Classification techniques can be used as an alternative to the selection index, especially for indirect selection of multiple traits. Prior information for this technique provides to increase accuracy of selection. Two sets of simulations were used to estimate the error rates of the classification techniques in selection of livestock and to compare the method with the animal model, an example of Best Linear Unbiased Predictions (BLUP). The first set of analyses considered the traits milk yield, milk fat, milk protein and somatic cell count (SCC). Frequent milking was simulated and the high and low means were created within the standard deviation limits. Using these different means, observations and standard deviations, various scenarios were produced to simulate various data sets for validation to check how correctly the classification method worked. The different scenarios included A. Same means and σ, different observations, B. Different means and observations, same σ, C. Different means (standardized) and observations, same σ, D. Same means, different σ (±5 for milk yield, milk fat and protein, ±3 for SCC) and observations, E. Same means, different σ (±10 for milk yield, milk fat and protein, ±6 for SCC) and observations. The procedure selected the correct animals and produced a very low error rate in almost all simulations. In the second set of simulations, the traits considered were milk yield and SCC for two goat breeds, Saanen and German Fawn. A total of 10 000 dams, 3174 sires and 10 000 progeny were simulated. The family variance was 4.5. The sires had 3.15 progeny on average, and sires had minimum 1 and maximum 15 progeny. Estimated breeding values from the MTDFREML (Multi Trait Derivative Free Estimated Maximum Likelihood) program were used in the culling decisions. Animals selected using the animal model of BLUP with MTDFREML and animals selected using the classification method with SAS were analyzed employing the rank correlation, and the calculated value was very high 0.99 (P<0.01). If used with the necessary standardizations, the method seems promising enough to be considered as an alternative to existing selection methods and a new method for indirect, multiple trait selection in animal breeding. In addition, the method can be used in cases (no extensive pedigree, small number of animals/sires etc.) where it is difficult to calculate correct genetic parameters.


Leonhardt demonstrated (2009) that the 2D Maxwell Fish Eye lens (MFE) can focus perfectly 2D Helmholtz waves of arbitrary frequency, i.e., it can transport perfectly an outward (monopole) 2D Helmholtz wave field, generated by a point source, towards a "perfect point drain" located at the corresponding image point. Moreover, a prototype with λ/5 super-resolution (SR) property for one microwave frequency has been manufactured and tested (Ma et al, 2010). Although this prototype has been loaded with an impedance different from the "perfect point drain", it has shown super-resolution property. However, neither software simulations nor experimental measurements for a broad band of frequencies have yet been reported. Here we present steady state simulations for two cases, using perfect drain as suggested by Leonhardt and without perfect drain as in the prototype. All the simulations have been done using a device equivalent to the MFE, called the Spherical Geodesic Waveguide (SGW). The results show the super-resolution up to λ/3000, for the system loaded with the perfect drain, and up to λ /500 for a not perfect load. In both cases super-resolution only happens for discrete number of frequencies. Out of these frequencies, the SGW does not show super-resolution in the analysis carried out.


Although psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy have flourished theoretically and in practice for an increasingly widespread population of patients, the mental health professions have in recent decades experienced a hegemony of managed care, a preoccupation with pharmacological approaches at the expense of psychological approaches, and a predilection for brief symptom-focused, more easily researchable manualized psychotherapies, in spite of literature demonstrating the effective contribution of psychoanalysis and psychodynamic thought to the practice of the mental health professions. In this article a psychiatric inpatient is considered from the point of view of what psychodynamic theory can offer practically to understanding and managing her. It is not suggested that this patient might necessarily benefit from formal psychodynamic psychotherapy, but rather that incorporation of a psychodynamic understanding of her can lead to a more effective management approach, especially regarding dealing with staff reactions to disturbing patients. Consideration of the patient's personality and recognition of the patient's having a comorbid personality disorder appeared important in her management, and have practical implications regarding staff members' understanding of the patient and the consequent identification and handling of transference and countertransference manifestations. Problems that are likely to occur as enactments on the inpatient unit can more readily be anticipated or identified earlier and a consistent staff approach prepared. A psychodynamically informed management approach on the inpatient unit can help to anticipate challenging interpersonal experiences such as enactments. Psychodynamic thought has developed in a manner so as to be applicable in an increasingly wide range of clinical situations, not only in terms of the varieties of patients who are deemed to be able to benefit from psychodynamic treatment per se, but also regarding the clinical venues in which psychodynamic concepts can be usefully applied.


A new piston constant friction damper is designed by the energy principle and hysteresis of friction damper in this paper. The friction damper is composed of steel outer tube, steel shaft, bronze friction wedge, steel pressure wedge, coil spring, and cap, and it can be adjusted the size of friction conveniently. The relationship between friction from sliding force and spring pre-stress are guided. Hysteresis tests under a variety of displacement excitation are conducted. By controlling the displacement amplitude and changing the size of sliding force and the vibration frequency, the restoring force of friction damper were measured, the hysteresis of friction damper at different excitation frequencies and sliding force were obtained. The hysteresis curve of the piston constant friction damper is a rectangle approximately; this is the same with theoretical analysis of friction damper.


The versifying of the psalter and factors concerning the formation of canons
In a previous article (HTS 2000/1:192-204) I have examined the process of versifying the Psalter and have questioned the principle of a so-called reproductive versification, the lack of a sound hermeneutical approach, the necessity of versifying all 150 psalms - especially in one form and style as metrical psalms that are meant to be sung, and the liturgical function of many of the texts that had been versified in this manner. In this article the origin and history of these views are investigated and are evaluated against the background of the formation of canons on various levels. Some canonised views and traditions that need critical rethinking are indicated at the end of the article.
(Acta Theologica: 2002 22(1): 42-56)


OBJECTIVE
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal thoughts and behaviors are common in military members and veterans and produce anxiety for many clinicians. Although there are separate interventions for PTSD and elevated suicide risk, there is not much guidance on how to integrate these approaches. Crisis response planning (CRP) is an evidence-based tool used to prevent suicide attempts that can easily be integrated into trauma-focused therapies for patients with PTSD.

METHOD
Given the high frequency of suicidal thoughts among patients with PTSD, the current paper discusses how CRP can be integrated into trauma-focused therapy. A clinical case example is provided to demonstrate how the CRP can be integrated into cognitive processing therapy for a suicidal veteran diagnosed with PTSD.

RESULTS
Using CRP within a cognitive processing therapy treatment program reduced both PTSD and suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS
Suicide specific treatments can be integrated effectively into trauma-focused treatments.


Microscopic structure of wood is identifiable with anatomy characteristics of the wood, thus the potential utility of a wood is technically dependent upon its anatomical properties. Boscia angustifolia is a lesser used species whose anatomical properties are needed to be exploited so as to known its potential utilization and peculiarity. This research therefore studied some anatomical properties of the species. Four trees were felled, and samples of 20 x 20 x 20 mm were obtained along the sampling height and radial position of the trees. Maceration and sectioning were done on the test samples, after which microscopic structure was viewed under the microscope. Mean fibre characteristics obtained (fibre length - 1.12 ± 0.24, fibre diameter - 23.67 ± 3.05 μm, lumen width – 10.09 ± 0.76 μm, and cell wall thickness – 6.87 ± 1.65 μm) were similar to those of the commonly used hardwood species in Nigeria, and vessel diameter was 65.61 ± 8.64 μm, ray height was 294.65 ± 14.12 μm and ray width was 49.32 ± 19.23 μm. The selected anatomical properties tested for Boscia angustifolia suggest that it has medium to high density, and can be used for structural purpose.


Late-stage Precambrian granites in the St. Francois Mountains are among the most uraniferous in North America. The St. Francois province has potential for uranium mineralization of economic importance, especially in the later differentiates. Structural lineaments and circular features displayed on images produced by electronic data processing of Landsat multispectral scanner data may be related to late-stage intrusives with uranium potential. Strong north-south lineaments and associated circular and arcuate features may correspond to major weaknesses in the earth's crust along which fracturing, faulting, and volcanism have occurred. The strike of the lineaments transects the older dominant northwest-southeast and northeast-southwest structural grain of the region. This, and the remarkable preservation of Precambrian structures of volcanic origin, indicate that the lineaments may be related to late-stage, uranium- and thorium-rich intrusives. The Ironton lineament, a major north-south lineament, is closely related spatiall to Precambrian iron and manganese deposits. Field work along the Ironton lineament suggests that it is related to a late period of Precambrian volcanism and that structural deformation along the lineament continued into early Paleozoic time. Areas of faulting, shearing, and hydrothermal alteration affecting both Precambrian and Paleozoic rocks have been located. A circular feature along the lineament has been found to be centered by a manganese deposit of possible hydrothermal origin. End_of_Article - Last_Page 947------------


A bio-inspired chemical approach has been developed for the surface modification, dispersion and electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of metal oxide particles. The study of the chemical mechanism of mussel adhesion to different surfaces has driven the development of advanced dispersing agents with strong adsorption to oxide nanoparticles. The investigation of dopamine, caffeic acid, tiron and other molecules from the catechol family, and various molecules from salicylic acid, gallic acid, and chromotropic acid families revealed their strong adsorption to metal oxide surfaces. The analysis of dispersion and deposition yield data for various materials provided an insight into the influence of molecular structures of the organic dispersants on adsorption mechanisms and EPD efficiency. The adsorbed dispersants imparted new and unique properties to the nanoparticles. Further advancements in the EPD technology were achieved by the use of cationic and anionic dyes such as pyrocatechol violet, celestine blue, alizarin red from the catechol family and alizarin yellow, aurintricarboxylic acid and calconcarboxylic acid from salicylate family and their derivatives. It was discovered that polyaromatic dyes can be used as efficient co-dispersants for oxide materials, carbon nanotubes and graphene for the fabrication of composite films by EPD. Another important breakthrough was the development of film forming dispersants for EPD nanotechnology. New strategies have emerged for the synthesis of non-agglomerated nanoparticles of controlled size, organic fibers and coated particles. The use of new dispersants with strong interfacial adsorption and multifunctional properties has driven the development of advanced composites, containing metal oxide nanoparticles, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, polyelectrolytes and other materials. Colloidal and interface chemistry of new dispersing agents is emerging as a new area of technological and scientific interest.


