Evaluating how the established herd of elk (Cervus elaphus L.) is using forested areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is important for the health and management of the elk, and for the protection of the diverse flora within the park. I assessed habitat selection of forest cover type, understory density class, disturbance use history, and distance to nonforested areas using GIS raster layers and fecal pellet counts. Elk trails were mapped and fecal pellet counts were used to index habitat selection. Plots were established to determine if there were relationships between elk selection and habitat components related to food and cover. Elk in GSMNP selected successional and floodplain forest types, ericaceous understory classes of light to medium density, areas with concentrated settlement use history, and forests close to areas of open fields and recent human disturbance. These selected areas have histories of disturbance and contained preferred forage that was produced by more open canopies and that lacked overly dense understory vegetation. Woody browse species were also an important factor driving elk habitat selection. Elk browsed 10 of the 28 identified browse species in greater proportions than their availability. Pellet group density correlated positively with woody browse use. Species specific aspects of browse appear to be more important than browse abundance. Plots with one or more pellet groups had relative browse use in greater proportions then browse available but plots containing zero pellet groups had relative browse use less then browse available despite having the highest abundance of browse due to fewer preferred browse species. Availability of species specific browse also appears to be a driver for forest type selection with successional forests containing the highest percentage of elk preferred browse species. Elk in GSMNP are selecting forested areas with understory classes of light/medium densities of Kalmia that provide adequate cover and allow easier movement and ground cover for forage and not selecting understory classes with heavy densities of Rhododendron and Kalmia where movement costs are high and the herbaceous layer is sparse.
In summary, elk in GSMNP are selecting areas that have more open forest canopies maintained by disturbances, and selecting undisturbed continuous forests less because they do not contain preferred or abundant forage. Future monitoring that detects pellets in more closed continuous forests could indicate depletion of food sources in preferred younger forests indicating that more intensive habitat management strategies should be considered. This understanding of resource selection by elk will be used to implement management practices that promote a healthy self-sustaining elk population and the monitoring of sensitive park resources.


A study was conducted at the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI), Central Research Station, Mount Makulu (latitude: 15.550° S, longitude: 28.250° E, altitude: 1213 m), Zambia to investigate the effects of sowing date (SD), maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars and 3 N fertilizer rates on yield and yield components. Maize cultivars were planted on 12th December, 2016 (SD1), 26th December, 2016 (SD2) and 9th January, 2017 (SD3). A split-split plot design was setup with SD, maize cultivars (ZMS 606, PHB 30G19 and PHB 30B50) and nitrogen rate (67.20, 134.40 and 201.60 kg N ha-1) as the main-plot, subplot and sub-subplot, respectively. The rainfall, solar radiation (Srad) and mean temperature at the experimental site during the 2016/2017 season were 930.17 mm, 18.93 MJ m-2 day-1 and 21.83°C, respectively. Analysis of variance for Split-split plot design was used to analyze maize yield and yield components and means separated at p≤5 using Tukey's Tests. Results showed that the treatment effect of sowing date and cultivar was significant on biomass yield, harvest index, 100-grain weight, seed number m-2, cob length, and width. Seed number m-2, 100-grain weight, grain and biomass yield reduced with delay in sowing date. The reduction in grain yield from SD1-SD2 (1.91 t ha-1), SD1-SD3 (2.90 t ha-1) and SD2-SD3 (0.99 t ha-1) were 21.04, 31.83 and 13.83%, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that maize grain yield and yield components are affected by SD, cultivar and N. Farmers could enhance maize yield by manipulating sowing date, cultivar selection and N as the most limiting nutrient in agriculture production systems.

 Key words: Biomass, corn cultivars, date of sowing, grain yield, leaf area index, nitrogen, total dry matter, yield.


In this article, we propose the method of the multicriteria alternative selection under uncertainty. The basis of the method is the principle of the Bellman–Zadeh fuzzy measures intersection and nine-point linguistic rating scale of Saaty. The novelty of the method presented here consists of the fact that it does not require labor-intensive procedures, requiring arraying and array processing of paired comparisons matrix. Instead, special correlations are used, which are based on the comparison with the worst alternative and the least important criterion. As an example for the utilization of our method, we use the problem for choosing cars. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Environmental exposures, particularly infection with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) and tobacco, are known risk factors for oral cancer. Studies in migrants may provide valuable insight into the environmental and genetic etiology of cancer. We wanted to define nasopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma among immigrants in Sweden. The nationwide Swedish Family‐Cancer Database (FCD) was used to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for nasopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas among the first‐generation immigrants compared to the native Swedes. The FCD included 1969 and 691 cases of nasopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma in the male and female Swedes and 178 and 65 cases in immigrants, respectively. The median age at diagnosis (years) was 63 among Swedes and 55 among immigrants. The risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was significantly higher in male (SIR = 35.6) and female (24.6) Southeast Asians, male (12.4) and female (34.7) North Africans, male (4.9) and female (10.9) Asian Arabs and some other male Asians immigrants (6.2 to 6.7). Among immigrants from European countries, only the men from former Yugoslavian showed an elevated risk (2.7). Hypopharyngeal carcinoma risk was only increased among the male immigrants from the Indian Subcontinent (5.4). Early life infection with EBV in countries of origin and probably a minor contribution by tobacco smoking may be the main environmental exposures influencing nasopharyngeal carcinoma risks among immigrants to Sweden. The high rates of hypopharyngeal carcinoma among Indian immigrants may point to a continued using of smokeless tobacco.


This paper presents a new algorithm for generation of attack signatures based on sequence alignment. The algorithm is composed of two parts: a local alignment algorithm-GASBSLA (Generation of Attack Signatures Based on Sequence Local Alignment) and a multi-sequence alignment algorithm-TGMSA (Tri-stage Gradual Multi-Sequence Alignment). With the inspiration of sequence alignment used in Bioinformatics, GASBSLA replaces global alignment and constant weight penalty model by local alignment and affine penalty model to improve the generality of attack signatures. TGMSA presents a new pruning policy to make the algorithm more insensitive to noises in the generation of attack signatures. In this paper, GASBSLA and TGMSA are described in detail and validated by experiments.


This thesis explores several novel applications of gas-phase ion-molecule reactions to solve analytical problems. In all cases, the application of an ion-molecule reaction to solve a specific challenge is based on a thorough understanding of the fundamental aspects of the reaction, including kinetics, production distributions and most notably, its reaction mechanism.Ion-molecule reactions of the atomic oxygen radical anion, O *- , with selected ketones are investigated to explore a strategy to synthesize 1,3-distonic radical anions, which are precursors to 1,3-diyls. The O *- /cyclopentanone reaction is examined in detail, under the well-defined thermal conditions uniquely available in the flowing afterglow, to ascertain if cyclopentan-2-one-1,3-diyl radical anion is formed. To further the understanding of this key reaction, a series of related ketones are also examined. Rate coefficients for each ketone reaction are measured, products are identified, and the branching ratios are determined. A strategy is developed to differentiate the 1,1- and 1,3-H 2 *+ isobaric abstraction products. A total yield of 48% [M-2H] *- is obtained for the O *- /cyclopentanone reaction, wherein ∼15% is the absolute yield of the 1,1- and ∼33% is the absolute yield of the 1,3-H 2 *+ abstraction product.A chemical reagent that specifically cleaves the peptide backbone will greatly simplify peptide sequencing as compared to nonselective energetic collisions with inert gases. In the search for peptide cleavage reagents, translationally-driven, endothermic ion-molecule reactions between peptide ions and potential cleavage reagents are investigated in a custom-built, electrospray ionization, triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Strategies are adopted to minimize nonselective energetic fragmentation processes and to favor amide bond cleavage.The kinetic method is used to derive the relative and absolute proton affinities of two neuropeptides, leucine-enkephalin and methionine-enkephalin. Based on analyses of the collision induced fragmentation of the proton-bound heterodimer of leucine-enkephalin and methionine-enkephalin, leucine-enkephalin is established to be 0.1 kcal/mol lower in proton affinity than methionine-enkephalin. Based on analyses of the collision induced fragmentation of the proton-bound heterodimer of leucine-enkephalin or methionine-enkephalin and triethylamine, tripropylamine or tributylamine, the absolute proton affinities of leucine-enkephalin and methionine-enkephalin are established to be 238.5 and 238.6 (±5.0) kcal/mol.


A fish of the genus Eigenmannia responds differently to a neighboring conspecific fish with a slightly higher frequency of the electric organ discharge than its own than to one with a slightly lower such frequency than its own. When the two frequencies are beating against each other the special wave shape of the electric organ discharge leads to asymmetries of the beat pattern which are distinct for the two cases. Midbrain neurons, called "δF recoders," sign and magnitude of the frequency difference on the basis of these patterns. that is, in the time rather than the frequency domain.


The archives of the Equitable Life Assurance Society (1762−1835) at the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, London, contain policy records which include date and place of birth and occupational information. These records predate the creation of the General Register Office and were created at a time when personal records tended to be scarce. The research question was whether the policy records had a value as a potential genealogical source. Case studies, genealogical standards, archival appraisal criteria and demographic analysis were used to objectively assess the genealogical value of the records. The appraisal considered them from the perspectives as both prima facie genealogical records and as a contextual resource for a genealogical inquiry. The study found that the records had evidential value as a complementary genealogical source. Evaluation suggested that the quality of the records was good in terms of  reliability, consistency with other primary sources and completeness. They also provided information that was not available in other traditional sources. Through case studies it was demonstrated that information about life insurance could bring an additional dimension to the appreciation of people's lives in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.


