E-learning is one of the phenomena of modern world that has developed in the
information age and the knowledge-based society. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes
of Urmia University of Medical Sciences faculties towards the implementation of the e-learning
system.
Materials & Methods: The research is a non-experimental descriptive survey. The statistical population of this
study included all faculties of Urmia University of Medical Sciences that according to Morgan table were
estimated 136. The questionnaire's validity was assessed by experts and its reliability was calculated by
Cronbach's alpha as 0.75. For data analysis, correlation, analysis of variance, and independent t-test were used.
Results: The results indicated that there was a significant relationship between attitude of faculties
toward e-learning and blended-learning (sig= 0.000, r= 0.73). The attitude of faculties towards elearning
and their work experience is different (f= 5.38, sig= 0.006). But there is no significant
difference between the attitude towards e-learning among male and female faculty members (sig=
0.07, t= -1.82).
Conclusion: Based on the positive attitude of the faculties towards the implementation of the elearning,
it is suggested to improve the status quo and move toward implementation of the e-learning
system in Urmia University of Medical Sciences.


Objective: to know the prevalence of hospitalizations and the correlation with infant mortality due to renal failure. Method: ecological, descriptive study, based on information from the DATASUS database, referring to hospital admissions and mortality rate due to renal failure, using the following variables: sex, age, hospitalization and death by renal failure, in the five regions of Brazil, from 2008 to 2014. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for intentional non-probabilistic sampling. Results: 11,802 hospitalizations for renal failure were recorded in Brazil, with an average of 8.4 to 13.8 days. The male gender and the age range of five to nine years were predominant. The Northeastern region had a higher number of hospitalizations and mortality and North, to lower. Conclusion: the disparity in information may be related to the socioeconomic and health care characteristics of each region. Descriptors: Child; Renal insufficiency; Prevalence; Mortality; Hospitalization.


As a consequence of the changing structure of livestock industries, many farmers lack the amount of land required to apply manure based on either nitrogen or phosphorus needs. Therefore, there is a need for non-livestock farms to use manure as an alternative to commercial fertilizers in order to efficiently utilize nutrients in manure without degrading water quality. However, few if any studies have examined whether or not crop farmers will in fact accept manure, nor do they examine the factors affecting acceptance. For these reasons, farmers in Missouri and Iowa were surveyed to identify the factors affecting crop farmers? acceptance of manure. Logit model results show that perceived profitability, uncertainty, awareness of other farmers using manure, age, and location to be significant factors affecting use of manure.


This project proposes the energy management for smart environment. The overall control scheme is mainly governed by an embedded microcontroller. Economic crisis and the risen energy price have forced every country to reduce their energy usage and try to be economical on energy consumption. In this project IR sensors are used to find out the intruder enters the home and the devices are controlled using zigbee (wireless transmission). The system will count the number of human presence in the room or hall. This process is useful to save the electrical power and the system will turn on/off every plugged electrical appliances including light bulbs, fans, TV, etc. LDR senses higher light intensity at day time so that the relay will turn off the light bulbs, the devices will be automatically turned on at night times, and this will typically save the electricity. The temperature sensor used to sense the temperature range of the home, if it exceeds the threshold temperature fan will be automatically turned ON using relay, when temperature reaches normal condition relay will turn OFF the fan. The whole process is based on the human count inside the particular room/hall. Thus based on the human count, every devices inside the room/hall is controlled using sensors and zigbee technology.


Traffic classification is an automated process which categorize computer network traffic using various parameters like port number or protocol in to a number of traffic classes. Each resulting traffic class can be treated differently in order to differentiate the services implied for the user. In this literature I am suggesting to make Random Early Discard flow based and use it to study traffic entering a local area network by performing Passive Measurement and Identifying the useful responsive and unresponsive flows so that not to penalize all unresponsive flows. Keywords— Random Early Discard (RED), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Internet Protocol (IP), Source (SRC), Destination (DST), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), First In First Out (FIFO), Minimum Threshold (min-th), Maximum Threshold (max-th), Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), Quality of Service (QoS), Passive Measurement (PM) Congestion Avoidance (CA), Congestion Control (CC), Scheduling Algorithm (SA), Voice Over IP (VOIP), For Example (E.g).


Composite materials in comparison to traditional ones, steel and concrete, present advantages in civil works construction: lower weight, higher corrosion resistance (especially in the marine environment), and ease of installation. On the other hand, fabrication costs are generally higher. This is the reason why this technology is not widely used. This work illustrates the process followed for the design, fabrication and installation of a composite material pedestrian bridge in the Port of Bilbao (Northern Spain). In order to reduce the price of the bridge, the use of low cost materials was considered, therefore polyester resin was selected as the polymeric matrix, and glass fibres as reinforcement. Two material choices were studied. Currently in the market there is high availability of carbon nanoparticles: carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon nanofibres (CNF), so it was decided to add this kind of nanoparticles to the reference material with the objective of improving its mechanical properties. The main challenge was to transfer the CNT and CNF excellent properties to the polymeric matrix. This requires dispersing the nanoreinforcements as individual particles in the polymeric matrix to avoid agglomerates. For this reason, an advanced high shear forces dispersion technique (called "three roll mills") was studied and implemented. Also surface functionalization of the nanoreinforcements by chemical treatment was carried out. Herein, a comparison is performed between both materials studied, the explanation of the employment of the reference material (without nanoreinforcement) as the one used in the fabrication of the pedestrian bridge is justified and, finally, the main characteristics of the final design of the structural element are described.


Generation time is a fundamental component of extinction risk assessments for the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. The calculation of generation time requires age‐specific data on survival and fecundity rates and knowledge of population growth rates. These data are generally lacking for threatened species, so approximations including only partial demographic information need to be used. This leads to potential errors in generation time estimates. To quantify the magnitude of potential errors in generation time estimates, we compared seven approximations with exact generation time measures, calculated either from complete life tables available for 58 mammalian species or from simulated data. We tested the influence of these errors on conservation assessments conducting mock assessments for ten species. We also tested the commonly used prediction of generation time based on the allometric relationship with body mass using phylogenetic generalized least squares. Root mean square errors were largest in measures assuming constant fecundity with age, some of which are currently used in Red List assessments. We found that the measure of generation time that only ignores population growth rates performed relatively well, but tended to underestimate the generation time for decreasing populations, and over‐estimate it for increasing populations. In the mock assessment, we found that we underestimated the threat level in 10% to 90% of the species depending on the generation time approximation we used. The predictive metric of generation time based on body mass is inaccurate. We propose an alternative predictive metric based on body mass, age at first reproduction, and reproductive life span. Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate potential errors that occur when estimating generation time in the absence of key demographic information. We offer practical recommendations for extinction risk assessments including more rigorous mathematical formulations of generation time, such as the measure of generation time that includes population growth rates and the appropriate age‐specific vital rates. Furthermore, we recommend alerting risk assessors of the uncertainties in proxy measures, such as the underestimation of generation time resulting from the assumption of constant fecundity in future Red List assessments.


The recent development of satellite instruments that obtain spectrally resolved measurements of the atmosphere has highlighted the problem of how to determine the best subsets, or microwindows, of such spectra for retrievals of temperature and composition. A technique is described that maximizes the information content (or some other figure of merit) based on the modeling of the propagation of systematic as well as random error terms through the retrieval process. Apart from selecting microwindows, this technique can also prioritize existing microwindows for different circumstances and provides a full error analysis of the retrieval. A practical application is demonstrated for the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding limb-viewing interferometer, but the technique is equally applicable to nadir-viewing instruments.


Spatial multiagency has been receiving growing attention from researchers exploring many of the aspects and modalities of this phenomenon. The aim is to develop the theoretical background needed for a multitude of applications involving the sharing of resources by more than one agent. A traffic management system is one of these applications. Here, a large group of mobile robots that are operating in communication-limited, and sensory-limited modes are required to cope with each others presence as well as the contents of their environment while preserving their ability to reach their preset independent goals. This paper explores the construction of a decentralized traffic controller for a large group of agents sharing a workspace with stationary forbidden regions. The suggested multiagent motion controller is complete provided that a lenient condition on the geometry of the workspace is upheld. It has a low computational effort that linearly increases with the number of agents. The controller is also self-organizing; therefore, it is able to deal, on its own, with incomplete information and unexpected situations. In addition to the above, the controller has an open structure to enable any agent to join or leave the group without the remaining agents having to adjust the manner in which they function. To meet these requirements, a definition of decentralization is suggested. This definition equates decentralization to self-organization in a group of agents operating in an artificial-life mode. The definition is used to provide guidelines for the construction of the multiagent controller. The controller is realized using the potential field approach. Theoretical developments, as well as simulation results, are provided