Purpose: To investigate the two-year functional outcomes and complications following operative versus non-operative treatment of completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescents.
Methods:  All patients 10-18 years old treated for a midshaft clavicle fracture between August, 2013 and August, 2018 at one of 8 geographically diverse, high-volume, tertiary-care pediatric centers were enrolled, with independent treatment decisions determined by individual providers. The sub-population of patients with completely displaced fractures was prospectively followed for over 2 years. Clinical course, complications, validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROs), quality of life metrics, and satisfaction scores were analyzed. To address the ceiling effect of the PRO/satisfaction data following clavicle injuries, a priori thresholds for 'suboptimal' scores were established (ASES scores 10, EQ-5D <0.80). According to 'intention to treat' statistical principles, one post-operative complication (and a subsequent secondary operation) was analyzed within the non-operative cohort, given that the patient represented a 'crossover' from the non-operative to the operative treatment group.
Results: Of the 909 patients enrolled in the prospective study, 417 patients (45.9%) demonstrated completely displaced fractures and maintained enrollment over the study period, 277 (66%) of whom had reached two year follow up, and 151 of whom provided adequate PRO data, representing a 55% response rate. Of these patients, 55 (36%) underwent operative treatment, while 96 (64%) were treated non-operatively. Those treated surgically showed no difference in gender distribution (76% males,p=0.43), athletic participation (p=0.76), or fracture pattern (p=0.18), but were older (mean age 15.3 vs. 13.5 years, p<0.001) and had greater shortening (p<0.001) than those treated non-operatively. Within the subset with adequate complication data, listed in Table 1, complications were less common in non-surgical than surgical patients (p=0.0003), but this difference did not reach significance when sensory deficits were excluded (p=0.17). There was no difference in secondary surgeries (p=0.43). While greater percentages of operative than non-operative patients reported suboptimal PRO/satisfaction scores (ASES: 15% vs. 5%, QuickDASH 11% vs. 5%, satisfaction 11% vs. 5%), these differences did not reach significance (p=0.07, 0.20, 0.06, respectively).
Conclusion:  At eight large pediatric centers with many surgeons making independent treatment decisions, non-operative treatment of adolescent clavicle fractures demonstrated lower complication rates and similar satisfaction and functional outcomes.
Significance:  These data establish a comprehensive functional assessment of adolescents treated for clavicle fractures, which represents the epidemiological sub-population most affected by this condition. Unlike several adult studies demonstrating superiority in operative treatment, this adolescent study demonstrates equivalent function and fewer complications associated with non-operative treatment.


Background: A malaria management protocol was developed and implemented at a tertiary care children's hospital in September 1999. We retrospectively evaluated children admitted with malaria 10-years preimplementation and 7-years postimplementation to determine the impact the protocol had on management and time delay to appropriate antimalarial therapy. Methods: This before and after study compared all admissions with the discharge diagnosis of malaria in the study period. Retrospective chart review was used to determine the time from emergency department (ED) registration to administration of antimalarial treatment. Other outcomes measured included mortality, length of hospital stay, and intensive care unit admission. Results: Fifty-eight admissions were identified during the defined period, most of which were due to Plasmodium falciparum[r] malaria. Thirty-one (53.4%) cases were before implementation of the protocol. Children were more likely to receive appropriate investigations to assess for possible severe malaria before transfer from the ED to the ward after protocol implementation (18% vs. 63%, P = 0.005). Analysis of index cases of malaria, excluding patients diagnosed after the diagnosis of a sibling, showed there was a significant reduction in time to medication administration (8 vs. 5.5 hours, P = 0.036). Conclusion: After broad-based implementation of a malaria treatment protocol in a pediatric hospital, children received more thorough investigations, were more likely to receive therapy before leaving the ED and had a shorter delay before receiving appropriate antimalarial therapy.


From abstract: The rocks exposed in the Lehigh district, in the Arkansas-Oklahoma coal basin, aggregate at least 5,000 feet in thickness. All are of Pennsylvanian age, except scattered thin Pleistocene (?) and Recent deposits. Rocks of Pottsville age crop out extensively in the southwestern part of the district and include the Springer formation, Wapanucka limestone, and Atoka formation. The Pottsville rocks are overlain in the northeastern part by formations of Allegheny age, including the Hartshorne sandstone. McAlester shale, Savanna sandstone, Boggy shale, and Thurman sandstone.


Recently, researchers have investigated the cognitive efficiency of social comparisons young women make to thin-ideal images. However, results have been mixed and methodology problematic (e.g. low ecological validity, lack of consideration for ethnicity). The purpose of the present study was to address these issues. Ninety-six Caucasian undergraduate females were exposed to thin-ideal images. These images were presented in the context of an online shopping experience, to create a more ecologically valid context. To investigate cognitive efficiency, cognitive load was manipulated by having participants memorize the colours of the models' clothing items. Participants did not experience a decrease in appearance satisfaction when under high cognitive load, suggesting inefficiency. In contrast, an observed increase in negative mood under high load conditions may suggest efficiency. However, potential alternative explanations for this latter result include the non-specificity of the mood measure, the context the images were presented in, and task difficulty


Shrinking transistor sizes have introduced new challenges and opportunities for system-on-chip (SoC) design and reliability. Smaller transistors are more susceptible to early lifetime failure and electronic wear-out, greatly reducing their reliable lifetimes. However, smaller transistors will also allow SoC to contain hundreds of processing cores and other infrastructure components with the potential for increased reliability through massive structural redundancy. Concurrent online testing (COLT) can provide sufficient reliability and availability to systems with this redundancy. COLT manages the process of testing a subset of processing cores while the rest of the system remains operational. This can be considered a temporary, graceful degradation of system performance that increases reliability while maintaining availability.
In this dissertation, techniques to assist COLT are proposed and analyzed. The techniques described in this dissertation focus on two major aspects of COLT feasibility: recovery time and test delivery costs. To reduce the time between failure and recovery, and thereby increase system availability, an anomaly-based test triggering unit (ATTU) is proposed to initiate COLT when anomalous network behavior is detected. Previous COLT techniques have relied on initiating tests periodically. However, determining the testing period is based on a device's mean time between failures (MTBF), and calculating MTBF is exceedingly difficult and imprecise.
To address the test delivery costs associated with COLT, a distributed test vector storage (DTVS) technique is proposed to eliminate the dependency of test delivery costs on core location. Previous COLT techniques have relied on a single location to store test vectors, and it has been demonstrated that centralized storage of tests scales poorly as the number of cores per SoC grows. Assuming that the SoC organizes its processing cores with a regular topology, DTVS uses an interleaving technique to optimally distribute the test vectors across the entire chip. DTVS is analyzed both empirically and analytically, and a testing protocol using DTVS is described.
COLT is only feasible if the applications running concurrently are largely unaffected. The effect of COLT on application execution time is also measured in this dissertation, and an application-aware COLT protocol is proposed and analyzed. Application interference is greatly reduced through this technique.


Objective The aim was to measure work-related health problems among nursing workers at a haemodialysis unit in southern Brazil and associate these issues with the socio-occupational characteristics of the workers. Method This is a qualitative study conducted with 46 nursing workers. Data were collected using a general health questionnaire with socio-occupational information and a work-related health assessment scale. The data were subjected to descriptive, correlational, bivariate analysis with significance levels of 5% using Epi-info® and Predictive Analytics Software. Results Physical, psychological, and social problems were considered bearable, and job satisfaction was associated with current income and work absenteeism for health treatment (p< 0.05). Back pain (3.74 ± 2.04) and leg pain (3.48 ± 2.10) were considered severe. There was a direct correlation between the health issues (r> 0.31, p <0.05). Conclusion In spite of the positive results of the work-related health assessment among the studied population, the results confirm the need to promote the health of nursing workers.


We report a patient treated with botulinum toxin (BTX) for syringobulbia-induced cricopharyngeal dysphagia. A 54 year-old man with prior history of posttraumatic syringomyelia developed dysphagia suddenly. Bulbar function revealed palatal paresis and complete aglutition without lingual paresis. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study disclosed non-relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscles (CPM). Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging displayed progression of syringobulbia and ascending syringomyelia. Symmetric slit-like medullary cavities could cause CPM dysfunction. A thoracic syringoperitoneal shunt had no therapeutic effects on dysphagia. He refused to undergo a syringocisternal shunt or cricopharyngeal myotomy. BTX (20 units) was injected into the left CPM under electromyographic guidance. Five days later, he was able to eat and drink gradually. Clinicoradiological profile of our patient indicated that the interruption of bilateral inhibitory projections from the solitary nuclei to the ambiguus nuclei could elicit uncontrollable CPM. BTX is beneficial and hopeful treatment for cricopharyngeal dysphasia due to progressive syringobulbia. doi:10.4021/jnr81w


High temperature deformation behavior of AZ31 Mg alloy was investigated in this study on the basis of a processing map (e » 0.6). To construct a processing map, compression tests were carried out at various temperatures and strain rates. Two regions of high deformation efficiency (h) were identified as: (1) a dynamic recrystalization (DRX) domain at 250°C and 1/s and (2) a superplasticity domain at 450°C and 10-4/s. The average grain size observed in the DRX region was considerably smaller (2.9µm) than in any other region. In the superplastic condition, tensile elongation to failure approached to 1040%. At the high Z regions, flow softening occurred resulting from the dynamic recrystallization but below 1010 of Z value, flow hardening occurred due to the grain growth. Possible deformation mechanisms operating at high temperature were discussed in relation to the activation energy. A two-stage deformation method was found to be effective in enhancing the superplasticity of AZ31 Mg alloy.


