Locomotor training using body weight support on a treadmill and manual assistance is a promising rehabilitation technique following neurological injuries, such as spinal cord injury (SCI) and stroke. Previous robots that automate this technique impose constraints on naturalistic walking due to their kinematic structure, and are typically operated in a stiff mode, limiting the ability of the patient or human trainer to influence the stepping pattern. We developed a pneumatic gait training robot that allows for a full range of natural motion of the legs and pelvis during treadmill walking, and provides compliant assistance. However, we observed an unexpected consequence of the devices compliance: unimpaired and SCI individuals invariably began walking out-of-phase with the device. Thus, the robot perturbed rather than assisted stepping. To address this problem, we developed a novel algorithm that synchronizes the device in real-time to the actual motion of the individual by sensing the state error and adjusting the replay timing to reduce this error. This paper describes data from experiments with individuals with SCI that demonstrate the effectiveness of the synchronization algorithm, and the potential of the device for relieving the trainers of strenuous work while maintaining naturalistic stepping.


Regulator of G-protein signaling protein 19 (RGS19), also known as Ga-interacting protein (GAIP), acts as a GTPase accelerating protein for Gaz as well as Gai/o subunits. Interactions with GAIP-interacting protein N-terminus and GAIP-interacting protein C-terminus (GIPC) link RGS19 to a variety of intracellular proteins. Here we show that RGS19 is abundantly expressed in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells that also express mand dopioid receptors (MORs and DORs, respectively) and nociceptin receptors (NOPRs). Lentiviral delivery of short hairpin RNA specifically targeted to RGS19 reduced RGS19 protein levels by 69%, with a similar reduction in GIPC. In RGS19depleted cells, there was an increase in the ability of MOR (morphine) but not of DOR [(4-[(R)-[(2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl](3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide (SNC80)] or NOPR (nociceptin) agonists to inhibit forskolinstimulated adenylyl cyclase and increase mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity. Overnight treatment with either MOR [D-Ala, N-Me-Phe, Gly-ol-enkephalin (DAMGO) or morphine] or DOR (D-Pen-enkephalin or SNC80) agonists increased RGS19 and GIPC protein levels in a timeand concentration-dependent manner. The MOR-induced increase in RGS19 protein was prevented by pretreatment with pertussis toxin or the opioid antagonist naloxone. Protein kinase C (PKC) activation alone increased the level of RGS19 and inhibitors of PKC 5,6,7,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-12H-indolo[2,3-a] pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole-12-propanenitrile and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4Hchromen-4-one, but not protein kinase A (H89), completely blocked DAMGO-induced RGS19 protein accumulation. The findings show that RGS19 and GIPC are jointly regulated, that RGS19 is a GTPase accelerating protein for MORwith selectivity over DOR and NOPR, and that chronic MOR or DOR agonist treatment increases RGS19 levels by a PKC and the MAPK pathway–dependent mechanism.


Improved methods for extraction and clean up of fluroxypyr residue in water have been established. Two methods of fluroxypyr extraction were used, namely, Direct Measurement of fluroxypyr and Concentration of fluroxypyr onto A Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) Adsorbent, followed by elution with solvent before determination of fluroxypyr. The recovery for Direct Measurement of fluroxypyr in water containing 8–100 µg L− 1, ranged from 86 to 110% with relative standard deviation of 0.7 to 2.15%. For the second method, three types of SPE were used, viz. C18, C18 end‐capped and polyvinyl dibenzene (ISOLUTE ENV +). The procedure involved concentrating the analyte from fluroxypyr‐spiked water at pH 3, followed by elution of the analyte with 4 mL of acentonitrile. The recovery of fluroxypyr from the spiked sample at 1 to 50 µg L− 1 after eluting through either C18 or C18 end‐capped ranged from 40–64% (with relative standard deviation of 0.7 to 2.15) and 41–65% (with standard deviation of 1.52 to 11.9). The use of ISOLUTE ENV +, gave better results than the C18, C18 end‐capped or the Direct Measurement Methods. The recovery and standard deviation of fluroxypyr from spiked water using ISOLUTE ENV + ranged from 91–102% and 2.5 to 5.3, respectively.


It has been proposed that uric acid is an important scavenger of deleterious oxygen radicals in biological systems [Ames, B. N., Cathcart, R., Schwiers, E. & Hochstein, P. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78, 6858-6852]. We report here an in vivo investigation of the oxygen defense role of uric acid through an analysis of mutants of the rosy (ry) gene of Drosophila melanogaster. The ry gene is the structural gene for the molybdoenzyme, xanthine dehydrogenase; xanthine dehydrogenase-null ry mutants are therefore unable to synthesize urate. The rationale of our approach was to measure the response of urate-null ry mutants to extraordinary oxygen stress as imposed by exposure to radical-generating agents and as conferred by a genetic defect in superoxide dismutase, an established oxygen defense function. We show that urate-null mutants of the ry locus are hypersensitive to paraquat, ionizing radiation, and hyperoxia. Furthermore, compound mutants doubly deficient for uric acid and Cu/Zn-containing superoxide dismutase are synthetic lethals, which are unable to complete metamorphosis under normal growth conditions. These experiments demonstrate unambiguously the importance of urate in oxygen defense in vivo and support our earlier proposal that the molybdoenzyme genetic system plays a critical role in oxygen defense in Drosophila. They also form the basis for our proposal that metamorphosis in Drosophila imposes a crisis of oxygen stress on the developing imago against which uric acid plays an important organ-specific defense. Finally, the results provide a basis for understanding the syndrome of phenotypes, including the hallmark dull brown eye color, which characterizes mutants of this classic genetic system of Drosophila.


This paper describes the simulation of free-flowing traffic across bridges to predict the characteristic values for bridge load effects such as bending moment and shear force. The results of these simulations are then used to demonstrate that, in predicting the characteristic extreme load effects to which a bridge may be subjected, it is not sufficient to solely model one- or two-truck presence events. It is shown that loading events involving three or more trucks may need be included in the model for short to medium spans. The critical loading events for a particular load effect are strongly dependent on the span and the shape of the influence line.


Public interest in livestock farming is increasing, as is general criticism regarding the welfare of farm animals. In this context, husbandry systems for pigs especially are perceived very negatively. Despite rising concern for animal farming, most people lack detailed knowledge of modern agricultural production processes, as well as direct contact with agriculture. With regards to public demand for transparency of production quality and animal welfare standards, farmers and farmer associations in several countries have begun installing webcams in dairy, pig and poultry farming operations. Along with informational texts, pictures from webcams are publicly available on the internet and are used as a new type of communication tool aimed at increasing the acceptance of livestock farming by providing farming-specific information. However, there are currently no existing studies quantitatively investigating the effect of webcam pictures from stables and accompanying informational texts on the broader public. In a randomized between-subject experimental design, we presented two webcam pictures from conventional pig barns (pig fattening barn and sow farrowing pen) to the broader public, along with two different informational texts (one written directly by farmers and one neutrally written by the authors). Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine 1) if the attitude towards pig farming changes after having seen the webcam pictures, 2) if different informational texts alter the evaluation of webcam pictures, 3) if there are differences in the perception of webcam pictures of a pig fattening barn and a sow farrowing pen, and 4) how people evaluate the use of webcams as a public relations tool that can be used to provide transparency. It was determined that the majority of respondents display a more negative attitude after viewing the webcam pictures and informational texts, and this is especially true for participants reading the neutrally written texts. Further, the farrowing pen is evaluated substantially more negatively than the pig fattening pen. Regarding the overall evaluation of webcams, people seem to appreciate that farmers show real pictures from their stables, although a rather low interest in the usage of webcams in agriculture can be observed. Thus, although transparency may be enhanced through the use of webcams, our findings suggest that webcams generally do not show the desired effects on the public and are likely to be unable to improve the image of pig farming by simply providing information via pictures and texts. Finally, the application of webcams as a communication tool cannot be recommended, at least not for the husbandry systems investigated within this study.


As Obama"s speech entitled "One Week" signified the closing argument for all his presidential campaign speeches in the U.S. Presidential Election in 2008, Obama attempted to do his best to persuade the American voters to bring the important issues of his political agenda to the highest level of their consciousness. In that way the American voters were reminded of the important point of voting for him. For that purpose, to drive home his persuasive messages of unity and change, Obama delivered the speech making good use of some rhetorical devices. This paper is an attempt to explore and elucidate his outstanding use of those rhetorical devices such as sound bites for highlighting the messages, sound devices for appealing to his audience"s ears about the messages being delivered, and the various means of message amplifications for magnifying powerfully the messages being delivered in his closing argument speech.


The distinctive diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is based on a combination of clinical, histologic, endoscopic, and radiologic data. Both UC and CD show characteristic, but non-specific, pathological features that may overlap and result in a diagnosis of indeterminate colitis (IC), which was proposed by pathologists for colectomy specimens in 1978, usually from patients operated on for severe colitis, especially in cases of acute fulminant disease of the colorectum. The subgroup of patients with an uncertain diagnosis has been classified as IC. Later, the same terminology was used for patients showing no clear clinical, endoscopic, histologic, or other features allowing a diagnosis of either UC or CD. More recently, the term IC has been applied to biopsy material when it is not been possible to differentiate between UC and CD. However, this term IC has suffered varying definitions, which in addition to numerous difficulties in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease, has led to much confusion. In resected specimens, the term colitis of uncertain type or etiology is preferred. Over time, the majority of patients remain with a diagnosis of IC or show symptoms similar to UC. Ileal pouch anal anastomosis can be performed in such patients, with outcomes of pouch failure and with functional outcomes that are similar to those in patients with UC, but with increased risk of postoperative pouch complications. This review addresses the definition of indeterminate colitis, its pathology, its natural history, and the outcomes of restorative proctocolectomy.


