Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a perennial flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae, cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world including Iran. During a survey in spring and summer of 2016, symptoms of leaf spots on M. sativa were observed in an area of more than 20 ha in Hamadan province, Iran. It was estimated that 50-60% of plants were damaged by this disease. Leaf spots were small, dark brown, 0.3- 0.5 cm in diameter. Small pieces of infected tissues were taken from the margins of spots and after surface-disinfection, they were transferred to Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) at 25°C. The isolates were purified and were transferred onto Oat Meal Agar (OA). On this medium aerial mycelium consisting of subhyaline, branched, septate, smooth, 2–3 µm wide hyphae, produced globose to subglobose, dark brown to black pycnidia. Conidia were hyaline, smooth to punctate, 1-celled, and cylindrical to subcylindrical, straight with rounded apex and truncate base, and measured 12-20 × 3-5 µm. Morphological characteristics of our isolates were in agreement with the description for Chaetopyrena penicillata (Arzanlou and Khodaei, 2012). Pathogenicity tests were performed three times. Medicago leaves were sprayed with conidial suspension (1×106 spores/ml), while control plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water Symptoms were reproduced 10 days after inoculation and C. penicillata was consistently reisolated from artificially infected plants only, To confirm the morphological identification, the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1, ITS2, and 5.8s gene) of rDNA were amplified with the primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced (White et al., 1990). The sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KY681683) and BLAST search showed 99% similarity with sequence belonging to C. penicillata (JQ663990.1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot caused by C. penicillata on M. sativa in Iran.


Compare investigate physicochemical properties of fine powder and two ultrafine powders of Dragon's Blood, and then to determinate particle size distribution for ultrafine powders of Dragon's Blood. Specific surface area and porosity, surface morphology and moisture absorption of Dragon's Blood powders were investigated. The content and the in vitro dissolution of dracorhodin in Dragon's Blood powders were determined by HPLC. The results showed that the content of dracorhodin had no significant difference among three Dragon's Blood powders. With the decreasing of particle size the degree of moisture decreased. The dissolution of dracorhodin in the order of: ultrafine powder I > ultrafine powder II > fine powder. An appropriate degree of superfine grinding can improve moisture absorption of Dragon's Blood powders and dissolution of dracorhodin. Particle size distribution of Dragon's Blood ultrafine powder should be controlled about 40 μm.


The heart is a complex biological system in which electrical activation signals initiate at the pacemaker cells, propagate through the heart tissue to both trigger and synchronise the mechanical contractions. Abnormalities in the cardiac electrical signals lead to dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, understanding the functionalities of the cardiac electrical activity is essential for the development of novel techniques to facilitate advanced diagnosis and treatment for arrhythmia.

By combining experimental or clinical electrophysiology data with mathematical models, system theoretic approaches can be used to provide quantitative insights into the normal and pathological mechanisms of the cardiac electrical activity. This thesis proposes model-based estimation methods to reconstruct and quantify the underlying spatiotemporal cardiac electrical dynamics from the cardiac electrogram measurements.
Firstly, a statistical model-based estimation framework is proposed to reconstruct the tissue dynamics from the cardiac electrogram measurements. The reconstruction of the tissue dynamics is based on an integrated model of cardiac electrical activity, which incorporates the cardiac action potential dynamics at the cell-level, tissue-level and extracellular-level.
The dynamics of the cardiac tissue is described using the monodomain tissue model, which is coupled with the continuous version of modified Mitchell-Schaeffer model. The resulting model equations are of infinite-dimensional form, which is converted into a finite-dimensional state-space representation via a model reduction method. In order to estimate the hidden state variables of the tissue dynamics from the cardiac electrogram measurements, a combined detection-estimation framework using a single filter unscented-transform based smoothing algorithm is proposed. The detection step in the proposed method enables the inclusion of localised stimulus events into the model-based estimation framework. The performance of the proposed algorithms are demonstrated using the modelled cardiac activation patterns of normal and reentrant conditions, in both one-dimensional and two-dimensional tissue field. The findings from this proposed study illustrate that the hidden state variables of the tissue model can be estimated from the electrogram measurements, simultaneously by detecting the stimulus events. Therefore, this method shows that the complex spatiotemporal cardiac activity can be reconstructed from the coarse electrograms using the state estimation methods.
Secondly, a complex network modelling approach is proposed to quantify the spatiotemporal organisation of electrical activation during human ventricular fibrillation. The proposed network modelling approach includes three different methods based on correlation analysis, graph theoretical measures and hierarchical clustering. Using the proposed approach, the level of spatiotemporal organisation is quantified during three episodes of VF in ten patients, recorded using multi-electrode epicardial recordings with 30 s coronary perfusion, 150 s global myocardial ischaemia and 30 s reflow. The findings show a steady decline in spatiotemporal organisation from the onset of VF with coronary perfusion. Following this, a transient increases in spatiotemporal organisation is observed during global myocardial ischaemia. However, the decline in spatiotemporal organisation continued during reflow. The results are consistent across all patients, and are consistent with the numbers of phase singularities. The findings show that the complex spatiotemporal patterns can be studied using complex network analysis.


Quality, processing ability and sensory properties of milk are highly correlated with content and composition of milk fat. Biologically active lipid substances are primarily saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs; linoleic acid; C18:2 n-6) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; α-linolenic acid; C18:3 n-3). PUFAs with 20C, mainly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C20:5 n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; SC22:6 n-3), are precursors of eicosanoids, which regulate various physiological processes. Fatty acid composition depends on many different factors, such as animal species, breed, season, lactation stage, geographical location, and diet. Goat and sheep milk are rich in the medium chain fatty acids, caproic (C6:0), caprylic (C8:0) and capric (C10:0), which is the reason for the specific aroma of those kinds of milk. Goat and sheep milk have more conjugated linoleic acid, and usually lower n-6/n-3 ratios, with higher amounts of α-linolenic acid, compared to cow milk. Compared to goat and cow milk, sheep milk has the lowest amounts of lauric (C12:0), myristic (C14:0) and palmitic (C16:0) acids i.e. fatty acids associated with negative effects on human health. The addition of forage, especially fresh grass, to dairy animal diets enhances the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat compared to SFAs and increases the amount of conjugated linoleic acid.


Herein, we performed ab initio calculations to study the structural strain in graphene by non-planar substitution of a polar BeO molecule and analyzed its effect on electronic and magnetic structures. Two modes of doping, i.e., Be within graphene plane (replaced with C atom) with O upright (outside the plane) and vice versa, were investigated in both spin-polarized and non-spin-polarized modes. The resultant strain demolished the sp2 hybridization, leading to some interesting effects in the electronic structure. A significant distortion in the structures of the system was realized. It is observed that such a structure distortion causes the induction of energy gaps of varying nature (direct as well as indirect). The highest value of band gap (0.44 eV) is observed in the case where the O atom of the BeO molecule remains drilled through the graphene structure. It is observed that despite the dopant being polar, spin-polarized calculations do not give remarkably different results relative to their non-spin polarized counterpart as no magnetic moment was recorded after inducing spin-polarization. In addition, bonding mechanisms have been discussed for all the cases elaborating significant variations with changes in the BeO orientation as well as the nature of calculations. The amount of band-gap that varies between 0.31 to 0.44 eV is suitable for employing such systems in the manufacturing of field effect transistors. Moreover, the results indicate the possibility of using these systems in the vast field of nano-electronic and spintronic devices. Increasing the supercell size reduces the band gap due to a decrease in concentration.


The additive manufacture of polymer optical elements has the promise of reducing component weight, providing new design capabilities, and enhanced performance for a wide variety of military and commercial optical systems. This paper reviews progress in the development of 3d printed Gradient Index (GRIN) lenses and optical phase masks. The 3d printing process uses a modified commercial inkjet printer and UV curable polymers that have specific nanoparticles added to them to modulate the index of refraction. Complex optical phase masks for the generation of Airy laser beams and polymer GRIN lenses to replace conventional glass lenses used in a telescope or riflescope are created. The generation and propagation of Airy beams using these polymer generated optical phase masks has been investigated and analyzed through experimentation, simulations, and comparison with recent theoretical predictions. Airy beams have been generated using the conventional approach using a spatial light modulator and compared to the 3d printed optical phase masks. The maximum non-diffracting propagation distance of an aperture truncated Airy beam was experimentally measured. The results show that the maximum non-diffracting propagation distance of a laboratory generated Airy beam is proportional to x0 2 , the Airy beam waist size squared. The size of the Gaussian envelope beam has a weaker effect on the Airy beam propagation distance. The experimental results were compared with current theoretical models. A set of 1 inch diameter 100 mm focal length polymer GRIN lenses have been made using 3d printing. Transmission and modulation transfer function (MTF) results for the lenses is reported.


The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the main obstacles for therapies targeting brain diseases. Most macromolecules fail to pass the tight BBB, formed by brain endothelial cells interlinked by tight junctions. A wide range of small, lipid-soluble molecules can enter the brain parenchyma via diffusion, whereas macromolecules have to transcytose via vesicular transport. Vesicular transport can thus be utilized as a strategy to deliver brain therapies. By conjugating BBB targeting antibodies and peptides to therapeutic molecules or nanoparticles, it is possible to increase uptake into the brain. Previously, the synthetic peptide GYR and a peptide derived from melanotransferrin (MTfp) have been suggested as candidates for mediating transcytosis in brain endothelial cells (BECs). Here we study uptake, intracellular trafficking, and translocation of these two peptides in BECs. The peptides were synthesized, and binding studies to purified endocytic receptors were performed using surface plasmon resonance. Furthermore, the peptides were conjugated to a fluorophore allowing for live-cell imaging studies of their uptake into murine brain endothelial cells. Both peptides bound to low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) and the human transferrin receptor, while lower affinity was observed against the murine transferrin receptor. The MTfp showed a higher binding affinity to all receptors when compared to the GYR peptide. The peptides were internalized by the bEnd.3 mouse endothelial cells within 30 min of incubation and frequently co-localized with endo-lysosomal vesicles. Moreover, our in vitro Transwell translocation experiments confirmed that GYR was able to cross the murine barrier and indicated the successful translocation of MTfp. Thus, despite binding to endocytic receptors with different affinities, both peptides are able to transcytose across the murine BECs.


