An invisibility cloak based on transformation optics often requires material with inhomogeneous, anisotropic, and possibly extreme material parameters. In the present study, on the basis of the concept of neutral inclusion, we find that a spherical cloak can be achieved using a layer with finite constant anisotropic conductivity. We show that thermal localization can be tuned and controlled by anisotropy of the coating layer. A suitable balance of the degree of anisotropy of the cloaking layer and the layer thickness provides a cloaking effect. Additionally, by reversing the conductivities in two different directions, we find that a thermal concentrating effect can be simulated. This finding is of particular value in practical implementation as a material with constant material parameters is more feasible to fabricate. In addition to the theoretical analysis, we also demonstrate our solutions in numerical simulations based on finite element calculations to validate our results.


In this paper standoff Raman spectroscopy SRS system for explosive materials is developed. Standoff Raman detection of C4 substance under dark laboratory condition at 4 m distance is achieved. A frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm excitation is used. The Raman scattered light is collected by a telescope and then transferred via fiber optics cable to spectrograph and finally into CCD detector. Notch filter used to reject Rayleigh scattering light. Carbon tetrachloride CCL4 and Acetone (CH3)2CO are used as a calibration standard for the Raman measurements because of their strong and intensive scattering capability. Raman measurement of C4 explosive is also acquired using conventional Raman microscopy for verification of standoff Raman measurements. The effects of integration time and laser power on Raman cross section under dark condition were studied. Standoff Raman detection of C4 substance at 4 m distance under partially illuminated condition has been achieved and hence the effect of higher integration time was studied under the same condition. [DOI: 10.22401/JNUS.20.2.11]


The introduction of natural gas (NG) in the road transport market is proceeding through bifuel vehicles, which, endowed of a double-injection system, can run either with gasoline or with NG. A third possibility is the simultaneous combustion of NG and gasoline, called double-fuel (DF) combustion: the addition of methane to gasoline allows to run the engine with stoichiometric air even at full load, without knocking phenomena, increasing engine efficiency of about 26% and cutting pollutant emissions by 90%. The introduction of DF combustion into series production vehicles requires, however, proper engine calibration (i.e., determination of DF injection and spark timing maps), a process which is drastically shortened by the use of computer simulations (with a 0D two zone approach for in-cylinder processes). An original knock onset prediction model is here proposed to be employed in zero-dimensional simulations for knock-safe performances optimization of engines fueled by gasoline-NG mixtures or gasoline-methane mixtures. The model takes into account the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) behavior of fuels and has been calibrated using a considerable amount of knocking in-cylinder pressure cycles acquired on a Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) engine widely varying compression ratio (CR), inlet temperature, spark advance (SA), and fuel mixture composition, thus giving the model a general validity for the simulation of naturally aspirated or supercharged engines. As a result, the auto-ignition onset is predicted with maximum and mean error of 4.5 and 1.4 crank angle degrees (CAD), respectively, which is a negligible quantity from an engine control standpoint.


ABSTRACT This paper investigates the effectiveness of industrial policy, and the role of state capacity to implement it, by making a comparison of automotive development in Thailand and Czechia, the largest vehicle producers in Southeast Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, respectively. The development of the industry in both countries primarily relied on foreign investment, despite Czechia's long earlier history of domestic automotive development. The countries, however, have used very different types of industrial policy. Thailand introduced a series of vertical (sector-specific) industrial policies, pursuing a proactive industrial development strategy with state intervention, continuing even under the restrictions on trade-related policy measures imposed by the WTO since 2000. In contrast, Czechia has employed mostly horizontal (non-sector-specific) industrial policies with less state intervention, influenced by the restrictions of the European Union. Although both countries achieved considerable output and export growth, Thailand has a deeper and more locally owned supply chain. Thailand's imaginative use of de facto local content requirements in connection with its product champion policy is instructive.


Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and deadly subtype of breast cancer, accounting for 30,000 cases annually in the US. While there are several clinical trials ongoing to identify new agents to treat TNBC, the majority of TNBC patients are treated with anthracycline- or taxane-based chemotherapies in the neoadjuvant setting, followed by surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. While many patients respond well to this approach, as many as 25% will suffer local or metastatic recurrence within five years. Understanding the mechanisms that drive recurrence after chemotherapy treatment is critical to improving survival for patients with TNBC. It is well-established that the extracellular matrix, which provides structure and support to tissues, is a major driver of tumor growth, local invasion and dissemination of cancer cells to distant metastatic sites. In the present study, we show that decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) obtained from chemotherapy-treated mice increases invasion of treatment-naïve breast cancer cells compared to vehicle-treated dECM. Using tandem-mass-tag proteomics, we further demonstrate that anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapies induce drug-specific changes in tumor ECM composition. We identify the basement membrane protein collagen IV as significantly upregulated in the ECM of chemotherapy-treated mice and patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We show that collagen IV drives invasion via Src/FAK signaling and that inhibiting collagen IV-driven signaling decreases invasion in chemotherapy-treated dECM. These studies provide a novel mechanism by which chemotherapy may induce metastasis via effects on ECM composition. One Sentence Summary Chemotherapy alters the extracellular matrix of breast tumors leading to increased invasion of residual cancer cells.


AIMS
To investigate whether e-cigarette and cigarette susceptibility predict e-cigarette and cigarette use among American youth 1 year later. Design and Setting Longitudinal data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study - a four-stage, stratified probability cohort study of youth (12-17 years old) sampled from the U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized population. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between initial product-specific susceptibility and subsequent cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to nicotine users, and behavioral risk factors.

PARTICIPANTS
The sample included 8,841 adolescent never nicotine users at initial survey who participated in both wave 4 (2016-2017) and wave 4.5 (2017-2018) of PATH.

MEASUREMENTS
We measured cigarette and e-cigarette susceptibility (defined as a lack of a firm commitment to not use cigarettes or e-cigarettes) among never nicotine users at baseline (wave 4) as well as cigarette and e-cigarette use at 12-month follow-up (wave 4.5).

FINDINGS
Youth e-cigarette susceptibility was statistically significantly (p<0.05) associated with e-cigarette use 1 year later, for both past 12-month (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.99, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.29-3.90) and past 30-day e-cigarette use (aOR = 2.73, 95% CI, 1.78-4.16), but not with cigarette smoking (aOR = 1.05; 95% CI, 0.64-1.73 for past 12-month smoking and aOR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.29-1.45 for past 30-day smoking. Smoking susceptibility predicted subsequent smoking in the past 12 months (aOR = 1.82, 95% CI, 1.09-3.03) and past 30 days (aOR = 3.32, 95% CI (1.33-8.29), but not e-cigarette use in the past 12 months (aOR = 0.96, 95% CI, 0.77-1.19) or past 30 days (aOR = 1.11, 95% CI, 0.82-1.51).

CONCLUSION
E-cigarette and cigarette susceptibility measures appear to predict product-specific use among youth 1 year later.


Needle free injection techniques can be used to administer vaccines and medications in the pork industry. In this review we have discussed history of diabetes mellitus with its whole introduction, types of insulin, need for needle free insulin technology, insulin pumps, intraject drug delivery, current needle free devices in the market. Needle free injection offers a fast, effective route of administration. Needle free injection technology has been used widely in clinical practice for many decades and has been shown to be safe and effective for the administration of many different medications for a variety of applications, including immunization and mass inoculation of large populations. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that has a major impact on the lives of people with diabetes and their families and may complicate family functioning. An insulin injection is always became a painful experience to a diabetic patient. It definitely affect the patient compliance of the diabetic patient. The needle free insulin technology is the best alternative to the pains and needles. With oral drug delivery there is one another drug delivery that is insulin drug delivery with osmotic pump and handheld controllable injections. The future work that would most benefit the controllable NFTI project would be to create a tissue model that would allow the correlation of jet power with depth of injection. This also has implications for a human market for this device. Future work in this area could drastically improve healthcare for animals and humans alike.


Teaching as a profession demands calling and commitment beyond human's limitations. The conscious choices by teachers are leading them toward stress, burnout, and conflicts at personal and professional levels. The aim of present study is to explore the perceived workplace spirituality of school teachers. The information was collected from 243 Indian school teachers. The meaningful work, meaningful life, interpersonal relationship and working environment were extracted as main dimensions of workplace spirituality in schools. The factor structure was validated by using partial least square structure equation modeling. Workplace spirituality was discussed as a measure to overcome issues related to teaching and teachers. This research will lead the future researchers to explore and empirically verify sources of workplace spirituality in classroom settings.


