: The subjects of the study were 85 patients with arterial hypertension alone or in combination with coronary heart disease with stable stenocardia attacks and postinfarction cardiosclerosis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the peculiarities of left ventricular (LV) remodeling in such patients. The study demonstrated peculiarities of the structural and geometric indices in men and women, as well as their connection with the process progression within the framework of the cardiovascular continuum. The authors offer an original scheme of the dynamics of cardiovascular system condition in connection with exposure to risk factors and the forming of concentric or eccentric LV hypertrophy. The studies of structural changes included in the scheme may serve as a study model of the most important mechanisms responsible for progression or regression of the pathological changes in the LV at particular stages of the disease.


Dichloromethane (DCM; CH2Cl2) is a widespread pollutant with anthropogenic and natural sources. Anaerobic DCM-dechlorinating bacteria use the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway, yet dechlorination reaction mechanisms remain unclear and the enzyme(s) responsible for carbon-chlorine bond cleavage have not been definitively identified. Of the three bacterial taxa known to carry out anaerobic dechlorination of DCM, 'Candidatus Formimonas warabiya' strain DCMF is the only organism that can also ferment non-chlorinated substrates, including quaternary amines (i.e., choline and glycine betaine) and methanol. Strain DCMF is present within enrichment culture DFE, which was derived from an organochlorine-contaminated aquifer. We utilized the metabolic versatility of strain DCMF to carry out comparative metaproteomics of cultures grown with DCM or glycine betaine. This revealed differential abundance of numerous proteins, including a methyltransferase gene cluster (the mec cassette) that was significantly more abundant during DCM degradation, as well as highly conserved amongst anaerobic DCM-degrading bacteria. This lends strong support to its involvement in DCM dechlorination. A putative glycine betaine methyltransferase was also discovered, adding to the limited knowledge about the fate of this widespread osmolyte in anoxic subsurface environments. Furthermore, the metagenome of enrichment culture DFE was assembled, resulting in five high quality and two low quality draft metagenome-assembled genomes. Metaproteogenomic analysis did not reveal any genes or proteins for utilization of DCM or glycine betaine in the cohabiting bacteria, supporting the previously held idea that they persist via necromass utilization.


Availability and easy access to a wide range of natural and human-activity data on the oceans and coastal regions of Europe is the basis for strategic decision-making on coastal and marine policy. Strategies within Europe's Integrated Maritime Policy, including the Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic Area, Blue Growth, Maritime Spatial Planning and Marine Data and Knowledge, require coherent and comparable socio-economic data across European countries. Similarly, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires member states to carry out economic and social analysis of their waters and the reformed Common Fisheries Policy includes a social dimension requiring socio-economic data. However, the availability of consistent, accessible marine socio-economic data for the European Atlantic Arc regions is limited. Ocean economy studies have been undertaken in some countries (for example, Ireland, France, and UK) but timescales and methodologies are not necessarily comparable. Marnet is an EU transnational co-operation project involving eight partners from five member states of the Atlantic Area (Ireland, Spain, UK, France and Portugal). Marnet has developed a methodology to collate comparable marine socio-economic data across the Atlantic regions. The comparative marine socio-economic information system developed by Marnet could provide a template for other European States to follow that could potentially facilitate the construction of a Europe-wide marine economic information system as envisaged under the EU Integrated Maritime Policy.


Desmoplastic fibroma of the long bones is very rare and has been mentioned in the literature, but there is no mention in the literature of desmoplastic fibroma occurring in relation to maxilla. The first case of desmoplastic fibroma of the maxilla is reported. Conservative surgery is recommended for desmoplastic fibroma of the maxilla to avoid facial deformity.


In this paper, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) gas flow simulations are carried out for the pebble bed reactor. In CFD calculations, geometry modeling and physical modeling are crucial to CFD results. The effects of the treatments of the interpebble contacts on gas flow fields and heat transfer are examined. A sensitivity analysis for the gap size is conducted with two spherical pebbles, in which the interpebble region is modeled by means of two types of interpebble gap and two kinds of direct contact. Both large eddy simulation and Reynolds-averaged Navier―Stokes models are employed to investigate the turbulent effects. It is found that the flow fields and relevant heat transfer are significantly dependent on the modeling of the interpebble region. The calculations indicate the complex flow structures present within the voids between the fuel pebbles.


Two transformation-optics inspired flat lenses are used to build up an optical system capable to transpose an area surrounding the object focal point in a magnified area surrounding the image focal point. The object and image focal points of the system are placed in the free space and respectively a dilated space having a sub-unitary relative permittivity and permeability. The anisotropic and inhomogeneous media constituting the lenses enable the processing of the high spatial frequencies waves without converting them in evanescent waves. Numerical simulations show the capability of the proposed device to perform magnified discernible images of the sub-wavelength details.


Double-blind peer review is considered a pillar of academic research because it is perceived to ensure a fair, unbiased, and fact-centered scientific discussion. Yet, experienced researchers can often correctly guess from which research group an anonymous submission originates, biasing the peer-review process. In this work, we present a transformer-based, neural-network architecture that only uses the text content and the author names in the bibliography to attribute an anonymous manuscript to an author. To train and evaluate our method, we created the largest authorship-identification dataset to date. It leverages all research papers publicly available on arXiv amounting to over 2 million manuscripts. In arXiv-subsets with up to 2,000 different authors, our method achieves an unprecedented authorship attribution accuracy, where up to 73% of papers are attributed correctly. We present a scaling analysis to highlight the applicability of the proposed method to even larger datasets when sufficient compute capabilities are more widely available to the academic community. Furthermore, we analyze the attribution accuracy in settings where the goal is to identify all authors of an anonymous manuscript. Thanks to our method, we are not only able to predict the author of an anonymous work but we also provide empirical evidence of the key aspects that make a paper attributable. We have open-sourced the necessary tools to reproduce our experiments.


The main purpose of this paper was to describe the effect of school culture factors on teachers' job satisfaction. Descriptive correlation design with mixed data approach was employed in four public secondary schools of Harari regional state, Ethiopia. The specific objectives were to describe the status of school culture and teachers job satisfaction, to identify the relationship between teachers' job satisfaction and school culture, to investigate the effect of school culture on teachers' job satisfaction and to sort out the determinants. The data information was gathered from teachers and educational leaders using questionnaire and interview guides respectively. Teachers' level of job satisfaction was low. There was no relationship between teachers' educational qualifications and their levels of job satisfaction. The relationship of teachers' job satisfaction in terms age, sex, salary, working experience, and marital status was not significant. There was association between teachers' job satisfaction and school culture, specifically with teachers' professional development and collaborative leadership practices. School culture and teachers' levels of qualification were predictors of job satisfaction in the schools. In order to enhance job satisfaction of teachers, the school leaders should strengthen and improve the existing continuous professional development program and collaborative leadership practices in the schools. Supervisors should support and facilitate professional development opportunities for teachers. Moreover, they should promote collaborative leadership practices in the schools. Future studies need to be considered in order to generalize the findings in different settings. Also undertake studies on the effect of job satisfaction and school culture on the quality of teaching-learning.


A carbon nanotube (CNT) thermometer that operates on the principles of electrical shot noise is reported. Shot noise thermometry is a self-calibrating measurement technique that relates statistical fluctuations in dc current across a device to temperature. A structure consisting of vertical, top, and bottom-contacted single-walled carbon nanotubes in a porous anodic alumina template was fabricated and used to measure shot noise. Frequencies between 60 and 100 kHz were observed to preclude significant influence from Vf noise, which does not contain thermally relevant information. Because isothermal models do not accurately reproduce the observed noise trends, a self-heating shot noise model has been developed and applied to experimental data to determine the thermal resistance of a CNT device consisting of an array of vertical single-walled CNTs supported in a porous anodic alumina template. The thermal surface resistance at the nanotube-dielectric interface is found to be 1.5 × 108 K/W, which is consistent with measurements by other techniques.


We report on the appearance of running transverse waves and zigzag instabilities in photorefractive counterpropagating two-wave mixing with a single external feedback mirror. These secondary structures are caused by the sluggish temporal response of the crystal through the buildup of a reflection grating. We derive a Landau-type equation for the critical mode amplitude above the primary instability threshold and compare it with the results from numerical simulations in the case of low and high optical aspect ratios. The effect of intensity-dependent relaxation time on the formation of the spatiotemporal structures is discussed.


Abstract This paper presents a systematic review of the literature on flipped language classrooms from the perspectives of theoretical foundations, learning activities, tools, research topics and findings based on an analysis of 34 published articles. The results indicate that various research methods (e.g., tests, surveys, and interviews) were applied in the selected studies and different types of e-tools (e.g., video-watching tools, online learning platforms, online discussion tools, and video-making tools) were used in the flipped language classrooms. The findings also reveal that the flipped language classroom not only improved students' academic performance and cultivated their learning motivation but also developed their self-regulation, confidence, and higher-order thinking skills. Other research topics in the reviewed articles included the effects of external and learner factors on the flipped learning approach, students' readiness and technology acceptance, the flipped learning process, students' interactions, and teacher perceptions.


