The sartorius muscles of 320 toads have been analyzed for Na+ and K+. There is a wide variation in the Na+ content which when calculated intracellularly varied from 0 m.eq./kg. to 58 m.eq./kg. In particular it was found that the distribution of internal Na+ in the intact animal was such that only 17 per cent of the muscles should give from the Nernst equation the observed overshoot of 37 mv. In contrast to this wide variation the K+ content is comparatively constant, the range being 71 to 112 m.eq./kg. The mean observed resting potential of 87 mv. agreed well with the potential calculated from the mean intracellular K+ by the Nernst equation. Analyses of plasma show that the Na+ content is constant at 130 m.eq./liter, and the K+ is 3.0 m.eq./liter. The resting and action potentials of 77 muscles have been recorded and then the muscles have been analyzed. The results have shown that there is no correlation between the level of intracellular Na+ and the overshoot. Furthermore the apparent correlation between the average K+ content and the average resting potential has been shown to be fortuitous, when the correlation in individual muscles is considered. When a muscle is soaked in Ringer solution for several hours there is a gain of Na+ and a loss of K+. These shifts should result in changes in the respective potentials, but such changes were not found. The above findings have been discussed in the light of the present theories that the resting potential and the action potential are directly related to the ionic ratio across the membrane. Our results very definitely do not support the theory that the overshoot is related to the Na+ gradient, and this also applies with respect to the K+ gradient and the resting potential.


The coliforms and Proteus spp. isolated from patients with conditions such as bladder dysfunction, obstructive lesions of the urinary tract, or who have been catheterized, are much more frequently resistant. For example, in a genitourinary surgical unit only 12% of the coliforms 'isolated were sensitive to sulphonamides. We feel that the difference between organisms causing infections of this type (where a large proportion are not Esch. colt) and those causing acute infections outside hospital needs emphasizing. The essential points in the technique of testing for sulphonamide sensitivity have been clearly restated by Dr. P. C. C. Brown and his colleagues (19 October, p. 190). Sulphonamide sensitivities cannot be performed satisfactorily unless the medium is free of sulphonamide inhibitors and attention is paid to the size of the inoculum. On these grounds it is difficult to assess the significance of the results obtained by Dr. M. H. Robertson (12 October, p. 121).1


In Mexico, medicinal plants are widely used. The use of Randia aculeata by healers against snakebites has never been scientifically tested in relation to possible effects on blood parameters and muscle tissue damage. Interviews were carried out in Jamapa, Veracuz, Mexico, with local residents to collect information about the traditional use of Randia aculeata. In this locality, seven pieces of fruit from the plant are mixed in a liter of alcohol, and then administered orally against snakebites. By using histological techniques and a murine model, we explored its cytoprotective properties against the effects of Crotalus simus and Bothrops asper venoms. Possible protections provided by the plant against tissue damage to skeletal and cardiac muscles and against the typical loss of red blood cells were analyzed. Randia aculeata caused an increase in microhematocrit and total hemoglobin, parameters that are often decremented in association with the loss of red blood cells, which is a characteristic effect of animal venom. Randia aculeata was also shown to protect against the lowering of platelet levels caused by Bothrops asper venom. Finally, Randia aculeata produced a partial inhibition of necrosis following administration of snake venom in skeletal and myocardial muscles. The present results provide solid evidence for the traditional use of Randia aculeata against snakebites, as demonstrated by protection against muscular tissue damage and the diminution of red blood cells.


The emergence of social media as a platform to communicate, network and mobilize is receiving considerable attention in mainstream media. For example, the use of social media has received both credit for the changes in the Middle East and blame for the recent riots in the United Kingdom. The potential to reach a networked and engaged "audience" in hundreds of millions offers significant promise to those in cancer communications to communicate risk and influence behaviors. Despite the promise, significant challenges need to be addressed to exploit the potential of the platform. These challenges include (a) varying characteristics of different social media platforms; (b) characterizing the nature of engagement and the interest of social media users, (c) multiple contesting interpretations of risk among message sponsors, (d) persistent problem of digital divide that social media could potentially bridge or exacerbate, and (e) measurement challenges including difficulty in assessing their impact. The overview will cover these challenges followed by speakers addressing specific cancer-related risk communication issues including tobacco use, communication inequalities and exemplar interventions that address different health risks. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):ED05-01.


This paper aims at task-oriented action prediction, i.e., predicting a sequence of actions towards accomplishing a specific task under a certain scene, which is a new problem in computer vision research. The main challenges lie in how to model task-specific knowledge and integrate it in the learning procedure. In this work, we propose to train a recurrent longshort term memory (LSTM) network for handling this problem, i.e., taking a scene image (including pre-located objects) and the specified task as input and recurrently predicting action sequences. However, training such a network usually requires large amounts of annotated samples for covering the semantic space (e.g., diverse action decomposition and ordering). To alleviate this issue, we introduce a temporal And-Or graph (AOG) for task description, which hierarchically represents a task into atomic actions. With this AOG representation, we can produce many valid samples (i.e., action sequences according with common sense) by training another auxiliary LSTM network with a small set of annotated samples. And these generated samples (i.e., task-oriented action sequences) effectively facilitate training the model for task-oriented action prediction. In the experiments, we create a new dataset containing diverse daily tasks and extensively evaluate the effectiveness of our approach.


The Convention on the Rights of the Child foregrounds the right to participate. Contributing to decision-making on matters concerning children's lives is fundamental to rights education. This paper discusses ethical and methodological considerations of children's rights-based epistemology, arguing that children are competent to reflect upon and exercise their participation rights. The present study explores 4/5-year-old children's perspectives on play in an Australian early childhood education service. It aims to identify ethical spaces in research involving children. The findings address children's participation choices; including conditional assent, dissent, and their influence on the research. These outcomes are important because a) little is known about the ways children choose to participate, and b) they raise questions about the realisation of children's participation rights. This paper concludes by examining the implications for research that acknowledges children's demonstration of their participation rights in physical, creative, and social-emotional spaces.


The genus Glyphis comprises a group of rare and poorly known species. G. glyphis and G. garricki are found in northern Australia, and both species are listed as Critically Endangered C2a(i) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. We collated all available records of G. glyphis and G. garricki in Australia to gain an understanding of the species' distribution and biology. All records of G. glyphis (n = 106) were confined to 9 tropical rivers and estuaries north of 15°S. G. garricki (n = 32) were captured in 4 rivers and estuaries as well as in marine environments north of 18°S. Both species can be classified as euryhaline elasmobranchs. Parturition is thought to occur in October to December, and size at birth for both species is around 50 to 65 cm total length (TL). Two male G. garricki were mature at 142 and 144 cm TL, 2 females of 177 and 251 cm TL were mature, with the smaller animal having 9 early-stage embryos in utero. No mature G. glyphis have been recorded to date. Short-term movement patterns of 3 G. glyphis were investigated in the Adelaide River (Northern Territory) using acoustic tags. Animals were tracked for 27.8, 27.0 and 50.2 h respectively and displayed up- and downstream tidally assisted movement, moving on average 10 to 12 km per tide. The limited distribution, specific habitat requirements and repeated use of available habitat make Glyphis species particularly vulnerable to localised overfishing and habitat degradation. These findings highlight the need for additional research and the implementation of national recovery plans for both species


Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a group of bacteria rhizosphere used to a biological fertilizer on agricultural activities. The purpose of this research got the kind of PGPR which was effective against the growth of three cultivars at sandy coastal land. The research was conducted from August - November 2015 in coastal sandy land Samas-Bantul. This research used a randomized block design ( RCBD ) with two factor such us cultivar of shallot and suspension PGPR . The first factor s were the Crok cultivar, Tiron, and Tuk-tuk and the second factors were Control (without PGPR), PGPR isolates BP25.2 (Bacillus methylotrophic), BP25.6 (Bacillus amyloliquofaciens), BP25.7 (Bacillus subtilis), BrSM 4 (Burkholderia cepacian), and BrSG 5 (Burkholderia seminalis). Data were analyzed by using ANOVA α 5%. If there were a significant difference between treatments , so it was analyzedby DMRT α 5%. Results showed significant through interactions every variable generated, such as isolates BP25.2 that can enhance seed vigor index Tiron cultivars, isolates BrSG 5 and BP25.7 capable of inducing number of leaves in the vegetative phase and is capable of stimulating content proline in the face of stress shallot plant at sandy coastal, isolates BrSM 4 is able to increase the number of total chlorophyll Tuk-tuk cultivars and isolates BrSG 5 is able to increase the dry weight of bulbs production Tuk-tuk cultivars.


Highly oriented polypropylene fiber reinforced random PP copolymer composites were produced by film-stacking method. The reinforcing fibers were carded and needle punched and the film-stacked packages were compression molded at different processing temperatures (T=150…170°C) and holding times (t=90…600 s). For characterization of the consolidation of the composite sheets interlaminar strength was determined and further the polished sections were studied by light microscopy. Static tensile and dynamic impact (instrumented falling weight impact - IFWI) tests were performed on the specimens cut from the sheets. It was established that the best properties can be achieved when the processing conditions are 165°C and 90s. Increasing temperature and improving consolidation reduced perforation impact energy owning to better fiber/matrix adhesion and the smaller extent of delamination between the film-stacked layers.


Objective
To determine symptoms and characteristics of chronic sensory neuropathy in patients treated with oxaliplatin and docetaxel, including patterns of somatosensory abnormalities, pain descriptors, and psychological functioning.

Design
A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting
A chronic pain research center.

Subjects
Thirty-eight patients with chronic peripheral pain and/or dysesthesia following chemotherapy.

