Marjolin ulcer (epidermoid carcinoma) is a rare condition that arises from a chronic skin lesion. We present a patient who developed an epidermoid carcinoma in the scar tissue of a pressure ulcer. After eleven years of surgery to correct a pressure ulcer in the right gluteus, the patient developed an epidermoid carcinoma in a pressure ulcer in the left gluteus and neglected the condition. Wide resection of the lesion was performed with free margins in the final histopathological result. Marjolin ulcer is an expression that commonly refers to the malignant degeneration of chronic wounds that have not healed or healed by secondary intention. It is often described as various types of lesions, including the scars of pressure ulcers. The pathogenic mechanisms behind the malignant transformation of these lesions have not yet been completely elucidated. The diagnosis is initially made by clinical examination due to the lesion aspect and is confirmed by biopsy. Surgery is the choice treatment closing the defect with flaps or grafts, depending on each case. ABSTRACT


This paper endeavours to give an overview of some of the existing research on Intergovernmental Conferences (IGCs) and the role they have played in negotiating the founding treaties of the European Communities (EC) in the 1950s and their later reforms, including the creation of the European Union (EU) in 1992. It outlines the most important approaches to the study of IGCs and treaty-making, viz. liberal intergovernmentalism and various neo-institutionalist approaches. It argues that liberal intergovernmentalism remains an important approach, but it underestimates the role of domestic politics and need for leadership to overcome collective action problems. This role of leadership can be played by Community institutions (Commission and Council Secretariat) as well as the Presidency or individual member states. Liberal intergovernmentalism also fails to explain the continuous empowerment of the European Parliament, which can best be explained by sociological institutionalism. The role of referenda in some cases suggests that treaty reforms must be studied as 2-level games. Introduction This paper deals with the study of EU treaty-making and treaty-reform, including Intergovernmental Conferences (IGCs) and the role they have played in the continuous reform process which has been a part of the history of European integration. We shall discuss the nature of IGCs and how they have been studied by various scholars. Where is the study of IGCs now and how might it move forward? The focus will be on IGCs. IGCs are not the only way to agree on reforms of the EU, whether it be reform of its basic institutional structure or changes in the scope of common policies. Some changes in the scope of common policies have taken place through normal decision-making mechanisms, involving the Commission, the Council and increasingly also the European Parliament, e.g. on the basis of art. 235 of the original EEC Treaty (Art. 308 EC of the Consolidated Treaty produced after the Amsterdam Treaty). The development of a common environmental policy from the early 1970s is an example. The founding treaties did not explicitly mention the environment. Only in the Single European Act in the 1980s did the environment get a section in the treaties. Also some institutional reforms have taken place without the use of IGCs, like the decision in the 1970s to have the European Parliament elected directly (see for instance Herman and Hagger, 1980). Some of the decisions by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) have also had profound effects on the institutional structure and policy scope of the EU.


BACKGROUND
Patch testing is an example of how medicine blends art and science, resulting in differences among practitioners in methods of history taking, application of patch tests, and interpretation of results.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the "art" of patch testing (specifically, the prevalence of Thin-Layer Rapid Use Epicutaneous (T.R.U.E.) TEST use, photopatch testing, patch testing to dust mites, and immediate testing for latex allergy) as practiced by American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) members and to compare the results of this survey with those of similar studies among United States dermatologists and allergists.

METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of all 322 members of the ACDS.

RESULTS
The response rate was 46%. The largest proportions of respondents were male, had practiced for 11 to 20 years, were located in the northeast United States, and were in private practice. Forty percent of respondents used T.R.U.E. TEST, and 65% performed photopatch testing. Seventy percent of respondents evaluated patients for latex allergy, and 15% patch-tested to dust mites.

CONCLUSIONS
As expected, respondents reported significantly higher prevalences of patch testing, photopatch testing, and evaluation for latex allergy than did United States dermatologists generally. Respondents reported significantly lower prevalences of single patch-test readings and use of T.R.U.E. TEST than did either general United States dermatologists or general United States allergists.


This paper presents a computationally efficient, low-power algorithm for the decoding of space-time block codes using a previously reported maximum likelihood algorithm (Tarokh et al. 1998). The new algorithm arrives at the same decision with less computation, and therefore reduces power dissipation for an actual implementation. Based on the previous algorithm, we develop a more efficient algorithm by utilizing the properties of the constellation signals and reported decision metrics. In most cases, the new algorithm results in more than 50% reduction in the computation complexity. The algorithm is illustrated for BPSK, QPSK, PSK or QAM.


Terrestrial ecosystems are characterized by a strong functional connection between the green (plant-herbivore-based) and brown (detritus-detritivore-based) parts of the food web, which both develop over successional time. However, the interlinked changes in green and brown food web diversity patterns in relation to key ecosystem processes are rarely studied. Here, we demonstrate changes in species richness, diversity and evenness over a wide range of invertebrate green and brown trophic groups during 100 years of primary succession in a saltmarsh ecosystem, using a well-calibrated chronosequence. We contrast two hypotheses on the relationship between green and brown food web diversity across succession: (i) 'coupled diversity hypothesis', which predicts that all trophic groups covary similarly with the main drivers of successional ecosystem assembly vs. (ii) the 'decoupled diversity hypothesis', where green and brown trophic groups diversity respond to different drivers during succession. We found that, while species richness for plants and invertebrate herbivores (green web groups) both peaked at intermediate productivity and successional age, the diversity of macrodetritivores, microarthropod microbivores and secondary consumers (brown web groups) continuously increased towards the latest successional stages. These results suggest that green web trophic groups are mainly driven by vegetation parameters, such as the amount of bare soil, vegetation biomass production and vegetation height, while brown web trophic groups are mostly driven by the production and standing stock of dead organic material and soil development. Our results show that plant diversity cannot simply be used as a proxy for the diversity of all other species groups that drive ecosystem functioning, as brown and green diversity components in our ecosystem responded differently to successional gradients.


Many scientific papers report that curbside waste collection is a work with high biomechanical load. Our previous papers highlighted the biomechanical risk in this activity and we identified these main risk factors: bad design of equipment, landscape and the number of households covered. The high variability of this task makes it hard to apply standardized protocols for biomechanical risk assessment. For this new experience, we used pulse rate monitors to assess cardiac effort during a full day of pick-up in two different days for two operators gathering bio-waste and glass. The first worker pick-up the waste in the same area on both days. The second worker pick-up waste on zones with different morphology and different urban density. We also recorded GPS data from the second worker. We analyzed heart rate calculating Relative Cardiac Cost (RCC) and heart rate distribution. The first worker performed the task in the municipal urban area and reported a RCC of 43 and 45%. Both values correspond to a heavy work level on the Chamoux scale. The second worker reported RCC values of 36% when collecting in the municipal urban area (quite-heavy work level) and 23% in the non-urban hilly area (moderate work level). The heart rate of the second worker exceeded 140 bpm 7.7% of the time and ranged from 110 to 130 bpm for 72.6% of the time in the municipal area. In the non-urban area, 140 bpm heart rate was never reached and heart rate values were between 110 and 130 bpm for 16.6% of the time. No differences resulted in the first worker due to the type of waste collected. For the second worker, we found a relevant difference in heart rate distribution, probably not related to the type of waste but rather to the number of households and the morphology of the landscape. GPS data seem to support these findings. In the municipal area, the worker moved 17.6 km at a mean speed of 4.8 km/h. In the non-urban area, the worker moved 40.84 Km at a mean velocity of 7.8 Km/h. The higher speed and more than twice the distance covered highlight that the worker spent much more time driving the truck in the non-urban zone than in the municipal one resulting in a reduced biomechanical workload. In conclusion, combined data from heart rate monitor and GPS allowed us to highlight the different workloads between the two zones, municipal and non-urban. We suggest alternating the workers between them to reduce biomechanical risk.


OF DISSERTATION ESSAYS ON JOB-RELATED RISKS AND WORKER SORTING This dissertation examines heterogeneity in the value of a statistical life (henceforth VSL) stemming from employer-provided health insurance (henceforth EHI) and worker sorting. The dissertation consists of three essays. In the first essay (Chapter 2), I investigate the effect of health-driven productivity on the wage compensation for mortality risk, and how EHI influences VSL using the US labor market data. In this chapter I build a framework showing that the level of job risks influences the incentive of employers to provide EHI. The basic notion of the framework is that health insurance is an investment in health and health is a form of general human capital. Employers are willing to invest in employees' health and pay the associated costs as long as they can recoup the costs of health investment. Occupational hazards, however, are harmful to health; productivity gains from health tend to decline as risk increases, resulting in lower health investment made by employers. As a result, the workers in risky jobs have to contribute more to their health investment in the form of lower wages than do workers in safe jobs. This behavioral response pushes down the wage offer curve of the insured in high risk occupations. Consequently, workers with health insurance, on average, accept a lower risk premium, leading to a lower VSL. Empirical findings from this dissertation suggest evidence of heterogeneity in VSL due to health insurance status : the estimated VSL for workers with health insurance is lower than those without one. In the second essay (Chapter 3), I extend the framework of the second chapter into the United Kingdom (the UK) labor market. Different from the US, the UK has universal health care system in which all eligible individuals (almost all the UK citizens) are covered by publicly-provided health care. This chapter also provides evidence that private medical insurance in the universal health care system affects the risk premium. Despite the fact that the UK and the US have different institutional settings in health coverage, findings from the UK are, to some extent, qualitatively similar to the US. A major issue in estimates of VSL is that people are not randomly assigned to jobs. That is, heterogeneous people would sort into jobs based on their preferences on risk and safety-related skills. Thus, failure to account for heterogeneity in both risk preferences and safety-related skills will bias the estimated VSL. In the third essay (Chapter 4), I discuss worker sorting and how it may affect the mortality risk premium. In this chapter, I focus on the role of personality traits in safety-related skill and their influence on worker sorting based on job risk. I use Five-Factor Model of personality or also known as the Big Five personality traits. The big 5 personality traits are extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. In my framework, these personality traits are inputs and the technology of skill formation transforms the traits into safety-related skill.


