It is heavily discussed whether trade liberalization is good or bad for the poor in a given (developing) country. The answer depends on a wide variety of factors, such as the type of trade barrier removed, the economic and institutional environment in the country, and the characteristics of the poor in that country (Winters 2002; Winters et al. 2004). In addition, the results can also be driven by the specific method used to measure the impact of the trade-policy reform on poverty. For an informed discussion, it is, therefore, important to understand the corresponding empirical methods at hand.Most generally, empirical studies on trade impacts can be divided into ex-post and ex-ante analyses. Whereas ex-post studies focus on the effects of trade policies that have already been implemented, ex-ante analyses simulate the effects of potential future (and actual) trade policies (Piermartini and Teh 2005). In other words, ex-post studies have both pre- and post-reform data at their disposal, while ex-ante studies rely exclusively on pre-liberalization data. Ex-post analyses have the advantage of being grounded on real-world observations; however, their difficulty lies in applying appropriate statistical methods to separate the impact of a given trade-policy reform from any other shock affecting the economy in the observation period (Hertel and Reimer 2005; Piermartini and Teh 2005). This identification problem is absent in ex-ante studies, conducting counterfactual analyses, as they allow to explicitly and exclusively simulate the trade-policy shock (Hertel and Reimer 2005). However, simulation studies encounter yet other challenges, namely to verify the assumptions concerning the model specification (e.g., parameters and functional forms) and, thus, to ensure the quality of the results (Piermartini and Teh 2005; Winters et al. 2004). Their strength, in turn, is to reveal possible orders of magnitude of a policy impact, to identify relative winners and losers, and to give insights into the quantitative importance of the mechanisms behind the effects of a given trade-policy reform on poverty (Winters 2003; Winters et al. 2004; Bourguignon et al. 1991).While examples of ex-post methods to analyze the effects of trade liberalization on poverty can be found in Winters et al. (2004), this Roundup gives an overview of some basic ex-ante methods available to quantify and evaluate the impact of a trade-policy reform – or, more generally, a macro-economic shock – on the distribution of household income for poverty (and inequality) analysis, i.e. on the micro-economic level. The methods considered here center all around so-called computable general equilibrium (CGE) models. On the one hand, they include the standard CGE approach with (one or) several representative households; on the other hand, they cover macro-micro simulations, subdivided into the top-down approach, the top-down/bottom-up approach, and the integrated approach. For each method, the Roundup provides a brief description, some applications, and a critical assessment.


We report here our initial observations on the growth and morphology, and developmental radiosensitivity of giant, multinucleated, osteoclast-like cells (MN-OS) generated through in vitro cultivation of hematopoietic progenitor-enriched canine bone marrow samples. Maximum cell densities of 5.5 x 10(3) to 6.5 x 10(3) MN-OS per cm2 of growth area were achieved following 10 to 14 days of culture at 37 degrees C. Acute gamma irradiation of the initial marrow inocula resulted in significant, dose-dependent perturbations of MN-OS formation, growth, and development. Attempts to estimate radiosensitivity of MN-OS progenitors from canine marrow yielded a range of Do values from a low of 212 cGy measured at six days of culture to higher values of 405 to 542 cGy following 10 to 22 days of culture. At the intermediate times of culture (10 to 14 days), the radiation-induced responses were clearly biphasic, reflecting either (a) the presence of multiple subpopulations of MN-OS progenitors with varying degrees of radiosensitivity or (b) the inherent biphasic nature of MN-OS development involving early progenitor cell proliferation followed by maturation and subsequent fusion. Morphologically, MN-OS generated from irradiated marrow inocula appeared only marginally altered, with alterations expressed largely in a biphasic, dose-dependent fashion in terms of smaller cell size, reduced number of nuclei, increased expression of both surface microprojections, and a unique set of crystalloid cytoplasmic inclusions. Functionally, MN-OS appeared to be impaired by irradiation of marrow progenitors, as evidenced by failure to initiate resorptive attachments to devitalized bone spicules in vitro.


This paper sheds light on the communicative process through which experts and decision makers integrate their domain specific knowledge in decision making situations and argues for the benefit of knowledge visualization. We present a second order model for knowledge integration that reflects the main communicative challenges of such interactions. These are: unequal participation, a lack of common ground, a lack of big picture, and an unconstructive handling of conflict. Presenting results from an experimental study, we show that supporting conversations with an interactive visualization tool moderates the relationships of these communicative challenges and knowledge integration. We find that in the supported condition, conversers rely more on the establishment of common ground and big picture and deal more constructively with conflict.


A matched case-controlled study was conducted to determine if airway obstruction or emphysema were associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Lung cancer cases (n=24) were identified through a low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) screening trial from 1,520 participants. Four controls without lung cancer were selected for each case from the participants and matched by sex, age and smoking history. Emphysema was assessed by quantitative CT analysis. Conditional logistic regression was employed to assess results of spirometry and CT quantitative analysis as potential risk factors for lung cancer. The likelihood of lung cancer was found to be significantly increased for those with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) ≤40% of predicted. The results suggested that a lower percentage of predicted FEV1 was indicative of lung cancer. No compelling evidence was found to suggest that the percentage of emphysema was associated with lung cancer. These results suggest an increased risk of lung cancer associated with airway obstruction. However, percentage of emphysema as determined by computed tomography was not associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.


Opinion is still divided over the role that internal world models can play in autonomous behaviour. Researchers who dispute the necessity of such models often have a restricted view of how they are constituted and may associate the whole enterprise of modelling with the dubious practices of GOFAI. However, this paper pursues Roitblat's approach [1] in developing a more general and less assumption-laden interpretation of what `representationalism' means. It presents a no-strings theory of representation which shows why we should expect autonomous agents to use internal models and what these models will look like.


Immaculee Ilibagiza grew up in a country she loved, surrounded by a family she cherished. But in 1994 her idyllic world was ripped apart as Rwanda descended into a bloody genocide. Immaculee's family was brutally murdered during a killing spree that lasted three months and claimed the lives of nearly a million Rwandans. Incredibly, Immaculee survived the slaughter. For 91 days, she and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor, while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them. The triumphant story of this remarkable young woman's journey through the darkness of genocide will inspire anyone whose life has been touched by fear, suffering, and loss. This is Immaculee's first book.


We reviewed 72 primary central nervous system lymphomas occurring in immunocompetent patients. The cases were reviewed for clinical data, histology, immunophenotype, bcl-2 and p53 expression, and Epstein-Barr virus association. Follow-up was available for 40 patients included in the Groupe Ouest Est d'étude des Leucénies et Autres Maladies du Sang (GOELAMS) lymphomes cérébraux primitifs (LCP 88) trial. Each diagnosis, requiring a consensus among at least 3 pathologists, was performed according to the recent Revised European-American Lymphoma classification and equivalents in the updated Kiel classification. Tumors were predominantly classified as diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. There were 3 T-cell lymphomas and 1 Hodgkin lymphoma. The proteins bcl-2 and p53 were expressed in 35% and 16% of the tested cases, respectively. Epstein-Barr virus was not found by in situ hybridization except in the case classfied as a cerebral localization of Hodgkin disease. No significant association was found between subtypes, bcl-2 or p53 expression, and patient survival. From the standpoint of their biologic characteristics, primary central nervous system lymphomas are very similar to systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. In contrast to AIDS-related primary central nervous system lymphomas, primary central nervous system lymphomas are rarely associated with Epstein-Barr virus and in immunocompetent patients they express bcl-2 at a relatively low rate.


We extend direct search methods to optimization problems that include equality constraints given by Lipschitz functions. The equality constraints are assumed to implicitly define a Lipschitz manifold. Numerically implementing the inverse (implicit) function theorem allows us to define a new problem on the tangent spaces of the manifold. We can then use a direct search method on the tangent spaces to solve the new optimization problem without any equality constraints. Solving this related problem implicitly solves the original optimization problem. Our main example utilizes the LTMADS algorithm for the direct search method. However, other direct search methods can be employed. Convergence results trivially carry over to our new procedure under mild assumptions.


There are a plethora of dark energy parametrizations that can fit current supernovae Ia data. However, these data are only sensitive to redshifts up to order one. In fact, many of these parametrizations break down at higher redshifts. In this paper we study the effect of dark energy models on the formation of dark halos. We select a couple of dark energy parametrizations which are sensible at high redshifts and compute their effect on the evolution of density perturbations in the linear and non-linear regimes. Using the Press–Schechter formalism we show that they produce distinguishable signatures in the number counts of dark halos. Therefore, future observations of galaxy clusters can provide complementary constraints on the behaviour of dark energy.


Abstract Coherent Doppler lidar appears to hold great promise in contributing to the basic store of knowledge concerning flow field characteristics in the nonprecipitous regions surrounding severe storms. The Doppler lidar, through its ability to measure clear air returns, augments the conventional Doppler radar system, which is most useful in the precipitous regions of the storm. A brief description of the Doppler lidar severe storm measurement system is provided along with the technique to be used in performing the flow field measurements. The application of the lidar is addressed, and the planned measurement program is outlined.


The size of a software artifact influences the software quality and impacts the development process. In industry, when software size exceeds certain thresholds, memory errors accumulate and development tools might not be able to cope anymore, resulting in a lengthy program start up times, failing builds, or memory problems at unpredictable times. Thus, foreseeing critical growth in software modules meets a high demand in industrial practice. Predicting the time when the size grows to the level where maintenance is needed prevents unexpected efforts and helps to spot problematic artifacts before they become critical.Although the amount of prediction approaches in literature is vast, it is unclear how well they fit with prerequisites and expectations from practice. In this paper, we perform an industrial case study at an automotive manufacturer to explore applicability and usability of prediction approaches in practice. In a first step, we collect the most relevant prediction approaches from literature, including both, approaches using statistics and machine learning. Furthermore, we elicit expectations towards predictions from practitioners using a survey and stakeholder workshops. At the same time, we measure software size of 48 software artifacts by mining four years of revision history, resulting in 4,547 data points. In the last step, we assess the applicability of state-of-the-art prediction approaches using the collected data by systematically analyzing how well they fulfill the practitioners' expectations.Our main contribution is a comparison of commonly used prediction approaches in a real world industrial setting while considering stakeholder expectations. We show that the approaches provide significantly different results regarding prediction accuracy and that the statistical approaches fit our data best.