Methods
Sensory profiles, psychological functioning, and quality of life were assessed using standardized questionnaires. In addition, standardized quantitative sensory testing and nerve conduction studies were carried out.

Results
The sensory profiles and clinical symptoms were very similar in the two groups. Pricking, numbness, and burning were common descriptors in both groups, and the predominant finding was sensory loss to A beta-mediated sensory modalities with decreased mechanical and vibration detection thresholds. A high frequency of abnormalities in thermal sensory limen and the presence of paradoxical heat sensation seem to be sensitive markers of small fiber loss. Both groups had mainly sensory, axonal large fiber or mixed fiber polyneuropathy, which tended to be most severe in the oxaliplatin group.

Conclusions
Both oxaliplatin-induced and docetaxel-induced polyneuropathies represent a significant problem that affects the daily life of the patients. Our results, defining the somatosensory phenotype, can improve the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms useful for future studies in the tailored treatment of prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and pain.


Rural landscapes in central and eastern Europe provide valuable ecosystem services and support high levels of biodiversity. These landscapes face an increasing pressure from human development and changes in agricultural practices. Pond-breeding amphibians and their breeding habitats are especially vulnerable to land-use changes. We studied waterbody use by amphibians in a rural landscape from Haţeg Geopark, Central Romania, a region where large areas are still under traditional land use. We surveyed 55 waterbodies, characterized them and their surrounding terrestrial habitats with 22 variables. Amphibians were more sensitive to waterbody-related variables than to landscape parameters. Man-made waterbodies had lower species richness than natural ones, but often represent the only breeding habitats available. The low importance of the landscape variables for amphibians is the result of traditional and environment-friendly land management, which maintains a mosaic landscape where the optimal terrestrial habitats for amphibians are still well represented.


We report the results of voluntary contributions experiments where subjects are randomly assigned different rates of return from their private consumption. These random assignments are changed round to round, enabling the measurement of individual player contribution rates as a function of that player's investment cost. We directly test these response functions for the presence of warm-glow and/or altruism effects. We find significant evidence for heterogeneous warm-glow effects that are, on average, low in magnitude. We statistically reject the presence of an altruism effect.


Abstract. El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the dominant mode of climate variability in the Pacific, having socio-economic impacts on surrounding regions. ENSO exhibits significant modulation on decadal to inter-decadal time scales which is related to changes in its characteristics (onset, amplitude, frequency, propagation, and predictability). Some of these characteristics tend to be overlooked in ENSO studies, such as its asymmetry (the number and amplitude of warm and cold events are not equal) and the deviation of its statistics from those of the Gaussian distribution. These properties could be related to the ability of the current generation of coupled models to predict ENSO and its modulation. Here, ENSO's non-Gaussian nature and asymmetry are diagnosed from in situ data and a variety of models (from intermediate complexity models to full-physics coupled general circulation models (CGCMs)) using robust statistical tools initially designed for financial mathematics studies. In particular α-stable laws are used as theoretical background material to measure (and quantify) the non-Gaussian character of ENSO time series and to estimate the skill of ``naive'' statistical models in producing deviation from Gaussian laws and asymmetry. The former are based on non-stationary processes dominated by abrupt changes in mean state and empirical variance. It is shown that the α-stable character of ENSO may result from the presence of climate shifts in the time series. Also, cool (warm) periods are associated with ENSO statistics having a stronger (weaker) tendency towards Gaussianity and lower (greater) asymmetry. This supports the hypothesis of ENSO being rectified by changes in mean state through nonlinear processes. The relationship between changes in mean state and nonlinearity (skewness) is further investigated both in the Zebiak and Cane (1987)'s model and the models of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC). Whereas there is a clear relationship in all models between ENSO asymmetry (as measured by skewness or nonlinear advection) and changes in mean state, they exhibit a variety of behaviour with regard to α-stability. This suggests that the dynamics associated with climate shifts and the occurrence of extreme events involve higher-order statistical moments that cannot be accounted for solely by nonlinear advection.


The upsurge of resistance in classes of antibiotics in varied bacterial species has increased the search for alternatives to antibiotics in bacterial infections. However, one alternative is the beneficial bacteria in foods, environment and gut. Probiotics is now being embraced as an alternative strategy to combat antibiotic resistant pathogens. A newer application is gut microbiota in its healthy state combating pathogenic and antibiotic resistant microbes. There have been numerous applications of beneficial bacteria against different infectious agents. This article describes the concept of beneficial microbes as antimicrobial agents with current applications as antimicrobial agents, various applica tions in the human gut with future directions.


The hunt for predictive biomarkers in diseases of the cardio-, cerebro-, and peripheral vascular systems is an ongoing effort and one whose importance cannot be overstated. The identification of subjects most at risk for death or major adverse cardiovascular events may provide a means to stratify diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on validated predictive algorithms. In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , de Vos et al1 report that in 252 eligible subjects with documented peripheral arterial disease (PAD) studied at a single center, the measurement of skin autofluorescence (SAF) was independently associated with all-cause mortality and fatal or nonfatal major adverse cardiovascular events after a follow-up period of 5 years. Importantly, the authors excluded subjects with hemodialysis, kidney transplantation, recent myocardial infarction, or recent stroke and report that even after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and the use of lipid-lowering drugs, increased SAF remained associated with increased risk for death and major adverse cardiovascular events. A previous report from these authors compared subjects with PAD versus control PAD-free subjects and showed that increased SAF was significantly associated with PAD in a manner independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, although such risk factors were associated with further increases in SAF.2

See accompanying article on page 933

The AGE reader was used as a biological marker of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in the skin and is usually tested in the forearm. AGEs are the products of nonenzymatic glycation and oxidation of proteins and lipids. AGEs are increased not only in diabetes mellitus but also in natural aging, oxidative stress, and inflammatory conditions, and in renal failure.3 AGEs form on lysine and arginine residues and are heterogeneous; some AGEs are associated with crosslinking (such as pentosidine), and some AGEs do not fluoresce, such as the carboxy methyl …


This paper analyses the consumption-investment problem of a loss averse investor equipped with s-shaped utility over consumption relative to a time-varying reference level. Optimal consumption exceeds the reference level in good times and descend to the subsistence level in bad times. Accordingly, the optimal portfolio is dominated by a mean-variance component in good times and rebalanced more aggressively toward stocks in bad times. This consumption-investment strategy contrasts with customary portfolio theory and is consistent with several recent stylized facts about investors' behaviour. I also analyse the joint effect of loss aversion and persistence of the reference level on optimal choices. Finally, the strategy of the loss averse investor outperforms the conventional Merton-style strategies in bad times, but tend to be dominated by the conventional strategies in good times.


Objectives While much is known about the individual level risk factors for HSV-2 infection, little is known about why only some populations develop generalised HSV-2 epidemics. This study aims to assess the extent to which partner-concurrency (a factor which operates at both the partnership- and network-level) may be responsible. Methods We utilised multivariate logistic regression to analyse the relationship between HSV-2 seropositivity and potential risk factors in data from a representative cross-sectional survey of 14–24 year olds from a township in South Africa. Results The overall prevalence of HSV-2 was 53.3% among women and 17% among men. For men four factors remained significantly associated with HSV-2 infection in the multivariate regression analysis; total number of sex acts, being a migrant labourer, Zulu ethnicity and being HIV positive. For women eight factors were associated with HSV-2 infection; increasing age, partner concurrency (having a partner who had other partners), an older partner, total number of sex acts, using hormonal contraception, Xhosa ethnicity, syphilis seropositivity and being HIV positive. Conclusion Partner-concurrency is associated with increased HSV-2 seropositivity in women.


A National Science Foundation undergraduate faculty enhancement workshop on advanced laboratory experiments using lasers was developed at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with the authors as the instructors. The workshop emphasized the development and implementation of laser‐based experiments primarily suitable for advanced undergraduate physics and chemistry laboratories. Participants gained practical, hands‐on experience in approximately 16 unique laser‐based experiments in atomic and molecular physics, physical chemistry, and biophysics. The workshop also featured three construction projects, holography, computer‐aided instruction in laser safety, funding strategies, instruction and discussion. The relevance of the activities was illustrated with field trips to nearby private, state and federal laboratories to demonstrate applications in basic science, analytical chemistry, medicine, communications, and manufacturing. Highlights of the workshop and newly developed experiments are presented and a...


Ordering effects and low-frequency molecular dynamics in the nematic liquid crystals confined in mesoscopic pores was studied with the help of field cycling (FC) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry and Monte Carlo simulations. Proton relaxation rates were measured above the bulk isotropisation temperature in the broad frequency range between 2 kHz and 7 MHz. The average pore radii of confinements were between 1.5 and 15 nanometers. The relaxation dispersion curves in the confined materials exhibited strong deviations from the behaviour in bulk. In a few kHz range, a dramatic enhancement of the relaxation rates exceeding two orders of magnitude compared to the bulk sample was observed. The low-frequency value of the relaxation rate exhibited a strong dependence on the pore size. Experimental findings were interpreted in terms of the surface induced orientational order and diffusion between the sites with different orientations of local directors. The analysis was supported by Monte Carlo simulations of the reorientations mediated by translational displacements (RMTD) in spherical cavities.