Selinexor is an oral selective exportin-1 (XPO-1) inhibitor that forces nuclear retention and activation of many tumor suppressor proteins (TSPs) and IkB and is active as monotherapy and combined with dexamethasone in multiple myeloma (MM). Addition of proteasome inhibitors to selinexor increases levels and activity of TSPs/IkB leading to synergistic MM cell death.AimsA dose escalating phase I/II study was performed in patients with progressive and/or refractory MM, evaluating feasibility (phase I) and efficacy (phase II) of selinexor at 3 dose levels combined with twice weekly (BIW) bortezomib and dexamethasone (SVd).MethodsThe maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose level (RDL) were determined using a a3+3a dose escalation scheme. Patients could be included if they had received at least one prior anti-myeloma regimen, and were not refractory to bortezomib. Selinexor on days 1,8,15,22, bortezomib 1.3mg/m2 subcutaneously on days 1,4,8,11, dexamethasone 40mg on days 1,8,15,22 in a 28-days schedule.ResultsSeven patients were treated at the first selinexor dose level of 45mg/m2. The median number of prior treatments was 3 (range 2-7). Three patients were lenalidomide refractory during their last treatment. Two patients were deemed ineligible after inclusion, one patient had a transformation to plasma cell leukemia, one was bortezomib refractory. Two out of 5 eligible patients completed treatment as planned. Only one patient completed selinexor at the preplanned dose of 45mg/m2. Reasons for discontinuation were excessive toxicity(n=1), progressive disease(1), other reasons not specified(1). Two patients experienced a DLT, one grade 4 thrombocytopenia with epistaxis, one patient had an ischemic cerebrovascular event. Adverse events (AE) CTC grade 3-4 were observed in all treated patients (table 1). The study continued with a lower dose level of selinexor of 30mg/m2 with adjustment of bortezomib frequency to once weekly on days 4 and 11. The median number of prior treatments was 3 (range 1-7). Three patients were lenalidomide refractory. Two out of 6 patients who started treatment completed treatment as planned. Reasons for discontinuation were neuropathy grade 4(1), pneumonia(1), progressive disease(3). Six patients were treated of whom 4 patients experienced a DLT: hyponatremia grade 3(2), polyneuropathy grade 3(1), syncope grade 3(1).The study was stopped prematurely due to unacceptable toxicity observed in the 2 different dosing schedules of SVd. In the 45mg/m2 group 4 out of 5 (80%) patients achieved aPR, including 2 VGPR, and 1 sCR. Median follow-up (FU) was 27 months (range 0.6-31.5). Median PFS was 17 months, OS at 1 and 2 years was 100% and 75%, respectively. Four out of 6 (67%) patients in the 30mg/m2 group achieved aPR, including 1 VGPR; no CRs were seen. Median FU was 10.1 months (range 0.6-17.9). Median PFS was 10 months, 1 year OS was 75%.ConclusionWe found that both 30 and 45mg/m2 of selinexor in combination with either twice or once weekly bortezomib resulted in unacceptable toxicity. However, in those patients in whom the regimen was feasible we observed remarkable ORR, PFS and OS in this pretreated, predominantly lenalidomide-refractory MM population. This is consistent with results recently presented for once weekly SVd regimens. This regimen, which also showed high ORR and PFS, is currently being evaluated in the international Phase 3 randomized BOSTON study of SVd vs Vd (NCT 03110562).Session topic: 14. Myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathies - ClinicalKeyword(s): bortezomib, Multiple Myeloma, Refractory, TherapyCode of conduct/disclaimer available in General Terms Conditions


Despite the research interests generated among the concept of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) by many, my study has uniquely taken the role of the media to facilitate the implementation of R2P. This was done by examining the nature and gravity of practice of Human Rights Journalism (HRJ) in the international press during the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka amidst the overrunning of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by government forces in May 2009. This study inter-disciplinarily explored the fields of media, human rights and conflict transformation to understand the nexus between R2P and HRJ.

Based on the findings on quantitative and qualitative reporting analysis, it was revealed that the international press failed to play its watchdog role to expose the human rights violations and mass atrocity crimes during the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka. Besides it also found how the international press failed to draw the international community to consider R2P options on the distant suffering. In Spite of the threats, intimidation and difficulties (whether it was expressed or not) they faced while reporting, majority of the Indian Journalists openly acknowledged the parallel policy with regard to the final war between the governments of India and Sri Lanka. It was that the terrorist label on the LTTE influenced their reporting given their own conceptions and relied on the elite sources for information.

While Shaw proposed HRJ as a solution to report physical, structural and cultural violence within the context of humanitarian intervention, from the analysis of the articles on the newspapers and the interviews it was very much evident that the international press did not let the journalists practice HRJ to a satisfactory level and establish a prima facie case to construct the reality of the humanitarian crisis. As supported and corroborated by the two independent yet mutually supportive methodologies, the analysis of this study found that the framing of the news stories is either decided by the editorial policy in accordance with internal guidelines, or by the news sources. Thereby the variety of ideological, political, geographical and cultural contexts of framing establishes a discourse which leaves us with a controlling media power.

On the whole this study contributes uniquely towards the development of an epistemological grounding for the practice and research of HRJ within the just-peace framework and development of Frame Analysis Matrix, and Multimodal Discourse Analysis Matrix. In addition, also proves the fact that failing to contribute to the moral responsibility in a truthful and justifiable manner of the victim, rather than via influence will not contribute towards the real human rights practice.


Describing grain/fluid interaction in debris flows models is still an open and challenging issue with key impact on hazard assessment [1, 2]. We present here a two-phase two-thin-layer model for fluidized debris flows that takes into account dilatancy effects. It describes the velocity of both the solid and the fluid phases, the compression/dilatation of the granular media and its interaction with the pore fluid pressure [3].


Computers and information systems are playing increasingly prominent and direct roles in the conduct of human affairs and in the survival of corporations in highly competitive environments. Because of this increasingly important role, it has become imperative that users be able to use these systems optimally.
It has been pointed out that the computer systems designers should be the main agents to apply psychology to system design and that information systems specialists are best placed to take responsibility for helping users utilize systems in an optimal fashion by designing information systems that will incorporate learning-to-learn principles. In this research we developed information system interface tools that incorporate cognitive learning strategy theory. The research question posed is: Can we build cognitively-engineered electronic note-taking tools that will allow users to implement cognitive learning strategies and thereby improve performance and stimulate learning?
To answer this question we designed software tools that allowed users to implement rehearsal and organizational cognitive learning strategies. The model was then validated in a laboratory experiment. The independent variables were: (1) the technology used, with or without the cognitively engineered software (CES) tools, and (2) two methods of presentation used involving the tools, the embedded method, in which the users were told how they could use the tools presented to them, and the adjunct method, in which the users were told about the cognitive learning strategies and how they could be implemented by the user using the tools presented to them. Dependent variables were: (1) the performance variables, (2) satisfaction with the software tools, and (3) variables indicating the level of usage of the software tools.
What we discovered was that subjects who were aware of the cognitive learning strategies on which the tools were based were significantly more satisfied with the quality of the system than users who were not aware of the strategies. We also found that familiarity with the task performed and familiarity with the technology both had significant effects on overall performance. In addition, subjects who were aware of the cognitive learning strategies tended to implement several of these strategies as they used the tools and they tended to use the tools in a more efficient fashion that subjects not aware of these strategies.
The major limitations of the study were the subject population, the task chosen and the limited training session. Future research will center on eliminating these limitations and further explore the effects of the presentation of the cognitive learning strategies on tool use and performance.


A polyurethane elastomer having mechanical and adhesive properties suit- able for liner applications in solid rocket propellants was developed using HTPB as the prepolymer and IPDI as the curing agent. The effects of the NCO/OH ratio (R value) and the triol/diol ratio on the mechanical properties of the polyurethane matrix were investigated. The reaction of HTPB and IPDI is followed by monitoring the changes in the IR absorption bands of the NCO stretching at 2255 cm 01 and the CO stretching at 1730 cm 01 . It was found that the rate of the polyurethane formation obeys an overall second-order kinetics. At an R value of 1.15, the elastomer shows the maximum tensile strength and 200% elongation at break. The hardness, elongation, and the tensile strength reach a steady value around the same R value. The elastomers having a triol/diol ratio less than 0.03 show a decrease in the tensile strength and modulus with a concomitant increase in elongation. At a triol/diol ratio greater than 0.05, the tensile strength increases to about the same value for the liner composition without any triol component. The elongation reaches a steady level at a triol/diol ratio of 0.10 and one observes a steady increase in hardness up to about 0.5. The modulus for the compositions having a triol/diol ratio greater than 0.1 is about 50% higher than that for the composition without triol. q 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 2347-2354, 1997


The Epstein-Barr virus early protein EB2 (also called BMLF1, Mta, or SM), which allows the nuclear export of a subset of early and late viral mRNAs derived from intronless genes, is essential for the production of infectious virions. An important feature of mRNA export factors is their capacity to shuttle continuously between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In a previous study, we identified a novel CRM1-independent transferable nuclear export signal (NES) at the N terminus of EB2, between amino acids 61 and 146. we show that this NES contains several small arginine-rich domains that cooperate to allow efficient interaction with TAP/NXF1. Recruitment of TAP/NXF1 correlates with this NES-mediated efficient nuclear export when it is fused to a heterologous protein. Moreover, the NES can export mRNAs bearing MS2 RNA-binding sites from the nucleus when tethered to the RNA via the MS2 phage coat protein RNA-binding domain.


Pneumocystis pneumonia has classically been described as a serious complication in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients caused by Pneumocystis Jirovecii pneumonia formerly called Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PJP). During the early period of the Acquire Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, PJP was recognized as one of the AIDS-defining illnesses for as many as two-thirds of patients in the United States. Despite the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), PJP remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to review existing literature on the burden, a mortality rate of PJP among HIV/AIDS patients and its associated factors. A total of 65 studies were eligible and included in this review. A meta-analysis by random effect model showed that the estimated pooled prevalence of PJP 15% (38,881/293,239; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 12%–21%). According to pooled estimates of this study, the overall mortality rate of PJP among HIV/AIDS patients was about 25% We demonstrated that CD4 level was significantly related to PJP infection, where the highest risk patients are those with CD4 count <200 cells/μl (odds ratio: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.22–2.69, P < 0.01). According to the pooled estimates of this study, PJP among HIV/AIDS patients was the cause of a high rate of morbidity and mortality.


