In this paper we compare two theories about the cognitive architecture underlying morality. One theory, proposed by Sripada and Stich (forthcoming), posits an interlocking set of innate mechanisms that internalize moral norms from the surrounding community and generate intrinsic motivation to comply with these norms and to punish violators. The other theory, which we call the M/C model was suggested by the widely discussed and influential work of Elliott Turiel, Larry Nucci and others on the "moral/conventional task". This theory posits two distinct mental domains, the moral and the conventional, each of which gives rise to a characteristic suite of judgments about rules in that domain and about transgressions of those rules. We give an overview of both theories and of the data each was designed to explain. We go on to consider a growing body of evidence that suggests the M/C model is mistaken. That same evidence, however, is consistent with the Sripada and Stich theory. Thus, we conclude that the M/C model does not pose a serious challenge for the Sripada and Stich theory.


Learning science through the process of inquiry is advocated in curriculum documents across many jurisdictions. However, a number of studies suggest that teachers struggle to help students engage in inquiry practices. This is not surprising as many teachers of science have not engaged in scientific inquiry and possibly hold naïve ideas about what constitutes scientific inquiry. This study investigates teachers' self-reported approaches to teaching science through inquiry. Phenomenographic interviews undertaken with 20 elementary teachers revealed teachers identified six approaches to teaching for inquiry, clustered within three categories. These approaches were categorized as Free and Illustrated Inquiries as part of an Experience-centered category, Solution and Method Inquiries as part of a Problem-centered category, and Topic and Chaperoned Inquiries as part of a Question-centered category. This study contributes to our theoretical understanding of how teachers approach Inquiry Teaching and suggests fertile areas of future research into this valued and influential phenomenon broadly known as 'Inquiry Teaching'.


This tutorial catalogues and analyzes previously reported CMOS low noise amplifier (LNA) linearization techniques. These techniques comprise eight categories: a) feedback; b) harmonic termination; c) optimum biasing; d) feedforward; e) derivative superposition (DS); f) IM2 injection; g) noise/distortion cancellation; and h) post-distortion. This paper also addresses broadband-LNA-linearization issues for emerging reconfigurable multiband/multistandard and wideband transceivers. Furthermore, we highlight the impact of CMOS technology scaling on linearity and outline how to design a linear LNA in a deep submicrometer process. Finally, general design guidelines for high-linearity LNAs are provided.


This study aims to address various issues faced by international students in UTAR Kampar by understanding their perception towards the factors that causes acculturative stress as well as the role of social media during the cultural adaptation process. The number of foreign students that come to Malaysia to further their study has increased eventually year by year. This study thereby assumes that Malaysia as a multicultural society, is easier for the foreign students to adapt themselves to the environment. Various research study has suggested different sources that cause the international students to suffer with acculturative stress. This research study aims to explore the perception of the international students in UTAR regarding the factors of acculturative stress if there will be any differences with other research study. Social networking sites are becoming more important in our daily life nowadays. People tend to use social media for different purpose. Therefore, this study would like to find out the importance of social media for UTAR's international students and what are the role of social media for them? By knowing the international student's perception regarding both of these matters, this study can suggest different ways for them to overcome the issues faced by them when they are in the host society. This can help the authority of university to take action toward the issues faced by the international students and thereby come out with better policy so that the students can easily adapt to the host society. This study matter will be discussed with the Integrative Communication Theory of Cross-Cultural Adaptation which discusses about the process of cross-cultural adaptation as and the factors that influence the level of cross-cultural adaptation. Besides, this study will also be discussed by using the dialectical model of intercultural adaptation which focus on the problem-solving strategies developed by the foreigners during their adaptation process. Throughout this research, we hope to bridge the gap which can contribute to the discussion from UTAR international students' perspective. This research study will be done by conducting an in-depth interview within UTAR international students. This research study will use purposive sampling to target the participants who have specific criteria so that the data we collected will be more reliable. NVivo 11 will be used to analyze the data after the interview session. The conduct of this research will contribute to both theoretical and practical aspect which has made this topic more worth to be explored.


Arak waste stabilization pond facilities consist of two stabilization pond systems, module 1 and module 2. The existing facilities have had several problems in their operation. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the performance of stabilization ponds in wastewater treatment of the city of Arak, because of several problems in their operation, and to prepare a scheme of its upgrading, if necessary. Within the period of May to September 2007, analyses were carried out for both raw and treated wastewaters. Results of these investigations showed that the average effluent concentrations of BOD 5 , COD and SS taken from primary and secondary facultative ponds of module 1 were 91.5, 169, 114; and 70, 160, 123 mg/L, respectively. These results indicated that the effluent of the primary facultative ponds of module 1 were complied with the Iranian treated wastewater standards for agricultural reuse in terms of BOD 5 and COD concentrations; hence the secondary facultative ponds could be changed to other primary facultative ponds in order to increase the capacity of wastewater treatment plant. For module 2, BOD 5 , COD, and SS average concentrations of treated wastewater for the secondary and tertiary facultative ponds were obtained as 69, 101, 77; and 76, 127, 78 mg/L, respectively. Thus the effluent of the secondary facultative pond was complied with the considered standards in terms of all studied parameters. Consequently, the tertiary facultative pond could be changed to other secondary facultative pond to upgrade both the quality and the quantity of treated wastewater.


Abstract Cybersecurity capabilities in organizations and governmental agencies continue to lag behind the threats. Given the current environment, these entities have placed renewed emphasis on cybersecurity education. However, education appears to lack its full potential in most settings. Few empirical studies have systematically tested the efficacy of various training methods and modes, and those that have been conducted have yielded inconsistent findings. Recent literature on the use of gamified simulations have suggested that they may improve cybersecurity behaviors. Similarly, live activities such as hackathons and capture the flag events have been surmised to augment learning and capabilities. We conducted an exploratory study of these compared to a traditional classroom/laboratory approach to assess the applied behavioral contribution of each. We found that a combination of simulations with live activities in conjunction with classroom study produced the best outcomes.


To enhance the disease resistance of plants expressing a foreign peptide, the gene for sarcotoxin IA, which is an antimicrobial peptide from an insect consisting of 39 amino acid residues, was introduced into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) under the control of a high expression promotor via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. In transgenic plants, sarcotoxin IA mRNA accumulated to detectable levels, however, the amount of the peptide produced was so small that we could scarcely detect it by protein gel blot analysis, probably because of the instability of short peptides in plant cells. To improve the expression efficiency, genes for four types of amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal translational fusions of sarcotoxin IA together with the GUS gene were introduced into tobacco. In all four types of transgenic tobacco plants, high level transcripts similar to that in the direct expression sarcotoxin IA construct were found. Protein gel blot analysis with both anti-sarcotoxin IA and GUS antibodies showed production of high levels of fusion protein in all transgenic plants. Among them, three types had abnormal membranes and phenotypes, although no such abnormalities were found in transgenic plants in which only sarcotoxin IA was expressed in a secretable form. All together, these results indicated that, for stable and effective expression of a foreign short peptide in transgenic plants, expression as a fusion protein is useful and that secretion of sarcotoxin IA outside of cells is necessary for generation of useful antimicrobial transgenic plants.


Respiratory CO2 measurement (capnography) is an important diagnosis tool that lacks inexpensive and wearable sensors. This paper develops techniques to enable use of inexpensive but slow CO2 sensors for breath-by-breath tracking of CO2 concentration. This is achieved by mathematically modeling the dynamic response and using model-inversion techniques to predict input CO2 concentration from the slowly varying output. Experiments are designed to identify model-dynamics and extract relevant model-parameters for a solid-state room monitoring CO2 sensor. A second-order model that accounts for flow through the sensor's filter and casing is found to be accurate in describing the sensor's slow response. The corresponding model-inversion algorithm is however found to be susceptible to noise sources. Techniques to remove spurious noise, while retaining quality of estimate are developed. The resulting estimate is compared with a standard-of-care respiratory CO2 analyzer and shown to effectively track variation in breath-by-breath CO2 concentration. This methodology is potentially useful for measuring fast-varying inputs to any slow sensor.


When large programs are tested, a distinction is made between module testing and integration testing. During module testing, one concentrates on testing algorithms and their data, whereas during integration testing, one concentrates on testing the relations and the interfaces between the modules. The authors use the well-known criteria for module testing to define similar criteria, based on control and data flow, for the purposes of integration testing. An advantage is that it is possible to use strong test data selection criteria, such as all-loop-iteration-free-paths, when testing a single module because, generally, a module will be small. For integration testing, data flow criteria are especially useful since the aim of integration testing is to show the correctness of the interfaces between the modules which, in the case of procedures, are determined by the data flow between the calling and the called procedure.<<ETX>>


The main objective of this study is to examine the validity of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) theory in Iran economy using annual data during 1960-2017. The conventional method for testing PPP is the traditional unit root tests like ADF. But, because of multiple periods of stability and dramatic shocks in Iranian foreign exchange market which consequently results in nonlinear behavior of the exchange rate, these linear tests may cause in inaccurate results. Therefore the traditional linear unit root tests, in such circumstances, should not be used. To overcome this problem we have used Markov Switching Augmented Dickey Fuller Nonlinear unit root test. For comparison purposes, we have also performed linear ADF test. Results of linear ADF test indicate that there is no evidence of PPP. However, MSADF test results show that PPP holds in Iran economy in some periods in our sample. The results of nonlinear test are as expected, because, for years, central bank has tried to peg the exchange rate and just in some periods exchange rate could move freely


Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) opens up new prospects in treatment of malignancies, although this novel therapy quite often results in development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can limit their clinical use. IrAEs can affect almost any organ system, including the endocrine, respiratory, digestive, nervous, other organs and the skin. Most often irAEs are characterized by moderate degree of severity, but complications are fatal in 2% of patients.The nature of irAEs significantly differs from the adverse reactions associated with use of standard chemotherapeutic agents, which usually cause immunosuppression (due to neutropenia). Of particular interest to clinicians are rheumatic irAEs, which can occur at any time after treatment and tend to persist even after ICIs discontinuation. This review analyzes the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and approaches to treatment of rheumatic irAEs.


