Mario Cazzola is a Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Director of the Postgraduate School of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy, where he is also Chief of the Respiratory Clinical Pharmacology Unit. He is Honorary Professor at the Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, GKT School of Biomedical Sciences, London, UK. He is the author or co-author of almost 500 scientific papers.


In this study, we examine how development status and water scarcity shape people's perceptions of "hard path" and "soft path" water solutions. Based on ethnographic research conducted in four semi-rural/peri-urban sites (in Bolivia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the US), we use content analysis to conduct statistical and thematic comparisons of interview data. Our results indicate clear differences associated with development status and, to a lesser extent, water scarcity. People in the two less developed sites were more likely to suggest hard path solutions, less likely to suggest soft path solutions, and more likely to see no path to solutions than people in the more developed sites. Thematically, people in the two less developed sites envisioned solutions that involve small-scale water infrastructure and decentralized, community-based solutions, while people in the more developed sites envisioned solutions that involve large-scale infrastructure and centralized, regulatory water solutions. People in the two water-scarce sites were less likely to suggest soft path solutions and more likely to see no path to solutions (but no more likely to suggest hard path solutions) than people in the water-rich sites. Thematically, people in the two water-rich sites seemed to perceive a wider array of unrealized potential soft path solutions than those in the water-scarce sites. On balance, our findings are encouraging in that they indicate that people are receptive to soft path solutions in a range of sites, even those with limited financial or water resources. Our research points to the need for more studies that investigate the social feasibility of soft path water solutions, particularly in sites with significant financial and natural resource constraints.


Purpose. The growing interest in spirituality in the society has the effect that social workers need to be appropriate trained to fulfill their patients' needs. The present study was designed to examine which traits the students who have chosen for the minor Spirit have and which motivation they had to choose for it. The aim was to find the main reasons for students to deal with spirituality and to define what kind of students are willing to do so.
Methods. This study consists of a quantitative and a qualitative part. The quantitative part consists of three questionnaires: a questionnaire to find out the demographic data, the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) to identify the BIG 5 personality traits and the Growth Motivation Index (GMI) to identify the student's motivation to grow within their personality. To have a comparison, a second group of students from the minor Geestelijke Gezondheid (mental health) was also tested. The study was performed among 37 students from the minor Spirit and 14 students from the second group. For the qualitative part three students were interviewed with the aim to find out their personal motivations for their choice.
Results. There were no significant differences found within the demographic data, sex and age. The IPIP added a difference between the groups in the personality trait conscientiousness. The students of the Geestelijke Gezondheid minor scored higher. The students of the group Spirit scored higher in the dimensions agreeableness and openness to experience than in other dimensions. Also, no significant differences were found with the GMI. The students scored highest in the dimension Experiental Growth. The motivations which arise from interviews are intrinsic and have a professional or personal view. The students are searching for answers of questions about their life.
Conclusions. This study shows that the traits of the Spirit-students are not much from other students. They have chosen for the minor to learn more about themselves and to come further with their search for the sense of their life. With this knowledge they feel better to work with patients or workmates.


Background and Objectives: Accurate detection of type and severity of Hepatitis is crucial for effective treatment of the disease. While several computational algorithms for detection of Hepatitis have been proposed to date, their limited performance leaves room for further improvement. This paper proposes a novel computational method for the diagnosis of Hepatitis B using pattern detection techniques. Methods: Clinical data of healthy individuals and those suspected of Hepatitis B were collected from the laboratories of Vasei Hospital in Sabzevar (Iran). Using the algorithm, first, data were normalized, then SVM classifier was used for detection of Hepatitis B, and finally, adaptive FCM was applied for measuring the severity of the disease. Findings: Application of the algorithm to plenary database yielded 98.36%, detection accuracy, 98.44% sensitivity, and 94.06% specificity. Conclusions: Low PPV and high NPV of the proposed method indicate its high reliability for use in practical diagnosis of Hepatitis B and its severity.


In the course of studies in this laboratory on the effect of suprarenalectomy on antibody formation, it became necessary to determine the hemolysin formation in normal rats. The hemolysin formation in several animals, particularly the rabbit, has been thoroughly investigated, but few studies on hemolysin formation in rats have been reported. In relation to a study of the effect of x-ray on antibody formation, Hektoen (1) produced fairly high hemolysin titers in rats with a small single intrapefitoneal injection of sheep cells. Rats present certain peculiarities in immunity phenomena which make such studies of interest. A normal rat produces relatively slight precipitin (2). A state of local hypersensitiveness cannot be induced by injections of a foreign protein (2). Anaphylactic shock is produced with some difficulty (3). Rats withstand huge quantities of various poisons and toxins such as diphtheria (6), tetanus toxin (7) and histamine (4, 5).


The article examines the conceptual metaphor of illness in representations of financial crises. Understanding the economy in terms of the body is one of the dominant concepts in contemporary media coverage on economic events. Accordingly, images of illness proliferate in the discourse on the financial crisis of 2008/2009. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of illness metaphors in 53 articles on the financial crisis published from August 2008 to September 2009 in the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel. The journalistic metaphors of illness interpret the financial crisis as a disease and thus naturalize the economic events. The second part of the article analyzes an alternative use of illness metaphors in literary and autobiographical texts on traders. Instead of understanding the economy as a victim of an illness, these texts ascribe an infectious quality to the economic system. In these representations the financial economy is criticized for causing diseases not only of its participants, but of the society in general.


Rafiquzzaman's Microcontroller Theory and Applications with the PIC 18F has been designed for a one-semester or one-quarter course in microcontrollers taught at the undergraduate level in electrical/computer engineering and computer science departments. The students are expected to have a background in C language and digital logic (both combinational and sequential) design. Practitioners of microcontroller-based applications will find more simplified explanations, together with examples and comparisons considerations, than are found in manufacturers' manuals.


In France, while more than 20% of dwellings belong to the private rental sector, the understanding of this market is still imperfect and is mostly limited to specific areas (e.g. Paris). The creation of the Observatoires Locaux des Loyers (OLL) network from 2013 intend to address this problem by providing to researchers high-quality detailed microdata of dwellings structural characteristics for several areas in France (Lille, Marseille, Toulouse, etc.).In collaboration with the Ministere du Logement et de l'Habitat Durable (French housing ministry) and the Observatoire des Loyers de l'Agglomeration Parisienne (OLAP) which manages the OLL's, we are the first to capitalize on the OLL's and OLAP work, i.e. to use their databases from 2014 to 2015 to improve the understanding of the private rental sector of all areas where there is an OLL. Specifically, we present in this paper an extensive analysis of the factors that determine the rent levels in that sector in France, based on microdata of dwellings structural characteristics provided by 14 OLL and the OLAP.For this purpose, we use a hedonic regression model in which dwelling rent is characterized by a bundle of several characteristics. In addition to the dwellings' physical characteristics (type of dwellings, number of rooms, total surface etc.), we use a set of variables that includes neighborhood characteristics (median income, accessibility, etc.) and a set of variables that relates to environmental quality (air pollution and proportion of green areas or forests). Since it is widely known that dwelling rents tend to be heteroskedastic and spatially autocorrelated, and that in the presence of such a phenomenon, the ordinary-least square estimator of the parameter of the hedonic model is inefficient, we use the nonparametric heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation consistent OLS estimator (OLS-SHAC). This estimator is robust against possible misspecification of the disturbances and allow for unknown forms of heteroscedasticity and spatial auto-correlation between dwelling rents.In addition to the exploration of the determinants of dwelling rents, we propose a typology of the French private rental sector: using principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering, we find clusters of areas for which rent levels are explained by similar attributes (in term of magnitude). Our typology may be used to design areas-based policies rather than one for the entire French market.


The Behavior Analysis literature describes two types of control: aversive and positive. A review of specialized publications revealed an objective definition of control through positive reinforcement, but no definition of aversive control. In this paper, we discuss the scientific meaning of the terms "control" and "aversive" from the viewpoint of behavior analysis. We focus on the relational probabilities between responses and stimuli that occur during the continuous interaction between organisms and the environment. The term "control" is assumed to mean that one event (the controlled one) is changed by the occurrence of another event (the controller). The aversiveness of the control is analyzed as a function of "operations" (addition and subtraction of the stimulus), their "effects" (the increase or decrease of the response probability) and the "nature of the stimulus" involved (aversive or appetitive). We conclude that an analysis of processes, operations, and the nature of the stimulus was unable to identify a factor common to all the behavioral relations defined as aversive. We consider that without clear criteria for classifying a control as aversive, it would be more parsimonious to talk about behavioral control without using the aversive/positive dichotomy. However, if this dichotomy is maintained, the development of an objective analysis of elicited (emotional) responses may offer a way to characterize the aversive/positive distinction. Key words: control; aversive control; positive control; behavior analysis; conceptual questions.


