Conflict between dwindling reserves of fossil energy and growing consumption presents significant challenges to our society. To shift society's dependence away from petroleum to renewable energy, biorefineries are needed that employ advances in genetics, biotechnology, process chemistry, and engineering to convert biomass to valuable fuels and other products. Lignocellulosic biomass is the only sufficiently abundant source of renewable carbon that can support large-scale sustainable and economic production of transportation fuels and industrial chemicals. However, lignocellulosic biomass is naturally resistant to microbial or enzymatic deconstruction, a characteristic collectively termed biomass recalcitrance, and overcoming this resistance is the main hurdle to realizing low costs. A better understanding of relationships among biomass recalcitrance, pretreatment, and enzymatic hydrolysis can accelerate this quest. Against this background, this thesis seeks to understand the influence of pretreatment on substrate features and how such features affect subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis. First, application of a high throughput pretreatment and co-hydrolysis system (HTPH) was extended to dilute acid pretreatment to facilitate development of a novel two-stage pretreatment strategy that sought to achieve high cellulose digestibility and total sugar yields while keeping hemicellulose degradation low. Along with this, the feasibility of recycling liquid for low temperature pretreatment was demonstrated. Inspired by the HTPH screening results, a new method was developed for simple and rapid quantification of the hemicellulose sugar content in biomass. Finally, compositional and structural features of solids produced by application of two-stage pretreatment to switchgrass and three leading pretreatment technologies to corn stover were compared to provide new insights into control of biomass recalcitrance, as well as how pretreatments with much different deconstruction patterns impact enzymatic hydrolysis.


Analysis by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction has suggested the existence of at least two La autoantigen-encoding mRNAs that contain different 5' noncoding regions (NCRs) linked to the same La coding region (Troster, H., Metzger, T. E., Semsei, I., Schwemmle, M., Winterpacht, A., Zabel, B., and Bachmann, M. (1994) J. Exp. Med. 180, 2059-2067). La-encoding transcripts La1 and La1' contain 115- and 483-nucleotide 5' NCRs, respectively. To determine whether the various La transcripts are functional mRNAs, the expression and polysomal association of natural La1 and La1' RNAs were examined. Although La1 transcripts were ubiquitously expressed in human tissues, La1' transcripts were predominantly expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes, especially in B, T, and natural killer cells. Both La1 and La1' transcripts associated with polysomes in natural killer cells, suggesting that these transcripts were functional mRNAs. Upon activation of B cells with the mitogens phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin, the amount of La1' mRNA, but not La1, declined. In contrast, after chemical activation of T cells, the amount of La 1 mRNA, but not La1', declined. The mechanism by which the La1 and La1' 5' NCRs initiate translation initiation was tested in cultured human HeLa cells and in two different in vitro translation systems. It was found that both 5' NCRs can mediate translation initiation by internal initiation. These findings indicate that the constitutive expression of La1 mRNA and the tissue-specific expression of La1' mRNA can both allow La protein synthesis under conditions when cap-dependent translation is compromised, such as inflammation, apoptosis, or certain viral infections.


The outbreak of the 15M or indignado movement in Spain in 2011 was the biggest episode of social unrest since the end of the Transition in the 1970s. Its emergence caught the political parties, media, trade unions and the most important community-based organisations and pre-existing social movements off guard. It targeted those who were identified as responsible for the recession and how it was handled – politicians and bankers –, and represented a global criticism of the existing political system and institutional framework. The 15M was not a youth movement, but a general movement criticising the current economic model, though it did have a large youth component in its initial stages. It was plural and diverse, and a wide broad spectrum of criticism and degrees of radicality and political awareness coexisted in the squares and camps. In general terms, the links between the indignados and the labour movement were weak and marked by mutual mistrust. The 15M movement was a milestone in the political trajectory of Spain and opened up a regime crisis that would deepen thereafter.


A thesis submitted to the Department of Architecture,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture, 2009


Gray market activity has become increasingly prevalent. The prevailing wisdom in marketing is to use more severe enforcement to deter gray marketing. However, the certainty and speed of enforcement may also have a bearing on the incidence of violations. This article examines whether and how enforcement deters gray marketing. The results from a field survey of manufacturers and an experimental design suggest that, by itself, enforcement severity has no impact. Deterrence results only when the multiple facets of enforcement are used in combination.


His bundle recordings were studied in four patients with short P-R and A-H intervals, and narrow QRS complexes, who had experienced several episodes of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. The heart was paced from the high right atrium (HRA) and the coronary sinus (CS). In three patients the A-H Wenckebach phenomenon occurred at higher rates (greater than 200 pacing beats/min) when the CS was paced than when pacing was performed from the HRA. Moreover, CS stimulation produced smaller increments in the A-H interval than did pacing from HRA. The extrastimulus method of testing was done. In cases 1 and 2 the functional refractory period of the A-H tissues was 15 to 25 msec shorter during CS pacing than when pacing from the HRA. In case 3, the low right atrium (LRA) as well as the other two sites were paced. A type I gap was seen from HRA, a type 2 gap from CS, and both types appeared when the LRA was paced. Case 4, in which the mid-right atrium (MRA) was also stimulated, had a double pathway from HRA and CS with conduction through the accessory pathway late in the cycle and through the A-V node earlier in the cycle. However, the A-V node could not be penetrated during MRA stimulation. It appeared that the pacing site influenced the A-H conduction pattern and refractoriness, possibly by changing the site and/or mode of entry of the stimulus into the pathways that are responsible for this syndrome.


This study reports a novel precursor for the ecofriendly and low cost biosynthesis of economically important titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) using Salvia officinalis. TiO(OH)2 was used for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles with the aqueous solution of Salvia officinalis leaf extract. The evaluation of the biosynthesis of TiO2NPs were achieved by UV–vis, XRD, SEM and AFM studies. The results obtained spectrophotometrically were reassuring as pointing an expeditious biosynthesis of TiO2NPs with surface plasmon resonance at 405 nm. The formation and nano-crystalline nature of the TiO2NPs were evaluated by the XRD spectrum by the reflections at 2θ values 27.97°, 31.81°, 40.33°, 49.85°, 53.85°, 63.59° and 73.07°. The main peak of 2θ = 27.97° that correspond to 110 crystallographic surface of the structure was implied that biosynthesized TiO2NPs are rutile. The SEM images showed polydisperse nanoparticles with spherical shapes and ranging between 50–120 nm. The surface morphology was revealed by AFM analysis showing the presence of both individual and agglomerated TiO2NPs. Antibacterial activity was investigated against S. aureus and E. coli, and results evaluated that the TiO2NPs exhibited significant activities towards both bacteria with zone of inhibition in diameters 11.7 ± 1.9 and 10.5 ± 1.5 mm, respectively. Also, TiO2NPs analyzed against azo dyes Reactive Black 5, Reactive Blue 19 and Brilliant Blue R and the photocatalytic activity performances were found as 69, 74 and 79%, respectively.


We have developed methods for coating with fibrinogen both liposomes and microscopic droplets of olive oil. Because the fibrinogen bound to them is functional in the classic sense of fibrin gelation, the coated microparticles may have potential as vehicles for the targeted delivery of various molecules to sites of fibrin(ogen) deposition in vivo. So that we could assess directly this potential, we first established a method for eliciting reproducibly a focal, fibrin(ogen)‐rich, inflammatory lesion in a hind footpad of mice. We then monitored the tissue distribution of fibrinogen‐coated microparticles following their injection into the tail vein of mice bearing this well‐defined lesion. As happens with most microparticles following their intravenous administration, liposomes and oil droplets, whether coated with fibrinogen or not, accumulate rapidly in the liver and spleen of treated animals. Indeed, in the case of oil droplets, accumulation of fibrinogen‐coated microparticles in those organs and in the lungs is even greater than that of fibrinogen‐free microparticles. However, as distinct from fibrinogen‐free liposomes and oil droplets, fibrinogen‐coated microparticles also accumulate in the inflamed hind footpad. We conclude that fibrinogen‐coated liposomes and oil droplets do have potential as vehicles for delivering molecules to sites of fibrin(ogen) deposition in vivo.


The Michigan Business & Entrepreneurial Law Review (MBELR) has always strived to provide a platform for legal scholars, professionals, and students to publish business-related legal scholarship. Yet, little legal business scholarship focusing on the Black business community exists, despite the extraordinary impact that Black communities have in the U.S. business landscape. In a year of revolutionary social change, we are excited to feature in this special issue the work of Professor Dana Thompson, a Michigan Law alumna, in an effort to remedy this gap. Professor Thompson's career, professional values, and day-to-day work demonstrate genuine, commanding, and inspiring commitment to social justice and community-based organizations.


Though an excellent, critical monograph of the genus Cassipourea was published some years ago by ALSTON (in Kew Bulletin, 1925, p. 241—276), I should like to make a few remarks on the South-American species of this genus as my revision for PULLE's Flora of Suriname III.2 has brought to light a few new facts. It will also give me an opportunity to refer to a publication of BRIQUET on some American representatives of this genus (in Candollea IV, 1931, p. 342—350), which disagrees with regard to a number of species with ALSTON's interpretations. The species which covers the largest area is the chiefly West-Indian C. elliptica (Sw.) Poir. Formerly also a number of West- Brazilian and Peruvian specimens were referred to it, but ALSTON pointed out that these plants belonged to another species for which he introduced the name C. peruviana. A new West-Indian species, based on Broadway nr. 3841 and 4631, both from Tobago, was described by BRIQUET under the name C. Broadwayi. This species is, in my opinion, conspecific with C. elliptica. BRIQUET amply discussed the differences with C. latifolia Alston from Trinidad, but does not mention its relationship to C. elliptica. , though, in view of the latter's area of distribution, this would have been more to the point. That ALSTON had already referred Broadway nr. 3841 to C. elliptica was apparently overlooked by BRIQUET. In opposition to BRIQUET I agree with ALSTON that no value should be set on the varieties of C. elliptica described by GRISEBACH (Fl. Br. W. Ind. Isl., I860, p. 274).