Prostate-associated gene 4 (PAGE4) is a cancer/testis antigen that is typically restricted to the testicular germ cells but is aberrantly expressed in cancer. Furthermore, PAGE4 is developmentally regulated with dynamic expression patterns in the developing prostate and is also a stress-response protein that is upregulated in response to cellular stress. PAGE4 interacts with c-Jun, which is activated by the stress-response kinase JNK1, and plays an important role in the development and pathology of the prostate gland. Here, we have identified homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1 (HIPK1), also a component of the stress-response pathway, as a kinase that phosphorylates PAGE4 at T51. We show that phosphorylation of PAGE4 is critical for its transcriptional activity since mutating this T residue abolishes its ability to potentiate c-Jun transactivation. In vitro single molecule FRET indicates phosphorylation results in compaction of (still) intrinsically disordered PAGE4. Interestingly, however, while our previous observations indicated that the wild-type nonphosphorylated PAGE4 protein interacted with c-Jun [RajagopalanK. et al. (2014) Biochim, Biophys. Acta1842, 154−16324263171], here we show that phosphorylation of PAGE4 weakens its interaction with c-Jun in vitro. These data suggest that phosphorylation induces conformational changes in natively disordered PAGE4 resulting in its decreased affinity for c-Jun to promote interaction of c-Jun with another, unidentified, partner. Alternatively, phosphorylated PAGE4 may induce transcription of a novel partner, which then potentiates c-Jun transactivation. Regardless, the present results clearly implicate PAGE4 as a component of the stress-response pathway and uncover a novel link between components of this pathway and prostatic development and disease.


The re-use of healing abutments (HAs) has become common practice in implant dentistry for economic concerns and the aim of this in-vitro study was to assess the effect of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in decontamination of HAs. 122 HAs (Used and sterilized n=107; New n=15) were procured from 3 centers, of which 3 samples were discarded due to perforation in sterilization pouch.  For sterility assessment, the used HAs (n=80) were cultured in Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BHI) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), bacterial isolates were identified in 7 samples. Also, 24 used HAs were stained with Phloxine B, photographed and compared to new HAs (n=5). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) assessed the differences between the two sets of HAs, following which the 7 contaminated HAs along with 24 used HAs from staining experiment (Total=31) were subsequently treated with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and SEM images were observed. About 8.75% of HAs tested positive in bacterial culture; Streptococcus sanguis, Dermabacter hominis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Aspergillus species were isolated. Phloxine B staining was positive for used and sterilized HAs when compared to controls. The SEM images revealed deposits in the used HAs and although treatment with NaOCl eliminated the contamination of cultured HAs, the SEM showed visible debris in the HA thread region. This in-vitro study concluded that SEM images showed debris in used HAs at screw-hole and thread regions even though they tested negative in bacterial culture. The treatment with NaOCl of used HAs showed no bacterial contamination but the debris was observed in SEM images. Future studies on the chemical composition, biological implications, and clinical influence is warranted before considering the reuse of HAs.


Biometric is the science and innovation of measuring and analyzing biological information.In information technology, biometric refers to advancements that measures and analyzes human body attributes,for example,DNA, eye retinas, fingerprints and irises,face pattern,voice patterns,and hand geometry estimations,for identification purposes.The primary motivation behind scientific dentistry is to distinguish expired people,for whom different method for recognizable proof(e.g.,unique finger impression,face,and so on.)are not accessible.Dental elements survives most of the PM events which may disrupt or change other body tissues,e.g. casualties of motor vehicles mishaps,fierce violations,and work place accident,whose bodies could be deformed to such a degree,that identification even by a family member is neither desirable nor reliable.Dental Biometric utilises dental radiographs to distinguish casualties.The radiographs procured after the casualty's demise are called post-mortem radiograph and the radiograph obtained when the casualty was alive is called ante-mortem radiograph.The objective of dental biometric is to match the unidentified individual's post-mortem radiograph against a database of labelled antemortem radiograph.This thesis proposes a novel method for the contour extraction from dental radiographs.The proposed algorithm of Active Contour Model or the Snake model is used for this purpose. A correctly detected contour is essential for proper feature extraction.This thesis only works on the contour detection.The method has been tested on some radiographs images and is found to produce desired output.However,the input radiograph image may be of low quality,may suffer a clear separation between two adjacent teeth.In that case the method will not be able to produce a satisfactory result.There is a need of pre-processing(e.g. contrast enhancement) before the active contour detection model can be applied


Generally new students and new visitors in a building often experience difficulties when searching for a space, especially a building that has a lot of space. As well as having a complex space, both classrooms and staff workspaces. Usually visitors who have just entered the building's environment ask the security information parties or other visitors to provide information on classrooms or staff workspace sought. Another way for visitors to find information on conventional building space is available, but the alternative method requires a lot of time. For this reason, this study was made in the campus building, using NetBeans IDE software applying the closest path search algorithm based on the pixel index value on the map image. The system will display the closest landing map and information on the lecturer room staff room and lecture classrooms and search for lecturer data information. Likewise the search for staff and lecturers by writing their names in the search panel on the touch screen monitor. then pressing the "take me there" button, the system will show the direction to the workspace and provide staff information. To view announcement information, users simply select the announcement menu, then choose the announcement category. With this system, visitors are expected to have no difficulties in finding space and staff and campus information. The purpose of this study is to be able to provide a map of the direction of the building on campus from the position of the system to the classroom and the staff room and lecturer room. Besides that, it can also provide information about campus activities, announcements and even events to students and visitors, designed with an attractive interface that is easy to use.
Keywords: Building Map, Waifinding, Digital Information, LCD screen, NetBeans IDE


This paper studies the effect of free pre-school education on child outcomes in primary school. We exploit the staggered implementation of free part-time pre-school for three-year-olds across Local Education Authorities in England in the early 2000s. The policy led to small improvements in attainment at age five, with no apparent benefits by age 11. We argue that this is because the expansion of free places largely crowded out privately paid care, with small changes in total participation, and was achieved through an increase in private provision, where quality is lower on average than in the public sector.


The present work is our first attempt to understand the role of reconnection in the pulsar magnetosphere. Our discussion is based on the observational inference that, as the pulsar spins down, the region of closed corotating dipolar field lines grows with time. This implies that reconnection must take place in the magnetosphere. We argue that non-dissipative reconnection along the equatorial current sheet allows for continuous channeling of pulsar spindown energy into particle energy, all the way from the light cylinder to the pulsar wind termination shock, and we propose that this effect may account for the low $\sigma_{\rm shock}$ values inferred from the observations. We present a simple model that allows us to relate the magnetic diffusivity in the equatorial current sheet to an observable pulsar parameter, the braking index  n . When $n\sim 1$, the global structure of the magnetosphere approaches that of a relativistic split monopole where the pulsar spindown energy is carried by the electromagnetic field. However, for values of $n \ga 1.5$, almost all field lines close inside the pulsar wind termination shock, and thus most of the electromagnetic pulsar spindown energy flux is effectively transformed into particle energy in the equatorial current sheet.


To better understand the scope of outdoor recreation in a pan Europe context, many agencies and organizations have attempted to collect data at various spatial levels and for a multitude of uses. The aim of this paper is to suggest a need for better and broader understanding of outdoor recreation use at various spatial levels. Case examples from Swedish data collection efforts are provided and suggestions are made to have a better understanding of horizontal harmonization and vertical data integration.


The Al2O3 ultra-thin films with the thicknesses of 30 nm and 35 nm were deposited on glass microscope slides by a radio frequency reactive magnetron sputtering system. The optical, morphological and mechanical properties were investigated as function of the film thickness. The refractive index of the resulting Al2O3 ultra-thin film increased with the increasing thickness. Both the films showed high transparency of > 85% and low reflectivity of < 10% in the visible and near infrared region. A band gap of ∼8.65 eV was obtained for the 30 nm film and ∼7.53 eV for the 35 nm film from an empirical relation between refractive index and band gap. According to the results obtained from the AFM studies, the root mean square surface roughness of the films are 3.67 nm and 3.77 nm for the 30 nm and 35 nm film, respectively. The hardness and Young modulus values decreased with the increasing film thickness.


Author(s): Pferdehirt, Rebecca Ruth | Advisor(s): Meyer, Barbara J | Abstract: In organisms that use chromosome-counting mechanisms to determine sex, the chromosome-wide regulatory mechanism of dosage compensation equalizes X-linked gene products between males (1X) and females (2X). In C. elegans, dosage compensation is carried out by a multi-subunit dosage compensation complex (DCC) that resembles condensin, a conserved complex involved in chromosome compaction, resolution and segregation. This DCC binds both X chromosomes of XX animals to decrease X transcript levels by about two-fold. The DCC binds to at least two classes of cis-acting regulatory elements on X. rex sites autonomously recruit the DCC, even when detached from X, where as dox sites are fully bound only when attached to X. Here, I report important advances in our understanding of how DCC binding is targeted to the X chromosome, and how it regulates X-linked gene expression once bound. In chapter 2, I describe experiments that redefine our understanding of DCC composition, binding and function. DPY-30 is identified as a bona-fide component of both the repressive DCC and the activating MLL/COMPASS complex, which localizes to DCC binding sites across the genome. I define fundamental differences in the molecular requirements for DCC binding to rex and dox sites, and describe the relationship between DCC binding at these two classes of sites. Finally, I show for the first time that C. elegans dosage compensation acts at least at the level of transcription. In chapter 3, I report the discovery of the first post-translational modification involved in C. elegans dosage compensation. The small ubiquitin-like molecule SUMO is required for proper targeting of the DCC to the X chromosome and for repression of dosage compensated genes on X. I show that multiple components of the DCC are modified by SUMO in a manner dependent on the proteins that recruit the DCC to X. I propose that SUMOylation of the DCC is essential for sex-specific assembly of the complex on X and thus, for repression of X-linked genes. Finally, in chapter 4, I describe a role for members of the putative TIP60 histone acetyltransferase complex in C. elegans dosage compensation. TIP60 complex components are required for repression of dosage compensated gene expression on X, and cause synergistic lethality when combined with weak dosage compensation mutations. The precise mechanism of TIP60 activity in dosage compensation is still unclear, however, as DCC localization to the X chromosome in genome-wide binding assays is only mildly perturbed. The involvement of a histone acetyltransferase complex suggests that histone modification may be one of the regulatory mechanisms controlling C. elegans dosage compensation.


better to an intravenous regimen. We can only record, anecdotally, that he showed a complete recovery without neurological deficit. We have not obtained significant blood pressure reduction over two hours in severe hypertension with 80 mg propranolol or 100 mg atenolol by mouth, and bradycardia may be troublesome with these drugs. Further details from Dr Good of the dose, drugs, rate of blood pressure fall, and cardiovascular effects of oral beta-blockade would provide valuable comparison with our data.


