Classical Hodgkin´s lymphoma (cHL) is a clonal proliferation of the characteristic Hodgkin and Reed Sternberg cells (HRS), diluted in a reactive inflammatory background, and characterized by a defective B cell immunophenotype. Few studies have been aimed to the identification of the driver mutations in this disease, and only occasional gene mutations in members of the NF-kappaB and JAK/STAT pathways, and, more recently B2M, have been previously described. We analyzed 57 cHL tumor samples (FFPE) using massive parallel sequencing (Ion Torrent™ semiconductor technology). To increase coverage a previous tumor cell enrichment process by punch tissue cores from selected tumor-rich areas was implemented. In addition, we sequenced 7 cHL cell lines using the same technical approach. Bioinformatics analysis, including alignment with germline sequences and SNPs filtering, were done using the Torrent Suite Software and Variant Caller. Pathogenic prediction of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and mutation interpretation were performed using the Alamut and Provean softwares. All experiments were done in duplicate to minimize false positive rates. Overall, the results show very high genomic heterogeneity with a range of 10-400 SNVs per sample, most of them (~60%) missense type. We found a relatively large number of genes recurrently mutated at low frequency and only a few genes mutated in up to 15-20% of the patients, reflecting a high level of genomic instability in the neoplasm. Specific mutations in genes previously described in cHL (NFKBIA, TNFRSF14) and in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (CARD11, STAT6, CREBBP, CMYB) were consistently found, as well as new SNVs in genes not previously described (BTK, NFKB2). Mutations affecting selected genes (B2M, CARD11, NFKBIA, CSF2RB, and STAT3) in cell lines were additionally validated by Sanger sequencing. Of note, we found high prevalence of mutations affecting BTK and the BCR pathway, suggesting some dependencies of active BCR signaling albeit the absence of BCR expression by HRS cells. Consistent with this interpretation, incubationof a panel of cHL cellular models with either Ibrutininb or AVL-292, selective-BTK inhibitors, in vitro constrains cell proliferation and causes cell death. Interestingly, the concentration to induce cell apoptosis in cHL was comparable to other cell models of diffuse large B-cell and mantle cell lymphoma sustaining the requirement of an active BCR signaling for cHL cell viability. In conclusion, cHL is characterized by high genomic instability, including numerous mutations in genes related with B-cell function and specific signaling pathways. Pathogenic predictions of the different SNVs identify potential driver mutations that can be associated with the pathogenesis of the disease and might represent new therapeutic targets. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Flaring is the common upstream oil and gas industry practice of disposing of unwanted combustible gas in turbulent diffusion flames open to atmosphere. Emissions from flaring remain uncertain and most measurement techniques rely on the assumption that combustion-derived species are well-mixed and therefore well-correlated in the plume. This thesis presents a spectroscopic measurement technique used to measure path-averaged species correlation in flare plumes to assess this assumption. Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy and line-of-sight attenuation techniques are used to measure H2O and soot, respectively. The techniques were validated using synthetic data from large eddy simulations of turbulent flare plumes. An experimental apparatus was subsequently developed and used to measure species correlation in lab-scale turbulent flare plumes. Results suggest that instantaneous path-averaged ratios of H2O and soot in the plume follow a skewed distribution, such that limited transects or short-duration sampling flare emission measurements would be subject to bias and uncertainty.


In this work innovative hybrid coupled shear walls (HCSW) are considered, their design is discussed, their efficiency and limitations evaluated by means of nonlinear static (pushover) analysis. Different numbers of storeys, wall geometries and design assumptions are studied in order to give an overview of situations of interest in European seismic prone areas. Experimental tests have been designed to study the performance of the connection of a seismic link embedded in a concrete shear wall. This study is part of a larger research project named INNO-HYCO (INNOvative HYbrid and COmposite steel-concrete structural solutions for building in seismic area) funded by the European Commission.


A mathematical method of finding a surface that focuses a finite size source has been developed. We show its use solving two particularly simple cases in which we compare the energy efficiency of the new surface to the classical elliptical cavities. In the examples given, the new designs are frequently advantageous.


The Self is a series of photo-based videos within an autobiographical conceptual framework in five chapters. It visually illustrates my search for my lost identity and personality as a Persian immigrant artist, using a performative documentary art practice in a poetic and meditative space. After several years of unsuccessful efforts to settle in Canada and to be accepted in Canadian society, I felt that I had lost my self and ego. The concept of the artwork is to create an unconventional visually performative documentary that addresses the question, "Who am I?" This project represents the feeling associated with losing one's self in a visually coded and semiotic artwork in which the audience is invited to decode the visual segments in order to determine the meaning. The main axis of the work is a series of recent self-portraits and personal identification portraits that are superimposed over pictures related to the history and culture of Persia and Iran with an emphasis on contemporary poetry, music, and mystical philosophy.


Contemporary craft, art and design are inseparable from the flows of production and consumption under global capitalism. The New Politics of the Handmade features twenty-three voices who critically rethink the handmade in this dramatically shifting economy.
 The authors examine craft within the conditions of extreme material and economic disparity; a renewed focus on labour and materiality in contemporary art and museums; the political dimensions of craftivism, neoliberalism, and state power; efforts toward urban renewal and sustainability; the use of digital technologies; and craft's connections to race, cultural identity and sovereignty in texts that criss-cross five continents. They claim contemporary craft as a dynamic critical position for understanding the most immediate political and aesthetic issues of our time.


Knowledge of link capacity is important for network design, management, and utilization. With the increasing popularity of asymmetric link technologies (such as DSL, 1xRTT, and satellite links), it is desirable to have a capacity estimation technique, which can simultaneously measure forward and backward direction link capacities on an Internet path. Moreover, this estimation must often be sender only , because of receiver limitations or lack of standards. In this study, we propose a simple, fast and accurate technique, called AsymProbe, to estimate asymmetric link capacities. AsymProbe is a sender only , round trip procedure. It achieves asymmetric link capacity estimation by strategically altering the ratio of probe and acknowledgement packet sizes. Using simulation and testbed experiments, we validate AsymProbe with a variety of network configurations. The results show that AsymProbe can correctly estimate the asymmetric link capacities as long as an appropriate packet size ratio can be employed.


In this paper, the one-dimensional (1-D) fast 8times8 inverse integer transform algorithm for Windows Media Video 9 (WMV-9/VC-1) is proposed. Based on the symmetric property of the integer transform matrix and the matrix operations, which denote the row/column permutations and the matrix decompositions, the efficient fast 1-D 8times8 inverse integer transform is developed. Therefore, the computational complexities of the proposed fast inverse transform are smaller than those of the direct method and the previous fast method. With low complexity, the proposed fast algorithm is suitable to accelerate the video coding computations.


Background and Purpose— Murine heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) protein, which is produced from 2 genes, hsp70.1 and hsp70.3, is known to protect the brain against ischemic injury. However, little information is available on the antiapoptotic mechanism of HSP70.1 protein after cerebral ischemia. To evaluate the role of HSP70.1 protein in ischemia, we analyzed the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway using hsp70.1 knockout (KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) mice. Methods— hsp70.1 KO and WT mice underwent focal ischemia for 120 minutes. DNA fragmentation was evaluated by TUNEL staining. Cytochrome c release and the activation of caspase-3 were analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results— hsp70.1 mRNA was not detected in hsp70.1 KO mice after ischemia, and HSP70 protein expression was markedly suppressed versus WT mice. KO mice showed a significantly greater infarction volume and DNA fragmentation in the cortex than WT mice at 24 hours after ischemia. At 8 hours, cytochrome c release into the cytoplasm was markedly higher in KO mice than in WT mice. Caspase-3 activation was also significantly enhanced in KO mice versus WT mice, as evidenced by higher levels of activated caspase-3 and cleaved gelsolin. Conclusions— These findings suggest that the deletion of the hsp70.1 gene increases cytochrome c release into the cytoplasm and subsequent caspase-3 activation, thereby exacerbating apoptosis after focal cerebral ischemia.


For dairy cattle breeds, mainly the taurine ones, the selection emphasized for many years the increase in milk yields and, as a consequence, the adaptive and reproductive traits were negatively affected. The aim of this study was to verify the influence of genetic and environmental effects on the reproductive traits in a dairy herd selected for high milk production levels. The data set comprised 1,737 first lactations Holsteins cows of Agrindus Farm, located at Southeastern region of Brazil. The records of the following reproductive traits: calving to first heat interval (CFHI), calving to conception interval (CCI) and first to second calving interval (FCI) were analyzed as dependent variables by least squares method using GLM procedure (SAS). Linear models were considered including two production levels (1= less than 9,500 kg and 2= more than 9,501 kg of total milk yield), contemporary group (year and months calving), management group, sire of cow, and the sire used to breeding cows, as classificatory variables. As covariates were included for all traits the peak milk yield in lactation (linear effect), age at calving only for CFHI (linear and quadratic effects) since this effect was not significant for other traits, and CFHI (linear effect) only for FCI. The coefficients of determination represented 24%, 74% and 75%, respectively for CFHI, FCI and CCI models. Production level, peak milk yield and sire effects were significant (P<0.05) for all traits. The average estimated for high and low milk production level were 73 and 79 days, 500 and 601 days, 227 and 330 days for CFHI, FCI and CCI, respectively, suggesting that cows with higher genetic potential for milk had worse reproductive performance. Similarly, lactation peak showed significant effect (P<0.05) for all traits, suggesting higher peaks cows showed also poorer reproductive rates. Sire effect also was a variable that showed significant effect (P<0.01) for all traits, which means that there was additive genetic variability transmitted from one to the other generation. The bull used to mate cows by artificial insemination or by controlled mating and the contemporary group had a significant effect (P<0.01) for FCI and CCI. Bull effect can be explained by semen quality and this effect showed an important variation source in the model and may help the farm to identify causes of reproductive problems. The important genetic association between production and reproduction traits in dairy cattle justifies to include reproductive traits in the breeding goals of dairy cattle breeding programs. There was an important effect of genetic potential of cows to produce milk for IPPC, causing the higher intervals, represented by sire and production level effects on this trait. Although the cow had shown estrus, the conception occurred late.