The expression of the alpha 4 and beta 2 subunits of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) was studied in developing rat brain using in situ hybridization. The levels of both transcripts were already high at birth in cerebral cortex, medial habenula, CA1/CA3 regions of the hippocampus and several thalamic nuclei. In general, the beta 2 subunit showed a higher density of hybrids than the alpha 4. Beta 2 expression did not change with age in the medial habenula, medial geniculate nucleus or in the hippocampus whereas it decreased in the cortex. The developmental pattern of the hybridization signal for alpha 4 was different according to the brain area considered. The expression of the two transcripts showed a biphasic pattern in some thalamic nuclei: the lowest levels occurring during the first and second postnatal weeks respectively, and the highest levels during the second and fourth postnatal weeks. The ontogenetic profile of the expression of the alpha 4 subunit in the thalamic nuclei coincided with that of [3H]-L-nicotine binding sites. These findings suggest that the two subunits of nAChRs are independently regulated in most of the brain areas examined, and that in some regions, such as the thalamus, the ontogenetic variations reported for the alpha 4 subunit correlate with those observed for the [3H]-L-nicotine binding sites.


Substantial insights into basic strategies for embryonic body patterning have been obtained from genetic analyses of Drosophila melanogaster. This knowledge has been used in evolutionary comparisons to ask if genes and functions are conserved. To begin to ask how highly conserved are the mechanisms of mRNA localization, a process crucial to Drosophila body patterning, we have focused on the localization of bcd mRNA to the anterior pole of the embryo. Here we consider two components involved in that process: the exuperantia (exu) gene, required for an early step in localization; and the cis-acting signal that directs bcd mRNA localization. First, we use the cloned D. melanogaster exu gene to identify the exu genes from Drosophila virilis and Drosophila pseudoobscura and to isolate them for comparisons at the structural and functional levels. Surprisingly, D. pseudoobscura has two closely related exu genes, while D. melanogaster and D. virilis have only one each. When expressed in D. melanogaster ovaries, the D. virilis exu gene and one of the D. pseudoobscura exu genes can substitute for the endogenous exu gene in supporting localization of bcd mRNA, demonstrating that function is conserved. Second, we reevaluate the ability of the D. pseudoobscura bcd mRNA localization signal to function in D. melanogaster. In contrast to a previous report, we find that function is retained. Thus, among these Drosophila species there is substantial conservation of components acting in mRNA localization, and presumably the mechanisms underlying this process.


Service-oriented architecture represents a promising approach to integrating data and software across different institutional and disciplinary sources, thus facilitating Web-scale collaboration while avoiding the need to convert different data and software to common formats. The US National Cancer Institute's Biomedical Information Grid program seeks to create both a service-oriented infrastructure (caGrid) and a suite of data and analytic services. Workflow tools in caGrid facilitate both the use and creation of services by accelerating service discovery, composition, and orchestration tasks. The authors present caGrid's workflow requirements and explain how they met these requirements by adopting and extending the Taverna system.


This work presents a tool-chain development for aerodynamic analysis and optimisation of compound rotorcraft.
An automation framework for geometry composition and grid generation using ICEM Hexa is proposed, and variable applications are presented. High-fidelity CFD simulations of ducted fans are first performed to validate the
in-house solver HMB3. Detailed analyses of the ducted fan and comparisons against experiments and simpler
methods are presented, and good correlation can be noted. A compound helicopter model is then assembled,
consisting of a parametrised Dauphin-like fuselage, ducted fans for auxiliary thrust, and a main rotor. Simulation
methods of several fidelity levels using steady/unsteady actuator disks and resolved blades are conducted and
evaluated. Analyses of the aerodynamics and flow features are then presented.


In the past 50 years, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) activism in Australia has grown from small, localized organizations to national campaigns calling on all Australians to affirm LGBTI people's equality. While the issues and activist strategies have evolved over the past 50 years, there have been two persistent patterns: most organizations and activism have been state based and have drawn on international influences, especially from the United Kingdom and United States. In the 1970s the organizations CAMP (Campaign Against Moral Persecution) and Gay Liberation presented competing visions of LGBTI equality, but both recognized the importance of visibility in order to change societal attitudes and influence law reform. Campaigns to decriminalize male homosexuality began in the 1970s and continued across the states through the 1980s and even into the 1990s in Tasmania. After law reform, activists shifted their advocacy to other areas including anti-discrimination laws, relationship recognition, and eventually marriage equality. HIV/AIDS was another important cause that generated grassroots activism within LGBTI communities. State AIDS councils worked in partnership with the federal government, and Australia had one of the world's best public health responses to the epidemic. Pop culture, international media, and visibility at events such as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras gradually shifted public opinions in favor of LGB equality by the 2000s. Transgender and intersex rights and acceptance were slower to enter the public agenda, but by the 2010s, those two groups had attained a level of visibility and were breaking down preconceived stereotypes and challenging prejudice. Indeed, politicians lagged behind public opinion on marriage equality, delaying and obfuscating the issue as the major political parties grappled with internal divisions. In 2017 the Commonwealth government held a postal survey asking Australian voters whether or not they supported same-sex marriage. This was an unprecedented exercise in Australian polity that was divisive, but LGBTI activists succeeded in their campaign and secured an overwhelming victory. The postal survey's outcome also set the stage for new political fights around LGBTI people's rights: so-called religious freedom, transgender birth certificates and support for LGBTI young people.


We have developed procedures for detecting synaptic vesicle-binding proteins by using glutaraldehyde-fixed or native vesicle fractions as absorbent matrices. Both adsorbents identify a prominent synaptic vesicle-binding protein of 36 kD in rat brain synaptosomes and mouse brain primary cultures. The binding of this protein to synaptic vesicles is competed by synaptophysin, a major integral membrane protein of synaptic vesicles, with half-maximal inhibition seen between 10(-8) and 10(-7) M synaptophysin. Because of its affinity for synaptophysin, we named the 36-kD synaptic vesicle-binding protein physophilin (psi nu sigma alpha, greek = bubble, vesicle; psi iota lambda os, greek = friend). Physophilin exhibits an isoelectric point of approximately 7.8, a Stokes radius of 6.6 nm, and an apparent sedimentation coefficient of 5.6 S, pointing to an oligomeric structure of this protein. It is present in synaptic plasma membranes prepared from synaptosomes but not in synaptic vesicles. In solubilization experiments, physophilin behaves as an integral membrane protein. Thus, a putative synaptic plasma membrane protein exhibits a specific interaction with one of the major membrane proteins of synaptic vesicles. This interaction may play a role in docking and/or fusion of synaptic vesicles to the presynaptic plasma membrane.


Background: The etiology of muscle wasting in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is incompletely understood. We previously showed that the D rather than the I polymorphic variant of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with preserved quadriceps strength in COPD. If the ACE D allele influences skeletal muscle through increased ACE-related kinin degradation [and reduced activity at the bradykinin type 2 receptor (BK2R)], we might expect a similar association with the 9 BK2R genotype in this population as well. Objective: The objective was to test the hypothesis that the BK2R gene polymorphism is a determinant of fat-free mass and quadriceps strength in patients with COPD. Design: In a cross-sectional design we determined BK2R genotype, fat-free mass, and quadriceps strength in 110 COPD patients with a mean ( SD) predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 34.3 16.4% and in 104 healthy age-matched control subjects. Results: The mean ( SD) fat-free mass index (in kg/m) was significantly lower in 37 patients homozygous for the 9 allele than in carriers of the 9 allele (15.7 1.8 compared with 16.7 2.3; P 0.038); the same pattern was true for quadriceps maximal voluntary force (30.8 10.4 and 36.4 12.8 kg; P 0.02), respectively. No significant effect of BK2R genotype on inspiratory muscle strength or on any variable in control subjects was observed. There was no interaction between the effect of the BK2R and ACE genotypes on quadriceps strength. Conclusions: The genotype associated with reduced BK2R expression is associated with reduced fat-free mass and quadriceps strength in COPD. However, alterations in the activity at the BK2R do not seem to account for the previously identified association of quadriceps strength with ACE genotype. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83:


This study examines whether the survival of allografted rat islet β-cells is influenced by the presence of other pancreatic donor cells. Grafts (RT1u/l) of different cellular composition were intraportally transplanted in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats (RT1n/n). All grafts corrected the diabetic state within 3 days. Implants of freshly isolated islets contained various endocrine and nonendocrine cell types; they became diffusely infiltrated within 1 wk and were completely destroyed within 2 wk. A 4-day culture period did not lead to major changes in the cellular composition of the islets or in their survival as allograft. Islet cell aggregates prepared after islet dissociation and cell purification were less acutely infiltrated and less rapidly rejected. Aggregates composed of sorted MHC class II–negative cells maintained basal normoglycemia in 3 of 5 recipients for 5 wk but only in 1 of 5 for 20 wk. Aggregates of purified islet β-cells remained relatively free of diffuse infiltrations during the 1st wk and preserved the normalized state in 7 of 13 recipients for 5 wk; after 20 wk, 6 of 13 were still aglucosuric, but 40% of the implants were diffusely infiltrated and depleted of insulin. Reaggregation of purified islet β-cells with purified islet endocrine non–²-cells promoted their long-term survival as allograft: 11 of 13 recipients of mixed islet endocrine cells maintained normal basal glycemia over 20 wk; their implants contained relatively constant insulin reserves and remained virtually devoid of diffuse infiltrations. These results demonstrate that techniques aiming at the elimination of surface MHC class II–positive cells are less successful in preparing rat islet allografts of low immunogenicity than methods of positive cell selection. Pure islet β-cells are immunogenic as an allograft but illicit a milder and less-acute immune attack than undissociated islet tissue. Nonendocrine and damaged islet cells are suspected of enhancing the rapidity and intensity of the cytotoxic reaction. Survival of allografted β-cells is markedly prolonged by the presence of islet endocrine non–²-cells within the graft. The mechanisms underlying this effect have not yet been elucidated; they may involve immune and metabolic interactions of the endocrine non–²-cells. We conclude that purification of islet endocrine cells represents a new and powerful method for preparing insulin-producing allografts that can survive in hosts without pharmacological immunosuppression.


