The feasting hall in heroic poetry has special meanings since it contains both physical and moral dimensions. In heroic poetry such as Beowulf the most important concept, the binding force of society, was the comitatus, the mutual loyalty between lord and his chosen warriors. The lord gave legal and economic protection in return for military services. The central location for the comitatus society was the hall, called goldsele (gold-hall), meduseld (mead-hall), hringsele (ring-hall) or gifhealle (gift-hall) in Beowulf. Here vows of allegiance were interchanged, heroic boasts made and feasting and mead-drinking carried out. In this context hall functions not only as a space for entertainment but also as a place where heroic ethos is formed. The beer (mead)-drinking at the feasting hall implies not only the literal act of consumption, but also the ritual swearing of vows. This drinking custom at the mead-hall is especially important in clan society, since it is understood as a symbol and a confirmation of mutual social obligation. A successful lord means the one who secures a consistent binding force based on complete loyalty. Since this binding force is directly related to the existence of the heroic society, the distribution of wine and a pledge from warriors contain more significant symbolic meaning than the mere formality of a banquet hall.


Introduction: The diffuse type of gastric adenocarcinoma has been found to be more prevalent in low risk countries like Cameroon. The objective of this study was to determine the most frequent histological type of gastric cancer found in Yaounde and its association to the Helicobacter pylori infection. Materials and Methods: The registries of histopathology laboratories of 4 reference hospitals in Yaounde, Cameroon have been reviewed for registered primitive gastric malignancies from July 2009 to May 2014. Paraffin blocks mounted on slides and stained with Hematoxylyn and Eosin of gastric cancer cases were re-stained Giemsa to search for Helicobacter pylori and they were classified using the criteria of Lauren in intestinal type or diffuse type. Results: Forty-two cases were reviewed: 25 (59.5%) of them were intestinal type of gastric adenocarcinoma, 11 (26.2%) were diffuse type, 4 (9.5%) were malignant gastric lymphoma, 1 (2.4%) was a stromal tumor, and 1 (2.4%) was a colloid carcinoma. The most common site of location was the proximal gastric portion (52.2%). The overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 88.1%, most common with the intestinal type (100%) and malignant lymphoma (100%) than with the diffuse type (72.2%) (p = 0.007). Conclusion: The most common type of gastric adenocarcinoma in Cameroon is the intestinal type and Helicobacter pylori infection is more common in the intestinal type and malignant gastric lymphoma than in the diffuse type. The Helicobacter pylori eradication campaigns are needed.


In this paper, we present a dual actuator logging disk architecture to minimize write access latencies. We reduce small synchronous write latency using the notion of logging writes, i.e. writing to free sectors near the current disk head location. However, we show through simulations that logging writes by itself is not sufficient to reduce write access latencies, particularly in environments with writes to new data and intermixed reads and writes. Therefore, we augment the logging write method with the addition of a second disk actuator. Our simulations show that the addition of the second actuator offers significant performance benefits over a normal disk over a wide range of disk access patterns, and comparisons to strictly logging disk architectures show advantages over a range of disk access patterns.


A guide to library resources for the Caribbean Studies Centre, including an overview of databases, advice on referencing, a support page for researchers and contact details for your department's Subject Librarian.


With the progress of localized treatment procedures such as unicompartmental knee replacement, chondrocyte implantation and osteochondral grafting, it has become important to develop a means of assessing early stage cartilage and bone degradation. This review outlines the recent advances in arthroscopic tools, and discusses the major problems and issues faced in developing effective assessment methods. The central problem in joint tissue assessment is to discriminate degradation from the wide variation in normal tissue. This discrimination, however, is far from being realized by current methodologies, and is compounded by the difficulty in correlating structural features with pain and mobility in the joint. In response to these findings, an argument is provided for a new direction in quantitative tissue evaluation using an integrated chemical, structural, and functional approach, and the importance of structurefunctionpain relationships. © 2010 World Scientific Publishing Company.


Distributed generation (DG) refers to electricity generating plant that is connected to a distribution network rather than the transmission system. At present, small-scale DGs are mostly treated as 'negative demand' to the transmission system. However, if their contribution to transmission levels are fully understood and properly assessed, these generators can make into valuable assets to improve operational efficiency and substitute major infrastructure investment. This PhD research aims to addresses this challenge from three key aspects: 1. On assessment methodologies, our current industrial practices to evaluate DG-to- transmission-contribution reveal inherent defects. The method given in the transmission system (SQSS) is not sufficient to reflect today's dispersed generation technologies; while the method for the distribution system (P2/6) fails to reflect and discriminate between different characteristics of distribution networks that DGs are connected. Overcoming these drawbacks, enhanced frameworks to evaluate DG contribution have been developed in this research. 2. On generator's contribution, little attention has been paid to photovoltaic (PV) outputs characterization and their integration to the overall evaluation process. Neither SQSS nor P2/6 pays sufficient attantion to evaluating PV's contribution to system. In this regard, an approach aiming at characterizing PV seasonal outputs is proposed. Integrating with the proposed frameworks, this part of the research completes the DG contribution evaluation architecture. 3. On commercial arrangements, conventional business models largely rely on network investment to meet customer demand. Earning a fixed rate of return on invested capital, incumbent distribution network operator (DNO) businesses are encouraged to invest in network assets, very little has been done to support third party service providers for more efficient network development. In the third part of this research, alternative DNO business models and market mechanisms are proposed to further unlock the potential of DG, substantially increase the potential of their contributions to the transmission system.


Some studies have examined ticket sales in the context of a sporting event. However, only a few have investigated the determinants of ticket prices, and, to date, none have done so in the context of a multidisciplinary sports mega-event. This study examines this complex paradigm through the case of the World Swimming Championships held in Barcelona, Spain. The particular focus of this study was whether, in such a framework, the same model of analysis of price determinants could be applied equally to all the disciplines that comprise the sporting mega-event. The applied model was significant, explaining the ranges of variation of the ticket prices in the different sport disciplines. The main hypothesis was rejected, which suggests that when examining price determinants in multidisciplinary sport mega-events, it will be convenient to implement a different model for each sporting discipline (aquatic, in the case at hand). These results can help professionals better understand consumer fluctuations throughout the ticket sales process in such an environment, in order to appropriately price tickets. This, in turn, will lead to maximizing revenue, as well as attendance, at sporting events.


The self-enrichment of massive star clusters by p-processed elements is shown to increase significantly with increasing gas density as a result of enhanced star formation rates and stellar scatterings compared to the lifetime of a massive star. Considering the type of cloud core where a globular cluster (GC) might have formed, we follow the evolution and enrichment of the gas and the time dependence of stellar mass. A key assumption is that interactions between massive stars are important at high density, including interactions between massive stars and massive-star binaries that can shred stellar envelopes. Massive-star interactions should also scatter low-mass stars out of the cluster. Reasonable agreement with the observations is obtained for a cloud-core mass of ∼4 × 106 M⊙ and a density of ∼2 × 106 cm−3. The results depend primarily on a few dimensionless parameters, including, most importantly, the ratio of the gas consumption time to the lifetime of a massive star, which has to be low, ∼10%, and the efficiency of scattering low-mass stars per unit dynamical time, which has to be relatively large, such as a few percent. Also for these conditions, the velocity dispersions of embedded GCs should be comparable to the high gas dispersions of galaxies at that time, so that stellar ejection by multistar interactions could cause low-mass stars to leave a dwarf galaxy host altogether. This could solve the problem of missing first-generation stars in the halos of Fornax and WLM.


In Vietnam, social health insurance (SHI) benefit package has been defined in a more explicit approach with the introduction of a regulation on the list of conditional reimbursed and non-reimbursed medical services. This paper aims to analyze the implementation results of this regulation from an economical perspective as well as the implementation challenges. Mix-method approach was employed. The quantitative component was employed to understand the implementation results. Desk study and qualitative components (2 inteviews with key informants from Ministry of Health; 6 discussions with key informants from provincial Social Security Offices and Departments of Health in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Tuyen Quang, Thai Binh and Soc Trang provinces; the other 23 discussions and 31 interviews with key informants from 23 selected hospitals) was employed to summarize the implementation challenges. The regulation seems to not able to mitigate the reimbursement of high-technology and expensive services in higher-level providers. There is a sign of increasing out-of-pocket payments for those regulated services in higher-level providers. It has also posed greater influence on lower-level providers in terms of the proportion of reimbursement amount rather than to higher-level hospitals. Applying World Health Organization's 6 building blocks of health system to analyze the implementation challenges, we provide policymakers evidence to improve the regulation, as well as point out the relating health system weakness need to be strengthened. KeywoRdS: Reimbursement condition, health services, policy implemenation, benefit package, reimbursement list, social health


Maximum entropy (MENT) is a well-known image reconstruction algorithm. If only a small amount of acquisition data is available, this algorithm converges to a noisy and blurry image. We propose an improvement to this algorithm that consists on applying alternately the MENT reconstruction and the robust anisotropic diffusion (RAD). We have tested this idea for the reconstruction from full-angle parallel acquisition data, but the idea can be applied to any data acquisition scenario. The new technique has yielded surprisingly clear images with sharp edges even using extremely small amount of projection data.


