Abstract Question: What factors limit woody plant recruitment in a mosaic landscape where former agricultural lands are dominated by the invasive tree Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae)? Location: Subtropical northwestern Argentina. Methods: In secondary forest patches, we measured (1) tree, shrub and liana abundance in different size classes; (2) seed rain of Ligustrum and two native trees and (3) topographic, soil and light variables. We used spatial autoregressive models to test for effects of Ligustrum dominance and environment on native plant abundance in each size class. We used multiple regression on resemblance matrices to quantify the relative importance of spatial (e.g. dispersal) and environmental effects on native species composition. Results: Native tree abundance in the smallest size class was unrelated to Ligustrum canopy dominance, while native tree abundance in larger size classes and native liana abundance were negatively correlated with Ligustrum dominance. Native species composition was both environmentally and spatially structured, suggesting that some species are dispersal limited. Seed rain was spatially correlated with conspecific basal area for one of two native species, but not for Ligustrum. Conclusions: Native tree recruitment appears to be limited primarily by sapling mortality in patches dominated by the invasive Ligustrum. Ligustrum does not appear to be dispersal limited in our study area and is likely to continue spreading. Invaded patches may persist for hundreds of years. Nomenclature: Zuloaga & Morrone (1996, 1999). Abbreviations: AR = Auto-regressive; MRM = Multiple regression on resemblance matrices; OLS = Ordinary least squares; PC = principal component; SC = size class; TSI = Terrain shape index.


Computer clusters are currently the most used distributed computer architecture. Efficient utilization of computer cluster depends on a scheduling policy that is applied. Scheduling of jobs in computer cluster is a complicated task due to frequent changes in the workload. In this paper we present scheduling algorithm that is based on EASY backfilling scheduling strategy. Dynamic programming with time restriction is used to calculate as good schedule as possible within given time constraints. Algorithm is evaluated on several computer cluster workloads and is shown to outperform original backfilling strategy.


Based on our Fibre-Channel Token-Routing Switch-Network, a high performance/price ratio cluster computing platform is put forward and developed for simulation design which needs large-scale parallel computation. According to the feature of our cluster computing platform, the cluster computing software platform is proposed and implemented. The cluster computing software platform has two parts: the cluster management scheduling sub-platform and the cluster tasks running sub-platform. The cluster management scheduling sub-platform is composed of the cluster management system and the task scheduling system, and the cluster tasks running sub-platform includes the FC-TR communication software and the FC-TR parallel programming environment. The FC-TR communication software provides high-bandwidth, low-latency communication services for the parallel programming environment on the upper layer, while the parallel programming environment makes a number of large-scale-computation simulation design applications run on our network seamlessly. The experiment results show that our cluster computing platform has achieved better performance than the Scali cluster computing platform.


ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which a child presents a significant problem due to a lack of attention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. ADHD can interfere with the development of children in terms of cognitive, behavioral, socialization and communication. A common mistake that ADHD treatment through pharmacological therapy will eliminate all the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsive problems in children with ADHD, but the use of ADHD drugs in the long term then it will affect the children. Another alternative for dealing with ADHD children using a counseling approach is behavioral cognitive behavioral approach and Adlerian play therapy.Understanding of behavioral cognitive approaches and Adlerian play therapy can help address early childhood problems especially those with ADHD disorders.


The dissertation focuses on two case studies, Salisbury House and Northumberland House, arguably the most important, and the only newly-built palaces along the Strand in London in the early seventeenth century. These houses, like most of the Strand palaces, have so far been neglected, largely because they were demolished so long ago. However, the archives of the families who built or owned them preserve a wealth of primary sources, thus far mostly unexplored, which have allowed a comprehensive study of the history of both houses.

The dissertation begins with a general introduction offering an overview on the history and development of the Strand palaces. Particular attention is given to Somerset House (1547-52), which, due to its architectural influence within the English context, provides essential elements for the study of the topic. The first case study on Salisbury House (1599-1613; dem. 1694) affords a full analysis of its building history. It begins with an investigation of the role of the builder, the mighty Sir Robert Cecil, Secretary of State under Elizabeth I and James I, 1st Earl of Salisbury from 1605, and perhaps the most important architectural patron of his age. The evidence is then discussed of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century views of London, which are often an unquestioned base for the description of this vanished house. This scrutiny highlights the limits of the standard views and provides the background for a new identification of two series of plans of Salisbury House. These plans, re-configured and completed by reconstruction drawings, are fully analysed in the light of documentary sources. Next, the study focuses on a remarkable design for a Porticus of 1605-10 intended for the river front of the garden of Salisbury House, which I analyse, measure and re-configure for the first time. This allows a reconsideration of the Haynes Grange Room, a controversial piece of woodwork datable to the 1580s. The Porticus and the Haynes Grange Room can be attributed to John Osborne (c.1550-1628), a 'gentleman architect' who proves to be a lone precursor of Inigo Jones in the development of classicism in England. Finally, the study provides an examination of later alterations of Salisbury House.

The second case study on Northumberland (former Northampton) House (1605-1611; dem. 1874) affords a complete analysis of the early stages of the original Northampton House, which have never been fully investigated. This begins with an examination of the hitherto little-known architectural patronage of its builder, Lord Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton from 1603 and one of the most interesting figures of the early-Stuart era. In an analysis of the building activities of Northampton and Salisbury, textual and visual evidence is closely investigated, while an elevational drawing of the original front of Northampton House is presented for the first time. This I associate with other sources re-configuring both the inside and outside of the house as Henry Howard left it. The role of subsequent proprietors, prominent in what is the only Strand palace to survive the turn of the seventeenth century, is also fully described. I look at the Suffolk period, a short interval of twenty-eight years, when the house was owned by the Earls of Suffolk, as well as at the alterations carried out by Algernon Percy in the 1640s and 1650s, when the house became the London seat of the Earl of Northumberland. This important stage is closely analysed through a fresh examination of all relevant sources. The last part of this study provides an overview in appendix of the continuous adaptations and improvements of the house, which remained a Percy property, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The conclusion highlights the contribution of this dissertation, which is not only that of filling a void, but also that of providing a new fertile background for further discussion. In addition, a number of unpublished sources, both documentary and topographical, will change our understanding of a remarkable chapter of London history. The dissertation is completed by an appendix of relevant documents and reconstruction drawings which show the original aspect of these vanished palaces. A selection of comparative plates, as well as a catalogue raisonne in which all topographical sources are listed and analysed, are also included.


Many customer satisfaction studies have concluded that there is a significant relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty, but this finding has been questioned in that most of the studies focus on measuring the cognitive component of customer satisfaction. This study includes the cognitive component, but focuses on the affective component. It explores the role of emotions in satisfaction, and then compares the predictive ability of the cognitive and affective elements. Key findings are that both positive and negative emotions, and the cognitive component of satisfaction correlate with loyalty. Regression analysis indicates that the affective component serves as a better predictor of customer loyalty than the cognitive component. Further, the best predictor of both overall loyalty and the most reliable dimension of loyalty, positive word of mouth, is positive emotions. Thhe theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.


BACKGROUND
We recently described a murine model of atopic dermatitis (AD) elicited by epicutaneous sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA). The skin lesions in these mice were characterized by a dermal infiltrate consisting of eosinophils and T cells and by increased expression of the TH2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5. Epicutaneous sensitization induces a rise in the levels of serum total IgE and OVA-specific antibodies, further indicating that it elicits a predominantly TH2 response.

OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to assess the roles of T cells, B cells, and CD40L-CD40 interactions in AD.

METHODS
Mice with targeted gene deletions were sensitized with OVA. Histologic and immunohistochemical examinations, as well as measurements of IL-4 mRNA, were performed on OVA-sensitized skin. Total and antigen-specific serum IgE levels were determined.

RESULTS
RAG2(-/-) mice, which lack both T and B cells, did not exhibit cellular infiltration, induction of dermal IL-4 mRNA, or elevation of serum IgE after OVA sensitization; all of these features were present in B-cell-deficient IgH(-/-) mice. T-cell receptor alpha(-/-) mice did not display cellular infiltration, IL-4 mRNA expression, or increased IgE levels after OVA sensitization, but these responses were elicited in T-cell receptor delta(-/-) mice after sensitization. Absence of CD40 had no effect on these responses.

CONCLUSION
These results suggest that alphabeta T cells, but not gammadelta T cells, B cells, or CD40L-CD40 interactions, are critical for skin inflammation and the TH2 response in AD.


Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of virtual group appointments (VGA) on self-reported health-related outcomes and care activities for young adults (YA) with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: Fifty-three YA (ages 18-25 years) with T1D participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Colorado Young Adults with T1D (CoYoT1) Clinic intervention, encompassing telehealth (TH) with or without VGA. Both new patients (n = 32) and those who participated in a pilot phase (n = 26) were randomized to CoYoT1 Clinic (TH+VGA; n = 23) or TH-only (n = 35) and followed for 1 year. YA completed the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), Diabetes Strengths and Resilience (D-STAR), Self-Efficacy in Diabetes (SED), Self-Management of Type 1 Diabetes in Adolescence (SMOD-A), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), and EuroQol (EQ-5D) scales at baseline and study end. Results: YA were 67% female, 84% white, 10% Latinx, and the mean age was 20.4 years old. At study end, participants in CoYoT1 Clinic reported significantly reduced diabetes distress compared to those in TH-only, who reported increased levels [Effect Size (ES) = −0.40, P = .02]. Specifically, CoYoT1 Clinic participants reported relative reductions in Physician (ES = −2.87, P = .02) and Regimen-related distress (ES = −0.35, P = .01). In addition, participants in CoYoT1 Clinic reported improved self-management of T1D-related problem solving (ES = 0.47, P = .051) and communication with care providers (ES = 0.39, P = .07). Conclusions: Virtual group attendance in CoYoT1 Clinic was associated with significant improvements in diabetes-related distress. Long-term exposure to VGA should be investigated in YA with T1D and other pediatric chronic conditions.