The authors study the performance of adaptive equalizers using the complex fast-Kalman adaptation algorithm (CFKA) and of receivers using the maximum-likelihood sequence estimation method called the Viterbi algorithm in the framework of current research on the pan-European digital mobile radio system in the 900-MHz band. The CEPT/GSM (Conference Europeenne des Postes et Telecommunications/Groupe Special Mobile) system working assumptions, envisaging the use of a synchronization word or preamble sequence, are taken into account. Four types of propagation channels are considered. It is shown that a (2, 3) decision-feedback equalizer using the CFKA meets the CEPT/GSM objectives over the whole specified range of echo delays and also at high vehicle speeds (up to about 300 km/h), whereas the Viterbi equalizer can cope with the channel distortions produced by echo delays less than about 14-15 mu m.<<ETX>>


Insulin may affect breast cancer (BC) risk and prognosis. Exercise reduces insulin in obese BC survivors. We designed a randomised controlled trial to test the effect of an aerobic exercise intervention (AEI) on insulin parameters and body composition in non-obese BC women without insulin resistance. Thirty-eight BC women were randomised into an intervention group (IG = 18) or control group (CG = 20). IG participated in a structured AEI for 3 months, while CG received only the Word Cancer Research Fund/American Institute Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) recommendation to be physically active. Fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, metabolic parameters and body composition were collected at baseline and after the AEI. IG reduced insulin and HOMA-IR index by 15% and 14%, while CG increased these parameters (+12% and +16%). Insulin changed differently over time in the two randomised groups (pinteraction  = .04). The between-group differences in the change of insulin (IG = -1.2 μU/ml versus CG = +0.8 μU/ml) and HOMA-IR index (IG = -0.26 versus CG = +0.25) were respectively significant (p = .04) and non-significant (p = .06). IG significantly improved lower limb muscle mass in comparison with CG (p = .03). A structured AEI may improve insulin, HOMA-IR index and body composition in non-obese BC survivors without insulin resistance.


The questions facing the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement today are no different from those with which the Movement began: What is the best way to help? How can we give immediate aid and also provide long-term protection? To answer these questions we have to go back to the early years of the Movement.


Background and Objectives: Ahvaz has become one of the most polluted cities in the world. Only on 11 November 2013, over one thousand residents in Khuzestan Province attended the nearest health center with severe symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and high blood pressure. During a week, more than 7 thousand patients were registered with this syndrome. This study was conducted to investigate the evidence for the confirmation of an epidemic in acute respiratory syndrome among the residents of Ahwaz in November 2013. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the data of the use of drugs related to acute respiratory attacks from November 2008 to 2013 in Ahvaz. Then, we conducted a descriptive study on the general population. The sample size was 120 and the study participants included different segments of the general population. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire and the data were analyzed using SPSS.18. Results: The use of the respiratory drugs increased from 2008 to 2013. The drug consumption was markedly higher in November 2013. In the study of the general population, 93 of the participants declared that they had never seen a similar event, and 92.5 mentioned that they had never heard of a similar occurrence. Conclusion: Due to the significant increase in respiratory medicine in November 2013 and the unexpected nature of the event, an epidemic seems to be obvious. © 2016, Iranian Epidemiological Association. All rights reserved.


Author(s): Rajagopal, Amutha | Abstract: Background : Obesity and poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are strong predictors of insulin resistance. The mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects of CRF on insulin action, however, are not fully understood. Several weight loss intervention trials have suggested that while improving CRF is associated with better insulin sensitivity in adolescents and adults, this association is no longer significant with correction for indices of adiposity. A growing body of literature in the last decade also indicates that CRF with or without changes in BMI/waist circumference enhances insulin sensitivity and that overweight/obese individuals with an adequate level of CRF may consequently be at a reduced risk of diseases associated with insulin resistance. In this project, we investigate whether CRF and degree of obesity have independent associations with insulin resistance in overweight/obese women enrolled in a weight loss trial. Methods : The data are from the MENU Study (Diet Composition and Genetics: Effects on Weight, Inflammation and Biomarkers), a randomized clinical trial funded as part of the TREC initiative at UCSD (Trans-disciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) - NCI U54CA155435). The main objective of the MENU trial is to examine if different macronutrient compositions in the diet affect a differential weight loss response in 234 healthy obese women, depending on insulin resistance status. The current paper utilizes baseline data on the 98 women who are enrolled in the first cohort. The variables used for the current analysis include BMI and waist circumference (WC), as well as insulin sensitivity by HOMA (homeostasis model assessment) approach. CRF was assessed by measuring heart rate during recovery after a 3-minute stepping test. Linear regression models were used to examine associations between CRF, BMI and insulin sensitivity. Results : The findings indicated that CRF was associated with less insulin resistance, independent of BMI and WC. The present study, along with others in recent l.


The problem of computing Craig interpolants in SAT and SMT has recently received a lot of interest, mainly for its applications in formal verification. Efficient algorithms for interpolant generation have been presented for some theories of interest --including that of equality and uninterpreted functions (eUF), linear arithmetic over the rationals (LA(Q)), and their combination -- and they are successfully used within model checking tools. For the theory of linear arithmetic over the integers (LA(Z)), however, the problem of finding an interpolant is more challenging, and the task of developing efficient interpolant generators for the full theory (LA(Z)) is still the objective of ongoing research. In this paper we try to close this gap. We build on previous work and present a novel interpolation algorithm for SMT(LA(Z)), which exploits the full power of current state-of-the-art SMT(LA(Z)) solvers. We demonstrate the potential of our approach with an extensive experimental evaluation of our implementation of the proposed algorithm in the MATHSAT SMT solver.


The development and application of complementary variables (potential and flux) for modeling environmental systems are illustrated for the hydraulic and dissolved oxygen subsystems of laboratory microcosms. These sediment-water, semi-continuous flow microcosms were used to determine nutrient interchange and mercury interactions under lighted (aerobic) and dark (anaerobic) conditions. The approach of using complementary variables to describe such systems forces a more complete conceptual understanding of the system and better attention to those parameters (many of which are unknown) requiring measurement. Complementary variables are incorporated into basic linear component equations which describe basic processes of energy transfer and transformation. The components are interconnected through the use of bond graphs and reduced through topographic and matrix techniques to state space system equations. A transfer function is determined from the state equations and from time domain analysis of the system output. These two expressions of the transfer functions are used to determine component values.


Intensive care unit (ICU) prognostic models can be used to predict mortality outcomes
for critically ill patients who require intensive treatment due to the severity of their
illness. These physiological and statistical-based models stratify patients according to
their severity of illness and provide an objective approach in predicting hospital
mortality risks. These models are useful tools in assisting clinicians in decision making,
interpretation of diagnosis and prescription of appropriate treatment options to patients.
They can also be effectively used for benchmarking purposes to evaluate and compare
the clinical performances of different ICUs and assist hospital administration in making
informed changes in resource allocations. Although these models are predominantly
used in developed countries, they are not that popular in developing countries due to
costs, facilities and resources considerations. In this study, the advantages, limitations
and evolutions of three selected well-established ICU prognostic systems were reviewed
and discussed. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE IV)
model was chosen as the reference model in this study due to its promising potential as
a suitable benchmarking tool. The first objective of this study is to investigate the
validity of APACHE IV model in predicting mortality risk in a Malaysian ICU. A
prospective independent observational study was conducted at a single-centre
multidisciplinary ICU in Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru (HSA ICU). External
validation of APACHE IV involved a cohort of 916 admissions to HSA ICU in the year
2009. APACHE IV was found to be not suitable for application in HSA ICU. Although
the model exhibited good discrimination, calibration was observed to be poor. The
model overestimated risk of death in HSA ICU, especially for mid- to high- risk patient
groups. The model's lack of fit was mainly attributed to differences in case mix and
patient management between APACHE IV and HSA ICU. The second objective of this research involves investigation of the significant factors that affect mortality risk in
HSA ICU and development of a prognostic model that is suitable for application in
HSA ICU. Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo and decision tree approaches were
explored as alternative methods in the modelling of ICU risk of death, where five
different types of Bayesian models and a decision tree model were proposed in this
research. Although the performance of the decision tree model was comparable to the
Bayesian models, it was not as informative as the Bayesian models, especially in
predicting individual patient mortality risk. One of the Bayesian models was chosen as
the best model to be used as the future reference model in HSA ICU. This model
comprises seven variables (age, gender, Acute Physiological Score (APS), absence of
Glasgow Coma Scale score, mechanical ventilation, presence of chronic health and ICU
admission diagnoses) that are readily available in any intensive care unit setting. This
research has shown the promising potential of the Bayesian approach as an alternative
in the analysis and modelling of ICU mortality risks.


Our reliance on cyber–physical systems (CPSs) is increasingly widespread, but scalable methods for the analysis of such systems remain a significant challenge. Runtime verification of CPSs provides a reasonable middle ground between formal verification and simulation approaches, but it comes with its own challenges. A runtime verification system must run directly on the deployed application. In the CPS domain, it is therefore critical that a runtime verification system exhibits low overhead and good scalability so that the verification does not interfere with the analyzed CPS application. In this paper, we introduce Brace, a runtime verification system whose focus is on ensuring these performance qualities for applications in the CPS domain. Brace strives to bound the computation overhead for CPS runtime verification while preserving a high level of monitoring accuracy in terms of the number of false positive and false negative reports. Brace is particularly suitable to systems in which scheduling is distributed across networked CPS components. We evaluate Brace  to determine how effectively and efficiently it can detect injected errors in two existing real-life CPS applications with distributed scheduling. Our results demonstrate that Brace efficiently detects those errors and a few true bugs and is able to bound both the memory and computation overhead even in systems with large numbers of observed events.


Nitrogen-containing graphene material (LCN) has been identified
as an effective catalyst for the oxidation of b-O-4 and a-O-
4 types of lignin model compounds in the presence of tertbutyl
hydroperoxide, to provide aromatic aldehydes, acids and
other organic chemicals in high yield. The transformations of
five lignin model compounds over LCN were investigated systematically.
Instrumentation analysis, kinetic study and radical
trapping experiments highlight the mechanistic features of the
reaction, including: 1) the reaction pathway starts by benzylic
CH or COH bond activation, followed by CaCb or CaO
bond cleavage, and finally further oxidation of intermediate aromatics;
and 2) the reaction follows a free-radical mechanism
with all the key steps involving radical species. In addition, the
LCN proved to be a highly stable catalyst; no significant activity
decrease was observed for four consecutive runs, and X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicates negligible decrease
in the content of the active nitrogen species in the catalyst.
Notably, this new catalytic system can be extended to the
oxidative depolymerisation of real lignin, to produce a significant
portion of liquefied, low-molecular-mass products.


