The study was triggered by the fact that the government has made number of efforts in addressing weaknesses in the public procurement process. However there still complaints that public procurement processes are characterized by delays, poor quality and non cost effective delivery. This study sought to analyze procurement processes in achieving effectiveness of the public procurement system. The study focused on procuring entities based in Dar es Salaam due to budget constraints and existence of major procuring entities in terms of procurement volume. Explanatory research design was used to analyse the procurement proceses. The study used structured questionnaires and interviews as primary tools for data collection. A total of 119 respondents out of the expected 155 respondents returned the survey instruments. The study revealed that procuring entities do not conduct market survey for establishing cost estimates, inadequate users cooperation with PMU staff and poor solicitation documents due to inadequate technical specifications, schedule of requirements, and drawings and poor terms and conditions of contract. The weak evaluation critieria and inadequate tender evaluations, and delays in contract awards are hampering efficient procurement process which results to ineffective procurement system. Furthermore weak controls in procurement contracts for payments to delivery of substandard goods or services and delays of due payments to suppliers or contractors and generally poor contract management were noted. The study recommends that procuring entities should conduct market survey for cost estimates of major procurements and enhance cooperation between User Departmemnts and PMU staff.


The variation of precipitation behavior of MnS has been thermodynamically calculated in V-bearing C-Mn steels by substituting Ti for V. The use of two different set of solubility data for Ti 4 C 2 S 2 and TiS reported in literatures leads to a completely reversed precipitation behavior of MnS. The result of experimental observations is in qualitative agreement with the calculated result using the solubility data of Liu and Jonas. The calculated result showed, contrary to the case of V-containing steel, that the precipitated amount of MnS in steels bearing Ti-only rather decreases with decreasing temperature and that this is due to the formation of Ti 4 C 2 S 2 Controlled cooling experiments with interrupted quenching technique showed that MnS directly acts as the nucleation site for ferrite and that its nucleation potency depends on the precipitation behavior of MnS. Namely, MnS rarely acts as a nucleation site for ferrite in steels where its precipitated amount decreases with decreasing temperature.


This study examined the factors that were associated with longitudinal changes for ten years from 2004 to 2014 in time spent on housework by married couples who had a preschooler as their first-born child. It also sought to figure out how much of such temporal changes were attributable to differences in the means on associated factors as well as to differences in the influence or slope of such factors. A total of 9,668 time diaries from the Korean Time Use Survey were used to analyze the influence of couple's weekly work hours, wife's relative income, couple's education and gender role attitudes on the time spent on housework of husbands and wives. Results from descriptive statistics, regression and decomposition analysis were as follows. First, women decreased, while men increased their time doing housework. Second, weekly work hours of husband and wife were related to their time doing housework in every year surveyed. Third, wife's relative earnings and couple's gender role attitudes affected wife's time doing housework more than husbands', whereas couple's education had stronger effects on husbands than wives. However, such influence was apparent on a certain survey year, and then disappeared in another, or became stronger or weaker longitudinally. Fourth, the temporal decrease in wife's housework time and increase in husband's housework time were attributable to social and cultural changes such as reduced working hours, rising female income, higher educational background, and prevalence of egalitarian gender role attitudes. Findings suggest that the trend in spending time on housework is expected to continue, and provide a timely policy implications to facilitate the change.


Foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.], a widely cultivated food and fodder crop, develops a smaller root system while enlarges the root diameter facilitating nutrient transport under nitrogen limitation. How foxtail millet responds to phosphate limitation (LP) remains unaddressed. LP seedlings of the sequenced variety Yugu1 had significantly lower P concentrations in both shoots and roots and displayed higher levels of anthocyanin accumulation in leaves, indicating that the seedlings suffered from P limitation under hydroponic culture. One obvious and adaptive phenotype of LP plants was the larger root system mostly as the result of stimulation of lateral root proliferation in terms of the number, density, and length. Preferential biomass accumulation in the root under LP ensured carbon provision for root expansion and resulted in significant increases in the total and specific root length, which substantially extended the absorptive surface of P in the growth medium. Elevation of auxin and gibberellin concentrations might serve as an internal boost underpinning root architectural re-patterning under LP. Not just morphological adaptation, up-regulation of expression of SiPHT1;1 and SiPHT1;4 in roots and that of SiPHT1;2 in roots and shoots preconditioned adaptive enhancement of P uptake and translocation under LP. Interestingly, internal nitrogen surpluses occurred as indicated by dramatic increases in free amino acids in LP shoots and roots and higher concentrations of nitrogen in roots. Such nitrogen surplus 'signals' tended to switch down expression of nitrate transporters SiNRT2.1 and SiNAR2.1 in the root and that of SiNRT1.11 and SiNRT1.12 in the shoot to reduce nitrate mobilization toward or within the shoot. Together, our work provided new insights into adaption of a critical cereal crop to LP and its innate connection with nitrogen nutrition.


This article documents representations of Salome, an archetypal exotic femme fatale, in American popular songs of the early twentieth century. The production of Salome songs began shortly after the sensational 1907 U.S. premiere of Richard Strauss's Salome at New York's Metropolitan Opera. Vaudeville performers, beginning with the Met's own prima ballerina, capitalized on the ensuing fad for Salome dances, which the New York Times called "Salomania." Relevant songs and dances figured in musical comedies and revues until some time after the return of Strauss's opera to the New York stage, in the 1909 Manhattan Opera Company production with Mary Garden in the title role. Through the next decade, musical, lyrical, and illustrative tropes that originated in the Salome songs became disassociated from the figure of Salome, gradually merging into "oriental fox-trots" and exotic romance songs. The topical humor of the Salome songs suggests that American audiences were skeptical of the allure of orientalist fantasy, then at its height in Europe, and that an unwillingness to grant artistic legitimacy to Salome's religious-themed eroticism is an important marker of the American reception of works such as Strauss's.


In order to better understand the dynamics of fire-atmosphere interactions and the role of micrometeorology on fire behaviour the FireFlux campaign was conducted in 2006 on a coastal tall-grass prairie in southeast Texas, USA. The FireFlux campaign dataset has become the international standard for evaluating coupled fire-atmosphere model systems. While FireFlux is one of the most comprehensive field campaigns to date, the dataset does have some major limitations especially the lack of sufficient measurements of fire spread and fire behaviour properties. In order to overcome this, a new, more comprehensive field experiment, called FireFlux II, was conducted on 30 January 2013. This paper will address the experimental design and preliminary results. The experiment was designed to allow an intense head fire to burn directly through an extensive instrumentation array including fixed 42-m and three 10-m micrometeorological towers (Figure 2). The fuels consist of a mixture of native grasses.Each tower was equipped with a variety of sensors, including 3D sonic anemometers, pressure sensors, heat flux radiometers, and an array of fine-wire thermocouples to measure plume temperatures. The experiment was carried out under red flag warning conditions with strong winds of 8 m s-1 and relative humidity of approximately 24%. Instrumentation also included a scanning Doppler wind lidar, microwave temperature profiler, radiosonde balloons for upper-air soundings, a full suite of air quality instrumentation located downwind, and multiple ground and tower mounted infrared and visible video cameras. In addition, the fire spread was monitored from the air using helicopter mounted infrared and visible video cameras. Because the experiment was designed to be conducted under a north wind, the timing of the experimental period only allowed for a northwest wind. This required the instrumentation array to be moved in order to document the fire spread and was a limitation to the experiment. Preliminary results showed that the fire spread rate was ~1.5-2.5 m s-1 for the head fire while the flanks spread at 0.7 m s-1. The surface pressure field indicated that a low-pressure region formed downwind of the advancing fire front. The observations from the 42-m tower show that the strongest fire-induced winds occur a the surface in the cross-wind direction.


This study sought to assess the impact of the pre-sentence Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) diversion program in New South Wales, Australia on offending in the 12 months following exposure to the intervention. The comparative design involved an experimental group of 1017 defendants who exited the MERIT program in 2008 and a comparison group of 1017 offenders identified as drug misusers following completion of a Corrective Services' risk and needs assessment and sentencing in a non-MERIT New South Wales Local Court during this period. Both groups were selected from a larger pool of cases (N = 3319) that were found to be significantly different on a number of key variables. Propensity score matching was used to deal with this non-equivalence. The outcome measures were: the rate, volume and seriousness of known re-offending. Recidivism risk factors were also examined for MERIT participants. There was no association between exposure to MERIT and reduced rates of reconviction at 12 months and group status did not make a significant contribution to the prediction of reconviction, when controlling for the influence of penalties imposed. The MERIT group had committed a larger number of offences during this period (including when adjustments were made for time at reduced risk due to imprisonment), but there were no differences in relation to changes in offence seriousness. Among MERIT participants, the factor with the largest effect on risk of recidivism was offence type. Completing the program had a significant protective effect against recidivism, while the number of prior court convictions increased this risk. These findings shed light on possible reforms to MERIT aimed at maximising the program's crime prevention impact.


Blocking somatic genes to make sperm To generate cells with a specific identity, only a subset of genes is used. Most studies focus on factors that turn on cell type–specific gene expression. However, mechanisms are also needed to block expression of genes that specify other cell lineages. Kim et al. identified such a mechanism in the Drosophila male germ line. A multiple–zinc finger protein and a chromatin remodeler were found to act together to block transcription from cryptic promoters. These factors prevented aberrant gene expression and enabled proper differentiation in the adult sperm stem cell lineage. Science, this issue p. 717 The transcriptional repressor Kumgang prevents inappropriate expression of somatic genes in developing Drosophila male germ cells. To selectively express cell type–specific transcripts during development, it is critical to maintain genes required for other lineages in a silent state. Here, we show in the Drosophila male germline stem cell lineage that a spermatocyte-specific zinc finger protein, Kumgang (Kmg), working with the chromatin remodeler dMi-2 prevents transcription of genes normally expressed only in somatic lineages. By blocking transcription from normally cryptic promoters, Kmg restricts activation by Aly, a component of the testis-meiotic arrest complex, to transcripts for male germ cell differentiation. Our results suggest that as new regions of the genome become open for transcription during terminal differentiation, blocking the action of a promiscuous activator on cryptic promoters is a critical mechanism for specifying precise gene activation.


