Based on the analysis of geological structure and characteristics of the Cambrian limestone's aquifer in the eighth mine of Pingdingshan Coal Mining Cooperation, defining rich aquifer regions of the Cambrian limestone , influencing radius in mining aquifer, thickness of water isolated stratum and geothermal gradient between the Group F seam's base and the Cambrian limestone's roof by TEM and DC electrical methods,7 dewatering depressurization holes at a depth of 150m are designed to discharge the Cambrian limestone's geothermal water in the West Roadway's floor of Group F seam. 7 discharge water holes' water inflow is 300 m3/h , and the Cambrian limestone's drawdown is 17.2 m in the West Roadway in 277 days. The geothermal water temperature is 50°C and the water can be raised to the surface for comprehensive utilization, in order to reduce the high pressure geothermal water hazards and avoid the waste of geothermal water, which is great significant for safety production in coal mines , energy saving and emission reduction.


Macroinvertebrates were collected at four sites in Padden Creek, a small second-order stream in Whatcom County, Washington, USA. Two upstream sites were characterized by high densities of sensitive taxa, predominantly mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies, and two downstream sites showed high densities of tolerant taxa, especially true flies, annelids, Baetis mayflies, and gastropods. Despite the small sample size, some statistical techniques proved useful. The first two components of correspondence analysis were used to confirm the existence of both seasonal and spatial trends in the benthic macroinvertebrate populations of the stream. Neither component alone, however, ordinated the samples with respect to these trends. Combinations of the first two components were required. A standard clustering technique, k-means clustering with squared Euclidean distance, further confirmed the seasonal trend. Nonmetric clustering, not widely used in the analysis of ecological data, was necessary to confirm the spatial...


Spiral CT examinations were performed pretherapeutically in 27 patients in whom cervical lymph node enlargement had been suspected. The M/Q quotient known from sonography and MR can also be employed in CT by means of coronary and sagittal reconstruction. This improves CT differentiation between reactively changed and metastatically infiltrated lymph nodes in tumour patients. Hence, CT diagnosis can now make use of a highly sensitive and highly specific criterion for diagnosing lymph nodes. Another diagnostic improvement is that vascular infiltrations by lymph node metastases can now be visualised or excluded more readily. Spiral CT is also suitable in tumorous and non-tumorous processes for an accurate assessment of the extension of e.g. retropharyngeal abscesses or laryngoceles.


The paper deals with experimental investigations of a set of metal "2-delta" gaskets of different depth. The gaskets were examined under assembly conditions, i.e. placed in their seats and loaded with the compressive assembly force with no operating pressure applied to the closure. The electric resistance wire strain gauges were used to measure the circumferential and axial strains at the inner cylindrical surface of the gaskets. The plastic deformations of the contact surface of the seats were measured after disassembly of the closures. The material tests were carried out to determine real mechanical properties of materials applied for the gaskets and the seats. The results of experiment were compared with the analytical approach. The plastic deformations were taken into account in the analytical solution of the contact region between the gasket and the seats. The results of experiment and analytical approach were verified by FEM calculations, which take into account linear hardening of the material, friction and contact effects.


The teaching of history in countries that have experienced colonisation has come under serious scrutiny at different times in their history. Worries about the contents of history programmes have been raised by politicians as well as educational technocrats who question the relevance of what is being taught as history to those on the classroom pews. In Cameroon, and particularly for the Anglophone subsystem of education, this debate is far from over despite the fact that the destiny of the country has rested in the hands of those who fought against colonialism for over fifty years now. This paper emanates from the premise that the colonial curriculum did not meet the realities of the new country since 1961. Consequently, there was a consensus of opinion that curriculum reform should focus on the teaching of local and national contents. By adopting the critical Decolonial perspective and living theory methodology the study focuses on history as one of those subjects which was used by the colonial authorities to entrench coloniality (Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2013; Marsden, 2013; Rodney, 1982; Fanon, 1963) and was therefore in dire need of postcolonial reform. The study examines the extent to which this has been achieved in the Anglophone subsystem of Education by presenting what was learnt in the colonial history classroom in the British Southern Cameroons between 1916 and 1961. It then goes on to discuss the process of reform in the History curriculum of the Anglophone subsystem of education in Cameroon since independence.


During the postpartum period, the paternal brain suffers extensive and complex neurobiological alterations, through the experience of father–infant interactions. Although the impact of such experience in the mother has been increasingly studied over the past years, less is known about the neurobiological correlates of fatherhood—that is, the alterations in the brain and other physiological systems associated with the experience of fatherhood. With the present study, we aimed to perform a scoping review of the available literature on the genetic, neuroendocrine, and brain correlates of fatherhood and identify the main gaps in the current knowledge. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched for eligible studies on paternal neuroplasticity during the postpartum period, over the past 15 years. Reference lists of relevant key studies and reviews were also hand-searched. The research team independently screened the identified studies based on the established inclusion criteria. Extracted data were analyzed using tables and descriptive synthesis. Among the 29 studies that met our inclusion criteria, the vast majority pertained to neuroendocrine correlates of fatherhood (n = 19), followed by brain activity or connectivity (n = 7), association studies of candidate genes (n = 2), and brain structure correlates (n = 1). Collectively, studies published during the past 15 years suggest the existence of significant endocrine (testosterone, oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol levels) and neurofunctional alterations (changed activity in several brain networks related to empathy and approach motivation, emotional processing and mentalizing, emotion regulation, dorsal attention, and default mode networks) as a result of fatherhood, as well as preliminary evidence of genetic variability accounting for individual differences during the postpartum period in fathers. No studies were so far published evaluating epigenetic mechanisms associated with the paternal brain, something that was also the focus of the current review. We highlight the need for further research that examines neuroplasticity during the experience of fatherhood and that considers both the interplay between hormones and simultaneous assessment of the different biomarkers (e.g., associations between hormones and neural activity); data collection protocols and assessment times should also be refined.


Describes the philosophy and process underpinning a skills development programme which is an integral part of the Professional Management Foundation Programme for part‐time students of the Institute of Personnel Management. Reviews current thinking about the nature of managerial skills and their development, describing a process used in skills development. This process applies and develops current theory. Identifies resources and evaluates the process against criteria relevant for effective learning. Discusses applications and describes recommendations for future development.


Sharia banks are banks that operate by not relying on interest. Islamic banks or commonly referred to as a bank without interest, is a financial institution / banking operational and its products are developed based on al-Qur'an and hadith. Financing is one of the principal tasks of banks, namely the provision of facilities to provide funds to meet the needs of the parties which is the unit deficit. The main purpose of the financing analysis is to gain confidence whether the customer has the willingness and ability to fulfill his obligations in an orderly manner, both principal and profit sharing in accordance with the agreement with the bank.


Lithium metal is one of the most attractive anode materials, due to its high theoretical specific capacity and lowest electrochemical potential. However, low coulombic efficiency and serious safety hazards have still hindered the wide applications of next-generation batteries including Li–S and Li–air. Previous studies have suggested overcoming the problem by applying various structures of current collectors. These structures homogenize the Li ion flux or provide space for volume expansion. However, there are some limitations to solving problems occurring at the Li metal surface, because the current collector is underneath the structures of Li metal. In this work, we propose a facile and cost-effective strategy for stabilizing the lithium metal–electrolyte interface via a three-dimensional stainless steel mesh (SSM) interlayer. Its high specific surface area lowers the local current density and provides an electronic flow path for dead Li. Also, this structure leads to confinement of Li deposits and alleviates volume expansion. As a result, the Li anode with the SSM interlayer operated at current densities of 1 mA cm−2 (1C rate) and 5 mA cm−2, and it exhibited a longer cycle-life than planar structures in a symmetrical cell configuration.


Introduction : In most parts of the world today, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise. Worldwide they are currently responsible for almost half (42%) of the premature deaths which occurs before the age of 70. Due to sedentary lifestyle, workers of transportation department may be at a higher risk for development of obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycaemia. Objective : To screen all the transport employees of a university for non-communicable diseases. Methods : This cross-sectional study was carried out among all transport employees to screen for hypertension, Type II diabetes, obesity and visual impairment. Data was collected by personal interviews using a pre designed questionnaire. Anthropometry, blood pressure recording, fasting blood glucose testing, vision assessment followed by electrocardiogram recording was done for all subjects. Results : Out of 90 participants, 10(11.1%) had diabetes, 26(28.9%) were hypertensive, 36(40.0%) were overweight and obese, three individuals had myopia and abnormal colour vision, whereas 17(18.9%) had impaired near vision. The screen positives were referred to tertiary care hospital for further management. Over half of the subjects reported alcohol use while 21(23.4%) were using tobacco. Only 43(47.8%) used seat belts while driving. Conclusion : Proportion of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes was found to be more among the transport employees. This demands an urgent need for appropriate preventive and health promotive interventions to address these chronic diseases.


The Defense Fuel Supply Center (DFSC) is responsible for the procurement, transportation, and storage of bulk petroleum products for the U.S. Military Services and Federal Civilian Agencies worldwide. This paper will describe the quality assurance program developed and utilized by the DFSC to prevent quality problems and to ensure specification products are acquired and delivered to its customers. In so doing, it will describe the specification and contract requirements for inspecting jet fuels, marine and automotive diesel fuels, motor gasolines, and heating fuels. The inspection and cleanliness criteria established for shipping containers, such as tankers, barges, tank trucks, railcars, and pipelines, will also be discussed. Additionally, the training and certification of field quality assurance personnel (inspectors) will be reviewed.