We investigate aqueous proton penetration behavior across a newly synthesized nanoporous two-dimensional conjugated aromatic polymer (2D-CAP) membrane using extensive ReaxFF reactive molecular dynamics simulations. We found that the proton penetration energy barrier across 2D-CAP is twice as high as that of graphtetrayne, even though 2D-CAP exhibits a larger pore size. Detailed analysis indicates that the anomalous high proton conduction energy barrier of 2D-CAP originates from its unique atomic nanopore structure. The hydrogen atoms at the periphery of the 2D-CAP nanopores can form a stable local hydrogen bond network with water molecules inside or surrounding the nanopores. The mobility of water molecules involved in this local hydrogen bond network will be significantly lowered, and the proton transportation process across the nanopores will thus be impeded. Our results show that the proton penetration behavior across nanoporous 2D materials is influenced not only by the pore size, but also by the decorated atoms or functional groups at the pore edges. Hydrogen atoms at the periphery of nanopores with certain geometry can form a stable local hydrogen bond network with neighboring water molecules, further hampering the proton conductivity.


In the last two decades, Africa has witnessed series of wars and ethno-religious conflicts with devastating impact on women. Various atrocities against women have been recorded during these conflicts and these developments have created a dangerous dimension against non-combatant women in the continent. In an attempt to resolve the conflict and armed conflict on women in the areas of sexual and gender-based violence, series of peace missions and peace building mechanism were put in place. Despite the various peace negotiations, evidence has shown that women are largely absent from formal peace negotiations and their voices are not heard both at local and continental levels especially within the modern-day challenges and post conflict development. In fact, the transformation agenda of post-conflict peace negotiations routinely failed to consider the gendered causes and consequences of armed conflict and post-conflict reconstruction. It is against this backdrop that this paper attempts to reassess the ambivalent role of women in conflict management in Africa. More importantly, the paper argues that there is need to increase women's participation in peace talks, planning of demilitarisation, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) and determining governance and security structures, especially in conflict prone areas. Ultimately, the paper seeks to also identify challenges hindering the role and the participation of women in post conflict development in Africa.


Experimental and theoretical characterization and studies of phase transitions and stability of the solvates obtained in solvate screening of the pharmaceutical compound benperidol were performed to rationalize and understand the solvate formation, stability, and phase transitions occurring during their desolvation. The solvate screening revealed that benperidol can form 11 solvates, including two sets of isostructural solvates. The analysis of the solvate crystal structures and molecular properties indicated that benperidol solvate formation is mainly driven by the complications during packing of benperidol molecules in an energetically efficient way in the absence of solvent molecules, as well as by the compensation of an insufficient number of hydrogen bond donor moieties. Analysis of solvate structures, particularly those of isostructural solvates, revealed that both the possible interactions and the size and shape of the solvent molecules were important factors in solvate formation. Stability of the ...


The Combined Heat and Power System of Greater Copenhagen, which is a
 district heating system supplied by CHP plants, is one of the largest of its kind.
 It is a complex system with different kind of production units, transmission
 lines and heat storages. Huge costs are related to running the total system,
 thus effcient planning is needed.
 Today the daily planning for the system is done by a divided process, where pro-
 duction companies create production plans, which are then re-optimized by the
 heat companies taking into account transmission limitations and storages. The
 re-optimizations are done using a mathematical mixed integer linear program
 model known as The Katja Model.
 In the Katja model the production units are included with a fixed production
 level combined with marginal costs of changing this production level. In this
 thesis, a much more detailed modeling of the production units of the CHP system
 is introduced, called The Esben Model. By modifying/extending The Katja
 Model with The Esben Model, The E&K Model, is derived. This combined
 model is capable of finding a least cost plan for the entire system in a single
 process and at the same time represents the production units in a more realistic
 way than in the original Katja Model.
 Tests of The E&K Model using real-life datasets are done. In the initial tests
 it is seen that the complex modeling of a special energy tax makes the solver
 run out of memory. Thus the modeling of this should be studied further. When
 running the model without this energy tax a 24 hour plan is found within a
 minute and as consequence the energy tax are removed from the model in the remaining tests.
 These remaining tests shows how The E&K Model is capable of representing
 technical and economical details such as unit commitment, complex production
 profiles, exibility with respect to electricity prices and costs, multi-fuel boilers,
 production level dependent fuel effciencies, emissions and the taxes on these and
 much more. All this shows the many capabilities of the powerful and exible
 tool which could be used to represent many other CHP systems.
 In addition to The E&K Model a framework capable of simulating an optimal
 periodic rescheduling process is presented. A periodical rescheduling process
 should diminish the uncertainty of the information which the planning is based
 upon. A test carried out with the framework illustrates that it is important that
 the quality of the information is increased as time progresses if the periodical
 rescheduling should have any effect.


Intimal accumulation of indium-111-labeled platelets in the middle cerebral arteries was examined in two different models of experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the cat. SAH was produced in 7 subjects by a transorbital rupture of the right middle cerebral artery (RMCA) and in 10 subjects by the transorbital cisternal injection of 2 ml of autologous arterial blood around the RMCA. Animals in both experimental groups were sacrificed at 2, 4, 24, and 48 hours after SAH. The radioactivity (in counts per minute) of the RMCA segment was divided by that of the left middle cerebral artery (LMCA) to produce a radioactivity ratio (RMCA/LMCA). This radioactivity ratio was determined for each animal and was scored as positive if it was 1.25 or greater, and as negative if it was less than 1.25. The scores derived from the radioactivity ratios in both experimental SAH groups were mostly positive (86 and 70%, respectively) and were significantly different (P less than 0.05) from those of intact controls (n = 7) or sham-operated controls (n = 5; n = 4). There was, however, no significant difference (P = 0.35) between the scores of the two experimental groups in the first 48 hours after SAH. The results indicate that subarachnoid blood placed upon the adventitial surface of intact cerebral arteries activates platelet aggregation to a degree comparable to that which occurs after mechanical vessel rupture in the acute stages of SAH. We suggest that the noxious agents responsible for arterial injury and subsequent intimal platelet aggregation after SAH exert their influence primarily from the abluminal surface of the cerebral artery.


Mathematics support for students is an innovation in the teaching and learning of mathematics which now plays a vital role in their learning experience and which is provided by most universities in the United Kingdom, and increasingly in other parts of the world. This paper describes and reviews research into the development of this provision over the last 30 years or so, providing a rationale for its establishment in terms of student under-preparedness for the mathematical demands of university study, widening participation in higher education and the increasing importance of mathematical and statistical skills to a very wide range of disciplines. The most common model used to provide mathematics support is a 'drop-in' centre which offers one-to-one support to students who attend to see an


Study Design. An in vivo study of the biologic and biomechanical consequences of static compressive loading on the mouse tail intervertebral disc. Objectives. To determine whether static compression in vivo alters the biologic activity of the disc and leads to diminished biomechanical performance. Summary of Background Data. Static compressive stress that exceeds the disc's swelling pressure is known to change hydration and the intradiscal stress distribution. Alterations in hydration and stress have been associated with changes in disc cell activity in vitro and in other collagenous tissues in vivo. Methods. Mouse tail discs were loaded in vivo with an external compression device. After 1 week at one of three different stress levels, the discs were analyzed for their biomechanical performance, morphology, cell activity, and cell viability. A second group of mice were allowed to recuperate for 1 month after the 1‐week loading protocol to assess the disc's ability to recover. As an aid to interpreting the histologic and biologic data, finite‐element analysis was used to predict region‐specific changes in tissue stress caused by the static loading regimen. Results. With increasing compressive stress, the inner and middle anulus became progressively more disorganized, and the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis increased. The expression of Type II collagen was suppressed at all levels of stress, whereas the expression of aggrecan decreased at the highest stress levels in apparent proportion to the decreased nuclear cellularity. Compression for 1 week did not affect the disc bending stiffness or strength but did increase the neutral zone by 33%. As suggested by the finite‐element model, during sustained compression, tension is maintained in the outer anulus and lost in the inner and middle regions where the hydrostatic stress was predicted to increased nearly 10‐fold. Discs loaded at the lowest stress recovered anular architecture but not cellularity after 1 month of recuperation. Discs loaded at the highest stress did not recover anular architecture, displaying islands of cartilage cells in the middle anulus at sites previously populated by fibroblasts. Conclusions. The results of the current project demonstrate that static compressive loading initiates a number of harmful responses in a dose‐dependent way: disorganization of the anulus fibrosus; an increase in apoptosis and associated loss of cellularity; and down regulation of collagen II and aggrecan gene expression. The finite element model used in this study predicts loss of collagen fiber tension and increased matrix hydrostatic stress in those anular regions observed to undergo programmed cell death after 1 week of loading and ultimately become populated by chondrocytes after one month of recuperation. This correspondence conforms with the suggestions of others that the cellular phenotype in collagenous tissues is sensitive to the dominant type of tissue stress. Although the specific mechanisms by which alterations in tissue stress lead to apoptosis and variation in cell phenotype remain to be identified, our results suggest that maintenance of appropriate stress within the disc may be an important basis for strategies to mitigate disc degeneration and initiate disc repair.


The current study investigated the putative relationship between loneliness and anxiety sensitivity (AS. Socially embedded, normal, and lonely participants (N=308) completed 4 reliable and valid measures, Revised UCLA loneliness scale, the State- Trait Anxiety Inventory Trait scale (STAI-T), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), and Fear Questionnaire (FQ). A positive relationship between loneliness and AS was found. After controlling for trait anxiety, AS predicted group differences between the lonely and normal, however this difference was not found between the lonely and socially embedded groups. Avoidance produced a significant multivariate main effect but did not predict group differences after controlling for trait anxiety and AS. It was concluded that avoidance in lonely individuals may be due partially to an enhanced sensitivity to the physiological symptoms of anxiety (AS) elicited distinctively within social contexts. Future research utilising multidimensional models of loneliness and attachment measures are suggested.


