Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to thoroughly investigate the aerodynamic effects of blade pitch angle on small scaled horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to find out the sophisticated effects on the flow phenomena and power performance.

Design/methodology/approach
A small HAWT is used as a reference to validate the model and examine the aerodynamic effects. The blade pitch angle was varied between +2 and −6 degrees, angles which are critical for the reference wind turbine in terms of performance, and the CFD simulations were performed at different tip speed ratio values, λ = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10.5 to cover the effects in various conditions. Results are examined in two different aspects, namely, general performance and the flow physics.

Findings
The power performance varies significantly according to the tip speed ratio; the power coefficient increases up to a certain pitch angle at the design tip speed ratio (λ = 6); however, between λ = 2 and 4, the more the blade is pitched downwards, the larger is the power coefficient, the smaller is the thrust coefficient. Similarly, for tip speed ratios higher than λ = 8, the positive effect of the low pitch angles on the power coefficient at λ = 6 reverses. The flow separation location moves close to the leading edge at low tip speed ratios when the blade is pitched upwards and the also tip vortices become more intense. In conclusion, the pitch control can significantly contribute to the performance of small HAWTs depending on different conditions.

Originality/value
In the literature, only very little attention has been paid to the aerodynamic effects of pitch angle on HAWTs, and no such study is available about the effects on small HAWTs. The change of blade pitch angle was maintained at only one degree each time to capture even the smallest aerodynamic effects, and the results are presented in terms of the power performance and flow physics.


Abstract Background There is a knowledge gap about the characteristics of neutralizing antibody (NAb) response in patients who recovered COVID-19. In this study, it is aimed to elucidate the factors affecting the presence and titers of antibodies up to 30-days after onset. Material and methods A total of 129 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled. Clinical data were obtained retrospectively. SARS-CoV-2 specific NAb, IgM, and IgG antibody responses were analyzed. Results SARS-CoV-2 specific NAb, IgM and IgG, were detected at the time of hospital discharge in 60.5%, 30.2%, and 51.9% of the patients, respectively. The median time for obtaining serum samples for antibody tests after symptoms' onset was 11 days. The median titer of neutralizing antibody (SN50) was significantly higher in severe patients (25 vs. 7.5, p=0.009). Of the 23 severe patients, 52.2% (n=12) had higher NAb titers (i.e., SN50≥1:25) when compared to that in non-severe patients (OR=2.89; 95%CI=1.15–7.28, p=0.021), yet, the potential effect of follow-up time on NAb status and titers could not be ruled out. Conclusions The presence of antibody response is not the only determinative factor for recovery. The presence and higher titers of NAb were detected more in severe patients than their non-severe counterparts. Survival analysis suggested that this difference could at least be partially explained by the length of follow-up through antibody testing (at discharge) after symptoms' onset.


Testing for delay and CMOS stuck-open faults requires two pattern tests and test sets are usually large. Built-in self-test (BIST) schemes are attractive for such comprehensive testing. The BIST test pattern generators (TPGs) for such testing should be designed to ensure high pattern-pair coverage. In this paper, necessary and sufficient conditions to ensure complete/maximal pattern-pair coverage for linear feedback shift register (LFSR) and cellular automata (CA) have been derived. The theory developed here identifies all LFSR/CA TPGs which maximize pattern-pair coverage under any given TPG size constraints. It is shown that LFSRs with primitive feedback polynomials with large number of terms are better for two-pattern testing. Also, CA are shown to be better TPGs than LFSRs for two-pattern testing. Results derived in this paper provide practical algorithms for the design of optimal TPGs for two-pattern testing. Experiments on some benchmark circuits indicate the TPGs designed using the procedures outlined in this paper provide much higher delay fault coverage than other TPGs.<<ETX>>


This study investigated the mechanism by which treatment of the CHRF 288-11 megakaryoblastic cell line with phorbol myristate acetate caused a transient increase in adhesion. The adhesion to tissue culture plastic occurred within 4 h and could be reversed by treatment with RGDS-peptide suggesting the involvement of one or more RGD-binding integrins. Ligand-binding adhesion assays suggested that PMA-induced CHRF 288-11 cells had very little affinity for fibrinogen, a low affinity for vitronectin and a much higher affinity for fibronectin. Further adhesion assays performed in the presence of various integrin antagonists or inhibiting monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that the fibronectin-mediated cell adhesion is via the alpha beta , fibronectin receptor, integrin. Flow cytometrical investigations showed that this increase in alpha(5)beta(1)-adhesion on CHRF 288-11 cells following PMA stimulation was not brought about by an increase in alpha(5)beta(1)-integrin expression and inferred that increased adhesion is achieved by an increase in alpha(5)beta(1) ligand-binding function. These findings confirm other reports using different cells that the expression and function of integrins may play an important role in megakaryocytopoiesis. Modulation of integrin function may facilitate the migration of maturing megakaryoblasts in the bone marrow stroma before their movement through the sinus wall and into the blood stream. The report demonstrates that the CHRF 288-11 megakaryoblastic cell line is a useful model for investigating some aspects of these phenomena.


The worldwide pandemic situation caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a state of confinement of the population, which has caused, following consulted research, an increase in stress. Faced with this situation, the Spanish university not only had to adapt to the changes derived from the causes of the pandemic but also had to face a new methodological model—e-learning teaching—for which not all teachers and students were prepared. This could cause an increase in stress due to the uncertainty caused by this time of change. This research analyzes the relationship between perceived self-efficacy in the confinement period and the level of trait anxiety (TA) and state anxiety (SA) during COVID-19. Four hundred twenty-seven students from the University of Granada (Spain) participated in this study. The adaptation of two scales that measure perceived academic self-efficacy and anxiety (TA and SA) has been applied. The results indicated that there was an inversely proportional relationship between anxiety and self-efficacy; men showed the highest perception of self-efficacy, while women had higher scores in TA and SA; the latter was accentuated in cases when a relative died. To conclude, students who show a higher level of anxiety (TA and SA) express more negative emotions and also perceive themselves with less academic self-efficacy. Therefore, a stressful situation (pandemic and confinement) together with a critical event (illness and death of a relative/friend due to COVID-19) increases anxiety levels and influences the perception of academic self-efficacy.


The influence of the tile angle of the [001] out of crystal surface β on iron loss improvement of 3% Si steel single crystals was investigated. This iron loss improvement was caused by tensile stress effect of TiN coating and domain refinement. When β angle was less than 3 degrees, both eddy current loss and hysteresis loss decrease. Extremely low iron loss was obtained, when β angle equal to about 2 degrees. On the other hand, when β angle is more than 3 degrees, the hysteresis loss increased though the eddy current loss decreased by TiN coating. As a result, change in iron loss was small after TiN coating and domain refining. Therefore, it was clarified that the iron loss improving methods, such as domain refining and ultra-high tension coating, were effective especially in grain oriented electrical steel whose β angle is less than 3 degrees.


Aim To identify the representations which the African black patients have their dermatoses in order to improve their support. Materrials and Methods It was a cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical aiming carried out with the service of dermatology of Teaching Hospital of Treichville, from March 31st, 2014 to May 29th, 2014. Had been included in-patients and 10 patients per day in consultation on a simple mode of recruitment by including a patient on two. The representations were appreciated on the punitive models, persecutives and destiny of Saradon Eck. Results 110 out of 361 patients(30.5%) had sociocultural representations; the sex-ratio of 0.62; the median age of 43.6 years and 78.7% of provided education for. 73%(n=110) consulted in first intention a traditional physicians, a charlatan or a camp of prayer; 63.6% did not have explanations on their representations; 28.18% had some on the persecutive models; 8.18% on the punitive models and any on the model destiny. The origin of the representations was the family(67.2%), the patient himself(66.3%), and the friends(20%). 78% adhered to it, 19.2% doubted and 2.8% did not believe in it. The papules were more represented but the difference was significant for the bubbles, the maculae and ulcerations(p=0,05). Lastly, one noted, among them, more patients presenting of the large legs(29.1%), the squameuses dermatoses(20.9%) and maculo-papulous rash(20%). Conclusion To question the patients on their sociocultural representations face  their dermatoses in Black Africa can help  the support because it is a spirit which live much of them.


Money may carry pathogenic microorganisms that might survive represent an often overlooked reservoir for enteric diseases. A total of 84 Iraqi currencies were collected from different sources including: car drivers, baggers and bank workers from the period between January 2010 till June 2010. Seventy two hand swaps from car drivers, baggers and bank workers were taken during the same period, and (31) currency packages were taken from central Iraqi bank. The results showed that the total number of the examined human hands for bacterial and parasitic pathogens was 17 drivers all of them were males, 22 baggers; 10 males and 12 females, 33 bank workers; two males and 31 females. The main pathogenic bacteria types which isolated from hand swaps of drivers were Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella and Escherichia coli. Staphylococcus aureus was the dominant among the all age groups. The statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the ages and type of pathogens. The same type of bacteria was found in the hand swaps from baggers, but the highest number recorded was Klebseilla. The statistical analysis showed a high stander deviation in Klebsiella (2.828) and a significant differences between the ages, sex and the type of pathogens; P ≤ 0.05 (0.028). The groups of bank workers had more pathogenic bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus was the dominant as compared with others and females encountered more bacteria than males. But there was no significant differences between sex, age group and type of pathogen when P ≤ 0.05 (0.716). Different pathogens were also found in the currency with mint, clean and dirty/ mutilated condition from all groups under this study. The parasitic pathogens were isolated from baggers hand swaps only, and only Entamoeba histolytica and ova of some parasites were recognized from different hand swaps and money.