OBJECTIVES
This study was undertaken to evaluate the influences of concave, machined and concave-roughened profiles of transmucosal implant designs on early peri-implant tissue responses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Implants were used and classified by transmucosal profile and surface type as straight-machined implants (SM), concave-machined implants (CM), or concave-roughened implants (CR). A total of 30 implants (10 per each type) with matching transmucosal profiles were placed directly on alveolar crests in randomized order in the edentulous mandibular ridges of three beagle dogs. Healing abutments were connected 4 weeks after implant placement, and prostheses were connected 8 weeks after implant placement and functionally loaded. All animals were sacrificed at 16 weeks. Peri-apical radiographs were obtained and measured to evaluate peri-implant marginal bone levels. Histological specimens were prepared to measure bone resorption, connective tissue contact, epithelial tissue height, biological width, and length of implant-abutment junction to the apical portion of junctional epithelium.

RESULTS
Radiographic and histometric analysis showed that least bone resorption occurred around CM implants and greatest bone resorption around SM implants (P < 0.05). Histometric analysis showed that highest connective tissue attachment and shortest biological width had formed around CM implants.

CONCLUSION
Concave-machined profiled implants with a transmucosal design may induce less bone resorption and better connective tissue attachment around implants than the straight-machined profiled implants during the early healing phase.


Crucial to understanding the behavior of judges and the outputs of courts is the institutional context in which they operate. One key component of courts' institutional structure is that the judiciary system is organized as a hierarchy, which creates both problems and opportunities for judges. In this essay I evaluate the literature on several features of the judicial hierarchy. I focus on core issues addressed by political scientists, legal scholars, and economists, including such questions as why hierarchy exists; how higher courts can best oversee lower courts; how learning takes place both within and across the levels of the judiciary; and how collegiality influences judicial decision making. I conclude with thoughts on potential future theoretical and empirical avenues for furthering our understanding of the judicial hierarchy.


This special issue (like the preceding one) is designed to highlight research on men's increased involvement in their families, focusing both on the antecedents that are linked with their involvement and on the consequences that may follow, and to show that such research is consistent with our theoretical view that the ongoing gender revolution has two parts. The first half, in which the "separate spheres" are broached by women's increased participation in paid work, strained the family; the second, in which the separation between the spheres is finally being dissolved by men's taking an active role in their families by contributing to the care of their children and homes, strengthens the family. The previous issue focused on Scandinavia, where both halves of the gender revolution are more advanced than in other industrialized countries; this issue, although not neglecting Scandinavia, includes not only research on the United States but also cross-national studies.


INCAMP project is developing an International Master's Degree in the Carbon Neutral Management of sport marinas. In this article we present a draft on the distribution of the Master, with main learning materials that will be taught. The content has been divided into paths, modules and subjects, as following: 6 Fundamental modules; 18 Subjects; Practical and a Dissertation. Subjects of the Master has been selected to give the appropriate knowledge to the future students interested in Carbon Neutral Management of sport marinas. INCAMP has been created to meet future skills needs and to enhance the opportunities for cooperation between Higher Education, Vocational Educational Training and Industry, providing opportunities for cooperation among stakeholders as well as the exchange and transfer of knowledge to increase know-how. Throughout the master, students will be taught to understand and investigate the major processes and change drivers which contribute to climate conditions in the earth system at different scales, among them, the understanding of the interdependencies between the grand cycles (water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus) in the Sport Marinas Management System. Furthermore, they will analyse the roles played by the biosphere in global and local environmental change: how is it affected by environmental change and how can changes in the biosphere affect global change? A macro-scale view of global biosphere function in Earth history and the global impact of humanity, putting contemporary environmental change into wider context. Human systems of knowledge, values, organization, technology, and behaviour will be examined in relation to environmental change in an evolutionary and social development context. What is the utility of viewing human societies as systems? How do the complexity, diversity, stratification, and resource management strategies of human societies shape their contributions and responses to critical environmental parameters and challenges? The module introduces relevant cognitive, social, economic, and human ecological concepts and theory to understand historical developments in social-ecological systems and address contemporary issues of sustainability and wellbeing in an increasingly populous and globalised society. Specifically, the students will investigate the role of energy systems in causing and mitigating climate change for carbon neutral management of sport marinas. Debates and major trends in the role of technologies, economics, human behaviour, social change and governance in avoiding dangerous anthropogenic climate change.


Background: Mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) mutations affecting flagellar movement are often causes of sperm dysmotility. Among these mutations, mitochondrial transfer RNA (mt-tRNA) is the hot spot. However, the role of mt-tRNA mutations in male infertility remains heated debates.
Purpose: To evaluate the roles of mt-tRNA mutations in male infertility.
Methods: To address this problem, we reassessed 5 recent reported mutations: tRNAHis C12187A, tRNAThr G15928A, tRNAArg T10463C, tRNALys A8312G and tRNAAsp T7572C, in clinical expression of asthenozoospermia. We first performed database searches for these mutations; in addition, the phylogenetic approach was performed to determine the Conservation Index (CI) of these mutations between different species. We also used the bioinformatics tool to predict the secondary structure of mttRNAs with and without these mutations. In addition, the pathogenicity scoring system was used to assess the status of each mt-tRNA mutation.
Results: We found that only tRNALys A8312G mutation could be regarded as "possibly pathogenic", whereas other mutations should be classified as "neutral polymorphisms".
Conclusions: This is the first report dealing with the association between mt-tRNA mutations and male infertility, thus, our study provided novel insight into the molecular basis underlying mt-tRNA mutations in male infertility.


Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine whether multinational corporations moving into China have a negative impact on the extent of foreign firms moving into other developing countries in East Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Design/methodology/approach - The paper controls for a comprehensive set of determinants of why multinational enterprises enter the economies of East Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe and then adds and examines the instrumented foreign direct investment flows into China to proxy the impact of China on these other economies. Findings - It was found that the multinational enterprises entering into China stimulate investment in east Asia, but have no significant effects on multinational enterprises entering into Eastern Europe and Latin America. Research limitations/implications - Owing to data constraints, it was not possible to examine if these conclusions hold for different sectors such as the automobile and electronics sectors. Practical implications - Governments in developing countries should focus on increasing their attractiveness to multinational enterprises. Policies such as lowering of the corporate tax rates should help. Originality/value - The paper includes a very comprehensive set of factors and then uses foreign direct investment flows into China as a proxy for the impact of China on other economies.


This paper explores how threshold uncertainty affects cooperative behaviors in the provision of public goods and the prevention of public bads. The following facts motivate our study. First, environmental (resource) problems are either framed as public bads prevention or public goods provision. Second, the occurrence of these problems is characterized by thresholds that are interchangeably represented as "nonconvexity," "bifurcation," "bi-stability," or "catastrophes." Third, the threshold location is mostly unknown. We employ a provision point mechanism with threshold uncertainty and analyze the responses of cooperative behaviors to uncertainty and to the framing for each type of social preferences categorized by a value orientation test. We find that aggregate framing effects are negligible, although the response to the frame is the opposite depending on the type of social preferences. "Cooperative" subjects become more cooperative in negative frames than in positive frames, whereas "individualistic" subjects are less cooperative in negative frames than in positive ones. This finding implies that the insignificance of aggregate framing effects arises from behavioral asymmetry. We also find that the percentage of cooperative choices non-monotonically varies with the degree of threshold uncertainty, irrespective of framing and value orientation. Specifically, the degree of cooperation is highest at intermediate levels of threshold uncertainty and decreases as the uncertainty becomes sufficiently large.


Risk is an important earnings attribute in valuation models and the FASB's conceptual framework identifies providing information about risk as a primary objective for earnings. Managers and analysts, however, state that they provide non-GAAP earnings to produce numbers that are more focused on core or cash-based earnings components. They do not discuss risk-relevance as a motivation. We ask whether, by focusing on one earnings attribute (core earnings), non-GAAP earnings sacrifice another important earnings attribute (risk-relevance). We find that non-GAAP earnings capture the more risk-relevant components of GAAP earnings, although non-GAAP exclusions are not risk-irrelevant. Further, not only do non-GAAP earnings better capture information about current risk, they also provide more information about future firm risk. Finally, when comparing exclusion types, we find that special item exclusions contain more risk-relevant information than other item exclusions. Overall, we conclude that in constructing non-GAAP earnings to better capture core earnings, non-GAAP earnings also provide investors with a more risk-focused earnings construct.


In contrast with the limited sequence divergence accumulated after separation of higher primate lineages, marked cytogenetic variation has been associated with the genome evolution in these species. Studying the impact of such structural variations on defined molecular processes can provide valuable insights on how genome structural organization contributes to organismal evolution. Here, we show that telomeres on chromosome arms carrying subtelomeric heterochromatic caps in the chimpanzee, which are completely absent in humans, replicate later than telomeres on chromosome arms without caps. In gorilla, on the other hand, a proportion of the subtelomeric heterochromatic caps present in most chromosome arms are associated with large blocks of telomere-like sequences that follow a replication program different from that of bona fide telomeres. Strikingly, telomere-containing RNA accumulates extrachromosomally in gorilla mitotic cells, suggesting that at least some aspects of telomere-containing RNA biogenesis have diverged in gorilla, perhaps in concert with the evolution of heterochromatic caps in this species.


