Abstract. Constituents of hydrologic network, River and water canals play a key role in Agriculture for cultivation, Industrial activities and urban planning. Remote sensing images can be effectively used for water canal extraction, which significantly improves the accuracy and reduces the cost involved in mapping using conventional means. Using remote sensing data, the water Index (WI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Modified NDWI (MNDWI) are used in extracting the water bodies. These techniques are aimed at water body detection and need to be complemented with additional information for the extraction of complete water canal networks. The proposed index MNDWI-2 is able to find the water bodies and water canals as well from the Landsat-8 OLI imagery and is based on the SWIR2 band. In this paper, we use Level-1 precision terrain corrected OLI imagery at 30 meter spatial resolution. The proposed MNDWI-2 index is derived using SWIR2 (B7) band and Green (B3) band. The usage of SWIR2 band over SWIR1 results in very low reflectance values for water features, detection of shallow water and delineation of water features with rest of the features in the image. The computed MNDWI-2 index values are threshold by making the values greater than zero as 1 and less than zero as zero. The binarised values of 1 represent the water bodies and 0 represent the non-water body. This normalized index detects the water bodies and canals as well as vegetation which appears in the form of noise. The vegetation from the MNDWI-2 image is removed by using the NDVI index, which is calculated using the Top of Atmosphere (TOA) corrected images. The paper presents the results of water canal extraction in comparison with the major available indexes. The proposed index can be used for water and water canal extraction from L8 OLI imagery, and can be extended for other high resolution sensors.


Wireless sensor networks (WSN) can report large volumes of slowly varying routine data, while important or significant events can be relatively rare. An important challenge is then to offer the significant or unusual data an adequate routing policy that will allow it to rapidly reach the sink nodes, despite the large volume of routine packets in the network. In this paper we introduce randomized re-routing (RRR), to detect the unusual events in a distributed manner, and dynamically transfer routine data packets to secondary paths in the network, while offering a fast track path with better QoS for the packets carrying unusual data. In this paper we describe the RRR algorithm and evaluate it with extensive simulations.


This study examined the effects of 4 genotypes of chicken, all suitable for extensive fattening, on carcass and meat quality using 320 chickens divided into 4 equally sized groups. The comparison included 2 indigenous chicken strains from Thailand, Black-boned and Thai native (Thai), and 2 imported chicken breeds, Bresse and Rhode Island Red (Rhode, a layer breed). The animals were fed until 16 wk of age. Breast (pectoralis major) and thigh (biceps femoris) muscles were studied in detail. Chickens of the imported breeds were heavier at slaughter than indigenous strains, especially Black-boned chickens. Proportions of retail cuts with bones were similar among genotypes, whereas deboned breast meat and lean:bone ratio were lowest in the layer breed (Rhode). The meat of the Black-boned chickens was darker than that of the other genotypes. Thai and Rhode chickens had a particularly yellow skin. The ratio of red and intermediate to white fibers was higher in the thigh muscle, and the diameter of all muscle fiber types in both muscles was smaller in the indigenous compared with the imported breeds. The meat of the 2 indigenous Thai strains had lower contents of fat and cholesterol compared with that of the imported breeds, especially relative to the Rhode chickens (thigh meat). The meat of the indigenous origins, especially of the Thai chickens, was higher in shear force and collagen content (thigh only) than meat of the imported breeds. The meat lipids of the Thai chickens had particularly high proportions of n-3 fatty acids and a favorably low n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio compared with the other genotypes. In conclusion, meat of indigenous chickens has some unique features and seems to have more advantages over imported breeds than disadvantages, especially when determined for a niche market serving consumers who prefer chewy, low-fat chicken meat.


At a time when many proclaim the death of active investing, Rupal J. Bhansali, global contrarian, makes a clarion call for its renaissance. Non-consensus thinking has resulted in breakthrough successes in science, sports, and Silicon Valley. Bhansali shows how to apply it to the world of investing to improve one's odds of achieving above-average returns with below-average risks. Her upside-down investment approach focuses on avoiding losers instead of picking the winners, asking the right questions instead of knowing the right answers, and scoring upset victories to achieve the greatest bang for one's research buck.

 Through a series of counterintuitive concepts and contemporary case studies from her firsthand experience of investing in fifty markets around the globe, Bhansali describes how to perform differentiated fundamental research to uncover mispriced stocks. She candidly shares her failures and mistakes as well as her successes and triumphs. She also weaves in her personal journey, recounting how she overcame the odds to succeed in a male-dominated profession and offering advice on breaking the glass ceiling. Non-Consensus Investing is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand why active investing disappointed and how it can succeed—analysts and amateurs, fiduciaries and financial advisors, aspiring and practicing money managers, as well as students or investment enthusiasts.


Pelagic seabirds depend on resources far out at sea and for which the availability can vary greatly. King penguins rely essentially on myctophid fish, which in summer are mostly available 400 to 500 km south of the Crozet Archipelago at the Antarctic Polar Front. Incubating male King penguins anticipate a possible delay in the return of the female by storing food in their stomach for several weeks, which enables them to feed the chick quickly if hatching occurs. We investigated the foraging trip duration, adult body mass regulation and the meal size for chicks relative to the laying date and the Polar Front position. We compared, in both early and late breeders, the energy content and the chemical and diet composition of the meals stored in their stomachs. During food storage by the male, the cessation of digestive processes was not complete as the meal showed some modifica- tions of the biochemical composition, especially a decrease in lipid content; this is in contrast to oil storage in albatrosses and petrels, in which there is an increase in lipid content. On average, females came back from their second foraging trip at sea a short time before hatching. However, the trip dura- tions were particularly variable depending on date and year, and as a consequence hatching occurred with either the female or the male incubating the egg. Late breeders showed longer forag- ing trip duration and built up larger fuel reserves than early breeders. Their energetic output per day foraging at sea was much lower than for early breeders. These differences in foraging trip durations of males were linked to a change in marine resource availability because, in spite of being at the same stage of the breeding cycle, male late breeders caught different prey compared to male early breeders. We assume that this strategy of long-term food storage and conservation in the stomach while fasting evolved in response to the unpredictable variations of water mass positions.


The aim of the current study lies in exploring the potential effect of environmental turbulence on environmental performance and digital evolution. Furthermore, the present study also aims to capture the fruitfulness of digitalization on sustainable environment in the emerging Forth Industrial Revolution environment. In doing so, the statistical application of structural equation modelling leads to discover the all five variables have a significant impact on each other. Market turbulence and technological turbulence have positive and significantly impact on Environmental turbulence that confirming two hypotheses. Furthermore, environmental turbulence has a negative and significant impact on digital evolution and environmental performance. However, digital evolution has a positive and significantly impact on environmental performance in Malaysian small manufacturing enterprises. This model explains 63.80% variance of environmental performance by all the factors of environmental turbulence and digital evolution. Therefore, the current study suggested to expand their horizon of intellect towards digital commerce as it underlies the potential to generate improved and effective environmental conditions.


Author(s): Yang, Edward | Advisor(s): Liu, Fenyong | Abstract: Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen that can cause significant morbidity in neonates and immunodeficient individuals such as, AIDS patience and organ transplant recipients. With a genome size of 190-230 kilobases in size and an estimated 160 or more protein-encoding genes, HCMV is currently the largest known virus to infect humans. The functions of many of HCMV's genes remain unknown and only by understanding their role in viral infection and replication will we be able to successfully develop therapies to combat the disease. Using a Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) containing the genome of HCMV, we constructed over 100 recombinant viruses, each with a single open reading frame (ORF) expressing its protein with an epitope tag at the C terminus end. Using these viruses, we were able to identify subcellular localization for 82 ORFs at 72 hours post infection. Our study found 17 proteins to localize to the nucleus, 51 to a juxtanuclear structure in the cytoplasm, 11 to the cytoplasm, and three to an uncharacterized structure in the cytoplasm. We then conducted an extensive study of HCMV ORF US20, which exhibited a unique cytoplasmic localization in the previous global localization study. The US20 ORF is a member of the US12 gene family and is present only in cytomegaloviruses strains that infect rhesus monkeys, chimpanzees, and humans, suggesting that the ORF is an important factor for the infection of upper primates. We found the US20 ORF to express a 26-28kDa- seven transmembrane (TM) domain protein during the early/delayed early phase of viral replication, which localized to a cytoplasmic structure during the late phase of replication. This localization was found to be independent of late gene expression. Through immunofluorescence (IFA) studies, we found the US20 protein to be present in early endosomes but not in the ER or TGN, suggesting that the protein is present in membranes of endosomes. However, we do not believe that the protein traffics to the surface of the cell, which we showed by selective membrane permeabilization. The US20 protein was also determined to form homo-dimers, however the function of the dimerization is still unknown. Using viruses expressing truncated forms of US20, which replicated at levels similar to the wild-type, we found that deleting TM5-TM7 significantly reduced US20 protein levels, deleting TM4-TM7 abolished dimerization, and deleting TM2-TM7 destabilized the localization of US20 in the cytoplasm. Through immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we found US20 to associate with valosin containing protein, sodium potassium ATPase, and succinate dehydrogenase. Currently, under the context of infection we have confirmed the interaction of US20 with valosin containing protein (VCP), which has been found to be associated with some neurodegenerative diseases. This interaction presents the hypothesis that US20 may play a role in HCMV congenital infection of the brain. Lastly, we examined the role of a predicted SUMOylation site located near the C terminus tail of the HCMV processivity factor UL44, which forms a C clamp around the viral DNA. SUMOylation is a post-translation modification that has been found to be involved in various cellular systems, including cell cycle regulation, transcription, cellular localization, degradation, and chromatin organization. In our study, we found that mutating the lysine residue of the conserved SUMOylation motif, ψKxE, at position 410 of UL44 to an alanine did not impair viral DNA synthesis or viral replication. This result indicates that the lysine residue of UL44 is not important for replication of HCMV in fibroblasts.The results of this dissertation bring new insight into many of HCMV's genes, specifically US20, which prior to this study had not been extensively characterized. The data I present here provides new information about US20 and generates new hypotheses relating to its function. Furthermore, my work here can serve as a foundation for the study of other genes in the US12 gene family.


