Author(s): Gorenzel, W. Paul; Salmon, Terrell P.; Imai, Randy | Abstract: The use of lasers to prevent oiling of waterbirds at a spill is a new concept. Little is known about how some species that could occur at a spill would respond. The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify species that respond to the laser, 2) document the immediate response of waterbirds to the laser, 3) determine if laser treatment during the early evening reduces bird numbers over the course of a night, and 4) determine if the laser treatment has any lasting effect over the short term after treatment has ended. The study was conducted in 2 parts. In Part 1, we used 5 locations in the Sacramento Valley of California. We visited the sites at dusk from October 2007 - March 2008 and opportunistically used the laser on any birds encountered. At each test session, we recorded ambient light levels and the species and number of birds. We fired the laser, then recorded the immediacy and type of responses and the number of birds remaining. A response was considered favorable if the bird left the site. For Part 2, we used a 20-ha marsh in Woodland, Yolo County, California. The study, conducted in March 2008, was divided into 3 periods (pretreatment, treatment, and post-treatment) of 5 days each. We counted birds in the morning and at dusk each day. During the treatment period, we counted the birds at dusk, fired the laser, and then counted any remaining birds. We recorded the same information as described above for the random tests. In part 1, we tested the laser on 18 evenings and fired the laser 129 times at 2,000 birds consisting of 25 species. Overall, 1,212 (61%) birds responded favorably. High proportions of pelicans and cormorants (100%), herons and egrets (99%), geese (93%), and diving ducks (85%) responded favorably. No grebes, coots, shorebirds, gulls responded favorably. Only 10% of the dabbling ducks responded favorably to treatment. In Part 2, we fired the laser 74 times at 3,036 birds consisting of 16 species. Overall, 2,251 (74%) birds responded favorably. High proportions of herons (98%) and dabbling ducks (93%) responded favorably, but only 46% of the diving ducks responded favorably. No coots responded favorably. There was a significant decrease in bird numbers immediately after laser treatment. Bird numbers recorded the next morning were not significantly different from the levels present just before the laser treatment the evening before. There was a significant decrease of 47% in the average number of birds on the treated area from the pretreatment period (x-bar = 873.7; SD = 151.8) to the treatment period (x-bar = 463.9, SD = 171.3). Thereafter, the number of birds during the 5-day post-treatment period (x-bar = 530.8, SD = 206.6) was not significantly different from that during the treatment period. Suggestions are provided on using the laser at a spill event.


of the abdominal pain. Obviously patients who suffer from chronic headaches, from whatever cause, must be considered on their merits. In this respect it is worth mentioning that Mr. Hanna's second case of appendicitis, for which he could discover no urinary cause, developed a severe headache 12 hours after the onset of the abdominal pain (personal communication). With these provisos, however, I reaffirm that I have never encountered a true headache that coincided with the onset of the abdominal pain in a case of uncomplicated acute appendicitis.-I am, etc., St. Austell, Cornwall. D. G. WILSON CLYNE.


Foot ulceration is one of the biggest complications experienced by type 2 diabetes patients. The severity and prevention of new wounds can be overcome through early detection interventions. This systematic review aims to explain and provide a comparison of various interventions that have been developed to prevent the occurrence of Diabetes Foot Ulcers (DFU). We searched Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, CINAHL, SAGE, and ProQuest for English, experimental studies, published between 2016-2021 that tested early detection for preventing diabetic foot ulcers in diabetic patients. The Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines were used to assess eligibility, and PRISMA quality and a checklist to guide this review. 25 studies were obtained that matched the specified inclusion criteria. The entire article has an experimental study design. Majority of respondents were type 2 diabetes patients who have not experienced ulceration. Based on the results of the review, there were 3 main types of interventions used in the early detection of DFU. The types of intervention used are 1) conventional intervention/physical assessment, 2) 3D thermal camera assessment system, and 3) DFU screening instrument. The three types of interventions have advantages and disadvantages, so their use needs to be adjusted to the conditions and needs of the patient. the development of DFU risk early detection intervention needs to be developed. Integration with modern technology can also be done to increase the accuracy of the results and the ease of examination procedures.


Some questions arising in the application of the thermal model to hadron production in heavy ion collisions are studied. We do so by applying the thermal model of hadron production to particle yields calculated by the microscopic transport model RQMD(v2.3). We study the bias of incomplete information about the final hadronic state on the extraction of thermal parameters. It is found that the subset of particles measured typically in the experiments looks more thermal than the complete set of stable particles. The hadrons which show the largest deviations from thermal behaviour in RQMD(v2.3) are the multi-strange baryons and anti-baryons. We also looked on the influence of rapidity cuts on the extraction of thermal parameters and found that they lead to different thermal parameters and larger disagreement between the RQMD yields and the thermal model.


Background: Valproate (VPA) has been previously described to cause reversible cerebral atrophy and cognitive decline, but few cases are reported and neuropsychological data is lacking. We report a case of VPA induced encephalopathy in an 11-year-old girl with temporal lobe epilepsy, presenting with impaired cognition and sedation combined with cerebral atrophy.
Methods: Cognitive capacity was assessed using Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children IV (WISC), non-standardised word lists and visual reproduction. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed prior to, during and post VPA therapy.
Results: Our patient demonstrated average full-scale intelligence quotient, verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning and working memory. There was a marked discrepancy in processing speed, which ranked low average (score – 80; 9th percentile). Difficulties with mental abstraction and manipulation were noted. Brain MRI (3T) demonstrated mild generalised parenchymal atrophy. Cessation of VPA resulted in dramatic improvement in clinical symptoms (1 month after cessation) and normalisation of brain MRI (11 months after cessation). Progress neuropsychological testing 13 months after cessation showed marked improvements in processing speed.
Conclusion: This case provides an important reminder of this rare but importantly reversible syndrome with new information supporting the neuropsychological changes involved.


There is a crucial need for tools to help designing sustainable agrosystems. In this paper, we consider the issue of selecting plant species according to the ecosystem services they are likely to deliver. For that, we rely on the one hand on recent scientific results in agronomy linking functional traits (i.e., measurable characterics of plant species) to ecosystem services, and on the other hand on data collected by the research community in ecology. The architecture of our prototype is inspired by the ontology-based data access paradigm, which clearly distinguishes between the data level and the knowledge representation level, with mappings linking the two levels. Knowledge is represented in a rule langage that extends plain Datalog with computed functions and stratified negation. We detail the construction of a knowledge base devoted to vine grassing, i.e., installing herbaceous service plants in vineyards, and briefly report on the experimental evaluation of the system's results on this use case.


AIM: To compare the effectiveness of prophylactically given 0.5% Timolol maleate and 0.2% Brimonidine tartrate in controlling the increase of intraocular pressure after Nd:YAG laser iridotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 70 patients in two equal groups were studied at Department of Ophthalmology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore from 01-07-2011 to 31-12-2012. It was a Quasi-experimental study, non–probability purposive sampling was done. Group A was an experimental group which received 0.2% Brimonidine tartrate and group B was control group which received 0.5% Timolol maleate 1 hour before the laser treatment. RESULTS: In our study the mean age was calculated to be 46.38 ± 7.56 years, out of 70 patients, male patients were 54.29% (n=19) in Group-A and 60% (n=21) in Group-B, while female patients were 45.71% (n=16) in Group-A and 40% (n=14) in Group-B, mean intraocular pressure was recorded as 20.54 ± 2.43 in Group-A and 18.31 ± 2.15 in Group-B respectively, comparison of effectiveness in both groups was recorded as 34.29% (n=12) in Group-A and 71.43% (n=25) in Group-B. 65.22% (n=23) in Group-A and 28.57% (n=10) in Group-B did not show efficacy, p value was calculated as 0.002 which shows significant difference in both groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that 0.5% Timolol maleate is more effective than 0.2% Brominidine tartrate in controlling increase in intraocular pressure following Nd:YAG laser iridotomy. KEYWORDS: Intra ocular pressure, Nd:YAG laser iridotomy, 0.5% Timolol maleate, 0.2% Brimonidine tartrate.


Cumulative human impacts have led to the degradation of marine ecosystems and the
decline of biodiversity in the European and contiguous seas. Effective conservation
measures are urgently needed to reverse these trends. Conservation must entail societal
choices, underpinned by human values and worldviews that differ between the countries
bordering these seas. Social, economic and political heterogeneity adds to the challenge of
balancing conservation with sustainable use of the seas. Comprehensive macro-regional
coordination is needed to ensure effective conservation of marine ecosystems and
biodiversity of this region. Under the European Union Horizon 2020 framework programme,
the MarCons COST action aims to promote collaborative research to support marine
management, conservation planning and policy development. This will be achieved by
developing novel methods and tools to close knowledge gaps and advance marine
conservation science. This action will provide support for the development of macro-
regional and national policies through six key actions: to develop tools to analyse
cumulative human impacts; to identify critical scientific and technical gaps in conservation
efforts; to improve the resilience of the marine environment to global change and biological
invasions; to develop frameworks for integrated conservation planning across terrestrial,
freshwater, and marine environments; to coordinate marine conservation policy across
national boundaries; and to identify effective governance approaches for marine protected
area management. Achieving the objectives of these actions will facilitate the integration of
marine conservation policy into macro-regional maritime spatial planning agendas for the
European and contiguous seas, thereby offsetting the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem
services in this region.


