Syed Suleiman Nadvi is one of the most famous and prominent writer and Religious scholars of Sub-Continent. He has written a number of books in different languages i.e., Arabic, Urdu. This article narrates the literary services of Syed Suleiman Nadvi about the Seerat-al-Nabi. One of his renowned writing is 'Seerat-al-Nabi'. He, through his writings and lectures has demonstrated his love for Holy Prophet. Basically, Seerat-al-Nabi is one of his prominent book which is a complete biography of Holy Prophet and is considered authentic source of Seerat studies. It has seven parts. First two parts have been written by Allama Shibli Nomani while the other five parts are written by Syed Suleiman Nadvi. This book provides comprehensive details about the life of holy Prophet (SAW) and it has been translated in different languages. He also delivered eight lectures about Seerat-al-Nabi which are available in the book form named; Khutbaat-e-Madras. To aware and inspire the children about the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) he wrote a book Rahmat-e-Alam. In these writings he presented whole life span of the Holy Prophet in a brilliant and comprehensive manner.


Carbon Combustion Synthesis of Oxides (CCSO) is a promising method to produce submicron- and nano- sized complex oxides. The CCSO was successfully utilized for producing several complex oxides, a complete theoretical model including the sample porosity, flow parameters and reaction energetics is needed to predict the combustion parameters for CCSO. In this work, we studied the ignition temperature and combustion wave axial temperature distribution, activation energy, combustion heat and thermal losses for a typical CCSO synthesis for cylindrical samples of Ni-Zn ferrites with high (>85%) porosity. We developed a two level combustion model of chemically active nano-dispersed mixture, using the experimentally measured ignition temperature and combustion parameter values utilizing the slipjump method for high Knudsen numbers. The theoretical predictions of highly porous samples when the fl ow resistivity is small and the gas can easily fl ow through the cylindrical sample are in good agreement with the experimental data. The calculation of combustion characteristics for the lower porosity values demonstrated that the surface combustion was dominated due to high gas fl ow resistivity of the sample. Finger combustion features were observed at this combustion mode.


Breast cancer is thought to originate through progressively aberrant precursor lesions, paralleled by increasing morphological changes. The aim of this study was to quantify nuclear features by image cytometry in invasive breast cancer and its early (hyperplasia) and late (ductal carcinoma in situ) precursor lesions, in order to objectively describe nuclear changes in the spectrum of proliferative intraductal and invasive breast lesions. Image cytometry was performed on tissue sections of 20 samples of normal breast tissue, 71 of usual ductal hyperplasia (UDH), nine of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), and 11 of well‐differentiated and 13 of poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions. The invasive breast carcinomas consisted of 19 well‐differentiated and 24 poorly differentiated lesions. Through the spectrum from normal breast tissue to invasive carcinoma, progressive changes in many nuclear features were measured. Significant differences were found between nuclei of florid ductal hyperplasia compared with mild and moderate ductal hyperplastic lesions, suggesting that florid ductal hyperplasia may be a more advanced lesion than assumed and may contain cancer precursor cells. No differences were found between ADH and well‐differentiated DCIS, suggesting that these lesions are closely related. Feature values of well‐differentiated DCIS were comparable to values found in well‐differentiated invasive carcinoma and the same applied to poorly differentiated DCIS and invasive lesions. These results support the hypothesis that breast cancer develops through different routes of progression, one leading to well‐differentiated invasive cancer through well‐differentiated DCIS, and one leading to poorly differentiated invasive cancer through poorly differentiated DCIS. In conclusion, image cytometry reveals progressive changes in nuclear morphological and subvisual chromatin distribution features in the spectrum from intraductal proliferations to invasive breast cancer. This provides evidence for a progression from usual to atypical ductal hyperplasia and then to invasive cancer, through different routes for well‐differentiated and poorly differentiated lesions. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


We report a simplified protocol for the routine direct chemoselective preparation of various piperazines substituted in the 1-position by an electron withdrawing group. These syntheses are based on the reaction of piperazine-1-ium cation with different electrophilic reagents such as acyl chlorides, anhydrides, sulfonyl chlorides, carbamoyl chlorides, and nitrourea as well. Piperazine-1-ium cation was chosen because the reactions of piperazine with electrophilic reagents in different solvents at usual temperatures are not chemoselective and provide mixtures comprising 1-substituted, 1,4-disubstituted and unsubstituted piperazine as well. Simultaneously, the mono-protonation of piperazine is the simplest synthetic method for its protection/deprotection in comparison with the currently used mono-benzylation, mono-Boc-protection, etc. Computer modeling of acid-base equilibria for piperazine and model 1-acetylpiperazine was used as the basis for the prediction of reaction conditions suitable for the synthesis. It was found that for in situ generating of starting piperazine-1-ium cation from piperazine the application of acetic acid as reaction medium or the chemisorption of piperazine on weakly acidic cation-exchanger resin were highly acceptable in terms of both reaction times and yields. The using of resin supported piperazine-1-ium cation in reaction with carboxylic anhydrides or nitrourea is an example of the solid phase synthesis with ionically bonded substrate. Furthermore, syntheses in acetic acid medium were effectively catalyzed by Cu+, Cu2+ or Al3+ ions supported on weakly acidic cation-exchanger resin as well. Finally, it was observed that application of the solid support metal catalysis afforded target products in shortened reaction times and in 82-95% yields.


- Studies show that teaching mathematics using an application-oriented, hands-on approach helps students grasp and understand the topics much better as compared to a lecture-based mathematics course. Starting Fall 2016, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) offers such a course loosely based on the Wright State University model to engineering students placed in pre-calculus courses. Throughout the course, students are introduced to engineering problems and applications that rely on concepts of mathematics. This course has lecture, recitation and laboratory components. The lecture provides an overview of relevant topics in engineering analytical methods that are most heavily used in the core sophomore-level engineering courses. These topics are reinforced through solving problems in a lab environment. This paper will discuss a new hands-on lab project that is being introduced in Spring 2018 to help students understand the concept of two-dimensional vectors. A model of a human arm has been designed to demonstrate the application of two-dimensional vectors and calculation of reaction forces. The same model can also be used to demonstrate the application of the law of cosines to measure the bicep muscle length and applications of direct and inverse kinematics for a two-link robot. Use of a simplistic model that must be manually loaded and measured provides a visual demonstration of the concepts and applications of mathematics as discussed in the lecture as well as presented in the textbook. The model has the additional advantage of being inexpensive as it is 3D printed in-house. We plan to assess the effectiveness of this activity using student surveys. We also look forward to gathering feedback from other conference attendees about this hands-on lab exercise and hope to refine it further for future semesters.


*** Virtual reality therapy using the Leap Motion Controller for post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation *** AIMS: To evaluate the applicability of a virtual reality-based motion sensor for post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation. CASES DESCRIPTION: Three post-stroke patients were subjected to virtual reality training for rehabilitation of their upper limbs using the Leap Motion Controller technology and the game Playground 3D® for 3 consecutive days. On the first and last days, the Box and Blocks test, the De Melo Eye-Hand Coordination Test, and transcranial magnetic stimulation were applied. On the last day, the patients were evaluated with the Experience Evaluation Form. After the proposed training, a lower motor threshold was observed in both cerebral hemispheres, as well as better performance in the tests that evaluated hand and eye-hand coordination skills. The proposed therapy was well received by the patients. CONCLUSIONS: No adverse effects were observed, and promising and precise results were obtained for the virtual reality-based training using the Leap Motion Controller and Playground 3D®. The training allowed patients to have an active role in the rehabilitation of stroke-induced upper limb sequelae.


Damages to the genetic materials arise throughout the lifespan of a cell, and elicit
upregulation of DNA repair factors. Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) is part of
a DNA repair protein complex that specialises in the repair of DNA base modifications
and single-strand breaks (SSBs). TDP1 removes a broad spectrum of chemical
adducts from the 3' end of a DNA strand break, including topoisomerase 1 (TOP1)
peptide, during DNA transcription and replication. Inactivation or deletion of TDP1 is
associated with cerebellar dysfunction and degeneration, with remarkably little extraneurological
manifestation. The reason for the selective dependence of the cerebellar
neurons on TDP1 activity is not clear. It was hypothesised that the TDP1 activity is
upregulated in tissues with high levels of SSBs, either from DNA transcriptional activity,
or reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced damage.
The aim of this doctoral project was therefore to identify and characterise the cellular
mechanisms that regulate TDP1 activity. Our lab has previously shown that the Nterminus
domain (NTD) of TDP1 covalently interacts with DNA ligase 3α. In this thesis,
evidence has been presented to show that this interaction is regulated by the putative
ATM/ATR/DNA-PK phosphorylation site, serine 81, to prolong TDP1 half-life, and
enhance cellular survival after genotoxic stress. A second post-translational
modification in the NTD by SUMOylation of the K111 residue was identified,
enlightening a mechanism by which TDP1 is recruited to sites of transcription-mediated
SSBs.
To investigate the requirement for TDP1 in cells under high levels of oxidative stress, I
have developed a mouse cellular model whereby the levels of endogenous ROS can
be modulated by overexpression of the human anti-oxidant enzyme superoxide
dismutase 1 (SOD1) or its toxic mutant SOD1G93A. Overexpression of SOD1G93A in
Tdp1-/- MEFs induces accumulation of chromosomal SSBs and decreases survival after
H2O2 challenge, while overexpression of SOD1 has a protective effect. Besides repair
of ROS-induced TOP1-cc in the nucleus, TDP1 also repairs mitochondrial
topoisomerase 1-mediated DNA breaks. This role is required during transcription and
assembly of mitochondrial subunits of the electron transfer chain complexes, and has
direct impact on mitochondrial respiration and ROS production. Collectively, these data
provide mechanistic insights into regulation of TDP1-mediated chromosomal and
mitochondrial DNA repair.