The 1980s witnessed renewed interest in the relation between developmental stuttering and central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities. We have reported differences between nonstutterers and developmental stutterers on electrophysiologic (QTE) and metabolic (rCBF) measures of brain function. A critical step in the interpretation of results of functional brain imaging studies is to determine the relation, if any, of identified CNS abnormalities to speech motor control in persons who stutter. In this study we addressed the interpretation of rCBF findings by asking whether we could identify patterns of impaired acoustic laryngeal reaction time (LRT) as a function of response complexity parallel to rCBF findings. Stutterer subgroups determined by clinical severity ratings were not differentiated by LRT values as a function of response complexity. Stutterers with relative blood flow asymmetry below the normal median value involving both left superior and middle temporal regions of interest (ROIs) showed significantly longer LRT for the complex response than did normal speakers and stutterers with above-normal median relative flow values to at least one of these temporal ROIs. Stutterer subgroups based on reduced cingulate flow alone were not differentiated by LRT values. Findings are consistent with Goldberg's (1985) model of CNS premotor processing. Findings also suggest that stutterer subgroups might be distinguished by the presence, loci, and relative magnitude of cortical and/or subcortical rCBF abnormality in regions that subserve a fluency-generating system.


While recent decades have seen significant progress in CAD software, current state of the art still appears insufficient when it comes to the styling design of products. This is evidenced by the fact that a-significant portion of early design activities such as concept development and style generation occurs almost exclusively in 2D environments - be it the traditional pen-and-paper environment or its digital equivalents. The authors describe a pen-based modeling system for the styling design of 3D objects. Their system is tailored toward the rapid and intuitive design of styling features such as free-form curves and surfaces. Basic wireframe and surfaces are constructed and modified using the strategy of curve creation, curve modification, surface creation, and finally surface modification


Sustainability has become the boiling point of theoretical business discussions. At first it was only a concept everybody was talking about but no one knew how it should be materialized. Now we can understand how and why companies are inclined to follow the principle. This gives the policy makers and other stakeholders the tools to alter market conditions in ways that more and more companies accept the requirements of sustainability. Several levels of sustain-ability have been identified and now the discussion is shifting towards achieving a common ground how to measure sustainability. Since sustainability is such a broad concept and it is very dependant on the factors of the given industry the analyzed company is operating in, two major ways to measure the companies' performance were identified: • One way, which is propagated by Barrett, is to look at the values the company internalized. • The other way is to try to define a commonly accepted framework of requirements and then apply this framework to measure the performance of the specific company. The future will tell which method will be embraced but my bet is on the one which offers clear-cut, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-implement solutions to companies.


There are large numbers of paper cultural relics in China, the country where paper making was invented. However, the paper relics have not been adequately protected so they are at risk of ageing, damage and disappearance. In order to better protect the paper relics, modified carboxymethyl cellulose/Si/polyacrylate protective materials were prepared with acrylicresin and modified carboxymethyl cellulose which has a good affinity with the paper and modified silica, improving the mechanical strength and ability to withstand weathering. The modified CMC/Si/polyacrylate protective material was analysed using infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and other performance-testing devices. The surface morphology of the paper samples was analysed using scanning electron microscopy. The protective material so prepared was evaluated by subjection to accelerated ageing (dry heat treatment). The results showed the protective material films to have good hydrophobicity, acid/alkali resistance and mechanical strength. When the content of SiO2 is 6 mass %, the protective material has an excellent comprehensive performance. The results of the ageing test reveal that the prepared material can effectively slow down the ageing rate. The prepared material is suited to the protection of paper cultural relics.


How do states in a low-tax, low-capacity equilibrium spur citizens to start paying taxes? Public-finance models hinge on citizen perceptions of enforcement, while political scientists emphasize the legitimacy of the state in generating voluntary compliance. This paper examines the determinants of payment in the first-ever citizen property tax campaign in a large Congolese city that raised average compliance from 0% to 10%. Aside from ability to pay, prior beliefs about the legitimacy of the provincial government are the strongest predictor of tax payment. Legitimacy is itself influenced by tax collectors' identities: tax compliance is higher when collectors work in the areas in which they live; minority ethnic citizens are more likely to pay to minority ethnic collectors. Further, on average the tax campaign leads individuals to update positively about the legitimacy of the provincial government, indicating a positive feedback loop of state building and citizen tax compliance.


PURPOSE
To determine the accuracy of the PlusoptiX A12 photoscreener (PlusoptiX, Inc., Atlanta, GA) in detecting amblyopia or ambylogenic risk factors in pediatric patients in Nebraska.

METHODS
Using the PlusoptiX A12 photoscreener, data were collected from pediatric patients seen at a single pediatric ophthalmology practice. Each patient was screened using the device and also received a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. The results of the PlusoptiX A12 photoscreener were compared to the gold standard, comprehensive ophthalmic examination findings. The assessment of amblyopia or amblyogenic risk factors in the patients was based on the updated American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) referral criteria guidelines.

RESULTS
Data were collected from 219 consecutive pediatric patients (438 eyes) during the 3-month study period. Among the patients, 87 (40%) children were determined to have amblyopia or ambylogenic risk factors after the comprehensive pediatric ophthalmology examination based on the AAPOS guidelines. The PlusoptiX A12 photoscreener was found to have a sensitivity of 93.02%, specificity of 84.96%, false-positive rate of 9.13%, false-negative rate of 2.74%, positive predictive value of 80.00%, and negative predictive value of 94.96%.

CONCLUSIONS
The PlusoptiX A12 photoscreener is viable and comparable to various commercially available devices in the detection of refractive amblyogenic risk factors based on the Nebraska pediatric patient population. Future studies may show increased sensitivity by combining the use of the PlusoptiX A12 photoscreener with an alternate cover test. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(3):194-199.].


Scattering muon radiography was proposed recently as a technique of detection and 3-d imaging for dense high-Z objects . High-energy cosmic ray muons are deflected in matter in the process of multiple Coulomb scattering . By measuring the deflection angles we are able to reconstruct the configuration of high-Z material in the object . We discuss the methods for information extraction from muon radiography data. Tomographic methods widely used in medical images have been applied to a specific muon radiography information source . Alternative simple technique based on the counting of high-scattered muons in the voxels seems to be efficient in many simulated scenes . SVM-based classifiers and clustering algorithms may allow detection of compact high-Z object without full image reconstruction. The efficiency of muon radiography can be increased using additional informational sources, such as momentum estimation, stopping power measurement, and detection of muonic atom emission .


The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the bronchodilator and bronchial hyperreactivity of the stem bark of Myrica sapida. Experimental models studied were histamine induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in egg albumin sensitized guinea pigs, histamine release from the lung tissues of sensitized guinea pigs and histopathological studies. Ethanolic extract of M. sapida (75 mg/kg, p.o., for 7 days) showed significant protection against histamine aerosol induced bronchospasm. Significant decrease in the total and differential leukocyte counts in BALF and prevention of egg albumin induced histamine release from chopped lung tissues of sensitized guinea pigs was observed on chronic administration of ethanolic extract of M. sapida (75 mg/kg, p.o., for 15 days). Histological examination of the section of lung from sensitized guinea pigs treated with ethanolic extract of M. sapida (75 mg/kg, p.o., for 15 days) was comparable to that of the control group. These results suggest that M. sapida possesses not only bronchodilator activity but also decreases bronchial hyperresponsiveness by decreasing the infiltration of inflammatory mediators like eosinophils, neutrophils in BALF and inhibiting histamine release from lungs of sensitized guinea pigs.


The incidence and severity of Alternaria fruit rot on navel oranges has increased in Maricopa County. The objectives of this study were to test the efficacy of two fungicides, Kocide 101 and Rovral, for disease control and to determine an application schedule that will result in optimum control of disease. In 1994, compared to nontreated trees, a significant reduction in the number of dropped oranges occurred on trees sprayed one to five times with Rovral at monthly intervals from April through August. In the same year, monthly applications of Kocide 101 from April through August were no better than leaving trees untreated. In 1995, Rovral treatments from March through August provided no apparent beneficial effects on control of Alternaria fruit rot, while a single application of Kocide 101 in December, January, or February resulted in significantly less dropped oranges compared to nontreated frees. Because of the inconsistent activity of Kocide 101 and Rovral in these two studies, an additional trial is in progress during 1996. The additional data from 1996 may help identify when and what fungicide(s) could provide significant control ofAlternaria fruit rot of navel oranges in Arizona.


This paper examines expressions of love confession in Japanese. Love confession is expressed not only verbally but also nonverbally. Sometimes it needs to be communicated both verbally and nonverbally. It seems the variations of love confession not limited to the common phrases (such as suki desu 'I love you', tsukiatte kudasai 'can we have a relationship?'). In preliminary observation, we found love confession declared not only in common phrases but also in indirect expressions of love confession. This is become a point of departure to overview expression of love confession in Japanese.The data are collected from 12 street interview videos. Street interview videos are used as corpus because those videos are impromptu and no language editing. Based on observations of 79 data of love confessions in Japanese, there are 16 expressions of love confessions. There are expressions of love confession closely related to culural context, such as oishii gohan o tsukutte kudasai 'please make delicious rice for me', ore no kakigori o issho ni tskutte kudasai 'please make shaving ice for me together', kono hanabi no yoo ni, atsui natsu o sugosoo ze 'let's have a hot summer like this firework'. These love confessions have cultural context related to sustainability and togetherness. Sustainability and togetherness are the values of love relationship.


