Purpose of review Review the current status of liver transplantation for patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Recent findings Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) will increase as a source of patients requiring liver transplantation. Attitudes to use of liver transplantation as rescue therapy for patients with severe alcohol-related hepatitis are changing. The long-term health of ALD liver transplantation recipients requires continued assistance to patients with AUD. Summary Liver transplantation of patients with ALD increased during the last decade and we predict that this trend will continue because of the decline in the number of hepatitis C virus-infected candidates. Concomitantly, a shift in the selection for liver transplantation has occurred of patients with severe alcohol-related hepatitis not responding to medical therapy. Although rescue liver transplantation is a valuable option for patients with severe alcohol-related hepatitis, worldwide practice regarding rescue liver transplantation remains very heterogeneous. There is increasing recognition that excessive consumption of alcohol after liver transplantation is harmful to graft function and patient survival. Factors associated with relapse are younger age at liver transplantation and shorter duration of sobriety prior to liver transplantation. The long-term health of the ALD liver transplant recipient requires continued assistance regarding AUD, a lifelong disorder of craving, relapse, and remission. However, there have been very few studies evaluating best practices for long-term addiction care in transplant recipients. After liver transplantation, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, infections, and cancer increases over time. Addiction to tobacco constitutes an important issue that must be considered as tobacco cessation may decrease the incidence of tobacco-related cardiovascular and lung disease and aerodigestive cancers.


Background: Periapical lesions can be appreciated in the teeth that have underwent root canal treatment leading to more complications. Radiographic as well as histological evaluation is important for definitive diagnosis. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the histology of constant periapical radiolucent lesions that are associated with root canal treated teeth and also to find association between histological findings and radiographic size of lesion as well as existence or nonappearance of a radiopaque lamina. Materials and Methods: The study included 60 incisors and canines allotted for apical microsurgery. Two observers studied the diameter of periapical radiolucent lesions and the existence or nonappearance of radiopaque lamina. During apical microsurgery, biopsy specimens were collected and after tissue processing oral pathologist examined the specimen under a light microscope. Histological features of the specimen were taken into consideration, and the diagnosis of abscess, cyst, granuloma, and scar tissue were given. Pearson's chi-square test was used to study the established relationship between histological diagnosis and lesion size. Results: Results indicated that 68.33% of lesions were granulomas, 23.33% were cysts, 5% were abscesses, and 3.33% were scar tissue. Conclusion: According to histological results, most of the lesions in this study were granulomas, followed by cysts. Abscesses and scar tissues were rare.


Hardware and software partitioning and reconfiguration cost minimization are two major design challenges for the performance improvement of data-intensive streaming applications by hardware and software co-design approach. In this paper a novel partitioning and scheduling algorithm is proposed for a hybrid system of a microprocessor and a reconfigurable hardware with resource constraint to optimize between hardware resource usage and execution time of an application. We balance the exploitation of spatial parallelism and temporal parallelism in streaming applications by considering the reconfiguration cost vs. the data transfer cost. As the reconfiguration cost is configuration bits size plus the configuration time we try to keep it minimum by exploiting the temporal parallelism maximally.


The effects of Fe doping on the structure, electronic transport properties and Raman spectra of GdBa2Cu3-xFexO7-δ (x = 0.00-0.30) systems have been investigated. The analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns shows that the compound undergoes an Orthorhombic–Tetragonal (O-T) phase transition in the doping range of x = 0.05-0.10. The superconducting transition temperature Tc decreases with the increase of Fe doping level, whereas the superconducting transition width increases abruptly with O-T transition. We have discussed the Raman shifts and intensity of the five normal phonon peaks and some other peaks which result from the vibration of Cu(1) and O(1) oxygen for the Fe doped-samples. These investigations reveal that the electronic transport properties and Raman spectra of GdBa2Cu3-xFexO7-δ composites obviously depend on O-T transition induced by the Fe doping.


Concerns about inconsistency in the application of standards in arbitral awards are strongly present in investment treaty arbitration. In particular, tribunals can regularly exercise a varying scope of jurisdiction when they determine the legality requirement that demands foreign investments to be made in accordance with the law of the host state.In this paper, the author seeks to analyze the decision rendered by the tribunal in Bear Creek v. Peru, in which the Canadian mining company alleged that the Peruvian State breach, inter alia, expropriation protections under the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement in relation to its investment in the silver mining project of Santa Ana. In order to achieve this aim, in the first chapter, he addresses three key issues regarding the tribunal's jurisdiction, the rights on which the company based its claim and the arguably prerequisite of legality or good faith for the tribunal's exercise of jurisdiction. In the second chapter, he analyzes the validity of the tribunal's interpretation on the legality requirement for investment as an implicit element in the relevant treaty to determine the tribunal's jurisdiction.


Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass accompanied by a decrease in muscle strength and resistance and is the main cause of disability among the elderly. Muscle loss begins long before there is any clear physical impact in the senior adult. Despite all this, the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle aging are far from being understood. Recent studies have identified that not only mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction but also mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial calcium uptake could be involved in the degeneration of skeletal muscle mass. Mitochondrial homeostasis influences muscle quality which, in turn, could play a triggering role in signaling of systemic aging. Thus, it has become apparent that mitochondrial status in muscle cells could be a driver of whole body physiology and organismal aging. In the present review, we discuss the existing evidence for the mitochondria related mechanisms underlying the appearance of muscle aging and sarcopenia in flies and mice.


New configurations of small-size shielded metallic Fabry-Perot (FP) antennas with improved performance over a large frequency band are presented in S-band for space missions. The bandwidth enlargement is obtained by stacking two FP cavities of different size, each of them presenting a low quality factor. Their radiating apertures measure around λ0 and 2 × λ0, respectively. Concentric corrugations are also introduced between both cavities to control the higher-order modes that are excited systematically in shielded small-size FP antennas due to lateral resonances. The obtained results are compared to those of a single-stage FP cavity antenna with the same aperture size. Several prototypes have been fabricated and measured. An aperture efficiency higher than 70%, a reflection coefficient smaller than -15 dB, and sidelobe levels lower than -20 dB have been obtained experimentally, over a wide frequency band (2.4-2.66 GHz). These characteristics make stacked FP cavity antennas very attractive to replace global coverage horn antennas, or to be used in feed clusters of multiple-beam antennas, especially in C- and S-bands, where they lead to more compact and less bulky solutions compared to classical feed horns.


A few experiments are conducted to investigate the effects of different solidification process on the physical hardness and compressive strength of the home-made bone cement. 24 bone cement samples under different mixing conditions are prepared. The compressive strength, hardness and phase composition of bone cement samples are measured with electronic universal machine, Shore hardness tester and X-ray diffraction(XRD) respectively. The results show that the maximum compressive strength of 24 samples is 96.27MPa, and obviously superior to that of the clinical application of bone cement. The hardness of bone cement of group C( powder 20g and fluid 10ml, 80.43HD) and group D(powder 20g and fluid 12ml, 86.60HD) is higher than 80HD which is the clinical requirement.It is found by X-ray diffraction that the higher crystallinity could produce finer grain, which results in higher compressive strength and hardness with better ductility and toughness. Giving consideration to compressive strength and physical hardness and crystallinity of D3(20g:12ml, with stirring speed as 30 times/min and stirring time as 90 seconds), the solidification condition is best.


This paper reported another recovery model to enhance system survivability. The model focuses on how to preserve the system and resume its critical service while incident occurs by reconfiguring the damaged critical service resources based on available resources without affecting the stability and functioning of the system. There are three critical requisite conditions in this recovery model: the number of pre-empted non-critical service resources, the response time of resource allocation, and the cost of reconfiguration, which are used in some scenarios to find and re-allocate the available resource for the reconfiguration. To validate the viability of the approach, one instance case is provided. The adoption of fault-tolerance and survivability using redundancy re-allocation in this recovery model is discussed from a new perspective.


Cell switch-off (CSO) is an important approach to reducing energy consumption in cellular networks during off-peak periods. CSO addresses the research question of which cells to switch off when. Whereas online CSO, based on immediate user demands and channel states, is problematic to implement and difficult to model, off-line CSO is more practical and tractable. Furthermore, it is known that regular cell layouts generally provide the best coverage and spectral efficiency, which leads us to prefer regular static (off-line) CSO. We introduce sector-based regular CSO patterns for the first time. We organize the existing and newly introduced patterns using a systematic nomenclature; studying 26 patterns in total. We compare these patterns in terms of energy efficiency and the average number of users supported, via a combination of analysis and simulation. We also compare the performance of CSO with two benchmark algorithms. We show that the average number of users can be captured by one parameter. Moreover, we find that the distribution of the number of users is close to Gaussian, with a tractable variance. Our results demonstrate that several patterns that activate only one out of three sectors are particularly beneficial; such CSO patterns have not been studied before.


We consider the state assignment problem as that of the decomposition of finite stare machines and transform this decomposition problem into an orthogonal partitioning problem with a certain cost function. We justify this cost function in two ways, first by using an idealized model of multi-level logic implementation, and second by empirical studies of a particular benchmark circuit. We describe a greedy algorithm to minimize this cost function. We present results obtained by running the algorithm on a set of 16 MCNC benchmarks. We compare these results with other state assignment techniques such as JEDI and NOVA. For multilevel implementations of the benchmark state machines, we find that the implementations obtained after using JEDI were, on average, 8.52% larger in area and 81.87% slower in delay than the implementations obtained using our approach. The implementations obtained after using NOVA were, on average, 4.40% larger in area and 104.96% slower in delay when compared with implementations obtained using our approach. Our scheme has the potential to serve as an alternative to conventional state assignment tools since we observe that it produces good results for larger finite state machines.


