Objective: To describe the clinical signs, surgical treatment, and outcome of septic arthritis of the coxofemoral joint in foals. Study Design: Retrospective clinical study. Sample Population: Foals (n = 12) with confirmed sepsis of the coxofemoral joint. Methods: Lameness was localized to the coxofemoral joint based on physical examination. Sepsis was confirmed by cytological analysis of synovial fluid obtained under ultrasonographic guidance, during general anesthesia or standing sedation. Intra‐articular analgesia was used as an adjunct diagnostic modality in 2 foals. Surgical lavage of the affected joint was performed via arthroscopy or needle lavage, with repeated lavage performed in 7 foals. Results: Synovial fluid contained 4.4 to 173 × 109/L white blood cells (WBCs), and 38‐63 g/L total protein. Cultures were positive in 10/12 foals. Isolated organisms included Salmonella spp., Streptococcus spp., Rhodococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., Escherichia spp., Staphylococcus spp., Acinetobacter spp., Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus spp. Ten foals were discharged from hospital (83%). One of these was euthanized 15 days later due to chronic intestinal salmonellosis and renal failure, and 9 foals survived with no residual lameness detected 1 year after discharge from hospital. Conclusions: Sepsis of the coxofermoral joint can be effectively treated with a combination of arthroscopic lavage and the use of systemic and local antimicrobials.


It was hypothesized that strontium (Sr)-doped β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP)-based scaffolds have a positive effect on the regeneration of large bone defects (LBD). Readouts in our mice models were nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-κB) activity and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) promoter activity during the healing process. A 2-mm critical-size femoral fracture was performed in transgenic NF-κB- and VEGFR-2-luciferase reporter mice. The fracture was filled with a 3D-printed β-TCP scaffold with or without Sr. A bioluminescence in-vivo imaging system was used to sequentially investigate NF-κB and VEGFR-2 expression for two months. After sacrifice, soft and osseous tissue formation in the fracture sites was histologically examined. NF-κB activity increased in the β-TCP + Sr group in the latter stage (day 40–60). VEGFR-2 activity increased in the + Sr group from days 0–15 but decreased and showed significantly less activity than the β-TCP and non-scaffold groups from days 40–60. The new bone formation and soft tissue formation in the + Sr group were significantly higher than in the β-TCP group, whereas the percentage of osseous tissue formation in the β-TCP group was significantly higher than in the β-TCP + Sr group. We analyzed longitudinal VEGFR-2 promoter activity and NF-κB activity profiles, as respective agents of angiogenesis and inflammation, during LBD healing. The extended inflammation phase and eventually more rapid resorption of scaffold caused by the addition of strontium accelerates temporary bridging of the fracture gaps. This finding has the potential to inform an improved treatment strategy for patients who suffer from osteoporosis.


Aims. The goal of this study is to simulate space weathering processes on primitive bodies. We use ion implantation as a simulation of solar wind irradiation, which has been suggested by several authors to be the major component of space weathering on main belt asteroids. The laboratory analogs we irradiate and analyze are carbonaceous chondrites; we started the study with the Allende CV meteorite and in this companion paper we present results on the Murchison CM meteorite. Methods. We performed irradiations on pressed pellets of Murchison with 40 keV He + and Ar + ions using fluences up to 3 × 10 16 ions/cm 2 . Reflectance spectra were acquired ex situ before and after irradiation in the visible to mid-infrared range (0.4–16 µm). A Raman analysis was also performed to investigate the modifications of the aromatic carbonaceous component. Results. Our results indicate that spectral variations after irradiation within the visible range are smaller than spectral variations due to sample grain size or viewing geometry of the Murchison meteorite. The aqueous alteration band profile near 3 µm changes after irradiation, as adsorbed water is removed, and phyllosilicates are affected. Raman spectroscopy highlights the insoluble organic matter (IOM) modification under irradiation. We observe a shift of the silicates band at 9.9 µm, probably due to a preferential loss of Mg (compared to Fe, the lighter Mg is more easily sputtered backward) and/or amorphization of Mg-rich materials. We compare our results to previous experiments on organic-rich materials (like asphaltite or carbonaceous chondrites), and on ordinary chondrites and olivine grains. We find that the reddening/darkening trend observed on silicate-rich surfaces is not valid for all carbonaceous chondrites, and that the spectral modifications after irradiation are a function of the initial albedo.


In this paper, we introduce a computational model for the simulation of hypervelocity impact (HVI) phenomena which is based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM). Our paper constitutes the first application of DEM to the modeling and simulating of impact events for velocities beyond 5 kms−1. We present here the results of a systematic numerical study on HVI of solids. For modeling the solids, we use discrete spherical particles that interact with each other via potentials. In our numerical investigations we are particularly interested in the dynamics of material fragmentation upon impact. We model a typical HVI experiment configuration where a sphere strikes a thin plate and investigate the properties of the resulting debris cloud. We provide a quantitative computational analysis of the resulting debris cloud caused by impact and a comprehensive parameter study by varying key parameters of our model. We compare our findings from the simulations with recent HVI experiments performed at our institute. Our findings are that the DEM method leads to very stable, energy–conserving simulations of HVI scenarios that map the experimental setup where a sphere strikes a thin plate at hypervelocity speed. Our chosen interaction model works particularly well in the velocity range where the local stresses caused by impact shock waves markedly exceed the ultimate material strength.


Programmed cell death (PD)-1 is one of the most important inhibitory checkpoints in T cells. Antibodies targeting PD-1 have elicited durable clinical responses in multiple tumor types and long-term remissions in some. Nevertheless, response to anti-PD-1 approaches is limited to a small fraction of patients and thus, a more complete understanding of this pathway should provide i) novel biomarkers for potential responders and ii) potential new therapeutic targets for refractory patients. We took an unbiased approach, exploiting high-resolution mass spectrometry, to uncover novel proteins that either interact with the cytoplasmic tail of PD-1 or are dephosphorylated downstream of the PD-1. We identified almost 20 proteins that interacted directly with the tail of PD-1, and approximately 100 proteins that their phosphorylation status was changed upon PD-1 signaling. Two of the more abundant proteins, EFHD2 and SH2D1A, were functionally analyzed for their contribution in mediating PD-1 inhibitory responses. Silencing EFHD2 resulted in abrogation of PD-1 inhibitory effect, including elimination of the ability of PD-1 signaling to inhibit cytokine secretion, cell proliferation, and cellular adhesion. Mechanistically, EFHD2 co-localized with PD-1 in the immunologic synapse, and was necessary for PD-1 clustering. In contrast, silencing SH2D1A augmented PD-1 function while over-expression of the same protein blocked PD-1 effects. We than discovered that SH2D1A physically competed with the phosphatase SHP2 for the same binding site on the tail of PD-1. Studying PD-1 interactome and phosphoproteome has thus identified new proteins that can modulate PD-1 function in opposite ways. These proteins should be further explored as potential targets in cancer. Citation Format: Michael Peled, Adam Mor. Combinatorial proteomic analysis of the receptor programmed cell death (PD)-1 uncovers new checkpoint modulators [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; 2016 Sept 25-28; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A059.


This paper develops an intake two-pipeline model on a 125 cc single engine including the effects of engine torque (T), fuel consumption (FC) and both CO and HC emission. Those four performances in prescribed speed range were constructed by the response surface method. The formal design of experiment has been utilized to examine the significances and characteristics of interrelated parameters. A proposed engineering design optimization simultaneously treats four performances with weighting strategy so that the optimum two-pipeline diameters, lengths, and the appropriate timing of switching low-speed pipe to high-speed pipe can be obtained. The presented integration process of experimental design optimization offers an applicable process and technique for small engine and can apply to other mechanical product development.


Background: Pleural malignancy (PM) and malignant pleural effusion (MPE) represent an increasing burden of diseases. Costo-phrenic angle (CPA) could be involved by malignant small nodularities or thickenings in the case of MPE. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether lung ultrasound (LUS), performed prior to medical thoracoscopy (MT), could detect pleural abnormalities in CPA not easily detectable by chest computed tomography scan (CCT). Methods: Patients suspected for PM and MPE were retrospectively recruited. Patients underwent both LUS examination with a linear array and CCT prior to diagnostic medical thoracoscopy. LUS pathological findings in CPA were compared with pathological findings detected by CCT. Findings were confirmed by subsequent MT, the gold standard for PMs. Results: Twenty-eight patients were recruited. LUS detected 23 cases of pleural abnormalities in CPA. CCT was detected 12 pleural abnormalities. Inter-rater agreement between the two techniques was minimal (Cohen's Kappa: 0.28). MT detected PMs in CPA in 22 patients. LUS had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 83%. CCT had a sensitivity of 54% and specificity of 100%. A better sensitivity for CCT was reached analysing only all abnormalities > 5 mm (64.3%). Conclusions: LUS examination, in the case of PMs, could change and speed up diagnostic workup.


Standards for scoring adverse effects after radiation therapy (RT) is crucial for integrated, consistent, and accurate analysis of toxicity results at large scale and across multiple studies. This project aims to investigate the usage of the three most commonly used standards in published RT clinical studies by developing a text-mining based analysis method. We develop and compare two text-mining methods, one based on regular expressions and one based on Naïve Bayes Classifier, to analyze published full articles in terms of their adoption of standards in RT. The full dataset includes published articles identified in MEDLINE between January 2010 and August 2015. A radiation oncology physician reviewed all the articles in the training/validation subset and produced the usage trending data manually as gold standard for validation. The regular-expression based method reported classifications and overall usage trends that are comparable to those of the domain expert. The CTCAE standard is becoming the overall most commonly used standards over time, but the pace of adoption seems very slow. Further examination of the results indicates that the usage vary by disease type. It suggests that further efforts are needed to improve and harmonize the standards for adverse effects scoring in RT research community.


