The Th1/Th2 cell balance is crucial for the outcome of many infections and autoimmune diseases. The identification of novel Th1 and Th2 cell specific markers can expand our knowledge about Th1 and Th2 cell function, and these markers can be used to manipulate Th1/Th2 cell responses. Recently, ST2L (an orphan receptor of the IL-1R family) was identified to be selectively expressed on Th2, but not on Th1 cells. Factors that determine this differential expression pattern are still unknown. Antibodies against ST2L as well as a ST2-Fc fusion protein, mimicking the soluble form (ST2), were able to decrease Th2 effector functions. ST2 is thought to compete with ST2L for the ligand and therefore prevent ST2L signalling. These studies demonstrated that ST2L functions are closely linked to Th2 responses in vitro and in vivo. However, with the ligand of ST2L still unidentified, the function of ST2L and especially of ST2 are controversial. The aim of my thesis was to expand the knowledge about the role and regulation of ST2 and ST2L in murine T helper cells. In my initial experiments (Chapter 3) I established a method to express and purify ST2 from baculovirus-infected insect cells and from stably transfected mammalian CHO cells. The protein was tested for its biological activity on LPS-stimulated macrophages, where it was able to decrease the production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-12). Next, I examined the effects of ST2 on CD4(+) T cell activation (Chapter 4). ST2 could bind to naTve CD4(+) T cells and suppressed Th1 and Th2 type cytokine production. It worked directly on Th cells without the need for APC. CD4(+) T cells, whose TCR had been engaged before, did not bind ST2 and therefore did not show any decrease in cytokine expression. I then assessed the regulatory effect of Th1 and Th2 cytokines on the gene expression of ST2 and ST2L at protein, mRNA and promoter level to clarify whether these cytokines are responsible for the differential expression of ST2 and ST2L (Chapter 5). IL-4, a major cytokine for Th2 development and proliferation, increased ST2L protein expression, while IFN-gamma, the main Th1 cytokine, decreased ST2L protein expression. Similar results were obtained at the mRNA level, where IL-4 upregulated and IFN-gamma downregulated the ST2L mRNA expression. Interestingly, IL-4 induced an early increase in ST2 mRNA expression and a delayed increase in ST2L mRNA, suggesting differential regulation of the two splice variants. The upstream promoter showed increased activity when treated with IL-4, but decreased activity when IFN-gamma was added. Hence, IL-4 was able to upregulate ST2L and drive Th2 cell development simultaneously. IFN-gamma had opposite effects to IL-4. In order to stably transfect Th cells with a ST2L antisense construct, toxicity studies for G418, the selection marker, were carried out on Th1 and Th2 cells (Chapter 6). G418 and its structural analogue gentamicin were found to modulate the Th1/Th2 balance in vitro by selectively suppressing Th2 cells to a greater extent than Th1 cells. To investigate the ability of gentamicin to regulate the Th1/Th2 cell balance in vivo, I treated Leishmania major-infected BALB/c mice with high doses of gentamicin for 12 days. Complete suppression of the disease was achieved, providing gentamicin treatment was started early after infection. Analysis of antigen-specific proliferation, cytokine release and antibody production revealed a complete suppression of antigen-responding Th lymphocyte activity. However, a shorter period of gentamicin treatment (7 days), started immediately after infection, selectively suppressed Th2 but not Th1 cytokine expression, confirming the ability of gentamicin to modulate Th1/Th2 type responses. Gentamicin also caused a partial suppression of macrophage viability. The appearance and activity of parasites changed upon short term gentamicin treatment, but this did not affect their infectivity in vivo. In vitro experiments suggested an increased uptake of the aminoglycoside by macrophages in the presence of parasites, promoting increased clearance of the organism. In this thesis I undertook a series of defined studies which together further advance our knowledge on the regulation of Th1 and Th2 cells. This is based on the function of ST2L/ST2 and gentamicin, both of which have significant effects on the balance between Th1 and Th2 cells. These results can contribute to our ability to modulate some of the most important infectious and inflammatory diseases.


With continuously falling cost of renewable power generation and ambitious decarbonization targets, renewable sources are about to rival fossil fuels for energy supply. For a high share of fluctuating renewable generation, large-scale energy storage is likely to be required. In addition to selling electricity, the reliable supply of heat and cold is a further interesting revenue pool, which makes hybrid storage technologies an interesting option. The main feature of hybrid energy storage – as defined here is to offer charging and especially discharging in different forms of energy by combining different charging, discharging and storage devices. They can address various demands (e.g. electricity and cold) simultaneously. Two hybrid storages, pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) and power-to-heat-to-x (x: heat and/or electricity) energy storage (PHXES), are investigated based on a technoeconomic analysis within this work. Both hybrid storage technologies are charged with electricity and can supply heat and electricity during discharging. They are implemented into a simplified energy system model of a prototype city in the earth's sunbelt in the year 2030 to find a cost-optimal configuration. Different cases are evaluated: a power-to-power case (P2P), where only an electric demand must be addressed and a power-topower-and-cooling (P2P&C) case, where the electric demand from the P2P case is divided into a residual electric demand and a cooling demand. For both cases, a natural gas-based benchmark scenario and a decarbonized, renewable-based scenario including the hybrid energy storage technologies are calculated. Both, total expenditures and CO2 emissions are lower in the P2P&C scenarios compared to P2P scenarios. PHXES plays a major role in both cases. PTES is part of the costoptimal solution in the P2P&C decarb scenario, only if its specific cost are further decreased. Keywords—Hybrid energy storage, Energy system modeling, Decarbonization


Abstract. In the Devonian–Carboniferous, a rapid succession of clustered extensional and contractional tectonic events is thought to have affected sedimentary rocks in central Spitsbergen, Svalbard. These events include Caledonian post-orogenic extensional collapse associated with the formation of thick Early–Middle Devonian basins, Late Devonian–Mississippian Ellesmerian contraction, and Early–Middle Pennsylvanian rifting, which resulted in the deposition of thick sedimentary units in Carboniferous basins like the Billefjorden Trough. The clustering of these varied tectonic settings sometimes makes it difficult to resolve the tectono-sedimentary history of individual stratigraphic units. Notably, the context of deposition of Mississippian clastic and coal-bearing sedimentary rocks of the Billefjorden Group is still debated, especially in central Spitsbergen. We present field evidence (e.g., growth strata and slickensides) from the northern part of the Billefjorden Trough, in Odellfjellet, suggesting that tilted Mississippian sedimentary strata of the Billefjorden Group deposited during active (Late/latest?) Mississippian extension. WNW–ESE-striking basin-oblique faults showing Mississippian growth strata systematically die out upwards within Mississippian to lowermost Pennsylvanian strata, thus suggesting a period of widespread WNW–ESE-directed extension in the Mississippian and an episode of localized extension in Early–Middle Pennsylvanian times. In addition, the presence of abundant basin-oblique faults in basement rocks adjacent to the Billefjorden Trough suggests that the formation of Mississippian normal faults was partly controlled by reactivation of preexisting Neoproterozoic (Timanian?) basement-seated fault zones. We propose that these preexisting faults reactivated as transverse or accommodation cross faults in or near the crest of transverse folds reflecting differential displacement along the Billefjorden Fault Zone. In Cenozoic times, a few margin-oblique faults (e.g., the Overgangshytta fault) may have mildly reactivated as oblique thrusts during transpression–contraction, but shallow-dipping, bedding-parallel, duplex-shaped décollements in shales of the Billefjorden Group possibly prevented substantial movement along these faults.


This paper presents profiles of 12 airborne and spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging systems. This information is intended to help potential users evaluate the systems for specific applications. The systems profiled in this article can be used for commercial purposes; some have been built specifically for commercial use while others also serve as science and research tools, Both domestic and foreign systems designed for government agencies and private industry are profiled. Nine of these systems are currently operational; two systems are scheduled to begin service in the near future. A third system is no longer active, but archive data are commercially available. >


Seventy-five operative procedures were done in 63 patients to correct one or more complications of chronic pancreatitis. Operations included resection, pancreaticojejunostomy, choledochoduodenostomy, draining and/or excision of pseudocysts, sphincteroplasty, and bypass surgery for relief of duodenal obstruction. All patients were followed up for up to 10 years, with 22 being followed up longer than five years. Recurrent pancreatitis occurred in three patients after resection and in two after drainage procedures, but attacks were milder with only an occasional occurrence. Operative procedures to relieve specific complications of chronic pancreatitis provided good results. However, because internal drainage of pseudocysts associated with chronic pancreatitis was frequently accompanied by recurrence of symptoms, excision offered better results. When the pancreatic duct was dilated, good results were obtained by pancreaticojejunostomy. In the absence of dilation, after strict preoperative slection of patients, and in the presence of diffuse parenchymal fibrosis, subtotal pancreatectomy is the procedure of choice.


For several decades research has documented the overrepresentation of minorities in
special education programs. The public school system in Wayne County, North Carolina,
has been plagued by accusations of racial inequality, such as segregation of school
district lines to seclude children in the Goldsboro City district which is within the Wayne
County school system and primarily African American, from attending schools in higher-
SES districts, where the children are primarily white. Even though the racial inequity has
been identified with regard to the school district lines, researchers have not explored
additional acts of racial inequality in the public school system of Wayne County. This
study compared the racial composition of children in the Wayne County special
education program and their eligibility categories to the racial composition of the entire
Wayne County Public School student population to identify any potential issues of
minority overrepresentation in their special education program. Chi square analyses
revealed statistically significant results with African American students being the most
overrepresented minority group in the analyzed high-incidence special education categories, such as mild intellectual disability, moderate intellectual disability, serious
emotional disturbance, and specific learning disability. They were also overrepresented in
the category of severe intellectual disability. Implications of these results for the county
as they try to unravel possible discriminatory practices and policies that result in unequal
education experiences will be discussed.


