The 3P1-3P0 fine-structure line of the neutral carbon atom ([C I]) has been mapped over the 1.°8 × 1.°3 area of the L1688 cloud in the ρ Ophiuchi region with the Mount Fuji submillimeter-wave telescope. The 3P2-3P1 line of [C I] has also been observed toward two representative positions to evaluate the excitation temperature of the [C I] lines. The overall extent of the [C I] distribution generally resembles that of the 13CO distribution. The [C I] distribution has two major peaks; one (peak I) is at ρ Oph A, and the other (peak II) is toward the east side of the C18O core in the southern part of L1688. Peak II is located beyond the C18O core with respect to the exciting star HD 147889. The C0 column density is 5.0 × 1017 cm-2 toward peak II. The spatial distribution of the [C I] emission is compared with plane-parallel photodissociation region (PDR) models, which suggest that peak II is associated with a lower density PDR front, adjacent to the dense cloud cores observed in the C18O line emission. Alternatively, peak II is in the early stage of chemical evolution, where C0 has not been completely converted to CO. In this case, the difference in the [C I] and C18O distributions represents an evolutionary sequence. This is consistent with a picture of a shock-compressed formation of the dense cores in this region due to influences from the Sco OB2 association.


Studies of NATO rely heavily on military spending as a fraction of GDP as the key indicator of members' contribution to the alliance, but a growing number of scholars have challenged this approach. We suggest that each member's public goods provision is a better measure of commitment to the alliance. In the case of post-Cold War NATO, out-of-area troop deployments (adjusted for population) constitute one of the strongest indicators of a state's contribution to public goods. Providing troops for NATO missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the clearest signals of high commitment to the alliance. Using deployment data from 2004 to 2018, we show that there is evidence of disproportionate burden-sharing within the alliance. Countries like Slovenia, Denmark, the USA and UK contributed far more to NATO deployments than others like Turkey, Spain, Poland, and Portugal. We also use the data to begin examining possible causes of these disparities. We find that wealthier countries, countries that spend more on their militaries, and newer alliance members are more likely to contribute. Our indicator and first-cut model open avenues for further research on why some members demonstrate higher commitment to NATO than others.


Purpose of reviewIntestinal transplantation is accepted therapy for adults and children suffering from intestinal failure. Donor selection and correct allograft procurement are paramount to the success of intestinal transplantation. This review details current opinion on donor selection and performance of multivisceral and isolated intestinal procurement. Recent findingsTo optimize immediate allograft function, donor selection has been restricted to optimal candidates according to defined criteria. Size matching is an important consideration in donor selection. Donors typically range from 50% to 120% of recipient weight. However, larger organ(s) can be surgically reduced to fit the abdominal cavity of a child. Accepting larger donors improves allocation and decreases waiting list morbidity and mortality. Living-donor intestinal transplantation remains controversial because of the underutilization of potential cadaver donors; however, it provides potential benefits including immuno-modularity. The procurement techniques herein are a modification of the original descriptions of Starzl. All procedures begin with the standard techniques of abdominal organ procurement. Multivisceral organ procurement requires tailoring the donor procedure to the individual needs of a recipient. The essential element of multivisceral and liver/intestine allograft procurement is maintenance of the superior mesenteric artery-portal vein axis. When the liver is a component of a multivisceral allograft, our preference is to preserve the integrity of the biliary system through inclusion of donor duodenum and pancreas. Organ cold perfusion is performed with University of Wisconsin (UW) solution® (Viaspan, Pomona, NY) at 4°C through the aortic and inferior mesenteric venous cannulas. SummaryCorrect procurement is fundamental to the success of multivisceral and isolated intestinal transplantation. The techniques described herein can be routinely applied by recovery teams at remote donor facilities without additional equipment or impedance to concomitant thoracic and abdominal organ procurement.


The death ligand TRAIL represents a promising therapeutic strategy for metastatic melanoma, however prevalent and inducible resistance limit its applicability. A new approach is presented here for sensitization to TRAIL. It is based on inhibition of the membrane potassium channel KCa3.1 (IK1), which serves fundamental cellular functions related to membrane potential. The selective inhibitor TRAM-34 did not induce apoptosis by itself but synergistically enhanced TRAIL sensitivity and overrode TRAIL resistance in a large panel of melanoma cell lines. Expression of IK1 was also found in mitochondria, and its inhibition resulted in mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization and an early activation of Bax. The combination of TRAM-34 and TRAIL resulted in massive release of mitochondrial factors, cytochrome c, AIF and SMAC/DIABLO. Bax knockdown and Bcl-2 overexpression abolished apoptosis. Overexpression of XIAP diminished apoptosis by two-fold, and SMAC knockdown almost completely abolished apoptosis. These data uncover the existence of a rheostat in melanoma cells, consisting of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins and SMAC, which regulates TRAIL sensitivity. Thus, a new strategy is described based on mitochondrial membrane channels, which correspond to Bax activation. As both TRAIL and IK1 inhibitors had shown only minor side effects in clinical trials, a clinical application of this combination is conceivable.


Without understanding the property of stickiness there are limits as to how far we can use it and how sticky we can make an object. Understanding of what affects stickiness is critical. Are surface roughness and stickiness related What is the difference between the sticky and non-sticky objects at a molecular level We decided to look at the difference between the sticky and non-sticky objects. We reasoned that if we collect sticky and non-sticky objects and compare them through the naked eye, a high powered microscope, and an atomic force microscope (AFM), then the objects that are stickier will have more surface roughness than the objects that are less sticky. Results from our imaging of and analysis of the force of adhesion (which gives a measure of stickiness) between non-sticky objects and sticky objects through the AFM have shown us a different relationship between the surface roughness and stickiness than we had reasoned – the relationship that we have discovered is that stickiness is inversely related to the surface roughness of the materials. Our findings could be used to design new adhesives with different materials that are stronger, lighter and more cost effective that the adhesives used today.


ABSTRACT A group of vaccinia virus (VACV) proteins, including A11, L2, and A6, are required for biogenesis of the primary envelope of VACV, specifically, for the acquisition of viral membrane precursors. However, the interconnection among these proteins is unknown and, with the exception of L2, the connection of these proteins with membranes is also unknown. In this study, prompted by the findings that A6 coprecipitated A11 and that the cellular distribution of A11 was dramatically altered by repression of A6 expression, we studied the localization of A11 in cells by using immunofluorescence and cell fractionation analysis. A11 was found to associate with membranes and colocalize with virion membrane proteins in viral replication factories during normal VACV replication. A11 partitioned almost equally between the detergent and aqueous phases upon Triton X-114 phase separation, demonstrating an intrinsic affinity with lipids. However, in the absence of infection or VACV late protein synthesis, A11 did not associate with cellular membranes. Furthermore, when A6 expression was repressed, A11 did not colocalize with any viral membrane proteins or associate with membranes. In contrast, when virion envelope formation was blocked at a later step by repression of A14 expression or by rifampin treatment, A11 colocalized with virion membrane proteins in the factories. Altogether, our data showed that A11 associates with viral membranes during VACV replication, and this association requires A6 expression. This study provides a physical connection between A11 and viral membranes and suggests that A6 regulates A11 membrane association.


Colleges and universities shoulder the important functions of talent cultivation, scientific research and social service, and provide intellectual support for national economic construction. The development of higher education need to increase number, improve quality and optimize structure in teachers. This paper uses four factors such as demand of Dr., higher education investment gross, ownership of young teachers and professors to analysis teacher demand of Chinese colleges and universities. Using ADF test, Johansen cointegration test, and Granger causality test, summed up the real reason that affects teacher demand of colleges and universities. Analysis the four variables in short term prediction with the impulse response, at last offer a proposal on the development of teachers in colleges and universities according to the results of the analysis


Multipartite entanglement plays a central role in optical quantum technologies. One way to entangle two photons is to prepare them in orthogonal internal states, for example, in two polarisations, and then send them through a balanced beam splitter. Post-selecting on the cases where there is one photon in each output port results in a maximally entangled state. This idea can be extended to schemes for the post-selected generation of larger entangled states. Typically, switching between different types of entangled states requires different arrangements of beam splitters and so a new experimental setup. Here, we demonstrate a simple and versatile scheme to generate different types of genuine tripartite entangled states with only one experimental setup. We send three photons through a three-port splitter and vary their internal states before post-selecting on certain output distributions. This results in the generation of tripartite W, G and GHZ states. We obtain fidelities of up to (87.3±1.1)% with regard to the respective ideal states, confirming a successful generation of genuine tripartite entanglement.