Schwannomas are benign, slow-growing encapsulated tumors that originate from Schwann cells of the nerve sheaths. Schwannoma originating from the cervical vagus nerve is an extremely rare neoplasm that usually occurs in men between the 3rd and 6th decades of life. Ancient schwannoma is a rare variant that was first described by Ackerman and Taylor in 1951 as a long standing degenerative schwannoma that presented with wide areas of hyalinized matrix. A case of ancient Schwannoma of the cervical vagus nerve in a 56-year-old male who presented to our department with history of a firm and painless mass lesion on right side of the neck is being reported here.


B J U I N T E R N A T I O N A L © 2 0 11 B J U I N T E R N A T I O N A L | 1 0 7 , 3 3 7 – 3 3 8 | doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2010.10068.x 3 3 7 search yielded two abstracts, which were only available in Korean as full-text papers [8,9]. As we described in our article, we were unable to include these papers in our review despite several efforts to contact the authors to obtain methodological description.


With the development of science and technology, higher and higher quality requirements were needed by the electrical consumers about the power energy in power supplying and distributing. For this objective, many kinds of power electronic equipments are applied in power supply systems and distribution systems in order to improve the system running stability with their rapid response operation characteristics. But at the same time, the power electronic equipments may generate some hidden dangers that can not be overlooked to the system, particularly to the reliability of protection.


Abstract Biological invasions threaten biodiversity worldwide, and therefore, understanding the traits of successful invaders could mitigate their spread. Many commonly invasive species do well in disturbed habitats, such as urban environments, and their abilities to effectively respond to disturbances could contribute to their invasiveness. Yet, there are noninvasive species that also do well in disturbed habitats. The question remains whether urban invaders behave differently in urban environments than noninvaders, which could suggest an "urban-exploiting" phenotype. In Southern California, the co-occurrence of invasive Italian wall lizards Podarcis siculus, brown anoles Anolis sagrei, and green anoles A. carolinensis, and native western fence lizards Sceloporus occidentalis offers an opportunity to test whether invasives exhibit consistent differences in risk-taking within human-altered habitats compared with a native species. We predicted that invasive lizards would exhibit more bold behavior by having shorter flight-initiation distances (FIDs) and by being found farther from a refuge (behaviors that would presumably maximize foraging in low-risk environments). Invasive populations had similar or longer FIDs, but were consistently found at distances closer to a refuge. Collectively, invasive lizards in urban habitats were not bolder than a native species. Reliance on nearby refuges might help species successfully invade urban habitats, and if a general pattern, may pose an added challenge in detecting or eliminating them.


ABSTRACT This article considers how creative writers use research to experiment with and expand the written form. Focussing on modes of storytelling for fiction and non-fiction, four current research degree candidates and a supervisor-mentor from RMIT University present snapshots of research works in progress, to reveal how they are negotiating the sticky yet rich relationship between theory and practice. Specifically, they offer innovative ways of expanding the written form to combine creative and critical modes of thought, resulting in distinctive contributions to knowledge and practice that are relevant to their genres, forms and subject matters. The candidates, who are working across the lyric essay, screenwriting, performance writing and radio, are also members of a peer-to-peer group facilitated by the supervisor-mentor, which over a four-year period has supported research training in creative writing and assisted in the formation of new research identities. This collaborative support structure has helped candidates to transform from creative writers to creative writing researchers, encouraging playfulness and experimentation yet underpinned by the needs of academic rigour. This article thus offers a collective, reflective approach to finding innovation in/through creative writing research – methodologically speaking.


The issue of establishing a correct timeline in terms of body fluids has always been an important aspect in any forensic investigation. The techniques currently being used have all proved to work quite well but have certain limitations. One of the main problems with these techniques is their invasiveness to the sample in question. This is a major problem as, in most cases, the sample analysed is quite small and the destruction of it via the use of one technique can limit it being used for other key experiments, all of which are important for an investigation.

In this project, the aim was to present a collection of techniques that have been proven to be non-invasive on samples and at the same time, provide key information regarding the identity of the sample in estimating the age. Techniques such as Raman Spectroscopy, Colorimetry and Small Angle X-Ray Scattering were used to establish the identity and estimate the age of a stain. Results were obtained which showed that Raman

Spectroscopy and Colorimetry provided the most useful information regarding the body fluid used. Another aspect of this project was to develop a technique that could be used to identify the presence of proteins on crime scenes. Bicinchoninic Acid (BCA) was used for this part of the project along with copper sulphate. The results obtained showed that the presence of proteins could be identified but the results were not specific enough to describe what type of protein was being detected. More work needs to be done on this part as it has potential to be modified and become human specific by adding fluorescent probes that are human protein (skin keratin) specific and therefore can be used as an identifying tool in terms of evidence collection and processing it for DNA profiling.


Oil spills represent a major threat to ocean ecosystems and their health. Illicit pollution requires continuous monitoring and satellite remote sensing technology represents an attractive option for operational oil spill detection. Previous studies have shown that active microwave satellite sensors, particularly Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) can be effectively used for the detection and classification of oil spills. Oil spills appear as dark spots in SAR images. However, similar dark spots may arise from a range of unrelated meteorological and oceanographic phenomena, resulting in misidentification. A major focus of research in this area is the development of algorithms to distinguish oil spills from `look-alikes'. This paper describes the development of a new approach to SAR oil spill detection employing two different Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), used in sequence. The first ANN segments a SAR image to identify pixels belonging to candidate oil spill features. A set of statistical feature parameters are then extracted and used to drive a second ANN which classifies objects into oil spills or look-alikes. The proposed algorithm was trained using 97 ERS-2 SAR and ENVSAT ASAR images of individual verified oil spills or/and look-alikes. The algorithm was validated using a large dataset comprising full-swath images and correctly identified 91.6% of reported oil spills and 98.3% of look-alike phenomena. The segmentation stage of the new technique outperformed the established edge detection and adaptive thresholding approaches. An analysis of feature descriptors highlighted the importance of image gradient information in the classification stage.


This paper proposes a real-time movement control algorithm for massive unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV s) that provide emergency cellular connections in an urban disaster site. While avoiding the inter-Uavcollision under temporal wind dynamics, the proposed algorithm minimizes each UAV's energy consumption per unit downlink rate. By means of a mean-field game theoretic flocking approach, the velocity control of each UAV only requires its own location and channel states. Numerical results validate the performance of the algorithm in terms of the number of collisions and energy consumption per data rate, under a realistic 3GPP UAV channel model.


Frequency and duration evaluation in interconnected power systems involves the integration of both parallel and series elements. The paper presents a comprehensive technique for performing this task in the form of an integrated algorithm. This procedure is then extended to utilise a correlated load model developed from the chronological occurrence of load values in the two systems to assess the integrated system adequacy. The method to incorporate load correlation is fully described, and examples based on small hypothetical systems and the IEEE reliability test system are used to assess the correlation severity.


Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems are widely used as an important alternative energy source. To overcome the problem of intermittent power generation, PV power systems may be integrated with other power sources. Fuel cells are an attractive option because of high efficiency, modularity and fuel flexibility; however, one main week point is their slow dynamics. On the other hand, current technology batteries by themselves are usually insufficient to provide the long-term energy that the increasing loads require. Hybrid systems composed of fuel cells and batteries can be integrated with PV power systems to provide uninterrupted high-quality power. The goal of this study is to design an effective power management system for a PV/fuel cell/battery hybrid power system so that the combination can be used as a reliable power source. In this paper, the structure of the hybrid power system is described, and control strategies for power management of the hybrid power system are discussed. The proposed hybrid power system is then verified by numerical simulation


The aerodynamic characteristics of a NACA0018 aerofoil have been investigated experimentally for incidence angles ranging from 0 deg to 180 deg in closed-jet and open-jet wind tunnels with different blockage coefficients at Reynolds numbers from 60,000 to 140,000. The results provide a comprehensive data set for studying the performance of typical, small-scale Darrieus wind turbine blades which mainly operate at relatively low Reynolds number and experience extreme angles of attack, particularly during start-up. Measurements in both very high and very low blockage, open-jet wind tunnels capture a "second-stall" phenomenon at high angles of attack, but this behaviour is not observed in the closed-jet wind tunnel confirming the sensitivity of aerofoil performance at extreme incidence to wind tunnel configuration. Surface flow visualisation suggests that the "second-stall" occurs when the flow separation point near the leading edge of the aerofoil moves from the suction side to the pressure side which leads to a sudden change of wake structure. In the closed-jet wind tunnel, the tunnel walls constrain the wake and prevent the flow from switching from one regime to another. The measured data are also used to demonstrate that established wind tunnel blockage corrections break down under these extreme, post-stall angles of attack.


