This study applies a critical/interpretive framework to analyze discourses from two public documents compiled in 2002 from two intercommunity groups in West Belfast in Northern Ireland. Discourses are taken from participants' comments, recounted experiences, and descriptions of their intercommunity relationships and actions produced to share with wider audiences in Northern Ireland. Analysis of selected discourse demonstrates: (a) how intercommunity group identities are negotiated simultaneously with community group identities, gendered, generational, and class privilege positions; (b) how speakers' comments position their own groups in relationship to institutional representatives such as religious leaders, politicians, and security personnel; (c) how levels of agency and resistance are contextually negotiated; and (d) the importance of dialectic tensions and contradictions of being a member of an intercommunity group as well as a separate community in West Belfast. Implications of this framework for conflict researchers and practitioners are also addressed.


A large number of statistical models are "doubly-intractable": the likelihood normalising term, which is a function of the model parameters, is intractable, as well as the marginal likelihood (model evidence). This means that standard inference techniques to sample from the posterior, such as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), cannot be used. Examples include, but are not confined to, massive Gaussian Markov random fields, autologistic models and Exponential random graph models. A number of approximate schemes based on MCMC techniques, Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) or analytic approximations to the posterior have been suggested, and these are reviewed here. Exact MCMC schemes, which can be applied to a subset of doubly-intractable distributions, have also been developed and are described in this paper. As yet, no general method exists which can be applied to all classes of models with doubly-intractable posteriors. In addition, taking inspiration from the Physics literature, we study an alternative method based on representing the intractable likelihood as an infinite series. Unbiased estimates of the likelihood can then be obtained by finite time stochastic truncation of the series via Russian Roulette sampling, although the estimates are not necessarily positive. Results from the Quantum Chromodynamics literature are exploited to allow the use of possibly negative estimates in a pseudo-marginal MCMC scheme such that expectations with respect to the posterior distribution are preserved. The methodology is reviewed on well-known examples such as the parameters in Ising models, the posterior for Fisher-Bingham distributions on the $d$-Sphere and a large-scale Gaussian Markov Random Field model describing the Ozone Column data. This leads to a critical assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the methodology with pointers to ongoing research.


Abstract This research examines wearable, fashionable interaction design to mediate the narrative and semiotic concepts found in technology and fashion. We discuss the principles of design anthropology using Taiwan proverbs to transmit the "people-situation-reason-object" method and analyze five case studies that provide new approaches for designers engaged in future industry. Design anthropology attempts to engage physiological and psychological design through technological function, meaning formation, and fashion aesthetics to achieve cognition between people and the environment. The wearable, fashionable interaction displays characteristics of narrative and semantics transmitted through craft culture as well as collective, cheerful, and creative performance. It is a confident and innovative attempt, which bears a joyful and fundamental interface. This study takes two directions, with cultural thinking serving as the basis to establish a set of traditional craft designs and interactive objects that assist designers in using the senses to inform and initiate new lifestyle values.


This study was approached as an action research project where school administrative assistants (SAA) responded to a questionnaire that examined their current workplace performance against their job description. A mentoring package was used as an intervention to develop and align workplace performance with their job description in four (4) key areas: (1) Generic Competencies, (2) Office and Administration, (3) Financial Management and (4) Teacher and Student Support. After completion of the mentoring package, school administrative assistants responded to the original questionnaire again. Using quantitative measures, the study found indications of mentoring efficacy in the development of school administrative assistants within public schools. The implications of these findings recommend that mentoring be used to meet the training and development needs of all administrative roles within the public school sector.


We add health and longevity to a standard model of life cycle saving and show that, under plausible assumptions, increases in longevity lead to higher savings rates at every age, even when retirement is endogenous. In a stable population these higher savings rates are offset by increased old age dependency, but during the disequilibrium phase, when longevity is rising, the effect on aggregate savings rates can be substantial. Our results explain the boom in savings in East Asia during 1950-90 as a combination of rising life expectancy and falling youth dependency, though they predict that savings in the region will return to more normal levels as populations age. We also find that falling life expectancies in Africa are associated with declining savings rates.


To develop a more sustainable bio‐based economy, an increasing amount of carbon for industrial applications and biofuel will be obtained from bioenergy crops. This may result in intensified land use and potential conflicts with other ecosystem services provided by soil, such as control of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and nutrient dynamics. A growing number of studies examine how bioenergy crops influence carbon and nitrogen cycling. Few studies, however, have combined such assessments with analysing both the immediate effects on the provisioning of soil ecosystem services as well as the legacy effects for subsequent crops in the rotation. Here, we present results from field and laboratory experiments on effects of a standard first‐generation bioenergy crop (maize) and three different second‐generation bioenergy crops (willow short rotation coppice (SRC), Miscanthus × giganteus, switchgrass) on key soil quality parameters: soil structure, organic matter, biodiversity and growth and disease susceptibility of a major follow‐up crop, wheat (Triticum aestivum). We analysed a 6‐year field experiment and show that willow SRC, Miscanthus, and maize maintained a high yield over this period. Soil quality parameters and legacy effects of Miscanthus and switchgrass were similar or performed worse than maize. In contrast, willow SRC enhanced soil organic carbon concentration (0–5 cm), soil fertility, and soil biodiversity in the upper soil layer when compared to maize. In a greenhouse experiment, wheat grown in willow soil had higher biomass production than when grown in maize or Miscanthus soil and exhibited no growth reduction in response to introduction of a soil‐borne (Rhizoctonia solani) or a leaf pathogen (Mycosphaerella graminicola). We conclude that the choice of bioenergy crops can greatly influence provisioning of soil ecosystem services and legacy effects in soil. Our results imply that bioenergy crops with specific traits might even enhance ecosystem properties through positive legacy effects.


Recent decades have seen an incline in integration of wind energy in to power systems across the world. This invariably leads to lower share of conventional power plant which subsequently reduces the grid's inertia as a consequence of the decoupling rotational mass of the variable speed turbines and grid through power electronic converters. Accordingly, the overall system inertia is lowered leading to more frequent and intense frequency variations concomitant with the variation in the load. This research focuses on alleviating the rotational mass and inertia related problems caused by increasing wind power integration by adding an inertial loop to compensate the impact of frequency deviations due to abnormal transient conditions. The virtual inertia, thus added, reduces maximum rotational speed deviation while at the same time making the system slower and more oscillatory. The simulation consists of addition of synchronous generator capable of adapting its power output to the fluctuations in grid loads. A load step has been added for analyzing the performance improvement of the system as a result of the virtual inertia addition. The simulation has been modeled in Simulink MATLAB. The addition of the inertial power results in the improving the frequency drop from 58.42 to 59.31 Hz. This stabilization of 0.9 Hz carries a lot of significance for improving grid stability. In addition the angular speed of the turbine has also been enhanced as a result of the virtual inertia. These findings will prove extremely helpful in offsetting the drawbacks of greater wind energy addition to grid. The analysis needs to be further replicated with other transient conditions before being implemented in the grid. Keywords— Virtual Inertia, Renewable Energy, Wind Turbine


Simulation can be used to check whether a design complies to its specifications. Digital hardware designs must be simulated cycle-true, bit accurate to verify timing.
Performing such simulations takes prohibitively long for large hardware designs, i.e. a 6x6 NoC design requires 29 hours for simulation. Simulation on an FPGA platform can be used to shorten the simulation time. However, a large hardware design can not be simulated in a single FPGA as a whole. To be able to simulate a large system using a single FPGA, the system is divided in sections (entities) that are simulated sequentially. The entities in homogeneous systems
are identical, the required logic for an entity can be reused for all entities when the state of the entities can be extracted. For extraction, a tool is provided. The resulting simulator performs simulations on a Design Under Test (DUT) sequentially. To simulate a system in an FPGA, it must be supplied with stimuli and control. This thesis integrates the simulator in an FPGA design, referred to as SHILS. SHILS provides stimuli and control buffers, and a MMIO interface. SHILS is controlled by software in an embedded processor, it is a co-simulation system. In order to extend the capabilities of SHILS, a design is proposed to link MATLAB to SHILS. The design is based on Xilinx System Generator, which arranges the communication between the MATLAB model and SHILS over Ethernet.


The research question was to determine the extent to which actual practitioners used engineering management (EM), and to differentiate usage by practice area and career stage. The results of a survey of New Zealand engineers show that EM is used to a moderate extent by the profession as a whole. The usage across practice areas is broadly similar. The greatest variability is in usage though career stage. Several career phases are evident. Early career: those newly out of graduation (say up to three years) tended to have roles where EM was only used to a slight extent or even not at all. Development phase: at three years' experience the median is for engineers to be using EM to a moderate extent. Mature phase: at 13 years' engineers typically use EM to a moderate to great extent, and it is common that some use it to a very great extent. The results show that usage of EM varies with career stage, being initially low and becoming greater with job experience.


