Introduction: Regarding the social and economic changes and developments, the increasing presence of working women in the present society and their important role in the family, paying more attentions to the importance of maternal role among working women who face multiple roles seems to be necessary. Hence, the process of maternal role among working women has been investigated in this study. Methods: The grounded theory approach is used in this qualitative research. In-depth and unstructured interviews were the main way in collecting the data. Initially, the targeted sampling was started and continued gradually to the data saturation, in the form of theoretical sampling based on the obtained classes. The data was analyzed using Strauss and Corbin analysis. Accuracy and validity by four criteria in this study included: Credibility, dependability, Confirmable potential, Transferability or Fittingness. Results: Data analysis led to the identification of the core variable of role conflict. The main classes of occupied mothers' experiences included: different pregnancy experience, returning concerns, supportive umbrella, role assignation, role overlap, role strain, gradual acceptance, satisfaction and erosion. Conclusions: The acceptance of numerous roles such as maternal and marital roles by working women creates various role expectations of them from their children, spouses, family and the society which in turn forces them to meet both family and job requirements and expectations; This causes role conflict in working mothers and endure a lot of pressure and stress, that can influences of mental and physical health of the mothers.


In an effort to improve comparability between socially responsible investment products and standardize investment terminology, Australian legislators recently required investment managers to report to retail investors the extent to which 'social considerations' are used in portfolio construction. Using a lens of political economy, this paper assesses whether the objectives of the legislation to standardize investment terminology, promote inter-product comparability and encourage the accountability of product claims have been met. The context of legislative development is examined in Australian Parliamentary debates. Practised accountabilities are identified by examining a representative sample of the initial set of regulated disclosures issued. The quality of regulated information disclosures is assessed by the degree of correlation with legislators' objectives and the regulatory requirements. Initial disclosures were poor, providing little basis for comparability. In some instances, the quality of information had declined relative to the information supplied on a voluntary basis before the legislation took effect. The evidence supports a criticism of a regulatory laissez faire approach to self-reporting and an argument for more directed regulation of management processes.


Ovarian cancer develops due to a complex interplay between hereditary and environmental factors. Although often described as one disease, ovarian cancer is actually a group of distinct tumor types. Recent research has indicated that a large percentage of ovarian cancers may originate from the fallopian tube epithelium. Although most cancers develop in patients without a known hereditary syndrome, it is clear that the number of familial cancers is larger than previously supposed. The two most common hereditary syndromes where ovarian cancer can develop are hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome.


The systematic review and meta-analysis by Lissouba and colleagues adds to mounting data showing a strong association between genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the risk of HIV acquisition, with an estimated summary odds ratio of 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.6 to 2.5) for HIV acquisition associated with any-HPV infection. The strongest reported estimates are specific to clearance of HPV infection, suggesting that the association between HPV and HIV acquisition may not be fully attributable to confounding by other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or co-transmission.1 ,2 …


BACKGROUND
Recent studies in other fields have suggested that healthcare on the weekend may have worse outcomes. In particular, patients with stroke and acute cardiovascular events have shown worse outcomes with weekend treatment. It is unclear whether this extends to patients with spinal cord injury. This study was designed to evaluate factors for readmission after index hospitalization for spinal cord injury.

METHODS
A total of 795 consecutive patients over an 11-year period were analyzed. After excluding patients with chronic spinal cord injury and surgical care at an outside hospital, 745 patients remained. The primary outcome measure evaluated was 30-day readmission. Secondary measures include perioperative complications, readmission rate when discharged on the weekend, and the effect of race and insurance status on readmission rate. Univariate and multivariate analysis were utilized to evaluate the covariates collected. The χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, and linear and logistic regression methods were utilized for statistical analysis.

RESULTS
A total of 745 patients were analyzed after exclusions. Payer status did not affect length of stay, ICU length of stay, or perioperative complications. Neither weekend admission nor weekend operation affected length of stay, ICU length of stay, or readmission by 30 days. Patients undergoing weekend surgical treatment had lower perioperative complication rates (2.2% vs. 6.5% on weekday, P<0.01). Discharge on the weekend was associated with a significantly lower rate of readmission by 30 days (OR=0.07, 95% CI: 0.009-0.525, P<0.005). Payer status was associated with 30-day readmission (P<0.005). Patients with Medicare (20.8%) and Medicaid (20.1%) showed higher rates of readmission than patients with other payers. 21.1% of African-American patients were readmitted, versus 10.2% of other patients (Odds ratio: 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.36-3.27, P<0.001). Correcting for payer status lessened but did not eliminate the effect of race on readmission.

CONCLUSIONS
Weekend admission did not increase perioperative complications or hospital length of stay. After discharge, patients with Medicaid and Medicare show higher rates of 30-day readmission, as do African-American patients. The effect of race on readmission is multifactorial, and may partially explained by the increased rate of Medicaid coverage in African-Americans in our institutions catchment area.


From earliest colonization, New Zealand's forests have been altered by timber merchants, land-hunting settlers, acculturation societies, and plantation enthusiasts. Many stages in remaking the forests involved the state. From 1920 forward, the State Forest Service established pine plantations; these extensive tracts of introduced species inspired private corporations that planted further acreage. A salubrious climate allowed radiata pine in particular to mature in thirty rather than sixty years. Consequently, by the early 1950s, public and private forestry industries, managing immense plantations, emerged as substantial employers and town builders in the central North Island. A Labour Party government in the late 1980s resolved to privatize the state plantation forests for fiscal reasons and to end the conflict of interest that existed with locating conservation and commercialization in a single Department of Forests. The decision to sell forests precipitated impassioned debates about national identity, recreation, aesthetics, the organization of industry, the paternalism of state forestry towns, and the relations of Māori with the state.


This comment, published in 1992, responds to Edward A. Snyder & Thomas E. Kauper, Misuse of the Antitrust Laws: The Competitor Plaintiff, 90 Mich. L. Rev. 551 (1991). Snyder and Kauper argue that rivals of alleged offenders file baseless antitrust suits so frequently that rivals should be denied the right to sue entirely. We argue, however, that the antitrust injury doctrine, properly applied on a motion to dismiss or for summary judgment, provides a sufficient constraint on competitors' perverse incentives to bring lawsuits based on legitimate competitive harms.


The Italian commons (beni comuni) movement is a powerful example of the way in which social movements are emerging as the new pouvoir constituant serving not only to enforce the protections and guarantees of national constitutions but also, in the context of the declining power of the nation-state, as a counter hegemonic force against the neoliberal economic constitutionalism of the international economic institutions. The common goods social movement in Italy was born out of the concerted action of a number of civil society groups combatting neoliberal privatizations. This commons movement, as will be argued in this paper, is an instance of one of the many struggles taking place throughout the world; from the Bolivian Andes to the Indian Himalayas, where local people are pushing out the state and predatory multinationals, and resisting the collusion of state and market actors to enclose common spaces and resources. These individual struggles for the commons are emerging as a transnational social movement challenging the top-down economic constitutionalism of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and in the context of Europe what has been dubbed the "troika" of the European Central Bank, the European Commission, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Part I argues that social movements are giving new life and meaning to the concept of popular sovereignty by challenging the assumptions underpinning the liberal constitutional form, namely of private property, and providing a much needed channel for political confrontation where parliamentary politics has failed to protect the public from predatory private actors. Part II offers a participant observation exploring the national constituent role played by the beni comuni social movement in upholding the protections and guarantees of the Italian Constitution. Finally, Part III attempts to describe the global commons movement as engaged in a form of bottom-up constitutionalism an emerging form of pouvoir constituant in a supranational constituent process of reclaiming commons from predatory multinational actors through bottom-up societal constitutionalism.


In this study, bacterial load of Hilsha ( Tenualosa ilisha ) collected from different catching points, open market and department shop was determined. Samples collected from catching points contained considerably more bacteria than those collected from open market or department shop. This result indicated that fish traders might use some preservatives that reduced the bacterial load. Besides, fish from department shop contained more bacteria than fishes from open market. The possible reason for this variation might be due to fact that the unsold fishes were kept longer times in the department shops. Among the different parts of fish body, maximum number of bacteria was found in scale and skin followed by gill, gut and muscle. High number of coliform bacteria was also found in the samples tested. Proper handling and precautions is important for maintaining the quality of Hilsha. Keywords: Bacterial load, Hilsha ( Tenualosa ilisha ), Coliform, Faecal coliform DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v24i2.1265


Due to the reduction of transistor size, modern circuits are becoming more sensitive to soft errors. The development of new techniques and algorithms targeting soft error detection are important as they allow designers to evaluate the weaknesses of the circuits at an early stage of the design. The project presents an optimized implementation of soft error detection simulator targeting combinational circuits. The developed simulator uses advanced switch level models allowing the injection of soft errors caused by single event-transient pulses with magnitudes lesser than the logic threshold. The ISCAS'85 benchmark circuits are used for the simulations. The transients can be injected at drain, gate, or inputs of logic gate. This gives clear indication of the importance of transient injection location on the fault coverage. Furthermore, an algorithm is designed and implemented in this work to increase the performance of the simulator. This optimized version of the simulator achieved an average speed-up of 310 compared to the non-algorithm based version of the simulator.