This study aims to detect the students' views about enriching programming and algorithm teaching with flipped classroom approach. The study was conducted with freshman students in Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Technology; Software Engineering Department in fall semester of 2015-2016 academic year. Qualitative research method was used in this study. Semi-structured interview form, which was developed by the researchers, was used as data collecting tool. The study was carried out with the participation of 94 students in the scope of Introduction to Programing and Algorithm course during 14 weeks and this course was designed and carried out in accordance with flipped classroom approach. At the end of the semester, interviews were held with 32 voluntary students among the students taking the course. The data analyzed through content analysis. According to the results of the study, majority of the students expressed positive views about the flipped classroom approach. With regard to the findings of the study, it can be said that flipped classroom approach can be used effectively in programming and coding based courses.


Biotechnological processes offer environmentally friendly and sometimes cost-effective alternatives to traditional chemical and mechanical methods. It is important to take advantages of the opportunities these processes provide to fulfil the demands and expectations of a future environmentally sustainable society. This work exploits the possibilities of applying biotechnological methods to allow recycling of two different materials of environmental concern: rubber and vanadium.

Worldwide deposition of waste rubber materials, for example vehicle tyres, constitutes environmental threats and a source of unutilized raw material. The problem with rubber recycling resides in the sulphur cross-links created between the rubber polymers during vulcanization. These cross-links give the material its excellent and characteristic properties, but also make it impossible to melt and reshape, as one can do with, for example, glass and plastics. In this work, the sulphur-oxidizing bacteria Acidithiobacillus and the sulphur-reducing archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus have been used to break the sulphur cross-links in vulcanized rubber materials, which improved the physical properties of the recycled rubber. The effect of different grinding methods on the biotechnological treatment and the mechanical properties, the toxicity of rubber additives to the desulphurizing microorganisms and the possibilities of biotechnological detoxification of rubber with fungi have also been investigated.

Vanadium and its compounds are used in several important industrial processes. It is also present in heavy oil and is hence accumulated in the waste resulting from heavy oil combustion. Vanadium-containing waste materials are traditionally deposited in landfills or recovered by leaching with acids. This work has shown that Acidithiobacillus are capable of biological reduction of vanadium, which reduces the toxicity of the metal and increases its solubility, thereby enhancing the possibility of biotechnological recovery from industrial waste.


A dictionary in four languages (English, French, German and Italian) which offers guidance on the many specialized terms connected with textile washing and related fields and which is intended for the use of manufacturers, scientists, students and government offices. It is also intended to be of use to specialists in toxicology, ecology and dermatology. At the same time, the dictionary is intended to be useful for translators, technical journalists, user associations and environmental advisors. The book is organized into four parts, with the main one consisting of English, German, French and Italian word lists corresponding to one another and arranged alphabetically by English and three unilingual reference lists (German, French and Italian), with numbers referring to the main list. There are parenthetical remarks which relate the entries to special uses or fields. American spelling is given preference.


We provide an integrative account of temporal biases (confidence changes, planning fallacy, impact bias, and hindsight bias). Students listed either 3 or 12 thoughts about success or failure before an upcoming real-life exam or immediately after learning their grades. Previous explanations had focused on how thought content alone (what comes to mind) influences temporal biases. We found, however, an interaction between thought content and accessibility experiences (how easily or difficultly thoughts come to mind). Thinking about 3 ways to succeed (success was easy to bring to mind) was equivalent to thinking about 12 ways to fail (failure was difficult to bring to mind), and conversely, thinking about 3 ways to fail was equivalent to thinking about 12 ways to succeed. In no case was thought content alone sufficient to predict the biases. These results have implications for debiasing strategies and other judgments over time.


Auto-reactive cells which escape from natural apoptosis represent a continuous threat of potential autoimmune response. Abnormal apoptosis can play a role in negative selection of B and T lymphocytes that escaped the self-reactive nature, and so, apoptosis could represent an additional source of auto-antibody. Increased activity of T cells (CD3+, CD4+, or Th1 helper)) will, at a high serum level, cause a high expression of various types of inflammatory interleukins: IL1-β, IL2. The most important regulatory mechanisms of apoptosis in T and B cells are: death receptor cells, CD 95(Fas), TNF-tumor necrosis, caspases, family Bcl-2 proto-oncogenes, Bax gene, p53 tumor suppressor gene, and NF-κB nuclear factor of transcription. The "decision" to undergo programmed cell death is made only in the presence of extrinsic or intrinsic apoptotic messengers. Extrinsic inductors are ligands – cytokines – that bind to death receptors (DRs) found on the cells' surface, while intrinsic inductors come from the mitochondria or from the nucleus cells.


Objectives Studies on the elderly revealed that the negative effects of ageing are limited or even reversed through regular exercise and the elderly well-being can be enhanced by active exercise participation. Regarding exercise intensity, low to moderate exercise is more effective and safety for elderly than vigorous. As more individuals live longer, it is crucial to determine the extent and mechanisms by which physical activity can improve health, functional capacity, life quality and independence in this population. Participation in regular physical activity elicits a variety of favourable responses that contribute to healthy ageing. It is therefore desirable to create an exercise program for the elderly and examine the effect and exercise benefits in their health. Aim Current study examines the effects of systematic moderate intensity aerobic exercise, lasting 6 months, on body weight (BW), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TCh) and blood pressure (BP). Methods 51 elderly volunteers women (mean age 69.03 ± 4.16 years) participated in a 6- month moderate aerobic and resistance training program. The training group performed endurance training, 3 days a week for 24 weeks, at 60-70% of the maximum heart rate according to Borg scale. Inclusion criteria were: 1) over 65 years old, 2) no administration of medication, complete inactivity (≥1 year), 2) maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) < 25 ml/kg/min, 3) weight stability ( ± 2 kg) prior to entry (≥6 months), 3) absence of restraining orthopaedic/neuromuscular diseases, 4) resting BP < 160/100 mmHg and 5) no chronic cardiovascular, metabolic and other severe diseases. All data are presented as mean ± SD. Student's t-test for independent samples was used to explore differences between two groups. ANOVA repeated measures (3 times/measurements X 2 groups), including Sidak post hoc analysis was employed to determinate differences in biochemical and anthropometrical parameters. Statistical significance was p < 0.05 for all tests. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20. Results BW and BMI were altered only after 6 months of systematic training, at which, the percentage of alterations differed significantly in 1st (pre-training) and 2nd (3 months) evaluations (p = 0.001). Combination of moderate aerobic exercise and resistance systematic training affected the systolic BP of the elderly healthy women. Particularly, group depended (p = 0.008) changes were detected between 2nd and 3rd evaluations (p = 0.01). FPG was significantly reduced, compared to the 1st (pre-training values), after the 2nd (3 months) and 3rd (6 months) evaluations (p = 0.001). However, these alterations were group depended (p = 0.04), with higher percentage reductions in the 1st age group (65-75 years). Contrariwise, diastolic BP and TCh were not altered by this training program (p > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in FPG in the total group. After the sample division in two age-groups (1st group: 65-75 & 2nd group: 76-81 years old) BW, BMI, FPG and systolic BP had a statistically significant improvement between the two measurements. As regard the two age-groups, the systolic BP decreased significantly (p = 0.001). Conclusions A six-month of systematic physical activity exercise can lead to health benefits and subsequently improve weight, BMI, FPG levels and systolic BP in healthy elderly women. Thus elderly people still have the capacity to reduce the levels of FPG, control BW and ameliorate their BP in response to appropriate exercise training. This response may have physiological and clinical significance for older individuals because of the numerous interactions between FPG, systolic BP and the cardiovascular and metabolic systems.


In this study, we use a multi-method approach to examine the following questions: when faced with explicit profit gaps, does a firm's strategic orientation influence manager perceptions regarding the ability of various tactical options to resolve the gap, do managers feel pressure to pursue certain tactical options over others, and what implications do tactical mismatches with strategy have for long-term gap resolution? As part of the research process, we build a grounded systems model (using grounded theory and Systems Dynamics techniques) which attempts to capture how tactical changes, in combination with the firm's competitive strategy, can ostensibly impact a firm's profit gap over time. Surveys are then used to evaluate the model, including simulations which evaluate the efficacy of manager's preferred tactics to resolve the profit gap in the short and long-term. Results show that while managers feel competing pressure to resolve a profit gap using both tactics aligned with their strategy and tactics designed to cut costs, they are biased toward short-term cost cutting tactics in such situations – often resulting in misalignment with the firm's focal strategy. Should such misalignment occur, while short-term gaps may be resolved, long-term gaps remain unresolved or may even expand, i.e., things get "better before worse". This research contributes to understanding how managerial tendencies and tactical adjustments contribute to or detracts from a firm's ability to realize their intended strategy. Although research has investigated the content of strategy, research has not fully investigated the dynamics through which tactical shifts may impact strategic outcomes.


3-Hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA hydrolase (HIBCH, NM_014362.3) gene mutation can cause HIBCH deficiency, leading to Leigh/Leigh-like disease. To date, few case series have investigated the relationship between metabolites and clinical phenotypes or the effects of treatment, although 34 patients with HIBCH mutations from 27 families have been reported. The purpose of this study was to analyze the phenotypic spectrum, follow-up results, metabolites, and genotypes of patients with HIBCH deficiency presenting with Leigh/Leigh-like syndrome and explore specific metabolites related to disease diagnosis and prognosis through retrospective and longitudinal studies. Applying next-generation sequencing, we identified eight patients with HIBCH mutations from our cohort of 181 cases of genetically diagnosed Leigh/Leigh-like syndrome. Six novel HIBCH mutations were identified: c.977T>G [p.Leu326Arg], c.1036G>T [p.Val346Phe], c.750+1G>A, c.810-2A>C, c.469C>T [p.Arg157*], and c.236delC [p.Pro79Leufs*5]. The Newcastle Pediatric Mitochondrial Disease Scale (NPMDS) was employed to assess disease progression and clinical outcomes. The non-invasive approach of metabolite analysis showed that levels of some were associated with clinical phenotype severity. Five (5/7) patients presented with elevated C4-OH in dried blood spots, and the level was probably correlated with the NPMDS scores during the peak disease phase. 2,3-Dihydroxy-2-methylbutyrate in urine was elevated in six (6/7) patients and elevated S-(2-caboxypropyl)cysteamine in urine was found in three patients (3/3). The median age at initial presentation was 13 months (8–18 months), and the median follow-up was 2.3 years (range 1.3–7.2 years). We summarized and compared with all reported patients with HIBCH mutations. The most prominent clinical manifestations were developmental regression/delay, hypotonia, encephalopathy, and feeding difficulties. We administered drug and dietary treatment. During follow-up, five patients responded positively to treatment with a significant decrease in NPMDS scores. Our research is the largest case series of patients with HIBCH mutations.


