1. The excretion in the bile and urine of intraperitoneally injected (14)C-labelled monoquaternary ammonium or pyridinium cations was measured in bile-duct-cannulated rats (ten compounds) and in guinea pigs and rabbits (six compounds). 2. Seven of these, namely N-methylpyridinium, tetraethylammonium, trimethylphenylammonium, diethylmethylphenylammonium, methylphenyldipropylammonium, dibenzyldimethylammonium and tribenzylmethylammonium, were excreted largely unchanged in the bile and urine. 3. 3-Hydroxyphenyltrimethylammonium, 3-bromo-N-methylpyridinium and cetyltrimethylammonium were metabolized to an appreciable extent in the rat. 4. In intact rats intraperitoneally injected trimethylphenylammonium (mol.wt. 136) was excreted mainly in the urine, dibenzyldimethylammonium (mol.wt. 226) was excreted in roughly equal amounts in the urine and faeces, and tribenzylmethylammonium (mol.wt. 302) was excreted mainly in the faeces. The faecal excretion of these compounds corresponded to their biliary excretion in bile-duct-cannulated rats. About 3-4% of tribenzyl[(14)C]methylammonium was eliminated as (14)CO(2). 5. In rats the extent of biliary excretion of four cations with molecular weights in the range 94-164 was less than 10% of the dose, whereas that of five cations with molecular weights 173-302 was greater than 10%. These results and other data from the literature suggested that the molecular weight needed for the biliary excretion of such cations to an extent of 10% or more of the dose was about 200+/-50. Studies with six cations in guinea pigs and rabbits suggest that this value applies also to these species. 6. The results suggest that the threshold molecular weight for the appreciable (>10%) biliary excretion of monoquaternary cations is different from that for anions (Millburn et al., 1967a; Hirom et al., 1972b). With rats, guinea pigs and rabbits, no significant species difference was noted, whereas with anions there is a marked species difference.


A bacterial mixed culture, which was obtained from sewage by a special enrichment procedure, utilized EDTA as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen for growth. High concentrations of mineral salts, particularly CaCl2, or the use of a mineral base without nitrogen protected the cells from inactivation after transfer into fresh medium containing 200-mg/liter (0.67 mM) EDTA. The chemical speciation did not influence the biodegradability of EDTA. However, when resting cells of the mixed culture were incubated with EDTA in the presence of an equivalent molar amount of FeCl3, the reaction came to a halt before the complete consumption of the substrate. A gram-negative isolate from the mixed population, BNC1, also metabolized EDTA in monoculture. Growth of the pure culture was promoted by biotin or folic acid but was always accompanied by the accumulation of unidentified metabolites and was slow (μmax, 0.024 h-1) compared with that of the original community (μmax, 0.036 h-1).


Abstract This article analyses the concepts of sustainability and governance from a holistic and systemic perspective. It avoids predictive and positivist evaluation approaches and commences with a rejection of natural, human, and social capital being measurable in monetary terms, due to the high level of uncertainty relating to what constitutes a sustainable future. A qualitative-based methodology, grounded in the five capitals model of Forum for the Future, is explored for the evaluation of sustainability. On the basis of some main critical aspects, which are common to various socio-technological systems, this approach identifies criteria for a generalised governance assessment methodology for evaluating the possibility of systems for more sustainable futures. Underpinning these criteria is a multidisciplinary approach, a 'Governance Assessment Matrix Exercise' (GAME), which provides a toolkit for setting general criteria for sustainability for each of the dimensions of the five capitals model and choosing between alternative futures through a participatory process of stakeholder engagement. The central theme of the article is that the choice between alternative futures should be participatory in nature and the success of this process can be aided by an acceptance of a commonly derived set of sustainability criteria supported by a governance structure. The approach can be described as a process of social learning through which participants can understand and explore the implications of different actions and policies and select potentially more sustainable choices.


OBJECTIVE: A randomized clinical trial is a prospective study that compares the effect and value of interventions in human beings, of one or more groups vs. a control group. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of published randomized clinical trials in Intensive care in Brazil. METHODS: All randomized clinical trials in intensive care found by manual search in Revista Brasileira de Terapia Intensiva from January 2001 to March 2008 were assessed to evaluate their description by the quality scale. Descriptive statistics and a 95 % confidence interval were used for the primary outcome. Our primary outcome was the randomized clinical trial quality. RESULTS: Our search found 185 original articles, of which 14 were randomized clinical trials. Only one original article (7.1%) showed good quality. There was no statistical significance between the collected data and the data shown in the hypothesis of this search. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that in the sample of assessed articles 7% of the randomized clinical trials in intensive care published in a single intensive care journal in Brazil, present good methodological quality.


Abstract. A comprehensive methodology to assess forest fire susceptibility, that uses variables of strong spatial correlation, is presented and applied for the Portuguese mainland. Our study is based on a thirty-year chronological series of burnt areas. The first twenty years (1975–1994) are used for statistical modelling, and the last ten (1995–2004) are used for the independent validation of results. The wildfire affected areas are crossed with a set of independent layers that are assumed to be relevant wildfire conditioning factors: elevation, slope, land cover, rainfall and temperature. Moreover, the wildfire recurring pattern is also considered, as a proxy variable expressing the influence of human action in wildfire occurrence. A sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the weight of each individual theme within the susceptibility model. Validation of the wildfire susceptibility models is made through the computation of success rate and prediction rate curves. The results show that it is possible to have a good compromise between the number of variables within the model and the model predictive power. Additionally, it is shown that integration of climatic variables does not produce any relevant increase in the prediction capacity of wildfire susceptibility models. Finally, the prediction rate curves produced by the independent cross validation are used to assess the probabilistic wildfire hazard at a scenario basis, for the complete mainland Portuguese territory.


The main purpose of this study is to investigate the difference between incentive effects and physical condition effects in electricity saving behaviors of households, by applying stochastic frontier models for the demand function. As for incentives, we consider both internal incentives such as environmental consciousness, and external incentives such as the price system and information feedback. This paper makes three contributions to the existing literature. First, we consider the difference in room for saving electricity among households by labeling in this paper the amount of electricity consumption which is possible to be reduced for energy saving as "consumption slack†(i.e. incentive effects), which we separate from the minimum necessary amount of consumption impossible to be reduced for energy saving (i.e. physical condition effects). Our second contribution is that we take the novel approach of using the stochastic frontier model to distinguish the reducible amount from the minimum necessary amount of electricity consumed among households. Last, we empirically examine which of the internal or external incentives are more effective in reducing household electricity consumption. Using data on 561 Japanese households in 2012, we obtain the following results. Consciousness of consumption is more important to electricity saving than external incentives such as demand response and information feedback. Without such consciousness, demand response alone increases consumption slack. Conversely, demand response can reduce consumption slack when combined with a household's conscious saving. Other findings indicate that in evaluating saving performance, it is necessary to refer to consumption slack rather than to households' self-evaluation or the observed total amount of consumption.


Wafer level testing within MEMS DLP (Digital Light Processing) device is a key issue for the expected growth of the MEMS market. MEMS devices' wafer sorting is hard due to a series of difficult factors, including the height of the glass, device pitch and complicated processes. Therefore, the general needle card can't be used to probing for these devices. In this paper, we develop a new ultra long tip needle's geometry for DLP device testing. This paper conducts experimental and numerical investigation into the probing technique to test the functionality of DLP devices. A single needle three-dimensional computational probing simulation model was developed to find out the suitable design parameters of ultra long tip needle, analyzing the effects of the needle geometry on the scrub mark profile, the stress distribution during wafer probing and compare with general cantilever needle card. The experimental and numerical methods presented here can be used as useful performance evaluation tools to support the choice of suitable ultra long tip probe geometry and wafer testing parameters.


Two mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which show a loss of mitochondrial rutamycin-sensitive ATPase activity are described. Although phenotypically similar to mutants of the mitochondrial locus pho1 [F. Foury and A. Tzagoloff (1976) Eur. J. Biochem. 68, 113-119], these mutants define a second ATPase locus on the mitochondrial DNA (designated pho2), which is genetically unlinked to pho1. Analysis of recombination in crosses involving multiple antibiotic resistance markers indicates that the locus is in the segment of the genome between ery1 and oli2, very close to oli1. In fact it is proposed that the oli1 and pho2 mutations are in the same gene. Supporting evidence for this proposal includes: 1. The analysis of marker retention in petite mutants shows that the oli1 and pho2 loci were either retained or lost together in all cases. 2. Recombination frequencies of 0.05% or less are observed in crosses between the oli1 and pho2 loci. 3. When rho+ revertants are isolated from the pho2 mutants they frequently are oligomycin resistant. 4. pho2 mutants have an altered subunit 9 of the ATPase complex.


Learning Objectives: After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand metacarpal anatomy and its role in fracture pathology. 2. Determine when surgical intervention is needed for metacarpal fractures. 3. Understand the various treatment options for surgical fixation of metacarpal fractures. 4. Describe the role for external fixation in managing difficult metacarpal fractures. Background: Metacarpal fractures are common injuries that plastic surgeons should be able to evaluate and treat. The goal of this review is to highlight current evidence for managing metacarpal fractures. This Continuing Medical Education article consists of a literature review, illustrations, videos, and an online Continuing Medical Education examination. Methods: The authors reviewed the scientific literature from 2000 to 2015 regarding treatment of metacarpal fractures. Cadaver models were used for instructional videography demonstrating common surgical techniques. Multiple-choice questions were created to review pertinent topics. A discussion and references are provided. Results: Numerous treatment options have been described for metacarpal fractures, including splinting, percutaneous fixation, open reduction with internal fixation, and external fixation. All modalities are acceptable strategies for treating metacarpal fractures. The ultimate goal is to maximize hand function with minimal morbidity. Conclusions: A thorough understanding of treatment modalities is helpful in evaluating and managing metacarpal fractures. Although the current literature supports a wide array of treatment strategies, high-level evidence to guide fracture management remains lacking.