This article contrasts present conceptions of pop musicians' career development with ideas from the 1960s to 1990s. It identifies two divergent key concepts: the artrepreneur and the record contract. As a counterpart, the article evaluates empirical findings from an interview study with German and US-American musicians to answer the following research question: How are concepts of career management advocated and how are they related to the musician's practices? This research suggests that in the 1970s to 1990s, self-management was regarded as a necessary evil before getting a recording contract, which was seen as a central aim for musicians. This widespread concept stood in stark contrast to the actual conditions of work in the field and can thus be described as forming an important part of the illusio (in Bourdieu's sense), motivating participation while at the same time masking the actual working conditions. Today, in the age of digital communication networks, the record contract is no longer as crucial as it used to be. Instead, self-management is presented as a new, central, and legitimate strategy to push musicians' careers forward even though studies show that the chances for independent musicians have not grown. The concept of the musician as artrepreneur replaced the hopes that were connected with the record contract. This shift is part of a new illusio that now motivates the musician's participation in the music market. This paper attempts a small contribution toward unmasking the illusions that are connected with the illusio, which for Bourdieu is among the central functions of sociology.


Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are autoimmune-mediated conditions of chronic inflammation affecting the intestinal mucosa, that pose a lifelong risk to patients to develop a colitis-associated carcinoma (CAC). Much of current knowledge on mechanisms in CAC development result from murine CAC models, while studies on human CAC carcinogenesis are scarce. Thus, in our present study, we aimed to contribute to the understanding of colitis-associated carcinogenesis by comparative analysis of gene expression in human samples and further validation of these findings in colon organoids.

 RNA isolation was done from microdissected surgical colon specimen from 60 patients that suffered from either UC, CD, UC-CAC, CD-CAC or inflammation-free healthy controls (10 patients per group). Nanostring nCounterTM technology with a gene panel comprising >630 genes was performed to examine genes focusing on mucosal immunology, epithelial barrier/polarity. nSolverTM data analysis software was used for primary data analysis and statistics. Patients were grouped using expression patterns (by heat maps), differential expression and pathway analysis. For organoid cultures, crypts were isolated from mouse colon and cultured using the R-Spondin method. Organoids were subjected to osteopontin treatment. Consecutively, RNA was isolated. This was followed by gene expression analysis of core EMT (epithelial to mesenchymal transition) transcription factors (TFs) focusing on Twist1, Snai1, Snai2 by RT-PCR.

 Heat maps generated from the expression data revealed close-to-optimal grouping recapitulating the clinical subgroups. Differential expression comparing CD with CD-CAC and UC with UC-CAC identified 203 and 271 differentially expressed genes, respectively. Genes most significantly upregulated included SPP1/Osteopontin (OPN), GRHL2 and EMT signature gene as fibronectin1 and ZEB1, generating the hypothesis of OPN driving EMT and thereby inducing inflammation-associated carcinogenesis. Furthermore, mouse colon organoids treated with OPN (50ng/µl) revealed an increased expression by 3fold of core the EMT TFs Twist1, Snai1, Snai2.

 We provide a comprehensive quantitative gene expression analysis for CAC with comparison of gene expression in CAC to the respective underlying IBD, CD and UC. Identified upregulated or downregulated genes allow to allocate signal transduction pathways important for CAC carcinogenesis. OPN as the most upregulated gene in CAC in our gene panel might be crucial for regulating EMT in CAC carcinogenesis. Thus, our findings uncover the role of OPN in CAC carcinogenesis.


OBJECTIVE
The combined pituitary function test is routinely used in the endocrine investigation of short children. The TRH and luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) response tests have been shown to be of minimal value in adults. We have evaluated the clinical utility of these tests in the context of combined pituitary function testing in children.

DESIGN
A retrospective analysis of basal hormone measurements and pituitary stimulation tests in relation to clinical assessment of pituitary function.

PATIENTS
One hundred and twenty-six children, 82 boys and 44 girls, aged 2-17 years, who had undergone pituitary function testing were studied.

RESULTS
The TSH response to TRH stimulation correlated directly with basal plasma TSH but not basal plasma total T4. In patients with an impaired response to stimulation, basal TSH concentrations were <2.0 mIU/l and significantly lower than in patients with a normal response (P < 0.0001). An impaired response to TRH stimulation had a positive predictive value of 0.43 and a negative predictive value of 0.90 for the diagnosis of hypopituitarism. A basal TSH concentration of <2.0 mIU/l had a positive predictive value of 0.22 and a negative predictive value of 0.92. A low basal T4 (normal range 60-140 nmol/l) in combination with an inappropriately low or normal basal TSH was always associated with a diagnosis of hypopituitarism. The responses of plasma LH and FSH to LHRH stimulation correlated directly with basal plasma LH and FSH concentrations. Basal gonadotrophin concentrations, basal sex hormone concentrations or response to LHRH stimulation could not distinguish patients with constitutional delay of growth and puberty from those with hypopituitarism. There was no apparent relationship between either basal gonadotrophin concentrations or response to LHRH stimulation and clinical assessment of pituitary function. In patients > or =13 years with constitutional delay of growth and puberty the median and interquartile ranges of basal LH and FSH were 1.4 IU/l (0.7-3.6) and 2.6 IU/l (2.2-5.2) respectively. The three hypopituitary patients in this study with chronological age > or =13 years had undetectable concentrations of both gonadotrophins. The response of LH and FSH to LHRH stimulation was significantly lower in patients > or =13 years with clinical hypopituitarism than in those with intact pituitary function (P <0.02).

CONCLUSION
TRH and LHRH tests in children with short stature appear to have little value over and above the baseline hormone measurements. An abnormal response to hormone stimulation is not diagnostic of hypothalamic-pituitary disease. We have demonstrated that neither TRH nor LHRH stimulation tests should be routinely used in the investigation of children with short stature.


The techniques involved in general game playing with Artificial Intelligence (AI) have advanced to meet the challenges of the most popular video game and board game domains. Until recently, the video game domains used as testbeds have been relatively simple. That is, the most complex console-wide domain that has been solved using Deep Reinforcement Learning is the Atari domain, which is decades behind modern video game domains. This work explores a more complex domain (the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES) and the associated difficulties in developing deep reinforcement learning agents for it. To understand these difficulties, we trained agents on NES games with little to no expert knowledge provided to the agents. After developing some understanding of the challenges of the domain, we suggest areas on which to focus to solve this domain, work which will hopefully lead the field to solving ever more complex environments both real world and theoretical. This paper determines some of the necessary changes in hyperparameters and reward functions to solve the NES domain compared to the more popular Atari domain while using game pixel data as the only inputs to the agents' neural networks.


Multicell joint processing can mitigate inter-cell interference and thereby increase the spectral efficiency of cellular systems. Most previous work has assumed phase-aligned (coherent) transmissions from different base transceiver stations (BTSs) so that the signals superpose coherently at each receiver, which is difficult to achieve in practice. In this work, a noncoherent cooperative transmission scheme for the downlink is studied, which does not require phase alignment. The focus is on jointly serving two users in adjacent cells sharing the same resource block. The two BTSs partially share their messages through a backhaul link, and each BTS can transmit a superposition of two codewords, one for each receiver. Each receiver decodes its own message, and treats the signals for the other receiver as background noise. With narrowband transmissions the achievable rate region and maximum achievable weighted sum rate are characterized by optimizing the power allocation (and the beamforming vectors in the case of multiple transmit antennas) at each BTS between its two codewords. For a wideband (multicarrier) system, a dual formulation of the optimal power allocation problem across sub-carriers is presented, which can be efficiently solved by numerical methods. Results show that the proposed cooperation scheme can improve the sum rate substantially in the low to moderate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) range.


SZADECZKY-KARDOSS (S.) Testimonia de Mimnermi Vita et Carminibus. [Acta Universitatis Szegedinensis, Sectio antiqua: Minora opera ad studium antiquitatis pertinentia, II.] Szegedin: (University Press). 1959. Pp. 44. This well-produced pamphlet contains a short preface (explaining that it results from preliminary studies for a dissertation on Mimnermus), an alphabetical list of passages cited (running from 'Aero v. Pseudo-Aero' to 'Zenobius, Epitoma Paroemiarum III 17'), one hundred testimonia regarding the life and writings of Mimnermus, arranged chronologically (1—11 Solon to Callimachus; 12-22 Callimachus to Horace; 23-68 Roman Empire; 69-100 Mediaeval), a concordance with Bergk, Diehl and Edmonds for those testimonia which contain quotations from Mimnermus, and a short appendix of adespota which some have sought to attribute to Mimnermus. The number of testimonia is increased by the care with which the editor has distinguished between different grades of quotation: thus his No. 1 (Solon fr. 22. 1-4 Diehl) appears again as No. 48 (Diog. Laert. I 60-61), though the text is given only once (under 48). This seems to me a sound way of reporting the facts; and so long as one does not lay too much stress on the precise order in which the various authorities appear, the historical arrangement is also helpful. The editor tells us in each case the edition from which he has taken his quotations (not always the latest; for example, he quotes Strabo by Kramer's 1844 edition), and adds short but pithy notes (in Latin). The whole is a most valuable piece of work; we shall look forward to the promised dissertation with great interest—and similar treatments of other authors would also be welcome.