Net energy accumulation by marine microalgae at very low photon fluxes involves modulation of several attributes related to both the growth and photosynthetic physiology of these organisms. Here we studied flash-induced oscillatory patterns in oxygen evolution by previously dark-adapted cells of the green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta (Butcher) and the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bohlin). The activity of the oxygen-evolving complex was found to be species-specific and influenced by photoacclimation. Results from measurements of oxygen flash yield obtained for these organisms grown under light-saturating conditions are directly comparable to those previously reported in the literature for other microalgae and higher plants. However, similar measurements on cells grown in low-light and/or light-starved conditions indicate an increased level of backward transitions (double misses) leading to the formation of super-reduced states (i.e. S-1 and S-2). Thus, in this communication, we present the first evidence that super-reduced states can be generated in vivo and speculate, on how they may be physiologically important.


: Sulfolane dosages that alter seizure susceptibility were determined using audiogenic (AG), pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and hippocampal afterdischarge (AD) seizure models. The presence of AG seizures and potentiation of PTZ seizures were investigated in rats injected IP with 0, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg; AD activity was assessed only at the highest and lowest dosages. The dose-dependent hypothermia associated with sulfolane treatment was controlled in Experiment I and a replication study (Experiment II) by testing under isothermic conditions. The effect of body temperature was measured directly in Experiment III by comparing AG seizure incidence and characteristics exhibited by hypothermic and normothermic animals. Audiogenic seizures were elicited in nearly half of the 800 mg/kg animals in both Experiments I and II. Sulfolane-induced hypothermia, maximal at 3 hours, partially protected against AG seizure characteristics. Potentiation of PTZ seizure severity (800 mg/kg) and duration (800 and 400 mg/kg) also were observed. None of the hippocampal AD parameters was affected significantly by sulfolane treatment. The similarity of the convulsants sulfolane and PTZ is discussed.


Abstract This study examines substance use as self-medication for emotional and physical problems. While there is evidence for and against the self-medication hypothesis, on balance, there is more support for the self-medication hypothesis. However, given several methodological concerns, the evidence is not strong as it might be. Many of the studies examining the SMH use a cross-sectional design, making it difficult to ascertain temporal relationships. In addition, many studies use very small samples, therefore limiting statistical power and generalizability. To investigate this issue, we use a large, nationally representative longitudinal sample. Data are drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (ADD Health). Multivariate analyses indicate that controlling for prior substance use, the factors of health problems, learning and physical disabilities, self-rated health and suicide ideation in adolescence have impact on the use of substances in later life young adulthood. Most, but not all, of these effects show a contribution of these adolescent health conditions on later substance abuse. Implications of these findings are discussed.


Starting with the inception of an education program and progressing through its development, implementation, delivery, and evaluation, Managing an Information Security and Privacy Awareness and Training Program, Second Edition provides authoritative coverage of nearly everything needed to create an effective training program that is compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Written by Rebecca Herold, a well-respected information security and privacy expert named one of the "Best Privacy Advisers in the World" multiple times by Computerworld magazine as well as a "Top 13 Influencer in IT Security" by IT Security Magazine, the text supplies a proven framework for creating an awareness and training program. It also: Lists the laws and associated excerpts of the specific passages that require training and awareness Contains a plethora of forms, examples, and samples in the books 22 appendices Highlights common mistakes that many organizations make Directs readers to additional resources for more specialized information Includes 250 awareness activities ideas and 42 helpful tips for trainers Complete with case studies and examples from a range of businesses and industries, this all-in-one resource provides the holistic and practical understanding needed to identify and implement the training and awareness methods best suited to, and most effective for, your organization.


Within the projects SACS (Support to Aviation Control Service) and Exupery (the mobile volcano fast response system, VFRS) SO2 total columns are retrieved from different space-borne instruments such as GOME-2, SCIAMACHY and OMI. The backward trajectory matching technique is applied to relate exceptional SO2 values to particular sources and volcanic regions. Additionally, the moment of the eruption as well as the emission and the plume height can be estimated. Dispersion modeling is applied to forecast the motion of the plume and to estimate the SO2 emissions.


The bacterial toxic mitogens or superantigens are a family of related proteins that elicit potent T cell proliferative responses. These responses require APC that express MHC class II proteins, but they are not MHC restricted and they do not depend on a processing step, presumably because these mitogens bind directly to MHC class II molecules. These mitogens stimulate T cells by interacting in an unknown way with the portion of the TCR encoded by certain V beta gene segments. In this paper, we explore the importance of MHC class II polymorphism in T cell responses to staphylococcal enterotoxins. We find that certain MHC molecules present SEB to V beta 8-bearing T cells far better than others. These data suggest that one route of host defence against bacterial toxic mitogens may be to alter MHC class II molecules so that stimulation is inhibited.


Using patient-level primary care data to estimate the extent to which antidepressant medicines are prescribed to people continuously for long periods of time.

Aim
This descriptive research used patient-level primary care data to estimate the extent to which antidepressant medicines are prescribed to people continuously for long periods of time. The study also drew on survey data and data on the number of prescriptions dispensed.

Findings
- The number of antidepressant prescriptions dispensed each year in England doubled between 2008 and 2018
- Survey data show that the proportion of adults reporting use of antidepressants in the past year increased in the 1990s, and again between 2007 and 2014
- The average length of time that antidepressants are continuously prescribed to people for has increased over time.
- Some types of antidepressants (for example, tricyclics and other antidepressants) tend to be prescribed for longer periods than other types (such as SSRIs).
- In 2014, one in twelve prescribing periods for tricyclics and other antidepressants lasted for three years or more

Methods
The analyses in this report are descriptive and show the overall prevalence of long-term prescribing in each year.

We used a sample of around 50,000 patients prescribed at least one antidepressant medicine between 2000 and 2017. This was drawn from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). The CPRD contains data about prescriptions issued by GPs (including the length and size of prescription) and characteristics of the patients prescribed to (such as their age, sex, and area where they live). Medicines were grouped for analysis into: tricyclics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and other ADMs. The length of individual prescriptions and continuous prescribing periods were derived using information on consultation dates, the quantity of tablets prescribed, and the numeric daily dose.


A panel of lectins was used to analyse glycoproteins of normal granulocytes and leukaemic myeloid cells. The glycoproteins of detergent-solubilized whole cells were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and their lectin-binding properties determined by incubation of the fixed gels with radioiodinated lectins. Normal granulocytes and leukaemic myeloid cells in different stages of maturation possess a cell-surface sialic acid-rich glycoprotein of apparent mol.wt. 115 000 (GP115), that can be labelled by both the lactoperoxidase and periodate/NaB3H4 cell-surface labelling techniques. The sialoglycoprotein of leukaemic myeloblasts has a slightly lower apparent mol.wt., 112000 (GP112). After neuraminidase treatment before cell solubilization, both GP115 and GP112 bind the lectins from Arachis hypogaea (peanut) and Helix pomatia (snail) and have an increased apparent molecular weight of 125000. Two concanavalin A-binding glycoproteins of apparent mol.wts. 98000 and 90000 are present in leukaemic myeloblasts. Concanavalin A binding to these glycoproteins is decreased in more mature leukaemic cells and absent in granulocytes. As concanavalin A binding decreases in the maturer forms, there is a concomitant increase in the binding of Ricinus communis (castor bean) and Maclura aurantiaca (osage orange) lectins to these glycoproteins. Whole granulocytes, but not leukaemic myeloblasts, contain a major cell-surface concanavalin A binding glycoprotein of apparent mol.wt. 130000, which is labelled by the periodate/NaB3H4 technique. Concanavalin A binding to this glycoprotein increases as the morphology of leukaemic cells approaches that of mature granulocytes.


Serotonin (5-HT) is a monoamine that has various functions in both neuronal and non-neuronal systems. 5-HT has been known as an anorexigenic neurotransmitter in central nervous system. However, accumulating evidences suggest that peripheral 5-HT may also affect organismal energy homeostasis. Here we demonstrate the role of adipocyte-derived 5-HT in the regulation of systemic energy metabolism. The expression of tryptophan hydroxylase-1 (Tph1), the rate-limiting enzyme for 5-HT synthesis, and tissue 5-HT level were increased in white adipose tissue (WAT) when mice were fed with high fat diet. Pharmacological inhibition of 5-HT synthesis using Tph inhibitor suppressed the lipogenesis in epididymal WAT, induced beige adipogenesis in inguinal WAT and activated the adaptive thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Adipocyte-specific Tph1 KO (Tph1 FKO) mice exhibited similar phenotypes, suggesting the localized effects of 5-HT on adipose tissues. Tph1 FKO mice showed decreased body fat mass and increased energy expenditure, resulting in improved glucose tolerance. Ucp1 expression increased in the Tph1 FKO iWAT. These data suggest important roles of adipocyte-derived 5-HT in controlling energy homeostasis. Disclosure K. Shong: None. W. Choi: None. H. Kim: None.


Technology education in the Solomon Islands is in the process of change with the curriculum being developed into a more broad technological literacy approach, comprising of technological knowledge, technological practices, and the nature of technology. This paper is based on a two-year study (2005 and 2006) with 8 secondary technology education teachers in the Solomon Islands. The first year of the research revealed that technology teachers in the Solomon Islands held narrow perspectives of technology and technology education, with views centring on narrow technical aspects. Classroom practices were teacher-dominated and authoritarian. Most teaching approaches included rote learning. A professional development programme based on the principles of teacher reflection, teacher support, and on-going professional development was undertaken. Workshop days were interspersed with classroom practice. The programme focussed on developing teachers' views of the nature of technology and learning in technology education, assisting teachers in planning for effective technology teaching and introducing the concept of assessment for effective technology learning. It impacted on teachers' perceptions and classroom practices. Changes included the teachers' perceptions of technology and technology education, the teachers' teaching documents, the teaching pedagogy, the teachers' assessment practices and the students' learning styles.