The role of brain cholecystokinin peptides in satiety was further assessed by using antibody to cholecystokinin to reduce cholecystokinin activity in the cerebrospinal fluid of sheep. Food intakes were increased approximately 100 percent during the 2-hour continuous injection of antibody into the cerebrospinal fluid. This supports the hypothesis that, during feeding, cholecystokinin is released into the cerebrospinal fluid, which transports it to the receptors that elicit satiety.


Lung volume reduction coil (LVRC) treatment is a minimally-invasive technique planned to achieve an improvement of exercise capacity and pulmonary function in subjects with advanced emphysema and hyperinflation. It has been proposed together with other bronchoscopic lung volume reduction approaches to reduce lung hyperinflation in emphysema as less invasive alternatives to LVRS and are currently under clinical investigation. Following the successful early experiences in previous pilot trials, recent studies allow further investigation into the feasibility, safety and efficacy of LVR coil treatment in a multi-center setting in a larger group of patients. According to this studies we can state that LVR coil treatment results in significant clinical improvements in patients with severe emphysema, in multicenter analysis, with a good safety profile and sustained results for up to 1 year. The literature on endobronchial coils continues to look promising with an acceptable safety profile, and positive long-term follow-up data are certainly more and more available. However, further well-designed, blinded, placebo (or sham) controlled trials, and even randomized trials against LVRS (lung volume reduction surgery), are needed before routine clinical use can be recommended. This is true not only for endobronchial coils, but also for the whole field of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction.


Despite the recognized need for appropriate management of intellectual capital [Wriston, 1992] the majority of organizations face the enormous challenge of supporting their employees' thirst for expanding their skill-base. As a result, universities and organizations are currently collaborating to implement successful training and learning programmes in order to develop employee skills and knowledge in both IT and managerial issues such as knowledge management (K.M). For this reason, as early as 1993, University College Cork introduced a diploma in Credit Union studies to provide professional training for a range of credit union personnel including full-time staff, directors, and volunteers. The course is designed on a distance-learning model and has been supported, to date, by a tutorial-system in regional centers. However, students identified a need for more support, the type that only a virtual learning environment can provide. This research study is focused on the development of an interactive learning environment to mentor distance learners. The case study indicates a strong requirement for the utilization of such an environment to both increase support for and collaboration between the distance learners. We conclude that a structured communication system has the potential to eliminate the barriers imposed by the traditional classroom.


The "Foreign Policy in the Turkey of the Future," beyond providing a foreign policy vision for the future, intends to lay out a comprehensive, coherent, and practical framework of analysis for Turkish foreign policy (TFP). Firstly, report touches upon the critical junctures of basic foreign policy in the last century and evaluates Turkey's position in the world while providing a general outlook on TFP. Secondly, it analyzes TFP's relations with global and regional actors during the AK Party era. Thirdly, report is devoted to examining the principal parameters that will influence foreign policy in Turkey's future. The final section of the report, has been prepared with the aims of determining the weaknesses in Turkish foreign policy and bringing principle-advocating suggestions regarding visions for both institutions and foreign policy as a result of the topics addressed in previous parts.


For the synthesis of the nano-sized Ag metal particle, the sodium borohydride for the reducing agent was added into the aqueous solution of the AgNO3 with 3-mercapto-propionic acid as protective agent. Because the surface of nano-sized Ag metal particle was protected by the adsorbed 3-mercapto-propionic acid, the synthesis of the aqueous colloid system with high density became possible. The negative charge of carboxylate anion protect the aggregation of metal particles in the solution of high pH value (pH > 5), but the aggregation was occurred in the solution of low pH value (pH < 2). By changing the quantity of the agent of propionic acid and the pH value of solution, the particle size can be controlled optionally in the range of 50~200 nm.


Inspired by pinecone, here we develop a novel kind of direct chemical vapour deposition (CVD) derived graphene-encapsulated porous Si nanoparticles (NPs) on graphene foam (GF). The CVD derived graphene sheets on the surface of Si NPs are partly overlapped, act as the squamae of a pinecone, preventing the direct exposure to the electrolyte. When the Si NPs expand, a sliding between the graphene layers occurs, providing an effective way to accommodate the volume expansion and stabilize the solid electrolyte interphase. As a result, the pinecone-like graphene-encapsulated Si electrodes exhibit a high capacity of 1600 mA h g−1 at a current density of 2100 mA g−1 after 300 cycles and a capacity higher than 800 mA h g−1 at a current density of 8400 mA g−1.


This article provides a farm sector comparison of levels of capital input for fourteen OECD countries for the period 1973 to 2002. The starting point for construction of a measure of capital input is the measurement of capital stock. Estimates of depreciable capital are derived by representing capital stock at each point of time as a weighted sum of past investments. The weights correspond to the relative efficiencies of capital goods of different ages, so that the weighted components of capital stock have the same efficiency. Estimates of the stock of land are derived from balance sheet data. We convert estimates of capital stock into estimates of capital service flows by means of capital rental prices. Comparisons of levels of capital input among countries require data on relative prices of capital input. We obtain relative price levels for capital input via relative investment goods prices, taking into account the flow of capital input per unit of capital stock in each country.


Abstract
The influence of nutritional repletion on human hookworm infection was studied, in a metabolic ward, in 12 patients with marked malnutrition and heavy hookworm infections. After an initial period on a control diet containing equal quantities of protein, 3 patients were given increasing quantities of dietary protein (isocalorically replacing carbohydrate) in a stepwise fashion; the remaining 9 received protein diets at single higher levels. The degree of hookworm infection was monitored by, 1) periodic quantitative egg count in all patients; 2) measurement of intestinal blood loss (by 51Cr and 59Fe) in 3; and 3) a continuous search for spontaneously expelled worms in 3 cases. Results were obtained during the dietary rehabilitation period, which extended to 29 weeks. The data indicate that nutritional repletion does not influence the degree of hookworm infection. The average egg output was essentially unchanged in 11 of 12 subjects; the amount of intestinal hemorrhage did not change significantly, and expulsion of worms in the feces could not be demonstrated during or after protein repletion.


Protest activists employ various strategies to challenge regimes, and regimes deploy multifaceted tactics to respond to such challenges. Existing studies on regime protest responses focus on repression and concession, but little attention is devoted to toleration, which is often regarded as government inaction. Drawing on primary sources and interviews, this article analyses regime responses to Hong Kong's Umbrella Movement to expand the conceptualisation of toleration. First, it demonstrates that regimes adapt multiple strategies to protesters' reactions rather than adhering to a single response. Second, it shows that toleration, other than ignoring protests, entails proactive tactics that we summarise as attrition. While 'tolerating' street occupation, the regime sought to eliminate political opportunities by maintaining elite cohesion, increase participation costs by mobilising countermovements and bolster legitimacy by leveraging the court as a revered institution. This new conceptual distinction thus captures regime innovation in counteracting protests and broadens the typology of regime responses.


Abstact In this study, the performance and emission characteristics of a direct injection diesel engine using coconut oil biodiesel were investigated. For this aim, coconut oil was converted to its biodiesel via transesterification approach. Then, the effects of the biodiesel percentage in blend, engine load, and speed on brake power, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and particle matter (PM) have been considered. Fuel blends with various percentages of biodiesel ( %0 - %3 ) at various engine speeds and loads were tested. The results indicated that blends of cocunut with diesel fuel provide admissible engine performance; on the other side, emissions decreased so much


In this paper, a 4-transmit-antenna space time block coding (STBC) scheme with 1-bit differential feedback is proposed. This scheme gives full transmit diversity and spatial coding rate over time-selective fading channels by rotating the signal constellations for certain angles determined by the differential feedback information. By utilizing differential feedback, our method can provide much better channel orthogonality and track the variation of the channel more accurately and timely under time-selective fading circumstances, comparing to recent works presenting other quantized feedback schemes. Simulation results show that the 1-bit differential feedback scheme achieves near-optimum performance and outperforms existing algorithms without adding more overhead or complexity.


Nuclear glucocorticoid receptor number, glucocorticoid effects on protein synthesis, and concanavalin A effects on protein synthesis were examined in rat splenic and thymic lymphocytes on Days 1 to 7 following exposure to a single 300-mg/kg injection of cyclophosphamide in vivo . Significant decreases in nuclear glucocorticoid binding occurred within 1 day after cyclophosphamide treatment. Binding continues to decrease until Day 3 and recovers partially by Day 7. Glucocorticoid receptor subcellular distribution studies demonstrate that receptor binding of glucocorticoids is decreased in both cytoplasmic and nuclear subcellular compartments when whole cells are incubated at 0 and 37°, respectively. No inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids on leucine incorporation into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material were observed in both spleen and thymic lymphocytes for at least 3 days after the initial cyclophosphamide treatment. Maximal stimulation of leucine incorporation into protein by concanavalin A was suppressed during the entire experimental time course in both tissues, although partial recovery of the response was observed in splenic lymphocytes on Day 7. Unlike thymocytes, which responded to glucocorticoids with an inhibition of protein synthesis by Day 4, spleen cells were unresponsive for at least 7 days. The magnitude of the decrease in nuclear glucocorticoid-receptor binding decreased glucocorticoid responsiveness, and response to concanavalin A was dependent on the dose of cyclophosphamide administered in vivo . Drug concentrations as low as 25 mg/kg were sufficient to reduce receptor binding, glucocorticoid effects, and mitogen effects on protein synthesis. These observations suggest that the administration of cyclophosphamide in vivo destroys the capability of remaining splenic and thymic lymphocytes to respond to glucocorticoids.


