The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of spineless-cactus meal substituting for maize in diets for supplemented steers grazing on Urochoa brizantha during the postweaning phase. The experiment was conducted on Princesa do Mateiro farm, located in Ribeirao do Largo-BA, Brazil. Forty crossbred steers with an average body weight of 261 ± 7.46 kg were distributed into four groups for evaluation of the following four levels of substitution of ground maize for spinelesscactus meal: 0.00, 30.00, 60.00, and 90.00%. The results were analysed statistically by variance and regression analyses at a 5% error probability. Increasing the amount of spineless-cactus meal in the diet had a quadratic effect on the grazing time and on the time spent on other activities. The diet had a quadratic effect on the number of grazing periods, the number of periods at the trough, and the total feeding and chewing times. In contrast, the number of periods spent on other activities and on rumination was not influenced by the level of spineless-cactus meal. The bite rate, number of bites per swallow, and number of bites per day increased linearly, whereas the swallowing time and number of cuds ruminated per day decreased as the level of spineless-cactus meal added to the diet wasincreased. The feed and rumination efficiencies of dry matter, neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, and non-fibre carbohydrates were not influenced by the level of substitution of spineless-cactus meal for ground maize. Spinelesscactus meal levels close to 60% probably provided greater fibre degradation, leading the animals to spend more time on social interactions with the group, use the feed better, and possibly have a better feed conversion. .


One of the main benefits of the fieldbus technology is its significant reduction in wiring. This is because each process requires only one wire to be run to the main cable. Installation costs are further reduced because the fieldbus is a multi‐drop rather than a point‐to‐point system. (The multi‐drop network can offer a 5:1 reduction in field wiring expense.) A number of pneumatics manufacturers have already developed devices for various programmable logic controller (PLC) fieldbus protocols, in the form of control blocks mounted directly on to standard pneumatic valve manifolds. The next generation of modular valve manifolds has emerged too. These do not need wiring, because they are based on a virtually "plug‐and‐play" design and installation method. This means that with this modular design one simply selects the valve configuration needed for the process, plugs the modules together, and the manifold is ready to connect into a fieldbus network.


Program comprehension is an important activity in software maintenance, as software must be sufficiently understood before it can be properly modified. The study of a program's execution, known as dynamic analysis, has become a common technique in this respect and has received substantial attention from the research community, particularly over the last decade. These efforts have resulted in a large research body of which currently there exists no comprehensive overview. This paper reports on a systematic literature survey aimed at the identification and structuring of research on program comprehension through dynamic analysis. From a research body consisting of 4,795 articles published in 14 relevant venues between July 1999 and June 2008 and the references therein, we have systematically selected 176 articles and characterized them in terms of four main facets: activity, target, method, and evaluation. The resulting overview offers insight in what constitutes the main contributions of the field, supports the task of identifying gaps and opportunities, and has motivated our discussion of several important research directions that merit additional consideration in the near future.


The Luquillo Mountains of eastern Puerto Rico are used as a case study to evaluate possible single- or multiple-factor controls of productivity in montane forests. A review of published studies from the Luquillo Mountains revealed that canopy height, productivity, and species richness decline while stem density increases with elevation, as is typical of other montane forests. A mid-elevation floodplain palm stand with high levels of productivity provides a notable exception to this pattern. Previous basic and applied studies of productivity in the Luquillo Mountains have consistently considered the overall gradient in productivity to be important in understanding forest structure and function. Recent observational and experimental studies have determined that disturbance of all types is an important factor mediating productivity in both low- and high-elevation (cloud) forests. For example, low-elevation forest recovers more quickly from hurricane disturbance and is more responsive to nutrient additions than is cloud forest. All of the factors proposed for limiting productivity are supported in one way or another by research in the Luquillo Mountains. What is critically lacking is both an appreciation for the way that these factors interact and experiments appropriate to evaluate multiple controls acting simultaneously.


Purpose: This study was performed to determine the effectiveness and safety ofNight MoveTM orthokeratology lenses and to examine their effects on central corneal thickness. Methods: Ten subjects (20 eyes) with myopia less than 5D and with the rule astigmatism less than 1.50D were fitted with the Night MoveTM orthokeratology lenses. The lenses were worn at night for a period of 30 days. Subjects were examined prior to the study, at 1 day, 7 days and 30 days. Unaided visual acuity, refractive error, keratometric readings, intraocular pressure and central pachymetry measurements were determined at each visit. Results: All eyes reached unaided visual acuities of at least 20/40 with 90% reaching 20/20 or better. Mean refractive error demonstrated a decrease in myopia from -2.26D to -0.04D at 30 days. The mean steep K was reduced 1.46D at 30 days. The mean decrease in central corneal thickness was 0.022mm after 30 nights oflens wear. Mild cases of epithelial staining were seen in 2 eyes at 1 day and 7 days. No staining was seen after 7 days. All other ocular health was unremarkable throughout the study. Conclusions: Changes in mean keratometric readings and mean refractive error do not explain the acuities achieved by the subjects in the study. A decrease in central corneal thickness provides the additional power to allow subjects to achieve optimum visual acuity. The change in corneal thickness is small compared to photorefractive surgeries and provides a safer alternative maintaining greater corneal integrity.


Process monitoring and quality control is essential for continuous manufacturing processes of carbon nano- tube (CNT) thin sheets or buckypaper. Raman spectroscopy is an attractive inline quality characterization and quantification tool for nanomanufacturing because of its nondestructive nature, fast data acquisition speed, and ability to provide detailed material information. However, there is signal-dependent noise buried in the Raman spectra, which reduces the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and affects the accuracy, efficiency, and sensitivity for Raman spectrum-based quality control approaches. In this paper, a signal analysis model with signal-dependent noise for Raman spectroscopy is developed and validated based on experimental data. The wavelet shrinkage method is used for denoising and improving the S/N ratio of raw Raman spectra. Based on the validated signal-noise relationship, a novel generalized wavelet shrinkage approach is introduced to remove noise in all wavelet coefficients by applying individual adaptive wavelet thresholds. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated using both simulation and experimental case studies of inline Raman monitoring of continuous buckypaper manufacturing. The proposed method allows for a significant reduction of Raman data acquisition time without much loss of S/N ratio, which inherently enables Raman spectroscopy for inline monitoring and control for continuous nanomanufacturing processes.


The paper explores two concepts that are gaining prominence around the world: Sustainable Development (SD) and Good Governance.  The paper provides a literature review on both of the two concepts and their histories.  The two are then related to each other in order to explore the interrelation and integration between the two concepts.  It is determined that achieving SD requires Good governance, and achieving Good Governance requires SD. This is studied using Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development as a case study in which a sample of 100 (n = 100) from both administrative and academic staff members, responded to a questionnaire on the topics of SD and Good Governance.  The results showed a strong relationship between the various concepts and variables of Good Governance measured and between the applications of SD concepts. The significance of the study is that, while there is a significant research and study on the topics of SD and Good Governance, little focus has been placed on the intersection between these two critical fields. Furthermore, this study provides empirical evidence for the connect as well as the implications Good Governance has on the success of the institutionalization of SD. Keywords: Sustainable Development; Good Governance; Corporate Governance; Millennium Development Goals MDGs


Enzymes displayed on the Bacillus subtilis spore coat have several features that are useful for biocatalysis. The enzyme is preimmobilized on an inert surface of the spore coat, which is due to the natural sporulation process. As a result, protein stability can be increased, and they are resistant to environmental changes. Next, they would not lyse under extreme conditions, such as in organic solvents. Furthermore, they can be easily removed from the reaction solution and reused. The laboratory evolved CotA laccase variant T480A-CotA was used to oxidize the following phenolic substrates: (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and sinapic acid. The kinetic parameters were determined and T480A-CotA had a greater Vmax/Km than wt-CotA for all substrates. The Vmax/Km for T480A-CotA was 4.1, 5.6, and 1.4-fold greater than wt-CotA for (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and sinapic acid, respectively. The activity of wt-CotA and T480A-CotA was measured at different concentrations from 0–70% in organic solvents (dimethyl sulfoxide, ethanol, methanol, and acetonitrile). The Vmax for T480A-CotA was observed to be greater than the wt-CotA in all organic solvents. Finally, the T480A-CotA was recycled 7 times over a 23-h period and up to 60% activity for (+)-catechin remained. The product yield was up to 3.1-fold greater than the wild-type.


Growth of young pea (Pisum sativum) fruit (pericarp) requires developing seeds or, in the absence of seeds, treatment with gibberellin (GA) or auxin (4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid). This study examined the role of seeds and hormones in the regulation of cell division and elongation in early pea fruit development. Profiling histone H2A and γ-tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) gene expression during early fruit development identified the relative contributions of cell division and elongation to fruit growth, whereas histological studies identified specific zones of cell division and elongation in exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp tissues. Molecular and histological studies showed that maximal cell division was from −2 to 2 d after anthesis (DAA) and elongation from 2 to 5 DAA in pea pericarp. Maximal increase in pericarp γ-TIP message level preceded the maximal rate of fruit growth and, in general, γ-TIP mRNA level was useful as a qualitative marker for expanding tissue, but not as a quantitative marker for cell expansion. Seed removal resulted in rapid decreases in pericarp growth and in γ-TIP and histone H2A message levels. In general, GA and 4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid maintained these processes in deseeded pericarp similarly to pericarps with seeds, and both hormones were required to obtain mesocarp cell sizes equivalent to intact fruit. However, GA treatment to deseeded pericarps resulted in elevated levels of γ-TIP mRNA (6 and 7 DAA) when pericarp growth and cell enlargement were minimal. Our data support the theory that cell division and elongation are developmentally regulated during early pea fruit growth and are maintained by the hormonal interaction of GA and auxin.