A new evaluation has been made of the independent and cumulative yields of fission products for a selection of fissioning systems, including fission of nuclides important for reactor design and operation, and for fuel and waste management. The evaluation, which has been given the reference name UKFY3, used a new database of measurements and is considered complete up to early 1993. This database considerably extends and updates the database used for the previous UKFY2 evaluation.

The measurement database was analysed to produce a "best estimate" set of fission product yields. Careful study has been made of experimental uncertainties and discrepancies in the data. As some discrepancies could not be resolved the normalised residual technique was used to down-weight discrepant values. Relative and ratio-of-ratio measurements were included in the analysis by an iterative procedure. The measured data, results of the analysis and discrepancies in the data are shown in extensive tables included as appendices to this thesis.

The "best estimates" of fission product yields generated by the analysis were then studied to improve the understanding of the systematics of the yield distribution in mass, charge and isomeric state. Models describing these distributions were investigated and fitted. The effects of the fissioning nucleus mass and charge were examined, as well as the effect of neutron energy on the distributions from neutron-induced fission.

The results of these studies were then combined with the "best estimates" to generate complete independent and cumulative yields sets for a list of fissioning systems considered important for applications. This set consists of the neutron-induced fission of 232Th, 233,234,235,236,238U, 237,238Np, 238,239,240,241,242Pu, 241,242m,243Am, and 243,244,245Cm, plus the spontaneous fission of 242,244Cm and 252Cf. These complete yield sets were subsequently adjusted to fit the physical constraints of the fissioning process. The new adjusted library produced by the analysis of the UKFY3 database, provisionally called UKFY3.0 has been produced as a computer file in the ENDF-6 format.

The new UKFY3.0 file and the UKFY2 file, which has been revised for use in JEF2.2 during this work, were then tested against integral experimental results for delayed neutron and decay heat production respectively.

Finally, results of this work are summarized, remaining problems discussed and areas for future work high-lighted.


Abstract We investigate empirically the relationship between software piracy and GDP per capita by considering non-linear effects. We use a panel data analysis for 100 countries over a period of 15 years. We remedy several previous econometric and methodological shortcomings and show that piracy follows a Kuznets-like curve. Concretely, piracy first increases with the level of GDP per capita, reaches a maximum, and then decreases at higher levels of income. Making people richer can be the best way to decrease piracy over the long-term horizon. Intellectual property rights holders should not aim for a decrease of piracy per se, but rather a decrease of piracy in those circumstances where it is most likely to be substituted by legal sales. Economic growth can generate by itself incentives to curb piracy.


A technique to realize stub-loaded monopoles with enhanced gain performance is introduced in this paper. The omnidirectional high gain is achieved by combining an electrically long monopole with stubs attached at optimal locations along the antenna. In general, the lengths of the stub-loaded monopoles presented in this paper are significantly longer than conventional quarter-wave monopoles. Long wires alone do not provide the desired gain and VSWR performance; the stubs connected to the long monopole are vital in realizing simultaneous high gain and low VSWR at the intended operating frequency. A genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to optimize the locations and lengths of each of the stubs required to meet the design objectives. The results of this work show that between 11 and 12 dBi of gain can be obtained when the stub-loaded monopoles are placed over an infinite ground plane, whereas 8 dBi is obtained for one example when sited over a finite ground plane. A prototype of an optimized stub-loaded monopole was fabricated and tested. Excellent agreement was achieved between the measured and simulated results.


Background: The Visagraph II is used to evaluate eye movements made while a subject silently reads one or more standardized paragraphs. The Visagraph II is not currently available for use with Japanese text. This study was designed to: 1) determine the reliability and repeatability of data obtained while native Japanese readers read texts written in Japanese; 2) identify and quantify eye movements made by our subjects when reading exclusively Kana text versus mixed Kanji/Kana text; 3) compare the eye-movement characteristics of native Japanese subjects reading texts translated into Japanese to published normative data from subjects reading text in English. Methods: Twenty four Japanese foreign students in the United States, who had at least graduated from high school in Japan and currently attended American schools (mainly colleges and English as a Second Language programs), served as subjects. None had ever been diagnosed as reading disabled or dyslexic. Reading material consisted of three Level 1 and three Level 10 paragraphs translated into Japanese by a professional translator. Results: ANOVA comparisons did not show significant differences between paragraphs. There were more fixations, a shorter span of recognition, longer duration of fixation, and slower reading rate when reading mixed Kanji/Kana texts compared to exclusive Kana. There were more fixations and regressions, longer duration of fixation, and shorter span of recognition with Japanese than English. Conclusions: The Visagraph II can be used for Japanese readers to evaluate reading performance in Japanese even though some adjustments might be needed. There are differences in eye movements between reading exclusive Kana text versus mixed Kanji/Kana text as well as between English and Japanese text.


Motorists and wildlife are at risk when wild animals enter highways at access roads that bisect wildlife exclusion fencing. Cattle guards are common at access roads, but are ineffective wildlife barriers. Electrified pavement is an emerging technology previously untested as an ungulate deterrent. The objective with this study was to evaluate whether a standard cattle guard augmented with a strip of electrified pavement could reduce mule deer and elk intrusions through fence openings at rates comparable to specialized barriers, but at reduced cost. To determine the efficacy of the augmented guards as a barrier to wildlife movement, a two-part approach was used that included (1) a feeding exclosure trial using augmented guards deployed at entrances to baited wildlife exclosures at the Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Northern Utah, and (2) a road trial in situ on an access road to Interstate 15 in Southern Utah. The goal was to provide a rigorous assessment of a cost-effective retrofit to standard cattle guards that could reduce wildlife intrusions to roadways and other protected areas at rates comparable to specialized guards.


Aggrecan is an important protein in the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the cartilage and its function is to organize the forming of the hyaluronan-lectican complexes in the ECM. Aggrecan consists of three globular domains and a central region of an elongated glycosaminoglycans-carrying region. The N-terminal domain (G1) binds to hyaluronan and the C-terminal domain (G3) has been shown to be involved in the binding to two types of ligands: sulphated glycolipids on the cell surface and dimeric/multimeric ECM proteins, e.g. fibulin-2 and tenascin-R. The CLD within the G3 domain of aggrecan has been observed to make a tight protein-protein interaction (K D 12nM) with fibronectin type III repeats (FnIII) 3-5 from tenascin-R (TN3-5). Interestingly it has been shown that, though the complex is totally dependent on Ca 2+ , as would be expected of a CLD, the interaction does not depend on carbohydrate. This is one of only a few direct protein-protein interactions of CLDs involving Ca 2+ . The structural studies will give us a first insight how lecticans use the CLD domain to interact with different ECM proteins. This is the first structure showing a calcium-dependent protein-protein interaction involving a C-type lectin domain that is not mediated by a carbohydrate. We have also solved the CLD of aggrecan in a unbound state, giving clues of the importance of the calcium ions.


Abstract This paper presents mean greybody infrared effective emissivity values of clouds deduced from 300 International Quiet Sun Year (IQSY) radiometersonde ascents. The cloud effective emissivity data are presented for two latitude regions: midlatitude and tropical. Mean cloud effective emissivity values for the surface to 300 mb layer ranged from 0.41 to 0.64 for the midlatitude data and from 0.54 to 0.84 for the tropical data. Clouds in the pressure interval from 400 to 600 mb exhibited the largest mean emissivity values. These data should he very useful for incorporation of realistic cloud radiative properties into modeling of atmospheric dynamics and climate.


Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) is a method for signal enhancement in NMR, with numerous applications ranging from medicine to spectroscopy. Despite the success of applications of DNP, the understanding of the underlying theory is still limited. Much of the work on the theory of DNP has been carried out on small spin systems; this is a restriction due to the exponential growth of the Liouville space in quantum simulations. In the work described in this thesis, a methodology is presented by which this exponential scaling can be circumvented. This is done by mathematically projecting the DNP dynamics at resonance onto the Zeeman subspace of the density operator. This has successfully been carried out for the solid effect, cross effect and recently for the Overhauser effect in the solid state (see appendix A.4). The results are incoherent state-dependent dynamics, resembling classical behaviour.
Such form of effective dynamics allows the use of kinetic Monte Carlo algorithms to simulate polarization dynamics of very large spin systems; orders of magnitude larger than has previously been possible.
We verify the accuracy of the mathematical treatment of SE-DNP and CE-DNP, and illustrate the insight large spin-system simulations provide into the mechanism of DNP. For SE-DNP the mechanism of polarization to the bulk of spin systems is determined to be spin diffusion, and we carried out studies into the efficiency and performance of radicals, with an outlook on radical design. We also show that the Zeeman projection can be applied to heteronuclear spin systems if the nuclear species are close in frequency, and we present a formalism for simulating C-13 nuclear spin systems based on a linear rate approach, enabling simulations of thousands of spins in a matter of minutes. A study into the scaling of the kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm error, and the simulation run time, with respect to an increasing number of spins is also presented.
For CE-DNP the error analysis led to establishing a parameter regime in which the effective dynamics are accurate. We show that spin diffusion is the mechanism of transfer of polarization to bulk nuclei. We also show how the effective rates for CE-DNP can be used to understand the efficiency of bi-radicals, point to optimisation possibilities, and hold a potential to aid in bi-radical design.
We finally show large scale simulations for CE-DNP bi-radical systems with improved parameters; leading to very rapid build-up of nuclear polarization.