Abstract. Monoterpenes are an important class of biogenic hydrocarbons that influence ambient air quality and are a principle source of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Emitted from vegetation, monoterpenes are a product of photosynthesis and act as a response to a variety of environmental factors. Most parameterizations of monoterpene emissions are based on clear weather models that do not take into account episodic conditions that can drastically change production and release rates into the atmosphere. Here, the monoterpene dataset from the rural Thompson Farm measurement site in Durham, New Hampshire is examined in the context of a set of known severe storm events. While some storm systems had a negligible influence on ambient monoterpene mixing ratios, the average storm event increased mixing ratios by 0.59 ± 0.21 ppbv, a factor of 93% above pre-storm levels. In some events, mixing ratios reached the 10's of ppbv range and persisted overnight. These mixing ratios correspond to increases in the monoterpene emission rate, ranging from 120 to 1240 g km−2 h−1 compared to an estimated clear weather rate of 116 to 193 g km−2 h−1. Considering the regularity of storm events over most forested areas, this could be an important factor to consider when modeling global monoterpene emissions and their resulting influence on the formation of organic aerosols.


Differentiating neurones respond to extracellular signalling cues that affect the actin
cytoskeleton and influence the outgrowth and retraction of cellular processes. Rac1
belongs to the family of Rho GTPases that play a key role in actin organisation during
neuronal development. Rac1 promotes lamellipodia formation and neurite outgrowth,
and is also involved in axonal retraction pathways. α2-Chimaerin down-regulates
Rac1 and is involved in neuronal plasticity and axonal guidance through a wide
spectrum of interacting partners. The N5-glutamine methyltransferase HemK1 was
previously identified in our lab as a novel interacting partner of α2-chimaerin, in a
yeast two-hybrid screen. The aim of this study was to characterise HemK1 and
investigate its role in neurite outgrowth.
N5-glutamine methyltransferases are universally conserved in nature and little studied
in vertebrates. HemK1 and related protein HemK2 are implicated in the control of
translation termination by methylating the polypeptide chain release factors, a
modification that mediates efficient translation termination in their bacterial and yeast
homologues. Analyses of their transcript levels in rat embryonic brains by quantitative
real-time PCR indicated that both HemK1 and HemK2 are expressed at comparable
levels to α2-chimaerin in the brain and also in hippocampal neurones. HemK1
monoclonal antibodies detected an endogenous protein in brain mitochondrial
fractions, but not in cytosol. When over-expressed, HemK1 co-localised with its
proposed mitochondrial substrate mtRF1a in cells and also exhibited partial colocalisation
with Dcp1b, a component of the mRNA decay machinery. Both HemK1
and HemK2 associated with α2-chimaerin, as well as with their proposed substrates,
mtRF1a and eRF1. α2-Chimaerin influences neuronal morphology and dendritic
pruning. ShRNA knock-down of HemK1 or HemK2 in primary rat hippocampal
neurones in culture promoted increased branching and complexity of neurites as
assessed by confocal microscopy and Sholl analysis. These results suggest a novel
link between translational control mechanisms and Rac signalling pathways in
developing neurones.


A process of thought and speech control relying on the strategic use of law has emerged in Europe and the U.S. Variants of the crimes of heresy, blasphemy and vilification are regaining force as effective means of suppressing dissent through criminal offense and civil sanction. New forms of these traditionally religious offenses are being used by governments and private interests that collectively have attained a degree of power that justifies placing them in the position of a secular or religious "church" - depending on the particular interests involved. Whether through the use of direct government power or informal but well-organized private collective action, these interests are intimidating critics into silence and punishing those who will not bow to their will. Both the Left and the Right use this strategy to seize power, stifle opposition and impose sanctions on anyone who does not bow to their preferences. Controls on speech are a core part of the strategy, and this is reaching disturbing levels in Western societies. This brings us to the vilification of Brigitte Bardot and Oriana Fallaci. Brigitte Bardot wrote A Cry in the Silence to counter what she perceived as the cowardice of European society, particularly France, that produced an unwillingness even to consider what she felt were dangerous impacts of extensive immigration into France of millions of people whose values and traditions not only differed radically from those of French culture but often explicitly rejected that culture. She was criminally prosecuted, convicted and fined for her comments. Oriana Fallaci authored The Force of Reason and several other works as a clarion call following the 9/11 tragedy. Her intent was to warn about what she considered the dangers of Islam for European society. Fallaci was recently charged in Italy with the criminal offense of "vilification." As the experiences of Brigitte Bardot and Oriana Fallaci indicate, the expanding limitations on what constitutes allowable discourse in the European Union and its members augurs forebodingly for freedom of expression. This is a dangerous time in Western society. It is a moment when the desire of governments to react to the threat of militant Islam produces responses that can destroy the essence of the Rule of Law. The problem is that it is easy to justify restrictions on speech due to the crisis psychology created by the fact we are in an unofficial state of quasi-martial law unfolding within an undeclared guerrilla war. My foundational principle is unsurprising and simple. No one and no institution should be insulated from political criticism in a democratic society. A free speech advocate remarked in admittedly crude terms that, "no one is [or should be] immune from being called an [expletive deleted]." This principle of allowing and encouraging free, open and even insensitive communication is nothing new in a democratic society where the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of speech, association and religion are core values instilled in the structure of our law and deepest beliefs. Oddly - given the mounting state and private pressure against freedom of speech, thought and conscience - democratic society needs to recommit to these core values more than ever. Unfortunately, we have most likely passed the "point of no return" in the degree to which we have corrupted our social discourse through inhibition and intimidation. At a minimum we must confront the extent to which we have suppressed free speech in the name of admirable causes. We must recapture the willingness to be insulted and to "call a fool a fool" or even to be one.


We initially derived elevation changes of Geoscience Laser Altimeter System level-2 altimetry data of Lambert Glacier overlapping footprints during each mission from 2003 to 2008. Then, surface elevation changes during every two adjacent missions were interpolated using inverse distance weighted, natural neighbor, triangulated irregular network with linear method, radial basis functions and ANUDEM in ArcGIS. The best results were obtained by ANUDEM, so these data were clipped to conform to the study area boundary defined by hydrology tools. Finally, elevation changes over 10 periods were mapped. In these maps, we chose the Antarctic digital elevation model as background and used a translucent layer to mask the area outside Lambert Glacier, and then displayed elevation changes using gradient colors. Results indicate that elevation changes of the entire Lambert Glacier are not evident, particularly in the upstream area. There are a few elevation changes in some downstream areas. Elevation of the grounding zone in the southernmost Amery Ice Shelf decreased more than 2 m in 2004–2005, 2006–2007, and during 2008.


The effects of puncture of thoracic pain points on ventilatory abnormalities were studied in 17 asthmatic subjects. For the tested group (n = 8), the painful character of the points was the only criterion for the choice of puncture sites. References to classical acupuncture points were not made. The points chosen for the control group (n = 9) were in extrathoracic zones (lower limbs). VEMS was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) after puncture of thoracic pain points whereas no shift was observed after puncture in the extrathoracic zone. VC was not modified by either technique.


Abstract We examine the dynamics of a binary mixture in a cubic cell subjected to a temperature differential and oscillatory forcing. The Soret effect, which is negative in the present study, provides a coupling mechanism by which a temperature gradient establishes a concentration gradient in a mixture. We present the results of experiments that were performed on the International Space Station (ISS) and compare the observations with the results of direct numerical simulations. The evolution of temperature and concentration fields is investigated by optical digital interferometry. One advantage of the experimental technique is the observation of the fields along two perpendicular directions of the cell, allowing us to restore the three-dimensional field. Experimental evidence disproves speculations that the ISS microgravity environment always affects diffusion-controlled processes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that imposed vibrations with constant frequency and amplitude create slow mean flows and that they do influence the diffusion kinetics. The perturbation of the diffusive fields scales as the square of the vibrational velocity. In addition to calculations of the full three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations, a two-time-scale computational methodology is used for situations in which the forcing period is very small compared to the natural time scales of the problem. The simulations show excellent agreement with experimental observations.


Neuroscientific insights into learning and memory have mostly concerned input and output, but intervening processing during the time between acquisition and retrieval is also critical. Indeed, intervening memory reactivation may regulate memory longevity, and a growing body of evidence implicates sleep in changing memory storage. For example, subtle auditory stimulation can be used experimentally to selectively encourage memory reactivation during sleep, which thereby improves learning. Much remains to be elucidated about how learning depends on sleep. Nevertheless, this methodology for modifying memory storage during sleep offers new opportunities for reinforcing learning to enhance clinical outcomes in conjunction with therapies engaged during waking. A variety of such possibilities must now be carefully investigated. Likewise, brain rhythms can be entrained to enhance sleep functions, facilitating further progress in understanding the neurophysiological basis of memory processing during sleep. Ultimately, empirical evidence may reveal the extent to which the way we behave when awake is a function of what our brains do when we are asleep. Through such research efforts, an advanced understanding of memory and sleep may allow us to both make better use of our time asleep and take steps toward better health.


