This paper presents a novel steganographic technique which demonstrates the secrete data transmission technique through colour image in frequency domain based on the Discrete Fourier Transformation (DFT) which pertain to colour image authentication. Secrete transmission is done by hiding secrete message/secrete image into the transformed frequency component of source image. The DFT is applied on sub-image block called mask of size 2 x 2 in row major order. Three secrete message/image bits are fabricated within the transformed real frequency component of each source image byte except the LSB of first frequency component of each mask. After embedding, a delicate readjust phase is incorporated in all the frequency component of each mask, to keep the quantum value positive and non fractional in spatial domain. Robustness is achieved by hiding an authenticating or secretes message/image in the frequency component with both positive and negatives quantum values and invisibility is satisfied in spatial domain using delicate re-adjust phase. Inverse DFT (IDFT) is performed as final steps after embedding to transform embedded image in frequency domain to spatial domain. Experimental results conformed that the proposed algorithm performs better than discrete cosine transformation (DCT), Quaternion Fourier Transformation (QFT) based scheme and Spatio Chromatic DFT (SCDFT). Keywords: QFT, DFT, IDFT, DCT, MD and SCDFT


Objective: Non-typhoidal salmonellosis is one of the leading zoonosis in the world caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS). Invasive infections with NTS serovars occurs due to the presence of virulence genes like invA along with the immunosuppressive conditions of the patient. The study was conducted to isolate and identify the NTS serovars and their antimicrobial resistance profile from patients with diarrhea and also to detect the virulence marker – invA gene among these NTS serovars.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2016 at the Enteric Diseases Division, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. 1218 fecal specimens were collected from patients with diarrhea and before antibiotic treatment. NTS serovars were identified,serotyped and then screened for the presence of invA virulence gene.Results: A total of 33 (2.7%) NTS was isolated. Salmonella typhimurium (33.34%) was predominant followed by Salmonella oslo (30.3%). Out of 33 NTS, invA was positive for 28 isolates (84.8%) of which 25 (89.3%) patients were febrile which was statistically significant (p=0.000). Conclusion: Non-typhoidal salmonellosis is an emerging global infection among immunocompromised patients. Our study showed an association between the invA gene and febrile illness among the patients suffering. Thus, this study highlights the importance of invA as a significant marker for bloodstream invasion.


This paper explores the idea of using deep neural networks with various architectures and a novel initialization method, to solve a critical topic in the field of materials science. Understanding the relationship between the composition and the property of materials is essential for accelerating the course of materials discovery. Data driven approaches using advanced machine learning to derive knowledge from that of existing compounds, and/or from simulations of nonexisting ones, have only started to play a crucial role. We demonstrate an application with a large-scale data set containing 300K organic and inorganic compounds. Deep multilayer perceptrons are used to capture nonlinear mappings between chemical composition and compound stability characterized by a continuous value, known as the formation energy. It is surprising to see that input features as raw and sparse as the compositional fractions of elements can lead to a remarkably accurate modeling of a far-fetched regression prediction. The performance is shown to be outperforming state-of-the-art predictions by as much as 54%.


Even though dry gas seals for centrifugal compressors are becoming more popular, knowledge and understanding of oil seals and their associated support systems are still very important. Many existing compressors still have oil seals; likewise, dry gas seals have pressure and surface velocity limitations that prevent them from being applied to all applications. The author describes the two most common types of API oil seals so that users can understand the fundamentals of each. Likewise, the strengths and weaknesses for each seal type are listed so users can have input into specification of their seals dependent upon their particular application. Examples are given of problematic seal designs and the changes made to improve them. The support systems for each type of oil seal are described, along with ways to specify the best system for different applications. A step-by-step method is given for troubleshooting seals and their support systems in the field. Case studies of problematic oil seal systems with solutions are presented.


Abstract
Purpose
The last few decades have seen the rise of a new field of inquiry – human–animal studies (HAS). As a rich, theoretically and disciplinarily diverse field, HAS shines a light on the various relations that humans have with other animals across time, space and culture. While still a small, but rapidly growing field, HAS has supported the development of multiple theoretical and conceptual initiatives which have aimed to capture the rich diversity of human–animal interactions. Yet the methodologies for doing this have not kept pace with the ambitions of such projects. In this chapter, we seek to shed light on this particular issue.

Design/methodology/approach
We consider the difficulties of researching other-than-human beings by asking what might happen if methods incorporated true inter-disciplinarity, for instance if social scientists were able to work with natural scientists on multi-species ethnographies. The lack of established methodology (and the lack of cross disciplinary research between the natural and social sciences) is one of the main problems that we consider here. It is an issue complicated immensely by the 'otherness' of animals – the vast differences in the ways that we (humans) and they (animals) see the world, communicate and behave. This chapter provides the opportunity for us to consider how we can take account of (if not resolve) these differences to arrive at meaningful research data, to better understand the contemporary world by embarking upon more precise investigations of our relationships with animals.

Findings
Drawing upon a selection of examples from contemporary research of human–animal interactions, both ethnographic and scientific, we shed light on some new possibilities for multi-species research. We suggest that this can be done best by considering and applying a diversity of theoretical frameworks which deal explicitly with the constitution of the social environment.

Originality/value
Our methodological exploration offers the reader insight into new ways of working within the template of human animal studies by drawing upon a range of useful theories such as post-structuralism and actor network theory (ANT) (for example, Callon, 1986; Hamilton & Taylor, 2013; Latour, 2005; Law, Ruppert, & Savage, 2011) and post-humanist perspectives (for example, Anderson, 2014; Haraway, 2003; Wolfe, 2010). Our contribution to this literature is distinctive because rather than remaining at the philosophical level, we suggest how the human politics of method might be navigated practically to the benefit of multiple species.


Virus infections are common in the oral cavity, and it's estimated that over 90% of the human population presents oral viral infection at some point in their lives. Not so long ago the identification of virus was costly and laborious, but with the advent of the most simple, sensitive and specific methods, such as molecular te- chniques, the viruses identification has become qui- cker and easier in several pathologies. Recent studi- es have found herpesvirus in periodontal diseases and perirradicular endodontic lesions, but it's not cle- ar yet the role of these microorganisms in such disea- ses. Additional studies are needed to establish the role of these and other viruses in the pathogenesis of oral cavity diseases.


This paper explores how financial constraints affect intangible investment for knowledge intensive and less capital intensive firms. In this paper, a knowledge intensive firm implies a firm supplying knowledge intensive services which requires the firm to hire highly educated employees. In economics investment is defined as the act of incurring an immediate cost in the expectation of future reward, which also fits to the hiring of skilled employees. Drawing advantage of unique firm-level data comprising all Swedish knowledge intensive consulting firms I conclude that the accessibility to adequate collateral significantly affects the relationship between employment and internal funds at the firm level. The accessibility of adequate collateral is more important in an economic downturn than in an expansion and more important for highly knowledge intensive consulting firms. In this paper I make a novel attempt to incorporate knowledge intensive services firms into the financial constraints literature.


Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) is a commercially important species in the northeast Atlantic trawl fishery. However, direct fishing for it is not allowed and it can only be harvested as bycatch. We investigated for the first time the size selection of Greenland halibut in a newly developed double steel grid system designed for the cod and haddock bottom trawl fishery. In this sorting system the first grid (lower grid) replaced the lifting panel present in the traditional Sort-V single grid system often applied in the fishery. Thus, it contributed to the fish sorting process and simultaneously guided fish to the second grid (upper grid). However, the results showed that nearly all Greenland halibut escapees left through the second grid. The release efficiency of the first grid was estimated to be low, and only 11% of the Greenland halibut entering the grid zone made contact with this grid in a way that provided a size-dependent release probability. In contrast, the estimations showed that all Greenland halibut, still in the gear after the first grid, made contact with the second grid. However, this contact was suboptimal for size selection of most individuals, as the estimated 50% retention length (based on the morphology of Greenland halibut) was below the expected value. Comparison of the release efficiency of the new double grid system relative to that of the grid systems used in the fishery today revealed that the new system did not improve the release of undersized Greenland halibut. Moreover, we found that the existing Sort-V single grid system released significantly more Greenland halibut than the new double grid system.


Volume Painting: Incorporating Volumetric Rendering with Line Integral Convolution (LIC). (August 2005) Jaewook Lee, B.F.A., Pusan National University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Ergun Akleman This thesis presents an expressive (non-photorealistic) rendering approach created by combining volumetric rendering techniques with the Line Integral Convolution (LIC) in 3D space. Although some techniques that combine volume rendering with the LIC have been introduced in computer graphics, they are mainly used for the scientific visualization fields, such as the visualization of 3D fluid fields. Unlike earlier research, we will focus on artistic representation, which is significantly different than scientific visualization research. We will implement a brush-stroke effect on the implicit surfaces by using the LIC. The implicit surfaces are described as volume datasets that are created by the voxelization of triangular meshes. To acquire smearing effects on the surface we convolve along the vector fields with the densities of the voxels of the datasets. These vector fields are defined by users as texture maps. The final images are rendered with volume ray casting, integrating colors and densities of voxels with Perlin noise along vector fields. The Perlin noise provides randomness and allows us to generate scratches. Smearing effects on the surface of an object create the illusion of 3D brush-strokes as if a painter had created brush strokes on a canvas. The rendering system is implemented using standard C and C++ programming languages. 3D models are then created using Alias Maya TM and TopmodTM.


