The networked control system typically introduces network delay that have not been considered at the design stage. As a consequence,the system performance is degraded with respect to the expected response. Thesis introduces a novel methodology to apply β gain assist networked control systems. The proposed methodology uses β gain to modify the controller output with respect to the current network traffic conditions in order to enable an existing controller for networked control systems and compensate the performance degradetion induced by network delay. This methodology can change existing traditional controller directly to network controller and not modify the original control algorithms.


Purpose of review Finding the right immunosuppressive approach for the individual transplant patient is of utmost importance. In truth, a 'one size fits all' does not exist, and as patients differ, so should therapeutic suppression of the immune system be individualized. For over three decades, biologics have been a central component of transplant immunosuppression. Our growing knowledge of immunological processes combined with biotechnological advances is leading to promising new therapeutic concepts and possibilities including novel biologics. Use of biologics may be appropriate at various phases of kidney transplantation, from desensitization and induction to maintenance therapy and management of acute rejection. Their mechanisms of action include depleting or modulating immune cells, eliminating preformed antibodies, and inhibiting the complement system. Herein, we summarize the current approaches to applying 'established' biologics to prevent and treat allograft rejection in kidney transplantation. We also provide insights into new developments and possible future directions. Recent findings A number of candidate biologics were found to be efficacious in more recent preclinical and early phase clinical trials. Their properties are outlined and their potential for future utilization discussed. Summary The extraordinary capabilities of biologics are undisputed and our technological progress offers unprecedented opportunities to devise new agents and refine old ones. However, the rationale for their use in kidney allograft recipients must be rigorously examined in every case and, given the significant risk of early and late-onset adverse effects, the risk-to-benefit ratio carefully balanced. We also need to expand and use our knowledge of the underlying physiology of allograft rejection to adjust the characteristics of therapeutic biologics and thus harness their full potential for the benefit of our patients.


e-Learning is open to a multiplicity of different research approaches, and this is reflected in the fact that it draws together people from a variety of different backgrounds. This variety can be fruitful and interesting; it can also, however, lead to an absence of real engagement between colleagues and the isolation of individual researchers. Discouraging as this can be for researchers, even worse is the loss of opportunities to gain the real insights and deeper understanding that a rich multi-disciplinarity can bring. At this point it is necessary to do more than pay lip service to the benefits of variety and pluralism, and to begin seriously to tackle impediments to real engagement. The absence of means to tackle disagreement is one such impediment, and another is not having the terms in which even to recognise where exactly the disagreement is, and how deep it is. At a fundamental level, these are research methodological issues. Part of the remit of the e-Learning Research Centre is to contribute to the debate on research methodological issues. The quality of this debate underpins the extent to which a real interdisciplinary research agenda can be pursued. It is also a factor in the process of establishing and recognising e-learning as a valid research area. We in the e-Learning Research Centre are a good example of the variety of people and backgrounds that the domain has brought together. Our backgrounds range over chemistry, geography, philosophy, computing and education; some of us have been involved in the administration as well as the academic side of higher education, and one of us has spent a good deal of time in industry. Since the establishment of the centre we have had several discussions on the aims and scope of e-learning research, what questions we are addressing, how we address them and why. These have been interesting but sometimes difficult discussions, as the disagreements between us reflect divergent paradigms and value-systems. Since there are no neat conclusions to these discussions , the best way to fulfil our remit at this stage is by inviting the broader e-learning community to participate. During the symposium four members of the eLRC outline their response to the following question: What advice would you give to a person deciding on the best way to support students on an e-learning course he or she is running? In considering their answer, the presenters will set out their understanding of research, and how it ought to inform the decision that is made. The approaches to be presented are quantitative and qualitative, philosophical and modelling. Each presentation will outline an approach and show its role and value in tackling the above question. The point of the symposium is to try to show how discussion and even disagreement can be used as an opportunity for reflecting on our research methodology and for considering the issues and problems in justifying a research approach to others in the research community, and in so doing, to engage with them. As representatives of that community, participants at the symposium need to be part of the discussion; presentations will thus be kept quite informal and interactive.


Mathematically this thesis involves an investigation of the non-self-adjomt Sturm- Liouville problem comprising the differential equation, y"(x) + (A + ex2)y(x) = 0 with a linear homogeneous boundary condition at x = 0 and an "outgoing wave " condition as x —»• oo, in a number of different settings. The purpose of such an investigation is to obtain an accurate estimate for the imaginary part of the eigenvalue A.

Physically, this singular eigenproblem arises m the mathematical modelling of radiation losses m bent fibre-optic waveguides, with the imaginary part of the desired eigenvalue providing a measure of the magnitude of loss due to bending. The imaginary part of the desired eigenvalue turns out to be of much smaller order [0(e _ i —► 0+] than the perturbation of the real part [0 (e),£ —»• 0+]. To overcome the resulting computational difficulties we appeal to the area of exponential asymptotics and become involved m the smoothing of Stokes discontmumties. A number of exponentially improved approximations are required for proper estimation of Im \ and these are obtained either directly from the literature or by application of recent results.

The non-self-adjomt nature of the above tunnelling problem results from the unusual condition at infinity. While we investigate this problem directly, using special functions and variational techniques, and obtain an accurate estimate for imaginary part of the desired eigenvalue, an alternative setting is also found. This more abstract approach involves the theory of "resonance poles" in quantum mechanics. We show that under certain conditions, satisfied by the tunnelling problem being considered, the "eigenvalue" of a non-self-adjomt problem corresponds to a pole in the Titchmarsh-Weyl function m(A) for a related but formally self-adjomt problem.


Volcanic ash soils (Andosols) may offer great opportunities for paleoecological studies, as suggested by their characteristic accumulation of organic matter (OM). However, understanding of the chronostratigraphy of soil organic matter (SOM) is required. Therefore, radiocarbon dating of SOM is necessary, but unfortunately not straightforward. Dating of fractions of SOM obtained by alkali-acid extraction is promising, but which fraction (humic acid or humin) renders the most accurate 14C dates is still subject to debate. To determine which fraction should be used for 14C dating of Andosols and to evaluate if the chronostratigraphy of SOM is suitable for paleoecological research, we measured 14C ages of both fractions and related calibrated ages to soil depth for Andosols in northern Ecuador. We compared the time frames covered by the Andosols with those of peat sequences nearby to provide independent evidence. Humic acid (HA) was significantly older than humin, except for the mineral soil samples just beneath a forest floor (organic horizons), where the opposite was true. In peat sections, 14C ages of HA and humin were equally accurate. In the soils, calibrated ages increased significantly with increasing depth. Age inversions and homogenization were not observed at the applied sampling distances. We conclude that in Andosols lacking a thick organic horizon, dating of HA renders the most accurate results, since humin was contaminated by roots. On the other hand, in mineral soil samples just beneath a forest floor, humin ages were more accurate because HA was then contaminated by younger HA illuviated from the organic horizons. Overall, the chronostratigraphy of SOM in the studied Andosols appears to be suitable for paleoecological research.


"…whether, ultimately---in the great future---we can arrange the atoms the way we want; the very atoms, all the way down! What would happen if we could arrange the atoms one by one the way we want them…" Richard Feynman described the exciting blueprint of nanotechnology in his famous lecture entitled "There's plenty of room at the bottom" in 1959. He devoted a significant part of electron microscopy in his lecture, underlining the possible breakthroughs in many research fields, if we are able to look at the atomic scale. With explosive advances in nanoscience and nanotechnologies, since then, especially after the 1980s, Feynman's visions have arguably been realized. So far, the arrangement of the atoms can be artificially manipulated with advanced synthesis methods and microscopy techniques, whilst they can be visualized using microscopy techniques with high resolution. The latest generation of electron microscopes is capable of resolutions of 0.39 A. The work in this thesis is dedicated to studying "plenty of room at the bottom" from two perspectives. On the one hand, we fabricated quantum matter heterostructures by arranging the atoms using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) with atomic-layer precision and studied caused physical behaviors. On the other hand, we visualized the actual arrangement of atoms in quantum matter heterostructures, in particular at the heterointerface, using state-of-the-art scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and spectroscopy. The underlying mechanisms of physical behaviors were explained accordingly.
Firstly, SrRuO3 (SRO) artificial atoms (AAs) were fabricated by electron beam lithography (EBL) patterning of the epitaxial-grown SRO thin films with atomic layer precision using PLD. The size of AAs is down to 15 nm, which is the smallest size reported so far. Due to the spatial confinement of the electron system, interesting magnetic phenomena occur with decreasing the size of AAs, showing a gradual increase of magnetic Curie temperature and a reorientation of the easy axis towards the in-plane direction. Based on the optimization of TEM sample preparation, we performed atomically resolved STEM observations of the atomic arrangements in different samples. It was found that the chemical distribution keeps unchanged, while the epitaxial strain is gradually relieved as the size of AAs decreases. The strain relaxation leads to the Curie temperature variations, whilst the strain relaxation induces the change of magnetocrystalline anisotropy that results in a rotation of the magnetic easy-axis.
The hetero-interface between SrMnO3 (SMO) and SrTiO3 (STO) is then studied atomic column by atomic column using STEM and spectroscopy. We found that the electronic charges accumulate close to the interface layer, reaching the maximum charge density at the first SMO monolayer. A fundamental understanding of the charge accumulation was elaborated with a combination of STEM investigations and numerical calculations. STEM offers atomic-scale information in terms of strain fields in out-of-plane and in-plane directions and two-dimensional distribution of constituent elements. The SMO layer close to the