Tobacco smoke is a complex multicomponent system, in which more than 4800 compounds have been identified by chromatographic techniques; many of these compounds are carcinogenic. However, there is a great deal of research into the association between smoking and diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and cancers. Nevertheless rare are the studies on the association between smoking and epilepsy because the exact roles of smoking and nicotine use in epilepsy have not been well examined. In this study the authors evaluate the convulsive effects of intracerebroventricular administration of cigarette smoke condensate in rats and compare intensity of seizures with kainic acid-induced seizures as a model of epilepsy. The role of cholinergic system was also evaluated using mAChRs antagonist in cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) induced seizures. Results indicate that central injection of cigarette condensate provides an epileptic behavior similar to that induced by kainic acid. However a pretreatment with atropine reduced seizures and all their parameters.


Across the European Union an increasing number of children are experiencing parental imprisonment and the adverse emotional, behavioural and social outcomes that it entails. Separation owing to imprisonment also places strain on parent–child relationships, with children reporting feelings of abandonment and alienation, and difficulties communicating with their imprisoned parent. This paper presents findings from interviews with a total of 135 families in the UK, Germany, Romania and Sweden. There were noticeable country differences in the practical and financial barriers to maintaining contact and the suitability of prison visiting environments. This had important implications for children's emotional health and the extent to which contact was conducive to supporting parent–child relationships.


Objective: Epilepsy neurosurgery is a treatment option for children with refractory epilepsy. Our aim was to determine if outcomes improved over time. Methods: Pediatric epilepsy surgery patients operated in the first 11 years (1986–1997; pre-1997) were compared with the second 11 years (1998–2008; post-1997) for differences in presurgical and postsurgical variables. Results: Despite similarities in seizure frequency, age at seizure onset, and age at surgery, the post-1997 series had more lobar/focal and fewer multilobar resections, and more patients with tuberous sclerosis complex and fewer cases of nonspecific gliosis compared with the pre-1997 group. Fewer cases had intracranial EEG studies in the post-1997 (0.8%) compared with the pre-1997 group (9%). Compared with the pre-1997 group, the post-1997 series had more seizure-free patients at 0.5 (83%, +16%), 1 (81%, +18%), 2 (77%, +19%), and 5 (74%, +29%) years, and more seizure-free patients were on medications at 0.5 (97%, +6%), 1 (88%, +9%), and 2 (76%, +29%), but not 5 (64%, +8%) years after surgery. There were fewer complications and reoperations in the post-1997 series compared with the pre-1997 group. Logistic regression identified post-1997 series and less aggressive medication withdrawal as the main predictors of becoming seizure-free 2 years after surgery. Conclusions: Improved technology and surgical procedures along with changes in clinical practice were likely factors linked with enhanced and sustained seizure-free outcomes in the post-1997 series. These findings support the general concept that clearer identification of lesions and complete resection are linked with better outcomes in pediatric epilepsy surgery patients.


New biocompatible nanomaterials are leading to a range of emerging health treatments. Thus, peptide drugs present in oral diseases, such as caries, periodontal diseases and oral cancer, are highlighting into clinical practice because the peptides can have an influence the growth of tumor cells or microorganisms and its can exhibit direct cytotoxic activity towards cancer cells or microbial cells. Therefore, it is interesting to speculate what are the natural or synthetic peptides that can be used to develop novel strategies to fight cancer diseases or microbial cells, and so, to represent a novel family of anticancer or antimicrobial agents. The use of buccal drug delivery systems, especially nanoparticles, to carrier peptides shows to be very interesting, because these systems can protect the peptide against enzymatic degradation, in addition to target inaccessible sites. However, this peptide delivery system seems to be unexplored by researchers. On the hand, the application of drug delivery systems for oral diseases could be a proposed treatment for these diseases, including the treatment or co-treatment with other therapies, such as photodynamic therapy, of antimicrobial, periodontal diseases and cancer, or even in the early diagnosis of cancer. The objective of this study is to present a systematic review of nanotechnology-based peptides delivery systems intended to oral diseases.


We consider a mid-sized private electricity generating company that plans to enter the market that is partially regulated. There is a cap and trade system in operation in the industry. There are nine possible power plant types that the company considers to invest on through a planning horizon. Some of these plants may include a carbon capture and storage technology. We develop a stochastic mixed-integer linear program for this problem where the objective is to maximize the expected net present value of the profit obtained. We include restrictions on the maximum and minimum possible amount of investment for every type of investment option. We also enforce market share conditions such that the percentage of the total investments of the company over the total installed capacity of the country stay between upper and lower bounds. Moreover, in order to distribute the investment risk, the percentage of each type of power plant investment is restricted by some upper bound. We tested the model for a hypothetical company operating in Turkey. The results show that the model is suitable to be used for determining the investment strategy of the company.


My Korean translation of Beowulf was primarily designed to introduce Korean readers to 1) the world of western epic in which heroism is highly praised 2) the beauty and subtlety of 'winged words' which are embedded in compound nouns, epithet, formulaic expression, and appositive style. In this paper, whilst focusing on some key words and expressions, I will demonstrate how such definitions and meanings can be drawn out and can be translated into their appropriate Korean equivalents. I strongly believe that the poem Beowulf is based on the heroic ideology. The precise meaning and full significance of archaic words are not always easy to define. That is quite true. However I felt during the preparation of my Ph. D thesis that many words and phrases are mistakenly rendered by modern English translators simply because they appeared to overlook the heroic ideology, and conducted insufficient philological research. I believe many words and formulaic expressions such as heard under helme, wlenco, oferhygd, dolgilp, maþelian can be accurately defined with the aid of philological examination and close textual reading in accordance with this heroic ideology. Considering the implication of the situation, the word combination and the emphatic use of alliteration I feel the rendering heard under helme as 'hard under helmet' seems insufficient in bringing its real meaning alive. The true interpretation of heard under helme should be more than literal translation 'hardy under helmet'. Maþelian shares the same root as maeþel, which has the meanings 'assembly, council, judicial meeting, speech, address, conversation', according to BT. With regard to public meetings, speeches made there may be assumed to be formal and to have eloquence and ceremonial dignity. Maþelian is characterized by its frequent use in public speech with a high degree of formality in Old English poetry. This form of publicity is fairly typical of Beowulf, in which speeches delivered at court and before a public audience are introduced by maþelode in Beowulf 499, 529. On the surface a series of words seems to be used to increase the sense of rashness and foolhardiness in Beowulf's seimming-contest: for wlence, for dolgilpe. Beowulf's dolgylp, 'audacious boasting' can hardly be understood as foolish declaration, since it was originally conceived to express his heroic willingness to take on an exploit. Such a boasting speech in a heroic society can act as a binding verbal commitment to act in a heroic manner. In the context of Unferth's narrative, the neutral meaning of wlenco as high-spiritedness fits well into the progression of Unferth's narrative.


Objective
To systematically search the literature and to summarize current evidence pertaining to the epidemiology of SCI in the MENA region incidence, gender, age, type of the injury and etiology of the injury.

Methods
Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCOhost were systematically searched from their dates of inception till July 2017 for English and non-English language articles. Also, regional databases were searched. Data were extracted from eligible articles and pooled under the random effect model using R. References of the included articles were also screened for potentially relevant studies.

Results
We identified 29 articles from seven countries in the MENA region (Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar). The mean age of the cases at time of injury was 31.32 (95% CI: 28.74-33.91). The random pooled annual incidence of TSCI per million was 23.24 (95% CI: 5.64-49.21). Pooled proportion of male gender was 77% (95% CI 73-80%) of the cases. Complete paraplegia was the most common type of injury. Thoracic level injury predominated. Also, the most commonly affected age group was 20-29 then 30-39. Motor vehicle accidents were found to be the leading cause of injury, then falls, gunshot, violence and sports. Further meta-regression analysis showed no association between age and etiology of the injury.

Conclusion
This review shows lack of evidence about SCI in most countries of the MENA region. More epidemiological studies are needed.