This study was conducted to determine the coefficient of total tract standardized digestibility (CTTSD) of phosphorus (P) in oilseed meals and distillers dried grains (DDG) fed to growing-finishing pigs. Twelve barrows (initial bodyweight (BW) standard deviation, 52.25 +/- 2.57 kg) were allocated individually to metabolism cages. The experimental design was a 12 x 8 incomplete Latin square with 12 dietary treatments and eight replication periods. The diets were formulated individually with dehulled soybean meal produced in Korea (SBM-KD), soybean meal produced in India (SBM-I), soybean meal produced in Korea (SBM-K), corn high-protein distiller dried grains (HPDDGs), tapioca distillers dried grains (TDDG), canola meal (CAM), corn germ meal (CGM), copra meal (CM), palm kernel meal (PKM), sesame meal (SM), perilla meal (PM), and a P-free diet. Intake of P was highest in SM and PM. Excretion of P was reduced in y ascending order as HPDDG, TDDG and CGM; SBM-K; and SM and PM. The CTTAD of P was higher in CGM than SBM-K, TDDG, SM and PM. HPDDG and CGM showed greater CTTSD of P than SBM-K, CAM and PM. Digestible concentration of P on CTTSD (CTTSD-P) of P was greater in PM and CAM than the others except for SBM-KD. In summary, PM could be utilized as an alternative feedstuff to SBM, but its usage is regarded only as a source of P. In addition, the results of the current study would provide valuable information for formulating pig feed with precise P utilization in ingredients using mixed diets


Summary: The global changes in climate and meteorological conditions have many negative consequences, which may diminished with adequate measures. In our continental climate, the winter frosts but also the late spring frosts are always threatening. There are technologies to avoid late frost damages (with spray irrigation or with smoking), but against winter minima, we are nearly helpless. The different damages experienced recently called our attention on the question of optimal condition, which is a delicate balance between the vegetative activity and the provision of nutrients. The excesses on both ends are increasing the danger of damages ( Zatykó, 1980). Our examination was performed in the plantation, which was cultivated according to ecological and integrated technologies. The variable condition of the trees gave opportunity to evaluate the effects of cold temperatures as frost damages. Our results will represent not only the differences between varieties but also the effects of the growing technologies – which influence the condition of the plants – consequently, the measure of frost damages.


The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the infrared spectroscopy technique for nondestruc-tive measurement of fat content in milk powder. Fat is an important component of milk powder. It is very important to be able to detect the fat content in milk powder using a rapid and nondestructive method. Near and mid infrared spectroscopy techniques were used to achieve this purpose. Least-squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) was applied to developing the fat-content prediction model based on the infrared spectral transmission values. The results based on LS-SVM were better than those of back-propagation artificial neural networks. The determination coefficient for prediction of the results predicted by the LS-SVM model was 0.9796 and the root mean square error was 0.836708. It was concluded that infrared spectroscopy technique could quantify the fat content in milk powder rapidly and nondestructively. The process is simple and easy to operate. Moreover, the prediction results were compared between near infrared and mid infrared spectral data. The results showed that the performances of model with both mid infrared and near infrared spectral data were a little worse than that of the whole infrared spectral data. The results could be beneficial for designing a simple and nondestructive spectral sensor for the quantification of fat content in milk powder.


AIM
To investigate the information about Y-structural variants (SVs) in the general population that could be obtained by low-coverage whole-genome sequencing.

METHODS
We investigated SVs on the male-specific portion of the Y chromosome in the 70 individuals from Africa, Europe, or East Asia sequenced as part of the 1000 Genomes Pilot project, using data from this project and from additional studies on the same samples. We applied a combination of read-depth and read-pair methods to discover candidate Y-SVs, followed by validation using information from the literature, independent sequence and single nucleotide polymorphism-chip data sets, and polymerase chain reaction experiments.

RESULTS
We validated 19 Y-SVs, 2 of which were novel. Non-reference allele counts ranged from 1 to 64. The regions richest in variation were the heterochromatic segments near the centromere or the DYZ19 locus, followed by the ampliconic regions, but some Y-SVs were also present in the X-transposed and X-degenerate regions. In all, 5 of the 27 protein-coding gene families on the Y chromosome varied in copy number.

CONCLUSIONS
We confirmed that Y-SVs were readily detected from low-coverage sequence data and were abundant on the chromosome. We also reported both common and rare Y-SVs that are novel.


Role of Phenotypically-Informative SNP Markers in Conservation Biology
Anthropogenically induced environmental change is causing populations to go extinct at unprecedented rates. This has created a triage situation where the preservation of genetically distinct populations could be prioritized if methods could be developed to quickly identify them. Traditional "common garden" methods of identifying traits showing genetic differences among populations are often too slow to be useful. I will argue that modern genomics is enabling discovery of DNA markers that are phenotype informative for skin pigmentation patterns, coat color, eye color and body size that could be used as an index of genetic distinctness and therefore conservation priority.


ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 04 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Lung surfactant plays a key role in adequate pulmonary function throughout life. Since Surfactant replacement therapy has been introduced in 1980s, it has proven its effect in premature neonates with surfactant deficiency. Since surfactant therapy is important in various respiratory conditions in premature neonates, this proposed study reviews the incidence, outcome & their clinical issues in surfactant replacement therapy. The objective of the study is to assess the outcome of surfactant therapy in premature neonates, to find out the length of hospital stay. The secondary objective is to find the mortality rate, the effect of early administration of surfactant in premature surfactant deficient neonates. The study was conducted in neonatal intensive care units of King AbdulAziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh and study subjects include premature neonates undergone surfactant therapy in ICU. A sample size of 110 neonates from a population of 150 premature neonates in neonatal ICU of KAMC was selected. Out of the total 109 subjects, 69 were males and 40 were females. The mean gestational age was 30 weeks. The majority (n=83, 76.15%) had Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). Subjects were treated with surfactant replacement therapy with either survanta (50.5%) or Infasurf (49.5%). The mean APGAR scoring at 1 and 6 minutes was statistically significant (P=0.001). Vital signs such as temperature (sd0.58, P=0.017), respiratory rate (sd-15.86, p=0.001), and heart rate (sd-17.84, p = 0.046) compared with improved and expired subjects and were statistically significant. Arterial blood gas in pre and post surfactant therapy was statistically significant with pH (p=0.001), Pco2 (p=0.001), and base excess (p=0.001). The administration of surfactant therapy can improve the total outcome of premature infants with respiratory distress. This study favors early use and benefits of surfactant therapy which has proven by many other relevant articles published earlier. This study shows good results after administration of surfactants like survanta and infasurf. K e y w o r d s Premature neonates, Surfactant deficiency, Respiratory distress,


In this PhD thesis participation in leisure activities of children and youth aged 2 to 18 years with and without a physical disability in the Netherlands is described. Determinants of participation are identified. Participation is someone's involvement in life situations (ICF-CY, WHO). This thesis focuses on leisure activities in particular. Leisure activities are those activities that are freely chosen and performed when not involved in school or work. Although there has been a growing body of literature into participation and determinants of participation in leisure activities, comparisons between children with and without physical disabilities were lacking. In order to measure participation in a valid and reliable way, two measures were translated from English into Dutch and assessed in a large group of children with and without a physical disability. For children aged 2 to 6 years of age the Assessment of Preschool Children's Participation (APCP) was assessed. For children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years of age the Dutch translation of the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) was assessed. Both showed satisfactory psychometric properties. With these instruments a comparison between children with and without physical disabilities was made showing lower levels of participation for children with a physical disability. An extensive literature review, aimed at identifying determinants of participation in leisure activities, showed a wide range of factors being involved in the level of participation. Most important variables are gross motor function, manual ability, cognitive ability, communicative skills, age and gender. Related variables are comparable across diagnostic groups. Preference is one of the factors related to participation in leisure activities. The relation between preference for activities and actual engagement in activities is also assessed. Children with a physical disability have lower preference for physical activities, social activities and informal activities compared to their healthy peers. A prospective study looking at early determinants of participation in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) at the age of 2, and participation at the age of 6,7 or 8 years, used multivariate regression analysis and showed that movement ability and social skills to be the best predictors of later participation in leisure activities. Another important finding is that the feeling of parents of being restricted in undertaking activities with the family when the child was 2 years of age, was also related to lower participation when the child was 6,7 or 8 years old. An international comparison study was undertaken comparing Spanish and Dutch children with CP and their non-disabled peers. Spanish children with CP showed more participation in formal activities and skill-based activities compared to Dutch peers. Looking at determinants of variance in participation between children, regression analyses showed that child related variables (age, gender, GMFCS) were related to participation in leisure activities. Country of residence was only related for participation in formal activities. Clinical implications and future research are discussed.


Objective: To describe the etiology of advanced cases of external auditory canal (EAC) cholesteatoma (EACC), and to report the surgical management and outcomes based on canalplasty depending on the extent of adjacent structures involvement around the EAC. Study Design: Retrospective case review. Setting: University hospital. Patients: Participants comprised 28 patients (12 males, 16 females) ranging in age from 9 to 86 years old. All patients presented with advanced-stage EACC (Naim's classification: stage III/IV). Intervention: Surgery ranged from simple bony meatoplasty with cartilage graft repair to more enlarged EAC canalplasty combined with tympanoplasty. Result: EACC was categorized as idiopathic in 22 patients and secondary EACC in six patients. Six patients with idiopathic EACC were receiving hemodialysis, one of whom showed bilateral pathology. Particularly in cases with epithelial invasion into the hypotympanum immediately adjacent to the jugular bulb, multi-layered repair including bone paste, post-auricular pedicled musculo-periosteal flap, auto cartilage, and temporalis muscle fascia were required. Five patients required revision surgery (17%), including one case of recurrent (reconstructed) cholesteatoma and three cases of perforation of the tympanic membrane. Conclusion: In the majority of our series, underlying diseases followed with microangiopathy and angiogenesis could be possible candidates in the etiology of EACC. Enlarged bony meatoplasty and multilayered reconstruction surgery brought about self-cleaning and dried the EAC in advanced-stage EACC.