Andorra, one of the smallest countries in Europe, is geographically very isolated. Located in the Central Pyrenees, it is surrounded by high mountains. This paper investigates the endogamous levels and relationships between demographic or geographical variation and inbreeding coefficients calculated through isonymic methods. Our results suggest that political and geographical frontiers are not significant enough to pose effective genetic barriers. The overall inbreeding coefficient average (0.0031) is moderate with respect to other populations in the same region. Temporal and geographical variations of total inbreeding and their components are explained in relation to changes in population size and intensity, and to origin and destination of migrant collectives. Although the spatial distribution of the population of Andorra is the main contributing factor to inbreeding, the kin-structured composition of immigrant collectives is another fundamental factor that helps to explain the levels and variation of inbreeding.


In this paper we contribute a simple yet effective approach for estimating 3D poses of multiple people from multi-view images. Our proposed coarse-to-fine pipeline first aggregates noisy 2D observations from multiple camera views into 3D space and then associates them into individual instances based on a confidence-aware majority voting technique. The final pose estimates are attained from a novel optimization scheme which links high-confidence multi-view 2D observations and 3D joint candidates. More-over, a statistical parametric body model such as SMPL is leveraged as a regularizing prior for these 3D joint candidates. Specifically, both 3D poses and SMPL parameters are optimized jointly in an alternating fashion. Here the parametric models help in correcting implausible 3D pose estimates and filling in missing joint detections while updated 3D poses in turn guide obtaining better SMPL estimations. By linking 2D and 3D observations, our method is both accurate and generalizes to different data sources because it better decouples the final 3D pose from the interperson constellation and is more robust to noisy 2D detections. We systematically evaluate our method on public datasets and achieve state-of-the-art performance. The code and video will be available on the project page: https://ait.ethz.ch/projects/2021/multi-human-pose/.


Abstract This paper attempts to describe an effective method for producing a composite of quantum dots consisting of CdSe (core) with CdS (shell). This nanoparticles composite was synthesized from modified organometallic precursors. The sizes of the nanoparticles were estimated from X-ray diffraction data using Debye-Scherer formula and compared with high resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM) and optical spectra. The shape of CdSe/CdS NPs is nearly spherical and revels that the CdS shell with the thickness ~0.6 nm almost fully covers the CdSe core (higher contrast). Using UV-Vis spectroscopy, a systematic red shift in the absorption and emission spectra was observed after the deposition of CdS which confirms the shell growth over the CdSe core. In the CdSe/CdS core/shell structure, the holes are confined to the core, while the electrons are delocalized as a result of similar electron affinities of the core and the shell. The increased time of synthesis resulted in shell thickness increase. The observed properties of prepared CdSe/CdS QDs demonstrate the capability of the nanocomposite for using in the optoelectronics and photonics devices.


Friction Stir Welding (FSW) induces thermal residual stresses resulting in distortions in thin-walled structures. In order to understand and quantify this phenomenon, simulations and experiments of FSW on aluminium alloy (AA) 2024-T3 have been performed using different rotational and welding speeds. A sequentially coupled finite element (FE) model was used to study the residual stresses caused by the thermal cycling induced from FSW. The 3D FE model used temperature-dependent mechanical and thermophysical material properties. The predicted longitudinal stresses peaked at ~300 MPa and had a ''W'' profile with tensile stress peaks in the weld and compressive stresses outside the weld. In the FE model, the influence of process parameters on residual stress distribution was studied. The application of 'hot' welding conditions, i.e. low welding speed and high rotational speed, increased the residual stresses significantly, mainly in the transverse direction. Conversely, 'cold' welding conditions resulted in lower residual stresses. The magnitude and distribution of the residual stresses predicted by the FE model were validated by neutron diffraction. The results indicate a good agreement between the measured and predicted residual stresses in AA2024-T3.


INTRODUCTION. This study was designed to determine the protective effect of red grape seed extract (RGSE) on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups to receive RGSE, for 60 days followed by intraperitoneal injection of saline solution (as placebo) for 8 days (group 1); RGSE followed by gentamicin for 8 days (group 2); and gentamicin without pre-medication of RGSE (group 3). Oral RGSE, 40 mg/kg/d, and intraperitoneal injection of gentamicin, 100 mg/kg/d, were administered in these groups of rats. Blood and urine samples were collected on days 0 and 68 of the study. Then, the kidneys were removed for pathologic examination. RESULTS. On day 68, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentrations were highest in group 3, which was significantly higher than in group 1 (P = .001 and P = .004, respectively), while slightly higher than in group 2 (P = .30 and P = .50, respectively). Fractional excretion of sodium was not significantly different between the three groups. Histopathological evaluation showed that rats in group 3 had significantly higher degrees of severe acute tubular necrosis and interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration than the rats in groups 1 and 2 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS. This animal study suggests that pretreatment with RGSE protects against gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury as evident on tissue histology. However, this was not accompanied with significant improvement in biochemical markers of kidney injury.


Incineration is a powerful waste management tool which is employed in many countries. However, air pollution control residues are a by-product produced as a result of flue gas treatment, a key requirement for incineration. Air pollution control residues are classified as hazardous waste and are becoming increasingly difficult to dispose of in the UK due to tightening legislation. Therefore recycling of air pollution control residues as secondary building materials is an attractive option. Geopolymerisation offers advantages with regards to stabilizing heavy metals and has been investigated here as a means to reducing leaching rates of key elements in air pollution control residues collected from three UK based incinerators. The role of soluble chloride phases was also investigated by pre-treating the air pollution control residues with a washing procedure. Geopolymerisation was found to immobilize metals such as Ba, Pb and Ni, however it did not positively affect the mobility of As, Sb and Se. Chloride leaching rates were also reduced although not to an acceptable level and the mobility of soluble chloride phases are one of the key challenges when attempting to reuse air pollution control residues.


The persistent growth of interest in the middle infrared (MIR) is stimulating the development of sources and components. Novel waveguides and fibers for the efficient use of nonlinear effects in the MIR are being intensively studied. Highly nonlinear silica fibers have enabled record performances of highly versatile parametric processes in the telecommunication band. However, no waveguiding platforms (to our knowledge) have yet solved the trade-off among high nonlinearity, low propagation losses and dispersion in the MIR. As single waveguide designs have not yet hit this particular optimal point, only pulsed–pumped demonstrations have been carried out, hindering any application requiring narrow linewidth, continuous-wave (c.w.) operation, or signal modulation. Here, we show MIR c.w. parametric amplification in a Ge10As22Se68 tapered fiber. Leveraging state-of-the-art fabrication techniques, we use a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) geometry combining high nonlinearity and low dispersion, while maintaining single mode and low losses in the short-wave IR and MIR. We experimentally demonstrate 5 dB signal amplification and 3 dB idler conversion efficiency using only 125 mW of pump in the 2 μm wavelength range. Our result is not only the first c.w. parametric amplification measured at 2 μm in any waveguide, but it also establishes GeAsSe PCF tapers as the most promising all-fibered, high-efficiency parametric converter for advanced applications in the MIR.


The purpose of this research was to perform a bibliometric analysis of research journals containing scientific articles on the sport of rugby from 1922 to 2009. In this field 2057 articles were selected from major databases. The journals, authors and contents published were selected by taking into account the year of publication, thematic areas and modalities of rugby among other variables. A steady increase in production was found in the period considered, with a maximum of 174 articles published in 2007. The articles were written by an average of 2.5 authors and most of them (80.9%) only participated in one. The data showed a utility loss of 7.5% of the total items each year. The thematic areas and most influential journals on rugby had been identified. Finally, limited support has been found for attempting to adjust the bibliometric data by applying the laws of Lotka and Price with respect to the authors, and Bradford's law regarding scientific journals.


Background:
 MKP-1, a negative modulator of several MAP kinases including JNK and p38, is a critical regulator of inflammation and apoptosis in the CNS. Inhibition of MKP-1 worsens stroke outcome in mice, suggesting that MKP-1 is an endogenous protective molecule, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we investigated the downstream mediators of MKP-1's effects in stroke.

 Methods:
 Stroke was induced by 60 min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in male mice. Levels of p-JNK and p-p38 in MKP-1 KO mice and WT littermates 6 hours after stroke were assessed by Western blots. In a second cohort, the selective JNK inhibitor (SP600125) was administered intraperitoneally to both MKP-1 KO and WT mice 30 min before stroke then infarcts were analyzed at 72 hours post ischemia. In a third cohort, WT mice were intraperitoneally administrated the inhibitor or vehicle 30 min before stroke and sacrificed at 6 hours for protein analysis.

 Results:
 MKP-1 deletion produced significantly higher levels of p-JNK 6 hours after stroke (0.71±0.12 WT vs. 1.32± 0.14 KO, p<0.05, n= 3 p/g); this was not seen for p-p38 (1.06± 0.19 WT vs. 1.30± 0.34 KO, n=3 WT, 2 KO). Furthermore, MKP-1 deletion significantly increased expression of JNK pathway related molecules such as p-c-jun/c-jun (0.57± 0.17 WT vs. 3.65±1.19 KO, p<0.05, n=3 p/g) and cleaved-caspase-3 (0.62 ± 0.09 WT vs. 1.81 ± 0.32 KO, p<0.05, n=3 p/g), with no changes in cleaved-caspase-8 (1.11 ± 0.09 WT vs. 1.02 ± 0.04 KO, p>0.05, n=3 p/g). There was no additive deleterious effects of pharmacological JNK inhibition in MKP-1 KO mice as measured by infarcts at 72 hours (cortex: 25.84±2.44%WT vs. 22.32±1.91%KO, striatum: 33.10±3.61% WT vs. 26.52±1.92% KO, total: 27.85±2.95% WT vs. 26.75±1.61% KO, p>0.05, n=6 p/g). In WT mice, JNK inhibition significantly decreased p-JNK (0.99 ± 0.14 vehicle vs. 0.44 ± 0.13 drug, p<0.05, n=3 p/g) 6 hours after stroke but had no effects on MKP-1 (2.36 ± 0.34 vehicle vs. 3.43 ± 0.45 drug, p>0.05, n=3 p/g).