Aim We performed a meta-analysis of observational studies to evaluate the association between the presence of sarcopenia and HbA1c, prediabetes, diabetes and diabetic complications. Method The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to May 2021. We included full-text English language articles that reported the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with and without diabetes. Quality assessment was performed according to the Newcastle- Ottawa scale for observational studies. Results Sixteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Three studies showed that high HbA1c levels lead to loss of muscle mass, and one study involving prediabetes showed that people with prediabetes had lower muscle mass, strength, and performance than non-diabetic population. Seven studies showed that people with diabetes had a higher risk of sarcopenia than those without diabetes (combined OR: 2.09, 95% CI:1.62-2.70). The remaining five studies suggested that diabetic complications increased the risk of sarcopenia (combined OR: 2.09,95% CI:1.62-2.70). Conclusion High HbA1c levels, prediabetes, diabetes and diabetes complications were associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia. Therapeutic strategies addressed to avoid the conversion of IGT to diabetes and to optimize glycemic control are warranted to prevent or arrest sarcopenia in the diabetic population


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Although dobutamine is currently widely used for stress testing, only little is known about the effects of dobutamine on myocardial blood flow. The purpose of the present study was therefore to analyze quantitatively the regional changes in myocardial blood flow during rest and stress. PATIENTS AND METHODS In order to assess these effects 17 patients (12 men, five women, mean age 57 +/- 8 years) with symptomatic single vessel coronary artery disease (> 70% stenosis) scheduled for coronary angioplasty underwent dobutamine stress testing with a maximum dose of 40 micrograms/kg/min. Myocardial blood flow was measured using 15O H2O position emission tomography at rest and during maximum stress in ischemic and non-ischemic myocardial regions. RESULTS Dobutamine stress (median dose 30 micrograms/kg/min) increased the rate pressure product significantly (from rest 8697 [95% confidence interval 7959-9435] to stress 16,512 [15,208-17,815] mmHg/min (p < 0.001). Myocardial blood flow during rest was similar in non-ischaemic and ischaemic regions (0.91 [0.93; 0.83-1.28] vs. 1.10 [1.23; 0.91-1.28] ml/min/g, n.s.). During dobutamine stress myocardial blood flow increased in non-ischaemic regions to 2.17 (2.15; 1.77-2.57) ml/min/g, while myocardial blood flow did not increase in ischaemic regions (1.06 [0.97; 0.83-1.28], p < 0.001). Accordingly, dobutamine coronary reserve was 2.42 (2.55; 2.10-2.74) for non-ischaemic regions and 0.98 (1.05; 0.84-1.13) for ischemic regions (p < 0.001). Rate pressure product and myocardial blood flow were significantly correlated (r = 0.79, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION A dobutamine-induced increase in rate pressure product was proportional to an increase in myocardial blood flow in non-ischaemic regions. In contrast, myocardial blood flow did not increase in myocardial regions supplied by a severely stenosed coronary artery.


The aim of this study is to use airborne laser scanning (ALS) data to simulate synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) elevation data [digital elevation model (DEM)] from the spatial distribution of scatterers. A Shuttle Radar Topography Mission X-band DEM data set and an ALS data set from a spruce-dominated forest area are used. A 3-D grid of voxels is made from the spatial distribution of ALS first echoes. The slant angle penetration rate of the SAR microwaves (PSAR) is simulated to be a function of the vertical ALS penetration rate (PALS), i.e., PSAR = PALS4. The InSAR DEM and heights above the ground are fairly well reproduced by the simulator. A total least squares regression model between the simulated and measured InSAR DEMs has an R2 value of 0.99 and a slope of 1 : 1. By subtracting the ALS-based terrain heights (digital terrain model), we obtained InSAR heights, which were reproduced with an R2 value of 0.78, a slope of 0.96, and a root-mean-square error of 2.3 m. With the simulator, it was demonstrated how a disturbance event would affect the InSAR height. Unfortunately, the relationship was curvilinear and concave, which means that the method is not very sensitive to weak disturbances. This might be partly overcome by using a more vertical incidence angle of the SAR microwaves. The simulator might be used for validation or ground truthing of the InSAR data, as well as gaining understanding of how vegetation changes affect the InSAR data.


Many theoretical writings on aesthetics and politics rely on hard distinctions between what is and is not art, and what is and is not political. In this article, I draw on the work of theorists, knitters, and fiber artists to argue that hand knitting provides a lens through which to unsettle some of these distinctions. I illustrate some of the ways in which aesthetic theory relies on hard distinctions between art and not-art and politics and not-politics, with particular focus on the work of Kant, Hegel, Heidegger, and Rancière. I explain how knitting is often seen as falling clearly outside the definitions of art and politics, and explore the surprising ways in which knitting shows the instability of these categories and expectations. I show that common social traditions and practices that often go unanalyzed can provide insight into the limitations and complexities of prevalent theoretical assumptions.


Dynamic power is a keenly analysed design parameter in SRAM memory design especially in low power battery operated systems. A simple way to reduce dynamic power (and leakage power) is to lower the operating voltage to the minimum possible for a given operating speed requirement. The transistor threshold voltages ultimately define the lowest operating voltage possible but memory circuits have a number of specific issues which usually limit minimum operating voltages to higher then the theoretical minimum. One such issue is the write operation to a standard 6T SRAM bit cell. This paper explains the techniques and write assist circuits used in the level 1 cache sub-system in a GHz+ Dual Core ARM Cortex A9 CPU on a 32nm LP process [1] to support low voltage operation. Two independently enabled techniques are implemented; a supply boosting scheme to drive the memory above the nominal supply voltage and a novel voltage lowering scheme to reduce the voltage supply to the bit cells. Both are discussed and the improvement in minimum functional operating voltage is reported.


The electronic textbook is intended for the development of communicative competence based on educational texts using authentic audio materials on the military specialty, improving the skills of conducting conversations on professionally-oriented topics. The electronic textbook contributes to the repetition and systematization of the studied lexical and grammatical material, the formation of cadets ' basic skills of working with texts of the military specialty, as well as speaking skills based on the introduced lexical material.


—Discovering frequent patterns in large datasets is one of the more pervasive data mining tasks. Albeit rooted in market basket analysis, frequent pattern mining can be adopted in many applications, and on data sources of different nature and structure; it also provides a basis for several other mining tasks, such as association rules, classification, and clustering. However, frequent pattern mining is inherently difficult, in that it handles typically too many input data, which typically yield too many patterns as a result – this is often an insuperable obstacle, both for performance limitations and for the impossibility to discern the interesting patterns from the many, mostly uninteresting, extracted ones. Preprocessing based on data reduction and user-specified constraints may be the solution to this problem: it may drive the mining process towards potentially interesting patterns, while enabling query optimizations at the same time. We show how this can be achieved on the basis of a simple yet powerful idea: combine constraints of different nature to the purpose of dramatically reducing the input database. The mining process after such preprocessing is strikingly optimized, both in terms of performance, and in capability of focussing on interesting patterns.


Architecting and Orchestrating Agile focuses not only on the day to day agile activities and people interaction, but also focuses on the designing aspects of Agile. And it starts with Program and Portfolio stakeholders' alignment of strategic themes, driving clarity with business and architectural Epics and how that fits down to program and team level tactical planning. The leadership must make sure that the technology team understands the business value of a product feature and do anything possible to keep the development cost down. And at the same time, the business and product owners should understand the technology that help them to function better and solve business problems effectively. This emergence is a true gain for an agile organization. So the big question is whether the IT governance in your agile organization is creating desirable IT behavior and helping address your opportunities. In order to make governance effective, it needs to be designed correctly. Transparency, information sharing, communications and performance measurements are some of the key components to establishing governance that ensures business and IT have synergies.


This research examines the effect of risk on the proportion of equity held by agricultural cooperatives. The measured components of risk are business risk and the financial risk that is dependent on the proportion of debt in the cooperative's capital structure. The empirical results indicate the proportion of equity is inversely related to financial risk and positively related to business risk. These risk effects are estimated to differ based on the commodity handled by the cooperative. No significant relation between the proportion of equity and whether or not the cooperative operates on a pooling basis is estimated.


Compiler construction is a well-developed discipline since there is a long tradition of producing compilers supported by practical underlying theory and a large selection of textbooks. In the compiler construction course, students learn how to write a compiler by hand and how to generate a compiler using tools like lex and yacc. However, these tools usually have little or no didactical value. In this paper, the software tool LISA is described. It facilitates learning and conceptual understanding of compiler construction in an efficient, direct, and long-lasting way. The authors' experience in using the tool shows the following didactical benefits: support for constructive learning, stimulation of exploratory and active learning, support for different learning styles and learning speed, increased motivation for learning, and better understanding of concepts.


"Insider Guides" are written by visitors as well as local people in any given area. This book provides a guide for the tourist in Galway and Clare. The region is divided into three principal areas - Connemara including the Aran Islands, Galway city and Co. Clare (with an emphasis on the Burren). Within each sub-region the book describes the history, archaeology and antiquities of the area and includes cycle tours, walking holidays as well as "ecotours" designed to appeal to the environmentally aware. There is also a good beach guide, suggestions for amusing children on rainy days as well as guides to shopping, sports and other leisure activities. Guides to local antiquities and national monuments are also included in addition to an accommodation guide that lists hotels, campsites, youth hostels and other forms of officially registered accommodation.


In this paper, we propose to apply power control to self-encoded spread spectrum (SESS) in multirate and multimedia applications. The transmitter employs power control to to combat dynamic channel fading and the receiver employs decorrelation to reduce interference from multiple applications. We show that iterative detection can significantly improve the system performance. The proposed approach also improves the power efficiency which is essential in battery-driven communications such as mobile cellular systems.


Nowadays the priority in agriculture is given to the soil tillage systems which enable reduction of organic matter decomposition. Our investigation was aimed to assess the long-term impact of reduced intensity tillage systems, straw and green manure combinations on soil organic matter quantity and quality. Since 1999, a long-term field experiment has been done at the Experimental Station of Aleksandras Stulginskis University (former Lithuanian University of Agriculture) at 54o52′50′′ N latitude and 23o49′41′′ E longitude. The results presented in this paper were obtained in the 12 th and 14 th years of investigations. The soil of the experimental site is Epieutric Endocalcaric Endogleyic Planosol. Continuous long-term (12 and 14 years) straw application increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content by 9.3% and 12.0% compared with the plots without straw. Reduced tillage systems without primary tillage (shallow rotovating before sowing, catch cropping for green manure with rotovating, no-tillage) were even more effective. Compared with conventional ploughing, SOC increased by 19.4% to 33.9%. These tillage systems increased soil quality too, since SOC stratification ratio between 0–10 and 10–20 cm layers increased by 1.14 till 1.21. Reduced tillage systems with primary tillage (shallow ploughing and shallow loosening) had no effect both on SOC and stratification process in the soil. SOC pools over the experimental years tended to increase by 9.3% and 11.6% in the treatments of long-term application of straw compared with the plots without straw. Notillage and catch cropping for green manure with rotovating compared with conventional ploughing significantly increased the pools of organic carbon by 31.7% to 33.3% in the plots without straw and by 28.9% to 32.7% in the plots with straw. Continuous straw application increased the quantity of mobile humus substances by 22.7% compared to the plots without straw. Straw in combination with catch crop for green manure incorporation and rotovating and no-tillage increased mobile humus substances by 53.2% and 58.8% compared with conventional ploughing. Only long-term application of straw increased the quantity of mobile humic acids by 40.6% compared with the plots without straw. The rate of mobile humic acids from total amount of mobile humus substances in the treatments without straw amounted to 39.8%, while with straw this content increased to 45.6%. Reduced tillage systems without primary tillage had no significant effect on mobile humic acids but tended to increase soil organic matter quality.