We consider the problem faced by a passive receiver in determining the symbol stream that has been output from a wireless transmitter array encoded as Orthogonal Space-Time Block Codes (OSTBC). An informed receiver will usually be able to perform maximum likelihood channel estimation using knowledge of a symbol training sequence embedded in the transmitted data. An uninformed receiver or eavesdropper may not have this prior knowledge and will therefore be unable to directly estimate the channel. In this paper we develop an approach based on the concept of Blind Source Separation (BSS) which is a technique that has application in a wide range of source separation problems where the sources and mixing matrix are unknown. We utilize a BSS optimization algorithm which allows interchangeability of the cost function that determines when the best estimate of the channel matrix has been found. Two cost functions are implemented in this algorithm: JADE and Mutual Information (MI) together with their associated complex gradients. The channel estimate obtained by BSS allows for the estimation of the sources which are assumed to be mutually independent in the BSS model. We show how BSS methods may be applied to estimating symbol streams from OSTBC which are inherently correlated. Further improvements to the estimated symbol streams may be obtained by exploiting knowledge of the encoding scheme and assuming that the receiver is able to correctly synchronize with the transmitted signals. A method for decoding the receiver observed data is presented and we show how this simplifies and improves the BSS symbol stream estimates.


Tail docking is usually performed on those dogs whose tail or associated structures have been injured. A two-year-old male dog was presented Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) with complain of injury on the tail due to bite by another dog. The injured site of the tail was contaminated with the debris on presentation and the dog was in severe pain. Amputation of the tail at the level above the injury site of the tail was taken. Care for surgery, oxytetracycline wound spray was applied on the incision site of the tail; Pen Strep and Meloxicam were given for three-days. The suture material was removed 10th-day post-surgery and the tail stump healed uneventfully. Hence, tail amputation is the best option of treatment for severing traumatic tail and successful management of the injured tail was presented in the present case report.


As Urologists working in a major metropolitan paediatric hospital we commend Dr Cutting and his team on the success they have experienced with the use of an enuresis alarm and support programme. However, we feel that their success due to use of the enuresis alarm was overstated and draw attention to the flow chart labelled Figure 1 in the original article. This figure shows treatment outcomes initially, at 6-month and 24-month follow-up. Of all patients treated (n = 505), the initial success of 79% (399/505) after 16 weeks of alarm use is higher than current literature. This represents a relative risk for failure of 0.24 after 16 weeks of alarm use, in comparison to 0.38 from the latest Cochrane review of alarm use for nocturnal enuresis. However, at the 6-month follow-up, 270 children remain dry. This represents 53% of the original cohort treated (270/505). Alternatively, it represents 67% of the cohort who achieved initially achieved dryness (270/399), rather than the 73% as stated by Cutter et al. This is similar to the current Cochrane review where 55% of children relapsed after stopping alarm treatment. Similarly, at 24-month follow-up 171 children remain dry, that is 34% of the original cohort (171/505) or 43% of the cohort who achieved initially achieved dryness (171/399). We suggest a revised flow chart (Fig. 1) that gives a more accurate picture of the outcome achieved with their technique. At 24-month follow-up, the success rate is 34% (171/505). Over 2 years, this is similar to the 15% per year spontaneous remittance rate. We agree the use of an enuresis alarm is an effective tool in the management of nocturnal enureisis with two-thirds of children becoming dry during alarm use, however, the relapse rate after finishing alarm intervention is up to 55% which is similar to the corrected relapse rate (53% at 6 months) for this group. We strongly agree with all management of nocturnal enuresis including alarm use, that frequent supportive follow-up is required for good long-term outcome. The rate of relapse for alarm use can be improved with the additional use of motivational therapy or behavioural therapy with timed voiding, with relapse rates as low as 16% after 1 year.


Post-chikungunya joint pain (arthritis or arthralgia) is a clinical concern in endemic regions as it may cause a debilitating illness sometimes years after the acute infection. This systematic review analyses evidence from controlled clinical trials regarding the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to treat post-chikungunya joint pain. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane library and Web of Science were searched for eligible studies without any language or time limits, excluding retrospective studies, and prospective observational studies without a control group. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven assessed pharmacological interventions and four assessed non-pharmacological interventions (exercise, neuromodulation). The number of participants in each intervention arm varied from 10 to 75 and, given the heterogeneity of interventions, a meta-analysis was not possible. Available evidence does not show any added benefit of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, stand-alone methotrexate or ribavirin compared with anti-inflammatory drugs or placebo/no treatment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce pain up to 24 wk of treatment but long-term residual impact after stopping treatment is unassessed. Currently, there is also no high certainty evidence to recommend non-pharmacological methods such as exercise and neuromodulation.


We have performed a pilot clinical study, in which multispectral endogenous fluorescence (or autofluorescence) lifetime imaging (FLIM) was performed on clinically suspicious oral lesions of 73 patients undergoing tissue biopsy for oral dysplasia and cancer diagnosis. The results from this pilot study indicated that mild-dysplasia and early stage oral cancer could be detected from benign lesions using a computed aided diagnosis system developed based on biochemical and metabolic biomarkers derived from the endogenous FLIM images. The diagnostic performance of this novel FLIM clinical tool was estimated using a leave-onepatient-out cross-validation approach, which reported levels of sensitivity >90%, specificity >85%, and Area Under the Receiving Operating Curve (ROC-AUC) >0.9.


Abstract A method of video-assisted thoracic surgical (VATS) right upper lobectomy with bronchus-first and simultaneous vessel stapling will be introduced. In this study, all cases underwent two-port VATS as follows: first, the right upper lobe bronchus was identified and stapled; then, all right upper lobe vessels were stapled simultaneously. This method was performed in 50 cases. There was no surgical mortality, hemorrhage, vascular injuries, or conversion. This technique can reduce wound size and operative time and make the operation safer and easier to accomplish.


Two-loop self-energy corrections to the bound-electron $g$ factor are investigated theoretically to all orders in the nuclear binding strength parameter $Z\alpha$. The separation of divergences is performed by dimensional regularization, and the contributing diagrams are regrouped into specific categories to yield finite results. We evaluate numerically the loop-after-loop terms, and the remaining diagrams by treating the Coulomb interaction in the electron propagators up to first order. The results show that such two-loop terms are mandatory to take into account for projected near-future stringent tests of quantum electrodynamics and for the determination of fundamental constants through the $g$ factor.


A comparative analysis of haemodynamics and blood gases has been performed in patients during either low-flow anaesthesia with xenon and nitrous oxide and high-flow nitrous oxide anaesthesia. Ninety five patients scheduled for endoscopic surgery were included and divided into three groups: a combined low-flow anaesthesia (30 women), a low-flow nitrous oxide anaesthesia (30 women) and a high-flow nitrous oxide anaesthesia using a semi-closed circuit (35 women). The study has shown a stimulating effect of xenon on haemodynamics during carboxyperitoneum and Trendelenburg position, a better oxygen transport performance and a lower consumption of opioids in this group. Those favourable changes enable the optimization of the oxygen transport in endoscopic surgery in gynaecology, and reduce the contraindications to endoscopic surgery.


There is ample evidence that successful implementation of bilateral or regional trade and economic integration initiatives would have a very significant impact on intraregional trade in Asia and the Pacific. However, little is known about the level of intraregional trade costs in the region and to what extent these costs may have decreased over time. This paper introduces new aggregate and sectoral estimates of bilateral trade costs in Asia and the Pacific available in an updated and extended version of the ESCAP Trade Cost Database (Version 2). The new data suggests that (1) most countries and subregions have made improvements in reducing trade costs; (2) Trade costs among Asian countries still often exceed the costs of trade of Asian countries with developed countries outside the region; and (3) tariff costs accounts for only a small portion of comprehensive trade costs – although tariff cuts account for a large share of overall trade cost reduction over the past decade. At the sectoral level, agricultural trade costs are systematically found to exceed manufacturing trade costs, even when tariff costs are excluded. The fact that agricultural trade costs in many developing countries are twice as high as their trade costs in manufactured goods suggest that focusing trade facilitation efforts on that sector may be particularly productive, especially given the importance of this sector for poverty reduction and more inclusive and sustainable development.


The East-West gap in the German population is believed to originate from migrants escaping the socialist regime in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). We use newly collected regional data and the combination of a regression discontinuity design in space with a difference-in-differences approach to document that the largest part of this gap is due to a massive internal migration wave 3 years prior to the establishment of the GDR. The timing and spatial pattern of this migration movement suggest that the dominant motive was escaping physical assault by the Soviet army and not avoiding the socialist regime. The skill composition of these migrants shows a strong positive selection. The gap in population has remained remarkably sharp in space and is growing.


