Organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) are widely used as pesticides, but often show high toxicity in mammalian cells. To assess the toxic potential of OPCs, we examined the cytotoxicity of paraoxon, methyl-paraoxon, parathion, and methyl-parathion exposures on NB41A3 neuroblastoma mouse cell lines. The LC50s (median lethal concentrations) at 24 hr of exposure were determined from the acute toxicity test including time course experiments. The LC50 values suggest higher toxicity of paraoxon (0.42 mM) compared to parathion (0.66 mM). In addition, the methylated derivatives of both OPCs indicated similar but slightly lower levels of toxicity compared to paraoxon and parathion (0.46 mM for methyl-paraoxon and 0.77 mM for methyl-parathion). However, the results from time course experiments indicated obvious reduction of cell viability for parathion and methyl-parathion as early as 1 hr of exposure, whereas the effects of paraoxon and methyl-paraoxon were not significant before 6 hr of exposure. We also report the most affected biological processes in NB41A3 cells in response to parathion exposure using microarray experiment. Among the statistically overrepresented biological processes are the ones related to neuronal development, apoptosis, cell stress, and cell signaling.


The joint provision of audit and non-audit services (NAS) and its impact on auditor independence continues to attract significant interest globally from various stakeholders such as regulators and policy makers, the accounting profession, academics and students, and from the media and capital markets. Just as regulations on NAS have evolved to address potential threats to auditor independence, so too has the literature. This chapter provides an overview and synthesizes the research on the NAS and its impact on auditor independence. Implications of the research for regulators, policy makers, the accounting profession, and future research are discussed.


Although much has been written about the pushbutton or computer-controlled factory, there has been little discussion of the relative merits of analog and digital computers for control applications. Engineers familiar with computers are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of analog and digital computers as tools for scientific investigations. They have probably not considered their suitability for process control applications. In this paper, we will: 1) Outline some of the tasks that will probably be assigned to a process control computer; 2) State some of the questions that must be answered before any computer is selected; 3) Review some of the characteristics of analog and digital computers with special reference to process control requirements; 4) Describe some systems already installed or about to be installed, in which computers are used. Following this discussion, it will be evident, as might be anticipated in advance, that each type of computer has characteristics which make it preferable for particular kinds of applications. Analog computers are fast, simple, and inexpensive for relatively small control jobs, while digital computers have accuracy, versatility, and flexibility which adapt them to more complex control jobs.


A novel nanophotonic method for enhancing the two-photon fluorescence signal of a fluorophore is presented. It utilizes the second harmonic (SH) of the exciting light generated by noble metal nanospheres in whose near-field the dye molecules are placed, to further enhance the dye's fluorescence signal in addition to the usual metal-enhanced fluorescence phenomenon. This method enables demonstration, for the first time, of two-photon fluorescence enhancement inside a biological system, namely live cells. A multishell hydrogel nanoparticle containing a silver core, a protective citrate capping, which serves also as an excitation quenching inhibitor spacer, a pH indicator dye shell, and a polyacrylamide cladding are employed. Utilizing this technique, an enhancement of up to 20 times in the two-photon fluorescence of the indicator dye is observed. Although a significant portion of the enhanced fluorescence signal is due to one-photon processes accompanying the SH generation of the exciting light, this method preserves all the advantages of infrared-excited, two-photon microscopy: enhanced penetration depth, localized excitation, low photobleaching, low autofluorescence, and low cellular damage.


Abstract Background Telomere length and DNA methylation have been proposed as biological clock measures that track chronological age. Whether they change in tandem, or contribute independently to the prediction of chronological age, is not known. Methods We address these points using data from two Scottish cohorts: the Lothian Birth Cohorts of 1921 (LBC1921) and 1936 (LBC1936). Telomere length and epigenetic clock estimates from DNA methylation were measured in 920 LBC1936 participants (ages 70, 73 and 76 years) and in 414 LBC1921 participants (ages 79, 87 and 90 years). Results The epigenetic clock changed over time at roughly the same rate as chronological age in both cohorts. Telomere length decreased at 48–67 base pairs per year on average. Weak, non-significant correlations were found between epigenetic clock estimates and telomere length. Telomere length explained 6.6% of the variance in age in LBC1936, the epigenetic clock explained 19.8%, and combined they explained 25.9% (all P < 1 × 10−9). Corresponding figures for the LBC1921 cohort were 14.3%, 6.8% and 18.8% (all P < 1 × 10−4). In a combined cohorts analysis, the respective estimates were 2.8%, 34.5% and 37.9%. Also in a combined cohorts analysis, a one standard deviation increase in baseline epigenetic age was linked to a 25% increased mortality risk (P = 1.4 × 10−4) whereas, in the same model, a one standard deviation increase in baseline telomere length was independently linked to an 11% decreased mortality risk (P = 0.047). Conclusions These results suggest that telomere length and epigenetic clock estimates are independent predictors of chronological age and mortality risk.


Energy efficiency is a major concern for cloud computing, with CPUs accounting a significant fraction of datacenter nodes power consumption. CPU manufacturers introduce voltage margins to guarantee correct operation. However, these are unnecessarily wide for real-world execution scenarios, and translate to increased power consumption. In this paper, we investigate how such margins can be exploited by infrastructure operators, by selectively undervolting nodes, at the controlled risk of inducing failures and activating service-level agreement (SLA) violation penalties. We model the problem in a formal way, capturing the most important aspects that drive VM management and system configuration decisions. Then, we introduce XM-VFS policy that reduces infrastructure operator costs by reducing voltage margins, and compare it with the state-of-the-art which employs dynamic voltage-frequency scaling (DVFS) and workload consolidation. We perform simulations to quantify the cost reduction, considering the energy consumption and potential SLA violations. Our results show significant gains, up to 17.35% and 16.32% for the energy and cost reduction respectively. In our simulations, we use realistic assumptions for voltage margins, energy consumption and performance degradation of applications due to frequency scaling, based on the characterization of commercial Intel-and ARM-based machines. Our model and scheduling policy are generic and scalable.


This paper introduces a multilayer Koho- neu feature map with a logarithmic search complexity to design image codebooks for memoryless vector quantiza- tion at bit rates below 0.75 bit/pixel. The images encoded by the feature map codebooks with both the logarithmic and the exhaustive searches provide the same perceptual quality. The effectiveness of the design is demonstrated by comparing the codebooks with those designed by the pairwise nearest neighbor algorithm.


Electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structures have noteworthy electromagnetic characteristics that include their reflection phase variations with frequency. This paper applies this unique reflection phase property to alter the direction of the fields scattered by a radar target to reduce its radar cross section (RCS). This redirecting of the scattered fields occurs when a surface is covered with a checkerboard of alternating EBG structures, and results in a wider frequency band RCS reduction. RCS reduction compared to a PEC surface of 10 dB can be realized over 60% frequency bandwidth. Simulations of monostatic and bistatic RCSs of two dual EBG checkerboard surfaces, square and hexagonal, are compared with those of equal-sized PEC ground planes. The simulated monostatic RCS is also compared with measurements. Both TEz and TMz polarizations for oblique incidence are considered. Excellent agreement is obtained between simulated and measured patterns, for both the square and the hexagonal EBG checkerboard surfaces. An approximate analytical expression is provided as a guideline for a 10-dB RCS reduction of a dual EBG checkerboard surface compared to that of a PEC.


Intense impulses applied to solid materials result in high strain rates, strong plastic strains and significant temperature increments. Data in such regimes would allow confidence in extending material strength models to strain rates of 10{sup 6}-10{sup 7} s{sup -1}. High explosives can be used to accelerate a plate with a perturbation on the side facing the HE, resulting in a Rayleigh-Taylor-like perturbation growth that depends on amplitude and wavelength of the initial surface perturbation, strength of the material, time dependence of the driving pressure force, and temperature of the material. Such experiments have been conducted on perturbed copper plates at LANL, using the LANSCE proton radiography beam to obtain multiple frames of data for each experiment. The results of numerical simulations of these experiments using a 2-D ALE code are presented.


Many flowering plants are hermaphrodite, which poses the problem of self-fertilisation and the subsequent loss of genetic fitness in the offspring. To prevent this, plants have developed a genetically controlled mechanism called self-incompatibility (SI) which allows self (incompatible) pollen to be recognised and rejected before fertilisation can occur. The SI response of Papaver rhoeas (field poppy) has been extensively studied at the molecular and cellular level. Rejection of incompatible pollen occurs on the stigma surface when the pollen S-determinant PrpS, a transmembrane protein, interacts with the stigmatic S-determinant, secreted S-proteins. This triggers a calcium-mediated signalling cascade that targets the cytoskeleton and results in programmed cell death (PCD) of incompatible pollen. Work presented in this thesis investigated the localisation of PrpS and S-proteins. Other studies investigated the role of the cytoskeleton in SI. These demonstrated the involvement of the microtubule cytoskeleton for the first time. Microtubules were rapidly depolymerised and this was implicated in signalling to PCD. The actin cytoskeleton has previously been shown to exhibit biphasic alterations during SI involving depolymerisation, followed by formation of F-actin foci. Studies described here represent the first steps toward characterisation of the F-actin foci. Their potential involvement in PCD and signalling is discussed.


Health insurance companies wish to understand themain drivers behind changes in their costs to enable targeted and proactive management of their operations. This paper presents a comprehensive approach to cost change attribution that encompasses a range of factors represented in insurance transaction data, including medical procedures, healthcare provider characteristics, patient features, and geographic locations. To allow consideration of such a large number of features and their combinations, we combine feature selection, using regularization and significance testing, with a multiplicative model to account for the nonlinear nature of multi-morbidities. The proposed regression procedure also accommodates real-world aspects of the healthcare domain such as hierarchical relationships among factors and the insurer's differing abilities to address different factors. We describe deployment of the method for a large health insurance company in the United States. Compared to the company's expert analysis on the same dataset, the proposedmethod offers multiple advantages: 1) a unified view of themost significant cost factors across all categories, 2) discovery of smaller-scale anomalous factors missed by the experts, 3) early identification of emerging factors before all claims have been processed, and 4) an efficient automated process that can save months of manual effort.


