BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of disorders characterized by dyshematopolesis in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) cytopenias. In recent years particular attention has been paid to myeloproliferative disorders with dysplastic features or myelodysplastic syndromes that evolve into a myeloproliferative disorder. The present study was designed to analyze patients with MDS but with a normal or increased colony forming capacity, in order to see whether or not cell cultures could contribute to the diagnosis of intermediate MDS-MPD conditions.

DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 80 patients diagnosed as having MDS were included in the study. CFU-GM assay was performed by plating 1 x 10(5) mononuclear cells/mL in IMDM and 0.9% methyl-cellulose containing 10% PHA-LCM. In all cases cultures were run in parallel without PHA-LCM to assess autonomous growth. Cultures were incubated at 37 degrees C in a fully humidified atmosphere with 5% CO2 and scored at day 14. Cytogenetic analysis was performed according to standard procedures. Short-term cultures of 24 and/or 48 hours were used.

RESULTS
Twenty-two patients out of the 80 MDS cases included in the study showed a normal or increased cell growth pattern. Among these 22 patients, eight were diagnosed as suffering from chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) according to the FAB criteria and were excluded from the present analysis. The remaining 14 cases, which constitute the body of this study, displayed an increased number of clusters and/or colonies, with an altered cluster/colony ratio (anomalous growth) in 10 cases. Autonomous colony formation was present in five of these 14 cases and autonomous cluster growth was seen in all but three of them. In addition, one patient showed endogenous BFU-E growth. Morphological diagnoses were then revised due to this aberrant colony growth pattern: based on actual criteria, 3 patients could have been considered as having a-CML (atypical chronic myeloid leukemia). Another 6 cases evolved to a more proliferative disorder: 5 to CMML, and one to a-CML. Interestingly, in 3 of these 6 patients the evolution took place concomitantly with an infectious episode. In one additional patient the platelet count increased up to 1000 x 10(9)/L and required treatment with hydroxyurea.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that intermediate MDS-MPD cases are relatively common and that in vitro characteristics, i.e. high clonogenic capacity with a high cluster/colony ratio and scanty autonomous growth, in patients showing myelodysplastic features could contribute to an early diagnosis in these cases. It is possible that in some cases an infectious episode, through higher cytokine secretion, contributes to the development of these disorders.


Cross-lingual transfer of word embeddings aims to establish the semantic mappings among words in different languages by learning the transformation functions over the corresponding word embedding spaces. Successfully solving this problem would benefit many downstream tasks such as to translate text classification models from resource-rich languages (e.g. English) to low-resource languages. Supervised methods for this problem rely on the availability of cross-lingual supervision, either using parallel corpora or bilingual lexicons as the labeled data for training, which may not be available for many low resource languages. This paper proposes an unsupervised learning approach that does not require any cross-lingual labeled data. Given two monolingual word embedding spaces for any language pair, our algorithm optimizes the transformation functions in both directions simultaneously based on distributional matching as well as minimizing the back-translation losses. We use a neural network implementation to calculate the Sinkhorn distance, a well-defined distributional similarity measure, and optimize our objective through back-propagation. Our evaluation on benchmark datasets for bilingual lexicon induction and cross-lingual word similarity prediction shows stronger or competitive performance of the proposed method compared to other state-of-the-art supervised and unsupervised baseline methods over many language pairs.


Distributed cyber-physical systems are growing in size and functionality and deterministic communication is an important requirement for those systems. The existing solutions based on the time-triggered paradigm pose certain limitations in regards to the configuration. Usually configuration is seen as a one-time event during the installation of the network. Future realtime networks need to be able to adapt more easily to changes in the network. Thus, the configuration becomes an ongoing service, e.g., as for network maintenance and re-configuration to add and remove new, respectively old, equipment. We postulate that configuration will emerge to a continued service that accompanies a real-time network throughout its different life-cycle phases. In this context of evolving and dynamic networks, we introduce the concept of a configuration agent for real-time networks and demonstrate the concept by a realization based on the time triggered paradigm.


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Purpose of review In this review, we discuss recent developments and trends in the perioperative management of thrombocytopenia. Recent findings Large contemporary data base studies show that preoperative thrombocytopenia is present in about 8% of asymptomatic patients, and is associated with increased risks for bleeding and 30-day mortality. Traditionally specific threshold platelet counts were recommended for specific procedures. However, the risk of bleeding may not correlate well with platelet counts and varies with platelet function depending on the underlying etiology. Evidence to support prophylactic platelet transfusion is limited and refractoriness to platelet transfusion is common. A number of options exist to optimize platelet counts prior to procedures, which include steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, thrombopoietin receptor agonists, and monoclonal antibodies. In addition, intraoperative alternatives and adjuncts to transfusion should be considered. It appears reasonable to use prophylactic desmopressin and antifibrinolytic agents, whereas activated recombinant factor VII could be considered in severe bleeding. Other options include enhancing thrombin generation with prothrombin complex concentrate or increasing fibrinogen levels with fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitate. Summary Given the lack of good quality evidence, much research remains to be done. However, with a multidisciplinary multimodal perioperative strategy, the risk of bleeding can be decreased effectively.


Strongyloides westeri is the most prevalent nematode among equines aged up to four months and causes gastrointestinal disorders. The objective of this study was to observe the control of infective S. westeri larvae (L3) by the nematophagous fungi Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34) after passage through the gastrointestinal tract of female donkeys. Twelve dewormed female donkeys that were kept in stables were used. Two treatment groups each comprising four animals received orally 100 g of pellets made of sodium alginate matrix containing a mycelial mass of either D. flagrans (AC001) or M. thaumasium (NF34). The control group consisted of four animals that received pellets without fungus. Feces samples were then collected from the animal groups at different times (after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours). These feces were placed in Petri dishes containing 2% water-agar medium and 1000 L3 of S. westeri. AC001 and NF34 isolates showed the ability to destroy the L3, after gastrointestinal transit, thus demonstrating their viability and predatory activity.


We have previously reported that Ser13 and Ser34 on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the cleavage furrow of glioma cells are phosphorylated during late mitotic phase (Matsuoka, Y., K. Nishizawa, T. Yano, M. Shibata, S. Ando, T. Takahashi, and M. Inagaki. 1992, EMBO (Eur. Mol. Biol. Organ.) J. 11:2895-2902). This observation implies a possibility that there is a protein kinase specifically activated at metaphase-anaphase transition. To further analyze the cell cycle- dependent GFAP phosphorylation, we prepared monoclonal antibodies KT13 and KT34 which recognize the phosphorylation of GFAP at Ser13 and Ser34, respectively. Immunocytochemical studies with KT13 and KT34 revealed that the GFAP phosphorylation in the cleavage furrow during late mitotic phase occurred not only in glioma cells but also in human SW-13 and mouse Ltk- cells in which GFAP was ectopically expressed, thus the phosphorylation can be monitored in a wide range of cell types. Furthermore, we detected kinase activity which phosphorylates GFAP at Ser13 and Ser34 in the lysates of late mitotic cells but not in those of interphase cells or early mitotic cells. These results suggest that there exists a protein kinase which is specifically activated at the transition of metaphase to anaphase not only in GFAP-expressing cells but also in cells without GFAP.


In order to achieve high capacity utilization and high rate performance of lithium sulfide (Li2S) cathode materials, it is critical to identify scalable methods for low-cost preparation of nanostructured Li2S or Li2S-carbon composites. Here, we report on the preparation and characterization of nanoporous Li2S and multiwalled (MW) carbon nanotube (CNT) – linked Li2S powders, prepared for the first time via a versatile solution-based method. The addition of MWCNTs enhances electrical conductivity and structural stability of the Li2S-based cathodes and reduces polarization of cells operating at high current densities. The nanostructured Li2S-based cathodes containing 20 wt% MWCNT showed promising discharge capacities of up to ∼1050 mA h g−1S at a slow rate of C/20 and ∼800 mA h g−1S at a C/2 rate. Quite remarkably, without any electrolyte additives (such as polysulfides or lithium nitrate) MWCNT-linked Li2S cathodes demonstrated up to ∼90% capacity retention after 100 cycles in half cells (vs. Li foil) at a C/5 and C/10 rates.


A mass poliomyelitis vaccination campaign, such as that under consideration in Guatemala, inevitably changes the immunological picture of a population by the artificial stimulation of antibodies in large numbers of individuals. It was therefore decided that before carrying out such a campaign, and to provide basic information for its conduct, a survey should be made to determine the degree of natural immunity to poliomyelitis and the amount of poliovirus and other enterovirus infection in the population, and to compare the poliovirus antibody titres of a small group of children who had already received Salk vaccine with those in unvaccinated children living in this area of probable high endemicity. The results of the survey show that both poliovirus and other enterovirus infections are common at an early age in Guatemala, and it is concluded that vaccination is most indicated for the 0-4-year-old group.


OBJECTIVE
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are involved in the articular tissue destruction processes in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the effects of multiple infusions of infliximab, a chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor-a (anti-TNF-a) antibody, on concentrations of serum MMP and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) in patients with active RA.

METHODS
Patients with RA were scheduled to receive 9 infusions of infliximab (3 mg/kg) at Weeks 0, 2, 6, and every 8 weeks thereafter. The therapy was combined with methotrexate (MTX) (7.5-20 mg/week). Serum concentrations of interstitial collagenase (MMP-1), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), gelatinase B (MMP-9), TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were measured by ELISA prior to infusion at Weeks 0, 2, 6, 14, 38, and 62.