This article is based on a talk given to "The NHS: All our tomorrows," the 50th anniversary of the NHS conference, London, 1 July 1998

It is a thrill and an honour to welcome you to the 75th anniversary celebration of the NHS. Time flies. It seems only moments ago that many of us here were assembled in 1998 for the glorious 50th anniversary celebration. That meeting, at the close of the last millenium, marked, as you know, a turning point for the NHS. We recognised and celebrated the achievements of the last half of the 20th century, but we also set the stage for the enormous leaps that we have made in the 25 years since.

A lot has changed since 1998. Who could then have anticipated that durable peace would finally settle not only on Ireland but also on the Middle East and the Balkan states? We could not then have known for sure that measles would now be eradicated, river blindness brought under control, and the worldwide epidemic of multidrug resistant tuberculosis stopped through unprecedented international public health collaboration. In the United States, where health care costs reached 22% of the gross domestic product in 2015, real reform finally took hold, beginning with President Whoopie Goldberg's famous call, paraphrasing Ian Morrison, that the United States become, "At last a nation where health care is a right and carrying a semiautomatic machine gun is a privilege, instead of the other way round." Today American health care is administered under a single, government sponsored insurance scheme, with public accountability not at all dissimilar to the NHS. For the first time in nearly a century, American healthcare costs are falling (they are now only 50% higher than Britain's), the population's health is improving, and all Americans can get the care …


The human macula is essential for high acuity vision but its biochemical and cellular properties are poorly understood.
A disease that specifically affects the macula, Macular Telangiectasia (MacTel) type2 was investigated by studying postmortem tissue from a single donor. This revealed Muller cell loss specifically in the macula, which might be responsible for the vascular changes and photoreceptor degeneration typical of this disease. To establish whether the disease has subclinical vascular changes outside the macula, the peripheral retina was studied. This showed that contrary to previous reports, abnormal looking capillaries are not disease-specific but a normal ageing phenotype in humans.
Proteomics and immunohistochemistry was used to characterise maculae in healthy donors. Comparative proteomics identified differentially expressed proteins and immunohistochemistry confirmed the distribution of selected proteins. This led to the discovery of several Muller cell markers, lactate dehydrogenase (LDHB), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP),αB crystallin (CRYAB) and αA crystallin (CRYAA), which are expressed at higher levels in the macula, demonstrating that Muller cells can take on different differentiation phenotypes depending on retinal area. Furthermore, the spatial expression pattern of LDHB, GFAP and CRYAB was found to correlate with the size/shape of the area that is affected in MacTel type2, providing a possible explanation why the disease affects only the macula.
Embryonic development of the macula was investigated in eye tissue obtained from abortions by using immunohistochemistry and gene expression analysis (qPCR and differential gene display). Muller cell markers, CRYAA, CD44 and CRALBP were found to be specifically expressed in the presumptive macula, starting at 7 gestation weeks (CS20), prior to ganglion cell and photoreceptor differentiation. Genomic comparison between this region and peripheral retina revealed further differentially expressed genes and led to the identification of a morphogen, Retinoic acid, which might play a role in macula development in the human retina.


The objective of this research was to develop a process for the design and manufacture of mission- and aircraft-specific propellers for small unmanned aerial vehicles. This objective was met by creating a computer program to design a propeller that meets user-defined aircraft performance requirements within the limitations of the motor, material, and manufacturing methods. The use of additive manufacturing (3D printing) in making flightworthy propellers was explored through material testing and by manufacturing trials. By testing the propellers in simulated flight conditions, it was found that the propellers generated nearly the expected design thrust, but a series of manufacturing and instrumentation issues prevented a complete evaluation of their performance. Testing was sufficient to demonstrate the feasibility of flightworthy propellers produced through additive manufacturing. Future work for the further development of the design program was also outlined.


Quercetin is a hydrophobic molecule with short blood circulation times and instability. The development of a nano-delivery system formulation of quercetin may increase its bioavailability, resulting in greater tumor suppressing effects. Triblock ABA type polycaprolactone-polyethylenglycol- polycaprolactone (PCL-PEG-PCL) copolymers have been synthetized using ring-opening polymerization of caprolactone from PEG diol. The copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The triblock copolymers self-assembled in water forming micelles consisting of a core of biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) and a corona of polyethylenglycol (PEG). The core-shell PCL-PEG-PCL nanoparticles were able to incorporate quercetin into the core. They were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and NMR. The cellular uptake efficiency of human colorectal carcinoma cells was quantitatively determined by flow cytometry using nanoparticles loaded with Nile Red as hydrophobic model drug. The cytotoxic effect of quercetin-loaded nanoparticles was evaluated on HCT 116 cells, showing promising results.


Aim: This study described demographic, clinical, psychological and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) characteristics in women surgically intervened for breast cancer, and the present study was conducted to examine the association between these characteristics. Method: Uruguayan women (N = 116) diagnosed and surgically intervened for breast cancer were assessed on demographic, clinical and psychological indicators and HRQOL, by self-report questionnaires (i.e., BDI-II, PSS, Brief-COPE, and SF-36). Study was conducted adopting a non-experimental, cross-sectional methodology. After studying associations between variables assessed, hierarchical regression analyses were performed to identify HRQOL predictors. Results: HRQOL Physical Health Component (SF-36) was predicted by perceived stress and depression, above and beyond demographic and clinical factors. And HRQOL Mental Health Component (SF-36) was predicted by education, time elapsed since diagnosis of breast cancer, time hospitalized during the past year, perceived stress and depression. Conclusion: Results suggest that psychological variables may have a significant role for HRQOL prediction, and need to be taken into account along with demographic and clinical markers in order to explain HRQOL outcomes in women with breast cancer.


ABSTRACT Here, we report a case of an orbital solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) with multiple local recurrences, even after orbital exenteration, and lung metastases after 41 years. The report discusses the clinical and histopathological findings of this case. A 34-year-old female patient with an orbital SFT was treated with orbital exenteration after local resection failed to prevent a recurrence. Ten years later, the patient underwent radiation therapy, followed by two rounds of gamma knife treatment, leading to remission. Forty-one years after the first treatment, the patient, at the age of 75 years, was found to have lung metastases along with orbital recurrence for the eighth time. The patient underwent radiation therapy but died from radiation pneumonitis. Our case emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up of patients with orbital tumors, even after orbital exenteration, to monitor for metastasis.


This chapter presents an overview of key Human Systems Integration (HSI), Human Factors (HF), and Knowledge Management (KM) methods that support building user-centered systems. The chapter stresses that KM can benefit the systems design process by reducing rework and duplication of effort. In addition, tools aiding KM implementation within the HSI and Human Factors (HF) domains are discussed. HSI practices created and employed within the discipline of Systems Engineering (SE) have brought positive changes to the systems development lifecycle (SDLC) process, affording increasingly complex and smarter systems to be built. These increases in systems complexity have created a need for systems designers and program managers to apply KM principles to systematically create, share, retain, and transfer workforce skills, facts, processes, capabilities, and experiences in a systematic fashion. The authors describe the importance and benefits of integrating HSI and KM practices to build better and smarter systems. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61520-623-0.ch003


Purpose – Using social capital theory, this study aims to investigate internal social capital (ISC) and external social capital (ESC) as determinants of knowledge sharing intention (KSI) and new product development (NPD) in high-end restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical model is developed and tested using data collected from 523 respondents (owners/proprietors, partners and managers) from high-end restaurants in Karnataka, India. Partial least square structural equation modeling is used to analyze the data.

Findings – The results suggest that ISC has a significant and positive influence on ESC. This highlights the important role of ISC in building ESC. While ISC has a positive relationship with KSI, ESC has no influence on KSI. KSI has a positive effect on NPD.

Practical implications – Restaurant managers and owners should invest time and resources in building ISC by nurturing relationships with employees and partners. Encouraging and rewarding collaborative behaviors internally will facilitate the development of external relationships. Results also suggest the existence of an optimum level of knowledge sharing with external partners in restaurants.

Originality/value – To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship between ISC and ESC, and test the effects of both KSI and NPD in high-end restaurants.


In 2007, the State of Arizona passed the Legal Arizona Workers Act (LAWA) which required all employers to verify the legal status of all prospective employees. Replicating existing results from the literature, we show that LAWA displaced about 40,000 Mexican-born people from Arizona. About 25% of these displaced persons relocated to New Mexico indicating that LAWA had externalities on adjoining states. This finding underscores a pitfall of having decentralized immigration policy in a federal system.


