We consider a finite random walk on a weighted graph G; we show that the sample average of visits to a set of vertices A converges to the stationary probability /spl pi/(A) with error probability exponentially small in the length of the random walk and the square of the size of the deviation from /spl pi/(A). The exponential bound is in terms of the expansion of G and improves previous results. We show that the method of taking the sample average from one trajectory is a more efficient estimate of /spl pi/(A) than the standard method of generating independent sample points from several trajectories. Using this more efficient sampling method, we improve the algorithms of Jerrum and Sinclair (1989) for approximating the number of perfect matchings in a dense graph and for approximating the partition function of an Ising system. We also give a fast estimate of the entropy of a random walk on an unweighted graph.<<ETX>>


The Cinematic Arts Library is located on the ground floor of the Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library. The Cinematic Arts Collection supports teaching and research through the Doctoral and post-graduate levels.


This study was carried out on the development of the evaluation method for solidification cracking susceptibility of Inconel600/SUS347 dissimilar weld metals during laser welding. Some dissimilar weld metals which have different ratios of Inconel600/SUS347 were prepared by TIG welding and then were remelted on the U-type hot cracking tester by laser. Solidification cracking behavior during hot cracking test was observed by a high speed camera and the dynamic strain, close to the solidification crack, was evaluated. It appeared that local critical strain, for the initiation of solidification crack, was obtained by this strain measurement method. So the solidification cracking susceptibility could be directly evaluated based on the critical strain for different dissimilar joint. By using this method, it was discovered that solidification cracking occurred most easily when the ratio of Inconel600/SUS347 is 40%/60%, in the case of the Inconel600/SUS347 dissimilar laser welded joints.


Here, we explored the Intermittent Contact Oxidation Process (ICOP) for the degradation of lipids for in-sewer applications. The ICOP is an attached growth process that utilizes biologically active sponge media fixed within a vessel to treat wastewater. In this study, ICOP was explored for its capacity to degrade lipids with an emphasis on the effect of media exposure to headspace-gas. Three laboratory-scale air-tight pipe reactors were fabricated and operated with margarine, calcium oleate, and 5% methyl oleate in hexadecane as the carbon sources, respectively. The degradation rates found for with intermittent water flow ranged 1.3 − 9.2 kgCOD/(m 3 · day) at 20 ± 1°C expressed per volume of sponge media. Lipid degradation was observed during prolonged periods without water flow. Further, results indicated that increasing oxygen concentration positively affected degradation rate of lipids. The obtained findings provide understanding for the application of ICOP in collection systems.


Climate change is considered by policymakers as one of the most pressing global issues of our time. International institutions and national governments are, to varying degrees, committed to tackling climate change, but it has only been possible to define a shared system of collective goals across countries through the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP21). A growing interest in climate change policy has been present in the Italian political debate, yet we have little evidence regarding the nature of related climate change debates across Italian policymakers. By using Discourse Network Analysis (DNA) to investigate Italian policymakers' discourses in the Chamber of Deputies during the 17th Italian Legislature (2013–2018), this study shows that debates on climate change-related strategies are largely unpolarized, except for certain issues, and that coalitions emerge over time around core strategies. Groups of policymakers with similar policy beliefs emerge independently from their political affiliations. Our analysis is thus the first to apply DNA to provide empirical evidence of the convergence across Italian policymakers and the potential for the bridging of political discourses on climate change.


This study aimed to evaluate the hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism-related parameters of adult male and female White King pigeons (Columba livia) during incubation and chick rearing. At day 4 (I4), 10 (I10) and 17 (I17) of incubation and day 1 (R1), 7 (R7), 15 (R15) and 25 (R25) of chick rearing, livers were sampled from six pigeons for each sex. Glycogen and fat contents, activities of glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase, HK; 6-phosphofructokinase, 6-PFK), and genes expressions of key enzymes involved in glycolysis (pyruvate kinase, PK; glucokinase, GK), gluconeogenesis (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase cytosolic, PCK1; fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, FBP1; glucose-6-phosphatase, G6Pase), fatty acid synthesis (fatty acid synthase, FAS; acetyl-CoA carboxylase, ACC) and fatty acid β-oxidation (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, CPT1; acyl-CoA 1, ACO) were measured. In male and female pigeon livers, glycogen content and HK activity dramatically increased after I17 and after R1, respectively; expressions of FBP1 and G6Pase genes were maximized at R15; activity of 6-PFK and expressions of PK and CPT1 genes were highest at R7; fat content and expressions of FAS and ACC genes steeply increased from I10 to R1. In females, hepatic expressions of GK and PCK1 genes were greatest at R7 and I17, respectively; however, in males, both of them were maximized at R15. Hepatic expression of ACO gene was significantly enhanced at R1 compared to I17 and R7 in males, whereas it was notably up-regulated at I17 and R7 in females. Furthermore, expressions of PCK1, GK, FAS and ACC genes were in significant relation to fat content in the livers of female pigeons, while fat content in male pigeons was highly correlated with expression of PCK1, ACC, CPT1 and ACO genes. In conclusion, regulations of glucose and lipid metabolic processes were enhanced in parent pigeon livers from terminal phases of incubation to mid phase of chick rearing with sexual effects.


Abstract A cursory overview of the most recent studies on Kant's philosophy of history might lead one to suspect that Kant was so confident of the moral potential of human reason that the future could only lead to human progress. But in fact Kant was very much conscious of the disheartening picture that human development presented. In the conclusion to his Conjectures on the Beginnings of Human History he writes: "The thinking person is assailed by a melancholy that can even lead to moral corruption, something of which the unthinking person knows nothing: namely a dissatisfaction with that providence that rules the course of the world." But Kant not wish to remain in a state of "melancholy". He sees a possible connection between melancholy and the philosophy of history. In his relevant writings Kant addresses himself directly to the threat of this despair. The horrors of history can yield a philosophical meaning. Not history itself, but rather the philosophy of history has the capacity to console us. It can "heal" that which is lacking in wholeness through human progress. And because the history of philosophy contributes to the recovery of hope and conviction, it itself becomes an important movens of history.


Sleep-related bruxism is classified as a repetitive jaw-muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding and/or bracing or thrusting of the mandible during sleep. It has been shown in previous studies to occur in both a primary form as well as a secondary form. The Luco Hybrid OSA Appliance has been shown to be a very effective treatment of primary sleep-related bruxism as well as controlling the hyperstimulation of the trigeminal cardiac reflex that accompanies sleeps related-bruxism. The aim of this study is to determine if this device is effective in the treatment of secondary sleep relatedbruxism resulting from sleep disordered breathing as well as from administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type medications. It was found that the Luco Hybrid OSA Appliance was effective in the treatment of primary and both forms of secondary sleep-related bruxism however the SSRI group took significantly longer to respond (8 weeks vs. 2-3 weeks) to treatment.


In nano-imprint lithography (NIL) process, which has shown to be a good method to fabricate polymeric patterns, several kinds of pattern defects due to thermal effects during polymer flow and mold release operation have been reported. A typical defect in NIL process with high aspect ratio and low resist thickness pattern is a resist fracture during the mold release operation. It seems due to interfacial adhesion between polymer and mold. In the present investigation, FEM simulation of NIL process was carried out to predict the defects of the polymer pattern and to optimize the process by FEA. To achieve the above mentioned purpose, FEM simulation technique based on constitutive modeling of polymer with experiments was firstly investigated [1]. Secondly, the embossing operation in NIL process was investigated in detail by FEM. From the analytical results, it was found that the non-uniform flow-pattern of polymer and the applied pressure in the embossing operation induce the cavity and the drastic lateral-strain at the edge of pattern. It was also shown that the low polymer-thickness result in the delamination of polymer from the substrate. It seems that the above phenomena cause the defects of the final polymer pattern.


Under the impacts of the socio-economic transition in Vietnam in the last decades, residential patterns in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, have substantially changed from the 'Collective Living Quarter' (KTT) which embodied the old socialist period to the "New Urban Area" (NUA); a new type of large scale urban development promoted since the late 1990s. Hundreds of such NUAs have spread over Hanoi, mostly in the outskirts. Lacking social infrastructure, having a bad connection to the city centre and lacking public services, many NUAs run the risk of becoming merely 'sleeping' townships without the vibrant urban life which is characteristic for the older parts of Hanoi. Housing costs in these areas are also too high for the average Vietnamese. Based on a recent survey, the paper presents an analysis that there is an imbalance between the built environment and social organization in the NUAs in Hanoi at the present time. On the one hand, the residents are not happy with inadequate public services, housing quality, as well as unprofessional management manner; on the other hand, the residents are happy with the improved living environment compared to what they had before in the old KTTs and intend to live permanently in the chosen NUAs. Most interestingly, the traditional community spirit observed in the old KTTs can actually be found in the NUAs. The paper concludes that despite the shortcomings in the built environment and management, there is a high potential for social and community cohesion in the NUAs. The community spirit among the residents is likely to have the power to transform these areas into vibrant urban spaces.


This paper examines the determinants of Total Fertility Rate in Ecuador on the basis of ENDEMAIN 2004. We find empirical evidence suggests that women who have information about childbirth and pregnancy, contraceptive use, have higher levels of education and work, are more likely to have fewer children. It is evident from the analysis that in Ecuador, the total fertility rate also depends positively on infant mortality.


