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Geographies of development II Since the mid-1990s, a number of governments in the global South have instituted programmes which provide regular cash grants to poor people. The results of cash transfer programmes have impressed those searching for ways to improve welfare: the depth of poverty has been reduced, more children are being educated and vaccinated, and the poor are more likely to get jobs and start enterprises. Advocates of social democracy are hopeful that this heralds the possibility of comprehensive social protection. Experiments in welfare in the global South do not, however, inevitably signal an epochal shift to a postneoliberal era. They form part of an increasingly heterodox approach which combines an enduring emphasis on liberalized economic growth with bolder biopolitical interventions for the poor.

Extrinsic extensor muscles of the hand Origin The extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) has the most proximal origin of the extrinsic hand extensors. It originates just distal to the brachioradialis at the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus, the lateral intermuscular septum, and by a few fibers at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. Distal to this, the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, and extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) originate from the lateral epicondyle via the common extensor tendon. The ECRB has additional origins from the radial collateral ligament, the ECU from the dorsal border of the ulna (shared with the flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor digitorum profundus), and all four also originate from various fascia. Moving distally, there are the abductor pollicis longus (APL), extensor pollicis brevis (EPB), extensor pollicis longus (EPL), and extensor indicis (EI). The APL originates from the lateral part of the dorsal surface of the body of the ulna below the insertion of the anconeus and from the middle third of the dorsal surface of the body of the radius. The EPB arises from the radius distal to the APL and from the dorsal surface of the radius. The EPL arises from the dorsal surface of the ulna and the EI from the distal third of the dorsal part of the body of ulna. The APL, EPB, EPL, and EI all have an additional origin at the interosseus membrane. Course The ECRL and ECRB, (with the brachioradialis) form the lateral compartment. Their muscle fibers end at the upper third and the mid forearm respectively, continuing as flat tendons along the lateral border of the radius, beneath the APL and EPB. They then pass beneath the extensor retinaculum and dorsal carpal ligament, where they lie in a groove on the back of the radius, immediately behind the styloid process, and continue into the second tendon compartment. The ED divides into four tendons which, with the EI tendons, go through the fourth tendon compartment of the dorsal carpal ligament. On the back of the hand, the ED tendons diverge to follow the fingers and the EI tendon joins the ulnar side of one of the ED tendons along the back of the index finger. The EDM takes a similar course as the EI except it follows the ED tendon along the little finger. The ECU crosses from the lateral to the medial side of the forearm. The APL and EPB pass obliquely down and lateral, ending in tendons which run through a groove on the lateral side of the lower end of the radius. The EPL tendon passes through the third compartment and lies in a narrow, oblique groove on the back of the lower end of the radius. Extensor digitorum tendons The ED tendons are more complex in their course. Opposite the metacarpophalangeal joint each tendon is bound by fasciculi to the collateral ligaments and serves as the dorsal ligament of this joint; after having crossed the joint, it spreads out into a broad aponeurosis, which covers the dorsal surface of the first phalanx and is reinforced, in this situation, by the tendons of the Interossei and Lumbricalis. Opposite the first interphalangeal joints this aponeurosis divides into three slips; an intermediate and two collateral: the former is inserted into the base of the second phalanx; and the two collateral, which are continued onward along the sides of the second phalanx, unite by their contiguous margins, and are inserted into the dorsal surface of the last phalanx. As the tendons cross the interphalangeal joints, they furnish them with dorsal ligaments. The tendon to the index finger is accompanied by the EI, which lies on its ulnar side. On the back of the hand, the tendons to the middle, ring, and little fingers are connected by two obliquely placed bands, one from the third tendon passing downward and lateralward to the second tendon, and the other passing from the same tendon downward and medialward to the fourth. Occasionally the first tendon is connected to the second by a thin transverse band. Collectively, these are known as the sagittal bands; they serve to maintain the central alignment of the extensor tendons over the metacarpal head, thus increasing the available leverage. Injuries (such as by an external flexion force during active extension) may allow the tendon to dislocate into the intermetacarpal space; the extensor tendon then acts as a flexor and the finger may no longer be actively extended. This may be corrected surgically by using a slip of the extensor tendon to replace the damaged ligamentous band Anatomical snuff box The EPL tendon crosses obliquely the tendons of the ECRL and ECRB, and is separated from the EPB by a triangular interval, the anatomical snuff box, in which the radial artery is found. Insertion and action The ECRL inserts into the dorsal surface of the base of the second metacarpal bone on its radial side to extend and abduct the wrist. The ECRB inserts into the lateral dorsal surface of the base of the third metacarpal bone, with a few fibres inserting into the medial dorsal surface of the second metacarpal bone, also to extend and abduct the wrist. The ED inserts into the middle and distal phalanges to extend the fingers and wrist. Opposite the head of the second metacarpal bone, the EI joins the ulnar side of the ED tendon to extend the index finger. The EDM has a similar role for the little finger. The ECU inserts at the base of the 5th metacarpal to extend and adduct the wrist. The APL inserts into the radial side of the base of the first metacarpal bone to abduct the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint and may continue to abduct the wrist. The EPB inserts into the base of the first phalanx of the thumb to extend and abduct the thumb at the carpometacarpal and MCP joints. The EPL inserts on the base of the distal phalanx of the thumb. It uses the dorsal tubercle on the radius as fulcrum to help the EPB with its action as well as extending the distal phalanx of the thumb. Because the index finger and little finger have separate extensors, these fingers can be moved more independently than the other fingers. Neurovascular supply The ECU is supplied by the ulnar artery. The APL, EPB, EPL, EI, ED, and EDM are supplied by the Posterior interosseous artery, a branch of the ulnar artery. The ECRL and ECRB receive blood from the radial artery. The ECRL is supplied by the radial nerve and the ECRB by its deep branch. The remaining extrinsic hand extensors are supplied by the posterior interosseus nerve, another branch of the radial nerve.

Postural stability in patients with decompression sickness evaluated by means of Quantitative Romberg testing. OBJECTIVE The present study was designed to retrospectively evaluate the use of quantitative Romberg's testing on postural stability during the course of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy in patients presenting with decompression sickness (DCS). METHODS The Quantitative Romberg test was used to evaluate postural stability in 33 patients with DCS treated between May 2009 and August 2014. Postural stability was assessed before and after each session of HBO2 therapy. Patients were allocated into groups according to whether they presented with vertigo or not. RESULTS Significantly higher sway values obtained with the Quantitative Romberg test were observed in the group of DCS with vertigo relative to DCS without vertigo and healthy controls. A stepwise improvement in postural instability for DCS patients with vertigo was found following HBO2 therapy. After three treatments of HBO2, postural stability was found to be within the normal range of healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS The Quantitative Romberg test offers the the clinician a fast, reliable and objective set of parametrical data to document postural instability in patients with either confirmed or suspected DCS.

The Effectiveness of Engineering Design in Developing Engineering Habits of Mind among Eight Grade Students in Sultanate of Oman This research investigates the effect of engineering design on the development of the engineering habits of mind among eighth grade students in the Sultanate of Oman. The study adopted the semi-experimental research design. The study sample had two experimental groups; the first group (23 students) was enrolled in a special program of engineering design; and the second group was a control group (25 students) which had not participated in any engineering design programs. The quantitative results revealed statistically significant differences at the level of significance ( between the performance of students of the two groups in identifying problem habits, optimization and development, and system thinking in favour of the experimental group in the scale of the habits of the engineering mind. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the performance of the two groups in the habits of visualizing, creativity in problem solving, and adaptation. Analysis of qualitative data reached similar findings. Taken together, these findings suggest a set of recommendations, including the integration of engineering design into science curricula for contribution to the development of engineering habits of mind. Further surveyed studies can be conducted to discover the most common engineering habits of mind among students of all stages in the study.

Sun Microsystems is laying off about 1,500 employees this week in a follow-up to a restructuring plan announced a few months ago, the company confirmed Monday. The cuts include a portion of Sun's customer-facing staff, including direct sales and professional services employees, according to a research note from Wedge Partners, a financial analyst company. Such a move would make Sun more reliant on channel partners to sell its products. Wedge Partners said the cuts may affect 25 percent to 50 percent of Sun's customer-facing staff. Sun said the actual proportion is significantly lower, although it wouldn't provide an exact figure. Sun announced in November that it planned to lay off 15 percent to 18 percent of its workforce, or up to 6,000 employees, in an effort to reduce costs by US$700 million to $800 million annually. In January it confirmed that it had laid off 1,300 workers as part of that plan, and the cuts this week appear to be a continuation of the same effort, said Ryan Hunter, an analyst with Wedge Partners. Sun said the layoffs affect staff at all levels, including vice presidents and directors. "Sun continues to make important choices to streamline operations and align resources to best address market opportunity and position the company for improved financial performance and long-term growth," the company said in a statement via e-mail. These latest cuts would have been planned before any acquisition talks with IBM got under way, said Dan Olds, principal analyst at Gabriel Consulting, who also heard that Sun sales staff are among those affected. Sun is reportedly in talks to be acquired by IBM, though neither company has confirmed any discussions. IBM is said to be examining Sun's contracts and other documents to see if a deal makes sense. A Sun executive said last summer that the company planned to move its North American business to an indirect sales model for all but its largest customers, so a move to reduce its sales team this week would not be a surprise. "Effectively we're going to go 100 percent 'channel' below the top 300 or so accounts," Tom Wagner, vice president of Sun's North America partner sales organization, told IDG News Service at the time. Sun hoped the move would invigorate its channel partners, who would no longer have to worry about competing with Sun for their business, Wagner said at the time. Sun does about two-thirds of its business through the channel, he said then. Such a move carries some risk, however. "Sun doesn't have as many exclusive channel partners as HP and IBM," Olds said. "Partners that aren't exclusive to Sun will pitch its products right up to the point when the customer asks them for something else, then they'll turn on a dime and sell them whatever they want. The difference with the Sun guys is that they would keep on pitching Sun products." Sun's sales force may have been anticipating the job cuts and, as a result, "has been particularly ineffective in the current quarter," Wedge Partners said. "We understand that Sun has had a very weak (fiscal third quarter)," the company said. Sun's third quarter ends Tuesday and the company is due to report its financial results April 28.

