Magnetotactic bacteria (MB)-cocci as well as a spirillum of type Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense-were investigated for their applicability for nondestructive domain analysis on soft magnetic materials. Solely magnetotactic cocci which show a definite swimming direction proved to be suitable for this purpose. The intensity of the domains' magnetic stray field H of coated SiFe sheets proved to be high enough to visualize main domains even in distances of 500 /spl mu/m from the specimen surface, in comparison to about 5 /spl mu/m for colloid particles. Thus it was possible to develop a specific "domain viewer" which allows simple handling and reuse of bacteria for repeated analysis. Based on theoretical considerations about the cocci's motion in a magnetic field, a computer program for the simulation of spatiotemporal bacterial distributions was developed. Results show that-in contrast to colloid techniques and nonmotile bacteria-the gradient of H does not influence the contrast in an essential way. Due to Brownian motion of motile bacteria, a minimum domain width is required for effective visualizations. This was confirmed by experimental results of both secondary domains of crystalline specimens and narrow surface domains of amorphous bands. However, for small domain structures of the latter, unmotile dead bacteria proved to be applicable. Finally, influences of bacterial concentrations on the contrast as well as the contrast mechanism as a function of time are discussed. >


This paper investigates the modeling of automated machine description on sports video, which has seen much progress recently. Nevertheless, state-of-the-art approaches fall quite short of capturing how human experts analyze sports scenes. There are several major reasons: (1) The used dataset is collected from non-official providers, which naturally creates a gap between models trained on those datasets and real-world applications; (2) previously proposed methods require extensive annotation efforts (i.e., player and ball segmentation at pixel level) on localizing useful visual features to yield acceptable results; (3) very few public datasets are available. In this paper, we propose a novel large-scale NBA dataset for Sports Video Analysis (NSVA) with a focus on captioning, to address the above challenges. We also design a unified approach to process raw videos into a stack of meaningful features with minimum labelling efforts, showing that cross modeling on such features using a transformer architecture leads to strong performance. In addition, we demonstrate the broad application of NSVA by addressing two additional tasks, namely fine-grained sports action recognition and salient player identification. Code and dataset are available at https://github.com/jackwu502/NSVA.


Since Slovakia's transition from authoritarian rule to democracy and the rule of law in 1992, the Slovak people are empowered to participate in the decision-making of the state by means of the popular initiative and the referendum. Although seven referendums have been held in the Slovak Republic so far, only one was considered valid. This paper aims to illustrate the reasons for this scarce success of popular votes and gives a brief insight into the significance of direct democracy in the Slovak Republic. To this purpose, it will set out the instruments of direct democracy provided in Slovakia and the experiences made therewith.


Northern Iceland is a place of great interest for climatic studies. The land was fairly untouched by human activity until the Landnam period (870-930 AD), when humans first started to colonize the island. The study site is situated in the valley of Hjaltadalur close to the village Holar, which after the settlement of humans became the religious and culture center of northern Iceland. Peat sediment cores were drilled to gain knowledge of the climatic fluctuations and environmental development in the area. Peat is a perfect archive of climatic and environmental changes due to its ability to preserve material like pollen, tephra and insect fossils which can be identified and analyzed to gain a better understanding of the past climate. Out of four possible drilling sites in the valley of Hjaltadalur, northern Iceland, Viðvik peat land was chosen for climatic analyses. Pollen, loss on ignition, tephra and radiocarbon dating analyses were performed on the peat material and samples for future macrofossil analyses were collected. The analyses provided useful information and insights into temperature fluctuations during the late Holocene, which could be correlated with other palaeoclimate research made in the past decades in the northern regions of Iceland.The pollen diagrams presented in this thesis show a transition from a warm and dry forestlike landscape to a cooler, more humid, open landscape during the last 5000 years. This visible transition, which contributed to a reduction of the birch population, started before the european settlement and thus implies that humans were not solely responsible for the birch decline in Iceland after the Landnam period (870-930 AD).


Abstract The paper presents results of research on selected physico-chemical parameters of engine oils from farm tractors based on the date of their change assumed by the user. 17 samples of used engine oil from farm tractors of various producers and with a varied exploitation course were analysed. Oils for research were collected during oil change, registering the service life of oil each time. They were obtained from service points that repair farm tractors in the region of Lublin Province. The studies were to verify whether a decision concerning oil change taken by tractor users after specific time of operation of an engine was good. Number of exceedings of the threshold values of parameters of engine oil which are responsible for correct lubrication were the basis for evaluation


The features based on Markov random field (MRF) models are usually sensitive to the rotation of image textures. The paper develops an anisotropic circular Gaussian MRF (ACGMRF) model for modeling rotated image textures and retrieving rotation-invariant texture features. To overcome the singularity problem of the least squares estimate (LSE) method, an approximate least squares estimate (ALSE) method is proposed to estimate the parameters of ACGMRF model. The rotation-invariant features can be obtained from the parameters of the ACGMRF model by the one-dimensional (1D) discrete Fourier transform (DFT). Significantly improved accuracy can be achieved by applying the rotation-invariant features to classify SAR (synthetic aperture radar) sea ice and Brodatz imagery.


Brain extraction is an important preprocessing step for further processing (e.g., registration and morphometric analysis) of brain MRI data. Due to the operator-dependent and time-consuming nature of manual extraction, automated or semi-automated methods are essential for large-scale studies. Automatic methods are widely available for human brain imaging, but they are not optimized for rodent brains and hence may not perform well. To date, little work has been done on rodent brain extraction. We present an extended pulse-coupled neural network algorithm that operates in 3-D on the entire image volume. We evaluated its performance under varying SNR and resolution and tested this method against the brain-surface extractor (BSE) and a level-set algorithm proposed for mouse brain. The results show that this method outperforms existing methods and is robust under low SNR and with partial volume effects at lower resolutions. Together with the advantage of minimal user intervention, this method will facilitate automatic processing of large-scale rodent brain studies.


Here we compare late Quaternary southwest African climate records from the west coast of southern Africa (published winter rainfall and trade wind intensity records from a core off the coast of Namibia) to records of Antarctic sea-ice extent. This comparison reveals coherent changes between Antarctic sea-ice extent and the southwest African winter rain region since 45 k.y. B.P., with enhanced winter rainfall and trade-wind vigor during periods of increased sea-ice presence. We propose an oceanic and atmospheric coupling between Antarctic sea ice and the winter rainfall zone of southwest Africa that may lead to increased desertification in the region if global warming persists.


Background Cassava pulp is a promising starch-based biomasses, which consists of residual starch granules entrapped in plant cell wall containing non-starch polysaccharides, cellulose and hemicellulose. Strain CT4T, a novel mesophilic anaerobic bacterium isolated from soil collected from a cassava pulp landfill, has a strong ability to degrade polysaccharides in cassava pulp. This study explored a rarely described species within the genus Clostridium that possessed a group of cassava pulp-degrading enzymes. Methods A novel mesophilic anaerobic bacterium, the strain CT4T, was identified based on phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analysis. The complete genome of the strain CT4T was obtained following whole-genome sequencing, assembly and annotation using both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) platforms. Results Analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain CT4T is a species of genus Clostridium. Analysis of the whole-genome average amino acid identity (AAI) of strain CT4T and the other 665 closely related species of the genus Clostridium revealed a separated strain CT4T from the others. The results revealed that the genome consisted of a 6.3 Mb circular chromosome with 5,664 protein-coding sequences. Genome analysis result of strain CT4T revealed that it contained a set of genes encoding amylolytic-, hemicellulolytic-, cellulolytic- and pectinolytic enzymes. A comparative genomic analysis of strain CT4T with closely related species with available genomic information, C. amylolyticum SW408T, showed that strain CT4T contained more genes encoding cassava pulp-degrading enzymes, which comprised a complex mixture of amylolytic-, hemicellulolytic-, cellulolytic- and pectinolytic enzymes. This work presents the potential for saccharification of strain CT4T in the utilization of cassava pulp. Based on phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, we propose a novel species for which the name Clostridium manihotivorum sp. nov. is suggested, with the type strain CT4T (= TBRC 11758T = NBRC 114534T).


This study analyzed the impact of labour turn over on health service delivery in Wakiso district. Out of the 15 sub-counties. 5 were studied, which have the Health Centers grouped as Class IV. It focused on the Health Centre class IV in each of the five sub-counties of Namayumba, Wakiso Town Council, Makindye, Nangabo and Gombe, to determine how the labour turnover among health personnel has affected health service delivery in Wakiso district, the following objectives were used: to examine the aspects of health services delivery in Wakiso District, to assess the effect of labour turnover on health service delivery in Wakiso district and to examine the challenges facing Wakiso District in the delivery of health service to its people. The methods used to collect data form the respondents were self-administered questionnaires and interview guides. The study used a cross-sectional survey design as it was necessary to analyse data on annual basis. The findings of the study showed that: There was lack of enough financial resources, there was further lack of presence of competent health care staff and the usage of physical facilities and equipment was highly lacking. The study concluded that the labour turnover influenced the formulation of expenditure plans and implementation of expenditure plans as it is in the framework of the labour turnover that before the recipients receive funding after they have put expenditure plans in place and because many implementing agencies lack transparency. The study recommends that the District should introduce new taxes so that it funds all its major health services delivery. The District should also introduce cost sharing so that the patients pay part of the health services delivery. The District should also be able to negotiable for subsidized drugs and other procured determine its health priorities for health services delivery by engaging donors that agree with funding the identified priority area.