Numerous studies have investigated the effects of unbalanced service times and inter-station buffer sizes on the efficiency of discrete part, unpaced production lines. There are two main disadvantages of many of these studies: (1) only some predetermined degree of imbalance and patterns of imbalance have been evaluated against the perfectly balanced configuration, making it hard to form a general conclusion on these factors; (2) only a single objective has been set as the target, which neglects the fact that different patterns of imbalance may outperform with respect to different performance measures. Therefore, the aim of this study is to introduce a new approach to investigate the performance of unpaced production lines by using multiple-objective optimisation. It has been found by equipping multi-objective optimisation with an efficient, equality constraints handling technique, both the optimal pattern and degree of imbalance, as well as the optimal relationship among these factors and the performance measures of a production system can be sought and analysed with some single optimisation runs. The results have illustrated that some very interesting relationships among the key performance measures studied, including system throughput, work-in-process and average buffer level, could only be observed within a truly multi-objective optimisation context. While these results may not be generalised to apply to any production lines, the genericity of the proposed simulation-based approach is believed to be applicable to study any real-world, complex production lines.


Abstract Since the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights the relationship between human rights due diligence (HRDD) and corporate liability has been a source of legal uncertainty. In order to clarify this relationship, this article compares and contrasts civil liability provisions aiming at implementing HRDD. It explains the legal liability mechanisms in the draft Treaty on Business and Human Rights and in domestic mandatory HRDD legislation and initiatives such as the French Duty of Vigilance Law and the Swiss Responsible Business Initiative. It compares these developments with the emerging case law on parent company and supply chain liability for human rights abuses. It explores the potentially perverse effects that certain civil liability provisions and court decisions might have on companies' practices. Finally, it makes recommendations for the design of effective liability mechanisms to implement HRDD.


Ibnu Sina is an Islamic expert who master the various branches of knowledge. Specifically, Ibnu Sina is known in medical and philosophy field of his thought, and also his monumental report of medic, entitled "Al-Qur'an fi al-Tibb" which would be the reference of medical field for 5 century. Although known as an expert in philosophy and medic, but the several studies who conducted by the next generation about the thought of Ibnu Sina, found that several thoughts about the concept of Islamic education. In education, his thougts and ideas are exellent and able to be developed in the context of Modern Islamic Education which started by talking the nature of human because the educational subject is the human it self. Then, discussed also the educational objectives : to reach the happiness (sa'adah). Furthermore, the educational curriculum, the concept of Ibnu Sina's curriculum formula is based on the level of age development of pupils. Finally, Ibnu Sina states that the educational method has to vary depend on the pupils pshicology development and the concept of teacher, educational significant for pupils and societes.


The low level of farms income from agricultural sector mainly happens in dry season had to inappropriate soil cultivation. The utilization of soil for brick ste manufacturing is one of this case. The excavation process occurs on top soil inflicting degradation of soil fertility. Soil in the impact of this condition has a problem in providing chemical element for the agriculture, especially the lack of N. One of alternative attempts to increase the soil fertility in providing N on formerly brick ste excavation-soil is by supplying Petroganik fertilizer and compost. Petroganik and compost is an organic fertilizer containing N, P, K, the other nutrient, similar to the other organic fertilizers. The aims of the research are to determine the effect Petroganik fertilizer and compost application on N uptake and toward the growth of corn on former brick ste excavation-soil, and to know the chosen dosage which is resulting in growth and N uptake of corn. Research used is Random Block Design with 9 treatment and 3 replication. Dosage of treatment T0 : Control, Petroganik (14, 17, 20, 23) t/ha and compost (14, 17, 20, 23) t/ha. Indicator plant was used Hybrid Corn BISI 2. The result of experiment showed that : 1. Significant effect in increasing uptake of N the corn. The treatment of Petroganik 17 t/ha (P2) increasing 145 % and compost 14 t/ha (P2) increasing 93.8 %, 2. Insignificant effect on plant growth (height, number of leaf) However, it gives significant effect on dry weight of the corn biomass. The treatment Petroganik 17 t/ha (P2), increases 101.45 %, 3. The application of Petroganik fertilizer is more effective in increasing the growth and N uptake of corn than that of compost since the application of 17 t/ha of Petroganik has already increased the N uptake and growth of corn .


Aims. This paper reports on a search for new classical nova candidates in the M 81 galaxy based on archival, as well as recent, new images. Methods. We used images from 1999–2007 to search for optical transients in M 81. The positions of the identified classical nova candidates were used to study their spatial distribution. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (KS) and bottom-to-top (BTR) ratio diagnostic were used to analyze the nova candidate distribution and differentiate between the disk and the bulge populations. Results. In total, 49 classical nova candidates were discovered. In this study, we present the precise positions and photometry of these objects, plus the photometry of an additional 9 classical nova candidates found by Neill & Shara (2004, AJ, 127, 816). With our large sample, we fi nd a different spatial distribution of classical nova candidates when compared to the results of earlier studies. Also, an extraordinarily bright nova was found and studied in detail.


Magnetic shape memory alloys can be deformed in an external magnetic field by twin boundary motion. By coupling in acoustic energy the strain can be enhanced significantly, especially if the twinning stress is just above the magnetically achievable stress level. Two percent of strain can be achieved in a polycrystalline material, which showed only 0.3% strain without acoustic assistance.


Viral diseases are some of the most common infections affecting humans. Despite the unpleasant symptoms, most people return to their normal lives without residual symptoms. Following the acute infectious phase of some viruses, however, in some individuals symptoms may linger to the extent they are unable to return to a normal lifestyle. Following coronavirus disease 2019 infection, significant numbers of patients continued to have symptoms that persisted for months after hospital discharge. Symptoms spanned many organ systems and were prominent in the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems. The exact mechanism is not clear. This group of patients represents a new challenge to our health care systems. An organized, multi-disciplinary approach and further research are warranted to be ready to deliver better care to these patients.


This comment on an article by Ron Harris and Michael Crystal argues that on the theoretical as well as the historical level, there is no reason to assume that a legal system, like a sort of organism, wishes to replicate itself or propogate its genes, nor that it will typically do so, even in the supposedly hospitable environment of colonial relations. While legal transplantation in the British Empire was rampant, it was also multidirectional, with jurisdictions from around the world borrowing freely from each other, from the legal systems of other imperial territories as well as from outside the empire. More generally, the inherent complexity of legislating, even in the colonial context, makes harmonization an unlikely prospect in any empire.


We propose a novel palm vein recognition scheme based on an adaptive 2D Gabor filter. Three key steps were studied in this scheme: region of interest (ROI) extraction, adaptive Gabor filtering, and template matching. First, in the palm vein image extraction step, the authors used the index finger on both sides of the valley to locate the square area, and then iteratively expanded the area of the square box to maximise the ROI. Second, in the feature extraction step, a novel parameter selection scheme was proposed for optimising the Gabor filter. Third, in the template matching step, the author presented a novel template matching algorithm referred to as the minimum normalised Hamming distance. Experimental results demonstrated that the scheme achieved good performance with an EER of 0.12%.


This insightful book collects empirical analyses and case studies to clarify issues and draw policy recommendations for facilitating greater regional trade through increased cooperation.


Context. The variability of Solar Spectral Irradiance over the rotational period and its trend over the solar activity cycle are important for understanding the Sun-Earth connection as well as for observational constraints for solar models. Recently the SIM experiment on SORCE has published an unexpected negative correlation with Total Solar Irradiance of the visible spectral range. It is compensated by a strong and positive variability of the near UV range. Aims. We aim to verify whether the anti-correlated SIM/SORCE-trend in the visible can be confirmed by independent observations of the VIRGO experiment on SOHO. The challenge of all space experiments measuring solar irradiance are sensitivity changes of their sensors due to exposure to intense UV radiation, which are difficult to assess in orbit. Methods. We analyze a 10-year time series of VIRGO sun photometer data between 2002 and 2012. The variability of Spectral Solar Irradiance is correlated with the variability of the Total Solar Irradiance, which is taken as a proxy for solar activity. Results. Observational evidence indicates that after six years only one single long-term process governs the degradation of the backup sun photometer in VIRGO which is operated once in a month. This degradation can be well approximated by a linear function over ten years. The analysis of the residuals from the linear trend yield robust positive correlations of spectral irradiance at 862, 500 and 402 nm with total irradiance. In the analysis of annual averages of these data the positive correlations change into weak negative correlations, but of little statistical significance, for the 862 nm and 402 nm data. At 500 nm the annual spectral data are still positively correlated with Total Solar Irradiance. The persisting positive correlation at 500 nm is in contradiction to the SIM/SORCE results.


Upper Carboniferous tidal-flat deposits near Waverly, eastern Kansas (Stull Shale Member, Kanwaka Shale Formation), host abundant and very well-preserved trace fossils attributed to the activity of burrowing bivalves. Thin shell lenses with an abundant bivalve fauna are associated with the ichnofossil-bearing beds and afford an unusual opportunity to relate trace fossils to their makers. Two distinctive life and feeding strategies can be reconstructed on the basis of trace fossil analysis and functional morphology. Lockeia siliquaria hyporeliefs commonly are connected with vertical to inclined, truncated endichnial shafts in the absence of horizontal locomotion traces. These structures record vertical and oblique displacement through the sediment, and suggest relatively stable domiciles rather than temporary resting traces as typically considered. Crowded bedding surfaces displaying cross-cutting relationships between specimens of L. siliquaria and differential preservation at the top (concave versus convex epireliefs) record a complex history of successive events of colonization, erosion, deposition, and recolonization (time-averaged assemblages). Irregular contours of some large hypichnia indicate the cast of the foot, while other outlines closely match the anterior area of Wilkingia, its suggested tracemaker. Relatively stable, vertical to inclined life positions and dominant vertical mobility suggest a filter-feeding strategy. Moreover, the elongate shell and pallial sinus of Wilkingia provide a strong independent line of evidence for an opisthosiphonate, moderately deep-tier inhabitant. Wilkingia may represent a pioneer attempt at siphon-feeding in the late Paleozoic, preceding the outcome of the Mesozoic infaunal radiation. A second strategy is represented by Lockeia ornata and associated locomotion and locomotion/feeding structures. Lockeia ornata is commonly connected with chevron locomotion traces that record the bifurcated foot of a proto-branch bivalve. Lockeia ornata exhibits distinctive, fine, parallel lines that mimic the ornamentation of Phestia, a nuculanid protobranch bivalve. Rosary and radial structures give evidence of a patterned search for food. Lockeia ornata and associated Protovirgularia record dominant horizontal locomotion and suggest the activity of deposit-feeding bivalves. Morphologic variability of Protovirgularia was controlled by substrate fluidity, which was dependent on sediment heterogeneity and tidal-cycle dynamics. This study demonstrates that detailed analysis of bivalve traces provides valuable information on bivalve ethology and paleoecology, evolutionary innovations, environmental dynamics, and substrate fluidity.