Platform chemicals composed of 2–6 carbons derived from fossil resources are used as important precursors for making a variety of chemicals and materials, including solvents, fuels, polymers, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, and foods. Due to concerns regarding our environment and the limited nature of fossil resources, however, increasing interest has focused on the development of sustainable technologies for producing these platform chemicals from renewable resources. The techniques and strategies for developing microbial strains for chemicals production have advanced rapidly, and it is becoming feasible to develop microbes for producing additional types of chemicals, including non‐natural molecules. In this study, we review the current status of the bio‐based production of major C2–C6 platform chemicals, focusing on the microbial production of platform chemicals that have been used for the production of chemical intermediates, building block compounds, and polymers. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2437–2459. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


This paper presents a simple expression for the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) for parametric estimation under differentiable, deterministic constraints on the parameters. In contrast to previous works, the constrained CRB presented does not require that the Fisher information matrix (FIM) for the unconstrained problem be of full rank. This is a useful extension because, for several signal processing problems (such as blind channel identification), the unconstrained problem is unidentifiable. Our expression for the constrained CRB depends only on the unconstrained FIM and a basis of the nullspace of the constraint's gradient matrix. We show that our constrained CRB formula reduces to the known expression when the FIM for the unconstrained problem is nonsingular. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of the constrained CRB is also derived.


Abstract : This report presents the results of an examination of historical records related to the construction and operations of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP), New Brighton, Minnesota. This project was undertaken as part of a larger Legacy Resource Program demonstration project to assist small installations and to aid in the completion of mitigation efforts set up in a 1993 Programmatic Agreement among the Army Materiel Command, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and Multiple State Historic Preservation Officers concerning a program to cease maintenance, excess, and dispose of particular properties. As part of the larger project to develop the national historic context, seven sample installations on a state and local level, the major focus of the project at TCAAP was to document the impacts that the facility had on the state and local environments. As one of the Ordnance Department's Government-Owned Contractor-Operated industrial facilities, TCAAP was designed to provide munitions and materiel, namely small arms ammunition, for European and American Forces during World War II. In addition to the technical aspects of small arms ammunition production, this report discusses the direct and indirect effects construction and operations had on New Brighton and Mound View Township, as well as the nearby urban areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The greatest impact was felt in the smaller communities - construction workers, clerks, police, engineers, soldiers, and defense workers flocked to these areas, placing, at times, heavy burdens on the local community and their governments. These burdens were accompanied, however, by economic prosperity. This prosperity evaporated, however, with the end of the war.


Introduction The present day of great concepts is witnessing expansion of our vision so as to include in each personal relation the wider contacts of community, state, and race. We attempt with shifting view point to visualize the complicated political, economic, and psychologic factors determining attraction and repulsion of the major human groups. Most of us now consider national politics in terms of their international significance, and see great problems of the people projected against the background of interlocking world relations. It is clear that this enlarged vision must for the future be the normal view. Unless by some political cataclysm civilization breaks down completely, we shall retain our close connection with other nations, and cannot return to the kind of isolation possible in the age before space was narrowed by electricity and steam, and extensive international trade pointed the way to more efficient use of the world's resources. With the . . .


A novel kind of fiber-optic gyroscope based on Rayleigh backscattering in a fiber-ring resonator is presented in this letter. Information on the rotation rate is obtained from the composed response of the fiber ring to an optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) instrument. The developed model based on the coherence properties of the Rayleigh scattering yields a polarization-insensitive and low-cost gyroscope.


A comparative method for the quantitative analysis of the ratio of oxonium fragment (reporter) ions derived from sialic acid and N-acetylhexosamine residues on a large intact glycoprotein, the B domain of recombinant human factor VIII (rhFVIII), was developed. The method utilized liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI MS) on a single-quadrupole instrument. During development, systematic approaches such as full-matrix and simplex strategies were used for the optimization of the signal-to-noise ratio by controlling source temperature and cone voltage. The method was found to be precise (RSD = 0.84%), sensitive (capable of differentiating 1 sialic acid residue change among at least 29 sialic acids on a 103-kDa glycoprotein that is 38% carbohydrate), applicable to a wide range of loading (11.6-372 micrograms of FVIII), and accurate according to a comparison to matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Combining the method with enzymatic removal of N-glycans, selective O-glycan analysis was also performed leading to differential fragment ion analysis ascribed to N- and O-glycans. Quantitative ESI in-source dissociation MS combined with LC can generally be used for glycoproteins, as one of the indicators, to compare the distribution of carbohydrate residues over N- and O-glycans, to investigate their isoforms, and compare batch-to-batch characteristics of biopharmaceuticals.


: The authors have performed 25 experiments in dogs for the creation of compressive intestinal anastomoses with the help of permanent magnets. "End-to-end" and "side-to-side" anastomoses were formed on the large and small intestines. The magnets were eliminated together with necrotized tissues in the natural way on the 4-5th and 9-10th days after operation. Results of the application of "magnet" anastomoses in clinical practice (6 patients) are described.


Tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles have been synthesized by simple route of sol-gel method. Polyaniline-tin oxide (PANI/SnO2) nanocomposite (sample A) was prepared by an in-situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of as-synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles. Similarly, tin oxide-intercalated polyaniline nanocomposite (sample B) was prepared using tin chloride (SnCl4.5H2O) as precursor during polymerization of aniline. Morphology and structure of both the nanocomposites have been studied using XRD pattern, FTIR spectra and SEM images which reveals that SnO2 was uniformly mixed within the PANI matrix. In this paper we report the comparison of polyaniline-tin oxide (PANI/SnO2) nanocomposites sample A and B for the response to ammonia. A laboratory set up for sensing ammonia has been built up using four probe resistivity unit and the response of the prepared PANI/SnO2 nanocomposites to ammonia vapour for different concentration (5, 10, and 15%) was tested. PANI/SnO2 nanocomposites were found to be good materials for NH3 detection even at room temperature as compared to that of pure SnO2. By comparing the response of sample A and B to the ammonia vapour, the sample A was found to be more sensitive than sample B due to highly porosity and surface activity of sample A. The results were reproducible and checked by repeating observations. Synthesis route for the preparation of PANI/SnO2 nanocomposites is an important factor while selecting the materials for ammonia sensing. Copyright © 2012 VBRI Press.


Vitamin E is a generic term for a group of lipid-soluble antioxidant compounds, the tocopherols and tocotrienols. While tocotrienols are considered as important vitamin E components in humans, with functions in health and disease, the protective functions of tocotrienols have never been investigated in plants, contrary to tocopherols. We took advantage of the strong accumulation of tocotrienols in leaves of double transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants that coexpressed the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) prephenate dehydrogenase gene (PDH) and the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase gene (HPPD) to study the antioxidant function of those compounds in vivo. In young leaves of wild-type and transgenic tobacco plants, the majority of vitamin E was stored in thylakoid membranes, while plastoglobules contained mainly δ-tocopherol, a very minor component of vitamin E in tobacco. However, the vitamin E composition of plastoglobules was observed to change substantially during leaf aging, with α-tocopherol becoming the major form. Tocotrienol accumulation in young transgenic HPPD-PDH leaves occurred without any significant perturbation of photosynthetic electron transport. Tocotrienols noticeably reinforced the tolerance of HPPD-PDH leaves to high light stress at chilling temperature, with photosystem II photoinhibition and lipid peroxidation being maintained at low levels relative to wild-type leaves. Very young leaves of wild-type tobacco plants turned yellow during chilling stress, because of the strongly reduced levels of chlorophylls and carotenoids, and this phenomenon was attenuated in transgenic HPPD-PDH plants. While sugars accumulated similarly in young wild-type and HPPD-PDH leaves exposed to chilling stress in high light, a substantial decrease in tocotrienols was observed in the transgenic leaves only, suggesting vitamin E consumption during oxygen radical scavenging. Our results demonstrate that tocotrienols can function in vivo as efficient antioxidants protecting membrane lipids from peroxidation.


The radical change in recent global climate governance calls for China and Europe to ramp up their efforts in leading the world to reach the long-term climate goals. By analyzing the results from the state-of-the-art global integrated assessment model, MESSAGEix-GLOBIOM, this paper aims to understand the future levels of financial investment needed for building and maintaining energy-related infrastructure in the two regions for fulfilling stringent targets consistent with 'well below 2 °C'. The results indicate that a rapid upscaling and structural change of these investments towards decarbonization are necessitated by the climate stringent scenarios. China and Europe need to increase their low carbon investments by 65% and 38% in a scenario reaching the 2° target relative to their respective reference scenarios which assume no such target from 2016–2050. In a more stringent climate policy scenario of the 1.5° target, these investment needs will increase by 149% and 79% for China and Europe respectively. Among all the energy sectors, energy efficiency, renewable electricity generation and electricity transmission and distribution are the three largest investing targets for the two regions. However, those investments will not likely be realized without strong policy incentives. Implications for green finance and multilateral cooperation initiatives are discussed in the context of the scenario results.


Distortion products (DP) were recorded and a morphological cochlear study was made of a sample of 60 ears from chickens (Gallus domesticus. Leghorn breed) and the ages of 15, 23, 29 and 60 days, after intoxication by intramuscular gentamicin injection (40 mg per kg weight and day for 8 days). Spontaneous or transitory otoacoustic emissions were not obtained in any case. DP recordings showed a 2F1-F2 response in every frequency band ranging from 0.7 to 6 KHz. The DP incidence shifted with the age of the chickens and differed significantly (p < 0.001) in the groups of 29 and 60 day-old chickens (m = 100%) and in the 29-day-old (m = 64%) and 60-day-old (m = 62%) intoxicated chickens. We found no significant differences in DP amplitude in subpopulations. In the intoxicated groups, the proximal segment of the ototic membrane disappeared in the macula lagenae and a loss of contact with the hair cells appeared. Degenerative vacuolar phenomena were observed in the support cells and cellular loss in the spiral ganglion.