In the article, the Arabic word units in the works of our poet Gazi Burhaneddin (1344-1398), who created the first Divan in the history of Turkish dialects literature are investigated. It is stated that these dictionary units are widely reflected in the works of Gazi Burhaneddin for the first time in the literature of Turkish dialects. Thus, Gazi Burhanaddin tried to ensure the eruza compatibility of his own language by using these dictionary units. Generally, the interrelationships between eruz and the Azerbaijani language are explored in the article. Gazi Burhaneddin is the first poet to write "Divan" in our mother tongue. In the third volume of the history of literature of Azerbaijan the article of Gazi Burhanaddin (1344-1398) begins with the following sentences: "Azerbaijani literature in the XIII-XIV centuries is entering a new stage of development. The most important event of the period is the emergence of mother tongue poetry. For centuries due to historical-socio-political reasons, Arabic (VII-X centuries) and Persian (XI-XII centuries) were in high positions in the literature of written Azerbaijan, as well as in the literature of some Near and Middle Eastern countries. The well-known literary theorist and critic Hatib Tabrizi wrote his works in Arabic, the world-famous Hagani, Nizami wrote in Persian... Raising the flag of poetry in its own language in the XIV century, Gazi Burhaneddin is one of the poets who created hundreds of works in the Azerbaijani language. It is clear from the sources that Gazi Burhaneddin was a well-known generation of his time, received an excellent education and he lived in Arab countries for a long time. Therefore, he knew Arabic very well. Yet according to literary history, "he... if he's holding a sword in one hand, he held a pen in his other hand, "Tercihit-tozih" (predominance of explanations), "İksirus-seadet fi esraril-ibadet" (The gem of happiness is in the secrets of worship) as. He wrote scientific works in Arabic and he has created precious melodies that touch the hearts…" "Although the sources indicate that the poet has poems in Arabic and Persian, its famous "Divan" is in the Azerbaijani language.


In this paper the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of 87 domestic camels from Gansu, Xingjiang and Inner Mongolia were analyzed. Totally 18 restriction endonucleases including Apa I, Ava I, BamH I, Bcl I, Bgl I, Bgl II, Dra I, EcoR I, EcoR V, Hind III, Kpn I, Pvu II, Sac I, Sal I, Sca I, Sma I, Xba I and Xho I were used to investigate the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of camel mtDNA through Southern blotting to reveal the genetic diversity within three groups of domestic camel and the genetic relationships among the three domestic groups. The results indicated that the average molecular weight of camel mtDNA is 16.26 +/- 0.28 kb, the camel mtDNA is inherited maternally and no variations and heteroplasmy are found in camel mtDNA. Among the 82 domestic camels, 35 restriction morph and 12 haplotypes were detected, and the value of average sequence variation within the domestic population (pi) is 0.2273%, which showed a relatively rich genetic diversity existed in the domestic camels. From F-test of the haplotype distribution and comparison of the haplotype sharement between the 3 domestic camel groups, it was suggested that there is no obvious genetic divergence and that the rich genetic diversity comes from the variation among individuals instead of the genetic divergence between groups. All domestic camels could be divided into 2 types (A and B) with a significant genetic distance (P = 0.0464).


The Calanoid copepod Eudiaptomus gracilis (G.O. Sars, 1863) is recorded from Turkish inland waters for the first time. Males and females of Eudiaptomus gracilis were consistently found during 6 sampling periods in the Yesilirmak River. The species was collected from the Yesilirmak River and Suat Ugurlu and Hasan Ugurlu dam lakes in the Black Sea region and detailed descriptions of both sexes are given.


Heavy metals are serious threat because of their toxicity, long persistence, bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the food chain. This research deals with human health risk assessment of metal contamination through the consumption of commonly consumed fish from Dar es Salaam City. The fish sample of interest were Rastrellieger kanagurta, Lutjanus fulvus and Fenneropenaeus indicus. The aim is to determine the concentration of Pb, As, Cd, Fe and Cu contaminant in these fish samples. By using AAS the maximum concentration of Pb, As, Cd, Fe and Cu was 0.14, 1.09, 0.16, 60.29 and 12.11 mg/kg respectively. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of heavy metals with the respective type of fish can be arranged as Fe > Cu > As > Cd > Pb in which values are higher than Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) for metals. Therefore the consumption of fish samples is questionable. Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) was used in the health risk assessment to determine carcinogenicity of the sample. The result shows that the concentration and THQ of As in all fish samples ranges from 1.173 – 2.325 which is > 1, hence signified that a daily exposure at this level is likely to cause effects during a person lifetime. It is well known that fishes can accumulate variety of toxic chemicals including persistent organic contaminants such as dioxins and chlorinated pesticides; hence similar study has to be conducted for such compounds at different sampling sites including river and personal fish ponds. Keywords—Target Hazard Quotient, Arsenic, Health Risk, Concentration, Heavy Metals


The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has turned into a frequent indication for liver transplant. The reports of different series indicate that it represents at least 12% of all liver transplants in Europe. But what kind of inmunosuppression is better in these patients is an unanswered question. Our intension with this review is to give basic information to define which would be the best immunosuppression alternative. There is enough information on the relationship between immunosuppression and cancer, as it is seen in states of primary immunodeficiency or infection with the Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The immune system offers a state of permanent guard to avoid the arousal of neoplasic diseases in immunocompetent patients and from this point of view it has been seen that in immunosuppressed patients there is an association with this condition and the development of lymphoproliferative disorders, which can range from reversible diseases (polyclonal proliferation of B type lymphocytes) to the development of a lymphoma and other types of tumors, like the ones observed in skin, genital region or oropharynx. Colon tumors and breast tumors have not been associated with immunosuppression. Immunosuppressive medication takes part in a different manner in the development of tumors, it has been said that steroids that are associated with some tumors, especially those regarding skin, paradoxically have a protective role in the development of lymph tissue tumors. It has been said about Azathioprine and Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) that its immunosuppressive effect is an antiproliferative type of immunosuppression, inhibiting the synthesis of purinic nucleotides, especially in lymphocytes. Azathioprine has been involved in the development of hepatic tumors, especially in the era previous to the use of inhibitors of calcineurin like Cyclosporine (CsA), especially because in that time the dosage of this medication was very high. MMF has a more selective role by inhibiting the new synthesis of purines and in some cases it has been assigned the role of the antitumor agent basically because it stops the adhesion of the tumor cells to the vascular endothelium and so a tendency to diminish tumors in these patients has been described but it is unclear if this is due to less severe treatment regimens or because this association really is related to diminishing neoplasms. It has been reported that the inhibitors of calcineurin, either CsA or Tacrolimus (TAC), play an even more important role in the development of neoplasms, their immunosuppressive effect is given by the diminishing of interleukin-2, an important cytokine that participates in the activation and clone expansion of lymphocytes. Mayor number of tumors associated to the use of CsA has been reported, due to its interference with DNA repairing, also it seems to be that it increases the expression of the Tumor growth factor-B (TGF-b), which has a stimulating role in angiogenesis (process involved in tumor growth). There are studies that show the close relation between the use of CsA and the higher incidence of tumors, especially skin tumors and lymphoproliferative postransplant disease (PTLD). There is less knowledge about TAC, it has been observed that hepatocellular tumors progress more quickly and in more quantity when TAC is used instead of CsA. There is even less knowledge of antibodies due to its poor utility in TH. Sirolimus (Rapamicine) and everolimus deserve to be mentioned aside, they are a new type of immunosuppressors that stop proliferation of lymphocytes because it binds and inactivates a protein named the mammalian-target of Rapamicine (m-TOR) which participates in the proliferation of the cell, especially in the cycle starting in G1 until STAGE S. The antitumor role of this medication has been observed, and it ranges from stopping cellular transformation to proliferation and metastasis development. The most impressive aspect is the effect in diminish of angiogenesis because it lowers the production of VEGF which is a stimulating agent of endothelium cells. Long termed observation shows diminish in the incidence of PTLD and skin tumors and in renal transplant patients due to Kaposi tumors that receive Sirolimus. Due to the previous information it appears to be that Sirulimus is the best option for immunosuppressor in transplant patients due to CHC. Different variables participate in the reappearance of CHC in postransplant time; poor selection; inappropriate immunosuppression and even bad luck. It is suggested to use the immunosuppression protocol that is established in the moment, without caring if the patient has CHC, and change to Sirolimus when recurrence is proven or when there are adverse characteristics of the tumor in the explant (e.g. microscopic vascular invasion, o more of ";symmetric 5s and 3s"; for the size of the tumor and number of nodules from the extended Barcelona criteria.


PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
To identify factors associated with oral cavity status in patients receiving high-dose antineoplastic therapy.

DESIGN
Descriptive, correlational secondary analysis.

SETTING
Midwestern university oncology special care unit.

SAMPLE
50 males and females, ages 15-69.

METHODS
The Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) was used to assess oral cavity status every shift throughout hospitalization. Additional data were collected by chart audit. Correlations and Cox regression analysis were performed.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES
Oral cavity status, absolute granulocyte count, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, mean OAG score during the preparative regimen (prep-OAG), age, and total body irradiation (TBI).