Introduction: Nanoparticle evaluation within the pulmonary airspace has increasingly important implications for human health, with growing interest from drug delivery, environmental, and toxicology fields. While there have been widespread investigations of nanoparticle physiochemical properties following many routes of administration, nanoparticle behavior at the air-liquid interface (ALI) is less well-characterized. Methods: In this work, we fabricate two formulations of poly(ethylene)-glycol diacrylate (PEGDA)-based model nanoparticles to establish an in vitro workflow allowing evaluation of nanoparticle charge effects at the ALI. Results and Discussion: Both cationic and anionic PEGDA formulations were synthesized with similar hydrodynamic diameters around ∼225 nm and low polydispersity, with expected surface charges corresponding with the respective functional co-monomer. We find that both formulations are readily nebulized from an aqueous suspension in a commercial Aeroneb® Lab Nebulizer, but the aqueous delivery solution served to slightly increase the overall hydrodynamic and geometric size of the cationic particle formulation. However, nanoparticle loading at 50 μg/ml of either formulation did not influence the resultant aerosol diameter from the nebulizer. To assess aerosol delivery in vitro, we designed a 3D printed adapter capable of ensuring aerosol delivery to transwell 24-well culture plates. Nanoparticle uptake by macrophages was compared between traditional cell culture techniques and that of air-liquid interface-cultured macrophages following aerosol delivery. Cell viability was unaffected by nanoparticle delivery using either method. However, only traditional cell culture methods demonstrated significant uptake that was dependent on the nanoparticle surface charge. Concurrently, air-liquid interface culture resulted in lower metabolic activity of macrophages than those in traditional cell culture, leading to lower overall nanoparticle uptake at air-liquid interface. Overall, this work demonstrates that base-material similarities between both particle formulations provide an expected consistency in aerosol delivery regardless of the nanoparticle surface charge and provides an important workflow that enables a holistic evaluation of aerosolizable nanoparticles.


The ability to interface electronic materials with the peripheral nervous system is required for stimulation and monitoring of neural signals. Thus, the design and engineering of robust neural interfaces that maintain material-tissue contact in the presence of material or tissue micromotion offer the potential to conduct novel measurements and develop future therapies that require chronic interface with the peripheral nervous system. However, such remains an open challenge given the constraints of existing materials sets and manufacturing approaches for design and fabrication of neural interfaces. Here, we investigated the potential to leverage a rapid prototyping approach for the design and fabrication of nerve cuffs that contain supporting features to mechanically stabilize the interaction between cuff electrodes and peripheral nerve. A hybrid 3D printing and robotic-embedding (i.e., pick-and-place) system was used to design and fabricate silicone nerve cuffs (800 µm diameter) containing conforming platinum (Pt) electrodes. We demonstrate that the electrical impedance of the cuff electrodes can be reduced by deposition of the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) on cuff electrodes via a post-processing electropolymerization technique. The computer-aided design and manufacturing approach was also used to design and integrate supporting features to the cuff that mechanically stabilize the interface between the cuff electrodes and the peripheral nerve. Both 'self-locking' and suture-assisted locking mechanisms are demonstrated based on the principle of making geometric alterations to the cuff opening via 3D printing. Ultimately, this work shows 3D printing offers considerable opportunity to integrate supporting features, and potentially even novel electronic materials, into nerve cuffs that can support the design and engineering of next generation neural interfaces.


Various ways have been applied to free Bali from the spread of rabies virus. Socialization / counseling to increase knowledge and understanding of the community about rabies and its prevention has been implemented. Rabies vaccination in rabies-transmitted animals has been done, even periodically every year mass rabies vaccinations have been held, and 2015 is the sixth vaccination of rabies. Reduced wild dog populations or elimination have been performed. But rabies never stops, even today all districts in Bali are red zone rabies cases. This study aimed to measure the knowledge level of Pakraman Village leaders and community participation in identifying the potential of Pakraman Village and to analyze the model of community participation in rabies prevention. The subjects were 76 head of family in Tabanan District, Klungkung District, Bangli District, Karangasem District and Buleleng District. This study used pretest and posttest group design, ie a design to determine the impact of the treatment provided by measuring the level of community participation before and after intervention. Data on knowledge was collected by filling out questionnaires by 50 prajuru (administrators) of Pakraman Village before and after being given intervention in the form of counseling with art media of Bondres. Community participation data was collected through interviews before and after intervention. Potential data of Desa Pakraman and the pattern of community participation were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data analysis was done descriptively in the form of central tendency because of numerical data type. Hypothesis testing was done using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Based on the result of the research, it can be concluded that: 1) effective health education to increase knowledge of village administrator and public participation in eradicating rabies virus; 2) pattern / model of community participation in eradication of rabies virus more dominant influenced by visit / suggestion. Furthermore, it is suggested that village administrator pakraman to be more intent to make visits / suggestions to educate the society so that community participation is more increased. In addition it also needs mentoring from the government in educating the community so that more effective coaching.  Keywords: Rabies, Pakraman village, Knowledge, Participation


Cytochrome bd is a respiratory oxidase in Escherichia coli and many other bacteria. It contains cytochromes b558, b595 and d as redox centres, and is thus unrelated to the haem-copper super-family of terminal oxidases. The apparent affinities (Km) for oxygen uptake by respiring cells and membranes from a mutant lacking the alternative oxidase cytochrome bo' were determined by deoxygenation of oxyleghaemoglobin as a sensitive reporter of dissolved oxygen concentration. Respiration rates were maximal at oxygen concentrations of 25-50 nM, but the kinetics were complex and indicative of substrate (i.e. oxygen) inhibition. Km values were in the range 3-8 nM (the lowest recorded for a respiratory oxidase), and Ki values between 0.5 and 1.8 microM were obtained. Low temperature photodissociation of anoxic, CO-ligated membranes confirmed the absence of cytochrome bo' and revealed a high-spin b-type cytochrome identified as cytochrome b595 of the cytochrome bd complex. Photodissociation in the presence of oxygen revealed binding of a ligand (presumably oxygen) to cytochrome b595 at a rate much greater than that of CO binding, and formation of the oxygenated form of cytochrome d. The results confirm that both high-spin haems in the cytochrome bd complex bind CO and demonstrate that oxygen can also react with both haems. Substrate inhibition of oxidase activity, in addition to transcriptional regulation of oxidase synthesis, may play a crucial role in the regulation of partitioning of electron flux between the cytochrome bd- and bo'-terminated respiratory pathways.


Interpreting measurement and monitoring data from networks in general and the Internet in particular is a challenge. The motivation for this work has been to in- vestigate new ways to bridge the gap between the kind of data which are available and the more developed information which is needed by network stakeholders to support decision making and network management. Specific problems of syntax, semantics, conflicting data and modeling domain-specific knowledge have been identified. The methods developed and tested have used the Resource Descrip- tion Framework (rdf) and the ontology languages of the Semantic Web to bring together data from disparate sources into unified knowledgebases in two discrete case studies, both using real network data. Those knowledgebases have then been demonstrated to be usable and valuable sources of information about the networks concerned. Some success has been achieved in overcoming each of the identified problems using these techniques, proving the thesis that taking an ontological ap- proach to the processing of network monitoring data can be a very useful technique for overcoming problems of interpretation and for making information available to those who need it.


The AI community has achieved great success in designing high-performance algorithms for hard combinatorial problems, given both considerable domain knowledge and considerable effort by human experts. Two influential methods aim to automate this process: automated algorithm configuration and portfolio-based algorithm selection. The former has the advantage of requiring virtually no domain knowledge, but produces only a single solver; the latter exploits per-instance variation, but requires a set of relatively uncorrelated candidate solvers. Here, we introduce Hydra, a novel technique for combining these two methods, thereby realizing the benefits of both. Hydra automatically builds a set of solvers with complementary strengths by iteratively configuring new algorithms. It is primarily intended for use in problem domains for which an adequate set of candidate solvers does not already exist. Nevertheless, we tested Hydra on a widely studied domain, stochastic local search algorithms for SAT, in order to characterize its performance against a well-established and highly competitive baseline. We found that Hydra consistently achieved major improvements over the best existing individual algorithms, and always at least roughly matched — and indeed often exceeded — the performance of the best portfolios of these algorithms.


Fish and seafood are considered as the main sources of highly unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids in the human diet and has lots of health beneficial advantages. However, due to the shortage of fish oil in the aqua-feed and replacement of fish oil with plant oil in fish diet, the n-3 content has been decreased in farmed fish. Nowadays, by improving diet formulations and also genetic selection of fish with high content of both eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, the industry tries to improve n-3 content in Atlantic salmon. The genes which are involved in the biosynthesis of the very long chain fatty acids in Atlantic salmon are regulated by fatty acids in the diet. And omega-3 composition in salmon has in a previous study been found out to be a heritable trait. The aim of this study was to find out if variation exists in the composition of omega-3 fatty acids in different salmon families from a Norwegian breeding company. Salmon from 10 families, fed the same diet with high concentration of vegetable oil, were selected in October 2012, 10 fish from each family, and the muscle fatty acid composition analyzed. The mean percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3, EPA) varied from 2,7 to 3,3 %, the mean percentage of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3, DHA) varied from 3,9 to 4,9 %, and statistically significant differences were observed among the families. Hardly any significant differences were found between gender, and the content of total fat was not statistically different between families.