It has been 27 years since the beginning of the HIV epidemic in Africa and, although we understand more about the transmission and treatment of the disease, our knowledge of how new infections can be prevented remains limited.1 The risk of HIV acquisition is known to be closely associated with unprotected sexual intercourse,2 3 and adoption of safer sexual behaviour is still the main message of most national HIV prevention programmes. However, while declines in HIV prevalence have been associated with changes in sexual behaviour,4 ecological studies have failed to find associations between risk behaviour and the prevalence of HIV5 or other sexually transmitted infections (STI),6 and scientific trials show no evidence for a population-level effect of behavioural interventions.7 8 Measurement and comparison of sexual behaviour is challenging because, for example, variations in social desirability and other reporting bias can distort data on levels and trends in behaviour.9 Thus, limitations in the reliability and consistency of the methods used to collect and analyse data on sexual behaviour, particularly when made across time or space, could contribute to these apparently contradictory findings. This supplement presents 10 recent analyses of sexual behaviour data from longitudinal studies in five countries—Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa—experiencing different sizes and stages of the HIV epidemic. The results provide valuable information for use in evaluating trends in HIV epidemics and the impact of HIV prevention programmes. An underlying purpose of this is to highlight appropriate methods and to encourage better analysis and presentation of sexual behaviour data, especially as they relate to HIV and HIV prevention.

The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in many African countries have provided a wealth of data on age at first sex. …


We present a pilotless frame synchronization approach that exploits feedback from a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code decoder. The synchronizer is based on syndrome checks using hard decisions from the channel observations. The bandwidth overhead associated with pilot symbols in conventional receiver architectures is eliminated while providing sufficient synchronization performance. An LDPC decoder coupled with our synchronizer exhibits negligible frame error rate degradation over a system with perfect synchronization. The complexity of the frame synchronizer is kept relatively low due to its XOR-based approach.


Steady potential (omega-potential) and infraslow oscillations of potentials within the 0.2-0.5 Hz range (zeta-waves) were simultaneously recorded in the hypothalamus, caudate nucleus, hippocampus, RF and cortex of the brain as well as in liver in chronic experiments on rabbits in resting, terminal state and in posthumous period. A compatibility of amplitude--temporal parameters of the processes under study was revealed in subcortical brain structures and in liver in resting state as well as their stability in repeated recordings at the same time on different days. Types of transitory processes were differentiated in the systems under study in crucial stages of terminal state. omega-potential and zeta-waves are shown as indices of state of cerebral structures and liver.


Nanosized electronic systems are characterized by ballistic transport properties, which implies that the wave character of the electron plays a dominant role in such systems. We summarize some of the basic theoretical concepts involved, and point out various analogies between scalar electronic waves and electromagnetic vector waves. Those analogies should allow for a direct transfer of key technological concepts from optics or photonics to nanoelectronics. As an example, we discuss the concept of electronic metamaterials, and suggest a possible realization of nanometer sized electronic devices, based on novel low-dimensional carbon and boron nanomaterials.


Isotope tracer methods were used to determine flow paths, recharge areas, and relative age for groundwater in the Ameriyat Al- Falluja Al-Anbar governorate. The isotope of surface water and groundwater in the Ameriyat Al- Falluja area was assessed using a stable isotope technique. Data stable isotope parameters ( 2 H and 18 O) for three surface water and five groundwater samples were detected. The comparison of hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions between groundwater and Euphrates River water demonstrated that the composition of the hydrogen and oxygen isotopes from Euphrates River matched that of the local meteoric water. This indicated that rainfall is the primary source of the river water. Environmental Isotopes results show that the surface water and groundwater originates from direct leakage through permeable beds. There is an interaction between Euphrates and groundwater wells in the study area except in the W1 and W5 wells sites.


Alcohol consumption results in multiple end-organ damages. Predominantly the nervous system is affected in the form of Wernicke encephalopathy, Korsakoff psychosis, cerebellar ataxia and peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy due to alcohol consumption depends on the period and extent of total lifetime of alcohol consumption. Cultural and racial factors also play a role in the development of alcohol neuropathy. Alcohol consumption results in multiple end-organ damages. Alcoholic neuropathy is the most common harmful effects of excessive alcohol intake. The incidence of alcoholic neuropathy in the standard population is not accurate as the percentage varies extensively contingent on the description of chronic alcoholism and the criteria used to detect and classify neuropathy. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), studies involving clinical and electrodiagnostic tests prove that neuropathy is present in 25-66%. Alcoholic neuropathy depends on the extent and extent of total lifetime of alcohol consumption. Cultural and racial factors also play a role in resulting in alcohol neuropathy. Few studies suggest that the incidence of peripheral neuropathy is higher in alcoholic patients who have a family history of alcohol dependence syndrome. This is study finds the Common peroneal and sural nerves are the most common nerves to be involved in neuropathy. Predominantly axonal degeneration is the main pathology. Units of alcohol and CAGE criteria score has a 100% specificity in detecting patients prone to neuropathy.


This paper is based on the elementary remark that the extraction of gauge invariant results from a formally gauge invariant theory is ensured if one employs methods of solution that involve only gauge covariant quantities. We illustrate this statement in connection with the problem of vacuum polarization by a prescribed electromagnetic 6eld. The vacuum current of a charged Dirac field, which can be expressed in terms of the Green's function of that field, implies an addition to the action integral of the electromagnetic field. Now these quantities can be related to the dynamical properties of a "particle" with space-time coordinates that depend upon a proper-time parameter. The proper-time equations of motion involve only electromagnetic 6eld strengths, and provide a suitable gauge invariant basis for treating problems. Rigorous solutions of the equations of motion can be obtained for a constant Geld, and for a plane wave 6eld. A renormalization of 6eld strength and charge, applied to the modi6ed lagrange function for constant fields, yields a finite, gauge invariant result which implies nonlinear properties for the electromagnetic 6eld in the vacuum. The contribution of a zero spin charged 6eld is also stated. After the same 6eld strength renormalization, the modified physical quantities describing a plane wave in the vacuum reduce to just those of the maxwell field; there are no nonlinear phenomena for a single plane wave, of arbitrary strength and spectral composition. The results obtained for constant (that is, slowly varying fields), are then applied to treat the two-photon disintegration of a spin zero neutral meson arising from the polarization of the proton vacuum. We obtain approximate, gauge invariant expressions for the effective interaction between the meson and the electromagnetic field, in which the nuclear coupling may be scalar, pseudoscalar, or pseudovector in nature. The direct veri6cation of equivalence between the pseudoscalar and pseudovector interactions only requires a proper statement of the limiting processes involved. For arbitrarily varying 6elds, perturbation methods can be applied to the equations of motion, as discussed in Appendix A, or one can employ an expansion in powers of the potential vector. The latter automatically yields gauge invariant results, provided only that the proper-time integration is reserved to the last. This indicates that the sjgnificant aspect of the proper-time method is its isolation of divergences in integrals with respect to the proper-time parameter, which is independent of the coordinate system and of the gauge. The connection between the proper-time method and the technique of "invariant regularization" is discussed. Incidentally, the probability of actual pair creation is obtained from the imaginary part of the electromagnetic 6eld action integral. Finally, as an application of the Green's function for a constant Geld, we construct the mass operator of an electron in a weak, homogeneous external field, and derive the additional spin magnetic moment of a/2m magnetons by means of a perturbation calculation in which proper-mass plays the customary role of energy.


The volume of the rhabdom of Ligia exotica changes diurnally, with the rhythm persisting autogenically in continuous darkness. The morphological changes are accompanied by variations in the amounts of the different chromophores making up the visual pigment. The amount of 11- cis retinal was found to be high at night (26.2±3.5pmol per eye) and low during the day (10.9±2.6pmol per eye) and to display an endogenous rhythm. At dawn and dusk, the amount was 19.1±1.2pmol. This rhythmicity persisted in continuous darkness, although the average amount of 11- cis retinal present gradually increased. In the case of all- trans retinal, changes in the amount were rhythmic in light-dark conditions. The amount of all- trans retinal present in the eye increased shortly after the onset of light and decreased soon after the end of illumination. There was about twice as much 11- cis retinyl ester as 11- cis retinal in the compound eye of Ligia exotica . Rhythmicity in the amount of 11- cis retinyl ester present during the light-dark cycle was observed, but it was opposite in phase to that of 11- cis retinal. Under conditions of continuous darkness a clear rhythm was not apparent: the amount of 11- cis retinyl ester increased not only during the subjective day but also during the following subjective night. Thus, a clear correlation exists between changes in structural organization of the rhabdom and the amounts of 11- cis retinal present. Both show features of a circadian rhythm.


