A comparative analysis of three length based methods for estimating growth of the tilapia Oreochromis aureus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) in a tropical lake of Mexico. Several methods are now available to estimate fish individual growth based upon the distribution of body lengths in a population. Comparative analyses of length-based methods have been undertaken mainly for marine species; nevertheless, limited information is available for inland species. Tilapia is one of the most important freshwater fisheries and its growth parameters have been estimated by several authors, usually using one length-based method. Thus, the main objectives of this study were: a) to estimate growth parameters of O. aureus from Chapala lake, Mexico, using three length-based methods ELEFAN, PROJMAT and SLCA; b) to quantify the effect of input data variations in growth parameters estimates by the jackknife technique; and c) to compare the new estimates with those previously reported, through the standard growth index phi. We collected and analyzed a total of 1,973 specimens from commercial landings from January to December 2010. The three length-base methods used in the present study resulted in parameter estimates within the range of those reported in other studies. Results derived from jackknife analysis revealed lowest values in the error percentage and coefficient of variation for L infinity when applying ELEFAN, while PROJMAT showed lowest values in the precision estimators for K, which was very similar to ELEFAN. Estimates of the comparative growth index phi were also very similar to those reported for the same species when studied in different reservoirs. Considering our results, we suggest the use of ELEFAN rather than SLCA due to its accuracy to estimate growth parameters for O. aureus.


Y chromosome typing has been performed in forensic genetic practice for more than 20 years. The latest recommendations of the DNA Commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) concerning the application of Y-chromosomal markers in forensic genetics were published in 2006. The aim of this report is to recapitulate, systematise and supplement existing recommendations on the forensic analysis of polymorphism of the Y chromosome with standards already implemented in practice, new capabilities linked to the development of research techniques as well as current solutions used in statistical analysis. The recommendations have been adapted specifically to aspects related to the preparation of expert opinions in the field of forensic genetics in Poland. The Polish Speaking Working Group of the ISFG believes that the presented guidelines should become a standard implemented by all Polish laboratories performing Y chromosome typing for forensic purposes.


Guided depth map enhancement based on Markov random field (MRF) normally assumes edge consistency between the color image and the corresponding depth map. Under this assumption, the low-quality depth edges can be refined according to the guidance from the high-quality color image. However, such consistency is not always true, which leads to texture-copying artifacts and blurring depth edges. In addition, the previous MRF-based models always calculate the guidance affinities in the regularization term via a non-structural scheme, which ignores the local structure on the depth map. In this paper, a novel MRF-based method is proposed. It computes these affinities via the distance between pixels in a space consisting of the minimum spanning trees (forest) to better preserve depth edges. Furthermore, inside each minimum spanning tree, the weights of edges are computed based on the explicit edge inconsistency measurement model, which significantly mitigates texture-copying artifacts. To further tolerate the effects caused by noise and better preserve depth edges, a bandwidth adaption scheme is proposed. Our method is evaluated for depth map super-resolution and depth map completion problems on synthetic and real data sets, including Middlebury, ToF-Mark, and NYU. A comprehensive comparison against 16 state-of-the-art methods is carried out. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations present the improved performances.


A moderately spinning neutron star acquires an oblate shape and a spacetime with a significant quadrupole moment. These two properties affect its apparent surface area for an observer at infinity, as well as the light curve arising from a hot spot on its surface. In this paper, we develop a ray-tracing algorithm to calculate the apparent surface areas of moderately spinning neutron stars making use of the Hartle–Thorne metric. This analytic metric allows us to calculate various observables of the neutron star in a way that depends only on its macroscopic properties and not on the details of its equation of state. We use this algorithm to calculate the changes in the apparent surface area, which could play a role in measurements of neutron-star radii and, therefore, in constraining their equation of state. We show that whether a spinning neutron star appears larger or smaller than its non-rotating counterpart depends primarily on its equatorial radius. For neutron stars with radii ∼10 km, the corrections to the Schwarzschild spacetime cause the apparent surface area to increase with spin frequency. In contrast, for neutron stars with radii ∼15 km, the oblateness of the star dominates the spacetime corrections and causes the apparent surface area to decrease with increasing spin frequency. In all cases, the change in the apparent geometric surface area for the range of observed spin frequencies is ≲5% and hence only a small source of error in the measurement of neutron-star radii.


Motivated by earlier simulated annealing studies and materials with large spin on the Kagome lattice, we performed large scale parallel tempering simulations on the Kagome lattice for the extended classical Heisenberg model including next nearest neighbor interactions. We find that even a small inclusion of a $J_2$ term induces anti-ferromagnetic order which prevails in the thermodynamic limit. The magnitude of this effect is surprising. While at $J_2=0$ the finite-size behaviour does not suggest a phase-transition, at other points the numerical result is consistent with one. Close to $J_2=0$ and for a positive sign of $J_2$ two subsequent phase-transitions/crossovers are found, one of them connecting to the crossover for the $J_2=0$ case, shedding light to the pure case. The universality classes of the transitions were explored.


We have studied the ultrafast dissociation of the H2S molecule upon S 2p3/2-->6a1 inner-shell excitation by combining high-resolution resonant Auger spectroscopy and energy-selected Auger electron-ion coincidence measurements. Auger final states have been correlated to the different fragmentation pathways (S+, HS+, and H2S+ ions). As an original result, we evidence a three-step mechanism to describe the resonant production of S+: the Auger recombination in the HS* fragment is followed for the A 3Pi and c 1Pi states by the S++H fragmentation mechanism.


In recent years, there has been a growing interest in travel applications that provide on-site personalized tourist spot recommendations. While generally helpful, most available options offer choices based solely on static information on places of interest without consideration of such dynamic factors as weather, time of day, and congestion, and with a focus on helping the tourist decide what single spot to visit next. Such limitations may prevent visitors from optimizing the use of their limited resources (i.e., time and money). Some existing studies allow users to calculate a semi-optimal tour visiting multiple spots in advance, but their on-site use is difficult due to the large computation time, no consideration of dynamic factors, etc. To deal with this situation, we formulate a tour score approach with three components: static tourist information on the next spot to visit, dynamic tourist information on the next spot to visit, and an aggregate measure of satisfaction associated with visiting the next spot and the set of subsequent spots to be visited. Determining the tour route that produces the best overall tour score is an NP-hard problem for which we propose three algorithms variations based on the greedy method. To validate the usefulness of the proposed approach, we applied the three algorithms to 20 points of interest in Higashiyama, Kyoto, Japan, and confirmed that the output solution was superior to the model route for Kyoto, with computation times of the three algorithms of 1.9±0.1, 2.0±0.1, and 27.0±1.8 s.


Two new species of Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) from the North West region of Western Australia. Utricularia
byrneana R.W.Jobson & Baleeiro and U. wannanii R.W.Jobson & Baleeiro are described as new and are considered
members of Utricularia subgen. Polypompholyx section Pleiochasia. The distribution and habitat preferences
of these species are discussed. Two individual taxonomic keys are provided representing the groups in which
the new species are most likely to be closely related. Specifically, Utricularia byrneana is compared with species
from Western Australia possessing hollow peduncles namely U. fistulosa P.Taylor and U. tubulata F. Muell.,
while U. wannanii is compared to species possessing connate bracts and bracteoles namely U. dunlopii P.Taylor,
U. georgei P.Tayor and U. kimberleyensis C.A.Gardener, as well as close relative U. uniflora R.Br.


In the present study, we investigated the prevalence and comorbidity of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in male eating disorder (ED) patients. In total, 130 male ED patients completed a list of 10 impulse-control problems (including NSSI), the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised and the Temperament and Character Inventory. Overall, 21% of the male ED patients (n = 27) engaged in at least one type of NSSI, and we did not find significant differences between the ED subtypes. Self-injurious male ED patients showed significantly more severe ED symptoms and more affective, interpersonal and impulse-control problems than ED patients without NSSI. As previously described in female ED, our data confirm the affect regulation and impulse regulation functions of NSSI in male ED patients.


A 2D porous MOF, {[Cu(1,2,3-btc)(bpe)(H2O)]·H2O}n (1), has been synthesized using a mixed linker system. The structural determination showed non-coordinated carboxylate groups decorating the pore surface. The desolvated MOF (1a) with pendant carboxylate groups was used as a template for the stabilization of Pd nps (2-3 nm) and the resulting composite Pd(0)@1a showed efficient catalytic activity for the Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling reaction.