Background
The clinical triad of fever, pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy was first described in 1889 as "glandular fever" and later defined as infectious mononucleosis. We present a case report and review of mononucleosis-like syndromes in an immunocompetent patient. The review of common etiologies includes Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Toxoplasmosis gondii.
Case Vignette
A 37-year- old, immunocompetent female presented with a three-week history of fever, pharyngitis, fatigue, night sweats, and abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed hepatosplenomegaly, but no lymphadenopathy, rashes, or tender joints. Investigations showed lymphocytosis and a normal peripheral smear. A Hematology consultation excluded hematologic malignancy. Her CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.2 in keeping with a viral infection, but EBV monospot test was negative. Serology for hepatitis B and C were negative. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing was not done in the absence of risk factors. Quantitative PCR for CMV was positive with a value of 965.25 units/mL. The patient was diagnosed with CMV viremia and treated with a two-week course of valganciclovir with resolution of symptoms. A two-month follow-up revealed a normal complete blood count and resolving hepatosplenomegaly.
Conclusions
In immunocompetent patients presenting with symptoms of mononucleosis, the differential diagnosis should include EBV, CMV, HHV-6, acute HIV and Toxoplasmosis gondii. CMV commonly affects young patients and is less associated with tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy. HHV-6 can present with headaches, encephalitis, and abdominal pain. Consideration of acute HIV mononucleosis should prompt early serologic testing. Toxoplasmosis is often associated with undercooked food or cat excrement, requiring anti-IgM antibody testing to distinguish from EBV. Although EBV infectious mononucleosis may be suspected, the general practitioner should consider a complete review of other infectious etiologies.


Three-dimensional (3D) thermal profiling setup was developed for an experimental Vapour Phase Soldering (VPS) station to identify vapour and heat propagation. The VPS process was inspected during the heating up period, considering vapour-mist blanket [1] generation. The effective space used for soldering inside the soldering chamber (above the level of Galden liquid) was profiled using a grid of thermocouples. The grid was constructed on a planar two-dimensional (2D) frame with Type K thermocouples. Instead of a 3D construction planar and symmetric 2D geometry was used to maintain low additional thermal capacitances of the frame. This frame fixed the thermocouples inside the chamber. The planar grid was moved to specific vertical coordinates before each measurement. Parameters of the station (initial liquid temperature, Galden type, Galden volume/mass, heating power) were controlled to achieve uniform processes for each vertical height setting of the 2D plane. Results of 2D profiling at specific heights were then superposed to receive data for a 3D temperature map at a given time point. Additional data was also gathered to expand knowledge of thermal properties inside the experimental station. Data was gathered with ten channel batched data-acquisition. Thermal maps were displayed using Origin software.


We derive an exact expression for the radiation pressure of a quasi-monochromatic plane wave incident from the free space onto the flat surface of a semi-infinite dielectric medium. In order to account for the total optical momentum (incident plus reflected) that is transferred to the dielectric, the mechanical momentum acquired by the medium must be added to the rate of flow of the electromagnetic momentum (the so-called Abraham momentum) inside the dielectric. We confirm that the electromagnetic momentum travels with the group velocity of light inside the medium. The photon drag effect in which the photons captured in a semiconductor appear to have the Minkowski momentum is explained by analyzing a model system consisting of a thin absorptive layer embedded in a transparent dielectric.


Long-chain saturated fatty acids (C13 to C18) and fatty alcohols (C12 to C18) were well utilized by three different soil isolates of Cladosporium resinae as the sole carbon and energy sources in static liquid cultures. Shorter-chain compounds, down to C5, did not support growth and were in fact toxic towards the fungus growing on glucose. Rapid and considerable potassium efflux, protein leakage, and inhibition of endogenous respiration were observed in the presence of the shorter fatty acids and alcohols. Possible mechanisms and significance of the toxicity are discussed.


This report investigates inductive power transfer with resonance for wireless charging of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The inspiration for the topic came from the paper "Basic experimental study on helical antennas of wireless power transfer for Electric Vehicles by using magnetic resonant couplings" by T. Imura, H. Okabe and Y. Hory [7]. The paper presents laboratory results of more than 97% power transfer efficiency at a distance between the coils of up to 20 cm. The coils used are air cored and the frequency is in the MHz range, the largest amount of power that was transferred was 100 W. For charging the battery of an EV in a reasonable amount of time, the power has to be high; in the kW range. When such high power is to be transferred, MHz switching frequencies will be a problem for the semiconductor switches of the power supply. Therefore, it is interesting to investigate the feasibility of wireless power transfer at lower operating frequencies. In this master thesis inductive power transfer by use of resonance are studied for the frequency range; 3-20 kHz. A prototype of the resonant circuit has been built in the laboratory. In order to increase the flux density and guide the flux, each of the coils is wound on a Ferrite E-core. The load is modelled by a resistor. A half-bridge inverter has been designed and built, and is used as power supply for the system. The efficiency of power transfer for the prototype is more than 65% for a distance between the coils of up to 7.5 cm. The power transferred is about 14 W. The power can be increased by building a system with higher component ratings. The conclusion of this thesis is that inductive power transfer with resonance seems relevant for further research.


The authors present an electrochemically controlled, drug releasing neural interface composed of a glassy carbon (GC) microelectrode array combined with a multilayer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coating. The system integrates the high stability of the GC electrode substrate, ideal for electrical stimulation and electrochemical detection of neurotransmitters, with the on-demand drug-releasing capabilities of PEDOT-dexamethasone compound, through a mechanically stable interlayer of PEDOT-polystyrene sulfonate (PSS)-carbon nanotubes (CNT). The authors demonstrate that such interlayer improves both the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the neural interface, when compared with a single PEDOT-dexamethasone coating. Moreover, the multilayer coating is able to withstand 10 × 106 biphasic pulses and delamination test with negligible change to the impedance spectra. Cross-section scanning electron microscopy images support that the PEDOT-PSS-CNT interlayer significantly improves the adhesion between the GC substrate and PEDOT-dexamethasone coating, showing no discontinuities between the three well-interconnected layers. Furthermore, the multilayer coating has superior electrochemical properties, in terms of impedance and charge transfer capabilities as compared to a single layer of either PEDOT coating or the GC substrate alone. The authors verified the drug releasing capabilities of the PEDOT-dexamethasone layer when integrated into the multilayer interface through repeated stimulation protocols in vitro, and found a pharmacologically relevant release of dexamethasone.


This study aims to investigate the dynamics of the effects of world crude oil prices and world rice prices on Indonesia's inflation rate in the period between January 2004 and September 2015. Monthly time series data spanning from January 2004 to September 2015 are analyzed using difference equation model as the econometric tool. Test result shows that there existed a dynamic effect of world oil crude prices and world rice prices on inflation rate in Indonesia. The World crude oil prices positively affected the inflation rate in that each 1% increase (decrease) in the world crude oil prices caused the inflation rate to go up (drop) by 0.33%. The world rice prices also positively affected the inflation rate, where each 1% increase (decrease) in world rice prices was followed by a 0.52% rise (fall) of the inflation rate.


The result of each measurement consists big or small measurement uncertainty. Many sources of uncertainty, especially in industry measurements, are not well studied and require further researchment. Therefore, it is important to have good knowledge about measurement uncertainty in order to minimize as much as possible.
The results of performed analyse and the study of the opportunities for application of the method of linear regression for determination the calibration curve of the measurement device are presented in this paper. The researchment refers to the assessment of the measurement uncertainty type A and B, as well as the combined and extended uncertainty of the measurement result.
By the fulfillment of the assumption for realization of an engineering experiment, with possession of mathematical, technical and practical experience of the operator and the computer supported analytical process, the calibration curve of the measurement device is determined, as well as the extended uncertainty of the measurement result. In this way, a stable measurement process will be achieved, a consistent measurement result, with an increased level of confidence.


Abstract This article examines the meaning of Western music performances in interwar Shanghai through the theoretical framework of performativity that originated in John Austin's speech act and Judith Butler's notion of identity as performed. The early concerts of the Shanghai Municipal Orchestra (SMO), I suggest, were an assertion of settler sovereignty in a treaty port such as Shanghai. Therefore, Chinese musicians performing Western music – propagated through the establishment of the National Conservatory of Music by Chinese elites in Shanghai's French Settlement in 1927 – was the embodiment of three contradictory ideals: colonialism, nationalism, and cosmopolitanism. Zooming in on four SMO concerts that featured Chinese musicians in 1929, I argue that they were sites of identity and power negotiation, the SMO and the Chinese musicians asserting quite distinct performative utterances. On the one hand, the performing Chinese body enacted the cosmopolitan outlook that the Municipal Council was eager to project, not only for the sake of ideology but also to increase SMO's concert revenue by appealing to the increasing number of Chinese concert attendees. On the other hand, it meant national glory to Chinese residents in Shanghai, marking Chinese musicians participating in a global musical network. Lastly, this study draws attention to the diverse geographies of Western music in the twentieth century and its coeval development beyond the West, testifying to the timely need for a global music history in which the musicking of Western music in so many Asian cities should be interwoven into its narrative.