The voluntary and civil society sector plays important roles in climate policy, mitigation and adaptation, especially given the pervasive government and market failures in this policy domain. Does the quality and quantity of scholarship published in nonprofit-focused journals reflect the topic's importance? This article reviews voluntary sector scholarship on climate issues and serves to introduce Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly's first organized collection of research on the voluntary sector and climate change. We begin by summarizing and commenting on the findings of a modified systematic literature review of past research on this subject. We then introduce the other five articles published in this symposium, place them in the context of past literature, and discuss their potential contributions to helping researchers expand the conversation and the knowledge on this topic in future work. Finally, we outline ideas and issues for future research.


The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has developed a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) model based on commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. This new tool is being used to support the US DOE Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance Fuel Cell Program, which will require advanced fuel cell designs in order to meet the program goal of reaching $400/kW for small (∼5kW) systems. The NETL model combines a special SOFC electrochemical model with an electrical potential field model in the finite-volume commercial CFD code from Fluent Incorporated (Lebanon NH). Mass and energy sources and sinks resulting from the electrochemical reactions and electrical current flow are coupled to the fluid flow, chemical species transport, heat transfer, porous media flow, and gas phase chemistry capabilities available in the base CFD model. The NETL SOFC model has also been recently extended to model SOFC stacks with cells connected in electrical series. The model is able to predict detailed, spatially resolved current flow through the electrolyte and through all conducting media in three-dimensional SOFC cells and cell stacks. In conjunction with the SOFC model development program, NETL has an experimental facility in place to generate data for validation of the SOFC model. The experimental program includes collaboration with the University of Utah, a supplier of test specimens and preliminary cell performance data. Well-characterized SOFC test specimens are being tested in the NETL fuel cell test stands for single cell and short-stack arrangements. Anode-supported cells with controlled electrode microstructures, electrode thickness, and electrolyte thickness are being tested. Operating data from the test stands includes cell and stack polarization curves, temperature data, and chemical composition of reactant streams. Using NETL and University of Utah data, an extensive validation program is now underway for the NETL SOFC model. The model is being tested using a simple button-cell configuration. A parametric study of varying operating conditions, cell geometries and cell properties is being performed. Good agreement between predicted and measured cell performance has been observed and is presented. The model has also been applied to planar single cell and cell stack configurations to help in the design of NETL experimental test facilities.Copyright © 2003 by ASME


In order to improve the forming precision of the stretch bending process for T section aluminum extrusions and meet the fine forming requirement of the aerostat blank parts, the elongation controlled stretch bending process finite element model is proposed, which is based on the basic principle of the stretch bending forming with respect to A-7B CNC Section Stretch Wrap Forming Machine by analyzing various factors that influence the qualities of stretch bending parts, and the numerical simulation of the stretch bending process and spring back for T section aluminum extrusions is carried out. The results of simulation show that the pre-stretching elongation has a major effect on stretch bending parts and finite post-stretching elongation helps to improve the forming qualities of the parts. Comparing with the experimental results, the spring back of the finite element simulation shows good agreement with that of the experimental results.


Abstract. The effects of absorbing aerosols on the atmospheric radiation budget and dynamics over the eastern Mediterranean region are studied using satellites and ground-based observations, and radiative transfer model calculations, under summer conditions. Climatology of aerosol optical depth (AOD), single scattering albedo (SSA) and size parameters were analyzed using multi-year (1999–2012) observations from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) and AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET). Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP)-derived aerosol vertical distributions and their classifications are used to calculate the AOD of four dominant aerosol types: dust, polluted dust, polluted continental, and marine aerosol over the region. The seasonal mean (June–August 2010) AODs are 0.22 ± 0.02, 0.11 ± 0.04, 0.10 ± 0.04 and 0.06 ± 0.01 for polluted dust, polluted continental, dust and marine aerosol, respectively. Changes in the atmospheric temperature profile as a function of absorbing aerosol loading were derived for the same period using observations from the AIRS satellite. We inferred heating rates in the aerosol layer of ~1.7 ± 0.8 K day−1 between 925 and 850 hPa, which is attributed to aerosol absorption of incoming solar radiation. Radiative transfer model (RTM) calculations show significant atmospheric warming for dominant absorbing aerosol over the region. A maximum atmospheric forcing of +16.7 ± 7.9 Wm−2 is calculated in the case of polluted dust, followed by dust (+9.4 ± 4.9 Wm−2) and polluted continental (+6.4 ± 4.5 Wm−2). RTM-derived heating rate profiles for dominant absorbing aerosol show warming of 0.1–0.9 K day−1 in the aerosol layer (


In this paper, I intended to analyse Polish feature films devoted to three central categories: orientalism, postcolonialism and the clash of cultures (civilizations). This article presents the Polish cinema in the following three areas and types. First of all, there are works which show an exotic, oriental space. Secondly, there are films with a hero who is a stranger and an enemy. Finally, in the newest films the protagonist – a new comer from the East – becomes accepted and understood.


Protein structure models obtained from X-ray crystallography are subject to radiation damage. The resulting specific alterations to protein structures can be mistaken for biological features, or may obscure actual protein mechanisms, leading to misidentification or obscuration of biological insight. The radiation chemistry behind this site-specific damage is not well understood. Radiation damage processes progress in proportion to the dose absorbed by the crystal in the diffraction experiment. Doses can be estimated using existing software, but these assume idealised experimental conditions. To simulate complex diffraction experiments, including treatment of imperfect X-ray beam profiles and inhomogeneous dose distributions, a new program, RADDOSE-3D, was developed. RADDOSE-3D can be integrated into beamline software to provide convenient, more accurate, comparative, and publishable dose figures, also facilitating informed data collection decisions. There is currently no method to automatically detect specific radiation damage in protein structure models in the absence of an 'undamaged' reference model. Radiation damage research therefore generally relies on detailed observation of a few model proteins. A new metric, BDamage, is designed and used to identify and quantify specific radiation damage in the first large-scale statistical survey of 2,704 published protein models, which are examined for the effects of local environments on site-specific radiation damage susceptibility. A significant positive correlation between susceptibility and solvent accessibility is identified. Current understanding of radiation damage progression is mostly based on a few consecutive structure model 'snapshots' at coarse dose intervals. The low sampling rate considerably limits the ability to identify varying site susceptibility and its causes. Real space electron density data are obtained for crystals of different mutants of a RhoGDI protein with very high sequence identity, to determine sensitising and stabilising factors for radiation induced structural changes. Utilising a newly developed data collection and analysis protocol, these changes could be tracked with unprecedented time resolution.


This article presents new models to convert the rated cooling and heating seasonal performance efficiency (i.e., SEER or heating seasonal performance factor) to steady-state efficiency rating (i.e., energy efficiency ratio or coefficient of performance) that do not include supply fan energy to be used in building energy simulations for the units less than 19,000 W (65,000 Btu/hr). A review of the two existing conversion equations found that the existing methods do not adequately reflect the characteristics of the units currently available on the market (i.e., units higher than SEER 13/heating seasonal performance factor 7.7) that comply with the provision of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 2006. This analysis was performed using the two new datasets from the California Energy Commission database and the 2012 AHRI directory as well as the AHRI fan performance data collected from several manufacturers. The developed models were adopted in the new edition of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013: Energy Cost Budget Method (Section 11) and Performance Rating Method (Appendix G), which is expected to be used in building energy simulations, especially at the design stage. These improved models will allow a more accurate calculation of the impact of the HVAC system efficiency on building energy use compared to the two existing conversion equations, which are discussed in this article. The impact of using the new models on building energy simulation was studied using a 2009 IECC code-compliant, 232-m2 (2500-ft2) house varying the air conditioners SEER and heating seasonal performance factor ratings.


Summary: Femoral artery reconstructive operations pose the risk of damage to the lymphatic system and leakage of lymph fluid into the groin. This leakage establishes a stagnant reservoir of protein-rich fluid, further placing the patient at risk for complications, especially a higher infection rate. The use of SPY technology (Stryker Corp/Novadaq Technologies, Kalamazoo, Mich) for lymphatic leaks have been described in previous studies. However, the management of persistent high-output lymphatic leaks addressed secondarily with SPY lymphangiography have yet to be reported. This case report describes a young male who underwent thrombectomy in the left common femoral artery, who presented several days later with a high-output chylous leak. The lymphatic leak was initially managed and failed conventional muscle flaps, and SPY lymphangiography was performed to manage the lymphatic leak during the secondary surgery. The lymphatic vessels were ligated and confirmed with SPY lymphangiography. The management of lymphatic groin complications aided by the use of SPY lymphangiography provided valuable data and allowed for better intraoperative visualization. Utilization of SPY technology allowed the surgeons to properly address all sites of leakage in an otherwise persistent lymphatic leak. Resolution of lymphatic leak was further confirmed with SPY. Lymphatic complications, particularly those in the groin area, are of significant concern to physicians. Any suspected chylous leak should be followed with SPY lymphangiography to ensure proper treatment and resolution. Prophylactic use of SPY technology in high-risk patients during lymphatic surgery of the groin may also be considered.


