This study examines factors of word-of-mouth (WOM) about political candidates, and factors related to candidate characteristics affecting vote behavior. The study also analyses data to determine the effect of WOM factors and factors of candidate characteristics on encouraging, discouraging, to be influenced by interpretations, and to be influenced of election decision. The findings indicate the emergence of four factors about WOM and candidate characteristics. First group factors of WOM are referring as personality, party situation, social integration, and demographics. The other factors of candidate characteristics titled as background and attributes, party affiliation, promotional efforts, and communication and modesty. These factors are positively associated with encourage, discourage, to be influenced by interpretations, and to be influenced of election decision. The results of this research have significant implications for both the practice of political marketing, advising behavior about political candidates as a whole as well as would be a contribution to relatively limited literature on the WOM on political elections.


Germany has a record of more than 40 years of below-replacement fertility and annual death surplus. Hence, it is commonly accepted that Germany's population will decline considerably in the coming decades. Recent increases in immigration may, however, challenge the official long-term demographic projections for Germany. This paper assesses the impact of a permanent higher-than-expected level of net immigration to Germany as in the past three years on the projections for population, age structure and ethnic makeup by mid-century. The paper adds a higher immigration variant to the Federal Statistical Office's latest Coordinated Population Projection and two variants of a (a) constant or (b) decreasing fertility rate among migrant women. It can be shown that with permanent net migration as high as in recent years (around 300,000 per annum), Germany's population would not significantly decrease in the coming decades but would rather remain at 80 million until 2050. On the other hand, the sharp rise in the old-age dependency ratio is only mildly weakened by increased immigration rates. This issue is therefore probably best addressed by other (or additional) means. The increase in retirees will level off after 2035 in any case. The ethnic makeup of society would be affected to a greater degree than its age composition: The share of first- and second-generation immigrants among the total population is projected to rise to about 35 percent in this scenario (and to above 40 percent if the third generation is also counted).


In the realm of complex systems, dynamics is often modeled in terms of a non-linear, stochastic, ordinary differential equation (SDE) with either an additive or a multiplicative Gaussian white noise. In addition to a well-established collection of results proving existence and uniqueness of the solutions, it is of particular relevance the explicit computation of expectation values and correlation functions, since they encode the key physical information of the system under investigation. A pragmatically efficient way to dig out these quantities consists of the Martin-Siggia-Rose (MSR) formalism which establishes a correspondence between a large class of SDEs and suitably constructed field theories formulated by means of a path integral approach. Despite the effectiveness of this duality, there is no corresponding, mathematically rigorous proof of such correspondence. We address this issue using techniques proper of the algebraic approach to quantum field theories which is known to provide a valuable framework to discuss rigorously the path integral formulation of field theories as well as the solution theory both of ordinary and of partial, stochastic differential equations. In particular, working in this framework, we establish rigorously, albeit at the level of perturbation theory, a correspondence between correlation functions and expectation values computed either in the SDE or in the MSR formalism.


Many natural language dialogue systems make use of `canned text' for output generation. This approach may be su±cient for dialogues in restricted domains where system utterances are short and simple and use fixed expressions (e.g., slot filling dialogues in the ticket reservation or travel information domain); but for more sophisticated dialogues (e.g., tutoring dialogues) a more advanced generation method is required. In such dialogues, the system utterances should be produced in a context-sensitive fashion, for instance by pronominalising anaphoric references, and by using more or less elaborate wording depending on the state of the dialogue, the expertise of the user, etc. In the case of spoken dialogues, it is very useful if the natural language generation component can provide information that is relevant for determining the prosody of the speech output. Similarly, for use in embodied agents it is useful if the generation component can provide information about the facial and body movements that should accompany the language being produced by the agent. Clearly, it will be extremely di±cult to achieve all this using simple string manipulation, so a more flexible and context-sensitive generation method is required. This report discusses some of the possibilities for the sophisticated generation of system utterances in a dialogue system. The basic assumption is that this task is performed by a separate language generation module, which takes as its input a message specification produced by a dialogue planner and transforms this message into an expression in natural language. Part I of this report provides a general discussion of different methods for performing this task, and outlines some requirements on language generation systems that might be used for this purpose. Part II gives an overview of publicly available language generation systems, and discusses to what extent they meet the previously stated requirements.


Parkinson's disease has now evolved beyond what was considered to be a traditional motor disorder. It is being increasingly recognized that non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment, frank dementia, psychosis, depression, autonomic dysfunction and sleep disturbances are just as integral to the disease spectrum. The cholinergic system has been proposed to play a pivotal role in cognitive dysfunction. Based on interpretation of clinical studies in patients with Alzheimer's, cholinesterase inhibitors have also been studied for dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. Most of these include large and small placebo-controlled studies and several pilot studies have indicated that cholinesterase inhibitors have a favorable effect on cognition, psychiatric symptoms and global function in Parkinson's disease dementia. A large randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial showed that rivastigmine had moderate improvement in dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. The magnitude of effects in terms of scores for the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's disease assessment scale and Alzheimer's disease cooperative study-clinicians global impression of change were similar to those observed among patients with Alzheimer's disease who were treated with cholinesterase inhibitors. A transdermal patch which gradually releases rivastigmine over the application period is now available for use in mild to moderate dementia associated with Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.


Biomechanical properties of the coronary arteries were studied according to age and localization of the vascular segment. Experiments were conducted on the proximal and distal segments of the right coronary artery and the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery in 58 males who ranged in age from 15 to 83 years. Vascular segments prestretched in the longitudinal direction experience an inner pressure of 0 to 240 mm Hg. The main parameters of the mechanical properties of the coronary arteries were determined. Changes in these properties were most marked in the proximal part of the left coronary artery, the deformative capacity of its walls in the circumferential direction being diminished by the end of the fourth and the beginning of the fifth weeks. The right coronary artery experiences less changes than the left coronary artery.


Abstract. This article presents an application of photogrammetry and image processing for road sample analysis. The technique makes it possible to measure the void content of a sample and at the same time to analyse this physical characteristic as a function of the depth relative to the pavement surface. In a first part, the device dedicated and data acquired will be presented, then our algorithm (pore extraction and geometry processing) will be described and finally the results will be discussed, both on the quantitative aspect and on the transmission via a dedicated report.


ABSTRACT This research aims to identify and analyze the marketing strategy of McDoanald's Ring Road by using the SWOT analysis consisting of Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats as a strategy to improve the competitiveness of McDonald's Ring Road This research is a descriptive research using matrix analysis IFE (Internal Factor Evaluation), EFE (External Factor Evaluation), and the SWOT Matrix. To obtain the accurate data, the methods used are interviews (in-depth interviews), and test of methods triangulation. Several alternative strategies will be selected using QSP Matrix. The result of this research in that McDonald's Ring Road has strength, weakness, oppurnities, and threats in marketing activities. The result of QSP matrix analysis in that McDonald's Ring Road must use the first altenative strategy which making corporation with Coca-cola to interested the consumer of Coca-cola Keywords : Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats


Modern methods of neuroimaging are opening new windows to brain functions, among which the generation of mental images. Mental imagery consists of the reactivation of percept-like memory representations. This approach is unusual in human olfaction since the ability to create olfactory mental images is rare. Perfumers are a small population who have learned to form olfactory sensory representations through daily practice and extensive training.
To identify the neural correlates of odor representations and to evaluate the impact of long-term odor training on the brain regions involved in odor processing, we measured brain activity in perfumers while they smelled or imagined odors, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, we used voxel-based morphometry to compare the gray-matter volume in perfumers as well as in untrained control subjects to investigate expertise-related structural reorganization.
The functional data confirmed that similar neural substrates were activated in odor perception and imagination. More importantly the level of activity of specific olfactory and memory brain regions in perfumers was negatively correlated with experience during the creation of mental images of odors. In addition, the structural data showed that the gray-matter volume in several olfactory brain regions was positively correlated with experience in perfumers.
Thus, extensive olfactory training leads to the acquisition of acute olfactory knowledge, which is paralleled by both a functional and a structural reorganizations of olfactory brain areas.


Sea turtles are emerging as one of the most popular icons of the marine environment. Capitalising on their charismatic image, a remarkable variety of stake- holders, including scientists, conservationists, community-based organisations, corporations, and governments, have sought to utilise sea turtles as flThis paper focuses on the Wider Caribbean Region, emphasising small island developing states, and explores the ways, and appropriateness, of using sea turtles as flto motivate people to consider complex contemporary management and policy issues, including those associated with protected areas, fi sheries, multilateral conservation of shared species and seascapes, and tourism.


We compare data from three deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DSGSDs) where palaeoseismological techniques were applied in artificial trenches. At all trenches, located in metamorphic rocks of the Italian Alps, there is evidence of extensional deformation given by normal movements along slip planes dipping downhill or uphill, and/or fissures, as expected in gravitational failure. However, we document and illustrate – with the aid of trenching – evidence of reverse movements. The reverse slips occurred mostly along the same planes along which normal slip occurred, and they produced drag folds in unconsolidated Holocene sediments as well as the superimposition of substrate rocks on Holocene sediments. The studied trenches indicate that reverse slip might occur not only at the toe portions of DSGSDs but also in their central-upper portions. When the age relationships between the two deformation kinematics can be determined, they clearly indicate that reverse slips postdate normal ones. Our data suggest that, during the development of long-lived DSGSDs, inversion kinematics may occur in different sectors of the unstable rock mass. The inversion is interpreted as due either to locking of the frontal blocks of a DSGSD or to the relative decrease in the rate of downward movement in the frontal blocks with respect to the rear blocks.