This document considers a VPN end user establishing an IPsec Security
Association (SA) with a Security Gateway using the Internet Key
Exchange Protocol version 2 (IKEv2), where at least one of the peers
has multiple interfaces or where Security Gateway is a cluster with
each node having its own IP address. The protocol described allows a
peer to clone an IKEv2 SA, where an additional SA is derived from an
existing one. The newly created IKE SA is set without the IKEv2
authentication exchange. This IKE SA can later be assigned to another
interface or moved to another cluster node.


Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected organs are being transplanted in patients with and without HCV in the direct-acting antiviral era. Little is known about patient attitudes towards receiving an HCV-positive organ. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine transplant candidates' attitudes towards receiving HCV-positive organs. Methods: Adult solid organ transplant candidates were identified during a clinic visit or during outpatient hemodialysis from May to December 2017. Willing participants completed a survey. Descriptive analysis including mean and median for continuous variables and frequencies for categorical variables were calculated by the appropriate statistical method and compared across willing, unsure, and unwilling patients and between willing and unsure/unwilling patients. Results: Fifty patients were surveyed with median age 54.5 years (range 32–77). Eighty-eight percent were awaiting kidney transplant, and 12% were awaiting other organs. Median waitlist time was 39.8 months (range 1.7–203 months). Most patients (90%) had prior knowledge of HCV, but only 60% knew it was curable. Forty-six percent were willing, 30% were unsure, and 24% were unwilling to receive an HCV-positive organ. Those willing to accept an HCV-positive organ were significantly older, Caucasian, had shorter waitlist times, and had greater physician trust than those that were unsure/unwilling. Similar worries, such as HCV incurability, insurance coverage, fears over the organ not working, and post-transplant death, were expressed in both the willing and unsure/unwilling patients. Conclusions: The availability of HCV-positive organs may expand the donor pool and decrease waitlist times and mortality. These data highlight the need for patient education towards use of these organs.


Environmental conditions may positively or negatively influence production, reproduction, and restoration of desert extinct vegetation. As desert plant populations decline, it is important to understand the potential impacts of the environment on the natural processes of plant reproduction. The objectives of this study are to provide fundamental information on sexual reproduction in a dominant species of Calligonum comosum. This plant species is one of the famous plants characterizing the habitat of Saudi Arabia environment, commonly used in traditional medicine. We investigated the effects of temperature, soil depth, soil moisture and salinity on the germination of C. comosum. As a results of these syude, the C. comosum seeds give the higher germination percentage at 10/20°C, followed at a temperature of 18/28°C, the best germination percentage was at a depth of 0.5 cm. And we found that the regular irrigation every 48 hours by 50 ml gave the best results, the germination rates decreased when concentrations of sodium chloride increased. From results we can conclude that the C. comosum plant has numerous adaptive qualities that enable it to withstand environmental pressures. It is also considered one of the plants adapted to the lack of water, grow in low salinity soil. And the best conditions for seed germination is a moderate degree of temperature 10/20 °C at a depth of no more than 0.5 cm from soil surface, and the rate of irrigation regulatory every 48 hours.It was also noted that the high temperatures may inhibit the germination process and this may be one of the direct causes of decrease the germination of the seeds of the C. comosum plant in the summer.


Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells – 2 (TREM-2) is a receptor expressed mainly in myeloid cells. TREM-2 is involved in the resolution of inflammation through dampening Toll-like receptor (TLR) induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and phagocytic functions. It is increased in inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and stroke and also in wound healing. However, little is known about how its expression is regulated. This study analysed the expression of TREM-2 in various myeloid and non-myeloid cell types and investigated the regulation of TREM-2 expression in myeloid cells. TREM-2 was expressed in the Golgi apparatus of microglial cells. Several non-myeloid cell types also expressed TREM-2, including bronchial epithelial cells where it was located on cilia in healthy and diseased lung tissues. In THP-1 cells, the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-4 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induced TREM-2 expression through phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and PI3K/ p38 MAP kinase signalling pathways respectively. TGF-β1-induced TREM-2 also required extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 post-translationally for protein expression. Interestingly, TREM-2 was required for TGF-β1-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression, the most characterised MMP in wound healing, suggesting that TREM-2 may be required for the beneficial effects of TGF-β1 on wound healing by regulating MMP-1. An in vitro model of ischemia in stroke was then established to study the mechanisms of TREM-2 regulation in stroke. Oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) had no direct effect on TREM-2 in N9 microglial cells. However, co-culture with healthy neurons reduced microglial TREM-2 expression, which was abolished in co-culture with OGD neurons, suggesting that in the healthy brain, microglial TREM-2 expression is suppressed by neurons, and this suppression is lost during ischaemia, increasing TREM-2 expression. In conclusion, this study characterised TREM-2 expression in non-myeloid cells and identified novel mediators and signalling pathways that regulate TREM-2 expression, which may be responsible for TREM-2 overexpression in inflammatory and ischemic conditions.


Based on a newly-constructed narrative dataset on fiscal consolidation announcements for thirteen EU countries over the period 1978-2013, a panel VAR analysis shows that revenue-based consolidation announcements affect economic activity more adversely than do spending-based announcements. The combination of larger actual follow-up and larger revenue multipliers helps to explain the difference. The unique nature of our dataset allows to control for fiscal anticipation and the confidence channel following the announcements. The confidence channel has an important role in explaining the difference in the multipliers following the two types of announcements.


including gender relations. Many men support government efforts to achieve the vision of a gender-equitable society as articulated in South Africa's Constitution and Bill of Rights. However, men still face widespread pressures to express their manhood in more traditional ways, such as authority figures in relationships with their wives and children. While such traditional male norms give men greater decision-making power, they also limit who they are and what they can do. Many men fear being mocked—by men and women—if they enter the kitchen, care for their children, or make decisions jointly with their wives. Some fear being seen as weak if they go to a health clinic because they are sick. They may feel pressure to have many sexual partners. And a substantial number are encouraged—by the examples of men around them and by society's failure to fully implement laws on domestic and sexual violence—to abuse women and children.


Abstract Anthropology and bioecology are currently at a point in their development where researchers in both fields are working towards an integration, which can be described as a form of human ecology. Integration of such disparate disciplines is not easily achieved. Important steps which facilitate integration are the clear definition of terms relevant to the disciplines, and the development of a common framework which would allow the overlapping of domains of the disciplines. The objective of this paper is to contribute to an understanding of human ecosystems by discussing (1) the definition of human ecosystems, and (2) the use of models in illustrating the integration of bio-physical and socio-cultural components of human ecosystems. Icons from the systems modeling languages of H. T. Odum and J.M. Forrester are applied to the modeling of human ecosystems. Specifically, models of R.A. Rappaport's work with the Tsembaga Maring are discussed in terms of their depiction of the components of human ecosystems. Modeling allows one to conceptualize the complexity of human ecosystems, and is an important step towards a human ecology. Introduction In E.P. Odum's (1969) discussion of the development of ecosystems through their "lifetime," he makes it a point to focus part of his discussion on human ecosystems. Noting bioecology's historical omission of humans from ecosystem analysis, he called for a form of ecosystem analysis that considers humans as a part of, not apart from, nature. The recognized role of humans in ecosystem analysis has not changed much since then. Bioecologists continue to treat humans as external to their notion of system, searching for "undisturbed" and "pristine" ecosystems in which to conduct basic research. By focusing on the negative effects of humans on ecological processes, ecologists continue to reinforce the idea that humans are not "natural" biological or ecological entities. Some attempts have been made to integrate humans into ecosystem analysis, but progress among bioecologists is slow. Within conservation and applied ecology there are attempts to integrate humans into ecological systems. A recent book (McDonnell and Pickett 1993) reports a conference in which researchers approached humans as components of ecosystems. The National Science Foundation has recently provided funding to establish Phoenix and Baltimore as Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites, where the city itself is treated as an ecosystem. So, bioecologists are beginning to consider humans to be ecological entities, not simply external disturbance factors. Cultural anthropologists, beginning with the cultural ecology of Steward (1949) and White ( 1949) attempted to develop ecological models of human systems. Although these models included energy and (implicitly) matter, they tended to exclude much of the non-human environment. Like bioecology, they also tended to avoid addressing the need to model information. Other cultural anthopologists, like Rappaport (1968), and archeologists (cf. Flannery 1968, Kowalewski et al. 1983), attempted to formalize the modeling of human systems, but this approach began to lose favor by the early 1990s. Current biocultural and life-history approaches (cf. McElroy 1990, Hill 1993) have tended to downplay the systems approach and limited the scope of analysis to a few key variables. If our goal is to gain a complete and useful understanding of human ecology, we still need to develop approaches that incorporate human systems, the non-human environments, and the ephemeral nature of information in human decision making and non-human ecological function. In this paper, I attempt to integrate several concepts and ideas that contribute to our understanding of human ecosystems. I will begin by defining some terms relevant to human ecology. Then I briefly discuss some shortcomings of the bioecological treatment of humans. Lastly, I discuss the role that modeling can play in working toward an integration of the physical, biological, social, and cultural components of human ecosystems. …