The formation of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) is an ongoing challenge in stellar evolution. An important subset of LMXBs is the binary systems with a neutron star (NS) accretor. In NS LMXBs with nondegenerate donors, the mass transfer (MT) is mainly driven by magnetic braking (MB). The discrepancies between the observed MT rates and the theoretical models were known for a while. Theory predictions of the MT rates are too weak and differ by an order of magnitude or more. Recently, we showed that with the standard MB, it is not possible to find progenitor binary systems such that they could reproduce—at any time of their evolution—most of the observed persistent NS LMXBs. In this Letter we present a modified MB prescription, Convection And Rotation Boosted (CARB). CARB MB combines two recent improvements in understanding stellar magnetic fields and magnetized winds—the dependence of the magnetic field strength on the outer convective zone and the dependence of the Alfvèn radius on the donor's rotation. Using this new MB prescription, we can reproduce the observed MT rates at the detected mass ratio and orbital period for all well-observed to-the-date Galactic persistent NS LMXBs. For the systems where the effective temperature of the donor stars is known, theory agrees with observations as well.


The Syrian War has caused a major refugee crisis in the world starting in 2011. From then, almost 5.6 million Syrians have been externally displaced due to the impact of ongoing civil war in the country. Since the beginning of the Syrian War, 3.57 million refugees have immigrated to Turkey as refugees. Especially, the cities near in the Syrian-Turkey border and Istanbul are the most populated ones. As the Syrian immigration problem continues to grow in Turkey, the unsystematic settling of Syrian refugees has caused unstable sub-regional labor markets in some cities of Turkey. In addition to Turkey's recent economic recession, increases in informal Syrian unemployment continues to form 'supply shocks' to informal labor in different sectors. This refugee problem is mostly seen in the informal sector because of the education level of the refugees and current government policies. This paper investigates the impact of Syrian immigration in Turkey in the informal employment, formal employment and unemployment. Using random and fixed effects regressions, this paper finds that places with more refugees had an increase in unemployment and lower the wages. This is due to both huge inflow of Syrian refugees and declining Turkish economy.


Studies on the translation of mRNA of several secreted proteins and polypeptides in heterologous cell-free protein synthesizing systems have indicated that such secreted proteins are synthesized in vitro as precursor molecules. These precursors contain additional amino acid residues at their N-termini which appear to be rapidly removed in vivo. In cell-free systems, mRNA from Ig-secreting myeloma cells, which generally produce and secrete Ig H and L chains, has been shown to produce a higher MW precursor to L chain. Much less evidence exists for the presence of a precursor to H chains in vitro. Production of precursors to H and L chains of Ig was investigated in this project, using a recently developed cell- free system. The presence of two major polypeptide products of myeloma mRNA also allowed the relative effect of various inhibitors of protein synthesis on different mRNA's to be investigated. Cell-free translation of both polysomes and poly(A) RNA from several myeloma cell lines was investigated in this project. Ig H and L chains were identified as products of cell- free translation of Pl.17 polysomes in rabbit reticulocyte lysate by specific immunoprecipitation. More rigorous identification, involving both direct and indirect immunoprecipitation and comparison of producing and non-producing cell lines was carried out in a messenger- dependent lysate system. From these studies the following conclusions were drawn 1. In all cell lines investigated, Ig L chain was synthesized as a higher MW precursor, when produced in the cell-free system. In one cell line (5563) further characterisation by tryptic mapping showed the cell-free product to be related to the cellular product. This precursor also did not appear to have methionine as its N-terminal amino acid. 2. In all cell lines investigated, H chains appeared to be synthesized in cell-free systems with a lower apparent MW than the appropriate cellularly synthesized H chain. Inhibition of carbohydrate addition intracellularly mimicked this effect in one cell line (5563). The work in this project left unresolved the question of the existence of a precursor to H chains. Studies on the effect of inhibitors of initiation of protein synthesis on cell-free protein synthesis were carried out with Pl.17 mRNA. It was concluded that: 1. Ig H and L chain mRNA's were much more resistant to inhibition of initiation than other myeloma mRNA's. 2. Ig H chain mRNA was more resistant to inhibition of initiation than Ig L chain mRNA. Finally, an improved cell-free protein synthesizing system for the translation of polysomes was developed from the existing M.D.L. system by removal of endogenous amino acids.


A comparative study of the use of first derivative zero order crossing spectra for the resolution of Paracetamol and Tramadol hydrochloride in mixtures has been achieved showing the success of the first derivative method in resolving and quantifying both compounds. Using the first derivative, rather than the second derivative, results in improved signal to noise ratio. The absorption spectra of prepared mixtures were scanned in the range of 200-500 nm. The linear concentration ranges were 25-112 and 6-48 µg mL -1 for paracetamol and Tramadol hydrochloride, respectively. The method has been successfully used for prediction of concentrations of both compounds in mixtures with good selectivity, high sensitivity and extremely low relative error. Statistical comparison was performed using t-test at 95% confidence level. There was no significant statistical difference between the results obtained by the first derivative method and the accepted values for both compounds. Also, the percentage errors were very low which adds to the merits of our work in terms of both sensitivity and accuracy.


Health status of children under 5 years was one of the main public health
indicators in a country. Health status of children under 5 years was difficult to be
directly measured, thus require indicators to describe it. The indicators were
direct, intermediate and underlying factor. Previous research showed SEM spatial
was helpful to examine the influence within indicator and got better models than
non-spatial SEM. This study was a non-reactive or un-obstrusive study, examined
on direct factor of SKB (ANC, INC, PNC), composed of 4 latent variables and 22
indicators. Secondary data were taken on Riskesdas 2010 reported, sourced of
Balitbangkes Kemenkes RI by the unit of analysis all provinces in Indonesia (33
Provinces). Data were analyzed by 3 programs and three stages: selecting
indicators significant affect health status of children under 5 years (R program),
significant indicators mapping (ArchView GIS 3.3 program) and choosed the best
model (OpenGeoda program). The results showed 14 indicators significantly
affect health status of children under 5 years, there was dependencies spatial
(Moran's I value = 0049), there was dependency of spatial error (LM error test =
0.0389), the model SEM showed coefficient error (λ) = - 1 and p value = 0.000,
the variable coefficients after weighted by queen contiquity of ANC was (0.4120,
p = 0.0032) , INC (0.4183, p = 0.0134) and PNC (-0053, p = 0.7626). The best
model based on the value of R ², AIC and SC was known spatial error models (R²
= 0.6506). The matrix equation was : =-1 + +
. So 65,06% variation of SKB explained by ANC and INC. This
study is expected to be used as a basis for policy making in Indonesia, suggested
to improve the health services focused on the ANC and INC by adding the
intermediate and underlying factors.


Do you know what happened during the current month in the past? Here are a few events for you to explore. Also, test your knowledge of famous people born in during the month.


OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the systemic effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on blood prolactin levels and lactation status when it is used to hasten surgical wound healing in women having undergone a cesarean section.

BACKGROUND DATA
LLLT has been used in parturient patients for postpartum mastitis and nipple soreness. However, previous studies have revealed hormonal and physiological effects of LLLT on the lactation status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty healthy women scheduled for cesarean section were randomly divided into two groups: an LLLT group and a control group. LLLT was delivered as follows: (1) irradiation with 980 nm (100 mW, 3.3 J/cm(2), total energy 60 J), and 650 nm (30 mW, 1.5 J/cm(2), total energy 27 J) to the incision line, and (2) intravenous laser irradiation at 2.5 mW and 650 nm for 15 min on three consecutive postoperative days. Except for LLLT, all the therapeutic conditions in both groups were identical. Blood prolactin levels were measured in the groups on the third postoperative day, and tissue samples were taken from the wound margins for histological evaluation on the 10th postoperative day.

RESULTS
Although there was a difference between blood prolactin levels in the two groups, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.205). However, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean lymphocyte counts and number of vessel lumina, with higher numbers seen in the LLLT group.

CONCLUSION
LLLT after cesarean section has no serious deleterious effects on lactation, and it helps to modulate metabolic processes and thus promotes wound healing post-surgery.


An efficient fabrication scheme of directional coupler (DC) optical waveguide devices is demonstrated using a direct ultraviolet imprinting (DUI) technique in sol-gel derived inorganic 0.2GeO2:0.8SiO2 slab waveguide. The slab waveguide has a ~3-mum-thick photosensitive inorganic 0.2GeO2:0.8SiO2 film which is prepared by the sol-gel spin-coating technique on (10 mum) SiO2-Si substrate. This inorganic thick film of slab waveguide has the ability to induce a high refractive index change of ~5times10-3 under ultraviolet irradiations, which is suitable for the fabrication of waveguiding channel of photonic devices by a DUI technique. DC geometries were theoretically evaluated by the beam propagation method for various optical power splitting ratios and experimental performances of DCs 3-dB light splitter and complete power exchange from one waveguide to another were demonstrated and found to be in good agreement with the simulation.


Let G be a group and P a Sylow p-subgroup of G. A fusion system of G on P, denoted by FP (G), is the category with objects; subgroups of P, and morphisms induced by conjugation in G. This thesis gives a brief introduction to the theory fusion systems.Two classical theorems of Burnside and Frobenius are stated and proved. These theorems may be seen as a starting point of the theory of fusion systems, even though the axiomatic foundation is due to Puig in the early 1990's.An abstract fusion system F on a p-group P is dened and the notion of a saturated fusion system is discussed. It turns out that the fusion system of any nite group is saturated, but the converse; that a saturated fusion system is realizable on a nite group, is not always true.Two versions of Alperin's fusion theorem are stated and proved. The first one is the classical formulation of Alperin and the second one, due to Puig, a version stated in the language of fusion systems. The differences between these two are investigated.The fusion system F of GL2 (3) on the Sylow 2-subgroup isomorphicto SD16 is determined and the subgroups generating F are found.


