Measurements of samples taken from three parallel cores from Elk Lake in northern Minnesota have been combined to produce a high-quality record of recent variations in the local magnetic field. Annual laminations in the sediment provide excellent time control for the record and evidence for a consistent depositional environment. The Elk Lake paleomagnetic record contributes significantly to our understanding of the recent history of the magnetic field in central North America, modifying several previous conclusions.


The scarcity of normative texts from the areas of early geriatric and gynaecological specialist literature as well as of common handbooks for women, makes it difficult to make any general statements on the ageing woman in the early modern times. It is only with the emancipation from antique tradition in the 18th century that greater attention was given to "new" topics such as the menopause and its consequences. The aim of this paper is firstly to use non-medical sources to examine what was for a long time a negative picture of the older woman, before then analysing fragments on anatomy and physiology, pathology and therapy of the female in old age from early modern times, as well as references to longevity and rejuvenation. There was no unified concept of female old age within medicine, and certainly no indication of the medicalisation of older women; social realities had at best a marginal influence on these ideas. There seemed to be no autonomous pathogenetic principle of female old age; it would seem that the loss of menstruation (and with it of her sexual identity) was considered to bring the elderly woman nearer to the masculine physiology of ageing, although the ageing process in the female sex was also characterised by hypersexualisation and longevity.


A new methodology is presented for determination of optimal reservoir management strategies that minimize sediment scour and deposition in multiple-reservoir river networks. Consideration is given to adverse effects of sedimentation occurring in both reservoirs and rivers of an alluvial network. The problem is formulated as a discrete-time optimal control problem in which a successive approximation linear quadratic regulator (SALQR) optimization algorithm is interfaced with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's HEC-6 sediment transport simulator. The simulation model is used to evaluate open channel flow hydraulics and sediment transport dynamics, while the optimization module strategically updates reservoir operation policies and solves the augmented control problem. System operating constraints imposed on stagewise reservoir releases and storage levels are incorporated into the objective function using a quadratic loss penalty function. The model can be used to minimize scour and deposition through an entire network or only at specified locations, and can be used to evaluate policies that alternatively maximize sedimentation. Capabilities of the model are demonstrated through applications to a hypothetical three-reservoir river network and the Yazoo Basin river-reservoir network in Mississippi. The resulting methodology serves as an effective decision support mechanism that can be used in the sustainability of rivers and reservoirs, as well as their associated benefits.


With the introduction of the EPA Tier 4 NOx emission limits for rail diesel engines this year, engine developers are forced to implement more advanced emission control technologies such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or cooled external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The integration and control of these systems for ensuring optimum performance throughout the operating range brings about new challenges on top of the well-known requirement for unconstrained operability in a very wide range of conditions.As a consequence, engines and their subsystems have to be designed for maximum flexibility. The turbocharging system in particular needs to be capable of dealing with extreme ambient conditions associated with high altitudes, hot summers, severe winters, tunnel operation, etc. This flexibility must be achieved without compromising reliability and while ensuring continuous in-use compliance with the emissions standards throughout the life of the installation. At the same time, engine performance should be maintained at the highest level possible.This study demonstrates that all of these targets can be met by combining two-stage turbocharging and EGR with suitable control elements. Two-stage turbocharging, which has become increasingly popular in other industry sectors due to its potential for improving the bsfc / NOx emissions trade-off when used in combination with correspondingly optimized valve actuation (Miller timing), is starting to be adopted also for rail applications.A variety of EGR concepts was proposed or put into practice over the past few years, and the most important or promising of these have been taken into consideration for this study. Extensive simulations of the resulting engine and turbocharging systems have been performed using ABB's in-house simulation platform, based on a generic engine model that can be considered representative of the rail sector.It is shown that integration of EGR, two-stage turbocharging and appropriate control elements is highly attractive as it offers outstanding operational flexibility and very high fuel efficiency without any compromise in terms of reliability.The selection and specification of control elements and turbocharging system components depends on the EGR concept applied. As is shown below, this can be tailored to the application to ensure optimum performance and flexibility. In view of these obvious benefits, we are very confident that such integrated EGR / two-stage turbocharging systems will be adopted more widely on railway engines.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


Prior information about a financial market is very essential for investor to invest money on parches share from the stock market which can strengthen the economy. The study examines the relative ability of various models to forecast daily stock indexes future volatility. The forecasting models that employed from simple to relatively complex ARCH-class models. It is found that among linear models of stock indexes volatility, the moving average model ranks first using root mean square error, mean absolute percent error, Theil-U and Linex loss function  criteria. We also examine five nonlinear models. These models are ARCH, GARCH, EGARCH, TGARCH and restricted GARCH models. We find that nonlinear models failed to dominate linear models utilizing different error measurement criteria and moving average model appears to be the best. Then we forecast the next two months future stock index price volatility by the best (moving average) model.


This essay gauges the significance of Sapio"s (2010) well-researched book in the field of comparative criminology, especially the critical studies of criminal justice systems. It contrasts Sapio"s theoretical approach with existing approaches, which also attempt to explain related topics, especially law enforcement and state violence. . I shall first introduce the major concepts, theoretical logic and empirical case study of a major school of comparative criminology – contemporary socialist criminology. I shall then identify and illuminate the contributions that Sapio"s work has made to the field of comparative criminology. Based on the lessons learnt from the discussion, I shall argue that Sapio might have opened a new possibility for a better comparative criminology which would necessitate a more nuanced theoretical attempt to link Marxist insights with Gramsci, Foucault, Agamben and Schmitt for conceiving criminal justice as an essential practice of statecraft.


A comparison of Searle's contrasting position on explaining consciousness and free will is conducted with an aim to show that while consciousness on his view presents a relatively easy problem, while free will is presented as a serious challenge to naturalism . We suggest that with a certain shift of perspective on causality, free will problem might be just as tractable as the problem of consciousness .


The study examines job mobility as a function of congruence between individuals' abilities and their job's complexity. The gravitational hypothesis (McCormick, DeNisi, & Staw, 1979; McCormick, Jeanneret, & Mecham, 1972), a keystone of this objective, posits that individuals will sort into jobs that are commensurate with their ability level. This study used various analytical techniques to examine the relationship between ability, person-job fit, and occupational mobility. First, the gravitational hypothesis was tested. Second, the direction of mismatch between ability and job complexity was hypothesized to predict direction of change in job complexity over time. Two national, longitudinal databases, the National Longitudinal Study of the Class of 1972 (NLS-72) and the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Experience-Youth Cohort (NLSY), were used to test these relationships. Results were supportive in both the NLS-72 and the NLSY. Additional analyses examined the difference between measures of objective job complexity and subjective job complexity (Gerhart, 1988) for the gravitational process and the difference in employer- and employee-initiated job changes. These results have implications for employers, vocational counselors and job applicants. Suggestions for improving the ability-job complexity match are provided.


City governments around the world are pledging to make significant reductions to their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a goal that requires significant changes to urban institutions, infrastructure, and behaviour patterns. Such changes are not easily made, and often fall outside the formal jurisdiction of city governments. However, city governments are taking up this challenge because of the threat of climate change and the opportunity to reap local benefits from GHG emissions reductions. This paper draws on the experiences of three large cities in North America: Toronto, New York City, and Los Angeles. Each city government has set ambitious GHG reduction targets, and developed programs and policies to reach these targets. While the responses are unique to each city, their experiences demonstrate that if city governments are to successfully meet their GHG emissions reductions targets, they must "steer" their cities: leveraging both their formal and informal authorities as well as a range of interventions and partnerships. Three steering strategies have proven effective in all three cities: Building and maintaining coalitions; Aligning incentives with capacity; and Combining institutionalization and innovation. The experiences of these three cities demonstrate that formal powers and political economic context are not good predictors of cities' success in reducing GHG emissions. Rather, as city governments confront the complex and longterm challenge of reducing GHG emissions, steering strategies that combine the multiple sources of authority and influence held by city governments will generate the outcomes needed to address climate change.


This article describes the nuptiality model that was used in the 1980-based population forecasts of the Netherlands released by the Netherlands Central Bureau of Statistics...in December 1981. Particular attention is paid to the need for a realistic two-sex marriage model. A model is presented that the author suggests is an improvement on the British model on which it is based in that it uses originally specified one-sex nuptiality rates which are adjusted in order to achieve consistency. (summary in ENG) (EXCERPT)


How the lymphocyte crosses the blood endothelium during transendothelial migration is demonstrated through the study of serial sections of high endothelial venules (HEVs) of peripheral (mesenteric lymph nodes) and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (Peyer's patches, vermiform appendix) during normal lymphocyte homing and experimental intestinal inflammation. The sequence of serial ultrastructural features of lymphocytes englobed in the endothelial wall at different moments of transmigration made it possible to bring out that their transendothelial migration toward the extracellular matrix of lymphoid tissues occurs through an intraendothelial canalicular formation constituted by two adjacent endothelial cells that have closed interendothelial junctions. This intraendothelial canalicular formation, morphologically unlike the transcellular and paracellular migratory pathways, is an innovative model of migratory route for lymphocyte diapedesis that does not compromise the continuity of the endothelial wall. The increased presence of lymphocytes and intraendothelial canalicular formations during experimental inflammation and the metabolic hyperactivity of the spring/summer months compared to the lethargic fast in Chiropters underscores an influence on lymphocyte traffic through the HEVs of the peripheral and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.