Abstracf-A simple and sensitive interferometric technique which yields accurate measurements of the 2nd- ,4th- , and 6th-order coefficients of the series expansion for the radial distribution of the dielectric constant of SEI FOC or other GRIN rods is reported. Such data are required, for example, in predicting temporal dispersion in SELFOC fiber waveguides. The interferometer directly measures the relative phase delay along meridionalray paths of different initial field angles. The mathematical analysis consists of finding the 2nd- , 4th-, and 6th-order coefficients which yield the best least squares fit to the measured phase shifts. The 4th-order results are found to be in good agreement with those of I. Kitano and co-workers. As an experimental application we describe a small, mechanically stable, diffraction-limited collimator for use with an optical fiber waveguide.


Although HIV-1 subtype A has predominated in Russia since the end of the 20th century, other viral variants also circulate in this country. The dramatic outbreak of HIV-1 subtype G in 1988-1990 represents the origin of this variant spreading in Russia. However, full genome sequencing of the nosocomial viral variant and an analysis of the current circulating variants have not been conducted. We performed near full-length genome sequencing and phylogenetic and recombination analyses of 11 samples; the samples were determined to be subtype G based on an analysis of the pol region. Three samples were reliably obtained from patients infected during the nosocomial outbreak. The other 8 samples were obtained from patients who were diagnosed in 2010–2015. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that a man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the origin of the outbreak. We also found that currently circulating viral variants that were genotyped as subtype G according to their pol region are in fact unique recombinant forms. These recombinant forms are similar to the BG-recombinants from Western Europe, particularly Spain and Portugal. The limitations of subtyping based on the pol region suggest that these viral variants are more widespread in Europe than is currently supposed.


This paper presents some aspects of COVID-19 impact on cultural tourism and on the museum sector. Museums are closely linked to cultural and heritage tourism, considered a significant attraction.The tourism sector is among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and cultural tourism is not an exception. In 2020 around 95% museums around the world were closed – according to government sanitary regulations. The aim of the research was to identify the impact of COVID-19 disease on cultural tourism (measured by a number of visitors in the most popular museums in 2019 and 2020) and museums' adaptation to the sanitary restrictions during the pandemic time. For a few decades museums have tried to enhance their digital activities such as online educational programmes, online collection display, online exhibitions, live events, learning programs, brochures, podcasts, social media and virtual tours. These activities and various projects became especially important during the lockdown caused by the pandemic outbreak, as many museums continued their missions during the pandemic. Some museums have reopened (with strict limitations defined by sanitary restrictions), but many institutions remain closed. It shows how crucial IT innovations are. The paper concludes with some reflections on museums' offer during the pandemic time and cultural tourism prospects in the post-pandemic time.


This article offers an overview of the range of Asian-Australian writers, within the context of changing historical and political conditions, as well as the complexity of defining a single category of literature written by Australians of Asian heritage. Such a category is difficult to define in strictly nationalistic terms as 'Asian Australian literature': where Australian literature is the controlling noun and 'Asian' functions as an adjective. Some Asian Australian writers are Australian-born, others trace their Asian heritage through several generations; some write in English, others do not. For reasons of space, this essay deals only with anglophone Asian Australian writers. The 'Asia' encompassed by Asian Australian writers is protean, changing as patterns of Asian immigration to Australia changes. 'Asia' in an Australian context is generally taken to refer to the Far East or to Southeast Asia but increasingly migration from South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) has broadened that image. Ethnic Chinese accounts for the largest Asian immigrant group in Australia but 'ethnic Chinese' is not a simple category. Some migrants of Chinese heritage come to Australia direct from the mainland (this is particularly true of the post-1989 generation of migrants) but others migrate out of the Southeast Asian Chinese diaspora and come to Australia via such countries as Singapore, Malaysia, or Indonesia. For these diasporic writers, 'Chineseness' can be a term to which they relate with difficulty. Despite the dominance of Chinese migrants within the Australian understanding of Asia, this essay takes a broad view of what kinds of ethnic background constitute Asianness. The ascription of 'Asianness', regardless of individual background or national inheritance, is an expression of Australia's enduring anti-Asian racism, and we should be keenly aware of this problem when approaching Australian writers of Asian heritage.


A well-known action of nitric oxide (NO) is to stimulate the soluble form of guanylyl cyclase, evoking an accumulation of cyclic GMP in target cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of inhibition of guanylyl cyclase dependent on NO during cardiovascular responses induced by L-glutamate andS-nitrosoglutathione (SNOG) microinjected into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of awake rats. Three days before the experiments, adult male Wistar rats (280 to 320 g) were anesthetized for implantation of guide cannulas to the desired stereotaxic position (AP522.5 mm, L51.8 mm) in relation to lambda. The cannulas were fixed to the skull with acrylic cement. Twenty-four hours before the experiments, a femoral artery and vein were cannulated for recording arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) and injection of anesthetic. Unilateral microinjections (100 nL) of L-glutamate (5 nmol/L) and SNOG (2.5 nmol/L) were made into the histologically confirmed RVLM. The cardiovascular responses to these drugs were evaluated before and after microinjection (3 nmol/L, 200 nL) of either methylene blue or oxodiazoloquinoxaline (ODQ). The hypertensive effect of L-glutamate was attenuated by 74% after methylene blue ( DAP54968 to 1364 mm Hg) and by 80.5% after ODQ ( DAP53062 to 6 2 mm Hg). The increase in AP produced by SNOG was fully blocked by ODQ ( DAP53968 to 162 mm Hg). These data indicate that cyclic GMP mechanisms have a key role in glutamatergic neurotransmission in the RVLM of awake rats, and it is most probable that NO participates in this response. (Hypertension. 1999;34[part 2]:748-751.)


Energy consumption will increase in the next years if the standard of living in industrialized
countries is desired to be maintained. At the same time, and because of
the limited energy-sources and environmental pollution arising from the use of fuels,
energy saving is becoming compulsory [1]. In this context, sustainable technologies
for cooling and heating play an important role. More concretely, heat-driven refrigeration
cycles such as the absorption cycle have received increased attention in
recent years [2]. They are capable of converting waste heat, heat from renewable
energies or from cogeneration systems to a useful refrigeration. As a consequence,
they are seen as an attractive alternative [3],[4]. Absorption systems are quiet, have
a long life cycle, are cheap to maintain and environmentally benign. Nevertheless,
the most often quoted drawbacks are heavy weight and a relatively high initial cost
[2].
Thermal efficiency undoubtedly is an important factor when considering heat-driven
refrigeration cycles. As heat losses are desired to be minimized, the warranty of a
correct insulation is of prime interest. As mentioned in [1], one of the main objectives
for researchers in thermal science is to find the optimum insulation thickness
when concerning both energy saving and economical aspects.
In the present thesis, a thermal analysis of a 10 kW absorption chiller with waterionic
liquid as the working pair has been carried out. As a result, the overall heat
transfer between the chiller and the surroundings has been identified. The parts
of the chiller with an influence on this undesired phenomenon have been detected.
Finally, the possible effect of these heat flows on the efficiency of the chiller has also
been investigated.


: In a study of respiratory function under hyperbaric conditions one diver (TM) was found to have an extremely low ventilatory response to exercise with a postinspiratory pause typical of certain "carbon dioxide retaining divers." The respiratory function of diver TM is compared with that of four other divers having a normal ventilatory response. In exercise at 4 ATA hypoventilation and hypercapnia were potentiated to a greater extent in TM than in the other divers. Diver TM maintained a ventilation 25%-50% lower than that of the other divers and whereas their end-tidal Pco2 remained within reasonable limits (Pco2 less than or equal to 55 mmHg), that of TM rose to levels considered hazardous (Pco2 less than or equal to 76 mmHg). Results suggest that when a diver exhibits a postinspiratory pause in the breathing cycle, mixing of alveolar and dead space gas takes place. As a result, physiological dead space calculated according to the Bohr formula is unusually small. As alveolar Pco2 will rise during postinspiratory pause, mean arterial Pco2 may be lower than end-tidal Pco2. Such a respiratory pattern has a greater ventilatory efficiency than normal and may afford the diver some protection, albeit incomplete, from hypercapnia.


Treatment of immune-mediated neuropathies first requires an accurate diagnosis. The diagnosis is often based on clinical, electrophysiological, and immunological features of the syndrome. The selection of appropriate therapies is then based on the spectrum of response of a syndrome to medications and an assessment of possible side effects. In neuropathies with associated serum immunoglobulin M autoantibodies, such as anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein and motor syndromes, the choices of therapy are often limited to cytotoxic agents and, in some cases, intravenous immunoglobulin. In neuropathies with immunoglobulin G antibodies in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid, such as sensory neuronopathies associated with anti-Hu antibodies, there is no well-documented response to any immunotherapy. The general principles regarding therapy of immune neuropathies will be discussed with a focus on diagnosis and treatment options of the demyelinating and immunoglobulin M antibody-associated neuropathies.