Neuropsychiatric illness constitutes a major disease burden worldwide, yet its neurobiological substrates remain elusive. It is increasingly believed that early disturbances during critical and sensitive periods of brain development contribute to a delayed manifestation of psychiatric disease. This is especially evident from the age of disease onset distribution which peaks during adolescence, a transitional period that is accompanied with large-scale reorganization of neuronal function and connectivity. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in experimental animals offer unique opportunities to address the gaps in our knowledge of neurodevelopmental processes and the disease mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric illness. This thesis describes structural and functional MRI-based properties of normal, therapeutically targeted, and genetically altered rat brains during adolescence and adulthood. The effects of psychoactive drug treatment on the developing brains of children and adolescents are poorly studied. This has raised concerns particularly with regard to methylphenidate treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We first explored the dynamics of functional connectivity between brain regions as measured with resting-state fMRI in healthy rats during development from pre-adolescence into adulthood. We observed age-related declines, with distinct temporal patterns in different brain regions. Functional connectivity peaked between late-adolescence and early-adulthood, followed by stabilization into adulthood. This indicates ongoing developmental alterations beyond adolescence. Next, we studied the effects of long-term oral treatment with methylphenidate on the healthy rat brain and its dependence on age of treatment. We found that methylphenidate reduced striatal volume and myelination upon adolescent, but not adult treatment, without affecting striatal functional activity. Furthermore, our results indicate that methylphenidate may predominantly affect the ventral domain of the hippocampus and induce contrasting effects in adolescent and adult rats, with differences in hippocampus-mediated behavior that were paralleled by opposite effects on adult neurogenesis and granule cell proliferation. These small but significant age-dependent effects of psychostimulant treatment in the striatum and hippocampus of healthy rats highlight the importance of further research in children and adolescents that are exposed to methylphenidate. We also studied the effects of a lifetime genetic down-regulation of the brain's serotonin transporter, which is crucially involved in maintaining homeostasis of the serotonin neurotransmitter. We found that DTI-based fractional anisotropy was reduced in the genu of the corpus callosum of knockout rats, which could indicate that knockouts have a reduced capacity for information integration across hemispheres. It is argued that these experimental results encourage the translational application of advanced MRI and analysis techniques, as they may provide complementary information in humans and animal models. When applied in animal models, these tools can be used to study normal brain development and aid in developing appropriate psychiatric disease models. This may then increase our insight in the neurobiological substrates and aid in drug discovery. Furthermore, it is argued that brain plasticity endures beyond adolescence into young adulthood. This transition period has been coined `emerging adulthood' from a psychosocial perspective to emphasize a prolonged time period that young people experience changes in day-to-day environment and relationships, yet we argue that there is a strong contribution of intrinsic development.


Locally resonant metamaterials have attracted lots of research interests for the application of vibration suppression which is a fundamental problem but remains a big challenge in the engineering field. The transverse wave propagation in a beam is through the transmission of the shear force and bending moment. Most designs of metamaterials in the existing literature exploit translational local resonators to induce reaction force to prevent the transmission of the shear force, hence the wave propagation. This paper studies a metamaterial beam attached with torsional local resonators. The reaction moments generated by the torsional resonators are expected to neutralize the bending moment in the beam, thus preventing the wave propagation. The existence of torsional resonators leads to the moment discontinuity conditions which cannot be directly taken into account using the Euler beam theory. Based on the Timoshenko beam theory, the band structure analysis is developed through a modal analysis based on the infinite periodic local resonator structure. The numerical results reveal that the locally resonant frequency corresponds to the upper bound of the band gap. Both infinitely long and finitely long beams are also modeled using finite element method. The transmittance is calculated to verify the band structure analysis.


Eighty largemouth yellowfish, Labeobarbus kimberleyensis, were collected between April 2005 and February 2006 with gill nets close to the island (26‹ 52, 249Œ S, 28‹ 10, 249Œ E) in the Vaal Dam. The fish were killed, weighed and their length determined. Muscle, liver and spinal cord tissues were collected from each fish and the intestines removed and opened to expose Bothriocephalus acheilognathi. The tapeworms were collected in glass bottles and frozen. Water and sediment, as well as liver, muscle and tapeworm samples were digested and thereafter metal concentrations of 23 elements (lithium, beryllium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, cadmium, tin, antimony, tellurium, barium, mercury, thallium, lead and uranium) were determined with an ICP-MS. Bioconcentration of metals (selenium, mercury, and lead during autumn; copper, zinc, selenium, cadmium, antimony, thallium and mercury during winter; lithium, zinc, selenium, cadmium and antimony during spring; and zinc during summer) occurred in tapeworms. The highest mean value was recorded in sediment, followed by water, tapeworms and host tissue. A seasonal trend showed that a higher concentration of the metals had accumulated in tapeworms during winter when water levels were at their lowest.


The existence and evolution of soliton-like structures in a dusty plasma medium are investigated in a first principles approach using molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of particles interacting via a Yukawa potential. These localized structures are found to exist in both weakly and strongly coupled regimes with their structures becoming sharper as the correlation effects between the dust particles get stronger. A surprising result, compared to fluid simulations, is the existence of rarefactive soliton-like structures in our non-dissipative system, a feature that arises from the charge conjugation symmetry property of the Yukawa fluid. Our simulation findings closely resemble many diverse experimental results reported in the past.


Stellar multiplicity is believed to influence planetary formation and evolution, although the precise nature and extent of this role remain ambiguous. We present a study aimed at testing the role of stellar multiplicity in the formation and/or evolution of the most massive, close-in planetary and substellar companions. Using past and new direct imaging observations, as well as the Gaia DR2 catalogue, we searched for wide binary companions to 38 stars hosting massive giant planets or brown dwarfs (M > 7 MJup) on orbits shorter than ∼1 au. We report the discovery of a new component in the WASP-14 system, and present an independent confirmation of a comoving companion to WASP-18. From a robust Bayesian statistical analysis, we derived a binary fraction of $79.0^{+13.2}_{-14.7}$ per cent between 20 and 10 000 au for our sample, twice as high as for field stars with a 3σ significance. This binary frequency was found to be larger than for lower-mass planets on similar orbits, and we observed a marginally higher binary rate for inner companions with periods shorter than 10 d. These results demonstrate that stellar companions greatly influence the formation and/or evolution of these systems, suggesting that the role played by binary companions becomes more important for higher-mass planets, and that this trend may be enhanced for systems with tighter orbits. Our analysis also revealed a peak in binary separation at 250 au, highlighting a shortfall of close binaries among our sample. This indicates that the mechanisms affecting planet and brown dwarf formation or evolution in binaries must operate from wide separations, although we found that the Kozai–Lidov mechanism is unlikely to be the dominant underlying process. We conclude that binarity plays a crucial role in the existence of very massive short-period giant planets and brown dwarf desert inhabitants, which are almost exclusively observed in multiple systems.


Linear and algorithmic formulation of co-operative computation in neural nets.- Algebraic system modelling and implementation.- Towards an "Erlangen program" for general linear systems theory.- Geometric theory of nonlinear dynamical networks.- Multidimensional constant linear systems.- Computer aided analysis and design of time-varying systems.- Towards a computer aided design of linear control systems.- Use of modern computer tools for numerical experiments in Matrix theory.- The concept of the system as a key to system-engineering in the information technology domain.- General Systems Theory requirements for the engineering of complex models.- Control of systems described by means of nonmetric variables.- Object identification and retrieval in a CAST library.- Navigation in Systems Problem Solving.- VisaVis the conception of a functional Visual Programming Language.- Systems theory in modelling chromatic retinal visual processing.- A transformation of the problems of minimal satisfaction of constraints.- Formalizing statistical analysis: Approaches and prospects.- An environment for intelligent autonomous system design and simulation.- Balanced systems: A new approach to integrate hardware and software design.- Systems modeling and process control.- Human-computer interaction and cooperation for supervisory control of large-complex systems.- Incorporating heuristic rules in a multifaceted system.- Towards formalism of deep model descriptions of dynamic systems.- A new approach to the design of concurrent control architectures.- CA-methods for the development and construction of Hydroelectric Power Plants.- Test strategy planning - A tool to support future CAD systems.- On the complexity of system-level diagnostic algorithms.- Bus protocol conversion: From timing diagrams to state machines.- CONSHELL.- Computer Aided Vision (CAV) a cast method bank for artificial vision systems.- A cast system for visual fault detection research.- CAST tools for automatic FMS-Dynamics models synthesis.- CAST.FSM applied to VLSI synthesis: Experimental results and requirements for industrial use.- A high level interactive design environment for complex systems.- The signal description language SIBA.- Experience in the development of advanced modelling environments.- Linking CAST.FSM to practical applications.- The algebraic algorithm A * for the action planning problems.- Complete transforms and their incidence in artificial perception systems theory.- Neural structures to compute homothetic invariances for artificial perception systems.- Systems optimization in retinal research.- Reduced inference systems: Alternative architectures for vision.- Computer Aided Clinical Information System for hospitals.- A methodology for computer aided modelling of information systems based on the extended entity relationship model BIER.- Decision supported systems and their industrial applications.- User interface to a CIM-database.- Artificial intelligence in CIM.- Input-Output model for unconventional sampled-data control systems.- The expediency of syntagmatic objects in CACSD systems.- Automatic robot programming by CAST.- How to achieve perception of real-world scenes: A case study.- Tools for coupling AI and control systems CAD.- An integrated environment for computer-aided control engineering.- Computer aided multi parameter analysis of linear control systems using exponent diagram techniques.- Computer aided multi parameter design of linear systems using exponent diagram techniques.- Minimal realization procedures based on balancing and related techniques.


Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 and Rhizobium etli CE3 turn over nitrogen and carbon from glutamine to ammonium and CO2, respectively. Some of the ammonium released is assimilated back into glutamine, indicating that a glutamine cycle similar to that in Neurospora operates in Rhizobium. In addition, a previously unrecognized metabolic pathway in Rhizobium was discovered--namely, conversion of glutamine-carbon to gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid. Additionally, some of the 2-oxoglutarate derived from glutamine catabolism in Rhizobium is converted to succinate in glutamine-containing medium. Both S. meliloti 1021 and R. etli CE3 oxidize succinate preferentially over glutamine when provided with both carbon sources. In contrast to Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 and Rhizobium etli CE3, an S. meliloti double mutant that lacks both glutamine synthetase (GS) I and II preferentially oxidizes glutamine over succinate when supplied with both substrates. GSII activity is induced in wild-type S. meliloti 1021 and R. etli CE3 grown in succinate-glutamine medium, and this enzyme participates in the cycling of glutamine-carbon and -nitrogen. On the other hand, GSII activity is repressed in both micro-organisms when glutamine is the only carbon source. These findings show that, in medium containing both glutamine and succinate, glutamine synthesis helps drive the utilization of succinate. When glutamine is in excess as an energy-providing substrate its synthesis is restricted, allowing for more effective utilization of glutamine as an energy source.