Abstract The report deals with the results of surgery in 1247 cases of colonic polyps. Malignant polyps were observed in 101 cases (8.1%). Eighty percent of polyps were up to 10 mm in size. Seventy five percent of malignant polyps were more than 10 mm in diameter. 94.4% of malignant polyps were in the rectum and sigmoid colon. Electro excision of malignant polyps via fibrocolonscope or rectoscope has been used on a large scale in recent years. Within five years after operation, newly-developed tumors were detected on the same sites in 11 cases (11.8%) (benign tumors--5, malignant polyps--4, carcinoma of large bowel--2). Newly-developed tumors were found at other sites in 26 patients (benign tumors--20, malignant polyps--5 and large bowel cancer--1).


The author refers to papers on this district previously published. In his previous paper on the district, reasons had been given for considering the Permian and the Triassic strata to be much more closely related to one another than is generally stated in the textbooks, and for questioning the propriety of attempting to draw any hard and fast line of demarcation between the two formations, at least so far as they are represented in the north-eastern area. For further proof of the reasonableness of the position taken by him then, the author of the present paper refers to the careful and accurate paper of Mr. E. Wilson, F.G.S., of Nottingham, whose whole life has been passed in the district, and whose observations may be thoroughly relied upon. The description of the sections described by Mr. Wilson were included in the present paper, but are omitted in this abstract; and the reader is simply referred to the paper at p. 533 of the present Quarterly Journal for an account of a section which must strike every one who examines it as one of the most valuable pieces of evidence yet obtained of the relation that subsists between the Permian and the underlying Coal Measures: There is an interesting point, however, in connexion with this particular geological horizon, which has not been touched upon by the author of the paper last referred to, and which illustrates the extreme difficulty which must have presented itself to the minds of the Geological-Survey officers in


The 270-MHz 1H and 68-MHz 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of Met-enkephalin (Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met) and Met-enkephalinamide are analyzed in a variety of solvents. For the dipolar form of Met-enkephalin in (C2H3)2SO solution, significant concentration dependences are found of C-α proton chemical shifts, indicating an aromatic ring-current effect in molecular aggregates. An anomalous temperature dependence is observed of the amide proton chemical shift of the Met-5 residue. Furthermore, the chemical shifts of C-α protons of the dipolar form are found to depend appreciably on temperature. From the analyses of the temperature dependences together with concentration dependences of C-α proton resonances, the dipolar form of Met-enkephalin is found to be in an equilibrium of folded and extended conformations at low concentration in (C2H3)2SO solution. Solvent-composition dependences of the amide and C-α proton resonances and carbonyl and α-carbon resonances of the dipolar form in 2H2O/(C2H3)2SO solution are consistent with the conformation equilibrium and the association equilibrium. The folded conformation of the dipolar form in (C2H3)2SO solution is stabilized by the intramolecular attraction between the positively charged N-terminal group and negatively charged C-terminal group. The presence of the folded conformation is confirmed by the measurements of Gd(III)-induced relaxation enhancements of C-α protons. Nuclear Overhauser effects on the dipolar form are not consistent with the predominant formation of the β-turn structure with the intramolecular hydrogen bond (Gly-2) C ═ O · H ─ N (Met-5). For the dipolar form of Met-enkephalin in 2H2O solution and for the cationic form of Met-enkephalinamide in (C2H3)2SO solution and in 2H2O solution there is no evidence for the formation of folded conformations.


Background The "tween" ages of 9-12 years are sometimes called the "forgotten" years of pediatrics between childhood (with frequent well-child checks) and adolescence (with different risk taking behavior). Each of these age groups tends to have specific issues that arise as part of growing and developing. Much has been written about infants health care and studies have documented adolescents use of emergency departments (EDs) but little has been written on the tween age group. Methods Our ED computerized surveillance system was searched for ED visits in 2003 for children between the ages of 9 and 12 years. Reasons for visit were documented. Data were entered into Excel and Access computer programs. Results In 2003, there were 9801 children between the ages of 9-12 years seen in our ED. 2872 (29%) of these were for injuries, 24% for pain-related complaints; 11% respiratory symptoms; 8% fever; 3% dermatologic complaints; 2% psychiatric issues; 1.4% eye-related complaints, with the remainder being a variety of complaints. Injuries: Of the 2872 injuries there were 1145 extremity injuries (40%), 552 lacerations (19%), 227 head injuries (8%), 193 motor vehicle related (7%), and 60 falls (2%). Pain: For the chief complaint of pain, there were 636 abdominal pain, 479 throat pain, 342 headache, 256 chest pain. and 238 ear pain. Overall: 11% of the complaints were related to the abdomen (pain, trauma, etc) and overall 8% were related to fever. The psychiatric symptoms consisted of 81 cases of agitation and violent behavior, 36 overdoses, 26 suicidal ideation, 22 psychosis, 13 depression, 8 hyperventilation, and 7 anxiety attacks. Conclusion Injuries are a major cause of ED visits in the tween age group. Other frequent complaints resulting in ED visits include pain, respiratory symptoms, and fever. Significant psychiatric issues are seen in this group. Injury prevention efforts focusing on 9-12 year olds are needed. EDs must be prepared to address psychiatric issues in this age group.


Competing values are a fact of organizational life. However, there are gaps in our understanding about how these opposing beliefs hinder influence processes. This article draws on interview data to demonstrate how Irish Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are able to convince their colleagues to support new projects within their firms in the face of competing values. Focused interviews were used to explore the influence process and the competing values phenomenon, since this type of research is at an early stage and qualitative methods and analysis serve as a rich source of theory development. The data showed that the CIOs who did not face competing values were able to successfully influence other executives to support proposed projects. Additionally, half of the remaining CIOs who did face competing values were also successful at influencing their colleagues. In these cases, several features of the situation existed, including (a) small relative project size, (b) projects that were consistent with both external and internal environmental conditions, (c) the use of upward influence, and (d) the right combination of influence behaviors. Finally, we suggest actions that CIOs can use to successfully influence other executives when faced with the challenge of competing values.


Within the same immigration court, some immigration judges are up to three times more likely than their colleagues to order immigrants deported. Theories of appeal and of administrative adjudication imply that appeals processes should increase consistency. Yet this Article demonstrates that the appeals process for the immigration courts — a system of administrative adjudication that makes as many decisions as the federal courts — does not promote uniformity. The removal orders of harsher immigration judges are no more likely to be reversed on appeal, either by the Board of Immigration Appeals or a federal Court of Appeals.Why? To explain this puzzling finding, I use an internal administrative database, obtained by Freedom of Information Act request, to track the decisions of initial immigration judges on appeal. I find that the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Courts of Appeals fail to promote uniformity across immigration judges because they review an unrepresentative sample of cases. Harsher immigration judges more often order immigrants deported early in their proceedings, before they have found a lawyer or filed an application for relief. Immigrants without lawyers rarely appeal. The Board of Immigration Appeals therefore rarely reviews the removal orders of immigrants who might have meritorious claims, but who are assigned harsh judges and lack lawyers at the beginning of their proceedings. These quantitative findings, together with interviews and immigration court observation, point the way to reform. First, the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Courts of Appeals should adopt a less deferential standard of review of an immigration judge's denial of a request for a continuance to seek representation. Second, the government should take simple steps to make applications for relief easier to fill out. Third, the Board of Immigration Appeals should hear a random sample of cases in addition to those appealed by the litigants, allowing the Board more often to review judges' decisions about continuances, which are rarely appealed. Finally, and most broadly, the government should appoint counsel for immigrants in removal proceedings.


Investigations with children showed that they gradually develop an approximate representation of magnitude (numerosity). Lipton and Spelke (2004) investigated the children capacity to distinguish sequences of sounds. Six month babies were able to discriminate sequence with 16 sounds from the sequence of 8 sounds. However, they were not able to discriminate between sequences of 12 and 8 sounds. On the other hand, nine month babies were able to discriminate sequences of 12 and 8 sounds. Similar process could be observed in adults when they are faced with the problem of learning new system of relationships between numbers. For instance, Marques and Dehaene (2004 ; Dehaene & Marques, 2002) showed that participants in Portugal and Austria had problems in estimating values of various goods when they are shown in euro and not in national currency. These problems were seen immediately after the euro was introduced. Few years of experience with euro reduces the problem. Described results are explained (simulated) using neural network for number representation proposed by Domijan (2004). In the original version, the model simulated the neurophysiological findings about neurons in the prefrontal cortex, which are sensitive to numerosity. In the model, all connections were fixed. Here, we proposed a new version of the model which is able to learn using Hebb rule. This type of associative learning has a plausible neurophysiological interpretation (long-term potentiation). Computer simulations showed that the width of the tuning curves for the neurons sensitive to different numbers gradually decrease as a function of experience. In other words, tuning curves become sharper with learning, which enable better discrimination of numbers. The same result is obtained with different sensory modalities. We conclude that the proposed model explains neural mechanisms for the construction of number representation in the parietal and prefrontal cortex.