Macrophages are white blood cells involved in many aspects of host defence, immunity, pathology and homeostasis. Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) is required for normal proliferation, differentiation and maturing of macrophage lineage cells. CSF-1 binds to its proto-oncogene receptor, CSF-1R (also known as c-fms) to induce phosphorylation of cytoplasmic tyrosine residues on the receptor and activation, which initiates molecular signalling cascades leading to specific gene regulation. Given the central role of macrophages in immunity and pathology, CSF-1 and its receptor are obvious drug targets. This study involves the structural characterization of the interaction between CSF-1 and its receptor with the eventual aim of designing novel therapeutics to act antagonistically on CSF-1R. Three approaches were taken towards this aim. In Chapter 3, molecular modelling and inter-species cross-reactivity of CSF-1 was used to identify residues likely to be involved in the interaction between CSF-1 and its receptor. The crystal structure of human CSF-1 (PDB code 1hmc), a four-helix bundle cytokine, was used to create a model of murine CSF-1. The CSF-1R is a type III receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), with five extracellular immunoglobulin-like (Ig-like) domains, a single transmembrane region and a cytoplasmic kinase domain. The ligand-binding regions, located within the three N-terminal Ig-like domains of the receptor, were modelled on similar cell-surface receptors. An investigative comparison of mouse and human structural models identified seven residues on mouse CSF-1R as candidates for interaction with CSF- 1 based on structural location, solvent exposure, electrostatic complementarity, evolutionary conservation and prevalence in protein-protein interaction sites. To further explore these residues, mutated CSF-1R constructs were assayed in two independent systems. The first assay utilized endogenous signalling by CSF-1R that leads to transcriptional activation of urokinase plasminogen-activator (uPA). Mutant or wild type CSF-1R constructs were co-transfected with a luciferase reporter construct under regulation of the uPA promoter. Luciferase activity measured CSF-1-dependent CSF-1R signalling, to identify mutant receptors not capable of responding to CSF-1. Mutant receptors were also assayed for the ability to promote CSF-1-induced growth in the Ba/F3 cell line. Evidence from both assays confirmed that R127, Y238 and W140 are essential for CSF-1-induced activation of the receptor. Due to the complex disulfide-linkages and glycosylation patterns of CSF-1 and CSF-1R, obtaining crystallization amounts of pure protein required empirical study of different expression systems. As the interaction does not require the transmembrane domain, only the ligand-binding regions of murine CSF-1R were included in the his-tagged constructs. The first contained the entire extracellular region (F15), while shorter truncations contained either the N-terminal three domains (F13) or the second and third Ig-like domains (F23). In Chapter 4, these constructs and CSF-1 were expressed in bacteria as inclusion bodies, purified to homogeneity by metal-affinity chromatography and refolded in the presence of disulfide-exchange factors. While CSF-1 refolded with little aggregation, receptor proteins showed significant aggregation upon removal of denaturants. To overcome aggregation during refolding, receptor constructs were cloned into a baculovirus vector for expression as a secreted protein in a eukaryotic insect cell system. In Chapter 5, insect cell production of CSF-1R proteins for large-scale production was optimised. Chapter 6 describes various assays for protein integrity and activity that were undertaken on the proteins produced in Chapters 4 and 5. In particular, the native activity of CSF-1 to promote bone marrow macrophage growth was examined, as was the ability of soluble receptor and neutralizing antibody to prevent this activity. Additionally, an assay amenable to high-throughput screening for agents that interact specifically with the extracellular domains of CSF-1R was developed in the Ba/F3 cell line. This assay shows excellent dosedependent response to CSF-1, with maximal activity double the baseline activity, and may be used to identify both agonists and antagonists of the interaction.


The motivation for undertaking this study emanates from the existing turnover problem in within Tanzanian organizations. The contemporary business climate has found an increase of high demand on firms to attract and retain quality employees with technical skills, experience and knowledge. The pressure on firms to attract and retain employees as a remedy for excessive turnover has further compounded the problem in as far as associated cost is concerned. The objective of the study is to investigate factors associated with labour turnover in Tanzanian organization. In order to achieve this objective, the study employed both primary and secondary data methods. The primary data were collected by using questionnaires which were distributed to various employees. Secondary data were collected from various sources such as books, journals, circulars and the internet. The data were analyzed and the findings indicate that, managerial controllable factors
such as inadequate compensation package, unequal treatment of workers, lack of employee involvement in decision making, lack of promotion, job stress and poor working environment contribute in employee turnover in organization. In addition, demographic factors such as sex, age, education level and working experience were identified as contributors in turnover intentions among employees.The general implication drawn from the findings is that, the current retention strategies are inefficient. This calls for the new initiative by various organizations to redesign HRM policies that will achieve positive behavioral, performance and financial outcomes


Dynamic product demand, competitor innovations, and competitive pressures on costs all pose strategic challenges to companies. Many firms are responding to these challenges by modifying the way they organize their operations. During the 1980s, they have tended to externalize transactions by contracting out to the market or by engaging in longer-term contractual relationships with other firms. To preserve adequate control and coordination over this system of transactions, several organizational forms are employed which overlay market-contracting relations with integrative arrangements. Information technology enables the strategic benefits of externalization to be secured with considerably less risk of losing operational control, and thus promises to facilitate a major evolution in organizational design.


The two-point central difference is a common algorithm in biological signal processing and is particularly useful in analyzing physiological signals. In this paper, we develop a model-based classification method to detect epileptic seizures that relies on this algorithm to filter electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. The underlying idea was to design an EEG filter that enhances the waveform of epileptic signals. The filtered signal was fitted to a quadratic linear-parabolic model using the curve fitting technique. The model fitting was assessed using four statistical parameters, which were used as classification features with a random forest algorithm to discriminate seizure and non-seizure events. The proposed method was applied to 66 epochs from the Children Hospital Boston database. Results showed that the method achieved fast and accurate detection of epileptic seizures, with a 92% sensitivity, 96% specificity, and 94.1% accuracy.


Summary

In the course of a study pursued for 2 consecutive years in normal children of a suburban public school of the Paris area, the following findings were noted: (1) when the technique used was sufficiently sensitive, the rate of healthy carriers was relatively high: 16.7%on an average, with a range of 6.7%to 30%. (2) this percentage seemed to present variations during the course of the year which are perhaps due to a seasonal factor. (3) the cumulative percentage was such that at the end of two years more than one subject in two was found, to have been a carrier of hemolytic streptococci a t least once. (4) there was no correlation between the rate of carriers and the development of clinical infections (septic sore throat, scarlet fever). (5) the subjects fell into 4 groups: refractory subjects, occasional carriers, prolonged carriers of the same strain, prolonged carriers of different strains. (6) a "prolonged carrier") factor was found to exist statistically, i.e. certain subjects were particularly receptive to the Group A hemolytic streptococcus, or conversely, certain subjects were refractory. (7) within the scope of our study this factor was found together with various to, her independent correlations. Of these, the correlations with the presence of tonsils and with bad conditions of hygiene (absence of running water in the child's home) were hardly surprising; that with a genetic factor (dark iris) was more unexpected, but has been established on equally as sound a basis.


Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced natural rubber (NR) composites with the CNT contents of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 wt% were synthesized using a solution casting method. The morphology of the composites was observed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was found that CNTs were well distributed into NR and there was an excellent interface between CNTs and natural rubber. The mechanical properties of the composites were investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) test and tensile test. It was found that the increment of storage modulus of NR/CNT composites was about 0.42 MPa/wt% in the rubbery state which agreed well with the results of tensile test. The large modulus increment confirmed the reinforcement effect of carbon nanotubes.


Background: Verbal memory impairment in individuals with Huntington disease (HD) is well-documented; however, the nature and extent of verbal memory impairment in individuals with premanifest HD (pre-HD) are less understood. Objective: To evaluate verbal memory function in individuals with pre-HD by comparing their performance on the California Verbal Learning Test to that of individuals with a clinical diagnosis of HD and that of a demographically similar group of adults with no family history of, or genetic risk for, HD, thereby reducing possible complications of psychiatric difficulties commonly experienced by individuals who are at risk for HD but are gene negative. Methods: Participant groups included 77 adults with a diagnosis of HD, 23 premanifest gene carriers for HD (pre-HD), and 54 demographically similar, healthy adults. The California Verbal Learning Test—Second Edition (CVLT–II) was used to evaluate the participants' immediate and delayed recall, recognition, learning characteristics, errors, and memory retention. Results: The pre-HD group performed significantly worse than the healthy group, yet significantly better than the HD group, on Short and Long Delay Recall (Free and Cued) and Recognition Discriminability. On Total Immediate Recall, Learning Slope, Semantic Clustering, and Intrusions, the pre-HD group performed similarly to the healthy group and significantly better than the HD group. None of the groups differed in their performance on Repetitions and a measure of retention. Conclusions: Subtle memory deficits can be observed during the premanifest stage of HD with use of a subset of indices from the CVLT–II.


PLAYGROUPS BEGAN IN AUSTRALIA in the early 1970s, at the same time as significant changes in early childhood education and care (ECEC) began taking place. This paper explores how early playgroups were positioned in the ECEC policy, and the experiences of playgroup organisers in New South Wales. Methods used were documentary analysis of Project Care (Social Welfare Commission, 1974) and interviews with key players. Findings were that playgroups grew rapidly in response to grassroots demand from mothers wanting their children to learn through quality play, besides the demand for adult social support. Since Project Care was strongly influenced by feminist lobbying and the objective of enabling women to engage in paid work—and playgroups relied on mothers to deliver the service—playgroups were an uneasy fit in the ECEC policy. Although Project Care integrated playgroups into its recommendations for ECEC services, subsequent funding was at a low level. Today, ECEC services would benefit from a strengthening of the community playgroups model.