Are your student's giving the speeches relevant to their lives and the world around them? Do your students understand that they can and will use these public speaking skills outside of the classroom? INVITATION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING will help your students acquire the speaking skills they'll need to succeed in your classroom and in the real world. Grounded in the rhetorical tradition while offering a fresh perspective, this text engages students in the public dialogue and shows them that they will use these skills beyond the classroom. Griffin also explains the reasons why certain things must be done and, most importantly, why students would want to speak publicly. Numerous pedagogical tools, speech-building exercises, thoughtful real-life examples, an invigorating art program, and an engaging voice, will help your students easily comprehend the text's basic concepts, apply them in and out of the classroom, and understand the importance of public speaking in their lives. Class-tested by more than 1000 students and reviewed by well over 100 Public Speaking Instructors, INVITATION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING, offers an exciting new approach to Public Speaking instruction.


Objective: In this project, we study changes in the working hours of men and women with and without children in the early phase of the COVID-19 crisis in Germany until August 2020.
Background: The COVID-19 outbreak in Europe led to a sharp decrease in economic activity, along with temporary closures of childcare facilities and schools. Subsequent changes in working hours in the early phase of the pandemic and during summer 2020 may have contributed to inequalities between men and women or parents and non-parents respectively.
Method: We use a unique panel dataset containing monthly survey data of the Institute for Employment Research (the IAB-HOPP) combined with administrative data of the German Federal Employment Agency. We run regression models with the change in working hours (before the crisis vs. working time at each panel wave) as the dependent variable and gender, parental status, and childcare arrangement as the main independent variables.
Results: We observe a comparable reduction in working hours for both men and women during the spring lockdown. However, only the working hours of women recover and return to their pre-crisis level in summer 2020. Most surprisingly, having children has an accelerating effect on recovery for mothers but not for fathers. At the end of the observation period, fathers do not recover as fully as mothers do.
Conclusion: These results challenge concerns about a temporary or possibly persistent 're-traditionalisation' of gender roles during the COVID-19 crisis.


To investigate the therapeutic applications of immuno microspheres containing cytotoxic agent in affinity-chemotherapy, Methotrexate-loaded microspheres of size ranging from 1 to 3 pm were prepared by emulsion cross-linking method. The drug-incorporated microspheres were conjugated with mouse monoclonal antibodies. In vitro cytotoxicity studies using Hep-2 cells were done and it was found that the Methotrexate immuno microspheres had more affinity towards recognizing and binding to the Hep-2 cells when compared to methotrexate microspheres. In vivo studies were done using mice and the targeting efficiency of the formulations to lungs, liver and kidney was studied. The efficacy of the formulations for their anti-tumour activity was also studied against the Dalton as cites lymphoma cell-induced tumour in mice. Various parameters like weight gain, percentage tumour weight inhibition, and packed cell weight were studied. Our results showed that the methotrexate immuno microspheres group was more therapeutically efficient in terms of better affinity and binding capacity than methotrexate microspheres and free methotrexate in protecting the mice from carcinoma.


Management of the early stages of HIV infection has become relatively straightforward. Therapy with AZT (Retrovir) should be instituted when the CD4 count is consistently between 400 and 500 per cmm, and prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia should be instituted when the CD4 count falls below 200 per cmm. Although numerous complications punctuate the later course of HIV infection, those requiring emergency intervention are relatively few in number and usually recognizable. On the horizon are new approaches expected to further enhance the duration and quality of life for HIV-infected patients. Caring for HIV-infected patients can be a rewarding clinical experience, and the barriers to providing such care are by no means insurmountable.


Only recently first direct evidence for the involvement of the A-DNA in the biological processes and structures has been obtained. This was preceded by numerous studies during four decades, which revealed structural features of this second, next to the B-form, DNA conformation, the conditions for the B to A transition to occur in a tube, the requirements to nucleotide sequence. Due to these works the B-A cooperative transition in DNA is now understood as good as the DNA melting. The above physico-chemical studies forced one to think on the "biology" of the A-conformation and at the same time provided experimental possibilities for finding it in biological processes.


Background Curcumin inhibits the growth of esophageal cancer cell lines; however, the mechanism of action is not well understood. It is becoming increasingly clear that aberrant activation of Notch signaling has been associated with the development of esophageal cancer. Here, we have determined that curcumin inhibits esophageal cancer growth via a mechanism mediated through the Notch signaling pathway. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we show that curcumin treatment resulted in a dose and time dependent inhibition of proliferation and colony formation in esophageal cancer cell lines. Furthermore, curcumin treatment induced apoptosis through caspase 3 activation, confirmed by an increase in the ratio of Bax to Bcl2. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that curcumin treatment induced cell death and down regulated cyclin D1 levels. Curcumin treatment also resulted in reduced number and size of esophagospheres. Furthermore, curcumin treatment led to reduced Notch-1 activation, expression of Jagged-1 and its downstream target Hes-1. This reduction in Notch-1 activation was determined to be due to the down-regulation of critical components of the γ-secretase complex proteins such as Presenilin 1 and Nicastrin. The combination of a known γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT and curcumin further decreased proliferation and induced apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells. Finally, curcumin treatment down-regulate the expressions of Notch-1 specific microRNAs miR-21 and miR-34a, and upregulated tumor suppressor let-7a miRNA. Conclusion/Significance Curcumin is a potent inhibitor of esophageal cancer growth that targets the Notch-1 activating γ-secretase complex proteins. These data suggest that Notch signaling inhibition is a novel mechanism of action for curcumin during therapeutic intervention in esophageal cancers.


As volunteers within various pharmacy organizations, we have become more sensitized to the crucial role of language in communicating desired messages. For example, the term community pharmacy is now preferred over retail pharmacy. At no time is messaging more crucial than during times of change. The academy is facing changes in the practice/health care environment, updates to Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) standards and guidelines, and the revision of the educational outcomes proposed by the Center for the Advancement of Pharmaceutical Education (CAPE).

The newest iteration of the CAPE competencies, which will be disseminated at the 2013 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Annual Meeting, is the result of the 2010-2011 Academic Affairs Committee recommendation to include, for the first time, competencies from the affective domain.1 The committee report stated "the expanded view of the curriculum allows faculty to look at curricular elements already being done but not further identified by trait (ie, students are not being held explicitly accountable in that manner thus resulting in a 'hidden' curriculum)." Several speakers at the CAPE listening session hosted by AACP at the 2012 Annual Meeting specifically talked about the need for "soft skills" such as leadership.

Soft skills? Leadership is not soft; it is hard. This was not the first time we have heard that phrase. Over the years we have seen the challenges through which student pharmacists grow their professional accomplishments and leadership skills in preparation for their careers and for life. For most individuals (faculty members included), leadership development requires life-long commitment to the difficult concepts of self-efficacy, self-assessment, reflection, entrepreneurship, and leadership and advocacy.1

So how did leadership get designated as a soft skill? If one looks at the 3 primary focus areas within pharmacy education, they include the clinical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, and social and administrative sciences. Historically, the clinical sciences have been linked to therapeutic issues and patient care. Pharmaceutical sciences, aligned with basic sciences such as pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, have been referred to as the hard sciences and are usually quantifiable and measurable; consider mathematical skills. Finally, the social and administrative sciences (management, communications, ethics, law, etc) are occasionally considered soft sciences which relate in part to less tangible constructs.

We diminish the importance of leadership when we refer to it as a soft skill. Leadership, however, is a hard skill for a variety of reasons. For example, it is one of many traits that intersect with professionalism.2 Leadership involves interpersonal and intrapersonal skills and is fostered as a student or a faculty member learns and develops from various experiences over his or her career.

Leadership is hard because it is hard to quantify in education where what we do as educators takes root in the students. How much of what we teach students would have emanated from their own character, experiences, and mentoring? What can we actually measure and assess to know that students achieved the desired outcomes? Are students' achievements reflective of our influence on them or merely a fertile university environment? Ultimately, it could be some or all of the above. These and other questions are addressed in the Student Leadership articles within this issue of the Journal. Contributors to this theme issue offer a variety of strategies and perspectives to assist colleges and schools of pharmacy.3

A renewed emphasis on the affective domain requires a reframing of the academic paradigm because we have the learner for only a finite time. Consider the model of input, throughput, and output over a student's life where throughput represents the time he or she is in pharmacy school. It becomes evident that the student is participating in pharmacy education for a very short interval. Some of these affective traits can be nurtured, and then hopefully they will continue to evolve and develop as students become health care professionals committed to lifelong learning.

There is potential synergy between the CAPE educational outcomes update and ACPE's efforts to gather input for the next revision of accreditation standards. The CAPE revisions affirm that values, attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs are essential elements of a comprehensive pharmacy education. We support the efforts to broaden the skill sets throughout the entire educational enterprise including postgraduate education. It will be hard work, but that should not discourage us from doing our best. Together we can work on the hard skills knowing leadership is one of them!


The heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) / carbon monoxide (CO) system has been presumed as a therapeutic target for preventing atherosclerosis. However, the exact mechanism(s) underlying this system remains largely undefined. This study aims to examine the influence of induction/inhibition of HO-1 on atherosclerotic plaque using pharmacological approaches and to elucidate potential mechanisms. Rabbits were randomly assigned to receive a standard diet (control group), high fat diet (HFD), HFD plus HO inducer hemin (HFD + H group), and HFD plus an HO inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin-9 (ZnPP9, HFD + Z group). Atherosclerotic plaque was evaluated using oil red O staining and histological analyses. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and RT-PCR were employed to study the expression of HO-1 and endothelin-1 (ET-1). Levels of CO, nitric oxide (NO), eNOS/iNOS activities, NF-κB activity, and TNF-α level were determined. No significant differences of serum lipid levels were observed among the HFD, HFD + Z, and HFD + H groups. In rabbits, HFD induced typical atherosclerotic plaque and increased intima/media thickness ratio, which was markedly reduced in the HFD + H group and further aggravated in the HFD + Z group. Furthermore, hemin increased HO-1 expression, CO levels, and eNOS activity, while decreasing iNOS levels, ET-1 expression, NF-κB activity, and TNF-α level. ZnPP9 caused opposite effects. Induction of the endogenous HO-1/CO system by hemin can prevent atherosclerosis though increasing CO levels, regulating eNOS activity, NF-κB activity, TNF-α levels, and ET-1 levels in rabbits. Our results add new evidence for the importance of HO-1 in the genesis and development of atherosclerosis and provide several possible mechanisms underlying the anti-atherosclerosis effects of HO-1.


The Eastern Sudetic Island was an emerged area in the late cretaceous shelf-sea of central Europe that delivered coarse siliciclastic material to adjacent basins. The extent of this land area during the Early-to-Middle Turonian has been reconstructed on the basis of a heavy-mineral analysis of the Jerzmanice sandstones from the North Sudetic Basin. The heavy minerals studied predominantly derive from medium to high grade metamorphic rocks, such as granulites and metabasites, calc-silicate rocks, mica schists and gneisses, and from garnet peridotites and pegmatites/granites. The interpretation of various heavy mineral species provides evidence that the major part of the detritus constituting the Jerzmanice sandstones was supplied from a relatively small area of the fore-Sudetic part of the Gory Sowie Massif and its immediate vicinity, approx. 50 km away from the depositional site. Heavy minerals and particularly the chemical characteristics of detrital garnets, cr-spinels and tourmalines, have turned out to be excellent indicators of the provenance of these mature late cretaceous sandstones.


Play assessment is gaining attention as a measure of the developing skills of young children. The procedures and methods of coding child behaviours vary considerably across researchers and practitioners. Because of this, definitive statements about the use of play assessment cannot be made without further research. The present study is an attempt to report a set of standardized procedures for play assessment along with an empirically based coding scheme (PIECES). The reliability of this system of play assessment is also investigated. High inter-observer reliability was found along with moderate test-retest correlations for both the typically developing (r = 0.48) and exceptional (r = 0.58) children. Thus, this version of play assessment holds promise as an observation system for intervention and progress monitoring in early childhood. The authors stress that more research is needed in this area before play assessment can either be used in early childhood or discounted as an inappropriate tool.


The prediction of detailed mechanical respond in bonded Composite/Metal hybrid structure is hardly detectable due to the presents of thermal strain that depends on mismatch of Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE), adhesive behavior, development of defects in adhesive layer during manufacturing or operational loads. These uncertainties could be overcome by optical fibre based monitoring systems and by a precise characterization of the manufacturing effects and damage progression on the stress-strain field. This paper presents a well-assessed monitoring technique based on strain sensors carried by optical fibers embedded in the hybrid specimen that can be used both during manufacturing process and fracture test to validate a numerical modelling approach for prediction of strain evolution. The experimental tests are conducted with two pre-damaged configurations, Balanced and Un-Balanced specimens equipped by two types of fiber coating, Naked fiber and Ormocer, to investigate the effects of thermal stress build-up on the fracture behavior. The hybrid specimens have been designed by the method that is capable of controlling thermal stress build-up. These specimens have been obtained by co-bonded process and have been suited for the Double cantilever Beam (DCB) fracture mechanic test. Validated numerical approach based on multistep explicit analyses have been used to implement the effect of thermal stress produced in the manufacturing on the simulation of fracture propagation.


Capsid maturation with large-scale subunit reorganization occurs in virtually all viruses that use a motor to package nucleic acid into preformed particles. A variety of ensemble studies indicate that the particles gain greater stability during this process, however, it is unknown which material properties of the fragile procapsids change. Using Atomic Force Microscopy-based nano-indentation, we study the development of the mechanical properties during maturation of bacteriophage HK97, a λ-like phage of which the maturation-induced morphological changes are well described. We show that mechanical stabilization and strengthening occurs in three independent ways: (i) an increase of the Young's modulus, (ii) a strong rise of the capsid's ultimate strength, and (iii) a growth of the resistance against material fatigue. The Young's modulus of immature and mature capsids, as determined from thin shell theory, fit with the values calculated using a new multiscale simulation approach. This multiscale calculation shows that the increase in Young's modulus isn't dependent on the crosslinking between capsomers. In contrast, the ultimate strength of the capsids does increase even when a limited number of cross-links are formed while full crosslinking appears to protect the shell against material fatigue. Compared to phage λ, the covalent crosslinking at the icosahedral and quasi threefold axes of HK97 yields a mechanically more robust particle than the addition of the gpD protein during maturation of phage λ. These results corroborate the expected increase in capsid stability and strength during maturation, however in an unexpected intricate way, underlining the complex structure of these self-assembling nanocontainers.


The underwater hearing sensitivity of a young male harbor porpoise for tonal signals of various signal durations was quantified by using a behavioral psychophysical technique. The animal was trained to respond only when it detected an acoustic signal. Fifty percent detection thresholds were obtained for tonal signals (15 frequencies between 0.25-160 kHz, durations 0.5-5000 ms depending on the frequency; 134 frequency-duration combinations in total). Detection thresholds were quantified by varying signal amplitude by the 1-up 1-down staircase method. The hearing thresholds increased when the signal duration fell below the time constant of integration. The time constants, derived from an exponential model of integration [Plomp and Bouman, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 31, 749-758 (1959)], varied from 629 ms at 2 kHz to 39 ms at 64 kHz. The integration times of the porpoises were similar to those of other mammals including humans, even though the porpoise is a marine mammal and a hearing specialist. The results enable more accurate estimations of the distances at which porpoises can detect short-duration environmental tonal signals. The audiogram thresholds presented by Kastelein et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 112, 334-344 (2002)], after correction for the frequency bandwidth of the FM signals, are similar to the results of the present study for signals of 1500 ms duration. Harbor porpoise hearing is more sensitive between 2 and 10 kHz, and less sensitive above 10 kHz, than formerly believed.


This document explores the design, modeling, and development of a novel, low-altitude airborne wind energy (AWE) system composed of a tethered airship supporting an independent wind power generator payload. The design has been scaled to handle 2.5, 25, and 100 kW payloads; the configuration analyzed in this paper handles a 2.5 kW generator. The power generation and lift systems in this design are separate and do not rely on each other for operation. The lift system is a lighter-than-air flyer with longitudinal and lateral control capabilities; the flying wind turbine is a counter-rotating rotor system with a synchronous generator; and the tether serves to both anchor the device and to transmit electricity to ground-based power electronics and grid collection.


As part of an examination of the potential market for giant clam meat, the Pacific Islander community in New Zealand was considered. Pacific Islander descendants were interviewed between 2nd July and 13th July, 1990 in both Auckland and Wellington, which have the highest concentration of Pacific Islanders in New Zealand. As a result of these interviews the size of the potential market for giant clam meat amongst New Zealand Pacific Islanders was estimated at up to 3,120 tonnes annually with a potential retail value of NZ$31.2 m. This would make this potential New Zealand market four times as large as that of Australia and also much larger than estimated market sizes for both Japan and Taiwan in terms of meat weight.


The aetiology of IBD is unknown, but available evidence suggests that an aberrant immune response towards the commensal microbial flora is responsible for intestinal inflammation in genetically susceptible individuals. Studies from animal models of intestinal inflammation have greatly advanced our understanding of the immunological basis of IBD. However, translation of results from animal research into human studies is essential in order to improve treatment options and patient quality of life. In this thesis we present the successful introduction of translational studies on human tissue in our laboratory. In particular, we evaluated the role of the IL23/IL17 pathway in the human immune response and its role in IBD. IL23-driven inflammation has been primarily linked to its activity on Th-17 cells; however, work from our laboratory has identified a novel population of IL23-responsive ILC, which are responsible for innate colitis in mice. Here we have analyzed the role of IL23-responsive innate cells in IBD. Our results show increased expression of Th-17 signature genes amongst intestinal CD3- cells in patients with IBD. Furthermore, we observed a marked and selective increase in IL17 producing CD56- ILC in the inflamed intestine of patients with CD. ILC may contribute to intestinal inflammation through secretion of cytokines, such as IL17A and IL17F, and recruitment of other inflammatory cells, representing a novel tissue-specific target for the treatment of IBD. In addition, we present here our preliminary data on the characterization of human intestinal and systemic DC populations. In particular, we aimed to evaluate if in the context of the intestinal microenvironment DC develop specific regulatory features, as observed in murine CD103+ DC. We show that human intestinal DC populations exhibit specific regulatory properties, such as expression of genes associated with TGF-β and RA activity. Furthermore, CD103+ DC are present in the human gut and are characterized by tolerogenic markers. Remarkably, patients with IBD have reduced frequencies of intestinal CD103+ DC, which display a more pro-inflammatory phenotype. Alteration in DC subset composition and functional activity may result in a distort balance between immune effector and regulatory responses, promoting the development of intestinal inflammation.