 Conclusions:
 JNK is an important downstream mediator of MKP-1's effects in stroke. In the ischemic brain, activating MKP-1 may restrain JNK activity, thereby producing neuroprotective effects.


This paper presents a framework for event detection and video content analysis for visual surveillance applications. The system is able to coordinate the tracking of objects between multiple camera views, which may be overlapping or non-overlapping. The key novelty of our approach is that we can automatically learn a semantic scene model for a surveillance region, and have defined data models to support the storage of different layers of abstraction of tracking data into a surveillance database. The surveillance database provides a mechanism to generate video content summaries of objects detected by the system across the entire surveillance region in terms of the semantic scene model. In addition, the surveillance database supports spatio-temporal queries, which can be applied for event detection and notification applications


Territorial Emergency Service is part of NEMS. It belongs to the only telephone number 127 (112) and it is free of charge. It represents the guarantee of medical emergency service provided by law 147/2014 (For Emergency Medical Service) and with the Council of Ministers Decision (CMD) No.933 date 29.12.2014 on Approval of the Organizational Structure of the National Center of Medical Emergency, CMD. Nr. 250, date 30.3.2016 and aims to guarantee the response to emergencies and medical emergencies, from the moment of receiving the call until their resolution, throughout the territory of the Republic of Albania. This paper aims to give an introduction and to  analyse the emergency medical system's mission in Albania.


For more than a decade, living cells and biomaterials (typically hydrogels) are printed via laser-assisted bioprinting. Often, a thin metal layer is applied as laser-absorbing material called dynamic release layer (DRL). This layer is vaporized by focused laser pulses generating vapor pressure that propels forward a coated biomaterial. Different lasers with laser wavelengths from 193 to 1064 nanometer have been used. As a metal DRL gold, silver, or titanium layers have been used. The applied laser pulse durations were usually in the nanosecond range from 1 to 30 ns. In addition, some studies with femtosecond lasers have been published. However, there are no studies on the effect of all these lasers parameters on bioprinting with a metal DRL, and on comparing different wavelengths and pulse durations – except one study comparing 500 femtosecond pulses with 15 ns pulses. In this paper, the effects of laser wavelength (355, 532, and 1064 nm) and laser pulse duration (in the range of 8 to 200 ns) are investigated. Furthermore, the effects of laser pulse energy, intensity, and focal spot size are studied. The printed droplet volume, hydrogel jet velocity, and cell viability are analyzed.


This study examined the mortality experience of children with oral clefts using the New York State Congenital Malformations Registry. Infants born in the years 1983 to 1990 to New York residents, diagnosed with an oral cleft and matched to their birth certificate were included in the analysis. Children with oral clefts were compared to a sample of live births from the years 1983 to 1990 without malformations. Children with cleft palate without additional malformations had a statistically nonsignficant adjusted risk of 1.2 when compared to children with no malformations. Children with cleft lip with or without cleft palate had a 1.1 adjusted risk. However, 35% of children with oral clefts had associated malformations and experienced much higher mortality. Children with oral clefts should be carefully evaluated for additional malformations; if none are found, their mortality appears not to be elevated.


Large Technical Systems (LTSs) such as information networks and transport systems are difficult to change when they are entrenched and lack flexibility. The paper argues that standards enhance system flexibility. This line of argument is explored and elaborated into a conceptual framework that aims to support practices and policies of flexible LTS design. First, the behavioral scope of standards is analyzed in the context of compatibility. The paper identifies several ways of achieving compatibility (compatibility strategies). These can be portrayed by four compatibility dimensions, one of which is standardization. In combination, these dimensions raise awareness to a new range of potential compatibility strategies. Next, since flexibility is a mean and not an aim in itself, the paper specifies a number of flexibility aims common in LTSs. As an illustration, an overview is given of those in the field of ICT. Finally, a framework is drawn up that integrates the two sides of the argument. It lists the main flexibility objectives, and summarizes the compatibility strategies that increase system flexibility – including standardization. Each strategy has its caveats. The paper addresses those related to standards.


In recent years, fuzz testing has benefited from increased computational power and important algorithmic advances, leading to systems that have discovered many critical bugs and vulnerabilities in production software. Despite these successes, not all applications can be fuzzed efficiently. In particular, stateful applications such as network protocol implementations are constrained by a low fuzzing throughput and the need to develop complex fuzzing harnesses that involve custom time delays and clean-up scripts. In this paper, we present SnapFuzz, a novel fuzzing framework for network applications. SnapFuzz offers a robust architecture that transforms slow asynchronous network communication into fast synchronous communication, snapshots the target at the latest point at which it is safe to do so, speeds up file operations by redirecting them to a custom in-memory filesystem, and removes the need for many fragile modifications, such as configuring time delays or writing clean-up scripts. Using SnapFuzz, we fuzzed five popular networking applications: LightFTP, TinyDTLS, Dnsmasq, LIVE555 and Dcmqrscp. We report impressive performance speedups of 62.8 x, 41.2 x, 30.6 x, 24.6 x, and 8.4 x, respectively, with significantly simpler fuzzing harnesses in all cases. Due to its advantages, SnapFuzz has also found 12 extra crashes compared to AFLNet in these applications.


While reactive synthesis and syntax-guided synthesis (SyGuS) have seen enormous progress in recent years, combining the two approaches has remained a challenge. In this work, we present the synthesis of reactive programs from Temporal Stream Logic modulo theories (TSL-MT), a framework that unites the two approaches to synthesize a single program. In our approach, reactive synthesis and SyGuS collaborate in the synthesis process, and generate executable code that implements both reactive and data-level properties. We present a tool, temos, that combines state-of-the-art methods in reactive synthesis and SyGuS to synthesize programs from TSL-MT specifications. We demonstrate the applicability of our approach over a set of benchmarks, and present a deep case study on synthesizing a music keyboard synthesizer.


This study aimed to estimate the watershed runoff caused by extreme events that often result in the flooding of urban areas. The runoff of a residential area in the city of Guaratingueta, Sao Paulo, Brazil was estimated using the Curve-Number method proposed by USDA-NRCS. The study also investigated current land use and land cover conditions, impermeable areas with pasture and indications of the reforestation of those areas. Maps and satellite images of Residential Riverside I Neighborhood were used to characterize the area. In addition to characterizing land use and land cover, the definition of the soil type infiltration capacity, the maximum local rainfall, and the type and quality of the drainage system were also investigated. The study showed that this neighborhood, developed in 1974, has an area of 792,700 m2, a population of 1361 inhabitants, and a sloping area covered with degraded pasture (Guaratingueta-Piagui Peak) located in front of the residential area. The residential area is located in a flat area near the Paraiba do Sul River, and has a poor drainage system with concrete pipes, mostly 0.60 m in diameter, with several openings that capture water and sediments from the adjacent sloping area. The Low Impact Development (LID system) appears to be a viable solution for this neighborhood drainage system. It can be concluded that the drainage system of the Guaratingueta Riverside I Neighborhood has all of the conditions and characteristics that make it suitable for the implementation of a low impact urban drainage system. Reforestation of Guaratingueta-Piagui Peak can reduce the basin's runoff by 50% and minimize flooding problems in the Beira Rio neighborhood.


The present study addresses the chemoprotective effects of xanthohumol (XN), a prenylated flavonoid found in the female inflorescences (hops) of the plant Humulus lupulus L., against the carcinogenic food contaminant aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The chemical reactions of XN and its derivatives (isoxanthohumol (IXN), 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), and 6-prenylnaringenin (6-PN)) with the AFB1 metabolite, aflatoxin B1 exo-8,9-epoxide (AFBO), were investigated in silico, by calculating activation free energies (ΔG‡) at the Hartree–Fock level of theory in combination with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set and two implicit solvation models. The chemoprotective effects of XN were investigated in vitro in the metabolically competent HepG2 cell line, analyzing its influence on AFB1-induced cytotoxicity using the MTS assay, genotoxicity using the comet and γH2AX assays, and cell cycle modulation using flow cytometry. Our results show that the ΔG‡ required for the reactions of XN and its derivatives with AFBO are comparable to the ΔG‡ required for the reaction of AFBO with guanine, indicating that XN, IXN, 8-PN, and 6-PN could act as scavengers of AFBO, preventing DNA adduct formation and DNA damage induction. This was also reflected in the results from the in vitro experiments, where a reduction in AFB1-induced cytotoxicity and DNA single-strand and double-strand breaks was observed in cells exposed to combinations of AFB1 and XN, highlighting the chemoprotective effects of this phytochemical.


Despite extensive efforts to diversify the US physician workforce and increases in both the number of US medical schools and number of students enrolled, there has been no difference in the matriculation and graduation of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Furthermore, advancement remains elusive for AI/AN US medical school faculty, which currently constitutes approximately 0.1% of all US medical school faculty and remains disproportionately underrepresented at the Associate and Full Professor ranks. The Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE) aims to address these worrisome trends by implementing innovative programs to support a meaningful journey toward recruiting, training, and supporting AI/AN youth, medical students and faculty. NNACoE has piloted three innovations: 1) Tribal Health Scholars, a 14-week clinical shadowing experience for AI/AN youth in their tribal clinic; 2) Wy'East Post-baccalaureate Pathway, a 9-month structured curriculum with conditional acceptance into Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine; and 3) Indigenous Faculty Forum, a longitudinal professional development conference for AI/AN medical school faculty to foster career advancement. NNACoE piloted all three programs in 2017 and is actively expanding efforts, while systematically evaluating all programs. Pilot results demonstrate that all Tribal Health Scholars are pursuing college and health science majors, 10 AI/AN Wy'East Post-Baccalaureate Scholars are enrolled to date, and 63 Indigenous medical school faculty are participating in professional development. More systematic evaluation of AI/AN-specific programming is needed to better illuminate how to successfully recruit, train and retain AI/ANs in the US physician workforce.


The hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) system was introduced to the Korean livestock slaughter and product processing business in 1997. Ice cream manufacturers focus on the sterilization process in order to reduce microorganism, so the HACCP-accredited ice cream manufacturers particularly set the sterilization process as critical control point (CCP). Therefore, the microbiological test results on the finished products can be considered as one of the indicators which show the level of microbiological control in the ice cream manufacturers. Accordingly, this study was carried out to examine if there is a meaningful difference in terms of the microbiological control level between the HACCP-accredited and non-accredited ice cream manufacturer groups by comparing aerobic plate count (APC) of ice creams. The mean of APC was 1.68 Log CFU/g in the HACCP-accredited ice cream manufacturer group and 2.59 Log CFU/g in the non-accredited ones respectively and there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The test results suggest that the level of microbiological control in the HACCP-accredited ice cream manufactures is much higher than that of non-accredited ones.


Antigenic and genomic relationships between five pairs of non-cytopathic and cytopathic bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) viruses isolated from cattle with mucosal disease were examined. Antigenic similarity was evaluated by studying the binding characteristics of 10 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against the gp53 BVD virus glycoprotein. The MAb binding match between members of the same virus pair ranged from 10/10 to 7/10. The genomic relationships was evaluated by studying the hybridization characteristics of two cDNA probes and six complementary 20 base oligomer probes with virus DNA, selected on the basis of conservation between published BVD virus sequences; cDNA probes were hybridized at two stringencies (60 degrees C and 45 degrees C). The match of hybridization results between members of the same virus pair ranged from 4/4 to 1/4 with the cDNA probes and from 6/6 to 3/6 with the oligomer probes. The results indicate that members of the same virus pair can differ at both the antigenic and genomic levels.


One of the biggest challenges that first-year design studio students experience in a traditional ideation process is when they have to face the blank page to begin drawing ideas after reading the brief instructions. It was in 2020, that as a teacher I looked for pedagogical alternatives that will generate a lower sense of frustration in students, that's why I started experimenting with an induction approach based on the essential features of biological models (Gebehuber & Drack, 2008), an interdisciplinary approach that allows combining design and biology methods with the purpose that students acquire an ability to recognize and understand structures of nature that facilitate the drawing of concepts and forms for their first sketches. All starts from some already existing biological solutions, from which a useful principle is extracted at any of its scales (cell, tissue, organ, system) with which Nature has managed to complete a task (Wiltschnig et al. 2013), and subsequently, a search process for a design problem is carried out to which this principle can be applied with accuracy. This drawing exercise was a valuable option, especially for the moment of virtual education in design that we experienced last year, managing to improve the ideation process that we carried out in class through the screen. I name this exercise bio-sketches, and it has the goal that students can refine structural patterns of nature through a cyclical process of drawing sketches. Later in 2021, already with greater experience and knowledge of the methodology, I wanted to enhance that purpose by developing an incremental iteration model with three stages where different levels of thought are developed, getting students to draw sketches with high levels of innovation. Based on some reference texts (Benyus, 1997; Arciszewski & Cornell, 2006; Nagel et al., 2018), the iterative abstraction process proposal is characterized in the following way: The first loop of iteration of bio-sketches has a low level of abstraction, where the drawings are elementary and are reduced to imitating the shape directly and superficially using reference images. In nature, it is found as an evolutionary strategy known as mimicry, which by copying some characteristics increases the chances of survival. It includes the study of categories from morphology in terms of the shape and geometry of living organisms. The second loop of iteration of bio-sketches has a medium level of abstraction, it studies the processes in context, as a state of changes in the physical environment in which a series of interrelating elements, in nature it is found as the biological principle of adaptation. It includes the study of categories of behavior in terms of response processes to stimuli. The third loop of iteration of bio-sketches has a high level of abstraction that seeks new knowledge from a deep understanding, to imitate the systems, principles, and strategies or patterns, which in nature is found as the biological principle of mutation. It includes the study of categories of physiology in terms of functions of living systems, subsystems, and their parts.


Inhibitors of the immune checkpoints PD-1 and PD-L1 have changed the standard of care and clinical outcome of patients with many cancer types. For example, patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were traditionally treated with chemotherapy with or without anti-angiogenic agents if their tumors did not carry actionable driver mutations. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors provided additional options, in both the first-line and second-line settings, for these patients with clinically significant, often durable responses and prolonged survival. Nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, has been approved for both advanced non-squamous and squamous NSCLC in the second-line setting, after it demonstrated superior overall survival to docetaxel in large randomized phase 3 trials (1,2). Pembrolizumab, another anti-PD-1 antibody, has been approved for previously treated, PD-L1 positive, advanced NSCLC (3). The same applies to atezolizumab, an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (4). In addition, pembrolizumab also received regulatory approval as first-line therapy for PD-L1 positive NSCLC (5). The combination of pembrolizumab and carboplatin/pemetrexed as first-line therapy for non-squamous NSCLC has also demonstrated superior response rate and progression-free survival to chemotherapy alone, and is approved for use in the US (6).


The implementation of renewable energy sources is rapidly growing in the electrical sector. This is a major step for civilization since it will reduce the carbon footprint and ensure a sustainable future. Nevertheless, these sources of energy are far from perfect and require complementary technologies to ensure dispatchable energy and this requires storage. In the last few decades, redox flow batteries (RFB) have been revealed to be an interesting alternative for this application, mainly due to their versatility and scalability. This technology has been the focus of intense research and great advances in the last decade. This review aims to summarize the most relevant advances achieved in the last few years, i.e., from 2015 until the middle of 2021. A synopsis of the different types of RFB technology will be conducted. Particular attention will be given to vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB), the most mature RFB technology, but also to the emerging most promising chemistries. An in-depth review will be performed regarding the main innovations, materials, and designs. The main drawbacks and future perspectives for this technology will also be addressed.


We examine the selection effects that determine how the population of inspiraling binary compact objects (BCOs) is reflected by those potentially observed with ground-based interferometers like LIGO. We lay the groundwork for the interpretation of future observations in terms of constraints on the real population and, correspondingly, binary star evolution models.To determine the extragalactic population of inspiraling binaries, we combine data on distance and blue luminosity from galaxy catalogs with current models of the Galactic BCO mass distribution to simulate the physical distribution of binaries in the nearby universe. We use Monte Carlo methods to determine the fraction of binaries observable by the LIGO detectors from each galaxy as a function of the BCO chirp mass. We examine separately the role of source distance, sky position, time of detection, and binary system chirp mass on the detection efficiency and selection effects relevant to the three LIGO detectors. Finally, we discuss the implications of the nearby geography of space on anticipated gravitational wave detection and compare our results to those of previous studies, which have assumed uniform galaxy volume density and fixed chirp mass for BCOs. From these considerations, actual BCO inspiral observations or significant upper limits on the coalescence rate anticipated in the near future by ground-based interferometers can be used to improve our knowledge of the Galactic binary inspiral rate and to constrain models of radio pulsar characteristics and binary star evolution channels leading to neutron star or black hole binaries.


This note addresses some aspects of the basic principles of environmental rights protection and ECtHR practice. In particular, it analyses the new directions for environmental rights protection that the ECtHR gave us in Tătar v Romania. Some inconsistency of the ECtHR is highlighted since the case-law of environmental principles
varies. Significant and important steps towards recognising the importance of procedural rights associated with public participation as this principle are indicated in international environmental law more generally. On the other hand, the Court's more recent forays into the territory of other environmental principles – particularly that of the precautionary principle – suggests that the Court is less eager to develop its extensive environmental case-law considering the principle of precaution.


Background Young adults who experience homelessness are exposed to environments that contribute to risk behavior. However, few studies have examined how access to housing may affect the health risk behaviors of young adults experiencing homelessness. Objective This paper describes the Log My Life study that uses an innovative, mixed-methods approach based on geographically explicit ecological momentary assessment (EMA) through cell phone technology to understand the risk environment of young adults who have either enrolled in housing programs or are currently homeless. Methods For the quantitative arm, study participants age 18-27 respond to momentary surveys via a smartphone app that collects geospatial information repeatedly during a 1-week period. Both EMAs (up to 8 per day) and daily diaries are prompted to explore within-day and daily variations in emotional affect, context, and health risk behavior, while also capturing infrequent risk behaviors such as sex in exchange for goods or services. For the qualitative arm, a purposive subsample of participants who indicated engaging in risky behaviors are asked to complete an in-depth qualitative interview using an interactive, personalized geospatial map rendering of EMA responses. Results Recruitment began in June of 2017. To date, 170 participants enrolled in the study. Compliance with EMA and daily diary surveys was generally high. In-depth qualitative follow-ups have been conducted with 15 participants. We expect to recruit 50 additional participants and complete analyses by September of 2019. Conclusions Mixing the quantitative and qualitative arms in this study will provide a more complete understanding of differences in risk environments between homeless and housed young adults. Furthermore, this approach can improve recall bias and enhance ecological validity. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/12112