A simple, accurate, rapid and precise isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of lamivudine, tenofovir and efavirenz in tablets. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a BEH symmetry C18 (50×4.6mm, 1.7 μm) column with a mixture of methanol: phosphate buffer pH 3.0 adjusted with o-phosphoric acid (65:35, v/v) as mobile phase; at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The retention times for LAM, TEN and EFA were observed to be 0.432, 0.657, 2.281 min, respectively. Calibration plots were linear (r 2 >0.999) over the concentration range of 10-50 μg/mL for LAM and TEN; and 20-100 μg/mL for EFA. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, specificity, linearity, and sensitivity. The proposed method was successfully used for quantitative analysis of tablets. No interference from any component of pharmaceutical dosage form was observed. Validation studies revealed that method is specific, rapid, reliable, and reproducible. The high recovery and low relative standard deviation confirm the suitability of the method for routine determination of lamivudine, tenofovir and efavirenz in tablets.


Objective To identify biomarkers in the first synovial fluid (SF) aspirate obtained from children with oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which could be used to identify children whose disease is likely to extend to a more severe phenotype. Methods Patients with recent-onset oligoarticular JIA were identified and grouped according to those whose mild disease persisted (persistent disease) or those whose disease would extend from a mild to more severe phenotype (extended-to-be disease) at 1 year after diagnosis. Flow cytometry was used to delineate differences in the mononuclear cell populations between the first blood sample and first SF aspirate from the same patient and between outcome (persistent versus extended-to-be) groups. Proportions of lymphocytes in the joint were modeled on chemotaxis of lymphocytes to CCL5, using Transwell migration assays. Levels of CCL5 in the SF were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RNA profiles of SF mononuclear cells were compared between groups using the Affymetrix GeneChip hybridization protocol and hierarchical clustering analyses. Results Compared with peripheral blood mononuclear cells, SF mononuclear cells displayed an expansion of CD8+ T cells, reduced proportion of B cells, and expansion of CD16− natural killer cells. The lower CD4:CD8 ratio in the SF was recapitulated in vitro by the observed migration of blood T cells in response to CCL5. Synovial CCL5 levels were higher in children whose disease extended to a more severe phenotype. The CD4:CD8 ratio in the SF was significantly lower in patients with extended-to-be oligoarticular JIA (0.57 compared with 0.90 in the persistent disease group, difference 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.62; P = 0.009). Gene expression profiling revealed that 344 genes were >1.5-fold differentially expressed between outcome groups (P < 0.05), and these included genes associated with inflammation and macrophage differentiation, which showed increased levels in patients with extended disease at 1 year, and genes associated with immune regulation, which showed increased levels in patients with persistent disease at 1 year. Conclusion Analyses of the proportions of synovial lymphocytes, levels of CCL5, and differential gene expression yielded potential biomarkers with which to predict the likelihood of extension of oligoarticular JIA to a more severe disease phenotype.


Objective This study was performed to assess the relationship between oral Feline calicivirus (FCV) load and severity of lesions at the time of presentation of cats suffering from feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) (part 1) and treatment outcome after dental extractions (part 2). We hypothesized that a higher FCV viral load would be positively correlated with the severity of lesions at presentation and negatively correlated with treatment outcome. In addition, the effect of dental extractions on outcome and the influence of preoperative severity of lesions on the outcome were investigated. Materials and methods Cats with FCGS were included in the study if they had been diagnosed with caudal stomatitis, had been tested positive for FCV using a real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR test on oropharyngeal swab, and had dental extractions performed within the authors' department. General practitioners provided all previous medical treatments. Cats with recheck examinations were included in part 2 of the study. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationship between the different parameters. Results One hundred four cats met the requirements for part 1 and 56 cats for part 2 of the study. Data collected from patients' record included patient history, viral testing results, extent and severity of oral lesions, extent of teeth extraction. Signalment, history, preoperative treatment, and severity of caudal and alveolar stomatitis score were not associated with FCV load (P > 0.05). Presence of lingual ulcers was significantly correlated with FCV load (P = 0.0325). Clinical cure (32.1%) or very significant improvement (19.6%) was achieved in 51.8% of cats within 38 days. Concomitantly, 60.7% of the owners considered their cat cured (41.1%) or significantly improved (19.6%). Extent of teeth extraction was not found to influence the clinical outcome (P > 0.05). Conclusion The results of this study did not support the hypothesis that FCV oral load is correlated with the severity of oral lesions or with the outcome following dental extractions. In addition, the severity of caudal inflammation was not correlated with healing time or achievement of cure.


This article examines how leaders affect the implementation of peace agreements. It argues that implementation is more likely when leaders have publicly committed to peace because public commitments tie leaders' hands, making it costly to back down from peaceful promises. This effect is hypothesized to hold even under conditions that make implementation costly: when implementing difficult provisions, when spoiler risk is high, and when implementation is unreciprocated. These expectations are tested using novel data from the IPAD dataset on the implementation of peace agreements between 1989 and 2014 and on public statements by state and rebel leaders. Results show that governments and rebel groups whose leaders have publicly committed to peace are significantly more likely to make progress toward implementation. This effect holds for difficult provisions, when spoiler risk is high, and when implementation is unreciprocated. These findings highlight the importance of leaders' political will for successful implementation of peace agreements and sustainable peace.


The personal work experience of the department of pain syndrome and analysis of foreign algologic service clearly demonstrated the necessity of similar adequate hierarchical medical service for treatment of chronic pain. The following principles should build the backbone of the service: multidisciplinary approach, usage of both traditional and alternative medicine, availability of help and stable feedback with tertiary hospitals. The algologic service should perform diagnostic, advisory and expert functions. The antipain center should obtain not only hospital facilities but also research laboratories and teaching centers.


INTRODUCTION AND AIMS
This paper contrasts health-oriented low-risk drinking guidelines (LRDGs) with social drinking marketing and popular advice on the amount of alcohol to be provided for social occasions. The questions addressed include:What is the underlying evidence base and rationale for health-oriented versus socially oriented drinking guidelines?What are the recommended amounts of alcohol per person from the LRDGs and from popular advice?

DESIGN AND METHODS
This paper draws on existing research, archival data, websites, print media and key informant interviews. The focus is on recent information on LRDGs and social drinking indicators in Canada, the USA, Australia and the UK.

RESULTS
There is extensive epidemiological research indicating the associations between drinking pattern and risk for chronic disease and trauma as well as certain potential health benefits from drinking small amounts regularly. This body of evidence is one resource for government or medically sanctioned LRDGs in many jurisdictions. In contrast, for those planning social events where liquor is served, information is available from the hospitality industry, retailers and liquor control boards.While some overlap exists between these two sources of information, in some contexts normative recommendations support drinking at potentially dangerous levels.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
The inconsistency among the different guidelines highlights one of the challenges of conveying health information on a drug that is integrated into social life and used extensively. It also reflects a siloed approach to alcohol policy—where retailing and harm reduction practices are managed by different sectors of government that seldom reflect a coordinated response.


Gayle Stephens, MD, claimed that the research laboratory of family medicine must be the practice—it is both the source of our questions and the place where we must seek answers.1 This belief is the basis for the formation and growth of practice-based research networks (PBRNs). PBRNs are groups of practices affiliated with one another and often with academic institutions or professional organizations for the purpose of answering the questions that arise from daily practice and of most importance to clinicians and patients.2 The Federation of Practice Based Research Networks (FPBRN) now includes 75 US members and 5 international affiliates.The American Academy of Family Physicians sponsors the National Network for Family Practice and Primary Care Research (the National Research Network), established in 1999 and continuing the work of the Ambulatory Sentinel Practice Network (ASPN). Both national networks and a growing number of regional PBRNs have been formed or developed with the support of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 10 family physicians in the United States now participates in a PBRN, making these organizations a potent vehicle for direct and rapid dissemination of research findings that can improve the outcomes of care.3

Some recent examples of the impact of PBRN research on practice4 include questioning the routine use of CT scans of the brain in every new headache patient,5 the routine performance of D&Cs following miscarriage,6 and the routine prescription of antibiotics for uncomplicated acute otitis media.7 Regional networks have demonstrated that brief interventions by primary care physicians can significantly reduce problem drinking by patients,8 and that family physicians routinely weave preventive service delivery into both acute and chronic problem visits.9 They are also providing new insights into the processes by which practices can improve their care.10 US and international PBRNs are just now publishing fundamental studies of the nature of medical errors in primary care practices, as seen by both physicians11 and patients.12

Administrators of successful PBRNs take care to involve participating physicians in the selection of questions for study, to create protocols that minimize the impact of the study on the ongoing business of the practice, and to provide timely feedback of study results that can lead to improvements in the participating practices. Awareness of peers who are participating, and recruitment by colleagues whom they respect are also important. A rural Virginia family physician echoed these themes in recent interviews: "I like to know that I am helping produce knowledge that improves care. I enjoy being involved in developing a study - not just one of the practices that submit data. I make it clear from the beginning what information I want to get out of the study." (James Ledwith, MD, personal communication, June 29, 2004)

What is involved with participating in a PBRN, and how does one join? For physicians who are part of the Academy's National Research Network, the work is estimated at 30 minutes per week for a 2- to 3-month period. Physicians can choose from a menu of network projects. The Network is actively recruiting new members, with an emphasis on physicians working in large metropolitan areas and caring for underserved populations; minority physicians; and physicians working outside of academic units. The Network's Web site has up-to-date information on current projects and on how to become a participating member.

Your patients need you to contribute to the new knowledge that will improve their primary health care. Find out which PBRNs are in your part of the country and which colleagues are participating in PBRNs (through PBRN Web sites, local academic units, or state and national academy offices). Give those colleagues a call and find out about their experiences. Then add some spice to your practice life by becoming one of the thousands of physicians who are creating the best, most relevant evidence for the delivery of family medicine.