Smart technology markets are making best of their efforts for delivering products with high quality, competitive prices and within prescribed time bounds to their geographically scattered customers. In order to achieve their strategic and tactical goals with a positive return on investment, companies are using a blend of various well known industrial solutions. A new innovative and a little drifting concept is in practice now-a-days termed as 'Front Loading Innovation (FLI)' which basically encompasses the product complete during its whole life cycle. This paper discusses the diffusion status of FLI in the Smarttechnology market, its benefits and future prospects, predicting and forecasting its future marketing potential using appropriate tools and methodologies and to report AS-WAS and AS-IS situation of the main stakeholders after diffusion of this innovation. With the successful diffusion of the concept of FLI in its true spirit, Smart-technology companies may have to positively deal with ever increasing brutal challenges of cost, quality and on-time delivery.


Electrodeposited Ni films were produced by using four types of electrodeposition methods, direct current without additive (DC), direct current with additive (AD), square pulse without additive (SP) and square pulse with additive (AS). The <100> texture was obtained by using the DC method at about 20 °C and by using the AD and the AS methods at about 80°C. The <110> texture was obtained by using the DC and the SP methods at about 80 °C. When using the AS method, the surface roughness of Ni deposit was lower than that of Ni deposits after using the other electrodepositon methods and the microstructure of Ni deposits showed nanocrystalline grain size. The <100> textures of Ni deposits using the DC and the AS methods remained unchanged after the recrystallization process. The <110> texture of Ni deposits using the SP method at about 80 °C changed to < 3 1 0> orientation after the recrystallization process.


Based on case studies of five Third World countries - Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, Indonesia, and Suriname - Gillies explores the extent to which policy principles were applied in practice, showing that consistent, coordinated, and principled action is elusive even for countries with a reputation for internationalism. He highlights the growing rift between North Atlantic democracies and emerging Asian economic powers, the effectiveness of using aid sanctions to defend human rights, and the vicissitudes of human rights programming in emerging democracies. On a theoretical level, Gillies examines the explanatory power of political realism and the scope for ethical conduct in a world of states. Linking policy assertiveness with perceived costs to other national interests, he constructs a framework for analysing policy actions and applies it to his various case studies, concluding that when it comes to human rights the gap between principle and practice is still far too wide.


Wiki technology is one of the hottest research domains nowadays. The idea of integrating Wiki with digital library brings us new way to improve the quality of information retrieval and service in digital library. This paper presents a new retrieval model based on Wiki technology in literature retrieval system. Experiments designed show that the recall and precision of the new system are much better than the traditional ones.


Large-scale wireless sensor networks represent a new generation of real-time embedded systems with significantly different communication constraints from traditional networked systems. This paper presents RAP, a new real-time communication architecture for large-scale sensor networks. RAP provides convenient, high-level query and event services for distributed micro-sensing applications. Novel location-addressed communication models are supported by a scalable and light-weight network stack. We present and evaluate a new packet scheduling policy called velocity monotonic scheduling that inherently accounts for both time and distance constraints. We show that this policy is particularly suitable for communication scheduling in sensor networks in which a large number of wireless devices are seamlessly integrated into a physical space to perform real-time monitoring and control. Detailed simulations of representative sensor network environments demonstrate that RAP significantly reduces the end-to-end deadline miss ratio in the sensor network.


The Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite was launched on November 21, 2000, as part of a one-year technology demonstration mission. The mission was extended because of the value it continued to add to the scientific community. EO-1 has now been operational for more than a decade, providing both multispectral and hyperspectral measurements. As part of the EO-1 mission, the Advanced Land Imager (ALI) sensor demonstrates a potential technological direction for the next generation of Landsat sensors. To evaluate the ALI sensor capabilities as a precursor to the Operational Land Imager (OLI) onboard the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM, or Landsat 8 after launch), its measured top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectances were compared to the well-calibrated Landsat 7 (L7) Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) and the Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors in the reflective solar bands (RSB). These three satellites operate in a near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit 705 km above the Earth's surface. EO-1 was designed to fly one minute behind L7 and approximately 30 minutes in front of Terra. In this configuration, all the three sensors can view near-identical ground targets with similar atmospheric, solar, and viewing conditions. However, because of the differences in the relative spectral response (RSR), the measured physical quantities can be significantly different while observing the same target. The cross-calibration of ALI with ETM+ and MODIS was performed using near-simultaneous surface observations based on image statistics from areas observed by these sensors over four desert sites (Libya 4, Mauritania 2, Arabia 1, and Sudan 1). The differences in the measured TOA reflectances due to RSR mismatches were compensated by using a spectral band adjustment factor (SBAF), which takes into account the spectral profile of the target and the RSR of each sensor. For this study, the spectral profile of the target comes from the near-simultaneous EO-1 Hyperion data over these sites. The results indicate that the TOA reflectance measurements for ALI agree with those of ETM+ and MODIS to within 5% after the application of SBAF.


The author believes that developing countries (DC), in particular Nepal, need to urgently develop a culturally appropriate national strategy if they wish information technology (IT) to have a positive impact on their overall socio‐economic development. While countries like Singapore claim to have very successful national strategies, the long‐term impact on the country's social development may have been over looked. Left unchecked the technological marketplace will impose a hard‐to‐reverse negative role on small countries like Nepal. This will make it increasingly difficult for Nepal to decide its is own long‐term preferences for social and economic development. Put bluntly, these countries need to decide what they want from the global technology marketplace and then work out how they are going to achieve it. It is believed that hard technological determinism can only be countered by very real and well thought out national strategies. The paper argues that the national IT strategy will need to address the issues of resistance to change due to cultural, personal and infrastructure factors, be very culturally sensitive and, given the rate change of the technology, will need to be constructed as an evolving, and learning system. The first stage in the development of such a system is to design an appropriate forum for discussion, and a well‐constituted and ongoing decision‐making protocol. It seems appropriate that in countries with a less than thriving technology marketplace, it is incumbent on their Government to provide a lead in this complex undertaking.


In 1964, Irwin Shapiro pointed out that electromagnetic waves traveling near a gravitational well of a star were delayed due to relativistic Gravitational Time Dilation (GTD). This paper proposes that traveling energy quanta (mainly vacuum energy and gravitational waves, as well as neutrinos, electromagnetic waves, cosmic rays, stellar winds, and all other kinds of waves and relativistic particles yet to be discovered) accumulate in a Density Wave like mechanism around the galactic and cosmic scale structures because of Shapiro Delay. Ultimately, the accumulative effect is a substantial increase in energy density when seen from frames of reference far from the regions where it occurs. The higher energy density is imperceptible for an observer within its own frame of reference since the proposed mechanism nature is relativistic. The higher concentration of travelling energy quanta around galaxies and galaxy clusters is creating extra gravitational distortion in spacetime with its mass equivalent. The Relativistically Accumulated Mass Equivalent Mechanism (RAMEN), using the proposed model, matches without free parameters the tested local group galaxy rotation curves for all orbits using the same traveling energy density value. The paper proposes how all observations of "Dark Matter" can be easily explained by RAMEN. It predicts the existence of a Universe Traveling Energy Density in disagreement by several orders of magnitude with currently accepted Universe Critical Energy Density. The paper discusses how the Casimir Effect experiments directly confirm with less than 5% disagreement with Quantum Field Theory the existence of higher energy densities in the vacuum. It also discusses how we may have misunderstood the nature of the predominant form of energy in the universe and that have prevented us from understanding the gravitational anomalies attributed to "Dark Matter".


Studies on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change require huge amounts of data. Generally, these data can be inducted directly from measuring devices or from different systems like geographical information systems and other specific systems, which are used for experimental data storage and management. Database technology has come a long way over the years, however even with these advances in technology and the availability of supercomputers processing large amounts of data from different data storage methods is still a challenge. In the present study, one physical data table was generated for data-manipulation and data storage using a web-developed platform. Data storage with four-column usage assures the possibility for continuous refinement during the research processes. It is because of the determination of new variables after the entity identification process.


ABSTRACT
KENNY MONICA KEMAL P, 2011, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE NOVEL "DOLORES CLAIBORNE" by STEPHEN KING. Thesis, English Department, Faculty of Language and Literature, State University of Makassar. Supervised by Abdullah and M. Hasbi.
This writing focused on the domestic violence in the novel Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King especially the kinds of domestic violence and the causes of domestic violence.
The data in this research was divided into two kinds, they were taken from the novel of Dolores Claiborne and other materials (reference from books, internet pages, magazine articles and dictionary, such as theory about novel, domestic violence and pure structuralism approach), which were relevant to the topic.
The result of this analysis, first, the writer explained the intrinsic analysis which consist of theme, character analysis, settings, plot and point of view. Second, the writer explained the kinds of domestic violence in the novel and the causes of domestic violence in the novel.


As restrictions on water use, fertilization, and pesticide applications continue to increase, golf course superintendents will need to use grass species that require reduced inputs. The objective of this study was to evaluate alternative turfgrass species under low-input fairways conditions. In 2005, 17 species were established on native soil in St. Paul, MN. Each species was evaluated at three levels of traffic (zero, three, or six passes per week using a drum-type traffic simulator) and two mowing heights (1.90 and 2.54 cm). Data collected included turfgrass quality and percent living stand density. In 2006, velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina L.), colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris L.), and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) maintained acceptable quality in all treatment combinations. In 2007, Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L. ssp. fallax) and sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.) were the top-performing species regardless of treatment. Hard fescue (Festuca brevipila Tracey) performed poorly in Year 1 and well in Year 2. All other species did not perform at an acceptable level during the study. The results of this study indicate that sheep fescue, Chewings fescue, colonial bentgrass, and velvet bentgrass should be studied further for use on low-input golf course fairways in the northern United States.