Complex plate and shell type structures are frequently analysed numerically on the basis of a super-element method. The FEM is usually used to obtain the stiffness matrix of a super-element (sometimes in several stages). In this paper the Curvilinear Mesh Method (CMM) which can be efficiently used for the same purpose is presented. The method uses an approach similar to the finite difference method but has a number of important advantages. One is the higher speed of convergence of numerical solutions due to the exclusion of effects produced by approximating rigid body motion. Another advantage is the fact that the equations of the CMM remain valid on the lines of slope discontinuity of the median surface. This makes it possible to analyse sub-structures as a whole even if the sub-structures consist of several parts with different geometry. CMM is based on the equations of classis theory of thin shells in invariant form. The median surface of a sub-structure is described in general curvilinear co-ordinates. In the super-element procedure the structure considered to be geometrically linear and elastic. The interaction between sub-structures is modelled using a generalised displacement method, in which the unknown at boundary nodes of the sub-structure are of the same type as those at internal nodes and also because there is a need to determine the degree of static indeterminacy and no need to choose the primary structure. To verify the presented numerical technique, the stress-strain state of a cylindrical shell with diaphragms has been analysed. Results obtained using CMM in a super-element procedure are compared with results obtained by the FEM and CMM without sub structuring. A comparison of results shows that there is little difference between these three methods in terms of accuracy.


By means of a methodology of surveys applied to people over 20 years old from the Communes 14, 15 and 21 of the Aguablanca District, a first work of investigation* was realized related to the perception and acceptance of the mechanisms of civil participation and of social control of the inhabitants from that area. With this work a socioeconomic characterization was made establishing the socioeconomic stratus, the economic activity, their civil status and educational level, showing that, more than 90% of the population are located in stratus 1 and 2, with informal independent economical activity, demanding extra banking market resources, and without a chance of being the objective market of the traditional financial system who's in accordance with the last part the Group of Investigation of Companies of Solidary Economy , in agreement with the Paz y Bien Foundation and Semilla de Mostaza (Seed of Mustard) Association, suggest the need to make an offer of an entity that could advance microfinances, adjusting itself to the Colombian legislation and regulations, which in equal manner recognizes in it's philosophy and occupation the postulates of the model of the Bank Grameen, founded by the Nobel Peace price winner Muhammad Yunus.


The multicast communication concept offers a scalable and efficient method for many classes of applications; however, its potential remains largely unexploited when it comes to link-layer multicasting in wireless local area networks. The fundamental lacking feature for this is a transmission rate control mechanism that offers higher transmission performance and lower channel utilization, while ensuring the reliability of wireless multicast transmissions. This is much harder to achieve in a scalable manner for multicast when compared with unicast transmissions, which employs explicit acknowledgment mechanisms for rate control. This article introduces EWRiM, a reliable multicast transmission rate control protocol for IEEE 802.11 networks. It adapts the transmission rate sampling concept to multicast through an aggregated receiver feedback scheme and combines it with a sliding window forward error correction (FEC) mechanism for ensuring reliability at the link layer. An inherent novelty of EWRiM is the close interaction of its FEC and transmission rate selection components to address the performance-reliability tradeoff in multicast communications. The performance of EWRiM was tested in three scenarios with intrinsically different traffic patterns; namely, music streaming scenario, large data frame delivery scenario, and an IoT scenario with frequent distribution of small data packets. Evaluation results demonstrate that the proposed approach adapts well to all of these realistic multicast traffic scenarios and provides significant improvements over the legacy multicast- and unicast-based transmissions.


Abstract. Snow instability data provide information about the mechanical state of the snow cover and are essential for forecasting snow avalanches. So far, direct observations of instability (recent avalanches, shooting cracks or whumpf sounds) are complemented with field tests such as the rutschblock test, since no measurement method for instability exists. We propose a new approach based on snow mechanical properties derived from the snow micro-penetrometer that takes into account the two essential processes during dry-snow avalanche release: failure initiation and crack propagation. To estimate the propensity of failure initiation we define a stress-based failure criterion, whereas the propensity of crack propagation is described by the critical cut length as obtained with a propagation saw test. The input parameters include layer thickness, snow density, effective elastic modulus, strength and specific fracture energy of the weak layer – all derived from the penetration-force signal acquired with the snow micro-penetrometer. Both instability measures were validated with independent field data and correlated well with results from field tests. Comparisons with observed signs of instability clearly indicated that a snowpack is only prone to avalanche if the two separate conditions for failure initiation and crack propagation are fulfilled. To our knowledge, this is the first time that an objective method for estimating snow instability has been proposed. The approach can either be used directly based on field measurements with the snow micro-penetrometer, or be implemented in numerical snow cover models. With an objective measure of instability at hand, the problem of spatial variations of instability and its causes can now be tackled.


The development of more realistic constitutive models for granular media, such as sand, requires ingredients which take into account the internal micro-mechanical response to deformation. Unfortunately, at present, very little is known about these mechanisms and therefore it is instructive to find out more about the internal nature of granular samples by conducting suitable tests. In contrast to physical testing the method of investigation used in this study employs the Distinct Element Method. This is a computer based, iterative, time-dependent technique that allows the deformation of granular assemblies to be numerically simulated. By making assumptions regarding contact stiffnesses each individual contact force can be measured and by resolution particle centroid forces can be calculated. Then by dividing particle forces by their respective mass, particle centroid velocities and displacements are obtained by numerical integration. The Distinct Element Method is incorporated into a computer program 'Ball'. This program is effectively a numerical apparatus which forms a logical housing for this method and allows data input and output, and also provides testing control. By using this numerical apparatus tests have been carried out on disc assemblies and many new interesting observations regarding the micromechanical behaviour are revealed. In order to relate the observed microscopic mechanisms of deformation to the flow of the granular system two separate approaches have been used. Firstly a constitutive model has been developed which describes the yield function, flow rule and translation rule for regular assemblies of spheres and discs when subjected to coaxial deformation. Secondly statistical analyses have been carried out using data which was extracted from the simulation tests. These analyses define and quantify granular structure and then show how the force and velocity distributions use the structure to produce the corresponding stress and strain-rate tensors.


Mudstone is the most abundant sedimentary rock and variously acts as sources, seals, and shale gas reservoirs in petroleum systems. Many important physicochemical properties of mudstones are strongly influenced by the mineralogy and size of deposited grains, and by diagenetic changes (precompaction and postcompaction); these are commonly predictable. The diverse composition of mudstones reflects input and hydrodynamic segregation of detrital materials to basins, primary production within basins, and diagenetic processes (both precipitation and dissolution) in the sediment. High-magnification observations both in modern and ancient sediments demonstrate that mudstones are texturally and mineralogically heterogeneous; this variability is not always readily apparent. Although some mud is indeed deposited by suspension settling out of low-energy buoyant plumes, textural analyses reveal that it is commonly dispersed by a combination of waves, gravity-driven processes, and unidirectional currents driven variously by storms and tides. Such dispersal mechanisms mean that muddy successions are typically organized into packages that can be interpreted using sequence stratigraphy. Early bioturbation homogenizes mud, whereas early chemical diagenesis can result in highly cemented zones developing, especially at stratal surfaces. The nature of deeper burial diagenesis, which involves compaction, mineral dissolution, recrystallization, mineral reorientation and lithification, and petroleum generation, is preconditioned by depositional and early diagenetic characteristics of the mud. Although the petrophysical properties of homogeneous mudstones are reasonably well known, the quantitative implications of heterogeneity for petroleum expulsion, retention, petroleum migration, seal capacity, acoustic anisotropy, and identification of shale gas reservoir sweet spots are essentially unexplored. Future work should seek to redress this position.


The plasma current is modulated with an alternating current (ac) component in a frequency range of 90 Hz~900 Hz in the plateau discharge phase in the CT-6B tokamak. A plasma electric conductivity profile in a form of (1 - r2/a2)α with a parameter α, which is fitted with the experimental data, can be determined. The effects of magnetic shear in a tokamak field configuration on the current penetration are taken into account in the numerical simulation. The measurement method and obtained results are discussed.


This current survey was conducted to examine consumer attitudes toward factors determining beef purchasing and improving distribution systems. The frequency of beef purchasing was shown to reflect social and economic status, where inhabitants in large cities, such as Seoul, with higher salaries showed a higher frequency. In addition, consumers that were in their forties bought beef more frequently than consumers that were in their twenties. Consumers in Seoul and the megalopolis with a monthly income of higher than 200 million won preferred to purchase meat from department stores and discount markets. In contrast, people in small cities with lower incomes tended to buy meat from butcher shops and brand shops. In a question regarding unsatisfaction factors of retail beef, individuals that were in their thirties with a high income had concerns associated with packaging problems. For people under thirty with low income, the consistency of quality and price were the prime concerns. In regards to the beef grading system, consumer response varied between inhabitants, monthly income and age group, where consumers from small cities that were in their twenties and forties with a low income had a negative viewpoint. For the differential beef distribution system, housewives between the ages of 30 and 40 from a small city with an income higher than 200 million won had a positive response; however, a large number of consumers were not familiar with this system. The most demanding beef cuts were in the following order: loin, flank and rib. In addition, the most important factors determining purchasing beef were as follows: price, breed and portion.