ABSTRACT An analytical workflow including mass spectral library, generic sample preparation, chromatographic separation, and analysis by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was developed to gain insight into the occurrence of plant toxins, mycotoxins and phytoestrogens in plant-based food. This workflow was applied to 156 compounds including 90 plant toxins (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids, glycoalkaloids, isoquinoline alkaloids and aristolochic acids), 54 mycotoxins (including ergot alkaloids and Alternaria toxins) and 12 phytoestrogens (including isoflavones, lignans and coumestan) in plant-based protein ingredients, cereal and pseudo-cereal products. A mass spectral library was built based on fragmentation spectra collected at 10 different collision energies in both positive and negative ionisation modes for each toxin. Emphasis was put on a generic QuEChERS-like sample preparation followed by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography using alkaline mobile phase allowing the separation of more than 50 toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. HRMS acquisition comprised a full-scan event for toxins detection followed by data-dependent MS2 for toxin identification against mass spectrum. Method performance was evaluated using fortified samples in terms of sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility and recovery. All toxins were positively identified at levels ranging from 1 µg kg−1 to 100 µg kg−1. Quantitative results obtained by a standard addition approach met SANTE/12682/2019 criteria for 132 out of 156 toxins. Such a workflow using generic, sensitive and selective multi-residue method allows a better insight into the occurrence of regulated and non-regulated toxins in plant-based foods and to conduct safety evaluation and risk assessments when needed. Graphical Abstract


This paper presents a comparative study of the effects of calcium hydroxide based agents on consolidating a lean lime mortar. In the first part, it describes the properties and characteristics of CaLoSiL® – a new stone strengthener based on colloidal suspensions of lime nanoparticles in various solvents. It further summarizes the results of recent tests on the influence of applying nano-agents based on colloidal calcium hydroxide dispersed in ethanol or isopropyl alcohol (CaLoSiL®), and compares them with the effects of lime water and with a traditional barium hydroxide treatment. The tests were carried out on non-standard test specimens fabricated from a lean mortar (1:9) and developed specially for the purpose of testing the relatively low strengthening effects that are typical for lime water consolidation. The comparison presented in this paper is based on the mechanical characteristics of consolidated lime mortar.


High levels of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere are propelling climate change, which has been proven to be highly detrimental to the planet. Cement production for the construction industry is a leading cause of these harmful carbon emissions. This project introduces a potential solution to this issue in the form of a new biological concrete that is treated with carbon sequestering bacteria of the Bacillus family to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The consolidated research presented in this project will explain the biology behind this process, and how it can be implemented in construction to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Additionally, this paper will evaluate the feasibility of implementing CO2 sequestering concrete in construction on the basis of its strength and cost. Finally, new knowledge will be recorded in the form of interviews of industry professionals to clearly illustrate how carbon sequestering bio concrete could be implemented in construction.


: Important clinicopathologic problems of intracranial tumors are discussed. Special emphasis is given to the problem of herniation due to increased intracranial pressure. The more important neuroepithelial tumors are demonstrated in regard to the new WHO-classification and biologic and therapy related effects are discussed. Briefly mentioned are also meningeomas, neurinomas and metastases.


Six men had painful gynecomastia develop during or following the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Alternative causes of gynecomastia were not delineated in any patient. Sharp increases in levels of plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were noted in five patients. Plasma testosterone concentrations were within or above the normal range in all five patients in whom they were determined. In three patients, plasma estradiol concentrations were modestly increased. One patient was studied prospectively: painful gynecomastia developed at a time when plasma FSH and LH levels were elevated, serum testosterone was decreasing from supranormal to low-normal concentrations, and plasma estradiol was rising to high levels. Plasma prolactin levels were increased in one of four patients in whom they were measured. The mechanisms leading to gynecomastia following cytotoxic chemotherapy were not defined. Damage to germinal epithelium and Leydig cells as well as changes in the peripheral metabolism of testosterone and estrogen may be important. Gynecomastia may occur following cytotoxic chemotherapy and does not necessarily represent current or progressive cancer.


A cheap, easy-to-build, and effective resistively heated reactor for continuous flow synthesis at high temperature and pressure is herein presented. The reactor is rapidly heated directly using an electric current and is capable of rapidly delivering temperatures and pressures up to 400 °C and 200 bar, respectively. High-temperature and high-pressure applications of this reactor were safely performed and demonstrated by selected transformations such as esterifications, transesterifications, and direct carboxylic acid to nitrile reactions using supercritical ethanol, methanol, and acetonitrile. Reaction temperatures were between 300 and 400 °C with excellent conversions and good to excellent isolated product yields. Examples of Diels–Alder reactions were also carried out at temperatures up to 300 °C in high yield. No additives or catalysts were used in the reactions.


This book's purpose is to better prepare law students and lawyers for the practice of law by providing them with a firm foundation in legal reasoning, showing them how to apply legal reasoning skills to facts, and teaching them legal problem solving. I will do this by focusing explicitly on the different types of legal reasoning and the types of miniskills needed to develop the different types of legal reasoning.The chapters in this book will present the different types of legal reasoning, the miniskills that are related to the different types of legal reasoning, and how to use these miniskills in combination.

Chapter One discusses the five types of legal reasoning. Chapter Two will teach you how to be a critical and engaged reader and analyze cases, skills that are needed before you can learn the other miniskills in detail. Chapter Three concerns reasoning by analogy, which involves showing how your case is like a precedent case. Chapter Four examines rule-based reasoning, and how to apply rules to facts. Chapter Five involves synthesizing cases into rules, which is an important skill in establishing the law. Chapter Six investigates statutory interpretation. Chapter Seven brings the prior chapters together, by demonstrating how the different types of legal reasoning relate to the small-scale paradigm (how to organize a simple analysis). Chapter Eight fills in this paradigm by examining how to respond to opposing arguments and distinguish cases. Finally, Chapter Nine serves as a capstone to this book with its presentation of advanced problem solving and creative thinking. The appendices cover how the American legal system developed and canons of statutory construction.One of the purposes of this book is to allow law students to learn legal skills independently. I want students to be able to get immediate feedback on their learning. Consequently, I have put answers to the exercises at the end of each chapter.


Previous methods of making wormhole-routed meshes fault tolerant have been based on adding virtual channels to the networks. This paper proposes an alternative method, one based on the turn model for designing wormhole routing algorithms. The turn model produces routing algorithms that are deadlock free, very adaptive, minimal or nonminimal, and livelock free for direct networks--whether or not they contain virtual channels. This paper illustrates how to modify the routing algorithms produced by the turn model to handle dynamic faults. This paper first describes how to modify the negative-first routing algorithm, which the turn model produces for n-dimensional meshes without virtual channels, to make it one-fault tolerant. Simulations of the one-fault-tolerant routing algorithm and other minimal and nonminimal routing algorithms in a two-dimensional mesh indicate that misrouting increases communication latencies significantly at high throughputs. The conclusion is that misrouting should be used only for increasing the degree of fault tolerance, never for just increasing adaptiveness. Finally , the paper describes how to modify the negative-first routing algorithm to make it (n - 1)-fault tolerant for n-dimensional meshes without virtual channels.


A 58-year-old man was found to have an abnormal shadow on chest computed tomography (CT). The size and density of the nodule increased gradually over 7 years. Partial lung resection was performed by a thoracoscopic procedure. The pathological examination and gene analysis revealed that the tumor was primary pulmonary B-cell lymphoma of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma). The CT findings showed that the level of substantial shadow with air bronchograms gradually increased in the center of the mass shadow, while a radial filamentous and ground glass shadow increased in the periphery. The pathological findings showed a cellular lymphocytic infiltrate that had expanded without destroying the existing blood vessels and bronchi in the center area of the tumor, while had expanded in the interstitial area along with vessel bundles in the border area. The CT findings were consistent with the pathological findings.


-- This paper presents novel structures for optimization and communication of a swarm of mobile sensors or robots for maximizing local and global tasks such as firefighting, landmine detection, radioactivity detection, etc. The navigation of the sensors is carried out using two strategies. The first strategy is based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and the second strategy is based on a swarm of fuzzy logic based controllers. In addition, the membership functions and the rules of the Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) are optimized using the PSO algorithm. Navigation of mobile sensors is considered in this paper to locate desirable target sources in a given sensing area. Both approaches presented do not depend on the number of target sources. Results are provided for target locations based on a PSO, a swarm of fuzzy logic controllers and a swarm of optimized fuzzy logic controllers.


Multiplicative noise causes smearing of spectral lines and thus hampers frequency estimation relying on conventional spectral analysis. In contrast, cyclic mean and correlation statistics have proved to be useful for harmonic retrieval in the presence of multiplicative and additive noise of arbitrary color and distribution. Performance analysis of cyclic estimators is carried through both for nonzero and zero mean multiplicative noises. Cyclic estimators are shown to be asymptotically equivalent to certain nonlinear least squares estimators, and are also compared with the maximum likelihood ones. Large sample variance expressions of the cyclic estimators are derived and compared with the corresponding Cramer-Rao bounds when the noises are white Gaussian. It is demonstrated that previously well established results on constant amplitude harmonics are special cases of the present analysis. Simulations not only validate the large sample performance analysis, but also provide concrete examples regarding relative statistical efficiency of the cyclic estimators. >


Neosartorya fischeri β-glucosidase (NfBGL595) is distinguished from other BGLs by its high turnover for p-nitrophenyl β-D-glucopyranoside (pNPG) and flavones. The role of non-conserved amino acids in the glycone-binding pocket of NfBGL595 was studied using sequence alignment and homology modeling, followed by site-directed mutagenesis. Nine amino acids (Y223, I224, I225, V283, L284, N285, M359, H361, and V428) were identified as variable residues around the active site residues, E221 and E430, and selected for mutagenesis. Mutation of the residues to Ala resulted in a drastic alteration in the kcat and Km values when compared to the wild type NfBGL595. Among these nine residues, mutation of N285 to Ala resulted in a complete loss of activity toward pNPG and flavonoid glucosides. Further mutation, structural, and docking analyses revealed that residue N285 is crucial in maintaining the pKa and polarity around E221, which is surrounded by non-polar residues. This study suggests the importance of the pKa and microenvironment around the active site pocket for BGL catalysis.


The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of former high school dropouts who have completed their high school credential through an adult education program and are enrolled in a postsecondary program of study at a technical college, community college, or four-year university in a state located in the southern United States. The two guiding theories of this study were the theory of multiple intelligences as it related to learning and student engagement, and transformative learning theory as it related to the participants' changed perspective regarding their own learning. The research questions of the study were: (a) how do former high school dropouts describe the experience of reengaging with learning; (b) how do participants describe the experience of becoming disengaged from learning in a K-12 educational setting to becoming reengaged with learning in a postsecondary setting; (c) what experiences do participants describe that led them to pursue postsecondary education; (d) and what experiences do participants describe as leading them to successful reengagement with learning? The primary source of data consisted of semi-structured, open-ended interviews conducted with individuals and focus groups. After data analysis, which utilized Moustakas' (1994) approach to transcendental phenomenology, emerging themes developed. Those themes were: (a) the learner, describing the learning characteristics of the participants, (b) the system, recognizing key features of K-12 and postsecondary educational systems, (c) the perspective, highlighting the participants' changed meaning perspectives, (d) the path, emphasizing the participants' plans to continue their academic pursuits despite dropping out from high school, and (e) the lagniappe, outlining two bonus themes unassociated with the previous four themes.


Efficient Learning Equilibrium (ELE) is a natural solution concept for multi-agent encounters with incomplete information. It requires the learning algorithms themselves to be in equilibrium for any game selected from a set of (initially unknown) games. In an optimal ELE, the learning algorithms would efficiently obtain the surplus the agents would obtain in an optimal Nash equilibrium of the initially unknown game which is played. The crucial part is that in an ELE deviations from the learning algorithms would become non-beneficial after polynomial time, although the game played is initially unknown. While appealing conceptually, the main challenge for establishing learning algorithms based on this concept is to isolate general classes of games where an ELE exists. Unfortunately, it has been shown that while an ELE exists for the setting in which each agent can observe all other agents' actions and payoffs, an ELE does not exist in general when the other agents' payoffs cannot be observed. In this paper we provide the first positive results on this problem, constructively proving the existence of an optimal ELE for the class of symmetric games where an agent can not observe other


Adversarial training is the industry standard for producing models that are robust to small adversarial perturbations. However, machine learning practitioners need models that are robust to other kinds of changes that occur naturally, such as changes in the style or illumination of input images. Such changes in input distribution have been effectively modeled as shifts in the mean and variance of deep image features. We adapt adversarial training by directly perturbing feature statistics, rather than image pixels, to produce models that are robust to various unseen distributional shifts. We explore the relationship between these perturbations and distributional shifts by visualizing adversarial features. Our proposed method, Adversarial Batch Normalization (AdvBN), is a single network layer that generates worst-case feature perturbations during training. By fine-tuning neural networks on adversarial feature distributions, we observe improved robustness of networks to various unseen distributional shifts, including style variations and image corruptions. In addition, we show that our proposed adversarial feature perturbation can be complementary to existing image space data augmentation methods, leading to improved performance. The source code and pre-trained models are released at https://github.com/azshue/AdvBN.


Starting on the eleventh day the decidua capsularis and trophoblastic giant cell layer disappear from the ends of the conceptus towards the middle. The disappearance is complete antimesometrially on the eighteenth day, but lateral remnants are still present on the nineteenth day. New uterine lumen never intervenes between undegenerate decidua capsularis and the uterine stroma. Reichert's membrane is intact on the sixteenth day, but has ruptured on the seventeenth. It is suggested that its apparently earlier disappearance in histological material is an artefact reflecting the weakening that leads to its rupture.


Background: Bromodomain-containing protein 4 binds acetylated promoter histones and promotes transcription; however, the role of bromodomain-containing protein 4 in inflammatory hyperalgesia remains unclear. Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats received hind paw injections of complete Freund's adjuvant to induce hyperalgesia. The dorsal root ganglia were examined to detect changes in bromodomain-containing protein 4 expression and the activation of genes involved in the expression of voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7, which is a key pain-related ion channel. Results: The intraplantar complete Freund's adjuvant injections resulted in thermal hyperalgesia (4.0 ± 1.5 s; n = 7). The immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting results demonstrated an increase in the bromodomain-containing protein 4–expressing dorsal root ganglia neurons (3.78 ± 0.38 fold; n = 7) and bromodomain-containing protein 4 protein levels (2.62 ± 0.39 fold; n = 6). After the complete Freund's adjuvant injection, histone H3 protein acetylation was enhanced in the voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 promoter, and cyclin-dependent kinase 9 and phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II were recruited to this area. Furthermore, the voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7–mediated currents were enhanced in neurons of the complete Freund's adjuvant rats (55 ± 11 vs. 19 ± 9 pA/pF; n = 4 to 6 neurons). Using bromodomain-containing protein 4–targeted antisense small interfering RNA to the complete Freund's adjuvant–treated rats, the authors demonstrated a reduction in the expression of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (0.68 ± 0.16 fold; n = 7), a reduction in thermal hyperalgesia (7.5 ± 1.5 s; n = 7), and a reduction in the increased voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 currents (21 ± 4 pA/pF; n = 4 to 6 neurons). Conclusions: Complete Freund's adjuvant triggers enhanced bromodomain-containing protein 4 expression, ultimately leading to the enhanced excitability of nociceptive neurons and thermal hyperalgesia. This effect is likely mediated by the enhanced expression of voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7.


In this paper we compare a set of different standard GARCH models with a group of Markov Regime-Switching GARCH (MRS-GARCH) in terms of their ability to forecast the US stock market volatility at horizons that range from one day to one month. To take into account the excessive persistence usually found in GARCH models that implies too smooth and too high volatility forecasts, in the MRS-GARCH models all parameters switch between a low and a high volatility regime. Both gaussian and fat-tailed conditional distributions for the residuals are assumed, and the degrees of freedom can also be state-dependent to capture possible time-varying kurtosis. The forecasting performances of the competing models are evaluated both with statistical and risk-management loss functions. Under statistical losses, we use both tests of equal predictive ability of the Diebold-Mariano-type and test of superior predictive ability. Under risk-management losses, we use a two-step selection procedure where we first check which models pass the tests of correct unconditional or conditional coverage and then we compare the best models under two subjective VaR-based loss functions. The empirical analysis demonstrates that MRS-GARCH models do really outperform all standard GARCH models in forecasting volatility at horizons shorter than one week under both statistical and VaR-based risk-management loss functions. In particular, all tests reject the presence of a better model than the MRS-GARCH with normal innovations. However, at forecast horizons longer than one week, standard asymmetric GARCH models tend to be superior.


This study investigated the effects of heat stress on the survival, mobility, acclimation ability, development, reproduction and feeding behaviour of the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens. The critical information derived from the heat tolerance studies indicate that some first instar nymphs become immobilized by heat stress at around 30°C and among the more heat tolerant adult stage, no insects were capable of coordinated movement at 38°C. There was no recovery after entry into heat coma, at temperatures around 38°C for nymphs and 42-43°C for adults. At 41.8° and 42.5oC respectively, approximately 50% of nymphs and adults are killed. In a comparison of the acclimation responses between nymphs and adults reared at 23°C and acclimated at either 15 or 30°C, the data indicate that increases in cold tolerance were greater than heat tolerance, and that acclimation over a generation compared with a single life stage increases tolerance across the thermal spectrum.

The temperatures that kill around 50% of nymphs and adults also exert negative effects on development and longevity. The same exposures also lower fecundity and extend egg development time through a combination of mating groups, in which the greatest effects occur when both males and females have experienced sub-lethal heat stress. Likewise, exposure to their ULT50 reduced feeding activity in both life stages of N. lugens. The amount of honeydew excreted by females and males in the treated nymph and adult groups were 3-4x and 2-3x lower than in the equivalent control groups. Overall, sub-lethal heat stress extended egg development time, inhibited nymphal development, lowered fecundity and reduced feeding activity.


Context: 5α-Reductase (5αR) types 1 and 2 catalyze the A-ring reduction of steroids, including androgens and glucocorticoids. 5α-R inhibitors lower dihydrotestosterone in benign prostatic hyperplasia; finasteride inhibits 5αR2, and dutasteride inhibits both 5αR2 and 5αR1. In rodents, loss of 5αR1 promotes fatty liver. Objective: Our objective was to test the hypothesis that inhibition of 5αR1 causes metabolic dysfunction in humans. Design, Setting, and Participants: This double-blind randomized controlled parallel group study at a clinical research facility included 46 men (20–85 years) studied before and after intervention. Intervention: Oral dutasteride (0.5 mg daily; n = 16), finasteride (5 mg daily; n = 16), or control (tamsulosin; 0.4 mg daily; n = 14) was administered for 3 months. Main Outcome Measure: Glucose disposal was measured during a stepwise hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Data are mean (SEM). Results: Dutasteride and finasteride had similar effects on steroid profiles, with reduced urinary androgen and glucocorticoid metabolites and reduced circulating DHT but no change in plasma or salivary cortisol. Dutasteride, but not finasteride, reduced stimulation of glucose disposal by high-dose insulin (dutasteride by −5.7 [3.2] μmol/kg fat-free mass/min, versus finasteride +7.2 [3.0], and tamsulosin +7.0 [2.0]). Dutasteride also reduced suppression of nonesterified fatty acids by insulin and increased body fat (by 1.6% [0.6%]). Glucose production and glycerol turnover were unchanged. Consistent with metabolic effects of dutasteride being mediated in peripheral tissues, mRNA for 5αR1 but not 5αR2 was detected in human adipose tissue. Conclusion: Dual inhibition of 5αRs, but not inhibition of 5αR2 alone, modulates insulin sensitivity in human peripheral tissues rather than liver. This may have important implications for patients prescribed dutasteride for prostatic disease.


Abstract Background: Since homocysteine (Hcy) is a risk factor for cardiovascular and other diseases, it is important to know how exercise can modify it. Previous studies have suggested that endurance training influences Hcy. However, little is known about the effect of training intensity on Hcy. Materials and Methods: We investigated Hcy, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folate and methylmalonic acid (MMA) before and after 3 weeks of volume-oriented training (VOL) (30 km/week) and high-intensity interval training (HIT) (20 km/week) in 20 young swimmers (16±2 years). Afterward, the athletes completed 5 days of recovery training. Results: The training induced a Hcy increase in HIT and VOL (6.47±0.95 μmol/l vs. 7.44±1.17 μmol/l and 7.33± 1.92 μmol/l vs. 8.28±1.42 μmol/l, respectively) that persisted during the recovery period (8.02±1.69 μmol/and 8.00±1.81 μmol/l, respectively). Vitamin B12 was unchanged after the training (539±166 ng/l vs. 556±192 ng/l and 480±144 ng/l vs. 491±124 ng/l, respectively) but decreased during the recovery period (459±134 ng/l and 451±116 ng/l, respectively). Folate showed an increase during the training (9.07±2.01 μg/vs. 11.71±4.08 μg/l and 10.34±2.32 μg/l vs. 11.13± 4.64 μg/l, respectively), which was reversible by the end of the recovery training (8.57±1.98 μg/l and 9.60±2.38 μg/l, respectively). Vitamin B6 and MMA did not change. For none of the measured parameters were there significant differences between HIT and VOL. Conclusion: Three weeks of strenuous swimming caused a prolonged Hcy increase, which was accompanied by changes in vitamin B12 and folate. The magnitude of these effects was not influenced by the training intensity.


The aim of this paper is to situate the notion of reification as a neutral foundation for the three spheres of recognition. Reification, as a negative concept, allows the possibility of recognition to take place in Axel Honneth's three spheres of recognition; namely, love, law, and esteem. My argument is that the givenness of these positive aspects of recognition is made possible by the existence of necessary reifications to which pathologies allow a certain form of intersubjective realisations. This form brings about the possibility of an "otherwise" situation. Drawing from the intersubjective theory of recognition in Georg Hegel's and Martin Heidegger's instrumentalist hermeneutics (i.e., Vorhandenheit) of authenticity, I aim to pursue the necessary qualification to which reification is to be considered as a neutral ground for normativity to germinate. My contention is that the neutral state of reification is made possible when it is seen as a productive discourse situation in which recognition becomes possible.


Purpose: To study the effect of time varying/ pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on bio-logical systems by measuring regrowth and the induction of elevated levels of the stress protein hsp70 in the regenerative model Planaria Duge-sia dorotocethala. Objective: The outcomes of studies using electromagnetic fields (EMF) are dependent on pulse design, field strength (mG), frequency (Hz), duration and magnetic field/rise time (dB/ dt). Standardization of effective pulse design is necessary to avoid continuing confu-sion in the investigation of pulsing electro-magnetic field (PEMF) technology. Information from studies on hsp70 protein induction and regrowth in transected Planaria provides in-formation on EMF efficacy for potential clinical application in the treatment of ischemia reper-fusion injury and the eventual inclusion of EMF prophylaxis prior to surgery. Materials and methods: Planaria were transected equidistant between the tip of the head and the tip of the tail. Individual head and tail portions from the same worm were placed in pond water and exposed to 8, 16 or 72 Hertz PEMF for one hour daily post transection under carefully controlled exposure conditions. Regrowth of heads and tails was measured in PEMF-exposed and sham control. Protein lysates from PEMF-exposed and sham control transected heads and tails were ana-lyzed for hsp70 levels by Wes¥tern blot analy-ses. Conclusion: The degree of regrowth and hsp70 levels in transected heads and tails ex-posed to nanosecond PEMF exposures at 8, 16 or 72 Hz was frequency dependent. There are currently several views on the interaction mechanism involved in regrowth. Here we dis-cuss two: in one [7,8] we propose a direct effect on the DNA of the PEMF consensus sequence, nCTCTn, referred to as electromagnetic field response elements (EMRE) in the promoter re-gion of the stress response gene HSP70. In the second mechanism [28] it is proposed that EMF induce vibrations of proteins through a series of quantized low frequency phonon signals.


Biometrics have been widely adopted for enhancing user authentication, beneting usability by exploiting pervasive and collectible unique characteristics from physiological or behavioral traits of human. However, successful attacks on "static" biometrics such as ngerprints have been reported where an adversary acquires users' biometrics stealthily and compromises non-resilient biometrics. To mitigate the vulnerabilities of static biometrics, we leverage the unique and nonlinear hand-surface vibration response and design a system called V to defend against various attacks including replay and synthesis. The V system relies on two major properties in hand-surface vibration responses: uniqueness, contributed by physiological characteristics of human hands, and nonlinearity, whose complexity prevents attackers from predicting the response to an unseen challenge. V employs a challengeresponse protocol. By changing the vibration challenge, the system elicits input-dependent nonlinear "symptoms" and unique spectrotemporal features in the vibration response, stopping both replay and synthesis attacks. Also, a large number of disposable challengeresponse pairs can be collected during enrollment passively for daily authentication sessions. We build a prototype of V with an o-the-shelf vibration speaker and accelerometers to verify its usability and security through a comprehensive user experiment. Our results show that V demonstrates both strong security and long-term consistency with a low equal error rate (EER) of 5.8% against impersonation attack while correctly rejecting all other attacks including replay and synthesis attacks using a very short vibration challenge.


The detection of GeV γ-ray emission from Galactic novae by Fermi -LAT has become routine since 2010, and is generally associated with shocks internal to the nova ejecta. These shocks are also expected to heat plasma to ∼ 10 K, resulting in detectable X-ray emission. In this paper, we investigate 13 γ-ray emitting novae observed with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, searching for 1–10 keV X-ray emission concurrent with γ-ray detections. We also analyze γ-ray observations of novae V407 Lup (2016) and V357 Mus (2018). We find that most novae do eventually show X-ray evidence of hot shocked plasma, but not until the γ-rays have faded below detectability. We suggest that the delayed rise of the Xray emission is due to large absorbing columns and/or X-ray suppression by corrugated shock fronts. The only nova in our sample with a concurrent X-ray/γ-ray detection is also the only embedded nova (V407 Cyg). This exception supports a scenario where novae with giant companions produce shocks with external circumbinary material and are characterized by lower density environments, in comparison with novae with dwarf companions where shocks occur internal to the dense ejecta.


Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in Western societies. Over the past decade, interest in a better understanding of gender differences in cardiovascular disease has heightened. Concomitantly, the use of hormone therapy for cardiovascular risk reduction in postmenopausal women has come into question in light of recent landmark clinical studies casting doubt on the benefits of this therapy. As a consequence, alternatives to conventional hormone replacement, including selective estrogen receptor modulators and phytoestrogens, have attracted considerable attention. The authors provide an up-to-date review of the clinical actions of selective estrogen receptor modulators on cardiovascular disease. The actions of tamoxifen, raloxifene, droloxifene, and soy phytoestrogens are discussed in the context of cardiovascular disease epidemiology, coronary events, clinical markers of cardiovascular risk, and vascular function. In addition, the authors' current understanding of the mechanism of action of these agents is discussed and recommendations for clinical practice are reviewed.


The water resource,energy and economy aspects of rainwater collection are assessed to evaluate rainfall collection as an alternative option for sustainable water supply in Denmark. A maximum of 229 million m 3 /year of rainwater can be collected from Danish roofs, provided that all possible surfaces are used and all rain falling on the surfaces is collected.This is equivalent to 24% of the total present production of drinking water, which is mainly based on groundwater. From household roofs 64.5 million m 3 /year can be collected if used for toilet flushing and washing of clothes.This is 68% of the actual demand for toilet flushing and washing of clothes in households and 22% of the total water consumption in households, but only 7% of the total present drinking water production in Denmark. From the society point of view there is neither an environmental nor an economic reason to systematically promote rainfall collection on a larger scale in Denmark. Thus it is important to see rainfall collection in a local context, and in each case to evaluate whether there are cheaper alternative water sources or options for reducing the water consumption.


The tree order power spectra of primordial inflation depend upon the norm-squared of mode functions which oscillate for early times and then freeze in to constant values. We derive simple differential equations for the power spectra, that avoid the need to numerically simulate the physically irrelevant phases of the mode functions. We also derive asymptotic expansions which should be valid until a few e-foldings before first horizon crossing, thereby avoiding the need to evolve mode functions from the ultraviolet over long periods of inflation.


This paper examines two issues associated with the impact of migration on household income and poverty. First, existing studies have typically overlooked a feature of migration that should be taken into account in estimating its impact, namely the fact that migration changes the size of the household. The 'corrected' impact that does take the change in household size into account is presented analytically and is estimated on the basis of data from Ghana's GLSS household survey. The corrected impact is shown to be three to five times larger for income and two to three times larger for poverty than is obtained from standard analysis. Second, existing studies examine migration's impact on the poverty of the entire sample. However, some policy questions require measures of the impact on the poverty of the migrant households themselves. The latter is shown to be twenty times larger for international migration and two to three times larger for internal migration, compared to the impact for the entire sample. It is further shown that these results hold whether the poverty measures are corrected for the change in household size.


A model-dependent amplitude analysis of B ± → DK ± with D → K 0S π + π − decays is performed using proton–proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1 fb − 1 , recorded by LHCb at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV in 2011. Values of the CP violation observables x ± and y ± , which are sensitive to the CKM angle γ , are measured to be where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third arises from the uncertainty of the D → K 0S π + π − amplitude model. The value of γ is determined to be ( 84 + 49 − 42 ) ◦ , including all sources of uncertainty. Neutral D meson mixing is found to have negligible effect.