This doctoral dissertation presents a study of the glacial history of the North American Cordillera using numerical ice sheet modelling calibrated against field evidence. This area, characterized by the steep topography of several mountain ranges separated by large inter-montane depressions, was once covered by a large-scale ice mass: the former Cordilleran ice sheet. Because of the irregular topography on which the ice sheet formed, geological studies have often had only local or regional relevance, thus leaving the Cordilleran ice sheet least understood among Pleistocene ice sheets in terms of its extent, volume, and dynamics.Here, I present numerical simulations that allow quantitative reconstructions of the former ice sheet evolution based on approximated physics of glacier flow. These simulations show that the geometry of the Last Glacial Maximum Cordilleran ice sheet was largely controlled by sharp contrasts in regional temperature, precipitation, and daily temperature variability associated with the presence of mountain ranges.However, this maximum stage appears short-lived and out of balance with contemporaneous climate. During most of the simulated last glacial cycle, the North American Cordillera is characterized by an intermediate state of glaciation including isolated glaciers and ice caps covering major mountain ranges, the largest of which is located over the Skeena Mountains. The numerically modelled Cordilleran ice sheet appears in constant imbalance with evolving climate conditions, while the complexity of this transient response transcends that encapsulated in two-dimensional, conceptual models of ice sheet growth and decay.This thesis demonstrates the potential of numerical ice sheet modelling to inform on ice sheet history and former climate conditions over a glacial cycle, given that ice sheet models can be calibrated against field constraints.


Abstract Background Coronary artery bypass grafting is the first-line therapy for severe multivessel coronary artery disease. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcome in patients undergoing isolated off-pump surgery with the single or bilateral internal mammary artery (SIMA or BIMA) approach. Methods We performed a propensity score-matched analysis in 1,852 consecutive patients, aged 50 to 70 years, who underwent myocardial revascularization at our institution between July 2009 and August 2016. Primary end point was the probability of survival. Results Mean follow-up was 36.3 (range: 0.1–89.6) months. The probability of survival in the SIMA and BIMA groups was 98.6 and 99.0% at year 1, 92.0 and 92.5% at year 5, and 85.6 and 81.6% at year 7, respectively, with a hazard ratio (HR) of mortality for the BIMA group versus the SIMA group of 0.98 (95% confidence interval[CI]: 0.64–1.52; p = 0.94). There was evidence for interaction between diabetes and study group on mortality risk (HR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.07–6.23; p = 0.034). Freedom from mediastinitis/wound infection was higher in the SIMA group than in the BIMA group (99.5 and 96.9%, respectively; HR of an event = 6.39, 95% CI: 2.88–14.18; p < 0.001). The corresponding values in the subgroups of diabetic patients were 98.6 and 90.9%, respectively (HR = 6.45, 95% CI: 2.24–18.58; p = 0.001). Mediastinitis/wound infection was associated with increased mortality risk (HR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.29–6.78; p = 0.010). Conclusion Overall, our data indicate similar probability of survival up to a maximum follow-up of 7 years by off-pump surgery with the SIMA or BIMA approach. However, in diabetic patients, the clinical outcome indicates caution regarding the use of the BIMA approach.


Several Fe – O samples containing different fractions of dispersed oxides were processed by mechanical milling followed by consolidating rolling. The samples were annealed at 1000oC and then compressed to strains of 0.35, 1.2, and 1.9 at an ambient temperature. Dispersed oxides with size of about 20 nm were homogeneously distributed throughout the ferrite matrix and their volume fractions varied from about 0.3% to 2.0%. To study the annealing softening mechanisms, the coldworked specimens were annealed for an hour at 700oC and 800oC. The fine dispersion of oxide particles was very effective to suppress any softening processes. Primary recrystallization fully developed in the samples with volume fraction of dispersed oxides of about 0.3%. Increase in the fraction of dispersed oxides resulted in decrease of the fraction recrystallized. In the samples containing 2.0 vol.% of dispersed oxides, only recovery was the annealing softening process irrespective of the preceding cold strain. The critical volume fraction of dispersed particles for development of the primary recrystallization is considered to range from 0.5 to 2.0%.


The Southern Ocean forms a link between major ocean basins, is the site of deep and intermediate water ventilation, and is one of the few areas where macronutrients are underutilized by phytoplankton. Paradoxically, prior estimates of annual primary production are insufficient to support the Antarctic food web. Here we present results from a primary production algorithm based upon monthly climatological phytoplankton pigment concentrations from the coastal zone color scanner (CZCS). Phytoplankton production was forced using monthly temperature profiles and a radiative transfer model that computed changes in photosynthetically usable radiation at each CZCS pixel location. Average daily productivity (g C m−2 d−1) and total monthly production (Tg C month−1) were calculated for each of five geographic sectors (defined by longitude) and three ecological provinces (defined by sea ice coverage and bathymetry as the pelagic province, the marginal ice zone, and the shelf). Annual primary production in the Southern Ocean (south of 50°S) was calculated to be 4414 Tg C yr−1, 4–5 times higher than previous estimates made from in situ data. Primary production was greatest in the month of December (816 Tg C month−1) and in the pelagic province (contributing 88.6% of the annual primary production). Because of their small size the marginal ice zone (MIZ) and the shelf contributed only 9.5% and 1.8%, respectively, despite exhibiting higher daily production rates. The Ross Sea was the most productive region, accounting for 28% of annual production. The fourfold increase in the estimate of primary production for the Southern Ocean likely makes the notion of an "Antarctic paradox" (primary production insufficient to support the populations of Southern Ocean grazers, including krill, copepods, microzooplankton, etc.) obsolete.


Academic medicine, in its broadest sense, has made major contributions to human health in the past quarter century. This has been achieved in large part because it has attracted an outstanding cadre of--largely altruistic--professionals. These pioneering efforts have served as the life-blood of the discipline. Their journeys of discovery, often complemented by collaboration with the pharmaceutical, biotechnological and device industry have yielded remarkable insights into the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and been celebrated by a stunning array of Nobel laureates in medicine and related arenas of endeavour.1 The translation of discovery to the bedside, clinic and the community coupled, most recently, with insights into the gap between potential effectiveness and what ultimately occurs as part of health care delivery, have been monumental in scope. This progress has unquestionably been the province of the university based clinician scientist. Within Canada, the emergence of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, and the Canada Research Chairs has been pivotal in launching the careers of a new generation of clinician scientists. The excitement of discovery, gratification associated with direct patient care, and satisfaction of inspiring learning while engaging the next generation of emerging health professionals is rewarded by a career in academic medicine characterized by extraordinary challenge, fulfillment and meaning. As remarkable as these advances in quantity and quality of life have been (in large part attributable to health care research and its implementation) the promises of molecular medicine and abundant new technologies portend an exciting future whereby academic medicine can build upon its noble and traditional contributions to human health.


We survey the current landscape of teaching religion to undergraduates to imagine its contours over the next five to ten years. We follow Dee Fink's outline of backwards design for course development to consider outside factors, the nature of the subject matter, the characteristics of learners and teachers, and issues related to particular courses, focusing on introductory and general education courses. Such courses serve students best when they are designed with broad goals, often articulated in the institutional mission. This opens new ways of conceiving of the field from the student perspective while helping teachers to attract more students and to embrace a variety of pedagogies and curricula to better serve the students they teach.


This paper presents a study of the computer game "Minesweeper". The aim of the game is to search through a rectangular area of mined squares without hitting any mines. By using a strategy based on making every operation as safe as possible, series of the game have been simulated. The size of the playground is four times four squares. The si- mulations indicate how often the game will succeed and which square is the best one to start at. The strategy demands advanced mathematical calculations. The account of these is the ma- jor part of my work. My investigation shows that if there are three hidden mines the game will succeed about two times out of three. It also shows that the best startingpoint is a corner.


Aplastic anaemia is characterized by reduced haematopoiesis resulting in pancytopenia. It has been speculated that there is an injury in haematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow; however, the precise nature of the injury has not been elucidated. In this study, the levels of expression of mRNAs for three transcription factors, GATA‐2, SCL and AML1, which function in the early stages of haematopoiesis, were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in patients with aplastic anaemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and normal subjects. Among these factors, expression of GATA‐2 mRNA in purified CD34‐positive cells was markedly decreased in aplastic anaemia compared with that in ITP and in normal subjects. The expression levels of SCL and AML1 mRNA in CD34‐positive cells in aplastic anaemia were not different from those in normal subjects. When the expression of GATA‐2 protein in CD34‐positive cells was examined by immunocytochemical analysis, the percentage of GATA‐2‐positive cells in aplastic anaemia was lower than that in normal subjects. These findings strongly suggest that there is an aberrant expression of transcription factors in stem cells in aplastic anaemia, which may be responsible for the development of the disease.


In the presented sensor fusion approach, centralized filtering of related sensor signals is used to improve and correct low price sensor measurements. From this, we compute high-quality state information as drift-free yaw rate and exact velocity (accounting for unknown tire radius and slipping wheels on 4WD vehicles). The basic tool here is a Kalman filter supported by change detection for sensor diagnosis. Results and experience of real-time implementations are presented.