HFC-134a is used as working fluid in refrigerators widely. However, how to improve the efficiency of compressor and refrigerator is major topic in the word. The purpose of this study is aimed at the performance evaluation of compressors with different viscosity of POEs oil. A hermetic reciprocating compressor using HFC-134a as refrigerant was adopted and the experimental investigation was carried out on a calorimeter. Four type of viscosity of POEs oil and three test conditions having different compression ratios were used. The results indicated the viscosity of lubricants influenced refrigerant mass flow rate, cooling capacity, input power, E.E.R. and discharge temperature at different operation conditions of the compressor, the range of variation were 1.31~2.14%, 1.28~2.17%, 3.23~4.69%, 1.92~2.76% and 3.52~5.18%, respectively.


Data processing on the cloud is increasingly used for offering cost effective services. In this paper, we present a method for resource allocation for data processing services over the cloud taking into account not just the processing power and memory requirements, but the network speed, reliability and data throughput. We also present algorithms for partitioning data, for doing parallel block data transfer to achieve better throughput and allocated cloud resources. We also present methods for optimal pricing and determination of Service Level Agreements for a given data processing job. The usefulness of our approach is shown through experiments performed under different resource allocation conditions.


Recently there has been an increase of interest in the concept of satellite formation flying due to the efficiency gains that can be obtained from using a large number of small crafts instead of one large one. In formation flying it is required that the satellites should fly in specified positions relative to the others and with specified attitudes. For this specific motion pattern it is necessary to design control algorithms which are efficient and easy to implement on board. A cluster of satellites needs to operate autonomously to fulfil the control requirements of a mission without human intervention. An agent based control system is proposed to address the problem. The proposed software architecture allows each satellite to monitor the movements of the other satellites and to communicate and cooperate with others to maintain performance. The collaborative autonomous control system is able to reconfigure sensor and actuator functionality in face of degradation or malfunction. The control architecture is analysed for reliability and logical consistency.


JESUS AND THE COVENANT Jesus and the judaism of his time Jesus shared with his contemporaries a profound connection to Judaism; the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob served for him more as the ground faith than as a particular belief. To his mind, as the Gospels show, the patriarchs were living, enduring presences that guaranteed God's eternal care for his people (Mark 12:26–7; Matthew 22:31–2; Luke 20:37–8). What God had done for Israel and disclosed to Israel in the past shaped the significance of their lives in the present and into the future. Jesus assumed, as did most Jews in his time, that Israel's Scriptures were to be interpreted and appropriated in new ways, because the present was as much in God's hands as the past. Especially given the changed circumstances in which the land promised to Israel lay under Roman dominance, much Judaic interpretation turned on the issue of how the divine promises to Abraham and the patriarchs were to be realized. In the tradition of the prophet Jeremiah, many Israelites awaited God's renewal of the covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–4). A basic question for them became, What is the essence of belonging to God's people? In postexilic Judaism, answers to that question varied widely. The writings that came to be called the New Covenant (a more accurate rendering than "New Testament") need to be seen in the context of Jesus' distinctive attempt, along with those of his followers and successors, to understand, reclaim, and fulfill the covenantal tradition.


Introduction Tumor mutational burden (TMB) and APOBEC mutational signatures are potential prognostic markers in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC). Their utility in predicting outcomes to specific therapies in aUC warrants additional study. Methods We retrospectively reviewed consecutive UC cases assessed with UCSF500, an institutional assay that uses hybrid capture enrichment of target DNA to interrogate 479 common cancer genes. Hypermutated tumors (HM), defined as having TMB ≥10 mutations/Mb, were also assessed for APOBEC mutational signatures, while non-HM (NHM) tumors were not assessed due to low TMB. The logrank test was used to determine if there were differences in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) among patient groups of interest. Results Among 75 aUC patients who had UCSF500 testing, 46 patients were evaluable for TMB, of which 19 patients (41%) had HM tumors and the rest had NHM tumors (27 patients). An additional 29 patients had unknown TMB status. Among 19 HM patients, all 16 patients who were evaluable for analysis had APOBEC signatures. HM patients (N=19) were compared with NHM patients (N=27) and had improved OS from diagnosis (125.3 months vs 35.7 months, p=0.06) but inferior OS for patients treated with chemotherapy (7.0 months vs 13.1 months, p=0.04). Patients with APOBEC (N=16) were compared with remaining 56 patients, comprised of 27 NHM patients and 29 patients with unknown TMB, showing APOBEC patients to have improved OS from diagnosis (125.3 months vs 44.5 months, p=0.05) but inferior OS for patients treated with chemotherapy (7.0 months vs 13.1 months, p=0.05). Neither APOBEC nor HM status were associated with response to immunotherapy. Conclusions In a large, single-institution aUC cohort assessed with UCSF500, an institutional NGS panel, HM tumors were common and all such tumors that were evaluated for mutational signature analysis had APOBEC signatures. APOBEC signatures and high TMB were prognostic of improved OS from diagnosis and both analyses also predicted inferior outcomes with chemotherapy treatment.


This paper evaluates the potential impact of adjustment policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on the vulnerability of women and children to HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. A conceptual framework, composed of five different pathways of causation, is used for the evaluation. These five pathways connect changes at the macro level (e.g. removal of food subsidies) with effects at the meso (e.g. higher food prices) and micro levels (e.g. exposure of women and children to commercial sex) that influence the vulnerability of women and children to HIV/AIDS. Published literature on adjustment policies and socioeconomic determinants of HIV/AIDS among women and children in sub-Saharan Africa was reviewed to explore the cause-effect relationships included in the theoretical framework. Evidence suggests that adjustment policies may inadvertently produce conditions facilitating the exposure of women and children to HIV/AIDS. Complex research designs are needed to further investigate this relationship. A shift in emphasis from an individual approach to a socioeconomic approach in the study of HIV infection among women and children in the developing world is suggested. Given the potential for adjustment policies to exacerbate the AIDS pandemic among women and children, a careful examination of the effects of these policies on maternal and child welfare is urgently needed.


OBJECTIVES
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in critical care settings. Acinetobacter has become a leading cause of VAP. In particular, the appearance and spread of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter is of great concern. In this study, we examined the effect of the antioxidant procysteine on Acinetobacter murine pneumonia in hyperoxic conditions in order to simulate VAP.

METHODS
Acinetobacter was administered intranasally to BALB/c mice kept in hyperoxic conditions. At designated timepoints, bacterial number, cytokine production and histopathological findings in the lungs were examined. The effects of procysteine on survival rates, lung bacterial burdens and the phagocytic activities of alveolar macrophages were evaluated.

RESULTS
Drastic decreases in survival were observed when the infected mice were kept in hyperoxic conditions (P < 0.001). Significant differences in pulmonary bacterial number and neutrophil accumulation were observed between mice kept in hyperoxic or normoxic conditions on day 3. Although all mice infected with Acinetobacter spp. and kept in hyperoxic conditions died by day 3, procysteine treatment significantly improved survival (60% survival on day 7, P < 0.01). Procysteine treatment decreased the lung bacterial burden on days 2 and 3. Finally, improved uptake of FITC-labelled beads by alveolar macrophages from mice treated with procysteine and kept in hyperoxic conditions was noted.

CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that hyperoxia increases mortality in mice with Acinetobacter pneumonia and that procysteine improves survival by increasing the phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages in mice kept in hyperoxic conditions.


The aimed of this study is to estimate Scleroderma infections in Babylon Governorate (2016). Locations and number of infected people were detected. The number of infected people reached 17. Those patients were admitted in the government hospitals. A statistical questionnaire was prepared for this study which includes patient's name, gender, age, occupation, address, date of admission to the hospital, date of discharge, and patient's condition. The results of this study found that female' infections were more than males. Scleroderma disease complications caused a change inside immune system, fibrosis, and damage in small blood vessels. It was also found that most of the infections are in Hilla district and less concentrated in the Kefel area. This may be correlated to the population density, lack of health awareness; municipal services, poor infrastructure as well as industrial activities were mostly concentrated inside the city. Further studies related geospatial and environmental variables could help our findings to detect a wide range of patients and related that with site variables. Keywords: Environmental Pollution, Hilla City, Air Pollution, Scleroderma Disease.


At the time of Ottoman rule, Travnik quickly earned a recognition in all segments of life and became one of the significant towns in Bosnia. After 1453, two powerful and interconnected pevelopments.
This paper discusses the two processes from which it can be seen that there were occasional strong impulses for development in both segments, with temporary oscillations. It is surprising that the development stagnated in both of the above mentioned segments in 17th century. It is obvious that it was the result of the Ottoman Empire crisis that affected the development of towns and their trades, including Travnik. Still, it is evident that the dynamics of the development in 16th century was by far more prominent than in later periods, even in the 18th century when it would be expected that the town would develop more intensively since it was the center of the province.


Objectives : This literature study about dental external treatments from Hyangyakjibsungbang ‧ Tooth will invigorate applying the therapeutics in the field of Dentistry. Methods : In this study, the parts related to external treatment in the original text of Hyangyakjibsungbang ‧ Tooth were reviewed. Results : Examples of frequently used external method were gargling, applying powder, and brushing one's tooth. These methods are still used in modern dental treatment. Conclusions : Discovering new herbal medicines that provide better effects and developing more precise external treatments will advance dental treatment in Korean medicine.