Risk and uncertainty in a water market will generate trading patterns that differ from those expected under conditions of perfect foresight. Although trades will occur based on differences in VMPs of water in both markets, they will also be generated by differences in risk. Some farmers will choose to reduce relative risk by purchasing additional water rights whereas others will hold few rights and rely on the spot market to meet their needs in dry years. Since spot markets are riskier than permanent rights markets, farmers who are better able to bear risk are more likely to participate in the spot market than those who are not. Farmers who face less risk will be sellers in both markets whereas farmers who face more risk will be buyers. Perennial crop producers with high VMPs of water and who face the highest risk from water deficits, will not participate in spot markets and will tend to be only buyers in permanent rights markets in an attempt to insure against potential losses in the future productivity of their capital stock of perennial crops. Using data on short-term leasing and permanent rights transactions collected from over 300 farmer surveys during the 1996/97 growing season, water market participation decisions for spot and permanent rights markets are modeled in a discrete choice framework. Results support the hypothesis that risk has a significant effect on which market a farmer will participate in and in whether they will be demanders or suppliers of water or water rights.


In estimating the inputs into the Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) portfolio optimisation problem, it is usual to use equal weighted historic data. Equal weighting of the data, however, does not take account of the current state of the market. Consequently this approach is unlikely to perform well in any subsequent period as the data is still reflecting market conditions that are no longer valid. The need for some return-weighting scheme that gives greater weight to the most recent data would seem desirable. Therefore, this study uses returns data which are weighted to give greater weight to the most recent observations to see if such a weighting scheme can offer improved ex-ante performance over that based on un-weighted data.


To start voice, image, instant messaging, and generally multimedia communication, session communication must begin between two participants. SIP (session initiation protocol) that is an application layer control induces management and terminates this kind of sessions. As far as the independence of SIP from transport layer protocols is concerned, SIP messages can be transferred on a variety of transport layer protocols including TCP or UDP. Mechanism of Retransmission that is embedded in SIP could compensate for the missing packet loss, in case of need. This mechanism is applied when SIP messages are transmitted on an unreliable transmission layer protocol like UDP. Also, while facing SIP proxy with overload, it could cause excessive filling of proxy queue, postpone increase of other contacts, and add to the amount of the proxy overload. In the present work, while using UDP as transport layer protocol, invite retransmission timer (T1) was appropriately regulated and SIP functionality was improved. Therefore, by proposing an adaptive timer of invite message retransmission, attempts were made to improve the time of session initiation and consequently improve the performance. Performance of the proposed SIP was implemented and evaluated by SIPP software in a real network environment and its accuracy and performance were demonstrated.


A cellulase gene from Thermomonospora fusca coding for endocellulase E5 was introduced into Streptomyces lividans by using shuttle plasmids that can replicate in either S. lividans or Escherichia coli. Plasmid DNA isolated from E. coli was used to transform S. lividans, selecting for thiostrepton resistance. The transformants expressed and excreted the endocellulase, but the ability to produce the endocellulase was unstable. This instability was shown to result from deletion of the endocellulase gene from the plasmid. Plasmid DNA prepared from a culture in which plasmid modification had occurred was used to transform E. coli, selecting for Amp+ cells, and all of the transformants were cellulase positive, showing that pBR322 and T. fusca DNA were deleted together. When a plasmid was constructed containing only T. fusca DNA in plasmid pIJ702, the transformants were more stable, and the level of endocellulase activity produced in the culture supernatant after growth on 0.2% glucose was close to the level produced by T. fusca cultures grown on 0.2% cellulose. About 50% of the total protein in the culture supernatant of the S. lividans transformant was endocellulase E5. The enzyme produced by the S. lividans transformant was identical to pure T. fusca E5 in its electrophoretic mobility and was completely inhibited by antiserum to E5. Shuttle plasmids containing the E5 gene that could replicate in Bacillus subtilis and E. coli were also constructed and used to transform B. subtilis. Again there was extensive deletion of the plasmid DNA during transformation and growth in B. subtilis. There was no evidence of E5 activity, even in those B. subtilis transformants that retained the E5 gene.


Received May 30, 2003 Abstract Medulloblastoma is one of the most frequent intracranial tumours of children. Advances in the surgical and adjuvant management have significantly improved the outcome of children with medulloblastoma. The 5-year survival rate of 30% in 1960s has risen to 70% now. Modern management of medulloblastoma emphasises: 1) aggressive surgery for tumour resection and release of hydrocephalus; 2) postoperative intensive adjuvant therapy. Chemotherapy is the choice for young children while radiotherapy is delayed until they reach three years of age or disease progress. Chemotherapy is used in conjunction with standarddose radiotherapy for high-risk children, and with reduced-dose for average-risk children. The treatment of patients with recurrent disease remains a major challenge. Studies are still ongoing for further improving the survival rate while minimising treatment-induced morbidity.


Abstract The crystal structure of glaucodot, (Co,Fe)AsS, an important member of the FeAsS-CoAsS-NiAsS system, was determined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It is orthorhombic with space group Pn21m and unit-cell parameters a = 14.158(1), b = 5.6462(4), c = 3.3196(2) Å, and V = 265.37(5) Å3. The structure is closely related to that of arsenopyrite or alloclasite, and represents a new derivative of the marcasite-type structure. The As and S atoms in glaucodot, which are ordered into six distinct sites (As1, As2, As3, S1, S2, and S3), form three types of layers [S, As, and mixed (S + As) layers] that are stacked along a in the sequence of (S + As)-(S + As)-S-(S + As)-(S + As)-As-(S + As)-(S + As)... In contrast, arsenopyrite contains the mixed (S + As) layers only and alloclasite consists of isolated S and As layers only. There are no As-As or S-S bonds in glaucodot; all dianion units are formed between S and As, like those in arsenopyrite and alloclasite. The (Co + Fe) cations in glaucodot occupy three nonequivalent octahedral sites (M1, M2, and M3), with M1(As5S), M2(As3S3), and M3(AsS5), which form three distinct edge-shared octahedral chains, A, B, and C, parallel to c, respectively. These chains are arranged along a in the sequence of A-A-B-C-C-B-A-A.... Whereas the configurations of the A and C chains are analogous to those in safflorite and marcasite, respectively, the configuration of the B chain matches that in alloclasite, leading us to propose that the M1, M2, and M3 sites are predominately occupied by Co, (Co + Fe), and Fe, respectively. Our study, together with previous observations, suggests that glaucodot is likely to have an ideal stoichiometry of (Co0.5Fe0.5)AsS, with a limited tolerance for the variation of the Co/Fe ratio.


A documentation system for use during the diagnostical process with psychotherapy outpatients is outlined, and sociodemographic, medical and psychosocial data of newly admitted patients of a university psychotherapy outpatient department are presented. The population structure is described on the basis of data collected during the first 18 months of the implementation of the assessment system. Data are compared with those of other psychotherapeutical institutions that differ with regard to setting (outpatient vs. inpatient), health care sector (acute care vs rehabilitation) and geographic region. Sociodemographic and medical data are given. Patients' mean age is 33.5 years. Two-thirds of the patients are female. The majority is single and has higher formal education. Slightly more than half of the patients are working. Modes of admittance, somatic and psychological complaints and aspects of illness behaviour are described. Pertaining to diagnostical classification, affective disorders (34%), somatoform disorders (15%) and anxiety disorders (11%) are most frequent. Mean duration of symptoms is 6 years. However, only few patients had prior psychological treatment. Treatments most frequently selected at the time of assessment were psychodynamic psychotherapy (41%), behavioural therapy (24%), and group therapy (10%). When comparing the study population with those of other institutions, differences showed up especially in contrast to rehabilitation clinics, where older, male, and working persons as well as those with somatoform disorders and longer durations of illness are more frequent.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between serologic status for bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and culling rates by use of survival times in a commercial Holstein dairy herd.

DESIGN
Longitudinal study.

ANIMALS
593 milking cows.

PROCEDURE
Cattle were tested for antibodies against BLV by use of agar gel immunodiffusion or ELISA 4 times each year from 1989 to 1993 and then annually through 1999. Dates of birth, first calving, and culling or death were obtained from Dairy Herd Improvement Association records. Most cows were enrolled in the study on the date of first calving. Survival times were compared among seropositive, seronegative, and seroconverted cows with the Kaplan-Meier method and a Cox regression model stratified on the basis of year of birth.

RESULTS
Complete records were available for 593 of 685 (87%) cattle in the dairy herd during the study period. Median survival time for all cows was 31.7 months. Survival times, which correspond to cull rates, did not differ significantly between seropositive and seronegative cattle, whereas cattle that seroconverted during the study had a significantly longer survival time. Year of birth was positively and significantly associated with survival time.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
BLV serologic status was not associated with cull rate as measured by survival time in this dairy herd. This finding is in contrast to results of studies that used survival analysis techniques; our results may influence management decisions concerning BLV.


The curvature of a subducting lithosphere is chiefl y controlled by the viscosity ratio between the slab and the surrounding mantle. On the basis of a semi-analytical fl ow model, we explore the rheological dependence of the geometrical response of a viscous slab subjected to toroidal mantle fl ow. Mantle fl ow is excited by slab retreat at a prescribed mean velocity and is iteratively solved for by using a stream function approach, in turn providing the stresses that bend the slab. Comparison between model predictions and geophysical observations of slab curvature gives an average slab-to-mantle viscosity ratio of 45.