Background and Objectives: The utility of continuous perineural infusions for lesser painful shoulder procedures is not well established. We hypothesized that the addition of a continuous interscalene ropivacaine infusion to a single-injection interscalene block would improve analgesia after minor arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Methods: An ultrasound-guided interscalene catheter targeting the C5-C6 roots/superior trunk was placed preoperatively in patients undergoing arthroscopic subacromial decompression, excision lateral clavicle, or stabilization. Ropivacaine 0.5% 30 mL was administered via this catheter before surgery was conducted under general anesthesia. All patients received dexamethasone and ondansetron antiemetic prophylaxis. At surgery conclusion, patients were randomly assigned to catheter removal in the postanesthesia care unit ("SS," n = 30) or to an elastomeric infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% 2 mL/hr with patient-controlled 5-mL boluses every hour ("Continuous," n = 31). Multimodal analgesia (acetaminophen, diclofenac, and rescue tramadol) was administered in both groups. Patients were questioned on postoperative days 1 and 2 for numerical rating pain score (0-10), supplemental tramadol consumption, and adverse effects of treatment. Results: Median (quartiles) worst numerical rating pain score was lower in the Continuous group on day 1 on movement (SS = 4 [3-6], Continuous = 2 [0-4], P = 0.008) and at rest (SS = 2 [2-5], Continuous = 1 [0-3], P = 0.007) but was similar between groups on day 2. Median (quartiles) tramadol tablet consumption was lower in the Continuous group on both day 1 (SS = 1 [0-2], Continuous = 0 [0-0], P < 0.001) and day 2 (SS = 1 [0-2], Continuous = 0 [0-1], P = 0.017). Adverse effects of treatment were similar between groups except for numerically rated arm numbness, which was higher for the Continuous group. One patient in the SS group required 2 nights of hospitalization for intravenous opioid. Conclusions: After minor arthroscopic shoulder surgery, the addition of a continuous interscalene ropivacaine infusion to a single-shot interscalene block reduces pain, especially with movement, during the first 24 hrs.


Crit Care Med 2016 • Volume 44 • Number 12 (Suppl.) study of critically ill pediatric patients (0–16 years) transported by an intensive care team to one of the three pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in England. All patients were classified as per pediatric sepsis definitions based on clinical data at first contact with the intensive care team. At the end of the PICU admission, patients were categorized according to their infection status (DB: definite bacterial; DV: definite viral; P: probable; I: inconclusive; and NI: not infection). The sensitivity and specificity of the pediatric sepsis definition in predicting SBI and PICU mortality was assessed. Results: A total of 409 patients were included in the analysis. Infection status was DB: 38 (9%); DV: 85 (21%); P: 59 (15%); I: 99 (24%) and NI: 128 (31%). Of the 38 children with definite bacterial infection, only 24 fulfilled the sepsis definition (sensitivity: 63%; specificity: 64%; positive likelihood ratio: 1.8). Conversely, of the 128 children with no evidence of infection, 16 fulfilled the sepsis definition (sensitivity: 88%; specificity: 51%). Of the 409 patients analysed, 12 (3%) died in the PICU. The predictive value of the sepsis definition to predict PICU mortality was poor (sensitivity: 42%; specificity: 61%). Conclusions: The 2005 pediatric consensus guidelines for the definition of sepsis have poor sensitivity and specificity to predict SBI and patient outcome. Newer definitions that include a measure of organ dysfunction in the definition of sepsis might have better predictive ability as demonstrated in adults.


Neuromorphic electronics studies the physical realization of neural networks in discrete circuit components. Hardware implementations of neural networks take advantage of highly parallelized computing power with low energy systems. The hardware designed for these systems functions as a low power, low area alternative to computer simulations. With on-line learning in the system, hardware implementations of neural networks can further improve their solution to a given task. In this work, the analog computational system presented is the computational core for running a spiking neural network model. This component of a neural network, the neuron, is one of the building blocks used to create neural networks. The neuron takes inputs from the connected synapses, which each store a weight value. The inputs are stored in the neuron and checked against a threshold. The neuron activates, causing a firing event, when the neuron's internal storage crosses its threshold. The neuron designed is an Axon-Hillock neuron utilizing memristive synapses for low area and energy operation.


Central precocious puberty is a condition that causes early sexual development in girls and boys. While puberty normally starts between ages 8 and 13 in girls and between ages 9 and 14 in boys, girls with central precocious puberty begin exhibiting signs before age 8, and boys with this disorder begin before age 9. Signs of puberty include development of pubic and underarm hair, a rapid increase in height (commonly referred to as a "growth spurt"), acne, and underarm odor. Girls also develop breasts and begin their menstrual periods. Boys have growth of the penis and testes and deepening of the voice. Because of the early growth spurt, children with central precocious puberty may be taller than their peers; however, they may stop growing abnormally early. Without proper treatment, some affected individuals are shorter in adulthood compared with other members of their family. Developing ahead of their peers can be emotionally difficult for affected individuals and may lead to psychological and behavioral problems.


This paper describes the level of psychological distress within university students participating in an evaluation of a web-based intervention for alcohol misuse. Data was collected from 1129 student from four UK universities. Psychological distress was assessed using an online version of the CORE-10. Results showed that 29% of students reported clinical levels of psychological distress. Eight percent of students had moderate-to-severe or severe levels of distress. The items tapping depression and anxiety suggest that, when compared to depression scores, levels of anxiety are heightened. These findings are discussed in light of the evidence which suggests that traditional modes of support delivery may not be sufficient for all students. The possibility that web-based therapeutic interventions could be utilized within this highly computer literate population is explored.


BACKGROUND
In up to 73% of ophthalmia neonatorum, Chlamydia trachomatis is the causative agents. Untreated sequelae to the eyes and organs may be the result. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial spectrum of ophthalmia neonatorum with special regard to chlamydia and their diagnostic tests.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
We compared the results of 15 newborn with ophthalmia neonatorum. For the diagnosis we used a rapid diagnostic test, Immunofluorescent Antibody Staining and Culture on McCoy cells. Bacteria that were cultured on culture media were also identified.

RESULTS
In 66% the newborn showed a positive rapid diagnostic test result that was confirmed by Immunofluorescent Antibody Staining. In 5 patients all tests were negative.

CONCLUSIONS
In this study C. trachomatis was the most frequent pathogen. In the culture media we isolated mostly gram-positive cocci but not Neisseria gonorrhoeae. We point out the value of an exact rapid diagnosis and specific treatment to avoid sequelae to the eye and organs.


Most calculations of the gravitational wave signal from merging compact binaries limit attention to the leading-order quadrupole when constructing models for detection or parameter estimation. Some studies have claimed that if additional ``higher harmonics'' are included consistently in the gravitational wave signal and search model, binary parameters can be measured much more precisely. Using the lalinference Markov-chain Monte Carlo parameter estimation code, we construct posterior parameter constraints associated with two distinct nonprecessing black hole\char21{}neutron star (BH-NS) binaries, each with and without higher-order harmonics. All simulations place a plausible signal into a three-detector network with Gaussian noise. Our simulations suggest that higher harmonics provide little information, principally allowing us to measure a previously unconstrained angle associated with the source geometry well but otherwise improving knowledge of all other parameters by a few percent for our loud fiducial signal ($\ensuremath{\rho}=20$). Even at this optimistic signal amplitude, different noise realizations have a more significant impact on parameter accuracy than higher harmonics. We compare our results with the ``effective Fisher matrix'' introduced previously as a method to obtain robust analytic predictions for complicated signals with multiple significant harmonics. We find generally good agreement with these predictions, confirm that intrinsic parameter measurement accuracy is nearly independent of detector network geometry, and show that uncertainties in extrinsic and intrinsic parameters can, to a good approximation, be separated. For our fiducial example, the individual masses can be determined to lie between $7.11\char21{}11.48{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$ and $1.77\char21{}1.276{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$ at greater than 99% confidence level, accounting for unknown BH spin. Assuming comparable control over waveform systematics, measurements of BH-NS binaries can constrain the BH and perhaps NS mass distributions. Using analytic arguments to guide extrapolation, we anticipate that higher harmonics should provide little new information about nonprecessing BH-NS binaries, for the signal amplitudes expected for the first few detections. Though our study focused on one particular example\char22{}higher harmomics\char22{}any study of subdominant degrees of freedom in gravitational wave astronomy can adopt the tools presented here ($V/{V}_{\text{prior}}$ and ${D}_{\mathrm{KL}}$) to assess whether new physics is accessible (e.g., modifications of gravity, spin-orbit misalignment) and if so precisely what information those new parameters provide.


In recent years, there is more interest in water sources availability, including groundwater due to an increase in demand for water because of the increasing population in the world, and the water recedes due to climate change also. Therefore, the study of groundwater has required more attention. The aim of the present study is to establish a MODFLOW model in the groundwater modeling system software to simulate the movement of groundwater in the Turssaq alluvial fan which is located in the Qazaniyah city, east of Diyala Governorate. The solid model was used to define the aquifer in the study area. Using the GIS software, mapping and preparing the data needed to create a conceptual model were carried out. The data of the wells were used to create and define the aquifer, then a three-dimensional model was created. Measuring the water table for some wells were simultaneously monitored to determine the hydraulic conductivity values of the aquifer through the (PEST) package provided by the software. The hydraulic conductivity value of the main layer was 18 m/d. Then several readings of observation wells were recorded for the period extended from 1/Nov/2018 to 22/May/2019 for the calibration process in the unsteady situation and to determine the coefficient of storage. The value of the storage coefficient was defined as 0.001. Several scenarios were conducted for the study area to find the best distance between the wells. Three distances were tested, 500, 1000 and 1500 m. The operating periods were 6, 12 and 18 (hours/day). Results obtained from the model show that the best distance between the wells is 1000 meters with a maximum operating rate of 12 hours/day. The maximum discharge with the lowest distance and the lowest drawdown of the groundwater table are considered.