Hunger and satiety are regulated, to a major extent, by the agouti-related protein (AgRP)/neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons residing in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. During starvation, AgRP neurons are strongly activated to promote hunger. Peripheral hormones and nutrients regulate the function of AgRP neurons, thus ensuring proper glucose and energy homeostasis. Recent studies from various labs, including our group, have shown the importance of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in regulating the activity of AgRP neurons. GPCR function is modulated by a pair of proteins known as beta-arrestin-1 and -2 (barr1 and barr2, respectively), which can terminate GPCR signaling and/or mediate GPCR-independent signaling. It is well established that barr1 and barr2 are involved in many important physiological functions. However, the potential roles of barr1 and barr2 in regulating the activity of AgRP neurons remain unexplored. To address this issue, we generated mice that lacked barr1 or barr2 selectively in AgRP neurons using Cre/loxP-flex-switch technology. Interestingly, AgRP-barr1-KO mice consuming a high fat diet showed significantly impaired glucose tolerance, decreased insulin sensitivity, and elevated plasma glucose and insulin levels. AgRP-barr1-KO mice did not differ from their control littermates in body weight and food intake. More detailed studies into the mechanisms through which barr1 regulates the activity of AgRP neurons may lead to new strategies to alter the activity of AgRP neurons for therapeutic purposes. Disclosure S. Pydi: None. Z. Cui: None. L.F. Barella: None. Y. Cui: None. W. Chen: None. O. Gavrilova: None. J. Wess: None.


Abstract Earth and nature-based spirituality is proliferating globally. In Part I of this study, I argued that although participants in these countercultural movements often eschew the label religion, these are religious movements, in which persons find ultimate meaning and transformative power in nature. Focusing on the deep ecology movement, I further argued that (1) experiences of nature spirituality are evoked by practices as diverse as mountaineering, neo-shamanic ritualising and states of consciousness induced by hallucinogens; (2) earthen spiritualities are often contested and may be viewed as inauthentic or dangerous by practitioners of other forms of nature spirituality, and (3) despite significant diversity, a sense of connection and belonging to nature (sometimes personified as a transforming if not transcendent power) unites these cross-fertilising, and sometimes competing, spiritualities. Part II examines additional forms of nature-oriented religion, searching further for continuities, discontinuities and ironies among its diverse forms.


The peculiar spiral NGC 2782 is the result of a minor merger with a mass ratio ∼4: 1 occurring ∼200 Myr ago. This merger produced a molecular and H i-rich, optically bright eastern tail and an H i-rich, optically faint western tail. Non-detection of CO in the western tail by Braine et al. suggested that star formation had not yet begun. However, deep UBVR and Hα narrowband images show evidence of recent star formation in the western tail, though it lacks massive star clusters and cluster complexes. Using Herschel PACS spectroscopy, we discover 158 μm [C ii] emission at the location of the three most luminous Hα sources in the eastern tail, but not at the location of the even brighter Hα source in the western tail. The western tail is found to have a normal star formation efficiency (SFE), but the eastern tail has a low SFE. The lack of CO and [C ii] emission suggests that the western tail H ii region may have a low carbon abundance and be undergoing its first star formation. The western tail is more efficient at forming stars, but lacks massive clusters. We propose that the low SFE in the eastern tail may be due to its formation as a splash region where gas heating is important even though it has sufficient molecular and neutral gas to make massive star clusters. The western tail, which has lower gas surface density and does not form high-mass star clusters, is a tidally formed region where gravitational compression likely enhances star formation.


Introduction The remarkable interest of neuropathologists in the relatively rare conditions generically called Schilder's disease or diffuse sclerosis is reflected by the disproportionately large number of publications. Numerous authors have made valuable contributions, aimed at an understanding of the causes of these diseases, which ultimately enabled Poser and van Bogaert 1,2 to arrive at a lucid histologic system of classification incorporating etiologic and prognostic implications. In summary, Poser 2 proposed that these diseases fall into 3 different categories, (1) the myelinoclastic group, closely related to multiple sclerosis; (2) the dysmyelinating group or leukodystrophies, probably due to some inherited enzymatic defects; (3) the leukoencephalitides, possibly of viral origin. While this now universally accepted system is of immeasurable value to the pathologist, it is of little help to the clinician in differentiating these clinically similar but etiologically and pathogenically divergent conditions. Obviously, a correct clinical diagnosis will not only permit a more


Electronic mail, email, is one of the most widespread computer applications today.While email in general is very popular among its users, there are also drawbacks withemail usage: an increasing amount of messages that overwhelm users, systems that aretoo complex for naive users and at the same time do not support the needs of experiencedusers.In order to answer the main research question "Which design solutions couldimprove the situation of individual email users in a working context when it comes tocommunication and handling large numbers of incoming and stored email messages?"three studies conducted in email users' working environment are described. The studiedorganisations are one academic research laboratory, one technical company, andone primary medical service organisation. The studies are focused on email usage,organisation of email messages, novice versus experienced users' needs, managers'email usage, and information and communication overflow.The results indicate that the different strategies used to handle email are a matter ofa balance between advantages and disadvantages of these strategies. The choicebetween them is depending on the users' total work situation and cannot be understoodby investigating the email communication alone.One advantage of email is the cognitive comfort it brings to its users by liberatingthem from thinking about tasks that can be solved by sending an email message, butthis advantage disappears when the sender cannot trust that the receiver will act uponthe message.Users develop their handling of email with experience and work position. Themedia that managers use to handle the increased communication that follows with ahigher position are email and meetings. One habit that do not change with position isto allow incoming messages to interrupt other work tasks, despite the asynchronousnature of email. This is particularly remarkable for managers who often complain thatthey need more uninterrupted time. The interruptions may partly be attributed to thelack of functionality in email systems to adapt the interfaces to the users' work habits.In this case incoming messages result in a signal regardless the importance of them.Email is a part of an information and communication flow. Some users have problemshandling this flow. Overflow problems could be diminished by making senders ofmessages more aware of the receivers' communicative situation. Email systems couldprovide feedback to senders of messages based on the receivers' perception of his/hersituation.One of the studies indicates that it may be even more complicated to replace an oldemail system than introducing an email system for the first time in an organisation.The investment experienced users have made in the old system may be substantial.A model of time usage for organisation of email messages is also presented in orderto compare different strategies.Several design solutions are suggested with respect to folder usage, sorting emailmessages into folders, reducing the number of stored messages, and tailoring the emailsystem to the user's work habits.


With phenazine methosulfate and nitro blue tetrazolium, an activity stain for threonine deaminase has been developed. Because the deamination reaction does not involve any overall oxidation or reduction, it is proposed that one of the intermediates of the reaction, α-aminocrotonate or α-iminobutyrate, is the reducing agent. Studies with ferricyanide as the artificial electron acceptor indicate that a decarboxylation of the intermediate occurs during the dye reduction.


AbstractThe nasal route has been shown to be effective for the administration of numerous drugs in order to improve drug bioavailability. A nasal gel of verapamil hydrochloride was formulated and evaluated pharmacodynamically in humans, using electrocardiographic results, with comparison to oral and IV routes. Seven volunteers were involved in the study and the pharmacodynamic parameters were evaluated statistically. Experimental nasal gel showed similar pharmacodynamic results with the intravenous route, which is a hint to the reduction in verapamilinduced first-pass metabolism. However, oral route of administration showed a tendency of less efficacy. No reasonable effect of verapamil could be obtained with the placebo group.


Understanding speciation is one of the great challenges in evolutionary biology as many of the processes involved in speciation, as well as the forces leading to morphological and genetic differentiation, are not fully understood. Three main modes of speciation have been described: allopatric, parapatric and sympatric. Sympatric speciation is the most enigmatic mode because in the absence of physical barriers, disruptive selection, assortative mating and hybridization play central roles in reproductive isolation. Although it is accepted that sympatric speciation is possible, only a few examples of this process exist to date. Another common method of speciation in plants and algae is via polyploidization. Recently, a promising system to study speciation in sympatry was discovered: the endemic Cladophorales species flock in ancient Lake Baikal, Russia. The flock consists of sixteen taxa grouped in four genera: Chaetocladiella, Chaetomorpha, Cladophora and Gemmiphora. In spite of their morphological diversity, recent molecular analyses have shown that this is a monophyletic group with low genetic variation and nested within the morphologically simple genus Rhizoclonium. Due to their high number of species, endemism and sympatric distribution, many interesting questions have arisen such as what processes are involved in speciation, and whether this group might be a novel example of sympatric speciation. In this study, we analysed the population genetics of the endemic Baikalian Cladophorales to infer the processes shaping the evolution of the group. First, a set of microsatellites was designed using high-throughput sequencing data. Second, species delimitation methods based on genetic clustering were performed. Third, the population genetics of three widely distributed species was analysed looking for evidence of panmixia, a common criteria to support sympatric speciation. A total of 11 microsatellites that mostly cross-amplify between most species were obtained. The genotyping revealed that most loci had more than two alleles per individual indicating polyploidy. As such, the analyses required a different approach which consisted in coding the genotypes as 'allelic phenotypes', allowing the use of individuals of different ploidy levels in the same data set. The species delimitation of 15 operative morphotaxa and 727 individuals supported reproductive isolation of five morphotaxa and two hypotheses of conspecificity. However, some morphotaxa showed unclear assignments revealing the need of further research to clarify their reproductive limits. Finally, the population genetics of Chaetomorpha moniliformis, Cladophora compacta and Cl. kursanovii revealed patterns of genetic variation and structure that suggest different reproductive strategies and dispersal abilities. This demonstrates that contrasting biological characteristics may arise in closely related lineages: Chaetomorpha moniliformis with dominant asexual reproduction and long dispersal abilities; Cladophora compacta with high genetic diversity, no population structure and likely to reproduce sexually; Cl. kursanovii with a structure congruent with geographic distribution and more restricted dispersal. The results suggest that polyploidy, rather than speciation with gene flow, is the force driving the reproductive isolation and evolution of this flock. Although many questions remain to be studied, this research provides the first insights into the diversification of this Cladophorales species flock and contributes to the understanding of speciation in freshwater algae.