Statistics and all of that global governance the demand for its use in the den or tool is increasing rapidly. In Iran, most of it in the areas of population away from the work of the twenty of the month and those of the other tool except it was not different items, due to the growth of public awareness and disseminating information about the properties in use of the tool and its use is growing. Fish in cage one of these measures more effective tool in the development of its reserves and the impact of these the efficiency of these proteins in human society is taking. The system of the location information into the database as a centralized access to, stored building, to update the facade of the use of different forms of static data and other dynamic made possible with the help of the technology and the technology of obtaining information such as the burning of the land in both the surveyor, satellite geodesy is, however, the photogrammetry, remote sensing away and it is the policy of the database, members of the information (cartographer of elevation and computer graphics) and is now one of the modes and methods of the information, today as a powerful tool in the process are the reference location data (points geographic) to raise the maximum. In this paper, the positioning of Epinephelus coioides (Orange-spotted grouper) in waters surrounding the southern Qeshm Island of forwarding an analysis model management (SWOT) and


The development of the Trans-European Networks (TENs) in the EU is one of the first attempts at achieving a top-down approach to the development of a genuine European network in the interests of greater competitiveness and cohesion in the European economy. This implies the need for consistency with both national transport policies and with other EU policies, such as those on the environment, regional development and stability and growth. This paper explores the interaction between these policy areas to assess the extent of horizontal co-ordination between different sectoral policies and vertical co-ordination between different policy levels. The analysis of horizontal co-ordination has three main elements: the identification of horizontal spillovers between policy areas; the analysis of how policy responds to the evidence of horizontal spillovers; and the organisational structures put in place to implement policy. A key to this is the distinction between identifying spillovers between policy areas or establishing co-ordination between them as an aim of policy and the implementation of detailed policy objectives and measures to address such matters. This is achieved by examining the extent to which spillovers are recognised in key policy documents and the way this has shaped the policy design and its implementation. As well as the horizontal links between different EU policy areas, the analysis of vertical co-ordination involves enquiring into the relationships between different levels of government and decision making. This addresses the question as to how higher levels of government establish a policy environment within which lower levels operate. This has three main dimensions: the way in which policy is framed to establish the goals which need to be addressed by the lower levels of decision making (top-down policy formation); the extent to which the formation of policy by higher level bodies is informed by and takes cognisance of the views and needs of lower level bodies (bottom-up policy formation); and the way in which high levels of government monitor and police decisions by lower level bodies. The paper provides a schematic framework for analysing policy interaction developed from research as part of the ESPON programme of the EU which identifies opportunities for greater coherence and the risks of conflict. The paper suggests that ignoring these conflicts places the opportunity for further cohesion in regional development in the EU at risk.


The concrete poetry is regarded as the modern poetic movements in Europe and Iran. Concrete poetry is one of the written deviations and foregrounding is associated with irregularity of poetry, graphic and sometimes calligraphic lines. In this poetic movement, the written structure is selected in such a way that the form, the structure and the combination of words, the interrupted structure of the words, the degraded form of the words into the forming letters has created visual images that play an important role in transferring the motif to the audience. The author in this article aimed to review analytically the formation history of concrete poetry in Europe and Iran from the beginning until now. the history of visual communication is very old that dates back to the very remote times. Guillaume Apollinaire (1880 – 1918) played an important role in the emergence of concrete poetry. After 40 years, Apollinaire ultimately paved the way for concrete poetry by creating kind of visual poetry namely Calligram. Apollinaire enjoyed the experience of eastern poets in addition to western poet. in 1958, the basic principles of concrete poetry were compiled and again the Brazil was the flagship of this movement. In the early 60s, Eugen Gomringer published the concrete works of the poets in different countries of the world after the foundation of International Movement of concrete poetry. In Iran, Tahereh Saffarzadeh, a theorist and contemporary researchers, was the founder of the concrete poetry in Persian language. After Tahereh Saffarzadeh, Esmail Nooriala, a contemporary poet and critic, was regarded as the founder, promoter of concrete poetry in Persian language and literature.


INTRODUCTION To assess the perception of patient safety culture and the infrastructure to support patient safety (PS) education within American and Canadian urological residency programs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A needs assessment was developed by experts in patient safety. The survey contained items about prior PS education, perceived value of learning PS, components of an ideal PS curriculum, and desired resources to facilitate PS education. Select items from the validated AHRQ Survey on Patient Safety Culture (SOPS) were also included. The survey was distributed electronically (12/2018-2/2019) to all urology residents (RES) and program directors (PD) of urological residency programs via the Society of Academic Urologists. All responses were anonymous.

RESULTS
A total of 26 PD (18.3%; 26/142) and 100 RES (6.7%; 100/1,491) completed the survey. Nearly all RES received PS training (79%), but this was lower for PD (42%). The majority of RES and PD felt that PS was an important educational competency (RES = 83%; PD = 89%) and a pathway for academic success (RES 74%; PD 84%). Both groups desired an online PS curriculum (RES = 69%; PD = 68%) with error causation models (RES = 42%; PD = 52%) as the primary topic to cover. Assessment of safety culture confirmed safety is a priority, but only 1 PD (5%; 1/19) and 25 RES (25%; 25/100) rated their residency program's overall safety grade as 'excellent'.

CONCLUSIONS
PS education remains a priority for program directors and urological trainees. Both groups called for additional resources from urological professional societies for this education. To that end, an online, centralized, freely accessible PS curriculum is under development.


This study is concerned with the curriculum development process at English universities. The underlying premise for the study is that the challenges of curriculum development can only be fully understood by viewing the process holistically. An extensive literature review identifies the key influences on curriculum development and the sources that guide course design. The review shows that curriculum development is a highly complex process involving multiple parties. Much of the literature in this field focuses either on conceptualisations of the curriculum or on the mechanics of the curriculum process. A theoretical framework based on cultural-historical activity theory is presented as a means of locating curriculum development in its broader social context. Interviews were conducted at twelve English universities and the data was analysed by framing curriculum development as an activity system. The analysis identifies inherent structural tensions in the system and considers the implications of those tensions. The study concludes that activity system analysis provides a valuable tool in analysing curriculum development holistically. The findings suggest that universities need to foster a deeper understanding of curriculum development and to take a more strategic approach to integrating the contributions of the parties involved.


ABSTRACT The present event-related potential (ERP) study was aimed at testing whether form-function mappings can differently affect sentence comprehension in early bilinguals with a range of linguistic profiles. Basque–Spanish and Spanish–Basque early bilinguals were presented with Spanish sentences with article-noun gender agreement violations. The gender of the target noun could be retrieved based on the word-form (i.e. transparent nouns) or only on a lexical representation (i.e. opaque nouns). While Basque-dominant bilinguals showed an impact of gender-to-ending consistency on agreement computation, Spanish-dominant bilinguals' agreement processing was not affected by form-function mappings. A multiple regression analysis on early ERP responses from all participants showed that the more Spanish was produced on a daily basis, the easier the detection of gender violation for opaque nouns. The present results suggest that the strength of the lexical representation of gender is not fixed and can change depending on the linguistic habits of early bilinguals.


The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of hikikomori, a Japanese term denoting "prolonged social withdrawal", on quality of life (QOL). Individuals with hikikomori at present (n = 26) and in the past (n = 31), as well as mildly depressed individuals without hikikomori (n = 114) and highly depressed individuals without hikikomori (n = 27) were requested to complete the WHO Quality of Life 26 (QOL26). The results of MANOVA indicated that the present hikikomori group's scores on the social relationships domains of the QOL26 were significantly lower than the scores of the highly depressed group. The results of this study suggest that it might be important to intervene to improve QOL in individuals with hikikomori.


Among the four categories of territorial-maritime claims existing in the South China Sea, only one of those categories of claims is challenged by Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs): specifically, excessive maritime claims that have been enacted domestically by several of the claimant states, but that are inconsistent with international law. FONOPs are lawful as matter of international law and are legitimate as a policy option, because state action is important in preventing excessive maritime claims from becoming accepted. Yet some of the complicating factors in the South China Sea, such as a deliberate lack of clarity by some of the claimant States about some of their maritime claims, make it more difficult to conduct FONOPs in some portions of that body of water. Nonetheless, the United States and other like-minded States should conduct FONOPs and other presence operations in the South China Sea on a routine basis, in order to preserve the freedom of the seas that is guaranteed to all nations under international law.


A needs assessment survey was designed and performed to measure both food safety knowledge of and attitudes toward food safety issues of key foodservice personnel of Residential Childcare Institutions (RCCIs) in the Northeast region. A total of 1,230 surveys were distributed and received by individual RCCI site addresses;186 were included in the analysis, for a 15.1% return rate. Respondents answered 44 questions on food safety topics in food safety content areas of cook/prepare, chill/ cold storage, clean/hygiene, receiving/general storage, food handling and allergens. The response for the questions was agree, disagree, don't know or not applicable. A Likert scale response format was used for attitude questions. Descriptive one-way ANOVA and t-tests were run. Using 80% as the standard for subject mastery, only 27 of the 44 items (55%) met the proficiency standard, with cook/prepare (66%) and chill/cold storage (67%) having the lowest mean correct scores. Facilities with ≤ 20 residents scored significantly lower in total knowledge (P < 0.05) than larger institutions, with scores of 71% and 80%, respectively. Smaller facilities received significantly lower scores in 5 of the 6 content categories and were less likely to have food safety plans (67% versus 83% for larger) or recipes based on HACCP implementation (28% versus 64% for larger). Overall attitude scores reflected a positive belief about responsibilities for general food safety practices and implementation of food safety practices, policies, inspections and training. Eighty percent (80%) indicated that they would like to see food safety training provided for staff and/or residents. Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge and Attitudes of Managers of Residential Childcare Institutions (RCCI) in the Northeast


This article presents two case reports of Anaplasma platys detection in two women from Venezuela. Both patients were exposed to Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the presumed tick vector, and experienced chronic, nonspecific clinical signs including headaches and muscle pains. Intra-platelet inclusion bodies resembling A. platys were observed in buffy coat smears and A. platys DNA was amplified and sequenced from whole blood; however, treatment with doxycycline did not alleviate their symptoms. These cases provide further support for A. platys as a zoonotic tick-borne pathogen, most likely of low pathogenicity; nonetheless, the cause of illness in humans by A. platys is yet to be confirmed.