AbstractAnaesthesiologists are well trained and equipped to practise a high standard of care and contribute significantly to positive perioperative outcomes. Professionalism is characterised first by expertise in the clinical skills, capabilities, knowledge and experience internal to the practice of anaesthesiology (or a sub-specialty), and the knowledge, understanding and practice of the professional duties associated with anaesthesiology. Relatively recently it has been realised that more than good training and clinical expertise are required if anaesthesiologists want to practise as true professionals. This requirement relates to personal behaviour and attitudes that can loosely be labelled as moral attributes. The article argues that these moral attributes may best be understood with reference to Aristotle's notion of virtue ethics—the idea that character and virtue are important in ethics. Though this is the central theme of the article, a more comprehensive picture is provided of what it means to be...


Epiphrenic diverticulum of the esophagus is an uncommon disease, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Surgical repair of this disease is warranted only for symptomatic patients because treatment carries high risk of morbidity. Over the past decade, the laparoscopic approach to epiphrenic diverticulectomy has been shown to be safe and effective. The aim of the study was to describe our specific approach to the procedure and results. From 1994 to 2012, 30 patients with symptomatic epiphrenic diverticulum underwent laparoscopic surgery. There were no conversions to open surgery. The postoperative course was uneventful in 28 patients (93.3%). One patient had a suture line leak, which required repair through right thoracotomy, and 1 patient had a hemoperitoneum, which needed an open splenectomy. The median follow-up was 52 months (2-144). To date, no patient has presented with a recurrence. Laparoscopic transhiatal surgery is in our opinion the preferred approach to treatment of epiphrenic diverticulum of the esophagus. The procedure has proven to be feasible and safe in experienced hands. Long-term results, both clinical and with an objective evaluation, are satisfactory.


People involved with production animal agriculture in the U.S., including owners and workers, are often portrayed as callous to animal welfare. While callous people exist in any population, I maintain that most people who own and work with farm animals do consider animal welfare, both for moral and economic reasons. It is rare that stressed, unhealthy or injured animals are more profitable than healthy, unstressed ones. Furthermore, the owners of farm animals and related facilities overwhelmingly are families or individuals (~97%), not corporations; most owners of so-called industrial farms are but a generation removed from so-called family farms, and most of these owners still have values similar to those of traditional family farms, although their hired workers may not. Farmers need to have income, so husbandry practices need to be profitable for farms to be sustainable. However, production animal agriculture has not been very profitable, partly because most products are commodities, and this low profitability has been a major cause of the huge decrease in numbers of farmers and farm units over the past century. The net result is larger units with less attention paid to individual animals, which can be problematic, but does not necessarily result in decreased animal welfare. Modern genetic tools and facilities can be used to promote animal welfare simultaneously with improving production efficiency and economic viability.


Recent developments in the insurance regulation emphasize risk management. The European regulators are going to implement the new capital requirements that are directly based on the risk taken by insurance companies. This framework is called Solvency II and it is expected to be implemented in Europe in the next few years. In the paper we describe various approaches to risk measurement and management in insurance, and describe the potential implications of Solvency II on the Israeli insurance companies in terms of capital and their risk appetite. Our results are based on QIS2 study, and they indicate that under the new regulations Israeli insurance companies will be required to keep much more capital (or change their risk exposure). We provide some international comparison and try to send an early warning signal to the relevant parties (regulators and insurers).


This thesis seeks to explore how changes in feeding strategy can affect the fillet quality of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). By changing the number of daily feedings or the degree of marine raw materials it will be reasonable to expect an effect from some of the main quality parameters in fish fillet. The thesis consists of two separate experiments. In the feed frequency experiment protein solubility, colouration, dry matter, lipid content and lysosomal protease activity was compared for fish fed one and three times daily. The results indicate that the group fed three times per day had wider spread in colouration, lower lipid content, higher content of sarcoplasmic proteins and lower cathepsin B+L activity compared to fish fed one time daily. No significant difference was detected in mean colouration, fillet hardness, breaking strength or water contents from changes in feeding rate. In the diet experiment, five groups of Atlantic salmon were reared in full-scale net pens and fed with marine based feed (MBF) at different durations under the growth phase (Group A: 41 weeks, B: 40 weeks, C: 27 weeks, D: 25 weeks and E: 0 weeks). A conventional industrial feed (CF) was otherwise used. Pigmentation, lipid content, fatty acid profile, amino acid profile and water content was compared between the groups. Changes of lipid content and colouration was compared in fresh fish and after freeze storage using visual analysis, NIR and UV spectrometry. Amino acids, fatty acids and water content was examined after freeze storage. Growth, weight spread, downgrading content, feed factors and visceral deposition was compared from slaughter data for the different feeding groups. Results indicates that increased dietary marine feed can lead to higher growth rates, lower feed factor, stronger red pigmentation, higher lipid contents, changes in amino acid profile and visceral deposition. No significant differences was detected in protein content, water content or superior quality grading. UltraPerformance Convergence ChromatographyTM (UPC2) may be a possible method for screening of fatty acid profile of unesterified fatty acids of fish fillets, however further method development are needed to clarify its potential. These experiments show that chosen feeding strategy can have an impact on several growth and quality parameters in Atlantic salmon. Further research is recommended in order to describe the mechanisms underlying these observations. The development into more sustainable feed raw materials still results in high quality products.


Open fractures represent 2–9% of all pediatric fractures. Standard treatment in the Emergency Department (ED) includes prompt administration of intravenous antibiotics and tetanus prophylaxis, bedside irrigation, and reduction or immobilization based on the fracture pattern. Recommendations for management of open fractures in the pediatric population are mostly based on a 1989 landmark study by Patzakis et al. which analyzed factors influencing infection rates in adults and ultimately concluded that Cefazolin was superior to fluroquinolones or no antibiotics. Subsequent studies regarding antibiotic administration in the pediatric population have been less evidence-based, often choosing antibiotic protocols based on physician discretion and institutional practice patterns. To our knowledge, there is no consensus regarding optimal antibiotic treatment protocols for pediatric open fractures. To that end, we set out to review the literature for current trends in antibiotic management of open pediatric fractures. We specifically reviewed antibiotic choice, length of treatment, and subsequent infection rates.
Based on our review of the literature we found that Gustilo and Anderson Type I pediatric open fractures are generally managed with the administration of a first-generation cephalosporin (e.g. Cefazolin) within three hours of injury, bedside irrigation, and fracture stabilization in the emergency department. Types II & III fractures may be similarly managed with a first-generation cephalosporin and provisional bedside irrigation, and fracture stabilization; however, these fracture types require further debridement and fracture stabilization in the operating room. Additional gram-negative coverage (e.g. Gentamicin) is frequently added for Type 3 fractures, and in cases of farm injuries, anti-clostridial drugs such as penicillin may be added; the evidence supporting these practices, however, is lacking. Overall, we found a paucity of high-quality evidence regarding antibiotic management of open pediatric fractures.


Two thousand Bacillus cereus sensu lato isolates from food and environmental matrices were screened by PCR for the presence of cereulide-producing strains. This survey identified 73 potential emetic strains, most of which originated from non-random food and clinical samplings. None of the 460 Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides and Bacillus pseudomycoides strains were PCR-positive for the cereulide genetic determinants. The chromosomal and extrachromosomal gene pool diversity of a subset of 30 cereulide-producing strains was then assessed using multilocus sequence typing, large plasmid gel electrophoresis and Southern blot hybridization. The strain toxicity on boar sperm and cereulide production were also analysed. The most striking observation was the identification of two distinct clusters of cereulide-producing strains, with members of the second group (cluster II) identified as psychrotolerant B. weihenstephanensis able to grow at 8°C. Moreover, the location of the cereulide genetic determinants was shown to vary depending on the strain, indicating a probable genomic mobility.


Venting of pore fluid was recently reported near the front of the Oregon accretionary prism and was directly measured at one of the venting sites during Alvin dives. In this study, the authors model the flow of pore fluid in the Oregon accretionaly prism. They use seismic reflection sections to constrain subsurface structures, drill-hole results from Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 18 to constrain sediment properties, and regional tectonic information to constrain the timing and the rate of plate convergence and sediment imbrication and thickening. The results of two-dimensional, time-element, finite-element modeling show that high pore pressures are generated beneath the decollement due to the load of imbricated and thickened sediments. Diffusive flow at a rate of several millimetres per year is predicted within the accretionary prism if fault zone permeability is discounted. The presence of a decollement or permeable fault penetrating the accretionary prism, as imaged on the seismic reflection section, can drastically alter the patterns of fluid flow and produce focused venting of fluid, as observed. On the other hand, fluid venting along faults may not significantly alter the high pore pressures below the decollement.