A first-order type system has two things to commend it. Firstly, it is quite simple to implement a type-checker that can check types for exact correspondence, or for subtype compatibility with a given type. The type of the source object can be compared with that of the target variable to see if the former can be converted up to the latter, using subtyping rules like those we discussed in [1]. Secondly, code that has been checked once need never be checked again, or recompiled in new contexts. This is because the type system can never reveal more specific information about an object that is passed into a more general variable (which we have called the "type loss problem"), so the code need only be checked once over the most general type that it can accept.


The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of internal control applying on procurement fraud prevention. Survey the sum of 23 respondent covering financial directors on the public and private hospital on Bandung city. Data have been collected by questionnaire. The tools of statistic analysis using path analysis. The result of this study indicates that there are effects of internal control applying on procurement fraud prevention. It means that procurement fraud prevention inclined by internal control applying and influenced residue by other factors which not integrated in this study model. Keywords: Internal control, procurement, fraud prevention


We present AC-DC transfer standard measurements using the National Institute of Standards and Technology's pulse-driven AC Josephson voltage standard source. We have investigated the frequency dependence for several output voltages up to 200 mV for frequencies from 2.5 to 100 kHz. We found that, as the frequency increases, the ac-dc differences for the two arrays on the same chip do not agree. We explored this deviation in ac-dc difference for the two arrays by investigating different configurations of the probe cabling and wiring, chip carriers, and on-chip circuit design. We found that the circuit design produced the greatest improvement, particularly at the highest frequency (100 kHz), where the deviation in ac-dc difference was reduced by more than 60%. In this paper, we also demonstrate tenfold higher output voltages and improved operating margins for arbitrary (nonsinusoidal) waveforms. These enhancements were accomplished by implementing a more general current bias to the arrays having the same harmonic content as that of the synthesized arbitrary waveform.


Abstract. This was a study on the perceived enjoyment of different movie genres. In an online experiment, 176 students were randomly divided into two groups (n = 88) and asked to estimate how much they, their closest friends, and young people in general enjoyed either serious or light-hearted movies. These self–other differences in perceived enjoyment of serious or light-hearted movies were also assessed as a function of differing individual motivations underlying entertainment media consumption. The results showed a clear third-person effect for light-hearted movies and a first-person effect for serious movies. The third-person effect for light-hearted movies was moderated by level of hedonic motivation, as participants with high hedonic motivations did not perceive their own and others' enjoyment of light-hearted films differently. However, eudaimonic motivations did not moderate first-person perceptions in the case of serious films.


Abstract We examined soil potassium (K) supply capacity as related to wheat response to K fertilization, using a cation exchange membrane (CEM) burial technique to measure potential K supply rate. A growth chamber experiment was conducted to determine soil and plant response relationships. Canadian Prairie Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum 'Biggar') was grown on three soils of different initial K fertility with three rates of added K. Wheat response to K fertilization was well related to the amount of exchangeable K and K supply rate in the soil. Soils with high initial K supply rate demonstrated an adequate K release rate which was associated with low response to added K fertilizer. A soil K supply rate less than 5 μg cm2 hr‐1 represented soil K supply power that is less than optimal for wheat nutrition.


As the first front of industrialization, the closest to local resources and traditional knowledge, and the least demanding in terms of financial capital and technological innovation, material culture-based goods have become a modern example of sustainable and endogenous growth based on small and micro cultural firms. For these reasons, goods based on material culture are, in relative economic terms, more important in developing countries, where technological innovation and industrial mass production are less common. A brief discussion of the definition of material culture and a historical overview of the sector's evolution will be followed by an analysis of quantitative data on the economic importance of artisan goods on national and international markets. The focus of the paper is to present a model on the transition from traditional handicraft production to soft industrial design and address the two main policies which should be adopted: the cultural district perspective and the assignment of collective trademarks.


Who makes land use decisions, how are decisions made, and who influences whom, how and why? This working paper is part of a series based on research studying multilevel decision-making institutions and processes. The series is aimed at providing insight into why efforts to keep forests standing, such as initiatives like Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+), are still so far from altering development trajectories. It underlines the importance of understanding the politics of multilevel governance in forest, land and climate policy and practice, and identifies potential ways forward.


Selecting predicitve gene pools from thousands of gene expression values is one of the main tasks in microarray data analysis. For this purpose multivariate techniques have proven much better, in terms of predicitve value and biological relevance, than univariate techniques as they are able to capture relevant relationships and interactions between genes. An additional goal for gene-expression profiling is finding models that, besides being predictive, are also understandable so as they can provide some insight on the underlying mechanisms. Models based on fuzzy logic might, potentially, exhibit both characteristics. However, accuracy and interpretability are usually contradictory objectives, and one must accept a trade off between them. Indeed, literature shows that the approaches based on fuzzy logic may be divided in two groups: accurate but complex models (i.e, with many rules using many variables per rule) on one hand, and models with only few short rules (thus, interpretable) but exhibiting limited accuracy. We present in this paper the application of Fuzzy CoCo, our cooperative coevolutionary fuzzy modelling approach, in order to deal efficiently with the accuracy-interpretability tradeoff. Fuzzy CoCo is able to find very compact fuzzy models, in terms of number of rules and number of variables per rule, while still exhibiting high predictive power. To validate the performance of our approach, we tested Fuzzy CoCo on four known data sets addressing each one a form of cancer: Leukemia, colon, lung, and prostate. We compared our results-in terms of maximum number of rules, number of variables per rule, and accuracy-with those of other similar works (i.e., based on fuzzy logic). Our models reached similar or better accuracy while being considerably smaller.


Basic principles of dynamic design were proposed for the characteristics of machine dynamic performance. Take some curved-tooth bevel gear generator as research object. Its dynamic performance was analyzed and structure was optimized through theoretical analysis, finite element method (FEM) simulation and dynamic test analysis. Results show that these principles are suitable for dynamic performance optimization and design of machine tool.


Participation in medical screening programs is presented as a voluntary decision that should be based on an informed choice. An informed choice is often emphasized to rely on three assumptions: (1) the decision-maker has available information about the benefits and harms, (2) the decision-maker can understand and interpret this information, and (3) the decision-maker can relate this information to personal values and preferences. In this article, we empirically challenge the concept of informed choice in the context of medical screening. We use document analysis to analyze and build upon findings and interpretations from previously published articles on participation in screening. We find that citizens do not receive neutral or balanced information about benefits and harms, yet are exposed to manipulative framing effects. The citizens have high expectations about the benefits of screening, and therefore experience cognitive strains when informed about the harm. We demonstrate that decisions about screening participation are informed by neoliberal arguments of personal responsibility and cultural healthism, and thus cannot be regarded as decisions based on individual values and preferences independently of context. We argue that the concept of informed choice serves as a power technology for people to govern themselves and can be considered an implicit verification of biopower.


China is an extremely important region in anthropology not only for its enormous population size and diversely morphological, cultural and linguistic characteristics, but also for its abundant and successive hominid fossil records. Tracing the origin of modern Chinese and reconstructing its prehistory undoubtedly become one of the most intriguing and challenging issues for scientists.

Keywords:

Chinese;
anthropology;
genetics;
origin;
mtDNA


Online mentors inspire interest in science while engaging students in thinking about plant biology. Betsy Justus, a doctoral student at Ohio University, has a fan club. It is a team of students from Cheyenne Central High School investigating spore germination in their classroom and posting research information to their team Web page. Betsy has been mentoring her team through online guidance and encouragement, posing questions throughout the inquiry process, and providing insights on what scientists know and how they think. Similarly, Eric Jones, a Florida State University doctoral candidate, hooked his St. Sebastian middle school team into an intriguing conversation about their investigations on pollinator visits to flowers. His reward was in experiencing his students' motivation to learn, expressed in statements such as, 'We are sad that our experiments are over," and 'We have developed a whole new interest in flowers!"


Accurate local staging of prostate cancer is essential for patient management decisions. Conventional and evolving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, such as diffusion- weighted imaging, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and MR spectroscopy, are promising techniques in prostate cancer imaging. In this article, we will review the current applications of conventional and advanced MRI techniques in the local staging of prostate cancer.