Because mesangial cells (MC) are a target and a degradation site for angiotensin II (ANG II), we characterized the degrading enzymes and receptors of ANG IV, a metabolite of ANG II, on these cells. ANG IV was metabolized into its NH2-terminal deleted peptides, ANG II-(4-8), ANG II-(5-8), and ANG II-(6-8) by rat MC. Total protection of ANG IV was obtained only when PC-18, a specific aminopeptidase N (APN) inhibitor, and JFH-27A, a mixed inhibitor of dipeptidylaminopeptidase (DAP) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP), were simultaneously added. In contrast, thiorphan, an NEP inhibitor, was inactive. These results demonstrate the exclusive role of APN and DAP in ANG IV degradation.125I-labeled ANG IV binding was studied in the presence of PC-18 and JFH-27A to suppress ligand degradation. Under these conditions, ANG IV-specific receptors could be demonstrated with a K D of 1.8 nM and a density of 55 fmol/mg. In contrast with MC, no evidence for ANG IV receptors could be obtained in freshly isolated glomeruli. ANG IV stimulated cytosolic calcium concentration in MC, whereas its NH2-terminal deleted metabolites were inactive. Therefore, ANG IV must be protected from degradation by APN and DAP in studies on the nonimmediate biological effects of this peptide.


What is your highest ideal? What code do you live by? We all know that these differ from person to person. Nonetheless philosophers have long sought a single, overriding ideal that should guide everyone, always, everywhere, and after centuries of debate we're no closer to an answer. In How Should We Live?, John Kekes offers a refreshing alternative, one in which we eschew absolute ideals and instead consider our lives as they really are. Kekes argues that ideal theories are abstractions from the realities of everyday life and its problems. The well-known arenas where absolute ideals conflict-dramatic moral controversies about complex problems involved in abortion, euthanasia, plea bargaining, privacy, and other hotly debated topics - should not be the primary concerns of moral thinking. Instead, he focuses on the simpler problems of ordinary lives in ordinary circumstances. In each chapter he presents the conflicts that a real person - a schoolteacher, lawyer, father, or nurse, for example - is likely to face. He then uses their situations to shed light on the mundane issues we all must deal with in everyday life, such as how we use our limited time, energy, or money; how we balance short- and long-term satisfactions; how we deal with conflicting loyalties; how we control our emotions; how we deal with people we dislike; and so on. Along the way he engages some of our most important theorists, including Donald Davidson, Thomas Nagel, Christine Korsgaard, Harry Frankfurt, Charles Taylor, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Bernard Williams, ultimately showing that no ideal - whether autonomy, love, duty, happiness, or truthfulness-trumps any other. Rather than rejecting such ideals, How Should We Live? offers a way of balancing them by a practical and pluralistic approach - rather than a theory - that helps us cope with our problems and come closer to what our lives should be.


Although increasing numbers of research papers regarding biochar are being published worldwide, in some countries growing interest in biochar has only recently been observed; this is true of Poland. We analysed information on biochar research in Poland alongside lessons learned elsewhere in order to identify the significant opportunities and risks associated with biochar use. This data fed into a GIS-based multicriteria analysis to identify areas where biochar application could deliver greatest benefit. We found that 21.8% of agricultural land in Poland has at least moderate indication for biochar use (soil organic matter below 2% and pH below 5.5), while 1.5% was categorized as a priority as it also exhibited contamination. Potential barriers identified included biomass availability and associated risks of indirect land-use change due to possible national and transnational biomass production displacement. Biochar use could have positive global consequences as a climate change mitigation strategy, particularly relevant in a country with limited alternatives. Scaling up a mitigation technology that is viable on account of its co-benefits might be cost-effective, which could, in turn, adjust national perspectives and stronger involvement in developing mitigation policies at the regional level. Biochar has much promise in temperate conditions and further research should therefore be assigned to explore biochar's environmental and socio-economic impacts.


Abstract. Using a high-resolution primitive equation model of the western Mediterranean Sea, we analyzed the dispersion properties of a set of homogeneously distributed, passive particle pairs. These particles were initially separated by different distances D0 (D0 = 5.55, 11.1 and 16.65 km), and were seeded in the model at initial depths of 44 and 500 m. This realistic ocean model, which reproduces the main features of the regional circulation, puts into evidence the three well-known regimes of relative dispersion. The first regime due to the chaotic advection at small scales lasts only a few days (3 days at 44 m depth, a duration comparable with the integral timescale), and the relative dispersion is then exponential. In the second regime, extending from 3 to 20 days, the relative dispersion has a power law tα where α tends to 3 as D0 becomes small. In the third regime, a linear growth of the relative dispersion is observed starting from the twentieth day. For the relative diffusivity, the D2 growth is followed by the Richardson regime D4/3. At large scales, where particle velocities are decorrelated, the relative diffusivity is constant. At 500 m depth, the integral timescale increases (> 4 days) and the intermediate regime becomes narrower than that at 44 m depth due to the weaker effect of vortices (this effect decreases with depth). The turbulent properties become less intermittent and more homogeneous and the Richardson law takes place.


Design projects to meet the assistive needs of identified disabled clients have provided the Capstone engineering design class in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University with a rich selection of opportunities for the Biomedical Concentration undergraduate students in the Biological Engineering degree program. Students who are enrolled in the two-semester senior-level engineering design class are required to select a design project from a prepared list unless they can propose a suitable topic based upon their own experience and interest. Each summer, an undergraduate student is employed to identify suitable projects and clients in consultation with various local agencies and individuals who provide assistance to disabled persons. The projects are funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Twelve projects have been completed and delivered to clients since 1997 and another 16 will be finished by May 2000. Designing, building, and delivering projects to aid disabled persons gives students interested in biomedical engineering an opportunity to hone their engineering skills while making a contribution to the community in which they live.


We present velocity-delay maps for optical H i, He i, and He ii recombination lines in Arp 151, recovered by fitting a reverberation model to spectrophotometric monitoring data using the maximum-entropy method. H i response is detected over the range 0–15 days, with the response confined within the virial envelope. The Balmer-line maps have similar morphologies but exhibit radial stratification, with progressively longer delays for Hγ to Hβ to Hα. The He i and He ii response is confined within 1–2 days. There is a deficit of prompt response in the Balmer-line cores but strong prompt response in the red wings. Comparison with simple models identifies two classes that reproduce these features: free-falling gas and a half-illuminated disk with a hot spot at small radius on the receding lune. Symmetrically illuminated models with gas orbiting in an inclined disk or an isotropic distribution of randomly inclined circular orbits can reproduce the virial structure but not the observed asymmetry. Radial outflows are also largely ruled out by the observed asymmetry. A warped-disk geometry provides a physically plausible mechanism for the asymmetric illumination and hot spot features. Simple estimates show that a disk in the broad-line region of Arp 151 could be unstable to warping induced by radiation pressure. Our results demonstrate the potential power of detailed modeling combined with monitoring campaigns at higher cadence to characterize the gas kinematics and physical processes that give rise to the broad emission lines in active galactic nuclei.


Soil management offers various options to alleviate the effects of Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) in bananas. Nevertheless, it receives little attention as a strategy in Fusarium wilt management. Literature provides ample evidence linking soil conditions such as soil texture and fertility to the spread and severity of plant diseases. However, the inconsistency of results between case studies limits the attention of soil management in crop disease management. The present study aimed at unravelling the role of soil abiotic factors on nutrient concentrations in plant tissue, biomass production and the incidence of Fusarium wilt (Foc race 1) in bananas ('Gros Michel', AAA) under field conditions. A large field trial was established in which the effects of soil pH and nutrients (N, Ca, Mg and Mn) were studied. Around 30% of the plants showed symptoms of Fusarium wilt at flowering in the first season. However, Fusarium wilt incidence did not vary between treatments. Soil pH showed significant interactions with soil N and Mn concentrations resulting in a lower bunch weight and increased micronutrient concentrations in the pseudostem. With a higher pH, bunch weight increased, although higher Mn concentrations suppressed this positive effect. Interactions between a high soil pH and Ca and Mg resulted in a higher bunch weight and lower micronutrient concentrations in the pseudostem. The results can be used to develop soil management strategies for improving banana productivity in infected plantations.


A non-frequency translating repeater (110, 210, 300) for use in a time division duplex (TDD) radio protocol communica tions system includes detection retransmission and automatic gain control. Detection is performed by detectors (309, 310) and a processor (313). Detection can be overridden by pro cessor (313) using logic elements (314). Antennae (220, 230) having various form factors can be used to couple a base station (222) to a subscriber terminal (232) which can be located in a Sub-optimal location Such as deep inside a build ing or the like.