This paper argues that phones and phonemes play almost no psychological role in human speech perception, production or memory. Instead, people store language in memory with a rich, detailed auditory and coupled sensory-motor code that is idiosyncratic to the speaker. The evidence is overwhelming that linguistic memory consists of rich, highly redundant (and idiosyncratic) memories of heard language. Now if only statistical definitions are possible for the minimal linguistic units of language, then the rest of language also cannot have a fixed inventory of units, whether words or syntactic units. The engineering implications are that language processing systems that hope to emulate human performance should seek ways to store large amounts of high-dimensional data about speech and find ways to use these rich memories.


ABSTRACT The informal sector challenges economic growth and hinders the abatement of income disparities in developing countries. This study argues that a weak and poorly governed welfare state can cause the informal sector to increase when individuals use it as an exit option from an unsatisfying welfare system. The article explores how the welfare state's benefit structure and citizens' trust in institutions to deliver public goods affect the likelihood of informality. A logistic hierarchical model, based on cross-sectional survey data from Latin America and the Caribbean and descriptive panel data from Brazil, is used to test the hypothesis. Findings reveal that social policy discontent, low trust, an elitist distribution of welfare benefits, and dysfunctional institutions increase the likelihood of being informally employed. However, workers with greater agency—the better-educated—seem notably less likely to informalize when social policy benefits are targeted toward their own socioeconomic group.


Most of the current techniques for automating progress data collection promise to eliminate laborintensive tasks associated with manual data collection. A drawback is the necessity to add additional steps to be performed before, during, or after utilization of such technologies. Working with such featureless data and without having semantic information of the scene, geometric-reasoning is problematic and induces estimation errors. In this paper application of unordered daily progress photograph logs, available on any job site, as a data collection technique is explored. In our proposed approach, a sparse 3D geometric scene of a construction site is reconstructed and photographs are geo-registered. This allows project managers to remotely explore as-built scene and geo-registered site photographs at different stages of progress, minimize their travel time, perform remote as-built analysis and use the proposed system as a tool for contractor coordination purposes. Furthermore, the point cloud allows the planned model to be registered with the asbuilt scene, in turn supporting development of the automatic 3D recognition technique and quantification of as-built progression from the geo-registered images. We present our results on two ongoing construction projects and further discuss technical issues on developing and implementing this technology for automation and visualization of as-built construction.


A measure of the different anisotropic parameters is essential in order to extend the seismic processing techniques to anisotropic media. The purpose of this study is to estimate the Thomsen's P-wave anisotropy parameters namely ε and δ, for transversely isotropic (TI) media. An inversion techniques based on the shifted hyperbola NMO equation is used for the estimation. Equivalent Offset (EO) gathers give a better estimate of the anisotropy parameters than conventional CMP/CDP gathers. This method was tested on the data collected over a synthetic model. It has been shown that δ can be estimated very accurately while estimation of ε is not as exact as δ. The anisotropic parameters of various formations of interest were estimated over the Blackfoot field in western Canada using this method.


Background : Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. from the family Convolvulaceae is the world's sixth largest food crop. The tubers of Ipomoea batatas commonly known as sweet potato are consumed as a vegetable globally. The tubers contain high levels of polyphenols such as anthocyanins and phenolic acids and vitamins A, B and C, which impart a potent antioxidant activity that can translate well to show wound healing effects. To check their effects on wound healing, the peels and peel bandage were tested on various injury models in rats in the present study. Methods : The methanolic extracts of the peels and peel bandage of Ipomoea batatas tubers (sweet potato) were screened for wound healing by excision and incision wound models on Wistar rats. Three types of gel formulations were prepared, viz., gel containing 3.0% (w/w) peel extract, gel containing 6.0% (w/w) peel extract and gel containing 10% (w/w) peel extract. Betadine (5% w/w povidone iodine cream) was used as a reference standard. In the incision wound model, Tensile strength of the skin was measured. Epithelization time, wound contraction, hydroxyproline content of the scab, and ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde content of the plasma were determined in the excision wound model. Results : In the incision wound model, high tensile strength of the wounded skin was observed in animals treated with the peel extract gels and the peel bandage when compared with wounded control animals. The increase in tensile strength indicates the promotion of collagen fibers and that the disrupted wound surfaces are being firmly knit by collagen. In the excision wound model, significant wound closure was observed on the 4th day in rats treated with all three gel formulations when compared with the wounded control rats. A significant increase in hydroxyproline and ascorbic acid content in the gel-treated animals and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde content in the animals treated with gel as well as peel bandage was observed when compared with the wounded control animals. Conclusion : It may be concluded that the peels of Ipomoea batatas tubers possess a potent wound healing activity, which may be due to an underlying antioxidant mechanism. Key Words : Sweet potato peels, excision wound, incision wound, wound healing


We have developed an electrostatic particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo (PIC/MC) simulation method for magnetized discharges, in which both internal electric fields and sheath potentials are determined from the requirement of quasineutrality within the bulk plasma, rather than by solving Poisson's equation. Thus the electric field is not sensitive to statistical noise which may occur in the small quantity n/sub e/-n/sub i/. Sheaths are treated self consistently as thin potential barriers, and the Bohm criterion for ion flux into the sheath is imposed as a boundary condition. Electron plasma oscillations do not appear in the model, and the debye length is essentially set to zero. Thus time steps and spatial gridding can be chosen to represent the characteristic macroscopic time and space scales of interest, which may be orders of magnitude larger than the plasma frequency/debye length scales. The simulation technique correctly represents kinetic features such as non-Maxwellian distributions and Landau damping and can be used for either collisional or collisionless plasmas. We present results from an axisymmetric simulation of an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) discharge in low-pressure argon, which show that the discharge is strongly affected by cross-field ion flows, even when the vessel walls are insulators. We also present analytic calculations based on the model, which afford new insights into cross-field transport in a metallic vessel and show that the classic Simon diffusion can be strongly inhibited by the effect of sheath potentials.


A novel unsupervised sparse component extraction algorithm is proposed for detecting micro defects when employing a thermography imaging system. The proposed approach is developed using the Variational Bayesian framework. This enables a fully automated determination of the model parameters and bypasses the need for human intervention in manually selecting the appropriate image contrast frames. An internal sub-sparse grouping mechanism and adaptive fine-tuning strategy have been built to control the sparsity of the solution. The proposed algorithm is computationally affordable and yields a high accuracy objective performance. Experimental tests on both artificial and natural defects have been conducted to verify the efficacy of the proposed method. Index Terms — Low-rank decomposition, Variational Bayesian (VB), diagnostic imaging system, sparse decomposition.


Summary While the ventromedial hypothalamus, ventrolateral area (VMHvl) is now well established as a critical locus for the generation of conspecific aggression, its role is complex, with populations of neurons responding during the motivational, sensory, and action phases of aggression, and also during social interactions with the opposite sex. It has been previously unclear how the brain uses this complex multidimensional signal and generates a discrete action: the attack. Here we find that the largest posterior target of the VMHvl, the lateral periaqueductal gray (lPAG) encodes a simplified attack-selective signal during aggression. Single units in the lPAG exhibit greater selectivity for the attack action during aggression than VMHvl neurons and a subpopulation of neurons in the PAG exhibit short-latency, time-locked spiking relative to the activity of jaw muscles for biting during attack. In addition, channelrhodopsin assisted circuit mapping reveals a preferential projection from VMHvl glutamatergic cells to lPAG glutamatergic cells. Using projection-specific fiber photometry, we find that this excitatory projection conveys male-biased signals from the VMHvl to downstream glutamatergic PAG neurons that integrate ongoing male-related activity over several seconds, which suggests that action-selectivity is generated by a combination of both pre and postsynaptic filtering mechanisms.