Gas-phase and liquid-phase activation were compared for a suite of CoMo/Al2O3 catalysts with phosphoric acid (PA) and/or citric acid (CA) as additives. Gas-phase activation was carried out in 1 or 20 bar H2/H2S(10%), whereas liquid-phase activation comprised sulfidation in a model diesel feed, spiked with dimethyldisulfide and 20 bar H2. Full sulfidation of calcined precursors was difficult to achieve (type I), as shown by XPS and EXAFS. CA addition slowed the sulfidation of cobalt and molybdenum in 1 bar H2/H2S compared to a catalyst with no additives, but it substantially increased sulfidation rates in 20 bar H2/H2S. This can be attributed to reduced support interactions and enhanced reducibility of molybdenum. Liquid-phase sulfidation was initiated by a release of H2S at ~250 °C due to decomposition of the spiking agent dimethyldisulfide. The resulting active phase was composed of predominantly MoS2 single-layers, whereas stacked layers formed after gas-phase activation. Catalytic activity in thiophene and DBT HDS mainly depended on the number of promoted sites. Catalysts prepared with CA had the highest degree of promotion and were most active in thiophene and DBT HDS, whereas the catalyst with PA performed best in gas-oil HDS due to increased stability. Influence of sulfiding agent and pressure on structure and performance of CoMo/Al2O3 hydrodesulfurization catalysts Chapter 2


Geographically, Lassa virus (LASV), the causative agent of Lassa fever (LF), is endemic to the countries of West Africa. It is thought to infect up to half a million people annually (1), although it is hard to estimate because there has never been a uniform surveillance performed across the region.


The development of new catalytic materials and routes to replace environmentally unacceptable processes in the fine chemical industry is emerging due to stringent legislation. Replacement of currently applied alkali bases in liquid-phase aldol condensations can result in diminishing of waste water streams, less corrosion and catalyst re-use. The chosen candidate for this is the anionic clay hydrotalcite (HT), which shows promising results after activation. However, why a treated HT is catalytically active is still not well understood and research in this thesis is aimed at gaining more insight in and control of the activation of hydrotalcites and their catalytic performance in aldol condensation reactions at low temperatures, with special attention for the industrially important condensation reactions of citral and ketones.
X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES) at the Al and Mg K edge is applied to monitor changes in metal coordination during heat treatment (in situ) as well as after treatment (ex situ). Comparison of the results revealed that the Mg2+ and Al3+ coordinations change differently as a function of temperature. Special attention is given to the initial decomposition in the first activation step, a temperature-controlled heat treatment of HT, and the influence thereon of different types of interlayer anions. Combined with results from in situ techniques, it is shown that the nature of the interlayer anion largely influences the onset of the HT decomposition. Furthermore, the resulting structure after heat treatment was investigated with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The influence of the second activation step, i.e., rehydration of the heat-treated HT, on the structure and catalytic performance is also presented. The obtained results show that, besides incorporation of the required interlayer OH-, several structural changes occur, due to rehydration. Besides calcination/rehydration as activation method, ion exchange was applied to obtain the HT with interlayer Bronsted base sites. Activities were measured in the self-condensation of acetone and the differences in catalytic activity of the differently activated catalysts are discussed. Furthermore, the results of the application of activated HTs in citral-ketone condensations at low temperatures are presented. Besides this, an improved activation procedure is presented resulting in a doubling of the available basic sites and corresponding activity. In the final chapter, results from the previous chapters are briefly reviewed and discussed, as well as the implications thereof for future research.


Objective: To evaluate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and the fluid change in composition throughout the night.Methods: The study included 92 non-obese patients who underwent polysomnography because of suspected OSAS. Weight and body composition analyses were applied using a Tanita DC-360 multi-frequency body composition analysis device.Results: In the correlation analyses between apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) values and independent variables, a positive relationship was determined with extracellular fluid shift (r: 0.381, p = 0.009) and change in neck circumference (r: 0.226, p = 0.031), and there was a negative relationship between disease severity and an increase in the number of daily steps taken (r: 0.208, p = 0.047).Conclusion: The results of the study clearly showed that movement to the neck area of fluid accumulated in the lower extremities and an increase in extracellular fluid were related to AHI values independent of body mass index (BMI).


Volcanic gases observed at active volcanoes originate from the magma at depth. These volatiles exsolve as a result of decompression, crystallization and cooling of the silicate melt. The transport of metals in a magmatic volatile phase arises from complexation with the main volatile species, sulfur and halides. Composition of the magma, temperature, pressure and redox state have thus strong implications on metal mobility in these environments. Moreover, a variety of interactions and phase separations can affect these fluids after exsolution from the parental magma. This thesis aims at constraining the volatile transport of trace metals at White Island, a subduction-related magmatic-hydrothermal system, through a characterization and metal budget of the magmatic reservoir and the different atmospheric discharges.  The metal content of the reservoir, as well as the effects of degassing and magma mixing on the magma are explored through the study of ejecta from the 1976-2000 eruptive cycle. CO₂, SO₂ and H₂O are degassing from a mafic melt at ~ 5 km depth, regularly feeding a shallower and evolved reservoir at ~ 800 m. Average contents of 164 ppm of Cu, 73 ppm of Zn, 12 ppm of Pb and 0.4 ppm of Au and Ag were detected in melt inclusions. A fraction of these metals partition into the exsolving aqueous fluid. Onset of magnetite crystallization may trigger exsolution of sulphide melt, found to contain around 30 wt% of Cu, and as much as 36 wt% Ni, 21 wt% Ag, 0.10 wt% Au in small inclusions, representing a considerable source of metals available for an aqueous fluid phase upon resorption.  The volatile transport of metals is indicated by their enrichment in a variety of discharges at the surface. The hyperacidic waters of the crater lake absorb metals from the magmatic gases injected at subaqueous vents. Concentrations of ~ 12 ppm of As and Zn, 6 ppm of Cu and Pb were observed. Hydrolysis of the host rock by the reactive waters is responsible for the high cation contents of the fluids. Precipitation of secondary minerals such as silica, anhydrite, gypsum, sulfur and alunite occurs within and underneath the crater lake. The predicted speciation of metals greatly varies, dominated by CuI and FeII chloride complexes in the more reduced environment at the lake bottom, whereas CuII and FeIII are stable in the oxidized surficial waters. Arsenic is mainly present as As(OH)₃ at depth, with H₃AsO₄ dominating at the surface. Ag, Pb and Zn are complexed with chloride, and are not redox dependent. The presence of a body of molten sulfur at the bottom of the lake is indicated by sulfur spherules, both floating at the lake surface and in sediments. Pyrite crystals coat the surface of some globules, and chemical analyses reveal an enrichment in a variety of chalcophile metals (Tl, Sb, Bi, Au, As, Ag. Re, Cu).  The volcanic gases emitted at fumaroles are enriched in metals compared to the magma. The effective transport of Se, Te, Sb, B, Au, As, and Bi is indicated by enrichment factors larger than 1000. In contrast, Cu is relatively depleted, suggesting deposition in the subsurface environment. Variations in composition are observed with time, mainly depending on temperature and major composition of the emissions. Values > 100 ppb of Sb, Bi, Ni, Zn, As and Se, > 10 ppb of Te, Pb, and Cu, and up to 8 ppb of Tl were recorded. Chloride is predicted to be the main ligand responsible for metal transport, even at higher temperature. The lack of thermodynamic data for complex solvated metal clusters may nevertheless bias our results. The low temperature of the studied fumaroles (maximum 192.5 °C) is in accordance with the small abundance of sulfides in the sublimates, whereas the high proportion of sulfates indicates oxidized conditions.  The volcanic plume is enriched in metals such as Bi, Cd, Tl, Se, Te and Sb. The most common particles emitted are sulfates, halides, silicates, sulphuric acid and Zn ± Cu oxides. Metal emission rates are in the range of 1-10 kg/day for As, Se, Cu and Zn, 0.1-1 kg/day for Pb, Tl and Bi. Emissions of high-temperature magmatic gases are indicated by elevated SO₂/HCl ratio and the presence of Au in the particulate phase.  Mass balance calculations in White Island magmatic-hydrothermal system indicate a segregation of around 4900 tons of copper per year, either accumulated from a dense brine at ~ 500 m depth, or deposited by low-density vapors on their way to the surface. Metal-rich sulfide blebs trapped in phenocrysts may also retain Cu at depth. These results thus reinforce the belief that White Island is an actively forming porphyry copper deposit.


A multiple slices approach in ptychography, termed 3ePIE algorithm, solves the multiple scattering problems of thick samples, which is crucial to biomedical imaging and in situ studies. However, it is unclear how many slices need to be separated and what the distance is between each layer respectively, while these two parameters are sensitive and crucial to the recovery of thick samples. The traditional method is to separate the sample with the same interval for convenience and to test the number of sections for the best reconstructions, which is reasonable for continuous samples and has achieved great results. But this kind of segmentation approach may not be scientific enough for those discrete samples with an uneven spatial distribution. The two inaccurate parameters may yield the algorithm to diverge or generate artifacts, and the empty slices may decrease the reconstruction quality and increase computation time. In addition, repeatedly testing the number of slices is tedious work even for a continuous sample. To this end, a genetic algorithm-based 3ePIE approach, termed the GA-3ePIE method, is proposed to retrieve both the interval between each layer and the number of slices. The performance is verified by both simulations and experiments. The maximum number of sections that can be resolved is also investigated in numerical analysis, which is associated with the sampling and overlap rate in a spatial domain. Our method can be also promoted to image thick samples with coherent X-rays and in the electron regime. The limitations of our method are also discussed.