Abstract β-Thalassemia (β-thal) results from homozygous or compound heterozygous inheritance of β-globin alleles that yield decreased or absent synthesis of the β chain. Disease is frequently severe, requiring lifelong transfusion therapy. Heterozygosity for a β-thal allele results in an asymptomatic carrier state with mild but characteristic hematological findings. More than 200 β-globin alleles have been demonstrated to produce β-thal. For populations with a high prevalence of β-thal, screening for carrier status, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis are important components of efforts to both reduce disease incidence and provide early diagnosis and treatment. It is therefore important to define and characterize potential β-thal alleles. We sought to further characterize the previously reported β-thal allele, HBB: c.*233G > C. This variant is provisionally included in the HbVar database based on a study of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip with β-thal disease or carrier status (known or suspected) where 4.2% of subjects were found to have HBB: c.*233G > C. In our patient population, we detected the HBB: c.*233G > C variant in 17.3% of individuals (17 heterozygotes, one homozygote) undergoing β hemoglobin (Hb) gene sequencing at our laboratory over a 25-month period. Hematological parameters were analyzed to determine if these individuals demonstrated findings consistent with inheritance of a β-thal allele. Individuals with the HBB: c.*233G > C variant did not demonstrate any abnormalities in hematological parameters characteristic of β-thal carrier state (17 heterozygotes) or clinical evidence of disease (homozygote). Our data demonstrate no evidence for pathogenicity of the HBB: c.*233G > C variant but rather demonstrate that this variant is a common benign polymorphism.


Abstract Syntheses for the three members of the copper hydroxyl nitrate family - the polymorphs rouaite and gerhardtite, and likasite - are presented along with powder diffraction data and unit-cell parameters. The solubilities, determined in 0.05 м KNO3 solution after equilibration at 25ºC for 10 days were used to calculate activity-based solubility product constants. The Gibbs energies of formation, obtained from the solubility products, are -653.2±0.7 kJ/mol, -655.1±1.2 kJ/mol and -1506.4±1.1 kJ/mol, for rouaite, gerhardtite, and likasite (Cu3NO3(OH)5·2H2O), respectively. The values for the polymorphs rouaite and gerhardtite validate the observations of Oswald that gerhardtite is the most stable polymorph at room temperature and that the preparation of predominantly rouaite in syntheses carried out at room temperature must be due to the metastability and low rate of conversion to the more stable gerhardtite.


Although stigma has been studied extensively in psychology and sociology, there has been little research on stigmatization in organizational settings. This special topic forum, which includes four articles, builds on previous social science research and expands its coverage both to individuals within organizations and to organizations themselves. As we note here, these four articles provide an opportunity to examine not only the harm caused by stigma but its potential benefits as well.


Theoretical analysis of a square-law detector composed of a field effect transistor has been conducted to develop a circuit model for the terahertz (THz) wave detection. Mathematical formulae that indicate the detection characteristics of the detector are derived by applying the unified charge control model of FET channel carriers and by considering drift and diffusion current. The circuit model with an external circuit similar to the actual system is considered. The analysis of the circuit of the detectors reveals the effects of the subthreshold slope and the gate length of FETs on the sensitivity. In addition, square-law detectors have been fabricated using a high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) with an InGaAs/InAs/InGaAs double heterostructured channel on a glass substrate. The device has been fabricated using the layer transfer technology and showed electron mobility as high as 3200  cm2/Vs. Detection performance is characterized by directly inputting 1.0 THz waves through a THz probe to detectors. Detection results agree well with the characteristics predicted from the circuit model. Furthermore, our analysis expresses the contribution of drift and diffusion to the total detection characteristics. Experiments carried out using HEMT detectors also prove that the sensitivity, such as maximum voltage responsivity and minimum noise equivalent power of the detectors, is related to the subthreshold slope and the gate length. In other words, a small subthreshold slope and a short gate length of an FET lead to a high-sensitive detection.Theoretical analysis of a square-law detector composed of a field effect transistor has been conducted to develop a circuit model for the terahertz (THz) wave detection. Mathematical formulae that indicate the detection characteristics of the detector are derived by applying the unified charge control model of FET channel carriers and by considering drift and diffusion current. The circuit model with an external circuit similar to the actual system is considered. The analysis of the circuit of the detectors reveals the effects of the subthreshold slope and the gate length of FETs on the sensitivity. In addition, square-law detectors have been fabricated using a high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) with an InGaAs/InAs/InGaAs double heterostructured channel on a glass substrate. The device has been fabricated using the layer transfer technology and showed electron mobility as high as 3200  cm2/Vs. Detection performance is characterized by directly inputting 1.0 THz waves through a THz probe to detectors...


TO THE EDITOR: Our referring physicians have found hepatobiliary scanning with gallbladder stimulation by Kinevac (sincalide for injection; Bracco Diagnostics Inc., Princeton, NJ) to be useful in the management of their patients. With Kinevac no longer available ( 1), we sought to develop an alternative procedure to provide similar information. On the basis of our review of fatty-meal gallbladder stimulation studies using ultrasonography ( 2,3) and cholescintigraphy ( 4,5), we developed a protocol using a standardized oral fatty meal to serve as the stimulus for gallbladder contraction. At 60 min after the intravenous administration of 185 MBq (5 mCi) of 99mTcmebrofenin, and assuming normal visualization of the gallbladder, we give the patient 90 mL (3 oz) of heavy whipping cream sweetened with a teaspoon of sugar. This quantity contains 30 g of fat. Imaging is performed immediately after ingestion of the meal and at 15, 60, and 75 min after ingestion. The ejection fraction is calculated using the peak (baseline or, rarely, 15 min) and trough (75 or, rarely, 60 min) counts. On the basis of our previous experience and for simplicity's sake, background and decay correction are not performed. We analyzed the data for the first 82 consecutive patients on whom the protocol could be successfully accomplished. The whipping cream was usually not given to patients with nasogastric tubes, and only 2 other patients could not tolerate the meal. When an ejection fraction of 40% was considered abnormal and 40%– 49% was considered borderline, 11 (13%) of 82 patients had an abnormal ejection fraction and 21% had an abnormal or borderline ejection fraction. When the same parameters were used on our last 32 consecutive Kinevac-stimulated scans, 3 (9%) of 32 patients had abnormal ejection fractions and 5 (16%) of 32 had abnormal or borderline ejection fractions. For fatty-meal and Kinevac stimulation, the average ejection fractions of all patients were 70% and 71%, respectively. We conclude that fatty-meal–stimulated cholescintigraphy is well tolerated and easy to perform and results in ejection fraction values similar to those obtained with Kinevac-stimulated cholescintigraphy. We are in the process of evaluating the clinical significance of the ejection fractions obtained with the fatty meal.


We previously reported that patients with asymptomatic severe stenosis of extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) have worse dizziness and poorer cognitive performance than matched controls in association with distributed and long-range brain disconnections. There is currently a lack of evidence whether optimal medical treatment alone or with carotid revascularization could be the best treatment for cognitive impairment in these patients.
 We consecutively followed 25 patients with asymptomatic severe stenosis (>70%) of ICA. Sixteen received carotid artery stenting (CAS) and optimal medical treatment and nine received optimal medical treatment alone. All subjects received a battery of neuropsychological tests as well as diffusion tensor imaging and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, and were followed at three months after treatments.
 We found that patients receiving CAS (100% success), but not those receiving medical treatment alone, had significant improvements in dizziness scores (P=0.001), immediate recall of verbal memory (P=0.002) and complex visuospatial perception (P=0.007) three month after intervention. The interval changes of whole-brain mean fractional anisotropy of both groups were insignificant, and the analysis of functional connectivity is undergoing.
 The results may provide insight into whether the benefits of carotid revascularization, including mitigating thromboembolic events and cognitive impairment, outweigh perioperative risks including functional consequence of microemboli.


An attempt is made to go beyond the semi-classical approximation for gravity in the Born-Oppenheimer decomposition of the wave-function in minisuperspace. New terms are included which correspond to quantum gravitational fluctuations on the background metric. They induce a back-reaction on the semi-classical background and can lead to the avoidance of the singularities the classical theory predicts in cosmology and in the gravitational collapse of compact objects.


Trade is essential for Caribbean countries' development and poverty reduction. Given their small market size, they are dependent on exports to produce manufactured products at efficient scale. And given their natural amenities, they rely on tourism as a major spur to economic activity. Trade in the Caribbean thus makes an essential contribution to increasing employment and reducing poverty by supporting growth. At the same time, the high dependence on trade also makes Caribbean economies vulnerable to external shocks. For example, the global financial crisis imposed substantial job losses in sectors such as tourism that the poor rely on for employment. This report employs several different, but complementary, empirical approaches to analyzing the impact of this emerging new trade environment on shared prosperity in the Caribbean. These include the following six topics, with each corresponding to an individual chapter: (i) assessment of the Caribbean's performance in reaping the opportunities offered by the new trade environment; (ii) identification of the main determinants of Caribbean countries' trade performance; (iii) discussion of the role of innovation and access to keys services in improving the productivity of exporting firms; (iv) exploration of how regional integration and other trade agreements could boost Caribbean trade performance; (v) firm-level examination of the implications of trade for employment; and (vi) identification of which households are involved in international trade and the implications of trade for their socio-economic status.