Antibiotics, which are extensively produced and used all over the world, are considered as emerging contaminants. These organic compounds cannot be efficiently removed by traditional methods applied in wastewater treatment plants. Continuous discharge of antibiotic-containing wastewaters into the aquatic environments can lead to long-term adverse effects on aquatic life and human health. Rifampin is the most widely used antibiotic for treatment of tuberculosis. For this reason, its removal from water and wastewater is of high importance. Electrocoagulation is an advanced treatment method which has been effectively applied for removal of complex organic compounds such as chemical drugs. The main aim of the present study is to investigate the techno-economic aspects of the EC process for removal of RIF antibiotic from aqueous solution. In this study, effects of different parameters including initial pH, voltage, stirring speed, initial RIF concentration, reaction time, inter-electrode distance (die), shape of electrodes and their arrangement inside the reactor were evaluated on RIF removal efficiency using the EC process and its operating costs. The EC process was induced in batch mode using a 1 L reactor and synthetic RIF containing solution. The experiments were designed by one-factor-at-a-time method and relative standard deviation was used to compare the grade of the effect of the parameters on removal efficiency and operating costs of the process. Based on the obtained results, under optimal conditions, i.e. initial pH of 5, die of 1 cm, voltage of 20 volt, stirring speed of 200 rpm, initial RIF concentration of 10 mg/l, reaction time of 30 min and hole-punched shape electrodes in horizontal arrangement, the removal efficiency and the operating costs of the process reached about 92.49% and 89 US$/kg RIF removed, respectively. According to RSD values, among all the parameters investigated, reaction time, initial RIF concentration, voltage and initial pH were distinguished as the most effective ones on both RIF removal efficiency and operating costs. Generally, results of the study showed that the EC process has a high ability for removal of RIF antibiotic from water.


The purpose of this research was to examine the courses and experiences of middle and high school physical education teachers based on their field experience, suggestions, and school educational environment and to explore in-depth to reflect learner-centered creative/ convergence type of education in physical education classes. To achieve the purpose of the research, four physical education teachers were selected as research participants, and after conducting in-depth interviews, inductive category analysis procedures among qualitative research methods were used to derive the meaning analysis and results of the data. For learner-centered creative/convergence type of classes, first, individual competencies of field teachers will have to be developed first. Second, there will have to be a solution to the problem of conflict of interest between teachers and teachers. Third, there should be case education, organizing, systematizing, and refined models for creative/convergence type of education. Fourth, there should be a realistic and direct approach and support, not an expression as an abstract language. The goals of the physical education subject matter include important parts that represent the direction that physical education should pursue and the learning reach that learners should achieve. Therefore, if education content is presented to solve problems more specifically and creatively, more suitable results will be produced for fostering creative/convergence type of talent.


We studied the response of dendritic spines in the thalamic-recipient zone of rat visual cortex to simple manipulations of the visual environment. We measured the morphologies of a total of 3824 spines located on the basal dendrites of 60 layer 3 pyramidal cells. As expected from previous studies, we found a significantly lower spine density in dark-reared animals at postnatal day 30 (P30) compared with light-reared controls. Additional analysis revealed that the spines in dark-reared animals were significantly shorter and more bulbous than in light-reared animals. When these two results were combined, we found that the total synaptic area per unit length of dendrite was conserved, compatible with the phenomenon of " synaptic scaling. " We also found that the increase in average spine head diameter is reversed by 10 d of light exposure (starting at P20), but surprisingly, the decrease in spine density is not. Thus, not all effects of dark rearing can be reversed by subsequent visual experience, even when the experience occurs during the third postnatal week.


From S. B. Tan: The author has interpreted his results on secondary consolidation by using the empirical approach of Buisman. The writer (Tan, 1971) has suggested that an improved empirical approach would be to plot the ratio of the time to settlement against time in which a straight line would ensue, as shown by the following equation:— t/δ = Mt + C in which δ is the total settlement at time t after the dissipation of excess pore water pressure, M and C are empirical constants. The inverse slope 1/M of Equation (1) will yield the ultimate settlement thus overcoming the shortcomings of Buisman's approach in which the settlement does not seem to terminate. Using the author's results (Fig. 6), the plot of t/δ against t is presented in Fig. 1. It is readily seen that Equation (1) is practically followed except for the first few points when the time is small (i.e. when primary settlement predominates). The ultimate settlement evaluated from the inverse slope 1/M is as follows:— North Embankment 5.75 feet South Embankment 3.55 feet It would appear from the above that the author's estimate of over 6 feet (North Embankment) and over 3 feet (South Embankment) would be the final settlement and this would take place over a period of about ten years. In Fig. 2, the predicted field settlement/time curve (using Equation (1) and the empirical constants M and C derived from Fig. 1) is shown. It is observed that there is good agreement between the actual and the calculated


Pyogenic granuloma (lobular capillary hemangioma) is a common acquired vascular lesion of the skin and mucous membranes in the pediatric age group. Pyogenic granuloma and hemangioma of oral cavity are wellknown benign lesions. The clinical diagnosis and differentiation of these lesions is at times difficult. The purpose of this article is to report an unusual case of benign tumor occuring on hard palate which was clinically diagnosed as pyogenic granuloma and hiatopathologically as capillary hemangioma.


Software developers use various software repositories in order to interact with each other or to solve related problems. These repositories provide a rich source of information for a wide range of tasks. However, one issue to overcome in order to make this information useful is the identification and interlinking of multiple identities of developers. In this paper, we propose a Linked Data-based methodology to interlink and integrate multiple identities of a developer found in different software repositories of a project as well as across repositories of multiple projects. Providing such interlinking will enable us to keep track of a developer's activity not only within a single project but also across multiple projects. The methodology will be presented in general and applied to 5 Apache projects as a case study. Further, we show that the few methods suggested so far are not always appropriate to overcome the developer identification problem.


Many data mining techniques have been proposed for parallel applications performance analysis, the most interesting being clustering analysis. Most cases have been used to detect processors with similar behavior. In previous work, we presented a different approach: clustering was used to detect the computation structure of the applications and how these different computation phases behave. In this paper, we present a method to evaluate the accuracy of this structure detection. This new method is based on the Single Program Multiple Data (SPMD) paradigm exhibited by real parallel programs. Assuming an SPMD structure, we expect that all tasks of a parallel application execute the same operation sequence. Using a Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) algorithm, we check the sequence ordering of the detected clusters to evaluate the quality of the clustering results.


We apply the Holloway et al. [1997a] spaced antenna (SA) method to data collected with the Jicamarca VHF radar. Measurements are presented of an indicator of turbulent intensity (i.e., the standard deviation of the velocity fluctuation) and the parameters (orientation and correlation lengths) of horizontally anisotropic Bragg scatterers at tropospheric heights. We compare SA indicators of turbulence intensity to concurrent measurements obtained with a very narrow vertical beam (∼0.8°). This comparison results in a very good agreement. We also show that the Jicamarca observations are due to a Fresnel scattering mechanism rather than a reflecting one. Finally, we find an L‐shaped regression between the correlation lengths of Bragg scatterers and the indicators of turbulent intensity. When turbulence is weak (σt < 0.1 m s−1), the horizontal correlation lengths have a large spread of relatively large values (i.e., large aspect sensitivity), but when turbulence is strong, the horizontal correlation lengths are much smaller.


A third-order upwind finite difference scheme was applied to the analysis of the flow fields around a circular cylinder. The computations were made at various Reynolds numbers to investigate their effect on the flow phenomena including Karman vortex and the drag crisis in the range from 1, 000 to 1, 000, 000. The grid system is curvilinear type and the number of the grid points is about 100 thousand. A personal computer with a Pentium III of 600 MHz was used and the CPU time per run is about 50 hrs.The computed results show the generation of the Karman vortex, whose Strouhal number is reasonable. Various flow phenomena can be observed in the visualized flow field. An example is that more small-sized vortices are observed in the flow fields with higher Reynolds numbers. Though the computed value of Cd is a little different from the experimental one, the drag crisis takes place at the almost same Reynolds number as in the experiment.


Zerumbone (ZER) extracted from Zingiber zerumbet is known to have anti-cancer properties; however, its mechanism in curbing liver cancer growth and spread is still
not clear. Thus the objective of this study is determine the in vitro anti-cancer effect of
ZER towards HepG2 cell line and the in vivo effect on induced rat hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC). The anti-cancer mechanisms investigated were apoptosis, antiproliferation
and anti-angiogensis. Zerumbone was shown to be toxic towards HepG2
cells with IC50 of 6.20±0.70 µg/mL and less toxic towards normal liver cells (WRL68)
with IC50 of 61.00±0.40µg/mL. The study showed that ZER caused cell cycle arrest at
the G2/M phase and apoptosis, demonstrated by chromatin condensation, cell
shrinkage and formation of apoptotic bodies in the HepG2 cells in a time-dependent
manner. Zerumbone also stimulated caspase-3 and -9 activities in the HepG2 cells,
suggesting that the induction of apoptosis was via the mitochondrial pathway. The
study employed the diethylnitrosamine-induced rat HCC model and the rat aortic ring
to determine the effect of ZER treatment. The study showed that ZER significantly
(p<0.05) inhibited microvessel outgrowth in the aortic ring model. Zerumbone at 12.5
µg/mL caused the most significant (p<0.05) 98±1.28% blood vessels inhibition
compared with the control and inhibited endothelial tube formation at 96.00±0.72%.
This study showed that ZER treatment decreases expression of VEGF, MMP-9 and Ki-
67 in the rat HCC tissue as well as and inhibits neovascularization in the chick embryo.
The treatment had also induced apoptosis in HCC. The ZER-treated liver tissues with
HCC showed normal hepatocyte orientation, unlike the untreated livers, which showed
pleomorphic hepatocytes and anaplastic appearance typical of HCC. It can be
concluded from the study that the anti-cancer effect of ZER on the HepG2 cell line and
HCC is multifaceted involving induction of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and suppression
of VEGFR, VEGF, MMP-9 and Ki-67 proteins, leading to inhibition of angiogenesis.
Since ZER was less toxic to the normal liver cells, this compound is a potentially
effective anti-HCC agent, without significant side-effects and can be developed as a
therapeutic regime either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents.