Data on respiratory conditions reported by sample persons 12 to 74 years of age in NHANES II were examined. The prevalence of upper respiratory conditions varied little between whites (N = 11,260) and blacks (N = 1,482): allergic rhinitis 9.8% versus 8.1%; chronic rhinitis 20.4% versus 19.2%. Except for "allergic rhinitis only," which was increased in whites, no racial differences were found for any upper respiratory condition, singly or in combination. The prevalence of lower respiratory conditions in whites and blacks were: asthma (A) 6.9% versus 9.2% P less than .05, chronic bronchitis (CB) 1.3% versus 0.8% P less than .05, and chronic cough (CC) 1.1% versus 0.7% P greater than .05. There was no racial difference in the prevalence of overall lower respiratory conditions (A + CC + CB). All upper and lower respiratory conditions peaked in 50 to 74-year-olds except for allergic rhinitis only (without asthma) which peaked in 25 to 49-year-olds. Smokers reported all upper and lower respiratory conditions more often than nonsmokers, except for allergic rhinitis only (without asthma), which was reported less often by smokers. Females reported more allergic rhinitis in any combination, while males reported more asthma only (without allergic rhinitis). Sample persons living below poverty reported increased prevalence of chronic rhinitis, asthma, asthma only (without allergic rhinitis), and either allergic rhinitis or asthma. Residents of urban areas reported increased prevalence of allergic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis only (without asthma) while residents of rural areas reported increased prevalence of asthma only (without allergic rhinitis).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


One way to measure the impact of the first phase of Spanish colonization (1598–1680) on the Rio Grande Pueblo peoples of New Mexico is to trace changes in the number and location pattern of their settlements (pueblos). During this period 62 percent of their pueblos were abandoned, and large parts of their territory were lost. The greatest loss occurred in the years from about 1636 to 1641, when Pueblo populations, already diminished as a result of various forms of Spanish exploitation, flight from the region, and, perhaps, earlier epidemics, suffered a major disease event that was a key factor in these abandonments, which particularly affected the Estancia, Socorro, and Albuquerque-Belen basins.


Higher order statistics (HOS) are well suited to solving detection and classification problems because they can suppress gaussian noise and preserve some of the non-gaussian information. This paper describes the use of these methods for acoustic quality control of manufactured goods on a production line, and specifically the detection of faulty fanbelts on the drying block of a washing machine. Two HOS based methods were used in this paper. The first is based on the properties of the bispectrum in the outer triangle and particularly of the normalized bispectrum also called the skewness function. The second uses the third order cumulant of a matched filter output. This combination has the advantages of matched filtering plus the properties of higher than second order statistics making this algorithm more robust than the conventional matched filter. The method was used to classify real signals from fanbelts suffering from specific known defects.


Available shields are of a certain thickness that has an influence on sound diffraction. Judging by the research results, the influence of shield thickness is insignificant if the thickness is less than the length of a sound wave. A thick shield plate or a wide shield has two edges, and this increases noise reduction at the expense of double diffraction. Solution of flat monochromatic wave diffraction has been analyzed. The compact formula of sound insulation at uniform field in front of the shield has been obtained.


The high flux of high energy X-rays that can be provided through state-of-the-art high energy synchrotron beam lines has enabled a variety of new experiments with the highly absorbing Nb3Sn superconductors. We report different experiments with Nb3Sn strands that have been conducted at the ID15 High Energy Scattering beam line of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). Synchrotron X-ray diffraction has been used in order to monitor phase transformations during in-situ reaction heat treatments prior to Nb3Sn formation, and to monitor Nb3Sn growth. Fast synchrotron micro-tomography was applied to study void growth during the reaction heat treatment of Internal Tin strands. The elastic strain in the different phases of fully reacted Nb3Sn composite conductors has been measured by high resolution X-ray diffraction during in-situ tensile tests.


This study observes the development of brachial arteriovenous fistulae, and assesses methods of predicting potential usefulness for haemodialysis. Creation of an adequate brachial fistula causes significant changes in blood flow to the forearm and hand. A prospective study of fifteen consecutive patients undergoing brachial arteriovenous fistula formation for haemodialysis was undertaken. Clinical measurements and coloured flow Doppler measurements were performed pre operatively, immediately post operatively and at two and eight weeks after surgery. The morphology of the fistula was studied and the volume flow was measured. Digital pressure was measured pre and post exercise at each visit. Fourteen fistulae worked well by eight weeks. There was an immediate large increase in brachial artery blood flow and by two weeks all fistulae that went on to develop well had a brachial artery flow of more than 700 mls/minute. The cephalic vein mean diameter pre operatively was 2.39 mm and increased to 5.4 mm by two weeks post operatively. Fistulae with flows over 400 mls/minute at two weeks had a good outcome. There were significant differences in digital pressure after fistula formation (P ≤ 0.05). Digital mean arterial pressure dropped from 118 mm Hg pre-operatively to 98 mm Hg post operatively, at rest, and 89 mm Hg after exercise. Four patients developed forearm/hand claudication on exercise or signs of distal ischaemia. Three of these were diabetic with calcified vessels. All patients with a suitable cephalic vein should have attempted fistula formation rather than recourse to use of a synthetic graft. In diabetics creating a shunt in an already marginally competent vascular tree exposes the patient to risk of significant hand ischaemia.


Corrosion study of structural steel in marine environment is an important parameter for design engineers to predict life of structure. Marine corrosion of steel is a complex process as it is influenced by so many parameters of salinity, sulphate, bicarbonates ions, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen content etc. These parameters also vary quite lot depending geographical locations of the structure as well as various depths of sea water in which parts of the structures are immersed. It would be interesting to find and predict rate of corrosion of structural steel with any combinations of those variables by performing few laboratory experiments. In the present paper attempt has been made to develop a software to find corrosion rate of steel as functions of combinations of so many variables data fit for a given geographical location in an ocean., by performing some laboratory experiments based on factorial design of experiments. 3D mapping of corrosion of steel as function of two variables,(keeping other variables fixed) have been generated. Endeavors have also been made to predict corrosion rate of mild steel at a particular geographical location and compare it with real field study fromliterature.


Psychoanalysis as a literary theory has helped to improve understanding about "human behaviour and human mental functioning." This is achieved through its perception of the human race as neurotic. However, with its application in poetic interpretation, poetry is perceived as an expression of displaced neurotic conflict: a consoling illusion, symptom, socially acceptable phantasy or substitute gratification. With the psychoanalytic reading of the poetry of Tanure Ojaide, an Anglophone African poet, poetry is understood as an expression of symptoms of the poet's personal and societal neurotic tendencies. Since our emphasis is on Jungian psychoanalysis, analyzing Ojaide's poetry through the orbits of the archetypes of Jungian psychoanalysis help to foreground the poetry as a consoling illusion or substitute gratification. Whereas the study reveals that Ojaide's poetry is dominated by the archetype of the "wounded healer" a symbol of a wounded personality who also doubles as the needed messiah (the healer), it is depicted that the dominant nature of the archetype of the "wounded healer" is a result of the poet's experience which is at the centre of his poetic expression.


Research longline sampling was conducted seasonally from December 2006 to February 2009 to investigate the occurrence and population structure of the broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus in coastal areas of south-east Tasmania. Notorynchus cepedianus showed a consistent temporal trend in seasonal occurrence in Norfolk Bay characterized by high abundances in summer to near absence in winter. This pattern was less pronounced in the Derwent Estuary, where fish were still caught during winter. The absence of smaller total length (L(T) ) classes (<80 cm) from the catches suggests that N. cepedianus are not using these coastal habitats as nursery areas. Of the 457 individuals tagged, 68 (15%) were recaptured. Time at liberty ranged from 6 days to almost 4 years and all but one of the recaptures were caught in its original tagging location, suggesting site fidelity. The large number of N. cepedianus in these coastal systems over summer indicates that these areas are important habitats for this species and that N. cepedianus may have a significant influence on community dynamics through both direct and indirect predator-prey interactions.


∗great demand for professionals qualified for applications (apps) development. The required profile includes technical skills, also known as hard skills, and behavioral or soft skills. The training of these professionals in speed, quantity, and quality demanded by the market poses a significant challenge for educational institutions. Apple and PUCPR have established a partnership to build a software studio to develop such talents using the Challenge Based Learning (CBL) method and associated practices whose effects need to be studied. This research aims to analyze the contributions of reflective practice in a software studio that aims to teach themain professional competencies regarding app development, including hard and soft skills. The research method used was the case study, based on semistructured interviews with 18 participants carried out in two cycles. The collected data were analyzed with the support of open and axial coding from Grounded Theory and Atlas.ti tool. The results demonstrate that reflective practice, applied in a software studio environment that uses CBL was able to help students to map new ideas and acquire valuable hard and soft skills. The study pointed out that reflective practice is an effective instrument for developing the skills required by the app market, which demands innovation and quality at high speed.


This study focuses on the entire shape of the  twin-precipitate in two phase stainless steel, Fe-25Cr-6Ni in terms of the interphase and elastic strain energies generated between the precipitate and matrix. An investigation of this precipitation is important not only in terms of microstructure control but also for improving the mechanical properties of materials. Firstly, the three-dimensional near-coincidence site lattice (3D-NCS) model, which is based on the atomic matching model, is applied for estimating the preferred habit planes by evaluating the result of geometrical atomic matching. Subsequently, the precipitate shape is determined from candidates of the preferred habit plane produced by the 3D-NCS model, and the elastic strain surrounding and within the precipitate is investigated by FEM analysis, which can calculate the anisotropic elastic strain depending on the shape of the precipitate. The results are compared with observed precipitate by TEM.


Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a procedure used to treat articular cartilage injuries and prevent the onset of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. In vitro expansion of chondrocytes, a necessary step in ACI, results in the generation of senescent cells that adversely affect the quality and quantity of newly formed cartilage. Recently, a senolytic peptide, fork head box O transcription factor 4-D-Retro-Inverso (FOXO4-DRI), was reported to selectively kill the senescent fibroblasts. In this study, we hypothesized that FOXO4-DRI treatment could remove the senescent cells in the expanded chondrocytes, thus enhancing their potential in generating high-quality cartilage. To simulate the in vitro expansion for ACI, chondrocytes isolated from healthy donors were expanded to population doubling level (PDL) 9, representing chondrocytes ready for implantation. Cells at PDL3 were also used to serve as the minimally expanded control. Results showed that the treatment of FOXO4-DRI removed more than half of the cells in PDL9 but did not significantly affect the cell number of PDL3 chondrocytes. Compared to the untreated control, the senescence level in FOXO4-DRI treated PDL9 chondrocytes was significantly reduced. Based on the result from standard pellet culture, FOXO4-DRI pre-treatment did not enhance the chondrogenic potential of PDL9 chondrocytes. However, the cartilage tissue generated from FOXO4-DRI pretreated PDL9 cells displayed lower expression of senescence-relevant secretory factors than that from the untreated control group. Taken together, FOXO4-DRI is able to remove the senescent cells in PDL9 chondrocytes, but its utility in promoting cartilage formation from the in vitro expanded chondrocytes needs further investigation.


The health of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) is nutritionally challenged in many nations of the world. The scourge has reduced socio-economic progress globally and more so in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where its impact has been compounded by poverty and food insecurity. Good nutrition with proper drug use improves the quality of life for those infected but it is not known how PLWHA exposed to chronic malnutrition and food shortages from developing nations adjust their nutrition with use of Anti-Retro-viral Drugs (ARVs). This study assessed nutritional status, dietary practices, and dietary management of common illnesses that hinder daily food intake by the patients and use of ARVs with food recommendations provided by the health care givers. A descriptive case study design was used to sample 120 HIV-infected patients using systematic sampling procedure. These patients sought health care from an urban slum, Kibera AMREF clinic. Data were collected by anthropometric measurements, bio-chemical analysis, semi-structured questionnaire and secondary data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and the Nutri-Survey software packages were used to analyze data. Dietary intakes of micro-nutrients were inadequate for >70% of the patients when compared to the Recommended Daily Requirements. When Body Mass Indices (BMI) were used, only 6.7% of the respondents were underweight (BMI 25kg/m 2 ), serum albumin test results (mean 3.34+0.06g/dl) showed 60.8% of the respondents were protein deficient and this was confirmed by low dietary protein intakes. The BMI was not related to dietary nutrient intakes, serum albumin and CD4 cell counts (p>0.05). It appeared that there was no significant difference in BMI readings at different categories of CD4 cell count (p>0.05) suggesting that the level of immunity did not affect weight gain with ARV as observed in many studies from developed countries. Malnutrition was, therefore, evident among the 60.8% of the cases as identified by serum albumin tests and food intake was not adequate (68%) for the patients as they ate once a day due to lack of food. National food and nutrition policy should incorporate food security boosting guidelines for the poor people infected with HIV and using ARVs. Keywords: Diet, Nutrition, HIV/AIDs, Serum albumin, CD4 cell counts


This paper describes the manufacture of the major sub-assemblies for the general purpose wire spring relay. Their mass production to close tolerances and at low cost has required the development of entirely new and different machines and techniques. Several machines of the type discussed are already in operation and more are under construction to satisfy the ever-increasing demand for these excellent relays. The combination of such widely different kinds of processes into integrated machine units is a great step forward in the march toward the automatic factory so widely acclaimed in these modern times. Knowledge gained during this development has already been used by Western Electric in planning the manufacture of future communication apparatus and in lowering the cost of present Bell System products. It will doubtless be recognized that automatic facilities of the type described require a major capital investment, the justification for which must depend upon a large and continuing demand as well as a stable product design.


OBJECTIVE--To see whether investigation of dyspeptic patients aged over 40 after their first consultation with the general practitioner would increase the proportions with early and operable gastric cancers. DESIGN--Prospective study of gastric cancer in dyspeptic patients aged over 40 from a defined population. SETTING--10 General practices (six in central Birmingham, four in Sandwell); the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham; and Sandwell District General Hospital. PATIENTS--2659 Patients aged 40 or over referred with dyspepsia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Increase in early and operable gastric cancers detected in middle aged patients with dyspepsia. RESULTS--Disease was identified in 1992 patients (75%). Fifty seven were found to have gastric cancer, 36 being treated by potentially curative resection, including 15 with early cancer. CONCLUSIONS--The investigation of dyspeptic patients over 40 at first attendance can increase the proportion of early gastric cancers detected to 26% and the proportion of operable cases to 63%. Such a policy has the potential to reduce mortality from gastric cancer in the population.


The tribological behavior of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aqueous humic acid (HA) solutions was studied using a surface forces apparatus (SFA) and shows promising lubricant additive properties. Adding CNTs to the solution changes the friction forces between two mica surfaces from "adhesion controlled" to "load controlled" friction. The coefficient of friction with either single‐walled (SW) or multi‐walled (MW) CNT dispersions is in the range 0.30–0.55 and is independent of the load and sliding velocity. More importantly, lateral sliding promotes a redistribution or accumulation, rather than squeezing out, of nanotubes between the surfaces. This accumulation reduced the adhesion between the surfaces (which generally causes wear/damage of the surfaces), and no wear or damage was observed during continuous shearing experiments that lasted several hours even under high loads (pressures ∼10 MPa). The frictional properties can be understood in terms of the Cobblestone Model where the friction force is related to the fraction of the adhesion energy dissipated during impacts of the nanoparticles. We also develop a simple generic model based on the van der Waals interactions between particles and surfaces to determine the relation between the dimensions of nanoparticles and their tribological properties when used as additives in oil‐ or water‐based lubricants.


We use a suite of high-resolution N-body simulations and state-of-the-art perturbation theory to improve the code halofit, which predicts the nonlinear matter power spectrum. We restrict attention to parameters in the vicinity of the Planck Collaboration's best fit. On large-scales (k≲ 0.07 h Mpc−1), our model evaluates the 2-loop calculation from the Multi-point Propagator Theory of Bernardeau et al. (2012). On smaller scales (k≳ 0.7 h Mpc−1), we transition to a smoothing-spline-fit model, that characterises the differences between the Takahashi et al. (2012) recalibration of halofit2012 and our simulations. We use an additional suite of simulations to explore the response of the power spectrum to variations in the cosmological parameters. In particular, we examine: the time evolution of the dark energy equation of state (w0, wa); the matter density Ωm; the physical densities of CDM and baryons (ωc, ωb); and the primordial power spectrum amplitude As, spectral index ns, and its running α. We construct correction functions, which improve halofit's dependence on cosmological parameters. Our newly calibrated model reproduces all of our data with ≲ 1% precision. Including various systematic errors, such as choice of N-body code, resolution, and through inspection of the scaled second order derivatives, we estimate the accuracy to be ≲ 3% over the hyper-cube: w0 ∈ { − 1.05, −0.95}, wa ∈ { − 0.4, 0.4}, Ωm, 0 ∈ {0.21, 0.4}, ωc ∈ {0.1, 0.13}, ωb ∈ {2.0, 2.4}, ns ∈ {0.85, 1.05}, As ∈ {1.72 × 10−9, 2.58 × 10−9}, α ∈ { − 0.2, 0.2} up to k = 9.0 h Mpc−1 and out to z = 3. Outside of this range the model reverts to halofit2012. We release all power spectra data with the C-code NGenHalofit at: https://email@example.com/ngenhalofitteam/ngenhalofitpublic.git.


Monitoring the reliability of the obtained user position is of great importance, especially when using the global positioning system (GPS) as a standalone system. In the work presented here, we discuss reliability testing, reliability enhancement, and quality control for global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning. Reliability testing usually relies on statistical tests for receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) and fault detection and exclusion (FDE). It is here extended by including an assessment of the redundancy and the geometry of the obtained user position solution. The reliability enhancement discussed here includes rejection of possible outliers, and the use of a robust estimator, namely a modified Danish method. We draw special attention to navigation applications in degraded signal-environments such as indoors where typically multiple errors occur simultaneously. The results of applying the discussed methods to high-sensitivity GPS data from an indoor experiment demonstrate that weighted estimation, FDE, and quality control yield a significant improvement in reliability and accuracy. The accuracy actually obtained was by 40% better than with equal weights and no FDE; the rms value of horizontal errors was reduced from 15 m to 9 m, and the maximum horizontal errors were largely reduced.


In this paper a novel spectral technique based on KLaw Fourier nonlinear methodology is developed to classify White Spot Syndrome Virus inclusion bodies found in images from infected shrimp tissue samples. Shrimp culture is expanding in the world due to their high demand and price. This rapid increase in cultured shrimp production was achieved by geographical expansion and technological advances in reproduction in captivity of the white shrimp Penaeus vannamei, larval rearing, artificial diet and intensification in growth out systems. However, diseases are one of the major constraints for the sustainable increase of shrimp production. The white spot syndrome virus is a pandemic disease where frequently 100% mortality may occur within 2-3 days. However, several techniques have been implemented and developed for viral and bacterial analysis and diagnostic's tasks; histology is still considered the common tool in medical and veterinary fields. The slide images were acquired by a computational image capture system and a new spectral technique by the development of a spectral index is done to obtain a quantitative measurement of the complexity pattern found in White Spot Syndrome Virus inclusion bodies. After analysis the results show that inclusion bodies are well defined in a clear numerical fringe, obtained by the calculation of this spectral signature index.