If you’re looking to upgrade your PC’s hard drive in the next few months, you might want to take a look at an interesting blog post from online backup provider Backblaze. After shining a general light on how long hard drives actually last late last year, the company took to its blog on Tuesday to provide a detailed look at how consumer-grade hard drives from Hitachi, Seagate, and Western Digital performed in Backblaze’s storage pods. By the end of 2013, Backblaze had more than 27,000 consumer-grade hard drives spinning away in its storage facilities, backing up photos, mp3s, and important documents for its users. Those may not be Google-sized numbers, but tens of thousands of drives are certainly enough to glean a few trends. The company took a look at the failure rates for a wide range of specific models in its storage pods, as well as uptime and overall lifetime by brand. The end result? Hitachi and Western Digital were workhorses, while Seagate drives were more likely to fade after a few years. That doesn’t mean Backblaze is swearing off Seagate drives. In fact, the company has high hopes for Seagate’s new 4TB Desktop HDD.15 (ST4000DM000). Other Seagate drives are also big favorites with the Backblazers. Here’s a quick look at the highlights from the company’s HDD breakdown. The worst of the bunch, meanwhile was the 1.5 TB Seagate Barracuda Green (ST1500DL003), with an average lifespan of 0.8 years. Ouch! Backblaze said this particular model is pretty bad, but it cautions not to read too much into it. The company received these specific drives as warranty replacements, so they were probably refurbished with wear and tear on them by the time they met Backblaze’s HDD taskmasters. Overall, Seagate drives had the highest failure rates by brand in Backblaze’s environment reaching close to a 14 percent annual failure rate for 1.5TB drives, around 10 percent for 3 TB drives, and 4 percent for 4TB drives. WD 1TB and 3TB drives stayed under 4 percent, while all Hitachi drives (2, 3, and 4 TB) failed less than 2 percent of the time on an annual basis. Over a 36 month span, Hitachi drives had a 96.9 percent survival rate, followed by WD at 94.8 percent and Seagate way below that at 73.5 percent. So what’s a home shopper to do? Backblaze’s data may look like making your next drive a Hitachi is a no-brainer, but it's important to remember that Backblaze runs drives harder than the average PC user ever could. So while Seagate products may go down all the time at the company, a PC user may never notice a problem during the lifetime of their PC. For example, Backblaze said it will stop buying Seagate LP 2TB drives and Western Digital Green 3TB drives, because they just don’t work in the company’s environment. Part of the problem, Backblaze says, is these drives are designed to spin down when not in use to save power. That’s a great feature for a home PC user, but in an industrial environment Backblaze says the drive would spin down only to spin back up a few minutes later. The end result being more wear and tear on the drive than it was designed for. Then there’s cost. The only thing holding Backblaze back from going with all Hitachi drives was the price, which was one reason why the company sticks with Seagate drives. Your risk of a complete hard drive failure over the long-term might be higher with Seagate than Hitachi, Backblaze's numbers suggest at first glance but there’s no guarantee that will happen. In fact, Backblaze's earlier study showed that hard drives are actually pretty reliable overall over a four-year stretch, even in a server farm. And hey, a number of individual Seagate models actually had a longer average age than Hitachi products! Maybe the lesson from Backblaze’s data is that choosing the right hard drive is all about tradeoffs. (Isn't it always?) Nevertheless, it’s an interesting look at the reliability of many internal hard drives you might be considering for your next PC. Be sure to check out the full Backblaze post if you want to dive even deeper into the nitty-gritty numbers.

Comparing Two Types of Punches (Jab and Cross) On the Basis of Maximum Impact and Muscle Involvement Boxing is a combat sport in which the participants perform different types of punches. In this study, a setup was designed to measure and compare the forces delivered by two types of punches i.e. jab and a cross performed by 10 healthy males and the activity of the muscles such as biceps and triceps. The forces were measured using force plate connected to PASCO CAPSTONE while the muscle activity was measured as Electromyography (EMG) on BIOPAC. The results indicated that both the jab and cross punch delivered approximately the same average force while considering the area parameter, the triceps were more involved in delivering the force when performing both types of punches as compared to biceps.

AIDS hyper-epidemics and social resilience: theorising the political AIDS has been the most political pandemic in the world for 30 years, and yet political science has viewed it in a mostly descriptive, compartmentalised and theoretically neglectful way. There have been many theories of AIDS, but very little AIDS theory that is informed by politics. This deficit of theory seems to be intellectually counter-intuitive, but may be the result of an epistemic community which is often erroneously constructed as monolithic; its pursuits are deeply informed by funding priorities which favour phenomena with more tangible, short-term results; the incremental biomedical good practice responses in some instances crowd out what is perceived as the luxury of deeper, systemic reflection. This article argues that a focus on socio-political resilience can be useful to galvanise political scientific theorising of AIDS. As a heuristic filter, resilience may be useful to advance social science's analytical narrative regarding the pandemic beyond the negative, to identify and capitalise on the lessons and transformational potential of AIDS and other long-wave shocks.

NEW DELHI | MUMBAI: Manufacturers of electric two-wheelers raised doubts about meeting India’s dream of having a million such vehicles on road in the next three years, due to a reduction in incentives given under the second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) programme. In a letter to the NITI Aayog and the Department of Heavy Industry, industry body Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) said with the government slashing incentives on city-speed electric two-wheelers (speed 40 km per hour, range 60 km, battery 1 kWh) under FAME-II, the vehicles have become costlier by Rs 10,000-12,000. City-speed electric two-wheelers were given a subsidy of Rs 22,000 under FAME-I. But under the second phase, the government has fixed the incentive at a uniform Rs 10,000 per kWh for all vehicles except buses. “Consumers buying vehicles for personal use are particularly price-sensitive and with this increase in price sales are likely to drop by more than 80%,” said Sohinder Gill, director-general of the SMEV. City speed two-wheelers currently account for 95% of electric two-wheeler sales in the Indian market. About 80,000 electric two-wheelers are expected to be sold by the close of the ongoing financial year. 0ven in the premium segment, where two-wheelers come strapped with bigger batteries, volumes are expected to remain low despite the higher subsidy under the new policy since electric two-wheelers at the higher end come priced upwards of Rs 1 lakh. A stiff condition mandating the minimum value of locally sourced content at 50% of the ex-factory price for all vehicles (except for buses) to avail of subsidies has put the industry in a tizzy. At present, batteries, motors, controllers (amounting for more than 50% of the ex-factory price) for electric vehicles are imported. Automobile companies have to meet the specified localisation requirements from April 1 to avail of benefits under FAME II. “Due to the current small numbers, automotive vendors do not find it viable to enter into such loss-making business (making batteries, etc.). Now we have been given 20 days to convert to 50% localisation … We from our end are willing to stretch ourselves even by sacrificing margins, but will need a window of approximately 12 months to reach the 50% localisation levels,” the society has stated in its letter to the industry department and the Aayog. At present, localisation content in electric two-wheelers ranges between 15% and 20%. The Centre expects there will be a major push to the sale of electric vehicles in Delhi as government departments will procure or hire more of them and a few car major car makers are likely to launch their high range electric vehicles in July. "One of the reasons why people think twice before buying an electric car is ‘range anxiety’ — the apprehension they would have no option to recharge in case the vehicle runs out of battery. The government is trying to address that concern. The skeleton of charging network will bring confidence as one can be sure of getting a charging station in a few km range. More stations will come up as demand goes up," said Alekhya Datta, fellow and area convener of TERI.

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) – As California struggles with a devastating drought, huge amounts of water are mysteriously vanishing from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta – and the prime suspects are farmers whose families have tilled fertile soil there for generations. A state investigation was launched following complaints from two large agencies that supply water to arid farmland in the Central Valley and to millions of residents as far south as San Diego. Delta farmers don’t deny using as much water as they need. But they say they’re not stealing it because their history of living at the water’s edge gives them that right. Still, they have been asked to report how much water they’re pumping and to prove their legal rights to it. At issue is California’s century-old water rights system that has been based on self-reporting and little oversight, historically giving senior water rights holders the ability to use as much water as they need, even in drought. Gov. Jerry Brown has said that if drought continues this system built into California’s legal framework will probably need to be examined. Delta farmer Rudy Mussi says he has senior water rights, putting him in line ahead of those with lower ranking, or junior, water rights. “If there’s surplus water, hey, I don’t mind sharing it,” Mussi said. “I don’t want anybody with junior water rights leapfrogging my senior water rights just because they have more money and more political clout.” The fight pitting farmer against farmer is playing out in the Delta, the hub of the state’s water system. With no indication of the drought easing, heightened attention is being placed on dwindling water throughout the state, which produces nearly half of the fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the U.S. A large inland estuary east of San Francisco, the Delta is fed by rivers of freshwater flowing down from the Sierra Nevada and northern mountain ranges. Located at sea level, it consists of large tracts of farmland separated by rivers that are subject to tidal ebbs and flows. Most of the freshwater washes out to the Pacific Ocean through the San Francisco Bay. Some is pumped – or diverted – by Delta farmers to irrigate their crops, and some is sent south though canals to Central Valley farmers and to 25 million people statewide. The drought now in its fourth year has put Delta water under close scrutiny. Twice last year state officials feared salty bay water was backing up into the Delta, threatening water quality. There was not enough fresh water to keep out saltwater. In June, the state released water stored for farmers and communities from Lake Oroville to combat the saltwater intrusion. Nancy Vogel, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Water Resources, said “thousands of acre-feet of water a day for a couple of weeks” were released into the Delta. An acre-foot is roughly enough water to supply a household of four for a year. The fact that the state had to resort to using so much from storage raised questions about where the water was going. That in turn prompted a joint letter by the Department of Water Resources and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation calling for an investigation into how much water Delta farmers are taking – and whether the amount exceeds their rights to it. “We don’t know if there were illegal diversions going on at this time,” said Vogel, leaving it up to officials at the State Water Resources Control Board to determine. “Right now, a large information gap exists.” Some 450 farmers who hold 1,061 water rights in the Delta and the Sacramento and San Joaquin river watersheds were told to report their water diversions, and Katherine Mrowka, state water board enforcement manager, said a vast majority responded. State officials are sorting through the information that will help them determine whether any are exceeding their water rights and who should be subject to restrictions. “In this drought period, water accounting is more important to ensure that the water is being used for its intended purpose,” said U.S. Bureau of Reclamation spokesman Louis Moore. Mussi, a second-generation Delta farmer whose family grows tomatoes, wheat, corn, grapes and almonds on 4,500 acres west of Stockton, said Central Valley farmers have long known that in dry years they would get little or no water from state and federal water projects and would need to rely heavily on groundwater. “All of a sudden they’re trying to turn their water into a permanent system and ours temporary,” Mussi said. “It’s just not going to work.” Shawn Coburn farms 1,500 acres along the San Joaquin River in Firebaugh about 100 miles south of the Delta. As a senior rights holder, he figures he will receive 45 percent or less of the water he expected from the federal water project. On another 1,500 acres where he is a junior water rights holder, he will receive no surface water for a second consecutive year. “I don’t like to pick on other farmers, even if it wasn’t a drought year,” said Coburn. “The only difference is I don’t have a pipe in the Delta I can suck willy-nilly whenever I want.” Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.

Parameter Derivation of Type-2 Discrete-Time Phase-Locked Loops Containing Feedback Delays Modern implementations of discrete-time phase-locked loops (DT-PLLs) often contain delayed feedback. The delays are usually a side effect to pipelining, filtering, or other inner-loop mechanisms. Each delay increases the order of the system by introducing an additional pole to the closed-loop transfer function and, in many cases, makes the traditional type-2 loop equations obsolete. This brief describes how the second-order notions of damping and natural frequency can be applied to type-2 DT-PLLs in the presence of any number of delays. It provides equations for loop parameters that will provide a desired transient behavior based on damping and natural frequency, along with a test to ensure the accuracy of the results. The novelty of this brief is that loop parameters can be found in closed form and ensured to be accurate, without the need for human interaction, simulations, or numerical root-finding algorithms.

Oncological and obstetrical outcomes after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by fertility-sparing surgery in patients with cervical cancer ≥2 cm Objective There is significant debate between up-front radical trachelectomy versus neo-adjuvant chemotherapy before fertility-sparing surgery in patients with tumors ≥2cm. The aim of this study was to report on the oncological and obstetrical outcome of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by fertility-sparing surgery, in patients diagnosed with cervical cancer ≥2cm. Methods This was a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer measuring ≥2cm to ≤6cm, who were scheduled to undergo neo-adjuvant chemotherapy before fertility-sparing surgery, at six institutions from four Latin American countries between February 2009 and February 2019. Data collected included: age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage, histology, tumor size, pre-treatment imaging work-up, chemotherapy agents and number of cycles, toxicity, clinical and imaging response rate, type of fertility-sparing surgery, pathology results, timing of lymphadenectomy, follow-up time, and obstetrical and oncological outcomes. Results A total of 25 patients were included, with a median age of 27 years (range 2037): 17 patients had stage IB1, 7 had stage IB2 cervical cancer, and 1 patient had stage IIA1 (FIGO 2009); 23 patients had squamous cell carcinoma and 2 patients had adenocarcinoma. The median number of chemotherapy cycles was 3 (range 36) and no toxicity grade 34 was reported. Lymphadenectomy was performed before chemotherapy in 6 (24%) patients. After neo-adjuvant chemotherapy 20 patients were scheduled for radical trachelectomy (11 abdominal and 9 laparoscopic) and 5 patients for conization. After surgery, no residual disease was found in 11 patients (44%). Fertility was preserved in 23 patients (92%) and 10 patients became pregnant (43.5%). After a median follow-up time of 47 months (13133), 3 patients had recurrent disease (3/23=13%), 2 were alive without disease, and 1 patient had disease at last contact. Conclusion Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by fertility-sparing surgery is feasible in well selected patients with cervical tumors ≥2cm. Future studies should focus on the timing of lymphadenectomy and type of cervical surgery.