The research presented in this thesis has two objectives. The first objective is to investigate the current communication practices of family members to stay in touch with each other. Based on this investigation it elicits requirements for new pervasive communication systems, called awareness systems, which aim to support intra-family communication. The second objective is to develop those awareness systems based on the elicited requirements and evaluate them. In this thesis we focus on families who consist of working parents with dependent children living under the same roof. Awareness systems can be defined as a class of computer mediated communication systems that support individuals to maintain, with low effort, a peripheral awareness of each other's activities and whereabouts. In the context of the research conducted, a variety of methods were used and several applications to conduct the research were developed. More specifically interviews, field studies of two prototypes, web surveys and an adapted version of the experience sampling study were used. The research endeavor started off with an interview study with twenty Dutch parents. The results of the interview were followed up with an online survey study and a prototype evaluation. A follow-up modified experience sampling study (Reconexp) helped in placing the previous findings into context. The objective of Reconexp was to find out the communication needs of busy parents under context. The two prototypes which were created, SchoolAware and FamilyAware embody the primary characteristics of awareness system according to the aforementioned definition. SchoolAware automatically communicated the presence of children in school as well as their schedule information to their parents. FamilyAware gathered multiple sources of awareness information such as place, calendar information, computer activity and automatically exchanged that information between busy parents. Moreover, it enabled parents to exchange messages and photos along with the automatically captured awareness information. This information was presented in mobile phones. The contributions of this thesis are twofold. First the thesis presents the intra-family communication needs that would drive the adoption of awareness systems. Moreover the thesis presents the implications for the design of such systems. Second the thesis examines a modification of the experience sampling method (ESM), the experience sampling and reconstruction method (ESRM). Evidence is presented which indicate the potential of the ESRM when compared to the ESM.


We present a new algorithm to jointly track multiple objects in multi-view images. While this has been typically addressed separately in the past, we tackle the problem as a single global optimization. We formulate this assignment problem as a min-cost problem by defining a graph structure that captures both temporal correlations between objects as well as spatial correlations enforced by the configuration of the cameras. This leads to a complex combinatorial optimization problem that we solve using Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition and branching. Our formulation allows us to solve the problem of reconstruction and tracking in a single step by taking all available evidence into account. In several experiments on multiple people tracking and 3D human pose tracking, we show our method outperforms state-ofthe-art approaches.


This paper deals with noise suppression in multichannel measurements, using a certain signal model but without assuming stationarity of the signals involved. This enables application to signals whose spectral characteristics are time-variable. The novelty consists of an algorithm for obtaining an approximation of the Wiener filter for each channel. The filters are computed using the Weyl transform and estimates of the time-frequency coherence function between all channel pairs. Time-frequency coherence functions are estimated using the multiple window method, adapted to peaked spectra. Our method is evaluated on EEG signals from epileptic seizure onsets which are measured at multiple locations on the scalp. The filtered signals give improved time-frequency representations, and also the resulting filters studied in the time-frequency domain reveal otherwise not visible signal features.


Numerical and statistical methods have rapidly become part of a palaeolimnologist's tool-kit. They are used to explore and summarise complex data, reconstruct past environmental variables from fossil assemblages, and test competing hypotheses about the causes of observed changes in lake biota through history. This book brings together a wide array of numerical and statistical techniques currently available for use in palaeolimnology and other branches of palaeoecology.


Aim The overarching aims of the Cheshire Living Well, Dying Well Programme are to improve health and well-being by supporting a change in public knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards death, dying and loss and therefore make living well and dying well the norm. Background St. Luke's Cheshire Hospice engaged in a community consultation process which highlighted that local partner organisations supported a co-ordinated public health approach to raise awareness and change behaviours in relation to death and loss. St. Luke's secured funding and a commitment of engagement from Macmillan Cancer Support, which included establishing a dedicated role to centrally lead and drive forward the agenda in Cheshire. Methodology As death, dying and loss is a cross-cutting issue, it is important that a multi-faceted approach is developed and delivered in partnership. It is also important that the work is championed and embedded at strategic, operational and community level. The programme of work provides structure and support to enable partners to work together towards achieving the shared aim. Findings and Recommendations Following consultation, six strategic areas have been identified; Partnership and Strategy Development, Financial Housekeeping and Future Planning, Resource Development, Public Education, Compassionate Communities and Healthy Workplace. The work is also being championed at Health and Well-being Board Level. Highlights include: The formal launch and implementation of Cheshire Living Well, Dying Well Partnership Identification of Cheshire Living Well, Dying Well Champions Development and implementation of a range of resources (including support and training sessions for the public, staff and volunteers) Development and implementation of Compassionate Community Volunteer Models Presentation of the Programme at a local, regional, national and international level Conclusion Improving the well-being of communities by normalising death and loss is a multi-agency issue and not singularly confined to those in the health arena. This innovative approach identifies and enables partnership activity and the collation of evidence to progress further, with a view to mainstreaming the work.


The Introduction treats briefly of the Urdu language which became a medium for the poets from the beginning of the 18th century, Azad, In his Ab-i Hayat. has grouped poetic activity from about 1720 to 1880 Into five well-defined periods, Insha belongs to the fourth of these. Special reference throughout this work Is made to the Ab-l Hayat allowances being made for occasional Inaccuracies. Chapter I discusses the background of Insha's period. Such an examination the better enables one to arrive at a more satisfactory critical evaluation of the poet's work. This background has been viewed from three standpoints; first, the historical, which briefly touches on the disintegration of the central government and the gradual encroachment of rival foreign powers; secondly, the social and ethical background, which reflected a continued deterioration; and thirdly, the literary trends, to describe which nothing better than the sentiments expressed by Hall could be quoted, Mir Taql Mir, Mir Hasan and Sauda are introduced as typical example of the poets of this time. Chapter II reviews the contemporaries of A brief survey of the development of Urdu poetry through the three periods previous to Inshs., brings the discussion to the chief figures of the fourth period, Mir Hasan first dealt with; then follows Qatil. Jur'at, Mushfi and Rangin. MushafI has been dealt with at some length, and full details of his relations with Insha are examined; the controversial points are discussed and conclusions established. Rang In's a connection with Insha is described and his opinion of Insha's work is given. Chapter III outlines the poet's life. The fact that the poet's father most probably supervised his education account for the systematization which can be seen In the Sharh-1 Ml'at 5 mil and other works. The poet's long connection with the Nawwab of Oudh and the degree of familiarity which the latter extended to him was broken by an Incident which led to a widening of the breach. Azad's account of the last part of the poet's life is called into question and discussed in view of uncorrobrated statement, end the contrary evidence of Mirza Auj. Chapter IV deals with the Urdu and Persian DIwans, which represents some sixty-per-cent of the poet's output. An introductory discussion on the ghazal precedes the first section, that on the Diwan Rekta,which is dealt with first from the point of view of diction. An historical approach follows, thirty-seven poems being classed in one of six periods. A discussion on the origin of Rekhti opens the section on the Dlwan-I which closes with a comparison of Jan Sahib's style with that of Insha. An analysis of the Diwan-1 Be-Nuqat follows, and this chapter ends with an appraisal of the Diwan-i Farsi, which contains some of Insha's best compositions. Chapter V treats of Insha's qasida compositions; an introductory discussion on this poetic form is followed by a literary analysis of each composition, and an evaluation of Insha's style in this field, Insha's eleven masnavi poems are reviewed In Chapter VI, Each masnavi is dealt with in detail, beginning with the Shir-o Biranj, which is the most successful and outstanding in this type. Farce and comedy colour the majority of the other masnavis, though satire has its place. Chapter VII covers all those poetic compositions which have not already been dealt with, viz,. Riddles, Fards, Ruba'iS, Qitas maustazads Mukhammas, Tillismat, Letters, Lampoons, and Pashtiend Turkui pieces. The ruba;is a are dealt with at some length,and also the qitas and mustazads, Inaha's grammar and prose works are dealt with in Chapter VIII, Inaha's best-known work, the Darya-1 Latafat.is first fully surveyed and his investigations in the field are assessed. He appears to have been original in his treatment of this subject. From a MSS of this work in the British Museum can be gathered information not to be found in the publication of this grammar. The section in this grammar on districts and colloqulals of Delhi is enlighting and useful, Inshs's practical approach to linguistic studies is further Illustrated from other sections, Insha's other prose works, the Sharh-1 Mi'at 'Amllf Dutstan-l Rani Ketki (short story), and the Lata'ifu's-Sa'adat, a prose collection of anecdotes, hitherto unmentioned in all the tazkiras, and extant only in MSJ form, are then dealt with. The concluding chapter surveys Insha'a technique in satire, wit and humour, figures of speech, verse, allusions and Nature. InahS fitted uneasily into his age; his was a mind of great variety; he was an intellectual, and an opportunist. Intellect ruled in him, he ridiculed religious pretension and ineptitude. He was often pedantic in word display, but pedantic spontaneously. He cannot be called cynical. His humour is seldom malicious. He is not a poet of the foremost rank. Allusions, unusual words, and difficult metres cause him to stand alone. It is as a grammarian he will be longest remembered.


Non-linearity in the human ear can cause audible distortion not present in the original signal. Such distortion is generated within the ear by inter-modulation of a spectral complex, itself containing possible masked components. When psychoacoustic codecs remove these supposedly masked components, the in-ear-generated distortion is also removed, and so our listening experience is modified. In this paper, the in-ear distortion is quantified and a method suggested for predicting the in-ear distortion arising from an audio signal. The potential performance gains due to incorporating this knowledge into an audio codec are assessed.


Ni-Al2O3 nanocomposite coating, which was fabricated by eletrodeposition technique with the aid of ultrasonic and agitation. The effect of ultrasonic and agitation on the characteristics of the deposits was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microhardness tester. The results shows that ultrasonic and agitation result in decreasing of Al2O3 nanoparticles aggregation and increasing of Al2O3 nanoparticles uniformly dispersed on the matrix of the composite coating. The ultrasonic and agitation improved the Ni crystallization in the Ni-Al2O3 nanocomposite electroforming coating. Compared to the process of without ultrasound, the nanocomposite is prepared with ultrasonic and agitation, which has a higher stiffiness by the same current density and electrolyte. The average microhardness of the deposit reaches to 461.9 HV with ultrasonic and agitation, which is double of the conventional electroforming coating.