In this paper, we present a theoretical model for adjustment costs and investment utilisation that illustrates their causes and types and shows in which phases of an investment they occur. Furthermore, we develop an empirical framework for analysing the size and the timing of adjustment costs and investment utilisation. We apply this methodology to a large panel data set of Danish pig producers with 9,281 observations between 1996 and 2008. The paper further contributes with a thorough discussion of the calculation and deflation of capital input from microeconomic data. We estimate an output distance function as a stochastic frontier model and explain the estimated technical inefficiencies with lagged investments, farm size and age of the farmer. We allow for interaction effects between these variables and derive the formula for calculating the marginal effects on technical efficiency. The results show that investments have a negative effect on farm efficiency in the year of the investment and the year after accruing from adjustment costs. There is a large positive effect on efficiency two and three years after the investment. The farmer's age and the farm size significantly influence technical efficiency, as well as the effect of investments on adjustment costs and investment utilisation. These results are robust to different ways of measuring capital.


Educational institutions involved in a school reform effort have been required by NCLB to incorporate certain programs into their structure to transform a stagnant culture to one of collaboration and academic achievement. One of the many areas of importance in this process is an increased emphasis on continuing professional development for staff. The purpose of this study was to examine teacher acceptance of a collegial coaching model as a means to influence an educator's instructional practices and impact student achievement at a middle school. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected through mixed methodology encompassing personal interviews and survey completion. Study design uncovered similarities and differences in perspectives through the responses given by teacher and administrator participants. The goal of the researcher was to compile data to formulate an answer to the major research question: How has professional development delivered by colleagues provided a basis for change and influenced teaching practices of staff members at Steel Town Middle School. Three subsequent questions related to the major research question: 1) What role does professional development play in relation to accountability and school improvement? 2) How has collegial coaching enhanced teaching practices and instructional delivery? 3) How has collegial coaching influenced a move from isolationism to collaboration and the establishment of professional learning communities? Responses speak to the vision of the school, accountability, and the influence a coaching model has had on sharing, communication, and collaboration within the building. The findings indicate that teachers believe a coaching model is a viable means to provide professional development to staff; however, certain criteria have restricted the initiative from having the influence desired for a change in teaching practices and the establishment of professional learning communities. The administrators saw the coaching model as successful, a contrast to many of the teacher responses. Disadvantages and advantages to a coaching model are noted by both groups. The results of this study revealed that instituting a coaching model in an educational setting requires some forethought and planning and it essential that key elements, and personnel, are in place for the initiative to reap the desired benefits.


An analytical model for the self-excited vibration of an overflow flexible weir as observed in the French demonstration fast breeder reactor, Super Phenix-1, is proposed. The instability condition was derived for the case in which the plate vibrates at the frequency of the downstream tank sloshing. In this analysis, the flexible plate weir is modeled as a simply supported-free-simply supported-clamped rectangular plate. Eigenfunction expansions were applied for analyzing both plate vibrations and the downstream tank sloshing. The effect of an overflow liquid is formulated based on the assumption that the momentum change due to the collision of an overflow liquid partly transmitted to the pressure rise on the free surface. As a result, the characteristic equation of the system yielding the theoretical stability boundary was obtained. The stability boundary thus derived agreed well with experimental results.


ABSTRACT Although contexts of learning abroad have traditionally been conceived as optimal settings for language and intercultural learning, Researchers advocate the implementation of pedagogical interventions that promote qualitative intercultural dialogue and guidance in language and intercultural learning process. Yet, studies are needed that carefully document and critically examine these interventions. This qualitative interview study explores how guided reflection efforts influence sojourners' intercultural learning by means of critical reflection. We analyse students' narratives collected during the intervention and draw conclusions regarding their ability to engage in critical reflection and the role of the instructor in fostering their reflection processes and intercultural learning development abroad.


Recently, thioxanthone derivatives were found to protect cells against toxic P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates, acting as potent inducers/activators of this efflux pump. The study of new P-gp chiral modulators produced from thioxanthone derivatives could clarify the enantioselectivity of this ABC transporter towards this new class of modulators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the P-gp modulatory ability of four enantiomeric pairs of new synthesized chiral aminated thioxanthones (ATxs) 1–8, studying the influence of the stereochemistry on P-gp induction/ activation in cultured Caco-2 cells. The data displayed that all the tested compounds (at 20 μM) significantly decreased the intracellular accumulation of a P-gp fluorescent substrate (rhodamine 123) when incubated simultaneously for 60 min, demonstrating an increased activity of the efflux, when compared to control cells. Additionally, all of them except ATx 3 (+), caused similar results when the accumulation of the P-gp fluorescent substrate was evaluated after pre-incubating cells with the test compounds for 24 h, significantly reducing the rhodamine 123 intracellular accumulation as a result of a significant increase in P-gp activity. However, ATx 2 (−) was the only derivative that, after 24 h of incubation, significantly increased P-gp expression. These results demonstrated a significantly increased P-gp activity, even without an increase in P-gp expression. Therefore, ATxs 1–8 were shown to behave as P-gp activators. Furthermore, no significant differences were detected in the activity of the protein when comparing the enantiomeric pairs. Nevertheless, ATx 2 (−) modulates P-gp expression differently from its enantiomer, ATx 1 (+). These results disclosed new activators and inducers of P-gp and highlight the existence of enantioselectivity in the induction mechanism.


BACKGROUND
Total elbow arthroplasty was originally used to treat patients with arthritis. As familiarity with total elbow arthroplasty evolved, the indications were expanded to include other disorders. There continues to be a low number of total elbow arthroplasties performed each year in comparison with hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasties, and few large studies have examined the indications and associated complications of total elbow arthroplasty. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the changes with time in the indications for total elbow arthroplasty and to examine the complications of this procedure in a large database.

METHODS
The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database from the New York State Department of Health, a census of all ambulatory and inpatient surgical procedures in the state of New York, was used to identify individuals who underwent primary total elbow arthroplasty during the time period of 1997 to 2006. These total elbow arthroplasties were evaluated for admitting diagnoses, sex and age of patient, readmission and complication data, and time to subsequent elbow surgery.

RESULTS
From 1997 to 2006, there were 1155 total elbow arthroplasties performed in New York State. In 1997, 43% of the total elbow arthroplasties were associated with trauma and 48%, with inflammatory conditions. In 2006, this changed to 69% and 19%, respectively. Within ninety days after the primary total elbow arthroplasty, 12% of the patients were readmitted to the hospital with approximately one-half (5.6%) admitted for problems related to the total elbow arthroplasty. The overall revision rate was 6.4%. The revision rates for the traumatic, inflammatory arthritis, and osteoarthritis groups were 4.8%, 8.3%, and 14.7%, respectively. Of particular interest, 90.5% of the total elbow arthroplasties were performed by surgeons with no recorded experience in the database, which began collecting these data in 1986.

CONCLUSIONS
This study provides useful information regarding patients undergoing total elbow arthroplasty in New York State. During the study period, the most common indication for total elbow arthroplasty changed from inflammatory arthritis to trauma. Although the number of total elbow arthroplasties being performed each year has increased, there continues to be a high complication and revision rate.


Background: Narcissin is well known for their various biological activities. Objective: To recover narcissin from the Opuntia ficus-indica fruits (OFIF), an efficient method was developed by a combination of response surface methodology (RSM) and high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC). Materials and Methods: Optimization of extraction conditions of narcissin from OFIF was determined using RSM with three-level-three-factor Box-Behnken design (BBD). Then, a rapid and efficient method for the isolation of narcissin from the rich narcissin extracts was developed using HSCCC. Results: Regression analysis showed a good fit of the experimental data and the optimal condition was obtained as extraction time (X1), 6.02 h; solvent to material ratio (X2), 8.16 mL/g; and ethanol concentration (X3), 93.48%. Then, the rich narcissin extracts were separated by HSCCC with a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane: ethyl acetate: methanol: water (1.5:5:5:1.5, v/v/v/v) in one step within 60 min. As a result, 12 mg of narcissin was isolated from 100 mg of crude extract with purities of 98.5%, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Conclusion: This study can be useful to the development of industrial extraction processes, including further studies concerning the optimal number of sequential steps to enhance the efficacy of a large-scale extraction system. Abbreviations used: BBD: Box-Behnken design; HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography; HSCCC: High-speed countercurrent chromatography; OFIF: Opuntia ficus-indica fruits; RSM: Response surface methodology


Holographic data storage offers the promise of vastly greater storage densities and readout speeds of up to a gigabit per second. But it remains a method without an ideal medium, because the materials used have lacked crucial properties. Now researchers are having some success working with existing materials such as lithium niobate, as well as developing new materials with ideal combinations of properties, such as photorefractive polymers, photochromic materials, and photopolymers.


Adjusting to a stoma can be difficult. During development of a new Patient-Reported Outcome Measure, peoples' perceptions of factors influencing acceptance of a stoma were explored.

 Participants aged 18 years+ (confirmed IBD diagnosis, current or prior stoma) were recruited via Crohn's & Colitis UK. Semi-structured interviews (online/phone January–April 2022) were audio-recorded, transcribed professionally, and analysed thematically.