Aim: We analyse the incidence of myoclonus in patients whom Etomidate is used for procedural sedation in the Emergency Room. According to previous studies, the incidence rate of Etomidate induced myoclonus is 33%. Methods: This prospective study was performed between June 2016 to December 2016 in the Emergency Department of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, a tertiary care hospital. Etomidate was used for procedural sedation was carried out by the Emergency Physician. The presence of myoclonus was noticed and its duration was reported using the Myoclonus scale. Results: 166 patients (116Males and 50Females) in the Emergency Department in whom Etomidate was used for procedural sedation were enrolled for the study. The mean age was observed to be 42 years among males and females. The mean cumulative dose was 0.3mg/kg. Premedication was not used, which increases the chance of detection of myoclonus. Full recovery to the preprocedural level of alertness was achieved within 30 mins in 160 (96%) of procedures. Mean changes in Systolic blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation were clinically insignificant. Myoclonus was observed in 4 (2.4%) of 166 patients which is significantly lower than the earlier studies. Conclusion: Etomidate is a useful agent for carefully conducted procedural sedation because it provides effective, brief, deep sedation with little hemodynamic compromise. Myoclonus is seen only small percentage of patients and can be safely used for procedural sedation in the Emergency Room.


The Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) was launched on Jan 24th, 2006 by a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) H-IIA launcher. It carries three remote sensing instruments: Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type-2 (AVNIR-2), Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM) and Phased Array Type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR). Within the framework of European ALOS Data European Node (ADEN), European Space Research INstitute (ESRIN) as part of European Space Agency (ESA), teamed up with JAXA for contributing to ALOS commissioning phase plan. This paper summarizes the strategy that ESA adopted to define and implement a data verification plan for mission operated by foreign nation, classified as so called ESA Third Party Missions (TPM). The verification of ALOS optical data from PRISM / AVNIR-2 instruments activities had begun four months after satellite launch on March 2007.GAEL Consultant (French company) has supported ESA / ESRIN for designing and executing the plan. A team of principal investigator's has been put together to provide technical expertise. This paper includes a description of the verification plan and summarizes the methodologies that were used for radiometric, geometric and image quality assessment. Preliminary results indicate that the radiometric calibration of the AVNIR-2 sensor agrees with Landsat 5 (L5) Thematic Mapper and the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) calibration to within 10%. The geometry accuracy of PRISM and AVNIR-2 product remains within specifications but some recommendations are provided to improve the quality of product. The preliminary results from the PRISM image quality assessment through computation of PRISM Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) raised few questions toward jpeg compression that degrades image.


Despite huge efforts and investments in biosensor research and development over several decades, and apparently promising developments [1], implantable devices capable of providing long-term (months, years) continuous monitoring of key molecular disease markers remain far from practical implementation. The reasons for this are many-fold, but the most important relate to fundamental materials challenges associated with biocompatibility, and practical barriers related to checking of system integrity [2]. While the management of many chronic health conditions clearly would improve significantly from advances in continuous long-term monitoring, the management of diabetes is most apparent, due to the scale of the problem, and its huge impact on people, society and our health systems [3],[4]. Examples include the Abbott Freestyle Libre (https://www.freestylelibre.ie) and the Dexcom G6 Technologies (http://dexcom.eu/). Pressure to improve the offering from the increasingly IT literate user community is pushing these platforms towards much closer integration with mainstream IOT technologies. For example, tech-savvy parents of children with Type 1 Diabetes have set up their own technology group, and produced their own information management system called Nightscout (http://www.nightscout.info/). This is now driving technology advances in Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), at least on the informatics side (Tagline "#WeAreNotWaiting"!).

These disruptive developments are also going to create a major demand for improved sensor performance, which places an increasing focus on how to dramatically extend the functional lifetime of such biosensors, which in turn will drive new thinking around the fundamental materials challenges of long-term on-body/in-body biosensing and controlled therapeutics (in this case insulin delivery) . In this lecture, I will discuss these and related issues, and speculate on strategies for delivering longer-term sensing and control functions based on the inherent behaviour of materials, rather than conventional approaches.

References

[1] J.Y. Lucisano, T.L. Routh, J.T. Lin, D.A. Gough, Glucose Monitoring in Individuals With Diabetes Using a Long-Term Implanted Sensor/Telemetry System and Model, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. 64 (2017) 1982–1993. doi:10.1109/TBME.2016.2619333.
[2] S. Coleman, L. Florea, D. Diamond, Chemical Sensing with Autonomous Devices in Remote Locations - Why is it so difficult and how do we deliver revolutionary improvements in performance, Irish Chemical News. (2016) 13–23.
[3] C. Chen, X.-L. Zhao, Z.-H. Li, Z.-G. Zhu, S.-H. Qian, A. Flewitt, Current and Emerging Technology for Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Sensors. 17 (2017) 182. doi:10.3390/s17010182.
[4] D. Bruen, C. Delaney, L. Florea, D. Diamond, Glucose Sensing for Diabetes Monitoring: Recent Developments, Sensors. 17 (2017) 1866. doi:10.3390/s17081866.


In this paper, an enhance DSSS technique was proposed which considers both serving and its neighbouring base stations in the network. New coefficients, chip rate coefficient ( a ) and radius fraction coefficient ( b ) were applied in DSSS technique in order to improve the SINR value. First, SINR MUE and SINR WUE for the standard DSSS were simulated. Then, by using the obtained analysis, the enhance DSSS technique was proposed. As the results, the SINR at MUE using a -coefficient gives better SINR than standard around 4%~5% improvement. On the other hand, the SINR at WUE using a -coefficient also gives better SINR than standard around 9%~10% improvement. Other than that, by applying both a -coefficient and b -coefficient into the proposed DSSS based on modified interference power, the improvement for SINR MUE increases to 11%~13%. For SINR WUE, the percentage spikes to 74%~84%.


Background: Phytogenic compounds are one of many alternatives to current
 industry feed ingredients for the poultry industry. However, despite increased
 reports on the activity of phytogenic compounds against disease in poultry,
 there is a lack of data regarding safety and residual toxicity. This two-part study
 investigated the general health of broiler chickens fed Berberine, Ursolic Acid,
 Piceid, Honokiol and Baicalin in-feed at three different levels, and assessed the
 poultry tissue residue of Berberine in breast muscle, upper and lower thigh, and
 liver through LC/MS-MS.
Methods and Findings: Phase 1 trial results demonstrated that all birds appeared
 normal, with all gastrointestinal histologic lesions and liver histologic lesions
 identified within normal limits for broiler chickens in a production environment.
 Phase 2 trial showed that the lowest amount of Berberine, 0.03 g/kg in-feed,
 resulted in tissue residues below the lower limit of detection (<2 ng/g), and the
 highest amount of Berberine, 0.3 g/kg in-feed, yielded detectable values, although
 the significance of these results is still not clear.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study suggests that the five tested
 phytogenic compounds are safe for use in starter, grower and finisher feeds for
 broiler chickens. Further exposure and risk assessment calculations regarding
 appropriate residue levels are necessary to evaluate the use of Berberine as a
 feed ingredient for poultry.


A PANI (polyaniline)-g-C3N4-TiO2 composite was prepared and found to be efficient for radical C–H arylation reactions. The arylation process involved coupling of in situ generated aryl diazonium salts from aniline with heteroarenes, enol acetates or benzoquinones under visible light in aqueous medium or pure water. A broad range of substrates survived the reaction conditions to provide the desired products in moderate to good yields. Scale-up (10 mmol) synthesis was also achieved. This semiconductor photocatalyst showed good photocatalytic performance and stability. Recycle studies showed that this composite could be readily recovered and a slight decrease in the catalytic activity was observed after ten consecutive runs.


While sex can be advantageous for a lineage in the long term, we still lack an explanation for its maintenance with the twofold cost per generation. Here we model an infinite diploid population where two autosomal loci determine, respectively, the reproductive mode, sexual versus asexual and the mating system, polygynous (costly sex) versus monogamous (assuming equal contribution of parents to offspring, i.e. non-costly sex). We show that alleles for costly sex can spread when non-costly sexual modes buffer the interaction between asexual and costly sexual strategies, even without twofold benefit of recombination with respect to asexuality. The three interacting strategies have intransitive fitness relationships leading to a rock–paper–scissors dynamics, so that alleles for costly sex cannot be eliminated by asexuals in most situations throughout the parameter space. Our results indicate that sexual lineages with variable mating systems can resist the invasion of asexuals and allow for long-term effects to accumulate, thus providing a solution to the persisting theoretical question of why sex was not displaced by asexuality along evolution.


Centered around the notion of deterrence, a framework for analyzing the performance of systems for verifying compliance with arms-control treaty constraints is developed. Using the same models, it is also shown how to evaluate the desirability of the treaty constraints themselves. This analysis forms a relatively unified treatment of both topics, one that permits the joint optimization of both treaty limits and verification mechanisms. The specific application discussed is underground nuclear testing, but because of the generality of the analysis one can apply it to other arms-control contexts as well. >


Glycoside derivatives of 4-methylumbelliferone (MUF) were used to characterize the polysaccharidase enzyme systems present in sediments from an intertidal mud flat. The formation of highly fluorescent MUF on hydrolysis of the various glycosides was determined at low substrate concentrations (<1 μM) and with short incubation periods (>5 min). The hydrolysis of MUF-β-d-glucose in sediments from depth intervals of 0 to 2 cm was insensitive to the presence of oxygen, dissolved sulfide, and iron; magnesium and calcium were stimulatory, however. A pronounced temperature optimum was observed at 40°C, a salinity optimum at 30‰, and a pH optimum at 8.5. Rates of hydrolysis were completely inhibited by the addition of mercuric chloride and sodium azide, but only partially inhibited by toluene and the specific β-glucosidase inhibitor δ-1,5-gluconolactone. The response to δ-1,5-gluconolactone suggested that about 50% of the observed hydrolysis of MUF-β-d-glucoside was due to exo- and endoglucanases. A wide variety of hydrolytic activities was observed, with at least some nonspecificity occurring in the case of MUF-β-d-fucoside. Depth profiles indicated maximal activity in surface sediments with a rapid decline below 2 cm. MUF-glycosides provided a convenlent tool for initial analyses of the dynamics and controls of polymer hydrolysis in marine sediments.