Supermassive binary black holes (SMBBHs) represent an excellent candidate for future combined gravitational wave and electromagnetic astrophysics, commonly referred to as multimessenger astrophysics. While much is known about the gravitational wave signal of merging BBHs, little is known about the electromagnetic emission. Modeling the electromagnetic emission coincident with gravitational waves requires simulations of SMBBHs coupled to their astrophysical environment, particularly during the late stages of inspiral and merger. These simulations necessitate a broad range of physics including general relativity, magnetohydrodynamics, and radiation physics. In this Dissertation we present simulations of SMBBHs coupled to their astrophysical environment. We explore, for the first time, the gas dynamics in a relativistic binary black hole (BBH) system in which an accretion disk (a "mini-disk") orbits each black hole. In addition to studying the structure and dynamics of the mini-disks, we present spectra from ray-tracing calculations of SMBBH accretion including mini-disks. Due to the immense computational burden of these simulations (millions of CPU hours per binary orbit), we restrict our study to equal-mass, non-spinning SMBBHs. Relativistic effects alter the dynamics of gas in this environment in several ways. Because the gravitational potential between the two black holes becomes shallower than in the Newtonian regime, the mini-disks stretch toward the L1 point and the amount of gas passing back and forth between the mini-disks increases sharply with decreasing binary separation. This "sloshing" is quasi-periodically modulated at 2 and 2.75 times the binary orbital frequency, corresponding to timescales of hours to days for SMBBHs. In addition, relativistic effects add an azimuthal m = 1 component to the tidally driven spiral waves in the disks that are purely m = 2 in Newtonian gravity; this component becomes dominant when the separation is . 100 gravitational radii. We find that the spiral structure of the mini-disks is further altered through a coupling of the mini-disks to an m = 1 mode in the circumbinary accretion disk via streams of gas peeled off the inner edge of the latter. This modulation in the accretion stream flux has a quasi-periodic nature of 0.74 times the binary orbital frequency. Both the sloshing and the spiral waves have the potential to create distinctive radiation features that may uniquely mark SMBBHs in the relativistic regime. Finally, we observe a broadened thermal spectrum due to the combined photospheres of the mini-disks and circumbinary disks in the range of ≈ 1 − 1000eV , and an inverse Compton spectrum at tens to hundreds of keV dominated by the mini-disks.


Sheepdrove Organic Farm wishes to maintain or improve soil fertility (where appropriate) in accordance with organic principles and to gain a greater understanding of the biological activity with the soil ecosystems of the farm. In order to monitor changes in soil fertility a monitoring programme has been established to record all available past soils data and implement an ongoing programme that meets the agronomic needs of the farming enterprises and contributes to the 'Sheepdrove Story'. From the limited data collected to date there is evidence that organic matter levels are higher than would be expected on these soil types and that past management has maintained major nutrient status at 'conventional' levels.


We consider a one-parameter family of new extrinsic differential geometries on hypersurfaces in Hyperbolic space. Recently, the second author and his collaborators have constructed a new geometry which is called horospherical geometry on Hyperbolic space. There is another geometry which is the famous Gauss-Boryay-Robechevski geometry (i.e., the hyperbolic geometry) on Hyperbolic space. The slant geometry is a one-parameter family of geometries which connect these two geometries. Moreover, we construct a oneparameter family of geometries on spacelike hypersurfaces in de Sitter space.


Piston ring is one of the most important sealing components that can be easily damaged in reciprocating compressors. The severe non-uniformity of the pressure distribution was suggested to be the essential reason for the premature failure of the piston rings. Therefore, a test rig was set up to measure the pressure distributions as well as the build-up of the dynamic pressure difference, which could reveal the root cause for the non-uniformity of the pressure distributions. The results showed that the build-ups of the pressure differences between different rings were not simultaneous; there existed a threshold pressure, and the latter ring could work only when the pressure before the former ring reached to the threshold value. The pressure distributions were also investigated at the start-up and shut-down of the compressor, which further validated the cause of the premature failure of the first ring.


This research is aimed to develop the radar absorbing material based on polyaniline enriched by γ-Fe2O3 synthetized from the sandstone. γ-Fe2O3 is, then, derived from calcination process of Fe3O4 powder at the temperature of 400-600oC. Fe3O4 powder itself is extracted from the local sandstone of South East Sulawesi area by using the co-precitipation method with both HCl and NH4OH act as the solvent and precitipation agent, respectively. The polyaniline is synthetized from its monomer, aniline, where both HCl and NH4OH are also used as a dopant and an oxydator agent, respectively. Effect of reaction pH on the crystal size of Fe3O4 is also investigated. The XRD spectrum shows that a rather high purity of Fe3O4 in nano size is being achieved at the pH value of 8 and 9. However, at a rather low pH value (6.5 and 7.5), the additional weak peaks in XRD spectrum shows the existence other metal compounds impurity. The crystal sizes is approximately ~8.01 and 11.07 nm for pH value of 8 and 9. The VSM measurement result shows that the saturated magnetization value of Fe3O4 is 24.45 emu/g. The Fe3O4 is calcined at temperature of 500oC for 3 hours to get γ-Fe2O3. Finally, the polyaniline-γ-Fe2O3 composites were synthetized using an insitu polymerization method where the weight contents of γ-Fe2O3 are 5, 10, 15, and 20 percent. Those materials will be useful as a prospective application in radar absorbing materials technology at frequency ranges of 9-17 GHz.


Introduction To date, guidelines recommend the use of a stepped care approach to treat tinnitus. The current clinical management of tinnitus frequently consists of audiologic interventions and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Due to the high heterogeneity of the tinnitus population and comorbidity of tinnitus with insomnia, anxiety, and depression, these interventions may not be sufficient for every patient. The current study aims to determine whether a bimodal therapy for chronic, subjective tinnitus consisting of the combination of TRT and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) results in a clinically significant different efficacy in comparison with the prevailing bimodal TRT and CBT therapy. Methods Patients were randomized in two treatment groups. The experimental group received the bimodal therapy TRT/EMDR and the active control group received the bimodal therapy TRT/CBT. Evaluations took place at baseline (T0), at the end of the treatment (T1), and 3 months after therapy (T2). The tinnitus functional index (TFI) was used as primary outcome measurement. Secondary outcome measurements were the visual analog scale of tinnitus loudness (VASLoudness), tinnitus questionnaire (TQ), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), hyperacusis questionnaire (HQ), global perceived effect (GPE), and psychoacoustic measurements. Findings The TFI showed clinically significant improvement in both bimodal therapies (mean decrease 15.1 in TRT/CBT; p < 0.001 vs. 16.2 in TRT/EMDR; p < 0.001). The total score on the TQ, HADS, HQ, and VASLoudness all demonstrated significant decrease after treatment and follow-up (p < 0.001) in the experimental and the active control group. GPE-measurements revealed that more than 80% (i.e., 84% in TRT/CBT vs. 80% in TRT/EMDR) of the patients experienced substantial improvement of tinnitus at follow up. Treatment outcome remained stable after 3 month follow-up and no adverse events were observed. Conclusion Both psychotherapeutic protocols result in a clinically significant improvement for patients with chronic subjective tinnitus. No significant different efficacy was found for the TRT/EMDR treatment compared to the combination of TRT and CBT. Clinical Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03114878. April 14, 2017.


Nuclear engineers have a vision whose fulfillment will make plutonium-239 and uranium-233 the "dirty, cheap" fuels and will make coal the fuel of esteem. It will be valued for derivative chemicals and clean fuels and for metallurgical and electrochemical uses of its fixed carbon. In a coal technology devised to exploit these values, the recovery of sulfur will be a mere incidental. An immediate, properly financed effort to develop means for coping with sulfur can give us clean air with profit, help to conserve our limited supply of vital uranium-235, and take us a large step toward a coal technology for the 21st century.


The canonical model of eukaryotic translation posits that efficient translation initiation increases protein expression and mRNA stability. Contrary to this dogma, we show that increasing initiation rate can decrease both protein expression and stability of certain mRNAs in the budding yeast, S. cerevisiae. These mRNAs contain a stretch of poly-basic residues that cause ribosome stalling. Using computational modeling, we predict that the observed decrease in gene expression at high initiation rates occurs when ribosome collisions at stalls stimulate abortive termination of the leading ribosome and cause endonucleolytic mRNA cleavage. We test our prediction by identifying critical roles for the collision-associated quality control factors, Asc1 and Hel2 (RACK1 and ZNF598 in humans, respectively). Remarkably, hundreds of S. cerevisiae mRNAs that contain ribosome-stall sequences also exhibit lower translation efficiency. We propose that these mRNAs have undergone evolutionary selection for inefficient initiation to escape collision-stimulated reduction in gene expression.