Volume 3 ABSTRACT Introduction: Many pregnant women experience pelvic girdle pain (PGP) during pregnancy. Etiologies are multifactorial and affect the joint stability of the sacroiliac joint. Pelvic belts could restore stability and help reduce pain during gait. The objectives were to analyze plantar pressure during gait in pregnant women with PGP, to evaluate the effect of pelvic belts, and to compare the effects of two types of belts on plantar pressure parameters. Materials and Methods: Forty-six pregnant women with PGP, 58 healthy pregnant women, and 23 nonpregnant women were recruited. The motor task consisted of three-gait trials on a walkway. Plantar pressure was analyzed with four variables. Two types of pelvic belts for pregnant women were used. Results: Plantar pressure in womenwith PGP compared with controls showed differences in all parameters: they displayed lower gait velocity and lower values for most pressure variables at the rear and forefoot (medial side). Conversely, these values were higher for the midfoot (lateral side). These alterations were also found in healthy pregnant women. There was no difference in plantar pressure between groups, those who had or had not used belts, and between the types of belt. Conclusions: Pregnant women, with or without PGP, showed nearly the same changes in plantar pressure during gait. PGP did not change plantar pressure parameters. Wearing any of the belts during pregnancy did not have an effect on plantar pressure parameters during gait in pregnant women with PGP. (J Prosthet Orthot. 2019;31:199–206)


The article proves model sizes for modeling the interaction between tool and rock. The relevance of the research was considered. Information on the analysis of existing executive bodies (EB) used in mining, construction and municipal services is given. The finite element method is described, it was concluded in particular that the ideal model of the interaction of the executive body with the face rock would be a surface conjugated with the working of real dimensions located in an infinite massif or in a massif that is many times larger than the output. To solve the problem, cylindrical workings with a diameter D = 3.2 m were used, where the face shape is represented by two-thread helicoidal surfaces, surrounded by an around boundary massif with thickness B equal to 0.5D, D, 1.5D, 2D, 2.5D.The exterior surfaces of the model were fixed, and distributed loads corresponding to the interaction forces arising from the operation of the ETC-2086 bar unit installed on the basis of the MTZ-82 tractor were applied to the face surface. On the basis of the conducted research, the effect of the model size on the pattern of directed differentiated state (DDS) of a face was determined.


Thought suppression is a mental control strategy used in attempt to suppress unwanted thoughts. Unfortunately, it often causes a paradoxical increase in the frequency of such thoughts, both immediately (as an 'initial enhancement effect') and after thought suppression efforts have been ended ('ironic rebound effect'). Research surrounding the role played by the valence of the relevant material on thought suppression efficacy has been limited. Despite this limitation, the current paper proposes to review the available thought suppression-valence literature and, from it, determine the role played by target valence on thought suppression efficacy and other suppression outcomes. Considered overall, the extant literature appears to suggest that target valence is not a major determinant of thought suppression outcomes, although further research is needed to confirm this theory.


Transitional B cells represent a cortical link between the initial B cell compartment in bone marrow and the mature peripheral B cell repertoire. The prior characterisation of human transitional B-cells has suggested that this population could be subdivised into two major subsets: the immature T1-Bcells CD19+ CD10high CD24high CD38high IgMhigh IgDlow CD21low and tne intermediate cells mentionned as T2-B cells CD19+ CD10 + CD24high CD38high IgMhigh IgDhigh CD21high. Recently B-cell regulation have been shed in light and a lot of evidences suggested that regulatory B cells (Bregs) are contained within the CD24high CD38high transitional B-cell subsets. In this study, we wanted to fully characterised the composition of the CD24high CD38high population using phenotypic and functionnal approaches. First, we used a non manual and non subjective gating technique with 10 color flow cytometry to identify the different subsets contained in the CD24high CD38high population through FLOCK (Flow cytometry without K) algorythm program. We showed that non less than 5 different populations are present in the parent gate. Three population are included in transitional B-cell subset confirmed by in vitro functional analysis. The two other populations belong to memory B-cells. In the second part of the work, the different populations were sorted and their supressive capacities in a coculture model of B cells and activated T-cell were analysed. We demonstrated that B-cell subets have different regulatory potency on the inhibition of T-cell proliferation and Th1 cytokine production. These data bring new clarifications on the precise nature of regulatory B cells in human and their supressive functions. Regulatory B-cell supress T-cell proliferation through a TGFβ/IDO axis and are deficient in chronic humoral rejection In kidney transplantation, B cell is increasingly identified as an important determinant for graft outcome. Chronic antibody mediated rejection (cABMR) represent today the major complication in clinic. Patients with cABMR display a unique B cell phenotype characterised by a disturbance in B cell distribution. Here, the aim of our study was to research if cABMR B cells present also impaired regulatories functions. Experiments are realised in 12 stable patients (ST) (delay from graft >12 months, no rejection, proteinuria <0.5g/24h, PRA <10%, no DSA and a one year biopsy without allograft glomerulopathy or rejection), 14 patients with cABMR (positive DSA, allograft glomerulopathy and/or C4d staining) and 17 controls (blood donors). B-cell functions were analysed using coculture with B and T cells. Proliferation and Th1 cytokine secretion of isolated CFSE labelled T cells in presence of autologous B cells was compared between the 3 groups. T cells were stimulated with anti CD3 and anti CD28, and co-cultured with CpG-activated B cells. Suppressive cytokines like TGFβ and IL-10 and the regulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) were evaluated during the course of the culture. First, we have demonstrated that compared with situation of stable graft function and healthy volunteers, B cells from cABMR patients display an impaired regulatory function on T cell proliferation and Th1 production. Furthermore, B cells induce more T regulatory cells (Tregs) in coculture after 4 days in HV and ST groups compared to cABMR group (p<10-3). We also evidenced that TGFβ and IDO expressed by B cells are involved in inhibition of T cell proliferation and Treg cells generation in HV and ST patients. We additionally shown that B cells from cABMR patients present a failure of TGFβ and IL-10 secretion in co-culture associated with a significantly decrease of IDO production leading to a defect in the capacity of activated-B cells to induce Treg cells and control T cell responses. Finally, B cells from cABMR patients display functional abnormalities as evidenced by the loss of B cell suppressive activity. This work represents interesting perspectives with the discovered of new cellular targets who can be might guide therapy in transplantation in the future.


Building information Modelling (BIM) lies at the centre of construction industry's interest nowadays,
with a revolutionary impact on the ways that professionals work, collaborate and conduct business. The
application of BIM is not as straightforward as it sounds though, with numerous software solutions available,
various implementation processes across the project lifecycle, which challenges the interoperability and how
information flows throughout the various project stages. This paper performs and presents a systematic review
of the BIM software landscape currently available for the construction industry across the various project phases
and in alignment with the 2013 RIBA Plan of Works. A gap analysis is conducted among these BIM solutions
to examine the different software application areas, software architecture, interoperability possibilities, accessibility
and affordability, by applying descriptive statistics. Surprisingly, the BIM software ecosystem is fragmented
across the different project stages and highly proprietary and further hindered by the large number of
specialised and highly sophisticated solutions addressed to advanced computer users. To this end, the paper
aims to inform the industry's stakeholders, policy makers and software vendors, while shedding light on the
extent that sophisticated BIM solutions can be disseminated to the market.


When a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is implanted using the traditional mechanical alignment technique, this typically re-sults in a straight leg, independently of pre-operative or even pre-arthrotic varus or valgus alignment. With mechanical alignment, we distinguish between 2 different alignment techniques: ligament balancing and bony referencing according to bony skeletal landmarks. In ligament balanced technique beside the straight mechanical axis, the prosthesis is implanted at


We have investigated the influence of Be concentration on the microstructure of BexZn1−xO ternary films (from x = 0 to 0.77), grown on Al2O3(0001) substrates using radio-frequency co-sputtering. With increasing Be concentration, the (0002) X-ray diffraction peak shows a systematic shift from 33.86° to 39.39°, and optical spectroscopy shows a blue-shift of the band gap from 3.24 to beyond 4.62 eV towards the deep UV regime, indicating that Be atoms are incorporated into the host ZnO lattice. During the band-gap modulation, structural fluctuations (e.g. phase separation and compositional fluctuation of Be) in the ternary films were observed along with a significant change in the mean grain size. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates higher concentrations of metallic Be states found in the film with the smaller grain size. Correlation between these two observations indicates that Be segregates to near grain boundaries. A model structure is proposed through simulation, where an increase in grain growth driving force dominates over the Be particle pinning effect. This leads to further coalescence of grains, reactivation of grain growth, and the uniform distribution of Be composition in the BexZn1−xO alloy films.


Ensuring stable performance for storage stacks is important, especially with the growth in popularity of hosted services where customers expect QoS guarantees. The same requirement arises from benchmarking settings as well. One would expect that repeated, carefully controlled experiments might yield nearly identical performance results--but we found otherwise. We therefore undertook a study to characterize the amount of variability in benchmarking modern storage stacks. In this paper we report on the techniques used and the results of this study. We conducted many experiments using several popular workloads, file systems, and storage devices--and varied many parameters across the entire storage stack. In over 25% of the sampled configurations, we uncovered variations higher than 10% in storage performance between runs. We analyzed these variations and found that there was no single root cause: it often changed with the workload, hardware, or software configuration in the storage stack. In several of those cases we were able to fix the cause of variation and reduce it to acceptable levels. We believe our observations in benchmarking will also shed some light on addressing stability issues in production systems.