The main purpose of this study was to determine which method of tendon rehabilitation - the "eccentric squat" exercise or the universal gym "leg extension/leg curl" exercise produces a more significant result in terms of recovery in the treatment of chronic patellar tendonitis. A second objective was to determine if a relationship existed between patients who presented with patellar tendonitis and certain biomechanical malalignments and/or muscle imbalances that those patients might have possessed.
Nineteen patients with chronic patellar tendonitis were studied. They were selected on the basis that they had a history of athletic participation,
wore no orthotics and had had the symptoms of patellar tendonitis greater than four weeks.
Subjects were randomly placed in either of two groups: training using the "eccentric squat" exercise or training using the "leg extension/ leg curl" exercise. Subjects were clinically and biomechanically examined by a physician and placed on the twelve week exercise program. They were examined and tested at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. Testing included the following variables: thigh circumference measured 4.4 and 10 centimeters above the medial knee joint line, quadricep and hamstring moment of force as measured on the Cybex at 30 degrees per second and a subjective evaluation of pain rated on a scale from 1 to 10.
There was no significant difference between the groups in either quadricep or hamstring moment of force, however hamstring moment of force significantly increased in both groups. There was a significant difference in pain ratings between the groups averaged over the three testing sessions (p <0.01). The group training with the "eccentric squat" exercise decreased in pain more than the group performing the "leg extension/leg curl" exercise. Also, the "eccentric squat" group produced twice as many "pain free" subjects at the end of the program than the other group. With the retrospective clinical
data on the 129 patellar tendonitis patients seen at the B.C. Sports

Medicine Clinic over a three year period, it appears that the average structural malalignment of the patellar tendonitis patient is no different
from the average biomechanical problems any athlete may present with who has any number of difference overuse problems.
It appears indicated to recommend the use of the "eccentric squat" exercise as an approach towards the conservative management of chronic patellar tendonitis.


Local damage (e.g., burning, heating, or crushing) causes the generation and propagation of a variation potential (VP), which is a unique electrical signal in higher plants. A VP influences numerous physiological processes, with photosynthesis and respiration being important targets. VP generation is based on transient inactivation of H+-ATPase in plasma membrane. In this work, we investigated the participation of this inactivation in the development of VP-induced photosynthetic and respiratory responses. Two- to three-week-old pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L.) and their protoplasts were investigated. Photosynthesis and respiration in intact seedlings were measured using a GFS-3000 gas analyzer, Dual-PAM-100 Pulse-Amplitude-Modulation (PAM)-fluorometer, and a Dual-PAM gas-exchange Cuvette 3010-Dual. Electrical activity was measured using extracellular electrodes. The parameters of photosynthetic light reactions in protoplasts were measured using the Dual-PAM-100; photosynthesis- and respiration-related changes in O2 exchange rate were measured using an Oxygraph Plus System. We found that preliminary changes in the activity of H+-ATPase in the plasma membrane (its inactivation by sodium orthovanadate or activation by fusicoccin) influenced the amplitudes and magnitudes of VP-induced photosynthetic and respiratory responses in intact seedlings. Decreases in H+-ATPase activity (sodium orthovanadate treatment) induced fast decreases in photosynthetic activity and increases in respiration in protoplasts. Thus, our results support the effect of H+-ATPase inactivation on VP-induced photosynthetic and respiratory responses.


Several theories propose that emotions and self-awareness arise from the integration of internal and external signals and their respective precision-weighted expectations. Supporting these mechanisms, research indicates that the brain uses temporal cues from cardiac signals to predict auditory stimuli, and that these predictions and their prediction errors can be observed in the scalp heartbeat-evoked potential (HEP). We investigated the effect of precision modulations on these cross-modal predictive mechanisms, via attention and interoceptive ability. We presented auditory sequences at short (perceived synchronous) or long (perceived asynchronous) cardio-audio delays, with half of the trials including an omission. Participants attended to the cardio-audio synchronicity of the tones (internal attention) or the auditory stimuli alone (external attention). Comparing HEPs during omissions allowed for the observation of pure predictive signals, without contaminating auditory input. We observed an early effect of cardio-audio delay, reflecting a difference in heartbeat-driven expectations. We also observed a larger positivity to omissions of sounds perceived as synchronous than to omissions of sounds perceived as asynchronous when attending internally only, consistent with the role of attentional precision for enhancing predictions. These results provide support for attentionally-modulated cross-modal predictive coding, and suggest a potential tool for investigating its role in emotion and self-awareness.


Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii cause human paracoccidioidomycosis. We have previously characterized the <200-nt RNA sub-populations contained in fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) from P. brasiliensis Pb18 and other pathogenic fungi. We have presently used the RNA-seq strategy to compare the <200- and >200-nt RNA fractions contained in EVs isolated from culture supernatants of P. brasiliensis Pb18, Pb3, and P. lutzii Pb01. Shared mRNA sequences were related to protein modification, translation, and DNA metabolism/biogenesis, while those related to transport and oxidation-reduction were exclusive to Pb01. The presence of functional full-length mRNAs was validated by in vitro translation. Among small non-coding (nc)RNA, 15 were common to all samples; small nucleolar (sno)RNAs were enriched in P. brasiliensis EVs, whereas for P. lutzii there were similar proportions of snoRNA, rRNA, and tRNA. Putative exonic sRNAs were highly abundant in Pb18 EVs. We also found sRNA sequences bearing incomplete microRNA structures mapping to exons. RNA-seq data suggest that extracellular fractions containing Pb18 EVs can modulate the transcriptome of murine monocyte-derived dendritic cells in a transwell system. Considering that sRNA classes are involved in transcription/translation modulation, our general results may indicate that differences in virulence among fungal isolates can be related to their distinct EV-RNA content.


Applying an autobiographical interest and perspective, an attempt is made at a "short person's" reading of relevant biblical texts. The OT background to the notion of "little" ones in Matthew is examined. Various OT characters are called by others, or see themselves as, "little," including the Israelite scouts and Jacob, Saul, Solomon, David and Jeremiah. Invariably the sense is of perceived inadequacy for a divine task, God providing the necessary physical or inspirational aid. In the NT, the short man Zacchaeus, painfully aware of his own shortcomings, is rescued in a similar way, and set right by Jesus. The "little ones" of Matthew, mirroring a special interest of Matthew's, are "immature scribes": apparently insignificant student disciples sent out on Jesus' mission. Despite appearances, they have the necessary spiritual insight, fully qualify as "disciples" with a prophetic calling and—far from being despised or ridiculed as "little ones" often are—are to be received and affirmed without negative prejudice or neglect.


The greatest shoreline changes of barrier islands along the South Carolina coast occur in the vicinity of tidal inlets. Depositional processes at these inlets can be categorized as those associated with (1) migrating inlets, (2) stable inlets, and (3) inlets whose main ebb channels breach new positions through their ebb-tidal deltas. At migrating inlets, curved beach ridges are added to the updrift island while the downdrift island erodes. These processes occur most commonly at shallow inlets whose main ebb channels do not scour into the marine or lagoonal muds underlying the barrier-island sands. Shoreline breachings during storms are also important at inlets with histories of rapid migrations. Stable inlets have deeper main ebb channels which are entrenched in resistant clays. Morphologic changes associated with these inlets are predominantly the result of wave processes. The coalescing of wave-built swash bars in the outer part of the ebb-tidal delta and the subsequent landward migration of these bar complexes can cause inlets to have either a downdrift or updrift offset, or a straight configuration. The well-developed ebb-tidal deltas of the South Carolina inlets normally have a single main ebb channel and two or more marginal flood channels. The dominant northeast wave approach causes southerly longshore transport of sand along most of the South Carolina coast and a preferential addition of sediment to the north side of the ebb-tidal delta, which results in a southerly migration of the outer part of the main ebb channel. Because the southerly course is longer and less efficient than a straight course through the ebb-tidal delta, the main channel eventually breaches a new position through a northern marginal flood channel. The accumulation of sand which flanked the old channel is transported landward and accretes to the downdrift beach. End_of_Article - Last_Page 451------------


The plastic wastes are the more available material in the environment. These material types are: PolyPropylene (PP),PolyEthylene Terephthalate(PET) and Low Density Poly Ethylene(LDPE). Thermal degradation of those three materials was studied under vacuum environment individually and as a combination of all. The output products were characterized by Gas Chromatography(GC) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red(FTIR). Some of the physical properties was measured such as density, boiling point. The results show that degradation of combined materials was produced liquid fuel compared with standard properties preferable than individual once. A mixture product of same carbonyl compounds such carboxylic acid and unsaturated aldehyde was preliminary characterized .


This research addresses the gap between construction project management and the 3D visualization of construction sequence. Typically project managers use software that presents construction stages as 2D Gantt charts, where the X axis represents time and the Y axis represents the construction activity. These are then typically cross referenced to either 2D or 3D construction drawings. The potential of linking construction sequencing charts and critical paths to Building Information Models is well established. So called '4D BIM' applications such as Synchro enable the linking of three dimensional information and Gantt charts. There is also precedent in virtual reality simulations, such as the AR4BC project by (Woodward, Hakkarainen, & Rainio, 2010) and the desktop VR simulation applications for teaching construction management (Nikolic, 2006). From these and other precedents it is observed that 4D BIM is orientated towards the final stages of design where models are complex and not optimized, while full VR applications are typically not available in practice. Moreover, recent availability of augmented reality applications for mobile devices opens up new ways to integrate 4D BIM into project management. As part of initial discussions with consultants, a mock-up of an AR application running on a tablet that would enable on - site visualization was demonstrated. Given positive feedback, prototype applications were developed using the Unity interactive 3D authoring platform, which provides real time interaction between a Gantt chart and a 3D model. The final AR application uses a plan drawing as the marker and the user can switch between isometric and first person cameras to review construction sequencing, with the aim of identifying potential sequencing issues and / or clashes in the design while on site. The prototype interface and functionality have been evaluated through a series of structured interviews with building industry professionals. The results of these interviews have been analysed and from this, key performance criteria and guidelines for further development have been identified. This thesis illustrates the potential of AR on mobile devices for construction management, documents the design and implementation of a prototype application and articulates issues for further research from the perspective of key building industry stakeholders.