We describe a general pathway to prepare an anisotropic phase-separated polystyrene (PS) - poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) blend morphology by using electrically pre-orientated clay platelets. The clay platelets were oriented in a PS/PVME blend by means of an externally applied AC electric field while the blend is in one phase. Following orientation step, phase separation of the blends was induced by a temperature jump above their lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in the presence of the oriented clay platelets. In this process, an early stage co-continuous PS/PVME morphology coarsened and turned anisotropic phase-separated morphology parallel to the direction defined by clay planes oriented by AC electric field. The degree of anisotropy of PS/PVME phase-separated morphology was characterized by image analysis and that was found to be linearly proportional to the degree of orientation of clay platelets obtained by a 2D Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS). Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) image of the blend morphology revealed that clay platelets oriented to AC field direction were located in a PVME phase. The electrically ordered column structures of clay platelets in the PVME phase yielded anisotropic PS diffusion during the phase separation. This process provides a unique new way to develop directionally organized phase-separated morphology from partially miscible binary blends using nanoparticles in combination with an external electric field.


Silicon core fibers have, because of their non-linear optical properties and transmission in the IR, recently been the focus of several different research groups. At NTNU, a new method for production of silicon fibers has been suggested, using an alkaline oxide interface modifier between the core and the cladding in the silicon fibers. In this project, to measure the losses in these new silicon core optical fibers, a set-up is developed based on the scattering of light from the waveguide. The method is found to give accurate and reproducible results for wavegudies with high losses (> 1 dB/cm), where scattering is an important loss mechanism and losses are uniform. Compared to the more common cut-back method used for loss measurements, the scatter method is non-destructive and give additional information about the distribution of losses. Losses measured in the silicon fibers range from about 3 dB/cm to over 50 dB/cm. Charactarization by different methods suggest that surface scattering is an important loss mechanism in the new fibers. Polycrystallinity and impurities in may also be important contributors to the losses.


Networks-on-Chip: From Implementations to Programming Paradigms provides a thorough and bottom-up exploration of the whole NoC design space in a coherent and uniform fashion, from low-level router, buffer and topology implementations, to routing and flow control schemes, to co-optimizations of NoC and high-level programming paradigms. This textbook is intended for an advanced course on computer architecture, suitable for graduate students or senior undergrads who want to specialize in the area of computer architecture and Networks-on-Chip. It is also intended for practitioners in the industry in the area of microprocessor design, especially the many-core processor design with a network-on-chip. Graduates can learn many practical and theoretical lessons from this course, and also can be motivated to delve further into the ideas and designs proposed in this book. Industrial engineers can refer to this book tomake practical tradeoffs as well. Graduates and engineers who focus on off-chip network design can also refer to this book to achieve deadlock-free routing algorithm designs.Provides thorough and insightful exploration of NoC design space. Description from low-level logic implementations to co-optimizations of high-level program paradigms and NoCs.The coherent and uniform format offers readers a clear, quick and efficient exploration of NoC design spaceCovers many novel and exciting research ideas, which encourage researchers to further delve into these topics.Presents both engineering and theoretical contributions. The detailed description of the router, buffer and topology implementations, comparisons and analysis are of high engineering value.


Background Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disorder, the most common muscular dystrophy in children. It presents in early childhood and become fatal in the 2nd decade, mostly because of respiratory involvement and approximate 10% of cases because of cardiac failure. Cardiac changes become present after first decade. It leads to dilated cardiomiopathy, congestive cardiac failure, arrhythmias and finally cardiac death. Main ECG changes are sinus tachycardia, short PR interval, right ventricular hypertrophy, prolonged QTc, ST depression and rarely may be associated with WPW syndrome. Aim Study the ECG findings in DMD patients. Methods We analysed a total of 22 male patients admitted in'Dr. Victor Gomoiu' Children's Clinical Hospital in paediatric cardiology department. The diagnostic of DMD was established using clinical and biochemical criteria and confirmed by genetic test. All patients were under corticotherapy. Patients underwent 12 lead ECG, 24 hour ECG holter, in order to detect ECG changes. It was noted the HR, R waves, R/S ratio, PR interval. Q waves, QT interval, ST segment, T waves. The parameters were measured manually and compared with standard age matched normal values. Results The characteristic of the study were: the mean age was 11 years; the mean weight of patients was 38.3 kg, 32% of them were wheelchair bounded. Tall R waves with R/S ratio more than 1 were present in 54% of all patients, RR` patter was found in 32%, QTc at higher limit was found of 40%. Conclusions Electrocardiographical changes are common in DMD patients, revealing early cardiac involvement. In order to delay cardiac changes, further studies (such as strain and cardiac RM) need to be done in order to sustain cardiac function in normal limits as long as possible.


For well over a decade, Almex USA Inc. has been supplying hard alloy casting technology to the aluminum industry. Today, customers on five continents produce 2000 and 7000 series aluminum billets using this technology in sizes ranging from 75mm through to 1080mm in diameter. In order to produce such a range of sizes in hard to cast alloys and to aerospace standards, Almex has imparted complete casthouse process understanding and know-how, along with equipment supply to its customers. This paper provides an overview of Almex's hard alloy casthouse technology and describes some of the critical parameters which must be controlled throughout the process route in order to produce defect free alloys for forging, extrusion and flat rolled applications. Explanation is also made of the microstructural requirements of the as cast product and how these influence the final product; along with the range of quality control solutions supplied by Almex to ensure these requirements are met on a continuous and repeatable basis by Almex's technology users.


The diurnal cycle of solar radiation represents the strongest energetic forcing and dominates the exchange of heat and mass of the land surface with the atmosphere. This diurnal heat redistribution represents a core of land–atmosphere coupling that should be accurately represented in land surface models (LSMs), which are critical parts of weather and climate models. We employ a diagnostic model evaluation approach using a signature-based metric that describes the diurnal variation of heat fluxes. The metric is obtained by decomposing the diurnal variation of surface heat fluxes into their direct response and the phase lag to incoming solar radiation. We employ the output of 13 different LSMs driven with meteorological forcing of 20 FLUXNET sites (PLUMBER dataset). All LSMs show a poor representation of the evaporative fraction and thus the diurnal magnitude of the sensible and latent heat flux under cloud-free conditions. In addition, we find that the diurnal phase of both heat fluxes is poorly represented. The best performing model only reproduces 33% of the evaluated evaporative conditions across the sites. The poor performance of the diurnal cycle of turbulent heat exchange appears to be linked to how models solve for the surface energy balance and redistribute heat into the subsurface. We conclude that a systematic evaluation of diurnal signatures is likely to help to improve the simulated diurnal cycle, better represent land–atmosphere interactions, and therefore improve simulations of the near-surface climate.


ABSTRACT. Species distribution patterns result from the combination of multiple factors acting over different spatial and temporal scales. We analyze the distribution patterns of anuran amphibians within the Cerrado domain of South America in a historical framework. First, we provide an updated list of species based on extensive research in zoological collections and fieldwork. We then explore patterns of endemism and the distribution of species occurring both in Cerrado and each of the adjoining domains, providing directions for future hypotheses tests. We found 209 anuran species occurring in localities within Cerrado. Among them, 150 are primarily associated with Cerrado, and 59 are typical of one of the Cerrado adjoining domains. Widespread species account for only 14% of the Cerrado typical species. Species occurring in Cerrado and one adjoining domain present a highly structured spatial pattern in which Amazonian species are restricted to the northwestern Cerrado, Atlantic species to the southeastern Cerrado, Caatinga species to the northeastern Cerrado, and Chaco species to the southwestern Cerrado. Cerrado endemics occur in most localities and in all regions, whereas narrow endemics (< 60,000 km2) are restricted to mountain ranges in central, southeastern, and southwestern Cerrado. The limited distribution of species shared with one of the four adjoining domains highlights the influence of independent species pools more associated with other domains.


Food price shocks can have substantial welfare implications, particularly in the world's low income regions. A number of previous studies has shown that the United States ethanol mandate has increased average corn price levels. We provide suggestive evidence that the mandate has also increased corn price volatility. Identification relies upon a series of falsification tests. Our results suggest that the ethanol mandate has increased the likelihood of very high price levels by even more than previously thought.


Traditional approaches to Information System (IS) development have concentrated upon a production view of quality associated with a controlled development process and metrics that monitor attributes such as software usability, the number of software errors, and developer productivity. IS quality is also concerned with a use view of quality-how those software artefacts are used within an organisational context, recognising the need for a never-ending learning cycle based on experience of the product in use. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is proposed as a framework for considering a relevant notion of IS use quality, enabling discussion to take place about the quality requirements of a technical artefact within the context of an organizational setting. Using the rigour of systemic thinking as a basis, criteria for the assessment of IS quality, labelled the 5Es (efficacy, efficiency, elegance, effectiveness and ethicality), are introduced as a way of identifying the aspects of IS quality that are of concern. A modified form of SSM that incorporates stakeholder analysis and an emphasis on the cultural aspects of quality is proposed for the definition of a relevant (in-context) notion of IS quality.