Author(s): Ma, Qin | Advisor(s): Guo, Qinghua; Bales, Roger C. | Abstract: Sierra Nevada forests have provided many economic benefits and ecological services to people in California, and the rest of the world. Dramatic changes are occurring in the forests due to climate warming and long-term fire suppression. Accurate mapping and monitoring are increasingly important to understand and manage the forests. Light Detection and Range (LiDAR), an active remote sensing technique, can penetrate the canopy and provide three-dimensional estimates of forest structures. LiDAR-based forest structural estimation has been demonstrated to be more efficient than field measurements and more accurate than those from passive remote sensing, like satellite imagery. Research in this dissertation aims at mapping and monitoring structural changes in Sierra Nevada forests by taking the advantages of LiDAR. We first evaluated LiDAR and fine resolution imagery-derived canopy cover estimates using different algorithms and data acquisition parameters. We suggested that LiDAR data obtained at 1 point/m2 with a scan angle smaller than 12°were sufficient for accurate canopy cover estimation in the Sierra Nevada mix-conifer forests. Fine resolution imagery is suitable for canopy cover estimation in forests with median density but may over or underestimate canopy cover in extremely coarse or dense forests. Then, a new LiDAR-based strategy was proposed to quantify tree growth and competition at individual tree and forest stand levels. Using this strategy, we illustrated how tree growth in two Sierra Nevada forests responded to tree competition, original tree sizes, forest density, and topography conditions; and identified that the tree volume growth was determined by the original tree sizes and competitions, but tree height and crown area growth were mostly influenced by water and space availability. Then, we calculated the forest biomass disturbance in a Sierra Nevada forest induced by fuel treatments using bi-temporal LiDAR data and field measurements. Using these results as references, we found that Landsat imagery-derived vegetation indices were suitable for quantifying canopy cover changes and biomass disturbances in forests with median density. Large uncertainties existed in applying the vegetation indices to quantify disturbance in extremely dense forests or forests only disturbed in the understory. Last, we assessed vegetation losses caused by the American Fire in 2013 using a new LiDAR point based method. This method was able to quantify fire-induced forest structure changes in basal area and leaf area index with lower uncertainties, compared with traditional LiDAR metrics and satellite imagery-derived vegetation indices. The studies presented in this dissertation can provide guidance for forest management in the Sierra Nevada, and potentially serve as useful tools for forest structural change monitoring in the rest of the world.


Abstract : The use of digital photography has increased over the past few years, a trend which opens the door for new and creative ways to forge images. The manipulation of images through forgery influences the perception an observer has of the depicted scene, potentially resulting in ill consequences if created with malicious intentions. This poses a need to verify the authenticity of images originating from unknown sources in absence of any prior digital watermarking or authentication technique. This research explores the holes left by existing research; specifically, the ability to detect image forgeries created using multiple image sources and specialized methods tailored to the popular JPEG image format. In an effort to meet these goals, this thesis presents four methods to detect image tampering based on fundamental image attributes common to any forgery. These include discrepancies in 1) lighting and 2) brightness levels, 3) underlying edge inconsistencies, and 4) anomalies in JPEG compression blocks. Overall, these methods proved encouraging in detecting image forgeries with an observed accuracy of 60% in a completely blind experiment containing a mixture of 15 authentic and forged images.


Introduction: Otitis media is an important and a highly prevalent disease of the middle ear and poses serious health problem world-wide especially in developing countries where large percentage of the population lacks specialized medical care. With a large number of patients frequently undergoing tympanoplasty for chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), it is important to assess the severity of the disease and predict the outcome of the surgical management. Aims and Objectives: To study the efficiency of MERI in predicting the outcome of tympanoplasty in all age-groups. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was carried out in the department of Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, where all cases of chronic suppurative otitis media in the age-group of 8–40 years were included from September, 2017 to December, 2018. Total 74 patients with unilateral or bilateral perforation of tympanic membrane were included and these were followed-up for 4 months after surgery. Results: Maximum cases fell under MERI 1-3 (mild disease) and these patients had the best prognosis after tympanoplasty. Patients with unilateral perforation had better success rate as compared to patients with bilateral perforation. Conclusion: Our study showed that myringoplasty is a good treatment modality in the paediatric population and MERI scoring can be useful in predicting the outcome of tympanoplasty in all age-groups.


This thesis reports the findings of an experimental and numerical investigation into the whipping response of a submerged platform, due to loading from near-field, non-contact underwater explosion (UNDEX) events.

The experimental investigation examined the whipping response of a generic submerged platform subjected to UNDEX. Eight scenarios were investigated, using different explosive charge sizes, longitudinal, and transverse stand-off locations, to explore the effects of these variables on the platform's whipping response, and to provide validation data for the numerical investigation. It was found that UNDEX stand-off locations near the anti-node of the first bending mode shape induced the most severe whipping responses, while stand-offs near the node of the first bending mode shape had greatly reduced whipping responses.

A numerical model was developed and validated against the experimental results, using incident pressure and strain measurements. Three numerical studies were conducted with the validated numerical model, investigating the effects of additional stand-off distances at the previously explored longitudinal stand-off locations, the whipping response from an intermediate charge size, and the effects of the UNDEX bubble loading on the whipping response by using a shock-only loading model.

From these studies, the following novel contributions were made:

The stand-off distance was found to only affect the whipping severity while the charge size and stand-off location determined the modal contributions of the whipping response.

A comparison of the peak whipping response to the bubble pressure impulse suggests that three distinct forms of whipping could be induced, and these can be determined by the proximity of the UNDEX stand-off location to the nodes and anti-nodes of the platform's first bending mode shape. These were classified as critical, resilient, and general whipping responses.

The critical whipping response occurred when the UNDEX stand-off location was near the anti-node of the first bending mode shape. This was characterised by a dominant response of the first bending mode and minimal contribution from other bending modes in the overall response. The severity of this response increased nonlinearly as the bubble impulse increased and when the bubble pulsation frequency was similar to the first bending mode frequency. This is the most severe form of UNDEX induced whipping.

The resilient whipping response occurred when the UNDEX stand-off location was near the node of the first bending mode shape. This was characterised by minimal contribution of the first bending mode compared to others in the overall response. From these scenarios, the bubble loading had minimal effect on the whipping response. This was confirmed from good correlation in comparisons of the strain responses from experimental measurements and the results from the numerical shock-only loading study. This is the least severe form of UNDEX induced whipping and the most desirable outcome from an unavoidable UNDEX threat.

The general whipping response occurred when the UNDEX stand-off location was between the nodes and anti-nodes of the first bending mode shape. This was characterised by similar contributions of multiple bending mode responses in the overall response. The severity from this response increased linearly for increases in the bubble impulse. It is suggested this is the most likely form of UNDEX induced whipping to occur, based on the large number of variables involved with UNDEX loading and platform response scenarios.

Current analysis methodologies are able to identify the resilient whipping response but some methods that focus on the shock response of a platform may not identify the critical and general whipping responses. This was demonstrated by comparison of the experimental measurements to a numerical shock-only loading models for the most severe UNDEX scenarios, where shock-only loading and response assumptions under-predicted the whipping response by 39 % and 54 % for the critical and general whipping responses respectively.

The relative increase in the severity of the whipping response from a reduction in the stand-off distance was consistent for all similar forms of whipping. This suggests that the whipping severity from many different stand-off distances can be approximated through analysis of only a few scenarios at different stand-off locations on a specific naval platform. It is suggested that this knowledge may allow a rapid assessment tool to be developed that could determine a platform's survivability from a wide variety of UNDEX scenarios.

The trends from each form of whipping severity compared to bubble pressure impulse were examined with limited extrapolation. This suggested that four whipping response analysis regimes exist: far-field elastic, near-field and non-contact elastic, non-contact plastic, and contact damage. Exact limits of these regimes were not identified, and all are promising areas for further investigation.


The growing literature on housing financialisation offers an increasingly fine-grained analysis of how financial actors shape housing markets and systems internationally. Nevertheless, a lack of clarity remains about the geographical and temporally specific ways that financialisation grafts onto and amplifies wider neoliberal housing restructuring, as well as the role the global financial crisis (GFC) plays in its variegated trajectories. In this paper, we address this problematic by situating housing financialisation within the context of longer-term neoliberal restructuring via a comparative analysis of Ireland and Australia. Our empirical and conceptual aims are two-fold. First, we deploy our comparison to disentangle housing financialisation from wider processes of neoliberal restructuring and identify the moments in which financialisation acts as a crucial accelerant that amplifies but also mutates extant path dependent trajectories. Second we mobilise comparison to reflect critically on the role that crisis and crisis discourses play in facilitating regulatory restructuring through financialised logics. While in Ireland the crash formed a juncture for regulatory capture by financial actors and the deepening of financialisation as a core component of housing, Australia's response to the GFC was a reassertion of the neoliberal status-quo. However, we contend that Australia's housing markets are now characterised by many aspects of financialisation and remain vulnerable to its impacts. We argue that comparative analysis allows us to view the path dependent nature of neoliberal restructuring as well as the variegated geographies and temporalities of financialisation on housing regimes internationally.


though not directly relevant, if the volunteer rate was related in any way to previous poliomyelitis experience in the area. This was clearly a well-conducted experiment carried out in extremely difficult circumstances, but whether or not the younger group of children benefited from the vaccine to the same extent as the older group depends upon this question of bias.-I am, etc., London, W.C.1. P. G. GRAY.