 Of 29 participants, 16 (55%) were female, 13 (45% male, or non-binary); mean age 53 years (range 22-77 years); with Crohn's disease (n=11), ulcerative colitis (n=15) and IBD-unclassified (n=3). Mean time from diagnosis to first stoma: 9.3 years; 27 (93%) had a permanent stoma. Four early themes emerged:
 Diagnosis and treatment: Clinical history before stoma surgery affected peoples' responses afterwards. Delayed diagnosis, medication, and a declining health trajectory led to 'no other option' making it easier to consent to and accept stoma-forming surgery. Relief and control came once practical stoma care was mastered. Those who reported delayed diagnosis and/or not being believed about being seriously unwell, carried that experience forward with them.
 Challenges of living with a stoma: No-one was 'pleased' that they had a stoma, but all (bar one) felt that life was better with, than without one. The stoma was harder to accept when not preceded by extended illness, or when temporary. Challenges included poor facilities for managing the stoma away from home and finding the right appliance to suit. The time needed per day to care for the stoma was burdensome. It took about two years to reach acceptance after stoma surgery.
 Personality and coping: Participants viewed their stoma in the same way they addressed other challenges: there was no choice but to 'get on with it'. Problem-solving skills had often been learnt in childhood. Recalling the stark health contrast between life without and with a stoma was helpful in accepting the stoma as part of their identity.
 Social impacts and influences: Family, intimate partner, and social support were crucial. There is inadequate support for ostomates' family members, especially children. Partners were accepting of the stoma, but women worried about body image and remaining attractive. People described anticipated and perceived stigma; whilst concerned that the stoma might be 'obvious' to others, they also endured negative comments because it was invisible.

 Adjustment to living well with a stoma is influenced by personality, coping style, and social support, informed by prior personal, social and clinical experiences. Public ignorance about stomas and others' stigmatising attitudes often cause the most distress.


Ten healthy young males were studied with a double-blind, cross-over trial to determine whether or not chlormadinone acetate (CMA), a potent synthetic progesterone, augments hypoxic chemosensitivity. Seven days after CMA administration, inspiratory minute volume (VI) and tidal volume (VT) significantly increased. PaCO2 decreased by 3.0 +/- 2.6 (S.D.) Torr (p less than 0.05) and plasma bicarbonate decreased by 2.9 +/- 1.1 mM (p less than 0.01). During CMA administration, the atmospheric hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), assessed by minute ventilatory (delta VI/delta SaO2), and occlusion pressure responses (delta P .2/delta SaO2), significantly increased about 1.9 (p less than 0.05) and 1.6 times (p less than 0.01) compared to the placebo response, respectively. The calculated normocapnic HVR (delta VI/delta SaO2) increased about 2.3 times the placebo run. Hypoxic response evaluated by the withdrawal test, which represents the peripheral chemosensitivity without involving the influence due to secondary hypoxic depression, was about 1.7 times the placebo response (p less than 0.05). We conclude that CMA augments hypoxic respiratory chemosensitivity.


Objectives: A 16-bit carry look ahead adder is implemented in domino CMOS logic is presented in this paper. The proposed work comprises of two separate 8-bit carry chains. Statistical Analysis: This is evaluated using TANNER EDA tool. The schematics are drawn in s-edit, netlists are generated using T-spice and the waveforms are verified using waveform viewer or w-edit. Layouts can also be created using SDL (Schematic Drawn Layout), by importing netlist in L-edit. Findings: Due to the split carry chains in the adder, the speed of computation is increased, at the cost of area, when compared with ordinary carry look ahead adder. As we know that the use of domino logic reduces the power consumption, but as switching occurs many times power consumption is increased, that is the switching power of the system is increased. Applications: In VLSI system reducing the multipliers and increasing the adders is the main factor, thus in place of those adders if this split carry adders are used, the speed will be increased further.


OBJECTIVES
This study compared ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection (HD) outcomes using two commonly used injectate volumes (10 and 5 mL) of normal saline to explore if there is a volume effect of HD for patients with moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

METHODS
Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to treatment with HD using ultrasound-guidance and either 10 mL or 5 mL of normal saline (HD-10 and HD-5 groups respectively). Our primary outcome measures were the change scores of the two subscales of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire: The Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and Functional Status Scale (FSS). We conducted a one-way repeated analysis of variance for 3 time points (4, 12, and 24 weeks) for both SSS and FSS, respectively, for change scores from time 0, and percentage change from time 0.

RESULTS
All participants (n = 12 per group) completed the study. From 0 to 24 weeks the HD-10 group outperformed the HD-5 group for improvement in SSS (median ± IQR; -0.8 ± 0.4 versus -0.5 ± 0.5; P = .024) and FSS scores (mean ± SD; -0.8 ± 0.2 versus -0.5 ± 0.5; P = .011). The HD-10 group improvement in FSS subtest significantly exceeded the MCID percentage-change-based threshold of 27% (34%; P = .039).

CONCLUSIONS
Despite the limitations of small study size, a largely inert injectate, and a single injection approach, these findings in favor of the 10 mL group suggest that the volume used for ultrasound-guided HD in moderate CTS matters, and a higher volume is more effective.


In order to assess inhibitor development in previously untreated patients (PUPs) with severe (factor VIII [FVIII]<1%) and moderate (FVIII 1 to 5%) hemophilia A, a prospective study was initiated in 1976. During the 23-year study period, 72 hemophiliacs were frequently exposed prophylactically or on demand to plasma-derived (pd) (n = 51) or recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) (n = 21) concentrates (median 270 exposure days [ED]). In-hibitor testing was performed before the first exposure and at regular intervals thereafter. Of the 72 hemophilia A patients, 22 (32%) developed an inhibitor after 15 ED in median (range 4 to 195); 17 (77%) were high responders (>5 Bethesda Units [BU]), and the remaining 5 patients (23%) were low responders (>0.6 to 5 BU). The severely affected patients (n = 46) showed a significantly higher frequency of inhibitor formation (43%) than did the moderate ones (8%). Comparing the severely affected patients receiving pd products exclusively (n = 35) with those treated with recombinant concentrate (n = 11), 37% of the pd group developed a high-titer inhibitor (>5 BU, median 290 ED in noninhibitor patients) and 36% of the recombinant group (median 49 ED in the noninhibitor patients). However, the exposure status of the recombinant noninhibitor patients is rather low and therefore remains a high risk of developing further inhibitors in the future. The mutation type profile revealed no difference between the pd-and the recombinant-treated patients.


The radial and local diffusion processes induced by various plasma waves govern the highly energetic electron dynamics in the Earth's radiation belts, causing distinct characteristics in electron distributions at various energies. In this study, we present our simulation results of the energetic electron evolution during a geomagnetic storm using the University of California, Los Angeles 3‐D diffusion code. Following the plasma sheet electron injections, the electrons at different energy bands detected by the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer (MagEIS) and Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope (REPT) instruments on board the Van Allen Probes exhibit a rapid enhancement followed by a slow diffusive movement in differential energy fluxes, and the radial extent to which electrons can penetrate into depends on energy with closer penetration toward the Earth at lower energies than higher energies. We incorporate radial diffusion, local acceleration, and loss processes due to whistler mode wave observations to perform a 3‐D diffusion simulation. Our simulation results demonstrate that chorus waves cause electron flux increase by more than 1 order of magnitude during the first 18 h, and the subsequent radial extents of the energetic electrons during the storm recovery phase are determined by the coupled radial diffusion and the pitch angle scattering by EMIC waves and plasmaspheric hiss. The radial diffusion caused by ULF waves and local plasma wave scattering are energy dependent, which lead to the observed electron flux variations with energy dependences. This study suggests that plasma wave distributions in the inner magnetosphere are crucial for the energy‐dependent intrusions of several hundred keV to several MeV electrons.


Ventricular repolarization abnormalities (VRA) in athletes with apparently normal hearts, have always represented a challenging problem for sports physicians. We describe the case of an athlete with giant negative T waves and ST segment depression on resting electrocardiogram (ECG), "small" left ventricular cavity size and mild segmental hypertrophy at the echocardiogram (ECHO). After only 2 months of detraining, ECHO features were almost identical but ECG abnormalities disappeared. He has been followed in our Outpatient Clinic for 17 years, during which he had some cardiovascular complications, strongly suggestive of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. At last stress test ECG, moreover, reappearance of VRA at high workloads and during the recovery period was documented. In conclusion, even if marked VRA disappear after a detraining period, we believe that they always represent a mark of an underlying disease and not just a sign of athlete's heart.


Increased hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) attributable to spleen contraction raises blood gas storage capacity during apnea, but the mechanisms that trigger this response have not been clarified. We focused on the role of hypoxia in triggering these Hb and Hct elevations. After horizontal rest for 20 min, 10 volunteers performed 3 maximal apneas spaced by 2 min, each preceded by a deep inspiration of air. The series was repeated using the same apneic durations but after 1 min of 100% oxygen breathing and oxygen inspiration prior to apneas. Mean apneic durations were 150s, 171s, and 214s for apneas 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Relative to pre-apnea values, the mean post-apneic arterial oxygen saturation nadir was 84.7% after air and 98% after oxygen. A more pronounced elevation of both Hb and Hct occurred during the air trial: after apnea 1 with air, mean Hb had increased by 1.5% (P<0.01), but no clear increase was found after the first apnea in with oxygen. After the third apnea with air Hb had increased by 3.0% (P<0.01), and with oxygen by 2.0% (P<0.01). After the first apnea with air Hct had increased by 1.9% (P<0.01) and after 3 apneas by 3.0% (P<0.01), but Hct did not change significantly in the oxygen trial. In both trials, Hb and Hct were at pre-apneic levels 10 min after apneas. Diving bradycardia during apnea was the same in both trials. We concluded that hypoxia is essential in inducing spleen-related Hb and Hct increase during apnea.