: This study aims to determine (1) The results of the input evaluation; (2) The results of the evaluation process; and (3) The results of the product evaluation on the policy implementation of Act 12 of the year 2012 on the Program Study of Education Management, Postgraduate Program, University State of Jakarta (UNJ). The research method was a qualitative evaluation approach. Data collected by conducting an analysis of document-based curriculum KKNI to determine the success of the implementation by stages conducted at Postgraduate Program Study of Education Management. The data were analysed descriptively and meaning on any research findings conducted qualitatively. Stages of meaning carried out through the following stages: (1) Data Collection; (2) Data Reduction; and (3) Data Display. Based on the results of input evaluation which performed on the curriculum document, known that the preparation Program Study based on curriculum KKNI of Education Management Postgraduate Program is equipped with a clear legal basis, the formulation of goals and objectives. In the aspect of supporting resources for curriculum development, Progam Study has form data analysis of curriculum results, planned programs and implementation strategies. In the process, learning strategies are divided into two approaches, namely direct and indirect approaches. In evaluating, the results are more geared towards the achievement of the program on implementation of policies based on curriculum KKNI in Postgraduate Program Study of Education Management by a predetermined time phase, namely the achievement during the short-term period (1 to 2 years).


Ionic liquid (IL) catalyst attracts increasing attention during last few decades due to its excellent advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst. Here, a novel and efficient strategy for the production of trimethylolpropane (TMP) is proposed with basic IL catalysts. The catalytic activities of the IL catalysts are investigated. The effects of catalyst dosage, reaction temperature, time, and the molar ratio of the reactants are also studied. The results show that the basicity of the IL catalyst has a significant effect on the catalytic activity, where stronger basicity indicates higher catalytic activity. The IL 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hydroxyl ([bmim]OH) is proven to be the most efficient catalyst where more than 84% isolated yield of TMP was obtained under optimized conditions. Furthermore, both the IL catalyst and butyraldehyde show excellent recyclability. Moreover, this IL catalytic system avoids the inevitable desalination encountered by current processes utilizing inorganic alkali catalysts.


The purpose of this study was to retrieve data from the British Columbia Professional Firefighters Burn Unit registry, with a focus on ethnicity and how it is involved in burn trauma. It is hypothesized that mechanism, severity, and other patient characteristics are significantly different among different ethnic groups. Furthermore, it is believed that these data can be used to augment burn prevention strategies. Data for burn patients admitted from 1979 to 2009 were reviewed from the burn registry. The main focus was with differences seen among the four main ethnicities throughout the analysis, Caucasian, Aboriginal, Asian, and Indoasian, reflecting the population distribution of the region. Age and sex were also considered when looking at burn mechanism, severity, contributing and copresenting factors. Caucasians were the largest group (79.1%) and included the largest male:female ratio (3.3:1), with high numbers of flame injury (53.9%). Caucasians presented with the highest mortality (6.6% compared with 4.1% for all other ethnicities; P < .006). Asian patients (8.1%) showed significantly higher occurrences of urban (64%) and workplace (28.9%) injuries with a larger proportion of scald injury (38.9%). Indoasian patients included larger numbers of women (36.4%) and household scald injuries (33.9%) whereas Aboriginals suffered the most flame injuries (60.1%) in rural areas with more frequent contributing factors such as alcohol. The study found multiple significant differences in the burn injury population when segmented by ethnicity. Though the exact reasons for these differences are difficult to say with certainty, it allows a unique opportunity to focus communication and prevention efforts to specific communities.


Benthic vegetation plays an important role in determining the fate of nitrogen inputs to estuaries, thus influencing their degree of eutrophication. This study investigated the role of benthic vegetation as a sink for anthropogenic inputs of nitrate and ammonium into Wilson Inlet, a mesotrophic estuary in southwestern Australia. The dominant aquatic angiosperm in Wilson Inlet is Ruppia megacarpa Mason. We examined: (1) whether R. megacarpa leaves remove inorganic N (as nitrate and/or ammonium) from the water column, despite the presence of a layer of epiphytes; (2) whether the macrophyte and its epiphytes are equally important in the removal of inorganic N from the water column; and (3) whether inorganic N taken up by leaves is translocated to other plant parts. We added inorganic 15 N nitrogen, as ammonium, nitrate, or both, to aquaria containing intact cores of sediment, R. megacarpa and attached epiphytes, and unfiltered estuary water. We measured depletion of nitrogen species from the water column and incorporation of 15 N into components of the core. Epiphytes removed more nitrate and ammonium from the water column than R. megacarpa, despite having 25 % of the biomass of the macrophyte. Maximum rates of nitrate uptake were 4.6 (for epiphytes) and 2.0 μmol h -1 g -1 DW (for R. megacarpa), and maximium rates of ammonium uptake were 35 (for epiphytes) and 23 pmol h -1 g -1 DW (for R. megacarpa). The presence of ammonium reduced rates of nitrate uptake, indicating that benthic vegetation prefers ammonium as a nitrogen source. Using mass spectrometry, we recovered between 37 and 45% of the added 15 N nitrogen. The remainder was transformed to either organic nitrogen in the water column by algal epiphytes or nitrogen gas via coupled nitrification-denitrification in the sediment. This experiment indicates ecosystem-scale responses to dissolved inorganic nitrogen which would not have been observable from experiments conducted with isolated plants. Benthic vegetation in Wilson Inlet removes nitrate and ammonium quickly from the water column. Depending on water mixing, it may reduce transient increases in the concentration of these nutrients to background levels within 30 h. This process may be responsible for maintaining low water-column concentrations and reducing the likelihood of algal blooms.


Factor Xa (fXa) inhibitors are becoming more common in clinical practice due to a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, limited data are currently available on the safe and efficacious reversal of these agents. This series presents 3 patient cases of intracranial hemorrhage and illustrates the observed effect of different methodologies undertaken in an attempt to reverse the fXa inhibitors implicated. Additionally, a brief review of the current available literature in reversal strategies is provided. The appropriate reversal for fXa inhibitors at this time is unknown. The cases described indicate that the administration of fresh frozen plasma and 4-factor prothrombin complex concen- trate may provide minimal benefit in reversing the coagulation abnormalities caused by fXa inhibi - tors. However, in a life-threatening situation, the addition of these agents should be considered to prevent further progression of the bleed.


In this paper, two silicon solar cells p+-ii-n + with homogenous and heterogeneous intrinsic absorber layers based on hydrogenated amorphous-nanocrystalline-microcrystalline silicon (a-Si:H/nc-Si:H) have been studied by computer modeling and simulation program (AMPS-1D Analysis of Microelectronic and Photonic Structures). Various factors that affect cell efficiency performance have been studied such as layers absorption coefficients, band gap and layer thickness up to 1200nm. It was found that in the case of standard solar cell conditions a layers absorption coefficient has a major contribution to solar cell performance according to measurement on the actual solar cell samples. It is demonstrated that, for homogenous a-Si:H/nc-Si:H intrinsic absorber layer with constant crystal fraction of Xc=30% cell efficiency is higher than in case of heterogeneous intrinsic absorber layer which contains of arbitrary crystal fractions depending of absorber layer thickness. Second case scenario of silicon thin film composite structure is more common in solar cells production according to PECVD and HWCVD deposition technique proven by earlier X-ray diffraction and high resolution electron microscopy measurements.


Iranians have long been familiar with the climate impact on the building. They took advantage of the climate in the construction of urban buildings and structures to reduce the effects of ill-treatment. They also designed and implemented the benefits of a particular architectural climate. For example, the use of dome roofs, or masonry and mud walls or elevation from the ground and. These are obvious indications of the climate's impact on architecture, which has made itself in structural compounds of ceilings and walls and building foundations. Currently, due to the population growth of the country and the need for housing, the need to design and construct a building to accommodate compatriots is required. Most of the country's economy is related to civil engineering activities. Therefore, increasing the useful life of the building will not only help the national economy but also respond to the need for housing in the community. In order to increase the useful life of the building, attention should be paid to the twenty laws and regulations of the national building regulations and the earthquake regulations. It is also important to pay attention to proper construction of the skeleton and to maintain it properly. Currently, in our country, architectural design is based on the climate well known to engineer architects. The need to pay attention to the climate in the design, construction, and execution of the skeleton of buildings has remained largely obsolete. It has not been adequately addressed. In this paper, we have tried to address the climate impacts on the choice of the type of structure, including the metal and concrete structure, and the choice of the type of pipe, as well as the connections and modifications to be made in the design of the structure. It also offers suggestions for extending shelf life.
Keywords: Climate; concrete structures; steel structures; concrete; corrosion
References:
Mansour, P. (2001). Anticorrosive prevention of steel structures using protective coatings, First edition, Publisher of Building and Housing Research Center, Tehran.
Office of the National Building Regulations. (2010). Design and implementation of concrete structures of Armay, Second Edition, Publisher of Development of Iran, Tehran.
Office of the National Building Regulations. (2010). Designing and Implementing Steel Buildings, Second Edition, Publishing House of Development of Iran, Tehran.
Ghodousi, P., Parhizgar, T., Ramezanianpour, A. A., Mozafari, N. (2004). Concrete Technology in Persian Gulf Environment, First Edition, Publisher, Research Center for Building and Housing, Tehran.
Office of the National Building Regulations. (2009). Foundation, Third Edition, Publishing House of Development of Iran, Tehran.
Golsorat, P. (2011). Restoration of Structures (Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation), Second Edition, Publisher Newshanegar, Tehran.