Background: Dietary zinc recommendations vary widely across Europe. The EURRECA (European Micronutrient Recommendations Aligned) Network of Excellence was brought together to harmonise the approach to setting micronutrient recommendations. The overall aim was to produce a set of guidelines and an extensive database that may be of use to expert panels in underpinning future micronutrient recommendations, based on a series of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of published data. A secondary aim was to identify gaps in knowledge regarding micronutrient status, intake and health outcomes for future research. A third aim, coming from the result of the secondary aim, was to investigate the long term effect of supplementation on cognition.
Objectives: The objectives of this thesis were: (1) To adapt the methodology for undertaking a systematic review and meta-analysis developed by EURRECA for zinc in all population groups (infants, children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women and adults and elderly). (2) To identify knowledge gaps in the research through the assessment of the interrelationships between zinc intake, status and health outcomes. (3) To design and implement a study to explore the intake-status-health relationships between micronutrient supplementation and cognitive function in Peruvian children.
Methods: Phase 1: The EURRECA systematic review. Database searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane library, from inception to March 2014. For the assessment of the intake-status relationship, an intake-status regression coefficient (^) was estimated for each individual study and the overall pooled ^ and SE ^ was calculated using random effect meta-analysis on a double log scale. The systematic review included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, cross sectional studies and nested case-control studies in healthy children and adult populations that measured zinc intake (diet and supplements) and zinc status (serum/plasma zinc) in association health outcomes that included cognitive function and psychomotor development.
Phase 2: Empirical study. This included the assessment of multiple micronutrients (MMN) supplementation and cognitive development in Peruvian children when compared with giving iron supplements alone. These tests were considered to reflect theoretical dimensions of working memory (Nine boxes), and inhibitory control (Day/Night stroop task). Intelligence Quotient (IQ) was measured using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI); social-emotional behaviour was assessed via the Brief Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA) and reasoning through the theory of mind test.
Results: Meta-analysis of data reporting zinc intake and status revealed that doubling intake increased plasma zinc concentration by 9% in children, by 3% during pregnancy, by 1% during lactation and by 6% in adults and elderly. The systematic review of zinc and health outcomes highlighted the need for further research on the relationship between micronutrients and cognitive function. The empirical study was therefore designed and undertaken. The results revealed that there were no significant differences between the iron and the MMN supplemented groups for all cognitive tests, with the exception of the vocabulary WPPSI subtest in girls (mean±SD), (MMN, 6.83±2.05; iron 5.78±1.59, p = 0.028) and no significant differences were found for plasma zinc and haemoglobin concentrations between the two groups.
Conclusions: The systematic reviews provided novel dose-response estimates between zinc intake-status that could be used either qualitatively or quantitatively with balance studies when setting future zinc recommendations. Following an assessment of the impact of micronutrient supplementation on cognitive and social-emotional development in Peruvian preschool children, it can be concluded that MMN supplements had no long term additional effects on cognitive function compared with iron alone, however the timing of the supplement for maximal potential benefit needs to be explored further.


Climate change has been identified as one of the biggest issues plaguing human life at present. Hence, immense attention is being paid to developing methods that can potentially reduce carbon dioxide emission. With the help of carbon-negative concrete, manufactured from alternative binders and cured with waste carbon dioxide, a major part of the manufacturing industries that emit carbon dioxide can be potentially turned into a carbon sink. In this study, the waste material streams in Finland, suitable for disposing carbon-dioxide-cured concrete, were mapped. Mine tailings, blast furnace and steel slags, recycled concrete, biomass, coal and municipal waste incineration ashes, green liquor dregs, and foundry sands were studied. It was found that there were sufficient amounts of potential secondary raw materials (about 27 Mt/a) for the preparation of Finnish cement and the production of concrete (requirement: approximately 1.4 Mt/a and 11.2 Mt/a, respectively). The total carbon dioxide uptake potential was estimated to be approximately 1.9 Mt/a (vs. emissions from the cement industry in Finland, 0.84 Mt/a). In addition, the carbon footprints of the conventionally manufactured concrete block were compared with the carbon footprint produced by a modeled carbon-dioxide-cured blast furnace slag block. If such novel concrete were used to produce all the concrete-based substances, it would bring down the emission of carbon dioxide from 1.9% to negative 1.3% in Finland.


This paper proposes a density optimal method, named as DO-TPR*-tree, which improves the performance of the original TPR*-tree significantly. In this proposed method, the search algorithm will enforce firing up MBR adjustment on a node, if the condition, based on density optimal for the area of its MBR, is satisfied at a query time. So, all queries occurred after that time will be prevented from being misled as to an empty space of this node. The definition of Node Density Optimal is also introduced to be used in search algorithm. The algorithm of this method is proven to be correct in this paper. Several experiments and performed comparative evaluation are carried out. In the environment with less update rates (due to disconnected) or high query rates, the method can highly enhance query performance and runs the same as the TPR*-tree in other cases.


before more widespread dissemination occurs. Removal of the local lesion together with involved lymph nodes, either prophylactically, or after evidence of enlargement, has resulted in cure in a great proportion of patients. This plan of treatment was therefore applied to tumours in deeper tissues and of viscera but the value of removal of draining lymph nodes in these situations has been questioned. It does seem that whilst skin and head and neck squamous carcinomata in general do metastasize in the first instance to draining nodes and are held up there for a period before further metastasis occurs, this does not necessarily apply with other types of tumours. In fact, it may well be that evidence of tumour cells in lymph nodes draining breast or melanoma merely indicates that some cells have spread beyond the original site through the lymphatic system, some of which have become deposited in local nodes and some of which will have moved on to form deposits elsewhere. There is little evidence that radical procedures for patients with proven metastatic cells in draining lymph nodes from breast, and more especially from melanoma, do in fact result in improved long-term survival. The only real evidence improving long-term survival is of total removal of the breast for breast cancer and wide removal with graft of the area concerned for melanoma. In stating this dilemma with the treatment of breast cancer, of melanoma, and of certain other internal viscera, we should not lose sight of the fact that the evidence is overwhelming that radical operations for squamous carcinomas of skin and in other situations in the head and neck do improve long-term survival even when there has been limited node involvement. This is probably true of several other tumours such as adenocarcinoma of colon, carcinoma of cervix and body of uterus and papillary carcinoma of thyroid. The same principle is true of seminoma of testis where limited local node involvement can be well controlled by radiotherapy with good long-term prognosis.


The response of plant growth to increasing climate change remains one of the unresolved issues in understanding the future of the terrestrial biosphere. It was investigated here by using the comprehensive forest growth model CenW 1.0.5 which integrates routines for the fluxes of carbon and water, interception of radiation and the cycling of nutrients. It was run with water and/or nutrient limitations on a background of naturally observed climate at Canberra, Australia. It was parameterised for Pinus radiata , the commercially most important plantation species in Australia. The simulations showed that under water-limited conditions, forest growth was highly sensitive to doubling CO 2 ,with growth increases of over 50% on average and even greater increases in dry years. In contrast, when water supply was adequate, but nutrients were limiting, growth increases were smaller, with an initial increase of about 15% during the first year after CO 2 was doubled. This growth increase diminished further over subsequent years so that after 20 years, there was virtually no remaining effect. This diminishing response was due to developing nutrient limitations caused by extra carbon input which immobilised nutrients in the soil. When both water and nutrients were adequate, growth was increased by about 15–20% with no decrease over time. Increasing ambient temperature had a positive effect on growth under nutrient limited conditions by stimulating nitrogen mineralisation rates, but had very little effect when nutrients were non-limiting. Responses were qualitatively similar when conditions were changed gradually. In response to increasing CO 2 by 2 µ mol mol −1 year −1 over 50 years, growth was increased by only 1% under nutrient-limited condition but by 16% under water-limited conditions. When temperature and CO 2 were both changed to emulate conditions between 1950 and 2030, growth was enhanced between 5 and 15% over the 80-year period due to the effect of CO 2 on photosynthesis and water economy especially under water-limited conditions, and due to the effect of increasing temperature in mineralising greater amounts of nutrients. These results show that there is not one universally applicable biological growth response to increasing temperature and CO 2 , but that they interact in complex ways with a number of other growth limiting factors. Any response factor of plants to CO 2 can only be quantified if the important interacting factors can be independently characterized for different situations. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1999.t01-4-00002.x


IntroductionBoth quality and sustainability are frequently used and positively loaded words. On the overall level most people agree that we should both have quality and sustainability in the processes we are working with. Logically there should be synergies in improving quality and sustainability but there could also be conflicts. When assessing how well our processes are performing, it becomes more complicated to find a consensus since there are many and partly conflicting views and definitions on what quality and sustainability mean. What we cannot measure, we cannot improve and what we cannot define we cannot measure. PurposeThis paper reviews definitions for quality, sustainability and sustainable development with the purpose of highlighting synergies. Definitions and measurement principles combing quality and sustainability are proposed.Methodology/ApproachQuality and sustainability are discussed and some working definitions are proposed. Garvin's (1984) five approaches to define quality are applied on the working definitions for quality and sustainability. The approaches are reviewed and exemplified with some products to test the feasibility of the approach. The development of quality and sustainability is studied based on a chosen change process. The resulting categorisation of quality, sustainability, quality development, sustainability development and sustainability development are reviewed for identifying synergies. FindingsFindings indicate that there are more of synergies than differences and that it is possible to define an operational definition combining quality and sustainability that can be used for assessing and improving performance.ImplicationsThe results provide help for an operationalization of combined quality and sustainability performance.Originality/Value of paperThe paper proposes a practical interpretation of how to work with quality and sustainability development.


In this study, the rumen metabolism of four ruminant species – blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra ), barbary sheep ( Ammotragus lervia ), sika deer ( Cervus nippon dybowskii ) and addax antelope ( Addax nasomaculatus ) – from the Nuremberg Zoo was investigated in relation to their feeding management. Parameters of microbial fermentation in the rumen as well as rumen tissue samples were examined. Additionally, the offered and refused food was weighed, analysed and  a dietary intake calculation for these ruminant species was performed. Three of the four ruminant species – blackbuck, barbary sheep and addax antelope – all grazers, showed severe characteristics of subacute ruminal acidosis due to a diet high in fermentable carbohydrates (NfE ≥ 55% of DM basis) and low in fibre (XF ≤ 18% of DM basis). This was indicated by numerous microabscesses within the rumen mucosa. These results demonstrate that subacute ruminal acidosis is still a severe problem in captive wild ruminants, which are often fed inappropriate diets with a high concentration of easily digestible carbohydrates.