The photoinduced electron transfer properties of two photo-hydrogen-evolving molecular devices (PHEMDs) [(bpy)2Ru(II)(phen-NHCO-bpy-R)Pt(II)Cl2](2+) (i.e., condensation products of [Ru(bpy)2(5-amino-phen)](2+) and (4-carboxy-4′-R-bpy)PtCl2; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; RuPt-COOH for R = COOH and RuPt-CN for R = CN) were investigated. RuPt-CN demonstrates higher photocatalytic performance relative to RuPt-COOH arising from a larger driving force for the intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET) associated with a stronger electron-withdrawing effect of R (ΔGPET = −0.43 eV for RuPt-CN and −0.16 eV for RuPt-COOH). This is the first study on PET events using ultrafast spectroscopy. Dramatic enhancement is achieved in the rate of PET in RuPt-CN (1.78 × 1010 s(−1)) relative to RuPt-COOH (3.1 × 109 s(−1)). For each system, the presence of three different conformers giving rise to three different PET rates is evidenced, which are also discussed with the DFT results. Formation of a charge-separated (CS) state [(bpy)2Ru(III)(phen-NHCO-bpy(−˙)-R)Pt(II)Cl2](2+) in the sub-picosecond time regime and recombination in the picosecond time regime are characterized spectrophotometrically. The CS-state formation was found to compete with reductive quenching of the triplet excited state by EDTA whose dianionic form ion-pairs with dicationic RuPt-COOH. Thus, a key intermediate [(bpy)2Ru(II)(phen-NHCO-bpy(−˙)-R)Pt(II)Cl2](+) (i.e., the one-electron-reduced species) prior to the H2 formation was found to be formed either via reduction of the CS state by EDTA or via formation of [(bpy)2Ru(II)(phen(−˙)-NHCO-bpy-R)Pt(II)Cl2](+) by reductive quenching of the triplet excited state. More importantly, it is also shown that some of the conformers in solution possess a CS lifetime sufficiently long to drive hydrogen evolution from water.


The underlying policy of the takeover bid provisions of the current Ontario Securities Act is to ensure equal treatment of all holders of a class of publicly traded shares. The Act quires that in a takeover bid for a class of shares of a company in which at least 20% of the shares of that class will be subsequently owned by the bidder, the tender offer must be made on an equal pro rata basis to all shareholders. The two major exemptions from this requirement are the "private agreement exemption" and the acquisition of less than 5% of shares in a given twelve-month period. In 1978, revisions to the Act established the extent to which this policy applied through the private agreement exemption. The private agreement exemption allowed some large block shareholders to obtain a limited premium on the sale of their shares, without the offer being extended to all shareholders. The private agreement exemption specified in Section 92(1)(C) of the Act allows for the purchase of a block of a given class of securities without making a formal bid where three conditions are met: (1) the purchases are made from not more than five sellers; (2) the bid is not made generally to all holders of that class of securities; and (3) the value of the consideration paid for the securities does not exceed 115% of the "market price." The market price is determined by Regulation 164, made under the Act, as the simple average of the closing prices on each of the 20 trading days preceding the date of the bid. Prior to 1979, private agreements were allowed without any limit on the premium that could be paid. The application of the private agreement exemption has been controversial because of its potentially differential impact on the wealth of sellers of controlling blocks of shares and outside shareholders. For example, market expectations of an imminent takeover bid may affect the calculation of the market price during the twenty days prior to the agreement and thus raise the maximum bid price allowed under a private agreement. (For a historical review of how the OSC and the courts have dealt with this problem, see Anisman (1988) and Bailey and Crawford (1983)). Large block shareholders may then sell their shares for a significant gain while outside shareholders are excluded from the transaction. Furthermore, since outside shareholders do not participate in the takeover, they may be concerned that the new controlling shareholder may not act in their interest and the value of their shares may fall in response. The impact of tender offers on shareholder wealth in Canada has been documented by Calvet end Lefoll (1987), Eckbo (1986), Masse, Hanrahan, and Kushner (1990), and Smith and Amoako-Adu(1992). All these studies found positive returns to shareholders receiving tender offers. This paper is the first to focus on the shareholder wealth effects of exempt offers or private agreements. The paper also examines the relationship between the change in outside shareholders' wealth and cross-sectional variables, such as the percentage of additional shares acquired and the presence of a government as a bidder, in order to determine the sources of wealth changes. The next section of the paper develops hypotheses surrounding the expected impact of the exempt offer announcement on shareholder wealth. Section three provides information on data sources while the fourth section describes the methodology. The fifth section discusses empirical results and the last section provides conclusions. THE EXPECTED IMPACT OF EXEMPT OFFERS ON SHAREHOLDER WEALTH In order to analyze the expected impact of exempt offers, one must consider the conditions under which such private agreements are likely to occur. Each party to the private agreement should expect to be better off than in a tender offer alternative. A seller may have an incentive to sell through a private agreement when the premium is expected to be higher than that obtained in the open market. …


Post-structuralism is recognised as a major force within literary and cultural studies. This book is the first to apply the theory to politics and to show the ways in which it can illuminate political theory and analysis. As such it is likely to become a key text in the development of this area, providing a stimulating introduction to the subject. Authors explore the two-way relationship, showing not only that post-structuralism can enhance the study of politics, but also that advocates of post-structuralism can benefit from being open to the lessons political studies can teach. The book aims to * Clarify the relationship of contemporary theory to politics * Open up a new intellectual interface * Create a space for exchange between disciplines * Provide a statement of the role of post-structuralist theory in politics Covering three main sections - What is Post-structuralist Political Theory?; Post-structuralism and Political Analysis; and The Question of the Political - the authors draw on themes raised by Continental thinkers such as Derrida, Nancy and Deleuze, and Anglo-American thinkers such as Butler and Connolly in their questioning of the theoretical and empirical understanding of contemporary politics. Key Features: * First systematic examination of post-structuralism to see what it may mean for political studies * Advances its own rigorous and theoretically informed position * Cutting edge: provides a vibrant introduction to this area of political thought and analysis * Brings clarity to the two-way relationship between post-structuralism and politics


The most basic goal of education besides enhancing students' educational success is to improve their social skills; this goal is achieved only if learners are trained to become critical thinkers and responsible ones for their own social change. Consequently, this study is focused on the impact of critical pedagogy on EFL learners' motivation. In this study, 54 students were randomly and equally assigned to the experimental and control groups (27 students in each group). The instrument applied in this study was a motivation questionnaire. The questionnaire was given to the students in both control and experimental group (as the pre and post questionnaire). The results revealed that the critical approach to the teaching of English as a foreign language increases the learners' motivation reflecting a sincere and personal interest in the people and culture represented by the other group.


Reprints of the following papers front ARCHAEOLOGIA, VOL. XCIII, are available: THE BRITISH SECTION OF THE RAVENNA COSMOGRAPHY, by 1. A. RICHMOND, F.B.A., and o. G. s. CRAWFORD, F.S.A. Price 10*. ENGLISH ALABASTER CARVINGS AS RECORDS OF THE MEDIEVAL RELIGIOUS DRAMA, by w. L. HILDBURGH, F.S.A. Price 15s. THE GHOST OR SHADOW AS A CHARGE IN HERALDRY, by H. STANFORD LONDON, F.S.A. Price $s. THE HUNTING BATHS AT LEPCIS MAGNA, by j . B. WARD PERKINS, F.S.A., and j . M. c. TOYNBEE, F.S.A. Price 15*.


The evolution of ontologies is an undisputed necessity in current research community. The problem of understanding this evolution is a fundamental problem as, based on this understanding, maintainers of depending artifacts need to take a decision about possible changes. Moreover, as ontologies are often developed by several ontology engineers, it is also important for them to understand what changes have been made by each other. Recent research focuses on just identifying and presenting the changes from one ontology version to another. In this paper, we argue that this is not enough and that we need more fine-grained methods for understanding how the ontology evolved. To this direction, we present a module, named ProvenanceTracker, which gets as input the list of changes between two or more RDF/S ontology versions and can answer fine-grained provenance queries about ontology resources. Our module can identify when a resource was created and how. The sequence of changes that led to the creation of that specific resource can be identified and presented to the user. We evaluate the time complexity of our approach and show that it can possibly reduce the human effort spent on understanding ontology evolution.


This randomized clinical trial compared the performance of an all-in-one adhesive (iBond) applied in sclerotic and non-sclerotic non-carious cervical lesions with that of a three-step etch-prime-bond adhesive (Gluma Solid Bond, SB). One-hundred and five lesions were randomly assigned to four groups according to adhesive, sclerosis scale and technique: 1) SB applied to lesions with sclerosis scale 1 and 2 (n=26); 2) iBond applied to lesions with sclerosis scale 1 and 2 (n=28); 3) iBond applied to lesions with sclerosis scale 3 and 4 (n=25) and 4) iBond applied with prior acid-etching to lesions with sclerosis scale 3 and 4 (n=26). A microfilled composite (Durafill VS) was used as the restorative material. The restorations were evaluated for retention, color match, marginal adaptation, anatomic form, cavosurface margin discoloration, secondary caries, pre- and post-operative sensitivity, surface texture and fracture at insertion (baseline), 6, 18 months and at 3 years using modified USPHS evaluation criteria (Alfa=excellent; Bravo=clinically acceptable; Charlie=clinically unacceptable). There was a high percentage of Bravo scores for marginal adaptation (4%-32%) and marginal discoloration (18%-60%) in Groups 2, 3 and 4, but all groups had <5% Charlie scores at 6 months and <10% Charlie scores at 18 months for retention and marginal discoloration, respectively. However, it should be noted that 13% of the restorations in Group 4 were not retained at three years.