Abstract. The size distribution and mean spatial trends of large particles (>100 μm, in equivalent spherical diameter, ESD) and mesozooplankton were investigated across the Mackenzie Shelf (southeast Beaufort Sea, Arctic Ocean) in July–August 2009. Our main objective was to combine results from an Underwater Vision Profiler 5 (UVP5) and traditional net tows (200 μm mesh size) to characterize the structural diversity and functioning of the Arctic shelf-basin ecosystem and to assess the large-scale correspondence between the two methodological approaches. The core dataset comprised 154 UVP5 profiles and 29 net tows conducted in the shelf ( 1000 m) regions of the study area. The mean abundance of total particles and zooplankton in the upper water column ( 50 %) when progressing offshore and as the ESD of particles was increasing. Both the UVP5 and net tows determined that copepods dominated the zooplankton community (~78–94 % by numbers) and that appendicularians were generally the second most abundant group (~1–11 %). The vertical distribution patterns of copepods and appendicularians indicated a close association between primary production and the main grazers. Manual taxonomic counts and ZooScan image analyses shed further light on the size-structure and composition of the copepod community – which was dominated at ~95 % by a guild of 10 typical taxa. The size distributions of copepods, as evaluated with the 3 methods (manual counts, ZooScan and UVP5), showed consistent patterns co-varying in the same order of magnitude over the upper size range (>1 mm ESD). Copepods 1 mm ESD. Our results illustrate that the combination of traditional sampling methods and automated imaging techniques is a powerful approach that enabled us to conclude on the prevalence of a relatively high productivity regime and dominant herbivorous food web over the shelf when compared with the low-productive recycling system detected offshore.


Seepage at the sediment‐water interface in several lakes, a large river, and an estuary exhibits substantial temporal variability when measured with temporal resolution of 1 min or less. Already substantial seepage rates changed by 7% and 16% in response to relatively small rain events at two lakes in the northeastern USA, but did not change in response to two larger rain events at a lake in Minnesota. However, seepage at that same Minnesota lake changed by 10% each day in response to withdrawals from evapotranspiration. Seepage increased by more than an order of magnitude when a seiche occurred in the Great Salt Lake, Utah. Near the head of a fjord in Puget Sound, Washington, seepage in the intertidal zone varied greatly from −115 to +217 cm d−1 in response to advancing and retreating tides when the time‐averaged seepage was upward at +43 cm d−1. At all locations, seepage variability increased by one to several orders of magnitude in response to wind and associated waves. Net seepage remained unchanged by wind unless wind also induced a lake seiche. These examples from sites distributed across a broad geographic region indicate that temporal variability in seepage in response to common hydrological events is much larger than previously realized. At most locations, seepage responded within minutes to changes in surface‐water stage and within minutes to hours to groundwater recharge associated with rainfall. Likely implications of this dynamism include effects on water residence time, geochemical transformations, and ecological conditions at and near the sediment‐water interface.


Drawing on a history of instructional practice in art, No Working Title is an example of large‑scale
co‑operation at Higher Education level. Now in its 8th year the project continues to provoke dialogue between approximately forty artists and academics from four BA Fine Art
courses. With their own practice at the centre of the process, the artists exchange instructions for making artworks with a partner who they have never met before. Whilst the instructions are bespoke, the terms of exchange are highly choreographed and the result of this dialogue is what was witnessed publicly as part of Tate Exchange, where the partners met for the first time and presented their work
to one another.

This year, as part of Tate Exchange* the participants devised instructions especially for visitors. These could be seen scrolling on one of the screens and were heard broadcast throughout the space. Visitors were invited to make a contribution of their own by writing an instruction which in turn became part of the the display.

*Tate Exchange is an open experiment that seeks to explore the role of art in society. It includes international artists , contributors from different fields, the public, and over 50 associates, who work within and beyond the arts, on creating participatory programmes, workshops, activities and debates.


In this paper the design evolution from rolling piston compressor (RP) to revolving vane compressor (RV) and finally to cross-vane expander-compressor unit (CVEC) is presented and discussed. The details in the design philosophy which initiated this evolution will be presented and discussed. It is estimated that more than 90% of the room air-conditioners uses RP in its compressor. This is because of its advantages: it has the few parts, it is simple geometrically and it is reliable. However, it is with no weaknesses. RP's weaknesses lie in three parts: too many rubbing surfaces with high relative rubbing velocity with each other which give rise to high frictional losses; components (eccentric and roller) are not rotating at their centres and resulted in unnecessary inherent vibration; vane tip is constantly rubbing against the roller making it a weakest part in design. To overcome RP's weaknesses, RV is introduced. As compared to RP, RV has fewer rubbing surfaces, and the relative velocities among these surfaces are reduced Components in RV rotate at their own centres and there is no inherent vibration; the rubbing at the vane tip has been eliminated completely. However, like RP, RV also has a large rotor which occupied "useful" space and making the working chamber relatively small. To overcome this latter problem, CVEC is introduced. In this newly invented CVCE, not only parts are all concentric and rotate at their own centres, the unit also recovers expansion energy and hence significantly reduces energy required by the refrigeration systems. And, more importantly, all these are carried out not at the expense of the additional cost. In this paper, details on these three compressors are explained, compared and their respective uniqueness are shown and discussed.


In their comprehensive meta-analysis of the literature on prenatal risk factors for autism, Gardener et al examined and summarised more than 50 such antecedents. Under prenatal factors associated with an increased risk of later autism in the child, Gardener et al listed advanced parental age, maternal use of medication, maternal birth place abroad, bleeding, gestational diabetes, and sibling rank. The authors were rightly cautious to draw strong conclusions from these meta-analytic findings, as the evidence for a role of any of these prenatal risk factors in the aetiology of autism is not sufficient, although on the whole this set of findings suggests that complications during pregnancy in general might contribute to an increased risk for autism. Fetal sex-hormone profiles might be added to the above list of identified prenatal antecedents of autism. The sex difference in the lifetime prevalence of autism-spectrum disorders, wherein boys and men exceed girls and women by a large margin, is well-known and has partly been attributed to possible influences of early (i.e. organisational) sex-hormone action which contributes to gender differences in neurocircuitry and neuroanatomy. A role of fetal androgens for autism is suggested by recent research on the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), a currently widely studied biomarker. Many researchers believe that 2D:4D might provide a useful retrospective window into the prenatal sex-hormonal milieu during critical neurodevelopmental phases of fetal life (i.e. the second trimester) and might be a biomarker for prenatal testosterone exposure and sensitivity specifically. Human 2D:4D is sexually differentiated (lower in the male than in the female gender), and gender and individual differences in 2D:4D emerge prenatally and are preserved during the growth phases of postnatal life. Among other supportive evidence for the validity of this anatomical marker, lower (i.e. more male-typical) 2D:4D has been found to be associated with higher sensitivity to testosterone (as effectuated through functional polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene) and with a higher testosterone-to-oestradiol ratio, as assayed from the amniotic fluid. Consistent with the above reasoning and background, Manning et al found that children with autism or high-functioning autism (Asperger syndrome), as well as their unaffected first-degree relatives (i.e. siblings, mothers, and fathers), have conspicuously lower (i.e. hypermasculinised) 2D:4D than healthy general population controls. Since then, the gist of this interesting evidence has been independently replicated by some ten further studies (reviewed elsewhere). Inter alia, the evidence base now includes successful replications across ethnicity (East Asians and Caucasians) and similar findings of a low (masculinised) 2D:4D among children with various subtypes of attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder, all in all indicating that the effect is robust. Of note, the initial study in this line of research (Manning et al), as well as subsequent related research reports, are found in PubMed when using the search terms Gardener et al used. So it may well be that Gardener et al did not include this literature in their meta-analysis on the grounds that they categorised it under 'medical hypotheses', one of their listed non-eligibility criteria. However, it is interesting that Gardener et al, in their discussion, also noted the following general limitations: (a) only few prenatal risk factors for autism have been examined in multiple studies; (b) generally, fewer than six studies for any of these factors could be included; and (c) when risk factors were examined across multiple studies, the evidence was, for the most part, inconsistent. A formal meta-analysis of the emerging literature on 2D:4D and autism is beyond the present scope, but it is evident from one review that the limitations noted by Gardener et al do not apply for this literature. All in all, the evidence points to a possible role of masculinised sex-hormone profiles, already arising in utero, as a further prenatal risk factor in the pathways leading to the neurodevelopmental disorder autism.


In this paper a charge pump model based on a DOE (design of experiment) model generation technique is presented. The DOE technique takes as input electrical simulation results of a charge pump circuit for different component geometries and different oscillator pulse periods. It produces, as outputs, polynomial equations of the charge pump output voltage HV and the consumption current ISUNK. Using those equations, impact of specific charge pump design parameters on charge pump outputs is clearly shown. Thus, design guidelines can be followed to optimize charge pump circuits efficiency. To validate this approach, this optimization methodology is used to evaluate the charge pump optimal configuration of a low voltage and low current IC circuit (RFID tag).