Abstract This article argues that some core tenets of Actor-Network Theory (ANT) can serve as heuristics for a better understanding of what the stakes of cyber-security are, how it operates, and how it fails. Despite the centrality of cyber-incidents in the cyber-security discourse, researchers have yet to understand their link to, and affects on politics. We close this gap by combining ANT insights with an empirical examination of a prominent cyber-incident (Stuxnet). We demonstrate that the disruptive practices of cyber-security caused by malicious software (malware), lie in their ability to actively perform three kinds of space (regions, networks, and fluids), each activating different types of political interventions. The article posits that the fluidity of malware challenges the consistency of networks and the sovereign boundaries set by regions, and paradoxically, leads to a forceful re-enactment of them. In this respect, the conceptualisation of fluidity as an overarching threat accounts for multiple policy responses and practices in cyber-security as well as attempts to (re-)establish territoriality and borders in the virtual realm. While this article concentrates on cyber-security, its underlying ambition is to indicate concretely how scholars can profitably engage ANT's concepts and methodologies.


This thesis consists of three original research articles relating to schooling in England. The first research chapter evaluates a recent English education policy which encourages state primary schools to become academies: state-funded, non-selective, and highly autonomous establishments. The chapter investigates the causal effect of converting to an academy on assessment outcomes, and on entry-year intake composition. Unlike existing evidence focused on academies formed from failing secondary schools, no evidence is found of a converter academy effect on attainment for the average pupil. There is no evidence that becoming a converter academy affects the composition of the entry-year intake. Standardised tests are a common, yet contentious, feature of many countries' schools. In April 2010, two UK teachers' unions boycotted mandatory age eleven standardised tests. The second research chapter uses a difference-in-differences strategy to estimate the effect of preparing for, but ultimately not completing, standardised tests on subsequent measures of attainment. The chapter finds evidence of a statistically significant adverse effect on age 14 teacher assessed attainment and age 16 secondary school qualification attainment. However, substantial treatment effect heterogeneity exists between sub-groups of pupils. Potential mechanisms are discussed, particularly the role of target setting. Standardised tests often facilitate school accountability, and pupils usually receive grades (or other feedback) based on their performance. However, providing feedback is not necessary for school accountability. The third research chapter evaluates the effect of receiving integer grades based on a series of low-stakes standardised tests taken by eleven-year-olds in England. The chapter uses raw test marks, typically unobserved by pupils, and grade thresholds to implement a sharp regression discontinuity design. The results indicate that just passing the cut-off to achieve a higher grade in these tests leads to an improvement in secondary school qualification attainment. The estimated effect of just crossing a grade cut-off on secondary school attainment is typically larger for economically disadvantaged pupils. The chapter finds no evidence of an effect on school attendance.


This article, written by Meng Deng of Beijing Normal University and Kim Fong Poon-McBrayer of the Hong Kong Institute of Education, reviews and analyses the reform of special education in China, the challenges confronting Chinese special education provisions, and how the Chinese inclusive education model, namely 'Learning in Regular Classrooms', has been shaped by the pragmatic needs aligning with the nation's economic and social developments. In an effort to provide wider school access, the current inclusive education model has become the form of educational placement that serves the majority of students with disabilities in China. The authors conclude that reforms in the last two decades have resulted in dramatic changes and progress in many facets of special education service delivery, school structure, administrative monitoring mechanism, and instructional practices. However, the current Chinese special education service structure is still shaky, with inadequate resources, personnel preparation and support at the local level. Fundamental changes to the examination-oriented mainstream education system are still needed, to enhance the quality of education for students with special needs.


Objective: To observe the treatment effects of hyperbaric oxygen on severe acute mountain sickness (ASHS) integrated with multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS). Methods: 2006-2010 admitted to two hospitals in the Tibetan Plateau, 66 cases of patients who got the severe acute mountain sickness complicated by MODS were divided into two groups, 28 cases in the conventional therapy group, 38 cases in hyperbaric oxygen treatment therapy group, oxygen therapy, the conventional therapy concluded oxygen therapy, the treatment of primary disease and enhance the support for treatment of metabolic; hyperbaric oxygen group (was) on the basis of conventional therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy was used, the clinical effect of those two groups were compared with; with measured the before and after treatment blood levels of cytokines, to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Results: The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen treatment group and the treatment time are better than the conventional treatment group, hyperbaric oxygen treatment significantly reduced TNF, IL-6, IL-8 levels, and there is a significant difference between before and after treatment. Conclusion: the method of Hyperbaric oxygen for acute high altitude mountain disease complicated with MODS is reliable and had notable curative effect.


Diabetic nephropathy is the most common and severe renal complication of diabetes mellitus. The present study sought to investigate the renoprotective effects of a combination therapy of valsartan and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in rats with diabetic nephropathy induced by uninephrectomy and streptozotocin. The animals were divided into five groups as follows: sham-operated rats, diabetic control rats, diabetic rats treated with 20 mg/kg/day valsartan, diabetic rats treated with 600 IU/kg/day LMWH, diabetic rats treated with a combination of valsartan and LMWH (valsartan 10 mg/kg/day and LMWH 300 IU/kg/day). The treatment regimen was maintained for 8 weeks. Treatment with valsartan, LMWH, or a combination of the two had no significant effect on blood glucose levels. However, the urine protein excretion levels significantly decreased for the three drug treatment groups; the most dramatic decreases were observed in the combination treatment group. Kidney histology was examined using periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunohistochemical staining of extracellular matrix proteins. Results indicated that histopathology improved markedly in the three drug treatment groups; combination therapy had an equal or better effect than monotherapy in terms of decreasing the abnormal thickness of the glomerular basal membrane, the ratio of the area of the mesangial region with respect to the total area of renal glomeruli, and the accumulation of collagen IV and laminin in kidney tissue. In addition, serum levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) also markedly decreased in the drug treatment groups according to ELISA. However, there were no significant differences between the combination therapy group and monotherapy group. These results suggest that a combination of valsartan and LMWH at half the dose used in monotherapy is better at improving glomerular permeability in rats with diabetic nephropathy.


Cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation of the membrane-bound GTP-binding protein that regulates adenylate cyclase activity requires certain components of the cytosol. In broken cells it is prevented by depletion of endogenous nucleotides and is restored by the provision of GTP (1 to 3 PM half-maximum) or ITP (30 PM) although not by ATP, CTP, TTP, or UTP. An hydrolysis-resistant GTP analog, guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p, 1 to 3 p ~ ) , also supports the toxin-catalyzed reaction, but adenyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate is only weakly effective. The ability of nucleoside triphosphates to support toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation or the toxin-catalyzed activation of adenylate cyclase correlate well. Even with excess GTP or Gpp(NH)p, the rate of ADP ribosylation and adenylate cyclase activation depends upon the presence of a macromolecular component of the erythrocyte cytosol. If GTP is employed, ADP ribosylation requires the simultaneous presence of this nucleotide, cytosolic macromolecules, NAD', toxin, and membranes. However, membranes may be predisposed to respond to the toxin by preincubating them with Gpp(NH)p and cytosolic macromolecules. Preincubated membranes, washed free of unbound nucleotide, can then be ADP ribosylated by incubation with cholera toxin and NAD+ without additional cofactors. Both Gpp(NH)p and the macromolecular fraction of the cytosol are required for such preactivation. It is complete in 15 min at 37°C and is about three times slower at 25°C. It requires magnesium, is accelerated by isoproterenol, and is inhibited by GTP or sodium fluoride. The conditions for preactivation resemble those for the specific binding of Gpp(NH)p to the regulatory component of adenylate cyclase and consequent quasi-permanent activation of the cyclase, except that direct activation of the cyclase does not depend upon a cytosolic macromolecule. We conclude that the substrate for cholera toxin is a complex of the GTP-binding protein with GTP, in some way modified by a macromolecule of the cytosol.


The problem of surgical pain management remains one of the most daunting in our specialty. Traditionally, we divide the surgical approaches into the more historic destructive procedures ("ablative") and the more contemporary modulatory ones (stimulation or intrathecal agents). The advent of "evidence-based medicine" has caused us to reanalyze the evidentiary basis of everything we do in neurosurgery, and pain procedures are no exception. What this has taught us is that the evidence to support destructive procedures is almost uniformly absent, although reanalysis using contemporary standards has shown that procedures, such as anterolateral cordotomy, may have a justifiable role in pain control, especially for pain associated with cancer. These same standards of evidence have also revealed weakness in the data supporting neuromodulation, particularly neurostimulation. There is some qualified support for spinal cord stimulation based on reasonably conducted prospective trials, although even these studies are flawed. There is almost no indication that deep brain stimulation was ever effective for pain control, as indicated by a structured review using modern criteria. Peripheral nerve stimulation seems to be flourishing in pain centers worldwide, and yet the data to support this method for a variety of diagnoses are lacking. We are currently in an era in which high-quality evidence to support our surgical endeavors will be increasingly important. With this evidence, it is likely that certain procedures, and perhaps whole fields, will disappear. Our hope is that this issue of Neurosurgical Focus will highlight some of the innovative work that is going on in our field and address some of the challenges of gathering and analyzing the data that will keep the area of pain surgery a vibrant and compelling practice for the future. We are grateful to all of the authors for their contributions to this issue as well as the editors and staff of Neurosurgical Focus for their diligent efforts in support of this cause. (http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2013.7.FOCUS13277)


Parameter tuning for robotic systems is a timeconsuming and challenging task that often relies on domain expertise of the human operator. Moreover, existing learning methods are not well suited for parameter tuning for many reasons including: the absence of a clear numerical metric for 'good robotic behavior'; limited data due to the reliance on real-world experimental data; and the large search space of parameter combinations. In this work, we present an open-source MATLAB Preference Optimization and Learning Algorithms for Robotics toolbox (POLAR) for systematically exploring high-dimensional parameter spaces using human-inthe-loop preference-based learning. This aim of this toolbox is to systematically and efficiently accomplish one of two objectives: 1) to optimize robotic behaviors for human operator preference; 2) to learn the operator's underlying preference landscape to better understand the relationship between adjustable parameters and operator preference. The POLAR toolbox achieves these objectives using only subjective feedback mechanisms (pairwise preferences, coactive feedback, and ordinal labels) to infer a Bayesian posterior over the underlying reward function dictating the user's preferences. We demonstrate the performance of the toolbox in simulation and present various applications of human-in-the-loop preference-based learning.