Measles virus (MV), a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the family Paramyxoviridae, is an enveloped virus with a non-segmented, negative-strand RNA genome. It has two envelope glycoproteins, the haemagglutinin (H) and fusion proteins, which are responsible for attachment and membrane fusion, respectively. Human signalling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM; also called CD150), a membrane glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily, acts as a cellular receptor for MV. SLAM is expressed on immature thymocytes, activated lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells and regulates production of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 by CD4+ T cells, as well as production of IL-12, tumour necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide by macrophages. The distribution of SLAM is in accord with the lymphotropism and immunosuppressive nature of MV. Canine distemper virus and Rinderpest virus, other members of the genus Morbillivirus, also use canine and bovine SLAM as receptors, respectively. Laboratory-adapted MV strains may use the ubiquitously expressed CD46, a complement-regulatory molecule, as an alternative receptor through amino acid substitutions in the H protein. Furthermore, MV can infect SLAM- cells, albeit inefficiently, via the SLAM- and CD46-independent pathway, which may account for MV infection of epithelial, endothelial and neuronal cells in vivo. MV infection, however, is not determined entirely by the H protein-receptor interaction, and other MV proteins can also contribute to its efficient growth by facilitating virus replication at post-entry steps. Identification of SLAM as the principal receptor for MV has provided us with an important clue for better understanding of MV tropism and pathogenesis.


Engine pistons are working components subjected to very high wear actions, mechanical and thermal stresses; moreover they can suffer damages due to pinking. Many solutions have been proposed, but there is still a large margin of improvement and strong efforts are made for improving performances and service life, taking into account for the requirements of fuel composition and of environment. Advantages can be obtained by the utilization of thermal spray coatings as protection against corrosion and pinking damages; on this matter the evolution of thermal spray processes and techniques offers suitable means. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the possibility to coat with NiCr alloys or with austenitic stainless steel (AISI 316L) the surface of engine pistons made by Al alloys. Coating layers, with thickness in the range of 200 ÷400 µm, have been sprayed, using Plasma Spray processes, on samples for metallographic investigation end test and on pistons directly. Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy analyses were carried out on the cross sections to examine the microstructural features, while the hardness properties have been evaluated by means of both surface and cross-sectional measurements. Bend test is in progress to get information about the coating strain as well as about adhesion of the coating to the substrate. Finally the tested coatings have been applied directly on pistons and these are being tested on the test bench, evaluating the improvement of the service life.


Cotton breeding research was initiated at the University of Arkansas (UA) in early 1900's. Early work focused on evaluating cultivars and on making plant selections out of established cultivars. J.O. Ware who began breeding cotton in the early 1920's studied the genetics and interrelationships of several cotton traits, and released several cultivars. In 1935, he became Senior Agronomist at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Beltsville, MD, then returned to UA in 1950. Several breeders followed Ware at UA. L.M. Humphrey and Ware were responsible for a series of Rowden cultivars. From 1948 until 1986, UA maintained two cotton breeding programs, one on the main campus and the other at the Cotton Branch Station, Marianna, AR. The Marianna program, directed by C.A. Moosberg (1948-1972) and C.W. Smith (1974-1986), was responsible for the release of several Rex cultivars, two stripper cultivars, and Arkot 518. Based on the main campus, B.A. Waddle (1951-1986) continued some of Ware work, and focused on early maturity, seedling vigor, host plant resistance (including the Frego bract trait), and naked and tufted seed. J.McD. Stewart filled the position held by Waddle from 1986 until his death in 2012. His work primarily focused on germplasm exploration and introgression, and cotton biotechnology. In 1988, the two traditional breeding programs were merged into one campus-based program. The program was subsequently moved to the Northeast Research and Extension Center, Keiser, AR, in 1997. F.M. Bourland has led the program since 1988, and has been responsible for almost 100 germplasm and cultivar releases and has established methods for evaluating and selecting several cotton traits. The cotton breeding program at UA continues to develop well-adapted lines and concepts that promote profitable cotton production in Arkansas.


Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is anabolic for chondrocytes and is thought to be important in regulating such normal cartilaginous tissues as the epiphyseal growth plate. In the present studies, we have investigated the role of IGF-I in the regulation of neoplastic cartilage. Chondrocytes cultured from a transplantable rat chondrosarcoma were analyzed for responsiveness to IGF-I with respect to DNA and glycosaminoglycan synthesis as determined by labeling with radioactive thymidine and sulfate, respectively. Stimulation of [3H]thymidine and [35S]sulfate incorporation by IGF-I was two to four times that in serum-free controls, with half-maximal stimulation at 1 x 10(-9) M. The efficacy of IGF-I was approximately one-half of that of serum in stimulating [3H]thymidine incorporation and was comparable to that of serum for [35S]sulfate incorporation. When Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes were cultured in the presence of IGF-I and exposed to graded concentrations of anti-IGF-I antibody, [3H]thymidine incorporation and [35S]sulfate incorporation were attenuated in a dose-dependent fashion to 29 and 25% of antibody-free controls, respectively. Nonspecific antibody not raised against IGF-I was not inhibitory. These observations suggest that the majority of IGF-I action on these cells is susceptible to immunoinhibition. To estimate the contribution of IGF-I to the regulation of these cells by serum, Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes were cultured with graded concentrations of either calf serum or fetal calf serum in the presence of anti-IGF-I antibody, nonspecific antibody, or no other additives. Specific antibody attenuated the effect of calf serum on both [3H]thymidine and [35S]sulfate incorporation with overall inhibition of 52% (P < 0.01) and 48% (P < 0.001), respectively. Nonspecific antibody super-imposed small, variably stimulatory or inhibitory effects on those of calf serum. When chondrosarcoma chondrocytes were incubated with fetal calf serum, anti-IGF-I antibody exerted a minimal inhibitory effect, reducing both [3H]thymidine and [35S]sulfate incorporation by less than 25%. The immunoinhibition of both pre- and postnatal serum could be overcome in a dose-dependent fashion by increasing serum concentrations. These results suggest that the factors influencing Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes may be developmentally regulated and that the contribution of IGF-I to the action of serum increases between fetal and post-natal life. These data support the hypothesis that chondrosarcoma is a somatomedin-responsive neoplasm and suggest that this tumor may be susceptible to interventions directed toward mechanisms that block insulin-like growth factor action.


Purpose
This paper aims to show how the proposed approach (two analytic hierarchy process [AHP] models) may allow dealing with the best tender selection process in an organic and simple way and ensure the consistency check of the judgements, the necessary step for having reliable results. At first, this paper highlights some critical issues regarding the weighted sum model (WSM) and the algorithms frequently used to evaluate the most economic advantageous tender. Then, it proposes to extend the AHP approach to the evaluation of both the qualitative and quantitative components of a public procurement award. Finally, the WSM and the AHP are applied to the same case study to show, step by step, some criticisms of the former and some advantages of the latter.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes to apply two AHP models to evaluate both qualitative and quantitative components of a public tender. The quality and cost models allow to identify and select the tender associated with the highest quality/cost ratio.

Findings
The assessment of the WSM and the AHP models, and some differences between them, build upon their application as an example of public procurement. A case study is used as a teaching device (Yin, 2003) to highlight why the AHP may provide different results. In particular, an important issue concerning the evaluation of qualitative requirements is explored: the consistency of judgements expressed by the committee members.

Social implications
This approach provides analytical tools for public management that allow appropriate implementation of their management function and allow a realisation of the strategic objectives of European Union law and Italian legislation on public procurement. It would help managers to prioritise their goals and criteria and evaluate them in a scientific way. The model integrates multiple qualitative and quantitative criteria, simplifies the selection process, achieves optimal use of funds and leads to cost savings. It allows to reduce the discretional power of both the contracting issuer, in the choice of the formula to adopt for calculating the coefficients, and the committee members, allowing tender evaluation to have more trust and ensure the fairness of public procurement matters and quality of the object purchased.

Originality/value
This paper proposes the use of two hierarchical models to evaluate qualitative and quantitative requirements and provide the ranking among several tenders.


The action of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA) in vitro in a wide range of concentration from 10(-3) mol/l down to ultra-low doses 10(-23) mol/l and dilution 10(-24) mol/l on the microsome membranes isolated from tumor--Ehrlich ascite carcinoma (EAC) has been studied by ESR-method using two spin probes: 5- and 16-doxyl stearates (5- and 16-DS) localized in the different regions of lipid bilayer. From the ESR spectra obtained it was calculated the following parameters: an order of the long axis 5-DS (S) related to order of the fatty acids chains in the lipid bilayer; two rotation correlation times (Tc1 and Tc2) of 16-DC to estimate a microviscosity value and structural-sensitive ones. It was found the stage changes of all these parameters (increase and decrease) as compared with control level (the membranes untreated by TPA) depending on TPA concentration into the range of 10(-3)-10(-24) mol/l; in particular, the most significant shape changes of structural-sensitive parameters have been observed at TPA doses below 10(-16) mol/l. It is concluded that tumor membranes are very sensitive to TPA action in vitro in a wide range of concentration included ultra-low doses.


Monitored resonators can evade back-action from shot noise in the detection laser [Also see Report by Suh et al.] Heisenberg's uncertainty principle demands that a very precise measurement of a particle's position x not only will increase the uncertainty in a measurement of its momentum p, but also affects any additional measurement of x because the high momentum uncertainty affects the spreading of the particle's wave function. However, it is possible to avoid this problem by cleverly choosing what to measure. A measurement variable can be constructed so that the inevitable increases in uncertainties in other quantities will have no influence on the outcome of its repeated measurement. Such "quantum nondemolition" (QND) measurements can be used to detect the turning on of an arbitrarily small force. A specific QND method, referred to as back-action evading (BAE), was conceived in the context of detecting gravitational waves by their effect on large test masses or on the freely suspended mirrors of interferometers (1–3). This technically demanding method was originally based on optomechanical systems, and on page 1262 of this issue, Suh et al. (4) now report an implementation of BAE using microwaves in a superconducting resonator circuit with a movable capacitor plate.