Hierarchical 3D ZnIn2S4/graphene (ZnIn2S4/Gr) nano-heterostructures were successfully synthesized using an in-situ hydrothermal method. The dual functionality of these nano-heterostructures i.e. for solar hydrogen production and lithium ion batteries has been demonstrated for the first time. The ZnIn2S4/Gr nano-heterostructures were optimized by varying the concentrations of graphene for utmost hydrogen production. An inspection of the structure shows the existence of layered hexagonal ZnIn2S4 wrapped in graphene. The reduction of graphene oxide (GO) to graphene was confirmed by Raman and XPS analyses. The morphological analysis demonstrated that ultrathin ZnIn2S4 nanopetals are dispersed on graphene sheets. The optical study reveals the extended absorption edge to the visible region due to the presence of graphene and hence is used as a photocatalyst to transform H2S into eco-friendly hydrogen using solar light. The ZnIn2S4/Gr nano-heterostructure that is comprised of graphene and ZnIn2S4 in a weight ratio of 1 : 99 exhibits enhanced photocatalytically stable hydrogen production i.e. B6365 mmole h 1 under visible light irradiation using just 0.2 g of nano-heterostructure, which is much higher as compared to bare hierarchical 3D ZnIn2S4. The heightened photocatalytic activity is attributed to the enhanced charge carrier separation due to graphene which acts as an excellent electron collector and transporter. Furthermore, the usage of nano-heterostructures and pristine ZnIn2S4 as anodes in lithium ion batteries confers the charge capacities of 590 and 320 mA h g 1 after 220 cycles as compared to their initial reversible capacities of 645 and 523 mA h g , respectively. These nano-heterostructures show high reversible capacity, excellent cycling stability, and high-rate capability indicating their potential as promising anode materials for LIBs. The excellent performance is due to the nanostructuring of ZnIn2S4 and the presence of a graphene layer, which works as a channel for the supply of electrons during the charge–discharge process. More significantly, their dual functionality in energy generation and storage is quite unique and commendable.


Modern cosmonautics and Earthly aviation, based on liquid and turbo-air engines, have nearly exhausted the range of their technical capabilities. There is little significant present-day and future progress in monetary cost reduction of trips and flights into outer space. Passenger planes can hardly exceed the speed of sound, and the cost of launching into space is still more than 15-25 thousand US dollars per kilogram. Progress on pricing can only be based on fundamentally new technologies that can improve these indicators tenfold. For example, the inter-continental flight-time will be reduced to 30 – 40 minutes, and the cost of a flight to outer space will be reduced to the current cost of a long-distance airline ticket. The author offers a fundamentally new electric air-jet engine that can operate at cosmic speeds up to Mach 25 and higher and be ten times more economical than liquid-jet engines.


Psoriasis is a common skin condition affecting 1.5% of the UK population. Patients with psoriasis have to manage and cope with their psoriasis on a day to day basis; which includes understanding how to self manage and use topical therapy. General skin care, including the importance of emollients is often an overlooked therapy area in psoriasis. This article gives an overview of psoriasis and current recommended topical treatments by the new NICE Assessment and Management of psoriasis Guidelines (2012). A recent survey looking at emollients and psoriasis are discussed. The best emollient for the patients is the one with the formulation that individually suits them and they want to use as part of a daily skin care routine.


Abstract Since their publication in the 1950s and 1980s respectively, the Commentaries on the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 have become a major reference for the application and interpretation of those treaties. The International Committee of the Red Cross, together with a team of renowned experts, is currently updating these Commentaries in order to document developments and provide up-to-date interpretations of the treaty texts. This article highlights key points of interest covered in the updated Commentary on the Third Geneva Convention. It explains the fundamentals of the Convention: the historical background, the personal scope of application of the Convention and the fundamental protections that apply to all prisoners of war (PoWs). It then looks at the timing under which certain obligations are triggered, those prior to holding PoWs, those triggered by the taking of PoWs and during their captivity, and those at the end of a PoW's captivity. Finally, the article summarizes key substantive protections provided in the Third Convention.


In the context of retail internationalization it is observable that retailers from West European countries take their business models known from their home countries into the newly entered markets. In this sense there are at least three development trends in conjunction with globalization, which include global sourcing, retail branding and establishing of strictly coordinated vertical linkages (supply chain networks or netchains). In our paper we firstly describe the internationalization process of the retail business, and based on this, elaborate on structural changes resulting from and connected with internationalization process that are in the center of interest to the food industry. Further on, we focus on the situation in the agri-food business of Russia and describe whether the main tendencies of European retail development and the consequences of their influence are found there, as well as discuss outlook of future development of the Russian agri-food business in the context of supply chain management.


The notion of analogy plays an important role in Steven Duby's project of theologia. Traditional Reformed theology understands analogy as an "analogy of attribution" based on the creature's participation in God's own perfections. Duby's discussion of analogy addresses its grounds, main forms and variations, and limitations. In response, this article suggests supplementing Duby's broadly Thomistic explanation with key elements from the Scotist theory of univocal predication. The first benefit of this integration is a clearer balance of apophatic and kataphatic tendencies in the doctrine of God. The second result is a more sophisticated account of the doctrine of divine simplicity, combining Thomas' emphasis on the common ratio for predicating terms of God and creatures with the Scotist notions of disjunctive properties and distinctio formalis. While speaking about God's essence by different concepts is necessary because of our limited understanding, it is also grounded in the reality of God Himself.


SUMMARY Bidirectional molecular trafficking between the nucleus and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells occurs through the nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), ∼120 megadalton supramolecular assemblies embedded in the double-membraned nuclear envelope. Significant progress has been made in elucidating the three-dimensional (3-D) architecture of the NPC, and in identifying, characterizing, and cloning and sequencing NPC proteins. Several of these have now been localized within the 3-D structure of the NPC. Nevertheless, there still remain major questions relating to the conformation, molecular composition and functional roles of distinct NPC components. Here we review recent structural studies from our group and others which have contributed toward dissecting the molecular architecture of the NPC. We also present our results on the molecular characterization of some NPC components, and on the elucidation of their functional roles in mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport.


To investigate the expression patterns of histone acetyltransferase (GCN5) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) in preimplantation mouse embryos and the effects of in-vitro cultures on their expressions, immunocytochemistry was used to detect the expressions of GCN5 and HDAC1 in mouse embryos at the stages of two-cell, four-cell, eight-cell, morula and blastocyst in both in-vivo and invitro groups. In in-vivo group, the obvious expressions of GCN5 were observed in the cytoplasm of all kinds of mouse embryos but blastocysts. Meanwhile, HDAC1 was highly expressed in the nuclei of four and eight-cell embryos and morula but mainly seen in the cytoplasm of two-cell embryos. In blastocysts, the HDAC1 fluorescence was limited to the nuclei of trophoblast cells. In in-vitro group, there were no obvious GCN5 expressions in all kinds of embryos and the expression of HDAC1 was significantly reduced although its expression pattern was similar to that of in-vivo group. Those results showed that in -vitro culture environments could inhibit GCN5 expression and decrease the expression of HDAC1 in mouse preimplantation embryos, which might affect the correct embryonic gene expression.


Summary

In order to investigate the hypothesis that the Earth's climate and vegetation patterns may have more than one basic state, we use the fully coupled GENESIS-IBIS model. GENESIS is an atmospheric general circulation model. IBIS is a dynamic global vegetation model that integrates biophysical, physiological, and ecological processes. GENESIS and IBIS are coupled by way of a common land surface interface to allow for the full and transient interaction between changes in the vegetation structure and changes in the general circulation of the atmosphere. We examine two modern climate simulations of the coupled model initialized with two different initial conditions. In one case, we initialize the model vegetation cover with the modern observed distribution of vegetation. In the other case, we initialize the vegetation cover with evergreen boreal forests extending to the Arctic coast, replacing high-latitude tundra. We interpret the coupled model's behaviour using a conceptual model for multistability and demonstrate that in both simulations the climate-vegetation system converges to the same equilibrium state. In the present climate, feedbacks between land, ocean, sea ice, and the atmosphere do not result in the warming required to support an expanded boreal forest.


Examples of fluid motion driven by immersed flexible structures abound in nature. In many biological settings, for instance a beating heart, an active material generates a timedependent internal forcing on the surrounding fluid. Motivated by such active biological structures, this thesis investigates parametric resonance in fluid-structure systems induced by an internal forcing via periodic modulation of the material stiffness. One particular application that we study is the cochlea which is the primary component for pitch selectivity in the mammalian hearing system. We present a 2D model of the cochlea in which a periodic internal forcing gives rise to amplification of basilar membrane (BM) oscillations. This forcing is inspired by experiments showing that outer hair cells within the cochlear partition change their lengths when stimulated, which can in turn distort the partition and modulate tension across the BM. We demonstrate the existence of resonant (unstable) solutions through a Floquet stability analysis of the linearized governing equations. Moreover, we show that an internal forcing is sufficient to produce travelling waves along the BM in the absence of any external stimulus. We next examine parametric instabilities in a 3D system by considering a closed spherical elastic membrane (or shell) immersed in a viscous, incompressible fluid. A Floquet analysis for both inviscid and viscous systems shows that parametric resonance is possible even in the presence of fluid viscosity. Numerical simulations are presented to verify the analysis and an application to cardiac fluid dynamics is discussed. Finally, we deviate from the topic of parametric instabilities to consider the natural oscillations of unforced spherical elastic membranes. We present a linear stability analysis to obtain a dispersion relation for immersed membrane oscillations for both inviscid and viscous fluids, as well as a nonlinear analysis of immersed membrane oscillations in an inviscid fluid. We then present an experiment where we measure oscillation frequencies of immersed water balloons in an attempt to corroborate the analytical results.