We propose a new technique, named SISTEM, based on the elastic theory, to efficiently estimate 3-D displacements for producing deformation maps by integrating sparse Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements of deformations and differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) maps of movements of the Earth's surface. Previous approaches in the literature to combine GPS and DInSAR data require two steps: a first step in which sparse GPS measurements are interpolated in order to fill in GPS displacements in the DInSAR grid and a second step to estimate the 3-D surface displacement maps by using a suitable optimization technique. One of the advantages of the proposed approach, compared to previous ones, is that it does not require the preliminary interpolation of the observed deformation pattern. Indeed, we propose a linear matrix equation which accounts for both the GPS and DInSAR data whose solution simultaneously provides the strain tensor, the displacement field, and the rigid body rotation tensor. The mentioned linear matrix equation is solved by using the weighted least square (WLS), thus assuring both numerical robustness and high computation efficiency. The methodology was tested on both synthetic and experimental data, these last from GPS and DInSAR measurements carried out on Mount Etna during the 2003-2004 period. In order to appreciate the accuracy of the results, the estimated standard errors computed by the WLS are provided. These tests also allow optimizing the choice of specific parameters of this algorithm. This method can be further exploited to account for other available data sets, such as additional interferograms or other geodetic data (e.g., leveling, tilt, etc.), in order to achieve higher accuracy.


This thesis details work in developing an optimised model for the energy calibration of a Medipix All Resolution System (MARS) multi-energy computed tomography (spectral CT) scanner. The main motivation behind this research came from an unpublished internal document titled "Using Beer's law in MARS scanners" which challenged the current image reconstruction process. The document required an accurate per-pixel understanding of each of the components of the MARS scanner. The objective of my research was to work as part of the "foil group" to optimise the per-pixel energy calibration technique of the MARS multi-energy scanner using the x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique originally worked on by Raj Kumar Panta (University of Otago). The emission of XRF is generated from the interaction between an x-ray beam and a high atomic number target. The main modification made to Panta's method in this research was to measure the XRF found outside of the primary x-ray beam. This modification aimed to increase the ratio of XRF to background photons remaining from the polychromatic x-ray beam. Initial testing of the method, however, did not consistently detect the XRF for the molybdenum and tantalum foils. Their XRF peaks were not well-defined and not consistent across the pixels. The lead XRF peak from the lead foil was clear and well-defined in each pixel. This led into an investigation for optimising the thickness of the foils used to ensure that maximum fluorescence is escaping the foil. Two stages of the model were developed: (1) assumes a monochromatic beam and calculates the optimum thickness based in the effective energy of the beam; and (2) assumes a polychromatic beam where the optimum foil thickness is calculated through numerical integration. The energy integrating model suggests a foil thickness of 50 μm for molybdenum, 100 μm for indium, and 210 μm for lead. The results suggest that initial testing of the XRF method used sub-optimal foil thicknesses, explaining the low fluorescence signal. The optimal foil thickness model is being used to plan the next stage of experiments that the foil group will perform. The validity of the energy integrating model will be checked and the modified XRF technique described in this research will be automated so that minimal user intervention is required for performing the XRF energy calibration. The work in this thesis has contributed to two refereed publications. The improved energy calibration improves the image reconstruction and gives more accurate images, bringing the MARS team closer to their five-year visionary goal of extending the concept of multi-energy CT into human imaging.


Abstract Isotopic variation in northern and southern hard clam (quahog) shells is used in studies including paleoecology, paleoclimatology, and archaeology. It is unknown, however, whether species-specific isotopic differences exist. Three genotypes—Mercenaria mercenaria, M. campechiensis, and their natural hybrid form—are found in coastal Florida waters and differentiation of genotypes can be difficult to determine morphologically. This issue may be problematic when using archaeological shells as paleoclimate archives, because genetic analysis cannot be done on such specimens. Their co-occurrence in coastal Florida waters provides a unique opportunity to study whether all three genotypes of modern individuals record the same environmental information preserved as variation in oxygen and stable carbon isotope ratios. A random sample of 49 individuals collected alive at the same time and from the same locality in Pine Island Sound were classified to genotype using allozyme electrophoresis. Three juveniles from each genotype were selected for isotopic analysis to control for ontogenetic effects. Timing of growth increment formation inferred from oxygen isotope ratios reveals similar overall patterns wherein dark (slow growth) increments formed in mid- to late spring and light (fast growth) increments formed in late fall. Results of the mixed model ANOVA (analysis of variance) indicate that no significant species-related differences exist in the variation of oxygen and carbon isotope ratios, although the Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness-of-fit test detected a systematic difference among δ13C values of M. mercenaria and M. campechiensis comparison and M. mercenaria and the hybrid shell comparison. Any genotype or combination thereof is, thus, suitable for environmental and climate reconstruction using oxygen isotope ratios. The utility of carbon isotope ratios as an environmental proxy, however, remains questionable.


Multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma are rare causes of mass lesions at the skull base and cavernous sinus. Sixth nerve palsy, in isolation or in combination with other cranial neuropathies, may occur rarely as the initial presenting feature of multiple myeloma. We report the neuro-ophthalmologic, radiologic, and pathologic findings for two patients who developed sixth nerve palsies as an initial manifestation of intracranial plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma. One patient presented with an isolated sixth nerve palsy in the setting of multiple vasculopathic risk factors. Treatable skull base lesions, including plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma, must be considered in patients with sixth nerve palsies, especially among those who demonstrate a progressive course or multiple cranial neuropathies.


A novel use of remote procedure call techniques gives access to the software driver API of an IP block from a high-level verification testbench. This allows an IP block to be validated through its software interface as well as its hardware interface. Such a unified methodology has immediate benefits for IP block development. More importantly, it allows re-useable, system level verification components to be produced, which greatly enhance the value of an IP block. A combination of commercial testbench and co-simulation tools is used to demonstrate this methodology.


189W activities were produced via the 192Os(n, α) reaction using irradiation of isotopically enriched 192Os metallic powder of ~100 mg/cm2 with 14 MeV neutrons. The X-γ and γ-γ coincidence measurements were made so as to obtain γ rays from 189W decay and its coincidence relations. A new simple decay scheme of 189W including three γ rays of 210.2, 229.6 and 260.2 keV is proposed. Two new levels of 189Re at 470.4 and 489.8 keV are assigned.


The dissertation investigates the social, economic and religious aspects of Jewish life in the Balkan provinces of the Roman Empire between the 4th century BCE and 8th century CE. This is the first study, which studies the social and religious life of the Jewish communities in the Balkans, as recoded in the epigraphic and archaeological material, and will provide scholars with much needed basis for further research in the field. The primary focus of my research is a historical analysis of the epigraphic and archaeological evidence regarding the Jewish communities in the Roman provinces of Pannonia Inferior, Dalmatia, Moesia, Thracia, Macedonia, Achaea and Crete. The work is arranged in the form a corpus of inscriptions with additional entries on the archaeological and literary evidence. The intention has been to include all Jewish inscriptions and archaeological remains from the Balkans, which are likely to date from before c.700 CE. The analysis concentrates on the language and content of the available inscriptions, the onomastic repertoire employed, the historical context of the Jewish archaeological remains and their relation to the non- Jewish archaeological material from the region. The results of my research are important for understanding the involvement of Jews in the city life and their civic status, the cultural interaction between Jews and their non-Jewish neighbours and may define the local community organisation and background of Jewish settlement in the Balkan provinces of the Roman Empire. In my commentaries I suggest that the social system of the Jewish communities in the Balkans was dependent upon the local public and economic situation in the Roman city but not determined by it.


[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Conceptual Context It is a true honor to be recommended to author a Model Program article for The Technology Teacher. Our school district is presently providing an educational program known for its excellence and forward-looking perspective, which is sensitive to the changing needs of our students. The community, faculty, parents, and students have joined together in striving to maintain and enhance that excellence. Our students have access to a plethora of technologies throughout the district. Students have access to wireless Internet, teacher and student laptops, and in the near future, all students will have a personal laptop for their academic learning. Students and teachers have access to video streaming and Internet II, which has a variety of curriculum-enhancing software programs. Within our technology education curriculum, students have a variety of interactive CAD software programs, and computer-numerical-controlled equipment, as well as desktop rapid prototyping equipment, robotic programming software with Mindstorm Robotic activities, pneumatics, hydraulics, electronic activities, and desktop publishing. We also provide two extracurricular clubs, the Technology Student Association (TSA) and the FIRST organization (robotics). A few years ago our high school experienced a $23 million renovation, which included new technology education laboratories. The new labs, along with new equipment and software purchases, have enabled our students to achieve a greater number of state and national science and technology standards. Department's Mission The Technology Education Department at Southern Lehigh High School believes that the study of technology must place emphasis on developing the student's ability to discover, experience, share, and use knowledge rather than simply retain it. Experiences in technology education courses encourage our students to be responsible for creating, monitoring, and evaluating their learning processes. The teachers use differentiated instruction techniques throughout the learning process. We incorporate learning strategies that extend past structured time periods and free students to inquire and create, as stated by science and technology standards. Our courses emphasize social interaction and teamwork. Students who study technology learn about the technological world that inventors, engineers, and other innovators have created. Because technology changes quickly, we believe that our department's teachers should spend less time on specific details and more on concepts and principles. The goal is to produce students with a more conceptual understanding of technology and its place in society, students who can then grasp and evaluate new bits of technology that they might never have seen before. Teacher Bio I arrived at Southern Lehigh High School in 1999 and found the quality and competence of my fellow technology education faculty members at the highest level. We joked with one another other about who had received a better undergraduate education. My former colleague, Travis Lehman, graduated from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, and I graduated from California University of Pennsylvania. I mention Travis because he helped to establish our quality technology education program at Southern Lehigh High School. His replacement, Rob Gaugler, also received his undergraduate degree from Millersville University and his master's degree from Ball State University, and now takes the brunt of my jokes. It is a "Pennsylvania thing" Rob has brought a huge shot in the arm of enthusiasm to our students within the Technology Education Department through innovative projects and activities. I received my master's degree from North Carolina A&T State University, and then completed all supervisory certification course work from Millersville University. This November the National Board of Professional Teachers will notify me of my attainment of National Board Certification. …