Background Recent studies using quantitative methods, such as principal component factor analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and latent class analysis have suggested that Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) should no longer be considered a unitary condition as in current classification systems. Objective To identify quantitative components of GTS symptomatology using a large, well characterised cohort of singleton individuals with GTS in order to inform future genetic studies with more homogeneous phenotypes. Methods Principal component factor analysis with oblique rotation was used to analyse symptom data from a sample of 639 patients recruited at two tertiary referral centres using identical schedules during the period 1980–2008. Results Three Factors were identified: (1) complex motor tics and echo-paliphenomena; (2) attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms plus aggressive behaviours; and (3) complex vocal tics and coprophenomena. Obsessive compulsive behaviours loaded significantly on the first two factors. The three factors accounted for 48.5% of the total symptomatic variance. Conclusions GTS is a phenotypically heterogeneous condition encompassing simple tics, specific complex tics and associated behavioural problems. The results, coupled with previous findings, identified a clinical continuum of complex tics, hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms and semantically relevant utterances and gestures. A better characterisation of the GTS phenotypes will help to identify susceptibility genes.


In the colonial context, the legal institution of citizenship often assumed a bio-political meaning; in this way ethnic and racial differences became legal categories. A look at the citizenship policy in German East Africa confirms this and offers a new perspective on the relationships between the colonized and the colonizers. This article concentrates on the occupation and establishment of German rule in East Africa at the turn of the 20th century, a period marked by a crisis caused by the new regime's impact on the local population. On the one hand, colonial rule quickly sought to fragment the local society and assign its different parts a broad multiplicity of juridical statuses, seeking to divide the colonizers from the colonized on a racial basis; on the other hand, this operation also created margins of negotiation for sectors of colonial society that hoped to position themselves in this new political context. The article highlights the necessity of placing the issue of colonial citizenship in a broad postcolonial interpretative framework that takes into consideration the local actors and does so by joining together issues of (internal) colonial and international policy and those of economic interests and cultural dimensions.


During autumn 2000 an extensive cross-sectional survey of the prevalence of Schistosomiasis japonicum was conducted among about 4000 villagers within 20 villages in the Anning River Valley located in the southwestern Sichuan Province. Two procedures were used to assess infection status, the Kato-Katz thick smear procedure and a miracidia hatch test. Whereas the Kato-Katz procedure provides information on both prevalence and intensity, the hatch test provides only prevalence data, albeit on a much larger volume of stool. In addition, we performed Kato-Katz smears for 15 consecutive samples on a subset of 15 individuals. The proportion of both hatch-test and Kato-Katz positive individuals in the larger cross-sectional survey was 25%. The goal of the study was to estimate both the egg and worm distributions among risk groups using both the hatch and Kato-Katz tests from the cross-sectional data and the repeated Kato-Katz smears from the longitudinal data sets. As a prelude to parameter estimation, individuals were classified into risk groups by natural village and occupation; the proportion of Kato-Katz positive subjects among the risk groups varied from 10% to 60%. We used the statistical model of de Vlas et al. (1992) and Bayesian techniques to derive both estimates of and inference about the worm and egg distribution parameters. The parameter estimates imply (1) similar eggs per gram stool (e.p.g.) per worm pair compared with earlier estimates, (2) a range of worm burdens among the risk groups and (3) estimates of risk heterogeneity within groups is sensitive to prior information on the within-person variability in egg excretion.


Desert truffles are edible hypogeous (forming fruit bodies below ground) fungi that grow in semi-arid and arid areas. They are highly valued for both their culinary and medicinal properties in the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East and the Gulf areas. Desert truffles form mycorrhizae mostly with plants belonging to the Cistaceae family, mainly with Helianthemum species. These truffles are still, usually, collected from the wild, but loss of habitats due to urbanization, desertification, intensive agriculture and global warming, along with an urgent need to develop new crops adapted to arid conditions, are currently hastening efforts towards their domestication. Here, we sum up the successful research leading to cultivation of this crop, based on plots that were established in sandy to silt soils with high pH values and low mineral contents. We report suitable methods for production of mycorrhized seedlings and preferred planting methods. We found that under natural conditions yields are affected by water availability, so irrigation regimes to ensure good yields were sought. Although good yields were indeed obtained in some years, fluctuations in yields over the years were significant; the reasons for this are not entirely clear and are currently under study. This crop is particularly well suited to relatively marginal conditions but prospects for establishment of desert truffles as a niche crop for arid and semi-arid areas depend on further improvements in yields.


Lego Serious Play (LSP) is widely accepted as a strategic planning tool by major corporations such as Nokia and Microsoft. The application of LSP as a research methodology is rarely found in social sciences and absent from design research. This work in progress paper demonstrates the effectiveness of LSP as a design research tool; a methodology that has captured the discrete service narratives of community matrons and directed the tenets for the design of a 21st century nursing bag.

NHS at Home is a PhD by practice and based at the Royal College of Art (RCA). The project is sponsored by the Engineering Physical Sciences Research Council (EPRSC) and supported by NHS East Riding of Yorkshire through a dedicated steering group consisting of innovation leads, service improvement managers and community nurses.

Paper presented at Include 2011: The Role of Inclusive Design in Making Social Innovation Happen, Royal College of Art, London.


CEREBRAL venous thrombosis is a known complication of the puerperium. Cortical blindness has not been reported as a sole manifestation of this syndrome. We describe one patient with cortical blindness and two with homonymous hemianopia attributed to puerperal cerebral venous thrombosis. Report of Cases Case 1.— A 28-year-old woman had development of a severe occipital headache immediately after an uneventful pregnancy and delivery. Four days later, she was unable to see when she awoke from a nap and experienced the first of three typical grand mal seizures. Her history included a severe left-sided throbbing headache five years earlier, which had been preceded by five minutes of partial loss of vision with "spots and wavy lines." Findings from general physical examination with special attention to the optic fundi were normal. The pupils reacted briskly and symmetrically to light. There was no perception of light or motion, and opticokinetic nystagmus was absent.


Introduction: Following the global spread of the Covid-19 infection, the Iranian government adopted measures to control the spread of the disease, but they were not applicable without the acceptance and interaction of the general population. This study used the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) components to attempt to determine risk communication and risk perception along with its influencing factors in Covid-19 disease among the population of north- western Iran. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of the province. Demographic characteristics and extended parallel process model questionnaires were used to collect data, which was then analyzed based on descriptive (frequency, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics ( t -test, analysis of variance, regression, chi-square) in SPSS-25 software. Results: This study showed that 63.8% of the participants continually followed Covid-19 news, and 34% of participants used social media to get the news and warnings related to the Covid- 19 pandemic. Among the domains of participants' risk perception for Covid-19 disease, the three domains of self-efficacy, response effectiveness and intention had the highest means com- pared with other domains. Significant correlations were found between risk perception and the dimensions of age, gender, marriage status, number of family members, place of residence, un- derlying disease, history of Covid-19, and family history of Covid-19 disease ( p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, self- efficacy, fear, defensive avoidance, intention, and behaviors were independent predictors of response efficacy ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: More than two years after the onset of the spread of Covid-19 disease, the risk perception of the disease among the study population was still insufficient in many areas. Risk of


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Deep gray matter iron accumulation is increasingly recognized in association with multiple sclerosis and can be measured in vivo with MR imaging. The cognitive implications of this pathology are not well-understood, especially vis-à-vis deep gray matter atrophy. Our aim was to investigate the relationships between cognition and deep gray matter iron in MS by using 2 MR imaging–based iron-susceptibility measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with multiple sclerosis (relapsing-remitting, n = 16; progressive, n = 24) and 27 healthy controls were imaged at 4.7T by using the transverse relaxation rate and quantitative susceptibility mapping. The transverse relaxation rate and quantitative susceptibility mapping values and volumes (atrophy) of the caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, and thalamus were determined by multiatlas segmentation. Cognition was assessed with the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests. Relationships between cognition and deep gray matter iron were examined by hierarchic regressions. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients showed reduced memory (P < .001) and processing speed (P = .02) and smaller putamen (P < .001), globus pallidus (P = .002), and thalamic volumes (P < .001). Quantitative susceptibility mapping values were increased in patients compared with controls in the putamen (P = .003) and globus pallidus (P = .003). In patients only, thalamus (P < .001) and putamen (P = .04) volumes were related to cognitive performance. After we controlled for volume effects, quantitative susceptibility mapping values in the globus pallidus (P = .03; trend for transverse relaxation rate, P = .10) were still related to cognition. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative susceptibility mapping was more sensitive compared with the transverse relaxation rate in detecting deep gray matter iron accumulation in the current multiple sclerosis cohort. Atrophy and iron accumulation in deep gray matter both have negative but separable relationships to cognition in multiple sclerosis.