On Monday, August 21, 2017, people in Nebraska may see one of nature's most awe-inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. Use this guide to learn more about this phenomenon and how to view it safely. #eclipse2017


Joint Congress on Evolutionary BiologyIn a fast-flowing underground stream in a cave in Ecuador, a 7-centimeter-long catfish holds its own thanks to an unusual sense organ. Astroblepus pholeter relies on teeth to sense the water flow around it. Not the teeth in its mouth, but ones sticking out all over the catfish's body, a sensory neurobiologist reported at the meeting.


We have developed a novel method to detect and locate geophysical events that makes use of any sufficiently dense sensor network. This method is demonstrated using acoustic sensor data collected in 2013 at the USArray Transportable Array (TA). The algorithm applies Delaunay triangulation to divide the sensor network into a mesh of three-element arrays, called triads. Because infrasound waveforms are incoherent between the sensors within each triad, the data are transformed into envelopes, which are cross-correlated to find signals that satisfy a consistency criterion. The propagation azimuth, phase velocity and signal arrival time are computed for each signal. Triads with signals that are consistent with a single source are bundled as an event group. The ensemble of arrival times and azimuths of detected signals within each group are used to locate a common source in space and time. A total of 513 infrasonic stations that were active for part or all of 2013 were divided into over 2000 triads. Low (0.5–2 Hz) and high (2–8 Hz) catalogues of infrasonic events were created for the eastern USA. The low-frequency catalogue includes over 900 events and reveals several highly active source areas on land that correspond with coal mining regions. The high-frequency catalogue includes over 2000 events, with most occurring offshore. Although their cause is not certain, most events are clearly anthropogenic as almost all occur during regular working hours each week. The regions to which the TA is most sensitive vary seasonally, with the direction of reception dependent on the direction of zonal winds. The catalogue has also revealed large acoustic events that may provide useful insight into the nature of long-range infrasound propagation in the atmosphere.


We describe here the finding that, with the aid of poly(benzimidazole) (PBI), soluble graphene was obtained in solution by the exfoliation of graphite without introducing oxidative sites on graphene, and the homogeneous loading of Pt-nanoparticles onto the PBI-covered non-oxidized graphene was successful. The prepared electrocatalyst showed very high electrochemical durability; namely, the electrochemical surface area of the catalyst was not much different even after 2000-cyclic voltammogram (CV) cyclings, which is because there was no formation of Pt aggregates after CV cyclings. The durability of the synthesized fuel cell catalyst was much higher than that of the conventional Pt-loaded carbon black catalyst. The design of such high performance graphene-based fuel cell electrocatalysts is important for the development of next-generation polymer electrolyte fuel cells.


Migration of neural crest cells depends on direct, transient interactions between fibronectin molecules and their corresponding Arg-Gly-Asp integrin receptors. We have previously suggested that the moderate-activity interaction between integrin receptors and fibronectin may be critical for the transient association of the cells with their substratum. In order to test this hypothesis, we have examined the in vitro locomotory behavior of neural crest cells on substrata of differing apparent avidities for integrin receptors. As substrata, we used a variety of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to the integrin beta 1 subunit that were characterized for their respective relative apparent avidities for the receptor. Neural crest cells were able to migrate on these antibodies and exhibited an organization of substratum-adhesion sites and of cytoskeletal elements virtually identical to that observed on fibronectin, indicating that they can at least partially mimic the migration-promoting activity of fibronectin. However, the number of migrating cells as well as their morphology and their speed of locomotion varied significantly with both the concentration of the antibody substratum and its relative avidity for the receptor. Thus, on high-avidity monoclonal antibodies and on polyclonal divalent antibodies at high concentrations only a limited number of cells escaped from the neural tube, and the rate of their migration was reduced compared to that on fibronectin (23 +/- 5 microns h-1 versus 65 +/- 10 microns h-1). In addition, cells were unusually flattened and cohesive. Time-lapse videomicroscopy revealed that, on high-avidity substrata, neural crest cells were able to extend cell processes that adhered to the substratum, but showed a dramatically reduced capability of breaking pre-existing substratum contacts. In contrast, the same antibodies at low concentrations produced neural crest cell migration at rates very similar to those on fibronectin at the same concentrations. Low-avidity monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal monovalent antibodies at all concentrations tested permitted extensive migration of neural crest cells, which exhibited the same morphology and locomotory behavior as on fibronectin. These results indicate that both the avidity of receptors for the substratum and the number of receptors bound to the substratum are critical in regulating the locomotory behavior of neural crest cells in vitro, and therefore might help to regulate the directionality of migration and final localization pattern of neural crest cells in vivo.


Introduction: The traumatic or internal derangement of the knee requires certain investigations for the establishment of diagnosis. With advances in technology and because of high resolution and accuracy a MRI scan is now a standard for evaluating the knee injuries before a subsequent arthroscopy. When used properly after a thorough clinical examination, an MRI can prove to be an efficient and non-invasive diagnostic tool in the management of knee injuries. On the other hand, arthroscopy is considered as the gold standard method for the diagnosis of such injuries.
Methods: The prospective hospital based study was conducted on fifty one symptomatic patients with knee injuries over a period of one year. All the patients underwent MRI of the knee joint on Philips Achieva 1.5 Tesla MRI Machine in Bir Hospital, NAMS and they were evaluated and cross checked by faculty members. After proper evaluation, diagnostic arthroscopy was done, if needed therapeutic intervention was also performed. The sensitivity, the specificity, the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value of MRI for MM, LM, ACL and PCL were calculated.
Results: A total of 51 patients were included with a mean age of 30.92 years. Left knee was predominantly involved in 56.1% of the cases with 43.9% involvement of right knee. Overall, MRI showed a total of 32 medial menisci tears and 8 lateral menisci tears. There were 5 false negative cases for MMT. MRI revealed tears of ACL in 44 patients and no patient with PCL tear. Arthroscopy revealed ACL tears in 44 cases and confirmed no patient with PCL tear.
Conclusions: MRI is a noninvasive, useful and reliable diagnostic tool for evaluating knee injury and it can be used as a first line of investigation in patients with knee injury.


In 2003 Jonathan Gottschall published one of the seminal articles in the field of evolutionary literary criticism, "The Tree of Knowledge and Darwinian Literary Study." Gottschall's primary conceit is that knowledge is structured like a tree with physics, being the most basic, as the trunk. Chemistry then emerges from physics and biology from chemistry. The crown of the tree is composed of the social sciences and the humanities. Each of these disciplines is an autonomous area of intellectual investigation, but is not hermetically sealed from the disciplines around it. While one could know everything we have heretofore discovered about physics, it would still be impossible to predict in detail what we currently know about chemistry. Yet nothing in chemistry violates the laws of physics. To put it another way, chemistry fits within physics while not being strictly reducible (in the derogatory sense of the term) to it. The same can be said for biology and chemistry. Describing the process by which a string of DNA is transcribed into RNA and then translated into proteins, and how those proteins are assembled into the parts of an organism that interact with its environment can, at least in theory, be done in terms of chemical reactions, yet the interminably long string of reactions required for something so ordinary as a fish swimming away from a disturbance in the water would fail to explain in a meaningful way why the fish behaved the way it did. For that biology is necessary. What follows is an attempt to apply this model in a practical way to literary studies. The most basic level of literary inquiry is where literature comes from and what function it serves. Evolutionary approaches are specifically tailored to this first question and should be central to answering the second. While a behavior's provenance need not be its destiny, the role that literature (in the broad sense of narrative since we are also speaking of pre-literate times) and the other arts played in our evolutionary heritage can speak to its current function. After all, the question of phylogeny is an important one for definition: we cannot define something without knowing what it is meant to do. The evolutionary approach, supported by work in cognitive neuroscience, is ideally suited to answering these important, and all-too-often-ignored, questions. If this were the only contribution these interdisciplinary efforts could make, it would still be an important addition to the field. Returning to Gottschall's tree metaphor, the arts are towards the top, but even within that category we can make a hierarchy that conforms to the same rubric. Within literature specifically we can distinguish between the study of trends within literary history; the study of how our universal, evolved cognitive predispositions interact with specific historical, social, and cultural contexts to produce texts that are "adapted" to that specific environment; the study of how minds process and make meaning out of texts; and finally the close reading of the details of specific texts. Some confusion has been caused by not distinguishing between these various levels. Much excellent work has been produced in the first three of these categories, but it has been my impression that what evolutionary and cognitive critics have produced in the fourth category has been of little potential interest to those not in the field, and much of what has been of interest has actually been the result of more standard approaches, even when couched in scientific terminology. But this is entirely consistent with the model as presented. The level of fine-scaled textual analysis so far is simply not directly tractable with the tools of evolutionary psychology or cognitive science, but this does not mean scientific approaches should be thrown out for that. The trick is to find their most productive application. I contend that the broader the focus, the more directly useful scientific approaches will be for literary studies. …


Hand washing is an indispensable procedure for surgical nurses. Although scrubbing up with a brush is preferable to prevent infections, it is not clear how irritating to the skin scrubbing with a brush is compared with hand washing without a brush. TEWL, high frequency conductance and pH were measured on the hand skin of the same group of nurses before and after daily hand washing for 11 days in different seasons, which were chosen as favourable and unfavourable periods for the condition of hand skin, namely the early summer and autumn. Additionally, we compared the antimicrobial effects on the skin of scrubbing up, using a palm stamp method. TEWL showed significantly higher values with brush washing than with simple hand washing only in the autumn. There was no significant difference in the measurement of high frequency conductance, pH or in the antimicrobial effects between the two washing techniques. Results showed the deleterious effects on the skin of hand washing, particularly that of using a brush in the cold season.