Hybrid plasmid RP4-ColE1 was obtained by joining DNA plasmids RP4 and ColE1, each of which possessed only one site of restriction for EcoR1. These plasmid molecules were restricted by endonuclease EcoR1 and then treated by ligase. The hybrid plasmid retained the property of transmissibility typical for drug factor resistance RP4. Non-transmissible mutant of the hybrid plasmid selected by the character of the resistance of Escherichia coli C600 (RP4-ColE1) to the phage PRR1 is used for subsequent investigations.


Light alloys are increasingly applied in different industrial sectors, mainly aerospace. Because of this, it is needed to analyze their behavior in the different processing procedures and, specially, machining. On the other hand, up to a few years, cutting fluids were successfully employed in these processes since their coolant and lubricant properties. Notwithstanding, environmental necessities have promoted researches focused on the development of cleaner processes avoiding cutting fluids, in particular, dry machining. However, this process can change tool geometry and affect to the material giving rise to changes in the design specifications. In this work, geometrical deviations, particularly straightness deviations, in the dry turning of UNS A92024 (Al-Cu) alloy are studied as a function of feed and cutting speed through a parametric model.


Publication of diversity-focused scholarship has increased over the last decade, yet marginalized groups are still inadequately represented in academic journals. In addition, research about diversity has become increasingly complex and its definition varies greatly. This poses obstacles for the emerging scholar interested in submitting diversity-focused scholarship to academic journals. A rarely investigated resource that offers insight into this task are peer reviewer written comments. This study explores the practice of publishing diversity-focused scholarship from a peer-review perspective. A grounded theory approach was used to conduct a content analysis of reviewer comments. From the findings four major categories emerged about the nature of publishing diversity-focused research: (a) clarification of terms; (b) explicit bias by the author; (c) formulaic approach; and (d) reviewers' standpoint. This article offers an understanding about the reviewers' approaches to diversity-focused submissions and suggests considerations when publishing in this area.


Background & objectives: Enterococci are the leading cause of nosocomial infections, and are thus a persisting clinical problem globally. We undertook this study to determine the virulence factors and the antibiotic resistance in Enterococcus clinical isolates. Methods: One hundred and fifty Enterococcus isolates obtained from various clinical specimens were speciated biochemically and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Resistance to vancomycin was determined by using agar screen method. Haemolysin and gelatinase productions were detected using 5 per cent sheep blood agar and 12 per cent gelatin agar, respectively. Results: Among the 150 Enterococcus isolates, 84 (56%) were E. faecalis. 51(34%) E. faecium, and 15 (10%) were other Enterococcus spp. Haemolysin production was seen among 123 (82%) isolates while 61 (40.6%) isolates produced gelatinase. Nearly 50 per cent of the isolates showed high level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR). A total of 13 (8.6%) isolates showed vancomycin resistance, of which 11(7.3%) had an MIC >8 μg/ml. Interpretation & conclusions: Presence of VRE was found to be low among the isolates studied. However, occurrence of VRE along with HLAR calls for regular detection of vancomycin resistance promptly and accurately to recognize VRE colonization and infection. Early detection of VRE and HLAR along with their virulence trait will help in preventing the establishment and spread of multidrug resistant Enterococcus species.


Modern investors face a daunting challenge when attempting to determine how to efficiently optimize their portfolios. Often these investors do not have access to portfolio optimization tools or the background to understand mathematical models that provide insight into efficient portfolio management. While Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) provides excellent insights into which assets should be included in an investor's optimal portfolio, understanding the underlying statistical techniques in portfolio optimization presents a rigorous challenge. Even the simplest of methods requires a substantial knowledge of statistical concepts. The investor's knowledge of the theoretical basis of MPT presents a conceptual constraint on his/her ability to understand these required underlying constructs in determining which asset investment strategy will optimize his/her portfolio. This article presents a practical solution to the strategic asset allocation problem that investors face when attempting to construct an optimal portfolio from a given set of available mutual funds. The optimization model, developed in Excel, uses capital asset pricing model (CAPM) principles to determine security (fund) valuation and the Sharpe Ratio to identify an optimal or efficient combination of the available funds.


The large-scale monitoring of riverbank erosion is challenging because of human, equipment, and financial limitations, particularly in developing countries. This study aims to detect riverbank erosion and identify riverbank erosion hotspots along the Mekong River in Cambodia. A riverbank erosion rate map was developed using satellite images from Landsat 5, 7, and 8 (1990–2020) using the modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI) at a resolution of 30 m and Sentinel-2 (2016–2021) using the normalized difference water index (NDWI) at a resolution of 10 m. Detecting riverbanks in satellite images using a water index depends greatly on image resolution and water threshold. The riverbank lines were validated using Google Earth images. In the data used in December 2017, the root mean square error (RMSE) of Sentinel-2 was 6.00 m, while the RMSE of Landsat was 6.04 m. In the data used in January 2019, the RMSE of Sentinel-2 was 4.12 m, while the RMSE of Landsat was 5.90 m. The hotspots were identified by overlaying the riverbank erosion rate map and the exposure map of population density and land cover. Field surveys and interviews were conducted to verify riverbank erosion hotspots in the Ruessei Srok and Kaoh Soutin communes. The results showed that within the last 30 years (1990–2020), the riverbank eroded more than 1 km in a direction perpendicular to the river in some segments of the Mekong River in Cambodia. The highest average annual erosion rate was in the Ruessei Srok Commune in Kampong Cham Province, at approximately 43 m/yr. Most eroded areas were farmland and rural residential areas. The riverbank hotspots are situated mainly in the lower part of the Mekong River, where the population is dense, and the erosion rate is high. Riverbank erosion hotspots with a very high impact level and ongoing active erosion include the Peam Kaoh Sna, Kampong Reab, Kaoh Soutin, and Ruessei Srok communes in Kampong Cham Province. This study provides an efficient tool for using satellite images to identify riverbank erosion hotpots in a large river basin. The riverbank erosion hotspot map is essential for decision-makers to prioritize interventions to reduce the risk of riverbank erosion and to improve the livelihood of the people residing along the Mekong River.


: 150 patients were treated at the Centre Antoine-Lacassagne by CDDP-5 FU induction chemotherapy. Amongst the 134 cases suitable for evaluation, there were 86.6% of greater than 50% responses including 45.5% complete responses (CR). These clinical findings led to changes in post-chemotherapy protocol, mutilating surgical procedures such as total laryngectomy being replaced in complete responders by radiotherapy only. These changes did not lead to any alteration in the survival of the patients. The degree of tumour control at 1 and 2 years was 91.4% and 81.4% for complete responses, 74.6% and 60.6% for partial responses (PR) with survival rates of 1 and 2 years 94% and 78.3% for CR and 77% and 55.1% for PR. The possibility of conservative treatment with a high level of reliability would alone appear to be justification for the use of induction chemotherapy in cervico-facial oncology.


Lanthanide-doped fluorescent hydroxyapatite/silica core–shell nanorods, 50–100 nm in length and 30 nm in width, were prepared by precipitation of calcium phosphate in the presence of Eu3+ and Y3+ ions at 60 °C, followed by hydrothermally enhanced crystallization, stabilization with poly(ethyleneimine), and reaction with tetraethyl orthosilicate. The fluorescence intensity of the Eu3+-doped hydroxyapatite nanorods was enhanced threefold by co-doping with Y3+ and doubled after hydrothermal treatment. Significantly, fluorescence quenching by water was reduced in the presence of the thin silica nanoshell to give a further doubling of the fluorescence intensity compared with lanthanide-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles prepared in the absence of tetraethyl orthosilicate. Our results suggest that a combination of lanthanide doping, controlled crystallization and core–shell fabrication is a promising route to the preparation of biocompatible calcium phosphate nanoparticles with enhanced fluorescence for potential use in biomedical applications.


In our research cluster on transculturality many projects deal with georeferenced data. This paper offers an introduction to the new project GeoTwain that works on visualisation techniques for such data. Based on an analysis of the global telegraph network as an example of transcultural research using geo-referenced data, the paper derives user requirements by combining experiences gained from previous projects and specifies a set of solutions. It is the aim of GeoTwain to provide easy visualization of 4-D-information based on Google Earth and to grasp spatial relationships embedded in historical evidence to analyse, recombine and disaggregate geo-referenced historical data without having to use more specialized and highly complex GIS Tools. Envisioned visualization with GeoTwain allows for fast and efficient assessment of georeferencing's analytical potential in any given case; it also allows the user to carefully weigh further investments in data enrichment in relation to expected findings. Both the development and application of GeoTwain are embedded in the broader research environment infrastructure called Heidelberg Research Architecture (HRA).


ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 02 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com The mean performance study was carried out in coconut for the growth, yield and nut quality traits of exotic and indigenous coconut accessions which is maintained at ICAR, CPCRI, RC, Kidu. Wide variations on the growth parameters observed in the within the studied accessions. Among the twenty eight accessions, maximum vegetative characters viz., trunk girth at 1.5m height of stem in Bari Narikel-II (102.7 cm), number of functional leaves in Sambava Green Tall (36.1), length of petiole (172.0 cm) and length of leaflet bearing portion (464.5 cm) in Comoros Red Tall and number of paired leaflet in King Kumbra Tall (123.2) were recorded. The total bunches on the crown was recorded high in Bari Narikel II (17.6), number of bunches on crown with below fist size fruits (4.0) was high in the Comoros Tall Uzirpur Tall, Bari Narikel II and Sri Lankan Yellow Dwarf II and above fist size was high in Bari Narikel II (13.6). The mean number of fruits below fist size was recorded more in Chinashukania Tall (321.9) and above fist size fruits recorded high in Sambava Green Tall (131.5). The maximum nut characters viz., whole fruit weight (1734.7 gm), per cent of husk to whole nut weight (47.4 %) and fresh endosperm (449 gm) were observed in Guelle Rose Tall and Volume of endosperm cavity was in Sri Lankan Red Dwarf II (339.4 ml). From the study of mean performance of the accessions, it is difficult to postulate a single accessions with all the desirable traits combined together. However, based on growth and various yield attributing traits, the tall accessions Bari Narikel-II, Chandan Nagar Tall, Panama Tall, West Coast Tall, Rupdia Tall and Kayemkola Tall can be grouped as promising for the productivity traits. Hence, this accession can be included in to the further breeding programme to develop the new high yielding variety. K e y w o r d s Coconut, Accessions, Cocos, Arecaceae Accepted: 20 January 2019 Available Online: 10 February 2019 Article Info Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 2597-2606


Using microwave heating method to establish a set of effective technology about uniaxial compression test of concrete, and obtain the experiment phenomenon of concrete when the temperature is 16 -650 . Experiment results indicate that when concrete is damaged by high temperature, the strength of concrete decreases, the peak strain increases, and the elastic modulus decreases. Based on test data, a unified equation was putted forward to describe the relation between concrete compressive strength, the peak strain, elastic modulus and temperature. While, obtain concrete temperature stress and strain curve, and analysis shows that it gradually becomes compressed with the increase of temperature, peak point falls and moves right obviously.


Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan which causes toxoplasmosis. In healthy persons (immunocompetent) the infection is usually asymptomatic; however in immunocompromised patients, especially AIDS patients, the infection can be fatal. Primary infection in pregnant women can be transmitted to the fetus via the placenta. Therefore laboratory examination is absolutely neccesary to assess the presence of T.gondii infection hence prompt treatment can be given to prevent further damage. The aim of this study is to know whether by using P30 gene as target the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can detect T.gondii DNA in Indonesia. The PCR was performed on the DNA which had been isolated against P30 gene as target by using the method described by Weiss et al and Chang a Ho. The P30 gene primers consisted of oligo 1: 5rCACACGGTTGTATGTCGGTTTCGCT3r and oligo 2: 5rTCAAGGAGCTCAATGTTAC GCT3r. The DNA samples used in the PCR with P30 gene as target were derived from the following materials: (a) pure T.gondii DNA of various concentrations, (b) a mixture of pure T.gondii DNA and normal human blood DNA, (c) tachyzoite DNA derived from the mixture of 99 ml normal human blood and 1 ml tachyzoite suspension with the following amount of tachyzoites :1000,100, 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10 tachyzoites. It was shown that no specific bands were observed in the PCR with P30 gene as target (performed according to the method described by Weiss et al). The PCR according to the method described by Chang a Ho did not show any band when 30, 35, 40 and 45 cycles of PCR were used however, by using 50 cycles a specific band was observed. The results obtained showed that the minimal DNA concentrations which still could be detected using P30 gene as target were as follows : 0.001 ng DNA in 50 ml PCR solution from samples of pure DNA, 0.025 ng DNA in 50 ml PCR solution from samples of pure DNA mixed with normal human blood and the amount of DNA originated from at least 20 tachyzoites. It was concluded that the assay using P30 gene as target could be used for detecting T.gondii DNA in Indonesia.


Efficiently transmitting data in wireless networks requires an integrated routing, scheduling, and power control strategy. As opposed to the universal dual decomposition we present a method that solve this optimization problem by fully exploiting its combinatorial structure. The method still maintains main requirements such as optimality, distributed implementation, multiple path routing, and per-hop error performance. The method represents a cross-layer approach where we include scheduling in the constraint set of a joint routing and power control optimization problem. Apart from the mathematical framework, the main contribution is a routing and power control decomposition (RPCD) algorithm. For verification, we compare the RPCD algorithm with state-of-art dual decomposition for wireless mesh backhaul networks. Impressive convergence results indicate that the RPCD algorithm calculates the optimum solution in one decomposition step only.


Problem-solving plays a crucial role in mathematics education. One of the aims of teaching through problem-solving is to encourage students to refine and build their own processes over time as their experience allows them to discard some ideas and makes them aware of other possibilities (Carpenter, 1989). In addition to developing their knowledge, students also acquire an understanding of when it is appropriate to use particular strategies. Emphasis is placed on making students responsible for their own learning rather than letting them feel that the methods that they are using are the inventions of others. Considerable importance is placed on exploratory activities, observation and discovery, and trial and error. Students must develop their own ideas, test them, discard them if they are not consistent, and try something else (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM], 1989). Students become more involved in problem-solving by formulating and solving their own problems, or by rewriting problems in their own words to aid their understanding. Crucially, students are encouraged to discuss the processes that they are using to improve their understanding, gain new insights into the problem, and communicate their ideas (Thompson, 1985; Stacey & Groves, 1985).


ABSTRACT In a survey of resistance to amoxicillin among clinical isolates ofProteus mirabilis, 10 TEM-type β-lactamases were characterized: (i) the well-known penicillinases TEM-1 and TEM-2, the extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) TEM-3 and TEM-24, and the inhibitor-resistant TEM (IRT) TEM-44 and (ii) five novel enzymes, a penicillinase TEM-57 similar to TEM-1, an ESBL TEM-66 similar to TEM-3, and three IRTs, TEM-65, TEM-73, and TEM-74. The penicillinase TEM-57 and the ESBL TEM-66 differed from TEM-1 and TEM-3, respectively, by the amino acid substitution Gly-92→Asp (nucleotide mutation G-477→A). This substitution could have accounted for the decrease in pIs (5.2 for TEM-57 and 6.0 for TEM-66) but did not necessarily affect the intrinsic activities of these enzymes. The IRT TEM-65 was an IRT-1-like IRT (Cys-244) related to TEM-2 (Lys-39). The two other IRTs, TEM-73 and TEM-74, were related to IRT-1 (Cys-244) and IRT-2 (Ser-244), respectively, and harbored the amino acid substitutions Leu-21→Phe and Thr-265→Met. In this study, the ESBLs TEM-66, TEM-24, and TEM-3 were encoded by large (170- to 180-kb) conjugative plasmids that exhibited similar patterns after digestion and hybridization with the TEM and AAC(6′)I probes. The three IRTs TEM-65, TEM-73, and TEM-74 were encoded by plasmids that ranged in size from 42 to 70 kb but for which no transfer was obtained. The characterization of five new plasmid-mediated TEM-type β-lactamases and the first report of TEM-24 in P. mirabilis are evidence of the wide diversity of β-lactamases produced in this species and of its possible role as a β-lactamase-encoding plasmid reservoir.


Women with endometriosis, the growth of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus, commonly also exhibit adenomyosis, the growth of endometrial tissues within the uterine muscle. Each disease is associated with functional alterations in the eutopic endometrium frequently leading to pain, reduced fertility, and an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although the precise etiology of either disease is poorly understood, evidence suggests that the presence of endometriosis may be a contributing factor to the subsequent development of adenomyosis as a consequence of an altered, systemic inflammatory response. Herein, we will discuss the potential role of exposure to environmental toxicants with endocrine disrupting capabilities in the pathogenesis of both endometriosis and adenomyosis. Numerous epidemiology and experimental studies support a role for environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the development of endometriosis; however, only a few studies have examined the potential relationship between toxicant exposures and the risk of adenomyosis. Nevertheless, since women with endometriosis are also frequently found to have adenomyosis, discussion of EDC exposure and development of each of these diseases is relevant. We will discuss the potential mechanisms by which EDCs may act to promote the co-development of endometriosis and adenomyosis. Understanding the disease-promoting mechanisms of environmental toxicants related to endometriosis and adenomyosis is paramount to designing more effective treatment(s) and preventative strategies.


Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is one of the most common liver diseases. It is part of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which ranges from simple hepatic steatosis to necroinflammation and fibrosis of various degrees, so that many patients can evolve towards advanced liver disfunction and even cirrhosis. Insulin resistance is the main factor involved in the development of fatty liver. As the adipose tissue is the source of many metabolically active peptides (the adipocitokines), their involvement in the pathogenesis of the hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis has begun to be intensively studied during the last years. The most substantial information collected until now concerns the tumor necrosis factor alpha (a proinflammatory cytokine that induces insulin resistance, fat accumulation in the liver and even fibrosis and necrosis), adiponectin (an anti-inflammatory adipokine that acts as an insulin sensitizer and a hepatic protector) and leptin (a signal of the adipose tissue mass with effects on the appetite and food intake, but also acting upon insulin secretion and action and perhaps upon the liver fat accumulation).