Polycystic ovary sindrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder that affects 5-10% of women in reproductive age. PCOS is considered as a multifactorial pathology with both genetic, and metabolic abnrmalities, including insulin and leptin resistance. We have previously found that granulosa from PCOS women has leptin resistance and decreased expression of aromatase. Altered miRNAs expression have been associated with diabetes, insulin resistance and inflammation. Different studies have found differential amounts of miRNA in blood, folicular fluid and granulosa in PCOS patients. Therefore, in the present work we aimed to study the expression of several miRNA previously found to be related with insulin resistance or estrogen synthesis.

Ģranulosa cells from control (20) and polycystic ovary syndrome women (20) were obtained as waste product from in vitro fecundation, after informed consent. The Project was approved by the local IRB. Total RNA was isolated, miRNA retrotranscribed, and quantified by qPCR.. Statistical significance was assessed by analysis of the variance followd by Bonferroni´s post hoc test. P value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant

Most miRNA expression determined in granulosa from PCOS women was not statistically different compared with granulosa from control donors. However, miRNA107 expression (a miRNA that negatively regulates proliferation) was significantly decreased in granulosa from PCOS women compared with granulosa from control donors, and it could mediate the proliferation of the follicles. On the other hand, miRNA320a expression was  found significantly increased in granulosa from women with PCOS. Leptin or insulin stimulation of control granulosa cells produced an increase in miRNA107 expression, and a decrease in the expression of miRNA-320a

The expression of several miRNA is altered in PCOS, decreased miRNA107 may not induce insulin resistance but may promote proliferation, mediating the increased number of follicles; whereas the increased miRNA320a expression in granulosa from PCOS could mediate the insulin and leptin resistance that occurs in this syndrome.


To date, a number of lantibiotics have been shown to use lipid II—a highly conserved peptidoglycan precursor in the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria—as their molecular target. The α-component (Lchα) of the two-component lantibiotic lichenicidin, previously isolated from the Bacillus licheniformis VK21 strain, seems to contain two putative lipid II binding sites in its N-terminal and C-terminal domains. Using NMR spectroscopy in DPC micelles, we obtained convincing evidence that the C-terminal mersacidin-like site is involved in the interaction with lipid II. These data were confirmed by the MD simulations. The contact area of lipid II includes pyrophosphate and disaccharide residues along with the first isoprene units of bactoprenol. MD also showed the potential for the formation of a stable N-terminal nisin-like complex; however, the conditions necessary for its implementation in vitro remain unknown. Overall, our results clarify the picture of two component lantibiotics mechanism of antimicrobial action.


Abstract This paper presents a price discrimination model for a manufacturer who acts in two different markets. In order to have a fair price discrimination model and compare monopoly and competitive markets, it is assumed that there is no competitor in the first market (monopoly market) and there is a strong competitor in the other market (competitive market). The manufacturer's objective is to maximise the total benefit in both markets. The decision variables are selling price, lot size, marketing expenditure, customer service cost, flexibility and reliability of production process, set-up costs, and quality of products. The proposed model in this paper is a signomial geometric programming problem which is difficult to solve and find the globally optimal solution. So, this signomial model is converted to a posynomial geometric type and using an iterative method, the globally optimal solution is found. To illustrate the capability of the proposed model, a numerical example is solved and the sensitivity analysis is implemented under different conditions.


A range of In-Vehicle Information Systems are currently developed and implemented in trucks to warn drivers about road dangers and vehicle failures. Systems often make use of conventional repetitive auditory warnings to catch attention. In a critical driving situation it might be tempting to use signals that express very high levels of urgency. However, previous studies have shown that more urgent alerts can have a negative impact on the listeners' affective state. A simulator experiment was conducted to examine how urgent warnings could impact the affective state of experienced truck drivers, and their response performance to an unpredictable situation. As predicted, the more urgent warning was rated more annoying and startling. The drivers who received an urgent warning braked significantly harder to the unpredictable event (a bus pulling out in front of the truck). The drivers also tended to brake later after the urgent warning, but no significant effect on response time or time to collision was found. A concluding recommendation for future research is to investigate distracting effects of urgent auditory warnings on less experienced drivers.


Abstract : New silicone-modified polyimides have been prepared from a functionalized polydimethylsiloxane and aromatic comonomers. The flexibility of these materials can be varied by the size and quantity of the silicone 'soft block' segment. The molecular weight of these copolymers can be controlled by the degree of imidization, chain stopper level, and cross-linkable side groups. The properties of these polymers can also be varied by the introduction of other co-monomers with cross-linkable or curable side units. These materials offer moderately high tensile strength, good impact resistance, low smoke, are nonhalogen and have excellent flame resistance. The extrusability, fire resistance, and electrical properties of these materials should make them suitable across a broad range of existing and emerging applications. (Author)


Histopathology generally represents the reference standard for performance evaluation of nonclinical biomarkers used to inform regulatory decision making. This study uses drug-induced nephrotoxicity in rats to evaluate histopathology methods utilized in biomarker performance assessments. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single dose of cisplatin (0.5–5.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) to produce mild renal injury. Animals were euthanized 72 hr postdose and perfusion fixed. Kidneys were processed for histology and stereology procedures. Kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) was measured in urine and in kidney tissue. Digital slide images were generated and analyzed by pathologists after collaborating on a training set of glass slides and digital images. Image analysis identified immunohistochemistry (IHC)-defined tubular injury. Stereology methods yielded estimations of proximal tubular cell number and volume. Statistical relationships among data sets were determined using correlation coefficients. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses determined the effect of method on biomarker assessment. Urinary Kim-1 was strongly correlated with digital image analysis and secondarily to histopathology evaluations. Stereology demonstrated weak or no correlation to pathology and urinary Kim-1. In ROC analyses, semiquantitative evaluations determined higher values for urinary Kim-1 performance than did IHC-based qualitative digital analyses. Semiquantitative evaluation as used in this study was most predictive of urinary Kim-1 values.


Recent Advances in the processing capabilities of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) have enabled the implementation of an end-to-end speech translation system on these devices. We have presented a bi-directional speech-to-speech (English and Chinese) translation system, which is hosted on a PDA running embedded Linux. Our Multilingual Automatic Speech-toSpeech Translator (MASTOR) system includes an HMM-based large vocabulary continuous speech recognizer using statistical n-grams, a translation module, and a multi-language speech synthesis system. This paper describes our recent efforts to develop a bi-directional English and colloquial Arabic speechto-speech system on a device running the popular Windows-CE operating system. We have created completely new translation modules and introduced a fast adaptation scheme for a new speaker or environment. In addition, the componentization of system modules speeds up the development of a new speech-tospeech system.


Nanotechnology which is used in many sectors from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, from paints industry to biotechnology, continue to benefit from the efforts of cancer treatment. Cancer cells can be killed with nanoparticles applications in some studies which have been approved and are being tested in the world. Applications with a special carrier systems which is developed using nanotechnology, do not affect healthy cells but kill cancer cells is possible now. Recent developments in cancer nanotechnology provide new tools to researchers in both tumor imaging and treatment of cancer. This technology led to the development of nanoparticles which can be used in oncology and can be conjugated with more than one functional molecule simultaneously including tumor-specific ligands, antibodies, anti-cancer drugs and imaging probes. Those nanoparticles are smaller than cancer cells. They can be transferred easily through blood vessels and interact with targeted tumor-specific proteins both on the surface and inside of cancer cells. High cancer treatment success can be achieved with drug delivery systems using nanoparticles target to tumor cells develop at much lower drug doses.


: As their name implies, cosmetic contact lenses are used to hide or cover blemishes or disfigurements of the iris, cornea, or sclera. A wide variety of options are available to the optometrist in attempting to aid a child with an ocular disfigurement. The customized artist-painted scleral shell is ideal in many cases, but a surprising number of defects can be adequately camouflaged with corneal lenses presently available from laboratories. The future use of cosmetic soft lenses is promising, and since many conditions involving the need for optical correction are capable of provoking future visual disorders, infants today can look forward to better vision when a cosmetic contact lens is fitted early in life.


This article proposes the analysis on novel human computer interaction (HCI) platform based college mathematical education methodology. Above for the application of virtual reality technology in teaching the problems in the study, only through the organization focus on the professional and technical personnel, and constantly improve researchers in development process of professional knowledge, close to the actual needs of the teaching can we achieve the satisfactory result. To obtain better education output, we combine the Kinect to form the HCI based teaching environment. We firstly review the latest HCI technique and principles of college math courses, then we introduce basic components of the Kinect including the gesture segmentation, systematic implementation and the primary characteristics of the platform. As the further step, we implement the system with the re-write of script code to build up the personalized HCI assisted education scenario. The verification and simulation proves the feasibility of our method.


This paper investigates the exact and approximate spectrum assignment properties associated with realizable output-feedback pole-placement type controllers for single-input single-output linear time-invariant time-delay systems with commensurate point delays. The controller synthesis problem is discussed through the solvability of a set of coupled diophantine equations of polynomials. An extra complexity is incorporated to the above design to cancel extra unsuitable dynamics being generated when solving the above diophantine equations. Thus, the complete controller tracks any arbitrary prefixed (either finite or delay-dependent) closed-loop spectrum. However, if the controller is simplified by deleting the above mentioned extra complexity, then the robust stability and approximated spectrum assignment are still achievable for a certain sufficiently small amount of delayed dynamics. Finally, the approximate spectrum assignment and robust stability problems are revisited under plant disturbances if the nominal controller is maintained. In the current approach, the finite spectrum assignment is only considered as a particular case to the designer's choice of a (delay-dependent) arbitrary spectrum assignment objective.