This paper is concerned with an analysis of the flora of Aldabra and the neighbouring islands of Cosmoledo, Astove and Assumption, which together form the Aldabra group. The flora includes 206 species of which 166 are indigenous and 40 are introduced. Only the indigenous flora is considered in detail. On the basis of geographic distribution these 166 species can be amalgamated into the following eight groups: Pantropical, Indo-Pacific, widespread-African, East African, Madagascan, Mascarene, Seychelles and Endemic, which indicate that the flora has been derived from a complete range of sources from widespread to very local. As assessment of the contributions made by each geographical group to the indigenous flora shows that about 55 % of the species are of widespread distribution and 45 % are found only in the region of East Africa and Madagascar. Furthermore, the majority of species of widespread distribution are associated with coastal habitats, whereas the majority of species of local distribution are associated with inland habitats. One hundred and sixty-six species is an exceptionally large number for a coral island since few others support more than a handful of indigenous species and these are invariably associated with coastal habitats usually being species of widespread distribution. Plenty of coral islands have produced endemics but none on the same scale as Aldabra which had 31 endemic species. A brief survey of possible means of plant introduction is given and these can be roughly grouped into sea, wind and animals, the first being associated mainly with the coastal and widespread species and the last two being associated mainly with the inland and more regional species. From this analysis of the flora of Aldabra several important facts emerge. Aldabra can support a large number of species and this is due mainly to the large terrestrial area which provides a variety of habitats. The flora includes a high percentage of local species and although still dominated by the widespread species the difference in numbers between widespread and local species is considerably less than on most other coral islands. Aldabra has a large number of species found only in inland habitats due again to the large terrestrial area and finally Aldabra has a very high percentage of endemism, almost 20 % of the indigenous flora.


In order to study the response of rice genotypes to different levels of nitrogen (N), an experiment was conducted to evaluate growth and development of 28 selected rice genotypes (improved and local from north of Iran, and cultivated in Central Iran) under two levels of N including 2.85 mM (N concentration of Yoshida solution) and 1.42 mM (half the N concentration of Yoshida solution) from ammonium nitrate source. The experiment was arranged as factorial, based on a completely randomized blocks design, with three replications. Results showed that the effects of genotype, N level and their interaction were significant on the number of tillers, leaf area, SPAD index, dry weight of roots, shoot and total, shoot and root length and biomass. The extent of reductions in the values of all measured traits, except for root length and dry weight, were higher in north local genotypes as compared to other tested groups. The reductions in total dry weight were 14.82, 5.80 and 2.67 percent for north local, north improved and genotypes from center of Iran, respectively. There was significant variation among genotypes in response to nitrogen deficiency. Nitrogen efficiency was highest in Fajr and Khazar within north improved genotypes, in Hassani and Kazemi within north local genotypes and in Line2 Firozan within genotypes from center of Iran. However, the lowest values for nitrogen efficiency were achieved in Nemat and Shirodi within north improved genotypes, in Tarom-mantaghe and Ahlami Tarom within north local genotypes and in Zayandehrud within genotypes from center of Iran. Results showed that correlation between shoot dry weight (as plant yield) with number of tillers and plant leaf area were higher under N deficiency (r= 0.74 and r= 0.57) than under nitrogen sufficiency (r = 0.13 and r = 0.41) conditions.


ABSTRACT In forests worldwide, ∼10−40% of bird and mammal species require cavities for nesting or roosting. Although knowledge of tree cavity availability and dynamics has increased during past decades, there is a striking lack of studies from boreal Europe. We studied the density and characteristics of cavities and cavity-bearing trees in three categories of forest in a north-Swedish landscape: clearcuts with tree retention, managed old (>100 years) forest, and unmanaged old forest. Unmanaged old forests had significantly higher mean density of cavities (2.4 ± 2.2(SD) ha−1) than managed old forest (1.1 ± 2.1 ha−1). On clearcuts the mean cavity density was 0.4 ± 2.3 ha−1. Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula) had a higher probability of containing excavated cavities than other tree species. There was a greater variety of entrance hole shapes and a higher proportion of cavities with larger entrances in old forest than on clearcuts. Although studies of breeding success will be necessary to more accurately assess the impact of forest management on cavity-nesting birds, our results show reduced cavity densities in managed forest. To ensure future provision of cavities, managers should retain existing cavity-bearing trees as well as trees suitable for cavity formation, particularly aspen and dead trees.


Weld quality in the context of process control and internal conditions is studied. Several different alloys are welded including plain carbon steel, high-temperature steels, and several traditional and advanced superalloys. Across all studied weld systems, the following conditions led to stronger welds: higher forces and feedrates, lower temperatures, and moderate or limited upsets. In the best cases, post-weld strengths were nearly equal to basemetal strength. Tradition holds that large and symmetric upsets are necessary for good welds, but this study contradicts that notion. The fundamental requirements for bonding are two sufficiently clean surfaces in intimate contact. Only minimal upset is necessary to achieve that. In welding alloy 718, only 1 mm of feed (or 0.4 mm of sample upset) was necessary to achieve > 95% of basemetal strength. In an advanced superalloy with low ductility, very low upsets were required in order to achieve high joint strength. For this low-ductility alloy, using a containing geometry increased both the internal pressure and ductility of this alloy, leading to a much larger window of sound welding conditions and stronger welds overall. In several dissimilar alloy systems, the relationship between force/feedrate and upset asymmetry varied between each alloy, but a more symmetric upset did not correlate to stronger welds. Advanced process control in FW was also performed with closed-loop temperature control and open-loop predictive cooling rate control. Using this technique, martensitic microstructures associated with a fast natural cooling rate were avoided, and a pearlitic microstructure was obtained. The yield and tensile strength of the weld was not adversely affected, and both were within range of published values for the basemetal.


Movies and other media goods are traditionally distributed across distinct sequential channels (e.g., theaters, home video, video on demand). The optimality of the currently employed timing and order of channel openings has become a matter of contentious debate among both industry experts and marketing scholars. In this article, the authors present a model of revenue generation across four sequential distribution channels, combining choice-based conjoint data with other information. Drawing on stratified random samples for three major markets—namely, the United States, Japan, and Germany—and a total of 1770 consumers, the empirical results suggest that the studios that produce motion pictures can increase their revenues by up to 16.2% through sequential distribution chain timing and order changes when applying a common distribution model for all movies in a country and that revenue-optimizing structures differ strongly among countries. Under the conditions of the study, the authors find that the simultaneous release of movies in theaters and on rental home video generates maximum revenues for movie studios in the United States but has devastating effects on other players, such as theater chains. The authors discuss different scenarios and their implications for movie studios and other industry players, and barriers for the implementation of the revenue-maximizing distribution models are critically reflected.


ROSTON, JEREMY B. Master of Environmental Assessment. A Case Study of Human Health Hazards and Environmental Effects Associated with the Release and Exposure of Arsenic Compounds from Poultry Litter Incineration. Arsenic, particularly Roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxy benzene arsonic acid), is a common feed additive widely used by the poultry industry that acts as a highly effective growth promoter by controlling coccidiosis, a parasitic intestinal disease. A growing body of research and literature has revealed that organic arsenicals used in poultry feed, such as Roxarsone, are converted to inorganic arsenicals within the chicken and are also rapidly transformed into inorganic arsenic in poultry wastes and in soils. Based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans, Arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds are known to be human carcinogens. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that inorganic arsenic compounds increase the risk of cancer in the skin, lung, digestive tract, liver, urinary bladder, kidney, and lymphatic and hematopoietic systems. Although the impacts of Roxarsone on human health and the environment are still unknown, studies have found that all these biological effects require the metabolism of organoarsenical compounds to the more highly toxic inorganic Arsenic (As III , As V ) species. This is of great concern in regions of the US where the landscape is dominated by poultry Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). In North Carolina alone, 787 million broilers are produced on an annual basis, and with it, an estimated 6.1 million tons of poultry manure is generated and land applied on agricultural lands. Utilization of animal manure as an organic fertilizer on private farm land is still the prefer means of waste management and disposal. However, obtaining renewable energy through the incineration of poultry litter has been proposed as an alternative by the North Carolina state legislature when it passed Session Law 2007-397. Nonetheless, despite continue urban expansion into rural areas, land use change, decline in water quality standards, and elevated nutrient in soils amended by poultry litter, it is necessary to carefully evaluate poultry litter incineration as a means for an alternative to waste management disposal, and its impacts on human health and the environment. Through the examination of current published information on the subject, this case study evaluates research related to human health hazards and the potential environmental effects associated with the exposure and release of arsenical compounds when poultry litter is incinerated. This paper also gathers and examines any relevant peer-reviewed research that provides sufficient evidence to further educate the public about the potential effects of poultry litter incineration and its feasibility as a renewable energy alternative for North Carolina. A Case Study of Human Health Hazards and Environmental Effects Associated with the Release and Exposure of Arsenic Compounds from Poultry Litter Incineration


and well organized. Two appendixes provided at the end of the text explain the installation of R and provide a quick tutorial on the use of R. In addition, a handful of exercises are provided at the end of each chapter, the level of which are similar to those in the text of Muller and Fetterman (2002). A "how to" text on R would be a helpful supplement to this text. Overall, Linear Models With R is well written and, given the increasing popularity of R, it is an important contribution.