RESULTS
The initial infusion of infliximab downregulated serum levels of MMP-1 (p < 0.001), MMP-3 (p < 0.001), MMP-9 (p < 0.001), TIMP-1 (p < 0.01), and TIMP-2 (p < 0.05). The second drug administration caused even more remarkable reduction of measured MMP (p < 0.001 in all cases) but not of TIMP levels. These changes were accompanied by decreased ratios of measured MMP to TIMP. Further infliximab therapy also significantly suppressed serum MMP levels, but was less effective. Before the first infliximab infusion serum concentrations of MMP and TIMP correlated with markers of RA activity such as the Disease Activity Score and C-reactive protein levels. After further drug administrations such associations, although less significant, were also noted.

CONCLUSION
Anti-TNF-a antibody therapy combined with MTX resulted in rapid clinical improvement and reduced serum MMP concentrations in patients with RA. Further infusions of infliximab maintained the decrease of MMP, although to a lesser extent than the first and second doses.


The yeast reverse two-hybrid system is a powerful technique for isolating mutations in a protein that abolish its interaction with a known partner. Selection is based on abrogation of growth suppression imposed when wild-type interactions confer 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-FOA) sensitivity to yeast cells. A laborious component of this system is to eliminate those mutations that cause protein truncation. By fusing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the C-terminus of a protein of interest, dynein light chain (LC8), we were able to rapidly isolate mutations that did not result in protein truncation.


Holistic representations of natural scenes are an effective and powerful source of information for semantic classification and analysis of images. Despite the technological hardware and software advances, consumer single-sensor imaging devices technology are quite far from the ability of recognising scenes and/or to exploit the visual content during (or after) acquisition time. The frequency domain has been successfully exploited to holistically encode the content of natural scenes in order to obtain a robust representation for scene classification. The authors exploit a holistic representation of the scene in the discrete cosine transform domain fully compatible with the JPEG format. The advised representation is coupled with a logistic classifier to perform classification of the scene at superordinate level of description (e.g. natural against artificial), or to discriminate between multiple classes of scenes usually acquired by a consumer imaging device (e.g. portrait, landscape and document). The proposed method is able to work in constrained domain. Experiments confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. The obtained results closely match state-of-the-art methods in terms of accuracy outperforming in terms of computational resources.


Solid-state lighting (SSL) is a pivotal emerging technology that promises to fundamentally alter and improve lighting systems-and buildings-of the future, significantly lowering energy use and costs and enhancing the quality of our building environments. No other lighting technology offers our nation so much potential to conserve electricity, at a time when our nation needs bold solutions to achieve greater energy independence. Major research and market introduction challenges must be addressed before the full promise of SSL is realized. This paper discusses the role of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as a catalyst in accelerating SSL technology advances, as it works in partnership with industry, research and academic organizations, and market transformation partners. Through a series of ongoing, interactive workshops, DOE and its partners have developed an extensive plan designed to ensure that DOE funds the appropriate research and development (R&D) topics and commercialization support strategies to help our nation's best and brightest lighting experts move SSL from the laboratory into the marketplace


In 2013, in Lim Meng Suang and Kenneth Chee Mun-Leon v Attorney-General and Tan Eng Hong v Attorney-General, the High Court of Singapore delivered the first judgments in the jurisdiction considering the constitutionality of section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalizes acts of 'gross indecency' between two men, whether they occur in public or private. The Court ruled that the provision was not inconsistent with the guarantees of equality before the law and equal protection of the law stated in Article 12(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore. The result was upheld in 2014 by the Court of Appeal in Lim Meng Suang and another v Attorney-General with slight differences in the reasoning. This article examines the courts' analysis of equality law, and submits in particular that the courts ought to re-evaluate whether they should apply a presumption of constitutionality, refuse to assess the legitimacy of the object of the impugned provision, and rely on a standard of mere reasonableness or lack of arbitrariness when determining if a rational relation exists between the provision's object and the differentia underlying a classification used in the provision.


Examination of short-period seismic data from the ML = 6.1 Kilauea south flank earthquake and aftershock sequence indicates that the rupture process in large Hawaiian earthquakes is more complex than previously modeled. In contrast to the low-angle thrust solution determined for the mainshock from long-period teleseismic body waves by other workers, I find an intermediate- to high-angle reverse solution; I find, however, that focal mechanisms for coastal aftershocks of ML > 3.0 are similar to the teleseismic mechanism for the mainshock.
 A difference in focal mechanisms determined from short-period local-network seismic data and from long-period teleseismic data has been noted for other recent large Hawaiian earthquakes. Both the mapping of surface cracks and the focal mechanism derived from short-period seismic data for the ML = 6.6 1983 Kaoiki earthquake show strike-slip motion, whereas the centroid moment tensor solution shows low-angle thrusting. The focal mechanism calculated from short-period seismic data for the ML = 7.2 1975 Kalapana mainshock shows low-angle thrusting according to some workers, but intermediate- to high-angle reverse faulting according to others, whereas focal mechanisms calculated from long-period seismic data show low-angle thrusting.
 This result suggests that rupture initiation in large Hawaiian earthquakes, as represented by the short-period focal mechanisms, differs significantly from the overall rupture process, as represented by the teleseismic mechanisms. I propose that small earthquakes trigger the large-scale energy release at the bases of the volcanic edifices, the type of energy release often observed in large Hawaiian earthquakes. These triggering events may occur along rupture surfaces that differ from those along which the long-period moment release occurs and thus may represent release of a local stress concentration superposed upon the regional stress field.


: Asymmetrical displacement currents (Id) in the frog Ranvier node (R. ridibunda) treated with tetrodotoxin and tetraethylammonium were studied by the use of ramp-voltage pulses. In some experiments both ramp- and step-voltage pulses were used. The net Id consists of two components, one of which Id (I) can be blocked by local anesthetic trimecaine, or inactivated with the 10 ms depolarizing prepulse sufficiently large to inactivate the sodium current in the same node (before Na+ removal and TTX application). Parameters of the steady state charge distribution are very close (though not identical) to that of the peak sodium permeability vs. potential relation. The charge carrying Id (I) is estimated as 0.3--0.5 of the net displaced charge. The results suggest that trimecaine- and inactivation-sensitive component of Id may be the true gating current of Na+ channels.


In North-eastern Nigeria, the Gongola region has been one of the least developed since independence. The series of geopolitical reorganizations since 1967 which lead to the gradual and consistent decentralization of the processes of social, economic and political transformation and the reduction of spatial inequalities in development within the country appeared to have little impact on urban development in the region. The concern of this paper is to determine the pattern of urban development achieved in the region as a single administrative entity, to explore the specific and theoretical factors that were responsible for the existing pattern of urban development, and make suggestions on how to guide future planning to influence pattern of urbanization in the region, in the desired manner. To achieve these objectives, data were collected on eleven indicators of development in all the local government areas of the region and subjected to principal factor analysis, to most important form or spatial structure of regional development. The result generated five dimensions of regional development. The most important dimension identified i.e., urban infrastructure development, was subjected to spatial autocorrelation analysis (using the join-count statistics), in order to determine the likelihood of existence of any spatial association in the observed pattern. The result indicates that the pattern of urban infrastructure development appear to be associated with some deliberate and systematic process of public policy making that promoted urban development at the early stages of the region's political development. The result also shows that the general pattern of economic development in the region has tended to favour locations surrounding the more urbanized areas thereby introducing spatial inequalities and neglect of the more rural places. The paper suggests strengthening of a system of geopolitical growth centers in the more rural areas and the adoption of a grass root approach to Development Planning in the region as a panacea for redressing spatial inequalities in the regional development process.
Keywords: Region, Development, Planning, Urban, Gongola.
(Global Journal of Social Sciences: 2003 2 (1): 65-78)


Set size and crowding affect search efficiency by limiting attention for recognition and attention against competition; however, these factors can be difficult to quantify in complex search tasks. The current experiments use a quantitative measure of the amount and variability of visual information (i.e., clutter) in highly complex stimuli (i.e., digital aeronautical charts) to examine limits of attention in visual search. Undergraduates at a large southern university searched for a target among 4, 8, or 16 distractors in charts with high, medium, or low global clutter. The target was in a high or low local-clutter region of the chart. In Experiment 1, reaction time increased as global clutter increased, particularly when the target was in a high local-clutter region. However, there was no effect of distractor set size, supporting the notion that global clutter is a better measure of attention against competition in complex visual search tasks. As a control, Experiment 2 demonstrated that increasing the number of distractors leads to a typical set size effect when there is no additional clutter (i.e., no chart). In Experiment 3, the effects of global and local clutter were minimized when the target was highly salient. When the target was nonsalient, more fixations were observed in high global clutter charts, indicating that the number of elements competing with the target for attention was also high. The results suggest design techniques that could improve pilots' search performance in aeronautical charts.


This article identifies and analyses some of the challenges that arose in a development process of changing from a content-based teaching environment to a student-centred environment in an undergraduate physics course for medicine and biology students at Universidad de los Andes. Through the use of the Critical Research model proposed by Skovsmose and Borba, the development process was formed as a close co-operation between academics and researchers in both the construction of pedagogical changes and the responses to particular educational problems during the process. The analyses of the development process highlight a number of difficulties in relation to the introduction of specific student-centred approaches in relation to both the structure of the course and the conception of the content of the course.


The purpose of this interpretive case study was to explore how a wilderness challenge intervention was experienced by "at-risk" youth, to uncover the meanings of those experiences, and to assess the generalization and transfer of their experiences beyond the intervention. Two motivational frameworks involving theory of optimal experience and self-determination were used to guide the study. Forty research participants involved with a therapeutic wilderness program were interviewed using in-depth, semi-structured interviews as the main source of data collection. Using constant comparison as the method of analysis, three themes encompassing the topics of challenge, community, and key player relationships were constructed from the data. Data analysis led to the construction of optimal experience, self-determination, social capital, optimism, and youth initiative resulting in a grounded theory of positive youth development. Implications for practice include encouraging greater parental involvement in the overall program and offering sustained, challenging follow-up activities.