Patriot Corporations of America Act of 2011- Grants after 2011 a preference to Patriot corporations in the evaluation of bids or proposals for federal contracts. Defines "Patriot corporation" as a corporation which: (1) produces at least 90% of its goods and services in the United States; (2) does not pay its its management-level employees at a rate more than 10,000% of the compensation of its lowest paid employee; (3) conducts at least 50% of its research and development in the United States; (4) contributes at least 5% of its payroll to a portable pension fund for its employees; (5) pays at least 70% of its employees' health insurance costs; (6) maintains a policy of neutrality in employee organizing drives; (7) provides full differential salary and insurance benefits for all National Guard and Reserve employees who are called to active duty; and (8) has not violated federal regulations, including regulations relating to the environment, workplace safety, labor relations, and consumer protections. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) reduce the income tax rate for Patriot corporations; (2) reclassify foreign corporations created or organized to avoid federal taxation as domestic corporations for income tax purposes; and (3) increase, for the period between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012, the income tax rate for individual taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $500,000 or more ($1 million or more for joint returns).


This study will focus on the experiences of first–generation Canadians who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning. A narrative storytelling methodology was utilized in hopes of gaining deeper insight into the experiences of LGBTQQ first–generation Canadians and how they navigate both sexual and religious identities, whilst gaining a further understanding of their experience of integrating into mainstream Western culture. Experiences pertaining to the multifaceted challenges that arise during the interplay of religious, sexual, and cultural identity are examined, and how this population must negotiate their sexualities in light of intersecting identities. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with three participants who belong to a sexual minority group and are 18 years of age and older. Literature focusing on immigrants who belong to a sexual minority are scarce thus, each participant will assist in furthering the scholarship of LGBTQQ immigrants by voicing their stories. Each narrative account provides insight into how social workers can better address and intervene in the dilemmas faced by persons with multiple and at times, incompatible identities.


The foundations of mathematics and physics no longer start with fundamental entities and their properties like spatial extension, points, lines or the billiard ball like particles of Newtonian physics. Mathematics has abolished these from its foundations in set theory by making all assumptions explicit and structural. Particle physics has become completely mathematical, connecting to physical reality only through experimental technique. Applying the principles guiding the foundations of mathematics and physics to philosophical analysis underscores that only conscious experience has an intrinsic nature. This leads to a version of realistic monism in which the essence and totality of the existence of physical structure is immediate experience in some form. Identifying physical structure with conscious experience allows the application of mathematics to the evolution of consciousness. Some of the implications from Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem are connected to creativity and ethics.


The economic, social and cultural contributions of the creative industries are essential elements of many societies and their governments' policies. However, there is growing evidence that precarity, competition and lack of regulation within these industries is exacerbating inequalities with respect to gender, race and class. With a focus on gender and sexual harassment among female workers, this study involved 32 in-depth interviews with women working in the Netherlands' creative industries. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Findings suggest that sexual harassment is prevalent, and many women considered it to be part of their occupational culture and career advancement. Four factors influenced this phenomenon: competition for work; industry culture; gendered power relations; and the importance of informal networks. Implications include the need for a climate of non-tolerance, sector-specific research and guidelines, sensitivity training and further work with unions and professional associations to provide worker protection strategies traditionally undertaken by organizations. The article concludes that effective sexual harassment prevention requires action at the individual, educational, sectoral and governmental levels, beginning with public conversations to convey the message that sexual harassment is never acceptable.


This work is designed to introduce electrochemists in a tutorial manner to the basics of modeling of electrochemical systems based primarily on diffusion equations. There is an introduction to analytical and numerical methods with examples taken from typical electrochemical experiments. The Laplace transform is used to derive the Cottrell equation and chronopotentiometry. The response of an electrode to a Gaussian concentration profile is detailed. Laplace's equation is solved for a simple cell to determine the potential distribution. Discrete methods are employed to calculate the current time behavior following a potential step using the explicit finite difference method. Cyclic voltammetry is simulated using the explicit, implicit and hopscotch methods along with the method of orthogonal collocation. In each case the steps used to solve the problem are comprehensively detailed.


A high intake of the omega-3 polynsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has been associated with anti-inflammatory effects and cardiovascular protection, but the underlying molecular basis remains incompletely defined. Using a DNA microarray technology we investigated the early gene expression profile of human vascular endothelium conditioned by DHA under pro-inflammatory conditions.

Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with 50 μmol/L DHA for 48 hours and then stimulated with 5 ng/mL IL-1β for 3 hours. Total RNA was extracted, and qualitatively/quantitatively analyzed with a NanoDrop spectrophotometer and an Agilent Bioanalyzer before RNA labeling and purification. Gene expression profile was performed with an Agilent Whole Human Genome Oligo Microarray covering 41 000 unique genes and transcripts. Slides were scanned with the Agilent's scanner and images processed using Agilent Feature Extraction software. The raw data were further processed with the GeneSpring® 10 software and differentially expressed RNA identified using Benjamini and Hochberg False Discovery Rate with a P-value <0.05. Functional and network analyses were identified by the Ingenuity Pathways version 8.0 Analysis.

Results: Fixing a significance threshold at 1.5 fold of change, DHA alone significantly altered the expression of 188 genes, down-regulating 92 and up-regulating 96. IL-1β significantly changed the expression of 2031 genes, down-regulating 997 and up-regulating 1034. Treatment with DHA, before IL-1 significantly affected the expression of 116 IL-1β -deregulated genes. Immunological, inflammatory and metabolic pathways were the most affected. In particular, newly identified DHA-regulated genes were involved in stemness, cellular growth and proliferation, cardiovascular system development and function, and cancer. These included cytochrome p450 4F2 (CYP4F2), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2, caspase recruitment domain (CARD)11, and the junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-A.

Conclusions: Endothelial exposure to DHA regulates several novel genes and related pathways. Such unbiased identification improves our understanding of mechanisms by which omega-3 PUFAs may affect human diseases.


As a compendium of information about the relative merits of materials and methods of environmentally responsible design, this article is a real find. Lennart Y. Ljungberg is an associate professor in integrated product development at the University of Skovde, Sweden, as well as a scholar of materials science.What do we mean when we talk about responsible design? As Ljungberg points out, there is no one design or material that puts a product in this category. However, he's pretty clear about what constitutes a responsibly designed product: This is a product that has as little impact on the environment as possible during and after its lifetime-and lifetime includes the extraction of the materials and the energy used to manufacture the product, as well as how completely the product can be recycled or destroyed after it is no longer useful. Responsible design, Ljungberg adds, should also take into account issues of poverty and equal distribution and, of course, the prospects for selling the product at a reasonable profit.Ljungberg spends some time discussing environmental management systems (EMSs), which basically are tools for management to steer and control environmental effects. The international standard ISO 14001 and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are two examples. LCA, which is probably the best-known, according to the author, evaluates a product's environmental impact "from cradle to grave."The rest of the article is largely given over to a discussion of materials selection, which is accompanied by a chart enumerating the advantages and disadvantages of a range of structural materials. Metals, for instance, are typically durable, conduct energy well, and recycle easily, but the cost to machine them is high, and much energy is consumed in their production. Natural organic materials (wood, for instance) are cheap to produce, renewable, and easy to recycle. However, they decompose quickly and are sensitive to high temperatures.Ljungberg continues with a discussion of recycling and disposal techniques and some general advice on more-efficient use of materials and minimized environmental impact, followed by a section on design strategies (design for recycling, design for disassembly, and design for substance reduction, for instance).This is an interesting article and should provide a great deal of food for thought.


OBJECTIVE
To examine body composition in individuals with early AD and without dementia and its relation to cognition and brain volume.

DESIGN
Cross-sectional case-control study.

PARTICIPANTS
Individuals without dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating, 0; n = 70) and with early-stage AD (Clinical Dementia Rating, 0.5 or 1; n = 70) in the Alzheimer and Memory Program at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Participants were evaluated with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neuropsychological testing, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to determine whole-body fat and lean masses. Body mass index was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.

RESULTS
Lean mass was reduced in persons with early AD compared with controls without dementia (F = 7.73; P = .006) after controlling for sex. Whole-brain volume (beta = .20; P < .001), white matter volume (beta = .19; P < .001), and global cognitive performance (beta = .12; P = .007) were associated with lean mass (dependent variable) when controlling for age and sex. The total body fat and percentage of body fat values were not different across groups or related to cognition and brain volume.

CONCLUSION
Loss of lean mass is accelerated in AD and is associated with brain atrophy and cognitive performance, perhaps as a direct or indirect consequence of AD pathophysiology or through shared mechanisms common to both AD and sarcopenia.