Abstract This special issue includes a series of interviews with the past women presidents of the Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia (PESA), including Felicity Haynes, Nesta Devine, Tina Besley, and Liz Jackson. This article sets the stage for reading the interviews, though an extended dialogue between the two authors of this project. In what follows, the authors reflect on insights gleaned from the interviews, and the past and future of women leadership in philosophy of education. Using a dialogical format, it highlights different experiences and similar challenges across generations, questions what has changed versus what has stayed the same over decades, and elaborates on the value of the interviews for readers coming from different academic generations and subject positions. It reflects on the state of the field and its future directions from the perspectives of two women philosophers working and thinking across generations.


Existing feedback-based rate control schemes supporting the available bit rate (ABR) service in ATM networks mostly employ a single static buffer threshold at each switching node as the forewarning of congestion. We first propose a continuous-based adaptive rate control mechanism, which employs, logically, an infinite number of thresholds. Each node periodically determines the precise permitted rate of immediate upstream nodes based on a simple fluid model aimed at satisfying both loss-free and starvation-free criteria. The scheme achieves high utilization and low (zero) cell-loss probability under highly bursty (deterministic) traffic, but at the expense of a drastic increase in signalling overhead due to frequent adjustment of permitted rates. To reduce overhead, we further propose a so-called stepwise-based rate control mechanism adopting a limited number of movable thresholds, referred to as the threshold set. The threshold set shifts up (down) reflecting the increase (decrease) in departure rates. Compared to continuous-based control via simulation, stepwise-based control is shown to be efficient and accurate using a reasonably low number of thresholds. Moreover, we also display simulation results, which demonstrate that the stepwise-based mechanism outperforms existing single-static-threshold-based schemes in terms of cell-loss probability and link utilization.


Compared with most countries the Norwegian system of financing local governments is highly centralized. Grants make up a substantial part of revenues and local taxes are highly regulated by the center. The development of the system was motivated by a desire to equalize service provision throughout the country. The purpose of this paper is to analyze possible consequences of more decentralized financing with local tax discretion. Contrary to the conventional wisdom the analysis indicates that decentralized financing is likely to give more equal provision of local public services. In addition, substantial efficiency gains can be obtained.


Background The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 had become predominant globally by November 2021. Aim We evaluated transmission dynamics and epidemiological characteristics of the Delta variant in an outbreak in southern China. Methods Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases and their close contacts were retrospectively collected from the outbreak that occurred in Guangdong, China in May and June 2021. Key epidemiological parameters, temporal trend of viral loads and secondary attack rates were estimated. We also evaluated the association of vaccination with viral load and transmission. Results We identified 167 patients infected with the Delta variant in the Guangdong outbreak. Mean estimates of latent and incubation period were 3.9 days and 5.8 days, respectively. Relatively higher viral load was observed in infections with Delta than in infections with wild-type SARS-CoV-2. Secondary attack rate among close contacts of cases with Delta was 1.4%, and 73.1% (95% credible interval (CrI): 32.9–91.4) of the transmissions occurred before onset. Index cases without vaccination (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.84; 95% CI: 1.19–8.45) or with an incomplete vaccination series (aOR: 6.02; 95% CI: 2.45–18.16) were more likely to transmit infection to their contacts than those who had received the complete primary vaccination series. Discussion Patients infected with the Delta variant had more rapid symptom onset compared with the wild type. The time-varying serial interval should be accounted for in estimation of reproduction numbers. The higher viral load and higher risk of pre-symptomatic transmission indicated the challenges in control of infections with the Delta variant.


Dam-break flood waves represent a severe threat to people and properties located in downstream regions. Although dam failure has been among the main subjects investigated in academia, little effort has been made toward investigating wave propagation under the influence of tailwater depth. This work presents three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations of laboratory experiments of dam-breaks with tailwater performed at the Laboratory of Hydraulics of Iskenderun Technical University, Turkey. The dam-break wave was generated by the instantaneous removal of a sluice gate positioned at the center of a transversal wall forming the reservoir. Specifically, in order to understand the influence of tailwater level on wave propagation, three tests were conducted under the conditions of dry and wet downstream bottom with two different tailwater depths, respectively. The present research analyzes the propagation of the positive and negative wave originated by the dam-break, as well as the wave reflection against the channel's downstream closed boundary. Digital image processing was used to track water surface patterns, and ultrasonic sensors were positioned at five different locations along the channel in order to obtain water stage hydrographs. Laboratory measurements were compared against the numerical results obtained through FLOW-3D commercial software, solving the 3D Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) with the k-ε turbulence model for closure, and Shallow Water Equations (SWEs). The comparison achieved a reasonable agreement with both numerical models, although the RANS showed in general, as expected, a better performance.


Combined With the color and spatial partitions of image, this paper puts forward divergence to describe the dispersion information of pixels in each annular subset, and all those divergences of annular subsets constitute the divergence color histogram. It is invariant with translation and rotation, and suitable as a basic feature of image. Finally, simulation results show the improvement of the divergence color histogram over the spatial color histogram are: 16% (annular), 27% (angular)and 26% (hybrid), so the divergence color histogram has a significant better retrieval performance.


On-chip microstrip and coplanar waveguide structures were designed and fabricated in RF CMOS foundry processes. The wideband transmission line characteristics such as characteristic impedance, attenuation constant, propagation delay, and their electrical RLC parameters were evaluated based on S-parameter measurements in the millimeter-wave range. In addition, a SPICE-compatible RLC lumped element model including the skin-effect and the substrate RC network is employed to account for transmission line effects in interconnect over a wide frequency range up to 110 GHz.


This article introduces readers to the concept of energy poverty and the types of renewable energy technologies that can overcome it. It discusses the benefits of solar home systems, residential wind turbines, biogas digesters and gasifiers, microhydro dams, and improved cookstoves and the various mechanisms planners and policymakers have utilized to disseminate these technologies. Then, based on four years of field research studying programs in Bangladesh, China, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea, the article presents twelve lessons for how policymakers and development planners can improve future renewable energy projects. These lessons include selecting appropriate technology matched in scale and quality to the energy services communities desire, emphasizing affordability rather than installed capacity, and viewing communities and end-users as active participants in energy production and use rather than passive consumers.


We devise a local–global solver dedicated to the simulation of Discrete Elastic Rods (DER) with Coulomb friction that can fully leverage the massively parallel compute capabilities of moderns GPUs. We verify that our simulator can reproduce analytical results on recently published cantilever, bend–twist, and stick–slip experiments, while drastically decreasing iteration times for high-resolution hair simulations. Being able to handle contacting assemblies of several thousand elastic rods in real-time, our fast solver paves the ways for new workflows such as interactive physics-based editing of digital grooms.


Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), in which epithelial cysts arise from or instead of normal renal tubules, is one of the most common genetic diseases. It has both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance in humans and in experimental animals. Epithelial cells lining the cysts have an increased rate of proliferation, abnormal polarity of Na-K-adenosinetriphosphatase, which is localized to apical and sometimes lateral membrane domains, and an abnormal extracellular matrix. One hypothesis that explains the simultaneous acquisition of these characteristics as the result of several different genetic mutations is that cell-matrix interactions, which are known to regulate cell proliferation and cell polarity, are altered in PKD. I have created immortalized renal epithelial cell lines from C57Bl/6Jcpk mice with PKD, an autosomal recessive trait in these animals, and from their phenotypically normal littermates. Using these cell lines, I show that polycystic cells have increased adhesion to collagens and laminin mediated by an integrin. These results demonstrate that cell-matrix interactions are defective in PKD and suggest that these interactions may be involved in the abnormalities of cell polarity and cell proliferation seen in these disorders.


Calcareous nannofossil assemblages have been investigated in three sections from around the margins of the Early Cretaceous North Sea Basin. Both absolute (number of nannofossils per gram) and relative (percent of the assemblage of different taxa) abundance data have been collected. Absolute abundances (up to 10 billion nannofossils per gram) are somewhat higher than those reported previously from other stratigraphic intervals. Stratigraphic correlation of trends in assemblage data in different sections points toward the existence of large, uniform water masses, stable over long (0.5 to 1 m.y.) time periods. These water masses contained a characteristic nannoplankton, which appears to have been driven largely by variations in fertility possibly tied to changes in sources of surface waters, which in turn may have been controlled by relative sea level. Fine fraction isotopic data show fluctuations on shorter time periods (0.1 to 0.5 m.y.). We postulate that some of these isotopic fluctuations were controlled by relative changes in sea level which affected the balance of surface waters derived from runoff and those imported from the Boreal Sea. These oceanographic changes appear to have affected nannofossil assemblages only in discrete intervals.