The paper reports on a collaborative, university/industry project to investigate the contribution which modern control technology can make to a difficult industrial problem: pH control. A digital computer was interfaced for online neutralisation of effluent from a full-scale production process. The investigation consisted of trials, some of them extended, using the computer to control neutralisation according to various algorithms and to monitor performance, and of simulation studies. Algorithms investigated include p.i.d., self-tuning control, and optimal-k-step-ahead (o.k.) adaptive control. The paper summarises work to date which leads to the conclusion that an online digital computer can contribute substantially to pH control and that o.k. control is a promising candidate for general-purpose feedback within a configuration of combined feedbadk, feeciforwardancilineansation


Malaysia has a number of territorial disputes such as Sipadan-Ligitan, Batu Puteh, Limbang and the
Spratly Islands. So far, it had settled two of the disputes through the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
that is Sipadan-Ligitan and Batu Puteh Islands. Other disputes remain outstanding and/or unsettled that
is the Spratly Islands and Limbang. This paper provides an overview of the disputes and Malaysia's
approaches to manage and/or settle them. As such, it analyzes the factors that influence Malaysia's
policy in this regard. Analysis of the factors suggests that Malaysia's policy towards territorial disputes
has been mainly shaped by the Prime Minister's Department. Other key foreign policy bureaucracies,
such as the Defense and Foreign Ministries, have also been found to play an instrumental role
especially through the National Security Council of which the two ministries are part of the other
important bureaucracies include ISIS and MIMA. It also suggests that Malaysia's policy has adopted a
pragmatic stature in which it allows for a combination of approaches to settle the disputes. This
includes unilateralist approach as in Swallow Reef case, multilateralist as in Amboyna Cay case and
bilateralist as in Sipadan and Batu Puteh cases. Finally, based on the analysis, this paper suggests
several recommendations with regard to Malaysia's handling of the territorial disputes.


This article analyses the information and content of Spanish local administration websites following the application of the Law of Transparency. The aim is to analyze in depth issues related to the information available on political representatives, the management of economic resources, information on the municipality and the tools citizens have at their disposal for their participation. The quantitative method analyses the transparency of the city councils individually from a table of widely compared 52 variables (indicators), validating their compliance or not with each during the period February to November 2018. The sample analyzed in this study consists of 605 Spanish municipalities. Although within academic literature debate already exists that focuses primarily on theoretical abstractions, this study allows us to empirically determine whether after the national approval of transparency regulation there really has been an improvement in public information for citizens to be able to hold their local governments accountable. The results indicate that, based on regional and national transparency policies, the situation is better than in the years prior to the law, although there is still much room for improvement, especially in issues related to information regarding the management of economic resources such as budgets, salaries, hiring and subsidies.


The stringent industrial hygiene regulations that have been introduced in North America, Europe, and Australasia have led to a decline in the incidence and prevalence of silicosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and asbestosis. Although new cases of asbestosis are not occurring, an appreciable number of mesotheliomata are still being diagnosed, and there has yet been little, if any, decline in the latter tumor. These new cases are nearly entirely due to exposure to amphiboles in the 1940s and 1950s. It is expected that by about the year 2000 the incidence of mesothelioma will begin to decrease in the United States and Canada. Meanwhile there is an undue preoccupation with more and more sensitive methods of detecting asbestosis, silicosis, and coal workers' pneumoconiosis, eg, magnetic resonance imaging, bronchoalveolar lavage, and so forth. Much effort is being made in trying to detect disease in groups of workers with extremely low exposures and no symptoms. Smaller and smaller effects are being detected, with the ultimate aim appearing to be detecting nothing at all. Efforts should be made at surveying other populations exposed to agents that have recently been introduced and that could conceivably have long-term effects.


Editorial Note for Journal Research & Review in Electrochemistry:

I am pleased to mention that during the year 2018, all issues of volume 9 were published online well within the time and the print issues were also brought out and dispatched within 30 days of publishing the issue online.
Journal of Research & Reviews in Electrochemistry covers Electrochemical energy conversion, conservation, and storage, New battery systems, fuel cells, super capacitors,Solar cells, power delivery, industrial synthesis,Environmental remediation, cell design, corrosion etc. which are reflected in journal highlights.TSRRE have been cited 58 times by eminent researchers all around the world received from the countries like Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Iran, Australia, USA, etc.
The DORJ Impact factor of TSRRE for the year 2018 was —, while the current Google Scholar index dropped to —. TSRRE articles have been indexed in Indexed in Directory of Research Journals, Google Scholar, Scholar Article Impact Factor(SAIF), CNKI, Open J-Gate and Secret Search Engine Labs.Apart from this the Journal of Research & Reviews in Electrochemistry use of various social networking platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn as well as a newly developed advertisement option on the homepage to advertise and disperse the information related to the journal content including conferences, special issues and articles recently published of the journal, however, the communication between the journal coordinators and authors is well maintained through telephonic conversations, e-mailing and WhatsApp. TSRRE follows a double blind peer review process and the data base of reviewers and editors is composed of eminent researchers around the world who's contribution to the scientific world is impeccable. Apart from the pre quality check for the plagiarism the manuscripts submitted are required to be approved by the editors to be accepted for the publication which results in rejection of almost 70% of the article submitted and only few make their way to published. Average publication time of an article is 4-5 weeks depending upon the authors to submit their revisions on time.
I would also like to express my gratitude to all the authors, reviewers, the publisher, the advisory and the editorial board of TSRRE, the office bearers and staff for their support in bringing out yet another volume of TSRRE and look forward to their unrelenting support to bring out the Volume 10 of TSRRE in scheduled time.


Objective: To 1) describe the characteristics and outcomes over time of PICU patients with severe sepsis within the dedicated U.S. children's hospitals, 2) identify patient subgroups at risk for mortality from pediatric severe sepsis, and 3) describe overall pediatric severe sepsis resource utilization. Design: Retrospective review of a prospectively collected multi-institutional children's hospital database. Setting: PICUs in 43 U.S. children's hospitals. Patients: PICU patients from birth to younger than 19 years were identified with severe sepsis by modified Angus criteria and International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, codes for severe sepsis and septic shock. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Data from the Pediatric Health Information System database collected by the Children's Hospital Association from 2004 to 2012. Pediatric severe sepsis was defined by 1) International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, codes reflecting severe sepsis and septic shock and 2) International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, codes of infection and organ dysfunction as defined by modified Angus criteria. From 2004 to 2012, 636,842 patients were identified from 43 hospitals. Pediatric severe sepsis prevalence was 7.7% (49,153) with an associated mortality rate of 14.4%. Age less than 1 year (vs age 10 to < 19) (odds ratio, 1.4), underlying cardiovascular condition (odds ratio, 1.4) and multiple organ dysfunction, conferred higher odds of mortality. Resource burden was significant with median hospital length of stay of 17 days (interquartile range, 8–36 d) and PICU length of stay of 7 days (interquartile range, 2–17 d), with median cost/day of $4,516 and median total hospitalization cost of $77,446. There was a significant increase in the severe sepsis prevalence rate from 6.2% to 7.7% from 2004 to 2012 (p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in mortality from 18.9% to 12.0% (p < 0.001). Center mortality was negatively correlated with prevalence (rs = –0.48) and volume (rs = –0.39) and positively correlated with cost (rs = 0.36). Conclusions: In this largest reported pediatric severe sepsis cohort to date, prevalence increased from 2004 to 2012 while associated mortality decreased. Age, cardiovascular comorbidity, and organ dysfunction were significant prognostic factors. Pediatric severe sepsis remains an important cause for PICU admission and mortality and leads to a substantial burden in healthcare costs. Individual center's prevalence and volume are associated with improved outcomes.


By using R-banding karyotypic analysis technique, the bone marrow (BM) cells were performed in 223 hematopoietic malignacies and 105 diopathic throbocytopenic purpura (ITP), which served as control. The following results were obtained: (1) Nonrandom chromosome loss (NCL), such as, -11, -14, -21, etc, which were found in the affected members of leukemia families, were found in about 30% sporadic ANLL, MDS and about 50% ALL, espedislly in 100% (5/5) CLL, but not found in ITP (P < 0.001). These results indicated that the familial nonrandom chromosome loss were associated with leukomogenesis. (2) Because most of BM cells are hypodiploed and have the same kinds of NCL in each cases of CLL, which can develop into ALL, ANLL and also cancers, ALL BM hypo- and hyper-diploid and/or polyploid cells might be origin of hypodiploid cells. (3) 28% (6/21) of pediatric patients with AL, MDS, or FA (Fanconi Anemia) have one parent, who have up to 30% BM hypodiploid cells and similar kinds of NCL and also have the rearrangement of C-erbB and abnormal proliferation of BM. The NCL were found in the three consecutive generations of a family with 5 ALL among 10 members of third generation. It indicated that the familial NCL might be inherited and be coded by a unknown gene alteration, which might be related to leukomo and carcinogenesis, because there are genes or their candidates for leukemia in the chromosomes 11, 14 and 21. (4) Based on the works of my colleages and I, the model of leukomo and carcinogenesis was proposed and the relationship between chromosome monosomy, deletion, translocations and leukomogenesis were showed elswhere. The significance of monosomy 11, 14 and 21 etc. were discussed briefly.


Large-scale structures in a plane turbulent mixing layer are studied through the use of the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). Extensive experimental measurements are obtained in a turbulent plane mixing layer by means of two cross-wire rakes aligned normal to the direction of the mean shear and perpendicular to the mean flow direction. The measurements are acquired well into the asymptotic region. From the measured velocities the two-point spectral tensor is calculated as a function of separation in the cross-stream direction and spanwise and streamwise wavenumbers. The continuity equation is then used for the calculation of the non-measured components of the tensor. The POD is applied using the cross-spectral tensor as its kernel. This decomposition yields an optimal basis set in the mean square sense. The energy contained in the POD modes converges rapidly with the first mode being dominant (49% of the turbulent kinetic energy). Examination of these modes shows that the first mode contains evidence of both known flow organizations in the mixing layer, i.e. quasi-two-dimensional spanwise structures and streamwise aligned vortices. Using the shot-noise theory the dominant mode of the POD is transformed back into physical space. This structure is also indicative of the known flow organizations.