Blenniid fish exhibit a polygynandric mating system with parental care restricted to males. Nest-holder males defend a breeding territory centered on their nest, usually a crevice or hole in a rocky substrate, to which they attract females to spawn. Females, on the other hand, must search for nests in order to spawn and usually are the choosy sex, producing several sequential egg batches and broods during the breeding season. Therefore, male blennies are more site-attached than females. This situation offers an opportunity to investigate potential neural correlates of intraspecific differences in selective pressures for different spatial abilities in these species. Since the dorsolateral telencephalon has been considered a teleost homologue of the mammalian hippocampus, we predicted that the spatial abilities required for females to locate and return accurately to nests of males may have produced a sex difference in the size of the telencephalic nuclei involved in spatial abilities, biased towards females. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the home ranges and measured the size of the dorsolateral telencephalon of both sexes during the breeding season in two blenniid species, the shanny (Lipophrys pholis) and the Azorean rock-pool blenny (Parablennius parvicornis). We chose these two species because they differ in the degree of chemical communication they use, and this could also lead to differences in telencephalic areas. As predicted, in both species females present considerably larger home ranges paralleled by larger dorsolateral ventral telencephalic nuclei (DLv) than males. Other telencephalic nuclei that were measured did not show any sex difference in size. These results suggest that the DLv is involved in spatial abilities in blenniid fish and that sexual selection may be promoting this divergence as already described for mammals and birds.


The applications of sensing and localization are becoming more sophisticated in many invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures and there is great interest to apply them to the human heart. Ideally, such tools could be indispensable for allowing physicians to spatially understand relative tissue morphologies and their associated electrical conduction. Yet today there remains a steep divide between the creation of spatial environment models and the contextual understandings of adjacent features. To begin to address this, we explore the problem of anatomical perception by applying deep learning to the identification of internal cardiac anatomy images.Copyright © 2018 by ASME


Studies have shown that in Western societies, women live longer than men. Among other factors, this has been attributed to health behaviours; men engage in health-risking behaviours, while women perform health-promoting behaviours. These tendencies were argued to align with cultural notions of masculinity and femininity. There may be some evidence, however, that men and women engage in different types of health-promoting behaviours, and stress may play a role in these tendencies. This study attempts to examine the various types of health-promoting behaviours women engage in and compare them to the tendencies of men. Secondly, it examines the mediating role of stress in the relationships between gender and health-promoting behaviours. The sample was comprised of 402 young Israeli adults. Half were undergraduate university students majoring in social work. The remaining participants were sampled by 'snowball sampling'. Participants completed a questionnaire containing 63 closed-ended questions on various health issues. For the purpose of this study, gender, stress and health-promoting behaviours measures were used. Data were collected over three academic years by the teacher responsible for the course and were received by the author at the end of the data collection phase. The study was approved by the institution's internal review board. The results indicate that,-while women engage in 'type 2 behaviours'- refraining from smoking and drinking, eating breakfast regularly and sleeping 7-8 hours per night-men engage in 'type 1 behaviours'- physical exercise, refraining from snacking, and maintaining an appropriate body mass. We also found that, to some extent, women refrain from 'type 1 behaviours' because of their levels of general stress. Our study suggests that the social construction of masculinity and femininity which undermines individuals' health needs to be challenged and addressed. In particular, the enduring role of stress in women's health outcomes should be addressed.


An experimental simulation of the interaction of vortex ring-like eddies with the sublayer of a turbulent boundary layer is investigated. An artificially generated vortex ring interacting with a Stokes' layer enables investigation of the interaction with reproducible initial conditions and in the absence of background turbulence. All of the observed features in the turbulent boundary layer production process such as the streaky structure, the pockets, the hairpin vortices, streak lift-up, oscillation, and breakup, have been observed to form. The model shows us that hairpin vortices can pinchoff and reconnect forming new vortex ring-like eddies. Interestingly, the model includes interactions that occur with low probability in the turbulent boundary layer, but which contribute significantly to transport, and may be the events most readily controllable.


The historical development of lighting technologies has been characterized by what evolution theorists call 'punctuated equilibrium': a succession of long periods of stable development followed by short periods of rapid change when key technological breakthroughs give rise to new lighting paradigms. Nowadays with the massive deployment of LED-based solid state lighting systems the illumination field is undergoing one of such accelerated transformation events. In parallel, a growing body of research has unveiled some of the complex interactions between the daily cycles of light and darkness and the regulating mechanisms of individuals, populations and ecosystems, including humans. This communication addresses some of the challenges that this new situation poses for the development of sustainable lighting systems.


One of the barriers which immigrant parents may encounter in the process of acculturation into their new country is differing expectations about ways in which teachers and other professionals involved in the educational system should relate to their children's misbehavior. To examine the potential sources of conflicts relating to disciplinary measures, a comparative study utilizing a qualitative methodology was conducted with 65 immigrant parents from Latin America in Canada and with 103 immigrant parents from the Former Soviet Union in Israel. The findings indicate that, in the two samples, participants experienced differences between their expectations about the way in which teachers should handle student misbehavior and the actual behavior of the teachers. The differences which the immigrant parents indicated could be characterized primarily as culturally based disagreements about (a) the types of misbehaviors which justify intervention by teachers, (b) the kind of disciplinary measures which should be used, (c) the factors that should be considered when deciding about disciplinary actions, and (d) the lack of sensitivity to the impact of immigration related difficulties on the behavior of children. The immigrants' current expectations of teachers' behavior was based on their experiences in their country of origin, and these were often in contradiction with the common approach in Canada and Israel. Ways of developing reciprocal channels of communication between professionals in schools and kindergartens and immigrant parents are suggested in order to overcome barriers and bridge gaps in communication.


Dysbiosis of the gut mucosa-associated microbiota (MAM) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). To date, dysbiosis only describes the altered composition of the different bacterial populations, but little is known about transcriptional activity, metabolism and the 'live' status of the MAM. In this study we investigated the transcriptional activity of the dominant intestinal bacterial populations in patients with IBD. Colonic mucosal biopsies from patients with active Crohn's disease (CD; n=10), active ulcerative colitis (UC; n=10) and healthy individuals (HI; n=10) were compared by 16S rRNA gene and rRNA profiles using clone libraries with more than 1700 sequenced clones. Bacterial richness was significantly lower in clone libraries based on rRNA compared to those based on the rRNA genes in the CD group (3.01 vs 3.91) and the UC group (3.61 vs 4.15), but showed no difference in HI (3.81 vs 3.85). The qualitative composition of rRNA and rRNA gene clone libraries was significantly different, with the phylum Bacteroidetes being the most active (P<0.01) compared to other populations in all clinical groups. In contrast, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were inactive in the CD group, while Escherichia sp. were both abundant and active in the CD and UC groups. Most of the phylotypes showing the highest activity index ratios represented less than 1 % of the microbiota. Our findings indicate that specific bacterial populations are activated in IBD patients, while other groups are in an inactive or 'dormant' state. The transcriptional activity points to a more functional role of the intestinal mucosal microbiota and may lead to the identification of therapeutic targets in the active modulation of microbial factors.


This exploratory study sought to uncover whether trait mindfulness, an individual's aptitude for focusing on the present moment while refraining from passing negative judgments or processing external cues in a habitual manner, is predictive of more constructive and less destructive approaches to relational conflict. In addition, we looked at its predictive role in relational satisfaction and commitment. Ninety-one participants completed self-report measures on trait mindfulness, relational satisfaction, commitment, and conflict strategies. Results revealed that aspects of mindfulness predict the type of conflict strategy in which people reportedly engage. Mindfulness subscales were also related positively to satisfaction and commitment. In concluding, we discuss limitations and potential avenues for future inquiry in this area.


Among the many responses to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster, from skimming oil from the Gulf of Mexico's surface to capping the Macondo well, perhaps the most controversial was injecting dispersant at the wellhead. Dispersant was sprayed on previous surface spills but never injected below the water. In the Deepwater Horizon incident, responders used subsea injection to try to dissolve as much of the released oil and gas in the water as possible to keep the hydrocarbons away from cleanup workers' lungs and coastal ecosystems. A modeling study now finds that subsea dispersant injection increased hydrocarbon dissolution by 25%, ultimately preventing 27% of petroleum fluids released on a representative day from rising to the surface and reducing workers' exposure to volatile organic carbon species (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2017, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1612518114). The research team, led by Scott A. Socolofsky of Texas A&M University and J. Samuel Arey


Choice Outstanding Academic Title, 2008. When we think of the Internet, we generally think of Amazon, Google, Hotmail, Napster, MySpace, and other sites for buying products, searching for information, downloading entertainment, chatting with friends, or posting photographs. In the academic literature about the Internet, however, these uses are rarely covered. The Internet and American Business fills this gap, picking up where most scholarly histories of the Internet leave offwith the commercialization of the Internet established and its effect on traditional business a fact of life. These essays, describing challenges successfully met by some companies and failures to adapt by others, are a first attempt to understand a dynamic and exciting period of American business history. Tracing the impact of the commercialized Internet since 1995 on American business and society, the book describes new business models, new companies and adjustments by established companies, the rise of e-commerce, and community building; it considers dot-com busts and difficulties encountered by traditional industries; and it discusses such newly created problems as copyright violations associated with music file-sharing and the proliferation of Internet pornography. Contributors: Atsushi Akera, William Aspray, Randal A. Beam, Martin Campbell-Kelly, Paul E. Ceruzzi, James W. Cortada, Wolfgang Coy, Blaise Cronin, Nathan Ensmenger, Daniel D. Garcia-Swartz, Brent Goldfarb, Shane Greenstein, Thomas Haigh, Ward Hanson, David Kirsch, Christine Ogan, Jeffrey R. Yost.