Background In response to the growing challenge of over-hospitalisation and fragmentation of care for people nearing the end-of-life, a key factor is to develop an integrated cross-boundary care approach to meet the population's needs. Gold Standards Framework (GSF) quality improvement programmes are widely used in the UK in primary care, care homes, hospitals, domiciliary care and hospices. By working together to a common plan, GSF can help be a vehicle for improvement with patients at the heart of care. Aim To explore using GSF programmes in different settings to develop an integrated whole-system approach, with patients at the heart of care – the 'heart of gold' projects. Method A description of GSF used in different settings as a common language to develop better integrated cross-boundary care, with peoples' wishes and preferences at the heart of care. GSF improves the early identification, Advance Care Planning discussions and coordination of care reducing unnecessary hospital admissions. Results Findings from different sectors are presented from each setting, looking at whole-systems, and practical and qualitative measures of progress. Conclusion Real improvements are being seen across whole areas using GSF as a vehicle for better co-ordinated care. 'Gold patients' and their families feel many benefits and there is greater openness and 'cultural change' in end-of-life-care, especially for the frail elderly. GSF can be part of the solution in developing such integrated care by developing a common 'vocabulary' of care for all people in any setting with any condition in the final years of life.


This thesis reconstructs and analyses the life and agency of Elisabeth Parr, marchioness of Northampton (1526-1565), with the aim of increasing understanding of women's networks of influence and political engagement at the mid-Tudor courts, c. 1547- 1565. Analysis of Elisabeth's life highlights that in the absence of a Queen consort the noblewomen of the Edwardian court maintained and utilized access to those in power and those with political significance and authority. During the reign of Mary Tudor, Elisabeth worked with her natal family to undermine Mary's Queenship and support Elizabeth Tudor, particularly by providing her with foreign intelligence. At the Elizabethan court Elisabeth regained her title (lost under Mary I) and occupied a position as one of the Queen's most trusted confidantes and influential associates. Her agency merited attention from ambassadors and noblemen as well as from the Emperor Maximilian and King Erik of Sweden, due to the significant role she played in several major contemporary events, such as Elizabeth's early marriage negotiations. This research is interdisciplinary, incorporating early modern social, political and cultural historiographies, gender studies, social anthropology, sociology and the study of early modern literature. The chronology of Elisabeth's activity is drawn chiefly from primary material. Research has uncovered c. 110 individual original documents directly relating to Elisabeth - many of which have not previously been printed elsewhere. Through the use of digital resources and extensive archival research, this thesis makes an intervention in the history and historiography of the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I: the reintegration of Elisabeth's activity into these reigns reveals the lacunae in scholarship on early modern women.


By observing bright and compact astronomical sources while also taking data with the 183 GHz Water Vapour Radiometers, ALMA will be able to measure the 'empirical' relationship between fluctuations in the phase of the astronomical signal and the fluctuations of sky brightness around 183 GHz. Simulations of such measurements assuming only thermal noise in the astronomical and WVR receivers are presented and it is shown that accurate determination of the empirical relationship should be possible in a relatively short time. It is then proposed that the best way of using these empirical coefficients is to include them as a constraint on a physical model of the atmosphere ‐ this allows them to be used for longer period of time, increasing the efficiency of observing. This approach fits naturally into the analysis framework presented in the previous memo, which has now been extended to implement it. The technique is illustrated via simulations and on a short data set collected at the SMA.


In poultry, magnesium is involved in many important physiological processes, from bone metabolism, modulation of a great number of enzyme activity to egg shell formation and resistance. The aim of the present research was to evaluate whether feed introduced MgO is intestinally absorbed and its level in different tissues. The experiment was performed over a period of 41 days, on 35 weeks old laying hens, RossoSL hybrid. The combined standard feed was supplemented with MgO in two different doses, 1g/kg feed and 3g/kg feed. At the end of the experiment, the animals from the control group that received only standard feed and the two groups of MgO supplemented ones were slaughtered. Samples of serum, liver, pectoral and thigh muscles and also thigh bone were collected. The evaluation of Mg content, assayed by atomic absorption spectroscopy, revealed that both experimental groups presented changes in magnesium levels. In sera, livers and thigh muscles, Mg content increased with the dose of supplemented MgO. In the pectoral muscle, the increase in Mg was higher in the lower supplemented groups (1g MgO/kg feed), about 11% over the control, while in the group that received 3g MgO/kg feed the Mg content was only with 4.1% over. A different behaviour against MgO supplementation was reached for thigh bone, where the Mg content deceased with 2% in the first group, and with 10.3% in the group that received the highest MgO supplementation. The obtained results demonstrate that MgO is absorbed at the intestinal level, even in an inorganic form, and more, induces changes in the magnesium level of the different organs and consequently may influence their metabolism.


Background: The Effective lifelong learning inventory (ELLI) has been used as a diagnostic self assessment tool in schools and universities and other learning contexts as a means of raising an individual's awareness of their own learning dispositions and encouraging them to take responsibility for their own learning. The demand for the ELLI, in practice, has been significant, and since it is administered online, since 2004 a dataset of over 10,000 cases has accumulated. Purpose: This paper focuses on an exploration of the internal reliability, validity and stability of the seven scales of the ELLI. Some suggestions of its relevance to practice are made, though this is not the focus of the paper and is discussed elsewhere. Programme description: The inventory is available to formal learning organisations, and is administered by teachers who have been trained in its application, drawing on research and best practice through an evaluated programme. Sample: The total sample in this study is 10,496 individuals from 122 institutions and 413 classrooms. Design and methods: An exploratory factor analysis and scale reliability computations were undertaken and a 'sensitivity' study based on a subgroup of the original sample, collected in 2002 is reported. An Analysis of Variance study is repeated, comparing means between age ranges. Results: The study demonstrates again that the scales remain stable and continue to reach acceptable reliability levels in the new sample, in five age ranges and that the mean score on all positive learning dispositions reduces significantly until the 16–19 age range. Conclusions: The scales demonstrate a significant degree of stability, reliability and internal consistency over time. The constructs measured are thus useful for research, and institutional self-evaluation, and can be used, in practice, with some confidence. There remains a significant ongoing research agenda relating to the plasticity of the construct of learning dispositions and the 'positioning' of dispositions within an ecology of learning.


Objective. To evaluate operative and perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy according to their body mass index. Method. A retrospective study was performed for patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy at a tertiary care center for a period of 4 years. Patients were divided into two groups: obese (BMI > 30 Kg/m2) and nonobese (BMI < 30 Kg/m2). Duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, successful laparoscopic completion, and intraoperative complications were compared in two groups. Result. A total of 253 patients underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy from January 2010 to December 2013. Out of them, 105 women (41.5%) had a BMI of more than 30 kg/m2. Overall, the mean blood loss was 85.79 ± 54.17 mL; the operative time was 54.17 ± 19.83 min. The surgery was completed laparoscopically in 244 (96.4%) women while laparotomy was done in 4 cases and vaginal suturing and closure of vault were done in 5 cases. Risk of vaginal assistance was higher in obese patients whereas out of the 4 conversions to laparotomy 3 had BMI < 30 kg/m2. The operative time was increased as the BMI of patient increased. Conclusions. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy is a safe and effective procedure for obese patients and can be performed with an efficacy similar to that in nonobese patients.


Biofilters are a widely used stormwater treatment technology. However; other than some evidence regarding non-pathogenic indicator microorganisms; there are significant knowledge gaps in the capacity of stormwater biofilters to remove actual pathogens and how this removal is impacted by biofilter design elements and operational conditions. In this study; we explored the capacity of stormwater biofilters to remove three reference pathogens (Campylobacter spp.; adenovirus and Cryptosporidium oocysts) and compared these to commonly used indicator microorganisms (E. coli; FRNA coliphages and Clostridium perfringens). Two different biofilter designs; each having a submerged zone (SZ); were tested under extended dry weather periods (up to 4 weeks) and different event volumes (the equivalent of 1–2 pore volumes) in a laboratory trial. These systems were able to consistently reduce the concentrations of all tested reference pathogens (average log reduction in Campylobacter spp. = 0.7; adenovirus = 1.0 and Cryptosporidium oocysts = 1.7) and two of the indicators (average log reduction in E. coli = 1.2 and C. perfringens = 2.1). However; none of the tested indicators consistently mimicked the removal performance of their corresponding reference pathogens after extended dry weather periods and during larger simulated storm events. This indicates that the behaviour of these pathogens in stormwater biofilters are not adequately represented by their corresponding indicator microorganisms and that to optimise biofilter designs for pathogen removal it is critical to further study pathogen removal processes in these systems.


All mammals harbor two types of adipose tissues that serve distinct physiological functions: white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). WAT functions mainly in the storage of excess energy, while BAT specializes in dissipating energy in the form of heat and functions as a defense against hypothermia and obesity. Since adult humans possess significant amounts of active BAT depots and it's mass inversely correlates with adiposity, BAT plays an important role in human obesity and energy homeostasis.New evidence suggests two types of thermogenic adipocytes with distinct developmental and anatomical features: classical brown adipocytes and beige adipocytes. Classical brown adipocytes are located mainly in dedicated BAT depots of rodents and infants. Beige adipocytes, on the other hand, reside mainly in subcutaneous WAT where they arise postnatally in response to certain external cues, such as chronic cold exposure and long-term treatment with PPAR- agonists, a process often referred to as the "browning" of WAT. Importantly, adult human BAT appears to be mainly composed of beige-like adipocytes, making this cell type an attractive therapeutic target for obesity and obesity-related diseases, such as insulin resistance and type2 diabetes. I will review recent progress in the molecular control of brown and beige adipocyte development and discuss emerging questions.(Presented at the 1912th Meeting, December 21, 2015).