Cloud management and automation Basic computing resources are compute, storage and network. Virtualisation in data centres has significantly reduced the provisioning time to deploy computing resources from weeks to hours or even minutes. However, data centre virtualisation in itself is not enough for building a cloud-based infrastructure. Without software to manage virtual infrastructure, it will result in virtual resource sprawl that can quickly use up the underlying physical infrastructure. Moreover, cloud-based infrastructure is built not only on virtual infrastructure, but also on physical infrastructure which also needs to be managed and automated. Therefore, there is a need to have software for managing and automating cloud-based infrastructure both virtual and physical resources. In this paper, the main modules of cloud management and automation software and the interaction between those modules are explained and discussed.

Geographic variation in the conduct of patient surveillance after lung cancer surgery. PURPOSE Considerable variation among surgeons exists in the current practice of patient surveillance after lung cancer treatment. We evaluated whether geographic factors are responsible for this observed variation. METHODS Profiles of hypothetical patients suitable for postoperative surveillance and a detailed questionnaire based on the profiles were mailed to the 3,700 members of the Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS). The influence of the geographic location of the respondents on practice patterns was assessed among eight large metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with sufficient numbers of respondents, among nine broad geographic areas (United States census regions), and by the population size of the MSA from which the respondents reported. RESULTS There were 2,009 responses (54% return rate); 768 of those respondents both operate on and provide long-term follow-up care for lung cancer patients. There were sizeable effects of tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and year postsurgery on practice patterns. Respondents from the Los Angeles/Long Beach MSA consistently had the highest frequency of follow-up test usage and those from the Tampa/St Petersburg MSA usually had the lowest. This held true for most testing modalities and was consistent across TNM stages I to III and years 1 to 5 postsurgery. Follow-up strategy was generally most intensive in the largest MSAs (population size, 2.5 to 10 million). The STS respondents from the Pacific US census region generally used the most intensive follow-up strategies and those from the East North Central and Mountain regions often used the least intensive. The differences disclosed in all three analyses were small. CONCLUSION There is marked variation among STS members in surveillance strategy, and the determinants of testing intensity are complex and interrelated. TNM stage and year postsurgery clearly affect follow-up practice; this analysis provides the first evidence that geographic setting has rather little effect on the surveillance strategies of clinicians.

The Hawk and the Nightingale The Hawk and the Nightingale is one of the earliest fables recorded in Greek and there have been many variations on the story since Classical times. The original version is numbered 4 in the Perry Index and the later Aesop version, sometimes going under the title "The Hawk, the Nightingale and the Birdcatcher", is numbered 567. The stories began as a reflection on the arbitrary use of power and eventually shifted to being a lesson in the wise use of resources. The Fables The original fable appeared in Hesiod's poem Works and Days, a work dating from some seven centuries before the Common Era and thus long before Aesop's traditional dates. It is used to illustrate Hesiod's account of man's fall from the Golden Age of innocence to the corrupted Age of Iron. As an example of its violent and arbitrary character, the story is told of a hawk that seizes a nightingale; when the songbird cries in pain, the hawk addresses it: 'Miserable thing, why do you cry out? One far stronger than you now holds you fast, and you must go wherever I take you. And if I please I will make my meal of you, or else let you go. He is a fool who tries to withstand the stronger, for he does not get the mastery and suffers pain besides his shame.' The fable later ascribed to Aesop is not recorded in any surviving Classical document but began to appear in the early Middle Ages. Some versions extend the picture of violence by having the bird of prey attack the nightingale's nestlings. It agrees to spare them if the nightingale will sing to it, but since the mother bird is consumed with grief, her song sounds forced and shrill. The disappointed hawk then kills one of the chicks but is in turn captured by a fowler. In Renaissance times a number of Neo-Latin authors record alternative versions of the fable with quite different interpretations. They include Laurentius Abstemius' Accipiter et Luscinia cantum pollicens in the late 15th century, Hieronymus Osius' poem De Accipitre et Luscinia (1574) and three poems by Pantaleon Candidus in his 150 Fabulae (1604). In these fables, the nightgale offers to reward the hawk for its clemency by singing to it. But the hawk answers pragmatically that 'I prefer that you soothe my stomach, for I can live without your songs, but I cannot live without food.' This is the version that La Fontaine transformed into Le milan et le rossignol (the kite and nightingale, Fables IX.17), which ends on the common proverb 'An empty stomach has no ear'. The bird had offered a song based on Classical myth for being spared, a reward that the kite rejects as inedible. The episode makes of the fable as much a statement against the intangibility of art as a lesson in practicality. The proverb dates from Classical times, being noted by Erasmus in his Adagia as originating in Plutarch's "Life of Cato”. The same point of view underlies other fables of Aesop dealing with the tyrannical use of power, such as The Wolf and the Lamb, in which sophistry is rejected in the face of hunger. Still another of Aesop's fables, The fisherman and the little fish, draws much the same conclusion as later European variants of "The Hawk and the Nightingale". The little fish pleads with the angler who has caught it to wait until it is more fully grown, but he prefers not to let go of what he has in hope of some uncertain future gain. By the Middle Ages that sentiment had been encapsulated in the proverb 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the woods', which is translated in a 13th-century Latin work dealing with current proverbs. Other versions have 'ten in the wood', 'three in the sky' and 'two in the bush'. The conclusion of "The fisherman and the little fish" then appears to have been transferred to "The Hawk and the Nightingale" as if it were illustrating the popular proverb with its references to birds. It is for this reason that Roger L'Estrange closes his rendering of Abstemius' fable by quoting the proverb, where Abstemius had only remarked that useful things are to be preferred to pleasant ones. In this he was followed by the Victorian editor George Fyler Townsend. The sentiment is stated more generally also at the end of the first of Pantaleon's poetic meditations on the fable (133). There the hawk's reply to the nightingale's plea to let it go in preference for larger prey, since it is too small to satisfy the hawk's appetite, echoes Plutarch's comment in the course of quite another anecdote: 'He is a fool who leaves things close at hand to follow what is out of reach'. The shift of focus, from the predator's conduct towards its victim in the original telling to its reason for rejecting the victim's appeal for mercy in the later version, radically alters the fable's interpretation. Where the reader's sympathy for the nightingale was appealed to by Hesiod, it is now the hawk whose behaviour is approved, even by so liberal a commentator as Samuel Croxall. For, in his opinion, They who neglect the Opportunity of reaping a small Advantage in Hopes they shall obtain a better, are far from acting upon a reasonable and well advised Foundation. The condemnation of arbitrary power originally implicit in the fable was not entirely lost, however. Illustrations of La Fontaine's more nuanced telling by Carle Vernet and Auguste Delierre (1829-1890) underline the violence of the scene. At the centre of a calm and beautiful landscape, the bird of prey rips up the tiny songbird's breast. The Russian fabulist Ivan Krylov carries that violence over into his adaptation of the story as “The cat and the nightingale”. There the cat captures a nightingale in what it claims is a friendly spirit and begs to hear its famous song. When the bird gives only a shrill cry of distress, the cat devours it, bones and all. Written in 1824, the story satirised the strict literary censorship of the time in Russia.

The most common type of band worn on a person's head, wrist, etc. is the sweatband. Sweatbands have long been known and worn by users during physical activity such as running, biking and playing sports of all kinds such as basketball, tennis, etc. Typically, an initially dry sweatband is placed around the head of a user to absorb sweat and keep sweat from running down the user's face and from entering the user's eyes. However, typical sweatbands do not provide a cooling effect to the user, and may in fact trap heat, producing an undesirable warming or heating effect on the user. Further, typical sweatbands can become saturated with sweat and lose their intended effectiveness. Additionally, typical sweatbands are tight and can be uncomfortable to wearer. The most common type of sweatband is a stretchable cloth type sweatband, usually formed from a blend of mostly cotton and a smaller percentage of an elastic material such as Lycra. There have also been numerous other attempts in the prior art to provide sweatbands of various forms and configurations. However, such attempts typically have resulted in sweatbands which are complicated and difficult to use or manufacture, and which are uncomfortable to the wearer. Further, such known prior art sweatbands are designed primarily for the absorption of sweat, and do not provide a cooling effect to the user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,985 B2 issued on May 25, 2004 to Hahn et al. discloses a disposable moisture absorbing sweatband liner affixable to a cap, hat or sun visor by adhesive material. The liner is made from moisture absorbing material such as cotton terrycloth. U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,715 B2 issued on Nov. 12, 2002 to Shin, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/0100107 A1 published on Aug. 1, 2002 to Shin, disclose a detachable, disposable sweatband which attaches to the interior of existing hardware such as a cap. The sweatband is comprised of a core of special highly-absorptive material, based on the basic principles of feminine hygiene pads. U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,277 issued on Oct. 27, 1998 to McConville discloses a sweatband comprising an elastic band to which is sewn a length of sponge cloth intermittently along spaced apart locations on the elastic band. A tubular fabric wrap surrounds the elastic band and the sponge cloth. U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,630 issued on Sep. 15, 1992 to Richard discloses a sweatband comprised of a fabric band to which are attached a second and third piece of fabric to form a pocket. A package of granular moisture absorbing material is removably placed within the pocket. U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,116 issued on Aug. 15, 1989 to Sullivan discloses a sweatband comprising a first component having a moisture absorbing core covered with a soft, pliable material, and a second component having an elastically extensible member surrounded by a cover. A visor may be attached to the first component. U.S. Pat. No. 3,466,664 issued on Jun. 22, 1969 to Militello discloses a sweatband comprising an outer layer of sponge material in face to face contact with a metal foil layer. An inner layer of gauze is stitched to the sponge material to cover and retain the metal foil layer therebetween. The metal foil layer and sponge layer may include perforations to provide a certain amount of air circulation. U.S. Pat. No. 2,825,328 issued on Mar. 4, 1958 to Olsen discloses a scalp loosening tension band for the purpose of preserving hair. The band comprises an outer vulcanized rubber tension band and a cushioned lining. The outer rubber tension band may have ventilating and air circulating holes. U.S. Pat. No. 2,783,474 issued on Mar. 5, 1957 to Campagna et al. discloses a fibrous and absorbent perspiration pad comprising a loose, fibrous, absorbent carded batt center and a fused edge supporting area. A cloth layer is provided on one or both sides of the absorbent center and edge area. U.S. Pat. No. 2,223,332 issued on Nov. 26, 1940 to Sterne discloses a cellulose and fibrous absorbent pad having a band extending across the front of the entire pad, and having binding strips at the ends of the pad. Alternatively, the absorbent pad is removably mounted on the inner face of the band and retained in place by loops. While such prior art bands may generally fulfill their intended uses, there are numerous disadvantages in their use and construction. For example, these known bands do not provide any distinct cooling effect from a plurality of passageways through a relatively thick material, and may actually cause a heating effect. Further, these known bands may become ineffective after a relatively short period of use. Additionally, these known bands can be difficult or costly to manufacture, and may not be very durable. Also, these known bands can be uncomfortably to wear and/or relatively difficult or cumbersome to put on and/or take off. Still further, these known bands may not be suitable for physical activity and thus may not maintain their structural integrity during use. Accordingly, in today's environment and with the heating of the Earth, there is an immediate need for a head or body band which provides a repeated cooling effect to the user, which is fast and easy to put on and take off, which is relatively sturdy and durable, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and which is easy to use and does not lose its effectiveness during use, especially during physical activity. The present invention fulfills such needs, and provides numerous other benefits and advantages with respect to head or body bands.