The goal of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship of alcohol craving with biopsychosocial and addiction factors that are clinically pertinent to alcoholism treatment. Alcohol craving was assessed in 315 treatment-seeking, alcohol dependent subjects using the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale questionnaire. Standard validated questionnaires were used to evaluate a variety of biological, addiction, psychological, psychiatric, and social factors. Individual covariates of craving included age, race, problematic consequences of drinking, heavy drinking, motivation for change, mood disturbance, sleep problems, and social supports. In a multivariate analysis (R(2)= .34), alcohol craving was positively associated with mood disturbance, heavy drinking, readiness for change, and negatively associated with age. The results from this study suggest that alcohol craving is a complex phenomenon influenced by multiple factors.


Theoretical calculations and preliminary measurements of vibrational Raman optical activity (ROA) spectra of different species of amphetamine (amphetamine and amphetamine-H+) are reported for the first time. The quantum chemical calculations were carried out as hybrid ab initio DFT-molecular orbital calculations by use of the Gaussian 03W program, based on complete geometry minimizations of the conformational energy of the S-(+)-amphetamine molecule, the S-(+)-amphetamine-H+ ion, and the R-(–)-amphetamine molecule. Following this, harmonic frequency calculations have been made, providing information about the cation vibrational bands, expected in salts of single anions (chlorides) as well as in salts of anions with internal bonds (sulfates, hydrogen phosphates, etc.). It shows that the kind of anion should be given better attention, as so far it has often not been the case, when the spectra are employed for identification purposes. The DFT calculations show that the most stable conformations are those allowing for close contact between the aromatic ring and the amine hydrogen atoms. The internal rotational barrier within the same amphetamine enantiomer has a considerable influence on the Raman and ROA spectra. As predicted the experimental ROA spectra were found to depend on the chirality. Two street samples, provided by the London Police, were also measured and compared to the calculated ROA spectra. The street samples were found to contain different enantiomers of the protonated amphetamine-H+ sulfate. According to the present study the AMPH+ ion in aqueous sulfate solution seems to adopt a conformation in which the phenyl and ammonium groups are in transpositions, similar to what has been found in the solid state.


South Africa has recently enacted several e-legislation in order to address the escalating e-crime,
the rise in electronic abuse and also the indifferences of the past. However, research shows that
many organisations including public institutions do not understand these laws and thus, fail to
comply with them. One major contributor to this are the inconsistencies found in the legislation.
The National Development Plan and the Mid-term Strategic Framework recognise the
complexity of laws, and thus endorse improvements in the removal of unnecessary obstacles and
consistencies. Hence, the objectives of the present study are to examine the existing e-legislation
in South Africa; identify areas of misalignment and investigate the factors that contribute to the
misalignment. Ultimately researchers aim to develop a framework that can be used to guide the
alignment e-legislation in South Africa. Extensive literature review was conducted to understand
alignment of legislation. Firstly, all the e-legislation that was passed between the years 2000 and
2013 was retrieved and obtained from Sabinet database. This legislation was studied extensively
and inconsistencies were identified. A conceptual framework which indicates contributing
factors to misalignment and impact of misalignment to non-compliance, was developed and
proposed to guide alignment of e-legislation. Based on the conceptual framework a questionnaire
with open ended question was developed and tested in the Parliament of South Africa, since this
institution champions the development and implementation of national laws such as the elegislation.
A total number of 50 respondents participated in the survey wherein the focus groups
were people who are involved in the process of making/drafting laws, specifically ICT Laws.
The influence of the factors on misalignment was measured and both qualitative and quantitative
analysis confirmed these influences. The study reveals that lack of good industry standards has
the greatest influence to the misalignment of e-legislation in South Africa. For instance lack of
benchmarking, standardised procedures contribute the most to the misalignment of e-legislation,
and that misalignment results into non-compliance. Therefore, in order to address these issues,
South Africa must emphasize on benchmarking with good industry standards, and this can be
achieved through harmonisation of e-legislation in the region and globally. It is also a major
concern that some aspects of earlier e-legislation have not been repealed. Qualitative data also
raises some issues relating to lack of ICT skills by legislators, political influences, lack of public
participation, etc. Capacity/skills development issues e.g. legislative drafting and ICT technical
skills for legislators must be addressed. Moreover, public involvement as a constitutional
mandate must be strengthened in South Africa to ensure citizens are engaged and actively
participate in the law-making process.


We present a numerical study of nonlinear electrokinetic transport in porous media, focusing on the role of heterogeneity in a porous microstructure on ion concentration polarization and over-limiting current. For simplicity, the porous medium is modeled as a network of long, thin charged cylindrical pores, each governed by one-dimensional effective transport equations. For weak surface conduction, when sufficiently large potential is applied, we demonstrate that electrokinetic transport in a porous network can be dominated by electroconvection via internally induced flow loops, which is not properly captured by existing homogenized models. We systematically vary the topology and "accessivity" of the pore network and compare with simulations of traditional homogenized parallel-pore (capillary-bundle) models, in order to reveal the effects of regular and hierarchical connectivity. Our computational framework sheds light on the complex physics of nonlinear electrokinetic phenomena in microstructures and may be used to design porous media for applications, such as water desalination and purification by shock electrodialysis.


The energetics involved in chemical reactions and the bond energies of ions are of fundamental importance to the field of chemistry.  Conventional methods of collision induced dissociation (CID) within an ion trap mass spectrometer provide invaluable structural information on the ions in question.  However, the energy imparted on the ions following repeated collisions with a neutral gas often remains ambiguous and unexplored. These energies are often simply represented by a unit less quantity (such as normalized collisional energy, NCE %) instead of an absolute energy unit. In an effort to clarify this ambiguity, we herein present a LabVIEW simulation combined with mass spectrometry experiments which will allow both experimentalist and theoretical chemists alike to develop a more intuitive understanding of the collision energetics within an ion trap mass spectrometer. An experimental calibration of collision energy is conducted by performing CID on a series of ions with well-known bond energies. Next, a LabVIEW simulation is implemented and compared to the experimental observations to test its accuracy. The collisional energy distributions are quantified from the velocity distributions of the simulated ion trajectories. The collisional energy distribution calculated the most probable energy of collisions within  of the published bond energy metrics. Herein, an efficient method for understanding the collision energetics within an ion trap mass spectrometer during CID is presented.
Faculty Mentors: Michael P. Grubb, Callie A. Cole


The aim of this paper is to describe working with the carers (families) of adults with anorexia nervosa (AN), which is different from working with families of younger adolescents. The main difference is in the area of rights and responsibilities of both parties. Moreover, as AN in adults is often a chronic condition, the treatment goal may not focus on recovery, but instead on improvement in quality of life. Thus the spectrum of nature and degree of parental involvement in the treatment of adults with AN is much broader than in children and adolescents. Our framework for intervention is based on a clear model of carer distress, from which targets for intervention follow. The paper outlines some of the core components of this work.


This paper deals with an experimental study on the seismic performance of haunched transfer beam structures with varied ratio of section height to thickness of short-leg shearwall (RHT). Based on the seismic tests of three 1:3-scaled specimens under low-frequency cyclic lateral load with constant vertical actions, the failure pattern, the hysteresis curves, the skeleton curves, the energy dissipation capacity, and the stiffness degradation laws of haunched transfer beam structures are investigated. The effects of different RHT (i.e., 5, 6 and 7) on the seismic performance of haunched transfer beam structures are emphasized and analyzed in detail. It is concluded that the rigidity of the structure is noticeable enhanced, the endogen force becomes more evenly distributed and the bearing is more rational with an increase of the RHT; the rationally designed haunched transfer beam structure has a good seismic behavior.


First-row transition-metals such as nickel and copper have revolutionized cross-coupling chemistry. Their propensity to form radical intermediates from alkyl electrophiles has greatly expanded the scope of traditional cross-coupling reactions. Alkyl radicals can be recaptured by a chiral transition-metal catalyst allowing for enantioselective bond formation. In general, alkyl radicals rapidly epimerize, and thus both enantiomers of a racemic mixture of an alkyl electrophile can be processed into the same enantiomer of product, rendering the overall process enantioconvergent. Herein, the development of basic bond constructions and the development of asymmetric reactions leveraging alkyl radical intermediates for carbon-nitrogen and carbon-carbon bond formations are discussed. Reaction development is the primary focus of this work, though mechanistic insights discovered along the way are also detailed within. Chapter 2 describes the development of an enantioconvergent alkylation of amine nucleophiles with alkyl electrophiles. Carbazole and indole derivatives are employed as nucleophiles to undergo copper-catalyzed cross-coupling with tertiary α-chloroamide electrophiles under visible light irradiation. Reaction optimization, scope of reactivity, inorganic synthesis, and mechanistic insights are described within. Chapter 3 details the development of a non-asymmetric copper-catalyzed alkylation of aliphatic amines with unactivated alkyl electrophiles under visible light irradiation. The development of a novel catalytic system to circumvent the issues with the photophysical properties of aliphatic amine-copper complexes is discussed. Scope of reactivity and mechanistic investigations are detailed within. Additionally, our efforts to develop an asymmetric variant of this reaction are enclosed. Chapter 4 discusses the development of a copper-catalyzed alkylation of N-heterocycles with α-halolactams in the absence of light. The scope of the reactivity is detailed within. Mechanistic studies contained in this section suggest a unique and interesting reaction pathway—one that does not proceed through a radical intermediate. Chapter 5 presents a novel class of organosilane electrophiles employed in an enantioconvergent nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. Here, the development of the reaction, scope of reactivity, and initial mechanistic insights are discussed.