Raisins are one of important products of California. Almost all U.S. raisins are produced near Fresno California's central valley due to its hot growing season and abundant water supply. U.S. is the leading exporter of raisins in the world. This paper investigates the export demand function of U.S. raisins for the top five importer countries. The relationship of quantity exported with export price, other exporters' prices, real income, and exchange rate is estimated. The model used is a logarithmic panel data model for the 1992-2008 periods. The model used is in log-log format to determine own- price, cross price, and income elasticities for the commodity.


Exposure to pollutants may cause injurious effects by impairing mucociliary transport, one of the lung's most important defences. We have studied the effect of sulphur dioxide (SO2) on tracheobronchial clearance (a) at rest and (b) while exercising, by monitoring lung retention of an inhaled radio-aerosol. Clearance was measured in two sets of conditions. 99mTc-albumen aerosol was inhaled as a bolus in late inspiration under controlled conditions to achieve reproducible deposition in large airways. The studies showed: (1) Clearance was highly reproducible in individuals in repeat control studies. (2) Acute exposure to 5 ppm SO2 showed a small transient speeding of mucociliary clearance at rest. (3) (i) Exercise alone speeded clearance significantly (P less than 0.05). (ii) Exercising in 5 ppm SO2 showed a significant speeding of clearance (P less than 0.05) beyond that found in air breathing exercise controls. (4) Pulmonary function tests showed no significant change except a decrease in flow rate (MMEF) in both (a) and (b) studies (P less than 0.01).


We report the design, synthesis, and electron spin relaxation properties of hydrophilic tetracarboxylate ester pyrroline nitroxides 1 and 2, which serve as models in the search for new spin labels for DEER distance measurement at room temperature. The nitroxides are designed to have the methyl groups further away from the N–O spin site to decrease the inequivalent couplings of the unpaired electron to the methyl protons that shorten Tm at T > 70 K in currently used labels. The key step in the synthesis of 1 and 2 is the reaction of the dianion of pyrrole-1,2,5-tricarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester dimethyl ester with electrophiles such as methyl chloroformate and methyl bromoacetate. Structures of 1 and 2 are confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Studies of electron spin relaxation rates in rigid trehalose/sucrose matrices reveal approximately temperature independent values of 1/Tm for 1 and 2 up to about 160 K and modest temperature dependence up to 295 K, demonstrating that increasing the distance between the nitroxide moiety and methyl groups is effective in lengthening Tm at T > 70 K.


The article discusses possible ways of harmonizing the Eurasian Economic Community member states' legislation on the freedom of conscience. It is shown that the basis of harmonization is common approach developed over the centuries in existence within a single state – The Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, the legal documents of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the transfer of basic research from determining the signs of the secular state on to the development of individualistic and collective freedom of conscience. The current Law on Freedom of Conscience in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation is analyzed. Keywords: Eurasian Economic Community, Freedom of Conscience, The Secular State, Church-State Relations, Religious Organizations JEL Classifications: F5, H7, K2


In the increasingly competitive market of 3PL:s, it is important to have efficient processes
limiting non value adding time as much as possible while at the same time delivering high
quality services. There are a number of different quality deficiencies that may occur in the
warehouse operations and DB Schenker Logistics AB wants to understand their current
situation and how the impact of quality deficiencies can be reduced to make their operations
more efficient. The purpose of this thesis is therefore to increase the understanding of quality
deficiencies occurring in the warehouse operations and how the operations can be improved to
reduce the impact of the deficiencies. Three of Schenker's larger customers were the focus for
the thesis. To be able to fulfil the purpose, five different data collection methods were used
which were interviews, observations, time studies, surveys and data from Schenker's databases.
The results from the data collection were the identification and quantification of the time
consumption for managing a number of different quality deficiencies. Based on the
quantification, suggestions for how to reduce the impact of the deficiencies with the largest
impact were presented. The main areas which Schenker can work with and study further are
picking errors and their consequences, transportation and the education of new employees.


Abstract The effect of Sr addition on the microstructure and time-dependent corrosion properties of the AlSi12 eutectic alloy was investigated. The modified alloy contained 90 ± 3 ppm Sr. The microstructural differences in the eutectic structure of AlSi12 alloys were assessed in terms of the Si particle size and a-Al volume fraction. The unmodified and Sr-modified alloys were immersed for 1, 24, 72 and 120 h in 3.5 wt.% NaCl. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization techniques were performed to analyze the corrosion characteristics of the alloys. Sr addition led to a decrease in the Si particle size, and the formation of long dendritic a-Al. It was found that the presence of Sr resulted in more stable corrosion behavior up to 24 h. The deterioration of the corrosion behavior of Sr-modified alloy was observed with the further increase of immersion time.


This article conceptualizes community cultural wealth as a critical race theory (CRT) challenge to traditional interpretations of cultural capital. CRT shifts the research lens away from a deficit view of Communities of Color as places full of cultural poverty disadvantages, and instead focuses on and learns from the array of cultural knowledge, skills, abilities and contacts possessed by socially marginalized groups that often go unrecognized and unacknowledged. Various forms of capital nurtured through cultural wealth include aspirational, navigational, social, linguistic, familial and resistant capital. These forms of capital draw on the knowledges Students of Color bring with them from their homes and communities into the classroom. This CRT approach to education involves a commitment to develop schools that acknowledge the multiple strengths of Communities of Color in order to serve a larger purpose of struggle toward social and racial justice.


During the period 1979 to 1992, 16 sudden unexpected cardiac deaths were known to have occurred in young Swedish orienteers. Autopsy indicated myocarditis to be the most frequent finding, most often combined with extensive myocardial fibrosis. The aim of the present investigation was to explore whether young male orienteers show a higher frequency than other young elite endurance athletes (controls) in the occurrence of Thallium-201 myocardial perfusion defects at rest, suggestive of fibrosis evoked by myocarditis. Thallium-201 perfusion abnormalities at rest were more frequently found in the controls than in the orienteers (26% vs. 12%, p=0.03). Uneven Tl-201 perfusion was associated with left ventricular mass (r=0.32, r=0.24, p<0.01, p=0.02) and body weight (r=0.30, r=0.31, p<0.01, p=0.03) in orienteers and controls, respectively. Echocardiographic left ventricular wall motion abnormalities were found in 11 athletes (9 orienteers and 2 controls) but only two displayed an abnormal Thallium-201 perfusion scan at rest. Perfusion abnormalities at rest did not occur more frequently in the orienteers but were commonly found in both groups of apparently healthy athletes making it futile to discern abnormals from normals. Thallium-201 perfusion aberrations were not associated with left ventricular wall motion abnormalities obtained by echocardiography.


Effective tax rates (rather than statutory tax rates) on capital assets can give us an idea of the level of distortion imposed on investment by the tax system. This paper describes a study of effective tax rates on different types of capital assets in New Zealand using the King-Fullerton methodology. While the usual caveats of the application of King-Fullerton methodology apply, a clear story emerges from the data. The model demonstrates the severely negative impact of inflation, especially under the old tax regime and at the high rates of inflation seen in the late 1970s and 80s. By comparison, the current tax system is shown to be rather consistent across different types of capital assets and means of financing. The low inflation of the past few years has contributed to the improvement, but this study shows that the new tax regime performs better even under equalised circumstances (e.g. zero inflation) for the whole period under consideration.


Background. The study of using process-genre approach that was used to increase the writing competence had been conducted by many researchers. However, the contirbution of this learning approach for HOTs aspects has not been done by many researchers, especially on learning writing Indonesian
Purpose. Many studies only focused on one research approach, consequently, the finding was not quite comprehensive. Besides, to examine the effect of process-genre approach on academic writing competence and HOTs, this research also aimed to explore attitude and students' expectation on their learning experience by using this approach.
Method. The research used a sequential, mixed-method explanatory approach. Two grades were randomly chosen to enroll in the experimental class and a monitoring class of up to 52 students. The individual is a member of the Indonesian language education department who is currently taking the writing 1 course at the Bengkulu University, Indonesia. There are two instruments used in this analysis, the writing test & HOTs test for Quantitative statistics and semi-structured qualitative data interviews. The data from the writing test and the HOTs were quantitatively analysed for the paired sample t-test, the stand-alone sample t-test and the MANOVA, while the interview data were analysed using thematic analysis techniques.
Results and Implications. The results have found that process-genre approach had a substantial positive effect on scholarly writing and student HOTs. Besides, thematic research also reveals that there are favorable views and expectations of students regarding the influence of the process-genre approach towards academic writing and student HOTs. This finding is iexpected to enrich knowledge about how students could enhance their writing ability and HOTs by using process-genre approach.