Recent X-ray and radio observations by Muno et al. and Bower et al. have identified a transient low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) located only 0.1 pc in projection from the Galactic center, CXOGC J174540.0-290031. In this paper, we report the detailed analysis of X-ray and infrared observations of the transient and its surroundings. Chandra observations detect the source at a flux of FX = 2 × 10-12 ergs cm-2 s-1 (2-8 keV). After accounting for absorption both in the interstellar medium (ISM) and in material local to the source, the implied luminosity of the source is only LX = 4 × 1034 ergs s-1 (2-8 keV; D = 8 kpc). However, the diffuse X-ray emission near the source also brightened by a factor of 2. The enhanced diffuse X-ray emission lies on top of a known ridge of dust and ionized gas that is visible in infrared images. We interpret the X-ray emission as scattered flux from the outburst and determine that the peak luminosity of CXOGC J174540.0-290031 was LX ≳ 2 × 1036 ergs s-1. We suggest that the relatively small observed flux results from the fact that the system is observed nearly edge-on, so that the accretion disk intercepts most of the flux emitted along our line of sight. We compare the inferred peak X-ray luminosity to that of the radio jet. The ratio of the X-ray to radio luminosities, LX/LR ≲ 104, is considerably smaller than in other known LMXBs (≳105). This is probably because the jets are radiating with unusually high efficiency at the point where they impact the surrounding ISM. This hypothesis is supported by a comparison with mid-infrared images of the surrounding dust. Finally, we find that the minimum power required to produce the jet, Ljet ~ 1037 ergs s-1, is comparable to the inferred peak X-ray luminosity. This is the most direct evidence yet obtained that LMXBs accreting at low rates release about half of their energy as jets.


The internal structure of copper(II)-phthalocyanine (CuPc) thin films grown on SiO2∕Si by organic molecular beam deposition has been studied by grazing incidence x-ray reflectometry (GIXR) and atomic force microscopy. The electronic density profile is consistent with a structure formed by successive monolayers of molecules in the α form with the b axis lying in the substrate surface plane. The authors present an electronic density profile model of CuPc films grown on SiO2∕Si. The excellent agreement between the model and experimental data allows postdeposition monitoring of the internal structure of the CuPc films with the nondestructive GIXR technique, providing a tool for accurate control of CuPc growth on silicon-based substrates. In addition, since the experiments have been carried out ex situ, they show that these structures can endure ambient conditions.


Population dwellings in unplanned settlement have significant health risks physically, mentally and socially. Currently, an increase of unplanned settlements in different places of Tanzania and neighboring African countries pose a health risk to the residents. Rapid urban growth requires appropriate forms of governance must be evolved so as to take into account the diverse nature of urban residents and the need to meet their specific demands. This book examines the health status of population dwelling in planned and unplanned settlements where two wards one from each area were studied. In unplanned settlement, housing conditions, sanitation and indoor air and water pollution introduced serious health problems. Poor incomes, poor diet, low levels of education, unemployment and high medical costs were among the underlining causes of poor health in unplanned settlements. The findings in this book should be useful especially to urban planning professionals, health policy planners and politicians throughout the desire to protect health of the city residents. Urban planning, health policy, and political commitment are the basic elements in improving health condition of urban poor.


BACKGROUND
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is not as harmless as previously thought since it may lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Because most of the time ischemic AKI occurs unexpectedly, it is difficult to prevent its occurrence and there are no specific therapeutic approaches to prevent the AKI to CKD transition. We aimed to determine whether mineralocorticoid receptor blockade (MRB) in the first days after ischemia/reperfusion (IR) can prevent progression to CKD.

METHODS
Four groups of male Wistar rats were included: sham and three groups of bilateral renal ischemia for 45 min, one without treatment and the other two receiving spironolactone for 5 or 10 days, starting 24 h after IR. The rats were studied at 10 days or 5 months after ischemia induction.

RESULTS
After 5 months of follow-up, the untreated group exhibited clear evidence of AKI to CKD progression, such as proteinuria, reduced renal blood flow, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis and glomerular hypertrophy. All these alterations were prevented by both spironolactone treatments initiated 24 h after IR, the 10-day treatment being more effective. Within the early mechanisms of the MRB protective effect are the reduction of inflammation and increased endothelin-B-receptor expression and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation in the first 10 days after IR.

CONCLUSIONS
We propose that MRB, administered 24 h after the ischemic injury that leads to AKI, reduces inflammation and promotes efficient tissue repair that avoids the AKI to CKD transition. These data highlight a therapeutic window to preclude CKD development after AKI.


Total hip prostheses have succeeded in significantly improving the quality of life of millions of patients worldwide. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been widely and successfully used as a bearing material in orthopaedic prostheses since the 1960s. Despite the recognized success and worldwide acceptance of total hip replacement, the numbers of failures increase after about 15-20 years of use. The negative biological effects of wear particles are considered to be the most important limiting factors for a long implant life. The liberation of sub micron size wear debris into human tissue leads to chronic inflammation. Continuous inflammation caused by UHMWPE particles activates inflammatory cells (macrophages) that stimulate bone resorptive cells (osteoclasts) and eventually a loosening of the implant.
In-vitro experimental wear simulations are helpful in evaluating the importance of the many variables which can influence the generation of the wear debris. However, the difficulties involved in accurately duplicating in-vivo wear conditions, the long time that it takes to carry out the wear experiments and difficulties in accurately measuring the low degrees of wear, have limited the applicability of in-vitro wear testing. Screening methods using simplified experimental conditions, mainly unidirectional sliding (pin-on-disc devices), have shown to yield wear rates markedly different from those obtained in advanced wear simulator tests and from that observed in vivo. There is thus a need for simplified screening methods which mimic the wear process in a more realistic way, still do not require long testing times.

A new test method has been developed based on a modification of an existing pin-on-disc machine. The strain-hardening effect of the polymer pin was avoided by a bi-directional motion. The results indicate that significant wear occurs due to the bi-axial motion and the testing time is drastically reduced compared to that required in a joint wear simulator. The modified pin-on-disc machine was used for tribological investigation of UHMWPE sliding on stainless steel, and on stainless steel coated with diamond-like carbon, titanium nitride or Micronite. Micronite is a new type of coating combined with a very low friction coating material giving enhanced tribological properties. It was also shown that the wear properties of UHMWPE can be affected by a treatment of the polymer (addition of vitamin E (VE) as antioxidant, -irradiation and annealing). The possibility of controlling the wear properties of high-density polyethylene at an early processing stage by using a cold roll-drawing technique was also investigated. The results indicate that molecular orientation induced by the polymer processing is a promising route to improve the wear properties of polyethylene.


This paper used fuzzy logic theory to study the behavior of a simple pulse width modulated three phase voltage controlled VSI, which feeds a weak AC network with power produced from an offshore wind farm (WF) of induction generators. Its control system, which is based on fuzzy controllers, manages to offer very satisfactory performance. Using Matlab simulation, the study was performed under both steady-state and transient conditions. The results have proven an excellent performance and verified the validity of the proposed system. The studies have also demonstrated the ability of the advanced inverter to assist the system keeping the ac voltage fluctuations in the point of common coupling at an acceptable level.


It may be deemed axiomatic that wherever tubercle bacilli find a resting place in an organism and there set up their characteristic histologic changes, if the focus be so localized that it may be removed entirely, by any agency whatever, this removal will constitute a cure of the disease. On the recognition of this depends the value of any treatment for tuberculous lesions of the skin. Careful study of microscopic sections of infiltrative types of lupus immediately shows why many of the measures proposed for treatment have no value, except as mere palliatives for some of the annoying symptoms. I have too often seen the claim of a cure made when all that had been accomplished was the temporary healing of an ulcerating surface, the claimant being entirely unaware that a non-ulcerating patch of lupus is often more difficult to get rid of than one that has already broken down.


participants had basic fibreoptic skills only 50% had these in patients and the level of their expertise is not specified. It is thus not justified to ask about preference for one or the other technique. I cannot follow the authors supposition that 20 s amount to a clinically important difference between intubating times and must conclude that this was chosen to produce a statistically significant result. Breathing room air and then causing total airway obstruction, gross hypoxia develops after about 90 s, in apnoea but with a patent airway it takes closer to 120 s [2]. With the whole of the functional residual capacity filled with 100% oxygen, hypoxia would not develop for 8 min and after inhaling a few breaths of 100% oxygen PaO2 will remain above 13.3 kPa for at least 3 min [3].


The elective global ischemia of on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery contributes to the incidence of postoperative mortality, complications, and use of resources. In addition to cardiopulmonary bypass and techniques for myocardial protection such as aortic cross clamp, ventricular fibrillation, and cardioplegia, the administration of systemic glucose-insulinpotassium (GIK) in the perioperative period may act as both a metabolic modulator and potential inodilator. GIK may therefore serve to protect the myocardium and promote adequate cardiac and hemodynamic performance that would improve patient recovery. Cell, tissue, and animal experiments have determined a number of mechanisms of action by which this may be achieved, with increasing focus on insulin as the key component. The original concepts centered on GIK during or after ischemia switching metabolism away from that based on nonesterified fatty acids toward a more favorable glucose-based metabolism and thus improving the efficiency of adenosine triphosphate production and glycogen preservation. Insulin's ability to reduce intracellular fatty acid metabolism may also reduce cellular membrane damage. More recently other mechanisms have also been suggested, including osmotic, oxygen free radical scavenging, and antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, trials that have examined the role of GIK in cardiac surgery have been small, open label, and involved a wide variety of regimens. They have demonstrated improved glycogen preservation, reduced infarct size, reduced incidences of dysrhythmias, need for inotropic agents, and low cardiac output state, and overall reduced lengths of stay. The perceived need to achieve strict blood glucose control to reduce neurologic injury and improve overall mortality have conflicted with its practical difficulties, particularly during cold cardiopulmonary bypass, and the exact role of supplemental glucose administration and resulting hyperglycemia require re-examination.