Intersex conditions manifest in atypical physical sex and raise important theological questions about the significance of human sex. This paper examines the significance of Jesus's sex, suggesting that Christian theologies grounded in his undisputed maleness require rethinking in light of intersex. This includes the insistence by some Christians that priests must be male and not female because Jesus was male. The paper draws on constructive Christian theologies, including that of Karl Barth, and interviews with intersex Christians. It concludes that, while all humans are irreducibly sexed, sex is a human rather than a divine attribute and that maleness is not a necessary carrier of Jesus's soterio-logical capacity. Human sex does not in itself image God, but is a channel for other divine characteristics, such as generativity and relationality, imaged in humans. Maleness is not a quality of God imaged in Jesus, so also need not be a quality of Jesus which Christian priests "represent."


Basalt underlying early Campanian chalk at Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 163 is divided into seven extrusive cooling units bounded by glassy margins. The margins have dips of 15° to 70°, suggestive of pillow flows rather than tabular flows. The margins are fresh sideromelane (glass) grading inward to opaque and reddish-brown globules containing microcrystalline material with radial, undulose extinction. Relative to adjacent sideromelane, the reddish-brown globules are enriched in sodium and calcium, whereas the opaque globules are depleted in these elements and enriched in iron and magnesium. It appears that basalt just inside the pillow margins has differentiated in place into globules of two distinct compositions. This globule zone grades inward to less rapidly cooled pyroxene varioles and intergrowths of plagioclase and opaque minerals. In the center of the thicker cooling units, the texture is diabasic. Alteration and calcite vein abundance are greatest at pillow margins and decrease inward; the interior of the thickest cooling unit is only slightly altered, and calcite veins are absent. Chemical analysis of whole rock by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and of sideromelane by electron microprobe, indicates that the rock is a slightly weathered tholeiite. The atomic absorption analyses, except the one nearest the top of the basalt, are relatively uniform and similar to the sideromelane microprobe analyses, including those near the top of the basalt. This suggests that deep penetration is not necessary to get through the severely altered layer at the basalt surface, and that within this altered layer, analyses of sideromelane may be more representative of crustal composition than analyses of whole rock.


Hepatosplenic T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare, aggressive form of NHL, with a median survival of approximately 8 months. We were able to successfully induce complete remission in a patient with alpha/beta HSTCL who was refractory to multiple prior chemotherapy regimens, using the humanized anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab (Campath). Once disease was controlled, the patient was able to undergo allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), which resulted in complete remission. Furthermore, upon relapse, we were able to re-induce complete clinical and molecular remission with donor lymphocyte infusions. At Day 655 (post-SCT), the patient remains in complete remission. These data suggest a potential role for alemtuzumab and allogeneic SCT in the treatment of T-cell NHL.


To help students develop an integrative approach to learning physiology, three learning activities are routinely used in my courses for Biology majors. First, General Models (GM; Modell 2000) are incorporated into each class. GMs help students realize that the same basic principles govern many physiological processes, for example movement of blood through the circulatory system, air through the respiratory tree and oxygen across the alveoli are each explained by Flux. On exams, students are required to note which GM they used to solve the problem. Students who correctly identified the GM gave more correct explanations than those who had not identified the GM. Second, students create a weekly summary sheet that requires them to synthesize and integrate their understanding of the week's material in a pictorial format. Third, students submit a weekly learning paragraph that address connections made between material discussed in class and their lives outside the classroom. Students found the last two learning tools helped them see the relevance and better integrate material. The Revised‐Study Process Questionnaire (R‐SPQ; Biggs et al. 2001) was used to determine if these learning strategies caused students to use a deep or superficial study approach. Seniors in the 400 level course using these three learning tools showed a significant increase in their deep approach to studying compared to age matched colleagues.


The World Health Organization (WHO) (1) has recently released reliable data about the global epidemiology of cancer. Overall, cancer is one of the most common diseases, with as many as 14 million new cases each year and accounting for over 8.8 million deaths around the globe. These notable figures are further aggravated by future projection of incidence and prevalence, wherein the total number of new cancer cases is predicted to increase by over 70% over the next 2 decades, paralleled by a similarly increasing number of deaths ( Figure 1 ). Notably, the total expenditure for cancer totaled approximates 125 billion US$ in 2010 in the United States, and is projected to increase to over 150 billion US$ in 2020. Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of death for cancer worldwide (1.69 million deaths), followed by hepatic malignancies (788,000 deaths), colorectal (774,000 deaths), gastric (754,000 deaths) and breast (571,000 deaths) cancers (2).


We propose a novel system that takes as an input body movements of a musician playing a musical instrument and generates music in an unsupervised setting. Learning to generate multi-instrumental music from videos without labeling the instruments is a challenging problem. To achieve the transformation, we built a pipeline named 'Multi-instrumentalistNet' (MI Net). At its base, the pipeline learns a discrete latent representation of various instruments music from log-spectrogram using a Vector Quantized Variational Autoencoder (VQ-VAE) with multi-band residual blocks. The pipeline is then trained along with an autoregressive prior conditioned on the musician's body keypoints movements encoded by a recurrent neural network. Joint training of the prior with the body movements encoder succeeds in the disentanglement of the music into latent features indicating the musical components and the instrumental features. The latent space results in distributions that are clustered into distinct instruments from which new music can be generated. Furthermore, the VQ-VAE architecture supports detailed music generation with additional conditioning. We show that a Midi can further condition the latent space such that the pipeline will generate the exact content of the music being played by the instrument in the video. We evaluate MI Net on two datasets containing videos of 13 instruments and obtain generated music of reasonable audio quality, easily associated with the corresponding instrument, and consistent with the music audio content.


In a previous work, we showed that an adequate choice of phase shifts introduced by defects in a laterally coupled distributed feedback laser (LC-DFB) structure can lead to improved performance. In this paper, we change that optimized structure by adding an in-plane back mirror to the structure, funneling light in only one direction into a single-mode waveguide. We show that a well designed circular grating considerably reduces lateral radiation losses in the back mirror, concentrating light in the front end of the device. We also examine the possibility of converting the in-plane emission at the front end of the device into vertical emission by placing a higher-order grating. Furthermore, we show that side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of the device can be improved by incorporating a nanotaper.


INTRODUCTION
Nurse-Administered Propofol Continuous Infusion Sedation (NAPCIS) is a new nonanesthesia propofol delivery method for gastrointestinal endoscopy. NAPCIS is adopted from the computer-assisted propofol sedation (CAPS) protocol. We evaluated the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of NAPCIS in low-risk subjects.

METHODS
Between December 2016 and July 2017, patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy with NAPCIS at our center were compared against 2 historical control groups of similar patients who had undergone procedures with CAPS or midazolam and fentanyl (MF) sedation.

RESULTS
The mean age of the NAPCIS cohort (N = 3,331) was 55.2 years (45.8% male) for 945 esophagogastroduodenoscopies and 57.8 years (48.7% male) for 2,386 colonoscopies. The procedural success rates with NAPCIS were high (99.1%-99.2%) and similar to those seen in 3,603 CAPS (98.8%-99.0%) and 3,809 MF (99.0%-99.3%) controls. NAPCIS recovery times were shorter than both CAPS and MF (24.8 vs 31.7 and 52.4 minutes, respectively; P < 0.001). On arrival at the recovery unit, 86.6% of NAPCIS subjects were recorded as "Awake" compared with 82.8% of CAPS and 40.8% of MF controls (P < 0.001). Validated clinician and patient satisfaction scores were generally higher for NAPCIS compared with CAPS and MF subjects. For NAPCIS, there were only 4 cases of oxygen desaturation requiring transient mask ventilation and no serious sedation-related complications. These low complication rates were similar to those seen with CAPS (8 cases of mask ventilation) and MF (3 cases).

DISCUSSION
NAPCIS seems to be a safe, effective, and efficient means of providing moderate sedation for upper endoscopy and colonoscopy in low-risk patients.


This study deals with the fabrication of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers via an electrospinning process followed by stabilizing and carbonization in order to remove all non-carboneous matter and ensure a pure carboneous material. The as-spun PAN fibers were stabilized in air at 270°C for one hour and then carbonized at 750, 850, and 950°C in an inert atmosphere (argon) for another one hour. Differential scanning calorimetry and Raman spectroscopy were employed to determine the thermal and chemical properties of PAN. Surface features and morphologies of PAN-derived carbon nanofibers were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM micrograms showed that fiber diameters were reduced after carbonization due to evolution of toxic gases and dehydrogenation. The Raman spectra of carbonized fibers manifested D/G peaks. The Raman spectroscopy peaks of 1100 and 500 cm-1 manifested the formation of γ phase and another peak at 900 cm-1 manifested the formation of α-phase. The water contact angle measurement of carbonized PAN fibers indicated that the nanofibers were superhydrophobic (θ > 150o) due to the formation of bumpy and pitted surface after carbonization. In DSC experiment, the stabilized fibers showed a broad exothermic peak at 308°C due to cyclization process. The mechanical andThermal analysis was used to ascertain mechanical properties of carbonized PAN fibers. PAN-derived carbon nanofibers possess excellent physica and mechanical properties and therefore, they may be suitable for many industrial applications such as energy, biomedical, and aerospace.


The paper presents investigation results of tribological and cutting properties of the coatings deposited with the PVD and CVD techniques on cutting inserts made from the Al2O3 + TiC tool ceramics. Tests were carried out on the inserts made from ceramics, uncoated and PVD or CVD-coated with gradient, mono-, multilayer and multicomponent hard wear resistant coatings composed of TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, TiAlSiN and Al2O3 layers. Substrate hardness tests and micro hardness tests of the deposited coatings were made on the ultra-micro-hardness tester. It was demonstrated, basing on the technological cutting tests of grey cast iron (260 HB), that putting down onto the tool ceramics the thin anti-wear PVD and CVD coatings increases their abrasion wear resistance, which has a direct effect on extending tool life of the cutting edge.