The goal of this paper is to explore the role of culture in the process of civilization and development of various countries. It is argued that scientific research on the effect of social institutions, culture, value systems on the development of innovative economics may improve founding principles of the state politics and environment that facilitates creativity of Russian people. Culture is argued to be accepted by an individual at three levels, specifically: 1) public opinions and moods, 2) concepts and aptitudes, and 3) values; furthermore, a schematic model of a culture is suggested. Following the work of G. Hofstede, R. Inglehart and S. Schwartz four possible scales of measuring cultures are suggested: individualism - collectivism, freedom (equality) - hierarchy (order), openness to changes - conservatism (traditions), self-actualization (self-accomplishment) - harmony (equilibrium).


BACKGROUND: The relation between airway responsiveness to constrictor agents and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is important when interpreting change in airway responsiveness after an intervention. The aim of the study was to analyse the relation between FEV1 as a percentage of predicted values (% predicted) and airway responsiveness between and within asthmatic subjects. METHODS: Results of non-specific bronchial challenge tests were pooled from two randomised crossover studies comparing the effect of a non-sedative antihistamine with placebo in 35 patients with moderate asthma. The design of the two studies was similar: the provocative concentration of either histamine (first study) or methacholine (second study) resulting in a 20% decrease in ventilatory capacity (PC20) was repeated at two week intervals while patients were treated with the antihistamine or placebo. The dose of inhaled corticosteroid was gradually reduced during the study. Data were analysed with PC20 as the dependent variable in a general linear model so that the influence on PC20 of inhaled corticosteroid dose, antihistamine, and choice of bronchoconstricting agent could be separated from the influence of FEV1% predicted. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between mean PC20 and mean prechallenge FEV1 for each patient was 0.45. In the general linear model two thirds (65%) of the variation in PC20 was due to variation between subjects. One third of the within subject variation in PC20 could be explained by variation in prechallenge FEV1% predicted (a change in FEV1 of 27% predicted was associated with one doubling or halving of PC20). Treatment with the antihistamine had no influence on PC20, except when histamine was used as the bronchoconstricting agent. The dose of inhaled corticosteroid had a small but significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: The variation in a patient's PC20 over time (several months) is related to changes in FEV1% predicted. Variation in FEV1% predicted explains less of the variation in bronchial responsiveness between subjects where a patient specific factor, which is probably related to the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, seems to dominate.


While existing work in neural interfaces is largely geared toward the restoration of lost function in amputees or victims of neurological injuries, similar technology may also facilitate augmentation of healthy subjects. One example is the potential to learn a new, unnatural sense through a neural interface. The use of neural interfaces in healthy subjects would require an even greater level of safety and convenience than in disabled subjects, including reliable, robust bidirectional implants with highly-portable components outside the skin. We present our progress to date in the development of a bidirectional neural interface system intended for completely untethered use. The system consists of a wireless stimulating and recording peripheral nerve implant powered by a rechargeable battery, and a wearable package that communicates wirelessly both with the implant and with a computer or a network of independent sensor nodes. Once validated, such a system could permit the exploration of increasingly realistic use of neural interfaces both for restoration and for augmentation.


We consider a new source coding problem motivated by the following distributed estimation task in a clustered sensor network. Suppose there are multiple uncorrelated signal sources in the field that we are interested in, however, these sources cannot be directly observed by the sensors. Sensors within each cluster communicate directly with their corresponding cluster-head (CH) to report their observations, which are mixtures of all signal sources in the field, corrupted by noise. Based on the collected data, the CHs estimate the sources and collaborate to improve these initial estimates. Under stringent energy constraint, which prohibits the sensors within a cluster to jointly encode their correlated observations, we propose to employ distributed source coding (DSC) to encode sensorspsila correlated data. In particular, we propose a practically simple, and yet effective, encoding algorithm for sensors, a data reconstruction scheme for CHs, and the corresponding rate allocation policy. We investigate the trade off between rate and mean square error (MSE) performance for the proposed algorithms. Numerical evaluations testify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.


Due to complex history of European forests, natural populations may not necessarily represent autochthonous genepools for forest trees. Eastern Prussian forests were famous for using non-local sources for afforestation. We studied efficiency of a set of nuclear microsatellite markers (nSSR) for genetic association and diversity studies of 194 adult trees from 5 populations genotyped at 11 nSSR loci. The Bayesian and UPGMA clustering revealed two genetically distinct groups: (a) the Baltic group, and (b) the Bavarian one and an over 200-years-old sea-side Lithuanian population of Juodkrante from the sea-side Curonian spit of Neringa. We interpret this result as putative introduction of Bavarian Scots pine back in the 18th century, when reforestation efforts were made to sustain moving sands in the dunes of Neringa. The genomic SSRs were more variable than the EST SSRs. However, the association between the variability of the nuclear microsatellite loci and their efficiency in detecting population differentiation was not strong.
Keywords: nSSR, Pinus sylvestris (L.), population structure, provenance transfer, FRM transfer, molecular markers


Partial liver resection is major surgery with an associated morbidity rate in our study group of 23% and a mortality rate of 5.8%. The most important risk factor for developing postoperative complications is blood loss and consequently, the administration of packed red blood cells. Most of the blood loss occurs during the transection phase. New precoagulation devices significantly decrease the blood loss during transection of the liver without applying the Pringle maneuver, when compared to ultrasonic dissection.
In the Netherlands the most important indication for partial liver resection is the presence of colorectal metastases. During surgery intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) is performed to identify and localize the colorectal metastases and their relation with major vascular and biliar structures. In spite of the high specificity of IOUS, the recurrence rate after partial liver resection is substantial, implying that small metastases remain undetected using IOUS. In our series the addition of contrast did not significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of IOUS, mainly as a result of the adequacy of IOUS. In a selected population partial liver resection is the sole potentially curative treatment and is associated with a 5-year survival rate of 38%. However, only 20-25% of patients with colorectal liver metastases are eligible for partial liver resection.
In selected patients unresectable metastases can be treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). With this method a high-frequency alternating current is applied through a needle electrode inserted directly into the tumor. This alternating current induces hyperthermia, resulting in coagulative necrosis. Introduction of RFA in the Netherlands has been accompanied by unacceptably high recurrence rates. Patients must be selected very carefully. Currently, the most promising local recurrence rates have been reported for small tumors (< 3cm) treated by laparoscopy or laparotomy. Moreover, an evident learning curve has been described for this technique, which can be overcome by concentrating patients in specialized centers.
A strategy to extend the number of patients treated surgically is the combination of partial liver resection and local ablation. The aim of this strategy is to resect the bulk of disease or larger tumors followed by local ablation of any residual unresectable liver tumor, while preserving adequate hepatic reserve. This combination is remarkable, since local ablation, in contrast to partial liver resection, should still be considered a palliative intervention. Consequently, partial liver resection with its associated morbidity is performed in a palliative setting. The initial results of this strategy in the Netherlands show that the postoperative morbidity and mortality are similar to those reported after partial liver resection alone.
Partial liver resection for benign disease is an effective procedure to relieve invalidating abdominal symptoms. Since partial liver resection is associated with substantial morbidity and even mortality it should be considered only in patients with severe or progressive symptoms and, because of the risk of spontaneous rupture or malignant degeneration, in patients with a large hepatocellular adenoma (>5cm).


Background: Chronic medical conditions are in focus for the development of strategies aimed at improving population health worldwide. This is also true for chronic pain conditions leading to impaired or non -existent ability to exercise, as physical inactivity is assoc iated with the development of chronic diseases. Musculoskeletal disorders constitute an estimated 90% of all chronic pain, of which back pain contributes to a high extent. During the time of pregnancy many hormonal and anatomical changes that affect the mu sculoskeletal system in the female body, which may cause various musculoskeletal complaints, predispose to injury, or alter the course of pre-existing conditions. Though Obstetric physiotherapy is an essential part of maternal health care and promotion; still it is not well known in developing countries like India. So this current study aimed to address common musculoskeletal complaints arising among the women during prenatal period in Odisha. Methodology: A cross sectional study was designed in rural & urb an area health facilities targeting the pregnant women of Odisha. Total of 410 pregnant women from selected facilities of two different regions of Odisha - Eastern (Urban) and Western (Rural) were interviewed with a structured validated questionnaire. Stati stical analysis compared the independent variables of participants with Musculoskeletal Pain using independent sample t -test for continuous variables and chi-square for ordinal/nominal variables has been reported considering null hypothesis to be significant if p-value is <0.05 which is level of significance. Results: About half (50.7%) of the participants reported symptoms at least in one part of their bodies, over the pregnancy period. Among these, acute Low back pain was the highest of 55.6% and 35.4% of chronic, followed by acute ankle pain (25.9%) and knee pain (16.6%). Neck pain (4.9%), Shoulder pain (4.4%) were the least reported among all participants. The MSDs pain is more among the urban population (54.4%), compared to rural community (45.6%), which shows statistically significant with p-value of 0.003.Conclusion:Low back pain is the commonest of all, prevailing around more than half of subjects from our sample . A mixed research method strongly recommended to conduct, including both pre and post-natal period women, for generalizability and other facilities from all over the globe should be focused.


Agathangel Krymsky's fundamental work "History of Modern Arabic Literature (XIX-XX centuries)" is a complete investigation of the history of Arabic literature performed with the utmost professionalism and erudition. Actually literature of the Arab countries of modern times appears in this work as the final link in a chain of human activity, as a result of social and political activism, the struggle of ideological and aesthetic trends in the social life of the Arab countries. However  in the Krymsky assessment of historical and literary process in the Arab East is based on the traditional opposition of Europe (which is understood as the West) and the East of Arabs and Turks (understood as similar, if not identical world). Eurocentric approach is the basis for the study of the material. "Syria" in Krymsky's book is to be a vast territory without a well-defined borders, encompassing modern Palestine, Jordan and part of southern Turkey. Author proposes a new approach to the assessment of the Krymsky's contribution to the study of the history of Arabic literature and explores new ideas and views in this area.