When Edmund, the child star of Germania Anno Zero, crosses Vosstrasse to sell the faded relics to American soldiers visiting the ruined building of the new Reich Chancellery in the summer of 1948, the area around Potsdamer Platz, though still recognizable, is invaded by debris caused by the destruction of Allied bombing and all shots and tracking shots that Roberto Rossellini has handed down of the German capital are packed with these materials: ruins and rubble. Almost forty years later, Cassiel, an angel from Der Himmel uber Berlin by Wim Wenders, accompanying the elderly poet who is unsuccessfully looking for Potsdamer Platz, crosses a vacant lot overgrown only by the fateful wall – that here saw its first line drawn on the ground – and a flyover. Where did the debris and the ruins of Berlin get to in the forty years that separate the two films? Potsdamer Platz where is it? Is it still possible that traces of the lost capital can be found anywhere and that pieces and fragments of the ruins as well have given, in spite of themselves, a new face to the geography of Berlin today? From these questions and from the story of the German mountains of debris, known as Trummerbergen, was conceived the topic for the research "Ruins, rubble and debris of the theaters of war: the problems of decontamination and disposal to the configuration of new landscapes", that has been carried out by the research unit of the IUAV Architecture, Archaeology, landscape: theaters of war. The first results of such research will only be available in a year. Meanwhile, in this brief essay I'll try to reconnect the threads of a story, also partially known, to explain the architectural interest of the topic.


Two cases of exstrophy of the cloaca with myelocystocele are presented. Medical-surgical evaluation of the patient plus social-psychological assessment of the family determined an early decision to initiate therapy in one case in contrast to delayed evaluation and an unsuccessful attempt to treat in the other. Short gut, inadequate urinary drainage, paraplegia and absent genitalia may complicate treatment. However, barring extensive upper intestinal malformation, exstrophy of the cloaca is not a lethal defect; therefore, the decision to not undertake surgical closure requires continued medical care for the infant and continued social and economic support for the family.


It is common to encounter situations where one must solve a sequence of similar computational problems. Running a standard algorithm with worst-case runtime guarantees on each instance will fail to take advantage of valuable structure shared across the problem instances. For example, when a commuter drives from work to home, there are typically only a handful of routes that will ever be the shortest path. A naive algorithm that does not exploit this common structure may spend most of its time checking roads that will never be in the shortest path. More generally, we can often ignore large swaths of the search space that will likely never contain an optimal solution.
We present an algorithm that learns to maximally prune the search space on repeated computations, thereby reducing runtime while provably outputting the correct solution each period with high probability. Our algorithm employs a simple explore-exploit technique resembling those used in online algorithms, though our setting is quite different. We prove that, with respect to our model of pruning search spaces, our approach is optimal up to constant factors. Finally, we illustrate the applicability of our model and algorithm to three classic problems: shortest-path routing, string search, and linear programming. We present experiments confirming that our simple algorithm is effective at significantly reducing the runtime of solving repeated computations.


To examine the influence of environmental factors on the quality of a drug product over time, in order to recommend storage conditions and establish shelf life for the product, the accelerated stability studies for optimized formulations (Immediate Release- F2, Intermediate Release-F10 and Slow Release-F18), prepared for IVIVC Study, were carried out for a period of six months using ICH guidelines (at 40±2 o C and 75±5% RH). All the formulations were tested for disintegration test, % drug content and % drug release over the entire period of testing. Observations showed no degradation of the drug throughout the six months periods as % content uniformity of the three optimized immediate, intermediate and slow release formulations at one, three and six month was found within the limits. Moreover the results of drug release profiles at pH 1.2, 4.5, 6.8 and distilled water was also remained unaffected throughout the test period under elevated conditions when the trial formulations were compared with those stored in refrigerator. Shelf lives were calculated by software R Gui and were found to be 24, 14 and 20 months for IR (F2), IntR (F10) and SR (F18) formulations respectively. These stable novel optimized formulations will then be used for In Vitro In Vivo Correlation (IVIVC) studies of Metoclopramide HCl. No such stability studies of three formulations of Metoclopramide HCl with varying release rates are conducted before.


This paper proposes a scalable design for next-generation optical cross-connects (OXCs). We present a novel strategy for dimensioning the switching capability as a long term planning. Switching fabrics in OXCs have to be expanded according to traffic growth, which may incur a scalability problem due to the exponentially increasing cost in manufacturing and maintenance. The proposed scheme expands the switching capacity of OXCs with waveband- and fiber-switching components (or, equivalently, expands the network capacity with waveband- and fiber-switching tiers). To minimize the number of extra fibers for waveband- and fiber-switching tiers required to satisfy a given traffic matrix, we formulate the problem of routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) with tunnel allocation (RWAT) into a constraint programming (CP) process. The CP is simplified as two integer linear programming (ILP) processes that are performed sequentially. Experiments are conducted on four examples to compare the throughput and the number of switching points when different switching architectures are adopted under different traffic increase. The benefits of our approach are demonstrated. Finally, we conclude that the proposed optimization scheme can dimension the networks with expandability and scalability to the growing traffic demand.


The four-volume Welfare Reform Project Report results from policy
research conducted by the LBJ School of Public Affairs during the 1977-78
academic year. The specific task was to aid DHR in developing and
testing an independence-fostering approach to the delivery of public
assistance and employment services. The Family Independence Plan (FIP), as
conceived by DHR officials, was the approach developed and refined during
the course of the research activities reported on herein. FIP is a comprehensive
service delivery mechanism for overcoming barriers that reduce services
under existing entitlement programs. A key objective of the welfare reform
project was to develop a fundable proposal for field testing, administering,
and evaluating a demonstration FIP program. Volume IV describes in detail the FIP concept.


Messenger RNAs exchanged between scions and rootstocks of grafted plants seriously affect their traits performance. The study goals were to identify the long-distance mRNA transmission events in grafted willows using a transcriptome analysis and to reveal the possible effects on rooting traits. The results showed that the Salix matsudana variety 9901 has better rooting ability than YJ, which reasonably improved the rooting performance of the heterologous grafts 9901 (scion)/YJ (rootstock). A transcriptome analysis showed that 2948 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were present in the rootstock of 9901/YJ grafted plants in comparison with YJ/YJ. Among them, 692 were identified as mRNAs moved from 9901 scion based on SNP analysis of two parents. They were mostly 1001–1500 bp, had 40–45% GC contents, or had expression abundance values less than 10. However, mRNAs over 4001 bp, having 50–55% GC contents, or having expression abundance values of 10–20 were preferentially transferred. Eight mRNAs subjected to long-distance trafficking were involved in the plant hormone pathways and may significantly promote the root growth of grafted plants. In summary, heterologous grafts of Salix matsudana could efficiently influence plant rooting of the mRNAs transport from scion to rootstock.


This aim of this study was to investigate the potential beneficial effects of rice bran powder, fermented by Weissella koreensis DB1 isolated from kimchi, to protect against obesity and dyslipidemia induced by a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet, in a mouse model. Male mice were fed a modified AIN-93M diet containing high fat/high-cholesterol (HFCD), or same diet supplemented with non-fermented rice bran powder (HFCD-RB) or fermented rice bran powder (HFCD-FRB) for 10 weeks. In the HFCD-FRB group, body weight, liver and white fat pads weights, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), non-high-density lipopreotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), insulin, glucose and leptine levels in serum, TG levels and the ratio of fat droplets in the liver, TG levels and fat cell size in adipose tissue were decreased, and (high-density lipopreotein cholesterol) HDL-C and adiponectin levels in serum were increased, compared with the HFCD group. The HFCD-FRB group had significantly lower CCAAT-enhancer-binding potein α (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) gene expression when compared to the HFCD group. The anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects were marginally greater in the HFCD-FRB group than in the HFCD-RB group. These results suggest that fermented rice bran powder by Weissella koreensis DB1 may have potential beneficial effects on the obesity-related abnormalities and the dysfunction of lipid metabolism.


We report on the molecular cloning and intracellular localization of a heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP), Ct-hrp45, one of the major components of pre-mRNP particles in Chironomus tentans. It is shown that hrp45 belongs to the SR family of splicing factors and exhibits high sequence similarity to Drosophila SRp55/B52 and human SF2/ASF. The distribution of hrp45 within the C. tentans salivary gland cells is studied by immunocytology. The hrp45 protein is found to be abundant in the nucleus, whereas it is undetectable in the cytoplasm. The fate of hrp45 in specific pre-mRNP particles, the Balbiani ring (BR) granules, is revealed by immunoelectron microscopy. It is observed that hrp45 is associated with the growing BR pre-mRNP particles and is being added continuously concomitant with the growth of the transcript, indicating that hrp45 is bound extensively to exon 4, which comprises 80-90% of the primary transcript. Furthermore, hrp45 remains bound to the BR RNP particles in the nucleoplasm and is not released until the particles translocate through the nuclear pore. Thus, hrp45 behaves as an hnRNP protein linked to exon RNA (and perhaps also to the introns) rather than as a spliceosome component connected to the assembly and disassembly of spliceosomes. It seems that hrp45, and possibly also other SR family proteins, is playing an important role in the structural organization of pre-mRNP particles and is perhaps participating not only in splicing but also in other intranuclear events.