The wavelength dependences of interstellar extinction and polarization, supplemented by observed elemental abundances and the spectrum of infrared emission from dust heated by starlight, strongly constrain dust models. One dust model that appears to be consistent with observations is presented. To reproduce the observed extinction, the model consumes the bulk of interstellar Mg, Si, and Fe (in amorphous silicates), and a substantial fraction of C (in carbonaceous material), with size distributions and alignment adjusted to match observations.
The composition, structure, and size distribution of interstellar grains is the result of injection of dust from stellar outflows into the interstellar medium (ISM), followed by destruction, growth, coagulation, and photoprocessing of interstellar grains. The balance among these poorly-understood processes is responsible for the mix of solid material present in the ISM. Most interstellar grain material present in the diffuse ISM must be grown in the ISM. The amorphous silicate and carbonaceous materials that form the bulk of interstellar dust must therefore be the result of grain growth in the presence of ultraviolet radiation. Dust in high-z systems such as J1148+5251 is also produced primarily in the ISM, with supernova-produced dust contributing only a small fraction of the total dust mass.


Skeletal muscle satellite cells, which reside beneath the basal lamina of mature muscle fibers, function as myogenic precursors and are required for normal muscle growth and repair. Satellite cells share a common anatomical localization, yet they exhibit substantial phenotypic and functional heterogeneity. Recent efforts in the field of adult myogenesis have been aimed at dissecting this heterogeneity and reveal the presence of discrete cell lineages within the muscle that function independently and interactively to maintain muscle homeostasis and to determine the outcome of muscle damage. Normal developmental regulation of the frequency and function of these distinct tissue precursors, and pathological deregulation of their activity, may have an important role in age- and disease-dependent loss of muscle regenerative activity.


Rivers are characterized by rapid and continuous one-way directional fluxes of flowing, aqueous habitat, chemicals, suspended particles, and resident plankton. Therefore, at any particular location in such systems there is the potential for continuous, and possibly abrupt, changes in diversity and metabolic activities of suspended biota. As microorganisms are the principal catalysts of organic matter degradation and nutrient cycling in rivers, examination of their assemblage dynamics is fundamental to understanding system-level biogeochemical patterns and processes. However, there is little known of the dynamics of microbial assemblage composition or production of large rivers along a time interval gradient. We quantified variation in alpha and beta diversity and production of particle-associated and free-living bacterioplankton assemblages collected at a single site on the Lower Mississippi River (LMR), the final segment of the largest river system in North America. Samples were collected at timescales ranging from days to weeks to months up to a year. For both alpha and beta diversity, there were similar patterns of temporal variation in particle-associated and free-living assemblages. Alpha diversity, while always higher on particles, varied as much at a daily as at a monthly timescale. Beta diversity, in contrast, gradually increased with time interval of sampling, peaking between samples collected 180 days apart, before gradually declining between samples collected up to one year apart. The primary environmental driver of the temporal pattern in beta diversity was temperature, followed by dissolved nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentrations. Particle-associated bacterial production corresponded strongly to temperature, while free-living production was much lower and constant over time. We conclude that particle-associated and free-living bacterioplankton assemblages of the LMR vary in richness, composition, and production at distinct timescales in response to differing sets of environmental factors. This is the first temporal longitudinal study of microbial assemblage structure and dynamics in the LMR.


To evaluate the effects of water hardness on survival to hatch of eyed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss eggs during iodophor disinfection, hard (300 mg/L CaCl2) and soft water (20 mg/L CaCl2) solutions were used in combination with iodophor treatments of 0, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg/L. Water hardness did not significantly influence egg survival-to-hatch. In addition, there was no significant interaction between water hardness and iodine concentration on egg survival. However, significant differences in egg survival due to iodine concentration were observed. Egg survival significantly decreased at 800 mg/L, with near complete mortality occurring at 1,600 mg/L. Rainbow trout eyed egg disinfection using iodine concentrations of 800 mg/L or greater are not recommended, regardless of water hardness (calcium) concentrations.

 Keywords: Eyed eggs, iodophor, disinfection, rainbow trout, water hardness, mortality.


The Shibantan Lagerstätte (551–543 Ma) in the Yangtse Gorges area in South China is one of the best-known examples of terminal Ediacaran fossil assemblages preserved in marine carbonate rocks. Taxonomically dominated by benthic organisms, the Shibantan Lagerstätte preserves various photoautotrophs, biomineralizing tubular fossils, Ediacara-type macrofossils (including rangeomorphs, arboreomorphs, erniettomorphs, palaeopascichnids, a possible dickinsoniomorph, the mobile bilaterian Yilingia and soft-bodied tubular fossils), abundant ichnofossils and a number of problematic and dubious fossils. Shibantan fossils provide intriguing insights into ecological interactions among mobile bilaterians, sessile benthic Ediacara-type organisms and microbial mats, thus offering important data to test various hypotheses accounting for the decline of the Ediacara biota and the concurrent expansion of bilaterian bioturbation and mobility across the Proterozoic–Phanerozoic transition.


A population of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was cultured for approximately 450 generations in the presence of high glucose to select for genetic variants that grew optimally under these conditions. Using the parental strain BY4741 as the starting population, an evolved culture was obtained after aerobic growth in a high glucose medium for approximately 450 generations. After the evolution period, three single colony isolates were selected for analysis. Next‐generation Ion Torrent sequencing was used to evaluate genetic changes. Greater than 100 deletion/insertion changes were found with approximately half of these effecting genes. Additionally, over 180 SNPs were identified with more than one‐quarter of these resulting in a nonsynonymous mutation. Affymetrix DNA microarrays and RNseq analysis were used to determine differences in gene expression in the evolved strains compared to the parental strain. It was established that approximately 900 genes demonstrated significantly altered expression in the evolved strains relative to the parental strain. Many of these genes showed similar alterations in their expression in all three evolved strains. Interestingly, genes with altered expression in the three evolved strains included genes with a role in oxidative metabolism. Overall these results are consistent with the physiological observations of optimal growth with glucose as the carbon source. Namely, the decreased ethanol production suggest that the underlying metabolism switched from fermentation to respiration during the selection for optimal growth on glucose.


The isolation and characterization of mutants altered for nitrate assimilation in Neurospora crassa is described. The mutants isolated can be subdivided into five classes on the basis of growth test that correspond to the growth patterns of existing mutants at six distinct loci. Mutants with growth characteristics like those of nit-2, nit-3 and nit-6 are assigned to those loci on the basis of noncomplementation and lack of recombination. Mutants that, from their growth patterns, appear to lack the molybdenum-containing cofactor for both nitrate reductase and xanthine dehydrogenase subdivide into three loci (nit-y, nit-8 and nit-9), all of which are gentically distinct from nit-1. nit-9 is a complex locus consisting of three complementation groups and thus appears similar ao the cnxABC locus of Asperillus nidulans. Extensive complementational and recombinational analyses reveal that nit-4 and nit-5 are alleles of the same locus, and two new alleles of that locus have been isolated. The results indicate that, as in A. nidulans, nitrate assimilation in N. crassa requires at least four loci (nit-1, 7, 8 and 9) to produce the molybdenum co-factor for nitrate reductase (and xanthine dehydrogenase), one locus (nit-3) to code for the nitrate reductase apoprotein, one locus (nit-6) to code for the nitrite reductase approtein and only one lous (nit-4/5) for the regulation of induction of the pathway by nitrate and nitrite.


Canopies of branching corals harbor a wide range of sessile- and mobile-dwelling species that benefit from the physical compartments and the micro-environments created by the complex three-dimensional structures. Although different compartments within canopies are differentially used by inhabitant species, the distribution of mobile animals between coral canopy compartments are not fully explored. Here, we study Stylophora pistillata, a common branching coral in the Gulf of Eilat that harbors obligatory crabs from the family Trapezia. Two in situ surveys elucidated diel dynamics in compartmental distributions of Trapezia species within S. pistillata canopies compartments, associated with the crab's body size and day/night activities. Whereas all crabs were found within sheltered spaces in the coral canopy understory or in the base during day hours, laboratory experiments revealed that nighttime distributions of small and large crabs (in middle and up compartments, respectively) are not intraspecific competition-borne, but rather, the outcome of preferred crab-size location for a novel feeding type, predation on demersal plankton. This study, thus, disclosed the importance of studying the coral's three-dimensional structures and within canopies' compartments for understanding the biology of dwelling species in the animal forests' canopies.


