The internship is performed at the Composite Door Surround Department of the company Premium AEROTEC in Augsburg, Germany. Being an independent company within the Airbus Group the core business is the construction and production of primary aircraft structures from different materials such as carbon fibre composites, titanium and aluminium. Especially in the internship period the topics were all related to the development and optimization of parts mainly based on the Airbus A350 with the aim to save weight.
During this internship two different parts in the Door Surround region were being analyzed and optimized.
First of all different concepts were generated and tested by use of calculations or even by building prototypes with the Additive Layer Manufacturing method 3D printing. Regarding the first two projects further input of technical experts or extra test data is required to be able to proceed with these topics. In addition to that the documentation of the self-reliant work and providing the necessary information in a structured way to colleagues was also one of the main topics.
Also some smaller tasks were performed to assist colleagues in daily- and weekly projects with approximating deadlines like tolerance analysis or optimizing some parts for the Passenger Door Surround.
Furthermore getting familiar with the process of Design to Cost (DtC) and the acquisition of new projects were two extra parts within all the remaining projects.
Finally the last topic was to gather all the required information for setting a concept version over to a detailed design. In this case an innovative design for
the Dado Panel of an aircraft type of the programme to be detailed. While working on this detailed design iteratively performed optimization steps took place to come up with a lighter design in the end.


Brain-controlled prostheses have the potential to improve the quality of life of a large number of paralyzed persons by allowing them to control prosthetic limbs simply by thought. An essential requirement for natural use of such neural prostheses is that the user should be provided with somatosensory feedback from the artificial limb. This can be achieved by electrically stimulating small populations of neurons in the cortex; a process known as cortical microstimulation. This dissertation describes the development of novel technologies for experimental neuroscience and their use to explore the neural and perceptual effects of cortical microstimulation in rodents. The first part of this dissertation describes the various tools built to study cortical microstimulation in awake, behaving rodents. Circuits were developed to simultaneously record and stimulate neurons in the cortex; thus paving the way for future research into neural responses to stimulation. Further, electrode coatings based on conductive polymers were explored to allow chronic neural stimulation without causing long term damage to the implanted electrodes or neural tissue. Two technologies were then developed to monitor different aspects of rodent behavior. Wireless accelerometers were built to monitor gross behavior and neural network based algorithms were developed to extract behavioral states from such acceleration data. Rats have poor visual acuity and actively scan their facial vibrissae or whiskers to feel the world around them. To study this whisking behavior, a video based whisker tracking system was developed which tracks the movement of a single whisker in real-time.The second part of this dissertation describes advances in neuroscience enabled by these tools. The neural response to microstimulation was explored in awake, behaving rats and it was found that microstimulation in barrel cortex evokes 15-18 Hz oscillations that are strongly modulated by motor behavior. In freely whisking rats, the power of the microstimulation evoked oscillation in the local field potential was inversely correlated to the strength of whisking. This relationship was also present in rats performing a stimulus detection task suggesting that the effect was not due to sleep or drowsiness. Further, a computational model of the thalamocortical loop is presented which recreates the observed phenomenon and predicts some of its underlying causes. These findings demonstrate that stimulus-evoked oscillations are strongly influenced by motor modulation of afferent somatosensory circuits.The perceptual effects of cortical microstimulation were then explored using behavioral studies. Tactile exploration of the environment involves the active movement of external mechanoreceptors and the integration of information across sensory and motor modalities. To explore the encoding of somatosensory feedback in such an active sensing system, a novel behavioral paradigm was introduced which precisely controls cortical microstimulation in real-time based on the movements of the animal. Using a real-time whisker tracking system, microstimulation was delivered in barrel cortex of actively whisking rats when their whisker crossed a software-defined target. Rats learned to rapidly integrate microstimulation cues with their knowledge of whisker position to compute target location along the rostro-caudal axis. This showed that rats can perform sensorimotor integration using electrically delivered stimuli. Moreover, it was discovered that rats trained to respond to cortical microstimulation responded similarly to physical whisker deflection suggesting that microstimulation in barrel cortex induces tactile percepts. This ability to encode tactile percepts in active sensing systems may be critical for providing the sense of touch to future users of motor neuroprostheses.


This study investigates the multi-solution search of the optimized quantum random-walk search algorithm on the hypercube. Through generalizing the abstract search algorithm which is a general tool for analyzing the search on the graph to the multi-solution case, it can be applied to analyze the multi-solution case of quantum random-walk search on the graph directly. Thus, the computational complexity of the optimized quantum random-walk search algorithm for the multi-solution search is obtained. Through numerical simulations and analysis, we obtain a critical value of the proportion of solutions q. For a given q, we derive the relationship between the success rate of the algorithm and the number of iterations when q is no longer than the critical value.


The microstructures of many complex fluids are typically characterized by a broad distribution of internal length scales. Examples of such multiscale materials include physically and chemically cross-linked gels, emulsions, soft colloidal glasses and concentrated suspensions. Due to the complex microstructure, these materials exhibit multiscale power law relaxation under externally imposed deformation. Compact constitutive frameworks that can accurately describe and predict both the linear as well as the nonlinear rheology of such complex fluids have remained elusive. Moreover, the rheological behavior of these materials under extensional deformations, which is important in applications such as spraying and fiber spinning, is relatively poorly understood. The primary contribution of this thesis is the development of a compact constitutive modeling framework to quantitatively describe the rheology of multiscale complex fluids. In the linear limit of small deformations, fractional constitutive equations in conjunction with the concept of quasi-properties have been shown to provide accurate physical descriptions of the broad power law relaxation dynamics exhibited by multiscale materials. In this thesis we very generally show how fractional constitutive equations enable the prediction of the rheological response of multiscale fluids under complex deformation profiles. As a specific example, we analyze the damped inertio-elastic oscillations exhibited at early times by viscoelastic interfacial layers upon the imposition of a constant stress, and the subsequent long time power law creep. We also analyze the small strain lubrication flow regime of a typical tack experiment performed on a crosslinked power law gel, where the extensional deformation of the complex material plays an important role. We extend these models to the large strain nonlinear regime using an integral K-BKZ framework coupled with a strain damping function. We demonstrate in a general manner that nonlinear rheological responses such as shear-thinning and positive first normal stress coefficients can be predicted a priori from linear viscoelastic data and a single additional nonlinear parameter introduced through the damping function. We also demonstrate that well-known empirical rheological models utilized to describe nonlinear behavior such as the Herschel-Bulkley, Cross and Carreau models can be derived using the K-BKZ framework by selecting a suitable fractional relaxation kernel and an appropriate damping function. Additionally, we derive expressions for linear viscometric functions as well as the first normal stress coefficient for materials that exhibit steady shear flow behavior predicted by the above empirical models. Our approach also quantifies the applicability of widely known empirical rheological rules for nonlinear rheology such as the Cox-Merz rule. The second contribution of this thesis is in increasing the understanding of the rheological behavior of multiscale complex fluids in extensional flow fields. For this purpose we utilize a variety of experimental extensional rheology techniques such as Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometry (CaBER), Filament Stretching Extensional Rheometry (FiSER) and an Optimized Shape Cross-slot Extensional Rheometer (OSCER). Due to their ubiquity in industrial applications as well as in biologically relevant complex fluids, we primarily study aqueous polysaccharide systems (for example Mamaku gum). With the help of these detailed experiments, we investigate and quantify the strength of hydrogen-bonding interactions in this multiscale physically associated gel. We also investigate the extensional rheology of Hyaluronic acid, which has been shown to be an important factor in proper synovial fluid function. The findings of this thesis are widely applicable given the widespread use of multiscale complex fluids in industrial, and biological applications. The fractional constitutive framework derived here overcomes the limitations of current modeling approaches that invoke a large number of empirical constitutive parameters. Our simple models will be useful for quantitative material diagnostics and quality control comparisons as well as for computational simulations. Moreover, the experimental findings on the extensional rheology of multiscale polysaccharide systems will help in the formulation of biologically relevant complex fluids for the treatment of physiological conditions such as osteoarthritis and dysphagia. Thesis Supervisor: Gareth H. McKinley Title: Professor, Mechanical Engineering


A systematic comparison has been made of the ancient magnetic latitudes of Europe, North America, India, Australia and South Africa with the evidence of ancient climates as deduced from geological data, in particular from the distribution of salt, glaciations and fossil corals. In spite of some discrepancies, the general agreement is close enough to lend support to the assumption that the ancient magnetic latitudes, calculated on the hypothesis of an axial dipole field, do represent also the ancient geographical latitudes. This support for the reliability of the magnetic data as a whole gives support for the hypothesis of continental drift and is opposed to the hypothesis that the earth's ancient field differed greatly from that of a dipole.


In this chapter, we give an overview of the approaches to the study of argumentation which concentrate on various communicative and interactional practices of arguing. First, attention is paid to the way in which the perspective of discourse analysis and conversation analysis can be helpful in dealing with argumentative texts and discussions. Next, we focus on approaches in which the rhetorical perspective on argumentation is used to study exemplary speech events. Finally, we turn to the pragma-dialectical perspective on argumentation, which integrates a philosophical, a theoretical, an empirical, an analytical, and a practical component into a coherent approach, and the semantic-pragmatic perspective on argumentation which connects with the pragma-dialectical perspective.