Archer is plotting another big move for season eight, and I don’t mean to another glamorous and exotic city. The animated comedy is heading over to FXX, the sister network to its former home FX. No return date has been announced for the series, but we can probably expect it to stick around its new digs for a while — Archer received a three-season renewal last year. FX confirmed the Archer FXX move this week. The news comes over a year after the last time FX announced Archer was going over to FXX. That didn’t happen, though, and Archer remained on FX for season seven. This time, we suspect it’s actually going to pan out. Archer is in good company at FXX. Other shows that have made the move from FX to FXX include It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, You’re the Worst, and The League. And it’s probably a better fit for FXX, anyway. FX has increasingly focused on dramatic shows like American Horror Story and Fargo (though it’s still got a few comedies, like Atlanta and Better Things), whereas FXX is more comedy-oriented. For fans, this really just means you’ll have to update your DVR settings. Since Archer has already been renewed through season ten (which seems likely to be its last), there’s no need to worry about what this means for the future of this series. It’s nice to hear that with three seasons left, this show is still swinging for the fences. Archer will return in spring 2017.

LONDON, June 27 (Reuters) - An Iranian oil refinery caught fire late on Wednesday in the southwestern part of the country, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, leaving six people injured. Firefighters on the scene at the Abadan refinery have brought the blaze under control, a local official was quoted as saying by ISNA news agency, adding that the fire would be contained in an hour. The cause of incident was still unknown, Tasnim said. The damage to the plant at Abadan had no impact on oil exports from Iran, the world’s fifth-biggest exporter, as it is involved in producing gasoline and some other fuels, not the production of crude. ISNA reported that one of the injured was in a critical condition. Abadan Oil Refinery is Iran’s oldest crude processing facility in the southern oil-rich Khuzestan Province. The refinery, like almost all Iranian oil and gas processing plants, needs major works and renovation.

A Methodology for the Design of Self-Optimizing, Decentralized Content-Caching Strategies We consider the problem of efficient content delivery over networks in which individual nodes are equipped with content caching capabilities. We present a flexible methodology for the design of cooperative, decentralized caching strategies that can adapt to real-time changes in regional content popularity. This design methodology makes use of a recently proposed reduced consensus optimization scheme, in which a number of networked agents cooperate in locating the optimum of the sum of their individual, privately known objective functions. The outcome of the design is a set of dynamic update rules that stipulate how much and which portions of each content piece an individual network node ought to cache. In implementing these update rules, the nodes achieve a collectively optimal caching configuration through nearest-neighbor interactions and measurements of local content request rates only. Moreover, individual nodes need not be aware of the overall network topology or how many other nodes are on the network. The desired caching behavior is encoded in the design of individual nodes' costs and can incorporate a variety of network performance criteria. Using the proposed methodology, we develop a set of content-caching update rules designed to minimize the energy consumption of the network as a whole by dynamically trading off transport and caching energy costs in response to changes in content demand.

Uncoupling Effect of F16 Is Responsible for Its Mitochondrial Toxicity and Anticancer Activity As a novel delocalized lipophilic cation, F16 selectively accumulates in mitochondria of carcinoma cells and shows a broad spectrum of antiproliferative action towards cancer cell lines. In order to reveal the mode of action and molecular mechanism of F16 inducing cytotoxicity, we investigated the effects of F16 on cancer cells and isolated mitochondria relative to its precursor compound (E)-3-(2-(pyridine-4yl)vinyl)-1 H-indole (PVI), which has a similar structure without positive charge. It was found that PVI did not accumulate in mitochondria, and exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to F16. However, when they were directly incubated with mitochondria, both F16 and PVI were observed to induce damage to mitochondrial structure and function. Moreover, it was found that F16 as well as PVI acted as uncouplers on mitochondria, and further rescue experiments revealed that the addition of adenosine 5'-triphosphate was the most effective way to recover the cell viability decreased by F16. Thus it was concluded that the decreased intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate availability induced by the uncoupling effect of F16 was a major factor in F16-mediated cytotoxicity. Futhermore, the results indicated that the uncoupling effect of F16 is attributed to its chemical stucture in common with PVI but independent of its positive charge. The study may shed light on understanding the underlying mechanism of action for F16, and providing suggestions for the design of new mitochondria-targeted antitumor molecules.

This week, Capcom shitcanned Mega Man Legends 3. The game was supposed to be produced by Mega Man producer Keiji Inafune, but he's not at Capcom anymore. Hrm, that might have something to do with it? On his blog, Inafune wrote, "Today's cancellation decision is out of my control, but there's something I'd like to tell the staff: 'I'm sorry.'" Inafune also apologized to fans for not seeing the game through to completion. He did thank the staff for all their hard work on the project. A long time Capcom employee, Inafune worked on some of the company's biggest titles like Mega Man and also developed new ones like Dead Rising and Lost Planet. Before he left Capcom, Inafune said he hated his job. Since then, Inafune created two new game companies and is hard at work on new titles.

Phenotypically distinct target cells for murine sarcoma virus and murine leukemia virus marrow transformation in vitro. An in vitro hematopoietic microenvironment was established from explained fragments of bone marrow from adult noninbred NIH Swiss mice with the use of corticosteroid-reconstituted horse serum. Infection with Kirsten murine sarcoma virus (Ki-MuSV) with either a Rauscher murine leukemia virus (R-MuLV) or Balb:virus-1 helper virus coat reduced proliferation of granulocytic and pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells and produced neoplastic transformation of both macrophages and preadipocytes in the adherent cell population within a 4-week period. Ki-MuSV-transformed, virus-releasing macrophages formed clusters of 4-49 cells in 0.8% methylcellulose-containing medium in the absence of added colony-stimulating factor (CSF), synthesized lysozyme, ASD-chloroacetate substrate-specific esterase-M, and CSF, and produced tumors following inoculation iv into adult NIH Swiss mice or ip into newborn NIH Swiss mice. In cultures infected with helper leukemia viruses R-MuLV or Balb:virus-1, gradual transformation of a distinct cell phenotype was observed over a 9-week period with generation of increasing numbers of atypical myeloblasts and promyelocytes which showed dyssynchronous nuclear-cytoplasmic maturation, basophilic granulation, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and formation of incompletely maturing CSF-dependent granulocyte-macrophage colonies in vitro and small spleen colonies in vivo. These data demonstrated that rapid biologic expression of the murine sarcoma virus genome in specific adherent "stromal" marrow cells prevents detection of a more subtle helper-virus-induced dysmyelopoiesis in a distinct nonadherent cell population.

Performance enhancement of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) based field effect transistors through surfactant treatment of the poly(vinyl alcohol) gate insulator surface. We report on the improvement of field effect transistors based on poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) as a channel semiconductor and crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (cr-PVA) as a gate insulator, through the treatment of the cr-PVA film surface before P3HT deposition. We treated the cr-PVA either with hydrochloric acid (HCl) or with a cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), aiming at the passivation of the hole traps at the cr-PVA/P3HT interface. The treatment with HCl leads to an excessive increase in the transistor leakage current and unstable electrical characteristics, despite implying an increase in the gate capacitance. The treatment with CTAB leads to transistors with ca. 50% higher specific capacitance and a tenfold increase in the charge carrier field-effect mobility, when compared to devices based on untreated cr-PVA.

Lipid and Myelin Abnormalities of Brain in the Crinkled Mouse Summary Lipid composition and histology of brain samples from crinkled and non-crinkled mice fed a normal diet were studied. Sulfatides in young and cerebrosides in adults were found to be increased in brains from crinkled mice when compared to their noncrinkled controls. Cholesterol esters, not present at all in the controls, were found in all crinkled brains analyzed. Histological examination of brain showed abnormalities in myelin structures of varying degrees of severity in all brains from crinkled mice. The observation of cholesterol esters in the brains of crinkled mutants supports the view that the myelin disruption found in these mice is secondary to axonal degeneration. This work was supported in part by Grant No. HD-02355 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

The TSA is raising cane! A geezer flier was busted at JFK for trying to slip a cane sword past a security checkpoint — and now the agency is on high alert for the hidden weaponry. The TSA on Friday tweeted out a cheesy instructional video warning travelers they may accidentally be hiding a “sword or a dagger” inside their walking canes. “Our national airport checkpoints screen hundreds of canes like this every day,” officer Karen ­Robichaux proclaims in the video, holding up one of the deadly sticks. “If you use one of these on your way to catch your flight, you already know it must be cleared through an X-ray before you can use it to steady yourself down the concourse,” she adds, explaining some canes are sold with removable blades inside. “But if you are using an antique or gently used cane purchased at a garage sale, antique shop, consignment shop — or even if you received it as a gift — you may want to give the handle a twist and inspection,” Robichaux says, offering a quick demo on how to twist the handle of a cane. “It may save you time and inconvenience at the airport . . . So remember: Always twist and inspect,” she concludes. The video was tweeted by TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein after Martin Berchenko, 66, of Bellrose, Queens, was arrested for carrying one of the sword-canes at JFK airport at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, law enforcement sources said. “#TSA at #JFK caught a sword concealed inside a traveler’s cane at a checkpoint yesterday. That’ll get you arrested,” Farbstein tweeted, along with a photo. Asked about it later, she claimed she had no details of the arrest or weapon seizure. Berchenko, who had planned to board a flight to Brussels, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and released with a desk appearance ticket.

Monitoring of technogenic soil pollution in manufacture The growth of production zones in the city of Aksai in the West Kazakhstan region leads to contamination of the soil cover, which, in turn, causes a chain reaction of pollution. Due to soil contamination, soil moisture and the underground surface are polluted. As a result, the processes in the soil change, the vital activity of plants, animals and microorganisms are disrupted. The article presents data on the study of changes in soil cover under the influence of human activity. The results of the conducted studies on the determination of the humus content and pH level, the content of heavy metals in technogenically disturbed soils in the adjacent territory of the natural gas processing enterprise are presented. The obtained data on the gross content and mobile forms of heavy metals indicates that the maximum permissible concentration level for these pollutants is not exceeded.

(WTHR) - Tonight at 8:00 pm, you can Stand Up 2 Cancer. Over 1,200 scientists and 160 clinical trials are working towards one goal: to end cancer in our lifetime. Locally, the Cancer Support Community is announcing a major fundraiser, Laughing Matters. "Cancer Support Community is here to make sure that no one faces their cancer journey alone," said Keri Brantley. "As you can well imagine, it's a very scary process from diagnosis through the journey, so we're here to support those individuals through support groups, wellness classes, fitness classes for both the patient and the family and caregivers." "We're so happy to announce tonight that Jay Leno will be our headliner on Saturday, March 11th, 2017 at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. It's our largest fundraiser of the year and we're only able to offer our free service through events like Laughing Matters, so we're very excited," said CEO Eric Richards. Tickets for the event go on sale after Thanksgiving. Check Cancer Support Community's website for updates.