Does the type of regime really make no difference to the likelihood of violent conflict over basic issues of stateness such as separatism and decolonization? Can democratic peace theory be successfully applied when dealing with the national identity or stateness question? This article extends the application of the democratic peace to the process of decolonization. It examines conflict between imperial states and their colonies during the process of decolonization and investigates the question of whether democracy affects the likelihood of conflict. The central finding is that, contrary to the implications of some prominent theories of state formation and democracy, democratic imperial states are significantly less likely to go to war with their colonial possessions in the process of achieving independence. Further, the authors find only a monadic, not dyadic, democratic peace effect. The regime type of the colony does not have a significant effect on the likelihood of war. It is the nature of the regime of imperial states, rather than that of colonies, that is a significant factor. In addition, the predominant source of this effect appears to be the institutional constraints placed on executive action within democracies, rather than the influence of mass politics or the effects of political competition. Regarding power-related factors, power parity between sovereign and colony makes conflict more likely (a colonial power-transition effect), but imperial decline actually makes war with colonies less likely. Sensitivity analysis reveals that a number of other hypothesized effects cannot find robust support. Simulations are used to assess the magnitude of the effect of regime type pre- and post-independence. Overall, the article contributes to theory development by investigating different institutional aspects of democracy and by distinguishing monadic and dyadic effects.


With expansion of rural empty nesters, endowment of empty nesters has become a hot spot of the society. By means of questionnaire survey and interview, this paper analyzed basic situations of empty nesters in Tulu Village of Hunchun City in Jilin Province, including economic level, physical health, life care, and spirit situations. Next, it discussed major problems in endowment problem of empty nesters, including limited economic support, unoptimistic physical health, low ability of life care, and feeling of loneliness. Finally, it came up with pertinent recommendations on the basis of the analysis, including strengthening family endowment ability and improving socialized endowment service, strengthening practical living ability, improving life care ability with family endowment as primary and community endowment as auxiliary part, and expanding amusement and recreation ways of empty nesters.


'Just Urbanism' refers to approaches that attempt to tackle social injustice and to address the
difficulties of living in unjust spaces of contemporary cities affected by uneven development. This
thesis argues that just urbanism cannot be achieved without taking into account inhabitants' sociocultural
aspects and their experiences of (in)justice. Therefore, it offers mapping as a method to
explore qualities and themes that influence such experiences and to incorporate them in the just
development of neighbourhoods and cities.
Gaps in current approaches towards achieving a (more) just city occur as a result of a predominant
focus on distributive aspects (quantitative approach) rather than on social aspects, values, qualities
and recognition of differences. This research particularly concentrates on the gap in the mapping of
injustice and on the digital tools used for this purpose, which often disregard socio-cultural condition
of inhabitants. Moreover, there is a disconnect between abstract theories of justice and the everyday
situated judgments and design decision that planners, designers and architects have to make.
These gaps can be addressed by concentrating on the relationship between the individual and the
collective, their position in society and their everyday experiences of (in)justice in the city. The
mapping method used in this research is conceptualised as a platform to bring socio-cultural aspects
into the digital mapping of injustice and represents particular qualities and conditions that influence
inhabitants'' experiences of (in)justice. Therefore, mapping here is both the subject of the research
as well as the research method.
To situate the research within a city context, a case study approach (with Sheffield as the case study)
and a multi-method approach were adopted. The latter was conducted through three phases of
mapping, including Storytelling Map, Map Art, and Mapping Multiplicity, comprising the residents'
perspectives from the individual, one-on-one exchange through to the collective collection of data
on the city neighbourhood level.
This overall mapping methodology and, in particular, the Mapping Multiplicity platform were put
forward as a multi-method mapping approach, one that is more situated in the local context, and, by
incorporating local knowledge and recognising individuals, their communities and the diversity of
their background, it acknowledges different ways (in)justice is experienced. By doing so, it enables
the identification of the particular needs of various communities, whilst providing the spatial context
in which they take place. In this way, the proposed mapping method can complement current
approaches in order to create a (more) complete picture of (in)justices in the city. Therefore it enables
designers, planners and decision makers to make informed decisions that are backed up by thorough
research. It also provides citizens with means to create a vision for a just city while being continuously
engaged in the process of challenging the status quo and creating and consequently moving toward
achieving a more just city.
This thesis builds on the work and theories of a number of scholars. To define justice, poststructuralist
and Marxist thinkers such as Iris Marion Young, Nancy Fraser and David Harvey provided the
framework. From their viewpoint, the contemporary challenges for justice are manifestations of both
vi
uneven distribution and the misrecognition of social groups, ethnicities, gender inequalities, etc. In
moving toward a just city, Susan Fainstein's theory which stresses the importance of three areas –
equity, diversity and democracy and Henry Lefebvre's 'right to the city' which entails three rights for
inhabitants: the right to appropriation, the right to participation and the right to difference, can
represent the way this thesis responds to the question of justice and just city.
In relation to the mapping methods, Denis Wood and Brian Holmes' discourse of "counter-Mapping",
a critical method in which mapping is employed to 'dissent' and resist the power of the state, and
taking the perspective of the marginalised, has influenced the overall methods of mapping (in)justice
in this thesis. Storytelling and Map Art were inspired by performances such as Jake Barton's 'City of
Memory', while Mapping Multiplicity is in dialogue with the notion of Rhizome conceptualized by
Deleuze and Guattari and practices such as Fernard Deligny's tracings of autistic children, Doina
Petrescu's relational maps of communities, groups, devices, and places, as well as Mark Lombardi's
Narrative Structures and Bureau d'Etudes' power lines, all of which demonstrate the use of line and
relationality in exposing the complex relations among physical, political, economic and social forces.


Background: The outbreak of the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified as a Pandemic. However, the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the novel influenza were not sufficiently elucidated. Methods: Patients who were hospitalized because of the novel influenza infection were enrolled in the study between August 2009 and December 2009 at Shinshu University Hospital. Furthermore, the patients with acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to influenza A infection were collected. The patients9 condition, laboratory data, the respiratory management, and oxygenation were analyzed. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on admission. Results: Nine patients were hospitalized and treated with anti-viral therapy such as oseltamivir. Five of 9 patients showed ALI/ARDS. Three of the 5 patients were treated with mechanical ventilation. Only one patient died in the intensive care unit because of the refractory hypoxemia due to the deterioration of a co-infection. BAL was performed in 3 patients and all of them showed alveolar hemorrhage. The IL-6, IL-8, KL-6, SP-D, thrombomodulin and HMGB-1 levels in BAL fluid were elevated higher than the serum. The serum concentration of KL-6 and SP-D were elevated on day 3 and 7 in the dead patient only. Conclusion: This study showed lung injury due to 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus was formed by the direct ALI/ARDS without a cytokine storm. This suggested that the influenza virus directly injured the lung.


Objective: To determine the occurrence of occupational physical injuries among workers in onshore oil drilling operations in Turkana County, Kenya. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting: Turkana County, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 164 workers. Convenience sampling and systematic random sampling were used to select study participants. Data were collected through pretested semi-structured questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: It was established that among the sampled workers, 9.8% had experienced occupational physical injuries. The research study further revealed that an equal proportion (18.75%) of the respondents missed either 1-7 days or more than 1 month due to occupational injuries. A significant segment (13) 81% of the reported injuries were categorized as first aid cases (FAC) while only (3) 19% cases were categorized as medical treated cases (MTC). It was further established that injuries to the fingers (8) 50% and wrist (3) 18.75% were most common. Eye injuries accounted for 6.25% of all the body injuries reported, while back injuries accounted for 12.5% of the injuries reported. Among those workers who reported to have ever been injured, an equal proportion 31.25% suffered lacerations and cuts while the rest experienced fractures (18.75%) and abrasions (6.25%) respectively. Conclusion: Workers in onshore oil drilling operations in Turkana County, Kenya were affected by physical injuries with the most common types being lacerations and cuts. Fingers and wrists were the commonly affected body parts. The number of days workers miss work due to the reported occupational physical injuries is important injury severity metric in terms of the direct and indirect costs incurred. It is therefore critical that oil drilling workers should be protected from occupational physical injuries that are risk of disability and fatalities.


Aim:We aimed to compare the effectiveness of curcumin, which has been shown to inhibit cell migration and proliferation, with that of methylprednisolone, which has been shown to have a similar mechanism of action to that of curcumin and to delay tissue repair and wound healing, in the prevention of epidural fibrosis in an experimental laminectomy model in rats.Material and methods:The experiment was conducted with 40 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g which were divided into four groups. Laminectomy was performed from L1 to L4 in all groups. Curcumin and methylprednisolone were applied to the other two groups except the control and Dmso groups. The vertebral colon was excised en bloc and each section was examined for epidural fibrosis formation under a light microscope to evaluate histologically using the grading system.Results:The statistical analyses indicated that the treatment groups had a significant effect on the histological grades of epidural fibrosis in rats compared to the control group.Discussion:Curcumin, derived from the rhizome (Rhizoma Curcumae) of turmeric (Curcuma longa) was found to show a significant effect in the prevention of epidural fibrosis formation with its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and by inhibiting further recruitment of fibroblasts to the laminectomy area.Conclusions:In the present study, both histological examination and statistical analyses indicated that the administration of curcumin led to a remarkable reduction in epidural fibrosis after laminectomy.