FINDINGS
Elevated BUN and creatinine, higher prep-OAG, older age, and TBI were associated with higher OAG scores. Cox analysis revealed that TBI was predictive of an OAG score > or = 16, and an OAG score > or = 18 was predictive of death by day +20.

CONCLUSIONS
Patients who receive TBI and chemotherapy in combination are most likely to experience severely compromised oral cavity status. Those who are older, have poorer oral status, and have decreased renal function are at increased risk.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE
High-risk patients must be identified early, and oral assessments and care must be given consistently to decrease morbidity and potential mortality.


Research on psychological factors related to female sexual functioning has been growing in recent years. Our study draws on the existing sexual health literature and objectification theory to test a model of female sexual functioning. Using structural equation modeling, we examined the associations of body surveillance and internalization of cultural standards of beauty with appearance anxiety, depression, and sexual health (i.e., physical sexual functioning and subjective sexual well-being) in a sample of 426 sexually active, heterosexual, cisgender women. Further, we investigated the role of depression and appearance anxiety as mediators of the associations of body surveillance and internalization of cultural standards of beauty with sexual health. Our findings contribute to the growing body of empirical research that examines the role of sociocultural and psychological factors in female sexual functioning. Results suggest that depression and appearance anxiety fully mediated the relations of body surveillance with sexual well-being. However, internalization of cultural standards of beauty was not significant with any study outcomes. These findings expand on existing objectification theory literature by elucidating the associations of body surveillance and internalization of cultural standards of beauty with sexual functioning as well as by highlighting the importance of attending to body image, appearance anxiety, and depression when working clinically with women reporting concerns with their sexual functioning.


In this paper He's modified Lindstedt-Poincare method and bookkeeping parameter method known as Parameter Expanding Methods are applied to nonlinear oscillators with discontinuities. We obtained sufficiently accurate solutions with first-order approximations which are valid for whole domain. Comparison of the obtained solutions with the exact ones show the proposed methods are very effective and convenient.


The requirements for circumventing tolerance induction in favor of memory T cell development are poorly understood. Although two signals (Ag and costimulation) are necessary to drive effective T cell clonal expansion, few memory T cells remain after the response wanes. The adjuvant LPS can increase numbers of long-lived Ag-specific T cells, but its mechanism of action is not understood. In this report, it is shown that LPS, when combined with two-signal stimulation, profoundly enhances T cell survival in vivo. This survival does not appear to be dependent on the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ, nor is it dependent on the transcription factor NF-κB. However, in vivo proliferation of NF-κB-deficient T cells was comparable to that of wild-type T cells, yet their early accumulation in the lymph nodes was severely reduced unless the mice were treated with LPS and an agonistic CD40 mAb. Most importantly, we found that activation of two different costimulatory signals, CD40 and OX40, could not substitute for LPS in rescuing T cells from peripheral deletion. Perhaps surprisingly, these data show that LPS delivers a qualitatively different signal than multiple costimulatory signals.


We study tunneling across a strain-induced superlattice in graphene. In studying the effect of applied strain on the low-lying Dirac-like spectrum, both a shift of the Dirac points in reciprocal space, and a deformation of the Dirac cones is explicitly considered. The latter corresponds to an anisotropic, possibly non-uniform, Fermi velocity. Along with the modes with unit transmission usually found across a single barrier, we analytically find additional resonant modes when considering a periodic structure of several strain-induced barriers. We also study the band-like spectrum of bound states, as a function of conserved energy and transverse momentum. Such a strain-induced superlattice may thus effectively work as a mode filter for transport in graphene.


The paper discusses various aspects of aeronautical broadband satellite communications (AirCom). Market issues are addressed, and a range of relevant services is identified and classified. A structured overview of key issues and respective steps for the system design of an AirCom system is given. It is intended to provide a generalized baseline for a systematic AirCom design process and reflect some recent, ongoing and planned R&D activities in the field. This overview focuses on geographic coverage, constellation candidates and crucial terminal antenna issues.


The action of bath applied NPY (1–1,000 nM) was investigated on hippocampal slices of the rat with extra‐and intracellular recording. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) at 10–1,000 nM caused a concentration‐dependent, long–lasting reduction of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the hippocampal subfield CA1 and the area dentata, and an even stronger reduction of population spikes. Paired pulse experiments with low intensity, stimulation‐evoked PSPs showed a marked increase in facilitation in the presence of NPY, indicating a presynaptic action. Spontaneous burst firing of CA1 pyramidal cells in low calcium, high magnesium medium was reduced, indicating a partially postsynaptic inhibitory action of NPY on their dendrites. Intracellular recording from CA1 somata during NPY administration revealed a reduction of the amplitudes of excitatory–inhibitory postsynaptic potential (EPSP–IPSP) sequences in the absence of changes in membrane potential and conductance. Accommodation of firing during long depolarizing pulses and afterhyperpolarizations were unchanged. The innervation pattern of NPY immunoreactive fibers in the same regions was studied in slices adjacent to the ones used for electrophysiology by using antisera against NPY and light and electron microscopy. There is a dense innervation of CA1 by NPY‐immunoreactive axons and terminals, particularly in the stratum moleculare. NPY‐immunoreactive neurons are present in the stratum oriens and pyramidale. The NPY labeled axons of the stratum moleculare participate in numerous synaptic contacts with the smaller dendritic elements in this layer, many of which belong to pyramidal neurons. These observations provide evidence for a dendritic NPY‐immunoreactive innervation of CA1 neurons, which is in keeping with the electrophysiological effects of NPY on pyramidal neurons. We conclude that NPY has inhibitory actions, presynaptically to reduce excitatory transmitter release and at a distal dendritic site to reduce postsynaptic excitability. The physiological significance of the NPY effects appears to be a long‐lasting depression of excitatory input to pyramidal cell dendrites controlled through local interneurons and through other extrinsic projections of NPY neurons from elsewhere in the brain.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to test the hypothesis that time to exhaustion and oxygen deficit in high-intensity exercise at a particular time of day would be influenced by training regularly at that time of day.

METHODS
Over a 5-wk period, 12 college-age women performed 20 high-intensity exercise training sessions. On Mondays, they performed four 2-min bouts of cycling at 2.5 W x kg(-1) with 4-min recoveries; on Tuesdays and Thursdays, eight 1-min bouts at 3.0 W x kg(-1) with 2-min recoveries; and on Wednesdays, three 3-min bouts at 2.2 W x kg(-1) with 2-min recoveries. Six participants (a.m.-trained group) were randomly assigned to train in the morning (a.m.) and six others (p.m.-trained group) trained in the afternoon (p.m.). Upon completion of training, all participants were tested in both the a.m. and p.m. (random order) at the same times as training sessions had been scheduled. Tests involved exhaustive efforts at 2.6 W x kg(-1).

RESULTS
Results of a repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant time of day of training x time of day of testing interaction effect on time to exhaustion (F1,10=8.29, P=0.02). This suggested that the time of day of training affected the a.m.-p.m. pattern in time to exhaustion. Time to exhaustion for the a.m.-trained group was 398+/-258 s in the a.m. test and 351+/-216 s in the p.m. test (P=0.07). The p.m.-trained group had significantly higher values in the p.m. test compared with the a.m. test (422+/-252 s vs 373+/-222 s; P=0.03). There was also a significant interaction effect on oxygen deficit (F1,10=8.03, P=0.02). This suggested that the time of day of training affected the a.m.-p.m. pattern in anaerobic capacity. Oxygen deficit for the a.m.-trained group was 64+/-24 mL x kg(-1) in the a.m. test and 50+/-11 mL x kg(-1) in the p.m. test (P=0.10). The p.m.-trained group had significantly higher values in the p.m. tests (64+/-24 mL x kg(-1) vs 50+/-11 mL x kg(-1); P=0.01) compared to the a.m. tests.

CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that there is temporal specificity in training to increase work capacity in high-intensity exercise. Greater improvements can be expected to occur at the time of day at which high-intensity training is regularly performed.


PURPOSE
Cornea guttata (CG) prevalence post keratoplasty varies from 15 to 18%, with 1 to 2% of the cases presenting with significant negative outcomes. The purpose of this research project is to create a program based on artificial intelligence (AI) that helps with the detection of CG in the donor corneas (DC) in the eye bank.

METHODS
Preoperative corneal endothelial images (PCEI) of patients who underwent keratoplasty were collected and classified into 2 groups according to the postoperative CG grade. Group 1 included healthy corneas and those having mild postoperative CG, while group 2 included corneas with severe postoperative CG. Using previously tested semi-quantitative morphological criteria along with other characteristics such as donor age and lens status, the PCEI were analyzed and used to create and train an AI-based tool for the detection of CG. The underlying concept of the tool compares previous cases with comparable properties to the DC in test. The postoperative CG grades of previous cases similar to the DC in test determine the prediction for its CG grade. Finally, the features and CG grade of the analyzed DC are stored in the database for future use.

RESULTS
In total, 6221 PCEI belonging to 1078 patients were used to create a transparent and explainable decision support tool for the detection of CG through a hybrid approach combining 2 components. (1) Graphical analytic tools, whereby the PCEI pass multiple OpenCV-based image processing steps including the Watershed transform algorithm. In this step, cell membranes are delineated, and abnormally large cells or cell depleted areas are marked in red. Several other cell representations such as 'honeycomb' representation are created for an enhanced visualization of the endothelial layer (EL). (2) Machine learning (ML) classifiers including Case-Based Reasoning were created to detect CG. Initial experiments showed a performance comparable to humans (4-fold evaluation yielded precision: weighted F1 score:0.93).