BONE AND JOINT SURGERY Joint Transplantation and Arthroplasty. —Lexer, 35 in a carefully prepared and well illustrated article, reports the results of his operations of joint transplantation and of arthroplasty, and discusses the relative merits of the two procedures in the light of the experimental and clinical evidence. Reestablishment of joint function comprises both the restoration of movement and the ability to bear weight. The choice of the operative procedure, therefore, depends on whether the problem is one of repairing defects of the joint region or of doing away with ankylosis. Joint transplantation is essential for the repair of a large defect of the joint, and in addition may have a place in the treatment of ankylosis. From his own experience and that of others, Lexer believes that the half joint transplantation operation, with either autoplastic or homoplastic material, offers the hope of reestablishing function even when there is a


Due to the advances in hyperspectral sensor technology, hyperspectral images have gained great attention in precision agriculture. In practical applications, vegetation classification is usually required to be conducted first and then the vegetation of interest is discriminated from the others. This study proposes an integrated scheme (SpeSpaVS_ClassPair_ScatterMatrix) for vegetation classification by simultaneously exploiting image spectral and spatial information to improve vegetation classification accuracy. In the scheme, spectral features are selected by the proposed scatter-matrix-based feature selection method (ClassPair_ScatterMatrix). In this method, the scatter-matrix-based class separability measure is calculated for each pair of classes and then averaged as final selection criterion to alleviate the problem of mutual redundancy among the selected features, based on the conventional scatter-matrix-based class separability measure (AllClass_ScatterMatrix). The feature subset search is performed by the sequential floating forward search method. Considering the high spectral similarity among different green vegetation types, Gabor features are extracted from the top two principal components to provide complementary spatial features for spectral features. The spectral features and Gabor features are stacked into a feature vector and then the ClassPair_ScatterMatrix method is used on the formed vector to overcome the over-dimensionality problem and select discriminative features for vegetation classification. The final features are fed into support vector machine classifier for classification. To verify whether the ClassPair_ScatterMatrix method could well avoid selecting mutually redundant features, the mean square correlation coefficients were calculated for the ClassPair_ScatterMatrix method and AllClass_ScatterMatrix method. The experiments were conducted on a widely used agricultural hyperspectral image. The experimental results showed that (1) the The proposed ClassPair_ScatterMatrix method could better alleviate the problem of selecting mutually redundant features, compared to the AllClass_ScatterMatrix method; (2) compared with the representative mutual information-based feature selection methods, the scatter-matrix-based feature selection methods generally achieved higher classification accuracies, and the ClassPair_ScatterMatrix method especially, produced the highest classification accuracies with respect to both data sets (87.2% and 90.1%); and (3) the proposed integrated scheme produced higher classification accuracy, compared with the decision fusion of spectral and spatial features and the methods only involving spectral features or spatial features. The comparative experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.


Immunohistochemical and pathological studies were carried out on the digestive tract of parasitized and uninfected specimens of Salmo trutta (L.). A total of 124 brown trout were collected on several occasions from 3 tributaries of the Brenta River, northern Italy. Twenty-eight individuals of S. trutta (22.6%) were parasitized with Pomphorhynchus laevis (Miller, 1776). The occurrence of P. laevis in the trout gut significantly increased the number of endocrine cells immunoreactive to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), beta-endorphin, met-enkephalin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Substance P (SP) antisera. Moreover, bombesin-, cholecistokinin-8- (CCK-8), leu-enkephalin- and serotonin- (5-HT)-like immunoreactive cells were less numerous in the intestine of the parasitized brown trout. A strong positive immunoreactivity was observed in nerve fibres and neurones of the myenteric plexus of the parasitized fish; the antisera involved in this positive reactivity were bombesin, met-enkephalin, SP and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). More neurones immunoreactive to anti-CGRP and anti-5-HT sera were noted in the myenteric plexus and in the inner layer of the tunica muscularis of the infected fish. Most of the above-mentioned neuromodulators are known to control gut motility, digestive/absorptive processes, as well as the immune response. The changes induced by parasites in the neuroendocrine system of the brown trout are discussed.


ABSTRACT The isotope (Sr and O) and elemental (Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Sr) compositions of the various dolomites in the Middle Ordovician St. Peter Sandstone in the Michigan Basin are determined and the variations are modeled in terms of fluid-rock interaction or as mixing relations. These geochemical models, combined with the paragenetic sequence of the dolomites and late anhydrite cement, suggest the existence of at least four distinct diagenetic fluids in the St. Peter Sandstone during the Paleozoic. Fluid 1 (Sr = 30 ± 10 ppm, Sr/Ca = 0.019, 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7093 ± 1) has a composition consistent with a modified older (pre-Middle Ordovician) seawater origin, which indicates that the flow path for this fluid had a major upward component. This fluid resulted in th first and volumetrically most important burial dolomitization event, producing dolomite in both carbonate and quartz sandstone lithofacies in the St. Peter Sandstone. Fluid 2 (Sr = 30 ± 10 ppm, Sr/Ca = 0.019, 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7084 ± 1, low Fe) has a composition consistent with a modified Middle to early Late Ordovician seawater origin, suggesting a major downward component for fluid flow. Fluid 2 produced dolomite cement in the carbonate lithofacies that postdates Fluid 1 dolomite. The composition of Fluid 3 (Sr > 50 ppm, Sr/Ca = 0.044-0.110, 87Sr/86Sr = 0.710-0.711, high Fe) is best interpreted to reflect a heated, deep basinal brine that had previously interacted with the K-feldspar-rich rocks near the Cambrian-Precambrian unco formity in the Michigan Basin, indicating a major upward component for fluid flow. Fluid 3 produced dolomite cement in quartz sandstone lithofacies that postdates Fluid 1 dolomite. Fluid 4 (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7085 ± 1) resulted in precipitation of late anhydrite in fractures. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of the anhydrite is consistent with Fluid 4 originating as a dilute fluid that interacted extensively with Silurian gypsum in the Michigan Basin; this indicates that the flow path of Fluid 4 had a major downward component. The St. Peter Sandstone was an important migration pathway for many different types of fluids in the Michigan Basin, and the proposed fluid origins indicate that both upward and downward cross-formational fluid flow occurred during the Paleozoic. Older and younger modified seawater produced most of the burial dolomite in the St. Peter Sandstone.


Fuzzy rule based classification systems are one of the most popular fuzzy modeling systems used in pattern classification problems. This paper investigates the effect of applying nine different T-norms in fuzzy rule based classification systems. In the recent researches, fuzzy versions of confidence and support merits from the field of data mining have been widely used for both rules selecting and weighting in the construction of fuzzy rule based classification systems. For calculating these merits the product has been usually used as a T-norm. In this paper different T-norms have been used for calculating the confidence and support measures. Therefore, the calculations in rule selection and rule weighting steps (in the process of constructing the fuzzy rule based classification systems) are modified by employing these T-norms. Consequently, these changes in calculation results in altering the overall accuracy of rule based classification systems. Experimental results obtained on some well-known data sets show that the best performance is produced by employing the Aczel-Alsina operator in terms of the classification accuracy, the second best operator is Dubois-Prade and the third best operator is Dombi. In experiments, we have used 12 data sets with numerical attributes from the University of California, Irvine machine learning repository (UCI).


Comparisons were made between diameters of 54 bovine follicles greater than 5.9 mm from 32 pairs of ovaries measured on the ovarian surface and diameters of the same follicles subsequently dissected from the ovaries. Seventy-eight percent of follicles measured on the ovarian surface were within 1.9 mm of the size measured after dissection. The remaining 22% of follicles measured on the surface had diameters recorded that were 2.0 to 3.9 mm different than their diameter after dissection. Surface diameter tended to underestimate dissected diameter for small follicles (<8.0 mm) and to overestimate dissected diameter for large (/> 12.0 mm) follicles. The correlation coefficient between surface and dissected follicular diameters was .83. We conclude that measuring the diameter of the largest follicles on the ovarian surface and after dissection yield approximately equivalent results. (


Abstract Here, we introduce a new radiocarbon (14C) extraction line operating at the University of Bern, which was designed and built for the extraction of in situ 14C from meteorites. With this system, we achieved two important developments compared to other systems. First, using the MICADAS gas-interface system, 14C can directly be measured from the collected CO2 gas, i.e., without graphitization of the sample. Second, meteorite sample masses as low as ~0.05 g can be used for high precision and reproducibility. Prior to extraction in an oxygen atmosphere held at a pressure of ~20–30 mbar in an iridium crucible at 1600°C for 40 min, samples were preheated for 1 h in a constant oxygen flow at 500°C and continuous pumping. Gas purification followed the method described previously (e.g., Hippe et al. 2009). While the blank levels for preheated samples are low (<2×104 14C atoms), the blanks for non-preheated samples are high, therefore those results cannot be used. We also report preliminary results for the L-chondrite JaH 073. The terrestrial age of 17.7±0.4 ka is in good agreement with previous results for the same sample of this meteorite, confirming that the extraction line, the gas purification system, and the AMS measurements are all reliable.


The Microseismic Research Project described in this paper was started by the U. S. Navy in 1943 in an effort to find a better and cheaper method of locating and tracking severe tropical disturbances when several hundred miles from land. The microseismic data prove that a storm causes the ocean bottom over which it passes to vibrate and these more or less regular oscillations are called microseisms. They travel outward from the storm center in concentric circles and can be recorded on a microseismic seismograph. The amplitude of the microseisms recorded for a particular storm appears to depend principally on the storm's intensity and distance from a recording seismograph and to a less degree on the depth of the water over which it passes and on the position of certain deep discontinuities of the earth's crust. The maximum effective distance a storm can be detected in the Caribbean is about 600 miles while in the Pacific it is at least 1000 miles.


The theta-pinch spectrum of six-times ionized xenon, Xe vii, has been recorded in the vacuum ultraviolet region of 300–1300 A, and 27 new transitions have been identified as combinations between levels of the 5p2–5p5d and 5s5d–5p5d transition arrays. From these transitions, 11 new levels have been determined. The energy-level assignments have been interpreted when the theoretical energy-level values were fitted with a least-squares approach. Hartree–Fock calculations with relativistic corrections were used to predict energy levels and transitions.