We provide a theoretical foundation for analyzing how social stigma and adopted behavioral traits affect the transmission of HIV across a population. We combine an evolutionary game-theoretic model—based on a relationship signaling stage game— with the SIR (susceptible-infected-recovered) model of disease transmission. Our evolutionary model specifies how two types of social stigma—that which accompanies an HIV + condition and that which follows associating with an HIV + partner—influence behavioral propensities to honestly report one's condition (or not) and to unconditionally accept relationships (or not). With respect to reporting an HIV + condition, we find that condition stigma impedes the fitness of honest reporting, whereas association stigma impedes the relative fitness of concealing an HIV + condition; and both propensities can coexist in a polymorphic equilibrium. By linking our model to the SIR model, we find that condition stigma unambiguously enhances disease transmission by discouraging both honest reporting and a society's acceptance of AIDS education, whereas association stigma has an ambiguous impact: on one hand it can impede HIV transmission by discouraging concealing behavior and unconditional relationship acceptance, but it also compromises a society's acceptance of AIDS education. Our relatively simple evolutionary/SIR model offers a foundation for numerous theoretical extensions—such as applications to social network theory—as well as foundation for many testable empirical hypotheses. OPEN ACCESS Economies 2014, 2 172


This paper challenges the stereotypical portrayal of English Language teachers in China by analysing the pedagogy of a 'traditional' secondary school teacher, Mr Yang. The paper starts by distinguishing between 'pedagogy'-the teacher's personal construction of beliefs and practices about teaching and learning-and `methodology'-a generalized set of procedures underpinned by a theoretical rationale. The study then examines what happens to Mr Yang's pedagogy when the state promotes a new methodology that seems to be in conflict with aspects of his pedagogy. Analysis of curriculum documents and interviews with key participants establish the promoted methodology, while interviews, documentary analysis and lesson observations are used to study Mr Yang's pedagogy. The paper then describes how Mr Yang reconciles his pedagogy with the innovative methodology in a context constrained by examination requirements and the pressure of time. The paper shows that the portrayal of English Language teachers in the literature as transmitters of grammatical knowledge, bound by textbooks, fails to capture the dynamic nature of pedagogy as a personal construct forged by the interplay of beliefs, experiences and practice, and contextual factors operating at the micro-level (the chalkface) and at the macro-level (state policy).


The filling capability of forging die is important to design forging die and it exerts a decisive influence to the quality and life of die. Due to the deficiency of the filling capability, and taking Ti3Al alloy as the research object, at the same height of reducing, work-piece dimensions as the control objective, the finite element numerical simulation method was used to simulate the hot compression of Ti3Al alloy with DEFORM-3D. This test simulated the process of hot compression, analyzed the hot deforming behavior of the stuff and discussed the effect of work-piece dimension on the variety and distribution of stress and strain.


Background & objectives: Seeding density is one of the major parameters affecting the quality of tissue-engineered cartilage. The objective of this study was to evaluate different seeding densities of osteoarthritis chondrocytes (OACs) to obtain the highest quality cartilage. Methods: The OACs were expanded from passage 0 (P0) to P3, and cells in each passage were analyzed for gross morphology, growth rate, RNA expression and immunochemistry (IHC). The harvested OACs were assigned into two groups: low (1×10[7] cells/ml) and high (3×10[7] cells/ml) cell density. Three-dimensional (3D) constructs for each group were created using polymerised fibrin and cultured for 7, 14 and 21 days in vitro using chondrocyte growth medium. OAC constructs were analyzed with gross assessments and microscopic evaluation using standard histology, IHC and immunofluorescence staining, in addition to gene expression and biochemical analyses to evaluate tissue development. Results: Constructs with a high seeding density of 3×10[7] cells/ml were associated with better quality cartilage-like tissue than those seeded with 1×10[7] cells/ml based on overall tissue formation, cell association and extracellular matrix distribution. The chondrogenic properties of the constructs were further confirmed by the expression of genes encoding aggrecan core protein and collagen type II. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results confirmed that cell density was a significant factor affecting cell behaviour and aggregate production, and this was important for establishing good quality cartilage.


Aims Zinc-alpha 2-glycoprotein (AZGP1) is a promising tissue biomarker to predict outcomes in men undergoing treatment for localised prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to examine the association between AZGP1 expression and the endpoints: risk of biochemical failure (BF), initiating castration-based treatment, developing castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) and PCa-specific mortality following radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods The study included a prospective cohort of 302 patients who underwent RP for PCa from 2002 to 2005. AZGP1 expression was analysed using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray RP specimens and was scored semiquantitively as low or high expression. Risk of all endpoints was analysed using stratified cumulative incidences and cause-specific Cox regression, and validated with receiver operating curves, calibration and discrimination in competing-risk analyses. A meta-analysis was performed including previous studies investigating AZGP1 expression and risk of BF following RP. Results Median time of follow-up was 14.0 years. The cumulative incidence of all endpoints was significantly higher in patients with low AZGP1 expression compared with patients with high AZGP1 expression (p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, low AZGP1 expression increases the risk of BF (HR 2.7; 95% CI 1.9 to 3.8; p<0.0001), castration-based treatment (HR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.2; p=0.01) and CRPC (HR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 5.0; p=0.03). Validation showed a low risk of prediction error and a high model performance for all endpoints. In a meta-analysis, low AZGP1 was associated with BF (HR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.5). Conclusions Low AZGP1 expression is associated with the risk of aggressive time-dependent outcomes in men undergoing RP for localised PCa.


Phylogenetic analysis of Methylobacterium genus species using analysis of nucleotide sequence of 16S rRNA genes has shown that Methylobacterium zatmanii and M. rhodesianum possess high-level similarity with M. extorquens (99.4-98.8%), and M. fujisawaense and M. radiotolerans--with M. mesophilicum (98.9-97.8%). These species are also similar as to their phenotypical properties and their total DNAs have also close similarity. Thus, the right of M. zatmanii, M. rhodesianum, M. fujisawaense and M. radiotolerans species for existence needs confirmation. Some phenotypical properties which were assummed as a basis for formation of certain species of the genus Methylobacterium (radioresistance, e.g.) cannot serve as the differentiating characteristic of this genus species. High resistance to gamma- and UV-radiation is a specific sign of representatives of Methylobacterium genus.


Vitamin B6 deficiency was induced in pregnant rats with a deficient diet and with 4-deoxypyridoxine, a B6 antagonist. Treated animals developed typical skin changes of B6 deficiency. Fetuses were small and appeared anemic. Major fetal malformations were omphalocele, exencephaly, cleft palate, micrognathia, digital defects, and splenic hypoplasia. This teratologic system was developed as a model for human syndromes that exhibit combined immunologic and neurologic or skeletal defects.


Pile is widely used as deep foundation in civil engineering. The dynamic interaction between pile and soil is an important problem in the field of soil-structure interaction. This paper established a model to calculate the seismic response of pile-soil couple system. In this model, pile and soil are regarded as lumped mass, soil was divided into two parts: the far region soil and near pile region soil. These two parts are simulated by different mechanical characters. A differential equation of motion of pile-soil couple system was established in the paper, this differential equation can be solved by Wilson-θ method. An example was introduced to study the behavior of pile-soil couple system.


Purpose: To understand awareness, attitude and knowledge levels of muscle health of adults over 18 years old. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study using questionnaires. A total of 401 questionnaires were included for final analysis. Mean and standard deviation of the continuous variables were analyzed and frequency analysis of categorical variables was performed. To identify differences according to general characteristics, t-test was used. Results: Awareness scores about the importance of muscle health and exercises were 8.3 and 13.0, respectively. Attitude score and knowledge score were 12.4 and 15.0, respectively. There were differences in attitude toward muscle health according to gender, age, physical activity, and diet habits. However, there was no difference in attitude toward muscle health according to educational level, smoking, drinking, or sleeping. Conclusion: It is necessary to seek a strategy to improve awareness and attitude toward muscle health based on knowledge, not merely to raise knowledge level about muscle health. Since nurses play a central role in health promotion and disease prevention, they should also play an important role in strategic development and application of intervention.


Excited deterministic walk in a random environment is a non-Markov integer-valued process $(X_n)_{n=0}^{\infty}$, whose jump at time $n$ depends on the number of visits to the site $X_n$. The environment can be understood as stacks of cookies on each site of $\mathbb Z$. Once all cookies are consumed at a given site, every subsequent visit will result in a walk taking a step according to the direction prescribed by the last consumed cookie. If each site has exactly one cookie, then the walk ends in a loop if it ever visits the same site twice. If the number of cookies per site is increased to two, the walk can visit a site $x$ arbitrarily many times before getting stuck in a loop, which may or may not contain $x$. Nevertheless, we establish monotonicity results on the environment that imply large deviations.


The present study seeks to estimate the water balance that results as a product of the variation of precipitation and temperature over the Chaquilcay microcatchment, a natural system that intercepts with the surface of the Aguarongo Protected Forest in Gualaceo, Ecuador. Four meteorological stations of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI) were studied, which are divided into climatological and pluviometric, with time series of over 30 years, (1982-2015 period). In order to quantify the contributions and losses of water, statistical analyzes of the time series and surveys of in situ information were carried out. The methods used are linear regression, streak test and double mass curve. To fill and validate the series of precipitation and temperature, reference temperatures of the isothermal raster of Ecuador were included in the pluviometric stations. Additionally, a digital elevation model (MDE) was used to predict the amount of sunshine, and the Thornthwaite evapotranspiration method (1948) was applied from the obtained data. The results show acceptance of the meteorological records, while in the soil analysis we obtained the following data: Humidity, 62.38%; organic matter, 21.29%; field capacity, 18.71 mm and a flow of 1.89 m³ / s during the month of May. Finally, the water balance indicates 843.7 mm of annual precipitation, a storage difference of 18.71 mm representing 2.22% of total precipitation, an surplus of 144.5 mm, and actual evapotranspiration of 680.5 mm, with 17.13% and 80.65%, respectively.