interface is demonstrated to have the largest tensile strain and the strongest intermixing of Mn and Ti than other regions away from the interface. The role of tensile strain, elemental intermixing, charge transfer, and space-charge effects are intensively discussed, proving a comprehensive perspective of the interfacial charge distribution.
We also studied the atomic structure and functionality of cracks formed around the heterointerface due to thermal strain relaxations. The atomic arrangement of crack tips was clearly visualized by STEM imaging. Quantitative analyses of STEM images revealed a large strain gradient around the tip of deep crack that is extended into the STO substrate. With the STEM-based lattice displacement analysis, we determined the displacements between the negative center and the positive center unit cell by unit cell and thereby obtained the flexoelectric polarization around crack tips with atomic resolution. The averaged polarization around the tip of the deep crack is about 62 ± 16 µC·cm-2, which is the largest flexoelectric polarization measured so far. The flexoelectric polarization is screened by the electronic charge with a density of 0.7 ± 0.1 e-/uc localized within one unit cell. We suggest that the flexoelectricity plays an essential role in the propagation of cracks, because the flexoelectric energy density was found to be ~3% of that of the elastic energy.
Benefited from the unique advantages of STEM in terms of high spatial resolution, this thesis presents three applications about studying the atomic worlds "at the bottom" visioned by Feynman sixty years ago, providing an atomic-scale understanding of structure and properties of quantum matter heterostructures. In the near future, the atomic arrangement in quantum matter heterostructures will be better controllable. Furthermore, the capacity of STEM will undoubtedly be more versatile to explore atomic worlds, such as direct visualization of the electric and magnetic fields on the atomic scale. Many mysterious phenomena in the atomic-scale world are about to be revealed.


Most ophthalmologists would agree that fluorescein angiography has rapidly become an indispensable tool to the modern clinician. Since the technique was first described, less than 20 years ago, a tremendous amount of angiographic data has been accumulated, which has had a revolutionary impact on the understanding of fundus disease. Schatz, Burton, Yannuzzi, and Rabb have organized these voluminous data into a logical and retrievable form. The text is divided into two parts. In the first "introductory" section the authors do a fine job of briefly explaining the general principles of fluorescence and then correlate these principles with the histology and angiography of a normal eye. They then go into considerable depth on the actual mechanics of taking an angiogram, from sitting the patient down to adjusting the eye piece and injecting the dye. In all of its depth, however, this section is still, unfortunately, not detailed enough to be the


Automated diversity is a promising mean of increasing the security of software systems. However, current automated diversity techniques operate at the bottom of the software stack (operating system and compiler), yielding a limited amount of diversity. We present a novel Model-Driven Engineering approach to the diversification of communicating systems, building on abstraction, model transformations and code generation. This approach generates significant amounts of diversity with a low overhead, and addresses a large number of communicating systems, including small communicating devices.


Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus constitutes part of the growing health problem associated with chemotherapy because they are more difficult to treat and could transfer drug resistance to other bacteria. Objective: This research work was carried out to find the prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among health workers in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. Methodology: Two sets of 300 swab samples were collected from the anterior nares of 300 health workers, comprising 82 Laboratory Staff and 218 Clinical staff, and processed without delay. One of each duplicate swab sample was inoculated directly onto chocolate agar, incubated for 24 hours at 37oc while the other swab was used to make a smear for Gram staining. All isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were screened for methicillin resistance using 1μg/ml oxacillin disc in Mueller Hinton agar plate supplemented with 4% sodium chloride. Results: One hundred and ninety-two (64%) out of 300 were carriers of Staph aureus, while 90 (30%) out of the 300 were positive for MRSA. The prevalence of MRSA among the health workers were Medical Doctors 24%, Medical Laboratory Scientists 34.1%, Nurses 28.8%, Ward Attendants 50.0%, and Cleaners 20.0%. Conclusion: Over all MRSA prevalence was 30.0%. There was no significant relationship between duration of service and MRSA carriage rate. There was a significant difference in MRSA carriage between those health workers who adhered to universal precautionary measures and those who did not. The prevalence of MRSA among health workers in this study was high thus creating the need for the Health Workers to adhere to universal precautionary measures while carrying out their routine work to avoid being possible sources of nosocomial infections. Keywords: Contact, exposure, hospitals, oxacillin, patients


Based on our work on electro-acupuncture therapy of hyperplasia of mammary glands and in order to observe further the relationship between immunological function and E2 in hyperplasia of mammary glands, we determined the change not only in immunological function before and after electro-acupuncture in 44 in-patients with hyperplasia of mammary glands and having the same menstruation date, but also in electro-acupuncture treated rat hyperplasia of mammary glands model. We found that there was decrease of immunological function in hyperplasia of mammary glands and this function could be remarkably enhanced by electro-acupuncture both in hyperplasia of mammary glands patients and in rat hyperplasia of mammary glands model. The mechanism implies it might be that the inhibitory effect on immunological function exerted by high concentration of E2 was lowered by electro-acupuncture, hence the immunological function was reinforced. The results of this study are important in exploration of both the pathogenesis of this disease and the mechanism of electro-acupuncture, and in reducing the incidence of breast carcinoma.


Porphyromonas gingivalis, a pathogen associated with periodontitis, bound to fibrinogen, fibronectin, hemoglobin, and collagen type V with a similar profile to that of its major virulence factor, the cell surface RgpA-Kgp proteinase-adhesin complex. Using peptide-specific, purified Abs in competitive inhibition ELISAs and epitope mapping assays, we have identified potential adhesin binding motifs (ABMs) of the RgpA-Kgp complex responsible for binding to host proteins. The RgpA-Kgp complex and synthetic ABM and proteinase active site peptides conjugated to diphtheria toxoid, when used as vaccines, protected against P. gingivalis-induced periodontal bone loss in the murine periodontitis model. The most efficacious peptide and protein vaccines were found to induce a high-titer IgG1 Ab response. Furthermore, mice protected in the lesion and periodontitis models had a predominant P. gingivalis-specific IL-4 response, whereas mice with disease had a predominant IFN-γ response. The peptide-specific Abs directed to the ABM2 sequence (EGLATATTFEEDGVA) protected against periodontal bone loss and inhibited binding of the RgpA-Kgp complex to fibrinogen, fibronectin, and collagen type V. Furthermore, the peptide-specific Abs directed to the ABM3 sequence (GTPNPNPNPNPNPNPGT) protected against periodontal bone loss and inhibited binding to hemoglobin. However, the most protective Abs were those directed to the active sites of the RgpA and Kgp proteinases. The results suggest that when the RgpA-Kgp complex, or functional binding motif or active site peptides are used as a vaccine, they induce a Th2 response that blocks function of the RgpA-Kgp complex and protects against periodontal bone loss.


A hybrid technology for the realization of three-dimensional (3-D) miniaturized power inductors is presented. Our devices consist of planar Cu coils on polyimide substrates, and mm-size ferrite magnetic cores, obtained by three-dimensional micro-patterning of ferrite wafers using powder blasting. The coils are realized using an in-house developed high-resolution polyimide spinning and Cu electroplating process. Winding widths down to 5 /spl mu/m have been obtained and total device volumes are ranging between 1.5 and 10 mm/sup 3/. Inductive and resistive properties are characterized as a function of frequency; inductance values in the 100 /spl mu/H range have been obtained.


The complement activation by and resistance to complement-mediated killing of Aeromonas sp. strains from serogroup O:11 were investigated by using different wild-type strains (with an S-layer characteristic of this serogroup) and their isogenic mutants characterized for their surface components (S-layer and lipopolysaccharide [LPS]). All of the Aeromonas sp. serogroup O:11 wild-type strains are unable to activate complement, which suggested that the S-layer completely covered the LPS molecules. We found that the classical complement pathway is involved in serum killing of susceptible Aeromonas sp. mutant strains of serogroup O11, while the alternative complement pathway seems not to be involved, and that the complement activation seems to be independent of antibody. The smooth mutant strains devoid of the S-layer (S-layer isogenic mutants) or isogenic LPS mutant strains with a complete or rather complete LPS core (also without the S-layer) are able to activate complement but are resistant to complement-mediated killing. The reasons for this resistance are that C3b is rapidly degraded, and therefore the lytic membrane attack complex (C5b-9) is not formed. Isogenic LPS rough mutants with an incomplete LPS core are serum sensitive because they bind more C3b than the resistant strains, the C3b is not completely degraded, and therefore the lytic complex (C5b-9) is formed.


Rapid eye movement (REM) obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) Background represents 13 to 35% of all OSA cases and is more common in women. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard for treatment of all forms of OSA but we do not know if patients with REM OSA have different pressure requirements than those with non-stage dependent OSA. : This was a retrospective case control study. We first identified Methods individuals with REM OSA and then tried to identify apnea hypopnea index (AHI), gender, and body mass index (BMI) matching controls that had non-stage specific OSA. Individuals were considered to have REM OSA if the REM AHI was greater than 5 events/hour, and the ratio of REM AHI / non-rapid eye movement (NREM) AHI was greater than 2. Demographic variables and the recommended CPAP pressure were analyzed using paired Student's T-Tests. : Our study included a total of 16 individuals with REM OSA and Results equal number of AHI, gender, and BMI matching controls. Both groups had similar demographic and polysomnographic characteristics. Individuals with REM OSA required similar CPAP pressures as controls (7.5 cm H O vs 7.4 cm H O p=0.78). : Individuals with REM require similar CPAP pressures as their Conclusion AHI, gender, and BMI matching controls.