This article analyses how the security sector reform (SSR) process in the Central African Republic was defined and implemented between 2008 and 2010, putting emphasis on the interactions between national and international actors. It advocates an approach which consists of expanding the agenda of the traditional multilevel governance approach and which seeks to seize both the top-down and the bottom-up dynamics of decision-making processes. The first objective is to capture the sets of actors and procedures which drove the reform process, and to map out the various levels of government at which decisions are made. Secondly - and more fundamentally - the article aims to capture the intermingling of domestic and international decision- making processes, which increasingly overlap and interfere with each other in Southern countries.


Flavonoids are valuable phytochemicals for human health and nutrition. Jute ( Corchorus capsularis and C. olitorius ), a vegetable rich in phenolics and flavonoids, is globally consumed for its health benefit, but the biosynthesis pathways and metabolic profiles of its flavonoids are poorly characterized. Elucidating the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways would augment the broad er use of jute, including targeted synthesis of its specific flavo noids. We reconstructed the core flavonoid biosynthesis path ways in jute by integrating transcriptome mining, HPLC and flavonoid histochemistry. In C. capsularis (white jute), the fla vonoid biosynthesis pathways' metabolic flux was driven to ward the biosynthesis of proanthocyanidins that mediate the acquisition of abiotic stress tolerance. However, higher levels of flavonols in C. olitorius (tossa jute) render it more suitable for nutritional and medicinal use. Jute flavonoid extract exhibited in vitro inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2, suggesting its potential chemopreventive and immunity-boosting roles. Using the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways profiles of 93 plant species, we reconstructed the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways phylogeny based on distance-based clustering of reaction paths. This reaction-path flavonoid biosynthesis pathways phy logeny was quite distinct from that reconstructed using individual gene sequences. Our flavonoid biosynthesis pathways-based classification of flavonoid groups corroborates well with their chemical evolution, suggesting complex, adaptive evolution


Continuing the case for free voluntary reading set out in the book's 1993 first edition, this new, updated, and much-looked-for second edition explores new research done on the topic in the last ten years as well as looking anew at some of the original research reviewed. Krashen also explores research surrounding the role of school and public libraries and the research indicating the necessity of a print-rich environment that provides light reading (comics, teen romances, magazines) as well as the best in literature to assist in educating children to read with understanding and in second language acquisition. He looks at the research surrounding reading incentive/rewards programs and specifically at the research on AR (Accelerated Reader) and other electronic reading products.


The involvement of phosphatidylcholine (PC) hydrolysis in the regulation of insulin secretion was studied in mouse pancreatic islets prelabelled with [3H]choline. Phospholipase C (PLC) and phospholipase D (PLD) activities were demonstrated and also that of an enzyme that removes both fatty acids from PC and thus catalyses the production of [3H]glycerophosphorylcholine (GroPCho). After 2 min of incubation with 20 mM glucose a 35% increase in the content of [3H]GroPCho was observed in prelabelled islets, whereas the amount of [3H]lysoPC, [3H]phosphorylcholine (PCho) and [3H]choline was unaffected. After 30 min of incubation with 20 mM glucose, 0.2 mM tolbutamide, 40 mM KC1, 10 mM succinic acid monomethyl ester (SME) or 10 mM NaF, a 25-50% increase in [3H]GroPCho was observed. In the presence of 100 microM diazoxide or 35 microM RHC 80267 the glucose activation was attenuated. PLC was stimulated slightly by tolbutamide and 100 microM isoprenaline (isoproterenol), whereas SME decreased the amount of [3H]PCho by 10%. [3H]Choline content was increased by 25-40% in the presence of 0.16 microM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), 10 mM NaF or 100 microM carbachol. This effect of fluoride was potentiated in the presence of 20 mM glucose. It is concluded that metabolism of PC to GroPCho may be involved in the regulation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and that PLD may participate in insulin secretion evoked by TPA, carbachol and fluoride.


We analyze stability properties of monotone nonlinear systems via max-separable Lyapunov functions, motivated by the following observations: first, recent results have shown that asymptotic stability of a monotone nonlinear system implies the existence of a max-separable Lyapunov function on a compact set; second, for monotone linear systems, asymptotic stability implies the stronger properties of D-stability and insensitivity to time delays. This paper establishes that for monotone nonlinear systems, equivalence holds between asymptotic stability, the existence of a max-separable Lyapunov function, D-stability, and insensitivity to bounded and unbounded time-varying delays. In particular, a new and general notion of D-stability for monotone nonlinear systems is discussed, and a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for delay-independent stability are derived. Examples show how the results extend the state of the art.


Despite various efforts for the past six decades, the Indian government has not achieved universal enrolment in elementary education. The government acknowledges that it may be too big a task to be accomplished by a single agency and has made a space for civil society and non-governmental efforts to achieve this goal alongside the government. In Madhya Pradesh, the CSO's involvement in elementary education began with individual efforts for curriculum innovation in the 1970s. Persistent efforts by the CSOs to improve elementary education in government schools eventually resulted in their formal inclusion within the state government's decentralised education structure. The CSOs in MP work in partnership with the state government and play a complementary role. The major findings of this paper indicate that the CSO's involvement has helped improve attendance and retention rates of students in schools by introducing activity based teaching-learning material in classrooms and by increasing awareness and participation of parents and members of the village community in the delivery of elementary education and within the school system.


According to the reporters who wanted to speak with LaTasha Jenkins, she was the first athlete in the seven-year history of the United States AntiDoping Agency (USADA) to win and clear herself of doping charges. USADA's record was now thirty-seven and one. Remarkably, the flawless record was beaten by a group of third year law students and their professor. But LaTasha did not want to speak with the reporters. To LaTasha, she had not won. She had been dragged through the mud, her career had been ended, and she was emotionally exhausted. Talking to reporters would only remind her of the damage done. She would never speak to reporters and quietly retire. The story of USADA v. Jenkins, and the failed appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that followed, is the story of a lucky win against a multi-headed foe that makes all the rules, then changes the rules when it loses, in a system nearly incapable of addressing the inherent imbalance of power between athletes and their accusers. The telling of LaTasha's story reveals the flaws of the Olympic Movement's anti-doping


Four term babies, three boys and one girl, became cyanotic shortly after birth. In two cases the cause was maternal use of drugs: methemoglobinaemia due to use of a chromate and depression of the nervous system due to clomipramine. They recovered. A third child suffered cerebral infarction and was left with decreased left-arm function. The fourth child had a hypoplastic left heart and died. Central cyanosis in a newborn should be cause for concern. A thorough case history should be taken and extensive physical examination carried out. In case of doubt additional diagnostic tests should be performed.


Strong gravitational lensing and stellar dynamics provide two complementary and orthogonal constraints on the density profiles of galaxies. Based on spherically symmetric, scale-free, mass models, it is shown that the combination of both techniques is powerful in breaking the mass-sheet and mass-anisotropy degeneracies. Second, observational results are presented from the Lenses Structure & Dynamics (LSD) Survey and the Sloan Lens ACS (SLACS) Survey collaborations to illustrate this new methodology in constraining the dark and stellar density profiles, and mass structure, of early-type galaxies to redshifts of Unity.


Adsorption of trichloroethylene (TCE) in adsorbents containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic micropores was investigated in order to determine the mechanisms responsible for TCE adsorption on mineral solids. A high‐pressure liquid chromatography method was used to measure TCE adsorption isotherms on three microporous adsorbents. Silica gel and zeolite type NaX were used as hydrophilic model adsorbents, and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)‐treated silica gel was used as a model hydrophobic adsorbent. Batch uptake and desorption isotherms were also measured on the hydrophilic silica gel. Uptake of TCE by all three adsorbents was linear over the concentration range investigated. However, the silica gel desorption isotherm was highly nonlinear, as indicated by its Freundlich isotherm exponent of 0.58. Capillary phase separation into hydrophobic micropores was postulated as being responsible for the isotherm hysteresis. Supporting this hypothesis was the conformance of the TCE adsorption isotherm to Dubinin–Radushkevitch volume filling of micropores theory. The enthalpies for TCE adsorption on all three solids were determined by van't Hoff analysis of distribution coefficients measured over a temperature range from 5 to 90°C. The TCE adsorption enthalpies on the silica gel and HMDS silica gel were exothermic, but on the zeolite adsorption was endothermic. High exothermic adsorption enthalpies on the silica gel adsorbents indicated that TCE adsorption was occurring in hydrophobic micropores, and that adsorption on surfaces with large radii of curvature contributed only minimally to the total uptake. This indicates that the predominant mechanism for TCE adsorption on these mineral solids is not partitioning into the vicinal water layer.