Telephone surveys of single and married mothers of teenagers in public schools, mothers of teenagers in religious schools, and mothers of homeschooled teenagers examined the influence that parenting styles and level of Internet access in the home have on parenting mediation of online content and time spent on the Internet (N =520). Specifically, how authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful parenting styles as well as home and bedroom Internet access influence the evaluative and restrictive mediation techniques used by parents was investigated. Results indicate that parenting style has a significant effect on almost all mediation techniques studied, whereas increased access only influences time online. Additionally, technological blocking as a restrictive mediation technique was found to be highest among authoritative parents, followed by authoritarian and neglectful.


ABSTRACT Intervals of faunal turnover in the fossil record are often preserved at unconformities, suggesting that their apparent abruptness is an artifact of geologic discontinuities. A detailed investigation of the Middle Devonian Kačák Bioevents of the Appalachian Basin focused on stratigraphically complete sections of eastern New York State to further elucidate the nature and timing of faunal turnover where not cloaked by an unconformity. The Lower Kačák Bioevent is fairly well constrained to the lower portion of the East Berne Member of the Mount Marion Formation. The Upper Kačák Bioevent is less well constrained to within the middle to upper East Berne Member, however. A thorough dissection of the East Berne Member has yielded the more precise timing of the initial Hamilton Fauna incursion, occurring at the level of the thin, fossiliferous, Dave Elliot Bed (DEB). The occurrence of the goniatite Tornoceras aff. mesopleuron below the DEB constrains the Hamilton incursion to the earliest Givetian age. The DEB fauna is composed of a single taxonomic holdover from the older Stony Hollow Fauna, while the entire rest of the DEB fauna carries over into the remaining Hamilton E-E (ecological–evolutionary) subunit. From the data at hand, this faunal incursion does not represent a gradual or step-wise incursion. When studied in the thickest, most conformable, stratigraphically complete sections preserved, this incursion occurs as an abrupt event. The pattern of faunal change preserved is a two-step extinction and turnover, with extinction occurring at the onset of dysoxic flooding (Lower Kačák Bioevent), followed by the rapid incursion of new fauna associated with sea-level fall (Upper Kačák Bioevent) in the area under consideration.


The case of a 77-year old white male on anticoagulant therapy who developed sudden onset of gastrointestinal bleeding is presented. A benign esophageal papilloma was a fortuitous finding. The papilloma was removed in toto by fiberoptic endoscopic polypectomy. A brief review of this rare lesion is presented and the importance of a careful endoscopic examination as well as the therapeutic/curative potentialities of the procedure are stressed.


Abstract This study used both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to assess the pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in siblings (n = 77) of cancer patients attending summer camp. On quantitative measures [Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) parent and child versions], siblings reported statistically significant improvements in HRQOL from pre-to post-camp. The parent sample, as a whole, did not report a statistically significant improvement in the siblings' HRQOL; however, statistically significant improvements were found when the analysis controlled for the responses of bereaved parents. On the qualitative measures (Sibling Qualitative Interview and Camp Okizu Satisfaction Surveys), both children and parents described the positive impact of camp. Using grounded theory, we identified the major themes and found that the positive emotional and social experiences captured by the quotes were paralleled in the quantitative findings of improved HRQOL in psychosocial domains on the PedsQL. These findings suggest the beneficial effects of camp as a psychological intervention and illustrate the value of integrating quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches in research.


Certain cryptographic applications require pseudo-random sequences which are "unpredictable," in the sense that recovering the sequence from a short captured segment is computationally infeasible. Such sequences are said to be cryptographically strong. Due to the Berlekamp-Massey algorithm, a cryptographically strong sequence must have a high linear complexity, where the linear complexity of a sequence s is the minimum number of stages in a linear feedback shift register capable of generating s. However, trivial examples exist which show that a high linear complexity does not insure that a sequence is cryptographically strong.
In this thesis a generalized linear complexity--the k-complexity--is proposed and analyzed. The k-complexity of s is defined to be the smallest linear complexity that can be obtained by altering any k or fewer elements of s. The k-complexity can be interpreted as a "strong" measure of the complexity of a sequence, or as a worst-case measure of the linear complexity when k or fewer errors occur.
It is shown that the k-complexity gives more information on the cryptographic strength of a sequence than other previously suggested methods. An efficient algorithm for finding the k-complexity in the special case where s is a periodic binary sequence with period length 2$\sp{n}$ is given. This algorithm generalizes a linear complexity algorithm of Games and Chan. The computational complexity of the general case is also considered.
The k-complexities of a particular class of binary sequences--the de Bruijn sequences--are analyzed and several computational results are given. In addition, a new class of binary sequences which appear to have good k-complexity properties is presented.


The different sources of spatial distortion in magnetic resonance images are reviewed from the point of view of stereotactic target localization. The extents of the two most complex sources of spatial distortion, gradient field nonlinearities and magnetic field inhomogeneities, are discussed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Several ways by which the spatial distortion resulting from these sources can be minimized are discussed. The clinical relevance of the spatial distortion along with some strategies to minimize the localization errors in magnetic resonance-guided stereotaxy are presented.


Smallholder farmers in developing countries are characterised by low uptake of improved farm inputs and weak links to markets. Among other reasons, the high transaction costs that these smallholder farmers incur, as a result of their location in remote areas, inadequate information and missing credit markets, inhibit them from participating in both input and output markets. Organising farmers into groups has been suggested as a potential mechanism for reducing transaction costs. Accordingly, farmer groups have been preferred channels for smallholder farmer support in South Africa, both by the government and donors. However, the impact of these groups on smallholder outcomes such as technology adoption is largely unknown. We investigated the extent to which membership in farmer groups influences the use of improved farm inputs such as inorganic fertiliser among smallholder farmers in South Africa. A sample of 984 households was analysed using the propensity score matching method. Group membership was found to play a positive role in inorganic fertiliser use with a 14% higher chance of inorganic fertiliser use among group members. Among fertiliser users, group members used 170 kg more inorganic fertiliser than did non-members. Further analysis indicated that the effect of group membership on inorganic fertiliser use was heterogeneous among group members. The results suggest that farmer groups play a positive role in the use of improved farm inputs in South Africa. For greater effectiveness of group membership, policymakers should target the less educated, increase the assets of the poor and improve access to extension and information.


The Sesame modeling and simulation framework aims at efficient system-level design space exploration of embedded multimedia systems. A primary objective of Sesame is the exploration at multiple levels of abstraction. As such, it targets gradual refinement of its (initially abstract) architecture performance models while maintaining architecture-independent application specifications. In this paper, we present a mixed-level co-simulation method, called trace calibration, for incorporating external simulators into Sesame's abstract system-level performance models. We show that trace calibration only requires minor modification of the incorporated simulators and that performance overheads due to co-simulation are minimal. Also, we show that trace calibration transparently supports distributed co-simulation, allowing for effectively reducing the system-level simulation slowdown due to the incorporation of lower-level simulators


We describe 4 patients with onset or aggravation of thyroid dysfunction induced by interferon (IFN) treatment of hepatitis type C. All 4 patients were females; 2 had hyperthyroidism and 2 had hypothyroidism during or after IFN therapy. The onset or aggravation of thyroid dysfunction occurred during administration of IFN in 1 patient and 4 weeks after the end of IFN therapy in the remaining 3 patients. The 2 patients who demonstrated hyperthyroidism were euthyroid and negative for thyroid autoantibodies before receiving IFN therapy. The remaining 2 patients who demonstrated hypothyroidism were positive for thyroid autoantibodies before IFN therapy. One of these patients had a slight decrease in thyroid function before IFN therapy. Anti-thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibodies became positive in all 4 patients. Since there may have been a causal relationship between IFN therapy and the onset or aggravation of thyroid dysfunction, IFN therapy should be administered with caution.


LIN28 is an RNA-binding protein that is expressed in many developing tissues. It can block let-7 (Mirlet7) microRNA processing and help promote pluripotency. We have observed LIN28 expression in the developing mouse neural tube, colocalizing with SOX2, suggesting a role in neural development. To better understand its normal developmental function, we investigated LIN28 activity during neurogliogenesis in vitro, where the succession of neuronal to glial cell fates occurs as it does in vivo. LIN28 expression was high in undifferentiated cells, and was downregulated rapidly upon differentiation. Constitutive LIN28 expression caused a complete block of gliogenesis and an increase in neurogenesis. LIN28 expression was compatible with neuronal differentiation and did not increase proliferation. LIN28 caused significant changes in gene expression prior to any effect on let-7, notably on Igf2. Furthermore, a mutant LIN28 that permitted let-7 accumulation was still able to completely block gliogenesis. Thus, at least two biological activities of LIN28 are genetically separable and might involve distinct mechanisms. LIN28 can differentially promote and inhibit specific fates and does not function exclusively by blocking let-7 family microRNAs. Importantly, the role of LIN28 in cell fate succession in vertebrate cells is analogous to its activity as a developmental timing regulator in C. elegans.


In this paper we consider wireless cooperative multihop networks, where nodes that have decoded the message at the previous hop cooperate in the transmission toward the next hop, realizing a distributed space-time coding scheme. Our objective is finding optimal cooperator selection policies for arbitrary topologies with links affected by path loss and multipath fading. To this end, we model the network behavior through a suitable Markov chain and we formulate the cooperator selection process as a stochastic shortest path problem (SSP). Further, we reduce the complexity of the SSP through a novel pruning technique that, starting from the original problem, obtains a reduced Markov chain which is finally embedded into a solver based on focused real time dynamic programming (FRTDP). Our algorithm can find cooperator selection policies for large state spaces and has a bounded (and small) additional cost with respect to that of optimal solutions. Finally, for selected network topologies, we show results which are relevant to the design of practical network protocols and discuss the impact of the set of nodes that are allowed to cooperate at each hop, the optimization criterion and the maximum number of cooperating nodes.