Purpose – This paper aims to evaluate the structure of the PIT in Nepal.
Methodology/design/approach –This study adopts descriptive and quantitative research approach, sourcing the data and information from both primary and secondary, which include books, reports (economic survey, report/statement of Central Bureau of Statistics, etc.), journals, bulletins, newspapers, websites, etc. For the objective result, we use statistical tools to confirm the value of the PIT structure.
Findings and conclusion – The PIT is a major ingredient of income tax, which contains a complex and critical structure in income components, exemption limit, tax base, units, and tax rates. The study found increment in the exemption limit based on equity, equality and with the rate of inflation. However, the method of determination of exemption limit was unscientific. The tax slabs and rates observed three categories progressive, digressive and mild progressive under the three governments regimes inconsistent with national tax policy. Different era of government imposed the tax burden on different slabs and observed decline in tax progressivity in the later year. In the studied period, the PIT payers sacrificed27.81% amount as tax and saved only 72.19% of their total taxable net earnings. It showed a high rate of tax. The tax burden on PIT reached as high as 45.49%in 1989-90 and as low as 24.13% in 1998-99. The gap between maximum and minimum ranged 22.89%, with a great disparity in the tax policy and an average tax, the burden remained 32.56% during the studied period. A high rate of tax encourages the evasion; taxpayers alter their decisions on the financial activities, which reduce the benefit of both the public authorities and taxpayers or citizens. Good tax policy should strive to provide benefit to both the concerned parties.
Originality/value – This is descriptive research to find out the structure of Piton Nepal, which is derived and written by the author using the primary as well as secondary sources of data and information. Thus, this is original writing in the context of Nepal and in PIT literature.


Introduction: Hispanics suffer disproportionately compared with non-Hispanic Whites from health conditions that are affected by physical inactivity and poor dietary habits. Method: A needs assessment was conducted in Hialeah, Florida, the largest enclave of Cubans in the United States, to assess the perspectives of community stakeholders and members regarding the roles of physical activity and nutrition environments. Interviews were performed with community stakeholders (n = 21), and responses were grouped into major themes. Surveys were conducted with community members (n = 85). Descriptive analyses were used to categorize responses and potential differences across responses were explored. Results: Both community members and stakeholders reported that the local park system was a major asset to healthy living in Hialeah and agreed that traffic issues and a lack of walkability were major barriers to being physically active; however, there was variability in the response to the quality of the food environment. Conclusion: The perspectives of the community members and stakeholders will be valuable in highlighting pathways to enhancing the health and wellness of the residents of Hialeah.


Diabetes mellitus affects an estimated 175 million people worldwide. Approximately one-third of patients with diabetes have toenail onychomycosis. To determine effcacy and safety of terbinafine treatment in toenail onychomycosis of patients with diabetes mellitus receiving oral antidiabetic agents and/or insulin. Special interest was focused on potential drug interactions with oral hypoglykaemic substances. In a multicentre trial, patients suffering from IDDM or NIDDM with toenail onychomycosis were treated for 12 weeks with terbinafine (250 mg/day) and followed up to 48 weeks. In addition to clinical, mycological and laboratory investigations, blood glucose levels were monitored. At the end of the trial a mycological cure rate of 73% was achieved. The rates of clinical cure and complete cure (mycological cure plus clinical cure) were 57% and 48%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the NIDDM and IDDM groups with respect to the cure rates @ > 0.05). No hypoglykaemic episode was reported and none of the patients had hypoglykaemia during the treatment phase. With excellent cure rates and a good tolerability profile, terbinafine should continue to be the drug of choice for the treatment of toenail onychoniycosis in the rising number of non-insulindependent diabetes mellitus patients receiving multiple medication.


This paper takes both a conceptual and an empirical approach to answer the question as to how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be connected to the company's role as an agent of social value creation when it operates within an imperfect institutional framework of market competition. To develop a functional design for an empirical study, we draw on the concept of ordonomics, which provides a heuristics for responsible business activities in society. Drawing on ordonomics, we devise three questions: Referring to action responsibility we ask in which CSR activities companies do invest in their day-to-day business. Referring to governance responsibility we ask as to how companies realize win-win solutions through strategic commitments. In addition, with regard to discourse responsibility we ask in which stakeholder dialogues companies engage in order to discuss and find functional rules for organizing win-win solutions. In our empirical study, we reveal insights into the micro-level analysis of the CSP-CFP link and generate several new questions to be the subject of future research.


We present a new procedure to construct the one-dimensional non-Hermitian imaginary potential with a real energy spectrum in the context of the position-dependent effective mass Dirac equation with the vector-coupling scheme in 1+1 dimensions. In the first example, we consider a case for which the mass distribution combines linear and inversely linear forms, the Dirac problem with a PT-symmetric potential is mapped into the exactly solvable Schrödinger-like equation problem with the isotonic oscillator by using the local scaling of the wavefunction. In the second example, we take a mass distribution with smooth step shape, the Dirac problem with a non-PT-symmetric imaginary potential is mapped into the exactly solvable Schrödinger-like equation problem with the Rosen–Morse potential. The real relativistic energy levels and corresponding wavefunctions for the bound states are obtained in terms of the supersymmetric quantum mechanics approach and the function analysis method.


Registering models is an essential building block of many robotic applications. In case of three-dimensional data, the models to be aligned usually consist of point clouds. In this letter, we propose a formalism to represent in a uniform manner scenes consisting of high-level geometric primitives, including lines and planes. Additionally, we derive both an iterative and a direct method to determine the transformation between heterogeneous scenes (solver). We analyzed the convergence behavior of this solver on synthetic data. Furthermore, we conducted comparative experiments on a full registration pipeline that operates on raw data, implemented on top of our solver. To this extent we used public benchmark datasets and we compared against state-of-the-art approaches. Finally, we provide an implementation of our solver together with scripts to ease the reproduction of the results presented in this letter.


Volume I: Introduction to Volumes I and II 1. A profile: the ET Interview: Professor Clive Granger Part I. Spectral Analysis: 2. Spectral analysis of New York Stock Market prices O. Morgenstern 3. The typical spectral shape of an eonomic variable Part II. Seasonality: 4. Seasonality: causation, interpretation and implications A. Zellner 5. Is seasonal adjustment a linear or nonlinear data-filtering process? E. Ghysels and P. L. Siklos Part III. Nonlinearity: 6. Non-linear Time Series Modeling A. Anderson 7. Using the correlation exponent to decide whether an economic series is chaotic T. Liu and W. P. Heller 8. Testing for neglected nonlinearity in Time Series Models: a comparison of neural network methods and alternative tests 9. Modeling nonlinear relationships between extended-memory variables 10. Semiparametric estimates of the relation between weather and electricity sales R. F. Engle, J. Rice and A. Weiss Part IV. Methodology: 11. Time Series Modeling and interpretation M. J. Morris 12. On the invertibility of Time Series Models A. Anderson 13. Near normality and some econometric models 14. The Time Series approach to econometric model building P. Newbold 15. Comments on the evaluation of policy models 16. Implications of aggregation with common factors Part V. Forecasting: 17. Estimating the probability of flooding on a tidal river 18. Prediction with a generalized cost of error function 19. Some comments on the evaluation of economic forecasts P. Newbold 20. The combination of forecasts 21. Invited review: combining forecasts - twenty years later 22. The combination of forecasts using changing weights M. Deutsch and T. Terasvirta 23. Forecasting transformed series 24. Forecasting white noise A. Zellner 25. Can we improve the perceived quality of economic forecasts? Short-run forecasts of electricity loads and peaks R. Ramanathan, R. F. Engle, F. Vahid-Araghi and C. Brace. Volume II: Part I. Causality: 1. Investigating causal relations by econometric models and cross-spectral methods 2. Testing for causality 3. Some recent developments in a concept of causality 4. Advertising and aggregate consumption: an analysis of causality R. Ashley and R. Schmalensee Part II. Integration and Cointegration: 5. Spurious regressions in econometrics 6. Some properties of time series data and their use in econometric model specification 7. Time series analysis of error correction models A. A. Weiss 8. Co-Integration and error-correction: representation, estimation and testing 9. Developments in the study of cointegrated economic variables 10. Seasonal integration and cointegration S. Hylleberg, R. F. Engle and B. S. Yoo 11. A cointegration analysis of Treasury Bill yields A. D. Hall and H. M. Anderson 12. Estimation of common long-memory components in Cointegrated Systems J. Gonzalo 13. Separation in cointegrated systems and persistent-transitory decompositions N. Haldrup 14. Nonlinear transformations of Integrated Time Series J. Hallman 15. Long Memory Series with attractors J. Hallman 16. Further developments in the study of cointegrated variables N. R. Swanson Part III. Long Memory: 17. An introduction to long-memory Time Series models and fractional differencing R. Joyeux 18. Long-memory relationships and the aggregation of dynamic models 19. A long memory property of stock market returns and a new model Z. Ding and R. F. Engle.


Whilst the empirical process of research highlights substantive findings, understanding the methodological approach in which access is gained and sustained on field sites is also an integral part of the data. Gaining access in ethnographic studies, in particular, is a complex task which requires researchers to continually negotiate systems and processes in order that they may reflect on the socially embedded practices of their chosen fields. However, once the researchers are accepted, the ethnographer then has to be aware of the effect their presence has on the field and that access is a continual process of negotiation and contestation. Based on a longitudinal study, which conducted a 15-month ethnography in two social work organizations, this article will explore the dilemmas various members of a research team experienced when trying to blend into the different sites. And then, once having achieved their desired position, the challenges they encountered when they realized that their presence was affecting the performances of their participants. We conclude by discussing the importance of reflexivity, power and ethics. Ethnographic research may be a more natural way for researchers to collect data, but it is also a method which positions researchers in situations, where they can easily influence encounters and, in effect, become part of the findings as well.