Examination of fentanyl levels is frequently performed in certain scientific evaluations and forensic toxicology. It often involves the collection of very variable blood samples, including lipemic plasma or serum. To date, many works have reported the methods for fentanyl detection, but none of them have provided information about the impact on the assay performance caused by an excessive amount of lipids. This aspect may be, however, very important for highly lipophilic drugs like fentanyl. To address this issue, we developed the liquid chromatography method with mass spectrometry detection and utilized it to investigate the impact of lipids presence in rabbit plasma on the analytical method performance and validation. The validation procedure, conducted for normal plasma and lipemic plasma separately, resulted in good selectivity, sensitivity and linearity. The limits of detection and quantification were comparable between the two matrices, being slightly lower in normal plasma (0.005 and 0.015 µg/L) than in lipemic plasma (0.008 and 0.020 µg/L). Liquid–liquid extraction provided a low matrix effect regardless of the lipid levels in the samples (<10%), but pronounced differences were found in the recovery and accuracy. In the normal plasma, this parameter was stable and high (around 100%), but in the lipemic matrix, much more variable and less efficient results were obtained. Nevertheless, this difference had no impact on repeatability and reproducibility. In the present work, we provided reliable, convenient and sensitive method for fentanyl detection in the normal and lipemic rabbit plasma. However, construction of two separate validation curves was necessary to provide adequate results since the liquid-liquid extraction was utilized. Therefore, special attention should be paid during fentanyl quantification that involves lipemic plasma samples purified by this technique.


Negative thermal expansion is an unusual phenomenon appearing in only a handful of materials, but pursuit and mastery of the phenomenon holds great promise for applications across disciplines and industries. Here we report use of x-ray spectroscopy and diffraction to investigate the 4f-electronic properties in Y-doped SmS and employ the Kondo volume collapse model to interpret the results. Our measurements reveal an unparalleled decrease of the bulk Sm valence by over 20% at low temperatures in the mixed-valent golden phase, which we show is caused by a strong coupling between an emergent Kondo lattice state and a large isotropic volume change. The amplitude and temperature range of the negative thermal expansion appear strongly dependent on the Y concentration and the associated chemical disorder, providing control over the observed effect. This finding opens avenues for the design of Kondo lattice materials with tunable, giant, and isotropic negative thermal expansion.


ARM is the leading processor architecture in the emerging mobile and embedded market. Unfortunately, there has been a myriad of security issues on both mobile and embedded systems. While many countermeasures of such security issues have been proposed in recent years, a majority of applications still cannot be patched or protected due to run-time and space overhead constraints and the unavailability of source code. More importantly, the rapidly evolving mobile and embedded market makes any platform-specific solution ineffective. In this paper, we propose RevARM, a binary rewriting technique capable of instrumenting ARM-based binaries without limitation on the target platform. Unlike many previous binary instrumentation tools that are designed to instrument binaries based on x86, RevARM must resolve a number of new, ARM-specific binary rewriting challenges. Moreover, RevARM is able to handle stripped binaries, requires no symbolic/semantic information, and supports Mach-O binaries, overcoming the limitations of existing approaches. Finally, we demonstrate the capabilities of RevARM in solving real-world security challenges. Our evaluation results across a variety of platforms, including popular mobile and embedded systems, show that RevARM is highly effective in instrumenting ARM binaries with an average of 3.2% run-time and 1.3% space overhead.


Automation will be a boon or a catastrophe depending on whom you listen to. This paper proposes an overlapping-generations model with endogenous school choice in which the quality of a country's education system determines how well skill supply can respond to increased demand from automation and subsequently whether automation will be beneficial or detrimental. In this sense, education quality in the model offers a bridge between the optimistic and pessimistic perspectives on automation. In testing the model's assumptions, the paper finds evidence that educational attainment, cognitive skills, and select noncognitive skills are associated with avoiding automation-prone occupations. Consistent with the model's predictions, census data indicate that countries have historically relied most on these types of occupations at middle-income status. The model and empirical findings suggest that it is middle-income countries that are most vulnerable to automation if their education systems are unable to affect cognitive and noncognitive skills sufficiently. As a result, automation may herald a much different growth model for developing countries: one in which developing these skills is central.


The purpose of the study was to assess the repeatability of clinical assessments with the Intuitive Colorimeter, a repeatability classified as "poor" in a previous study. Patients underwent assessments with the Intuitive Colorimeter in two studies. In each study, one published by Suttle et al [1] and the other described herein, assessments were undertaken on two occasions. The studies differ in respect of the models of colorimeter used, the methods employed, the interval between examinations, and the masking of examiners. The repeatability was assessed using the methods currently used in clinical practice, which differ according to examiner. Both studies show a similar repeatability of the assessments. This repeatability is consistent with previous literature. We estimate the standard deviation of u' and v' coordinates each to be 0.020 and thereby obtain an estimate of the number of tinted trial lenses necessary when prescribing coloured filters. In patients with visual stress assessment with the Intuitive Colorimeter is repeatable. The minimum number of tints necessary for assessment is estimated to be 77.


This study tested the structural equation model between harmonious tourism environment perception and tourists' loy- alty. In this paper, a model is erected to indicate the relationship between harmonious tourism environment perception and tourists' loyalty. With 377 valid questionnaires from 8 mountain-type world cultural heritage sites in China, the author tested the model by SPSS and AMOS. It was found that the perception of natural ecosystem was the most influential factor affecting tourists' entire environment perception, social relations system was the second place and cultural ecosystem was the third place. The entire harmonious tourism environment perception also greatly determines tourists' loyalty. At last, some suggestions were given to make tourism destination develop sustainably based on this study.


Abstract. We recently proposed a method to establish an optimal ionospheric shell
height model based on the international GNSS service (IGS) station data and
the differential code bias (DCB) provided by the Center for Orbit Determination
in Europe (CODE) during the time from 2003 to 2013. This method is very
promising for DCB and accurate total electron content (TEC) estimation by
comparing to the traditional fixed shell height method. However, this method
is basically feasible only for IGS stations. In this study, we investigate
how to apply the optimal ionospheric shell height derived from IGS station
to non-IGS stations or isolated GNSS receivers. The intuitive and practical
method to estimate TEC of non-IGS stations is based on optimal ionospheric
shell height derived from nearby IGS stations. To validate this method, we
selected two dense networks of IGS stations located in regions in the US and
Europe. Two optimal ionospheric shell height models are established by two
reference stations, namely GOLD and PTBB, which are located at the
approximate center of two selected regions. The predicted daily optimal
ionospheric shell heights by the two models are applied to other IGS
stations around these two reference stations. Daily DCBs are calculated
according to these two optimal shell heights and compared to respective DCBs
released by CODE. The validation results of this method are as follows. (1) Optimal ionospheric shell height calculated by IGS stations can be applied
to its nearby non-IGS stations or isolated GNSS receivers for accurate TEC
estimation. (2) As the distance away from the reference IGS station becomes
larger, the DCB estimation error becomes larger. The relation between the
DCB estimation error and the distance is generally linear.


Introduction: Diabetes is chronic, multisystem disorder with life-threatening complications. According to a study by the Lancet, India is ranked among the top three countries having high diabetic populations. Easily managed by glycemic control and simple alteration in lifestyle, it is most often allowed to escalate to the level of complications due to the lack of adequate knowledge of the disease and its management. Moreover, regional and socioeconomic differences among the rural and urban population of the city could result in skewed perceptions of the disease, in terms of treatment and control. The awareness of these patients is crucial to preventing acute complications and reducing the risk of long-term complications, in order to have a positive impact on the morbidity and mortality levels associated with the disease. Representative data on their levels of awareness would help plan large scale diabetes awareness programs to reach and masses. Thus, the present study aims to assess and compare the rural and urban diabetic population of Chennai city, on their knowledge of diabetes and associated complications. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based study was carried out on 100 diagnosed diabetics, of which 50 belonged to rural areas and 50 belonged to urban. A predesigned questionnaire pertaining to knowledge, attitude, and practices relating to the disease was administered to them. Data obtained from the two groups were compiled and statistically analyzed on Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: Out of the 100 self-reported diabetic participants, with a mean age of 45–65 years, it was evident that urban residents had consistently higher awareness rates about diabetes mellitus, its management and complications, compared to rural populations. The results emphasize the interrelation between demography and awareness. Conclusion: Urban diabetic patients are more aware than rural diabetic patients about diabetes mellitus, its management, and complications. The present study emphasizes interrelation between demography and awareness levels. The results underscore the need to design and implement the awareness programs directed at increasing the awareness among the rural population.