Pit-1 is a pituitary-specific transcription factor responsible for pituitary development and hormone expression in mammals. Pit-1 is a member of the POU domain containing proteins, a group of transcriptional regulators with a critical role in cell differentiation and proliferation. It was shown that this group of proteins control the transcription of the growth hormone (GH), the prolactin (PRL), the thyroid-stimulating hormone �-subunit (TSH-�), the GHRH receptor genes and the Pit-1 gene itself. In this study, the Pit-1/HinfI and Pit-1/TaqI loci were investigated using PCR-RFLP approach in a sample of 104 Podolica cattle. All the possible genotypes for both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. The allelic frequencies at Pit-1/TaqI locus were 0.76 (G) and 0.24 (A), while those at Pit-1/HinfI locus were 0.70 (B) and 0.30 (A). Combined genotypic frequencies and possible haplotypes frequencies were also reported. Moreover, some population genetic indexes, namely: gene heterozygosity (He), gene homozygosity (Ho), effective allele numbers (Ne), fixation index (FIS) and polymorphism information content (PIC) were calculated.


Experiments on 40 male rats were conducted to examine kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) and activity of proteinase activity under stress, impulse infrared laser radiation and their sequence. Infra-red laser radiation following stress prevents activation of KKS provoked by exercise through enhancing antiproteinase potential of blood serum. Thymic mass and activity of thymocyte genome were on the increase.


Background In clinical practice, endovascular intervention may be considered as a treatment option in managing patients with active bleeding following head and neck cancer surgery. This study aims to evaluate treatment outcome of patients undergone with selective endovascular embolisation as therapeutic alternative when surgery is not possible. Material and Method Retrospective chart review of cancer patients treated by the Head and Neck Service of Severance Hospital underwent endovascular embolisation for control of actual or threatened postoperative bleeding, from 2005.January to 2013.February. 10 patients underwent endovascular embolisation for control postoperative bleeding. Demographic variables, location of primary tumour, material for embolisation, and clinical outcomes including incidence of recurrent bleeding were recorded. Results 10 patients received emblotherapy for acute bleeding after surgery. 9 of 10 cases has allowed patients to undergo successful embolisation. In 1 patient, the procedure failed due to diffuse bleeding without main bleeder and progression of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. The most common cancerous lesion associated with wound bleeding was oral cavity and oropharynx. This was followed by nasopharynx, hypopharynx, respectively. The main bleeding focus was recorded as common carotid artery (4), bifurcation of CCA (1), branch of ECA (distal maxillary artery (2), superior thyroid artery (1)), and thyrocervical trunk (1). The patients underwent interventional embolisation using stent (3),coil (3),vascular plug and microparticles (NBCA)(3). Conclusion This study demonstrates that selective embolisation was shown to be a feasible and effective method to control acute postoperative bleeding of head and neck cancer. Disclosures S. Kim: None.


The Chinese Incense-cedar (Calocedrus macrolepis Kruz), an important wood and ornamental tree, is native to southwest China and also in northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. As a result of ecological degradation in these areas, Chinese Incense-cedar was considered a vulnerable species according to the criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. In the current report, we developed and characterized 13 novel microsatellite markers for this species using the protocol of fast isolation by amplified fragment length polymorphism of sequences containing repeats. Polymorphism of each locus was assessed in 36 individuals from nine geographical populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to nine with an average of 6.08. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.0000 to 1.0000 and from 0.1549 to 0.8912 with averages of 0.6688 and 0.6815, respectively. Four of the 13 loci were significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected. These polymorphic microsatellite markers would be useful tools for investigating genetic population structure and diversity to establish conservation strategy for this interesting and vulnerable species.


With widespread use of the smartphone, clinical evidence for smartphone addiction remains unclear. Against this background, we analyzed the effect of smartphone use patterns on smartphone addiction in Korean adolescents. A total of 370 middle school students participated. The severity of smartphone addiction was measured through clinical interviews and the Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale. As a result, 50 (13.5%) were in the smartphone addiction group and 320 (86.5%) were in the healthy group. To investigate the effect of smartphone use patterns on smartphone addiction, we performed self-report questionnaires that assessed the following items: smartphone functions mostly used, purpose of use, problematic use, and parental attitude regarding smartphone use. For smartphone functions mostly used, the addiction group showed significantly higher scores in "Online chat." For the purpose of use, the addiction group showed significantly higher "habitual use," "pleasure," "communication," "games," "stress relief," "ubiquitous trait," and "not to be left out." For problematic use, the addiction group showed significantly higher scores on "preoccupation," "tolerance," "lack of control," "withdrawal," "mood modification," "conflict," "lies," "excessive use," and "loss of interest." For parental attitude regarding children's smartphone use, the addiction group showed significantly higher scores in "parental punishment." Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that "female," "use for learning," "use for ubiquitous trait," "preoccupation," and "conflict" were significantly correlated with smartphone addiction. This study demonstrated that the risk factors for smartphone addiction were being female, preoccupation, conflict, and use for ubiquitous trait; the protective factor was use for learning. Future studies will be required to reveal the additional clinical evidence of the disease entity for smartphone addiction.


The increasing demand for integrating multiple wireless services in one multi-standard handset, exemplified by the software-defined radio (SDR) model, calls for digitizing wireless receivers in a quest for flexibility. Radio-frequency (RF) front-end and analog baseband filters need to be exchanged for digital processing at the expense of a highly challenging analog-to-digital converter (ADC) specifications. In this paper, the sensitivities of continuous-time (CT) delta-sigma (ΔΣ) ADCs, which are candidate architectures for multi-standard receivers and SDRs, to out-of-band (OOB) blockers at the ADC input are investigated. This analysis addresses the problems and performance limitations that can result from large OOB blockers appearing at the input of CT ΔΣ modulators in a digitized multi-standard receiver. Analysis and discussions given in different sections of the paper are verified by CT system-level simulations.


Based on a model of coupled processes with differently time-dependent decay kinetics we present a critical review on photoluminescence (PL) and transient absorption (TA) experiments in undoped and Mg or Fe-doped LiNbO3, together with a comprehensive interpretation of visible radiative and parallel non-radiative decay processes on timescales ranging from 50 ns up to minutes. Analogies and peculiarities of the kinetics of mobile self-trapped and pinned excitons are investigated and compared with those of hopping polarons in the same system. Exciton hopping with an activation energy of ≈0.18  eV is shown to govern the lifetime and quenching of the short PL component above 100 K. Strong interaction between excitons and dipolar pinning defects explains the exorbitant lifetimes and large depinning energies characterizing delayed TA components in doped LiNbO3, while restricted hopping of the pinned excitons is proposed to play a role in strongly delayed PL in LiNbO3:Mg exhibiting a narrowed emission band due to locally reduced electron–phonon coupling. Atomistic models of pinned excitons are proposed corresponding to charge-compensated dipolar defects predicted by theories of dopant incorporation in LiNbO3 and are systematically assigned to absorption bands observed near the UV edge. Excitation in these bands is shown to lead directly to pinned exciton states confirming also the previously proposed two-step exciton-decay scenario in LiNbO3:Fe. Weak intrinsic sub-80 ns luminescence in congruent LiNbO3 is explained as an opposite effect of enhanced electron–phonon coupling for excitons pinned on NbLi antisite defects. The comparison of the different observed stretching behaviors in the paradigmatic system LiNbO3 provides an intuitive picture of the underlying physical processes. The findings are relevant not only for holographic and non-linear optical applications of LiNbO3 but are of general interest also for the treatment of stretched exponential or other time-dependent kinetics in complex condensed systems ranging from nanocrystals and polymers to liquids and biophysical systems.


Within the frame of European directive 2002/49 for Strategic Noise Mapping and the relevant environmental Noise Action Plans, which included preparation for the management of environmental noise and the rehabilitation of the sound environment, Greece had the opportunity to develop an innovative and comprehensive methodology to analyze the sound environments of several urban and semi-urban residential neighborhoods in the large and medium-size cities of the country e.g., Volos, Larissa, Heraklion, Chania, Agrinio, Corfu, and Thessaloniki, between 2012 and 2016. This paper presents the determined multidisciplinary approach, showing how the environmental noise data are cross-analyzed with urban and architectural data and perception descriptors by inhabitants. Furthermore, it shows how these specific results have been implemented in the developed noise actions plans that have been proposed to the authorities for immediate implementation. Finally, the paper discusses the necessary development of this approach to reduce noise exposure problems, as well as assist the cities in their evolution toward the introduction of a sustainable urban sound environment.


Much of the postcolonial/non-Eurocentric literature that has emerged in recent years has concluded that the key antidote to Eurocentrism lies with the need to factor Eastern agency into our theoretical and empirical understandings/ explanations of world politics/economics. While I certainly endorse this proposition, we need, however, to be aware that Eastern agency is already a factor in much, though not all, of Eurocentric international theory. Hence we confront the "postcolonial paradox of Eastern agency"- that while the perceived postcolonial/ non-Eurocentric antidote to Eurocentrism/ Orientalism is to "bring Eastern agency in" nevertheless it turns out that it was there in some form or another within international theory all along. This article reveals the different forms that Eastern agency takes within different variants of Eurocentric international theory while simultaneously opening up this concept to its multiple variants, thereby taking us beyond Edward Said's monolithic conception of Orientalism that he bequeathed to postcolonialism.


Antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) administration has been known as one of the most effective treatment in perinatal medicine, but the beneficial effects of ACS may vary not only gestational age, but also the quality of perinatal and neonatal care of the institution. This nationwide cohort study of the Korean Neonatal Network (KNN) data was consisted of <1,500g infants born at 23–34 weeks at 67 KNN hospitals between 2013 and 2017. The 9,142 eligible infants were assigned into two groups–group 1 and 2 <50% and ≥50% mortality rate, respectively, for 23–24 weeks' gestation–reflecting the quality of perinatal and neonatal care. Each group of infants were further stratified into 23–24, 25–26, 27–28, and 29–34 weeks of gestation age. Despite comparable ACS usage between group 1 (82%) and group 2 (81%), the benefits of ACS were only observed in group 1. In the multivariable analyses, infants of group 1 showed significant decrease in mortality and IVH at gestational age 23–24 weeks with ACS use, and the decrease was also seen in early-onset sepsis and respiratory distress syndrome at gestational age of 29–34 weeks while there were no significant decrease in group 2. In this study the overall data was congruent with the previous findings stating that ACS use decreases mortality and morbidity. These results indicate that the improved mortality of infants at 23–24 weeks' gestation reflects the quality improvement of perinatal and neonatal intensive care, which is a prerequisite to the benefits of ACS.


Urbanization in China has in part been subject to centrally planned control and in part has resulted from the pressures of industrialization and economic development. One of the major, if neglected, influences has been the social policies controlling internal migration and influencing urban-rural inequalities in income and social welfare. Urbanization poses continuing and growing challenges for social policies. This paper explores three approaches of possible future urbanization: planned and controlled urbanization, free-market development and balanced social development. The paper emphasizes the importance of a balanced social development approach, as it would maintain social stability, cater to the needs of large and small cities and urban and rural areas, and help to narrow the rural-urban gap in terms of social provision.


One preparation of interferon (IF) on 7-day-old bovine embryonic lung cultures free of bovine viral diarrhea virus had titers ranging from 20 to 10,240 in plaque-reduction tests, using bovine vesicular stomatitis virus. Factors believed to contribute to this variation were investigated. Although titers differed on different cell strains, different passages, and on cultures of different ages, variations between the two assays definitely could not be established as a function of these factors. However, IF titers on low passage cultures were usually lower than were titers on subsequent passages of the same cell strain. Calf serum in the diluent for IF reduced the titer one or two twofold dilutions. Over the range of 7 to 24 hours contact of IF with bovine embryonic lung cultures, and titer decreased steadily and was one twofold dilution less at 24 hours than it was at 7 hours. Latent viruses were not found in cultures by electron microscopy. Treatment of cultures with a noncytopathogenic strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus almost eliminated the effect of IF. Naturally occurring production of IF was not a major problem. While IF was on the cells, the pH of IF had a pronounced effect on the titer and may have been responsible for the vatiation observed with different passages, different cell strains, use of cultures of different ages, and use of calf serum in the diluent. Interferon at a low pH had a titer three or four twofold dilutions less than did the IF at a high pH.


In P. Oxy. XLI 2954 verso ii.12–25 we find several documents at least two of which discuss the same matter — sale of a property by one side in a partnership. The first document is an edict of the governor of Egypt C. Avidius Heliodorus and the second one is a court decision, apparently from a later date. The governor's decision has no parallel in Roman law; Herrmann and Rupprecht come to the conclusion that it was based on the local Egyptian law, by which neighboring owners have preferential rights to buy a property. More evidence for the presumed Egyptian law is found in a letter from one brother to another, in PSI XII 1259 (= SB V5997) from the second or third century C. E.; and P. Madrid 11 (= SB VI 9621), from the third century C. E., which Youtie sees as additional evidence for this law, in my opinion contradicts it and requires an alternative explanation. Three more documents discussing the same matter are found in SB XIV 12139 from the second century C. E. In each of them we can see additional details of the practice of the law in question under Roman rule in Egypt. It seems that the Egyptian law in question has a parallel in the rabbinic law of dina de-bar mitsra (law of a neighboring owner), which asserts a preferable right of neighbors in buying property (BT Bava Metsia 108a). The common basis of both the Egyptian and the Jewish laws seems to be an archaic Feldgemeinschaft (field alliance). Maybe another level in the development of the same idea is represented by the Greek law concerning the "border-money" (amphourion). An interesting point, as Albeck says, is that the Jewish sources for this law are Babylonian only, which may indicate a deeper influence of the Roman law on the Palestinian Jewish law than on the Babylonian one.


Depressive disorder of somatic etiology is termed organic depressive disorder or depressive disorder secondary to a general medical condition. The organic cause of affective manifestations should always be considered and excluded because there are many organic diseases (e.g., neurological, endocrinological) that can present with psychiatric symptoms. In this paper, we report the case of a 54-year-old female patient, without a history of mental diseases, admitted for symptoms of a severe depressive episode with psychotic symptomatology, in whom recent sequelae of a silent stroke were neurologically detected by imaging.


Abstract : This thesis investigates the performance of three mobile ad hoc routing protocols in the context of a swarm of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It is proposed that a wireless network of nodes having an average of 5.1774 log n neighbors, where n is the total number of nodes in the network, has a high probability of having no partitions. By decreasing transmission range while ensuring network connectivity, and implementing multi-hop routing between nodes, spatial multiplexing is exploited whereby multiple pairs of nodes simultaneously transmit on the same channel. The proposal is evaluated using the Greedy Perimeter Stateless Routing (GPSR), Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR), and Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocols in the context of a swarm of UAVs using the OPNET network simulation tool. The first-known implementation of GPSR in OPNET is constructed, and routing performance is observed when routing protocol, number of nodes, transmission range, and traffic workload are varied. Performance is evaluated based on proportion of packets successfully delivered, average packet hop count, and average end-to-end delay of packets received. Results indicate that the routing protocol choice has a significant impact on routing performance. While GPSR successfully delivers 50% more packets than OLSR, and experiences a 53% smaller end-to-end delay than AODV when routing packets in a swarm of UAVs, increasing transmission range and using direct transmission to destination nodes with no routing results in a level of performance not achieved using any of the routing protocols evaluated.


Spread spectrum communication - often called code-division multiple access - has been widely adopted over the years for many types of interference-challenged wireless communication systems including cellular and cordless telephones, wireless LANs and PANs, military applications, and global positioning systems. In this article we explore whether CDMA, in either its frequency hopping (FH) or direct sequence (DS) form, is an appropriate design approach for wireless ad hoc, or mesh, networks. One goal of this article is to help provoke a debate by explaining the main advantages and disadvantages of CDMA in the context of ad hoc networks as exposed by recent research. We argue that CDMA does not inherently improve the spectral efficiency of ad hoc networks; on the contrary, its valued interference averaging effect is not appreciable in ad hoc networks due to the irregular distribution of both the transmitters and receivers. On the positive side, both types (FH and DS) of spread spectrum allow for longer hop distances and a reversal of the usual relationship where the desired transmitter must be closer to the receiver than interfering transmitters. These two facts allow for significant advantages over narrowband systems in terms of energy efficiency and end-to-end delay.


Background: Malaria transmission is now recognized as a key target for intervention. Evaluation of the Plasmodium oocyst burden in the midguts of Anopheles spp . is important for many of assays investigating transmission. However, current assays are very time-consuming, manually demanding and patently subject to observer-observer variation. Methods: This report presents the development of a method to rapidly, accurately and consistently determine oocyst burdens on mosquito midguts using GFP-expressing Plasmodium berghei and a custom-written macro for ImageJ. The counting macro was optimized and found to be fit-for-purpose by performing gametocyte membrane feeds with parasite infected blood. Dissected midguts were counted both manually and using the automated macro, then compared. The optimized settings for the macro were then validated by using it to determine the transmission blocking efficacies of two anti-malarial compounds - dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and lumefantrine, in comparison to manually determined analysis of the same experiment. Results: Concurrence of manual and macro counts was very high (R 2 = 0.973) and reproducible. Estimated transmission blocking efficacies between manual and automated analysis were highly concordant, indicating that dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate has little or no transmission blocking potential, whilst lumefantrine strongly inhibits sporogony. Conclusion: Recognizing a potential five-fold increase in throughput, the resulting reduction in personnel costs, and the absence of inter-operator/laboratory variation possible with this approach, this counting macro may be a benefit to the malaria community.


The study examined cocoa farmers' attitude towards the utilization of integrated pest management (IPM) in Edo and Ogun States of Nigeria. In Edo State, 60 respondents were randomly selected out of 100 trained cocoa farmers. Random selection of 60 respondents from registered cocoa farmers that were not trained in IPM was done in the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme. Interview schedule was used to obtain data on respondents' characteristics, cocoa yield and attitude of respondents towards IPM. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square. The majority (60.8%) of the respondents were in the age bracket of 41 and 60 years while 89.2% of the respondents were males. The majority (73.3%) of trained and 56.7% of untrained had formal education. The total respondents result showed that 49.2% had favourable attitude. There was a significant relationship between both the attitude of trained respondents (X 2 =5.72, P<0.05) and their cocoa bean yield of and the attitude of untrained respondents (X 2 =5.64, P<0.05) and their cocoa bean yield.  The mean yield of trained respondents (1436.3±1196.4 kg) significantly differed from that of the untrained respondents (1209.3±524.3kg), which shows that IPM training had much impact on farmer's cocoa yield, hence, untrained farmers need training in IPM.