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Meteorological data measured by ground stations are often a key element in the development and validation of methods exploiting satellite images. These data are considered as a reference against which satellite-derived estimates are compared. Long-term radiation and meteorological measurements are available from a large number of measuring sta- tions. However, close examination of the data often reveals a lack of quality, often for extended periods of time. This lack of quality has been the reason, in many cases, of the rejection of large amount of available data. The quality data must be checked before their use in order to guarantee the inputs for the methods used in modelling, monitoring, forecast, etc. To control their quality, data should be submitted to several conditions or tests. After this checking, data that are not flagged by any of the test is released as a plausible data. In this work, it has been performed a bibliographical research of quality control tests for the common meteoro- logical variables (ambient temperature, relative humidity and wind speed) and for the usual solar radiometrical variables (horizontal global and diffuse components of the solar radiation and the beam normal component). The different tests have been grouped according to the variable and the average time period (sub-hourly, hourly, daily and monthly averages). The quality test may be classified as follows: * Range checks: test that verify values are within a specific range. There are two types of range checks, those based on extrema and those based on rare observations. * Step check: test aimed at detecting unrealistic jumps or stagnation in the time series. * Consistency checks: test that verify the relationship between two or more time series. The gathered quality tests are applicable for all latitudes as they have not been optimized regionally nor seasonably with the aim of being generic. They have been applied to ground measurements in several geographic locations, what result in the detection of some control tests that are no longer adequate, due to different reasons. After the modification of some test, based in our experience, a set of quality control tests is now presented, updated according to technology advances and classified. The presented set of quality tests allows radiation and meteorological data to be tested in order to know their plausibility to be used as inputs in theoretical or empirical methods for scientific research. The research leading to those results has partly receive funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no. 262892 (ENDORSE project


Rose breeders need reliable and efficient germination protocols to exploit all viable embryos in their breeding programs. In this study, different treatment combinations were assessed to overcome the mechanical resistance of the pericarp and enhance germination of rose seeds obtained from hybridisation among hybrids roses. In the 3 treatments, 30 days of a warm temperature followed by 60 days of cold stratification and 30% sulphuric acid treatment for 10 min proved more effective in getting higher seed germination (18.54%) and seed vigour index (261.18) of the progenies. This led to lower germination (18.20 days) and imbibition (23.64) periods with respect to the other 3 treatments including the control. This treatment also helped increase the total length of progeny (14.1 cm) and number of leaves per progeny (6.44), whereas the response of other growth parameters of progeny was variable to this treatment. Correlation (r) between pericarp thickness and seed germination percentage, germination period, and imbibition period proved highly significant (r = 0.347, P < 0.05).


`No-scale non-linear sigma models' are considered in three-, four-, and six-dimensional spacetimes. These are theories with global gauge invariance, which here we take to be SO(3) or SL(3,R) and where a homogeneous non-linear constraint is imposed. In contrast with the more standard non-linear sigma model, this constraint does not determine a particular scale for the strength of the isovector scalar field. In three dimensions, a version of the model is totally equivalent to ordinary electrodynamics, while the generalization of this model to 3+1 dimensions leads to a version of relativistic magnetohydrodynamics. Still in 3+1 dimensions, the constraint in terms of a field strength, which in turn is defined in terms of the fundamental scalars, defines a coupling of this field strength to a magnetic source. In this model we also obtain an additional vector U(1) local gauge invariance associated with this magnetic charge. In six dimensions the minimal magnetic coupling to fundamental membranes appears naturally. In six dimensions, it is possible to obtain a compactification of two dimensions into a sphere by the presence of a hedgehog configuration of the isovector scalar field, with the resulting four-dimensional effective cosmological constant being zero. A mechanism is discussed for generating breaking of the gauge symmetry, induced by SL(3,R) breaking terms, at a scale much smaller than the Planck scale. The SL(3,R) symmetry is expected to protect this hierarchy. Also, no massless-`moduli' scalar fields remain after compactification.


The theme of the text "Medium of film, philosophy, image" focuses on the issues of media, film as compared with the medium of photography as the first case of technical image. Together with concepts such as movement, space and time, which is due to the transformation of the media thinking the film, but also very philosophical thinking, philosophy can explain the electronic media and culture. Change of thinking, moreover, introduces new techniques and ways of seeing the film medium. Thinking thus enabling him to constantly create something new. The development of thinking related to the movement and also with time. Thought itself is moving. This, however, in order to enter the thinking of another level, it helps mediality. New ways of seeing, then give rise to new forms of mediation. The film, which acts as a technique of film images, but also as a process of thinking, acting as an open whole scene is shown. The specific case of the movie "The beginning of" the text describes the problems of motion, mediality, cinematic and philosophical thinking, which is in the form of several levels of dreams.


Conscientious objectors under fire. Vaccine refusal among orthodox-Protestant soldiers in the Dutch Armed Forces, 1945-1950

 During the Indonesian War of Independence (1945-1949), the Dutch government deployed 220,000 soldiers in the Indonesian archipelago. Among them was a group of conservative Christian soldiers who refused vaccinations against smallpox for religious reasons. Initially this caused no problems, but the situation changed after the outbreak of a smallpox epidemic in Indonesia in 1948. The non-vaccinated soldiers could not return to the Netherlands due to international restrictions. Although compulsory vaccination was abolished in 1939, some soldiers were forced to accept vaccination. In the Netherlands, representatives of the Reformed Political Party (SGP) and the conservative churches accused the Army of illegal actions. The central question in the debate was the space for religious minorities and divergent views on vaccination in the Dutch Armed Forces. This article studies the process of negotiation between the Dutch Armed Forces and the political and ecclesiastical representatives of this conservative religious group. Finally, this article argues for more research into religious diversity in the Dutch Armed Forces.


Freshwater crayfish species, Astacus astacus (Europe), Astacus leptodactylus (Turkey, Europe) and Pasifastacus leniusculus(North America and Europea) are species with high commercial price that belong to the family Astacidea. Astacid culture is mainly based on semi-extensive systems in which stage II juveniles are stocked in natural earth ponds or in artifical ponds. Stocking into natural waters of produced juveniles in crayfish farming plays a significant role in the active protection of native species. The purpose of this review is development of the possibilities for crayfish farming by investigating most important factors affecting on survival rate and growth of juveniles in crayfish farming (cannibalism, stocking density, the number of shelters, nutrition, water temperature and photoperiod).


The advent of digital technologies allows line-of-business (LOB) managers to be more involved in organizational innovation. Such involvements of LOB-managers acting as innovation agents challenge the very nature of how firms used to operate in traditional hierarchical structures. This paper investigates how the LOB-managers and chief information officers (CIO) interact in the information technology resource bundling initiatives. Using insights from five case organizations and analyzing data employing the analytic induction method, the study identifies how the leadership of LOB-managers and CIOs intermix in resource bundling process. Finally, the study proposes three leadership engagement models.


An observation study, which analyzed cases and controls, was realized with 1850 adults subjected to upper digestive endoscopy, who were sent to the Endocentro Ltda. Medical center in Bogota, Colombia, due to diverse symptoms, and who had not received previous treatment with antibiotics, antibacterial medication or medication that altered gastric secretion. Chronic follicular gastritis was found in 8.4% (102 patients), 73 women and 29 men, with an average age of 33.5 years. Inflammation activity was detected in 99% and H. pylori in 98% of the patients. The controlled group was made up of 1100 patients with other kinds of chronic gastritis different from follicular gastritis. With these 1100 patients, 698 women and 412 men, with an average age of 48.3 years, inflammatory activity was found in 72.1% and H. pylori in 63.3%. In the feminine gender, a minimum risk increase was determined, without presenting changes in chronic follicular gastritis of statistical significance OR = 1.48 (95% IC 0.93-2.41). In the young patients who were less than 35 years old and in those infected by H. pylori, a higher risk for follicular gastritis changes was observed OR = 7.57 (95% IC 4.82-11,97) and OR =28.94 (95% IC 7.72-243.23) respectively. A greater inflammatory activity was observed in patients with chronic follicular gastritis, OR = 38.96 (95% IC 6.76-1558.64).


Piezoceramic films are an essential class of energy‐conversion materials that have been widely used in the electronics industry. Although current methods create a great freedom for fabricating high‐quality piezoceramic films, it requires well‐controlled synthesis conditions, including special high‐cost equipment and planar substrates particularly. The limited substrate selections hinder the applications of piezoceramic films in 3D conformal structures where most objects possess complex curvilinear surfaces. To overcome such limitations, a fast, energy‐efficient, and cost‐effective approach, named flame treated spray (FTS) coating, is developed for preparing piezoceramic films on free‐form surfaces. The flame treatment significantly enhances the hydrophilicity of a substrate, assisting in forming a uniform and continuous thin film. The followed spray coating deposits hundreds of nanometers to several micrometers thick films on 3D free‐form surfaces. Given the size controllability and arbitrary surface compatibility of the FTS method, a highly conformal piezoelectric tactile sensor array (4 × 4) is assembled on a spherical surface for mimicking robot fingers and an on‐site thin‐film sensor on the wing of an aircraft model to monitor the vibration in real‐time during flight. The FTS film deposition offers a highly promising methodology for the application of functional thin‐film from micro‐ to marcoscale devices, regardless of conformal problems.


Background. Previous research has demonstrated that control cognitions predict functional limitations following stroke. This paper reports a preliminary evaluation of the effects of a workbook intervention, designed to enhance perceptions of control, in reducing disability in patients discharged from hospital following stroke. Methods. Thirty-nine patients living at home who had had a stroke within the 2 previous years completed baseline assessments of functional limitations, mood and perceived control. They were then randomly allocated to either a Workbook Intervention or a Wait control group and functional limitation and mood outcomes were assessed 1 month later. Results. Results showed no benefit of the intervention, but both groups showed reduced functional limitations. Reductions in functional limitations were correlated with increases in perceptions of control. Conclusions. Clearly, the workbook intervention needs to be strengthened before a full evaluation would be worthwhile for this clinical group. It is possible that both groups demonstrated spontaneous recovery or may have benefited from the additional attention given by the researcher. These benefits were associated with enhanced perceptions of control, contributing to previous findings suggesting that control cognitions may be both a consequence and a determinant of functional limitations.


Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease common with old age. The neuronal protein α-synuclein is considered to play a pivotal role in the onset and progression of the disease. The protein is the main constituent of the Lewy body, the pathological hallmark of the disease, which are large intracellular inclusion bodies that contain aggregated fibrillar protein. In addition mutations in the gene coding for the protein as well as gene multiplications lead to genetic variants of Parkinson's disease. One of the main questions is how the aggregation of α-synuclein is related to the disease. Recent evidence suggests that oligomeric intermediates in the aggregation process of α-synuclein are potentially the neurotoxic species that underlie the disease. A potential mechanism by which these could be toxic is through interaction and disruption of cellular membranes. In this thesis, we try to elucidate how oligomeric α-synuclein interacts with lipid membranes. This interaction was characterized using a number of biophysical techniques using synthetic lipid bilayer systems and recombinantly expressed α-synuclein. Stable off-pathway α-synuclein oligomers were prepared that bound and permeabilized vesicles composed of negatively charged lipids. The lipid binding is mediated by the positively charged N-terminus of the protein. The oligomers contain structural features that cause them to have a destabilizing effect on lipid membranes. Bilayer permeabilization most likely occurs through the formation of defects in the membrane.


One of untapped potentials of agro-wastes from the manufacture of lime juice squeezed lime juice (Jeniper) in Kuningan is lime peel. The waste is simply thrown away, whereas lime peel can be used or recycled into other products of economic value. A good way is to extract the compound limonene from citrus fruit peel, then limonene is mixed with paraffin to produce aromatic candle that has a variety of advantages such as an insect repellent, air freshener, and as aroma therapy. Aromatic candles from that recycling have a scent that is not too overpowering so it does not cause excessive VOC but remain optimal in the expulsion of insects. In addition, this candle has the same form as candles in general, so the wax remains affordable price if commercialized. This study aims to determine the amount of limonene extract concentration of lime peel that can produce aromatic candle insect repellent (repellen). This study uses experimental design with 4 complete treatment randomized design that is the addition of extracts of limonene 0%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%. Subjects were Periplaneta americanus and 15 panellists. The data were then analyzed with One-Way Analysis of Variances (ANOVA) or analysis of variance. Hedonic test results of 15 aromatic candles panellists are as follows: The panellists liked the resulting aromatic candles. In the repellence test there were significant differences between the wax concentration 0%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5%. Wax containing limonene as much as 0.5% have a higher effectiveness in repel insects (repellent) in this case cockroaches. Keywords: Lime peel, Limonene, Aromatic candles, Repellent


Current density and local magnetic field of spontaneous magnetization states in one-dimensional superconducting connected corner-junction arrays have been analysed by solving the phase equation of the arrays. The solutions can be expressed by the Jacobian elliptic functions, which have been calculated numerically. Our results show that the corner fluxons with a fraction of half flux quantum are arranged in an antiferromagnetic fashion, which is in agreement with the recent experiments observed by Hilgenkamp et al. (Nature 422(2003)50). In addition, we present the magnetization flux of each corner junction in the array as a function of facet length.


Scholars interested in the intersection between domestic violence and criminal law have posited that the existence of an intimate relationship between a defendant and a victim may act as an automatic mitigator in the prosecution of violent felonies. This tendency to discount the severity of domestic homicide has been called the domestic discount. While a number of scholars have studied the influence of a domestic discount on other crimes, very little work has been done in capital prosecutions and sentencing. This article seeks to advance the discussion by considering whether such a discount exists in the United States military's prosecution of 104 death eligible homicides between 1984 and 2005. More specifically, this paper considers whether, after all legitimate factors are considered, the 25 death eligible cases involving a domestic homicide are less likely to be prosecuted as a capital case, convicted of a death eligible murder, or sentenced to death than similarly situated cases that are not domestic homicides. Ten additional cases allow this paper to explore the merit of excluding predatory domestic homicides as well as cases in which the accused killed only his or her child or children from the primary definition of domestic homicide. These results lend qualified support to the proposition that a domestic discount may operate in death sentencing decisions in the military capital punishment system. In contrast, they do not find a domestic discount in charging decisions. As such, the results highlight the importance of focusing on individual decision points in case analyses and of including appropriate controls, including controls for time where appropriate. Finally, this study lends support to Prof. Elizabeth Rapaport's recommendation that predatory domestic homicides be excluded from primary analyses in research considering the presence of a domestic discount. In every instance where the domestic homicide subset included the predatory domestic homicides, the evidence of discount diminished and the evidence of aggressive prosecution increased. For example, the odds of the prosecution seeking death more than doubled with the inclusion of the predatory cases. Given the limited sample size in this study, it would be useful to replicate this model in a larger study.


The Collaborative Summer Learning Program (CSLP) has chosen Space as the theme for the 2019 Summer Reading Program, and the slogan is "A Universe of Stories"


We propose an algorithm for nonlinear recedinghorizon output feedback control by combining a real-time nonlinear optimal state feedback control algorithm and a real-time nonlinear optimal state estimation algorithm. The algorithms of state feedback control and state estimation are obtained by minimizing receding-horizon performance indexes. Application of the stabilized continuation method results in algorithms that do not involve any successive approximation methods. Simulation results of a 2-wheeled car clarify characteristics of the output feedback control algorithm.


Whether as a fighter in the Spanish Civil War, an advocate of patriotic Socialism or a left-wing opponent of the Soviet Union, George Orwell was the ultimate outsider in politics - insecure, scornful of orthodoxies, cussedly independent.Best known today as the author of "Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four", Orwell also wrote seven other full-length books and a vast number of essays, articles and reviews. A pioneering cultural critic, he addressed a range of important issues including art, literature, "Englishness", mass communication and the spectre of totalitarianism. Famously describing his own background as "lower-upper-middle class", Orwell had a complex relationship with Marxism and all his work reflects the influence of British communism.Through close analysis of Orwell's writings as well as his historical and literary context, Philip Bounds has produced an important study of one of the iconic writers of the 20th century. "Orwell and Marxism" offers a thorough introduction to Orwell the intellectual, reviving his reputation as a serious cultural thinker and documenting his most important influences, as well as a convincing portrait of British Marxism and society in the 1930s and 40s.


Maintenance of mechanical and rotational equipment often includes bearing inspection and/or replacement. Thus, it is important to identify current as well as future conditions of bearings to avoid unexpected failure. Most published research in this area is focused on diagnosing bearing faults. In contrast, this paper develops neural-network-based models for predicting bearing failures. An experimental setup is developed to perform accelerated bearing tests where vibration information is collected from a number of bearings that are run until failure. This information is then used to train neural network models on predicting bearing operating times. Vibration data from a set of validation bearings are then applied to these network models. Resulting predictions are then used to estimate the bearing failure time. These predictions are then compared with the actual lives of the validation bearings and errors are computed to evaluate the effectiveness of each model. For the best model, we find that 64% of predictions are within 10% of actual bearing life, while 92% of predictions are within 20% of the actual life.


OBJECTIVE
To review the literature regarding the treatment duration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) therapy for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

DATA SOURCES
A literature search was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Clinical Key (all through May 31, 2013) with the search terms Alzheimer's disease, cholinesterase inhibitors, dementia, treatment and duration, with limits to human, clinical, and observational trials, and English studies; no limits were placed on publication dates.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION
Based on the study selection, 40 studies were identified. The criteria for studies reviewed focused on the duration of AChEIs in patients with mild or moderate AD for a minimum of one year.

DATA SYNTHESIS
Based on the selection criteria, five studies were reviewed. These studies evaluated the cognitive efficacy of AChEI after "long-term" (1.5 years) treatment in the clinical trial with follow-up noted in the observational studies of a maximum of "greater than 3 years" (up to 7 years). Cognitive decline was measured by changes in Mini-Mental State Exam scores or Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale scores. There were no studies identified that suggested an optimal duration of AChEI therapy for AD patients.

CONCLUSION
Based on the trials reviewed, the duration for AChEI use is very patient-specific; therefore, risk versus benefit of therapy needs to be evaluated regularly in AD patients. The maximum mean duration of follow-up in the clinical study analyzed here was only 1.5 years and observational studies with follow-up "greater than 3 years." Further long-term research is needed.


This work introduces a novel probabilistic deep learning technique called deep Gaussian mixture ensembles (DGMEs), which enables accurate quantification of both epistemic and aleatoric uncertainty. By assuming the data generating process follows that of a Gaussian mixture, DGMEs are capable of approximating complex probability distributions, such as heavy-tailed or multimodal distributions. Our contributions include the derivation of an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm used for learning the model parameters, which results in an upper-bound on the log-likelihood of training data over that of standard deep ensembles. Additionally, the proposed EM training procedure allows for learning of mixture weights, which is not commonly done in ensembles. Our experimental results demonstrate that DGMEs outperform state-of-the-art uncertainty quantifying deep learning models in handling complex predictive densities.


Renal coccidiosis was diagnosed in four bats of different species (Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Myotis mystacinus, M. nattereri. and Nyctalus noctula). Multiple white and partly indented foci up to 2 mm in diameter were visible on the renal surface. Histologically, the foci appeared as cystic dilated tubules with proliferated epithelium. Asexual and sexual coccidian stages were seen in the epithelial cells, and the extremely distended tubular lumina were filled with schizonts, free zoites, microgamonts, macrogamonts, and unsporulated oocysts. Because the majority of the renal tissue appeared uninvolved in the disease process at the gross and histologic levels and there was no evidence for uremia in other organs, renal function was probably not impaired. Precise classification of the coccidia was impossible because no sporulated oocysts were available. The parasite morphology and the hitherto unreported cystic dilatation of infected tubules containing all developmental stages differ from renal coccidioses reported previously and therefore suggest an undescribed coccidian species.


BACKGROUND
Plasterers perform a variety of duties including interior and exterior plastering of drywall, cement, stucco, and stone imitation; the preparation, installation, and repair of all interior and exterior insulation systems; and the fireproofing of steel beams and columns. Some of the current potential toxic exposures among plasterers include plaster of Paris, silica, fiberglass, talc, and 1,1,1-trichloroethylene; asbestos had been used by the plasterers in the past. Cement masons, on the other hand, are involved in concrete construction of buildings, bridges, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, highways, streets and roads, floors and pavements and the finishing of same, when necessary, by sandblasting or any other method. Exposures include cement dust, silica, asphalt, and various solvents.

