We apply iterative subspace correction methods to elliptic PDE problems discretized by generalized sparse grid systems. The involved subspace solvers are based on the combination of all anisotropic full grid spaces that are contained in the sparse grid space. Their relative scaling is at our disposal and has significant influence on the performance of the iterative solver. In this paper, we follow three approaches to obtain close-to-optimal or even optimal scaling parameters of the subspace solvers and thus of the overall subspace correction method. We employ a Linear Program that we derive from the theory of additive subspace splittings, an algebraic transformation that produces partially negative scaling parameters which result in improved asymptotic convergence properties, and finally we use the OptiCom method as a variable non-linear preconditioner.


This research investigated the behaviour of a new form of composite shear wall system consisting of two skins of profiled steel sheeting and an infill of concrete under in-plane monotonic, cyclic and impact loading. The extensive experimental, analytical and numerical investigations of composite shear walls provided information on strength, stiffness, load-deformation response, steel sheet-concrete interaction, stress-strain characteristics and failure modes.Eight composite wall specimens with overall dimensions of 1626 mm (height) x 720 mm (width) were tested under monotonic, cyclic and impact loading. Steel sheet-concrete connections were provided by intermediate fasteners to generate composite action. Two types of steel sheets classified based on strength as mild and high strength and also, two types of concrete-infill namely Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) and Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) were used to construct the walls. An analytical model for shear resistance of the composite wall was developed based on existing models taking into account the shear capacity of the steel sheets, concrete core and steel-concrete interaction. Moreover, two non-linear finite element models for the composite wall under monotonic/cyclic and impact loading were developed using proprietary ABAQUS/CAE software. The performance of developed numerical models was validated against experimental results and then the models were utilized to carry out an extensive parametric study to understand the influence of material and steel-concrete interaction on the structural behaviour of the walls.


Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the only spontaneous animal model for human interstitial cystitis (IC), as both possess a distinctive chronical and relapsing character. Underlying pathomechanisms of both diseases are not clearly established yet. We recently detected increased urine fibronectin levels in FIC cases. The purpose of this study was to gain further insight into the pathogenesis by assessing interacting partners of fibronectin in urine of FIC affected cats. Several candidate proteins were identified via immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Considerable changes in FIC conditions compared to physiological expression of co-purified proteins were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Compared to controls, complement C4a and thioredoxin were present in higher levels in urine of FIC patients whereas loss of signal intensity was detected in FIC affected tissue. Galectin-7 was exclusively detected in urine of FIC cats, pointing to an important role of this molecule in FIC pathogenesis. Moderate physiological signal intensity of galectin-7 in transitional epithelium shifted to distinct expression in transitional epithelium under pathophysiological conditions. I-FABP expression was reduced in urine and urinary bladder tissue of FIC cats. Additionally, transduction molecules of thioredoxin, NF-κB p65 and p38 MAPK, were examined. In FIC affected tissue, colocalization of thioredoxin and NF-κB p65 could be demonstrated compared to absent coexpression of thioredoxin and p38 MAPK. These considerable changes in expression level and pattern point to an important role for co-purified proteins of fibronectin and thioredoxin-regulated signal transduction pathways in FIC pathogenesis. These results could provide a promising starting point for novel therapeutic approaches in the future.


According to an inclusive growth framework, the top objectives of the economic policy shift from increasing incomes themselves to well-being. While banking sector development has conventionally been considered a growth factor, there is no clear understanding of its impact on inclusive growth. This article explores how the banking sector's qualitative development, measured in dimensions of the services availability, lending supply, stability, and reliability of banking activity, relates to inclusive growth. To define the relations between banking system development and inclusive growth, the panel regression was employed for a sample of 46 economies selected based on the prescribed principles of sources reputability, methodology consistency, limits in data blanks, and differentiated into groups according to the World Bank's classification. The regressions' assessment and involved tests show evidence of the quality of constructed models and present the following results. The banking availability, approximated with the number of automated teller machines, fosters inclusive growth regarding all groups of countries. In contrast, the increase in the number of commercial banking branches has inverse relations between high-income and upper-middle-income countries, and direct for lower-middle-income countries. The bank credit expansion negatively influences the inclusive growth for high income and lower-middle-income countries. The banking sector stability approximated with bank capital to assets ratio matters in terms of inclusive growth for high-income countries only, while this indicator for upper middle and lower middle economies is statistically insignificant.


Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex disease that affects 4% of the general population and is expected to increase to 5.4% by the year 2025. A clear understanding of the aetiology of T2D susceptibility and pathogenesis will thus have a noticeable impact on global health. The black South African population is currently under increased risk for developing T2D due to the impact of urbanisation. Since the mechanisms of disease risk in this population differ to that of the so-called developed countries, it is necessary that the exact pathogenesis of this disease be elucidated in order to define suitable screening and therapeutic strategies for the black South African population. The purpose of this study was to initiate this process. Four genotypes were investigated, including alterations in the IRS-1, IRS-2, PPAR2 and calpain 10 genes. This study was therefore the first to evaluate these specific genotypes in the context of the T2D risk phenotype in the black South African population, aiming towards a novel and population specific contribution towards current T2D research. The results of this study indicated that none of the screened genotypes were significant predictors of impaired glucose in the black South African population. A biphasic glucose curve shape (GCS) was associated with female gender, whereas a monophasic GCS, a high BMI, female gender as well as a high HbA1c level were linked to glucose intolerance. A high HbA1c level proved to be a significant predictor for glucose intolerance, although the four screened loci were not good predictors of the HbA1c level. The study also illustrated that it is not possible to simply adopt T2D screening strategies from those developed in other ethnic groups and that different genetic and environmental risk factors that play a role in the pathophysiology of T2D should be taken into account. The need for optimised and population specific T2D screening strategies is therefore emphasised. By further elucidating the complexities of T2D, a step towards providing more accurate screening strategies to the immediate population will be achieved. This will directly result in a significant decrease in the national burden of care, morbidity and mortality, paving the way to optimal health care strategies for this developing country.


Abstract : Based on the foundation of thermal management system developed by Rocky Research and working closely with TARDEC personnel, this paper addresses design, development, and testing of two delivered environmental control prototypes to TARDEC. The delivered prototypes are electrically driven vapor compression systems enhanced with Rocky Research vector drive for speed control, use of Pulsing Thermal Expansion Valve (PTXV) for precise refrigerant control, and power electronic package capable of running efficiently from both AC and DC power sources seamlessly. These prototypes were fully tested at different ambient temperature conditions at Rocky Research environmental chamber and their performance were logged and documented. The cooling capacity was measured to be in range of 6,000 to 12,000 Btu/hr and the Coefficient of Performance (COP) was measured to be above 1.5 at high ambient temperature conditions. This reflects close to 50% improvement in efficiency, when compared to current state of technology, and can result in considerable fuel and cost savings for the military.


Australia has moved rapidly from a centralised Award based wage determination system to decentralised enterprise bargaining. This move has been associated with a substantial drop in strike activity. The relationship between working days lost and a series of macroeconomic variables is tested for the period 1985 to 2003, incorporating dummy variables for the different pieces of industrial legislation and four major periods of political strike activity in that period. The economic variables proved mostly insignificant with only the CPI and business inventories having any association with changes in strike activity. Working days lost fell significantly with the introduction of enterprise bargaining. Both the Reform Act 1993 and the Workplace Relations Act 1996 were associated with below trend strike activity. Overall, these results indicate that institutional factors now influence strike volumes, rather than economic.


Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has traditionally included the administration of maximally tolerated doses of chemoradiotherapy, which have been associated with significant treatment-related toxicities. Thus, less intensive conditioning regimens have been explored as a safer alternative to conventional ASCT. Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation (NMSCT) has been one of the most promising recent developments in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, and early studies have yielded encouraging results with high engraftment rates and sustained remissions. This approach incorporates immunosuppressive doses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to achieve a mixed donor-host hematopoietic chimeric state and allows the development of a donor immune-mediated graft-versus-leukemia effect as the primary means of disease eradication. This review discusses the background and rationale behind NMSCT and its impact on the treatment of patients with acute leukemia.


This paper aims to provide guidance for an optimal and reasonable dry port layout for the port of Dalian in China. We present a two-phase framework on the location of dry ports, which solves the selection of candidate inland cities and optimal dry port location choice respectively. Fuzzy C Means Clustering (FCM) is applied to select alternative cities in the vast hinterland of the seaport of Dalian, in view of identifying evaluation factors that affect the location selection decision, while a cost-minimization linear programming is proposed to choose optimal location as well as capacity level among the candidate inland cities, with the aid of Genetic Algorithm.


The 2017 Standards Framework for Learners designed by the American Association of School Librarians offers educators a support guide for creating, implementing and assessing meaningful, structured learning tasks focused on important information literacy skills for students. In this study, we use the Curate element of the AASL Standards Framework for Learners as a lens to analyse students' voices and experiences while engaged in a Guided Inquiry unit, focusing particularly on their information seeking and use. Findings indicate students have sophisticated understandings of their own information literacy skills, how they engage with information, and the skills needed to be efficient curators of information, but they feel challenged and unconfident about their own skills in completing research tasks. These findings support the role of the school librarian in scaffolding young researchers through this process.