In this article we report on aspects of the use of colour coded Pseudo Random Binary Arrays (PRBA's) to model three dimensional scenes. We will evaluate the accuracy and the robustness of the pattern recognition phase in the process. Emphasis will be on the added value of the use of PRBA's as a tool to make the image processing robust and highly noise insensitive.


Short stature is among the most common reasons for children being referred to the pediatric endocrinology clinics. The cause of short stature is broad, in which genetic factors play a substantial role, especially in primary growth disorders. However, identifying the molecular causes for short stature remains as a challenge because of the high heterogeneity of the phenotypes. Here, whole exome sequencing (WES) was used to identify the genetic causes of short stature with unknown etiology for 20 patients aged from 1 to 16 years old. The genetic causes of short stature were identified in 9 of the 20 patients, corresponding to a molecular diagnostic rate of 45%. Notably, in 2 of the 9 patients identified with genetic causes, the diagnosed diseases based on WES are different from the original clinical diagnosis. Our results highlight the clinical utility of WES in the diagnosis of rare, high heterogeneity disorders.


This study aimed to establish a robust and reliable metaproteomics protocol for an in-depth characterization of marine particle-associated (PA) bacteria. To this end, we compared six well-established protein extraction protocols together with different MS-sample preparation techniques using particles sampled during a North Sea spring algae bloom in 2009. In the final optimized workflow, proteins are extracted using a combination of SDS-containing lysis buffer and cell disruption by bead-beating, separated by SDS-PAGE, in-gel digested and analyzed by LC-MS/MS, before MASCOT search against a metagenome-based database and data processing/visualization with the in-house-developed bioinformatics tools Prophane and Paver. As an application example, free-living (FL) and particulate communities sampled in April 2009 were analyzed, resulting in an as yet unprecedented number of 9,354 and 5,034 identified protein groups for FL and PA bacteria, respectively. Our data suggests that FL and PA communities appeared similar in their taxonomic distribution, with notable exceptions: eukaryotic proteins and proteins assigned to Flavobacteriia, Cyanobacteria, and some proteobacterial genera were found more abundant on particles, whilst overall proteins belonging to Proteobacteria were more dominant in the FL fraction. Furthermore, our data points to functional differences including proteins involved in polysaccharide degradation, sugar- and phosphorus uptake, adhesion, motility, and stress response. ORIGINALITY-SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Marine particles consist of organic particulate matter (e.g. phyto- or zooplankton) and particle-associated (PA) microbial communities, which are often embedded in a sugary matrix. A significant fraction of the decaying algal biomass in marine ecosystems is expected to be mineralized by PA heterotrophic communities, which are thus greatly contributing to large-scale carbon fluxes. Whilst numerous studies have investigated the succession of planktonic marine bacteria along phytoplankton blooms, the community structure and functionality of PA bacterial communities remained largely unexplored and knowledge on specific contributions of these microorganisms to carbon cycling is still surprisingly limited. This has been mostly been due to technical problems, i.e. to the difficulty to retrieve genomic DNA and proteins from these polysaccharide-rich entities, their enormous complexity and the high abundance of eukaryotic microorganisms. Our study presents an innovative, robust, and reliable metaproteomics protocol for marine particles, which will help to address and fill the above-described knowledge gap. Employing the here established workflow enabled us to identify more than 5,000 PA proteins, which is, at least to our knowledge, the largest number of protein groups ever assigned to marine particles. Notably, the novel protocol has been tested by a first, comparative metaproteome analysis of free-living and PA bacterial communities suggesting a functional shift enabling surface-associated bacteria to adapt to particle-specific living conditions. In conclusion, our novel metaproteomics pipeline presents a solid and promising methodological groundwork for future culture-independent analyses of seasonal taxonomic and functional successions of PA microbial communities in aquatic habitats. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


Quality of service has become the major challenges being faced by telecommunication services users. Service providers (MTN, GLO and AIRTEL) have tried as much as possible to fight the disease that is faced by this sector by minimizing the losses that occurs during transmission from the transmitter to the end users, but signal losses still remain the major challenges in this generation and the generation to come. This is so because losses cannot be eliminated in communication systems and as such noise cannot be eliminated, losses has direct impact on the quality of service. This papers focuses on the signal strength in the selected locations using an application called network monitor to measure the signal strength in the selected locations, how the environments affect the quality of service and thereby drawing a conclusion on the best service provider to use by the occupants of these locations. Original Research Article Idim and Idiake; AJRCOS, 1(3): 1-9, 2018; Article no.AJRCOS.43749 2


Vero cells and Aedes pseudoscutellaris cells showed rapid production of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) whereas in Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi cells no rapid production of SFV was observed. Ultrastructurally the only virally induced cell inclusion in early infection was the cytopathic vacuole type 1. Later in infection, in mosquito cells, electron-dense bodies appear and budding of new virions appears to be very efficient. In Vero cells large accumulations of envelope proteins and nucleocapsids saturate the plasma membrane suggesting an inefficient budding process. After this time cytopathic vacuoles type 2 appear in Vero cells and a mechanism for their formation is proposed. Subsequent death of Vero cells appears to centre on progressive build-up of envelope protein on the rough endoplasmic reticulum (which is never seen in mosquito cells) and subsequent vacuolation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum followed by cell lysis.


A matrix decomposition model for analyzing prehistoric intracemetery biological variability is presented. The model, based on the correlation between interindividual biological and burial distance matrices, provides an estimate of the number of distinct burial populations interred within a single cemetery, which effectively ameliorates identifiability problems typical of general variability analyses (Raemsch [1995] Ph.D. dissertation, SUNY at Albany). Unlike other methods for analyzing intrasite variability analysis (e.g., kinship analysis and microchronology), this method is not reliant on a priori subgroup definition. Assuming a kin-structured burial pattern, a residual matrix is defined based on the raw data matrices; the proportion of negative or zero residuals to the total number of residuals provides an estimate of the number of hidden subgroupings (lineages) within the cemetery. The comparative utility of the model is demonstrated on a series of protohistoric and historic period skeletal samples from the Georgia coast, where it demonstrated that the increase in phenotypic variability during the early mission period is the result of population aggregation at the missions and not necessarily genetic admixture between local and nonlocal groups.


Background: People with primary invasive breast cancer receive both local (surgery and radiation therapy) and systemic treatment (chemotherapy and hormonal therapy). However, there are substantial short-and long-term side effects from chemotherapy as documented in several studies. This study assessed the effects of chemotherapy on clinical, haematological and biochemical profile of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.
Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in the female surgical ward of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). We randomly sampled 51 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and scheduled to start chemotherapy and recorded their demographic, clinical and therapeutic data. Blood was collected for haematological profiles [haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC) count, platelets (PLT) and biochemical analysis (lipid profile, uric acid and creatinine) for day 1, day 21 and day 42 of their chemotherapy cycles.
Results: Majority of the participants were within 46-60 years, married, overweight and had informal employment. Throughout chemotherapy cycles, systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreased till after the third cycle (P=0.026), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) significantly decreased after second cycle but increased slightly after the third cycle (P=0.029). Hemoglobin though insignificant, decreased after the second cycle but increased sharply after the third cycle (P=0.281). White blood cells (WBC) significantly decreased throughout cycles (P=0.008) whereas high density lipoprotein (P=0.014) increased throughout cycles- Uric acid (P=0.852) and creatinine (P=1.000). were maintained throughout cycles
Conclusion: Throughout cycles, chemotherapy had significant adverse effect on the clinical profile (systolic and diastolic blood pressure), white blood cells (WBC) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) in patients undergoing treatment.


Introduction

Rock climbing places a high workload on the forearm flexors (Giles et al., 2006) and observations during intermittent isometric contractions have highlighted the importance of blood flow during the short recovery periods (Fryer et al., 2015). More specifically, higher force time integral values achieved during the intermittent test by elite climbers have been attributed to improved blood flow upon release of an isometric hold (Fryer et al., 2015). Blackcurrant anthocyanin supplementation increased forearm blood flow at rest (Matsumoto et al., 2005) and increased femoral artery diameter during submaximal isometric contraction (Cook et al., 2017). There would appear to be justification for the use of New Zealand Blackcurrant (NZBC) as an ergogenic aid in sports climbing in an attempt to delay the onset of fatigue and enhance rock-climbing performance.

Methods

Twenty experienced climbers (2 females) (age 23±5 yrs; height 177±8 cm; mass 71±8 kg) were tested on 3 occasions; familiarisation, after 7 days of NZBC extract (600mg∙day-1 CurraNZ containing 210mg anthocyanin), and placebo (PL) (double-blind, randomized, crossover design, 14 days washout). The number of pull-ups on a finger-board (Metolius ® Finger Board) until failure, 90° lock off hang time was followed by 3 climbs to volitional exhaustion on a Treadwall (Brewer Ledge M6) self-selected pace at 90° with a 20-min recovery period between climbs. Heart rate (Polar®H7), rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (Borg, 1982), climbing duration and distance were recorded.

Results

NZBC extract resulted in an 8% increase in hang time (p=0.035), and an 11% increase in climb duration between climb 1 and 3; a 23% decrease climb duration was observed in the placebo condition: interaction effect (p=0.003). There was a main effect for climb with the mean heart rate declining across the three (p<0.001). No effect was seen for pull-ups, maximum heart rate, RPE and distance climbed.

Conclusion

Data indicate that NZBC extract improves sports climbing endurance, possibly through improved local blood flow. The improved hang time suggests that this was not dependent on release of the isometric hold as seen in previous work by Fryer et al. (2015). Future work may explore the effect of anthocyanin-rich NZBC extract on other types of climbing and conditions.