The technique of fluctuation-enhanced sensing (FES) in resistive gas sensors was proposed a few years ago. The method improves the selectivity and sensitivity of gas detection. This was confirmed in numerous laboratory experiments. Some of the latest results obtained for practical applications of the FES method are presented (toxic gases detection; problems of detection repeatability; detection of essential oils intensity during aromatherapy, biological agent detection). Additionally, a new prototype nanoparticle gas sensor was introduced with an additional potential of gas detection using noise induced by UV irradiations.


Background:
Approximately 200,000 American youth live with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Intensive daily management is critical to optimize disease outcomes. Little is known about COVID-19 pandemic effects on persons with T1D and their caregivers. We hypothesized caregivers would report increased stress, lower self-efficacy (SE), and more difficult diabetes management associated with the pandemic.

Methods: A 49-item survey using Likert scales and open-ended response questions was distributed via email and T1D-related social media platforms from May 4-June 2,2020 to caregivers of children with T1D <18 years of age. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) SE short form was used to measure general SE.

Results:
260 caregivers completed surveys: 94.2% female, mean age 42.4±7.7 years, 80.3% college degree or higher, 53.8% annual income >$99,000, 77.3% privately insured. Mean child age 11.0±4.1 years, mean T1D duration 4.2±3.4 years. 24.2% reported having COVID-19 or knowing someone diagnosed with COVID-19. 71.9% reported greater stress than before the pandemic. 9.6% reported job loss, 25.8% financial difficulty related to COVID-19. General SE levels were high, significantly correlated with overall COVID-19-related SE (r=0.394, p<0.001), and T1D care-SE during COVID-19 (r=0.421, p<0.001). 210 respondents provided open-ended response qualitative information on worries: 87.6% reported a worry, remainder not worried.  Common worries were COVID-19-related diabetes complications including uncontrolled blood sugars, diabetic ketoacidosis, and worry about child's increased risk for severe disease, including death. 209 reported about challenges; 90.9% stated they had at least one challenge. Family isolation and mental health were the most-stated challenges.

Conclusion:
Despite reporting high overall SE, caregivers of T1D children during the pandemic reported greater overall stress, worries, and challenges. Given that data do not suggest that children with T1D are at increased risk of COVID-19 complications, healthcare providers should work to address this knowledge gap while providing families with social and mental health supports.


In this paper, we present a new, simple, robust and efficient technique to decorate multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with metal nanoparticles. As case studies, Au, Pt and Rh nanoparticles are grafted onto MWCNTs by spraying a colloidal solution into the post-discharge of an atmospheric argon or argon/oxygen RF plasma. The method that we introduce here is different from those usually described in the literature, since the treatment is operated at atmospheric pressure, allowing the realization in only one step of the surface activation and the deposition processes. We demonstrate experimentally that the addition of oxygen gas in the plasma increases significantly the amount of grafted metal nanoparticles. Moreover, TEM pictures clearly show that the grafted nanoparticles are well controlled in size.


Seismic velocity changes before and after large magnitude earthquakes carry information about damage present within the faults in the surrounding region. In this thesis, temporal velocity changes are measured before and after the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake using ambient noise interferometry between 2012 - 2018. This period contains the Mw 7.8 2016 Kaikoura earthquake as well as the 2013 Cook Strait earthquake sequence and a few deep large magnitude earthquakes in 2015 - 2016. Three primary objectives are identified: (1) investigate seismic velocity changes in the Kaikōura region and their connection to the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake to try and determine if there was a change before/after the earthquake, (2) determine how this change varied across the region, and (3) consider if ambient noise can lead to improved detection and understanding of geological hazard.   The primary approach used to measure velocity changes in the Kaikōura region involved cross correlating noise recorded by seismic stations across the region. Velocity changes are sought by averaging the best result from multiple onshore station pairs. A secondary approach was also used, in which specific station pairs were averaged to determine if there were more localised velocity changes over more specific regions. This was to determine if the velocity changes observed following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake occurred over the entire ruptured region.   Following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake a velocity decrease of 0.24±0.02% was observed on the average of the vertical-vertical components for eight stations. The remaining eight cross-component pairs showed a smaller seismic decrease with an average value of 0.22±0.05%. After the decrease following the Kaikōura earthquake, there is a steady velocity increase of 0.13±0.02% over a one-and-a-half-year period. This indicates that prior to the earthquake, seismic velocity was at a steady state until it was perturbed by the Kaikōura earthquake, and seismic velocities rapidly decreased over all stations. Across the region, stations with a longer interstation distance and further away from ruptured faults had a smaller decrease in velocity than station pairs with a smaller interstation distance that were closer to ruptured faults. We interpret the velocity decrease following the Kaikōura earthquake as a result of cracks opening during the earthquake. The velocity increase following the earthquake is indicative of the cracks slowly healing.   The Cook Strait earthquake sequence that occurred in 2013 did not cause any velocity changes at the stations used in this thesis. This has been interpreted to be because the changes were too small compared to the background noise or the stations were not recording during the time of the earthquake sequence. Two other decreases were also observed in the region following two deep earthquakes in April 2015 (Mw 6.2, depth = 52km) and February 2016 (Mw 5.7, depth = 48km). Both of these events resulted in a small seismic decrease of 0.1±0.02%. Although these earthquakes were close to seismic stations when they occurred, they were much deeper and had a smaller magnitude than the Kaikōura earthquake so did not cause a large velocity decrease. By understanding what causes velocity changes it is possible to have an improved understanding of the geological hazard in the region.


great terms, supposedly. [1] While some thinkers and activists recognize the need for intersectional insights in research and organizing, others maintain more negative attitudes and analyses towards such insights. The negative attitudes and analyses combine a new resent with the old tension between feminist and poststructuralist critiques of Marxist theory and the latter, sometimes named "identity politics" or "identarian politics." While intersectionalists claim that race, class, and gender (and other categories and discourses) compound, mingle, and mix in unique ways during particular events and experiences, Marxists allege that class trumps all with respect to oppression. The intersectionalists call for specific and particularized redress of compounded oppressions which sometimes do not include class or, in other cases, are lost when class is the sole focus (or any single category of oppression by itself). The Marxists, on the other hand, call for changing the relations of production, focusing on class. Racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, and other oppressions will be ameliorated, or at least the conditions for their amelioration can only begin, after that shift in exploitative, alienating, and degrading relations of capitalist production. The debate leaves two conflicting camps on the Left. One with a particularized sensitivity to the complex layers of oppression, and the other with a fervent clarity regarding the link in the chain of domination which, if broken, will release the people from their bonds.


The present study was carried out to determine the changes in some reserve molecules of safflower seeds during germination and early seedling growth. The seeds of 2 safflower cultivars were used as plant material (Dincer 5-118 and Montola 2000). Seeds were germinated for 72 h and observations were taken every 12 h throughout the study. Changes in total oil content (%), total protein content (%), total soluble sugar contents (TSS, mg g-1), and reducing sugar contents (RS, mg g-1) were determined for each cultivar during germination and seedling growth. The oil content of the cultivars decreased from 54.7% and 57.4% to 49.5% and 45.1% for Dincer 5-118 and Montola 2000, respectively. The total protein contents of Dincer 5-118 and Montola 2000 were 32.5% and 28.0% at 0 h, and, at the end of the study, the total protein contents had decreased to 26.3% and 23.8%, respectively. The TSS and RS contents were lower at the end of the study; however, the amounts of TSS and RS varied throughout the study. Results suggest that significant changes took place in the oil, protein, and sugar metabolisms.


We present a methodology and algorithms for automatic refinement from a given design specification to an architecture model based on decisions in architecture exploration. An architecture model is derived from the specification through a series of well defined steps in our design methodology. Traditional architecture exploration relies on manual refinement which is painfully time consuming and error prone. The automation of the refinement process provides a useful tool to the system designer to quickly evaluate several architectures in the design space and make the optimal choice. Experiments with the tool on a system design example show the robustness and usefulness of the refinement algorithm.


Glioblastoma (GBM) treatment is extremely challenging due to the high complexity of the tumor. It is one of the tumors in which a subpopulation of highly resistant glioma initiating cells (GICs) has been clearly identified. Thus, understanding the differences between GICs and tumor bulk cells is therefore essential to move to less conventional but more efficient approaches. It was found that, unlike their differentiated progeny, GICs survival and maintenance of stem cell properties depend on mitochondrial metabolism. GICs present higher glucose uptake and mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced lactate dehydrogenase activity, being more sensitive to mitochondrial inhibition than their differentiated counterparts. Calcium flux to the mitochondria appears to play an essential role in the maintenance of this distinct metabolic phenotype with a decrease in the expression of voltage‑dependent anionic channel (VDAC) and Grp75, two of the proteins of the IP3R‑Grp75‑VDAC complex that transfers calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the mitochondria. Disruption of ER homeostasis using ER stress inducers or inhibition of ER‑mitochondrial contact sites using the Grp75 inhibitor MKT‑077 resulted in cytotoxicity of GICs and loss of stemness. Moreover, MKT‑077 also potentiates the effect of temozolomide, current treatment for glioblastoma. In summary, the present data indicated that ER‑mitochondrial homeostasis is essential for regulation of GICs glucose metabolism and survival.