— Implicit in most large-scale numerical analyses of the crystal growth from the melt is the assumption that the shape and position of the phase boundary are determined by the transport phenomena coupled strongly to the melt hydrodynamics. In the present numerical study, the interface shape-effect on the convective interactions in a Czochralski oxide melt is described. It was demonstrated that thermocapillary flow affects inversely the phase boundaries of distinct shapes. The inhomogenity of heat flux and the location of the stagnation point at the crystallization front were investigated. The forced convection effect on the point displacement at the boundary found to be much stronger for the flat plate interface compared to the cone-shaped one with and without the Marangoni flow.


In trypanosomes, the predominant mechanisms of regulation of gene expression are post-transcriptional. The DEAD-box RNA helicase DHH1 was identified in a screen for gene products that are necessary for the instability of the GPI-PLC mRNA in insect-stage trypanosomes. Expression of an ATPase-deficient dhh1 mutant caused a rapid growth arrest associated with a decrease in polysomes, an increase in P-bodies and a slight decrease in average mRNA levels. However, the effect of dhh1 mutant expression on both turnover and translational repression of mRNAs was selective. Whereas there was little effect on the stability of constitutive mRNAs, the control of a large cohort of developmentally regulated mRNAs was reversed; many mRNAs normally downregulated in insect-stage trypanosomes were stabilized and many mRNAs normally upregulated decreased in level. One stabilised mRNA, ISG75, was characterised further. Despite the overall decrease in polysomes, the proportion of the ISG75 mRNA in polysomes was unchanged and the result was ISG75 protein accumulation. Our data show that specific mRNAs can escape DHH1-mediated translational repression. In trypanosomes, DHH1 has a selective role in determining the levels of developmentally regulated mRNAs.


This paper aims to illuminate and explore various spatial constraints and models of landscape use by peoples utilizing differing economic strategies.  During the Mid Holocene in Northern Kenya and over a period of 7,000 years, populations of people practiced hunter-gathering, fishing, and herding as primary subsistence strategies. These changes in subsistence strategy happens on a backdrop of climate change and changes in resource availability. Each of these strategies has distinct ways of utilizing the landscape and differing resource bases. For instance people dependent on fishing utilize the lakeshore environment and are attempting to exploit the seasonal movements of fish stock in near-shoreline aquatic environments.  Pastoralists use broad areas of the landscape in search of pasture but in linear mobile fashion. How do we construct and incorporate these differing concepts into our unified paleogeographic information system?  Are these differing spatial models compatible?  This paper seeks to understand the underlying coupled nature of historic landscape use and climatic controls, resource tethering, and mobility. We will report on our field studies from Lake Turkana on resource distribution, raw material sources for the manufacture of stone tools, stylistic and technology geographic variation in worked bone tools and land use patterning over a regional geography and through time. The will compare modern pastoralist land use with our emerging understanding of pastoralist and foraging patterns of land use through history. We hope our findings will demonstrate the diversity and mobility patterns among Holocene fishing/foraging/herder adaptations. In addition to developing predictive models of land use during these different periods we want to reach towards explanatory models that help us to incorporate nuanced understanding of these issues.  This paper will explore the tension between the use of modern analogs of land use and the scale of archaeological proxies for modeling past land use and how to incorporate and best represent these spatial concepts within our geographic information system modeling.


It has long been noted that the cell arrangements in epithelia, regardless of their origin, exhibit some striking regularities: first, the average number of cell neighbours at the apical side is (close to) six. Second, the average apical cell area is linearly related to the number of neighbours, such that cells with larger apical area have on average more neighbours, a relation termed Lewis' law. Third, Aboav-Weaire's (AW) law relates the number of neighbours that a cell has to that of its direct neighbours. While the first rule can be explained with topological constraints in contiguous polygonal lattices, and the second rule (Lewis' law) with the minimisation of the lateral contact surface energy, the driving forces behind the AW law have remained elusive. We now show that also the AW law emerges to minimise the lateral contact surface energy in polygonal lattices by driving cells to the most regular polygonal shape, but while Lewis' law regulates the side lengths, the AW law controls the angles. We conclude that global apical epithelial organization is the result of energy minimisation under topological constraints.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the utility of plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the prediction of occult bacteremia in febrile, young children.

STUDY DESIGN
Prospective, case-control study conducted in a large, urban, children's hospital emergency department. Eligibility criteria were: 0 to 36 months of age, febrile, nontoxic appearing, immunocompetent, no apparent bacterial source for fever on physical examination, and blood culture obtained. Additional blood, procured at the time of the blood culture, was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for TNF, IL-1, and IL-6. Children with positive blood cultures for pathogenic bacteria served as cases. Two age-matched controls for each case were selected from the children with negative cultures.

RESULTS
Out of 1329 enrollees, 33 cases and 66 controls were evaluated. IL-6 levels were significantly higher for the cases than controls but with moderate overlap in their ranges. TNF and IL-1 levels were not significantly different between cases and controls. Height of fever, duration of fever, acute illness observation score, absolute band count, and white blood cell count were all much less predictive of bacteremia than either IL-6 or absolute neutrophil count (ANC). The optimum IL-6 threshold value had a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 70%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 7.0%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.6%, and an odds ratio (OR) of 16.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8-71.6). The optimum ANC threshold value had a sensitivity of 82%, a specificity of 74%, a PPV of 7.5%, a NPV of 99.4%, and an OR of 12.8 (95% CI, 3.2-59.7). The best predictor was a combination of IL-6 and ANC. It had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 78%, a PPV of 10.4%, a NPV of 100%, and an OR which is undefined because of the 100% sensitivity (95% CI, 33.0-infinity). For comparison, a WBC >15 x 10(9) cells/L had a sensitivity of 48%, a specificity of 79%, a PPV of 5.5%, a NPV of 98.3%, and an OR of 3. 5 (95% CI, 1.1-10.7).

CONCLUSIONS
In febrile children 0 to 36 months of age, IL-6 levels may be helpful in the prediction of occult bacteremia, but TNF and IL-1 levels are not. IL-6 levels alone or notably when combined with an ANC were more predictive of occult bacteremia than traditional tests and clinical criteria. The wide range in the IL-6 values for cases and controls detracts from the precision of the findings. The lack of rapid processing and clinical availability of IL-6 assays hampers its present application. However, despite these drawbacks and given the poor ability of traditional clinical and laboratory criteria to predict occult bacteremia, these results suggest a possible future role for IL-6 in predicting occult bacteremia when rapid assays become available.


Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an established treatment for high surgical risk or inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) (1-3). Interestingly, unlike percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), approximately 50% of patients who undergo TAVR are female, despite the fact that female patients have fewer comorbidities than male patients (4-6). Furthermore, female patients have been found to have favorable outcomes as compared to male patients (5-10). However, to date, it remains unclear why male patients have a higher incidence of mortality after TAVR. Understanding this might help determine the effect of sex differences in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR and should therefore be evaluated.


Expansion of the monospecific mangrove, Kandelia obovata, has converted intertidal mudflats and other habitats into mangrove forests, thus reducing estuarine biodiversity in the Danshuei River estuary, northern Taiwan. Dense mangrove vegetation was removed to create a small patchwork of mudflats and a tidal creek in February 2007. Subsequent changes in sediment properties and biodiversity of the macrobenthos and avian communities were examined. The results showed that the creation of different habitats led to changes in sediment properties and biodiversity. The water content and sorting degree of the sediments differed significantly among the restored mudflat, the tidal creek, and the mangrove control site. Silt/clay, organic carbon content, and chlorophyll a concentrations varied seasonally, but not among sites. The abundance of polychaetes in the creek was greater than that in the mudflat or the mangrove (12.5 vs. 5.3 and 2.2 individuals/m2, respectively), suggesting preferential colonization of infaunal polychaetes in habitats with prolonged submersion. Crabs showed seasonal changes in density, with higher densities in summer than in autumn and winter. The species richness of wintering shorebirds on the created mudflat increased dramatically from 2002 to 2007. The transformation of a vegetated area into an open mudflat appeared to benefit shorebirds by providing roosting habitat. Our study demonstrated that controlling the spread of estuarine mangrove forests could increase biodiversity, and could particularly benefit the migratory shorebird community.


Environmental, health and sanitary requirements in developed countries are sometimes perceived in developing countries as non-tariff barriers to trade. This book shows that such restrictions are perceived to be more stringent during the domestic production season or when stock levels are high. The authors argue that scientific data for specific thresholds or limit values sometimes appear to be questionable and that they vary widely between countries. In some cases, products that had initially been refused access to a domestic market have subsequently been allowed access but at a lower price. Thus standards are perceived to be a mechanism for bidding down the export price. Countries from the same region with similar water or climatic conditions may be subject to differential degrees of Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS). Measures to address protectionist aspects of standards must be devised to ensure free and fair trade.