Within the mitochondria of heart cells, ion channels control the flux of different ions and change the physiological status of the mitochondria, which in turn affect the relative health of the heart cell. Xu et al. now describe the role of a calcium-activated potassium channel in the inner mitochondrial membrane of guinea-pig heart cells in protecting the cells from ischemia. A drug that opened the channel could protect the heart from infarction. W. Xu, Y. Liu, S. Wang, T. McDonald, J. E. Van Eyk, A. Sidor, B. O'Rourke, Cytoprotective role of Ca2+- activated K+ channels in the cardiac inner mitochondrial membrane. Science 298, 1029-1033 (2002). [Abstract] [Full Text]


Apart explores why many Western Muslims are disaffected, why others are engaged, and why some seek to undermine the very political system that remains their primary means of inclusion. Based on research conducted in London's East End and Madrid's Lavapies district, and drawing on over 100 interviews with community elders, imams, extremists, politicians, gangsters, and ordinary people just trying to get by, Justin Gest examines young Muslims' daily existences. Confronting conventional explanations that point to inequality, discrimination and religion, he builds a new theory arguing that alienated and engaged political behavior is distinguished not by structural factors, but by how social agents interpret their shared realities. Gest's conclusion sounds an unambiguous warning to Western policy-makers, and presages an imminent American experience with the same challenges. Our political futures are likely to be shaped significantly by how government and people discipline their fears the better to understand their Muslim fellow citizens.


BACKGROUND
Immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 associated sclerosing cholangitis is a rare inflammatory disease of the biliary tract. Although it is a very progressive condition, it responds to steroid therapy. IgG4 associated sclerosing cholangitis can mimic pancreatic carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and primary sclerosing cholangitis; therefore, it is very important to obtain a differential diagnosis. IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis is a biliary form of IgG4 related systemic disease, in which afflictions of more organs is afflictions of more organs are common, typically biliary form together with pancreatic one. Nonspecific symptoms are obstructive icterus, fatigue, and weight loss. Atypical imaging of the biliary tree and pancreas can be used to distinguish it from other diseases. Laboratory data show elevation of bilirubin, liver enzymes, IgG4 and total IgG concentrations. Sometimes IgE is also elevated with the eosinophilia, oncomarker CA 19-9 and autoimmune antibody is sometimes detected.

CASE
This article presents a case of IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis and its related findings. The patient was intially referred for suspected pancreatic tumour, the presumed diagnosis was later changed to cholangiocarcinoma type 4 with concurrent autoimmune pancreatitis. Atypical imaging in cholangiography made us suspect IgG4 inflammation and the diagnostic process began.

CONCLUSION
The diagnosis of this disease uses so called HISORt criteria. It is a very complex process in which the success of steroid therapy as a final step can be conclusive, as it was in our case. It is essential to exclude a malign neoplastic growth. The authors declare they have no potential confl icts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers. Submitted: 5. 12. 2018 Accepted: 10. 1. 2019.


Aims: This paper seeks to find the optimal allocation of tenure track faculty across the disciplines in a College of Business. Method: This paper uses a Cobb Douglas Utility Function to derive the general solution to the allocation problem. The University of Central Arkansas is used as a case study. Data from this school is used to derive the parameters in the utility function. The optimal allocation of faculty members across disciplines is compared to the actual allocation. Results: This paper finds the optimal number of faculty in a discipline will increase with: 1) the number of students taught in a discipline, 2) the salaries graduates receive with a major in the discipline, and 3) the college budget. The optimal number of faculty in a discipline will decrease with faculty salary in that discipline. Conclusions: In this case study, the college should hire more economists and scale back their Marketing and Management Information Systems programs. The approach taken in this case study can be readily applied at any College of Business.


I point out two of the subtleties referred to in the title. The first is that gauge-invariant magnetic systems may realized under general circumstances, as suggested by a simple theorem. The second subtlety is that care is needed to identify the field theory simulated by a cold-atomic lattice gauge system. Though the simplest such model confines in 2+1 dimensions, it has non-relativistic ``gluon" excitations. Time-reversal invariance is spontaneously broken in this system. The confinement mechanism is related to an extra U(1) gauge invariance.There is a model, suggested long ago by D. Rohlich and me, which is known to have relativistic spin waves. One of the outstanding theoretical problems is a better determination of the energy-momentum relation of spin waves in different magnetic gauge systems.


Environmental problems are a result of maladaptive human behaviour. One way to tackle these problems is by fostering values that underlie pro-environmental engagement. Research has shown that self-transcendence values (e.g., social justice, equality, and world at peace) are positively correlated to environmental attitudes and behaviours. The present research aims to advance past research by systematically assessing the role of values in motivating individuals' pro-environmental engagement. Three empirical studies were conducted. Study 1 used a meta-analytical approach to provide a quantitative summary of research on the link between values and environmental outcomes. The final dataset included 47,660 participants from 41 countries and 90 independent samples. Results showed that the self-transcendence versus self-enhancement values dimension is the most often considered in the literature and, as expected, self-transcendence values are the best predictors of environmental outcomes. The analysis also showed that methodological aspects, such as the type of values measured, affected the association between values and environmental outcomes. Study 2 comprised two experiments using the value self-confrontation technique to promote value change and influence individuals' environmental behavioural intentions. Experiment 1 was conducted with 189 university students (M = 20.00, SD = 3.43). Results from Experiment 1 showed that values were susceptible to change and that value change predicted environmental behavioural intentions. Experiment 2 was conducted with a sample of 115 participants from the general population (M = 35.00, SD = 4.61) and partially replicated the findings of Experiment 1. Importantly, Experiment 2 found that value change was dependent on how strongly individuals felt connected to the reference group. Study 3 tested the moderation effect of moral identity, self-efficacy, self-control and consideration of future consequences in the link between values and environmental behavioural intentions. A total of 221 participants (M = 21.68; SD = 5.92) took part in an online survey. Results indicated that only moral identity moderated the relationship between values and environmental behavioural intentions. It was found that moral identity enhanced the positive influence of self-transcendence values on environmental behavioural intentions. Findings are discussed considering the key role of self-transcendence values in fostering environmental behavioural intentions and the importance of identity in the values-environmental behavioural intentions link. Practical implications of the findings are also discussed.

Note: This thesis was a finalist for the Outstanding Postgraduate Research Award.


Sajkaska is a geographical region in Serbia. It is southeastern part of
 Backa, located in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Sajkaska is
 characterized by suitable tourist-geographical position, a plenty of natural
 values and various cultural-historical inheritance. These characteristics
 enable a lot of opportunities for developing sports and recreational
 activities This paper presents the results collected in the field research
 about the attitudes of local people about opportunities for development
 sports-recreational tourism in Sajkaska, as well as involving local community
 in this process. Initially, the survey was carried in Sajkaska and provided
 data about the participation of the local communities in the sport tourism
 development in Sajkaska Involving local community in this process is most
 easily done through the development of different forms of sports-tourist
 movements and tourism education programs of local population of Sajkaska. As
 long as sport tourism development in Sajkaska is well planned and monitored,
 it can be an effective means of local economic growth, cultural affirmation
 and environmental protection without compromising a region's unique
 attractions.


Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the retinal toxicity of cisplatin and neuroprotective effect of selenium in cisplatin-related retinal toxicity. Methods: Eighteen adult Wistar-Albino rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 6) received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 2.5 ml physiologic saline for three days, group 2 (n = 6) received i.p. 16 mg/kg cisplatin for three days and group 3 (n = 6) received i.p. 16 mg/kg cisplatin for three days and 1.5 mg/kg twice daily selenium via gavage five days prior to cisplatin injection and for three days concomitantly with cisplatin injections. The total retinal thickness, outer nuclear layer (ONL), inner nuclear layer (INL) and inner plexiform layer (IPL) thicknesses were measured in hematoxylin/eosin and apoptotic index (AI) of ganglion cell layer (GCL) and INL was evaluated in TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL)-stained retina sections. Results: Selenium statistically succeeded to reduce total retinal thickness in cisplatin-toxicated retinas: from 210.17 ± 23.40 to 173.55 ± 20.43, ONL: 49.79 ± 5.32 to 41.87 ± 6.30, INL: 33.72 ± 7.93 to 25.06 ± 5.73 and IPL: 53.61 ± 8.63 to 45.61 ± 6.92 µm in hematoxylin/eosin-stained retina sections. The AI was also reduced in INL (30.10 ± 12.02 to 19.48 ± 12.99) and in GCL (37.59 ± 17.70 to 33.15 ± 13.78). However, statistical significance was present in only AI values of INL. Conclusions: Selenium limited edema due to the toxicity and reduced the retinal thickness and showed neuroprotection in cisplatin-induced retinotoxicity.


We present experimental results of coupled optoelectronic oscillators (COEO) constructed with a semiconductor optical amplifier-based ring laser and a semiconductor colliding pulse mode-locked laser. Each COEO can simultaneously generate short optical pulses and spectrally pure radio frequency (RF) signals. With these devices, we obtained optical pulses as short as 6.2 ps and RF signals as high, in frequency, as 18.2 GHz with a spectral purity comparable with an HP83731B synthesizer. These experiments demonstrate that COEO's are promising compact sources for generating low jitter optical pulses and low phase noise RF/millimeter wave signals.


The authors have suggested a complex scheme for immunoprophylaxis of purulent-septic complications in patients with a fistula of the bile ducts, including study of the immune status, choice of the adequate immune correctors and antibiotics which act effectively on the pathogenic microflora, at individually adjusted dosages, performance of pre- and postoperative immunocorrection and immunotropic antibiotic therapy.