Abstract. This work deals with the applicability of the linear estimation technique (LE) to invert spectral measurements of aerosol optical depth (AOD) provided by AERONET CIMEL sun photometers. The inversion of particle properties using only direct-sun AODs allows the evaluation of parameters such as effective radius (reff) and columnar volume aerosol content (V) with significantly better temporal resolution than the operational AERONET algorithm which requires both direct sun and sky radiance measurements. Sensitivity studies performed demonstrate that the constraints on the range of the inversion are very important to minimize the uncertainties, and therefore estimates of reff can be obtained with uncertainties less than 30 % and of V with uncertainties below 40 %. The LE technique is applied to data acquired at five AERONET sites influenced by different aerosol types and the retrievals are compared with the results of the operational AERONET code. Good agreement between the two techniques is obtained when the fine mode predominates, while for coarse mode cases the LE results systematically underestimate both reff and V. The highest differences are found for cases where no mode predominates. To minimize these biases, correction functions are developed using the multi-year database of observations at selected sites, where the AERONET retrieval is used as the reference. The derived corrections are tested using data from 18 other AERONET stations offering a range of aerosol types. After correction, the LE retrievals provide better agreement with AERONET for all the sites considered. Finally, the LE approach developed here is applied to AERONET and star-photometry measurements in the city of Granada (Spain) to obtain day-to-night time evolution of columnar aerosol microphysical properties.


Study Design Randomised controlled trial. Objectives To investigate the effect of National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM) corrective exercises on functional movement patterns, sensorimotor function, and fatigue sensitivity in collegiate athletes with functional ankle instability (FAI). Background Altered movement patterns, sensorimotor dysfunction and an increased sensitivity to fatigue have all been identified in chronic ankle instability patients. Methods and Measures Forty-six male volunteers were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=23) or control (n=23) group. Participants in the experimental group performed supervised corrective exercises three times per week for 8 weeks. All functional movement patterns (double limb squat, double limb squat with heel lift and single limb squat) and sensorimotor outcomes (static and dynamic postural control, strength, and joint position sense) were assessed with and without fatigue before and after the intervention. Forty participants finished the intervention program and were included in the final analysis. Results Significant group ×time interactions demonstrated improvements functional movement patterns and sensorimotor function in the experimental group relative to the control group (p<0.001), in a non-fatigued state. However, non-significant group ×time interactions were found for all variables in the fatigued state (p>0.05) except static postural control (p<0.016). Conclusion These findings demonstrate that 8 weeks of NASM corrective exercises is effective at enhancing functional movement patterns and sensorimotor function in collegiate athletes with FAI. However, this intervention program has limited abilities at reducing the effects of fatigue.


Phantom limb syndrome (PLSd) is a prevalent complication post amputation which can
be severe and chronic. Multi-disciplinary treatment is recommended, addressing
peripheral, central and psychological factors. Although acupuncture is recommended,
evidence supporting its effectiveness is sparse. This project aimed to develop an
acupuncture protocol for the treatment of lower limb amputees with PLSd and evaluate
its acceptability and feasibility prior to a definitive trial.
The project was situated under the Medical Research Council's framework for
developing and evaluating complex interventions, and used a multiphase mixed
methods research design. Three systematic literature reviews and two studies were
undertaken to inform a feasibility study. The literature reviews aimed to identify
previous research undertaken on the experience and management of PLSd. The first
study, a Delphi study, aimed to develop an acupuncture protocol and the second, a
qualitative descriptive study, explored amputees' perceived acceptability of
acupuncture within the context of living with PLSd. From these findings a feasibility
study was designed and conducted, comprising a randomised controlled trial and semistructured
interviews.
The literature reviews identified limited qualitative studies exploring amputees'
experience of PLSd, limited evidence supporting interventions for PLSd and only two
non-randomised controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture for
treating PLSd. The Delphi study developed a novel acupuncture protocol which was
considered 'good practice' and this was used in the feasibility study. The qualitative
descriptive study produced rich data, not previously available on a UK demographic
group of amputees shortly post amputation, on their experience of PLSd. PLSd was
found to be 'real' and bothersome with effects on wellbeing. Additionally, acupuncture
was perceived acceptable and outcome measures were identified for use in the
feasibility study. The feasibility study generated new original findings on areas which
would need addressing before undertaking a definitive trial, including; problems with
recruitment, completion of outcomes at one month follow up, blinding, practitioner
adherence to the acupuncture protocol, capture of rescue medication and recording of adverse events. Acupuncture was perceived to be effective at resolving or reducing
PLSd.
Findings from this project could inform the development of a definitive trial to establish
the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating PLSd.


This paper provides a comparison between a novel technique used for the pose-error measurements and compensations of robots based on a fuzzy-error interpolation method and some other popular interpolation methods. A traditional robot calibration implements either model or modeless methods. The measurement and compensation of pose errors in a modeless method moves the robot's end-effector to the target poses in the robot workspace and measures the target position and orientation errors using some interpolation techniques in terms of the premeasured neighboring pose errors around the target pose. For the measurement purpose, a stereo camera or other measurement devices, such as a coordinate-measurement machine (CMM) or a laser-tracking system (LTS), can be used to measure the pose errors of the robot's end-effector at predened grid points on a cubic lattice. By the use of the proposed fuzzy-error interpolation technique, the accuracy of the pose-error compensation can be improved in comparison with other interpolation methods, which is conrmed by the simulation results given in this paper. A comparison study among most popular interpolation methods used in modeless robot calibrations, such as trilinear, cubic spline, and the fuzzy-error interpolation technique, is also made and discussed via simulations. The simulation results show that more accurate measurement and compensation results can be achieved using the fuzzy-error interpolation technique compared with its trilinear and cubic-spline counterparts.


In recent years reform in South Africa's public sector has compelled public managers to take the interests of various stakeholder groups into consideration when dealing with "strategic" issues. Given the degree of uncertainty that invariably accompanies public sector reform, real-time management is critical in dealing with issues as they arise. With regard to the processing of any strategic issue put forward as a priority, two normative paradigms are proposed as guidelines for decision making in the public sector, particularly with reference to the management of stakeholder interests at any point in time.
Empirical research based on the erstwhile restructuring and re-engineering of the National Department of Public Works contextualises the way in which an important strategic issue can be managed over time. These paradigms can be used to train public managers in the formulation of the most effective contact strategies for specific stakeholder groups and interests.


were assessed for ET and classified into thin (<1cm or 45◦) or thick (>1cm or 45◦) placentas according to the edge thickness or angle. Antepartum hemorrhage (APH) and GA at delivery were the primary outcomes; birth weight, APGAR scores, arterial blood cord pH, NICU admission, need for emergency Caesarean, estimated blood loss, need for transfusion, and need for hysterectomy were secondary outcomes evaluated for both groups. Results: Patients were classified as thin (N=17) or thick (N=22) placenta. Patients who had APH had mean GA at delivery of 37+-2.8 weeks, while patients who did not experience APH were delivered at 39.1+-1.8 weeks (p=0.055). No patients in our sample had a blood transfusion or hysterectomy. Conclusions: LLP and PP outcomes were not predicted by ET in our small cohort. Prospective randomised studies in a larger population are needed to assess this correlation.


A new pseudocolor mapping strategy for use with spectral imagery is presented. This strategy is based on a principal components analysis of spectral data, and it capitalizes on the similarities between three-color human vision and high-dimensional hyperspectral datasets. The mapping is closely related to three-dimensional versions of scatter plots that are commonly used in remote sensing to visualize the data cloud. The transformation results in final images where the color assigned to each pixel is solely determined by the position within the data cloud. Materials with similar spectral characteristics are presented in similar hues, and basic classification and clustering decisions can be made by the observer. Final images tend to have large regions of desaturated pixels that make the image more readily interpretable. The data cloud is shown to be conical in nature, and materials with common spectral signatures radiate from the origin of the cone, which is not (in general) at the origin of the spectral data. A supervised method for locating the origin of the cone based on identification of clusters in the data is presented, and the effects of proper origin orientation are illustrated.


Few instruments are available with which to measure behavioral and psychological signs and symptoms in Hispanic patients with dementia. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to develop and evaluate a 17-item scale adapted from the Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist. This measure, the Behavior Problems Checklist-Spanish (BPC-S), assesses caregiver-reported symptoms of depression and disruption in patients with dementia. The sample for this study comprised 27 Spanish-speaking Hispanic patients and their family caregivers evaluated at a university-affiliated memory disorders center. All patients met diagnostic criteria for possible or probable Alzheimer's disease as set forth by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Diseases and Stroke--Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association. Satisfactory convergent validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency reliability were demonstrated for the Depression and Disruption subscales of the BPC-S. Both of these neuropsychiatric distrubances were related to heightened levels of caregiver burden. The results of this preliminary study suggest the BPC-S is a brief, psychometrically sound caregiver-report instrument to assess symptoms of mood disturbance and behavioral disruption in Hispanic patients with dementia. This instrument may have utility for both clinical and research purposes.