In order to improve the level of control and management of coke oven, the research on control and management integrated system is carried out. In modern advanced control system of coke oven, the control scheme of feedback combined with feed-forward, and control merged with management is widely used. The integrated control and management system of coke oven is introduced systematically, including the system model, production planning and management, heating control system, the model and method of evaluating temperature, intelligent combustion control and the pressure control gas collector of coke oven. It is pointed out that the integration of control and management is the developing orientation of coke oven control system.


Abstract Background: As a part of an International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) project to prepare a commutable reference material for cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a pilot study evaluated current cTnI assays for measurement equivalence and their standardization capability. Methods: cTnI-positive samples collected from 90 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction were assessed for method comparison by 16 cTnI commercial assays according to predefined testing protocols. Seven serum pools prepared from these samples were also assessed. Results: Each assay was assessed against median cTnI concentrations measured by 16 cTnI assays using Passing-Bablok regression analysis of 79 patient samples with values above each assay's declared detection limit. We observed a 10-fold difference in cTnI concentrations for lowest to highest measurement results. After mathematical recalibration of assays, the between-assay variation for patient samples reduced on average from 40% to 22% at low cTnI concentration, 37%–20% at medium concentration, and 29%–14% at high concentration. The average reduction for pools was larger at 16%, 13% and 7% for low, medium and high cTnI concentrations, respectively. Overall, assays demonstrated negligible bias after recalibration (y-intercept: –1.4 to 0.3 ng/L); however, a few samples showed substantial positive and/or negative differences for individual cTnI assays. Conclusions: All of the 16 commercial cTnI assays evaluated in the study demonstrated a significantly higher degree of measurement equivalence after mathematical recalibration, indicating that measurement harmonization or standardization would be effective at reducing inter-assay bias. Pooled sera behaved similarly to individual samples in most assays.


Abstract Acoustic communication can inform studies of behaviour and phylogeny in insect species. Despite there being 4600 described species of cockroach, few studies have focused on their ability to communicate acoustically. Cockroaches have been found to produce sound in a variety of ways. Species within the tribe Gromphadorhini produce sound through modified spiracles, often referred to as hisses. Sound parameters have been described for the species Gromphadorhina portentosa and Elliptorhina chopardi. Aeluropoda insignis, within the same tribe, produces sound and is morphologically similar to these two species, but no research has been published describing its acoustic signals. Our study explores the defensive acoustic signals of this species and indicates that A. insignis is capable of producing three classes of acoustic signals (whistles, whistle–hisses and hisses) associated with defensive behaviour. Sexes differed in the entropy and the frequency of their signals, with males producing signals with lower entropy and at higher frequency than females. Future studies on acoustic communication within Blattodea could give more insight into the complexity of signals and their relationship to behavioural context.


The proposed video surveillance method comprises segmentation of moving targets and tracking the detected objects through five features of the target. We introduce motion object segmentation by fusion of 3-frame temporal differencing and edge-based detection, which is further updated by a median filter. The combination of the five features spatial positions, LBW, Compactness, Orientation and color histogram through particle filter approach tracks the segmented objects. These five features help in matching the target tracks during occlusions, merging of targets, stop and go motion in vary challenging environmental (rainy and snowy) conditions shown in the results. Our proposed method provides solution to common problems related to matching of target tracks. We provide encouraging experimental results calculated on synthetic and real world sequences to demonstrate the algorithm performance.


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STUDY QUESTION
Does motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) affect levels and localization patterns of the oocyte activation factor phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) in globozoospermic sperm with and without an acrosomal bud?

SUMMARY ANSWER
MSOME identified round-headed globozoospermic sperm with increased levels of PLCζ relative to sperm from the same sample that did not undergo MSOME, and identified novel patterns of PLCζ localization in sperm exhibiting an acrosomal bud.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Absence or reduction in the level of PLCζ in the sperm head, abnormal localization patterning, or defective functional ability as a result of PLCζ gene mutation, have been linked to certain types of human male factor infertility in which oocyte activation is deficient. It has been determined that a subpopulation of sperm (1%) from a patient exhibiting 100% globozoospermia presented with an acrosome bud upon MSOME. A cycle of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection, carried out with sperm exhibiting an acrosomal bud led to pregnancy and birth of a healthy baby boy, without the use of assisted oocyte activation (AOA).

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Immunofluorescent analysis of PLCζ in globozoospermic sperm from three patients, before and after MSOME.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Quantitative immunofluorescence was used to investigate PLCζ levels and localization patterns in individual sperm (n = 1 patient) identified by MSOME and isolated by micromanipulation, and presenting with and without the acrosomal bud. A secondary aim was to investigate levels and localization patterns of PLCζ in sperm before and after MSOME from two other globozoospermic men.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Non-globozoospermic control sperm exhibited characteristic localization patterns of PLCζ immunofluorescence. Completely round-headed globozoospermic sperm from patients 1-3 were either devoid of PLCζ immunofluorescence, or exhibited an abnormal, punctate, pattern of PLCζ localization. PLCζ immunofluorescence in sperm exhibiting an acrosomal bud was observed in the midpiece with varying fluorescent intensity and was detected in 28.5% of such sperm. The majority of sperm with an acrosomal bud (43.0%) exhibited punctate patterns of PLCζ localization within the sperm head. A further 28.5% of sperm exhibited PLCζ in both the head and the midpiece. Total levels of PLCζ, and the proportions of sperm exhibiting PLCζ immunoreactivity, showed significant variance (P ≤ 0.05) amongst control [45.8 arbitrary units (a.u.) and 95.7%, respectively], non-MSOME-selected (25.9 a.u. and 46.1%, respectively) and MSOME-selected globozoospermic sperm (33.4 a.u. and 65.0%, respectively). Total levels of PLCζ immunofluorescence, and proportions of sperm exhibiting PLCζ immunoreactivity, in control sperm was significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) compared with non-MSOME-selected sperm, but not significantly different from MSOME-selected sperm.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The low numbers of sperm analysed may not be ideal for conclusive statistical analysis. Evaluation of the effects of MSOME on morphologically normal sperm would confirm conclusions.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
The present findings provide hope for the future treatment of globozoospermia without the need for AOA, and provide further evidence for the clinical application of PLCζ as a therapeutic and prognostic tool.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
The research described herein was funded by the Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford. The authors report no conflict of interest.


ABSTRACT Laboratory experiments and examination of core samples from Holocene sand bodies demonstrate that vadose infiltration of muddy water through sand is an effective mechanism by which clay can be emplaced into sand. Infiltrated clays form coatings on, and bridges between, sand-sized framework grains. Clay particles are mostly oriented parallel to grain surfaces in coatings and perpendicular to grain surfaces in bridges. The amount of clay emplaced as coatings and bridges is determined by complexly interacting variables that include sand grain size, clay particle size, clay particle shape, concentration of suspended sediment, and clay composition. Of these, relatively coarse sand sizes and high concentrations of suspended sediment appear to promote the emplacement of the most infiltrated clay. In Holocene sands, the formation of grain coatings and bridges is facies dependent. Infiltrated clays are most effectively emplaced in environments characterized by high suspended sediment concentrations, fluctuating water levels, and minimal sediment reworking (e.g., point bar and delta plain). In contrast, virtually no infiltrated clay is emplaced in environments characterized by low suspended sediment concentration and continuous reworking (e.g., beach and tidal delta).


Fourteen of 20 plant species surveyed produced root cap exudates that induced a state of reversible quiescence in Meloidogyne incognita and Caenorhabditis elegans. Exudate from six species failed to induce quiescence in either nematode species. Root cap exudates from pea were found to trigger quiescence in populations of plant-parasitic, animal-parasitic, insect-pathogenic, and free-living nematode species. One animal parasite was resistant. Caenorhabditis elegans strains with defects in known metabolic pathways also were screened to explore the potential for using this model system to examine the genetic basis for exudates-induced quiescence (EIQ). All 62 lines tested exhibited wild type sensitivity to root cap exudates and preliminary efforts to obtain viable EIQ-resistant strains by ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) mutagenesis were unsuccessful. After recovery from EIQ, penetration of alfalfa roots by second-stage juveniles of M. incognita more than doubled within 24 h, compared with controls, and the number of nematodes per root remained high for a week but long-term development and maturation was similar to that of untreated control inoculum. In cucumber, penetration after recovery from EIQ increased by several fold but returned to control levels within 4 days post-inoculation.