A Two Dimensional Numerical Soot Model for Advanced Design and Control of Diesel Particulate Filters by Prabash E. Abeyratne Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering West Virginia University Mridul Gautam, Ph.D., Chair One of the most effective methods to control diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions from heavy duty diesel engines is to use wall flow diesel particulate filters (DPF). It is still a major challenge to get an accurate estimation of soot loading, which is crucial for the engine afterteratment assembly optimization. In the recent past, several advanced computational models of DPF filtration and regeneration have been presented to assess the cost effective optimization of future particulate trap systems. They are characterized by different degree of detail and computational costs, depending on the specific application (i.e diagnostics, control, system design, component design etc) The objective of this study is to compare in detail a two dimensional (2-D) approach with a one dimensional (1-D) approach, thus giving a better insight of the variation of properties over the DPF length. This task has been archived by extending an in-house developed 1-D numerical soot model to the next dimension to understand the impact of 2-D representation to predict both steady state and transient behavior of a catalyzed diesel particulate filter (CDPF). Performance of the model was evaluated using three key parameters: pressure drop, filter outlet temperature and soot mass retained in the filter during both active and continuous regeneration events. Quasi-steady state conservation of mass, momentum and energy equations were solved numerically using finite difference methods adopting a spatially uniform mesh. The results obtained from the current model were compared with the 1-D code to evaluate the general validity of assumptions made in the latter, especially DPF loading status prediction. The model was validated using the data gathered at the West Virginia University Engine and Emissions Research Laboratory (WVU-EERL) using a model year 2004 Mack MP7-355E Diesel engine coupled to a Johnson Matthey catalyzed diesel particulate filter (CDPF) exercised over a 13 mode European stationary cycle (ESC) followed by two federal transient cycles (FTP). A constant set of model tuning parameters were maintained for the sake of general validation of simplifying assumptions of the 1-D code. The analysis shows that the predicted pressure drop across the DPF is in good agreement with the data obtained at EERL in both steady state and transient cycles. It is also shown that the soot accumulates mainly in the frontal and rear parts across the filter length under given soot concentrations. The model is capable of tracking DPF soot mass satisfactorily with a maximum discrepancy of 3.47g during steady state cycle. A 7.95% decrease in soot layer thickness can be seen in the front portion of the DPF during the transient cycle mainly due to O2 assisted regeneration at elevated temperatures. Both 1-D and 2-D models produce similar results during the loading phase. However, the current model is able to capture regeneration phase of the FTP cycle more descriptively than the 1-D model. The discrepancy of the reported total soot mass estimation between two models was 2.12%. The distribution corresponding to the 1-D model is representative of soot layer distribution given by the 2-D model at one tenth distance away from the DPF front face. 1-D model representation is effective towards PM prediction, although presenting considerable axial effects at higher DPF temperatures.


The geographic range of 13 species from the subgenus Cuspidata in the East European Plain and Eastern Fennoscandia has been studied. Model maps for each species occurrence were constructed using geostatistics techniques (kriging method). Continuous coverages of 23 climatic factors were used in analysis also. We used dataset that proposed by authors of program WORLDCLIM. To learn how cor-responding values of climatic factors and species occurrence correlation and cluster analysis were conducted. It was found that 7 of 13 species are widespread on the East European Plain and Eastern Fennoscandia, and 6 species have the restricted ranges. Values of occurrence of all species (except Sphagnum lenense ) have a strong correlation with moisture factors (relative air humidity and sum of precipitation) in summer-autumn period. Such preferences allow them to grow successfully in Subarctic and Baltic regions, where high climatic humidity is observed. Restricted species are concentrated around the Baltic Sea and zones of the highest occurrence of widespread species are located at the same region. All species can be divided into four clusters according to its climatic preferences. Distribution of such species as S. obtusum seems to be strongly associated with two tongues of the Last Glacier, and this species seems to be a glacial relic.


This study examined the extent to which limited parents' involvement and participation relate to poor performance of students of secondary schools in Micheweni District, Pemba. The study was conducted in five secondary schools in Micheweni district namely; Micheweni, Kiuyu, Chwaka Tumbe, Msuka and Makangale involving 124 respondents out of 1403 targeted population of the study. The study employed Descriptive Research design with qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Interview and questionnaires were used as tools for data collection. Data were analysed using computer software and thematically. The study findings were presented in description, tables, charts and graphs. The study found that many parents were not well involved by the schools in education affairs of their children. Where parents were involved, their participation was so limited. Factors which contributed to such a circumstance included - poverty, lack of awareness, traditional culture, education irrelevance and poor communication between school and home. The gap that existed between home and school affected the learning spirit and progress of the students' performance in their national examinations. Therefore, poor performance of students in Micheweni secondary schools was highly contributed by limited involvement and participation of parents into the schooling of their children. On the basis of the findings, it was concluded that Poor Performance in Micheweni Secondary Schools is contributed by Parents' limited Involvement and participation. Finally, the study recommended that school administration, education officers and Ministry of Education to employ appropriate strategies and mechanisms such as Teachers Parents Associations, Academic Day, Community Awareness Forums, School Community Projects and Students Home works for maximum involvement and participation of parents to education affairs of their children.


In the past few decades, sustainability of natural resources and the social and environmental issues that surround them have become increasingly topical. This multidisciplinary book discusses the complex relationships between society, natural resources and the environment. Major resources including water, agriculture, energy, minerals and forests are considered, as well as different facets of the environment including climate, landforms and biodiversity. Each resource is discussed in the context of both environmental and socio-economic factors affecting their present and future distribution and demand. Presenting a balanced, comprehensive overview of the issues surrounding natural resources and sustainability, this accessible volume will be of interest to policy makers, resource managers, graduate students and researchers in the natural and social sciences.


Medical imaging is widely adopted in Hospitals and medical institutes, and new ways to improve existing medical imaging services are regularly exploited. This paper describes the adoption of Cloud Computing is useful for medical education and research, and describes the methodology, results and lesson learned. A working Bioinformatics Cloud platform can demonstrate computation and visualisation of brain imaging. The aim is to study segmentation of brains, which divides the brain into ten major regions. The Cloud platform has these two functions: (i) it can highlight each region for ten different segments; and (ii) it can adjust intensity of segmentation to allow basic study of brain medicine. Two types of benefits are reported as follows. Firstly, all the medical student participants are reported to have 20% improvement in their learning satisfaction. Secondly, 100% of volunteer participants are reported to have positive learning experience.


The Twin arginine translocation pathway translocates fully folded proteins across cellular membranes and is only utilised by proteins that fold before translocation. It is a unique process that is found in many bacteria, archaea and also in plant chloroplasts. Investigation of the bacterial and thylakoidal systems has revealed much of the substrates and the components involved in their translocation. Unfortunately, there are still many unanswered questions such as how substrates are directed to the membrane and the actual mechanism of translocation. This thesis specifically investigates the Tat pathway of halophilic and thermophilic archaea. To date, there has been a lack of research into the archaeal Tat pathway and it is possible that there are unique adaptations because of the extreme environments that these organisms inhabit. Chapter 3 specifically investigates the thermophiles Sulfolobus solfataricus and Sulfolobus tokodaii and attempts to purify their Tat complexes. By doing so it was hoped to learn more about the Tat components and their interactions. Further experiments were also performed to determine if the two S. solfataricus Tat operons provide specificity to the Tat substrates that translocate. Four separate areas of the Tat pathway of halophilic archaea (haloarchaea) were investigated in Chapters 4-7. Firstly, site-directed mutagenesis was used to analyse the signal peptides of haloarchaeal Tat substrates in more detail. Consequently, the resulting data led to the use of bioinformatics to analyse the Haloarchaeal signal peptide. The bioenergetics of the Tat system was then determined by analysing the effect of a variety of ionophores on translocation of the Tat substrates AmyH and SptA. Finally, a series of folding and stability assays were used to increase our understanding of AmyH, which could provide further information on why this protein, like many other haloarchaeal proteins, requires the Tat pathway for translocation.


Mitigation investments in long-lived capital stock (LLKS) differ from other types of mitigation investments in that, once established, LLKS can lock-in a stream of emissions for extended periods of time. Moreover, historical examples from industrial countries suggest that investments in LLKS projects or networks tend to be lumpy, and tend to generate significant indirect and induced emissions besides direct emissions. Looking forward, urbanization and rapid economic growth suggest that similar decisions about LLKS are being or will soon be made in many developing countries. In their current form, carbon markets do not provide correct incentives for mitigation investments in LLKS because the constraint on carbon extends only to 2012, and does not extend to many developing countries. Targeted mitigation programs in regions and sectors in which LLKS is being built at rapid rate are thus necessary to avoid getting locked into highly carbon-intensive LLKS. Even if the carbon markets were extended (geographically, sectorally, and over time), public intervention would still be required, for three main reasons. First, to ensure that indirect and induced emissions associated with LLKS are taken into account in investor's financial cost-benefit analysis. Second, to facilitate project or network financing to bridge the gap between carbon revenues that accrue over time as the project/network unfolds and the capital needed upfront to finance lumpy investments. Third, to internalize other non-carbon externalities (e.g., local pollution) and/or to lift barriers (e.g., lack of capacity to handle new technologies) that penalize the low-carbon alternatives relative to the high-carbon ones.


The summer school listing this year is composed of replies to questionnaires sent to universities and colleges from the CEC headquarters office.The listing is not to be considered complete and inclusion of a particular course does not mean that The Council for Exceptional Children has evaluated, approved, or accredited the course itself or the total college or university program of which it is a part. Readers are urged to contact the college and university officials listed below for a description of the courses, prerequisites, instructors, dates for enrollment, and other information.