Potent anti-adherent activity was detected in fermentation extracts of microbial strain FO-5050. Active compounds designated macrosphelide A, B was isolated and determined to be 16-membered macrolide antibiotics possessing three ester bonds in the ring structure. Macrosphelide A dose-dependently inhibited the adhesion of HL-60 cells to LPS-activated HUVEC monolayer (IC50, 2.5 μM); macrosphelide B also inhibited HL-60 adhesion but to a lesser extent (IC50, 36 μM). Macrosphelide A showed no any antimicrobial and cytocidal activities at the concentration of 1000 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml, respectively. Macrosphelide is the newly discovered anti-cell adhesion substance, which is, but not peptide or antibody, a low molecular weight and unique 16-membered macrolide antibiotics possessing three ester bonds. Therefore, it is of interest to examine the mode of action of macrosphelide inhibiting cell-cell adhesion molecule and the availability for the therapy against refractory disease such as tumor invasion and metastasis or chronic inflammatory disease.


PURPOSE
Hypoxic insult to the developing retina results in apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) through production of inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO), and free radicals. The present study was aimed at elucidating the pathway through which hypoxia results in overproduction of NO in the immature retina, and its role in causing apoptosis of RGCs.

METHODS
Wistar rats (1 day old) were exposed to hypoxia and their retinas were studied at 3 hours to 14 days after exposure. The protein expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the retina and primary cultures of RGCs was analyzed using Western blotting and double-immunofluorescence, whereas the concentration of NO was determined calorimetrically. In cultured RGCs, hypoxia-induced apoptosis was evaluated by caspase-3 immunolabeling.

RESULTS
Following hypoxic exposure, NF-κB-mediated expression of nNOS, which was localized to the RGCs, and subsequent NO production was significantly increased in the developing retina. In primary cultures of RGCs subjected to hypoxia, the upregulation of nNOS and NO was significantly suppressed when treated with 7-nitroindazole (7-NINA), an nNOS inhibitor or BAY, an NF-κB inhibitor. Hypoxia-induced apoptosis of RGCs, which was evident with caspase-3 labeling, also was suppressed when these cells were treated with 7-NINA or BAY.

CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that in RGCs, hypoxic induction of nNOS is mediated by NF-κB and the resulting increased release of NO by RGCs causes their apoptosis through caspase-3 activation. It is speculated that targeting nNOS could be a potential neuroprotective strategy against hypoxia-induced RGCs death in the developing retina.


Both natural and anthropogenic seismic sources generate so‐called ambient seismic waves. One in turn can use ambient seismic waves to estimate these source distributions and study source characteristics, for instance the source mechanism. A commonly used estimation method is called matched field processing (MFP), and the MFP results are inherently smeared by the array geometry. Another approach to estimate ambient seismic sources is to apply full waveform inversion (FWI) to the crosscorrelations of ambient seismic wave recordings. Both methods have pros and cons, but the model resolution and uncertainty in these two methods are important for the interpretation. Unfortunately, this topic has attracted little attention in the past. We propose to estimate both the model resolution matrix and model covariance matrix of the inversion using singular value decomposition. We demonstrate our estimates using two examples, one of which is an actual field array geometry. We quantitatively compare the model resolution of the two methods and discuss the model null space. We demonstrate that FWI has superior resolution with enough independent data and should be used when computational resources permit.


The application of hyperthermia to cancer treatment is studied using a novel model arising from the fundamental principles of flow, mass and heat transport in biological tissues. The model is defined at the scale of the tumour microenvironment and an advanced computational scheme called the embedded multiscale method is adopted to solve the governing equations. More precisely, this approach involves modelling capillaries as one-dimensional channels carrying flow, and special mathematical operators are used to model their interaction with the surrounding tissue. The proposed computational scheme is used to analyse hyperthermic treatment of cancer based on systemically injected vascular magnetic nanoconstructs carrying super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. An alternating magnetic field is used to excite the nanoconstructs and generate localized heat within the tissue. The proposed model is particularly adequate for this application, since it has a unique capability of incorporating microvasculature configurations based on physiological data combined with coupled capillary flow, interstitial filtration and heat transfer. A virtual tumour model is initialized and the spatio-temporal distribution of nanoconstructs in the vascular network is analysed. In particular, for a reference iron oxide concentration, temperature maps of several different hypothesized treatments are generated in the virtual tumour model. The observations of the current study might in future guide the design of more efficient treatments for cancer hyperthermia.


The present study was conducted to study the interaction between epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) in benign human prostatic epithelial cells in culture. Primary cultures of human prostatic epithelial cells were grown in complete WAJC, which consisted of WAJC‐404 medium and, in addition to other defined additives, EGF and bovine pituitary extract (BPE). Incomplete WAJC contained the same composition except EGF and BPE were deleted. TGF‐β was added into media at concentrations of 0, 0.1, and 1.0 ng/ml. When cells were grown in complete WAJC, they proliferated rapidly. Cell proliferation was greatly suppressed when incomplete WAJC was used. Addition of TGF‐(β to these cultures caused a significant reduction in the final cell number when either complete WAJC or incomplete WAJC was used. In additional experiments, cells were prelabeled with 3H‐thymidine for 72 hr prior to treatment with TGF‐β. The percentage of radioactivity released into the medium at the end of a 6‐day culture was used as an indication of the extent of cell death. Trypan blue exclusion test was also used to assess the extent of cell death. Addition of TGF‐β into complete WAJC did not significantly affect the extent of cell death beyond what was considered as the result of normal cellular turnover. Addition of TGF‐β into incomplete WAJC, however, caused a significant increase in the percent of cell death in the culture. These results demonstrated an interaction between EGF and TGF‐β in proliferation and cell death in human prostatic epithelia in culture. In the presence of EGF alone in the culture medium, prostatic epithelial cells were stimulated to proliferate. The rate of proliferation was greatly diminished when EGF was deleted from the medium or when TGF‐β was added in the presence of EGF. Finally, cell death was induced when TGF‐β was added into the medium in the absence of EGF.


A collaborative interprofessional team of healthcare providers from a regional comprehensive community cancer program established standardized chemotherapy and immunotherapy preadministration documentation in the electronic health record. This quality improvement project facilitated adherence to administration considerations defined within Oncology Nursing Society chemotherapy and immunotherapy guidelines and established organizational accreditation goals. The goal was to foster safe and seamless patient-centered care.


The latest research and development (R&D) framework programmes of the European Union (EU), "Horizon 2020" and "Horizon Europe", have significantly increased the resources available to promote science and innovation in Europe. However, the strong competitiveness of the research teams and their search for excellence may cause inequality in the spatial distribution of investment effort in R&D. The aim of this paper is to analyse the geographic distribution of R&D spending in the EU. A greater concentration of funds is observed in the most advanced and dynamic economies, capable of promoting more competitive research teams and projects. Through an empirical analysis, estimated by a spatial convergence model, it is found that EU R&D funds are preventing cross-regional convergence in Europe by driving growth mainly in wealthier regions. Based on these results, it seems relevant to consider spatial correction mechanisms for the distribution of R&D resources so that they achieve greater territorial cohesion in Europe.


Bilateral control systems are strongly required to apply to endoscopic surgeries. It is necessary that the system has enough degrees of freedom for applying various operation procedures including endoscopic surgery. When the degrees of freedom of the system are increased, the amount of control calculation is also increased, and it is hard to keep sampling periods short. The bilateral control systems, however, require comparatively shorter sampling periods, particularly the control system based on an acceleration control system. Hence, it is a difficult issue to increase the degrees of freedom of the bilateral control system. In this paper, the sampling period is kept short in the multidegree of freedom system by using field programmable gate arrays as processors. The bilateral control system based on the acceleration control system is implemented in a robot system, which has 12 DOF, and some experimental results are shown, and the errors between the response of the master and slave robots are discussed.


Abstract We present two cases of immediate breast reconstruction that were diagnosed postoperatively with pyoderma gangrenosum. Given that the disease is uncommon and difficult to diagnose, the required treatment was delayed. Control was obtained after correct treatment and both cases healed.


In this article I explore the procedures of monetary evaluation of persons as constructed in three halakhic contexts in the Mishnah consecration of humans to the Temple, restitutions for bodily injuries, and compensations for rape and seduction. I argue that in all three contexts we can identify an underlying tension between two competing paradigms of personhood: a paradigm which stresses the unity and sameness of all persons qua persons, and a paradigm which stresses variations and diversity among different persons. The rabbis oscillate between biblical legal models, which assign fixed and non-fluctuating values to human life, wellbeing, dignity, etc., and a commitment to accommodating the particularities of persons as individuals with distinct sets of traits, a commitment which is manifested, in its rabbinic construction, in the individual monetary assessment of each person. While the rabbis take different paths in grappling with this tension in these three contexts, the analysis presented here makes clear that the rabbis considered a legal model that disregards the discrepancies between different individuals to be problematic and unsatisfactory. I suggest that the competing models of sameness as opposed to diversity that we find in the Mishnah reflect a fundamental tension between a biblical ethos on the one hand, and the impact of Graeco-Roman social and conceptual frameworks on the other hand.