This study aimed to compare and associate the magnitude of the load–velocity relationship variables between the multiple-point and two-point methods and between the concentric-only and eccentric–concentric prone bench pull (PBP) variants. Twenty-three resistance-trained males completed a preliminary session to determine the concentric-only PBP one-repetition maximum (1 RM) and two experimental sessions that only differed in the PBP variant evaluated. In each experimental session they performed three repetitions against the 14 kg load (L1), two repetitions against the 85% 1 RM load (L4), three repetitions against an equidistant intermediate light load (L2), two repetitions against an equidistant intermediate heavy load (L3), and 1–5 1 RM attempts. The load–velocity relationship variables (i.e., load–axis intercept, velocity–axis intercept, and area under the load–velocity relationship line) were obtained from the multiple-point (L1-L2-L3-L4) and two-point (L1-L4) methods. All load–velocity relationship variables presented greater magnitudes when obtained by the two-point method compared with the multiple-point method (p < 0.001, ESrange = 0.17–0.43), while the load–velocity relationship variables were comparable between both PBP variants (p ≥ 0.148). In addition, the load–velocity relationship variables were highly correlated between both methods (rrange = 0.972–0.995) and PBP variants (rrange = 0.798–0.909). When assessing the load–velocity relationship variables, practitioners should prescribe only two loads, as this maximises the magnitudes of the variables and decreases fatigue.


The history of discovery and interpretation of several dinosaurs collected from quarries near the town of Hastings during the latter half of the 19th century is more complicated than it should be. Samuel Husbands Beckles and Charles Dawson collected several large ornithopod skeletons from this area, but just a few bones from these skeletons were subsequently described and interpreted (principally) by Richard Owen and Richard Lydekker. All these specimens merited recognition because they had the potential to contribute to an on-going debate about the anatomical structure and relationships of the iconic Wealden dinosaur Iguanodon. Unfortunately, no detailed description of these important skeletons was published in later years. Furthermore, previously known associations of bones and even provenance information, linked to the specimens that were gradually acquired by the Natural History Museum, are unclear. Confusion may have arisen because Richard Lydekker used the private collector Charles Dawson as a voluntary curatorial assistant. This account documents the past work on the osteology of material that can be attributed to Hypselospinus fittoni. Nearly all such material is described here for the first time, and every effort has been made to re-establish associations between bones as well as provenance information. A skeletal reconstruction of Hypselospinus is attempted on the basis of the hypodigm. Most of the on-going confusion concerning the affinity of this material with either Hy. fittoni or its sympatric contemporary Barilium dawsoni has been resolved. Hypselospinus fittoni (Lydekker, 1889) is rediagnosed on the basis of this new and relatively comprehensive anatomical description, and this animal is compared with known contemporary and closely related taxa. Some recently published accounts claiming to be revisions of the taxonomy of Wealden 'iguanodonts', including material belonging to the hypodigm of Hy. fittoni, have failed to adhere to basic taxonomic principles and have caused more confusion than was strictly necessary. The systematic position of Hypselospinus is reassessed cladistically. The cladistic analysis forms the basis for a revised hierarchical classification of derived ornithopods. The consensus topology generated by the systematic analysis has been used to explore the phylogenetic history of these dinosaurs and create an internally consistent classificatory hierarchy (phylogenetic definitions and Linnaean diagnoses are given for critical positions in the topology). This analysis suggests that there is a fundamental split amongst the more derived (clypeodontan) ornithopod ornithischians into the clades Hypsilophodontia and Iguanodontia. There is evidence for anatomical parallelism and convergence (homoplasy) particularly between large-bodied representatives of both clades. Hypselospinus is one of the earliest known styracosternan iguanodontians and displays anatomical characteristics that presage the evolution of the extraordinarily abundant and diverse hadrosaurs of the latest Cretaceous (Campanian−Maastrichtian). These observations cast fresh light on the phylogeny, classification, diversity, and biology of derived ornithopods. There is little doubt that Hy. fittoni could have been understood far better more than a century ago. That this statement is undoubtedly true is reflected in the century of doubt and confusion that has surrounded this taxon and its original incarnation as Iguanodon fittoni.


Delivery and toxicity are critical issues facing nanomedicine research. Currently, there is limited understanding and connection between the physicochemical properties of a nanomaterial and its interactions with a physiological system. As a result, it remains unclear how to optimally synthesize and chemically modify nanomaterials for in vivo applications. It has been suggested that the physicochemical properties of a nanomaterial after synthesis, known as its "synthetic identity", are not what a cell encounters in vivo. Adsorption of blood components and interactions with phagocytes can modify the size, aggregation state, and interfacial composition of a nanomaterial, giving it a distinct "biological identity". Here, we investigate the role of size and surface chemistry in mediating serum protein adsorption to gold nanoparticles and their subsequent uptake by macrophages. Using label-free liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we find that over 70 different serum proteins are heterogeneously adsorbed to the surface of gold nanoparticles. The relative density of each of these adsorbed proteins depends on nanoparticle size and poly(ethylene glycol) grafting density. Variations in serum protein adsorption correlate with differences in the mechanism and efficiency of nanoparticle uptake by a macrophage cell line. Macrophages contribute to the poor efficiency of nanomaterial delivery into diseased tissues, redistribution of nanomaterials within the body, and potential toxicity. This study establishes principles for the rational design of clinically useful nanomaterials.


High concentrations of oxygen (hyperoxia) are known to cause cellular injury and death. The heat shock response is a highly conserved cellular defense mechanism that protects cells against various environmental stressors, including hyperoxia. Herein we determined the role of heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), a major component of the heat shock response, in protecting cells against hyperoxia. Embryonic fibroblasts from HSF-1-null mutant mice (HSF-1 -/- cells) were compared to wild-type embryonic fibroblasts (HSF-1 +/+ cells) following 24 hours' exposure to room air or hyperoxia (95% O 2) . Acute survival in hyperoxia was decreased in HSF-1 -/- cells as compared to HSF-1 +/+ cells. Intracellular ATP levels were significantly lower in the HSF-1 -/- cells as compared to the HSF-1 +/+ cells exposed to hyperoxia. Isoprostane levels, a marker of membrane lipid peroxidation, were significantly higher in the HSF-1 -/- cells as compared to the HSF-1 +/+ cells exposed to hyperoxia. Restoration of HSF-1 in the HSF-1 -/- cells by stable transfection with a HSF-1 expression plasmid improved survival in hyperoxia when compared to HSF-1 -/- cells stably transfected with the empty expression vector. Hyperoxia increased activation of HSF-1 in HSF-1 +/+ cells and in HSF-1 -/- cells stably transfected with the HSF-1 expression plasmid. These data demonstrate that HSF-1 plays an important role in conferring resistance to hyperoxia in vitro.


OBJECTIVES
Compared to other young Canadians, youth in the Northwest Territories (NWT) suffer disproportionately from negative sexual health outcomes, including high rates of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. This study aimed to identify the self-perceived barriers and facilitators to positive, empowered, and safer sexual health that impact female youth in the NWT.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 12 females aged 15-19 who live in the NWT were recruited through purposive sampling to participate in semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Inductive coding and thematic analysis of transcribed data occurred using Atlas.ti.

RESULTS
Overall 4 main themes influenced the sexual health of these women: sexual health knowledge, relationships with the self and others, access to quality sexual health resources, and alcohol use/abuse.

CONCLUSION
Recommendations for future action include improving the content and delivery of sexual health education, enhancing parent-adolescent sexual health communication, providing workshops to empower young women to assert themselves within relationships, and supporting an environment that normalizes youth sexuality.


Abstract. In this article, we study linear and non-linear stability of the three state variables rate and state friction (3sRSF) model with spring-mass sliding system. Linear stability analysis shows that critical stiffness, at which dynamical behaviour of the sliding system changes, increases with number of state variables. The bifurcation diagram reveals that route of chaos is period doubling and this has also been confirmed with the Poincare maps. The present system is hyperchaos since all Lyapunov exponents are positive. It is also established that the 3sRSF model is more chaotic than corresponding to the 2sRSF model. Finally, the implication of the present study is also discussed.


The author lists the main theories of somatization and some of the pertinent empirical studies. The studies suggest that there is no single theory that can adequately explain somatization, which is not only multifactorially determined but is an exceedingly complex phenomenon. There is consistent empirical support for some of the theories, such as somatization being a function of depression or of anxiety, and little or inconsistent research support for some other theories, such as its being a symbolic method of communication or an attempt at conflict resolution. The contributions of the various etiological factors differ from one individual to the next, and it requires sometimes lengthy exploration before the extent of the various contributions can be gleaned.