The law in Tanzania does not provide adequate safeguards to ensure that prosecution of those individuals accused of coming the kinds of acts described as criminal does not involves excessive violation of their basic rights and freedoms entrenched in the Constitution (Bill of Rights).
This is because the introduction of Bill of Rights into the Constitution was intended to expand the potential capacity for respect for human rights, basic freedoms, democracy, rule of law, political transparency and good government.
At the present moment Tanzania is undergoing profound transformations in its political, social and economic reorganization. This in turn, has resulted in many areas of life coming under legal regulation. The current changes require that the conduct of the state, and especially, that of its law enforcement officials- the courts, the police force, the security system and the prisons should now be judged in the light of human rights and democratic reality.
In order to ensure that fundamental rights and freedoms of accused persons are safeguarded, the activities of the institutions named above must be performed within the legal frameworks of the laws which established them and, further must accord with the various international instruments on Human Rights which Tanzania has signed and ratified.
The laws which establish them are the 1977 Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania as amended from time to time, the Police Force Ordinance, the National Security Act, The Criminal Procedure Act, the Prison Act and Evidence Act.
The International Instrument is those that are compiled in Human Rights: A Compilation of International Instruments and consist of: (i) Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, (ii) Regulations on Principles of Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Execution, (iii) The convention on the Rights of the Child, and (iv) the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
The International Instruments incorporate the sum total of norms accepted by the International community to regulate relations amongst states vis a vis their subjects and are also an important source of criminal procedure, especially in the sphere of human rights promotion and protection.
This paper seeks to examine and discuss in some detail how prosecutors in this country are supposed to perform their work efficiently while, at the same time, having in mind respect for and promotion and protection of the basic rights and freedoms of those they allege to be criminals.


Background: Phenolic compounds play key roles in health protection and leafy sweet potato is an excellent source of total phenolics (TP). The chlorogenic acid (CGA) family, which includes caffeoylquinic acid (CQA), 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,4-diCQA), 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-diCQA) and 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4,5-diCQA) , constitutes the major components of phenolic compounds in leafy sweet potato. However, the mechanism of CGA biosynthesis in leafy sweet potato is unclear. The objective of present study is to dissect the mechanisms of CGA biosynthesis by using transcriptome, small RNA (sRNA) and degradome sequencing.
Results: Transcriptome sequencing of twelve samples (triple replicates) from one low-CGA content genotype and one high-CGA content genotype at two stages (65 and 85 days after planting) identified a total of 2333 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The enriched DEGs were related to photosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. In this study, functional genes CCR , CCoAOMT and HCT in the CGA biosynthetic pathway were uniformly downregulated, indicating the way to lignin was altered, and two possible CGA biosynthetic routes were hypothesized. The sRNA sequencing identified a total of 38 DE miRNAs. Using in silico approaches, 1799 targets were predicated for 38 DE miRNAs. The target genes were enriched in lignin and phenylpropanoid catabolic processes. Transcription factors (TFs) such as apetala2 /ethylene response factor ( AP2/ERF ) and Squamosa promoter binding protein-like ( SPL ) predicated in silico were validated by degradome sequencing. Association analysis of the DE miRNAs and transcriptome datasets identified that miR156 family targeted DHQ / SDH (3-dehydroquinate dehydratase/shikimate dehydrogenase), the key gene in the phenylpropanoid pathway.
Conclusions: This study established comprehensive functional genomic resources for the CGA biosynthesis and provided insights into the molecular mechanisms involving in this process. The results also enabled the first perceptions of the regulatory roles of mRNAs and miRNAs and offered candidate genes for leafy sweet potato improvement s.


The drawbacks of programming coordination activities directly within the applications software that needs them are briefly reviewed. Coordination programming helps to separate concerns, making complex coordination protocols into standalone entities; permitting separate development, verification, maintenance, and reuse. The IWIM coordination model is described, and a formal automata theoretic version of the model is developed, capturing the essentials of the framework in a fibration based approach. Specifically, families of worker automata have their communication governed by a state of a manager automaton, whose transitions correspond to reconfigurations. To capture the generality of processes in IWIM systems, the construction is generalised so that process automata can display both manager and worker traits. IWIM systems possess a large number of algebraic properties, a range of which are described. The relationship with other formalisations of the IWIM conception of the coordination principle is explored. 2000 ACM Computing Classification: C.2.4, D.1.3, D.1.m, D.2.11, D.2.12, D.2.13, D.3.2, D.3.3, F.1.1, F.1.2, F.3.2, F.3.m


The Perceptual Computing Section of the Media Laboratory is working to make computers that understand people, and can work with them in the manner of an attentive human-like assistant. To this end we have built a series of interactive of-ce spaces that are used as real-time experimental testbeds. These spaces are instrumented with cameras and microphones, and perform audiovisual interpretation of human users. Real-time capabilities include 3-D tracking of head, hands, and feet; \holographic" audio; face recognition; and interpretation of face and hand gestures. People in the space can control programs, browse multimedia information , and experience shared virtual environments without wires or special goggles.


Abstract Dynamic changes in DNA methylation and demethylation reprogram transcriptional outputs to instruct lineage specification during development. Here, we applied an integrative epigenomic approach to unveil DNA (hydroxy)methylation dynamics representing major endodermal lineage intermediates during pancreatic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We found that 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) marks genomic regions to be demethylated in the descendent lineage, thus reshaping the DNA methylation landscapes during pancreatic lineage progression. DNA hydroxymethylation is positively correlated with enhancer activities and chromatin accessibility, as well as the selective binding of lineage-specific pioneer transcription factors, during pancreatic differentiation. We further discovered enrichment of hydroxymethylated regions (termed '5hmC-rim') at the boundaries of large hypomethylated functional genomic regions, including super-enhancer, DNA methylation canyon and broad-H3K4me3 peaks. We speculate that '5hmC-rim' might safeguard low levels of cytosine methylation at these regions. Our comprehensive analysis highlights the importance of dynamic changes of epigenetic landscapes in driving pancreatic differentiation of hESC.


A key observation from natural communities is that different species vary widely in their abundance and distribution. Understanding what factors are most important in explaining this variation is a fundamental goal of ecology. Here I take a comparative phylogenetic approach to address this problem. Using two clades of diverse tropical understory plants, I use information garnered from species' evolutionary relationships to test hypotheses about why some species are common while other species are rare. In a study of geographic range size variation of Neotropical Piper (Piperaceae) species, I used published DNA sequences to infer species' divergence times and herbarium collection records to infer their range sizes. I found that younger species have significantly smaller range sizes than older species. I examined a similar question using Mesoamerican Psychotria subgenus Psychotria (Rubiaceae) species. To infer the evolutionary relationships of species, I sequenced DNA from two loci of > 60 species in this clade. I concurrently inferred the phylogenetic relationships and absolute divergence times of species using a Bayesian relaxed-molecular clock method. I calculated two metrics of geographic range size using herbarium collection records, and predicted species' potential ranges using species distribution modeling. I found that Mesoamerican Psychotria subgenus Psychotria species have diversified primarily over the past 17 million years (Mya), and species largely fall into two clades that diverged approximately 15 Mya. In one clade, younger species have colonized a significantly smaller proportion of their potential range extent than older species. Finally, using two genera in the clade Psychotrieae (Rubiaceae), I examined the impact of phylogenetic relatedness on the co-occurrence and variation in abundance among these species in Costa Rica, Central America. Using data collected on 240 transects nested in seven assemblages across Costa Rica and a phylogenetic hypothesis of species relationships based on DNA sequences, I found that Psychotrieae assemblages are significantly phylogenetically overdispersed, indicating that co-occurring species are less related than expected by chance. Within one heavily sampled assemblage, I found an inverse relationship between species' phylogenetic relatedness and their variation in abundance. The opposite trend was found across assemblages, where phylogenetic relatedness and variation in abundance were positively correlated.


Daily variations in plasma glucose concentrations are controlled by the biological clock, located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Our previous studies indicated an important role for the sympathetic innervation of the liver in the generation of the daily glucose rhythm. In the present study, we investigated further the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in the genesis of the plasma glucose rhythm. First, we showed that complete removal of the autonomic inputs to the liver did not impair the plasma glucose rhythm or the daily expression of the glucoregulatory enzymes in the liver. Consequently, we studied whether the daily glucose rhythm is driven by the daily feeding activity in denervated animals. Surprisingly, complete denervation combined with a noncircadian feeding schedule also did not abolish the 24-h profile in plasma glucose or all daily rhythms in the gene expression of liver enzymes. These results demonstrate that the mechanisms used by the suprachiasmatic nucleus to control the rhythmic expression of glucose-metabolizing enzymes and the 24-h rhythm in plasma glucose concentrations are highly versatile and the glucose rhythm can be maintained in absence of hepatic ANS input and/or a day/night rhythm in feeding activity. Interestingly, a hepatic sympathectomy or parasympathectomy did abolish the plasma glucose rhythm, demonstrating that a unilateral denervation of the liver is more deleterious to maintaining the rhythmic liver metabolism than a complete removal of both branches. This observation supports the notion that an unbalanced ANS in obesity and diabetes accounts for the disturbed glucose balance in these disorders.