The present invention related to a recording and reproducing apparatus and a recording and reproducing method, suitable for application to, e.g., a video camera. In recent years, recording and reproducing apparatus are a widespread use which apparatus are compatible with randomly accessible recording media such as a digital versatile disc (DVD), a semiconductor memory and a hard disc drive (HDD). Such recording and reproducing apparatus can easily and quickly cue a photographed image recorded in a recording medium. Of recording and reproducing apparatus of this type, for example, a general video camera manages generally video information of photographed images in the unit of scene, and cues each scene by using management information on each scene. A video camera of this type can set a plurality of chapters in one scene, and can cue each chapter. A scene means a series of images recorded during a period from when a user depresses a record button to start photographing to when the user depresses again the record button to stop photographing. The number of scenes increases each time photographing is made upon depression of the record button. The chapter means a delimiter of images in one scene. A user of a video camera can know quickly the contents of each scene by reproducing image information recorded in the recording medium by sequentially cuing each chapter. However, if the number of chapters set in a scene is large, a user of the video camera is required to repeat a cue operation as many times as the number of chapters set in the scene, in order to confirm the contents to the last scene. There arises therefore a problem of much work and long time. JP-A-06-165009 discloses techniques of efficiently knowing the contents of a scene by calculating a priority order of each frame from the type of button manipulation during photographing, and reproducing a frame having a higher priority order.

Pulmonary Artery Leiomyosarcoma Diagnosed without Delay A 63-year-old female presented with abnormal lung shadows but had, apart from this, few symptoms. Computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple nodules and blockage of the pulmonary artery. She was immediately diagnosed with pulmonary artery sarcoma based on a careful differential diagnosis and underwent surgery. Her tumor was pathologically diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma (i.e. intimal sarcoma). Pulmonary artery sarcoma can be easily confounded with thromboembolism in a clinical setting and some cases are diagnosed post mortem only. In our case, clinical prediction scores (Wells score, Geneva score, and revised Geneva score) for the pulmonary embolism showed low probability. Moreover, chest CT showed uncommon findings for pulmonary thromboembolism, as the nodules were too big for thrombi. Because surgical resection can provide the only hope of long-term survival in cases of pulmonary artery sarcoma, clinicians should consider this possibility in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Clinical prediction scores and CT findings might help to reach the correct diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma. Introduction Primary pulmonary artery sarcomas are very rare and aggressive neoplasms. Morphologically, there are at least ten reported subtypes of pulmonary artery sarcoma: undifferentiated sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, malignant mesenchymoma, chondrosarcoma, angiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The tumors appear to arise from multipotential mesenchymal cells of the bulbus cordis. There is evidence that the intima of the small arteries contain primitive mesenchymal cells with potential for multidirectional differentiation. Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant tumor composed of smooth-muscle cells. The most common locations of soft tissue leiomyosarcoma are the retroperitoneal and the pelvic region. Another distinctive subgroup consists of leiomyosarcomas that arise in large blood vessels, most commonly the inferior vena cava and the large veins of the lower extremities. Arterial origin has been observed, but is rare; sarcomas of the pulmonary artery and other large arteries have distinct features and are better classified as intimal sarcomas. Primary pulmonary artery sarcoma is easily confounded with pulmonary thromboembolism in a clinical setting. Many patients initially receive anticoagulant therapy but fail to respond, and many are diagnosed post mortem only. We report a case of pulmonary intimal sarcoma that could be promptly diagnosed by careful consideration of the differential diagnosis. Case Report A 63-year-old female was admitted to our hospital after abnormal lung shadows were discovered during a routine annual medical checkup. Two months before her admission, she had experienced 1 episode of slight chest tightness. She was a housewife who had never smoked. Thirteen years previously, she had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and had been taking prednisolone (1 mg) and salicylazosulfapyridine for 10 years and methotrexate for 4 years. Her vital signs on admission were a temperature of 36.7°C, a blood pressure of 127/90 mm Hg, a pulse of 84 beats per minute, and an oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximeter (SpO2) of 94.3%. On physical examination she presented with ulnar drift deformities in fingers of both hands. Her lungs were clear on auscultation and her cardiac sound was a regular rhythm without heart murmur. Laboratory findings indicated slight inflammation, with a white blood cell count of 9,300 per microliter and C-reactive protein of 2.3 mg/dl (table 1). The results of arterial blood gas were as follows: pH, 7.429; partial pressure for oxygen (PaO2), 69.3 mm Hg; partial pressure for carbon dioxide (PaCO2), 38.4 mm Hg; bicarbonate content (HCO3 -), 25.0 mEq/l. Tumor markers inluding carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA), pro-gastrin releasing peptide (ProGRP), sialyl Lewis X-i antigen (SLX), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), and neuron-specific -enolase (NSE), were within normal limits. Electrocardiography revealed a right atrial enlargement. Chest radiography showed a mass in the left upper lung field ( fig. 1a) and reduced blood vessel distribution in the left lower lung field. Computed tomography (CT) scanning of the chest revealed multiple nodules in the left lung ( fig. 1b, c) and lowdensity lesions occupying the pulmonary artery ( fig. 1d). In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mass lesions with a low-density appearance in T1-weighted images and high-density appearance in T2weighted images were spread across the pulmonary arteries in the left upper lobe ( fig. 2a, b). Lung perfusion scintigraphy revealed perfusion defect in the left whole lung and focal perfusion defect in the right lung ( fig. 2c). F-18-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed multiple mass lesions in the lung fields and mediastinum ( fig. 2d, e). The maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax) was 2.6. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed pulmonary hypertension (the predicted right ventricular systolic pressure was 49 mm Hg) with pulmonary artery dilation, moderate pulmonic valve regurgitation, moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation, mild mitral valve regurgitation, dilation of the left atrium, right atrium and right ventricle, and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy ( fig. 2f). In flexible bronchoscopy, the trachea and left main bronchus were slightly pressed rightward. The mucosa in the upper division of the left upper lobe was irregular, suggesting tumor invasion. The pulmonary trunk was difficult to detect by endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS), but the EBUS examination clearly showed a tumorous mass within the left pulmonary artery. A high risk of complications prevented us from biopsying the mass intravascularly. We decided to intervene surgically, as the findings suggested a diagnosis of primary pulmonary artery sarcoma rather than a pulmonary embolism. Exploration of the pulmonary artery under cardiopulmonary bypass revealed a tumor in the left pulmonary artery with a thickened arterial wall invaded by the tumor. The anterior walls of both the main and right pulmonary arteries were resected as much as possible and reconstructed with an autologous pericardial patch with a 5-0 monofilament continuous suture. The tumor had infiltrated the right distal pulmonary artery, which prevented any attempt of complete tumor resection under the guidance of intraoperative pathological diagnosis. A left lobectomy was performed thereafter. The gross section ( fig. 3a) of the tumor was clear ivory-white with necrosis and hemorrhage. The left pulmonary artery was dilated to 2.5 cm in width by an intraluminal tumor (6.5 2.5 2.5 cm) that extended through the pulmonary arteries into the distal lung parenchyma. There was a contiguous welldefined 3.5 cm mass consisting of several nodules in the lung. Several nodules in the left upper lobe remained within the pulmonary arteries, but most of the tumors extended into the lung parenchyma, forming an ill-defined mass. The tumor in the lower lobe extended mainly through the pulmonary artery and formed an ill-defined 2.5 cm mass at the superior segment in the lower lobe. Patchy pulmonary infarction lesions spread across both the upper and lower lobes. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of spindle-or circular-shaped cells with cigar-shaped nuclei and elongated cytoplasm ( fig. 3b). Two patterns of tumor growth were observed in the lung parenchyma: some tumors extended into the alveolar septum and interalveolar septum, forming a reticular pattern, while others grew solidly within the alveolar space. Tumor embolisms with cavities and necrosis surrounded by viable tumor cells were observed in both the upper and lower lobes. A fungal abscess of 15 5 mm in size, possibly aspergillus, was connected to the bronchioles in the left superior lobe anterior segment. No pathological lesions suggestive of pulmonary thromboembolism were evident. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha smooth muscle actin (-SMA) and desmin, two markers for mesenchymal neoplasms, were focally positive in the pleomorphic cancer cells ( fig. 3c, d). Immunohistochemical staining for CD99 was partially positive in the spindle cancer cells. Immunohistochemical staining for CD31 PECAM-1, CD34 (endothelial cell marker), myosin, CD57, S-100, and epithelial markers (including cytokeratins; CAM5.2, AE1/AE3, CK7, CK19) and EMA (epithelial membrane antigen) were negative. Immunohistochemical staining for BCL-2 was positive and the Ki-67 labeling index (the percentage of positive cells stained with proliferation marker Ki-67 antibody) was 40% ( fig. 3e), suggesting that the tumor had aggressive characteristics. The patient was diagnosed with primary pulmonary artery sarcoma with smooth muscle differentiation compatible with leiomyosarcoma (i.e. intimal sarcoma). Complete tumor resection was impossible, and the patient had developed an aplastic anemia that prevented us from administering other therapies. The tumor in the right pulmonary artery gradually grew and metastasized to the liver. The patient died 14 months after the operation. Discussion Primary pulmonary artery sarcomas are very rare tumors: no more than about 150 cases have been reported in English-language literature. The differential diagnoses include pulmonary artery sarcoma, thromboembolism, and lung cancer. The symptoms of the pulmonary embolism are nonspecific. Laboratory findings have a low diagnostic specificity and chest radiograph is generally nondiagnostic. Scores derived from explicit prediction rules that combine clinical findings at presentation with predisposing factors (table 2) have proved useful in determining the clinical or pretest probability of pulmonary embolism. The Wells score, Geneva score, and revised Geneva score have been recommended as diagnostic criteria. Our patient experienced only a slight tightness of the chest before admission, and her physical examination on admission produced no findings suggestive of pulmonary embolism. Laboratory findings revealed slight leukocytosis, elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase, and slight hypoxemia without hypocapnia. The clinical prediction scores for acute pulmonary embolism (table 2) indicated a low probability: the Wells score was 0, the Geneva score 4, and the revised Geneva score 3. Only one of three separate measurements of D-dimer levels by quantitative latex agglutination, a moderately sensitive D-dimer assay, revealed an elevation, and the elevation was slight: 1.23, 0.99, and 0.77 g/ml, respectively (reference range from 0 to 1 g/ml). We propose that pulmonary artery sarcomas should be strongly suspected in cases who present with mass lesions in the pulmonary arteries but score low on the clinical prediction indexes and have low D-dimer levels. We believe that the left pulmonary artery had become occluded gradually over time in this case. Had the occlusion been sudden, the patient would have suffered severe and possibly fatal distress. As it turned out, she complained of few symptoms and manifested no signs of occlusion such as tachypnea, wheezing, or tachycardia. Her electrocardiographic abnormalities, meanwhile, were very trivial. We can presume, therefore, that she adapted to the gentle and quiet progression of the left pulmonary artery occlusion. Pulmonary embolisms usually arise from venous thrombosis, but our patient had no history of thromboembolism, nor signs or symptoms of deep venous thrombosis such as leg pain, warmth, or swelling. She was also free from any risk factors for thromboembolism. Several indicators on CT and MRI favor the diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma over chronic thromboembolic disease. In contrast to the abrupt vascular narrowing and cutoff in embolic disease, sarcomas form a contiguously soft tissue-filled pulmonary artery, sometimes with vascular distension and extravascular spread. Unilateral central pulmonary embolus is uncommon. Pulmonary artery sarcomas are more likely to have a heterogeneous appearance from areas of necrosis, hemorrhage, and ossification (especially osteosarcoma/chondrosarcoma). Enhancement after gadopentetate dimeglumine in the MRI examination is suggestive of sarcoma instead of thromboembolic disease, which does not enhance. Most of the nodular shadows in our patient were located proximal to the left lungs on the chest CT. This suggested that the tumor emboli had had a certain amount of volume, had been trapped in the relatively large pulmonary arteries and had invaded the surrounding lung tissues. This was an uncommon chest CT finding for pulmonary thromboembolism, as the nodules were too big for thrombi (thrombi are normally about the same size as the pulmonary arteries). Ito et al. reported that FDG-PET could discriminate pulmonary artery sarcoma from pulmonary embolism based on SUVmax: SUVmax of the pulmonary artery sarcomas was 7.63 ± 2.21, whereas the SUVmax of the pulmonary embolisms was 2.31 ± 0.41. However, the SUVmax of the tumor in our case was 2.6. Differential diagnosis also included primary and metastatic lung cancer. Our patient never smoked and her serum tumor markers (CEA, CYFRA, SLX, SCC, NSE, and ProGRP) were all within normal ranges. If the multiple nodules in the left lung were metastases, they probably originated from the left main pulmonary artery. If they had come directly from the general circulation, they would have metastasized to both lungs diffusely. It would be unlikely for a cancer of this type to first metastasize to the left main pulmonary artery, grow there, and then metastasize again to the left lung. Moreover, our FDG-PET and other examinations failed to detect any primary cancers capable of developing blood-borne metastasis to the left main pulmonary artery. We postulate that the actual prevalence of pulmonary artery sarcoma is much higher than the estimated prevalence, as pulmonary artery sarcoma is difficult to diagnose and often goes unidentified without autopsy. The prognosis for patients with pulmonary artery sarcoma is poor. In most series, the mean survival time is less than 2 years. Whether treatments with chemotherapy or radiation therapy affect prognosis is unclear, as randomized trials of these tumors are not available to guide therapy. Radical surgical resection seems to provide the only hope of long-term survival. Conclusion Clinicians must be mindful of pulmonary artery sarcoma when making the differential diagnosis for patients with mass lesions in the pulmonary arteries. The clinical prediction scores (Wells score, Geneva score, and revised Geneva score) and the CT findings can help to identify the patients with pulmonary artery sarcoma. Disclosure Statement The authors declare no conflict of interest. High probability (74%)