Soysauce was made in the salt concentrations of 22.0% and 28.5%, and the changing aspects in nucleotides and their related compounds, free amino acids, free sugars and non-volatile amines which are related to the taste components during the fermentation process with a view to examining the taste components in the ordinary Korean soysauce were studied. And then artificial soysauce was prepared by applying the values derived from the analysis and measurement, and its sensory evaluation was performed. As the result of the sensory evaluation of artificial soysauce prepared according to the value of components analyzed from soysauce which had been fermented for forty days in the salt concentration of 22.0%, it has been found that artificial soysauce was similar in taste to ordinary Korean soysauce. So, the following facts have been found: glutamic acid and aspartic acid have MSG-like taste, and IMP has a synergistic effect with these acids, which play great roles in ordinary Korean soysauce; both free sugars such as galactose and amino acids such as glycine, alanine and lysine have sweet taste; both amines such as tyramine and histamine, and amino acids such as valine, leucine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine have bitter taste; these components, combined with saline taste of salt and sour taste of organic acids, are assumed to form the unique taste in the ordinary Korean soysauce.


Band structure calculations for EuCo2X2 (X = Si, Ge) and EuM5¬ (M = Ni, Cu) were performed using FP-LAPW and FPLO DFT codes. Correlations were taken into account within Around Mean Field (AMF) and Fully Localized Limit (FLL) approaches. Antiferromagnetic supercell was constructed for EuCo2X2. Several exchange-correlation potentials were used for EuM5. Equilibrium lattice parameters were calculated for EuM5 and used to study the magnetic properties. Calculated europium valence is between 2.3 and 2.5 and slightly higher for EuNi5 and EuCo2Si2 than for EuCu5 and EuCo2Ge2. LSDA+U calculations within the AMF double-counting scheme are in better agreement with photoemission data than calculations using the FLL approach.


Predicting crystal structure has been a challenging problem in physics and materials science for a long time. A reliable energy calculation engine combined with an efficient global search algorithm, such as particle swarm optimization algorithm or genetic algorithm, is needed to conduct crystal structure prediction. In recent years, machine learning-based interatomic potential energy surface models have been proposed, potentially allowing us to perform crystal structure prediction for systems with the accuracy of density functional theory (DFT) and the speed of empirical force fields. In this paper, we employ a previously developed Deep Potential model to predict the intermetallic compound of the aluminum–magnesium system, and find six meta-stable phases with negative or nearly zero formation energy. In particular, Mg12Al8 shows excellent ductility and Mg5Al27 has a high Young's modulus. Based on our benchmark results, we propose a relatively robust structure screening criterion that selects potentially stable structures from the Deep Potential-based convex hull and performs DFT refinement. By using this criterion, the computational cost needed to construct the convex hull with ab initio accuracy can be dramatically reduced.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the experiences and practices of social and community service professionals working with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) or suspected FASD in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach
The research examined professionals' empirical experience of working with FASD or suspected FASD. In total, 21 participants working in practice settings relevant to dual diagnosis were interviewed, with each interview being of 1–2 h duration. The interview data were transcribed and coded using the constant-comparative method in order to derive themes.

Findings
Participants identified a number of barriers to understanding or working with FASD: the limited knowledge of FASD and the absence of FASD from training contexts, difficulty obtaining institutional support and the challenge of working without a diagnosis. Participants also articulated a range of strategies for approaching FASD within the identified barriers of their practice contexts, specifically: working with alternative diagnoses, focussing on adjusting expectations, adopting a strengths-based approach, actively advocating for clients when working with other sectors and systems and focussing on prevention education.

Originality/value
This research expands the knowledge base for social and community service practice in contexts where FASD maybe a factor contributing to poor health and well-being outcomes for clients. It clarifies the challenges that professionals face when encountering FASD or suspected FASD in their work, reveals key gaps in individual and systemic knowledge about FASD and provides new insight into what professionals do to address these challenges. It also adds to the body of research concerning FASD in the Australasian context more broadly.


BACKGROUND
There is widespread recognition that research will be more impactful if it arises from partnerships between patients and researchers, but evidence on best practice for achieving this remains limited.

METHODS
We convened workshops in three Australian cities involving 105 patients/caregivers and 43 clinicians/researchers. In facilitated breakout groups, participants discussed principles and strategies for effective patient involvement in chronic kidney disease research. Transcripts were analysed thematically.

RESULTS
Five major themes emerged. 'Respecting consumer expertise and commitment' involved valuing unique and diverse experiential knowledge, clarifying expectations and responsibilities, equipping for meaningful involvement and keeping patients 'in the loop'. 'Attuning to individual context' required a preference-based multipronged approach to engagement, reducing the burden of involvement and being sensitive to the patient journey. 'Harnessing existing relationships and infrastructure' meant partnering with trusted clinicians, increasing research exposure in clinical settings, mentoring patient to patient and extending reach through established networks. 'Developing a coordinated approach' enabled power in the collective and united voice, a systematic approach for equitable inclusion and streamlining access to opportunities and trustworthy information. 'Fostering a patient-centred culture' encompassed building a community, facilitating knowledge exchange and translation, empowering health ownership, providing an opportunity to give back and cultivating trust through transparency.

CONCLUSIONS
Partnering with patients in research requires respect and recognition of their unique, diverse and complementary experiential expertise. Establishing a supportive, respectful research culture, responding to their individual context, coordinating existing infrastructure and centralizing the flow of information may facilitate patient involvement as active partners in research.


Background: To date, available data on premature aging in young HIV-infected adults are scarce and no reports offer comprehensive assessment of telomere shortening (TS) in relation to subclinical atherosclerosis (SCA). In this study, we investigate if telomere shortening and immune activation markers are associated with SCA, which is one of the main degenerative diseases in young HIV-infected adults. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 149 HIV-infected patients on stable antiretroviral regimen (ART). Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was estimated by carotid ultrasound. Quantitative singleplex PCR was performed to evaluate TS. The expression of activation/senescence markers was evaluated by multiparametric flow cytometry. Results: TS was observed in 73 patients (49%). Higher cIMT was observed in patients with TS than those without it (0.86 vs. 0.80 mm; p=0.041). Patients under the age of 50 (defined as young adults) with TS showed higher absolute numbers of activated lymphocyte T cells CD8+CD38+ (3.94 vs. 2.34 cell/μl; p=0.07) and lymphocyte B cells CD19+CD38+ (3.07 vs. 2.10 cell/μl; p=0.004) compared to those without TS. In the multivariate analysis, the only factor independently associated with TS was the absolute number of lymphocyte T cells CD8+CD38+ T cells (OR = 1.18; 95%-CI = 1.00-1.39; p = 0.05). Conclusion: Young HIV-infected adults show premature biological aging with accentuated immune activation. Chronic inflammation with excessive T-cells activation could be associated to TS, premature aging, and SCA in young HIV-infected adults.


Ferroelastic toughening in Pb(Zr1−xTix)O3 (PZT) ceramics can be augmented by phase transformation toughening through the inclusion of partially stabilized TZ (PZT–ZrO2). In order to deconvolve both these toughening modes, cubic Pb1−yLay(Zr1−xTix)O3 (PLZT) with and without zirconia (PLZT–ZrO2) was characterized. R curve and stress–strain behavior yielded a quantification of strong toughening and a lack for switching propensity that could be contrasted to PZT and zirconia-toughened PZT. A clear path for toughening of PZT for future application is therefore provided.


Most special-use freeway lanes in the US, whether reserved for carpools, toll-paying commuters or both, are physically separated from the adjacent regular-use lanes by some form of barrier. Vehicle movements in and out of a special lane of this type are permitted only at select access points along the route. The barrier at each select point might open for a distance of 400 m or so. Limiting access in this way is said to reduce the "turbulence" that might otherwise occur were the special lane not to have a buffer, such that vehicles could instead enter or exit that lane anywhere along its length. Yet, real freeway traffic studied in spatiotemporal fashion shows that access points are prone to become bottlenecks. The problem occurs when traffic in the regular lanes becomes dense, as commonly happens during a rush. Drivers then seek refuge in the special lane in greater numbers. Since the vehicular maneuvers through the access point are focused within a limited physical space, they can become disruptive and further degrade traffic. Degradation can occur both in the special lane and in the adjacent regular ones. The damage can be worse than what occurs when barrier are not used to limit special-lane ingress and egress. Policy implications are discussed.


ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sleep hygiene (SH) education on sleep quality in soccer players after a late-evening small-sided-game (SSG) training session. Twenty-nine non-professional players were recruited and allocated to either an experimental group (EG, n = 17) that received SH education, or a control group (CG, n = 12). SSG consisted of 3 × 4 min in a 4vs4, with 3 min of recovery and was performed at 8.00 p.m. Sleep quality was monitored via actigraphy and sleep diary entries before (PRE) and two nights after (POST1, POST2) the SSG. Sleep latency (SL) differed between the two groups at POST1 (4.9 ± 5.4 vs. 15.5 ± 16.1 for EG and CG, respectively; p = 0.017, effect size [ES] = 2.0); SL values were lower at POST1 compared to PRE for the EG (−47%; p = 0.021, ES = 0.6). Subjective sleep quality was better in the EG than the CG at POST1 (8.6 ± 1.0 vs. 7.1 ± 2.0 for EG and CG, respectively; p = 0.016, ES = 0.9) with a significant improvement over PRE-values (+11.0%, p = 0.004, ES = 0.8). Although SL and subjective sleep quality did not decrease significantly from POST1 to POST2 values at POST2 no longer differed significantly form baseline and, hence, indicate that observed effects may be short-lasting. No other objective sleep indices were influenced by late-evening training or SH practices implemented by the EG. Soccer players may benefit from acute SH strategies to reduce the time to sleep onset after late-evening training sessions.