Compression bandaging improves rates of healing in people with venous ulceration. Some ulcers appear resistant to compression therapy and may benefit from adjunctive therapy. Pentoxifylline is known to improve circulation, but individual trials have failed to conclusively demonstrate its effectiveness in venous ulceration. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of pentoxifylline as an adjunct to compression bandaging in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.  The CENTRAL registers of the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases and Wounds Groups were searched - each register is routinely updated by extensive searches of electronic databases, handsearching of relevant journals and conference proceedings, and contact with product companies and experts in the field. The drug's manufacturer was contacted and the references of review articles and all obtained trials were scrutinised for further citations.  Randomised controlled trials published in any language comparing pentoxifylline and compression with placebo in adult participants with venous ulceration were included. Trials must have reported a meaningful objective outcome (rates of healing, proportions healed, time to healing). Details from eligible trials (independently selected by two reviewers) were extracted and summarised by one reviewer. A second reviewer independently verified extracted data.  Eleven clinical trials were identified. Five trials compared pentoxifylline with placebo (compression standard therapy). Six trials were excluded. Pentoxifylline and compression was more effective than placebo and compression (RR 1.30, 95% C1 1.10-1.54) and was robust to sensitivity analyses. The greater number of adverse effects (46 reports) occurred in the pentoxifylline group, although this was not significant (RR 1.12, 95% C1 0.77-1.62); 34 percent of adverse effects were gastro-intestinal. Seven of 21 reported withdrawals were for adverse effects.  In conclusion, pentoxifylline appears an effective adjunct to compression bandaging in the treatment of venous ulcers. The absence of cost-effectiveness data suggests it not be employed as a routine adjunct, but it could be considered as for those patients not responding to compression therapy alone. The majority of adverse effects are likely to be tolerated by patients.


Design and Usability of Social Networking Web Sites Robert Pessagno Graphic Communication Department, Spring 2010 Advisor: Kenneth Macro This study began by designing the layout of a new social networking Web site and putting it to practical use. A team of computer science students at Cal Poly developed this social networking site for their senior project, and called it Friend Riot. The new and innovative features that Friend Riot consists of set it apart from other popular social networking Web sites, but its interface was lacking a good design. When the new design was implemented, it was tested against the competition: Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects that Web design and usability have on social networking Web sites. Web design involves the colors, look and feel, and how the site is organized, while usability measures how easily users can navigate through a Web site. There were two tests that were done in this study corresponding with design and usability—a survey and usability test. The survey revealed the current most popular social networking sites, and the usability test quantified the ease of use that these Web sites provide. The usability of a Web site can be determined by many factors, such as the location the navigation, the contrast between colors, how certain items are made visible, and many others. These are also factors that determine the design of the Web site, therefore usability and design work together. To achieve maximum customer satisfaction, a developer must not only design the site to be unique, but must also follow conventions that decrease the time users spend learning how the Web site works. This study examines the differences and similarities between social networking Web sites, and assess the potential success that Friend Riot has in the social networking world.


ABSTRACT Candida albicans remains the main causative agent of candidiasis, one of the most frequent nosocomial infections, with unacceptably high mortality rates. Biofilm formation is a major risk factor for invasive candidiasis, as Candida biofilms display high-level resistance to most antifungal agents. In this work we have screened the Pathogen Box chemical library (Medicines for Malaria Venture [MMV], Switzerland) in search for inhibitors of C. albicans biofilm formation. Our initial screen identified seven hits, and additional dose-response assays confirmed the biofilm-inhibitory activity of six of these small molecules. Three compounds, MMV688768, MMV687273, and MMV687807, were also able to reduce the metabolic activity of cells within preformed biofilms. Interestingly, the most potent of these, compound MMV688768, displayed increased antibiofilm activity compared to its activity against planktonic cultures, indicating that it may affect processes with a predominant role during the biofilm mode of growth. This compound demonstrated a high selectivity index when its antibiofilm activity was compared with its toxicity in liver hepatocellular cells. In vitro combination assays showed a synergistic interaction between compound MMV688768 and fluconazole against preformed biofilms. Overall, our results indicate that this compound may constitute a potential candidate for further clinical development.


Forecasting macroeconomic variables is key to developing a view on a country's economic outlook. Most traditional forecasting models rely on fitting data to a pre-specified relationship between input and output variables, thereby assuming a specific functional and stochastic process underlying that process. We pursue a new approach to forecasting by employing a number of machine learning algorithms, a method that is data driven, and imposing limited restrictions on the nature of the true relationship between input and output variables. We apply the Elastic Net, SuperLearner, and Recurring Neural Network algorithms on macro data of seven, broadly representative, advanced and emerging economies and find that these algorithms can outperform traditional statistical models, thereby offering a relevant addition to the field of economic forecasting.


Nowadays, both vehicular active safety service and user infotainment service have become two core applications for urban Vehicular Delay Tolerant Networks (uVDTNs). Both core applications require a high data transmission capacity over uVDTNs. In addition, the connection between any two vehicles in uVDTNs is intermittent and opportunistic. Intermittent data dissemination over uVDTNs is a stringent and challenging issue. In this paper, we propose Intermittent Geocast Routing (IGR). For the first step, IGR has to estimate the active connection time interval via the moving directions and velocities between any two vehicles. Second, the throughput function for uVDTNs is fitted by building a wavelet neural network traffic model. Third, the throughput function within the effective connection time interval is integrated to obtain the forwarding capability estimation of the node. Fourth, a high-efficiency geocast routing algorithm using the node forwarding capability for uVDTNs is designed. Finally, IGR is simulated on the opportunistic Network Environment simulator. Experimental results show that IGR can greatly improve the packet delivery ratio, transmission delay, delay jitter, and packet loss rate compared with the state of the art.


It has been postulated that the etiology of the complications of diabetes involves oxidative stress, perhaps as a result of hyperglycemia. Consistent with this hypothesis, it has been shown that glucose, under physiological conditions, produces oxidants that possess reactivity similar to the hydroxyl free radical. These oxidants hydroxylate benzoic acid, fragment protein, and induce peroxidation in phosphatidylcholine liposomes and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) when LDL is incubated with hyperglycemic levels of glucose in vitro. These reactions are accelerated by transition metals and inhibited by a metal-chelating agent. The atherosclerotic potential of LDL in diabetes mellitus is often discussed in terms of protein glycosylation, which may affect cellular interactions. Our studies demonstrate, however, that peroxidative reactions also accompany LDL glycosylation in vitro. Peroxidative modification of LDL has also been implicated in LDL atherogenicity. Our studies indicate that glycosylation and peroxidation occur concomitantly in LDL modified by glucose in vitro and may both contribute to the behavioral changes of this lipoprotein.


The standard operational probabilistic framework (within which we can formulate Operational Quantum Theory) is time asymmetric. This is clear because the conditions on allowed operations are time asymmetric. It is odd, though, because Schoedinger's equation is time symmetric and probability theory does not care about time direction. In this work we provide a time symmetric framework for operational theories in general and for Quantum Theory in particular. The clearest expression of the time asymmetry of standard Operational Quantum Theory is that the deterministic effect is unique - meaning there is only one way to ignore the future - while deterministic (i.e normalised) states are not unique. In this paper, this time asymmetry is traced back to a time asymmetric understanding of the most basic elements of an operational theory - namely the operations (or boxes) out of which circuits are built. We modify this allowing operations to have classical incomes as well as classical outcomes on these operations. We establish a time symmetric operational framework for circuits built out of operations. In particular, we demand that the probability associated with a circuit is the same whether we calculate it forwards in time or backwards in time. We do this by imposing various double properties. These are properties wherein a forward in time and a backward in time version of the same property are required. In this paper we provide a new causality condition which we call double causality.


Poor countries have low rates of wage employment and high rates of self-employment. This paper shows that they also have high rates of unemployment relative to wage employment, and that self-employment is particularly high where the unemployment-wage employment ratio is high. I interpret high unemployment-employment ratios as evidence of labor market frictions, and develop a simple heterogeneous-firm search and matching model with choice between job search and self-employment to analyze their effect. Quantitative analysis of the model, separately calibrated to eight countries, shows that variation in labor market frictions can explain almost the entire variation in not only unemployment, but also wage employment and self-employment across the calibration countries. The model generates joint variation in unemployment and self-employment accounting for at least a third of their relationship in the data. Labor market frictions reduce output not only by affecting employment, but also by pushing searchers into low-productivity own-account work.


This article summarizes and extends the main lines of theorizing on public opinion on European integration. We test theories of economic calculus and communal identity in a multi-level analysis of Eurobarometer data. Both economic calculus and communal identity are influential, but the latter is stronger than the former. We theorize how the political consequences of identity are contested and shaped – that is to say, politically cued – in national contexts. The more national elites are divided, the more citizens are cued to oppose European integration, and this effect is particularly pronounced among citizens who see themselves as exclusively national. A model that synthesizes economic, identity, and cue theory explains around one-quarter of variation at the individual level and the bulk of variation at the national


Hypertension is the most common chronic disease in the world, yet the precise cause of elevated blood pressure often cannot be determined. Animal models have been useful for unraveling the pathogenesis of hypertension and for testing novel therapeutic strategies. The utility of animal models for improving the understanding of the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of hypertension and its comorbidities depends on their validity for representing human forms of hypertension, including responses to therapy, and on the quality of studies in those models (such as reproducibility and experimental design). Important unmet needs in this field include the development of models that mimic the discrete hypertensive syndromes that now populate the clinic, resolution of ongoing controversies in the pathogenesis of hypertension, and the development of new avenues for preventing and treating hypertension and its complications. Animal models may indeed be useful for addressing these unmet needs.