In this paper polyethism in Odontotermes formosanus Shiraki has been studied inside and out of nest at foraging site. The foragers head width taken and column chart of foragers made based on the head widths. Fungal gardens and main nest with queen and king have been sectioned into different parts, top, middle, and bottoms. Workers in the nest were divided into minor and major workers based on their head widths. Workers with smaller head widths normally worked in the nest and foraging workers and soldiers always had the bigger head widths. Furthermore, tunneling behavior of the minor and major workers have been checked when they were together and when they were working solely. Subject to tunneling, the minor workers were the voracious digger. They are both good at making tunnels and galleries however with smaller width in compare to major workers. Moreover, sternal glands size of workers and foragers have been checked to see the relationship between the polyethism and the size of sternal gland. After checking the sternal glands of foragers and nest keeper workers, it was proven that the foragers have bigger sternal glands. BioMedSciDirect Publications International Journal of BIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL RESEARCH www.biomedscidirect.com Int J Biol Med Res


The effects of different anti-browning compounds (ascorbic acid, citric acid, L-cysteine and glutathione) on L*-value, hue angle, brown scores and brown pigments of fresh-cut mangoes cv. 'Nam Dok Mai' were investigated at four concentrations (0% as control, 0.5%, 1.5% and 2.5%). The browning attributes of treated fresh-cut mangoes were modelled to express the processes and to analyse the data obtained. The results revealed the similar changing tendency of L*-value and hue angle. They decreased in time during storage at 10oC, while the brown scores and amount of brown pigment increased. All processes were found to follow a first order reaction mechanism of decay or growth. A validation experiment was conducted by dipping fresh-cut mangoes in a different anti-browning solution of ascorbic acid, citric acid, L-cysteine or glutathione at 1.5% concentration and distilled water as control. The estimated values for the browning attributes using proposed models had good agreement with the measured values. In this validation experiment, other changes namely respiration rate, and enzymes related to browning (polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD)) were determined. Treatment with L-cysteine or glutathione was effective in suppressing tissue metabolism and enzyme activity, while citric acid significantly inhibited the growth of microorganisms as indicated by total plate count (TPC) (data not shown).


We examine how physical abilities affect individuals' preferences. In particular, by incorporating social comparison into prospect theory, we directly estimate the degree of loss aversion from social comparison, a concept we term `ALJ' (\textit{Avoiding Loss relative to the Joneses}). Our main findings are as follows: (i) the participants who choose the physical education as the best subject exhibit a greater degree of ALJ than others; (ii) physical fitness influences the degree of ALJ; (iii) gender influences social comparison preferences; (iv) participants with a greater degree of ALJ do not respond to voluntary questionnaire; (v) the form of participants' ALJ is affected by the voluntary behavior of their parents. A comparison of ALJ with loss aversion in the original prospect theory reveals that they have different characteristics.


This work presents Sketch2Scene, a framework that automatically turns a freehand sketch drawing inferring multiple scene objects to semantically valid, well arranged scenes of 3D models. Unlike the existing works on sketch-based search and composition of 3D models, which typically process individual sketched objects one by one, our technique performs co-retrieval and co-placement of 3D relevant models by jointly processing the sketched objects. This is enabled by summarizing functional and spatial relationships among models in a large collection of 3D scenes as structural groups. Our technique greatly reduces the amount of user intervention needed for sketch-based modeling of 3D scenes and fits well into the traditional production pipeline involving concept design followed by 3D modeling. A pilot study indicates that it is promising to use our technique as an alternative but more efficient tool of standard 3D modeling for 3D scene construction.


Growth hormone plays a central role in the change in nutrient metabolism that occurs during the initiation of lactation. The actions of growth hormone are mediated by the growth hormone receptor (GHR) whose mRNA is present in three alternatively spliced forms (GHR 1A, 1B, and 1C). Liver-specific GHR 1A mRNA is transiently decreased around parturition, but the exact timing of the decline is not known. Our objective was to generate a daily profile for total GHR (GHRtot; all GHR transcripts), GHR 1A, and IGF-I mRNA expression in liver of periparturient Holstein cows and evaluate these daily mRNA profiles relative to daily profiles for periparturient hormones and metabolites. Liver biopsies and blood samples (n = 139) were collected from 65 Holstein cows at the University of Missouri Dairy Farm. At least two cows were sampled on each day from 14 d before to 14 d after parturition. Total cellular RNA was isolated and reverse transcribed to cDNA. Target cDNA were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Plasma was assayed for progesterone, estradiol, insulin, growth hormone, IGF-I, glucose, and nonesterified fatty acids. The GHR 1A mRNA declined 2 d before parturition, was lowest 3 to 4 d after parturition, and then increased. The IGF-I mRNA declined 1 d after parturition, was lowest 2 to 5 d after parturition and then increased. Total GHR mRNA was not affected by day. The decrease in GHR 1A mRNA was associated with a decrease in progesterone and an increase in estradiol shortly before parturition. A detailed profile of GHR 1A, IGF-I, and GHRtot mRNA expression during the periparturient period was provided. The decreases in GHR 1A and IGF-I during the transition period occurred immediately before (GHR 1A) or shortly after (IGF-I) parturition. Rapid changes in placental and ovarian steroids before parturition were coincident with changes in GHR 1A mRNA.


A novel approach is presented to the detection of homological, eroded and latent periodicities in DNA sequences. Each symbol in a DNA sequence is assumed to be generated from an information source with an underlying probability mass function (pmf) in a cyclic manner. The number of sources can be interpreted as the periodicity of the sequence. The maximum likelihood estimates are developed for the pmfs of the information sources as well as the period of the DNA sequence. The statistical model can also be utilized for building probabilistic representations of RNA families.


Panaji was formally a Portuguese colony and it is well known for its rich cultural and built heritage. The city has been declared as heritage city to provide assistance under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) Scheme, which was launched by the central government in coordination with the state government. It is also one of the important tourist destinations and has one of the longest coastlines in India.The city has many heritage buildings and precincts. The Campal heritage precinct is one of the Conservation areas,which has been identified in the Outline Development Plan 2011. "The Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulation 2010" has also identified two residential houses and a statue of Dr. Francisco Luis Gomes in the Campal garden. The heritage area has number architectural and heritage buildings of high significance,which requires identification and notification. These have come under tremendous threat due to new developmental pressures in the area and some of the mare getting demolished due to non comprehensive approach to the heritage conservation by the agencies concerned including people at large. The paper focuses on the issues faced by the heritage precinct and proposes planning strategies and measures for harmonious development in the Campal heritage precinct


Developing highly active and cost-effective catalysts for Li–O2 batteries with high capacity, long cycle life and good rate performance is still challenging. In this work, a simple and efficient strategy is developed for the synthesis of MnOx spheres with a core–multishell structure. The spheres are assembled by ultrafine manganese oxide nanocrystals containing mixed-valent MnII, MnIII, and MnIV species. The Li–O2 batteries with MnOx sphere electrodes can deliver high discharge capacity, long-life cycling and excellent rate performance, namely, a specific capacity as large as 9709 mA h gcarbon−1 is delivered at 100 mA gcarbon−1 and maintained over 320 cycles at a limited capacity of 1000 mA h gcarbon−1. Even at a high capacity (2000 mA h gcarbon−1) with a high current density of 200 mA gcarbon−1, the batteries can still endure more than 120 cycles. During the long cycling, the batteries show ultra-stable electrochemical performance with a high discharge potential (2.8–2.9 V) and low charge voltage (3.7–3.8 V). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses for cycled mixed-valent MnOx electrodes are used to reveal the electrochemical mechanism.


Ranges of 79 conodont species are used to effect a graphic correlation of upper Llandoverian-Pridolian (Silurian) rocks in 30 stratigraphic sections in Europe and North America. A Silurian Composite Standard Section (CSS) developed by this method provides the total stratigraphic ranges for all species for which there is information in the system. These ranges are stated in terms of the sequence of Silurian rocks at Cellon, Austria, which is the Standard Reference Section (SRS). The Llandoverian/Wenlockian and Ludlovian/Pridolian boundaries are recognized based on the position of the "golden spike" in the boundary stratotypes, the Leasows (Hughley Brook) and Pozary sections, which form parts of the CSS. Range-data for graptolite species in ten of the stratigraphic sections are used to approximate positions of all other boundaries between Silurian series and stages that have been designated in boundary-stratotypes that are not parts of the Composite Standard Section. The Pridolian is shown to have had a longer duration than either the Ludlovian or Wenlockian, and the Llandoverian possibly approximated the Pridolian in duration. The CSS is divisible into ≃48 Standard Time Units (STU9s) of conceptually equal length; hence the chrono-stratigraphy based on it resolves at a level two to four times higher than any previously proposed for the Silurian. The CSS is also divided into a succession of conodont chronozones that are based on zones proposed by Walliser (1964), Aldridge (1972), and Barrick and Klapper (1976). Conodont chronozones can be recognized with confidence only in sections that are parts of the CSS framework.


Nb-base in-situ composites with the base composition of Nb-18Si-2HfC were prepared by conventional arc-melting. Their microstructures and mechanical properties, such as high-temperature strength and room temperature fracture toughness, were investigated to elucidate the effects of Re alloying. The in-situ composites predominantly have eutectic microstructures consisting of an Nb solid solution (NbSS) and Nb5Si3. The compressive strength increased with the increasing Re contents at 1470K and not at 1670 K. The strengthening effect observed at 1470 K is higher than that by W and Mo. Re alloying of about 2 % is valuable for improving both the high temperature strength and room temperature fracture toughness of Nb-18Si-2HfC base materials.


Although fostering self-determination has emerged as a central element of recommended and evidence-based transition practices for adolescents with disabilities, few studies have examined the paths through which students develop the skills and dispositions that can enhance their self-determination and successful transitions. The authors used path analyses to examine the ways in which exposure to quality secondary learning environments contributed to the development of self-efficacy, motivation, and academic achievement among 135 high school students receiving special education services. Students with disabilities who reported having greater involvement in learning environments reflecting recommended transition practices (i.e., high-quality learning environments) demonstrated increased career-search self-efficacy. Students with greater career-search self-efficacy were more highly engaged in goal setting, which further predicted their motivation to attend school and academic self-efficacy. Finally, students with higher academic self-efficacy were found to have higher grades. The authors offer recommendations for enhancing the self-determination skills and opportunities of youth with disabilities by strengthening the quality and impact of transition education.