Differences in body fat distribution between diabetics and nondiabetics have been recognized for several decades; diabetics have a more centralized or upper body fat pattern than nondiabetics. Recently, attention has focused on fat patterning and also on hyperinsulinemia as possible risk factors for cardiovascular disease, as well. The case for insulin as a cardiovascular risk factor is bolstered by theoretical considerations related to its possibly atherogenic effects on serum and arterial wall lipids. Empirical evidence for fat patterning and hyperinsulinemia as cardiovascular risk factors rests on six prospective epidemiologic studies, three on fat patterning and three on insulin. Although provocative, none of these studies can be regarded as definitive. In none was a dose-response effect demonstrated, and there are various inconsistencies within and across the studies. Moreover, in none of the studies were hyperinsulinemia and fat patterning evaluated simultaneously. This is of particular importance in view of the well-documented interrelationships between these two variables. For example, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia have been found to be greater in women with upper body obesity compared to women with lower body obesity of equivalent degree. Considerable progress has been made recently in understanding the mechanisms of the differential metabolic effects of these two types of obesity. The extent to which fat patterning and hyperinsulinemia are genetic or acquired has received relatively little attention. Further research on this question is warranted since elucidation of any environmental influences on these variables might suggest new clinical and public health control measures.


Intrusion detection is an important area of research. Traditionally, the approach taken to find attacks is to inspect the contents of every packet. However, packet inspection cannot easily be performed at high-speeds. Therefore, researchers and operators started investigating alternative approaches, such as flow-based intrusion detection. In that approach the flow of data through the network is analyzed, instead of the contents of each individual packet. The goal of this paper is to provide a survey of current research in the area of flow-based intrusion detection. The survey starts with a motivation why flow-based intrusion detection is needed. The concept of flows is explained, and relevant standards are identified. The paper provides a classification of attacks and defense techniques and shows how flow-based techniques can be used to detect scans, worms, Botnets and (DoS) attacks.


This conversation analytic paper investigates how speakers self-position or are other-positioned as members of a certain social group (e.g., competent speakers of a language) through other-initiated repair. Findings illustrate the complexity of linguistic membership categories by demonstrating that they continually shift depending on local interactional goals and documenting how shifts are accomplished. The different levels and types of linguistic and cultural knowledge that are invoked in instances of repair on specific lexical items demonstrate the complexity of linguistic membership categorization, and this indicates a need to problematize the use of a priori and overly-vague labels like 'non-native speaker'. Findings contribute to our understanding of the functions of other-initiated repair and the mechanisms of co-constructing membership (categorization) and thus social identity in interaction. They also raise questions about the relationship between amounts and types of knowledge and further our understanding of the construction of expert/novice categories via knowledge displays and negotiation.


Using elliptic regularity results in weighted spaces, stochastic calculus and the theory of non-symmetric Dirichlet forms, we first show
weak existence of non-symmetric distorted Brownian motion for any starting point in some domain $E$ of $\mathbb{R}^d$, where $E$ is explicitly given as the points of strict
positivity of the unique continuous version of the density to its invariant measure. This non-symmetric distorted Brownian motion is also proved to be strong Feller. Non-symmetric distorted Brownian motion is a singular diffusion, i.e. a diffusion that typically has
an unbounded and discontinuous drift. Once having shown weak existence, we obtain from a result of [13] that the constructed
weak solution is indeed strong and weakly as well as pathwise unique up to its explosion time. As a consequence of our approach, we can use the theory of Dirichlet forms
to prove further properties of the solutions. For example, we obtain new non-explosion criteria for them.
We finally present concrete existence and non-explosion results for non-symmetric distorted Brownian motion related
to a class of Muckenhoupt weights and corresponding divergence free perturbations.


This study analyses the relationship between femicides and indicators of socio-economic condition, demography, access to communications, and health situation, in Brazilian state capitals and large-population municipalities. It is an ecological study using the standardized mean coefficient of female mortality due to aggression as a marker for femicide in the years 2007–09 and 2011–13. The Pearson Correlation test was used for the statistical analysis between the outcome and 17 independent variables, and those that were statistically significant (p < 0.05) were introduced into a multivariate linear regression model, using backward elimination. In the first three-year period the average rate of femicide was 4.5 deaths per 100,000 women, and in the second period it was 4.9/100,000. Poverty (β = –0.330; p = 0.006), Pentecostalism (β = 0.237; p = 0.002) and male mortality by aggression (β = 0.841; p = 0.000) were associated with femicides. The negative association between poverty and feminine deaths indicates a paradoxical relationship, in that women who die in the richer regions are mostly poor. A relationship was also found between gender violence, fundamentalist religious beliefs, and urban violence.


In the tropics, livestock grazing usually occurs simultaneously with charcoal production, yet empirical understanding of the combined activities remains poor, especially as regards to their effects on hydrological functions. Given predicted growth in both charcoal and beef production in Sub-Sahara Africa, South East Asia, and Central and South America, understanding the potential effects of maintaining this dual production system on local and landscape level hydrological dynamics is paramount for ensuring long-term ecosystem sustainability. Based on a synthesis of existing literature, we propose a theoretical and conceptual framework for analyzing the interlinks between charcoal, livestock, and hydrological processes where they co-exist. In a silo approach, we analyze the isolated effects of charcoal production and livestock on hydrological processes before exploring their combined effects (systemic approach). Given the scarcity of studies that explicitly treat the influence of traditional small-scale charcoal production on hydrological processes, we base our findings on existing knowledge about deforestation, forest fire and grazing impacts on hydrology. We find that exclusion of the effects of companion activities and omission of information on the intensity of biomass harvesting (i.e., pruning branches, selective harvest, clear cutting, uprooting tree stumps) can lead to over-attributing changes in hydrological processes to charcoal, thus exaggerating the effects on vegetation which might lead to inappropriate interventions. We also find that, in the case of livestock keeping, impacts on hydrological processes are highly dependent on grazing intensity, with low intensity grazing possibly having negligible or even positive effects on forest regrowth and thereby restoration of hydrological processes. Thus, the charcoal-livestock-water nexus may have a wide range of outcomes for hydrological processes ranging from negligible to highly profound effects, depending on key decisions in management and practice. To test these finding, however, field studies are needed with an explicit focus on the combined effects of different biomass harvesting practices and grazing intensities on hydrological processes across different scales. Albeit conceptual at this stage, we believe that our approach is a necessary first step in the process of diagnosing potential shortcomings of past approaches for studying charcoal production systems and developing new understanding of this three-way nexus.


Although warm-mix asphalt (WMA) has been used in pavement construction in recent years, the long-term field performance of WMA pavements has not been studied extensively. In response, this study investigated 28 pavement projects in the United States, covering different climate zones, WMA technologies, service years, pavement structures, and traffic volume levels. The long-term field rutting performance between WMA pavements and hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements was compared. Field samples were extracted for laboratory experiments. Significant determinants (engineering or material properties) that correlate with rutting performance also were investigated. A simple rutting resistance index obtained from the Hamburg wheel-tracking test was found to be the significant determinant (material property) that correlates best with field rutting performance. The significant mix design parameters that affect the rutting resistance index were analyzed to suggest a better rutting-resistant mix design. In addition, no moisture damage or raveling was observed for the selected projects in the field. Therefore, the moisture susceptibility of the mixes was evaluated in regard to the stripping inflection point of field cores as obtained from the Hamburg wheel-tracking test results. It was found also that most of the mixes that did not include an antistripping agent exhibited a stripping inflection point, suggesting the need for the addition of an antistripping agent in pavement mixtures.


The quality of a search engine is typically evaluated using hand-labeled data sets, where the labels indicate the relevance of documents to queries. Often the number of labels needed is too large to be created by the best annotators, and so less accurate labels (e.g. from crowdsourcing) must be used. This introduces errors in the labels, and thus errors in standard precision metrics (such as P@k and DCG); the lower the quality of the judge, the more errorful the labels, consequently the more inaccurate the metric. We introduce equations and algorithms that can adjust the metrics to the values they would have had if there were no annotation errors. This is especially important when two search engines are compared by comparing their metrics. We give examples where one engine appeared to be statistically significantly better than the other, but the effect disappeared after the metrics were corrected for annotation error. In other words the evidence supporting a statistical difference was illusory, and caused by a failure to account for annotation error.


Cities, in recent years, have seen their functional and metabolic relationships with their agrarian hinterland being either broken off completely or substantially damaged. Within this context, Local Food Systems (LFS) can play a key role in restoring the supply relationships under regenerative assumptions. This paper analyses LFS within the Concepción Metropolitan Area (CMA) as a representative case of Metropolitan Areas in Chile. The aim of the paper is to evaluate whether LFS are regenerating sustainable rural-urban relationships, and to accomplish this goal, foodsheds have been used as a methodological tool to both characterise and represent food traceability. For this purpose, three quantitative foodshed indicators have been applied and three qualitative spatial analytical categories of the Regenerative Food Systems (RFS) defined to decode the behaviour of LFS in the CMA. The proposed method has been successful as an initial exploratory attempt to characterize the regenerative potential of RFS. The results highlight that LFS in the CMA are certainly restoring relationships between the city and its surrounding farmland by establishing new and renewed supply linkages. Further, the application of this method has shed light on some key aspects that show how an LFS is being converted into a potential RFS.