In ad hoc W-CDMA wireless LANs, simultaneous transmissions between transmitter-receiver pairs generate multiple access interference (MAI), which limits the throughput. Reducing MAI increases this throughput limit. This is achieved by scheduling transmissions such that the average number of simultaneous transmissions in each frame is reduced. MAI is minimized by allowing the least interfering links to transmit together. This paper proposes a graph theoretic algorithm that groups all links into a minimum number of subsets, based on the objective of minimizing MAI in each set. Simulations show that the proposed technique achieves around 100% improvement in system capacity over the scheme where all links transmit simultaneously.


BRIDGELAND STABILITY OF LINE BUNDLES ON SMOOTH PROJECTIVE SURFACES Bridgeland Stability Conditions can be thought of as tools for creating and varying moduli spaces parameterizing objects in the derived category of a variety X. Line bundles on the variety are fundamental objects in its derived category, and we characterize the Bridgeland stability of line bundles on certain surfaces. Evidence is provided for an analogous characterization in the general case. We find stability conditions for P × P which can be seen as giving the stability of representations of quivers, and we deduce projective structure on the Bridgeland moduli spaces in this situation. Finally, we prove a number of results on objects and a construction related to the quivers mentioned above.


Plasma outflows from the edges of active regions have been suggested as a possible source of the slow solar wind. Spectroscopic measurements show that these outflows have an enhanced elemental composition, which is a distinct signature of the slow wind. Current spectroscopic observations, however, do not have sufficient spatial resolution to distinguish what structures are being measured or determine the driver of the outflows. The High-resolution Coronal Imager (Hi-C) flew on a sounding rocket in 2018 May and observed areas of active region outflow at the highest spatial resolution ever achieved (250 km). Here we use the Hi-C data to disentangle the outflow composition signatures observed with the Hinode satellite during the flight. We show that there are two components to the outflow emission: a substantial contribution from expanded plasma that appears to have been expelled from closed loops in the active region core and a second contribution from dynamic activity in active region plage, with a composition signature that reflects solar photospheric abundances. The two competing drivers of the outflows may explain the variable composition of the slow solar wind.


Kenaf fiber comes from Kenaf plant which grows thrivingly in hot and humid temperature. The origin of Kenaf comes from a few different countries that have similar characteristics such as Africa, China, and India. Kenaf or its scientific name, hibiscus cannabinus is a beneficial crop where the seeds and stems can be used in various industries such as medicine, paper production and composite material. Kenaf core and bast fiber can reach up to 3 meters long and this is an essential reason to corporate Kenaf with other composite material like polymer and concrete. This paper indicates the investigation of finding an optimum value of Kenaf Fibrous Concrete with fiber volume of 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1% and 1.5% in the mix proportions. The mechanical properties of fresh and hardened samples were tested during 7th and 28th day of curing in water. Compressive strength, splitting tensile and flexural strength tests were executed in accordance of BSEN 12390-3:2009, ASTM C496M-06 and BSEN 12390-5:2009 respectively, with different volume fractions in finding an optimum value of Kenaf Fibrous Concrete. The result shows that kenaf fiber has the hydrophilic characteristic that influences more water absorption in the mix proportions. The capability of this fiber improves the tensile strength and ductility because of the inclusion of fiber. However, it decreases the concrete compressive strength.


Since a decade ago, the Malaysian educational system has undergone a tremendous transformation due to recent technological advancement. To achieve the targets in the Malaysian Educational Blueprint, comprehensive usage of technology is crucial, not only in teaching and learning but also in management and administration. This study had been conducted using online administered questionnaires. About 80 secondary school teachers randomly selected in northern states of Malaysia, managed to complete all the questions in the questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS. It was found that organizational culture and technological acceptance influenced the 1BestariNet application but service quality did not. As such, this study had been conducted to fill in the gaps in previous research, especially in terms of the extent of the influence of service quality, organizational culture and technology acceptance on the 1BestariNet application. Future research directions were recommended at the end of the paper.


Online faculty must uphold institutional expectations for their performance. Typically, online institutions have specific guidelines for faculty-to-student interactions; yet, student expectations of faculty may not necessarily align with institutional requirements. This study included a typological analysis of institutional requirements for online faculty in terms of student engagement. Then, student comments regarding faculty performance expectations were compared. Based on the findings, there are substantive differences which should be considered by institutions to ensure online student satisfaction with faculty is maximized. Recommendations for further study include replicating this with a purposeful sample of online students and doing a quantitative study of the relationship between faculty outcomes after implementing student performance expectations.


The conditions leading to gigantism in nine-spined sticklebacks Pungitius pungitius were analysed by modelling fish growth with the von Bertalanffy model searching for the optimal strategy when the model's growth constant and asymptotic fish size parameters are negatively related to each other. Predator-related mortality was modelled through the increased risk of death during active foraging. The model was parameterized with empirical growth data of fish from four different populations and analysed for optimal growth strategy at different mortality levels. The growth constant and asymptotic fish size were negatively related in most populations. Optimal fish size, fitness and life span decreased with predator-induced mortality. At low mortality, the fitness of pond populations was higher than that of sea populations. The differences disappeared at intermediate mortalities, and sea populations had slightly higher fitness at extremely high mortalities. In the scenario where all populations mature at the same age, the pond populations perform better at low mortalities and the sea populations at high mortalities. It is concluded that a trade-off between growth constant and asymptotic fish size, together with different mortality rates, can explain a significant proportion of body size differentiation between populations. In the present case, it is a sufficient explanation of gigantism in pond P. pungitius.


The dietary protein to energy ratio, in fish diets, is of great importance. Levels of dietary protein and energy, not only influence the growth and body composition, but also digestive enzymes activities and plasma metabolites in various fishes and increasing the protein level of the diet does not result in better protein utilization. Providing adequate energy through dietary lipids can minimize the use of more costly protein as an energy source. The objective of the present study was to study the effect of varying dietary protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents on the growth and feed performance, nutrient and energy utilization, digestibility, body composition and organ indices of Cyprinus carpio communis fingerlings in order to determine the feed formulation with optimum P/E ratio which would reduce the FCR value and make production of Common carp economical. To further understand the metabolic effects of dietary nutrients, variations in acid and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities were also studied. The present work will be helpful for the fish nutrition scientists and the fish nutrition research students.


In the Demographic and Health Survey, the life and pregnancy histories of adult sisters were collected from respondents, and the sisterhood method was used to estimate the life time risks and maternal mortality ratios, refering to the time period of 12 years before the survey. Maternal mortality level in Indonesia is found to be high as compared to other ASEAN countries. Although the family planning programme has managed to control population fertility, but the maternal mortality ratio as well as the life time risk of maternal deaths have not declined. Maternal mortality level in the Outer Java-Bali region is higher than in Java-Bali region. Maternal health programmes have been improved and the provision of health care services are located closer to the community, so that emergency cases have better access for health care. Among eligable women, 85-95% have access to the nearest health center or village health post within less than 1 hour traveling time, and 65-55% have access to the nearest hospital or maternity hospital within less than 1 hour traveling time. In 1993, 97% of hospitals and 56% of health centers reported that they have assisted deliveries in the last one year period, and 73% of hospitals have ever perfomed Cesarean section in 1993. In general every midwife has assisted 40 deliveries in the last 6 months period. Complications were reported by 28% delivering mothers in the last five years period. The major cause of complication was prolonged labour.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our report is to present the effect of low-level laser therapy on Candida albicans growth and palatal inflammation in two patients with denture stomatitis.

BACKGROUND DATA
The most common oral mucosal disorder in denture wearers is denture stomatitis, a condition that is usually associated with the presence of the yeast Candida albicans. Different treatment methods have been suggested to treat this symptom, none of which is proven to be absolutely effective.

METHODS
Two denture-wearing patients, both with palatal inflammation diagnosed as Newton type II denture stomatitis were treated with low-power semiconductor diode laser (BTL-2000, Prague, Czech Republic) at different wavelengths (685 and 830 nm) for 5 d consecutively. In both patients, palatal mucosa and acrylic denture base were irradiated in noncontact mode (probe distance of 0.5 cm from irradiated area) with different exposure times-5 min (830 nm, 3.0 J/cm2, 60 mW) and 10 min (685 nm, 3.0 J/cm2, 30 mW). The effect of laser light on fungal growth in vivo was evaluated after the final treatment using the swab method and semiquantitative estimation of Candida albicans colonies growth on agar plates. The severity of inflammation was evaluated using clinical criteria.

RESULTS
After lowlevel laser treatment, the reduction of yeast colonies on the agar plates was observed and palatal inflammation was diminished.

CONCLUSION
LLLT is effective in the treatment of denture stomatitis. Further placebo controlled studies are in progress.


What market structure emerges when market participants can choose the rate at which they contact others? We show that traders who choose a higher contact rate emerge as intermediaries, earning profits by taking asset positions that are misaligned with their preferences. Some of them, middlemen, are in constant contact with other traders and so pass on their position immediately. As search costs vanish, traders still make dispersed investments and trade occurs in intermediation chains, so the economy does not converge to a centralized market. When search costs are a differentiable function of the contact rate, the endogenous distribution of contact rates has no mass points. When the function is weakly convex, faster traders are misaligned more frequently than slower traders. When the function is linear, the contact rate distribution has a Pareto tail with parameter 2 and middlemen emerge endogenously. These features arise not only in the (inefficient) equilibrium allocation, but also in the optimal allocation. Moreover, we show that intermediation is key to the emergence of the rest of the properties of this market structure.