We quantify the base dependent interactions between single stranded DNA and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in solution. DNA/SWNT hybrids hold the promise of applications ranging from nanoscale electronics and assembly of nanotube based materials, to drug delivery and DNA sequencing. These applications require control over the hybrid assembly and disassembly. Our analytical assay reveals the order of nucleobase binding strengths with SWNTs as G>C>A>T. Furthermore, time dependent fixed temperature experiments that probe the kinetics of the dissociation process provide values for the equilibrium constants and dissociation enthalpies that underlie the microscopic interactions. Quantifying the base dependency of hybrid stability shows how insight into the energetics of the component interactions facilitates control over hybrid assembly and disassembly.


Khaya (Meliaceae) is a widespread genus of trees distributed from the tropical forests of Africa to Madagascar and the Comoros. Khaya species are very close morphologically and some contain considerable phenotypic and ecological diversity, raising the question of their delimitation: this is the case of Khaya anthotheca s.l. (sensu lato, including K. nyasica ), which is often lumped with K. grandifoliola and K. ivorensis . We tested species delimitation within K. anthotheca by combining population-genetic and morphological data. First, a visual inspection of over a thousand specimens suggested the existence of five morphogroups. Second, after genotyping 498 samples at 71 nuclear SNPs, Bayesian clustering analyses (STRUCTURE) first identified five genetic clusters (K1 – K5), while further analyses subdivided K5 into two clusters. The six genetic clusters obtained are distributed in parapatry or al-lopatry from West Africa to East Africa, except for cluster K4, which is in sympatry with K3 in Central Africa. The partitioning of genetic clusters is also largely congruent with the morphogroups identified. The morphological differentiation of these clusters was confirmed by statistical analyses of 27 leaf characters. The clear-cut genetic differentiation between clusters, with few admixed genotypes even in contact zones, argues for the recognition of distinct species following the biological species concept. Our analyses highlight that the current taxonomic treatment of Khaya underestimates by one-half the total number of species. We identify two new species, circumscribe K. anthotheca and support the rehabilitation at the rank of species of three taxa considered to be synonyms of K. anthotheca ( K. agboensis , K. euryphylla , K. nyasica ). These results illustrate the strength of combining population-genetic and morphological data to delineate an African rainforest tree species complex.


This paper argues that the EU Regulation of credit rating agencies is concurrently pursuing two objectives that conflict with and would undermine each other. One is the objective of enhancing rating accuracy, and the other is the objective of restoring market discipline in the wholesale investment markets for credit ratings as information goods. The Regulation places more emphasis on regulating for rating accuracy which has the effect of instituting a form of product regulation for credit ratings, raising the public interest profile of credit ratings. This paper argues that this is undesirable and is contrary to policy-makers' endeavours to enhance market discipline for rating quality and the private accountability of credit rating agencies. EU policy-makers would eventually need to confront the underlying conflicting objectives in the Regulation so that a normatively coherent and consistent regulatory regime can be designed and implemented.


Neurotensin (NT) acts through specific G protein-coupled receptors to induce effects in the central nervous system and periphery. In this study we have shown that in the human neuroblastoma cell line CHP 212, an NT agonist, JMV 449, induced high affinity neurotensin receptor (NTR) gene activation.125I-NT binding of cells challenged with JMV 449 rapidly decreased then reappeared and subsequently stabilized at 50% of the control values after 48 h of agonist exposure. These receptors, which reappeared at the cell surface, are as active as those found in control cells as demonstrated by Ca2+mobilization. Furthermore, the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene, a known NT target gene, remained activated after prolonged NT agonist exposure in this cell line. In the murine neuroblastoma cell line, N1E-115, NT did not stimulate NTR gene activation but induced NTR mRNA destabilization after long term agonist exposure. In this cell line, NT binding dropped to 15% of control values and remained at this value after agonist treatment. The TH expression, which was originally activated upon NT agonist exposure, decreased to control values after prolonged agonist exposure. These observations combined with the data obtained from a complementary study with HT-29 cells (Souazé, F., Rostène, W., and Forgez, P. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 10087–10094) revealed the crucial role of agonist-induced receptor gene transcription in the maintenance of cell sensitivity. A model for G protein-coupled receptor regulation induced by prolong and intense agonist stimulation is proposed.


The extensive use of social media by young people in many countries has raised concerns among adults, who are apprehensive about their effect on reading habits as well as literacy and communication skills. To what extent, however, does this situation apply to a developing country like Nigeria? This study set out to explore this question by looking at patterns of social media use among secondary school students in Enugu State; the purposes for which young people use social media; their perceived benefits and dangers; students' attitudes toward reading; and the possible impact of social media use on reading. Adopting a descriptive survey design, the study examined the use of social media by students in six secondary schools in Enugu and Nsukka, the two urban centres in the state. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were employed to collect the data. The quantitative data were analysed using mean and percentages, while the focus group discussions were analysed qualitatively. The findings showed that access to and use of social media was limited, more so for junior than for senior secondary students. The young people used the media primarily for social and information-seeking purposes, and less for entertainment. Major benefits of social media use related to developing new skills, gaining access to information, and extending social contacts, while major dangers were perceived to be addiction, cyber bullying, and loss of study time. Students had positive attitudes toward reading, compared to social media; they were concerned that social media use could have negative effects on reading but suggested possible positive outcomes. The researchers recommended that educators and librarians take advantage of Nigerian young people's seriousness of purpose and interest in both the informational and the social use of the media, to utilise the media for broad educational purposes.


Abstract Rare earth elements (REE) are technology drivers, essential for applications ranging from clean energy technologies to biomedical imaging. Thus they are "critical elements" and it is desirable to find additional RE domestic sources and explore green extraction technologies to overcome their supply risk. Phosphogypsum, a major byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry, incorporates a significant amount of RE from the apatite source rock and thus is a potential alternate source of RE. To know the accessibility and extractability of RE from phosphogypsum, it is important to understand the location and nature of RE binding. Here, we report the synthesis of analogs of RE-doped phosphogypsum, with europium (Eu) as a model RE. Using several characterization tools we conclude that the majority of Eu is on the surface of the calcium sulfate crystal as a separate secondary phase, namely a metastable amorphous/nanocrystalline precipitate in which Eu is associated with phosphate and sulfate as counterbalancing ions. The rapid precipitation at low temperature could be responsible for this behavior, which may not represent equilibrium, and our experiments are comparable in the timescale with the fast phosphogypsum precipitation in the industrial process. These results suggest that the Eu is not entrapped by ionic substitutions in the calcium sulfate lattice. Thus RE should be extracted relatively easily from phosphogypsum using methods that extract the RE from its surface.


The content of this paper is characterization the spectral properties of stationary models - namely autoregression model AR(p), model of moving averages MA(q) and mixed models ARMA(p,q). There is the clear relationship between spectral density and autocorrelation function of these stationary models. The spectrum has the typical shape for different models. This shape depends on sign of parameters. On other side, from shape of spectrum we cannot derive the accurate type of model, because the different models have the similar shape of spectrum. But the shape of spectrum is very important complementary information that can through many things prompt.


We analyzed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of seven patients with AIDS who were infected through contaminated needles or blood letting equipment; no other risk factor was identified in these patients. In the Direccion de Epidemiologia de los Servicios Coordinados de la Salud in the state of Puebla, 37 cases of AIDS were registered up to June 15, 1988. Nineteen percent of these were paid donors between the ages of 26 and 45. There were five males and two females. All of them had weight loss, fever, chronic diarrhea and adenomegaly. Six had respiratory complaints, four candidiasis and two pulmonary tuberculosis. In the state of Puebla, there are 517 paid donors registered as carriers of Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). We do not know the number of blood donations and therefore the number of receptors. In this state, 52 percent of AIDS cases are post-transfusional and we fear an increase. We propose that all paid blood donors should be considered as a high risk group.


A recently completed collaboration project with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has resulted in a platform for federated control, intended to be deployed in next generation smart equipment or process control. This prototype platform, tentatively named DCAP (distributed control application platform) is designed for developing component-based control applications for federated embedded control systems. Component-based development has been the driving force throughout the development stage of the prototype. Components, distributed in the platform are required to support the skeleton, needed for e.g. remotely enabling or disabling modules, like device drivers (to cater for different hardware) or control algorithms. The underlying technology is COM/DCOM (Component Object Model/distributed COM): this provides sufficient flexibility and reconfigurability to support the skeleton of the platform in such a way that each component-based controller can contain one or more control applications.


In animal societies, recognition of group members and relatives is an important trait for the evolution and maintenance of social behavior. In eusocial insects, nest mate recognition is based on cuticular hydrocarbons and allows colony members to reject competitors and parasites. The study of recognition cues in subsocial species can provide insights into evolutionary pathways leading to permanent sociality and kin-selected benefits of cooperation. In subsocial spiders, empirical evidence suggests the existence of both kin recognition and benefits of cooperating with kin, whereas the cues for kin recognition have yet to be identified. However, cuticular hydrocarbons have been proposed to be involved in regulation of tolerance and interattraction in spider sociality. Here, we show that subsocial Stegodyphus lineatus spiderlings have cuticular hydrocarbon profiles that are sibling-group specific, making cuticular hydrocarbons candidates for kin recognition cues. Our behavioral assays indicate that spiderlings can discriminate between cuticular cues from kin and nonkin: In a choice set-up, spiderlings more often chose to reside near cuticular chemical extracts of siblings compared with nonsiblings. Furthermore, we show that cuticular chemical composition changes during development, especially around the stage of dispersal, supporting the hypothesis that cuticular cues are involved in regulating conspecific tolerance levels. Lastly, our results indicate that the potential kin recognition cues might be branched alkanes that are influenced very little by rearing conditions and may be genetically determined. This indicates that a specific group of cuticular chemicals, namely branched alkanes, could have evolved to act as social recognition cues in both insects and spiders. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.