Skeletal muscle in patients with cancer undergoes many morphological changes due to immuno-inflammatory factors of tumor origin or treatment.T he latest event of these changes is cancer cachexia. Aim of the study is to identify myopathic features in skeletal muscle biopsies from weight stable patients with colorectal cancer and without cachexia or asthenia / weakness, that could possibly provide new diagnostic and prognostic cancer biomarkers. Morphometric analyses and immunohistochemical studies were performed on intraoperative muscle biopsies from patients with colorectal cancer and from weight stable patients undergoing surgery for benign non-inflammatory conditions. A rectus abdominis biopsy was taken in all patients and controls.A correlation between histopathologic findings and clinical characteristics, circulating inflammatory biomarkers and markers of muscle necrosis,surgery data and cancer phenotype were investigated.. Forty four patients (21male/23 female) and 17 controls (6 male/11 female) (p=NS) were studied. In cancer patients'biopsies we observed asubclinical myopathy characterized by an abnormal distribution of myonuclei, which are localized inside the myofiber rather than at the periphery, and by the presence of regenerating muscle fibers. The percentage of myofibers with internalized nuclei is significantly higher in patients (median= 9%, IQR= 3.7-18.8) than in controls (median= 2.7%, IQR= 1.7-3.2) ( p=0.0002). In patients we observed an inverse correlation between the number of centronucleated fibers and the presence of node metastasis (N+)(ρ)=-0.64 (p=0.002). Patients affected with colorectal cancer display early sign of a myopathy, characterized by centronucleated and regenerating myofibers. This myopathy appears to be associated with an early stage of neoplasia and it could be an adaptive response of muscle to cancer. We hope a future application of these findings as a possible early diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of neoplasia.


This article describes how many sources of data can be linked, interpreted, and analysed before being presented to decision makers to improve care. It also discusses the legal issues surrounding data protection and freedom of information.

A huge volume of data flows across the desk of a director of public health (see box opposite). One of the director's problems is to know which signals to act upon and what "noise" to ignore. If the numbers being considered are small, as they probably will be in the case described here, a critical incident analysis may be all that is needed. An individual prescriber, or group, may have an erroneous belief or inadequate training. Critical incidents or other signals often indicate that more data (such as data on prescribing steroids for paediatric asthma in primary care and outpatients) are needed.

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Health services are awash with data. Earlier articles in the series described the large and increasing numbers of sources of data available to consumers, patients, clinicians, and administrators. Clinicians, teams, divisions, and other groups collect the data they need to carry out their work, and they may do so using coding and terms that others can understand and share. The intensive care unit in this example integrated the data the team needs to manage patients during their stay with patients' pre-admission prescribing data. This local epidemiology may have been done as part of clinical governance activities, or as an ad hoc exercise when a patient's problem was investigated.

One difficulty with secondary uses of clinical data is that, having obtained the data indicating a problem exists, the issue must be dealt with effectively. It may be that the individual or group who identify the problem have the knowledge, skills, and resources to resolve it. In other cases, such as these potentially …

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As the magnitude of vertical whole-body vibration increases, the resonance frequency in the apparent mass of the human body reduces and there are changes in the frequency-dependence of acceleration equivalent comfort contours. It is unclear to what extent these two 'nonlinearities' are related. This thesis seeks to advance understanding of the combined influence of the magnitude and the frequency of whole-body vertical vibration on the subjective and biodynamic responses of the seated human. Specifically, the research was designed to identify whether the nonlinearity in the subjective responses reflects the nonlinearity in the biodynamic responses, and whether comfort would be better predicted from the force applied to the body. The first experiment was designed to investigate how the biodynamic and subjective responses of seated subjects (20 males and 20 females) depend on the frequency, magnitude, and waveform of vertical vibration when they were exposed to sinusoidal and random vibration. The vertical apparent mass and fore-and-aft cross-axis apparent mass obtained with random and sinusoidal vibration were both nonlinear but similar at the same overall magnitude (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 ms-2 r.m.s.). With both increasing acceleration and increasing force, the rate of growth of discomfort depended on the frequency of vibration. Both acceleration and force equivalent comfort contours (the magnitude of vibration expressed as a function of frequency which produces similar degrees of discomfort) varied with the magnitude of vibration. The equivalent comfort contours were less dependent on the magnitude of vibration when expressed by force than by acceleration. There were statistically significant positive correlations between the biodynamic responses and subjective responses at all frequencies in the range 1 to 16 Hz. The second experiment investigated subjective and biodynamic responses to a series of upward and downward vertical mechanical shocks at 13 fundamental frequencies (1 to 16 Hz) and 18 magnitudes (unweighted peak accelerations in the range 0.12 to 8.0 ms-2). The optimum stiffness and optimum damping of two lumped parameter models fitted to the measured acceleration time history decreased as the shock magnitudes increased. With both models, and with both downward and upward shocks, the median principal resonance frequency of the apparent mass of the body decreased from 6.3 to 4 Hz as the magnitude of the shocks increased from 0.05 ms-1.75 to 2.0 ms-1.75 VDV. There was no consistent difference in the rate of growth of discomfort between acceleration and force, or between upward and downward shocks, or between lower magnitude and higher magnitude shocks. The final experiment compared subjective responses of the human body with a rigid seat and a soft seat. With increasing magnitude of vibration (both acceleration and force), the rate of growth of discomfort was dependent on the frequency of vibration, but did not differ between the rigid seat and the soft seat. There were no significant differences in either the force or acceleration equivalent comfort contours on the rigid seat compared with those on the soft seat. The frequency-dependence of the force equivalent comfort contours showed less nonlinearity than the acceleration equivalent comfort contours with both the rigid and soft seat conditions. In conclusion, this study indicates some similarities in the nonlinearity of subjective responses and biodynamic responses of the seated body exposed to vertical vibration. Although force equivalent comfort contours are also nonlinear, they showed less dependence on the magnitude of the excitation than acceleration equivalent comfort contours.


In this paper we focus our attention on the exploitation of the information contained in financial news to enhance the performance of a classifier of bank distress. Such information should be analyzed and inserted into the predictive model in the most efficient way and this task deals with the issues related to text analysis and specifically to the analysis of news media.

Among the different models proposed for such purpose, we investigate one of the possible deep learning approaches, based on a doc2vec representation of the textual data, a kind of neural network able to map the sequence of words contained within a text onto a reduced latent semantic space. Afterwards, a second supervised neural network is trained combining news data with standard financial figures to classify banks whether in distressed or tranquil states. Indeed, the final aim is not only the improvement of the predictive performance of the classifier but also to assess the importance of news data in the classification process. Does news data really bring more useful information not contained in standard financial variables? Our results seem to confirm such hypothesis.


A numerical model based on the depth-integrated hydrodynamical equations is formulated. It is used to study the response of an ideal ocean shelf region of limited areal extent subjected to the passage of hypothetical cyclones (symmetric and asymmetric) with known characteristics. Four sets of numerical experiments are conducted to investigate storm surges generated within the model basin. The first set considers the effect of varying cyclone directions of approach relative to the basin on the resulting storm surge. The second set considers the effect of varying cyclone speeds and sizes, the third on the effect of varying shelf widths, and the fourth on the effect of asymmetry in the cyclone wind field. Results for the seven cyclone directions investigated showed potential surge threats for cyclones that made landfall to the right or center of the model basin. The highest magnitude of surges was generated by a cyclone which crossed the basin and made landfall at the center of the coastline. The effect of the cyclone speed did not matter much in the peak surge generated, whereas the effect of the cyclone size was significant. Furthermore, the effect of varying shelf widths clearly demonstrated the reduced effect of the surface stress in deeper waters. Lastly, the asymmetry of the cyclone wind field has a substantial effect on the magnitudes of surges generated.


Ligand-dependent activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) involves repositioning of the juxtacytoplasmic ends of transmembrane helices TM3 and TM6. This concept, inferred from site-directed spin labeling studies, is supported by chemical cross-linking of the cytoplasmic ends of TM3 and TM6 blocking GPCR activation. Here we report a novel constitutive active mutation (M626I) in TM6 of the TSH receptor (TSHR), identified in affected members of a family with nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism. The specific constitutive activity of M626I, measured by its basal cAMP generation corrected for cell surface expression, was 13-fold higher than that of wild-type TSHR. Homology modeling of the TSHR serpentine domain based on the rhodopsin crystal structure suggests that M626 faces the side chain of I515 of TM3 near the membrane-cytoplasmic junction. Steric hindrance of the introduced isoleucine by I515 is consistent with the fact that shorter or more flexible side chains at position 626 did not increase constitutivity. Furthermore, a reciprocal mutation at position 515 (I515M), when introduced into the M626I background, acts as revertant mutation by allowing accommodation of the isoleucine sidechain at position 626 and fully restoring the constitutive activity to the level of wild-type TSHR. Thus, repulsive separation of the juxtacytoplasmic TM6 and TM3 in the M626I model conclusively demonstrates a direct link between the opening of this cytoplasmic face of the receptor structure and G protein coupling.


Internet Banking is one of the channels for providing banking services. It is a delivery means that banks employ to expand their services in addition to traditional services provided through a branch's counters and ATMs. This paper aims at investigation, design, and development of an Internet-based retail banking prototype for Thai customers. The data were gathered from three major sources which were; (i) a survey on existing Internet banking services both overseas and in Thailand, (ii) questionnaires distributed to Internet users, and (iii) interviews with the executives of the major Thai banks. It was found that more than half of the sample Internet users in Thailand are very interested in using Internet banking services. The main features needed are balance inquiry, bill payment, fund transfer, business information, and payment for goods purchased. The prototype was then developed and validated.