Hydrocarbons are a wide-ranging group of flammable chemicals and are often used in suicide attempts either by ingestion or as an accelerant in self-immolation. In this case study, we present a 37-year-old female who suffered 6% TBSA partial-thickness burns to her perineum and buttocks, which she claims resulted from diarrhea after ingesting a bottle of lighter fluid. The patient underwent decontamination and medical treatment for her burns and during her inpatient stay, it became apparent that the burns were more likely sustained from an intentional rectal administration of lighter fluid. To our knowledge, this is one of the first reported cases of hydrocarbon enema. We review hydrocarbon poisoning, including both ingestion and dermal exposure, and discuss medical management.


ABSTRACT Beringia is the region spanning eastern Asia and northwestern North America that remained ice-free during the full glacial events of the Pleistocene. Numerous questions persist regarding the importance of this region in the evolution of northern faunas. Beringia has been implicated as both a high latitude refugium and as the crossroads (Bering Land Bridge) of the northern continents for boreal mammals. The Beringian Coevolution Project (BCP) is an international collaboration that has provided material to assess the pattern and timing of faunal exchange across the crossroads of the northern continents and the potential impact of past climatic events on differentiation. Mammals and associated parasite specimens have been collected and preserved from more than 200 field sites in eastern Russia, Alaska and northwestern Canada since 1999. Previously, fossils and taxonomic comparisons between Asia and North America mammals have shed light on these events. Molecular phylogenetics based on BCP specimens is now being used to trace the history of faunal exchange and diversification. We have found substantial phylogeographic structure in the Arctic and in Beringia in mustelid carnivores, arvicoline rodents, arctic hares and soricine shrews, including spatially concordant clades and contact zones across taxa that correspond to the edges of Beringia. Among the tapeworms of these mammalian hosts, new perspectives on diversity have also been developed. Arostrilepis horrida (Hymenolepididae) was considered to represent a single widespread and morphologically variable species occurring in a diversity of voles and lemmings in eastern and western Beringia and more broadly across the Holarctic region. The BCP has demonstrated a complex of at least 10 species that are poorly differentiated morphologically. The diversity of Paranoplocephala spp. and Anolocephaloides spp. (Anoplocephalidae) in Beringia included relatively few widespread and morphologically variable species in arvicolines. BCP collections have changed this perspective, allowing the recognition of a series of highly endemic species of Paranoplocephala that demonstrate very narrow host specificity, and additional species complexes among arvicolines. Thus, extensive, previously unrecognized, diversity for tapeworms of 2 major families characterizes the Beringian fauna. By elucidating evolutionary relationships and phylogeographic variation among populations, species and assemblages, refined views of the sequence and timing of biotic expansion, geographic colonization and impact of episodic climate change have been developed for Beringia. Ultimately, Beringia was a determining factor in the structure and biogeography of terrestrial faunas across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions during the Pliocene and Quaternary.


Signs of hepatic regenerative activity were detected by radioactive thymidine incorporation and cariometry in hepatic parenchymal cells of mice infected with 30 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni for 10 weeks and then submitted to partial (30%) hepatectomy. The same methods failed to detect regeneration in mice submitted to partial hepatectomy, to S. mansoni infection or to sham operation, as well as in normal control mice. The stimulus required for hepatic regeneration in the mouse apparently needs to be strong, as was the case when the effects of partial hepatectomy were added to those of S. mansoni-induced lesions. These data show that extensive schistosomal lesions do not impede hepatic cell regeneration by the mouse.


An estimation for the production rate of charmed mesons ($D$, $D_s$) and baryons
($\Lambda_c$, $\Sigma_c$, $\Xi_c$, $\Xi_c'$) in antiproton-proton ($\bar pp$)
annihilation close to their respective kinematical thresholds is presented.
The elementary charm production process is described by either baryon/meson
exchange or by quark/gluon dynamics. Effects of the interactions in the
initial and final states are taken into account rigorously.
The calculations are performed in close analogy to studies on
$\bar p p \to \bar \Lambda \Lambda$, $\bar \Sigma\Sigma$, $\bar \Xi\Xi$ and $\bar p p \to \bar KK $
performed by the J\"ulich group in the past, by connecting the processes via $SU(4)$ symmetry.
The predicted production cross sections of charmed baryons are typically in the
order of $1$ $\mu b$, while those for charmed mesons are in the order of $10-100$ nb.


The disease caused by the apicomplexan protozoan parasite Theileria parva, known as East Coast fever or Corridor disease, is one of the most serious cattle diseases in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa. We performed whole-genome sequencing of nine T. parva strains, including one of the vaccine strains (Kiambu 5), field isolates from Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, or Rwanda, and two buffalo-derived strains. Comparison with the reference Muguga genome sequence revealed 34 814–121 545 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were more abundant in buffalo-derived strains. High-resolution phylogenetic trees were constructed with selected informative SNPs that allowed the investigation of possible complex recombination events among ancestors of the extant strains. We further analysed the dN/dS ratio (non-synonymous substitutions per non-synonymous site divided by synonymous substitutions per synonymous site) for 4011 coding genes to estimate potential selective pressure. Genes under possible positive selection were identified that may, in turn, assist in the identification of immunogenic proteins or vaccine candidates. This study elucidated the phylogeny of T. parva strains based on genome-wide SNPs analysis with prediction of possible past recombination events, providing insight into the migration, diversification, and evolution of this parasite species in the African continent.


This article examines how symbolic representations of social-spatial differences help to maintain social stratification within Santiago de Chile. Several focus group discussions illuminated the approaches and resources used by the middle classes to build the boundaries that define them within the city. The way in which the middle class understands and describes the city of Santiago confirms that social position is linked to symbolic elements that are associated with occupied spaces within the city. Our analysis shows those elements that confer a particular identity upon a given territory and delimit spatial frontiers between territories.


BACKGROUND
Anthropometrics is very important when ensuring a physical match between end users and product or workstations.

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study are twofold, to provide anthropometric data for the design of products and to examine the secular changes in the adult Chilean workers in a period of more than 20 years.

METHODS
Nineteen anthropometric measurements from two samples from 1995 and 2016 were compared using independent t-test (95% confidence interval), where additionally absolute and relative differences were calculated.

RESULTS
The secular trend observed for Stature is characterized by an increase average of 20mm and 10.5mm per decade for females and males, respectively. There is a positive secular trend for both genders, which is observed for most of the selected body measurements. The most pronounced increases were onWeight, Shoulder breadth, Body mass index, Popliteal height; Buttock-popliteal length and Hip width.

CONCLUSIONS
Segmental dimensions that experienced a positive secular trend, together with Weight and Stature, are highly correlated with seating design, addressing the need to review products targeting Chilean adult workers, such as public transport seats, office furniture or industrial workplaces.


Agro processing cassava chips businesses is one of the efforts that are currently being developed in the city of Pontianak. The existence of this business is expected to improve the quality,  profitability,  value-added products. The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of the added value obtained from cassava chips processing in Pontianak. This research was conducted using descriptive methods, population in this study were cassava chips entrepreneurs in the city of Pontianak. Data collected included primary data and secondary data. Techniques of data collection is done by direct interviews with respondents and recording data from relevant agencies. Data analysis was performed by using a format according to the analysis of value-added Hayami method. The results of the study  show that the value added obtained in cassava chips agro-businesses in the city of Pontianak is Rp. 25 231 per kg or by 78.8%, with gains amounting to Rp. 24269.8 / kg with a profit margin of 95.56% employer.


In this article, we trace the genesis of the French derivational database Démonette and show how its architecture and content stem from recent theoretical developments in derivational morphology and from user needs. The development of this large-scale resource began a year ago as part of the Demonext project. Its conception is grounded in a theoretical approach where the lexemes are connected by derivational relations within derivational families which in turn fit into paradigms. More precisely, Démonette is a partial implementation of ParaDis, a paradigmatic model of morphological representation designed for the description of regular processes and of form-meaning discrepancies. The article focuses on the principles that govern the morphological, structural and semantic encoding of morphologically complex lexemes in Démonette and illustrates the range of form-meaning discrepancies with a variety of examples of non-canonical word formations.


PURPOSE: Delivering cancer care by high-functioning multidisciplinary teams promises to address care fragmentation, which threatens care quality, affects patient outcomes, and strains the oncology workforce. We assessed whether the 4R Oncology model for team-based interdependent care delivery and patient self-management affected team functioning in a large community-based health system. METHODS: 4R was deployed at four locations in breast and lung cancers and assessed along four characteristics of high-functioning teams: recognition as a team internally and externally; commitment to an explicit shared goal; enablement of interdependent work to achieve the goal; and engagement in regular reflection to adapt objectives and processes. RESULTS: We formed an internally and externally recognized team of 24 specialties committed to a shared goal of delivering multidisciplinary care at the optimal time and sequence from a patient-centric viewpoint. The team conducted 40 optimizations of interdependent care (22 for breast, seven for lung, and 11 for both cancers) at four points in the care continuum and established an ongoing teamwork adaptation process. Half of the optimizations entailed low effort, while 30% required high level of effort; 78% resulted in improved process efficiency. CONCLUSION: 4R facilitated development of a large high-functioning team and enabled 40 optimizations of interdependent care along the cancer care continuum in a feasible way. 4R may be an effective approach for fostering high-functioning teams, which could contribute to improving viability of the oncology workforce. Our intervention and taxonomy of results serve as a blueprint for other institutions motivated to strengthen teamwork to improve patient-centered care.