In the online era like today, Indonesians prefer to buy and sell products through social media. Instagram is widely used to promote products. Consumer purchasing decisions are very important to be reviewed by the company because it will have an impact on the survival of the company. One important aspect is the Instagram celebrity endorser. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of using celebrity instagram endorser on purchasing decisions in online businesses in Bandung. The place of research was conducted at Mayoutfit Bandung. This research is a quantitative descriptive study with simple linear regression analysis. The data collection technique is through the distribution of questionnaires distributed to Mayoutfit consumers who use Instagram. The data analysis technique is done by validity and reliability test, descriptive test, classic assumption test, normality test, simple linear regression test, hypothesis test and test coefficient of determination. This study shows the influence of Instagram celebrity endorser on consumer purchasing decisions. Suggestions for future research and practical suggestions will be presented further.
Keywords: Celebrity endorser, Instagram, Onlineshop, Purchase Decision


This paper investigates how the number of students changed due to tuition fee was introduced at KTH. Since fall in 2011, all universities in Sweden have started to charge tuition fee from non-EU/EEA students. Setting tuition fee is always a topic in free education countries. After tuition fee is charged, if non-EU potential master students would invest in a master program and whether they will invest at KTH. There are some important factors influencing the decisions and resulted in two approaches (cross country comparison and willingness to pay tuition fee). According to countries" tuition fee and students" living cost, we made estimation of education demand curve and categories showing various groups of students studying abroad. Compare with other countries" tuition setting, we see phenomenon of KTH and other universities of Sweden about tuition fee and enrollments. According to data from several questionnaires, the paper shows how international students consider of tuition fee at KTH. The data also indicates how factors such as reputation, education quality and tuition cost, living cost affect their choices, and how much tuition fee students would like to pay for studying at KTH by experience. KTH has some students" package to compensate fee-paying students, and give some students scholarships, but students are still very few to come. Meanwhile, KTH has competitors which are not only Swedish universities, but also other universities in other countries. How to compete with them and by the society comments, KTH has heavy pressure on its shoulders.


ABSTRACT Nivanteredo gen. nov. coronata sp., a new genus and species from the wood-boring bivalve family Teredinidae, is described. Multiple specimens were collected off the coasts of Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, between October 2004 and August 2014, from both sunken driftwood and deployed wooden panels at depths of 240–773 m. A combination of features identify these specimens as both a new genus and species, including: unique calcareous pallets distinct from those of all other previous described genera, featuring a central stalk that runs almost the entire length of the blade and a disk shaped periostracal awning adorning the proximal pallet; an elongated mantle collar, extending from the base of the siphons to the mid-stalk of the pallets; a distinctive and elongated auricle on the dorsal shell valve; a complex caecum (wood-storing organ) featuring a highly coiled typhlosole, which ranks as one of the largest relative to total body length among the family. Larval settlement on wooden panels placed at 441 m represents the deepest distribution range of any known teredinid, which were previously thought to be restricted to waters above 200 m. The discovery of Nivanteredo coronata, recruiting at depths more than twice those previously recorded for tereinids, raises the possibility of a hidden diversity in other deep-sea locations and suggests that previous sampling, which has largely been limited to shallow coastal waters, has skewed our understanding on the biogeography and distribution of this family. To aid future identification and systematics of this complex family, we produced a revised and updated appendix of both internal and external characters across the Teredinidae, including the new genus Nivanteredo. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:24216C86-CCB0-4B27-8FE2-89338969E32E GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


In the early seventeenth century, printing underwent a rapid transformation in Japan in the hands of commercial publishers. However, print did not spell the end of scribal traditions and manuscripts continued to be produced in quantity, in order to preserve knowledge, to circulate news or local history, and to disseminate forms of writing that could not be printed for reasons of censorship. Among these were fictional works, known as jitsuroku, which were based on political scandals and vendettas. Using Keian taiheiki as an example, this article demonstrates that such manuscripts circulated widely even among rural cultivators.


Segmentation is one of the most important parts of medical image analysis. Manual segmentation is very cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to inter-observer variability. Fully automatic segmentation approaches require a large amount of labeled training data and may fail in difficult or abnormal cases. In this work, we propose a new method for 2D segmentation of individual slices and 3D interpolation of the segmented slices. The Smart Brush functionality quickly segments the region of interest in a few 2D slices. Given these annotated slices, our adapted formulation of Hermite radial basis functions reconstructs the 3D surface. Effective interactions with less number of equations accelerate the performance and, therefore, a real-time and an intuitive, interactive segmentation of 3D objects can be supported effectively. The proposed method is evaluated on 12 clinical 3D magnetic resonance imaging data sets and are compared to gold standard annotations of the left ventricle from a clinical expert. The automatic evaluation of the 2D Smart Brush resulted in an average Dice coefficient of 0.88 ± 0.09 for the individual slices. For the 3D interpolation using Hermite radial basis functions, an average Dice coefficient of 0.94 ± 0.02 is achieved.


Decreasing ore grades and an increasing consumption of metals has led to a shortage of important primary raw materials. Therefore, the urban mining of different deposits and anthropogenic stocks is of increasing interest. Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag is produced in huge quantities with the so-called Linz-Donawitz process and contains up to 5.2, 0.9, 0.1, and 0.07% of Mn, Al, Cr, and V, respectively. In the present study, sulfur-oxidizing Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and iron- and sulfur-oxidizing Acidithiobacillus ferridurans were applied in batch and stirred tank experiments to investigate the biological extraction of metals from BOF slag. In the batch experiments, up to 96.6, 52.8, 41.6, and 29.3% of Cr, Al, Mn, and V, respectively, were recovered. The stirred tank experiments, with increasing slag concentrations from 10 to 75 g/L, resulted in higher extraction efficiencies for A. ferridurans and lower acid consumption. Selective metal precipitation was performed at pH values ranging between 2.5 and 5.0 to study the recovery of Mn, Al, Cr, and V from the biolixiviant. Selective precipitation of V and Cr was achieved at pH 4.0 from A. thiooxidans biolixiviant, while Fe and V could be selectively recovered from A. ferridurans biolixiviant at pH 3.0. This work revealed the potential of BOF slag as an artificial ore for urban mining and demonstrated that combining bioleaching and selective precipitation is an effective method for sustainable metal recovery.


We use the theory of generalized likelihood ratio tests (GLRTs) to adapt the matched subspace detectors (MSDs) of Scharf (1991) and of Scharf and Frielander (1994) to unknown noise covariance matrices. In so doing, we produce adaptive MSDs that may be applied to signal detection for radar, sonar, and data communication. We call the resulting detectors adaptive subspace detectors (ASDs). These include Kelly's (1987) GLRT and the adaptive cosine estimator (ACE) of Kaurt and Scharh (see ibid., vol.47, p.2538-41, 1999) and of Scharf and McWhorter (see Proc. 30th Asilomar Conf. Signals, Syst., Comput., Pacific Grove, CA, 1996) for scenarios in which the scaling of the test data may deviate from that of the training data. We then present a unified analysis of the statistical behavior of the entire class of ASDs, obtaining statistically identical decompositions in which each ASD is simply decomposed into the nonadaptive matched filter, the nonadaptive cosine or t-statistic, and three other statistically independent random variables that account for the performance-degrading effects of limited training data.


Ljungan virus (LV) is a recently identified picornavirus of the genus Parechovirus. LV has been isolated from voles trapped in Sweden and also in the United States. LV infected small rodents may suffer from diabetes type 1 and type 2 like symptoms, myocarditis and encephalitis. LV has been proposed as a human pathogen, with indications of causing diabetes type 1, myocarditis and intrauterine fetal deaths. In this thesis, cell culture adapted LV strains were utilised for development and adaptation of several basic methodological protocols to study the LV biology, e.g. real time PCR, highly specific antibodies and a reverse genetics system. These methods allowed detailed studies of this virus and how it interacts with the host cell. The genomic 5'-end was identified and modelling showed unique secondary structure folding of this region. The LV encodes an aphthovirus-like 2A protein with a DvExNPGP motif. This motif was found to mediate primary cleavage of the LV polyprotein in vitro and is proposed to constitute the carboxy terminus of the structural protein VP1 in LV. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies generated against recombinant structural proteins were used to verify that the LV virion is composed of the structural proteins VP0, VP1 and VP3. Cell culture studies showed that LV replicates to low titer with an absent or delayed cell lysis. LV is proposed to be able to spread by a, for picornaviruses, not previously demonstrated direct cell-to-cell transmission. All results taken together suggest a maintenance strategy of LV including low amounts of the LV genome and persistently infected hosts. Stability studies showed that the LV virion not only maintain activity in acidic and alkaline environments but also exhibit resistance to the commonly used disinfectant Virkon®. The results presented in this thesis show that LV has several unique properties, not previously observed for a picornavirus.


Adoption of systems and processes that focus on improvement in design and delivery of Outcome Based Education (OBE) is a concern of many engineering institutes who either go in for or intend to apply for accreditation of engineering and technology programmes. This need emerges out from the fact that in India the engineering programme accreditation agency, the National Board of Accreditation, Delhi, does not prescribe any specific approach to process improvement methodology, and that part of process design, implementation and improvement is left to individual institutes who apply for programme accreditation. As a result institutes who have robust and mature processes in use for implementation of accreditation system are still scarce. This paper proposes an extension of business process maturity model as used in software engineering and the eMM 2.3 which is used in e-learning to ensure quality in design and implementation of accreditation process.