Cannibalism in cultured Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Percidae)—Implication of maternal influence, kinship, and sex ratio of progenies. Acta Ichthyol. Piscat. 45 (1): 65–73. Background. Intra cohort cannibalism is one of the main factors that affects the growth and survival of cultured fishes, especially in the larval and juvenile stages. Cannibalism is mainly influenced by extrinsic factors, but intrinsic effects cannot be excluded. As regards the family Percidae, all-female rearing can be advantageous for the fish growth, but does this solution have some impact on cannibalism? The main objective of this study was to investigate potential differences in cannibalism rate and its relation to further growth and survival between mixed-sex and all-female Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758, larvae reared in full-siblings and half-siblings groups. The additional purpose of this study was to determine whether there was some maternal influence on the cannibalism–survival–growth dynamics in cultured Eurasian perch larvae. Cannibalism, survival, and studied in mixed-sex and all-female progenies of Eurasian perch larvae. Ten-day old larvae (body of 20 mg) from the crosses of four parents (two females: f1 and f2; one male: ma; and one neomale: mc) over 77 22°C under light regime of 16 : 8 (light : dark) in replicated groups consisting of mixed-sex full siblings f2ma), all-female full siblings (f1mc, f2mc), or mixed-sex half-siblings (f1ma + f2ma) and all-female groups (f1mc + f2mc). Results. At the end of the experiment, there was no sexual growth dimorphism and no sex-biased cannibalism. Neither the effect of sibling versus half-sibling groups, nor effects of normal progeny versus all-female population on survival and cannibalism rate were significant. By contrast, maternal effects on cannibalism were observed, chiefly as regards type I cannibalism (partial and tail-first ingestion), and they impacted on survival, as mortality from other causes (complete cannibalism or others) was independent from maternal origin. Conclusion. There is no particular disadvantage of rearing monosex female progenies in term of cannibalism and survival, whereas this culture-management solution is prone to produce long-term advantages for the perch growth, owing to the faster growth of female fish.


Based on an existing database, we explored childhood experiences that differentiated men who became delinquent or involved in substance abuse from those who did not (referred to as resilient) despite growing up in equally adverse circumstances, among a sub sample of men (n=168) included in a previous study on delinquency in five different cities in Colombia. The findings show that resilient men tend to perceive their caregiver as affectionate, available when needed, aware of their whereabouts and able to solve problems on their own more often than men who became delinquent or involved in substance abuse. They were also exposed to less physical abuse and family conflict. These findings appear to be independent of economic status (based on head of the household's occupation level), mother's level of education, mother's age at time of birth, percentage identifying the mother as primary caregiver, percentage born into single parent households, number of siblings, birth order, parental antecedents of crime or alcohol abuse or separations from parents. Although political and social reforms are necessary to guarantee appropriate living conditions equally for all, until these occur, other prevention strategies based on these findings are suggested such as empowering parents, improving the quality of parent-child interactions and mentors.


Experimental results of gas hold-up, power consumption and residence time of gas bubbles in a gas-solid-liquid system produced in an agitated vessel equipped with a high-speed impeller and a vertical tubular coil are presented in this paper. Critical agitator speed, needed for the dispersion of gas bubbles and solid particles in liquid were also identified. The studies were carried out in an agitated vessel of the inner diameter D = 0.634 m and the working liquid volume of about 0.2 m3. A tubular coil of the diameter of 0.7D, consisting of 24 vertical tubes of the diameter of 0.016D, was located inside the flat-bottomed vessel. The agitated vessel was equipped with a Rushton turbine with six blades or an A 315 impeller with four blades. Both impellers had diameter, d, equal to 0.33D. The vessel was filled with liquid up to the height H = D. In this study, air and particles of sea sand with the mean diameter of 335 μm and the concentration of up to 3.0 mass % were dispersed in distilled water as the liquid phase. The measurements were carried out within the turbulent regime of the fluid flow in the agitated vessel. Results of the measurements were processed graphically and mathematically. Lower values of the critical agitator speed, nJSG, needed for simultaneous dispersion of gas bubbles and particles with the solids concentration from 0.5 mass % to 2 mass %, were obtained for the vessel equipped with the A 315 impeller. Higher values of the specific power consumption were reached for the vessel with the Rushton turbine. Higher values of the gas hold-up and residence time of the gas bubbles in the fluid were obtained for the system equipped with the Rushton turbine. Results of the gas hold-up as a function of the specific power consumption, superficial gas velocity and solids concentration were approximated with good accuracy using Eq. (5).


The GP fundholding scheme was introduced as part of the Conservative government's 1991 NHS reforms and abolished by the Labour government in 1998. There was no systematic evaluation of the effects of the GP fundholding scheme. Despite this, many politicians, policy commentators and health care professionals maintained campaigns to discredit and to abolish GP fundholding. This paper argues that a form of folk psychology rather than any evidence drove views about the scheme and subsequent policy changes. The result of this trend in health care policy-making is that there are no means of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the policy initiatives that are introduced, or determining what elements of existing policies should be incorporated into future schemes.


This study presents an empirical method of modeling the nonnegativity of dependent variables using truncated logistic and normal disturbance distributions. The method is applied in estimating a ranch land hedonic price function. Results show that the degree of truncation is significant.


Development of a Numerical Model of a Two-Dimensional Inertial Gas Separator Henry Z Graham IV The separation of gases is required for a variety of applications such as purification for industrial processes, natural gas production, isotope formation, etc. Gas separation is a costly expenditure for businesses, so new and improved methods are being continuously investigated. Separation techniques related to the method in this thesis are diffusion separators such as mechanical centrifuges, vortexes and the use of shock waves to cause the separation based on the molecular weight of the different gases. These methods and others are constantly being investigated and improved to increase their effectiveness. The purpose of this thesis was to determine if the design of a supersonic gas separator in Figure 1 can be modeled using a numerical computer program to accurately model the device. This thesis will strictly be concerned with the gas dynamics aspects of this device and not the diffusive separation aspects. The design was modeled using a CFD (computational fluid dynamics) program called Fluent which was then compared to analytic results to verify the Fluent results. The program was run using air and the pressure differences of the gas were varied by adjusting the inlet and outlet pressures in the model. This was done to achieve different speeds of the flow which is the main force driving the gas separation. The physical effects such as gas speed, temperature, and pressure in the device are computed numerically by Fluent. These results are then compared to those from an analytic model previous work in literature to gain a better understanding of the effects of the device. Figure 1: Full Model of Gas Separator The results from the Fluent cases correlated to the analytic results. When the downstream pressure was dropped below 30% of the stagnation pressure, the supersonic expansion fan was able to attach to the first skimmer and began the formation of a supersonic beam. This caused the skimmer to not act as a sonic throat when the supersonic inner core of the barrel shock that was formed in the first chamber maintained its velocity through the skimmer throat. The formation of a supersonic beam at lower pressure ratios corresponds to results found in literature, and the converging-diverging nozzle aspects of the device at higher pressure ratios also corresponds to compressible gas theory.


Two experiments investigated the degree to which properties of a word presented in the parafovea influenced the time to process a word undergoing concurrent foveal inspection. In Experiment 1, subjects viewed a set of five-letter words at a fixed point, with words in parafoveal vision varying in length, word frequency, and both the type and token frequency of occurrence of their initial three letters. The results showed that the frequency of the target and the type frequency of its initial letters influenced foveal fixation time. In Experiment 2, subjects executed a sequence of saccades before initial fixation on the experimental items. Under these circumstances, fixation time was shorter overall. Lexical properties of parafoveal words had no effect on foveal processing, but the length and the type frequency of their initial letters exerted a strong influence. Parafoveal-on-foveal effects of this form are incompatible with models of reading in which attention is allocated sequentially to successive words. The data are more consistent with the proposition that foveal and parafoveal processing occurs in parallel, with processing distributed over a region larger than a single word. Subsidiary analyses showed little influence of any of the manipulated variables on saccade extent.


Objectives To control and prevent the burdens associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), Taiwan's National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) launched the 'early-CKD programme' in 2011 to extend care and education to patients with CKD. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the early-CKD programme in terms of continuity of care (COC). Design and participants This study used secondary data from 2010 to 2014 provided by the NHIA to identify 86 581 participants each for the intervention and control groups. Patients with CKD who participated in the early-CKD programme between 2011 and 2013 were defined as the intervention group. For the control group, propensity score matching was used to select patients with CKD who did not participate in the programme, but were seen by the same group of physicians. Intervention A multidisciplinary care model for patients with early CKD launched in 2011. Primary outcome measures Outcome variables included the continuity of care index (COCI), which measures a physician's COC; number of essential examinations; and resource utilisation. To better identify the difference between groups, we separated COCI into two groups based on mean: high (above mean) and low (below mean). A generalised estimating equation model was used to examine the effects of the early-CKD programme. Results The programme significantly increased the number of essential examinations/tests administered to patients (β=0.61, p<0.001) and improved COCI between physicians and patients (OR=4.18, p<0.001). Medical expenses (β=1.03, p<0.001) and medication expenses (β=0.23, p<0.001) significantly increased after the programme was implemented, but patients' kidney-related hospitalisations and emergency department visits decreased (β=−0.13, p<0.001). Conclusion From the COC viewpoint, the programme in Taiwan showed a positive effect on COCI, number of essential examinations and resource utilisation.