St. John's wort (SJW) has been described to show anti-inflammatory properties due to its inhibitory effects on the expression of pro-inflammatory genes like cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6, and inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS). Since iNOS plays a critical role in chronic inflammatory diseases, we have focused our attention on the regulation of iNOS expression by SJW in two different human epithelial cell lines, alveolar A549/8 and colon DLD-1 cells. SJW extract concentration dependently inhibited human iNOS expression evaluated by measuring the amounts of iNOS mRNA, iNOS protein, and NO production in both cell lines. This inhibitory effect resulted from transcriptional inhibition as shown in reporter gene experiments. With electrophoretic mobility shift experiments, we found a SJW-mediated down-regulation of the DNA binding activity of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription-1α (STAT-1α), but not of nuclear factor-κB. This down-regulation of the STAT-1α DNA binding was shown to result from reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of the STAT-1α protein. The diminished STAT-1α tyrosine phosphorylation resulted from SJW-mediated reduction of Janus kinase 2 activity. These data suggest that extracts from SJW may be a promising anti-inflammatory principle in chronic inflammatory diseases.


Two populations of the European pond turtle were studied employing capture, marking and recapture (CMR) techniques to determine population density and abundance in natural and protected areas within the Regional Natural park Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli in north western Tuscany, Italy. The results indicated strong sexual size dimorphism in both populations, with males smaller than females. In one area Emys orbicularis was in general smaller in size with a very low reproductive rate (three out of 25 adult females were gravid), which contrasted with a second population where 20 out of 42 females were gravid. Population estimates indicated 79 turtles were present in the first area (0.34 ha) and 61 turtles in the second area (0.58 ha), giving an overall density estimate of 183.6 turtles/ha and 146.7 turtles/ha respectively. Whilst our results are similar to those found in other areas of Europe, they diverge from other regions, suggesting that sampling and monitoring techniques should be standardized to obtain comparable data that will enable conservation and protection measures to be recommended.


Causal discovery aims to recover causal structures generating the observational data. Despite its success in certain problems, in many real-world scenarios the observed variables are not the target variables of interest, but the imperfect measures of the target variables. Causal discovery under measurement error aims to recover the causal graph among unobserved target variables from observations made with measurement error. We consider a specific formulation of the problem, where the unobserved target variables follow a linear non-Gaussian acyclic model, and the measurement process follows the random measurement error model. Existing methods on this formulation rely on non-scalable over-complete independent component analysis (OICA). In this work, we propose the Transformed Independent Noise (TIN) condition, which checks for independence between a specific linear transformation of some measured variables and certain other measured variables. By leveraging the non-Gaussianity and higher-order statistics of data, TIN is informative about the graph structure among the unobserved target variables. By utilizing TIN, the ordered group decomposition of the causal model is identifiable. In other words, we could achieve what once required OICA to achieve by only conducting independence tests. Experimental results on both synthetic and real-world data demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of our method.


: We performed quantitative fecal examinations, hemograms, and serum iron determinations on 103 first-grade children from Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, to determine whether trichuriasis was associated with iron deficiency and anemia. Although hemoglobin values tended to be slightly lower in Trichuris-infected children, there was no association between trichuriasis and serum iron or transferrin saturation values. These data demonstrate that in lightly infected children such as the population studied trichuriasis is not associated with iron deficiency anemia.


The design of Transformerless converter concept is developed extensively for the increasing of the efficiency and reliability of the electrical systems which in-turn reduces the major power losses. Consider the conventional inverter where the power from the DC source is initially inverter and then the inverted voltage is boosted using low frequency power transformer. The use of the low frequency transformer increases the cost and size of the system which also increases considerable amount of power loss hence, the necessity of development of a low cost lossless power technology has generated. In photovoltaic applications, transformerless power converter technology is in trend where in, the system is developed such that the output of the solar panel is connected to a single power electronic module which generates the desired output. The modified boost converter uses a couple of inductors at the input side to produce ripple free current without utilization of LC filters. The performance of the modified boost converter has been increased positively with high power conversion capability. The Transformerless grid synchronized photovoltaic system with conventional voltage source inverter may cause electrical safety issue of ground leakage current which is generated using the presence of parasitic capacitance photovoltaic modules and is eliminated using the implementation of bipolar SPWM technology for voltage source inverter. The proposed system is designed and simulated using PSIM.


For students with disabilities, educational success often depends on the accommodations provided by their colleges. We study the decision-making process for disability accommodations in higher education by implementing a large-scale survey experiment with staff who work in disability services at U.S. colleges. We find evidence of disability specific bias – against those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as opposed to a vision impairment. This bias appears in respondents' attitudes toward students and their expectations about which students will receive accommodations. We offer evidence that perceptions of work ethic underlie the disability bias. Our exploration into racial bias arrives at a nuanced picture – we find evidence of racial bias but it is concentrated only among staff who report not having taken a racial bias training course. We conclude with a discussion of possible steps to minimize bias and move towards a more equitable allocation of disability services.


: The isolated perfused rat kidney has been used to study the effects of cold ischaemia during ice storage. Tissue adenine nucleotide levels in freeze-clamped kidneys were closely correlated with their function after circulation had been reestablished in the perfusion circuit. The ATP content was depleted to a greater extent than total adenine nucleotide after 8 hr of cold ischaemia but both were considerably diminished after 24 hr. The model was also used to compare four solutions which are available clinically for preliminary flushing of organs in the ice storage preservation technique. The results indicated that for periods of 8 and 24 hr of cold ischaemia, renal function and adenine nucleotide content were significantly better maintained with a solution based on hyperosmolar citrate than with Collins, Sacks, or Perfudex solutions. This study confirmed recent observations of the clinical efficacy of citrate solution, while demonstrating how the isolated perfused rat kidney could be used for rapid screening of modifications in preservation techniques.


This paper describes the functioning and development of HeartPy: a heart rate analysis toolkit designed for photoplethysmogram (PPG) data. Most openly available algorithms focus on electrocardiogram (ECG) data, which has very different signal properties and morphology, creating a problem with analysis. ECG-based algorithms generally don't function well on PPG data, especially noisy PPG data collected in experimental studies. To counter this, we developed HeartPy to be a noise-resistant algorithm that handles PPG data well. It has been implemented in Python and C. Arduino IDE sketches for popular boards (Arduino, Teensy) are available to enable data collection as well. This provides both pc-based and wearable implementations of the software, which allows rapid reuse by researchers looking for a validated heart rate analysis toolkit for use in human factors studies.


There is an urgent need for antitumor bioactive agents with minimal or no side effects over normal adjacent cells. Fucoidan is a marine-origin polymer with known antitumor activity. However, there are still some concerns about its application due to the inconsistent experimental results, specifically its toxicity over normal cells and the mechanism behind its action. Herein, three fucoidan extracts (FEs) have been tested over normal and breast cancer cell lines. From cytotoxicity results, only one of the extracts shows selective antitumor behavior (at 0.2 mg mL-1 ), despite similarities in sulfation degree and carbohydrates composition. Although the three FEs present different molecular weights, depolymerization of selected samples discarded Mw as the key factor in the antitumor activity. Significant differences in sulfates position and branching are observed, presenting FE 2 the higher branching degree. Based on all these experimental data, it is believed that these last two properties are the ones that influence the cytotoxic effects of fucoidan extracts.


Various concepts have attempted to capture the nature of the contemporary political-economic system of globalised capitalism and its disastrous consequences for the planet, including World System Analysis or the Capitalocene. Especially Decolonial thinkers see its roots in colonialism. The resulting modernity/coloniality structures many aspects of human life everywhere, including gender identities, relationships amongst humans and with nature. Technology plays a vital part, requiring reflections on how HCI researchers can react to these challenges. In a class of an HCI master program, we have attempted to jointly begin to understand HCI's role in the capitalocene by studying relevant concepts and empirically investigating specific local yet connected phenomena. With participants being distributed across the globe, we were able to study different shared yet locally specific phenomena inspired by multi-sited ethnography. In this paper, we report on the structure and experience of the class as well as our findings.


Background: With the emerging concept of aesthetics in orthodontics, ceramic brackets play a major role especially in the anterior region of the dental arch. However, the duration of the orthodontic treatment is one of the most important issues in treating patients with ceramic brackets. Objectives: This study is conducted to compare space closing rate between conventional MBT and Symetri ClearTM bracket systems. Methods: This study is comprised of 18 subjects who were equally separated into two groups. The first group was treated with conventional MBT pre-adjusted bracket and the second group with Symetri ClearTM brackets. Space closure was performed via 0.019 × 0.025 inch stainless steel wires using 9-mm nickel-titanium Sentalloy coil springs with a constant force of 150 g. The distance between the distal of the first molar buccal tube and the mesial of the canine bracket was measured by a digital caliper. The difference of the first and last values was determined to assess the sheer quantity of space closure. The value was then divided by the number of months during which the space closure was carried out to examine the ratio of space closure in mm per month. For the statistical analysis we used paired t test as well as independent t test and the P-value > 0.05 was deemed significant. Results: The MBT group showed a 0.85 mm/appointment retraction rate while the Symetri ClearTM bracket group had a 0.83 mm/appointment retraction rate. The difference in space closing between MBT and Symetri ClearTM groups was not statistically and clinically significant (P-value > 0.05). Conclusions: As the rate of space closure was almost similar in the two types of brackets, we can use Symetri ClearTM brackets instead of MBT brackets without any concern about the duration of treatment and use the esthetic benefits of these brackets simultaneously.


ABSTRACT Antibodies that inhibit Plasmodium falciparum adhesion to the placental receptor chondroitin sulfate A are associated with a reduced risk of placental malaria, but whether these antibodies lead to improved pregnancy outcomes is unknown. We measured antiadhesion antibody levels in parturient women in western Kenya, where malaria transmission is intense. Secundigravid women with antiadhesion activity in their plasma delivered babies that were on average 398 g heavier (P = 0.019) and 2 weeks more mature (P = 0.002) than babies delivered to secundigravidas without antiadhesion activity. Our findings support the development of antiadhesion vaccines to prevent poor fetal outcomes due to pregnancy malaria.