Background: Physician-assisted dying at the end of life has become a significant issue of public discussion. While legally available in a number of countries and jurisdictions, it remains controversial and illegal in New Zealand. Aim: The study aimed to explore the reasons some healthy older New Zealanders oppose physician-assisted dying in order to inform current debate. Design: Recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed by the authors after some edits had been made by respondents. Setting/participants: In all, 11 older participants (over 65 years) who responded to advertisements placed in Grey Power magazines and a University of Auckland email list were interviewed for around 1 h and asked a number of open-ended questions. Results: Four central themes opposing physician-assisted dying were identified from the interviews: one's personal experience with health care and dying and death, religious reasoning and beliefs, slippery slope worries and concern about potential abuses if physician-assisted dying were legalised. Conclusions: An important finding of the study suggests that how some older individuals think about physician-assisted dying is strongly influenced by their past experiences of dying and death. While some participants had witnessed good, well-managed dying and death experiences which confirmed for them the view that physician-assisted dying was unnecessary, those who had witnessed poor dying and death experiences opposed physician-assisted dying on the grounds that such practices could come to be abused by others.


Introduction: The increase of antibiotic resistance appears as a significant risk to human health globally. Self-medication with antibiotics is described as the procurement and self-administering of antibiotics to one's self or to children with the aim of treating an anticipated infection. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and incidence of self-medication with antibiotics, to explore and identify the reasons behind self-medication with antibiotics and the conditions most associated with this behavior, and to investigate the level of awareness and knowledge of this behavior among the public in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, and a self-administered online questionnaire has been distributed among the public in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: The prevalence rate of non-prescription antibiotic use in the past 6 months was found to be 37.4% (344/920). The results indicate that the most common reason for self-medication with antibiotics was past experience (67.4%). The most common antibiotic used for self-medication was amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and flu was the most common condition (47.83%) lead to self-medication with antibiotic in the study population. Conclusion: The majority of the study population was aware of potential adverse effects of antibiotics and yet the practice of self-medication with antibiotics was still present. Educational interventions are needed to promote the wise use of antibiotics among the public. There is a need for more strict law enforcement to limit the purchase of antibiotics without a prescription.


The European Union border control system has been under a series of transformations to better adapt to domestic and international pressures. New border technologies are in the centre of these transformations. Technological solutions, such as electronic gates, biometric identifiers and large-scale data systems are currently being implemented for the improvement of the system efficiency and security. The present master's thesis is a contribution to the European Union Horizon 2020 research project named "BODEGAProactive Enhancement of Human Performance in Border Control". It focuses on the recent transformations of the European Union border control system, which are leading to an increasing automatization of its tasks. The implementation of new border technologies is spreading around the Union external borders, without proper assessment of social and ethical impacts. The aim of this research is to investigate how new border technologies are affecting and can affect fundamental rights, particularly the right of non-discrimination. The research has been conducted with the analysis of survey questionnaire' responses given by travellers who recently crossed the Schengen border, in addition to the analysis of the results of a public consultation on the Smart Borders, which counted with the participation of European public authorities and organisation related to migration, border control and fundamental rights. Research findings demonstrate that one of the greatest challenges of the European Union border management system is to reconcile humanitarian and security aspects in the performance of its common tasks. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the form in which technological solutions have been designed and implemented can reduce the likelihood of some discriminatory practice occurrences, but it can also potentially increase the likelihood of others.


As the Dutch electric vehicle (EV) fleet continues to expand, so will the amount of charging sessions increase. This expanding demand for energy will add on to the already existing strain on the grid, primarily during peak hours on workdays in the early morning and evening. This growing energy demand requires new methods to handle the charging of EVs, to distribute the available energy in the most effective way. Therefore, a large number of 'smart charging' initiatives have recently been developed, whereby the charging session of the EV is based on the conditions of the energy grid. However, the term smart charging is used for a variety of smart charging initiatives, often involving different optimization strategies and charging processes. For most practitioners, as well as academics, it is hard to distinguish the large range of smart charging initiatives initiated in recent years, how they differentiate from each other and how they contribute to a smarter charging infrastructure. This paper has the objective to provide an overview of smart charging initiatives in the Netherlands and develop a categorization of smart charging initiatives regarding objectives, proposed measures and intended contributions. We will do so by looking at initiatives that focus on smart charging at a household level, investigating the smart charging possibilities for EV owners who either make use of a private or (semi-)public charging point. The different smart charging initiatives will be analyzed and explicated in combination with a literature study, focusing on the different optimization strategies and requirements to smart charge an electric vehicle.


Though hearing loss is the most clearly understood noise hazard, other serious threats to health are posed by noise, in particular those illnesses called diseases of stress. Important links have been researched between noise exposures and cardiovascular problems, especially, and growing evidence associates noise with psychological, social and economic effects. Although present knowledge of these effects is sufficient to support present regulatory efforts, indications of additional and serious effects from noise call for greater research investigation. In an effort to reduce these adverse effects, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a series of strategies to control noise from major sources. Using urban traffic and freeway noise as examples, the contribution of these sources to public exposure has been analyzed and emission levels set for interstate motor carriers, trucks, buses and motorcycles, with other motor vehicle sources to be regulated in the future. To hold surface transportation noise levels at no higher than those of today will require substantial further action. Significant advances in available technology must be made to lower emission levels. EPA currently conducts and coordinates Federal research activities, but the total Federal research budget has declined drastically since 1973 when the Noise Control Act was enacted. This reduction in funds is a constraining factor on noise standard setting. There are 15 million people impacted by aircraft noise, but the Noise Control Act provides EPA with no effective way of reducing aircraft noise emissions. Another constraint in promulgating effective regulations is the lack of adequate measurement methodologies for many products. The greatest future needs are for products subject to labeling, particularly household and consumer products. In order to deal effectively with these problems, strong state and local noise control programs are essential, without which the Federal efforts would not be fully effective. The states can play major roles in promoting local ordinances, and enforcing standards. Because national ambient standards have not been mandated by Congress, the noise program includes a unique set of assistance programs to states and localities. Among these are model ordinances and model product specifications, demonstration projects, training of elected officials, noise control officials and police officers, using trained volunteers to deliver technical assistance and senior citizens to implement certain portions of the local effort.


Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and automated vehicle applications based on embedded sensors have become a reality today. As road vehicles increase its autonomy and the driver shares his role in the control loop, novel challenges on their dependability assessment arise. One key issue is that the notion of controllability becomes more complex when validating the robustness of the automated vehicle in the presence of faults. This paper presents a simulation-based fault injection approach aimed at finding acceptable controllability properties for the model-based design of control systems. We focus on determining the best fault models inserting exceptional conditions to accelerate the identification of specific areas for testing. In our work we performed fault injection method to find the most appropriate safety concepts, controllability properties and fault handling strategies at early design phases of lateral control functions based on the error in the Differential GPS signal.


Today, American public schools are facing a major demographic shift—the number of students from diverse ethnic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds has dramatically grown over the past two decades. These students, many of whom enter school without being able to speak English, are expected to perform at grade level while simultaneously learning to speak, read, and write in a new language. However, data reveal a widening gap between the reading achievement of native speakers and students who speak English as a second language. In short, ELLs (English Language Learners) are struggling to achieve grade-level reading proficiency. While researchers in first language (L1) reading acquisition have investigated extensively the mechanisms involved in how children learn to read in their first language, second language (L2) reading research has only recently become its own discipline. Investigations in L1 reading have provided much of the research for L2 reading. Identifying the necessary components and effective instruction for improving the reading achievement of L2 learners is no small feat. Reading is a multidimensional process for first language learners, but this process becomes even more complex when considering the myriad of factors involved in second language reading: linguistic differences, literacy background, language exposure, oral language proficiency, etc. Much research has targeted the components of reading—this research indicates that phonological awareness and oral language skills are especially critical during the early stages of reading and beyond. In this essay, I define reading and illustrate the processes involved in fluent reading. I also present leading models of L1 and L2 reading. I describe the dual nature of L2 reading and synthesize current findings on L2 reading development. Next, I investigate research on the effects of phonological awareness and oral language on L1 and L2 reading achievement. Lastly, I suggest appropriate instruction to support the growth of phonological awareness and oral language for ELLs in a K-3 classroom.


Purpose: This case report describes a simple means of estimating energy costs for a child with cerebral palsy using different assistive devices within a school setting. Key Points: A 9-year-old boy, Gross Motor Function Classification Scale level III, was assessed over 8 ambulation trials using a posterior walker and using forearm crutches. Each trial was followed by a fine motor accuracy task. An energy expenditure index (EEI) was calculated for each device. For the posterior walker, EEI was 47% higher overall compared with forearm crutches. Fine motor accuracy and task completion time were similar for both devices. Conclusion: EEI was a straightforward method of estimating the energy costs of different assistive devices. Measurement procedures described in this case were time efficient in the field and provided a reasonable estimation of energy expenditure to help decide objectively which assistive device would best fit the needs of the student. Video Abstract: For more insights from the authors, see Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at http://links.lww.com/PPT/A63.