The present work has as aim the fulfilment of redesigning an existing housing for a wireless remote control. This project is carried out in cooperation with the company Tele-Radio AB, which develops, manufactures and markets radio control systems for industrial use. The new intended version must improve its predecessor by fulfilling detailed requirements and needs that have been researched throughout the project. The main followed method is the Engineering design process. It is compiled on the subsequent stages: definition of the problem, background study, requirement specifications, creative methods for generating ideas, concept selection, prototype and communication of results. In general, it has been developed a redesign version with bigger dimensions and implemented new features. These new features are focused on the top surface working area of the remote control; it has been designed with enough space for at least three joysticks and more than two switches of the same measures. Handles have experienced an enhancement in terms of ergonomics and also are adapted for being used whilst wearing industrial gloves. Innovative aesthetic and functionality have been taken into account.


The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of using two low-cost binders, quicklime and fly ash for the solidification/stabilization (S/S) of pyrite cinder. Pyrite cinder, used in this study, represents a remnant from sulfuric acid production in fertilizer factory IHP "Prahovo" A.D. (Serbia), and has a very high toxic metal content. High contents and leachability of copper, lead and zinc make this waste material hazardous, representing an extraordinary risk to the environment. In order to determine the leaching behavior of the S/S mixtures, four single-step leaching tests were performed, each one having a different sort of leaching fluid (deionized water, inorganic and organic acidic solutions). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDS) were implemented to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for immobilization of Cu, Pb and Zn. Overall, the test results indicated that S/S treatment using both quicklime and fly ash was effective in immobilizing these metals, especially when there is a higher share of binder present. Treated waste can be safe for disposal and even considered for "controlled utilization". Furthermore, the use of fly ash for S/S treatment of pyrite cinder solves the disposal problems of two waste types, as it also represents a secondary industrial product.
Keywords: pyrite cinder, stabilization/solidification, metals, hazardous waste, fly ash, batch leaching test.


This article presents the unique development of the evaluation unit at the Branco Weiss Institute (BWI) in Jerusalem, an educational nongovernmental organization designed to enhance individual and social growth and to reduce educational gaps in Israeli society. The Institute, which operates a network of schools for at‐risk students along with comprehensive high schools, develops and implements educational and social programs in Israel's social and geographic periphery. The article describes the evaluation unit at the Institute as a democratic and culturally responsive mechanism that promotes social justice through the participation of all stakeholders in an ongoing dialogue that generates new knowledge for the organization and its programs. The article includes an illustration of the implementation of the model in a school program for pupils of Ethiopian origin.


This article seeks to explain 'silent organizations' (i.e. organizations with an absence of critical voices) through an analytical perspective derived from Judith Butler's work on censorship, and in this way suggest an alternative to explanations in the existing literature on employee silence, which are often tied to the actions and motivations of the individual employee. It is thus argued that self-help books are reflective of wider cultural dynamics and concomitant normative pressures directed at the subject in contemporary capitalism, which among other things promote the absence of criticism in the workplace. The empirical point of departure for this argument is the two bestselling and culturally resonant self-help books The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Theoretically, the article applies Butler's notion of 'implicit censorship' where censorship is understood as productive in the sense of being constitutive of language and subjects. Hence, in the analysis, it is shown how discursive regimes in self-help literature tend to be constructed in such a way that extroverted criticism cannot emerge as a meaningful activity, and is thus implicitly censored.


The declaration of Amnesty to the Niger Delta Militants by the Federal Government of Nigeria was acknowledged as the needed roadmap to the Niger Delta crisis. It was expected to draw out the militants from the creeks for skill acquisition training and rehabilitation, end violence and pave the way for a comprehensive development of the long neglected Niger Delta Region (NDR). Despite the seemingly overwhelming acceptance of the package by the militants, trademarks of violence reminiscent of the pre-amnesty era are still the lots of the NDR. Against this background, this study was undertaken with the objective of investigating the factors that are responsible for the renewed violence in the region with a view to finding solutions. Using a survey design, we administered questionnaire on 293 ex-militants to elicit information on their socio-demographic background, belief in amnesty, fear about amnesty, perception of amnesty by deserters, as well as the push and pull factors to militancy. Our results indicate a high mean rating of the amnesty package, but with fear about its comprehensive implementation. The fear was derived from lack of trust and confidence in the politicians handling the implementation of the amnesty package, and failure of previous government empowerment programmes. Such fear informed the decision by some militants to withhold their arms and ammunitions, as well as the outright rejection of the amnesty. Given the commodification of violence in the region, arm ownership became a pullfactor in deserting amnesty and in encouraging the emergence of splinter groups whose mission is pecuniary and criminalistic. Allegiance to ex-militants leaders was very strong. Surprisingly, respondents' opinion that the amnesty will not result in the overall development of the NDR was widely shared. Based on these findings, we recommend a supervised financial empowerment to graduates of the amnesty skill acquisition, training and rehabilitation for the purpose of establishing their small scale businesses or outright employment; the moppingup of arms in the region, the involvement of militant leaders in the negotiation to bring back amnesty deserters, and the extension of empowerment benefits on skill acquisition training to non-militants youth as a part of the comprehensive package on the human and infrastructural development of the NDR, among others.


Introduction: To date multiple ongoing clinical trials are testing impact of human monoclonal antibody against proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in high risk patients with established CVD already on statins. It is of interest to explore the added value of these therapies in individuals free of established CVD. The aim of this study is to assess the implications of population baseline risk considered for clinical trials, in evaluating impact of PCSK9 inhibitors in primary prevention settings.

Methods: We simulated scenarios among primary prevention cohorts recruited with 5 year CVD event rates ranging from 5-25%. In the control group, 30% relative risk reduction (RRR) with highest tolerated statin dose was considered. The NNT and drug cost with additional PSCK9 inhibitor therapy to prevent one cardiac event were calculated across varying (20-40%) RRR thresholds. The annual cost of PCSK9 inhibitors was estimated in range of $3000-$7,000. We considered ≤ $0.5 million as upper limit for willingness to pay to prevent 1 event in 5 years.

Results: The table highlights: a) absolute event rates anticipated in the controls as well with additional PCSK9 inhibition; b) the calculated NNT; and c) costs to prevent one cardiac event across the spectrum of baseline CVD risk levels. Among those with estimated 5 year absolute risk of 10%, the threshold for willingness to pay was achieved provided PCSK9 inhibition achieved 40% RRR with annual cost of $3000. Among individuals with >20% absolute 5 year baseline risk, the threshold for willingness to pay was realized even with 20% RRR in all scenarios if annual cost was limited to $3000.

Conclusion: Future discussion for clinical trials assessing efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in reducing CVD events in primary prevention settings must focus on enrichment strategies for recruiting a 'high risk' population. These strategies will likely facilitate acceptable NNT and public willingness to pay for these emerging novel therapies.

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Algol (β Persei) is the prototypical semidetached eclipsing binary and a hierarchical triple system. From 2006 to 2010 we obtained 121 high-resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio echelle spectra of this object. Spectral disentangling yields the individual spectra of all three stars, and greatly improved elements both the inner and outer orbits. We find masses of M_A = 3.39 ± 0.06 M⊙, M_B = 0.770 ± 0.009 M⊙ and M_C = 1.58 ± 0.09 M⊙. The disentangled spectra also give the light ratios between the components in the B and V bands. Atmospheric parameters for the three stars are determined, including detailed elemental abundances for Algol A and Algol C. We find the following effective temperatures: T_A = 12 550 ± 120 K, T_B = 4900 ± 300 K and T_C = 7550 ± 250 K. The projected rotational velocities are v_A sin i_A = 50.8 ± 0.8  km/s, v_B sin i_B = 62 ± 2 km/s and v_C sin i_C = 12.4 ± 0.6 km/s. This is the first measurement of the rotational velocity for Algol B, and confirms that it is synchronous with the orbital motion. The abundance patterns of components A and C are identical to within the measurement errors, and are basically solar. They can be summarized as mean metal abundances: [M/H]_A = −0.03 ± 0.08 and [M/H]_C = 0.04 ± 0.09. A carbon deficiency is confirmed for Algol A, with tentative indications for a slight overabundance of nitrogen. The ratio of their abundances is (C/N)_A = 2.0 ± 0.4, half of the solar value of (C/N)⊙ = 4.0 ± 0.7. The new results derived in this study, including detailed abundances and metallicities, will enable tight constraints on theoretical evolutionary models for this complex system.


Abstract Operations began in 1985 at Amax Gold Inc.'s Sleeper Mine in Nevada, and the major open pit has been one of the largest North American gold producers. The orebody in Tertiary volcanic rocks is overlain mainly by the Desert Valley basin fill gravels. Natural groundwater levels at the mine are around 10–15 m below surface, and dewatering has been a major activity since initial overburden stripping. With a final projected mine depth of 215 m, a properly designed and cost-effective dewatering scheme, fully integrated with the mine plan, was required. Field investigation and numerical computer modelling proceeded in parallel, the feedback between the two activities being essential to the optimization of the dewatering scheme. The basis of effective dewatering has been the interception of groundwater in the overburden before it can reach the pit. This paper describes the groundwater model, based on the USGS modflow code, which was specifically designed to develop a wellfield design for optimum dewatering. The model enabled the determination of the most cost-effective wellfield configuration, pumping rate and distance from the pit. Subsequent field observations showed that real drawdowns were within 50f those predicted. The interceptor model has also been used to investigate the dewatering rate and cost implications of expanding the pit in the direction of the wellfield; and the implications of power failure at the wellfield for determination of standby generating capacity.