Pool boiling serves as physical model problem for electronics cooling by means of phase-change heat transfer. Key for optimal and reliable cooling capacity is better understanding of the conditions that determine the critical heat flux (CHF). Exceeding CHF results in transition from efficient nucleate boiling to inefficient film boiling. This transition is intimately related to the formation and stability of multiple (steady) states on the interface. To this end the steady-state behaviour of a three dimensional pool-boiling problem has been studied in terms of a representative mathematical model problem. This model problem involves only the temperature field within the heater and models the heat exchange with the boiling medium via a nonlinear boundary condition imposed on the fluid-heater interface. The steady-state behaviour is investigated via a bifurcation analysis with a continuation algorithm based upon treatment of the model with the method of separation of variables and a Fourier-collocation method. This revealed that steady-state solutions with homogeneous interface temperatures may undergo bifurcations that result in multiple solutions with essentially heterogeneous interface temperatures. These heterogeneous states phenomenologically correspond with vapour patches ('dry spots') on the interface that characterize transition conditions. The findings on the model problem are consistent with laboratory experiments


: Smokers often report that cigarettes help relieve feelings of stress. However, the stress levels of adult smokers are slightly higher than those of nonsmokers, adolescent smokers report increasing levels of stress as they develop regular patterns of smoking, and smoking cessation leads to reduced stress. Far from acting as an aid for mood control, nicotine dependency seems to exacerbate stress. This is confirmed in the daily mood patterns described by smokers, with normal moods during smoking and worsening moods between cigarettes. Thus, the apparent relaxant effect of smoking only reflects the reversal of the tension and irritability that develop during nicotine depletion. Dependent smokers need nicotine to remain feeling normal. The message that tobacco use does not alleviate stress but actually increases it needs to be far more widely known. It could help those adult smokers who wish to quit and might prevent some schoolchildren from starting.


This paper addresses two issues: the relationship between the choice of rental contract in agriculture and the set of conditions or environment under which such contracts are arrived at, and the implications of this relationship for efficiency, equity, and development policy. Both issues have been the subject of much discussion in the theoretical literature of late. In particular, close attention has been paid to the role of imperfections in, or outright failure of, one or more markets. This has led, in turn, to the notion of "market interconnectedness" in the narrow sense that the same two agents will deal with one another in several markets simultaneously, an obvious example being the landlord who also provides credit to tenants. Two main analytical approaches are discernible. The first posits free entry for an indefinitely large set of agents who have access to parametrically given alternative utility levels elsewhere in the economy. The resulting equilibria are normally characterized by utility equivalent contracts, which are the outcome of a Nash noncooperative game. The second assumes barriers to entry in the face of market failure so that, in equilibrium, the set of contracts is the outcome of a system of Nash cooperative games. Taken together they yield a rich taxonomy and a number of interesting results.


Objectives To study whether young adults with elevated blood pressure have an altered left ventricular stress response and whether this is determined by cardiac structure. Methods We recruited 148 young adults (mean age 27±5 years) with a range of blood pressures for cardiovascular phenotyping at rest with cardiac magnetic resonance. A subgroup (n=49) then underwent exercise stress echocardiography while exercising at 40%, 60%, and 80% of peak exercise capacity. Myocardial stress response was assessed from changes in ejection fraction and biochemistry (post-exercise copeptin release). Results were compared in participants with systolic or diastolic BP e 120/80 mm Hg (n=62, mean BP 129/77 mm Hg) vs. those with systolic and diastolic BP <120/80 mm Hg (n=84, mean BP 110/66 mm Hg). Results Resting left ventricular ejection fraction was similar between groups with higher or lower blood pressure. However, during physical exercise, despite similar achieved work load, higher blood pressure was associated with lower ejection fraction at 40% and 60% exercise load (73.9±3.25 vs. 80.0±4.54%, p<0.001 and 75.2±6.59 vs. 79.4±4.70%, p=0.026 respectively) as well as lower submaximal contractile reserve (10.4±5.92 vs. 19.0±6.90%, p<0.001 and 11.5±8.34 vs. 17.5±7.31%, p=0.029 at 40% and 60% respectively). Furthermore, increases in post-exercise plasma copeptin level were predicted by lower ejection fraction at 40% workload (beta=−0.329, p=0.045). Blood pressure was associated with variation in left ventricular mass index (55.6±10.0 vs. 52.0±9.6 g/m2, p=0.041 and 0.68±0.13 vs. 0.62±0.12 g/ml, p=0.007) and wall thickness (7.21±1.31 vs. 6.62±1.44 mm, p=0.015) but measures were within clinically normal ranges and did not predict variation in myocardial stress response. Conclusions x0013_Young adults with modest blood pressure elevation have a significantly lower systolic response to exercise. The association between this altered stress response and daily functional limitations in young adulthood, as well as cardiovascular disease progression and event risk, requires further study.


The sex chromatin pattern in two series of newborn babies comprising 2058 males and 1832 females was studied to find the incidence of sex chromatin anomalies. We did not detect a single case of sex chromatin discordance when compared with the phenotypical sex. In this respect our survey differed from similar surveys in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.


MECHANISMS FOR UNBOUNDED, CONFLICT-ROBUST HARDWARE TRANSACTIONAL MEMORY Colin Blundell Supervisor: Milo M. K. Martin Conventional lock implementations serialize access to critical sections guarded by the same lock, presenting programmers with a difficult tradeoff between granularity of synchronization and amount of parallelism realized. Recently, researchers have been investigating an emerging synchronization mechanism called transactional memory as an alternative to such conventional lock-based synchronization. Memory transactions have the semantics of executing in isolation from one another while in reality executing speculatively in parallel, aborting when necessary to maintain the appearance of isolation. This combination of coarse-grained isolation and optimistic parallelism has the potential to ease the tradeoff presented by lock-based programming. This dissertation studies the hardware implementation of transactional memory, making three main contributions. First, we propose the permissions-only cache, a mechanism that efficiently increases the size of transactions that can be handled in the local cache hierarchy to optimize performance. Second, we propose OneTM, an unbounded hardware transactional memory system that serializes transactions that escape the local cache hierarchy. Finally, we propose RetCon, a novel mechanism for detecting conflicts that reduces conflicts by allowing transactions to commit with different values than those with which they executed as long as dataflow and control-flow constraints are maintained.


Conjugated covalent networks Although graphene and related materials are two-dimensional (2D) fully conjugated networks, similar covalent organic frameworks (COFs) could offer tailored electronic and magnetic properties. Jin et al. synthesized a fully π-conjugated COF through condensation reactions of tetrakis(4-formylphenyl)pyrene and 1,4-phenylenediacetonitrile. The reactions were reversible, which provides the self-healing needed to form a crystalline material of stacked, π-bonded 2D sheets. Chemical oxidation of this semiconductor with iodine greatly enhanced its conductivity, and the radicals formed on the pyrene centers imparted a high spin density and paramagnetism. Science, this issue p. 673 A fully π-conjugated molecular network attains high electronic spin density and unidirectional spin alignment. We synthesized a two-dimensional (2D) crystalline covalent organic framework (sp2c-COF) that was designed to be fully π-conjugated and constructed from all sp2 carbons by C=C condensation reactions of tetrakis(4-formylphenyl)pyrene and 1,4-phenylenediacetonitrile. The C=C linkages topologically connect pyrene knots at regular intervals into a 2D lattice with π conjugations extended along both x and y directions and develop an eclipsed layer framework rather than the more conventionally obtained disordered structures. The sp2c-COF is a semiconductor with a discrete band gap of 1.9 electron volts and can be chemically oxidized to enhance conductivity by 12 orders of magnitude. The generated radicals are confined on the pyrene knots, enabling the formation of a paramagnetic carbon structure with high spin density. The sp2 carbon framework induces ferromagnetic phase transition to develop spin-spin coherence and align spins unidirectionally across the material.


With the increasing use of piezoelectric materials in electromechanical devices which are often required to function in thermally hostile environment, thermal stresses and their influence on the performance of piezoelectric sensors and actuators are of great interest. Based on the linear theory of piezothermoelasticity, a numerical formulation for the thermal-stress analysis in piezoelectric materials is proposed in this paper. The `displacement-potential' boundary integral formulation proposed recently by the authors is extended by coupling heat conduction to the quasi-static piezoelasticity. A fundamental solution is obtained in closed form for a two-dimensional transversely isotropic material and is then numerically implemented in conjunction with the spline boundary element method. Several test problems are considered to validate our method proposed and the preliminary results are shown to be satisfactory.


Ethanol has been established to impair vision but its level of impact on the activity of succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) in visual intracranial relay centers has not been fully analyzed. Effects of chronic administration of ethanol on the activity of succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) was investigated on the lateral geniculate body (LGB) and superior colliculus (SC) in forty adult wistar rats of average weight 200±2.30 g, randomly distributed into four groups (2 treatments × 2 replicate) T1, T2, C1, and C2 (n=10).The animals were fed with standard laboratory mouse chow and provided with water ad libitum. Groups T1 and T2 received 25% ethanol in 2% sucrose solution while groups C1and C2 received distilled water and 2% sucrose solution respectively for six weeks except T2 animals that were allowed an extra 2-weeks ethanol withdrawal period. The animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation while the regions of LGB and SC were processed for histochemical staining and bioassay of SDH. Shrunken brains were seen in treatment groups with significant brain weight loss (P < 0.01) compared to controls. Histochemical findings showed decreased staining intensity of SDH in both LGB and SC of treatment sections compared to the controls. Biochemical estimation of the enzymatic activity and protein concentration of SDH in LGB and SC showed significantly decreased values (P < 0.05) in treatment groups compared to the control groups. Reduced staining intensity and biochemical quantification findings on SDH suggest that long term intake of ethanol also impairs the process of carbohydrate metabolism via Kreb's cycle in the neurons of visual relay centers of lateral geniculate body and superior colliculus which may impair visual acuity and sensibilities.