In spite of advances in computer technologies, information processing, automation technologies, manufacturing processes, and the push for integration across all functional areas toward a totally automated manufacturing system, the suggestion is that quality assurance is usually missing. On the other hand, quality-based competition is showing that quality management based on inspection is far from reality and that producing defect-free products is not enough. It is necessary to know the customers first and then to satisfy, or surpass, their requirements in order to remain competitive. In the context of company-wide quality and ISO9000, this can be achieved by designing quality into every aspect of an organization as part of an integrated quality assurance system. In this paper, a structural model for integrated quality assurance information systems (QAIS's) using IDEFO methodology, is presented. It is intended that a knowledge-based expert system linked to this structural model will provide a DSS to assist design of quality assurance systems with appropriate information flows to suit the requirements of various business profiles.


This study examined the independent and combined effects of exercise training, weight loss and changes in dietary quality on the serum lipid profile in sedentary, healthy and overweight young women. 83 women 18-25 years with body mass index>25 were randomly assigned to four groups, control (C), diet (D), exercise (E) and exercise and diet (ED). Height, weight, per cent body fat (BF%), TC, HDL-C, TG and LDL-C were measured before and after an 8-week intervention period. Subjects in the two exercise groups walked five times a week, 45 min per session, at 60%-80% of maximum heart rate (MHR). Duration and intensity of exercise were gradually increased over a 3-week period from 25 to 30 min/sessions at 60%-65% of MHR during week 1 to 45 min at 70% to 80% MHR from weeks 4 through 8. Subjects in the two nonwalking groups (C and D) reported to the exercise facility 5 days per week for 45 min of stretching and mild range of motion calisthenics. The intent was to keep heart rate below 100 beats per minute. One-way ANOVA was the statistical test (α=0.05). Relative to control group, the ED and D groups displayed a 4.2% and 4.1% reduction in body mass, 9% and 7% reduction in BF%, 29% and 26% reduction in TG. LDL-C fell by 12% in ED group. For each kg of weight loss there was a decrease of 0.05, 0.02 and 0.015 mg/dl in TC, LDL-C and TG respectively. No change of body mass occurred in E group. Exercise alone was insufficient to stimulate change in any lipid or lipoprotein measures. These results demonstrated that weight loss mostly was due to diet, because the exercise was the same in groups E and ED. The lipid profile improved and body mass decreased.


seed germination, is a new alternative to no-till in areas where poorly drained soils are dominant. Where soil moisture conditions are suitable, strip-tillage creates narrow-width tilled strips, traditionally in the fall, to increase early spring soil evaporation and soil temperature in the top 2 inches. This is particularly effective in poorly drained wet soils, where slightly raised soil strips are created by normally available farm equipment such as anhydrous knives, disks, coulters, tool bars or manure injection equipment. Both fertilizer application and strip-tillage can be performed in one operation. The basic requirements for strip-tillage to be effective are accuracy in matching tillage equipment on the tool bar with the planter and placement of seeds in the tilled zones. Consider the Strip-Tillage Alternative


This study provides a description of the general nature of SMEs and their development factors as well as the support that Cohesion Policy and other EU policies provide to SMEs. It then assesses practical aspects and effects of Cohesion Policy on enterprises and SMEs on the basis of a review of published materials and eight case studies drawn from SMErelevant ERDF OPs from 2007-2013; where possible, it also includes lessons learnt from 2000-2006. The conclusions and policy recommendations put forward clearly highlight the complex relationship between EU policies and SMEs as final beneficiaries of support in the EU multilevel governance system.


Classical black holes are solutions of the field equations of General Relativity. Many astronomical observations suggest that black holes really exist in nature. However, an unambiguous proof for their existence is still lacking. Neither event horizon nor intrinsic curvature singularity have been observed by means of astronomical techniques. This paper introduces to particular features of black holes. Then, we give a synopsis on current astronomical techniques to detect black holes. Further methods are outlined that will become important in the near future. For the first time, the zoo of black hole detection techniques is completely presented and classified into kinematical, spectro-relativistic, accretive, eruptive, obscurative, aberrative, temporal, and gravitational-wave induced verification methods. Principal and technical obstacles avoid undoubtfully proving black hole existence. We critically discuss alternatives to the black hole. However, classical rotating Kerr black holes are still the best theoretical model to explain astronomical observations.


Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is a novel form of 'flapless' corneal refractive surgeryfor remodeling the profile of the cornea by removing the stroma to correct myopia (Figure a). The stromas prepared by the SMILE surgery under different hydration levels are studied by atomic force microscopy (Figure b-d). It shows the morphologies are significantly related to the hydration levels. The stroma in 40% humidity (Figure b) shows fine collagen fiber with clear periodicity. However, the stroma immersed in physiological buffer for 0.2h (Figure c) show particle protrusions along the fiber and the periodicity disappears. The longer time immersed stroma in physiological buffer (1h) shows fiber with bigger width, and again no periodicity can be seen (Figure d). This phenomenon indicates that the stroma swells when it is immersed in physiological buffer. This proves the stroma has an innate tendency to imbibe fluid and its biophysical property depends on precisely maintaining its hydration level. (a) The photo captured during the refractive lenticule extraction SMILE surgery; (b) Morphology of the corneal stroma in 40% humidity; (c) Morphology of the corneal stroma immersed in physiological buffer for 0.2 hour; (d) Morphology of the corneal stroma immersed in physiological buffer for 1 hour. All the scale bars are 250 nm.

*Corresponding author: Mingdong Dong, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark, Tel: 87156729, E-Mail: email@example.com


A micromechanical method to measure and analyze interfacial debonding of single fibers in transverse tension was developed. The damage process was observed in-situ by optical microscopy. Two glass fiber/epoxy (GF/EP) systems were studied with different fiber surface treatment. Results from calculations of the interfacial fracture toughness for Mode I and Mode II failure are presented. The theoretical analysis is based on a modification of Toya`s stress analysis of a de bonded circular inclusion, calculation of the work required to I close the crack and a mixed-mode failure criterion.


The financial and economical crisis of the last three years has brought many new challenges for the Swiss economy. However, every crisis presents opportunities. A new report by Deloitte and the Institute of Management of the University of St. Gallen shows how Swiss business rate these opportunities and which actions are required by the government and companies if Switzerland wants to stay ahead in global competitiveness.


This Specification has been prepared under the aegis of a Joint Committee of the Illuminating Engineering Society and the Home Office (A.R.P. Department), by a Sub-Committee of the Society. It forms one of a series of Specifications issued by the B.S.I. at the request of the Air Raid Precautions Department of the Home Office.


Human herpesvirus 8-encoded IRF homologues were the first to be identified in a virus. Through inhibitory interactions with cellular IRFs and other mediators of antiviral signaling, the vIRFs are believed to be essential for productive replication and also for latency in particular cell types. The deubiquitinase USP7 is a regulator of key cellular pathways, modulates HHV-8 latent and lytic infection, and is targeted by vIRFs 1, 3, and 4. Here, we report that vIRF-2 also interacts with USP7, via a means distinguishable from USP7 interactions with other vIRFs and other proteins, that this interaction modulates antiviral signaling via disruption of USP7 interactions with innate immune signaling proteins TRAF3 and TRAF6, and that vIRF-2 targeting of USP7 regulates HHV-8 productive replication. The presented data are the first to identify vIRF-2 targeting of USP7 and its role in HHV-8 biology, expanding our understanding of the repertoire and importance of virus-host interactions. ABSTRACT Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) encodes four viral interferon regulatory factors (vIRFs 1 to 4), all of which are expressed during lytic replication and inhibit a variety of antiviral signaling pathways. Viral IRFs 1, 2, and 3 are also expressed during latency in primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells, and vIRF-1 and vIRF-3 have been reported to promote PEL cell viability. Viral IRFs 1, 3, and 4 are known to interact with ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7); interactions of vIRF-1 and vIRF-3 with USP7 promote PEL cell viability and regulate productive replication. Here, we report that vIRF-2 also targets USP7, utilizing a PSTS motif matching the USP7 N-terminal domain-binding A/PxxS consensus, but uniquely requires catalytic domain residues for intracellular interaction. In functional and mechanistic analyses, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF)-mediated signaling and associated polyubiquitination of TRAFs 3 and 6, specifically, were regulated negatively by USP7 and positively by vIRF-2-USP7 interaction, the latter competing for USP7-TRAF association. Using depletion, depletion-complementation, and targeted mutagenesis approaches, vIRF-2 was determined to promote latent PEL cell viability, likely independently of USP7 interaction, while lytic replication was inhibited by vIRF-2, in part or in whole via USP7 interaction. Together, our data identify a new molecular determinant of USP7 recognition, TRAF3/6-specific targeting by the deubiquitinase, associated activation of these TRAFs by vIRF-2, and activities of vIRF-2 and vIRF-2-USP7 interaction in HHV-8 latent and lytic biology. IMPORTANCE Human herpesvirus 8-encoded IRF homologues were the first to be identified in a virus. Through inhibitory interactions with cellular IRFs and other mediators of antiviral signaling, the vIRFs are believed to be essential for productive replication and also for latency in particular cell types. The deubiquitinase USP7 is a regulator of key cellular pathways, modulates HHV-8 latent and lytic infection, and is targeted by vIRFs 1, 3, and 4. Here, we report that vIRF-2 also interacts with USP7, via a means distinguishable from USP7 interactions with other vIRFs and other proteins, that this interaction modulates antiviral signaling via disruption of USP7 interactions with innate immune signaling proteins TRAF3 and TRAF6, and that vIRF-2 targeting of USP7 regulates HHV-8 productive replication. The presented data are the first to identify vIRF-2 targeting of USP7 and its role in HHV-8 biology, expanding our understanding of the repertoire and importance of virus-host interactions.


Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether submaximal muscle endurance at 20% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) is as reduced as muscle strength in elbow flexion in children with cerebral palsy (CP), and whether motor unit recruitment to compensate muscle fatigue is hampered in this group. Methods: Twelve subjects with cerebral palsy and seventeen control subjects performed three MVICs of elbow extension and flexion, and an endurance task holding a load of approximately 20% of MVIC until exhaustion. Both tasks involved either the affected or the non-dominant arm. During the MVICs, elbow extension and flexion torque and surface electromyography (EMG) from biceps brachii, triceps longus and triceps lateralis were collected. During the endurance task EMG from the same three muscles, in addition to accelerometer and inclinometer data were collected. Results: The CP group produced some lower torque and significant lower agonist EMG amplitudes during MVIC compared to the control group. The holding time to exhaustion was similar in the two groups. The CP group did not increase EMG amplitudes during this task, while the control group did. This difference between the two groups was significant. The median frequency (MDF) from start to end of the endurance task decreased on average 50% less in the CP group, but this difference between the two groups was not significant. Standard deviation (SD) of angle increased from start to end in both groups, increasing significantly more in the control group. SD of acceleration increased significantly in both groups, increasing more in the control group. Conclusion: The CP and the control group carried out the endurance task to exhaustion. The CP and the control group had similar holding time at the same relative load during the endurance task indicating muscle endurance was similar affected as muscle strength in children with CP. Agonist muscle activity during the endurance task did not increase in the CP group. Consequently, the CP subjects were not able to recruit additional motor units and had relatively lower levels of muscle fatigue. Key words: Cerebral palsy, MVIC, endurance, 20% of MVIC, holding time, EMG, biceps brachii, motor unit recruitment, muscle fatigue.


The influence of dietary fat on recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rHuTNF-alpha)-associated vascular endothelial injury in mice was examined. Histopathologic evaluation showed that greater injury was consistently observed in the uterus characterized by necrosis of endothelial cells lining small vessels in the endometrium and accompanied by multifocal hemorrhage and inflammatory cell accumulation. Mice fed standard animal diet, high corn oil diet, or high menhaden oil diet showed no differences in their susceptibility to the acute injury caused by rHuTNF-alpha injected alone or in combination with recombinant murine interferon-gamma. These results indicate that uterine endothelium may be a more sensitive target for rHuTNF-alpha-mediated endothelial injury and that high menhaden oil diet does not protect against tissue injury associated with the administration of rHuTNF-alpha alone or in combination with recombinant murine interferon-gamma.


Introduction: The challenge of navigating a Mobile robot in dynamic environments has grasped significant attention in recent years. Despite the available techniques, there is still a need for efficient and reliable approaches that can address the challenges of real-time near optimal navigation and collision avoidance. Methods: This paper proposes a novel Log-concave Model Predictive Controller (MPC) algorithm that addresses these challenges by utilizing a unique formulation of cost functions and dynamic constraints, as well as a convergence criterion based on Lyapunov stability theory. The proposed approach is mapped onto a novel recurrent neural network (RNN) structure and compared with the CVXOPT optimization tool. The key contribution of this study is the combination of neural networks with model predictive controller to solve optimal control problems locally near the robot, which offers several advantages, including computational efficiency and the ability to handle nonlinear and complex systems. Results: The major findings of this study include the successful implementation and evaluation of the proposed algorithm, which outperforms other methods such as RRT, A-Star, and LQ-MPC in terms of reliability and speed. This approach has the potential to facilitate real-time navigation of mobile robots in dynamic environments and ensure a feasible solution for the proposed constrained-optimization problem.


Many innovation studies focus on adoption behaviors at the individual and organizational level, while studies examine innovation adoption at the community and population level is relatively limited. These studies, focusing on the diffusion of an innovation across organizations, are important as they illustrate the dynamics of adoption behaviors in a broader context of socio-political factors. In this review study, we examine three prominent diffusion theories: classic diffusion theory, institutional diffusion theory, and cognitive-institutional diffusion theory. We identify the underlying diffusion mechanism in each theory. Future research is needed to show how these diffusion mechanisms interact in creating various diffusion patterns.


We consider parallel reduction of a real matrix to Hessenberg form using orthogonal transformations. Standard Hessenberg reduction algorithms reduce the columns of the matrix from left to right in either a blocked or unblocked fashion. However, the standard blocked variant performs 20% of the computations as large matrix‐vector multiplications. We show that a two-stage approach consisting of an intermediate reduction to r-Hessenberg form speeds up the reduction by avoiding matrix‐vector multiplications. We describe and evaluate a new high-performance implementation of the two-stage approach that attains significant speedups over the one-stage approach on a dual quad-core machine. The key components are a dynamically scheduled implementation of the first stage and a blocked adaptively load-balanced implementation of the second stage.


In the Allocation Formula negotiations and in the Metro Atlanta Water Resources Plan reference is made to a 705 MGD average annual consumptive withdrawal limit for the Chattahoochee Basin above Peachtree Creek. Setting such a limit is a serious task because it defines the acceptable depletion level for municipalities and industries to plan their future growth. In this paper several questions relating to this consumptive withdrawal limit will be discussed including: 1) In what temporal context should such a demand limit be provided, 2) What is the relationship between a consumptive withdrawal limit for the Upper Chattahoochee basin and the water available in the basin or the "yield" of the basin, and 3) Accounting for regulated and unregulated reaches in yield calculations. Defining the limits of consumptive withdrawals should 1) be based on an analysis of the safe yield of the upper Chattahoochee Basin, 2) accommodate for seasonal variations in flow, withdrawals and returns and 3) should be based on conservative assumptions.


The increase in greenhouse gas concentration, one of which is Methane (CH4), is the main cause of global warming and climate change. Organic materials which easily decomposed are the main sources of CH4 production in paddy fields. The research aimed to find out and analyze the dynamics of CH4 emission in each stage of rice growth, seasonal CH4 emission, and rice productivity cultivated both organically and conventionally on Alfisols and Andisols at Karanganyar Regency, Indonesia. All treatments were conducted by local farmers with common agricultural practices. In conventional farming, for Andisols only fertilizer has applied the chemical whereas for Alfisols the chemical fertilizer was applied with the addition of fresh chicken manure. The sampling of CH4 gas conducted four times in each location at 15, 35, 65, and 100 days after planting (DAP), respectively, using box chambers (50×50×100 cm). The gases were analyzed using gas chromatography, while productivity was determined by calculating total yield 2.5 m−2 (Indonesian Statistical Bureau). The treatment of Andisols C (Andisols with Conventional Farming Management) resulted in the highest CH4 emission in paddy fields for one planting season. The highest CH4 emissions were obtained at the active tillering phase (35 DAP), because of the effect of flooded conditions. For both andisols and alfisols conventional farming management resulted in higher rice productivity, whereas organic farming management resulted in better economically and in preserving the environment.


We investigate a reaction-diffusion model in which a Turing pattern develops and reproduces the formation of periodic segments behind a propagating chemical wave front. The chemical scheme involves two species known as activator and inhibitor. The model can be used to mimic the formation of prevertebrae during the early development of vertebrate embryo. Deterministic and stochastic analyses of the reaction-diffusion processes are performed for two typical sets of parameter values, far from and close to the Turing bifurcation. The effects of a local source or sink of inhibitor on the growing structure are studied and successfully compared with experiments performed on chick embryos. We show that fluctuations may lead to the formation of additional prevertebra.


This article describes the construction of a procedure for dynamic assessment of the expressive grammar of children already identified with language impairments. Few instruments exist for the dynamic assessment of language, and those that have been developed have been largely used to successfully differentiate language impaired from culturally different or typically developing populations. The emphasis in this study was on eliciting clinically useful information that may be used to inform intervention for children with specific language impairment (SLI). The method was piloted on three children with specific language impairments.The test—train—retest format made use of standardized administration of the CELF-3 (UK) before and after a designated training protocol. The training procedure required the children to formulate sentences from randomly presented words, assisted by mediation from the assessor. Results showed that the task used was valuable and appropriate for use as a dynamic measure, and elicited differentiated amounts of change in the children in response to the mediated training phase. Pre-test—post-test results were inconclusive, however, and the frameworks for summarizing information could benefit from revision.


One of the most important properties of orbital angular momentum (OAM) of photons is that the Hilbert space required to describe a general quantum state is infinite dimensional. In principle, this could allow for encoding arbitrarily large amounts of quantum information per photon, but in practice, this potential is limited by decoherence and errors. To determine whether photons with OAM are suitable for quantum communication, we numerically simulated their passage through a turbulent atmosphere and the resulting errors. We also proposed an encoding scheme to protect the photons from these errors, and characterized its effectiveness by the channel fidelity.


This study investigates the status and potential of the low temperature district heating system in Lyckebo, focusing on the distribution losses in the culvert system and in the heat exchangers. The Lyckebo system was built in the 1980's as a test system with heating from a solar field and an electrical boiler. The unique features with this system were a cavern for storage of excess heat combined with a low temperature system. Today, the solar field has been substituted with two pellet boilers, but the cavern is still in service.Low temperature district heating systems are built in order to lower the losses, due to a smaller temperature difference between the medium in the culvert and the soil. This technology is used in newly built energy efficient residential areas, which makes it interesting to investigate the status of a system that was built in the 1980's, in comparison to the possibilities of low temperature systems today.A simulation model has been developed to calculate the theoretical losses in the culvert system with production data from 2013. The total instantaneous losses in the culvert system were between 210- 280 kW and the highest losses in can be found in the secondary system. There are heat exchangers in the system that has a return temperature of approximately 8°C lower than the return temperature in the system, which leads to the conclusion that many of the exchangers in the system probably have poor energy utilization.