CORR Insights®: Does Osteoarticular Allograft Reconstruction Achieve Long-term Survivorship after En Bloc Resection of Grade 3 Giant Cell Tumor of Bone? According to the most-recent WHO classification of tumors of soft tissue and bone, giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is an aggressive, rarely metastasizing, intermediate-grade bone tumor. It is usually a metaepiphyseal lesion, and its treatment can be complicated when it destroys cortical bone and grows into the soft tissues (a presentation that is defined as Campanacci Grade 3 ). In this scenario, there is often a dilemma about the type of surgery to be used; typically, the choices include intralesional resection, which preserves the joint, and en-bloc resection,which is typically accompanied by reconstruction with an osteoarticular allograft or a prosthetic implant. With the recent use of denosumab (a RANKL inhibitor) as preoperative treatment, patients with a good response who were previously treated with endoprosthetic replacements may be treated with intralesional procedures, thus saving the joint, but use of denosumab in this setting has been associated with an increased risk of local recurrence. The advantages of osteoarticular allografts include its biologic nature, lower financial cost, and good long-term results. However, osteoarticular allografts have some important shortcomings, particularly complications such as fracture, infection, and nonunion. In the long term, there is also the concern of joint degeneration resulting in prosthetic replacement. Endoprosthetic reconstructions have a relatively easy technique and excellent short-term and middle-term results. On the other hand, prosthetic reconstruction after en bloc resection of a GCTB is associated with substantial long-term complications such as aseptic loosening, mechanical failure, and infection, frequently resulting in extensive revision surgeries. The current study by Albergo et al. analyzed 39 osteoarticular allografts in patients with Grade 3 GCTBs and evaluated the long-term survival of patients who underwent reconstruction. The study demonstrated that it is possible to obtain outstanding results using osteoarticular allografts in patients with advanced GCTBs. Based on their findings, surgeons might consider using this technique if they believe biologic reconstructions perform better than prosthetic ones do, and if they have the required resources available.

Design of an Occupancy Monitoring Unit: A Thermal Imaging Based People Counting Solution for Socio-Technical Energy Saving Systems in Hospitals Aside from their physical exterior/interior design, the energy demands of industrial buildings are strongly related to how they are used. It follows that the behaviour of the occupants contributes and is related to the energy consumption of a building. In a hospital, this could mean equipment usage, heating, water and so on. This implies that energy consumption in a specific area may be measured as a function of occupancy, making occupancy monitoring an important part of an organisations energy management plan. This paper presents the design, implementation and testing of an Occupancy Monitoring Unit (OMU), based on thermal imaging technology, to provide occupancy data on individual selected wards/areas of Medway NHS Foundation Trust (MWNFT). The paper also presents successful tests performed to assess the functionality of the OMU in counting people and identifying the direction of motion. The results show the potential for the OMU to count individual people as well as groups.

Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Bio Polymer Matrix Composites for Biomedical Prosthesis Applications Due to limitations of Conventional metallic biomaterials an attempt is made to develop a new hybrid polymer matrix composite for load bearing applications of Hip joints in the human body. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene matrix material was blended with 50 wt% of short E-glass fibres and TiO2 particles with varying percentage of reinforcement, using injection moulding machine. Fabricated composites specimens were subjected to tensile strength test, Fatigue test, SEM, Wear analysis test and In vivo Biocompatibility test to evaluate mechanical and tribological properties, required for bone joints load bearing applications. The maximum tensile strength of 41.5 MPa and youngs modulus of 7.5 GPa is obtained. The behavior of S-N curve obtained after the test is linear in nature, which leads to failure at 105 cycles for the fabricated composite specimen. Also it reveals that fracture is due to brittle failure. The wear mechanism of composite specimen is, because of abrasion. Density of composite specimens was increased after dipping in the simulated body fluid solution.

They also had issues retaining water operators — one left for another job, one was laid off due to personal issues — so for a while it was only one guy running the whole plant when they actually need a minimum of two people. It was a long process to request money for repairs from the Chief and Council — they have a small operating budget for the year, and often they would run out of money. He said the band council would have to either move funds from another program or ask Indigenous Affairs for more money. “Once we fixed one thing, something else would go,” said Corey Lynch, one of the water operators. The Ojibway community got a water treatment plant in 2008 that has since kept falling into disrepair. To understand the chronic problems and bureaucratic nightmare that underpin the First Nations drinking water crisis, look to Rocky Bay First Nation, in northern Ontario, a community that finally has clean water, but waited years to get it. Read more To understand the chronic problems and bureaucratic nightmare that underpin the First Nations drinking water crisis, look to Rocky Bay First Nation, in northern Ontario, a community that finally has clean water, but waited years to get it. The Ojibway community got a water treatment plant in 2008 that has since kept falling into disrepair. “Once we fixed one thing, something else would go,” said Corey Lynch, one of the water operators. It was a long process to request money for repairs from the Chief and Council — they have a small operating budget for the year, and often they would run out of money. He said the band council would have to either move funds from another program or ask Indigenous Affairs for more money. They also had issues retaining water operators — one left for another job, one was laid off due to personal issues — so for a while it was only one guy running the whole plant when they actually need a minimum of two people. It might sound obvious, but water operators in communities that finally have clean water point to basic construction, upgrades, and repairs of their water systems as the solution. The problem is it can take years to get approvals and funding from Indigenous Affairs to build, upgrade, and repair those water systems. Communities also struggle to retain water plant operators, who often make tiny salaries, making them likely to leave for higher paying jobs. Rocky Bay’s story speaks to a vicious cycle in which water systems fall into disrepair, or need upgrades to service growing populations, but the bureaucratic system that responds to those needs moves so slowly that the resulting drinking water advisories drag on for years. Why does it take so long? Look at what a municipality anywhere else in the country does if their water plant needs a repair. They assess the problem, issue a request for proposals, and choose a company to complete the project within a given budget. There is no third party that holds the purse strings — the municipal government has the money and decides how to spend it. And they have enforceable regulations for drinking water. While federal guidelines on First Nations drinking water might suggest First Nations are in charge of their own water, in fact, the opposite is true. The system for solving water advisories is run from the top down by the federal government, which holds the wallet and has its authority granted by the Indian Act. And the process it has set out is insanely complex. If a First Nation wants a water plant, the band council first has to come up with an extremely detailed feasibility study taking into account numerous laws and protocols (seriously, try reading them), which they send to Indigenous Affairs for approval. The back-and-forth for approval itself can take years. If Indigenous Affairs approves it, the community can move onto crafting a design for the plant, which Indigenous Affairs also has to approve. Only when Indigenous Affairs is on board with the design will they provide up to 100 percent of the funding for the project — not necessarily the entire funds needed. If it provides 80 percent of the money, the community needs to come up with the other 20 percent on its own. Water operators in remote First Nations have told VICE News this means the community will often choose the lowest bidder in an effort to save money. The companies that offer the lowest bids aren’t always reliable, they say, and sometimes their designs are faulty, the systems leak, or they won’t return to remote reserves to make repairs. VICE News Canada is spending this week focusing on the Indigenous water crisis. Read more here. Even though it’s the federal government that green lights all pertinent aspects of this process, the responsibility for testing the water — and reporting that to Health Canada — falls on the First Nation. Then it’s Health Canada that decides if a water advisory is in order. Sometimes the water operators in these communities aren’t properly trained, so accurate water testing is a problem, and they often have low salaries, so it’s hard to retain them. Recently Corey Lynch, of Rocky Bay First Nation, was hired on full time as a second water operator on a miniscule wage of $15 an hour, which he says amounts to about $25,000 a year. With his help, and when the next fiscal year began and released more funds, they were able to make the repairs that allowed the water advisory to be lifted. Indigenous Affairs confirmed the long term advisory in Rocky Bay first set in 2010 was lifted in 2016 “after the First Nation replaced equipment using operations and maintenance funding provided by the department.” New Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott elaborated to VICE News on changes to the faulty system. The government now has a better tracking system, including communities that could slip back onto water advisories. They also have implemented long-term funding for projects; rather than one or two years, funding can now span up to five years. And the government has made $733 million in investments in 348 water projects. But Philpott also pointed to First Nations as the ones who have the capacity to solve their own water issues. Some communities, frustrated with Indigenous Affairs, have done that already. Black Tickle, an Inuit-Metis community in Labrador, has started its own successful rainwater collection program. Potlotek in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, is drilling wells to find a new source of water. And in one of the most promising projects, which Indigenous Affairs has invested in, the Safe Water Project trains and hires First Nations young people to operate water treatment plants, which has also given a boost to their mental health. In its first year on a shoestring budget, they solved three water advisories. As this series has unfolded, similar themes have emerged. We heard that First Nations need more investment by government in water infrastructure, and operator training and salaries, especially in the poorest communities. The system to deliver that funding also needs to be more efficient — treat the issue like the emergency that it is. They also contend that they need enforceable regulations on drinking water, with clear accountability. First Nations also recognize that they need to keep building their own capacity to solve the crisis, developing their own strengths and taking it upon themselves. Both sides agree that colonial structures that create a paternal relationship between the federal government and First Nations must be removed. And, of course, the will of government to make these changes.

Obtaining and applying new thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers on basis of simple polyefircarbonatpoliols FIELD: technological processes. SUBSTANCE: method includes interrelation of at least one organic diisocyanate A), at least one polyol B) with average molecular weight M n ≥500 and ≤5000 g/mol, one or more agents of chain elongation C) with molecular weight ≥ of 60 and 490 ≤g/mol and, if necessary, the catalyst E). The interrelation of components is carried out in a single step in a reaction extruder or in a tape method with a mixing head. The molar ratio between the isocyanate groups A) and the sum of the groups capable of reacting with the isocyanate of groups in B) and C) is ≥0.9:1 and ≤1.2:1. Component B) contains at least one simple polyester carbon polyol that is received by attaching carbon dioxide and alkylene oxides to H-functional substances-initiators. The content of carbonate groups of simple polyester carbon polyol is ≥3 and ≤35 wt %. The number-average molecular weight of the polyester carbon polyol is ≥500 and ≤10000 g/mol and the average functionality for OH is 1.85 to ≤2.5. EFFECT: received thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers have good mechanical properties, in particular high tensile strength, low abrasion and superior thermal resistance. 13 cl, 2 tbl, 1 ex

Application of Duffing Oscillators for Passive Islanding Detection of Inverter-Based Distributed Generation Units Regarding the safety and reliable operation of modern distributed generation (DG) systems, an expert diagnosis apparatus is required to distinguish between different events. One of the crucial requirements in DG safe operation is the islanding detection. In this paper, a new passive islanding detection method, based on the application of the Duffing oscillators, is suggested for the first time and tested under different network conditions. The method is designed to detect the changes on point of common coupling frequency by identifying the transformation of the Duffing oscillator from chaotic state to great periodic state and vice-versa. The simulations results, carried out by MATLAB/Simulink, are used to validate the performance of the proposed method. It is shown that the proposed method has excellent accuracy within a minimum detection time, even with the presence of high noise to signal ratios.