Objectives To examine the relationship between child limiting long-term illness and disability (LLTI/D) and parental LLTI/D, factors associated with this relationship and the extent to which parental disability precedes or follows parenting a disabled child using the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) Longitudinal Study (ONS-LS). Design and methods Children born between 1981 and 1991 UK censuses who became ONS-LS members and present at 2001 were identified. Parents were identified from the 1991 and 2001 files for non-members in the same household. To test the hypothesis that children with LLTI/D are more likely to live with a parent with LLTI/D, logistic regression models were fitted on child LLTI/D by parental LLTI/D adjusted for potential confounders. To study the temporal relationship of child and parental disability, dummy variables were created for combinations of child/parent LLTI/D in 1991 and these were entered into separate logistic regression models fitted on parent or child LLTI/D in 2001. Results Children aged 10–20 years with LLTI/D in 2001 had a significantly increased risk of having a parent with LLTI/D compared with those with no reported LLTI/D after adjustment for social disadvantage and other confounding variables (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.35(95% CI 2.10 to 2.63)). Parents without LLTI/D but with a child aged 0–10 years with LLTI/D in 1991, were more likely than those with a child without LLTI/D to develop LLTI/D by 2001 (OR 2.24 (95% CI 1.96 to 2.56). Children without LLTI/D in 1991 but with a parent with LLTI/D were more likely than those with a parent without LLTI/D to develop LLTI/D by 2001 (OR 1.66 (95% CI 1.29 to 2.13)). Conclusion Our findings suggest that children with LLTI/D are at increased risk of living with a parent with LLTI/D. Having a child with LLTI/D appears to be associated with an increased risk of a parent developing LLTI/D in the subsequent 10 years. An increased risk of developing LLTI/D is also evident for a child whose parent has LLTI/D. The limitations of data available in the ONS-LS do not allow us to comment on the contribution of biological or social factors to these observed associations but they raise important questions for future research and implications for the social and economic well-being of families with disabled children.


As our knowledge of the auditory system increases, the technical information needed to understand and apply relevant concepts increases as well. Often there is a need to have a small summary reference book to fill the gap between the information provided by original research articles and that provided by comprehensive text books. Physical Principles of Audiology by P. M. Haughton fills this need very well.


Michael Goldbloom explains how his education in Liberal Arts and Law has helped him pursue careers as varied as lawyer, newspaper publisher, community leader and now, Principal of Bishop's University. He believes that learning good communication skills in elementary and secondary school as well as interacting with others in an effective and respectful way are key elements to any future career. His family's emphasis on education and community involvement was critically important to the educational and career choices he made. He makes a case for the model of the small university as an ideal community for young people to develop their academic skills, participate in sports or artistic pursuits, contribute to student life and forge relationships with fellow students and professors. Lastly, Mr. Goldbloom supports the idea that entrepreneurship should be a key ingredient in postsecondary education, not just for business students, but for all students to have the ability to manage their careers.


ABSTRACT: Pediatric research may be entering a period of failure to thrive. This is despite impressive scientific achievements, significant financial benefits, intriguing unanswered questions and a rewarding life for the pediatric researcher. Many of the difficulties are financial and situational, including small departments and divisions, few pediatric research mentors, impecunious pediatric hospitals and services, ethical constraints on pediatric research and competing responsibilities. Grants to pediatric departments represent about 3% of the total NIH research project support. The two largest federal programs supporting Pediatric Research are the Clinical Research Center (CRC) program (20% of an $28,000,000/yr budget) and the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (17% of a $123,000,000/yr budget). There are 75 CRCs of which 60 admit children; 10 CRCs are in children's hospital and 6 other CRCs have a clear pediatric focus. Pediatric Departments receive 3% of NIH funds; this represents 10% of funds to clinical departments. By contrast medicine departments receive 17% of NIH funds (47% of funds to clinical departments). NIH research support to pediatrics ($82,000,000/yr) is centered in a few large departments; 14 pediatric departments receive 343 of the 572 NIH grants (60%). By contrast, 66 of 120 pediatric departments have no (45) or 1 (21) NIH grants. Obstacles are identified and suggestions are offered for future (students and residents), beginning (fellows and assistant professors), established (associate and full professors) and women pediatric researchers.


In humans, the erect position and bipedal walk is possible because of a balance between pelvic and spinal parameters. The most important pelvic parameter is the pelvic incidence which represents the base on which the spine lies. With aging, thoracic kyphosis increases, lumbar lordosis decreases, compromising the spino-pelvic balance. Compensatory phenomenons are possible, but rely mostly on the amplitude of pelvic incidence. Analysis of spino-pelvic parameters and detection of a compensated or uncompensated sagittal imbalance are mandatory before any therapeutic action is undertaken for a degenerative pathology of the spine.


Epileptic seizures occur as a result of functional brain dysfunction and can affect the health of the patient. Prediction of epileptic seizures before the onset is beneficial for the prevention of seizures through medication. Electroencephalograms (EEG) signals are used to predict epileptic seizures using machine learning techniques and feature extractions. Nevertheless, the pre-processing of EEG signals for noise removal and extraction of features are two significant problems that have an adverse effect on both anticipation time and true positive prediction performance. Considering this, the proposed model will provide remarkable methods for both pre-processing and extraction of features. The proposed model detects various brain states and accounts for both epileptic seizures detection and prediction. Using the EEG CHB-MIT dataset, the support vector machine (SVM) model was trained, tested, and compared, having a best true positive percentage of 91% for a single patient and 82% for multiple patients. The SVM algorithm was also compared to other machine learning algorithms such as K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) proving to be more efficient with a true positive percentage of 82% than KNN with 80%.


The Plan for the Day handover tool was devised and introduced to 2 tertiary neonatal units following adverse clinical incidents deemed secondary to communication failures. Literature tells us that good communication, particularly at handover, is crucial in providing safe patient care.1,2 This was also identified as a key concern amongst nursing staff when surveyed about patient safety. There are currently no reports of a handover tool for neonatology, although they exist for other disciplines.3 Graph: Nursing responders. We aimed to improve handover with a formalised, written plan for the day for each intensive care patient, with tasks designated to named individuals. A traffic light system emphasises task urgency and key areas of potential errors are regularly checked with safety prompts. Abstract PC.108 Figure The sheets were adapted after a staff survey with design simplification and re-wording of safety prompts. Important practical considerations were staff training, carrying over tasks and filing. There are challenges in measuring the effect of patient safety interventions in the neonatal setting.4 We looked at the number of medication errors in one unit, before and after introduction of the tool. To date, the measurable effect is insignificant, this may be because there is no effect or because the study period is insufficient to show change. In an evaluation, 42% of medical staff surveyed recalled incidents when a safety prompt raised awareness of a patient safety issue, which may have otherwise have been delayed or unnoticed. Conclusion Standardised, documented, multi-disciplinary handover documents centralise important information about infant care.


: The increase in the number of fungal infections seen in debilitated and immunocompromised patients in the last several years makes it necessary to consider all fungi as potential pathogens. Clinical microbiology laboratories are playing increasingly important roles in the recovery, isolation, and identification of these fungi. This article contains specific recommendations and references concerning a practical approach to the laboratory identification of systemic fungi. The proper and timely selection, collection, and transport of specimens is imperative, and clinicians are responsible for appropriate specimen selection to ensure optimal chances of recovery of pathogens. Respiratory tract secretions and blood are excellent sources for detection of disseminated fungal infection. Specimens should be placed into transport media if the sample size is small or if only a small number of organisms are thought to be present. Direct microscopic examination of specimens can provide valuable information, often allowing a clinician to initiate immediate therapy. Specimens that are more likely than others to contain systemic fungi and that should be examined routinely include the following: pulmonary biopsy material, bronchial washes and lavages, specimens from immunocompromised patients, purulent specimens, and specimens suspected of containing a specific fungus. Valuable methods of examining specimens directly include treatment with KOH and calcofluor white. Use of media to recover fungi is the basis of making a laboratory diagnosis of a fungal disease, and the use of proper recovery and subculture media is imperative. Noninhibitory media allow contaminants to grow readily and should be used only to recover fungi from normally sterile body sites or for subculture. Blood-enriched media allow almost all pathogenic and saprophytic fungi to flourish. Therefore, such media, unless they contain antibiotics, should not be used as primary recovery media. Media that contain antibiotics should be used as primary recovery media to prevent overgrowth of pathogenic fungi by contaminants. Yeasts recovered from clinical specimens can be identified by a combination of tests, which include direct microscopic examination, germ tube formation, microscopic morphology of growth on corn meal agar, and ability to utilize certain carbohydrates. Molds recovered from clinical specimens are identified by a combination of growth rate, colonial characteristics, size and shape of hyphae, and microscopic examination of reproductive structures and other fungal elements.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Postglacial, right-lateral, strike-slip movement along the Bocon� fault, measured on detailed topographic maps, averages 66 meters. The rate of movement was approximately 0.66 centimeter per year, as indicated by carbon-14 dating of associated soil. This evidence suggests that postglacial movement between the Caribbean and Americas plates occurred mainly along the Bocon� fault and the north coast of Venezuela.