>> How to retain employees? The impact of job satisfaction, locus of control, and organizational training. << Purpose The purpose of this thesis is to examine the relationship between turnover intentions and job satisfaction and the moderating role of locus of control in this relationship. Furthermore, I investigate the impact of training as an organizational policy instrument to prevent turnover. Design/methodology/approach Unique employee survey data for the Dutch public and privatized sectors is used and matched to administrative data from the Dutch pension fund for public sector employees (ABP). The final estimation sample consists of 16,684 observations. Moderating and mediating analyses are estimated using OLS, random and fixed effects regressions when possible. Findings I find evidence for a significantly negative relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intentions. This relationship is moderated by locus of control, being stronger for internals. The thesis also shows that training participation is positively related to job satisfaction. OLS estimates show a mediation effect of job satisfaction on the relationship between training and turnover intentions. This result is, however, not robust to the inclusion of individual fixed effects. I further find that the relationship between training participation and turnover intentions differs with the type of training provided: besides the negative impact on turnover intentions due to an increase in job satisfaction, general training directly increases turnover intentions. Practical implications This thesis shows the economic significance of locus of control for HR practices. It is therefore in the interest of organizations to gather information about employees' job satisfaction as well as their locus of control, to prevent future turnover. Moreover, organizational training courses can be provided to improve job satisfaction which in turn may lower turnover intentions. HR professionals are recommended to provide predominantly firm-specific training when lowering turnover intentions is their policy aim. Contribution This thesis examines the relationship of job satisfaction on turnover intentions by focusing on the moderation impact of locus of control. This contributes to the small literature that has empirically documented the importance of locus control for voluntary turnover. Moreover, by providing an organizational strategy to overcome turnover intentions, this thesis contributes to the human capital literature. I add to the literature by specifically analyzing the impact of training participation on turnover intentions and establishing whether it differs with the degree to which training is general.


This paper examines the problem of shape-based object recognition and proposes a new approach, the alignment of pictorial descriptions. The first part of the paper reviews general approaches to visual object recognition and divides these approaches into three broad classes: invariant properties methods, object decomposition methods, and alignment methods. The second part presents the alignment method. In this approach the recognition process is divided into two stages. The first determines the transformation in space that is necessary to bring the viewed object into alignment with possible object-models. The second stage determines the model that best matches the viewed object. The proposed alignment method also uses abstract description, but unlike structural description methods, it uses them pictorially, rather than in symbolic structural descriptions.


The need for potato varieties for the potato chip processing industry continues to increase; however, the availability of varieties that produce tubers that meet the criteria for potato chips is still limited. The study aimed to characterize the quality of potato tubers from several superior genotypes of IPB collections that are suitable for the potato chip processing industry's needs. These quality characters included tuber diameter, specific gravity, dry matter, and organoleptic chips. This research was conducted in January-May 2020 at the Margamulya village, Cikajang, Garut. Eight genotypes, PKHT-2019-010, PKHT-2019-011, PKHT-2019-012, PKHT-2019-013, PKHT-2019-014, PKHT-2019-015, PKHT-2019-016, PKHT-2019-017 with two control varieties, Medians and Intan were used in this study as material plant. The genotype was used as a single factor in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The study begins with preparing the land, planting, maintenance, harvesting, and processing of chips. The results showed that the PKHT-2019-010, PKHT-2019-012, and PKHT-2019-017 genotypes had potential as genotypes that could be developed as potato varieties for raw materials for the potato chip industry based on density, sugar content, shape, appearance, and good color chips. The PKHT-2019-015 genotype has excellent productivity, tuber weight, and tuber diameter and meets industrial criteria, but has high sugar content, so it is more suitable to be developed as vegetable potatoes. However, further research is still needed to increase the three genotypes' weight and size to reach industry standards.
Keywords: genotype, crispness, productivity, sugar content


The aim of the paper is to stimulate the discussion around the recent increase in NPLs across several industrial countries by proposing a remedy framework for the resolution of non-performing loans (NPLs). The framework focuses on providing a reprieve to borrowers until they can recover financially and regain the ability to service their loans. In this respect, this paper proposes the establishment of a state-owned asset management company and attempts to find a balance between incentivizing the participation of banks regarding the disposal of NPLs and limiting risks to the state while avoiding moral hazard situations.


Abstract In this article, we investigate how FEMEN employs female nudity to raise public attention in their mediatized strategies and how this form of naked protest is represented and interpreted in German media discourse. We will show that the significant media presence of FEMEN's naked protest actions and its self-portrayal as the new feminism of our days have become increasingly ambivalent over time. As this is of great importance with regards to public perceptions of feminism, feminist activists, and feminist agency in general, our analysis provides a detailed investigation of the processes of appreciation and devaluation of FEMEN as an expression of contemporary feminists and feminism. Employing a qualitative discourse analysis, the article highlights the interwoven processes of contextualization and decontextualization in FEMEN's self-mediation and news coverage in Germany. It is shown that FEMEN's protests from 2008 to 2013 materialize in "local" actions, but are increasingly constructed and interpreted on a transcultural level. In this analysis, we identify the core interpretative scheme of decontextualization that becomes apparent in three forms of detachments. As we show, these forms of detachment are a core issue in the media's devaluation and depolitization of FEMEN and feminism in general.


This paper considers the problem of robust filtering for discrete-time linear systems subject to saturation. A generalized dynamic filter architecture is proposed, and a filter design method is developed. Our approach incorporates the conventional linear H/sub 2/ and H/sub /spl infin// filtering as well as a regional l/sub 2/ gain filtering feature developed specially for the saturation nonlinearity and is applicable to the digital transmultiplexer systems for the purpose of separating filterbank design. It turns out that our filter design can be carried out by solving a constrained optimization problem with linear matrix inequality (LMI) constraints. Simulations show that the resultant separating filters possess satisfactory reconstruction performance while working in the linear range and less degraded reconstruction performance in the presence of saturation.


The major objective of this study is to examine the combined influence of internal marketing and job satisfaction on quality health service delivery in Greater Iganga Local Government. A case study research strategy is used in which data are collected using self-administered questionnaire administered to 635 respondents. A sample of 127 health centres was drawn from a population of 205 health facilities from the Ministry of Health. Health directors, head of health facilities, district health inspectors, health educators, drug inspectors, laboratory administrators, human resource directors and drug inventory managers formed the unit of inquiry on internal marketing and job satisfaction while health service clients formed the unit of inquiry on the quality of health services offered. The responses were aggregated to the respective units of analysis. The time horizon of this study was two years spanning from 2016 to 2018. SPSS was used to perform correlation and regression analysis. The correlation results indicate that independently internal marketing and job satisfaction are positive and statistically significantly associated to quality health service delivery at r=0.695; p<0.001 and r=0.720; p<0.001 respectively. Furthermore, the combination between internal marketing and job satisfaction is positively and significantly associated with quality health service delivery (r=0.728; p<0.001). Results of the correlation analysis which showed that the relationship between the three study variables (internal marketing, job satisfaction and quality health service delivery) were positive and statistically significant were supported by results of the regression analysis. This resulted in the acceptance of the three research hypotheses.

 Key words: Internal marketing, job satisfaction, service delivery, public health sector, local government.


In this project, a process was developed to cure concrete masonry blocks using CO2. It was found that the strength of concrete mixtures for block manufacture after CO2 curing was close to that after conventional steam curing. A dry pre-conditioning before CO2 curing was very critical to achieve high degree of CO2 curing. The specimen pre-conditioned in the moist environment hydrates more than those pre-conditioned in the dry environment during the pre-conditioning period. However, much less CaCO3 formed in the former that that in the latter after the CO2 curing. Thus, the CO2 curing is mainly contributed by the reactions between CO2 gas and cement clink minerals.


Abstract Objective: Preeclampsia (PE) has been classified into early- and late-onset disease. These two phenotypic variants of PE have been proposed to have a different pathophysiology. However, the gestational age cut-off to define "early" vs. "late" PE has varied among studies. The objective of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of lesions consistent with maternal underperfusion of the placenta in patients with PE as a function of gestational age. Study design: A nested case-control study of 8307 singleton pregnant women who deliver after 20 weeks of gestation was constructed based on a cohort. Cases were defined as those with PE (n=910); controls were pregnant women who did not have a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (n=7397). The frequency of maternal underperfusion of the placenta (according to the criteria of the Society for Pediatric Pathology) was compared between the two groups. Logistic regression was used for analysis. Estimated relative risks (RRs) were calculated from odds ratios. Results: 1) The prevalence of lesions consistent with maternal underperfusion was higher in patients with PE than in the control group [43.3% vs. 15.9%, unadjusted odds ratio 4.0 (95% CI 3.5–4.7); P<0.001]; 2) the estimated RR of maternal underperfusion lesions in PE was higher than in the control group [RR=2.8 (95% CI 2.5–3.0)]; 3) the lower the gestational age at delivery, the higher the RR for these lesions; 4) early-onset PE, regardless of the gestational age used to define it (<32, 33, 34, 35 or 37 weeks) had a significantly higher frequency of placental lesions consistent with maternal underperfusion than late-onset PE (P<0.001 for all). Conclusions: 1) The earlier the gestational age of preeclampsia at delivery, the higher the frequency of placental lesions consistent with maternal underperfusion; 2) our data suggest that demonstrable placental involvement as determined by pathologic examination differs in early- and late-onset preeclampsia; and 3) this phenomenon appears to be a continuum, and we could not identify a clear and unambiguous gestational age at which lesions consistent with underperfusion would not be present.


LTE networks are the latest generation of wireless networks based on IP architecture; it is standardized by the 3GPP in its Rel.8. LTE networks are implemented practically to access internet with very high data rates with using various multimedia services. This paper is based on five types of downlink packet scheduling algorithms in LTE networks, It examines the impact of throughput, the fairness and the spectral efficiency of each scheduling algorithms when the speed of UE (User Equipment) and the number of UEs are changed. A comparison between the scheduling algorithms has been done using Vienna LTE SYSTEM LEVEL Simulator.