Background Staffing wellness and physical capacity to undertake care tasks are essential to ensuring a resident/consumer focussed approach to care delivery. The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus implemented a staff exercise program with the intention of improving workplace culture and wellness amongst our staff. The program involves two streams of the workforce – direct care givers and administration/office based staff. Description of Problem The workforce in our organisation identified a higher than average injury rate than industry norm. Our staff were experiencing higher injury rates as a result of undertaking manual handling activities. The most common approach is to 'fix the person', a reactive measure applied once an injury has occurred. This is considered a medical management approach whereby the employer reacts to an injury and the treatment required, and then manages the return to work process. An alternative strategy to reduce or prevent work related musculoskeletal pain and disorders may be achieved by increasing an employee's physical capacity through exercise training interventions. Results The positive effects of the program are a decrease in Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate and a decrease in Injury Notifications of staff resulting from manual handling injuries Results for staff have shown increase in satisfaction which is directly related to improvements in wellness and increased dexterity. Happy and Healthy staff who sustain less physical injury as a result of manual handling tasks in the aged care work environment result in improved manual handling techniques utilised in physical care for residents. This program has significantly reduced staff injury and resulted in an increased retention of staff and greater continuity of care for residents. Conclusions The implementation of the program has had a significant effect on qualitative measures such as satisfaction and resulted in measured reduction of lost time injuries and frequency rates. The anecdotal experience indicates the program has been successful in enhancing a safety management approach in a health care environment.


As journal editors, we strongly support resident research and believe that poster submissions are an effective and important medium for residents to present their findings at national and international scientific meetings. Contrary to common misconceptions, posters are not necessarily a ''lesser'' presentation; many excellent, published studies have been presented originally as posters. Program committees might choose the oral program for reasons other than scientific merit (driven by Continuing Medical Education requirements or attendee ratings, ''controversial'' clinical topics to drive meeting attendance, etc.). As a result, high-quality clinical and basic research may not be accepted to the podium portion of the program. Additionally, posters have some advantages over podium presentations for the presentation of clinical and basic science. Oral presentations are time-limited and only heard once, whereas posters stay up for one or more days – sometimes the entire meeting – and viewers can spend as much time as they like reviewing the findings. Posters also allow more dialogue and interaction. Most meetings have meet-the-author receptions for presenters to discuss their work, and at many meetings blocks of time are dedicated to poster viewing and discussion. Moreover, some societies are moving towards also providing electronic poster access to attendees, further enhancing the distribution of work presented in this format. Moving forward, posters are likely to be increasingly a valuable part of more meetings, as they have been at some basic science meetings for years. In addition, a poster presentation is often the first or only opportunity for a resident to attend a national meeting, which is generally a very positive experience for several reasons: residents will learn a great deal, improve their appreciation of research and its application, and begin to build contacts with peers and colleagues. It also engages them in a process of scientific inference, moving from observations in their own patients to generalizations that may improve the lives of others. Furthermore, like all facets of clinical training, the skills to perform and publish proper clinical and basic science research need to be developed. Encouraging residents to present at meetings, whether in a poster or oral format, teaches them to develop a working hypothesis and sound methodology and appraise the literature in a critical manner. Often, it takes a project or two to learn these techniques, resulting in a personalized style of research that will improve their success for publication and the quality of their future submissions. As journal editors, we have an obligation to peerreview and publish the best research and scientific material, regardless of whether it originates as a poster, podium presentation, or an independent submission. Posters, because of their visual format, are often the preferred venue for case reports, which can be difficult to get accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Nevertheless, we all agree that giving residents an opportunity to attend meetings and describe their work is important. Residents should also be encouraged to prepare a manuscript for possible publication in conjunction with their poster. We believe that resident research and poster submissions can play a beneficial role in helping become better journal authors. Although we certainly recognize the increasing financial pressures on academic medical centers and departments, we would urge that training programs provide some level of financial support of this important enterprise, with the details obviously left to the discretion of individual departments. The immediate payoff may not always be apparent, but we believe the eventual benefit to the training program and the specialty are certainly worthy of support.


We document stoichiometric dolomite occurring in a nonsaline Quaternary soil on the Kohala peninsula, northwestern Hawaii. Geologic constraints and geochemical and isotopic data confirm that this dolomite is not the result of marine influence or wind-blown dust. The strontium isotopic composition of the dolomite (87Sr/87Sr = 0.7045–0.7048) is indicative of its derivation primarily from the weathering of basaltic parent material rather than from meteoric water or seawater. Infiltration of soil waters with elevated Mg/Ca (>1) derived from alteration of ferromagnesian minerals such as olivine likely led to dolomitization of early-precipitated soil calcite and/or to direct dolomite precipitation in the profile. This demonstrates that well-ordered dolomite can form in a nonmarine environment at temperatures <100 °C without undergoing burial diagenesis.


This work aims to analyze a specific phenomenon of innovation in health management: public private partnerships within the Italian healthcare sector. The object of the study is to measure the degree of organizational maturity (OM) of the forms of public-private partnerships (PPP) analyzing and measuring key managerial processes, in terms of innovation in meeting the partnership's goals/targets. The analysis is based on the identification of key processes relevant to the management of partnerships, to check which systems of governance are able to meet different stakeholder interests. We therefore built a conceptual standard for analysis of the OM through a field survey based on visits, participant observation, analysis of documents and semi-structured interviews with the management.


Rationale: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune inflammatory connective tissue disorder. It may cause neurologic damage which is mainly characterized by central and mental system, while peripheral sexual damage is relatively rare in which Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS) as the first performance is more rare . GBS is an autoimmune peripheral neuropathy usually triggered by an antecedent bacterial or viral infection, with SLE being a rare cause. Patient concerns: A 65-year-old male presented to the hospital with progressive numbness and adynamia in extremities. His vital signs were stable. 5 days later, his condition aggravated and mechanical ventilation was necessitated owing to severe dyspnea. Diagnoses: Based on the clinical symptoms and results of the lumbar puncture and electromyography, he was first diagnosed as GBS, however, after treatment his condition was deteriorate and the blood test showed abnormal immune indices, then renal biopsy was performed, which confirmed the diagnosis of peripheral nervous system in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (PNS-SLE). Interventions: Firstly he was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for 5 days. After his condition deterioration, he was conducted endotracheal intubation and, finally, a tracheostomy was performed. Later on he was treated with steroid therapy for several weeks. Outcomes: The patient showed remarkable recovery and was able to walk on his own by the time of discharge. Lessons: PNS-SLE can, by itself, be one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality. Electromyography and renal biopsy should be considered when relevant. Peripheral neuropathy in SLE should be given greater recognition, and rarer forms of presentation should be taken seriously in the differential diagnosis when the clinical picture is atypical. Glucocorticoids may play an important role in the treatment of PNS-SLE.


Syndecan-1 is a general representative of transmembrane proteoglycans known for their ability to perform diverse functions in multicellular organisms: to influence on cell interactions, to be act as a co-receptor and bind with to a large number ofligands and integrate them on the receptors, to fulfill the protective function, and to affect on wound repair and oncogenesis. Moreover, syndecan-1 as similar to the extracellular matrix plays an essential role in the development of organisms. Such a diversity of functions is associated with its structure. In this work we demonstrate that intracellular and intercellular domains of syndecan-1 are intrinsically disordered regions. Such structural feature allows them to bind with adapter proteins in the cytoplasm and be extended with glycosaminoglicans in the extracellular matrix, and to take part in the diverse and important cellular processes. The comparison of the occurrence of 20 amino acids for syndecan-1 from 32 animal organisms and 17 animal proteomes demonstrated that for the first such amino acids as glycine, treonine, glutamine, glutamic acid, and proline predominate on amount in the content of the former that results to the appearance of disordered regions in the proteins.


The focus of the research in ontologies shifts from ontology representation to ontology evolution perspectives that become an important field of ontology research. Even though ontology refers to specification of conceptualisation that provides a useful way to represent the semantics of the Web resources, there is a still need for maintaining and handling ontologies. Because ontologies may change as a result of accepting new information, when this occurs, ontology needs to be revised. However the new information may contradict what was initially defined in the ontology when ontology revision is performed. To discuss this revision perspective, this research proposes an approach based on the belief revision theory to revise ontologies. Three operators of expansion, revision and contraction are proposed to revise ontology to ensure that consistency of ontologies is maintained.


Group II introns are ribozymes that catalyze a splicing reaction with the same chemical steps as spliceosome-mediated splicing. Many group II introns have lost the capacity to self-splice while acquiring compensatory interactions with host-derived protein cofactors. Degenerate group II introns are particularly abundant in the organellar genomes of plants, where their requirement for nuclear-encoded splicing factors provides a means for the integration of nuclear and organellar functions. We present a biochemical analysis of the interactions between a nuclear-encoded group II splicing factor and its chloroplast intron target. The maize (Zea mays) protein Chloroplast RNA Splicing 1 (CRS1) is required specifically for the splicing of the group II intron in the chloroplast atpF gene and belongs to a plant-specific protein family defined by a recently recognized RNA binding domain, the CRM domain. We show that CRS1's specificity for the atpF intron in vivo can be explained by CRS1's intrinsic RNA binding properties. CRS1 binds in vitro with high affinity and specificity to atpF intron RNA and does so through the recognition of elements in intron domains I and IV. These binding sites are not conserved in other group II introns, accounting for CRS1's intron specificity. In the absence of CRS1, the atpF intron has little uniform tertiary structure even at elevated [Mg2+]. CRS1 binding reorganizes the RNA, such that intron elements expected to be at the catalytic core become less accessible to solvent. We conclude that CRS1 promotes the folding of its group II intron target through tight and specific interactions with two peripheral intron segments.