We describe here a broad diversity in phenotype among dogs in southern China's rural areas, previously relatively unknown outside of China. These dogs display a much broader spectrum of diversity than is observed for the Indian Pariah Dog and the Australian Dingo, which are of a more uniform type and popularly thought to be typical for South Asian dogs and to represent the primitive morphology of the earliest domestic dogs. We show here that the village dog population of southern China harbors a broad diversity of morphological features, for color, body structure and size, coat texture, ear, and tail set, that are otherwise typically associated with the wide variety of Western dog breeds and assumed to be the result of intense selective breeding. The diversity of southern China's dogs is cast in the light of mtDNA and Y-chromosome DNA studies showing that the genetic diversity is distinctly higher in southern East Asia than in the rest of the world, indicating that this was the geographical origins of today's dog. These data suggest that the diverse morphologies of European dogs may have been formed from genetic "building blocks" still present in the dog population of rural southern China.


The viscoelastic behavior of phosphonate derivatives of phosphonylated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was studied by dynamic mechanical techniques. The polymers investigated contained from 0.2 to 9.1 phosphonate groups per 100 carbon atoms and included the dimethyl phosphonate derivative and two derivatives for which the phosphonate ester group was an oligomer of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The temperature dependences of the storage and loss moduli of the dimethyl phosphonate derivatives were qualitatively similar to those of LDPE. At low phosphonate concentrations, the α, β, and γ dispersion regions characteristic of PE were observed, while at concentrations greater than 0.5 pendent groups per 100 carbons atoms, only the β and α relaxations could be discerned. At low degrees of substitution, the temperature of the β relaxation Tβ decreased from that of PE, but above a degree of substitution of 0.1, Tβ increased. This behavior was attributed to the competing influences of steric effects which tend to decrease Tβ and dipolar interactions between the phosphonate groups which increase Tβ. For the phosphonate containing PEO, a new dispersion region designated as the β′ relaxation was observed as a low-temperature shoulder of the β relaxation. The temperature of the β′ loss was consistent with Tg(U) of the PEO oligomers as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, and it is suggested that the β′-loss process results from the relaxation of PEO domains which constitute a discrete phase within the PE matrix.


This survey, Let them kill each other, has its aim and purpose to analyze how two of Swedens biggest tabloids, Aftonbladet and Expressen, reported about the Dayton agreement (also known as Dayton Accords, Paris Protocol and Dayton-Paris Agreement). To do so we analyzed both editorials and regular articles from 1995-10-09 to 1995-12-16. We discovered that the main opinion, both regarding editorials and articles, had a negative posture about the possibility for the partners to come to an agreement, and also later on, for the agreement to persist. We also found that the majority of the articles and editorials indicated a plain portrayal of whoever was the "winning" and "losing" side of the agreement.


This study answers two key questions: (1) which emotions lead to what kinds of political talk and (2) when do these emotions lead to political talk? We employ a novel approach to understanding the relationship between emotion and communication by assessing the role of emotion regulation (ER) ability and group-based motives for regulation, using Intergroup Emotions Theory and theories of motivated emotion regulation. Using a nationally representative sample of parents during the 2016 U.S. election, we find that the link between emotion and talk depends on the kind of talk considered, the type of emotion, and its consistency with one's partisan identity. We discuss the utility of these approaches in specifying the relationship between emotion and communication and the implications of an ER approach for communication across contexts and modalities. This study contributes to a theoretical understanding of emotion and talk in a highly partisan and polarized context.


The interest in advanced composites in repairing and strengthening infrastructure systems has considerably increased, especially as the application externally bonded (EB) fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) has become more well established. Previous research on bond behavior has focused on impact of durability by considering exposure to harsh environmental conditions and testing the specimens after exposure, rather than testing bond performance during exposure. The influence of directly applying temperature on bond behavior represents an open topic that needs to be investigated in more detail. This study is one of the first studies to investigate the bond behavior when the composite is subjected to tension force simultaneously with applying temperature. The temperatures considered in this study were at freezing, ambient, and high temperature, which are more representative of structural elements under field conditions. A total of 16 specimens were strengthened and tested under single-lap direct shear. The key parameters investigated include (a) the type of fiber [laminate carbon vs. wet layup glass] (b) the level of temperature applied on specimen, including ambient condition 21°C (70 °F), freeze condition -18 °C (0 °F) and hot weather 49 °C (120 °F), and (c) the exposure regime (direct exposure during loading process vs. loading after exposure). Most of the specimens were subjected to tension force simultaneously with applying temperature, and the other specimens were later tested after exposure to the heating and cooling cycles. These cycles are proposed to simulate 20 years of the typical in-situ weather conditions in the Central United States. The results showed that overall the EB strengthening systems exhibited good performance when subjected to cycles of heating and cooling prior to testing. High reduction of FRP-epoxy bond properties was up to 59% when exposed to high service temperatures. Different modes of failure were observed such as debonding at fiber-matrix interface and debonding due to shearing in laminate. Copyright © 2018 VBRI Press.


Introduction In mid-2012, we decided to create a volunteer service to complement our Hospice at Home service, extend our ability to support a patient's choice to remain at home at the end of their life and widen the reach of our services. The vision is for volunteers to support end of life clients in their own local communities through such activities as walking the dog, hanging out washing, taking the children to school, shopping, light gardening, or simply providing companionship. Method A project group was set up to monitor and support the project's progress and a project manager was appointed. Current service provision was scoped to ensure that the Hospice Neighbours scheme is not only required but also complements any service provision already in place. The project manager worked closely with Adult Social Care, General Practitioners and local community groups. Starting first in three pilot areas, we have so far recruited over 40 volunteers. A bespoke training programme was developed and delivered to our first group of Hospice Neighbours volunteers. The aim of the training has been to provide practical support and advice such as, food hygiene training, fire safety awareness (kindly supported by the Fire Service), lone working etc. The feedback received from our new volunteers has been extremely positive with all of them feeling confident in their new volunteering role. Progress We are now supporting our first clients in their own homes. The project manager undertakes an initial risk assessment visit to meet the client, discuss their needs; and then matches a volunteer to the client. Nominations for client support are increasing and our intention is to roll out the service across the whole of our area over the coming year. We are now recruiting volunteers and clients for the next three areas.


The NHS in England faces a decade of austerity, and a squeeze on spending is likely to last at least until 2021-2, concludes a new analysis commissioned by the Nuffield Trust and carried out by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.1

In spite of the relative protection given to health spending by the government, demographic changes and cost inflation mean that under almost any imaginable scenario the NHS budget will rise more slowly than the likely demand. The immediate challenge of making £15bn (€20bn; $24bn) to £20bn of savings in four years during this parliament—the tightest four year period of funding for the NHS in the past half century—will continue into the next four years.

"If NHS productivity does not increase sufficiently fast to bridge the gap between funding and demand pressures, then access to and quality of care is likely to deteriorate," the report says. "Serious thought must …


Last Year at Betty and Bob's: An Actual Occasion is the third in a series of three novellas emerging from a writing practice that taps the cusp of consciousness between dreaming and waking. An Actual Occasion revisits the viral transitioning of the becoming rat-woman from Last Year at Betty and Bob's: A Novelty (vol. 1 in the trilogy). The adventure focuses on the Gritta's, a gang of artists on retreat in the Dolomite Mountains, as they engage with the idiosyncratic, keeper of the keys, Roberta. Her other-worldly Café Arcadia, a magical cathedral of voluminous aphorism, is an archival refuge and durational homage to Benjaminian storytelling. This futurist fairy-tale is tinged with a curious mix of 19th-century feminist idioms and a queer, post-pandemic sanguinity.


The effects on employment of the recent economic crisis have become evident and persistent in many OECD countries, exacerbating on the one hand the demand for more flexibility by the firms; on the other the need to ensure workers security. 'Flexicurity', an institutional frame implementing a progressive flexibility of the labor market and at the same time guaranteeing its stability, has been defined as a successful model at the EU level before the crisis. The objective of this paper is therefore to empirically assess the effect of a micro-level measure of flexicurity on workers' job satisfaction using individual-level data from the longitudinal Swiss Household Panel (SHP), related to temporary and permanent employees in Switzerland for the period 2005 to 2011. Switzerland provides a particularly appropriate market to examine the potential effects of flexicurity type arrangements due to the relatively high incidence of flexible employment contracts. To this end, the sample of workers is disaggregated into different groups according to their employment contract and their perceived job security; we therefore analyse whether workers who are heterogeneous in terms of both the type of labour contract and their perceived security do also differ with regard to life satisfaction and specific aspects of the job satisfaction. Usually satisfaction variables, given the ordinal nature of the dependent variable, are analysed using ordered probit models. Van Praag and Ferrer-i-Carbonell (2006), however, developed a procedure, called Probit (OLS) or POLS, that consists in transforming an ordinal dependent variable in a "pseudo" continuous one, and allows the application of a linear model. With longitudinal data the POLS method permits for the inclusion of individual level fixed effects. Our methodology at first estimates a linear fixed effects model, thus controlling for unobserved time-invariant characteristics, while in a second step we implement a two-stage model to control for endogeneity. We also extend our analysis and seek to identify how insecurity affects temporary workers compared to permanent workers examining the impact of regional labour market conditions: we examine the effects on relative satisfaction and perceptions of security on workers in the seven Swiss statistical regions. First results show that job stability and perceived security are not necessary associated, and that job satisfaction is relatively low, mainly when perceived job security is low. The relationship between wellbeing and job security also varies according to regional employment conditions. This indicates that the duration of the contract may be less important if the worker perceives that he is not at risk of unemployment; in this regard, from a policy point of view, a greater 'flexicurity' can be obtained either directly from employer, adopting changes in work organization, or indirectly by policy makers through an appropriate mix of active labour market policies.