The paper seeks a re-conceptualization of the global digital divide debate. It critically explores the predominant notion, its evolution and measurement, as well as the policies that have been advanced to bridge the digital divide. Acknowledging the complexity of this inequality, the paper aims at analyzing the disparities beyond the connectivity and the skills barriers. Without understating the first two digital divides, it is argued that as the Internet becomes more sophisticated and more integrated into economic, social and cultural processes, a 'third' generation of divides becomes critical. These divides are drawn not at the entry to the net but within the net itself, and limit access to content. The increasing barriers to content, although of diverse nature, all relate to some governance characteristics inherent in cyberspace, such as global spillover of local decisions, regulation through code or proliferation of self- and co-regulatory models. It is maintained that as the practice of intervention intensifies in cyberspace, multiple and far-reaching points of control outside formal legal institutions are created, which threaten the availability of public goods and make the pursuit of public objectives difficult. This is an aspect that is rarely addressed in the global digital divide discussions, even in comprehensive analysis and political initiatives such as the World Summit on the Information Society. Yet, the conceptualization of the digital divide as impeded access to content may be key in terms of ensuring real participation and catering for the long-term implications of digital technologies.


Context. As a fragile element, lithium is a sensitive probe of physical processes occurring in stellar interiors.
Aims. We aim to investigate the relationship between lithium abundance and rotation rate in low-mass members of the newly discovered 125 Myr-old Psc–Eri stellar stream.
Methods. We obtained high-resolution optical spectra and measured the equivalent width of the 607.8 nm LiI line for 40 members of the Psc–Eri stream, whose rotational periods have been previously derived.
Results. We show that a tight correlation exists between the lithium content and rotation rate among the late-G to early-K-type stars of the Psc–Eri stream. Fast rotators are systematically Li rich, while slow rotators are Li depleted. This trend mimics that previously reported for the similar age Pleiades cluster.
Conclusions. The lithium-rotation connection thus seems to be universal over a restricted effective temperature range for low-mass stars at or close to the zero-age main sequence, and does not depend on environmental conditions.


Logic and databases are inextricably intertwined. The relational model in particular is essentially just elementary predicate logic, tailored to fit the needs of database management. Now, if you're a database professional, I'm sure this isn't news to you; but you still might not realize just how much everything we do in the database world is - or should be! - affected by predicate logic. Logic is everywhere. So if you're a database professional you really owe it to yourself to understand the basics of formal logic, and you really ought to be able to explain (and perhaps defend) the connections between formal logic and database management. And that's what this book is about. What it does is show, through a series of partly independent and partly interrelate essays, just how various crucial aspects of database technology-some of them very familiar, others maybe less so- are solidly grounded in formal logic. It is divided into five parts: *Basic Logic *Logic and Database Management *Logic and Database Design *Logic and Algebra *Logic and the Third Manifesto There's also a lengthy appendix, containing a collection of frequently asked questions (and some answers) on various aspects of logic and database management. Overall, my goal is to help you realize the importance of logic in everything you do, and also- I hope- to help you see that logic can be fun.


BACKGROUND
Resting heart rate (HR) associates with cardiovascular outcomes in the general population and in patients with hypertension and heart failure. The accuracy of pulse rate acquired by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM-PR) in comparison with Holter-ECG HR (Holter-HR) is unknown.

OBJECTIVE
We aimed at investigating the accuracy of ABPM-PR when compared with Holter-HR.

METHODS AND RESULTS
The current study included 1500 patients of a general cardiology outpatient unit undergoing simultaneous Holter and ABPM recordings. ABPM-PR differed marginally from Holter-HR by 0.55 bpm for 24-h average [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37-0.73, P < 0.001], 1.27 bpm for daytime (95% CI: -0.98-1.56, P < 0.001) and 0.63 bpm for night-time (95% CI: 0.40-0.86 bpm; P < 0.001). The absolute delta between 24-h Holter-HR and ABPM-PR was less than 5 and less than 10 bpm in 1363 (91%) and 1458 (97%) patients, respectively. 24-h ABPM-PR more commonly underestimated than overestimated (7 versus 2%) 24-h Holter-HR by at least 5 bpm. The mean difference between Holter-HR and ABPM-PR was higher (+1.9 bpm; 95% CI: 0.9-3.0; P < 0.001) in patients with than without atrial fibrillation. There was no significant difference between Holter-HR and ABPM-PR in patients without supraventricular or ventricular extrasystoles (both P ≥ 0.750).

CONCLUSION
ABPM-PR did not differ clinically meaningful from Holter-HR recordings in most patients and might be useful for risk prediction in hypertension.


The paper analyzes the reasons for the prices of milk and milk products in the Czech Republic for the period 2008 – 2009. In January 2008, the purchase price of raw milk was 10.08 CZK/l, and in the subsequent period it began to decline. At the end of 2008, the price was more than 3 crowns lower, and still the decrease continued. The research determined that the essential reason for the price fluctuations is the impact of the economic crisis. A substantial portion of the article was devoted to analyzing the behavior of supermarket chains toward their suppliers. It was discovered that even here there is a lot of room for the creation of pricing policy. Margin trading networks up to 25% of the delivered goods. Price negotiations affect the position papers in the manufacturing vertical. The power of suppliers and processors is based on the establishment of a strong integration unit. In the conclusion the author discusses possible future developments in price, sales policy, and the self-sufficiency of milk production in the Czech Republic. The paper was processed within the framework of the Research Project of MSM 6046070906 "The economics of Czech agricultural resources and their effective use within the framework of multifunctional agri-food systems".


We have previously shown an enhanced activity of the pituitary-adrenal response in rats dependent on morphine, which occurs concomitantly with an increase in the activity of catecholaminergic terminals in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The present study examined the possible role of noradrenergic system in the regulation of opioid withdrawal-induced activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity. Rats were given morphine by s.c. implantation of morphine pellets for 7 days. On the seventh day, morphine withdrawal was induced by s.c. administration of naloxone (1 mg/kg), rats were sacrificed 30 min later, and changes in noradrenaline (NA) turnover (estimated by the 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylen glycol/NA ratio) and in dopamine turnover (estimated by the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid/dopamine ratio) in the PVN (HPLC with electrochemical detection) and in plasma corticosterone levels were determined. We found a parallelism between the behavioral signs of withdrawal, an increased activity of noradrenergic and dopaminergic terminals in the PVN, and the hypersecretion of the HPA axis. Pretreatment with alpha(1)- or alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonists prazosin or yohimbine, respectively, 15 min before naloxone administration significantly prevented the withdrawal-induced corticosterone hypersecretion and attenuated the behavioral signs of morphine withdrawal. In addition, biochemical analysis indicated that both prazosin and yohimbine completely abolished the withdrawal-induced increase in NA turnover in the PVN. In contrast, neither prazosin nor yohimbine modified the hyperactivity of dopaminergic terminals in the PVN during withdrawal. Collectively, these data suggest that the secretory activity in the HPA axis after morphine withdrawal results from an increase in noradrenergic activity that is dependent on alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenoceptor activation. Activation of dopaminergic pathways might not contribute to the neuroendocrine response during withdrawal.


ABSTRACT: The corporate scandals of 2002 led to criminal indictments of numerous executives and other employees. Legislators have increased the severity of penalties for white‐collar crimes in an effort to deter such crimes; however, much previous academic research has suggested that increasing the severity of penalties does not deter criminal activity. This study asks subjects to rate which factors would most affect their decision to trade or not trade based on insider information. The results indicate that severity of penalties is the most important factor that subjects consider when faced with the decision to use insider information. Subjects rated the case‐specific variables of severity of penalties, likelihood of getting caught, and expected gain as significantly more important than the subject‐specific variables of guilt, social stigma, cynicism, and fairness of the insider‐trading laws. The differentiation between case‐ and subject‐specific variables is used to help explain some of the varying resu...


We implemented a new approach to intramodal non-rigid 3D breast image registration. Our method uses fiducial skin markers (FSM) placed on the breast surface. After determining the displacements of FSM, finite element method (FEM) is used to distribute the markers' displacements linearly over the entire breast volume using the analogy between the orthogonal components of the displacement field and a steady state heat transfer (SSHT). It is valid because the displacement field in x, y and z direction and a SSHT problem can both be modeled using LaPlace's equation and the displacements are analogous to temperature differences in SSHT. It can be solved via standard heat conduction FEM software with arbitrary conductivity of surface elements significantly higher than that of volume elements. After determining the displacements of the mesh nodes over the entire breast volume, moving breast volume is registered to target breast volume using an image warping algorithm. Very good quality of the registration was obtained. Following similarity measurements were estimated: Normalized Mutual Information (NMI), Normalized Correlation Coefficient (NCC) and Sum of Absolute Valued Differences (SAVD). We also compared our method with rigid registration technique.