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Council for Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Visitors in the shape of Mr Reg Pyne is concerned about when he says that complaints are difficult to initiate. There is no lack of letters of complaint flooding into hospitals, and this is usually the starting point. The consultant is then given an opportunity to reply; if this is not sufficient further action can be taken. This further action normally involves the clinical complaints procedure. Having been at both the receiving and the adjudicating ends of this procedure, I think it fails entirely in its intial objective, which was to avoid unnecessary litigation. In my experience the convening of such a forum merely gives the patients another opportunity to vent spleen on the doctor for real or imaginary wrongdoings. It was originally intended that the conclusions of the inquiry through the medical officer would prevent litigation, but this was never binding. The patient could take the conclusion of the clinical complaints procedure and use it as evidence in a full blown judicial procedure. The need for this review is timely, because consultants appointed since trusts were established will not have the right of appeal to the secretary of state as before. Therefore some external appeal procedure should be in place for both the patient and any consultant who feels aggrieved as a result of disciplinary action for the purpose ofthe appeal. I suggest that two consultants from outside the region be appointed to consider the facts of the case and report. If this is still not satisfactory, clearly there must be recourse to the courts.


Abstract A 40-year-long research of the influence of diverse silvicultural managements on Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) stand development has been performed in Šahy Forest District (Veľký Šomoš locality). Currently (stand age 85 years) the stand regeneration has begun. A shelterwood-strip-system of regeneration with a short regeneration period (10 or 15 years) is recommended. During the silvicultural selection of trees we examined quantitative biometrical characteristics and qualitative characteristics. We found out that on the plot with the seed cut 20% of individuals were bent or created vegetative sprouts, 10% of trees had a fork crown and 7% were mechanically damaged. 41% of trees were undamaged. On the plot with the clear cut,up to 47.5% of trees (including chosen trees) were without degradations marks. The number of bent trees (10%) was lower compared to the plot with the seed cut, but the number of trees with vegetative sprouts was higher (26%). Statistical analysis based on χ2 test revealed that the differences in the abundance of qualitative characteristics between the investigated regeneration elements were statistically insignificant. In Europe, Northern red oak is a tree species of the future, so it is necessary to pay more attention to this species.


We introduce PathGAN, a deep neural network for visual scanpath prediction trained on adversarial examples. A visual scanpath is defined as the sequence of fixation points over an image defined by a human observer with its gaze. PathGAN is composed of two parts, the generator and the discriminator. Both parts extract features from images using off-the-shelf networks, and train recurrent layers to generate or discriminate scanpaths accordingly. In scanpath prediction, the stochastic nature of the data makes it very difficult to generate realistic predictions using supervised learning strategies, but we adopt adversarial training as a suitable alternative. Our experiments prove how PathGAN improves the state of the art of visual scanpath prediction on the iSUN and Salient360! datasets.


The duplication of genes followed by selection is perhaps the most prominent way in which molecular biological systems gain multiplicity, diversity and functional complexity in evolution. Whole genome duplications (WGDs) therefore have the potential of generating an extraordinary amount of evolutionary innovation. It is now accepted that the vertebrate lineage has gone through two rounds of WGD in its early stages, after the divergence of invertebrate chordates and before the emergence of jawed vertebrates. These basal vertebrate WGDs are called 2R for two rounds of whole genome duplication. An additional WGD called 3R occurred early in the evolution of teleost fishes, before the radiation of this species-rich group. This thesis describes the evolution of several endocrine and neuronal gene families in relation to the vertebrate WGDs, through a comparative genomic approach including both phylogenetic analyses and chromosomal location data across a wide range of vertebrate taxa.These results show that numerous endocrine gene families have expanded in 2R and in several cases also in 3R. These include the gene families of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors (OT/VP-R), somatostatin receptors (SSTR) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP). For the OT/VP-R and SSTR families, previously undescribed subtypes were identified. The protein hormone family that includes growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and somatolactin (SL) acquired a new PRL gene in 2R, however the origins of GH, PRL and SL likely predate 2R. The corresponding family of receptors diversified during different time periods through a combination of local duplications and 3R.Neuronal gene families of the visual system have also expanded in 2R and 3R. The results presented here demonstrate that the vertebrate repertoire of visual opsin genes arose in 2R as part of chromosomal blocks that also include the OT/VP-R genes. The gene families including the transducin alpha, beta and gamma subunits also arose in 2R, hinting at the importance of these events in the diversification and specialization of phototransduction cascades for rods and cones.Thus, the whole genome duplications have been important contributors to the evolution of both vision and endocrine regulation in the vertebrates.


The purpose of this research was to determine quality of smoked catfish (Arius thalassinus) using paddy chaff and coconut shell liquid smoke. The fish were divided into two groups; then processed using paddy chaff and coconut shell liquid smoke. All of the smoked catfish samples were subjected to chemical, microbiological and organoleptic analyses. The result indicated that moisture content of the paddy chaff smoked cat fish was 48.72%; a little bit lower than coconut shell smoked cat fish that was 51.27%. TPC on paddy chaff treatment was 53.33 CFU/gr; higher than coconut shell treatment that was 46.67 CFU/gr. Organoleptic value of smoked cat fish treated by paddy chaff liquid smoke was 8.26 and coconut shell was 8.22. It was found that benzo(α)pyrene content in the paddy chaff liquid smoke was not detected and in the coconut shell liquid smoke was 11.351 ppm. Examination of t-test Independent sample to the TPC and moisture content showed P>0.05.


Background: Bleeding time (BT) depends on various factors such as functions of platelets and endothelial cells of arteries and pathways of coagulation. Clotting time (CT) is increased due to the absence or abnormality of clotting factors. BT is increased in females due to the presence of estrogens which, in turn, reduce the functions of platelets. CT is also increased in females as compared to males because of increased estrogen in females which prolongs CT and decreases plasma fibrinogen level. BT is decreased in males due to increased activation and aggregation of platelets.

Aims and Objectives: Comparison of BT and CT between males and females.

Materials and Methods: A study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, TMMC and RC over a period of 1 year. A group of 200 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 30 years was taken for study. Of 200 volunteers, 84 were male and 116 were female. The BT was determined by Duke's method using Whatman filter paper. CT was determined by capillary tube method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software 23. The comparison of mean BT and CT between males and females was done using unpaired t-test.

Results: The comparison of mean BT and CT between males and females was done using unpaired t-test. It was found that the mean BT and CT in males were 128.69 and 219.88 respectively. The mean BT and CT in females were 133.28 and 223.97, respectively. The mean BT (P = 0.047) and CT (P = 0.046) were more in females as compared to males. Differences were statistically significant.

Conclusion: The present study indicates that BT and CT were significantly more in females as compared to males.


Abstract The Upper Cretaceous eastern Pontide island arc sequence in northeastern Turkey is composed mainly of volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks and rarely of sediments. In this study, source rock characteristics and hydrocarbon potentials of shale and claystone sequences at Zigana, Çatak, and Hacimehmet areas of the volcanic island arc were investigated. According to pyrolysis data, Zigana, Çatak, and Hacimehmet sequences show poor source rock character and they mostly contain residual organic matter and type III kerogen. In addition, shales have low potential yield and hydrogen index values. In the burial diagram drawn on the basis of Lopatin method, Σ TTI values of the Zigana, Çatak, and Hacimehmet sequences are calculated as 93,222, 1,124 and 1, respectively. This diagram indicates that Zigana and Çatak sequences are out of oil generation zone while Hacimehmet sequence has not reached oil generation zone. T max values measured from pyrolysis data generally show over mature character for the Zigana and Çatak sequences and immature character for the Hacimehmet sequence. T max values are consistent with burial diagram. Irregularities and deviations observed particularly in Zigana and Çatak sequences may be explained with thermal effect of Late Cretaceous volcanism.


This paper describes the synthesis of CdTe and CdTe/CdS core-shell quantum dots (QDs) in aqueous solution. The quantum dots are prepared by using thioglycolic acid (TGA) as stabilizers. The synthesis procedure is simple and controllable. Different sized CdTe QDs with tuned PL wavelengths from 550 to 640 nm was synthesized by controlling reaction time within 5 h in aqueous solutions at a temperature of 100 °C. We also investigated the influence of precursor Cd/Te molar ratio for the prepared QDs. It was showed that the core-shell CdTe/CdS QDs have larger photoluminescence (PL) emission intensity than the original CdTe QDs. The synthesized core-shell CdTe/ZnS QDs have high quality, water-soluble and will be useful in applications of biolabeling, biosensing, and imaging.


Molting in crustaceans is influenced by molting hormone. This study aims to examine the effect of adding the molting hormone 20- hydroxyecdyson (20-HE) against the concentration of ecdysteroidhaemolymph and molting of mud crab. The study is designed using Complete Randomized Design (CRD), consisting offour dose treatments of 20-HE, namely: (A) 0 μg/mL (without hormone), (B) 1.0 μg/mL, (C) 1.3 μg/mL and(D) 1.6 μg/mL; each treatment is repeated three times. The addition of molting hormone 20-HE is done by injection. Parameters measured are ecdysteroidhaemolymph concentration post-injection, the percentage of molting, molting duration, weight and width of carapace, survival rate, as well as water quality as the growth medium. Analysis of the sample of molting hormone and haemolymph is performed using Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography (UFLC). Concentration of ecdysteroidhaemolymph pre and post injection ofvitomolt is performed by t-test. To determine the effect of molting treatment on mangrove crab, analysis of variance (ANOVA) is done. The results show that the addition of 20-HE molting hormone increases the concentration of molting hormone (ecdysteroidhaemolymph), increases the percentage of molting,accelerates molting duration, increases the weight and width of the carapace, and increases survival of mangrove crabs. The higher the dose of molting hormone injected, the higher the concentration of ecdysteroidhaemolymph post-injection. The 20-HE hormone dose of 1.0 μg/mL results in the highest percentage of molting, fastest molting duration, the highest increase of weight and width of carapace, and the highest survival rate.