Self organizing maps (SOMs) are used to locate archetypal points that describe the multi-dimensional distribution function of a gridded sea level pressure data set for the northeast United States. These points —nodes on the SOM—identify the primary features of the synoptic-scale circulation over the region. In effect, the nodes represent a non-linear distribution of overlapping, non-discreet, circulation types. The circulation patterns are readily visualized in a 2-dimensional array (the SOM) that places similar types adjacent to one another and very different types far apart in the SOM space. The SOM is used to describe synoptic circulation changes over time, and to relate the circulation to January station precipitation data (for State College, Pennsylvania) in the center of the domain. The paper focuses on the methodology; however, the analysis suggests that circulation systems that promote precipitation have decreased over the last 40 yr—although January precipita- tion at State College has actually increased. Further analysis with the SOM indicates that this is due to a change in precipitation characteristics of the synoptic-scale circulation features, rather than to their frequency of occurrence.


As birth to an HCV-infected mother is a known risk for infection, such offspring should be evaluated and tested for HCV. The rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HCV infection is approximately 5%, although rates are higher among women with inadequately controlled HIV coinfection, and women with higher HCV-RNA levels, or viral loads (>6 log10 IU/mL) (Benova, 2014); (Delotte, 2014); (Cottrell, 2013). Identifying, following, and treating exposed children is recommended. The basis for evaluation early in life is HCV-RNA testing, as maternal antibodies and consequently antiHCV assay positivity may persist for 18 months. About 25% to 50% of infected infants spontaneously resolve HCV infection (loss of previously detectable HCV RNA) by 3 years of age (EPHCVN, 2005); (Mast, 2005).


Introduction Superconducting circuits are being used as components for quantum computing and as model systems for non-linear dynamics. Quantum computers are devices that store information on quantum variables and process that information by making those variables interact in a way that preserves quantum coherence. Typically, these variables consist of two quantum states, and the quantum device is called a quantum bit or qubit. Superconducting quantum circuits have been proposed as qubits, in which circulating currents of opposite polarity characterize the two quantum states. The goal of the present research is to use superconducting quantum circuits to perform the measurement process, to model the sources of decoherence, and to develop scalable algorithms. A particularly promising feature of using superconducting technology is the potential of developing high-speed, on-chip control circuitry with classical, high-speed superconducting electronics. The picosecond time scales of this electronics means that the superconducting qubits can be controlled rapidly on the time scale and the qubits remain phasecoherent.


The species, distributions and abundances of squids in the Southern Ocean are difficult to assess by conventional oceanographic means The study of the food and feeding ecology of squid-eating predators such as procellaniform seabirds appears to be a supplemental way to collect useful information on cephalopod biology Regurgitations were collected from 52 chicks of the black-browed albatross Diomedea melanophrys at Kerguelen Island in February 1994 Cephalopod remains were removed and identified by means of beaks gladius and mantle Squid beaks of the fam11y Ommastrephidae amounted to 55% (n = 348) of the accumulated squid beaks They were also those most often regurgitated in association with partially digested crowns and mantles (90% of the squid fresh remains, n = 28) Two species of ommastrephids equally dominated the squid diet, M a r t ~ a l ~ a h y a d e s ~ (only found once in Kerguelen waters] and a Todarodes species, probably T angolens~s, prev~ously unknown in the area The concomitant satellite tracking of 16 adult birds over a total of 35 foraging tnps identified their main feeding areas as the inner shelf break to the NE and over a bank to the SE of Kerguelen Island Taken together, albatross dietary and foraglng data indlcate that juveniles of M hyadesl and Todarodes sp concentrate over the upper shelf slope to the east of Kerguelen Island, some of them occurring in the top 5 m of the water column where they are caught by the albatrosses


Worker mobility in protective clothing can be assessed both objectively through range of motion (ROM) measurement, and subjectively through perceived freedom of movement. Ten male subjects performed a set of gross body movements while wearing coveralls that were undersized, appropriately sized, and oversized. ROM measurements were collected simultaneously with a universal goniometer and an electrogoniometer, and with a Leighton Flexometer and an electrogoniometer. Subjects rated the perceived impediment and comfort of each of nine test garments, using a Rating of Perceived Impediment, and a comfort rating system. The universal goniometer was found to be leas expensive, easier to use, more sensitive, more durable, and less intrusive than either the Flexometer or the electrogoniometer. Subjective measures were positively correlated with each other, and with the objective measures. The subjective rating scales developed for this study can easily be adapted for use with ASTM F 1154-88, "Standard Practices for Qualitatively Evaluating the Comfort, Fit, Function, and Integrity of Chemical-Protective Suit Ensembles".


"Yes, Yes, Yes" is a musical comedy/parody song co-written, recorded and released as a single in 1976 by comedian Bill Cosby. The song came from Cosby's 1976 album, Bill Cosby Is Not Himself These Days. The song, which Cosby co-wrote with his longtime collaborator, Stu Gardner, spoofed Barry White's deep-voiced spoken-word sexual monologues but instead of a monologue of making love, Cosby constantly asked his wife if she took money off his pocket, destroyed the car she borrowed from him, if his checkbook was overdrawn and if she was cheating on him with a man "in his closet" wearing his pajamas. The female background vocalists constantly say "yes, yes, yes" to every one of Cosby's questions. Throughout the song, Cosby would also repeat "rat own", mocking White's usage of "right on" in his songs. Built under a quiet storm-like R&B production similar to White's, the song hit the charts peaking at number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 11 on the R&B charts becoming Cosby's biggest charted single since "Little Ole Man (Uptight, Everything's Alright)" peaked at number four on the Hot 100 nine years earlier.


Developing secure software is inherently difficult, and is further hampered by a rush to market, the lack of cybersecurity-trained architects and developers, and the difficulty of identifying flaws and deploying mitigations. To address these problems, we advocate for an alternative paradigm–layering security onto applications from global control points, such as the browser, operating system, or network. This approach adds security to existing applications, relieving developers of this burden. The benefits of this paradigm are three-fold–(1) increased correctness in the implementation of security features, (2) coverage for all software, even non-maintained legacy software, and (3) more rapid and consistent deployment of threat mitigations and new security features. To demonstrate these benefits, we describe three concrete instantiations of this paradigm– MessageGuard, a system that layers end-to-end encryption in the browser; TrustBase, a system that layers authentication in the operating system; and software-defined perimeter, which layers access control at network middleboxes.


The manufacturing of aeronautic parts with high mechanical properties requires the use of high performance materials. That's why; new materials are used for landing gears such as the titanium alloy Ti-5553. The machining of this material leads to high cutting forces and temperatures, and poor machinability which requires the use of low cutting conditions. In order to increase the productivity rate, one solution could be to raise the workpiece initial temperature. Assisted hot machining consists in heating the workpiece material before the material removal takes place, in order to weaken the material mechanical properties, and thus reducing at least the cutting forces. First, a bibliography review has been done in order to determine all heating instruments used and the thermal alleviation that exists on conventional materials. An induction assisted hot machining was chosen and a system capable to maintain a constant temperature into the workpiece during machining (turning) was designed. Trails permit to identify the variation of cutting forces according to the initial temperature of the workpiece, with fixed cutting conditions according to the TMP (Tool-Material-Pair) methodology at ambient temperature. Tool life and deterioration mode are identified notably. The results analysis shows a low reduction of specific cutting forces for a temperature area compatible with industrial process. The reduction is more important at elevated temperature. However, it has consequences on quality of the workpiece surface and tool wear.


Recent years have shown an increasing use of lean manufacturing (LM) principles and tools in several industrial sectors. Already a well-established management philosophy, it has shown numerous successful applications even outside production environments. This work presents the application of some LM tools, and the corresponding shift in philosophy, in two Portuguese companies of the food and beverage industries. Main implementation issues are presented and discussed; followed by the results obtained from the application of LM tools in the production system of these companies. Significant gains are obtained in both companies and, more importantly, it instills a continuous improvement culture and increases production flexibility while reducing lead times.


Cabled observatories, such as MARS or the regional scale cabled observatory system planned for in the NSF Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), consist of many deployed instruments that communicate with human operators and shore-side data repositories. In addition, these deployed devices may actually communicate with one another, facilitating capabilities such as autonomous event response. These potentially complex interactions between multiple entities - human and machine - require that knowledge of the system configuration be available to participants. Users of instrument data require information - metadata - about the sensor that generated the data. Software that coordinates and controls instruments requires access to the software interfaces of those devices. "Manual configuration" has been used on small-scale systems, but in a network consisting of hundreds or thousands of instruments, the configuration challenge becomes critical. We propose to address the problem through automation of the configuration process; which will be achieved at several levels. Automated configuration will simplify the system operator's task of building and maintaining the observatory network. We describe a small, low-powered information storage device that we call a "instrument puck". When plugged into a suitable computer (lab workstation, deployed observing node), information can be written to or read from the puck. While an instrument is being prepared for initial integration into observatory, a technician "loads" a puck with information necessary to configure the instrument within the observatory, and then physically attaches the puck to its instrument. Thereafter the attached puck always travels with its instrument, no matter where it is being installed in the observing network. The information loaded into the puck encompasses whatever is necessary to enable automatic configuration and system integration of the instrument when it is plugged into the observatory network, and any other information required by observatory policies. This information may include structured descriptions of the instrument's sensor and data characteristics (metadata). The information can also include actual software code that is retrieved from the puck and executed by an observatory node when the device is plugged in; this code could implement distributed instrument control and data retrieval interfaces, allowing network-wide access to the instrument functionality. We believe the puck concept to be a powerful one, a given instrument puck is configured just once; enabling automatic configuration of its instrument no matter it is installed on the network thereafter. We also describe mechanisms by which an instrument and its puck can be "discovered" by the observatory network when the devices are plugged in. Several approaches are explored, with varying degrees of automation. We evaluate these approaches with special consideration to electrical and safety aspects of the undersea environment. Information and results from our prototyping efforts are also presented.