DNA barcodes (i.e. cytochrome c oxidase subunit I or COI in the mitochondrial genome) obtained from fourteen (14) domestic goat and sheep breeds (Subfamily Caprinae) in the Philippines were analyzed using the Neighbour-Joining method based on Kimura 2-parameter model in MEGA5. Mean genetic diversity in COI sequences was higher among goat breeds (62.6%) than sheep breeds (32.9%). Average genetic distance between goats and sheep was 0.831 ± 0.042 units. Based on 589 COI positions, average genetic distance among native goat breeds (i.e. d = 0.286 ± 0.020) was higher than among pure (exotic) breeds (i.e. d = 0.111 ± 0.012). Average genetic distance between goat groups was 0.911 ± 0.062 units, suggesting that the origin and evolution of native goat breeds sampled from different islands in the Philippines were independent of exotic breeds such as Anglo Nubian, Boer and Saanen. Based on 674 COI positions, average genetic distance among wool-type breeds (i.e. d = 0.378 ± 0.019) was higher than among hair-type breeds (i.e. d = 0.250 ± 0.016). Average genetic distance between sheep groups was 0.312 ± 0.013 units. The Philippine sheep is genetically closer to Merino (d=0.161) than recently imported wool-type breeds (Dorper, Dorset, and Suffolk) and hair-type breeds (Damara, Katahdin, and St. Croix). Our analyses indicated that DNA barcodes can be effective to identify and differentiate between breeds within goat and sheep species. Further analysis is required to clarify large COI differences between breeds of goats. DNA barcode analysis is recommended as a quick screening, reliable, cost-effective, and accessible tool for the identification, assessment, and cataloguing of domestic goats and sheep biodiversity in the country. It could also provide useful information to support decisions on the genetic improvement and conservation of important breeds of small ruminants. Key words: DNA barcodes, genetic diversity, goat breeds, sheep breeds, evolutionary analysis


A new model, partially based on the three most widely cited previous hypotheses, is proposed to explain the genesis of the Canary Islands. From the hotspot hypothesis it retains the notion that the islands originated from a thermal anomaly in the mantle. From the propagating fracture hypothesis it takes the critical role of regional fractures in the onset of magmatism. The uplifted block hypothesis contributes with the notion that the islands are in their present freeboard attitude due to the action of tectonic forces. The main drawbacks of the three preceding hypotheses are solved within this unifying approach: the thermal anomaly is an upper mantle residue from an old plume, and therefore it does not carry (or does it in a highly diluted form) the typical geophysical and geochemical plume signatures; the fractures are well developed on the continental and oceanic crust, but not in the extremely thick sedimentary pile between the Canary Islands and Africa; and the Canary Islands uplift took place through transpressive shears, and not by means of purely reverse faults. This unifying model, which integrates the thermal and tectonic histories of the lithosphere and the sublithospheric mantle, is considered to be a valid approach to a number of volcanic areas where, as has been highlighted in recent years, pure hotspot or pure fracture models are found wanting to explain oceanic or (less frequently) continental volcanic lines. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.


This study reports the findings of an electron microscopic search for so‐called non‐A, non‐B nuclear particles in liver biopsies from patients with mainly chronic or prolonged liver disease and from chimpanzees. In patients without hepatitis B virus or acute hepatitis A virus serological markers, non‐A, non‐B‐like nuclear particles were seen in hepatocytes in 28 of 31 cases of presumed non‐A, non‐B hepatitis, but also in 11 of 12 cases of liver disease not usually attributed to hepatitis viruses. They were also seen in 22 of 24 patients with HBsAg, in 3 of 3 patients with anti‐HBc and no HBsAg, in 1 of 2 patients with hepatitis A, in a case of cytomegalovirus hepatitis, and in 16 of 19 patients whose serology was not available or inconclusive. The particles were present in 1 of 8 untreated HBsAg‐negative chimpanzees and in 2 of 2 HBsAg‐positive chimpanzees. They appeared in 4 of 4 chimpanzees developing non‐A, non‐B hepatitis following exposure to various inocula. Three patterns of particle aggregates were distinguished, all of which had been shown by others in non‐A, non‐B hepatitis. Dense aggregates were predominant, while others have shown intermediate aggregates more often; reasons for this difference could be technical. No pattern was specific for any condition. Either non‐A, non‐B‐like nuclear particles, although associated with non‐A, non‐B hepatitis, are not specific for this condition, or non‐A, non‐B hepatitis viruses are extremely more common than is currently appreciated.


Structural, electronic, and optical properties calculated for an isolated infinite column of hexakis-hydroxy-triphenylene (HAT0) molecules are presented. This system is intended as a prototype model of columnar discotic liquid crystals since HAT0 is the first member of the discogenic hexakis-n-alkyloxy-triphenylenes (HATn) series; the single-column approximation can be adopted in view of the peculiar nanoseparation of the columns characteristic of these mesophases. Structural optimization of the system has been performed using Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics techniques. Kohn-Sham orbitals, density of states, and electronic energies have been calculated on the optimized structure of the infinite column and implemented in the quantum expression of the transverse dielectric function. The optical absorption spectrum calculated from the dielectric function has been discussed in comparison to a measured absorption spectrum of HAT5 in columnar discotic liquid crystal phase. Optical absorption spectra of short columns of a few HAT0 molecules arranged as in the infinite column have been calculated using the ZINDO method. These spectra are in good agreement with measured absorption spectra of HAT5 and HAT6 in organic solvents, a fact that supports the proposed columnar arrangement of the discotic molecules in these solvents. We also give an estimate of the electronic transport properties of a small column of HAT0 molecules by calculating with the nonequilibrium Green's function method, the current/voltage characteristic of a model system in which a few HAT0 molecules have been inserted between two gold electrodes under the bias of an external potential.


The high cost of testing certain analog, mixed-signal, and RF circuits has driven in the recent years the development of alternative low-cost tests to replace the most costly or even all standard specification tests. However, there is a lack of solutions for evaluating the parametric test error, that is, the test error for circuits with process variations, resulting from this replacement. For this reason, test engineers are often reluctant to adopt alternative tests since it is not guaranteed that test cost reduction is not achieved at the expense of sacrificing test quality. In this paper, we present a technique to estimate the parametric test error fast and reliably with parts per million accuracy. The technique is based on extreme value theory and statistical blockade. Relying on a small number of targeted simulations, it is capable of providing accurate estimates of parametric test error in the general scenario where a set of alternative tests replaces all or a subset of standard specification tests.


Length-biased data are widely seen in applications. They are mostly applicable in epidemiological studies or survival analysis in medical researches. Here we aim to propose a Berry-Esseen type bound for the kernel density estimator of this kind of data.The rate of normal convergence in the proposed Berry-Esseen type theorem is shown to be O(n^(-1/6) ) modulo logarithmic term as n tends to infinity by a proper choice of the bandwidth.The results of a simulation study is also presented in this paper inorder to examine the performance of the result.


The beetle suborder Adephaga is traditionally divided into two sections on the basis of habitat, terrestrial Geadephaga and aquatic Hydradephaga. Monophyly of both groups is uncertain, and the relationship of the two groups has implications for inferring habitat transitions within Adephaga. Here we examine phylogenetic relationships of these groups using evidence provided by DNA sequences from all four suborders of beetles, including 60 species of Adephaga, 4 Archostemata, 3 Myxophaga, and 10 Polyphaga. We studied 18S ribosomal DNA and 28S ribosomal DNA, aligned with consideration of secondary structure, as well as the nuclear protein‐coding gene wingless. Independent and combined Bayesian, likelihood, and parsimony analyses of all three genes supported placement of Trachypachidae in a monophyletic Geadephaga, although for analyses of 28S rDNA and some parsimony analyses only if Coleoptera is constrained to be monophyletic. Most analyses showed limited support for the monophyly of Hydradephaga. Outside of Adephaga, there is support from the ribosomal genes for a sister group relationship between Adephaga and Polyphaga. Within the small number of sampled Polyphaga, analyses of 18S rDNA, wingless, and the combined matrix supports monophyly of Polyphaga exclusive of Scirtoidea. Unconstrained analyses of the evolution of habitat suggest that Adephaga was ancestrally aquatic with one transition to terrestrial. However, in analyses constrained to disallow changes from aquatic to terrestrial habitat, the phylogenies imply two origins of aquatic habit within Adephaga.


Summaries To strengthen the help that programme aid gives to poor, we must strengthen its ability to increase the participation of the poor in growth. To do this requires a detailed appraisal during a programme's preparation to identify the expected impact on poverty of both the resource transfer of aid and the accompanying policy changes. Without this information opportunities to strengthen growth's benefits for poor people are missed. Our ability to evaluate the programme's poverty impact is severely constrained if the programme does not have clear poverty objectives and if it fails to establish processes for collecting poverty information. To improve programme aid we must assess the implications of import support and debt relief for poverty, as well the implications of the countervalue funds provided by programme aid which can help to support budgets for pro-poor services and infrastructure. A range of participatory techniques and household surveys should be used to assess these effects, and national capacities to gather the necessary information should be improved as a key priority.


We present three reasons for the formation of gravitational bound states of primordial black holes, called holeums, in the early universe. Using Newtonian gravity and nonrelativistic quantum mechanics we find a purely quantum mechanical mass-dependent exclusion property for the nonoverlap of the constituent black holes in a holeum. This ensures that the holeum occupies space just like ordinary matter. A holeum emits only gravitational radiation whose spectrum is an exact analogue of that of a hydrogen atom. A part of this spectrum lies in the region accessible to the detectors being built. The holeums would form haloes around the galaxies and would be an important component of the dark matter in the universe today. They may also be the constituents of the invisible domain walls in the universe.