1. A method is described for the preparation of reconstitution masses from the expressed coenosarc tissues of Cordylophora lacustris. This brackish water hydroid is more suitable for the purpose than others which have so far been used. 2. Under normal conditions (50% sea water at 16-17° C.) such masses produce one or more hydranths within about 2 days and often additional unorganized outgrowths. 3. The main histological features of the reconstitution masses as seen in sections are described. From these observations and from experiments with masses made from isolated ectoderm and endoderm it is concluded that there is no reduction of the cells to a pleuripotent condition. The cells of each original layer can form only the layer from which they were derived. 4. Masses made from endoderm cells only are incapable of holding together for long and soon disintegrate. Pure ectoderm masses, however, rapidly round up and form hollow vesicles but do not produce hydranths. 5. No signs of cell division during reconstitution were detected. 6. The "interstitial" cells observed in the coenosarc ectoderm are thus not able to differentiate into endoderm when this is absent and there is no indication that they perform any essential part in the process of reconstitution. 7. An oral cone when grafted into a mass will determine the position of the regenerated hydranth which develops in relation to the graft. 8. Evidence is given to prove that the action of the cone is one of pure induction and that it does not supply cells to the induced hydranth. 9. The action of the cone is independent of its orientation and it will produce its effect even after previous chopping up and reuniting. Attempts to graft killed oral cones have so far failed. 10. Grafts of distal halves of young gonophores do not induce hydranths. 11. Calcium or magnesium deficiency in the medium results in complete suppression of hydranth formation from masses but not always of unorganized outgrowths. Oral cone grafts, however, can overcome this inhibition and tentacles are formed. A similar inhibitory effect is produced by potassium deficiency, but is not overcome by an oral cone graft. 12. The quantity of calcium required to permit tentacle formation in plain masses is very small (c. 0.00006 M). 13. Sodium cyanide (c. M/30,000), phenyl urethane (c. M/3000) and low temperature (5.5-6.5° C.) can inhibit hydranth formation in plain masses, but oral cone grafts overcome this inhibition and induce the formation of tentacles. 14. Reconstitution masses which produced hydranths were also made from the coenosarc of another brackish water hydroid Obelia gelatinosa. Isolated ectoderm and endoderm were incapable of reorganization. 15. Mixed masses of Cordylophora and Obelia coenosarc separated into regions composed of tissue from one species only and each produced hydranths independently.


SCOPE
The absorption, metabolism, and excretion of mango galloyl derivatives (GD) has not yet been investigated in humans, and studies investigating repeated dosages of polyphenols are limited.

METHODS AND RESULTS
In this human pilot trial, healthy volunteers (age = 21-38 y, n = 11) consumed 400 g/day of mango-pulp (cv. Keitt) for 10 days, and seven metabolites of gallic acid (GA) were characterized and quantified in urine excreted over a 12 h period. Pyrogallol-O-sulfate and deoxypyrogallol-O-sulfate were found to be significantly more excreted between days 1 and 10 (p < 0.05) from 28.5 to 55.4 mg and 23.6 to 47.7 mg, respectively. Additionally, the in vitro hydrolysis of gallotannins (GTs) was monitored at physiological pH and temperature conditions, and after 4 h a significant (p < 0.05) shift in composition from relativity high to low molecular weight GTs was observed.

CONCLUSION
Seven metabolites of GA were identified in the urine of healthy volunteers, and two microbial metabolites were found to be significantly more excreted following 10 days of mango consumption. Mango GTs were also found to release free GA in conditions similar to the intestines. GTs may serve as a pool of pro-GA compounds that can be absorbed or undergo microbial metabolism.


Accurate real-time information of wheel slip angle is essential for various active stability control systems. A number of techniques have been proposed to enhance quality of GPS based estimation. This paper exhibits a novel cost-effective strategy of individual wheel slip angle estimation for a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle. At any slip condition, the slip angle can be estimated using only measurement of steering angle, front wheel speeds, yaw rate, longitudinal and lateral accelerations, without requiring GPS data. On the basis of zero longitudinal slip at both front tires, the closed-form solutions for direct computation of wheel slip angles were derived via kinematic analysis of a planar four-wheel vehicle, and then primarily verified by computational simulation with prescribed functions of radius of curvature, vehicle speed, sideslip and steering angle. Neither integration nor tire friction model is required for this estimation methodology. In terms of implementation, a 1:10th scaled RWD vehicle was modified so that the steering angle, the front wheel rolling speeds, the vehicle yaw rate and the linear accelerations can be measured. Preliminary experiment was done on extremely random sideslip maneuvers beneath the global positioning using four recording cameras. By comparing with the vision-based reference, the individual wheel slip angles could be well estimated despite extreme tire slip. Other vehicle state variables—radius of curvature, vehicle sideslip and speed—may also be directly obtained from the kinematic relations. This proposed estimation methodology could then be alternatively applied for the full range slip angle estimation in advanced active safety systems.


Nanoparticles have been used with polymer to make composites having remarkable properties. An attempt was made in this direction, in order to enhance the mechanical and tribological properties of nanocomposites. In the paper, the polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) polymer-based nanocomposites filled with serpentine (SPT) and reinforced with different nanoparticles such as nano-β-carborundum whisker (β-SiCw), nano-copper and nano-TiO2 were prepared by using cold briquetting and hot-press sintering technologies. Also, the mechanical performances of these nanocomposites were studied. The quasi-static tensile experiments and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DTMA) were carried out. The results obtained showed that the mechanical properties of these nanocomposites stronger depend on the variety of nanoparticle. Stress-displacement and stress relaxation curves indicate that theses composites are typical viscoelastic materials. These research findings are believed to be helpful for providing practical guide in applications.


Sememes are defined as the minimum semantic units of human languages. As important knowledge sources, sememe-based linguistic knowledge bases have been widely used in many NLP tasks. However, most languages still do not have sememe-based linguistic knowledge bases. Thus we present a task of cross-lingual lexical sememe prediction, aiming to automatically predict sememes for words in other languages. We propose a novel framework to model correlations between sememes and multi-lingual words in low-dimensional semantic space for sememe prediction. Experimental results on real-world datasets show that our proposed model achieves consistent and significant improvements as compared to baseline methods in cross-lingual sememe prediction. The codes and data of this paper are available at https://github.com/thunlp/CL-SP.


The overtopping of flood defences by coastal storm surges is a significant threat to life and property. Like all forecasts, storm surge predictions have an associated uncertainty, but this has not been directly predicted by previous operational systems. The Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction System (MOGREPS), which has recently become operational, provides an explicit sample of the range of atmospheric evolutions consistent with the latest observations. The storm surge ensemble derives a storm surge forecast for each MOGREPS ensemble member, giving an explicit estimate of the risk of reaching significant water levels. The system has now been running for over two years in trial mode, with positive feedback from both Met Office and Environment Agency forecasters. For the surge on 9 November 2007, which received significant media coverage, it produced a clear signal of an abnormal event at the full 54‐hour lead time, with a useful indication of the range of possible water levels. Statistical verification covering two winters demonstrates that the ensemble spread is indeed a reliable indicator of the significantly increased uncertainty associated with large surge events, although the error in more normal situations is dominated by inaccuracies in the separate harmonic tide prediction which is used to convert surge to water level. Probabilistic verification shows some advantage over climatological error distributions, particularly for larger thresholds and longer lead times. Following this successful trial, the system was made operational in December 2009. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society and Crown Copyright.


No legal definition of a 'pandemic' is enshrined in any binding international law instrument. Instead, the official explanation of the term is found in non-binding guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), and remains vague at best. This circumstance is partially the result of a lack of consensus amongst the medical and public health communities on common denominators. Considering the resonance of declaring a 'pandemic', the absence of a clear-cut definition arguably hampers the reactions by the international community of states. The current analysis addresses the definitional gap in a broader context, by examining past attempts to introduce clear-cut yardsticks for determining when a 'pandemic' actually begins. The paper argues that a legal definition of ´pandemic´ with both descriptive and normative elements would greatly benefit the international community by guiding action to counteract future health emergencies. To this effect, the contribution posits a series of basic considerations for future conceptual debates on when a 'pandemic' is occurring, and whether legal obligations for states and international institutions ought to follow.


Satellite RNAs associated with Bamboo mosaic virus (satBaMVs) depend on BaMV for replication and encapsidation. Certain satBaMVs isolated from natural fields significantly interfere with BaMV replication. The 5′ apical hairpin stem loop (AHSL) of satBaMV is the major determinant in interference with BaMV replication. In this study, by in vivo competition assay, we revealed that the sequence and structure of AHSL, along with specific nucleotides (C60 and C83) required for interference with BaMV replication, are also involved in replication competition among satBaMV variants. Moreover, all of the 5′ ends of natural BaMV isolates contain the similar AHSLs having conserved nucleotides (C64 and C86) with those of interfering satBaMVs, suggesting their co-evolution. Mutational analyses revealed that C86 was essential for BaMV replication, and that replacement of C64 with U reduced replication efficiency. The non-interfering satBaMV interfered with BaMV replication with the BaMV-C64U mutant as helper. These findings suggest that two cytosines at the equivalent positions in the AHSLs of BaMV and satBaMV play a crucial role in replication competence. The downregulation level, which is dependent upon the molar ratio of interfering satBaMV to BaMV, implies that there is competition for limited replication machinery.