The THz frequency band (0.1 – 10 THz) is located in between the well explored optical frequencies and the microwave band. Despite growing research efforts in the last two decades, THz sensing systems are far from robust and cost effective. The development of passive devices for THz applications like waveguides, filters, reflectors and modulators is in the beginning of being established. This work contributes to the field by introducing novel polymer filter structures and a new design of THz fibers. These passive devices are fabricated by using a fiber drawing technique to scale down inscribed patterns in polymer to the THz wavelengths. Moreover, the revolutionary quasi time-domain spectrometer approach is further extended to suit varying sensing applications. This work is structured in four chapters. The first chapter describes THz fundamentals and state-of-the-art THz systems for common time-domain (TDS) and continuous wave (CW) spectrometers. The generation and detection principles are discussed in detail and typical system designs are presented. In the second chapter the fabrication and design process of polymer photonic crystal THz waveguides is presented. An improved near-field THz TDS system is introduced to verify the mode distributions. In addition, a new approach for improving the confinement and stripping of undesired higher order modes is demonstrated. Chapter three presents a new polymer filter structure. The fabrication process scales down inscribed features in a polymer preform by fiber drawing. Thus it is possible to obtain hole diameters of 200 μm and below, which could not be mechanically fabricated. The structures are first simulated and afterwards analyzed by a standard THz TDS system. The last chapter is based on the novel quasi time-domain spectrometer approach introduced by Scheller in 2009 [Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 20]. The CW based generation and detection scheme is presented and in cooperation with the author, a hybrid THz spectrometer and imaging capability is demonstrated. A second system approach – a dual QTDS spectrometer is set up, demonstrating that QTDS has the potential for customized low-cost and robust THz systems.


The rapid growth of web presentations related to Byzantine history and culture in the recent years is a fact that can easily be proven. One needs only to use the keyword Byzantine Culture in the Google search engine and he will get more than three million hits. However, in the first ten of these he will find the relevant Wikipedia entry, a website belonging to a religious organization, and an interactive site, which offers "an exploration of the Byzantine Empire (330– 1461) both through historical posts and by means of historically-informed roleplay". A website with role play games could of course be very entertaining, but it could not be recommended as a study aid or a bibliographical reference for a project. The same applies to quite a few other websites which appear on the first few pages of GoogleBs search, such as for example that of the "Neobyzantine Movement" which in its own words has the declared aim of creating a new Byzantine State [M]o Buf\mtio ^ M]a Qylaza (sic)]: "one country from Adriatic Sea to Korea and from Sinai desert to the North Sea ...". It might be very useful for anyone studying modern perceptions of Byzantium, but it seems unlikely to be a reliable source for anyone seeking to inform themselves about Byzantine culture. The quest for Byzantine culture in Google presents clearly the problem that is created by the lack of a systematic organization, presentation and scientific evaluation of the electronic programs related to Byzantine Studies available on the Internet nowadays.


Effects of monochrome light of the green and red spectra (mean wave length 540 and 670 nm, respectively) were studied on experimental rat model of compression-ischemic neuropathy (40 animals). The nerve under compression was exposed to green and red light using light-diode physiotherapeutic unit "Spectr-LC" with different intensity. Electromyographic parameters of the compressed nerve improved significantly after exposure to monochrome green light with intensity 500 mJ/cm 2. The effect was dose dependent. Green light produced better effect.


Improvement in the life expectancy of patients with primary bone tumours has led to increased emphasis on limb salvage and preservation of function. Between 1979 and 1994 we used custom-made endoprostheses in 18 patients to reconstruct diaphyseal defects after excision of primary bone tumours. The mean age at operation was 26 years (9 to 64) and the median follow-up 65 months (6 to 188). Fifteen patients have survived and are free from local or metastatic disease. Local recurrence developed in one patient. Using the modified Enneking functional scoring system, 77% of the patients achieved 80% or more of their premorbid functional capability. Mechanical loosening, limb shortening and secondary osteoarthritis were the main complications. There were no infections. We conclude that diaphyseal endoprostheses offer a good clinical and functional outcome in the lower limb.


Covert, William, "Indigenous art in urban renewal: The emergence and development of artistic communitites in midwetern post-industrial cities" (2012). ABSTRACT Art has been shown in the academic literature to have potentially transformative effects on urban neighborhoods. Artistic communities in particular strengthen community participation and leadership, create a nightlife that can support business, low crime, and attract tourists. Policy makers, however, often lack understanding of how artist communities function and how these enclaves can enhance the development and sustainability of neighborhoods. Many policymakers lack technical understanding of the differing outcomes that a " top-down approach " and " bottom-up " approach have on the creation, expansion, and evolution of artist communities. This research attempts to develop insights into the strengths and weaknesses of differing approaches to the development of artist communities through case-study analysis of four post-intensive site visits to these Midwestern cities conducted over a six-month period in 2011 as well as interviews with artists, community leaders, and urban planners with expertise in the field, the study develops perspectives on the role of planning in shaping the character of these places. The results show that as post-industrial cities undergo a transformation in government, culture, and policy, artist communities have the ability to revitalize decaying neighborhoods in a variety of ways. Each city has cultivated a different approach to promoting art through a lengthy process of trial and error. Detroit has a vibrant grassroots based artistic community emerging with visible impact on urban renewal of the city. Grand Rapids can be summarized as developing an artistic community that is heavily reliant on corporate and philanthropic funding with minimal government interaction, and less direct impact on urban renewal. Pittsburgh features a central planning approach to create an emerging artistic culture, and contains heavy government and philanthropic involvement in cultivating urban redevelopment. Chicago features elements of all three cities, but is also experiencing artistic communities developing at a much faster rate and has greater autonomy than the other three cities studied. In each case, however, art has shown great promise in restoring the cultural fabric of cities that had been lost due to decades of divestment. 3 CONTENTS


Abstract Changes in legislation have affected supply routes of new psychoactive substances such as synthetic cannabinoids with evidence of supply over the darknet. We identified darknet drug markets using an index database and Tor Browser to access markets. We identified SC in product listings using a custom-programmed script. We collected data at bimonthly intervals (August 2016–April 2017). Eleven darknet markets listed SC for sale, the largest number from China, UK, US, Netherlands, and Germany. Formulations available were high purity powder/crystal, smoking preparations and vape preparations. The top five listed compounds from China across the time points were FUB-AMB, ABD-FUBINACA, 5F-NPB-22, MAB-CHMINACA, and NM-2201. 5F-CUMYL-4CN-PINACA was unavailable at early time points but emerged during the study. Cost of high purity formulations from China ranged from 1.3 to 3.1 Euro per gram for quantities ≥1000 g. Europe and North America accounted for 99% smoking preparations predominantly in small packages (<50 g). SC are widely available on the darknet with availability changing over time. High purity formulations are predominantly available from China in quantities up to kilograms with price per gram reducing with increased quantity. Small packages of ready-made smoking mixtures are available from Europe and North America.


The goals of this research are to analyze factors affecting buying interest of e-commerce customers residing in the areas of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi in Indonesia. A questionnaire is developed as the data acquisition instrument and is pretested by 30 respondents. The pretest is intended to evaluate the validity and reliability of the instrument. For the research, the data are collected from a random sample of 200 respondents. The research variables are ease of use, enjoyment, shopping experience, trust, promotion/advertising, and price. A structural equation model is established to assess the relations between the interested variables. As the results, the analysis shows that the factors of ease of use, promotion/advertising, and price significantly influence the buying interest. Meanwhile, the enjoyment, shopping experience, and trust do not affect the buying interest.


This study was undertaken to gain an understanding of the baseline water supply and sewerage services in Delhi, and assess consumer coping strategies and associated costs, their preferences for service improvements, willingness to pay and affordabilityfor the preferred options. For this purpose, a representative sample survey of around 8,000 households and about 2,000 non-domestic consumers was carried out. The survey results bring out the deficiencies in services, and the significant coping costs the consumers are bearing. The survey data reveals that the consumers are willing to pay - and can afford - the extra cost that service improvement will entail. The analysis of survey data indicates that, for poor households in informal settlements, substantial improvement in water supply can be made by introducing/implementing paid group connections. Significant social gains, which could be as high as Rs 5,500 to Rs 8,000 million per annum, are expected from the efficiency improvements in the present system and other reforms that could be undertaken by the Delhi Jal Board.


Programming responsive and interactive environments is a complex task that requires extensive knowledge of hardware and software components as well as many hours of programming. To cope with these issues we developed the ROSS (Responsive Objects, Surfaces, and Spaces) Toolkit that provides an infrastructure and API to easily build heterogeneous networks of tangible devices and interactive surfaces. In this position paper we outline the design rationale, the current state of the ROSS Toolkit and the contribution for the ITS community.


For accounting to be a learned profession, research must play an important role in shaping accounting practice. This keynote address focuses on how international accounting research influences policy and financial reporting standard setting. It begins by clarifying what is, and is not, accounting. Next, it provides perspective on characteristics of the research that make it suitable for informing standard setters and identifies sources of research topics. Seven studies provide examples of research that can influence global financial reporting standard setting. The address closes by reinforcing the keys to conducting research to influence policy.