The academic buoyancy scale (ABS) is one of the most widely used instruments for measuring academic buoyancy. To obtain meaningful and valid comparisons across groups using ABS, however, measurement invariance should be ascertained a priori. To that end, we examined its measurement invariance, validity evidence based on relations to other variables, and score reliability using categorical omega across culture and gender among Egyptian and Omani undergraduates. Participants were 345 college students: Egyptian sample (N=191) and Omani sample (N=154). To assess measurement invariance across culture and gender, multiple–group confirmatory factor analysis was performed with four successive invariance models: (a) configural, (b) metric, (c) scalar, and (d) residual. Results revealed that the unidimensional baseline model had adequate fit to the data in the full sample. Moreover, measurement invariance was found to hold across culture but not across gender and consequently the ABS could be used to yield valid cross-cultural comparisons between the Egyptian and Omani students. Conversely, it cannot be used to yield valid inferences related to comparing gender groups within each culture. Validity evidence based on relations to other variables was supported by the significantly moderate correlation between ABS and academic achievement (GPA; r =.435 and r = .457, P < .01) for the Egyptian and Omani samples, respectively. With regard to score reliability, categorical omega coefficients were moderate across both samples. Educational and psychological implications, limitations and suggestions for improving the scale are discussed.


Introduction Targeted deprescribing of anticholinergic and sedative medicines can lead to positive health outcomes in older people; as they have been associated with cognitive and physical functioning decline. This study will examine whether the proposed intervention is feasible at reducing the prescription of anticholinergic and sedative medicines in older people. Methods and analysis The Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional trials (SPIRIT checklist) was used to develop and report the protocol. Single group (precomparison and postcomparison) feasibility study design. Study population 3 residential care homes have been recruited. Intervention This will involve a New Zealand registered pharmacist using peer-reviewed deprescribing guidelines, to recommend to general practitioners (GPs), sedative and anticholinergic medicines that can be deprescribed. The cumulative use of anticholinergic and sedative medicines for each participant will be quantified, using the Drug Burden Index (DBI). Outcomes The primary outcome will be the change in the participants' DBI total and DBI PRN 3 and 6 months after implementing the deprescribing intervention. Secondary outcomes will include the number of recommendations taken up by the GP, participants' cognitive functioning, depression, quality of life, activities of daily living and number of falls. Data collection points Participants' demographic and clinical data will be collected at the time of enrolment, along with the DBI. Outcome measures will be collected at the time of enrolment, 3 and 6 months' postenrolment. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been granted by the Human Disability and Ethics Committee. Ethical approval number (16/NTA/61). Trial registration number Pre-results; ACTRN12616000721404.


The pollen and sedimentary record from a coastal backdune swamp on the island of Mua, Torres Strait, Australia, is presented. A 4.55 m core collected from the swamp centre provides a record of vegetation and landscape change spanning the postglacial marine transgression to present. Prior to 6000 radiocarbon years before present (yr BP) results show mangrove vegetation encroaching on the core site, periodically displacing non-mangrove taxa until the establishment of an extensive mangrove forest between 6000 yr BP and 3000 yr BP. Within the mangrove community a transition from lower-tidal Rhizophora forest to an upper-intertidal Ceriops community is evident. This is followed by the development of the current herbaceous freshwater swamp in the late Holocene. The dryland vegetation record is dominated by sclerophyll and rainforest elements with strongest forest representation occurring around the mid Holocene before a decline in tree density and the establishment of open woodlands in the late Holocene. The data suggest vegetation change accompanied marine transgression and a humid mid-Holocene climate, before stabilization of sea levels and the initiation of dominant on-shore catchment processes, signalling drier climatic conditions and possible human activity.


Autonomic computing systems reduce software maintenance costs and management complexity by taking on the responsibility for their configuration, optimization, healing, and protection. These tasks are accomplished by switching at runtime to a different system behaviour – the one that is more efficient, more secure, more stable, etc. – while still fulfilling the main purpose of the system. Thus, identifying the objectives of the system, analyzing alternative ways of how these objectives can be met, and designing a system that supports all or some of these alternative behaviours is a promising way to develop autonomic systems. This paper proposes the use of requirements goal models as a foundation for such software development process and demonstrates this on an example.


Visible light communication (VLC) uses solid-state lightings to transmit information; therefore, it is necessary that modulation schemes for VLC provide dimming control. In this letter, we propose a multiple pulse position modulation (MPPM) to offer both functions of modulating data-stream and controlling the brightness at the same time. According to the dimming level, we control the number of pulses of MPPM in one symbol duration. We analyze communication performance in terms of the normalized power requirement and spectral efficiency. From our studies, we show that MPPM is superior to variable on-off keying (VOOK) and variable pulse position modulation (VPPM) proposed in the IEEE 802.15 VLC task group.


Statement of Purpose: To quantify adjacent level effects following Charité disc replacement compared to fusion, using the follower load and the new standard hybrid testing method in flexion, extension, and torsion. Summary of Background Data: As opposed to fusion, artificial discs not only preserve motion, but may diminish adjacent level effects and thus slow adjacent disc degeneration. This study aims to use hybrid test protocol and follower load to perform in vitro multidirectional testing and quantify adjacent- and other- level (AOL) effects following one- and two-level disc implants compared to fusion. Methods: Five intact human cadaveric lumbar specimens underwent multidirectional testing in flexion, extension, and bilateral torsion loading with ±10Nm unconstrained pure moments under 400N follower load. Intact specimen (T12-S1) total ranges of motion were first determined for each loading direction and then used as input for the 5 subsequent hybrid tests: 1) one-level Charité disc implant at L5-S1; 2) one-level simulated 360 0 fusion at L5-S1; 3) two-level Charité disc implants at levels L4-L5 and L5-S1; 4) combined one-level Charité disc implant at L4-L5 and one-level simulated 360 0 fusion at L5-S1; and 5) two-level simulated 360 0 fusion at L4-S1. Using repeated measures single factor ANOVA and Bonferroni statistical tests (p < 0.05), intersegmental motion redistribution was compared between intact and testing conditions. Results: One- and two- level Charité disc preserved physiological motion, whereas one-level L5-S1 fusion increased intersegmental motions at proximal levels. Two-level fusion at L4-L5-S1 produced markedly increased motions at proximal levels, but converting the L4-L5 fusion to a Charité produced results equivalent to a one-level L5-S1 fusion. In axial torsion, both one- and two-level disc implants preserved motions at all levels. Although the one-level fusion did not produce significant changes, the two-level fusion did result in significant increases in motion at proximal levels. Conclusions: The fusion simulations did not only affect motion re-distribution at adjacent-levels, but also at other-levels cephalic to the fusion. A prosthetic disc placed above a fusion could not buffer the proximal levels from increased motion from the fusion.


Inclusivity implies that the benefit of economic development and progress reaches to all the sections of the society irrespective of socio-economic or linguistic identities. Sustainable development connotes judicious usage of the resources available to us so that the future generations can also derive the benefits from the same. Both these parameters are a complimentary to each other for a country to develop and prosper. Measures are being taken by the government in order to facilitate the inclusive growth and sustainable development. One of the initiatives is the public private partnership which is cost effective and shares the burden of the government in social development. However, public private partnership model creates a set of whole new challenges where there are concerns regarding the compatibility on the private sector's short term focus on return on investment which needs to be converted into the realization of the long term achievable sustainable targets. This paper emphasizes on the public private partnership model which is not able to address the issue of inclusive growth and development for which they had been primarily incorporated. The authors draw inferences from two case studies viz.: the PPP model of Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) which provides convenient and efficient public transport service in Ahmedabad and PPP model of health sector in India which needs to be upgraded to improve the services of providing health care. These two case studies provide an insight on the issues and challenges of public private partnerships and how the alliance can be made stronger and what can be the solutions to address the questions regarding PPP and Inclusive Growth and Development. Keywords: social development, inclusive growth, public private partnership


CONTEXT
Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding due to nonemergent use is an ongoing concern. In 2011, a regional health system that primarily serves rural communities in Texas instituted a new program to medically screen and refer nonemergent patients to nearby affiliated rural health clinics (RHCs).

PURPOSE
This formative evaluation describes the program goals, process, and early implementation experiences at 2 sites that adopted the program before wider implementation within the rural health system.

METHODS
Primary data collection including document review, internal stakeholder interviews, and direct observation of program processes were used for this formative evaluation of program implementation in light of program goals and objectives. Fourteen key informants were asked questions related to the program concept, structure, and implementation.

RESULTS
The program, as implemented, aligned with initial program goals, but it was dependent on ED screening staff and RHC availability. Some adjustments to the program were needed, including RHC hours, consistency among staff in making referrals, patient education, and improving patient uptake on the referral. Stakeholders reported lessons learned related to training, staff buy-in, Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), and intraorganizational cooperation.

DISCUSSION
The system was able to leverage excess capacity of affiliated RHCs to accommodate low-acuity patients referred from the ED and may lead to improvements in Triple Aim goals of increased patient satisfaction, better population health and outcomes, and lower per capita costs. Lessons learned from this program may inform similar processes aimed to reduce nonemergency ED utilization by other rural health systems.


In a recently proposed theory, the cosmological constant (CC) does not curve spacetime in our universe, but instead gets absorbed into another universe endowed with its own dynamical metric, nonlocally coupled to ours. Thus, one achieves a long standing goal of removing entirely any cosmological constant from our universe. Dark energy then cannot be due to a cosmological constant, but must be obtained via other mechanisms. Here we focus on the scenario in which dark energy is due to massive gravity and its extensions. We show how the metric of the other universe, that absorbs our CC, also gives rise to the fiducial metric known to be necessary for the diffeomorphism invariant formulation of massive gravity. This is achieved in a framework where the other universe is described by 5D AdS gravity, while our universe lives on its boundary and is endowed with dynamical massive gravity. A non-dynamical pullback of the bulk AdS metric acts as the fiducial metric for massive gravity on the boundary. This framework also removes a difficulty caused by the quantum strongly coupled behavior of massive gravity at the Lambda3 scale: in the present approach, the massive gravity action does not receive any loop-induced counterterms, despite being strongly coupled.