The ultimobranchial body in humans is still controversial and different theories have been put forward. The aim of this study was to clarify the topographical anatomy of the ultimobranchial body and surrounding tissue during early development. Human embryos at 5-7 weeks of development were used for morphological observation. During the early stages, the sections displayed a ladder-like arrangement of the second to fourth endodermal pouches. The fourth pouch was located in front of the nodosa ganglion. The bilateral fifth pharyngeal pouches protruded anterolaterally to form a Ushaped lumen surrounding the arytenoid swelling. During the middle stages, the third pharyngeal pouch was identified near the fourth pharyngeal artery and the fourth pharyngeal pouch was located anterior to the parathyroid gland IV. We identified a cyst-like structure that is composed of a cell cluster facing to a small lumen as the ultimobranchial body. During the late stages, the lateral thyroid arising from the fourth pharyngeal pouch was located medial to the common carotid artery and joined to dorsal surface of the thyroid gland anlage. The thymus anlage arising from the third pharyngeal pouch was an independent structure that was located lateral to the common carotid artery. However, the ultimobranchial body had disappeared and did not integrate in the thyroid gland. We concluded that (1) the thymus originates from the third pharyngeal pouch; (2) the lateral thyroid originates from the fourth pharyngeal pouch; (3) the ultimobranchial body originates from the fifth pharyngeal pouch.


Abstract Background: There is a need to measure antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in cystic fibrosis (CF), either qualitatively or quantitatively, to inform patient management. The aim of this study was to develop a simple method by which resistance can be quantified by calculating a relative resistance index (RRI), and to assess correlation of RRIs with clinical variables. Methods: In our model, RRIs were calculated based on resistance to aztreonam, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, colistin, meropenem, tazocin, temicillin and tobramycin. Eighty-five adults with CF and chronic PA colonisation were identified. For each, all PA cultures were allocated a score of 0 for susceptible, 0.5 for intermediate resistance or 1 for resistance for each antibiotic listed above, and the RRI calculated by dividing the sum of these by the number of antibiotics, giving a maximum score of 1. The mean RRIs for all cultures were correlated with key clinical variables monitored in CF patients (including age, FEV1, IV antibiotic days and BMI). Results: RRIs for non-mucoid PA exhibited moderate positive correlation with total number of IV days (r = 0.405; p < 0.001) and moderate negative correlation with FEV1 % predicted (r = −0.437; p < 0.001). RRIs were not significantly correlated with duration of colonisation, typing (clonal vs other strain) or BMI. Median RRIs were significantly higher for females (0.26, IQR 0.13–0.54) than males (0.18, IQR 0.07–0.37) for non-mucoid PA only (p = 0.03). Conclusions: RRI is an easily calculated measure that correlates with other clinical variables in CF patients and enables quantitative monitoring of resistance.


The adjustment of international students in the host community is very important in fostering academic success and also is an important factor in increasing understanding between nations. This research investigates psycho-social and cultural adjustment of 384 international students w h o have been randomly selected from 10 nationality groups at Wollongong University in the second session, 1993. The framework of the research depends on information obtained from literature and from international students through direct contacts by interview, observation and structured inquiry and through self-report survey. 'Adjustment' is a term used to describe personal and social adaptation to a new environment, developed as a result of interaction with the host community. The quality of adjustment depends on a number of factors including academic, economic and psychological satisfaction and acculturation, by which is meant social/leisure activities and social contact/participation. The main data gathering exercise is designed as a cross-sectional controlled survey, using a questionnaire as a self-report instrument. The survey instrument, includes 49 items thought to be important in the adjustment process. Factor analysis established that the adjustment measure utilized in this research is unidimensional with a calculated Rho of 0.95. Analysis of variance revealed that the adjustment of students is significantly different on a number of variables including religion, nationality, gender, language, age, marital status, having children, duration in Australia, having opportunity to choose the host country, field of study, level of study, having a spouse who is a student, prior place of living, completed a course in the host country and whether the home country has been visited during study. xv Using multiple regression analysis, the following variables were found to account for most variation in measured adjustment, religion (37%), nationality (29%), gender (11%) and native language (10%). The present research has contributed to knowledge about international student adjustment in the following areas: The development of a new, empirical model to illuminate factors in the process of student adjustment; The development of an instrument for measuring the adjustment of international students; The presentation of an Islamic viewpoint on migration and adjustment which is perhaps unique in the literature; and Confirmation of the complex inter-relationship between religion, language and nationality which, together, pose challenges to adjustment because they constitute some of the most enduring early learnings. The author humbly recognises the need for the research model and instrument to be further tested in other groups, place and times.


Methods from computer algebra, mostly so called Grobner bases (gb) from commutative algebra, are used to solve the algebraic Riccati equation (ARE) symbolically. The methods suggested allow us to track the influence of parameters in the system or penalty matrices on the solution. Some nontrivial aspects arise when addressing the problem from the point of view commutative algebra, for example the original equations are rational, not polynomial. We explain how this can be dealt with rather easily. Some methods for lowering the computational complexity are suggested and different methods are compared regarding efficiency. Preprocessing of the equations before applying gb can make computations more efficient.<<ETX>>


[1] Putative chloride salt deposits observed throughout the southern highlands of Mars by the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) display featureless red slopes in near-infrared ratio spectra. It is hypothesized that the admixture of anhydrous chlorides or unoxidized sulfides with silicate rocks or minerals could imitate this spectral behavior. Three different sets of spectra were collected: (1) simple mixtures of halite with labradorite and flood basalt at multiple concentrations, (2) halite crusts formed on both labradorite and flood basalt, and (3) simple mixtures of 25 and 50 wt % acid-washed pyrite with labradorite and flood basalt. In all three instances, multiple grain sizes were used to evaluate the effect of particle size on spectral results. Spectra of the mixtures and crusts were divided by pure labradorite and flood basalt spectra of the same grain size to produce ratio spectra comparable to the CRISM ratio spectra. Our study rules out pyrite as a possible component of these deposits, whereas flood basalt mixtures with halite reproduced the observed red slope under some conditions. This allows us to place some broad constraints on halite proportions and the effective grain sizes of these deposits.


: The intensified use of water bodies and reservoirs for aquaculture production has increased the need for monitoring and early warning of toxins from cyanobacteria. To minimize effects from toxins, simple and fast analytical monitoring methods are crucial. Here, the content of pigments and microcystins in 14 different strains of cyanobacteria cultured under different growth conditions was investigated to determine the influence of light and nutrient starvation on pigment/ chlorophyll a (chl a ) ratios. The obtained pigment/chl a ratios were applied in the soft-ware CHEMTAX to calculate the biomass of toxic cyanobacteria, as well as other phytoplankton groups. CHEMTAX ratios from the laboratory cultures were applied to water samples collected during 4 sampling periods at 6 fish farms in different reservoirs in São Paulo State, Brazil. Cyanobacteria generally dominated in all reservoirs in all sampling periods and constituted on average 44 to 66% of the average phytoplankton biomass. The concentrations of microcystins were significantly correlated with the chl a concentrations of cyanobacteria and showed that the pigment method can be used to detect microcystin-producing cyanobacteria in these Brazilian reservoirs. When the concentration of cyanobacteria in the reservoirs was above 4 µg chl a l −1 , microcystins were always detected. Our results show that pigment analysis can be used to provide fast and reliable results for the early warning, the presence and potential risk of toxic cyanobacteria in freshwater reservoirs used for aqua culture.


This study was to determine whether Arthrobotrys flagrans, A. oligospora, and Meria coniospora would control the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla on alfalfa and tomato. Alfalfa seeds were coated with a fungus-rye powder in 2% cellulose and were planted in infested soil. Three-week-old seedlings from seed treated with M. coniospora had 60% and 58% fewer galls in two experiments than did seedlings from untreated seeds. Numbers of J2 in the soil were not reduced. Plant growth did not improve. When seed of tomato were coated with M. coniospora and planted in M. hapla-infested soil, roots had 34% fewer galls and 47% fewer J2 in the soil at 28 days. After 56 days there was no reduction in J2 numbers. Plant growth did not improve. When roots of tomato transplants were dusted with M. coniospora fungus-rye powder or sprayed with a spore suspension before planting in M. hapla-infested soil, 42% and 35%, respectively, fewer galls developed in 28 days on treated roots than on roots not treated with fungus. The numbers of J2 extracted from roots or recovered from soil were not reduced, however, and plant growth did not improve.


Rodents infected with the nematode parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nb) develop intestinal mastocytosis, eosinophilia, and elevated serum IgE levels. Although IL-4 and IL-5 are necessary for stimulation of IgE synthesis and eosinophilia, respectively, the cytokines that regulate gut mast cell hyperplasia have not been identified. To address this question, 6- to 8-wk-old BALB/c mice were injected on day 0 and day 7 of Nb infection with a rat anti-mouse IL-4 mAb, and with polyclonal sheep (day 0) and rabbit (day 7) anti-mouse IL-3 IgG antibodies. Additional Nb-infected mice received equal doses of isotype- and species-matched control antibodies. Mice were sacrificed on days 12 or 13 post-infection, and mucosal mast cells (MMC) in sections of the small intestine were enumerated. Nb infection induced a 25- to 40-fold increase in MMC over that observed in uninfected controls. Anti-IL-3 or anti-IL-4 alone suppressed the Nb-induced MMC response by 40 to 50%, whereas both antibodies combined suppressed the MMC response by 85 to 90%. Anti-IL-3 alone had no effect on the serum IgE levels, which were essentially abrogated in the Nb-infected mice treated with anti-IL-4. Blood eosinophilia was not affected by treatment with anti-IL-3 and/or anti-IL-4. These studies demonstrate that IL-3 and IL-4 are physiologically important stimuli of mastocytosis in vivo, and suggest therapeutic interventions that may counteract adverse host responses to allergens as well as to parasites.


Chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) proteoglycans consist of unbranched sulfated polysaccharide chains of repeating GalNAc-GlcA/IdoA disaccharide units, attached to serine residues on specific proteins. The CS/DS proteoglycans are abundant in the extracellular matrix where they have essential functions in tissue development and homeostasis. In this report a phylogenetic analysis of vertebrate genes coding for the enzymes that modify CS/DS is presented. We identify single orthologous genes in the zebrafish genome for the sulfotransferases chst7, chst11, chst13, chst14, chst15 and ust and the epimerase dse. In contrast, two copies were found for mammalian sulfotransferases CHST3 and CHST12 and the epimerase DSEL, named chst3a and chst3b, chst12a and chst12b, dsela and dselb, respectively. Expression of CS/DS modification enzymes is spatially and temporally regulated with a large variation between different genes. We found that CS/DS 4-O-sulfotransferases and 6-O-sulfotransferases as well as CS/DS epimerases show a strong and partly overlapping expression, whereas the expression is restricted for enzymes with ability to synthesize di-sulfated disaccharides. A structural analysis further showed that CS/DS sulfation increases during embryonic development mainly due to synthesis of 4-O-sulfated GalNAc while the proportion of 6-O-sulfated GalNAc increases in later developmental stages. Di-sulfated GalNAc synthesized by Chst15 and 2-O-sulfated GlcA/IdoA synthesized by Ust are rare, in accordance with the restricted expression of these enzymes. We also compared CS/DS composition with that of heparan sulfate (HS). Notably, CS/DS biosynthesis in early zebrafish development is more dynamic than HS biosynthesis. Furthermore, HS contains disaccharides with more than one sulfate group, which are virtually absent in CS/DS.


Background Primary‐care veterinary clinical records can offer data to determine generalizable epidemiological data on seizures occurrence in the dog population. Objectives To identify and examine epidemiologic characteristics of seizure occurrence in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK participating in the VetCompass™ Programme. Animals 455,553 dogs in VetCompass™'. Methods A cross‐sectional analysis estimated the 1‐year period prevalence and risk factors for dogs with seizures during 2013. Results The overall 1‐year period prevalence for dogs having at least one seizure during 2013 was 0.82% (95% CI 0.79‐0.84). Multivariable modelling identified breeds with elevated odd ratios [OR] compared with the Labrador Retriever (e.g. Pug OR: 3.41 95% CI 2.71‐4.28, P < 0.001). Males had higher risk for seizures (Male/Entire OR: 1.47 95% CI 1.30–1.66; Male/Neutered OR: 1.34 95% CI 1.19–1.51) compared to entire females. Age (3.00 ‐ ≤ 6.00 OR: 2.13 95% CI 1.90‐2.39, P < 0.001, compared to animals aged 0.50–≤ 3.00 years), and bodyweight (≥ 40.00kg, OR: 1.24 95% CI 1.08–1.41, P = 0.002, compared to animals weighing < 10.0 kg) were identified as risk factors for seizures. Conclusion and clinical Importance Seizures are a relatively common clinical finding in dogs. The results for breed, age, sex and bodyweight as risk factors can assist veterinarians in refining differential diagnosis lists for dogs reported with behaviors that may have been seizures. In addition, the prevalence values reported here can support pharmacovigilance with baseline data from the overall population.


Numerous studies have demonstrated the capacity of music to modulate pain. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon remain unknown. In order to assess the involvement of descending modulatory mechanisms in the modulation of pain by music, we evaluated the effects of musical excerpts conveying different emotions (pleasant‐stimulating, pleasant‐relaxing, unpleasant‐stimulating) on the spinally mediated nociceptive flexion reflex (or RIII), as well as on pain ratings and skin conductance responses. The RIII reflex and pain ratings were increased during the listening of unpleasant music compared with pleasant music, suggesting the involvement of descending pain‐modulatory mechanisms in the effects of musical emotions on pain. There were no significant differences between the pleasant‐stimulating and pleasant‐relaxing musical condition, indicating that the arousal of music had little influence on pain processing.


Background: The pathobiological mechanisms underlying the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are highly complex. Aims: To compare the effect of PBI-Compound, pirfenidone, and combination of both compounds on inflammatory/fibrotic mRNA expression of key mediators (inflammation/pro-fibrotic: TGF-β, CTGF, IL 6, IL23p19; fibrotic: collagen I, fibronectin; and remodeling: SPARC, MMP-2), and on histological lesions in the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model. Methods: Intratracheal instillation of bleomycin was administered on day 0. Mice were treated with PBI-Compound, or pirfenidone, or combination of both compounds starting on day 7 to 21. Results: Bleomycin induced a significant increase in mRNA expression of all key mediators in the lung. PBI-Compound and combination therapy significantly decreased TGF-β, CTGF, IL-6 and IL23p19 expression in lung, while pirfenidone had no effect on CTGF. All treatments induced a significant reduction of collagen I and fibronectin expression to the control level (no bleomycin). PBI-Compound and combination therapy induced a significant reduction of SPARC while pirfenidone demonstrated no effect. PBI-Compound and pirfenidone induced a weak inhibition of MMP-2 while the combination therapy induced a significant reduction. Based on Ashcroft's score, PBI-Compound and combination therapy demonstrated significant reduction of lung fibrosis while pirfenidone alone demonstrated weak but no significant activity at the histological level. Conclusions: PBI-Compound or combination therapy with pirfenidone may be an efficacious treatment in IPF.


We present the design and beam test results of a prototype beam-based digital feedback system for the Interaction Point of the International Linear Collider. A custom analogue front-end signal processor, FPGA-based digital signal processing boards, and kicker drive amplifier have been designed, built, deployed and tested with beam in the extraction line of the KEK Accelerator Test Facility (ATF2). The system was used to provide orbit correction to the train of bunches extracted from the ATF damping ring. The latency was measured to be approximately 140 ns.


Cellular Automata have intrigued curious minds for the better part of the last century, with significant contributions to their field from the likes of Von Neumann et al. (1966), John Con- way (Gardner (1970)), and Wolfram and Gad-el Hak (2003). They can simulate and model phenomena in biology, chem- istry, and physics (Chopard and Droz (1998)). Recently, Neural Cellular Automata (NCA) have demonstrated a capacity to learn complex behaviour, including constructing a target mor-phology (Mordvintsev et al. (2020)), classifying the shape they occupy (Randazzo et al. (2020)), or segmentation of im-ages (Sandler et al. (2020)). As a computational model, NCA have appealing properties. They are parallelisable, fault toler-ant and partially robust to operating on manifolds other than those used during training. A strong parallel exists between training NCA and system identification of a partial differen- tial equation (PDE) satisfying certain boundary value conditions. In the original work by Mordvintsev et al. (2020), asynchronicity in cell updates is justified by a desire to have purely local communication between cells. We demonstrate that asynchronicity is not just an ideological feature of the model and is in fact necessary to learn a well-behaved PDE and to allow the model to be used in arbitrary integrators.


This paper describes an investigation in progress into the searching behaviour of end-users and how it is affected by interface design. The project focused on qualitative data gathering and heavily relies on think-aloud protocols. 65 end-users were observed searching a bibliographic database (Medline) in their natural setting. The two most commonly used commercial versions of Medline were selected as experimental variable (OVID for Windows and WinSPIRS)- both use an underlying Boolean system and a Windows-based interface, but present fundamental differences in terms of the use and the presentation of searching tools and results presentation. Marchionini's model of information seeking (1995) was used as a framework. The results showed that there are some discrepancies between this model and the behaviour observed. The results of the comparison of searching behaviour with the two systems have shown some fundamental differences, but also have provided some areas of similarities in behaviour which seem to indicate that there could be some genuine end-user characteristics which are independent of system and interface design.


CD49a+ tissue resident NK cells have been implicated in memory-like NK cell responses, but while this population is well-characterized in mice and in humans, they are poorly described in non-human primates (NHP) which are particularly critical for modeling human viral infections. Others and we have shown that memory-like NK cells are enriched in the liver and because of the importance of NHP in modeling HIV infection, understanding the immunobiology of CD49a+ NK cells in SIV-infected rhesus macaques is critical to explore the role of this cell type in retroviral infections. In this study mononuclear cells isolated from livers, spleens, and peripheral whole blood were analyzed in acutely and chronically lentivirus-infected and experimentally-naïve Indian rhesus macaques (RM). NK cells were then identified as CD45+CD14−CD20−CD3−NKG2A/C+ cells and characterized using multiparametric flow-cytometry. Our data show that in RM, CD49a+ NK cells increase in the liver following retroviral infections [median = 5.2% (naïve) vs. median = 9.48% (SIV+) or median = 16.8% (SHIV+)]. In contrast, there is little change in CD49a+ NK frequencies in whole blood or spleens of matched animals. In agreement with human and murine data we also observed that CD49a+ NK cells were predominantly Eomeslow T-betlow, though these frequencies are elevated in infected animal cohorts. Functionally, our data suggests that infection alters TNF-α, IFN-γ, and CD107a expression in stimulated CD49a+ NK cells. Specifically, our analyses found a decrease in CD49a+ CD107a+ TNFα+ IFNγ− NK cells, with a simultaneous increase in CD49a+ CD107a+ TNFα− IFNγ+ NK cells and the non-responsive CD49a+ CD107a− TNFα− IFNγ− NK cell population following infection, suggesting both pathogenic and inflammatory changes in the NK cell functional profile. Our data also identified significant global differences in polyfunctionality between CD49a+ NK cells in the naïve and chronic (SHIV+) cohorts. Our work provides the first characterization of CD49a+ NK cells in tissues from RM. The significant similarities between CD49a+ NK cells from RM and what is reported from human samples justifies the importance of studying CD49a+ NK cells in this species to support preclinical animal model research.