The paper investigates the possibility of applying value function based reinforcement learning (RL) methods in cases when the environment may change over time. First, theorems are presented which show that the optimal value function of a discounted Markov decision process (MDP) Lipschitz continuously depends on the immediate-cost function and the transition-probability function. Dependence on the discount factor is also analyzed and shown to be non-Lipschitz. Afterwards, the concept of (e,δ)-MDPs is introduced, which is a generalization of MDPs and e-MDPs. In this model the environment may change over time, more precisely, the transition function and the cost function may vary from time to time, but the changes must be bounded in the limit. Then, learning algorithms in changing environments are analyzed. A general relaxed convergence theorem for stochastic iterative algorithms is presented. We also demonstrate the results through three classical RL methods: asynchronous value iteration, Q-learning and temporal difference learning. Finally, some numerical experiments concerning changing environments are presented.


Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of azasetron compared to ondansetron in the prevention of delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Materials and Methods This study was a multi-center, prospective, randomized, double-dummy, double-blind and parallel-group trial involving 12 institutions in Korea between May 2005 and December 2005. A total of 265 patients with moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy were included and randomly assigned to either the azasetron or ondansetron group. All patients received azasetron (10 mg intravenously) and dexamethasone (20 mg intravenously) on day 1 and dexamethasone (4 mg orally every 12 hours) on days 2-4. The azasetron group received azasetron (10 mg orally) with placebo of ondansetron (orally every 12 hours), and the ondansetron group received ondansetron (8 mg orally every 12 hours) with placebo of azasetron (orally) on days 2-6. Results Over days 2-6, the effective ratio of complete response in the azasetron and ondansetron groups was 45% and 54.5%, respectively (95% confidence interval, -21.4 to 2.5%). Thus, the non-inferiority of azasetron compared with ondansetron in delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting was not proven in the present study. All treatments were well tolerated and no unexpected drug-related adverse events were reported. The most common adverse events related to the treatment were constipation and hiccups, and there were no differences in the overall incidence of adverse events. Conclusion In the present study, azasetron showed inferiority in the control of delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting compared with ondansetron whereas safety profiles were similar between the two groups.


Abstract Upper Ordovician glaciogenic deposits are profoundly important as hydrocarbon reservoirs across North Africa, such as within the Illizi Basin of SE Algeria. In this study we present a new sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic model for Upper Ordovician glaciogenic deposits based on the analysis of core descriptions and wireline logs from 25 wells in the Tiguentourine Field. Within the glaciogenic succession, two ice advance–retreat cycles can be defined, consisting of glaciomarine ice-contact fan deposits and tillites. Deposits of the marine ice-contact fan systems generally show a retrogradational stacking pattern from ice-proximal to ice-distal deposits. This pattern is attributed to the deposition in front of a retreating ice sheet. The proximal marine ice-contact fan deposits consist of massive or low-angle cross-bedded pebbly sandstone. They are interpreted as the deposits of turbulent, high-energy plane-wall jets, emerging from subglacial meltwater conduits. These jet-efflux deposits are up to 60 m thick and interbedded with deposits of cohesive and non-cohesive debris flows. The jet-efflux deposits are overlain by fine-grained, thick-bedded massive sandstone. These mid-fan deposits build up the bulk of the glaciomarine fans and are interpreted as deposits of underflows, generated at the point of flow-detachment, where marine meltwater jets become buoyant and large volumes of sediment fall-out from suspension. In the upper part of the fan succession massive sandstones pass upwards into mud-prone massive sandstones, interpreted as deposits of cohesive sandy debris flows. The most ice-distal deposits are muddy sandstones and mudstones deposited by waning low-density turbulent flows and suspension fall-out. The best reservoir properties within the glaciogenic succession are attributed to the proximal and medial deposits of the ice-contact fans such as coarse-grained jet-efflux deposits and sustained high-density turbulent flow deposits. However, the mud content within the massive sandstones is highly variable and influences the reservoir quality. Both glacial depositional sequences infill 60–175 m deep, elongated depressions, which are interpreted as subglacial tunnel valleys. These tunnel valleys acted as depocentres for the glaciomarine fan deposits. After final deglaciation and post-glacial transgression, organic-rich shale was preferentially deposited in underfilled tunnel valleys.


Allergic reactions to molds were defined more than three hundred years ago, but the importance of mold allergy has been undervalued for a long time. Mold allergens essentially cause respiratory symptoms in sensitized individuals. Molds cultivate best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and they spread and replicate by making spores. The genera of molds causing allergy and allergy-related problems most often are Alternaria alternate, Cladosporium herbarium, Aspergillus fumigates and Penicillium. Of the estimated number of more than 1 million different fungal species, approximately 80 species have been linked with respiratory allergy. Alternaria is the most -known and wellstudied mold species associated with fungal allergy in the literature. Although the sensitization prevalence to commercial extracts is approximately 3% in epidemiologic studies, in selected allergic patients, especially with asthma, the sensitization rate increases up to 30%. Sensitization to molds is more prevalent in individuals living in damp dwellings compared to subjects living in residential properties without any sign of dampness. Alternaria alternate is the best known to be related to immunologically based respiratory tract symptoms in children and adults, although Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium have also been held responsible to varying degrees. Molds are known to cause a variety of immune effects, including diminishing Th1-type response while not diminishing or even stimulating Th2-type reactivity. Besides asthma development, several studies have also shown that severity of asthma correlates significantly with measures of total humidity and fungal growth in the house. Diagnosing mold allergy with skin prick testing is still problematical by absence of standardized allergenic extracts, possible many allergenic epitopes and fear about the poor sensitivity of the immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction. However, molecular cloning techniques have allowed researchers to separate DNAs coding for fungal allergens and to produce a better panel of recombinant allergens for the diagnosis of mold allergy.


Ability to mass produce graphene at low cost is of paramount importance in bringing graphene based technologies into market. Here we report a facile liquid-phase catalytic growth of graphene suitable for mass production. Iodine tincture is used to catalyze graphene quantum dots to form graphene films at room temperature. Such method has many advantages, such as environment friendly, high yield, low cost and wide choice of substrates. Furthermore, bandgap of the graphene films is tunable by post-annealing. A photodetector based on the graphene films was developed and could response to a broad wavelength between 365 and 1200 nm. It exhibited detectivity and responsivity of up to 1.1x1013 cmHz1/2W-1 and 81.3 mAW-1 respectively. Hence, the graphene films demonstrated significant applications in the field of optoelectronics. Interestingly, surface of the graphene film prepared by this method has wrinkles that can also be explored for energy storage applications.


In Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. County of Los Angeles, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit addressed the issue of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit violations under the Clean Water Act. Environmental organizations brought suit against the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District after the District published monitoring station reports identifying 140 separate exceedances of permit limitations. Even though the defendants' monitoring station was located downstream from other permittees, the defendants were held liable as a matter of law for the violations because the permit clearly stated that the monitoring station data would be used to determine permittee compliance. This Comment argues that the Ninth Circuit's analysis was correct, and further that preliminary testing for the monitoring station as well as more frequent monitoring and reporting will clarify liability.


In this paper Fuzzy controller is used to control Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System, which is time varying nonlinear system. This controller consists of two fuzzy levels. The first fuzzy level controls two varying feedback parameters (Air temperature and Air quality) and to make the controller adequate with these changes. While the second level controls the Error and Change of Error that comes from first fuzzy control level. In this research, a hierarchical Sugeno fuzzy controller type will be designed .The proposed structure is used to reduce the number of rules and the computational time required for the simulation processes, so it is suitable for nonlinear temperature control for low energy large buildings with features such as large capacity and longtime delay. The controller is developed using a computer simulation of a virtual building contains most parameters of a real building. Fuzzy rules are learned from experts and system performance observations. The proposed controller is tested using Matlab/Simulink environment, the results show that the Sugeno controller has a good response. Achieving these purposes will increase the thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption


Music social networks play a role in the diffusion of music. There are different ways a piece of music reaches people in a network: through the influence of social connections or via the discovery of external information, such as mass media, newspapers, etc. This empirical study uses over 10 months of user listening data from a music social network to examine the effects of external information on streaming music diffusion at the macroand micro-levels. The data include weekly listening records for 557,554 users. Our results suggest that external information is a significant driver of increased streaming music diffusion, in comparison to innetwork influences. We also found evidence of variation in the different influences, such as for a scale effect, the validity and type of information shared, and the impact of geolocation. These insights can be used to promote music and design personalized music recommendations.


Routine calibration of a cholesterol assay system may compromise rather than improve precision. We compared an enzymatic assay on a centrifugal analyzer using a fixed factor with a factor recalculated from the response of standards assayed with each run. Over 36 batch runs, using three quality control materials, we found no statistically significant difference between the two methods in mean value, but in every case the fixed factor values were significantly more precise. With the risk classification system in effect at the time of the study, 32 (9.4%) of 342 patient serum specimens assayed for cholesterol were classified differently based solely on the method of data reduction. Thus, recalibration of our cholesterol assay system contributed to greater imprecision and to discrepancies in classification of patients' risk levels.