METHODS
Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) and proportionate cancer mortality ratios (PCMRs) were calculated for 99 causes of death among 12,873 members of the Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association who died between 1972 and 1996 using United States age-, race-, and calender-specific death rates. Statistical significance (P value) of results was based upon the Poisson distribution.

RESULTS
Among plasterers, statistically significant elevated mortality was observed for asbestosis, where the PMR reached 1,657 (P < 0.01) with eleven observed deaths and less than one death expected, for lung cancer (PCMR = 124, P < 0.01), and for benign neoplasms (PMR = 210, P < 0.05). Among cement masons, statistically significant elevated mortality was observed for cancer of the stomach (PCMR = 133, P < 0.01), benign neoplasms (PMR = 132, P < 0.01), and poisonings (PMR = 159, P < 0.05). Except for poisonings, which were not thought to be occupationally related, all of the statistically significant results occurred among those members who entered the union prior to 1950. However, the risk for lung cancer among plasterers was still elevated among those entering the union after 1970 as was the risk for stomach cancer among cement masons who entered the union after 1950.

CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that plasterers and cement masons still have elevated risks for certain diseases, especially lung and stomach cancer. Therefore, union members currently living should be screened for asbestos-related diseases and educated about the future risks for these diseases.


McGraw-Hill's GMAT, 2010 Edition Foreword McGraw-Hill's GMAT: Introduction Welcome to the GMAT Attaining Your Competitive Edge: McGraw-Hill's GMAT Meet the GMAT Achieving Your Goals on the GMAT Registering for the GMAT Additional Practice Some Final Advice Acknowledgement GMAT Information for International Test Takers Registering for the Test Finding a Test Center On Test Day Test Preparation for International Test Takers Another Hurdle for Internationals: the TOEFL Business School Admissions The Business School Interview One Last Hurdle: the Student Visa Part One: The Quantitative Section Chapter 1. The Techniques of GMAT Problem-Solving The Answers: Not Necessarily Your Friends Problem-Solving Tips Chapter 2. Data Sufficiency Can You Answer the Question? The Intent Behind the Question Type Working Data Sifficiency Problems Efficiently Practice Problems Chapter 3. Basic Principles of Numbers Introduction: Remembering Your High School Math. Number Sytems Algebraic Notation and the Order of Operations Exponents and Roots Factoring Numbers Working with Nonintegers Key Concepts to Remember Practice Problems Chapter 4. Algebra The Importance of Algebra Quadratics FOIL Practice Problems Chapter 5. Probability and Statistics Introduction: What Do Numbers Mean? The Mean The Median The Mode The Range Calculating the Standard Deviation What You Need to Remember Application Problems - Statistics Probability Practice Problems Chapter 6. GMAT Geometry Introduction Parallel and Intersecting Lines Types of Triangles and Their Attributes Quadrilaterals Circles Volume of Boxes and Right Circular Cylinders What You Need to Remember Practice Problems Chapter 7. Boolean Problems and Combinatorics Introduction Boolean Problems on the GMAT Combinatorics Problems: Two Approaches Practice Problems Part Two: The Verbal and Writing Sections Chapter 8. Critical Reasoning Introduction Critical Reasoning Reading What Is an Argument? Assumption Questions Weaken the Argument Strengthen the Argument Inference Questions Less Common Question Types The Art of Wrong Answers Practice Arguments Practice Problems Chapter 9. Sentence Correction Introduction Verbs: Where the Action Is Pronouns: In Place of the Right Answer Misplaced Modifiers Parallelism Idiomatic Expressions False Comparisons: Apples and Oranges Quantity Rare Errors The Most Common Type of Error How to Approach a Hard Question Further Study Practice Sentences Practice Problems Chapter 10. Reading Comprehension Introduction Reading Comprehension Strategy Passage Topics Passage Structures Question Types Strategic Reading Answering the Questions: Focused Reading The Art of the Wrong Answer Practice Problems Chapter 11. The analytical Writing Assessment Introduction How the Analytical Writing Assessment is Used How to Approach the AWA How the Writing Assessment is Scored Factors that Can Help or Hurt Your Score Maximizing Your Score Analysis of an Issue Analysis of an Argument Practice Essays Part Three: Beyond the GMAT Chapter 12. Choosing the Right Program Introduction Choosing a School: Considering Your Objectives A Brief Taxonomy of MBA Program Types A Brief Bibliography of School Ratings Lists Selecting a Portfolio of Schools Chapter 13. Getting Admitted The Importance of the GMAT in Admissions The Importance of Your Past University Transcripts Researching the Programs Preparing Your Resume Soliciting the Right Recommendations Requesting an Interview Writing Some Compelling Essays Thinking about Your Career Plan During the Admission Process Chapter 14. Getting Ready to Survive B-School Concepts to Remember from Your GMAT Preparation Math Camp Essential Tools for the MBA Student Chapter 15. Recruiting and Career Management Introduction The Importance of the GMAT to Recruiters Planning Your Job Search Tools for Career Management Preparing Your Cover Letters Thank-you Notes Interviews Finishing Up and Looking Back Networking Selecting the Right Offer Will the GMAT Ever Haunt You Again? Part Four: The Practice Tests Intructions for the GMAT Practice Tests Practice Tests Practice Test 1 Practice Test 2 Practice Test 3 Practice Test 4 Practice Test 5 Practice Test 6 Answer Keys Answers and Explanations Practice Test 1 Practice Test 2 Practice Test 3 Practice Test 4 Practice Test 5 Practice Test 6 Answer Sheets


Deep convolutional neural networks have achieved competitive performance in salient object detection, in which how to learn effective and comprehensive features plays a critical role. Most of the previous works mainly adopted multiple-level feature integration yet ignored the gap between different features. Besides, there also exists a dilution process of high-level features as they passed on the top-down pathway. To remedy these issues, we propose a novel network named GCPANet to effectively integrate low-level appearance features, high-level semantic features, and global context features through some progressive context-aware Feature Interweaved Aggregation (FIA) modules and generate the saliency map in a supervised way. Moreover, a Head Attention (HA) module is used to reduce information redundancy and enhance the top layers features by leveraging the spatial and channel-wise attention, and the Self Refinement (SR) module is utilized to further refine and heighten the input features. Furthermore, we design the Global Context Flow (GCF) module to generate the global context information at different stages, which aims to learn the relationship among different salient regions and alleviate the dilution effect of high-level features. Experimental results on six benchmark datasets demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art methods both quantitatively and qualitatively.


To the Editor.— During the period 1979 to 1983, a blunder by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on "formaldehyde" led to widespread public anxiety about safe levels of formaldehyde vapor in homes. For lack of any substantial evidence, the CPSC's rule was struck down. 1 The commission confused the effects of highly concentrated formalin solutions, up to 370,000 ppm, weight per volume, with normal background levels of vapor as low as 0.03 to 0.12 ppm, volume per volume. Scientific support could not be produced to show that trace home levels of formaldehyde vapor caused immunologic allergy in humans. The theory of such allergy to vapor has been broadly rejected by scientific consensus groups. 2,3 In the wake of that ban, however, thousands of persons continue to be treated for the condition "formaldehyde allergy" by instillation of formalin drops onto the mucosa of mouth or into skin by subcutaneous


AIM
To inhibit the gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with the RNA interference (RNAi) technique and explore its influence on the apoptosis, proliferation, vasculogenic mimicry of osteosarcoma in vitro.

METHODS
PSilencer-VEGF plasmid transfected into osteosarcoma cell line of MG63 was recombinated by gene cloning, and VEGF expression was examined by Western blotting after transfection. The biological features of transfected MG63 including proliferation, apoptosis and vasculogenic mimicry, were assessed by MTT assay, flowcytometer, annexin V-FITC/PI, light microscopy and HE staining.

RESULTS
The sequence of pSilencer-VEGF plasmid was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Sequence-specific siRNA targeting VEGF significantly decreases its expression in MG63 cells. Cell growth was inhibited and early apoptosis was induced compared with non-siRNA tansfected cells. Decreased VEGF expression was associated with reduced vasculogenic mimicry of MG63 cells.

CONCLUSIONS
VEGF gene might be closely related to the apoptosis and proliferation of osteosarcoma cells, and appears to be crucial for formation of vasculogenic mimicry in osteosarcoma. Inhibition of VEGF expression by sequence-specific siRNA may become a novel approach for the treatment of VEGF-enriched neoplasma such as osteosarcoma.


ABSTRACT This paper establishes dialogs between theories on the popular and critical studies on algorithms and datafication. In doing so, it contributes to reversing the analytical tendency to assume that algorithms have universal effects and that conclusions about "algorithmic power" in the Global North apply unproblematically everywhere else. We begin by clarifying how Latin American scholars and other research traditions have theorized the popular ("lo popular"). We then develop four dimensions of lo popular to implement these ideas in the case of algorithms: playful cultural practices, imagination, resistance, and "in-betweenness." We argue that this dialogue can generate different ways of thinking about the problems inherent to algorithmic mediation by drawing attention to the remixes of cultural practices, imaginative solutions to everyday problems, "cyborg" forms of resistance, and ambiguous forms of agency that are central to the operations of algorithmic assemblages nowadays.