BACKGROUND
the frailty index (FI) is an approach to the operationalisation of frailty based on accumulation of deficits. It has been less studied in Europeans.

OBJECTIVE
to construct sex-specific FIs from a large sample of Europeans and study their associations with age and mortality.

DESIGN
longitudinal population-based survey.

SETTING
the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, http://share-dev.mpisoc.mpg.de/).

SUBJECTS
a total of 16,217 females and 13,688 males aged ≥50 from wave 1 (2004-05). Mortality data were collected between 2005 and 2006 (mean follow-up: 2.4 years).

METHODS
regression curve estimations between age and an FI constructed as per the standard procedure. Logistic regressions were used to assess the relative effects of age and the FI towards mortality.

RESULTS
in both sexes, there was a significant non-linear association between age and the FI (females: quadratic R(2) = 0.20, P < 0.001; males: quadratic R(2) = 0.14, P < 0.001). Overall, the FI was a much stronger predictor of mortality than age, even after adjusting for the latter (females: age-adjusted OR 100.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 46.3-218.2, P < 0.001; males: age-adjusted OR 221.1, 95% CI: 106.7-458.4, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION
the FI had the expected properties in this large sample of Europeans.


In this study, the correlation between oil palm fresh fruits bunch (FFB) appearance and its oil content (OC) was explored. FFB samples were recorded from various distance (2, 7, and 10 m) with different lighting spectrums and configurations (Ultraviolet: 280-380nm, Visible: 400-700nm, and Infrared: 720-1100nm) and intensities (600watt and 1000watt lamps) to explore the correlations. The recorded FFB images were segmented and its color features were subsequently extracted to be used as input variables for modeling the OC of the FFB. In this study, four developed models were selected to perform oil content prediction (OCP) for intact FFBs. These models were selected based on their validity and accuracy upon performing the OCP. Models were developed using Multi-Linear-Perceptron-Artificial-Neural-Network (MLP-ANN) methods, employing 10 hidden layers and 15 images features as input variables. Statistical engineering software was used to create the models. Although the number of FFB samples in this study was limited, four models were successfully developed to predict intact FFB's OC, based on its images' color features. Three OCP models developed for image recording from 10 m under UV, Vis2, and IR2 lighting configurations. Another model was successfully developed for short range imaging (2m) under IR2 light. The coefficient of correlation for each model when validated was 0.816, 0.902, 0.919, and 0.886, respectively. For bias and error, these selected models obtained root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 1.803, 0.753, 0.607, and 1.104, respectively.


Regardless of the numerous investigations of secondary metabolites, the impact of new growing technologies or individual technological means on fruit internal quality, particularly triterpene concentration in apple fruits has not been studied yet. Apple-tree (Malus × domestica Borkh.) growing technologies and geographical location of the growing site had clear effect on triterpene concentration in apple fruits. The effect of crop load, fruit location in apple-tree canopy, planting distance, apple-tree vegetative growth regulation and geographical location on triterpene content in apples was evaluated in 2015 and 2016. Four triterpenic compounds: corosolic, betulinic, oleonolic and ursolic acids, were quantified in apple peel. Triterpene accumulation in apple fruits was directly correlated with crop load, where 17% more total triterpenes were found at the highest crop load (12 fruits cm-2 trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA)) in comparison to the lowest crop load (4 fruits cm-2 TCSA). Higher concentration of triterpenes was found in the fruits harvested from the inner canopy of the apple-tree. Apple-tree growth regulation affected the synthesis of triterpenes – trunk incision decreased the amount of total triterpenes by 16% compared to the control and by 26% compared to summer pruning. Also, a trend of higher accumulation of triterpenes in fruits was found along with decreasing apple-tree planting distances. Colder climate and shorter vegetation period resulted in significantly higher contents of triterpenes in the fruits of cultivar 'Auksis' in Lithuania and Estonia compared to the fruits grown in Poland. The same trend, yet insignificant, was noticed for the cultivar 'Ligol'.


The marginal retail value of coffee attributes are estimated for the U.S. marketHedonic implicit prices identify the marginal market values of alternative products and market strategies. Results indicate that Estate and Fair Trade designations detract, rather than add, value to coffees sold in U.S. retail markets. Organic certification offers no net value-added relative to natural production. Market premiums for origin labeling are limited to coffee exporting areas with long-standing reputations for high quality coffee. There are positive and economically significant rewards to flavor characteristics, roast type and recent innovations in single-serve packaging. Overall, the greatest value opportunity for coffee supplier is in the cup, not in ancillary, non-flavor characteristics.


Off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, many ships, containers, cars, and wooden debris of collapsed houses were drifted by a huge tsunami. Their drift objects prevented the rapid elimination of obstacles and debris on land and sea. In addition, in areas where tsunami-fire occurred, accumulated wooden debris caused the large-scale fire spread. Generally, when assuming tsunami damages in urban areas, the inundation depth and arrival time of tsunami are mostly used. In order to enhance the tsunami damage assumptions in urban areas, to understand the characteristic of tsunami flow and the behavior of drift objects in urban areas is also important. However, it is very difficult to measure the state of actual tsunami flow and the behavior of drift objects by tsunami flow. This study aims to understand the characteristics of drift objects behavior in an urban area through a series of experiments in a laboratory flume. This study also validates numerical simulation model by comparing with the experimental results.Recorded Presentation from the vICCE (YouTube Link): https://youtu.be/09KWpiVSbmU


This interpretive qualitative study investigated why open and distance learning (ODL) within some dual mode universities seemingly failed to achieve high participation rates, compared to the face-to-face mode of delivery in the same institution. Its scope was the Botswana higher education sector. The University of Botswana (UB), the only public dual mode university in Botswana, was closely studied. The main question explored why some dual mode universities in southern Africa enrolled lower figures through ODL than the face-to-face mode of delivery, though ODL had more potential to increase access substantially than the face-to-face mode. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Purposive selection drew participants from UB, the Tertiary Education Council (TEC) and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MOESD), based on their experience in education planning, policy formulation and ODL delivery. Data were analysed through qualitative content analysis. The study confirmed internal and external attitudes that create equivalency challenges and impede ODL growth in dual mode universities, resulting in its limited contribution to participation. It established that dual mode institutions need relevant policies, structures and enhanced resources for ODL, in order to significantly increase participation. The study consequently advocates thorough planning for a dual mode


In this paper we present a robust adaptive controller based on a neural network (NN) for a variable stiffness actuator (VSA). The controller is able to independently set the mechanical stiffness and position at the joint shaft to guarantee robustness with respect to slowly time-varying and unmodeled friction coefficients affecting the dynamics of the actuator. The lumped uncertainties of the VSA including unmodeled dynamics are considered and approximated by a simple NN so that the controlled system is asymptotically stable, and remains effective while process conditions vary. To cope with the reconstruction error of the NN, a sliding mode like additional robust control term is introduced. The proofs for the uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) and uniform asymptotic (UAS) stabilities for the closed-loop system are provided in detail via Lyapunov theory. Simulation and experimental results are reported in support of both validity and performance of the proposed approach.


Developments in teaching and learning have implications for every orthodontist. This paper describes some of the theories of teaching and learning that have led to a quiet revolution in higher education. Developments have included the incorporation of self-directed and problembased learning concepts, together with a more active and interactive role for the learner. The importance of these changes for orthodontic education is discussed.


Abstract. One of the most common conservation strategies used to preserve threatened species is the establishment of protected areas (PAs), providing a maximum representation of biodiversity with the smallest possible cost. The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the 35 global biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities, having high rate of habitat loss, which is one of the main factors driving threatened amphibians to extinction. Considering that amphibians are the vertebrate group with the largest number of species geographically excluded from global PAs, gap analysis was employed to evaluate whether or not the PAs of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest safeguard the threatened amphibian species in this region. Species status were compared through the official list of threatened species of the Brazilian Fauna and occurrence maps were obtained from the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List database. Thirty-eight threatened amphibian species were found, accounting for 17 critically endangered (CR), 10 endangered (EN), and 11 vulnerable (VU). The PAs distributed in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest corresponds to only 9 % of the region's entire area. This protected network covers only 30 % of the total geographical range of the assessed species. Besides, a shift in Brazil's environmental policy has led to PAs downgrading. Therefore, the maintenance of PAs integrity is essential, as well as further investment is necessary for the creation of new reserves, avoiding species loss and reducing the extinction risk of the threatened amphibian species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.


ABSTRACT Native to sub-Saharan Africa, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is now an invasive pest of honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies in Australia and North America. Knowledge about the introduction (s) of this beetle from Africa into and among the current ranges will elucidate pest populations and invasion pathways and contribute to knowledge of how a parasite expands in new populations. We examined genetic variation in adult beetle samples from the United States, Australia, Canada, and Africa by sequencing a 912-base pair region of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene and screening 10 informative microsatellite loci. One Canadian introduction of small hive beetles can be traced to Australia, whereas the second introduction seems to have come from the United States. Beetles now resident in Australia were of a different African origin than were beetles in North America. North American beetles did not show covariance between two mitochondrial haplotypes and their microsatellite frequencies, suggesting that these beetles have a shared source despite having initial genetic structure within their introduced range. Excellent dispersal of beetles, aided in some cases by migratory beekeeping and the bee trade, seems to lead to panmixis in the introduced populations as well as in Africa.