CONCLUSION
We presented an AI-based program able to facilitate the detection of CG in the DC in the eye bank by comparing the PCEIs with relevant previous cases, using ML classifiers and offering an enhanced visualization of the EL. The evaluation and optimization of this program will follow as the next stage of our project.


ABSTRACT Since the publication of Fagan and Webber's Global Restructuring in 1994, Australia has experienced one of the most significant commodities-led economic booms in its history. Increasing global demand for iron ore, natural gas, coal and a host of other resources from the early 2000s contributed to a period of sustained economic growth, low unemployment and rising per capita incomes. While popular and political discourses have tended to focus on the national benefits of the boom, in reality the processes at play were complex, spatially uneven and highly contested. In this paper, we offer a multi-scalar interpretation of how the global commodities boom has reshaped Australia's space economy. It reflects on the experience of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, arguing that the boom contributed to fundamental shifts in the nature of territorial development, socio-spatial relations, and economic governance.


Cheese whey is presented as an alternative for the production of ethanol to be a major source for growth of microorganisms, which catalyze lactose directly to ethanol and other products. Thus the aims of this study were to analyze the influence of nutrients in the cheese whey (15%w/v) fermentation by Saccharomyces fragilis IZ 275, to estimate the ethanol production and verify the repetition of the results of fermentation on a laboratory and pilot scale. Based on the results the nutrients, ammonium sulphate and yeast extract showed no significant difference at 5%, however, a positive ethanol productioin of 5.07% (w/v) and 5.43% (w/v), in laboratory and pilot scale, was respectively observed. In both kinetics, the ethanol yields were 5.6% (v/v), demonstrating that the use of deproteinized cheese whey for industrial fermentations is possible due to repetition of the results from laboratory to pilot scale, presenting as a way to reduce the pollution potential of this by-product, and at the same time to obtain value-added product.

 Key words: Microorganism biotechnology, industrial whey, bioethanol fermentation, nutrients sources, hydrolysis.


Renal autotransplantation as an alternative to ileal interposition has been done successfully in patients with repetitive episodes of renal colic. Urinary tract continuity has been re-established by anastomosis of a Boari tube directly to the renal pelvis. This has resulted in easy egress of recurrent calculi without pain. Furthermore, the musculature of the Boari tube seems to be adequate for prevention of vesicorenal reflux. The procedure has been devoid of electrolyte and mucous urinary retention problems associated with ileal interposition and it is advocated as an alternative in the management of such patients when medical therapy fails.


Exposure of circulating blood to collagen after vessel injury has been recognized as a primary event in arterial thrombosis for many years but an understanding of the molecular basis of this response has only recently materialized. Platelet collagen interactions are initiated indirectly by interaction of platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) with collagen-bound von Willebrand Factor (vWF). Slowed, rolling platelets firmly adhere following the generation of platelet activating signals in a process initiated by the platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI). The contribution of the first platelet collagen receptor identified, integrin alpha (2)beta (1), remains controversial. alpha (2)beta (1) is not required for platelet responses to collagen under many experimental conditions but GPVI and other intracellular signals may activate the integrin, which is likely to play a later, secondary role. In vivo studies of arterial thrombosis using genetically modified mice suggest that blockade of platelet-collagen interactions may be a highly effective means of inhibiting arterial thrombosis. Recent studies have generated a more complete model of the molecular basis of platelet-collagen responses and provided both the means and incentive to create novel therapeutic agents aimed at blocking this process to treat human atherothrombotic diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke.


To analyse the 'Dining Philosophers' compari- son Petri Net models are used and implemented in two different libraries based on the simulation environments, MATLAB and AnyLogic are used. Different strategies are investigated to solve this logical problem. Therefore the visualisation in the used MATLAB library is very helpful but the easy application of the AnyLogic library allows a fast adaption and testing of different strategies.


In the first part of the thesis an account is given of studies on the structure of bovine sweat glands and their relation to sweat gland homologues is discussed. These glands in both Bos taurus and Bos indicus are of apocrine type. They are short sac-like structures and are lined by a layer of secreting epithelial cells enclosed within a layer of spindle shaped myoepithelial cells. They were compared with the large coiled sweat glands found in the skin of the concave surface of the bovine ear and also with bovine and human ceruminous glands. Structurally all the glands have a similar structure but lipids occur only in the human ceruminous glands. It has been suggested by Russian workers that the development of bovine mammary glands, which are sweat gland homologues, may be correlated with that of the sweat glands in the ears of cows, and some of these workers have claimed that there is a highly significant correlation between the milk yield and the number of sweat glands in the pinna of the ear. This claim was investigated for Ayrshire cattle and no such correlation was found. The second part of the thesis deals with the types of blood vessel present in bovine skin and the pattern of their arrangement. Using skin perfused with Indian ink the distribution of blood vessels was studied. It was found that in bovine skin three plexuses of blood vessels lie in planes parallel to the surface. The first lies just deep to the dermis, the second at a level between the sweat glands and sebaceous glands, and the third between the second plexus and the epidermis. Venae comites were observed to occur in all three plexuses. The blood supply to the bovine apocrine glands was found to be poor compared with that to the human eccrine coiled sweat glands. Using skin perfused with haematoxylin to stain the blood vessels preferentially it was found that arteriovenous anastomoses occur in the skin of the forehead, cheek, and ear and in the perichondrium of the ear. They were not observed in the skin of the trunk. In the third part of the thesis an account of an investigation of the structure of the bovine muzzle is given. It was found that the secretion which usually keeps the surface of the muzzle moist is produced by multilobular tubulo-acinous glands which lie in the dermis. Their secretion contains mucin. The arrangement of the blood vessels differs from that found in the hairy part of the integument, and arteric-venous anastomoses occur in the dermis between the glands and the epidermis large numbers of sensory nerve endings occur in the muzzle. In the epidermis some nerve fibres end freely and some in menisci while in the dermis some end in organised endings and others in relation to blood vessels. The arterio-venous anastomoses have a great number of nerve fibres in their walls. The possible importance of all the findings mentioned above is discussed, with special regard to the part which the skin plays in the dissipation of heat. The following conclusions are reached, 1. Although it is apparent from recent studies that the sweating response of Bos indicus is greater than that of Bos taurus, the difference in function cannot be ascribed to any difference in the epithelial cells and myoepithelial coat of their sweat glands. 2. The structural and histochemical similarity between the sweat glands and sebaceous glands of the general skin surface and the glands of the external auditory meatus indicates that a mixed secretion similar to cerumen is produced all over the body surface of cattle, 5. The venae comites present in bovine skin, by allowing cooling of arterial blood before it reaches the skin surface, limit the amount of heat which may be lost to the environment when the environmental temperature is lower than body temperature. 4. Since the number of capillaries found in the third plexus of blood vessels in the skin is directly proportional to the number of hairs, a coat with a large number of fine, short hairs and consequently with a relatively poor insulation combined with a large capillary surface area, will allow maximum loss of heat. 5. The arterio-venous anastomoses in the ear may be responsible for a sudden increp.se in the temperature of the ear which has been shown to occur when the environmental temperature reaches 180G. 6. The muzzle may be used by the animal in the selection of fodder, since it is well-supplied with nerve endings of various types that may serve as pressure, heat and, indirectly, humidity receptors.


Abstract Next‐generation sequencing technology has enabled accurate insights into the diet of wildlife species. The protocols for faecal sample collection and DNA extraction for diet analysis have differed from those focusing on target species, even in most studies combining questions on both aspects. We designed an experiment to evaluate two protocols using 11 parameters and select a single one that will generate both target species (Asiatic wild ass, Equus hemionus, in Israel) and diet DNA, as an effective strategy to minimise time, effort, and cost without hampering efficiency. In Protocol A, we swabbed the outer surface of faecal boluses and extracted DNA using a Stool Kit, while for Protocol B, we homogenised faecal matter from inside the bolus followed by extraction using a Powersoil Kit. Protocol A performed significantly better for four parameters, which included, for the target species, microsatellite amplification success and the quantity of the GAPDH gene; and for its diet, the number of exact sequence variants (ESVs) obtained at genus level and plant genus richness. However, there was no significant difference in the amplification success of sex‐linked and plant markers, total reads at genus level, number of genera obtained and plant genus composition. Although we chose Protocol A, both protocols yielded results for the target species and its diet, demonstrating that one single protocol can be used for both purposes, although a pilot study is recommended to optimise the protocol for specific systems. This strategy may also be useful for studies combining target species and their gut microbiome and parasitic load.


Category 1 defects such as potholes significantly accelerate structural deterioration and pose imminent hazards on trunk road networks. Frequent occurrences of category 1 defects have increased service disruptions on trunk road networks. Road maintenance agencies are now required to effectively prioritize trunk road network category 1 defects maintenance works. However, existing road maintenance prioritization methods such as value engineering and traditional expert judgment methods have limitations. Value engineering is resource and time intensive thus best suited for project level prioritization and traditional expert judgments are subjective and lack audit trails. In an attempt to address the limitations of above methods, this study presents a Reliability Centered Maintenance and Analytical Hierarchy Process based hybrid model for trunk road network maintenance prioritization. The proposed hybrid model is used to establish failure diagnostic and Multi-criteria Decision Making respectively. As a case study, the hybrid model is implemented on a trunk road network in the United Kingdom. Relevant category 1 defect failure information linked to trunk road network sub-assets are extracted from databases and relevant information elicited from maintenance experts. The criticality analysis results presented show the risk priority numbers of category 1 defect related failures and cost effective preventative maintenance tasks are proposed. The Analytical Hierarchy Process results are used to address the complex prioritization process. The proposed hybrid model facilitates a systematic prioritization of a large number of trunk road network category 1 defect failure maintenance activities consistently.