ADVANCED MODELING FOR SMALL GLASS FURNACES Heath Morris One of the most pressing issues facing the glass industry is improving energy efficiency. The largest energy user in any glass company is the melting furnace or furnaces. While large float glass and container glass companies have developed sophisticated control systems, little work has been done until recently for small glass furnaces. This thesis extends the work of Holladay (2005), in which an observer was developed to estimate the temperature of glass in a small day-tank furnace. The current work eliminates the assumption of homogeneous glass melt and refractory temperatures, and develops a furnace model suitable for implementation with a real-time controller. A state space model of an end-fired furnace was developed in which the furnace was divided longitudinally into two zones. Zone 1 contains the burner flame "cylinder", while Zone 2 is beyond the end of the flame cylinder. Separate states are identified for the temperatures of the refractory in the crown, the walls above the glass melt, the walls adjacent to the two primary melt zones, and the floor of the furnace. The furnace ends are also divided into similar zones constituting discrete states. The glass melt itself contains a thin, surface layer and two thicker layers of stratification. In all, 24 state variables are included in the model. The inputs are the net thermal power provided by the flame and the ambient temperature. Simulations were performed in Simulink and Matlab and were used to predict the temperatures of all 24 state variables. The results were verified using data collected from a similar tank furnace at Fenton Art Glass Company. The results showed a significant stratification in the vertical axis of the furnace but very nearly uniform temperatures in the length and width directions. The model was used to study various melting strategies. Preliminary results suggest that using the estimated glass temperature and feedback from thermocouples in the wall and floor of the furnace could lead to significant energy savings in the melt cycle. Suggestions are made for using the model within a real-time control system implementable on a small glass furnace.


The Robots for Learning workshop series aims at advancing the research topics related to the use of social robots in educational contexts. This year's half-day workshop follows on previous events in Human-Robot Interaction conferences focusing on efforts to dis-cuss potential benchmarks in design, methodology and evaluation of new robotics systems that help learners. In this 6th edition of the workshop, we will be investigating in particular methods from technologies for education and online learning. Since the past few months, online and remote learning has been put in place in several countries to cope with the health and safety measures due to theCovid-19 pandemic. In this workshop, we aim to discuss strategies to design robotics system able to provide embodied assistance to the remote learners and to demonstrate long-term learning effects.


Background: Renal transplantation is the preferred treatment for end stage renal disease. Patients undergoing renal transplant surgery have several high risk features like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and need for haemodyalysis. Renal transplant anaesthesia requires a thorough understanding of the metabolic and systemic abnormalities in end stage renal disease, familiarity with transplant medicine and expertise in managing and optimizing these patients for the best possible outcome. The aim of this study was to find out the characteristics of patients, causes of ESRD, anaesthetic management and the impact of pre-existing diseases on intraoperative or early postoperative complications of the recipients. Methods: In this retrospective study we described our experiences of 124 cases of living transplants from November 2004 – December 2016. We reviewed their medical history and noted age, sex, blood groups, causes of ESRD and history of dialysis. Preoperative investigation and preparation, as well as details of anaesthetic management, were also recorded. Results: General anaesthesia was performed in almost 97% of patients and for the rest of them, combined epidural and general anesthesia were done. The age of the patients was in the range of 15 – 65 years, with the majority of 30 - 39 years group. The mean of surgery duration was 4.5 (±1.20SD) hours. The most significant point during surgery is keeping the mean arterial pressure > 90mm Hg. Conclusions: Preoperative patient optimization, intraoperative haemodynamic stability and postoperative care of renal transplant patients have contributed to the success of renal transplant programmed in our hospital. Birdem Med J 2018; 8(2): 167-171


This article analyzes a retirement strategy of delaying Social Security commencement past Social Security "normal retirement age" to effectively increase annuity income. Using Monte Carlo simulations for returns on a pre-tax retirement portfolio and simplified tax, marriage, and Social Security benefit assumptions, I compare three retirement strategies: 1) following the "4% rule" with retirement at Social Security normal commencement age (66), 2) delayed commencement to age 70 with forgone Social Security income replaced by portfolio withdrawals, and 3) following the 4% rule with normal retirement age commencement and purchase of deferred life annuity of equivalent expected actuarial value to the increase in Social Security that would occur if commencement were delayed to age 70. Results for the scenarios analyzed generally support delaying Social Security as a preferred method to annuitize assets over the direct purchase of a deferred annuity, particularly under the married scenario. Compared with Strategy 1, delaying Social Security increases portfolio fail rates by year 30 (age 96) by 10 percentage points (to about 20%) and results in reduced portfolio values across outcomes. The trade-off is increased inflation-protected income under portfolio failure scenarios by 32% of the primary benefit.


The enactment of new decentralization framework has been unwisely implemented in many regions. Districts/city governments tend to promulgate new local taxes and levies result in high cost economy for regional business activities. The principle of delivering administrative approval (perijinan) is also misgiving as it is deployed for all people's economic facets. Philosophically, not everysingle economic activity requires such kind of permission. This situation leads to the deprivation of public service quality. In order to restore government performance in delivering public services, this paper tries to offer a solution from the perspective of constitutional / public administration law (hukum administrasi negara), i.e. providing new mechanism of administratief beroep or administrative legal efforts (upaya hukum secara administratif).


Podocalyxin (PCX) is a signature molecule of the glomerular podocyte and of maintaining integrity of filtration function of glomerulus. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of different doses of metformin on renal tissue PCX expression in type 2 diabetic rats and clarify its protection on glomerular podocytes. Type 2 diabetic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats in which diabetes was induced by high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) were treated with different doses of metformin (150, 300, and 500 mg/kg per day, resp.) for 8 weeks. Various biochemical parameters, kidney histopathology, and renal tissue PCX expression levels were examined. In type 2 diabetic rats, severe hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia were developed. Urinary albumin and PCX were markedly increased. Diabetes induced significant alterations in renal glomerular structure. In addition, protein and mRNA expression of renal tissue PCX were highly decreased. However, treatment of rats with different doses of metformin restored all these changes to a varying degree. These results suggested that metformin can ameliorate glomerular podocyte damage in type 2 diabetic rats, which may be partly associated with its role in restoring PCX expression and inhibiting urinary excretion of PCX with dose dependence.


Self-stabilization is a versatile approach to fault-tolerance since it permits a distributed system to recover from any transient fault that arbitrarily corrupts the contents of all memories in the system. Byzantine tolerance is an attractive feature of distributed systems that permits to cope with arbitrary malicious behaviors. Combining these two properties proved difficult: it is impossible to contain the spatial impact of Byzantine nodes in a self-stabilizing context for global tasks such as tree orientation and tree construction. We present and illustrate a new concept of Byzantine containment in stabilization. Our property, called Strong Stabilization enables to contain the impact of Byzantine nodes if they actually perform too many Byzantine actions. We derive impossibility results for strong stabilization and present strongly stabilizing protocols for tree orientation and tree construction that are optimal with respect to the number of Byzantine nodes that can be tolerated in a self-stabilizing context.


Trial to trial Event Related Potentials (ERPs) were recorded from children with attentional problems (APs), learning problems (LPs), and from children without these problems (NCs). The task required the subjects to memorize two figures and to selectively respond to their occurrence in a series of stimuli. Stimuli consisted of a display of figures at eight locations in a circle, whereby the targets were presented at a random or a fixed location. Learning from knowledge of prior displays was possible only in the fixed condition. Learning during presentation of the fixed series was manifest in several components. A Slow Wave (SW) difference between series, initially not present, developed within seven trials, and thus corresponded to the rapidity with which the reaction times (RTs) decreased over trials. A larger occipital SW difference was discovered in AP children and a larger frontocentral one in LP children compared to normals. The latency of this SW and the P300 difference between series were delayed with about 200 msec in APs compared to NCs. The task difference in the earliest component, the P120, that increased after behavioral task acquisition was completed, was seen in normal children only. This probably reflected feature-specific (location) attentional demands, that decreased slowly in normal children when the task became more predictable following a number of trials. Task differences of the N200, possibly reflecting covert orienting of attention, were initially smaller in APs and LPs than those of NCs, but they increased in APs (and in LPs more slowly) over trials. Differences were found for parietal amplitudes of the P300 in LPs and NCs, but not for APs. We concluded that AP children show early deficits that could originate from a limited capacity in focussing attention, which in turn prolongs stimulus evaluation. All subsequent processes are delayed by a similar amount of time. In addition, the relatively small frontocentral ERP's of the AP group suggest diminished frontal functioning. Problems in task acquisition and a prolonged process of memory updating might be induced by the slow adaptation to task differences in LP's, and delayed parietal SWs during task acquisition together with a marked frontocentral distribution and no RT difference.


2 Abstract: Rapid growth of Internet, and Communication technologies, Web services has introduced number of new standards and technologies. Web services are not more resistant to attacks than other open network systems. Web Services are exposed to attacks well known from common Internet Protocols and additionally to new kinds of attacks pointing the web services. Attacker can make severe impact to major business. Attacks can be performed with small effort from the attacker's side. The attacks aim to consume the network resources, thrashing web service applications, and reduce performance. These attacks cannot be detected on the web applications. The current web security standard induces crucial vulnerabilities availability in certain web services implementations. Web Services Security can provide message integrity, confidentiality, user authentication and authorization. The existing prevention mechanism has some unique advantages and disadvantages feature over the other mechanism. This is motivated to propose the Malicious Request Filtering mechanism. It would prevent internet users from taking part in Denial of Service attacks unknowingly and protecting web services from Denial of Services attacks. The new technique will provide strengthen to application level Web Services. The proposed solution is helped to test on Web Services applications and effectively filter out the malicious request from the application users.