A sensor interface device is essential for sensor data collection of industrial wireless sensor networks (WSN) in IoT environments. However, the current connect number, sampling rate, and signal types of sensors are generally restricted by the device. Meanwhile, in the Internet of Things (IoT) environment, each sensor connected to the device is required to write complicated and cumbersome data collection program code. In this paper, to solve these problems, a new method is proposed to design a reconfigurable smart sensor interface for industrial WSN in IoT environment, in which complex programmable logic device (CPLD) is adopted as the core controller. Thus, it can read data in parallel and in real time with high speed on multiple different sensor data. The standard of IEEE1451.2 intelligent sensor interface specification is adopted for this design. It comprehensively stipulates the smart sensor hardware and software design framework and relevant interface protocol to realize the intelligent acquisition for common sensors. A new solution is provided for the traditional sensor data acquisitions. The device is combined with the newest CPLD programmable technology and the standard of IEEE1451.2 intelligent sensor specification. Performance of the proposed system is verified and good effects are achieved in practical application of IoT to water environment monitoring.


Experimental investigation of flow field past a spherical particle settling in viscoelastic fluids using particle image shadowgraphy techniques studies have shown that the settling velocity of particles in viscoelastic fluids decreased significantly with the increasing elasticity of the fluids. However, our understanding of how and why the change in fluid elasticity influences the particle settling velocity are not yet fully developed. An experimental study, therefore, has been conducted to understand the reasons behind why the settling velocity of the particles decrease with the increasing fluid elasticity. The main objectives were: (i) to investigate the fluid flow field behind the settling particle by using particle image velocity (PIV) technique; (ii) to understand the changes caused by the elasticity of the fluid on the flow field past the settling particle; (iii) more specifically, to determine how the fluid velocity profile and the resultant drag forces acting on the settling particle change with the increasing fluid elasticity.
 Two different viscoelastic fluids were formulated by mixing 3 grades of HPAM polymer (MWs: 500,000; 8,000,000; 20,000,000; concentrations: 0.09% and 0.1%wt). The fluids were designed to have almost identical shear viscosity but significantly different elastic properties. The shear viscosity and elasticity of the fluids were determined by performing shear viscosity and frequency sweep oscillatory measurements, respectively. The settling velocities of the spherical particles in viscoelastic polymer fluids were measured by using particle image shadowgraph technique. The fluid flow field behind the settling particle was determined by using the PIV technique.
 Results of the PIV measurements demonstrated that negative wakes were present in viscoelastic fluids. The stagnation point (i.e. the point where the velocity becomes zero and above that the fluid starts moving in the direction opposite to the particle movement) was closer to the particle settling in the higher elasticity fluid than that in the lower elasticity fluid. The velocity of the fluid in the recirculation region was higher for the flow of the fluid with higher elasticity. The presence of negative wakes having fast moving fluid in the reverse direction near the settling particle possibly creates an additional drag force (acting on the particle in the direction opposite the particle movement), which would eventually slow down the settling particle.
 Knowledge of the settling behavior of particles is indispensable to design and optimize numerous industrial operations such as cuttings transport in oil and gas well drilling and proppant transport in hydraulic fracturing. In this study, by conducting experiments under controlled conditions, we were able to show how the change in fluid elasticity influenced the particle settling velocity. The results from this fundamental study can be used for development of optimum drilling and fracturing fluid formulations for effective transport of cuttings and proppants.


Chronic lung diseases are on increase mainly in developed countries that are characteristic by ageing societies. Despite this, interstitial lung diseases, together with lung fibrosis, seemed to be forgotten by researchers and clinicians till last years. Sufficient epidemiological data are lacking (especially little is known on the environmental and occupational causative factors). No effective treatment is available so far - diagnostic and therapeutic options available nowadays are characterized by high costs (e.g. lung transplantation) and low effectiveness. The average age of patients first diagnosed with lung fibrosis is 61 +/- 0,7 years, which poses a rising public health problem of ageing societies, especially those in Europe, USA and Japan. The average duration of life after the diagnosis is only 3 years. Facing these facts, a new approach to this group of diseases is urgently needed. A first step should include thorough epidemiological studies aimed at identification of causes and risk factors of these diseases. Results of such research should be subsequently transferred into health policy. Especially needed are sensitive screening programs and development of effective treatment that would substantially improve life expectancy and quality of life of the affected people.


Correlations are very significant from earliest days, in some cases, it is essential as it is difficult to measure the amount directly, and in other cases, it is desirable to ascertain the results with other tests through correlations. Soft computing techniques are now being used as alternative statistical tools, and new techniques such as; artificial neural networks, fuzzy inference systems, genetic algorithms, etc. and their hybrid forms have been employed for developing of the predictive models to estimate the needed parameters, in the recent years. Determination of gross calorific value (GCV) of coals is very important to characterize coal and organic shales; it is difficult, expensive, time consuming and is a destructive analysis. In this paper, use of different learning algorithms of artificial neural networks such as MLP, RBF (exact), RBF (k-means) and RBF (SOM) for prediction of GCV was described. As a result of this paper, all models exhibited high performance for predicting GCV. Although the four different algorithms of ANN have almost the same prediction capability, accuracy of MLP has relatively higher than other models. The use of soft computing techniques will provide new approaches and methodologies in prediction of some parameters in the investigations about the fuels.


"Of the 6,000,000 Jews who perished in the Holocaust, at least 160,000 were Sephardim: descendants of Jews exiled from Spain in 1492. Although the horror of the camps was recorded by members of the Sephardic community, their suffering at the hands of Nazi Germany remained virtually unknown to the rest of the world. With this collection, their long silence is broken. "And the World Stood Silent" gathers the Sephardim's French, Greek, Italian, and Judeo-Spanish poems, accompanied by English translations, about their long journey to the concentration and extermination camps. Isaac Jack Lvy also surveys the 2,000-year history of the Sephardim and discusses their poetry in relation to major religious, historical, and philosophical questions. Wrenchingly conveying the pathos and suffering of the Jewish community during World War II, "And the World Stood Silent" is invaluable as a historical account and as a documentary source."


OBJECTIVES--To evaluate workers' exposure in a creosote impregnation plant by means of ambient and biological monitoring. METHODS--Naphthalene (vapour phase) and 10 large molecular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (particulate phase) were measured in the breathing zone air during an entire working week. 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-HP) was measured in 24 hour urine as a metabolite of the pyrene found in neat (dermal exposure) and airborne creosote. RESULTS--Naphthalene (0.4-4.2 mg/m3) showed 1000 times higher concentrations in air than did the particulate PAHs. In total, the geometric mean (range) of three to six ring PAHs was 4.8 (1.2-13.7) micrograms/m3; pyrene 0.86 (0.23-2.1) micrograms/m3, and benzo(a)pyrene 0.012 (0.01-0.05) micrograms/m3. There was no correlation between pyrene and gaseous naphthalene. The correlations between pyrene and the other nine particulate PAHs were strong, and gave a PAH profile that was similar in all air samples: r = 0.83 (three to six ring PAHs); r = 0.81 (three ring PAHs); r = 0.78 (four to six ring PAHs). Dermal exposure was probably very high in all workers, because the daily output of urinary 1-HP exceeded the daily uptake of inhaled pyrene by < or = 50-fold. Urinary 1-HP concentrations were very high, even on Monday mornings, when they were at their lowest (4-22 mumol/mol creatinine). 1-HP seldom showed any net increase over a workshift (except on Monday) due to its high concentrations (16 to 120 mumol/mol creatinine) in the morning samples. 1-HP was always lower at the end of the shift (19 to 85 mumol/mol creatinine) than in the evening (27 to 122), and the mean (SD) change over the working week (47 (18)) was greater than the change over Monday (35 (32)). The timing of 1-HP sampling is therefore very important. CONCLUSIONS--Urinary 1-HP proved to be a good biomarker of exposure to three to six ring PAHs but not to airborne naphthalene. Hence, biomonitoring based on 1-HP has to be completed with exposure assessment for naphthalene as a marker for creosote volatiles that mainly enter the body through the lungs.


In spite of the presence of various local flood protections and the attenuating function of the great lakes, the Paris area remains vulnerable to damage in case of a major flood. For this reason, the IIBR - the Intendepartmental Institution for the Dams and Reservoirs of the Seine River Basin (Institution Interdepartementale des Barrages-Reservoirs) as part of its mission, has become a Prime Contractor for risk evaluation studies. These studies will investigate the risks involved when rivers are in flood and will test the technical feasibility of potential future construction work, thus addressing the concerns of local government authorities, residents and representatives of the economic sector. The IIBR's approach, which operates within a broader "prevention-protection-information'' framework, and the various projects under consideration to reduce flood damage, are described in this presentation.


Virus-like particles (VLPs) are promising nanotools for the development of subunit vaccines due to high immunogenicity and safety. Herein, we explored the versatile and effective Tag/Catcher-AP205 capsid VLP (cVLP) vaccine platform to address the urgent need for the development of an effective and safe vaccine against gonorrhea. The benefits of this clinically validated cVLP platform include its ability to facilitate unidirectional, high-density display of complex/full-length antigens through an effective split-protein Tag/Catcher conjugation system. To assess this modular approach for making cVLP vaccines, we used a conserved surface lipoprotein, SliC, that contributes to the Neisseria gonorrhoeae defense against human lysozyme, as a model antigen. This protein was genetically fused at the N- or C-terminus to the small peptide Tag enabling their conjugation to AP205 cVLP, displaying the complementary Catcher. We determined that SliC with the N-terminal SpyTag, N-SliC, retained lysozyme-blocking activity and could be displayed at high density on cVLPs without causing aggregation. In mice, the N-SliC-VLP vaccines, adjuvanted with AddaVax or CpG, induced significantly higher antibody titers compared to controls. In contrast, similar vaccine formulations containing monomeric SliC were non-immunogenic. Accordingly, sera from N-SliC-VLP-immunized mice also had significantly higher human complement-dependent serum bactericidal activity. Furthermore, the N-SliC-VLP vaccines administered subcutaneously with an intranasal boost elicited systemic and vaginal IgG and IgA, whereas subcutaneous delivery alone failed to induce vaginal IgA. The N-SliC-VLP with CpG (10 µg/dose) induced the most significant increase in total serum IgG and IgG3 titers, vaginal IgG and IgA, and bactericidal antibodies.