Fifty standard concrete modules were deployed on a sand bottom to make 16 replicated artificial reefs of 1 to 8 modules·reef-I. Fish assemblages were monitored for species composition, abundance, and fish size, and compared to two natural control sites. We censused 127 species (107,168 fishes) from artificial reefs, 93 species (16,495 fishes) on natural control reefs, and 17 species (1,040 fishes) on sand bottom from July 1987 to March 1989. Artificial reefs supported a diverse, abundant, and dynamic assemblage of fishes that were a mixture of species found in surrounding sand. and natural reef habitats. Colonization (number of species, individuals, and biomass) was very rapid. Abundance varied seasonally with recruitment episodes tending to occur in the spring and summer followed by losses for the remainder of the year. Assemblages were quite variable on and between similar sized reefs. Fish and biomass densities were higher at artificial reefs than on sand and natural reefs. Resident fish biomass varied less than resident fish numbers, because individual growth compensated for mortality after recruitment episodes. Reef size significantly influenced total numbers of species, individuals, and biomass. Smaller reefs had greater fish density while larger reefs had higher biomass density from larger, but fewer, individuals. Multiple small reefs supported more individuals and more species than one large reef of equal material. Fishes recruited by larval settlement accounted for 36% of the total resident abundance but only 2% of total biomass. As reef size increased, older juvenile or adult colonists comprised a greater percentage of total biomass (94% to 99%). Assemblage importance percentages (based on abundance, biomass, and frequency) were divided between residents (64%), visitors (20%), and transients (16%). Economically important species comprised 61 % of the biomass and 55% of the individuals, among which settlers accounted for 94.3% of individuals but only 5.7% of their total biomass. The most highly valued species were visitors or residents that utilized the reefs after first settling elsewhere. These results showed that data on artificial reef assemblages based solely on the abundance of resident species are biased. Data on· visitors, transients, frequency-of-occurrence, and biomass are important in evaluating bias. Results provided a partial test and support for a model predicting the importance of attraction over production for artificial reefs located in areas with high reef availability.


When acquiring labels from crowdsourcing platforms, a task may be designed to include multiple labels and the values of each label may belong to a set of various distinct options, which is the so-called multi-class multi-label annotation. To improve the quality of labels, one task is independently completed by a group of heterogeneous crowdsourced workers. Then, the true values of the multiple labels of each task are inferred from these repeated noisy labels. In this paper, we propose a novel probabilistic method, which includes a multi-class multi-label dependency (MCMLD) model, to address this problem. The proposed method assumes that the label-correlation exists in both unknown true labels and noisy crowdsourced labels. Thus, it introduces a mixture of multiple independently multinoulli distributions to capture the correlation among the labels. Finally, the unknown true values of the multiple labels of each task, together with a set of confusion matrices modeling the reliability of the workers, can be jointly inferred through an EM algorithm. Experiments with three simulated typical crowdsourcing scenarios and a real-world dataset consistently show that our proposed MCMLD method significantly outperforms several competitive alternatives. Furthermore, if the labels are strongly correlated, the advantage of MCMLD will be more remarkable.


The Amundsen Sea Embayment of West Antarctica is a centrepiece in understanding the history of the New
Zealand – Antarctica breakup. This region plays a key role in plate kinematic reconstruction of the southern
Pacific from the collision of the Hikurangi Plateau with the Gondwana subduction margin to the evolution of the West Antarctic Rift System. During two RV Polarstern cruises in 2006 and 2010, a large geophysical dataset
was collected consisting of seismic refraction and reflection profiles, shipborne gravity and helicopter magnetic measurements. The data provide constraints on the crustal architecture, the structural evolution and the tectonic block formation during and after the Cretaceous continental breakup. We present two continental rise-to-shelf P-wave velocity models which were derived from forward travel-time modelling of ocean bottom hydrophone recordings which provide an insight into the crustal and upper mantle architecture beneath the Amundsen Sea Embayment for the first time. The sedimentary sequences and the basement were constrained by seismic reflection data. A 2-D density-depth model supports and complements the P-wave modelling. Observed P-wave velocities show 10 to 14 km thick crust of the continental rise and up to 28 km thick crust beneath the middle and inner shelf. The crust of the continental rise is characterized by a small gradient in thickness. Including horst and graben structures this can be associated with wide-mode rifting. A high velocity zone with velocities ranging between 7.1 and 7.6 km/s indicate magmatic underplating of variable thickness along the entire transect. We classify this margin as one of volcanic type rather than magma poor because of the high-velocity zone and seaward dipping reflectors observed from the seismic reflection data. We discuss the possibility of a serpentinized upper mantle caused by seawater penetration at the Marie Byrd Seamounts. The crustal structure, distinct zones in potential field anomalies indicate several phases of fully developed and failed rift systems and a possible branch of the West Antarctic Rift System in the Amundsen Sea Embayment.


Stochastic models for forward electricity prices are of great relevance nowadays, given the major structural changes in the market due to the increase of renewable energy in the production mix. In this study, we derive a spatio-temporal dynamical model based on the Heath-Jarrow-Morton (HJM) approach under the Musiela parametrization, which ensures an arbitrage-free model for electricity forward prices. The model is fitted to a unique data set of historical price forward curves. As a particular feature of the model, we disentangle the temporal from spatial (maturity) effects on the dynamics of forward prices, and shed light on the statistical properties of risk premia, of the noise volatility term structure and of the spatio-temporal noise correlation structures. We find that the short-term risk premia oscillates around zero, but becomes negative in the long run. We identify the Samuelson effect in the volatility term structure and volatility bumps, explained by market fundamentals. Furthermore we find evidence for coloured noise and correlated residuals, which we model by a Hilbert space-valued normal inverse Gaussian Levy process with a suitable covariance functional.


This thesis is comprised of two case studies on the selection and implementation of systems Mimsy XG at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and AtoM and Islandora at Ryerson University's Archives and Special Collections. These studies highlight the changes cultural heritage institutions are currently undergoing to digitally structure, manage, and access collections data by using a relational collections management system (CMS). The findings show that the success of a CMS is largely determined by the type of cultural heritage institution implementing it (archives, libraries, and museums), the types of collections within that organisation, in addition to institutional mandates and requirements. The ways in which a CMS platform answers these requirements through the data model and proprietary or open-source implementations determine the outcome of an institutional transition to a CMS.


BACKGROUND
Emergency department (ED) patients commonly smoke. Current treatment approaches use motivational interviewing, which is effective, but resource-intensive. Mobile health approaches may be more feasible and generalizable.

OBJECTIVE
The objective was to assess the feasibility of an ED-initiated program of tobacco dependence treatment that employs text messaging.

METHODS
Smokers age 18 or older were randomized to intervention or control arms. Control subjects received a brochure describing the state smokers' quitline. Intervention subjects received the brochure, 4 weeks of nicotine patches and gum (with the initial dose administered in the ED), a referral to the quitline, and enrollment in SmokefreeTXT, a free SMS-messaging service. SmokefreeTXT delivered 28 days of messages, two to five messages/day. Some messages ask subjects to provide data on mood or craving. Follow-up was conducted by phone call.

RESULTS
Sixty subjects were enrolled in May 2014. Of all subjects, 33 (55%) were nonwhite; 78% were insured by Medicaid. All intervention subjects used the texting program, with 24/30 (80%) using the program for all 28 days. At 1 month, 14/30 subjects (47%) in the intervention arm reported abstinence versus 3/30 (10%) in the control arm (p = 0.003). At 3 months, the abstinence rates in the intervention and control arms were, respectively, 9/30 (30%) and 4/30 (13%; p = 0.21). Subjects responding to more assessments of mood or craving were more likely to report abstinence at 1 month.

CONCLUSION
A texting program, combined with pharmacotherapy and a quitline referral, is feasible and may promote tobacco abstinence in ED smokers. A larger trial is planned to assess these results.


This project involves the experimental analysis of a jet with different nozzle configurations. The first configuration being a classic round nozzle and the second is modified adding a "fractal grid" by modifying the flow behavior and turbulent parameters. Both cases will be analyzed by an optical method, PIV, which is able to solve the velocity vector of a flow measuring the displacement of the particles of the flow. These particles have been initially added to the flow through a seeder PIV method not only provides an analysis of the speed but turbulent fluctuations of the velocity, the Reynolds stress and vorticity in case 3D PIV is used. Measuring supersonic speeds or the fact that it is a non-intrusive optical technique explains the reason PIV it is one of the most common experimental technique for analyzing flows. Reynolds stress is the component of the total stress tensor obtained by averaging the Navier-Stokes equations that define our turbulent flow. Averaging these equations explains where the turbulent fluctuations come. The simulations carried out show a comparison between the two configurations for all the turbulent parameters depending on the different regions of interest. The aim of this thesis is to understand the mechanisms and parameters involved in a turbulent flow but also contribute to the research of the jet noise produced by under the all sized structures present in the flow. Moreover, the use of "fractal grid" is being common among large companies for mixing the steady and accelerated flow more efficiently, noise reduction and even reduce the fuel consumption due to its more efficient combustion.


Electroporation uses pulsed, high‐intensity electric fields to temporarily increase cell membrane permeability by creation of pores, through which small molecules, such as chemotherapeutic agents, can diffuse inside cells before they reseal. The combination of electroporation with the administration of otherwise low‐permeant cytotoxic drugs is known as electrochemotherapy (ECT). The two most commonly used drugs are bleomycin and cisplatin. ECT has already been proven to be effective in diverse tumor histotypes, including melanoma and basal and squamous cell carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma, and breast cancer, also in those cases nonresponding to classical chemotherapies or other loco‐regional treatment modalities, with a good safety profile. ECT can be proposed as loco‐regional therapy for disseminated cutaneous and subcutaneous tumor lesions as alternative treatment modality to conventional therapies or as palliative care, in order to improve patients' quality of life.