References
Borg GA et al. (1982). Med Sci Sports Exerc 14(5), 355-381.
Cook MD et al (2017) Nutrients. 9(6), 556.
Fryer S et al. (2015). Int J Sports Med, 36(2), 137-142.
Giles LV et al. (2006). Sports Med, 36(6), 529-545.
Matsumoto H et al. (2004). Eur J Appl Physiol, 94(1-2), 36-45.


In this paper, a colloidal processing route was adopted to disperse multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) into alumina powders homogenously. Alumina matrix composites containing 0.1 to 2 weight percent of MWNTs were successfully fabricated by pressureless sintering. Also, 1wt% MWNTs-alumina composites were prepared by hot pressing for comparison. It was found that when the sample was sintered at 1450oC, the addition of 1wt% carbon nanotubes led to 10% increase in bending strength compared with monolithic alumina. The reinforcement mechanism was discussed based on the microstructure investigation. The broken nanotubes and pullout of MWNTs at interfaces are efficient in transferring the load from the alumina matrix to the nanotubes, leading to the improvement of the mechanical properties.


Equations for forecasting US improved and native pecan prices were reasonably successful for one season ahead forecasts. USDA October pecan crop forecasts, June cold storage stocks, and a GNP price deflator were the explanatory variables. These variables are readily available early in the pecan harvesting season (September - December). Data in first differences appeared to explain price behavior and forecast better than data in levels. Forecasts for the 1996 season prices reflected 70 percent of the large drop in price from the 1995 season. Unprecedented carryin stocks may have been responsible for the larger than forecast drop in prices.


Additional index words. Abies fraseri, growth, USDA grade, retail value Abstract. Fraser fi r (Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.) Christmas trees were sheared once annually over 4 years on dates ranging from July to March. Shearing reduced total tree growth. Trees sheared in July and August had the highest quality and retail value. Early shearing (July and August) yielded fewer leaders, longer leaders, and 35% to 66% more internodal branches on the leader, compared to later shearing (September through March). Early shearing also yielded more second-order laterals, followed by greater elongation of those laterals. Shear- ing late into the fall yielded progressively fewer branches, with the minimum in October. Shearing in March gave a little better results than October, but neither date was as good as July or August. In one experiment, two types of residual tip buds (bubble and whisker) were compared as future leaders. Differences in length and straightness of leaders derived from whisker and bubble buds were considered negligible in commercial shearing practice. The ratio of adaxial and abaxial buds on the proximal portion of the leader was about 1:1, and showed little change with shearing date. Distance from the base of the leader to the fi rst abaxial branch also showed little variation among shearing dates.


Variants within the high copy number mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) can disrupt organelle function and lead to severe multi-system disease. The wide range of manifestations observed in mitochondrial disease patients results from varying fractions of abnormal mtDNA molecules in different cells and tissues, a phenomenon termed heteroplasmy. However, the landscape of heteroplasmy across cell types within tissues and its influence on phenotype expression in affected patients remains largely unexplored. Here, we identify non- random distribution of a pathogenic mtDNA variant across a complex tissue using single-cell RNA sequencing, mitochondrial single-cell ATAC sequencing, and multimodal single-cell sequencing. We profile the transcriptome, chromatin accessibility state, and heteroplasmy in cells from the eyes of a patient with mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and healthy control donors. Utilizing the retina as a model for complex multi-lineage tissues, we found that the proportion of the pathogenic m.3243A>G allele was neither evenly nor randomly distributed across diverse cell types. All neuroectoderm- derived neural cells exhibited a high percentage of the mutant variant. However, a subset of mesoderm- derived lineage, namely the vasculature of the choroid, was near homoplasmic for the wildtype allele. Gene expression and chromatin accessibility profiles of cell types with high and low proportions of m.3243A>G implicate mTOR signaling in the cellular response to heteroplasmy. We further found by multimodal single-cell sequencing of retinal pigment epithelial cells that a high proportion of the pathogenic mtDNA variant was associated with transcriptionally and morphologically abnormal cells. Together, these findings show the non- random nature of mitochondrial variant partitioning in human mitochondrial disease and underscore its implications for mitochondrial disease pathogenesis and treatment. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


In the present article, chromite ore processing residue (COPR) and soil samples were collected from a chromium contaminated site in Tamil Nadu State, India. Around 155.02 and 28.01 mg g−1 of Cr(VI) was present in COPR and soil samples, respectively. Leachability studies were carried out to assess the leachability of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) from COPR and soil samples following the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test protocol using (i) acetic acid and (ii) water as leaching medium. Cr(VI) had leached out in both the mediums, whereas Cr(III) leached only in acetic acid as leaching medium since Cr(III) is insoluble at pH > 6. TCLP test results are requisite to assess the extent of leaching of chromium from the contaminated soil or COPR and are a helpful tool for implementation of remediation measures to avoid further contamination. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1096–1100, 2013


An attractor decomposition meta-algorithm for solving parity games is given that generalizes the classic McNaughton-Zielonka algorithm and its recent quasi-polynomial variants due to Parys (2019), and to Lehtinen, Schewe, and Wojtczak (2019). The central concepts studied and exploited are attractor decompositions of dominia in parity games and the ordered trees that describe the inductive structure of attractor decompositions.
The main technical results include the embeddable decomposition theorem and the dominion separation theorem that together help establish a precise structural condition for the correctness of the universal algorithm: it suffices that the two ordered trees given to the algorithm as inputs embed the trees of some attractor decompositions of the largest dominia for each of the two players, respectively.
The universal algorithm yields McNaughton-Zielonka, Parys's, and Lehtinen-Schewe-Wojtczak algorithms as special cases when suitable universal trees are given to it as inputs. The main technical results provide a unified proof of correctness and deep structural insights into those algorithms.
A symbolic implementation of the universal algorithm is also given that improves the symbolic space complexity of solving parity games in quasi-polynomial time from $O(d \lg n)$---achieved by Chatterjee, Dvořak, Henzinger, and Svozil (2018)---down to $O(\lg d)$, where $n$ is the number of vertices and $d$ is the number of distinct priorities in a parity game. This not only exponentially improves the dependence on $d$, but it also entirely removes the dependence on $n$.


Healing properties of propolis are known in folk medicine from antiquity; however, recently, the interest in propolis as a potential natural product is increasing because of its broad spectrum of biological properties. It is an anti-flammatory agent, an immunostimulant, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and it is also an anti-tumour and a carcinostatic agent. This study was undertaken to characterize the chemical compounds, and antioxidant and anti-tumour potentials of propolis samples collected from five different geographical locations in Iraq using in vitro and in vivo studies. Thirty-eight different compounds were identified, and clerodane diterpenoids were identified for first time in temperate zone. All propolis samples exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity. The in vitro evaluations by growth inhibition, clonogenicity and flow cytometric assays showed that propolis has cytotoxic effects on two human cell lines. The in vivo potentials were also recorded on the growth of HCT-116 xenografts in a nude mouse model. This study provides the rationale to investigate the potential beneficial effect of propolis in the diet of patients receiving anti-cancer therapies.


Five cases of asymptomatic maternal reinfection with rubella are described that occurred in England and Wales during 1985-8 and resulted in intrauterine infection. The criteria for diagnosing reinfection are described. In four cases the rubella contact was with the woman's own children. Two women had therapeutic abortions, rubella virus being recovered from the products of conception, and three were delivered of infants with congenitally acquired disease. Though the risks associated with maternal reinfection with rubella are very small and being measured in a prospective study, it is hoped that the recently introduced augmented programme of rubella vaccination will reduce rubella in the community and therefore this small risk still further.


Somalia is among the poorest countries on the planet. Since the fall of Siad Barre's regime in 1991, the country has been in a near-constant state of food insecurity and suffered two officially declared famines. In order to address the issue of food insecurity in Somalia, a greater understanding of each of the components that contribute to the Somali food supply is merited. Cereal crops make up a third to half of the Somali diet by calories and are among the most important food crops produced by the country. This study investigated the historic trends in domestic cereal production, cereal imports, and food aid (reported in cereal equivalents) in Somalia by exploring secondary data publicly available from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and the World Food Programme. These data were related to World Bank population data in Microsoft Excel and average per capita production, import, and aid figures were calculated. Median changes over time and their associated interquartile ranges were reported. The data demonstrated that Somali cereal production levels have not improved since the 1960's, and since that time, they have been characterized by an extreme amount of year-to-year volatility. Moreover, maize and sorghum are the only meaningful fractions of Somalia's domestic cereal production, and recent total production of each crop is well below the levels observed in the 1980's. When combined, per capita production of maize and sorghum has decreased precipitously over time (falling from a high of 91 kg per capita in 1972 to just 30 kg per capita in 2012). This is likely due to a combination of stagnant production and rapidly increasing Somali population (up over 350% since 1961). This has increased the importance of cereal imports and aid to Somalia and has made the country vulnerable to disruptions in international cereal markets and foreign government policies. Improving domestic cereal production in Somalia should be part of any future food security strategy for the country. Recent agricultural research in Somalia suggests that the implementation of simple agricultural best management practices can increase cereal production in the country. Keywords: Somalia, Population Growth, Cereal Production, Cereal Imports, Food Aid Afr. J. Food Agric. Nutr. Dev . 2019; 19(3): 14587-14601


Typically, the radial artery arises as a branch from the brachial artery at the level of the neck of the radius in the distal antecubital fossa. Anatomical variations in the radial artery are relatively common. Published literature demonstrates a wide variability in the prevalence of high originating radial artery (0.5-14.27%). The literature also shows inconsistent and vague nomenclature when describing the arterial system in cases of high originating radial artery. This study aims to investigate the incidence of a high originating radial artery in vivo through the use of ultrasound. It goes on to propose a classification system utilising precise nomenclature to help in discriminating between the various patterns. METHODS. Fifty-four upper limbs from 27 individuals were investigated using GE LOGIQ e and SonoSite MicroMaxx ultrasound machines with 12L-RS & A L38e 10-5MHz transducer respectively. The radial artery was initially identified and followed proximally to its origin and then distally to the wrist noting its course and relationships to other anatomical structures. SUMMARY. High originating radial arteries were found unilaterally in 4 individuals (4/54, 7.4%). CONCLUSION. Variations in the anatomical course and relationships of the radial artery are pertinent to surgeons, radiologists and anatomists. The presence of a high originating radial artery has both clinical and surgically significance in procedures, such as arterial grafting and cardiac catheterization. Due to its superficial course, it is more vulnerable to injury due to trauma or during cannulation and drug administration. Bedside ultrasound techniques can not only be of benefit in identifying variations prior to such procedures but also for future anatomical studies.