Genomic imprinting is the epigenetic modification of loci, primarily by DNA methylation, which results in parent-of-origin-specific monoallelic expression of a small subset of genes. In plants, imprinting occurs during endosperm development and a balance of maternally- and paternally-expressed imprinted genes is essential for normal seed development. Dependence on DNA methylation for imprinting highlights the potential to manipulate seed development, and consequently seed size, by altering DNA methyltransferase activity. DNA METHYLTRANSFERASE 1 (MET1) is the primary plant maintenance DNA methyltransferase and plays a significant role in imprinting. However, no evaluation of the potential role for other MET1 family members in genomic imprinting has been reported. The current model for the control of imprinting in plants suggests that maintenance DNA methyltransferases are required throughout development, yet the tissue-specific requirement of these enzymes is unconfirmed as analysis has relied solely on constitutive DNA methyltransferase mutants. To address these problems and to evaluate the potential to alter seed size, the work reported in this thesis investigated the potential involvement of putative maintenance DNA methyltransferases MET2a, MET2b and MET3 and the tissue-specific role of MET1 in imprinting. Imprinting was not significantly altered in met2a-1, met2b-1 and met3-1 mutants, indicating that MET1 is the sole DNA methyltransferase required for imprinting. Transcriptional analysis suggested MET1 is expressed throughout floral organ development and in the male and female gametophyte generation indicating that MET1 is potentially available to maintain imprinting-dependent methylation in these tissues. Tools to suppress MET1 tissuespecifically were developed to investigate the tissue-specific requirement of MET1 for imprinting. Analysis indicates that such tools could also be used to alter seed size by manipulating imprinting in commercially important species. Further work is needed to validate this approach.


The use of grid manufacturing system, has become the trend of modern manufacturing technology. With reference to the idea of component design for workshop production business, a workflow and multi-agent based Grid of Reconfigurable of Manufacturing Execution System (GRMES) is presented. The configurable workshop production business can be handled, and the MES application system can correspondingly adjust with its change. The KQML is expanded to compensate for its description ability in the Workflow management system. XML is applied to support the data flow in GRMES, format the dispatched tasks and KQML, which can securely and concisely transfer different data among the workflow engines, agents and application on the GRMES. GRMES improves the problems such as adaptability and reconstructivity, which exist in the traditional MES.


Abstract This article maps the complex socio-political terrain negotiated by the Centro de Arte y Comunicación (CAYC) during the early 1970s from Buenos Aires. It shows how the CAYC attempted to continue the internationalising aims which the Instituto Torcuato Di Tella had pursued in the 1960s, while also providing a space for the exhibition and development of Conceptualism that engaged with political conditions in Argentina and in other countries including Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and Columbia, developing the framework of "systems art" in order to do so. The compromises necessitated by CAYC's balancing act opened the organisation, and in particular its director Jorge Glusberg, to accusations of cultural imperialism and complicity: from almost the very beginning, the CAYC project was characterised by dissensus and disagreement. The controversy generated by CAYC – documented in archives, publications and exhibition catalogues – now offers a rich historiographical resource for Latin American art, revealing how competing models of internationalism and Conceptualism were closely intertwined rather than diametrically opposed.


The Reionization Era Bright Emission Line Survey (REBELS) is a cycle-7 ALMA Large Program (LP) that is identifying and performing a first characterization of many of the most luminous star-forming galaxies known in the z > 6.5 universe. REBELS is providing this probe by systematically scanning 40 of the brightest UV-selected galaxies identified over a 7 deg2 area for bright [C ii]158 μm and [O iii]88 μm lines and dust-continuum emission. Selection of the 40 REBELS targets was done by combining our own and other photometric selections, each of which is subject to extensive vetting using three completely independent sets of photometry and template-fitting codes. Building on the observational strategy deployed in two pilot programs, we are increasing the number of massive interstellar medium (ISM) reservoirs known at z > 6.5 by ∼4–5× to >30. In this manuscript, we motivate the observational strategy deployed in the REBELS program and present initial results. Based on the first-year observations, 18 highly significant ≥ 7σ [C ii]158 μm lines have already been discovered, the bulk of which (13/18) also show ≥3.3σ dust-continuum emission. These newly discovered lines more than triple the number of bright ISM-cooling lines known in the z > 6.5 universe, such that the number of ALMA-derived redshifts at z > 6.5 rival Lyα discoveries. An analysis of the completeness of our search results versus star formation rate (SFR) suggests an ∼79% efficiency in scanning for [C ii]158 μm when the SFRUV+IR is >28 M ⊙ yr−1. These new LP results further demonstrate ALMA's efficiency as a "redshift machine," particularly in the Epoch of Reionization.


Based on a numerical computation simultaneously solving the fields of flow, heat and mass transfer, the energy budget in a tubular type solid oxide fuel cell is delineated for better understanding of the energy conversion performance and the heat transfer characteristics. It is found that the Joule heating due to ion and electron conduction in cell components is at the same level as that of the thermal energy released from the electrochemical reaction. The energy budget varies significantly with the operating current density of the fuel cell because the Joule heating and thermal energy increase in different manner with the operating current density.Copyright © 2003 by ASME


The aim of this paper is to reveal how native and non-native speaker EFL (English as a foreign language) teachers influence students' levels of Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) in classrooms. Researchers in the area of second and foreign language acquisition have long been studying the role that anxiety plays among foreign language learners. Their findings are reported and analyzed in the first part of this paper. Then, research methodology is presented on two groups of students (180 in total) of whom 90 is in NS (Native Speaker) class and 90 in NNS (Non-Native Speaker) class taking English as a foreign language course for 4 hours a week at one university in China.


Performance-seismic design of structures aims to control earthquake damage through energy dissipation and the inelastic behavior of some structural elements based on the type of the structure. The current seismic design codes generally design for seismic effects by applying lateral static forces distributed over the height of the structure. The effect of soil structure interaction (SSI) is neglected in these codes. While not required, ASCE 7-16 does provide guidance on optional SSI as applied to equivalent lateral force, linear dynamic, and nonlinear dynamic procedures. Therefore, the current study investigated the seismic performance of a mid-rise multistory moment resisting frame (MRF) structure designed according ASCE 7-16. The effects of SSI have been examined where the structures designed with the classical way of fixed base for site condition class D and seismic hazard building risk category D. The models were analysed with a shallow foundation resting on soil with a shear wave velocity of Vs =250 m/sec and subjected to different seismic excitation. Fully nonlinear analysis was conducted using FLAC2D software with two different cases of fixed-base and flexible base. SSI effect were investigated in terms of the elastic displacements which were observed to increase in general compared to the fixed base but that increase does not affect the life safety and does not lead to the collapse in terms of drift.


The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, completed a study to update methods for estimating peak-flow frequencies at ungaged sites in Montana based on peak-flow data at streamflow-gaging stations through water year 2011. The methods allow estimation of peak-flow frequencies (that is, peak-flow magnitudes, in cubic feet per second, associated with annual exceedance probabilities of 66.7, 50, 42.9, 20, 10, 4, 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.2 percent) at ungaged sites. The annual exceedance probabilities correspond to 1.5-, 2-, 2.33-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, 200-, and 500-year recurrence intervals, respectively. Regional regression analysis is a primary focus of Chapter F of this Scientific Investigations Report, and regression equations for estimating peak-flow frequencies at ungaged sites in eight hydrologic regions in Montana are presented. The regression equations are based on analysis of peak-flow frequencies and basin characteristics at 537 streamflowgaging stations in or near Montana and were developed using generalized least squares regression or weighted least squares regression. All of the data used in calculating basin characteristics that were included as explanatory variables in the regression equations were developed for and are available through the USGS StreamStats application (http://water.usgs.gov/ osw/streamstats/) for Montana. StreamStats is a Web-based geographic information system application that was created by the USGS to provide users with access to an assortment of analytical tools that are useful for water-resource planning and management. The primary purpose of the Montana StreamStats application is to provide estimates of basin characteristics and streamflow characteristics for user-selected ungaged sites on Montana streams. The regional regression equations presented in this report chapter can be conveniently solved using the Montana StreamStats application. Selected results from this study were compared with results of previous studies. For most hydrologic regions, the regression equations reported for this study had lower mean standard errors of prediction (in percent) than the previously reported regression equations for Montana. The equations presented for this study are considered to be an improvement on the previously reported equations primarily because this study (1) included 13 more years of peak-flow data; (2) included 35 more streamflow-gaging stations than previous studies; (3) used a detailed geographic information system (GIS)-based definition of the regulation status of streamflow-gaging stations, which allowed better determination of the unregulated peak-flow records that are appropriate for use in the regional regression analysis; (4) included advancements in GIS and remote-sensing technologies, which allowed more convenient calculation of basin characteristics and investigation of many more candidate basin characteristics; and (5) included advancements in computational and analytical methods, which allowed more thorough and consistent data analysis. This report chapter also presents other methods for estimating peak-flow frequencies at ungaged sites. Two methods for estimating peak-flow frequencies at ungaged sites located on the same streams as streamflow-gaging stations are described. Additionally, envelope curves relating maximum recorded annual peak flows to contributing drainage area for each of the eight hydrologic regions in Montana are presented and compared to a national envelope curve. In addition to providing general information on characteristics of large peak flows, the regional envelope curves can be used to assess the reasonableness of peak-flow frequency estimates determined using the regression equations.


Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has been used to treat autoimmune disorders such as mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). However, its mechanisms of action as well as the effects on cellular immunity remain poorly defined. We investigated the changes of peripheral blood B- and T-cell subsets, the clonal VH1-69 cells, as well as the cytokine profile following rituximab therapy. The study involved 21 patients with hepatitis C-related MC who received rituximab, of whom 14 achieved a complete response. Compared with healthy and hepatitis C virus (HCV) controls, pretreatment abnormalities in MC patients included a decreased percentage of naive B cells (P < .05) and CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (P = .02) with an increase in memory B cells (P = .03) and plasmablasts (P < .05). These abnormalities were reverted at 12 months after rituximab. Clonal VH1-69(+) B cells dramatically decreased following treatment (32% +/- 6% versus 8% +/- 2%, P = .01). Complete responders of rituximab exhibited an expansion of regulatory T cells (P < .01) accompanied with a decrease in CD8(+) T-cell activation (P < .01) and decreased production of interleukin 12 (IL-12; P = .02) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma; P = .01). Our findings indicate that in patients with MC, response to B-cell depletion induced by rituximab effectively normalizes many of the disturbances in peripheral B- and T-lymphocyte homeostasis.


l-Glutamate is believed to function as an intercellular transmitter in the islets of Langerhans. However, critical issues, i.e. where, when and howl-glutamate appears, and what happens upon stimulation of glutamate receptors in the islets, remain unresolved. Vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2), an isoform of the vesicular glutamate transporter essential for neuronal storage of l-glutamate, is expressed in α cells (Hayashi, M., Otsuka, M., Morimoto, R., Hirota, S., Yatsushiro, S., Takeda, J., Yamamoto, A., and Moriyama, Y. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 43400–43406). Here we show that VGLUT2 is specifically localized in glucagon-containing secretory granules but not in synaptic-like microvesicles in αTC6 cells, clonal α cells, and islet α cells. VGLUT1, another VGLUT isoform, is also expressed and localized in secretory granules in α cells. Low glucose conditions triggered co-secretion of stoichiometric amounts ofl-glutamate and glucagon from αTC6 cells and isolated islets, which is dependent on temperature and Ca2+ and inhibited by phentolamine. Similar co-secretion ofl-glutamate and glucagon from islets was observed upon stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors with isoproterenol. Under low glucose conditions, stimulation of glutamate receptors facilitates secretion of γ-aminobutyric acid from MIN6 m9, clonal β cells, and isolated islets. These results indicate that co-secretion ofl-glutamate and glucagon from α cells under low glucose conditions triggers GABA secretion from β cells and defines the mode of action of l-glutamate as a regulatory molecule for the endocrine function. To our knowledge, this is the first example of secretory granule-mediated glutamatergic signal transmission.


Understanding the dynamics of human movements is key to issues of significant current interest such as behavioral prediction, recommendation, and control of epidemic spreading. We collect and analyze big data sets of human movements in both cyberspace (through browsing of websites) and physical space (through mobile towers) and find a superlinear scaling relation between the mean frequency of visit 〈f〉 and its fluctuation σ:σ∼〈f〉^{β} with β≈1.2. The probability distribution of the visiting frequency is found to be a stretched exponential function. We develop a model incorporating two essential ingredients, preferential return and exploration, and show that these are necessary for generating the scaling relation extracted from real data. A striking finding is that human movements in cyberspace and physical space are strongly correlated, indicating a distinctive behavioral identifying characteristic and implying that the behaviors in one space can be used to predict those in the other.


This article examines the preservation of digital images and video (and the social media or Internet pages in which they are embedded) that provide information about human rights abuses and war crimes. Archival collections have played a crucial role in historical clarification and justice and accountability efforts in the aftermath of human rights abuse and war crimes. The ubiquity of smart phones with good cameras and social media has dramatically increased the amount of visual data available to investigate such crimes. However, this data often disappears quickly from public view and can be challenging to introduce into legal or other official proceedings because of questions of authenticity. The analysis presented here integrates insights from archival science, human rights documentation, and law. It also highlights important technical, legal, and ethical issues that must be taken into consideration by organizations or individuals engaged in the preservation of human rights


This paper develops an affine term structure for the valuation of money market funds. This valuation framework is then used to consider the economic implications of funds that are supported by a capital buffer. The main findings are twofold. First, relatively small capital buffers are capable of absorbing daily fluctuations between a fund's shadow price and its amortized cost. For example, a fund with a capital buffer of 60 basis points can absorb most day-to-day price risk. The ability to absorb large scale defaults, however, would require a significantly larger and more costly buffer. Second, because a buffer is designed to absorb credit risk, capital providers demand compensation for bearing this risk. The analysis shows that, after compensating capital buffer investors for absorbing credit risk, the returns available to money market fund shareholders are comparable to default free securities, which would significantly reduce the utility of the product to investors.


The conditional logit model based on random utility maximization has provided an adequate framework to model firm location decisions. However, in practice, the implementation of this methodology presents problems when one has to handle complex choice scenarios with a large number of spatial alternatives. We posit the Poisson regression as a tractable solution to these problems. We demonstrate that by taking advantage of an equivalence relation between the likelihood function of the conditional logit and the Poisson regression we can, under certain circumstances, easily estimate a conditional logit model regardless of the number of choices. This insight should be particularly useful for studies of economic location.


The goal of this dissertation was to investigate chemical applications of magnetoacoustic sensors based on swellable polymer microspheres. The magnetoacoustic sensor was used to monitor viscosity of starch solution, water loading, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymerization. Poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (polyVBC) microspheres were prepared by suspension polymerization and then derivatized to introduce dicarboxylate groups onto the polymer backbone. Poly(vinylbenzyl chloridetrichlorophenyl acrylate) (polyVBC-TCPA) microspheres were prepared by dispersion polymerization and then derivatized to introduce amine groups onto the polymer backbone. These derivatized polymer microspheres swell and shrink with changing pH. They were entrapped in a hydrogel membrane and the membrane turbidity was investigated by UV/Vis spectrophotometry. Membrane turbidity increased with pH from 6.0 to 8.0 for entrapped aminated polyVBC-TCPA microspheres, and decreased with pH from 2.0 to 8.0 for entrapped dicarboxylated polyVBC microspheres. The change in turbidity with pH was subject to hysteresis that decreased with increasing water content of the hydrogel membrane. A magnetoelastic ribbon coated with a layer of hydrogel membrane with entrapped aminated polyVBC-TCPA or dicarboxylated polyVBC microspheres was used to monitor pH. A thin layer of polyurethane was precoated on the ribbon to prevent it from rusting and increase its adhesion to the pH sensitive membrane. The resonance frequency of the sensor increased as pH changed from 6.0 to 8.0 when aminated polyVBC-TCPA microspheres were used, or decreased as pH changed from 2.0 to 8.0 when dicarboxylated polyVBC microspheres were used. The magnitude of the frequency shift was linearly proportional to the particle concentration in the hydrogel membrane. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and HYPAN hydrogels were used to make hydrogel membranes. HYPAN hydrogels are hydrophilic acrylate derivatives. They are good for magnetoacoustic sensors due to their high water content, high mechanical strength, and good adhesion to the polyurethane coated ribbon. The new magnetoacoustic sensors do not require any physical connections to the sensing elements. They are ideally suited for applications where physical connections are undesired or not possible.


Survey and characterization of the indigenous edible flora and fauna in the province of Abra were taken through a participatory approach with identified key informants. Data were later presented to the community for validation. Scientific identification was taken cared of by museum researchers at the National Museum, Manila. Findings revealed that there were 25 species of flora belonging to 19 families, 15 species of fauna belonging to six classes, and five species of fungi. In order to increase awareness on the utilization of these important food crops and animals, a monograph on the indigenous edible flora and fauna of the province of Abra must be developed. Laws on the protection, conservation, and management of these indigenous resources should also be promulgated. Propagation of the diminishing indigenous edible flora as claimed by the indigenous people should also be undertaken.


Background: Obesity is essentially caused by an energy imbalance whereby energy intake exceeds the amount of energy expenditure. Due to multifactorial nature of obesity, its determinants span from cell to society. Much of the research on obesity determinants has focused on individual level risk factors including genetic endowment, behavioural factors, socio-demographic and socio-economic status. Recent research has acknowledged the role of environmental factors that create obesity-promoting spaces for residents. The ANGELO (Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity) Framework is an appropriate tool for understanding the role of environment in obesity development. It divides environmental factors into multiple types (e.g., economic, physical, policy, socio and cultural) and scales (micro and macro) of environments. Among these, macro-level culture and economic environment are the most neglected factors in obesity research and most researches on culture and economics are focused on the micro-environment level. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of country level cultural and economic macro-environments on individual level BMI after controlling for individual and country level factors. Methods: Seventy-two different datasets were used in this thesis including 70 datasets from World Health Survey (WHS) for 70 countries, World Bank Datasets and the Hofstede cultural dimensions dataset. The outcome variable (BMI) and all individual level explanatory variables (Age, gender, marital status, education level, household wealth, occupation, living in urban or rural area) were derived from the WHS datasets. Data on national income (GNI-PPP) and income inequality (Gini index) were collected from World Bank Datasets. Data on country level cultural dimensions, uncertainty avoidance, individualism power distance and masculinity were collected from Hofstede cultural dimensions data. The design based descriptive analysis (analysis with sampling design features) was performed for BMI and all individual-level variables for 70 countries. Bivariate and multivariate associations were examined between the BMI and country level national income, income inequality and cultural dimensions after controlling for individual level variables. R-statistical software with survey and lme4 packages was used for analysis. Results: A sample of 2,062,66 people from 70 countries was included. The weighted mean BMI(SE) in these 70 countries was 23.9(4.84). In high-income countries, male, married, had lower education level, lower household wealth, manual occupations and living in rural areas had higher BMI. In low-income countries female, married, had higher education level, higher household wealth, professional occupations and living in urban areas had higher BMI. Multilevel analysis shows that national income (β=0.48,p<0.001) was significantly associated with BMI after controlling for individual level factors. To determine the association of country level cultural dimensions and BMI, a sample of 156,192 people from 53 countries was included. The weighted mean BMI(SE) in these 53 countries was 23.95(0.08). Uncertainty avoidance (β=0.03,p<0.001) and individualism (β=0.03,p<0.001) had a significant positive association with BMI. Income inequality (β=0.06,p<0.05) was significantly associated with BMI after controlling for cultural dimensions. Conclusion: Higher uncertainty avoidance and individualism cultures of the countries were associated with a higher individual level BMI. However, power distance and masculinity cultures were not associated with individual level BMI. Countries higher national income and income inequality were associated higher BMI. These results indicate that culture should be a consideration in the development of public health policies to address obesity. For instance, a public health policy or programme in a country with higher uncertainty avoidance scores may focus on more familiar approaches, which may be more readily embraced. If new approaches are to be used then enough time needs to be allowed for people to develop an understanding of the initiative to help foster confidence in it. Involving the community in projects and project development may allow them a sense of understanding, and then decrease the element of the unknown.