The article deals with scientific and practical methods for identifying funds of criminal origin of individuals – a method of analyzing net worth, calculating cash flow and calculating cost coverage. There are given examples of expert practice on identifying illicitly acquired funds by individuals in Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Armenia.

A critical analysis of the three considered methods for identifying funds of criminal origin did not reveal discrepancies with accounting theory. The authors Розділ 6. Судова економічна експертиза 557 noted that the applied comparison methods in forensic examinations of Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Armenia are essentially similar, which does not prohibit their use in court proceedings. The identified problem with the application of the methods is the lack of recorded data at the beginning of the analyzed period and the limitation of the authority of an expert to collect information. The authors identified possible official available data sources in their countries.

The existing international practice, the expanded ability to obtain information and the potential of expert economists can make a significant contribution to the implementation of analytical methods of evidence to identify illicitly acquired funds of individuals.


The analysis and modeling of road network capacity provides a useful measure for urban planning and traffic management. Therefore, the primary purpose of this research is to construct a novel approach of modeling the capacity of road network, based on the theory of space and time consumption. Based on the analysis of model parameters, a bi-level model is proposed to determine and optimize the capacity of road network Meanwhile, this paper elaborates on solution algorithm for its upper and lower level model. Taking the area of Ming Dynasty City Wall in Xi'an, China into account as a case study, the effectiveness of this proposed model is verified. The results presents that the model's validity is verified. The results show that the main road network capacity in city wall of Ming Dynasty is 721883 pcu/d.


There is a strong interest in finding adequate biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus infection. In this study, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and laboratory markers were evaluated to assess their usefulness as biomarkers of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 and their association with fatal cases. Serum samples of consecutive patients with a clinical presentation suggestive of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 and progression to sepsis were evaluated. Serum inflammatory cytokines and routine laboratory tests were performed and correlated with positivity for influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 influenza by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and the results of three clinical severity scores (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [SOFA], CURB-65, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II [APACHE II]). High SOFA scores and some of its individual components, but not CURB-65 or APACHE II scores, correlate with fatal cases regardless of etiology. Total and unconjugated bilirubin, Ca(++), Cl(-), prothrombin times, and partial thromboplastin times discriminate influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 from other causes of community-acquired pneumonia. High levels of IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17 were increased in influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 patients when compared with controls (p<0.05). IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 patients and non-(H1N1)pdm09 patients when compared with controls (p<0.05). TGF-β serum levels discern between healthy controls, influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 patients, and patients with other causes of community-acquired pneumonia. TGF-β levels were negatively correlated with SOFA on admission in influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 patients. TGF-β levels are a useful tool for differentiating influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 from other causes of pneumonia progressing to sepsis.


In this article, we propose an original method for providing fault tolerance in multi-agent systems through replication. Our method focuses on building an automatic, adaptive and predictive replication policy to solve the resource allocation problem of determining where agents must be replicated to minimize the impact of failures. This policy is determined by taking into account the criticality of the plans of the agents, which contain the collective and individual behaviors of the agents in the application. Some measurements assessing the efficiency of our approach and future directions are also presented.


Abstract Background: Blood glucose is controlled by a pancreatic hormone, insulin, so any altered functions of pancreas are associated with disturbances in blood glucose level. Erythropoietin (EPO) is glycoprotein produced mainly by the kidney as a result of reduced intracellular oxygen. This study was designed to investigate the effect of EPO on blood glucose level in normal and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Eighty mature rats were used in this study animals and randomly divided into 4 different isolated groups (n = 20); Group I was administered with normal saline and act as a control group. Animals were injected with streptozocin (STZ; 30 mg/kg, ip) to induce diabetes, and animals were treated with saline (Group II) or EPO (300 iu//kg, ip Group III) or insulin (3 iu//kg, s.c., group IV) respectively, for three successive weeks. STZ-induced diabetes was indicated by hyperglycemia. Further, Results: Three weeks after EPO treatment, there was enhanced blood glucose level associated with enhanced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests (P


The Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) is designed to store very large data sets reliably, and to stream those data sets at high bandwidth to user applications. In a large cluster, thousands of servers both host directly attached storage and execute user application tasks. By distributing storage and computation across many servers, the resource can grow with demand while remaining economical at every size. We describe the architecture of HDFS and report on experience using HDFS to manage 25 petabytes of enterprise data at Yahoo!.


The results of measurements using an open-ended coaxial probe of the audio/radiofrequency dielectric properties of human skin in vivo, either dry or moistened with physiological saline, are reported. Permittivity and conductivity dispersion curves were parametrized by using a newly reported dispersion function (Raicu V 1999 Dielectric properties of biological matter: model combining Debye-type and 'universal' responses Phys. Rev. E 60 4677), and the results obtained are discussed in the light of the recent advances in this field. It is suggested that the coaxial probe reports on the properties of the superficial layer, the stratum corneum, when the skin surface is dry, whilst the signal from deeper skin layers becomes dominant after wetting the skin with conductive physiological saline.


We propose a novel approach for semi-supervised learning (SSL) designed to overcome distribution shifts between training and real-world data arising in the keyword spotting (KWS) task. Shifts from training data distribution are a key challenge for real-world KWS tasks: when a new model is deployed on device, the gating of the accepted data undergoes a shift in distribution, making the problem of timely updates via subsequent deployments hard. Despite the shift, we assume that the marginal distributions on labels do not change. We utilize a modified teacher/student training framework, where labeled training data is augmented with unlabeled data. Note that the teacher does not have access to the new distribution as well. To train effectively with a mix of human and teacher labeled data, we develop a teacher labeling strategy based on confidence heuristics to reduce entropy on the label distribution from the teacher model; the data is then sampled to match the marginal distribution on the labels. Large scale experimental results show that a convolutional neural network (CNN) trained on far-field audio, and evaluated on far-field audio drawn from a different distribution, obtains a 14.3% relative improvement in false discovery rate (FDR) at equal false reject rate (FRR), while yielding a 5% improvement in FDR under no distribution shift. Under a more severe distribution shift from far-field to near-field audio with a smaller fully connected network (FCN) our approach achieves a 52% relative improvement in FDR at equal FRR, while yielding a 20% relative improvement in FDR on the original distribution.


Acute hemorrhage of varying severity was produced in (CBA x C57BL/6)F1 hybrids. Then it was followed by the induced systemic graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR). The increased intensity of the hemorrhage made the course of the systemic GVNR more severe. The 10th day after GVHR induction no significant differences were found in the peripheral blood of experimental or control animals. However, the hybrids demonstrated a significant rise in the number of exogenic stem cells in the spleens during hemopoietic regeneration and diminution of the immunocompetence of splenic T cells.


We study the determinants of loan loss provisions and delinquency ratios based on the balance sheets of 554 banks from emerging market economies (EMEs). We find that provisions in EME banks respond mostly to aggregate variables, and very little to idiosyncratic factors. In particular, the bank-specific credit growth rates - usually thought of as a measure of individual risk-taking - do not explain the level of loan loss provisions. There is some evidence that earnings and the size of the intermediaries have an effect on provisions. The predominant effect however is that provisions and actual losses are negatively related to past economic growth and positively related to past aggregate credit growth. We also estimate the forward and backward-looking component of provisions, finding that provisions respond mainly to past reported losses. These findings suggest that EME banks' provisioning decisions are highly correlated. Since provisions fall when output grows, macroprudential tools that counter this effect could dampen pro-cyclical behavior.


In this paper, we develop a conservative numerical method for the Cahn– Hilliard equation with generalized mobilities on curved surfaces in three-dimensional space. We use an unconditionally gradient stable nonlinear splitting numerical scheme and solve the resulting system of implicit discrete equations on a discrete narrow band domain by using a Jacobi-type iteration. For the domain boundary cells, we use the trilinear interpolation using the closest point method. The proposing numerical algorithm is computationally efficient because we can use the standard finite difference Laplacian scheme on three-dimensional Cartesian narrow band mesh instead of discrete Laplace–Beltrami operator on triangulated curved surfaces. In particular, we employ a mass conserving correction scheme, which enforces conservation of total mass. We perform numerical experiments on the various curved surfaces such as sphere, torus, bunny, cube, and cylinder to demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed method. We also present the dynamics of the CH equation with constant and space-dependent mobilities on the curved surfaces. AMS subject classifications: 37M05, 65M06, 65M22, 65P99


Responses to exchange transfusion using red blood cells (RBCs) with modified hemoglobin (Hb) oxygen (O(2)) affinity were studied in the hamster window chamber model during acute anemia to determine its role on microvascular perfusion and tissue oxygenation. Allosteric effectors were introduced in the RBCs by electroporation. Inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5HMF) were used to decrease and increase Hb-O(2) affinity. In vitro P50s (partial pressure of O(2) at 50% Hb saturation) were modified to 10, 25, 45, and 50 mm Hg (normal P50 is 32 mm Hg). Allosteric effectors also decreased the Hill coefficient. Anemic condition was induced by isovolemic hemodilution exchanges using 6% dextran 70 kD to 18% hematocrit (Hct). Modified RBCs (at 18% Hct in 5% albumin solution) were infused by exchange transfusion of 35% of blood volume. Systemic parameters, microvascular perfusion, capillary perfusion (functional capillary density, FCD), and microvascular Po(2) levels were measured. RBcs with P50 of 45 mm Hg increased tissue Po(2) and decreased O(2) delivery (Do(2)) and extraction (Vo(2)) and RBCs with P50 of 60 mmHg reduced FCD, microvascular flow, tissue Po(2), Do(2) and Vo(2). Erythrocytes with increased Hb-O(2) affinity maintained hemodynamic conditions, Do(2) and decreased tissue Po(2). This study shows that in an anemic condition, maximal tissue Po(2) does not correspond to maximal Do(2) and Vo(2).