Reshaping nationalism: Chinese intellectual response towards Sino-American and Sino-Japanese relations in the twenty-first century Abstract Since the end of the Cold War, the international arena has witnessed two concurrent worldwide trends. One is the gradual prevalence of universalism under the banner of human civilization; the other is the gradual revival of nationalism globally under exactly the same heading. Both trends are evident in China, a country which in the twenty-first century is perceived universally as a rising nation. However, does Chinese nationalism necessarily pose a threat to the world? By examining two debates on the Chinese intellectual response towards Sino-American and Sino-Japanese relations in the early twenty-first century, this paper investigates the status of Chinese nationalism. It questions whether it is a fixed set of ideas embraced by a solid entity, or whether it possesses multiple layers with dual elements contributing to both security and insecurity internationally. The paper argues that three separate nationalist processes are occurring concurrently but independently of each other: the construction of civic nationalist values; the development of an international relations strategy assigning responsible power to China; and the detection of alleged anti-Chinese conspiracies. The effect of the first two would be to encourage regional peace, and they could offset fervent nationalist expression. A somewhat counter-intuitive result of Chinese nationalism might be that it also becomes a stabilizing force within and outside China's borders.

Vertical window blinds are commonly installed as window coverings. These blinds include slats that are attached at one end thereof to a headrail located superadjacent to the window, and extend vertically next to the window. The headrail is mounted on a wall window frame. When the blinds are installed on such a vertical mount, they may be spaced from the wall, and from the window. Such spacing can be as much as five inches or more. When the blinds are fully closed, there is a gap between the blinds and the window, and such gap may be troublesome. While the art contains examples of elements that are intended to close this gap, these elements are generally installed in a manner that prevents them form being moved or adjusted to accommodate a condition that is different from that existing at the time of installation. There are several situations which may require this gap to be adjusted. For example, the sun may shine through this gap at certain times of the day and not at other times. Thus, there may be strong shaft of sunlight entering the room at certain times of the day, while at other times, the room may be too dark. For several reasons, such as aesthetic, energy conservation, or the like, it may be desirable to close this gap at some times while opening it at others. Still another reason for desiring adjustability of a gap bridging element is to provide an ability to retofit such an element onto an existing setup. A pre-manufactured item may not provide an exact fit, and thus, movement and adjustment of such an element is desirable. Many times, a blind assembly must be adjusted after it is installed. Unless there is some means of adjusting the gap bridging element, this element may not be positioned in the precise location that is most desirable. Therefore, there is a need for a gap bridging element for use with a vertical blind assembly which is adjustable after it is installed.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording that is used for writing data on a recording medium by means of a perpendicular magnetic recording system, and more specifically, to a magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording that includes a heater for allowing the end face of the main pole located in the medium facing surface to protrude. 2. Description of the Related Art The recording systems of magnetic read/write apparatuses include a longitudinal magnetic recording system wherein signals are magnetized in a direction along the plane of a recording medium (the longitudinal direction) and a perpendicular magnetic recording system wherein signals are magnetized in a direction perpendicular to the plane of a recording medium. It is known that the perpendicular magnetic recording system is harder to be affected by thermal fluctuation of the recording medium and capable of providing higher linear recording density, compared with the longitudinal magnetic recording system. Magnetic heads for perpendicular magnetic recording typically have, like those for longitudinal magnetic recording, a structure where a read head unit having a magnetoresistive element (hereinafter, also referred to as MR element) for reading and a write head unit having an induction-type electromagnetic transducer for writing are stacked on a substrate. The write head unit includes a coil and a main pole. The main pole has an end face located in a medium facing surface facing a recording medium. The coil produces a magnetic field corresponding to data to be written on the recording medium. The main pole allows a magnetic flux corresponding to the magnetic field produced by the coil to pass, and produces a write magnetic field from its end face. A magnetic head for use in a magnetic disk drive such as a hard disk drive is typically in the form of a slider. The slider has the medium facing surface. The medium facing surface has an air inflow end (a leading end) and an air outflow end (a trailing end). The slider is designed to slightly fly over the surface of a recording medium by means of an airflow that comes from the leading end into the space between the medium facing surface and the recording medium. It is demanded of magnetic disk drives that the distance from the end face of the main pole located in the medium facing surface to the surface of the recording medium be reduced in order to provide higher recording densities while preventing the writing capability of the write head unit from being reduced with higher density recording. To meet this, there has been proposed a technology of heating the main pole with a heater to allow the end face of the main pole to protrude to thereby reduce the distance from the end face of the main pole to the surface of the recording medium, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009/0251828 A1 and 2012/0218662 A1, for example. U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009/0251828 A1 and 2012/0218662 A1 each disclose a magnetic head with a heater provided within an insulating layer near the main pole. In a conventional magnetic head including a heater for heating the main pole, components of the write head unit other than the main pole are also heated by the heater. A typical component of the write head unit other than the main pole is a write shield disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0218662 A1. The write shield has an end face located near the end face of the main pole in the medium facing surface. For the conventional magnetic head including the heater, since the components of the write head unit other than the main pole are also heated by the heater as mentioned above, it is difficult to allow the end face of the main pole to greatly protrude relative to its neighboring surroundings located in the medium facing surface. The conventional magnetic head thus has a disadvantage that the distance from the end face of the main pole to the surface of the recording medium cannot be sufficiently reduced and therefore it is not possible to achieve sufficiently high recording density. Further, for the conventional magnetic head, the end face of the main pole does not always protrude by the greatest amount when compared with the other parts of the end face of the write head unit located in the medium facing surface. If any part of the end face of the write head unit other than the end face of the main pole protrudes by the greatest amount, it becomes difficult to recognize and control the distance from the end face of the main pole to the surface of the recording medium.

Instructions for the preparation of a medical expertise by a clinicist Law enforcement cannot work without forensic expertise. Often, this is appointed and prepared by doctors from different medical specialties independently, without the participation of a forensic doctor. They do not know the basic rules and principles for the preparation of expertise, which requires their presentation, as well as an expert example.

Mad River Glen History Mad River Glen was founded in 1947 by Roland Palmedo who led a group of investors that included members of the Rockefeller family. Palmedo was one of the founders of the Mt. Mansfield Lift Company which built the first chairlift at Stowe Mountain Resort. Palmedo wanted to create a ski area for dedicated skiers, with a minimum of commercial interests and amenities. The Single Chair was completed and first operated in 1948. Additionally, five trails (Catamount, Chute, Fall Line, Porcupine, and Grand Canyon) and a small base lodge (still referred to as the "basebox") were also completed at that time. Over the next few decades, 3 double chairlifts and a rope tow for a children's learning area, and many new trails were added. In 1972, the ski area was bought by Truxton Pratt, then passed on to his wife, Betsy, after his death in 1975. It remained relatively unchanged until she sold it in 1995 to a group of skiers who formed a cooperative to own and manage the ski area. On December 5, 1995, the Mad River Glen Cooperative was formed. Mad River Glen is now the only cooperatively owned ski area in America. In April 1998 the Mad River Glen Cooperative fulfilled its purchase agreement with the previous owner by selling its 1,667th share. In 2012, Mad River Glen was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district. Management The cooperative holds annual elections for a board of trustees, who oversee the management and business of the ski area. They also hire a general manager to handle day-to-day operations. Matt Lillard, formerly of Okemo, Magic Mountain (Vt.), and Eaglecrest (Alaska), took over as GM in 2017. Mad River Glen is one of two ski areas in the country to use a chairlift which seats just one person at a time. The other single chairlift is operated at Mt. Eyak which is located and owned by the City of Cordova, Alaska, and operated by the Sheridan Ski Club. Trails Mad River Glen offers 51 trails with a wide variety of difficulty. Beginner-friendly trails can be found in the Birdland area, while steeper, moguled, and wooded trails can generally be found higher up on the mountain. These are the trails that have given Mad River its reputation as the hardest ski area in the Northeast. They have been kept much as they were when they were first cut, often by the skiers themselves, decades ago, and many are gladed and have natural features lying just beneath the snow; rocks, logs, bushes, etc. Even among these black diamond trails there is tremendous variety; the ambiguous short but steep Waterfall is sometimes rated a black diamond and sometimes an intermediate blue square, and the infamous 38 degree pitch of Paradise is still only rated at a black diamond, when it would earn two or three of those diamonds at other ski areas. Snowboarding Mad River Glen is one of three ski areas in the U.S. that completely ban snowboarding, along with Utah's Deer Valley and Alta ski areas. This has caused significant discussion, especially among the snowboarding community. The Mad River Glen cooperative seeks to preserve the area as a "skier's mountain." Mad River Glen was one of the first places in the U.S. to allow snowboarding during the 1986-87 season and lasted until the 1992-93 season. Unloading issues due to a flat run-off exiting the old single chair led the owner of the resort to limit them to the Sunnyside Double and the practice area chair. Due to heated debate over this issue, Betsy Pratt, Mad River Glen's previous owner, decided to ban snowboards entirely. Since then, Mad River Glen has been subject to poaching. Four years later the owner sold the mountain to the Mad River Glen Cooperative. The coop addressed the snowboard ban with a vote. Over 75% voted to keep the ban, and it will take a 2/3 majority to overturn that, making it unlikely that the ban will be lifted soon. Telemark While Mad River Glen does not allow snowboarding, it does have a large proportion of telemark skiers. Kent Thomas Nature Center The Kent Thomas Nature Center features interpretive displays about the mountain's ecology, wildlife and geology. The center is open year-round and offers natural history programs with trained naturalists.

The millions of college students and parents who will borrow money from the federal government for the coming school year can plan on much lower interest rates than originally offered, as the U.S. House overwhelmingly voted 392 to 31 on Wednesday to approve a Senate plan that would allow interest rates to move with the financial markets. The plan now goes to President Obama, who has already voiced support. House Republican leaders have deemed this a long-term solution, while many Democrats have said this plan will probably need tweaking in future years. Undergraduates who take out federal loans for the coming school year can expect an interest rate of 3.86 percent, while the rate for graduate students will be 5.41 percent. The interest rate for PLUS loans, available to graduate students and parents of students, will be 6.41 percent. All of those rates are lower than current fixed rates of 6.8 percent for Stafford loans and 7.9 percent for PLUS loans. These rates will apply to loans taken out since July 1 and will lock in for the lifetime of the loan. The plan calls for limits on how high the rates can go: 8.25 percent for undergraduates, 9.5 percent for graduate students and 10.5 percent for PLUS loans. If the economy improves, rates on future loans are expected to surpass the current rates. Democrats have said they hope to again take action before that happens. This rate change has been in the works for months, prompted by the July 1 expiration of a reduced interest rate on one type of loan taken out by mostly low- and middle-income undergraduates. In May, the House approved a plan that would tie interest rates to the market but allow those rates to change over the lifetime of the loan. The plan was also expected to generate hundreds of millions of extra dollars for the government over a decade. Obama threatened to veto that plan if it advanced. In the Senate, a bipartisan group spent weeks negotiating under ever-increasing pressure from the White House. The final compromise was approved by the Senate last week. House GOP leaders have seized upon this issue as an opportunity to declare victory and criticize Senate Democrats. At a Wednesday morning news conference, House Speaker John A. Boehner (Ohio) said: “I congratulate the Senate for finally getting this bill over to us.” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (Va.) said he was “very, very excited the Senate and White House decided to set politics aside and come down on the side of the students.” And House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) praised his colleagues for acting “early, long before the deadline.” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has brushed off such celebration. “The bill passed by the Senate is far superior to what happened here in the House,” Pelosi said at a news conference last week. “And if they want to take credit for calling attention to the shortcomings of the bill that were corrected in the Senate, well, they can take credit for that.”