Ozone, water vapour and argon are minor constituents in the Martian atmosphere, observations of which can be of use in constraining atmospheric dynamical and physical processes. This is especially true in the winter season of each hemisphere, when the bulk of the main constituent in the atmosphere (CO2) condenses in the polar regions shifting the balance of atmospheric composition to a more trace gas rich air mass. Current Mars Global Circulation Models (MGCMs) [5, 7, 9] are able to represent the photochemistry occuring in the atmosphere, with constraints being imposed by comparisons with observations. However, a long term comparison using data assimilation provides a more robust constraint on the model. We aim to provide a technique for trace gas data assimilation for the analysis of observations from current and future satellite missions (such as ExoMars) which observe the spatial and temporal distribution of trace gases on Mars.


Trimethoprim, in combination with sulfadiazine or sulfamethoxazole was administered orally for 7 to 14 days to 84 dogs with urinary tract infections (UTI). The daily dosage of 26.4 mg/kg (12 mg/lb) was divided into 2 equal parts and administered at about 12-hour intervals. Response to treatment, based on negative urine culture during or after therapy, was 37 of 45 (82%) for UTI caused by Escherichia coli, 11 of 15 (73%) UTI caused by Proteus mirabilis, 8 of 12 (67%) UTI caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, 6 of 6 (100%) UTI caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and 5 of 9 (56%) UTI caused by Streptococcus spp. These 5 species comprised 88% of the bacteria isolated from the dogs in this study.


The hybrid material of sulfonated polyaniline/Mg Al layered double hydroxides (SPANi/LDHs) was obtained through polymerization of o-aminobenzenesulfonic acid and aniline in the galleries of LDHs. The structure of SPANi/LDH was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The as-prepared SPANi/LDH showed an irregular lamellar shape with an average diameter of 4–6 μm and offset of XRD reflections, which revealed that SPANi successfully grew between the LDH interlayers and expanded the interlayered structure slightly. Besides, the monolayer thickness of the SPANi/LDH was about 2.67 nm, which exhibited a significant structure of a nanosheet. The as-prepared SPANi/LDHs hybrids were applied to waterborne epoxy coatings for steel substrates and exhibited significant corrosion protection capacities compared with those of neat epoxy and pure SPANi blended epoxy composites. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique was used to describe the electrochemistry dynamics and remarkable corrosion protection performance. Furthermore, corrosion products beneath the epoxy coatings immersed in a 3.5 wt% NaCl aqueous solution were also investigated, which indicated the barrier property and passivation effect of SPANi/LDH. In addition, the mechanism of corrosion inhibition was explored via the analysis of rust layers, and the barrier effect and passivation effect of the composite materials was also demonstrated.


Background Ipragliflozin is a selective sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that blocks glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubules. SGLT2 inhibitors are expected to be effective in patients with insulin resistance and obesity, but it is important to select treatment according to patient background factors that minimizes the risk of adverse events. There have been a limited number of investigations into the relationship between the clinical efficacy (reducing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and body weight (BW)) or safety of SGLT2 inhibitors and patient characteristics. Methods ASSIGN-K is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, prospective observational study examining the efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin (50 - 100 mg/day for 52 weeks) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had inadequate glycemic control with HbA1c ≥ 6.0% (National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program) despite diet and exercise therapy or diet and exercise plus antidiabetic drug therapy. We conducted an interim analysis of the relationship between changes in HbA1c or BW and characteristics in patients who had been on treatment for more than 12 weeks. Results In 257 patients completing 12 weeks of treatment, HbA1c decreased significantly from 8.23% to 7.55% (-0.68%, P < 0.01). The change in HbA1c after 12 weeks was -0.17%, -0.33%, and -1.16% when baseline HbA1c was < 7%, 7% to < 8%, and ≥ 8%, respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively), and -1.30%, -0.62%, and -0.62% when baseline body mass index (BMI) was < 25, 25 to < 30, and ≥ 30, respectively (all P < 0.01). Stratified analysis showed that age, gender, or BMI did not have a significant influence on the improvement in HbA1c. Multiple regression analysis showed that reduction in HbA1c was greater as baseline HbA1c increased and the duration of diabetes decreased. A higher baseline HbA1c was associated with less weight loss. Conclusions Ipragliflozin significantly improved HbA1c in patients with T2DM. HbA1c improved more when baseline HbA1c was higher and the duration of diabetes was shorter, suggesting that current treatment policies for diabetes could be re-examined.


Although defects can have a significant effect on the properties of amorphous materials, in many cases these defects are poorly characterized and understood. This is at least partly due to the difficulty of imaging defects in amorphous materials in the electron microscope. In this work, we demonstrate the utility of quantitative analysis of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy for the identification and characterization of nanometer-scale defects in metallic glasses. For a proper identification of such defects, it is important to carefully consider the effects of the imaging conditions and thickness variations in the sample, both of which we describe in detail. As an example, we show that regions of localized plastic deformation ~shear bands! in bulk metallic glasses contain a high concentration of nanometer-scale voids. These voids apparently result from the coalescence of excess free volume once the applied stress is removed.


The Early Eocene magma-rich northeast Atlantic rifted margins contain a large number of pre-breakup and post-breakup compressional structures, located in abandoned Early Cretaceous hyperextended basins with crustal stretching factors of 3–4 or more. The deformation both predates and postdates the magma-rich breakup. The hyperextended basins are often underlain by high-velocity lower crustal bodies, which we argue represent partially serpentinized upper mantle. Long-lived lithospheric weakening and proneness to deformation is proposed to relate to crustal hyperextension, probably enhanced by mantle hydration.


The recently demonstrated technique of laser guiding has been used to propagate successfully a 10-kA relativistic electron beam 95 m through the Advanced Test Accelerator and postaccelerator beamline. The maximum transverse displacement of the beam at the end of the Advanced Test Accelerator was 1 mm while the maximum beam breakup amplitude was 0.1 mm. The use of laser guiding constitutes a breakthrough in accelerator technology in that it is able to reduce greatly or even suppress the beam breakup instability, which is the most serious obstacle to high-current beam transport in linear induction accelerators.


The objectives of this study were to determine the organic acid content of several of the Grey-Brown Podzolic soils in Ohio and to study changes in the acids occurring as a result of short period aerobic incubatious of the soil materials at constant temperature and moisture. The soil materials used in this investigation, Brookston silty clay loam, Crosby silt loam, Miami silt loam, and Wooster silt loam, were obtained from naturally wooded areas in the state. A chromatographic column containing silica gel was employed for the separation of the organic acids. This procedure permitted the separation and quantitative estimation of the organic acids extracted with ether from the soil material. The identities of the organic acids were indicated by a comparison of their positions on an elution calibration chart with those of known pure organic acids. The chromatographically separated acids were not chemically characterized. It was found that of the organic acids separated by this procedure, only two occurred in significant amounts, namely acetic and formic acids. In addition, very small quantities of other acids, including succinic and lactic acids and what are thought to be a group of high-molecular weight fatty acids, were also separated. The latter probably resulted from alkali hydrolysis of the fats extracted from the soil materials. A 1% glucose treatment of the several soil materials apparently did not appreciably change the organic acid make-up either qualitatively or quantitatively. Preliminary data are presented concerning the effect of incubation on phosphorus solubility.


A large, pigmented episcleral mass is likely to be a malignant melanoma. We treated a patient with a "pseudomelanoma" that was secondary to localized silver deposition. Report of a Case. —An 85-year-old man presented for a routine ophthalmic examination. His pertinent history included strabismus surgery of the left eye 67 years earlier. The most significant finding was a large conjunctival and episcleral pigmented mass localized over the insertion of the left lateral rectus muscle, with a symblepharon to the left lateral canthus (Fig 1). The patient was uncertain of the lesion's duration. The mass was grayish black, showed minimal intrinsic vascularity, and did not move freely with the conjunctiva. No corresponding intraocular pigmentation was present, the conjunctiva was otherwise clear, and the remainder of the ophthalmic and general physical examination findings were unremarkable. A history of eyedropuse was indeterminate. The diagnosis was a benign pigmented episcleral lesion, related to


This dissertation examines the presence of revolutionary icons in North American popular culture against the backdrop of the conjunctural event of the 2008–09 financial crisis. Here I argue that radical nostalgia for revolutionary icons of the past appears in popular culture as a visual aesthetic present in/on a myriad of cultural texts (i.e. from traditional forms of media, such as magazine covers and editorial cartoons, to a range of material objects, such as t-shirts and collectible toys). I treat the appearance and circulation of radical nostalgia as a response to the broader level of
general anxiety generated by the crisis moment of (economic) uncertainty.
Through the case studies of Marie Antoinette, Rosie the Riveter, and Barack Obama, I argue for the prevalence of revolutionary icons as a popular category of visual imagery in the current historical moment to be read as evidence for the presence of a critical public through which our collective political future is examined and explored. I argue that the primary site of analysis from which to evaluate the presence and potential effect of radical nostalgia is the image icon: a preferred visual text for representing a
revolutionary icon. More broadly, as public icons, these revolutionary figures embody cultural anxieties about both the presence and absence of key cultural values connected to progressive viewpoints (i.e. such as too much "excess," and not enough "equality" and "unity"). The "political elasticity" of their symbolism is explored in detail through a critical analysis of three different "iconographic happenings" where the favoured meaning of the revolutionary icon is contested through a set of controversial representations of the image icon that feature the visual layering of revolutionary
icons of the past with American political figures of the present.
Through a detailed analysis of the circulation of image icons related to my three case studies, I conclude that the popular political discourse produced by revolutionary public culture is distinct because it acts as a space in which social actors question and test the relationships between themselves, political figures of the present, and the nature of conjunctural moments of cultural crisis.