Abstract
This study explores the managerial perception regarding the influence of CSR on corporate branding in the Indian agribusiness context. This thesis relies on CSR theories and brand management models and follows a qualitative case methodology. The study contributes to existing knowledge by focusing on the motives of Indian agribusiness firms to get involved in CSR practices and the means through which such practices influences branding. The study focuses on three key elements of corporate branding of Indian agribusiness - corporate image and reputation, corporate culture and corporate communication. The research draws on thematic analysis of 28 responses from semi-structured interviews of practicing managers in branding, marketing and CSR domains of four large agribusiness firms in India. The results reveal that though CSR practices does not influence corporate branding strategy of agribusiness firms significantly, firms do have implicit motive of branding while pursuing CSR. Firms primarily do CSR for operational reasons such as for removing the operational and legal hurdles for smooth functioning of the manufacturing plant and business which is an explicit motive of CSR. The other explicit motives are 'community development' and 'philanthropy'. The study indicates that agribusiness firms use CSR practices to gain support of the local community for smooth operation of their business or at the time of crisis. The results illustrate that, CSR positively influences corporate image and reputation and thereby objectively influences corporate branding of Indian agribusiness firms. Other aspects of the study divulge that CSR has limited influence on advertising and communication programs because advertising of CSR is not common in India due to cultural and cost issues. However, promotion and internal communication of CSR initiatives are adequately done within the organisations. Moreover, the study also elucidates that firms possessing a corporate culture which gives importance to environmental sustainabilityare more likely to adopt CSR in their future brand strategy than firms which possess a corporate culture that is largely driven by market forces and competition.


By the year 2015 or so, minorities will make up one-third of our population and a higher proportion of our work force. From this group can come a major share of the skilled technicians, scientists, engineers, and doctors, as well as teachers, generals, policymakers, financiers, and a host of other professionals that America needs to move ahead in the twenty-first century. That is only possible if members of minority and majority groups alike work together to reverse many of the adverse conditions now shadowing our prosperity. I am optimistic about such a future. My colleagues and I in the Quality Education for Minorities Project have spent much of the last year traveling around the nation, and we have seen evidence of hope in hundreds of programs in which minority children from even the most disadvantaged backgrounds are enthusiastically learning. The Project was created in 1987 to develop a set of strategies that would help ensure the continuous flow of minority students through the educational pipeline. In our travels, therefore, we kept several major questions foremost in mind: How do we identify what works? How do we replicate those programs wherever they are needed? And how do we change the system itself to make supplemental programs eventually unnecessary? After speaking at length with educators, policymakers, parents, and students to learn about successful programs—including regional meetings we held in New York, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Anchorage, Albuquerque, San Juan, and Boston—we began to develop a consensus about what needs to be done to improve our educational system for minority students. I would like to share with you some of the lessons we learned. I wish I could report that a few magic bullets are available, or that in some cities a bold new program has completely erased the educational disadvantages faced by minority youth. Unfortunately, the problems stem from deep roots, and their answers are many and complex. In some locales, however, enough answers are in place to the point that black, Hispanic,


The core planar cell polarity (PCP) protein Vang/Vangl, including Vangl1 and Vangl2 in vertebrates, is indispensable during development. Our previous studies showed that the activity of Vangl is tightly controlled by two important posttranslational modifications, ubiquitination and phosphorylation. Vangl is ubiquitinated through an endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway and is phosphorylated by casein kinase 1 (CK1) in response to Wnt. Here, we present step-by-step procedures to analyze Vangl ubiquitination and phosphorylation, including cell culture, transfection, sample preparation, and signal detection, as well as the use of newly available phospho-specific antibodies to detect Wnt-induced Vangl2 phosphorylation. The protocol described here can be applicable to the analysis of posttranslational modifications of other membrane proteins.


The aim of this study is the assessment of physical and chemical characteristics of different commonly used water sources, including wells, boreholes and river in the locality of Pelengana commune, in Mali. Thirty samples of water were collected and the following physical and chemical parameters was measured: temperature; electrical conductivity; pH; nitrate; nitrite; fluoride; chloride; ammonium and Zinc. The mean values of the different measured samples were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) Guideline Values (GVs) for drinking water quality. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the DUNCAN's multiple comparison test for significant differences, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was also applied to all the measured parameters. The results showed that pH, ranging from 6.028 ± 0.64 to 6.58 ± 0.30 for both wells' water and borehole waters indicate a measure of acidity. With respect to chemical parameters, zinc ions were higher than the WHO GV in all water sources as well as ammonium ions in rivers' water. Based on the analyzed parameters, quality of these different water sources is chemically acceptable.


A new method for calculating fractal dimension is developed in this paper. The method is based on the box dimension concept; however, it involves direct estimation of a suboptimal covering of the data set of interest. By finding a suboptimal cover, this method is better able to estimate the required number of covering elements for a given cover size than is the standard box counting algorithm. Moreover, any decrease in the error of the covering element count directly increases the accuracy of the fractal dimension estimation. In general, our method represents a mathematical dual to the standard box counting algorithm by not solving for the number of boxes used to cover a data set given the size of the box. Instead, the method chooses the number of covering elements and then proceeds to find the placement of smallest hyperellipsoids that fully covers the data set. This method involves a variant of the Fuzzy-C Means clustering algorithm, as well as the use of the Minimum Cluster Volume clustering algorithm. A variety of fractal dimension estimators using this suboptimal covering method are discussed. Finally, these methods are compared to the standard box counting algorithm and wavelet-decomposition methods for calculating fractal dimension by using one-dimensional cantor dust sets and a set of standard Brownian random fractal images.


Management of deciduous perennial fruit crops requires a good understanding of the many physiological and horticultural factors that influence tree growth and fruit production. Crucial decisions that must be made include the choice of tree density, tree variety, pruning and training techniques. These choices, some of which are made before the orchard is planted, have implications for grower returns over the life of the orchard because they influence tree growth and fruit quantity and quality. A dynamic model of an apple tree is developed in this study, with the ultimate goal of stimulating apple orchard management decisions in a multi-period setting. The model takes into account the vegetative and reproductive physiology of apple trees, factors affecting apple quality and quantity, and the interrelationships between these factors. The model is designed to allow flexibility in the incorporation of alternative apple cultivars and pruning/training systems. The implementation and importance of these features are discussed in the paper.


BACKGROUND
Although the prognosis of childhood cancer survivors has increased dramatically during recent years, chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer and other conditions may lead to permanent infertility in prepubertal boys. Recent developments have shown that spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transplantation may be a hope for restoring fertility in adult survivors of childhood cancers. For this reason, several centres around the world are collecting and cryopreserving testicular tissue or cells anticipating that, in the near future, some patients will return for SSC transplantation. This review summarizes the current knowledge and utility of SSC transplantation techniques.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the currently used experimental injection techniques for SSC transplantation in animal and human testes. This is crucial in understanding and determining the role of the different techniques necessary for successful transplantation.

SEARCH METHODS
A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed publications on this topic was performed using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The search was limited to English language work and studies between 1994 (from the first study on SSC transplantation) and April 2019. Key search terms included mouse, rat, boar, ram, dog, sheep, goat, cattle, monkey, human, cadaver, testes, SSC transplantation, injection and technique.

OUTCOMES
This review provides an extensive clinical overview of the current research in the field of human SSC transplantation. Rete testis injection with ultrasonography guidance currently seems the most promising injection technique thus far; however, the ability to draw clear conclusions is limited due to long ischemia time of cadaver testis, the relatively decreased volume of the testis, the diminishing size of seminiferous tubules, a lack of intratesticular pressure and leakage into the interstitium during the injection on human cadaver testis. Current evidence does not support improved outcomes from multiple infusions through the rete testes. Overall, further optimization is required to increase the efficiency and safety of the infusion method.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Identifying a favourable injection method for SSC transplantation will provide insight into the mechanisms of successful assisted human reproduction. Future research could focus on reducing leakage and establishing the optimal infusion cell concentrations and pressure.


The present article deals with a syntactic feature in Teribe, a languaje spoken in Panama and Costa Rica. This feature has to do with the inversion of the basic sentece order (SOV) and the markedness of the subject by means of the particule de.


This paper examines barriers to adopting competence systems in knowledge work practice. On the basis of a technology review and a user site investigation, the paper relates the technical features of the investigated competence systems to the adoption barriers identified in six user organizations. The multiple-case study shows that the competence systems can be described as merely traditional personnel administration systems complemented by features that passively archive formalized descriptions of competencies. Building on this observation, the general objective of the paper is to provide design suggestions that facilitate successful integration of competence systems in organizations. The main conclusion of this paper is that competence systems need to have features conveying a technology spirit more in line with the knowledge work practice found in organizations. By researching competence systems and their features specifically, this paper contributes technology-specific knowledge within the area of knowledge management systems.


access for a large group of patients to a department which is already overstretched to the extent that most ophthalmic departments in this country are is quite frightening. The other important point to make, particularly to general practitioners, is that senile disciform macular degeneration, which is the condition under discussion, is a separate subgroup of the range of degenerations which occur at the macula. Most doctors are aware of the atrophic "dry" senile macular degeneration, but not many, in my experience, are aware of this subgroup, which has a separate and distinct clinical appearance and aetiology. This distinction is important to make because no eye department can cope with a sudden influx of urgent referrals of patients with atrophic macular degeneration over the next few months. It is also important for referring doctors to realise that their patients are not receiving an inferior service from their local consultants merely because the laser is not being fired at them with gay abandon.