The Maine Cybersecurity Cluster (MCSC) at the University of Southern Maine in partnership with the University of Maine at Fort Kent, University of Maine at Augusta, and the York County Community College were awarded a two-year National Science Foundation grant during Fall 2014 to pilot an inter-institutional virtual cybersecurity collaborative learning laboratory, or "Collaboratory," establishing a shared educational environment. The Collaboratory, designed to highlight the interplay of technical and nontechnical issues, hosted virtual simulations conducted over three semesters. The simulations challenged students to detect and respond to denial-of-service, data exfiltration, insider threat, and advanced persistent threat scenarios. As importantly, the virtual environment requires students to move beyond their technical expertise and understand the critical nature of human interaction and the importance of social tactics. This environment is providing Maine students across the state with the opportunity to gain practical, collaborative experience in preventing and mitigating cyber-attacks in real-time. This paper delineates the background and benefits of the Virtual Cybersecurity Collaborative Learning Laboratory (VCCLL), or Collaboratory.


The WRKY transcription factors modulate numerous physiological processes, including plant growth, development and responses to various environmental stresses. Currently, our understanding of the functions of the majority of the WRKY family members and their possible roles in signalling crosstalk is limited. In particular, very few WRKYs have been identified and characterised from an economically important crop, cotton. In this study, we characterised a novel group IIc WRKY gene, GhWRKY68, which is induced by different abiotic stresses and multiple defence-related signalling molecules. The β-glucuronidase activity driven by the GhWRKY68 promoter was enhanced after exposure to drought, salt, abscisic acid (ABA) and H2O2. The overexpression of GhWRKY68 in Nicotiana benthamiana reduced resistance to drought and salt and affected several physiological indices. GhWRKY68 may mediate salt and drought responses by modulating ABA content and enhancing the transcript levels of ABA-responsive genes. GhWRKY68-overexpressing plants exhibited reduced tolerance to oxidative stress after drought and salt stress treatments, which correlated with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced enzyme activities, elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) content and altered ROS-related gene expression. These results indicate that GhWRKY68 is a transcription factor that responds to drought and salt stresses by regulating ABA signalling and modulating cellular ROS.


A total of 180 children of age group 5-12 years old in both sexes, of whom 90 were symptomatic and negative for other parasites, rotavirus or pathogenic bacteria. Another 90 children were asymptomatic, but with B. hominis in stools. Direct smear, formaline-ethyl acetate sedimentation concentration, kinyon carbol-fuchin stain, stool culture, enzyme immunoassay, culturing, morphometric study, gel electrophoresis and experimental infection of mice were done. The results showed that the central body cysts (CB), granular and multivacuolar forms isolated from symptomatic patients were larger than those from asymptomatic ones. The CB form was common compared to other forms and isolated from 104 cases. B. hominis infection was prevalent among males rather than females (60.5% versus 39.5%). The clinical data showed that diarrhea was the most common symptom (58.9%). The infection intensity had a direct relation with illness duration. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that isolates from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients ranged between 24-130 kDa. All isolates showed similar banding patterns. Only minor differences was in low MW (30, 50 kDa) and in high MW (118 kDa) in samples from symptomatic patients. The histopathological examination of caecum, colon and small intestine of B. hominis mice infected from symptommatic patients showed infiltration with inflammatory cells and tissue invasion by the parasite.


Between 1966 and 2001, 1254 patients underwent excision of a bone tumour with endoprosthetic replacement. All patients who had radiotherapy were identified. Their clinical details were retrieved from their records. A total of 63 patients (5%) had received adjunctive radiotherapy, 29 pre-operatively and 34 post-operatively. The mean post-operative Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores of irradiated patients were significantly lower (log-rank test, p = 0.009). The infection rate in the group who had not been irradiated was 9.8% (117 of 1191), compared with 20.7% (6 of 29) in those who had pre-operative radiotherapy and 35.3% (12 of 34) in those who radiotherapy post-operatively. The infection-free survival rate at ten years was 85.5% for patients without radiotherapy, 74.1% for those who had pre-operative radiotherapy and 44.8% for those who had post-operative radiotherapy (log-rank test, p < 0.001). The ten-year limb salvage rate was 89% for those who did not have radiotherapy and 76% for those who did (log-rank test, p = 0.02). Radiotherapy increased the risk of revision (log-rank test, p = 0.015). A total of ten amputations were necessary to control infection, of which nine were successful. Radiotherapy may be necessary for the treatment of a bone sarcoma but increases the risk of deep infection for which amputation may be the only solution.


This is a systematic account of the idealistic Vedanta as expounded in the 14th century by Bharatltlrtha from the point of view of the so-called Vivarana school. The position, however, of this philosopher in the history of Advaita has been so elaborately circumscribed that the general title of the book appears to be justified. The main sources used are Bharatitlrtha's scholarly Vivaranaprameya-satngraha and his popular Pancadasl. The English translation of the former by Thibaut (in Indian Thought, vols. i-iii) and of the latter by Venis (in the Pandit N.S., vols. v, vi, and viii), though apparently not used by the author, might yet have been called attention to for the benefit of the reader. The latter will be thankful for the glossary of Vedantic terms, pp. 271-278. The book is characterized by clearness of thought and fluency of language and certainly deserves the praise bestowed on it by Sir S. Radhakrishnan.


The Eastern Thrace and Western Black Sea basins provide unique perspectives on the palaeogeographic reconstructions of the Paratethys. Although very thick and extensive Oligocene outcrops and well sections exist in the Thrace Basin, only a few comparable sections are available in the Black Sea onshore areas. In this study, five measured stratigraphic sections of Eocene to Oligocene age from the margins of the Western Black Sea were studied and palynomorph assemblages were identified quantitatively. Index dinoflagellate cyst events and a palynological biozonation as established in the Mediterranean were applied successfully. Priabonian units contain the Aal biozone, whereas Rupelian successions were represented by the Adi, Rac, Cin, and Hpu zones. Palynological analyses suggest that the youngest interval of the studied sections, the highest sample of Karaburun (2) and the upper part of Servez Beach, sit just above the Wetzeliella gochtii interval and are early-middle Rupelian in age (Cin and Hpu zones). The Karaburun (1) and the lower part of the Servez Beach sections represent W. gochtii-bearing intervals and are interpreted as early Rupelian in age (Rac, Cin, and Hpu zones). The Servez Road Dam section occurs below the W. gochtii interval. It is characterized by common occurrences of Glaphyrocysta semitecta and interpreted as earliest Rupelian in age (Adi and Rac zones). Finally, the Sazlibosna section lies below the Glaphyrocysta semitecta zone and represents the oldest stratigraphic unit of the studied intervals. It yielded Eocene dinoflagellates such as Areoligera taulomasentosa, Areosphaeridium michoudii, Rhombodinium perforatum, Homotryblium pallidum, and Stoveracysta ornata and is interpreted as late Priabonian in age (Aal zone). Both palynomorph assemblages and organic matter constituents reflect shallow to open marine and nutrient-rich depositional conditions that occurred during Late Eocene?Early Oligocene time. The dominance of marine palynomorphs, without any indication of fresh water influx, might suggest that deposition took place before the isolation of the Paratethys, when the Western Black Sea region was still part of the Western Tethys during the earliest Oligocene (NP21-23).


METIS is the EU flagship 5G project with the objective of laying the foundation for 5G systems and building consensus prior to standardization. The METIS overall approach toward 5G builds on the evolution of existing technologies complemented by new radio concepts that are designed to meet the new and challenging requirements of use cases today's radio access networks cannot support. The integration of these new radio concepts, such as massive MIMO, ultra dense networks, moving networks, and device-to-device, ultra reliable, and massive machine communications, will allow 5G to support the expected increase in mobile data volume while broadening the range of application domains that mobile communications can support beyond 2020. In this article, we describe the scenarios identified for the purpose of driving the 5G research direction. Furthermore, we give initial directions for the technology components (e.g., link level components, multinode/multiantenna, multi-RAT, and multi-layer networks and spectrum handling) that will allow the fulfillment of the requirements of the identified 5G scenarios.


textabstractIn the policy discourse on sustainable development, the positive role of cross-sector partnerships is increasingly stressed. Governments habitually frame their partnership approach in terms of 'PPPs' - Public-Private Partnerships. But it is not very clear whether these initiatives actually are a combination of 'public' and 'private', whether these initiatives actually represent a partnership and whether they provide solutions for what type of problems. This book chapter addresses these questions and explores the right fit for sustainable development partnerships.
It argues that this discourse can be redressed to four questions: (1) what defines the 'space' in which partnerships develop to address sustainable development issues and (2) what kind or relevant roles do parties bring into the partnership and (3) what does this imply for the organizational fit of the parties in partnering space and (4) how does the various degrees of fit contribute to sustainable development. Is there an 'optimal fit'?

In this book chapter the authors develop a taxonomy that should help in classifying roles, the resulting relationships and the degree of organizational fit needed to make the partnership meaningful for sustainable development. This exercise should also help to link the meso-level of partnerships to the macro-level (impact) of sustainable development.


In spite that the great importance of logistics in industry, business and other branches is generally acknowledged, this problem is not systematically investigated in agriculture. As a presumption of a detailed analysis, the knowledge of the volume and structure of the material flow is necessary. The authors have proposed their own methodological procedure which issues from technological indicators, published by the Ministry of Agriculture Azerbaijan Republic for individual plants and categories of animals and which makes possible a further classification of these data for enterprises with different level of farming. These published standards of the Ministry serve as basic stones and by means of their combination, the volume of material flow and its structure during one-year periods is possible to calculate. The advantage of the proposed method is a fast finding out of necessary data and possibility of taking into account some specific conditions of the investigated enterprises.