Nanoporous nanocrystalline metal oxides with tunable oxidation states are crucial for controlling their catalytic, electronic, and optical properties. However, previous approaches to modulate oxidation states in nanoporous metal oxides commonly lead to the breakdown of the nanoporous structure as well as involve concomitant changes in their morphology, pore size, surface area, and nanocrystalline size. Herein, we present a transformative route to nanoporous metal oxides with various oxidation states using manganese oxides as model systems. Thermal conversion of Mn-based metal–organic frameworks (Mn-MOFs) at controlled temperature and atmosphere yielded a series of nanoporous manganese oxides with continuously tuned oxidation states: MnO, Mn3O4, Mn5O8, and Mn2O3. This transformation enabled the preparation of low-oxidation phase MnO and metastable intermediate phase Mn5O8 with nanoporous architectures, which were previously rarely accessible. Significantly, nanoporous MnO, Mn3O4, and Mn5O8 had a very similar morphology, surface area, and crystalline size. We investigated the electrocatalytic activity of nanoporous manganese oxides for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to identify the role of oxidation states, and observed oxidation state-dependent activity and kinetics for the ORR.


This paper seeks to describe the overall state of Rural Solid Waste Management (RSWM) in China in three main areas: waste collection services, waste transportation services and waste disposal services. Given China's urbanization, industrialization, and the subsequent improvement of household living standards, the amount of solid waste generated in rural China has increased rapidly. Based on primary data collected in 2016 from 100 villages across five provinces in China, we find that the proportion of villages with waste collection, waste transportation, and waste disposal services in 2015 is 80%, 55% and 22%, respectively. The differences in shares of villages with these services across provinces are statistically significant. Using descriptive and econometric analyses, the authors show that richer villages are more likely to provide rural solid waste (RSW) collection and transportation services. Villages with new (newly elected or appointed) village leaders are more likely to supply RSW disposal services. While the majority of villages report that they offer waste collection services (installing waste collection facilities and employing waste collection workers), the vast majority of villages do not transport their waste to treatment plants. Even fewer villages report using centralized disposal methods to dispose of waste, as required by law or regulation. This study represents the first effort to describe the state and determinants of waste management services in rural China in the wake of increased investment in and new policies regarding RSWM released in 2015. Additionally, we provide evidence-based suggestions that might be useful for policy makers interested in improving RSWM in China. These suggestions include increasing investments in waste collection facilities and worker services; encouraging local residents to classify and recycle waste; designing optimal waste transportation networks and routes; and improving on-site waste disposal technology.


In the high dimensional data the dimensional reduction is an important factor, for that purpose the clustering based feature subset selection algorithm is proposed in this paper. The features have been clustered according to the class labels. The Relevance of the clustered features has been evaluated. The correlation of the relevant clustered feature is then evaluated. Based on the correlation evaluation the Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) has been generated. The representatives of each class have been identified by the MST. The effectiveness is determined in terms of time required to find the subset of feature and the efficiency is determined terms of quality of the subset. By comparing the proposed algorithm with the existing feature selection algorithms like FCBF, reliefF, CFS etc with respect to the four classification algorithms namely Naive Bayer, the tree based c4.5, the instance based IB1 and rule based RIPPER the proposed algorithm is better in terms of efficiency and accuracy. The results are computed with various types of data set.


The effect of short-term (6 weeks) and long-term (7 years) guanfacine treatment on some metabolic and endocrine parameters was studied in patients with moderate hypertension. Short-term treatment decreased blood pressure and heart rate, and also produced a significant fall in urinary excretion of noradrenalin and prolactin. Long-term treatment, in addition, produced a progressive decrease in prolactin, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but did not change growth hormone levels and oral glucose tolerance test. The decreased mortality and morbidity which was observed under guanfacine treatment may depend not only on important antihypertensive activity of guanfacine, but also on its beneficial effect on known cardiovascular risk factors.


This work presents a fortran77 code based on an effective electrostatic model of point charges around a rare earth ion. The program calculates the full set of crystal field parameters, energy levels spectrum, and wave functions, as well as the magnetic properties such as the magnetization, the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, and the Schottky contribution to the specific heat. It is designed for real systems that need not bear ideal symmetry and it is able to determine the easy axis of magnetization. Its systematic application to different coordination environments allows magneto‐structural studies. The package has already been successfully applied to several mononuclear systems with single‐molecule magnetic behavior. The determination of effective point charge parameters in these studies facilitates its application to new systems. In this article, we illustrate its usage with two example studies: (a) an ideal cubic structure coordinating a lanthanoid ion and (b) a system with slow relaxation of the magnetization, LiHoxY(1‐x)F4. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


The agricultural economies of Australia and the United States experienced a major boom in the 1970s and a major bust in the 1980s. This paper examines the contribution of macroeconomic policy to these phenomena in the two countries over the last twenty years. We find that the observed agricultural cycles in the two countries were in part the unintended consequences of macroeconomic policies pursued for other reasons. Agriculture in both countries is heavily dependent on export demand and is highly capital intensive. Macroeconomic policies affecting exchange rates and interest rates are thus of considerable importance to these sectors. Implications for agricultural policy are also discussed.


Litterfall research is an interesting aspect in environmental studies due to its significance in nutrient cycling specially in regions like the Andes where the interactions between biomass production and its decomposition is poorly understood. This study is focusing in the litterfall biomass production under pine plantations in southern Ecuador. The litterfall production was studied for five months at two-week intervals in three pine forest sites located in the southern Andes region of Ecuador. Monthly litterfall production ranged between 1067-1907 kg ha-1, in comparison with other coniferous stands around the world, this study revealed a higher litterfall production for tropical areas and particularly the highest production under pine plantations in the Andes region. This high litterfall production highlights the upmost importance of this forest component as a potential nutrient reservoir involved in the global nutrient cycling under landscapes dominated by this exotic forest specie in the tropical Andes.


Porous coordination polymers (PCPs) have been recently highlighted because of their high synthetic designability in structure and functions. Because of their ordered nanoporous structures with a large surface area and tunable pore surface functionality, PCPs have emerged as a significant class of nanoporous materials with potential applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis, and chemical sensing. Recent research has shown the utility of PCPs as host materials for the confinement of nanoparticles of inorganic polymers (IPs), such as metals, metal oxides, and metal chalcogenides. The fabrication of IP nanoparticles in PCPs (PCP⊃IP) has been studied for manifesting specific nanosized-dependent properties and host-guest synergistic functions. In this review, we describe the recent progress in the accommodation of IPs in the nanochannels of PCPs and the remarkable functions of the composite materials.


This paper explores the empirical determinants of external crises on a world panel dataset of 62 countries over the fifty-year period 1970-2019 and estimates their risk trade-offs with the aim of informing macrofinancial prudential policies. The determinants include countries external balance sheets, macroeconomic imbalances, and structural and global factors. It finds that information on the composition of gross positions in countries external financial portfolios is required to gauge the risk of external crisis: debt liabilities are the riskiest component, FDI liabilities are half as risky, and FDI assets are the most protective. Macroeconomic imbalances increase risk but are usually not the key drivers of crises. Adverse global shocks significantly leverage domestic risks. International reserves are powerful risk mitigants that provide high insurance value. The evidence shows that advanced economies are structurally more resilient to withstand exposure to weak external portfolios, macroeconomic imbalances, and global shocks. For the average country the risk of external crisis is on a declining trend mainly driven by improvements in the composition of external portfolio assets magnified by increasing financial integration as well as rising international reserves.


irritating not to find 'thalassemia' or 'hemoglobinopathy', though 'globinopathies' appears. The defects are relatively minor and the book as a whole succeeds admirably in its object. There can be few geneticists who would not find it of the utmost value in understanding the very stuff of their science. The book is produced to the very high standard one has come to expect of this publisher. L. I. WOOLF


Carbonaceous materials are considered to be effective materials for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO, especially at room temperature. Carbonaceous materials can not only be used for adsorption applications due to their porosity properties but also can act as supports or reactants, which are globally available. This paper reviews the current state removal of NO by carbonaceous materials. Moreover, the characteristics of carbonaceous materials, mechanisms and kinetics of removal of NO by carbonaceous materials are also discussed. It is observed that carbonaceous material supported metal oxides can remove NO effectively at low temperature. Currently, removal of NO by carbonaceous materials at room temperature has been developed in the lab, but it is still in the research and development stage. In the future, three aspects of the work should be further studied, which is to extend the catalyst life, enhance the catalytic properties and reduce the cost of catalyst preparation. All the tasks are necessary for the practical application of NO removal technology at room temperature.


Regional climate change impact assessments are becoming increasingly important for developing adaptation strategies in an uncertain future with respect to hydro-climatic extremes. There are a number of Global Climate Models (GCMs) and emission scenarios providing predictions of future changes in climate. As a result, there is a level of uncertainty associated with the decision of which climate models to use for the assessment of climate change impacts. The IPCC has recommended using as many global climate model scenarios as possible; however, this approach may be impractical for regional assessments that are computationally demanding. Methods have been developed to select climate model scenarios, generally consisting of selecting a model with the highest skill (validation), creating an ensemble, or selecting one or more extremes. Validation methods limit analyses to models with higher skill in simulating historical climate, ensemble methods typically take multi model means, median, or percentiles, and extremes methods tend to use scenarios which bound the projected changes in precipitation and temperature. In this paper a quantile regression based validation method is developed and applied to generate a reduced set of GCM-scenarios to analyze daily maximum streamflow uncertainty in the Upper Thames River Basin, Canada, while extremes and percentile ensemble approaches are also used for comparison. Results indicate that the validation method was able to effectively rank and reduce the set of scenarios, while the extremes and percentile ensemble methods were found not to necessarily correlate well with the range of extreme flows for all calendar months and return periods.