Existing frameworks for analysing interactions between social and natural systems (e.g. Social-Ecological Systems framework, Ecosystem Services concept) do not sufficiently consider and operationalize the dynamic interactions between people's values, attitudes and understandings of the human-nature relationship at both individual and collective levels. We highlight the relevance of individual and collective understandings of the human-nature relationship as influencing factors for environmental behaviour, which may be reflected in natural resource management conflicts, and review the diversity of existing social-cultural concepts, frameworks and associated research methods. Particular emphasis is given to the context-sensitivity of social-cultural concepts in decision-making. These aspects are translated into a conceptual model aiming not to replace but to expand and enhance existing frameworks. Integrating this model into existing frameworks provides a tool for the exploration of how social-cultural concepts of nature interact with existing contexts to influence governance of social-ecological systems.


Human activity influences wildlife. However, the ecological and conservation significances of these influences are difficult to predict and depend on their population-level consequences. This difficulty arises partly because of information gaps, and partly because the data on stressors are usually collected in a count-based manner (e.g., number of dead animals) that is difficult to translate into rate-based estimates important to infer population-level consequences (e.g., changes in mortality or population growth rates). However, ongoing methodological developments can provide information to make this transition. Here, we synthesize tools from multiple fields of study to propose an overarching, spatially explicit framework to assess population-level consequences of anthropogenic stressors on terrestrial wildlife. A key component of this process is using ecological information from affected animals to upscale from count-based field data on individuals to rate-based demographic inference. The five steps to this framework are (1) framing the problem to identify species, populations, and assessment parameters; (2) field-based measurement of the effect of the stressor on individuals; (3) characterizing the location and size of the populations of interest; (4) demographic modeling for those populations; and (5) assessing the significance of stressor-induced changes in demographic rates. The tools required for each of these steps are well developed, and some have been used in conjunction with each other, but the entire group has not previously been unified together as we do in this framework. We detail these steps and then illustrate their application for two species affected by different anthropogenic stressors. In our examples, we use stable hydrogen isotope data to infer a catchment area describing the geographic origins of affected individuals, as the basis to estimate population size for that area. These examples reveal unexpectedly greater potential risks from stressors for the more common and widely distributed species. This work illustrates key strengths of the framework but also important areas for subsequent theoretical and technical development to make it still more broadly applicable.


Powder mixed EDM can effectively improve the surface quality of a machined workpiece. In order to study the mechanism of powder mixed EDM process, particles' activities in working conditions are simulated and corresponding experiments are done. A 3D electric fields model described by finite element method of the particles suspended in working fluid in the electric field is built, the generated field is computed and presented, and the activities of particles in the breakdown process are analyzed. The results show that this method can serve as a good way to learn the activities of particles in the breakdown of discharge.


Allelic exclusion of IgH chain expression is stringently established before or during early B cell maturation. It likely relies both on cellular mechanisms, selecting those cells in which a single receptor allows the best possible Ag response, and on molecular restrictions of gene accessibility to rearrangement. The extent to which transcriptional control may be involved is unclear. Transcripts arising from nonfunctional alleles would undergo nonsense-mediated degradation and their virtual absence in mature cells cannot ensure that transcription per se is down-regulated. By contrast, somatic hypermutation may provide an estimate of primary transcription in Ag-activated cells since both processes are directly correlated. For coding regions, the rate and nature of mutations also depend upon Ag binding constraints. By sequencing intronic sequence downstream mouse VDJ genes, we could show in the absence of such constraints that somatic hypermutation intrinsically targets nonfunctional rearranged alleles at a frequency approaching that of functional alleles, suggesting that transcription also proceeds on both alleles at a similar rate. By contrast and confirming the strong dependency of somatic hypermutation upon transcription, we show that artificial blockade of transcription on the nonfunctional allele by a knock-in neomycin resistance cassette keeps the VDJ region unmutated even when its promoter is intact and when it is fully rearranged.


Textile reinforced mortar (TRM) is a composite material consisting of dry fibers embedded in a cementitious matrix, commonly used for strengthening masonry and concrete structures. In general, tensile characterization is required to identify the TRM mechanical properties, which are considered the key parameters needed for the structural design of strengthening systems. This paper presents the results of an experimental study conducted to investigate the tensile properties of TRM. In this effort, a total of 15 TRM coupons of 410 mm in length, 50 mm in width, and 10 mm in thickness were tested under uniaxial tensile load with clevis-type anchors. Three different types of textile materials were considered: carbon, glass, and polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO). As for the study results, a common shape of the TRM tensile constitutive law was observed. Moreover, the average mechanical properties were listed for each type of TRM. Finally, the results and considerations presented in this work can enrich the literature with background data, which are beneficial for future applications of TRM systems in structural rehabilitation and repair.


The generalized Jacobian variety of an algebraic curve with at most ordinary double points is an extension of an abelian variety by an algebraic torus. Using the geometric invariant theory, we systematically compactify it in finitely many different ways and describe their structure in terms of torus embeddings. Our compactifications include all known good ones. Table of


Abstract. Strong similarities in Holocene climate reconstructions derived from multiple
proxies (BSi, TOC – total organic carbon, δ13C, C∕N, MS – magnetic susceptibility, δ15N)
preserved in sediments from both glacial and non-glacial lakes across Iceland
indicate a relatively warm early to mid Holocene from 10 to 6 ka,
overprinted with cold excursions presumably related to meltwater impact on
North Atlantic circulation until 7.9 ka. Sediment in lakes from glacial
catchments indicates their catchments were ice-free during this interval.
Statistical treatment of the high-resolution multi-proxy paleoclimate lake
records shows that despite great variability in catchment characteristics,
the sediment records document more or less synchronous abrupt, cold
departures as opposed to the smoothly decreasing trend in Northern Hemisphere
summer insolation. Although all lake records document a decline in summer
temperature through the Holocene consistent with the regular decline in
summer insolation, the onset of significant summer cooling occurs ∼5 ka at high-elevation interior sites but is variably later at sites
closer to the coast, suggesting that proximity to the sea may modulate the impact
from decreasing summer insolation. The timing of glacier inception during the
mid Holocene is determined by the descent of the equilibrium line altitude
(ELA), which is dominated by the evolution of summer temperature as summer
insolation declined as well as changes in sea surface temperature for coastal
glacial systems. The glacial response to the ELA decline is also highly
dependent on the local topography. The initial ∼5 ka nucleation of
Langjökull in the highlands of Iceland defines the onset of neoglaciation
in Iceland. Subsequently, a stepwise expansion of both Langjökull and
northeast Vatnajökull occurred between 4.5 and 4.0 ka, with a second
abrupt expansion ∼3 ka. Due to its coastal setting and lower
topographic threshold, the initial appearance of Drangajökull in the NW
of Iceland was delayed until ∼2.3 ka. All lake records reflect abrupt
summer temperature and catchment disturbance at ∼4.5 ka, statistically
indistinguishable from the global 4.2 ka event, and a second widespread
abrupt disturbance at 3.0 ka, similar to the stepwise expansion of
Langjökull and northeast Vatnajökull. Both are intervals
characterized by large explosive volcanism and tephra distribution in Iceland
resulting in intensified local soil erosion. The most widespread increase in glacier advance, landscape
instability, and soil erosion occurred shortly after 2 ka, likely due to a
complex combination of increased impact from volcanic tephra deposition,
cooling climate, and increased sea ice off the coast of Iceland. All lake
records indicate a strong decline in temperature ∼1.5 ka, which
culminated during the Little Ice Age (1250–1850 CE) when the glaciers
reached their maximum Holocene dimensions.


Development of a micromachined electrode array for cochlear implant application is presented. The device is constructed from a silicon substrate with sputtered platinum electrodes and connection tracks. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (ElS) is used to study the properties of the electrode, and to identify potential problems caused by the micromachining process and materials. A variety of insulators are studied and a two-part epoxy is identified as an adequate insulator for operation under harsh electrochemical testing conditions. The semiconducting silicon substrate is found to contribute to the total impedance of the device at high frequencies due to the thin insulating oxide between the substrate and conducting tracks. This is a potential problem for micromachined electrodes operating under high frequencies or using square stimulating pulses. The charge-delivery properties are studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It is found that platinum sputtered under particular conditions results in excellent surface conditions for optimum charge-delivery.


The paper focuses on studying the impediments for new entrants into emerging markets from a perspective of the African economies and proposes a conceptual framework for a sustainable distribution system. While there is a lot of research on emerging economies, African markets have remained relatively untouched, more so from the distribution perspective. Further, the speed at which business transformations are happening in these markets, academic research needs to keep pace with such changes. The paper proposes four broad impediments to distribution and eleven sub-dimensions i.e. political and security, cultural, ethnic and economic diversity, infrastructural gaps, channel structures and Governance, to name a few. The proposed conceptual framework defines four strategic interventions, namely, connecting with the masses, inclusive growth, leveraging existing networks and financing micro enterprises to build a sustainable network in the African markets. The methodology for the study is an integrative analysis of existing literature, case examples and personal experience on entry strategy advisory in Africa and other emerging markets by the lead author


Cuproptosis is a recently identified controlled process of cell death that functions in tumor development and treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides that bind to transcription factors and regulate tumor invasion, penetration, metastasis, and prognosis. However, there are limited data on the function of cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Utilizing data retrieved from the cancer genome atlas database, we devised a risk prediction model of cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, determined their prognostic significance and relationship with tumor immunity, and screened potential therapeutic drugs. Overall, 178 patients were randomized to a training or test group. We then obtained 6 characteristic cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs from the training group, based on which we constructed the risk prediction model, calculated the risk score, and verified the test group results. Subsequently, we performed differential gene analysis, tumor immunoassays, functional enrichment analysis, and potential drug screening. Finally, we found that the prediction model was highly reliable for the prognostic assessment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients. Generally, low risk patients had better outcomes than high risk patients. A tumor immunoassay showed that immunotherapy may benefit high risk patients more as there is a greater likelihood that the tumors could escape the immune system in low-risk patients. Through drug screening, we identified ten drugs that may have therapeutic effects on patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, this study constructed a risk prediction model of cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs, which can reliably predict the prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients, provided a clinical reference for determining treatment approach, and provided some insights into the associations between lncRNAs and cuproptosis. This provides useful insight to aid in the development of therapeutic drugs for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.