This paper is an analysis of the effects of violent extremism and the rural livelihoods strategies for coping with threats from Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin. Since 2009, the Lake Chad Basin has witnessed increasing insurgency activities from the Boko Haram militants, leading to the destruction of lives, livelihoods, and displacements. However, studies have shown that while violent conflict has destructive impacts on lives and livelihoods--more people survive than perish. People threatened by violence from the extremist group cannot afford to wait for help; they adopt strategies to survive and protect their livelihoods. This study explores these mechanisms through review and analysis of the literature and current research in the Lake Chad Basin. The paper argues, the violence from Boko Haram has both direct and indirect effects on households whose primary sources of livelihoods are dependent on the resources from the basin. In response, the affected households adopt both positive and adverse strategies to mitigate immediate and long-term threats from the militant groups. The study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of rural resilience to violent extremism in the Lake Chad Basin.


Objective Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a potentially curative treatment for haematologic and oncologic diseases. There is a perception that the United States of America (USA) offers greater access to expensive therapies such as HCT. Alternatively, Canada is thought to suffer from protracted wait times, but lower spending. Our objective was to compare HCT utilisation and short-term outcomes in Ontario (ON), Canada, and New York State (NY), USA. Design, setting and participants We conducted a population-based cohort study using administrative health data to identify all residents of ON and NY who underwent allogeneic HCT between 2012 and 2015. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome measures were age and sex standardised HCT utilisation rates, in-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS) and readmission rates in ON and NY. Secondary outcomes included comparing ON and NY HCT recipients with respect to demographic characteristics and patient wealth (using neighbourhood income quintile). Results We identified 547 HCT procedures in ON and 1361 HCT procedures performed in NY. HCT recipients in ON were younger than NY (mean age 49.0 vs 51.6 years; p<0.001) and a lower percentage of ON recipients resided in affluent neighbourhoods compared with NY (47.2% vs 52.6%; p=0.026). Utilisation of HCT was 14.4 per 1 million population per year in ON and 26.7 per 1 million per year in NY (p<0.001). The magnitude of the ON–NY difference in utilisation was larger for older patients. In-hospital mortality, LOS and readmission rates were lower in ON than NY in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Conclusions We found significantly lower utilisation of HCT in ON compared with NY, particularly among older patients. Higher in-hospital mortality in NY relative to ON requires further study. These differences are thought provoking for patients, healthcare providers and policy-makers in both jurisdictions.


Documentation is developed for Conomyrma insana (Buckley) and C. flava (McCook) as valid names for two abundant species of ants in the United States. Taxonomic history, synonymies, diagnostic criteria, distribution and natural history for both species are reviewed. The intraspecific variability, particularly important for C. flava, is summarized. Neotype and lectotype specimens are designated for C. insana and C. flava respectively, and a key provided for all known Conomyrma species in the United States.


This study develops an improved mathematical model for analyzing investment portfolios of electricity generation assets to meet long-term future demand for power. Results from such analysis will provide diversified mixes of fuels and generation technologies that achieve a balance between reduced cost and reduced risk where risk is measured by the variability of fuel costs. Fuel Diversification (FD) is important in managing the cost of electricity generation. Past studies have modeled the FD problem using the Mean-Variance (M-V) portfolio approach without explicit considerations of the load duration curve (LDC).

Most extant formulations of the M-V approach to the FD problem focus on minimizing the mean construction and other improvements, operating and maintenance costs plus a factor times the variance of the operating and maintenance costs for a representative year. Construction and other improvements are typically levelized to obtain an annuity payment over the life of the plant. In order to levelize the costs, each generating plant requires an assumed capacity factor (CF); therefore, unit costs representing technologies are evaluated in the portfolio assuming a xed load factor (LF). The M-V portfolio method as seen in the literature fails to capture a significant aspect of the underlying problem - the levelized costs change with the load factor. The upshot is that results from models that ignore the load curve are unreasonably specialized and viewed by practitioners as naive and inappropriate. This situation can be remedied by classifying loads (e.g. base, peaking, and cycling) and dedicating different technology mixes to serving the different load classes. Using this approach, the LDC is partitioned into contiguous segments. Unlike the standard M-V portfolio fix method where costs representing technologies ignore load variation, the method proposed in this research can accommodate multiple load types. Separate LFs for each load class are taken into account in balancing the mix of the available fuel/technology candidates. As a result, generating units are evaluated by how they are utilized over the load profile, and thus, the fuel mixes of generation assets are optimized for serving the varying loads.

Use of the method was demonstrated with an analysis for the state of Indiana (Gotham et al. (2009)) and the results were assessed to be much more credible than those obtained when the LDC is ignored. However, their approach treated load cutoffs for the LDC as predetermined, exogenous levels. Here, load cutoffs are endogenously chosen in an optimal manner. This formulation called the endogenous-cutoff model is used to show that optimal cutoffs are sensitive to the level of risk aversion and to observe the rate at which solutions improve as the number of endogenous cutoffs increases. This analysis will provide insight into what constitutes a good set of cutoff levels and how many cutoffs are sufficient when considering how to break up the LDC for managing FD. Analysis of this problem leads to an alternative formulation that allows the nonlinearities to be confined to a small number of variables where the cutoff s are exogenous. Instead of solving for optimal load cutoff levels, the LDC is segmented into a large number of equally spaced load cutoff levels. This equally spaced cutoff model is an approximation to the theoretical continuous-cutoff model; hence it is called the continuous model approximation.

Numerical results for the state of Indiana are presented via a series of case studies. These include analyses of the impact of the addition of carbon costs, simulating implementation of cap and trade legislation, and zero availability of nuclear power, simulating the situation where the public becomes adamantly opposed to nuclear technology. Sensitivity analyses with respect to problem data (e.g. expected technology cost and variance/covariance of technology cost) are also performed.


Thiirane is usually synthesized by epoxy resin, and there are considerable content of epoxy mixed in thiirane because of the poor yields. In this article, a novel separation method was used to get pure episulfide compound and epoxy compound from thiirane/epoxy resin synthesized in our lab. Furthermore, the perfect 1H NMR spectra of pure episulfide compound and epoxide compound were obtained. The quantitative analysis of content of epoxy groups in thiirane/epoxy resin was performed by using FTIR and was testified by 1H NMR. It was found that the analytical results of the conversion of epoxy groups by the two methods above coincided with each other well.


The pygmy angelfishes (genus Centropyge) provide numerous examples of discordance between color morphology, taxonomy, and evolutionary genetic lineages. This discordance is especially evident in the Centropyge flavissima complex, which includes three primary color morphs, three previously recognized species (C. flavissima, Centropyge eibli, and Centropyge vrolikii) and three distinct mitochondrial (mtDNA) lineages that do not align with species designations. Our previous research showed that the putative C. flavissima arose independently in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and the three mtDNA lineages align with geography rather than species assignments. Here, we add 157 specimens to the previous dataset of 291 specimens, spread across a greater geographic range, to pinpoint the distribution of mtDNA lineages and color morphs. We found that the mtDNA lineages show remarkably strong geographic boundaries corresponding to the Indian Ocean, Central-West Pacific, and Central-South Pacific. We also test the validity of the "Black Tiger Centropyge" in the C. flavissima species complex, a taxonomic oddity that is restricted to shoals and atolls off the coast of northwestern Australia, and the newly named Centropyge cocosensis assigned to the C. flavissima lineage in the Indian Ocean. We conclude that the Black Tiger Centropyge is not a valid species but rather an intermediate between sympatric color morphs that correspond to the putative species C. eibli and C. vrolikii Our greater sampling efforts also do not support the genetic distinctiveness of C. cocosensis given shared mtDNA haplotypes with the sympatric C. eibli and C. vrolikii, but instead we find conflicting lines of evidence concerning the taxonomy of this group. We urge caution and taxonomic restraint until the true nature of this species complex can be revealed.


Three days after arriving in Switzerland from Bolivia a 35-year-old man presented at a casualty department. He was anxious, agitated and hallucinating, and he expressed delusional ideas of being poisoned. As a general physical examination was without abnormal findings he was thought to suffer from a psychiatric disorder. It was only when he had evacuated in stool a long oval foreign body, packed in plastic sheeting and filled with a dark paste, that cocaine poisoning due to cocaine transport in the gastrointestinal tract (body packer syndrome) was suspected. Plain X-ray of the abdomen revealed numerous regular structures of poor X-ray contrast and the urine contained cocaine metabolites, confirming the tentative diagnosis. As the patient's state of consciousness deteriorated and he had a grand mal seizure, an emergency laparotomy was performed. 78 packages (two of them had opened) were removed by gastro- and caecotomy. Total cocaine weight was 650 g. He was discharged from hospital after 11 days, free of symptoms. Language: de


In this article the authors review the literature for recent studies of radiosurgical treatment for glomus jugulare. These studies demonstrate that radiosurgery results in similar glomus jugulare tumor control and a superior morbidity profile compared with surgical treatment. In addition, patients treated with radiosurgery usually remain stable clinically or improve. Given the indolent nature of these tumors, however, more follow-up is required to ensure that the immediate benefits are lasting. These preliminary reports demonstrate that the use of radiosurgery as a primary treatment for glomus jugulare should be extended to encompass more of the patients who are currently assigned to microsurgical treatment.


An implication of the Coase theorem is that under certain conditions, the market equilibrium in a cap-and-trade system will be cost-effective and independent of the initial allocation of tradable rights. That is, the overall cost of achieving a given aggregate emission reduction will be minimized, and the final allocation of permits will be independent of the initial allocation. We call this the independence property. This property is important because it means that the government can establish the overall pollution reduction goal for a cap-and-trade system by setting the cap and leaving it up to the legislature to construct a constituency in support of the program by allocating the allowances to various interests without affecting either the environmental performance of the system or its aggregate social costs. We examine the conditions under which the independence property is likely to hold—both in theory and in practice.