Mechanistic knowledge on drivers of benthic community traits is key to predict the effects of global change, particularly for the Arctic, where climate change is paramount while its causalities on biota have been scarcely studied. Manipulative field experiments were conducted in two intertidal sedimentary sites (Thiisbukta and Longyearbyen) on Svalbard (Norway) from May to August 2017. At both sites, a complete randomized block design was used to assess the effects of detached seaweed presence on species composition, and biomass of soft-bottom communities. Species composition was significantly distinct between both sites, with the communities of Thiisbukta being more divers, more populated, and more productive in terms of biomass. Here, the presence of detached seaweeds had no effect on any of the tested community responses. In Longyearbyen, however, the number of individuals and biomass were both significantly lower in plots covered by detached seaweeds than in un-manipulated controls. We conclude that detached seaweeds may negatively affect the structure and productivity of Arctic soft-bottom communities, but this response is strongly site-dependent as the more diverse community appeared resistant to the experimental manipulations.


Significance Scientists' productivity usually is measured with a single metric, such as number of articles published. Here, we study two dimensions of scientists' knowledge contributions in 10-y publication records: their depth and their breadth. Study 1 shows that scientists view pursuing a deeper research project to be more attractive than pursuing a broader project; for example, scientists viewed broad projects as riskier and less important than deeper projects. Study 2 shows that scientists' personal dispositions predict the aggregated depth vs. breadth of their published articles. Armed with such knowledge, scientists can strategically consider the desired nature of their research portfolios, criteria for choosing and designing research projects, how to compose research teams, and the inhibitors and facilitators of boundary-crossing research. Scientific journal publications, and their contributions to knowledge, can be described by their depth (specialized, domain-specific knowledge extensions) and breadth (topical scope, including spanning multiple knowledge domains). Toward generating hypotheses about how scientists' personal dispositions would uniquely predict deeper vs. broader contributions to the literature, we assumed that conducting broader studies is generally viewed as less attractive (e.g., riskier) than conducting deeper studies. Study 1 then supported our assumptions: the scientists surveyed considered a hypothetical broader study, compared with an otherwise-comparable deeper study, to be riskier, a less-significant opportunity, and of lower potential importance; they further reported being less likely to pursue it and, in a forced choice, most chose to work on the deeper study. In Study 2, questionnaire measures of medical researchers' personal dispositions and 10 y of PubMed data indicating their publications' topical coverage revealed how dispositions differentially predict depth vs. breadth. Competitiveness predicted depth positively, whereas conscientiousness predicted breadth negatively. Performance goal orientation predicted depth but not breadth, and learning goal orientation contrastingly predicted breadth but not depth. Openness to experience positively predicted both depth and breadth. Exploratory work behavior (the converse of applying and exploiting one's current knowledge) predicted breadth positively and depth negatively. Thus, this research distinguishes depth and breadth of published knowledge contributions, and provides new insights into how scientists' personal dispositions influence research processes and products.


Multiple stars, that is two or more stars composing a gravitationally bound system, are common in the universe.They are the cause of many interesting phenomena, from supernovae and planetary nebulae, to binary black hole mergers. Observations of main sequence stars, young stars and forming protostars show that multiplicity is common, and that multiple stars are born. This thesis focuses on several of the open questions on the formation and evolution of multiple stars, namely when do rotationally supported disks form, the factors leading to fragmentation of the cloud core and the physico-chemical structure of multiple protostars. For this purpose, radio interferometric observations of dust continuum and molecular line emission, coupled with chemical and physical models are used to study several young, deeply embedded prototstars. The results of this thesis contribute useful pieces to the puzzle of multiple star formation, demonstrating that rotationally supported disks can form early in the star formation process, while temperature and the presence of disks can alter the physico-chemical protostellar structure. Furthermore, the results of this thesis indicate that mass, rather than temperature, could be an important factor in fragmentation of cloud cores, and the formation of multiple stars.


The authors report a case of multicentric glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in which all 4 tumor foci were resected and evaluated using both comparative genomic hybridization array and RNA sequencing. Genetic analysis showed that the tumors shared a common origin, although each had its own unique set of genetic aberrations. The authors note that the genetic heterogeneity of multicentric GBM likely contributes to the failures of current treatments. The case underscores the necessity of increased genetic investigation.


This article reviews the cardiac manifestations of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (AIDS) as reported in the literature. These abnormalities were examined with regard to incidence, clinical presentation, and possible etiologies. Review of the literature revealed that cardiac abnormalities occur frequently in persons with AIDS; involve the heart valves, myocardium, and pericardium; and, in many cases, may not arouse clinical suspicion. Because the cardiac sequelae that may occur during the course of the disease can be life-threatening, the nurse must be alert to the possibility of cardiac involvement and initiate prompt intervention when cardiac complications occur.


Sometimes mereologists have problems with counting. We often don't want to count the parts of maximally connected objects as full-fledged objects themselves, and we don't want to count discontinuous objects as parts of further, full-fledged objects. But whatever one takes "full- fledged object" to mean, the axioms and theorems of classical, extensional mereology commit us to the existence both of parts and of wholes - all on a par, included in the domain of quantification - and this makes mereology look counterintuitive to various philosophers. In recent years, a proposal has been advanced to solve the tension between mereology and familiar ways of counting objects, under the label of Minimalist View. The Minimalist View may be summarized in the slogan: "Count x as an object iff it does not overlap with any y you have already counted as an object". The motto seems prima facie very promising but, we shall argue, when one looks at it more closely, it is not. On the contrary, the Minimalist View involves an ambiguity that can be solved in quite different directions. We argue that one resolution of the ambiguity makes it incompatible with mereology. This way, the Minimalist View can lend no support to mereology at all. We suggest that the Minimalist View can become compatible with mereology once its ambi- guity is solved by interpreting it in what we call an epistemic or conceptual fashion: whereas mereology has full metaphysical import, the Minimalist View may account for our ways of selecting "conceptually salient" entities. But even once it is so disambiguated, it is doubtful that the Minimalist View can help to make mereology more palatable, for it cannot make it any more compatible with commonsensical ways of counting objects.


This paper explores how South Africa's criminal justice system has evolved over the past decade by looking at the approach government has taken to resourcing it. It describes the growth in expenditure on criminal justice, disaggregating this between departments and over time. It suggests that South Africa's spending on criminal justice exceeds international norms, but that on a per capita basis and in relation to our levels of crime, the criminal justice system is relatively under-resourced. It argues, however, that it would be unaffordable to attempt to match our levels of resources to international norms and that, in any event, the current prioritisation of increased social expenditure over increased criminal justice spending has not negatively affected crime levels.


Worst-case execution time analysis is the fundament of real-time system design, and is therefore an area which has been subject to great scientific interest for a long time. However, traditional worst-case execution time analysis techniques assume that the underlying hardware is a monoprocessor system, and this class of hardware platforms is getting less suitable for modern embedded applications, which demand more and more in terms of computational power. For multiprocessor systems, traditional worst-case analysis tools do not produce correct results and can consequently not be used. To solve this problem, we have previously proposed a technique for achieving predictability on multiprocessor systems-on-chip using a shared TDMA bus. One of the main benefits with our approach is that existing, traditional worst-case execution time analysis techniques can, after some small modifications, be applied. In this paper, we describe the nature of these modifications and how to handle different types of multiprocessor architectures.


Electrodiagnostic methods, especially needle EMG plays an important role for the ALS diagnosis. Existing diagnostic criteria such as revised El Escorial criteria (R-EEC) and Awaji algorithm have a drawback of low sensitivity. Our study revealed that the percentage of patients classified as confirmed ALS, i.e. clinically probable (laboratory supported) or higher, was 43% using the R-EEC and 37% using the Awaji algorithm. Needle EMG can strongly suggest ALS beyond these criteria. Fasciculation potentials (FPs) are sufficiently specific for ALS, and we have argued its diagnostic utitlity in ALS diagnosis. FPs are rare in other neurogenic diseases, such as cervical or lumbar spine disorders and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Profuse FPs observed in both upper and lower limbs would strongly suggest ALS. EMG of the upper trapezius muscle is useful since it is easily relaxed, and the spontaneous activities in this muscle are sufficiently sensitive and specific for ALS. Inclusion body myositis (IBM) might be confused with ALS, but its differentiation is actually easy since a normal recruitment in a chronically weak muscle definitely indicates myopathy. Furthermore, EMG of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle in IBM patients would reveal typical myopathic, i.e. low-amplitude and thin, motor unit potentials.


: A 37-year-old male cocaine user presented with continual, sanguinolent nasal obstruction and persistant pain following a nasal operation one year ago. Examination showed crustae, granulations and exposed septal cartilage in the right nasal passage in addition to a considerable septal deviation to the left. No other physical abnormalities were found. A biopsy of the nasal mucosa showed acute necrotic inflammation. The serological examination revealed markedly elevated anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) titres with positive reactions against proteinase-3, indicating Wegener's disease. Additional testing also showed a positive ANCA reaction for human neutrophil elastase, which made cocaine use a more plausible cause for the nasal abnormalities than Wegener's disease. Treatment consisted of nasal flushing with saline and, for a short period, a nasal tampon with hydrocortisone-oxytetracycline-polymyxin B ointment. However, the patient did, ultimately, develop a septal perforation. Cocaine-induced nasal abnormalities can imitate symptoms that may fit Wegener's disease, including relevant serological ANCA findings.