Objectives : To determine technical and clinical success of kissing stents for aortoiliac occlusive disease. Design : Retrospective study. Venue : Different private centers in Dhaka City. Subjects : Patients presenting with intermittent claudication (IC) or critical limb ischaemia (CLI) due to aortoiliac disease. Methods: Balloon or self expanding kissing stents with or without predilatation depending upon the nature of the disease, was inserted via bilateral retrograde femoral approach. Patients were followed up clinically and by ankle brachial index (ABI) and Duplex study. Results : Technical and clinical success was achieved in all of 34 cases. All patients with CLI improved and ulcerated limbs showed complete healing. During follow-up 3 patients died and 1 patient required major amputation at 3 months. Conclusion: Kissing stents implantation is a safe and alternative treatment for aortoiliac disease. It is cosmetic, requires short hospital stay. No incision, regional or general anesthesia is needed. Bangladesh Heart Journal 2015; 30(2) : 74-77


Rapid binary population synthesis codes are often used to investigate the evolution of compact-object binaries. They typically rely on analytical fits of single-star evolutionary tracks and parameterized models for interactive phases of evolution (e.g., mass transfer on a thermal timescale, determination of dynamical instability, and common envelope) that are crucial to predict the fate of binaries. These processes can be more carefully implemented in stellar structure and evolution codes such as MESA. To assess the impact of such improvements, we compare binary black hole mergers as predicted in models with the rapid binary population synthesis code COSMIC to models ran with MESA simulations through mass transfer and common-envelope treatment. We find that results significantly differ in terms of formation paths, the orbital periods and mass ratios of merging binary black holes, and consequently merger rates. While common-envelope evolution is the dominant formation channel in COSMIC, stable mass transfer dominates in our MESA models. Depending upon the black hole donor mass, and mass-transfer and common-envelope physics, at subsolar metallicity, COSMIC overproduces the number of binary black hole mergers by factors of 2–35 with a significant fraction of them having merger times orders of magnitude shorter than the binary black holes formed when using detailed MESA models. Therefore we find that some binary black hole merger rate predictions from rapid population syntheses of isolated binaries may be overestimated by factors of ∼ 5–500. We conclude that the interpretation of gravitational-wave observations requires the use of detailed treatment of these interactive binary phases.


The next couple of years will present a number of challenges to corporations worldwide. Significant changes are currently taking place on an economic and political level. Among them: the development of regional markets in Europe, North America, South America and the Far East, the developing economies of Eastern and Central Europe, a gradual overall economic improvement and increasing cross-border government intervention in the economic sphere. These developments will affect the corporation in the coming decades, including the people who work for it, its shareholders as well as the banks financing its activities. This book includes different national perspectives on the problems and opportunities presenting themselves to corporations all over the world. Topics that are treated include shareholders' and directors' rights and liabilities, mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, labour and workplace liability, litigation issues, environmental law concerns as well as specific EU issues.


1 Muscle receptors play an important role in our conscious perception of movement, but there are no published accounts of our ability to detect their signals during different motor tasks. The present experiments introduce a method to test muscular sense when humans move. 2 Muscle receptors were excited by an electrically induced twitch of the right extensor carpi ulnaris muscle. The muscle was stimulated via percutaneously inserted intramuscular electrodes or using surface stimulation through anaesthetized skin. Muscular sense was represented by the ability to detect the twitch and was compared between various tasks and stationary control trials. 3 Three hertz voluntary wrist movements significantly attenuated muscular sense to 37 % of control. This velocity‐dependent attenuation was present over a range of twitch amplitudes suggesting it does not simply reflect a masking of low intensity stimuli. Perceptual ratings of twitch amplitude during fast imposed passive movements were reduced by 40 %, though this did not quite reach statistical significance. However, perceptual ratings of twitches evoked up to 2 s after the termination of the passive movements were significantly different from control. 4 Reaching with the stimulated, but not the contralateral, arm also significantly reduced muscular sense (to 40 %). 5 Attenuation to 58 % of control during cyclic stretching of the skin on the dorsum of the hand showed that signals from peripheral receptors may play a role. Attenuation prior to a single wrist flexion movement indicated that central sources can also contribute. 6 The results are consistent with current findings of a general attenuation of sensory feedback during movement and raise questions regarding the role of muscular sense in movement control.


Memristive crossbar arrays can be used to realize matrix-vector multiplication (MVM) operations in constant time complexity by exploiting the Kirchhoff's circuit laws. This is enabled by the parallel read of the entire array in a single time step. However, parallel writing is prohibitive in such arrays due to limitations on the current that could be accumulated along the wires. Hence, loading the matrix elements into such an array still incurs significant time penalty. Another key challenge is the achievable computational precision. To overcome these challenges, we propose a unit-cell array design where each unit-cell comprises four memristive devices each attached to a selection transistor. Moreover, the array is organized in such a way that the selection transistors can be turned on in a diagonal fashion. We experimentally demonstrated this concept by fabricating a $2\times 2$ unit-cell array based on projected phase-change memory (PCM) devices in 90 nm CMOS technology. It is shown that using the diagonal connections, the write operations can be parallelized while maintaining the current limit of the back-end-of-the-line metallization. Moreover, the increase in write time due to having more devices per unit-cell is minimized through a combination of single-shot and iterative programming schemes. Finally, we present experimental results on MVM operations that demonstrate improved computational precision exceeding that of a 4-bit fixed-point implementation.


ABSTRACT Three analytical methods, namely, inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS); inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) and filter-furnace electrothermal atomic-absorption spectroscopy (FF-ET-AAS) for the determination of V, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb in ground natural water samples were compared and evaluated for their capacity to provide reliable and precise results. Two certified reference materials (SLEW-3 Estuarine Water; SLRS-4 River Water) were analysed to prove that accurate results could be obtained by using all the listed methods with properly optimised parameters. The limit of detection (LOD) for V, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb provided by the ICP-MS methods ranged from 0.001 to 0.05 µg L−1. Such LOD proved sufficient for the reliable determination of the listed elements in ground natural waters. However, the LOD of the FF-ET-AAS was approximately two orders of magnitude higher than that of ICP-MS, which made it impossible to quantify V, Mn, Ni, Mo and Pb. The effects of the usage of the collision cell mode in ICP-QMS and of the desolvation system Apex for ICP-SFMS to eliminate oxide ions levels were investigated. For all three analytical methods, the influence of the matrix effect on the results of the determination of the investigated elements using matrix model solution, external calibration and standard addition methods was evaluated. A comparison using a paired Student's t-test between the results obtained by both ICP-MS methods for V, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb concentrations in ground natural waters showed that there was no significant difference on a 95% confidence level. The precision of the results for ICP-SFMS, ICP-QMS and FF-ET-AAS varied between ~0.5 and 11; 2.5 and 12.5; 3 and 13.5%, respectively. Moreover, ICP-SFMS equipped with the desolvation system APEX proved a better choice for As, Cu and Mn analysis due to its better LOD (0.008, 0.03 and 0.02 µg L−1, respectively) and precision (Sr ≤ 5.0; 7.5; 9.0%, respectively) compared to ICP-QMS and FF-ET-AAS.


Twentieth‐century summer (July–August) temperatures in northern Finland are reconstructed using ring widths, maximum density and stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of Scots pine tree rings, and using combinations of these proxies. Verification is based on the coefficient of determination (r2), reduction of error (RE) and coefficient of efficiency (CE) statistics. Of the individual proxies, δ13C performs best, followed by maximum density. Combining δ13C and maximum density strengthens the climate signal but adding ring widths leads to little improvement. Blue intensity, an inexpensive alternative to X‐ray densitometry, is shown to perform similarly. Multi‐proxy reconstruction of summer temperatures from a single site produces strong correlations with gridded climate data over most of northern Fennoscandia. Since relatively few trees are required (<15) the approach could be applied to long sub‐fossil chronologies where replication may be episodically low. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Cognitive networks (CNs) are capable of enabling dynamic spectrum allocation, and thus constitute a promising technology for future wireless communication. Whereas, the implementation of CN will lead to the requirement of an increased energy-arrival rate, which is a significant parameter in energy harvesting design of a cognitive user (CU) device. A well-designed spectrum-sensing scheme will lower the energy-arrival rate that is required and enable CNs to self-sustain, which will also help alleviate global warming. In this paper, spectrum sensing in a multi-user cognitive ad hoc network with a wide-band spectrum is considered. Based on the prospective spectrum sensing, we classify CN operation into two modes: Distributed and centralized. In a distributed network, each CU conducts spectrum sensing for its own data transmission, while in a centralized network, there is only one cognitive cluster header which performs spectrum sensing and broadcasts its sensing results to other CUs. Thus, a wide-band spectrum that is divided into multiple subchannels can be sensed simultaneously in a distributed manner or sequentially in a centralized manner. We consider the energy consumption for spectrum sensing only of an analog-to-digital convertor (ADC). By formulating energy consumption for spectrum sensing in terms of the subchannel sampling rate and whole-band sensing time, the sampling rate and whole-band sensing time that are optimal for minimizing the total energy consumption within sensing reliability constraints are obtained. A power dissipation model of an ADC, which plays an important role in formulating the energy efficiency problem, is presented. Using AD9051 as an ADC example, our numerical results show that the optimal sensing parameters will achieve a reduction in the energy-arrival rate of up to 97.7% and 50% in a distributed and a centralized network, respectively, when comparing the optimal and worst-case energy consumption for given system settings.