Antibiotic-loaded biomaterials (ALBs) have emerged as a potential useful adjunctive antimicrobial measure for the prevention of infection in open fracture care. A biodegradable thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) grafted hyaluronic acid (HApN) hydrogel loaded with gentamicin has recently been shown to prevent implant-related infection in a rabbit osteosynthesis model. The primary aim of this study was to determine the influence of this HApN hydrogel on bone healing at an early stage (4 weeks). A rabbit humeral osteotomy model with plating osteosynthesis was used to compare fracture healing in rabbits receiving the hydrogel as compared with control animals. The secondary aim was to observe fracture healing in groups treated with and without antibiotic-loaded hydrogel in the presence of bacterial contamination. In all groups, outcome measures were mechanical stability and histological score, with additional quantitative bacteriology in the inoculated groups. Application of the HApN hydrogel in non-inoculated rabbits did not significantly influence humeral stiffness or histological scores for fracture healing in comparison to controls. In the inoculated groups, animals receiving the bacterial inoculum without hydrogel were culture-positive at euthanasia and found to display lower humeral stiffness values and higher histopathological scores for bacterial presence in comparison with equivalents receiving the gentamicin-loaded HApN hydrogel, which were also infection-free. In summary, our data showed that HApN was an effective antibiotic carrier that did not affect fracture healing. This data supported its suitability for application in fracture care. Addition of osteopromotive compounds could provide further support for accelerating fracture healing in addition to successful infection prophylaxis.


: Levels of vasopressin, aldosterone and plasma renin activity were studied in patients with arterial hypertension. It is shown that progression of the disease dysregulates neurohormonal systems responsible for arterial pressure control. Activation of vasoconstrictive systems of vasopressin and aldosterone synthesis involved in retention of fluid in the body goes in parallel to lowering of renin secretion. The above changes may be considered as a compensatory mechanism of arterial hypertension stabilization.


The quality of water in a rainwater tank is a matter of much speculation, however several techniques can be used to protect and enhance the quality. If these procedures are followed, tank water should conform to the World Health Organisation's "Low Risk" category. The primary contamination pathways are via vectors (such as lizards or frogs) directly entering the tank and via inlet water. This first of these is easily blocked for larger animals by screening all inlets and overflows. A more important path is via the water entering from the roof. As water passes through the air, onto the roof and flows to the tank, it picks up contamination and carries it into the tank. The contaminants tend to adhere to solid matter that is washed along with the water flow and can be filtered using simple techniques. There is also substantial evidence that water quality improves with time, therefore any system that prevents contaminated water from interacting with "aged" water in the tank will also enhance water quality. This paper discusses inlet and outlet arrangements for water tanks that can easily be incorporated in low-income countries, yet will substantially enhance water quality both by preventing contaminants from entering the tank and by aiding natural water purification occurring in the tank. A brief discussion is also offered on system maintenance for quality enhancement.


The energy transition will generate a strong transformation of the electricity network, in Switzerland and all over the world. Distribution networks are expected to play a vital role, even though hystorically they have not been designed for this purpose. In order to better study and plan the changes to be made, the ReIne (REseaux INtElligents, French acronym for "Smart Grids") laboratory has been conceived and built to test various solutions. The actual novelty of this laboratory resides in its intrinsic flexibility, allowing reproducing several grid topologies and different situations of loading and generation. It will allow the on field study of a wide range of smart and micro grid problematics, from short-term and midterm scheduling to very fast dynamics issues of connected devices.


The necessity of immunity of parliament and its Members has led to determine and assure particular privilege in the Constitutions or ordinary laws in the great majority of countries. This legal institution is to provide freedom of speech and to maintain the independence of representatives in the exercise of their duties without undue interference or fear. To define and justify the necessity of it, different theories like "the prestige of representatives' legal personality" and "doctrine of necessity" have been introduced. The legal support, which observes the parliamentary privilege, can be generally studied in two categories with distinct descriptions and effects; first, demonstrates the benefits and utilization of privilege by the representatives before their statements, opinions and the votes cast in the exercise of their functions, which is idiomatically "the principle of nonـ  liability". Second, it supports the Members of Parliament (MPs) before legal prosecution, arrest, imprisonment and the rest judicial measures, unless by the permission and allowance of the respective Parliament, because of irrelevant exercises and extralegal parliamentary acts and prevents the possibility of immediate prosecution of MPs because of the attributed crimes. This kind of immunity, which practically is the logical trailer of the non - liability principle of representatives before their parliamentary duties, is named "the principle of inviolability". The stand of every country in relation to the various forms of parliamentary privilege is a little bit different. In certain countries, one of these two forms is accepted and in other countries both of them are accepted to guarantee the whole immunity of MPs. The first approach is called solo and the second one is called integrative, respectively. In Iran, the first approach depended on the nonـliability of representatives because of their statements, has been accepted in Article 86 of Constitution. The accuracy of this acceptance from the dynamic Fiqh's (Jurisprudence) point of view is approvable and the expediencies and accidental necessities require going along with the rest of countries, which accepted the principle of parliamentary privilege.

 Keywords: Parliamentary Privilege, Constitutions and Ordinary Laws, Representatives' Prestige of Legal Personality, Doctrine of Necessity, Principle of Non ـ liability and Principle of Inviolability


: The interaction of spin-labeled metacyn, procaine, carbolin and bivalent cations (Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+) with butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was studied by ESR and enzyme kinetic methods. The effect of pH, ionic strength and organic solvent was analysed. Spin-labeled metacyn binds at the anionic site of BChE active centre. This complex is stabilized both with coulombic and hydrophobic interactions, ionizing group of active centre with pK 6-7 also affects the binding. Spin-labeled procaine appeared to be enzyme competitive inhibitor (Ki = 4 X 10(-5) M) and is located, most probably, at the same site. Activating effect of Ca2+ ions on BChE was confirmed. Simultaneous application of spin labels and paramagnetic ions demonstrates that cations Co2+ and Ni2+ bind with BChE in the close vicinity of spin-labeled inhibitor site. Paramagnetic cations are located more closely to the cationic part of the inhibitor molecule than to the hydrophobic one, and can be displaced by surplus of Ca2+ ions. The experimental data testify the model of anionic centre which consists of bivalent metal ions and aminoalcyl cationic group subsites and is located in a hydrophobic pocket of the enzyme surface.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of the skeletal maturation in the mandibular and dentoalveolar growth and development during the Class II, division 1, malocclusion correction with Balters bionator.

METHODS
Three groups of children with Class II, division 1, malocclusion were evaluated. Two of them were treated for one year with the bionator of Balters appliance in different skeletal ages (Group 1: 6 children, 7 to 8 years old and Group 2: 10 children, 9 to 10 years old) and the other one was followed without treatment (

CONTROL GROUP
7 children, 8 to 9 years old). Lateral 45 degree cephalometric radiographs were used for the evaluation of the mandibular growth and dentoalveolar development. Tantalum metallic implants were used as fixed and stable references for radiograph superimposition and data acquisition. Student's t test was used in the statistical analysis of the displacement of the points in the condyle, ramus, mandibular base and dental points. One-fixed criteria analysis of variance was used to evaluate group differences (95% of level of significance).

RESULTS
The intragroup evaluation showed that all groups present significant skeletal growth for all points analyzed (1.2 to 3.7 mm), but in an intergroup comparison, the increments of the mandibular growth in the condyle, ramus and mandibular base were not statically different. For the dentoalveolar modifications, the less mature children showed greater labial inclination of the lower incisors (1.86 mm) and the most mature children showed greater first permanent molar extrusion (4.8 mm).


OBJECTIVES To review the trialing and uptake of hearing aids in children with unilateral microtia or canal atresia, known collectively as congenital unilateral conductive hearing loss (CUCHL), observed in a tertiary hospital and local peripheral services. MATERIALS and METHODS A retrospective review of medical records for patients with CUCHL was conducted using data from a shared audiology database at a tertiary children's hospital. RESULTS We identified 45 patients with CUCHL and excluded seven of them due to missing data. Of the 38 patients, 16 (16/38, 42%) did not have any subjective hearing complaints. Furthermore, 32% (12/38) of patients attended audiology at a tertiary centre and 83% (10/12) from this group trialled a hearing aid. In comparison, 46% (12/46) whose audiology care was delivered peripherally trialled aiding. Of the patients from the tertiary center, 58% (7/12) are still using a hearing aid compared to 27% (7/26) of patients from peripheral centers. CONCLUSION Our analysis shows that patients with CUCHL are more likely to try hearing aids and continue using them if their audiology care is in a tertiary center. Allowing for a small sample size, this may indicate a health inequality. Agreeing on minimum standards for the management of patients with CUCHL or managing them in a designated center could increase consistency.


The aviation finance sector has spent the past year at the intersection of two dramatic industry changes—exposed on one hand to the credit crunch and the world of structured finance, and on the other to the cycles of the airline industry and the year's drastic rise and fall in oil prices. Over the course of 2009, with an estimated $70 billion of aircraft ordered for delivery, airlines and aircraft lessors will turn to the various markets that typically finance new deliveries: capital markets (with bonds historically structured either as enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs) or portfolio lease securitizations), bank loans (usually secured loans), and export-import agency-guaranteed debt. This article discusses the environment facing the airlines and aircraft leasing companies, the market values on the underlying aircraft collateral, and the traditional structures and current outlook within each of the above-mentioned financing markets.


So far most of the linear power control algorithms, such as the algorithm suggested by Foschini and Miljanic (1993), have been of first-order. That is, the algorithms have utilized only measurements of current power and carrier-to-interference plus noise power ratio (CIR) for computing the power update. Recently, two second-order algorithms utilizing both current and previous powers and CIR values have been suggested by the authors (see IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communication, vol. SAC-18, p.447-57, 2000 and Proc. IEEE ISSSTA 2000, September 2000). The gain of using higher order dynamics is faster convergence. Another reason for using higher order algorithms is to take the CIR estimation dynamics into account. For example, it has been suggested that the received interference power should first be filtered with the first-order infinite impulse response (IIR) filter before the CIR estimate is calculated. In this paper, we suggest a general linear distributed power control (GLDPC) algorithm, which contains many of the earlier algorithms as a special case and the ability to incorporate CIR estimator dynamics. The convergence of GLDPC is shown to depend on the Schur stability of a certain polynomial, which in turn can be investigated by the Nyquist criterion.