Aims: We aimed to investigate the immunocytoexpression profiles of a novel assay ProEx C for topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) and minichromosome maintenance protein 2 (MCM2) in abnormal interpreted smears. Settings and Design: Screening programs with Papanicolaou smear and high risk group human papilloma virus testing have yielded a dramatic reduction of cervical cancer incidence. However, both of these tests have limited specificity for the detection of clinically significant cervical high grade lesions. ProEx C for topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) and minichromosome maintenance protein 2 (MCM2) has been considered to have tight association with high grade intraepithelial lesions. Materials and Methods: A total number of 54 SurePath cervical cytology specimens of patients previously interpreted as atypical squamous cells–undetermined significance (ASC-US), atypical squamous cells–cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H), low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) were included in our study. Results and Conclusions: ProEx C was positive in 14 of HSILs (100%), 3 of 19 LSILs (16%), 2 of 4 ASC-Hs, and none of ASC-USs (0%). The ProEx C test showed very intense nuclear staining in all cytologically abnormal cells. Further studies are indicated to evaluate the diagnostic role of ProEx C.


Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic factor and endothelial cell-specific mitogen, is induced by hypoxia in various cell lines as well as in solid tumors. In this study, we report that cell density has a profound effect on the expression of VEGF in human glioblastoma cells (U87) and human fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080), an effect that is independent of hypoxia. Northern blot analysis revealed that VEGF mRNA levels were four- to eightfold higher in cells seeded at high density compared to cells seeded at low density. This upregulation of VEGF message in response to seeding at high density was not seen with other mRNAs such as those for TGF-beta1 or GAPDH. Conditioned medium switch experiments between sparse and dense cells suggested that soluble factor(s) may not account for the observed changes in VEGF expression. Incubation with genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for 3 h following seeding resulted in the reduction of the VEGF mRNA levels in highly confluent cultures but not in sparse cultures. To identify protein tyrosine kinases involved in the upregulation of the steady-state levels of VEGF mRNA in highly dense cultures, we analyzed the phosphorylation state of the c-src tyrosine kinase, in high versus low confluency cultures of U87 and HT1080 cells. Interestingly, an increased phosphorylation at Tyr416 of c-src was noted in high compared to low confluency, suggesting the activation of c-src in highly confluent cultures. Because extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) such as MAP kinase have been shown to be activated by extracellular stimuli and act downstream of c-src, we examined their possible involvement in this process. We found that the tyrosine phosphorylation level of MAP kinase is higher in dense compared to sparse cultures and, moreover, 6-thioguanine (6-TG), a potent inhibitor of ERKs, reduced VEGF mRNA levels in high but not low confluency. Furthermore, reintroduction of wild-type, but not mutant, von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene product in 786-O cells (a renal carcinoma cell line) specifically abrogated the induction of VEGF mRNA due to high cell density. Taken together, these data suggest that VEGF gene expression is regulated by cell density, and the protooncogene c-src and the tumor-suppressor VHL are modulators of this regulation.


Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a 349-residue mosaic protein that contains four structural modules implicated in protein-protein interactions. To address the functionality of residues 247-349 (containing module 4 alone), this region of CTGF was produced as a maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion protein in E. coli. After removal of MBP, recombinant CTGF commenced at Glu(247), was of M(r) 10 000, was immunoreactive with anti-CTGF[247-260], bound strongly to heparin, and promoted dose-dependent adhesion of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells. An 8 kDa presumptive C-terminally truncated form of CTGF commencing at Glu(247) also promoted cell adhesion. CTGF-mediated cell adhesion was abolished by heparin or EDTA. These data demonstrate the presence of heparin-binding and cell-adhesion motifs within the C-terminal 103 residues of CTGF and show that CTGF-mediated cell adhesion is heparin-and divalent cation-dependent. Thus, CTGF isoforms comprising essentially module 4 are intrinsically functional in the absence of the other constituent modules of CTGF.


In recent times when there has been a shift in public benefit of education from the higher education to basic education, beneficiaries of higher education take responsibilities of most of their financial commitments as students. The focus of the study was to find out the extent to which financial responsibilities affect the persistence of female students accessing higher education through the distance education programs. A correlational research design was used to describe and predict the effect of financial responsibilities on persistence of 441 female students drawn from selected public universities in Ghana. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed with descriptives and simple linear regression. It was found that financial roles had positive effect on persistence of the female students. The study recommended that female students were exposed to the sources of funding to enable them mitigate the effect financial roles might have on their persistence and academic progression.


As reservoir compaction is causing variations in both layer thickness and seismic velocities, it is of interest to distinguish between these two effects. The dilation factor R can be used to link the geophysical observables and the physical properties of the rock. The R-factor is defined as the ratio of relative change in velocity to relative change in strain. There are still unanswered questions related to the variation of the R-factor. We suggest inverting for a set of reservoir parameters to obtain the relative thickness change above the reservoir, using geomechanical modeling constrained by seafloor subsidence, measured from repeated bathymetry measurements. The resulting R-factor values will be calculated through a rock physics relation using the modeled relative thickness change and the corresponding relative time shifts provided by 4D seismic. The global inversion process has been implemented using real data from the Ekofisk Field, located in the Southern North Sea, acquired in 2011 and 2014. The resulting R values will depend on the accuracy of the model parameters in which the inversion process define. It is hard to determine the underlying "real" model parameter since the geomechanical model will not reflect the complexity of the Ekofisk reservoir. The calculated R values will, therefore, be associated with errors. Negative overburden time shifts were recorded, representing speedup in the monitor case. Even though the study was implemented on a 2D seismic line with increasing positive time shifts with depth, it seems like the constrained displacements together with the relative time shifts do not reflect the stress paths estimated from the geomechanical model. The method still provides knowledge of the processes involved. The calculated R will depend on the stress path from the geomechanical model and the interaction with time shifts from seismic data, and may differ both laterally and with depth, depending on the interaction. The study illustrates the importance of collecting data where time-lapse changes are most prominent and how the calculated R becomes unstable for position larger than the underlying reservoir radius. The instabilities are dependent on depth, and the effect occurs at a larger position for shallowcompared to deeper layers due to stress arching. The scientific approach used in this study can potentially be utilized with more accurate geomechanical models, which account for heterogeneities and non-elastic effects in the reservoir and overburden, in order to calculate the R-factor values more precise.


In this paper we point out a gap in the EU 2020 strategy to deliver growth that is smart, through more effective investments in education, research and innovation. The gap in the strategy is that in addition to investing in its own R&D, the EU must take advantage of knowledge created in the rest of the world. Even if EU is a major generator of new knowledge and will become even more so when the strategy is implemented, more new knowledge is (and will be) generated outside than inside the EU. New knowledge developed in other parts of the world are not flowing immediately, automatically and without costs to the relevant actors within the EU. It is critical for the EU to develop efficient channels for the imports of knowledge from other parts of the world. We analyze EU's capacity to absorb knowledge created in the other Triad nations (United States and Japan) through the following channels for international knowledge flows: academic knowledge channels, patents as a knowledge channel, technology trade, strategic R&D cooperation, trade networks, foreign direct investments, and high-skilled migration. The indicators show that there are certain types of knowledge channels that Europe must try to use much more extensively in order to become a leading knowledge economy.


This letter presents the results of an enhancement mode metamorphic high-electron-mobility transistor device on a GaAs substrate with a 70% indium composition channel. A 35-nm gate length device exhibits a 490-GHz current gain cutoff frequency (fT), a transconductance (gm) of 2 S/mm, a threshold voltage (Vth) of 0.11 V (enhancement mode) and a low on- resistance of 0.37 Omega mm. These attributes make the device well- suited for millimeter-wave circuit applications.


In 2023, the eldest Russian scholar in the field of African Studies R.N. Ismagilova celebrated her 95th birthday. For the past 73 years her life has been dedicated to studying and researching of diverse social, cultural, ethnic and political processes evolving in Africa. She is the author of an impressive number of academic books and other fundamental research materials, on both individual African countries and the problems characteristic for the region as a whole. As a social anthropologist, Prof. R.N. Ismagilova, DSc, currently focuses her attention on the analysis of ethnic problems as well as on the issues relating to the functioning of traditional political and sociocultural institutions and their role in modern society, in particular, in the aspect of conflict resolution.


We modeled the geometrical roughening of bedding-parallel, mainly layer-dominated stylolites in order to understand their structural evolution, to present an advanced classification of stylolite shapes and to relate this classification to chemical compaction and permeability variations at stylolites. Stylolites are rough dissolution seams that develop in sedimentary basins during chemical compaction. In the Zechstein 2 carbonate units, an important lean gas reservoir in the southern Permian Zechstein basin in Germany, stylolites influence local fluid flow, mineral replacement reactions and hence the permeability of the reservoir. Our simulations demonstrate that layerdominated stylolites can grow in three distinct stages: an initial slow nucleation phase, a fast layerpinning phase and a final freezing phase if the layer is completely dissolved during growth. Dissolution of the pinning layer and thus destruction of the stylolite's compaction tracking capabilities is a function of the background noise in the rock and the dissolution rate of the layer itself. Low background noise needs a slower dissolving layer for pinning to be successful but produces flatter teeth than higher background noise. We present an advanced classification based on our simulations and separate stylolites into four classes: (1) rectangular layer type, (2) seismogram pinning type, (3) suture/sharp peak type and (4) simple wave-like type. Rectangular layer type stylolites are the most appropriate for chemical compaction estimates because they grow linearly and record most of the actual compaction (up to 40 mm in the Zechstein example). Seismogram pinning type stylolites also provide good tracking capabilities, with the largest teeth tracking most of the compaction. Suture/sharp peak type stylolites grow in a non-linear fashion and thus do not record most of the actual compaction. However, when a non-linear growth law is used, the compaction estimates are similar to those making use of the rectangular layer type stylolites. Simple wave-like stylolites are not useful for compaction estimates, since their growth is highly nonlinear with a very low growth exponent. In the case where sealing material is collected at the tooth during dissolution, stylolites can act as barriers for local fluid flow as they intensify sealing capabilities of pinning layers. However, the development of teeth and spikes offsets and thus destroys continuous stylolite seams so that the permeability across the stylolite becomes very heterogeneous and they are no continuous barriers. This behavior is best shown in rectangular layer and seismogram pinning type stylolites that develop efficient fluid barriers at teeth tips but destroy sealing capabilities of layers by offsetting them at the flank, leading to a permeability anisotropy along 2-D stylolite planes. Suture/sharp peak stylolites can create fluid barriers if they collect enough sealing material. However, if the collecting material does not seal or if spikes offset the sealing material the stylolite leaks. We propose that our classification can be used to realistically estimate chemical compaction in reservoirs and gives an indication on how heterogeneous the permeability of stylolites can be.