Abstract. The evolution of large amplitude internal waves propagating towards the shore and more specifically the run up phase over the "swash" zone is considered. The mathematical model describing the generation, interaction, and decaying of solitary internal waves of the second mode in the interlayer is proposed. The exact solution specifying the shape of solitary waves symmetric with respect to the unperturbed interface is constructed. It is shown that, taking into account the friction on interfaces in the mathematical model, it is possible to describe adequately the change in the phase and amplitude characteristics of two solitary waves moving towards each other before and after their interaction. It is demonstrated that propagation of large amplitude solitary internal waves of depression over a shelf could be simulated in laboratory experiments by internal symmetric solitary waves of the second mode.


Malaysia is underlain by soft soils. This soft soil has the possibility to amplify the
seismic waves from distant earthquakes in subduction zones such as: Sulawesi and
Sumatra that approach the bedrock of Malaysia. However, the fixed offshore structures
in Malaysian waters are not designed to undertake the seismic loadings. Therefore, a
study of offshore platform integrity under seismic loadings in Peninsular Malaysia
Operation (PMO), Sabah Operation (SBO) and Sarawak Operation (SKO) is necessary
to perform to minimise casualties and fatalities of Malaysian offshore platforms
although Malaysia is at least 600 km away from the active earthquake zone. Thus,
three representative platforms, which are Duyong in PMO, Tukau in SKO and
Kinabalu in SBO are selected for this research. Malaysian offshore structures design
based on PETRONAS Technical Standard (PTS) have been lacking of seismic waves
consideration in the structural design. However, recent earthquake tragedies happened
far away from Malaysian waters have been felt by Malaysian offshore structures.
These incidents created a conflict on the assumption stated by PTS where Malaysia is
located at seismically stable zone.


Rab4A is a master regulator of receptor recycling from endocytic compartments to the plasma membrane. The protein TBC1D16 is up-regulated in melanoma, and TBC1D16-overexpressing melanoma cells are dependent on TBC1D16. We show here that TBC1D16 enhances the intrinsic rate of GTP hydrolysis by Rab4A. TBC1D16 is both cytosolic and membrane associated; the membrane-associated pool colocalizes with transferrin and EGF receptors (EGFRs) and early endosome antigen 1, but not with LAMP1 protein. Expression of two TBC1D16 isoforms, but not the inactive R494A mutant, reduces transferrin receptor recycling but has no effect on transferrin receptor internalization. Expression of TBC1D16 alters GFP-Rab4A membrane localization. In HeLa cells, overexpression of TBC1D16 enhances EGF-stimulated EGFR degradation, concomitant with decreased EGFR levels and signaling. Thus, TBC1D16 is a GTPase activating protein for Rab4A that regulates transferrin receptor recycling and EGFR trafficking and signaling.


We analyze the incentive effects of organizational forms using data from Florida's Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation (NEMT) programs. These programs differ in the extent to which their brokers are directly involved in providing transit services. Based on a simple model of moral hazard, we predict that the number of users and the number of claims per user of the program increase, but cost per claim of the program decreases, as its broker's share of transit services increases. The empirical evidence supports our theoretical predictions on the incentive effects of different organizational forms.


This article discusses the occurring inheritance problem of new Muslim converts in Malaysia. There are many cases of disputed inheritance property due to conversion to Islam. The research objective is to study the methods available to resolve this problem. This is a qualitative study using a content analysis approach. Data is collected using case study method and analysed by a descriptive and thematic approach. Research findings show that several main factors in conflict of law/legislation impact converts and beneficiaries, particularly involving inheritance. Among these factors are petition for decree of nullity of previous marriage, secrecy of conversion to Islam and continuation of nafaqah (maintenance) for former spouse. This research concludes that these factors have a big impact on rights of heirs to inheritance property. Thus, this consequence requires urgent attention in property management planning through the hibah instrument as a method of resolving the inheritance problem involving property of Muslim converts in Malaysia.


The needs and expectations of patients with bipolar disorder who require hospitalisation are not known to most professionals. A high degree of patient satisfaction, however, is known to improve outcome and adherence to a medication or psychotherapy regimen. In this article, bipolar patients' needs and expectations with respect to hospital treatment are presented. It will become obvious, that the gap between wishful thinking and reality is still wide. Possible improvement strategies to narrow this gap are discussed.


This paper investigates the effect of a metamaterial superstrate on a single-feed circularly polarized microstrip patch antenna (SFCP-MPA) using CAD simulations. Simultaneous enhancement on antenna gain (up to 3dB), impedance bandwidth (BWZ) and axial ratio bandwidth (BWAR) are observed as well as multi-frequency operations at 5.125 GHz, 11.34 GHz 12.43GHz. Also it is observed that the invisible first harmonic becomes prominent and visible. Besides, the result also suggest that the Superstrate acts as a DRA (at 12.43GHz).


Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the pancreas are rare tumors and their association is not expected to be frequent. However, certain studies have suggested that the concomitant occurence of these tumors may be more frequent than previously thought. In the current study, we describe a case of concomitant occurrence of IPMN and NET of the pancreas and review the clinicopathological features of previously published cases and the current one. A 68-year-old female was incidentally found to have dilatation of the main pancreatic duct. A distal pancreatectomy was performed under the clinical diagnosis of IPMN. Histopathological analysis revealed concomitant IPMN (low-grade) and NET G1 of the pancreas. Review of the clinicopathological features of the 15 previously reported cases of concomitant IPMN and NET of the pancreas as well as the present one indicated that: i) this condition mainly affects middle-aged females; ii) the main symptom is abdominal or back pain, or no symptoms; iii) a hormone production symptom was observed in only one case; iv) the most common degree of dysplasia of IPMN is low grade; and v) the size of the NET is not particularly large (average 15.1 mm), although the clinical behavior is not always indolent (metastasis was observed in 3 cases). It is well known that IPMNs are associated with a high incidence of extrapancreatic malignancies, including colorectal and gastric carcinomas. Concomitant pancreatic NET and extrapancreatic malignancies may occur, therefore, systemic surveillance of extrapancreatic neoplasms and detection of concomitant NETs of the pancreas are necessary for patients with IPMN.


Steel-bonded cemented carbide sheet considered as cladding was successfully bonded with carbon steel plate by a technological combination of powder explosive compaction and liquid sintering. The microstructural interface between steel-bonded cemented carbide cladding and carbon steel plate was characterized by SEM, EDS analysis and hardness testing. The results showed that the gradient distributions of the elements Fe, C and W were found in the normal direction of the interface. The element W permeated about 100μm in depth through the side of carbon steel. The improved hardness of about 600~700HV of cladding was attributed to multiple carbides.


Abstract Introduction The objective is to describe the incidence and nature of significant abdominal pathologies in patients with diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) and abdominal pain. Methods Retrospective chart review (N = 86) of patients with DKA from January 1, 2005, to January 31, 2010, was performed. Data included demographics, co-morbidities, compliance, chief complaints and physical findings, blood count, metabolic profile, lactic acid, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlC), amylase, lipase, anion gap, arterial gases, imaging and final diagnosis. Continuous variables were described as mean ± standard deviation and compared with the Student's t test. Categorical variables were expressed as percentages (%) and compared with the Mantel-Haenszel χ 2 test. Univariate analysis was conducted among patients with and without significant abdominal pain and also with and without significant abdominal pathology. Two lipase strata were created at 400 U. Multivariate model to identify limits (confidence interval) of the estimated risk imposed by the predictor found significant in univariate analysis. A P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Stat View 5.0 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) was used for the statistical analysis. Results In patients with abdominal pain, 17% had significant abdominal pathology mainly acute pancreatitis (AP). Serum amylase and lipase level were found to be an indicator of significant underlying pathology (both P values ≤ 0.001). The logistic model created showed that patients with lipase level ≥ 400 U have a 7% increased risk of having AP with confidence interval of 0.01 to 0.6. Conclusion Patients with DKA and abdominal pain with lipase > 400 U have an increased risk of significant underlying abdominal pathology (AP).


SUMMARY Both the number density of scatterers and scattering strength are parameters characterizing the inhomogeneity of the Earth's crust. An attempt is made to estimate the number density of scatterers (n-value) using small-aperture seismic array data. Many estimates of scattering coefficients have been made previously; however, in a medium with a scattering strength, the wave energy scattered by a medium containing strong scatterers with a low number density is identical to that produced by a high density of weak scatterers. Knowledge of the number density besides the scattering strength supplies important information on stress concentration in the crust due to the strong scatterer reflecting strong inhomogeneity. Therefore, the number density of scatterers is estimated with array signal processing. A seismic array can decompose the approach direction of scattered waves arriving at the array. With array processing, it is not only possible to estimate the energy arriving at the array, but also the semblance value. Temporal variation of the energy depends strongly on the scattering coefficient. On the other hand, the difference in number density of the medium appears in the temporal variation of the semblance value. As a first-order approximation, the semblance value is inversely proportional to the n-value. For practical purposes, an array response should be considered for n-value estimation. Comparing simulated and observed semblances, number density and scattering strength can be estimated from the time sequence of semblances and stacking power. This method was applied to seismic array data from the aftershock area of the 2000 Western Tottori earthquake (Mw 6.8). A rough estimate of number density, compared to a simulation, is 3 × 10 −2 km −3 .