The immune system has the potential to utilize a diverse T cell repertoire for the recognition of Ag in the context of MHC molecules. Here we describe the analysis of two rat T cell clones, both of which recognize a synthetic peptide comprised of the arthritis-associated 180-188 amino acid sequence of the mycobacterial 65-kDa heatshock protein (hsp65 180-188), but which differ in the recognition of the naturally processed hsp65. The arthritogenic T cell clone A2b, generated by immunization with whole Mycobacterium tuberculosis, recognized the hsp65 180-188 synthetic peptide as well as the processed hsp65, whereas T cell clone ATL11, generated after immunization with a single amino acid substituted peptide analog of hsp65 180-188, recognized peptide hsp65 180-188 but not the processed hsp65. For both T cell clones the minimal stimulatory sequence was hsp65 180-186. However, within this minimal stimulatory sequence marked differences between the clones were found with regard to peptide residues interacting with the TCR. Furthermore, addition of extra residues at the N terminus of the hsp65 180-186 sequence abrogated the recognition by clone ATL11, but not by A2b. These findings demonstrate that, upon in vivo immunization with a synthetic peptide comprised of a single amino acid variant of a T cell epitope, T cells can be triggered that recognize a peptide comprised of the original epitope sequence, but that do not recognize this epitope in its naturally processed protein fragment. The possibility of triggering such T cells by immunization with synthetic peptides, may well have consequences for the design of peptide vaccines or peptide immunomodulatory agents.


Abstract Objective: Various sources of evidence suggest that men and women differ in their experience of sexual pleasure. Such gender differences have been attributed to men's higher innate sex drive, supported by evolutionary psychology perspectives and gender differences in reproductive strategies. Method: This paper presents biopsychosocial evidence for gender similarities in the capacity to experience pleasure, and for substantial gender differences in opportunities for sexual pleasure. Results: We conclude that sexual activity, in most cultures, is less pleasurable and associated with greater cost for heterosexual women than for heterosexual men, even though they do not differ in the capacity for sexual pleasure. Conclusion: Since gender differences in experienced sexual pleasure are not a biological given, a more critical discourse of sexual pleasure might create awareness of current inequalities, help lift restrictions for women's opportunities for pleasure, and could reduce gender differences in the cost of sex. That would truly serve sexual justice around the globe.


Abstract. A new online gas chromatographic method dedicated to Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOC) analysis was developed for the measurement of a 20 BVOC gaseous mixture (isoprene, β-pinene, α-pinene, limonene, trans-β-ocimene, myrcene, sabinene, Δ3-carene, camphene, 1,8 cineole, terpinolene, linalool, α-phellandrene, nopinone, citral, α-terpinene, β-caryophhyllene, p-cymene, γ-terpinene and 2-carene) at a time resolution of 90 minutes. The optimized method includes an online Peltier-cooled thermodesorption system sample trap made of Carbopack B coupled to a gas chromatographic system equipped with a 60 m, 0.25 mm i.d. BPX5 column. Eluent was analysed using a flame ionization detection (FID). Potassium iodide was identified as the best ozone scrubber for the 20 BVOC mixture. In order to obtain an accurate quantification of BVOC concentrations, the development of a reliable standard mixture was also required. Quantification of BVOCs was reported with a detection limit ranging from 4 ppt for α-pinene to 19 ppt for sabinene. The main source of uncertainty was the calibration step, stressing the need of certified gaseous standards for a wider panel of BVOCs. This new method was applied for the first time to measure BVOCs in a pine forest during the LANDEX-episode-1 field campaign (summer 2017). All targeted BVOCs were detected at least once along the campaign. The two major monoterpenes observed were β-pinene and α-pinene, representing on average 60 % of the measured terpenoïds, while isoprene represented only 17 %. Uncertainties determined were always below 13 % for the six major terpenes. Uncertainties may be larger for the other compounds especially for those presenting a mixing ratio close to the detection limit.


Background : Adiposity at older age is positively associated with pancreatic cancer in many studies; however its association at younger ages and weight gain across a lifetime has not been examined extensively particular in cohort studies. Methods : We prospectively analyzed the association between body mass index (BMI) at different ages (18, 35, 50, and > 50 years), BMI gain, and first age of overweight or obesity and exocrine pancreatic cancer in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, a large cohort of men and women aged 50–71 who completed questionnaires at baseline (1995–1996) and six months later that ascertained height and weight history. During follow-up though 2006, 2120 and 1204 pancreatic cancer cases were identified in the baseline cohort among participants > 50 years (n=501,702) and sub-cohort who completed the second questionnaire (n=273,977), respectively. Hazards Ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using Cox proportional hazards with adjustment for smoking, sex, energy and total fat. Statistical tests were two sided. Results : Compared to normal weight, overweight (body mass index, BMI >25.0–30 kg/m2) or obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) at ages 18, 35, 50 or > 50 years was significantly associated with elevated pancreatic cancer risk with HR ranging from 1.18 to 1.25. Adiposity gain (per 5 kg/m2) from early adulthood to older age was significantly associated with pancreatic cancer especially among never smokers (HR=1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.21). The etiologic fraction of pancreatic cancer explained by overweight or obesity at any age in our population was 13% overall. Conclusion : Overweight or obesity at any age is associated with a greater pancreatic cancer risk. Prevention of weight gain might prevent pancreatic cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):B5.


Social contracts and state fragility represent two sides of one coin. The former concept highlights that governments need to deliver three "Ps"—protection, provision, and political participation—to be acceptable for societies, whereas the latter argues that states can fail due to lack of authority (inhibiting protection), capacity (inhibiting provision), or legitimacy. Defunct social contracts often lead to popular unrest. Using empirical evidence from the Middle East and North Africa, we demonstrate how different notions of state fragility lead to different kinds of grievances and how they can be remedied by measures of social protection. Social protection is always a key element of government provision and hence a cornerstone of all social contracts. It can most easily counteract grievances that were triggered by decreasing provision (e.g., after subsidy reforms in Iran and Morocco) but also partially substitute for deficient protection (e.g., by the Palestinian National Authority, in pre-2011 Yemen) or participation (information campaign accompanying Moroccan subsidy cut; participatory set-ups for cash-for-work programmes in Jordan). It can even help maintain a minimum of state–society relations in states defunct in all three Ps (e.g., Yemen). Hence, social protection can be a powerful instrument to reduce state fragility and mend social contracts. Yet, to be effective, it needs to address grievances in an inclusive, rule-based, and non-discriminatory way. In addition, to gain legitimacy, governments should assume responsibility over social protection instead of outsourcing it to foreign donors.


Purpose of review There is a growing body of knowledge on pain modulation in various disease states. This article reviews the state of the art regarding the clinical relevance of pain inhibition as revealed by 'pain inhibits pain' test paradigms, trying to organize the clinically relevant data, and emphasizing the pathophysiology of pain. In line with recent experts' recommendations, the term conditioned pain modulation (CPM) will be used, replacing the previous terms 'diffuse noxious inhibitory control (DNIC)' or 'DNIC-like' effects. Recent findings Most of the work in this context was done on the idiopathic pain syndromes, such as irritable bowel syndrome, temporomandibular disorders, fibromyalgia, and tension type headache. The pattern of reduced CPM efficiency seems common to these syndromes and an assertion is made that low CPM efficiency, reflecting low pain inhibitory capacity, is a pathogenetic factor in the development of the idiopathic pain syndromes. Low CPM efficiency was shown to be predictive of acute and chronic postoperative pain, and, in some reports, to be associated with neuropathic pain levels. Summary Low CPM efficiency is associated with higher pain morbidity and vice versa. Further work is awaited on clarifying plasticity of CPM and its relevance to selection and efficacy of pain therapy.


: In the control of manual lifting hazards an alternative to job redesign is preemployment screening and selection. With a screening procedure, lifting stresses can be controlled by effecting a match between job demands and human work capacity. This is predicated on the principle that jobs cannot be redesigned or changed to lower their demands. Accordingly, the hazard control strategy becomes one of selecting only those individuals with the capacity to perform the given job without excessive risk. An integrative screening program suited for physically demanding jobs is presented. Prerequisites for implementation of the program include (1) step testing at submaximal levels; (2) strength testing using three standard postures (arms, back and legs); and (3) determination of job demands expressed in terms of work output and strength requirements. The criteria for screening are based on the level of utilization of each of the principal determinants of human work capacity (energy expenditure, heart rate, and strength capability).


Historically, electromagnetic theory was developed for situations described by the U(1) group. The dynamics equations describing the transformations and interrelationships of the force field are the well known Maxwell equations, and the group algebra underlying these equations are U(1). There was a need to extend these equations to describe SU(2) situations and to derive equations whose underlying algebra is SU(2). In this paper, we will start with Terence W. Barrett's SU(2) symmetric form of electrodynamics based on topological considerations. Meanwhile, in a series of papers Bo Lehnert proposed a novel and revised version of Quantum Electrodynamics (RQED) based on Proca equations. Therefore, we will write down a combination between Barrett's SU(2) electrodynamics with Lehnert's RQED. It is hoped that this paper may stimulate further investigations and experiments in particular for finding physics beyond Standard Model. This is a preliminary report, so it is far from being a complete description of SU(2) electrodynamics.