A $k$-differential on a Riemann surface is a section of the $k$-th power of the canonical line bundle. Loci of $k$-differentials with prescribed number and multiplicities of zeros and poles form a natural stratification of the moduli space of $k$-differentials. In this paper we give a complete description for the compactification of the strata of $k$-differentials in terms of pointed stable $k$-differentials, for all $k$. The upshot is a global $k$-residue condition that can also be reformulated in terms of admissible covers of stable curves. Moreover, we study properties of $k$-differentials regarding their deformations, residues, and flat geometric structure.


Post-prostatectomy incontinence remains a significant problem for both patients and urologists. We report a case and the surgical technique of successful sling in the treatment of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. Sling surgery was performed on a 69-year-old male patient with severe urinary incontinence (6 pads/day) following radical prostatectomy. The procedure was conducted through the transobturator approach using a sling with a silicone foam pad to protect the urethra. At the 7-month follow-up the patient is using only 1 pad/day. We consider this operation an alternative to artificial urinary sphincter in cases of male sphincter incontinence.


Compatibility among substructures is an issue for hybrid simulation. Traditionally, the structure model is regarded as the idealized shear model. The equilibrium and compatibility of the axial and rotational direction at the substructure boundary are neglected. To improve the traditional boundary technique, this paper presents a novel substructure hybrid simulation boundary technique based on beam/column inflection points, which can effectively avoid the complex operation for realizing the bending moment at the boundary by using the features of the inflection point where the bending moment need not be simulated in the physical substructure. An axial displacement prediction technique and the equivalent force control method are used to realize the proposed method. The numerical simulation test scheme for the different boundary techniques was designed to consider three factors: (i) the different structural layers; (ii) the line stiffness ratio of the beam to column; and (iii) the peak acceleration. The simulation results for a variety of numerical tests show that the proposed technique shows better performance than the traditional technique, demonstrating its potential in improving HS test accuracy. Finally, the accuracy and feasibility of the proposed boundary technique is verified experimentally through the substructure hybrid simulation tests of a six-story steel frame model.


Since the end of the commercial fur seal hunt in 1984, the economy of the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, has lacked a stable, lasting basis. As a contribution to the effort to understand and promote the effective management of the Pribilof Islands as a social–ecological system, we examined current and recent conditions on the islands to assess local perceptions of, and prospects for, economic, social and environmental well-being. We found few correlations between environmental conditions and socio-economic indicators. The lack of apparent connection between population levels and economic or environmental stimuli is likely attributable to one or more of several factors: (a) modest economic dependence on the environment; (b) predominance of other economic inputs to the economies of the islands; (c) islanders basing residence choices largely on non-economic factors; and (d) the islanders' tolerance for economic fluctuations and uncertainty. These results suggest economic analysis alone is insufficient to explain the dynamics of this social–ecological system, contrary to many other case studies and an expectation of tight coupling and clear connections between society and ecology in the Pribilofs.


The use of lactic bacteria that is not part of the resident microflora of the mouth, and that is low acidifying and is capable of adhering directly to the pellicle of the teeth for the preparation of a composition intended for the prophylaxis or the treatment of dental caries, dental plaque and periodontal infection and compositions prepared therewith. ® KIPO & WIPO 2007


The spin-polarisation parameters for photoelectrons from lead atoms (6s26p2)J = 0 were measured in the wavelength range between the second threshold [Pb+ (6s26p) 2P3/2] and 100 nm in an angle-resolving experiment using circularly polarised vuv-radiation from the storage ring BESSY. Beyond this threshold (λ = 135.3 nm), the photoionisation cross section is strongly perturbed by autoionisation resonances. Especially, a strong enhancement of the generally weak Pb+ (6s26p) 2P3/2 photoionisation cross section occurs. Theoretical calculations by Radojevic [15] attribute these resonances to the 6s6p3-configuration of lead. By use of the measured spin-polarisation parameters A, ξ and α which show pronounced variations in the region investigated for both final ionic states 2P1/2 and 2P3/2 a detailed discussion of the resonances is performed.


In this paper, computer simulations are used to investigate the concept of designing microwave aperture antennas, potentially fabricated using metallic nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are considered as they facilitate fabrication and electromagnetic advantages. Aperture radiating structures have been excited by a plane wave in a microstrip line. The aperture was modified with the addition of fine scale structures; vertical strips shorter than the height of the aperture. These initial simulation results have shown that these fine structures inside the aperture can decrease the resonance frequency at the expense of the bandwidth.


BACKGROUND
Delirium is a syndrome characterised by an acute disturbance of attention and awareness which develops over a short time period and fluctuates in severity over the course of the day. It is commonly experienced during inpatient admission in the terminal phase of illness. It can cause symptoms such as agitation and hallucinations and is distressing for terminally ill people, their families and staff. Delirium may arise from any number of causes and treatment should aim to address these causes. When this is not possible, or treatment is unsuccessful, drug therapy to manage the symptoms may become necessary. This is the second update of the review first published in 2004.

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of drug therapies to manage delirium symptoms in terminally ill adults.

SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO from inception to July 2019, reference lists of retrieved papers, and online trial registries.

SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials of drug therapies in any dose by any route, compared to another drug therapy, a non-pharmacological approach, placebo, standard care or wait-list control, for the management of delirium symptoms in terminally ill adults (18 years or older).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We independently screened citations, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Primary outcomes were delirium symptoms; agitation score; adverse events. Secondary outcomes were: use of rescue medication; cognitive status; survival. We applied the GRADE approach to assess the overall quality of the evidence for each outcome and we include eight 'Summary of findings' tables.

MAIN RESULTS
We included four studies (three new to this update), with 399 participants. Most participants had advanced cancer or advanced AIDS, and mild- to moderate-severity delirium. Meta-analysis was not possible because no two studies examined the same comparison. Each study was at high risk of bias for at least one criterion. Most evidence was low to very low quality, downgraded due to very serious study limitations, imprecision or because there were so few data. Most studies reported delirium symptoms; two reported agitation scores; three reported adverse events with data on extrapyramidal effects; and none reported serious adverse events. 1. Haloperidol versus placebo There may be little to no difference between placebo and haloperidol in delirium symptoms within 24 hours (mean difference (MD) 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.07 to 0.75; 133 participants). Haloperidol may slightly worsen delirium symptoms compared with placebo at 48 hours (MD 0.49, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.88; 123 participants with mild- to moderate-severity delirium). Haloperidol may reduce agitation slightly compared with placebo between 24 and 48 hours (MD -0.14, 95% -0.28 to -0.00; 123 participants with mild- to moderate-severity delirium). Haloperidol probably increases extrapyramidal adverse effects compared with placebo (MD 0.79, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.41; 123 participants with mild- to moderate-severity delirium). 2. Haloperidol versus risperidone There may be little to no difference in delirium symptoms with haloperidol compared with risperidone within 24 hours (MD -0.42, 95% CI -0.90 to 0.06; 126 participants) or 48 hours (MD -0.36, 95% CI -0.92 to 0.20; 106 participants with mild- to moderate-severity delirium). Agitation scores and adverse events were not reported for this comparison. 3. Haloperidol versus olanzapine We are uncertain whether haloperidol reduces delirium symptoms compared with olanzapine within 24 hours (MD 2.36, 95% CI -0.75 to 5.47; 28 participants) or 48 hours (MD 1.90, 95% CI -1.50 to 5.30, 24 participants). Agitation scores and adverse events were not reported for this comparison. 4. Risperidone versus placebo Risperidone may slightly worsen delirium symptoms compared with placebo within 24 hours (MD 0.76, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.22; 129 participants); and at 48 hours (MD 0.85, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.38; 111 participants with mild- to moderate-severity delirium). There may be little to no difference in agitation with risperidone compared with placebo between 24 and 48 hours (MD -0.05, 95% CI -0.19 to 0.09; 111 participants with mild- to moderate-severity delirium). Risperidone may increase extrapyramidal adverse effects compared with placebo (MD 0.73 95% CI 0.09 to 1.37; 111 participants with mild- to moderate-severity delirium). 5. Lorazepam plus haloperidol versus placebo plus haloperidol We are uncertain whether lorazepam plus haloperidol compared with placebo plus haloperidol improves delirium symptoms within 24 hours (MD 2.10, 95% CI -1.00 to 5.20; 50 participants with moderate to severe delirium), reduces agitation within 24 hours (MD 1.90, 95% CI 0.90 to 2.80; 52 participants), or increases adverse events (RR 0.70, 95% CI -0.19 to 2.63; 31 participants with moderate to severe delirium). 6. Haloperidol versus chlorpromazine We are uncertain whether haloperidol reduces delirium symptoms compared with chlorpromazine at 48 hours (MD 0.37, 95% CI -4.58 to 5.32; 24 participants). Agitation scores were not reported. We are uncertain whether haloperidol increases adverse events compared with chlorpromazine (MD 0.46, 95% CI -4.22 to 5.14; 24 participants). 7. Haloperidol versus lorazepam We are uncertain whether haloperidol reduces delirium symptoms compared with lorazepam at 48 hours (MD -4.88, 95% CI -9.70 to 0.06; 17 participants). Agitation scores were not reported. We are uncertain whether haloperidol increases adverse events compared with lorazepam (MD -6.66, 95% CI -14.85 to 1.53; 17 participants). 8. Lorazepam versus chlorpromazine We are uncertain whether lorazepam reduces delirium symptoms compared with chlorpromazine at 48 hours (MD 5.25, 95% CI 0.38 to 10.12; 19 participants), or increases adverse events (MD 7.12, 95% CI 1.08 to 15.32; 18 participants). Agitation scores were not reported.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES
use of rescue medication, cognitive impairment, survival There were insufficient data to draw conclusions or assess GRADE.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We found no high-quality evidence to support or refute the use of drug therapy for delirium symptoms in terminally ill adults. We found low-quality evidence that risperidone or haloperidol may slightly worsen delirium symptoms of mild to moderate severity for terminally ill people compared with placebo. We found moderate- to low-quality evidence that haloperidol and risperidone may slightly increase extrapyramidal adverse events for people with mild- to moderate-severity delirium. Given the small number of studies and participants on which current evidence is based, further research is essential.