The electrohydrodynamic thrust generated by wire–cylinder electrodes under high dc voltage is experimentally analyzed. Some recent experimental studies have shown that electrohydrodynamic thrusters produced by corona discharge and ionic wind are able to deliver high thrust-to-power ratio, which reopens prospects for electrohydrodynamic propulsion. From simple considerations based on ultralight aircraft mass, aerodynamics, battery mass, and experimental electrohydrodynamic thrust densities, their potential for applications is showcased. Furthermore, an experimental study is performed, for which the experimental observations are presented in terms of electric field and thrust density. This allows a simplified and synthetic presentation of propulsive properties. Various experimental biases have been identified and corrected. The measure of time-periodic oscillations of the airflow in the back of the thruster pinpoints a possible wake effect due to the impact of ionic wind on electrodes. The variations of the associated drag are studied when varying the position of the collecting electrodes. It is shown that aerodynamic losses can be significant in experimental electrohydrodynamic thrusters.


Th e genotoxic eff ects of sublethal doses of cadmium in peripheral erythrocytes of Oreochromis niloticus was investigated using micronucleus (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NAs) tests. For this reason, the fi sh were exposed to medium changes of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L doses of cadmium (Cd) during an average treatment period of 10 days. On the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 10th days of the test period, the erythrocytes, including the micronuclei (MN) and other nuclear abnormalities such as lobbed nuclei (LB), blebbed nuclei (BL), and notched nuclei (NT), were counted and pointed out. As a positive control, a 4 mg/L dose of cyclophosphamide was used. Exposure to doses of cadmium caused signifi cantly increased (P < 0.05) micronuclei in peripheral erythrocytes of fi sh. It was also observed that the application of a 1.0 mg/L dose of Cd produced more of an eff ect on MN frequencies than the application of a 0.5 mg/L dose. Th e maximum frequencies of MN were recorded on the fourth day of the experiment period. Exposure to doses of cadmium caused signifi cantly increased (P < 0.05) NA (LB, BL, and NT) frequencies and, as with the MN results, the 1.0 mg/L dose of Cd had more of an eff ect than the 0.5 mg/L dose on NA frequencies. Th e maximum frequencies of NAs were recorded on the fourth day of the experiment. As a result of these doses of Cd, the MN and NA frequencies in peripheral erythrocytes of fi sh were observed to increase in relation to both the time and dose applied. However, a gradual trend of decrease was also observed starting from the sixth day.


The application of interconnected supermacroporous cryogels as support matrices for the purification, separation and immobilization of whole cells and different biological macromolecules has been well reported in literature. Cryogels have advantages over traditional gel carriers in the field of biochromatography and related biomedical applications. These matrices nearly mimic the three-dimensional structure of native tissue extracellular matrix. In addition, mechanical, osmotic and chemical stability of cryogels make them attractive polymeric materials for the construction of scaffolds in tissue engineering applications and in vitro cell culture, separation materials for many different processes such as immobilization of biomolecules, capturing of target molecules, and controlled drug delivery. The low mass transfer resistance of cryogel matrices makes them useful in chromatographic applications with the immobilization of different affinity ligands to these materials. Cryogels have been introduced as gel matrices prepared using partially frozen monomer or polymer solutions at temperature below zero. These materials can be produced with different shapes and are of interest in the therapeutic area. This review highlights the recent advances in cryogelation technologies by emphasizing their biomedical applications to supply an overview of their rising stars day to day.


OBJECTIVES
Preanalytical processes in pediatric patients are generally manual and associated with a higher risk of error. The optimized delta check rules for detecting misidentified children samples are examined.

METHODS
Relative difference and absolute different delta check limits were applied on original and reshuffled (to simulate sample mislabeling/mix-up) paired deidentified pediatric results of 57 laboratory tests. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of a range of delta check limits were determined. The delta check limit associated with the highest accuracy was considered optimal.

RESULTS
In general, the delta check limits had poor to moderate accuracy (0.50-0.81) in detecting misidentified patient samples. The sensitivity (rule out misidentified sample) quickly deteriorated at increasing delta check limits. At the same time, the specificity (rule in misidentified sample) of the delta check limit was also low. The performance of the relative difference and absolute difference delta check rules was similar.

CONCLUSIONS
Our findings showed poor delta check performance in the pediatric population. The high false-positive flag rate may lead to wasteful resource-intensive investigations and delay in result reporting. In addition, we observed that the optimized pediatric delta check correlated strongly with within-subject biologic variation, whereas delta check accuracy correlated poorly with index of individuality.


This paper shares key findings from past studies on Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) in Indonesia, to be used as inputs for future research. We used Google Scholar to identify the relevant articles for analysis. From the 297 results obtained, we selected 25 materials, which are reviewed in detail. We classified the findings in the selected literature into 4 topics. (1) Cases of PDNA implementation in Indonesia: many studies deal with the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the Central Java Earthquake. (2) Policy aspects: the previous literature demonstrated PDNA policies and regulations, on which not only the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) but also others (e.g., Ministry of Home Affairs) have primary jurisdiction. (3) Coordination of implementation: coordination by the local disaster management agencies (BPBD) when facing challenges. (4) Methodological issues: the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) methodology does not perfectly fit in practice. One of the most significant implications drawn from the review is that more research is needed to examine policy aspects. The existing studies tend to focus mainly on BNPB, and such BNPB-centric perspectives prevented a comprehensive identification of the relevant actors, leading to a narrow range of analysis on PDNA. Our review suggests that changing viewpoints, being mindful of the BNPB function, is beneficial for further understanding PDNA implementation in Indonesia.


Macauba palm stands out for having favorable features to biodiesel production such as the high oil content of its fruit. Considering the great potential of the species and their applicability in the renewable energy field, it becomes indispensable to establish the right conditions for storing the seeds for propagation purpose. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of seed moisture content, packaging, and storage conditions such as temperature and relative humidity on the quality of seeds from Minas Gerais State, during a 12-month storage period. The research had two independent assays: (I) the seeds were stored with three moisture contents/ranges 4.0≤6.0%; 6.0≤8.0% and 8.0≤10.0% in impermeable packages, under room temperature and at 10oC; (II) seeds with approximately 5.9% of moisture content were stored in three different types of packages: a) permeable, b) semi-permeable and c) impermeable. Three storing conditions were tested: a) room temperature and RH under laboratory conditions; b) 15oC and 45% RH; c) 20oC and 55% RH. Water content, germination rate and germination speed index were evaluated at 0, 4, 8 and 12 months of storing. The best germination results were obtained with the moisture range of 6.0≤8.0%, with seeds kept at room temperature; while the seeds stored at 10oC, regardless the moisture range, did not survive. The stored seeds with 5.9% moisture content and at both 15oC/45%RH and 20oC/55% RH conditions, independently of the package type used, showed the best results. Thus, macaw palm seeds can be classified as intermediates seeds.


Most applications of evolutionary algorithms deal with static optimization problems. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in time-varying (dynamic) problems, which are typically found in real-world scenarios. One major challenge in this field is the design of realistic test-case generators (TCGs), which requires a systematic analysis of dynamic optimization tasks. So far, only a few TCGs have been suggested. Our investigation leads to the conclusion that these TCGs are not capable of generating realistic dynamic benchmark tests. The result of our research is the design of a new TCG capable of producing realistic nonstationary landscapes.


The discovery of a common Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) point mutation, JAK2V617F, in myeloproliferative neoplasms has generated enormous interest in the development and therapeutic use of small molecule JAK2 inhibitor-targeted therapy in these diseases. A handful of compounds are currently in clinical development in primary myelofibrosis or post-polycythemia vera (PV)/essential thrombocythemia (ET) myelofibrosis. To date, clinical benefit has been demonstrated in terms of reduction of splenomegaly, improvement in constitutional symptoms, and control of leukocytosis. Some of the drugs have also been evaluated in PV and ET, with demonstrated activity against erythrocytosis, thrombocytosis, pruritus, and splenomegaly. However, drug effect on bone marrow fibrosis or JAK2 allele burden has been modest so far. Regardless, it is important to keep in mind that current anti-JAK2 treatment trials constitute only the beginning of many upcoming similar clinical trials, and that it is premature to make generalizations or any form of comparative conclusions regarding drug activity or toxicity.


There has been a tremendous increase in demand for virgin and postconsumer recycled (PCR) polymers due to their wide range of chemical and physical characteristics. Despite the numerous potential benefits of using a data-driven approach to polymer design, major hurdles exist in the development of polymer informatics due to the complicated hierarchical polymer structures. In this review, a brief introduction on virgin polymer structure, PCR polymers, compatibilization of polymers to be recycled, and their characterization using sensor array technologies as well as factors affecting the polymer properties are provided. Machine-learning (ML) algorithms are gaining attention as cost-effective scalable solutions to exploit the physical and chemical structures of polymers. The basic steps for applying ML in polymer science such as fingerprinting, algorithms, open-source databases, representations, and polymer design are detailed in this review. Further, a state-of-the-art review of the prediction of various polymer material properties using ML is reviewed. Finally, we discuss open-ended research questions on ML application to PCR polymers as well as potential challenges in the prediction of their properties using artificial intelligence for more efficient and targeted PCR polymer discovery and development.


Environmental strains of Yersinia enterocolitica are being isolated from dairy products in New South Wales and from oysters in Victoria (A. Hewstone. personal communication), but, as yet, there are no documented reports of isolations of environmental strains in Western Australia. The isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica in Western Australia indicates the presence of the organism in this State, and an awareness of the organism may help provide epidemiological information of Yersinia enterocolitica in Australia, which at this stage remains somewhat of a mystery. I am grateful to Mr D. Kermode, Consultant Surgeon. Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre. for permission to report this case. I would also like to thank Mr A. Hewstone, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. and Professor S. Winblad, University of Lund (Sweden), for their cooperation in serotyping the organism and performing the antibody titres. R. A. BOWMAN. Department of Clinical Microbiology, University of Western Australia, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, W.A. 6009.