The centrality of the state in promoting gender equality is generally acknowledged, but a perplexing and complex issue confronts us: should the state treat men and women in identical ways, or should it legislate and enforce policies that are aware of gender differences? In other words, should the state be gender-blind or gender-sensitive? Gender, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, ideological, economic, political, and cultural dimensions represent diversity among citizens. This paper argues that if the goal of the state is to promote democratic participation for all, a distinction must be drawn between socioeconomic characteristics that signify difference and those that manifest inequalities. The former require a politics of acceptance and recognition and policies to match, leading to equal treatment for all despite differences, while the latter necessitate interventions that remedy or remove structural elements that result in inequalities. The authors suggest that such a framework is useful in that it lends itself to a better understanding of gender-based asymmetries.


A novel method for determining the location of a 406-MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT) for the search and rescue satellite aided tracking (SARSAT) system is proposed. The technique uses information from a geostationary satellite (Geosat) link, as well as the conventional polar orbiting satellite links. The method is based on solving a system of equations to determine the range from the ELT to the polar orbiting satellite (Polarsat) for each signal transmitted. Only two pulses need to be received from the ELT in order to obtain a location estimate. The main difference between the procedure outlined and the global positioning system (GPS) is that accurate time information is not available in the transmissions since aircraft and marine vessels seldom have accurate time standards onboard. >


A facile and cost-effective method is proposed herein to fabricate highly electrocatalytic carbon black/copper sulfide (CB/CuXS) composite counter electrodes for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). In brief, mesoporous CB thin films and copper salts are first deposited on FTO substrates by a spin-coating process; a sulfidation treatment is then conducted to facilitate accumulations of CuXS catalysts in the mesoporous structure. Experimental results illustrate that during the sulfidation, an ion exchange reaction and a reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) take place simultaneously, and that the obtained CuXS catalyst possesses a nonstoichiometric phase. The electrochemical properties of the resultant composite films are carefully investigated. The results show that the electrocatalytic activity of the CB/CuXS films related to the polysulfide redox reaction is much superior to that of common platinum. Compared to a solar cell equipped with a solution-processed CuS counter electrode, the QDSSC using a composite film prepared only by a single spin-coating displays similar photovoltaic performance. Furthermore, increasing the coating times can lead to improvements both in the electrocatalytic activity of the CB/CuXS films and in the cell performance of the relevant QDSSCs. When CdS/CdSe sensitizers are employed, the QDSSC using a CB/CuXS counter electrode fabricated with three coating times demonstrates a conversion efficiency of 5.62% under 1 sun irradiation.


The unprecedented phenomenon of the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted people's and society's well-being. Secondary school teachers' is no exception. The purpose of the study deems to investigate the factors that affect the quality of life among secondary teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The obtained data on ICT literacy, psychology, the working environment, and teachers' quality of life was done through an adapted questionnaire distributed among 122 secondary teachers using google form WhatsApp due to the pandemic period. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software is employed to analyse both descriptive analyses of demographic characteristics and inferential statistics to analyse the data. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between ICT literacy, psychology, and the working environment and secondary teachers' quality of life. However, ICT literacy does not affect the quality of life. This finding would shed light on the knowledge of well-being, and research builds a strong basis and foundation for continued exploration to understand the complexity of this issue.
Keywords: pandemic COVID-19, quality of life, school teachers, psychology, working environment


This research monograph critically examines convergence of financial reporting in Germany by taking into account the influence of political, social and economic factors on accounting. This study makes an original and significant contribution by examining issues and biases in the convergence process that may challenge the assumption of superiority, global comparability and universal applicability of International Financial Reporting Standards. Specifically, this monograph critically evaluates convergence by taking into account German accounting development and examines issues concerning the application of professional judgment, which has increasingly been recognized as an important and controversial topic in international accounting. By applying a holistic approach with an emphasis on multiple perspectives, this study shows that accounting research will be enhanced by a critical examination of contextual environments of countries rather than a focus on measurement, quantification, simplification and categorisation.


The recent development of inexpensive catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction has suggested that efficient photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) might be constructed from terrestrially abundant materials. Because these catalysts operate in aqueous buffer solutions at neutral to slightly basic pH, it is important to consider whether electrolytic cells can have low series loss under these conditions. Water-splitting or fuel-forming PECs will likely require porous separators or electrolyte membranes to separate the cathode products from oxygen produced at the anode. For this reason we analyze the individual potential losses in electrolytic systems of buffer solutions and commercially available anion- and cation-exchange membranes. Potentiometric analysis and pH measurements were employed to measure the potential losses associated with solution resistance, membrane resistance, and pH gradient formation at the current density (25 mA cm−2) expected for efficient PECs. The membrane pH gradient is the most problematic source of loss in these systems, but monoprotic buffers can minimize the pH gradient by diffusion of the neutral acidic or basic form of the buffer across the membrane. These results suggest that water-splitting PECs can be viable with properly chosen membrane–buffer combinations.


Many forages experience significant proteolytic losses when preserved by ensiling. Such losses in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are especially high, with degradation of 44 to 87% of the forage protein to nonprotein N (NPN). In contrast, red clover {Trifolium pratense L.) has up to 90% less proteolysis during ensiling. Here we demonstrate that the combination of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and o-diphenol PPO substrates, both abundantly present in red clover, is responsible for postharvest proteolytic inhibition in this forage crop. Proteolysis in red clover leaf extracts increased nearly fivefold when endogenous o-diphenols were removed by gel filtration but returned to starting levels by adding back an exogenous o-diphenol. Proteolysis in leaf extracts of red clover plants silenced for PPO expression was dramatically increased compared to control plants. Leaf extracts of transgenic alfalfa expressing a red clover PPO gene showed a nearly fivefold o-diphenol-dependent decrease in proteolysis compared to those of control alfalfa. We also demonstrate that PPO levels 10- to 20-fold lower than those typically found in red clover are sufficient for proteolytic inhibition, that as little as 0.25 μmol o-diphenol mg -1 protein has a substantial impact on proteolysis, that a wide variety of o-diphenols are functional substrates in proteolytic inhibition, and that proteolysis is reduced for PPO-expressing alfalfa in small-scale ensiling experiments. Together, these results indicate that PPO and o-diphenols can be an effective treatment to prevent protein loss in ensiled forage crops.


Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have demonstrated great potential in complex image classification problems in past few years. CNNs have a large number of parameters and the system accuracy depends directly on the selection of these parameters. With diverse parameters, selection of optimal parameter remains a trial and error, ad hoc or expert's mercy. In practice, optimal parameter selection remains the biggest obstacle in designing a real-world application using CNN. Convolutional neural network's performance is highly affected by its parameters. A novel approach is proposed in this paper to select convolutional neural network parameters in an image classification task. The proposed approach incorporated particle swarm optimization to select the parameters of the convolutional network. Two datasets, one benchmark CIFAR-IO and one real world application dataset, road-side vegetation dataset, were selected to evaluate the proposed approach. It is demonstrated that proposed approach efficiently explores the solution space, and determines the best combination of parameters. Extensive experiments, along with the statistical tests, revealed that proposed approach is an effective technique for automatically optimizing CNN's parameters.


In the catalogue of Saldidae (Drake & Hoberlandt, 1950), ten species of Pentacora are listed, but only six of these actually belong in this genus. For one species, viz., mexicana (Van Duzee) (see Lattin & Cobben, 1968), a separate genus has been erected (Enalosalda Polhemus & Evans, 1969; further details in Polhemus, 1972). P. rubromaculata (Heidem.) has been synonymized with P. sphacelata (Uhler) (Drake & Hottes, 1954; Cobben, 1965). Two other species listed by Drake & Hoberlandt (1950) were transferred to Pseudosaldula (Cobben, 1961), a genus which should be placed in the Saldinae. Pentacora is a member of the more generalized subfamily Chiloxanthinae. Later descriptions of Pentacora species (Drake, 1955a) refer mainly to Pseudosaldula, a genus widely distributed in South America. The predominantly halophilous genus Pentacora presently contains ten species. Four of them (P. hirta, ligata, saratogae, signoreti) are known only from the West-Indies, USA and Canada. One species, P. sphacelata occurs in the southern areas of Mid and North America, West Indies, Surinam (Wiawia, xi.1972, leg. St. Panday-Verheuvel, new country record), Peru (Drake, 1955a), Galapagos Isl. (Polhemus, 1968), and in the West Mediterranean (Cobben, 1960). The remaining five species are recorded only from the southeastern parts of the Old World. A new Pentacora species from Australia is described here and compared with other oriental species. Type material of the latter species was also examined. A survey of the known species of the Oriental and Australian regions is given below. Pentacora salina (Bergroth, 1893) (figs. 3, 8, 15b, 17b, 18) This species was described by Bergroth as Acanthia salina in 1893 and transferred to Pentacora by Drake & Hoberlandt (1950). I studied 3 ♂ and


A new analysis of the Adcock direction finder is presented in terms of phase-mode excitations associated with circular arrays. This leads to a convenient form of processing for such a d.f. system based upon a circular array/Butler matrix configuration which employs a direct phase-measuring detector for bearing measurements. The principal sources of error limiting the physical spacing of elements within the array are highlighted and methods of improving wide-bandwidth operation are presented which entail the use of directional elements. A signal processing system based around a small microcomputer is discussed for the automatic compensation of errors due to the finite number of elements.