The purpose of the environmental stewardship framework is to deliver projects that are sensitive to their communities and landscape while streamlining the permitting process. After three years of implementation, we have successfully maintained the collaborative approach with regulatory partners. This has been critical to our success in avoidance and minimization of project impacts. The OTIA III State Bridge Delivery Program (the Program) is part of the Oregon Department of Transportation's (ODOT) 10-year, $3 billion Oregon Transportation Investment Act (OTIA) program. OTIA funds will repair or replace hundreds of bridges, pave and maintain city and county roads, improve and expand interchanges, add new capacity to Oregon's highway system, and remove freight bottlenecks statewide. Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners (OBDP), a joint venture formed by HDR Engineering Inc. and Fluor Enterprises Inc., is a private-sector firm that has contracted with the ODOT to manage the $1.3 billion state bridge program. OBDP has developed a framework to integrate the myriad of tools developed for the Program, including environmental performance standards, a joint batched-programmatic biological opinion, environmental and engineering baseline reports, and a web-based GIS. The purpose of this framework is to identify environmental concerns early in the project development process and communicate these concerns to design teams and regulatory agencies to promote environmental stewardship through impact avoidance and minimization. Innovative and creative use of technology has been a keystone to the framework. Environmental professionals input the relevant environmental data for a project in a comprehensive, on-line Pre-Construction Assessment (PCA) form. The data are used to identify project challenges (e.g., archaeological sites or wetlands within the project footprint) and compile electronic reports to the regulatory agencies. Environmental metrics, such as exempted T&E species "take" and wetland fill quantities are tracked using the GIS database. One framework meets the needs of many stakeholders. Now, after almost three years of execution, OBDP and ODOT have some great successes and lessons learned to share. OBDP have continued to adapt and develop tools to be successful – as well as shift the Program operating structure. The focus of this presentation will be on the framework that has been utilized to maintain compliance and strive for environmental excellence.


Increasingly, social media platforms are understood by researchers to be valuable sites of politically-relevant discussions. However, analyses of social media data are typically undertaken by focusing on 'snapshots' of issues using query-keyword search strategies. This paper develops an alternative, less issue-based, mode of analysing Twitter data. It provides a framework for working qualitatively with longitudinally-oriented Twitter data (user-timelines), and uses an empirical case to consider the value and the challenges of doing so. Exploring how Twitter users place "everyday" talk around the socio-political issue of UK welfare provision, we draw on digital ethnography and narrative analysis techniques to analyse 25 user-timelines and identify three distinctions in users' practices: users' engagements with welfare as TV entertainment or as a socio-political concern; the degree of sustained engagement with said issues, and; the degree to which users' tweeting practices around welfare were congruent with or in contrast to their other tweets. With this analytic orientation, we demonstrate how a longitudinal analysis of user-timelines provides rich resources that facilitate a more nuanced understanding of user engagement in everyday socio-political discussions online.


In this article, the authors discuss problems and challenges of supervising postgraduate community psychology students at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. As part of their community work, students developed community projects in schools in Alexandra Township, aimed at dealing with social ills such as HIV/AIDS, gangs, violence, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. Students found community work to be extremely exhausting, stressful and demanding. Therefore, community psychology supervision became an important space in helping students to reflect on the experiences, anxieties and frustrations. This article discusses key themes that have emerged in community supervision, including gender, race and class issues. In conclusion, recommendations are provided on how to improve community psychology supervision based our experiences. Supervisors need to be proactive in helping students to reflect on their experiences and actively engage with some of the theoretical and practical issues that emerge in community work. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The article highlights gender experience development in an individual. The socio-cultural context of gender identity development is addressed from the perspective of social constructivism. The author describes the mechanism of constructing gender schemas and norms which reflect socio-cultural experience. Drawing on poststructuralist ideas, the author explores cultural texts which encode assumptions and concepts that serve as schemas for perceiving and understanding reality, for reflecting the processes of an individual's development as a discursive being in his or her interpretation of socio-cultural experience. The article also analyzes masculinity and femininity models shaped by socio-cultural schemas and explores gender role expectations among the young people in Ukraine.


Ni3(VO4)2 nanosheet arrays are grown on aminated r-GO sheets through a facile hydrothermal route. The growth of Ni3(VO4)2 nanosheet arrays on aminated r-GO sheets (NiV@r-GO nanocomposites) is confirmed by XRD, FESEM, TEM, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. The length, height and thickness of the Ni3(VO4)2 nanosheet arrays are ∼100, ∼20 and ∼10 nm, respectively. The density of the Ni3(VO4)2 nanosheet arrays on the r-GO sheets is directly related to the concentration of precursor used. The generation of mesoporosity during synthesis originates from the high surface area in the NiV@r-GO nanocomposites. The high surface area causes the mesoporous NiV@r-GO nanocomposite based electrode to exhibit a specific capacity of 170 C g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, which is approximately three times higher than that of aminated r-GO sheets. The capacity retention of the NiV@r-GO nanocomposite is 97.2% at 0.5 A g−1 current density after 1400 cycles. Other than the faradic redox reaction, the superior electrochemical performance of NiV@r-GO nanocomposites over the aminated r-GO sheet based electrode is related to the three-dimensional (3D) morphology as an effect of the Ni3(VO4)2 nanosheet array, which results in a higher surface area, more active sites and greater electrolyte penetration in the electrode.


Much of reinforcement learning theory is built on top of oracles that are computationally hard to implement. Specifically for learning near-optimal policies in Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs), existing algorithms either need to make strong assumptions about the model dynamics (e.g. deterministic transitions) or assume access to an oracle for solving a hard optimistic planning or estimation problem as a subroutine. In this work we develop the first oracle-free learning algorithm for POMDPs under reasonable assumptions. Specifically, we give a quasipolynomial-time end-to-end algorithm for learning in"observable"POMDPs, where observability is the assumption that well-separated distributions over states induce well-separated distributions over observations. Our techniques circumvent the more traditional approach of using the principle of optimism under uncertainty to promote exploration, and instead give a novel application of barycentric spanners to constructing policy covers.


Convergences and divergences among related organisms (S.cerevisiae and C.albicans for example) or same organisms (healthy and disease tissues for example) can often be traced to the differential expression of specific group of genes. Yet, algorithms to characterize such differences and similarities using gene expression data are not well developed. Given two related organisms A and B, we introduce and develop a differential biclustering algorithm, that aims at finding convergent biclusters, divergent biclusters, partially conserved biclusters, and split conserved biclusters. A convergent bicluster is a group of genes with similar functions that are conserved in A and B. A divergent bicluster is a group of genes with similar function in A (or B) but which play different role in B (or A). Partially conserved biclusters and split conserved biclusters capture more complicated relationships between the behavior and functions of the genes in A and B. Uncovering such patterns can elucidate new insides about how related organisms have evolved or the role played by some group of genes during the development of some diseases. Our differential biclustering algorithm consists of two steps. The first step consists of using a parallel biclustering algorithm to uncover all valid biclusters with coherent evolutions in each set of data. The second step consists of performing a differential analysis on the set of biclusters identified in step one, yielding sets of convergent, divergent, partially conserved and split conserved biclusters.


Effect of wood pulp fiber and filler on the mechanical properties and harmful substance of reconstituted tobacco sheet were investigated. Experiments result showed that added lower lignin content pulp reduced phenols produced by reconstituted tobacco sheet combustion. As addition of bleached hardwood kraft pulp and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) increased, the amount of phenols release was dropped dramatically, but in order to ensure the normal operation of papermaking mechine, wood pulp and PCC addition should not be more than 20%. If wood pulp addition was above 20%, it had negative effect on the bulk, carbon monoxide and cigarette smoke flavor of reconstituted tobacco sheet; when PCC addition was more than 20%, it has negative effect on the normal operation of papermaking mechine.


The data reported support the idea on possible hematogenic metastases spread in esophageal cancer, especially in bones (in 5 of 209 examined patients). Clinical and roentgenological findings of esophageal cancer metastases in bones do not differ from the manifestations of osteolytic metastases in bones of malignant tumors of other localizations. Timely recognition of distant metastases in esophageal cancer seems to be important from the point of view of selecting the most rational and warranted method of treatment.


For the insulation of hypothermic individuals, aluminium-coated foils are used as rescue blankets and rescue suits, respectively. By measurements on a phantom, the efficiency of these foils was tested. Based on an appropriate physical model results were transferred to the thermal reaction of hypothermic individuals. Following investigations were carried out: rescue foil with different types of clothing, comparison between rescue foil and woolen blanket, "Hibler packing", rescue suit at sudden fall in temperature. Applying these foils and the suit, respectively, a thermal stabilization of the body core is being achieved approximately under realistic conditions. When applying the "Hibler packing", reheating is achieved both with wet and dry clothing.


We demonstrate the unique capability of the MODIS instruments in detecting oil slicks in an open ocean environment. On 13 May 2006, in the NW Gulf of Mexico where water depth ranges from 50 to 2500 m, one 250‐m resolution MODIS image showed at least 164 surface slicks under sun glint (glint reflectance, Lg, ranged between 0.0001 and 0.06 sr−1). After discounting other possible causes, we believe these are the result of natural seeps. Our analysis showed total coverage of ∼1900 km2, with individual slicks varying in surface area (11.7 ± 14.8 km2) and length (19.2 ± 12.4 km). Concurrent SAR imagery showed similar area estimates to within 30%. This estimate, based on a single image, is higher than earlier estimates from a database of multi‐date SAR images for the same region. Inspection of >200 images for the month of May between 2000 and 2008 revealed similar slicks on at least 50 images. On 2 June 2005, slicks were detected under sun glint with both negative contrast (Lg < 0.05 sr−1) and positive contrast (Lg > 0.05 sr−1). These slicks could not be detected in glint‐free MODIS images collected on the same day. Because of the near‐daily revisit and wide sun glint coverage (e.g., >800 km E‐W between March and October at 25°N), systematic and global application of the MODIS 250‐m imagery can help locate natural seeps and improve estimates of seepage rates in the world's ocean.