Abstracts: Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research 2008

B1

Background Genomic instability appears to play an important role in most human cancers. To more fully characterize genomic instability and assess its effect on gene expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we examined loss of heterozygosity (LOH), copy number (CN) loss, and CN gain, as well as gene expression, using genome-wide methods in cases from a high-risk region of China.

Methods Micro-dissected tumor and matched germ-line DNA from 30 ESCC patients from Shanxi Province, PR China who underwent surgical resection were tested using the Affymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 500K array set and frequencies of LOH and CN alterations were determined. Matched micro-dissected tumor/non-tumor samples were also tested for RNA expression with Affymetric Human Genome U133A 2.0 arrays on a subset of 17 of these patients.

Results Genomic instability measures varied widely among cases and separated them into two distinct groups: a high frequency instability group (two-thirds of all cases with 1 or more instability measure >10%) and a low frequency instability group (one-third of cases with no instability measures >10%). Genomic instability also varied widely across chromosomal arms, with the highest frequency of LOH on 9p (33% of informative SNPs), of CN loss on 3p (33%), and of CN gain on 3q (48%). Genome-wide LOH measured with the 500K chip produced remarkably similar frequency rankings for chromosome arms as previous less-dense genome-wide scans that used microsatellites or the 10K SNP chip, although absolute frequencies were reduced. Twelve regions with particularly high CN gain were identified, including six on 3q, one on 7q, four on 8q, and one on 11q. The most gene-rich of these CN gain regions was 11q13.1-13.4, where we identified 26 genes with frequent CN gain which also had RNA expression data available. CN gain was significantly correlated with increased RNA expression in over 80% of these genes.

Conclusions Genomic instability patterns show two heterogeneous groups of ESCC cases; the high-frequency instability group may harbor germ-line variants or acquired somatic mutations in genes that maintain genomic stability. Genome-wide studies from this high-risk population show a consistent pattern of high LOH on selected chromosome arms which are targets in searching for loss-of-function genes involved in ESCC. Our findings demonstrate the potential utility of combining CN and gene expression data to screen for genes involved in esophageal carcinogenesis. Future studies should combine results in tumors with germ-line genotypes to find functional changes, and determine if these changes are associated with genetic susceptibility to ESCC or might serve as early detection markers.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B1.


The present study is the result of combining genetics with taxonomy in the investigation of a polymorphic group of wild plants. It shows a degree of multiformity which was hitherto unsuspected in the genus. All the early genetical work on Oenothera was done with species which had been naturalized in Europe and whose North American home was unknown. Later, de vries (1913) introduced various American forms into cultivation and used them in genetic experiment, but without full taxonomic descriptions. Bartlett was mainly concerned in describing about twenty-five new species from wild plants of eastern North America brought into cultivation, and the present writer has previously described five, all but one of them from Eastern Canada. Professional taxonomists have paid little attention to the Onagra section of the genus except for the occasional description of a new species from western North America, and the whole number of species now recognized and described is about 70, not counting the 17 new species and 15 new varieties described in the present paper. The reason for the neglect of the taxonomists, even after the mutation work concentrated a great deal of attention on the genus, was no doubt the difficulty that many of the characters are not well shown in ordinary herbarium material. Indeed, cultures are necessary in order to study adequately the characters of these forms ; but, on the other hand, species once clearly delimited in this way can be recognized in the field, at least when well-developed plants are available, and frequently from the rosette stage alone.


The Web today is considered to be a sheer unlimited resource of interlinked information which can be explored following links or can be found employing keyword-based search engines. A feature that becomes more and more relevant for our search and use of the Web is the geospatial reference of information. In this paper, we understand the Web as a vast geospatial information space in which most of the location information is still hidden inside the Web's content. We discuss the processes of uncovering hidden spatial information on the Web to realize a multitude of geospatial user scenarios. To explore the spatial character of the Web, location information needs to be discovered, understood, and augmented. By providing location insights into the existing Web, its content becomes accessible to spatial applications and thus allow users exploring the geospatial Web.


Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders, and the symptomatic form is characterised by the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures following a neurological insult. One third of epilepsy patients are resistant to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), therefore the development of novel treatments is required. Glutamate is implicated in epilepsy however, only a few glutamate receptor antagonists have been successful in epilepsy trials. An indirect means of modifying glutamate-mediated excitation, such as targeting nitric oxide (NO), might be a reasonable alternative approach. Selectively targeting NO signalling pathway by two drug interventions was investigated in this thesis. Post-synaptic density 95 blocking peptide (PSD95BP) is a protein that uncouples GluN2 subunits of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptor from neuronal NO synthase to prevent downstream neurotoxic signalling of NO. In contrast, 1400W is a highly specific inducible NO synthase inhibitor that binds to the guanidine recognition site of the enzyme, competing with L-arginine and preventing neurotoxic production of NO. These compounds are effective in animal models of stroke and were tested here in a C57BL/6J mouse model of epileptogenesis. Kainic acid (KA) is widely used to induce status epilepticus (SE) in animals and the resulting neuropathology mimics that seen in humans with temporal lobe epilepsy. Repeated low dose administration of KA via intraperitoneal injection every 30 minutes consistently induced generalised seizures but was associated with inter-animal variability in KA sensitivity, acute seizure severity and mortality rate. Extra-dural telemetry electrodes were implanted in mice for electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. Two algorithms, measuring spike frequency and EEG coastline respectively, were used to quantify epileptiform activity. Mice that received drug interventions following KA-induced SE had significantly lower mean spike frequency and fewer extended coastline epochs per day than the control group at both 7 and 14 days after the initial insult. Label-free proteomics quantification showed significant changes to the hippocampal protein profile as a result of both PSD95BP and 1400W administration following KA-induced seizures. Drug treatment, singly or in combination, also reversed the effects of KA on the expression of both transforming growth factor β1 and inwardly rectifying potassium channel 4.1 in the hippocampus. Surgical implantation of extra-dural electrodes significantly lowered the seizure threshold to KA and was associated with an increase in brain expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that careful consideration is required in studies involving intracranial surgery to assess epileptogenesis or AED effects. Current research investigating novel therapeutic agents is focusing on non-NMDA glutamate receptors, such as α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid and kainate receptors, as potential AED targets. There are no compounds targeting the NO signalling pathway currently being investigated for the treatment of epilepsy. The data reported in this thesis give cause for optimism but further studies are needed to fully investigate the antiepileptic and possible antiepileptogenic properties of PSD95BP and 1400W and true efficacy will ultimately require clinical evaluation.


Abstract Decisions taken under the Paris Agreement of the UNFCCC do not clarify how the principle of equity is to be operationalized. Proper consideration of different national circumstances is of paramount importance when designing any multilateral agreements, such as the Paris Agreement . Here, a methodology is presented that implements the equity principle in sharing the global climate budget among countries on the basis of their national circumstances identified by socio-economic factors such as the population size, the per-capita gross domestic product and the current net GHG emission, and physical factors such as the population density and the average temperature. The historical responsibility for net GHG emission since 1990 is dealt with by the financial commitments made by developed countries. The impact of international trade on actual net GHG emission associated with consumption of goods is deemed compensated by the carbon rights underlying the production of such traded goods. Results obtained show that without a consideration of national circumstances, large emitters can claim a larger quota. Nevertheless, national circumstances change over time because of social and economic development as well as because technological improvements. Consequently, quotas have to be recalculated over time (e.g. at each global stocktake).


The issue of planning for evacuations of nursing homes and related health-care facilities concerns both emergency planners and disaster researchers who cite the lack of empirical data on the problems of special populations during emergency evacuations. Although most evacuations of such facilities are carried out successfully, the effectiveness of an evacuation (as measured by time to evacuate) is limited by certain constraints. This study examines selected organizational characteristics of nursing homes and related health-care facilities which experienced either a partial or complete evacuation of their facilities. Among the factors affecting facility evacuations are resources, the type and number of clientele, and community characteristics such as population density. Although the issues are related to general evacuation concerns, the findings suggest that individuals within specialized populations are unlike other victims of disaster with particular needs that require different management strategies to expedite an evacuation efficiently.


Purpose
Based on the growing interest devoted to knowledge management (KM) in inter-organizational contexts, the purpose of this paper is to systematize existing literature and understand how it developed over time, thus tracing its roots and evolution to unveil gaps and suggest new promising areas for future research.

Design/methodology/approach
This study used bibliographic techniques to analyze a sample of 85 studies along three main periods (1998-2010, 2011-2014 and 2015-2019). In particular, this study focused on co-occurrences of keywords to identify the most dominant themes, as well as connections among these themes.

Findings
Overall, the review shows the main outlets that have published papers on the topic of KM in inter-organizational contexts, as well as the theoretical background this research builds on. The temporal analysis exhibits the core topics that have persisted and grown consistently over time as the links between KM, innovation and networks. In addition, the review highlights new emerging themes, such as the human and social side of KM, and new interesting contexts of study (e.g. coopetition and open/user innovation), which opens exciting avenues for new research opportunities.