Because carpal tunnel syndrome is considered significantly prevalent among library workers, this literature review was begun to check the injury's prevalence, seriousness, and potential remedies. The literature review quickly showed the topic fraught with difficulties in everything from trying to define the syndrome to considering best treatments for those afflicted. Although library literature was sparse, the literature was replete with good information and advice. There is still much confusion surrounding the topic, however, and additional information including medical literature was sought to clarify and amplify some of the major aspects of carpal tunnel syndrome as it relates to library workers.


Summary: Survival analysis has been applied to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. Although drug exposure records are available in TCGA, existing survival analyses typically did not consider drug exposure, partly due to naming inconsistencies in the data. We have spent extensive effort to standardize the drug exposure data, which enabled us to perform survival analysis on drug‐stratified subpopulations of cancer patients. Using this strategy, we integrated gene copy number data, drug exposure data and patient survival data to infer gene‐drug interactions that impact survival. The collection of all analyzed gene‐drug interactions in 32 cancer types are organized and presented in a searchable web‐portal called gene‐drug Interaction for survival in cancer (GDISC). GDISC allows biologists and clinicians to interactively explore the gene‐drug interactions identified in the context of TCGA, and discover interactions associated to their favorite cancer, drug and/or gene of interest. In addition, GDISC provides the standardized drug exposure data, which is a valuable resource for developing new methods for drug‐specific analysis. Availability and Implementation: GDISC is available at https://gdisc.bme.gatech.edu/. Contact: email@example.com


The design of a distributed learning system (DLS) which combines the features of instance-space and hypothesis-space methods is described. This algorithm decomposes a data set of training examples into subsets. After applying an inductive learning program on each subset, it synthesizes the results using a genetic algorithm. It is shown that this parallel distributed approach is more efficient, since each inductive learning program works on only a subset of data. Since the genetic algorithm searches globally in the hypothesis space, this approach gives a more accurate concept description. The implementation of DLS in Common LISP is discussed, and its distributed approach is compared to C4.5 and PLS1 algorithms.<<ETX>>


To optimize the sulfated modification conditions of Undaria pinnatifida polysaccharides (UPPSⅠB). UPPSⅠB was modified by chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine method. L9(34) orthogonal test was used to optimize the reaction temperature, reagent ratio and reaction time with the degree of sulfate group and carbohydrate content as index. The major factor was reaction temperature. The optimal modification conditions were that the reaction temperature was 60°C, the ratio of chlorosulfonic acid to pyridine was 1:2, and the reaction time was 1.5h. The sulfated UPPSⅠB could be obtained using the optimal modification conditions.


The small–large intestine axis in hydrogen sulfide accumulation and testing of sulfate and lactate in the gut–gut axis of the intestinal environment has not been well described. Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) of the Desulfovibrio genus reduce sulfate to hydrogen sulfide and can be involved in ulcerative colitis development. The background of the research was to find correlations between hydrogen sulfide production under the effect of an electron acceptor (sulfate) and donor (lactate) at different concentrations and Desulfovibrio piger Vib-7 growth, as well as their dissimilatory sulfate reduction in the intestinal small–large intestinal environment. Methods: Microbiological, biochemical, and biophysical methods, and statistical processing of the results (principal component and cross-correlation analyses) were used. Results: D. piger Vib-7 showed increased intensity of bacterial growth and hydrogen sulfide production under the following concentrations of sulfate and lactate: 17.4 mM and 35.6 mM, respectively. The study showed in what kind of intestinal environment D. piger Vib-7 grows at the highest level and produces the highest amount of hydrogen sulfide. Conclusions: The optimum intestinal environment of D. piger Vib-7 can serve as a good indicator of the occurrence of inflammatory bowel diseases; meaning that these findings can be broadly used in medicine practice dealing with the monitoring and diagnosis of intestinal ailments.


Johannessen, D.I., J.S. Macdonald, K.A. Harris, P.S. Ross. 2007. Marine environmental quality in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA), British Columbia, Canada: A summary of contaminant sources, types, and risks. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2716: xi + 53 p. Under the terms of Canada's Oceans Act (1997), Fisheries and Oceans Canada has embarked on an approach to Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) which aims to protect the structure, function, and quality of marine ecosystems from human impacts. This report aims to provide the reader with an overview of the contaminant sources, types, and risks in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) as these relate to marine environmental quality (MEQ), and builds on two previously published reports generated for sub-regions of the PNCIMA, namely the central coast (Haggarty et al. 2003) and the north coast and Queen Charlotte Islands (Johannessen et al. 2007). The PNCIMA includes 102,000 km of ocean, covering roughly two-thirds of the BC coast. While sparsely populated (3.3% of BC's total population), the PNCIMA is faced with a growing list of threats to MEQ. The PNCIMA extends from the southern end of Johnstone Strait and the Brooks Peninsula on Vancouver Island northwards to the British Columbia (BC) Alaska border and includes the marine area out as far as the base of the continental slope, and the Queen Charlotte Islands (Figure 1.1). The region is rugged, with a steep, glaciated mainland covered in dense rainforest and bisected by numerous fjords and inlets, while the coast is dominantly rocky and strewn with islands. The influence of two semi-permanent atmospheric pressure cells (the Aleutian Low and the North Pacific High) over the Pacific Ocean provides this area with some of the highest rainfall amounts in Canada, along with mild winters and cool summers. The remote location and low population would suggest that there are few anthropogenic stresses in the area. However, a number of human activities take place in the area that can affect MEQ. Key among the past and present activities are aquaculture, vessel traffic, ports / harbours / marinas, forestry, pulp and paper, mining / smelting, ocean dumping, Coast Guard / military sites, oil and gas, and global pollutants. In many cases, source control and regulations have mitigated some of these activities, including a reduction in the by-production of dioxins and furans by pulp mills, the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and many organochlorine (OC) pesticides, and restrictions on the use of tributyltin on ship hulls as an antifoulant. However, a number of emerging threats to MEQ in the PNCIMA reflect growing industrial sectors, and include the potential exploration and extraction of offshore oil and gas, a significant increase in cruise ship traffic, expanding port facilities, and the expanding aquaculture sector.


Abstract Since the late 1980s ornithologists have reported an unknown Otus owl from the island of Sumba, Indonesia. From a specimen of this unknown owl we analysed the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in feathers and compared its sequence with those in our data library, which includes most owl genera. A phylogenetic analysis unequivocally places the unknown owl into the Ninox clade. It differs from N. novaeseelandiae and N. scutulata by 8.2 and 9.1% nucleotide substitutions, but our Ninox data set contains few representatives so we cannot define to which other Ninox species it is most closely related. There was no overlap in measurements of body length or mass for this specimen and those of other Ninox known from this region. The call of this new owl was a monosyllabic hoot repeated about every three seconds and quite unlike the repeated 'cluck-cluck-cluck' made by the endemic N. rudolfi or the disyllabic notes made by most Ninox, including others in the region. For this new species we assign the common name Little Sumba Hawk-Owl. The conservation status of this owl has yet to be determined, but the species might be threatened and we propose it as Data Deficient.


Kelp forests are believed to host a large biomass of epiphytic fauna and flora, including diatoms, which constitute the base of aquatic food webs and play an important role in the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels. Epiphytic diatom assemblages associated with two common species of South African kelps, Ecklonia maxima and Laminaria pallida, were investigated in this study. Primary blades of adult and juvenile thalli of both kelp species were sampled at False Bay in July 2017 and analysed using scanning electron microscopy. Our findings showed that both kelp species hosted relatively low densities of diatoms (ranging from 7 [SD 5] cells mm−2 on adult specimens of L. pallida to 43 [SD 66] cells mm−2 on blades of juvenile E. maxima), with Amphora and Gomphoseptatum reaching the highest absolute abundances. Although non-metric multidimensional scaling showed overlapping and largely scattered sample sets, a significant relationship between the diatom communities and the species and age of the host macroalga was detected by two-way PERMANOVA. In general, more abundant and diverse diatom communities were observed on juvenile thalli than on adult thalli, with species belonging to Navicula and Rhoicosphenia contributing significantly to the observed dissimilarity. Due to a significant interaction between species and age effects, however, the overall ability of kelp species, their age, and their interaction to explain the variation in diatom community structure was limited. We suggest that the low densities of epiphytic diatoms were directly related to the sloughing of epithelial cells observed in both kelp species. We further speculate that on such unstable substrata some diatom taxa might adapt to an endophytic life to avoid the antifouling mechanisms developed by their hosts.


Inclusion of students with disabilities in district-wide and state assessments is mandated by federal regulations, and teachers sometimes play an important role in rating these students' work. In this study, trained teachers rated student proficiency in performance assessments in language arts and mathematics in third, fifth, and ninth grades. The scores assigned by teacher raters to students with and without disabilities in an initial blind rating were compared with the ratings assigned in a second occasion when raters were aware of each student's disability status. A series of generalizability studies was used to determine if there are differences in the patterns of variability across groups and whether rater bias may play a role in these differences. Although knowledge of a student's disability status did not increase or decrease the scores assigned by raters on average, the findings point to differences in the sources of variability across groups and specifically to greater inconsistency when rating papers from students with disabilities. The findings suggest that individual teachers may behave differently when scoring students with disabilities. A survey was also used to investigate rater perceptions of one's own and other teacher's bias when grading papers of students with disabilities. Implications for decision making in rating assessments are discussed.


In this paper, robustness of parametric systems is analyzed using a new approach to interval mathematics called Modal Interval Analysis. Modal Intervals are an interval extension that, instead of classic intervals, recovers some of the properties required by a numerical system. Modal Interval Analysis not only simplifies the computation of interval functions but allows semantic interpretation of their results. Necessary, sufficient and, in some cases, necessary and sufficient conditions for robust performance are presented.