EU elaborated an ambitious program called Industry 4.0, with the aim of initiating a new industrial revolution. Material processing technologies have evolved in a disruptive manner during the time. Three major industrial revolutions can be identified when analyzing this evolution: first revolution – characterized by the extensive use of water and steam power, second revolution – characterized by the transition to electric power, and third revolution – characterized by the massive involvement of computers and data processing in industrial activities. The Industry 4.0 program marks the beginning of the fourth industrial revolution, which will be characterized by the use of cyber-physical systems in manufacturing. The initiative of starting such a program was taken by the German Government in 2011 (the so-called Industrie 4.0 project). Since then, several other EU countries have adopted similar programs: Factory of the Future (France and Italy), Catapult (UK), etc. According to the principles of the Industry 4.0 program, industrial products should be able to interact with the manufacturing equipment (machine-tools, robots, etc.) by transferring information related to different processing stages. The main consequence of this approach will be the development of an intelligent manufacturing environment having the capability of communicating and making optimal decisions in an autonomous manner. In order to achieve such an ambitious goal, EU will have to spend more than 1,300 billion EURO in the next 15 years. The major economic and political challenge consists in allowing all industrial domains to take advantage from the digital innovation in products, manufacturing processes and business models. The mains advantages and drawbacks of the Romania in the Industry 4.0 agenda are also presented.


Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers; however, the development of drugs to treat the condition has reached a plateau. Bortezomib (PS-341, Velcade ®) is a proteasome inhibitor approved for the treatment of hema-tological malignancies, including multiple myeloma. A few trials of bortezomib, alone or in combination chemotherapy, for CRC patients have been reported; however, the results were largely inconclusive. This may be related to a lack of understanding of the drug's mechanism of action. Although bortezomib is reported to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in various human cancer cells, the inhibitory mechanism involved is not clear. In this study, the effect of bortezomib as a treatment for human CRC was examined in vitro using three CRC cell lines. Bortezomib induced G 2-M arrest in CRC cells. Investigation of G 2-M phase-related cell cycle proteins involved in the response to bortezomib revealed that the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-cell cycle checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) pathway, but not ATM and Rad3-related (ATR), was activated, resulting in the inactivation of cdc2. Bortezomib caused an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and treatment with the ROS scavenger NAC inhibited phosphorylation of ATM leading to a decrease in the number of cells in G 2-M phase. Thus, increased ROS levels after exposure to bortezomib resulted in ATM phosphorylation. In addition, knockdown of endogenous ATM by RNA interference resulted in decreased sensitivity to bortezomib. These results suggest that bortezomib induces G 2-M arrest through ROS-inducible ATM phosphorylation and demonstrate that bortezomib is a potential candidate for further investigations in the treatment for CRC patients.


ObjectiveThe interaction between coagulation and inflammation has become one of the major topics in critical care medicine. In the present study, we investigated the effect of posttreatment of sepsis with recombinant human antithrombin. DesignExperimental laboratory in a university hospital. SettingUniversity laboratory. SubjectsFemale merino ewes (n = 16). InterventionsAfter 1 wk of recovery from the surgical preparation, a tracheotomy was performed followed by insufflation of 48 breaths of cotton smoke (<40°C). Afterward, a stock solution of live Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5 × 1011 colony-forming units) was instilled in the both lung lobes through a bronchoscope. All sheep were mechanically ventilated employing 100% oxygen. An infusion of recombinant human antithrombin (100 units·kg−1·24 hrs−1, intravenously; n = 6) or saline (n = 6) was started 1 hr after injury. Sham control animals (n = 4) were surgically prepared but not insufflated with smoke and bacteria. Lung histologic changes were evaluated by a scoring system. Measurements and Main ResultsThe infusion of recombinant human antithrombin maintained the baseline antithrombin activity throughout the study; in the saline-treated group, antithrombin activity decreased significantly. The lung wet/dry weight ratio and the histology score (combined scores for congestion, edema, inflammation, and hemorrhage) were significantly increased by the insult, but recombinant human antithrombin attenuated these responses. More than 30% of both bronchi and bronchioles were obstructed by cast formation after smoke inhalation and pneumonia. The cast was composed of epithelial cells, neutrophils, mucus, and fibrin. The obstruction was significantly improved by recombinant human antithrombin infusion. Arterial pressure and urine output were also attenuated in recombinant human antithrombin-treated animals. The increases in plasma nitrate/nitrite concentrations and pulmonary shunt fraction after the injury were not attenuated by recombinant human antithrombin. ConclusionPosttreatment by recombinant human antithrombin was effective in treating acute lung injury after smoke inhalation and pneumonia in sheep. We hypothesize that the decrease in antithrombin activity during sepsis might induce severe airway obstruction and that supplementation with antithrombin inhibits this decrease.


Many firms engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which aim to serve a broader set of stakeholders (e.g., workforce, communities, environment). These companies often encourage management to consider these stakeholders when making operational and financial decisions. One such decision that managers face involves managing earnings. We conduct an experiment in which experienced managers are placed in the role of a division manager facing an accrual decision. We find that a company's demonstrated commitment to CSR moderates both upward and downward earnings management attempts. We propose, and find support for, a moderated-mediation model in which the firm's commitment to CSR influences managers' consideration of constituents. Managers' consideration of these stakeholders differentially affects the level of accruals, depending on the direction of the earnings management incentive. Our results provide insight into how CSR may influence individuals' decisions within the organization, minimizing the impact that incentives have on maximizing one's self-interest.


The nature of ideology in Ghana's 2012 elections has not been studied, but to do so is key to understanding social, economic and political developments in the country. This article tries to fill the gap. Theoretical guidance is taken from Giovanni Arrighi's The Long Twentieth Century (1994). While the analysis is cast in the longue duree, the empirical evidence is mostly extracted from the 2012 elections. Contrary to earlier findings that ideology plays no part in Ghanaian politics, it is argued that it was central, to the campaign at least, but that the position is one of common economic liberalism rather than multiple ideologies. So, while rhetorically the parties asserted their differences, substantially and substantively, aspiration rather than ascription was the common unifying logic of the two major political parties. This assessment has some positive but mostly very disturbing implications for the distribution of wealth.


Remote sensing of long-term vegetation monitoring relies on the analysis of multisensor and multitemporal time-series measurements. Cross-sensor calibration is therefore important to prevent artifacts in the temporal signal due to inherent differences in sensors configurations. Variations in spectral response functions (SRFs) are among the major causes of differences in multisensor reflectances and products. In this paper, we report on the SRF comparability of the upcoming Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI) sensor with a number of operational sensors National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/ Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR9), Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre VEGETATION1 (VGT1), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) relevant for vegetation monitoring. SRF cross-sensor calibration methods for the conversion of red and near infrared (NIR) reflectances and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values of operational sensors in reference to the Sentinel-2 MSI sensor were evaluated. Calibration data sets obtained using the soil-leaf-canopy radiative transfer model; a state-of-the-art airborne imaging spectrometer Airborne Prism Experiment (APEX); and univariate and multivariate regression models were considered for SRF cross-sensor calibration. For AVHRR9 and VGT1, reflectances in the red spectral region differed more than 30% from Sentinel-2 reflectances. These differences translated in NDVI deviations of up to 10%. The developed SRF cross-sensor calibration method reduced the differences by factors up to 6, 3, and 7 for red, NIR, and NDVI values, respectively. All but AVHRR9 have been found to be cross-calibrated to within 5% differences for reflectances and NDVI values. The present work is considered as part of a broader harmonization effort aimed at preparing for the integration of Sentinel-2 MSI data with existing historical data records and product time series.


Ion-microprobe zircon U/Pb age data are presented for two metasedimentary sequences in Fiordland, New Zealand: one is a correlative of the Lachlan fold belt in southeast Australia and incorporates metamorphosed Ordovician turbidites intruded by 350–370 Ma S-type granites, and the other is equivalent in age to the older Delamerian fold belt and is derived from Cambrian-Ordovician protoliths (Kanmantoo Group) intruded by 480 Ma granitic orthogneiss. The latter was exhumed from lower crustal depths and is considered to be representative of basement not only in New Zealand but also in the formerly contiguous regions of southeast Australia and Antarctica. This basement underwent melting and low-pressure–high-temperature metamorphism at 350–370 Ma and yields detrital zircon with ages identical to those of inherited zircon in the mid-Paleozoic S-type granites.


The article covers the antithesis of positive and negative knowledge and its projection on the field of language. By the example of the Sermon on the Mount, the thesis of non-discursive nature of word and its contrasting to speech is affirmed. In connection with the antithesis under consideration, such questions of phenomenology are addressed as embodiment of meaning in a word, essential irrelevance of existing institutions and instances of the language. Distinction is made between authentic appeal and institutional methods of identification presented in nominal discourse.


It has been suggested in recent years that EU policies towards Northern Europe could serve as a potential model for the EU's relations with its other neighbours. This paper focuses on two particular EU policies towards non-EU members in Northern Europe: the Northern Dimension (ND) initiative and the European Economic Area (EEA), which are analysed in light of two broader themes: first, how the EU organises its policy towards its neighbours more generally and, secondly, the enlargement process and how the EU has attempted to develop alternatives to EU membership. The Northern Dimension could be a useful model for the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), in particular vis-a-vis the Eastern neighbours, although it must be recognised that the regional approach has played a limited role in confronting strategic challenges and resolving politically contentious issues in EU neighbourhood policies. The initial proposals from the EU for its European Neighbourhood Policy fall far short of the sort of relations currently existing between the EU and the three EFTA (European Free Trade Association) states in the EEA. The agreements with the erstwhile EU accession candidates of Central and Eastern Europe and the countries of south-east Europe could appear to provide more suitable models for the ENP than the EEA. However, the prospect of eventual EU membership is a fundamental premise underlying these agreements, which makes certain provisions and institutional arrangements acceptable to the associated states that might otherwise be found objectionable. This conundrum is likely to dominate the debate on EU neighbourhood policies for years to come.