This paper discusses the uses and applications of interlingual subtitling for the d/Deaf and hard of hearing (SDH) in the language classroom and builds on a pilot experiment involving over a hundred students who partook in a didactic initiative based on the use of SDH. The present study forms part of the TRADILEX (2020–2023) international project, which draws on action-oriented approaches to produce didactic sequences of didactic audiovisual translation (AVT) and media accessibility (MA) tasks in foreign language education (FLE). A pilot experiment involving didactic interlingual captioning (Spanish into English) was carried out with two cohorts of students ( N =104) from two undergraduate programmes at a Spanish higher-education institution. The results shed light on the students' perception of didactic SDH, as well as the pedagogical benefits of learning English by captioning video clips. The students boosted their translation skills in different ways, and awareness was raised on the importance of analysing visual, acoustic and paralinguistic information when localising clips. Ultimately, this paper examines the potential benefits of action-oriented captioning tasks and advocates for integrating didactic AVT-MA into the FLE curriculum.


As podcasting is such a new phenomenon, little is known about its usage and perceived benefits especially in New Zealand. In addition to gathering statistics on the demographics of who uses library instructional podcasts and the technologies used, this research also offers an opportunity to fill a gap in the knowledge on the usage and perceptions of podcasting and its potential as a medium for library instruction in the future. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory provided the framework for this research. Six sample podcasts were recorded and made available via the UCOL - Universal College of Learning - web site in MP3 format. The target population for this research was staff and students of UCOL. A web based survey instrument was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data and there were 86 complete responses to the survey. Participants were self selected on a non-random basis, therefore it was not possible to stratify the sample set or generalise results. Analysis of the results showed there were differences between the groups surveyed in perceptions and use of the library instructional podcasts. The majority of respondents thought the podcasts were "very good" with 71.1% in favour of them. The most helpful podcast topics were identified and suggestions were made as to other topics the library could make podcasts in. Device ownership was investigated along with technologies required for downloading and listening to the podcasts. The preferred time and place to listen to the podcasts was ascertained and advantages and disadvantages were determined. Responses were received from a broad range of subject areas from within UCOL. The majority of respondents were found to be female and were of NZ European/Pakeha ethnicity. Comments were received as to the quality of the podcasts with suggestions for improvements for future podcasts. The conclusion reached was that podcasting for library instruction will benefit UCOL as an institution, has potential as an alternative communication medium and therefore should be pursued.


Background:Metabolic syndrome (Mets) is reportedly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the relationship between abdominal circumference (AC) and decline in FEV1 has not been elucidated. We aimed to investigate this relationship among male current smokers. Methods:Spirometry was performed on subjects (n = 3,257) ≥ 40 years of age, who participated in a community-based annual health check in Takahata, Japan, from 2004 through 2006 (visit 1). Spirometry was re-evaluated, and AC was assessed in 147 of the male current smokers in 2009 (visit 2). The diagnosis of Mets was based on the criteria used in the Hisayama Study. Results:No significant relationships were observed between AC and spirometric parameters such as % predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), % predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC. However, decline in FEV1 was significantly correlated with AC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that AC was a significant discriminating factor for decline in FEV1, independently of age, Brinkman index and change in body mass index from visit 1 to visit 2. At visit 2, there was a greater prevalence of decline in FEV1 among subjects with Mets (n=17) than among those without Mets. Although there were no differences in % predicted FVC, % predicted FEV1 or FEV1/FVC between subjects with or without Mets, the rate of decline in FEV1 was significantly greater in subjects with Mets than in those without. Conclusions:This retrospective analysis suggested that measuring AC may be useful for discriminating male smokers who show a decline in FEV1.


We assess experimentally the ability of a simple flow-based sorting device, recently proposed numerically by [Zhu et al., Soft Matter, 2014, 10, 7705-7711], to separate capsules according to their stiffness. The device consists of a single pillar with a half-cylinder cross-section which partially obstructs a flow channel so that initially centred, propagating capsules deform and circumvent the obstacle into an expanding channel (or diffuser). We perform experiments with millimetric capsules of fixed size which indicate that the deviation of the capsule in the diffuser varies monotonically with a capillary number - the ratio of viscous to elastic stresses - where the elastic stresses are measured independently to include the effects of pre-inflation, membrane thickness and material properties. We find that soft capsules with resistance to deformation differing by a factor of 1.5 can be reliably separated in the diffuser but that experimental variability increases significantly with capsule stiffness. We extend the study to populations of microcapsules with size polydispersity. We find that the combined effects of increasing capsule deformability and relative constriction of the device with increasing capsule size enable the tuning of the imposed flow so that capsules can be separated based on their shear modulus but irrespectively of their size.


Abstract Neoproterozoic ophiolites, ranging in age from c. 870 Ma to c. 627 Ma, occur in several discrete suture and/or fault zones within the Arabian Shield and display a record of riftdrift, sea-floor spreading and collision tectonics during the evolution of the East African Orogen. The ophiolites within the Yanbu and Bir Umq suture zones in the west are among the oldest (870–740 Ma) in the Shield, locally show a Penrose-tyep complete pseudostratigraphy, and have chemical compositions typical of modern forearc oceanic crust. They are spatially associated with coeval and younger volcanic arc assemblages and were incorporated into the Arabian Shield during a series of collisional events that amalgamated these ensimatic arc terranes. The ophiolites of the Hulayfah-Ruwah suture zone in the central Arabian Shield are coeval with and/or slightly younger (c. 843–821 Ma) than the ophiolites in the west and probably developed in a rifted ensimatic arc system that evolved as a volcanic archipelago near the Afif continental plate. Younger ophiolites (c. 694 Ma) of the Halaban and Al Amar suture zones in the eastern Arabian Shield were incorporated into a subduction-accretion complex that evolved at the Andean-type active margin along the eastern edge (in present coordinate system) of the Afif continental plate. The Halaban suture zone ophiolites represent forearc oceanic crust, whereas the Al Amar suture zone ophiolites are scraped-off fragments of Mozambique ocean floor, seamounts and/or ocean island(s); the Abt Schist between them corresponds to a Franciscan-type accretionary prism of the 'Halaban' subduction zone. The incorporation of these ophiolites and the continental plates (Afif and Ar Rayn) into the Arabian Shield during 640–620 Ma marks a major shift in the direction of convergence (from northerly to westerly) during the assembly of the Shield and distinct episodes of continental collisions during closure of the Mozambique Ocean. The ophiolites of the Nabitah-Hamdah fault zone within the Asir terrane are the youngest (c. 627 Ma) in the Shield, post-collisional in origin, display mid-ocean ridge basalt chemical affinity, and represent Ligurian-type oceanic crust developed in an intracontinental pararift zone. The ophiolite tectonics of the Arabian Shield indicates an eastward progression of continental growth through time as the East African Orogen was built during the late Neoproterozoic, following the breakup of Rodinia.


although. acetonuria was again present in the acute stage. I ther efore sent the patient to. the Edinburgh. Royal Infirmary, out-patient department, where he was examined, and the consulting physician wrote me saying that, while he would not like to rule. out the possibility of cyclic vomiting, I should watch the patient carefully for migrainous symptoms. The next attack confirmed the diagnosis of migraine, and the patient informed me that periodic headache was common amongst his progenitors on the maternal side. Finally I sent him to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as an in-patient under the care of Dr. Chalmers Watson, where, I have no doubt, he was thoroughly treated for alimentary auto-intoxication. He resumed duty about four months ago and seems to have derived great benefit from the treatment. I found that during an attack large doses of sodium bicarbonate and the exhibition of cannabis indica gave the greatest relief.-I am, etc., ARCHIBALD PENMAN, Stirling, Jan. 1st. Police Surgeon.


Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death from gynecologic malignancy in women. High-grade serous carcinomas, low-grade serous carcinomas, endometrioid carcinomas, clear cell carcinomas, and mucinous carcinomas with distinct pathological and clinical characteristics are the main histological subtypes of ovarian cancer. The majority of ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to a lack of suitable screening tests for early detection and specific early symptoms. Despite progress in therapy improvements in ovarian cancer, most patients develop a recurrence within months or years after initial treatment. Given that the presence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes is associated with prognosis and ovarian cancer is among the first cancers with an established association of immune cell infiltration, identification of the immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer is thought to be promising. In this study, to increase the understanding of tumor immune cell interactions, we undertook a study of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in a large group of ovarian cancer patients. Our results suggested that tumor immune infiltrates of ovarian cancer were quite cohort and subtype dependent, and activated CD4+ T and CD8+ T tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were associated with good overall survival in the high-grade serous tumors. We found that high expression levels of the immune-related genes were associated with good prognosis in high-grade serous carcinomas. In addition, two different groups of prognostic genes were found in the high-grade and low-grade serous carcinomas, indicating that these two subtypes of serous carcinomas were two biologically and clinically different cancer types.