This study to identify the best pre-treatments to improve seed germination of Capparis spinosa according to standard seeds germination protocols and seeds viability test methods. Capparis spinosa L. (Capparidaceae) Native to the Mediterranean region and Arabian Peninsula. Locally known 'Shafallah' and also known as 'Caper' both names used throughout the Arab countries for various Capparis species. The plant is very common in the rodat in northern Qatar in the deep alluvial soil. But at last 10 years Capparis spinosa plants Are in danger of extinction from habitat degradation and changes in environmental conditions. The younger flower buds are collected and pickled in salt solutions. They are used as a condiment in many Mediterranean and Arab countries. Young fruits and young shoots with small leaves may be pickled for use as a condiment. Capers has a sharp piquant flavor, which comes from methyl isothiocyanate, arising from crushed plant tissues. The tender young shoots and the small leaves may also be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Based on the literature author reported that Capparis spinosa has high economic and medicinal value in many medicine pharmacies, including Arabian medicine, traditional knowledge, and Chinese medicine. Traditional knowledge of Arabian countries Capparis species were used for treatment wounds and problems in the spleen, liver, kidneys and intestines, to dispel gases, for treat skin diseases, to strengthen teeth and relieve backaches. The plant growth Accompanied mainly by Ziziphus nummalaria, Acacia tortilis and Lycium shawii. In this study, seeds of Shafallah treated with different dormancy treatments included, concentrated sulfuric acid H2SO4 98%, 0.1% and 0.2% potassium nitrate KNO3, hydrogen peroxide H2O2, boiling water, tap water 24 hours, mechanical scarification "removing part of the seed coat without damaging the embryo", and gibberellic acid GA3 100 ppm, and 200 ppm to improve seed germination of very important native medicinal plants in Qatar. Capparis spinosa seeds used for production and restoration seedling in some protected area and rodat. Pre-treatments have been done with old seed stored in standard gene bank conditions, and fresh collected seeds, this study carried out in Genetic resources Department, Agricultural Research Department, Ministry of Environment. Viability test of old storage seeds using 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride has given 80%, but the germination percentage of seeds without any treatments gave 8% after 30 days in automated growth chamber machines. Fresh collected seed viability test has given 100%. The highest germination percentages 98% and the fasting germination rate was obtained using mechanical scarification with fresh collected seeds after germinated in 10 days under automated standard germination conditions in laboratory growth chamber machines. Results visibly suggest the fresh seeds of caper have highest viability and germination percentage more than old storage seeds. Finally, Qatar is home to unique and important plant genetic resources, but due to changes in land use and increased development, habitat reduction has emerged as a significant threat to its biodiversity. Capparis spinosa showed in different areas in Qatar as green color to our yellow deserts in the summer, The plant is green and flowering in the very dry regions, and the plant gives fruits two times in Qatar. We can use plant in food security and sustainability programmes. We need more education and public awareness to increase awareness about Qatari native important medicinal plants. Keywords: Dormancy, Capparis spinosa L., Germination, Viability, Germination, Qatar.


Abstract The timing and synchrony of sea turtle emergences from the nests are primary factors in determining hatchling vigor and likelihood of survival. A clear benefit of synchronous emergence is a reduction in energy expenditure through social facilitation, but disadvantages also result from reduction in energy stores if hatchlings have to wait any appreciable time in the nest. We investigated hatchling emergence times throughout emergence of the entire clutch for 21 clutches of Flatback Seaturtles, Natator depressus, incubating in a beach hatchery at three clutch sizes and three nest depths. Emergence of the entire clutch spanned an average of 3.1 days, with shallower nests exhibiting greater emergence asynchrony (mean20cm  =  4.0 days, mean35cm  =  4.5 days) than deeper nests (mean50cm  =  1.7 days). Hatchlings emerged through the night, peaking between 2100 and 2200 h, with hatchlings from shallower nests emerging earlier in the night. For natural nests, hatchlings generally emerged within a single night, evident from the low number of hatchlings remaining in the nest the day after emergence. The disparate observations between a beach hatchery, and natural nests provide important conservation implications for hatchery management.


This research paper discusses the recent New Zealand experience of Military Activity Camps (MACs) through the implementation of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Youth Courts Jurisdictions and Orders) Amendment Act 2010. The paper will address the fundamental principles of the youth justice system under the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 and how the Amendment Act 2010 has created new possibilities of dealing with New Zealand's most persistent group of young offenders. It will furthermore address the historic background of boot camps and aims to analyse how effective the introduction of MACs has been so far. Finally it will look at what alternative measures may exist in order to fight youth offending and recidivism.


Mg72.5Zn26Y1.5 quasicrystal alloys were investigated under different solidification conditions. The specimens of Mg-Zn-Y alloys with cooling rates from 13.2K/s to 69.8K/s were gathered by a designed multi-channel temperature acquiring system and then the microstructures and phase evolution of the alloys were analyzed. The results show that the precipitation temperature of icosahedral quasicrystal phase (I-phase) increased with cooling rate increased from 13.2 K/s to 69.8K/s. The microstructure was mainly made up of α-Mg, I-phase and Mg7Zn3 phase. Meanwhile, the quasi-crystalline morphology was significantly different in the experiments. It changed from five (six) petals to the big pentagon with the decreased cooling rate.


A 52‐year‐old man presented with a large, fungating mass on the inner aspect of his left thigh and a smaller hard mass on the inner aspect of his left knee with normal overlying skin. Both lesions had first been noted by the patient 1 year previously and for the first 6 months had a similar appearance until the thigh mass rapidly increased in size and fungated. Pathology of the large thigh lesion showed pilomatrix carcinoma while that of the smaller knee lesion was typical of pilomatrixoma. The pilomatrix carcinoma was widely excised and there has been no evidence of recurrence or metastasis after 3 years. The clinical course of the thigh lesion suggested that pilomatrix carcinoma may arise from a pre‐existing pilomatrixoma. On review of the literature, pilomatrix carcinoma of the lower limb may be more likely to metastasize than those on other sites.


Although team-based work systems are pervasive in the workplace, the use of collaborative systems designed to facilitate and support ongoing teamwork is a relatively recent development. An understanding of how teams embrace and use such collaborative systems - and the relationship of that usage to teamwork quality and team performance - is critical for organizational success. We present a theoretical model in which usage of a collaborative system intervenes between teamwork quality and team performance for tasks that are supported by the system. We empirically validate the model in a setting where established teams voluntarily used a collaborative system over a four-month period to perform tasks with measurable outcomes. Our principal finding is that collaborative system use intervenes between teamwork quality and performance for tasks supported by the system but not for unsupported tasks.


Liquid applications of nutrients to turfgrass are a routine management practice. A better understanding of nutrient chelating chemistry coupled with a measurable increase in products marketed to turfgrass professionals purported to facilitate effective and efficient absorption of nutrients into turfgrass leaves has resulted in a need for a better understanding of the capacity of turfgrass species to absorb essential nutrient elements. Research was conducted with the objectives to 1) determine the foliar uptake of nutrients in solution to Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.), Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua var. reptans (Hausskn.) Timm) and Ultra-Dwarf Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy).and 2) determine temporal, location and seasonal differences in foliar uptake among these same species. Based on the results of this study it was found that foliar uptake was significantly affected by source of nutrient with organic chelating agent, when differences were identified, facilitating greater uptake vs. synthetic (i.e. EDTA) chelation. Time of year affected absorption efficiency with cooler temperature resulting in lower uptake. This is speculated to be highly influenced by ambient temperatures at time of application. Volatility losses were not measured in this study so caution should be exercised for interpretation of nitrogen results, especially NH4. The species investigated exhibited appreciable uptake of nutrients applied in solution. Liquid applications and more specifically, organically chelated foliar products, could reduce total nutrient applications and decrease potential for surface and ground water contamination due to decreased migration of select nutrients to the root zone.


In this study on twenty-two adult subjects, the effectiveness of Parodontax dentifrice was compared to a control dentifrice on gingival bleeding parameters. The periodontal probe bleeding index of Ainamo and Bay, modified to evaluate slight and moderate bleeding, was used to evaluate efficacy. There was no significant difference between the two groups at baseline. After four weeks, Parodontax dentifrice produced a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in bleeding on probing compared both to baseline (p < 0.01) and to the control group (p < 0.05), and an increase (p < 0.05) in the number of sites with no bleeding compared to the control dentifrice. The control had no significant decrease in bleeding on probing from baseline to four weeks. The number of bleeding sites were significantly reduced in the Parodontax dentifrice group from baseline to week four (p < 0.001), and there was no significant statistical change in the number of bleeding sites for the control group. The Parodontax dentifrice group bleeding sites at four weeks were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05).


Disruptions in public transport are the major cause of passenger dissatisfaction (van Lierop et al., 2018) and they result in decreased public transport usage (Nazem et al., 2018). Much of the research on disruptions has focused on robustness of networks (Cats, 2016), network planning during disruptions (van der Hurk et al., 2016), and passenger information provision (Bruglieri et al., 2015). However, limited focus has been on understanding the changes to travel behaviour caused by planned long-term disruptions, such as closures due to construction work. Hence, this study analyses the effects of a long-term closure of an important suburban railway line in the Greater Copenhagen area (Denmark) on the travel behaviour of public transport passengers. Using a large-scale smart card dataset the travel behaviour before, during and after the closure is compared and analysed across different groups of travellers focusing on both short-term and long-term changes to the travel patterns across groups.


For 1-kV, 30-A 4H-SiC epitaxial emitter npn bipolar junction transistors, the dependence of the common-emitter current gain β on the collector current IC were measured at elevated temperatures. The collector-emitter voltage was fixed (at 100 V voltage) to provide an active operation mode at all collector currents varying in a wide range from 150 mA to 40 A (current densities 24 - 6350 A/cm2). The maximum room temperature current gain was measured to be βmax = 40 (IC = 7 A) while βmax = 32 (IC = 10 A) at 250oC. The β-IC dependences were simulated using a model which takes into account the main processes affecting the current gain. Minority carrier lifetimes and surface recombination velocity were obtained by means of those considerations.