We study the mixing structure, mixing performance, and short term dynamics in round bottomed laminar tanks agitated by an eccentrically located angled disc. We define eccentricity (E = e/R) as the ratio of the distance of the axis of rotation from the center line of the tank (e) and the tank radius (R). The structural and dynamic features observed at different eccentricity values were compared using planar laser-induced fluorescence techniques and computational fluid dynamics calculations. A Poincare analysis demonstrates the chaotic nature of the flow induced by eccentricity. Practically globally chaotic conditions are observed for E = 0.42 and E = 0.50, with mixing times of 5–8 min at Re = 416. We study the effect of different injection points on the short-term mixing dynamics and we calculate axial flow rates and Power numbers. Stirred tanks agitated by an eccentrically located angled disc are a simple and cost effective system for laminar mixing applications. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 3092–3108, 2013


Background Inability to cross the lesion with a guidewire is the most common reason for failure in percutaneous revascularisation (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTOs). An ostial or stumpless CTO is an acknowledged challenge for CTO recanalisation due to difficulty in successful wiring. IVUS imaging provides the opportunity to visualise the occluded vessel and to aid guidewire advancement. We review the value of this technique in a single-centre experience of CTO PCI. Methods This series involves 22 patients who underwent CTO-PCI using IVUS guidance for stumpless CTO wiring at our institution. CTO operators with extensive IVUS experience in non-CTO cases carried out all procedures. Procedural and outcome data in this population was prospectively entered into the institutional database and a retrospective analysis of clinical, angiographic and technical data was performed. Results 17 (77%) of the 22 procedures were successful. The mean age was 59.8 ± 11.5 years, and 90.9% were male. The most commonly attempted lesions were located in the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) 36.4% (8) and Circumflex artery (LCx) 31.8% (7). Mean JCTO score was 3.09 ± 0.75 (3.06 ± 0.68, 3.17 ± 0.98 in the successful and failed groups respectively p = 0.35). The mean contrast volume was 378.7 ml ± 114.7 (389.9 ml ± 130.5, 349.2 ml ± 52.2 p = 0.3 in the successful and failed groups respectively). There was no death, coronary artery bypass grafting or myocardial infarction requiring intervention in this series. When the success rates were analysed taking into account the date of adoption of this technique, the learning curve had no significant impact on CTO-PCI success. Conclusions This series describes a good success rate in IVUS guided stumpless wiring of CTOs in consecutive patients with this complex anatomical scenario.


Rats injected with streptozotocin and nicotinamide developed grossly visible islet cell tumors of the pancreas. During i.v. glucose tolerance tests, two populations of tumor-bearing rats were identified: fast responders exhibited significantly lower plasma glucose and markedly elevated plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels relative to those of the controls. In slow responders, the plasma glucose level was significantly elevated up to 2 h after glucose injection, and the plasma IRI level was lower than that of the controls. During in vitro perfusions with glucose at 300 mg/dl (16.7 mM), tumor-bearing pancreata of fast responders released elevated levels of IRI and immunoreactive somatostatin (IRS); after tumor removal, glucose-stimulated release of these hormones returned to control levels. However, during similar perfusions of pancreata from slow responders, the IRI and IRS release did not decrease after tumor removal, suggesting that the nontumorous pancreatic islets rather than the gross tumors of the slow-responder group were the source of the glucose-stimulated hormone release. These studies demonstrate that gross tumors in the two responder subgroups differ in their glucose-stimulated hormone release.


Changes in the blood hormonal levels were studied in 36 rabbits with electrodes implanted to the area of the dorsomedial nuclei of the hypothalamus in the course of a 5-cycle electrostimulation experiment. After each period blood hormonal levels were correlated to the activities of the hypothalamic catecholamine-, GABA-, and serotoninergic systems. The first two cycles of the experiment were associated with a high activity of the hypothalamic mediator systems and with increased levels of all hormones in the blood. The functional activity of the hypothalamus was reduced due to the predominance of stress-limiting systems. The initial reduction of GABA, and then of serotonin in the hypothalamus caused be the end of experiment a reduction of the blood levels of the tested hormones, except the Ca-regulating ones and active renin. Disturbances in the regulatory mechanisms of hypothalamic mediator systems leads to an increase in its excitability and to transformation of the adaptive pattern of hormonal changes into pathological mechanisms of prolonged emotional stress.


This paper demonstrates a smart catheter system with intracranial pressure (ICP) and temperature sensing capability which is designed for real-time monitoring in traumatic brain injury (TBI) therapy. It uses a single flexible catheter with a 1 mm (3 Fr) diameter that integrates electrodes and sophisticated silicon chip on flexible substrates, enabling multimodality monitoring of physiological signals. A micro-electromechanical-system (MEMS) catheter pressure sensor is mounted on the distal end. It can be used for detecting both pressure and temperature by different switch configurations, which minimizes the size of catheter and reduces the cost. The interconnects (signalling conductors) are printed on a bio-compatible flexible substrate, and the sensor is interfaced with an embedded electronic system at the far-end. The electronic system consists of analog front end with analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a microcontroller, and data interface to the hospital infrastructure with a graphical user interface (GUI). The overall smart catheter system achieves a pressure sensing root mean square error (RMSE) of ±1.5 mmHg measured from 20 mmHg to 300 mmHg above 1 atm and a temperature sensing RMSE of ±0.08°C measured from 32°C to 42°C. The sampling rate can be up to 10S/s. The in vivo performance is demonstrated in laboratory animals.


To the Editor. —In reference to Gilbert and Auchincloss'1study of 211 patients, they found that approximately half of the patients having a restrictive defect based on a spirogram alone did not have such a defect identified by the older criteria requiring total lung capacity (TLC) measurement. We recently retrospectively evaluated the medical records for the past five years of 83 patients at the Fresno (Calif) Veterans Administration Medical Center who were diagnosed as having a mild restrictive ventilatory defect due to a variety of causes based on the criteria of a combination of a low vital capacity (60% to 79% of the predicted value) and a normal (≥75%) ratio of 1-s forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity alone. The predicted values of the vital capacity were obtained from the study by Schmidt et al.2All 83 patients also had total lung capacity measured either by helium


Person-generated health data (PGHD) generated by wearable devices and smartphone applications are growing rapidly. There is increasing effort to employ advanced analytical methods to generate insights from these data in order to help people change their lifestyle and improve their health. PGHD—such as step counts, exercise logs, nutritional diaries, and sleep records—are often incomplete, inaccurate, and collected over too short a duration. Insufficient user engagement with wearable and mobile technologies, as well as lack of sensor validation, standardization of data collection, transparency of data processing assumptions, and accessibility to relevant data from consumer-grade sensors, also negatively affects data quality. The literature on data quality for PGHD is sparse and fragmented, providing little guidance to data analysts on how to assess and prioritize data quality concerns. In this paper, we summarize our experiences as data analysts working with PGHD, outline some of the challenges in using PGHD for insight generation, and discuss some established methods for addressing these challenges. We review the literature on PGHD data quality, identify the major stakeholders in the PGHD ecosystem, and apply an established data quality framework to present the most relevant data quality challenges for each stakeholder.


Tests on rolling technology of four-graded RCC were carried out on dam site and then recommended construction parameters of four-graded RCC was proposed, which aimed to provide technique support for application of four-graded RCC in hydropower projects. Results show that when water consumption is 71kg/m3 and VC value is 3s~5s of four-graded RCC, large aggregates are coated with mortar sufficiently and the mixture has good performance of being-rolled and anti-separation. Recommended parameters of four-graded RCC are as follows: 2 times without vibration+6 times with vibration+2 times without vibration for 0.4m-thick layer, 2 times without vibration+8 times with vibration+2 times without vibration for 0.5m-thick layer, with rolling exciting force 395kN and walking speed 1.0~1.5km/h. Then the relative compaction of four-graded RCC can reach or exceed 98.0%.


Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and fetal overgrowth occur in 15% of all pregnancies and lead to the delivery of a baby with an abnormally low or high birth weight, respectively. Both these conditions of pathological fetal growth increase the risk for perinatal complications and predispose the baby for the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in childhood and later in life. Fetal growth is closely related to the capacity of the placenta to transport nutrients and ions, which is dependent of the expression and activity of specific transporter proteins in the plasma membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast, the transporting epithelium of the human placenta. In human IUGR, some trophoblast nutrient and ion transporters are down regulated, whereas fetal overgrowth is associated with an up-regulation of transporters for amino acids and glucose in the placental barrier. Experimental studies have provided evidence to suggest that these changes in placental transport capacity constitute a direct cause of altered fetal growth. Therefore, regulation of placental nutrient transporters play a critical role in determining fetal growth and development, as well as the future health of the baby. This review is focused on the human and (i) summarizes the evidence that changes in the activity and expression of trophoblast nutrient and ion transporters play a central role in determining fetal growth, (ii) discusses the molecular mechanisms regulating trophoblast transporters, and (iii) highlights the implications of these findings for the development of pregnancy complications and fetal programming of cardiovascular and metabolic disease.