Sm,-With reference to Dr. I. P. F. Mungall's comment (31 March, p. 799) on the calculation by Dr. B. T. Williams and others (10 March, p. 593) that 92% of night calls in Sheffield were handled by the deputizing service, the latter authors gave reasons why they thought this to be an overestimate. I can confirm that this figure bears no relation whatever to reality. I have personally made innumerable night calls and submitted a claim form on one occasion only. Like most other family doctors, I dislike thoroughly the idea of asking a sick patient or his anxious relatives to confirm my claim that I have actually paid him a visit and therefore do not ask them to do so.-I am, etc., H. M. HALLE Sheffield


Burt and Adelson (1983) introduced the Laplacian pyramid (LP) as a multiresolution representation for images. We study the LP using the frame theory, and this reveals that the usual reconstruction is suboptimal. We show that the LP with orthogonal filters is a tight frame, and thus, the optimal linear reconstruction using the dual frame operator has a simple structure that is symmetric with the forward transform. In more general cases, we propose an efficient filterbank (FB) for the reconstruction of the LP using projection that leads to a proved improvement over the usual method in the presence of noise. Setting up the LP as an oversampled FB, we offer a complete parameterization of all synthesis FBs that provide perfect reconstruction for the LP. Finally, we consider the situation where the LP scheme is iterated and derive the continuous-domain frames associated with the LP.


The article describes theoretical foundations of research-based teaching and learning, their role in shaping a research competence of students, their critical and creative thinking. It has been pointed out that research-based teaching and learning is one of the main trends of modern European education, enshrined in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) strategic and analytical documents. The model of scientific researches integration in the educational process of a university is considered, which is constructed using 2 criterias: a degree of students perception of scientific problems and a degree of students involvement in a scientific research work. The experience of research-based teaching and learning, from universities of different countries (Japan, UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada) is analyzed and classified according to the methods of educating. It is noted that the most effective methods for a development of the students' researches competence are active methods, which stimulate active mental and practical performance during an acquisition of educational material. Students participate in a process of cognition; they exchange information, analyze it, consider alternative thoughts, participate in a discussion, model situations, evaluate the actions of others and their own behavior, make thoughtful decisions, that is, collectively solve educational and scientific problems, plunging into a real atmosphere of scientific cooperation. Specific attention is paid to such active learning and educating methods as project method, case method, discussions, research method, game techniques, communication with leading scientists, specialty practical activity as well as an introduction of scientific research results into production.


The paper reviews the problems in the ascertainment of sizes of the control areas of industrial projects, including those of natural gas industry, and analyzes discrepancies in the normative-legal base. The historical aspects and results of substantiating the safe sizes of control areas for the projects of the Orenburg oil-gas condensate field are presented.


We analyze the well posedness of certain field-only boundary integral equations (BIE) for frequency domain electromagnetic scattering from perfectly conducting spheres. Starting from the observations that (1) the three components of the scattered electric field $\mathbf{E}^s(\mathbf{x})$ and (2) scalar quantity $\mathbf{E}^s(\mathbf{x})\cdot\mathbf{x}$ are radiative solutions of the Helmholtz equation, novel boundary integral equation formulations of electromagnetic scattering from perfectly conducting obstacles can be derived using Green's identities applied to the aforementioned quantities and the boundary conditions on the surface of the scatterer. The unknowns of these formulations are the normal derivatives of the three components of the scattered electric field and the normal component of the scattered electric field on the surface of the scatterer, and thus these formulations are referred to as field-only BIE. In this paper we use the Combined Field methodology of Burton and Miller within the field-only BIE approach and we derive new boundary integral formulations that feature only Helmholtz boundary integral operators, which we subsequently show to be well posed for all positive frequencies in the case of spherical scatterers. Relying on the spectral properties of Helmholtz boundary integral operators in spherical geometries, we show that the combined field-only boundary integral operators are diagonalizable in the case of spherical geometries and their eigenvalues are non zero for all frequencies. Furthermore, we show that for spherical geometries one of the field-only integral formulations considered in this paper exhibits eigenvalues clustering at one -- a property similar to second kind integral equations.


%Context: {Previous studies have indicated that the 372.4 GHz ground transition of ortho-H$_2$D$^+$ might be a powerful probe of Proto-Planetary Disks. The line could be especially suited for study of the disk mid-plane, where the bulk of the mass resides and where planet formation takes place.} %Aims: {Provide detailed theoretical predictions for the line intensity, profile and maps expected for representative disk models.} %Methods: {We determine the physical and chemical structure of the disks from the model developed by Ceccarelli & Dominik (2005). The line emission is computed with the new radiative transfer method developed recently by Elitzur & Asensio Ramos (2006).} %Results: {We present intensity maps convolved with the expected ALMA resolution, which delineate the origin of the H$_2$D$^+$ 372.4 GHz line. In the disk inner regions, the line probes the conditions in the mid-plane out to radial distances of a few tens of AU, where Solar-like planetary systems might form. In the disk outermost regions, the line originates from slightly above the mid-plane. When the disk is spatially resolved, the variation of line profile across the image provides important information about the velocity field. Spectral profiles of the entire disk flux show a double peak shape at most inclination angles.} %Conclusions: {Our study confirms that the 372.4 GHz H$_2$D$^+$ line provides powerful diagnostics of the mid-plane of Proto-Planetary Disks. Current submillimeter telescopes are capable of observing this line, though with some difficulties. The future ALMA interferometer will have the sensitivity to observe and even spatially resolve the H$_2$D$^+$ line emission.}


Michael D. M. Barankin is a Teaching Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Dr. Barankin received his B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of CA, Los Angeles in 2002 and 2009, respectively; and he received his M.S., graduating with honors, from the Technical University in Delft, the Netherlands (TU Delft) in 2004. After a post-doctoral appointment at TU Delft through 2011, Dr. Barankin was a lecturer at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, where he taught both in Dutch and in English. During this time his primary teaching and course development responsibilities were wide-ranging, but included running the Unit Operations laboratory, introducing Aspen Plus software to the curriculum, and developing a course for a new M.S. program on Renewable Energy (EUREC). In conjunction with his teaching appointment, he supervised dozens of internships (a part of the curriculum at the Hanze), and a number of undergraduate research projects with the Energy Knowledge Center (EKC) as well as a master's thesis. In 2016, Dr. Barankin returned to the US to teach at the Colorado School of Mines. His primary teaching and course development responsibilities here include the Unit Operations Lab and Senior Design (including Aspen), among other undergraduate core courses. His research interests include digital & online methods in engineering education.


: Anxiety disorders and somatoform disorders are frequent differential diagnoses in patients with cardiac and chest complaints. They can also additionally occur in patients with an organic heart disease. If left untreated, they are prone to become chronic, thus leading to deterioration in the quality of life and bringing about considerable costs through increased utilization of health services. In order to prevent the complaints becoming chronic, rather than only being informed of the negative findings of the exclusion diagnostics, the patient should be provided with a plausible explanatory model of his or her complaints, from which behavioral recommendations can be derived. As effective treatment methods, cognitive behavioral therapy, aerobic training and antidepressant medication are available.


We find knowledge of the volatility smile implied from foreign exchange options improves foreign exchange volatility forecast accuracy. The literature shows curvature of the smile can be captured by risk‐neutral skewness and risk‐neutral kurtosis and we find inclusion of these variables in forecast models improves volatility forecast accuracy. Further, delta‐neutral hedged portfolio performance highlights the economic significance of incorporating knowledge of the smile in forecast models. Analysis is conducted using options with one month to maturity written on four exchange rate series, GBP/USD, EUR/USD, AUD/USD, and the USD/JPY from 2001 to 2006. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 37:286–312, 2017


We analyze the so‐called 'exponential decay' model of pollen transfer for the case in which pollinators visit a fraction of the open flowers on a plant. The analysis is limited to the simplest case of a self‐incompatible species, in which self pollen does not interfere with seed set. Plants can manipulate the number of flowers visited per pollinator approach by adjusting attractiveness of flowers so as to maximize pollen export (male fitness). In the model the length of the visitation sequence that is optimal for the plant f̂ always decreases with pollen deposition rate k1, pollen uptake rate k2, and the number of pollinator approaches to the plant X, but increases with the total number of flowers F. We assume that the average number of pollinator approaches X increases with the total number of flowers F, but slower than proportionality. It then follows that the optimal fraction of flowers a pollinator visits after arriving on the plant (f̂/F) decreases with the total number of flowers F. Furthermore, the male fitness gain per flower generally decreases with number of flowers, except for the condition of 'inefficient' pollen transfer with very small values of k1, k2, and X, or when the plant has only a few flowers. The latter conditions should favour high nectar production and mass blooming. The known range of parameters suggests that male fitness increases with the total number of flowers slower than proportionality.


Initiated by a research project examining agricultural and water resilience in South Africa and tested in workshops on a range of topics, we reflect on our application of a half-to-one day "games designing" format for constructing dynamic metaphors for complex systems and related concepts (e.g., the resilience or sustainability of a catchment/agricultural marketing system). While this short format gives rich and detailed games that potentially could be played in an extended version of the workshop, we did not go ahead with this step. Instead, we devoted the limited time available to supporting participants in designing, comparing and discussing their games and to exploring the concepts and meanings of a given complex system, even if the latter was initially deemed by participants to be abstract and "academic". Our abridged term for short-format games designing is "rapid games designing" (RGD). Key benefits to participating individuals, the whole group and workshop organizers include (a) the highly productive and creative use of limited time; (b) an inclusive group exercise that draws everyone into the process; (c) rich discussion of pluralist viewpoints through the comparison of the remarkable variety of games generated, including their differences in purpose, players and rules; and (d) observations on how the games construct a dynamic metaphor for the system and its properties, leading to deeper insights and knowledge building regarding system concepts and components. Here, we use two case studies in South Africa to explore what value RGD provides and how it does so, and then we briefly compare it to other similar methods. We also provide practical guidance for facilitating RGD workshops. In conclusion, we argue this format offers an option for the ongoing evolution of games about complex human, natural and socio-ecological systems and that it generates considerable creativity, learning, discussion and insights amongst all participants.