Worker welfare and employment conditions in the agri-food producing and processing sectors in the global south have become an increasing concern for consumers. Sustainability standards, such as Fairtrade, play an important role in agri-food markets of horticultural produce and may be a tool to address these concerns. However, so far the implications of Fairtrade certification for extrinsic and intrinsic employment factors of hired labor on large-scale plantations remain hardly understood. In this paper we assess its effect on workers' hourly wages and their level of job satisfaction with primary survey data from 325 randomly sampled workers from eight different export-oriented pineapple companies in Ghana. We apply a linear, linear mixed model and instrumental variable approach to take into account the multilevel characteristics of our data and possible selection bias. Our findings show that both hourly wages and job satisfaction are indeed higher on Fairtrade certified plantations. Factors of increased job satisfaction are likely driven by higher wages, permanent employment contracts, training opportunities, company services such as medical care and paid leave as well as established labor unions on Fairtrade certified plantations.


Traditionally, transit market research has categorized passengers into two distinct groups: captive riders and choice riders. Market analyses that depend on such broad categories are likely to overlook important details about the needs and desires of their customer base. This study attempts to better understand the complexities of the different groups who take transit by using information from five years of customer satisfaction questionnaires collected by two Canadian transit providers. Employing a series of clustering techniques, the analysis reveals that nine market segments are present across different modes in both transit agencies. Three different overarching groups of transit users are identified based on income and vehicle access: choice users (~69%), captive users (~18%), and captive-by-choice users (~13%). The groups are consistent across transit modes and in different geographical regions and are generalizable enough to be widely applicable as a conceptual framework for segmenting and understanding public transit users.


Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. About 83% of the cases occur in developing countries, representing 15% of female cancers. Cervical cancer ranks as the most frequent cancer among women in Tanzania, and the most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age with age specific incidence rate of 34 per 100,000. Majority of patients present to hospital with advanced disease with dismal survival rate. Carcinoma of the cervix is a preventable disease; its prevention, among other ways, is through screening and detection of premalignant stages of the disease and treatment. Screening test for cervical precancerous and cancerous lesions using visual inspection aided by acetic acid has been a suitable lowcost and a feasible alternative modality for control of cervical cancer in resource poor settings as compared to cytological and colposcopic screening in resource rich settings. Detection of the premalignant lesions however requires knowledge of the disease so that people can be aware and positive towards screening. the broad objective of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude, practice and the perceived barriers towards screening for premalignant cervical lesions among women aged 18 and above years in Songea urban, Ruvuma region. A cross sectional study was conducted in Songea from 9th to 30th September, 2010. Four wards were chosen to be studied. The chosen wards were Lizaboni, Mjini, Bombambili and Majengo. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to gather information. Door to door interviewing of respondent meeting the criteria was done. Obtained information was summarized into SPSS data base. Data was cleaned and analyzed by SPSS version 16 for windows. Chi-square tests were used to find out the significant differences between variables. Generally the knowledge was poor, attitude was positive to majority of respondents but again practice was found to be very poor. The results showed that 243(78.6%) had poor knowledge, 61(19.7%) had satisfactory knowledge and only 5(1.6%) had good knowledge. Overall 172(55.7%) of the respondents were positive about cervical cancer and screening for premalignant cervical lesion. Among 309 respondents, 14.2% only have ever been screened. The study has shown that there is a lack of knowledge on cervical cancer and
screening for premalignant cervical lesion. There is also poor utilization of screening services available at the study area. The reason for poor practice among others was lack of knowledge and information. There is a need to promote cervical cancer screening among women by informing them on their susceptibility to cervical cancer and encouraging a belief that active and regular screening can detect cervical cancer at the pre-cancerous stage, hence enabling the early treatment and prevention of cancer development. There is also a need for provision of affordable screening services all over the country to enable women, after being motivated, to go for screening.


There is scarce research into management accounting practices (MAPs) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the current literature. This study aims to explore the implementation of MAPs in SMEs and the relationship between MAPs implementation and performance. A questionnaire survey was conducted among Malaysian SMEs which yields 160 usable responses. The study demonstrates that the level of adoption of MAPs differs from traditional to more sophisticated approach. Costing system and performance measurement system appear to be a common MAPs used in SMEs regardless of the firms' size. Therefore the results suggest that the sophisticated MAPs are expected to be utilized by larger enterprise which is in line with the theoretical arguments of the effect of size in the adoption of MAPs. The findings also show that certain MAPs have significant relationships with performance. This study provides additional empirical evidences on the implementation of MAPs in SMEs and their relationships with performance.


The Supreme Court has held that life without parole is an unconstitutional sentence for nearly all juvenile defendants—except for a select few that the criminal justice system deems irredeemable. Though this represents a positive development in the Court's juvenile sentencing jurisprudence, it has left the case law deeply unsettled. For instance, the Court has held that redeemable juveniles are all entitled to a "meaningful opportunity to obtain release," but it has failed to explicitly define what that constitutional mandate means in practice. On top of that, the Court has concluded that not even expert psychologists can determine at sentencing whether a juvenile is irredeemable. However, lower courts may still sentence certain juvenile homicide defendants to life without parole if they can somehow make that determination.

This Comment addresses questions left unanswered in the wake of the Court's recent juvenile sentencing cases. Because the Court has held that conclusively determining whether a juvenile defendant is irredeemable at sentencing is a fraught endeavor, and that a meaningful opportunity to obtain release means more than simply a release immediately before a defendant's specific life expectancy, this Comment argues that the Eighth Amendment provides a constitutional right to a timely parole hearing with the presumption of release for all juvenile defendants. The ultimate focus of this Comment is to address the question that instituting a constitutional right to a parole hearing for juvenile defendants will inevitably pose: When must that parole hearing occur? Drawing on state legislative enactments, available parole data, and the Court's analysis in its prior decisions, this Comment argues that juvenile defendants have a constitutional right to a parole hearing before the twenty-sixth year of their respective sentences.


The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 24 January 2013 and is due to have its second reading debate on 5 February 2013. It would introduce civil marriage for same sex couples, and enable religious organisations to opt in to conduct same sex marriages if they wish to do so. The Bill includes provisions intended to protect religious organisations and individuals from being forced to conduct same sex marriages. The proposals have proved highly controversial with interested parties expressing strong opinions both for and against same sex marriage. The Bill would also enable civil partners to convert their partnership to a marriage and would enable married transsexual people to gain legal recognition in their acquired gender without having to end their marriage.


The aim of this research project is to develop headlight screen design guidelines to provide road designers with a consistent approach to implementing screens into road design.

Literature has been examined including past and current road design principles that may have influence over where headlight screens should be implemented. The available literature based on road design was found not to be adequate to comprehensively develop a set of guidelines and therefore the current design principles have been analysed to determine if there is a standard method that could be adopted, including assessment of carriageway separation and
horizontal curvature, to identify set locations for screening.

The carriageway separation analysis involved the conversion of the headlight beam pattern into trigonometric calculations for varying separation widths. This enabled sample glare impairment times and distances to be determined
demonstrating the assumed risk to drivers of oncoming vehicles. It was determined that carriageway separation of greater than 10.4 metres should be sufficient to counteract the effect of headlight glare from oncoming vehicles, and
for separations less than this width, the installation of headlight screens may demonstrate a reduction of time a driver could be affected by glare.

Assessment of the horizontal curvature included varying curve radii and lengths and analysis based on four common vehicle operating speeds. The results have been reported in the time that a vehicle spends on each curve, and it was
found that when two vehicles are approaching each other this calculated time is considered negligible where headlight screening might be contemplated.

Following this analysis, it has been found that additional risk factors must also be incorporated into the assessment to ensure all site specific factors are considered. The factors that a road authority may have influence over and
therefore further analysis undertaken include; lane widths, delineation such as line marking and guidepost positions, sign reflection, wildlife crossings, road lighting and catering for traffic volumes.

In this regard, further work will be required to enable sufficient completion of the headlight screen design guidelines to ensure road designers are aware of all relevant factors to consider.


Reaction between nanometer γ-Al2O3 and H3PO4 to form AlPO4 by hydro-thermal method was studied. The microstructure of the reaction product was examined by SEM (scanning electronic microscope). The phase transformation of AlPO4 was investigated by DSC (differential scanning calorimeter) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction). The relative dielectric constant and dielectric dissipation factor of different kinds of aluminum phosphates were measured. Results of the study led to the optimal parameter of the reaction and showed that aluminum phosphate is a good matrix to make functional ceramic-matrix composites.


The upper respiratory tract is one of the most important biotopes in the human body. Therefore, in order to understand the cause-effect relationships between the microbial world and the pathological state of a person, it is crucial to clarify the relationship of the microbes-associates.The study involved 74 women with reproductive disorders. The main group – women with chronic endometritis (n = 47). The diagnosis of chronic endometritis was revealed on the basis of morphological signs of histological examination of aspirates from the uterine cavity. The comparison group consisted of 27 women, in whom the chronic endometritis was not confirmed. When applying, women complained more often of infertility and (or) miscarriage. Of the accompanying extragenital diseases, chronic tonsillitis in women of the studied groups was most often diagnosed. Therefore, it was important to give a microbiological description of the nasopharyngeal biotope of these women, as one of the factors that influences the reserves of confrontation of the reproductive function of the body to infections. Nasopharyngeal microbiocenosis of women with chronic endometritis was characterized by deficiency of the indigenous microbiota and a permanent presence in the microbiocenosis of the absolute pathogen (S. aureus) and transient species (enterococci, CNS). Between the representatives of normoflora antagonistic relations were established. The obtained results indicate violations in the nasopharyngeal biotope of these women, which can cause immunodeficiency and, as a consequence, the development and flow of chronic endometritis.