The distribution and exchangeability of calcium within subcellular compartments of rat pancreatic islet cells was determined in pulse-chase experiments following isotopic labelling with 45Ca2+. In unstimulated islets the mitochondrial fraction showed the greatest, and the insulin secretory granule fraction the least, uptake of 45Ca2+; subsequently the rate of loss from each compartment during 120 min was in the order mitochondrial greater than microsomal greater than secretory granule fraction. On exposure to D-glucose, 16.8 mM, the 45Ca labelling of all 3 subcellular compartments was increased after 5 and 30 min stimulation. In contrast, theophylline 10 mM caused a significant decrease in mitochondrial 45Ca content with little effect on other compartments. These results are discussed in relation to the importance of calcium disposition, exchangeability, and mobility for the initiation and control of insulin secretion.


Aluminium-silicon alloys in the composition range 12 to 16 wt.% silicon have been frozen unidirectionally over a range of rates from ca. 0.3 to 30 μm/s and with imposed temperature gradients ranging from 0.35 to ca. 40°C/mm. The detailed morphology and crystallography of silicon in these alloys are described and the various structures are rationalized in terms of the variables, composition, freezing rate and temperature gradient. Three growth processes are distinguished in which (A) massive silicon crystals grow at a planar aluminium front by a relatively long range diffusion process; (B) short range diffusion occurs at the growth front between silicon crystals which develop a preferred <100> fibre texture; and (C) silicon crystals are more or less heavily twinned and grow by steady or fluctuating short-range diffusion processes. There do not appear to be any preferred epitaxial orientations between the phases. Similarities are noted between the microstructures of eutectic alloys in the systems Al-Si and Ag-Si, and it is shown that in chilled or 'modified' alloys the silicon occurs in an irregular fibrous form rather than as isolated globules. The mechanisms are discussed for (I) the growth kinetics of silicon, (II) the transition from a long-range to a short-range diffusion process, (III) steady-state, and (IV) non-steady-state growth processes, and (V) repeated nucleation of silicon crystals from the liquid.


Gaucher disease is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by deficiency of beta-glucosidase that would lead to the accumulation of glucosylceramide mainly in cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system causing systemic effectations. We present a patient of twenty years who is suffering from chronic pain in the left hypochondrium with episodes of bleeding for 3 years and sensation of thermal rise, physical examination revealed jaundice and massive splenomegaly, without neurological involvement. Severe osteoporosis, pancytopenia, and the presence of portal vein thrombosis with cavernomatous transformation complicated by portal biliopathy simulating a klatskin tumor, marrow and enzymatic studies were compatible with Gaucher disease, were shown as unexpected findings. he received treatment with imiglucerase, following up. It is a rare case, of great interest, heterogeneity in its clinical manifestations and unpublished by its complication, constituting a challenge to reach its diagnosis of this orphan disease.


Encapsulating well-defined nanoparticles (NPs) into ZIF-8 to form core–shell structures not only can minimize the drawbacks and maximize the advantages of the disparate components but also may provide synergistic functionality. This work presents novel one-pot synthetic methods to produce Fe3O4@ZIF-8 NPs. Moreover, the morphology of Fe3O4@ZIF-8 NPs can be easily controlled by changing the synthesis conditions (time, temperature, and dosage). The as-obtained Fe3O4@ZIF-8 NPs have good dispersibility and a large specific surface area and they are proven to have potential applications as drug delivery models with good biocompatibility, high drug loading and good pH responsiveness.


This investigation concerns the transition pathway of the condensation phase transition. Under certain conditions condensation is initiated by nucleation events, which are driven by fluctuations or instabilities in the vapour phase. This involves the spontaneous formation of groups of particles, which we refer to as clusters. The clusters have a highly unstable nature and exist momentarily, before breaking up. This makes them difficult to study experimentally and model mathematically, in comparison to larger more stable systems. The aim of this study is to explore the stability of these tiny molecular clusters that exist momentarily within their environment, in terms of the time taken for the cluster to lose particles (decay). To do this we employ a microscopic cluster model of n-nonane molecules in which the cluster is treated in isolation from the vapour particles that would normally surround it. The interactions between cluster particles are modelled using empirical potentials. The cluster's dynamics is modelled using deterministic molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations generate a time evolved trajectory of all the positions, velocities and forces of all the atoms in the cluster. The process of cluster decay in n-nonane clusters is modelled using a Langevin interpretation of the decay mechanism. This treatment views cluster decay as a process of single particle escape from a confining potential of mean force, driven by a particle's interactions with the surrounding cluster particles. The motion of a cluster particle is modelled using a Langevin equation, which is parameterised using the MD generated data in order to extract the decay related parameters. The decay parameters are used to evaluate an Arrhenius type equation for the kinetic decay rate. This is used to calculate the mean timescale of cluster decay for n-nonane clusters, which we refer to as the mean cluster lifetime. We compare the dynamically generated lifetimes calculated from the model to those predicted by experimental measurements, as well as classically derived lifetimes. We discover the dynamical model predicts lifetimes that compare well to experimental predictions. The cluster decay model allows us to predict cluster decay timescales without decay events actually occurring. This makes it an essential tool for systems with long decay timescales, for which decay events can not be feasibly observed through MD simulations alone. Finally, the last chapter presents recent work that has been conducted on ice cluster embryos. The ice embryos emerge during the freezing transition of supercooled water into ice I. Unlike the previous method of treating clusters in isolation from their surroundings, this study involves the treatment of ice clusters in coexistence with their environment. We utilise a molecular dynamics trajectory of supercooled water freezing into ice, which is used to identify and extract ice cluster embryos. It is evident from the MD simulations that at the initial stages of freezing the clusters are very amorphous and disordered. We investigate cluster properties such as the size distribution and molecular connectivity, and explore whether we are able to quantify the potential of mean force in order to estimate the mean lifetime of disordered ice cluster embryos.


In this paper we present an adaptive meshing technique suitable for steady state finite element (FE) based thermal analysis of integrated circuits (ICs). The algorithm presented is a non iterative one where the technology used is first pre-characterized. The characterization results are then used for scanning the layout to detect high power regions then fine meshing them. Finally, the analysis is done only once. This makes it faster than conventional iterative adaptive meshing methods. The algorithm results showed comparable accuracy and better performance when compared to the flux based (iterative) and the power aware (non iterative) algorithms.


In industrialized countries, Mycobacterium avium complex and other nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are major causes of opportunistic infection-related deaths in HIV patients. However, in resource-limited regions, data on NTM are scarce, and tuberculosis (TB) was often assumed to be the cause of death in HIV patients with a positive acid-fast smear. We searched MEDLINE and Embase databases for studies on autopsied HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa published between January 1997 and April 2020. We included studies that reported histopathological or microbiological evidences for diagnosis of TB and NTM infection. We excluded articles without mycobacterial evidence from culture or molecular testing, such as those that used verbal autopsy, death certificates, or national registry data (systematic review registration number: CRD42019129836 at PROSPERO). We included six eligible studies that reported 391 autopsies in sub-Saharan African HIV patients. The prevalence of NTM and TB at autopsy ranged from 1.3% to 27.3% and 11.8% to 48.7%, respectively. The weighted prevalence ratio of NTM versus TB was 0.16 indicating that for every seven HIV patients died with mycobacterial infections, there was one died with NTM infection. Of the 13 NTM infections, six were caused by M. avium complex. Mycobacterium avium complex and other NTM infections are important differential diagnoses of TB at the time of death among HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa. Our findings highlight the need to systematically survey the prevalence of NTM infections among HIV patients seeking medical care in resource-limited regions.


Since the inception of internal combustion engine, there has been a continual strive to
improve its efficiency and refinement. Until very recently, the developments in this regard
have been largely based on an experiential basis, or backed by analytical investigations,
confined to particular features of the engines. This has been due to lack of computational
power, and analysis tools of an integrative nature. In recent years enhanced computing power
has meant that complex models, chiefly based on multi-body dynamics could be developed,
and further enhanced by the inclusion of component flexibility in the form of structural
modes, obtained through finite element analysis. This approach has enabled study of
dynamics/vibration response of engines in a more quantitative manner than hitherto possible.
Structural integrity issues, as well as noise and vibration (refinement) can then be studied in
an integrated manner. However, earlier models still lack sufficient detail to include, within
the same analysis, issues related to efficiency, chiefly prediction of parasitic losses due to
mechanical imbalance and friction. [Continues.]


The migrating fluid-mineral interface provides an opportunity for the uptake of trace elements as solid solutions in the newly formed crystal lattice during the non-equilibrium growth of the crystal. However, mineral nanoparticles could precipitate directly from the interfacial fluid when it evolves to a supersaturated situation. To better understand the role of mineral nanoparticles in this scenario, this study focuses on a well-documented magnetite with oscillatory zoning from a skarn deposit by using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our results show that the Al concentration in magnetite measured on a micrometer-scale is caused by three different effects: Al solid solution, Al-rich nanometer-sized lamellae, and zinc spinel nanoparticles in the host magnetite. Here, we propose a genetic relationship among the three different phases mentioned above. At first, a continuous increase of the Al concentration in the interfacial fluid can be incorporated into the crystal lattice of magnetite forming a solid solution. During cooling in a later stage, aluminum in magnetite is oversaturated and exsolution of hercynite (Al-rich lamellae) occurs from the host magnetite. If the Al concentration at the fluid-magnetite interface still increases during further growth of magnetite, the substitution of Fe by Al has gradually reached saturation so that aluminum cannot be incorporated in the magnetite crystal structure any longer. Using the magnetite lattice as a template, nucleation of abundant zinc spinel nanoparticles occurs. This will, in turn, lead to a gradual depletion of Al concentration in the interfacial fluid until the available ions for zinc spinel nucleation and growth have been used up. As a result, the migrating fluid-magnetite interface will enrich the Al concentration in the interfacial fluid until the available ion concentration is sufficient for nucleation of zinc spinel phase again. The fluid-mineral interface in this mechanism has been repeatedly utilized during crystal growth, providing an efficient way for the uptake of trace element from a related undersaturated bulk fluid.