OF DISSERTATION AN EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF BILATERAL AND UNILATERAL VERY SHORT-TERM DCER TRAINING ON STRENGTH AND NEUROMUSCULAR RESPONSES WITHIN THE LOWER LIMB BILATERAL DEFICIT The very short-term resistance training (VST) model, utilizing only 2-3 training sessions, has been used to examine early phase skeletal muscle, neural, and performance adaptations. The VST model has previously been used to examine these early phase adaptations in bilateral and unilateral, isometric, isokinetic, and dynamic muscle actions in the limbs of the upperand lower-body. The bilateral deficit (BLD) is a phenomenon in which the sum of the forces produced unilaterally is greater than the force produced bilaterally during maximal contraction of the limbs. The appearance of a bilateral deficit has been be related to various factors; including training status and mode of training (bilateral versus reciprocal muscle actions). No previous study, however, has examined the effects of VST on the BLD. The VST model has potential implications for examining acute changes in strength and neuromuscular responses of the trained muscles. These adaptations, however, may be specific to unilateral or bilateral training. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to: 1) examine one repetition maximum (1RM) strength and neuromuscular responses (EMG AMP, EMG MPF, MMG AMP, MMG MPF) during the measurement of bilateral and unilateral leg extension exercise before and after dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) VST; 2) examine the magnitude of the BLD; 3) examine the effect of bilateral versus unilateral training on the BLD; and 4) use the neuromuscular responses measured bilaterally and unilaterally to infer about the motor unit activation strategies that may underlie the BLD and changes in 1RM strength. Twenty-four (14 males, 10 females) subjects (mean ± SD age: 23.0 ± 3.2 yr; height: 174.7 ± 8.5 cm; body mass: 75.4 ± 14.1 kg) with no resistance training experience within the last three months were randomly assigned to either the bilateral (BL) training group or the unilateral (UL) training group. The subjects completed a total of seven visits, consisting of a familiarization, pre-test visit, three training visits, and one post-test visit. The pre-test visit was used to record the subject's electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) responses from the right and left vastus lateralis (VL) during bilateral and unilateral seated maximum isometric voluntary contractions (MVIC) and 1RM. Visits four through six were the training sessions, with each subject preforming 5 sets of 6 repetitions utilizing 65% of the 1RM for resistance where the BL group trained both limbs (right and left) at the same time and the UL group trained both limbs separately. Visit seven was the post-test and the same testing procedures as the pretest visit were followed. Statistical analyses consisted of four-way and three-way mixed model ANOVAs, with follow up three-, twoand one-way repeated measures and/or mixed model ANOVAs, Bonferroni corrected paired, and independent samples t-tests when appropriate. An alpha level of P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all ANOVAs. The BL group demonstrated a significant increase (p = 0.006; 6.8%) in BL1RM preto post-test, but no change in unilateral summed (US1RM = right + left limb; p = 0.726) 1RM strength. The UL group demonstrated an 8.7% increase in BL strength collapsed across testing mode (BL1RM and US1RM) (p = 0.0001) and UL strength (p = 0.0001) collapsed across limb (UL left + UL right/2) from preto post-test. The BL group had a significant (p = 0.001) increase in the BI (indicating a decrease in the BLD) from preto post-test, but there was no significant change for the UL group. The BL group demonstrated a significant (p = 0.029) decrease in the EMG mean power frequency (MPF) measurement preto post-test, however the UL group showed no change. The unilateral movement, collapsed across limbs (unilateral left and unilateral right) also showed a significant (p = 0.022) decrease in the MMG MPF measurement preto posttest, whereas the BL movement showed no change. These findings indicated that BL and UL DCER training increased strength after 3 training sessions. The bilateral DCER training resulted in bilateral, but not unilateral strength increases and unilateral DCER training resulting in both bilateral and unilateral strength increases. However, bilateral training was the only mode of training that significantly decreased the BLD. Mark Travis Byrd 10-11-19 AN EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF BILATERAL AND UNILATERAL VERY SHORT-TERM DCER TRAINING ON STRENGTH AND NEUROMUSCULAR RESPONSES WITHIN THE LOWER LIMB BILATERAL DEFICIT By Mark Travis Byrd Dr. Haley Bergstrom, Assistant Professor Co-Director of Dissertation Dr. Mark Abel, Associate Professor Co-Director of Dissertation Dr. Melinda Ickes, Associate Professor Director of Graduate Studies


MASSIVE venous thrombosis is a dramatic event of surgical practice with vivid manifestations of excruciating pain, extensive fluid loss into the affected extremity, and eventual gangrene. Because of this and the relatively poor results of all treatments, phlegmasia cerulea dolens has occasioned frequent reports in the surgical literature (Table 1). The many reports list numerous methods attempting to reduce the complications of this condition. The many forms of therapy are testimony to the fact that no single treatment is satisfactory. Enthusiasm for each mode of care waxes and wanes. Until three decades ago, treatment of phlegmasia cerulea dolens consisted mainly of limb elevation and heparin administration. Sympathetic blockade advocated by Leriche and Kunlin in 1934 and later recommended by DeBakey represented an attempt to halt associated venous and arterial spasm. 1 This adjuvant therapy effected some improvement in the morbidity and mortality figures. Boyd and Clarke showed that sympathectomy reduced


Petri nets are employed to model flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). However, the system deadlocked are possible happened. The conventional deadlock prevention policies are always to forbid the system entering the deadlock by using the control places. To obtain a live system, some dead markings must be sacrificed in the traditional policies. Therefore, the original reachability states of the original model can not be conserved. However, this paper is able to maintain all the reachability states of the original net and guaranty the control system live. Under our control policy, all number of reachability states of the original net will be preserved. Finally, two examples are performed that can reach the maximal permissiveness for FMSs using Petri net models (PNMs).


Glyphosate has been shown to act as an inhibitor of an aromatic amino acid biosynthetic pathway, while other pathways that may be affected by glyphosate are not known. Cross species hybridizations can provide a tool for elucidating biological pathways conserved among organisms. Comparative genome analyses have indicated a high level of colinearity among grass species and Festuca, on which we focus here, and showed rearrangements common to the Pooideae family. Based on sequence conservation among grass species, we selected the Affymetrix GeneChip Wheat Genome Array as a tool for the analysis of expression profiles of three Festuca (fescue) species with distinctly different tolerances to varying levels of glyphosate. Differences in transcript expression were recorded upon foliar glyphosate application at 1.58 mM and 6.32 mM, representing 5% and 20%, respectively, of the recommended rate. Differences highlighted categories of general metabolic processes, such as photosynthesis, protein synthesis, stress responses, and a larger number of transcripts responded to 20% glyphosate application. Differential expression of genes encoding proteins involved in the shikimic acid pathway could not be identified by cross hybridization. Microarray data were confirmed by RT-PCR and qRT-PCR analyses. This is the first report to analyze the potential of cross species hybridization in Fescue species and the data and analyses will help extend our knowledge on the cellular processes affected by glyphosate.


Statistical models of civil war onset are often unsupportive of a link between measures of cultural demography and conflict. This study suggests that this is in part because most studies fail to account for what factors make demographic cleavages salient, such as policies of exclusion and repression against growing minorities that are threatening to incumbent regimes. A comparison of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana is used to shed light on this process. Based on a state of the art statistical model of civil war onset, the countries had strikingly similar conflict risk in the early 2000s, but conflict only erupted only in Côte d'Ivoire in 2002. An important factor to explain this is the exclusion and repression in the Ivorian case, spurred by a perceived increase in the northern Muslim population, vs the more accommodative policy in neighboring Ghana. Implementing lessons from this study could improve future statistical models of civil war.


Map showing routes of the southern portion of Ngamiland and Ghanzi Districts, with international boundaries, beaten wagon tracks, areas prone to flooding, perennial and non-perrenial rivers, native names of districts or veldts, rough contours, forests, and measured distances by road. Scale 1:500,000 or 1 Inch = 7.9 Miles. Revised 1925.


Core excitation triggers nuclear dynamics on the femtosecond time scale. A multiparametric electron/ion coincidence approach has been used to disentangle complex decay processes occurring at short (molecular) or long (atomic) time scales. Methyl chloride has been excited by scanning along the dissociative Cl2p-->sigma* resonance. The detailed chronology of the competing decay processes, leading to either the rearrangement product HCl(+), or an ultrafast dissociation leading to Cl(+), has been investigated. The observed Auger-Doppler shift has been analyzed for various orientations of the electron and fragment ion.


Objective: To report the antioxidant activity, phenolic acid profile of the Azima tetracantha methanolic extract and find the correlation between the total phenolic content and their relative antioxidant activity Methods: The total antioxidant activity, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging of A. tetracantha methanol extract was evaluated by adopting various standard methods. Total phenolic content was estimated from dried methanolic extract and the phenolic acids in the extract were identified by HPLC. Results: The methanolic extract of A. tetracantha showed free radical scavenging in a concentration dependant manner. The studies showed that the extract possess high free radical scavenging property, especially against hydroxyl radicals (67.61±0.42%). The correlation analysis results showed linear relation between phenolics content of methanolic extract and antioxidant assays (R2=0.97, 0.94, 0.99 and 0.98, significance at P<.0.001). The phenolic acid profile showed the presence of both benzoic acid and cinnamic acid derivatives, well known for their antioxidant potential. Conclusion: The current observations suggested that the methanol extract of A. tetracantha exhibited multiple antioxidant activities, by scavenging free radicals. So, it can be concluded that the extract is a source of natural antioxidant, suggesting its traditional use as a rejuvenating agent.


A generalisation of previous household models is developed to include production, consumption, storage, labour and land allocation decisions under price, yield, storage and investment risks. Implications drawn from this model include, that consumption can be a hedge against price risk and that supply curves are shifted by consumption and by storage decisions. Production possibilities frontiers depend upon the households' aversion to risk and the allocation of land to different crops is affected by every other decision the household makes. Using hypothetical data and focussed on farm households in Vietnam, parameters are estimated for the model and simulations are carried out to examine the consequences of land exchanges and shifts in technology.