Introduction: Stroke and other cerebrovascular events (CVE) are feared complications of pregnancy. Prior studies have reported an increased risk of CVE during the postpartum period, but these studies have not reported event rates after hospital discharge for labor and delivery.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the California State Inpatient and Emergency Department administrative databases to identify all pregnant women who went into labor at a non-federal, acute-care hospital from 2005 through 2011 and who were discharged without an ICD-9-CM diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease. The primary outcome was a CVE composite defined as any ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage, cerebral sinus thrombosis, pituitary apoplexy, cerebral artery dissection, or hypertensive encephalopathy, occurring after hospital discharge and prior to 6 weeks after admission for labor and delivery. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the incidence of postpartum CVE after hospital discharge and multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between several a priori selected clinical factors and postpartum CVE.

Results: A total of 2,065,330 patients were included in this analysis. The rate of any CVE was 9.97 per 100,000 patients (95% CI 8.61-11.3). The mortality rate in patients with CVE was 7.8% (95% CI 4.1-11%). The mean age of patients with a CVE was 31.0 years as compared to 28.3 years in patients without a CVE (p<0.001). Risk factors for any CVE were eclampsia (OR 19.9, 95% CI 6.43-61.4), chronic kidney disease (OR 3.88, 95% CI 1.02-14.8), black race (OR 3.19, 95% CI 2.26-4.50), preeclampsia (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.99-3.59), and age (OR 1.07 per year, 95% CI 1.05-1.09).

Conclusion: The incidence of postpartum CVE after hospital discharge for labor and delivery is similar to rates reported for all postpartum events in prior publications. This suggests that a substantial proportion of postpartum cerebrovascular complications occur after hospital discharge. Therefore, clinicians should be aware that postpartum women remain at risk for stroke even if they have been discharged from their initial labor and delivery hospitalization without complication.


Background: Some studies published in recent time revealed that many bacteria from Enterobacteriaceae group are multi-antibiotic-resistant because of the production enzymes carbapenemase particularly New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase encoded by gene called blaNDM-1. Looking at public health importance of this issue there is a need for studies at other centers to confirm or refute published findings. Objectives: This study was designed with the aim of exploring antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae group of bacteria and also to explore gene and enzyme responsible for it. Materials and Methods: Samples of Enterobacteriaceae were collected from wards and outpatient departments. Antibiotic sensitivity was checked by an automated system (VITEK 2 COMPACT). Carbapenemase production was assessed by Modified Hodge Test. Presence of blaNDM-1 was assessed by polymerase chain reaction. Statistics: Frequency and percentage were used to describe the data. Frequency of sensitivity was compared between carbapenemase producers and noncarbapenemase producers by Fisher′s exact test. Results: Forty-seven percent bacteria were found to be producing carbapenemase enzyme. These bacteria were significantly less sensitive to cefoperazone, cefepime, and amikacin. Among carbapenemase-producing organisms, 3% and 6% were resistant to tigecycline and colistin, respectively. Forty percent bacteria were found to be having blaNDM-1 gene. There was a significant difference between blaNDM-1-positive and blaNDM-1-negative for sensitivity toward cefoperazone + sulbactam, imipenem, meropenem, amikacin, tobramycine, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin. Conclusion: Presence of carbapenemase enzyme and blaNDM-1 gene is associated with high level of resistance in Enterobacteriaceae group of bacteria and only few antibiotics have good sensitivity for these organisms.


The dwindling drug pipeline is driving increased interest in the use of genome datasets to inform drug treatment. In particular, networks based on transcript data and protein-protein interactions have been used to design therapies that employ drug combinations. But there has been less focus on employing human genetic interaction networks constructed from copy number alterations (CNAs). These networks can be charted with sensitivity and precision by seeking gene pairs that tend to be amplified and/or deleted in tandem, even when they are located at a distance on the genome. Our experience with radiation hybrid (RH) panels, a library of cell clones that have been used for genetic mapping, have shown this tool can pinpoint statistically significant patterns of co-inherited gene pairs. In fact, we were able to identify gene pairs specifically associated with the mechanism of cell survival at single gene resolution. The strategy of seeking correlated CNAs can also be used to map survival networks for cancer. Although the cancer networks have lower resolution, the RH network can be leveraged to provide single gene specificity in the tumor networks. In a survival network for glioblastoma possessing single gene resolution, we found that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) oncogene interacted with 46 genes. Of these genes, ten (22%) happened to be targets for existing drugs. Here, we briefly review the previous use of molecular networks to design novel therapies. We then highlight the potential of using correlated CNAs to guide combinatorial drug treatment in common medical conditions. We focus on therapeutic opportunities in cancer, but also offer examples from autoimmune disorders and atherosclerosis.


OBJECTIVES
To study the outcomes of elderly patients in a high-dependency care unit and to evaluate the costs and benefits of a geriatric high-dependency unit (GHDU).

DESIGN
Prospective data collection and analysis.

SETTING
Geriatric high-dependency unit.

PATIENTS
One hundred fifty patients > or =70 yrs of age who had been admitted to the GHDU over a 10-month period were investigated during their treatment and rehabilitation.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS
The patients' Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores and Simplified Acute Physiology Scores (SAPS) were recorded. The APACHE II scores and SAPSs provided a close correlation with the patients' mortality (correlation coefficients were 0.97 and 0.92, respectively). The SAPS proved to have a better linear relationship with the elderly patients' mortality in comparison with APACHE II scores. Most of the elderly patients included in the study were suffering from multiple premorbid medical problems. Overall, the mortality rate up to 1 month after discharge from the hospital was 48%. For patients ranging in age from 70 to 84 yrs, the 1-month mortality was 39.6%; however, for patients > or =85 yrs of age, the 1-month mortality was 68.1%. The mortality ratio was 0.96 (for all patients), 0.88 (for those ages 70-84 yrs), and 1.05 (for those age 85 yrs and above). For patients with nil organ system failure, the mortality rate was 32%. For patients with one organ system failure, the mortality increased to 48%. For patients with two organ system failures, the mortality rate was 86%. Survival for patients with three or more organ system failures was unprecedented. Survivors and nonsurvivors were compared. Three poor-prognosis groups were identified: group 1, patients who had received preadmission cardiopulmonary resuscitation; group 2, patients with a recent history of malignant diseases; and group 3, patients who had been mechanically ventilated. All three groups had a significantly higher mortality than those without these factors (p<.05). Patients in the 85 yrs and above group had a significantly higher mortality rate than those in the 70- to 84-yr age group (p<.05). Patients with SAPS and APACHE II scores >20 and >30, respectively, had a poor prognosis. The geriatric outcome scoring system (GOSS) was used as the functional outcome test for the survivors. The GOSS has three components: activities of daily living, mobility status, and social condition. At 1 month after discharge, 66.7% of the survivors returned to their premorbid activities of daily living abilities, 79.5% maintained their mobility status, and 91.7% remained at the same social environment. No survivors deteriorated more than one grade in any of the three components measured by the GOSS. The severity-of-illness scores, percentage of mechanical ventilation utilization, mortality rate, length of GHDU stay, and total hospital stay were comparable with those of other intensive care units (ICUs). The cost of 1 GHDU bed-day was equivalent to 24% of 1 ICU bed-day.

CONCLUSION
The prognostic information that we gathered from an unselected group of critically ill elderly patients is useful. The GHDU achieved treatment results similar to those achieved by an ICU and is therefore seen as an innovative way of treating critically ill elderly patients. High-dependency care for the elderly patient is worthwhile.


1. The administration of D-galactosamine leads to inhibition of protein and glycoprotein secretion by rat liver. To test the secretory function, the secretion times for galactoseand fucose-containing glycoproteins were determined; they were lengthened from 6 to 9min and from 8 to 13min respectively. 2. The Golgi apparatus was enriched 100-120fold relative to the homogenate. A new linked-assay system for the marker enzyme, UDP-galactose-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine galactosyltransferase, is presented. The activity of the enzyme was measured spectrophotometrically by following the formation of UDP coupled to nicotinamide nucleotide reduction. The Michaelis constants were calculated to be 0.11mm for UDP-galactose with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine as exogenous acceptor and 19mm for N-acetyl-D-glucosamine itself. 3. The physiological substrate of the galactosyltransferase, UDP-galactose, can be replaced by UDP-galactosamine, which accumulates after D-galactosamine administration. Under conditions in vitro the rate of D-galactosamine transfer to an endogenous acceptor protein of the Golgi fraction reaches 9% of that with n-galactose; this finding is noteworthy, because normally a non-acetylated amino sugar does not occur in glycoproteins. 4. The albumin content of the Golgi-rich fraction was diminished to 55% of the reference value 6h after the injection of 375mg of D-galactosamine hydrochloride/kg body wt. The transfer of D-[1-14C]galactose to an endogenous acceptor protein fell to 60% compared with Golgirich fractions from untreated animals. Analysis of the Golgi-rich fraction by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis showed a decrease or loss of several protein bands. 5. Protein synthesis can be restored by up to 80% if the UTP pool, decreased after D-galactosamine administration, is filled up by several injections of uridine. 6. From the results presented it can be concluded that the disturbed secretion of proteins and glycoproteins was due to a cumulative effect of galactosamine by: (a) inhibition of protein synthesis leading to a diminution of the endogenous acceptor pool of the galactosyltransferase; (b) inhibition of the galactosyltransferase activity by galactosamine metabolites and (c) replacement of UDP-galactose by UDP-galactosamine.