Abstract Damselflies and dragonflies (Order: Odonata) play important roles in both aquatic and terrestrial food webs and can serve as sentinels of ecosystem health and predictors of population trends in other taxa. The habitat requirements and limited dispersal of lotic damselflies make them especially sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation. As such, landscape genomic studies of these taxa can help focus conservation efforts on watersheds with high levels of genetic diversity, local adaptation, and even cryptic endemism. Here, as part of the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP), we report the first reference genome for the American rubyspot damselfly, Hetaerina americana, a species associated with springs, streams and rivers throughout California. Following the CCGP assembly pipeline, we produced two de novo genome assemblies. The primary assembly includes 1,630,044,487 base pairs, with a contig N50 of 5.4 Mb, a scaffold N50 of 86.2 Mb, and a BUSCO completeness score of 97.6%. This is the seventh Odonata genome to be made publicly available and the first for the subfamily Hetaerininae. This reference genome fills an important phylogenetic gap in our understanding of Odonata genome evolution, and provides a genomic resource for a host of interesting ecological, evolutionary, and conservation questions for which the rubyspot damselfly genus Hetaerina is an important model system.


Surface Modifying Macromolecule (SMM) blended PSf hollow fibers were spun at different air-gaps to evaluate CO2 stripping from aqueous DEA solution and water. The fabricated membranes were firstly subjected to different characterization methods such as contact angle and liquid entry pressure measurement to evaluate the membrane's hydrophobicity and wetting resistance, respectively. To determine pore size and effective porosity of the membranes, a pure helium permeation test was performed. Morphological study of the membranes was conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A CO2 stripping test was carried out to investigate the effects of operating variables such as liquid and gas velocity, temperature and DEA concentration on the CO2 stripping flux. It was found that the increase of liquid velocity resulted in enhanced CO2 stripping flux. On the other hand, the increase in gas velocity did not exert significant influence on the stripping flux. The increase in temperature and DEA concentration both enhanced the stripping flux. Lastly, it was concluded that the hollow fibers spun in this work at a 15 cm air-gap could achieve the best stripping flux among all the membranes fabricated so far for CO2 stripping.


Sialylation, a post-translational modification that impacts the structure, activity, and longevity of glycoproteins has been thought to be controlled primarily by the expression of sialyltransferases (STs). In this report we explore the complementary impact of metabolic flux on sialylation using a glycoengineering approach. Specifically, we treated three human breast cell lines (MCF10A, T-47D, and MDA-MB-231) with 1,3,4-O-Bu3ManNAc, a "high flux" metabolic precursor for the sialic acid biosynthetic pathway. We then analyzed N-glycan sialylation using solid phase extraction of glycopeptides (SPEG) mass spectrometry-based proteomics under conditions that selectively captured sialic acid-containing glycopeptides, referred to as "sialoglycosites." Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that flux-based changes to sialylation were broadly distributed across classes of proteins in 1,3,4-O-Bu3ManNAc-treated cells. Only three categories of proteins, however, were "highly responsive" to flux (defined as two or more sialylation changes of 10-fold or greater). Two of these categories were cell signaling and cell adhesion, which reflect well-known roles of sialic acid in oncogenesis. A third category—protein folding chaperones—was unexpected because little precedent exists for the role of glycosylation in the activity of these proteins. The highly flux-responsive proteins were all linked to cancer but sometimes as tumor suppressors, other times as proto-oncogenes, or sometimes both depending on sialylation status. A notable aspect of our analysis of metabolically glycoengineered breast cells was decreased sialylation of a subset of glycosites, which was unexpected because of the increased intracellular levels of sialometabolite "building blocks" in the 1,3,4-O-Bu3ManNAc-treated cells. Sites of decreased sialylation were minor in the MCF10A (<25% of all glycosites) and T-47D (<15%) cells but dominated in the MDA-MB-231 line (~60%) suggesting that excess sialic acid could be detrimental in advanced cancer and cancer cells can evolve mechanisms to guard against hypersialylation. In summary, flux-driven changes to sialylation offer an intriguing and novel mechanism to switch between context-dependent pro- or anti-cancer activities of the several oncoproteins identified in this study. These findings illustrate how metabolic glycoengineering can uncover novel roles of sialic acid in oncogenesis.


This paper investigates computer aided diagnosis (CAD) techniques that allow detection of lung cancer through analysis of chest computed tomography (CT) images. In CAD two main problems have to be solved successfully in order to make the clinical acceptance of CAD systems a reality. One is the segmentation of the organ of interest, which in case of the lungs is already a challenge. Second is nodule detection, in which nodule features (like geometric properties, image intensity, shape and size) have to be taken into consideration. In the last few years, significant advancements have been made in this area. Researchers have presented many techniques far detection and classification of lung nodules, which show promising results. The paper aims at describing the overall structure for such a CAD system along with the review of different techniques, presented in recent years, for analyzing lung CT images for early detection of cancer.


Objective: This study is descriptive research conducted to determine the knowledge and utilization of the family planning (FP) methods Among married males and affecting factors of these services. Materials and Methods: The scope of this study covered married man living in the Adalet family health center region of Samsun. The sample consist of 298 married man that have accepted to participates the study between 01 November- 31 december 2007. Data were collected by using aquestionnaire and questions was applied face to face. The data were evaluated using SPSS 10.0 package programme. Results: It was found that 91.9 % of them use any method. The ratio of using a modern method among FP methods was 66.8 %. The men were seemed to be known Coitus interaptus was firt method, condom was second methods respectively, among FP metods. Condom was first method (40.3%) and Coitus interaptus was second methods (33.2%) which were using commonly in research group. There was statistically significant relation between to confirm a decision to getter with women of male in FP methods using FP modern metod, but the relation between age, education, number of child, duration of marriage, and to take information about FP was not significant statistically. Conclusion: Results of the present study demonstrates most of the men to be known and using FP metods. but were insufficiency using of modern FP metods. According to results it was suggested that planned FP education include single men and adolescents.


AIM: To investigate whether total Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) could protect endothelium of rabbit iliac artery against balloon endothelial denudation (BED) injury. METHODS: The morphology changes of the endothelium were observed with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and hematoxylin and eosin stain after BED of rabbit iliac artery at 0, 4, 6, and 8 week respectively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was also determined by immunohistochemistry. PNS 10, 30, and 50mg/kg were administered iv per day from 2d before to 4 weeks after operation. RESULTS: The endothelium was denudated completely after BED. At the 4th week the endothelium was repaired in some degree, then recovered gradually at 6 and 8 week. The degree of intimal thickening at 4 week was significantly greater than that at 0, 6, or 8 week. The sequence of VEGF or MMP-2 staining from strong to weak was 4, 6, 0, 8 week, and normal control. However at 4 week, endothelial regeneration in PNS 30 and 50mg/kg groups was significantly faster than that in saline group. The intimal thickness was significantly decreased and expressions of VEGF and MMP-2 were both down-regulated in PNS 30 or 50mg/kg groups compared with saline control group. CONCLUSION: PNS promoted the endothelial regeneration and reduced ECM thickening, which was related to regulation of the expression of VEGF and MMP-2. PNS may have sustained antirestenotic effect after BED.


For Internet traffic engineering purposes, it is important to characterize traffic volumes typically over 5-minute intervals. Based on measurements made in a local network at Lucent in winter 1999, Cao et al., (2000) proposed a moving IID Gaussian model for the characterization of 5-minute traffic volumes, with a power-law relationship between the mean and the variance. In this paper we analyze novel measurements gathered from a 2.5 Gbps link in the Finnish university network (Funet) in summer 2004. We investigate the validity of the moving IID Gaussian model and the proposed mean-variance relationship when the measurement interval is varying from 1 second to 5 minutes. As a result, we find that the Gaussian assumption is much more justified with current core link rates. The mean-variance relationship seems, indeed, to follow a power-law with exponent approximately equal to 1.3 in our data set. However, the IID assumption concerning the standardized residual is not verified, but we find a clear positive correlation between adjacent 5-minute volumes, and only slightly weaker negative correlation for traffic volumes with distance 20-30 minutes. In addition, we demonstrate that the same phenomenon is already prevailing in the Lucent data set.


Reducing the number of cables needed for the actuators and sensors of humanoid and other robots with high numbers of degrees of freedom (DoF) is a relevant problem, often solved by using a common bus for all communication, which may result in bandwidth limitation problems. This paper proposes an optimized method to re-order the commands sent to the joint-local controllers of a serial manipulator. The proposed method evaluates which local controller would benefit the most from an updated command given a cost function, and sends a command to this controller. As is demonstrated in both simulation and on a real robot, the resulting scheme can significantly improve system performance, equivalent to increasing the communication frequency by up to 3 times.


Patients with Xeroderma pigmentosum and defective DNA excision repair can be distinguished as a rapid (r-XP) and slow (s-XP) complementing variety. When fused with normal cells, fibroblasts from the r-XP are complemented rapidly and in the absence of protein synthesis while those from the s-XP are complemented slowly by a process partly, but not entirely, dependent on protein synthesis. Heterokaryons with different ratios of r-XP to s-XP nuclei (i.e. 1:1-5 and 1-5:1) and control heterokaryons containing one normal and 1-5 r- or s-XP nuclei show that if cell fusion and incubation is conducted in medium preventing protein synthesis, the rXP cells do not complement the s-XP partner at all and, conversely, that the latter is not as effective as normal cells at complementing the rXP partner. On the contrary, if protein synthesis is permitted, the 2 types of XP cells complement each other in a gene dose-dependent manner and to an extent similar to that observed in the control heterokaryons. These findings indicate that the r- and s-XP varieties are caused by mutations at different loci and suggest that the products of these loci interact to produce a functional unit which is present in normal control cells but absent in the XP strains. The relationship between the complementation groups described here and those already reported in the literature being investigated.