The digital recording of torture at Abu Ghraib has left pictures which are likely to be the defining images of the war in Iraq. This paper is an attempt to understand the images and why so many critics sought to locate the origins of the cruelty in US popular culture. Internet pornography, reality television and campus humiliation rituals are among the sources said to have inspired the brutality. While such explanations are more than plausible, they ignore the much longer history of violent representation that figures in the European classical art tradition, which all too frequently has justified imperial ambition, colonial conquest, and belief in racial superiority, while eroticizing bodies in pain. In the rush to situate the images well within the terms of a lowly popular culture a fuller understanding of their visual power is lost, as is their place in the cultural politics of torture more generally. The paper begins by outlining influential understandings of photography and atrocity images, before considering the differing explanations of the abuse. In taking a cue from recent scholarship in 'trauma studies', the argument is that human suffering should not be reduced to a set of aesthetic concerns, but is fundamentally bound up with the politics of testimony and memory — issues that have been pursued in some of the images produced after Abu Ghraib and which are discussed in the final section of the paper.


We show that any family of subsets $A\subseteq 2^{[n]}$ satisfies $\lvert A\rvert \leq O\bigl(n^{\lceil{d}/{2}\rceil}\bigr)$, where $d$ is the VC dimension of $\{S\triangle T \,\vert\, S,T\in A\}$, and $\triangle$ is the symmetric difference operator. We also observe that replacing $\triangle$ by either $\cup$ or $\cap$ fails to satisfy an analogous statement. Our proof is based on the polynomial method; specifically, on an argument due to [Croot, Lev, Pach '17].


It is usual at the end of a year for top tens to feature large in our collective consciousness. These inevitably include the occasional controversial selection and without fail will overlook a number of gems, whether in the field of literature, art, or science. The approaches to such compilations include personal selections, convening expert committees through to letting the market decide. However, it is well recognised that experts can be wrong and markets distorted. A novel approach to identifying the key publications in the field of medicine, Faculty of 1000 Medicine (http://www.f1000medicine.com), uses faculty evaluations to assign ratings to published papers within topics and categories, bringing a flavour of the dynamism of post hoc peer review to biological sciences that exists in other fields of scholarship. Archives of Disease in Childhood has also developed a market led system of peer evaluation through its web based top ten most read articles feature.


Malawi is one of the most densely populated and least developed countries in the world. Agriculture is the main source of external revenue and 90% of the population is employed in this sector. The population, 85% of whom live in rural areas, is mostly dependent on biomass in the form of firewood for their energy needs. One of the main challenges facing Malawi is deforestation and the use of efficient stoves provides an opportunity to reduce the dependency on firewood. The purpose of the case study presented in this paper was to validate factors for the selection of renewable energy technologies in Africa which were previously identified during a Delphi study. The focus of this case study was on the efficient stove program currently being undertaken in Malawi. Questionnaires were developed to structure discussions and interviews were conducted in Malawi with individuals from the Malawian Ministry of Energy, producers of efficient stoves and households that use efficient stove installations. Secondary data were also collected in the form of different reports on the project. The primary data obtained from the interviews and the secondary data in the reports were analyzed by comparing the information with the factors previously defined during the Delphi study. This paper discusses the results, which confirm that most of the factors identified during the Delphi study were indeed seen as important for project success during the selection of efficient stove technology in Malawi.


A nine year-long study on planktonic foraminifer fluxes was conducted in the Bering Sea (Station AB) and the central subarctic Pacific (Station SA). Mathematical analyses were carried out in order to decipher the consequences of temporal variation of foraminifer fluxes and their faunal assemblages with the oceanographic variability. As a result of R-mode (true) factor analysis, four factors were recognized: Warm Water Factor; Seasonal Factor; Temperature Factor; and Oligotrophic Factor. The temporal variations of these four factors appeared to correspond to the oceanographic changes occurred at each of the stations. Among the temperature-related factors, Temperature Factor showed reasonable correlation coefficients with SST anomaly at both stations (Station AB: $ r=0.57 $; Station SA: $ r=0.83 $). Notable high scores of Warm Water Factor occurred during 1997 at Station SA. During this period, a significant suppression of the other measured biogenic particles such as diatoms occurred. This extraordinary event observed at Station SA may be a reflection of the large scale climatic shift. The temporal variation of Oligotrophic Factor at each of the stations demonstrated different oceanographic features which controlled the local primary production. At hemipelagic Station AB, the temporal variation of the SST anomaly, which is a measure of controlling the subsurface nutrient supply to surface layer, was the significant feature influential to the local primary production. On the other hand, the power balance between the Alaskan Stream and the Subarctic Current influenced most to the local primary production at pelagic Station SA. The Maximum Entropy Method revealed that temporal variation of foraminifer fluxes, their relative abundances, and the factor scores fluctuated with significant periodicity. Most fluxes of foraminifer taxa at Stations AB and SA showed significant seasonal (six month, and twelve month-long) and inter-annual (twenty to forty month-long) cycles. Seasonal cycles were attributed to the occurrence of the primary flux maxima, which occurred in fall (Station AB) and spring (Station SA), and the secondary maxima appeared in spring (Station AB) and fall (Station SA). The periodicities of the relative abundances were the most significant for the twelve month-long cycle. The nine year-long monthly means of the relative abundances and their twelve month-long cycles indicated the preference of each of the foraminiferal taxa in a specific condition. Contrary, the periodicity of four factors tended to appear inter-annually, except for Seasonal Factor. It was the only factor with twelve month-long cycle. The other factors appeared to have twenty to forty month-long cycles. The inter-annual cycle of these factors may be a reflection of the large scale climatic shift occurred in the Bering Sea and the subarctic Pacific during 1990 to 1999.


UNITED KINGDOM Where Now for Labour? Michael Jacobs MARGARET THATCHER'S crushing victory in the general election secures her place in history as the first prime minister this century to win three consecutive terms of office. With an overall majority in the new parliament of 101 seats, the Tories will continue with the radical policies of their first eight years. The next stages promised in the Thatcher Revolution' include the wholesale selling-off of council houses to private property companies, the privatisation of the last remaining public utilities, including the water authorities and the electricity board, further reductions in direct taxation, and the gradual dismantling of the-comprehensive state education system in favour of grant- aided, fee-paying and selective schools. Margaret Thatcher announced no measures to reduce unemployment from its current 3.2m (14 per cent).


The hypothesis that emerging economies are decoupling from industrialised countries has aroused a lot of controversy. However, part of the problem in this debate is that it's still difficult to define and measure decoupling per se. This paper creates and calculates a precise indicator for decoupling and applies it both to the dynamics existing between advanced economies and large regions of emerging economies (Asia, Europe and Latin America), and also to the trends observed within these regions. Based on this exercise we can state that, in the last few years, the economy has tended to combine a high degree of globalisation with a tendency to reduce decoupling, although this has been affected by the Great Recession. However, the decoupling indicators calculated suggest that the Chinese cycle is starting to consolidate its position as a benchmark for emerging Asia, while the cycle in emerging Europe is becoming more synchronised with that of industrialised countries. JEL Codes: E32, F02


Synthetic aperture radar tomography (TomoSAR) extends the synthetic aperture principle into the elevation direction for 3-D imaging. It uses stacks of several acquisitions from slightly different viewing angles (the elevation aperture) to reconstruct the reflectivity function along the elevation direction by means of spectral analysis for every azimuth-range pixel. The new class of meter-resolution spaceborne SAR systems (TerraSAR-X and COSMO-Skymed) offers a tremendous improvement in tomographic reconstruction of urban areas and man-made infrastructure. The high resolution fits well to the inherent scale of buildings (floor height, distance of windows, etc.). This paper demonstrates the tomographic potential of these SARs and the achievable quality on the basis of TerraSAR-X spotlight data of urban environment. A new Wiener-type regularization to the singular-value decomposition method-equivalent to a maximum a posteriori estimator-for TomoSAR is introduced and is extended to the differential case (4-D, i.e., space-time). Different model selection schemes for the estimation of the number of scatterers in a resolution cell are compared and proven to be applicable in practice. Two parametric estimation algorithms of the scatterers' elevation and their velocities are evaluated. First 3-D and 4-D reconstructions of an entire building complex (including its radar reflectivity) with very high level of detail from spaceborne SAR data by pixelwise TomoSAR are presented.


In this paper the role of institutions in determining foreign direct investment (FDI) is investigated using a large panel of 107 countries during 1981 and 2005. We find that institutions are a robust predictor of FDI and that the most significant institutional aspects are linked to propriety rights, the rule of law and expropriation risk. Using a novel data set, we also study the impact of institutions on FDI at the sectoral level. We find that institutions do not have a significant impact on FDI in the primary sector but that institutional quality matters for FDI in manufacturing and particularly in services. We also provide policy implications for institutional reform.


Abstract Efficient estimation of parameters is a major objective in analyzing longitudinal data. We propose two generalized empirical likelihood-based methods that take into consideration within-subject correlations. A nonparametric version of the Wilks theorem for the limiting distributions of the empirical likelihood ratios is derived. It is shown that one of the proposed methods is locally efficient among a class of within-subject variance-covariance matrices. A simulation study is conducted to investigate the finite sample properties of the proposed methods and compares them with the block empirical likelihood method by You et al. (2006) and the normal approximation with a correctly estimated variance-covariance. The results suggest that the proposed methods are generally more efficient than existing methods that ignore the correlation structure, and are better in coverage compared to the normal approximation with correctly specified within-subject correlation. An application illustrating our methods and supporting the simulation study results is presented.