An eighteenth-century historian compared the vestiges of San Cristóbal, an early sixteenth-century chapel on a hillside in Puebla, to the Areopagus of Athens: "a circle of seats in the open air ." In 1591, San Cristóbal was known as an iglesia catedral , a teaching chapel . These descriptive terms provide insight into the earliest structures built by the Franciscans to provide Christian educa-tion . They derived their form from classical, mudéjar, and Mesoamerican architectural models . The influence of the Italian Renaissance on pedagogy in Spain and the emphasis on the power of rhetoric also had a profound effect on the chapel builders . The iglesia catedral, configured to amplify the spoken word in the open air, later became a stage for the Mass and for dramatic performances . This paper investigates the innovations that developed around this teaching theater that were then incorporated into monastery complexes throughout Mesoamerica .


Sensor network has experienced world-wide explosive interests in recent years. It combines the technology of modern microelectronic sensors, embedded computational processing systems, and modern computer and wireless networking methodologies. In this overview paper, we first provide some rationales for the growth of sensor networking. Then we discuss various basic concepts and hardware issues. Four basic application cases in the US. National Science Foundation funded Ceneter for Embedded Networked Sensing program at UCLA are presented. Finally, six challenging issues in sensor networks are discussed. Numerous references including relevant papers, books, and conferences that have appeared in recent years are given.


Policy analysis matrix (PAM) was applied to assess the competitiveness of local, crossbred and exotic breeds of poultry and pig production in North and South Vietnam using data from a stratified sample of 2,213 farms collected in 1999. Results show that poultry meat and egg production is generally competitive except meat and egg production with local breeds, and egg production with crossbreeds in the North, and egg production with local breeds in the South, due to low productivity and high per unit cost. There are economies of scale in the North but it is not so clear in the South. Domestic prices of both outputs and inputs are higher than the world prices. If output prices fall moderately due to withdrawal of protective policies and domestic demand slows down from the current high levels, poultry breeds that are profitable under the existing situation would still remain competitive. Pig production under existing technologies and market conditions is highly competitive, especially with local and crossbreeds in the North and exotic breeds in the South. Currently the producers in the South are apparently benefiting more due to market conditions and policy that make input cost higher and output price lower in the North. There are economies of scale in pig production. Medium farms are more cost effective, and small farms are least competitive. Unless targeted support is provided to small farms, they are likely to be pushed out of business in a more liberalized economic environment.


The article provides a review of approaches and methods used by Russian and foreign authors for solving tasks of increasing reliability and failure robustness of information systems (IS) and hardware and software complexes. The methods of organizing complex expert examinations (МОСEE) are described and the possibility and necessity of МОСEE combined application for analyzing reliability and failure robustness of IS, their components and hardware and software complexes are proven. The following methods and models were used to perform a comprehensive assessment: PATTERN methodology, G.S. Pospelov's method of solving matrices, models based on the information approach of А. А. Denisov. A number of modifications of the above МОСEE is offered; methodology of system analysis for solving a task of assessing reliability of information system and its components has been developed; a conceptual model of methodology of developing new solutions in the field of IS and IT has been built.


Every state in Africa is at least a member of one community, but the contribution of their integration to the welfare is not weighty. This research assessed the contribution of EAC to Rwanda traders "welfare and was carried out in Rwandan cement traders, due to the highest cost of cement in the EAC region (US$300/ ton); the main objective of this research was to assess relationship between East Africa Community integration and Rwanda traders" welfare. The specific objectives were to optimize the different factors facilitate region members in trading on the basis of optimal price and quantity demand of cement, to assess the different approaches used by region members to achieve their goals regarding trading and then, to establish the correlation of regional trade integration and Rwanda traders" welfare using price of cement in Rwanda and aggregate quantity demand of cement in the regional members. The findings of this study is important for different users especially Rwanda traders". This researcher focused on the period scope of 2001 to 2013.The researcher reviewed literature related to regional integration, welfare and the contribution of regional integration to trade in the region, whereby the study focused on East Africa community. The critical review of existing literature to identify the gap that was bridged by the research was also done. The conceptual; framework showing the relationship between dependent and independent variables was presented together with the factors that intervene from the environment. The research designed that, the researcher used both descriptive statistics, correlation and regression model, where analytical based on qualitative and quantitative data. Expert judgment was used to determine the validity while Cranach alpha coefficient (0.862) was used to determine reliability of research instruments. Qualitative, quantitative data using linear regression analysis were employed. The total population was 418 people from MINEAC and Rwanda cement traders with the selected sample size of 81 obtained using Morgan's sampling formula with 90% confidence interval and 10% error of precision. The researcher collected data using questionnaires and unstructured interviews for primary data and documentary review for secondary data. The collected data were presented using tables, figures and equations, while statistical methods were used to ascertain the percentages and frequencies upon which analysis and interpretation were based. The researcher found positive and low relationship (r = 0.402) between EAC integration and Rwandan traders" welfare using primary data. The researcher suggested the optimal price of cement in Rwanda using regression model, where he found that optimal price of cement should be US$199.12 per ton. This research also recommended Rwandan cement traders, Government of Rwanda, EAC members and other researchers.


THE SLEEP pattern of 21 psychiatric inpatients diagnosed as suffering from depression was compared with that of a control group. The differences between the two groups have been described in detail elsewhere. 1 The depressed patients had less actual sleep, stage 4 sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep; and more awake and drowsy time. They took longer to become drowsy and to fall asleep and awoke significantly earlier in the morning. They had more spontaneous awakenings (especially from stages 1, REM, and 2 sleep). The disturbances were maximal in the last third of the night. The 21 depressed patients constituted a mixed group. The variables included severity and duration of the illness, therapy, age, psychotic-neurotic features, etc. It has been suggested that the nature of the sleep disturbance present in a particular depressed patient may be a consequence of severity, 2 the


Spatially extended halos of H i Lyα emission are now ubiquitously found around high-redshift star-forming galaxies. But our understanding of the nature and powering mechanisms of these halos is still hampered by the complex radiative transfer effects of the Lyα line and limited angular resolution. In this paper, we present resolved Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) observations of SGAS J122651.3+215220, a strongly lensed pair of L* galaxies at z = 2.92 embedded in a Lyα halo of L Lyα = (6.2 ± 1.3) × 1042 erg s−1. Globally, the system shows a line profile that is markedly asymmetric and redshifted, but its width and peak shift vary significantly across the halo. By fitting the spatially binned Lyα spectra with a collection of radiative transfer galactic wind models, we infer a mean outflow expansion velocity of ≈211 km s−1, with higher values preferentially found on both sides of the system's major axis. The velocity of the outflow is validated with the blueshift of low-ionization metal absorption lines in the spectra of the central galaxies. We also identify a faint (M 1500 ≈ −16.7) companion detected in both Lyα and the continuum, whose properties are in agreement with a predicted population of satellite galaxies that contribute to the extended Lyα emission. Finally, we briefly discuss the impact of the interaction between the central galaxies on the properties of the halo and the possibility of in situ fluorescent Lyα production.


Background Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a major public health threat that disproportionately affects low-and-middle income countries. As a response to this escalating public health problem, Bloomberg Philanthropies initiated the Global Road Safety Program to help ten low-and-middle-income cities implement evidence-based road safety interventions. This five-year project (2015–2019) is carried out by a consortium of partners with an overall goal of reducing the burden of road traffic injuries and fatalities in the targeted cities. Description This panel will focus on the key lessons learned from the first year of the Global Road Safety Program. Emphasis will be placed on how research can be used to inform practice. Session chair Dr. Adnan A Hyder, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, USA Talk 1: Monitoring and Evaluation - Dr. Abdulgafoor M Bachani, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, USA Abstract: This talk will discuss the process and activities involved in the development of road safety risk factor data collection infrastructure in low-and-middle-income cities. It will also draw attention to the need for continuous assessment of program rollout to order to ensure effective implementation. Talk 2: Enhancing Enforcement - Gayle Dipietro, Global Road Safety Partnership, Switzerland. Abstract: This talk will focus on lessons learned from engaging with and training of traffic police on road safety laws. This presentation will also shed light on the importance of data led enforcement. Talk 3: Strengthening Road Safety Legislation - Dr. Margie Peden, World Health Organization, Switzerland. Abstract: This talk will present the challenges and opportunities associated with strengthening and changing of road safety legislations in low-and-middle-income settings. It will also highlight the role research can play in this process. Discussion and Q&A The session will end with a discussion on the implications of these lessons to the implementation of other road safety projects in low-and-middle-income settings.


This paper proposes two new estimators, one for mobile velocities and one for the direction of movement in mobile-to-mobile (M-to-M) wireless fading channels. First, we propose a new crossing-based estimator that jointly estimates the velocities of both the transmitter and the receiver in M-to-M communications. Then, using the velocities estimator, we derive a new correlation-based estimator for the relative direction of movement of the transmitter and the receiver. The proposed estimators are designed for narrow-band wireless M-to-M communications. They are evaluated through extensive computer simulations, and the results show that the proposed algorithms provide very good estimation accuracy and perform well in the presence of nonisotropic scattering, line-of-sight (LoS) propagation, and Gaussian noise.