As we atomize and expand the digital representation of specimen information through data standards, it is critical to evaluate the implementation of these developments, including how well they serve discipline-specific needs. In particular, fossil specimens often present challenges because they require information to be captured that is seemingly parallel to, but not entirely aligned with, that of their extant counterparts. Previous work to evaluate data sharing practices of paleontology collections has shown an imbalance in the use of Darwin Core (DwC) (Wieczorek et al. 2012) terms and many instances of underutilized terms (Little 2018). To expand upon that broad assessment and encourage better adoption of evolving standards and data practices by fossil collections, a more in-depth review of term usage is necessary. Here we review specific DwC terms that are underutilized or that present challenges for fossil occurrence records, and we examine the subsequent impact on data discovery of paleo specimens. We conclude by sharing options for improving standards implementation within a paleo context.
 We see key patterns and challenges in current implementation of DwC in paleo collections, as evidenced by evaluations of the typical mappings found in occurrence records for fossil specimens, data flags applied by aggregators, and discussions within the paleo collections community. These can be organized into three broad groupings.
 Group 1: Some DwC terms (or classes of terms) are clear to implement, but are underutilized due to issues that are also found within the neontological community. Example: Location. In the case of terms related to the Location class, paleontology has a need for a way to deal with sensitive locality information. The sensitivity here typically relates to laws restricting the sharing of locality information to protect fossil sites versus neontological requirements to protect threatened, rare, or endangered species. The end goal of needing to fuzz locality information without completely making the specimen record undiscoverable or unusable is the same. There is a need for better education at the paleo data provider-level related to standards for recording and sharing information in this category, which could be based on existing neontological community standards.
 Group 2: A second group of DwC terms often seem clear to implement, but the terminology used to describe and define them might be unfamiliar to paleontologists or read as unnecessary for fossil occurrences. This uncertainty about the applicability of a term to paleo data can often result in data not being mapped or fully shared. Example: recordedBy (= collector). In these cases, a simple translation of what the definition means in verbiage that is familiar to paleontologists, or the inclusion of paleo-oriented examples in the DwC documentation, can make implementation clear.
 Group 3: A third group of issues relates to DwC terms, classes, and/or extensions that are more complicated in the context of fossil vs. neontological data. In some cases use of these terms is complicated for neontological data as well, but perhaps for different reasons. The terms impacted by these challenges can sometimes have the same general use, but due to the nature of fossil preservation, or because a term has a different meaning within the discipline of paleontology, additional layers of uncertainty or ambiguity are present. Examples: Resource Relationship/Interactions, Individual count, Preparations, Taxon. Review of these terms and their related classes and/or the extensions they are part of has revealed that they might require qualification, further explanation, additional vocabulary terms, or even the need for special handling instructions when data are ingested and normalized at the aggregator level. This group of issues is more complicated to resolve, but the problems are not intractable and can progress toward solutions through further discussion within the community, active participation in the standards development and review process, and development of clear guidelines.
 Strategically assessing these terms and generating discipline-specific guidelines to be used by the paleo community can improve the mobilization and discovery of fossil occurrence data. Documenting these paleo data practices not only helps data providers, it also increases the utility of these data within the broader research community by clearly outlining how the terms were used. Overall, this discipline-focused approach to understanding the implementation of data standards like DwC at the term level, helps to increase knowledge sharing across the paleo community, improves data quality and standards adoption, and moves these datasets towards alignment with best practices like the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles.


Acoustic smart sensor networks can provide valuable actionable intelligence to authorities for managing safety in the urban environment. A spatial filter (beamformer) for localization and separation of acoustic sources is a key component of such a network. However, classical methods such as delay-and-sum beamforming fail, because sources are located at varying distances from the sensor array. This causes a regularization problem where either far-away sources are wrongly attenuated, or noise is wrongly amplified.We solve this by considering source strength and location as random variables. The posterior distributions are approximated using Gibbs sampling. Each marginal is computed by combining importance sampling and inverse transform sampling using Chebyshev polynomial approximation. This leads to an iterative algorithm with similarities to deconvolution beamforming.Our method is robust against deviations in manifold model, can deal with sources at different distances and power levels, and does not require an a priori known number of sources.


Background Acute cholangitis (AC) is a common emergency with a significant mortality risk. This study aimed to compare urgent, early, and late endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for AC. Method We retrospectively evaluated patients diagnosed with AC from June 2016 to May 2021. According to the time of ERCP, patients were divided into urgent (≤24 h), early (24-48 h), and late (≥48 h) groups. Primary outcomes were technical success, in-hospital mortality, and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were the length of hospital stay (LOS), ERCP-related adverse events, and 30-day readmission. Results We divided 121 patients who underwent ERCP into urgent (N = 15), early (N = 19), and late groups (N = 87). There was no in-hospital mortality and no significant difference in technical success (93.3% (urgent) vs 89.5% (early) vs 96.6% (late); P = .41) and 30-day mortality (P = .82). LOS in the urgent and early groups was shorter than that in the late group (13.93 days vs 8.82 days vs 14.20 days, respectively; P = .02). There was no difference between groups for ERCP-related adverse events and 30-day readmission rates. Conclusions Urgent or early ERCP was not superior to late ERCP for technical success and 30-day mortality. However, urgent or early ERCP was associated with shorter LOS than late ERCP.


Experiments were carried out on water flowing turbulently inside each of the four following electrically heated pipes: 1. 1" inside diameter smooth circular pipe with a long calming section. 2. The same pipe fitted with a series of turbulence promoters made from spirally twisted strips having differing pitches. 3. ¾ inch square pipe with a long calming section. 4. A Row Indented tube. In case (1), the local coefficients of heat transfer were calculated and the results correlated by empirical equations based on the dimensional analysis. For cases (2) and (3), the local coefficients of heat transfer were likewise calculated, and then plotted against the pipe length for different Reynolds number. After a dimensional analysis of results (for the average coefficient of heat transfer) in the case of promoters, those results were correlated with those in previous research on air flowing inside pipes having different diameters and promoters of different pitches. In the case of the square pipe, the average coefficients and the coefficients of the tube of infinite length were correlated by the methods of both Dettus & Boeltcr, and Sieder & Tate, by the use of the hydraulic diameter in the dimensionless groups. For the Row tube the average coefficients of heat transfer were correlated as functions of mass flow rate. Finally, the effect of super or abnormal turbulence on the saving of power was also studied, by the plotting of the ratio of power (at the same coefficient of heat transfer) between the plain and fitted tubes against the coefficient of heat transfer.


Abstract. Abstract. The global NorESM1-M model that produced results for CMIP5 ( http://cmip-pcmdi.llnl.gov/cmip5/index.html ) has been slightly upgraded to NorESM1-Happi, and has been run with double resolution (~ 1° in the atmosphere and the land surface) to provide model simulations to address the differences between a 1.5 °C and a 2.0 °C warmer climate than the 1850 pre-industrial. As a part of the validation of temperature-targeted model simulations, the atmosphere and land models have been run fully coupled with deep ocean and sea-ice as an extension of the NorESM1-M which produced CMIP5-results. Selected results from a standard set of validation experiments are discussed: a 500-year 1850 pre-industrial control run, three runs for the historical period 1850–2005, three detection and attribution runs, and three future projection runs based on RCPs. NorESM1-Happi has a better representation of sea-ice, improved Northern Hemisphere (NH) extratropical cyclone and blocking activity, and a fair representation of the Madden-Julian oscillation. The amplitude of ENSO signals is reduced and is too small, although the frequency is improved. The strength of the AMOC is larger and probably too large. Modern era global near-surface temperatures and the cloudiness are considerably under-estimated, while the precipitation and the intensity of the hydrological cycle are over-estimated, although the atmospheric residence time of water-vapour appears satisfactory. An ensemble of AMIP-type runs with prescribed SSTs and sea-ice from observations at present-day and a set of global CMIP5 models for a 1.5 °C and a 2.0 °C world (i.e. AMIP) has been provided by the model to a multi-model project (HAPPI, http://www.happimip.org/ ). This paper concentrates on the results from the NorESM1-Happi AMIP runs, which are compared to results from a slab-ocean version of the model (NorESM1-HappiSO) designed to emulate the AMIP simulation allowing SST and sea-ice to respond. The paper discusses the Arctic Amplification of the global change signal. The slab-ocean results generally show stronger response than the AMIP results to a global change, such as reduced NH extratropical cyclone activity, and different changes in the occurrence of blocking. A considerable difference in the reduction of sea-ice in the Arctic between a 1.5 °C and a 2.0 °C world is simulated. Ice-free summer conditions in the Arctic is estimated to be very rare for the 1.5 °C case, but to occur 40 % of the time for the 2.0 °C case. These results agree with some fully coupled models, but need to be further confirmed.


Cevimeline hydrochloride hydrate is a muscarinic receptor agonist with a chemical structure of a quinuclidine. Intraduodenal administration of cevimeline hydrochloride hydrate dose-dependently increased salivary secretion in normal mice and rats, two strains of autoimmune disease mice, and X-irradiated rats. The clinical efficacy of the cevimeline hydrochlide hydrate at 30 mg t.i.d. during 4 weeks has been demonstrated in double blind comparative study with placebo. In addition, its treatments in 52 weeks have increased salivary flow and improved subjective and objective symptoms of patients with xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome.


In this paper, we discuss various basic properties of moduli of smoothness of functions from Lp(R ), 0 < p ≤ ∞. In particular, complete versions of Jackson-, Marchaud-, and Ulyanov-type inequalities are given for the whole range of p. Moreover, equivalences between moduli of smoothness and the corresponding K-functionals and the realization concept are proved.


Level densities for the X(730, 226) system are calculated using a single particle methodology incorporating the Rost interaction and pairing interaction of Blomqvist and Wahlborn. Energy level fluctuations are smoothed utilizing the constant temperature, power law, and equidistant model functional forms. The constant temperature relationship is used to model the density and total number of energy levels. The total number of levels is also compared with the predictions of the power law and equidistant models. Systematics of level densities for existing and potential superheavy nuclei are discussed.