The role of intermetallic phases on the creep behaviour of two Mg-Al-Ca based alloys MRI153M and MRI230D was investigated by characterizing the microstructures of both the alloys in ascast as well as creep tested conditions. For comparison the AZ91 Mg alloy is also employed. The AZ91 alloy consists of Mg17Al12 phase, the MRI153M alloy consists of C36 ((Mg,Al)2Ca) and Mg17Al12 phases, and the MRI230D alloy consists of C36 ((Mg,Al)2Ca) phase. The creep tests were conducted at various temperatures using a stress level of 70MPa. The highest, medium and lowest creep resistance was exhibited by the MRI230D, MRI153M and AZ91 alloys, respectively. Microstructural characterization following creep tests revealed that the amount of Mg17Al12 phase was increased in case of AZ91 alloy, which deteriorates its creep resistance. In case of the MRI230D alloy the amount of C36 phase increased, which increased its creep resistance owing to the higher thermal stability of the C36 phase. In case of the MRI153M alloy the Mg17Al12 phase increased significantly. However, the volume fraction of C36 phase is less in it as compared to that of the MRI230D alloy and accordingly, the former alloy exhibited medium creep resistance.The two Mg alloys MRI153M and MRII230D contains Ca which suppresses the above mentioned â phase and gives rise to new intermetallic phase C36 ((Mg, Al)2Ca along the grain boundaries and other Mg dendritic regions. The intermetallic C36 having higher melting point is effective to pin dislocations at superior temperatures and increases the creep resistance of the alloy. The precipitation of the above mentioned C36 phase will result in increase of steady state creep resistance in MRI230D. Hence it is observed that MRI230D has superior creep and mechanical properties than the remaining at the elevated temperature.


Within the European Union, framework decisions have been developing at a steady pace since the year 2000. Obligations ensue from these framework decisions for the Member States, if necessary, to adjust their own national laws and regulations in the manner prescribed by the framework decisions. The obligation to make the necessary adjustments to national regulations is enshrined in Article 34(2)(b) TEU. When it comes to implementation, framework decisions show similarities to directives. According to Article 249(3) EC, directives are also binding as to the result to be achieved, but the choice of the form and methods of implementation is left to the Member States. In the case law of the European Court of Justice, relatively detailed rules have been developed on implementing directives. This case law defines the freedom of choice that Article 249(3) EC allows the Member States in more detail. This article centres on the question whether norms (or principles) – similar or not to the rules developed for directives – can also be identified which the Member States must observe in implementing framework decisions.


Intestinal biopsy specimens from 22 patients with celiac sprue demonstrated the following: (1) Mean disaccharidase and alkaline phosphatase activities increased from low levels associated with severe mucosal lesions to higher levels with moderate or mild lesions. With mild histology, all enzymes assayed were normal, except for low lactase activity in 25%. (2) Comparison of paired specimens from adjacent sites revealed similar morphologic changes in 70% of the pairs. With respect to occurrence of normal or abnormal enzyme activity in the paired samples, lactase activity was the same in all pairs, while the other enzymes were the same in 74% to 86% of the pairs. (3) Although a clinical improvement followed fair adherence to a glutenfree diet, mild histologic changes and a complete return of enzyme activity occurred only in patients who had adhered strictly to the diet.


Abstract Markets must be made biophilic: that is, compatible with life flourishing on Earth. To do so, we must abandon prevailing notions of market efficiency and reconceive markets as social evolutionary systems embedded in nature. Such a reconception enables us to see that constraining markets within biophysical boundaries would not result in zero-sum trade-offs with the economy, but instead would drive market evolution to new forms of prosperity.


Using the Young Finns Study (YFS) combined with the Finnish Linked Employer-Employee Data (FLEED) we show that quantities of creatine measured in 1980 prior to labour market entry affect labour market outcomes over the period 1990-2010. Those with higher levels of creatine (proxied by urine creatinine) prior to labour market entry spend more time in the labour market in the subsequent two decades and earn more. Creatine is not associated with high educational attainment. The associations between creatine and labour market outcomes are robust to controlling for other biomarkers, educational attainment and parental background. Creatine is a naturally occurring nitrogenous organic acid which supplies energy to body cells, including muscles. Our findings are consistent with high energy levels, induced by creatine, leading to productivity-enhancing traits such as a high propensity for effort, perseverance, and high-commitment.


Liquid chromatography (LC) is a common and straight forward approach used in the evaluation of the quality of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs). Quality control is a critical step when systematically assessing the efficacy of TCMs. In the present study, the spectrum-effect correlation method was used to identify pharmacologically active substances. The aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying correlations between common chemical compounds with antipyretic effects and the anti-endotoxin activity of Lonicera japonica. The common chemical constituents of Lonicera japonica were analyzed using LC, and the antipyretic effects and anti-endotoxin activity were determined using ELISAs. Combining the results of bivariate and principal component analysis methods, eight active constituents were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The results of these analyses indicated that neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acids A, B and C served a synergistic role with respect to antipyretic effects and anti-endotoxin activity. The present study lays a foundation for the future clinical use of Lonicera japonica.


In this contribution the development of an advanced, high-temperature stable plasma sensor based on the multipole resonance probe (MRP) is presented. Using low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) as substrate material, together with a multilayer structure, provides resistance against high temperatures as well as a sufficient mechanical stability. Therefore, the sensor is applicable as a robust measurement tool in a wide field of industrial plasma processes. The ability of the probe to determine the electron density of the plasma as well as the collision frequency of the electrons is investigated by extensive 3D electromagnetic simulations. Measurements in a double inductively coupled plasma (DICP) reactor using different gas compositions with neutral gas temperatures exceeding 500° C confirm the suitability of the probe for a precise plasma monitoring at high temperatures.


This paper presents the analytical and simulation responses of the closed orbit distortion in the SSRF storage ring to random and plane wave like magnet vibrations respectively. It is shown that the use of girder is very beneficial in the view of suppressing this response function. Effect of the independently supported gradient bending magnets to the closed orbit response is given. An analytic formula is written to give a rough estimate of the closed orbit distortion due to ground motion, taking into account the closed orbit response function and girder transfer function. As an example, the result of SSRF case is given.


We consider a system of two-dimensional interacting fermions with a flat Fermi surface. The apparent conflict between Luttinger and non-Luttinger liquid behaviors found through different approximations is resolved by showing the existence of a line of nontrivial fixed points, for the renormalization group (RG) flow, corresponding to Luttinger liquid behavior; the presence of marginally relevant operators can cause flow away from the fixed point. The analysis is nonperturbative and based on the implementation, at each RG iteration, of Ward identities obtained from local phase transformations depending on the Fermi surface side, implying the partial vanishing of the beta function.


The structure of capillaries of the primary portal plexus in rats was studied on the 18th day of prenatal period and ist and 9th days of postnatal period. The number of capillaries and capillary loops penetrating in the nervous tissue of median eminence increases during development. The endothelial cells divide and differentiate and this is accompanied by the decrease in the volume of perikaryons, the flattening of peripheral cell regions and the increase in the number of fenestrae. The greatest number of pinocytotic vesicles is noted in the newborn rats. The morphometrical data obtained suggest indirectly the transport of substances through the wall of capillaries in foetuses and newborn rats mainly via pinocytotic vesicles and on the 9th day of life via fenestrae.


Two basic phenomena, reactor hydraulics and mass transport through biofilm coupled with kinetic expressions for substrate transformations were accounted for in order to describe the soluble COD removal mechanism in anaerobic fixed bed reactors. To provide necessary verification, experimental results from the long term operation of the pilot scale anaerobic reactor treating molasses wastewater were used. Theoretical evaluations verified by these experimental studies showed that a bulk zero-order removal rate expression modified by diffusional resistance leading to bulk half-order and first-order rates together with the particular hydraulic conditions could adequately define the overall soluble COD removal mechanism in an anaerobic fixed bed reactor. The experimental results were also used to determine the kinetic constants for practical application. In view of the complexity of the phenomena involved it is found remarkable that a simple simulation model based on biofilm kinetics is a powerful tool for design and operation of anaerobic fixed bed reactors.