This research is focused on determining the most effective silver shell growth method formultilayered metallic nanoparticles, and determining the plausibility of using embedded[Ru(bpy)3]2+ as an internal standard for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In the surfacestudy, silica particles were functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane followed by avariety of seeding techniques to complete the silver shell. This study revealed that the optimumsynthesis method prior to the hydrogen reduction of the silver shell utilized a tin treatmentfollowed by a silver (I) oxide soak, resulting in the best surface coverage. Likewise extinctionanalysis revealed that this type of particle absorbs the most light, which likely is important forsurface enhanced spectroscopy.In the second part of the study, a procedure is reported for the synthesis of multilayeredmetallic nanoparticles with a dye molecule ([Ru(bpy)3]2+) embedded in the dielectric layerseparating the two silver layers. Raman spectroscopy was used to prove the success ofembedding the dye molecule into the spacer layer. Fluorescence, extinction, absorption, andscattering data were used to determine that, as the shell is synthesized, it begins to absorb moreof the excitation light. This absorption is a problem because [Ru(bpy)3]2+ has a low quantumyield of only 7.2% and the signal is easily extinguished as the shell becomes thicker. Finally, the particles with the embedded dye molecule were used for a preliminary test to determine theirusefulness as an internal standard for surface enhanced Raman scattering. This preliminarystudy revealed that it is possible to detect [Ru(bpy)3]2+ using the 457.9 nm laser and use a632.8 nm laser line to detect a 500 nM crystal violet solution. 500 nM is below the detection ofcrystal violet only using Raman spectroscopy.


. Hexactinellid sponges are metazoans in which the major tissue component is a multinucleated syncytium. The preferred deepwater habitat of these sponges makes collection of hexactinellids in good condition difficult, and has hindered extensive examination of their body plan. Nonetheless, over the last three decades a number of studies have explored their ecology, histology and physiology. It has been shown that hexactinellids are extremely long-lived animals. Their cytoplasm consists of a giant, multinucleated tissue, the trabecular syncytium, which is connected via open and plugged cytoplasmic bridges to cells such as archaeocytes, choanoblasts, and cells with spherical inclusions. Because all of the sponge is cytoplasmically interconnected, electrical signals can propagate through the animal. The effector response is arrest of the feeding current. The perforate plugged junction apparently allows tissues to specialize in different ways while maintaining limited cytoplasmic continuity. Larvae of hexactinellid sponges are already largely syncytial. Although it is not known when the first syncytial tissues are formed or when perforate plugged junctions first appear during embryogenesis, evidence that embryos are cellular until gastrulation suggests that hexactinellid sponges may have evolved from cellular sponges and that syncytial tissues are not a primitive trait of the Metazoa.


Hydrops allantois was diagnosed in two Haflinger mares with severe abdominal distension. Both mares were seven months pregnant. Abortion was induced with two injections of prostaglandin six hours apart followed by further manual dilation of the cervix and administration of oxytocin the next day. There were 90 and 95 litres of fluid, respectively, in the allantoic cavities which resembled extracellular fluid with regard to concentrations of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate and chloride, but not total protein. Both fetuses had severe brain abnormalities which were diagnosed as cerebellar and cerebral hypoplasia associated with bilateral hydrocephalus internus and hydranencephaly and cerebellar aplasia, respectively. Both mares were pregnant by the same stallion, but a clear hereditary link was not found.


In European towns of the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the sounds people heard were very different from those of today. Yet the difference goes much deeper: whereas today we try to escape city noise, for the inhabitants of early modern towns sound served as a crucial source of information. It formed a semiotic system, conveying news, helping people to locate themselves in time and in space, and making them part of an 'auditory community'. Sound helped to construct identity and to structure relationships. The evolution of this information system reflects changes in social and political organization and in attitudes towards time and urban space.


Hyperventilation to extremely low arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) has been used in the management of persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborn infants. With progressive hypocarbia, cerebral vasoconstriction occurs, raising the concern that extreme hypocarbia may result in cerebral oxygen deprivation. Therefore, I evaluated regulation of the cerebral circulation during acute hypocarbia in 10 newborn lambs. Whole-brain and regional blood flows measured using radioactive microspheres, arterial and venous (sagittal sinus) blood gases, and oxygen contents were measured in each lamb at four arterial carbon dioxide tensions. Whole-brain oxygen delivery, oxygen consumption, and fractional oxygen extraction were calculated. Finally, arterial and venous lactate concentrations were measured to assess cerebral lactate production. Whole-brain blood flow (CBF) decreased in a nonlinear fashion as PaCO2 ranged from 46 to 12 mm Hg [In(CBF) = 0.025(PaCO2) + 3.38; r = 0.70, p less than 0.001]. Similar responses were demonstrated for all regional blood flows examined. Cerebral fractional oxygen extraction (E) increased in a nonlinear fashion [In(1-E) = 0.023(PaCO2)-1.37; r = 0.80, p less than 0.001], and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen was unchanged with hypocarbia. Cerebral venous lactate concentration increased significantly (3.49 +/- 0.23 vs. 2.01 +/- 0.22 mM, p less than 0.001) during severe hypocarbia (PaCO2 of less than 22 mm Hg), and the arterial-venous lactate concentration difference became negative. These results demonstrate uniform responses of whole-brain and regional blood flows and stable cerebral oxygen consumption during moderate and severe hypocarbia. Although there is evidence for cerebral lactate production during severe hypocarbia, this is not likely to indicate cerebral hypoxia as oxygen consumption does not change.


Previous research has stated that there is a lack of insight into the literature about doctoral research that recognises the diverse experiences that come from the life of the researcher. In addition, there is limited research or discussion of an author's presentation of the 'self' or 'identity', which inevitably influences the developing narrative within a thesis. This paper highlights how the development of a series of autoethnographies helped the author to reflect on his identity as he started to write up his PhD. The paper provides an analysis of what it might mean to be autoethnographic as a way to reflect on identity. The paper explores some of the autoethnographies from the thesis, highlighting some of the emotional and inspiring 'epiphanies' that emerged whilst writing the thesis influenced by discussion with the research participants. The paper will illustrate how autoethnography can be employed as an example of reflective practice to understand identity, highlighting its significance in being used as an example of reflective practice in qualitative research and working with participants. It was found that research can be considered a dynamic process with multiple strands to our identities not being bounded and static, but ever moving and changing. Although autoethnography can lead to narcissist representations, identities inevitably, directly or indirectly, influence the research process. Thus helping to develop a deeper understanding of the researcher's position and identity in the qualitative research process, and arguably enabling the researcher to understand the research process and participants better.


This essay addresses the ideas of brevity and ma in Dickinson's poetry and Japanese culture. In both, brevity reflects intuitive insight; ma expresses the aesthetics of absence. Brevity is the essence of haiku, but it may be hasty to connect haiku with Dickinson simply because of the shortness of their forms. Instead, both haiku and Dickinson's poems characterize brevity as instantaneous understanding. In Japanese culture and Dickinson's poems, brevity is often expressed as the transient, fleeting quality of scent. For example, the Japanese art of koh-do retains fragrance through memory, the transformation of the real into the imagination, the presence of absence. Brevity is often expressed through absence: spatial emptiness in the visual arts and techniques like ellipsis and compression in poetry. In this sense, brevity is related to ma. To give meaning to ma or the emptiness of space lies at the center of all Japanese arts, cultural pursuits, and even the martial arts. Dickinson's ma is most evident in her use of absence: for example, the blank spaces caused by the compression of language and the dash. As in Japanese culture, which encourages its participants to engage in experiencing ma, Dickinson's poetry invites readers to participate by filling in the blank spaces in her poems. As in Japanese culture, especially in the case of haiku, Dickinson's ideas of brevity and ma are found in the leap from the description of the real world to the imaginative, the very art of poetry.


We present findings that document one way in which a society's culture can affect political outcomes. Examining an annual panel of democratic countries over six decades, we show that severe economic downturns are more likely to cause political turnover in countries that have lower levels of generalized trust. We find no such relationship in non-democratic countries or on irregular leader turnover. This pattern is consistent with a mechanism that works through accountability and the electoral process. As further corroboration of this mechanism, we find that the effects of trust are greatest during years with regularlyscheduled elections, and within democracies with a parliamentary system, a fully free media, and more stability. The estimates suggest that generalized trust significantly affects political institutions by influencing the extent to which citizens attribute economic downturns to the mistakes of politicians.