Calcium carbonate and zinc hydroxystannate-coated calcium carbonate (ZHSCC) was prepared by biominetic synthesis in template of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS), and was characterized by XRD, SEM and TG/DSC, moreover, the flame retardant property of ZHSCC in PVC was studed by LOI. The XRD analysis clearly showed the diffraction peaks of zinc hydroxystannate (ZHS) in ZHSCC and calcite crystal structure of calcium carbonate. The TG/DSC and SEM results showed that ZHSCC product was roughly spherical with the size of was about 4 μ. The LOI of PVC/ZHSCC blend increased 5.5 units which showed that ZHSCC had a good flame retardant efficiency for PVC.


The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 established new rules governing individuals who make donations to charitable organizations and organizations that provide goods and services in return for charitable donations. Healthcare financial managers and fund-raising personnel need to become familiar with these rules so they can assure that donors of charitable contributions to their organizations will receive appropriate tax deductions and that the organizations themselves will not incur penalties for failing to make proper disclosures.


PREMISE OF THE STUDY
Fossil leaves of Menispermaceae were previously described from the Paleocene of Colombia. Because of strong homoplasy of leaf characters, the fossils could not be placed more specifically within recognized clades, and additional data were needed to specify intrafamilial and paleogeographic relationships during the Paleocene.

METHODS
Fossil endocarps of Menispermaceae were collected from the Cerrejón Formation, the recently discovered Bogotá flora, and Wyoming (∼60 Ma). We surveyed the endocarp morphology of almost all extant genera, conducted character optimization, a molecular scaffold analysis, and critically reviewed the related fossil genera.

KEY RESULTS
Parallel syndromes of fruit characters have appeared in unrelated clades of the family according to current phylogenetic reconstructions. However, mapping selected endocarp characters across those clades that contain horseshoe-shaped endocarps facilitates identification and phylogenetic assessment of the fossils. Three fossil species are recognized. One of them belongs to the extant genus Stephania, which today grows only in Africa and Australasia. Palaeoluna gen. nov. is placed within the pantropical clade composed of extant Stephania, Cissampelos, and Cyclea; this morphogenus is also recognized from the Paleocene of Wyoming. Menispina gen. nov. shows similarity with several unrelated clades.

CONCLUSIONS
The new fossils from Colombia reveal a complex paleobiogeographic history of the recognized clades within Menispermaceae, suggesting a more active exchange among neotropical, paleotropical, North American, and European paleoforests than previously recognized. In addition, the new fossils indicate that neotropical forests were an important biome for the radiation and dispersal of derived lineages in Menispermaceae after the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary.


Objectives: To estimate the level of knowledge on osteoporosis among Bahraini women. 2. To determine relationship between the background variables with the level of knowledge. Methods: A cross sectional survey study consisting of 400 Bahraini women were included in the study using convenience sampling technique in a community setting. The data were collected using Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKT). The SPSS (version 20.0) for windows was used and descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Results: The majority of the participants' age was 30-39 years (44.0%). Most of the women 292 (73%) had moderately adequate knowledge on osteoporosis. There was an association found between house hold activity, practice and exercise and calcium intake at p<0.001, Frequency of fast food intake/week and exercise at p<0.001 & educational level and calcium intake at p<0.5. Conclusion: Bahraini women were having moderate level of knowledge on different aspects of osteoporosis knowledge on risk factors, exercise and calcium intake. Improving knowledge to the level of adequate knowledge among this particular ethnic background is essential which demands high financial costs on the government in terms of treatment. Health care professionals should be prepared for teaching role on prevention of osteoporosis.


Long-period body waves from the 24 November 1987, Superstition Hills earthquake are studied to determine the focal mechanism and spatial extent of the seismic source. The earthquake is a complex event consisting of two spatially distinct subevents with different focal mechanisms. Two consistent models of rupture are developed. For both models, the second subevent begins 8 sec after the initiation of the first subevent and the preferred centroid depth lies between 4 to 8 km. Model 1 consists of two point sources separated by 15 to 20 km along strike of the Superstition Hills fault. Model 2 consists of one point source and one line source with a rupture velocity of 2.5 km/sec with moment release distributed along strike of the focal plane at a distance of 10 to 22 km from the epicenter. These moment release patterns show that a significant amount of long-period energy is radiated from the southern segment of the fault. Total moment release for both models is approximately 8 × 1025 dyne-cm. Both models also suggest a change of dip from near vertical near the epicenter to steeply southwesterly dipping along the southern segment of the fault. The difference in rupture characteristics and fault dips seen teleseismically is also reflected in aftershock and afterslip data, and crustal structure underlying the two fault segments. The northern segment had more aftershocks and a smaller proportion of afterslip than the southern segment. The boundary between the two segments lies at a step in the basement that separates a deeper metasedimentary basement to the south from a shallower crystalline basement to the north.


Of all the books of the Old Testament, that which the Christian church has most readily and easily adopted for use in public worship and private devotion is the Psalter. Martin Israel's study of the psalms, A Light on the Path: An Exploration of Integrity through the Psalms (Darton Longman & Todd [1990], £7.95, pp. 150, ISBN 0-232-51900-5), is very much a Christian approach, and the book contains numerous references to the New Testament. It is written primarily for those with little knowledge of the Psalter, but the very brief introduction does provide a little information about the variety of material within the Book and the significance of the ascriptions (here rather oddly called 'inscriptions') in the psalm-titles. The author's main concern is to demonstrate how


OBJECTIVE
Amyloid A nephropathy of FMF usually progresses over many years to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We aim to describe an acute condition, termed here 'amyloid storm', typically manifesting with a rapid (≤2 weeks) increase in serum creatinine and urine protein, that has never been characterized in FMF amyloidosis.

METHODS
This retrospective analysis features amyloid storm by comparing between FMF amyloidosis patients who have experienced an episode of amyloid storm (study group) and matched patients who have not (control group). The primary outcome was ESRD or death within 1 year from study entry. Featured data were retrieved from hospital files.

RESULTS
The study and control groups, each comprising 20 patients, shared most baseline characteristics. However, they differed on the time from FMF onset to reaching serum creatinine of 1.2 mg/dl [26.5 years (s.d. 15.15) vs 41.55 (10.98), P = 0.001] and the time from the onset of proteinuria to study entry [8.8 years (s.d. 6.83) vs 15.75 (13.05), P = 0.04], culminating in younger age at study entry [39.95 years (s.d. 16.81) vs 48.9 (9.98), respectively, P = 0.05] and suggesting an accelerated progression of kidney disease in the study group. Within 1 year from study entry, 16 patients in the study and 3 in the control groups reached the primary endpoint (P = 0.000). The major triggers of amyloid storm were infections, occurring in 17 of 20 patients.

CONCLUSION
Amyloid storm is a complication of FMF amyloidosis, induced by infection and associated with poor prognosis and death.


The internet has profoundly changed the way we communicate, including how jihadist groups seek to reach Western audiences with their propaganda strategies. Cases of believed online-radicalization call for a re-evaluation of radicalization processes, previously thought to depend on face-to-face interactions. Based on the Hoffman-Sageman debate on whether top-down or bottom-up processes drive terrorism, this essay explores both social movement and organizational approaches to understand online-radicalization. Do jihadist organizations such as Al-Qaeda and IS act as 'fishermen', actively engaging in the radicalization processes of individual recruits, or is radicalization driven by social group dynamics with little organizational involvement? Essentially, the larger question is: What role do organizational structures play for radicalization in times of 'virtual jihad'? Bottom-up radicalization processes are facilitated online, because the conditions for Sageman's 'bunch of guys' are replicated by the characteristics of virtual communication: an echo chamber effect causes frame-alignment through repetition and enables 'digital natives' to communicate claims that resonate with other 'digital natives'. Top-down structures are influential, because organizations continue to employ sophisticated propaganda development, preachers and special recruiters or 'fishermen'. The article finds evidence for both schools of thought and concludes that the internet facilitates both types of radicalization mechanisms. Only a holistic strategy will be successful in battling online-radicalization and must include both targeting direct channels through which the organizations execute control over recruits, and breaking the echo chamber created by social movement dynamics in the virtual world. While countermeasures need to include the provision of alternative social narratives and the utilization of 'digital natives' to make counter-messages more effective, organizational structures need to be tackled simultaneously, not only by identifying and arresting preachers and recruiters, but also through stronger internet governance tools and collaboration with social media companies.


According to Swiss code SIA 262 "Concrete structures", stirrups of reinforced concrete beams must "surround the tensile longitudinal reinforcement" and must "be anchored to mobilize the static height of internal forces". For existing concrete structures, Swiss code SIA 269/2 provides stirrup detailing requirements while limiting these directives for stirrup anchorage to the compression zone. In zones of negative bending, these requirements are often not satisfied for execution reasons. This question is addressed in a largely experimental Ra&D project. Anchorage tests were performed and analyzed, with a total of 144 tests on 9 concrete beams. These underwent a longitudinal tensile force up to 1'000 kN to simulate transverse cracking at stirrup anchorages in negative flexure zones. The study parameters are crack width (0, 0.4 and 0.9 mm), stirrup diameter (10 and 14 mm), bar ribbing (smooth and ribbed) and hook angle (90°, 135°, 180° and straight bars). A design model based on the "tension chord model" (TCM) developed at ETH Zurich is proposed. This simple and practical design model has proved ist effectiveness to consider bond effects. Reduction factors for bar diameter (kØ), relative bar ribbing (kfR), hook effect (kθ) and crack width (kw) were taken into account for calibration. Results of analytical calculations are coherent with experimental tests.


Monodisperse de-ionized water droplets 4.5 μm in diameter have been produced in ultrasonic atomization using micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based three-Fourier horn 1 MHz silicon nozzles. The required electrical drive power and voltage are 15 mW and 6.5 V, respectively. The nozzles measure 1.80 x 0.21 x 0.11 cm3 and can accommodate flow rate of 2 to 300 μl/min. As liquid enters the 200 μm x 200 μm central channel of the nozzle, a curved thin liquid film is maintained at the nozzle tip that vibrates longitudinally at the nozzle resonance frequency, resulting in formation of standing capillary waves on the free surface of the liquid film. As the tip vibration amplitude exceeds a threshold (critical or onset amplitude), the standing capillary waves become unstable (temporal instability) and a spray of monodisperse droplets (mist) is produced. The experimental results of resonance frequency, droplet diameter, voltage requirement and critical or onset amplitude support the predictions of the three-dimensional finite element simulation and the linear theory of capillary wave atomization mechanism.


This paper describes the result of the ITER feeder main busbar joint sample qualification test as confirmation of the requirement of busbar joint resistance, 2 nΩ at 70 kA at zero background field, as well as that of joint performance in various magnetic fields to investigate stability and current distribution characteristics in feeder-type joint box. The results support the quality of the joint manufacturing process for ITER main busbar joint. The qualification sample design was prepared to be tested in SULTAN facility. The SULTAN joint sample consists of joints to be qualified at the level of the peak field and upper terminations. In bottom joints, twin-box feeder-type praying hands configuration is applied. In upper terminations, one of them is made with solder-filled cable for optimum current distribution. The other takes the same length of the copper sole and contact with the busbar cable as those positioned in bottom of the sample. The sample undergoes a test program, which includes joint resistance measurement, ac losses, and stability margin test. The outcomes of those test programs are reported.


When network on chip (NoC) is being developed in recent years, new challenges are accruing since a large number of heterogeneous cores are integrated on a single silicon die. On-chip switching networks seem to be one scalable global interconnection solution for SoC. Packet switching is becoming predominant in today's NoC, the main advantage is that it supports many cores communicating simultaneously without dedicated data paths. Disadvantages are also obvious, packets may get lost in transmission since there are no predictable paths between cores. It takes extra time to reorder packets after they arrive at destination. Therefore, packet switching is not used for the multicast-supporting (MS) and guaranteed-throughput (GT) switching networks that require restricted latency and reliable data transmission. Time-space-time (TST) switch - designed for circuit switching networks using time division multiplexing (TDM) scheme is used in our MS & GT switching network. With this architecture, data can be efficiently transmitted in restricted channels and arrive after a constant latency. In the multimessage multicasting TST switch supporting messages with one sender and multiple receivers, each input buffer has only one read port, meaning that only one memory location can be accessed each clock cycle. To make the read/write operations parallel and hence reduce the demand on read/write bandwidth, scheduling is required. The switch employs an approximation algorithm for multimessage multicasting since scheduling of multicast communication is an NP-hard problem. With an approximation bound of qd + f 1q/ (d - 1) for fan-out f ges 3, the throughput increases when the data width grows. The main design objective is to develop a switch with very small area and delay, enabling its immediate practical use


Human skin is a prime vaccination site containing multiple antigen presenting cells (APC), including Langerhans cells (LC) and dendritic cells (DC). APC deliver antigens to lymph nodes for induction of adaptive immunity through stimulating antigen specific T- and B-cells. Since intradermal (ID) injections require specific training, easy applicable delivery systems like laser microporation are emerging. In mice, combination of laser treatment and allergen injection showed enhanced T-cell responses and skewing of B-cell responses without adjuvants. However, it remains to be elucidated whether laser microporation can alter human skin DC phenotype and function without adjuvants. In an ex-vivo human skin explant model, we compared ID injection and laser microporation as anti-tumor vaccination strategy. A melanoma specific synthetic long peptide and multivalent dendrimer with gp100 antigen were used as vaccine formulation to measure APC phenotype, emigration and ability to stimulate gp100 specific CD8+ T-cells. We show that skin APC phenotype and emigration capacity was similar after laser microporation and ID injection. However, laser microporation reduced vaccine uptake by APC, resulting in decreased induction of gp100 specific CD8+ T-cell activation. To conclude, in our human skin model ID injection remains the most potent strategy to deliver antigens to skin APC for T-cell induction. Graphical Abstract


Abstract. Carbonaceous and sulfur aerosols have a substantial global and regional influence on climate, resulting in a net cooling to date, in addition to their impact on health and ecosystems. The magnitude of this influence has changed substantially over the past and is expected to continue to change into the future. An integrated picture of the changing climatic influence of black carbon, organic carbon and sulfate over the period 1850 through 2100, focusing on uncertainty, is presented using updated historical inventories and a coordinated set of emission projections. We describe, in detail, the aerosol emissions from the RCP4.5 scenario and its associated reference scenario. While aerosols have had a substantial impact on climate over the past century, we show that, by the end of the 21st century, aerosols will likely be only a minor contributor to radiative forcing due to increases in greenhouse gas forcing and a net global decrease in pollutant emissions. This outcome is even more certain under a successful implementation of a policy to limit greenhouse gas emissions as low-carbon energy technologies that do not emit appreciable aerosol or SO2 are deployed.


Photoluminescence characteristics of CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD) doped fibers in different matrices (toluene and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) sol) are investigated in this paper. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the QD doped fiber with different fiber lengths and doped concentrations are measured. Effects of the doped concentration and fiber length on the spectra are also discussed. Compared with the measured PL spectra of CdSe/ZnS QD before doping in the fiber in different matrices, there are different red shifts after the QD is doped into the fiber due to re-absorption/excitation effects. The transportation loss of the fiber is related with such red shifts.


Religious and cultural syncretism, particularly in visual art in the Jewish and Christian traditions since the 19th century, has expressed itself in diverse ways and reflects a broad and layered series of contexts. These are at once chronological—arising out of developments that may be charted over several centuries before arriving into the 19th and 20th centuries—and political, spiritual, and cultural, as well as often extending beyond the Jewish–Christian matrix. The specific directions taken by syncretism in art is also varied: it may be limited to the interweave of two religious traditions—most often Jewish and Christian—in which most often it is the minority artist seeking ways to create along lines consistent with what is created by the majority. It may also interweave three or more traditions. It may be a matter of religion alone, or it may be a matter of other issues, such as culture or gender, which may or may not be obviously intertwined with religion.
 The term "syncretism" has, in certain specifically anthropological and theological circles, acquired a negative connotation. This has grown out of the increasing consciousness, since the 1960s, of the political implications of that term in the course of Western history, in which hegemonic European Christianity has addressed non-Christian religious perspectives. This process intensified in the Colonial era when the West expanded its dominance over much of the globe. An obvious and particularly negative instance of this is the history of the Inquisition as it first affected Jews in late-15th-century Spain and later encompassed indigenous peoples in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. While this issue is noted—after all, art has always been interwoven with politics—it is not the focus of this article. Instead "syncretism" will not be treated as a concept that needs to be distinguished from "hybridization" or "hybridity," although different modes of syncretism will be distinguished.
 Syncretistic preludes to visual artists in the 19th and 20th centuries, suggesting some of the breadth of possibility, include Pico della Mirandola, Kabir, and Baruch/Benedict Spinoza. Specific religious developments and crises in Europe from the 16th century to the 18th century brought on the emancipation of the Jews in some places on the one hand, and a contradictory continuation of anti-Jewish prejudice on the other, the latter shifting from a religious to a racial basis. This, together with evident paradoxes regarding secular and spiritual perspectives in the work of key figures in the visual arts, led to a particularly rich array of efforts from Jewish artists who revision Jesus as a subject, applying a new, Jewishly humanistic perspective to transform this most traditional of Christian subjects.
 Such a direction continued to spread more broadly across the 20th century. The Holocaust not only raised new visual questions and possibilities for Jewish artists, but also did so from the opposite direction for the occasional Christian—particularly German—artist. Cultural syncretism sometimes interweaves religious syncretism—which can connect and has connected Christianity or Judaism to Eastern religions—and a profusion of women artists in the last quarter of the century has added gender issues to the matrix. The discussion culminates with Siona Benjamin: a Jewish female artist who grew up in Hindu and Muslim India, attended Catholic and Zoroastrian schools, and has lived in America for many decades—all these aspects of her life resonate in her often very syncretistic paintings.