Shape memory alloys (SMAs) offer a unique combination of novel properties, such as shape memory effect, super- elasticity, biocompatibility and high damping capacity, and thin film SMAs have the potential to become a primary actuating mechanism for micro-actuators. In this study, TiNiCu films were successfully prepared by mix sputtering of a Ti55Ni45 target with a separated Cu target. Crystalline structure, residual stress and phase transformation properties of the TiNiCu films were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and curvature measurement methods. Effects of the processing parameters on the film composition, phase transformation and shape-memory effects were analyzed. Effects of the processing parameters on the film composition, phase transformation and shape-memory effects were analyzed. Results showed that films prepared at high Ar gas pressure exhibited a columnar structure, while films deposited at a low Ar gas pressure showed smooth and featureless structure. Chemical composition of TiNiCu thin films was dependent on the DC power of copper target. DSC, XRD and curvature measurement revealed clearly the martensitic transformation of the deposited TiNiCu films. When the freestanding film was heated and cooled, a two-way shape memory effect can be clearly observed.


We present a theoretical analysis of the transition from thermal activation (TA) regime to the macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) regime of the decay from a metastable persistent current state in grain boundary junctions of cuprate superconductors. This transition is conventionally characterized by a single crossover temperature determined by the potential profile and dissipative mechanisms. It is shown that due to the existence of low energy bound states (mid-gap states) for various relative orientations of the crystal axes, there exists a window of parameters where one finds, with lowering temperature, an inverse crossover from MQT to TA, followed by a subsequent reentrance of MQT. It is shown that these predictions are in reasonable agreement with recent experiments.


This paper focuses on analysis of tool life during milling of nickel alloy Inconel 718. Several modifications of one type of carbide tool with different cutting edge finish adjustments (lapping, drag finishing) were proposed for milling of Inconel 718. These finish adjustments significantly influence cutting edge properties (hardness, radius value, etc.). The toolpath geometry setup has a great influence on chip formation and tool load characteristics during milling strategies. The milling tests were performed by using the cutting tools with several adjustments of cutting edge in combination with the toolpath geometry setup. The paper therefore presents the analysis that tool life can be significantly increased through proper finish adjustment of cutting edge microgeometry and proper toolpath setup.


We propose a theoretical model of friction under electrochemical conditions focusing on the interaction of a force microscope tip with adsorbed polar molecules whose orientation depends on the applied electric field. We demonstrate that the dependence of friction force on the electric field is determined by the interplay of two channels of energy dissipation: (i) the rotation of dipoles and (ii) slips of the tip over potential barriers. We suggest a promising strategy to achieve a strong dependence of nanoscopic friction on the external field based on the competition between long-range electrostatic interactions and short-range chemical interactions between tip and adsorbed polar molecules.


PURPOSE
To report the pattern of uveitis in a north Indian tertiary eye center.

METHODS
A retrospective study was done to identify the pattern of uveitis in a uveitis clinic population of a major referral center in north India from January 1996 to June 2001. A standard clinical protocol, the "naming and meshing" approach with tailored laboratory investigations, was used for the final diagnosis.

RESULTS
1233 patients were included in the study; 641 (51.98%) were males and 592 (48.01%) females ranging in age from 1.5 to 75 years. The anterior uveitis was seen in 607 patients (49.23%) followed by posterior uveitis (247 patients, 20.23 %), intermediate uveitis (198 patients, 16.06%) and panuveitis (181 patients, 14.68%). A specific diagnosis could be established in 602 patients (48.82%). The infective aetiology was seen in 179 patients, of which tuberculosis was the commonest cause in 125 patients followed by toxoplasmosis (21 patients, 11.7%). Non-infectious aetiology was seen in 423 patients, of which ankylosing spondylitis was the commonest cause in 80 patients followed by sepigionous choroidopathy (62 patients, 14.65%).

CONCLUSION
Tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis were the commonest form of infective uveitis, while ankylosing spondylitis and serpiginous choroidopathy were commonly seen as the non-infective causes of uveitis in North India.


A better understanding of viscous fingering can help to increase the recovery of hydrocarbons. The need for modelling the impact of viscous fingering is great as it largely dictates the sweep quality of hydrocarbons in a porous medium [11]. In this study we will investigate the effects of viscous fingering in a porous medium by incorporating an unstable flow caused by a dynamic viscosity and gravity. Our approach will be to consider the permeability as a diagonal tensor with the permeabilities scaled as an exponent of the width of a thin-strip, where the flow is present. This thesis provides a rigorous approach towards the derivation of a 1D model and the quality of upscaling is further illustrated through an extensive study of numerical results.


Background and Purpose The rate and outcomes of neurologic complications of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to identify these parameters in ECMO patients. Methods All patients receiving ECMO were selected from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2001-2011. The rate and outcomes of neurologic complications [acute ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and seizures] among these patients was determined. Discharge status, mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization costs were compared between patients with and without neurologic complications using chi-squared tests for categorical variables and Student's t-test for continuous variables. Results In total, 23,951 patients were included in this study, of which 2,604 (10.9%) suffered neurologic complications of seizure (4.1%), stroke (4.1%), or ICH (3.6%). When compared to patients without neurologic complications, acute ischemic stroke patients had significantly higher rates of discharge to a long-term facility (12.2% vs. 6.8%, p<0.0001) and a significantly longer mean length of stay (41.6 days vs. 31.9 days, p<0.0001). ICH patients had significantly higher rates of discharge to a long-term facility (9.5% vs. 6.8%, p=0.007), significantly higher mortality rates (59.7% vs. 50.0%, p<0.0001), and a significantly longer mean length of stay (41.8 days vs. 31.9 days) compared to patients without neurologic complications. These outcomes did not differ significantly between seizure patients and patients without neurologic complications. Conclusions Given the increasing utilization of ECMO and the high costs and poor outcomes associated with neurologic complications, more research is needed to help determine the best way to prevent these sequelae in this patient population.


A corneal ulcer is an open sore or epithelial defect with an inflammation of the cornea of the eye. Most of the corneal ulcers are caused by bacterial infections and are common in people who wear contact lenses. Moxifloxacin eye drops are frequently used for the treatment of infectious ulcers. However such formulations have a major drawback, that is the short duration of action and usually, require 4-6 times installation daily. A bioadhesive polymer coated niosomal formulation of moxifloxacin was purposed to show a longer retention time on eyes and subsequent reduction in dosing frequency. Niosomes were prepared by solvent injection method using cholesterol and span 60. The coating of the niosomes was done using Carbopol 934or HPMC as a bioadhesive polymer. The mean particle size of bioadhesive niosomes found to be below 200nm. Optimization of the coating was based on in vitro diffusion studies, ex vivo transcorneal permeation studies and bioadhesion studies. The retention time of the formulation was determined by in vitro and ex vivo bioadhesion testing. The antimicrobial assay confirmed the potency of the formulation against the gram-negative organism. The current study revealed that bioadhesive niosomal formulations have longer corneal retention time and have sustained drug release for a period of 24 hours.


Humans have transformed the surface of the planet through agricultural activities, and today, ∼12% of the land surface is used for cultivation and another 22% is used for pastures and rangelands. In this paper, we have synthesized satellite‐derived land cover data and agricultural census data to produce global data sets of the distribution of 18 major crops across the world. The resulting data are representative of the early 1990s, have a spatial resolution of 5 min. (∼10 km), and describe the fraction of a grid cell occupied by each of the 18 crops. The global crop data are consistent with our knowledge of agricultural geography, and compares favorably to another existing data set that partially overlaps with our product. We have also analyzed how different crops are grown in combination to form major crop belts throughout the world. Further, we analyzed the patterns of crop diversification across the world. While these data are not sufficiently accurate at local scales, they can be used to analyze crop geography in a regional‐to‐global context. They can also be used to understand the global patterns of farming systems, in analyses of food security, and within global ecosystem and climate models to understand the environmental consequences of cultivation.