This paper studies the dynamic relationship between parental labor supply, children's cognitive development and intra-household bargaining power. To do so, I construct a model that incorporates preference heterogeneity across and within households, a constrained cooperative bargaining framework with explicit outside options, a dynamic technology of the child's cognitive development, and endogenous parental human capital and wages. Using detailed U.S. panel data on married households, I identify and estimate the model with the Method of Simulated Moments, and show that it replicates observable trends and heterogeneity in parental time use, the use of formal childcare arrangements and child test scores. I use the model to simulate the effects of cash transfers and formal childcare subsidies. First, I find that the cost-effectiveness of the recently expanded Child Tax Credit, in terms of fostering child cognition and reducing intra-household inequality, could be improved by giving cash to mothers directly, and by making the credit increase with the child's age. Second, I consider expansions of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit which offer larger formal childcare subsidies and relax the employment requirements. I estimate that a 25 percent subsidy could boost young children's skills by over 0.1 standard deviations, increase maternal labor supply even when there is no work requirement, and be financed at no additional cost through a 50 percent reduction in the Child Tax Credit for households with young children.


Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and interactions were the third most common drug-related problem (DRP) found in a two-year study of DRPs in a 72-bed nursing home. Neurotropic drugs followed by antihypertensives, potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, diuretics, digoxin and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs antacid interactions, and antiinfective rashes accounted for 88 percent (143 of 161) of the adverse reactions and interactions. A number of adverse reactions and interactions. A number of adverse drug reactions and interactions were preventable, in that careful attention to the patient's complete history, problem list, and relative-to-absolute contraindications to drugs should have resulted in drug changes/discontinuances in at least 61 percent (98 of 161) cases. An adverse reaction rate of 9.3 percent (161 of 1,728) drug regimen reviews was found. Adverse drug reaction is defined as any undesirable effect of drug therapy. Drug-drug interaction is a combination of drugs that may result in a beneficial or detrimental effect. For purposes of this study, only drug interactions of a detrimental nature were considered. The prior Legal Briefs column (May/June '85) in this series dealt with drug contra-indications, or the presence of some condition or historical fact in the patient that indicates that a drug should probably-to-absolutely not be used in the patient. This current column deals with the development of undesirable consequences when the prescriber, pharmacist, and those administering the drug may not have been aware of the historical events or predisposing conditions and adverse events occurred.


A fifty four year old man presented with renal failure several days following laparoscopic appendicectomy. Imaging revealed a large rectus sheath haematoma extending into the pelvis causing bilateral ureteric obstruction. The initial reason for renal failure was not clear as imaging did not reveal significant hydronephrosis as would usually be expected with ureteric obstruction, however renal function failed to improve despite addressing pre-renal causes of renal impairment. He was treated with both a retrograde ureteric stent and percutaneous nephrostomy.


The data underlying this article are available in the article.
 Longitudinal melanonychia (LM) presents a challenge because nail unit melanoma (NUM) must be considered as a differential diagnosis. Because nail matrix biopsy may result in nail dystrophy, it is important to distinguish NUM from LM.

 To provide evidence of previously reported clinical factors indicative of NUM in patients with LM.

 This was a retrospective study of patients who presented with LM and had biopsy-confirmed NUM from 2005 to 2021. Benign LM was either confirmed by biopsy or considered benign if followed without the need for biopsy. Clinical factors associated with LM and NUM were compared by multivariate regression.

 A total of 177 patients (97 LM and 80 NUM) were included. Multivariate regression showed that high band color intensity (p = .0031), variegation (p = .0005), nail plate splitting (p = .0017), Hutchinson sign (p = .0027), and band change (p = .001) correlated with malignancy. Nail plate splitting was associated with Breslow thickness.

 Malignancy should be suspected and biopsy performed in patients with LM and high band color intensity, variegation, nail plate splitting, Hutchinson sign, and band change.


Eosinophils are terminally differentiated granulocytes that have long been considered as destructive cells associated with Th2 type immune responses such as allergic inflammation and helminth infections. Recently, eosinophils have been actively studied as multifunctional leukocytes regulating an array of physiological responses through interaction with other immune cells. In this study, we examined the expression and function of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in eosinophilic EoL-1 cells and demonstrated the expression of a number of immune mediators in activated EoL-1 cells and their interaction with the macrophage cell line THP-1 upon TLR4 ligand stimulation. EoL-1 cells differentiated with butyrate increased expression of TLR3, TLR4, and TLR7 at mRNA and protein level with flow cytometry analysis. Mature eosinophils derived from human cord blood CD34+ cells were subjected to RNA-sequencing, and showed the expression of a panel of TLR transcripts and TLR4 was the most highly expressed TLR. Among the cognate ligands of TLR3, TLR4, and TLR7, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or palmitic acid significantly increased mRNA expression of immune mediators in differentiated EoL-1 cells. Notably, Western blot analysis of palmitic acid-treated differentiated EoL-1 cells showed significantly up-regulated expression of Th2 type cytokines and transcription factors driving eosinophil differentiation. To evaluate functional significance of TLR4 ligand-stimulated eosinophils, we added conditioned media (CM) from EoL-1 cells to differentiated THP-1 cells and assessed the expression of M1 macrophage or M2 macrophage-related markers. M1 and M2 macrophage markers were significantly upregulated by CM from LPS and palmitic acid stimulated EoL-1 cells, respectively. In addition, the adipose tissue of obese mice, where eosinophils are decreased due to obesity-induced inflammation, showed significantly decreased frequency of M2 macrophages, despite an increase in the total macrophage numbers. Based on these collective data, we proposed that eosinophils regulate both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages through functional changes induced by different TLR4 ligands.


One of the most common statistical goals is to estimate a population parameter and quantify uncertainty by constructing a confidence interval. However, the field of differential privacy lacks easy-to-use and general methods for doing so. We partially fill this gap by developing two broadly applicable methods for private confidence-interval construction. The first is based on asymptotics: for two widely used model classes, exponential families and linear regression, a simple private estimator has the same asymptotic normal distribution as the corresponding non-private estimator, so confidence intervals can be constructed using quantiles of the normal distribution. These are computationally cheap and accurate for large data sets, but do not have good coverage for small data sets. The second approach is based on the parametric bootstrap. It applies "out of the box" to a wide class of private estimators and has good coverage at small sample sizes, but with increased computational cost. Both methods are based on post-processing the private estimator and do not consume additional privacy budget.


Prioritized SMT is a technique that places a priority to each thread by hardware and preferentially allocates processor resources to the higher priority threads. This technique meets the requirements of soft real-time systems, since it has a capability of supporting real-time processing with maintaining the system throughput. This paper proposes a real-time scheduling algorithm for soft real-time systems on prioritized SMT processors. The upper bound of the tardiness of tasks is also analyzed in order to meet QoS requirements of the systems. We discuss the tightness of the tardiness bound in the evaluation with the tick-level simulation.


An invisible image watermarking scheme tends to insert the mark in a transparent manner, with the highest possible energy. Several watermarking algorithms use human visual models as perceptual masks to maximize the power of watermark. We take advantage of inhibitory and excitatory characteristics of eye receptors which yield an extra capacity, for amplifying watermark power, while still satisfying imperceptibility constraint. Spatial-domain image entropy is used as a measure of strength of inhibitory effect. The principle of our idea is based on the decomposition of mark sequence into two parts, corresponding to two complementary sets of pixels in spatial-domain. These sets are determined with respect to two non-overlapping entropy intervals. We introduce entropy masking as a post-amplification process, which enables us to achieve exact localization. We derive formulas to refine Watson's visual model in a completely different manner, with the assumption of having a priori information about mark sequence. Simulation results of the proposed model confirm the expected both energy improvement and recovery enhancement of the watermark.


We use geophysical data to examine the structural framework of the northern San Francisco Bay region, an area that hosts the northward continuation of the East Bay fault system. Although this fault system has accommodated ∼175 km of right-lateral offset since 12 Ma, how this offset is partitioned north of the bay is controversial and important for understanding where and how strain is accommodated along this stretch of the broader San Andreas transform margin. Using gravity and magnetic data, we map these faults, many of which influenced basin formation and volcanism. Continuity of magnetic anomalies in certain areas, such as Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the region north of Napa Valley, and the region south of the Santa Rosa Plain, preclude significant (>10 km) offset. Much of the slip is partitioned around Sonoma and Napa Valleys and onto the Carneros, Rodgers Creek, and Green Valley faults. The absence of correlative magnetic anomalies across the Hayward–Rodgers Creek–Maacama fault system suggests that this system reactivated older basement structures, which appear to influence seismicity patterns in the region.


Introduction. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare and severe disease, without any curative treatment, that ultimately leads to death. Our previous studies showed a role of the nerve growth factor NGF in severe pulmonary hypertension (SPH) by use of a rat model combining monocrotaline and chronic hypoxia. Using the same model, we have here studied whether the tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) receptor, the NGF high-affinity receptor, is involved in SPH pathophysiology. Methods: SPH was induced in rats by a single injection of MCT (day (D) 1, 60 mg/kg, ip) followed by chronic hypoxia (CH, 0.5 atm, D3 to D28). The TrkA tyrosine-kinase inhibitor K252a was administrated curatively at D15-18-20-25-27 (80 µg/kg, ip). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and Fulton index were assessed at D28. Pulmonary arterial reactivity, inflammation and remodelling were also evaluated. Results: In SPH rats, all the parameters studied were significantly increased compared to controls. The curative treatment with K252a totally reversed hyperreactivity to PHE, as well as pulmonary artery medial thickening and luminal occlusion. This treatment partially reversed the increase in mPAP (45% inhibition) and Fulton index (40% inhibition) and also partially inhibited increased secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (27 and 33% inhibition respectively). Conclusions . We show that inhibition of the TrkA receptor in vivo displays curative effects in a rat model of SPH. These results confirm a role of NGF in SPH pathophysiology and demonstrate that targeting of the TrkA receptor may be of therapeutical interest in this disease.