This study is focused on using a thermoelectric device (TED) as an alternative to the cryogenic liquid for cooling cryosurgical probe used for cancerous tissue ablation. Thermoelectric device, namely Peltier, is a solid state device which converts electric current to thermal gradient. In past years thermoelectric devices have been successfully utilized in refrigeration and air conditioning industry for generating low temperature. Using TEDs offers advantages over conventional method for cooling the cryogenic medical device, including compact in size, light in weight and its capability to control temperature precisely. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the single stage and multi-stage thermoelectric device using COMSOL Multiphysics. The simulation results show the thermal performance of the single stage and cascaded Peltier modules. Simulation results proved the possibility of generating very low temperature of -70 °C for cancerous tissue ablation, by implementing multi-stage Peltier.


Micrometer- and submicrometer-sized pores and macroscopic defects like cracks and tubular channels can be found in a variety of clathrate hydrates (hydrates for short) during formation and decomposition. Their origin, their evolution in time, and their effect on hydrate decomposition kinetics are unclear. We used time-lapse micro computed tomography (μCT) in combination with temperature control and pressure monitoring to study the formation and evolution of pores and macroscopic defects in decomposing CO2 hydrates at subzero (Celsius) temperature. Our results suggest that the decomposition of hydrates is always accompanied by the formation of pores and an increase of the apparent hydrate volume by more than 3%. Hydrate decomposition often starts with the formation of cracks inside the hydrate and not necessarily at the free surface of the hydrate, which frequently remains intact for a long period and seems to be self-preserved in some regions. Decomposition spreads out from these cracks in a uniform fashion yielding a variety of macroscopic features. In some cases, the propagating decomposition front seems to get blocked by planar barriers inside the hydrate yielding regions with high resistance against decomposition. This, together with a generally heterogeneous distribution of decomposition resistant regions, challenges the shrinking core model of hydrate decomposition as well as the popular ice-rind theory used to explain the effect of self-preservation.


The author presents a model that addresses the dynamic and asymmetric nature of corporate bond excess return distributions. The model forecasts the distribution of monthly corporate bond excess returns conditional on credit spreads, spread duration, and market share. Relative to an approach based on credit ratings, the distribution of standardized residuals of the conditional variance model more closely approaches the standard normal distribution. Over time the model accurately forecasts changes in corporate bond volatility and reflects cross-sectional differences in the volatility of bond cohorts defined by credit rating, industry, and maturity. U.S. investment grade corporate bonds are the focus of the analysis, but the author also presents results for a high yield model.


This presentation addresses the modal (i.e. indeterminate) nature of if-conditionals. If-conditionals are seen as bipartite constructions (Fillmore 1986: 196, 1998: 36) with a significantly higher than average modal load. The discussion will also draw on the notion of "mental spaces" (Fauconnier 1994) as adapted for conditionals by Dancygier & Sweetser (2005). The high modal load of if-conditionals is made all the more intriguing if we consider that they are already within the scope of the modal marker 'if'. However, the high modal load cannot not, in itself, define their modal nature. Two questions are pertinent to that nature: Can they be seen as being modalised? Can they be seen as being modal themselves? It will be shown that a remarkable characteristic of if-conditionals (and, it would seem, conditionals in general) is that they are modally dense constructions, without being either externally modalised or modal themselves. Moreover, the case will be made that if-conditional constructions are internally modalised – or self-modalised. Seen as such, if-conditional constructions can usefully be treated as the language equivalent of quantum bits, and this can be exemplified through a compatible adaptation of the box in Schrodingers' famous thought experiment (1935, English translation by Trimmer 1980). This conception can show how the fundamental nature of if-conditionals gives rise to their different types and functions in English.


PURPOSE
To study some functional candidate genes in cataract families of Indian descent.

METHODS
Nine Indian families, clinically documented to have congenital/childhood cataracts, were screened for mutations in candidate genes such as CRYG (A-->D), CRYBB2, and GJA8 by PCR analyses and sequencing. Genomic DNA samples of either probands or any representative affected member of each family were PCR amplified and sequenced commercially. Documentation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and candidate mutations was done through BLAST SEARCH (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/blast/Blast.cgi?).

RESULTS
Several single nucleotide polymorphisms in CRYG, CRYBB2, and GJA8 genes were observed. Because they do not co-segregate with the phenotype, they were excluded as candidates for the cataract formation in these patients. However, a substitution (W151C in exon 6 of CRYBB2) was identified as the most likely causative mutation underlying the phenotype of central nuclear cataract in all affected members of family C176. Protein structural interpretations demonstrated that no major structural alterations could be predicted and that even the hydrogen bonds to the neighboring Leu166 were unchanged. Surprisingly, hydropathy analysis of the mutant betaB2-crystallin featuring the amino acids at position 147 to 155, further increased the hydrophobicity, which might impair the solubility of the mutant protein. Finally, the Cys residue at position 151 might possibly be involved in intramolecular disulphide bridges with other cysteines during translation, possibly leading to dramatic structural changes.

CONCLUSIONS
Exon 6 of CRYBB2 appears to be a critical region susceptible for mutations leading to lens opacity.


Accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) is characterized by adequate recall after short, but not long delays. ALF is not detected by standardized neuropsychological memory tests. Currently, the prevailing conceptualization of ALF is of a temporal lobe seizure-related phenomenon. Nevertheless, Mayes and colleagues (2003) proposed that ALF may occur when any of the components of the brain network involved in long-term memory formation, or their interaction, is disrupted. This disruption does not have to be caused by temporal lobe seizures for ALF to occur. Here, we investigate this possibility in a group of school-age children who have sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI) (n = 28), as TBI typically disrupts the brain network that is important for long-term memory formation and recall. Healthy control children (n = 62) also participated. Contrary to the dominant conceptualization of ALF being a seizure-related phenomenon, children with TBI showed ALF. Sustaining a severe TBI and diffuse subcortical damage was related to ALF. Individually, 8 of the 13 children with severe TBI presented with ALF. ALF would remain undetected on standardized testing in six of these eight children. One child had the opposite pattern of dissociation, an impaired score on standardized testing, but an average long-term memory score. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to show ALF in patients with TBI, which has remained undiagnosed and untreated in this patient population. Our study also challenges the dominant hypothesis of ALF being a temporal lobe seizure-related phenomenon, and raises a possibility that short-term and long-term memory systems may be independent.


Drinking water contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is widespread near more than 300 United States (U.S.) military bases that used aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) for fire training and firefighting activities. Much of the PFAS at these sites consist of precursors that can transform into terminal compounds of known health concern but are omitted from standard analytical methods. Here, we estimate the expected duration and contribution of precursor biotransformation to groundwater PFAS contamination at an AFFF-contaminated military base on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States, by optimizing a geochemical box model using measured PFAS concentrations from a multidecadal time series of groundwater and a soil survey in the source zone. A toolbox of analytical techniques used to reconstruct the mass budget of PFAS showed that precursors accounted for 46 ± 8% of the extractable organofluorine (a proxy for total PFAS) across years. Terminal PFAS still exceed regulatory limits by 2000-fold decades after AFFF use ceased. Measurements and numerical modeling show that sulfonamido precursors are retained in the vadose zone and their slow biotransformation into perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (half-life > 66 yr) sustains groundwater concentrations of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). The estimated PFAS reservoir in the vadose zone and modeled flux into groundwater suggest PFAS contamination above regulatory guidelines will persist for centuries without remediation.


Hoffman v. Red Owl Stores is one of the most famous 20th century cases in American contract law, usually credited both with expanding the reach of the promissory estoppel doctrine and with opening up the issue of liability for precontractual reliance. It is a staple in contracts casebooks. By fortunate circumstance we have located the plaintiff, who retains a vivid memory about many of the circumstances in his famous case. We have interviewed him and we have examined the full trial record as well as the briefs on appeal. In this article we tell the story of what we have learned about this famous case, including what happened after the appellate decision. We conclude that a fuller understanding of the facts provides information about a promise that was made, yet was not described in the Court's opinion. This promise supports the outcome of the litigation. Justice was done! The plaintiff substantially relied to his detriment after receiving specific assurances from an authorized agent of the defendant that he would receive a franchise if he relied by selling his bakery building and business. Reimbursing precontractual reliance in this circumstance can be done without creating a rule that would justify reimbursement of precontractual reliance in all circumstances.


1. Floods and droughts are recurrent events with characteristics of frequency, magnitude, duration and timing occupying the opposing extremes of natural river flow regimes. This hydrological variability, driven by climate and meteorology and modified by river basin processes, is a key determinant of physicochemical river habitat influencing the structure and function of freshwater communities.
2. A changing (warming) climate is projected to alter water and heat inputs to river systems that drive river flow, and thus, hydrological processes may be subject to unprecedented future change, resulting in potentially unprecedented river flow extremes.
3. We review the hydroclimatology of extreme river flows in changing climates and draw case studies from the European temperate regions.
4. Specifically, we adopt a 'catchment perspective', in which an understanding of meteorological and hydrological processes is used to (i) conceptually define extreme river flows, (ii) explain the (natural) climatic and catchment processes that drive extreme river flows, (iii) discuss future potential changes driven by an anthropogenically modified climate and (iv) identify uncertainties associated with projections of future climate-driven hydrological shifts.


Water supply is one of the most recognizable and important public services contributing to quality of life. Water distribution networks (WDNs) are extremely complex assets. A number of complex tasks, such as design, planning, operation, maintenance, and management, are inherently associated with such networks. In this paper, we focus on the design of a WDN, which is a wide and open problem in hydraulic engineering. This problem is a large-scale combinatorial, nonlinear, nonconvex, multiobjective optimization problem, involving various types of decision variables and many complex implicit constraints. To handle this problem, we provide a synergetic association between swarm intelligence and multiagent systems where human interaction is also enabled. This results in a powerful collaborative system for finding solutions to such a complex hydraulic engineering problem. All the ingredients have been integrated into a software tool that has also been shown to efficiently solve problems from other engineering fields.