BACKGROUND
A growing number of studies have shown that opioid craving (i.e., the perceived need or desire to consume opioids) is one of the strongest determinants of prescription opioid misuse in patients with chronic pain prescribed opioid therapy. To date, however, the factors that are associated with craving in patients with pain remain largely unexplored. Based on previous research, there is reason to believe that catastrophizing might be associated with heightened opioid craving.

OBJECTIVES
To test the hypothesis that catastrophizing would be associated with heightened craving in patients with chronic pain prescribed long-term opioid therapy.

DESIGN AND SUBJECTS, AND METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 109 patients with chronic pain were asked to provide self-reports of catastrophizing and craving. Patients also provided self-reports of pain intensity and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS
We found that higher levels of catastrophizing were associated with higher levels of craving. Importantly, results of a regression analysis revealed that the association between catastrophizing and craving remained significant even after controlling for a host of demographic (i.e., age, sex), psychological (i.e., depressive symptoms), medical (i.e., pain intensity, pain duration), and medication regimen (i.e., opioid doses) variables.

CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary findings provide valuable new insights into the determinants of craving in patients with pain. The finding that catastrophizing was associated with craving even after controlling for a host of demographic, psychological, medical, and medication regimen variables is particularly striking, and raises questions concerning the factors that underlie the association between catastrophizing and craving in patients prescribed opioid therapy.


Cinchona species were widely used as ancient medicines for different diseases because they contain the active component quinine and its derivatives. However, studies on the molecular aspects of cinchona, including its genetic diversity, have not been reported because most previous works focused on the administration of the antimalarial cinchona alkaloid. Quinine is also being tested as alternative compound for the treatment of Covid-19. The Junghuhn Natural Reserve in Indonesia contains three different types of cinchona plants, namely, Cinchona calisaya, Cinchona pubescens, and Cinchona sp. Given that the genetic diversity and kinship of these species have never been studied, collecting data on the cinchona gene pool has become imperative. This study analyzed the genetic diversity of the cinchona species in the Junghuhn Natural Reserve, Indonesia, by using eight RAPD markers, i.e., OPA-2, OPA-9, OPB-02, OPB-03, OPB-04, OPB-05, OPB-7, and OPJ-07, during 2020 at the University of Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto-Indonesia. Polymorphic band data were obtained. Then, phenogram analysis was conducted by using UPGMA and maximum parsimony with MEGA7. The RAPD profiles of Cinchona species (C. calisaya, C. pubescent, and Cinchona sp.) revealed polymorphism with different markers, i.e., OPA-2 (90%), OPB-2 (75%), OPB-5 (75%), OPB-3 (66.66%), OPB-4 (66.66%), OPB-7 (66.66%), OPJ-7 (66.66%), and OPA-9 (58.33%) sequentially with total polymorphism (70.62%). C. calisaya was identified as the most distinctive species. UPGMA yielded a coefficient of 0.200 and two distinctive groups: Group I, which comprised C. pubescens and Cinchona sp. with the p-distance value of 0.333, and Group II, which contained C. calisaya. Ixora sp. was treated as an outgroup plant. The topology of the dendrogram was consistent with that of the UPGMA dendrogram. Results may be used for the further exploration of the genetic diversity of cinchona species.


Introduction Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first-choice treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), but adherence is frequently suboptimal. Innovative, patient-centred interventions are, therefore, needed to enhance compliance. Due to its low cost and ubiquity, mobile health (mHealth) technology seems particularly suited for this purpose. We endeavoured to develop an mHealth application called "APPnea," aimed at promoting patient self-monitoring of CPAP treatment. We then assessed the feasibility and acceptability of APPnea in a group of OSA patients. Methods Consecutive OSA patients used APPnea for six weeks. APPnea gave patients daily reminders to answer three questions about their OSA treatment (CPAP use, physical activity, and diet) and prompted them to upload their body weight weekly. Answers were saved to a secure server for further analysis. After completing the study, patients gave their anonymous opinions about APPnea. Results We enrolled 60 patients with OSA receiving CPAP treatment. The mean age was 56 ± 10 years and the apnoea–hypopnea index was 47 ± 25 events/hour. In total, 63% of participants completed the daily questionnaire for more than 66% of the study period. Objective CPAP compliance was generally high (5.3 ± 1.6 hours/night). In a subset of 38 patients naïve to CPAP, those who used APPnea regularly had significantly higher CPAP compliance. Satisfaction levels were high for the majority of users. Conclusion This mHealth intervention is not only feasible but also satisfactory to patients. Although larger randomized trials and cost-effectiveness studies should be performed, this study shows that APPnea could promote participation and improve compliance among patients with OSA, thereby improving outcomes.


A guide to BGSU library and Internet resources that might be useful for researching the history of women in the United States.


We study various regularity properties of minimizers of the $\Phi$--perimeter, where $\Phi$ is a norm. Under suitable assumptions on $\Phi$ and on the dimension of the ambient space, we prove that the boundary of a cartesian minimizer is locally a Lipschitz graph out of a closed singular set of small Hausdorff dimension. Moreover, we show the following anisotropic Bernstein-type result: any entire cartesian minimizer is the subgraph of a monotone function depending only on one variable.


The current COVID-19 pandemic has changed many people's lives. Some people have responded to the rising of the pandemic by engaging in panic buying behaviors, a phenomenon that has not been well-understood in the past. People who believe in these conspiracies may experience a heightened sense of powerlessness and vulnerability. As a result, they may be particularly susceptible to palliatively and compensatorily engage in the panic buying behaviors (i.e., stockpiling). Supporting this idea, two studies using data from the U.K. (cross-sectional) and the U.S. (longitudinal) show that people who endorse COVID-19 conspiracy theories are more likely to engage in stockpiling behaviors in the past as well as in the future.


The recent discovery of the "Stress Repair Mechanism" (SRM) enables the Unified Theory of Medicine postulated by Hans Selye. It confers cohesive theories of anesthesia, analgesia, and allostasis that enable the alteration of anesthetic technique to optimize surgical outcome. The SRM continuously maintains and repairs the vertebrate body in accord with stressful forces and stimuli. Three synergistic pathways activate the SRM: the spinal pathway, the cognitive pathway, and the tissue pathway. Emotional mechanisms modulate the cognitive pathway, which explains allostasis. Surgery simultaneously stimulates all three synergistic pathways, causing harmful SRM hyperactivity that manifests as the Surgical Stress Syndrome. Anesthesia inhibits the cognitive pathway. Analgesia inhibits the spinal pathway. Synergistic combinations of anesthesia and analgesia minimize SRM hyperactivity better than either alone. This principle improves outcome, simplifies anesthetic technique, and minimizes polypharmacy and drug toxicity. Once verified, stress theory will advance surgical safety, accelerate recovery, minimize complications, reduce costs, enhance patient comfort, and guide pharmaceutical development to discover treatments that inhibit the tissue pathway, and thereby eliminate surgical stress altogether.


Currently, there is a distinct lack of innovative approaches to designing and building houses in Malaysia that could overcome the harsh climatic conditions to achieve thermal comfort. At the same time, demand for residential air-conditioning units has skyrocketed due to the lifestyle expectations of home buyers, the low prices of the units and the very low national residential electricity tariff. Most existing and new houses are not designed to be air-conditioned properly due to poor building material selections and endemic construction practices. These houses are not sealed and are thermally inefficient. Besides looking back to the indigenous passive solar design strategies, new design paradigms have to be explored and promoted for the benefit of all. One innovative approach that has been well-developed and proven successful is the Cooltek concept which was first used at a private bungalow in Melaka, Malaysia. The overarching principle of this concept is to reverse the role of the building envelope of colder climates from keeping the heat inside the building to keeping the heat out of the building which could provide a more conducive indoor environment for air-conditioning in order to reduce the indoor temperature and the relative humidity with minimal use of electricity. This paper describes the Cooltek concept and a case study in detail and how the concept works.


The rhesus haemolytic disease story is a particularly fascinating one. In a period of less than 30 years the precise aetiology of the disorder has been worked out, methods for treating the established disease have been developed, and finally a highly successful form of prophylaxis has been established. In this book Sir Cyril Clarke has selected a series of key papers from the rhesus story and has arranged them in three sections, covering the discovery of the rhesus blood group system, methods for treating the disease, and finally the prophylaxis of rhesus immunization. Each paper is preceded by a short critical commentary by the editor. Because of Sir Cyril's particular interest in the prophylaxis of rhesus immunization the third section is by far the longest, and important parts of the story, such as the thorny problem of nomenclature, are dealt with less fully. However, short extracts of some of the leading articles and letters dealing with anti-Rh serum nomenclature are included which serve to whet the reader's appetite for delving further into what was a fascinating combat between the serological giants. The articles have been photocopied from the original publications, and the standard of reproduction, withthe exception ofan occasional x-ray or blood film, is very high, and the whole format of the book is extremely attractive. The editor and publishers have done well to keep the material up to date, and the final section is a reproduction of the summary of an Rh and immunization workshop held at the second congress of immunology at Brighton in July 1974. The early papers on the prophylactic approach to rhesus immunization make particularly fascinating reading. There seems little doubt that the Liverpool and New York groups arrived at a similar scheme for preventing immunization quite independently and for quite different reasons. After descriptions of a few early setbacks on both sides of the Atlantic the papers then describe a series of successful preliminary trials, and finally there are a series of large-scale trial reports from many countries showing that prophylaxis is unequivocally successful. This book underlines the fact that the only way to get real insight into any research field is to go back and read the original papers, and Sir Cyril Clarke has done an invaluable service by setting out the rhesus story in this way. It can be thoroughly recommended to everybody interested in the subject. It should have a much broader appeal, however, and because it highlights the curious mixture of chance, insight, clashes of personalities, and considerable element of good luck which underlies most important scientific discoveries it makes an excellent introduction to medical research for anyone embarking in this rather uncertain pastime. Finally, at a time when money for research is becoming hard to get it is nice to be reminded that an extremely important piece of work cost virtually nothing to get off the ground.


This study was to investigate sorption behavior of selected antibiotics in soils. The pH effect on sorption was also studied. Results showed organic matter was an important factor in the sorption of sulfamethoxazole and sulfapyridine to soil, while trimethoprim could be easily sorbed on different types of soils, and displayed a higher sorption potential than sulfamethoxazole and sulfapyridine. The extent of sulfamethoxazole sorption on selected soils was highest at low pH and decreased with increasing pH. An increase in pH was found to have no significant affect on the sorption of sulfapyradine, while sorption was found to have increased initially and decreased beyond a certain pH value for trimethoprim.


Some aspects of the surgical control of tricuspid valve atresia by means of establishing direct communication between the right atrium and the right ventricle or the right atrium and the pulmonary artery are discussed. Six operations have been performed: atrioventricular anastomoses in 3 cases and atrio-pulmonary anastomoses in the other 3, with the pulmonary trunk being joined to the right atrium sparing the pulmonary-arterial valves in one of the latter cases. One patient with a complex of congenital valvular defects died postoperatively from acute heart failure, which may have developed as a result of the newly-established anastomosis being compressed by the breast bone. In the rest, surgical results were quite satisfactory.


From light-skinned goddess portrayed in ancient religious scenes, pearl gulping practices in China, turmeric functions in India to clay application in Africa, history has been hued by our faulty aversion for the darker skin shades.1 The appeal of a more translucent appearance is implied by practices dating from Cleopatra's milk showers to Queen Elizabeth I's use of ceruse face powder (a mixture of lead and vinegar).2  The Asian culture associates fairer skin with feminine beauty, racial superiority and power. Media and advertisements have unequivocally connected more skin fairness to magnificence, sentiment and even career success. Skin, hair and eye color is hereditarily controlled by the measure of melanin found in the top layers of skin.3 Skin whitening creams most often give the skin an orange hue and when the sun hits hard on the unsupported hypo-pigmented skin, the yellowish orange hue will turn dark again. Most of these items, claim to be anti-melanin, are currently on sale since long, but with potentially adverse long-term outcomes. Skin lightening products available in the market contain a dangerous cocktail of harmful chemicals like mercury, hydroquinone and steroids, and so are extremely injurious to health.4 Products containing mercury may have serious side effects like neuronal damage, renal damage and anxiety/depression and decrease skin resistance to bacteria and fungi.4 Products containing hydroquinone may lead to uneven blue black pigmentation (ochronosis), liver damage and skin cancers, and those with corticosteroids can lead to hirsutism, skin atrophy, renal suppression, hypertension, infections, contact eczema and Cushing's syndrome.5 A number of topical cosmeceutical agents containing hydroquinone, alpha and beta-hydroxy acids, tretinoin, mequinol, arbutin, vitamin C and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are now in vogue for treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders and for skin lightening.


Many food products are subjected to quality control analyses for detection of surface residue/contaminants, and there is a trend of requiring more and more documentation and reporting by farmers regarding their use of pesticides. Recent outbreaks of food borne illnesses have been a major contributor to this trend. With a growing need for food safety measures and "smart applications" of insecticides, it is important to develop methods for rapid and accurate assessments of surface residues on food and feed items. As a model system, we investigated detection of a miticide applied to maize leaves and its miticidal bioactivity over time, and we compared two types of reflectance data: fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) data and hyperspectral imaging (HI) data. The miticide (bifenazate) was applied at a commercial field rate to maize leaves in the field, with or without application of a surfactant, and with or without application of a simulated "rain event". In addition, we collected FTIR and HI from untreated control leaves (total of five treatments). Maize leaf data were collected at seven time intervals from 0 to 48 hours after application. FTIR data were analyzed using conventional analysis of variance of miticide-specific vibration peaks. Two unique FTIR vibration peaks were associated with miticide application (1,700 cm−1 and 763 cm−1). The integrated intensities of these two peaks, miticide application, surfactant, rain event, time between miticide application, and rain event were used as explanatory variables in a linear multi-regression fit to spider mite mortality. The same linear multi-regression approach was applied to variogram parameters derived from HI data in five selected spectral bands (664, 683, 706, 740, and 747 nm). For each spectral band, we conducted a spatial structure analysis, and the three standard variogram parameters ("sill", "range", and "nugget") were examined as possible "indicators" of miticide bioactivity. We demonstrated that both FTIR peaks and standard variogram parameters could be used to accurately predict spider mite mortality, but linear multi-regression fits based on standard variogram parameters had the highest accuracy and were successfully validated with independent data. Based on experimental manipulation of HI data, the use of spatial structure analysis in classification of HI data was discussed.


We analyze the relation between the concept of auxiliary variables and the Inverse problem of the calculus of variations to construct a Lagrangian from a given set of equations of motion. The problem of the construction of a consistent second order dynamics from a given first order dynamics is investigated. At the level of equations of motion we find that this reduction process is consistent provided that the mapping of the boundary data be taken properly into account. At the level of the variational principle we analyze the obstructions to construct a second order Lagrangian from a first order one and give an explicit formal non-local Lagrangian that reproduce the second order projected dynamics. Finally we apply our ideas to the so called " Noncommutative classical dynamics " .


Tight regulation of gene transcription and mRNA splicing is essential for plant growth and development. Here we demonstrate that a plant-specific protein, EMBRYO DEFECTIVE 1579 (EMB1579), controls multiple growth and developmental processes in Arabidopsis. We demonstrate that EMB1579 forms liquid-like condensates both in vitro and in vivo, and the formation of normal-sized EMB1579 condensates is crucial for its cellular functions. We found that some chromosomal and RNA-related proteins interact with EMB1579 compartments, and loss of function of EMB1579 affects global gene transcription and mRNA splicing. Using floral transition as a physiological process, we demonstrate that EMB1579 is involved in FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC)-mediated repression of flowering. Interestingly, we found that EMB1579 physically interacts with a homologue of Drosophila nucleosome remodeling factor 55-kDa (p55) called MULTIPLE SUPPRESSOR OF IRA 4 (MSI4), which has been implicated in repressing the expression of FLC by forming a complex with DNA Damage Binding Protein 1 (DDB1) and Cullin 4 (CUL4). This complex, named CUL4-DDB1MSI4, physically associates with a CURLY LEAF (CLF)-containing Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (CLF-PRC2). We further demonstrate that EMB1579 interacts with CUL4 and DDB1, and EMB1579 condensates can recruit and condense MSI4 and DDB1. Furthermore, emb1579 phenocopies msi4 in terms of the level of H3K27 trimethylation on FLC. This allows us to propose that EMB1579 condensates recruit and condense CUL4-DDB1MSI4 complex, which facilitates the interaction of CUL4-DDB1MSI4 with CLF-PRC2 and promotes the role of CLF-PRC2 in establishing and/or maintaining the level of H3K27 trimethylation on FLC. Thus, we report a new mechanism for regulating plant gene transcription, mRNA splicing, and growth and development.


We visualized the flow patterns in an alveolated duct model with breathing-like expanding and contracting wall motions using particle image velocimetry, then we investigated the effect of acinar deformation on the flow patterns. We reconstructed a compliant, scaled-up model of an alveolated duct from synchrotron micro-computed tomography images of a mammalian lung. The alveolated duct did not include any bifurcation, and its entire surface was covered with alveoli. We embedded the alveolated duct in a sealed container that was filled with fluid. We oscillated the fluid in the duct and container simultaneously and independently to control the flow and duct volume. We examined the flow patterns in alveoli, with the Reynolds number (Re) at 0.03 or 0.22 and the acinar volume change at 0%, 20%, or 80%. At the same Re, the heterogeneous deformation induced different inspiration and expiration flow patterns, and the recirculating regions in alveoli changed during respiratory cycle. During a larger acinar deformation at Re = 0.03, the flow patterns tended to change from recirculating flow to radial flow during inspiration and vice versa during expiration. Additionally, the alveolar geometric characteristics, particularly the angle between the alveolar duct and mouth, affected this differences in flow patterns. At Re = 0.22, recirculating flow patterns tended to form during inspiration and expiration, regardless of the magnitude of the acinar deformation. Our in vitro experiments suggest the alveolated flows with non-self-similar and heterogeneous wall motions may promote particle mixing and deposition.


Sustainability has entered into every aspect of business and commerce. Every sector of the economy is heading towards it be it agriculture, transportation, services, energy, packaging etc. Packaging of the product is one element that is criticized and analysed more often by the green followers and adapters. This forms a huge point in analyzing and checking the company's overall green policy. Packaging is not just about recycling. It is much more than just the material but it includes the entire life cycle of a product and its packaging from sourcing to consumption and its disposal. Green packaging market is growing at an annual rate of four percent. This trend is accelerating at a great speed and the contribution of regulatory bodies cannot be ignored over here. The manufacturers, brand owners, packagers, retailers and all stake holders are also leading in this change. Since environmental consciousness has gone main stream this has directly affected the packaging concept in business. This paper titled "A Study on Green packaging- A case study approach with reference to Dell Inc" will explore the key issues in packaging and strategies adopted by Dell. Dell's growth and innovation has reflected the requirements and sustainability. The firm believes that their brands and operations must touch and positively impact every individual and all stakeholders. Dell has developed a plan for its packaging, a plan for achieving their vision to double the size of their business, whilst reducing the environmental footprint and increasing their positive social impact. The research uses secondary data for the collection of data. A model has been built and conclusions, based on the outcome, hereby obtained were drawn. The primary purpose of this paper is to stimulate further discussion amongst marketers and to be used in dialogue with stakeholders.


BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The NMVH of the intestine is a rare lesion, typical located in the small bowel. After the first 2 cases, reported in 1982, other 12 cases have been described, ten localized in the jejunual or ileal tract, only 1 in the cecum.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
A case of NMVH of the duodenum, simulating a Crohns disease, is described. The lesion extended about 12 cm. and it caused intestinal stenosis. The microscopic analysis on the operative specimen highlighted the presence of a neuronal hyperplasia at mucous membranae and submucosal levels, associated to muscolaris mucosae hypertrophy and disorganisation. Expanded and ectasic veins, proliferation of nervous fibres and ganglion cells in the submucosal were also observed.

RESULTS
NMVH is a non-epithelial hamartomatous, submucosally based proliferation of mature submucosal elements capable of causing small bowel obstruction. In the controversy about the nature of the NMVH, we consider it a separate entity, where the final diagnosis depend on the clinicopathologic setting, as well as on the location and number of the lesions.

CONCLUSIONS
The Authors analyse the main characteristics of this rare pathology with regard to clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.


The propagation of electromagnetic waves in the presence of a locally two-dimensional deformed plane waveguide is considered. We are concerned with the conversion of an incident beam into a guided beam as well as with the interaction of a guided beam with a local deformation. We look for a rigorous solution of Maxwell's equations, i.e., a solution in which the errors depend only on the numerical methods used for evaluation. We outline the mathematical aspect of this rather formidable problem and emphasize the numerical difficulties that we have to overcome. An example is presented to give an idea of the capabilities of our computer program.


Speech recognition in noise is an effortful process requiring explicit cognitive processing. It may be influenced by level and type of noise and by the signal processing algorithms employed when hearing is aided. These complex relationships may be understood in terms of the working memory model for Ease of language Understanding (ELU, Ronnberg et al., in press). This model predicts that under challenging listening conditions, explicit cognitive processing demands will be high and that persons with good explicit cognitive capacity will be better listeners. Previous work has suggested that they may also find listening less effortful (Behrens et al., 2004; Larsby et al., 2005; in press). We studied this issue by including subjective effort ratings in a larger study designed to investigate aided speech recognition in noise and cognition. 32 experienced hearing aid users participated. Effort was rated using a visual analogue scale and the speech material was the Hagerman sentences presented in three fixed speech to noise ratios of +10 dB, +4 dB and -2dB. Effort was rated in modulated and unmodulated noise with fast and slow compression release settings, after each of two nine week training sessions with the same settings. Speech recognition performance was tested objectively under the same conditions using an adaptive procedure. Order of testing was balanced. Explicit cognitive capacity was measured using the reading span test. ANOVAs and correlations were computed. Preliminary results showed that decreasing SNR led to greater perceived effort and that the difference in perceived effort between the highest and the lowest SNR was greater in unmodulated noise than in modulated noise. Speech recognition performance in unmodulated noise generally correlated with effort ratings under similar conditions but in modulated noise generally it did not. Effort ratings correlated with reading span performance at the lowest SNR (-2dB) but only in unmodulated noise after the first training session. These preliminary findings show that subjective ratings of the effort involved in aided speech recognition covary with noise level and performance but that these effects are reduced by noise modulation. Further, the perceived effort of aided speech recognition at low SNR may be related to explicit cognitive capacity as measured by the reading span test. However, we only find evidence of this in unmodulated noise after the first training session. These findings extend previous work on perceived effort and cognitive capacity and provide further evidence that type of noise is an important factor in this relationship.


It has been shown that sustained insulin infusion causes an increase in sympathetic vasoconstrictor discharge but, despite this, also causes peripheral vasodilatation. The present study was designed to determine in healthy subjects the effect of ingestion of a carbohydrate meal, with its attendant physiological insulinaemia, on vascular resistance in and sympathetic vasoconstrictor discharge to the same vascular bed, and the relationship between these parameters. Fifteen healthy subjects were studied for 2 h following ingestion of a carbohydrate meal. Calf vascular resistance was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity was assessed by peroneal microneurography. Five of the subjects also ingested water on a separate occasion, as a control. Following the carbohydrate meal, the serum insulin concentration increased to 588+/-72 pmol/l. This was associated with a 47% increase in skeletal muscle blood flow (P<0.001), a 39% fall in vascular resistance (P<0.001) and a 57% increase in sympathetic activity (P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the increase in insulin and the changes in blood flow, vascular resistance and sympathetic activity. In conclusion, we have shown that ingestion of a carbohydrate meal, with its attendant physiological insulinaemia, was associated with overriding skeletal muscle vasodilatation, despite an increase in sympathetic vasoconstrictor discharge to the same vascular bed. These mechanisms may be important in ensuring optimal glucose uptake and maintenance of blood pressure postprandially.


The thermo-electrical properties of a complex silicon cantilever structure used in thermal scanning probe lithography are modeled based on well established empirical laws for the thermal conductivity in silicon, the electrical conductivity in the degenerate silicon support structure, and a comprehensive physical model of the electrical conductivity in the low-doped heater structure. The model calculations are performed using a set of physically well defined material parameters and finite element methods to solve the coupled thermal and electrical diffusion equations in the cantilever. The material parameters are determined from a non-linear regression fit of the numerical results to corresponding measured data, which also includes Raman measurements of the heater temperature. Excellent agreement between predicted and measured data in the absence of air cooling is obtained if a tapered doping profile in the heater is used. The heat loss through the surrounding air is also studied in a parameter free three-dimensional simulation. The simulation reveals that the heater temperature can be accurately predicted from the electrical power supplied to the cantilever via a global scaling of the power in the power-temperature correlation function, which can be determined from the vacuum simulation.The thermo-electrical properties of a complex silicon cantilever structure used in thermal scanning probe lithography are modeled based on well established empirical laws for the thermal conductivity in silicon, the electrical conductivity in the degenerate silicon support structure, and a comprehensive physical model of the electrical conductivity in the low-doped heater structure. The model calculations are performed using a set of physically well defined material parameters and finite element methods to solve the coupled thermal and electrical diffusion equations in the cantilever. The material parameters are determined from a non-linear regression fit of the numerical results to corresponding measured data, which also includes Raman measurements of the heater temperature. Excellent agreement between predicted and measured data in the absence of air cooling is obtained if a tapered doping profile in the heater is used. The heat loss through the surrounding air is also studied in a parameter free three-...


The objective of the present preliminary study was to determine if a difference in the pattern of gene expression exists between tumors that were subsequently found to be sensitive to radiotherapy and tumors found to be resistant to radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODSA total of 16 patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were included in this study. All patients were treated with standardized radiotherapy alone. Ten of the tumors were clinically radiosensitive and six were radioresistant. Total RNA, extracted from tumor specimens obtained prior to treatment, was hybridized onto an oligonucleotide microarray with probe sets complementary to over 20,000 transcripts. The genes were first subjected to a statistical filter to identify genes with statistically significant differential expression levels between those that were radiosensitive and those that were radioresistant. A back-propagation neural network was then constructed to model the differences so that patterns could be easily identified. RESULTSAlthough a number of genes were found to express differentially between radiosensitive and radioresistant tumors; the 10 most discriminating genes were used to construct the model. Using the expressions from these 10 genes, we found that neural networks constructed from random subsets of the whole data were capable of predicting radiotherapy responses in the remaining subset, which appears stable within the dataset. DISCUSSIONThis study shows that such an approach has the potential to differentiate tumor radiosensitivity, although confirmation of such a pattern using other larger independent datasets is necessary before firm conclusions can be drawn.


Experiencing the death of a loved one increases the risk of developing mental health problems. Students are vulnerable to developing mental health problems, to which substance use can contribute. Still, few studies have examined substance use in bereaved students. Using an online survey, we collected data about the impact of the death of a loved one on Belgian students' (N = 666) substance use. Using regression analysis we examined its relation to social support, grief, mental health and personal growth. A significant number of students indicated that the death affected their substance use. Feelings of grief and mental health distress played a significant role in students whose substance use increased after the death. There was no significant relationship between social support and personal growth and substance use. Our findings indicate that mental health professionals must address substance use when working with bereaved students to ensure early intervention and adequate support.


This paper presents the design and measured
results of a highly integrated Multi-Chip-Module (MCM)
developed for a wide band Electronic Support Measure
ESM) application. The MCM is based on Low Temperature
Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) technology and the main
functionality is implemented in several wide band
multifunction MMICs. By using an all-level design
approach, the MMICs and the MCM showed full
performance after the first design iteration. Simulations and
measured results show excellent agreement.


Adverse drug–drug interactions are a significant cause of adverse events and outcomes. Their incidence is rising, with more patients taking more drugs, and newer, more precise but often more hazardous drugs becoming available. Despite considerable information, including computerised alerts about potential adverse drug–drug interactions, prescribers increasingly override alerts, possibly symptomatic of the immense problem of evaluating the risk of an interaction in a particular patient. Many reports emanate from small studies often of normal and young volunteers, entirely different from the real world where, more often, older patients with multiple health conditions are receiving many more than the two drugs identified in the drug interaction report. Focusing on those drug–drug interactions that are clinically relevant is necessary, and increasingly, tools and reliable sources of this information are easily accessible.


We present the first series of random poly(ethylene alkyl phosphonate) copolymers with either high solubility in water or a finely tunable hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic phase transition upon heating ("LCST"). Polymerization via the organocatalytic anionic ring-opening polymerization provided high control over molecular weight (up to 23 000 g mol−1) and copolymer composition, and resulted in narrow molecular weight distribution (Đ < 1.3). Polymers of molecular weights up to 23 000 g mol−1 were obtained. The phase separation temperature was precisely adjusted in a range from 55 °C to 6 °C in water, depending on the copolymer composition. The phase transition mechanism was thoroughly investigated at different length scales via electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-Vis spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (cLSM), proving the step-wise formation of aggregates close to the cloud point temperature up to macroscopic coacervates.


: While many are convinced striving for resilient cities is worth pursuing, the majority of the research in this field focuses on risks and vulnerabilities or on social resilience. The attention for the spatial necessities to create cities that are able to accommodate the impacts of climate change is rare. The core objective of this paper is to learn from resilient urban precedents so design beyond disaster can be practiced. This article focuses therefore on the inclusion of spatial redundancy in urbanism. It uses the example of Western Sydney, where in the future approximately 800,000 new inhabitants will live, to illustrate how certain space can be kept free of developments, in other words remains available for future (changed, unexpected) use. This future use could well be temporary, in the case of climate impacts, such as floods or fires. A total of eight urban neighborhoods have been analyzed as precedents of ecological urbanism and densities. The design principles derived from these precedents are subsequently deconstructed and reconstructed to design the Master Plan and plans at urban design level. Out of this design process, five design principles emerge as determinants of redundancy: use space temporarily so it can be used differently when needed, full integration of the rural and urban landscape (water) systems; developing fluid densities in the city so these can be densified when required in the future; see landscape as an amenity being the space that residents can use when they need; and create accessible communal urban spaces and can be used for shared purposes.


A high frequency of homeotic transformation appears in Df(3)red/+ progeny of Df(1)snC128/+ females. Generally, the metathoracic appendages are partially transformed into mesothoracic ones. Df(1)snC128 includes a small region of the X chromosome: 7D1 to 7D5-6. Hypodosage of this region is mainly effective at the level of the maternal genotype, and the effect is probably due to hypodosage of the wild-type allele of the gene fs(1)h. Df(3)red has an effect that is mainly, if not exclusively, zygotic, probably due to hypodosage of the wild-type allele of Rg-bx. The frequencies of transformed flies resulting from the interaction between Df(1)snC128 and Df(3)red are not very sensitive to external conditions and genetic background. Studies of the interactions between Df(1)snC128 and other mutations or deficiencies of chromosome 3 [Rg-pbx, bx, pbx, Ubx1, Ubx130, Ubx80, Df(3)P9] reveal an analogy between the hypodosage effect of region 7D1-7D5-6 and the effects of ether treatment of blastoderm stage eggs. The role of the gene fs(1)h in the process of segment determination is discussed in the light of these results.


Background/purposeDespite the existence of numerous techniques for the repair of distal penile hypospadias, none of them is completely satisfactory. Advancing the urethra without mobilization for repair of glanular hypospadias has the advantage of avoiding a common problem occurring with other techniques: urethrocutaneous fistula. This study aims at evaluation of our experience with this technique for repair of distal hypospadias. Materials and methodsA prospective study was conducted on patients with glanular, coronal and subcoronal hypospadias during the period from December 2012 to December 2014. Recurrent cases were excluded. Feasibility of the technique and postoperative complications were recorded. ResultsA total of 30 boys between 9 months and 7 years of age were included in the study. They underwent repair of glanular (five), coronal (10), and subcoronal (15) hypospadias. The urethra was mobilized to the proximal shaft in almost all cases. Three cases developed postoperative hematoma, which were managed conservatively and resolved spontaneously. Two cases developed wound infection and were managed with antibiotics and daily dressing until infection resolved. None of the patients had major complications such as dehiscence, urethral stricture, or fistula. Three patients developed meatal stenosis; two of them responded to repeated dilatation twice weekly for 2 weeks; and one needed meatoplasty. In one patient, the most distal of the glans approximation sutures disrupted, leading to a minor detachment in the glans. There was no recurrent chordee. Two patients underwent meatal retraction, wherein the urethra migrated proximally but still within the glans; only one of these patients required a second procedure. ConclusionThe urethral mobilization technique seems to be a good method for the repair of distal hypospadias with or without chordee with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results. The procedure has the advantage of avoiding the need for a second layer of tissue covering during repair. Moreover, there is no chance for the development of urethrocutaneous fistula, a major postoperative complication of other surgical techniques creating a neourethra. Postoperative management is simple and a brief hospital stay is sufficient.


Abstract—Knowledge management is supported by many strategies such as business intelligence, collaboration, document management and e-learning. With the development of modern information technology and the increases of demand for building and maintaining dynamic capabilities, E-learning has played more and more important role of all the technologies in the supporting knowledge management. A successful e-learning system is supported by many critical success factors and technology has become the key factor among these factors. Consequently, the review of basic technologies and corresponding products that support e-learning will be in favor of further study on e-learning. From perspective of knowledge management, this paper makes a review about the relationship between e-learning and knowledge management and advanced technologies and corresponding products that support the design and operation of e-learning system. At the end of this paper, we analyze the main trends of the development direction of e-learning technology.


The heme biosynthesis enzyme porphobilinogen synthase (PBGS) is a potential drug target in several human pathogens. wALADin1 benzimidazoles have emerged as species-selective PBGS inhibitors against Wolbachia endobacteria of filarial worms. In the present study, we have systematically tested wALADins against PBGS orthologs from bacteria, protozoa, metazoa, and plants to elucidate the inhibitory spectrum. However, the effect of wALADin1 on different PBGS orthologs was not limited to inhibition: several orthologs were stimulated by wALADin1; others remained unaffected. We demonstrate that wALADins allosterically modulate the PBGS homooligomeric equilibrium with inhibition mediated by favoring low-activity oligomers, while 5-aminolevulinic acid, Mg2+, or K+ stabilized high-activity oligomers. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PBGS could be inhibited or stimulated by wALADin1 depending on these factors and pH. We have defined the wALADin chemotypes responsible for either inhibition or stimulation, facilitating the design of tailored PBGS modulators for potential application as antimicrobial agents, herbicides, or drugs for porphyric disorders.


ABSTRACT 50% of Caucasians carry a Thr300Ala variant (T300A) in the protein encoded by the macroautophagy/autophagy gene ATG16L1. Here, we show that the T300A variant confers protection against urinary tract infections (UTIs), the most common infectious disease in women. Using knockin mice carrying the human T300A variant, we show that the variant limits the UTI-causing bacteria, uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), from establishing persistent intracellular reservoirs, which can seed UTI recurrence. This phenotype is recapitulated in mice lacking Atg16l1 or Atg7 exclusively in the urothelium. We further show that mice with the T300A variant exhibit urothelial cellular abnormalities, including vesicular congestion and aberrant accumulation of UPK (uroplakin) proteins. Importantly, presence of the T300A variant in humans is associated with similar urothelial architectural abnormalities, indicating an evolutionarily conserved impact. Mechanistically, we show that the reduced bacterial persistence is independent of basal autophagic flux or proinflammatory cytokine responses and does not involve Atg14 or Epg5. However, the T300A variant is associated with increased expression of the small GTPase Rab33b; RAB33B interacts with ATG16L1, as well as other secretory RABs, RAB27B and RAB11A, important for UPEC exocytosis from the urothelium. Finally, inhibition of secretory RABs in bladder epithelial cells increases intracellular UPEC load. Together, our results reveal that UPEC selectively utilize genes important for autophagosome formation to persist in the urothelium, and that the presence of the T300A variant in ATG16L1 is associated with changes in urothelial vesicle trafficking, which disrupts the ability of UPEC to persist, thereby limiting the risk of recurrent UTIs. Abbreviations: 3-PEHPC: 3-pyridinyl ethylidene hydroxyl phosphonocarboxylate; ATG: autophagy; ATG16L1: autophagy related 16 like 1; BECs: bladder epithelial cells; dpi: days post infection; hpi: hours post infection; IF: immunofluorescence; IL1B: interleukin 1 beta; IL6: interleukin 6; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MVB: multivesicular bodies; T300A: Thr300Ala; TNF: tumor necrosis factor; QIR(s): quiescent intracellular reservoir(s); siRNA: short interfering RNA; UPEC: uropathogenic Escherichia coli; UTI(s): urinary tract infection(s); TEM: transmission electron microscopy; WT: wild type


To test the hypothesis that polymorphic variants of antioxidant genes modify the risk of pancreatic cancer, we examined seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes coding for superoxide dismutase (SOD) 2, glutathione S-transferase alpha 4 (GSTA4), catalase and glutathione peroxidase in 575 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and 648 healthy controls in a case-control study. Information on risk factors was collected by personal interview and dietary information was collected by a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Genotypes were determined using the Taqman method. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression. No significant main effect of genotype was observed. A borderline significant interaction between diabetes and SOD2 Ex2+24T>C CT/TT genotype was observed (P(interaction) = 0.051); the AORs (95% CI) were 0.98 (0.73-1.32) for non-diabetics carrying the CT/TT genotype, 1.73 (0.94-3.18) for diabetics carrying the CC genotype and 3.49 (2.22-5.49) for diabetics carrying the CT/TT genotype compared with non-diabetics carrying the CC genotype. Moreover, the SOD2 -1221G>A AA genotype carriers had a significantly increased risk for pancreatic cancer among those with a low dietary vitamin E intake but decreased risk among those with a high vitamin E intake (P(interaction) = 0.002). There was a non-significant interaction between diabetes and GSTA4 Ex5-64G>A genotypes (P(interaction) = 0.078). No significant interaction between genotype with cigarette smoking or vitamin C intake was observed. These data suggest that genetic variations in antioxidant defenses modify the risk of pancreatic cancer in diabetics or individuals with a low dietary vitamin E intake.