OBJECTIVE: To assess the lung deposition pattern of radioaerosol and the clinical performance of a spacer developed and made in Brazil. METHODS: Qualitative - in a patient with cystic fibrosis - and semi-quantitative - in two healthy volunteers - assessment of pulmonary deposition of (99)mtechnetium was done using the Aerogama Medical oxigen driven nebulizer system attached to the spacer and a gama-camera (Siemens, model Orbiter) connected to a microcomputer. In the next step, clinical assessment was carried out in 50 asthmatic children, aged from four months to 13 years old with an acute attack, using conventional doses of albuterol through a metered dose inhaler attached to the spacer device. RESULTS: Qualitative assessment revealed a lung silhouette comparable with those obtained in the inhalation scintigraphy and semiquantitative assessment reveals that 7.5% to 8.0% of the inhaled (99m)technetium reached the volunteerś lungs. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed comparing clinical scores at admission with those verified 20 and 40 minutes after albuterol inhalation; conversely, no significance was obtained for scores taken at 60 and 80 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Although we used an alternative method, the scintigraphic assessment reveals an expected pattern of pulmonary deposition. Similarly, clinical performance in the treatment of an acute attack showed results comparable with those obtained with other spacers devices.


Mechanical alloying is a powder processing technique used to process materials farther from equilibrium state. This technique is mainly used to process difficult-to-alloy materials in which the solid solubility is limited and to process materials where nonequilibrium phases cannot be produced at room temperature through conventional processing techniques. This work deals with the microstructural properties of the Al-20 at. % Cu alloy prepared by high-energy ball milling of elemental aluminum and copper powders. The ball milling of powders was carried out in a planetary mill in order to obtain a nanostructured Al-20 at. % Cu alloy. The obtained powders were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The structural modifications at different stages of the ball milling are investigated with X-ray diffraction. Several microstructure parameters such as the crystallite sizes, microstrains and lattice parameters are determined


In this paper we study the pricing and hedging of options on realized variance in the 3/2 non-affine stochastic volatility model by developing efficient transform-based pricing methods. This non-affine model gives prices of options on realized variance that allow upward-sloping implied volatility of variance smiles. Heston's model [Rev. Financial Stud., 1993, 6, 327–343], the benchmark affine stochastic volatility model, leads to downward-sloping volatility of variance smiles—in disagreement with variance markets in practice. Using control variates, we propose a robust method to express the Laplace transform of the variance call function in terms of the Laplace transform of the realized variance. The proposed method works in any model where the Laplace transform of realized variance is available in closed form. Additionally, we apply a new numerical Laplace inversion algorithm that gives fast and accurate prices for options on realized variance, simultaneously at a sequence of variance strikes. The method is also used to derive hedge ratios for options on variance with respect to variance swaps.


Software defined networking (SDN) decouples the control plane from the data plane of forwarding devices. This separation provides several benefits, including the simplification of network management and control. However, due to a variety of reasons, such as budget constraints and fear of downtime, many organizations are reluctant to fully deploy SDN. Partially deploying SDN through the placement of a limited number of SDN devices among legacy (traditional) network devices, forms a so-called hybrid SDN network. While hybrid SDN networks provide many of the benefits of SDN and have a wide range of applications, they also pose several challenges. These challenges have recently been addressed in a growing body of literature on hybrid SDN network structures and protocols. This paper presents a comprehensive up-to-date survey of the research and development in the field of hybrid SDN networks. We have organized the survey into five main categories, namely hybrid SDN network deployment strategies, controllers for hybrid SDN networks, protocols for hybrid SDN network management, traffic engineering mechanisms for hybrid SDN networks, as well as testing, verification, and security mechanisms for hybrid SDN networks. We thoroughly survey the existing hybrid SDN network studies according to this taxonomy and identify gaps and limitations in the existing body of research. Based on the outcomes of the existing research studies as well as the identified gaps and limitations, we derive guidelines for future research on hybrid SDN networks.


An important learning goal in higher vocational education concerns the professional domain's shared body of knowledge. Constructivist programmes use authentic learning contexts and self-directed learning to create a close connection throughout the learning process between theoretical knowledge and other forms of professional knowledge. Critics of constructivist learning contend that the situated way of learning places too much emphasis on the instrumental use of knowledge and that self-directed learning is too demanding for students. This qualitative case study investigated these criticisms by exploring the learning experiences of 18 final-year bachelor's students in social work in a constructivist programme. From a previous study, the differences between these participants' theoretical knowledge were known. Results show that while all students agreed that their constructivist programme was beneficial for learning knowledge pertaining to instrumental use, they had different experiences with acquiring knowledge as a system of meaning in itself. Students with high-level knowledge felt positively challenged and actively studied theories as a whole. Students with medium- and low-level knowledge had not reached beyond the knowledge that was immediately needed in the authentic learning contexts. Hypotheses and questions for further research into differences between students are discussed.


The instability and upheaval of violent conflict can break down patriarchal structures, challenge traditional gender norms and open up new roles and spaces for collective agency of women, sexual and gender minorities (SGM), and other marginalised groups (Yadav, 2021; Myrittinen & Daigle, 2017). A recent study on the gendered implications of civil war finds that countries recovering from 'major civil war' experience substantial improvements in women's civil liberties and political participation—complementary aspects of political empowerment (Bakken & Bahaug, 2020). This rapid literature review explores the openings that conflict and post-conflict settings can create for the development of political empowerment of women and LGBTQ+ communities—as well as challenges. Drawing primarily on a range of academic, non-governmental organisation (NGO), and practitioner literature, it explores conflict-affected settings from around the world. There was limited literature available on experience from Ukraine (which was of interest for this report); and on specific opportunities at the level of local administrations. In addition, the available literature on empowerment of LGBTQ+ communities was much less than that available for women's empowerment. The literature also focused on women, with an absence of information on girls. It is important to note that while much of the literature speaks to women in society as a whole, there are various intersectionalities (e.g. class, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, rural/urban etc.) that can produce varying treatment and degrees of empowerment of women. Several examples are noted within the report.


Autonomous systems can be used to search for sparse signals in a large space; e.g., aerial robots can be deployed to localize threats, detect gas leaks, or respond to distress calls. Intuitively, search algorithms may increase efficiency by collecting aggregate measurements summarizing large contiguous regions. However, most existing search methods either ignore the possibility of such region observations (e.g., Bayesian optimization and multi-armed bandits) or make strong assumptions about the sensing mechanism that allow each measurement to arbitrarily encode all signals in the entire environment (e.g., compressive sensing). We propose an algorithm that actively collects data to search for sparse signals using only noisy measurements of the average values on rectangular regions (including single points), based on the greedy maximization of information gain. We analyze our algorithm in 1d and show that it requires $\tilde{O}(\frac{n}{\mu^2}+k^2)$ measurements to recover all of $k$ signal locations with small Bayes error, where $\mu$ and $n$ are the signal strength and the size of the search space, respectively. We also show that active designs can be fundamentally more efficient than passive designs with region sensing, contrasting with the results of Arias-Castro, Candes, and Davenport (2013). We demonstrate the empirical performance of our algorithm on a search problem using satellite image data and in high dimensions.


In this paper, deformation behavior of the MEMS gyroscope package subjected to temperature change is investigated using a high-sensitivity moiré interferometry. Temperature dependent analyses of warpage and extension/contraction of the package are presented. Detailed global and local deformations of the package by temperature change are investigated and its effect on the frequency shift of the MEMS gyroscope is studied.


This paper describes the results of a comparison between the acoustic noise produced by a two-phase switched reluctance drive and a flux switching motor and drive. For the comparison, two external rotor machines were constructed from identical mechanical parts, and the same lamination stacks. Test results show that there is over 2 dB less acoustic noise from the flux switching topology relative to the equivalent two-phase switched reluctance machine. Finite element analysis is used to calculate the radial force profiles of the two motors during normal rotation and it is shown that further analysis of this data provides supporting evidence to the measured data and confirms the experimental results. The improved acoustic noise and vibration characteristics, coupled with the dramatic simplification of the power converter offered by the flux switching drive makes it a very attractive, low cost, low acoustic noise, variable speed drive.


The paper proposes an approach to obtain inverse kinematic functions whose domain is not limited to the manipulator's workspace. As a result, these functions can be used to map points of the Cartesian space that do not belong to the manipulator's workspace. The positioning problem is formulated as a minimization of the distance between the prescribed Cartesian point and the end-effector. Hence, points outside of the workspace of the manipulator are mapped by the inverse kinematic function into joint coordinates that bring the manipulator as close as possible to the prescribed Cartesian location. The formulation is derived for both planar and spatial motion and an extension to problems where the orientation has to be considered is also given. Examples pertaining to 2-DOF and 3-DOF manipulators are solved and both analytical and numerical results are given. The proposed inverse kinematic functions are of great interest for tracking approach and catching operations where the object to be reached or tracked by the manipulator can be outside of the workspace,. >


The oxidation of isoprene is a globally significant source of secondary organic material (SOM) of atmospheric particles. The relative importance of different parallel pathways, however, remains inadequately understood and quantified. SOM production from isoprene photooxidation was studied under hydroperoxyl-dominant conditions for <5% relative humidity and at 20 °C in the presence of highly acidic to completely neutralized sulfate particles. Isoprene photooxidation was separated from SOM production by using two continuously mixed flow reactors connected in series and operated at steady state. Two online mass spectrometers separately sampled the gas and particle phases in the reactor outflow. The loss of specific gas-phase species as contributors to the production of SOM was thereby quantified. The produced SOM mass concentration was directly proportional to the loss of isoprene epoxydiol (IEPOX) isomers from the gas phase. IEPOX isomers lost from the gas phase accounted for (46 ± 11)% of the produced SOM mass concentration. The IEPOX isomers comprised (59 ± 21)% (molecular count) of the loss of monitored gas-phase species. The implication is that for the investigated reaction conditions the SOM production pathways tied to IEPOX isomers accounted for half of the SOM mass concentration.