Otolith chemistry is frequently employed in the reconstruction of fish environmental histories. While some elements have been strongly correlated with environmental factors (e.g. salinity, temperature, water chemistry), others may not indicate exogenous factors and simply add endogenous variability to a data set. Several commonly assessed elements were previously identified as being only present in the proteinaceous fraction of endolymph from black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri, suggesting that the choice of elements in otolith multi-elemental fingerprinting could influence their utility as natural environmental markers. To test this hypothesis, we performed several cluster analyses based on different sets of trace element data extracted from both the core and larval region of otoliths of juvenile black bream. We clustered in 3 different ways: (1) all elements analysed; (2) elements identified as being primarily in the salt fraction of the endolymph (i.e. inorganic); and (3) elements identified as being associated with the protein fraction of the endolymph. We subsequently assessed the power of the resulting clusters to resolve cohort identity and/or collection location based on differences in otolith chemistry using multinomial logistic regression. Our results indicate that clustering based solely on salt-fraction elements is best for resolving spatio-temporal variability in spawning sources and larval nursery habitats of black bream.


Concurrent aerial photography and emitted thermal infrared (10.6 micro meters) imagery were acquired over walrus hauled out on sea ice in Foxe Basin, Northwest Territories, Canada. Digital thermal infrared data from a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) imager provides a method for estimating walrus numbers, since the objects (walrus groups) are considerably warmer than the background (ocean and sea ice). Coincident photographic counts and thermal infrared pixel counts are regressed by means of a least squares linear regression and an estimate of group size predicted from the number of pixels represented by each group. The results indicate that analog thermal imagery provides an effective means for obtaining a stratification variable that can subsequently be used in survey design. The FLIR walrus estimation approach is evaluated in the context of replicability, both through the physical mechanics and within a limited range of environmental conditions. Precision of FLIR estimated walrus counts is evaluated relative to the precision of photo counts. Walrus numbers extracted from the digital thermal imagery at a sample swath of 1778 m are as precise as those obtained from three independent photo counts at a sample swath of 686 m. In this configuration the FLIR provides a 160% increase in the sampling (area) fraction. Based on these results, we recommend a stratified approach to estimating walrus abundance using a thermal infrared sensor coupled with visual and photographic censusing techniques. We conclude with recommendations for continued analysis of this infrared censusing technique. Key words: walrus, thermal infrared remote sensing, eastern Canadian Arctic, aerial surveys


Streptococcus mutans is known as a primary pathogen of dental caries, one of the most common human infectious diseases. Exopolysaccharide synthesis, adherence to tooth surface and biofilm formation are important physiological and virulence factors of S. mutans. In vitro comparative gene expression analysis was carried out to differentiate 10 selected genes known to be mostly involved in S. mutans biofilm formation by comparing the expression under biofilm and planktonic environments. Real-time RT-PCR analyses indicated that all of the genes tested were upregulated in the biofilm compared to cells grown in planktonic conditions. The influence of simple dietary carbohydrates on gene expression in S. mutans biofilm was tested also. Among the tested genes, in the biofilm phase, the greatest induction was observed for gtf and ftf, which are genes encoding the extracellular polysaccharide-producing enzymes. Biofilm formation was accompanied by a 22-fold induction in the abundance of mRNA encoding glucosyltransferase B (GTFB) and a 14.8 -fold increase in mRNA encoding GTFC. Levels of mRNA encoding fructosyltransferase were induced approximately 11.8-fold in biofilm-derived cells. Another notable finding of this study suggests that glucose affects the expression of S. mutans GS5 biofilm genes. In spite of a significant upregulation in biofilm-associated gene expression in the presence of sucrose, the presence of glucose with sucrose reduced expression of most tested genes. Differential analysis of the transcripts from S. mutans, grown in media with various nutrient contents, revealed significant shifts in the expression of the genes involved in biofilm formation. The results presented here provide new insights at the molecular level regarding gene expression in this bacterium when grown under biofilm conditions, allowing a better understanding of the mechanism of biofilm formation by S. mutans.


In recent years, the government has enacted a series of narrow tax reforms targeting specific planning strategies. Sometimes these reforms stop the targeted planning, but sometimes they merely prompt a new, more wasteful variation. The difference often lies in so-called frictions, which are constraints on tax planning other than the tax law, such as fees, accounting or regulatory treatment, credit risk, and the like. While frictions are important, reformers often lack key information, and legal academics should help provide it. This Article offers general observations about frictions that deter end runs. Most promising are strong "discontinuous" frictions that impose significant costs when taxpayers depart, even in subtle ways, from the transaction covered by the reform. Costs of relying on frictions are also considered, including information costs and distributional effects. Two case studies also are offered involving tax-motivated use of derivative financial securities. These reforms use essentially the same statutory language, but taxpayers have responded differently - and frictions explain this difference. The first reform, the "constructive sale" rule of Section 1259, targets use of derivatives in effect to sell an appreciated asset without paying tax. The second, the "constructive ownership" rule of Section 1260, targets use of derivatives in effect to invest in a hedge fund (or other pass-through entity) without the usual adverse tax consequences (i.e., less deferral and a higher tax rate). Theoretically, taxpayers can avoid either rule through relatively modest changes in the derivative's economic return. This strategy is commonly used to avoid Section 1259, a reality that was understood by government and taxpayers alike when the measure was enacted. In contrast, this strategy is not commonly used to avoid Section 1260. The difference, which was not well understood by Section 1260's drafters, is that securities dealers cannot supply the derivative that theoretically avoids the rule.


The oncogenic microRNA-155 (miR-155) is the most frequently upregulated miRNA in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive B cell malignancies and is upregulated in other non-viral lymphomas. Both the EBV nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2), and B cell transcription factor, interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) are known to activate transcription of the host cell gene from which miR-155 is processed (miR-155HG, BIC). EBNA2 also activates IRF4 transcription indicating that EBV may upregulate miR-155 through direct and indirect mechanisms. The mechanism of transcriptional regulation of IRF4 and miR-155HG by EBNA2 however has not been defined. We demonstrate that EBNA2 can activate IRF4 and miR-155HG expression through specific upstream enhancers that are dependent on the Notch signaling transcription factor RBPJ, a known binding partner of EBNA2. We demonstrate that in addition to activation of the miR-155HG promoter, IRF4 can also activate miR-155HG via the upstream enhancer also targeted by EBNA2. Gene editing to remove the EBNA2- and IRF4-responsive miR-155HG enhancer located 60 kb upstream of miR-155HG led to reduced miR155HG expression in EBV-infected cells. Our data therefore demonstrate that specific RBPJ-dependent enhancers regulate the IRF4-miR-155 expression network and play a key role in the maintenance of miR-155 expression in EBV-infected B cells. These findings provide important insights that will improve our understanding of miR-155 control in B cell malignancies. IMPORTANCE MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is expressed at high level in many human cancers particularly lymphomas. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects human B cells and drives the development of numerous lymphomas. Two EBV-encoded genes (LMP1 and EBNA2) upregulate miR-155 expression and miR-155 expression is required for the growth of EBV-infected B cells. We show that the EBV transcription factor EBNA2 upregulates miR-155 expression by activating an enhancer upstream from the miR-155 host gene (miR-155HG) from which miR-155 is derived. We show that EBNA2 also indirectly activates miR-155 expression through enhancer-mediated activation of IRF4. IRF4 then activates both the miR-155HG promoter and the upstream enhancer, independently of EBNA2. Gene editing to remove the miR-155HG enhancer leads to a reduction in miR-155HG expression. We therefore identify enhancer-mediated activation of miR-155HG as a critical step in promoting B cell growth and a likely driver of lymphoma development.


Following Z-2 space suit testing that occurred from 2016-2017, the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) Project was tasked with building a demonstration unit of the xEMU space suit to test on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2023. This suit is called xEMU Demonstration Suit (xEMU Demo). Based on feedback from astronauts during the Z-2 NBL test series, design changes were made, resulting in a new prototype suit called the Z-2.5 space suit. The design of the Z-2.5 space suit with an exploration Portable Life Support Systems (xPLSS) mock-up represents the architecture of xEMU Demo. The team is testing Z-2.5 in the NBL to evaluate this architecture and validate changes made from Z-2. The results will inform the xEMU Demo design going forward to its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in the summer of 2019. This Z-2.5 NBL test series focuses on evaluating the microgravity performance of the suit and the ability to complete ISS-related tasks. The series is comprised of 10 manned runs and an unmanned corn-man run. Six test subjects, including four astronauts, will participate. The test objective is to evaluate ability xEMU Demo architecture to perform ISS microgravity tasks. Each crew members will complete both a familiarization run and a nominal EMU EVA timeline run. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected to aid the assessment of the suit. Preliminary feedback from astronauts who have completed the test series evaluate the xEMU Demo architecture as acceptable to complete a demonstration mission on the ISS.