Reservoir plane features of Hei 49 block in Daqingzi Oilfield is analyzed with multiattribute analysis. Through the production of fine synthetic seismograms, the block is analyzed by non-linear multiattribute. The authors set up the relationship between the log information and and the multi-attribute, and this relationship will calculate the seismic properties of theogram demarcation and extrapolate well curve. The way is used to establish statistical relationships by nonlinear artificial neural network. Therefore, seismic attribute volume can be transformed into a variety of reservoir parameter data volume. The method to establish relations between seismic attributes and reservoir parameters overcome the problem of inversion's multiple solutions caused by the geological model and seismic wavelet, and it is a more realistic prediction for this block's reservoir prediction and description.


Most capnograph systems that can indirectly determine the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood of a patient are based on NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) absorption technology. As such an NDIR gas analyzing method requires an optical absorption chamber and signal processing hardware. Accordingly, this paper designed and implemented an NDIR type CO/sub 2/ gas chamber while considering the time response characteristics and lamp chopping frequency. In addition, signal processing hardware using two infrared sources was implemented to reduce the thermal background effect. The gas chamber and signal processing hardware has been tested using temperature variation and human expiration experiment. The results showed that the system could produce a stable output signal and discerning CO/sub 2/ gas concentration curve similar to a typical capnogram.


In response to scholarship on eighteenth-century female consumerism, this essay argues that women's relationship to ornamental objects was both ambivalent and changing in the early decades of the eighteenth century. It contrasts the relationship between women and chinaware in Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" and Swift's dressing room poems in the context of the emergent category of domestic "beautification arts." Pope posits subjectivity as an animated aesthetic form embodied in the well-dressed woman, chinaware, and poetry alike, while Swift disrupts the symbiotic relationship of human life and aesthetic order, both material and poetic, degrading the association of women and china as it relocates personal identity to the interior life of the individual. This shift in the conception of chinoiserie's place in British culture thus constitutes a severance of "nature" from aesthetic form and, consequently, a rewriting of human subjectivity itself.


A two-step synthesis of molnupiravir (1) is presented. This work focuses on the development of
practical reaction and purification conditions toward a manufacturing
route. The sequence commences from
highly available cytidine (2), and
molnupiravir is formed through direct hydroxamination of the cytosine ring and
esterification of the sugar's primary alcohol without use of protecting or
activating groups. A highly crystalline
hydrate of N-hydroxycytidine (3) resulted in an easily purified
intermediate, and a practical, off-the-shelf enzyme was selected for the
acylation. The yield was increased
through a chemically-promoted, selective ester cleavage which converted a by-product,
molnupiravir isobutyryl oxime ester (4),
into the final API. Both reactions
proceed in >90% assay yield and crystallization procedures are used to
afford intermediate and active pharmaceutical ingredient in purities above 99%
with an overall yield of 60%. Excellent
throughput and sustainability is achieved by limiting the total concentration
to 7 volumes of solvent in the course of the two reactions with an overall PMI
of 41 including work-up and isolation. Environmentally
friendly solvents, water and 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, enhance sustainability
of the operation.


The article argues that twenty-first century globalization is markedly different from twentieth century globalization and reviews the major changes. The discussion focuses on the portee of these changes for development policies and notes three trends: new industrializing countries in the global South have become drivers of the world economy; the agency of development shifts from metropolitan institutions to developing countries; and the pendulum swings from unfettered market forces to growing state coordination. The upshot of these changes is an era of growing development pluralism, with ramifications for international development cooperation. North–South relations, between industrialized and developing countries have long been of pivotal importance, but in the twenty-first century, the importance of North–South development cooperation is receding. At issue are two ruptures in the development field: the twenty-first century brings part of the developing world outside the grasp of Western institutions and ...


Background Many guidelines have been published that are relevant to Australian general practitioners. However, it is unclear whether these guidelines have the attributes required for facilitating implementation. Objectives To determine the proportion of current Australian general practice guidelines that have incorporated the attributes required for facilitating implementation. Methods We conducted an audit of the National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Guidelines Portal to identify guidelines published between 2007 and 2011 that listed general practitioners (GPs) as a primary user and examined them for attributes identified in literature as facilitating implementation. Results A total of 146 guidelines targeting Australian GPs were identified in our study. Approximately 46% of these guidelines were developed by "collaborating authors", with 27% and 19% developed by "government organisations" and "not-for-profit organisations", respectively. Almost half (43%) of the guidelines did not state the methodology used, with 33% using "expert opinion" and only 16% using "systematic literature reviews". Only 14% of the guidelines were endorsed by professional colleges and only 10% of the guidelines were government-approved. Additional resources to facilitate guideline uptake were included for only 23% of the guidelines. Discussion While some attributes of implementation have been incorporated into general practice guidelines, many are absent from most of these guidelines. Given the rapid growth in evidence-based guidelines in Australia, it is imperative that clinical practice guidelines incorporate the attributes necessary for facilitating implementation. Implications for Guideline Developers/Users Developing an evidence-based guideline implementability framework may be useful for improving the development and dissemination of guidelines.


Aims: Vegetation classification consistent with the
Braun-Blanquet approach is widely used in Europe for applied
vegetation science, conservation planning and land management.
During the long history of syntaxonomy, many concepts and names
of vegetation units have been proposed, but there has been no
single classification system integrating these units. Here we
(1) present a comprehensive, hierarchical, syntaxonomic system
of alliances, orders and classes of Braun-Blanquet syntaxonomy
for vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen, and algal communities
of Europe; (2) briefly characterize in ecological and
geographic terms accepted syntaxonomic concepts; (3) link
available synonyms to these accepted concepts; and (4) provide
a list of diagnostic species for all classes. LocationEuropean
mainland, Greenland, Arctic archipelagos (including Iceland,
Svalbard, Novaya Zemlya), Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores,
Caucasus, Cyprus. Methods: We evaluated approximately 10000
bibliographic sources to create a comprehensive list of
previously proposed syntaxonomic units. These units were
evaluated by experts for their floristic and ecological
distinctness, clarity of geographic distribution and compliance
with the nomenclature code. Accepted units were compiled into
three systems of classes, orders and alliances
(EuroVegChecklist, EVC) for communities dominated by vascular
plants (EVC1), bryophytes and lichens (EVC2) and algae (EVC3).
Results: EVC1 includes 109 classes, 300 orders and 1108
alliances; EVC2 includes 27 classes, 53 orders and 137
alliances, and EVC3 includes 13 classes, 24 orders and 53
alliances. In total 13448 taxa were assigned as indicator
species to classes of EVC1, 2087 to classes of EVC2 and 368 to
classes of EVC3. Accepted syntaxonomic concepts are summarized
in a series of appendices, and detailed information on each is
accessible through the software tool EuroVegBrowser.
Conclusions: This paper features the first comprehensive and
critical account of European syntaxa and synthesizes more than
100 yr of classification effort by European phytosociologists.
It aims to document and stabilize the concepts and nomenclature
of syntaxa for practical uses, such as calibration of habitat
classification used by the European Union, standardization of
terminology for environmental assessment, management and
conservation of nature areas, landscape planning and education.
The presented classification systems provide a baseline for
future development and revision of European syntaxonomy.


Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal known to exert severe nephrotoxic effects. Mechanistically, Cd has been reported to disrupt gene expression in renal proximal tubular cells. In addition, alterations in DNA integrity have been reported to be associated with Cd toxicity. Histone proteins play important roles in maintaining DNA integrity, and are responsible for regulating gene transcription. In this study, we examined the involvement of HIST1H4C, a gene encoding the histone H4 protein, in Cd toxicity in HK-2 human proximal tubular cells. It was found that Cd significantly reduced the transcription level of HIST1H4C in HK-2 cells. In addition, HIST1H4C knockdown by siRNA transfection enhanced Cd toxicity in HK-2 cells. Our findings suggest that suppression of gene expression of HIST1H4C may be involved in the elevation of Cd toxicity in proximal tubular cells.


Recently, the effects of quantization on the Primal-Dual Method of Multipliers were studied. In this thesis, we have used this method as an example to further investigate the effects of quantization on distributed optimization schemes in a much broader sense. Using monotone operator theory, the effect of quantization on all distributed optimization algorithms that can be cast as a monotone operator was researched for two different problem subclasses. The averaging problem was used as an example of a quadratic problem, while the Gaussian channel capacity problem was an example of the non-linear problem subclass. A fixed bit rate quantizer was used in combination with a dynamic cell width, to analyse the robustness of distributed optimization schemes against quantization effects. In particular, we have shown that for practical implementations it is possible to incorporate fixed bit rate quantization with dynamic cell width in a distributed optimization algorithm without loss of performance for both problem classes.