Abstract. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important greenhouse gas that also contributes to the depletion of stratospheric ozone. Due to its high temporal and spatial heterogeneity, a quantitative understanding of terrestrial N2O emission and its variabilities and responses to climate change are challenging. We added a soil N2O emission module to the dynamic global land model LM3V-N, and tested its sensitivity to mechanisms that affect the level of mineral nitrogen (N) in soil such as plant N uptake, biological N fixation, amount of volatilized N redeposited after fire, and nitrification-denitrification. We further tested the relationship between N2O emission and soil moisture, and assessed responses to elevated CO2 and temperature. Results extracted from the corresponding gridcell (without site-specific forcing data) were comparable with the average of cross-site observed annual mean emissions, although differences remained across individual sites if stand-level measurements were representative of gridcell emissions. Processes, such as plant N uptake and N loss through fire volatilization that regulate N availability for nitrification-denitrification have strong controls on N2O fluxes in addition to the parameterization of N2O loss through nitrification and denitrification. Modelled N2O fluxes were highly sensitive to water-filled pore space (WFPS), with a global sensitivity of approximately 0.25 TgN per year per 0.01 change in WFPS. We found that the global response of N2O emission to CO2 fertilization was largely determined by the response of tropical emissions with reduced N2O fluxes in the first few decades and increases afterwards. The initial reduction was linked to N limitation under higher CO2 level, and was alleviated through feedbacks such as biological N fixation. The extratropical response was weaker and generally positive, highlighting the need to expand field studies in tropical ecosystems. We did not find synergistic effects between warming and CO2 increase as reported in analyses with different models. Warming generally enhanced N2O efflux and the enhancement was greatly dampened when combined with elevated CO2, although CO2 alone had a small effect. The differential response in the tropics compared to extratropics with respect to magnitude and sign suggests caution when extrapolating from current field CO2 enrichment and warming studies to the globe.


Wavelets are a mathematical tool for hierarchically decomposing functions. They allow a function to be described in terms of a coarse overall shape, plus details that range from broad to narrow. Regardless of whether the function of interest is an image, a curve, or a surface, wavelets offer an elegant technique for representing the levels of detail present. The article is intended to provide people working in computer graphics with some intuition for what wavelets are, as well as to present the mathematical foundations necessary for studying and using them. We discuss the simple case of Haar wavelets in one and two dimensions, and show how they can be used for image compression.<<ETX>>


The invasion of Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) has been documented in disturbed landscapes leading to biodiversity loss and degradation of ecosystem function. Ailanthus interferes with the restoration of native species by its aggressive growth habit, alteration of nutrient cycles, and allelopathic chemical production. Recent studies suggest that allelopathy has a negative effect on the growth of red oak (Quercus rubra), possibly by interfering with the symbiosis of beneficial ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM). This fungal symbiont is essential for healthy tree growth and the unavailability of these fungi may impede the success of seedling regeneration. This study investigated the effects of Ailanthus on biomass production and ectomycorrhizal fungal (ECM) colonization of red oak (Q. rubra) seedlings on a reclaimed coal mine site in eastern Ohio. Six plots were designated in an existing riparian buffer zone in a wetland at The Wilds Conservation Center in Muskingum County. Three of the plots were in an area where mature Ailanthus was present. The other three plots were located in the same riparian zone that was without Ailanthus. Naturally regenerating two- year-old red oak seedlings were selected for study (10 seedlings per plot, 60 seedlings total). The oak seedlings were sampled for biomass (g) and ECM root colonization. Two-year-old oak seedlings growing among mature Tree-of- Heaven produced significantly less biomass, specifically in root production, than the oaks growing without the invasive tree (P = 0.02). There was a decrease in ECM colonization (P = 0.001) and a shift in ECM community composition in plots where the Tree-of-Heaven was present (P = 0.0004). The increase in root biomass and ECM colonization may aid in the plant's competitive ability for belowground resources, important for reestablishment. These data suggest that areas impacted by the invasion of Tree-of-Heaven may require restoration with plant species less reliant on ECM colonization when planting in soils immediately following invasive species removal.


Since its original identification as a leukocyte gelatinase/type V collagenase and tumour type IV collagenase, gelatinase B/matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is now recognised as playing a central role in many aspects of tumour progression. In this review, we relate current concepts concerning the many ways in which gelatinase B/MMP-9 influences tumour biology. Following a brief outline of the gelatinase B/MMP-9 gene and protein, we analyse the role(s) of gelatinase B/MMP-9 in different phases of the tumorigenic process, and compare the importance of gelatinase B/MMP-9 source in the carcinogenic process. What becomes apparent is the importance of inflammatory cell-derived gelatinase B/MMP-9 in tumour promotion, early progression and triggering of the "angiogenic switch", the integral relationship between inflammatory, stromal and tumour components with respect to gelatinase B/MMP-9 production and activation, and the fundamental role for gelatinase B/MMP-9 in the formation and maintenance of tumour stem cell and metastatic niches. It is also apparent that gelatinase B/MMP-9 plays important tumour suppressing functions, producing endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors, promoting inflammatory anti-tumour activity, and inducing apoptosis. The fundamental roles of gelatinase B/MMP-9 in cancer biology underpins the need for specific therapeutic inhibitors of gelatinase B/MMP-9 function, the use of which must take into account and substitute for tumour-suppressing gelatinase B/MMP-9 activity and also limit inhibition of physiological gelatinase B/MMP-9 function.


Emotion and recognition memory: The discrimination of negative information as an adaptive process. We studied the effect of emotion generated by IAPS (International Affective Picture System) pictures on incidental recognition of these pictures for short retention periods (15 min). Memorization distraction tasks and reaction time tasks were used together with short exposure times (2 seconds per picture) in order to prevent a high recognition rate that would impede testing for the effect of emotion on discrimination parameters (A´) and response bias (B´´D) (ceiling effect). We used 80 pictures representing the medium and high levels of two-dimensional emotional space. The results showed greater discrimination and a more conservative response style to unpleasant and medium arousal level pictures. These pictures produced higher confi dence and lower response times in the recognition phase. The results can be explained by the negative content of the pictures and activation level effects on attentional processing and memory, and can be interpreted as a phenomenon that is evolutionarily adaptive.


Introduction: Caring for people with chronic mental illness is a difficult process with a host of negative effects on the mental and physical health of caregivers. Aim : Το explore the physical and mental burden of caregivers in patients with mental illness. Methodology : A bibliographic research was performed in the electronic data base "pubmed" using the key-words: Caregivers' burden, social support, caregivers, mental disorders for the period 2008-19. Results : According to the literature, caregivers of people with mental disorders often have difficulty relating to ambivalent feel-ings about the patient and the disease and the disruption of personal relationships within the family. At the same time, the lack of leisure time on the part of caregivers, as well as the effects on their social and professional lives from the symptoms of the disease or repeated hospitalizations, lead to social stigma and social withdrawal. Successful treatment of caregivers requires both their psychosocial support and their encouragement for physical activity with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life. Conclusions: Caring for people with chronic mental illness is a difficult and time consuming process with various effects on the mental and physical health of caregivers. Recognition of their needs is considered necessary in terms of their physical and mental health and social well-being.


Purpose
When catastrophic disasters recently occurred, digital volunteer networks formed by the public emerged across the globe. They aggregated, analyzed and visualized disaster data. Those volunteer networks sometimes shared their data with formal response organizations. Such data sharing and integration increased the capacity of formal response organizations for dealing with disasters. However, despite the emergence and contributions of digital volunteer networks, the literature has been focused primarily on the role of formal response organizations such as emergency management agencies and the Red Cross. The purpose of this paper is to describe how technical and organizational factors influence collaboration between digital volunteer networks and formal response organizations.

Design/methodology/approach
This research employs a case study method, focusing on the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

Findings
This study found that information technology and a shared understanding of disaster situations and how to address disasters are key determinants of collaboration between digital volunteer networks and formal response organizations.

Originality/value
This research is expected to contribute to building an integrated emergency response system in the information age.


ABSTRACT This article proposes the term "perceptual abstraction" to describe the methods of artists who take bodily contingency as their medium. It focuses on the low-frequency drone work of an anonymous figure called Eleh. Like others in the Minimalist tradition, Eleh follows a processual ethic that begins from a minimum of structural elements and asks how they might reshape one another over time. What sets Eleh apart, however, is its singular focus on frequencies within, and sometimes beyond, the lowest reaches of human hearing. These tones play strangely on the sensorium because they can evade cochlear audition even while haunting other registers. This is bass as an agent of bodily mystification, and in Eleh's hands it becomes a sonic strategy for modulating felt space and fleshy thought. If Eleh diverges from most Minimalists in these ways, then liner notes and cover art point to another, more like-minded body of work. Might Op(tical) Art—with its interest in "charging fields" and rhythmically unraveling retinal perception—share at least as much with Eleh, at the level of affective strategy? If so, could we posit an alternate, transversal lineage of artistic practices defined not by form or tradition, but by a desire to confound perception, by whatever aesthetic and sensory routes?


Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) shows a stress overshoot in start-up of strong uniaxial extensional flows of constant rate. It is believed that the overshoot is caused by a contraction of the polymer backbone due to alignment of the long chain branches—the consequence being that the molecular strain of the backbone does not increase monotonically with the global strain of the melt. In this study we investigate the semicrystalline morphology of LDPE quenched before, after, and at the overshoot. We do this by combining filament stretching rheometry with ex-situ X-ray scattering. It is found that the overshoot indeed is reflected in the orientation of the crystalline domains of the quenched filaments. In a broader perspective, we show that the final crystalline morphology is determined by the stress at quench—not the strain at quench. With these findings we confirm that the much debated overshoot has a physical origin. More importantly, we conclude that even for complex architectures like branched systems, t...