This study investigates the cusp angle and movement variables related to balancing-side disclusion and compares the characteristics between the 1st and 2nd molar regions. Fifty-six normal young adults were divided into two groups according to balancing-side contact: a disclusion group consisting of 40 subjects (80 excursions), and a non-disclusion group consisting of 16 subjects (20 excursions). Lateral excursions were measured in six-degrees of freedom, and the inclinations of the frontal paths were calculated on the working-side canine, balancing-side 1st and 2nd molars and balancing-side condylar point. The cusp angle was measured using a three-dimensional digitizer. While there were no differences between disclusion and non-disclusion groups in the inclination of the balancing-side condylar path, significant differences were found in the cusp angle and the inclination of the working-side canine path. In the non-disclusion group, the cusp angle of the 2nd molar was markedly greater than that of the 1st molar. It was concluded that the inclination of the anterior guidance and the cusp angle of related teeth have a great effect on the occurrence of balancing-side disclusion and that the mechanism of high frequent balancing-side contacts at the 2nd molar was characterized by its greater cusp angle compared to the 1st molar.


: The hereditary autosomal recessive disorder of platelet function known as the Bernard-Soulier syndrome (B-SS) is described in two Afrikaner families. Consanguinity exists in one of the families, which is descended from Trekboer Afrikaners who migrated from Rustenburg, Transvaal, to Angola in 1876 and then to SWA/Namibia in the 1920s. Since both families have French Huguenot ancestors and since there are 7 confirmed and 5 reported cases of B-SS in these two families, founder effect may be operating and causing this rare disorder to occur more frequently in this population group than would otherwise be expected.


For the moment, the attribute reduction algorithm of relative knowledge granularity is very important research areas. It provides a new viewpoint to simplify feature set. Based on the decision information is unchanged, fast and accurate deletion of redundant attributes, which is the meaning of attribute reduction. Distinguishing ability of attribute sets can be well described by relative knowledge granularity in domain. Therefore, how to use the information based on relative knowledge granularity to simplify the calculation of attribute reduction. It is an important direction of research. For increasing productiveness and accuracy of attribute reduction, in this paper we investigate attribute reduction method of relative knowledge granularity in intuitionistic fuzzy ordered decision table(IFODT). More precisely, we redefine the granularity of knowledge and the relative knowledge granularity by ordered relation. And their relevant properties are proved. On the premise that the decision results remain unchanged, in order to accurately calculate the relative importance of any condition attributes about the decision attribute sets, the conditional attribute of internal and external significance are designed by relative knowledge granularity. And some important properties of relative attribute significance are proved. Therefore, we determine the importance of conditional attributes based on the size of the relative attribute significance. In the aspect of computation, the corresponding algorithm is designed and time complexity of algorithm is calculated. Moreover, the attribute reduction model of relative knowledge granularity of efficiency and accuracy is proved by test. Last, the validity of algorithm is demonstrated by an case about IFODT.


AIM
To investigate the modification of baculovirus vector and the feasibility of delivering exogenous genes into mammalian cells with the culture supernatant of Spodoptera frugiperta (Sf9) cells infected by recombinant baculoviruses.

METHODS
Two recombinant baculoviruses (BacV-CMV-EGFPA, BacV-CMV-EGFPB) containing CMV-EGFP expression cassette were constructed. HepG2 cells were directly incubated with the culture supernatant of Sf9 cells infected by recombinant baculoviruses, and reporter gene transfer and expression efficiencies were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The optimal transduction conditions were investigated by FCM assay in HepG2 cells. Gene-transfer and expression efficiencies in HepG2 or CV1 cells by baculovirus vectors were compared with lipofectAMINE, recombinant retrovirus and vaccinia virus expression systems. Twenty different mammalian cell lines were used to investigate the feasibility of delivering exogenous genes into different mammalian cells with the culture supernatant of infected Sf9 cells.

RESULTS
CMV promoter could directly express reporter genes in Sf9 cells with a relatively low efficiency. Target cells incubated with the 1:1 diluted culture supernatant (moi=50) for 12 h at 37 degrees C could achieve the highest transduction and expression efficiencies with least impairment to cell viability. Under similar conditions the baculovirus vector could achieve the highest gene-transfer and expression efficiency than lipofectAMINE, recombinant retrovirus and vaccinia virus expression systems. Most mammalian cell lines could be transduced with recombinant baculovirus. In primate adherent culture cells the recombinant baculovirus could arrive the highest infection and expression efficiencies, but it was not very satisfactory in the cell lines from mice and suspended culture cells.

CONCLUSION
Mammalian cells incubated with the culture supernatant of infected Sf9 cells could serve as a very convenient way for rapid and efficient expression of foreign genes in mammalian cells, but it might be more suitable for primate adherent culture cells.


The package fitdistrplus provides functions for fitting univariate distributions to different types of data (continuous censored or non-censored data and discrete data) and allowing different estimation methods (maximum likelihood, moment matching, quantile matching and maximum goodness-of-fit estimation). Outputs of fitdist and fitdistcens functions are S3 objects, for which specific methods are provided, including summary, plot and quantile. This package also provides various functions to compare the fit of several distributions to the same data set and can handle to bootstrap parameter estimates. Detailed examples are given in food risk assessment, ecotoxicology and insurance contexts.


One of the most striking features of virtual reality systems is their ability to enrich training experience by allowing the developments of sophisticated feedbacks. This study focuses on the way to use modality management in virtual reality systems to accelerate training in a surgical task involving bone drilling. The study compares the efficiency of two punctual drilling training protocol implemented on the MFS SKILLS platform. The experiments were conducted with residents from 2 university hospitals. The results show that augmented simulation improves acquisition of specific aspects of the surgery in comparison with pure simulation.


BACKGROUND
Antiretrovirals have substantial promise for HIV-1 prevention, either as antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV-1-infected persons to reduce infectiousness, or as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-1-uninfected persons to reduce the possibility of infection with HIV-1. HIV-1 serodiscordant couples in long-term partnerships (one member is infected and the other is uninfected) are a priority for prevention interventions. Earlier ART and PrEP might both reduce HIV-1 transmission in this group, but the merits and synergies of these different approaches have not been analyzed.

METHODS AND FINDINGS
We constructed a mathematical model to examine the impact and cost-effectiveness of different strategies, including earlier initiation of ART and/or PrEP, for HIV-1 prevention for serodiscordant couples. Although the cost of PrEP is high, the cost per infection averted is significantly offset by future savings in lifelong treatment, especially among couples with multiple partners, low condom use, and a high risk of transmission. In some situations, highly effective PrEP could be cost-saving overall. To keep couples alive and without a new infection, providing PrEP to the uninfected partner could be at least as cost-effective as initiating ART earlier in the infected partner, if the annual cost of PrEP is <40% of the annual cost of ART and PrEP is >70% effective.

CONCLUSIONS
Strategic use of PrEP and ART could substantially and cost-effectively reduce HIV-1 transmission in HIV-1 serodiscordant couples. New and forthcoming data on the efficacy of PrEP, the cost of delivery of ART and PrEP, and couples behaviours and preferences will be critical for optimizing the use of antiretrovirals for HIV-1 prevention. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.


In this paper, the influence of temperature and strain rate on the superplastic deformation behaviors of the Mg-Zn-Nd alloy has been investigated through performing tensile tests at different temperatures and strain rates. After 4 passes of ECAP by route C, the strain-rate sensitivity coefficients reached 0.32 at 300°C, indicating that the ECAPed Mg-Zn-Nd alloy exhibited a good superplasticity at lower temperature. The results of flow activation energy showed that the super-plastic deformation mechanism of magnesium alloys is grain-boundary sliding controlled by grain boundary diffusion.


AIM
Study is devoted to evaluation of sensitivity of peripheral blood T-lymphocytes (PBL) of patients with endometrial cancer (EC) to genotoxic effect of bleomycin and detection of patients with hidden chromosomal instability.

METHODS
PBL of 24 EC patients (mean age 58.9 ± 2.9) and 10 healthy women-volunteers (mean age 55.7 ± 2.3) were subjected to cytogenetic analysis.

RESULTS
Mean spontaneous level of chromosomal aberrations (CA) per 100 analyzed lymphocytes (CA/100) of healthy women has equaled 2.7 ± 0.6, i.e. has not exceeded maximal values of healthy population and was significantly lower (p < 0.05), than in PBL of EC patients (6.9 ± 0.6). After incubation of PBL with bleomycin, number of CA/100 significantly was increased both in control (11.5 ± 1.3) and in EC patients (21.9 ± 1.0). Spontaneous chromosomal instability has been observed in 41.7%, increased sensitivity to bleomycin - in 54.2% and hidden chromosomal instability in 37.5% of patients with EC. It has been shown that level of specific damage of genome in EC patients has constituted 2·10(-5), and after exposure with bleomycin, it was increased 4.5 times (9·10(-5)) that was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to control (8·10(-6) and 1.0·10(-5), respectively).

CONCLUSION
These results have demonstrated that PBL of most patients with EC are characterized by apparent genome alterations, which are manifested by increased number of spontaneous and induced chromosomal damages, hypersensitivity to mutagens and hidden chromosomal instability.


Remittances have been promoted as a development tool because they can raise incomes and reduce poverty rates in developing countries. Remittances may also promote development by providing funds that recipients can spend on education or health care or invest in entrepreneurial activi-ties. From a macroeconomic perspective, remittances can boost aggregate demand and thereby GDP as well as spur economic growth. But, remittances may also have adverse macroeconomic impacts by increasing income i .nequality and reducing labor supply among recipients. We used state-level data from Mexico during 2003-2007 to examine the aggregate effect of remittances on employment, wages, unemployment rates, the wage distribution, and school enrollment rates. Our results suggest that while employment, wages, and school enrollment have risen over time in Mexican states, increasing remittances do not account for these trends. But, remittances may lessen some measures of income inequality. Two-stage least squares specifications among central Mexican states suggest that remittances shift the wage distribution to the right, reducing the fraction of workers earning the minimum wage or less.