We have examined fluctuations in the tunneling current of 3.5 nm SiO2 barriers for voltages in the direct tunneling regime. We find a 1/f power law for the spectral density of the fluctuations where f is the frequency. This 1/f noise can be attributed to fluctuations of a trap assisted tunneling current through the oxide that causes current noise but is not evident in the I–V curves. We suggest that this noise may be a more sensitive probe of trap assisted tunneling and degradation in thin oxides than other measures. At voltages above a threshold of 2.5 V, we observe the reversible onset of non‐Gaussian current transients in the noise. The onset of these current transients can be related to a transition in the spacial uniformity of the tunneling current density that may result in eventual breakdown of the oxide.


We propose a new system-level abstraction, the lightweight immutable execution snapshot, which combines the immutable characteristics of checkpoints with the direct integration into the virtual memory subsystem of standard mutable address spaces. The abstraction can give arbitrary x86 programs and libraries system-level support for backtracking (akin to logic programming) and the ability to manipulate an entire address space as an immutable data structure (akin to functional programming). Our proposed implementation leverages modern x86 hardware-virtualization support.


In 1997, several of Asia's economies collapsed and the international community was called in to help mend the ailing region. The crisis attracted a great deal of attention among both the scholarly and policy communities. At that time, it seemed that the Asian miracle had come to an abrupt end. Places such as South Korea enjoyed a prosperous run though suffered a dubious demise. Later developers in Southeast Asia and China, having just emerged from out of the starting gate, quickly stalled in their attempts to ride the wave of Asia's postwar economic dynamism. Fortunately, things would not remain dour for too long. Some countries, such as Taiwan and Japan, made it through the crisis relatively unscathed. Both China and South Korea quickly rebounded. Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, adapted and have consequently begun new growth trajectories. In the end, it seemed that the most severe and lasting casualty of the 1997 crisis was the East Asian developmental state model itself. To be sure, the more recent literatures on East Asian political economy have taken a sharp turn, wherein terms like "booty capitalism" and "crony capitalism" have quickly come to replace more laudatory titles such as the "East Asian Miracle."


The motivation for this thesis is to develop a parallelizable fully implicit numerical Navier-Stokes solver for hypersonic viscous flows. The existence of strong shock waves, thin shear layers and strong flow interactions in hypersonic viscous flows requires the use of a high order high resolution scheme for the discretisation of the Navier-Stokes equations in order to achieve an accurate numerical simulation. However, high order high resolution schemes usually involve a more complicated formulation and thus longer computation time as compared to the simpler central differencing scheme. Therefore, the acceleration of the convergence of high order high resolution schemes becomes an increasingly important issue. For steady state solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations a time dependent approach is usually followed using the unsteady governing equations, which can be discretised in time by an explicit or an implicit method. Using an implicit method, unconditional stability can be achieved and as the time step approaches infinity the method approaches the Newton's method, which is equivalent to directly applying the Newton's method for solving the N-dimensional non-linear algebraic system arising from the spatial discretisation of the steady governing equations in the global flowfield. The quadratic convergence may be achieved by using the Newton's method. However one main drawback of the Newton's method is that it is memory intensive, since the Jacobian matrix of the non-linear algebraic system generally needs to be stored. Therefore it is necessary to use a parallel computing environment in order to tackle substantial problems. In the thesis the hypersonic laminar flow over a sharp cone at high angle of attack provides test cases. The flow is adequately modelled by the steady state locally conical Navier-Stokes (LCNS) equations. A structured grid is used since otherwise there are difficulties in generating the unstructured Jacobian matrix. A conservative cell centred finite volume formulation is used for the spatial discretisation. The schemes used for evaluating the fluxes on the cell boundaries are Osher's flux difference splitting scheme, which has continuous first partial derivatives, together with the third order MUSCL (Monotone Upwind Schemes for Conservation Law) scheme for the convective fluxes and the second order central difference scheme for the diffusive fluxes. In developing the Newton's method a simplified approximate procedure has been proposed for the generation of the numerically approximate Jacobian matrix that speeds up the computation and reduces the extent of cells in which the discretised physical state variables need to be used in generating the matrix element. For solving the large sparse non- symmetric linear system in each Newton's iterative step the ?-GMRES linear solver has been developed, which is a robust and efficient scheme in sequential computation. Since the linear solver is designed for generality it is hoped to apply the method for solving similar large sparse non-symmetric linear systems that may occur in other research areas. Writing code for this linear solver is also found to be easy. The parallel computation assigns the computational task of the global domain to multiple processors. It is based on a new decomposition method for the Nth order Jacobian matrix, in which each processor stores the non-zero elements in a certain number of columns of the matrix. The data is stored without overlap and it provides the main storage of the present algorithm. Corresponding to the matrix decomposition method any N-dimensional vector decomposition can be carried out. From the parallel computation point of view, the new procedure for the generation of the numerically approximate Jacobian matrix decreases the memory required in each processor. The alpha-GMRES linear solver is also parallelizable without any sequential bottle-neck, and has a high parallel efficiency. This linear solver plays a key role in the parallelization of an implicit numerical algorithm. The overall numerical algorithm has been implemented in both sequential and parallel computers using both the sequential algorithm version and its parallel counterpart respectively. Since the parallel numerical algorithm is on the global domain and does not change any solution procedure compared with its sequential counterpart, the convergence and the accuracy are maintained compared with the implementation on a single sequential computer. The computers used are IBM RISC system/6000 320H workstation and a Meiko Computer Surface, composed of T800 transputers.


The exchange of taxpayer information between revenue agencies has been increasing as a response to globalization and technological advances, which have allowed taxpayers more opportunities for tax avoidance and tax evasion. Tax information exchange allows revenue agencies to take advantage of these same advances. The legal framework through which the exchange of taxpayer information is implemented consists of modifications to existing tax conventions and special Tax Information Exchange Agreements. These tax treaties modify and override domestic privacy laws. The Canadian income tax system operates within a regime of constitutional privacy protections and statutory privacy protections. A balance has been struck between the right to privacy and the State interest in obtaining personal information in order to administer and enforce the tax system. This thesis examines the information gathering powers of the Canada Revenue Agency and the limits on these powers. These powers are broad because taxpayers generally have a low expectation of privacy in their tax information. This thesis argues that the balance struck domestically is predicated on meaningful procedural protections and remedies and on taxpayer information not being shared with third parties. This thesis then examines the tax treaty information exchange provisions and their interaction with Canadian law. This thesis argues that these provisions override domestic law without providing any meaningful procedural protections. This thesis concludes that information exchange in its current state is incompatible with the balance struck by the Courts between taxpayer privacy and the revenue authorities' need for information.


Protein secondary structure (PSS) prediction is an important topic in bioinformatics. Our study on a large set of nonhomologous proteins shows that long-range interactions commonly exist and negatively affect PSS prediction. Besides, we also reveal strong correlations between secondary structure (SS) elements. In order to take into account the long-range interactions and SS-SS correlations, we propose a novel prediction system based on a cascaded bidirectional recurrent neural network (BRNN). We compare the cascaded BRNN against two other BRNN architectures, namely, the original BRNN architecture used for speech recognition and Pollastri's BRNN, which was proposed for PSS prediction. Our cascaded BRNN achieves an overall three-state accuracy Q3 of 74.38 percent and reaches a high Segment Overlap (SOV) of 66.0455. It outperforms the original BRNN and Pollastri's BRNN in both Q3 and SOV. Specifically, it improves the SOV score by 4-6 percent.


In the present study, combination of infrared (IR) based dry blanching and hybrid drying involving
IR-hot air was used for bitter gourd slices. Infrared blanching conditions were standardized based
on the degree of enzyme (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) inactivation and product quality.
The performance of IR blanching was compared with microwave (MW), water, and steam blanching.
The performance of hybrid drying was compared to that of hot air (HA) drying. Microwave and
IR blanched slices retained higher amount of ascorbic acid (95% and 93%, respectively) and charantin
(76.8% and 74.8%), as compared to water and steam blanching. Infrared blanching followed by
hybrid drying required �66% lesser time than water blanched-HA dried with higher retention of
charantin (68.4%), ascorbic acid (86.3%), and chlorophyll (42.9%), also consuming 79% less energy
than HA drying. The results showed that IR-based blanching and hybrid drying could be used
effectively to produce dried bitter gourd slices having better quality.
Practical applications
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a good source of ascorbic acid and charantin. This study
explored the potentials of infrared assisted blanching and hybrid drying of bitter gourd slices as an
alternative to wet blanching (water & steam) and hot air drying. The infrared (IR) assisted blanching
and hybrid drying employed in the present study resulted in shorter processing time with higher
nutrient retention and higher energy efficiency than HA drying. The results indicated that IR
assisted blanching and hybrid drying techniques have great industrial potential to reduce processing
time as well as energy, besides producing the better quality product.