The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antifertility activity of Areca catechu in male albino rats. Alcoholic extract of Areca catechu was studied for antifertility activity at doses 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight. Fertility was assessed with mating test. Body weight and weight of the reproductive organs (testis and epididymis) were observed. Biochemical evaluation (total protein content and cholesterol level) and histopathological study (cellular dynamics) were performed on testes. There was a 50% reduction in fertility at 300 and 100% reduction at 600 mg doses. There was no significant change in the body weight and weight of the reproductive organs (testis and epididymis). Cholesterol in the testis was significantly (p<0.01) increased and total protein content was significantly (p< 0.001) decreased at both doses. Histology of the testis showed reduction in the number of secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. There was a reduction in the number of Leydig cells, increase in the diameter of seminiferous tubules with necrotic products and fluid collections at higher dose. Alcoholic extract of Areca catechu showed antifertility activity at 300 and 600mg/kg body weight doses.


THIS PAPER PRESENTS ANALYSES of gender differences in classroom behaviours (e.g. attentiveness and task persistence) and early academic outcomes. Data is drawn from Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian children (LSAC). In these analyses, data from Wave 1 data collection (2004) and Wave 2 data collection (2006) for the Kindergarten Cohort are used. A sample of 2315 children who were in Year 1 of school at Wave 2 data collection are the focus for the analyses reported. The analyses draw on teacher ratings of children's literacy and language competence and mathematical thinking in Year 1 of school; as well as ratings of children's self-regulatory behaviour in the classroom and level of problem behaviours. Girls were rated by their teachers as having better literacy and language outcomes that were predicted by more positive classroom behaviours. Results are discussed with respect to the influence of children's classroom behaviours on academic learning at the beginning of formal schooling.


The heterogeneous integration of optoelectronic and electronic circuits is poised to transform personal electronics because it will not only enable a vast range of otherwise unattainable capabilities, but will also reduce power consumption, weight and size. Monolithic integrations of high-quality III-V materials with single and poly-crystalline silicon are therefore highly desirable. Direct growth of III-V on silicon substrates has been very challenging because of high epitaxy temperatures that are incompatible with CMOS circuits. Moreover, the large mismatches of lattice constants and thermal expansion coefficients between III-V compounds and silicon cause compromises in reliability and performance. As for poly-silicon, the lack of long-range crystalline coherency in the substrate makes high-quality III-V epitaxial deposition impossible. As such, there has been a focus on growing three-dimensional nanostructures, which show great promise to overcome these difficulties.In this dissertation, a novel growth mechanism that yields catalyst-free, self-assembled, single-crystalline nanoneedles and nanopillars on dissimilar substrates will be presented. At CMOS-compatible growth temperatures (400 ~ 455 oC), single-crystalline InGaAs and InP nanostructures are grown on silicon and poly-silicon substrates via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Unlike nanowires synthesized with vapor-liquid-solid or selective area growth, the nanostructures expand in both axial and radial directions simultaneously. On top of silicon, these core-shell nanostructures can scale beyond a micron in diameter while maintaining pure wurtzite crystal phase. This high-quality growth is very unusual considering over 6% lattice mismatch between III-V and silicon. More surprisingly, single crystalline InGaAs nanopillars with base diameter far exceeding the substrate crystal grain size can be grown directly on poly-silicon. We study these seemingly impossible heterogeneous growths extensively by examining the crystal lattice at the hetero-interfaces via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Discussions on stress-relaxing mechanism, nanostructure nucleation schemes as well as alloy composition uniformity will be presented.With the excellent crystalline quality, InGaAs and InP nanostructures exhibit extraordinary optical properties. Lasing is achieved, for the first time, in as-grown InGaAs and InP nanopillars monolithically synthesized on silicon and poly-silicon. Nanopillar-based devices with respectable diode ideality factor and extremely low dark currents are developed directly on top of silicon. Demonstrations of optoelectronic functionalities including light emission, detection and photovoltaics will be presented. The findings in this work open up a new chapter in the heterogeneous integration of lattice-mismatched materials and their device structure design.


Advances in restorative dentistry have made many tooth whitening techniques economical and cost effective both in developed and developing countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitude and awareness of tooth bleaching among a sample of adults attending shopping malls in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. A cross sectional survey was performed in four major malls located in different regions of Riyadh city in Saudi Arabia. A total of 520 adult visitors were randomly selected to participate in this study. In addition, 82 dentists were requested to participate in the study. Knowledge and attitude toward teeth color and dental bleaching were assessed by using self-administered and pretested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were carried out to express participant's sociodemographic information. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (using enter method) and chi-square tests were used to identify independent predictors of positive attitudes toward dental bleaching. A total of 55.8% of male and 44.2% female responded to the questionnaire. Among all the respondents 67.4% were not satisfied with their tooth color and 77.7% were willing to undergo tooth whitening procedure. Females showed more positive attitude towards tooth bleaching (odd ratio (OR) 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.181-3.166). Participants rated with having excellent, good and fair knowledge exhibited positive attitude toward tooth bleaching compared to participants with poor knowledge (OR: 8.4, 3.4, and 2.0; 95% CIs: 3.31-21.18, 1.81-6.36, and 1.08-3.76). The results depict that majority of the study participants were not satisfied with their tooth color and were willing to undergo tooth whitening procedures. Additionally, gender differences were observed with regards to the attitude towards bleaching. Moreover, participants who had the knowledge of tooth color showed more positive attitude towards tooth bleaching.


Translation of viral proteins from subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) is a common strategy among positive-stranded RNA viruses. Unlike host mRNA, sgRNA of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) does not possess a cap at its 5' end nor a poly(A) tail at the 3' terminus, both of which are known to be crucial for translation of RNA in eukaryotic cells. Here, we demonstrate, that in wheat germ extract (WGE) truncation of the sgRNA1 5' UTR increases translation efficiency, as it has previously been observed in rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL), whereas removal of the 3' UTR does not affect translation. We also describe two regulatory elements located within the coding sequence of the coat protein (CP) gene and its read-through domain (RTD) and are responsible for regulation of in vitro translation of the PLRV sgRNA1. The frst element is composed of the purine sequence AAAGGAAA located between the AUG codons of the CP and 17K genes. Deletion of this domain or its substitution by pyrimidines reduced by half the translation of both genes, whereas deletion of the RTD resulted in a 3.6-fold reduction in translation efficiency. This is the first report of translation regulatory elements of plant viruses located within a coding region.


This study was carried out in Ilala District, Tanzania as part of a major oral health survey. The aim of the study was to investigate the variation in different occlusal and space characteristics among children and adolescents in different age group. A total of 698 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years were examined clinically. The subjects were categorized into three age groups, 6-9 years with early mixed dentition, 10-14 years with late mixed dentition and 15-18 years with permanent dentition. The examiners were calibrated before the survey and the agreement was satisfactory. Anteroposterior relationships of the dental arches were measured according to Angle's classification. Other occlusal and space variables included overjet, overbite, openbite, crossbite, crowding, spacing, and separate determination of diastema mediale. Most of the subjects in different age groups, 93-96%, had Angle's Class I molar occlusion. Large overjet (> 5 mm) occurred in 3-5% of the subjects. Deep bite (> 5 mm) was observed in about 2% of the children in all age groups. Anterior open bite was the most prevalent occlusal anomaly in all age groups, noted in 9-13% of the subjects. Transversal occlusal anomalies were rare. More than 33% of the subjects had spacing while less than 10% had crowding of the dentition. These results indicate that using the present criteria, most 6- to 18-year olds in Ilala district have optimal sagittal occlusion and a lot of spacing. The most common occlusal anomaly was anterior openbite.


Andesites are typical rocks of island arcs and may either form by fractional crystallization processes or by mixing between a mafic and a felsic magma. Here we present new petrographic and geochemical data from lavas of the submarine Monowai volcanic system in the northern Kermadec island arc that display a continuous range in composition from basalt to andesite. Using petrology, major, trace, and volatile element data, we show that basaltic magmas mostly evolve to andesitic magmas by fractional crystallization. Our thermobarometric calculations indicate that the formation of the large caldera is related to eruption of basaltic‐andesitic to andesitic magmas from a magma reservoir in the deeper crust. Small variations in trace element ratios between the caldera and the large active cone imply a homogeneous mantle source. Contrastingly, resurgent dome melts of the caldera stagnated at shallower depths are more depleted and show a stronger subduction input than the other edifices. The Monowai basaltic glasses contain less than 1 wt % H2O and follow typical tholeiitic fractionation trends. High‐An plagioclase crystals observed in the Monowai lavas likely reflect mixing of H2O‐saturated melt batches with hot and dry tholeiitic, decompression melt batches. The result is a relatively H2O‐poor mafic magma at Monowai implying that partial melting of the mantle wedge is only partly due to the volatile flux and that adiabatic melting may play a significant role in the formation of the parental melts of the Monowai volcanic system and possibly other arc volcanoes.