Testimony before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. In 2000, NCLR adopted a new priority issue area of criminal and juvenile justice with the
purpose of shedding light on the disproportionate representation of Latinos in the justice system.
Expansion into this field emerged out of NCLR s civil rights portfolio and brought to the surface
the need to educate and mobilize the Latino community specifically around criminal and juvenile
justice issues. NCLR has developed a multi-pronged strategy that involves all levels of
government federal, state, and local and provides opportunities for Latino CBOs to engage in
advocacy, public education, and capacity-building critical to improving the justice system in the
United States.


Black hole generalized p-brane solutions for a wide class of intersection rules are obtained. The solutions are defined on a manifold that contains a product of n-1 Ricci-flat `internal' spaces. They are defined up to a set of functions Hs obeying non-linear differential equations equivalent to Toda-type equations with certain boundary conditions imposed. A conjecture on polynomial structure of governing functions Hs for intersections related to semisimple Lie algebras is suggested. This conjecture is proved for the Lie algebras: Am, Cm + 1, m≥1. For simple Lie algebras the powers of polynomials coincide with the components of the dual Weyl vector in the basis of simple roots. The coefficients of polynomials depend upon the extremality parameter µ>0. In the extremal case µ = 0 such polynomials were considered previously by H Lu, J Maharana, S Mukherji and C N Pope. Explicit formulae for the A2-solution are obtained. Two examples of A2-dyon solutions, i.e., dyon in D = 11 supergravity with M2 and M5 branes intersecting at a point and the Kaluza-Klein dyon, are considered.


Background: In Indonesia, many occupations and industries involve a variety of hazardous and toxic materials. The ILO estimates that about 21.1% of the tracheal, bronchial, and lung cancer deaths among men were attributable to workplace hazardous substances. This study investigated the relationship between occupations or workplace exposure and the risk of lung cancer in the country. The results will help determine how Indonesia can best mitigate the risk for its workers. Objectives: This case-control study utilizes the Indonesian Standard of Industrial Classification (IndSIC) 2015 with the aim of exploring the risk of lung cancer among Indonesian workers. Methods: The study included patients aged 35 years old or older receiving thoracic CT at the radiology department of Persahabatan Hospital. The cases were histological-confirmed primary lung cancers, while the controls were negative thoracic CT scan for lung cancer. The subjects' job titles and industries were classified according to IndSIC 2015 and blind to the patient's grouping as a case or control. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratios for lung cancer among all sections and some divisions or groups of IndSIC 2015. Findings: The mean age was 58.1 (±10.23) years for lung cancer patients and 54.5 (±10.23) years for controls. The majority of subjects (19.6%) worked in Section G (Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycle). After adjusting for age, gender, level of education, and smoking habit, the risk of lung cancer was nearly three-times higher (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.11–7.02) in workers of Division A01 (crop, animal production, and hunting) and two-times higher (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.05–3.46) in workers of Section F (construction) compared to the workers in other sections or divisions. Conclusions: The excess risk of lung cancer among certain categories of workers confirms the need for improved policy, monitoring, and control of occupational exposure for primary cancer prevention and workers' compensation purposes.


It is imperative to have a better understanding of the effects of different flooding levels in paddy soils on changes in soil chemical properties, especially information on the N recovery and N mineralization when the rice straw is incorporated into soil as a source of soil organic matter under tropic conditions, such as in Metro, Lampung. A glasshouse study was carried out to determine the effects of different flooding levels (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 cm) on changes in carbon (C), nitrogen (N) contents and weight of rice straw incorporated into paddy soil. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized block design with six replications. The results showed that C content of the rice straw at the beginning of the trial was 33–40%. These values decreased 2 weeks after flooding except for the flooding level of 10 cm the C content still decreased until 4 weeks after flooding. And then for all flooding levels the values tended to return to the initial values 8 weeks after flooding. Meanwhile, the N content at the beginning of the trial was 0.56-0.60%. The N contents for all flooding levels increased with increasing time of observation (1.34-1.48%). The C:N ratios for all flooding levels at the beginning of the trial greatly decreased until 2 weeks after flooding. Thereafter, the ratios decreased slightly until 8 weeks after flooding. Furthermore, flooding level of 2.5 cm gave the lowest weight of rice straw 8 weeks after flooding, whereas, flooding level of 10.0 cm gave the highest weight of rice straw, suggesting that the lesser the flooding level, the faster the litter decomposition rate. This confirms other findings that at the depth of 1-2 cm below water surface of a paddy field are an aerobic zone, where the litter decomposed most rapidly. Keywords: Flooding levels, decomposition, C, N, rice straw


The proposition for molten salt and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors has increased the focus on the dynamics and physics in randomly packed pebble beds. Research is being conducted on the validity of these designs as a possible contestant for the fourth-generation nuclear power systems. A detailed understanding of the coolant flow behavior is required in order to ensure proper cooling of the reactor core during normal and accident conditions. In order to increase the understanding of the flow through these complex geometries and enhance the accuracy of lower-fidelity modeling, high-fidelity approaches such as direct numerical simulation (DNS) can be utilized. Nek5000, a spectral-element computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, was used to develop DNS fluid flow data. The flow domain consisted of 147 pebbles enclosed by a bounding wall. In the work presented, the Reynolds numbers ranged from 430 to 1050 based on the pebble diameter and inlet velocity. Characteristics of the flow domain such as volume averaged porosity, axial porosity, and radial porosity were studied and compared with correlations available in the literature. Friction factors from the DNS results for all Reynolds numbers were compared with correlations in the literature. The first- and second-order statistics show good agreement with the available experimental data. Turbulence length scales were analyzed in the flow. Reynolds stress anisotropy was characterized by utilizing invariant analysis. Overall, the results of the analysis in this study provide deeper understanding of the flow behavior and the effect of the wall in packed beds.


Although parents' fears and worries about math—termed math anxiety—are negatively associated with their children's math achievement in early elementary school, access to an educational math app that 1st-grade children and parents use together can ameliorate this relation. Here we show that children of higher-math–anxious parents learn less math during 1st–3rd grades, but this is not the case when families are given a math app (even after app use markedly decreases). Reducing the link between parents' math anxiety and their positive attitudes about math for their children helped to explain the sustained benefit of the math app. These findings indicate that interventions involving parents and children together can have powerful lasting effects on children's academic achievement and suggest that changes in parents' expectations for their children's potential for success in math, and the value they place on this success, play a role in these sustained effects.


The spectra of acetylene, ethylene and ethane have been investigated with gratings in the region between 2 and 15μ. Each gas shows a more or less characteristic type of structure for its vibrational-rotational bands. The three main absorption regions of acetylene have been resolved into individual lines which are alternately intense and faint. These lines have the same average spacing in the three bands. The band at 13.7μ shows a strong unresolved Q branch, while the bands at 7.5 and 3.0μ lack evident Q branches. The two minor absorption regions of acetylene have also been investigated. The molecular moment of inertia has been computed from the spacing of the fine structure of the principal acetylene bands. The moment of inertia has also been computed from the classical theory on the assumption of a linear molecular model. The values obtained by the two methods are in agreement.For ethylene, seven regions of absorption have been investigated. Two of these have been resolved into individual lines, with a strong Q branch present in one case and absent in the other. Four of the remaining regions reveal envelopes of an identical type, which is characterized by a sharp Q branch together with P and R branches. The bands found in the region of 2.3μ apparently lack Q branches. This latter group has been partially resolved.The main absorption regions of ethane reveal bands, each consisting of a single succession of absorption maxima. The spacing of these maxima is different for each of the bands, but the structure obtained is for the most part of a regular nature.


This work addresses the problem of BPM-SOA integration using the services discovery activity as the main driver for that. The developed model is able to select the most adequate (web) services for given business transactions that are modeled at BPM level, regarding their business' contexts and QoS restrictions. It considers an inter-organization scenario, where services are published and made available by disparate providers over largely distributed and heterogeneous repositories, which can also be accessed under the SaaS model. Key elements of the model include a business processes catalog and an ontology based on the UBL open standard, and a QoS ontology. The implemented framework strongly relies on open ICT standards at all tackled levels, facilitating interoperability and the integration of services discovery environment in wider enterprise architecture projects. A software prototype has been implemented and results are described at the end. In spite of a set of assumptions, it was realized that a focus on the dynamic services discovery activity can be a feasible approach for better levering BPM-SOA integration, providing a more flexible basis for enterprises when executing their daily business transactions.


Background: Application of tourniquet and herbs has been practiced since a long time in patients with different reptiles' and arthropods' bite at rural areas of the country, despite various cases of cellulitis and gangrene.
Objective: To report a case of limb gangrene following tourniquet and herb application for snake bite.
Case: A 20-years old farmer, who was bitten by a snake, presented to the Emergency department with complaints of blackish discoloration of his left forearm and hand. After clinical evaluation and investigations, patient underwent surgical intervention.
Twelve days following snake bite, patient felt pain, noticed bleeding from bite site, swelling over his left hand, palpitation, shortness of breath and inability to speak. For which, he sought help from a traditional healer who applied a tourniquet over his left elbow and some herbs over the bite site. He noticed blackening of his fingers, which rapidly progressed to involve his left hand and forearm up to the site of tourniquet. He underwent surgery for the gangrenous limb.
Conclusion: Development of gangrene following tourniquet is an unusual finding in modern day medicine. This case report shows the danger related to tourniquet application and need for measures to prevent such incidents in future.