The present research examined gratitude in the UK, contrasted features of gratitude with those identified in the USA, and explored whether gratitude is associated with virtue. In three studies, we demonstrated that gratitude is prototypically organized; that there are cross-cultural differences between UK and US descriptions of gratitude; and that judgments of gratitude are closely related to judgments of virtue. Study 1 demonstrated that the frequencies of negative attributes are considerably greater in the UK than in the USA. We suggest that gratitude has a common core with culturally ubiquitous features, but also socially constructed elements specific to individual cultures. Study 2 noted discrepancies between centrality and frequency ratings. We propose that prototype analyses should consider both intuitive frequency ratings and the deliberative processes involved in assessing centrality. In Study 3, we noted a significant correlation between judgments of gratitude and judgments of virtue, suggesting the two are intrinsically linked.


It is well established that patients with non-insulindependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) are resistant to insulin. However, the contribution of hepatic and extrahepatic tissues to insulin resistance remains controversial. The uncertainty may be at least in part due to errors introduced by the unknowing use in previous studies of impure isotopes to measure glucose turnover. To determine hepatic and extrahepatic responses to insulin in the absence of these errors, steady-state glucose turnover was measured simultaneously with [6-3H]- and [6-14C]glucose during sequential 5- and 4-h infusions of insulin at rates of 0.4 and 10 mil · kg−1 · min−1 in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. At low insulin concentrations, [6-3H]- and [6-14C]glucose gave similar estimates of glucose turnover. Hepatic glucose release was equal to but not below zero in the nondiabetic subjects, but persistent glucose release (P < 0.001) and decreased glucose uptake (P < 0.001) was observed in the diabetic patients. At high insulin concentrations, both isotopes underestimated glucose turnover during the 1st h after initiation of the highdose insulin infusion. More time (P < 0.05) was required to reachieve steady state in NIDDM than nondiabetic subjects. At steady state, [6-3H] but not [6-14C]glucose systematically underestimated (P < 0.05) glucose turnover in both groups due to the presence of a tritiated nonglucose contaminant. The percentage of radioactivity in plasma due to tritiated contaminants was linearly related to turnover. When plasma [6-3H]glucose specific activity was corrected for the presence of the contaminant in each subject, both [6-3H]- and [6-14C]glucose indicated that diabetic patients had hepatic and extrahepatic insulin resistance. We conclude that in these experiments, although the presence of a low percentage of tritiated nonglucose contaminant in the tracer may alter estimates of the severity of hepatic and extrahepatic insulin resistance in patients with NIDDM, it does not obscure their presence


ABSTRACT The molecular motor myosin I is required for hyphal growth in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Specific myosin I functions were investigated by a deletion analysis of five neck and tail regions. Hyphal formation requires both the TH1 region and the IQ motifs. The TH2 region is important for optimal hyphal growth. All of the regions, except for the SH3 and acidic (A) regions that were examined individually, were required for the localization of myosin I at the hyphal tip. Similarly, all of the domains were required for the association of myosin I with pelletable actin-bound complexes. Moreover, the hyphal tip localization of cortical actin patches, identified by both rhodamine-phalloidin staining and Arp3-green fluorescent protein signals, was dependent on myosin I. Double deletion of the A and SH3 domains depolarized the distribution of the cortical actin patches without affecting the ability of the mutant to form hyphae, suggesting that myosin I has distinct functions in these processes. Among the six myosin I tail domain mutants, the ability to form hyphae was strictly correlated with endocytosis. We propose that the uptake of cell wall remodeling enzymes and excess plasma membrane is critical for hyphal formation.


For trace gas sensing and precision spectroscopy, optical cavities incorporating low-loss mirrors are indispensable for path length and optical intensity enhancement. Optical interference coatings in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectral regions have achieved total optical losses below 2 parts per million (ppm), enabling a cavity finesse in excess of 1 million. However, such advancements have been lacking in the mid-infrared (MIR), despite substantial scientific interest. Here, we demonstrate a significant breakthrough in high-performance MIR mirrors, reporting substrate-transferred single-crystal interference coatings capable of cavity finesse values from 200 000 to 400 000 near 4.5 um, with excess optical losses (scatter and absorption) below 5 ppm. In a first proof-of-concept demonstration, we achieve the lowest noise-equivalent absorption in a linear cavity ring-down spectrometer normalized by cavity length. This substantial improvement in performance will unlock a rich variety of MIR applications for atmospheric transport and environmental sciences, detection of fugitive emissions, process gas monitoring, breath-gas analysis, and verification of biogenic fuels and plastics.


Purpose: The growth and survival of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)–deficient cells are enhanced by the activation of multiple signaling pathways including ErbBs/IGF-1R/Met, PI3K/Akt, and Ras/Raf/Mek/Erk1/2. The chaperone protein HSP90 is essential for the stabilization of these signaling molecules. The aim of the study was to characterize the effect of HSP90 inhibition in various NF2-deficient models. Experimental Design: We tested efficacy of the small-molecule NXD30001, which has been shown to be a potent HSP90 inhibitor. The antiproliferative activity of NXD30001 was tested in NF2-deficient cell lines and in human primary schwannoma and meningioma cultures in vitro. The antitumor efficacy of HSP90 inhibition in vivo was verified in two allograft models and in one NF2 transgenic model. The underlying molecular alteration was further characterized by a global transcriptome approach. Results: NXD30001 induced degradation of client proteins in and suppressed proliferation of NF2-deficient cells. Differential expression analysis identified subsets of genes implicated in cell proliferation, cell survival, vascularization, and Schwann cell differentiation whose expression was altered by NXD30001 treatment. The results showed that NXD30001 in NF2-deficient schwannoma suppressed multiple pathways necessary for tumorigenesis. Conclusions: HSP90 inhibition showing significant antitumor activity against NF2-related tumor cells in vitro and in vivo represents a promising option for novel NF2 therapies. Clin Cancer Res; 19(14); 3856–70. ©2013 AACR.


We consider propagation of influence on a Configuration Model, where each vertex can be influenced by any of its neighbours but in its turn, it can only influence a random subset of its neighbours. Our (enhanced) model is described by the total degree of the typical vertex, representing the total number of its neighbours and the transmitter degree, representing the number of neighbours it is able to influence. We give a condition involving the joint distribution of these two degrees, which if satisfied would allow with high probability the influence to reach a non-negligible fraction of the vertices, called a big (influenced) component, provided that the source vertex is chosen from a set of good pioneers. We show that asymptotically the big component is essentially the same, regardless of the good pioneer we choose, and we explicitly evaluate the asymptotic relative size of this component. Finally, under some additional technical assumption we calculate the relative size of the set of good pioneers. The main technical tool employed is the "fluid limit" analysis of the joint exploration of the configuration model and the propagation of the influence up to the time when a big influenced component is completed. This method was introduced in Janson & Luczak (2008) to study the giant component of the configu\-ration model. Using this approach we study also a reverse dynamic, which traces all the possible sources of influence of a given vertex, and which by a new "duality" relation allows to characterise the set of good pioneers.


A primary explanation for variation in contract structure is the extent to which contracting parties make investments specific to their transaction. Investment decisions are typically endogenous in contract choice, however, frustrating attempts at causal verification. I analyze the impact of a major environmental regulation, the Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990, on coal procurement strategies of U.S. utilities. I exploit a key feature of the Amendment's design to define a difference-in-difference model that is arguably less susceptible to endogeneity concerns. I find wide support for the theoretical prediction: reduced specificity leads to shorter length, fixed price contracts.


Thousands of Indonesian men now identify as both "gay" and "Muslim." How do these men understand the relationship between religion and sexuality? How do these understandings reflect the fact that they live in the nation that is home to more Muslims than any other? In this article, I address questions such as these through an ethnographic study of gay Muslims. I argue that dominant social norms render being gay and being Muslim "ungrammatical" with each other in the public sphere that is crucial to Muslim life in Indonesia. Through examining doctrine, interpretation, and community, I explore how gay Muslim subjectivity takes form in this incommensurability between religion and desire.


Since the late 19th century, exotic ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) have been used extensively for suppressing herbivorous insects of economic importance. In recent decades, the introduction of non‐native biological control (BC) agents has been greatly limited due to the awareness of the potential non‐target effects of introductions. Nonetheless, recent episodes of biological invasions of economically important pests have raised the need to carefully consider whether the expected benefits of pest control go beyond the possible environmental risks of introduction. To better understand the factors that contributed to successful BC programs, here we review the literature behind classical and augmentative BC using exotic ladybirds. Additionally, by means of case studies, we discuss the BC efficacy of selected exotic species, e.g., Coccinella septempunctata L., Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), and their position within the communities of predators in the introduced areas of USA, Canada, and Chile. In Europe, much of the research on exotic ladybirds has been conducted on the undesired impact of H. axyridis. Therefore, we summarize the risk assessment data for this species and review the field research investigating the ecological impact on European aphidophagous predators. According to the BIOCAT database of classical BC programs, 212 ladybird species belonging to 68 genera have been released in about 130 years of BC activity, with 14.6% of introductions having resulted in partial, substantial, or complete control of the target pest. However, because post‐release evaluation of establishment and BC success has not always been conducted, this rate could underestimate the successful cases. Among other factors, ladybird establishment and pest suppression mostly depend on (1) intrinsic factors, i.e., high voracity, synchronized predator‐prey life cycle, and high dispersal ability, and (2) extrinsic factors, i.e., adaptability to the new environment and landscape composition. This review contributes to improved understanding of ladybirds as exotic BC agents.