Background Medication overdose accounts for >80% of hospital presentations for self-harm. Previous research has identified typical characteristics of medication overdose cases; however, these cases have not been well differentiated from other similar presentations, namely (1) illicit drug overdose and (2) self-harm by means other than overdose. Method A 12-month audit of medication overdose cases (both intentional and unintentional) attending the emergency department (ED) of a major metropolitan public hospital in Melbourne, Australia was conducted. Comparison was made with patients attending for illicit drug overdose or for self-harm by means other than overdose. Results Medication overdose cases (n=453) showed a broadly comparable profile with those found in earlier studies (predominantly female gender, aged in their 30s and referred for psychosocial assessment). A similar though not identical profile was noted for self-harm cases (n=545). In contrast, patients attending for illicit drug overdose (n=409) could be characterised as male, in their 20s and not referred for psychosocial assessment. Illicit drug overdose cases were more likely than either the medication overdose or self-harm cases to be triaged in the most urgent category (19.3, 3.8 and 3.9% respectively), suggesting a high level of acuity in this group. However, the illicit drug overdose group on average spent less time in the ED than medication overdose patients, and were less likely to require hospital admission. Conclusion On both demographic and treatment variables, patients attending the ED following a medication overdose more closely resemble those attending for self-harm by means other than overdose than those attending for illicit drug overdose.


Pneumatization of the maxillary sinus secondary to posterior maxillary tooth loss is an extremely common inding. Signiicant atrophy of the maxilla prevents dental implant placement in this region. Grafting the loor of the maxillary sinus has emerged as the most common surgical modality for correcting this inadequacy. Graft material is introduced into the space created inferior to the sinus membrane. Various grafting materials and techniques might be used in this procedure. The aim of this article is to review the essentials of maxillary sinus augmentation, clarify this procedure for otolaryngologists, explain its function, and describe the augmentation materials, techniques, and complications.


Author(s): Goold, Carleton | Advisor(s): Nicoll, Roger A; Davis, Graeme W | Abstract: The magnitude and timing of neural activity precisely determines adaptive responses to stimuli. Neural activity is subject to extensive transformation between sensation and motor execution, and this transformation itself is subject to change due to the rewiring of the nervous system during development and learning. In this thesis I present data exploring how synapses between neural circuit elements might be homeostatically regulated, such that activity levels are maintained to ensure effective functioning of the nervous system. Inhibition of postsynaptic glutamate receptors at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) initiates a compensatory increase in presynaptic release termed synaptic homeostasis. This ensures that muscle depolarization stays constant despite diminished postsynaptic function, and this process of synaptic homeostasis may be important for maintaining proper NMJ function throughout development. While BMP signaling has been proposed to mediate the retrograde signal that controls synaptic homeostasis at this synapse, BMP signaling is also necessary for normal synaptic growth and stability. It remains unknown whether BMPs function as instructive retrograde signals that directly modulate presynaptic transmitter release. Here we demonstrate that the BMP receptor (Wit) and ligand (Gbb) are necessary for the induction of synaptic homeostasis, but that Gbb does not function as an instructive retrograde signal. Rather our data indicate that Wit and Gbb function via the downstream transcription factor Mad, and that Mad-mediated signaling is continuously required to gate the expression of synaptic homeostasis in motoneurons. Forms of synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system such as long-term potentiation (LTP) increase synaptic activity in a synapse- and cell-specific fashion. Although network-wide excitation triggers compensatory homeostatic changes, whether vertebrate neurons initiate homeostatic synaptic changes in response to cell-autonomous increases in excitation has not been examined. We cell-autonomously excited rodent CA1 pyramidal neurons and find that a compensatory postsynaptic depression of both AMPAR and NMDAR function results. Elevated calcium influx through L-type calcium channels leads to activation of a pathway involving CaM kinase kinase and CaM kinase 4 that induces synaptic depression of AMPAR and NMDAR responses. The synaptic depression of AMPARs but not of NMDARs requires protein synthesis and the GluA2 AMPAR subunit.


The 20S proteasome is a large protein complex, primarily responsible for the breakdown of ubiquitinated proteins. It is therefore a vital component in the ubiquitin proteasome pathway, disruptions of which can induce cell death. Such an effect could be targeted for cancer therapeutics. Some β-lactone γ-lactam scaffolds, such as the natural product omuralide (the biologically active form of lactacystin) have been found to inhibit the 20S proteasome.

The discovery of several new natural 20S proteasome inhibitors such as the salinosporamides and cinnabaramides, have shown potential for the development of new inhibitors with increased potency and specificity. Development of synthetic routes to produce these targets and their analogues is key to developing new proteasome inhibitors with greater potency and reduced side effects.

[Figure 1. Several natural products with 20S proteasome inhibitory activity]

Our methodology involves the incorporation of amino acids into the γ-lactam core. Leucine and serine have been used to produce a new formal synthesis of 9-deoxy omuralide and omuralide respectively. Key steps include a diastereoselective acylation with Mander's reagent and desulfurization. This methodology offers a flexible route allowing rapid generation of omuralide analogues in order to produce known and novel 20S proteasome inhibitors for biological testing.

[Figure 2. An overview of our methodology]

In addition to our work incorporating amino acids into γ-lactam cores, we have also developed a new route to synthesize either diastereomer of hydroxy leucine. We hope that this valuable intermediate could be incorporated into the γ-lactam using our devised methodology quickly forming an advanced intermediate of omuralide.

[See PDF for figures]


This paper aims at reflecting on immigration issues in Italy and to reinvigorate the debate about that matter in a more modern and open-minded way, avoiding superficial and propagandistic visions that a lot of time affect this phenomenon every day. Italy has been facing immigration in a structural way since the Seventies, when the arrivals overcame the departures, inverting the flow of emigration that has always had a major role in Italy, even before the unification process. In fact, starting from the Seventies, Italy has been considered an arrival point for people coming from developing areas, like Africa, Middle East and Eastern European countries. While the peninsula started bearing the aging and the zero-rate growth of population, the countries where these flows originated were affected by a demographic explosion. Nevertheless, this paper clarifies that the immigration process is relevant, but it never showed itself as a huge emergence by numbers. Moreover, immigrants are an extraordinary resource for our country: apart from the interesting and enriching process of cultural crossover they propose, they actively contribute to the GDP creation and, above all, they permit the payment of a huge number of pensions thanks to the contributions they deposit. During the last years an increasing number of immigrants is based in the Mezzogiorno, also for the arrivals coming from Libya. An example is that of Castel Volturno, where they work in the primary sector, like servants or workforce in small businesses, or that of Naples, recently chosen as an arrival point by a huge number of Chinese people. Moreover, all the Neapolitan area shows a robust presence of Ukrainians and Filipinos. To sum up, immigration is an extraordinary opportunity both for the Mezzogiorno and for Italy.


To measure the relative role of left- or right-hemispheric processes involved both in creation of works of art and their perception, a procedure was derived based on calibrated expert estimations (of works or their authors). The resulting instrument for measurements consists of 7-10 scales and two sets of 'contrastive objects' ('tuning forks,' each containing 7-12 objects). The asymmetry is reflected by appropriate index which varies from –1 to +1 ('pure' right- and 'pure' left-hemispheric dominance, respectively). It occurs possible to eliminate subjectivity both of experts and researchers (compilers of the instrument). The method was used in evolutionary studies concerning 102 composers, 240 painters, etc.; the error of measurement was usually 3-5%. Evolutionary curves built on the basis of these indices, permitted to observe periodical switching between left and right styles in music, painting, theatre staging, and poetry.


We consider a model of liquid crystals, based on a nonlinear hyperbolic system of differential equations, that represents an inviscid version of the model proposed by Qian and Sheng. A new concept of dissipative solution is proposed, for which a global-in-time existence theorem is shown. The dissipative solutions enjoy the following properties:
(i) they exist globally in time for any finite energy initial data;
(ii) dissipative solutions enjoying certain smoothness are classical solutions;
(iii) a dissipative solution coincides with a strong solution originating from the same initial data as long as the latter exists.


Metal-organic frameworks are a class of porous polymeric material, consisting of metal ions linked together by organic bridging ligands. They are recently emerging on the interface between molecular coordination chemistry and material science. The very high sorption behaviors, and excellent reversibility kinetics is a result of their many favourable attributes, such as reproducible and facile syntheses, high porosity, chemical modification and amenability to scale-up. However, these materials can be employed in different applications depending on the appropriate choice of metal ions and the organic compound, and also can function best at very low temperature. The synthetic approaches to these materials, investigations of their properties and applications are reviewed.


A variety of heterogeneous catalysts for the radical chain oxidation of cyclohexane has been prepared by immobilization of the well-defined cobalt acetate oligomers [py(3)Co(3)(mu(3)-O)(OH)(O(2)CCH(3))(5)](PF(6)) (1) and [py(4)Co(2)(OH)(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(3)](PF(6)) (2) on carboxy-modified mesoporous silica supports A-D by carboxylate exchange. The catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in the presence of these homogeneous and immobilized cobalt acetate complexes afforded the corresponding alcohol and ketone in high yield. The immobilization of 1 and 2 results in a significant increase of catalytic activity. TBHP acts as a radical initiator and as source of molecular oxygen, which is also involved in the overall oxidation process. The rate of cyclohexane conversion is limited by the diffusion of molecular oxygen, and steady-state concentrations of cyclohexanone (K, ketone) and cyclohexanol (A, alcohol) are established; these determine the maximum K:A ratio.


Activity of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is limiting for Na(+) reabsorption at the distal nephron. Phosphoinositides, such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate [PI(4,5)P(2)] modulate the activity of this channel. Activation of purinergic receptors triggers multiple events, including activation of PKC and PLC, with the latter depleting plasma membrane PI(4,5)P(2). Here, we investigate regulation of ENaC in renal principal cells by purinergic receptors via PLC and PI(4,5)P(2). Purinergic signaling rapidly decreases ENaC open probability and apical membrane PI(4,5)P(2) levels with similar time courses. Moreover, inhibiting purinergic signaling with suramin rescues ENaC activity. The PLC inhibitor U73122, but not U73343, its inactive analog, recapitulates the action of suramin. In contrast, modulating PKC signaling failed to affect purinergic regulation of ENaC. Unexpectedly, inhibiting either purinergic receptors or PLC in resting cells dramatically increased ENaC activity above basal levels, indicating tonic activation of purinergic signaling in these polarized renal epithelial cells. Increased ENaC activity was associated with elevation of apical membrane PI(4,5)P(2) levels. Subsequent treatment with ATP in the presence of inhibited purinergic signaling failed to decrease ENaC activity and apical membrane PI(4,5)P(2) levels. Dwell-time analysis reveals that depletion of PI(4,5)P(2) forces ENaC toward a closed state. In contrast, increasing PI(4,5)P(2) levels above basal values locks the channel in an open state interrupted by brief closings. Thus our results suggest that purinergic control of apical membrane PI(4,5)P(2) levels is a major regulator of ENaC activity in renal epithelial cells.


To assist stroke patients with rehabilitation training, an upper limb rehabilitation robot with an exoskeleton structure and three degrees of freedom (DOF) was developed in this paper. Under the guidance of the theory of rehabilitation medicine, the mechanical design of the robot was completed. Then, the kinematics equations were established by means of homogeneous transformation, including the forward kinematics and the inverse kinematics. The kinematical analysis was carried out and the algebraic solution of inverse kinematics was derived, which provided a theoretical basis for realizing the intelligent control. To validate the performance, the kinematical simulation was conducted, and the simulation results showed that the design of the exoskeleton robot was feasible.


Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) encompasses all practices that mitigate climate change and at the same time enhance farmers' livelihoods and adaptation to changing climate. Nutrient management is an important tool for farmers to increase yields. Efficient use of nutrients is necessary to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and costs of external inputs. To enable an overall assessment of the opportunities that nutrient management presents for CSA, nutrient cycles and dynamics need to be thoroughly understood. This report describes a framework to parametrise the impacts of nutrient inputs on the nutrient balance, crop yield and soil fertility, both in the short and the long term. Separating short term versus long term processes and internal crop processes versus crop-soil interactions results in four sets of equations that are mutually consistent. These can be viewed as alternative approaches to quantify nutrient requirements and associated impacts, depending on purpose of a study. Set 1 expresses nutrient uptake requirement as a function of target yield, both in short and long term. Set 2 expresses input requirements as function of target uptake, soil nutrient supply and fertiliser recovery in the short term. Set 3 is similar in structure and purpose to Set 2, but includes a long term feedback of nutrient input on fertiliser recovery via soil fertility. Set 4 is a reduction of Set 3, under a specific boundary condition imposing 'efficient management' in a simplified manner. The full sequence of relating a target yield to input requirement (or vice versa) is expressed by combinations of these sets: Sets 1 and 2 (short term), Sets 1 and 3 (long term equilibrium, generic), and Sets 1 and 4 (long term equilibrium, efficient management). The processes expressed by the sets of equations are governed by parameters that depend on management options (e.g. 4Rs: right source, rate, timing, placement), and have a direct bearing on overall nutrient use efficiency as expressed in agronomic N use efficiency (ANE, kg extra grain yield per kg N input), and associated impacts. The framework presented in this report is applied in other components of the Crop Nutrient Gap Project (Bringing CSA practices to scale), notably in (i) presenting spatial maps of nutrient requirements for different levels of yield gap closure in sub-Saharan Africa (www.yieldgap.org), (ii) assessing GHG emissions for contrasting intensification scenarios; and (iii) assessing trade-offs between food security, farm income and climate change mitigation.


A new method for spin assignment of superdeformed rotational bands is proposed and it turns out to be more efficient than other methods used before. The application is made to superdeformed bands in A similar to 190 and A similar to 150 mass regions. By analyzing the standard deviation of the fixed gamma-ray energies of an SD band in different methods, the advantage of the present method over the other methods is presented. This method brings then a comprehensive interpretation of the methods used in spin assignment.


Mannheimia haemolytica serotype A2 is a common commensal species present in the nasopharynx of healthy cattle. However, prior to the onset of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis, there is sudden increase in M. haemolytica serotype A1 within the upper respiratory tract. The events during this selective proliferation of serotype A1 strains are poorly characterised. In this investigation, a differentiated bovine airway epithelial cell culture was used to study the interactions of A1 and A2 bovine isolates with the respiratory epithelium. This model reproduced the key defences of the airway epithelium, including tight junctions and mucociliary clearance. Although initial adherence of the serotype A1 strains was low, by 12 hours post-infection the bacteria was able to traverse the tight junctions to form foci of infection below the apical surface. The size, density and number of these foci increased with time, as did the cytopathic effects observed in the bovine bronchial epithelial cells. Penetration of M. haemolytica A1 into the sub-apical epithelium was shown to be through transcytosis but not paracytosis. Commensal A2 bovine isolates however were not capable of colonising the model to a high degree, and did not penetrate the epithelium following initial adherence at the apical surface. This difference in their ability to colonise the respiratory epithelium may account for the sudden proliferation of serotype A1 in the onset of pneumonia pasteurellosis. The pathogenesis observed was replicated by virulent A2 ovine isolates; however colonisation was 10-fold lower in comparison to bovine A1 strains. This investigation provides new insight into the interactions of M. haemolytica with bovine airway epithelial cells which are occurring in vivo during pneumonia pasteurellosis.


Lignocellulosic residues have huge potential as alternative renewable energy sources. However, lignin surrounds cellulose and hemicellulose in a complex structure that makes plant biomass highly recalcitrant to the microorganisms and enzymes that are needed for the conversion of sugars into ethanol. To extract cellulose, a diversity of pretreatments is needed. In order to evaluate the ability of the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor, a diversity of pre-treatments were analysed and the composition of the sugars released was determined. The ethanol production was measured in each case. Interestingly, pre-treatment T. versicolor resulted in a greater mono-sugar content and ethanol production in Populus spp. samples. Finally, T. versicolor was clustered with four different microorganisms in terms of genes that encode plant cell wall degrading enzymes and found to belong to the same cluster as Coprinopsis cinerea in terms of beta-xylosidase protein.


Glucose Transporters are a family of membrane spanning proteins that transports glucose from exterior of the cell to the interior of the cell through the plasma membrane. There are 14 glucose transporters known till now. Although the transporters belong to the same family but not all function in glucose transport. They are different from each other in primary amino acid sequence. However, there is similarity in the secondary as well as tertiary structure. In this study, we have modelled the tertiary structure of all the glucose transporters. The process of degradation of GLUTs has not been studied till now. In this study, it is predicted that GLUTs are ubiquitinated and the site for ubiquitination is conserved across all members of the family. Keywords: Glucose transporters; ubiquitination; docking; binding energy Cite this Article Arpita Devi. A comparative in silico study of the Glucose Transporters predicts ubiquitination of the transporters at the C-terminal end. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Bioinformatics . 2018; 5(2):    15–24p.


ABSTRACT This article critically examines how segmentation is used to identify, understand and engage arts audiences. Policy reports and academic publications are reviewed to establish the priorities of arts policymakers and practitioners for understanding arts audiences and their continued focus on audience data and segmentation. This article then makes two contributions. Firstly, critical perspectives on the use of data for audience profiling are applied to arts audience segmentation. Secondly, research using biographical methods is introduced as a new approach for critically evaluating arts audience segmentation. This research, employing biographical methods, shows the exploration and negotiation of audience identity positions. This article takes these insights to critically examine the implications of how profiles and segments are used to define and understand audiences for the arts. The conclusion addresses the implications of segmentation in terms of the design and communication of cultural experiences, the complexities of aligning audiences' identities with segments, and the seemingly inevitability of exclusion. This article will be of relevance in the scholarly study of arts audiences and for arts and cultural organisations and policymakers in reflecting on the implications of quantitative and qualitative approaches in designing and undertaking audience research.


This essay concerns European economic geography in the new globalized world of knowledge-based economy, characterized by information and communication technology. Glob-alization has boosted trade and increased foreign direct investments in many countries. Hence it supports growth, creates jobs, fosters innovation, and has lifted millions out of poverty. This essay explores the revelations from the ongoing media coverage of the European tax havens and the companies that exploit them in so called "sweet heart deals". By use of a case study two member states of the European Union are featured and analyzed. Luxembourg and Ire-land are both under the scrutiny of the European Commission but are not one and the same. Ire-land seems to have been caught up in a "race to the bottom" while Luxembourg seemingly only reap the benefits of the tax constructions made possible by the global economy. The British media outlet is used as it watches on Luxembourg and Ireland which figure as deterring examples of how economic globalization make it possible for multinational corporations to override the nation´s autonomy. This essay will analyze the content as well as language used in British news media in light of human geographical theories.The aim of the essay is to contribute with knowledge to clarify the human geographical phe-nomenon of tax avoidance; to explore the coverage of recent exposures of aggressive tax avoid-ance, schemes, of questionable transfers of large amounts of capital, of tax arrangements, of hid-den ownership and so on. These issues have been especially featured in the international debate. The essay will draw on the official data to give a background to the analysis.