EVIDENCE THAT routine antimicrobial treatment improves the course and outcomes after acute otitis media is weak. Given the lack of evidence for benefit and the potential for adverse effects, including altering normal respiratory flora and development of resistant organisms, routine treatment using 10 days of antimicrobials for all cases of acute otitis media is not warranted. See also p 1640. There have been 7 randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trials of acute otitis media over the past 30 years. Neither short- nor long-term differences were demonstrated in 3,1-3and minor differences noted in the other 4 studies were limited to short-term benefits of antimicrobials.4-7In a study by Howie and Ploussard,4all case patients receiving placebo were asymptomatic at early follow-up (2 to 7 days) but had more positive tympanocentesis cultures than those receiving antimicrobials. Mygind et al5found decreased pain in the penicillin group compared with the


The theme of this thesis is uncertainty in spatial and spatiotemporal databases. Due to lack of accurate measurements, or rapid changes in time, spatial and spatiotemporal data are often uncertain. This thesis presents new abstract and discrete models for uncertain spatial and spatiotemporal information. The models are based on the principle that one knows that the uncertain object, regardless of type, must be within a certain area.The first part of this thesis concerns an abstract model. To this author'sknowledge, this is the first attempt to create a general type system for uncertainty with spatial data. Individual uncertain types have been modelled before, but no work has studied points, lines and regions and used the same principles to model all three. It also seems to be the first model to handle temporal as well as spatial uncertainty. This thesis contains mathematical definitions of uncertain points, lines, regions and temporal versions of these. The thesis also contains definitions of relevant operations on these types. These operations are also evaluated for their usefulness with regard to uncertain data.The second part of this thesis concerns three discrete models which are all based on the abstract model mentioned earlier. One of these is an advanced model that manages to model almost all of the aspects of the abstract model, but at the cost of increased need for storage space. It is also difficult to compute probabilities in a consistent manner for this model.The second model is of medium complexity, and balances storage use and modelling power. It also has the advantage that computing probabilities in a consistent manner is much easier than for the advanced model. The third model is an attempt to bring the storage space needed as low as possible. It therefore has somewhat limited modelling power. Unlike the two other discrete models, it cannot be extended to handle spatiotemporal data.The handling of uncertain spatiotemporal data is based on how crisp spatiotemporal data are handled in [GBE+00] and [FGNS00]. This thesis makes two important additions to these models so that they can handle uncertain data. First, it presents ways of generating a sliced representation when the times the snapshots were taken are uncertain. Second, it details how operations change as a result of uncertainty. The Initial and Final operations exemplify this as in the crisp case they return the initial and final shapes of an object, but they cannot be defined in the uncertain case. This thesis discusses how these operations can be replaced in the uncertain case.


Rule-based systems have been hypothesized to contain only minimal parallelism. However, techniques to extract more parallelism from existing systems are being investigated. Among these methods, it is desirable to find those which balance the work being performed in parallel evenly among the rules, while decreasing the amount of work being performed sequentially in each cycle. The automatic transformation of creating constrained copies of culprit rules accomplishes both of the above goals. Rule-based systems are plagued by occasional rules which slow slow down the entire execution. These culprit rules require much more processing than others, causing other processors to idle while they continue to match. By creating constrained copies of culprit rules and distributing them to their own processors, more parallelism is achieved, as evidenced by increased speed up. This effect is shown to be specific to rule-based systems with certain characteristics. These characteristics are identified as being common within an important class of rule-based systems: expert database systems. >


Objective: To investigate the comparative wound-healing potency of aqueous and methanol leaf extracts of Vernonia arborea Hk. Materials and Methods: Excision, incision and dead space wound models were used to evaluate the wound-healing activity of Vernonia arborea Hk., on Swiss Wistar strain rats of either sex. In excision wound model, treatment was continued till the complete healing of the wound, in incision and dead space wound models the treatment was continued for 10 days. For topical application, 5% w/w ointment of aqueous and methanol leaf extracts was prepared in 2% sodium alginate and for oral administration suspensions containing 30 mg/ml of each of the extracts in 1% gum tragacanth were prepared. In excision and incision wound models, the control group of animals were left untreated and in dead space wound models the animals were treated with 1 ml of 1% gum tragacanth / kg, b.w. The healing of the wound was assessed by the rate of wound contraction, period of epithelialisation, skin breaking strength, granulation strength, dry granulation tissue weight, hydroxyproline estimation and histopathology of the granulation tissue. Results: Aqueous and methanol leaf extracts promoted the wound-healing activity significantly in all the wound models studied. High rate of wound contraction, decrease in the period for epithelialisation, high skin breaking strength and granulation strength, increase in dry granulation tissue weight, elevated hydroxyproline content and increased collagenation in histopathological section were observed in animals treated with methanol leaf extract and aqueous leaf extract when compared to the control group of animals. Conclusion: Methanol and aqueous leaf extracts of Vernonia arborea Hk. promote woundhealing activity. Methanol extract possesses better wound-healing property than the aqueous extract.


Anodic aluminium oxide(AAO) templates were fabricated by a two-step anodization method utilizing high purity aluminium sheets. On the basis of getting the optimum preparation parameters of AAO templates, effects of the pretreatment and the first anodization time on morphology of AAO templates were studied. Field emission scanning electron microscope(FESEM) was used to investigate surface morphology of AAO templates. The SEM images indicated that both pretreatment and the first anodization time had a significant influence on morphology of AAO templates. Meanwhile,effect mechanism of pretreatment and the first anodization time on AAO templates morphology was elucidated.


Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) decreases during isometric handgrip exercise in heat stressed individuals, and we hypothesized that central command is involved in this response. Seven subjects performed 2 min of isometric handgrip exercise (35% of maximal voluntary contraction) followed by postexercise ischaemia in normothermia and during heat stress (increase in internal temperature ∼1°C). To augment the contribution of central command independent of force generation, on a separate day the protocol was repeated following partial neuromuscular blockade (PNB; i.v. cisatracurium). Forearm skin blood flow was measured by laser‐Doppler flowmetry, and CVC was the ratio of skin blood flow to mean arterial pressure. The PNB attenuated force production despite encouragement to attain the same workload. During the heat stress trials, isometric exercise decreased CVC by ∼12% for both conditions, but did not change CVC in either of the normothermic trials. During isometric exercise in the heat, the increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was greater during the control trial relative to the PNB trial (31.0 ± 9.8 versus 18.6 ± 6.4 mmHg, P < 0.01), while the elevation of heart rate tended to be lower (19.4 ± 10.4 versus 27.4 ± 8.1 b.p.m., P= 0.15). During postexercise ischaemia, CVC and MAP returned to pre‐exercise levels in the PNB trial but remained reduced in the control trial. These findings suggest that central command, as well as muscle metabo‐sensitive afferent stimulation, contributes to forearm cutaneous vascular responses in heat stressed humans.


Spain presents exceptional ecological conditions for mobile pastoralism. Its semiarid climate and its geography combine large biomass production in different places of the country at different times of the year. This creates an ecological rationale for the migration of large herbivores that was continued after the domestication of ruminants. Mobile livestock herding in Spain, known as transhumance, has been especially related to sheep husbandry and fi ne wool production and has been very important in the country's past. In spite of a decline in mobile pastoralism from the 19th century onwards, its traces are still clear in Spanish legislation as well as in Spanish animal husbandry practices. But what are the reasons for this past importance? Why has mobile pastoralism declined and why, nevertheless, has it survived? In this paper we analyse the causes for its existence and for its past importance in Spain, and we describe the decline experienced in the two last centuries and present the present situation of transhumance and its future prospects.


We have developed LED (light emitting diode) induced fluorescence transient imaging instrumentation to image the plant health/stress status by calculation of two images: Fv/Fm (variable fluorescence over saturation level of fluorescence) and the time response, tTR, of the fluorescence time curve. Within a short time interval (˜580 ms) multiple images (typically 20) are captured using the LEDs in the pulsed mode. For each pixel of the fluorescence image Fv/Fm and tTR are calculated and presented as images that correlate with the quantum yield of PSII photochemistry and the time response of this process, respectively. The advantage of the technology lies in the imaging of photosynthetic parameters within a short time interval, remotely and under light conditions. This was accomplished by the development of a high intensity pulsed LED light source (total 5 kW electrical power) and using the LEDs in the pulsed mode with a pulse width of 15 ms and time between sequential pulses of 14 ms. Using this instrumentation we investigated the effect of herbicide treatment, Sencor, on black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) plants. Effects of the herbicide on the first fluorescence images could be detected. At the saturation level of the fluorescence this effect disappeared. The effect of the herbicide was visualized on the Fv/Fm image and the time response tTR image. Healthy and herbicide treated parts of the plant yielded average values of Fv/Fm=0.81±0.03 and 0.06±0.02, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of drought stress was investigated on saintpaulia (Saintpaulia ionantha) plants. Under dark conditions no differences in the image of Fv/Fm and tTR could be detected between the control and the plant with drought stress. Under actinic light of 90 µmol m-2 s-1 differences were observed in images of (Fm'-F')/Fm' and tTR'. We conclude that for the first time images of a time response of the photosynthesis of leaves are presented. Furthermore, the proposed instrumentation can be used for high throughput screening, as a sensor in sorting machines and has potential greenhouse applications.