This study takes a mixed-methods approach to explore the in fl uence of emotion-laden (positive vs. negative vs. neutral) texts and words on vocabulary learning for Spanish heritage and foreign language learners. Participants ( N = 121) were tasked with learning emotion-laden pseudowords embedded in three emotion-laden texts centered around themes of bilingualism, immigration, and identity. Form recognition, translation, and multiple-choice tests were designed to measure vocabulary recall and retention. Results from a mixed-effects modeling analysis showed that the neutral and negative emotion-laden texts predicted better vocabulary learning outcomes than the positive text for both HLLs and FLLs and that neutral words were learned best by all learners. Qualitative fi ndings from open-ended questionnaires suggest emotional arousal as another in fl uential affective factor in vocabulary learning for learners of diverse sociolinguistic backgrounds. Directions for future emotions research in SLA and pedagogical implications of socially relevant, emotion-laden material for vocabulary learning are discussed.


We present a new approach to discrete adaptive filtering based on the mean field annealing algorithm. The main idea is to find the discrete filter vector that minimizes the matrix form of the Wiener-Hopf equations in a least-squares sense by a generalized mean field annealing algorithm. It is indicated by simulations that this approach, with complexity O(M/sup 2/) where M is the filter length, finds a solution comparable to the one obtained by the recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm but without the transient behavior of the RLS algorithm. Further advantages of the proposed algorithm over other methods such as the recursive least-squares algorithm are that the filter coefficients are always limited and that it facilitates fast recovery after an abrupt system change.


The poster contains a practical example of how the CDIO concept can be used for developing common course contents with the aim to improve the students' generic and professional competences. The overall purpose is to create a school-wide spirit of community for the students and introduce CDIO for faculty.OBJECTIVES1. Ideas for how to coordinate school-wide activities aiming at increasing students' generic skills and professional identity2. Strategies for introducing the CDIO concept for the school faculty membersDESCRIPTIONFor reaching high employability, students require knowledge and skills connected to the future working area, as well as generic skills and a professional attitude [1]. Ensuring these abilities is a major challenge of higher education today [2-4]. All these abilities are trained in the final independent work, where students, normally in collaboration with industry, acts as professionals while fulfilling the goals of academy. In the past, every subject had their own way of running the degree courses, but a need to coordinate the efforts for assuring the required outcome has gradually evolved. This emerging need was used as an opportunity to introduce CDIO thinking on school level, because most staff is involved in the degree project courses. Activities open for all students, such as joint introduction and lectures, workshops in literature search and a final dinner together with industry collaborators, are offered during the final semester, and general tools supporting the process have been developed, covering templates for report writing, a common web portal and a web based tool for registering of degree theses. The approach is extended with faculty pedagogic development activities, such as discussion meetings regarding generic skills training and the tutors' role in the learning process.


Whether in response to the growing concerns of climate change or born instead of a fascination in the material advancements of the last decade, the architectural opportunities in sustainability are substantial and plentiful. Arguments run the gamut of professional domains, stretching across the numerous aspects of industry, manufacturing and power generation, which in turn carry the parallel disciplinary interests of architecture, engineering, the social sciences, economics and public policy. Much of the attention garnered by the sustainability movement has highlighted new buildings proper as they provide the greatest visibility. There is however an immense and relatively untapped reservoir of opportunities with the office towers of the post-war era. The earlier considerations to the benefits of natural ventilation were dismissed in favour of the idiomatic environmental control systems, vis-a-vis reliance upon mechanical systems to compensate for the discarded natural techniques, resulting in sealed work environments mapped by the rampant growth of "sick building syndrome" nomenclature. This paper will offer a reconsideration of the otherwise overlooked building type – the post-war high-rise in a zeitgeist of passive and active environmental provisions. By exploring this typology, crafted within the greatest aspirations of its own era, the ideas of re-use and adaptation can be expanded beyond the limits of historic structures to include buildings that were once considered to be icons of technological advancement. Instead of demolishing, the notion of re-articulating the very essence of qualitative lifesupport is of an immediate and ever-present importance.


1. Oxytocin is known to act on autoreceptors of oxytocin neurones in the supraoptic nucleus (SON). We investigated whether oxytocin modulates putative oxytocin neurones by suppressing the GABAA receptor‐mediated synaptic inputs on these cells. 2. GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) were recorded from SON neurones in hypothalamic slices from young rats. Oxytocin specifically reduced the amplitude of both spontaneous and evoked IPSCs, without altering their current kinetics. 3. The effect of oxytocin was observed in 70% of the magnocellular neurones recorded from the dorsomedial part of the SON. d(CH2)5OVT, a specific antagonist of oxytocin receptors, blocked the effect of oxytocin on the IPSCs. Vasopressin had no effect on oxytocin‐sensitive SON neurones. 4. The intervals between spontaneous IPSCs were not affected by oxytocin. This suggested that oxytocin had a postsynaptic effect on SON neurones. 5. This postsynaptic origin was further substantiated by application of TTX, which blocked all evoked release but did not prevent the suppressive effect of oxytocin on the amplitude of the spontaneous IPSCs still present in the recording. The selective effect of oxytocin on IPSC amplitude was also maintained in nominally zero extracellular calcium. 6. Intracellular perfusion of SON neurones with GTP gamma S mimicked the effect of oxytocin on IPSCs, while GDP beta S, similarly applied, abolished the effect of oxytocin. 7. Application of calcium mobilizers such as thapsigargin and caffeine also reduced the amplitude of spontaneous IPSCs without significantly altering the frequency at which IPSCs occurred. 8. Thus, oxytocin depresses GABAergic synapses in the SON via modulation of the postsynaptic GABAA receptors. This would lead to disinhibition of SON neurones sensitive to oxytocin and could, therefore, be a powerful means of controlling the firing of oxytocin neurones.


Although 'mirroring' has been studied within MNEs, the way SMEs deal with the challenges associated with implementing new products and services in change contexts remains a neglected area. By subsuming mirroring and change management theories under organisational theory, the author examines the impacts of these constructs on how four SMEs dealt with some of their challenges as they tried to launch new products, improve services and staff performance. The paper contributes to the organisation theory and strategy literature by initially identifying 'organisations design products' as a gap whose linkage to HRM architectural pairings produced the theoretical contribution referred to as 'Contingent Misting'. The theory helps in identifying the structural, cultural and technical characteristics that SMEs are dealing with and deepens our understanding of some of the emerging mirroring architectures that SMEs face. A thematic categorisation approach to the analysis of the interview data led not only to the paper's theoretical contribution of 'Contingent Misting' but also highlights individual and organisational-level characteristics whose combination help SMEs to better adapt to the complex challenges of product and service redesigns. The paper's 85 semi-structured interviews in 4 UK/internationally-connected SMEs was used to successfully frame SMEs' products, services, structures and people in a theory that highlights the contingent nature of people's competence when SMEs implement changes to practically tackle their challenges. 'Contingent Misting' was previously missing in the architectural pairings and mirroring literature and is therefore proposed as the paper's theoretical contribution. Its benefits, implications and future research directions are identified.


Abstract. In order to assess tsunami hazard in oceanic islands, one needs to enlarge the observational time window by finding more evidence of past events. To that end, evidence of allochthonous deposits provides estimates of tsunami inundation, recurrence time and magnitude. However, in tropical islands, erosion due to the highly rainy climate generally prevents deposits to stay in place and when they are, relating them to a tsunami is not straightforward, as they can result either from a strong hurricane or from a tsunami. One notable exception concerns deposits sealed by subsequent events. In this paper, we present evidence of an anomalously thick two-layer tsunami deposit in an excavation in Martinique. Analysis of the archaeological remains indicate that it is related to the 1755 Lisbon tsunami. We explain the thickness of the deposit by a tsunami-induced bore in the mangrove drainage channels of Fort-de-France. Our results highlight the benefits of collaborative research involving geology and archaeology, indicate a way to improve our tsunami databases and further constrain the use of numerical modelling to predict paleo-tsunami deposit thickness.


We are studying the chromosomal structure of three developmental mutations, dominant spotting (W), patch (Ph), and rump white (Rw) on mouse chromosome 5. These mutations are clustered in a region containing three genes encoding tyrosine kinase receptors (Kit, Pdgfra, and Flk1). Using probes for these genes and for a closely linked locus, D5Mn125, we established a high-resolution physical map covering approximately 2.8 Mb. The entire chromosomal segment mapped in this study is deleted in the W19H mutation. The map indicates the position of the Ph deletion, which encompasses not more than 400 kb around and including the Pdgfra gene. The map also places the distal breakpoint of the Rw inversion to a limited chromosomal segment between Kit and Pdgfra. In light of the structure of the Ph-W-Rw region, we interpret the previously published complementation analyses as indicating that the pigmentation defect in Rw/+ heterozygotes could be due to the disruption of Kit and/or Pdgfra regulatory sequences, whereas the gene(s) responsible for the recessive lethality of Rw/Rw embryos is not closely linked to the Ph and W loci and maps proximally to the W19H deletion. The structural analysis of chromosomal rearrangements associated with W19H, Ph, and Rw combined with the high-resolution physical mapping points the way toward the definition of these mutations in molecular terms and isolation of homologous genes on human chromosome 4.