including three diagnosed prior to screening (2 family history, 1 unwell) and 17 with negative screening tests (10 preterm, 5 unwell, 2 Downs syndrome); screening results were untraceable for 2 children. Of 643 screen positive children, 260 (40%) were boys, 130 (20%) were <37 weeks gestation and most were of white or Asian ethnicity (379[59%] and 133[21%] respectively). Investigations carried out soon after referral demonstrated serum TSH >40 mU/l in 365; in an additional 43 children an abnormal thyroid scan result was associated with serum TSH ≤40 mU/l. Based on the reported initial investigations for 643 children, an expert panel assigned a diagnosis of CHT in 410, excluded CHT in 120 and considered 113 had probable/possible CHT requiring follow-up. The local clinicians commenced 485 children on oral thyroxine, 401 of whom were assigned as having definite CHT by the expert panel. During 12 months of follow up after diagnosis, eleven children died of causes unrelated to CHT. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the predictive value of a positive screening test is at most 81% (523/643) assuming CHT is confirmed in those with possible CHT as an initial diagnosis. Our data suggest that permanent CHT cannot be confirmed at initial diagnostic investigation in a significant proportion of screen positive babies. Follow up of this cohort is continuing to determine outcome by two years of age. Funding Public Health England (NHS Newborn Blood Spot Screening Programme).


Shape fabrication from developable parts is the basis for arts such as papercraft and needlework, as well as modern architecture and CAD in general, and it has inspired much research. We observe that the assembly of complex 3D shapes created by existing methods often requires first fabricating many small flat parts and then carefully following instructions to assemble them together. Despite its significance, this error prone and tedious process is generally neglected in the discussion. We propose an approach for shape representation through a single developable part that attaches to itself and requires no assembly instructions. Our inspiration comes from the so-called zipit bags, which are made of a single, long ribbon with a zipper around its boundary. In order to "assemble" the bag, one simply needs to zip up the ribbon. Our method operates in the same fashion, but it can be used to approximate any shape. Given a 3D model, our algorithm produces plans for a single 2D shape that can be laser cut in few parts from flat fabric or paper. We can then attach a zipper along the boundary for quick assembly and disassembly, or apply more traditional approaches, such as gluing and stitching. We show physical and virtual results that demonstrate the capabilities of our method and the ease with which shapes can be assembled.


In democracies, innovative political institutions have opened up scope for direct public participation often in the form of talk: citizens talking to the state and mutual talk among citizens on matters concerning community development. A prominent example is the Indian gram sabha, or village assembly, which occurs in a highly stratified context. This paper undertakes a talk-centered analysis of the gram sabha with a focus on examining the oral participation of women in general and women affiliated with microcredit self-help groups who have access to an associational life. The qualitative analysis of 255 gram sabha transcripts from four South Indian states finds that women associated with microcredit self-help groups employ a wider variety of narrative styles and utilize a more multilayered structure to convey their messages compared with all women taken together. Thus, the difference is not so much in the numerical instances of talking or in the types of issues raised, but rather in the quality of participation. The paper makes an important theoretical contribution by proposing the concept of oral democracy as an alternative to deliberative democracy, and urges an analytical focus on the oral or oratory competency of subordinated groups as they participate in these important institutions.


We report the case of a 26-year-old woman from Cerro of Pasco - Per , with hydatid cyst in the liver associated with portal hypertension. We know that the echinococcosis in the liver is usually asymptomatic, although can produce clinical features that depend of the size and localization in the liver. The clinical, radiological and endoscopic findings are presented, due to the uncommon presentation and the few cases reported in the literature about this asociation


The staff scheduling problem is a critical problem in the call center (or more generally, customer contact center) industry. This paper describes Director, a staff scheduling system for contact centers, Director is a constraint-based system that uses AI search techniques to generate schedules that satisfy and optimize a wide range of constraints and service quality metrics. Director has been successfully deployed at over 800 contact centers, with significant measurable benefits, some of which are documented in case studies included in this paper.