A series of amphiphilic block copolymers mPEO-b-PCL with different PCL molecular weight were successfully prepared by combination of anionic ring-opening polymerization with coordination-insertion ring-opening polymerization. Firstly, the linear mPEO was prepared by anionic ring-opening copolymerization of EO with 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethoxide potassium as the small molecule initiators, then the mPEO as the macroinitiator was used to initiate the ring-opening polymerization of CL, in the absence of Sn(Oct)2 as the catalyst, and amphiphilic block copolymers mPEO-b-PCL were obtained. By changing the ratio of monomer and macroinitiator, prepared a series of different molecular weight mPEO-b-PCL. The structure of intermediates and final products were characterized by 1H NMR and GPC. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) of the final copolymer was measured. In addition, the sizes and morphologies of the obtained micelles at different PCL chains were studied with Laser nano-particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).


When two three-dimensional topological insulators(TIs) are brought close to each other with their surfaces aligned,the surfaces form a line junction. Similarly, three TI surfaces, not lying in a single plane, can form an atomic-scale nanostep junction. In this paper, Andreev reflection in a TI–TI–superconductor nanostep junction is investigated theoretically. Because of the existence of edge states along each line junction, the conductance for a nanostep junction is suppressed. When the incident energy(e) of an electron is larger than the superconductor gap(?), the Andreev conductance in a step junction is less than unity while for a plane junction it is unity. The Andreev conductance is found to depend on the height of the step junction. The Andreev conductance exhibits oscillatory behavior as a function of the junction height with the amplitude of the oscillations remaining unchanged when e = 0, but decreasing for e = ?, which is different from the case of the plane junction. The height of the step is therefore an important parameter for Andreev reflection in nanostep junctions, and plays a role similar to that of the delta potential barrier in normal metal–superconductor plane junctions.


The article is based on the preliminary results of author's current study of the implementation of electronic health records in one of Russian outpatient clinics. Interviews with doctors, developers, managers of the State Department of Healthcare, IT-specialists, and clinic's head, as well as observations of doctors' everyday work, show that one of the key problems in the transition from paper to electronic record-keeping is how new information system transforms (or fails to transform) doctors' routine, habitual activities. The article suggests that the widespread view of habitual action as an action in accordance with a preliminary scheme – a view that forms a basis for the majority of medical information systems – does not describe the actual structure of healthcare activities. The analysis of how doctors perceive and use electronic health records in their daily practice demonstrates that a situational approach to routine actions is more adequate. For example, the use of so-called "templates" that are created by doctors within the electronic health records cannot be understood without reference to the situational context of professional activities. Doctors, creating and using various "templates," do this in such ways that allow them to make these health records circumstantially understandable. The view of routine activities as situated, concerted achievements not only proves the possibility of a new approach to the description of habitual actions' role and place in the structure of social action, but can be important for the design and evaluation of professional information systems.


TransJakarta was a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Jakarta. It was designed to provide Jakarta citizens with a fast public transportation system to help reduce rush hour traffic. After operating more than one decade, many suggestions and critics were given related to service quality. IPA and PGCV methods were applied to determine which service attributes should be improved and their priorities. In this research, eight service attributes were identified as critical attributes (on first quadrant of IPA diagram). The higher value of PGCV index indicated the priority level of attributes. Based on its priority level, the order were 1) easiness of giving suggestions, 2) ticket queue, 3) easiness of complaints, 4) the facilities for passengers with special needs, 5) employees appearance, 6) transportation cost, 7) accessibility, and 8) the number of bus.


In the 2010 Maule, Chile, earthquake ( M w 8.8), many high‐rise buildings in downtown Concepcion (CONC) sustained severe damage. The accelerogram observed at CONC had large amplitudes and long periods. The spectra contained strong peaks with periods around 2 s, whereas the spectra from a neighboring site (CCSP) did not exhibit strong peaks. Because CONC and CCSP are located in the Concepcion basin and at the edge of the basin, respectively, these observations suggest that the spectral differences are due to site geological effects. To quantitatively evaluate site effects, microtremor array observations were conducted as a subsurface structure survey in Concepcion. The S ‐wave velocity profiles were estimated from the inversion of the Rayleigh‐wave phase velocity and the horizontal‐to‐vertical ratio. The different spectral characteristics of the records at CONC and CCSP could be explained by the theoretical amplification factors computed from the velocity profiles. Further studies on seismic microzoning of the city with an emphasis on the subsurface structure should improve disaster planning in Concepcion.


Adolescents are an understudied, but meaningful, population when it comes to food safety education. With the proliferation of pathogenic microbes and changes in eating habits of Americans, today's youth are more at risk of contracting a foodborne illness than previous generations. Hands On: Real World Lessons for Middle School Classrooms provides effective food safety education for adolescents. However, rapid expansion of the program created the need for a train-the-trainer model of professional development. The study reported here evaluated the efficacy of a train-the-trainer model. Results indicate that the model can effectively train classroom teachers to implement the Hands On program.


Although fish and seafood are well known for their nutritional benefits, they contain contaminants that might affect human health. Organic lipid-soluble arsenic species, so called arsenolipids, belong to the emerging contaminants in these food items; their toxicity has yet to be systematically studied. Here, we apply the in vivo model Caenorhabditis elegans to assess the effects of two arsenic-containing hydrocarbons (AsHC), a saturated arsenic-containing fatty acid (AsFA), and an arsenic-containing triacylglyceride (AsTAG) in a whole organism. Although all arsenolipids were highly bioavailable in Caenorhabditis elegans, only the AsHCs were substantially metabolized to thioxylated or shortened metabolic products and induced significant toxicity, affecting both survival and development. Furthermore, the AsHCs were several fold more potent as compared to the toxic reference arsenite. This study clearly indicates the need for a full hazard identification of subclasses of arsenolipids to assess whether they pose a risk to human health.


,It is always a pleasure to review a book by clinical biochemists on a clinical topic, :speciaUy when, as in the present case, one can find little but good to say about it. Doctors Kricka and Clark have re':agnised one of the long-standing problems in clinical medicine and set about trying to solve it. The problem they have ':Ievoted themselves to is that of recognising and identifying those patients whose ,:lInesses are largely, if not wholly, due to alcohol but who either deny the possibility of an alcoholic involvementsven should it be suspected by the clini;ian-or deliberately conceal it. The chapter devoted to biochemical tests :or the detection and assessment of alcohol abuse represents the attempt by the authors to summarise existing knowledge In this topic, and draw valid conclusions rrom it. Unfortunately, despite all the ldvances in knowledge made in this area n recent years, the authors have had to xmclude that 'as yet no simple and reliable biochemical test to distinguish the ethanol abuser from the non-abuser 's available'. In general, this is an excellent little ,book nicely set out and well written, though rather terse. It is up-to-date, with copious references to the literature ,In the clinical biochemistry of alcohol, md can be thoroughly recommended to lnyone whose profession brings him into contact with people who sometimes, or :-egularly, abuse alcohol, which includes, therefore, all but the most secluded of ;1inica1 biochemists,


Purpose/aim: The purpose of this thesis is to examine if, and in that case how, the municipality of Umea worked strategically with its communication during 2014 when Umea was chosen as "European Capital of Culture". The research is mainly focused on the outlines of their communication plan, main goals, what communication strategies the municipality has chosen to and their choice of media channels.Material/method: Two methods are used for this research; qualitative interviews with four employees within the communication team during Umea2014 and a text analysis of three formal documents which provide the framework of communication policies and media strategies during Umea2014.Results: The results clearly indicate a well structured, strategic planning outlined in the formal documents. The four people intreviewed all had a good knowledge of the policies and strategies in the documents, they also described their work in accordance with these.


This paper explores the complex ways in which the marketisation of education and the associated publication of performance data have contributed to the emergence of a new politics of recognition which has paradoxically served further to naturalise educational inequalities. Of all the reforms associated with subjecting education to market forces, it is the publication of 'league tables' of raw performance data which has sparked the most controversy. These tables have provoked a range of criticisms from educational professionals and practitioners concerning their reductionist nature, their misleading attribution of outcomes to institutional processes rather than intake variables and their potentially damaging side‐effects. These league tables can be said to constitute a form of cultural injustice. In order to counter this injustice, a new politics of recognition has emerged which seeks to valorise the performance of disadvantaged schools and which can be seen in the development of alternative and 'value‐added' league tables. This paper argues that there are a number of difficulties and dangers inherent within this new politics of recognition. These relate to the impossibility of separating a school from its context, the displacement of a politics of redistribution and the increasing naturalisation of inequalities.