High quality graphics and realism are essential features of modern games. Until recently, players needed to own expensive consoles or outfit their PCs with the latest hardware to play games with cutting-edge graphics. This has changed with the introduction of "cloud gaming" companies, which require only a good internet connection and minimal hardware to play the latest games. These ventures suggest that the gaming industry is moving to a cloud-based model, in which computation-intensive rendering and simulation is offloaded to remote servers and only the resulting images are streamed back to the client. However, present cloud gaming services still implement a one-console-peruser model, in which across-user computation, or computation that is independent of any particular user, is repeated for all users, rather than computed only once and then shared among all users in the same scene. We present a new architecture which amortizes the cost of across-user rendering, simulation, and memory. This architecture frees additional resources for rendering and allows for improved graphics at no additional hardware cost. To analyze the performance and generality of this architecture we implemented two applications: a light field and a fluid simulation. We also devised a general means of measuring the performance of amortized algorithms in this architecture.


HIV infection remains incurable although several anti-HIV drugs have been identified and developed. Among these the nucleoside analogues were and remain in the forefront of anti-HIV chemotherapeutic regimens. Most of these nucleoside analogues are modified mainly in the sugar moiety. In general, they lack a free hydroxy group at the 3'-position. Consequently, they cannot participate in the formation of a 3',5'-phosphodiester linkage, which renders the nucleoside 5'-triphosphates of such nucleoside analogues effective anti-HIV agents. Preventing the formation of 3',5'-phosphodiester linkages leads to inhibition of the viral DNA strand elongation and ultimately chain termination. The phosphorylation of nucleoside analogues is a key factor in their efficacy as anti-HIV agents. Efficient phosphorylation depends largely on the structure of the nucleoside. Therefore, modification of the structure of nucleoside analogues are sought to enhance their phosphorylation and ultimately, effective inhibition of the HIV reverse transcriptase. This review is concerned with the trends in the design of nucleoside analogues as anti-HIV agents.


Abstract. Positioning of mobile users in indoor environments with Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) has become very popular whereby location fingerprinting and trilateration are the most commonly employed methods. In both the received signal strength (RSS) of the surrounding access points (APs) are scanned and used to estimate the user's position. Within the scope of this study the advantageous qualities of both methods are identified and selected to benefit their combination. By a fusion of these technologies a higher performance for Wi-Fi positioning is achievable. For that purpose, a novel approach based on the well-known Differential GPS (DGPS) principle of operation is developed and applied. This approach for user localization and tracking is termed Differential Wi-Fi (DWi-Fi) by analogy with DGPS. From reference stations deployed in the area of interest differential measurement corrections are derived and applied at the mobile user side. Hence, range or coordinate corrections can be estimated from a network of reference station observations as it is done in common CORS GNSS networks. A low-cost realization with Raspberry Pi units is employed for these reference stations. These units serve at the same time as APs broadcasting Wi-Fi signals as well as reference stations scanning the receivable Wi-Fi signals of the surrounding APs. As the RSS measurements are carried out continuously at the reference stations dynamically changing maps of RSS distributions, so-called radio maps, are derived. Similar as in location fingerprinting this radio maps represent the RSS fingerprints at certain locations. From the areal modelling of the correction parameters in combination with the dynamically updated radio maps the location of the user can be estimated in real-time. The novel approach is presented and its performance demonstrated in this paper.


: Graft versus host reaction (GVH) is a major complication of allogenic marrow transplants. The GVH present is a pluri-visceral syndrome in which certain pulmonary disorders are recognised. Amongst these respiratory failure by bronchiolitis is not an exceptional presentation. The case reported here is of an 18 year old man who developed, immediately following a marrow graft for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a lethal obstructive respiratory failure after progression for 2 1/2 years. The respiratory function data (TVO with elevated residual volume (VR) and VR/Total lung capacity (CT) hypoxia which corrected on exercise with normocapnia then hypoxic hypercapnia; compliance normal at low frequency but fell at high frequency and inspiratory and expiratory resistance was raised: DLCO/VA was normal) allowed the confirmation of obstructive respiratory failure by disease of the small airways. The pathogenesis of CVH is equivocal. Recurring infections seem to play a role, favoured by iatrogenic factors such as chemotherapy and total body irradiation. In the case reported here the first pulmonary signs followed an episode of influenza with sero-conversion.


In hexapod based driving simulator, utilizing one degree of freedom limits the potential in others. Taking into account that improper representation of the yaw motion in the driving simulator can be more harmful then beneficial in terms of the simulator's fidelity, the influence of the yaw component on the driver's motion perception in the driving simulator was studied.
An experiment was conducted that included regular driving on the rural road and the light car crash on the T-junction. All 17 test subjects were divided into 2 groups – one group had yaw feedback in the motion cueing, the second did not.
The difference in the vehicle states and driver's subjective opinion between the group with and without yaw component in the motion feedback was analyzed. It was concluded that the absence of the way component brings the difference, sometimes significant, to the driver's behavior and accordingly – to the motion perception.


that was the indication for their mesh excision. No patient has recurrence of prolapse. CONCLUSIONS: This video demonstrates the critical steps of robot assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy mesh excision and concomitant uterosacral ligament suspension. Excellent visualization of the mesh and vital structures as well as reduced morbidity over open surgery are advantages of a robotic approach. Concomitant uterosacral ligament suspension is both safe and feasible, and excellent visualization of the ureters may reduce complications with this approach. Uterosacral ligament suspension provides a mesh free option for reducing prolapse recurrence in patients that require surgical intervention for a mesh related complication.


Study Design. A retrospective study. Objective. To analyze the long-term proximal junctional change in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) following segmental posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion 5 years or more after surgery. Summary of Background Data. No study has concentrated on time-dependent long-term proximal junctional change in AIS following segmental posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion after 5 years postoperation. Risk factors for developing proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) are unknown. Methods. A total of 193 consecutive AIS patients with a minimum 5-year follow-up (average, 7.3 years; range, 5–16.7 years) treated with segmental posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion were evaluated. Radiographic measurements analyzed included sagittal Cobb angle at the proximal junction on preoperative, early postoperation, 2-year postoperation, and final follow-up (≥5 years) by standing long cassette radiographs. Postoperative Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-24 outcome scores were also evaluated. Abnormal PJK was defined as the final proximal junctional sagittal Cobb angle between the lower endplate of the uppermost instrumented vertebra and the upper endplate of two vertebrae supra-adjacent, which was > 10° and at least 10° greater than the preoperative measurement. Results. The incidence of PJK at 7.3 years postoperation was 26% (50 of 193 patients). The average proximal junctional angle increased 15.2° until 2 years postoperation and then increased 1.7° until final follow-up in the PJK group (n = 50). Factors that were statistically significant for PJK development were as follows: a thoracoplasty procedure (P = 0.001), preoperative hyperkyphotic thoracic alignment (T5–T12 > 40°) (P = 0.015), and hybrid instrumentation (proximal hooks and distal pedicle screws) compared with the hooks only group (P = 0.029). The number of fused vertebrae more than 11 was also related with PJK (P = 0.08). The level of the uppermost instrumented vertebra did not affect the PJK incidence. SRS-24 outcome scores did not demonstrate any significant differences (P = 0.54 for total score and P = 0.49 for self-image subscale) between the PJK and non-PJK groups. Conclusion. The incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis at 7.3 years postoperation was 26% and did not progress significantly after 2 years postoperation. Risk factors for developing PJK were an associated thoracoplasty, hybrid instrumentation (proximal hooks and distal pedicle screws), and a preoperative larger sagittal thoracic Cobb angle (T5–T12 > 40°). The SRS-24 outcome instrument was not affected by PJK.


Background Depressive illness is a public health issue of major significance. Lifetime prevalence is estimated at about 15%. Despite proven efficacy of antidepressant medicines, the effectiveness of antidepressants is reduced by patient non-adherence. Several factors can contribute to antidepressant non adherence. There is evidence to support the hypothesis that patient satisfaction will result in improved adherence and improved clinical outcomes. Purpose To assess the relationship between medicines adherence and treatment satisfaction with antidepressants in depressed patients. Materials and methods Non-experimental, cross-sectional survey of all patients attending Al Amal psychiatric 500-bed hospital (Riyadh – Saudi Arabia) in September 2013. Medicines adherence was assessed using the 8-item Morisky Medicines Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Treatment satisfaction was assessed using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medicines (TSQM 1.4) Severity of depression were assessed using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRs). Results A sample of 200 patients using antidepressants was studied. 111 patients (55%) were male and 45% female. Based on MMAS-8, 37.8% had a low adherence rate, 32.2% had a medium adherence rate and 30% had a high rate of adherence. Severity of depression was correlated with adherence score. However, variables like use of monotherapy or age and sex were not significantly associated with higher adherence. The satisfaction means with regard to effectiveness, side effects, convenience and global satisfaction were low scores. There was a significant difference in the means of all satisfaction axes (effectiveness, convenience, side effects and global satisfaction) P < 0.01, among persons with different levels of adherence. Conclusions Non adherence to antidepressants was common and was associated with low treatment satisfaction scores and increased severity of depression symptom scores. No conflict of interest.