Tree establishment to restore degraded boreal post-mining lands is challenged by low soil productivity, a harsh microclimate, and potentially high contaminant levels. Use of mixed vegetation can facilitate microclimate but increase competition for soil resources. A statistical accounting of plant-plant interactions and adaptation to multi-species conditions is hard to achieve in field experiments; trials under controlled conditions can distinguish effects of planting density and species interactions in the early stages of plant establishment. A greenhouse trial was established in containers ('mesocosms') with waste rock or fine tailings from gold mines. Pre-germinated (one-week-old) seedlings (Alnus viridis subsp. crispa, Picea glauca, Populus tremuloides, Salix arbusculoides) were planted using a Nelder density gradient design, modified for species combinations. A Relative Competition Effect (RCE) was estimated as a competitiveness index for each species combination, calculated as ratio of α coefficients in the Holliday growth equation. The Specific Leaf Area (SLA) was measured to indicate plant water stress adaptation. All species grew better in monoculture on fine tailings, while only P. tremuloides grew better in all mixtures on waste rock. Although net positive effects of density on SLA increment during early growth suggested microclimate improvement on fine tailings, no mixture provided advantages for both species in paired combinations.


The aim of this thesis was to study how personal development of unemployed adolescents may be promoted by coaching. Twenty-eight participants between the ages of 16 and 24 were included in the study, whereof 16 participated in a project called Kubik, where the purpose was to support the participants in their individual development and minimize the risks for them to end up in alienation from society. The method was a combination of interviews and a quasi-experiment based on theories of coaching by Johansen & Oestrich (2005), McDermott & O'Connor (1998) and Stelter (2003). The specific accounts of behaviour and cognition in the study regarded the respondents' perceptions of the future, self-confidence and social skills and how these may change due to coaching. The interviews were semi-structured and were analyzed with IPA (Interpretative phenomenological analysis). The quasi-experiment consisted of inquiries, which were analysed both in a between-groups design and a within-groups design. The results from the interviews showed that the participants in the project experienced change within the studied categories, but the quasi-experiment did not support the hypothesis that they would probably not have experienced this change if they had not participated in the project. A conclusion that was drawn was that the participants in the project Kubik experienced personal development that, according to the interview group, may be ascribed to coaching. A larger number of participants and a longer time interval could lead to safer conclusions if a similar investigation should take place in the future.


Co-flowering plants can experience an array of interactions, ranging from facilitation to competition, the direction and strength of which are often dependent on the relative abundance and diversity of the plant species involved and the foraging behavior of their pollinators. Understanding interactions between plant–pollinator networks and how they change over time is particularly important within agricultural systems, such as apples, that flower en masse and that also contain non-crop co-flowering species both within the farm and the surrounding landscape. We determined the degree of overlap between pollinator networks on two varieties of apple (Granny Smith and Pink Lady) and co-flowering plant species within orchards and the wider vegetation matrix in two apple-growing regions (Orange and Bilpin) in Australia. We surveyed plant–pollinator interactions at key stages of the cropping cycle: before mass flowering; during king, peak and late blooms; and, finally, once apple flowering had finished. Overall, we found considerable overlap in the flower visitor assemblage on apples and co-flowering species within the orchard. The introduced honeybee (Apis mellifera) was the most frequent flower visitor to all three vegetation types at all times in Orange. However, in Bilpin, both a native stingless bee (Tetragonula carbonaria) and A. mellifera were highly frequent visitors, both on- and off-crop. Numerous native bees, flies and Lepidoptera also commonly visited apple and co-flowering species within orchards in both locations. We found that native-bee and honeybee visitation to apple flowers was positively correlated with co-flowering species richness (within the orchard and the wider matrix); however, visitation by native bees decreased as the area of co-flowering species in the surrounding landscape increased. Our study highlights the importance of maintaining diverse co-flowering plant communities within the local landscape to increase and support a wide variety of pollinators in horticultural production systems.


Morphing and adaptive structures are experiencing a surge in research due to their ability to optimize the operational envelopes of complex vehicles. Adaptive structures have been researched heavily and put to use extensively in the Aerospace Industry. This paper examines a possible use and benefit associated with morphing structures with Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). The growing resume of applications associated with UUVs as well as their unique abilities make them an excellent subject of study for morphing concepts. This paper focuses on the possible uses of flexible hull morphing, specifically the benefits associated with such adaptability in terms of range, endurance, and speed. This research proposes a UUV system which has a flexible hull wrapped around a standard pressure hull. The annulus created between the pressure hull and the flexible hull is used for the storage of expendable energetics, in this case diesel fuel. Storing fuel in the newly created annulus also eliminates the need to waste space within the pressure hull storing fuel and thus the pressure hull may also be shrunk. This paper focuses on the benefits of morphing where the shape of the flexible hull remains the same but the diameter of the outer hull is shrunk in concert with the consumption of fuel thus decreasing the drag profile of the vehicle, resulting in increased vehicle range. Two different UUV missions are outlined: 1) slow speed scan and 2) slow speed scan with high speed dash. A commercial semi-submersible was used as a baseline. For the slow speed scan mission, semi-submersible heavy vehicles carrying in the range of 50,000 kg of fuel could realize increases of range close to 40% when compared to a similarly sized vehicle without the adaptive capabilities. Small vehicles on the other hand, show limited benefits of diameter morphing, gaining less than 5% in range over the non-adaptive system. Dash missions during which a scanning operation must be augmented with some sort of high speed maneuver show more significant benefits with a morphing system. The results show that diameter morphing is clearly not viable in all situations, yet the concept shows promise for certain long range/long endurance UUV missions, as well as missions that require sporadic high speed operation.


Methane is the second largest contributor to climate radiative warming with a global warming potential of ~34 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Capturable methane from anthropogenic sources includes mainly natural gas and bio-gas and represents a flux of around 162 Mt yr-1. Methane is often flared or vented due to difficulties with storage and transportation. Conversion technologies have poor scalability so are not viable at small or geographically isolated methane sources. It is envisaged that microbial bio-conversion of methane using methane oxidising bacteria (methanotrophs) can be used to biologically upgrade methane to liquid transportation. The present study set out to develop and explore a scalable bioconversion technology for conversion of methane to liquid transportation fuel. To do this an end-to-end approach was taken than included isolation of environmental methanotrophs, characterisation of isolates and metabolic engineering of isobutanol biosynthesis. Using bacterial isolation techniques such as extinction dilution plating and miniaturised extinction dilution methanotrophs were isolated from a variety of methane rich environmental samples such as freshwater sediment, soil and manure. These methanotrophic isolates were characterised and identified within established genera/species of which some are suspected to be novel species. Type I isolates included: Isolate 01; Methylocystis sp., isolate 03; Methylocystis sp., isolate 3*; Methylocystis nov sp. and isolate 6; Methylocystis SB2. Novel characteristics of the Methylocystis genus such as fimbriae were viewed using TEM in isolate 3*. Type I isolates included, isolate 14 Methylococcus capsulatus (isolated from the same sampling site as the type strain Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)) and isolate 10 Methylocaldum nov sp. of which isolate 10 exhibited novel characteristics for the genus. Isolate 14 and 6 had their genome sequenced using a PacBio method and genomes were compared to closely related established strains genomes including Methylocystis rosea and Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). Isolate 14 and isolate 6 were chosen for engineering and A molecular toolbox was developed including expression vectors, promoters and selection markers to facilitate the metabolic engineering of isolates and established strains. In addition to this an attempt was made to knockout carbon storage production within the isolates via allelic exchange. Metabolic engineering of an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway was employed by diverting flux from native valine biosynthesis to isobutanol. To do this a selection of heterologous keto-acid decarboxylases and alcohol dehydrogenases were overexpressed which, along with 2-ketoisovalerate feeding, yielded an isobutanol titre of 0.53 mM in M. parvus, 0.117 mM in M. capsulatus (Bath) and 0.27 mM in isolate 6 (Methylocystis SB2).


Our thesis in Fairness versus Welfare is that social policies should be assessed entirely on the basis of how they affect individuals' well-being. This claim implies that no independent weight should be granted to deontological principles. We support our thesis with three sets of arguments: a demonstration that deontological principles lead to perverse reductions in welfare, indeed, sometimes to a decline in everyone's well-being; the presentation of numerous other difficulties with the principles, including their lack of intellectually satisfying rationales; and a reconciliation of the intuitive appeal of the principles with our thesis that they should not be viewed as directly relevant to the assessment of social policy. In this essay, we explain that the critique of Professor Ripstein largely fails to respond to any of these arguments.