The researchers of the Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture of the Low Volga region – the branch of FSC of agroecology of RAS – have developed the regulations for the selection model of optimization of genetic pool and created a number of varieties of cherry and plum by hybridization of local and southern varieties and by use of hybrids of free pollination. The optimization of gene bank of cherry and plum on the basis of the study of genetic biodiversity and regulations for the selection model and programs provides the adaptation of the newly developed varieties for the creation of industrial crops in agrosystems of the Low Volga and other regions of Russia. The catalog of assortment has been developed and the six varieties of garden plum (Prunus domestica L.) regionalized, including Volgogradskaya, Bogatyrskaya, and Vengerka korneyevskaya varieties, as well as a number of other ones that have been created during hybridization of the local varieties of the Volga region, such as, Volzhskaya sinyaya, Ternosliv letniy, Ternosliv osenniy with the most adaptive introduced varieties. The new varieties and elites (best specimens) of sour cherry (Prunu scerasus L.): Loznovskaya, Dubovskaya krupnoplodnaya, Melodiya, Lyubimitsa, Peskovatskaya, Dubovochka, Temnookrashennaya, Sharada, Pamyat' Zhukovoy – have been selected by intervarietal hybridization and by sowing of seeds collected during free pollination of the following varieties: Zhukovskaya, Lyubskaya, Krasa Severa, Shirpotreb chernaya, Ujfeherto furtos. The above-mentioned forms contributed to a richer assortment of garden plum and sour cherry in the Low Volga region, meaning adaptive, high-yielding, high-quality varieties of universal use. There is a good reason to use the above-mentioned assortment as the integrated donors during the development of selection programs aimed at continued improvement of varieties of stone fruit crops.


Previous studies have found underestimation of risk, or overconfidence, to be a key factor in entrepreneurship. We use a simple model of competitive equilibrium to show that an irrational under-estimation of risk provides a competitive advantage leading to a greater chance of survival under competitive pressures. Overconfidence leads to greater investment, production levels, average profit and greater variance of profits. Despite the greater variance of profits, if enough producers under-estimate their risk, they should collectively drive more rational decision-makers form the market. We illustrate a local equivalency between Kahneman and Tversky's prospect theory model, and a subjective expected utility model with decision-makers display overconfidence. This model allows us to characterize risk attitudes through two primary effects: diminishing marginal utility of wealth (rational), and diminishing distance perception (behavioral). Diminishing distance perception is a simple measure of misperception of risk. Results from economic simulations suggest that diminishing distance perception may be a more important determinant of market behavior, and entrepreneurial success, than diminishing marginal utility of wealth.


OBJECTIVE To determine whether the 1-hour glucose screening test threshold of 140 mg/dL yields similar results in identifying gravidas with gestational diabetes mellitus in different races and, if not, to establish consistent race-specific thresholds. METHODS Nine hundred twenty-one gravidas undergoing routine third-trimester glucose screening were categorized as white, black, Asian, or Filipino. Mean (+/- standard deviation) glucose screening test values, the proportions with results exceeding 140 mg/dL, and the positive predictive values for gestational diabetes mellitus were calculated by race. Race-specific thresholds were calculated by standardizing the percentile rank cutoff for test results in each group. RESULTS Mean glucose screening test results differed significantly by race: blacks 116.4 +/- 31.6 mg/dL, whites 123.2 +/- 28.4 mg/dL, Filipinos 127.6 +/- 26.3 mg/dL, and Asians 134.7 +/- 25.0 mg/dL (P < .001). No significant difference was found between Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites (123.2 +/- 28.3 versus 123.5 +/- 28.5 mg/dL). Significant different proportions of gravidas exceeded the 140-mg/dL threshold by race: blacks 17.5%, whites 27.4%, Filipinos 31.3%, and Asians 40.6%. The proportions with results above 140 mg/dL who had abnormal 3-hour glucose tolerance tests also varied markedly by race: blacks 42.9%, whites 17.3%, Filipinos 11.5%, and Asians 11.5%. Adjusted screening test thresholds, calculated for each race to establish consistency of the screening test, were 130 mg/dL for blacks, 140 mg/dL for whites, 145 mg/dL for Filipinos, and 150 mg/dL for Asians. CONCLUSION Race-specific glucose screening test thresholds should be used to ensure consistency in properly identifying gravidas at risk for gestational diabetes mellitus.


Presented herein is an experience gained with 1356 reconstructions for vasorenal hypertension, performed at the RSCS, RAMS, over the period 1961 to 2001. The authors defined the criteria for the diagnosis of the given disease and the indications for surgical treatment. Also, the others demonstrate specific features of surgical treatment of patients presenting with different variants of renal artery lesion, provide the short- and long-term results of the main types of reconstructions accomplished for vasorenal hypertension, and emphasize the importance of the use of roentgenendovascular techniques. Based on the experience gained the conclusion is made about the advantages of surgical management versus conservative treatment methods.


Louis Joel Mordell was born on 28 January 1888 in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). His parents were recent immigrants from Lithuania. His father Phineas Mordell (1861-1934) had come over in 1881 at the age of 20 and, according to family tradition, his first task was to earn the passage money not only of his bride-to-be (Annie née Feller, 1865-1938) but of his sisters as well. Phineas Mordell had taught Hebrew in Lithuania and was later to acquire a wide reputation as a Hebrew scholar but during his first years in Philadelphia he worked at various trades while industriously pursuing his studies. Later, according to one account, he worked partly as a teacher and partly as a night watchman so as to have time for his researches: it was only in middle age that he could devote himself entirely to teaching and study. Louis was the third of a family of eight (four sons and four daughters). His oldest brother Albert was to become a member of the Philadelphia Bar and a well-known literary critic. His brother Maurice also became a member of the Philadelphia Bar and was for many years Assistant City Solicitor. The remaining brother, David, never fully recovered from gassing in the 1914-18 war.


Microorganisms are exposed to constantly changing environments in their natural habitats either in planktonic form or microbial communities. Examples of these environmental changes encompass nutrient limitation, temperature, pH, and osmolarity fluctuations, radiation, and other harmful agents, such as excessive amount of superoxides and heavy metals. To respond and adapt to adverse environmental changes, microorganisms employ a striking combination of transcriptional regulatory circuits to sense and translate extracellular stimuli into specific cellular signals, resulting in altered gene expression and protein activities. Investigation of these underlying mechanisms and strategies could improve our understanding of microbial physiology in general and potentially lead to discoveries of practical value in the field of health care and environment protection. In this special issue, we have invited a few papers that explore this topic from various perspectives.

The first paper "Exposure to glycolytic carbon sources reveals a novel layer of regulation for the MalT regulon" presents the study on a synthetic lethal mutant ompR malTcon of Escherichia coli in which the constitutively expressed maltose system regulator MalT in its active form causes cell death in the absence of the osmoregulator OmpR. The authors propose that glycolysis provides a new layer of regulation to the maltose system on the basis that addition of glycolytic carbon sources promotes viability of the mutant.

The second paper "The effect of sub-MIC β-lactam antibiotic exposure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from people with cystic fibrosis in a desiccation survival model" examines resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to desiccation, which is an important environmental factor to the loss of viability of cells. Strains with a mucoid phenotype exhibit significantly improved desiccation survival when compared with nonmucoid ones, but effects of preincubation with sub-MIC beta-lactam antibiotics on desiccation resistance appear to be agent specific.

The third paper "Detection of bacterial endospores in soil by terbium fluorescence" of this special issue addresses the relationship of soil parameters (carbon-to-nitrogen ratio) on the occurrence of bacterial spores and distribution of spores in relation to sampling depth. The results demonstrate that the combination of microwave treatment of soil samples and measurement of terbium dipicolinate (DPA) photoluminescence is a rapid and reliable method for the assessment of bacterial spores.

The fourth paper "The sulfate-rich and extreme saline sediment of the ephemeral Tirez lagoon: a biotope for acetoclastic sulfate-reducing bacteria and hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaea" is on the composition of methanogenic archaea, sulfate-reducing and sulfur-oxidizing prokaryotes in the extreme athalassohaline and particularly sulfate-rich sediment of Tirez Lagoon. The occurrence of hydrogenotrophic methanogenic and acetotrophic sulfate-reducing organisms and winter-summer community structures in Tirez sediment are analyzed by using the PCR-DGGE fingerprint technique for the functional adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (aprA) and the methyl coenzyme M reductase (mcrA) gene markers.

The last paper "Stress responses of Shewanella" of this special issue focuses on stress responses of Shewanella, a group of facultative anaerobes capable of respiring on an array of compounds. As important and potential microorganisms for bioremediation, stress responses of Shewanella have been subjected to an array of analyses, especially with high-throughput technologies such as whole-genome microarrays. This comprehensive review highlights the current understanding of mechanisms by which Shewanella survive and thrive within varied environments, as well as points out promising future research directions.