Currently available land cover data sets for large geographic regions are produced on an intermittent basis and are often dated. Ideally, annually updated data would be available to support environmental status and trends assessments and ecosystem process modeling. This research examined the potential for vegetation phenology-based land cover classification over the 52,000 km2 Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system (APES) that could be performed annually. Traditional hyperspectral image classification techniques were applied using MODIS-NDVI 250 m 16-day composite data over calendar year 2001 to support the multi-temporal image analysis approach. A reference database was developed using archival aerial photography that provided detailed mixed pixel cover-type data for 31,322 sampling sites corresponding to MODIS 250 m pixels. Accuracy estimates for the classification indicated that the overall accuracy of the classification ranged from 73% for very heterogeneous pixels to 89% when only homogeneous pixels were examined. These accuracies are comparable to similar classifications using much higher spatial resolution data, which indicates that there is significant value added to relatively coarse resolution data though the addition of multi-temporal observations.


If you teach a B2B course in a business school or if you teach Industrial Engineering and expect your students to take positions in engineering sales, you should adopt the simulation VALUE. This game simulates a simplified model of the Numerical Controlled (NC) Vertical Milling Machine industry. Vertical Milling machines make up one of the largest selling categories in the B2B market place. Each buying firm releases a "request for bid" (RFB) document at the start of each round. This RFB contains a set of 5 characteristics that become the minimum acceptable requirements for a winning bid. Each firm's RFB specifies the number of NC milling machines the firm wants to purchase. All firms will accept bids the meet or exceed their minimum requirements, but will accept only the lowest priced bid. At the opening round there are 25 buying firms submitting RFBs. The buying firms are not made-up of people. Each buying firm's demand and specifications for NC milling machines are determined by an algorithm. Each selling firm is composed of one or up to a maximum of five students or trainees. (The authors suggest 3 persons per team.) Each selling firm may tender up to five bids per round and are constrained to only produce one specific model with its set of 5 characteristics during a single round, but each selling firm may alter the machine characteristics to better fit the potential demand at the beginning of each round after they receive all of the buying firms' RFBs. Thus, each selling firm configures its offering to best suit their subset of potential buyers. Each of the 5 machine characteristic has 3 levels; somewhat similar to the concept of good, better and best. These 3 levels for each characteristic have different costs. Since this simulation's machine tools are "Made to order," each buying firm may be charged a different price, even though the products being sold to different buying firms are identical. This game simulates a closed bidding process and only the winning bids are released to all the players after each round of play. If a potential buying firm does not receive a single acceptable bid, that firm drops out of the market and the number of buying firms gets smaller. If all buying firms receive at least one acceptable bid, the market place grows by 2 new firms in the next round. VALUE may be configured to have between 15 to 50 buying firms and between 3 to 8 selling firms and the maximum number of bid submitted allowed for each selling firm may also submitted. VALUE identifies each buying firm has a unique name and address and these names and addresses may be changed at the game master's discretion in order to make the game reflect local conditions. In addition, the currency may be changed to be whatever the game master desires, again to localize the game's environment (i.e. US Dollars, UK Pounds Sterling, Japanese Yen, etc.). Many firms are in markets where closed bidding is an everyday occurrence. Firms selling to private business with very large projects and /or firms purchasing machinery, tools and computers, architecture firms building large complexes, airlines purchasing aircraft and fuel as well as all levels of governments and not for profits. The simulation game reproduces a high level of uncertainty and provides players the opportunity to discover strategies to reduce the level of uncertainty when facing bid markets. We expect to play about 3 rounds during our session.


Operators defined on Hilbert spaces represent a major subfield of (or base for) the Functional Analysis. Several types of inequalities among such operators were established and studied in the last decades, mainly by the early '50s and then in the '80s. In this paper there are reviewed some of the most important types of inequalities, introduced and studied by H. Bohr, E. Heinz - T. Kato, H. Weyl, W. Reid and other authors. They were extended and/or sharpened by other authors, mentioned in the Introduction. Some of the definitions and proofs, found in several references, are completed (by the author) with specific formulas from Hilbert space theory, some details are also added to certain proofs and definitions as well. The main ways for establishing inequalities with operators are pointed out: scalar inequalities like the Cauchy-Schwarz and Bohr's inequalities over C (the complex field) or on an H-space H, certain identities with H-space operators, etc.


This report presents the results of an online survey administered in six southeastern European countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. The survey was aimed at gathering insights related to the operations and human rights approach of municipalone-stop shops delivering services to citizens. Findings show that the region's municipal citizen service centers are generally aware of the impact that their activities have on human rights. In addition to complying with legal requirements to guarantee the rights of citizens and avoid discriminatory practices in service delivery, many citizen service centers actively promote universal access to public services. This is mostly accomplished by taking measures that foster theinclusion of vulnerable groups and by offering mechanisms that encourage participation and accountability, such as citizen feedback and complaint-handling mechanisms.


Teaching is a complex activity that people often discuss metaphorically, as when a professor is described as a
 sculptor molding impressionable students. What do such metaphors reveal about how people conceptualize teaching? Previous
 work has addressed related questions largely via researcher intuition and qualitative analyses of teacher attitudes. We sought to develop a
 more principled method for mapping the entailments of metaphorical concepts, using teaching metaphors as a case study. We presented
 participants with one of four common metaphors for the teacher-student relationship (identified in a preliminary study) and asked them to
 rate the degree to which a series of teacher attributes fit the metaphor. We then used iterated exploratory factor analysis to identify a
 small number of dimensions that underlie people's conceptions of teachers and examined whether the metaphors systematically differed along
 these dimensions. We found that teaching metaphors bring to mind distinct, coherent clusters of teacher attributes and different intuitions
 about teacher responsibility and power – a finding we replicated in a larger, pre-registered follow-up study using a new set of
 participants. This work provides a novel method for mapping the entailments of metaphorical concepts and sets the stage for educational
 interventions centered on shifting lay theories of teaching.


Liver-derived (LD) murine colon adenocarcinoma MCA-38 cells in jected into the ileocolic vein (ICV) of C57BL/6 mice developed distinct hepatic foci within 14-21 days and survived for an average of 19-35 days. In contrast, C57BL/6-nu/ni/ mice given injections of LD-MCA cells by the same route did not develop hepatic lesions. Furthermore, '"In-labeled LD-MCA-38 tumor cells were rapidly taken up by the liver of conventional mice within l h and 73% of the radioactivity remained after 24 h. However, about 60% of the '"In-labeled LD-MCA-38 tumor cells were cleared from the liver of nude mice after 24 h. Nonparenchymal liver cells isolated from untreated conventional mice displayed little cytotoxicity against freshly excised "Cr-labeled LD-MCA-38 cells but did lyse the standard natural killer target, YAC-1 tumor cells, in 4 h chromium release assays. On the other hand, nonparenchymal liver cells but not spleen cells from nude mice were cytotoxic to "Cr-labeled LD-MCA-38 in vitro. The nonparenchymal liver cell population responsible for tumor killing was phenotypically nonadherent and asialo-GMi (AsGMi) positive. C57BL/6 mice treated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid |poly(IC)| also displayed cytotoxic activity against LD-MCA-38 tumor cells in vitro. Furthermore, poly(IC) treatment of mice 1-8 days after tumor inoculation suppressed the number of hepatic foci and also signif icantly increased the life span of tumor-bearing mice. Treatment of athymic nude mice or poly(IC)-treated conventional mice with anti-AsGM, induced significant numbers of foci and significantly decreased the life span of MCA-38-bearing mice suggesting that AsG.Mi-positive cells in the liver of these mice may inhibit tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, the host defense system of the liver from athymic nude or poly(IC)-treated mice possess AsGMi-positive cells that can suppress tumor im plantation or tumor growth in the early stages of metastasis in liver.


We report an advanced aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor (AAS) comprised of Ni3V2O8@MWCNT (CNV) composite as the positive electrode and β FeOOH@rGO (GF) composite as the negative electrode. According to the literature surveyed, this new Ni3V2O8@MWCNT composite has been exploited for the first time as a positive electrode. We have prepared different Ni3V2O8@MWCNT composites using variable proportions of participating materials via our laboratory-developed modified hydrothermal (MHT) technique. Among them, the as-synthesized CNV composite exhibited excellent pseudocapacitive activity (specific capacitance value of 2920 F g−1 at 2 A g−1 specific current, excellent rate capability and 96% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles). Similarly, different β FeOOH@rGO composites were also synthesized using the same MHT, again with different proportions of the iron component and rGO. Among them, GF exhibited specific capacitance values of 1306 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 specific current with excellent rate capability and extraordinary cyclic durability. Furthermore, the assembled Ni3V2O8@MWCNT//β FeOOH@rGO asymmetric supercapacitor exhibited very impressive electrochemical activity. It exhibited a specific capacitance of 976 F g−1 at 0.25 A g−1 specific current and maximum specific energy of 86.7 W h kg−1 at a specific power of 198.71 W kg−1. Due to the impressive specific energy value, the as-fabricated asymmetric supercapacitor could be a good alternative for rechargeable batteries.


The staining of proteins bound to a transfer membrane can be useful for determining the efficiency of transfer and marking the location of molecular weight standards. This unit describes three methods for staining blots, using India ink, gold labeling, and fluorescent labeling with SYPRO Ruby. Detection limits of each staining method are given along with a list of compatible blot transfer membranes and gels. A support protocol describes a method for enhancement of staining using alkali treatment. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 84:10.7.1-10.7.6. C � 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.