In this paper practical results of the long-term (1999-2006) application of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technique for estimation of electrical parameters of contaminated ground are presented. Contaminations were caused by oil product leakages from pipelines and oil storage objects. GPR technique includes a procedure of GPR profiling and application of Common-Midpoint (CMP) method. The GPR data allowed to acquire values of thickness of ground layers and their relative dielectric permittivity. These values were connected with the degree of ground contamination which was attested by measurements of a floating layer thickness of oil products in the observation wells and their concentration in the ground samples taken from these wells. Mentioned procedures were repeated during 8 years with the objectives to find steady time correlation of GPR data with ones acquired by attesting methods. The GPR data allowed also to monitor changes of oil product contaminant degree in the ground and to detect the place of oil leakage from buried pipeline. The GPR data were acquired in 2006 for one of studied sites show the values of ground contamination degree increased in comparison with 2005 from 2.8% up to 49% for different observation wells.


The geographic concentration of production of main field crops in several growing regions is a distinctive feature of U.S. agriculture. Among many possible reasons for spatial concentration, I study here the effects of the distribution of end users and terminal markets on acreage allocation. The presence of multiple terminal markets in a growing area may allow for a more flexible marketing plan, along with introducing more idiosyncratic demand uncertainty associated with each consumption point. To take better advantage of future marketing opportunities, growers, depending on their location relative to terminal markets, may adjust the crop mix produced on the farm. I characterize the types of environments that lead to a spatial production concentration of a commodity in a growing area. I also analyze the equilibrium effects of an increase in transportation costs and a shift in acreage available for planting on spatial acreage allocation.


ABSTRACT The early Proterozoic Chelmsford Formation, a coarse-grained turbidite unit in the Sudbury Basin, was deposited near the margin of the Superior Province craton at about the time of Penokean orogenesis. Petrography, geochemistry, and Nd and Pb isotopes are consistent with derivation of the Chelmsford Formation from late Archean Superior Province rocks. The framework mineralogy of medium sandstones is dominated by quartz, plagioclase, and minor K-feldspar, consistent with derivation from plutonic rocks. The abundance of matrix (up to 40%), however, allows additional sources. The behavior of Al2O3 relative to Na2O, CaO, and K2O constrains the source to have had, on average, a minor weathering history. Slightly elevated SiO2 and low Z , relative to average plutonic rocks, suggest that there was no more than a minor recycled sedimentary component in the source. High abundances and sympathetic variations in ferromagnesians indicate a mafic component. REE and whole-rock Nd and Pb isotopes constrain the Chelmsford Formation to have been derived from late Archean, LREE,-enriched rocks without significant Eu anomalies, and allow neither a significant component of Penokean mantle-derived material nor early Archean crust. Pb isotopes in feldspar populations require a Superior Province source. Although the age, location, and facies of the Chelmsford Formation are consistent with deposition in response to early Proterozoic active margin processes, the integrated provenance data require the sediment source to have been dominated by relatively fresh Superior Province rocks associated with basement uplift.


The pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in the imposition of home confinement and the indefinite extension of school closures. Several countries, including Malaysia, have enacted 'lockdowns,' which prohibit people from engaging in outside activities. During this period, it leads to severe repercussions on individuals' eating and lifestyle behaviour. These behaviours increased the risk susceptibility to weight gain, particularly if the quantity of daily physical activity was reduced as a result of the lockdowns period. There is a need to draw attention to the pandemic's long-term impact on children's eating behaviour and physical activity. Clearly, social isolation and stay-at-home orders issued in cities around the world restrict opportunities for children to engage in physical activity. In addition, COVID-19 may aggravate the risk of a shift towards an obesity epidemic among children. It is critical to tackle children's eating and lifestyle behaviours during COVID-19 pandemic as these are intrinsically linked to the children's cognitive development, academic performance, and disease susceptibility. The purpose of the activity was to examine the association between the scores of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ), Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ-C) and Body Mass Index (BMI) among selected school children in Pahang during COVID-19. A total of 100 schoolchildren (37 males and 63 females) parents with children aged between 9-12 years completed an online survey which included a set of questionnaires to measure their own level of physical activity (PAQ-C) as well as that of their children's eating style (CEBQ) during the lockdown period. During COVID-19, schoolchildren are not engaged in physical activity, it showed that only 32 children active compared to 68 children were inactive on doing physical activity per week. Predominantly, children underweight was 39, Normal BMI was 38 children, overweight was 21 children and obesity children was 2, from this descriptive data it showed that enjoyment of food and food responsiveness are related in this study. The Pearson Analysis indicated that there were significantly associated with BMI and CEBQ (P = 0·006 to < 0·001). The physical activity scales revealed positively related to BMI (P = 0·048 to < 0·001). In conclusion, the current findings underlined the growing need for strategies in preserving children's health and development.


The authors' opinion about conservative treatment of acute appendicitis is presented in the article. Conservative treatment of acute appendicitiswas proposed by K. Varadhan, etc. (2009). It was presented the examination results of 7216 patients who werehospitalized with suspected acute appendicitis. Also it was analyzed the results of appendectomy, which were performed in 5172 patients. Validity of diagnostic laparoscopy, informational content of ultrasonic scanning and Alvarado scale were discussed in the article. The authors propose that wide application of conservative treatment of acute appendicitis is premature in Russian Federation. Technique approbation is necessary on base of several medical organizations with discussion of its results within the Russian Society of Surgeons.


The Schistosoma mansoni Sm14 antigen belongs to the fatty acid-binding protein family and is considered a vaccine candidate against at least two parasite worms, Fasciola hepatica and S. mansoni. Here the genomic sequence and the polymorphism of Sm14 have been characterized for the first time. We found that the conserved methionine at position 20 is polymorphic, being exchangeable with threonine (M20T). To evaluate the function of the amino acid residue at this position, we have also constructed the mutant Sm14-A20 besides the two native isoforms (Sm14-M20 and Sm14-T20). The three purified recombinant His6-tagged Sm14 proteins (rSm14-M20, rSm14-T20, and rSm14-A20) present a predominant β-barrel structure as shown by CD spectroscopy. Thermal and urea unfolding studies evidenced a higher structural stability of rSm14-M20 over the other forms (rSm14-M20>rSm14-T20>rSm14-A20). All of the Sm14 proteins were able to bind 11-(dansylamino)undecanoic acid (DAUDA) without substantial difference in the binding affinity. However, rSm14-M20 exhibited a higher affinity for natural fatty acids than the rSm14-T20 and rSm14-A20 proteins as judged by competitive experiments against DAUDA (rSm14-M20>rSm14-T20>rSm14-A20). The rSm14-M20 or rSm14-T20 isoforms but not the rSm14-A20 mutant was able to induce significant protection against S. mansoni cercariae challenge in immunized mice. The level of protection efficacy correlates with the extent of structure stability of the recombinant Sm14 isoforms and mutant.


This study was carried out to evaluate the protective role of borax (BX) on genotoxicity induced by aluminum (Al) in rat liver, using liver micronucleus assay as an indicator of genotoxicity. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly separated into six groups and each group had four animals. Aluminum chloride (AlCl3; 5 mg/kg b.w.) and BX (3.25 and 13 mg/kg b.w.) were injected intraperitoneally to rats. Besides, animals were also treated with Al for 4 consecutive days followed by BX for 10 days. Rats were anesthetized after Al and BX injections and the hepatocytes were isolated for counting the number of micronucleated hepatocytes (MNHEPs). AlCl3 was found to significantly (p < 0.05) increase the number of MNHEPs. Rats treated with BX, however, showed no increase in MNHEPs. Moreover, simultaneous treatments with BX significantly modulated the genotoxic effects of AlCl3 in rats. It can be concluded that BX has beneficial influences and has the ability to antagonize Al toxicity.


As of January 2020, all Finnish pupils are to start their foreign language studies in the first grade. This study examined the effects of early language teaching by comparing pupils in grades 1, 2 and 3. The pupils had started studying English in August 2017 and had all had roughly the same number of English lessons by the time of the study in early 2018. The study examined pupils' attitudes towards English and studying English as well as how pupils use English in their free time. Pupils also self-assessed their English skills and completed vocabulary and text segmentation tasks. The results show that the pupils had an overall positive attitude towards English and language learning. Analyses of pupils' language skills and extramural use of English revealed statistically significant differences between 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders. Findings and their possible explanations are discussed.


While most writing on caste emanates from South Asia, there are other countries and cultures that operate under this feudal yet enduring system, Japan being one of them. The Japanese group who bear this yoke are called the Burakumin, individuals who have for generations inherited their outcaste status largely through the professions of their ancestors. Access to these communities is not only extremely difficult for "outsiders" but is also fraught with contradictions, as support is welcomed but the interpretation of what is found is scrutinized for political correctness. The Burakumin are a creation of Japanese history, but the experience of discrimination is all too real. The research for this essay involved several years of engagement with numerous schools and community organizations throughout Japan in areas with large populations of Burakumin. In particular, my focus was on the teachers and scholars who had committed their lives to working with Burakumin youth while simultaneously educating the larger society of Japan in changing a feudal mindset. This paper presents narratives of some of these individuals and the reciprocal impact of their work on their lives and those with whom they worked.


BACKGROUND
Bacteroides forsythus, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia are Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that are currently considered potential periopathogens. Prevotella nigrescens has recently been separated from P. intermedia and its rôle in periodontitis is unknown. The erm(F) gene codes for an rRNA methylase, conferring resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (MLSB), and the tet(Q) gene for a ribosomal protection protein, conferring resistance to tetracycline. The presence of these resistance genes could impair the use of antibiotics for therapy.