Agriculture has been progressing continuously, from the use of free natural resources to the fossil fuels as energy sources. Even though agriculture depends mainly on ecosystem resources and services, its development has been apparently centered only on yield, not considering neither the ecological value of the negative externalities nor the decapitalization of the resources that influence sustainability. Thus, the information on the evaluation of the sustainability on different agriculture styles is scarce or almost null. This investigation evaluates the sustainability in different agriculture styles (intensive horticulture, traditional farm and self-sustaining horticulture) established in Hualqui (Region of Biobio, Chile), through the energy flows present on each style to measure the impact generated on the land. The results revealed that the self-sustaining horticulture style showed a higher sustainability compared to the traditional farm and intensive horticulture style. These results can contribute to the public, policies to reorient the action strategy to encourage the sustainability in the different agriculture styles.


We analyze the statistical properties of the maximum likelihood estimator, least squares estimator, and Pearson's χ(2)-based and Neyman's χ(2)-based estimators for the estimation of decay constants and amplitudes for fluorescence lifetime imaging. Our analysis is based on the linearization of the gradient of the objective functions around true parameters. The analysis shows that only the maximum likelihood estimator based on the Poisson likelihood function yields unbiased and efficient estimation. All other estimators yield either biased or inefficient estimations. We validate our analysis by using simulations.


The world is experiencing a new stage, the Fourth Industrial Revolution or also called Industry 4.0, which promotes the digital revolution of industries through the use of artificial intelligence and the internet of things; this revolution will generate new jobs. This work proposes the creation of Educational Mechatronics, which is an educational methodology that aims to develop the skills and abilities requiredby the jobs of the new industrial era by promoting the analytical thinking as a previous step for wardcritical thinking competence, allowing to generate solutions and innovative proposals for problems of industrial automation and automatic process control that companies from the industrial sector experience nowadays. The educational mechatronics integrates the Educational Model of the University, resourcesand existing academic spaces, practical activities and mechatronic prototypes focused on promoting the critical thinking of Mechatronic Engineering students through active learning. In addition, it is sought that with the inclusion of the Educational Mechatronics the levelof attraction of the students for their career will be increased by having an intensive active participation in experimental sessions and thus reduce the percentage of student desertion. The fore coming engineers need tobe trained with an innovative educational methodology since they will be in charge of strengthening and promoting the next technological revolution Industry 4.0, promoting new business and the social and economic development of the countries.


The University of Edinburgh have been authorised to reproduce and distribute reprints and on-line copies for their purposes notwithstanding any copyright annotation hereon.


Annually, the EU produces more than 100 million tonnes of urban biowaste, which is largely under-valorized and in some cases even still landfilled without any energy or material recovery. If Europe wants to be ready for the future, it will need to make better use of this large biomass potential within a circular economy approach. The research project funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 programme entitled 'VOLATILE-Biowaste derived volatile fatty acid platform for biopolymers, bioactive compounds and chemical building blocks' aimed to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from biowaste for reprocessing into products, materials or substances to close the material loop. During the project, the partners were able to obtain average volatile fatty acid yields of 627 g COD/kg organic matter (OM) for food waste, 448 g COD/kg OM for separately collected vegetable, garden and fruit waste (VGF), and 384 g COD/kg OM for the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OF-MSW) at concentrations ranging from 12-48 g/L, 6-40 g/L and 13-26 g/L, resp. A membrane filtration cascade consisting of micro-, ultra- and nanofiltration followed by reverse osmosis was identified as a feasible way to purify and concentrate the VFA effluent, making them a suitable carbon source for further fermentation processes. Besides technical optimization, socio-economic and legal aspects associated with this platform technology were also studied and show that although this technology is still in development, it is providing an answer to changing societal and market expectations both regarding organic waste treatment and bio-based production strategies. Based on the current technological, economic and market evolutions, it is expected that the VFAP will play an important role in organic waste treatment in the coming years.


SEISMIC EXCITATIONS ARE VERY DESTRUCTIVE TRANSIENT MOTIONS EVEN FOR SUBMERGED STRUCTURES. IN THIS PAPER, A FULLY COUPLED FLUID STRUCTURE INTERACTION (FSI) METHOD IS USED TO INVESTIGATE THE HYDRO-ELASTIC RESPONSE OF A FULLY SUBMERGED STANDING STRUCTURE UNDER SEISMIC EXCITATIONS. TWO DIFFERENT DOMAINS (SOLID AND FLUID) ARE MODELLED BY MESH BASED AND MESHLESS METHODS, RESPECTIVELY. SOLID DOMAIN IS MODELED BY FINITE ELEMENT METHOD (FEM) AND FLUID DOMAIN IS MODELED BY SMOOTHED PARTICLE HYDRODYNAMICS (SPH). COUPLING BETWEEN FEM AND SPH IS IMPLEMENTED VIA CONTACT MECHANICS. METHOD DIFFERS FROM OTHERS IN THE WAY OF COUPLING MECHANISM. INVADING SPH PARTICLES ARE SOLVED TOGETHER WITH FINITE ELEMENTS BY USING CONTACT MECHANICS. THUS, A FULLY COUPLED METHOD IS ACHIEVED. IN THE SCOPE OF THIS RESEARCH, DIFFERENT SEISMIC EXCITATIONS ARE APPLIED TO A RECTANGULAR TANK. HALF OF THE TANK IS FILLED WITH WATER AND A SUBMERGED RUBBER PLATE IS ATTACHED TO ITS MID BOTTOM. THUS, TWO-DIMENSIONAL MOTION OF RUBBER PLATE AND WATER IS INVESTIGATED EXPERIMENTALLY AND SIMULATED NUMERICALLY.


ABSTRACT The prairie nymph, Herbertia lahue ssp. caerula, is a critically imperiled grassland plant in Mississippi. A large population of the prairie nymph occurs at the Vicksburg National Military Park. This population of prairie nymph occurs in a managed anthropogenic grassland with a host of associated native and exotic species. With the assistance of National Park Service staff an experiment investigating the effects of their mowing and a study of the growing conditions and pollinators of the plant was initiated. The mowing experiment was abandoned after two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic and yielded no significant results. Here we report on the growing conditions and associated species. The syrphid fly, Toxomerus marginatus, was observed to be a frequent flower visitor.


ABSTRACT In a long life cycle of oil palm plantation, sustainable water management is mandatory because irrigation is rarely applied. In order to develop water management for sustainable palm oil production, tree-based water footprint of well-established oil palm plantation was assessed. Field data were collected from February to June 2016 in Dolok Ilir managed by PTPN IV, North Sumatera, Indonesia. Additional data were obtained from interviews on the site and the surrounding estates, reports and references. Results showed that water footprint (WF) for production of fresh fruit bunch (FFB) was 510.69 m3 tonne-1 and crude palm oil (CPO) was 517.79 m3 tonne-1. Green, blue and grey water contributed 94.78%, 0.71% and 4.50% in FFB, and 93.48%, 1.66% and 4.85% in CPO productions, respectively. All green WF was calculated basen on actual value of tree evapotranspiration, therefore, the value was mostly lower than other researchs. Low amount of blue water indicates that the oil palm tree in North Sumatera extracts low amount of ground water. On the other hand, grey water for pollution dilution of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides were high, i.e., 15.15 m3, 4.77 m3, 3.07 m3 tonne-1 FFB, respectively. It implies that reduction of grey water should be implemented in the near future through precission farming. Keywords: CPO, Elaeis guineensis, precission farming, sustainable production, water footprint


The theory of transient mode locking for an active modulator in an intracavity frequency‐doubled laser is presented. The theory is applied to mode‐locked and intracavity frequency‐doubled Nd:YAG laser and the mode‐locked pulse width is plotted as a function of number of round trips inside the cavity. It is found that the pulse compression is faster and the system takes a very short time to approach the steady state in the presence of a second harmonic generating crystal inside the laser cavity. The effect of modulation depth and the second harmonic conversion efficiency on the temporal behavior of the pulse width is discussed.


We evaluated the effects of amphotericin B (AmB) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infection in mice. Pretreatment with 2 mg/kg of AmB 24 hours before infection significantly increased the survival rates of mice intraperitoneally infected with either P. aeruginosa or Escherichia coli. To evaluate the mechanism of this AmB-induced resistance to infection, we conducted a number of experiments. Peritoneal macrophages exposed in vitro to AmB showed superior bactericidal activity compared to that of control macrophages. Interleukin-1 production by peritoneal macrophages from mice pretreated with 2 mg/kg of AmB was significantly higher than that in control mice. Serum tumor necrosis factor level after intravenous injection of P. aeruginosa was also higher in mice pretreated with 2 mg/kg of AmB than in control mice. These data indicate that AmB induces resistance to P. aeruginosa in mice. Furthermore AmB-induced activation of peritoneal macrophages and their production of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor appeared to play important roles in this phenomenon.


Cancer is a complex disease occurring as a result of a progressive accumulation of genetic aberrations and epigenetic changes that enable escape from normal cellular and environmental control. Cancer is treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormones and immunotherapy. But, due to side effects such as toxicity, death of normal cells near to cancer cells, second formation of cancers; these treatment was not successful. Targeted gene therapy is the most acceptable for cancer treatments because the above shortcomings overcome by it. Targeted therapy refers to a new generation of anticancer drugs that are designed to interfere with a specific molecular target, usually a protein with a critical role in tumor growth or progression. This approach differs from the more empirical approach used in conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, which has remained the mainstay of anticancer drug use over the past several decades. Targeted therapy has the potential to reduce or eliminate many of the present problems in the field of cytotoxic chemotherapy, such as the production of serious host-cell toxicity. Several types of targeted therapy are available such as targeted stem cells, but this review focuses in particular only on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Some have been approved for use in cancer therapy, and several others are in various stages of clinical trials. This paper provides a summary of some specific tyrosine kinases (TKs) and their inhibitors which are used in cancer therapy. While in normal cell regulation, TK plays a crucial signaling role, but in cancer cells it gets dysregulated. Thus, in recent times for therapy oncologists target TKs for regulating cell growth and proliferation; through their inhibitors which are small molecules with low molecular weight. INTRODUCTION: Cancer is a complex disease occurring as a result of a progressive accumulation of genetic aberrations and epigenetic changes that enable escape from normal cellular and environmental control.