International humanitarian law (IHL) applies to armed conflicts between and within states. It focuses on constraining the parties involved in such conflict to minimize human suffering, both of combatants and civilians, and, in so doing, is complemented by international human-rights law (IHRL). Recent events show the difficulties in implementing and enforcing both IHL and IHRL, and debate has escalated on whether or not such laws provide any basis for intervention, including, most controversially, military intervention.This article reinforces earlier arguments that the 1994 Rwandan genocide demonstrates a failure to uphold both IHL and IHRL in the face of genocide and ongoing massive human-rights abuses. Certainly we can blame the United States and the United Nations (especially its Security Council), but blame also attaches to those states that failed in the will and commitment to resolve the tragedy by meaningful international action using the legal justifications available. Their indifference suggests complicity in the final tragedy—almost a million Rwandans died, and some further three million became refugees—and points to the need to reassess IHL and IHRL theory and practice. Positive alterations in human-rights norms and growing challenges to traditional notions of sovereignty result in the notion that sins of omission, such as occurred in Rwanda in 1994, are actually worse than sins of commission. Moreover, it is timely to explore this failure again, given the belated legal recognition of the Rwandan genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in 2006 and the ongoing crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.


This paper evaluates Nel Noddings's view of moral education in the context of teaching in a Philippine university. It first presents the key aspects of Noddings's ethical theory, identifying her three strategic moves as follows: the dissolution of the public/private split, the replacement of justice-based punishment system with a caring system, and the promotion of care work as the core of education itself. Through a discussion of two cases of academic dishonesty, the author assesses the merits of these strategies and recommends a re-conceptualization both of care ethics and the existing educational paradigm.


Parietal pericardial lymphatics were visualized by indirect and direct India ink injections in 35 human cadavers. Studies included examination of cleared specimens under the dissecting microscope and standard light microscopy. The lymphatic vessels of the ventral pericardial surface most often pass along the phrenic nerves cranially to terminate in the anterior right and left and transverse mediastinal nodes, or caudally to the diaphragm or prepericardial lymph nodes. The lymphatics draining the lateral parts of pericardium pass to the anterior mediastinal, tracheobronchial, lateropericardial, prepericardial and posterior mediastinal (juxtaesophageal) lymph nodes. The posterior part of the pericardium drains to the juxtaesophageal and tracheobronchial nodes. Lymphatics from the diaphragmatic part of the pericardium pass to the right lateropericardial and prepericardial, juxtaesophageal and tracheobronchial nodes. The pericardial cupula is anteriorly drained to the anterior mediastinal nodes, and posteriorly to the tracheobronchial nodes. In cleared specimens two networks of lymphatic vessels are seen to surround the pericardial space. On the ventral surface, the lymphatics of the parietal pericardium connect to lymphatics in the pericardial fat and areolar tissue. On the lateral and posterior surfaces, the lymphatics of the parietal pericardium anastomose with lymphatics of the reflected mediastinal pleura. These anatomical observations offer new insights into the mechanisms of turnover of pericardial fluid and into the mechanisms of occurrence of chylopericardium.


An 11-year-old neutered male Labrador Retriever presented to Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine for a 2-week history of seizures and altered behavior. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a homogeneously enhancing mass involving the surface of the left temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes of the brain, causing secondary hydrocephalus. Cytology samples obtained during rostrotentorial craniectomy contained abundant amorphous pink material suggestive of neuropil, scattered leukocytes, capillary fragments, large polyhedral nerve cell bodies, and other smaller cells with pale blue cytoplasm that occasionally were vacuolated and contained fine eosinophilic granules. The cytologic diagnosis was neoplasia, possibly meningioma. Ninety days after surgery the patient was euthanized after MRI results confirmed regrowth of the tumor. Histologic samples of the meningeal lesion collected at necropsy consisted of sheets and nests of loosely packed, large polygonal cells that compressed the brain parenchyma. The cytoplasm was eosinophilic and slightly granular, whereas nuclei were dense and eccentric. Neoplastic cells stained positive for S-100 protein, periodic acid-Schiff, and were partially diastase resistant. Vimentin staining was negative. Ubiquitin staining was light but diffusely positive. Ultrastructural features of the neoplastic cells included numerous secondary lysosomes and irregular pleomorphic nuclei. The final diagnosis was meningeal granular cell tumor. This case documents the cytologic and histologic features of an uncommon type of meningeal tumor.


In this paper we analyze the concentration phenomena which occur in thin rods, solving the following optimization problem: a given fraction of elastic material must be distributed into a cylindrical design region with infinitesimal cross section in an optimal way, so that it maximizes the resistance to a given external load. For small volume fractions, the optimal configuration of material is described by a measure which concentrates on 2-rectifiable sets. For some choices of the external charging, the concentration phenomena turn out to be related to some new variants of the Cheeger problem of the cross section of the rod. The same study has already been carried out in the particular case of pure torsion regime in [6]. Here we extend those results by enlarging the class of admissible loads.


Age at time of second transplant (yr) 11.8 14.3 Race and gender (recipient/donor) African American male/Caucasian male Caucasian female/African American male Time (months) between transplant 1 and 2 63 39 Number of IVIG doses prior to transplant 3 5 Peak PRA 88% 82% Percent PRA post-IVIG 0% 0% Recipient HLA HLA-A*0201,*3001; B*4201,*4901; C*0701,*1701; DRB1*1101; DQB1*0301 HLA-A*0101,*2301; B*0801,*4403; C*0401,*0701; DRB1*0301,*1501; DQB1*0201,*0602 Donor HLA HLA-A*0301,*3401; B*1402,*3501; C*0401,*0801; DRB1*0101,*1101; DQB1*0301 HLA-A*2402,*3001; B*3901,*4402; C*0501, *1203; DRB1*0301,*0801; DQB1*0201 HLA-A,B,DR (UNOS) Match 1-Antigen (1 of 6) 2-Antigen (2 of 6) HLA-A,B,C,DR,DQ 5-loci Match 2-Antigen (2 of 10) 3-Antigen (3 of 10) Epitope mismatch 17 class I + 3 class II (grades B + A + 1 high risk) 13 class I + 7 class II (grades B + A) Pediatr Transplantation 2007: 11: 120 Copyright 2007 Blackwell Munksgaard


In order to overcome the limitation of Li-ion batteries at low temperature, series of electrolytes are prepared. Specially,FEC is chose to work as electrolyte solvent to enhance its poor performance. Electrolytes are composed of EC, PC, EMC and FEC, while VC is added as additive. Electrolytes with different ratio are examined, then the electrolyte with the best conductivity is studied in detail. Its characters are evaluated by CV, EIS and charge/discharge tests et al. The discharge curves of LiCo1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O2/Li show that battery with this FEC-based electrolyte at 233K could yield 51% of room temperature capacity. Most obviously, MCMB/Li half cell with this electrolyte could fill 91% of its normal capacity at 233K while batteries barely charge any with traditional electrolyte(LiPF6/EC+DMC(1:1 in volume)). This nice charge behavior won't emerge unless the conductivity could basically meet the demand at 233K. The property of FEC-based electrolyte outweighs commercialized electrolyte as this article confirms.


Even if museums in the past were created for cultural purposes, many recently created museums have appeared which serve the purpose as motors for economic regeneration and the diversification of cities and urban areas. The case of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is perhaps the best known example and, at the same time, one of the most successful ones with regard to the attraction of visitors and the creation of tourism. However, if museums of this kind were to be successful, their effectiveness as engines for economic urban development would not come automatically but would depend on a series of geographic, social, economic, managerial, and cultural conditions. This article describes the current situation of academic research on the topic of museums as economic re-activators and analyses a series of conditions for effectiveness, based on the example of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.


Background: Since the early 1990s, the market for luxury goods has been growing at an unprecedented pace (Granot et al., 2013). Formerly exclusively targeting the richest of the rich, nowadays luxury products are aiming at a broader and considerably younger customer base, the Generation Y (Truong, 2010). Current studies suggest that luxury goods consumption is driven by a need to signal prestige (Grotts & Widner-Johnson, 2013; Nelissen & Meijers, 2011). However, this need can only be fulfilled when a signal is interpreted in the intended way. Nelissen & Meijers (2011) among others believe that a reliable signal can yield "fitness benefits". Although researchers agree on the outcome of the signaling game, there appears to be no consensus on "what" a product should look like in order to serve as a reliable signal. Purpose: This thesis investigates the impact of brand prominence on perceived "fitness benefits" among Generation Y consumers in the context of luxury fashion clothing. Method: To meet the purpose of this thesis a quantitative study was conducted. The data was collected through a social experiment among students at Hogskolan i Jonkoping. The participants were randomly presented with one of three visual cues, capturing Brand Prominence by a person wearing t-shirts with differently sized brand logos. An oral survey was then conducted by which the attributed social "fitness" of the depicted person was assessed. Conclusion: The overall results of this study suggest that Brand Prominence has not as much impact on Generation Y consumers than suggested by previous research. Empirical evidence is provided that the signaling process is not as straight forward as proposed by Nelissen & Meijers (2011) or Veblen (1899). The signaling process among Generation Y consumers is (a) influenced by the recipient's characteristics and (b) by the subtlety of the signal. Furthermore, current studies suggest in accordance with the obtained results a shift form Luxury Consumption to the phenomenon of Luxury Experience. This implies the necessity for luxury manufacturers to adapt to new levels of complexity created by a demographically and geographically heterogeneous consumer landscape, characterized by a new way of Costly Signaling.