Background: Extracorporeally irradiated (ECI) technique is an alternative of limb salvage procedure in treating osteosarcoma regarding limitation of endoprosthesis and allograft. This study evaluated the outcomes of limb salvage surgery using extracorporeally irradiated (ECI) autograft and its correlation with patient's characteristics. Methods: Retrospective cohort design was performed to study 20 patients with stage IIB osteosarcoma treated by ECI autograft from 1995 to 2008. Survival, local recurrence, metastases, complications, union time and functional score based on Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring system-(MSTS) were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier method was used to describe survival, local recurrence free survival, and metastases free survival. The correlation among patient's characteristics that were age, gender, duration, site of tumor size, type of osteosarcoma, SAP (serum alkaline phosphatase) level, type of biopsy, and type of Huvos were analyzed by Log rank test. Chi-square test was used to analyze the correlation between MSTS score and patient's characteristics, local recurrence, metastases, complications. Results: Five-year survival was 54.97 ± 9.8 %, five-year local recurrence free survival was 66.5 ± 7.6%, and five year metastasis-free survival was 57.13 ± 10.04%. Six patients died, five were due to lung metastases and one due to complication of chemotherapy. Three underwent amputation after local recurrence. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that a good type of Huvos (III, IV) always gave better survival, local recurrence free survival, and metastases free survival than poor type of Huvos (I,II). Normal SAP level gave better local recurrence free survival compare to increased level of SAP. Mean of union rate was 8.13 months. MSTS mean score was good (70.63%) in patients with no evidence of disease. MSTS score was poor in patients with local recurrence (p = 0.025), metastases (p = 0.01), complications (p = 0.03), and the combined of those three outcomes (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Functional outcome was poor in patients with local recurrence, metastases, and complications. SAP level and type of Huvos could be studied further as predictive factors for the outcomes (survival, local recurrence, metastases).  (Med J Indones 2011; 20:131-7) Keywords: extracorporeally irradiated autograft (ECI), osteosarcoma stage IIB, outcomes


The aim of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of tandem classrooms in promoting intercultural communicative competence by comparing the competence of students before and after participation in tandem classes. This research is based on the descriptive statistics from a survey administered at a university in South Korea. The survey was conducted in 2016 during the second semester, and it used students who participated in tandem classrooms by employing a questionnaire to measure the effectiveness of the tandem classrooms in relation to intercultural communicative competence and the students' perception of their own competence after completing the tandem classes. The result of the research shows that unlike the initial expectations, there is no meaningful sign that the surveyed students have developed intercultural communicative competence, which means that tandem classrooms did not actively help students improve this competence. In this study, an in-depth interview with students was also conducted in 2019 to find out why such a result occurred. Although tandem classrooms would be highly valuable as a language learning method, the approach may require redesigning and reimplementation in great detail to become a method for developing intercultural communicative competence. Therefore, this study highlights the underlying need for a revised curriculum for students attending tandem classrooms.


In this paper we examine to what extent developing countries export more as a result of having the official Least Developed Country (LDC) status. We estimate a gravity model of trade over the period 1973–2013, in which identification is achieved by exploiting the particularities and asymmetries of 'inclusion' and 'graduation' criteria of LDC status. As mechanisms through which LDCs might benefit, we evaluate the effectiveness of individual trade preference schemes for LDCs of the European Union, United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Turkey and the impact of LDC status on exports. We find that first, individual trade preference regimes are not always beneficial in terms of increased export values. Export promoting effects are found for the individual schemes of some developed countries and some sectors. Second, a country's official designation as a LDC is associated with higher aggregated exports. This is particularly the case for LDCs that export agricultural goods and light manufacturing products, including textiles and leather after 1990. Third, the positive effect of LDC status is significant and sizable even when controlling for specific trade preference schemes suggesting that there are other benefits of LDC status that play a role in promoting exports.


We consider the problem of online learning in misspecified linear stochastic multi-armed bandit problems. Regret guarantees for state-of-the-art linear bandit algorithms such as Optimism in the Face of Uncertainty Linear bandit (OFUL) hold under the assumption that the arms expected rewards are perfectly linear in their features. It is, however, of interest to investigate the impact of potential misspecification in linear bandit models, where the expected rewards are perturbed away from the linear subspace determined by the arms features. Although OFUL has recently been shown to be robust to relatively small deviations from linearity, we show that any linear bandit algorithm that enjoys optimal regret performance in the perfectly linear setting (e.g., OFUL) must suffer linear regret under a sparse additive perturbation of the linear model. In an attempt to overcome this negative result,we define a natural class of bandit models characterized by a non-sparse deviation from linearity. We argue that the OFUL algorithm can fail to achieve sublinear regret even under models that have non-sparse deviation. We finally develop a novel bandit algorithm, comprising a hypothesis test for linearity followed by a decision to use either the OFUL or Upper Confidence Bound (UCB) algorithm. For perfectly linear bandit models, the algorithm provably exhibits OFULs favorable regret performance, while for misspecified models satisfying the non-sparse deviation property, the algorithm avoids the linear regret phenomenon and falls back on UCBs sublinear regret scaling. Numerical experiments on synthetic data, and on recommendation data from the public Yahoo! Learning toRank Challenge dataset, empirically support our findings.


The air compressor system is a time-varying, delay and nonlinear complex system, it has a very important sense to ensure that the supply pressure is stable in the compressor control system. According to the working characteristic of air compressor system, the fuzzy control theory, as one of the modern control theories, was applied into the constant pressure control system to design a fuzzy pressure controller. The simulation results show that the controller was more convenient and effective; it has certain directive significance and reference for the other parameter's control of air compressor system.


The increased chance of deception in computer-mediated communication and the potential risk of taking action based on deceptive information calls for automatic detection of deception. To achieve the ultimate goal of automatic prediction of deception, we selected four common classification methods and empirically compared their performance in predicting deception. The deception and truth data were collected during two experimental studies. The results suggest that all of the four methods were promising for predicting deception with cues to deception. Among them, neural networks exhibited consistent performance and were robust across test settings. The comparisons also highlighted the importance of selecting important input variables and removing noise in an attempt to enhance the performance of classification methods. The selected cues offer both methodological and theoretical contributions to the body of deception and information systems research.


abstract Using data collected from 120 students enrolled in nine sections of an undergraduate technical communication course, this study found a number of statistically significant associations between students' learning styles, as defined by the Index of Learning Styles, and nine measures evaluating both academic performance and student preference. The study also measured student performance in collaborative and self-directed versions of the course, as well as full and summer sessions. Reflective learners were found to be the most successful online learners, excelling in collaborative, as well as self-directed versions of the course. Sequential learners also outperformed global learners. Learning styles were not a significant factor in summer-session courses.


This article presents a novel mode-pursuing sampling method using discriminative coordinate perturbation (MPS-DCP) to further improve the convergence performance of solving high-dimensional, expensive, and black-box (HEB) problems. In MPS-DCP, a discriminative coordinate perturbation strategy is integrated into the original mode-pursuing sampling (MPS) framework for sequential sampling. During optimization, the importance of variables is defined by approximated global sensitivities, while the perturbation probabilities of variables are dynamically adjusted according to the number of optimization stalling iterations. Expensive points considering both optimality and space-filling property are selected from cheap points generated by perturbing the current best point, which balances between global exploration and local exploitation. The convergence property of MPS-DCP is theoretically analyzed. The performance of MPS-DCP is tested on several numerical benchmarks and compared with state-of-the-art metamodel-based design optimization methods for HEB problems. The results indicate that MPS-DCP generally outperforms the competitive methods regarding convergence and robustness performances. Finally, the proposed MPS-DCP is applied to a stepped cantilever beam design optimization problem and an all-electric satellite multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) problem. The results demonstrate that MPS-DCP can find better feasible optima with the same or less computational cost than the competitive methods, which demonstrates its effectiveness and practicality in solving real-world engineering problems.


Ikaros family transcription factors have a key role in lymphoid development, and their aberrant function contributes to a multitude of lymphoid malignancies. Ikaros and Helios bind to similar DNA sequences, and Helios associates with Ikaros‐containing chromatin remodeling complexes. Previously, we have shown that loss of Ikaros leads to diminished BCR‐signaling strength. In this study, we describe a Helios‐deficient chicken DT40 B‐cell line with a BCR signaling phenotype that is the opposite to that of Ikaros‐deficient cells. In contrast to Ikaros‐deficient cells, Helios−/− B cells exhibit increased calcium release to the cytoplasm after BCR crosslinking, but diminished BCR‐induced phosphorylation of signaling molecules. The inositol 5‐phosphatase SHIP, an important regulator in several signaling pathways, is differentially expressed in Ikaros‐ and Helios‐deficient cells. In the absence of Ikaros, SHIP is upregulated, whereas Helios deficiency leads to the downregulation of SHIP expression. We also show with ChIP that Ikaros binds to the promoter of the INPP5D gene‐encoding SHIP. Considering the critical role of SHIP in the BCR signaling pathway, our findings provide insight into the mechanism of how both Helios and Ikaros are involved in the regulation of BCR signaling.


To achieve high-quality surface solar radiation (SSR) data for climate monitoring and analysis, the two satellite-derived monthly SSR datasets of CM SAF CLARA-A2 and SARAH-E have been validated against a homogenized ground-based dataset covering 59 stations across China for 1993–2015 and 1999–2015, respectively. The satellite products overestimate surface solar irradiance by 10.0 W m−2 in CLARA-A2 and 7.5 W m−2 in SARAH-E on average. A strong urbanization effect has been noted behind the large positive bias in China. The bias decreased after 2004, possibly linked to a weakened attenuating effect of aerosols on radiation in China. Both satellite datasets can reproduce the monthly anomalies of SSR, indicated by a significant correlation around 0.8. Due to the neglection of temporal aerosol variability in the satellite algorithms, the discrepancy between the satellite-estimated and ground-observed SSR trends slightly increases in 1999–2015 as compared to 1993–2015. The seasonal performance of the satellite products shows a better accuracy during warm than cold seasons. With respect to the spatial performance, the effects from anthropogenic aerosols, dust aerosols and high elevation and snow-covered surfaces should be well considered in the satellite SSR retrievals to further improve the performance in the eastern, northwestern and southwestern parts of China, respectively.