We have investigated the effect on the osmotic activation of rat liver lysosomes, by glucose penetration, of different substances known to inhibit the glucose transport through the plasma membrane. Diethylstilbestrol is the most efficient, particularly when purified lysosomes are used. It has no effect on osmotic activation induced by hypo-osmotic sucrose or by iso-osmotic KCl. It is proposed that diethylstilbestrol reacts with specific sites involved in the glucose translocation through the lysosomal membrane. These sites could not be identified by binding experiments, presumably owing to the considerable unspecific binding of the compound to the membrane.


English is an international language and plays an important role in transferring science and technology. Based on Ministerial decree no 060/U/1993 the teaching of English can be introduced to the fourth grade students of the elementary school. In teaching English, especially vocabulary, the teacher should be creative in choosing the materials. It is not enough to mainly rely on the textbooks. The teacher needs to manipulate some teaching media to support the teaching learning process. The statement problem of this research is "what media are used by the English teacher in teaching vocabulary in SDN Wonorejo I Lawang and what is the most dominant media used in teaching vocabulary?". The purpose of this research is to investigate the teaching media used by teacher in teaching vocabulary at SDN Wonorejo I Lawang and describe the most dominat media used in teaching vocabulary. The research design that used in this study was descriptive research. Accessible population and sample of this study was only one English teacher at SDN Wonorejo I Lawang. The writer used two kinds of instrument to collect the data. They were interview and observation. The interview was given to the teacher. The observation was conducted to know the teaching English activities in the classroom. The result of this study showed that pictures were the most dominant media used in teaching vocabulary, because the students could enjoy and was interested in learning English through the concrete examples. Besides, picture was easy to find, prepare and inexpensive.


In this work, two new initialization methods for K-means clustering are proposed. Both proposals are based on applying a divide-and-conquer approach for the K-means|| type of an initialization strategy. The second proposal also utilizes multiple lower-dimensional subspaces produced by the random projection method for the initialization. The proposed methods are scalable and can be run in parallel, which make them suitable for initializing large-scale problems. In the experiments, comparison of the proposed methods to the K-means++ and K-means|| methods is conducted using an extensive set of reference and synthetic large-scale datasets. Concerning the latter, a novel high-dimensional clustering data generation algorithm is given. The experiments show that the proposed methods compare favorably to the state-of-the-art. We also observe that the currently most popular K-means++ initialization behaves like the random one in the very high-dimensional cases.


Tertiary learning advisors (TLA) are key support staff for university students in Aotearoa New Zealand and serve a major role by promoting effective strategies for students' studying and learning.  For TLAs to effectively assist students, particularly first-year university students, institutions must have a greater understanding of the academic transition experience as reported by students. The current study used a mixed-method approach to consider students' reflections on their learning and study after their first semester of university. Results show that 2 out of 3 students reported feeling underprepared for their university courses, and most students reported attempts to modify their learning and study approaches in their adaptations to university. Further, students' perceptions of the learning environment as clear and organised, interesting and personally relevant, and supportive of building a peer-based learning network were linked to positive changes in their learning and study practices. Such findings highlight the importance of the psychosocial climate on learning and learners during the student transition to university. While the majority of participants reported that their modified learning strategies were effective, a small minority felt incapable of overcoming this challenge.  The implications of these results are discussed about stress and coping theory. Recommendations for TLAs to support transitioning students are included.


The aim of the study tour was to verify the potential and the demand for a dual higher education system and to identify a closer interlinking between vocational training and academic education in the selected countries. One area of focus during this tour was the issue of knowledge about the dual system of higher education in Germany and hence promotion of the internationalisation of universities of applied science. In a first step, discussions based on an interview guideline were held with German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (AHKs), such as AHK Shanghai, AHK Hong Kong, AHK Singapore and AHK New Delhi.

AHKs in the four countries mentioned essentially concentrate on services for enterprises such as promotion and support for German enterprises.
In all countries – with the exception of the AHK in Singapore – the dual system of study only has limited significance for higher education institutes and enterprises. In none of the countries was it possible for the AHKs to indicate a higher education institute or a dual system of study. This does not mean that German training establishments, such as the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (Duale Hochschule Baden-Wurttemberg – DHBW) are not trying to agree cooperation arrangements with higher education institutes. At the same time, however, according to information from the AHKs, it can also be noted that
both higher education institutes and enterprises, including government representatives, only have very limited knowledge of the dual system of higher education in Germany.
Regardless of the willingness to cooperate among the players – namely higher education institute in Germany (1), higher education institute outside of Europe (2), the enterprises (3), the AHKs (4) and the governments (5) – the legal framework, such as legislation for higher education institutes, is an important step that needs to be discussed and clarified in the information phase with the higher education institutes and the enterprises, because obstacles relating to higher education law currently seem to be insurmountable in the implementation of dual courses of higher education.
Higher education institutes, such as the universities of applied science in Germany, can act as strong partners in supporting the implementation of dual courses of study. At the same time, these cooperation arrangements will lead to a greater degree o internationalisation for the Germany universities of applied science.
The countries visited differ radically in their structures, in political, cultural, economic as well as social terms. A regional exchange of experience between AHKs particularly on the topic of implementing a dual system of higher education would represent added value for the employees of the AHKs.


Life events, such as retirement or being widowed, can change the social circle of older people considerably. It may be difficult to find new social contacts when one has never got used to, or perhaps even never learnt, to seek and maintain those contacts. Loneliness has many negative effects for well-being, including depression and even cardiovascular disease. The Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme AAL-JP research project V2me seeks to find a solution for alleviating loneliness by means of easy-to-use technology including touch screen devices. The idea is to use a virtual coach for encouraging users to take an active role in contacting people and teaching them how to initiate and maintain meaningful and enduring relations. The first step, in the process of creating the complete virtual coach-assisted system for preventing loneliness, is to create a proto type and use the feedback from older users for developing the system. In this paper we discuss the results of the first pilot and what steps need to be taken next.


Summary Platelet number or function disorders cause a range of bleeding symptoms from mild to severe. Patients with platelet dysfunction but normal platelet number are the most prevalent and typically have mild bleeding symptoms. The study of this group of patients is particularly difficult because of the lack of a gold-standard test of platelet function and the variable penetrance of the bleeding phenotype among affected individuals. The purpose of this short review is to discuss the way in which this group of patients can be investigated through platelet phenotyping in combination with targeted gene sequencing. This approach has been used recently to identify patients with mutations in key platelet activation receptors, namely those for ADP, collagen and thromboxane A2 (TxA2). One interesting finding from this work is that for some patients, mild bleeding is associated with heterozygous mutations in platelet proteins that are co-inherited with other genetic disorders of haemostasis such as type 1 von Willebrand's disease. Thus, the phenotype of mild bleeding may be multifactorial in some patients and may be considered to be a complex trait.


Most of the literatures that deal with library security take into account the security of collections, buildings, or equipment. The security of the libraries is an important concern for library staff. There are security systems for collections, but in the context of terrorism, we are interested that people who have access inside the library to be in good faith. Checking the library card is the key to enter the library. It is non-transferable. We present a complementary system of the entrance permit through the facial recognition of users, developed and tested in a public library as collaboration between two Romanian universities: Transilvania University of Brasov, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu and Brasov Public Library.


Earlier, during 19th century, there was a concept that RNA is a passive carrier of genetic information. However, with advancement, now it is well established that RNA performs a number of vital roles in the cell, and its malfunction may lead to a disease. The recent advancement in the knowledge about diversity, structural and functional information related to RNAs has put them in the lime light as a drug target. Here, in this mini-review, discussion has been done that coding as well as non-coding RNA regions have potential as a drug target. Besides, a few databases and tools used for the RNA target prediction have also been discussed.


In this article, we are interested in analysing the stability of systems that incorporate time‐varying delays in their dynamic. The Lyapunov‐Krasovskii approach is definitely the most popular method to address this issue and many results have proposed new functionals and enhanced techniques for deriving less conservative stability conditions. In the present work, we propose an original approach: the quadratic separation. To this end, the delay operator properties are exploited to provide delay range stability conditions. In particular, L2‐norm of delay‐dependent operators are computed so as to reduce the conservatism of the approach. Moreover, the main result is able to assess the stability of non‐small delay systems, i.e, it can detect a stability interval for systems that are unstable without any delay. Several examples illustrate the benefit of our methodology.


With the improvement of people's living standards and rapid economic development, the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing in most parts of the world. DM presents an important potential threat to human health. In the present study, a model of diabetes in female mice was established, and fasting blood glucose was detected at week 4, after which the biochemical profiles were evaluated by histopathological analysis. The success rate of modeling in the normal control (NC) group and the low/ middle/high-dose streptozotocin (STZ) group were 0, 0, 25% and 60%, respectively. In the middle-dose and high-dose STZ groups, the liver index was increased significantly compared with the NC group (p⟨0.05). The blood biochemical indicators of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in three STZ injection groups were as follows: alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase in middle- and high-dose STZ groups, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum creatinine in the high-dose STZ group, and blood urea nitrogen in the middle-dose STZ group were significantly increased (p⟨0.05). The level of total triglycerides was lower, obviously, in the high-dose STZ group than in the NC group (p⟨0.05). The mice showed marked steatosis, green-dyed fiber tissue coloring in varying degrees, and the contour of the hepatic lobules basically disappeared in STZ injection groups. The results suggest that to establish a diabetes model for female ICR mice, the optimum dose of STZ is 100 mg/kg.