A method for determining reduced-order models for rotating beams is presented. The approach is based on the construction of nonlinear normal modes that are defined in terms of invariant manifolds that exist for the system equations of motion. The beam considered is an idealized model for a rotor blade whose motions are dominated by transverse vibrations in the direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation (known as flapping). The mathematical model for the rotating beam is relatively simple, but contains the nonlinear coupling that exists between transverse and axial deflections. When one employs standard modal expansion or finite element techniques to this system, this nonlinearity causes slow convergence, leading to models that require many degrees of freedom in order to achieve accurate dynamical representations. In contrast, the invariant manifold approach systematically accounts for the nonlinear coupling between linear modes, thereby providing models with very few degrees of freedom that accurately capture the essential dynamics of the system. Models with one and two nonlinear modes are considered, the latter being able to handle systems with internal resonances. Simulation results are used to demonstrate the validity of the approach and to exhibit features of the nonlinear modal responses. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1426071#


The presence or absence of a quantum critical point and its location in the phase diagram of high-temperature superconductors have been subjects of intense scrutiny. Clear evidence for quantum criticality, particularly in the transport properties, has proved elusive because the important low-temperature region is masked by the onset of superconductivity. We present measurements of the low-temperature in-plane resistivity of several highly doped La2–xSrxCuO4 single crystals in which the superconductivity had been stripped away by using high magnetic fields. In contrast to other quantum critical systems, the resistivity varies linearly with temperature over a wide doping range with a gradient that scales monotonically with the superconducting transition temperature. It is maximal at a critical doping level (pc) ∼ 0.19 at which superconductivity is most robust. Moreover, its value at pc corresponds to the onset of quasi-particle incoherence along specific momentum directions, implying that the interaction that first promotes high-temperature superconductivity may ultimately destroy the very quasi-particle states involved in the superconducting pairing.


Plant development is highly plastic, allowing plants to adapt to constant changes in environmental conditions. An excellent example of developmental plasticity is shoot branching. The final architecture of the shoot system is determined by the integration of environmental cues such as light and nutrients with endogenous cues. In this thesis the effect of Nitrogen (N) availability on Arabidopsis shoot branching was used as a model to investigate plant developmental plasticity. In particular, natural variation in shoot branching response to N supply was investigated using a set of multi parent advanced generation inter cross (MAGIC) lines (Kover et al., 2009).
Correlations between traits in a selected group of MAGIC lines revealed several interesting correlations, characterising two strategies for N response. One strategy involved flowering early, maintaining branch numbers of low N, and minimal shift in resource allocation to roots. This was associated with good seed yield and yield retention on low N. An alternative strategy involves late flowering, high branching on high N but low branching on low N, (i.e. high branching plasticity), and a substantial increase in root fraction on Low N. This was associated with high seed yields on high N, but poor yield retention on low N.
The molecular basis for these different strategies are currently unknown, but it seems likely that plant hormones are involved. Analysis of bud activation on isolated nodal stem segments provided strong evidence that the regulation of branching by N availability requires strigolactone (SL), and that strigolactone acts by increasing the competition between buds. There was some evidence of strigolatone resistance in a low plasticity MAGIC line.
Shoot system architecture is a key factor underlying crop yield, and yield stability under low N input is an agricultural priority. Therefore, in parallel the branching responses of a set of Brassica rapa lines to N limitation were determined. Results highlight many conserved features between Arabidopsis and Brassica, as well as some differences. These comparisons should aid breeding for shoot system architectures that can deliver improved yield under low N.


We present a novel approach for the measurement and estimation of network traffic management in heterogeneous network environment. This research investigates performance evaluation of network traffic on heterogeneous services and technologies environment. We propose an enhanced equation to evaluate the performance of network traffic management via Little Law and Queuing theory to improve the evaluation algorithm. To get accuracy results on the performance of simulation model, we measure data from lab experiment and real LAN network environment. We use network management tool to capture those data and network analyzer to generate traffic. As a result, this simulation model can provide a good approximation of the real traffic observed in the real LAN network environment.


Hardware accelerators are becoming a highly appealing approach to boost the raw performance as well as the price-performance and power-performance ratios of current clusters. In this paper we present a strategy to retarget PLAPACK, a library initially designed for clusters of nodes equipped with generalpurpose processors and a single address space per node, to clusters equipped with graphics processors (GPUs). In our approach data are kept in the device memory and only retrieved to main memory when they have to be communicated to a different node. Here we benefit from the object-based orientation of PLAPACK which allows all communication between host and device to be embedded within a pair of routines, providing a clean abstraction that enables an efficient and direct port of all the contents of the library. Our experiments in a cluster consisting of 16 nodes with two NVIDIA Quadro FX5800 GPUs each show the performance of our approach.


This review covers the development of technology and methods of hormone detection in the human biological environment: from radioimmunological technique to various immune-enzyme methods. Modern ultrasensitive methods of immuneanalysis, which function on the principle of luminescent or fluorescent signal detection, are described in the article. In the recent years physiochemical ultrasensitive methods of detection using mass-spectrometry in combination with high resolution liquid chromatography are being more acknowledged and in perspective will become the leading technique of biological detection. This article also lists main achievements reached using aforesaid methods of hormone detection both in fundamental and in clinical endocrinology.


To improve knowledge of the Teton fault's ground-rupturing earthquake history, we excavated trenches across two fault scarps near the southwest shore of Leigh Lake. Detailed stratigraphic and sedimentologic analyses allow preliminary inferences regarding the fault history. The trenches exposed faulted glacial sediments and overlying hillslope colluvium sediments, documenting at least two fault ruptures since deglaciation of the range front at ~15 ka. Samples are currently being analyzed using radiocarbon and luminescence dating techniques to determine the ages of the sediments and constrain the timing of fault rupture.

Featured photo from Figure 3 in report.


This thesis performs an event study on contingent convertible (CoCo) bond offering announcements made in the period 2009-2016. Using a sample of 95 announcements from 39 European banks and a standard event study methodology, we find that CoCo announcements on average lead to increased equity prices and reduced CDS spreads indicating that both equity and credit markets have a favorable view of CoCo's. Equity prices react more positively to CoCo design features implying high wealth transfer to shareholders at conversion. We also find some evidence suggesting that the positive reaction relates to a partial anticipation of equity. The increase in equity prices does not apply to a significant proportion of observation however, meaning that these findings can't be generalized to all individual CoCo announcements. The reduction CDS spreads suggest that CoCo's do reduce the perceived probability of default. Credit markets appear to have a preference for CoCo's with low implied wealth transfer to shareholders at conversion but the main determinant in explaining the reduction in CDS spreads is issue size. The reduction in spreads also appears to be more prominent for later issues indicating that the perception of CoCo's have changed, or that markets anticipates CoCo's more for later issues. Through a logit regression and a Cox proportional model we find that large banks are more likely to issue CoCo's and that the typical CoCo issuers have a higher degree of long term financing and higher Tier 1 ratios compared to their non-issuer counterparts.


Character-based holistic education is new perspective that starting to be realized will give impact not only to character building but also to others developmental tasks, especially in preschool children. This study aims to analyze the impact of character-based holistic education to their multiple intelligences which was held in the preschool education in North Aceh District, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province. This research design is cross sectional study. This study population is preschool age children (5-7 years), consists of children that attended in Taman Bermain Anak Semai Benih Bangsa (TBASBB)-as a nonformal educationand Taman Kanak Kanak (TK) -as a formal education-, and who do not attended in TBA-SBB/TK. The total samples -and his/her familywere 208. The result of the research showed that character of TBA-SBB participants significantly better than control group, even with a group of formal education (TK). Participants of TBA-SBB had the highest multiple intelligences and significantly different in all aspects of multiple intelligences than the control group. Character and multiple intelligences of the TBA-SBB participants are strongly influenced by the implementation of holistic education in TBA-SBB. Therefore, children who attend school with a good holistic education implementation will have a higher character and multiple intelligences


Time series analysis methods have been shown to reveal clinical and biological associations in data collected in the electronic health record. We wish to develop reliable high-throughput methods for identifying adverse drug effects that are easy to implement and produce readily interpretable results. To move toward this goal, we used univariate and multivariate lagged regression models to investigate associations between twenty pairs of drug orders and laboratory measurements. Multivariate lagged regression models exhibited higher sensitivity and specificity than univariate lagged regression in the 20 examples, and incorporating autoregressive terms for labs and drugs produced more robust signals in cases of known associations among the 20 example pairings. Moreover, including inpatient admission terms in the model attenuated the signals for some cases of unlikely associations, demonstrating how multivariate lagged regression models' explicit handling of context-based variables can provide a simple way to probe for health-care processes that confound analyses of EHR data.


Cells have evolved efficient strategies to probe their surroundings and navigate through complex environments. From metastatic spread in the body to swimming cells in porous materials, escape through narrow constrictions— a key component of any structured environment connecting isolated microdomains—is one ubiquitous and crucial aspect of cell exploration. Here, using the model microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , we combine experiments and simulations to achieve a tractable realization of the classical Brownian narrow-escape problem in the context of active confined matter. Our results differ from those expected for Brownian particles or leaking chaotic billiards and demonstrate that cell-wall interactions substantially modify escape rates and, under generic conditions, expedite spread dynamics.


Exposures to fine particulate matter PM2.5 are associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's (AD, PD) and TDP-43 pathology in young Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC) residents. High-resolution structural T1-weighted brain MRI and/or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) data were examined in 302 volunteers age 32.7 ± 6.0 years old. We used multivariate linear regressions to examine cortical surface area and thickness, subcortical and cerebellar volumes and MoCA in ≤30 vs. ≥31 years old. MMC residents were exposed to PM2.5 ~ 30.9 µg/m3. Robust hemispheric differences in frontal and temporal lobes, caudate and cerebellar gray and white matter and strong associations between MoCA total and index scores and caudate bilateral volumes, frontotemporal and cerebellar volumetric changes were documented. MoCA LIS scores are affected early and low pollution controls ≥ 31 years old have higher MoCA vs. MMC counterparts (p ≤ 0.0001). Residency in MMC is associated with cognitive impairment and overlapping targeted patterns of brain atrophy described for AD, PD and Fronto-Temporal Dementia (FTD). MMC children and young adult longitudinal studies are urgently needed to define brain development impact, cognitive impairment and brain atrophy related to air pollution. Identification of early AD, PD and FTD biomarkers and reductions on PM2.5 emissions, including poorly regulated heavy-duty diesel vehicles, should be prioritized to protect 21.8 million highly exposed MMC urbanites.