Wireless ad hoc Sensor networks are gaining increasing attention as they are suitable to monitor a wide variety of environments, where the deployment of classical wired communication infrastructure is neither economical, nor possible. The network collects environmental information which, in turn, is sent to a sink node (accessible to external users) when the connection with the sink node is available. If a sensor fails when the connection with the sink node is unavailable, all data sensed by this sensor are definitively lost. Neither the classical approaches to fault recovery nor the recently proposed approaches for the recovery in mobile computing are appropriate under this scenario, because they would require that the sensors be equipped with stable storage and/or a permanent connection with the sink node. Such requirement can hardly be met in sensor networks. This paper introduces a fault recovery scheme for single hop wireless sensor networks, where the network is able to operate independently of the sink node for long periods of time. The proposed scheme does neither require that the sensors be equipped with stable storage nor that they are permanently connected to the sink node. Rather, the sensors cooperate to maintain redundant information in their memories in order to be able to recover the lost information after a failure, and to distribute the recovered information among the memories of the surviving sensors. The proposed scheme minimizes the memory overhead.


Phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens) have become popular alternatives to conventional oestrogen products, and various preparations are marketed as effective in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. A number of clinical trials have been conducted, but it is still difficult to assess the effectiveness of plant oestrogen treatment. If treatment is started, the same precautions should be taken as with conventional oestrogen treatment.


Control rats and rats with experimental renal hypertension due to unilateral stenosis of one renal artery received a standard diet (0.23% sodium) and a sodium-deficient diet (0.004% sodium), alternately, during which time blood pressure and plasma renin activity were determined. At the end of the experiment, renin content of the kidneys was measured. In normotensive control rats, the sodium-deficient diet did not affect blood pressure, but plasma renin activity and renin content of the kidneys increased. In rats with renal hypertension, restriction of sodium supply was followed by a fall in blood pressure to normotensive levels, provided that an intact contralateral kidney was present. Similarly, sodium-deficient diet prevented the development of hypertension if given immediately after placing the clip on one renal artery. Restriction of sodium supply provoked a marked increase in plasma renin activity, whereas renin content of the ischemic kidney was only slightly, but significantly, higher than in rats with normal sodium intake. Contrary to this, in unilaterally nephrectomized rats with renal hypertension, neither hypertension nor plasma renin activity or renin content of the kidneys was affected by sodium-deficient diet. In control rats with unilateral nephrectomy, plasma renin activity was only half that of intact rats, and restriction of sodium provoked no more than an increase up to normal values of intact rats. Sodium loss by the contralateral kidney may contribute to both the antihypertensive effect of a sodium-deficient diet and the increase in plasma renin activity.


Serpentine soils are a model system for the study of plant adaptation, speciation, and species interactions. Serpentine soil is an edaphically stressful, low productivity soil type that hosts stunted vegetation and a spectacular level of plant endemism. One of the first papers on serpentine plant endemism was by Arthur Kruckeberg, titled "Intraspecific variability in the response of certain native plant species to serpentine soil." Published in the American Journal of Botany in 1951, it has been cited over 100 times. Here, I review the context and content of the paper, as well as its impact. On the basis of the results of reciprocal transplant experiments in the greenhouse, Kruckeberg made three important conclusions on the nature of serpentine plant endemism: (1) Plants are locally adapted to serpentine soils, forming distinct soil ecotypes; (2) soil ecotypes are the first stage in the evolutionary progression toward serpentine endemism; and (3) serpentine endemics are restricted from more fertile nonserpentine soils by competition. Kruckeberg's paper inspired a substantial amount of research, especially in the three areas reviewed here: local adaptation and plant traits, speciation, and the interaction of climate and soil in plant endemism. In documenting soil ecotypes, Kruckeberg identified serpentine soils as a potent selective factor in plant evolution and helped establish serpentine soils as a model system in evolution and ecology.


A theoretical and computational investigation is carried out of a dissipative model of rate-independent strain-gradient plasticity and its regularisation. It is shown that the flow relation, when expressed in terms of the Cauchy stress, is necessarily global. The most convenient approach to formulating the flow relation is through the use of a dissipation function. It is shown, however, that the task of obtaining the dual version, in the form of a normality relation, is a complex one. A numerical investigation of problems in two space dimensions casts further light on the response using the dissipative theory in situations of non-proportional loading. The elastic gap, a feature reported in recent investigations, is observed in situations in which passivation has been imposed. The computational study indicates that the gap may be regarded as an efficient path between a load-deformation response corresponding to micro-free boundary conditions, and that corresponding to micro-hard boundary conditions, in which plastic strains are set equal to zero on all or part of the boundary.


This paper shows that spatial panel data models can be successfully applied to an econometric analysis of farm-scale precision agriculture data. The application focuses on the estimation of the effect of controlled drainage water management equipment on corn yields. Using field-level precision agriculture data and spatial panel techniques, the yield response equation is estimated using the spatial autoregressive error random effects model with temporal heterogeneity, incorporating spatial dependence in the error term, while controlling for the topography, weather and the controlled drainage treatment. Controlling for random effects allows for the disentanglement of the effects of spatial dependence from spatial heterogeneity and omitted variables, and thus, to properly investigate the yield response. The results show that controlled drainage has a statistically significant effect on corn yields. The effect is generally positive but varies widely from year to year and field-to-field. For the two years of data controlled drainage was linked to a 2.2% increase in field average yield, but that varied from a -2.6% to a +6.5%. Evaluated at mean elevation and slope in the east part of the field, controlled drainage is associated with 10 bu/a increase and a 0.6 bu/a decrease in yields in 2005 and 2006, respectively. In the West part of the field, controlled drainage is associated with a 11 bu/a increase in 2006 and 2.81 bu/a decrease in 2005.


The hexagonal phase of MoO3 is attractive for electrochemical applications owing to its arrangement of atoms, which offers a large number of intercalation sites. The number of intercalation sites also depends on the orientation of the specific crystallographic plane. In this report we present a facile and low cost method to synthesize the metastable hexagonal phase of MoO3 containing NH4+ and H2O in the form of nanorods (pyramidal and prismatic) using a thiourea synthesis. The unique hexagonal phase of MoO3 was realized using a single step solvothermal process. In this work, thiourea provides the ammonium ions which alter the growth rate and stabilize the hexagonal framework. The morphology of the resulting samples changes from pyramidal to prismatic when the thiourea concentration is increased. The phase compositions and the morphologies of the as prepared samples were investigated by X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray dispersive spectroscopy and Field emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. On the basis of our findings, we propose a growth model with plausible growth mechanisms to account for their formation process.


Friction stir welding (FSW) was applied to a 0.53% nitrogen stainless steel. The nitrogen content change and the microstructural evolution in the weld were investigated. The nitrogen content analysis revealed that the stir zone (SZ) showed roughly the same nitrogen content as the base material (BM). This result suggests that FSW is an effective welding process for keeping up nitrogen content of high-nitrogen steel weld. The microstructural observation showed that the weld had the BM, the SZ, the partially recrystallized zone (PRZ) and the heat affected zone (HAZ). The coarse grain structure of the BM changed to relatively fine microstructure of equiaxially recrystallized austenite grain structure in the SZ during FSW. The PRZ contained both the fine and coarse grain structures. The detailed TEM observations showed that the particles with about 11m in size were present in the advancing side of the SZ both along grain boundaries and grain interiors. The Cr nitride less than 100 nm was formed in the HAZ along grain boundaries, which indicates that a slight sensitization occurred in the HAZ during FSW.


Neurological degeneration can occur after compression of the spinal cord. It is widely accepted that spinal cord compression leads to ischemic lesions and ultimately neurological dysfunction due to a narrowed spinal canal. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of spinal cord compression injury is required to help develop effective clinical interventions. In the present study, we propose a new method of quantitative 3D micro-CT to observe microvascular events in a chronic spinal cord compression rat model. A total of 36 rats were divided into two groups: sham control group (n = 12) and compressive spinal cord injury group (n = 24). Rats were scarified at four weeks after surgery. In each group, CD34 micro-vessel immunohistochemical staining was performed in half of the animals, while micro-CT scanning was performed in the other half. Microvessel density (MVD) was measured after immunohistochemical staining, while the vascular index (VI) was measured in 3D micro-CT. In comparison with sham control, abnormal somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) can be seen in all 24 cases of the compression group, and VI shows the amount of microvessels reduced consistently and significantly (p < 0.01). A significant correlation is also found between MVD and VI (r = 0.95, p < 0.01). These data suggest that quantitative 3D micro-CT is a sensitive and promising tool for investigating microvascular changes during chronic compressive spinal cord injury.


For the estimation of the dynamic properties of structures, forced vibration tests are often used. Various methodologies for the predetermination of the force level and the position of the shaker have been developed. In the present work the methodologies of field-testing and analytical evaluations of the structural response are defined through an interactive procedure. During field-testing, a group of parameters may vary, such as the position and the direction of the excitation force, and the amount, eccentricity and frequency of the rotating mass. These parameters should be defined and estimated before the actual testing, in order to perform an effective test plan. For this purpose, the structure under investigation is analytically modeled and its dynamic properties (mode shapes and frequencies) are estimated. Parametric analyses follow, by considering a vibrating mass on the analytical model for the simulation of the vibrator action. These analyses are performed for various positions of the vibrator on the analytical model and for various excitation levels and frequencies of vibration in order to evaluate the activated, in each case, dynamic properties of the structure and hence to better design the testing vibration program. The suggested methodology is applied for a specific bridge on Egnatia Highway, which crosses Northern Greece in an E – W direction. Also, a methodology for the installation of the vibrator on an actual structure is proposed, aiming towards the optimum transfer of forces from the vibrator to the structure.