Objective : Blood pressure ranges associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in advanced type 2 diabetes are not clear. Our objective was to determine whether baseline and follow-up (On-Study) systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and SBP combined with DBP predict CVD events in the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT). Research Design and Methods: Participants in the VADT (n=1791) with hypertension received stepped treatment to maintain BP below the target of 130/80 mmHg in standard and intensive glycemic treatment groups. BP levels of all subjects at baseline and On-Study were analyzed to detect associations with CVD risk. The primary outcome was the time from randomization to the first occurrence of myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, surgery for vascular disease, inoperable coronary disease, amputation for ischemic gangrene or CVD death. Results: Separated SBP ≥ 140 mmHg had significant risk at baseline (HR=1.508 P<0.001) and On-Study (HR=1.469, P=0.002). DBP<70 mmHg increased CVD events at baseline (HR=1.482, P<0.001) and On-Study (HR=1.491, P<0.001). Combined blood pressure categories indicated high risk for CVD events for SBP ≥ 140 with DBP<70 mmHg at baseline (HR=1.785, P=0.03) and On-Study (HR=2.042, P=0.003), and nearly all SBP with DBP<70 mmHg. Conclusions: Increased risk of CVD events with SBP ≥ 140 mmHg emphasizes the urgency for treatment of systolic hypertension. Increased risk with DBP<70 mmHg, even when combined with SBP in guideline-recommended target ranges, supports a new finding in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results emphasize that DBP<70 mmHg in these patients was associated with elevated CVD risk and may best be avoided.


This paper reports the charge-discharge and thermal-electrical characteristics of GdBCO single-pancake coils employing various types of grease, such as N-grease (N coil), Si-based grease (Si coil), and vacuum grease (V coil), as an insulation material to ameliorate the charging-discharging delay observed in no-insulation (NI) coils. The charge-discharge test results confirmed that the use of grease as an insulation material can effectively reduce leakage current because the turn-to-turn grease layers serve as an effective insulation material. In sudden discharge tests, the time constant values of coils wound with N-grease, Si-based grease, and vacuum grease were drastically lower than those of the NI coil. In the over-current test at 1.5 Ic, the maximum voltages of N and Si coils were 3.8 times lower than that of the V coil, indicating that the thermal and electrical stabilities of N and Si coils were considerably enhanced. Moreover, the heat dissipating test results indicated that the peak temperature of the Si coil was lower than those of other coils because the Si-based grease acted as the most effective heat dissipater in the event of local hot spot generation in the coil. In conclusion, among the various types of grease tested in this study, Si-based grease may be the most effective turn-to-turn insulator for the development of highly stable second-generation (2G) HTS magnets with ameliorated charging-discharging delay of NI coil.


From August 28 to 29, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene delivered rainfall ranging from about 4 inches to more than 7 inches in the White River Basin. The rainfall resulted in severe flooding throughout the basin and significant damage along the White River and Tweed River. In response to the flooding, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, conducted a new flood study to aid in the flood recovery and restoration. This flood study includes a 20.7-mile reach of the White River from the downstream end at about 2,000 feet downstream from the State Route 107 bridge in the Village of Bethel, Vermont, to the upstream end at about 1,000 feet upstream from the River Brook Drive bridge in the Village of Rochester, Vt., and a 7.9-mile reach of the Tweed River from its mouth in Stockbridge, Vt., to the confluence of the West and South Branches of the Tweed River and continuing upstream on the South Branch Tweed River to the Pittsfield, Vt., town line. This report presents water-surface elevations determined for the study reaches using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers one-dimensional step-backwater Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System model, also known as HEC– RAS. The water-surface elevations were determined for floods having a 10-, 4-, 2-, 1-, and 0.2-percent annual exceedance probability (AEP) and for the floodway. Eighteen high-water marks from Tropical Storm Irene were available along the studied reaches. The discharges in the Tropical Storm Irene HEC–RAS model were adjusted so that the resulting water-surface elevations matched the high-water mark elevations along the study reaches. This allowed for an estimation of the water-surface profile throughout the study area resulting from Tropical Storm Irene. From a comparison of the estimated water-surface profile of Tropical Storm Irene to the water-surface profiles of the 1and 0.2-percent AEP floods, it was determined that the high-water elevations resulting from Tropical Storm Irene exceeded the estimated 1-percent AEP flood throughout the White River and Tweed River study reaches and exceeded the estimated 0.2-percent AEP flood in 16.7 of the 28.6 study reach miles. The simulated water-surface profiles were then combined with a geographic information system digital elevation model derived from light detection and ranging (lidar) data having a 18.2-centimeter vertical accuracy at the 95-percent confidence level and 1-meter horizontal resolution to delineate the area flooded for each water-surface profile.


To boost the kinetic process of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hybrid CoNiFe/Fe(Fe,Mo,Al)2 O4 coatings are deposited on pure Ti substrates (namely, CoNiFe/Fe(Fe,Mo,Al)2 O4 /Ti electrodes). This new coating features a dense inner layer together with an outer layer of microcone arrays (MCAs). The electrochemical surface area of the electrodes is modulated by controlling the geometrical factors of the MCAs. For the OER in 1.0 m KOH, the electrodes require minimum overpotentials of 245 and 333 mV to realize current densities of, respectively, 10 and 100 mA cm-2 . Furthermore, the high aspect ratio of the MCAs enables the electrodes to exhibit strong sunlight capture. Under 10 min of simulated 1.0 sun illumination, the electrode's temperature can rise by up to 108.2 °C. The number of active sites and the OER reaction rate of the electrodes are further increased by photoassistance, with only 234 and 296 mV overpotentials, respectively, needed to generate current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm-2 with a Tafel slope as low as 40.9 mV dec-1 . Therefore, the application of this composite coating, which exhibits photothermal effects with respect to conventional Ti electrodes, provides an inspiration for further improvement of OER catalytic efficiency.


Abstract Soybean is a major crop cultivated in Brazil, and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides are widely used to control weeds in this crop. The continuous use of these ALS-inhibiting herbicides has led to the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds worldwide. Greater beggarticks is a polyploid species and one of the most troublesome weeds in soybean production since the discovery of ALS-resistant biotypes in 1996. To confirm and characterize the resistance of greater beggarticks to ALS inhibitors, whole-plant bioassays and enzyme experiments were conducted. To investigate the molecular basis of resistance in greater beggarticks the ALS gene was sequenced and compared between susceptible and resistant biotypes. Our results confirmed that greater beggarticks is resistant to ALS inhibitors and also indicated it possesses at least three isoforms of the ALS gene. Analysis of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences among the isoforms and between the biotypes indicated that a single point mutation, G–T, in one ALS isoform from the resistant biotype resulted in an amino acid substitution, Trp574Leu. Two additional substitutions were observed, Phe116Leu and Phe149Ser, in a second isoform of the resistant biotype, which were not yet reported in any other herbicide-resistant ALS gene; thus, their role in conferring herbicide resistance is not yet ascertained. This is the first report of ALS mutations in an important, herbicide-resistant weed species from Brazil. Nomenclature: Chlorimuron; cloransulam; imazethapyr; pyrithiobac; greater beggarticks, Bidens subalternans DC; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.


OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence of poor self-rated health and associated factors. METHODS: Data from 54,213 individuals aged ≥18 years, collected by the Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Protecao para Doencas Cronicas por Inquerito Telefonico (VIGITEL – Telephone-based Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases), in Brazilian state capitals and Federal District, in 2006, were analyzed. One resident of each household, with at least one fi xed telephone line, was randomly selected from probability samples, subsequently answering the questionnaire. Independent variables analyzed were of a demographic, behavioral and self-reported morbidity nature. Prevalences and crude and adjusted prevalence ratios of poor self-rated health were estimated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Poor self-rated health was more frequent in women, older individuals and those with lower level of education, without an occupation and living in state capitals of the Northern and Northeastern regions; among men prevalence of poor self-rated health was higher in the Southeastern region than in the Southern region. Smoking ≥ 20 cigarettes/day, lack of regular physical activity in leisure time and low weight or obesity were associated with poor self-rated health in both sexes; pre-obesity and frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables were signifi cant in women, while not watching television was signifi cant in men. Prevalence of poor self-rated health increased with the growth in the number of self-reported morbidities. Having four or fi ve morbidities resulted in PR=11.4 in men and PR=6.9 in women, compared to those who did not have morbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Regional, sex and level of education inequalities were observed in the prevalence of poor self-rated health. In addition, its association with unhealthy behavior and comorbidities emphasize the need for strategies to promote healthy habits and those to control chronic diseases.


What is planning without property? This question was recently posed to me following a conference presentation. In this paper, I argue that taking this question seriously reveals unchallenged assumptions about the relationship between planning and property. Focusing on Canada as a settler colonial liberal democracy, I respond to this question by looking at the Indian Act which has supported colonial dispossession and assimilation in Canada for almost 200 years and rely on Brenna Bhandar's conceptualization of "racial regimes of property" as a means of examining how racial subjects and private property are co-produced. I then look to the practices reflected in the creation of Nadia Myre's artwork Indian Act to show how Indigenous epistemologies can aid in the conceptualization of planning without property. I argue that planning without property would be an approach to planning that would be focused on identifying, making, and strengthening the human and more-than-human relationships the flourishing of life requires. Thus, planning without property would support practices of being and belonging rather than practices of exclusion and domination.