A severe convective wind gust climatology spanning 2003-2009 for the contiguous United States is developed using measured Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), and Oklahoma Mesonet wind observations. National Lightning Detection Network and Radar Mosaic/Level II data are used amongst other quality control checks to identify and remove erroneous observational data. The filtered observations are then time matched with a number of diagnostic mesoanalysis fields from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) for assessment of the severe convective wind gust environments. These data are then binned based on season and geographic region in order to identify atmospheric regimes characteristic to different parts of the country. The filtered observations are compared to storm reports archived by the SPC. Finally, a relatively denser surface observing network in Oklahoma is utilized to determine how consistently severe convective wind gusts are recorded by differing networks (i.e. ASOS/AWOS and Oklahoma Mesonet). This study characterizes and contextualizes observations associated with southeast weak shear environments and contiguous U.S. strong deep layer shear, higher CAPE atmospheric regimes. Additionally, results exemplify the usefulness and necessity of a dense observing system network and demonstrate that the highest frequency of measured wind gusts occur throughout the southern and central High Plains and in a corridor from South Dakota across the southern Great Lakes region.


Group buying websites typically need a pre-determined minimum number of buyers for a deal before that deal is on. With the proliferation of these websites, it becomes very crucial for marketers to understand how they can capture online group sales early. Consumers at group buying websites are usually not aware of the deals prior visiting the websites. Therefore purchases made at group buying websites are usually impulse purchases, i.e. unplanned buys. With a 24-hour countdown timer or an indication of the number of deals sold in real time, consumers may be misled into committing to purchases, which may cause them to have negative feelings and hence low loyalty. This study therefore serves to investigate loyalty in group buying websites. In trying to "tempt" consumers to buy the deals impulsively, it is important to understand how this will eventually affect their loyalty. Knowing what can motivate consumers to make a purchase as early as possible is also important. Our findings help group buying websites understand how they can better design their online platforms so that they can get consumers to commit fast, while still build loyalty in them. This is very important in ensuring the long-term survival of group buying websites.


This article examines the changing role of cyberactivists before and after the Jasmine Revolution through case studies of three prominent figures: Houssem Aoudi (Cogite, Wasaibi), Sami Ben Gharbia (Nawaat.org), and Haythem el Mekki (MosaiqueFM, Attessia TV). The main argument presented here is that the attainment of freedom of the Internet and the success of the revolt created new opportunities for formal political involvement for the cyberactivists as they transited from dissidents under the Ben Ali regime to citizen-participants of a nascent democratic order. A subsidiary argument is that a new generation of Tunisian leadership came to the fore of Tunisia's private and public spheres to advance the stated aims of the revolution, including inter alia combating unemployment, securing civil liberties, stemming corruption, and the ever deepening of pro-democracy reforms.


: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is the initial stage of atrial fibrillation, one of the most common arrhythmia types. PAF worsens with time and affects the patient's life quality negatively. In this study, we aimed to diagnose PAF early, so patients can start taking precautions before this disease gets worse. We used the atrial fibrillation prediction database, an open data from Physionet and constructed our approach using convolutional neural networks. Heart rate variability (HRV) features are calculated from time-domain measures, frequency-domain measures using power spectral density estimations (fast Fourier transform, Lomb–Scargle, and Welch periodogram), time-frequency-domain measures using wavelet transform, and nonlinear Poincare plot measures. We also normalized these features using min-max normalization and z-score normalization methods. In addition, we also applied alternatively the heart rate normalization (HRN), which gave promising results in a few HRV-based research, before calculating these features. Thus, HRV data, HRN data, and HRV features extracted from six different combinations of these normalizations, in addition to no normalization cases, were applied to the convolutional neural networks classifier. We tuned the classifiers using 90% of samples and tested the classifiers' performances using 10% of data. The proposed approach resulted in 95.92% accuracy, 100% precision, 91.84% recall, and 95.74% f1-score in HRV with z-score feature normalization. When the heart rate normalization was also applied, the proposed approach reached 100% accuracy, 100% precision, 100% recall, and 100% f1-score in HRV with z-score feature normalization. The proposed method with heart rate normalization and z-score normalization methods resulted in better classification performance than similar studies in the literature. In addition, although deep learning models offer no use of separate feature extraction processes, this study reveals that using HRV-specific feature extraction techniques may improve the performance of deep learning algorithms in HRV-based studies. Comparing the existing studies, we concluded that our approach provides a much better tool to diagnose PAF patients.


A capacitorless DRAM cell, floating-body/gate cell (FBGC), is experimentally presented with planar partially depleted SOI CMOS technology. The specially designed gate/drain underlap and gate/source overlap of the first transistor enable long worst case retention time as well as the fast write speed. The operation power dissipation is dramatically reduced while maintaining high sense margin. In addition, FBGC demonstrates excellent endurance performance and nondestructive read operation.


Objective: Serum vitamin D is shown to be decreased and associated with higher thyroid volumes in Graves disease (GD). We aimed to investigate the relationship between thyroid volume and baseline serum vitamin D status in newly diagnosed GD patients. Methods: This was a single-center cross-sectional study with a total of 61 new-onset GD patients (n=61, F: 40, M: 21) who were divided into two groups, according to baseline serum vitamin D levels, as Group-1 (vitamin D <20; n: 42) and Group-2 (vitamin D ≥20; n=19). Thyroid volume (mL) and isthmus measurements (mm) were compared between the two groups. Results: There was an inverse correlation between the baseline serum vitamin D levels and thyroid volume, thyroid receptor autoantibodies (TRAb), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (p=0.02, r=-0.31; p=0.005, r=-0.36; p=0.04, r=-0.26; p=0.02, r=-0.32, respectively). Thyroid volume was also correlated with serum free thyroxine (fT4), fT3, TRAb, and thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (TPOAb; p=0.001, r=0.426; p=0.001, r=0.50; p=0.04, r=0.26; p=0.001, r=0.42, respectively). Low vitamin D and high thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) levels were significantly associated with thyroid volume based on a regression analysis (p=0.03, odds ratio [OR]:18.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34-260.91 and p=0.04, OR: 16.6, 95% CI: 1.07-255.64, respectively). Conclusion: Baseline serum vitamin D levels are inversely related with thyroid volumes, fT3, and TRAb levels in new-onset GD. In addition to several advantages, optimization of vitamin D levels would also be beneficial in the surveillance of these patients. However, larger scale studies are required to make further suggestions.


BACKGROUND
Several studies suggest that acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is less effective in preventing thrombotic events in ASA nonresponder patients. If so, the thrombotic event rate in ASA nonresponders should be higher than in ASA responders.

OBJECTIVE
To conduct a prospective, multicentre observational pilot study to determine the thrombotic event rates in ASA responders and nonresponders.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Patients undergoing nonurgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) who were prescribed 325 mg ASA/day were recruited. Patients were classified as an ASA responder or nonresponder based on the ASA effect (or lack thereof) on their bleeding times. All thrombotic events that occurred in the two years following CABG were recorded. These data were stored in a blinded fashion until the last patient follow-up, and then adjudicated by a validation committee.

RESULTS
A total of 289 patients recruited at three sites completed the two-year follow-up. Of these patients, 45.3% were classified as ASA responders and 54.7% were classified as ASA nonresponders. Of ASA responders, 6.9% had thrombotic events compared with 9.5% of the ASA nonresponders, but this difference was not significant (P=0.526).

CONCLUSIONS
While ASA responder or nonresponder status did not appear to affect the thrombotic event rate in patients undergoing nonurgent CABG, the possibility that ASA responder or nonresponder status affects the thrombotic event rate in more acutely ill CABG patients cannot be excluded.


Serum samples from 218 small mammals trapped in forest and grassland in the Ardennes region (North-eastern France) were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. Using the modified agglutination test, positive results were found in 4/92 Apodemus sp., 3/64 Clethrionomys glareolus, 0/26 Microtus agrestis, 0/4 Micromys minutus, 3/5 Sorex sp., 2/9 Arvicola terrestris, and 7/18 Talpa europaea. Toxoplasma gondii was not isolated from the heart of seropositive individuals after bioassay in mice. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in large fossorial mammals living in grassland than in small forest mammals, probably related to ecological factors.


The prune belly syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly which is characterized by the triad of an absent or a deficient development of the abdominal muscle, bilateral cryptorchidism and an anomalous urinary tract. In its full form, this condition occurs only in males. However, a similar condition occurs in females in the absence of cryptorchidism. On the other hand, the urorectal septum malformation sequence is a lethal congenital malformation which is characterized by the development of a phallus like structure, a smooth perineum and the absence of urethral, vaginal and anal openings. We are reporting a case of a female foetus with the prune belly syndrome, which was associated with a urorectal septum malformation sequence. A dead foetus with a protruded abdomen and ambiguous genitalia, was born at 32 weeks of pregnancy. On autopsy, it was found to have female internal genital organs. The left kidney, the urinary bladder and the rectum were absent. The sigmoid colon, the ureters and the fallopian tubes opened into a common cloacal sac. The histopathological examination of the ovary showed the presence of Leydig's cells. The occurrence of the female counterpart of the prune belly syndrome is extremely rare and only few of such cases were found to be discussed in the details in the indexed English literature so far. Hence, we hope that this case report will contribute to the existing knowledge on the prune belly syndrome.