This thesis contributes towards the design and analysis of fast and distributed optimization algorithms based on splitting techniques, such as proximal gradient methods or alternation minimization algorithms, with the application of solving model predictive control (MPC) problems. The first part of the thesis focuses on developing an efficient algorithm based on the fast alternating minimization algorithm to solve MPC problems with polytopic and second-order cone constraints. Due to the requirement of bounding the online computation time in the context of real-time MPC, complexity bounds on the number of iterations to achieve a certain accuracy are derived. In addition, a discussion of the computation of the complexity bounds is provided. To further improve the convergence speed of the proposed algorithm, an o-line pre-conditioning method is presented for MPC problems with polyhedral and ellipsoidal constraints. The inexact alternating minimization algorithm, as well as its accelerated variant, is proposed in the second part of the thesis. Different from standard algorithms, inexact methods allow for errors in the update at each iteration. Complexity upper-bounds on the number of iterations in the presence of errors are derived. By employing the complexity bounds, sufficient conditions on the errors, which guarantee the convergence of the algorithms, are presented. The proposed algorithms are applied for solving distributed optimization problems in the presence of local computation and communication errors, with an emphasis on distributed MPC applications. The convergence properties of the algorithms for this special case are analysed. Motivated by the complexity upper-bounds of the inexact proximal gradient method, two distributed optimization algorithms with an iteratively refining quantization design are proposed for solving distributed optimization problems with a limited communication data-rate. We show that if the parameters of the quantizers satisfy certain conditions, then the quantization error decreases linearly, while at each iteration only a fixed number of bits is transmitted, and the convergence of the distributed algorithms is guaranteed. The proposed methods are further extended to distributed optimization problems with time-varying parameters.


General flowering is a community-level mass flowering observed at irregular intervals of less than one year to 10 years in South-East Asian tropical rainforests. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the mechanism of general flowering, but it is still not clear how many triggers can induce general flowering and whether sensitivities to the trigger(s) are variable in different populations. To answer these questions, we review a method integrating gene expression data into environmental and endogenous data. Our study suggests that the function of the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene is conserved as a floral activator in dipterocarps, which makes it possible to detect the precise timing of flower induction from the expression of the FT homologues in dipterocarps. Combined with the environmental and endogenous data during flower induction, this method has the potential to become a powerful tool to identify the trigger(s) of general flowering. We also discuss the future application of this method to well-planned seed collection strategies for forest restoration.


Voltage deviation resulting from the power generation of distributed Renewable Energy Sources (RES) can be a serious problem especially as the penetration of RES is increased in the distribution grids. For example, residential photovoltaic (PV) systems can raise the voltage of the low voltage distribution feeder due to reverse power flow. Especially at the peak PV power production, the network voltage might even deviate from the upper voltage limit as defined by the grid regulations, causing cascading problems to neighboring consumers and to the grid. This paper investigates the residential PV reactive power (Q) compensation scheme adopted in Cyprus by the local authorities in order to restrict the voltage from deviating over the maximum allowable 10% limit. This paper performs a simulation-based investigation regarding the effectiveness of the existing regulations of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC). The investigation is enabled by applying the Q-compensation scheme on several PVs installed in a typical low voltage distribution feeder. The current EAC grid regulations are fixed for all PV systems irrespective of the PV system size and the distance/location from the secondary distribution transformer. Modified compensation schemes consisting of shifting forward or reverse the Q-compensation characteristic line are also investigated in this paper. The results of this case study show an improvement to the grid voltage by providing necessary compensation based on their distance from the substation.


ABSTRACT A newly discovered vertebrate assemblage is reported from the Upper Pennsylvanian (mid- to upper Kasimovian) Cohn Coal Member of the Mattoon Formation of southeast Illinois, United States. Teeth, scales, and spines of xenacanth (Dicentrodus, Orthacanthus, Triodus, Xenacanthus) and euselachian (Sphenacanthus) sharks dominate the assemblage. Less common are the teeth, scales, and centra of holocephalan (Helodus) and actinopterygian fishes, together with rare tetrapod (mainly pelycosaur) phalanges and centra. The assemblage occurs within a broad, shallow channel incised into a prominent Vertisol. The channel is interpreted as having been cut during a seasonally dry glacial phase when sea level was low, but filled during a subsequent transgression triggered by deglaciation. We interpret this as a brackish water (estuarine) assemblage, based on the co-occurrence of the vertebrate material with spirorbids (putative microconchids) and paleoecological inferences gleaned from a critical analysis of the literature dealing with Pennsylvanian fish ecology. This interpretation is broadly consistent with taphonomic data and the results of 87Sr/86Sr isotope analysis of shark material. The pelycosaur material may have been reworked from the lowstand Vertisol, however, and these animals occupied dryland niches that developed during glacial phases.


The Trump administration has taken a strong stance against regulation. This includes not only ratcheting down the level of regulation and enforcement in general, but it also entails a strong dislike of the absolute number of regulations in existence. For example, within two weeks of taking office, President Trump issued his Executive Order on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, which provides in part: "Unless prohibited by law, whenever an executive department or agency... publicly proposes for notice and comment or otherwise promulgates a new regulation, it shall identify at least two existing regulations to be repealed." In a certain regard, this policy of reducing the absolute number of regulations is laudable. The administrative state and the regulation associated with it have expanded massively since the first half of last century. A reduced volume of regulation means that lawyers and society at large can be better versed in their legal obligations and potentially be less encumbered in their activities. With that said, "thin regulation," as it will be termed, does have its downsides, including potential gaps in regulation, improper regulatory coverage, due process issues relating to notice, legitimacy concerns, and increased risk of market collapse relating to the regulated subject matter.

To understand the problems with thin regulation, the best place to begin is with an emerging issue and to explore how President Trump's policy of thin regulation interfaces with it. To that end, the recent advent of cryptocurrencies offers an excellent case study of the dangers of thin regulation. Although the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has undertaken efforts to act in this area, the gaps that exist illustrate the problems with thin regulation. Essentially, the SEC has tried to force cryptocurrencies into an existing regulatory structure that does not sufficiently mitigate the dangers that cryptocurrencies create. This essay explores the problems created by the lack of cohesive regulation in this area and demonstrates that the value of a thin regulatory approach is outweighed by the value of a well-reasoned, narrowly tailored approach — which I will term "bespoke regulation."


Answer set programming (ASP) is a popular declarative programming paradigm
 with a wide range of applications in artificial intelligence. Oftentimes,
 when modeling an AI problem with ASP, and in particular when we are interested
 beyond simple search for optimal solutions, an actual solution, differences
 between solutions, or number of solutions of the ASP program matter. For
 example, when a user aims to identify a specific answer set according to her
 needs, or requires the total number of diverging solutions to comprehend
 probabilistic applications such as reasoning in medical domains. Then, there
 are only certain problem specific and handcrafted encoding techniques
 available to navigate the solution space of ASP programs, which is oftentimes
 not enough. In this paper, we propose a formal and general framework for
 interactive navigation toward desired subsets of answer sets analogous to
 faceted browsing. Our approach enables the user to explore the solution space
 by consciously zooming in or out of sub-spaces of solutions at a certain
 configurable pace. We illustrate that weighted faceted navigation is
 computationally hard. Finally, we provide an implementation of our approach
 that demonstrates the feasibility of our framework for incomprehensible
 solution spaces.


Simulations and perturbation theory are used to study the molecular origins of friction in an ideal model system, a layer of adsorbed molecules sliding over a substrate. These calculations reproduce several surprising features of experimental results. In most cases, the frictional force on a solid monolayer has a different form from that observed between macroscopic solids. No threshold force or static friction is needed to initiate sliding; instead, the velocity is proportional to the force. As in experiments, incommensurate solid layers actually slide more readily than fluid layers. A comparison of experiment, simulation, and analytic results shows that dissipation arises from anharmonic coupling between phonon modes and substrate-induced deformations in the adsorbate.


For the spinel system Zn1-ϰFe-λGaϰ-λ(Fe1+λGa1-λ)O4 the index λ has been determined by X-ray measurements: λ = 0 in the region 0 ≤ ϰ ≤ 0,35; the increase of λ to 0,62 within 0,35 ≤ χ ≤ 1 is nearly linear. The distribution of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions over the lattice sites has been derived from lattice constants and ionic distances, and also by Mössbauer spectroscopy. In the spinels with ϰ < 0,3 the tetrahedral sites are preferably occupied by Fe2+ ions, for x > 0,5 Fe3+ ions dominate. At ϰ = 0,4 the occupation of the lattice sites by iron ions is statistical, the high temperature Mössbauer spectrum shows a single line only. All spinels are n-type hopping conductors mainly conducting via the octahedral sites.