Intersectional analysis need not focus solely on differences within or between identity-based groups. Using intersectionality for cross movement mobilization reveals that, contrary to criticism for being divisive, attention to intersecting identities has the potential to create solidarity and cohesion. In this article, we elaborate this argument with a case study of the intersection of race, gender, and disability in genetic technologies as well as in organizing to promote a social justice approach to the use of these technologies. We show how organizing based on an intersectional analysis can help forge alliances between reproductive justice, racial justice, women's rights, and disability rights activists to develop strategies to address reproductive genetic technologies. We use the work of Generations Ahead to illuminate how intersectionality applied at the movement-building level can identify genuine common ground, create authentic alliances, and more effectively advocate for shared policy priorities.


Treasury Floating Rate Notes (FRNs) were introduced in 2014 as a way to diversify the U.S. Treasury funding base and lower its borrowing costs. Using daily data on all Floating Rate Notes issued from 1/2014 to 10/2016 we find that FRNs deliver a statistically significant excess return relative to the underlying index, as well as relative to other short-term interest rate benchmarks. However, yield spreads with respect to comparable maturity fixed rate Treasuries, quarterly data on auction outcomes, and block holding disclosures by financial institutions support the objectives set forth by the Treasury. Collectively our article provides a perspective on FRN contract features, the return and risk of these instruments, and insight into their clientele.


Premature sign-off of audit documents (premature sign-off) is one of the behaviours of external auditors in the audit progress that will reduce quality of an audit program. The purposes of this study are to examine whether external auditors commonly practice premature sign-off and to investigate the factors contributing to these practices. In addition, the impact of premature sign-off is also evaluated. This study is based on the primary data of survey questionnaires among the external auditors as the data collection method. This study found that premature sign-off was commonly practiced by almost half of the respondents in the survey. This practices causes by rush audit work, overdependence on regular corporate clients, allocation of inadequate number of audit hours and insufficient supervision by senior auditors. Almost all respondents agree that the premature sign-off of audit documents by external auditors affect the confidence of the users in the credibility of audit report and hence, truthfulness of the financial statement.


As a droplet moves, due to evaporation at the surface, the droplet size is gradually reduced. Due to decreasing the size of the droplets moving in the spray core, the surface charges become closer and the repulsive force between the charges increases. When the Coulombic force overcomes the surface tension force (Rayleigh instability) the droplet breaks into smaller droplets (Coulomb fission). The present study predicts droplet Coulomb fission and droplets trajectories of steady spray plume in a monodisperse Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) spray within a Lagrangian framework. Droplet fission is simulated based on the principle of minimum free energy using the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and droplet trajectories are predicted using the Lagrangian single-droplet dynamic tracking method. The numerical model is validated by comparing the model predictions with the experimental and previous modeling results. In the current method, an optimization method for minimizing the energy in the minimum energy principle is utilized to avoid any simplifying assumptions, such as number of sibling droplets and charge distribution on their surfaces which may affect the physics of the problem. According to the process of the present solutions and results, it is clearly seen that the developed method has sufficient accuracy and precision.


This master thesis is focused on studying the Vestnesa Ridge located west of Svalbard. The Vestnesa Ridge is a 100 km long and about 3 km wide sediment drift located on the recently uplifted Svalbard margin. The crest of the ridge is represented with numerous pockmarks with different size, orientation and elongation. High resolution seismic data connected pockmarks with acoustic chimneys and faults located in the subsurface. The Vestnesa Ridge is a gas hydrate province, BSR exists in the study area marking the base of gas hydrate stability zone. Free gas below BSR is migrating towards the crest of the ridge while gas-hydrates act as a cap rock due to reduced permeability. Acoustic chimneys and large faults often penetrate through the gas hydrate stability zone and may provide a permeable vertical conduit for accumulated free gas. Previous works suggested that faults and fractures have an important role in regional fluid flow. Main goal of this master thesis is to map faults and fractures through interpretation of two 3D-seismic datasets and several 2D lines. Seismic datasets covers two areas on west and east of the crest of Vestnesa Ridge. These areas are affected by active fluid expulsion resulting from presence of gas hydrates and moderate tectonic activity related to nearby Molloy Transform Fault and mid ocean spreading ridge. Faults and fractures were mapped using Ant tracking attribute and manual interpretation. Seismic anomalies and morphological features are also interpreted and discussed. Difference between two 3D seismic surveys are observed. Eastern part of the Vestnesa ridge contains more fluid flow features such as chimneys and pockmarks. More faults and fractures are present in the eastern part as well. Fault and fractures in the east tend to be parallel to the crest of the ridge while faults in the western part do not show any preferred orientation. Fault offsets tend to increase with depth leading to a suggestion of several periods of reactivation. Mechanisms controlling formation, reactivation and permeability of faults are discussed.


This report presents calculation of three-dimensional13; turbulent viscous flow over a HSVA tanker with a rounded nose at the bow end, a long constant rectangular cross section at the middle and finally ending in a sharp13; tapered stern section with comptex hub geometry to provide the propeller. The calculation however does not account for the effect of surfact waves or propellers on the flow. A hybrid procedure coupling the algebraic and the differential method of grid-generation is used to generate the body fitted c-o type of grid configuration around the ship.A finite volume method based on cell centered variabie arrangement and Cartesian velocity components coupled with standard k- E model for turbulence is then employed to calculate the time-averaged, three-dimensional flow field. The computer code and the relevant data structure are so organised that most of the code except the implicit linear solver used is fully vectorisable, so as to exploit the potential of modern vector computers. Comparison of calculation results with available measurement data shows reasonable agreement for the overall flow characteristics like distribution of pressure or skin-friction coefficient around the ship.


Inherent in the definition of Pareto efficiency is the idea that, in dynamic environments, an individual is indexed by the history of events up to his birth (rather than, as usual, the date of birth). Here, we explore the implications of this natural formulation. The set of Pareto efficient allocations that is consistent with this view is potentially larger than those considered so far in the literature. We show that the set of allocations is strictly larger because we do not require individuals to have insurance motives of the Harsanyi-Rawls type regarding risks on their own type realization. We do, however, maintain the insurance motives of parents toward their children. Even in our more general framework, efficiency criteria impose substantial restrictions on the set of allocations. Interestingly, the restrictions are of a new nature. Our different, more natural view has some important policy implications. The first is that some policy criteria (for example, the progressive nature of taxes) cannot be defended on efficiency grounds, once the Harsanyi-Rawlsian insurance criterion is rejected as being normatively unsound. Second, we show that the condition of imposing no taxes of any kind, coupled with each agent owning his own production, results in a Pareto efficient allocation.


Preface. References. I ATOMIC STRUCTURE. 1 The Idea of Crystals. 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Two-Dimensional Lattices. 1.3 Symmetries. 2 Three-Dimensional Lattices. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Monatomic Lattices. 2.3 Compounds. 2.4 Classification of Lattices by Symmetry. 2.5 Symmetries of Lattices with Bases. 2.6 Some Macroscopic Implications of Microscopic Symmetries ... 3 Scattering and Structures. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Theory of Scattering from Crystals. 3.3 Experimental Methods. 3.4 Further Features of Scattering Experiments. 3.5 Correlation Functions. 4 Surfaces and Interfaces. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Geometry of Interfaces. 4.3 Experimental Observation and Creation of Surfaces. 5 Beyond Crystals. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Diffusion and Random Variables. 5.3 Alloys. 5.4 Simulations. 5.5 Liquids. 5.6 Glasses. 5.7 Liquid Crystals. 5.8 Polymers. 5.9 Colloids and Diffusing-Wave Scattering. 5.10 Quasicrystals. 5.11 Fullerenes and nanotubes. II ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE. 6 The Free Fermi Gas and Single Electron Model. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Starting Hamiltonian. 6.3 Densities of States. 6.4 Statistical Mechanics of Noninteracting Electrons. 6.5 Sommerfeld Expansion. 7 Non-Interacting Electrons in a Periodic Potential. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Translational Symmetry-Bloch's Theorem. 7.3 Rotational Symmetry-Group Representations. 8 Nearly Free and Tightly Bound Electrons. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Nearly Free Electrons. 8.3 Brillouin Zones. 8.4 Tightly Bound Electrons. 9 Electron-Electron Interactions. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Hartree and Hartree-Fock Equations. 9.3 Density Functional Theory. 9.4 Quantum Monte Carlo. 9.5 Kohn-Sham Equations. 10 Realistic Calculations in Solids. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Numerical Methods. 10.3 Definition of Metals, Insulators, and Semiconductors. 10.4 Brief Survey of the Periodic Table. III MECHANICAL PROPERTIES. 11 Cohesion of Solids. 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Noble Gases. 11.3 Ionic Crystals. 11.4 Metals. 11.5 Band Structure Energy. 11.6 Hydrogen-Bonded Solids. 11.7 Cohesive Energy from Band Calculations. 11.8 Classical Potentials. 12 Elasticity. 12.1 Introduction. 12.2 Nonlinear Elasticity. 12.3 Linear Elasticity. 12.4 Other Constitutive Laws. 13 Phonons. 13.1 Introduction. 13.2 Vibrations of a Classical Lattice. 13.3 Vibrations of a Quantum-Mechanical Lattice. 13.4 Inelastic Scattering from Phonons. 13.5 The Mossbauer Effect. 14 Dislocations and Cracks. 14.1 Introduction. 14.2 Dislocations. 14.3 Two-Dimensional Dislocations and Hexatic Phases. 14.4 Cracks. 15 Fluid Mechanics. 15.1 Introduction. 15.2 Newtonian Fluids. 15.3 Polymeric Solutions. 15.4 Plasticity. 15.5 Superfluida 4He. IV ELECTRON TRANSPORT. 16 Dynamics of Bloch Electrons. 16.1 Introduction. 16.2 Semiclassical Electron Dynamics. 16.3 Noninteracting Electrons in an Electric Field. 16.4 Semiclassical Equations from Wave Packets. 16.5 Quantizing Semiclassical Dynamics. 17 Transport Phenomena and Fermi Liquid Theory. 17.1 Introduction. 17.2 Boltzmann Equation. 17.3 Transport Symmetries. 17.4 Thermoelectric Phenomena. 17.5 Fermi Liquid Theory. 18 Microscopic Theories of Conduction. 18.1 Introduction. 18.2 Weak Scattering Theory of Conductivity. 18.3 Metal-Insulator Transitions in Disordered Solids. 18.4 Compensated Impurity Scattering and Green's Functions. 18.5 Localization. 18.6 Luttinger Liquids. 19 Electronics. 19.1 Introduction. 19.2 Metal Interfaces. 19.3 Semiconductors. 19.4 Diodes and Transistors. 19.5 Inversion Layers. V OPTICAL PROPERTIES. 20 Phenomenological Theory. 20.1 Introduction. 20.2 Maxwell's Equations. 20.3 Kramers-Kronig Relations. 20.4 The Kubo-Greenwood Formula. 21 Optical Properties of Semiconductors. 21.1 Introduction. 21.2 Cyclotron Resonance. 21.3 Semiconductor Band Gaps. 21.4 Excitons. 21.5 Optoelectronics. 22 Optical Properties of Insulators. 22.1 Introduction. 22.2 Polarization. 22.3 Optical Modes in Ionic Crystals. 22.4 Point Defects and Color Centers. 23 Optical Properties of Metals and Inelastic Scattering. 23.1 Introduction. 23.2 Metals at Low Frequencies. 23.3 Plasmons. 23.4 Interband Transitions. 23.5 Brillouin and Raman Scattering. 23.6 Photoemission. VI MAGNETISM. 24 Classical Theories of Magnetism and Ordering. 24.1 Introduction. 24.2 Three Views of Magnetism. 24.3 Magnetic Dipole Moments. 24.4 Mean Field Theory and the Ising Model. 24.5 Other Order-Disorder Transitions. 24.6 Critical Phenomena. 25 Magnetism of Ions and Electrons. 25.1 Introduction. 25.2 Atomic Magnetism. 25.3 Magnetism of the Free-Electron Gas. 25.4 Tightly Bound Electrons in Magnetic Fields. 25.5 Quantum Hall Effect. 26 Quantum Mechanics of Interacting Magnetic Moments. 26.1 Introduction. 26.2 Origin of Ferromagnetism. 26.3 Heisenberg Model. 26.4 Ferromagnetism in Transition Metals. 26.5 Spintronics. 26.6 Kondo Effect. 26.7 Hubbard Model. 27 Superconductivity. 27.1 Introduction. 27.2 Phenomenology of Superconductivity. 27.3 Microscopic Theory of Superconductivity. APPENDICES. A Lattice Sums and Fourier Transforms. A.1 One-Dimensional Sum. A.2 Area Under Peaks. A.3 Three-Dimensional Sum. A.4 Discrete Case. A.5 Convolution. A.6 Using the Fast Fourier Transform. B Variational Techniques. B.1 Functionals and Functional Derivatives. B.2 Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation. B.3 Time-Dependent Schrodinger Equation. B.4 Method of Steepest Descent. C Second Quantization. C.1 Rules. C.2 Derivations. Index.