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to determine the carriage of erm(F) and tet(Q), and genetic variability of 12 Porphyromonas gingivalis, 10 Prevotella intermedia, 25 Prevotella nigrescens and 17 Bacteroides forsythus isolates from 9 different patient samples.

METHODS
We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting antibiotic resistance genes, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for detecting genetic variability among the isolates.

RESULTS
Thirty-one (48%) isolates were resistant to both erythromycin and tetracycline and carried the erm(F) and tet(Q) genes, eight (13%) were tetracycline resistant and carried the tet(Q) gene, 9 (14%) were erythromycin resistant and carried the erm(F) gene, and 12 (19%) isolates did not carry antibiotic resistance genes. PFGE was used to compare isolates from the same patient and isolates from different patient samples digested with XbaI. No association was found between antibiotic resistance gene carriage and PFGE patterns in any species examined. All isolates of the same species from the same patient had highly related or identical PFGE patterns. Isolates of same species from different patients had unique PFGE pattern for each species tested.

CONCLUSION
All isolates of the same species from any one patient were genetically related to each other but distinct from isolates from other patients, and 66% of the patients carried antibiotic resistant isolates, which could impair antibiotic therapy.


Further results are given for the problem of a vertical electric dipole situated over a horizontally stratified conductor. It is pointed out that under certain conditions the surface-wave field intensity for a stratified conducting ground is greater than the corresponding case for a perfectly conducting ground. Numerical values for the attenuation factor are also given.


We analyze the inter-relationships between body weight outcomes and food expenditures among older Europeans using a simultaneous equation model. Several statistical tests were conducted to assess endogeneity of selected variables, the exogeneity, relevance, and validity of instruments used, and the identification of the model. Our results generally suggest, contrary to normative views, that food-away-from-home expenditure is negatively related to body mass index (BMI). BMI is negatively related to the percentage of food spent away from home.


Salinity is one of the most significant environmental stresses for sustainable crop production in major arable lands of the globe. Thus, we conducted experiments with 27 tomato genotypes to screen for salinity tolerance at seedling stage, which were treated with non-salinized (S1) control (18.2 mM NaCl) and salinized (S2) (200 mM NaCl) irrigation water. In all genotypes, the elevated salinity treatment contributed to a major depression in morphological and physiological characteristics; however, a smaller decrease was found in certain tolerant genotypes. Principal component analyses (PCA) and clustering with percentage reduction in growth parameters and different salt tolerance indices classified the tomato accessions into five key clusters. In particular, the tolerant genotypes were assembled into one cluster. The growth and tolerance indices PCA also showed the order of salt-tolerance of the studied genotypes, where Saniora was the most tolerant genotype and P.Guyu was the most susceptible genotype. To investigate the possible biochemical basis for salt stress tolerance, we further characterized six tomato genotypes with varying levels of salinity tolerance. A higher increase in proline content, and antioxidants activities were observed for the salt-tolerant genotypes in comparison to the susceptible genotypes. Salt-tolerant genotypes identified in this work herald a promising source in the tomato improvement program or for grafting as scions with improved salinity tolerance in tomato.


The linear and nonlinear optical susceptibilities of unreconstructed and reconstructed $(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ Si(111) clean and hydrogen covered surfaces were studied by application of an ab initio approach, namely the self-consistent full potential linearized augmented plane-wave method within the local-density approximation. The components of the susceptibility tensor for the clean surfaces calculated as a function of the incident photon energy reveal prominent features in the energy range below 2 eV which are attributed to optical resonances associated with surface states. The calculated data are consistent with previous experimental and theoretical works. An ab initio technique was used to derive the second harmonic response as a function of the polarization angle of the incident light. The polarization angle dependence of the calculated second harmonic intensity of $(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ Si(111) agrees well with experimental data which could now be interpreted.


The current development of renewable energies has originated a number of new structural typologies that are the physical support of the energy production systems. Photovoltaic energy is a very mature source and it is obtained using rows of panels implemented in a longitudinal grillage. Many studies have been carried out in the past with an aim to improve the capacity to obtain electrical power, but another important issue is the need to guarantee the performance of these industrial facilities under the phenomena induced by the turbulent wind flow, taking into account the fact that they are usually built in wide open spaces. This paper describes an extensive research carried out on two configurations of solar trackers by experimental and computational methods. The former was composed of a number of tests of reduced models of segments of the solar trackers, which were carried out in an aerodynamic wind tunnel. The latter consisted of a series of structural analyses worked out through a finite element model of the full panel subjected to aerodynamic and aeroelastic loads. Several angles of attack of the wind flow and a wide range of wind speeds were included in the study. This approach allowed to clearly evaluate the structural and dynamic performance of both the configurations of solar trackers under the most important wind-induced phenomena such as vortex shedding, torsional divergence, and flutter. The paper relates the phases of the study and informs about the more relevant numerical results obtained in the experiments and the computer analysis.


half truths, and on top of this, it does not give the sources of the known data. Allow me to quote some examples. "A review of the literature shows no evidence ...."-of course not, how could it. Our (statistical) science never proves anything. It indicates "significance." "Experienced otologists do not agree on the time . . ." is only true if one stopped reading the relevant literature five years ago. Today they do agree; surgery should be undertaken as soon as progressive denervation is found. "Once degeneration of the nerve has begun, decompression cannot help." Many authors suggesting the positive influence of decompression in well selected cases of Bell's palsy have stated that degeneration is not an end state, but a dynamic process. It is certainly possible to save a number of living fibres when the first symptoms of denervation of some other fibres become evident. "Secondly, the lesion may be proximal to the site of the operation . . . ." This remark is based on the wrong idea that the compression takes place inside the bony Fallopian canal. In reality it has been shown many years ago1 that only in the vertical part of the facial nerve the sheath is very thick and without elastic fibres; the rest of the sheath is thin and elastic. In the entire course of the bony canal the space inside the bone is ample and compression is very unlikely. In some 300 cases I have never seen compression more central than the site of the stapes. "J. Groves . . . found five cases to do worse" is an ambiguous argument. In a leading article such an argument without any statistical analysis is unacceptable. If the author of the article had read the recent international literature, he would have found figures indicating that statistics in some better evaluated groups point to significant positive influence of surgery in well selected cases of Bell's paralysis. If McGovern and co-workers2 and Jain and Sharma3 are quoted as defenders of a hypothesis on the aetiology of Bell's palsy, why not quote their experimental work which suggests (on statistical grounds) that decompression has a very favourable effect on various traumas inflicted upon facial nerves included artificial oedema of the facial nerve? "Taverner and colleagues with special experience-(why this distinction of one group of workers?)-have shown how to prevent..X Why doesn't the author, so critical when he discusses the surgery of Bell's palsy, warn the reader that the groups which these authors compare are not completely comparable? Finally, it is well known and accepted even by those who do not favour surgery that surgical decompression takes away the often severe spontaneous pain. I have never heard any complaints about the pain inflicted by the operation. Usually patients disliked electrical treatment more than the operation.-I am, etc., L. B. W. JONGKEES.


The recognition of prior learning and work experience (RPL&WBE) in coach development is a fundamental part of project CoachLearn. CoachLearn is co-funded by Erasmus+ under the Strategic Partnerships Action within Key Action 2 – Cooperation and Innovation for Good Practices. It seeks to enhance sport coaches' learning, mobility and employment through the development of a European Sport Coaching Framework. This report provides an introduction to the topic and subsequently presents the findings from a survey aimed at gathering the views of a cross-section of coach education stakeholders across the European Union. Stakeholders represented in the sample included national lead coaching organisations, national Olympic committees, national and international governing bodies of sport and vocational and higher education institutions. The main objectives were to identify key challenges faced by organisations in relation to RPL&WBE and existing models of good practice. Central to this goal was defining major factor for the development of successful systems.


A pulse-echo technique, based on ultrasonic "long-bar" mode (LBM) velocity measurements, working up to 1700°C is described. Magnetostrictive transducers and ultrasonic lines used in a 40-350 kHz frequency range are detailed. The conditions of choice of fundamental parameters (frequency, line geometry, sample size) are discussed in relation with the nature and the microstructure of the materials under test. This technique can be used to study the variations of elastic moduli of materials at high temperature.


ABSTRACT Two new genera of goblin spiders from Madagascar, Noideattella, new genus, and Tolegnaro, new genus, are described with 11 and two species respectively. Noideattella includes N. assumptia, new combination (transferred from Silhouettella), and 10 new species: N. amboa, N. famafa, N. fantara, N. farihy, N. gamela, N. lakana, N. mamba, N. saka, N. tany, and N. tsiba. Tolegnaro includes two new species: T. sagani and T. kepleri. A phylogenetic data matrix of 436 terminals and 341 morphological characters was extracted from the Goblin Spider Planetary Biodiversity Inventory (PBI) descriptive database. The monophyly of Noideattella and Tolegnaro was tested in a phylogenetic analysis of this matrix. In this analysis other oonopid genera recently revised were also recovered as monophyletic and with high support values. A key for all species described here is provided. Noideattella species can be differentiated by having the pars cephalica strongly elevated in lateral view, forming a posterior cone, tibia and metatarsi with spines, and abdomen completely covered by scuta. Tolegnaro species in addition present plumose seta around the pedicel area.