The synthesis of methyl acetoacetate (MAA) by methoxycarbonylation of acetone with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was carried out in the presence of MgO and alkali-promoted MgO catalysts. From among Li, Na, K, and Cs, potassium was found to be the most effective promoter to improve the activity of MgO. The effect of K/MgO with variable content of K was also investigated, and the individual catalysts were characterised by the XRD, BET, SEM, CO2-TPD, and in situ CO2 IR techniques. The results showed that the addition of a small amount of K (1.97 mass %) could promote MAA formation, but a higher K loading caused a decrease in the yield of MAA, which might result from particle agglomeration and the presence of stable potassium carbonates. In situ FTIR experiments of co-adsorbed reactants indicated that the reaction probably proceeded via abstraction of Hα from acetone by base sites.


In this paper, an experimental investigation of the integration of PCM capsules as insulation material into the outer or inner rows of hollow brick to find out the optimum location of the PCM capsules that give the best thermal performance of a wall. A test model consists of two identical cubical rooms was designed and fabricated to test the wall with and without PCM in a natural outdoor condition in Diwaniyah city in Iraq during the summer. The results show that the PCM will reduce the temperature of the inner side of the test wall and test room by 2.7℃ for the PCM capsules in the inner row while the reduction in both the inner surface temperature and the room due to the use of the capsules in the outer row was 1.9℃. The time lag for the two cases was 1 hour. So that, the inner row location of PCM is the optimum location.


In ultrasonic extracts of all 19 investigated non-enterotoxigenic E. coli strains a substance (LTLS) could be detected reacting positively in all tests which are commonly used to detect specifically E. coli thermolabile enterotoxin (LT). Culture supernatants of these strains in general did not contain LTLS in detectable amounts. LTLS can be found in the whole cell, however, the membrane fraction contains the highest quantities. Released LTLS appears mainly aggregated with components of the cell wall, especially with lipopolysaccharides. This fact in combination with the very low quantities produced by the bacteria renders very difficult purification of LTLS.


In changing climatic conditions, heat stress caused by high temperature poses a serious threat to rice cultivation. A multiple organizational analysis at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels is required to fully understand the impact of elevated temperature in rice. This study was aimed at deciphering the elevated temperature response in 11 popular and mega rice cultivars widely grown in India. Physiological and biochemical traits specifically membrane thermostability (MTS), antioxidants, and photosynthesis were studied at vegetative and reproductive phases, which were used to establish a correlation with grain yield under stress. Several useful traits in different genotypes were identified, which will be an important resource to develop high temperature-tolerant rice cultivars. Interestingly, Nagina22 emerged as the best performer in terms of yield as well as expression of physiological and biochemical traits at elevated temperature. It showed lesser relative injury, lesser reduction in chlorophyll content, increased super oxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase activities, lesser reduction in net photosynthetic rate (PN), high transpiration rate (E), and other photosynthetic/fluorescence parameters contributing to least reduction in spikelet fertility and grain yield at elevated temperature. Furthermore, expression of 14 genes including heat shock transcription factors and heat shock proteins was analyzed in Nagina22 (tolerant) and Vandana (susceptible) at flowering phase, strengthening the fact that N22 performed better at molecular level also during elevated temperature. This study shows that elevated temperature response is complex and involves multiple biological processes that are needed to be characterized to address the challenges of extreme conditions of future climate.


1. An in situ heart preparation was used to evaluate cardiac performance in the sea raven, Hemitripterus americanus , under physiological inflow and outflow pressure conditions. Winter and summer fish were subjected to an acute 10°C temperature change from the seasonal ambient value. The maximum cardiac output (V · b) under each temperature condition was determined by altering inflow pressure to the heart. 2. Acute temperature increase produced positive chronotropic and inotropic effects in winter fish. Acute temperature decrease produced a negative chronotropic and inotropic effect in summer fish. 3. The inotropic and chronotropic states of the heart were different in winter and summer fish. Intrinsic heart rate was higher in summer fish at all experimental temperatures. The sensitivity of the summer fish hearts to input pressure was also greater, especially during the warm experimental temperatures. 4. It was evident from heartbeat rate measurements and power output calculations that the advent of summer and winter seasons did not promote any compensatory ability in intrinsic heart function.


OBJECTIVE
Long non-coding RNA NmrA-like family domain containing 1 pseudogene (Loc344887) has been shown to be aberrantly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the biological function of Loc344887 in NSCLC remains unknown. The present study aimed to explore the prognosis value of Loc344887 in NSCLC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of Loc344887 in NSCLC tissues and adjacent non-tumor lung tissues. Correlations between Loc344887 expression and the clinicopathological features of NSCLC patients were then evaluated. Overall survival was examined using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox regression analyses were performed to judge whether plasma Loc344887 was an independent predictor of survival.

RESULTS
The expression levels of Loc344887 were increased in NSCLC tissues compared with those in normal lung tissues (p < 0.05). High Loc344887 expression level was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.005), advance stage (p = 0.001), and poorer differentiation (p = 0.014). Furthermore, patients with high expression of Loc344887 had a significantly shorter overall survival time compared with those with low Loc344887 expression in NSCLC (p < 0.001). Further analysis by Cox regression showed that high expression of Loc344887 in NSCLC was an independent predictor of poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings, for the first time, suggested the potential roles of Loc344887as a prognostic factor and as a therapeutic target for NSCLC.


Objective: Dose optimization and pharmacokinetic evaluation of alpha emitting Radium-223 dichloride (223RaCl2) by planar gamma camera or single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) imaging are hampered by the low photon abundance and injection activities. Here, we demonstrate SPECT of 223Ra using phantoms and small animal in vivo models. Methods: Line phantoms and mice bearing 223Ra were imaged using a next generation dedicated small animal SPECT by detecting the low energy photon emissions from 223Ra. Localization of the therapeutic agent was verified by whole body and whole limb autoradiography and its effect determined by immunofluorescence. Results: A state-of-the-art commercial small animal SPECT system equipped with a highly sensitive collimator enables collection of sufficient counts for three-dimensional reconstruction. Line sources of 223Ra in both air and in a water scattering phantom gave linear response functions with provide full-width-at-half-maximum of 1.45 mm. Early and late phase imaging of the pharmacokinetics of the radiopharmaceutical were captured. Uptake at sites of active bone remodeling were correlated with DNA damage from the alpha particle emissions. Conclusions: This work demonstrates the capability to noninvasively define the distribution of 223Ra, a recently approved alpha emitting radionuclide. This approach allows quantitative assessment of 223Ra distribution and may provide radiation dose optimization strategies to improve therapeutic response and ultimately to enable personalized treatment planning.


In the last decades, regulators around the world have increasingly mandated stricter assurance requirements for interim reporting. In several countries, firms must have their interim financial statements reviewed by an external auditor. However, there is little evidence to indicate whether auditor assurance is desirable for interim financial statements. We address this gap and analyze whether investors care about a review of interim financial statements. By exploiting a setting in which firms can voluntarily decide to buy a review, we find that the publication of reviewed interim financial statements causes more abnormal return volatility as well as abnormal trading volume than the publication of un-reviewed interim financial statements. Additional analyses reveal that the increase in information content is largely driven by a signaling effect of the review rather than by an increase in earnings quality. The findings inform the current political debate of mandating reviews for interim financial statements in several jurisdictions.


This article presented a theoretical analysis of the heat transfer limits associated with a gravitational loop heat pipe (LHP), which involves the utilization of an innovative liquid feeding/distributing and vapour/liquid-separating structure. The mathematical equations governing the heat transport capacity were applied to simulate several commonly known heat transfer limits of the pipe, namely, viscous, sonic, entrainment, capillary, boiling and liquid filling mass limits. This will allow the determination of the actual figure of the limitation and analyses of the factors effecting the limits, including the loop operational temperature, wick type, evaporator diameter/length, evaporator inclination angle, vapour column diameter in the three-way fitting, liquid filling mass and evaporator-to-condenser height difference. During the study, the heat-transfer limits associated with the three-way fitting for liquid feeding/distribution and vapour/liquid separation were given particular attention. The results derived from the analytical model indicated that the compound screen mesh wick can achieve better thermal performance over the sintered powder and open rectangular groove wicks. It was also found that the heat transport capacity of such LHP operation is positively proportional to the operational temperature, evaporator diameter, evaporator inclination angle, vapour column diameter within the three-way fitting, liquid filling mass and evaporator-to-condenser height difference, and in a reciprocal order to the evaporator length. With the specified loop configuration and operational conditions, the LHP can achieve a high heat transport capacity of around 900 W. Overall, the work presented in this article provided an approach to determine the heat transfer limitations for such a specific LHP operation that will be of practical use for the associated system design and performance evaluation. Copyright , Oxford University Press.


Aim: Based on a multidisciplinary review of drug use in nursing home residents, this study aimed to identify the most frequent clinically relevant medication problems and to analyse them according to the drugs involved and types of problems. Methods: Cross sectional study auditing drug use by 1354 residents in 23 nursing homes in Bergen, Norway. Data were collected in 1997. A physician/pharmacist panel performed a comprehensive medication review with regard to indications for drug use and active medical conditions. The drug related problems were subsequently classified according to the drugs involved and types of problems (indication, effectiveness, and safety issues). Results: 2445 potential medication problems were identified in 1036 (76%) residents. Psychoactive drugs accounted for 38% of all problems; antipsychotics were the class most often involved. Multiple psychoactive drug use was considered particularly problematic. Potential medication problems were most frequently classified as risk of adverse drug reactions (26%), inappropriate drug choice for indication (20%), and underuse of beneficial treatment (13%). Conclusions: Three of four nursing home residents had clinically relevant medication problems, most of which were accounted for by psychoactive drugs. The most frequent concerns were related to adverse drug reactions, drug choice, and probable undertreatment.