Abstract Drilling predation presents a rare opportunity to quantify ecological interactions in the fossil record. Most large-scale studies have focused on temporal rather than spatial patterns. However, spatial variability patterns may both mask secular trends and provide important insights into geographic and environmental gradients in predation. To explore spatial patterns in predation, bulk samples of mollusks were collected from middle Miocene (Burdigalian and Langhian) marine deposits of Europe, including multiple sites from two adjacent bioprovinces: the Boreal Province and Paratethys. Two facies were sampled: fine-grained and coarse-grained siliciclastics. The sampling scheme allows for a comparison of drilling predation at the local scale (within provinces), regional scale (between provinces), and between facies (within and between provinces). In the Miocene of Europe, statistically significant spatial variations in drilling-predation patterns occur locally, regionally, and among facies (these variations can be either masked or exaggerated when the samples are pooled into coarser analytical groupings). Regardless of the taxonomic resolution of the analysis, inter-regional and facies variation between samples is significant and on occasions exceeds 20%. The sample-level pattern of variation in drilling intensity is notably consistent for pooled data and for each mollusk class, but major differences exist at finer taxonomic scales of families and genera. Escalation parameters (proportion of failed and multiple predatory attacks) also vary significantly between the provinces. In contrast, drill-hole size and site distributions display remarkably consistent patterns across samples regardless of the region, environment, composition of potential prey and predator, observed drilling intensity, and levels of escalation parameters. This suggests that stereotypy in predatory behavior can be displayed by higher taxa and may be independent of the environment, geography, and prey type. The dramatic differences between intensity patterns and stereotypy patterns indicate that the scale and nature of spatial variability may vary notably among different predation parameters. Thus, whereas behavioral stereotypy appears to be stable, the drilling intensity and escalation parameters display variability levels that are comparable to the temporal variations observed among samples collected over evolutionary time scales. The spatial variation in the fossil record of all relevant predation parameters should be evaluated independently, and controlled for, before any large-scale temporal trends are inferred.


The shape of the grains and the granulometry distribution of the PZT powder are the main factor influencing the densification. In addition, we shown that a higher concentration of PZT powder in the ink with a right rheology of the ink improves the density of PZT film. So, we obtained a PZT thick layer with 97% in density with no addition of glassy phase.


We specify a system of equations that fully reflects the supply and demand sides of the market for agricultural open space at equilibrium. Although simple, the system is exceedingly flexible and allows for household and parcel heterogeneity. We derive an empirical model directly from the structural equations and contrast this using a simulated landscape with the econometric specification most often found in the literature. We then show how the model can be used to project land-use change into the future and for policy simulation. Finally, we use the model to examine the impact of common land conservation policies in Europe.


and Implications Residual feed intake (RFI), a measure of feed efficiency, is the difference between observed feed intake and the expected feed requirements computed based on growth and maintenance of the pig. Efficient animals with low RFI can be selected at an early age with genetic markers. Hence, the present study in 1400 pigs used several statistical methods to find the associations between more than 50,000 genetic markers and RFI, and its related traits such as average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), back fat (BF) and loin muscle area (LMA). Associations were observed for a combination of genetic markers on chromosomal regions containing insulin release genes (e.g., GLP1R, CDKAL, SGMS1) with RFI and ADFI, energy balance (e.g., MC4R, PGM1, GPR81) and muscle growth related genes (e.g., TGFB1) with ADG, fat related genes (e.g., ACOXL, AEBP1) with BF and skeletal muscle development genes (e.g., KLHL31) with LMA. Overall, these studies identified important chromosomal regions for further scrutiny to consider them for selection of pigs for RFI and its related traits.


Why do some rebel groups engage in acts of sexual violence while others do not, and what accounts for variation over time? The existing literature suggests that sexual violence should be less common among strong and cohesive groups and more prevalent in weak, disorganized groups. Because preliminary research in this field focused on systemic-level factors, only recently have some scholars begun to include rough measures of organizational dynamics in quantitative studies, and no one has yet linked multiple measures of rebel strength to a comprehensive dataset on wartime sexual violence. This thesis does so for the first time, and finds a pattern inconsistent with previous claims, showing a positive association between rebel strength and sexual violence across multiple measures in cross-rebel analyses. Case studies on the All Tripura Tiger Force and the National Patriotic Front of Liberia provide insight into how this relationship operates, and which organizational characteristics especially predispose a group to use or refrain from sexual violence. The finding that stronger rebel groups have a higher propensity toward sexual violence, controlling for numerous variables such as pre-war conditions and intensity of fighting, holds important policy implications for international organizations. Human rights groups may seek to preemptively intervene in conflicts and locations that pose a distinctive risk to the civilian population, especially where hierarchical and well-armed rebels control territory in areas outside of their support base.


Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 is an endosomal TLR that mediates immune responses against viral infections upon activation by its ligand double-stranded RNA, a replication intermediate of most viruses. TLR3 is expressed widely in the body and activates both the innate and adaptive immune systems. However, little is known about how TLR3 intracellular trafficking and maturation are regulated. Here we show that newly synthesized endogenous TLR3 is transported through the ER and Golgi apparatus to endosomes, where it is rapidly cleaved. TLR3 protein expression is up-regulated by its own ligand, leading to the accumulation of its cleaved form. In agreement with its proposed role as a transporter, UNC93B1 expression is required for TLR3 cleavage and signaling. Furthermore, TLR3 signaling and cleavage are sensitive to cathepsin inhibition. Cleavage occurs between aa 252 and 346, and results in a functional receptor that signals upon activation. A truncated form of TLR3 lacking the N-terminal 345 aa also signals from acidic compartments in response to ligand activation. Screening of the human cathepsin family by RNA interference identified cathepsins B and H as key mediators of TLR3 processing. Taken together, our data indicate that TLR3 proteolytic processing is essential for its function, and suggest a mechanism of tight control of TLR3 signaling and thus immunity.


Projections of extreme precipitation are of considerable interest in a range of design and management applications. These projections, however, can exhibit uncertainty that requires quantification to provide confidence to any application they are used in. This study assesses the uncertainty in projected extreme daily precipitation, separated into model, scenario, and ensemble components using the square root error variance (SREV) rationale. For this, 45 projections of daily precipitation from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) are used, consisting of multiple global circulation models and their ensemble members, for a range of Representative Concentration Pathways, allowing assessment across land‐covered areas worldwide. It is found that the uncertainty in dry regions is significantly higher compared to wet regions, raising concerns regarding infrastructure design for the future in arid parts of the world. It is also found that the climate scenarios and initialization contribute significantly to the overall uncertainty, compared to contributions for more nonextreme precipitation simulations. This finding has implications in how design precipitation extremes ought to be projected into the future, with greater attention being paid on a broader selection of emission scenarios and initializations than is the case with projections of nonextreme precipitations.


Inflammation and insulin resistance (IR) are forerunners of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes .Asians have an underlying pro inflammatory state that may contribute to their increased risk for CVD and type 2 diabetes.This study was aimed at proving high sensitive C-reactive protein ( hsCRP ) ,IR as risk factors for CVD, hs CRP is also associated with metabolic syndrome. 133 subjects of mean age 48 yrs, both males & females attending cardiology department for master health check up were included in this study. Anthropometric measures (height, weight, body mass index(BMI), waist circumference(WC), blood pressure), biochemical parameters( fasting plasma glucose(FG), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides(TGL), High density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDLc), fasting insulin , hs CRP) were measured in all subjects. Insulin resistance is measured by Homeostasis model for assement of insulin resistance( HOMAIR ).Based on hs CRP two groups were divided-group1 with CRP 3 mg/L . All the parameters were compared between the groups, correlation was also observed.
Statistical analysis used: Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to assess the associations, student's t test, and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to compare the groups p value is significant for HDLc(p<0.008) fasting glucose (FG)(p=0.035), HOMA IR(p<0.04) .BMI is positively related with hs CRP, the mean hs CRP levels were elevated with increasing number of metabolic syndrome components. Gender specific analysis showed that HDLc, HOMAIR were significant predictors of inflammation in males but not in females. According to this study , variables like HDLc, HOMAIR were significant predictors of inflammation . Inflammation is associated with metabolic syndrome . Hence ,the role of inflammation in CVD can provide new opportunities for diagnosis& treatment.


The thesis addresses the question of the relationship between biomedical AIDS discourse and the sexual politics of AIDS, from a feminist point of view. It uses the absence of the category "heterosexual men" as "targets" for AIDS education discourse as its starting point to explore the pathologisation of other categories of sexual identity in biomedical discourse. This exploration focuses on the various ways that biomedical discourse deploys concepts of sexual difference and sexual identity in its explanations for what HIV infection is and how transmission occurs.

It proceeds through an examination of the implicitly sexed "imaginary anatomies" of normalcy and pathology which organise the key biomedical sub-disciplines involved in the specification of HIV/AIDS, and the discursive processes through which these anatomies are figured. This involved an analysis of the microanatomy of HIV in immunology and virology, its macroanatomy as figured in epidemiology and public health discourse, and of the function of the HIV test as a technology which mediates between these two levels of scale. This analysis demonstrates that AIDS biomedicine strongly privileges phallic bodies, that is bodies conceptualised as non-receptive, as clean, while receptivity is associated with abjection and contagion. The anxieties and projection involved in equating heterosexual masculinity with this phallic body are discussed. It also demonstrates the extent to which AIDS biomedical discourse constitutes a discourse about social order, prescribing what it considers appropriate relationships between bodily order. sexual relations and the health of the body politic. The thesis concludes by re-framing its analysis as an analysis of a particular historical moment in the bio-politics of sexual identity, and speculates about the significance of the emergence of queer politics as a response to this moment.