Glutaraldehyde is chosen as a novel non-formaldehyde durable press finish for cotton fabrics in this investigation. The optimum technique conditions and influences of glutaraldehyde concentration and catalysts, pH value, and curing conditions for the properties of the finished fabric have been investigated in detail. The finished fabric achieves the best performance with a pH value in the range of 4 to 4.5 for the glutaraldehyde finishing bath, magnesium chloride as the catalyst, and curing conditions of 160oC for 3 minutes. In addition, in contrast to low formaldehyde resin and non-formaldehyde finishers sold in the market, the wrinkle recovery angle of the fabric finished with glutaraldehyde is better than that finished with FREEREZ NFR (DHDMI), but not as satisfactory as that finished with FREEREZ 880 (low formaldehyde 2D). However, its strength is greater than the fabric finished with FREEREZ 880, but less so than that finished with FREEREZ NFR.


The research presented in this thesis addresses the problem of Text Segmentation in Web images. Text is routinely created in image form (headers, banners etc.) on Web pages, as an attempt to overcome the stylistic limitations of HTML. This text however, has a potentially high semantic value in terms of indexing and searching for the corresponding Web pages. As current search engine technology does not allow for text extraction and recognition in images, the text in image form is ignored. Moreover, it is desirable to obtain a uniform representation of all visible text of a Web page (for applications such as voice browsing or automated content analysis). This thesis presents two methods for text segmentation in Web images using colour perception and topological features. The nature of Web images and the implicit problems to text segmentation are described, and a study is performed to assess the magnitude of the problem and establish the need for automated text segmentation methods. Two segmentation methods are subsequently presented: the Split-and-Merge segmentation method and the Fuzzy segmentation method. Although approached in a distinctly different way in each method, the safe assumption that a human being should be able to read the text in any given Web Image is the foundation of both methods' reasoning. This anthropocentric character of the methods along with the use of topological features of connected components, comprise the underlying working principles of the methods. An approach for classifying the connected components resulting from the segmentation methods as either characters or parts of the background is also presented.


Abstract Objective The Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) was developed in the UK and has been shown to be effective to assess and address support needs of family carers of terminally ill patients at home. In German language, there is a lack of an evidence-based comprehensive assessment tool for family carers in palliative home care. The objectives of this study were to translate and develop a culturally adapted version of the CSNAT for a German-speaking context including the assessment of feasibility, face, and content validity. Method A translation and validation study was conducted in three steps: (1) translation of CSNAT following International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research criteria; (2) cognitive testing in five German-speaking regions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with 15 family carers; and (3) pilot testing in palliative home care services. Evaluation was by telephone interviews with those involved in the assessments (family carers, health care professionals) and a focus group discussion with the health care professionals. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results The regional idiomatic variety raised challenges in the process of translation. Cognitive testing revealed semantic, conceptual, syntactic, and idiomatic issues. During the pilot, 25 assessment conversations were held. Carers reported that the German version called "KOMMA" was brief, easy to understand and to complete, and helpful. They appreciated that the items adequately addressed their support needs and reminded them of their own strengths and resources. Health care professionals observed good acceptance by carers, the expression of unexpected patterns of needs, and extensive assessment conversations, but some raised concerns that the assessment process might shift attention to carers' needs at the cost of the patients. Significance of results A multi-step process of translation, cognitive testing, and pilot testing led to a culturally well-acceptable German tool (KOMMA). Comprehensibility, acceptance, face, and content validity, as well as feasibility were demonstrated.


Many industrial sectors, from pharmaceuticals to consumer products, are required to provide data on their products to demonstrate their efficacy and that they are safe for patients, consumers and the environment. This period of testing typically requires the use of animal models, the validity of which has been called into question due to the high rates of attrition across many industries. There is increasing recognition of the limitations of animal models and demands for safety and efficacy testing paradigms which embrace the latest technological advances and knowledge of human biology. This perspective article highlights the potential for biofabrication approaches (encompassing bioprinting and bioassembly strategies) to meet these needs and provides case studies from three different industry sectors to demonstrate the potential for new markets in the bioprinting community. We also present a series of recommendations to create a thriving bioprinting environment. One that operates at the forefront of science, technology and innovation to deliver improved decision-making tools for the more rapid development of medicines, agrichemicals, chemicals and consumer products, and which may reduce our reliance on animals.


Abstract Architectural-element analysis was developed to describe and reconstruct fluvial system stacking patterns and understand the controls on fluvial architecture. The architecture of braided fluvial systems at the scale of channel belts is still poorly understood, and upscaling from outcrop observations to basin-scale architecture remains partly speculative. Nonetheless, predictive sedimentary models are necessary to understand the connectivity of sand bodies from small scale (outcrop) to basin scale. This contribution presents a dataset from the Late Triassic sandy braided fluvial system of the Fundy Basin (Nova Scotia, Canada). We describe facies associations, architectural elements, and stacking patterns at different scales, and discuss the controls on fluvial architecture and upscaling issues. The studied section shows, at the base, multilateral stacked channel bodies with little preservation of fine-grained floodplain facies. It changes upwards into multistory stacked channel bodies that form channel-belt complexes intercalated with thicker floodplain deposits. Based on grain-size evolution, large-scale sequences encompass several channel-belt complexes. Controls on channel and channel-belt migration or avulsion are considered to be related to autocyclic processes. In contrast, large-scale vertical evolution and grain-size variations record allocyclic signals. In particular, gradual grain-size variations suggest a climatic control which influences the bedload transport capacity of the depositing fluvial system. Architectural evolution including an upward increase in the preservation of floodplain units is considered to be due to an increase in generation of accommodation space. We question the existing definition of the order of large-scale (sixth- to seventh- order) bounding surfaces recognized previously and highlight difficulties associated with reconstructing development of a regional fluvial system using these bounding surfaces.


Aerosol delivery of nucleic acids to the lung bears great potential for the treatment of inherited genetic and acquired pulmonary diseases. We examined factors affecting critical parameters of aerosol delivery of DNA-loaded nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo. The efficiency of aerosol delivery of nanometric DNA-loaded particles to the lungs of mice depends on various factors such as i) the cationic polymer used for DNA condensation, ii) protection against destructive shearing forces, iii) choice of the nebulizer and nebulization device, and iv) solvents used for gene vector particle formulation. All of these factors have to be considered to successfully develop novel strategies to improve aerosol gene delivery by using nanometric DNA-loaded particles.


The third complementarity-determining region (CDR3) of TCR interacts directly with antigenic peptides bound to grooves of MHC molecules. Thus, it is the most critical TCR structure in launching acquired immunity and in determining fates of developing thymocytes. Since length is one of the components de®ning the CDR3 heterogeneity, the CDR3 length repertoires have been studied in various T cell subsets from humans in physiological and pathological conditions. However, how the CDR3 length repertoire develops has been addressed only by a few reports, including one showing that CDR3 of CD4 thymocytes becomes shorter during thymic development. Here, we explored multiple regulations on the development of the TCRB CDR3 length repertoires in the thymus and the peripheral blood. CDR3 length spectratyping was employed to examine thymocyte and peripheral T cell populations for their CDR3 length repertoires. We have found that repertoire distribution patterns depend on use of the BV gene. The BV-dependent patterns were shaped during thymic selections and maintained in the peripheral blood. Differences in the mean CDR3 length among different BV subsets were seen throughout lymphocyte development. We also observed that CDR3 was shortened in both CD4 and CD8 thymocytes. Of note, the degrees of the shortening depended on the CD4/CD8 lineage and on use of the BV gene. When expansions of peripheral T cell clones are negligible, no obvious difference was seen between mature thymocytes and peripheral lymphocytes. Thus, the TCRB CDR3 length repertoires are ®nely tuned in the thymus before the lymphocytes emigrate into the peripheral blood.


In recent years, new treatments have been studied for relapsed-refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), including two CAR-T products and a variety of non-CAR-T agents. Since direct comparisons between these innovative treatments are not available, indirect comparisons can be of interest. Reconstruction of individual patient data from Kaplan-Meier graphs (e.g., according to the Shiny method) has been the subject of numerous reports that have fully validated their performance. In the present systematic review, we evaluated six treatments proposed for RRMM, including two CAR-T products (ciltacabtagene autoleucel and idecabtagene vicleucel) and four treatments not based on a CAR-T (melflufen plus dexamethasone, isatuximab plus dexamethasone, selinexor, and belantamab). The endpoint was overall survival (OS). Our results showed statistically significant differences in OS across these treatments. In particular, ciltacabtagene autoleucel showed better OS than idecabtagene vicleucel. As regards non-CAR-T treatments, the ranking in OS was headed by isatuximab plus dexamethasone, followed by belantamab, selinexor, and melflufen plus dexamethasone. In conclusion, while the Shiny method has confirmed its validity in reconstructing individual patient data, our indirect comparisons have offered some original clues to interpret the results of OS published in these studies.