Affinity-purified anti-peptide antibodies generated against the carboxy-terminal region of the mu opioid receptor and the GIRK1 (Kir 3.1) ion channel were used to localize these two proteins in the rat brain. Mu opioid receptor immunoreactivity was detected in brain regions that were previously found to contain mu opioid binding sites using autoradiography. The distribution of GIRK1 immunoreactivity in the brain correlated well with a previous in situ hybridization study. Confocal microscopy of rat brain sections double-labelled with anti-mu opioid receptor and anti-GIRK1 antibodies revealed colocalization of GIRK1 and mu opioid receptor immunoreactivities in somata of subpopulations of neurons in the cerebral cortex, anterior olfactory nucleus, nucleus accumbens, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, peripeduncular nucleus, hippocampal formation, diagonal band, thalamus, locus coeruleus, dorsal raphe, red nucleus, nucleus of the trapezoid body, reticular nucleus, vestibular nucleus, inferior colliculus and the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus. These anatomical findings suggest that the mu opioid receptor may couple to GIRK1 in some but not all regions of the rat brain.


Objectives To estimate concentration–response relationships for particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC) in relation to mortality in cohorts from three Swedish cities with comparatively low pollutant levels. Setting Cohorts from Gothenburg, Stockholm and Umeå, Sweden. Design High-resolution dispersion models were used to estimate annual mean concentrations of PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm (PM10) and ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5), and BC, at individual addresses during each year of follow-up, 1990–2011. Moving averages were calculated for the time windows 1–5 years (lag1–5) and 6–10 years (lag6–10) preceding the outcome. Cause-specific mortality data were obtained from the national cause of death registry. Cohort-specific HRs were estimated using Cox regression models and then meta-analysed including a random effect of cohort. Participants During the study period, 7 340 cases of natural mortality, 2 755 cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and 817 cases of respiratory and lung cancer mortality were observed among in total 68 679 individuals and 689 813 person-years of follow-up. Results Both PM10 (range: 6.3–41.9 µg/m3) and BC (range: 0.2–6.8 µg/m3) were associated with natural mortality showing 17% (95% CI 6% to 31%) and 9% (95% CI 0% to 18%) increased risks per 10 µg/m3 and 1 µg/m3 of lag1-5 exposure, respectively. For PM2.5 (range: 4.0–22.4 µg/m3), the estimated increase was 13% per 5 µg/m3, but less precise (95% CI −9% to 40%). Estimates for CVD mortality appeared higher for both PM10 and PM2.5. No association was observed with respiratory mortality. Conclusion The results support an effect of long-term air pollution on natural mortality and mortality in CVD with high relative risks also at low exposure levels. These findings are relevant for future decisions concerning air quality policies.


In this paper, we investigate a hybrid multicast/unicast scheme for a multiple-input single-output cache-aided non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) vehicular scenario in the face of rapidly fluctuating vehicular wireless channels. Considering a more practical situation, imperfect channel state information is taking into account. In this paper, we formulate an optimization problem to maximize the unicast sum rate under the constraints of the peak power, the peak backhaul, the minimum unicast rate, and the maximum multicast outage probability. To solve the formulated non-convex problem, a lower bound relaxation method is proposed, which enables a division of the original problem into two convex sub-problems. Computer simulations show that the proposed caching-aided NOMA is superior to the orthogonal multiple access counterpart.


The increasing demand for higher communication bandwidth, reduced power consumption, and increased reliability combined with fundamental electrical signalling limitations is leading the drive for optics as an interconnect technology of choice for high-performance computing (HPC) systems. However, failure in any optical link can completely disrupt communication by isolating processing nodes in HPC systems. Moreover, while static allocation of wavelengths (channels) provides every node with equal opportunity for communication, it can also lead to network congestion for nonuniform traffic patterns. In this paper, we propose a multidimensional optoelectronic architecture, called nD-reconfigurable, all-photonic interconnect for distributed and parallel systems (ndimensional-RAPID) where n can be 1, 2, or 3. nD-RAPID exploits optical architecture and technology design space that simultaneously tackles both fault-tolerance and dynamic bandwidth reallocation (DBR) of system architecture. Fault-tolerance in nD-RAPID is enabled through a multidimensional architecture. DBR is implemented by the row-column switching matrix using silicon-on-insulator (SOI)-based microring resonators that adapts to changes in communication patterns at runtime. Simulation results indicate that nD-RAPID outperformed other electrical networks for most traffic patterns. Results on DBR show that the proposed row-column switch organization significantly improves throughput and latency with a slight increase in electrical power consumption (~ 0.4% for the worst case traffic).


A three-year study, begun in 1958, is seeking to evaluate the effects of sulfate of potash and muriate of potash on potatoes grown for the manufacture of potato chips. Soils low in potash, as determined by tests, were chosen for study. At planting time, potash representing both types-sulfate and muriate-is applied, in bands, at rates of 0, 100, 200, and 300 pounds per acre, together with supplemental nitrogen and phosphorus. During the growing season, potato petioles are analyzed to determine nutrient uptake by the plants. At harvest, yield and grades of the potatoes are recorded, and specific gravity is determined with a potato hydrometer. Potatoes are chipped before and after storage tests to evaluate effects of potash on weight changes of tubers and on chip color and oil content. Fresh tubers axe also analyzed for percent of reducing sugars present. These substances are primarily responsible for darkening of potato chips. When studies are complete, it is hoped that recommendations can be made, with respect to potash application, that will result in larger yields of quality potatoes for processing.-Herman Timm, Dept. of Vegetable Crops, Davis. Short reports on current agricultural research


The objective of this article is to analyse Mangalatthadīpanī in Lān Nā  The objective of this article is to analyse Mangalatthadīpanī in Lān Nā version by studying from the copies of Wat Laihin, Lampang province that were written in the year 2329 B.E.totally 13 volumes. After collecting all datas then analyse and present them by descriptive way.  From the study it was found that Mangalatthadīpanī in Lān Nā version was the work of Mahosattha or Mahosot of Pahin school. It was the summarised translation from Mangalatthadīpanī in Pāli version that was the work of Phrasirimangalacāriya ; the great scholar of Lān Nā. Later, the Poranacāriya in Lān Nā translated it into Lān Nā version with the translation that call Nissaya, that is, to raise the Pāli then translated into Lān Nā language word by word or sentence by sentence. This was written by the selection of content that is easy to understand. The Pāli word / sentence that deeply explain Dhamma, hard to understand, will not be written. The content related to the life-stype of the common people in each of Mangala and made it easy to understand with story, the author took out that story to write too. Therefore, it can be said that, This Mangalatthadīpanī in Lān Nā version was written to serve as the teaching for the common people.


Abstract Tectonostratigraphic development of the c. 300 km-long Nellore schist belt (NSB) of southern India is described in relation to the post-Neoarchaean growth of the Dharwar cratonic nucleus. Lying along the eastern margin of the Dharwar cratonic nucleus, the NSB comprises several geologically and geochemically distinct tracts of deformed Palaeoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic volcanosedimentary successions: the Vinjamuru Group, the Kandra ophiolite complex (KOC), the Kanigiri ophiolitic melange (KOM) and the Udaigiri Group, arranged in relative order of younging. The high-grade Eastern Ghats belt occurs further to the east of the NSB with a tectonic contact. Thrust-transported oceanic crust remnants occur in the 1.9 Ga KOC, 1.34 Ga KOM, and the Vinjamuru Group, which show multiple deformation, amphibolite facies metamorphism and granitic intrusions. The available geological, geochemical and geochronological data have been examined to tentatively constrain the relative age of the different tectonostratigraphic units of the NSB, tectonic juxtaposition and implications in relation to global events in the Proterozoic. Subduction-related ocean closures outboard and east of the Dharwar Craton, evidenced by the KOC and KOM, possibly had links with the assembly of Columbia and its final dispersal, respectively.


What kinds of health information should be reported to government for civil purposes? Several competing trends encourage efforts to reassess the scope of constitutional protection for health information: the social and commercial value of health information; the amount of data held by third parties, from health care providers to internet servers; critiques of the third party doctrine exception to Fourth Amendment protection; and concerns about the loss of privacy. This article describes a variety of civil purposes for which health information is collected today. A close analysis of cases applying the third party doctrine, administrative search principles, and the special needs doctrine, as well as Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment cases examining health information privacy reveals quasi-precedents of limited relevance for evaluating mandatory reporting of health information. This lack of clarity calls for a more sophisticated approach to contemporary civil uses of health data.


Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Plant extracts and their products are being used as an alternative system of medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Aloe vera has been traditionally used to treat several diseases and it exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing effects. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Wistar diabetic rats were used in this study to understand the potential protective effect of A. vera extract on the pancreatic islets. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the A. vera extract on improvement of insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell function by morphometric analysis of pancreatic islets in STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: After acclimatization, male Wistar rats, maintained as per the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals guidelines, were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were assessed. The effect of A. vera extract in STZ-induced diabetic rats on the pancreatic islets by morphometric analysis was evaluated. Results: Oral administration of A. vera extract (300 mg/kg) daily to diabetic rats for 3 weeks showed restoration of blood glucose levels to normal levels with a concomitant increase in insulin levels upon feeding with A. vera extract in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Morphometric analysis of pancreatic sections revealed quantitative and qualitative gain in terms of number, diameter, volume, and area of the pancreatic islets of diabetic rats treated with A. vera extract when compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Conclusion: A. vera extract exerts antidiabetic effects by improving insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell function by restoring pancreatic islet mass in STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rats.


Background Evidence suggests that both childhood trauma and perceived stress are risk factors for the development of psychosis, as well as negative symptoms such as anhedonia. Previous findings link increases in perceived stress to anhedonia in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) and depression; however, the role of childhood trauma in this relationship has not yet been explored, despite consistent evidence that it is associated with sensitisation to later stress. Aims To examine whether perceived stress mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and anhedonia in a group of youth at CHR as well as in controls (groups with depression and with no diagnosed mental health concerns). Method The study used multigroup mediation to examine the indirect effects of childhood trauma on anhedonia via perceived stress in CHR (n = 117) and depression groups (n = 284) and non-psychiatric controls (n = 124). Results Perceived stress mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and consummatory anhedonia regardless of group status. Perceived stress mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and anticipatory anhedonia for the CHR and depression groups, but not for non-psychiatric controls. Further, groups differed in the magnitude of this relationship, with the effects trending towards stronger for those in the CHR group. Conclusions Our findings suggest a potential transdiagnostic pathway through which childhood trauma contributes to anhedonia across severe mental illness.


: Cardiovascular depressant effects of the neomycin-streptomycin group of antibiotics (aminoglycoside antibiotics) were examined during pentobarbital anesthesia in cats, dogs, and 4 species of nonhuman primates: owl (Aotus trivirgatus), squirrel (Saimiri sciureus), and rhesus (Macaca mulatta) monkeys, and dog-faced baboons (Papio cynocephalus). Intravenous administration of kanamycin, streptomycin, gentamicin, or neomycin produced various degrees of hypotension and relative bradycardia in all species examined. In surgically prepared (open-chest) baboons, neomycin consistently induced a dose-related depression of myocardial contractile force, maximum dF/dt of myocardial contraction, cardiac output, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Maximum depression of hemodynamic values usually occurred within 2 to 5 minutes after administration of neomycin; cardiovascular function then gradually returned to control or near control levels within 30 to 60 minutes. Intravenous administration of calcium chloride rapidly reversed the neomycin-mediated alterations of cardiovascular function. Present findings indicated that aminoglycoside antibiotics altered cardiovascular dynamics in anesthetized animals, and indicated that this deleterious action(s) may be related to modification of calcium ion function.


: In this article, we propose a new method for matching high-resolution feature maps from CNNs using attention mechanisms. To avoid the quadratic scaling problem of all-to-all attention, this method relies on a superpixel-based pooling dimensionality reduction strategy. From this pooling, we efficiently compute non-local similarities between pairs of images. To illustrate the interest of these new methodological blocks, we apply them to the problem of color transfer between a target image and a reference image. While previous methods for this application can suffer from poor spatial and color coherence, our approach tackles these problems by leveraging on a robust non-local matching between high-resolution low-level features. Finally, we highlight the interest in this approach by showing promising results in comparison with state-of-the-art methods.


Assuring all infants a healthy start in life and enhancing the health of their mothers are goals of the Public Health Service's health promotion and disease prevention initiative. The 13 priority objectives selected for the pregnancy and infant health area of the initiative focus on lowering infant, neonatal, and perinatal mortality rates, reducing the number of low-birth-weight infants, improving the health care of pregnant women and infants through regionalized perinatal care systems and comprehensive primary care services, encouraging early prenatal care and healthy lifestyles in pregnancy, and targeting the factors and populations associated with health risk. Although considerable progress has been made in this century in lowering the infant mortality rate, infants continue to die at a higher rate than members of any other age category under 60 years, and black infants die at almost twice the rate of white infants. To lower these high mortality rates, the private, public, and voluntary sectors have cooperated in new approaches to perinatal and infant health that have already produced some encouraging results. Recent data, for example, indicate that the priority objective of universal screening of newborns for treatable metabolic disorders has already been achieved and that the target for neonatal and infant mortality rates could be reached earlier than 1990. Substantial challenges, however, lie ahead if the current racial and ethnic differentials evident in the rates for prenatal care registration, low-birth-weight babies, and maternal and infant mortality are to be eliminated.


BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
The liver biopsy has been considered the gold standard for the diagnosis and quantification of fibrosis. However, this method presents limitations. In addition, the non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis is a challenge. The aim of this study was to validate the fibrosis cirrhosis index (FCI) index in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected patients, and compare to AST/ALT ratio (AAR), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) and FIB-4 scores, as a tool for the assessment of liver fibrosis in coinfected patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Retrospective cross sectional study including 92 HIV-HCV coinfected patients evaluated in two reference centers for HIV treatment in the Public Health System in Southern Brazil. Patients who underwent liver biopsy for any indication and had concomitant laboratory data in the 3 months prior to liver biopsy, to allow the calculation of studied noninvasive markers (AAR, APRI, FIB-4 and FCI) were included.

RESULTS
APRI < 0.5 presents the higher specificity to detect no or minimal fibrosis, whereas APRI > 1.5 presents the best negative predictive value and FCI > 1.25 the best specificity to detect significant fibrosis. The values of noninvasive markers for each Metavir fibrosis stage showed statistically significant differences only for APRI. In conclusion, until better noninvasive markers for liver fibrosis are developed and validated for HIV-HCV coinfected patients, noninvasive serum markers should be used carefully in this population.


A global turn to austerity is the prevailing feature of fiscal policy adopted by different governments around the world. In the second instalment and concluding part to a special issue, this collection of papers examines the empirical challenges (and opportunities) associated with regeneration practice in an era of austerity. It combines analysis, insights and opinions of those negotiating regeneration challenges, dilemmas and choices on a daily basis with those of the critical research community. This enables the collection of works to provide complementary perspectives of how regeneration is presently conceived, how it is practised and how it is lived and experienced. Drawing on a diverse compilation of empirical settings, papers variously examine policy contradictions, practical issues and alternative modes of working; all have some important conceptual implications.


Background: The adenoid is part of lymphoid tissue called Waldeyer's ring. Pathological effects
 include rhinitis, rhino sinusitis, otitis media and otitis media with effusion. Failure of medical therapy
 in these conditions may need surgical intervention. Adenoidectomy is one of the most common surgical
 procedures in children, but many complications can occur as bleeding, velopharyngeal incompetence,
 and re growth of the adenoid. Aim of the study: To assess the complications of microdebrider assisted endoscopic adenoidectomy.
 Methods: This study is a prospective in natureconsisted of 100 patients. They were 55 males and 45
 females. They had been assessed at the Al-Diwaniah Teaching Hospital, Al-Diwaniah city, Iraq, during
 the period of March 2017 to January 2020, the age ranges from 5-15 years. An inclusion criterion is
 adenoid hypertrophy causing one or more of the following: nasal obstruction, recurrent upper
 respiratory tract infections, recurrent acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, or sleep apnea, not
 responding to adequate conservative therapy. Exclusion criteria are: small asymptomatic adenoid,
 bleeding tendency, patient required tonsillectomy and patient with craniofacial anomalies as cleft
 palate. All the patients had microdebrider assisted endoscopic adenoidectomy.
 Results: The post-operative pain was mild, reactionary haemorrhage recorded in 3 patients while
 secondary haemorrhage was not recorded. 2 patients developed adenoid recurrence. 1 patient
 developed nasopharyngeal blood clot. Infection occurred in 2 patients. Velopharyngeal incompetence
 occurred in 3 patients. Eustachian tube injury occurred in only 1 patient.
Conclusion: Microdebrider Assisted Endoscopic Adenoidectomy (MAEA) provides direct visualization
 and controlled surgery so it is safe and decrease the rate of complications, and can be carried as day
 case surgery.


Along with the booming development of multi-component blending fabrics, the accurate detection of component of fabrics has become a major goal in textile testing. Terahertz sensing technology provides a new way for detecting the materials. THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is a novel spectroscopic technique which measures the electric field of the radiation through a sample and provides the phase and amplitude changes of the radiation, which can provide information unavailable through conventional methods such as microwave and X-ray techniques. In this investigation, THz-TDS technology was introduced into the textile differentiation. Three kinds of cellulose textile fibers, cotton fiber, bamboo fiber and viscose fiber, were prepared as the sample and detected by THz-TDS at room temperature in the absence of vapor. The temporal and frequency signals of the fibers were obtained. In the THz absorption spectrum, the characteristic absorption peaks of textile fibers in THz wave band were found, which can be used to recognize the fibers. This approach provides a novel non-contact examine method for fiber identification in complicated textiles.


ABSTRACT Ludfordian strata exposed in the Burgen outlier in eastern Gotland, Sweden record a time of initial faunal recovery after a global environmental perturbation manifested in the Ludfordian Carbon Isotope Excursion (LCIE). Vertebrate microfossils in the collection of the late Lennart Jeppsson, hosted at the Swedish Museum of Natural History, hold the key to reconstruct the dynamics of faunal immigration and diversification during the decline of the LCIE, but the stratigraphic relationships of the strata have been debated. Historically, they had been placed in the Burgsvik Formation, which included the Burgsvik Sandstone and the Burgsvik Oolite members. We revise the fauna in the Jeppsson collection and characterize key outcrops of Burgen and Kapellet. The former Burgsvik Oolite Member is here revised as the Burgen Oolite Formation. In the Burgen outlier, back-shoal facies of this formation are represented and their position in the Ozarkodina snajdri Biozone is supported. The shallow-marine position compared to the coeval strata in southern Gotland is reflected in the higher δ13Ccarb values, reaching +9.2‰. The back-shoal succession includes high-diversity metazoan reefs, which indicate a complete recovery of the carbonate producers as the LCIE declined. The impoverishment of conodonts associated with the LCIE in southern Gotland might be a product of facies preferences, as the diverse environments in the outlier yielded all 21 species known from the formation. Fish diversity also returned to normal levels as the LCIE declined, with a minimum of nine species. In line with previous reports, thelodont scales appear to dominate samples from the Burgen outlier.