 Key words: Ethanol, succinic dehydrogenase, visual relay centers, Kreb's cycle.


Quality of experience (QoE) is the overall acceptability of an application or service, as perceived subjectively by the end user. In particular, for video quality the QoE is dependent of video transmission parameters. To monitor and control these parameters is critical in modern network management systems, but it would be better to be able to monitor the QoE itself (in terms of both interpretation and accuracy) rather than the parameters on which it depends. In this article we present the first attempt to predict video QoE based on information directly extracted from the network packets using a deep learning model. The QoE detector is based on a binary classifier (good or bad quality) for seven common classes of anomalies when watching videos (blur, ghost, etc.). Our classifier can detect anomalies at the current time instant and predict them at the next immediate instant. This classifier faces two major challenges: first, a highly unbalanced dataset with a low proportion of samples with video anomaly, and second, a small amount of training data, since it must be obtained from individual viewers under a controlled experimental setup. The proposed classifier is based on a combination of a convolutional neural network (CNN), recurrent neural network, and Gaussian process classifier. Image processing, which is the common domain for a CNN, has been expanded to QoE detection. Based on a detailed comparison, the proposed model offers better performance metrics than alternative machine learning algorithms, and can be used as a QoE monitoring function in edge computing.


We compared by scanning electron microscopy the structural preservation of the endothelium of three groups of human corneas after 14 days of refrigerated storage in media, with one eye in K-Sol and the fellow eye in CSM. Each group used a different production lot of CSM and K-Sol. Group 1 comprised ten corneal pairs, and groups 2 and 3 each comprised six corneal pairs. In group 1, K-Sol provided better preservation for each of the ten corneal pairs, but CSM was equal or possibly superior to K-Sol in groups 2 and 3. Variation between different lots from the same manufacturer probably explains the results, which emphasizes the need for consistency in the composition of these preservative media. Large areas of endothelial cell disruption were found in the periphery of the majority of the corneas. Seven of the 44 corneas had no viable endothelial cells. As storage times increase, methods are needed to detect corneas that are not well preserved. We found no consistent differences in the efficacy of corneal preservation between CSM and K-Sol.


With the advances in digital technology, manufacturing costs of digital camera, multimedia hand phone and PDA are dropping and digital broadcasting is becoming mature. The transmission of digital media through the Internet is also getting increasingly popular. Apart from multi-level images, video and audio are in digital form and binary images are also getting digitized in applications involving legal documents, digital books, contracts and electronic drawings. Recently, data hiding techniques have been proposed for ownership protection, copy control, annotation and authentication of digital media. This tutorial provides a review on the latest development in data hiding for authentication in digital media communication. In particular, security in black and white, an emerging technology for the digital media will be delivered. Different data hiding techniques for binary images using pattern based, contour based, and transform domain based approaches will be discussed and analyzed. A distortion measure scheme is proposed to match with the human visual perception. Data hiding technology combined with secure authentication techniques will be discussed for secure media transmission and tracking. Stegananalysis and image forensic in data hiding will also be included in the tutorial.


Cargo crime has become a discordant issue in this troublesome and challenging era of international business and crimes related issues. Cargo crime includes hijacking, warehouse thievery, lost in transit and many more. Cargo theft on the highway can be defined as any theft with shipment committed during its road transportation or within a warehouse or premises. One of the famous cargo crime or theft is hijacking. Hijacking usually happened on the road or in the parking area during transhipment process. Vehicle hijacking of trucks with freight is one of the guises robberies, which made the hijacking, is under the same crime as robbery. As the globe turning in a very fast way, currently Logistics Company had become important to accelerate the business process and nations economy. The objectives of this report are to assure the present scenario of cargo crime in Malaysia and evaluate the level of threat towards the logistics industry, to identify the factors that attracts cargo crime to occur and finally to provide recommendation on important the number of cargo crime incidents. The methods used in this report are towards data analysis and also interview with several key personal candidates in creating this report a visible and knowledgeable analysis.


Background/Purpose: Atherosclerosis and vascular stiffness have been implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The association of carotid artery stiffness, a measure of arterial elasticity reflecting early atherosclerosis, with early AMD, was examined in this study. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study of 9954 middle-aged people (age range 51–72 years). The presence of AMD signs was determined from fundus photographs according to the Wisconsin grading protocol. Carotid arterial stiffness was measured from high-resolution ultrasonic echo tracking of the left common carotid artery, and was defined as an adjusted arterial diameter change (AADCμ). A smaller AADC reflects greater carotid artery stiffness. The associations of pulse pressure and carotid artery intima–media thickness (IMT) with early AMD signs were also analysed. Results: In the study population, 454 (4.6%) had early AMD. The mean (SD) AADC was 403 (127) μ. After adjusting for age, sex, race/centre, education, cigarette smoking, fasting glucose, lipid profile and inflammatory markers, a smaller AADC was found to be not associated with early AMD (odds ratio 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 1.25) or its component lesions. Other measures of arterial stiffness (pulse pressure) and atherosclerosis (carotid IMT) were also not associated with early AMD. Conclusions: Carotid artery stiffness was not associated with signs of early AMD in this middle-aged population. These data provide no evidence of a link between age-related elastoid changes and early atherosclerotic processes in the carotid arteries and early AMD.


Retrogressive thaw slumps are very large landslide-like features occurring in the presence of massive ground ice. This form of thermokarst is generally initiated by lake shore erosion, coastal erosion or nearshore thaw settlement leading to the failure of coastal cliffs and the (re)exposition of ice-rich permafrost. These slumps can then evolve over hundreds of years and deliver large quantities of sediments and nutrients to the nearshore zone. In this presentation, we show examples from the Yukon Coastal Plain in Canada, where retrogressive thaw slumps are among the largest in the world. We introduce the notion of polycyclic occurrence of these slumps as well as the coupling of this polycyclicity to climatic signals. We also show field and remote sensing data describing the large quantities of sediment and nutrient released by these features and provide a comparative analysis of the impact of coastal thermokarst and erosion of coastal cliffs.


Varna Bay is one of the hot spots along the Black Sea coastal zone. Its ecological state is strongly influenced by the connection with the Varna Lake. Along the lake coast are located many sources of pollution such as rivers, ports, chemical industry, WWTPs. The shipping is another pressure on the environment. The study was carried out in the western part of the Varna Lake and Varna Bay. The following parameters: heavy metals, polichlorinated biphenyls, chlororganic pesticides, phenols, petroleum hydrocarbons were analysed in sediments. The high content of the last one is indicative for an extremely unfavourable long-year exploitation of the lake as a water route. The metals concentration in lakes sediments shows the influence of anthropogenic inputs. Comparative analysis of the sediments shows higher concentrations of contaminants in Varna Lake. and near the ports. As a consequence of the worsened state of the bottom a very poor benthic community characterizes a part of the investigated area in the lake.


Young's modulus of monolayer graphene with carbon-circles is considered based on least-energy principle (LEP) and finite displacement theory (FDT). The relationships between the Young's modulus and the numbers of carbon-circles of graphene are obtained. The results suggest that the Young's modulus of graphene increases with the increasing number of carbon-circles in y-direction, but reduces with the increasing number in x-direction, and gradually comes to the constant .


Increasing efficiency and decreasing cost are the main purposes in the design of the power generation systems. In this study two hybrid systems: solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)-gas turbine (GT) and SOFC-GT-steam turbine (ST); are considered. Increasing the SOFC input temperature causes thermodynamics improvement in the hybrid system operation. For this purpose, using two set of SOFC reactants heat exchangers (primary heat exchangers and secondary heat exchangers) are recommended. Selection of The primary heat exchangers output temperature and therefore the secondary heat exchangers input temperature (heat exchangers mid-temperatures) influences on the thermodynamics and economics operation of the hybrid system. This work shows that the annualized cost (ANC) and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) act in conflict with each other. The MatLab genetic optimization algorithms are used to obtain the optimum solutions. The maximum achievable efficiency is 0.599 and the minimum LCOE is 0.0163 $/kWh. Also results show that the heat exchangers mid-temperature of air has the main role in the operation of the hybrid system.


In West Africa, maize is commonly relayed or intercropped with upland rice in traditional low-input systems. The density of maize as an intercrop may vary depending on many factors, including individual farmer preferences and country or region. Some nematodes that parasitize rice are common to maize, notably Pratylenchus zeae, which is a pest of both crops. This study was done to examine the influence of maize - rice intercropping on the population density of P. zeae in rice.


Islam was reintroduced into South Korea during the Korean War due to the participation of the Turkish army. In its more than 50 years' development process, the achievements of Korean Islam include the establishment of legal Islamic organizations, the construction of mosques all over the country, pilgrimage to Mecca, translation of the Koran into Korean, and the establishment of an Islamic Institute. The number of Muslims in South Korea has grown considerably. South Korea's Middle East diplomacy began in 1957; its spheres include economic diplomacy, international contribution diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy. South Korea has gained a certain level of influence in the Middle East. South Korea's Islamic communities take part in the government's Middle East diplomacy at various levels, and this is a powerful supplement to official Middle East diplomacy.


In addition to being the targets of frequent discrimination and violence,African men who have sex with men (MSM) are being hit hard by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Although there is still insufficient research regarding the methods of HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa, several studies show that the prevalence of HIV infection among MSM is more than ten times higher than among the general population.