Summary A leaden anchor-stock found off Porth Felen at the tip of the Llŷn peninsula in 1974 is described. So far unique in British waters, the stock is of a Mediterranean pattern obsolete by the time of the Roman conquest of Wales. From its decoration it may be assigned to the late second century B.C., or possibly a little later. The typology of ancient anchors is considered, and the reasons which may have brought a small Mediterranean craft to that spot are reviewed. The stock is now in the National Museum of Wales.


A highly compact and scalable three-dimensional desalination cell was realized by utilizing honeycomb-shaped porous lattice scaffolds. It did not require a free-standing ion exchange membrane and a thick current collector. Furthermore, the porous structure can act as a structural scaffold. Therefore, it can be readily scaled-up in three dimensions allowing enhanced salt removal capacity. This provides great potential for scale-up and commercialization of desalination using the capacitive deionization technology.


This research addressed the impact of lucerne in the traditional grazing system of stubble/annual pastures on animal production. One hundred and eighty Merino ewe weaners were allocated to 2 equal groups on a stratified weight basis. One group of animals was maintained on stubble/annual pastures and supplemented with hay and lupins as required. The second group was grazed rotationally on 4 lucerne paddocks. Food on offer was measured initially to establish stocking rates, which then changed as sheep moved from paddock to paddock. A crossover design was employed to estimate compensatory effects of grazing on lucerne during winter compared with annual pastures. To study wool production, 40 weaners were selected from each group. Dyebanding and mid-side patch clipping were used to measure wool growth and fibre diameter over the trial period. At shearing, fleeces from all sheep were sampled to determine wool quality characteristics. All animals gained weight, however, overall the lucerne sheep experienced greater liveweight gain over the trial period than the stubble/annual pasture sheep. During summer/autumn, the average liveweight gain of the lucerne group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the group grazing stubbles. In contrast, those animals grazing annual pastures over winter gained weight at a significantly higher rate (P<0.05) than those grazing lucerne. Despite differences in nutritive value, the type of pasture the sheep grazed had no effect (P>0.05) on wool growth or wool characteristics. This may have been due, in part, to either the supplements provided to the sheep grazing stubbles during the summer/autumn period and/or to the relatively low stocking rates used in the trial, which potentially enabled the sheep to be highly selective in their grazing.


As Europe moves toward an integrated academic system, European economics is changing. This book discusses that change, along with the changes that are happening simultaneously within the economic profession. The authors argue that modern economics can no longer usefully be described as 'neoclassical', but is much better described as complexity economics. The complexity approach embraces rather than assumes away the complexities of social interaction.


Within this thesis two experiments will be described. In the first experiment a velocity filter was used to obtain a beam of polar molecules (ND3) with a translational temperature of less than 5K. For the first time the dynamics of individual rotational states inside a velocity filter could be investigated directly. Usually a velocity filter defines only a maximumvelocity that can pass the filter. We successfully implemented two different approaches where molecules below a certain minimal velocity are removed from the beam, turning the velocity filter into a bandpass filter. The second and more interesting experiment is the merged beamexperiment. We developed and constructed the first apparatus which successfullymerged two guided beams, one consisting of polar molecules, the other of paramagnetic particles, into an overlapping parallel movement. With this approach we could lower the temperature at which the reaction of metastable Ne* with ND3, NH3 and CH3F has been investigated by 3 orders of magnitude down to the sub-kelvin regime. Especially the stereochemistry of those reactions revealed an unexpected energy-insensitivity at temperatures below 200K. As our setup is very general the investigation of manymore neutral-neutral reactions will be possible, opening a new route into an temperature regime where only a few reactions have been studied before.


Petrologic investigation of Permian metasedimentary rocks in the El Paso Mountains reveals a rock record interpreted to be consistent with the sedimentary pattern of the upper continental plate of a nascent subduction zone, based on geodynamic modeling and comparison with a Cenozoic example (Puysegur Ridge, New Zealand). Facies changes reveal a history of uplift (conglomerate), followed by subsidence (carbonate turbidite deposits) and deeper-water sedimentation (argillite, with portions deposited below the carbonate compensation depth [CCD]), and then gradual shallowing accompanied by the onset of nearby intermediate volcanism (volcaniclastic and bioclastic sediments) and construction of a volcanic edifice (andesitic lavas) in a shallow-marine environment. Comparison with Permian global sea-level curves indicates that initial uplift (relative sea-level fall) followed by deep subsidence (relative sea-level rise) are likely due to tectonic rather than eustatic effects. Shallowing during volcaniclastic sedimentation could have been due to both arc edifice building and global sea-level fall. Sandstone modal analysis suggests that the basin evolved from a tectonic setting involving compressive uplift to an arc basin setting. Geodynamic modeling implies the involvement of a transform/truncation fault in subduction initiation. Magmatic trends based on Permian paleogeography and timing suggest a limited nucleation of subduction in the El Paso Mountains followed by propagation southward. Furthermore, subduction initiation modeling suggests regional lithospheric flexure that may be reflected in coeval basins and uplift in the northern Mojave, Death Valley, and Inyo Mountains regions as well as in coeval facies changes on the western edge of the Colorado Plateau. Overall, the Permian section of the El Paso Mountains may be one of the few preserved Paleozoic sedimentary records of subduction inception along a continental margin.


China and India are definitely on a higher economic growth path, although the contribution of technology to economic growth is still not very clearly estimated. There is evidence to show that innovative activities in the industrial sector in both the countries have shown some significant increases during the post reform process. Knowledge content of both domestic output and exports are increasing in both the countries. The Chinese NSI is dominated by the SSI of the electronics and telecommunications industries and in the case of India it is led by the SSI of the pharmaceutical industry. In both the countries, increasingly much of the innovative activities are contributed by MNCs. In other words both China and India have become important locations for innovative activities. There is even some macro evidence to show that the productivity of R&D investments in India is higher than in China, although this proposition requires careful empirical scrutiny before firm conclusions can be reached. However continued rise in innovative activity is limited by the availability finance and of good quality scientists and engineers. Although the available supply appears to be very productive, its important that to sustain this on a long term basis and also to spread the innovation culture to other areas of the industrial establishment concerted efforts will have to be made to increase both the quantity and quality of scientific manpower. Fortunately the governments in both the countries are aware of this problem and have started initiating a number of steps towards easing the supply of technically trained personnel. But the governments still have to rethink its financial support schemes by reducing as much as possible the distortions that are currently in this area.


Puntius sophore has been studied for its morphometric relationship to food types (phytoplank-ton and zooplankton). It was observed that the mouth area of the fish did not show significant correlation to food types. The gut analysis suggested that it feeds on both food types with large portion of zooplankton at a later stage. On the basis of gut content corresponding to total length of the fish, the food habit of P. sophore has been grouped into three total length categories as category I or herbivorous (TL, 5.0-7.0cm), II or omnivorous (TL, 5.0-7.0cm) and III or omniv-orous with more tendency towards zooplankton (TL, 7.6-8.5cm). The F test showed significant differences for Relative Gut Length (p


This paper uses the 1970, 1980, and 1990 Public Use Samples of the U.S. Census to trace the evolution of immigrant participation in welfare programs during the past two decades. The data indicate that immigrant participation in welfare programs is on the rise, and that the dollar costs associated with this trend are rising even faster. By 1990, immigrant households received a disproportionately high share of the cash benefits distributed in the United States. Even though only 8.4 percent of the households are foreign-born, these households accounted for 10.1 percent of all households that received public assistance, and for 13.1 percent of the total cash assistance distributed.


IZA DP No. 15392 JUNE 2022 How Do Insurers Price Medical Malpractice Insurance?* We study the factors that predict medical malpractice ("med mal") insurance premia, using national data from Medical Liability Monitor over 1990 to 2017. A number of core findings are not easily explained by standard economic theory. First, we estimate long run elasticities of premia to insurers' direct cost (payouts plus defense costs), allowing for lags of up to four years, of only around +0.40, when one might expect elasticities near one. Second, state caps on malpractice damages predict a roughly 50% higher ratio of premia to direct costs even though, in competitive markets, a damages cap should affect premia primarily through effect on cost. A difference-in-differences analysis of the "new cap" states that adopted caps during the early 2000's provides evidence supporting a causal link between cap adoption and the ratio of premium to direct cost. Third, the premium-to-cost ratio, which one might expect to be fairly constant over time, instead varies widely both across states at a given time and within states across time. Our results suggest that insurance companies do not fully adjust revenues to changes in direct costs even over long time periods. Insurers in new-cap states have been able to charge apparently supra-competitive prices for a sustained period. JEL Classification: D22, G22, K13


Machine learning tasks are often formulated as complex optimization problems, where the objective function can be non-differentiable, non-continuous, non-unique, inaccurate, dynamic, and have many local optima, making conventional optimization algorithms fail. Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs), inspired by Darwin's theory of evolution, are general-purpose randomized heuristic optimization algorithms, mimicking variational reproduction and natural selection. EAs have yielded encouraging outcomes for solving complex optimization problems (e.g., neural architecture search) in machine learning. However, due to the heuristic nature of EAs, most outcomes to date have been empirical and lack theoretical support, encumbering their acceptance to the general machine learning community. In this paper, I will review the progress towards theoretically grounded evolutionary learning, from the aspects of analysis methodology, theoretical perspectives and learning algorithms. Due to space limit, I will include a few representative examples and highlight our contributions. I will also discuss some future challenges.