Injection molding of corrosive super engineering plastics and engineering plastics with various fillers is conducted under severe conditions and causes corrosion and wear problems. Hence, in orde to apply Mo2NiB2 boride base cermets into plastic molding machine parts, the effects of V substitution for Cr on the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and microstructure of Ni- 5.0B-51.0Mo-(17.5-X)Cr-XV (mass%) model cermets were investigatied. Both transverse rupture strength (TRS) and hardness increased monotonically with increasing V content and reached 2.94GPa and 87.2RA at 10.0%V, respectively. The improvements of TRS and hardness were attributed to microstructural refinement. The excellent corrosion resistance for a molten fluorocarbon resin was obtained up to 5.0%V.


Defending their employer on LinkedIn or attacking their organization on Twitter: a ubiquitous social-mediated environment allows employees of crisis-stricken organizations to reach out to a mass audience with only a few keystrokes. But is such employee social-mediated crisis communication an opportunity or a threat to their organizations? By developing the perspective of employees in contrast to consumers, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of employee social-mediated crisis communication on organizational reputation.,An online survey experiment was conducted among 386 participants constituting the publics of an organization.,The findings demonstrate the importance of moderating effects of message framing (advocacy vs adversary) and medium (blog vs microblog). They show that in comparison to consumers, employees attacking their organization on social media, particularly via media such as blog, cause disproportionally more damage to organizational reputation.,While the significant effects of employees' adversary message might make them a threat for organizations, it is argued that the fact that employees are equally as effective as advocates for their organizations as consumers also constitutes an opportunity.,Organizations need to be cognizant of the threats posed by employees' crisis communication as well as aim to reap opportunities offered by these credible communicators by considering strategies such as authentically integrating employees in the official crisis communication response.,By comparing the role of the two groups of stakeholders (employees vs consumers) in crisis communication, the study contributes to an important audience-centered perspective.


This paper examines the allocation of market risk in a general class of collective pension arrangements: Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) schemes. In a CDC scheme participants collectively share funding risk through benefit level adjustments. There is a concern that, if not well designed, CDC schemes are unfair and will lead to an unintended redistribution of wealth between participants and, in particular, between generations. We define a pension scheme as fair if all participants receive an arbitrage-free return on the market risk they bear. The fact that the participants' claim on the CDC schemes' collective assets is expressed in terms of a stochastic future benefit, makes the arbitrage-free allocation of market risk non-trivial. It depends crucially on the specification of the discount rate process in combination with the benefit adjustment process. We show that fair CDC schemes may use a default-free market interest rate in combination with a specific horizon-dependent benefit adjustment process. Alternative discount rates are also permissible, but require additional correction terms in the benefit adjustment process.


Abolmajd Majdod Ebn Adam, called Sanaei Gaznavi, is an epoch maker and owner of a distinct style living in the 6th and 7th centuries. Due to his complex mind and the specific circumstances in which he lived, Sanaei attained innovative semantic and stylistic achievements which made him known as a poet with a unique style, and an imitator of Persian mystic poetry. Even though we know very little about his life, his use of the hidden pseudonym Rahi, which is so frequent in his poetry, provides the reader with a clue to his personality. This paper is an attempt to reveal this secret.

Keywords: Sanaei Ghaznavi, Rahi.


In this paper we present a review of existing aviation safety metrics and we lay the foundation for our four-years research project entitled "Measuring Safety in Aviation – Developing Metrics for Safety Management Systems". We reviewed state-of-the-art literature, relevant standards and regulations, and industry practice. We identified that the long-established view on safety as absence of losses has limited the measurement of safety performance to indicators of adverse events (e.g., accident and incident rates). However, taking into account the sparsity of incidents and accidents compared to the amount of aviation operations, and the recent shift from compliance to performance based approach to safety management, the exclusive use of outcomes metrics does not suffice to further improve safety and establish a proactive monitoring of safety performance. Although the academia and aviation industry have recognized the need to use activity indicators for evaluating how safety management processes perform, and various process metrics have been developed, those have not yet become part of safety performance assessment. This is partly attributed to the lack of empirical evidence about the relation between safety proxies and safety outcomes, and the diversity of safety models used to depict safety management processes (i.e. root-cause, epidemiological or systemic models). This, in turn, has resulted to the development of many safety process metrics, which, however, have not been thoroughly tested against the quality criteria referred in literature, such as validity, reliability and practicality.


This is a study on the assessment of tours which are offered to the students in the degree of Bachelor of Science in Tourism. A total of one hundred (100) students were randomly selected to become the subjects of the study. The assessment of the tours is composed of the following factors: pre-tour preparations, tour procedures, educational value, venue and amenities, and others. The results of the study revealed that majority of the students taking up Bachelor of Science in Tourism are satisfied with the tour-learning programs offered by the College of Hospitality and Institutional Management of Our Lady of Fatima University, Quezon City based on the assigned assessment criteria except on the timely issuance of certificates after the tours and also the price of the tour packages. In terms of the benefits which the students should gain in the future tours, shopping appears to be the primary preference followed by the seminars. However, it is sad to note that the least preferred benefits of the students are the historical/heritage learning and ecotourism/environmental awareness.


Cocaine addiction remains a major public concern throughout the world especially in developed countries. In the last three decades, significant achievements have led to a greater understanding of the signaling pathways involved in the development of cocaine addiction; however, there are no FDA-approved treatments available to reverse or block this brain disease due to either the unsatisfactory therapeutic efficacy or severe side effects. Previous studies have demonstrated that chronic exposure to cocaine elevates levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) as a neuroadaptative response in reward-related brain regions. Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, which elevate cAMP levels, have been shown to block cocaine-mediated behavioral changes related to psychoactive and reinforcing properties. Unfortunately, previously studied PDE4 inhibitors induce severe side-effects which limit their clinical usage. In this study, we identified a novel PDE4B inhibitor KVA-D-88 with an improved selectivity profile compared to previous compounds (e.g., rolipram). Pharmacokinetic studies have shown this compound is brain penetrant and preferably acts on PDE4B compared to PDE4D in vitro, alluding to less unwanted side effects with KVA-D-88 in vivo. Interestingly, pre-treatment with KVA-D-88 significantly inhibited cocaine-induced hyper-locomotor activity. In cocaine self-administered mice with differential schedules, KVA-D-88 strikingly decreased the number of active nose-pokes, cocaine infusions and reduced the break point. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that this novel PDE4 inhibitor, KVA-D-88, could inhibit cocaine-mediated rewarding effects implying its potential clinical usage for cocaine addiction.


Gene therapy and the production of mutated cell lines or model animals both require the development of efficient, controlled gene-targeting strategies. Classical approaches are based on the ability of cells to use homologous recombination to integrate exogenous DNA into their own genome. The low frequency of homologous recombination in mammalian cells leads to inefficient targeting. Here, we review the limiting steps of classical approaches and the new strategies developed to improve the efficiency of homologous recombination in gene-targeting experiments. To cite this article: E. Biet et al., C. R. Biologies 326 (2003).


Six Indian bentonites, treated as well as untreated, were incorporated into Amraoti-Betul clay, a non-plastic clay from Madhya Pradesh for studying the resulting improvement in plastic and dry properties. The properties studied include the effect of addition of bentonites on raw colour, fired colour, water of plasticity, Atterberg�s number, plasticity by feel, dry linear shrinkage, dry modulus of rupture, suspensibility and workability. The dry MOR value of the clay increased from 222 psi to 942 psi with only 4 addition of treated bentonite. Into a standard porcelain composition, 1 to 4 of untreated and treated bentonites were added and the study revealed that only 1-2 of dry treated bentonite improved the suspensibility and casting properties markedly. The plasticity of a number of clay- bentonite mixes was also examined by a Brabender plasto- graph. The effects on the dry and fired colour of a whiteware composition after incorporation of bentonites were studied. © 1977, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.


Social media platforms employ inferential analytics methods to guess user preferences and may include sensitive attributes such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and political opinions. These methods are often opaque, but they can have significant effects such as predicting behaviors for marketing purposes, influencing behavior for profit, serving attention economics, and reinforcing existing biases such as gender stereotyping. Although two international human rights treaties include express obligations relating to harmful and wrongful stereotyping, these stereotypes persist both online and offline, and platforms often appear to fail to understand that gender is not merely a binary of being a 'man' or a 'woman,' but is socially constructed. Our study investigates the impact of algorithmic bias on inadvertent privacy violations and the reinforcement of social prejudices of gender and sexuality through a multidisciplinary perspective including legal, computer science, and queer media viewpoints. We conducted an online survey to understand whether and how Twitter inferred the gender of users. Beyond Twitter's binary understanding of gender and the inevitability of the gender inference as part of Twitter's personalization trade-off, the results show that Twitter misgendered users in nearly 20% of the cases (N=109). Although not apparently correlated, only 8% of the straight male respondents were misgendered, compared to 25% of gay men and 16% of straight women. Our contribution shows how the lack of attention to gender in gender classifiers exacerbates existing biases and affects marginalized communities. With our paper, we hope to promote the online account for privacy, diversity, and inclusion and advocate for the freedom of identity that everyone should have online and offline.