A synopsis of eminent computer chess programs reveal that they are designed around a 'brute force' approach. An argument is made that by continuing the 'brute force' search approach, computer chess development is moving away from human evaluation methods. Research is done into studies of evaluation methods, and a discovery is made that humans use a form of intuition, called their 'sense of beauty', to choose the best chess move. A paper by Margulies is cited which formulates principles of beauty which apply to chess. Three versions of a chess program are developed, using no heuristics, standard chess heuristics, and beauty heuristics formulated from Margulies principles. The performance of the three versions of the program are compared using chess puzzles, and rated for how quickly they find the solution, and how few nodes they evaluate. The results of these tests show that beauty heuristics are, on average, 15% faster at finding the solution, and evaluate 10% fewer nodes. An improvement is implemented in all versions of the program which biases the search towards better moves, resulting in the beauty heuristics success rising to an average of 25% faster to the solution, and evaluating 33% fewer nodes, than the other heuristics. It is concluded that the beauty heuristics are closer to the way that humans evaluate chess positions. 1 Now at: email@example.com Ben Walls "Beautiful Mates : Applying Principles of Beauty To Computer Chess Heuristics" 2 Table of


ABSTRACT Synaptic plasticity involves the modulation of synaptic connections in response to neuronal activity via multiple pathways. One mechanism modulates synaptic transmission by retrograde signals from the post-synapse that influence the probability of vesicle release in the pre-synapse. Despite its importance, very few factors required for the expression of retrograde signals, and proper synaptic transmission, have been identified. Here, we identify the conserved RNA binding protein Syncrip as a new factor that modulates the efficiency of vesicle release from the motoneuron and is required for correct synapse structure. We show that syncrip is required genetically and its protein product is detected only in the muscle and not in the motoneuron itself. This unexpected non-autonomy is at least partly explained by the fact that Syncrip modulates retrograde BMP signals from the muscle back to the motoneuron. We show that Syncrip influences the levels of the Bone Morphogenic Protein ligand Glass Bottom Boat from the post-synapse and regulates the pre-synapse. Our results highlight the RNA-binding protein Syncrip as a novel regulator of synaptic output. Given its known role in regulating translation, we propose that Syncrip is important for maintaining a balance between the strength of presynaptic vesicle release and postsynaptic translation.


Programming (i.e. coding) is becoming one of the skills expected for successful careers in the knowledge economy, and is being taught at all levels, including primary and secondary schools. Programming skills are difficult to acquire, as the student needs to learn the specific programming language and many related concepts to write good programs. We present PyKinetic, a mobile tutor for Python that serves as a complement to traditional courses. The overall goal of our project is to design learning activities that maximize learning. In this paper, we present several types of learning activities designed for PyKinetic. The first version of the tutor implemented Parsons problems with incomplete lines, which support code-understanding and code-writing skills. The second version of PyKinetic included various types of activities aimed at code-tracing and code-writing skills. The results of two studies we conducted show that Parsons problems are beneficial for novices, while advanced students benefitted more from learning activities which required them to identify and fix incorrect lines of code.


ABSTRACT
Access to health care includes the availability, accessibility, awareness, accommodation or adequacy, affordability, and acceptability of health services. Scarce health facilities, long distances to health facilities, shortages of medicine, level of poverty, shortages of doctors, dentists, and other health professionals, level of education and knowledge among populace  on orthodox treatment practices are factors that affects access to health care. Level of awareness among the populace of preventive and curative services offered by health facilities, absence of health insurance, and inability to afford the cost of health services are obstacles limiting rural people from recognizing and achieving the health and social related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that requires that access to good quality healthcare is improved significantly in rural areas and under-served population.
Health inequalities exist both between and within developed and developing countries, both between and within urban, semi-urban and rural areas. Health inequalities are determined by various socioeconomic factors: such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, income, social status, unemployment and place of residence of the population. The factors that give rise to, and worsen, inequalities in health are multidimensional. Interventions in addressing health inequalities would involve economic policies, strategic health planning, health education on avoidable risk factors for poor health, use of telemedicine/tele dentistry, and reduction of unmet healthcare needs among various population groups. Other interventions are poverty eradication interventions especially in remote and rural areas, healthcare financing through budgetary allocation, and improving access to health service through universal health coverage, with an organized and efficient health system.


Objectives: Mentoring describes a confidential relationship between two people in making improvement in work or knowledge and through this process enhancing their capacity. The objective of study is to find out the problems faced by mentor and mentees in extending the relationship and to suggest suitable measures to improve the relationship among the employees of AUTOLINKS, Chennai. Methods and Analysis: The primary data were collected from all employees of AUTOLINKS using census method. Primary data for the study was collected using interview schedule which had been analysed with the help of SPSS package by adopting statistical techniques like percentage analysis and ANOVA single factor. Findings: The results of the study highlighted that the mentoring facility enhanced the relationship between mentor and mentees. The age and gender of the mentor do not influence the relationship with mentees, as mentor's opinion was based on performance and behaviour of the mentees. As far as the opinion of mentees is concerned, the elder mentor had more experience than the younger mentor resulting in an influence of age of mentors towards the relationship. They also opined that male mentor have more knowledge than the female mentor resulting in an influence of gender of mentors in relation with the judgement of the behaviour of mentees. Applications/Improvements: This study can be applied to the institutions like education, hospitals, hospitality and other forms where the people need direction and motivation in performing the job.


The notable increase in academic success among youth from a single parent, African American families, has occurred in the shadow of years of oppression, historical trauma, and differential treatment related to race, gender and income. Research on resilience has consistently shown that low levels of income and single parenting are two potent risk factors that tend to have adverse impacts on families and children. This study focus on the manifestation of resilience in children who live in homes that are headed by African American mothers. The purpose of this study is to delineate the factors that influence resilience and academic achievement of African American youth that live in African American, female-headed, single parent, households. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by increasing understanding regarding the life experiences of female single parents and their children. Subsequently, educators, school administrators, and policymakers can be better informed to assist children of single parents in having the opportunity to succeed academically and become contributing members of society. Additionally, understanding how certain individuals overcome adversity and challenges will lead to the development of successful interventions, policies, and practices for others facing similar challenges. Each year thousands of students leave school without graduating, and this problem is exacerbated in the African American community.


In a previous publication,1facts were presented showing that an adequate circulation was necessary for the production of wheals in the human skin, and certain clinical conditions were discussed in which lessened or absent wheal formation following the intracutaneous injection of a codeine solution was attributed to decreased circulation in the skin. In this group were a limited number of patients who were acutely dehydrated, but the data were insufficient to decide whether actual decrease in blood volume, because of the dehydration, was the fundamental factor in the lessened circulation on which decreased wheal formation depended. It seemed worth while, therefore, to continue these observations to learn whether dehydration itself, independent of other factors, such as low blood pressure, would decrease the peripheral blood flow sufficiently to lessen wheal formation. The reaction to the intracutaneous injection of codeine was taken as a representative of the class of substances that


The experimental documentation of a three-dimensional shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction in a nominal Mach 3 cylinder, aligned with the free-stream flow, and 20 deg. half-angle conical flare offset 1.27 cm from the cylinder centerline. Surface oil flow, laser light sheet illumination, and schlieren were used to document the flow topology. The data includes surface-pressure and skin-friction measurements. A laser interferometric skin friction data. Included in the skin-friction data are measurements within separated regions and three-dimensional measurements in highly-swept regions. The skin-friction data will be particularly valuable in turbulence modeling and computational fluid dynamics validation.


OBJECTIVE-To determine the relationship between rectal temperature at first treatment for bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) in feedlot calves and the probability of not finishing the production cycle. DESIGN-Retrospective data analysis. ANIMALS-344,982 calves identified as having BRDC from 19 US feedlots from 2000 to 2009. PROCEDURES-For each calf, data for rectal temperature at initial treatment for BRDC and various performance and outcome variables were analyzed. A binary variable was created to identify calves that did not finish (DNF) the production cycle (died or culled prior to cohort slaughter). A mixed general linear model and receiver operating characteristic curve were created to evaluate associations of rectal temperature, number of days in the feedlot at time of BRDC diagnosis, body weight, quarter of year at feedlot arrival, sex, and all 2-way interactions with rectal temperature with the probability that calves DNF. RESULTS-27,495 of 344,982 (7.97%) calves DNF. Mean rectal temperature at first treatment for BRDC was 40.0°C (104°F). As rectal temperature increased, the probability that a calf DNF increased; however, that relationship was not linear and was influenced by quarter of year at feedlot arrival, sex, and number of days in the feedlot at time of BRDC diagnosis. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for correct identification of a calf that DNF was 0.646. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-Rectal temperature of feedlot calves at first treatment for BRDC had limited value as a prognostic indicator of whether those calves would finish the production cycle.


Using a multidisciplinary approach, we demonstrate that three different pathways are responsible for the transmission of rod signals across the mouse retina. Each pathway serves a primarily nonoverlapping range of stimulus intensities, with ganglion cells receiving either segregated or convergent inputs. For both on-center (ON) and off-center (OFF) ganglion cells, the primary rod pathway carries signals with the lowest threshold, whereas the secondary rod pathway is less sensitive by ∼1 log unit. In addition, OFF signaling uses a tertiary rod pathway that is ∼1 log unit less sensitive than the secondary. Although some ganglion cells received rod inputs exclusively from one of the pathways, others showed convergent inputs. Using pharmacological and genetic approaches, we defined classes of ON and OFF ganglion cells for which the scotopic inputs derive only from the primary pathway or from both primary and secondary pathways. In addition, we observed a class of OFF ganglion cell receiving mixed input from primary and tertiary pathways. Interestingly, OFF ganglion cells receiving convergent inputs from all three rod pathways or from the secondary and tertiary pathways together were never observed. Overall, our data show a complex arrangement of convergence and segregation of rod inputs to ganglion cells in the mammalian retina.