Socially imprinted death is a concept introduced by Marcel Mauss and related to many different phenomena, one of which is the ritual death by fasting still present in contemporary Jainism. Sallekhana is a traditional ritual once performed by chiefs, kings, brave warriors and holy monks, and is therefore linked to bravery, strength, salvation, and makes the person who performs it a hero. On the other hand, by the letter of the law sallekhana is merely suicide, extreme violence against the self, and as it requires the professional guidance of a monk and is performed mostly by elderly people it is often seen as an act of euthanasia. Both of these acts are forbidden by Indian law and should be perceived as something far from heroic. This article explains various layers of the paradox of sallekhana, as a phenomenon having opposite meanings at the same time – like being violent and being against all violence, and dealing with many obstacles when it comes to social practice. It also investigates several ways such a death is embedded in and accepted by both the society and religion, and how it interprets and pushes to its limits the general rules and the complex ideology of


Calcium antagonists have become widely used as antihypertensive treatment in diabetic patients, although data concerning a possible influence on glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, and platelet aggregation during long-term, placebo-controlled studies are lacking. Therefore, the effects of isradipine, a new calcium antagonist, on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and on ADP- and collagen-induced maximum first-wave platelet aggregation (Tmax%) were studied in 11 type II diabetic patients with borderline hypertension. After a 2-week washout period, patients were treated with placebo or isradipine for 8 weeks in a double-blind, crossover study. Systolic blood pressure was lowered significantly after isradipine therapy compared to placebo (127 ± 3 vs. 139 ± 6 mm Hg; p < 0.05). Fasting blood glucose (153 ± 14 vs. 157 ± 16 mg/dl; NS), glucose levels, and basal (17 ± 4 vs. 17 ± 2 mU/ml; NS) and stimulated insulin during the OGTT remained unchanged after either treatment. Platelet aggregation after stimulation with different concentrations of ADP and collagen showed no significant differences. These data indicate that calcium antagonists have no adverse effects on glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, and platelet aggregation in type II diabetes mellitus, and are therefore useful in the treatment of hypertension in diabetic patients.


Dilute aqueous solutions of polymers released by marine phytoplankton (microalgae) were shown to effectively reduce drag in capillary pipe flow. Tests were performed in a capillary turbulent flow viscometer which extruded small samples under high pressures. In all, 22 species were screened, and the products of one chlorophyte and four rhodophyte species proved especially effective. The viscoelastic polymers produced by these species delayed the transition from laminar to turbulent flow to significantly higher Re. In general, polymeric regime segments come off the maximum drag reduction asymptote at characteristic retro‐onset points, and come to lie approximately parallel to, but displaced upwards from the Prandtl–von Karman line. The delay to transition was shown to be dependent on additive polymer concentration, capillary diameter, and temperature. Ionic concentration, ionic composition, or pH had little effect on drag reducing properties.


Abstract. We present a method for automatic object localization and recognition in 3D point clouds representing outdoor urban scenes. The method is based on the implicit shape models (ISM) framework, which recognizes objects by voting for their center locations. It requires only few training examples per class, which is an important property for practical use. We also introduce and evaluate an improved version of the spin image descriptor, more robust to point density variation and uncertainty in normal direction estimation. Our experiments reveal a significant impact of these modifications on the recognition performance. We compare our results against the state-of-the-art method and get significant improvement in both precision and recall on the Ohio dataset, consisting of combined aerial and terrestrial LiDAR scans of 150,000 m2 of urban area in total.


Background: Serum antibodies to GQ1b are associated with Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) with ophthalmoplegia. Antibodies to ganglioside complexes (GSCs) have not yet been examined in a large population of patients with MFS or GBS. This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of antibodies to GSCs in MFS and GBS. Methods: The study investigated serum anti-GSC antibodies and the clinical features in 64 MFS patients, 53 GBS patients with ophthalmoplegia (GBS-OP(+)) and 53 GBS patients without ophthalmoplegia (GBS-OP(−)). Results: Thirty patients with MFS (47%), 25 with GBS-OP(+) (47%) and none with GBS-OP(−) had antibodies to GSCs containing GQ1b or GT1a. Patients with MFS and GBS-OP(+) were subdivided according to the antibody reactivities; patients with antibodies specific to GQ1b and/or GT1a (without anti-GSCs antibodies) were placed in Group 1, those with antibodies against GSCs with a total of two sialic acids in the terminal residues, such as GQ1b/GM1, were placed in Group 2, and those with antibodies against GSCs with a total of three sialic acids in the terminal residue, such as GQ1b/GD1a, were placed in Group 3. In MFS, sensory disturbances were infrequent in Group 2 compared with the other groups (p<0.0001). Antibodies specific to GQ1b were observed more often in MFS than in GBS-OP(+) (p = 0.0002). Conclusions: IgG antibodies to GSCs containing GQ1b or GT1a were closely associated with the development of ophthalmoplegia in GBS, as well as MFS. Both GQ1b and clustered epitopes of GSCs containing GQ1b or GT1a may be prime target antigens for MFS and GBS-OP(+).


This study investigates how formal equality is "done" in 48 individual action plans for social assistance. We use a street-level perspective to understand how policy is "done" to enhance equality for social assistance applicants. The analysis is based on the theory of street-level bureaucracy as well as on the concept of equality. Formal equality was inhibited by weak legal security, vague rights and duties, the inability to advocate for one's own case, and difficulties with ambiguous and incomprehensible language in individual action plans. Establishing formal equality is made even more difficult because of the individual means testing used to determine social assistance. We argue that applicants of social assistance might experience inequality that is greater than the inequality they experienced before the implementation of their individual action plans, despite the intent of these plans to decrease inequality.


Abstract
     In a centrally ignited constant volume chamber, an experimental research on the laminar flame speed of premixed gasoline/ethanol/hydrogen/air mixtures is undertaken at varied initial pressures (0.1-0.3 MPa), constant initial temperature (593 K), and variable equivalency ratios (0.75-1.5). The mixing method is based on the energy replacement principle, and various component blending ratios are tested. This has necessitated the construction of a specific laboratory experimental equipment. The flame speeds are measured using the Shelerian photography technique using a high-speed camera. The results reveal that adding hydrogen to dual fuel mixtures has a considerable impact on stretched laminar flame speed. The stretched laminar flame speeds for 20 percent H2-80 percent G, 40 percent H2-60 percent G, and 60 percent H2-40 percent G are 3.71 m/s, 7.329 m/s, and 11.0267 m/s, respectively, at 0.1 MPa initial pressure and stoichiometric mixture. For 20 percent H2-80 percent G, 40 percent H2-60 percent G, and 60 percent H2-40 percent G mixtures, the un-stretched flame speed at atmospheric pressure and stoichiometric is computed and found to be 1.23 m/s, 3.67 m/s, and 7.093 m/s, respectively. When the initial pressure is increased, both stretched and un-stretched flame rates drop. "
    The results of the triple fuel mixes demonstrate that the influence of ethanol addition on the stretched laminar flame speed is significant at constant hydrogen blending ratios, with 2.24 m/s at 20% H2-16% E-64 percent G and 2.68 m/s at 20% H2-32 % E-48 % G at 0.1 MPa for stoichiometric mixture. For dual fuel combinations, the effect of starting pressure on stretched and un-stretched flame speeds is the same. Where the flame speed has a maximum value for stoichiometric combustion, the equivalence ratio has a greater effect on flame speed. "


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the issues of correlated events and individual heterogeneity in multiple best management practices (BMPs) adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used survey data collected from broiler producers in Louisiana, USA. The authors estimated several duration models that either considered event dependence or heterogeneity or both.

Findings

Results from the conditional frailty model indicated that large farms adopt BMPs earlier, farmers who have been in broiler farming profession for a long time are late to adopt BMPs and more informed farmers, through contact with extension agents and education, are early adopters of BMPs.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study is that the authors did not validate the robustness of the conditional frailty model using a more rigorous approach, such as empirical simulation method.

Practical implications

Many farmers do not adopt a new technology immediately after it becomes available. Duration models help to understand why farmers wait and how long they wait before adopting a new technology. In case of correlated events, where farmers adopt more than one technology, it is important to know the driving factors behind multiple technologies adoption. The findings from this study should help to properly target farmers to increase the adoption rate of a desired BMP.

Originality/value

This is the first study in agriculture technology adoption literature that uses a conditional frailty model to understand why farmers wait to adopt a new technology. This study also addresses both dependence in BMP adoption and heterogeneity in farmers' quality that impact technology adoption.


Abstract In this article, we examine the evolution of intra-East Asian financial integration from 2001 to 2013. Most existing studies on this topic look primarily at asset holdings; we examine liability holdings as well. Using the International Monetary Fund's Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey data for equities, long-term debt, and short-term debt, our analysis generally supports the conventional wisdom that East Asian countries are more financially integrated with global financial centers than they are with each other. This is true for both asset holdings and liabilities and is confirmed by an econometric analysis based on financial gravity equations. However, the gap between global integration and regional integration has narrowed for asset holdings over time but not for liability holdings. The results of additional econometric analysis indicate that diversification of liability holdings can mitigate financial instability due to global financial shocks. More precisely, diversification was associated with smaller exchange rate depreciation during the quantitative easing taper tantrum of 2013. These results point to a possible benefit from strengthening regional financial integration. Deeper regional integration would reduce dependence on global financial markets for funding and hence vulnerability to global shocks.