A mode-evolution-based polarization rotator in silicon waveguide was designed. The rotator's performance was studied under different launching conditions. The rotator with minimum length of 40 ¿m was demonstrated to provide the polarization rotation with polarization extinction ratio of 15 dB. The insertion loss at the transition region was less than 1 dB.


In recent years, quite a few search algorithms have been used to solve Web service composition problem. However, it is still lack of systematic analysis about these methods. In the paper, we attempt to analyze the effect of three typical meta-heuristic search algorithms. The experimental analysis is performed according to the search-based Web service composition framework. In the experiments, we mainly carry out the analysis as follows: different abstract service number, different candidate service number and different QoS constraint strength. Based on the above analysis, some guidelines of realizing Web service composition via search algorithms are yielded. For example, EDA is suitable for the composition problem with large abstract service number. PSO is more effective for the case of large candidate service number. GA is a good choose for the little-scale Web service composition problem. In addition, EDA can effectively settle the composition problem with strong QoS constraint. GA is suitable for the problem with medium constraint strength, and PSO has the poor ability to tackle the QoS constraint with high strength.


Background Air pollution is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease globally, but its association with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at low air pollution levels is unclear. This nationwide study in Sweden aims to investigate if air pollution is associated with a higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in an area with relatively low air pollution levels. Methods and Results This study was a nationwide time-stratified case-crossover study investigating the association between short-term air pollution exposures and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest using data from the SRCR (Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) between 2009 and 2019. Daily air pollution levels were estimated in 1×1-km grids for all of Sweden using a satellite-based machine learning model. The association between daily air pollutant levels and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was quantified using conditional logistic regression adjusted for daily air temperature. Particulate matter <2.5 μm exposure was associated with a higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest among a total of 29 604 cases. In a multipollutant model, the association was most pronounced for intermediate daily lags, with an increased relative risk of 6.2% (95% CI, 1.0-11.8) per 10 μg/m3 increase of particulate matter <2.5 μm 4 days before the event. A similar pattern of association was observed for particulate matter <10 μm. No clear association was observed for O3 and NO2. Conclusions Short-term exposure to air pollution was associated with higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The findings add to the evidence of an adverse effect of particulate matter on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, even at very low levels below current regulatory standards.


Two surveys of Blue Swallows were conducted in the southern Tanzanian highland grasslands in order to determine the habitat preferences and estimate the size of this subpopulation. During the 2008/09 and 2012 surveys, a total distance of 3 635 km was travelled in search of Blue Swallows (at an altitude of above 1 400 m above sea level). Blue Swallows showed no preference for any altitude range above 1 400 m. The Blue Swallows showed a preference for natural pastures and for rural villages interspersed with crops and natural pasture. The buildings in the rural villages provide the nesting sites and, in close proximity, the crops, natural pastures, livestock and their dung possibly provide the food source for the aerial arthropods on which the Blue Swallows feed. In total, 151 Blue Swallows were recorded consisting of 62 males, 68 females and 21 unsexed individuals at 62 localities. These data along with environmental variables were used to construct an ecological niche model for the Blue Swallow. It was estimated that a mean of 12 791 km2 of suitable habitat was available for Blue Swallows. The 151 Blue Swallows recorded within the maximum perpendicular distance of 262 m on either side of the survey route resulted in a subpopulation estimate of 1 014 (338 to 507 pairs) Blue Swallows in the southern Tanzanian highland grasslands (12 791 km2). Mean densities were 0.023 to 0.035 pairs km − 2. A density of 0.13 pairs km − 2 recorded on a cattle farm consisting primarily of grasslands and wetlands was similar to the density of pairs found on sites in South Africa and Swaziland of compara- ble size and with matching characteristics to this site in Tanzania. Based on this new information the global Blue Swallow population estimate is updated to between 1 169 and 1 338 pairs.


The study of the rat brain after irradiation with superlethal doses of 100 and 500 Gy has revealed a decrease in the cAMP content at early times after exposure. The most considerable decline in the cGMP content was noted in the cerebellum and cerebral hemisphere cortex where low cGMP level was retained for 24 h following irradiation. It is suggested that the observed changes play an important role in the development of the CNS syndrome.


We consider wireless ad hoc networks and sensor networks where a remotely located source is transmitting information to a destined user embedded within a group of K densely packed physically colocated users enjoying favorable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions among themselves, but suffering from quasi-static flat Rayleigh fading with respect to the source. Stringent delay constraints require that information, once available, be transmitted immediately and delivered reliably to its destination during a period of one fading block, precluding waiting until the destined user enjoys favorable fading conditions with respect to the source. A cooperative transmission strategy is proposed for this scenario and its expected throughput is investigated. The strategy exhibits a substantial gain in throughput, especially when the colocation gain factor is high. In addition, a broadcast approach is incorporated into the transmission strategy suggesting further throughput benefits.


The expansion of space, and other geometric properties of cosmological models, can be studied using geometrically defined notions of relative velocity. In this paper, we consider test particles undergoing radial motion relative to comoving (geodesic) observers in Robertson-Walker cosmologies, whose scale factors are increasing functions of cosmological time. Analytical and numerical comparisons of the Fermi, kinematic, astrometric, and the spectroscopic relative velocities of test particles are given under general circumstances. Examples include recessional comoving test particles in the de Sitter universe, the radiation-dominated universe, and the matter-dominated universe. Three distinct coordinate charts, each with different notions of simultaneity, are employed in the calculations. It is shown that the astrometric relative velocity of a radially receding test particle cannot be superluminal in any expanding Robertson-Walker spacetime. However, necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the existence of superluminal Fermi speeds, and it is shown how the four concepts of relative velocity determine geometric properties of the spacetime.


In view of reducing the cost of concrete and to meet the demand of conventional raw materials used in concrete, various industrial and solid wastes are being studied for their utilization in concrete without affecting its fresh, hardened and durability properties. Ferrochrome slag is waste material obtained from manufacturing of high carbon ferrochromium alloy. Depending upon cooling process, two types of ferrochrome slag are produced i.e. air cooled by letting molten slag cooled down under normal temperature and water cooled ferrochrome slag by quenching molten slag. Presence of chromium in Cr+3 and Cr+6 state in ferrochrome slag is an area of concern towards its feasibility to be used as a constituent material in concrete. In this study, physical and chemical properties of both types of slags were evaluated to check the feasibility of replacing natural fine aggregates with water cooled ferrochrome slag and natural coarse aggregates with air cooled ferrochrome slag. In concrete mix designs, natural aggregates were replaced with ferrochrome slag at replacement levels of 30%, 60% and 100%. Mixes were prepared at two w/c ratios and were evaluated for different fresh, hardened and durability properties of concrete. It was concluded that 60% replacement of natural coarse aggregate with air cooled ferrochrome slag and 60% replacement of natural fine aggregate with water cooled ferrochrome slag in concrete is feasible.


Pregnant rats were divided into four groups. The groups A, B and C were intraperitoneally injected with DPH during the 9 to 11 days of gestation in doses of 75 Mg/kg/day. The groups A and B were supplemented with a mixture of folic acid (FA) or with FA alone in the food fed during pregnancy. The results showed that DPH induced a significant decrease in the body weights and lengths of fetal rats (P less than 0.01), but induced an increase in the incidences of subcutaneous bleeding (P less than 0.05) as well as skeletal and internal malformation (P less than 0.05). The supplement of FA or a mixture of FA in the food fed during pregnancy exhibited partial preventive effects on DPH to induce teratogenicity. The effect of a mixture of FA was better than that with FA alone in reducing the incidences of internal abnormalities and agenesis of the bones of the distant phalanges and subcutaneous bleeding.


Data regarding urinary, climacteric and sexual symptoms among women before and one year after treatment of endometrial (n = 30) and cervical cancer (n = 26) were selected by a questionnaire, survey of medical records and semistructured interviews. The results were compared with similar data from hysterectomized women (n = 30). Urinary and climacteric symptoms were frequent in all three groups of women one year after treatment. In the cancer group the occurrence of urinary incontinence was significantly more frequent among women with vaginal dryness than among those without. Sexual symptoms were common in the endometrial and cervical group but not in the hysterectomy group one year after treatment. The results from medical records were not always in accordance with the results from questionnaire. Finally, the prospective interview study proved an appropriate method for collecting relevant data concerning the women's sexual life.


Databases are widespread, yet extracting relevant data can be difficult. Without substantial domain knowledge, multivariate search queries often return sparse or uninformative results. This paper introduces an approach for searching structured data based on probabilistic programming and nonparametric Bayes. Users specify queries in a probabilistic language that combines standard SQL database search operators with an information theoretic ranking function called predictive relevance. Predictive relevance can be calculated by a fast sparse matrix algorithm based on posterior samples from CrossCat, a nonparametric Bayesian model for high-dimensional, heterogeneously-typed data tables. The result is a flexible search technique that applies to a broad class of information retrieval problems, which we integrate into BayesDB, a probabilistic programming platform for probabilistic data analysis. This paper demonstrates applications to databases of US colleges, global macroeconomic indicators of public health, and classic cars. We found that human evaluators often prefer the results from probabilistic search to results from a standard baseline.