OBJECTIVE To evaluate the optimal interval for rechecking A1C levels below the diagnostic threshold of 6.5% for healthy adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study. Participants were 16,313 apparently healthy Japanese adults not taking glucose-lowering medications at baseline. Annual A1C measures from 2005 to 2008 at the Center for Preventive Medicine, a community teaching hospital in Japan, estimated cumulative incidence of diabetes. RESULTS Mean age (±SD) of participants was 49.7 ± 12.3 years, and 53% were male. Mean A1C at baseline was 5.4 ± 0.5%. At 3 years, for those with A1C at baseline of <5.0%, 5.0–5.4%, 5.5–5.9%, and 6.0–6.4%, cumulative incidence (95% CI) was 0.05% (0.001–0.3), 0.05% (0.01–0.11), 1.2% (0.9–1.6), and 20% (18–23), respectively. CONCLUSIONS In those with an A1C <6.0%, rescreening at intervals shorter than 3 years identifies few individuals (∼≤1%) with an A1C ≥6.5%.


CHICAGO-- Theorists are puzzling over the strange antics of Eta Carinae. One of the biggest stars known to astronomers, it is so bright that if it gets any brighter it should blow itself apart. But observations announced at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society here last week show that over the last 2 years, it has indeed brightened--by a factor of more than two--while remaining intact. And whereas such a star would be expected to expand and cool when it brightens, Eta Carinae has heated up.


Natural Organic Matter (NOM) is a non-uniform mixture of organic compounds that enter water after synthesis of plants, animals, etc. Among the organic matters in natural waters, humic substances which usually exist as solutions have allocated a major portion to themselves and in addition to giving taste, color and odor to the water, they can intervene in the oxidization and removal of heavy metals such as arsenic, iron and manganese. Also, the natural organic precursors of disinfection by-products have been recognized as toxic or carcinogenic substances. The coagulation process is optimized as the most common system of water treatment in Iran for removing turbidity of water. This process is capable of removing the natural organic matter but the conditions for the removal of turbidity are constantly not identical with the optimum conditions for removing the NOM. Therefore, where NOM is the main pollutant, the traetment process should be optimized for removing NOM. Therefore, where NOM is the main pollutant, the traetment process should be optimized for removing NOM. After doing the common treatment, the water of Kardeh dam of Mashhad is used as drinking water of the city of Mashhad. By doing the water analysis experiments, the amounts of natural organic matter in the exiting water from water treatment plant was observed at 5 mg/l which is much higher than the world standards of drinking water. In this research the optimum conditions for the removal of NOM from drinking water of Kardeh dam have been examined. The experiments have been conducted at the laboratory scale and by Jar Test Device by different doses of two coagulants of alum and ferric chloride at various pH of water. It is concluded that these coagulation process by two coagulants remove NOM from drinking water and bring it to standards of US Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization. Keywords : advanced coagulation; natural organic matter; drinking water; city of Mashhad.


Alcohol is a substance used and abused by many individuals. The metabolic perturbations caused by excessive alcohol consumption are widespread throughout the human body. One of the primary consequences of alcohol abuse, particularly acute alcohol abuse, is very high levels of NADH formed from excessive ethanol oxidation. A high NADH:NAD+ ratio shifts the redox potential of the cells, shifting the normal physiological equilibrium, particularly within NAD-dependent dehydrogenase-catalyzed reactions. These particular reactions occur within various metabolic pathways, such as: citric acid cycle, glycolysis and branched-chain amino acid catabolism. As such, a disruptive effect within these metabolic pathways results in the slight accumulation of perturbation markers that can be associated with alcohol abuse. Isolation and identification of these widespread perturbation markers is difficult as they only occur in quantities only slightly higher than normal physiological values. Metabolomics makes for a very aptly used technique as it takes a holistic approach, taking into consideration the entire metabolic profile; and, with the aid of bioinformatics, is able to isolate and identify particular variables/metabolites of interest and accredit them as the variables responsible for the greatest variation between control and experimental groups. A novel approach used within this investigation effectively reduced the voluminous metaboJomics data generated allowing for more efficient multivariate analysis. Application of three separate statistical models, namely: 1) Unfolding PCA, 2) Cross-sectional PCA, and 3) AN OVA Simultaneous Component Analysis (ASCA), were used for analyzing the complex 3-dimensional data set created within this acute alcohol abuse investigation. Each model presented certain strengths and difficulties. Taking into consideration the results from all 3 models, the first phase of this investigation confidently illustrates the differentiation between control cases and individuals administered an acute alcohol dose and, subsequently allow for variables responsible for this separation to be: identified as variables of importance, selected and categorized into specific pathways and, finally, labeled as perturbation markers. Through experimental observation it was noted that a large number of perturbation markers associated with the branched-chain amino acid pathway were present within the experimental cases. A hypothesis was created from this observation, re-enforcing the principle that metabolomics is a hypothesis-generating system. The subsequent second phase of this investigation involves a targeted experimental protocol aimed at evaluating the proposed hypothesis, with a focus on three secondary metabolites of the isoleucine catabolism pathway (ethylhydracrylic acid, tiglylglycine and 2-methyl-3 hydroxybutyric acid). Results of this targeted approach show a definite perturbance, similar to a very minor inherited metabolic disorder, occurs within the isoleucine catabolism pathway in response to an acute alcohol dose. As to our knowledge, no information pertaining to the influences of acute alcohol abuse (or even chronic alcohol abuse) within the branched-chain amino acid pathway exists within the current literature, as of date. As such, the experimental observations presented and evaluated within this investigation provide a novel and more in-depth insight into the ethanol-induced perturbances within human metabolism.


Cooperative entrepreneurship avails participating entrepreneurs the opportunity to combine different skills and competencies to set up an enterprise. This study assessed the perceived roles of agricultural extension services in promoting cooperative entrepreneurship among farmers in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State. Data was collected from 120 respondents with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Results revealed that farmers in the study area were engaged in different entrepreneurial activities. They perceived the roles of agricultural extension services as effective in promoting cooperative entrepreneurship with the provision of vocational/skill training; sanitation activities; provision of storage/processing facilities; procurement of agricultural input and information on credit sources. The perceived constraints militating against extension service delivery to the respondents were inadequate finding; lack of technical support and poor infrastructure in communities. It was recommended that government and non-governmental organizations should provide adequate funding and technical support to extension personnel to enable them deliver agricultural extension services geared at promoting cooperative entrepreneurship to farmers.


Although the pathological role of the immune system in several metabolic disorders, including type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and Addison's disease, has long been recognized and studied, only in the last decade has it become apparent that the immune system plays a broad and more subtle role in local and systemic metabolism. It is now apparent that the immune system monitors and responds to specific metabolic cues in both pathologic and non‐pathologic settings through a set of processes dubbed immunometabolism. Expansion of adipose tissue mass, activation of lipolysis, eating a high fat diet and even non‐shivering thermogenesis all lead to the recruitment and activation of immune cells in key metabolic tissues. The responses are complex and not completely defined, and indeed, as is typical of rapidly evolving research areas, there are some conflicting reports, especially related to the metabolic consequences of manipulation of immune function. However, what is clear is the consensus that metabolic processes, especially obesity and obesity‐related complications, activate both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Canonical immune processes consist of discrete steps: surveillance, recognition, effector action and resolution. Over the last decade evidence for each part of the immune response has been found at the intersection of the immune system with metabolism. Although evidence for immune surveillance and modulation of metabolism has been found in the liver, muscle, hypothalamus and pancreas, immune cell function has been most intensively studied and best understood in adipose tissue where studies continue to provide insights into the intersection of the metabolic and immune systems. Here we review the modulation of immune cell populations in adipose tissue and discuss regulatory processes implicated in controlling the interface between metabolism and immunologic function.


Using an ultracold gas of atoms, we have realized a quasi-two-dimensional Fermi system with widely tunable s-wave interactions nearly in a ground state. Pressure and density are measured. The experiment covers physically different regimes: weaklyand strongly-attractive Fermi gases and a Bose gas of tightly-bound pairs of fermions. In the Fermi regime of weak interactions, the pressure is systematically above a Fermi-liquid-theory prediction probably due to mesoscopic effects. In the opposite Bose regime, the pressure agrees with a mean-filed theory of point-like bosons in an unexpectedly wide range. Reported measurements, especially in the challenging strongly-interacting regime, may serve for sensitive testing of theoretical methods applicable across different quantum physics disciplines.


The paper is devoted to the study of the short rate equation of the form $$ dR(t)=F(R(t))dt+\sum_{i=1}^{d}G_i(R(t-))dZ_i(t), \quad R(0)=x\geq 0, \quad t>0, $$ with deterministic functions $F,G_1,...,G_d$ and independent L\'evy processes of infinite variation $Z_1,...,Z_d$ with regularly varying Laplace exponents. The equation is supposed to have a nonnegative solution which generates an affine term structure model. A precise form of the generator of $R$ is characterized and a related classification of equations which generate affine models introduced in the spirit of Dai and Singleton \cite{DaiSingleton}. Each class is shown to have its own canonical representation which is an equation with the same drift and the jump diffusion part based on a L\'evy process taking values in $\mathbb{R}^{g}, 1\leq g\leq d$, with independent coordinates being stable processes with stability indices in the range $(1,2]$. Numerical calibration results of canonical representations to the market term structure of interest rates are presented and compared with the classical CIR model. The paper generalizes the classical results on the CIR model from \cite{CIR}, as well as on its extended version from \cite{BarskiZabczykCIR} and \cite{BarskiZabczyk} where $Z$ was a one-dimensional L\'evy process.