During its more than twenty-year history, HIV/AIDS has taken away millions of lives worldwide. Although at nascent stage, the epidemic is rapidly increasing in Central Asian region. In Uzbekistan it is mainly driven by injecting drug users. Research shows that the epidemic has already found its way from the concentrated groups to the general population through heterosexual transmission, with more than fifty percent of the infections found among young people. This desk research is focused on the extent of the HIV I AIDS epidemic in Uzbekistan, and prevention activities taking place to address the epidemic spread among young people. Chapters 1 and 2 focused on the global picture of the epidemic, factors that exacerbate the spread of HIV, the impact of the epidemic on development and education sector. Also, it looked at youth as a vulnerable group to the epidemic, and provided justification for the need to focus prevention programs on young people. Chapter 3 linked theoretical background with practical application. Thus, interventions recognized by the international community as best practices in addressing the issues of youth in the context of HIV I AIDS, were discussed. Chapter 4 focused specifically on the epidemic in the context of Uzbekistan, explored the activities and programs taking place in the country to halt the epidemic by the government, local and international organizations. The overview showed that there is not much emphasis on providing the population with information and skills to protect them from the epidemic. Very few initiatives are targeted at youth, who are in the context of Uzbekistan, its economic instability, cultural and religious beliefs, are particularly vulnerable to HIV I AIDS. Concluding thoughts provide some suggestions for opening the dialogue between various stakeholders on designing and implementing programs for young people.


Turkey, at the very intersection between Europe and the Middle East, comprises a plethora of ethnicities and minority groups. There is however very little official data about many of its chief minorities. The Zazas are one such group: a Kurdish people speaking the Zaza dialect, and living as a distinct people in the eastern Anatolian provinces. Mehmet S. Kaya here investigates all aspects of Zaza life: kinship, economy, culture, identity, gender relations, patriarchy and religion. His fieldwork among local communities in the Zaza area sheds light upon the ways in which this Middle Eastern minority has maintained its way of life and cultural identity in today's globalised society. This book provides valuable insights into a little-known people, and will be of interest within the fields of Middle East Studies, Islamic Studies, Minority Studies and Diaspora Studies.


BACKGROUND
Histology is one of the most important factors determining the prognosis of bladder cancers and rare variants are generally associated with decreased disease specific survival compared to pure transitional cell carcinomas. We believe that rare bladder cancer variants are likely underdiagnosed in the absence of a dedicated uro-pathologist in many centers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the contribution of a dedicated uro-pathologist on the identification of rare bladder cancer variants.

METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and histological records of all patients which underwent a radical cystectomy and lymph node dissection between January 2000 and September 2015. The sample was divided in two groups: Group A, consists of patients who underwent radical cystectomy in the absence of a dedicated uro-pathologist at our institution, whereas the Group B consists of patients who underwent surgery when a dedicated uro-pathology service was available. We then evaluated the impact of a dedicated uro-pathologist on rare variants detection.

RESULTS
One hundred thirty-seven out of 551 (24.9%) of patients who underwent RC had at least one rare variant. In Group A 38/238 (16%) of patients showed a rare variant, while 99/313 (31.6%; P<0.001) in group B. Furthermore, the diagnosis of sarcomatoid variant was statistically significantly less common in group A (P=0.0026). The concordance between final radical cystectomy histology and previous transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) histology was poor in both groups (overall 50.4%).

CONCLUSIONS
The presence of a dedicated urological anatomical pathologist is of paramount importance and significantly increases the detection rate of non-transitional cell carcinoma bladder cancer types, but it does not increase the concordance rate between histological diagnoses in TURBT and radical cystectomy specimens.


1. Chopped tissue from guinea-pig cerebral cortex carried out an energy-dependent incorporation of [(14)C]valine into protein. 2. At all times studied the nuclear fraction of the homogenized tissue accounted for about 25% of the total labelled protein. 3. Electrical stimulation at first increased, but subsequently decreased, the rate of incorporation of [(14)C]valine into protein of the chopped tissue. 4. The initial increase in the incorporation of [(14)C]valine into protein occurred in the nuclear fraction. At later times electrical stimulation decreased the incorporation into all the subcellular fractions, but the relative contribution of the nuclear fraction to the total labelled protein increased. 5. These changes are discussed in relation to the changes in the rates of respiration, glycolysis, high-energy phosphate content and intracellular Na(+) and K(+) concentrations, which were measured under the same experimental conditions as those used to study protein synthesis.


Water quality, along with hydrology, plays an important role in the spatial and temporal dynamics of a range of ecological patterns and processes in large rivers and is also often a key component of river health assessments. Geology and land use are significant drivers of water quality during flow periods while during periods of no-flow, local-scale factors such as evaporation, groundwater influence and the concentration and precipitation of compounds are important. This study explored the water quality changes in two Australian dryland rivers, the Cooper Creek (Lake Eyre Basin) and the Warrego River (Murray–Darling Basin), across different hydrological phases over several years. Water quality varied both spatially and temporally; the greatest spatial variability occurred during the no-flow phase, with temporal changes driven by flow. Concentrations of major anions and cations also varied spatially and temporally, with an overall cation dominance of calcium and magnesium and an anion dominance of bicarbonate. This bicarbonate dominance contrasts with previous data from inland lentic systems where sodium chloride was found to dominate. Such extreme spatial and temporal variability hampers successful derivation of water quality guidelines for these variable rivers and suggests such guidelines would need to be developed with respect to 'flow phase'.


Recent research has suggested that the geostatistical structure of ground-penetrating radar data may be representative of the spatial structure of hydraulic properties. However, radar images of the subsurface can change drastically with application of signal processing or by changing the signal frequency. We perform geostatistical analyses of surface radar reflection profiles in order to investigate the effects of data processing and antenna frequency on the semivariogram structure of radar reflection amplitudes. Surface radar reflection data collected at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site illustrate the processing- and antenna-dependence of radar semivariograms for a fluvial, cobble-andsand aquifer. Compensating for signal attenuation and spreading using a gain function removes a nonstationary trend from the data and a trace-specific gain function reduces fluctuation of semivariogram values at large lags. Otherwise, geostatistical structures of surface reflection data are quite robust to the effects of data gains. Migration is observed to reduce the strength of diffraction features in the semivariogram fields and to increase the principal exponential range. Principal exponential range increases only slightly after application of migration with a realistic velocity but over-migration results in a significant artificial increase of exponential range. The geostatistical structures of radar reflection data exhibit marked dependence on antenna frequency, thus highlighting the critical importance of the scale of measurement. Specifically, the exponential ranges of radar reflection amplitudes decrease in proportion to the increased signal frequency for the 50 MHz, 100 MHz and 200 MHz range of antennas. Results demonstrate that processing and antenna frequency must be considered before the application of radar reflection data in a geostatistical context.


This article discusses corporate environmental reporting in the field of transport. In addition to addressing this issue in general, the article includes empirical material from a case transport company. The process of preparing the year 2000 environmental report for the company is described. The environmental report includes actions for improving the environmental performance of the company, and indicators for monitoring of the progress from year to year. This is based on separate studies of the employees' company travels, daily travel to work and the purchasing of energy. The company is using societal accounting to show its responsibility as an important societal actor, improving the stakeholder dialogue and providing knowledge at the political level. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.


The aim of this paper is to analyze the epidemiologic, clinical, and immunologic characteristics of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), primary or secondary, in autoimmune patients from Northern Greece. Sixty-seven patients with APS were included (9 men, 13.4%, and 58 women, 86.6%). Fifty-two (77.6%) patients had secondary APS and 15 had primary APS (22.4%). The mean age was 46.0 ±15.4 years and the mean follow-up period was 62.7 ±15.0 months. Medical records were retrospectively analyzed from January 1994 until December 2001, according to a preestablished protocol. Eight patients (11.9%) had arterial thrombosis, 12 (17.9%) had vein thrombosis, 12 (17.9%) had thrombocytopenia, 20 (29.8%) had neurologic disorders, and 51.6% of the women in reproductive age had, at least 2 fetal losses (higher frequency in primary APS). Thirty-six patients (53.7%) had increased levels of both immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA), 19 (28.4%) had IgG ACA only, and 12 (17.7%) had IgM ACA only. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were detected in 46 (68.6%) patients, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in 29 (43.3%). All patients were prophylactically treated with aspirin (50-100 mg/day) and low-molecular-weight heparin and/or intravenous immunoglobulins-IVIGs occasionally (pregnant women). The findings of this study are, generally, similar to those described by others. Miscarriages seem to be more frequent in women with primary APS (p<0.05), compared to other studies. Differences between these findings and those described by others concerning epidemiologic, clinical, or immunologic data are discussed.