A stable and wavelength-tunable single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) oscillation with sweeping rate of 1.17 kHz based on a fiber-optical parametric oscillator (FOPO) is proposed and demonstrated. In order to perform sweeping SLM operations, three types of filters, a fiber Fabry-Pérot tunable filter (FFP-TF), a subring cavity, and an autotracking filter which is formed by an unpumped erbium-doped fiber (EDF), are incorporated inside the cavity. The output of the laser can be swept continuously from 1530 to 1543 nm and 1569 to 1584 nm with the average output power exceeding 3 dBm. The short-term linewidth of the laser output measured by self-homodyne method is about 66.6 kHz with a side-mode suppression ratio of 60 dB at 1538 nm.


After the collapse of socialism, ex-centrally planned economies underwent the transition process towards the market economy with more or less success. The now so-called Western Balkans region was additionally burdened by the war, which disrupted previously existing trading routes, contributed to the delay in the transition process and increased the gap not only between them and more advance market economies, but also other transition economies in the region. This has significantly influenced the speed of the EU integration processes of these countries. The accession and participation on the common EU market bring additional challenges to these rather non-competitive economies. What comes into perspective when having in mind the integration prospects, is the evolution of trade between these countries and EU. Trade patterns are used as one of the indicators of whether we should look for integrating forces between EU countries and Western Balkan countries. The countries included in the analysis are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro. For each country in the sample, the intra-industry trade (IIT) with new and old EU member states is analyzed in total, along with horizontal and vertical trade. The analysis is performed on a 4-digit level of Combined Nomenclature (CN).


Author(s): Brueckner, Margrit | Abstract: The purpose of Part One is to give an overview of the international literature, the theoretical approaches as well as the empirical findings; it is intended to be a resource document. "Wife beating" is still a comparatively new field of research: The phenomenon was uncovered less than ten years. For example, in Germany research in this field is still very much in its beginnings; in the U.S., it is in the stage of gathering extensive material; and exploring useful theories to explain the phenomenon. Thus, it seems both necessary and appropriate to compile a detailed report on the most relevant international literature and findings.In Part Two I try the experiment of looking into the problems of wife beating by looking into the general image of women, especially concerning their relationships. To do this, I will gather the splinters of my own experience in a shelter for battered women, which became an adventure into women's lives, into the lives of battered women, of the non-battered women working at the shelter, and of my own. The experience in the shelter also taught me that women, even long term battered women are capable of changing their life-situation and of changing themselves; both starting out with a fascinating effort of breaking away, of becoming free and freeing themselves.Using the method of participatory research in this setting rather than interviewing or using questionnaires enabled me to view the problem from the inside and to bring the subject to life. It gave me the chance of subjective involvement into the phenomenon and enabled me to experience some of the strains and hardships of the battered wives myself through observation of the effects. So I became an engaged subject rather than a neutral observer, a position that helped me avoid some of the misconceptions of research that helped me avoid some of the misconceptions of research approaches, like gender unspecificity, construction of victim-precipitated crime or the creation of personality types of battered women (as discussed in Part One).Note: These two working papers (combined here into one pdf) were originally published by the Institute for the Study of Social Change, now the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues. Note that Part Two does not include a page 59.


KIERSTEN LOWDERMILK Dept of Natural Sciences, Forensic Science Program, Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV 26554 and KRISTY HENSON Dept of Natural Sciences, Forensic Science Program, Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV 26554 Using dermestid beetles to enhance a forensic science curriculum In order to conduct accurate, expedient skeletal analysis, scientists rely upon dermestid beetles (Dermestidae). These flesh-eating beetles speed up the decomposition processing leaving behind only skeletal remains and ligamental connections. Dermestid beetles are common in museums and scientific research. These beetles perfectly clean the bones minimizing biohazard waste and damage caused by flensing or carrion-eating animals. For this project, I assisted in the colony creation, maintenance, and the incorporation of a dermestid beetle colony in the Fairmont State Forensic Science Program. Courses that regularly utilize dermestid beetle work include forensic anthropology, forensic biology, and forensic taphonomy. Beetles also aid students and faculty in conducting taphonomic research. To prepare specimens for use in forensic science courses I thaw, flense, and place the specimen in the beetle tank. When bones are finished removed from the specimen from the tank and degreased in a warm water and ammonia bath. After degreasing, I prepare the skeletons for the needs of the specific forensic science course. Skeletal prep has included inflicting trauma, whitening and articulating skeletons for morphological comparisons, cleaning up taphonomic projects, and prepping skeletal material for various undergraduate research projects. Dermestid beetles have advanced laboratory and individual research activities in the forensic science program.


Sulfur-containing macrocycles have attracted substantial interest because they exhibit unique characteristics due to their polygonal ring-shaped skeleton. In this study, a thianthrene-based cyclic tetramer with the sulfur linker, thiacalix[4]-2,8-thianthrene (TC[4]TT), was successfully prepared from a cyclo-p-phenylenesulfide derivative using acid-induced intramolecular condensation. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that TC[4]TT adopts an alternative octagonal form recessed to the inner side. Its internal cavity included small solvents, such as chloroform and carbon disulfide. Due to its polygonal geometry, TC[4]TT laminated in a honeycomb-like pattern with a porous channel. Furthermore, TC[4]TT showed fluorescence and phosphorescence emission in a CH2Cl2 solution at ambient and liquid nitrogen temperatures. Both emission bands were slightly redshifted compared with those of the reference compounds (di(thanthren-2-yl)sulfane (TT2S) and thianthrene (TT)). This work describes a sulfur-containing thiacalixheterocycle-based macrocyclic system with intriguing supramolecular chemistry based on molecular tiling and photophysical properties in solution.


Typing with ten fingers on a virtual keyboard in virtual or augmented reality exposes a challenging input interpretation problem. There are many sources of noise in this interaction context and these exacerbate the challenge of accurately translating human actions into text. A particularly challenging input noise source arises from the physiology of the hand. Intentional finger movements can produce unintentional coactivations in other fingers. On a physical keyboard, the resistance of the keys alleviates this issue. On a virtual keyboard, coactivations are likely to introduce spurious input events under a naïve solution to input detection. In this paper we examine the features that discriminate intentional activations from coactivations. Based on this analysis, we demonstrate three alternative coactivation detection strategies with high discrimination power. Finally, we integrate coactivation detection into a probabilistic decoder and demonstrate its ability to further reduce uncorrected character error rates by approximately 10% relative and 0.9% absolute.


Regional economic growth can have a quite different dynamic and logic than national economic growth. This paper empirically investigates whether three major approaches to regional economic development: industrial mix, human capital, and quality of place significantly contribute to the regional economy. This paper tests the hypotheses using ordinary least squares (OLS) based on state-level data from the United States. The OLS results indicated a significant effect of industrial mix on regional economic growth when other factors were controlled for, though significance levels differed depending on the definition of "high-tech industry". The joint hypothesis test on human capital and quality of place showed they were statistically insignificant. The insignificance of the human-capital variables was different from the expectation. This may be caused by the fact that the level of analysis of this study is a state rather than a city, which may dilute the concentration of human capital in major cities. The significance of the industrial mix variables is meaningful because the positive relation between the concentration of high-tech industries and regional economic growth supports regional governments' efforts in Korea to establish or lure more high-tech industries into their regions. However, because the result is sensitive to various definitions of high-tech industries, it needs cautious interpretation.


Enhanced bone resorption is a common pathology in destructive bone diseases. Many cytokines (e.g. IL-6 and TNF-α) and chemokines (e.g. CCL2, CCL3 and CCL5) elevated in patients exert pathological roles in leukocyte migration and inflammation, but their effect on direct bone destruction remained elusive. Published research into osteoclastogenesis was carried out in co-cultures, from which osteoclast differentiation, resorption and mediator secretion data was obtained. The main objective of this thesis was to establish a working methodology for the in vitro differentiation of CD14+ve mononuclear cells into osteoclasts and to decipher the direct effects of IL-6 and CCL3 on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.
IL-6 trans-signalling exerted an effect in both basal and pathological osteoclastogenesis, whereas its inhibition via sgp130-Fc significantly reduced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vitro. Although not examined in vivo, the translational use of sgp130-Fc as a therapeutic for destructive bone pathology was postulated from data showing a reduction in osteoclast differentiation and resorption after stimulation with HYPER-IL-6.
Secondary to IL-6 trans-signalling, it was hypothesised that the neutralisation of CCL3 in vitro and in vivo would significantly reduce osteoclast differentiation and resorption. Osteoclast number significantly reduced in the presence of anti-CCL3, but TRAP+ve cell count was unaltered, suggesting an early role of CCL3 in osteoclast multi-nucleation/fusion. Additionally, in vivo data showed a protective effect of anti-CCL3 with significantly reduced bone erosive scores and osteoclast counts thereby presenting CCL3 as a novel biomarker of disease activity in destructive bone disease. In contrast, TNF-α, CCL2, and CCL5 were shown to have no role in direct osteoclast differentiation in our monocultures.
In conclusion, for the first time this work documents novel and important roles of IL-6 trans-signalling and CCL3 in increased osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. Our data highlights the importance of IL-6 trans-signalling and provides evidence for the use of CCL3 as a predictive biomarker in destructive bone diseases.