This study investigated the subtype distribution of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in the patients with condyloma accuminatum (CA) in Shenzhen city, China, and assessed the relationship between different HPV subtypes and cervical neoplasia. Type-specific prevalence and extent of multiple infections were assessed in the genital tract. CA samples collected from the 352 patients in the departments of dermatology and gynecology from the People's Hospital in Shenzhen during 2004–2006, using MY09/11 PCR and reverse dot blot hybridization for genotyping of 9–20 kinds of HPV subtypes. HPV status was studied in relation to the pathologic findings. HPV type diversity was wide. The low-risk HPV subtype 11 and 6 were the main subtypes, and multiple HPV infection rate was about 37% in HPV-positive samples. High-risk HPV (HR-HPV) types (16, 18, 58, 52, and 33) were the main subtypes in the CA of cervix, especially in the advanced stage cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II+ or above), multiple HR-HPV infection was found in 87% of HPV-positive samples. We conclude that HPV type 6 and 11 were the main subtypes in patients with CA in Shenzhen region, while HPV type 16 and 18 may be one of the main reasons for malignant changes of cervix, but this study cannot prove the association between multiple HPV infection and severity of cervix lesions.


Despite advances in global image representation, existing image retrieval approaches rarely consider geometric structure during the global retrieval stage. In this work, we revisit the conventional self-similarity descriptor from a convolutional perspective, to encode both the visual and structural cues of the image to global image representation. Our proposed network, named Structural Embedding Network (SENet), captures the internal structure of the images and gradually compresses them into dense self-similarity descriptors while learning diverse structures from various images. These self-similarity descriptors and original image features are fused and then pooled into global embedding, so that global embedding can represent both geometric and visual cues of the image. Along with this novel structural embedding, our proposed network sets new state-of-the-art performances on several image retrieval benchmarks, convincing its robustness to look-alike distractors. The code and models are available: https://github.com/sungonce/SENet.


We live at a time when the question of secession is at the forefront of international attention. As well as the current focus on Catalonia, the subject of Kurdish independence is also in the news. Meanwhile, the question of Scottish independence remains firmly on the agenda, despite the referendum that took place in 2014. Elsewhere around the world, there are anywhere up to a hundred other groups and territories seeking statehood. Although significant attention is paid to the ways in which secessionist territories pursue their ambitions for independence, there has been rather less attention given to the way states facing an act of unilateral secession respond to such challenges. In many ways, the small eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus has set the standard for states facing a secessionist threat. Over the course of the last thirty years, the Cypriot government has been engaged in a relentless – and, it must be said, often ruthless – battle to prevent the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TNRC)" (or Northern Cyprus, as it is more commonly known), from gaining international recognition. By most benchmarks, these efforts have been extremely successful. While some international measures have been taken to ease the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, especially after the failed reunification attempt in 2004, Northern Cyprus still has relatively little interaction with the wider world. In analysing the ways the Cypriot government has responded to the TRNC, it becomes clear that any successful countersecession strategy is based on four separate but interlocking strands.


Outer membrane vesicles are microvesicles shed by Gram-negative bacteria and play important roles in immune priming and disease pathogenesis. However, our current mechanistic understanding of vesicle - host cell interactions is limited by a lack of methods to study the kinetics of vesicle entry and cargo delivery to host cells in real-time. Here, we describe a highly sensitive method to study the kinetics of vesicle entry into host cells in real-time using a genetically encoded probe targeted to vesicles. We found that route of vesicular uptake, and thus entry kinetics and efficiency of cargo release, are determined by the chemical composition of the bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The presence of O-antigen facilitates receptor-independent entry, which enhances both rate and efficiency of cargo uptake by host cells. Collectively, our findings highlight the chemical composition of the bacterial cell wall as a major determinant of secretion-independent delivery of virulence factors during Gram-negative infections.


OBJECTIVE
The genes encoding the gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptor have been the focus of several recent studies investigating the genetic etiology of alcohol dependence. Analyses of multiplex families found a particular gene, GABRA2, to be highly associated with alcohol dependence, using within-family association tests and other methods. Results were confirmed in three case-control studies. The objective of this study was to investigate the GABRA2 gene in another collection of multiplex families.

METHOD
Analyses were based on phenotypic and genotypic data available for 330 individuals from 65 bigenerational pedigrees with a total of 232 alcohol-dependent subjects. A proband pair of same-sex siblings meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, criteria for alcohol dependence was required for entry of a family into the study. One member of the proband pair was identified while in treatment for alcohol dependence. Linkage and association of GABRA2 and alcohol dependence were evaluated using SIBPAL (a nonparametric linkage package) and both the Pedigree Disequilibrium Test and the Family-Based Association Test, respectively.

RESULTS
We find no evidence of a relationship between GABRA2 and alcohol dependence. Linkage analyses exhibited no linkage using affected/affected, affected/unaffected, and unaffected/unaffected sib pairs (all p's < .13). There was no evidence of a within-family association (all p's > .39).

CONCLUSIONS
Comorbidity may explain why our results differ from those in the literature. The presence of primary drug dependence and/or other psychiatric disorders is minimal in our pedigrees, although several of the other previously published multiplex family analyses exhibit a greater degree of comorbidity.


This article takes the expressions of moral outrage in an illegal demonstration
in Norway as a point of entry to explore how the political unfolds in Kurdish diasporic
spaces. The premise for this analysis is that moral outrage among pro-Kurdish
activists is an enduring, intergenerational process, the expression of which displays a
multitemporality and multidirectionality. In order to explore the many layers of moral
outrage this article proposes an analysis along the literature of political ritual and performance,
which focuses on signification, symbolism, identity constructions, and the
importance of audiences. I argue that Kurdish activists consciously perform their moral
outrage to position themselves in relation to their host country, other Kurdish activists
in Norway, and the larger transnational Kurdish community in Europe. As such, moral
outrage turns out to be central in the enactment of Kurdish diaspora politics.


Arid and desert landscapes are characterised as boom-bust systems, and sometimes its fauna can remain cryptic or hidden. This short paper reports the results of baseline monitoring of the terrestrial fauna in the Bush Heritage Pullen Pullen reserve in south-west Queensland, most notable for the presence of the night parrot Pezoporus occidentalis. We conducted two fauna surveys over 22 sites representing Spinifex grasslands, and Mitchell and Chenopod grassland habitats in 2018 and 2019, using pitfall, funnel and Elliott traps, and active searching. A total of eight mammal and 28 reptile species comprising 730 records were documented, as well as eight additional incidental species. Frequently recorded species were Ctentous lateralis, Ctenotus pantherinus, Gehyra versicolor, Tachyglossus aculeatus, Sminthopsis macroura, Pseudomys desertor. Fourteen of the species recorded were highly variable in abundance from one survey to the next. The fauna of the Spinifex grasslands, and Mitchell and Chenopod grassland sites was compositionally very different, and the extent of ground cover or Triodia in the surrounding landscape predicted the abundance of some mammals (i.e. Pseudomys desertor) and reptiles (Delma nasuta, Ctenotus pulchellus, Cyclodomorphus melanops). These data provide a baseline for future monitoring on this important reserve, and an opportunity to enhance or increase the survey scope via additional sites and a future more adaptive management and question-driven approach.


BACKGROUND
Invasive candidiasis (IC) is an important healthcare-related infection, with increasing incidence and a crude mortality exceeding 50%. Numerous treatment options are available yet comparative studies have not identified optimal therapy.

METHODS
We conducted an individual patient-level quantitative review of randomized trials for treatment of IC and to assess the impact of host-, organism-, and treatment-related factors on mortality and clinical cure. Studies were identified by searching computerized databases and queries of experts in the field for randomized trials comparing the effect of ≥2 antifungals for treatment of IC. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine factors associated with patient outcomes.

RESULTS
Data from 1915 patients were obtained from 7 trials. Overall mortality among patients in the entire data set was 31.4%, and the rate of treatment success was 67.4%. Logistic regression analysis for the aggregate data set identified increasing age (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.02; P = .02), the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.08-1.14; P = .0001), use of immunosuppressive therapy (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.18-2.44; P = .001), and infection with Candida tropicalis (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.11-2.39; P = .01) as predictors of mortality. Conversely, removal of a central venous catheter (CVC) (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, .35-.72; P = .0001) and treatment with an echinocandin antifungal (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, .45-.94; P = .02) were associated with decreased mortality. Similar findings were observed for the clinical success end point.

CONCLUSIONS
Two treatment-related factors were associated with improved survival and greater clinical success: use of an echinocandin and removal of the CVC.


Abstract. Atmospheric gravity waves, which are a manifestation of the fluctuations in buoyancy of the air parcels, are well known for their direct influence on concentration of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols, and also on oscillations of meteorological variables such as temperature, wind speed, visibility and so on. The present paper reports quasi-periodic oscillations in the lidar backscatter signal strength due to aerosol fluctuations in the nocturnal boundary layer, studied with a high space-time resolution polarimetric micro pulse lidar and concurrent meteorological parameters over a tropical station in India. The results of the spectral analysis of the data, archived on some typical clear-sky conditions during winter months of 2008 and 2009, exhibit a prominent periodicity of 20–40 min in lidar-observed aerosol variability and show close association with those observed in the near-surface temperature and wind at 5% statistical significance. Moreover, the lidar aerosol backscatter signal strength variations at different altitudes, which have been generated from the height-time series of the one-minute interval profiles at 2.4 m vertical resolution, indicate vertical propagation of these waves, exchanging energy between lower and higher height levels. Such oscillations are favoured by the stable atmospheric background condition and peculiar topography of the experimental site. Accurate representation of these buoyancy waves is essential in predicting the sporadic fluctuations of weather in the tropics.