An acyclic coloring of a graph G is a proper vertex coloring ( no two adjacent vertices of G have the same color) such that the induced sub graph of any two color classes is acyclic. The minimum number of colors required for acyclic coloring of a graph G is called as its acyclic chromatic number and is denoted by a(G). In this paper, we present the structure and coloring algorithm of central graph of Gear Graph Gn and we obtain the exact value of its acyclic chromatic number.


Dermatologists recommend that people avoid exposure to the blazing sun around noontime. In most places in Europe there are considerable deviations between true solar time and standard time: Firstly, during summer the standard time in the European countries is set one hour ahead according to the summer time or daylight saving time. Secondly, in all countries of Western and Central Europe, except Great Britain, Ireland and Portugal, standard time uniformly is Central European Summer Time (CEST). Although this standard central European time zone refers to the longitude 15 degrees East of Greenwich, it is valid for all longitudes up to nearly about 9 degrees West of Greenwich. This leads to a maximum deviation between standard time and solar time of nearly 1 hour and 36 min. Thirdly, a comparably small time shift is due to the equation of time. It amounts up to a maximum of about six and a half minutes at the end of July. Altogether, the shift between standard time and true solar time adds up to about 2 h 40 min at the Spanish coast of the Atlantic Ocean, e.g. noon is not at 12:00 but rather at 2:40 p. m. (14:40 h CEST).A paradoxical situation results for British holiday-makers who go to Spain. Although they move to a more westerly geographical position they do not put back their clocks but set them one hour ahead, since they enter the CEST zone. The recommendations given by dermatologists to the people regarding their exposure to the sun should allow for these geographical and astronomical facts. Language: de


Safflower fly (Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi) is one of the main limiting factors to expand the production area of the crop in several countries. Since use of selective insecticides is one of the most important methods for pest management, we evaluated the efficacy of six insecticides against A. helianthi infesting safflower. Field studies were conducted at the farm of Agriculture Research Station Gachsaran, in 2008-2009, to determine the effects of six different insecticides on the damage and incidence of A. helianthi on safflower variety 'Sina'. After first spray overall mean population larvae of A. helianthi inside flower heads was 3.83, 4.95, 5.79, 6.86, 7.67, 8.31 per 10 flower head on Endosulfan 35EC, Chlorpyriphos 20 EC, Monochrotophos 28 EC, Deltamethrin 2.8 EC, Malathion 56 EC, and Supracide 40 EC treated plants respectively, while on control plants the population larvae was 12.59. Similarly, after the second spray of each of the same insecticides the population larvae of A. helianthi was 4.69, 6.25, 7.63, 8.43, 9.37 and 10.75 respectively. Where in controls there were 17.20 larvae of safflower capsule fly. Percent decrease of population of larvae safflower capsule fly in comparison to control after the first spray was highest in Endosulfan 35 EC (74.22) followed by Chlorpyriphos 20 EC (64.93), Monochrotophos 28 EC (56.09), Deltamethrin 2.8 EC (49.63),Malathion 56 EC (40.96) and Supracide 40 EC (37.76). After the second spray percent decrease over control recorded was highest in Endosulfan 35 EC (85.56), followed by Chlorpyriphos 20 EC (73.10), Monochrotophos 28 EC (65.96), Deltamethrin 2.8 EC (62.81), Malathion 56 EC (54.54) and Supracide 40 EC (47.64).


As a step into the new generation of direct Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), a major concern is to increase the performance of the radio frequency communication between the intelligent tires and the receiver. The purpose of this paper is to propose an original analysis of the time diversity gain as a promising way of improving the performance of wireless TPMS communication. The goal is to quantify the time diversity improvement provided with the analysis of the relationship between the reception probability, the vehicle speed and the radio propagation channel on which diversity efficiency depends. This is achieved through a powerful method for evaluating the improvement from real channels measurements.


Abstract The assessment of herd welfare is a scientific discipline that is rapidly developing. The scientific community plays an important role in delivering appropriate, repeatable, valid and feasible models for this assessment. Unfortunately, there are different feelings regarding the welfare of animals and it is imperative for its assessment that certain agreement on the meaning of animal welfare is accepted. Then it is necessary to look at the goals of the models of welfare assessment because different goals require a different combination of welfare indicators. The different models for welfare assessment can be categorized broadly into research, legislative requirements, certification systems, and advisory/management tools. These models may have various goals: quantification of welfare, provision of welfare assurance or welfare management. However, it is widely accepted that welfare is best assessed with multiple different measures; therefore, a welfare assessment model for a livestock herd can include two types of measure: a description of the housing system and management (indirect indicators) and data recording on how the animals react to the system (direct indicators). The first type provides information on risk factors for welfare problems. Direct measures on the animals provide information on their response to the environment and are more direct measures of welfare than their counterparts, but direct welfare indicators alone do not point out the causes of impaired welfare. Because welfare is a complex construct, different approaches for the aggregation of the different aspects of welfare have been proposed, although the aggregation in an overall welfare value is not sufficient. The thresholds between acceptable and unacceptable welfare levels have to be included in the model of welfare assessment but it seems useful to set certain minimum standards for each single welfare aspect. Afterward, judging the validity of a common welfare assessment model is important. In addition to considering its aim and the fact that a gold standard for animal welfare does not exist, it aids in identifying some widely accepted reference parameters which cannot be utilized in the field (i.e. ACTH challenge, immune system parameters, etc.), but which can be utilized to validate the field models. A new model has been recently set up in our Institute, which is based on many environmental factors included into two clusters: life conditions and feeding. A further cluster considers the animal responses in general and to the previous factors; specific indicators of behavioural, physiological, performance and health type have been included in this last cluster.


This article gives an overview of the draft of the London Learning Disability Plan developed by the Department of Health, Social Services Inspectorate and the National Health Service Executive. The London Plan is founded on a social model of disability in which there is not only a strong focus on health and social care, but also an integration with housing, education, employment, leisure and other relevant organizations. It advocates integrated commissioning and delivery of specialist learning disability services that will require both health services and nurses to change existing structures and interventions. New forms of workforce development will emerge and clarification will be required about the future role of learning disability nurses within London. Information specific to the Plan is gathered from the Department of Health's learning disabilities Web site. The Plan is laid out in four booklets, one of which (Booklet 2: 'Services to Improve People's Lives') was not available at the time of writing. The article thus contains information and proposals that may be altered by subsequent publication.


In response to the devastation of recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, this research in progress intends to identify small businesses that are at-risk of failing if they experience a data loss caused by a community-wide natural disaster. As guided by classical innovation diffusion theory, the phenomenon of adopting disaster recovery practices within small businesses is studied form the point-of-view of small businesses. Practitioner-oriented literature is reviewed to identify relevant disaster recovery practices that are classified within a risk management framework. A Delphi study is initiated among small businesses to (a) identify current disaster recovery practices employed to prevent data loss, and (b) ascertain the current levels of awareness and adoption of disaster recovery practices. The results of the review are reported along with the initial findings of a Delphi study still in progress.


This essay argues that Crosby v. National Foreign Trade Council may not portend a more aggressive intervention by the federal courts in enforcing a federal common law of foreign relations. A significant concern that underlies foreign affairs preemption is concern that 50 states might undermine the sole voice of the federal government in representing the nation. This concern, however, applies equally to the federal courts, which are not structurally suited due to their slowness and decentralization for involvement in foreign affairs. Enhancing the effectiveness of foreign policy calls for a reduced role for the judiciary in favor of the concentration of authority in the political branches.


Purpose

To evaluate for predictive neuroimaging features of pediatric brain tumor development and quantify tumor growth characteristics.
Methods

Retrospective review of 1098 consecutive pediatric patients at a single institution with newly diagnosed brain tumors from January 2009 to October 2021was performed. Pre-diagnostic and diagnostic neuroimaging features (e.g., tumor size, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values), clinical presentations, and neuropathology were recorded. High- and low-grade tumor sizes were fit to linear and exponential growth regression models.
Results

Fourteen of 1098 patients (1%) had neuroimaging before diagnosis of a brain tumor (8 females, mean age 8.1 years, imaging interval 0.2-8.7 years). Tumor types included low-grade glioma (n = 4), embryonal tumors (n = 3), ependymoma (n = 3), and others (n = 4). Pre-diagnostic imaging of corresponding tumor growth sites were abnormal in four cases (28%) and demonstrated higher ADC values in diagnostically high-grade tumors (p = 0.05). Growth regression analyses demonstrated R2-values of 0.92 and 0.91 using a linear model and 0.64 and 0.89 using an exponential model for high- and low-grade tumors, respectively; estimated minimum velocity of diameter expansion was 2.4 cm/year for high-grade tumors and 0.4 cm/year for low-grade tumors. High-grade tumors demonstrated faster growth rate of diameter and solid tumor volume compared to low-grade tumors (p = 0.02, p = 0.03, respectively).
Conclusions

This is the first study to utilize pre-diagnostic neuroimaging to demonstrate that linear and exponential growth rate models can be used to estimate pediatric brain tumor growth velocity and should be validated in a larger cohort.


Tasek Bera (TB), one of the Protected Areas (PA) in Malaysia is an important site for natural ecosystem and community's life. Previous studies suggested that the activities around the Pas gave a great impact to the latter. Thus, the implementation and management of the surrounding areas – Buffer Zones (BZ) are necessary to safeguard the PAs. This study interviewed in- depth, six stakeholders of TB and the adjacent areas. Results indicated that although all stakeholders agreed on the overall concept and the importance of the BZs, there are disagreement in term of threats and opportunities derived from the potential implementation of it.