Although retrenchment, with its overtones of efficiency and its implied attack on corruption, is a familiar watchword of modern politics, it is difficult today to appreciate the deep ethical and constitutional significance of the issue of economy during the early nineteenth century, or the strong hold which the concept exerted over the attitudes and actions of British politicians and administrators in the decades following the Napoleonic Wars. Twenty-three years of costly war with France had increased Britain's national debt from £228 million in 1793 to £876 million in 1815, and the laborious process of eliminating this deficit at the rate of a few millions a year by means of a sinking fund was aptly described as 'the attempt of a wooden-legged man to catch a hare'. The propertied classes in the post-war period considered themselves excessively burdened with taxation, and until the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 had been effectively put into operation, they were also called upon to meet the costs of an expensive and inefficient system of poor relief.


HYPOTHESIS
An intraoperative bile leakage test will assist in decreasing postoperative bile leakage in patients undergoing hepatic resection.

DESIGN
Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING
University hospital.

PATIENTS
One hundred three consecutive patients who were scheduled for hepatic resection without biliary reconstruction. Associated cirrhosis was present in 49 patients (48%), and only 24 (23%) had normal livers. Patients were randomized to undergo (n = 51) or to not undergo (n = 52) a bile leakage test, according to age, liver function, and hepatectomy method. The 2 groups were similar in baseline demographics.

INTERVENTION
A bile leakage test was carried out by injecting isotonic sodium chloride solution through the cystic duct, and interrupted suturing was taken for a bile leak on the transected liver surface.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The incidence of postoperative bile leakage and the length of the postoperative hospital stay. Bile leakage was defined as continuous drainage, with a bilirubin level of 86 micromol/L or more (> or =5 mg/dL), beyond 1 week.

RESULTS
Twenty-one patients (41%) in the test group showed a bile leak, and a median of 1 site (range, 1-6 sites) was closed during the test. Postoperative bile leakage was observed in 3 patients (6%) in the test group and in 2 (4%) in the control group (P = .99). The odds ratio of the event was 1.53 (95% confidence interval, 0.25-9.44). The median postoperative hospital stay lasted 17 (range, 13-47) and 18 (range, 12-41) days for the test and control groups, respectively (P =.98).

CONCLUSION
This randomized trial suggested no advantage in using a bile leakage test during hepatic resection.


This study aims to examine Anatolian Vocational Health High Schools with the qualities of effective schools, identify areas that these schools can improve, and offer suggestions by using the views of their students, teachers and administrators together with the personnel of the hospitals they are cooperating with. This is a qualitative research and case study method was used. The case was selected by purposive sampling method. Data was collected through semi structured interviews. The finding highlight the deficiencies of the pysical infrastructure. Physical deficincies bring about educational problems, as well. Some of the important results are focused in the areas of the quality of the practicum, quality of the teachers, student motivation, ratio of student and teacher numbers, and lack of the assessment of the skills expected to be gained during the practicum.


For a long time, children's museum remained an object of research only within pedagogical studies. Such scholars as M. Yu. Yukhnevich and B. A. Stolyarov contributed greatly to the development of museum pedagogy. In this paper children's museum is viewed through the lens of culturological approach. We provide a comparative historical analysis of the children's museum development and attempt to define its meaning in contemporary society.
Keywords: children's museum, museum center,  museum educational program, contemporary museum practices.


Production of Austrian winter field pea [Pisum sativum spp. arvense (L.) Poir] is limited by a lack of information on cultural practices and potential productivity. Field studies were conducted to determine the influence of seed size and planting date upon spring seedling vigor, seed yield, and seed weight of several Austrian winter field pea cultivars. The Moscow studies were situated on a Palouse silt loam soil (fine-silty, mixed, mesic, pachic Ultic Haploxeroll) and the Grangeville study on a Chicane silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Xeric Argialboll). Small-sized seed (<5.2 mm diam) significantly reduced spring seedling vigor of Austrian winter field pea planted in October under cool, wet conditions. Seed yields of Austrian winter field pea planted in October under cool, wet conditions in 1977 at Grangeville, Idaho, and in October under dry conditions in 1978 at Moscow, Idaho were reduced by 742 and 255 kg ha⁻¹, respectively when Austrian winter field peas were established from small vs large-sized seed. Improved seedling vigor of Austrian winter field pea from large-sized seed did not improve yield of Austrian winter field peas planted at locations, planting dates, and environments favorable for pea growth. At Grangeville in 1977, the Austrian winter field peas planted in September produced 1298 kg ha⁻¹ more seed than October-planted Austrian winter field pea. September and early October planting dates had no influence on seed yield at Moscow, but Austrian winter field peas planted in late October failed to establish economic stands in both years, probably because of low October precipitation in both years and very low winter temperatures in 1978 to 1979. Seed weight of most Austrian winter field pea lines declined an average of 1.6 g 100⁻¹ seed as seeding date was delayed from September until October. Reduced seed weight accounted for part of the seed yield reduction observed at Grangeville. Seed weight of a semi-dwarf Austrian winter field pea increased significantly as seeding date was delayed from September until October. 'Melrose' had the best seedling vigor and 'Common' the worst seedling vigor of all cultivars tested. No differences in seed yield were observed between 'Fenn', Melrose, and Common at either location.


The effect of Steinernema carpocapsae (IRA18) infection was studied on the mortality, immunity and antioxidant responses of Glyphodes pyloalis Walker larvae. The LC50 value of 582.9 infective juvenile per mL with confidence limit of 359.1-811.5 was obtained via bioassay against the larvae. Injection of S. carpocapsae increased the number of total hemocytes after 1-6 h compared to intact and Ringer-injected larvae while the highest numbers of plasmatocyte and granulocytes were recorded after 1 and 3 h. Although intact larvae had a steady activity of phenoloxidase at different time intervals but those injected by S. carpocapsae showed the elevated enzymatic activity at 3-12 h. Nematode injection significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase compared to intact and Ringer-injected larvae, while no significant difference was observed in peroxidase activity. The injection with S. carpocapsae caused the highest activity of glutathione s-transferase using CDNB as reagent, but the enzymatic assay with DCNB showed no statistical differences among treatments. Also, activities of ascorbate peroxidase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase significantly increased in the nematode-injected larvae. Intact and Ringer-injected larvae showed no statistical differences in the concentration of malondialdehyde but the highest amount was recorded in nematode-injected larvae. Results of our study indicate that native isolate of S. carpocapsae cause mortality on the larvae of G. pyloalis and It interferes in the immune and antioxidant responses.


There are many medicinal plants that have been used since folk ages. These plants have been recognized to have pharmaceutical properties and beneficial impact on health. This study discusses the use of ten medicinal plants in the traditional medicinal system of Malaysia and related scientific on their antioxidant activity, which demonstrate their pharmaceutical properties. The plants viewed are Andrographis paniculata, Cosmos caudatus, Eurycoma longifolia, Ficus deltoidea, Gynura procumbens, Labisia pumila, Orthosiphon stamineus, Phyllanthus niruri, Piper betle and Uncaria gambir. All the plants mentioned in this study have therapeutic properties such as antioxidation, antidiabetics, antiinflammation, which explains and validates their uses in traditional and modern medicine.


[1] Accurately predicting hurricane development from one season to the next is a problem that crosses multiple temporal and spatial scales. The driving force behind the overall activity level for a year depends on broad climate dynamics, such as the El Nino–Southern Oscillation or the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), while the generation of an individual tropical cyclone is a product of small-scale fluctuations in atmospheric moisture or sea surface temperature. Classically, these broad- or small-scale events have fallen within the realm of climate or weather forecasting models, respectively. However, researchers have recently developed the High-Resolution Atmospheric Model (HiRAM), which can flip between weather forecasting and climate modeling. HiRAM has 25-kilometer horizontal resolution and can properly represent clouds, both important improvements over current models. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2011GL047629, 2011)


The objective of this paper is to evaluate the relevance of dislocation conservation within the context of dislocation-based crystal plasticity. In advanced crystal plasticity approaches, dislocations play a prominent role. Their presence, nucleation, motion, and interactions enable the explanation and description of physical phenomena such as plastic slip, hardening and size effects. While the conceptual aspects of the evolution and mechanical consequences of dislocations are treated analogously in a wide range of advanced crystal plasticity formulations, these formulations differ significantly with respect to the underlying dislocation conservation properties. This paper identifies and compares two essentially different approaches to model plastic deformations in a single crystal. Both approaches have in common that they rely on the geometrical relation between the plastic slip and the densities of geometrically necessary dislocations. In the first approach, the geometrical relation serves as a balance and is supplemented with an evolution law for the statistically stored dislocations. In the second approach the local conservation of the total number of dislocations is enforced in addition to the first balance instead of the evolution. Considering a single-slip model pile-up problem, the two representative frameworks are elaborated and confronted theoretically and numerically on the basis of a dimensionless finite-element analysis to evaluate the intrinsic role of dislocation conservation for model predictions.


The average power analysis technique is modified to include gain saturation induced by amplified spontaneous noise. It is then shown that this improved analysis predicts the essential performance effects under all operating conditions while maintaining a reasonable computation time. In addition to this, it is also shown to predict performance trends reported by other studies.<<ETX>>