Abstract. A new stereoscopic measurement technique is developed to obtain an all-sky altitude map of aurora using two ground-based digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. Two identical full-color all-sky cameras were set with an 8 km separation across the Chatanika area in Alaska (Poker Flat Research Range and Aurora Borealis Lodge) to find localized emission height with the maximum correlation of the apparent patterns in the localized pixels applying a method of the geographical coordinate transform. It is found that a typical ray structure of discrete aurora shows the broad altitude distribution above 100 km, while a typical patchy structure of pulsating aurora shows the narrow altitude distribution of less than 100 km. Because of its portability and low cost of the DSLR camera systems, the new technique may open a unique opportunity not only for scientists but also for night-sky photographers to complementarily attend the aurora science to potentially form a dense observation network.


The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of indolebutyric acid (IBA) and to evaluate the influence of the part of the cane from which the cuttings were taken on rhizogenesis of rootstocks (1103 Paulsen, SO4, Dogridge) and grapevine cultivar 'Vidiano' (Vitis vinifera L.). Three rootstocks (1103 Paulsen, SO4, Dogridge) with five different auxin treatments (control, 60, 120, 250 and 1000 ppm IBA) were examined under hydroponic conditions. A comparative study of rhizogenesis was performed between grapevine cultivar 'Vidiano' and the three rootstocks, as well as the part of the cane. The cuttings were collected from the vineyard of the Laboratory of Viticulture of the Agricultural University of Athens. It was shown that, in general, the middle and, secondarily, the base part of the cane give the best results concerning the percentage of kalogenesis, the percentage of rhizogenesis, the average diameter of roots, the average number of roots per cutting, the total surface of roots and the total length of roots. Among the concentrations, 120 and 250 ppm showed a high percentage of rooting for the three rootstocks studied (Dogridge, 1103P, SO4) and the cultivar 'Vidiano'. The effect of three factors (cultivar, part of cane from which the cuttings were taken, IBA concentration) was evaluated concerning the percentage of kalogenesis, the percentage of rhizogenesis, the average diameter of roots, the average number of roots per cutting, the total surface of roots and the total length of roots. The results showed that controls had the shortest roots and 60 ppm IBA showed a sharp increase at root length probably due to increased rhizogenesis compared to that of the controls. The bases of the cuttings of the three rootstocks gave the longest roots probably due to better nutrition. The highest percentages of rhizogenesis were observed in the base, middle and top cuttings of 1103 Paulsen at the treatment of 250 ppm (95, 80, 80%, respectively), followed by the treatment of 120 ppm of the middle cuttings of the same rootstock (75%). The experiment showed that the cultivar ('Vidiano') and the rootstocks (1103 Paulsen, SO4, Dogridge) which rooted easily need smaller concentrations of IBA. The treatment of 1000 ppm IBA gave the lowest rates (kalogenesis, rhizogenesis, root number, root length, root surface, and average root diameter) at all cuttings of 'Vidiano' and the rootstocks SO4 and Dogridge.


General Concept: Let's look at a 200% price collar, that is the retail price can be no more than twice the raw fluid price paid to farmers. (Mass. Bill) Assume: The retail price is $3.00 and the raw price is $1.00 per gallon (near today's situation). To comply, the channel firms can: 1) Cut the retail price to $2.00. Note: This leaves them $1.00 margin. 2) Raise the farm price to $1.50 by paying a 50¢ over order premium (O.O.P.) Note: This leaves them $1.50 margin. Conclusion: Under this policy processors and retailers will raise raw price by paying over-order premiums.


The cardiac electrophysiological effects of agmatine (AGM) were examined in guinea pig papillary muscle using intracellular microelectrode technique. The results obtained are as follows. (1) Duration of action potential (APD) in normal papillary muscles were decreased by AGM in a concentration-dependent manner. (2) In partially depolarized papillary muscles, amplitute of action potential, overshoot, maximal velocity of phase 0 depolarization and APD were depressed by AGM. (3) Pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 0.5 mmol/L) did not affect the above effects of AGM (1 mmol/L) on papillary muscles. (4) The effects of AGM (1 mmol/L) could be blocked completely by pretreatment with idazoxan (0.1 mmol/L), an alpha 2-adrenoceptor (alpha 2-AR) and imidazoline receptor (IR) antagonist. All these results indicate that the effects of AGM on papillary muscles are likely due to a decrease of intracellular calcium mediated by alpha 2-AR and IR.


A Monte Carlo optical code for the optimisation of scintillation gamma cameras based on a single scintillator coupled to arrays of Si photodiodes (PDs) or Si drift detectors (SDDs) have been developed. The simulator allows to calculate the expected gain (e-/keV), position resolution and energy resolution of the gamma detector for different geometries and boundary conditions at the crystal interfaces. A validation of the algorithm has been carried out by comparing the results of the simulations with the corresponding experimental results obtained on existing prototypes of detectors recently developed. An example of application of the proposed code in the study of a small scintillation camera is also reported.


Wound infections in AIDS patients increase discomfort, prolong hospital stay, render an additional burden upon an already debilitated patient and weaken the immune system further. Treatment must relate to the aetiology of the wound and take into account the patients underlying health problems. The treatment of wounds in HIV-AIDS patients is not different from the standard treatment. There are wound -related criteria for selecting the appropriate types of dressing. The best dressing for postoperative wound healing by secondary intention is unknown. Continuing wound evaluation and the appraisal of what dressing is useful for the type of wound and stage of healing is the basis of optimum wound care Optimum wound care, emotional support; health education will enhance both the emotional and physical wellbeing of the HIV-AIDS patient.


: With progress in the field of fetal echocardiography, it has become clear that certain obstructive lesions of the heart and great vessels may progress in utero, leading to more severe disease. Prenatal intervention may mitigate this process, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for patients with certain severe congenital cardiac defects. In this review, we provide an update on the prospects for fetal cardiac intervention, with a focus on the field of fetal cardiac surgery.


Available bandwidth - as well as capacity or achievable bandwidth - on a path or a link is one of the very important parameters to measure or estimate in a network: it is of high interest for many networking functions (routing, admission and congestion control, load balancing, etc). Active probing techniques provide the easiest and the more flexible approach, for estimating available bandwidth. In addition, they can be used for different network technologies or structures. Many techniques and tools for available bandwidth estimation appeared recently, but little attention has been given to the accuracy of the estimated values in the real Internet, most of previous studies focusing on validating the accuracy of these tools on local platform. Therefore, this paper deals with evaluating the accuracy of active estimation tools in the real wide area Internet. We use passive monitoring tools for this purpose. We then built a platform combining active and passive equipments, and define a methodology for evaluating active probing techniques using passive tools. The passive evaluation relies on DAG system cards that represent references for such kind of measurements. This paper then discusses the results we got in the different experiments with different tools. In particular, we use traffic generators for changing the characteristics of the traffic on the Internet paths, which we are making our measurements on. It is useful for analyzing the accuracy of active estimation tools according to network and traffic conditions.


Abstract Coupling between deformation processes and rock permeability is a major factor influencing fluid migration and fluid-rock interaction during the formation of mesothermal lode gold systems in mid- to upper crustal regimes. The evolution of permeability during deformation is controlled by a dynamic competition between deformation-induced porosity creation processes and porosity destruction processes. Localization of deformation in faults and shear zones leads to flow localization, with large scale flow systems forming when active faults and shear zones link to create percolation networks. Broad regions of fluid focusing develop around the upstream segments of active shear networks and fluid discharge regions develop in the downstream parts of these systems. The architecture of flow within shear networks is influenced by the relative proportions of backbone, dangling and isolated structures within the network. Connectivity in the network may increase with growth of the shear network, but is expected to continually change as the locus and intensity of deformation changes. The typical distribution of mesothermal lode deposits within crustal scale shear networks indicates that mesothermal systems might develop most efficiently in networks that are close to the percolation threshold, i.e. with most flow occurring along a flow backbone forming only a small part of the total shear network. Dangling elements adjacent to the backbone, particularly in the downstream (discharge) parts of the system, provide some of the best potential for gold deposition by fluid-rock interaction processes. Contrasting styles of fluid flow are expected between the seismogenic and aseismic regimes of the shear- or fault-hosted hydrothermal systems associated with mesothermal lode gold formation. Below the seismic-aseismic transition, creep processes can lead to near-steady state permeabilities and produce continuous fluid flow regimes. In the seismogenic regime, large cyclic changes in fault permeability, fluid pressures and fluid flux occur during the seismic cycle, and lead to fault-valve behaviour and episodic fluid flow. The seismogenic regime allows for a richer variety of gold deposition processes than is generally available in the aseismic regions of hydrothermal systems associated with lode gold formation.


In the course of the 2000s Denmark has experienced a shift in drug policy in general and of cannabis policy in particular. Danish drug policy used to be known as liberal, but is now saturated with 'zero‐tolerance' and 'tough on crimes' rhetoric. What happened, and what have the consequences been? This article describes recent changes, focusing on the closing of Pusher Street in Christiania, Copenhagen, one of northern Europe's largest open cannabis markets. This most spectacular outcome can also be seen as a conquered symbol of a former liberal ‐ and for many too lenient ‐ drug policy.