Background Older adult falls are a leading cause of injuries, disability, and death. Participation in balance/strength classes prevents falls, but few older adults take these classes. Aims/Objectives/Purpose We tested whether marketing of community balance/strength classes to older adults through churches increased participation. Methods In two study counties, 51 churches were randomly allocated to intervention or control. We partnered with intervention churches to market N'Balance, an 8-week balance/strength class. The social marketing programme highlighted benefits (e.g., independence) and reduced barriers (e.g., cost) to class participation. Participants in all 34 N'Balance classes held in study counties during the 21-month study period were asked age, church attended, and prior classes taken (97% response); 195 first-time N'Balance participants aged 60+ attended study churches. Mean numbers of first-time participants aged 60+, and mean proportions of adults aged 60+ who participated, in intervention vs control churches, were compared using zero-inflated negative binomial regression and Wilcoxon Two-Sample Test, respectively. Results/Outcomes Intervention (n=26) and control (n=25) churches demonstrated similar size, denomination and other characteristics. The mean number of participants from intervention churches was higher than from control churches (7.0 vs 0.5, RR=11.2 [95% CI 7.5 to 16.8], p<0.0001). The mean proportion of older adults from intervention churches who participated was higher than from control churches (9.8% vs 0.2%; Z=−4.47, p<0.001). Significance/Contribution to the Field Marketing balance/strength classes through churches effectively motivates older adults to enrol in such classes. Testing the social marketing programme in other locales is needed to determine its wider applicability for promoting balance/strength classes to prevent older adult falls.


Objective: To formulate and evaluate an extended-release (ER) tablet of a new molecule, 2-amino-4-(4-bromophenyl)-7-hydroxy-4H-chromene-3carbonitrile using a combination of two polymers (hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose [HPMC] K100 and HPMC phthalate) which control the rate and degree of the drug release through 12 hrs period and protect the drug release from acidic pH. Methods: Five batches of tablets (4HC1, 4HC2, 4HC3, 4HC4, 4HC5) were produced by direct compression method. Morphological evaluation of the powder blend was carried out by differential scanning calorimetry and Powered X-ray diffractometry. The evaluation studies such as flow properties, hardness, friability, drug content, and release study were conducted according to pharmacopoeial standards. Results: The physicochemical characteristics of all the granules and tablets were generally satisfactory. The drug release followed zero order, Higuchi model kinetics with diffusion and dissolution mediated mechanism. Tablets were evaluated for physicochemical parameters and promising. Stability studies indicated the dosage form is stable for 3 months at accelerated conditions. Conclusion: From the results received from all test, it was concluded that formulation 4HC4 are the most suitable choice for developing 12 hrs ER tablets. This finding reveals that a particular concentration of HPMC K100 was capable of producing ER.


Chiral compounds have played an important role in the development of coordination chemistry. Unlike organic chemistry, where mechanistic rules allowed the establishment of absolute configurations for numerous compounds once a single absolute determination had been made, coordination compounds are more complex. This article discusses the development of crystallographic methods and the interplay with coordination chemistry. Most importantly, the development of the Flack parameter is identified as providing a routine method for determining the absolute configuration of coordination compounds.


The plasma opening switch (POS) is the fastest opening switch available for use in high-power pulsed systems. The present study reported in this paper arose during the development of a compact and repetitive radiation generator, in which a POS is to be used to produce very fast rising high-voltage multi gigawatt pulses. Since the present POS requires a relatively low opening current, which is about 50 kA with a rise time of about 50 ns, a careful study was required to ensure that the proper plasma conditions (such as density and velocity) were generated by the simultaneous operation of a number of plasma guns. Initially, a Faraday cup-based technique established accurately most of the plasma parameters produced by a single gun (density:1013 cm-3 ; velocity: 2.2 cm/mus ). However, an optical study, which is mainly based on picture frames taken by an ultrahigh-speed camera, was also necessary to obtain the overall dynamics of the plasma generated by a set of four guns. Principle results are presented.


A simple model is presented to estimate atmospheric concentrations of chemical species that exist primarily as aerosols based on snow core/ice core chemistry at Summit, Greenland. The model considers the processes of snow, fog, and dry deposition. The deposition parameters for each of the processes are estimated for SO42− and Ca2+ and are based on experiments conducted during the 1993 and 1994 summer field seasons. The seasonal mean atmospheric concentrations are estimated based on the deposition parameters and snow cores obtained during the field seasons. The ratios of the estimated seasonal mean airborne concentration divided by the measured mean concentration ( C¯a,est/C¯a,meas ) for SO42− over the 1993 and 1994 field seasons are 0.85 and 0.95, respectively. The C¯a,est/C¯a,meas ratios for Ca2+ are 0.45 and 0.90 for the 1993 and 1994 field seasons. The uncertainties in the estimated atmospheric concentrations range from 30% to 40% and are due to variability in the input parameters. The model estimates the seasonal mean atmospheric SO42− and Ca2+ concentrations to within 15% and 55%, respectively. Although the model is not directly applied to ice cores, the application of the model to ice core chemical signals is briefly discussed.


Parasitism is a fundamental ecological interaction. Yet we understand relatively little about the ecological role of parasites compared to the role of free-living organisms. Bottom-up theory predicts that resource enhancement will increase the abundance and biomass of free-living organisms. Similarly, parasite abundance and biomass should increase in an ecosystem with resource enhancement. We tested this hypothesis in a landscape-level experiment in which salt marshes (60,000 m2 each) received elevated nutrient concentrations via flooding tidal waters for 11 yr to mimic eutrophication. Nutrient enrichment elevated the densities of the talitrid amphipod, Orchestia grillus, and the density and biomass of its trematode parasite, Levinseniella byrdi. Strikingly, L. byrdi prevalence increased over time, up to 13 times higher in nutrient-enriched marshes (30%) relative to the mean prevalence in reference marshes (2.4%). The biomass density of infected amphipods was, on average, 11 times higher in nutrient-enriched marshes (1.1 kg/ha) than in reference marshes (0.1 kg/ha), when pooling across all years. Orchestia grillus biomass comprises 67% of the arthropod community biomass; thus, nutrient enrichment elicits a substantial surge in parasitized biomass in the arthropod community. If our results are typical, they suggest that eutrophication can increase parasite abundance and biomass with chronic resource enhancement. Therefore, minimizing aquatic nutrient pollution may prevent outbreaks of parasites with aquatic hosts.


This article is the second of a three-part series entitled: The Veil of Esteem: On Seeing Oneself Being Seen. Inspired by Walter Benjamin's "reflection through vignette" method, the author inquires into the notions and interconnections between memory and esteem. Esteem is the truth of oneself through the eyes of the other, and any truth of esteem must be told from the perspective of that other, through the spectating other. Thus, the author finds that any story of esteem is veiled. This second part, Riddle and Accident, explores unconditional love as maintained without the merit-worthy, yet it is its esteem that catalyzes it. The story is narrated not as a representation of a person or of people but the discourse through which the author has been lent her voice. The author is the translator through whom she is now speaking. The translator is the producer of the discourse that suffocates her and allows her to breathe in gasped breaths, the producer of the discourse that both takes away her voice and gives her voice. The first part of this series, Fragment/Never Thinking of Tomorrow, appears in International Review of Qualitative Research, Volume 5, Issue 1; the third part, A Loan, appears in Qualitative Inquiry, Volume


With the development of IPv6, it is taken as a natural cover to defend against Internet worm due to its huge address space. We demonstrate that an intelligent worm can compromise the IPv6 network according to using adaptive means. Based on the analysis of the scanning strategies in IPv6 network and correlative typical propagation technologies, a general worm model named Next Generation Internet worm model (NGIWM) is established for analyzing the propagation of IPv6 worm which is made up of three layers. The three layers have the function to accelerate the spread of NGIWM, and make NGIWM has the capability to form large scale of prevalence. The result indicates the rationality of scanning strategies and the effectiveness of the propagation compared to IPv4 network worm. The simulation shows that the implementation of NGIWM has the potential to become a major threat to IPv6 network. The performance of the worm depends heavily on domain name generator algorithm and scanning strategies in local network. We also analyze the effect of experiment parameters on the model in the simulation part. In the future, detailed implementation of the proposed model and more defense mechanisms are to be studied.


Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) holds great promise in the repair of cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung damage in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Because CS leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, we aimed to investigate the potential benefit of mitochondrial transfer from human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs (iPSC-MSCs) to CS-exposed airway epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Rats were exposed to 4% CS for 1 hour daily for 56 days. At Days 29 and, human iPSC-MSCs or adult bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) were administered intravenously to CS-exposed rats. CS-exposed rats exhibited severe alveolar destruction with a higher mean linear intercept (Lm) than sham air-exposed rats (P < 0.001) that was attenuated in the presence of iPSC-MSCs or BM-MSCs (P < 0.01). The attenuation of Lm value and the severity of fibrosis was greater in the iPSC-MSC-treated group than in the BM-MSC-treated group (P < 0.05). This might have contributed to the novel observation of mitochondrial transfer from MSCs to rat airway epithelial cells in lung sections exposed to CS. In vitro studies further revealed that transfer of mitochondria from iPSC-MSCs to bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) was more effective than from BM-MSCs, with preservation of adenosine triphosphate contents. This distinct mitochondrial transfer occurred via the formation of tunneling nanotubes. Inhibition of tunneling nanotube formation blocked mitochondrial transfer. Our findings indicate a higher mitochondrial transfer capacity of iPSC-MSCs than BM-MSCs to rescue CS-induced mitochondrial damage. iPSC-MSCs may thus hold promise for the development of cell therapy in COPD.


Representation in service-providing organizations is vital to the inclusion of ethnoracial minorities in a democratic society. The political contexts that encompass these organizations can influence the equity of services that historically underserved groups experience. These contexts are especially meaningful for Latino communities, where bureaucratic representation is a growing venue of responsiveness in American democracy. Yet relatively little attention has been devoted to understanding how this politics – bureaucracy intersection influences their outcomes. This study focuses on this intersection against the backdrop of Latinos and education governance. Combining data from various sources, the empirical analysis examines the relationship between political contexts and group representation among managers and street-level personnel. The findings reveal that factors such as community partisanship significantly affect Latinos' representation and educational outcomes. They also highlight the need for a deeper understanding of how such factors influence the representation and inclusion of Latinos and other ethnoracial minorities across an array of organizational settings.