Abstract— This study was designed to gain additional insight into the mechanism of the slow force response (SFR) to stretch of cardiac muscle. SFR and changes in intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) were assessed in cat papillary muscles stretched from 92% to ≈98% of Lmax. The SFR was 120±0.6% (n=5) of the rapid initial phase and coincided with an increase in [Na+]i. The SFR was markedly depressed by Na+-H+ exchanger inhibition, AT1 receptor blockade, nonselective endothelin-receptor blockade and selective ETA-receptor blockade, extracellular Na+ removal, and inhibition of the reverse mode of the Na+-Ca2+ exchange by KB-R7943. KB-R7943 prevented the SFR but not the increase in [Na+]i. Inhibition of endothelin-converting enzyme activity by phosphoramidon suppressed both the SFR and the increase in [Na+]i. The SFR and the increase in [Na+]i after stretch were both present in muscles with their endothelium (vascular and endocardial) made functionally inactive by Triton X-100. In these muscles, phosphoramidon also suppressed the SFR and the increase in [Na+]i. The data provide evidence that the last step of the autocrine-paracrine mechanism leading to the SFR to stretch is Ca2+ entry through the reverse mode of Na+-Ca2+ exchange.


Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy is routinely used in diabetes management for patients expecting to use their insulin pumps during hospitalizations. For hospital personnel, this is unfamiliar and complex technology, which necessitates implementing policies and guidelines for standardizing CSII use in the inpatient setting. This study aims to examine adherence to an institutional CSII policy and safety glucometrics for hospitalized patients using CSII. We performed an IRB-exempt retrospective review of CSII user records from January to June 2017. Policy adherence was evaluated for appropriate provider and nurse order set use and documentation in the electronic medical record. 81 patients with 111 admissions on CSII were evaluated. Mean age was 42±16.9 years, 62% were female and 82.7% had type 1 diabetes. Median LOS was 5 days for 788 total patient days, HgbA1c 8.3 ± 1.78, and baseline admission blood glucose (BG) was 175 mg/dL. CSII was continued in 62% of admissions with 12.6% discontinuing use due to medical and surgical contraindications. Overall adherence to the policy was high with documented endocrinology consultations in 100%, provider specified basal rates in 96%, specified bolus doses in 92%, specified correction doses in 83%, specified target BG in 90%, and nurse documented verified doses on the MAR in 93%. Nurse documentation of CSII in the Lines/Drains/Airways flowsheets was 16%. Hypoglycemia (BG 299mg/dL) were present in 10%, 0.8%, and 10.5% of patient days, respectively. Rates of DKA in CSII users was 0.9%. Policy adherence was effectively achieved for CSII use in hospitals. Rates of hypoglycemia and uncontrolled hyperglycemia were high with very low incidence of severe hypoglycemia or DKA episodes. These results suggest that CSII is possible to safely continue in hospitalized patients, but future studies are necessary to determine how to modify pump rates and optimize glycemic control. Disclosure K. Yang: None. M.B. Ateya: Stock/Shareholder; Self; AbbVie Inc.. R. Gianchandani: None.


At a dose of 1 gm/kg body weight, intravenous mannitol caused a significant reduction in both intraocular pressure and anterior chamber depth in seven sitting, normal subjects. Intraocular pressure dropped from 15.3+/-4.6 to 11+/-3.4 mm Hg and anterior chamber depth decreased from 3.18+/-.34 to 3.13+/-.34 mm Hg. Intravenous mannitol may lower intraocular pressure without reducing vitreous volume.


There are at least two politically salient senses of "representation"—acting-for-others and portraying-something-as-something. The difference is not just semantic but also logical: relations of representative agency are dyadic (x represents y), while portrayals are triadic (x represents y as z). I exploit this insight to disambiguate constructivism and to improve our theoretical vocabulary for analyzing political representation. I amend Saward's claims-based approach on three points, introducing the "characterization" to correctly identify the elements of representational claims; explaining the "referent" in pragmatic, not metaphysical terms; and differentiating multiple forms of representational activity. This enables me to clarify how the represented can be both prior to representation and constituted by it, and to recover Pitkin's idea that representatives ought to be "responsive" to the represented. These points are pertinent to debates about the role of representatives, the nature of representative democracy, and the dynamics of revolutionary movements.


It seems that Z. mobilis is capable of tolerating high concentrations of sucrose than of glucose on molar basis. The ethanol yields by Z. mobilis on molasses are low as compared to pure substrates like glucose, fructose or sucrose. Efforts have been made to improve its fermentation efficiency. These observations are based on the study of effect of temperature on fermentation of sucrose by Zymomonas mobilis. The optimum pH range and temperature for fermentation is between 5 to 7 and 30oC, respectively. This necessitates sterilization of fermentation medium.


Removal of fluoride from drinking water by polyaluminum chloride-chitosan (PACl-Ch) composite coagulant was studied in a batch system. Two types of PACl-Ch coagulant were synthetized as PACl-Ch I and PACl-Ch II with chitosan to aluminum (Ch:Al) weight ratios of 0.5 and 1.0, respectively, and were used for defluoridation under different operating conditions. The composite coagulants were found to be more efficient than both PACl and chitosan. By an increase in the Ch:Al ratio from 0.5 to 1.0, the composite coagulant provided a little more efficiency of fluoride removal and lower residual level of Al. The optimum conditions of pH for fluoride removal by PACl-Ch I and PACl-Ch II were 8.0 and 7.5, respectively. Fluoride removal by the coagulants was not significantly affected by natural organic matter and turbidity, but was declined by high concentrations of common ions. To achieve desirable fluoride levels (lower than 1.0 mg/L) for natural water samples with fluoride levels of 2.0–2.9 mg/L, the required dosage of the composite coagulants were determined to be as low as 3–5 mgAl/L. The PACl-Ch coagulants demonstrated high efficiency for fluoride removal as well as low Al residual level (mainly lower than 0.2 mg/L) in a wide range of operating conditions.


Middle East region has a high capability of adopting Photovoltaics system due to the massive values of irradiation that this region has. Many new building proj ects being established in the region with roof spaces that can be utilized to install Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) system. However, due to the contemporary, sophisticated geometric design of the roofs in most of the building projects, the curvature of the rooftop creates a big insolation difference due to the partial shading of these rooftops. This paper illustrates the partial shading on the BIPV modules in one of Qatar's most recent project (Qatar Rail stations) by collecting data from the regional weather station and simulated data by using Building Information Modeling (BIM) for insolation simulation. The modeling of the BIPV system was done in MATLAB/Simulink. Different system configuration layout scenarios for different BIPV insolation were examined to show the behavior of which I-V and P-V characteristics with the highest insolation BIPV array. it is concluded that the system is preferred to be separated in parallel connection to not limit its current components with the smallest insolation value among all BIPV arrays. The outcomes of the proposed algorithm are believed suggestive for facilitating the development of BIPV systems-a new domain combined architecture and solar energy integration.


Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to
examine randomized clinical trials (RCT) regarding
long-term effects of weight loss (WL) on biological markers
in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods: We searched for articles published in English
and Spanish recorded in the databases of Pubmed and
Cochrane , and the journal collections platforms of Ebsco
and Scielo between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2010.
Inclusion criteria included RCT with follow-up ≥ 12
months.
Results: A total of 842 articles were identified, 95 of
them contained information on the effect of WL on biological
markers. Twenty studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
WL percentage ranged from 0.8 to 20%. A reduction
of A1C was observed in nine studies, blood glucose in
seven, of total cholesterol and LDL in four, systolic and
diastolic blood pressure in three, and the use of hypoglycemic
drugs in four; an increase of HDL was observed
in seven studies. Remission of T2DM was reported in only
one study, which included surgical treatment. The quality
of the studies ranged from very low to high; however, the
study with the longest follow-up that did not involve surgical
treatment, was 52 months.
Conclusion: The evidence of the beneficial effect of WL
on biological markers on long-term studies in people with
T2DM is inconclusive. These results warrant longer and
better designed studies.


PURPOSE: To study the visual outcomes and higher order aberrations in eyes implanted with Hybrid EDOF IOL, particularly in Indian eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is retrospective case series where subjects aged between 40-65 years and were implanted with LUCIDIS IOL by single surgeon were included. Subjects with Pre surgery corneal astigmatism > 1.50 D, corneal guttae, IOP >22mmHg, any ocular Co morbidities, Intra or post operative complication were excluded. At 1 month follow up, uncorrected visual acuities at distance (UCDVA), intermediate (UCIVA) and near (UCNVA), refraction were recorded. Internal Higher order aberrations and strehl ratio for a fixed pupil of 4mm and 6mm were calculated using NIDEK OPD Scan. Monocular defocus curve was obtained at 4 meter logMAR chart. RESULTS: Total of 55 eyes of 35 patients with mean±SD age of 58.50±7.49 years were evaluated. 89.09% of the eyes achieved visual acuity of 6/6. 49.09% could read N10 font at intermediate distance without any correction and 85.45% of the eyes had uncorrected near visual acuity of N6. Around 67% of the eyes did not require any refractive correction whereas around 26% of the eyes required correction upto ±0.25D. The defocus curve showed that visual acuity also ranges from 0.05 logMAR to 0.2 logMAR for Plano to -3.00D respectively. Mean±SD Strehl ratio at 4 and 6 mm pupil size was 0.06±0.04 and 0.02±0.02 respectively. CONCLUSION: Hybrid EDOF IOL such as LUCIDIS provides excellent vision at all distances. This could be attributed to IOL design which is spherical aberration neutral lens.