The application of any modelling method without reflection on the underpinning assumptions is flawed. What is more, such an approach is bound to lead us to an incomplete understanding of the situation under consideration, since it places "restrictions" on the ways we question the validity of the knowledge unearthed in the application of the method. Thus, creative interpretation becomes limited. The paper considers this problem. It draws on insights from cognitive science, autopoiesis, management cybernetics and non-linear dynamics and outlines a philosophical frame-of-reference for modelling management systems. It emphasises the importance of epistemological reflection and the need to consider modelling as a cognitive act that requires the inclusion of the observer as part of the inquiry and the development and use of a systemic language within the situation of concern.


Red Chris is a Late Triassic porphyry Cu-Au-(Mo) deposit in the Stikinia island-arc terrane in northern B.C. Late Triassic sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Stuhini Group host a series of Late Triassic to Early Jurassic (204–198 Ma) diorite to quartz monzonite stocks and dikes. The Red Chris deposit is hosted in the 204 Ma Red stock, the largest (6.5 × 1.5 km) and most altered intrusion in the area. Volcanic rocks approximately time equivalent with the stock are exposed 2 km to the southwest and west. Postmineral Early and Middle Jurassic sedimentary rocks unconformably overlie the Stuhini Group and Red stock to the south and southeast. The composite Red stock consists of multiple phases of crowded porphyries (30–65% plagioclase + hornblende ± biotite phenocrysts) including abundant premineral "P1" leucodiorite; multiple subphases of synmineral "P2" quartz monzonite porphyries; and volumetrically minor late mineral monzonite ("P3") and monzodiorite ("P4") porphyries. The stock evolved from subalkaline to silica-saturated alkalic composition, with the mineral-related P2 porphyries being high K calcalkalic and high Sr/Y. Common septa of Stuhini biotitic hornfels are entrapped within the stock. Minor postmineral, weakly altered mafic dikes cut the stock.

The zone of >0.25% Cu equiv (Cu + Au) is >2 km long (WSW-ENE) and up to 650 m wide. Early A-type quartz veins with disseminated bornite accompanied biotitic and K-feldspar-magnetite alteration, which was coeval with P2 porphyries. Higher Cu and Au grades correlate in a general way with zones of more abundant A veins. Chlorite-carbonate-epidote-actinolite replaced hornblende peripheral to biotitic alteration, and chlorite overprinted much of the secondary biotite. Late alteration affected all porphyry phases and is subdivided into earlier sericite-clay-pyrite, and later low sulfide carbonate-clay-hematite. Late sericite-clay-pyrite alteration sulfidized much of the primary bornite to chalcopyrite with or without pyrite, and carbonate-clay-hematite alteration converted most magnetite to hematite. Highest Cu-Au grades (>2% Cu equiv) occur in and around the early and intermediate stage P2 porphyries.

Zoning of Cu, Au, Au/Cu ratios, sulfides, and quartz veins is centered and mostly symmetrical around a core of high-grade Cu-Au within and surrounding apices of P2 porphyry. Contact relationships confirm the close association of P2 porphyry phases with Cu-Au. Zones of >50 ppm Mo surround the highest grade Cu-Au zone at depth. West-northwest and east-northeast strike-slip to oblique-slip faults offset sulfide, Cu-Au, and Mo patterns. Several lines of evidence indicate 15° to 20° of southward tilt since the system formed. Due to glaciation, oxidation is very thin and supergene enrichment negligible.

Red Chris was previously considered by most workers as an alkalic or "hybrid" alkalic deposit. New chemical data on synmineral porphyry phases instead suggest high K calc-alkalic composition, similar to the monzonitic Cu-(Mo-Au) class of porphyry deposits, which includes Bingham and Bajo de la Alumbrera. Red Chris is also classified as an A vein type deposit due to strong control of higher grade Cu-Au by A vein stockworks with abundant disseminated Cu sulfides.


} of attributes, and an additional categorical attribute C, which we call a class attribute or category attribute. The learning dataset is a relational table D. for each element of the dataset we are given its class label. the class labels of the records in D are not known. Classification Problem. Given a (training) dataset D, construct a classifica-tion/prediction function that correctly predicts the class label for every record in D. Supervised learning because training set contains class labels. Thus we can compare (supervise) predictions of our classifier. Na¨ıve Bayes. Estimation of probability that a record belongs to each class. Neural Netowoks. Graphical models that construct a " separation function " based on the training set data.


Abstract Purpose – Studying the gap between improvements in operational performance of a manufacturing organization does not necessarily represent the existent of safe and healthy work. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap validating a scale about social practices. Design/methodology/approach – The literature was studied; data analysis instrument and the scale validated by Q-sort. The reliability and validity of research instrument indicators were drawing from the analysis of judges. The data were assessed by convergence matrix. Findings – It was validated five social practices factors. It was enabled the adequacy of the name of the constructs and establishment which indicators better convergence to the constructs. Research limitations/implications – The judge´s number that answered the research was low. The level of convergence related of two factors was above 50 percent. Practical implications – It is possible to achieve better levels of performance through social practices. Organizationsmust rethink the management and the routine of the workers to implement the operational practices. Social implications – The practices need to have with well-defined rules, as well as action to drive compliance. This vision also needs to be expanded to suppliers, customers and society. Originality/value – Highlight five points: technology is the main factor for analyzes and decisions; the search for quality leads organizations to seek practices that improve workers' well-being, health and safety; the activities of the worker are carried out on the factory, or in the work environment; Should not to belittle the local community; culture is an essential factor to continuous improvement. Keywords Sustainability, Scale development, Social practice, Health and safety at work, Q-sort


This work develops a methodology for estimating risk of wind-borne introduction of flying insects into a country, identifying areas and periods of high risk of vector-borne diseases incursion. This risk can be characterized by the role of suitable temperatures and wind currents in small insects' survival and movements, respectively. The model predicts the number density of introduced insects over space and time based on three processes: the advection due to wind currents, the deposition on the ground and the survival due to climatic conditions. Spanish livestock has suffered many bluetongue outbreaks since 2004 and numerous experts point to Culicoides transported by wind from affected areas in North Africa as a possible cause. This work implements numerical experiments simulating the introduction of Culicoides in 2004. The model identified southern and eastern Spain, particularly between June and November, as being at greatest risk of wind-borne Culicoides introduction, which matches field data on bluetongue outbreaks in Spain this year. This validation suggests that this model may be useful for predicting introduction of airborne pathogens of significance to animal productivity.


In a research breakthrough funded by NASA, scientists have synthesized a molecular system that, like DNA, can store and transmit information. This unprecedented feat suggests there could be an alternative to DNA-based life, as we know it on Earth – a genetic system for life that may be possible on other worlds.


The importance of technological advances reaches each and every one. New innovations drive the world we live in, form societies and economies around us. One of the main and primitive questions to every day human is whether or not he can afford a new technology, for a manufacturer ? can he make a profit of selling it, for an environmentalist ? how will it impact the future? One thing is certain ? none of that can be answered if it?s unknown whether the technology is reachable to every day user, starting from the price of the technology itself, including different levels of investments, ending with the costs of actually installing the technologies to common households worldwide, for green, economically growing and sustainable future.


This study develops a model in which changes in the electricity basis are directly related to changes in the fuel's storage level and the fuel's convenience yield. The model is tested with data from the US electricity and natural gas markets during the period 2004–2014. Empirical results show a negative relationship between the electricity basis and the fuel's convenience yield giving support to the argument that non‐storable commodities embody convenience yields. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 37:522–538, 2017


The main ideas and methods currently used to obtain upper limits on the photon rest mass from astrophysical data are briefly reviewed. One method is based on the fact that if the photon has nonzero rest mass m magnetoacoustic waves cannot have frequencies lower than a certain critical frequency, which depends on m. If wisps in the Crab Nebula are interpreted as magnetoacoustic waves of extremely low frequency, then the data of many-year observations of the wisps put an upper limit on m which is much better than the one established under terrestrial conditions. An error is pointed out in a different method which has been proposed in the literature in which the contribution of the energy of the galactic magnetic field (or rather, the vector potential) to the mass of Galaxy is estimated on the basis of gravitational effects. The point is that in the general theory of relativity not only energy but also pressure has a weight. In the case under consideration, these two contributions cancel each other and the galactic magnetic field cannot produce anomalously strong gravitational fields. The most stringent upper limit on the photon rest mass, m? 3?10?60 g, is obtained from the analysis of the mechanical stability of magnetized gas in the galaxies with allowance for the specific pressure forces of the vector potential. This upper limit is 12 orders of magnitude better than the best upper limits obtained under terrestrial conditions. This result clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of astrophysical methods.


The ability of a fish to interpret acoustic information in its environment is crucial for its survival. Thus, it is important to understand how underwater noise affects fish hearing. In this study, the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) was used to examine: (1) the immediate effects of white noise exposure (0.3^4.0 kHz, 142 dB re: 1 WPa) on auditory thresholds and (2) recovery after exposure. Audiograms were measured using the auditory brainstem response protocol and compared to baseline audiograms of fathead minnows not exposed to noise. Immediately after exposure to 24 h of white noise, five out of the eight frequencies tested showed a significantly higher threshold compared to the baseline fish. Recovery was found to depend on both duration of noise exposure and auditory frequency. These results support the hypothesis that the auditory threshold of the fathead minnow can be altered by white noise, especially in its most sensitive hearing range (0.8^2.0 kHz), and provide evidence that these effects can be long term (s 14 days). ß 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.