Aim: This study aims at exploring the barriers which prevent a cohort of Saudi population residing in Aseer province- Southern region from seeking and utilizing dental care services. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in three main cities of Aseer province in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, Abha, Khamis Mushayt and Mahayil Aseer in addition to two villages of Tabab and Bahat Rabeea within the geographical district. A self-administered questionnaire which was validated prior to the study was distributed in the Arabic language to facilitate communication with the study participants. Out of 400 study samples, 325 were suitable for analysis. Pearson's chi-square test with 95% confidence interval level was performed and SPSS version 22 was used for statistical analysis. Results: In our study, out of the 400 questionnaires, 325 were suitable for analysis accounting a response rate of 81.3%. Majority of the samples were between (21-30) years old (N=144, 44%). Males constituted 51.1% (N=166) of the total number while females accounted for 48.9% (N=159). The most common reason for visiting a dentist was Emergency dental pain (N=81, 24.9%), 35% (N=114) haven't visited a dentist in more than a year. The most common barrier for not seeking a dental treatment for 31% of the patients (N=101) was patients' perception of lack of need to visit a dentist without the presence of pain. Gender, educational level, geographical district and traditional oral practices were significantly associated with patients' dental seeking behavior. Conclusion: Based on the study results, expansion of dental awareness programmes, additional free dental services, regular transportation to and from dental centres as well as availability of more appointments are needed for more engagement of the society into dental care. Further studies are required to explore more geographical districts in KSA and ensure equal distribution of dental care among Saudi habitants.


Background In 2002, we developed a list of 60 potential relevant determinants that are critical for a successful implementation of innovations in health care, such as guidelines. This list was a result of a review of empirical studies and a Delphi study among implementation experts. Since 2002, we used the list in eight empirical studies concerning the implementation of guidelines/programs. Objectives The development of a generic measurement instrument for the assessment of determinants of implementation of innovations. Methods In each study, a similar method was used to measure implementation of the guideline/program as well as the determinants. The information of the eight empirical studies were combined into one data set. Missing values in the final data set were replaced by plausible values using multiple imputation. We assessed which determinants 'predict' the implementation: separately and in combination with each other. In addition, 22 implementation experts commented on the results of the meta-analyses. Results An instrument with 29 determinants was established; 7 are related to the guideline/programme itself; 11 to the user; 11 to the organisation and socio-political context. Discussion This instrument is to be used before or after a guideline is introduced in order to gain insight into critical determinants that need to be targeted in order to improve implementation. Implications for Guideline Developers/Users Since 7 determinants are related to the innovation itself (e.g. clear procedures) developers should take these into account when developing a guideline.


A long cylinder composed of periodic structures along the axis can not be treated as a general plane strain(GPS) state, because within a repeated module, the geometry and loading condition may not be uniform along the axial direction. For this kind of situation, a ' more general kind of GPS ' finite element is needed that uses a set of ' planar constraints ', hereinafter called a ' pseudo general plane strain(PGPS) finite element '. Otherwise, a high number of constraints need to be used, which is a tedious job and often gives rise to an input error. Plus, this can also cause a numerically ill conditioned stiffness matrix that results in a trivial or diverged solution. Accordingly, this study proposes several PGPS finite elements that use a set of planar constraints to solve long periodic cylinder problems, as well as conventional long cylinder and plane strain problems.


Real-time performance monitoring of coal-fired power plants is becoming very important due to the impending deregulation of the electric power industry. Performance testing is made to be real-time by changing the traditional output loss method to include an estimation of coal composition based on the Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) data. This paper illustrates the robustness of the calculations by introducing a variance into each of the calculation inputs to access its effect on the final outputs of heatrate, boiler efficiency and coal flow. Though the original study was over five power plants this paper presents results for the two most diverse coals.Copyright © 2002 by ASME


ABSTRACT Objective To assess, by Rankin scale, the functional disability of patients who had a malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischemic stroke, who underwent decompressive craniotomy (DC) within the first 30 days. Methods A cross-sectional study in a University hospital. Between June 2007 and December 2014, we retrospectively analyzed the records of all patients submitted to DC due to a malignant MCA infarction. The mortality rate was defined during the hospitalization period. The modified outcome Rankin score (mRS) was measured 30 days after the procedure, for stratification of the quality of life. Results The DC mortality rate was 30% (95% CI 14.5 to 51.9) for the 20 patients reported. The mRS 30 days postoperatively was ≥ 4 [3.3 to 6] for all patients thereafter. Conclusion DC is to be considered a real alternative for the treatment of patients with a malignant ischemic MCA infarction.


The commercial production of microalgae for food applications has been the focus of much attention lately. Culturing marine microalgae in reactors with LED lamps has several advantages. Marine algae contain valuable components such as antioxidants, which are described in this report, and high salinities in production systems can lead to less contamination. By producing them in closed systems at different LED light wavelengths (colours) high biomass concentrations can be obtained and production of biomass and valuable components can be increased. This report summarizes interesting components (i.e. pigments, lipids, carbohydrates) from marine microalgae in addition to general effects of light, nutrients, salt, pressure and mutations on algae growth. The influence of several parameters on biomass growth and pigment formation of several commercially interesting marine algae species is described. These parameters include light intensity, wavelength, light path length, nitrogen source and concentration, mutagens, dilution/refreshment rates, mixing conditions, temperature, salt concentration, flashing (alternating L/D cycles), mixotrophic/phototrophic conditions, alternative nutrient sources, mixed cultures and Si addition. Species that are described in detail include Dunaliella salina and tertiolecta, Arthrospira platensis, Nannochloropsis gaditana and sp., Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Porphyridium purpureum, Tetraselmis chuii, Odontella aurita and Odontella sinensis.


In past massively parallel processing systems, such as the Intel Paragon and the Thinking Machines CM-5, the scheduling problem consisted of allocating a single type of resource among the waiting jobs; the processing node. A job was allocated the minimum number of nodes required to meet its largest resource requirement (e.g. memory, CPUs, I/O channels, etc.). Recent systems, such as the SUN E10000 and SGI O2K, are made up of pools of independently allocatable hardware and software resources such as shared memory, large disk farms, distinct I/O channels, and software licenses. In order to make efficient use of all the available system resources, the scheduling algorithm must be able to maintain a job working set which fully utilizes all of the resources. Previous work in scheduling multiple resources focused on coordinating the allocation of CPUs and memory, using ad-hoc methods for generating good schedules. We provide new job selection heuristics based on resource balancing which support the construction of generalized K-resource scheduling algorithms. We show through simulation that performance gains of up to 50% in average response time are achievable over classical scheduling methods such as First-Come-First-Served with First-Fit backfill.


In the first part, the boundary conditions for an open wind tunnel (incompressible flow) are examined with special reference to the effects of the closed entrance and exit sections. Basic conditions are that the velocity must be continuous at the entrance lip and that the velocities in the upstream and downstream closed portions must be equal. In the second part, solutions are derived for four types of two-dimensional open tunnels, including one in which the pressures on the two free surfaces are not equal. Numerical results are given for every case. In general, if the lifting element is more than half the tunnel height from the inlet, the boundary effect at the lifting element is the same as for an infinitely long open tunnel. In the third part, a general method is given for calculating the boundary effect in an open circular wind tunnel of finite jet length. Numerical results are given for a lifting element concentrate at a point on the axis.


In order to improve the quality of tax services to the tax payer's community, the Directorate General of Taxation implement electronic system(e-SPT) in reporting tax. The purpose of this research is to examine the influence on the implementation of e-SPT (Value Added Tax) towards efficiency of e-SPT filling. This research uses survey method with simple regression analysis. Data are collected through questionnaires which are distributed to tax payers at Bandung Tax Office. The conclusion of this research shows that the implementation of e-SPT (Value Added Tax) has a significant influence towards efficiency of e-SPT filling.


Introduction The LVIS stent system (LVIS and LVIS Junior) is a self-expanding, retrievable, microstent system indicated for the treatment of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms (WNAs). The present pivotal study was performed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this device. Methods The US LVIS pivotal trial was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, interventional study conducted at 21 US centers. The study enrolled 153 adults with WNAs of the anterior and posterior circulations. The study was conducted under good clinical practices and included independent adjudication of all adverse events. The primary effectiveness endpoint was defined as successful aneurysm treatment with the LVIS System as evidenced by complete (100%) aneurysm occlusion at 12 months on conventional angiography without retreatment and without significant (≥50%) stenosis of the treated artery at 12 months as determined by an independent core laboratory. The primary safety endpoint was defined as the rate of stroke or death within 30 days, or ipsilateral stroke or neurologic death with 12 months. Results One hundred and fifty-three patients enrolled at 21 investigational sites underwent attempted LVIS-assisted coil embolization. The mean age was 58.3±10.5 years and the majority of the participants (110/153, 71.9%) were female. Fifty-seven aneurysms (57/153, 37.3%) arose from the anterior cerebral artery, 43 (43/153, 28.1%) from the internal carotid artery, 17 (17/153, 11.1%) from the middle cerebral artery, 27 (27/153, 17.6%) from the basilar artery, six (6/153,3.9 %) from the PCA, and two from the vertebral artery. A single aneurysm arose from the superior cerebellar artery. The mean aneurysm dome height was 6.0±2.2 mm and mean width 5.5±2.3 mm. Mean neck width was 4.2±1.4 mm. A total of 22 participants presented for re-treatment of a previously ruptured (>30 days prior to treatment) target aneurysm. The primary effectiveness endpoint was observed in 70.6% (108/153) in the intent to treat population (ITT). Of the evaluable participants with follow-up 12-month angiography, 79.1 % (110/139) demonstrated complete occlusion– 92.1% (128/139) in this population demonstrated ≥95% occlusion and 95% demonstrated ≥90% occlusion (132/139). Eight participants (5.2%, 8/153) had at least one primary safety event in the ITT population. Conclusion The LVIS stent system allows safe and highly effective coil embolization of WNAs. Clinical registration number NCT01793792.


OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to describe the factors associated with growth before and after kidney transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 60 pediatric patients with end-stage kidney disease aged ≤16 years who underwent kidney transplant at our facility between November 2001 and March 2018. Height standard deviation score and possible associated factors were also compared.

RESULTS
Among the 60 patients, median age was 11 years (interquartile range, 5.3-14 years), and 24 (40%) were female. All patients were alive during the observational period. The 2-, 5-, and 15-year graft survival rates were 96.7%, 94.4%, and 77.8%, respectively. Mean height standard deviation score for preoperative kidney transplant was -2.1 ± 1.5. Duration of dialysis (months) was associated with preoperative height standard deviation score (β = -0.020; standard error = 0.006; t = -3.23; P = .002).Higher age andepisode of rejection were significant factors for loss of catch-up growth (P < .001 and P = .023, respectively). In total, 26 patients (43.3%) and 19 patients (31.7%) had short stature preoperatively and at 2 years after kidney transplant, respectively. Although 23 patients (38.3%) presented with catch-up growth after kidney transplant, 14 (53.9%) remained with short stature even 2 years after kidney transplant.Height standard deviation score 2 years after kidney transplant was associated with age, preoperative height standard deviation score, and episodes of rejection (P = .032, P < .001, and P = .005, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that, although kidney transplant results in catch-up growth in pediatric patients, short stature often persists even 2 years after kidney transplant and is affected by age, preoperative height standard deviation score, and episodes of rejection.


The internationally accepted Wolfson Heat Treatment Centre Engineering Group test was used to evaluate the cooling characteristics of the most popular commercial polymer quenchants: polyalkylene glycols, polyvinylpyrrolidones and polyacrylates. Prototype solutions containing poly(ethyloxazoline) were also examined. Each class of polymer was capable of providing a wide range of cooling rates depending on the product formulation, concentration, temperature, agitation, ageing and contamination. Cooling rates for synthetic quenchants were generally intermediate between those of water and oil. Control techniques, drag-out losses and response to quenching in terms of hardness and residual stress for a plain carbon steel, were also considered. A laboratory scale method for providing a controllable level of forced convection was developed. Test reproducibility was improved by positioning the preheated Wolfson probe 25mm above the geometric centre of a 25mm diameter orifice through which the quenchant was pumped at a velocity of 0.5m/s. On examination, all polymer quenchants were found to operate by the same fundamental mechanism associated with their viscosity and ability to form an insulating polymer-rich-film. The nature of this film, which formed at the vapour/liquid interface during boiling, was dependent on the polymer's solubility characteristics. High molecular weight polymers and high concentration solutions produced thicker, more stable insulating films. Agitation produced thinner more uniform films. Higher molecular weight polymers were more susceptible to degradation, and increased cooling rates, with usage. Polyvinylpyrrolidones can be cross-linked resulting in erratic performance, whilst the anionic character of polyacrylates can lead to control problems. Volatile contaminants tend to decrease the rate of cooling and salts to increase it. Drag-out increases upon raising the molecular weight of the polymer and its solution viscosity. Kinematic viscosity measurements are more effective than refractometer readings for concentration control, although a quench test is the most satisfactory process control method.


The microdot method is a downscaling methodology of traditional tenfold serial dilution procedure used in microbiology. The microdot method uses 100 µL for serial dilution and count colonies in a spot of 10 µL. In this study we counted colonies directly in a chromogenic agar plate to determine, at the same time, the presence and cell concentration of target bacteria required for sanitary monitoring of Chilean export fishery products. Due to among importers countries the most concerning bacteria included in sanitary monitoring are Escherichia coli , Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus , we used the chromogenic agar; CHROMagar ECC, CHROMagar Listeria and Baird Parker agar, respectively. The results shows no differences between quantitative results obtained with microdot and traditional method during the quantification of a culture of Escherichia coli (1.5 L). The sensitivity and specificity of the microdot method in association with each chromogenic agar was demonstrated in vitro with reference strains. In addition, the usefulness in sanitary monitoring of aquaculture procedures was evaluated in Artemia salina tanks. This method did not detected sanitary problems in surface water. Although other colonies grown in the chromogenic agar plate, their morphological and chromogenic properties not correspond to Escherichia coli , Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus , being identified as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, Microbacterium sp., Bacillus sp. and Staphylococcus pasteuri by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Hence, we propose the microdot chromogenic method as a low cost, specific and reliable procedure for sanitary monitoring of aquaculture procedures.


© 2019 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved. BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy is greatest in activities including middle and long distance running, tennis, badminton, volleyball, and its incidence is increasing. However, currently no gold standard treatment for Achilles tendinopathy exists, although eccentric exercises are commonly recommended. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the changes in clinical scores when administering a) acupuncture and b) sham acupuncture to the Achilles tendon in patients diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy who did not respond to modified eccentric exercises. METHODS: Twenty-two patients were randomised and received either acupuncture or the control sham acupuncture treatment. VISA-A, NPRS, EQ-5D and GRC were recorded before treatment at week 0, then at week 2, week 4 with a final follow-up review at week 12. MAIN RESULTS: Acupuncture resulted in significant differences between groups and time points in VISA-A, NPRS, EQ-5D and GRC. The Acupuncture group reached the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) threshold for important difference, when compared to sham acupuncture. The difference between treatments would suggest a beneficial response following the use of acupuncture to the Achilles tendon in Achilles tendinopathy. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: The overall findings suggest the use of a standardised acupuncture protocol to the Achilles tendon is a viable treatment alternative, which could be used as a second line treatment in patients diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy who did not respond to eccentric exercises. However, in view of the small sample size, the results of this feasibility study should be viewed with caution.


Abstract The Cotiella thrust sheet in the South Central Pyrenees is a well-studied example of an extensional basin that formed at the northern Iberian rift margin during the Late Cretaceous, and was inverted in the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic on top of the South Pyrenean Central Unit. A palaeomagnetic study of the thick sequence of shallow marine syn-extensional carbonates filling the Cotiella Basin reveals the presence of a widespread secondary magnetization of both normal and reversed polarities. Neither in situ nor bedding tilt correction provides a satisfactory grouping of the palaeomagnetic directions, thus suggesting syn-deformational magnetization. Best clustering of palaeomagnetic vectors is obtained after unfolding into a post-extensional pre-compressional stage, coherent with an acquisition age between Santonian and Paleocene. Strong magnetic enhancement and very distinct magnetic properties with depth suggest a link with burial diagenesis of organic matter, precipitation of iron sulphides and subsequent oxidation to SD fine-grained magnetite. The secondary magnetizations of the Cotiella record significant vertical axis rotations ranging from 14° to 52° clockwise, coherent with the scenario of the Cotiella thrust sheet transported piggy-back and bent during the emplacement of the lower Gavarnie–Sierras Exteriores thrust sheet.


Objective:
 Recent studies have associated endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure with the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in humans, but the underlying mechanisms responsible for these associations remain elusive. Many EDCs have been implicated in activating the nuclear receptor pregnane X receptor (PXR) which acts as a xenobiotic sensor to regulate xenobiotic metabolism in the liver and intestine. This study aims to investigate the potential role of PXR in lipid homeostasis.

 Approach and Results:
 We identified tributyl citrate (TBC), one of a large group of FDA-approved plasticizers for pharmaceutical or food applications, as a potent and selective PXR agonist. TBC efficiently activated PXR and induced PXR target gene expression
 in vitro
 and
 in vivo
 . Interestingly, TBC was an intestine-specific PXR ligand but did not affect hepatic PXR activity. Exposure to TBC increased plasma total cholesterol and atherogenic low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in wild-type mice, but not in PXR-deficient mice. TBC-mediated PXR activation stimulated the expression of the cholesterol transporter Ni emann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) in the intestine. Promoter analysis revealed a DR-4-type of PXR-response element in the human NPC1L1 promoter and TBC promoted PXR recruitment onto the NPC1L1 promoter. Consistently, TBC treatment significantly increased cholesterol uptake by human and murine intestinal cells and deficiency of PXR blocked TBC-elicited cholesterol uptake.

 Conclusions:
 Our results established an important role of intestinal PXR in linking EDC exposure and hyperlipidemia. These findings provide critical mechanistic insight for understanding the adverse effects of EDCs on lipid homeostasis and CVD risk in humans.


This paper reports some new progresses on layered and graded coatings for plasma facing materials in fusion devices in Laboratory of Special Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy (LSCPM), University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), China. They included tungsten coatings made be various particle sizes of initial feedstock and interlayers and boron carbide graded coatings. All the coatings were fabricated on the oxygen free copper by plasma spraying. The microstructures and properties were investigated for PFM. Water quenching and high heat loading experiments were also carried out to estimate the thermal performance of these coatings.


A recently re-discovered variant of the Backus-Gilbert algorithm for spectral reconstruction enables the controlled determination of smeared spectral densities from lattice field theory correlation functions. A particular advantage of this approach is the \emph{a priori} specification of the kernel with which the underlying spectral density is smeared, allowing for variation of its peak position, smearing width, and functional form. If the unsmeared spectral density is sufficiently smooth in the neighborhood of a particular energy, it can be obtained from an extrapolation to zero smearing-kernel width at fixed peak position. A natural application for this approach is scattering processes summed over all hadronic final states. As a proof-of-principle test, an inclusive rate is computed in the two-dimensional O(3) sigma model from a two-point correlation function of conserved currents. The results at finite and zero smearing radius are in good agreement with the known analytic form up to energies at which 40-particle states contribute, and are sensitive to the 4-particle contribution to the inclusive rate. The straight-forward adaptation to compute the $R$-ratio in lattice QCD from two-point functions of the electromagnetic current is briefly discussed.