Consider a world of ``objects." Our goal is to place these objects into categories that are useful to the observer using sensory data. One criterion for utility is that the categories allow the observer to infer the object''s potential behaviors, which are often non-observable. Under what conditions can such useful categories be created? We propose a solution which requires 1) that modes or clusters of natural structures are present in the world, and 2) that the physical properties of these structures are reflected in the sensory data used by the observer for classification. Given these two constraints, we explore the type of additional knowledge sufficient for the observer to generate an internal representation that makes explicit the natural modes. Finally we develop a formal expression of the object classification problem.


1.In most isolated gastropod nervous systems, presumed feeding motor patterns are thought to be represented by the alternating motor activity in buccal roots, which underlies rhythmic radula movement. Since this movement accompanies several types of behaviour in the gastropod Pleurobranchaea (McClellan, 1979, 1980, 1982), the presumed feeding motor activity in the isolated nervous system of this animal was re-examined in more detail. 2.Alternating buccal root activity was shown here to be associated with other types of behaviour besides feeding, and is, therefore, not sufficiently unique to serve as a 'neural correlate' for feeding in Pleurobranchaea and presumably other gastropods. 3.Unlike the isolated nervous systems of most gastropods, which generate only one buccal rhythm, that of Pleurobranchaea generates two different buccal motor patterns which alternate: (1) a slow 'primary' rhythm whose behavioural identity is unclear, and (2) brief periods of a relatively fast rhythm which underlie bouts of vomiting. 4.In general, a buccal rhythm generated by an isolated gastropod nervous system can only be assigned a function if there are features of the rhythm that are unique to only one of the several behavioural responses involving the buccal mass.


The DEAP-3600 Dark Matter detector, located 2 km underground at SNOLAB, uses up to 3600 kg of natural atmospheric argon as its detection medium. The isotopes 36Ar and 39Ar are present in small quantities in argon found in the atmosphere, and so are present within DEAP-3600. These isotopes can be examined in data collected for a Dark Matter search. 36Ar could undergo an exotic decay process called neutrinoless double electron capture. This decay violates lepton number conservation and its observation would provide a clear indication of physics beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Three modes of this decay with different final states could be detected with DEAP-3600 if they occur. A search for this decay was performed on an isotopic exposure of 6.67 kg-years with the DEAP-3600 detector. A fit to this data has yielded lower limits on the half-life of 36Ar of T > 4.78e20 years. 39Ar is a beta-emitting isotope and is a major background for DEAP-3600 and other argon-based dark matter experiments. A measurement of the specific activity of 39Ar in natural atmospheric argon has been performed on a total argon mass exposure of 2200 kg-years taken over a period of 12 months; 185 individual measurements were made. The specific activity is determined to be (0.953 +/- 0.028)Bq/kg, corresponding to a concentration of (7.6 +/- 0.2)e-16 g(39Ar)/g(atmAr).


PURPOSE
An increasing number of implantable or external devices can impact whether patients can receive radiological imaging examinations. This study examines and tests the Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) Onpro on-body injector in multiple imaging environments.

METHODS
The injector was analyzed for four imaging modalities with testing protocols and strategies developed for each modality. In x-ray and computed tomography (CT), scans with much higher exposure than clinical protocols were performed with the device attached to an anthropomorphic phantom. The device was monitored until the completion of drug delivery. For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the device was assessed using a hand-held magnet and underwent the magnetically induced displacement testing in a 1.5T clinical MRI scanner room. For ultrasound, magnetic field changes were measured around an ultrasound scanner system with three transducers.

RESULTS
For x-ray and CT no sign of device error was identified during or after the high radiation exposure scans. Drug delivery was completed at expected timing with expected volume. For MRI the device showed significant attractive force towards the hand-held magnet and a 50-degree deflection angle at 50 cm from the opening of the scanner bore. No further assessment from the gradient or radiofrequency field was deemed necessary. For ultrasound the maximum magnetic field change from baseline was measured to be +11.7 μT in comparison to +74.2 μT at 4 inches from a working microwave.

CONCLUSIONS
No device performance issue was identified under the extreme test conditions in x-ray or CT. The device was found to be MR Unsafe. Magnetic field changes around an ultrasound system met the limitation set by manufacture. Patient ultrasound scanning is considered safe as long as the transducers do not inadvertently loosen the device.


Catalytic oxidative polymerization of 2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl (DHBP) was performed by using both the Schiff base monomer-Cu(II) complex and Schiff base polymer-Cu(II) complex compounds as catalysts and hydrogen peroxide as oxidant, respectively. The dependence of monomer conversion and molecular weight distribution on various reaction parameters, including time, temperature, solvent as well as the amount of catalyst and oxidant were investigated. The structure of the poly-2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl (PDHBP) was confirmed by UV-vis, IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy techniques. The electrochemical and thermal properties of PDHBP were also studied. DSC data revealed that PDHBP was amorphous.


ldquoStealth dicing (SD)rdquo was developed to solve inherent problems of a dicing process such as debris contaminants and unnecessary thermal damages on a work wafer. A completely dry process is another big advantage over other dicing methods. In SD, the laser beam power of transmissible wavelength is absorbed only around focal point in the wafer by utilizing the temperature dependence of the absorption coefficient of the wafer. The absorbed power forms a modified layer in the wafer, which functions as the origin of separation in the separation process. In this paper, we applied this method for an ultra-thin wafer. The reliability of devices that is diced by SD was confirmed.


In many real-world tasks, it is not possible to procedurally specify an RL agent's reward function. In such cases, a reward function must instead be learned from interacting with and observing humans. However, current techniques for reward learning may fail to produce reward functions which accurately reflect user preferences. Absent significant advances in reward learning, it is thus important to be able to audit learned reward functions to verify whether they truly capture user preferences. In this paper, we investigate techniques for interpreting learned reward functions. In particular, we apply saliency methods to identify failure modes and predict the robustness of reward functions. We find that learned reward functions often implement surprising algorithms that rely on contingent aspects of the environment. We also discover that existing interpretability techniques often attend to irrelevant changes in reward output, suggesting that reward interpretability may need significantly different methods from policy interpretability.


We designed and developed propeller-type 3,5,8-trithienyl-BODIPY dyes ST-1, ST-2, and ST-3, which have the same three units of tetramethyl-2-(thiophen-2-yl)-1,3-dioxolane, thiophene-2-carbaldehyde, or 2-(pyridin-4-yl)-3-(thiophen-2-yl)acrylonitrile at the 3-, 5-, and 8-positions on the BODIPY skeleton, respectively. In order to get an insight into the impacts of 3,5,8-trithienyl substituents on the BODIPY core on the optical and electrochemical properties, we performed the photoabsorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, Lippert–Mataga plots, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations for ST-1, ST-2, and ST-3. The photoabsorption and fluorescence maxima (λabsmax and λflmax) of the three 3,5,8-trithienyl-DODIPY dyes exhibit bathochromic shifts in the order of ST-1 (ca. 640 and 660 nm) < ST-2 (ca. 660 and 680 nm) < ST-3 (ca. 730 and 750 nm), which appear in significantly longer wavelength regions compared to those of the 3,5,8-triphenyl BODIPY dye. This fact indicates that the expansion of the π-conjugated system by the introduction of thiophene units as spacers at the 3-, 5-, and 8-positions onto the BODIPY core can lead to bathochromic shifts of photoabsorption and fluorescence bands to the red/NIR region. It was found that the photoabsorption and fluorescence bands of the propeller-type 3,5,8-trithienyl-BODIPY dyes are nearly independent of solvent polarity, that is, ST-1, ST-2, and ST-3 show feeble solvatochromic properties. Moreover, we revealed that ST-3 possesses the ability to generate singlet oxygen (1O2) under visible light irradiation, and thus, this result provides useful knowledge in molecular design of efficient BODIPY-based photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT).


The article draws on theories of volunteer motivation, documentary evidence and interview data in an attempt to understand the impact of biographical and motivational factors on perceived success in mentoring relationships. The results presented are part of a wider exploration of the developmental needs of mentors, considering the voluntary nature of mentoring, the social character of action and analyses the incentives of 52 volunteers who were trained as mentors for lone parents between 1996 and 1998, as part of a government‐funded Lone Parent Mentoring Project. The article summarises the recruitment and selection processes used to encourage volunteers to apply for mentor training, and presents results collected from application forms which describe the variety of reasons given by applicants for their decision to apply. It then considers the values and beliefs which underpin these motivations.