This study was conducted to test the hypotheses that a forest managed by selective cutting can store more carbon than a forest managed by clearcutting. The study was carried out as a meta-analysis. The data that was found was analyzed by performing t-tests on the proportional effect that the two silvicultural methods had on the driving factors of CO2-efflux and carbon stores in coniferous boreal forest. In all areas tested, an effect in favor of selective cutting was found, but not all of them significant however. The soil respiration following selective cutting was significantly lower than that of clearcutting, and the primary production of a clearcut area cannot according to reason exceed that of an area post-selective cutting. The result indicates that selective cutting increases boreal forest carbon storage in comparison to clearcutting. Hence, an increased use of selective cutting in boreal forests could help to mitigate climate change by reducing the CO2 content of the atmosphere. Key words: Boreal forest, carbon stores, CO2-efflux, silvicultural methods


It is no longer a secret that a lawyer arguing a case before the Supreme Court is more likely to lose if he is asked more questions than his opponent during oral arguments. This paper rigorously tests that hypothesis and the related hypothesis that a lawyer is more likely to lose if he is asked longer questions (measured by words per question) than his opponent. Using regression analysis, we find strong evidence for both hypotheses: the number of questions asked and the number of words per question asked are both negatively correlated with a party's likelihood of winning. Although the paper is primarily empirical, we also explore the theoretical basis for these results. We analyze the role of deliberation in appellate courts and explain that because formal deliberation is often quite limited, judges use oral argument as an alternative way to express their opinions and attempt to influence other judges.


Mössbauer spectra of equilibrated ordinary chondrites consist of two doublets due to paramagnetic iron present in olivines and pyroxenes and two sextets due to magnetically ordered iron present in metallic phases and troilite. The spectral areas of the different mineralogical phases found by Mössbauer spectroscopy in meteorites are proportional to the number of iron atoms in this mineralogical phase. This property of Mössbauer spectra can be the basis for constructing a method for the classification of ordinary chondrites. This idea was first explored at the Mössbauer Laboratory in Kanpur. This group suggested a qualitative method based on 2‐dimensional plots of Mössbauer spectral areas and thus classified properly some meteorites. We constructed a quantitative method using Mössbauer spectral areas, multidimensional discriminant analysis, and Mahalanobis distance (4M method) to determine the probability of a meteorite to be of type H, L, or LL. Based on 59 Mössbauer spectra, we calculated by the 4M method, Scluster, the level of similarity of the Goronyo meteorite to the clusters. On the plot of ferrosilite versus fayalite, the point representing Goronyo is located on the border between H and L areas. Calculated by the 4M method, the meteorite Goronyo is 32% similar to type H, 75% to type L, and 11% to type LL. Additional mineralogical analyses suggested that the Goronyo meteorite would be classified as type L, although it was originally reported as type H in the Meteoritical Bulletin Database.


The proponents plan to propose an IT Capstone Project entitled "Class Scheduling Management System for University of Rizal System". This proposed Capstone Project intended to help to assign and plot the faculty of University of Rizal System on their designated rooms and schedules.The software will be managed and use by Administrative Dean and Program Head, the only capable of editing and or altering the said program. The proposed software will solve the existing problem encountered in manual system used by University of Rizal System. This study focused on how to develop and deploy a Class Scheduling Management System that will enhance the traditional method of scheduling system used in University of Rizal System. The general objective of this study is to develop an effective and efficient scheduling of University classrooms, to help minimize the admin, head and instructor's problem during the starts of classes and to maximize availability of classes to the students of University of Rizal System Antipolo Campus. For University of Rizal System Antipolo Campus, the result of the study can provide the management a view of their scheduling process. In gathering data, the proponents used different gathering instruments such as interview guide, survey form, questionnaires, library research and web surfing for gathering data to provide the researchers relevant information for the development of the system. With value to the functionalities of the proposed system, the respondents of the survey found out that the proposed system is better to use than the existing system in the university. The Dean and the Faculty of University of Rizal System prefer to use the computerized Class Scheduling System in the future. The proposed system resolves the problems and conflicts in the manual process. The proponents concluded that the following are the foremost conclusions pertaining to the study: (1) The proposed system provides an organize process of scheduling the class in the University of Rizal System. (2) The proposed system gives ease and handiness to the user based on the functionality of the system. A better service and a high quality process in the scheduling system of the University of Rizal System Antipolo Campus. (3)The system is capable of providing a fast scheduling processes resulting to a better scheduling transaction for the part of Dean and the faculty members but also for the students. (4) It minimized and completely removes all the drawbacks of the manual scheduling.


Title of dissertation: High Frequency Market Dynamics An Analysis of Market Depth and Quoting Behaviors in Crude Oil Futures Markets John Spencer Roberts Doctor of Philosophy, 2018 Dissertation directed by: Professor Albert "Pete" Kyle Department of Finance Most derivative and equity transactions occur in electronic order driven markets and depend on a limit order book. Yet many questions remain regarding the way traders interact with the limit order book, especially the role of algorithmic and high frequency trading. This dissertation investigates how the limit order book evolves over time. We study the nature of fleeting liquidity and flash quotes to deepen our understanding of the way modern markets operate. This research is based on raw message data sold by the exchange and contains every update to the limit order book linked to the top ten levels. We rebuild the limit order book and define quote segments to divide the day into non-overlapping intervals based on observed changes in the best quotes and the bid-ask spread. We propose a novel way to visualize dynamics of the limit order book by combining changes in best quotes and visible depth. Using the limit order book and quote segments, we define a measure for offered liquidity and then a measure to capture the responsiveness on both sides of the market during sub-second intervals. Flash quotes are identified and combined with measures of offered liquidity to study why such behavior is observed in the market. We find empirical evidence that changes in market depth explains movement in the bid-ask spread. We show how combining movements in best quotes and visible depth provides a clearer picture of market direction. Evidence is presented that breaks down the dynamics of offered liquidity into both trade response and prior movement of depth. We find standard measures of market liquidity, such as the bid-ask spread, can appear normal while responsiveness can remain elevated following a major market movement. Depth data assists with best execution, but this research highlights alternative uses that are important to consider when participating in modern markets. The observed dynamics of the limit order book contain relevant information that needs to be captured in a full discussion of market liquidity. HIGH FREQUENCY MARKET DYNAMICS AN ANALYSIS OF MARKET DEPTH AND QUOTING BEHAVIORS IN CRUDE OIL FUTURES MARKETS


This article examines the implications of small businesses that are turning to cloud technology in order to mitigate their Capital Expenditure (Capex) in terms of IT costs, it will also report on the security mechanisms used by Cloud providers. The article briefly looks at security issues in terms of compliance but has a central focus on how Cloud providers are dealing with security. The article opens with an introduction which will explain how financial pressures are forcing IT managers to evaluate their current IT configurations. It briefly explains and defines Cloud Computing and its services in relation to its application. The next section identifies potential Cloud users and the security concerns of potential Cloud users are addressed with an overview of current UK and European legislation. Next three Cloud providers are identified and they are examined against a set of criteria in the results section. After this a brief discussion of the results is given followed by a conclusion and some recommendations.


OBJECTIVE--To describe the anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of a sample of senior A club rugby players and to highlight differences between the positional categories of the players within the forwards and backs. METHODS--94 senior A male rugby players were assessed on a number of anthropometric and physical performance assessments. The forwards were categorised into props, hookers, locks, and loose forwards. Backs were categorised into inside, midfield, and outside backs. Categories within the forwards were compared with each other, as were the categories within the backs. RESULTS--The anthropometric characteristics of forwards differed significantly between positional categories. Front row forwards (props and hookers) possessed highly endo-mesomorphic somatotypes, and typically rated very low for ectomorphy. Props possessed greater body mass than hookers. Locks and loose forwards were taller than the front row forwards. In terms of physical performance fewer differences were observed. Hookers performed better than props on an aerobic assessment. Locks and loose forwards were faster than the front row forwards on a 30 m sprint from a running start. The inside backs were shorter and lighter than the midfield and outside backs. CONCLUSIONS--The combination of anthropometric characteristics and physical performance attributes observed allows players to best meet the demands imposed on them by their position.


Average productivity of 3.50 t/ha of rice, 2.50 t/ha of maize and 2.45 t/ha of wheat in Nepal have been very less than their potential productivity  for which précised agronomic management and changing climatic scenarios have been reported the most challenging factors at present. Cropping system Model (CSM)-Crop Estimation through Resource and Environment Synthesis (CERES)- Rice, Maize and Wheat, embedded under Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT) ver. 4.5 was evaluated from a datasets of farmers' field experimentations of the central Nepal (Terai-Nawalpur and mid-hill-Kaski districts), and showed high sensitivity of model over change in different agronomic management and climate change scenarios. Model calibration was done by using maximum attainable yield treatments for all tested cultivars while validation was accomplished by using the remaining treatments for predicting growth, phenology and yield of all crop cultivars and results were found perfectly matched with the observed results. Further, the different agronomic management options and climate change scenarios as advocated by IPCC for 2020, 2050 and 2080 from base line of 1995 was studied to simulate the growth and yield performance of diverse crop cultivars. The hybrids and short duration cultivars of all three cereals were found more affected due to climate change than the local and long duration crop cultivars. The model simulation results obtained on rice, maize and wheat using DSSAT ver 4.5 model highlighted that there is utmost importance to develop new climate ready crop cultivars to feed the future generation over different climate change scenarios as suggested by IPCC, 2007 and the simulation results should be extrapolated to the major domains of similar agro-ecozones in Nepal. It is suggested that CSM- CERES- model would be reliable and valid approach for getting strategic decision support system especially with regards to the climate change adaptation measures in Nepal.


This is a simplified version of Edmonds, Bruce, Lessard-Phillips, Laurence, Fieldhouse, Ed (2014, October 13). "A Complex Model of Voter Turnout" (Version 1). CoMSES Computational Model Library. Retrieved from: https://www.openabm.org/model/4368/version/1, developed to better understand the mechanisms at play on that model.
It is a model of social influence in voting. It consists on a population of agents that age, emigrate, immigrate, give birth and die. They are embedded in a social network through which they carry out political conversations that affect their propensity to vote in a series of periodic elections.