The enchantment by Botany teaching represents not an ordinary feeling among students, and even Biology teachers, at every educational level. Researches throughout the Botany teaching area point to a fragmented, decontextualized, quite theoretical and unattractive process. Therefore, in recent years, Botany has changed from a beloved science into a neglected science because of the botanical blindness that has been established in the general population. Thus, the present work aims to present a panorama of the academic researches about Botany teaching in Brazil. It was carried out of theses, dissertations, and articles published from 2002 to 2017. This period was intentionally selected as it fits the establishment of the Guidelines Curriculum for Biological Sciences courses. In parallel, the pursuit of researches on Botany teaching in other countries was also carried out, to verify the international scenario. The investigations were developed in CAPES, IBICT, and SCIELO portals, based on previously defined descriptors. The results, published in Brazil and in other countries, point out the lack of information and a valorization crisis of the scientific knowledge in the process of Botany teaching, both in basic and higher education. This finding gains strength especially when we check the publications of the Biological Sciences - Licentiate courses. These should present deep concerns with the process of teaching to teach, as the teaching roots are similar to the way we receive and comprehend it, which seems the reason Botany teaching ends up being relegated when compared to other areas of knowledge.


Posibilities of realisation of the minor control network with GNSS tehnology in the occupyed areas with forest vegetation in mountain areas is characterized by a number of issues, due to the same technologies as the configuration of land and work. Lack of mutual visibility between control points or loss related signals geodetic points placed in areas with forest vegetation cover in mountain areas, make it impossible or significantly reduce the possibility of realisation the minor control point, using conventional technology for this purpose only. For minor control networks realisation of the mountain forest sector can use GNSS technology to register their observations using the geodetic receivers with single or dual frequency (L1, L1L2), and for processing, specialized computer systems, which allow you to obtain final coordinate in the national reference system and a report complex data processing. In relation to existing facilities can apply various methods of registering data, adapted working conditions of the particular mountain area. Working method for achieving network dedicated with GNSS technology is relatively static and can be done and fast static version, if vector length does not exceed 4-5 km. To obtain the final coordinates in the national reference system transformation parameters are required. Usually these are used to obtain common geodetic points (points known in both coordinate reference systems) found in the work area to obtain results with high precision. In the mountains geodesic points are located at a density appropriate, taking account of the geometric triangulation related networks, is relatively well preserved, presenting normal the technical conditions. Determination of transformation parameters is usually done using traditional static positioning method and positioning points of the minor control network is done by fast static method. Considering the practical needs that commercial forestry in the mountain area of forest management activities, is essential for complex Topo-Cadastral works, which is based on the existence of a complex minor cotrol network of the details. To streamline these activities in the sector terrestrial measurements, is it necessary to implement modern technologies for collecting and processing data and that proper management of various final products obtained.


Purpose of this paperThe purpose is to map the production planning process in process industries and analyze how it is related to their specific planning conditions and available literature. Further on the research aim at detecting similarities and differences in production planning at tactical level.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology has an embedded multi-case design with focus on planning processes involving several entities within the companies. Information sources are documentation and interviews.FindingsProcess industries with different structures and conditions plan production differently. For instance a difference has been found between how material dominated companies plan compared to capacity dominated ones.Research limitations/implicationsFocus in this research has been on production planning at tactical level and therefore the strategic and operational level has mainly been left out of the study.What is original/value of paperThe research gives insights in production planning processes for process industries and presents ideas on why the different production planning processes are designed as they are according some specific conditions.


Foreign bodies in the airways or intestines of dogs or cats are a common problem in companion animal practice. Improved endoscopic techniques, together with their greater availability, mean that it is often possible to remove the foreign body endoscopically, making surgery unnecessary. This article describes 53 cats and dogs in which a foreign body was detected and, where possible, removed. Results are compared with those in the literature. Practical guidelines for foreign body removal in specific cases are described, focusing on therapy and prognosis.


A team of geophysicists may have found a missing link in the growing body of evidence that Mars once had a major ocean. On page
 1788
 of this issue of
 Science, researchers analyzing gravity data from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft report that they have detected a system of now-invisible, buried channels that delivered water from Mars9s southern highlands into the northern lowlands billions of years ago. But others warn that the hypothesis will be difficult to test.


The Northeast of India has hardly received any attention till recent times due to administrative and political negligence by the centre, which has led to the marginalization of the various groups of people residing in the region. Northeast has become one of India's post-independent others like many other subaltern groups within the nation. Given the history of violence and insurgency from different pockets of the region, the people from mainland India have grossly misunderstood the tribal people of Northeast and have not made any attempt to comprehend their lives and culture. The literature from this region, with a rich history of oral tradition among many diverse communities inhabiting the Northeast, is attempting to become an instrument to depict the experiences of the people and at the same time provide a platform to the dissenting voices from the region. This paper proposes to explore the peripheral voices of the Naga people protesting against the social ills administered by the Centre that have affected their harmonious living in the society. Easterine Kire in her novels A Terrible Matriarchy and Bitter Wormwood exhibits how the Naga people living in the periphery are discriminated by the centre and what impact it has on their lives.


Blackberry yellow vein disease (BYVD) has emerged as an important disease of blackberry (Rubus spp.) in the south and southeastern United States (2,3). In an effort to characterize viruses that may be involved in the disease, double-stranded RNA extracted from a symptomatic 'Apache' blackberry from South Carolina was used for shotgun cDNA cloning (4). Sequence analysis showed that in addition to Blackberry yellow vein associated virus (BYVaV) (2), a constant component of BYVD, sequences of Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) also were obtained. The 623-nt fragment of INSV (Genbank Accession No. EU287930) shared 98% nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity with GenBank Accession No. NC003616. Confirmation of the results of the initial shotgun cloning was done by reverse transcription-PCR with primers INSVF (5' GATCTGTCCTGGGATTGTTC 3') and INSVR (5' GTCTCCTTCTGGTTCTATAATCAT 3') that amplify a 460 base fragment of the M RNA of INSV. Amplicons obtained from single-stranded and dsRNA templates were sequenced and found to be identical with EU287930. The identity of INSV by PCR was also supported by positive results with a commercially available INSV-ELISA kit (AC Diagnostics, Fayetteville, AR). Earlier, more than 400 plants from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia with BYVD and other virus-like symptoms were tested for INSV by ELISA and approximately 33% were found to be infected with the virus (1). Thus, INSV appears to be one of the major viruses infecting blackberry in the southeastern United States, and it remains to be seen if INSV acts synergistically with BYVaV and other viruses to contribute to the severity of BYDV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of INSV infecting Rubus spp. References: (1) T. L. Guzmán-Baeny. M.S. thesis. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, 2003. (2) J. Susaimuthu et al. Plant Pathol. 55:607, 2006. (3) J. Susaimuthu et al. Virus Res. 131:145, 2008. (4) I. E. Tzanetakis et al. J. Virol. Methods 124:73, 2005.


Abstract The Book Report exhibition is an example of modern technologies serving the presentation of the book exhibits. The exhibition arranged for the 50th anniversary of the first competition for the Most Beautiful Czech Book of the Year occupied a special place in the context of book exhibitions more generally. It exceeded preconceived notions and was highly experimental in character. It consisted of three parts, related to each other thematically and chronologically: The Most Beautiful Czech Book of 2014, Fifty Years of the Most Beautiful Czech Book Competition and The Most Book. These parts corresponded to three chronological planes. These three planes linked together the historical perspective, the view of the current form of the book and a vision of future developments in the field. The exhibition used the most modern technologies and resources from the visual arts and at the same time the physical presence of the book as traditional paper media remains intact. The focal point of the exhibition was the process of digitisation of books, performed within the exhibition hall. The project has its own webpages that remain in existence after the exhibition had finished.


Abstract Based on a geographical-administrative definition of the region, the theoretical assumptions of contemporary French structuralist geopolitics, cross-sectional data for 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010 from the Updated Arctic Regional Attributes Dataset, and the technical capabilities of MS Office Excel 2010, this research (a) reveals and contrasts the Arctic states' capability constraints deriving from their longitudinal material and virtual power potential (physical potential, socio-economic potential, military potential, and symbolic potential); and (b) analyses the role of this constraint in the process of preference formation in case of one specific Arctic actor, Russia, in the Arctic territorial dispute. This study confirms that Russia's capability constraint is the lowest in the region and that the latter does not form a stable trend throughout the period studied. It also suggests the preference formation framework for Russia in the Arctic dispute based on the evolution of its polar capability constraint.