WILLIAMS, STEPHANNIA. Hydroentanglement Process as a Finishing Treatment for the Enhancement of Knitted Fabrics. (Under the direction of Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Dr. William Oxenham, and Dr. Tim Clapp.) This research involves the application of hydroentangling technology as a means of significantly improving knitted fabric properties. Hydroentanglement describes a versatile process for manufacturing fabrics using fine, closely spaced, high velocity jets of water to entangle loose arrays of fibers. Hydroentanglement is a stable, relatively mature technology that sees mass use in the nonwovens industry. In the past, various efforts have been made, directed at improving the dimensional stability and physical properties of woven and knitted fabrics through the finishing technique of hydroentanglement. In such applications, warp and filling fibers in fabrics are hydroentangled at crossover points to effect enhancement in fabric cover. Several U.S. patents describe these efforts, but there remains a need to better reduce the pilling tendency and better improve abrasion resistance of a pillable fabric utilizing a physical finishing method that can be employed based upon specific process parameters for generation of an antipilling fabric. The process parameters of hydroentangling are investigated and optimized to achieve desired results. Fabric selection was based on industry interest and includes ring spun single knit and double knit constructions in fiber combinations of cotton, polyester, and cotton/polyester blended fibers. Potential benefits include enhanced fabric durability, stability, and appearance. Fabric properties were tested before and after the hydroentanglement process. The experimental design was conducted to optimize testing, material selection, and process parameters. For the purpose of the experimental model, process parameters include speed, pressure, and number of manifold passes as the main factors of study related to hydroentangling. The initial fabric selection included six fabric configurations: 100% cotton single knit, 100% cotton double knit, 100% polyester single knit, 100% polyester double knit, 65/35 polyester/ cotton single knit, and 65/ 35 polyester/ cotton double knit. From the model, the process parameters were optimized based on data provided from testing to achieve a desirable fabric. Pilling, abrasion, air permeability, thickness, weight and stiffness were investigated as primary testing parameters. Hydroentanglement Process as a Finishing Treatment for the Enhancement of Knitted Fabrics


This work summarizes the didactic design and introductory outcomes in an educative program, involving six math and physics university courses for engineers, based on the use and construction of widgets. Widgets were generated under Project Oriented Learning and blended learning methodologies. In the program, widgets previously generated by teachers are firstly used by students to appropriate basic and middle concepts. After, students were requested to generate their own widgets to develop complex thinking skills, applying related concepts but involving alternative situations. Design was based on curriculum integration to build mathematical, technical and visual representations of the problems and concepts involved. Wolfram Alpha, Desmos and Mathtab widget developers were used to generate ad hoc activities in terms of their capabilities and course requirements. Post-test only results of students' value perceptions indicated positive attitudes towards the use of widgets. Differential gain in the general learning performance between experimental and control groups was less conclusive. Researcher observations of teachers' educative technology skills acquired are also reported.


With ever-increasing new policies on anti-social behavior and ongoing public concern over the care of children, juvenile crime and law breaking, this new book is a timely examination of recent developments in the areas of youth justice and child protection. The central focus of the book is on whether society and young people in state care, both in young offenders? institutes or foster/care homes, are better served by the dispensation of justice or appropriate family support. A broad range of international contributors discuss different approaches to this issue and the varying extent to which it is dealt with as part of the same system ranging from the English, Welsh, Western European, US and Canadian arrangements, where judicial and service responses are largely segregated to the Scottish system where both are dealt with in the same children's hearing system.


This study investigated the inclusion levels of defatted maize germ (DMG) in the diet of horses by determining the apparent digestibility coefficients of the nutrients, and the physicochemical parameters of feaces and blood samples. Four adult horses, weighing 483.3 ± 27.5 kg average, arranged in 4x4 Latin square were used. The energy provided by the diets came from hay, 50% (Jiggs hay), and from the concentrate, 50%, with increasing DMG levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%). Digestibility was determined using samples from total feaces collection. The characteristics of color, consistency, pH and buffering capacity (BC) 5 and 6 of the feaces were determined daily during the collection days. The blood samples were collected by venipuncture of the jugular, with vacuum tubes, to determine the concentration of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and insulin using biochemical kits and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids, by gas chromatography. The diets did not affect significantly (P> 0.05) the digestibility of nutrients, fecal pH (mean 6.7), buffering capacity at pH 5 (22.7) and pH 6 (6.9), and fecal concentration of short-chain fatty acids. Likewise, diets did not affect significantly (P> 0.05) the blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and total short-chain fatty acids. However, diets changed significantly (P <0.05) the blood concentrations of triglycerides, described by the equation ŷ = 30.62 + 0.26x. The triglycerides, glucose and insulin variables also changed significantly (P <0.05) over time, according to the following equations: ŷ = 32.30 + 0.87x; ŷ = 85.93 + 3.17x – 0.61x2; and y = 3.19 + 1.38x – 0.22x2, respectively. The defatted maize germ can be included up to 30% of the concentrate (up to 9.6% of the diet) without changing the diet apparent digestibility coefficient, and feaces and blood physicochemical parameters. This ingredient can be an alternative for high fiber diets and can contribute to formulating diets with lower glycemic and insulinemic indexes.


Mammalian nephrogenesis is a complex process that involves the precise timely and spatially coordinated interaction of a plethora of signaling molecules. During terminal nephron segmentation, POU3F3 (aka BRN1), a POU domain class 3 transcription factor, plays a critical role in the differentiation of the distal tubule, in particular the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (TAL). In knock-out mice, deficiency of POU3F3 leads to underdevelopment of the TAL, lack of differentiation of TAL and macula densa cells, and perinatal death due to renal failure. Pou3f3L423P mutant mice were established in the phenotype-driven Munich ENU Mouse Mutagenesis Project within a special screen for increased plasma urea levels to detect novel mouse models for kidney diseases. These mice carry a recessive point mutation in the highly conserved homeodomain of POU3F3. In contrast to Pou3f3 knock-out mice, homozygous Pou3f3L423P mutants are viable and fertile. The present study used functional, as well as qualitative and quantitative morphological analyses to characterize the renal phenotype of juvenile (12 days) and aged (60 weeks) homo- and heterozygous Pou3f3L423P mutant mice and age-matched wildtype littermates of both sexes. In both age groups, homozygous mutants vs. control mice displayed significantly smaller kidney volumes, decreased nephron numbers and smaller mean glomerular volumes. Besides, the absolute TAL volumes and the volume densities of TAL in the kidney were significantly reduced in Pou3f3L423P mutants. There were no histologically or ultrastructurally detectable lesions of TAL or glomerular cells. Aged homozygous mutants displayed increased serum urea concentrations and reduced specific urine gravity, but no evidence of glomerular dysfunction. These results confirm the important function of POU3F3 during nephron patterning, especially in development of the TAL. Furthermore they provide strong evidence that POU3F3 is also involved in the regulation of nephron induction, nephron endowment, and nephron size in the murine kidney, while the mutation is not associated with a distinct pattern of morphological glomerular lesions. The detailed characterization of the renal morphology of Pou3f3L423P mutants provided the basis for further analyses of POU3F3 actions, and showed that Pou3f3L423P mutant mice represent a valuable research model for nephrological studies examining the role of congenital low nephron numbers in kidney disease development and progression.


In 2003, a joint research project entitled "Nano and graded thermoelectric materials/Photovoltaic-thermoelectric-wind power generation" is established in cooperation among research institutes from Japan and China. The major research institutes include State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing (Wuhan University of Technology, China), Shanghai Institute of Ceramics (Chinese Academy of Sciences, China), State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing (Tsinghua University, China), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA, Japan) and Foundation for Promotion of Japanese Aerospace Technology (JAST, Japan). The main aim of this project is to develop a photovoltaic-thermoelectric-wind power generation system with high efficiency solar energy conversion. The key works of the project include: (1) fabrication of high efficiency nano thermoelectric materials with a maximum figure of merit Z≥1.3; (2) design and fabrication of nano graded thermoelectric material/component with efficiency conversion larger than 12% for wide temperature range and (3) design and construction of photovoltaic- thermoelectric coupled power generation system. The recent progress about the joint research project is reported in this paper. Emphasis is put on the mechanism, design and fabrication of high efficiency nano graded thermoelectric materials. The future research plan is also mentioned in brief.


Hitherto, lots of efforts have been made to illustrate the consequence of consuming conventional cigarette. The relationship between its utilization and the occurrence, deterioration, and variation of pain has been demonstrated for decades. As a result, electronic cigarette was investigated for its harmless and ideal replacement for conventional cigarette. Proposed and endorsed for almost 15 years, e-cigarette has established its success and induced many consumers. Later on, with greater attention to the increasing population indulging in or switching to electronic cigarette, complaints and side effects occurred and accumulated. Betwixt, headache, chest pain, thermal injury, withdrawal symptoms, and chronic pain had been described either via case reports or by experimental or clinical researches. Through comprehensively reviewing current publications, this chapter illustrates respective pain. With the introduction of this chapter, it will be helpful for the general public to understand the potential health implications of using e-cigarettes and evoke the readers ' interest to learn more about this topic.


The article analyzes the price dynamics of organic vegetables in Lithuania during the period of 2014 - 2016. A comparative analysis of the prices of organic vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions) was carried out as well as a comparative analysis of Lithuanian and imported vegetables, the trends of organic potato and vegetable price dynamics were estimated. The research carried out has revealed that lowest price of organic potato during the research period was in spring and winter. Potatoes of new harvest during summer (1.23 EUR/kg) and autumn (1.25 EUR/kg) seasons are higher. Price difference between Lithuanian and imported organic carrots and potatoes during different seasons is insignificant; significant fluctuations have been recorded only in Lithuanian and imported carrots in all period and potatoes in 2015. The most expensive vegetables were organic carrots, the average price of which in 2014 was 1.38 EUR/kg. During the research period the average price of organic potatoes was 1.21 EUR/kg, i.e. 2.5 of times more than the conventional carrots (0.47 EUR/kg). Prices of the imported vegetables were higher than the prices of Lithuanian ones. In the analysed period the price of imported carrots (1.98 EUR/kg) was on average 1.5 times higher than the price of Lithuanian carrots (1.31 EUR/kg), imported organic onions (2.33 EUR/kg) were up to 57% more expensive than Lithuanian onions (1.33 EUR/kg). Germany has a wider supply of organic products. The price of potatoes in Germany using the analyzed period has risen in 51%. In 2016, the price of potatoes in Germany was 34% higher than in Lithuania. During the entire research period the price of organic carrots in Lithuania was higher than in Germany. In 2016, onions in Germany were 16% more expensive. Keywords: market, organic products , import, vegetables, potatoes. Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.065