INTRODUCTION
We present the first clinical and radiographic results of the Durom Hip Resurfacing prosthesis with a lateral approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
52 patients (n = 59 protheses) with a mean follow-up of 25.4 +/- 10 month were evaluated. Clinical evaluation was done using the Harris hip score (HHS), a modified University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Activity Level Scale and the Merle d'Aubigné Score pre- and postoperatively. Radiographic evaluation included the preoperative femoral neck-shaft angle, the pre- and postoperative femoral offset, the postoperative stem-shaft angle as well as postoperative periprosthetic radiolucencies.

RESULTS
Within the clinical follow-up the postoperative mean HHS (93 +/- 4.3 vs. 41.2 +/- 7.1 points), the modified UCLA (8.8 +/- 2.8 vs. 4.8 +/- 1.9) as well as the Merle d'Aubigné Score (17.1 +/- 1.7 vs. 7.5 +/- 2.1) indicated a significant improvement (p <or= 0.05) compared to the preoperative evaluation. In 98.2 % a firm bony ingrown of the components without any radiolucency was observed. The average deviation of the preoperative physiological femoral neck-shaft angle (135.5 +/- 3.4 degrees) compared to the postoperative stem-shaft angle (141.3 +/- 4.8 degrees) was 5.8 +/- 2.6 degrees. The mean postoperative femoral offset was reduced by 2.5 mm. At follow-up 2 hips (3.5 %) were revised due to femoral neck fracture (n = 1) and to heterotopic ossifications (Brooker III) (n = 1).

CONCLUSION
The Durom Hip Resurfacing prosthesis is a promising alternative for the young and active patient. The real medical and economical benefit has to be evaluated in further examinations.


Introduction The Panel recognised the very high quality of the research presented at the 2017 International Fisheries Stock Assessment Review Workshop. This included research on Southern African hake, sardine and rock lobster, as well as methods for conducting assessments for relatively data-poor species with a focus on linefish. The Panel thanked the workshop participants for their hard work preparing and presenting the workshop papers, for the extra analyses undertaken during the workshop and for the informative input provided during discussions. This report starts with observations from the Panel on some general issues for the species and programmes reviewed, and then focuses on addressing the questions posed by DAFF Research, a more detailed technical review and finally recommendations for further work concerning each. The recommendations are annotated by their priorities (H, M, L). Much of this report reflects responses to the questions. For ease of reading, answers to the questions that also have research components are indicated by an asterisk.


Purpose. To look critically at the present reality of AIS (Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis) treatment and verify the hypothesis that the current prevalence of a single medical specialty could be creating distortions in patient care and/or cure. Method. This is a multifaceted study comprising a review of the evidence on AIS, a bibliometric study of the general and orthopedic literature since Medline start, and two case reports. Results. Evidence exists to support the efficacy of exercises, bracing and fusion (grade B, B and C recommendations, respectively), but in clinics exercises are generally ignored; braces are used with some criticism, while fusion is generally considered the only reliable treatment. The literature on AIS treatment prevails in journals of orthopedic surgery, and therapy papers focused on surgery have increased from 34 to 55% over the past two decades. The two clinical cases show how an incorrect psychological approach to the patient and family, as well as inappropriate conservative treatments can have disastrous consequences for patients. Conclusions. Our results seem to confirm the initial hypothesis: The interest of the AIS treatment community (composed almost exclusively by orthopedic surgeons) has shifted toward fusion whereas research has increased, while conservative treatment is suffering a decrease in professional interest (and diminished research). AIS requires expert, committed evidence-based care, but other specialists totally devoted to conservative treatment, particularly (but not exclusively) Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine specialists, should enter the field to create better treating teams.


Consumption of functional sportswear to enhance performance on and off the field of elite athletes has increased in the recent past in the UK. Compression sportswear in particular, based on evidence on compression therapy which was widely used for treating venous disorders, is now apparent in the ready to wear market.
The completion of a literature review documented the history of compression garments, highlighted benefits of wearing compression sportswear and different pressure measurement systems currently used. To further analyse ready to wear compression sportswear, five brands of commercially available compression garments were examined with reference to size and seam types. Additionally, fabric analysis of the samples highlighted variations between brands.
The lack of research currently available regarding variations of pressure distribution, of the same specified size, inhibits informed consumer choices within the market.
Using the Tekscan system the pressures exerted by the five medium samples were also analysed. Differences were found between the pressure values recorded, thus highlighting the differences amongst ready to wear garments of the same size.
Next, using a 3D avatar in V-Stitcher two of the garments were simulated. FAST testing was also completed and results put into the software to give a true to life representation of the fabrics tested. The simulation of the experimental work was then assessed via the pressure maps on the system to observe whether the values given in the CAD model matched the experimental work.
The expanding compression market needs to take in to account contributing factors, such as fabric composition, garment dimensions and placements of seams, when developing garments. The development of a simulation model that can map experimental work with regards to pressure distribution may allow the product development of compression base layers to be better assessed and help enable informed consumer choices.


Acne vulgaris, generally resulted from overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), is one of the most difficult-to-treat facial dermatoses and more than 90% of adolescents experienced the disease worldwide. Because the innate non-lymphoid immune system cannot effectively eliminate excessive P. acnes from the skin surface, so far the therapy of acne vulgaris is still mainly dependent on antibiotic treatment. However, long-term or overdose of antibiotics may initiate microbial drug resistance and/or generate unexpected side effects that seriously hamper the use of antibiotics in the clinic. To overcome the aforementioned challenges, the novel rifampicin (RIF)-indocyanine green (ICG)-loaded perfluorocarbon (PFC) nanodroplets (RIPNDs) that may offer combined photo-, chemo-, and probiotic efficacies to P. acnes eradication were developed in this study. The RIPND was first characterized as a sphere-like nanoparticle with surface charge of −20.9 ± 2.40 mV and size of 240.7 ± 6.73 nm, in which the encapsulation efficiencies of RIF and ICG were 54.0 ± 10.5% and 95.0 ± 4.84%, respectively. In comparison to the freely dissolved ICG, the RIPNDs conferred an enhanced thermal stability to the entrapped ICG, and were able to provide a comparable hyperthermia effect and markedly increased production of singlet oxygen under near infrared (NIR; 808 nm, 6 W/cm2) exposure. Furthermore, the RIPNDs were able to induce fermentation of S. epidermidis but not P. acnes, indicating that the RIPNDs may serve as a selective fermentation initiator for the target probiotics. Based on the microbial population index analyses, P. acnes with 1 × 106 cells/mL can be completely eradicated by 12-h co-culture with S. epidermidis fermentation products followed by treatment of RIPNDs (≥20-μM ICG/3.8-μM RIF) + NIR for 5 min, whereby the resulted microbial mortality was even higher than that caused by using 16-fold enhanced amount of loaded RIF alone. Overall these efforts show that the RIPNDs were able to provide improved ICG stability, selective fermentability to S. epidermidis, and enhanced antimicrobial efficacy compared to equal dosage of free RIF and/or ICG, indicating that the developed nanodroplets are highly potential for use in the clinical anti-P. acne treatment with reduced chemotoxicity.


This paper presents a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) suitable for wireless communication applications at 5.0 GHz. The proposed DRA utilizes a ferroelectric material, Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) in cylindrical form with dielectric constant of epsivr = 250. The antenna is fed with 50 Omega microstrip transmission lines. The physical parameters of the antenna, including radius (r), height (h), position (p) of BST, and ground plane dimensions, are studied. The influence of various parameters on antenna characteristics has been investigated and optimize by extensive numerical simulations by Microwave Studio, Computer Simulation Technology (CST) package. By understanding the effect each parameter, a better design of DRA producing desired bandwidth and frequencies can be accomplish. The size of this antenna makes it ideally suitable for handheld wireless LAN communicators.


Objective: To study the demographic data of patients and the pattern of crime in the study group, to look at the outcome of assessment by psychiatrist on fitness to plea and insanity at time of offense and to assess association between the nature of crime with presence of psychopathology during the crime. Methods: This is a retrospective study. All available case notes for 342 forensic admissions from January 2007 until March 2010 were reviewed. All related information on 135 patients that committed violent crime was taken for analysis. Results: Majority of patients were male, Malay, single, education up to secondary school and unemployed. Only 38% of patients had encountered psychiatric services, 20% had previous imprisonment and 49% had history of substance usage. In cases involving victims (87%), 64% the victims were known to the patient, 53% had hallucination or delusion or both at the time of crime and 90% was found to have some diagnosis of mental illness after psychiatrist assessment. Only 81% of formal forensic reports were available in the case note and it showed 94% were fit to plea and 82% were at sound mind at the time of offense. Conclusion: Substance abuse had high prevalence among the patient. Almost 2/3 never had any encounter with psychiatric services before the admission. Even with the high percentage of patient diagnosed with mental illness, they were still found to be fit to plea in court and are at sound mind at the time of offense.