This paper makes an attempt to explain the construction of a newly developed genre called revenge porn flourishing in new media. The study analyzes the patterns of production and display of revenge porn content as well as the mechanisms of the site that archives such materials. The results of this study suggest that the development of such a genre cannot be attributed only to liberatory and/or victimizing effects of the electronic space. Rather, social power structures based on discourses like gender, heterosexuality and capitalist patriarchy that exploit the surveillance mechanism of the internet are significantly influencing both individual uses of the internet as well as its apparatus and technologies. These are the major forces contributing to the institutionalization and commercialization of revenge porn in new media. This is a case study based investigation that uses both content analysis and discourse analysis as methods to interpret the revenge porn genre in new media.


Background and aims Although aberrant methylation of key genes in the progression of colorectal neoplasia has been reported, no model-based analysis of the incremental changes through the intermediate adenoma stage has been described. In addition, the biological drivers for these methylation changes have yet to be defined. Linear mixed-effects modelling was used in this study to understand the onset and patterns of the methylation changes of SFRP2, IGF2 DMR0, H19, LINE-1 and a CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) marker panel, and they were correlated with DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) levels of expression in a sample set representative of colorectal neoplastic progression. Methods Methylation of the above CpG islands was measured using quantitative pyrosequencing assays in 261 tissue samples. This included a prospective collection of 44 colectomy specimens with concurrent normal mucosa, adenoma and invasive cancer tissues. Tissue microarrays from a subset of 64 cases were used for immunohistochemical analysis of DNMT3B expression. Results It is shown that the onset and pattern of methylation changes during colorectal neoplastic progression are locus dependent. The CIMP marker RUNX3 was the earliest CpG island showing significant change, followed by the CIMP markers NEUROG1 and CACNA1G at the hyperplastic polyp stage. SFRP2 and IGF2 DMR0 showed significant methylation changes at the adenomatous polyp stage, followed by the CIMP markers CDKN2A and hMLH1 at the adenocarcinoma stage. DNMT3B levels of immunohistochemical expression increased significantly (p<0.001) from normal to hyperplastic and from adenomatous polyps to carcinoma samples. DNMT3B expression correlated positively with SFRP2 methylation (r=0.42, p<0.001, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.56), but correlated negatively with IGF2 DMR0 methylation (r=0.26, p=0.01, 95% CI −0.45 to −0.05). A subset of the CIMP panel (NEUROG1, CACNA1G and CDKN2A) positively correlated with DNMT3B levels of expression (p<0.05). Conclusion Hierarchical epigenetic alterations occur at transition points during colorectal neoplastic progression. These cumulative changes are closely correlated with a gain of DNMT3B expression, suggesting a causal relationship.


With the release of the Nintendo Wii in 2006, the use of haptic force gestures has become a very popular form of input for interactive entertainment. However, current gesture recognition techniques utilised in Nintendo Wii games fall prey to a lack of control when it comes to recognising simple gestures. This paper presents a simple gesture recognition technique called Peak Testing which gives greater control over gesture interaction. This recognition technique locates force peaks in continuous force data (provided by a gesture device such as the Wiimote) and then cancels any peaks which are not meant for input. Peak Testing is therefore technically able to identify movements in any direction. This paper applies this recognition technique to control virtual instruments and investigates how users respond to this interaction. The technique is then explored as the basis for a robust way to navigate menus with a simple flick of the wrist. We propose that this flick-form of interaction could be a very intuitive way to navigate Nintendo Wii menus instead of the current pointer techniques implemented.


Organic semiconductor materials have been widely applied in optoelectronic devices to replace their inorganic counterparts and explore new fields of applications. Due to their high extinction coefficients, chemical tunability and solubility, cyanine dyes are an interesting class of molecules to be employed in organic semiconductor devices. Their beneficial properties have been demonstrated in organic solar cells (OSC), photodetectors and recently in organic light-emitting electrochemical cells (OLEC). The focus of this thesis is to analyse different aspects regarding the dynamics of electronic and ionic charges in cyanine based devices. Models and conclusions are not restricted to cyanine based devices but can potentially be applied in various systems where combined ionic and electronic charges are present. In order to focus on electronic processes in OSCs, a combination of steady-state, transient and impedance analysis is used. It is resolved that trapped charges can be introduced at the dye/hole extracting layer interface by using specific solvents for the cyanine layer fabrication. These measurements also reveal the low hole mobility of cyanine films which in turn limits the possible upper layer thickness in OSCs. A frequently used way to enhance the conductivity of organic semiconductors is the addition of extra charges by chemical doping. This concept is employed for a near-infrared absorbing dye which is used as donor in a bilayer solar cell. The dependence of all figures of merit versus doping concentration and layer thickness is studied in detail. It is found that the performance of the optimised cell is not further improved by doping, but that it presents a good option if thicker layers are required, e.g. on rough substrates. Furthermore, the stability and degradation pathway of the p-doped species is analysed. This information is of general relevance as they also occur after charge transfer at the heterojunction interface of an OSC and during operation of OLECs. The dynamics of ionic charge carriers is separated into two contributions. In a first step, the steady-state diffusion profile of the counter ion within a cyanine/fullerene bilayer structure is scrutinised using different profiling techniques. An unexpected constant ion profile is found throughout the C60 layer. Simultaneously, the potential within the acceptor is measured by the Kelvin probe technique. A mechanism of combined electron and ion transfer from the C60 to the dye and vice versa is proposed which is in agreement with the experimental results. A prerequisite for OLEC operation is the mobility of ionic charge carriers. Their dynamics in cyanine salts under the effect of an external field is therefore studied in such devices. Several methods are developed and applied to characterise the dynamic p-i-n structure in detail, i.e. the position and width of the intrinsic region as well as the doping concentrations in p- and n-doped regions. The combination of all these methods helps to understand the transient behaviour of these cyanine devices but can also be adapted to other OLEC systems. A major drawback of cyanine dyes as emissive material is their low fluorescence quantum yield in solid films. To overcome this restriction and improve the OLEC efficiency, host-guest systems with various visibly emitting dyes are studied. The gain in fluorescence quantum yield in the film can directly be transferred to an increase in external quantum efficiency of the device.


The convex hull relaxation (CHR) method (Albornoz 1998, Ahlatçıoğlu 2007, Ahlatçıoğlu and Guignard 2010) provides lower bounds and feasible solutions (thus upper bounds) on convex 0-1 nonlinear programming problems with linear constraints. In the quadratic case, these bounds may often be improved by a preprocessing step that adds to the quadratic objective function terms which are equal to 0 for all 0-1 feasible solutions yet increase its continuous minimum. Prior to (or in addition to) computing CHR bounds, one may use Plateau's quadratic convex reformulation (QCR) method (2006), or one of its weaker predecessors designed for unconstrained problems, the eigenvalue method of Hammer and Rubin (1970) or the method of Billionnet and Elloumi (2007). In this paper, we first describe the CHR method, and then present the essentials of the QCR reformulation methods. We present computational results for convex GQAP problems using CHR, preceded or not by Plateau's QCR.


Microwave dielectric heating is rapidly becoming an established procedure in synthetic chemistry. This review summarises the basic theory underlying microwave dielectric heating and collates the dielectric data for a wide range of organic solvents which are commmonly used in microwave syntheses. The loss tangents of the solvents, which may be related to the ability of the solvent to absorb energy in a microwave cavity, depend on the relaxation times of the molecules. These relaxation times depend critically on the nature of the functional groups and the volume of the molecule. Functional groups capable of hydrogenbonding have a particularly strong influence on the relaxation times. The relaxation times of solvents decrease as the temperature of the solvent is increased. Loss tangent data at different microwave frequencies are also presented and discussed.


Due to the continuous growth of customer population, the spreading of broadband access, the increase in energy price, and the expanding number of services being offered by telecoms and providers, energy efficiency issue has become a high-priority objective for wired networks and services infrastructures. Current network devices are well-known to be over-dimensioned for rush-hour traffic loads, and to have flat energy requirements with respect to their real utilization. Recent studies suggested to reduce the energy consumption of networks and networked devices through the introduction of adaptive capabilities, which allow to modulate energy requirements according to network-aware performance (i.e., delays, packet losses, etc.). However, at the today's state of the art, the real impact of these power management techniques is not clear, and requires further studies and researches. Based on this context, we focus on development of a new simulator called "GreenSim", that aims at analyzing and evaluating the impact of adaptive energy saving techniques both on network- and energy-sides in the presence of real traffic traces and data. The results achieved with the proposed simulator demonstrate that these green technologies, when applied to packet processing engines inside network devices, can save up more that 40% of energy consumption in the presence of real Internet traffic profiles, while maintaining an acceptable network performance level. Keywords: green simulator, simulation, performance evaluation, networking, packet processing engine, burst analysis.


The objective of the present work was to formulate and evaluate sustained release leuprolide acetate microspheres for treating prostate and breast cancer effectively. In order to improve patient compliance with fewer side effects like pain and hot flashes from the marketed product of implants. Sustained release Leuprolide acetate microspheres for two months depot which had been designed based on disease condition were prepared in the form of microspheres for subcutaneous administration for sustained release. Different formulations were prepared by following Solvent Evaporation technique (double emulsion) using synthetic biodegradable polymer like Poly (Lactide-co-Glycolide) acid. The formulations were evaluated for percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, surface morphology (SEM), particle size analysis, In-vitro drug release and stability studies. The in-vitro release of drug from the formulations were studied in pH 7.4 saline phosphate buffer solution, and it was found that the prepared microspheres were able to sustained the release of the drug upto two months of about 95.6%. The release of the drug from the microspheres was found to follow zero order kinetics. The optimized formulation of the microspheres containing polymer and drug was found to be compatible from FTIR studies.