We study a static, spherically symmetric system of (2j+1) massive Dirac particles, each having angular momentum j, j = 1, 2, . . ., in a classical gravitational and SU(2) Yang-Mills field. We show that for any black hole solution of the associated EinsteinDirac-Yang/Mills equations, the spinors must vanish identically outside of the event horizon.


ABSTRACT As sites where the construction of identity and selfhood take place, relationship-focused weight-loss TV shows reproduce the notion of a correlation between a woman's body size, her 'success' in romantic relationships, and the appropriate self. I analyze the weight-loss shows Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian from the US, and Rakas, Sinusta on Tullut Pullukka (Honey, You've Become Chubby) from Finland, investigating how relationship and body size norms, gender, and the self intertwine. I examine the shows in light of Foucault's theory of normalization. Here, normalization not only refers to the normalization of the body but also of the relationship(s) required to achieve a valid self. I suggest that the shows express a parallel between being single and on the verge of society and being fat and being on the verge of society; through solving one of the deviations (in this case, becoming thin) the other deviation (being single) can be changed and thus a "normal" life can be achieved. People learn how to normalize their bodies and their relationships, which in the end paves the way for the idea that a good body/dieting is the precondition for a relationship and an acceptable self. The shows thus reinforce that a thin body is the basis for an appropriate self and fulfilling life.


The creation of a Free Trade Area is the main pillar on which regionalization in the Mediterranean has been pursued since the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership in 1995. The aim of this paper is to reflect upon the relation between commercial integration and region-building in the Mediterranean from an interpretative perspective, in order to offer a critical evaluation of the aims, the impact and the evolution of Euro-Mediterranean policies. To this end, we will show some evidence about the intensity and spatiality of cross-Mediterranean trade relations. We will see how the idea of constructing a Mediterranean region does indeed coexist and conflict with other geographical imaginaries: the idea of the Mediterranean as a border and the attempts to establish a regime of managed and differential relations in the area. Moreover, we will present the different delimitations which have been proposed for the Euro-Mediterranean area, in order to give an idea of the struggle between alternative geopolitical representations which is behind regionalization strategies in the Mediterranean. We will discuss the attempts to use conditionality to promote reforms in the partner countries, and the Eurocentric character of such attempts. Finally, we will reflect upon the concept of 'selective' Europeanization: the spatial metaphor that, in our opinion, best captures the content and the outcome of the recurrent attempts to construct a Mediterranean region.


Previous research has suggested that singing in a choir might be beneficial for an individual's psychological well-being. However, it is unclear whether this effect is unique to choral singing, and little is known about the factors that could be responsible for it. To address this, the present study compared choral singing to two other relevant leisure activities, solo singing and playing a team sport, using measures of self-reported well-being, entitativity, need fulfilment and motivation. Questionnaire data from 375 participants indicated that choral singers and team sport players reported significantly higher psychological well-being than solo singers. Choral singers also reported that they considered their choirs to be a more coherent or 'meaningful' social group than team sport players considered their teams. Together these findings might be interpreted to suggest that membership of a group may be a more important influence on the psychological well-being experienced by choral singers than singing. These findings may have practical implications for the use of choral singing as an intervention for improving psychological well-being.


Equivariant networks capture the inductive bias about the symmetry of the learning task by building those symmetries into the model. In this paper, we study how equivariance relates to generalization error utilizing PAC Bayesian analysis for equivariant networks, where the transformation laws of feature spaces are determined by group representations. By using perturbation analysis of equivariant networks in Fourier domain for each layer, we derive norm-based PAC-Bayesian generalization bounds. The bound characterizes the impact of group size, and multiplicity and degree of irreducible representations on the generalization error and thereby provide a guideline for selecting them. In general, the bound indicates that using larger group size in the model improves the generalization error substantiated by extensive numerical experiments.


We present a new solver for non-convex trajectory optimization problems that is specialized for robotics applications. CALIPSO, or the Conic Augmented Lagrangian Interior-Point SOlver, combines several strategies for constrained numerical optimization to natively handle second-order cones and complementarity constraints. It reliably solves challenging motion-planning problems that include contact-implicit formulations of impacts and Coulomb friction and state-triggered constraints where general-purpose non-convex solvers like SNOPT and Ipopt fail to converge. Additionally, CALIPSO supports efficient differentiation of solutions with respect to problem data, enabling bi-level optimization applications like auto-tuning of feedback policies. Reliable convergence of the solver is demonstrated on a range of problems from manipulation, locomotion, and aerospace domains. An open-source implementation of this solver is available.


The spatial pattern of Meloidogyne javanica in soil, root gall intensity, and colonization frequency of two soilborne fungi (Fusarium solam' and Rhizoctonia salam') on roots in an egg plant field, detected using various pattern detection indices, demonstrated non-randomness and patterns of aggregation. Morisita's index was computed for various quadrat (block) sizes to analyse the scale of pattern. Greatest heterogeneity was found at the smallest quadrat size and lowest at the larger sizes. Root gall intensity and nematode densities in soil were positively correlated at all block sizes. Colonizing frequency of the two fungi was positively correlated with galling intensity only at the smaller block sizes. The possible implications of spatial pattern of nematode populations with regard to sampling efficiency and interaction with plant pathogenic fungi are discussed.


A cell line model to detect enterotoxic effect was used to test fecal specimens of patients with enteric cryptosporidiosis. Fecal samples were obtained from 11 patients with Cryptosporidium diarrhea, and osmotic gap was determined. Caco-2 cell monolayers grown on filters were mounted in Ussing chambers, and electrical parameters were measured before and after the addition of fecal supernatant. A significant increase in short-circuit current was seen in 9 of 11 specimens. The enterotoxic effect was time- and dose-dependent, saturable, and Cl(-)- and Ca(2+)-dependent. Fecal osmotic gap was consistent with secretory diarrhea in the 9 enterotoxin-positive but not in the 2 enterotoxin-negative samples. In conclusion, a cell line model for studying the pathophysiology of enteric cryptosporidiosis was established. Enterotoxic activity was observed in most patients with enteric cryptosporidiosis and was strictly associated with secretory diarrhea.


ZrO2 nano sized filler of different amounts is introduced into solid polymer electrolytes of PVDF-HFP-LiCF3SO3-ZrO2. It is observed that the conductivity of the electrolytes varies with ZrO2 content and temperature. The highest room temperature conductivity achieved is in the order of 10-3 S cm-1 which is an increase of seven orders of magnitude compared to the conductivity of PVDF-HFP-LiCF3SO3 (without filler). The temperature dependent conductivity follows the Vogel Tamman Fulcher relationship which can be described by the free volume theory. Transference number measurements using DC polarization method show that the nanocomposite polymer electrolytes are ionic conductors. Differential Scanning Calorimetry results show that the degree of crystallinity is slightly affected by the addition of ZrO2 nanofiller.


The feature that unites every kind of sf is the construction - in some sense - of a world other than our own. This may be another planet (or even another universe); or it may be a 'future world' in which conditions have changed in some dramatic way. But whatever new conditions or circumstances apply - alien invasion, Martian colonies, a permanent cure for the ageing process - the writer has to signal the changes, and the reader has to be able to understand the significance of these signals. Thus, the reading of an sf story is always an active process of translation. What are we being told about the characters, the politics, the social conditions of the imagined world, through the medium of these bizarre artefacts, landscapes, relationships, industries and customs? The icons of sf are the signs which announce the genre, which warn the reader that this is a different world; and at the same time constitute that difference. More than in any other fiction, in sf the imaginary setting is a major character in the story – and this fictional surface is held together by the highly foregrounded description of unreal objects, customs, kinships, fashions, that can be identified and decoded by the reader. The word 'icon' is derived from the Greek eikon – it means an image, but the term came into English usage via Byzantine art, where an 'ikon' is, specifically, a stylized representation of Christ or one of the saints. Similarly, an sf icon will represent something both supernatural (or at least other-worldly), artistically conventional (in that certain features are mandatory) and yet clearly belonging to the public domain. Just as Mary Shelley's Dr Frankenstein constructed the monster rather than 'inventing' him, it is probably fruitless to trace any of the icons of sf back to a single, original author.


Leader failure is one of the most fundamental problems in distributed systems. This problem can be solved by Leader Election Algorithms (LEAs). These algorithms move the system from an initial state where all the nodes are in the same computation state into a new state where only one node is distinguished computationally (called leader) and all other nodes aware of this leader. This research aims to make survey for leader election algorithms in the most popular network topologies hypercube and torus networks. Comparisons will be made between algorithms in these networks using fixed number of nodes. Keywords— Hypercube, Torus, Leader Election, Distributed Systems, Link failure


The suspended sediment of the Fly River is mostly fine silt with a mean particle size of 8 µm; the clay fraction makes up less than 20% of the suspended sediment by volume. On reaching brackish water in the estuary, the sediment flocculates. The flocs are small (typical mean size of 30 µm) and are a mixture of fine silt and clay particles, with silt particles dominating. Because of the dominance of silt particles incorporated in the flocs, the flocs are structurally weak and are destroyed by tidal turbulence at spring tides. The clay particles are selectively trapped in the turbidity maximum zone of the estuary.


Wayang Hip Hop is a group led by dalang Ki Catur "Benyek" Kuncoro that combines Javanese wayang kulit conventions and hip hop music. This article traces the history of the group in relation to key developments in wayang kontemporer, while exploring controversies in its reception. Wayang Hip Hop is analyzed as an important new version of wayang that has garnered substantial attention from young spectators. Five reasons for the appeal of the performance are identified: (1) its complex musical intersections, (2) the radical adaptation of classical wayang stories to address contemporary problems, (3) the extension of the conventions of the gara-gara comic interlude into a full performance, (4) the adaption of Javanese wisdom to new settings, and (5) the adaptability of the production, which can has been presented in very diverse contexts.