Ethanol is a teratogen, inducing a variety of structural defects in developing humans and animals that are exposed in utero. Mechanisms of ethanol teratogenicity in specific defects are not well understood. Oxidative metabolism of ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase or cytochrome P450 2E1 has been implicated in some of ethanol's teratogenic effects, either via production of acetaldehyde or competitive inhibition of retinoic acid synthesis. Generalized oxidative stress in response to ethanol may also play a role in its teratogenicity. Among the developmental defects that ethanol has been implicated in is holoprosencephaly, a failure to define the midline of the forebrain and midface that is associated with a deficiency in Sonic hedgehog pathway function. Etiologically, holoprosencephaly is thought to arise from a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. We have developed a gene-environment interaction model of holoprosencephaly in mice, in which mutation of the Sonic hedgehog coreceptor, Cdon, synergizes with transient in utero exposure to ethanol. This system was used to address whether oxidative metabolism is required for ethanol's teratogenic activity in holoprosencephaly. We report here that t-butyl alcohol, which is neither a substrate nor an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenases or Cyp2E1, is a potent inducer of holoprosencephaly in Cdon mutant mice. Additionally, antioxidant treatment did not prevent ethanol- or t-butyl alcohol-induced HPE in these mice. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that ethanol itself, rather than a consequence of its metabolism, is a holoprosencephaly-inducing teratogen.


Objectives: To show renal parenchymal injury depending on extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Methods: The patients with one renal stone and in whom ESWL is planned among the patients in whom renal stone was determined. Their 24-h urine samples were collected just before and after the ESWL treatment. Cit (citrate), UrA (uric acid), RBP (retinol-binding protein), NAG (N-acetyl-β-Đ-glucosaminidase), Cr (creatinine), Na (sodium), K (potassium), P (phosphor), Ca (calcium), and Cl (chlorine) metabolites excreted in urine were evaluated after urine samples were taken on the study day. Changes in the metabolites excreted; the number, frequency, and duration of ESWL shock wave; the energy; and the body mass index were recorded. The results for p < 0.05 will be accepted as statistically significant. Results: Two sessions of ESWL were applied to a total of 20 patients. When metabolites excreted in the urine before (B1E) and after (A1E) the first session of ESWL, and before (B2E) and after (A2E) the second session of ESWL, were evaluated, no statistically significant result for Ca and Cl excretion was noted. For NAG and Cr, a significant difference was observed in terms of metabolite excretion between B1E and B2E. For other metabolites, we saw that there is no difference between B1E and B2E. While a significant metabolite change was observed for RBP, NAG, Cr, and Na as long as A1E and A2E ESWL session number increases, other metabolites were not significant. Conclusion: Shock waves induce significant damage to the renal and adjacent tissues as indicated by a significant increase in cell-escaped enzymes and electrolytes and the extent of damage depends on the energy and the number of shock wave exposure.


We report a rare case of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment due to a full-thickness macular hole in a young patient with pars planitis. This study was an interventional case report. A 38-year-old Asian man presented with acute reduction of vision in his left eye. His past ocular history revealed a precedent of two intravitreal steroid injections in his left eye, and fundoscopy revealed a total bullous retinal detachment along with 360° snowbanking at the pars plana. Precise preoperative visualization of the posterior pole was impossible due to a dense nuclear cataract. During surgery, an unexpected full-thickness macular hole with no associated epiretinal membrane was observed, which resulted in the retinal detachment. This case of chronic pars planitis complicated with a full-thickness macular hole resulting in retinal detachment was successfully treated with vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and perfluoropropane tamponade. Visual acuity improved from hand movements to 6/36 Snellen at 12 months postsurgery. This case report illustrates the rare but possible association between pars planitis with macular hole formation and subsequent retinal detachment, underlying the beneficiary outcome of vitrectomy surgery both diagnostically and therapeutically.


Zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) is a commercially important material and has wide applications. We report the synthesis of nanostructured ZnFe2O4 and Fe-doped ZnO nanorods via a low cost, open to atmosphere self catalyzed Chemical Vapor Deposition(CVD) method which uses the Vapor-Liquid-Solid (VLS) Mechanism for growth. A mixture of Zinc Oxide, Graphite and Zinc powder, along with the substrates were put at the closed end of a quartz tube and placed in a preheated furnace. The parameters varied were 1.)molar ratios 2.)types of substrates and 3.)the furnace temperature. The characterization was done using FE-SEM, TEM,and XRD. The growth morphology varies along the temperature gradient in the tube, resulting in the formation of ZnFe2O4 nanoribbons (800-750 0C), nanoellipsoids (700 0C) and nanowires (650 0C). Fe- doped ZnO nanorods have also formed as scattered bundles along with the zinc ferrite nanoribbons. This is the first reported synthesis of nanoribbon morphology of ZnFe2O4 . The effective diameter:width ratio of the morphology and the Zn atomic percentage decreases along the temperature gradient. Optimized parameters were:1.)mild steel substrates, 2.)furnace temperature 800 0C and 3.)1:1:0.05 molar ratio of ZnO:C:Zn in the reaction mixture. When stainless steel and gold sputtered steels were used as substrates there was no growth. This proves that iron from the substrate takes an active part in the reaction and is critical for the growth. The simplicity of the setup, control over growth morphology and cheap reagents used give the method potential commercial applications.


Hibernating mammals have the ability to decrease their metabolic rate and survive up to 6 months without food in an inactive state where body temperatures approach 0 degrees C. In hibernating 13-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), oxygen consumption holds at 1/30 to 1/50 of the aroused condition and heart rates are as low as 3-10 beats/min, compared with 200-300 beats/min when the animal is active. This seasonal adaptation requires a metabolic shift away from the oxidation of carbohydrates and towards the combustion of stored fatty acids as the primary source of energy. A key element in this fuel switch is the differential expression of the gene encoding pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoenzyme 4. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoenzyme 4 inhibits pyruvate dehydrogenase and thus minimizes carbohydrate oxidation by preventing the flow of glycolytic products into the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Hibernators also exploit the low-temperature activity of PTL (pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase) in both heart and white adipose tissue. Lipolytic activity at body temperatures associated with hibernation was examined using recombinant ground squirrel and human PTL expressed in yeast. Enzymes from both humans and ground squirrel displayed high activity at temperatures as low as 0 degrees C and showed Q(10) = 1.2-1.5 over the temperature range 37-7 degrees C. These studies indicate that low-temperature lipolysis is a general property of PTL and does not require protein modifications unique to mammalian cells and/or the hibernating state.


Spiking neural networks (SNNs) are well-known as brain-inspired models with high computing efficiency, due to a key component that they utilize spikes as information units, close to the biological neural systems. Although spiking based models are energy efficient by taking advantage of discrete spike signals, their performance is limited by current network structures and their training methods. As discrete signals, typical SNNs cannot apply the gradient descent rules directly into parameter adjustment as artificial neural networks (ANNs). Aiming at this limitation, here we propose a novel method of constructing deep SNN models with knowledge distillation (KD) that uses ANN as the teacher model and SNN as the student model. Through the ANN-SNN joint training algorithm, the student SNN model can learn rich feature information from the teacher ANN model through the KD method, yet it avoids training SNN from scratch when communicating with non-differentiable spikes. Our method can not only build a more efficient deep spiking structure feasibly and reasonably but use few time steps to train the whole model compared to direct training or ANN to SNN methods. More importantly, it has a superb ability of noise immunity for various types of artificial noises and natural signals. The proposed novel method provides efficient ways to improve the performance of SNN through constructing deeper structures in a high-throughput fashion, with potential usage for light and efficient brain-inspired computing of practical scenarios.


Abstract In this paper, we design new algorithms for eigendecomposition. With the help of the Newton iterative method, we solve a nonlinear quadratic system whose solution is equal to an eigenvector on a hyperplane. By choosing normal vector of the hyperplane in the orthogonal complement of the space spanned by already obtained eigenvectors, all eigenpairs are sequentially obtained by solving the quadratic systems.


This study was done to characterize changes in patient behavior during specific time periods immediately before first, second, third, and fourth episodes of depression. Forty-three patients from a group of 154 depressed patients examined in an earlier study developed 59 subsequent episodes of depression, and these were the patients used in this study. Suitable age and sex matched controls were also examined for the same time periods. The depressed patients and controls were patients in a rural solo practice. The depressed patients showed increased number of patient initiated visits, increased incidence of hospitalization, increased number of functional complaints, increased number of pain complaints, and increased feelings of tension as compared to controls during the seven months prior to the diagnosis date of the first and each succeeding episode of depression. The study results indicate that increased numbers of office visits, functional complaints, pain complaints, and anxiety complaints can be harbingers of a clinical depression, whether it be the index (first) or a subsequent depressive illness.


Fixed robust routing is a promising approach for ISP networks to accommodate variable traffic patterns with low operational complexity. The routing minimizes the maximum link load by distributing traffic of every source-destination pair to multiple paths (multipath routing). The multipath routing can result in performance degradation of TCP because of frequent out-of-order packet arrivals. In this paper, we first investigate the influences of delay differences among multiple paths and ratio of shorter paths among multiple paths on TCP performance with simulation using ns-2. The simulation results clarify that smaller delay difference and lower ratio of shorter paths among multiple paths lead to higher TCP throughput. Based on the investigation results, we next propose fixed robust routing algorithms that try to improve TCP throughput in addition to decreasing the maximum link load. The first algorithm called MDD (Minimum Delay Difference) selects a set of paths with the minimum delay differences between the shortest and the longest paths as candidate paths for every source-destination pair The second algorithm called MDD-LF (Minimum Delay Difference with Limited Fraction) bounds the fraction of traffic routed on the shortest delay path in addition to selecting the same candidate paths as MDD. Simulations using ns-2 show that, compared to a straightforward fixed robust routing that selects k-shortest hop paths as the candidate paths, MDD and MDD-LF achieve about 22% and 27% higher TCP throughput while MDD and MDD-LF produce about 1.7 and 2.3 times higher maximum link load, respectively.