Abstract. The future impacts of climate change on citizen health and building energy demand have been researched considering two possible IPCC global climate scenarios: RCP 4.5 (stabilization emission scenario) and RCP 8.5 (little effort to reduce emissions). The climate scenarios have been dynamically downscaled from 1° to 50 meters of spatial resolution over three European cities: Madrid, Milan and London. Air quality has also been simulated up to streets levels. Climate and air pollution information are used as input to the health impact and building energy demand assessment tools. The impacts are calculated as future (2030, 2050 and 2100) minus present (2011). The short term health impact assessment includes mortality and morbidity related with changes in the temperature and air pollution concentrations. The larger increase of costs of mortality and morbidity was noted in the increasing scenario (RCP8.5) for year 2100, because RCP 8.5 is characterized by temperature increments. Maps of the spatial distribution of the costs of the climate change have showed Building energy demand simulations have been achieved with the EnergyPlus model using specific prototype buildings based on ASHRAE 90.1 Prototype Building Modeling Specifications and urban climate information by each building. .The results show an increase in cooling demand with RCP 8.5 because future will be cooler that the present.


This study analyzes sources of productivity change in petroleum exploration and development in the United States over the last ten years. There have been several major developments in the industry over the last decade that have led to dramatic reductions in the cost of finding and developing oil and natural gas resources. While some of the cost savings are organizational and institutional in nature, the most important changes are in the application of new technologies used to find and produce oil and gas: 3D seismology, horizontal drilling, and deepwater drilling. Not all the innovation is endogenous to the industry; some rests on outside advances (such as advances in high-speed computing that enabled 3D seismology), as well as learning-by-doing. The increased productivity of mature petroleum provinces like the U.S. helps to maintain competition in the world oil market as well as enhance domestic industry returns.


Physical activity practice is a classic behaviour of the healthy lifestyle. Nonetheless, it is difficult for general population to have this behaviour among their habits. From the decision-making model, decisional balance has been identified as a relevant process in relation to doing physical activity. On the other hand, self-efficacy has been pointed out as a key point in relation to practice, adherence and enjoyment in physical activity. The aim of this study was to examine decisional balance and self-efficacy as a predictor of exercise enjoyment in a sample of 530 participants (48.2% male) between the ages of 11 and 76 (M = 33.22; SD = 15.27) from Monterrey (Mexico). Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to predict exercise enjoyment. Results showed that decisional balance and self-efficacy predicted enjoyment, additionally, self-efficacy played a mediational role between decisional balance and enjoyment.


Some Revenue Sharing programs, including the Federal government's General Revenue Sharing program, reward higher tax effort with larger aid payments. A natural, game-theoretic generalization of the standard consumer demand based theory of grants-in-aid is used to examine the impacts such tax effort provisions have on the recipient government's tax effort, spending levels, and welfare. Nonlinear simulation is used to provide rough quantitative estimates of the impacts General Revenue Sharing had in 1972.


A natural notion of rationality/consistency for aggregating models is that, for all (possibly aggregated) models $A$ and $B$, if the output of model $A$ is $f(A)$ and if the output model $B$ is $f(B)$, then the output of the model obtained by aggregating $A$ and $B$ must be a weighted average of $f(A)$ and $f(B)$. Similarly, a natural notion of rationality for aggregating preferences of ensembles of experts is that, for all (possibly aggregated) experts $A$ and $B$, and all possible choices $x$ and $y$, if both $A$ and $B$ prefer $x$ over $y$, then the expert obtained by aggregating $A$ and $B$ must also prefer $x$ over $y$. Rational aggregation is an important element of uncertainty quantification, and it lies behind many seemingly different results in economic theory: spanning social choice, belief formation, and individual decision making. Three examples of rational aggregation rules are as follows. (1) Give each individual model (expert) a weight (a score) and use weighted averaging to aggregate individual or finite ensembles of models (experts). (2) Order/rank individual model (expert) and let the aggregation of a finite ensemble of individual models (experts) be the highest-ranked individual model (expert) in that ensemble. (3) Give each individual model (expert) a weight, introduce a weak order/ranking over the set of models/experts, aggregate $A$ and $B$ as the weighted average of the highest-ranked models (experts) in $A$ or $B$. Note that (1) and (2) are particular cases of (3). In this paper, we show that all rational aggregation rules are of the form (3). This result unifies aggregation procedures across different economic environments. Following the main representation, we show applications and extensions of our representation in various separated economics topics such as belief formation, choice theory, and social welfare economics.


A new analytical method for the simultaneous determination of two natural hormones (progesterone and estrone) and two selected endocrine disrupter compounds (EDCs) (diltiazem and carbamazepine (Cbz)) was developed by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) after pre-concentration with solid phase extraction (SPE). Influent and effluent samples taken from five different wastewater treatment plants throughout Turkey namely Hurma/Antalya, Lara/Antalya, Kemer-1 and Kemer-2 and METU/Ankara were analyzed for their EDCs contents under the optimum conditions. All of the parameters in the pre-concentration step were optimized and the best recoveries for all compounds of interest were achieved at pH 7 (about 100%). Progesterone was not detected in any of the treatment plants while diltiazem was found in all samples with the exception of Lara effluent.


The fluorinated 4-quinolone, ofloxacin, interacts with, and inhibits the negative DNA supercoiling activity of the bacterial tetrameric enzyme, DNA gyrase. DNA gyrase is one of several topoisoraerases that homeostatically regulates the tertiary structure and function of both chromosomal and plasmid DNA. Inhibition of this process is recognised as the precursor to a cascade of cytopathic events that leads to bacterial death. It is recognised that in stationary phase, changes in gene expression promote diverse mechanisms in bacteria to maintain their 'living state'. Analysis of changes in stationary phase has become increasingly important, since Enterobacteria in many environments are in a constant state of stationary phase primarily through nutrient competition, and that rapid growth is not possible. The transposition of Tn7 into the IncP plasmid RP4, and the stability and variation of a natural co integrate plasmid, pOG669, were studied in E. coli K12. The reversion of a spontaneous pleiotropic mutant of Serratia marcescens was investigated in relation to both different growth conditions together with pigmentation and antibiotic resistance. In each of the experimental systems the time course was extended to incorporate possible changes that occurred in stationary phase. Restriction endonuclease fragmentation patterns (REFP) techniques were used to identify DNA rearrangements in the co-integrate R-plasmid pOG669 and to analyse the insertion of Tn7 into RP4. Subinhibitory ofloxacin lead to DNA rearrangements, that encompassed alteratioyn the insertion of Tn7, IncX & IncP plasmid maintenance and expression of antibiotic resistance. Subinhibitory ofloxacin significantly altered the distribution of Tn7 insertion in multiple sites within RP4. Most Tn7 insertions were found to be increased in the 22.2kb Kpnl-SmaI fragment and reduced in the 5kb KpnI-SmaI RP4 fragment. Although, fewer insertions were found in the other KpnI-SmaI fragments in RP4, subinhibitory ofloxacin reduced insertions into the 8.5kb and 5.8 fragments. It is proposed this high and low density of Tn7 insertions results from changes in local DNA superhelicity, and led to exposure of insertion sites to Tn7. Preliminary evidence suggests the tra3 and trfA genes may be contiguous in the RP4 molecule, since no Tn7 insertions were detected in these regions. This study has demonstrated that changes in antibiotic expression are induced by subinhibitory ofloxacin, as observed in the plasmids pOG669 and RP4. The mobility of these plasmids are also influenced by subinhibitory ofloxacin through their elimination. The insertion and transposition of Tn7 and therefore mobility and transposon resistance determinants have also been influenced by subinhibitory ofloxacin. Therefore, the results presented in this study describe ofloxacin to act on several genetic processes. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).


This paper describes the development of a support technology to enhance the independent mobility of disabled persons, featuring an electric wheelchair fitted with an innovative camera system "stereo omnidirectional system (SOS)". The SOS can capture omnidirectional color images and range information in real time, enabling automatic detection and avoidance of dangers in the wheelchair's traveling environment, and has a remote assistance function. This study deals principally with basic platform design, focusing on the basic technology required for application of the SOS to electric wheelchairs, such as high-speed, high-definition integrated processing of omni-directional images, and automatic correction of camera pose


Mutations induced by the integration of a Mugem2ts prophage can revert at frequencies around 1x10(-6). In these revertant clones, the prophage excised from its original localization is not lost but reintegrated elsewhere in the host genome. One of the most intriguing aspects of this process is that the prophage reintegration is not randomly distributed: there is a strong correlation between the original site of insertion (the donor site) and the target site of the phage DNA migration (the receptor site). In this paper, it is shown that in the excision-reintegration process mediated by Mugem2ts, the position of the initial prophage site strongly influences the location of the reintegration site. In addition, for each donor site, the receptor site is a discrete DNA region within which the excised Mu DNA can reintegrate and the two sites implicated in phage DNA migration must be located on the same DNA molecule. These data suggest the involvement of nucleoid folding in the excision-reintegration process.