This article summarises the forces for change in the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Economic Community and the political limits upon it, together with some recent developments which contribute to their understanding. The emphasis in the paper, as in Community politics, is on budgetary and environmental pressures rather than on issues of efficiency or international trade. The institutions and shibboleths which encourage the conservation of a policy which is in most respects inefficient, inequitable and ineffective are explained, with particular attention to the processes of fixing prices and budgets and the profoundly different objectives of Community member countries.


of the current report, has also been described.8 In contrast, positive effects on schizophrenia, known to respond to dopamine antagonists, have been seen.9 Experimental data from mice with and without seizures have shown reduced dopamine in the striatum, as well as elsewhere in the brain in relation to lamotrigine therapy.10,11 Therefore, there appears to be evidence of dysfunctional dopamine metabolism, whether through interference by excitatory amino acids or through a direct impact on dopamine uptake, and therefore a possible mechanism and risk of induction of movement disorder, as so described. Further data are required to try to identify patients at risk of this side effect.


Introduction: Diet and physical activity might be associated with the risk of allergic diseases in childhood. However, evidence in literature is sparse and diverse. We aim to examine the associations between four healthy dietary consumption pattern drinks, plus the adherence to a physically active lifestyle with atopic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema) in adolescence and their relative importance. Methods: A total of 1934 adolescents (921 boys, 47.5%) and their parents completed a validated questionnaire assessing atopic diseases' symptoms prevalence in the past 12 months, as well as nutritional and physical activity information. Four healthy dietary and one physical active lifestyle patterns were identified and logistic regression was applied to assess their relation with allergic diseases. Results: A high weekly consumption of fruits, vegetables and pulses and low consumption of unhealthy foods was negatively associated with all atopic symptoms while adherence to a physical active lifestyle was inversely associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms and dairy products with asthma and eczema symptoms in the past 12 months after adjustment for several confounders (all p < 0.05). Fruits, vegetables and pulses consumption per week emerged as the most important lifestyle pattern negatively associated for all atopic diseases, after the adjustment for all the remaining lifestyle patterns and confounders (all p < 0.05) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a high fruit, vegetable and pulse intake should be the first lifestyle intervention every clinician and public health care worker evolving in the management of atopic adolescents should encourage and promote.


Background: Chronic renal failure defines as progressive and irreversible dysfunction of kidneys that could eventually terminated to end stage renal disease (GFR< 10% NL).
Because of therapeutic problem and high mortality and morbidity and it 's implication quality of life , ESRD is one of the important dilemma of pediatric medicine .
Materials and Methods: In our study 216 patients evaluated .
Results: Male to female ratio was 1.1 . The peak of the presenting age of ESRD was 10 years old (8-12 y). Congenital urological malformation (30%) , glomerulopathies (20%) , hereditary nephropathies (14.3%) , multisystem diseases (7%) and nephrolithiasis (6.2%) are the most common etiologies of ESRD . VUR in 21% and congenital obstructive disease in 8.5% are the etiology of ESRD. In patients with age five years old and lesser common causes of ESRD are congenital urologic malformation and glomerulopathies. In other age groups , urologic malformation is the most common cause of ESRD. In etiologic assessment of two separate 7 years interval , (1988-1993) and (1996-2003) , there was not any significant change in frequency of etiologies but frequency of congenital obstructive uropathy decreased from 10 % to 5.7%. Total amount of VUR (VUR ± Neuropathic bladder) has not any change but frequency of primary reflux nephropathy decreased from 14.2% to 8%. In this study , in 145 patients hemodialysis continued and 28 cases had unsuccessful renal transplant (13.8%) . 7.4 % of patients had successful renal replacement therapy (RRT) and mortality rate was 7.4% . BConclusion: Based on that the most common cause of ESRD is all ages in congenital urologic malformations , early diagnosis and appropriate management of these cases are effective in decreasing incidence of ESRD and with respect to few cases of renal transplant and unsuccessful results in 65% of RRT , the approach of this problem should be revised.


Abstract The photocatalytic degradation reaction of 1,3-dihydroxybenzene has been modeled theoretically. With the intention of predicting the primary intermediates and the product distribution, geometry optimizations of the reactants, the product radicals and transition state complexes have been performed with the semi-empirical PM3 method. The molecular orbital calculations have been carried out by an SCF method using RHF or UHF formalisms. Solvation effects have been computed by DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G* level using COSMO as the solvation model. Based on the results of the quantum mechanical calculations, the rate constants of the four possible reaction paths have been calculated by means of Transition state Theory. Three predictors have been determined for the prediction of the most probable transition state and the reaction path. A branching ratio for each of the reaction paths has been calculated and the most probable intermediate has been determined. Finally, the results obtained have been compared to the experimental results in order to assess the reliability of the proposed model.


Objective Gonorrhoea transmission between men is currently thought to occur primarily to and from the urethra. Transmission without urethral involvement, from throat-to-throat and throat-to-anus, is considered to be uncommon. Using gonorrhoea results from male couples, we aimed to investigate the transmission dynamics of gonorrhoea. If current medical consensus is correct, then most throat and anal infections should be explained by the partner's urethral infection. Methods This is a cross-sectional analysis of gonorrhoea diagnosed by nucleic acid amplification tests in both partners in male couples who attended Melbourne Sexual Health Centre together between March 2015 and June 2017. Isolates obtained from culture-positive infections underwent whole genome sequencing to assess phylogenetic relatedness between partners. Results In all 60 couples (120 men) at least one partner had gonorrhoea, and isolates had very high phylogenetic relatedness between partners. After excluding men with urethral gonorrhoea, among 32 men with anal gonorrhoea, 34% (95% CI 19% to 53 %) had a partner with throat gonorrhoea. After excluding couples where either man had urethral gonorrhoea, among 48 couples in which at least one man had throat gonorrhoea, in 23% (95% CI 12% to 37 %) of couples both men had throat gonorrhoea. Conclusions The observed gonorrhoea positivity when urethral infection is absent supports a new paradigm of gonorrhoea transmission, where the throat is a major source of gonorrhoea transmission between men, through tongue kissing, oroanal sex and saliva use as anal lubricant. Public health messages may need to address the risk of saliva exposure during sex.


Recent advances in digital imaging technology combined with the next generation digital wireless communication has great potential to transform the paradigm for how humans will communicate visual information with one another in the next century. The first major change is that the model of one message from a single source to many clients (mass broadcasting) will be replaced by a model of many messages from multiple sources to many receivers (peer to peer). A second major change is that the model will move from a passive client, which only receives messages to an interactive client able to respond and even direct the information content to itself. This will have great impact in the experience of visual communication in the next decade. In this paper, we shall outline some of the key technological challenges in terms of bandwidth, processing power, data rate, data sizes and human factors required to influence this paradigm shift resulting from the merger of digital imaging and digital wireless communication technologies.


Background: Gout is a metabolic disorder caused by hyperuricemia, which results from changes in uric acid metabolism. Both internal (e.g., genetics) and external factors (e.g., diet, habits, comorbidities) play role in the occurrence of hyperuricemia and the difference of hyperuricemia prevalence in different populations.Objective: To compare the prevalence of hyperuricemia in families of gout and non-gout patients among Balinese people.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the rheumatology clinic at Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar. Samples were collected using consecutive method and consisted of gout and non-gout patients. Several characteristics (alcohol and purine consumption,medications, blood pressure, body mass index, serum uric acid level, and serum creatinine) in both groups were collected and compared. Family members (fi rstdegree relatives) of patients in each group were also recruited and had their serum uric acid level measured and compared.Results: A total of 46 patients and 116 family members (23 patients and 58 family members in each group) were enrolled. Among gout patients, there was signifi cantlyhigher prevalence of hyperuricemia, serum uric acid level, blood pressure, and serum creatinine; and lower creatinine clearance compared with the non-gout patients. There was signifi cantly higher prevalence of hyperuricemia among families of gout patients comparedwith families of non-gout patients (60.3 vs. 29.3%, respectively; p = 0.001), with a prevalence ratio of 2.06. Mean serum uric acid level of the family members of gout patients were also signifi cantly higher than the family members of non-gout patients (7.24 (SD 1.74) vs. 5.92 (SD 1.63) mg/dL, respectively; p = 0.000).Conclusion: Among Balinese people in this study, significantly higher prevalence of hyperuricemia and mean serum uric acid level was observed in families of gout patients compared with families of non-gout patients.