We present XMM-Newton MOS imaging and PN timing data of the millisecond pulsar PSR J0218+4232. We confirm the previously detected pulsations of PSR J0218+4232 and we show that the folded lightcurve is dependent on energy. We present the broad band (0.2−10.0 keV) spectrum of this millisecond pulsar, as well as the spectra of: the pulsed emission, the individual pulses, the interpulse and the non-pulsed region and we compare our results with previous data from Rosat, BeppoSAX and Chandra. We discuss the results of the spectral fitting in the context of recent pulsar models.


Background: Endothelial dysfunction is a predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and plays an important role in vasospastic angina (VA). Objectives: This study evaluated whether flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is also a good marker of 10-year ASCVD risk (10Y-ASCVDR) in patients with VA. Methods: Based on their clinical history and coronary artery diameter stenosis (DS), patients were retrospectively enrolled into VA (DS <50% and positive ergonovine provocation), minor coronary artery disease (mCAD, DS <30%), and significant coronary artery disease (sCAD, DS ≥50%) groups. Endothelial function was evaluated by FMD. Results: Each group contained 50 patients. The 10Y-ASCVDR was significantly higher in the sCAD group than in the VA and mCAD groups (10.86 ± 7.30, 4.71 ± 4.04, and 4.77 ± 4.30, respectively, p < 0.001). The FMD was significantly higher in the mCAD group than in the VA and sCAD groups (6.37 ± 4.25, 3.10 ± 2.23, and 3.07 ± 1.89, respectively, p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between the FMD and 10Y-ASCVD in the mCAD group (r = −0.622, p < 0.001) and the sCAD group (r = −0.557, p < 0.001) but not in the VA group (r = −0.193, p = 0.179). After adjusting for potential confounders such as BMI, C-reactive protein, maximal coronary stenosis, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, multivariate analysis showed that FMD was independently associated with 10Y-ASCVDR in all patients. However, when looking only at the VA group, FMD did not correlate independently with 10Y-ASCVDR. Conclusions: Unlike mCAD and sCAD, we found no correlation between 10Y-ASCVDR and endothelial function in VA. Thus, our results support that FMD is not a good marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in VA.


Devil's cotton (Ulatkambal) is a genus in the family Malvaceae, with one or two species from Asia and Australia. Literature review revealed that Abroma augusta (Devil's cotton) is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine as a popular drug. Devil's cotton has been claimed to possess major biological activities like anti-diabetic, analgesic, anti-inflamatory, thrombolytic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic etc. They are also utilized by the traditional local healers of different Asian countries to treat various diseases like diabetes mellitus, as uterine tonic in emmerogogue, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhoea, sterility and other menstrual disorders, rheumatic pains of joints and headache with sinusitis. Biochemical profiling of different parts of the plant demonstrated the presence of some important phytochemicals like alkaloids, abromin, sterol, friedelin, abromasterol, taroxerylacetate, taraxeral and β-sitosterol. The aim of this review was to analyze the published report based on the medicinal values of Devil's cotton species as well to provide the updated information about the ethnomedicinal, pharmacological as well as the phytochemical properties.
Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 22(1): 109-116, 2019


Background: Diabetic patients are more prone to develop cardiovascular diseases due to rise in blood glucose and serum cholesterol level. There will be elevated free radicals and decreased antioxidants like vitamin C level in these patients. Vitamin C has shown beneficial effect in controlling serum lipids and blood glucose level. Aim: to study the effect of different doses of Vitamin C on serum lipid level Methods : A total of 90 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes referred to Government Hospital, Chennai, India, were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups. They received randomly glibenclamide 5mg, glibenclamide 5mg with vitamin C 1g and glibenclamide 5mg with vitamin C 2g orally for 8-weeks. Investigations like Fasting blood sugar (FBS), Postprandial blood sugar (PPBS), Lipid profile: LDL, HDL, TG, TC were measured before and after vitamin C consumption and the results were analyzed. Results : Significant increase in HDL level (p<0.01)seen in group supplemented with vitamin C 2g when compared to group supplemented with vitamin c 1gm at the end of 8 th week. There was significant reduction in TG, LDL and TC level in each group at the end of 8 th week but no significant difference in between the groups. Conclusions : Vitamin C in a dose of 2g/day as add on therapy to oral hypoglycemic agent produces improvement in lipid profile to the desirable levels and thus reducing the risk of diabetic complications.


The derivative nature of architecture from several disciplines seemingly undermines its legitimate epistemological standpoint. Some schools of thought question the universality and the 'science' of architecture. To some; it appears architecture has not progressed for the benefit of Man. Others perceive Architecture to be disjointed and patriarchal thus far. Through historiography this paper attempts to anecdotally present worldviews on science and art in architecture; but mainly dominated by two architects conveniently selected to represent the two "worlds"- Europe and the Americas that strove to place architecture on the level of 'science'. This paper observed that, the derivative and normative orientation of architecture, makes it perceptibly confused and 'unscientific'. It is suggested in conclusion that if architecture seeks to solve human problems to merit the term 'science' then the theory and laws of nature (ragioni) as rules of operation (regole) are worth considering.


Abstract The history of colonialism normally focusses on the socio-economic losses of colonies, and the benefits of metropoles are a much less-studied field. Our study indicates that the flow of resources, rent and personal wealth should not be downplayed as factors of economic growth in the key Empires, although information on most subjects is limited. This importance could be demonstrated (although not fully quantitatively evaluated) by India–United Kingdom relations before 1913. We highlight the key channels of this influence (trade, investment and migration), and the persistence of the income gaps between the dominant and dependent countries until their independence.


A considerable number of constrained optimization evolutionary algorithms (COEAs) have been proposed due to increasing interest in solving constrained optimization problems (COPs) by evolutionary algorithms (EAs). In this paper, we first review existing COEAs. Then, a novel EA for constrained optimization is presented. In the process of population evolution, our algorithm is based on multiobjective optimization techniques, i.e., an individual in the parent population may be replaced if it is dominated by a nondominated individual in the offspring population. In addition, three models of a population-based algorithm-generator and an infeasible solution archiving and replacement mechanism are introduced. Furthermore, the simplex crossover is used as a recombination operator to enrich the exploration and exploitation abilities of the approach proposed. The new approach is tested on 13 well-known benchmark functions, and the empirical evidence suggests that it is robust, efficient, and generic when handling linear/nonlinear equality/inequality constraints. Compared with some other state-of-the-art algorithms, our algorithm remarkably outperforms them in terms of the best, mean, and worst objective function values and the standard deviations. It is noteworthy that our algorithm does not require the transformation of equality constraints into inequality constraints


Our work aims to build a bridge between constructive (top-down) and analytical (bottom-up) approaches to software verification. This paper presents a tool-supported method for linking two existing verification methods: Event-B (constructive) and Dafny (analytical). This method combines Event-B abstraction and refinement with the code-level verification features of Dafny. The link transforms Event-B models to Dafny contracts by providing a framework in which Event-B models can be implemented correctly. The paper presents a method for transformation of Event-B models of abstract data types to Dafny contracts. Also a prototype tool implementing the transformation method is outlined. The paper also defines and proves a formal link between property verification in Event-B and Dafny. Our approach is illustrated with a small case study.


The primary goal of this study is to quantify the communications reliability of telemetry systems using ISM-band two-way communications technology and contrast it to that of VHF/UHF-based systems from an empirical and clinical perspective. The principal criterion variable of communications reliability was total dropout proportion: the percentage of wireless patient monitoring time attributable to a loss of patient signal. Data from 17 institutions across the United States were included in this research. The data from this study were also used to explore potential relationships between communications reliability and various institutional factors. The institutional variables evaluated for possible adverse impact on ISM-band communications reliability included wireless coverage area, the number of telemetry transmitters supported, institutional experience with the product, gross institution size, and the number of telemetry systems within each hospital. The frequency-hopping communication technology utilized by the ISM-band products was not adversely affected by coexisting ISM-band devices. Institutions with shared ISM-band environments demonstrated a better - but statistically insignificant - performance difference both in terms of total dropout proportion and mean time between dropouts. Analysis showed no adverse affect on the communications reliability of ISM-band systems as a function of the number of telemetry transmitters supported, institution size, number of ISM-band telemetry systems within an institution, coverage area, or institutional experience with the system. In contrast, VHF/UHF installations showed statistically significant adverse impact on dropout proportion from two sources: the more transmitters supported, or the greater the coverage area, the higher the dropout proportion. The results from regression analysis at the institution-level should be interpreted cautiously since the statistical power was limited by the number of hospitals in the sample.


Inter-cell interference in the UTRA-TDD (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access-Time Division Duplex) system is investigated. There are some specific interference modes in the TDD mode. The inter-cell interference contains the interference caused by the adjacent cells and the interference caused by the adjacent channels. Some simulations are done to study the interference. Impacts of four different interference instances were taken into account in the simulations. Some interesting results are obtained from the simulations. Any little bit of asynchronism between the adjacent cells will affect the capacity of the uplink severely, which is mainly caused by the BS-BS interference. Two cells using the adjacent channels can be co-located at the same site if they are synchronized.