Objective The role of CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and its ligand CCL5 on the pathogenesis of HIV infection has been well studied but not for HCV infection. Here, we investigated whether CCL5 haplotypes influence HIV and HCV seropositivity among 373 Caucasian people who inject drugs (PWID) from Estonia. Methods Study included 373 PWID; 56% were HIV seropositive, 44% HCV seropositive and 47% co-infected. Four CCL5 haplotypes (A-D) were derived from three CCL5 polymorphisms (rs2107538/rs2280788/rs2280789) typed by Taqman allelic discrimination assays. The data of CCR5 haplotypes were used from our previous study. The association between CCL5 haplotypes with HIV and/or HCV seropositivity was determined using logistic regression analysis. Results Possessing CCL5 haplotype D (defined by rs2107538A/rs2280788G/rs2280789C) decreased the odds of HCV seropositivity compared to those not possessing it (OR = 0.19; 95% CI 0.09–0.40), which remained significant after adjustment to co-variates (OR = 0.08; 95% CI 0.02–0.29). An association of this haplotype with HIV seropositivity was not found. In step-wise logistic regression with backward elimination CCL5 haplotype D and CCR5 HHG*1 had reduced odds for HCV seropositivity (OR = 0.28 95% CI 0.09–0.92; OR = 0.23 95% CI 0.08–0.68, respectively) compared to those who did not possess these haplotypes, respectively. Conclusions Our results suggest that among PWID CCL5 haplotype D and CCR5 HHG*1 independently protects against HCV. Our findings highlight the importance of CCL5 genetic variability and CCL5-CCR5 axis on the susceptibility to HCV.


Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive and virulent solid tumors. The ubiquitin proteasome system presents in all eukaryotic cells and is essential for cellular homeostasis. While its underlying role in ATC remains largely unclear. TRIM11 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and has been reported to act as an oncogene in several human cancers. The present study aims to reveal the oncogenic function of TRIM11 in ATC. Western blot was used to measure the protein expression of TRIM11 and YAP, while the YAP target genes were measured by real-time PCR. CCK8 assay was used to detect cell viability; wound-healing assay and transwell assay were used to measure the migration ability of ATC. The xeno-graft tumor model was used for in vivo study. Immuno-precipitation assay was used to detect the interaction domain between YAP and TRIM11. And the ubiquitin-based Immuno-precipitation assays were used to detect the specific ubiquitination manner happened on YAP. TRIM11 depletion significantly decreases cell proliferation and migration capabilities of ATC cells, and elevates cell sensitivity to chemotherapy, which effect could be further rescued by YAP overexpression. TRIM11 depletion decreases YAP protein level and YAP/TEAD target genes, such as CTGF, ANKRD1 and CYR61 in ATC. Indicating that TRIM11 is a regulator of Hippo signaling pathway. Immuno-precipitation assay shows that the RING domain of TRIM11 is essential for the interaction with WW domain of YAP. Further mechanistic analysis suggests that TRIM11 promotes the mono-ubiquitination of YAP, thus prolongs its protein half. Furthermore, TRIM11 promoter analysis revealed that SOX13 activates TRIM11 transcription by binding to the promoter of TRIM11. In summary, our study describes the oncogenic function of TRIM11 in ATC, which acts as a post-translational modulating factor of Hippo pathway. Targeting TRIM11 may be a potential therapeutic method for ATC treatment.


This paper provides an account of how family carers were involved in a longitudinal research study that aimed to investigate the needs of 'new' family carers of stroke survivors. An account of how the researcher involved carers is provided, followed by one carer's description of the benefits and negative consequences of being involved in the study. Suggestions are made about how to develop good practice with regard to involving people in research. The conclusions highlight that, although rewarding, being involved in research is not without its challenges. However, research participants have much to contribute to the entire research process and its products. It is important therefore to learn lessons about how best to maximise the expertise that carers and others have to offer.


Before the Civil War there wasn't a free school in the state, but under the Reconstruction government, we built them in every country.... We paid to have every child, Negro and white, schooled equally. Today, they've cut down on the educational program, and discriminated against the Negro children, so that out of every educational dollar, the Negro child gets only 30 cents. George Washington Albright, The Daily Worker, 1937 In June 1937, and at the age of ninety-one, an ex-slave from Holly Spring, Mississippi by the name of George Washington Albright was interviewed by the Daily Worker regarding his legislative and educational activities during and after the Civil War. (1) Albright proffered the above statement and his intentions seemed unmistakable. Cognizant of Mississippi blacks' existing educational opportunities and their extremely vulnerable and denigrated status, he wanted to inform the public of the important contributions African Americans--in particular former slaves--played in the establishment of the state's first comprehensive public school system. Albright knew firsthand that the status of African Americans in the years immediately after slavery and in contemporary Jim Crow Mississippi was markedly different. Prior to the end of the Reconstruction era and the rise of state-sanctioned segregation, Mississippi blacks--despite the overwhelming majority being former slaves--viewed freedom optimistically and had rights that extended beyond second-class citizenship. For nearly a decade after the war they voted, became landowners, determined and negotiated their working conditions, and were leaders and contributors in their local communities, counties, and the entire state. As an active agent in the processes promoting education in postwar Mississippi, Albright recalled the principal public school initiatives he and the other black delegates elected to the state's 1868 constitutional convention wanted for Mississippi. The state's public schools were to be free, all-inclusive, and most importantly equitable, irrespective of the child's gender, race, class, or previous condition of servitude. (2) In attempting to achieve this aim, Albright was convinced that his generation--through their determination, appreciation of the value of education, and limited resources--collectively laid the groundwork for the rise of universal public schooling in postwar Mississippi. They provided the financial and "sweat equity" for the establishment and continuation of the first schools, served as teachers, solicited northern-born teachers to migrate to Mississippi, and pressured state legislators to consider their educational ambitions and needs as newly freed citizens. During the war Albright, himself barely literate, served as one of the first teachers for formerly enslaved African Americans in Mississippi. As the war commenced, his first class was taught under a shade tree, then in an abandoned barn, and thereafter in a church. "The state had no teachers," contended Albright, "until we brought in teachers from the North, men and women, white and Negro." (3) To Albright, this generation of formerly enslaved African Americans was not a powerless citizenry forced to accept the status quo as did their descendants in Jim Crow Mississippi. On the contrary, they were an empowered and contributing force not just in their own educational pursuits, but in the advancement of universal education for all children in postbellum Mississippi. The editors of the Daily Worker virtually dismissed Albright's recollections of his and his entire generation's pro-active stance in the first decade after slavery. While the communist editors thought his commentary to be quite animated, they questioned the accuracy of Albright's memories; especially regarding the legislative and educational impact former slaves had on the state's postbellum political economy. (4) However, Albright's retrospection concerning public education in Mississippi--despite his occasional misnomers--was sharply accurate and epitomized W. …


The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of specific nitrogen gas additions to argon shielding gas on morphology and microstructure of austenitic stainless steel TIG welds. An autogenous TIG welding process was applied on type 316L stainless steel to produce a bead-on-plate weld. The ferrite content of weld metal was measured using a Feritscope. The results indicated that the arc voltage increase as the amount of nitrogen gas added to the argon atmosphere increases. The retained ferrite content of type 316L stainless steel TIG weld metal decreased rapidly as nitrogen gas addition to the argon shielding gas was increased.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extend the entrepreneurial marketing literature to account for coopetition (the interplay between cooperation and competition). This paper is also designed to highlight the research gaps surrounding coopetition, so that academics, working at the marketing/entrepreneurship interface, can undertake more investigations linked with this topic.

Design/methodology/approach
The entrepreneurial marketing literature was reviewed to develop a conceptual framework, guided by three research propositions, examining the antecedents and consequences of coopetition, as well as the boundaries of the coopetition–organisational performance relationship.

Findings
Coopetition activities are driven by an organisation-wide coopetition-oriented mindset – the degree to which managers and employees believe in the importance of cooperating with competitors. Also, coopetition can help entrepreneurs access new resources and capabilities from their competitors; however, "too much" coopetition can lead to tensions between such rival firms. Additionally, it is proposed that the relationship between coopetition activities and organisational performance is moderated by competitive intensity (a facet of the competitive business environment). That is, with higher levels of competitive intensity, entrepreneurs are less likely to improve their performance from coopetition activities. That is, the competitive business environment can affect the delicate balance between the forces of cooperativeness and competitiveness.

Originality/value
Entrepreneurial marketing research has concentrated on individualistic perspectives concerning how entrepreneurs operate their businesses. In this viewpoint, the competitive assumptions of the marketing/entrepreneurship interface are extended to account for coopetition. This paper also outlines the areas within the coopetition literature that entrepreneurial marketing scholars should appreciate. Specifically, entrepreneurial marketing scholars are recommended to examine the antecedents and consequences of coopetition, coupled with the moderating role of competitive intensity (a facet of the competitive business environment) in the coopetition–organisational performance relationship. This paper ends with a recommended methodology for academics to test the conceptual framework in future empirical research.


Methanogens living on and within rumen ciliate protozoa may be responsible for up to 37% of the rumen methane emissions. In the absence of protozoa, rumen methane emissions are reduced by an average of 13% but this varies with diet. Decreased methane emissions from the protozoa-free rumen may be a consequence of: (1) reduced ruminal dry matter digestion; (2) a decreased methanogen population; (3) an altered pattern of volatile fatty acid production and hydrogen availability; or (4) increased partial pressure of oxygen in the rumen. The decline in methanogenesis associated with removal of protozoa is greatest on high concentrate diets and this is in keeping with protozoa being relatively more important sources of hydrogen on starch diets, because many starch-fermenting bacteria do not produce H2. Because protozoa also decrease the supply of protein available to the host animal, their elimination offers benefits in both decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and potentially increasing livestock production. Strategies for eliminating protozoa are reviewed. None of the available techniques is considered practical for commercial application and this should be addressed.