Originality/value
This study illustrates the conceptual structure of the field in three distinct periods and contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the key topics and their interrelatedness within the area of KM in inter-organizational contexts. Both researchers and practitioners can profit from the study because it reveals consolidated topics while identifying areas that still need to be investigated to foster KM in inter-organizational settings.


Ninety-six 26-wk-old white leghorn layers (w-36 variety) were fed commercial diets containing 0, 4, 7 and 10% safflower seed (SS) and the diets were iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. Hens randomly assigned to 4 treatment diets, with 3 replicates and 8 layers in each replicate. The experiment was conducted over a period of 12 wk in order to study the effects of feeding safflower seed on hen performance (egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and weight gain) and egg quality parameters (Hough unit score, yolk color index, yolk index, egg shape, shell weight, shell thickness and density). The yolk of eggs extracted and cholesterol content were determined in each period. Blood samples were collected in non-heparinsed tubes from six hens in each treatment by puncturing the bronchial vein in end of experiment and serum was collected after 8-10 hrs as per standard procedures and was stored for subsequent analysis. Hen performance and egg quality parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) different among treatments except in specific gravity and body weights. The lowest specific gravity observed in 10% SS (1.0806) and the highest gain weight was in 4% SS (140g) treatment. However the lowest Hough unit and shell thickness observed in 10% SS but the different among treatments were not statistically significant. The mean yolk cholesterol content, blood cholesterol and antibody titter against ND and IBD were not significantly (p<0.05) different among treatments but the lowest yolk and blood cholesterol observed in 10 % SS.


A novel series of new eleven benzocaine hydrazide derivatives, N-(4-{[2-(nonsubstituted/ substitutedfuryl/ phenyl/ pyridinyl/ thienyl/ pyrrole)methylidene]hydrazinyl] carbonyl}phenyl) benzamides [3a-k] have been synthesized in this study. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectral (FT-IR and 1H-NMR) methods and their purity was proven by elemental analysis and thin layer chromatography. These compounds were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity by using micro-well dilution method against Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, Escherichia coli ATCC 15442, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442, Acinetobacter baumannii , Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 13883.


In this work, Ni-Al-Ti-B composite powders with Ni: Al: Ti: B atom ratio of 5.7: 1.9:1:1 were prepared by using mechanical activation (MA) method. The MA processes were performed by vibration ball mill in a water-cooled chamber for 30 h. The ball-to-powder weight ratio was 10:1. In order to reduce the oxidation of the powders during milling process, ball milling was performed under an Argon atmosphere. The evolution of morphology and microstructure of Ni-Al-Ti-B composite powders were examined at different milling stages using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Distribution of powders size was analyzed and the results showed that there were three stages for the change of powders size: (1) at the first stage, powders size increased due to more welding than fracture of the powders within 2h of MA, (2) at the second stage, particle size continuously decreased until 16h of MA due to more fracturing than welding, and (3) after 16h of MA, the particle size remained constant when welding and fracture reached an equilibrium. Calculation results according to Scherrer equation from X-ray pattern showed that the effective grain size continuously decreased with MA time. X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed that the formation of Ni and Ti solid solution during MA process of the Ni-Al-Ti-B composite powders.


The impact of water drops on a grooved surface exhibiting hydrophobic features is studied experimentally. The grooved surface is made of stainless steel and is comprised of a structure of unidirectional grooves. The groove structure yielded contact angles $135 \^o and 107 \^o$ for water on the surface perpendicular to the groove direction and parallel to the groove direction respectively compared to $80 \^o$ on a smooth stainless steel surface. The influence of groove structure on the drop impact process is studied by comparing the experimental results of drop impact on the grooved surface with those obtained for the smooth surface. The groove structure alters the shape of the liquid lamella spreading on the grooved surface. For the impact of high inertia drops on the grooved surface, the droplet liquid flowing inside the grooves ejects out as tiny droplets during early stages of the impact. On the grooved surface, the impacting drop spreads along the groove direction in a similar manner as observed on the smooth surface, and the solid pillars of the grooved surface hinder the spreading of droplet liquid perpendicular to the groove direction. The enhanced hydrophobicity of the grooved surface makes the droplet liquid to rebound more intensely than that on the smooth surface


Dense residential and commercial developments have been touted by the environmental community for years. Yet, as demonstrated by recent sprawl studies, without abrupt changes in both population growth and the stringency of land use planning at state and local levels, future sprawl is inevitable in the U.S. This article puts forth three options for addressing the inevitability of sprawl, and argues that until the sprawl question is addressed through adequate law and policy, advocates should promote developments that are less dense and that integrate more of the natural environment into the places where we live, shop, and work.


The rat has been used extensively as an animal model to study the effects of spaceflight on bone metabolism. The results of these studies have been inconsistent. On some missions, bone formation at the periosteal bone surface of weight-bearing bones is impaired and on others it is not, suggesting that experimental conditions may be an important determinant of bone responsiveness to spaceflight. To determine whether animal housing can affect the response of bone to spaceflight, we studied young growing (juvenile) rats group housed in the animal enclosure module and singly housed in the research animal holding facility under otherwise identical flight conditions (Spacelab Life Science 1). Spaceflight reduced periosteal bone formation by 30% (P < 0.001) and bone mass by 7% in single-housed animals but had little or no effect on formation (-6%) or mass (-3%) in group-housed animals. Group housing reduced the response of bone to spaceflight by as much as 80%. The data suggest that housing can dramatically affect the skeletal response of juvenile rats to spaceflight. These observations explain many of the discrepancies in previous flight studies and emphasize the need to study more closely the effects of housing (physical-social interaction) on the response of bone to the weightlessness of spaceflight.


Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the first-line treatment for flat Barrett's esophagus (BE) with dysplasia, however its role for persistent Barrett's esophagus (PBE) is unclear. PBE requires additional RFA sessions or application of cryotherapy to improve therapeutic response. We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating cases of PBE treated by endoscopic eradication programs, with and without spray cryotherapy, and evaluated their safety and efficacy. We retrospectively identified patients with PBE, defined as ≤50% BE reduction or unchanged dysplasia after at least two RFA sessions. PBE was treated either by continued RFA (RFA Group) or converting to spray cryotherapy (CRYO Group), both followed by surveillance period. The rate of adverse events (AE), complete response of intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) and complete response of dysplasia (CRD) were recorded. A total of 46 patients, 23 per group, underwent 622 endoscopic therapies. Circumferential BE length was longer in the CRYO Group, but other baseline characteristics were similar, including maximal BE length. Esophageal strictures accounted for 14/16 total AE, 71% of which were RFA related, compared with 14% related to spray cryotherapy (P = 0.02). Overall CRIM/CRD rates in CRYO (83%) and RFA (96%) groups were not statistically different (P = 0.16), however cases in the CRYO Group required more treatment encounters (Median 19 vs. 12, P ≤ 0.01). Multimodal endotherapy is effective for eradicating PBE. Treatment programs incorporating spray cryotherapy are associated with less esophageal strictures but may require more treatment sessions to achieve eradication.


In this study, N-allylsuccinamic acid (NASA) was synthesized in a single step with a yield of 85%. Carboxylic acid containing NASA was characterized through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) radiation and 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR analysis, and then it was used for synthesis of poly(2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate-co-N-allylsuccinamic acid) [p(HEMA-co-NASA)] hydrogels. The structure of the obtained pH-responsive p(HEMA-co-NASA) hydrogels were characterized with FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis, and their swelling characterization was carried out under different drug-release conditions. In the application step of the study, the hydrogels were used for the in vitro release of vitamin B12 and Rhodamine 6G, which were selected as model drugs. We determined that the hydrogels used as a drug-delivery matrix could release the drug they had absorbed under different release conditions (phosphate-buffered saline, 0.9% NaCl, and pH 1.2) at high rates for time periods of up to 24 h. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39660.


Context. NGC 6530 is a young cluster, with a complex morphology and star-formation history. We present a statistical study of its global properties, using a new, large list of candidate members down to masses of 0.2−0.4 M⊙ and Gaia DR2 astrometry.
Aims. We consider a larger sky region compared to previous studies, to investigate the entire cluster until its periphery, including any diffuse population all around the main cluster. We study the distribution of extinction and age across the different regions, and obtain constraints on the star-formation history. We also study the dynamics of cluster members.
Methods. Cluster membership was determined on the basis of literature X-ray data, Hα emission, near-IR and UV excesses from the VPHAS+ and UKIDSS photometric surveys and published near-IR catalogs, and Gaia DR2 astrometry; moreover, we used a method for photometric selection of M-type pre-main-sequence cluster members, which we recently developed and used for other star-formation regions. The list of candidates includes nearly 3700 stars, of which we estimate approximately 2700 to be genuine NGC 6530 members.
Results. Using Gaia parallaxes, the cluster distance is found to be 1325 pc, with errors of 0.5% (statistical) and 8.5% (systematic), in agreement with previous determinations. The cluster morphology and boundaries are established with great confidence, from the agreement between the subsamples of members selected using different criteria. There is no diffuse population of members around the cluster, but there are minor condensations of true members in addition to the two main groups in the cluster core and in the Hourglass nebula. Two such subgroups are spatially associated with the stars 7 Sgr (F2II-III) and HD 164536 (O7.5V). There is a definite pattern of sequential star formation across the cluster, within an age range from less than 0.5 Myr to ∼5 Myr. Extinction is spatially non-uniform, with part of the population still embedded or obscured by thick dust. The precise Gaia proper motion data indicate that the NGC 6530 parent cloud collided with the Galactic plane around 4 Myr ago, and we suggest that event as the trigger of the bulk of star formation in NGC 6530. The internal cluster dynamics is also partially resolved by the Gaia data, indicating expansion of the main cluster population with respect to its center.