The magnetic dipolar interaction between site-directed metal-nitroxide pairs can be exploited to measure distances within proteins [Voss, J., Salwinski, L., Kaback, H. R., and Hubbell, W. L. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92, 12295-12299; Voss, J., Hubbell, W. L., and Kaback, H. R. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. A. 92, 12300-12303], and the approach is utilized here to measure helix proximities in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli. A high-affinity divalent metal binding site was created by replacing Arg302 (helix IX) and Glu325 (helix X) with His residues in permease mutants containing single Cys residues in helices II, V, or VII and a biotin acceptor domain to facilitate purification. Mutant proteins were purified by avidin affinity chromatography, labeled specifically with a nitroxide free radical and investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in the absence or presence of Cu(II). Spectral broadening due to bound Cu(II) was used to estimate distances between the metal center and the spin-labeled side chains. For each of the transmembrane domains probed, the variation in interspin distance with sequence position is consistent with an alpha-helical structure. The measured distances were also used to construct a model that is in good agreement with packing data obtained from other approaches.


Ovarian function is dependent on the establishment and continual remodelling of a complex vascular system. This enables the follicle and/or corpus luteum (CL) to receive the required supply of nutrients, oxygen and hormonal support as well as facilitating the release of steroids. Moreover, the inhibition of angiogenesis results in the attenuation of follicular growth, disruption of ovulation and drastic effects on the development and function of the CL. It appears that the production and action of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is necessary at all these stages of development. However, the expression of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in the cow is more dynamic than that of VEGFA with a dramatic upregulation during the follicular-luteal transition. This upregulation is then likely to initiate intense angiogenesis in the presence of high VEGFA levels. Recently, we have developed a novel ovarian physiological angiogenesis culture system in which highly organised and intricate endothelial cell networks are formed. This system will enable us to elucidate the complex inter-play between FGF2 and VEGFA as well as other angiogenic factors in the regulation of luteal angiogenesis. Furthermore, recent evidence indicates that pericytes might play an active role in driving angiogenesis and highlights the importance of pericyte-endothelial interactions in this process. Finally, the targeted promotion of angiogenesis may lead to the development of novel strategies to alleviate luteal inadequacy and infertility.


The rate of adrenal protein degradation appears to be slower in rats to which ACTH (adrenocorticotrophin) has been chronically administered. As measured by the exponential decay of radioactively labelled adrenal protein in vivo, the mean half-lives of total protein and of mitochondrial, microsomal and 18000g-supernatant protein were significantly longer in ACTH-treated animals. Experiments in which either [(3)H]leucine or NaH(14)CO(3) was used to label proteins showed that of the fractions studied, the effect on mitochondrial protein degradation was most pronounced. The half-lives of the same subcellular fractions in rat liver were not affected by ACTH. The possibility that the results might have been caused by changes in radioisotope reutilization and pool size is discussed.


Internet services are becoming essential in the third- and fourth-generation cellular mobile networks. In order to provide effectively the packet data service with scarce radio resource, several systems, including the High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) enhancement of wideband code-division multiple access (WCDMA), have been proposed. In this paper, we design an Internet Protocol (IP) packet scheduler for high-speed packet data services using the wireless packet access system. We design the scheduler so that its performance is maximized from the standpoint of end-to-end application level rather than from the standpoint of radio interface. To do so, the scheduler aims at avoiding excessive packet delays that may invoke the slow-start on the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connections. The performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated by extensive simulation and compared with the performances of the existing three schedulers. The results show that the proposed scheduler has remarkably better performance than the baseline schedulers for performance comparison.


Background: In recognition of the limitations of technology-led standards for practitioner implementation of electronic care records, the Professional Record Standards Body for health and social care (PRSB) was established in the UK in 2013. The remit of PRSB is to develop and assure standards for the content and structure of records across all care sectors, based upon professionally-led and patient-guided requirements as endorsed by the professional bodies of the constituent health and social care disciplines. This new initiative is a very different approach from previous national information projects and faces challenges including organizational culture, operational procurement requirements and the logistics of collaborative design. Objective: This paper describes the progress of PRSB and the practical issues it faces to achieve deep stakeholder engagement and widespread adoption of its standards and guidance. The goal is to offer a sustainable approach that builds on the strengths of work to date, learns from past experience of what works and what fails, and draws upon theoretical models of transformational change. Methods: We conceptualize the PRSB strategy in terms of organizational change frameworks, evaluate it against models of success factors in health information technology and employ Normalization Process Theory (NPT) to articulate the activity stages required for realization of its goals. Results: We present an NPT model of how PRSB standards can become embedded in routine practice for care practitioners, patients/citizens, government agencies and information technology providers. We suggest some critical success factors for cultural change, moving the supplier market and sustaining a genuine co-design approach. Conclusions: It is abundantly clear that interoperability involves far more than just technology. Improving information sharing between care practitioners and with patients and citizens requires the innovative professionally-led and patient-guided approach that PRSB has pioneered. It is necessary to formally evaluate the impacts of implementation, both to build a compelling evidence base and to generate a virtuous cycle of iterative maintenance and general adoption.


Abstract The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased substantially in the recent decade as a result of the reduction in physical activity and the availability of high-fat and high-energy-density foods which the paediatric population faces daily. Although children are highly exposed to these foods, there is a wide variation in body weight, suggesting the presence of different patterns of response to an "obesogenic" environment. This wide variability from the point of view of eating behaviour involves a number of social issues (e.g., food availability, cost) as well as genuine behavioural traits such as the response to satiety, energy compensation, eating rate, responsiveness to food, food reward and dietary preferences. This article reviews the main physiological variables related to energy intake affecting eating behaviour in the paediatric population.


We describe a project (the LIPPS project) whose purpose is to set up a computerized database of bilingual texts to be used by researchers in the field of "language interaction" (i.e., codeswitching, borrowing, and other outcomes of contact between varieties). Current work includes an adaptation of the CHILDES system(MacWhinney,1995) to take account of the different needs of researchers in this area, for example, solving the problems of distinguishing, coding, and representing language interaction phenomena; providing a gloss / translation in user-friendly format; and developing qualitative as well as quantitative tools for comparing data-sets. Problems and some advantages of such a comparison are illustrated through a pilot project conducted by Gardner-Chloros using two sets of data: Greek-Cypriot/English data and Punjabi /English. Practical problems included giving transcribers/coders the necessary training in using the system and ensuring a consistent approach. Coding problems derived from interlinguistic differences were also highlighted. Clear advantages ensued, however, from being able to compare the type/quantity of codeswitches and so forth across data-sets, as this allows an assessment of the relative weight of linguistic and sociolinguistic factors in determining the form of language interaction.


The literature which explores key influences on women's career pathways suggests women's careers are a blend of the work and non-work facets of their lives. The kaleidoscope career model (Mainiero & Sullivan, 2005, 2006) portrays the attributes of authenticity, balance and challenge as constants in a woman's life and drivers which move constantly to shape her career at any particular point in its trajectory. The model seeks to explain why women 'opt-out' or work in different ways throughout their career. There is little knowledge or research on professional women planners and the influences on their careers. The report explores key influences using thematic analysis to analyse interview data from six participants. The results show professional women planners are adept at crafting their careers and taking into account their own particular objectives, needs and life criteria. They are able to work in a range of ways throughout their careers, from the corporate and local government sectors through to running their own consultancy practices in the private sector. The report finds they are able to do this without 'opting out', and integrate the facets of the kaleidoscope career model to take into account their own particular circumstances.


The environmental pressure of inbound tourism of both day-visitors and tourists to Amsterdam was analysed using the ecological footprint (EF) concept. The impacts of accommodation, activities, local transport and transport from the normal place of residence to Amsterdam were all included in the study. The total EF of inbound tourism to Amsterdam was 1.42 million hectares. Approximately 70% of the environmental pressure of inbound tourism originated from transport to Amsterdam, 21% from accommodation, 8% from visiting attractions and other leisure activities and 1% from local transportation. Long-haul tourists accounted for less than 25% of tourism revenues but were responsible for 70% of the EF of inbound tourism to Amsterdam. This high share of EF is caused by the long travel distance per trip using air transport, with a relatively high impact per passenger-kilometre. The paper shows that large reductions in the ecological footprint could be made at relatively little economic cost, if marketing effort was switched from long-haul markets to short-haul markets. Opportunities may exist for this kind of market-shift, as the demand for tourist accommodation within Amsterdam exceeds supply during the high season.


At low temperatures steady-state macroscopic superpositions can be generated in the field of a micromaser pumped by a stream of two-level atoms injected in a coherent superposition of their upper and lower states. The onset of these superpositions resembles a second-order phase transition, with the control parameter being the ratio of the atomic injection rate to the cavity damping rate.


ABSTRACT Conversion of mesenchymal stem cells into terminally differentiated adipocytes progresses sequentially through regulated transcriptional steps. While it is clear that the late phases of adipocyte maturation are governed by the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), less is known about the transcriptional control of the initial stages of differentiation. To identify early regulators, we performed a small interfering RNA (siRNA) screen of Forkhead-box genes in adipocytes and show here for the first time that the winged helix factor Foxa3 promotes adipocyte differentiation by cooperating with C/EBPβ and -δ to transcriptionally induce PPARγ expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that mice with genetic ablation of Foxa3 have a selective decrease in epididymal fat depot and a cell-autonomous defect to induce PPARγ specifically in their visceral adipocytes. In obese subjects, FOXA3 is differentially expressed in visceral and subcutaneous adipose depots. Overall, our study implicates Foxa3 in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation and depot-selective adipose tissue expansion.