In this report we have presented the results of a program which performs simula- tions of artificial bacteria with the ability to evolve different characteristics and behaviours through genetic algorithms. Over time unfit bacteria will die out, and the more fit bacteria will produce offspring with slightly mutated variants of it's genetic code resembling the evolutionary process. The simulation does not follow the traditional macro-scale hand-picked sexual reproduction often used in genetic algorithms to produce optimal results, but it instead uses individ- ual asexual reproduction which more closely resembles how bacteria reproduce in nature. Furthermore we do not use traditional neural networks for decision making, but simple functions which directly map the bacterias inputs to their decisions.The purpose of this study was to observe whether bacteria with different initial starting populations would coevolve, and specialize into heterogeneous populations. Furthermore we have tried to analyze how the populations inter- act with each other and how changing the different parameters of the simulation would affect the populations. We have performed three separate experiments that differ in their initial conditions, one with pre-created and heterogeneous herbivores and carnivores, one with homogeneous omnivores, and one with bac- teria whose genetic values have been decided at random. The result of our experiments was that we observed coevolution in the bacteria, and that they would despite very different initial starting conditions always grow towards sta- ble heterogeneous populations with very few exceptions.


Introduction Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positive pulmonary capillaritis complicated by diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a potentially fatal condition for which extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can facilitate improved outcomes and potential cure. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage can be the initial presentation of an autoimmune disorder. The management is centered on the use of immunosuppressive therapy, which requires time, with fatality often occurring for these patients. We showed two very young patients with no previous history of vasculitis presenting with life threatening pulmonary hemorrhage due to anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positive vasculitis, whose management was facilitated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Methods We reviewed the clinical presentation and course of the first two patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positive vasculitis managed with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We highlighted and analysed the unique challenges encountered in managing these patients. Results The two patients were referred for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation since conventional ventilation was inadequate to provide physiologic support for respiratory failure. Clinical improvement was achieved without exacerbation of the pulmonary hemorrhage despite the use of anticoagulants. This provided time for the immunosuppressants to take effect. Both patients were discharged and were cured of the underlying condition. Conclusions Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has a role in the management of patients with severe respiratory failure due to anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positive capillaritis. Early recognition and referral for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are vital to achieve a favourable outcome.


A cichlid species first collected by Alfred Russell Wallace in the upper Rio Negro in 1852, lost during the transport to England but documented in drawings, is described as Crenicichla monicae on the basis of three specimens collected by the Swedish Amazonas Expedition 1923–1925. Crenicichla monicae is most similar to C. johanna, C. rosemariae, and one undescribed species which are characterized by cycloid scales, distinguishing them from other species of the genus in which most scales are ctenoid. Crenicichla monicae is recorded only from the lower Rio Uaupés and lower Rio Içana, tributaries of the upper Rio Negro, and is sympatric with the similar species C. johanna and C. lenticulata. It is distinguished from all other species of Crenicichla by the color pattern in females, with scattered dark spots on the upper half of the side and on the dorsal and caudal fins. Crenicichla monicae is a member of the C. lugubris species group, characterized by very small scales in a large number along the middle of the side (89–126 scales in E1 row), blunt snout, and particular ontogenetic transformation of color pattern.


The study aimed at identifying the evolution of political participation of Jordanian women by monitoring their effective participation during the past decades in the State's legislative and executive authorities. It also aimed at tracing milestones taken towards women's quota law and motives that urge women to run for elections and factors that affect their winning. The study concluded that Jordan worked to include women's issues within the priorities for action and development. Jordanian women made great strides towards their appropriate roles in political life. Women were appointed deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Minister of Culture, Minister of Social Development and others, but women were not entrusted with "sovereign" ministries. The percentage of women's representation in the House of Representatives developed rapidly, rising from (1.3%) in (1993) with one woman deputy to (12.0%) in (2013) after the amendment of the electoral law. The number of women Senators increased to nine in the council formed in (2013) which is an indication of the political leadership desire to support women's political participation. A progress has been made; nevertheless women's representation in the Parliament is still under the world average (22%). Women got satisfactory results in the (2013) municipal elections by winning (29%) of the seats. The total number of women judges in (2012) was (250) judges. The study pointed out factors that helped women gain seats in the House of Representatives such as: (Women's quota), tribal support, woman's strong personality and previous experiences.


Angklung Pride is an annual event held by Saung Angklung Udjo to commemorate the ratification angklung asintangible cultural heritage of humanity from Indonesia. This event is done to preserve four pillar of UNESCOwhich was given by them. This four pillar were reserved, promoted, protected, and perpetuated. The objectiveof this research is to obtain deep understanding of the event management process of Angklung Pride #9 bySaung Angklung Udjo using Joe Goldblatt's Special Event Theory in five stages. Those stages are research,design, planning, coordination, and evaluation. The data was acquired by deep interviews, observations, anddocumentations process. The conclusion of this research divided the event management process in fivestages, which are summarized into three part. Those part are planning, execution, and evaluation. Planningprocess included concept, idea, and theme decision process, organization structure making and job descriptiondistribution, risk management planning, and place and time determining. Execution process aim forconcept, place, event contents, entertainment, and promotion activity implementation. The last is evaluationprocess which included things that can be used for the next Angklung Pride event improvement.


Abstract. In this study, we give a thorough analysis of a general affine gravity with torsion. After a brief exposition of the affine gravities considered by Eddington and Schrödinger, we construct and analyze different affine gravities based on the determinants of the Ricci tensor, the torsion tensor, the Riemann tensor and their combinations. In each case we reduce equations of motion to their simplest forms and give a detailed analysis of their solutions. Our analyses lead to the construction of the affine connection in terms of the curvature and torsion tensors. Our solutions of the dynamical equations show that the curvature tensors at different points are correlated via non-local, exponential rescaling factors determined by the torsion tensor.


Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) is a decapeptide (pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2) hypothalamic hormone that acts upon 7-trans membrane spanning GnRH receptors in the pituitary. This action leads to the secretion of the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that in turn act on the reproductive organs regulating gonadal steroid production, spermatogenesis and follicular development. Peptidic agonists of the GnRH receptor have been known for many years and are currently employed therapeutically in the treatment of prostate and breast tumours, uterine fibroids, precocious puberty, endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome, contraception and infertility. Peptidic antagonists to date have only been employed commercially in the treatment of infertility during assisted reproductive therapy; however, many peptidic antagonists are currently in late stage development for many of the aforementioned indications. Whilst peptidic agonists and antagonists of the GnRH receptor have been discovered and exploited clinically, they are limited to predominantly parenteral administration due to their poor oral bioavailability. Recently, several small molecule GnRH antagonist series have been discovered offering the prospect of orally active therapeutics based on GnRH receptor antagonism. This article will review the current medicinal chemistry literature and structure activity relationships known for non-peptidic GnRH receptor antagonists.


Abstract. Observation of the evolving instability of ice shelves plays a very important role in global change research. Following the suddenly large-scale collapse of the Larsen B Ice Shelf in the Antarctic Peninsula in 2002, the evolving instability for its remnant, the Scar Inlet Ice Shelf, began to be increasingly studied to provide a deeper understanding of the disintegration of the Larsen B Ice Shelf in 2002 and also provide a chance for studying the response of ice shelves to the large-scale collapse events. In this study, based on sequential Landsat images spanning 2005–2020, we produced detailed maps of the ice velocity fields for the Scar Inlet Ice Shelf. The results indicate that the ice velocities for the Scar Inlet Ice Shelf region have substantially increased since 2005, the maximum ice velocity reached more than 900 m/y in the ice shelf front. Surface rifts have also substantially increased in both length and width and are moving seawards. The ice front position of the Scar Inlet Ice Shelf is relatively stable in 2008–2010 and then steadily advancing after 2010. The acceleration of ice velocities, the dynamic change of the ice front, the increase of major surface rifts and the newly added rifts in the central part of the ice shelf, and the heavily enhanced surface crevasses are all revealing the evolving instability of the Scar Inlet Ice Shelf.


Effect of indigenous cement on high temperature slag corrosion resistance of four different types of industrial ULCC composition has been investigated. Four type were as follows: (a)composition dominated by BFA aggregate, (b) composition dominated by WFA aggregate,(b) composition dominated by Densed Bauxite aggregate and (b) composition having Densed Bauxite fused alumina aggregate. Two types of CA plus CA2 based indigenous cements; (i) 70% Al2O3 containing and (ii) 80% Al2O3 containing, were investigated for the study. One established imported cement was also used to compare the properties of ULCC based on Indigenous cement. ULCC precast were prepared by industrial procedure such as; mixing of aggregates, cement and additives, granulometry, addition of water and casting, curing at room temperature and drying at 110oC. Physical, mechanical and thermo mechanical properties of ULCC were evaluated on as dried, 1000oC and 1450oC fired samples. Slag corrosion resistivity was tested in rotary drum by using 50:50 slag and metal.It has been found that ULCC composition having higher amount of BFA aggregate shows better slag corrosion resistance when indigenous HAC are used. However ULCC containing WFA shows better slag resistance when 80% Al2O3 containing indigenous cement were used. It was found that slag resistivity mainly depend on fused alumina aggregate content of ULCC and compositions without having BFA and WFA shows very high (about 28%) erosion. It has been found that Fused Alumina aggregates are less prone slag erosion than Densed Bauxite. But with addition of WFA, the Slag erosion resistivity of Densed Bauxite based ULCC increases.70% Al2O3 containing indigenous cement shows better erosion resistivity performance in presence of BFA. However 80%Al2O3 containing indigenous cement shows better performance in presence of WFA.