Objective: To determine whether petrolatum or aqueous vehicles are more sensitive for detecting allergy to imidazolidinylurea (IU), diazolidinylurea (DU), and dimethylol dimethyl hydantoin (DM). The relationship of these allergens to formaldehyde sensitivity was also explored. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients patch‐tested by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group. All patients were simultaneously tested to seven allergens (formaldehyde, IU in petrolatum [pet], IU aqueous [aq], DU pet, DU aq, DM pet, and DM aq). Data were analyzed in pairs with various "gold standard" definitions of "true allergy" and adjusting for correlated data. Results: Reaction to at least one of the seven allergens occurred in 2,398 patients. In all cases except one (which just approached statistical significance), the petrolatum‐based allergen was statistically significantly more sensitive than the same allergen in an aqueous base. Most of the patients allergic to the three preservatives were also allergic to formaldehyde, but most formaldehy‐deallergic patients were not allergic to the IU, DU, or DM. Conclusion: Of these two vehicles, petrolatum is significantly more sensitive than an aqueous vehicle is for detecting allergy to IU, DU, and DM.


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The Aims of Study: to study the effect of interaction of dental stone with tap water and physically magnetized water on two
periods of time 24h and 12h to study the change in the physical properties of final product.
Materials and Methods: We started prepare no. of control samples and other of samples interacted with physically magnetized
water for two periods of time 24h and 12h, then we studied the liner setting expansion and compressive strength.
Results: Results obtained from comparing control sample with that treated with physically magnetized water showed an
increase in the compressive strength of physically magnetized group and decrease of linear setting expansion in comparison
with that of control sample.
Conclusion: Reaction of dental stone with physically magnetized water lead to change in some physical properties of
dental stone.


One Nation, Underprivileged: Why American Poverty Affects Us All. Mark Robert Rank. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press. 2004. 368 pp. ISBN 0-19-510168-5. $29.95 (cloth). In One Nation, Underprivileged, Mark Rank addresses three specific questions. What are the fundamental causes of poverty in America? Why is poverty an issue of vital concern to all of us? And what can we do to eradicate poverty in this country? In answering these questions, Rank does not pull any punches. He argues that high rates of poverty in a rich nation are morally indefensible. Rank exhorts us to make a better case to the American public and to our leaders that it is in everyone's self-interest to eliminate poverty. And he argues passionately that the American people and its leaders must find the political will to act decisively on behalf of poor people. In addressing the first question, Rank proposes a "new framework" for understanding the dynamics of American poverty. He claims that previous research has focused on individual deficiencies-bad choices, laziness, or immoral values of the poor. Instead, Rank argues that dominant causes of poverty are located in changing structural conditions (e.g., industrial restructuring or lack of good schools). Indeed, we should not blame poor people for their circumstances; society is mostly at fault. Although Rank argues this point persuasively with the usual arguments (e.g., a large segment of the poor population are children, the elderly, and the disabled), his is hardly a new framework but one to which most poverty scholars wholeheartedly embrace. And this structural view of poverty is not limited to liberal social scientists; the American public also acknowledges the clear role of structural conditions in perpetuating poverty. A recent NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School poll (http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/poll/ poverty/staticresults1.html) asked the following question of a nationally representative sample of adult respondents: In your opinion, which is the bigger cause of poverty today-that people are not doing enough to help themselves out of poverty or that circumstances beyond their control cause them to be poor? The responses were split roughly equally between "people not doing enough" (48%) and "circumstances" (45%). The second third of One Nation, Underprivileged is easily the most interesting and innovative. Why should we care about poverty? Rank argues that it is in our individual and collective self-interest to address the question of poverty. Based on his empirical analysis, most of us will experience poverty during our lifetime and require help from others. Poverty also "costs" the American taxpayer in crime, welfare, and civic involvement. Furthermore, Rank believes that our Judeo-Christian value system requires a strong response to poverty. He quotes religious scripture from the Old Testament (e.g., "Happy are those who consider the poor" from Psalm 41) and the New ("What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?"). It is not obvious that such arguments hold sway with the American public. After all, John Kerry made similar moral arguments during the 2004 presidential campaign, but many voters (especially Evangelical Christians) responded to a much narrower moral agenda focused on gay marriage and abortion. …


This is one of a series of seven in-depth country studies on maize production systems in Asia, funded by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). It is part of a project designed to promote sustainable intensification of maize production systems while ensuring equitable income growth and improved food security, especially for poor households that depend on maize. Maize is one of five major crops grown in the uplands of Thailand, along with rice, cassava, sugar cane, and rubber trees. Government-promoted crop diversification, increased population growth, improved transportation networks, inter national trade, expansion of upland farming areas, and increased demand for grains from the domestic livestock and poultry industry stimulated Thailand's maize production beginning in the 1980s. However, Thailand's domestic maize supply is currently not sufficient to meet the needs of its in-country demands, and small quantities have to be imported. Rapid economic growth and accelerated urbanization are expected to create an even higher demand for maize in Thailand. This trend will lead to the intensification of current maize production systems, with more land being shifted to maize production, particularly in marginal areas. Thailand's challenge is to produce more maize for an expanding market, while preserving the natural resource base and the environment through careful agricultural planning. Effective policy design and implementation must be based on comprehensive, accurate data on the current state of maize-based farming systems. This study characterized the social and biophysical maize production environment of Thailand; examined its response to increasing maize demand; determined constraints to future productivity growth; indicated the potential envir onmental consequences, and examined the options available for promoting sustainable growth in maize production.


Because of its environmental damage and now often being the most expensive source for electricity production, coal use is declining throughout the United States. Michigan has no active coal mining and seemingly supportive legislation for distributed generation (DG) and renewable energy (RE) technologies. However, Michigan still derives approximately half of its power production from large centralized coal plants, despite the availability of much lower cost RE DG technologies. To understand this conundrum, this study reviews how Michigan investor owned utilities utilize their political power to perpetuate utility structures that work toward the financial interests of the utilities rather than the best interests of the state's electricity consumers, including other firms and residents. Background is provided covering the concept of DG, the cost savings associated with DG, and utility regulatory regimes at the national, regional, state, and local levels. Recent case studies from specific utility strategies are provided in order to illustrate how Michigan utilities manipulate regulatory regimes via policy misinterpretation to deter or hinder the proliferation of DG in favor of maintaining the existing interests in centralized, fossil fuel-based electrical energy production. The results of this study demonstrate how DG proliferation is hindered by Michigan regulated utilities via the exercise of political power within existing legal and regulatory regimes. This highlights the need to think about how utilities may interpret and implement rules when designing energy legislation and policy to maximize the benefits for consumers and society. Policy recommendations and alternate strategies are provided to help enhance the role of energy policy to improve rather than limit the utilization of RE DG.


The highly conserved operon iron–sulfur cluster (iscSUA) is essential for the general biogenesis and transfer of iron–sulfur proteins in bacteria. In this study, expression, purification and characterization of the proteins of the isc operon (iscSUA) of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 was studied. Assembly and transfer of [Fe4S4] in vitro during the isc proteins and other iron sulfur proteins was studied in order to detect the pathway and mechanism of [Fe4S4] assembly and transfer in vivo. The [Fe4S4] cluster was successfully assembled in iron-sulfur proteins in vitro in the presence of Fe2+ and sulfide, and it was successfully transferred from IscA or IscU to iron- sulfur proteins. Our results support and extend certain models of iron-sulfur clusters assembly and transfer.


The aftermath of the financial crisis has shone an even brighter spotlight on trading and the ways in which investment managers try to achieve "best execution." Although it is difficult to define "best execution." it is easier to evaluate trading execution by breaking it down to the individual components. In order to accurately measure the components of trading execution, the investment manager must have accurate data capture. An order management system that captures the time stamps from the life of the execution is imperative. Even when data are accurately captured, it is difficult to compare managers using different systems, so using common benchmarks to measure trading execution is standard practice. To measure trading cost versus standard benchmarks such as volume-weighted average price (VWAP), percentage participation volume-weighted average price (PVWAP), or implementation shortfall versus expected impact, one must break down the components of trade size, price, time horizon, as well as include commission and settlement costs. Even though commission is typically less than market impact cost, it is much more variable in today9s environment than in "the old days" of five or six cents a share across every broker. Because of the different trading venues and ways in which execution can be achieved, commission rates vary significantly from manager to manager and across brokers. Understanding how an investment manager interacts with brokers and trading venues and comparing the inputs to the trading execution allows for a better determination of whether an investment manager is pursuing "best execution."


In patients with congestive heart failure, high serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-18 were reported. A positive correlation was described between serum IL-18 levels and the disease severity. IL-18 has also been shown to induce atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) gene expression in adult cardiomyocytes. Because re-expression of the fetal gene ANF is mostly associated with hypertrophy, a hallmark of heart failure, we hypothesized that IL-18 induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Treatment of the cardiomyocyte cell line HL-1 with IL-18 induced hypertrophy as characterized by increases in protein synthesis, phosphorylated p70 S6 kinase, and ribosomal S6 protein levels as well as cell surface area. Furthermore, IL-18 induced ANF gene transcription in a time-dependent manner as evidenced by increased ANF secretion and ANF promoter-driven reporter gene activity. Investigation into possible signal transduction pathways mediating IL-18 effects revealed that IL-18 activates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), an effect that was blocked by wortmannin and LY-294002. IL-18 induced Akt phosphorylation and stimulated its activity, effects that were abolished by Akt inhibitor or knockdown. IL-18 stimulated GATA4 DNA binding activity and increased transcription of a reporter gene driven by multimerized GATA4-binding DNA elements. Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown studies revealed that IL-18 induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ANF gene transcription via PI3K, PDK1, Akt, and GATA4. Most importantly, IL-18 induced ANF gene transcription and hypertrophy of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes via PI3K-, Akt-, and GATA4-dependent signaling. Together these data provide the first evidence that IL-18 induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via PI3K-dependent signaling, defines a mechanism of IL-18-mediated ANF gene transcription, and further supports a role for IL-18 in inflammatory heart diseases including heart failure.