Health care industry is changing rapidly; in the earlier times, people used to visit the same doctor for years and the association was continued even for generations. For a company to build a good brand, brand identity and brand image need be congruent. This research is attempting to analyze and address patient inflow particularly during the period 2015-2016 at Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli-Dharwad District, Karnataka, India. This study investigates brand identity and brand image in the newly established hospital, Suchirayu. The aim of this study is to assess existing brand identity vis-à-vis consumer perception of Suchirayu Private Hospital. This study uses both qualitative and quantitative method approach. The qualitative method uses interview as the survey approach, in order to obtain information concerning the brand identity of the hospital. The quantitative method uses questionnaire as the survey method, conducted among the patients of Suchirayu Hospital, concerning the brand image. The study concluded stating that, "Suchirayu brand identity and brand image are not congruent and the brand image is not mirroring the brand identity defined by the hospital". Key WordsBrand Identity, Brand Image, Perception


A simulation study was made on the response of plant-type and nitrogen fertilization on the yield of pearl millet in Rajasthan, India. A model of the pearl millet crop (APSIM-Millet) was tested against experimental and district data and was shown to be responsive to applied nitrogen and to varied weather conditions with and without applied nitrogen in the region. The simulation study employed both observed (14-34 years between 1963 and 1997) and synthetic (50 years) daily weather data in a comparative analysis that showed little difference in conclusions if either data sequence were used. The probability analyses showed a strong plant-type, nitrogen and site effect in response to variation in weather (observed or synthetic). At Pali and Jodhpur choice of cultivar made a large yield difference with a strong interaction with nitrogen. In terms of median response, highest yield was achieved with cultivar RCB-IC911 (median 800 kg ha-1) followed by cultivar HHB67 (median 613 kg ha-1) with the lowest consistent yield from cultivar WRajPop (median 500 kg ha-1). At Bikaner and Jaisalmer cultivar response was much smaller than at the wetter sites but generally the same order of response was seen. Similarly, the response to nitrogen was greatest at Pali and Jodhpur; moreover, the nitrogen response was generally larger than the cultivar response, despite the negative effect in dry conditions at Pali. Thus, at these wetter sites significant yield increases (e.g. 700-900 kg ha-1) above what is currently achieved with unfertilized landraces are likely with the combination of an improved cultivar and application of N fertilizer. Even at the drier site at Bikaner, yields could be more than doubled (from 250 to 550 kg ha-1) with improved cultivars and N fertilizer application. However, at Jaisalmer, improved cultivars and N fertilizer application could not be economically justified. Significant benefits are likely from an integrated approach to plant breeding and agronomy in these semi-arid regions of India and Africa where N deficiency is endemic.


Africa remains the only region in the world where the number of hungry people will still be on the increase in 2020, and the number of malnourished children will have increased correspondingly. In this report I have acknowledged the general public policy trends across Africa in terms of macroeconomic policy reforms and political transitions. These welcome trends have to still produce stable nations and economies. Although economic development is the long-term solution to Africa's challenge on hunger and poverty, this will take time. And it follows therefore that African nations have to pursue policies and strategies that promote long-term growth while at the same time offering short-term safety nets for the poorest of the poor. The growth and development strategy will have at its core the need to increase significantly the levels of public-sector investment in agriculture and rural development and to give top priority to the commercialization of smallholder agriculture so as to increase productivity and competitiveness. But food security at the household level is ultimately a balance between availability and access, and in this regard governments need complementary food security policies that increase the probability of food access by the vulnerable groups.


It is shown that second-harmonic generation in a grating allows one to cancel the group-velocity difference between two polarization components at fundamental by means of nonlinearly induced phase shifts. This occurs when a new type of cascading soliton propagates on resonance.


The social fabric of rural communities is continuing to change as we move toward a more globalized society and food economy, and the vitality of rural agricultural communities in particular may be declining (Berry 1999). In response to these changes, efforts are underway in many parts of the United States to counteract this global, industrial food system and by implication, increase the vitality and sustainability of rural communities. One effort that is gaining momentum is the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) movement, which involves local farmers and community members working together as partners to create a sustainable local food system. It has been argued that one measure of a community's vitality and sustainability is the long-term health of its food system, and CSAs provide a locally-based approach to community revitalization that also incorporates the benefit of such a healthy food system (Feenstra 1997). Using quantitative data from the memberships of CSA operations in both Central Illinois and New Hampshire, this research identifies the perceived benefits of CSA involvement, the motivations CSA members identify as important to their involvement, and the effects of CSA activity on community social capital. Analyses reveal that CSA member motivations are similar to those found in past empirical work, with concerns over quality of food being the strongest motivators. The importance of community building and development of social capital are not considered significant motivators for joining a CSA, nor are they perceived to be particularly important benefits of membership. However, the importance of community attachment in enhancing certain motivating factors like a desire to develop a stronger sense of community and a desire to support local growers is significant.


Introduction. There are many indications that mental health in Greenland is endangered and needs more attention. Study design. A two-stage study of the prevalence of common mental disorders among a sample of primary health care patients. Methods. 376 randomly selected patients from general consultations in two Greenlandic towns were screened with 12 questions from the General Health Questionnaire. From these patients, a sample of 100 patients, including more high-than low-scorers, was interviewed using the SCAN (Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry) Present Examination psychiatric interview. Results. Estimated prevalence for the total study population of at least one psychiatric diagnosis was 49.3% (95% CI 39.7–59.0%). Most diagnoses were in the group of anxieties, somatoform disorders and depressive disorders. Many patients had more than one diagnosis. Lack of education and poor proficiency in Danish, as well as growing up in a family with severe alcohol problems, were high risk factors for a psychiatric diagnosis. Patients and physicians seemingly agreed on focusing on physical disorders at the consultation, and only a minority of mental disorders was recognised and treated as such by the physicians. Conclusion. Mental disorders are prevalent but not sufficiently recognised and treated among patients in primary health care in Greenland. Their association with social and economic conditions calls for attention from the health services as well as from social and educational institutions.


Abstract Increasing insight into the clinical phenotype and mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 has identified damage of the kidneys as a key player in the course of the disease. This manuscript summarizes the current knowledge on direct viral infection of kidney tissue, proteinuria and acute kidney injury in COVID-19, and management of patients on chronic dialysis as well as after kidney transplantation. Direct infection of podocytes and proximal tubular cells by SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed and results in proteinuria and hematuria at an early stage of COVID-19. In this context, any kidney affection is a predictor of worse outcomes among COVID-19 patients irrespective of the initial presentation and increases the risk of acute kidney injury. Specific therapies for kidney damage and acute kidney injury within COVID-19 that could be generally recommended are currently lacking. Patients on chronic hemodialysis in particular are at risk for contracting SARS-CoV-2 infections as indicated by outbreaks and super-spreading events in hemodialysis facilities. Immunosuppressive therapy after kidney transplantation needs to be adapted upon diagnosis of COVID-19 depending on the severity of the initial presentation.


Background

Rural landscapes, particularly those close to human settlements and main roads throughout the highlands of Ethiopia, appear greener than the outfields because of eucalypt plantations. The most common factors for eucalypt plantations are two: fuel and construction demands and to generate income.
Objective

 This study tried to investigate the socioeconomic impacts of eucalypt plantations in Western Gurage Watersheds located in Central-south Ethiopia. The specific objectives are: to evaluate the socioeconomic importance of eucalypt plantations on the livelihood of farm households, and to assess perceptions on impacts of eucalypt plantation and copping strategies.
Methods

Systematic and purposive sampling method was employed by selecting households with eucalypt woodlots from the list of each Woreda's Kebeles. Close- and open- ended questionnaires were distributed to every fifth households that possessed eucalypt plantations. Three hundred eighty three questionnaires were distributed and collected from households found in three Woredas (districts) namely Cheha, Enemorna Ener, and Eza located in the Watersheds. To supplement the information critical observations, discussions with focus groups and interviews with key informant were employed. The survey data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. To describe data acquired from critical observations, focus group discussions and key informant interviews; critical and logical qualitative data analysis technique were used. Descriptive and dispersive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, variance, standard deviation, p- value and correlation were employed using SPSS Version 20.
Results

 The result showed that eucalypt plantation dominated fuel wood and construction consumption and substituted further encroachment to natural forests. From multiple responses given, households prefer planting eucalypts to indigenous trees because it is fast growing (100%), profitable (100%), needs lesser labor (100%), needs lower capital (100%), can be used for multipurpose (100%), and coppice itself fatly (93%). They rated income gained from eucalypt as 2nd next to enset.
Conclusions

Households may continue planting the species particularly for fuel wood and construction need since substituting it by other alternative seems not feasible and challenging. To sustain the livelihood and environment; appropriate management like site selection and substitutions by horticultural and cash crops using micro irrigation schemes for market needs are recommended. Conducting in-depth participatory research and specific policy ratification and promulgation on eucalypt plantations will sustain its utilization and curb the drawbacks.