Estuaries are ephemeral geological formations in constant change, which is being accelerated by human intervention. Fine sediments are an important characteristic of estuarine systems upon which anthropogenic and natural activities depend. An important feature of fine sediments is their cohesiveness, following which individual particles aggregate into the so-called flocs or break-up due to turbulent motions. Throughout the flocculation process (aggregation and break-up), flocs change their properties of size, density and settling velocity with consequences on suspended sediment transport, primary productivity and contamination. The prediction of possible changes in flocculation represents an important tool to help in decision making. Although some knowledge has been gained from laboratory and field investigations, the behaviour of the flocs in real conditions is still not well understood. Even though formulations to describe changes in floc dynamics have been proposed, there is a wide disparity between studies. The aim of this research is to contribute to the knowledge of the flocculation
process and propose novel methods for the implementation in numerical models, via a case study in the Dee Estuary. The Dee is a hypertidal Estuary located in Liverpool Bay, with surface tidal currents over 1 m/s. The effects of turbulence generated by the strong tidal currents and waves on floc properties are of particular interest. The possibility of a simple formulation for the flocculation process is also investigated in order to be implemented in a state of the art coupling of hydrodynamic (POLCOMS), turbulence (GOTM) and waves (WAM) numerical models. To achieve these objectives, hourly data of grain size, volume concentration and current velocity from a mooring deployed in the Welsh Channel and water samples from a research vessel taken from 12 February to 9 March on 2008 have been used. The high sampling rate for the currentv elocities enables the calculation of turbulent stress, turbulent kinetic energy, shear rate, Kolmogorov microscale and dissipation. Mass concentrations were obtained froma series of water samples collected from a research vessel during the 12-14th February 2008, which were used to convert volume concentration into mass concentration.
Three hydrodynamic regimes have been distinguished from the observations: "current only" (negligible effect of waves), "combined currents-waves" (important effects from both forcings) and "wave dominant". Quarter-diurnal variability of floc size was present during the first two regimes. Observations showed aggregation of flocs during periods of low turbulence with higher magnitude during low water slack than during high water slack. Break-up occurred concurrently with high turbulence periods
during flood and ebb phases with higher magnitudes after ebb. Differences are likely due to turbulent stress asymmetries related with mixing and periodic stratification even though freshwater input was low. The "current only" regime was used to investigate the changes in floc settling velocities in relation with turbulent stress. A simple semi-empirical formulation was proposed and implemented in the numerical models. This expression depends on a single variable, which can be obtained from the turbulence model, and is both physically and mathematically correct. Model results qualitatively reproduced the neap-spring variability and the quarter-diurnal variability of floc settling velocities and suspended sediment concentration. During the "combined currents-waves" regime, waves were tidally modulated and led to enhanced aggregation and break-up, with higher floc size range than during the "current only" regime. Wave tidal modulation and quarter-diurnal variability of floc size were lost when waves were
dominant. Flocs sizes exhibited a low range related to wave height. Inverse relationships between turbulent properties and median grain size were found for the three regimes, with higher scatter of data for the Kolmogorov microscale and shear rate due to different floc behaviour during flood and ebb phases. Turbulent kinetic energy showed a better relationship with floc size, which suggests its use as a floc size predictor instead of turbulent stresses.


Software industry is gaining momentum due to profound impact on the productivity of the various tasks. Typically software development life cycle includes, development activity and post release activities. The post release activities cover software maintenance and support. It is inevitable to deny the significance of software maintenance and support activities due to fairly a large size of the software. In this study we are analyzing the relationship of team size, application size and software maintenance and support activities. We used the latest dataset of International Standard Benchmark Group data repository containing the software maintenance and support information to conduct this empirical investigation. The results of this empirical investigation further reinforce the current perceptions of the significantly important role of application size, team structure and size on the software maintenance and support activities.


The high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) are key factors in bread making quality since they are major contributors of glutenin elasticity and polymer formation of wheat dough. DNA markers for quality traits are currently used by wheat breeders for direct measurement of these traits without waiting for advancing generations of breeding materials to conduct biochemical tests. The goal of this study was to use DNA markers for screening newly developed Saudi wheat varieties for the presence of HMW-GS genes. Four new Saudi wheat lines (KSU 102, KSU 103, KSU 105 and KSU 106) and two American cultivars Yecora rojo and West Bread (popular in the Kingdom) were utilized in screening for the presence of the HMW-GS using primers covering the three wheat genomes. From the A genome, Ax2* was used. While two sets of primer pairs were used in the B genome. One primer pair for the Bx7 allele and another primer pair for By8 allele. From the D genome, primer pairs for Dx2/Dx5 and another primer pair for Dy10/Dy12 were used. Our results showed that both KSU 102 and 106 were missing Ax2* in the Glu alleles A1 and contain the Dy12 in the Glu-D1 locus which is indication of the poor bread making quality. On the other hand KSU 103 and 105 contained subunit Ax2* as well as Dx5 and Dy10 indicates that these two varieties are of moderate bread making quality. In contrast, both West Bread and Yecora Rojo contained all the five genes indicating that these two cultivars are of good quality.


In this paper, we investigate how in-network aggregation approach impacts the target tracking quality in multi-hop wireless sensor networks under network delays. Specifically, we use the mean squared error (MSE) of the target location estimate to quantify the target tracking quality, and investigate how in-network aggregation affects the MSE. To obtain insights without being obscured by onerous mathematical details, we assume a Brownian motion mobility model for the target, Gaussian measurement noise for the sensors, and independent per-hop delays. Under the above assumptions, we first propose an aggregation scheme that preserves a sufficient statistic for optimal tracking under data aggregation at the intermediate nodes and arbitrary network delays. We then analytically study the impact of aggregation in three increasingly more complicated scenarios: single task tracking with only transmission delay, single task tracking with both transmission delay and queueing delay at intermediate nodes, and multi-task tracking. Our results demonstrate that in-network aggregation improves tracking quality in all three scenarios. Furthermore, our analysis provides guidelines on how to choose aggregation parameters in practice.


An observability problem for a class of linear, uncertain-parameter, time-invariant dynamic SISO systems is discussed. The class of systems under consideration is described by a finite dimensional state-space equation with an interval diagonal state matrix, known control and output matrices and a two-dimensional uncertain parameter space. For the system considered a simple geometric interpretation of the system spectrum can be given. The geometric interpretation of the system spectrum is the base for defining observability and non-observability areas for the discussed system. The duality principle allows us to test observablity using controllability criteria. For the uncertain-parameter system considered, some controllability criteria presented in the author's previous papers are used. The results are illustrated with numerical examples.


Abstract Objectives: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore factors that influence older persons' will to live (WTL). Methods: Twenty-five Israeli elders were interviewed about what weakens and/or strengthens their WTL. Elements of the grounded theory method guided the data collection and analysis. Results: Our analysis revealed that the elements that pertain to WTL could potentially both increase and decrease the WTL in elders. These factors included social networks, financial security, religious faith, working and volunteering, and honor versus ageism. Conclusions: Five factors represent different aspects of older persons' lives that influence the WTL. The first four themes including Social Networks, Religious Faith, Honor versus Ageism, and Working and Volunteering are consistent with the findings of the study of Blue Zones. Blue Zones are areas characterized by high life expectancy. Israel shares cultural characteristics with the Blue Zones, being a society with traditional collective characteristics stemming from the Jewish tradition. The last theme of financial security is related to the characteristics of Israel as a society in which the social gaps are large and many elderly are pushed to the social margins, and lack financial security. This study points to the unique cultural characteristics of Israel that affect the WTL among elderly Jews and proposes a hypothesis linking Israeli culture to the high life expectancy in Israel.


Background: Teachers are one of the most important human resources. The strengths and quality of any educational system depends largely upon their teacher's work. It has been well documented that teaching is one of the most stressful professions in the world. Aim: This study aimed to determine the teachers' quality of life in Tehran high schools compares the quality of life of Tehran general population. Subjects and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a sample of 190 girl's high school teachers was selected from 30 schools of Tehran using stratified random sampling. In this study, age, teaching experience, marital status, education, and income were considered independent variables. The SF-36 Quality of Life Scale was used to assess the quality of life. Results: There was a positive association between teaching experience and the mean scores of mental health subscales, and also between marital status and the mean scores of physical functioning, vitality, and total physical health; in other words, the score was higher in single teachers (P<0.05). The mean scores of teachers in this study were significantly lower than the general population in all dimensions of the QOL except for mental health and emotional limitations (P<0.05). Conclusions: In Tehran, teachers have a lower QOL than the general population. This study suggests that adequate coping resources, especially social support, may be an important factor for improving the teachers' quality of life.


The Supreme Court's decision in Timbers of Inwood Forest occupies an unhappy position in bankruptcy case law. It is often remembered as a troubled interpretation of the Code, denying undersecured creditors compensation for an important source of depreciation - depreciation in the real value of a creditor's claim during a lengthy reorganization process. But Timbers was not a simple case in which a bank was denied adequate protection for lost investment opportunities. It was instead a case in which the bank tried to opt out of the bankruptcy process itself. The debtor was an apartment complex. After it entered bankruptcy, it assigned the apartment rents to the bank. These rents, economic theory tells us, closely approximated compensation for physical depreciation as well as lost investment opportunities. Yet the bank wanted more: it requested a second helping of compensation for lost investment opportunities, citing the Code's provision for adequate protection. Surprisingly, the bankruptcy court agreed; so did the Court of Appeals. But by the time the case reached the Supreme Court, it had morphed into something altogether different. Instead of an illustration of bank over-reaching, the case had become a vehicle for testing an abstract question - whether the phrase adequate protection encompasses compensation for lost investment opportunities. The Court may have decided that question incorrectly, but the end result - preventing bank over-reaching - was probably the right one. Indeed, Timbers' long-run impact may not go far beyond the parties to the case itself. The past fifteen years have seen legislative reforms, speedier cases, relatively low interest rates, and creditor control over the bankruptcy process, all of which have effectively neutralized Timbers' impact on most secured creditors.


The solar magnetic sector structure appears to be related to the average area of high positive vorticity centers (low-pressure troughs) observed during winter in the Northern Hemisphere at the 300-millibar level. The average area of high vorticity decreases (low-pressure troughs become less intense) during a few days near the times at which sector boundaries are carried past the earth by the solar wind. The amplitude of the effect is about 10 percent.


"How to Score" reveals the secret science that lies behind 'the beautiful game'. From international team formations to the psychology of the pitch and the changing room, Ken Bray describes the influences that impact upon play. He answers many of football's hottest questions: what is the perfect way to take a free kick? Which players are under more stress; attackers, midfield, or defenders? How do we know when a ball has crossed the goal-line? And, how can teams win a penalty shoot out? "How to Score" analyses many of the most memorable games over the last 50 years and the tactics of our favourite international and local footballers, as well as touching on big scientific themes such as aerodynamics, computer simulation and game analysis, via a brief journey into football's history. Drawing on the latest research from the fields of physics, biology, physiology, computing and psychology, football's hidden rules are illuminated like never before. From down the pub to up on the terraces, we love to talk about football - "How to Score" is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the game's secrets.