Individuals devote one third of their language time to mentioning unexpected events. We try to make sense of this universal behaviour within the Costly Signalling framework. By systematically using language to point to the unexpected, individuals send a signal that advertises their ability to anticipate danger. This shift in display behaviour, as compared with typical displays in primate species, may result from the use by hominins of artefacts to kill.


Many studies have investigated the role of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) in cancer tumorigenesis and its antineoplastic effects in cancer models. The aim of this study was to examine the association of p-AMPK immunohistochemical expression with the clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer. Methods: 449 cases of previously diagnosed breast cancer, and 27 tissue samples of fibroadenomas and normal breast were utilized for detection of p-AMPK expression using tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry. Results: Nuclear and cytoplasmic immunoexpression of p-AMPK was identified in 374 (83.3%) of breast cancer and 25 (92.6%) control cases. Hormone receptor phenotypes are significantly associated with p-AMPK staining only in epithelial cells (P-value = 0.033); the proportions of ER+ PRHER2hormone receptor phenotype were significantly higher in positive p-AMPK staining epithelial cells. Loss of progesterone receptor (PR) expression was noticeable in breast tumors with positive p-AMPK stromal cells (P-value = 0.043). Histotype of breast cancer is significantly associated with p-AMPK staining in stromal cells only; positive p-AMPK staining was more prevalent in DCIS and ductal histotypes (P-value = 0.032). Lymph node involvement was also significantly associated with p-AMPK immunostaining in both epithelial cells and stromal cells (P-value = 0.037 and P-Value = 0.042 respectively). No significant differences in survival behavior were observed and no significant associations were detected with tumor size, grade of disease, stage, vascular invasion, margins involvement and disease recurrence. Conclusions: Our results showed a slight decrease in p-AMPK expression in breast cancer in comparison with control group. Expression of p-AMPK could be a useful marker in the diagnosis and prognosis of some types of breast cancer with certain hormone receptor phenotype and lymph node involvement.


We present a new technique for the evaluation of polymer blood compatibility that makes use of a micro- channel array flow analyzer and we describe and characterize the flow dynamics of this instrument. The blood compatibil- ity of four polymers is quantitatively and qualitatively assessed and the results discussed. The blood is allowed to flow through the channels of a polymer coated micro-fluidic chip under adjustable pressure. The chip surface is investigated using optical microscopy during the blood flow and by scanning electron microscopy afterwards. Polymers known for having good blood compatibility exhibited higher flow rate values. Platelets were observed adhering, aggregating and ob- structing the channels of the chips coated with polymers known for having poor blood compatibility. This technique has remarkable qualities such as a small blood volume requirement for material tests (100 μL), tuneable flow regimes and the use of human blood.


The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the influence of boar breed and season on semen parameters. The research material consisted of 31 boars: Polish Large White (PLW), Polish Landrace (PL), and Duroc × Pietrain (D × P), aged 8 to 24 months. The analysed material consisted of 1390 ejaculates, collected during the period January 2010 to October 2012. Semen samples were assessed in terms of semen volume (mL), sperm concentration (× 10 6 m/mL), total number of sperm (× 10 9 ), total number of live sperm (× 10 9 ) and number of insemination doses obtained from one ejaculate (n). In winter, an increase in sperm concentration was observed for the PLW breed. Moreover, an increase in the volume of semen produced for this breed was noted in summer and autumn. Differences between breeds for the total number of sperm and total number of live sperm were observed for the winter and spring periods. The largest semen volume was noted for the PLW breed (276.4 ± 9.66 mL). However, in the analysis of other sperm parameters, boars of this breed demonstrated the poorest results. The highest insemination dose was obtained from breed D × P in winter (26.0 ± 0.51). Correlation analyses indicated that PLW and D × P boars are the least resistant to higher ambient temperatures, and in summer and autumn this resulted in a reduction in sperm concentration (–0.26 and –0.20, respectively). Keywords: Breed, boars, ejaculate, season, semen quality