Root tubers of cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) have cyanogenic glucosides which liberate hydrogen cyanide (HCN) on hydrolysis in quantities that can be toxic to humans. As a result, several techniques have been used to detoxify the tubers including among others, soaking, sun-drying and fermentation which has been found to be the most effective. However, fermentation is associated with the growth of potentially mycotoxigenic moulds (fungi) which compromise the quality of the processed product hence suggesting the use of alternative mould free processing techniques like soaking and sun-drying. Therefore, this study investigated the potential of soaking and sun-drying in detoxifying root tubers of a toxic cassava variety, "Rutuga", (interpreted as "strangler") of cyanogens (total HCN, free HCN and bound HCN) in South Western Uganda. The cyanogens were determined by a standard titration method. The results indicated that soaking peeled cassava root tubers in cold distilled water for 4 days removed about 78% of bound HCN while sun-drying of peeled cassava chips for 5 days removed about 74% of free HCN. However, both methods are less effective in removing total HCN (soaking, 47%; sun-drying, 43%) due to the ineffectiveness of soaking and sun-drying in removing free HCN (21%) and bound HCN (3%) respectively. Hence a mixed approach employing both methods would be more appropriate in detoxifying cassava of total HCN.


Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) arises as a consequence of the non‐malignant clonal expansion of one or more hematopoietic stem cells with an acquired somatic mutation of the PIGA gene (Brodsky RA. Blood 113 (2009) 6522–6527). Progeny of affected stem cells are deficient in glycosyl phosphatidylinositol–anchored proteins (GPI‐APs). This deficiency is readily detected by flow cytometry. Though this seems straightforward, the clinical utility of this testing requires that the ordering clinician understand not only the characteristics of the test, but also the biology of the underlying disease, and the clinical and laboratory manifestations in the individual patient. When interpreted correctly, the results from PNH flow cytometry testing, including presence and size of the clonal populations and the cell types involved, can allow the clinician to classify the disease appropriately; evaluate the risk of disease progression; and subsequently monitor response to therapy. In these guidelines, we discuss the evaluation of a patient with suspected PNH or other bone marrow failure disorders, with specific emphasis on the contribution of this testing to the diagnosis, classification, and monitoring of patients. For convenience we will commonly refer to these flow cytometry studies as "PNH testing" recognizing that an abnormal result is not diagnostic of PNH; rather both laboratory and clinical features are used to establish this diagnosis. © 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society


This paper presents the construction and a performance study of a fiber-based frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) laser radar for measurement of distance and velocity. The current to a distributed feedback laser (DFB) was modulated to get the frequency modulated light used to construct the fiber based laser radar system. The Allan variance was used for evaluating the stability of the laser radar system. To optimize the system, the performance with different modulation frequencies was compared. The minimum measurable distances for 10 Hz, 50 Hz and 100 Hz modulation frequency system are 0.1, 0.1 and 0.8 cm respectively.


The Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) has since its origins in the late 1960's been connected to the emphasis on Economic, Social and Cultural rights and the regional need for economic development. Through the intense years and debates that followed the first ASEAN Declaration the unity has made significant contributions to the Human Rights discourse due to the challenges and possibilities that surfaced. The Kingdom of Cambodia is one of the ASEAN member states poorest countries but through rapid economic development are well on its way towards becoming a middle- income nation. The local experiences of the Khmer people in the Cambodian society will provide indicators of what is needed out of an ASEAN Human Rights mechanism. This Master's Thesis will critically analyze the evolving ASEAN Human rights mechanism as it has reached so far and what the Khmer Human Rights needs are from such a mechanism.


The basic property of equations describing dispersive waves is the existence of solutions representing uniform wave trains. In this paper a general theory is given for non-uniform wave trains whose amplitude, wave-number, etc., vary slowly in space and time, the length and time scales of the variation in amplitude, wave-number, etc., being large compared to the wavelength and period. Dispersive equations may be derived from a variational principle with appropriate Lagrangian, and the whole theory is developed in terms of the Lagrangian. Boussinesq's equations for long water waves are used as a typical example in presenting the theory.


Vision-based control in robotics based on considering a vision system as a specific sensor dedicated to a task and included in a control servo loop is described. Once the necessary modeling stage is performed, the framework becomes one of automatic control, and stability and robustness questions arise. State-of-the-art visual servoing is reviewed, and the basic concepts for modeling the concerned interactions are given. The interaction screw is thus defined in a general way, and the application to images follows. Starting from the concept of task function, the general framework of the control is described, and stability results are recalled. The concept of the hybrid task is presented and then applied to visual sensors. Simulation and experimental results are presented, and guidelines for future work are drawn in the conclusion. >


Abstract : Policies providing food service contracts within Iraq and Afghanistan and other combat areas allow for the utilization of food service personnel in non field feeding duties. These contracts employ a variety of personnel to perform key tasks from ordering, preparation to serving. Aiding these contracts are food products provided by industry which potentially use less or inexperienced personnel for preparation. Often Soldiers providing these functions serve in alternative roles as truck drivers, guards or guardians in the form of contracting officer technical representatives of these outsourced facilities. Commanders endorse these temporary increases of capability, because of the personnel surge capacity despite the potential long-term impacts to Soldiers. Additionally, industry partners currently create more self-efficient food products will simplifying the preparation process. This reduces both the need for certified personnel for preparation and questions the significance for food service personnel. Overall, this potentially impact Service members, particularly Soldiers, long term due to significant degradation of skill. Army readiness is the ultimate effect from these practices. Without periodic employment, Soldiers are in danger of becoming extinct. This paper considers how the use of contractors and current industry practices degrade Service members' ability to maintain their professional skills, which ultimately impacts Army readiness.


Three different methods were tried to find out suitable laboratory technique for mass rearing of Eublemma scitula Ramb. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) an important predator of brown scale insect Saissetia coffeae Walker (Homoptera: Coccidae) a serious pest of pointed gourd, Trichosanthes dioica Roxb in and around Anand, Gujarat. Out of these rearing methods, namely, a) on pointed gourd leaves, b) on green potato sprouts and c) on pumpkin fruits, the method c), which involved either releasing E. scitula eggs (c 1) or larvae (c 2) on pumpkin fruit with growing scale population was observed to be the best for mass rearing of the predator with seed to yield ratio of 1: 0.63 and 1: 0.73 in c 1 and c 2, respectively. On an average, 69.4 and 73 pupae could be produced in methods c 1 and c 2, respectively. from a single pumpkin in a single generation of the scale, within two months (October to November). The technique was found to be suitable for mass rearing of E. scitula to augment the predator during June July for suppression of the host S. coffeae at its initial stage of infestation. Limitations observed in other methods of rearing were described.


: A correlation has been established between the action of pH and temperature on the activity of Fe2+ oxidation by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. The rate of Fe2+ oxidation by the bacterium is inhibited at 12 degrees C mainly due to an increase in the pH. Autooxidation of the medium upon hydrolysis of Fe3+ is inhibited at low temperatures. Apparently, the enzymes of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans involved in Fe2+ oxidation are only slightly susceptible to a decrease of temperature to 10--12 degrees C.


For several European states, including Romania, the European integration process has overlapped with the effects of the economic and financial crisis. The consequences of such a situation are apparently contradictory. On one hand, the crisis lowers the European integration process in view of achieving the performance imposed by the Single Market, the economic and administrative convergence etc. On the other hand, the possibility of accessing the European structural funds becomes a welcome financial resource for diminishing or stopping the effects of the crisis. The second alternative establishes new balances or imbalances at the local community level, with effect on the employment policies. The European structural instruments – Structural Funds, Cohesion Fund, EC initiatives – are associated with the effects induced in view to achieve the EU objectives such as: economic, social and territorial cohesion, economic growth, competitiveness, employment, sustainable development etc. The current paper aims to emphasise in a theoretic and empiric manner, the influences of these structural instruments on the employment policies at local level. At the same time, those influences will be correlated statistically with the effects of the financial crisis, obtaining a more comprehensive image concerning the consequences of the mix of national and EC policies for the economic integration and fight against the effects of the financial crisis for some EU states. The authors propose a model of local development based on the theory of the general balance, integrating the resources provided by the structural instruments and emphasizing their compensatory effects related to the financial crisis. The proposed model is empirically exemplified for some development regions in Romania, suggestive for general conclusions, of comparative nature, at European and international level


This paper examines the evolution of relief presentations on maps developed by Harpers Ferry Center, the media service center of the US National Park Service (NPS). Harpers Ferry Center produces the maps used by park visitors. I will discuss five park maps, each with a distinctive relief style and mode of production. They appear in rough chronological order of their development. Recent relief presentations are generally more detailed, colorful, and realistic than those from earlier years. Changing technology is largely responsible for the different relief styles found on park maps. Some relief treatments today were not possible, or imaginable, in 1977 when the NPS established the brochure program in its modern phase. Landscape heterogeneity is another factor behind the development of different relief styles. With over 400 park sites ranging from the glacial mountains of Alaska to the rolling piedmont of Virginia, a onestyle-fits-all approach cannot adequately depict all landscapes. NPS maps serve some 300 million park visitors each year. Our ongoing effort to make understandable maps for this diverse audience has further spurred experiments in relief presentation.


Wetland is closely related to survival, reproduction and development of human beings. Due to population growth, industrialization, urbanization and agricultural modernization, wetland ecosystems are suffered from huge pressure of human society and the wetland ecological environment becomes extremely vulnerable. On the basis of analyzing current situations of Qionghai Lake wetland in Xichang City of Sichuan Province, this paper discussed the significance of Qionghai wetland construction and protection, and offered countermeasures and recommendations for solving existing problems in Qionghai wetland.