Sir: I read the article 'Cutaneous ciliated cyst: a case report and immunohistochemical comparison with fallopian tube'l with great interest. The authors proposed that cutaneous ciliated cyst is a distinct entity, occurring in females during the reproductive period, and that its histological and immunohistochemical similarity to the fallopian tube suggests a derivation from heterotopic Miillerian epithelium. We have found S-100 protein antigen expression in the lining cells of fallopian tubes removed for ectopic pregnancy. However, no immunoreactivity with S-100 protein antibody was observed in fallopian tube segments removed for sterilization or hydrosalpinx. Nakamura et aL2 also reported S-100 protein immunoreactivity in the glands within decidua and in endocervical polyps during early gestation. These results suggest a possible relationship between pregnancy hormones and S-1 00 protein expression. Thus, immunostaining for S100 protein in a cutaneous ciliated cyst in a woman with complex gynaecological history may also be the result of such an association. However, the authors have not mentioned in how many fallopian tubes S-100 protein was expressed and what the indications were for tubectomy. S-100 protein expression in the cutaneous cyst, in view of the above observation, supports its histogenesis from heterotopic Miillerian epithelium.


Behaviors coordination is one of keypoints in behavior based robotics. Subsumption architecture and motor schema are example of their methods. In order to study their characteristics, experiments in physical robot are needed to be done. It can be concluded from experiment result that the first method gives quick, robust but non smooth response . Meanwhile the latter gives slower but smoother response and it is tending to reach target faster. Learning behavior improve robot's performance in handling uncertainty. Q learning is popular reinforcement learning method that has been used in robot learning because it is simple, convergent and off policy. The learning rate of Q affects robot's performance in learning phase. Q learning algorithm is implemented in subsumption architecture of physical robot. As the result, robot succeeds to do autonomous navigation task although it has some limitations in relation with sensor placement and characteristic.


Abstract. Glacial hydrology plays an important role in the control of glacier dynamics, of sediment transport, and of fjord and proglacial ecosystems. Surface meltwater drains through glaciers via supraglacial, englacial and subglacial systems. Due to challenging field conditions, the processes driving surface processes in glacial hydrology remain sparsely studied. Recently, sensing drifters have shown promise in river, coastal and oceanographic studies. However, practical experience with drifters in glacial hydrology remains limited. Before drifters can be used as general tools in glacial studies, it is necessary to quantify the variability of their measurements. To address this, we conducted repeated field experiments in a 450 m long supraglacial channel with small cylindrical drifters equipped with pressure, magnetometer, acceleration and rotation rate sensors and compared the results. The experiments ( n=55 ) in the supraglacial channel show that the pressure sensors consistently yielded the most accurate data, where values remained within ±0.11  % of the total pressure time-averaged mean (95 % confidence interval). Magnetometer readings also exhibited low variability across deployments, maintaining readings within ±2.45  % of the time-averaged mean of the magnetometer magnitudes. Linear acceleration measurements were found to have a substantially higher variability of ±34.4  % of the time-averaged mean magnitude, and the calculated speeds remained within ±24.5  % of the time-averaged mean along the flow path. Furthermore, our results indicate that prominent shapes in the sensor records are likely to be linked to variations in channel morphology and the associated flow field. Our results show that multimodal drifters can be a useful tool for field measurements inside supraglacial channels. Future deployments of drifters into englacial and subglacial channels promise new opportunities for determining hydraulic and morphologic conditions from repeated measurements of such inaccessible environments.


An external beam (avg diam 20 mu m) of protons from a 4.0-MV Van de Graaff accelerator has been used to excite, simultaneously, characteristic X-rays and gamma rays from a wide range of elements contained in individual, unopened, fluid inclusions in doubly polished mineral plates. We report qualitative and semiquantitative compositional data obtained using the proton-induced X-ray (PIXE) and gamma-ray (PIGE) emission techniques for selected, near-surface (10-40 mu m deep) inclusions from three major, well-studied ore deposits.Proton-induced X-ray emission analysis of numerous low-salinity, CO 2 -bearing inclusions in quartz from the Panasqueira wolframite-quartz vein system, Portugal, did not detect Na, Cl, or K, presumably because of X-ray attenuation, whereas proton-induced gamma-ray emission analysis revealed Na in all inclusions. The gamma-ray spectrum yielded by an inclusion containing a daughter or accidentally trapped crystal resembling muscovite confirmed the presence of F, Na, and Al; and several X-ray spectra recorded K, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sn.Proton-induced X-ray emission analyses of multiphase fluid inclusions in quartz from a molybdenite-rich veinlet in the core of the Bingham, Utah, porphyry Cu(-Mo) deposit confirmed the presence of the S, Ca, Cl, K, and Fe, expected from the occurrence of anhydrite, sylvite, and hematite daughter crystals. Quantification of the abundances of the lighter elements was subject to considerable error, but the data permit reasonable estimates of several heavier elements: Mn, 1,700; Fe, 28,000; Cu, 700; Zn, 1,800; Pb, 700; and Br, 200 (all in ppm).Two fluid inclusions were examined in secondary spodumene from the Tanco, Manitoba, rare element pegmatite: both contained a highly birefringent daughter crystal initially assumed to be the new mineral diomignite (Li 2 B 4 O 7 ). The proton-induced gamma-ray emission spectra were compared to those obtained from Li 2 B 4 O 7 sealed within SiO 2 glass capillaries. Boron was clearly detected in the capillaries but not in two large daughter crystals, one of which contains major amounts of Ca (tens of wt %) and is tentatively identified as calcite.Although these data are preliminary and mainly qualitative, they demonstrate that the combined proton-induced X-ray and gamma-ray emission method has great potential for fluid inclusion studies. Considerable improvements in instrumentation and techniques for fluid inclusion analysis are anticipated, as are more accurate determinations through precise standardization employing synthetic inclusions of known composition.


The interest in objective image quality assessment (IQA) has been growing at an accelerated pace over the past decade. The latest progress on developing automatic IQA methods that can predict subjective quality of visual signals is exhilarating. For example, a handful of objective IQA measures have been shown to significantly and consistently outperform the widely adopted mean squared error (MSE) and peak signal-to-noise-ratio (PSNR) in terms of correlations with subjective quality evaluations [1].


This paper aims to design joint on-ground precoding and on-board beamforming of a multiple gateway multibeam satellite system in a hybrid space-ground mode where full frequency reuse pattern is considered among the beams. In such an architecture, each gateway serves a cluster of adjacent beams such that the adjacent clusters are served through a set of gateways that are located at different geographical areas. However, such a system brings in two challenges to overcome. First, the inter-beam interference is the bottleneck of the whole system and applying interference mitigation techniques becomes necessary. Second, as the data demand increases, the ground and space segments should employ extensive bandwidth resources in the feeder link accordingly. This entails embedding an extra number of gateways aiming to support a fair balance between the increasing demand and the corresponding required feeder link resources. To solve these problems, this study investigates the impact of employing a joint multiple gateway architecture and onboard beamforming scheme. It is shown that by properly designing the on-board beamforming scheme, the number of gateways can be kept affordable even if the data demand increases. Moreover, Zero Forcing (ZF) precoding technique is considered to cope with the inter-beam interference where each gateway constructs a part of block ZF precoding matrix. The conceived designs are evaluated with a close-to-real beam pattern and the latest broadband communication standard for satellite communications.


Introduction: Various bone analysis methods are used clinically in examining the mineral content. In a laboratory, the effects of environmental factors such as foods, drugs, diseases and various exposures can be examined by working on samples extracted from bone. The current research was conducted to examine the long-term effects of exposure to drug on the content of mineral elements in the bone.
Methodology: Among the trauma patients admitted to the hospital, 35 addicted men and 42 healthy men were studied. Patients were in the age range of 18 to 47 years. The bone graft of patients was prepared and the value of mineral elements in them was evaluated.
Results: The concentration of the metals examined in this research is different in healthy and addicted subjects, so that the value of some of the most important elements such as calcium is significantly lower in the addicted people than that in healthy people. Moreover, the accumulation of toxic elements in addicted people is more than that in healthy people.
Conclusion: People with long history of using opium have lower useful elements in bone metabolism, which it might be associated with increased risk of fracture and reduced restoration ability. Moreover, higher accumulation of toxic elements in the bone often results from biological accumulation over time, which might result in short-term and long-term complications, such as skeletal and muscular pain and even cancers.


As the United States dramatically expands wind energy deployment, the industry is challenged with developing a skilled workforce and addressing public resistance. Wind Powering America's Wind for Schools project addresses these issues by developing Wind Application Centers (WACs) at universities; WAC students assist in implementing school wind turbines and participate in wind courses, by installing small wind turbines at community "host" schools, by implementing teacher training with interactive curricula at each host school. This poster provides an overview of the first two years of the Wind for Schools project, primarily supporting activities in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, and Idaho.


Protective metallic coatings based on Zn are usually used to protect steel against corrosion. When coated steel sheets are subjected to corrosive environments, its corrosion behaviour is affected due not only to changes of the coating texture, but also of the microstructure. The aim of this work was to study the effects of texture components and microstructure on the corrosion behaviour of hot-dip galvanized coatings. Texture components of the coatings were evaluated employing X-ray diffraction whilst its corrosion resistance was analyzed by means of Tafel polarization and salt spray tests. Microstructure of the coatings was studied using SEM and EDS analysis. From the experimental results, it was concluded that increasing the lead content of the zinc bath would decrease the texture coefficient of basal plane component and conversely, the texture coefficient of other components such as high angle pyramids, low angle pyramids and prism planes would be increased. Besides, gamma layer thickness increases as the lead content of the zinc bath increases. In addition, it was observed that greater basal texture coefficient and smaller gamma layer thickness would result in better corrosion resistance of hot-dip galvanized coatings.