This work presents a fully coupled thermo-elastohydrodynamic analysis of a bump-type compliant foil journal bearing. The operational characteristics of compliant foil bearings have been evaluated under different operating conditions. Even though some experimental research data are available in literature, extended thermo-hydrodynamic analysis is required to better understand and optimize the system performance at the design level. The presented comprehensive model benchmarked to experiment data will help enable the widespread usage in novel turbomachinery applications. The proposed model predicts three-dimensional thermal, structural and hydrodynamic performance of a bump-type compliant foil bearing. The model couples finite element analysis of the structural deformation and hyrodynamic pressure to a finite difference code for film temperature. The Augmented-Lagrangian contact model and advanced thermal contact modeling is applied. The model involves complete bearing mechanism as well as the interacting section of the shaft with the bearing. Nickel-based superalloys are used as bearing material and temperature dependent thermo-mechanical properties are defined in the solver. The thermal growth of the shaft, foil structure, bearing sleeve, and centrifugal growth of the shaft are considered. The model captures the physics very well and could be utilized to design more advanced bearings. The predictions of the proposed model are benchmarked to published experimental data and a reasonable correlation is obtained. Parametric study is conducted for various shaft speeds and loading conditions to predict thermal and structural performance. Derivation of governing momentum and energy equations, mechanical and thermal contact models, finite element and finite difference formulations are given in detail.


The present study aimed at reviewing the literature on extraradicular infections of endodontically treated teeth, summarizing the main hypotheses on etiopathogenesis and describing the most suitable techniques to identify the composition of pathogenic extraradicular microorganisms. Medline database was searched using the keywords "Apical biofilm," "extraradicular infection," "secondary endodontic lesion," "endodontic retreatment," "biofilm" either alone or combined with AND. A further hand search was performed on the main endodontic journals. The most frequent bacterial species identified in different studies and with different techniques may vary considerably. Although the presence of some species of microorganisms seems to be determinant, the true origin of extraradicular infection is still undetermined. The literature analysis showed marked differences in methodology, materials, aims, and techniques adopted, which led to highly heterogeneous outcomes. The picture emerging from this review is that extraradicular infection is likely a multifactorial disease that requires further systematic investigation using standardized techniques.


atheroscleroticus thromboembolisatiós gyulladásos folyamatok szerepe dokumentált atherosclerosis, atherothrombosis kialakulásában. a parodontitis szerepét atherosclerosis így a cardiovascularis betegségek egyik potenciális rizikófaktoraként. krónikus gyulladásban lévő, fertőzött parodontalis tasakban valamint toxinjai növelik szervezetben atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis. Increasing number of studies support the hypothesis that periodontal disease, specifically periodontitis, is a potential risk factor for atherosclerosis and thus cardiovascular disease. Chronic infections of periodontal pockets act as reser-voirs for pathogenic microorganisms, their toxins and degradation products, raising the overall systemic inflammatory burden. Entering the circulation and atherosclerotic lesions themselves, they lead to further local and systemic inflammatory response, in all contributing to atherosclerosis progression, potentially increasing cardiovascular risk. Along these lines, good oral health in general and the periodontal treatment in more severe cases may play a role in cardiovascular risk reduction, primary and secondary prevention. The present review summarizes the possible patho-physiological mechanisms linking periodontal and cardiovascular pathology, lists clinical evidence between periodontitis and specific forms of cardiovascular disease and looks forward at the potential role of periodontal treatment in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.


This work aimed at formulating tubular grafts electrospun with a size < 6 mm and incorporating vancomycin as an antimicrobial agent. Compared to other papers, the present study succeeded in using medical healthcare-grade polymers and solvents permitted by ICH Topic Q3C (R4). Vancomycin (VMC) was incorporated into polyester synthetic polymers (poly-L-lactide-co-poly-ε-caprolactone and poly lactide-co-glycolide) using permitted solvents; moreover, a surfactant was added to the formulation in order to avoid the precipitation of VMC on fiber surface. A preliminary preformulation study was carried out to evaluate solubility of VMC in different aqueous and organic solvents and its stability. To reduce size of fibers and their orientation, we studied a solvent system based on methylene chloride and acetone (DCM/acetone), at different ratios (80:20, 70:30, and 60:40). Considering conductivity of solutions and their spinnability, solvent system at a 80:20 ratio was selected for the study. SEM images demonstrated that size of fibers, their distribution, and their orientation were affected by the incorporation of VMC and surfactant into polymer solution. Surfactant allowed for the reduction of precipitates of VMC on fiber surface, which are responsible of the high burst release in the first six hours; the release was mainly dependent on graft structure porosity, number of pores, and graft absorbent capability. A controlled release of VMC was achieved, covering a period from 96 to 168 h as a function of composition and structure; the concentration of VMC was significantly beyond VMC minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, 2 ug/mL). These results indicated that the VMC tubular electrospun grafts not only controlled the local release of VMC, but also avoided onset of antibiotic resistance.


Improvements and portability of technologies and smart devices has enabled rapid growth in the amount of user generated media such as photographs and videos. Whilst various media generation and management systems exist it still remains a challenge to discover the "right" metadata information for the right purpose. This paper describes an approach to extract relevant geospatial information through reverse geocoding in addition to cross-referencing several public geospatial data sources. The extracted geospatial information can be used to enable enrichment of media with rich semantic geo-metadata and therefore enable improved organisation and searching of the media. Central to the system is the cross-referencing and data fusion of several public geospatial datasets to determine the most relevant Points of Interest and extract their relevant features. These relevant Points of Interest and features are subsequently used to annotate media with human readable information, leading to enriched media repositories. The system has been implemented as a client/server architecture, with a web interface for the client front end and Java for the backend server side processing. Details of the implementation are discussed. Testing in a scenario has been undertaken and a discussion of the testing technique and results is presented. The initial results show the system to be effective at fusing several public geospatial datasets and extracting relevant geo-metadata.


Redox-flow batteries (RFBs) are eminently suitable for the storage of wind and solar energy since their capacity and power capability are independently scalable. Furthermore, RFBs can be precisely adapted to the generator unit. However, common metal-based RFBs utilize toxic and high-price metal salts, hazardous and corrosive acidic electrolytes, and expensive ion-exchange membranes. By the use of redox-active organic molecules and polymers, whose solubility and electrochemical properties can be adjusted, as active materials, these limitations can be overcome. In this thesis, the synthesis and electrochemical properties of redox-active small molecules as well as polymer-based organic active materials for the usage in RFBs are studied. In this context, all-organic symmetric redox-flow batteries and zinc-organic hybrid-flow batteries are described. Moreover, an all-organic combined RFB, which uses a polymer and a small-molecule compound as charge-storage materials, is developed and the key factors in terms of its battery performance are investigated in detail.


The intentional assessment and management of school climate is an essential component of a comprehensive school safety plan. The value of this preventive aspect of school safety is often diminished as schools invest resources in physical security measures as a narrowly focused effort to increase school safety (Addington, 2009). This dissertation used school safety trend data to illustrate that schools in the United States are safe havens, while students and parents continue to report a perception that schools are unsafe. This dissertation is a secondary analysis of data collected by one suburban public school district in that focuses on students' perceptions of physical safety, emotional safety and safety from bullying. The racial demographics in the district of study are primarily White students, but the minority subgroup of Asian students has shown a steady increase over time. The data were collected in May 2016 using the U.S. Department of Education School Climate Survey (EDSCLS). The present study evaluated the perception of safety by all students enrolled in grades six through twelve with a focus on differential perceptions of safety by students in subgroups of race, gender and grade level band. This study sought to determine if an association exists between a student's race, gender and grade level band and their perception physical safety, emotional safety and safety from bullying. This study informs school leaders as they work to develop a safety plan that is comprehensive and promotes safety.


Given the increasing use of low-intensity psychological interventions in humanitarian mental health and psychosocial support work, more attention is needed to strengthen the intersection between evidence-based interventions and cultural contextualisation. Undertaking the process of cultural adaptation ensures the appropriateness and acceptability of psychological interventions in these contexts. We present the process and results of conducting a cultural adaptation for the Group Problem Management Plus (GroupPM+) intervention, for Syrian refugees across two contexts; Jordan in camp settings and Turkey in urban settings. The first step of the adaptation was to conduct a rapid qualitative assessment following the Design, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation model proceeded by cognitive interviews and a workshop designed to apply changes according to the Bernal framework. Based on the results, a total of 82 changes were proposed across the intervention manual, training, supervision and implementation protocols. Changes ranged from minor amendments to terminology to broader changes to how metaphors, stories and illustrations are presented during the intervention. Additionally, two substantial adaptations were suggested: (1) the addition of a session designed to enhance family engagement, and (2) the development of a male case study. Changes were incorporated prior to the implementation of the GroupPM+ intervention in Jordan and Turkey.


Much of Terrace Mountain, an isolated small mountain on the north edge of the Great Salt Lake Desert, is within the Terrace Mountain East quadrangle. Permian and Triassic rocks that were folded into a large north-trending syncline underlie the mountain. Faults cutting these rocks are typically marked by altered breccia, which is prospected at one place. Miocene strata overlying these older rocks dip westward, either as a result of emplacement as a low-angle, faultbounded sheet across the older rocks or by deposition against and subsequent tilting with the older rocks. Relations in the adjacent Terrace Mountain West quadrangle point to the lowangle fault interpretation. Quaternary alluvial, lacustrine, and eolian sediments blanket much of the quadrangle. In particular, lacustrine deposits display the many shorelines of late Pleistocene Lake Bonneville.