Between the mid-1980s and the present day, conservation biology split into two almost independent fields: management ecology and conservation ecology. We have witnessed the recovery of large endangered species and a decrease in small and common species. In addition, the abandonment of rural areas has allowed the expansion of forest species and has hurt those that inhabit open spaces and who are linked to traditional farming. Many species that once lived only in refuges are now starting to venture further out and are losing their fear of humans. Moreover, environments that have become anthropic are now being successfully occupied more often. In short, we are going towards a world that reconciles humans and wildlife, which will be beneficial, but will also pose new challenges.


We use contingency theory to examine, for the first time, the incidence and effectiveness of CEO/COO duos. We argue that industry dynamism, extraordinary organizational task demands, and the CEO's own professional limitations will influence the decision to have a COO, as well as its effect on performance. Based on a large 10-year sample, we find some support for the contingency view in explaining the presence of COOs; we particularly find that CEOs who lack experience in operational activities and in managing the focal firm are relatively likely to have COOs. We find, however, essentially no support for the contingency view in explaining when COOs are most beneficial. Instead, we find strong evidence of a very substantial negative main effect: CEOs who have COOs deliver lower organizational performance than those who do not. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Nanoparticle systems can be used for agricultural purposes including for risk analysis, application of pesticides or fertilizer, and improving gene transfer technology. Here, the entrance of Fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer I (FITC)-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) into a Medicago sativa (alfalfa) cell suspension by sonication was studied as a model system for gene transfer in plants. The single emulsion solvent evaporation method was used to synthesis of nanoparticles. Particle size, zeta potential and polydispersity index of nanoparticles were measured and morphological investigation was carried out for nanoparticle characterization. The cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of PLGA NPs were determined on alfalfa cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and comet assay, respectively. Ultrasound application increases the cellular uptake of PLGA NPs. The best result (82.66%) was obtained at 3 min of sonication. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that PLGA NPs up to 100 nm passed through the cell wall and were distributed into the cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore, a cytotoxic and genotoxic effect was not observed in the cultured cells exposed to PLGA NPs by sonication. Thus, PLGA NPs system could be used in various agricultural systems in plants. This protocol is an alternative and safe method for gene transfer in plants.


Over the last 20 years, there has been a great proliferation of studies of different aspects of the long-term vascular access field. Despite the availability of such studies, methodological pitfalls surrounding long-term vascular access research are rarely mentioned. Methodological issues inherent to retrospective analyses make them very poor tools for providing generalizable results, as they often become estimates of local experiences rather than reflections of up-to-date practices. Second, despite being an often-ignored element when designing studies on catheter-related complications, a proper follow-up time definition and its length are crucial to limiting the impact of attrition bias on research results. Finally, meta-analyses constitute a powerful tool in modern evidence-based era, but several pitfalls can affect overall results. When designing a systematic review and meta-analytic process, study selection should always reflect the relevance of clinical questions and the capability to contextualize results in the modern and evidence-based vascular access era.


Aflatoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that contaminate cereals, other crops and animal source foods and are a recognized health risk. Kenya has had several outbreaks of aflatoxicosis affecting humans and pets. The aim of this study was to compare aflatoxin levels in cereals, the staple diet of Kenyans, in Nandi where aflatoxicosis has not been reported despite being a maize growing area. Maize, sorghum and millet were sampled from households and also from markets serving various villages in the selected sub-locations (408 samples). The samples were tested for total aflatoxin contamination using cELISA. Households in the study sub-locations depended on homegrown grains than market sourced. Sixty seven point nine percent (72/106), 73.3% (44/60) and 65.7% (67/102) of maize samples collected from Laboret, Kilibwoni and Chepkongony were contaminated with aflatoxins ranging between 0.17-5.3 parts per billion (ppb). Ninety two point nine percent (13/14), 100% (9/9) and 87.5% (14/16) of millet samples from Laboret, Kilibwoni and Chepkongony were positive for aflatoxin at a range of 0.14-6.4 ppb. Fifty percent (9/18), 36.4% (8/22) and 27.3% (6/22) of sorghum samples from Laboret, Kilibwoni and Chepkongony, respectively were contaminated with aflatoxins beyond Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) maximum tolerable limits of 10 ppb. To manage aflatoxin contamination of the cereals in Nandi, the county government needs to step up awareness creation of the dangers posed by chronic aflatoxin exposure to households through cereals and promote good Agricultural practices.


Introduction Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming popular among individuals affected by chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. We aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of complementary and alternative medicine use among type 2 diabetes patients in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods An observational, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the institute of diabetology in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from 1st March 2018 till 31st August 2018. All patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the clinic for routine follow-up visits during the study period were interviewed. Their demographic characteristics, clinical data, and knowledge, attitude, practices towards use of CAM products were assessed. Data was managed using SPSS for Windows version 16.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Results CAM therapies were being used by 151 (57.8%) individuals. Herbs (n = 121; 80.1%), specific diets (n = 98; 64.9%), and cupping (n = 68; 45.0%) were the most readily utilized CAM practices. CAM practices were associated with diabetes-related complications [p < 0.000; Odds Ratio (OR) 2.57; Confidence Interval (CI) 1.53, 4.34], poor glycemic control (p < 0.000; OR 0.29; CI 0.17, 0.5), lack of trust in pharmaceutical products (p < 0.000; OR 5.08; CI 2.28, 11.32), poor patient-doctor relationship (p = 0.06; OR 1.47; CI 0.26, 8.17), CAM products being readily available and cheaper (p < 0.000; OR 6.1; CI 3.02, 12.32), and belief that CAM products have fewer side effects (p < 0.000; OR 12.32; CI 6.83, 22.22) and can help in diabetes control (p < 0.000; OR 35.76; CI 16.79, 76.15). Conclusion Use of complementary medicine products among Pakistani diabetic population is high. Herbs and specific diets were common modes of CAM practices. Use of CAM showed significant association with female gender, older age, unemployment, longer duration of diabetes, diabetes-related complications, and poor glycemic control.


Our objective was to determine at what level biomass and forest area obtained from 2, 3, 4, or 5 panels of forest inventory data compares well with forested area and biomass estimates from the national inventory data. A subset of 2605 inventory plots (100% forested, 100% non-forested) was used to classify the land cover and model the biomass in South Carolina. Mixed plots containing both forest and non-forest conditions have been excluded. Forest inventory data have been further subdivided into four datasets containing the most recent 5, 4, 3, and 2 panels of data. Separately, each of these four datasets was used in a decision tree classification process applied to MODIS satellite data (250-meter resolution) and ancillary data to classify the land cover and model the forest biomass. The satellite, ancillary, and plot data have been subdivided into three mapping zones 54, 58, and 59 for processing in See5 and Cubist software. Classification results for trials with 2, 3, 4, and the entire cycle of 5 panels show that overall classification accuracy for the percent of pixels correctly classified (%PCC) increased from 72.3% to 79.2%. Comparison between classified forest area with 4 and 5 panels and the inventory forest area shows less than 2% difference. The forest/non-forest single layer classification from each trial was used to mask out non-forested areas for the forest biomass classification. Accuracy of modeled forest biomass was compared with plot data estimates of forest biomass. Biomass obtained from Cubist models with 3, 4, and 5 inventory panels when compared to the biomass from the published plot data estimates show a difference of 29.2%, 11.0% and respectively 1.6%.


This study uses meta-analysis to synthesize findings from 31 evaluations of 15 voluntary government-funded training programs for the disadvantaged that operated between 1964 and 1998. On average, the earnings effects of the evaluated programs seem to have been largest for women, quite modest for men, and negligible for youths. For men and women, the earnings effects of training appear to have persisted for at least several years after the training was complete. Classroom skills training was apparently effective in increasing earnings, but basic education was not. There is no evidence that more expensive training programs performed better than less expensive ones. Although the United States has more than three decades of experience in running training programs, the programs do not appear to have become more effective over time.


Abstract A Sr-exchanged heulandite crystal of composition Sr4.35Ca0.13(Al8.96Si27.04O72)·26H2O was used for stepwise dehydration experiments. The crystal was heated for approximately 12 h from room temperature to 250 °C in steps of 50 °C using an airflow-heater device. For single-crystal X-ray data collection the crystal was quenched to -173 °C with liquid-N2 on the diffractometer. Due to pronounced Sr order deviating from the topological symmetry C2/m, the structure was refined in space group Cm for each dehydration state. The initial H2O content of 26 molecules per formula unit (pfu) at room temperature decreased to 17 molecules pfu after heating at 250 °C. Heating to 270 °C mechanically destroyed the crystal and a completely dehydrated state could not be studied. The loss of H2O and accompanying migration of Sr caused a change of cell parameters: a and c slightly decreased, b decreased, and β remained invariant, leading to a reduction of the cell volume. As Sr loses H2O upon dehydration, it moves toward the C rings and forms stronger bonds to the tetrahedral framework. With increasing dehydration the A and B ring become slightly compressed and elongated. Initially highly populated Sr sites split into less populated sites caused by the loss of surrounding H2O molecules.