In wireless multi-hop networks, broadcasting by flooding generates frequent retransmissions of unnecessary packets that participate heavily in increasing contention and collision probability. These problems become increasingly likely in a wireless mesh network which can interface to other external networks, thus leading to a significant increase in broadcast traffic. In this paper we have focused on IEEE 802.11s based wireless mesh networks and we have designed a new adaptive approach based on self-pruning to control broadcast traffic forwarding. Our algorithm uses two-hop neighbor information to ascertain the forwarding decision. Simulation results show the advantages of our approach which has contributed to significantly reduce unnecessary rebroadcasts while improving average end to end delay, network load and throughput.


Multiple transmit-and-receive antennas can be used in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems to improve communication quality and capacity. In this paper, we investigate the performance of a multiple antenna system with subchannel power control for OFDM Wireless LAN. Furthermore, we employed a turbo product code at the encoder to further enhance the quality of transmission for high data rate WLAN such as the ETSI BRAN HIPERLAN/2. Simulation results show that for a BER of 10/sup -4/, we gain 4.4 dB for the proposed scheme with turbo block codes and subchannel power control compared to the standardized 5 GHz OFDM wireless LANs.


Abstract Ribosomes are a complex ensemble of rRNA and ribosomal proteins that function as mRNA translation machines. Ribosome biogenesis is a multistep process that begins in the nucleolus and concludes in the cytoplasm. The process is tightly controlled by multiple checkpoint and surveillance pathways. Perturbations in these checkpoints and pathways can lead to hyperactivation of ribosome biogenesis. Emerging evidence suggests that cancer cells harbor a specialized class of ribosomes (onco-ribosomes) that facilitates the oncogenic translation program, modulates cellular functions, and promotes metabolic rewiring. Mutations in ribosomal proteins, rRNA processing, and ribosome assembly factors result in ribosomopathies that are associated with an increased risk of developing malignancies. Recent studies have linked mutations in ribosomal proteins and aberrant ribosomes with poor prognosis, highlighting ribosome-targeted therapy as a promising approach for treating patients with cancer. Here, we summarize various aspects of dysregulation of ribosome biogenesis and the impact of resultant onco-ribosomes on malignant tumor behavior, therapeutic resistance, and clinical outcome. Ribosome biogenesis is a promising therapeutic target, and understanding the important determinants of this process will allow for improved and perhaps selective therapeutic strategies to target ribosome biosynthesis.


The recent discovery of Jupiter mass planets orbiting at a few AU from their stars complements earlier detections of massive planets on very small orbits. The short-period orbits strongly suggest that planet migration has occurred, with the likely mechanism being tidal interactions between the planets and the gas disks out of which they formed. The newly discovered long-period planets, together with the gas giant planets in our solar system, show that migration is either absent or rapidly halted in at least some systems. We propose a mechanism for halting type II migration at several AU in a gas disk. Photoevaporation of the disk by irradiation from the central star can produce a gap in the disk at a few AU, preventing planets outside the gap from migrating down to the star. This would result in an excess of systems with planets at or just outside the photoevaporation radius.


A new covariance based formulation of the actuator selection problem is presented. The proposed optimization problem is aimed at finding the set of minimum cost actuator arrays such that there exists a linear feedback for which all closed-loop signals will satisfy pre-specified variance bounds. Through a linear matrix inequality (LMI) based transformation we exactly convert the original problem into a computationally attractive mixed integer convex program (MICP). The resulting MICP leads to the first computational scheme capable of calculating globally optimal solutions to the covariance based actuator selection problem. It is further shown that the formulation is general enough to incorporate extensions to the actuator noise and actuator dynamics cases. Finally, a set of examples are presented to illustrate the scheme as well as the scalability of required computational effort.


This paper investigates the surface wind variations at a suburban air quality monitoring station located in Hamilton, New Zealand and its impact on air pollution levels. Site-specific wind speed and direction information is found to be important, due to valley winds generated by a nearby basin of the Waikato River that passes through Hamilton City. Wind shifts due to the resulting valley winds were seen to lead to 180o wind direction changes that frequently coincide with the peak morning traffic and hence peak air pollution concentrations. This suggests that attempts at modelling vehicle-generated pollution need to either incorporate the valley winds into the model (with accurate representations of the timing of the wind shifts) or use wind information collected at the site. The results of a semi-empirical model presented here suggest that hourly averages are adequate for predicting pollutant concentrations, even under conditions such as those experienced in Hamilton where there are significant wind direction shifts at peak traffic times.


The HIV-1 capsid protein makes up the core of the virion and plays a critical role in early steps of HIV replication. Due to its exposure in the cytoplasm after entry, HIV capsid is a target for host cell factors that act directly to block infection such as TRIM5α and MxB. Several host proteins also play a role in facilitating infection, including in the protection of HIV-1 capsid from recognition by host cell restriction factors. Through an unbiased screening approach, called HIV-CRISPR, we show that the CPSF6-binding deficient, N74D HIV-1 capsid mutant is sensitive to restriction mediated by human TRIM34, a close paralog of the well-characterized HIV restriction factor TRIM5α. This restriction occurs at the step of reverse transcription, is independent of interferon stimulation, and limits HIV-1 infection in key target cells of HIV infection including CD4+ T cells and monocyte-derived dendritic cells. TRIM34 can also restrict some SIV capsids. TRIM34 restriction requires TRIM5α as knockout or knockdown of TRIM5α results in a loss of antiviral activity. Through immunofluorescence studies, we show that TRIM34 and TRIM5α colocalize to cytoplasmic bodies and are more frequently observed to be associated with infecting N74D capsids than with WT HIV-1 capsids. Our results identify TRIM34 as an HIV-1 CA-targeting restriction factor and highlight the potential role for heteromultimeric TRIM interactions in contributing to restriction of HIV-1 infection in human cells.


Cluster computing combines the resources of multiple computers as they act like a single high-performance computer. In this study, a computer cluster consisting of Lustre distributed file system with one cluster server based on Slurm resource management system and thirteen calculation nodes were built by using available and inert computers that have different processors. Different bioinformatics algorithms were run using different data sets in the cluster, and the performance of the clusters was evaluated with the amount of time the computing cluster spent to finish the jobs.


In addressing user experience issues, users' perceptions and emotions need to be considered important. This study examines the relationships between perceived usability/aesthetics and emotional valence/arousal/engagement through an experiment using 15 existing websites from various domains and questionnaire items developed to measure users' responses. According to the experimental results, both perceived usability and perceived aesthetics were positively correlated with emotional valence and negatively correlated with emotional engagement. No specific relationship was found between perceived usability/aesthetics and emotional arousal. Perceived aesthetics potentially had a greater impact on valence than perceived usability. Unlike valence, engagement could be more influenced by perceived usability than by perceived aesthetics. These findings can be utilized as bases for applying users' emotional responses in each dimension to the product-use situations in the chain of perceptions, emotions, and behaviors.


Smart home computing focuses on "home" and combines related peripheral industries to jointly promote smart home services, including smart appliances, home entertainment, home health care and security monitoring, to build a safe and secure, energy-saving, sustainable and comfort residential living environment. Twenty years have passed. When we look back, there is still no clear definition of "intelligence at home." Philips Inc., a leading consumer electronics company, ever said that intelligence should include sensing, connected, learning, adaptation, and ease to interact. Smart applications and services are still in the development stage; till now, they are not all capable of these five intelligent characteristics.In this talk, the speaker would like to present a topic, "smart home with soft-intelligence, IoT and AI," with many scenarios that differ from traditional usages which require tedious manual operations. From my personal point of view, I will propose four technical directions, i.e., home networking, context awareness, recognization and user interface, which I personally call "enabling technologies and effects" to build a smart home. To ease of understanding, the speaker will present a set of practical design, development and services for realizing some interesting cases with various networked devices and sensors in home computing contexts. It is believed that the prospect of smart home services could provide better user experience, and also inspires new and future applications and services in ubiquitous home network environments.


Despite the success in greenhouse farming by large scale horticultural farmers in Kenya, smallholder greenhouse farming is beset by many challenges leading to over 30% failure rates. Reasons for the high failure rate are not clearly understood. The objective of this study was to assess the challenges in greenhouse crop production by small-scale farmers in Kisii County, Kenya and provide recommendations for sustained profitability. Data was collected through structured interviews with 138 greenhouse farmers, and analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test and chi-square. Overall, 48.6% of the greenhouses were non-functional, due to pests and diseases, inadequate supply of water, high investment costs, and insufficient knowledge on greenhouse crop farming. Other challenges included lack of market for the produce, and group dynamics challenges. Most of the abandoned greenhouses were owned by institutions (60.5%) and groups (55.6%), and lesser by individuals (38.2%). Number of years of operation significantly influenced functionality of the greenhouses (p=0.04). Greenhouses owned by individuals had significantly higher probability of being functional, than those owned by groups and institutions (p=0.05). Interventions for enhancing contribution of greenhouses to food security of small-scale farmers should include capacity building of farmers on greenhouse crop production, and linking them to appropriate sources of funding.

 Key words: Challenges, greenhouse, small-scale farmers, crops, food security, Kenya.