This paper adds five "blocks" (cells) to Ned Block's 2-by-2 P- and A-Consciousness typology, by converting "phenomenal" and "access" into two orthogonal dimensions of Primary Conscious, and by introducing gradations along each dimension, with P0 (no phenomenal experience), P1 (attenuated phenomenal experience), and P2 (full phenomenal experience); and A0 (no access of mental content to either involuntary or voluntary cognitive/behavioral responses), A1 (access of mental content to involuntary responses), and A2 (access of mental content also to voluntary responses). This leads to a 3x3, 9-block grid, with Phenomenality on the X-axis and Access on the Y-axis. Each combination of P and A is examined for known conscious states. It is concluded that there are no known phenomenal states without at least A1 or A2 access. Neither are there states with A2 access without P2 phenomenality. At the end of the paper, Block's concept of Reflexive Consciousness is introduced tantalizingly as a third (Z) dimension for consciousness in humans.


Examination of the seabed in the waterfront of the port and under the major sea–lanes is very important in the ever expanding port ofKlaipeda. Observations of the seabed with sonar equipment are useful for archaeologists, geologists and oceanologs in looking forsank ships and larger objects lost from ships, seabed pattern and its changing. Image quality obtained using side scan sonars arestrongly influenced by the sonar tow consistency. Even small sonar disturbances caused by mechanical disturbances can greatlyaffect the extracted sonar images quality. To eliminate this problem, mechatronic and software solutions suited for efficient work inever changing environment of Baltic Sea are being developed. Vessel motion measurement system have been designed. System successfullymade the experimental measurements and tested system prototype. KEY WORDS: the harbor bottom surveys, sonar, image processing.


Gamma irradiation is used on Penicillium cyclopium in order to obtain mutant cells of high L-asparaginase productivity. Using gamma irradiation dose of 4 KGy, P. cyclopium cells yielded L-asparaginase with extracellular enzyme activity of 210.8 ± 3 U/ml, and specific activity of 752.5 ± 1.5 U/mg protein, which are 1.75 and 1.53 times, respectively, the activity of the wild strain. The enzyme was partially purified by 40-60% acetone precipitation. L-asparaginase was immobilized onto Amberlite IR-120 by ionic binding. Both free and immobilized enzymes exhibited maximum activity at pH 8 and 40 degrees C. The immobilization process improved the enzyme thermal stability significantly. The immobilized enzyme remained 100% active at temperatures up to 60 degrees C, while the free asparaginase was less tolerant to high temperatures. The immobilized enzyme was more stable at pH 9.0 for 50 min, retaining 70% of its relative activity. The maximum reaction rate (V(max)) and Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) of the free form were significantly changed after immobilization. The K(m) value for immobilized L-asparaginase was about 1.3 times higher than that of free enzyme. The ions K+, Ba2+ and Na+ showed stimulatory effect on enzyme activity with percentages of 110%, 109% and 106% respectively.


When two alternative substrates are present simultaneously in an enzyme reaction, and one is a better substrate (higher Vmax) than the other, the combined rate of the two reactions may be greater than, equal to, or less than the rate observed with the better substrate alone. At some concentration of the better substrate, the poorer substrate will appear to have no effect. On a plot of the combined velocity against the concentration of the more effective substrate, the family of curves obtained, each representing a different level of the poorer substrate, will have a common point of intersection. This phenomenon can be exploited effectively to determine whether or not a single enzyme catalyzes two similar reactions, or to determine whether or not two drugs act on the same receptor. In examining the applicability of these conclusions to more complex enzyme mechanisms, six variations of two major bi-bi (two-substrate, two-product) mechanisms have been studied. It was found that in every case, the formal theory based on the simple Michaelis-Menten mechanism holds, provided that apparent Michaelis constants are used.


This paper describes the development and application of a novel and generic framework for parsimonious soil-water interaction models to predict the risk of agro-chemical
runoff. The underpinning models represent two scales to predict runoff risk in fields and the delivery of mobilized pesticides to river channel networks. Parsimonious field and
landscape scale runoff risk models were constructed using a number of pre-computed parameters in combination with live rainfall data. The precomputed parameters included spatially-distributed historical rainfall data to determine long term average soil water content and the sensitivity of land use and soil type combinations to runoff. These were combined with real-time live rainfall data, freely available through open data portals and APIs, to determine runoff risk using SCS Curve Numbers. The rainfall data was stored to provide antecedent, current and future rainfall inputs. For the landscape scale model, the delivery risk of mobilized pesticides to the river network included intrinsic landscape factors. The application of the framework is illustrated for two case studies at field and catchment scales, covering acid herbicide at field scale and metaldehyde at landscape scale.Web tools were developed and the outputs provide spatially and temporally explicit predictions of runoff and pesticide delivery risk at 1 km2 resolution. The model parsimony reflects the driving nature of rainfall and soil saturation for runoff risk and the critical influence of both surface and drain flow connectivity for the risk of mobilized pesticide being delivered to watercourses. The novelty of this research lies in the coupling of live Comber et al. Generic Parsimonious Runoff Risk Models spatially-distributed weather data with precomputed runoff and delivery risk parameters for crop and soil types and historical rainfall trends. The generic nature of the framework supports the ability to model the runoff and field-to-channel delivery risk associated with any in-field agricultural application assuming application rate data are available.


In their 2014 article in the British Journal of Political Science, Eleanor Neff Powell and Joshua A. Tucker examine the determinants of party system volatility in post-communist Europe. Their central conclusion is that replacement volatility – volatility caused by new party entry and old party exit – is driven by long-term economic performance. This article shows that this conclusion is based entirely on a miscalculation of the long-term economic performance of a single country, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The study's reanalysis suggests that little is known about what causes party system volatility in post-communist Europe. Given the negative consequences traditionally associated with party system volatility, this area of research cries out for new theoretical development.


Objective: This study aimed to address the prevalence, the risk factors and the results of fecal carriage of extended-spectrum betalactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) in patients who had undergone transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate (TRNBP). Patients and Methods: A total of 143 patients who had undergone TRNBP were included. Of these, 33(23%) had fecal carriage of ESBL-PE. The mean age of the patients was 62 ± 7.5 (43-81) years. Results: A univariate analysis showed that quinolone or other antibiotic use within the last 2 months, prostatitis, and diabetes mellitus (DM) were significantly associated with the presence of ESBL-PE. A multivariate analysis showed that quinolone use within the past 2 months (OR: 4.865; CI: 1.45-16.1), and DM (OR: 4.04; CI: 1.64-10) were found to be significant. Development of dysuria (p<0.001), fever (p=0.046) and chills (p=0.002) after TRNBP were shown to be related to the presence of ESBL-PE . There was no asymptomatic bacteriuria and sepsis, the rate of symptomatic urinary tract infection was 19%. Conclusion: This study showed that pre-biopsy risk factors for the presence of ESBL-PE were quinolone or other antibiotic use within the last 2 months and presence of DM. Changing prophylactic regimens should not be recommended due to the low rate of severe complications.


: Recent studies indicate the accepted concept of using land-use mix (LUM) to promote physical activity is ineffective and even counteractive in the Chinese context. Before considering LUM as a whole, different amenity types need to be respectively analyzed in relation to various functions and demands. This study aims to examine the specific associations between food-related amenities and perceived daily walking duration (WD) in small Chinese cities. Two interviewer-administered questionnaire surveys ( n = 354) were conducted in Yuncheng and Suihua between 2017 and 2018. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of WD with seven different categories of food outlet at three levels of walking distance. The associations were further explored by food environment diversity and through two age groups. With the exception of caf é /tea house, the other six food outlets were positively associated with WD. After adjusting for socioeconomic variables, the associations of grocery store and supermarket weakened. Higher levels of food environment diversity were associated with a longer WD. Among the age groups, food outlets were more associated with older adults' WD. This novel quantitative study suggests that increasing the number and heterogeneity of food-related amenities (including mobile street vendors) within a neighborhood can enhance physical activity in small Chinese cities.


The present study was designed to investigate the possible effect of ciprofloxacin on blood serum enzymes activities (AST, ALT and ALP), total cholesterol, total protein, albumin and globulin as well as the histopathological changes on liver, kidney and testes. The study conducted on twelve male rabbits divided into two equal groups. G1 was administrated distilled water orally and considered as control group. G2 was given 100 mg/kg B.W/day of ciprofloxacin for 35 days orally. Blood samples were taken from animals after 35 days of treatment for biochemical analysis to estimate; total cholesterol (TC), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphates (ALP), total protein, albumin and globulin, then all animals were sacrificed, liver, kidney and testes were taken and fixed in 10% formalin for histological examination. The results showed that ciprofloxacin administration significantly (p< 0.05) increased the serum total cholesterol, AST, ALT and ALP concentration. While there were significant (P<0.05) decreased the serum level of total protein and globulin, but no significant changes was observed on the serum level of albumin. While histopathologically the liver show vacuolation of hepatocytes and congestion of central vein. The kidney display vacuolation of cortical areas and dilatation of tubules. While the testes exhibits suppression of spermatogenesis in treated animals compared with control group. These results revealed the toxic effect of ciprofloxacin on liver, kidney and testes of male rabbits.


The non-rigid motion of a driver's head (i.e. the motion of their mouth, eye-brows, cheeks, etc) can tell us a lot about their mental state; e.g. whether they are drowsy, alert, aggressive, comfortable, tense, distracted, etc. In this paper, we describe our recent research on non-rigid face tracking. In particular, we present both 2D and 3D algorithms for tracking the non-rigid motion of the driver's head using an Active Appearance Model. Both algorithms operate at over 200 frames per second. We also present algorithms for converting a 2D model into a 3D model and for fitting with occlusion and large pose variation.