Carbon nanofibers (CNF) is widely applied as heat-management materials, composite reinforcement, filtration membrance, and energy storage. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is the main precursor for fabrication of CNF due to its brilliant properties such as high specific surface area, high aspect ratio, high mechanical strength and flexibility. However, the manufacturing prices is high. Low-cost carbon nanofibers can be fabricated from renewable materials such as lignin. It is a second most abundant raw material on earth and can be obtained easily. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) can be added into the CNF as pore generator to generate more porous surface and catalyze the stabilization process. Porous surface is very important in providing the CNF with high electrical performance such as improved electric double-layer capacitance in supercapacitor. In this study, lignin/PAN/TEOS carbon nanofibers was lignin/PAN/TEOS carbon nanofibers were prepared by using electrospinning method followed by the heat treatment of the up to 1000°C. Electrospun nanofibers were characterized by TGA, DSC and SEM while the carbon nanofibers were characterized by using FTIR and FESEM. The TGA results show that the major degradation temperature decreased to around 270-280°C after lignin is added due to the lower thermal stability of lignin. DSC results show the addition of TEOS shifted the exothermic peaks to lower temperature due to catalytic ability of TEOS. This indicated that the stabilization process of TEOS-incorporated CNF is kinetically higher than those without TEOS. SEM images show the morphology and diameter of the sample which decreased as the lignin concentration was increased. IR spectra show peaks around 1100 cm-1 which is correspond to Si-O-C bond. This indicated the successful formation of Si-O-C/Si-O-Si structures which will influence the properties of CNF such as electrochemical performances. FESEM shows the fiber diameter decreased as TEOS amount increased and pores were successfully produced at the surface of carbon nanofibers.


ABSTRACT Activism and engagement with real-world climate crises, within particular contexts, are prerequisites for learning about climate justice. I draw on my experience as an imbedded activist researcher living and learning through two recent 'crises' in Cape Town, to deepen my understandings of 'climate justice'. I followed a case study approach to investigate learning within two 'crises', the 2017/2018 drought and the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. Cape Town is a significant context within which to explore climate justice as it is a 'city of islands' with 'so much beauty, yet a tremendous amount of violence and suffering'. It is a microcosm of the inequalities and socio-economic injustices in the world. Through the study, ecofeminism is identified as a significant framework for understanding 'climate justice' and deep, just transitions towards its attainment. It places at the centre of concern marginalised poor, Indigenous, black, peasant women. Climate justice is about foregrounding those people who have contributed least to climate catastrophes and are most affected by them. As climate justice is about systems change, social movements and social movement learning (SML) are key vehicles towards deep transformation. SML importantly confronts knowledge hierarchies and middle-class biases in crisis responses.


ONE MAN is very much like another. To a remarkable degree our brains and other organs look and work alike. Our blood can safely be transfused between "races." Type O blood from a Negro donor can save the life of a white man who would be killed by a transfusion of type A blood from his own brother. Matched for type, all men are blood brothers. Yet Dr. Charles Drew, the brilliant Negro physician who developed the blood bank, bled to death after a North Carolina highway accident when he was refused admission and transfusion at a segregated white hospital. This was no less an act of racial violence than the assassination of Medgar Evers, or the murder of Mrs. Viola Liuzzo, or the group slaughter of three civil rights workers in Mississippi, or the bombing of a Birmingham church full of Negro Sunday-school children, or


AbstractOne source of human exposure to aflatoxins is by ingestion of aflatoxins carried over from feeds into milk and milk products such as cheese and powdered milk, where they appear mainly as aflatoxin M. We carried out a study using rats to establish whether milk from lactating rat mothers dosed with aflatoxin B1 carried over potent aflatoxin metabolites capable of inducing liver cancer in their offsprings. The results of this study demonstrated that the presence of such metabolites of aflatoxin B1 in milk and milk products presents serious health hazards especially to children consuming milk from dairy cows feeding on aflatoxin B1 contaminated animal feeds. As much emphasis, therefore, should be placed on the control regulations on the presence of aflatoxin in animal feeds as is placed on its direct contamination of cereals and nuts.


The mixing matrix of a Feedback Delay Network (FDN) reverberator is used to control the mixing time and echo density profile. In this work, we investigate the effect of the mixing matrix on the modes (poles) of the FDN with the goal of using this information to better design the various FDN parameters. We find the modal decomposition of delay network reverberators using a state space formulation, showing how modes of the system can be extracted by eigenvalue decomposition of the state transition matrix. These modes, and subsequently the FDN parameters, can be designed to mimic the modes in an actual room. We introduce a parameterized orthonormal mixing matrix which can be continuously varied from identity to Hadamard. We also study how continuously varying diffusion in the mixing matrix affects the damping and frequency of these modes. We observe that modes approach each other in damping and then deflect in frequency as the mixing matrix changes from identity to Hadamard. We also quantify the perceptual effect of increasing mixing by calculating the normalized echo density (NED) of the FDN impulse responses over time.


As populations continue to shift from rural to urban areas in East and Southeast Asia, increasing and changing demands for food will have strong but unpredictable effects on rural and urban livelihoods. East and Southeast Asia have achieved significant economic progress in the past three decades, but this progress has not translated into improved nutrition in several countries in the region. While these countries continue to deal with the problems of infectious diseases and undernutrition, such as deficiencies in energy, protein, essential vitamins and minerals, they are at the same time experiencing an upsurge in noncommunicable disease risk factors such as obesity and overweight, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. Ensuring safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food is available, accessible and affordable year-round is a pressing concern, and the situation is aggravated by climate change, which poses a major risk for the region and exacerbates existing development problems such as population growth, rapid urbanization, increasing competition for natural resources, and environmental degradation. Agriculture, nutrition and health are intrinsically linked with significant implications for the prosperity of people, especially for the poor and other vulnerable groups. Negative health impacts can be minimized by reducing environmental health risks, while at the same time improving nutrition. Vegetable gardens can improve food and nutrition security in the region, generate additional income, contribute to better health, and promote gender equity. Home and community gardens can provide a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year, thus contributing significantly to a nutritious diet for family members, and also offering opportunities for income generation through sale of extra produce. School gardens encourage the production and consumption of a diversity of vegetables and fruit, which is particularly important when persuading children to favor a balanced and nutritious diet as part of a healthy lifestyle. Schoolbased approaches to implement health and nutrition programs are considered effective since the existing infrastructure of the educational system can often offer a more cost-effective route for delivery of health and nutritional interventions than the health system can. The paper discusses examples of home, community and school garden interventions in the region, including success stories and failures, and closes with a set of recommendations for scientists, extension workers and policy makers to harness the potential of these gardens as a nutrition-sensitive food system intervention for changing rural and urban livelihoods in East and Southeast Asia.