Considerable excitement accompanied Mexico's plan in the mid-1970s to build "Chinampas," in the swampy region of Veracruz and Tabasco, that is, agriculture involving the construction of raised farming beds in shallow lakes or marshes. The plan was devised by Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Bioticos (INIREB). Perfected by the inhabitants of the Valley of Mexico before the Spanish Conquest, chinampas had nearly vanished except in a few isolated and shrinking areas around Mexico City. The chinampas have been steadily constricted in recent years as Mexico City has extended out and swallowed the best known of them, Xochimilco. The introduction of chinampa technology in Tucta, a Chontal village of approximately 300 families in 1978, began on a grand scale. The INI's objectives for the project were: to provide the landless Chontale Indians with permanent employment; to bring about self-sufficient food production in the area; to ensure a constant production of vegetables for the internal market of Villahermosa; to strengthen indigenous cultural identity; and to develop a real alternative for the incorporation of swampland into productive activities. In 1979, INIREB became involved in a 2nd chinampa project in the "ejido" of El Castillo, Veracruz. El Castillo was selected as an experimental project site because of the lake as well as the village's proximity to INIREB's central office in Xalapa, rather than community interest in chinampas. The examples of chinampa technology transfer presented had different outcomes, but they shared several crucial defects. In both cases, the stated and unstated objectives of project managers had little fit with the interests and needs of the farmers. The 2 projects were designed and implemented by outside technicians without significant local participation, and both rapidly fell apart when "beneficiaries" failed to cooperate. The Chontal case is notable because, after a series of failures, it finally worked. This was accomplished only after INIREB technicians broke free from preconceived programs and began listening to the Chontales. Then, the project became consistent with Chontal interests and achieved harmony with local social and economic structures as well as Tabasco's physical environment.


Previous studies have shown that morphine stimulates simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication in SIV-infected human CEM x174 cells as well as in monkey lymphocytes through a mechanism of delaying the lysis of infected cells (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 195:1165-1173, 1993). The present study describes the identification of brain-like opioid receptor sequences in RNA transcripts of both CEM x174 cells and monkey lymphocytes. Study of the gene sequence of a lymphocyte opioid receptor encompassing the third transmembrane domain and the third cytoplasmic loop indicates a 96% homology in amino acid composition to the delta opioid receptor in brain cells. Expression of such an opioid receptor sequence in lymphocytic cells is constitutive, since it could be detected in both saline-treated and morphine-treated monkeys as well as in morphine-treated monkeys after detoxification.


Spatial multiplexing (SMX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) over the best beamspace was considered as the best solution for millimeter wave (mm ave) communications regarding spectral efficiency (SE), referred as the best beamspace selection (BBS) solution. The equivalent MIMO water-filling (F-MIMO) channel capacity was treated as an unsurpassed SE upper bound. Recently, researchers have proposed various schemes trying to approach the benchmark and the performance bound. In this paper, we challenge the benchmark and the corresponding bound by proposing a better transmission scheme that achieves higher SE, namely the Generalized Beamspace Modulation using Multiplexing (GBMM). Inspired by the concept of spatial modulation, we not only use the selected beamspace to transmit information but also use the selection operation to carry information. e prove that GBMM is superior to BBS in terms of SE and can break through the well known upper bound. That is, GBMM renews the upper bound of the system SE. e investigate SE-oriented precoder activation probability optimization, fully-digital precoder design and hybrid precoder design for GBMM. Comparisons with the benchmark (i.e., F-MIMO channel capacity) are made under different system configurations to show the superiority of GBMM.


1. Steven J. Friesen, Sarah A. James, and Daniel N. Schowalter, Inequality in Corinth (you say that like it's a bad thing) Elites and Non-elites 2. Sarah A. James, The Last of the Corinthians? Society and Settlement from 146 to 44 BCE 3. Benjamin W. Millis, The Local Magistrates and Elite of Roman Corinth 4. Laura S. Nasrallah, "You Were Bought with a Price": Freedpersons and Things in 1 Corinthians 5. Sarah Lepinksi, Painting Practices in Roman Corinth: Greek or Roman? Socio-economic Inequality in Corinth 6. Guy D. R. Sanders, Landlords and Tenants: Sharecroppers and Subsistence Farming in Corinthian Historical Context 7. David K. Pettegrew, The Diolkos and the Emporion: How a Land Bridge Framed the Commercial Economy of Roman Corinth 8. William Caraher, The Ambivalent Landscape of Christian Corinth: The Archaeology of Place, Theology, and Politics in a Late Antique City 9. Daniel N. Schowalter, Regilla Standing By: Reconstructed Statuary and Re-inscribed Bases in Fourth-Century Corinth. Inequalities in Gender & Religion in Roman Corinth 10. Ronald S. Stroud, Religion and Magic in Roman Corinth 11. Steven J. Friesen, Junia Theodora of Corinth: Gendered Inequalities in the Early Empire 12. Caroline Johnson Hodges, 'Mixed Marriage' in Early Christianity: Trajectories from Corinth


The effect of the addition of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid(DTPA) to the stripping phase on the kinetics of permeation of rare earth metal ions, La"-, Pr3+ and Nd3+, through a supported liquid membrane (SLM) containing 2-ethylhexyl hydrogen 2-ethylhexylphosptionate (PC-88 A) was investigated. The flux of Ln3+ steeply decreased with increasing pH in the stripping phase (pHs) and was not detectable above pH 3.0 in the absence of DTPA. On the other hand, in the presence of DTPA, it is worth noting that Ln3+ permeated through the SLM even in the range of pH, where the permeation of Ln3+ was not detractable without DTPA, and that flux remained almost constant between pH, of 1.4 and 3.3. Experimental results on the flux under the various conditions of stirring speeds, pH of feed phase, DTPA concentrations and SLM thickness, led to the assumption that the permeation rate was controlled by the diffusion of Ln complexes in SLM with the concentrations of equilibrium at the extraction interface and zero at the stripping interface. The calculated rates and the average concentrations of Ln in SLM under the above assumption were well coincided with the experimental results, which supports the proposed mechanism. It is also suggested that increasing concentrations of dissociated DTPA species should cause to form complexes with Ln3+ to compensate the decrease in proton activity in the stripping phase with increasing pH.579


Receiving innovative end user feedback on an information system is essential for acquiring further development ideas. The feedback gathering method should encourage end users to freely bring out new ideas. The method should be repeatable and transferable to allow its use in various contexts. We employ the principles of collaboration engineering using so-callled thinkLets as building blocks to construct a feedback gathering process. We apply the principles for receiving new development ideas for a multi-university student information system in Finland. We reflect on the experiences and give insights on applying two alternative processes in a complex organizational context.


G tolerance measurements, both relaxed and using a protective straining maneuver, were made on aircrewmen, nonaircrewmen, and trained centrifuge subjects at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine over the past 3 years. Results indicated that currently trained pilots (including fighter-type pilots) are not as proficient at performing a G protective straining maneuver as fully trained centrifuge panel members. Pilots should be able to gain at least 2 G over relaxed G tolerance with adequate training. Evidence exists to indicate an optimum time for G training would be during the period of undergraduate pilot training.


: INTRODUCTION: Cytology of cutaneous lesions can be used for preliminary and rapid diagnosis of many skin diseases. Though the gold standard is a biopsy with or without immunofluorescent studies, the use of simple Tzanck test gives reliable information in many varieties of skin lesions. It is especially useful for cutaneous herpetic lesions and also for early presumptive diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris. AIMS: The study was carried out to determine the usefulness of Tzanck test in herpetic lesions, pemphigus vulgaris and other cutaneous lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a prospective one, carried out over a six month period in the department of pathology at Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, from June 2014 to December 2014. A total of twenty-one Tzanck smears were studied. The material was collected in the Dermatology out-patient department by the dermatologist and sent to the laboratory. A Giemsa stain was used for all the smears and examined under the microscope. RESULTS: There were total 21 cases ranging in age from 3 years to 62 years. There were 11 male and 10 female patients, the male to female ratio being 1.1:1. There were 8 cases of herpes zoster and Tzanck smear was reported positive in 5 cases (62.5%). For pemphigus vulgaris, out of 4 cases, 2 (50%) were reported positive on Tzanck smear. As biopsy was not available for all the cases the histopathological correlation could not be done. CONCLUSION: Tzanck smear is a rapid, simple, inexpensive and reliable test which is useful for the diagnosis of cutaneous viral infections like herpes zoster, varicella and molluscum contagiosum. It is also helpful for the presumptive diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris thereby facilitating early treatment of the patients. and


Abstract An effective information security program cannot be implemented without implementing an employee awareness and training program to address policy, procedures, and tools. Learning consists of three key elements: 1. Awareness, which is used to stimulate, motivate, and remind the audience what is expected of them 2. Training, the process that teaches a skill or the use of a required tool 3. Education, the specialized, indepth schooling required to support the tools or as a career development process


The objective of this study is to develop a unique data mining framework for the structural comparison and classification of proteins, by representing each of them in terms of a pair of secondary structure geometric descriptor distributions. In this thesis, we propose novel geometric parameters based on a comparison protocol that uses a previously unexplored pair of dihedral angles for the similarity search. The similarity analysis is performed based on the pair wise dihedral distribution representation of the protein structure. As a part of the similarity calibration procedure, a frequency transformation is employed on the two-dimensional distribution for feature extraction and selective feature filtering, which is then represented in an indexing schema later used for similarity calibration. The proposed similarity measure captures the structural similarity among proteins with less sequence identity, and its ability to classify the proteins is evaluated by conducting experiments across four datasets, of varied sizes, of protein structures belonging to different families randomly selected from Alpha, Beta, Alpha and Beta (alpha/beta), and Multi-domain proteins (alpha and beta) classes. The results demonstrate the success of this dimensionality reduction based similarity measure in performing a rapid and length-independent similarity analysis of the protein structures.


In May 1979 I was one of 12 surgeons invited jointly by the Chinese government and the Chinese Medical Association to visit medical centers in their country. Ours was one of several different academic disciplines such as archaeology and engineering asked to visit at about the same time. Our trip lasted 17 days, which since has become the standard time for visits by many medical groups. All in-country arrangements and guidance were by the Chinese government, which showed every evidence of welcoming professional groups. Before undertaking specific comments on the medical aspects of the trip, it is impossible to resist the instinct of the returned traveler to provide the reader with some general impressions unhampered by any expert knowledge. In the Chinese people there was an obvious, immense reservoir of cheerful and warm friendliness which was characteristic of every urban or rural contact we had. With a population of approximately


Tongue weakness and articulatory imprecision have been found to be significantly related in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To determine the strength of the tongue musculature, qualitative measurement techniques are routinely used during the neurologic examination. Recently, a quantitative measurement procedure was described and reported to have yielded important diagnostic and therapeutic implications for patients with ALS. This paper briefly compares and contrasts the applicability of qualitative versus quantitative procedures of tongue strength measurement, as well as different approaches to articulatory remediation for these patients.


In 2012 it was forty years ago that the discovery of the first X-ray binary Centaurus X-3 became known. That same year it was discovered that apart from the High-Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs) there are also Low-Mass X-ray Binaries (LMXBs), and that Cygnus X-1 is most probably a black hole. By 1975 also the new class of Be/X-ray binaries was discovered. After this it took 28 years before ESAs INTEGRAL satellite team discovered two new classes of High-Mass X-ray Binaries: the highly obscured supergiant systems and the Supergiant Fast X-ray Transients (SFXT). In most HMXBs the neutron stars have very long spin periods. The causes of these long periods and of the outbursts of SFXTs are discussed. Furthermore, the formation rate, duration of the X-ray phase and the later evolution after the X-ray phase of the HMXBs are discussed. Many systems will later in life merge to form Thorne-Zytkow Objects. The fate of such objects is still unclear, but the relatively high formation rate of supergiant HMXBs in the Galaxy (of order 6×10−4yr−1) implies that their remnants must be all around us. Finally, the evidence for the existence of three groups of neutron star masses, derived from the study of X-ray binaries and binary radio pulsars, is briefly discussed, as well as the origins of these three types of neutron stars.


The use of nitrate precursors for the production of mixed oxide catalysts such as iron molybdates and copper manganese oxides has been well documented in the literature. Nitrates have been used because of their high solubility and the ease of removal of the nitrate anion during calcination. In the case of copper manganese oxides, the use of chlorides and sulphates leads to the retention of the anion on the surface of the catalyst, using nitrates leaves no residue on the catalyst. The use of nitrates, however, is unfavourable due to the environmental issues associated with them. The main aim of this project was to provide a nitrate free route for the production of iron molybdate and copper manganese oxide catalysts. Using supercritical antisolvent precipitation (SAS) provided an alternative preparative route for the production of these catalysts. The catalysts produced exhibited activity when tested in their respective reactions. Some catalysts produced were comparable to those currently prepared using the conventional preparation methods i.e. the use of nitrate precursors. The research performed focussed on the production of theses mixed metal oxides using supercritical carbon dioxide. Optimisation of the supercritical process by varying operational parameters was also investigated to determine their effect on the activity of the catalyst obtained. By utilising operating parameters and understanding the supercritical antisolvent process, the results obtained showed that it was possible to produce mixed metal oxides, and to tune their catalytic activity.


This report describes the application of the biomedical theory and communication
theory. This project "PC Based Blood Pressure and Pulse Rate Monitoring System" is
proposed as it can take the place of the conventional blood pressure monitoring
systems that are currently available in the market (example: the mercury tube blood
pressure monitors and electronic blood pressure monitors). The traditional method of
measuring blood pressure using the mercury tube and stethoscope requires an
individual who is skillful in order to get accurate measurements. Theelectronic blood
pressure monitor makes this task much easier as a person only needs to place it onthe
arm and activate it.No expert personnel are needed. This project would be an update
of the electronic blood pressure monitor as it would be controlled by the Personal
Computer. The Personal Computer (PC) is chosen asthe base platform for this project
because the majority of people have PC's. A LabVIEW software interface will be
used to display the readings and control the blood pressure monitor. The readings are
sent to the PC from the blood pressure monitorunit via the PC Serial Port.


A prototype electronic device consisting of two boards with multiple power dissipating components in a vented enclosure is studied for its thermal performance under forced and natural air cooling conditions. The internal geometry and physical orientation are also varied. Results in terms of effective board thermal resistances and local heat-transfer coefficients are reported. Forced convective resistances were a factor of five smaller than natural convection values. Physical orientation is seen to be the second most important sensitivity after convection mode due to the potential for local buoyancy effects. Overall thermal performance can be affected by as much as 25% due to non-convection-mode-related variations. Design implications as well as the applicability of the data to analysis method validation are discussed. >


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of survivin in acute pancreatitis in rats.

METHODS
Acute pancreatitis was induced in rats by retrograde injection of sodium taurocholate into the pancreaticobiliary duct. The expressions of survivin in the pancreatic tissues was detected by immunohistochemisty, Western blotting and RT-PCR, and the apoptotic ratio of the acinar cells was determined by TUNEL assay.

RESULTS
Survivin was not detected in the control group, and in rat models of acute pancreatitis, the expressions of survivin protein and mRNA increased but the apoptotic index of the acinar cells decreased gradually with the severity of inflammation.

CONCLUSION
Survivin is involved in the regulation of acinar cell apoptosis and also the necrosis of the apoptotic acinar cells through its anti-apoptosis activity to aggravate acute pancreatitis, suggesting its value as a promising marker in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis.


In this thesis, we describe our modeling of structure, stability, and material properties of membranes, super-structures, and superlattices formed of self-assembled colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) interacting by many competing forces (Coulombic, magnetic, van der Waals, solvation, entropic, etc.). Most of the studies were done in close collaborations with experimentalists. First, using classical atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we have studied a molecular filtration in realistic gold NPs membranes, a complex behavior of supercharged gold NPs at aqueous-organic liquid interfaces, a pH-dependent stabilization of CdS NP nanoshells, and a transfer of chirality from individual NPs to their nanoribbons. These simulations demonstrate the importance of atomistic descriptions for a precise modeling of realistic self-assembled NP systems (ligands, electric fields, ionic solutions, etc.). Second, using coarse-grain MD simulations, we have studied a mechanical stretching of stressed self-standing gold NP membranes and capsules, and an inclusion of hydrophobic ligated gold NPs inside lipid bilayers. These simulations demonstrate the possibility to describe large structural deformations of stressed self-standing membranes, and the stabilization of large nanoparticle-lipid hybrid systems. Finally, using mean-field semi-analytical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations, we have studied the stabilization of superlattices formed of regular and truncated Pt nanocubes, and the self-assembly of many different superparamagnetic magnetite super-structures, such as chiral helices. These calculations demonstrate the description of large systems with complex interactions between their components.


Apples have high nutrient content in part due to their organic pigments, such as carotenoids and chlorophylls. Not found naturally in the human body, carotenoids and chlorophylls, must be consumed through the diet. The quantification of these compounds is important because they act as antioxidants and prevent multiple chronic diseases. A method was developed using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantify beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b in apple extracts. Method optimization steps were taken to improve peak resolution and shape. The linear range for zeaxanthin, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b was 1 mg/L - 10 mg/L. However, beta-carotene was not linear and often produced multiple peaks in the chromatogram that potentially are attributed to isomers or degradation products. An internal standard has been obtained, and further method validation is in progress prior to the analysis of apple samples.


In this present work, all the known crystallographic structures of Ni-Mn-Ga alloys (i.e. 5M, 7M and NMT martensitic structures) are considered and their properties are used to deduce the macroscopic detwinning strain and magnetisation of a single crystal by a change of scale. The microstructure configurations of twin martensitic bands in a single crystal are worked out using the nonlinear kinematic theory. The process of rearrangement (or detwinning) of twin martensites is rigorously studied. Detwinning strain, material rotation induced by detwinning and orientation between twin martensitic structures are investigated for a single crystal. Numerical applications shows that results are very sensitive to lattice parameters. A comparison with estimated values shows slight difference, as bigger as, lattice parameter a is greater (or smaller) than c. Magnetic properties are also examined. In order to deduce macroscopic physical quantities from microscopic ones, a Representative Volume Element (RVE) which is representative of the whole material is introduced. By a change of scale, partial detwinning strain and magnetisation are expressed as functions of microstructure parameters, such as, volume fraction of one of twin martensites, length ratio of two consecutive magnetic domains and lattice parameters. These results will be used to performed modeling of magneto-mechanical behavior of Ni-Mn-Ga alloys initially proposed by authors.


Abstract Based on the multi-currency LIBOR Market Model, this paper constructs a hybrid commodity interest rate market model with a stochastic local volatility function allowing the model to simultaneously fit the implied volatility surfaces of commodity and interest rate options. Since liquid market prices are only available for options on commodity futures, rather than forwards, a convexity correction formula for the model is derived to account for the difference between forward and futures prices. A procedure for efficiently calibrating the model to interest rate and commodity volatility smiles is constructed. Finally, the model is fitted to an exogenously given correlation structure between forward interest rates and commodity prices (cross-correlation). When calibrating to options on forwards (rather than futures), the fitting of cross-correlation preserves the (separate) calibration in the two markets (interest rate and commodity options), while in the case of futures a (rapidly converging) iterative fitting procedure is presented. The fitting of cross-correlation is reduced to finding an optimal rotation of volatility vectors, which is shown to be an appropriately modified version of the 'orthonormal Procrustes' problem in linear algebra. The calibration approach is demonstrated in an application to market data for oil futures.


This article seeks to present an alternative approach to understanding the politics of East Asian democratization with a special focus on South Korea. Taking the May Struggle of 1991—the largest political upheaval since the June Uprising of 1987—as a case study, it examines how Confucian moral rhetoric and practices were peculiarly employed (or exploited) in a series of authoritarian–democratic confrontations. It argues that Confucianism was neither in itself an obstacle nor an unquestionable contributor to the democratization of Korea; rather, it furnished both authoritarian and democratic sides with symbolic weapons cultivated in the Korean tradition of "Confucian moralpolitik". By seeing Confucianism as a set of semiotic practices, the article problematizes the contemporary discussion of "Confucian democracy" that heavily glosses over its contrasting dimensions by either idealizing or distorting it. In conclusion, it contends that democracy is a constant struggle and that the future of Korean democracy depends on how it identifies and promotes potentially democratic cultural practices while curbing anti-democratic ones.


ABSTRACT Plant-pollinator interactions are key components of ecosystem functioning and are therefore increasingly studied. Of all the approaches used to estimate these interactions, the capture of pollinators along transects is a widely used and recognized method. However, specific choices of sampling design can strongly influence observations of insect visits and bias ecological interpretations. Yet, there is no agreement on the best transect design. Sampling intensity (number and length of transects) is an important element of these choices, but not the only one. Here we investigate the influence of three other facets of protocol choices that commonly arise when designing pollination transects: (i) the influence of sampling conditions that may interact with ecological variables of interest or bias observations, (ii) the measurement of floral availability frequency, and (iii) the management of insects observed but not captured. We quantified the importance of these three protocol choices using a large dataset of 720 plant-pollinator transects in protected wet meadows in France. Our results demonstrate the need to (i) cover a wide range of temporal and meteorological conditions for each site, and (ii) repeat the assessment of plot attractiveness for pollinators (a major covariate, usually simply derived from one-off vegetation surveys). In addition, we show that (iii) for analyses of visitation density among insect groups, failed insect captures should not be discarded but incorporated into the analyses. Overall, this research identifies three key choices in transect design and highlights their influence in our understanding of plant-pollinator interactions.


Spasmodic torticollis (ST) is the most frequent and familiar type of focal dystonia. Nowadays, deep brain stimulation (DBS) seems to be an effective treatment for ST and is considered a first-line therapy. Anesthesia in such patients requires special considerations, because of the characteristics of the disease as well as the respective treatment. We present the anesthetic management of a patient with ST treated with DBS. A 53-year-old man with idiopathic cervical dystonia treated with a deep brain stimulator device underwent an inguinal hernia correction under general anesthesia. A detailed preanesthesia evaluation was performed to assess any issues associated with the disease especially concerning the airway. A total intravenous anesthesia technique was planned. The device was turned off immediately after induction and turned on before emergency. The patient did not report any discomfort and the stimulator did not present any malfunction or interference with other devices. Anesthetic management of patients with ST treated with deep brain stimulator should focus on a careful preanesthesia evaluation regarding primarily the airway examination, a detailed planning of the anesthetic technique to be applied, and a correct handling of the DBS implanted as it can interfere with other monitoring and therapeutic devices, sometimes with severe consequences. J Med Cases. 2016;7(9):376-378 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2588w


Construction induced vibration may cause damage of buildings, disturbance of occupants, and sensitive equipments in buildings surrounding a construction site. The prediction of the construction vibration risk is essential for making decisions before the determination of construction method. Previous methods focus on the prediction based on quantitative analysis. The framework of a new method using fuzzy logic to predict the construction vibration risk is proposed in this paper. This method integrates the knowledge and experience from experts and simulates the inference process of human brain using Mamdani fuzzy inference principle. It is a convenient and economical method when used to provide support for project manager making decisions in primary phase of project.


This paper is concerned with the problem of domain adaptation with multiple sources from a causal point of view. In particular, we use causal models to represent the relationship between the features X and class label Y , and consider possible situations where different modules of the causal model change with the domain. In each situation, we investigate what knowledge is appropriate to transfer and find the optimal target-domain hypothesis. This gives an intuitive interpretation of the assumptions underlying certain previous methods and motivates new ones. We finally focus on the case where Y is the cause for X with changing PY and PX|Y , that is, PY and PX|Y change independently across domains. Under appropriate assumptions, the availability of multiple source domains allows a natural way to reconstruct the conditional distribution on the target domain; we propose to model PX|Y (the process to generate effect X from cause Y ) on the target domain as a linear mixture of those on source domains, and estimate all involved parameters by matching the target-domain feature distribution. Experimental results on both synthetic and real-world data verify our theoretical results.


Accurate preoperative templating can facilitate precise, efficient, and reproducible total knee arthroplasty. We determined whether acetate templating accurately predicted knee implants used and compared the accuracy of digital templating. Preoperative planning was performed on 50 consecutive preoperative radiographs during 2005. After digital images were obtained, appropriately magnified analog films were printed. Four arthroplasty surgeons and one resident performed acetate templating and one arthroplasty surgeon trained in the technique performed digital templating. Acetate and digital templating accurately predicted the size of the implanted component to within one size, 91% versus 93%, respectively. The digital technique was more accurate than acetate for tibial component size. Acetate and digital templating did not differ in predicting femoral component size. Our data suggest digital templating is at least as accurate as traditional acetate templating for predicting knee implant sizing.Level of Evidence: Level II, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


Spatial adjacency of stimulus source and response site has been proven important for learning of simple behavioural tasks, including auditory quality and location discrimination. We investigated effect of sound source position (adjacent or not adjacent to manipulanda) on learning and performance of a complex auditory recognition memory task. Spatial adjacency of stimuli and manipulanda improved learning of a simple auditory directional task, which was an intermediate stage of training. In contrast, no improvement of learning and performance of the recognition task was found.


Task scheduling is an essential aspect of parallel programming. Most heuristics for this NP-hard problem are based on a simple system model that assumes fully connected processors and concurrent interprocessor communication. Hence, contention for communication resources is not considered in task scheduling, yet it has a strong influence on the execution time of a parallel program. This paper investigates the incorporation of contention awareness into task scheduling. A new system model for task scheduling is proposed, allowing us to capture both end-point and network contention. To achieve this, the communication network is reflected by a topology graph for the representation of arbitrary static and dynamic networks. The contention awareness is accomplished by scheduling the communications, represented by the edges in the task graph, onto the links of the topology graph. Edge scheduling is theoretically analyzed, including aspects like heterogeneity, routing, and causality. The proposed contention-aware scheduling preserves the theoretical basis of task scheduling. It is shown how classic list scheduling is easily extended to this more accurate system model. Experimental results show the significantly improved accuracy and efficiency of the produced schedules.


This paper examines the transmission of GDP growth and GDP growth volatility among the G7 countries over the period 1960Q1 – 2010Q4, using a multivariate GARCH model and volatility impulse response functions (VIRFs) to identify the source, magnitude and the duration of volatility spillovers. Results indicate the presence of positive own-country GDP growth spillovers in each country and cross-country GDP growth spillovers among most of the G7 countries. In addition, the large number of significant own-country output growth volatility spillovers and cross-country output growth volatility spillovers indicates that output growth shocks in most of the G7 countries affect output growth volatility in the other remaining countries. An additional finding is that the duration of output growth volatility spillovers has increased over time from some seven quarters in the 1970s to some ten quarters during the recent crisis, which is likely to be due to the increased integration of goods and financial markets.


The inflammatory response following implantation of a biomaterial is one of the major regulatory aspects of the overall regenerative process. The progress of inflammation determines whether functional tissue is restored or if nonfunctional fibrotic tissue is formed. This delicate balance is directed by the activity of different cells. Among these, macrophages and their different phenotypes, the inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2, are considered key players in the process. Recent approaches exploit macrophage's regenerative potential in tissue engineering. Here, we propose a collagen scaffold functionalized with chondroitin sulfate (CSCL), a glycosaminoglycan known to be able to tune inflammation. We studied CSCL effects on bone-marrow-derived macrophages in physiological, and lipopolysaccharides-inflamed, conditions in vitro. Our data demonstrate that CSCL is able to modulate macrophage phenotype by inhibiting the LPS/CD44/NF-kB cascade. As a consequence, an upregulation of anti-inflammatory markers (TGF-β, Arg, MRC1, and IL-10) was found concomitantly with a decrease in the expression of pro-inflammatory markers (iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12β). We then implanted CSCL subcutaneously in a rat model to test whether the same molecular mechanism could be maintained in an in vivo environment. In vivo data confirmed the in vitro studies. A significant reduction in the number of infiltrating cells around and within the implants was observed at 72 h, with a significant downregulation of pro-inflammatory genes expression. The present work provides indications regarding the immunomodulatory potential of molecules used for the development of biomimetic materials and suggests their use to direct macrophage immune modulation for tissue repair.


To achieve the goals of low carbon emission and carbon neutrality, some urgent challenges include the development and utilization of low-carbon or zero-carbon internal combustion engine fuels. Hydrogen, as a clean, efficient, and sustainable fuel, has the potential to meet the abovementioned challenges. Thereby, hydrogen internal combustion engines have been attracting attention because of their zero carbon emissions, high thermal efficiency, high reliability, and low cost. In this paper, the opportunities and challenges faced by hydrogen internal-combustion engines were analyzed. The progress of hydrogen internal-combustion engines on the mixture formation, combustion mode, emission reduction, knock formation mechanism, and knock suppression measures were summarized. Moreover, possible technical measures for hydrogen internal-combustion engines to achieve higher efficiency and lower emissions were suggested.


The collecting and storing of human biospecimens and associated data are a historical fact in medicine, but the biobank is a very recent concept. The advent of new technologies making it possible to store all types of specimens, including cells capable of staying alive outside the human body for an indefinite length of time, and to obtain scientific data of all types, including genetic information, has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for research. All of the above has led to complex ethical issues coming to fore concerning the specimen donors, the researchers handling the specimens and society as a whole. This document is aimed at providing some recommendations to serve as a guideline and encourage responsible deliberation among all those involved, thus contributing to society's recognition and trust in the forthrightness of the research and the solidary end purposes thereof. A total of nineteen recommendations have been drafted concerning the following aspects: Biobank organization and operation, degree of specimen identification, data management guarantees, consent for taking part in research and for the incorporation of specimens into the biobank, the right to know and the right not to know, consent for transferring specimens to third parties, specimen harvesting in deceased individuals, management of the pre-existing biospecimen collections, title to and commercialization of specimens and research findings and resulting payback benefiting the community.


The structure of dilute electrolyte solutions close to a surface carrying a spatially inhomogeneous surface charge distribution is investigated by means of classical density functional theory (DFT) within the approach of fundamental measure theory (FMT). For electrolyte solutions the influence of these inhomogeneities is particularly strong because the corresponding characteristic length scale is the Debye length, which is large compared to molecular sizes. Here a fully three-dimensional investigation is performed, which accounts explicitly for the solvent particles, and thus provides insight into effects caused by ion-solvent coupling. The present study introduces a versatile framework to analyze a broad range of types of surface charge heterogeneities even beyond the linear response regime. This reveals a sensitive dependence of the number density profiles of the fluid components and of the electrostatic potential on the magnitude of the charge as well as on details of the surface charge patterns at small scales.


AIM
The purpose of this investigation was to analyze predictors for wound healing, amputation and mortality after vacuum assisted closure (VAC) therapy of wounds in the lower limb in patients with arterial disease.

METHODS
One hundred and twenty one wounds were treated and followed for 12 months at two vascular centres in Uppsala and Malmö, Sweden. VAC therapy was applied in the wound at a topical negative pressure of 125 mmHg.

RESULTS
Median age of the patients was 74 years and critical lower limb ischemia was present in 87% of the patients at admission. Intestinal flora was cultivated in 74% of the wounds. VAC associated bleeding occurred in four patients. Complete wound healing was achieved in 66%. Deep groin infections were associated with synthetic graft infection (P<0.001), treatment outside hospital (P<0.001), faster healing (P<0.01) and lower amputation rate (P<0.005). Diabetes mellitus (OR 2.7; [95% CI 1.2-6.2]) and foot wound (OR 3.0; [95% CI 1.2-7.4]) were independent predictors for amputation. The absence of complete wound healing was the strongest factor for both amputation (P<0.001) and death (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
VAC therapy of complex wounds in the lower limbs in patients with vascular disease was associated with high healing rates. Non-healed wounds after VAC therapy were predictors for amputation and death.


In the present work the software GEANT4, a particle transport toolkit based on the Monte Carlo method, developed mostly by CERN, but also by other institutions and universities. GEANT4 is here used to simulate the dispersive effects that 2.5 MeV neutrons undergo after interacting with different elements. This study has the main interest of identifying spectral signatures, that is the type and number of particles yielded after neutron bombardment of special nuclear material under various shielding conditions. Shielding is composed of various attenuating materials with simple geometrical configurations, that can evolve into more intricate geometries through Boolean operations, enclosing a simulated mass of Uranium and a Uranium ore, Margaritasite. Margaritasite is of interest since it has a natural proportion of various Uranium isotopes that represent a dilute sample of special nuclear material. This work is inspired in the implementation of active detection methods that improve control over transport of fissile and fertile nuclear material. Passive methods that rely on the radiation that would typically be produced by radioactive material may not be adequate enough when shielding is in place. It is thus necessary to induce the production of radiation signatures that disclose the nature of nuclear material of interest. One such probe are neutrons, particularly those in the vii MeV regime, which are easily accomplished by well known nuclear reactions involving deuterium-deuterium collisions. The lack of charge of neutrons allows penetration through shielding of various types, and once the neutron interacts with the material of interest, a nuclear reaction can take place that should be characteristic of such material. With this idea in mind a small subset of basic aspects about the complex topic of hadronic interactions will be discussed.


The auditory sytem provides us with uncountable information about our surroundings that are crucial for our everday life as there are e.g. the ringing of a phone, the determination
 of the direction of an approaching car or understanding speech which represents information of another human beeing. There are limits to our capability
 to perceive sounds as the fact that one sound can be masked by another one which means that one sound's detectability can be decreased by the presence of
 another sound with similar spectal, spatial and timing properties. However, several phenomena have been investigated that facilitate the perception of masked sound as there are the binaural phenomenon called binaural masking level difference (BMLD) and comodulation masking release (CMR).\\ This thesis investigates possible common principles of the mechanisms underlying binaural masking level difference (BMLD) and comodulation masking release (CMR) in two different approaches. In the first chapter, an introduction to the theoretical background of the topics of this thesis is presented. In chapter 2, the influence of auditory grouping on the amount of BMLD is measured and compared with the influence of grouping
 on CMR, investigated earlier in several studies e.g. {Dau \it{et al.}} (2003). The sensitivity of BMLD and CMR to grouping paradigms could be a common property of both binaural and monaural
 processing of sounds and since it is assumed that auditory grouping is originating at central stages of processing it could give a hint
 that both BMLD and CMR occur at least partly at a higer processing stage and that they may underly similar processes.\\ In the last chapter the nature of this possible common process is more specified by introducing a model to predict CMR on the basis of an equalization-cancellation (EC) model. This model was first mentioned to account for BMLD data and an EC approach was also used to develop a more general model that
 can accoount for a large variety of binaural detection data. Several exeriments are performed by human subjects as well as by the processing model as an ideal observer in a three-interval 3-alternatve choice (3-IFC) procedure to validate the performance of the EC-CMR model.


Background Physical and psychological factors, like wrong attitudes and behaviours, can negatively influence the health outcomes of the patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). Educational interventions aiming to improve knowledge on side effects, risks, complications and preventive behaviour can reduce psychological distress, and improve quality of life (QoL). We aimed to compare a standard approach with therapeutic patient education (TPE) to analyse the impact on AHSCT patients' QoL, psychological distress and knowledge of AHSCT side effects, risks complications and preventive behaviour. Material and methods A prospective interventional study was conducted analysing data of 36 patients who received one of two different educational approaches, which were a standard approach (not-exposed) or TPE (exposed). Results In the exposed group QoL improved 14 days after transplantation (42.2 vs 25.6; p<0.03) and at time of discharge (36.6 vs 54.4; p<0.005). Anxiety and depression were better controlled in the exposed group, both at hospitalisation and discharge (anxiety: 48.1 vs 53.2; 46.4 vs 51.6. p<0.04; depression: 49 vs 55.3; 48 vs 54.3, p<0.03). Knowledge of AHSCT risks and complications improved in exposed patients, both at admission (10.1/15 vs 8/15 correct answers; p<0.01) and discharge (10.7/15 vs 8.8/15 correct answer; p<0.03). Conclusions The TPE for AHSCT patients improved knowledge, reduced anxiety and depression, which consequently increasing QoL. Therefore, we recommend our approach to further engage patients in the treatment plan, which should specifically take place prior to AHSCT initiation.


A crude drug, Evodia fruit (goshuyu) was processed to detoxicate and reduce the bitter taste. Following the procedure described in Shokanron, Evodia fruit was washed in hot water, and then dried. The alkaloid contents of processed Evodia fruit was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The result shows that the content of hydroxyevodiamine decreased to 0.55 times, while the content of rutaecarpine and evodiamine hardly change in the final processed material. However, evocarpine content increased to 1.3 times comparing with the untreated Evodia fruit. The phenomena was ascribed to the flowing-out of the water-soluble portion, and also the weight of extract and the intense of bitterness in the processed fruit were reduced to about 1/3 times.


Abstract Despite extensive reports during the COVID-19 pandemic of the academic challenges facing students, and the effects of online learning on academic achievements, we have little information regarding the needs and difficulties of K–12 students and their families from a social work perspective. The present article shares findings from a nationwide survey of 1,275 school social workers (SSWs) reporting on their clients—schools, children, and families—during the spring 2020 COVID-19 school closures. SSWs indicated that the children and families they served had significant unmet basic needs, including for food, healthcare, and housing. Poverty and mental health compounded pandemic difficulties, which were associated with the sociodemographic makeup of schools. Student engagement in social work services during the closures was significantly lower than prepandemic levels, generally due to unmet material needs. Several policy and practice implications arise from these findings, including a need for additional services for students and families, a plan to address structural inequities in our schools and communities, coordinated outreach to reengage missing students, and recognition of the strong work being done by school staff coupled with a need for additional supports and resources to combat persistent inequality.