Genetic defects in AIPL1 cause a heterogeneous set of clinical conditions
depending on the severity of the mutant alleles. Diseases can range from
Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), the severest form of early-onset retinal
degeneration, to milder forms such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and cone-rod
dystrophy. There is currently no effective treatment for LCA and inherited
retinal dystrophies, which are the commonest cause of childhood blindness.
AIPL1 is expressed primarily in retinal photoreceptors and is required for the
biosynthesis of photoreceptor phosphodiesterase (PDE).
This thesis describes a programme of work that examines the potential and
efficacy of gene replacement therapy in the treatment of AIPL1- associated
retinal diseases. It centres on the use of recombinant adeno-associated virus
for the transfer of murine and human AIPL1 cDNA into photoreceptor cells.
AAV-mediated gene replacement was assessed in two genetically
engineered mouse models carrying null and hypomorphic alleles, Aipl1 -/-
and Aipl1 h/h mice, which simulate retinal degenerations similar to human
LCA and RP respectively. Three different rates of photoreceptor
degeneration were simulated using the mouse models. To treat the different
rates of degeneration, two pseudotypes of AAV (serotype 2 and 8) exhibiting
different transduction kinetics were used for gene transfer. Substantial and
long term rescue of the disease phenotype was seen as a result of Aipl1
transgene expression mediated by AAV2/2 vector in Aipl1 h/h mice and by
AAV2/8 in rapid degenerations in light accelerated Aipl1 h/h mice and in
Aipl1 -/- mice. Thus, the results presented in this thesis validates the efficacy
of AIPL1 gene replacement using AAV vectors in varying rates of
degeneration that reflected the clinical spectrum of disease. This is the first
study to report long-term rescue of a photoreceptor-specific defect and to
demonstrate effective rescue of rapid photoreceptor degeneration.
The development of an efficient therapy depends on the identification of
patients and characterisation of disease phenotype. A panel of DNA samples
from patients with LCA and early onset severe retinal dystrophy was screened for mutations in the AIPL1 gene. Patients identified with AIPL1-
associated disease demonstrated varying severity of disease from LCA to
milder form of rod cone dystrophy. Clinical characterisation and imaging of
the patients highlighted distinctive features which will direct future
identification and molecular screening of patients. Residual retinal integrity
and function in young patients and patients with milder phenotype suggests
that AIPL1 defects may be amenable to treatment.


In January 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO) became the successor to GATT --the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The new organization was the result of years of negotiations on improving the rules-based trading system that oversees international trade. While most trade officials and others who have a direct interest in multilateral trade policy consider this multilateral system to be a major contributor to the enormous growth of world trade and income over the past half century, the WTO is viewed with suspicion and even animosity by many environmentalists. The criticisms focus on many aspects of the WTO. Some maintain that trade liberalization under WTO auspices has led to an environmentally harmful exploitation of natural and other resources, and others argue that the WTO hampers governments in pursuing environmentally friendly policies. The WTO is seen as increasingly extending its reach into areas --particularly through its dispute settlement process --that go beyond what is normally thought to be trade policy with important implications for the environment. Dealing with the principal issues in the trade and environment debate will preoccupy negotiators well into the next century. They will be a focus of attention, for example, in the Meeting of Trade Ministers in Seattle just prior to the start of the next millennium. The outcome of these negotiations will be important for all WTO members. This book provides an overview of the key issues for negotiation in the period after the December 1999 WTO Ministerial Meeting in Seattle. As developing countries have a great deal at stake in the outcome of many topics in this complex debate, the authors have specifically addressed their special interests in these negotiations.


The best regimen for mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) into peripheral blood is not yet defined. The efficiency of FEC chemotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer is well established and the effects of FEC on HSC mobilization have been characterized. We tested the feasibility and the toxicity of a high-dose FEC regimen which may improve the mobilizing capacity of conventional FEC. Twenty patients with poor prognosis breast cancer received high-dose FEC and filgrastim 5 micrograms/kg. Three leukaphereses were performed on each patient for 3 consecutive days. Total numbers of CFU-GM and CD34+ cells were assessed, and a retrospective analysis was made. The numbers of CFU-GM/kg and CD34+ cells/kg collected (mean +/- standard error) were respectively 12.2 x 10(5) (+/- 2.4) and 14.6 x 10(6) (+/- 2.5). Extra-hematologic toxicity was negligible. Hematologic recovery after CTCb high-dose chemotherapy and HSC infusion was rapid. High-dose FEC is efficient for collecting HSC in peripheral blood. Extra-hematologic toxicity is weak and hematologic recovery after autograft is normal. Increased dosage of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide could allow a single leukapheresis collection of sufficient HSC from peripheral blood.


The success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme to achieve herd immunity depends on the proportion of the population inoculated. COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy is a barrier to reaching a sufficient number of people to achieve herd immunity. This study aims to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and to identify the reasons contributing to vaccine hesitancy using the Theory of Planned Behavior. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between May 2021 to June 2021. Using exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling, participants were recruited via social media and telecommunication platforms. We used a questionnaire that obtained information on participant socio-demographics, vaccine hesitancy, pseudoscientific practices, conspiracy beliefs, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, main reasons for not intending to get the COVID-19 vaccine; influential leaders, gatekeepers and anti-or pro-vaccination lobbies; and global vaccine hesitancy. A total of 354 responses (mean age = 32.5 years old ±13.6; 70.3% females) were included for analysis. The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 11.6%. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was significantly and positively associated with those who agreed with influential leaders, gatekeepers, and anti- or pro-vaccination lobbies (adjusted B coefficient = 1.355, p = 0.014), having a "wait and see" attitude to see if the COVID-19 vaccine is safe (adjusted B coefficient = 0. 822, p <0.001), perceiving that the vaccine will give them COVID-19 (adjusted B coefficient = 0.660, p <0.002), planned to use masks/others precautions instead (adjusted B coefficient = 0.345, p = 0.038) and having higher scores in conspiracy beliefs (adjusted B coefficient = 0.128, p <0.001). Concern about the costs associated with the vaccine (adjusted B coefficient = -0.518, p <0.001), subjective norms (adjusted B coefficient = -0.341, p <0.001), and perceived behavioural control (adjusted B coefficient = -0.202, p = 0.004) were negatively associated with vaccine hesitancy. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Malaysia is low. Several factors were identified as being associated with vaccine hesitancy. Factors associated with vaccine hesitancy would be useful in tailoring specific interventions involving positive messages by influential leaders, which address vaccine misinformation and the wait-and-see attitude which may delay the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.


The purpose of our study was to examine if wild type strain CC-1690 mt+21 gr and mutant strain CC 3913 pf9-3 Chlamydomonas reinhardtii exhibit different photosynthetic activities under different light intensities, as measured by oxygen production. Oxygen production of the wild-type and mutant C. reinhardtii was measured at average light intensities of 442 lux, 3055 lux, and 13300 lux. A two-way ANOVA indicated that there was a statistically significant relationship between light intensity and oxygen production in C. reinhardtii (p = 0.00016) . Furthermore, it was determined that oxygen production of the mutant was different than the wild type (p = 6.62 x 10 -7 ), and that the wild type and mutant responded differently to changes in light intensity (p = 0.01354). Oxygen production increased as the light intensity increased due the greater availability of light energy for photosynthesis. The mutant strain of C. reinhardtii has impaired flagellar movement and is observed to produce significantly less oxygen than the wild-type strain, thus suggesting that flagellar movement is important for detecting light and producing oxygen.


Abstract Uncertainty is a key contextual factor that affects the decision-making of multinational corporations on many types of international operation. However, the variety of ways in which uncertainty has been defined and studied in the international business literature, has contributed to a fragmented view of MNC behavior and of the role of uncertainty in international decision-making. Adopting a broad view of uncertainty, and by means of a systematic review, this paper examines the treatment of uncertainty in international decision-making in the IB literature and identifies directions for future research. The review organizes studies across 13 dimensions of uncertainty and eight approaches to managing it. The paper further identifies five characteristics of individual decision-makers that have been shown to impact their perceptions of uncertainty and their choice of uncertainty management approach. Based on this systematic review, the paper makes three main critical observations about existing research: inconsistency in the conceptualization and measurement of uncertainty, lack of diversity regarding the dimensions of uncertainty included in single studies, and downplaying the role of individual decision-makers. A research agenda is presented that offers suggestions on how future research might address these limitations.


In a structural time series regression model, binary variables have been used to quantify qualitative or categorical quantitative events such as politic and economic structural breaks, regions, age groups and etc. The use of the binary dummy variables is not reasonable because the effect of an event decreases (increases) gradually over time not at once. The simple and basic idea in this paper is to involve a new transition function in a structural time series regression equation model in order to transform the binary dummy variables into a fuzzy set. The main purpose of this paper is to present a new method for endogenous modeling structural breaks in money demand function using fuzzy set. Hence, we model structural breaks in a money demand function via fuzzy set theory, transition functions and binary dummy variables and compare these. After introducing a new transition function, we model money volume shock in 1992 in money demand function. The results indicate that our transition function has better characteristics and accurate results than the binary dummy variable, exponential and logistic transition functions.


Vete‰nik L., K. Halaaka, V. Luskova, S. Lusk: Erythrocyte Profile of Diploid and Triploid Silver Crucian Carp (Carassius auratus). Acta Vet. Brno 2006, 75: 203-207. Haematological analysis was performed on 27 adult specimens of Carassius auratus irrespective of sex in 2003 and on 32 juveniles of distinguished sex in 2004. In this study we found that the ploidy level affected significantly (p < 0.01) the values of the erythrocyte count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin. Although we did not prove any significant effect of sex in juvenile diploids of C. auratus on the values of erythrocyte profile, the erythrocyte count, haematocrit value and haemoglobin content value were higher for males than for females. The erythrocyte count decreased significantly (p < 0.01) with increasing ploidy level. The index of haemoglobin content followed the same trend of a decreasing mean value with increasing ploidy level. Mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin increased with the increasing ploidy level (p < 0.01). Haematocrit value and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration did not significantly differ from the point of view of the ploidy level.