Fever represents a normal physiological response as a result of the introduction of an infectious agent producing exogenous and endogenous pyrogenes influencing the central set point of body temperature. This response is an important immunological defence. Fever can be defined as any elevation of body temperature above 38 degrees C. Infancy body temperature should be measured rectal. Fever is mostly caused by a benign viral infection, but it can be an indicator of a major illness such as meningitis, septicaemia, pneumonia. The risk for severe evolution depends on the clinical context and the age of the infant. Most predictive for major illness are situations in which infants are younger than 3 months with body temperature > or = 38 degrees C, infants between 3 and 6 months with body temperature > or = 39 degrees C, and children of any ages with critical clinical signs. Those patients should be seen by a medical doctor as soon as possible. Height and duration of fever are no predictive parameters for major illnesses. Repeated observation of the feverish child is very important in order to follow any evolution. Uncomplicated fever is harmless and should not be treated. If necessary, we prefer acetaminophen (paracetamol), given orally except in cases of vomiting. Antipyretics will not affect the cause of fever, sometimes they might make the diagnosis of the underlying cause difficult, but they may have an effect on discomfort for the child. If antipyretics have been given, repeated observations stay important. Postvaccineal fever should not be treated in a different way. Febrile convulsion is a common outcome of childhood febrile illness. Adverse effects are rare. The use of antipyretics cannot prevent initial or recurrent febrile convulsions and they should not be used for this purpose.


Most of current ontology mapping methods can not treat different mapping tasks in different ways referred to the features of the input ontology. And they combine different mapping strategies without full consideration of the influences on mapping results caused mapping strategies. In view of the above questions, this paper proposes a dynamic mapping policy selection method which can pre-select mapping strategy and use entropy decision-making method to determine the combined weight of the selected strategy. Experiments show that this method can maintain the stability and the commonality, and improve the recall ratio and the precision ratio at the same time.


We investigated, using labeling techniques (tetracycline, calcein) and routine histopathological methods (H. E. and Azan stainings), the histological changes with passage of time in incomplete root and the periodontium of young dog teeth with torque loading applied. The maxillary left first, second and third incisor teeth were used as anchorage teeth, and the maxillary right second incisor was loaded with either 3 degrees or 9 degrees torque. The orthodontic forces of these are 20-30 g and 80-90 g, respectively. Some temporal disturbances (such as mild, moderate, or severe bendings of labial and palatal apexes) were observed in certain regions of the apex of the incomplete root. However, with subsequent development of the root, the disturbances were repaired and pulp of the teeth was normally formed. Furthermore, although periodontium was also temporarily disturbed, it developed normally with the passage of time.


The aim of the study was the investigation of free radical oxidation intensity in blood of newborn infants with hyperbilirubinemia. In infants blood the bilirubin, free nitric oxide, lipoperoxide radicals Fe(2+)-ions, methemoglobin, oxy- and desoxy hemoglobin content, erythrocytes deformability and resistance were studied. Results of the study testify the intensive generation of free nitric oxide, release of ferritin-free ferrous (Fe(2+)), intensification of lipoperoxidation, decrease of red blood cells resistance, and accumulation of methemoglobin in blood of newborn infants with hyperbilirubinemia. The low content of nitric oxide in blood is due to its oxidative transformation to peroxynitrite. NOO(-)-inducible hemolysis of erythrocytes is one of promoters of hyperbilirubinemia in infants. It was concluded, that the reason of infants hyperbilirubinemia is intensification of oxidative stress, formation of excessive nitric oxide, enhancing of red blood cells haemolysis and it promotes disturbance of erythrocytes membrane, decrease of their resistance and deformability, intensification of haemolysis and extrication of redox-active iron.


The Tydeman Fracture Zone was identified 160 km SE of the Azores in 1977 from a detailed bathymetry and magnetic survey between 22° 30' and 23°40'W, (Twigt et al. 1979). The fracture zone forms a linear trough here with a width of 20 km, water depth of 4.7 km and orientation of 085°. This study extends the path of this fracture zone between 18° and 30°W though not yet to the ridge crest, using a larger dataset of bathymetric, seismic reflection and magnetic profiles. A discontinuity in the fracture zone valley indicates an interruption in its formation, possibly during the formation of the Azores platform. Two separate wide-angle seismic experiments carried out over old crust in the active section of the Tydeman Fracture Zone show low crustal velocities compared with normal oceanic crust of comparable age, an absence of an identifiable layer 3, and a shallower than normal Moho overlying a region of anomalously low upper mantle velocities. Estimates of Poisson's ratio suggest that hydrothermal circulation may continue for as long as 70 Ma after crustal formation.


If managers are risk-averse and compensation schemes are not directly linked to shareholder wealth, incentives to allocate effort to manage effects of relative and macroeconomic shocks may be distorted. In this paper we develop a simple model to identify factors that determine the optimal allocation of effort to manage relative and macroeconomic shocks. We then show how serial correlation in shocks, the relative variance of shocks and the ability of managers to influence the effects of shocks on shareholder wealth determine the optimal allocation of managerial effort. Thereafter, we emphasize how CEO compensation depends on performance variables distinguishing between relative and macroeconomic sources of changes in compensation. In our empirical analysis on the asymmetry of compensation in response to relative and macroeconomic shocks we use CEO's firm-related wealth in a sample of U.S. CEOs during 1993-2012. The empirical results show that macroeconomic fluctuations explain a large part of the variances of compensation and firm-related wealth. We find only weak evidence of asymmetric incentives in these two variables. Thus, if managers are risk-averse, their incentives to reduce the impact of macroeconomic fluctuations are strong and possibly excessive. We conclude that the role of macroeconomic fluctuations and the ability of the CEO to adjust operations in response to these fluctuations should be considered simultaneously when designing individual CEO compensation incentive schemes.


Summary

Consumption of unpasteurised fruit/vegetable juices has increased in recent years due to their freshness, low calorie contribution and good nutritional quality. However, unpasteurised fresh juices with low acidity (pH > 4.6) and high water activity (aw > 0.85) can support the growth of pathogens. Hence, pasteurisation is a necessary process in the production of low-acid juices. Consumer demand has required minimally processed high-quality foods that are free from additives, that are fresh tasting and microbiologically safe, and with an extended shelf life. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment is considered to be an alternative to thermal pasteurisation for fruit and vegetable juices. HHP treatment could preserve nutritional value and the sensory properties of fruits and vegetables due to its limited effect on the covalent bonds of low-molecular-mass compounds such as colour, flavour compounds and vitamins. However, inactivation of important foodborne pathogens in low-acid foods by HHP is most urgent and critical. More research should be performed in order to satisfy consumer demands for fresh-tasting products while retaining safety.


During the 1990s, the United States experienced an upsurge in economic growth. Despite the fact that some of thisacceleration was of a purely cyclical nature, more long-term structural explanations were also proposed, in particularthe role of information and communication (ICT) capital and the production of ICT assets. The contrast between the US s growth record and the much more modest progress of the European Union (EU) was sometimes interpreted as being the result of the EU s backwardness in the use and production of assets related to new technologies.Growth, capital measurement and new technologies are the main topics addressed in this book, which is the result of thecontributions presented and discussed at an international seminar organised by the BBVA Foundation and the InstitutoValenciano de Investigaciones Economicas (Ivie) in November 2002. All the papers presented there have been updated for this edition. This collection of papers aims to improve our understanding of the driving forces behind economic growth and productivity performance in the 1990s, and specifically the role played by ICT. Provider_Name: Fundacion BBVA / BBVA Foundation


The ovary is a hormone‐sensitive organ that produces steroid hormones. Recent stud‐ ies show that bisphenol A (BPA) can affect female reproduction; thus, it is important to identify the possible toxic effects of BPA on the ovary because this organ is indispensable for fertility. This chapter summarises the effects of BPA on the ovary by describing how they directly affect folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis and receptor signalling and how they indirectly affect the expression of adipokines and/or their receptors, which exert endocrine or autocrine functions within the ovary.


The results of study of a tree inception and growth in polar dielectrics with amorphous and cross-linked structure in the divergent field under AC voltage in visible and IR spectra are represented in this paper. It is determined that the treeing inception and growth processes in polar dielectrics are accompanied by step-wise changes of the dielectric surface temperature. These temperature changes correspond to the induction stage, the growth stage and pre-breakdown stage. Transition from previous stage to next one is accompanied by the increase in the local temperature difference on the dielectric surface by a factor of 1.5-2.0. A new model of the individual diagnostics of the main characteristics of the treeing process and the remaining lifetime for polar dielectrics was suggested on the basis of temporal-temperature analysis of the dielectric aging process.


C46H62O6, Mr = 711.0, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 20.187 (3), b = 22.004 (3), c = 9.180 (1) A, V = 4078 (2) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.16 g cm-3, lambda (Mo K alpha) = 0.71069 A, mu = 0.7 cm-1, F(000) = 1544, T = 295 K, R = 0.096 for 3894 unique observed reflections with Fo greater than 2 sigma(Fo). The title compound is a dimer connected by a single bound between C6 and C6' [bond length 1.560 (7) A]. The two steroid moieties are oriented beta-face to beta-face, head to head and lie in almost parallel planes (7.6 degrees), rotated by 45 degrees to one another. The two conformations of the identical portions of the dimer differ chiefly in the orientation of the allyl and acetate groups. C23' (acetate) and O3' form the shortest intermolecular contact less than 3.5 A; C...O = 3.35 (1) A.