Haichun Gao

Tao Weitao

Qiang He


Nitric oxide provokes vasodilation and inhibits platelet aggregation. We examined the effect of nitric oxide on superoxide anion production by three sources: activated intact neutrophils, xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine, and the NADPH oxidase. Nitric oxide significantly inhibited the generation of superoxide anion by neutrophils exposed to either FMLP (10(-7)M) or PMA (150 ng/ml) (IC50 = 30 microM). To determine whether the effect of nitric oxide on the respiratory burst was due to simple scavenging of O2+, kinetic studies that compared effects on neutrophils and the cell-free xanthine oxidase system were performed. Nitric oxide inhibited O2+ produced by xanthine oxidase only when added simultaneously with substrate, consistent with the short half-life of NO in oxygenated solution. In contrast, the addition of nitric oxide to neutrophils 20 min before FMLP resulted in the inhibition of O2+ production, which suggests formation of a stable intermediate. The effect of nitric oxide on the cell-free NADPH oxidase superoxide-generating system was also examined: The addition of NO before arachidonate activation (t = -6 min) significantly inhibited superoxide anion production. Nitric oxide did not inhibit O2+ when added at NADPH initiation (t = 0). Treatment of the membrane but not cytosolic component of the oxidase was sufficient to inhibit O2+ generation. The data suggest that nitric oxide inhibits neutrophil O2+ production via direct effects on membrane components of the NADPH oxidase. This action must occur before the assembly of the activated complex.


A singular and modest activist action, a temporary park created in San Francisco, grew into the global urban Park(ing) Day (PD) phenomenon. This tactical urbanism event not only expanded to be annually celebrated in thousands of parking lots all over the world but became an inspiration for urban planning and policy changes. The permanent rendition of Park(ing) Day, parklets, resulted from the movement but did not stop the spread of PD itself. This article presents case studies from New Zealand and Poland, two geographically and culturally distant locations where PD has further developed and evolved gaining local qualities. Through research methods such as research in design, secondary data analysis and expert interviews we study the trajectory of PD evolution and the role and interpretation of it in different parts of the globe. The results show a narrative of successive popularisation and institutionalisation as well as diversification. Departing from its grassroots, guerilla and assertive traits, PD has grown to become an artistic, creative and urban planning tool. As an established, recognised action and an 'attractive' idea, PD has great potential for designer education, allowing a venue for implementing methods such as design-build and live project.


The article presents the assessment of the macro and microstructure of welded joints made in steel P265GH using various combinations of filler metal wires and shielding gases. In addition to microstructural analysis, tests involved hardness measurements of all of the joint zones, i.e. the weld, HAZ and the base material. In addition, each specimen (i.e. the weld and the base material) was subjected to the analysis of chemical composition. The performed analysis made it possible to determine the degree of morphological conformity of welding consumables with steel P265GH.


BACKGROUND
 Serious games enable the simulation of daily working practices and constitute a potential tool for teaching both declarative and procedural knowledge. The availability of educational serious games offering a high-fidelity, three-dimensional environment in combination with profound medical background is limited, and most published studies have assessed student satisfaction rather than learning outcome as a function of game use.

 OBJECTIVE
 This study aimed to test the effect of a serious game simulating an emergency department ("EMERGE") on students' declarative and procedural knowledge, as well as their satisfaction with the serious game.

 METHODS
 This nonrandomized trial was performed at the Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery at University Hospital Cologne, Germany. A total of 140 medical students in the clinical part of their training (5th to 12th semester) self-selected to participate in this experimental study. Declarative knowledge (measured with 20 multiple choice questions) and procedural knowledge (measured with written questions derived from an Objective Structured Clinical Examination station) were assessed before and after working with EMERGE. Students' impression of the effectiveness and applicability of EMERGE were measured on a 6-point Likert scale.

 RESULTS
 A pretest-posttest comparison yielded a significant increase in declarative knowledge. The percentage of correct answers to multiple choice questions increased from before (mean 60.4, SD 16.6) to after (mean 76.0, SD 11.6) playing EMERGE (P<.001). The effect on declarative knowledge was larger in students in lower semesters than in students in higher semesters (P<.001). Additionally, students' overall impression of EMERGE was positive.

 CONCLUSIONS
 Students self-selecting to use a serious game in addition to formal teaching gain declarative and procedural knowledge.


Investigations are carried out and obtained experimental and theoretical data for tantalum scrap recycling by electron beam melting (EBM) is presented in this paper. Different thermal treatment process conditions are realized and results are discussed. A chemical analysis is performed and refining mechanisms for electron beam (EB) refining of Ta are discussed. For the performed experiments the best purification of Ta (99.96) is obtained at 21.6 kW beam power for a melting time of 3 min. A statistical approach is applied for estimation of the material losses and the liquid pool characteristics based on experimentally-obtained data. The aim is to improve the EBM and choosing optimal process conditions, depending on the concrete characteristic requirements. Model-based quality optimization of electron beam melting and refining (EBMR) processes of Ta is considered related to the optimization of the molten pool parameters, connected to the occurring refining processes, and to minimal material losses. Optimization of the process of EBM of Ta is based on overall criteria, giving compromised solutions, depending on the requirements concerning the quality of the performed products. The accumulated data, the obtained results, and the optimization statistical approach allow us to formulate requirements on the process parameters.


The interest in relativistic beam-plasma instabilities has been greatly rejuvenated over the past two decades by novel concepts in laboratory and space plasmas. Recent advances in this long-standing field are here reviewed from both theoretical and numerical points of view. The primary focus is on the two-dimensional spectrum of unstable electromagnetic waves growing within relativistic, unmagnetized, and uniform electron beam-plasma systems. Although the goal is to provide a unified picture of all instability classes at play, emphasis is put on the potentially dominant waves propagating obliquely to the beam direction, which have received little attention over the years. First, the basic derivation of the general dielectric function of a kinetic relativistic plasma is recalled. Next, an overview of two-dimensional unstable spectra associated with various beam-plasma distribution functions is given. Both cold-fluid and kinetic linear theory results are reported, the latter being based on waterbag and Maxwell–Juttner model distributions. The main properties of the competing modes (developing parallel, transverse, and oblique to the beam) are given, and their respective region of dominance in the system parameter space is explained. Later sections address particle-in-cell numerical simulations and the nonlinear evolution of multidimensional beam-plasma systems. The elementary structures generated by the various instability classes are first discussed in the case of reduced-geometry systems. Validation of linear theory is then illustrated in detail for large-scale systems, as is the multistaged character of the nonlinear phase. Finally, a collection of closely related beam-plasma problems involving additional physical effects is presented, and worthwhile directions of future research are outlined.


The problems of data dependency resolution and precise interrupt implementation in pipelined processors are combined. A design for a hardware mechanism that resolves dependencies dynamically and, at the same time, guarantees precise interrupts is presented. Simulation studies show that by resolving dependencies the proposed mechanism is able to obtain a significant speedup over a simple instruction issue mechanism as well as implement precise interrupts. >


The relative risk of pancreatic cancer has been shown to be about 4 times that of the general population in familial adenomatous polyposis patients, but its frequency remains low, and the histological nature of these pancreatic tumors has been rarely reported. We describe the case of a 65-year-old patient, with a history of familial adenomatous polyposis coli, who developed advanced duodenal polyposis and a synchronous 25 mm tumor of the pancreatic isthmus. After total pancreatectomy and antrectomy, histological examination revealed an acinar cell carcinoma and duodenal adenomas with low and high-grade dysplasia, but no cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the association of familial adenomatous polyposis with acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas.


Descartes is a knowledge-based system supporting exploratory analysis of spatially referenced data with the use of maps. It is capable of automated generation of maps and other graphical displays that represent data selected for analysis. Besides, the system selects and combines appropriate analytical instruments (graphical displays, data transformations, interactive operations etc.) depending on the analysis task the user needs to perform and instructs the user how to employ these instruments for this task. The intelligent behaviour of the system is based on three kinds of knowledge: the rules of data representation depending on the characteristics of the data and relationships between data components, the possible analysis tasks and correspondence between the tasks and the available instruments, and domain-specific knowledge allowing the system to "understand" the content of data. The services of the system are available in the WWW.


Many nonprofits and government agencies are looking for ways to support the needs of low-income families by helping parents take steps toward economic security while improving their children's well-being. Programs that offer coordinated services to parents and their children—sometimes called two-generation programs—provide many different combinations of supports, often by partnering with other organizations (Sama-Miller and Baumgartner 2017). Participating in research and evaluation can help program leaders and staff refine their services and program models and find better ways to coordinate supports for families.


Sudden cardiac death related to athletic competition is a rare but tragic event. The victims are typically young with no previous cardiovascular symptoms or limitations. The majority of sudden cardiac death events in athletes are due to ventricular arrhythmias as a result of underlying molecular and/or structural level pathologic substrate. In this article, we will review the physiologic cardiac adaptations to exercise along with arrhythmias seen in athletes with a focus on those commonly associated with sudden cardiac death


We introduce a relaxed inertial forward-backward-forward (RIFBF) splitting algorithm for approaching the set of zeros of the sum of a maximally monotone operator and a single-valued monotone and Lipschitz continuous operator. This work aims to extend Tseng's forward-backward-forward method by both using inertial effects as well as relaxation parameters. We formulate first a second order dynamical system which approaches the solution set of the monotone inclusion problem to be solved and provide an asymptotic analysis for its trajectories. We provide for RIFBF, which follows by explicit time discretization, a convergence analysis in the general monotone case as well as when applied to the solving of pseudo-monotone variational inequalities. We illustrate the proposed method by applications to a bilinear saddle point problem, in the context of which we also emphasize the interplay between the inertial and the relaxation parameters, and to the training of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs).