BACKGROUND
Atypical melanocytic nevi and cutaneous melanoma are often marked by variation in color. However, there are examples of "benign" explanations for irregularities in pigmentation, such as perifollicular hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to correlate the clinical and histologic features of 3 unusual melanocytic nevi consisting exclusively of multiple, tiny, dark brown to black dots on a skin-colored background, which we have termed pointillist nevi.

METHODS
Histologic examination was performed of the single pointillist nevus from each of 3 patients (all women; aged 28, 39, and 47 years).

RESULTS
The diameters of the pointillist nevi were 2, 3.5, and 5.5 mm. Individual dots were approximately 0.1-0.25 mm. Each of the 3 nevi showed a different histologic correlate for the dots, either (1) discrete, densely pigmented, junctional melanocytic nests; (2) isolated dermal pigmented melanocytic nests; or (3) discrete clusters of melanophages in the papillary dermis.

CONCLUSION
Pointillist nevi are benign melanocytic nevi with histologic correlates similar to those of the "brown globules" observed by dermoscopy in uniformly pigmented nevi. However, the dots seen in pointillist nevi can be visualized without magnification. The clinical and histologic features of pointillist nevi add to the spectrum of unusual patterns of pigmentation that may be encountered in benign melanocytic lesions.


Use of the conventional cancer chemotherapy (i.e. vincristine) is limited in tumor cells exhibiting pre-existing or acquired resistance. Here, we found that C6 ceramide (C6) dramatically sensitized vincristine's activity. In vitro, C6 and vincristine coadministration induced substantial necrosis and apoptosis in multiple human cancer cell lines, which were accompanied by a profound AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, subsequent p53 activation, mTORC1 inactivation and Bcl-2/HIF-1α downregulation. Such synergistic effects were attenuated by AMPK inactivation through genetic mutation or short hairpin RNA silencing. Coadministration-activated p53 translocated to mitochondria, and formed a complex with cyclophilin-D, leading to mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and cell necrosis. Disrupting p53–Cyp-D complexation through pharmacological or genetic means reduced costimulation-induced cytotoxicity. In vivo, a liposomal C6 was synthesized, which dramatically enhanced the antiproliferative activity of vincristine on HCT-116 or A2780 xenografts. Together, C6 sensitizes vincristine-induced anticancer activity in vivo and in vitro, involving activating AMPK–p53 signaling.


To avoid bacterial contamination due to medium replacement in the expanded application of a photosynthesis–fermentation model, an integrated photosynthesis-fermentation hybrid system was set up and evaluated for algal lipid production using Chlorella protothecoides. In this system, the CO2-rich off-gas from the fermentation process was recycled to agitate medium in the photobioreactor, which could provide initial cells for the heterotrophic fermentation. The cell concentration reached 1.03±0.07 g/L during photoautotrophic growth and then the concentrated green cells were switched to heterotrophic fermentation after removing over 99.5% of nitrogen in the medium by a nitrogen removal device. At the end of fermentation in the system, the cell concentration could reach as high as 100.51±2.03 g/L, and 60.05±1.38% lipid content was achieved simultaneously. The lipid yield (60.36±2.63 g/L) in the hybrid system was over 700 times higher than that in a photobioreactor and exceeded that by fermentation alone (47.56±7.31 g/L). The developed photosynthesis-fermentation hybrid system in this study was not only a feasible option to enhance microalgal lipid production, but also an environment-friendly approach to produce biofuel feedstock through concurrent utilization of ammonia nitrogen, CO2, and organic carbons.


Study on the Human Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis ( T.canis ) Antibody titre using ELISA Technique was conducted in Six Hospitals of Adamawa State Nigeria, between the months of January to June 2018. Five hundred and sixty four (564) samples were collected using non randomised sampling technique. Statistical analyses were carried out using Statistix 9.1 and the results obtained from the study revealed an overall Seroprevalence rate of 63.65%. Age range 21 to 30 years indicated that 7.45% Males and 13.65% Females were positive, with age showing no any significant correlation to Anti-Toxocara Antibody titre. Also results based on Sex revealed that 215 (38.12%) Females and 144 (25.53%) Males reacted positive with Sex having no significant correlation to Anti-Toxocara Antibody titre. Seroprevalence results based on Religion and Dog ownership indicated that 167(29.61%) Christians and 97(17.21%) Moslems were positive with Religion showing a negative correlation. Owners of dogs accounted for 58(10.28%) of the samples analysed, with dog ownership showing a negative correlation. Seropositivity base on Socioeconomic Status, reveals that Housewives had 141(25.01%) while under care (children under one year) had 23(4.08%) with socioeconomic status showing an association with Anti-Toxocara Antibody titre. Results on Tribes reveals that Fulani's had 67(11.85%), Yalla accounted for 1(0.18%) with Tribe showing a weak significance difference to Anti- Toxocara Antibody titre. In conclusion the study showed that there is a very high Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis Antibody titre amongst the studied population. Therefore it is recommended that Anti-Toxocara Antibody screening be included into routine medical diagnosis to also cover private medical outfits. It is also recommended that further studies on molecular diagnosis be carried out to ascertain the gene markers responsible for the pathology caused to the host by ( T.canis ). Keywords: Antibody, Seroprevalence, Religion, Tribe, Adamawa, pork, Toxocara canis and Seropositivity DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-10-06 Publication date :May 31 st 2019


This paper investigates the ultimate accuracy of the NAND flash program algorithm that is determined by the statistical injection of electrons from the substrate to the floating gate. The granular nature of the electron flow during a constant-current Fowler-Nordheim program operation is shown to spread the programmed threshold-voltage distribution of the array cells. The electron injection statistics displays a Poissonian behavior for low amounts of transferred charge, but a sub-Poissonian character becomes clearly evident when large charge packets are stored. This effect is expected from the reduction of the tunnel oxide field that follows each electron storage event into the floating gate, establishing a correlation among such events. Finally, the impact of the electron injection statistical spread on the accuracy of the NAND flash program algorithm is investigated as a function of the technology node feature size, drawing projections on future NAND technologies.


Power systems that are known as the most complex systems encounter different types of disturbances and emergence events. To operate such systems in a stable mode, several control protection techniques are in need. Frequency plays a vital role in power systems and needs to be properly maintained in a permissible level. To this end, under-frequency load-shedding (UFLS) techniques are used to intercept the frequency decline when a system encounters a severe disturbance. In this paper, a novel, wide-area measurement system (WAMS)-based optimal UFLS technique is proposed. The system frequency response (SFR) model is identified online based on the real-time measurements collected by phasor measurement units (PMUs). Then, the SFR model is used to design a new optimal multi-stage UFLS scheme. Imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA), which is a powerful evolutionary computing method, is then adopted for solving the suggested multi-stage UFLS optimization problem. The applicability of the proposed method is shown on a practical test system. The effectiveness of the proposed optimal multi-stage UFLS scheme is verified by several simulation and comparison scenarios.


At present, the air freight rate does not match with the current competitive environment, and the revenue level of air freight is not ideal. How to improve the level of income management and balance the relationship between quantity and price has become an urgent problem for China's air freight. In this context, this paper constructs an air freight pricing model based on revenue management. We review the application models of the air freight, and select the parameters for pricing model. Then the pricing model is constructed based on the revenue management and the status quo of China's air freight industry. Finally, the model is tested by simulation analysis. This paper aims to provide a scientific and reasonable decision-making reference for air freight pricing through the improvement of pricing model.


In our discussion this morning we will deal with certain neurologic conditions of childhood. Such conditions differ from those in adults in that they affect a more or less rapidly developing complex organ. You need only be reminded of the rapid increase in brain weight and of the functional maturation attending and continuing after this weight gain to realize this fact. Our various developmental and intellectual examinations are attempts at measuring the latter.
 The results of disease processes may show themselves by disturbing in various ways tissues already functionally active, as for instance by suppressing respiration in the newborn, or they may injure tissue not yet mature in which case they tend to distort or suppress development. As Dr. Crothers has long maintained, recovery from acute cerebral insults in infancy and childhood differs from recovery in adult life. In the latter, approximate return to the status quo ante is a satisfactory result. If, however, a 3 year old regains his attributes as a 3 year old and then fails to continue to develop he will be feebleminded at 6. Neurologic recovery in childhood therefore requires the resumption of orderly development, and can often not be determined for a period of years after an insult.
 This is not the place to attempt an etiologic catalogue of cerebral disease in childhood. Suffice it to remind you that prenatal, natal and postnatal periods of life each has its own special developmental hazards. Because these affect the developing nervous system they tend in many instances to produce rather widespread changes resulting in the functional disabilities which we label mental retardation, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.


Currently, Malaysia like other Asian countries has experienced rapid expansion of urbanization due to economic development, industrialization, massive migrations as well as natural population growth. This expansion particularly unplanned consumed a huge amount of arable land in the urban milieu and in its surrounding areas. This paper aims to measure arable land loss due to massive urbanization in Balik Pulau region of Penang State, Malaysia. Landsat TM (Thematic Mapper) images of 1992 and 2002 at the resolution of 30 m and Landsat ETM (Enhanced Thematic Mapper) 2010 have been used to measure the rate of urban expansion and its impact on agricultural land. The integration of Remote Sensing and Geographical information system GIS were used to quantify the conversion of arable land to built-up areas in Penang State. The result reveals that built-up areas have expanded rapidly during the last four decades at the expense of agricultural land in Balik Pulau Region. Built-up areas had increased from 1793.22 ha in 1992 to 3235.38 ha in 2002, while agricultural areas decreased from 6171.32 to 4727.83 ha during the same period. The expansion of Built-up area is directed towards low-lying areas with less topographical barrier causing heavy loss in productive land and environmental degradation. In order to safeguard the environment and maintain arable land, urbanization should be controlled and rationalized through legislative measures, wise policy and public awareness. More attention should be given to the areas that have witnessed massive urbanization and coordination between various sectors involved in development is a must.


Infrastructure crises are not only technical problems for engineers to solve—they also present social, ecological, financial, and political challenges. Addressing infrastructure problems thus requires a robust planning process that includes examination of the social and ecological systems supporting infrastructure, alongside technical systems. An integrative Social, Ecological, and Technological Systems (SETS) analysis of infrastructure solutions can complement the planning process by revealing potential trade-offs that are often overlooked in standard procedures. We explore the interconnected SETS of the infrastructure problem in the US through comparative case studies of green infrastructure (GI) development in Portland and Baltimore. Currently a popular infrastructure solution to a wide variety of urban ills, GI is the use and mimicry of ecological components (e.g., plants) to perform municipal services (e.g., stormwater management). We develop the ecological-technological spectrum—or 'eco-techno spectrum'—as a framing tool to bridge all three SETS dimensions. The eco-techno spectrum becomes a platform to explore the institutional knowledge system dynamics of GI development where social dimensions are organized across ecological and technological aspects of GI, exposing how governance differs across specific forms of ecological and technological hybridity. In this study, we highlight the knowledge system challenges of urban planning institutions as a key consideration in the realization of innovative infrastructure crisis 'fixes.' Disconnected definition and measurement of GI emerge as two distinct challenges across the knowledge systems examined. By revealing and discussing these challenges, we can begin to recognize—and better plan for—gaps in municipal planning knowledge systems, promoting decisions that address the roots of infrastructure crises rather than treating only their symptoms.


G212 highway is a primary route from Gansu to Sichuan province. Landslides and debris flows along G212 highway often occurred in Longnan region of Gansu province. According to finite element method of saturated-unsaturated seepage, variation of pore water pressure of saturated-unsaturated slope under transient seepage field was simulated in the cases of rainfall and groundwater and safe factor of the slope stability was obtained, based on Fredlund's strength theory of unsaturated soil and Bishop's method. As an example of the Qinyu west landslide, the drainage, guarding face wall and frame structure with pre-stress anchor rod were very effective and feasible for the landslide treatment measures.


Cancer becomes a global disease and there is no proper treatment of cancer. Natural Products plays important role in the drug discovery of cancer. The plants Tinospora cordifolia (common name guloy) have been investigated by various in vitro. However, detailed investigations on anticancer properties of the selected medicinal plants are unknown. In this direction, we have studied the detailed anticancer activities of Tinospora cordifolia in cancer cells (A349, PC3, Cervical Cancer) using a cell proliferation assay and the ethanolic extract of plant showed potent inhibition against cancer cells (A549, Hela and PC3) compare to aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia.


The adsorption process and the resulting dynamic surface tension in the context of protein foams were studied. A diffusion-advection equation is solved using a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) in order to simulate the adsorption of surfactants on a surface. With different adsorption isotherms, different surfactants can be modelled. The advection is driven by a flow field coming from the LBM. The phase transition is implemented with a free surface LBM approach where the liquid-gas two-phase flow is simplified to a single-phase free surface flow by using a volume of fluid approach. Looking at the different time scales for diffusion and advection, which are determined by the diffusion coefficient and the viscosity, respectively, the LBM is limited due to time and space resolution. The rates of protein transport to a surface by diffusion and by advection are investigated which indicate that diffusion is only relevant for modelling long-time studies. For those time ranges and low concentrations, the diffusion of proteins from a bulk to a surface of a droplet is simulated and compared with the literature. As a next step, situations as in protein foams are assumed. High concentrations of proteins, e.g. as in milk, result in a simplified scenario where neither diffusion nor advection is important. This is analysed theoretically which suggests an instantaneous change of surface tension. To examine the stability of foam lamellae, this is used for further simulations. Two bubbles rise close to each other with globally different surface tensions as for pure water and water with proteins. Depending on these surface tensions and the initial distance, the bubbles coalesce faster for high surface tensions and show less secondary motions for lower surface tension. It is concluded that bubbles in protein foams coalesce only at shorter distances than in pure water.


The recent financial crisis has shown that the stability of the investment banking industry plays a key role for the soundness of the financial system as a whole. Do high competition and/or cost inefficiencies increase investment banks' insolvency (and capital) risks? Or, conversely, do investment banks' insolvency risk and capitalization levels lead to higher price competition and/or lower cost efficiencies? Using a large sample of investment banks in ten large developed countries over 2000-2008, we show that price competition is rather limited in investment banking worldwide.
Although investment banks' stability was granted by relatively low competitive pressures, banks
appeared prone to take more risk thus giving some support to the competition-stability view for the
investment banking industry.


Modern anthropometric techniques were used to investigate two groups of subjects, one with various syndromes associated with pain in the lower back and the other a control group. Analysis confirmed previous reports that people prone to pain in the back have a greater standing height than people who are not. To investigate this further two new components of height, namely pelvic height and suprapelvic height, were calculated in addition to the established calculation of subischial height. Consecutive components, namely suprapelvic height, pelvic height and subischial height, together constituted the standing height of a subject. The main finding of this investigation was that the relatively large standing height of the subject prone to back pain was due only to the pelvic component.


Background The holotype and only specimen of the chasmosaurine ceratopsid dinosaur 'Nedoceratops hatcheri' has been the source of considerable taxonomic debate since its initial description. At times it has been referred to its own genus while at others it has been considered synonymous with the contemporaneous chasmosaurine Triceratops. Most recently, the debate has focused on whether the specimen represents an intermediate ontogenetic stage between typical young adult Triceratops and the proposed mature morphology, which was previously considered to represent a distinct genus, 'Torosaurus'. Methodology/Principal Findings The only specimen of 'Nedoceratops hatcheri' was examined and the proposed diagnostic features of this taxon were compared with other chasmosaurine ceratopsids. Every suggested autapomorphy of 'Nedoceratops' is found in specimens of Triceratops. In this study, Triceratops includes the adult 'Torosaurus' morphology. The small parietal fenestra and elongate squamosals of Nedoceratops are consistent with a transition from a short, solid parietal-squamosal frill to an expanded, fenestrated condition. Objections to this hypothesis regarding the number of epiossifications of the frill and alternations of bone surface texture were explored through a combination of comparative osteology and osteohistology. The synonymy of the three taxa was further supported by these investigations. Conclusions/Significance The Triceratops, 'Torosaurus', and 'Nedoceratops' morphologies represent ontogenetic variation within a single genus of chasmosaurine: Triceratops. This study highlights how interpretations of dinosaur paleobiology, biodiversity, and systematics may be affected by ascribing ontogenetic and other intraspecific variation a taxonomic significance.


Ceramic carbon based coatings have become common on tools and machine components, mainly because they offer a greatly reduced friction, as compared to uncoated steel contacts, in combination with a considerable wear protection. Very often they contain alloying elements such as different metals to control properties like hardness, wear resistance and lubricity. Applied to component surfaces, also properties relating to the running-in behaviour become important since an efficient running-in is crucial for their long term steady-state functionality. Also, even though component coatings are meant to provide low friction in dry sliding, they are increasingly used also in lubricated situations. This raises demands for compatibility with common lubricants. All these aspects have to be considered when developing new tribological coatings and some of these are addressed in this work. Results from different sliding tests with coated and uncoated surfaces in both dry and boundary lubricated contacts are presented. The generated tribofilms and their influence on the tribological properties are compared for the different sliding conditions. It is also shown how lubricants and their additives can affect the running-in, the tribofilm formation, and alter the steady state friction.


The late Archbishop Temple regarded Berdyaeff as one of the most important writers of the present time, and several good judges have said the same. He is a lonely, original, combative thinker, nullius addictus iurare in verba magistri, whose philosophy is based solely on his own spiritual experience. Contradictions and ambiguities may certainly be found in his writings, but the same may be said of every philosopher who recognizes what Heraclitus calls the fathomless depths of human personality, the clash of Yes and No in which Boehme says that all things consist. For him omnia exeunt in mysterium. He does not attempt an ambitious and coherent system, or disguise his transient obligations to the various currents of thought which he has followed and in part rejected. As he says himself, "the contradictions which may be found in my thought are expressions of spiritual conflict, of contradictions which lie at the very heart of existence itself."


Invasive aspergillosis is a serious cause of mortality and morbidity in immunocompromised hosts. In particular, the emergence of multidrug-resistant fungi, such as Aspergillus calidoustus, poses a concern for both doctors and patients. Rapid screening in vivo of novel antifungals is essential for discovering new treatments to combat invasive aspergillosis and improve prognosis of patients. As such, this study proposed the use of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, as a quick way to model A. calidoustus infection. Due to the dangers of working with A. calidoustus in a high school setting, A. ustus was used in experimentation. It was hypothesized that G. mellonella would be susceptible to infection by A. ustus and, thus, could be used to model A. calidoustus infection in humans. It was also hypothesized that larval mortality would be dose-dependent. Concentrations of 1 x 10, 1 x 10, and 1 x 10 spores of A. ustus per 10 μL were injected into the G. mellonella larvae, and survival was measured over 96 hours. Larval survival was found to be high, with only the larvae infected with 1 x 10 spores being significantly different from the untouched control larvae through a log-rank test, X(1, N=10)=3.89, p=0.0486. This did not support the hypothesis that larval mortality would be dose-dependent, and it implied that G. mellonella was not a viable model for A. ustus infections. However, factors such as low sample size, low temperature, and low spore concentrations may have affected the data, so G. mellonella should not be abandoned as a model for A. calidoustus infections without further research.


The modification of a Colombian montmorillonite-type clay with a policationic biopolymer –chitosanwas studied, and the effect of the molecular weight of the modifier on the effectiveness of the modification treatment was evaluated. A Na-montmorillonite clay was used as starting material, which was subjected to a specially developed modification treatment with different concentrations of high and low-molecular weight chitosan. Samples of modified clay were analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) in order to identify the possible effects of the modification treatment on the structure of the clay. The results showed a direct relation between the increase in the interlayer spacing of the modified clay and the concentration of chitosan, finding a maximum increase of 1,559 nm for a 2:1 ratio of low molecular weight chitosan:clay. In general, a greater interlayer separation of the clay was detected when low-molecular weight chitosan was used as modifier, compared to that of high-molecular weight chitosan, even though an effective integration of modifying agent to the structure of the clay was observed in both cases. IR analysis of the modified clay made evident the presence of CH, NH +, CH y NH from the chitosan, while TG analysis suggested some degree of hydrofobicity linked to the presence of chitosan, these aspects being of great importance for the application of these materials as reinforcement in biodegradable polymeric films.


In this thesis, have made use of a case study design to investigate how individuals from a self- development program called Unique Mind ESP, experience the process of transformation of learned beliefs. The instrumental purpose is to explore why focus on human development ought to be included in an educational context with a more specific focus than it is today. I have made use of a cross- disciplinary approach to investigate this, where research concerning neurology displays a significant function to describe how we learn and transform what is learned, and meditation (mental training) role in such matter. This together with theory concerning awareness practice (such as in meditation) and how we change our beliefs through different stages in life as a result of introspection, is important elements in the text. The main unit of analysis is based on four individual experiences with awareness practice (meditation, ESP training and intellectual understanding of this). The analysis led to four themes that direct the attention towards different steps and phases in such a process. Why they started to change their life, how they implemented UMESP basic course, the ESP1 practices in this process, and finally the result of this. I have concluded that reflection displays a central function in transformation, and that there is a difference between intellectual and introspective reflection. In addition, to have an intellectual understanding of human nature (how we learn beliefs) as well as some practical practice concerning how to transform such mental tracks, is some main findings. Thus, one need to know what there is to do, before one can do something.


The San Pedro Bay Ports (SPBP) of Los Angeles and Long Beach in Southern California comprise one of the largest container port complexes in the world. The SPBP contribute significantly to both regional and national economies in California, and the US, respectively. However, the ongoing growth and economic benefits of the SPBP are threatened by negative externalities associated with port operations, particularly increasing congestion and air pollution. The objective of this paper is to explore a new approach to estimating vehicle emission impacts of freight corridor operations related to the port area, particularly those associated with heavy duty diesel trucks. The approach involves use of a microscopic traffic simulation model to capture detailed vehicle trajectories and congestion effects (ultimately including the effects of Intelligent Transportation System strategies), emissions modeling, and modeling the spatial dispersion of pollutants in the corridor, to facilitate estimation of the health and environmental justice impacts of freight corridor operations. In this paper we focus on operation of the I-710 freeway in the Alameda Corridor, leading from the SPBP area for about 20 miles toward Los Angeles. In a parallel effort we are also studying rail operations in the same corridor. In the future both the rail and highway elements will be combined to form an integrated, overall assessment of air quality impacts in the corridor. In this paper, seven scenarios were evaluated in addition to the 2005 Base Scenario: replacement of the current fleet of port heavy duty diesel trucks with zero emission trucks (25%, 50%, and 100% of port trucks), elimination of port heavy duty diesel truck trips (25%, 50%, and 100% reductions) that would correspond to shifting more containers to other modes such as rail, and implementation of a truck restricted-lane on I-710 preventing trucks from using the left most lanes. The results show that fleet replacement with cleaner trucks yields the most emission reductions both quantitatively and spatially.


We characterized the electrophysiology, kinetics, and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) of the human concentrative nucleoside transporter 3 (hCNT3) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes by measuring substrate-induced inward currents using a two-microelectrode voltage-clamp system. At membrane potentials between -30 and -150 mV, sodium activation of gemcitabine transport was sigmoidal, with a K0.5 of 8.5 ± 0.3 mM for Na+ and a Hill coefficient of 2.2 ± 0.25 independent of membrane potential. We measured the Imax and K0.5 for substrate at -50 mV for the nucleoside analog drugs gemcitabine (638 ± 58 nA, 59.7 ± 17.5 μM), ribavirin (546 ± 37 nA, 61.0 ± 13.2 μM), AZT (420 ± 4 nA, 310 ± 9 μM), and 3-deazauridine (506 ± 30 nA, 50.8 ± 9.90 μM). K0.5 and Imax for substrate were dependent on membrane potential (both increasing as the membrane became more hyperpolarized) for all four drugs. hCNT3 also exhibited pre-steady-state currents. The quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) was examined using comparative molecular field analysis and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis of the inward currents induced by 27 nucleoside analogs with substitutions at both the ribose and the nucleobase. Two statistically significant QSAR models identified electrostatic interaction as the major force in hCNT3 transport and attributed a critical role to the 3′-hydroxyl position of hCNT3 substrates. Steric hindrance at the 3-position and positive charge at the 5-position of the pyrimidine ring were favorable for transport. Two hCNT3 pharmacophore models revealed the minimal features required for hCNT3 transport as two hydrogen bond acceptors at 3′-OH and 5′-O and the hydrophobic center occupied by the base ring.


This study aims to find conceptual innovations, with a focus on the scope of University Social Responsibility in the perspective of transformative ecofeminism. The basic belief that guides action in this research is the transformative worldview. The research approach is based on feminism with the data collection process carried out by observation, in-depth interviews, documentation, and FGDs. The two data research rigour strategies chosen were to maintain the credibility (internal validity) and reliability of the research data through triangulation of techniques and sources and to carefully review the documentation of research procedures/protocols and databases. The presentation of data and the results of the study used a "spiral data analysis." This process was carried out by data management, making memos, categorizing, and interpreting data to presenting the final research report. The sample is stated with ten key informants used as participants. The results of the study provide a framework for the scope of USR, which consists of eight dimensions in which there are 27 indicators that direct the university's actions in realizing its social responsibility. IPE (Integrity, Professionalism, Entrepreneurship) organizational culture becomes a reinforcing value in realizing the goals of each dimension.


Abstract. A proton transfer reaction ion-drift chemical ionization mass spectrometer (PTR-ID-CIMS) equipped with a hydronium (H3+O) ion source was developed and deployed near an industrial zone in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region of China in spring 2015 to investigate industry-related emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Air pollutants including formaldehyde (HCHO), aromatics, and other trace gases (O3 and CO) were simultaneously measured. Humidity effects on the sensitivity of the PTR-ID-CIMS for HCHO detection were investigated and quantified. The performances of the PTR-ID-CIMS were also validated by intercomparing with offline HCHO measurement technique using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNPH) cartridges and the results showed fairly good agreement (slope  =  0.81, R2  =  0.80). The PTR-ID-CIMS detection limit of HCHO (10 s, three-duty-cycle averages) was determined to be 0.9–2.4 (RH  =  1–81.5 %) parts per billion by volume (ppbv) based on 3 times the standard deviations of the background signals. During the field study, observed HCHO concentrations ranged between 1.8 and 12.8 ppbv with a campaign average of 4.1 ± 1.6 ppbv, which was comparable with previous HCHO observations in other similar locations of China. However, HCHO diurnal profiles showed few features of secondary formation. In addition, time series of both HCHO and aromatic VOCs indicated strong influence from local emissions. Using a multiple linear regression fit model, on average the observed HCHO can be attributed to secondary formation (13.8 %), background level (27.0 %), and industry-related emissions, i.e., combustion sources (43.2 %) and chemical productions (16.0 %). Moreover, within the plumes the industry-related emissions can account for up to 69.2 % of the observed HCHO. This work has provided direct evidence of strong primary emissions of HCHO from industry-related activities. These primary HCHO sources can potentially have a strong impact on local and regional air pollution formation in this area of China. Given the fact that the YRD is the largest economic zone in China and is dense with petrochemical industries, primary industrial HCHO emissions should be strictly monitored and regulated.


The hashing techniques have been attracting huge attention in images search due to easy availability of very big amounts of data in present scenario. In this paper, various image search techniques using different hashing methods are reviewed. More than a few hashing methods such as state of the art which is used to generate hash codes, then embed and extract features of images in the high-dimensional form. This scale image search can be performed in real time; this is based on Hamming distance. This procedure consists of weighted Hamming distance and finer-grained ranking. Query adaptive weights consist of semantic concept classes which improves the result of an image search. With the Query adaptive bit weights, images are ranked and calculated by weighted Hamming distance. Keywords-Query-adaptive image search, scalability, hash codes, weighted Hamming distance, Queryadaptive ranking, binary code, image search.


Light weight and compact radars with high resolution capability can be built at millimeter wave frequencies. This has been demonstrated for a long period of time for missile seeker application for military use and as automotive radars in a civilian application. The technological advantages of this type of radar can be adapted to security applications in air traffic management at short and medium range as well as on the ground. The application discussed in this paper, focuses on the derivation of high resolution signatures of flying helicopters for non-cooperative classification schemes.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanism, clinical features, and prognosis of Trigemino-cardiac reflex (TCR) during skull base operations.

METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed on 291 patients with skull base disease from Jan. 2009 to Oct. 2015 in Peking University First Hospital. By reviewing the patients' operative data and anaesthetic electrical record, and we picked out all the patients who suffered from TCR during the operation and analyzed their surgical procedures, clinical features, influence factors, and prognosis. TCR was defined as a drop in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and the heart rate (HR) of more than 20% to the baseline values before the stimulus and coinciding with the manipulation of the trigeminal nerve.

RESULTS
In all the 291 patients receiving skull base surgery, 9 patients suffering TCR for 19 times during the operation were found. These 9 cases included three acoustice schwannomas, one trigeminal schwannoma, one petroclival meningioma, one epidermoid cyst in cerebellopontine angle, one cavernous sinus cavernous hemangioma, one pituitary adenoma, and one trigeminal neuralgia. The trigger of TCR was related to manipulation, retraction, and stimulation of the trunk or branches of trigeminal nerve. The baseline heart rate was 62-119/min [mean (79.4±14.6) /min] and dropped about 29.0%-66.4% (mean 44.3%) to 22-60 /min [mean (44.2±9.6) /min] after TCR. The baseline mean arterial blood pressure was 75-103 mmHg [mean (87.5±7.8) mmHg] and dropped about 23.4%-47.2% (mean 37.3%) to 45-67 mmHg [mean (54.9±6.3) mmHg] after TCR. During the 19 times of TCR, heart rate and blood pressure could return to baseline in a short time while stopping manipulation (8 times), using atropine (8 times, dose 0.5-1.0 mg, mean 0.69 mg), using ephedrine hydrochloride (one time, 15 mg), using epinephrine (one time, 1 mg), and using dopamine (one time, 2 mg). TCR also could be triggered again by a second stimulation. There was no relative cardiologic complication or neurological deficit in the postoperative 24 hours.

CONCLUSION
TCR is a short neural reflex with a drop in blood pressure and heart rate coinciding with the manipulation of the trigeminal nerve in skull base surgery. Correct recognition, intensive observation, and essential management of TCR will lead to a good prognosis.


Acceleration of a vehicle is composed of three components: longitudinal, lateral, and vertical acceleration. Longitudinal and lateral accelerations have been frequently considered as components for investigating driving behaviour, with the aim of improving road safety. But in particular situations during the motion of the vehicle, also vertical acceleration is relevant. In this paper, the authors want to demonstrate that vertical acceleration is also a relevant parameter to be considered in terms of road safety. The authors focus on the difference registered by considering only lateral and longitudinal acceleration and by considering also vertical acceleration in the analysis of driving behaviour through real tests on the road. All the parameters were registered through a global positioning system (GPS) device and a tri-axial accelerometer, which allow the geo-referenced kinematic parameters of the vehicle to be detected. For this purpose, over 110 tests covering about 600 kilometers were completed. All the experimental surveys were conducted in a good weather condition, under dry road pavement conditions, on weekdays, during day time and out-of-peak hours, in order to have no influence from the traffic flow. Each path was repeatedly run by the driver in order to collect the instantaneous speed and acceleration along the pattern. During the tests, about 40,000 instantaneous values of vehicle position have been registered. The survey interested a segment of the Italian National road n.107 (S.S. 107), in Southern Italy. The authors found that by considering vertical together with longitudinal and lateral accelerations, a higher number of unsafe driving conditions can be identified. More specifically, the proposed methodology allows 20% extra of dangerous driving conditions to be registered. For this reason, the authors retain that also vertical acceleration should be considered in the definition of the safety domain, because it determines the intensity of the exchange forces between the tires and road pavement, and in some cases, it leads to a loss of friction. Definitively, the authors retain that vertical acceleration is not only useful as indicator of comfort on board, but it has an important role also in terms of road safety.


DURING ADOLESCENCE by MATTHEW B. FREIBURGER (Under the Direction of Stacey M. Neuharth-Pritchett) ABSTRACT The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between the experience of grade retention and self-report ratings of depression and competence during adolescence. Participants were enrolled in a public middle school in the southeastern United States. Three comparison groups were created: a pure retention group, a group of students on grade level but considered low-performing based on their fifth grade standardized test scores, and a group of typically achieving students on grade level. Students completed rating scales to self-report depressive symptomology and perceptions of the self related to competence and self-adequacy in various domains. Results suggest that grade retention is associated with higher ratings of depression and lower self-perceptions. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.


Improved helicopter noise abatement guidance has been developed based on acoustic test data acquired by NASA, FAA and Volpe in support of the Helicopter Association International (HAI)'s Fly Neighborly Program. This higher fidelity material was developed to supplement previous training
 programs based on pilot and operator feedback. The manner of presentation allows pilots to readily interpret the directional noise emission of their vehicle at different operating conditions. Flight path, airspeed, approach descent rate, and deceleration rate can be assessed to optimize flight
 patterns both during the pre-flight planning stage and in real time during flight operations in response to local conditions and events. The resultant sound directivity would be displayed as colored noise exposure contours overlaid onto a map of the area in the vicinity of the helicopter.
 New Fly Neighborly training modules have been developed utilizing directional operational noise plots based on Volpe's Advanced Acoustic Model (AAM) modeling with empirical sound sphere data from dedicated US Government helicopter flight tests. This paper will describe the acoustic analyses
 and will present the updated noise guidance for the AS350, AS365, AW139, Bell 205, Bell 206, Bell 407, R-44, R-66 and S-76D helicopters.


INTRODUCTION
Graphic warning labels have been shown to be more effective than text-only labels in increasing attention and perceived health risks, but most U.S. studies have involved single exposures in laboratory or Internet settings.

METHODS
We recruited a convenience sample (N = 202) of U.S. adult smokers from population subgroups with higher rates of smoking and smoking-related deaths who had participated in a larger survey about graphic warning labels. Participants were randomized to get 1 of 9 graphic + text labels or a text-only label. Research staff affixed a warning label sticker to participants' cigarette pack(s) at enrollment. Color graphic labels covered slightly more than the lower half of packs. Black and white labels of current U.S. text-only warnings covered the existing side warning to prompt attention to the label (i.e., attention control). Participants received extra stickers of the same label for subsequent packs, and completed 3 telephone interviews in 1 week.

RESULTS
Participants reported low avoidance (<34%) and consistent use of the stickers (91%). Smokers consistently paid more attention to graphic than text-only labels. Only 5 of the 9 graphic warning labels were significantly associated with greater thoughts of health risks. Thinking about quitting and stopping smoking did not differ by label. Qualitative data illustrated differences in the "stickiness," self-referencing, and counterarguments of graphic warning labels.

CONCLUSIONS
U.S. smokers' reactions to graphic warning labels on their own packs were similar to other, more controlled studies. Qualitative findings underscore the need for warning labels that encourage self-referential processing without increasing defensive reactions.


This report presents the 1999 calendar year update of the Air Emission Inventory for the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). The INEEL Air Emission Inventory documents sources and emissions of nonradionuclide pollutants from operations at the INEEL. The report describes the emission inventory process and all of the sources at the INEEL, and provides nonradionuclide emissions estimates for stationary sources.


Most members of the development community, and especially those in multilateral and bilateral organizations, agree that politicians are centrally important to development. Fewer agree, however, on how to ensure effective political engagement in development programs and reforms. It is questionable whether many practitioners or theoreticians even have clear ideas about what effective political engagement looks like. Terms like political will and political commitment lack clarity and operational import; it is unclear what they are and even more unclear how to foster them. This chapter attempts to shed light on why such a key issue is poorly understood and to suggest ideas for thinking about it.


OF DISSERTATION FLEXIBLE LIMINALITY AMONG THE TIBETAN DIASPORA: TIBETAN EXILES ADJUSTING CULTURAL PRACTICES IN DHARAMSALA, INDIA AND THE UNITED STATES In this dissertation, I investigate the characteristics and quality of liminality among the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala, India, and the United States. I argue that the quality of their liminality defines this exile community's ability to maneuver and voice their influence to geo-political community of states that surround them, all while within their liminal condition. The Tibetan exile people live as stateless foreigners in India but have a better standard of living and better opportunities to acquire transnational resources than their surrounding host community. In the U.S., Tibetan diaspora people live as asylum-seekers and naturalized Tibetan-Americans but have established a popular political campaign (which enjoys the support of considerably many Americans) addressing the plight of Tibetans imposed by China. I argue that the Tibetan diaspora have achieved this unique social and political success as a marginalized community by adopting a cultural practice that I call "flexible liminality." Flexible liminality is a Tibetan cultural practice that helps transient people adjust to any situation, people, and geo-politics circumstance. Flexible liminality relies on two factors: first, political interest from various nation-states; second, a group's ability to adjust their cultural practices to match external influences. In the case of the Tibetan exile community, it is important to note that they are excluded by multiple nationstates (China, India, the Western countries) in different ways simultaneously. Therefore, the world collective of Tibetan refugees are not fixed in one state of liminality but experience a variety of liminalities in relation to different nation-states. Second, the Tibetan exile community has adjusted their cultural practices to assimilate with host communities in whichever countries their exile-hood has landed them. Since Tibetans cannot acquire Indian citizenship, the Tibetan exile community uses India as a space to promote their political activism against China, and form better relationship with Western foreigners. In Dharamsala, the Tibetan community has organized institutions that guides Tibetan individuals to form relationships with foreign tourists, and acquire skills (i.e. language, behavior, education, philosophy) that would help them assimilate better when resettling in Western host countries. In both, Dharamsala and the U.S., the Tibetan diaspora have a cultivated cultural practice to advocate Tibetan political plight against China, and to communicate Tibetan religio-socio traditions with the foreign host community. As a result, Tibetans are able to achieve political popularity, and to socially draw empathy from foreign communities that aids in producing a space for Tibetan cultural preservation in exile. The case study on Tibetan exile community sheds a new light on the study of marginality/liminality. This dissertation showcases that there can be a spectrum for the quality of liminality that goes from flexible at one end to inflexible at the other end. Not all exile groups have the same condition of liminality, being an exile community can be beneficial or crippling somewhere in the spectrum. Tibetan exile community has achieved a flexible end of liminality in exile but there are other exile groups who may not have the same maneuvering ability as the Tibetan exile community. This theory of flexible liminality can be used to better understand the lives of exiles by characterizing and measuring the quality of their liminality.


Structure and rheology of oligomer-tethered nanoparticles suspended in low molecular weight polymeric host are investigated at various particle sizes and loadings. Strong curvature effects introduced by the small size of the nanoparticle cores are found to be important for understanding both the phase stability and rheology of the materials. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy measurements indicate that PEG–SiO2/PEG suspensions are more stable against phase separation and aggregation than expected from theory for interacting brushes. SAXS and rheology measurements also reveal that at high particle loadings, the stabilizing oligomer brush is significantly compressed and produces jamming in the suspensions. The jamming transition is accompanied by what appears to be a unique evolution in the transient suspension rheology, along with large increments in the zero-shear, Newtonian viscosity. The linear and nonlinear flow responses of the jammed suspensions are discussed in the framework of the Soft Glassy Rheology (SGR) model, which is shown to predict many features that are consistent with experimental observations, including a two-step relaxation following flow cessation and a facile method for determining the shear-thinning coefficient from linear viscoelastic measurements. Finally, we show that the small sizes of the particles have a significant effect on inter-particle interactions and rheology, leading to stronger deviations from expectations based on planar brushes and hard-sphere suspension theories. In particular, we find that in the high volume fraction limit, tethered nanoparticles interact in their host polymer through short-range forces, which are more analogous to those between soft particles than between spherical polymer brushes.


The data from literature on certain biological and functional peculiarities of fibronectin which is a high molecular connective tissue glycoprotein of the intercellular matrix are reviewed. Various features of fibronectin, such as its promoting action in cell adhesion, participation in cytodifferentiation, embryogenesis and regeneration are discussed. Several points of view about fibronectin participation in neoplastic transformation are mentioned. Diagnostic and prognostic value of the quantitative and qualitative estimation of plasma fibronectin in the human tumour investigation are emphasized.


We present an elementary, self-contained proof of the result of Goldwasser and Rothblum [GR07] that the existence of a (perfect) statistically secure obfuscator implies a collapse of the polynomial hierarchy. In fact, we show that an existence of a weaker object implies a somewhat stronger statement. In addition, we extend the result of [GR07] to the case of imperfect statistically secure obfuscator.


To understand the relationship between memory storage sites in the brain and learned changes in behavior, the learned behavior must be characterized. However, even simple types of learning may be quite complex. Repeated elicitation of the Tritonia swim produced multiple changes in the response. Several types of acquisition curves were observed in a single experiment depending on the response component measured. Habituation (response decrement) and iterative enhancement (response facilitation) occurred simultaneously in different swim components. The acquisition curve for one component could be modulated by stimulus strength. Because the Tritonia swim neural network is well studied, it may be possible to causally relate experience-dependent behavioral changes to the underlying memory trace in this marine mollusk.


A comparative study of the oxidative refolding for nine selected potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor (PCI) mutants was carried out using the disulfide quenching approach. The mutations were performed at the N- and C-terminal tails of PCI outside its disulfide stabilized central core. The differences between the refolding of wild type and mutant proteins were observed in the second phase of the refolding process, the reshuffling of disulfide bridges, although the first phase, nonspecific packing, was not greatly affected by the mutations. Point mutations at the C-tail or deletion of up to three C-terminal residues of PCI resulted in a lower efficiency of the reshuffling process. In the case of the mutants lacking five N-terminal or four or five C-terminal residues, no "native-like" form was observed after the refolding process. On the other hand, the double mutant G35P/P36G did not attain a native-like form either, although one slightly more stable species was observed after being submitted to refolding. The disulfide pairing of this species is different from that of the wtPCI native form. The differences between the refolding process of wild type and mutant forms are interpreted in the light of the new view of protein folding. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that the refolding of this small disulfide-rich protein, and others, is driven by noncovalent interactions at the reshuffling stage. It is also shown that the interactions established between the N- and C-tail residues and the core of PCI are important for the proper refolding of the protein.


In in this paper, cyclic behavior of SS316L cubic shells under pure torsional load was experimentally and numerically studied. Experimental tests were carried out by a servo-hydraulic NSTRON 8802 machine under torsional load-control condition. In this loading condition and based on experimental results, due to the existence of larger shear stress along the shell thickness, increasing of torsional torque amplitude caused the enhancement of ratcheting angle and reduction of shells's life. Also, the effect of cutout and its size on ratcheting behavior of cubic shell were investigated , According to experimental results, it was seen that the sensitivity of ratcheting angle to cutout position near the applied load was high and the shell's life decreases in this condition. Numerical analysis was done by Abaqus software and using the nonlinear isotropic/kinematic hardening model. There is a good agreement with that of experimental results.


The economic value of personal data is mainly extracted through online intermediation services and big data analytics. The largest providers of these services are US OTTs. These are global market players with a leading position in the European market. As a result, the personal data of European users are widely processed by these providers. The EU and the US have different approaches to personal data protection and data privacy. In the US, privacy is a property right whereas in the EU, it is a fundamental right, which must be provided by the government. The European Commission has proposed a reform of personal data protection, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), aiming to ensure that European consumers are protected according to European law whenever their data are processed outside the EU by foreign companies. According to the European Commission, the reform will bring economy-wide benefits to the EU. However, several studies on the economic impact of the reform have led to opposing conclusions. They claim that the extraterritorial application of the European law will impose a regulatory cost burden on US providers. This burden would hurt transatlantic trade in services, and would be detrimental to the European economy. Our analysis shows that the GDPR is not a protectionist policy. The extraterritorial application of the European law will neither hinder competition nor disrupt cross-border data flows. On the contrary, the extension of European law to the US OTTs that target European consumers will contribute to establishing a level playing field between European providers and their US competitors in the European market. Both EU and US providers would obey European laws when processing European consumers' personal data. Nevertheless, the literature examined provides no evidence that reinforced standards of protection would foster the competitiveness of European services in world markets. Moreover, studies also suggest that the costs of applying the GDPR in the EU might outweigh the efficiency gains. In conclusion, the optimal trade-off between incentives to provide innovative services and the obligation to protect privacy as a fundamental right has yet to be achieved by the European regulation. Rather than increase administrative burden, an efficient data protection policy should base European users' protection on modernised, more dynamic principles, supporting the capability of European industry to compete and innovate on fair and efficient grounds for the benefit of European users and of the European economy.


Soil erosion from construction sites can cause sedimentation of nearby water bodies. Mandatory sediment controls can reduce sedimentation. What determines the degree to which sediment controls meet regulatory standards for installation and maintenance? A conditional-multinomial logit model is estimated with data from 85 construction sites that were audited in 2001 or 2005 in Greenville County, SC to determine whether 147 sediment ponds or traps were installed correctly, properly maintained, or both. Sixty two percent of ponds and traps were installed incorrectly, maintained improperly, or both. Costs of clean out negatively affect the probability that a sediment pond or trap is properly maintained. Construction site distance from the county's regulatory office and sales of the plan designer's firm positively affect the probability that a sediment control is installed incorrectly. Designer firms local to the construction site reduce the probability that sediment controls lack an emergency spillway when required.


: Past behavioral research on the special characteristics of tobacco smoking among children and adolescents is fraught with definitional ambiguities. More precise benchmarks of these age groups will facilitate mutually advantageous investigations. Researchers ought to agree on their target age cohorts. Too, investigators should account for the peculiar tobacco smoking patterns of children and adolescents who are research subjects. Finally, researchers should reach a consensus on how they categorize various kinds of young nonsmokers, smokers, and exsmokers. Recommendations put forth here are an attempt toward common parameters for researching tobacco use among American children and adolescents.


Past research shows that self-control is limited and becomes depleted after initial exertions. This study examined the neural processes underlying self-control failure by testing whether controlled, effortful behavior impairs subsequent attempts at control by depleting the neural system associated with conflict monitoring. Subjects either watched an emotional movie normally or tried to suppress their emotions while watching the movie; they then completed an ostensibly unrelated Stroop task while electroencephalographic activity was recorded. The error-related negativity (ERN)--a waveform associated with activity in the anterior cingulate--was measured to determine whether prior regulatory exertion constrained the conflict-monitoring system. Compared with subjects in the control condition, those who suppressed their emotions performed worse on the Stroop task, and this deficit was mediated by weaker ERN signals. These results offer a neural account for the self-regulatory-strength model and demonstrate the utility of the social neuroscience approach.


Parental involvement is an often proposed, but rarely researched, key element of youth programs. Questions remain regarding the impact of parental involvement on program processes and outcomes. Qualitative data were collected over a one-year period with youth participants (n=46), parents (n=26), and teachers (n=5) associated with an international immersion/service learning program for adolescents. Three main research questions guided the data analysis: (1) what role does parental involvement play in the youths' experience in the program; (2) how does parental involvement in the program influence the parent/child relationship; and (3) what role does parental involvement play in terms of the program's long-term impact on the youth participants? Findings suggest a relationship between parental involvement in youth programs and improved parent/child communication, bonding, and perceptions of one another. Findings also suggest that having a common ground experience prolonged the experience's positive post-participation effects.


Section headings and selected papers: Preface. Wastewater and Biomass Characterization. Characterization of wastewater for modelling of activated sludge processes, M. Henze. Temperature effects on wastewater characterization and the release of soluble inert organic material, U. Sollfrank et al. Processes. Processes and modelling of nitrification denitrification biological excess phosphorus removal systems - a review, M. C. Wentzel et al. Modelling and Simulation. Estimation of kinetic parameters of heterotrophic biomass under aerobic conditions and characterization of wastewater for activated sludge modelling, J. Kappeler & W. Gujer. Designing experiments to determine the coefficients of activated sludge models by indentification algorithms, L. Larrea et al. Nitrification kinetics in single-sludge biological nutrient removal activated sludge systems, C. W. Randall et al. Filaments and Solid Separation. Towards a comprehensive model of activated sludge bulking and foaming, D. Jenkins. Comparison of biocenoses from continuous and sequencing batch reactors, J. Wanner. Secondary Clarifiers for Activated Sludge. Modelling of the secondary clarifier combined with the Activated Sludge Model No. 1, R. Dupont & M. Henze. Wastewater treatment process theory and practice: the emerging convergence, D. S. Parker et al. Keyword index.


For more than a century, it has been widely accepted that diffraction of light precludes any lensbased optical microscope from discerning details smaller than about half of the wavelength of light (~200 nm). However, in the 1990's it was discovered that basic state transitions in a fluorophore can be exploited to eliminate the resolution-limiting role of diffraction. Since then, fluorescence microscopes have been developed that are now able to resolve on the nanometer scale. We discuss the basic principles of these nanoscopy (superresolution) concepts with particular emphasis on the first viable far-field 'nanoscopy' method, STED microscopy. We show their scope of applications in the life sciences and beyond.


The immunosuppressant and narrow therapeutic index drug tacrolimus is metabolized mainly via cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and CYP3A5. For its pharmacokinetics (PK), high inter‐ and intra‐individual variability can be observed. Underlying causes include the effect of food intake on tacrolimus absorption as well as genetic polymorphism in the CYP3A5 gene. Furthermore, tacrolimus is highly susceptible to drug–drug interactions, acting as a victim drug when coadministered with CYP3A perpetrators. This work describes the development of a whole‐body physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for tacrolimus as well as its application for investigation and prediction of (i) the impact of food intake on tacrolimus PK (food–drug interactions [FDIs]) and (ii) drug–drug(−gene) interactions (DD[G]Is) involving the CYP3A perpetrator drugs voriconazole, itraconazole, and rifampicin. The model was built in PK‐Sim® Version 10 using a total of 37 whole blood concentration–time profiles of tacrolimus (training and test) compiled from 911 healthy individuals covering the administration of tacrolimus as intravenous infusions as well as immediate‐release and extended‐release capsules. Metabolism was incorporated via CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, with varying activities implemented for different CYP3A5 genotypes and study populations. The good predictive model performance is demonstrated for the examined food effect studies with 6/6 predicted FDI area under the curve determined between first and last concentration measurements (AUClast) and 6/6 predicted FDI maximum whole blood concentration (Cmax) ratios within twofold of the respective observed ratios. In addition, 7/7 predicted DD(G)I AUClast and 6/7 predicted DD(G)I Cmax ratios were within twofold of their observed values. Potential applications of the final model include model‐informed drug discovery and development or the support of model‐informed precision dosing.


The hybrid nanocomposite coatings were processed in solution using acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and condensation of precursors 3-Glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) forming self assembled nanoscale composite. Coating were applied by dipping 5083 aluminium alloy in sol-gel solutions at several stages and different aging times. Effect of GPTMS-TEOS sol's aging time on thickness, adhesion, and corrosion behaviour of hybrid organic-inorganic GPTMS-TEOS sol-gel coatings have been investigated. The results indicated that thickness of hybrid coatings increased but adhesion decreased with increasing aging time. Adhesion test and electrochemical polarization behaviour reveal that if the coating process was chosen correctly, the coating had a good adhesion strength and corrosion resistance.


The world is rapidly moving towards a greener future, a mainstay of which is solar energy. Hence, maximum power point trackers, or MPPTs for short, are an indispensable component, since these devices provide one with the capability to fully maximize the achievable power from solar cells in a system. A symbol of the greener world that is evolving around us is the biannual World Solar Challenge, where state-of-the-art solar powered cars race against one another through the deserts of Australia. This thesis forms the link between these two elements: to design an MPPT optimally suited towards the requirements of the Nuna Solar Car. Commercially available MPPTs are not particularly well suited for the specific demands of such a bleeding edge race. They are mostly designed for high power or low voltage systems. The MPPT designed during this thesis is optimized for high efficiency and other requests stated by the Nuon Solar Team members. The design of the MPPT has been split into several parts. This thesis is focused on the converter within the MPPT. It presents the result of research, design exploration, simulation and testing. The results obtained with the prototype that has been built show the designs correctness and conformance to the requirements, with an efficiency of up to 98,5%.


While gradual allometric changes of shells are intrinsically driven by genotype, morphometrical shifts can also be modulated by local environmental conditions. Consequently the common use of a unique dimension (usually length) to assess bivalves' growth may mask phenotypic differences in valve shape among populations. A morphometric exhaustive study was conducted on Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, by acquiring data in the French Arcachon Bay (intrasite phenotypic variability) and by comparing with other sites in the literature (intersite phenotypic variability). 2070 shells were subsampled, weighted, and automatically measured using TNPC software. Some ratios' values indicate a relatively round and globular shape shell in comparison with other sites confirming poor conditions for some individuals. Among adult clams, three main morphological groups were identified and discussed according to spatial considerations. Allometric relations for pairs of shell descriptors were determined by testing classical linear and piecewise regression models on log-transformed relation of Huxley. A significant shape change correlated to size was observed; it corresponds to the second year of life of the clam. Relationships between density, disease, and shell shape are demonstrated and discussed related to other potential factors affecting shell shape. Finally, consequences on population regulation are addressed.


A new adaptive technique is presented for the increase of the dynamic stiffness of the cutting tool in a lathe by active control of the tool vibration in the cutting speed direction. Due to the statistic properties of tool vibration that are induced by the stochastic behaviour of chip formation process, the controller is based on the filtered-x LMS algorithm which controls an adaptive filter that is based on Wiener filter theory. Hence, the adaptation of the filtered-x LMS algorithm is gradient-based and it is based on a classical optimization technique, the method of steepest descent. In the cutting experiments a tool holder construction with integrated actuators, i.e. secondary sources was used. The cutting experiments shows that the adaptive technique presented in this paper enables an increase in the dynamic stiffness of the cutting tool, i.e. tool vibrations are suppressed.


A feasibility study was conducted to demonstrate that the combination of Constrained Layer Damping (CLD) and Vibration Control by Confinement (VCC) is an effective and viable approach to today's noise and vibration problems. The objective of this paper is to report on the degree of improvement of CLD when used in conjunction with VCC. Two panel-type structures, resembling a simplified model of the panel section of a car door, are examined. The entire upper surface of the first panel was covered by CLD. On the other hand, only 63% of the second panel is covered by CLD. A confining rib was added to the second panel to localize the vibrational energy to the remaining 37% of its surface over which no CLD was added. The finite element method was employed to model both structures and generate the numerical results presented in this article. Four equally distributed points were identified to excite and measure the response. The plate was subjected to transient and harmonic excitations. Our preliminary results clearly show that not only VCC can be used as a stand-alone mechanism to suppress or isolate vibrations but also can be combined with CLD to significantly improve performance. Furthermore, additional ramifications of the VCC approach as they apply to passive or active vibration control systems are discussed.


A mixed deterministic/probabilistic model validation problem is investigated in this technical note, which consists in an additive uncertain model with model uncertainty characterized by the H∞ norm. The data available for validation are time-domain experimental data corrupted by a random noise sequence. Our aim is to compute the probability for such an uncertain model to be validated by the data, and our main results are bounds on this probability that are computable based on the distribution of Chi-square random variables when the noise is a Gaussian variable, and solvable as an LMI problem when only statistical information such as the expectation and covariance of the noise are known.


In July 2016, six European Bee-eaters Merops apiaster were tagged with radio transmitters in order to determine their space use during breeding and post-breeding. During breeding, home-range sizes were 2.0–5.5 km2 (95% kernel contour of minimum convex polygon, MCP95) and the median distance between position points and the nesting burrow was 0.20 km (Q1–Q3: 0.10–0.38 km). After Bee-eaters had fledged, adult birds increased their home range to 10.6–175.2 km2 (MCP95) and the median moving distance to the nesting burrow to 3.90 km (Q1–Q3: 1.83–5.25 km). In the last study week, two birds always flew together in larger flocks, while other tagged birds used other locations, this may indicate stable foraging groups of birds from different colonies. Space use was significantly influenced only by cloudiness during breeding and not by temperature or precipitation. In the early breeding season, only males stayed overnight in roosting trees; subsequently, both males and females stayed there. From about the end of the second week after hatching no adult birds were in the breeding colony at night. The results of this pilot study must however be verified with a broader-scaled study approach.


Penicillium digitatum and P. expansum are postharvest necrotrophic fungi that require wounds to infect the fruit. Therefore, injuries caused during harvesting and postharvest handling provide an optimal locus for infection. In this study, we evaluated the effect of wound response in oranges harvested at three different maturity stages and stored at two different temperatures (20 and 4°C), on the infection of fruit by either pathogen. The effect of wounding and pathogen inoculation on lignin content and the expression of several phenylpropanoid pathway-related genes were also analyzed. P. digitatum exhibited lower decay incidence and severity as the time between wounding and inoculation increased, and these differences were more evident in fruit from immature and commercial harvests. P. expansum was able to infect oranges, and lesions obtained at 4°C were larger than those obtained at 20°C. In general, lignin content was highest in fruit from the immature harvest. The accumulation of pal1 and pox1 mRNA at 24 h was higher in samples infected with both pathogens than in control samples. However, samples inoculated with P. digitatum showed an important decrease after 48 h. Our results indicate that maturity and storage temperature play important roles in orange wound response.


AIM: To summarize the characteristics of patients suffered from primary biliary cirrhosis associated with ulcerative colitis.METHODS: To report a new case and review the literature.RESULTS: There were 18 cases (including our case) of primary biliary cirrhosis complicated with ulcerative colitis reported in the literature. Compared with classical primary biliary cirrhosis, the patients were more often males and younger similar. The bowel lesions were usually mild with proctitis predominated. While ulcerative colitis was diagnosed before primary biliary cirrhosis in 13 cases, the presentation of primary biliary cirrhosis was earlier than that of ulcerative colitis in our new case reported here. The prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis among patients of ulcerative colitis was almost 30 times higher than in general population.CONCLUSION: Association of primary biliary cirrhosis with ulcerative colitis is rare. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease in patients with ulcerative colitis, and vice versa.


Mineralogical and magnetic properties of the otolithic mass in the sacculus of dogfish, Squalus acanthias , were investigated. The endogenous statoconia were found to be either rhombohedral crystals of calcite or spherical particles of other calcium carbonate polymorphs. From 20 to 60% of the total otolithic mass consisted of exogenous material, sea sand, which had a high content of heavy mineral particles, some of which were magnetic. The concentration of the heavy particles was greater than that typically found in marine sand, and it is proposed that this could result from a separation process in the endolymphatic duct. A calculation of the acceleration of the otolithic mass in the sacculus caused by the geomagnetic field showed that the maximum linear acceleration due to magnetic forces would be one or two orders of magnitude smaller than the minimum sensitivity to acceleration in the auditory frequency range. This makes it unlikely that the magnetic particles are involved in detection of the geomagnetic field. The exogenous material raises the mass and density of the otolithic mass in the sacculus, thus increasing the sensitivity of this otolith organ.


In intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), targets are treated by multiple beams at different orientations each with spatially-modulated beam intensities. This approach spreads the normal tissue dose to a greater volume and produces a higher dose conformation to the target. In general, inverse planning is used for IMRT treatment planning. The inverse planning requires iterative calculation of dose distribution in order to optimize the intensity profile for each beam and is very computation intensive. In this paper, we propose a single-step method utilizing a figure of merit (FoM) to estimate the beam intensities for IMRT treatment planning. The FoM of a ray is defined as the ratio between the delivered tumour dose and normal tissue dose and is a good index for the dose efficacy of the ray. To maximize the beam utility, it is natural to irradiate the tumour with intensity of each ray proportional to the value of the FoM. The nonuniform beam intensity profiles are then fixed and the weights of the beam are determined iteratively in order to yield a uniform tumour dose. In this study, beams are employed at equispaced angles around the patient. Each beam with its field size that just covers the tumour is divided into a fixed number of beamlets. The FoM is calculated for each beamlet and this value is assigned to be the beam intensity. Various weighting factors are incorporated in the FoM computation to accommodate different clinical considerations. Two clinical datasets are used to test the feasibility of the algorithm. The resultant dose-volume histograms of this method are presented and compared to that of conformal therapy. Preliminary results indicate that this method reduces the critical organ doses at a small expense of uniformity in tumour dose distribution. This method estimates the beam intensity in one single step and the computation time is extremely fast and can be finished in less than one minute using a regular PC.


India's service sector has grown rapidly since the 1990s. Domestic demand for services has increased as incomes have risen, triggering the expansion of industries such as banking, education, and telecommunications. Exports have also increased rapidly, led by information technology and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO). India's ability to offer low-cost, high-quality IT-BPO services has made it a world leader in this industry. However, employment in services has not grown as quickly as output. The majority of India's jobseekers are low-skilled, but demand for workers is growing fastest in higher-skill industries. The supply of highly-skilled workers has not kept pace with demand, causing wages to increase faster for these workers than for lower-skilled ones. India's government has supported the growth of service industries through a mix of deregulation, liberalization, and incentive programs, such as the Software Technology Parks of India. Nevertheless, burdensome regulations, poor infrastructure, and foreign investment restrictions continue to affect service firms' ability to do business. USITC analysis suggests that additional liberalization would lead to an increase in India's imports of services.


Researchers such as Hofstede (2002) and House, Hanges, Javidan, Dorfman and Gupta, (2004) have defined well-known cultural clusters such as, Anglo, Germanic, and Nordic cultural clusters. However, Iceland was not incorporated in these studies and therefore the research question of this paper is: In relation to Hofstede´s five cultural dimensions where does Iceland differ in relation to 25 of the OECD member states using VSM94? A questionnaire was sent to students at the University of Iceland, School of Social Sciences by e-mail in October 2013. The five dimensions of national culture were measured using scales developed by Hofstede called VSM 94. The results indicated that Iceland differs considerably from nations such as Slovakia, Japan, India, Thailand and China, which were found high in PDI and the MAS dimension while Iceland was found to be high in IDV and low in PDI. When considering the 25 OECD countries, Iceland is more similar to the Anglo cluster, C3, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdon, Australia and United States than the Nordic cluster, C1 i.e. Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Iceland is similar to those countries in relation to high IDV, low PDI but differs in the dimensions MAS and UAI where Iceland scores higher.


Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were isolated from Agave tequilana residues derived from ethanol production. Hemicelluloses and lignin extraction from agave bagasse was carried out via organosolv (ethanol/acetic) digestion followed by conventional sulfuric acid hydrolysis. The ethanol/acetic acid treatment resulted in cellulose yields of approximately 67% after lignin and ash removal. Compared to soda and sodium chlorite treatments with organosolv, the time and chemical load needed for delignification were remarkably reduced. The morphology of the cellulose fiber obtained in the three treatments was between 0.55 and 0.62 mm, with which CNC was obtained in the order of 83 to 195 nm in length. It is noteworthy that the longest cellulose fibers and nanocrystals were obtained from organosolv cellulose. The organosolv treatment led to a high purity cellulose, derived CNCs with a minimum energy consumption and mild chemical usage, and also considered the use of material streams associated with distillation processes. Thus, a viable alternative is suggested for the production of high quality CNC from widely available residual biomass that otherwise poses environmental and health-related risks.


In view of the diagnostic limitations of Welin's double-contrast method, which provides no total filling images or mucosal images, a description is given of a so-called universal method of investigation by which a diversity of diseases can be demonstrated. An essential feature of this method is the use of a barium sulphate suspension with experimentally established specific gravity and viscosity. This particular contrast medium has the advantage of permitting of total-filling exposures for assessment of contours and mucosal exposures for the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases and double-contrast method. The specific gravity at a given tube voltage also makes it possible to diagnose polyps after total filling.


689 C R E D IT : C A R L & A N N P U R C E L L /C O R B IS IN THEIR REVIEW "REPRODUCTIVE SOCIAL behavior: cooperative games to replace sexual selection" (17 Feb., p. 965), J. Roughgarden et al. propose what superficially appears to be a radically novel explanation for reproductive social behavior. They argue (i) that sexual selection, which has been a cornerstone of the evolutionary explanation of sexual behavior since Darwin (1), "is always mistaken" and "needs to be replaced," and (ii) that "social selection," "expressed mathematically in a branch of game theory," is the necessary alternative. We believe that their Review is profoundly misleading. In particular, we argue that "social selection" does not represent a novel view of reproductive behavior and that, far from being an alternative to sexual selection, their models are themselves models of sexual selection. The use of game theory models to study reproductive behavior, including the kinds of situations considered by Roughgarden et al., is not new in evolutionary biology. Even threats and side payments, which they specifically highlight, have been included in models for more than 10 years, and it has been recognized for still longer that a lack of alternative reproductive opportunities—which they implicitly assume—selects for cooperation between reproductive partners. They present their models as functioning "in developmental time," but the only rationale for expecting behavioral strategies to maximize payoffs within a generation is that they have been built in by selection over many generations: The correct currency to use for the payoffs in their models must therefore be fitness, as in existing game theory models. If payoffs are in units of fitness, then the variation in payoffs in Roughgarden et al.'s models is by definition selection. Since sexual selection is, also by definition, due to variation in the number or phenotype of mates, the selection in the models, which arises during interactions in which mates use LETTERS I BOOKS I POLICY FORUM I EDUCATION FORUM I PERSPECTIVES 698 Dunes on Saturn's moon Bring on the pain


OBJECTIVE
To explore whether associations of potential risk factors for incidental Lewy body disease (iLBD) are similar to those for Parkinson disease (PD).

DESIGN
Brain autopsy study (1988-2004) of subjects without evidence of neurodegenerative disease or tremor who were evaluated by at least 1 physician within 1 year of death. Researchers analyzed incidental Lewy pathology blinded to clinical abstraction.

SETTING
Olmsted County, Minnesota. Subjects Residents of Olmsted County and the immediate vicinity aged older than 60 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Whether risk factors previously associated with PD in Olmsted County are also associated with iLBD.

RESULTS
Of 235 subjects, 34 had iLBD (14.5%). The overall risk factor profiles for iLBD and PD were fairly similar between the 2 sets of odds ratio (OR) estimates, with 11 of 16 ORs in the same direction. Prior Olmsted County studies documented 7 risk factors with statistically significant associations with PD; for physician occupation and caffeine intake, the ORs for iLBD were in the same direction and statistically significant, whereas for education, head injury, and number of children, they were in the same direction but not significant; they were in the opposite direction but not statistically significant for depression and anxiety. Incidental Lewy body disease was not associated with various end-of-life conditions or causes of death, though these patients were slightly older and more likely cachectic.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on this exploratory study, iLBD and PD appear to have similar risk factor profiles. Thus, at least some cases of iLBD could represent preclinical PD, arrested PD, or a partial syndrome due to a lesser burden of causative factors. Incidental Lewy body disease is not explained by nonspecific end-of-life brain insults.


This paper details developmental work done to establish collaborative distance learning strategies for institutions providing Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in vocational education in 6 European countries. The paper begins with an examination of previous research and developmental activity carried out in teacher education institutions in a subset of the countries, namely the UK, Finland, Portugal and Hungary. A comparison of ITT provision and existing electronic learning provision leads to recommendations and indicators of good practice, which underpin the current developments. It is argued that computer supported collaborative learning and the use of multimedia can greatly enhance teacher education in this area, but that social, organisational and cultural obstacles need to be overcome. The paper also reports on strategies for harmonizing curricula between countries so that collaboration can effectively take place.


A large number of fatigue life models for engineering materials such as concrete and steel are simply a linear or nonlinear relationship between the cyclic stress amplitude, σa, and the log of the number of cycles to failure, Nf. In the linear case, the relationship is a power-law relation between σa and Nf, with two constants determined by a linear least squares fit algorithm. The disadvantage of this simple linear fit of fatigue test data is that it fails to predict the existence of an endurance limit, which is defined as the cyclic stress amplitude at which the number of cycles is infinity. In this paper, we introduce a nonlinear least square fit based on a 4-parameter logistic function, where the curve of the y vs. x plot will have two horizontal asymptotes, namely, y0, at the left infinity, and y1, at the right infinity with y1 < y0 to simulate a fatigue model with a decreasing y for an increasing x. In addition, we need a third parameter, k, to denote the slope of the curve as it traverses from the left horizontal asymptote to the lower right horizontal asymptote, and a fourth parameter, x0, to denote the center of the curve where it crosses a horizontal line half-way between y0 and y1. In this paper, the 4-parameter logistic function is simplified to a 3-parameter function as we apply it to model a fatigue sress-life relationship, because in a stress-log (life) plot, the left upper horizontal asymptote, y0, can be assumed as a constant equal to the static ultimate strength of the material, U0. This simplification reduces the logistic function to the following form:
 y = U0 − (U0 − y1) / (1 + exp(−k (x − x0)),
 where y = σa, and x = log(Nf). The fit algorithm allows us to quantify the uncertainty of the model and the estimation of an endurance limit, which is the parameter, y1. An application of this nonlinear modeling technique is applied to fatigue data of plain concrete in the literature with excellent results. Significance and limitations of this new fit algorithm to the interpretation of fatigue stress-life data are presented and discussed.


Kinetic evaluation of the capacity of human blood serum to form complexes with bovine trypsin generated partition profiles that may be approximated by a series of four intersecting straight lines. Such profiles are suggested to reflect the binding of trypsin to alpha 2-macroglobulin in a kinetically preferred mode (alpha-sites), followed by a subsidiary mode (beta-sites) and finally to alpha 1-antitrypsin. The form of the profile, in addition to revealing a hitherto unreported proteinase-binding capability of alpha 2-macroglobulin (beta-sites), also indicates that saturation of alpha-sites corresponds to a molar binding ratio of alpha 2-macroglobulin/trypsin of 1:2. Finally the profile provides, for certain pathological states, a clinically valuable characteristic.


Shocking details of Gulf War espionage and the treachery of CIA officer Aldrich Ames update this in-depth history of U.S. intelligence operations-- Reveals that U.S. intelligence did not begin in World War II, but has been a major activity of the U.S. government since the Revolutionary War-- This edition includes new material on the role of the CIA after the end of the Cold WarPeople who were shocked a decade ago by Oliver North's testimony on shredding parties and shady arms deals will be electrified by details from the case of Aldrich Ames, the counterintelligence officer who betrayed CIA operatives in Russia and spied for the KGB (and its post-Cold War successor, the Russian SVR) for nine years before his arrest in 1994. With its new information on recent episodes in the U.S, Spying for America is a complete history of the nation's espionage. Author Nathan Miller tells the true stories of agents like John Honeyman, George Washington's Tory agent who gathered enemy intelligence along the backroads of New Jersey; and of Elizabeth Van Lew and Rose Greenhow, belles who spied during the Civil War.Sometimes humorous, often disturbing, and always dramatic, Miller's history of American spying traces the growth of intelligence organizations, and the unfortunate pattern of officials all too tempted to use covert operations as shortcuts in resolving domestic and international problems.(A) fact-filled study of the people behind the 200-year-old American intelligence community.... A solid primer. -- Kirkus ReviewsA stunning narrative that reads better than a novel. -- Charles W. Corddry, Baltimore Sun writer and panelist for Washington Week in Review


Introduction: Round window (RW) insertion of the electrodes during cochlear implantation is the most favorable route considered by many surgeons. The objective of this study was to review the anatomy of the RW based on visibility and accessibility of RW niche (RWN) and RW membrane (RWM) and to assess their implications in surgical difficulties during cochlear implantation in different age groups. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted at the Department of ear, nose, and throat-Head and Neck Surgery, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal. We analyzed the record data of all the cochlear implants from January 2015 to December 2019 for the visibility of RWM, RWN, and associated surgical difficulties in different age groups. RWM visibility was classified as; Grade I (>50% of RWM is visible), Grade II (25%–50% of RWM is visible), Grade III (<25% of RWM is visible), and Grade IV (RWM is not visible). Similarly, RWN visibility was classified as; Type A (difficult to visualize), Type B (partially visible), and Type C (fully visible). Our final sample size was 81. Results: The most common variant of RWN and RWM was Type C (37 cases) and Grade IV (37 cases), respectively, in the age group of <15 years. In cases >15 years, Type B (eight cases) was the most common variant of RWN and Type II (six cases) was the most common variant of RWM. There was a statistically significant association between the visibility of the RWN and RWM and the visibility of RWN and different levels of surgical difficulty (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Type C RWN and Type IV RWM were the most common variants found, mostly seen in the pediatric population. With poorer visibility of RWN, RWM visibility decreases, increasing the difficulty level of the surgery.


Repair of cubitus varus in a child requires a distal humeral osteotomy. The triceps-splitting surgical approach was used for repair of distal humeral malunion in 10 children. Six patients had repair of cubitus varus, 3 had fixation of a fresh fracture, and 1 had repair of a nonunion. No problems with healing were noted. Triceps weakness and elbow stiffness did not occur. The triceps-splitting approach is particularly well suited for repair of cubitus varus in children because, compared with the lateral approach, it is cosmetically favorable, avoids ulnar and cutaneous nerves, does not damage extensor function, provides excellent visualization of the osteotomy site, and does not result in joint stiffness.


The ability of motile cells to remove small inanimate particles from solid substrata is well documented. We show here that motile cells will pick up and internalize infectious particles of the obligate intracellular parasite Chlamydia trachomatis when they are adherent to the substratum over which the host cells move. Two cell types were used to assess chlamydial uptake; a feeder independent human squamous cell carcinoma variant (AC3A cells) and the McCoy cell line. Purified chlamydia elementary bodies were attached to glass or collagen-coated glass by centrifugation. Suspensions of cells were then allowed to sediment on to the substrata to which chlamydiae had attached. Both types of cell picked up chlamydiae and transported them over their surface during the course of attachment and spreading. Stereoscopic images obtained by confocal microscopy demonstrated that chlamydiae were found mainly on the surface of non-spread cells. After the cells had spread on the substratum they began to move around forming tracks where the chlamydiae had been removed. Some cell-surface-attached chlamydiae were endocytosed and a proportion of these proliferated during the 48 h after plating. However, chlamydiae attached to the substratum lost infectivity by a simple exponential decay process within a few hours of incubation in the extracellular environment. Therefore, increasing numbers of non-viable organisms were probably endocytosed as the time of extracellular incubation increased. This mode of infection may be relevant to in vivo situations where cell migration occurs after damage to mucosal surfaces.


Design for manufacturability (DFM) is becoming increasingly important as process geometries shrink. The system-on-chip business model requires high quality, high yielding IP. This paper shows how DFM and DFY are integrated as part of IP delivery, using a set of metrics to identify and fix yield limiters without compromising power, area or performance


Most concerns have focused on the arsenic (As) contamination in wastewater. Montmorillonite (MMT) has been proved to be a good adsorbent for removal heavy metals existing as cation in ground water while it is invalid for anions. However, arsenic usually exists as anions in aqueous. Accordingly, suitable modifications on MMT need to be done before using. This paper presents the results that a kind of commercial MMT has been modified by iron oxides under normal and inverse titration conditions. The x-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermal Gravimetry Analysis and Differential Thermal Analysis (TGA-DTA) and SBET analysis have been employed to elucidate the modification mechanisms. Modification characteristic analysis illustrated that the iron oxide associated with MMT by coated style as polymerization of hydroxyl-Fe (Fe (OH) 3) under inverse titration condition. Under normal titration condition, on the other hand, the iron oxide associated with MMT predominant by intercalation as goethite (FeOOH). The arsenic removal efficiencies of different modified products for polluted water have also been verified by batch experiments. Results proved that Iron oxide modified MMT on the removal efficiency of arsenic significantly increased and the normal titration is better than inverse titration as indicated by the arsenic removal ratios under the same experimental conditions. Based on these results, the iron oxide modified MMT by normal titration procedure is a promising material for removal arsenic in wastewaters.