Turtles are known for their longevity, but the maximum life span for many species remains unknown. Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) can live for more than 30 years in the wild, but typical or maximum longevity has not been confirmed. As part of a long-term mark–recapture project in Ottawa, Ontario, near the species' northern limit, an adult female was captured on 27 April 2017. It had first been marked on 11 June 1983, when it was an adult with 17 growth rings on its plastron. Based on the number of growth rings at first capture, and the intervening time, this turtle is a minimum of 51 years old, setting a longevity record for the species. Ten individuals in this population were at least 30 years old when last captured, including a male at least 41 years old. Few of these turtles have grown measurably since being marked in 1983, and it is likely that these minimum ages are underestimates of actual ages.


In a survey of Yap Island, we found that the ratio of broad-distributed pests is so high, more than 70%. Those pests, which were imported or invaded from other area, have a great opportunity to be prevalent on Yap, because of a "poor-enemy" environment brought about by the isolation of the small island. We also found damaged taro in many villages. The agent causing the damage was not a nematode, but was probably a root-rot disease. Sustaining healthy agriculture, the Yapese need to make the most of advantages of traditional small-scale forest farming and strictly prevent inadvertent import of pests.


Intercultural communication in the global environment frequently involves recourse to translation. This generates new phenomena which, in turn, raise new questions for translation theory and practice. This issue is concerned with the concept of the hybrid text as one of these phenomena. In this introductory chapter, a hybrid text is defined as: "a text that results from a translation process. It shows features that somehow seem 'out of place'/'strange'/'unusual' for the receiving culture, i.e. the target culture". It is important, however, to differentiate between the true hybrid, which is the result of positive authorial and/or translatorial decisions, and the inadequate text which exhibits features of translationese, resulting from a lack of competence. Textual, contextual and social features of hybrid texts are postulated (see discussion paper). These are the object of critical reflection in sub-sequent chapters, in relation to different genres. The potential of the hybrid text for translation research is explored.


Travel plans are a method of either retrofitting or designing in at the outset sustainable transport options into a building's use and design. They can include physical or structural enhancements to a site, such as improvements to walking and cycling routes, cycle storage and bus routes and stops. However, they can be much more than this. In order for them to succeed they need to support and deliver behaviour change and engage the community. These changes in behaviour can impact how a site is used by changing how people travel to work or by developing working practices that encourage people to work more flexibly, from home or meet through virtual means, reducing the demand for both office and car parking space. This paper will explore the impact of retrofitting travel plans and changes in working practices on a building. Examples will be drawn from a series of case studies to show how such policies affect the demand for and use of space. This change in use can help to cut both carbon emissions and costs, whilst developing opportunities to improve productivity. The examples will then be used to demonstrate the innovative techniques used to change behaviours and support the use of technology to communicate virtually, reducing the demand for corporeal travel. What this paper will show is that retrofitting need not just be about physical changes, but that changes in behaviour and use in a building are an important factor using sustainable transport initiatives as an example.


In this paper, I discuss cases of replication in the visual arts, with particular focus on paintings. In the first part, I focus on painted copies, that is, manual reproductions of paintings created by artists. Painted copies are sometimes used for the purpose of aesthetic education on the original. I explore the relation between the creation of painted copies and their use as aesthetic surrogates of the original artwork and draw a positive conclusion on the aesthetic benefits of replica production by artists. A skeptical conclusion follows regarding the use of such replicas as surrogates for the original painting. The second part of the paper concerns mechanically produced replicas, such as photographs and 3-D prints. On the basis of some of the claims made in the first part, I set conditions that mechanically produced replicas need to meet in order to function as aesthetic surrogates of an original. I argue that perfect aesthetic surrogates are either already available or at least possible. I conclude by considering two possible objections.


An overview of the effects of different nanoscale materials on the flammability of two thermoset polymers is presented and discussed in this paper. Its goal is to bring together our recent experimental results obtained for different material systems of nanoclays, nano-magnesium hydroxide (nano-Mg(OH)2) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) in epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins; some of these results have already been published elsewhere. It is shown that these nanoparticles can be used to lower the heat release rate (HRR) of the polymers when exposed to a fire situation. On the other hand, in the majority of the cases this low flammability of polymer nanocomposites is only achieved in terms of HRR, but fails in terms of time-to-ignition or the extent of smoke released.


Multi-fidelity surrogate modeling has been extensively used in engineering design to achieve a balance between computational efficiency and prediction accuracy. Sequential sampling strategies have been investigated to improve the computational efficiency of surrogate-assisted design optimization. The existing sequential sampling approaches, however, are dedicated to either deterministic multi-fidelity design optimization or robust design under uncertainty using single-fidelity models. This paper proposes a sequential sampling method for robust design optimization based on multi-fidelity modeling. The proposed method considers both design variable uncertainty and interpolation uncertainty during the sequential sampling. An extended upper confidence boundary (EUCB) function is developed to determine both the sampling locations and the fidelity levels of the sequential samples. In the EUCB function, the cost ratio between high- and low-fidelity models and the sampling density are considered. Moreover, the EUCB function is extended to handle constrained robust design optimization problems by combining the probability of feasibility. The performance of the proposed approach is verified by using two analytical examples and an engineering case. Results show that the proposed sequential approach is more efficient than the one-shot sampling method for robust design optimization problems.


A mutant BamHI endonuclease, E77K, belongs to a class of catalytic mutants that bind DNA efficiently but cleave DNA at a rate more than 10(3)-fold lower than that of the wild-type enzyme (S. Y. Xu and I. Schildkraut, J. Biol. Chem. 266:4425-4429, 1991). The preferred cofactor for the wild-type BamHI is Mg2+. BamHI is 10-fold less active with Mn2+ as the cofactor. In contrast, the E77K variant displays an increased activity when Mn2+ is substituted for Mg2+ in the reaction buffer. Mutations that partially suppress the E77K mutation were isolated by using an Escherichia coli indicator strain containing the dinD::lacZ fusion. These pseudorevertant endonucleases induce E. coli SOS response (as evidenced by blue colony formation) and thus presumably nick or cleave chromosomal DNA in vivo. Consistent with the in vivo result, the pseudorevertant endonucleases in the crude cell extract display site-specific partial DNA cleavage activity. DNA sequencing revealed two unique suppressing mutations that were located within two amino acid residues of the original mutation. Both pseudorevertant proteins were purified and shown to increase specific activity at least 50-fold. Like the wild-type enzyme, both pseudorevertant endonucleases prefer Mg2+ as the cofactor. Thus, the second-site mutation not only restores partial cleavage activity but also suppresses the metal preference as well. These results suggest that the Glu-77 residue may play a role in metal ion binding or in enzyme activation (allosteric transition) following sequence-specific recognition.


The definition of a near-patient, or "point-of-care" test (POCT), is an investigation carried out in a clinical or non-clinical setting, or in the patient's home, for which the result is available without reference to a laboratory, perhaps rapidly enough to affect immediate patient management.

The characteristics of an ideal POCT, as outlined by the World Health Organisation Sexually Transmitted Diseases Diagnostics Initiative in 2001 (http://www.who.int/std\_diagnostics/about\_SDI/priorities.htm), should fulfil the ASSURED guidelines; it should be affordable by those at risk of infection; sensitive , with few false negatives; specific , with few false positives; user friendly or simple to perform, with minimal training; rapid , to enable treatment at the first visit; robust , not requiring refrigeration or heating; equipment-free ; and delivered to those who need it. Unfortunately, for most sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such tests do not yet exist, and our perception of what is currently available or possible is often overambitious. Six years ago, Professor Peter Borrelio, Director of the Public Health Laboratory Services at the Central Public Health Laboratory, Cardiff, UK, suggested that "a single microchip could be programmed to perform a range of tests for different organisms on a single pinprick blood specimen taken from a patient. The chip could then tell the GP [general practitioner], or the patient themselves, what sort of organism is causing their infection".1 Unfortunately, technology has not advanced sufficiently to make this a reality. Currently available tests are not as rapid, or as simple as, for example, a pregnancy test or urine dipstick. Much of the published literature focuses on theoretical utility rather than providing data to support integration into routine clinical practice. Of course if a POCT existed that fulfilled the World Health Organisation recommendations outlined above, genitourinary medicine services could benefit enormously; however, currently these tests are not sufficiently …


The civic community perspective focuses on local social and economic institutions that buffer communities from external, often global forces. Important community organizations such as locally oriented business establishments, civic organizations, associations, and churches are emphasized. These critical entities are posited to benefit a community through an enhanced quality of life, more civic engagement by the citizenry, and a strong capacity for local problem-solving. This address argues specifically for the beneficial consequences of locally oriented retail businesses (single-establishment enterprises and local chains). The relative presence of these local firms is shown to be associated in a positive way with small manufacturing establishments, associations, public gathering places ("third places"), social capital, and voter turnout. Negative correlations are presented for the relationships between locally oriented retail businesses and rates of poverty, infant mortality, and crime. Throughout the presentation, concern is expressed that the South lags behind other U.S. regions in employment and wages derived from these locally oriented firms.


Since the advent of single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) various chemical ligands have been labeled with radionuclides and evaluated as tracer compounds in animal models to ascertain their suitability as potential radiopharmaceuticals for humans. In the absence of a defined algorithm to predict the diagnostic efficacy of a radiopharmaceutical, any new radioligand has to undergo preclinical evaluation even if it has excellent in vitro properties. Until now few studies have produced pharmacokinetic data that could be translated from animal models directly to humans. The purpose of this review is to highlight some critical aspects to consider during the development and validation phase of a new radiopharmaceutical. Interspecies differences and the absence of knowledge of physiological mechanism can become challenging drawbacks for obtaining a successful radiopharmaceutical. In this context, the influence of ABC transporters in neuroimaging, the effect of plasma protein binding and the consequence of anesthesia with reference to interspecies differences will be discussed with illustrative examples.