Karl Zimmerman and Sen Holiday each were charged three counts: fourth-degree burglary, disorderly conduct and trespassing, according to a complaint released by the Minneapolis city attorney's office. They are scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 17. If convicted on each count, Zimmerman and Holiday face up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Prosecutors declined to charge a third suspect who was arrested, Carolyn Feldman. According to the complaint, Zimmerman and Holiday refused police commands to come down from a catwalk after they had rappelled about 20 feet down to unfurl a 40-foot vertical banner, which read "USbankDIVEST #NODAPL" during the Jan. 1 game between the Vikings and Chicago Bears. Witnesses told police the pair hopped a 3-foot high glass wall separating the truss from a pedestrian walkway and scaled a ladder to a catwalk above Section 125 behind one of the stadium end zones. Zimmerman, 33, of Minneapolis, and Holiday, 26, of St. Paul dangled next to the vertical banner from the start of the second quarter until the end of Minnesota's 38-10 season-ending victory. Zimmerman even answered his cellphone to conduct a brief interview with the Pioneer Press. About 185 fans seated below the climbers were evacuated for safety reasons "since the banner had some sort of weights attached to the bottom," according to the complaint. "(Holiday) and Zimmerman were asked numerous times to come down and they refused. The fans were unable to watch the game from their paid seats due to the conduct of (Holiday) and Zimmerman." No one was injured during the protest, and the Vikings vowed to reimburse displaced fans. After the game ended, the two climbed down and were arrested without incident. They were jailed overnight and released Jan. 2 while Minneapolis police investigated. Zimmerman and Holiday held a news conference shortly after their release from jail to repeat their demands that U.S. Bank divest its financing deals with builders of the stalled Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. They refused to answer questions about how they planned the stunt in front of 66,808 football fans, their climbing expertise, tactics or safety risks to them and spectators. "Not charging Ms. Feldman was the right decision by the city attorney," said defense attorney Tim Phillips. "With regard to the other two, it has always been my clients' position that the pipeline they are protesting is far more dangerous than the conduct they engaged in." U.S. Bank Stadium manager SMG said the protesters used tickets to enter the game and smuggled through security nylon rope, carabiners and the banner. Surveillance photos showed Holiday and Zimmerman entering the mobile express lane at the Legacy Gate and later walking through the north main concourse about an hour before they scaled the third-level truss. This is not the first time Holiday and Feldman were arrested for scaling a public structure to hang a protest banner. In October 2013, they were convicted in Hennepin County of petty misdemeanors and fined $378, according to court records. Minneapolis police said the women climbed the Washington Avenue Bridge and rappelled 80 to 100 feet below the street surface to unfurl a large yellow sign, which was not described in the criminal complaint. After initially ignoring an officer's commands to come down, Holiday and Feldman eventually climbed back onto the bridge and surrendered, according to the complaint. The Pioneer Press is a Forum News Service media partner.

An Efficient Robust Approach to the Day-ahead Operation of an Aggregator of Electric Vehicles The growing use of electric vehicles (EVs) may hinder their integration into the electricity system as well as their efficient operation due to the intrinsic stochasticity associated with their driving patterns. In this work, we assume a profit-maximizer EV-aggregator who participates in the day-ahead electricity market. The aggregator accounts for the technical aspects of each individual EV and the uncertainty in its driving patterns. We propose a hierarchical optimization approach to represent the decision-making of this aggregator. The upper level models the profit-maximizer aggregator's decisions on the EV-fleet operation, while a series of lower-level problems computes the worst-case EV availability profiles in terms of battery draining and energy exchange with the market. Then, this problem can be equivalently transformed into a mixed-integer linear single-level equivalent given the totally unimodular character of the constraint matrices of the lower-level problems and their convexity. Finally, we thoroughly analyze the benefits of the hierarchical model compared to the results from stochastic and deterministic models. I. NOMENCLATURE The main notation used throughout the text is stated below for quick reference. Symbols and denote expected and realized values, respectively. Other symbols are defined as required. A. Sets and Indices T Set of time periods, indexed by t. V Set of electric vehicles, indexed by v. II. INTRODUCTION C URRENTLY, there is a trend towards decentralization due to an increased presence of distributed energy resources (DERs) in power systems. Some important benefits of DERs are: (i) reduced greenhouse gas emissions; (ii) increased power system flexibility; and (iii) increased reliability, resiliency and power quality. Apart from solar and wind generating units, electric vehicles (EVs) are a novel example of DERs currently growing in electricity networks. For practical reasons, the operation of all EVs in a particular area is usually coordinated by an aggregator. The main task of such an aggregator consists of deciding purchases/sales of electricity to satisfy driving needs at the minimum cost while facing the uncertainty related to its EVs' driving patterns. The technical literature includes a wide variety of decisionmaking models for EV-aggregators that account for uncertainty in driving patterns. A first group of references proposes stochastic optimization problems in which uncertain parameters are characterized by a finite set of plausible scenarios with known probabilities -. Within this category, Carrion et al. address the uncertainty in the daily distance driven by each EV. Sarker et al. and Gonzlez Vay et al. deal with the uncertainty in the EVs' aggregated demand. A stochastic dynamic approach is devised in, in which the uncertainty in a vehicle's driving habits is characterized by an inhomogeneous Markov model for a single EV. Finally, the authors of propose a stochastic-based optimal charging strategy for an aggregator that incorporates incentive and regulatory policies, where a stochastic fuzzy-based model to create driving pattern scenarios is developed. While the strategies derived from these models perform well on average, significant losses may occur under adverse uncertainty realizations. Alternatively, a second group of references, proposes robust models assuming known confidence bounds of uncertain parameters. Battistelli et al. consider uncertainty in EV garages power profiles by using known intervals. Baringo and Snchez Amaro model the behavior of a fleet of EVs as a virtual battery and robust optimization is prescribed to account for the uncertainty in its power and energy limits. These references model uncertainty in an aggregated manner instead of considering the uncertainty corresponding to each EV separately. Therefore, the technical literature lacks, to the best of our knowledge, decision-making problems to obtain robust strategies of an EV-aggregator while modeling the uncertain driving patterns of individual EVs. This paper addresses the day-ahead operation problem of an EV-aggregator who participates in the day-ahead electricity market. This aggregator aims to maximize its profits while scheduling the charging and discharging of each EV in the fleet. We assume that the EVs are equipped with vehicle-togrid (V2G) capabilities so that they can operate in two modes, namely grid-to-vehicle (G2V) when extracting power from the grid, and V2G when injecting power into the grid. The aggregator must take into account the physical and technical limitations related to the distribution network (e.g. feeder capacity) and the EVs (e.g. battery degradation, which may hinder the operation of the EV-fleet). However, the source of complexity for this aggregator is to model the uncertain driving patterns of the EVs. Thus, we propose a hierarchical optimization approach that robustifies the operation of the EVfleet by using past information about the drivers' habits. The main contributions of our work are the following: We propose a novel hierarchical optimization approach for an EV-aggregator to decide the amount of energy to buy or sell in the day-ahead electricity market to cover the driving needs of the EVs in the fleet. Since the availability for charging and discharging of the EVs is uncertain, we assume that the aggregator seeks to: i) reduce the risk of the battery of an EV being depleted while driving and ii) decrease the realtime energy deviations of the EV-fleet with respect to the day-ahead plan. For this purpose, our approach simultaneously immunizes the trading strategy of the aggregator against two scenarios for the availability of each EV that are worst-case in terms of battery draining and energy exchange with the market. Despite the hierarchical structure of our optimization model, its peculiar characteristics make it remarkably efficient from a computational point of view. We thoroughly compare our approach with deterministic and stochastic alternatives on a realistic case study. This paper builds upon our previous work, which we have notably improved and extended. In particular, we consider here electric vehicles with V2G capabilities that, as such, constitute valuable assets for the aggregator to sell energy in the day-ahead market. Due to the inherent risk of battery depletion this action may entail, we rely on the use of two different lower levels to hedge against the EVs' uncertain availability, unlike in. Besides, the results are enhanced by comparing them with those from a stochastic model, as well as by performing extensive sensitivity analyses to better illustrate the benefits of the proposed hierarchical model. The rest of this paper is organized as follows. Section III describes three formulations for the decision-making problem of the EV aggregator: a deterministic approach, a stochastic one, and the proposed hierarchical model. Section IV outlines the procedure to transform the original hierarchical problem into a single-level equivalent mixed-integer linear problem (MILP), while Section V explains the methodology we use to benchmark our approach. Section VI discusses simulation results from a realistic case study. Finally, conclusions are duly drawn in Section VII. III. PROBLEM FORMULATION In this section, we present the proposed formulation for the day-ahead operation of an EV-aggregator. In Subsection III-A, we describe the formulation of the decision-making problem faced by the EV-aggregator in its deterministic form. Its stochastic counterpart is presented in Subsection III-B. The characterization of each EV uncertainty and the hierarchical approach is put forward in Subsection III-C. For the sake of unit consistency, we consider hourly periods. A. Deterministic Formulation The EV-aggregator aims to maximize its profits while both (i) scheduling the charging and discharging of each individual EV and (ii) satisfying physical limitations. Thus, the deterministic formulation can be expressed as: subject to: where the set of decision variables is s v,t ) and parameters v,t and v,t are expected values. The objective function (1a) minimizes the total operational cost of the aggregator and it comprises three terms: (a) costs due to the energy bought (i.e., p t > 0) and revenues due to the energy sold (i.e., p t < 0) in the day-ahead market, (b) battery degradation costs, and (c) penalty costs associated with the violation of the energy state-of-charge evolution. Constraints (1b) set the power balance of the aggregator at time period t. Expressions (1c) impose the feeder capacity limit at time period t. Constraints (1d) model the state-of-charge evolution of the EV v between consecutive time periods. If v,t = 0, then the energy of the battery does not increase. Besides, we introduce slack variables s v,t to model those EVs that cannot comply with their energy demand. Constraints (1e) and (1f) impose the maximum rate of power charging and discharging of EV v at time period t, in that order. The maximum and minimum bounds on the energy state-of-charge of the EV v at time period t are set in (1g). Constraints (1h) enforce the terminal condition of the energy state-ofcharge. Constraints (1i) represent the degradation cost for each charging/discharging cycle of the battery of EV v at time period t, where the battery cost C E v represents the purchase cost of the battery divided by its useful capacity. Further information on how to estimate this cost can be found in. Expressions (1j) define the non-negative character of the decision variables. In the deterministic model, the availability of the EV v at time period t, i.e., v,t, is an expected value of a 0/1 random variable (being 0 unavailable and 1 available) and, as such, this expectation can take any value between 0 and 1. However, as is customary in everyday life, the availability of an EV is unknown in those periods when the arrival or departure time is uncertain. B. Stochastic Formulation Conversely to the deterministic formulation, this approach characterizes the uncertainty on electric vehicles' availability and consumption through a set of scenarios with given probabilities. Electricity prices are assumed known and equal to their expected values. The stochastic version of the aggregator decision-making model is then formulated as: subject to: wherein is the set of scenarios, indexed by and is the probability of occurrence of each scenario. The set of decision. The objective function minimizes now the average total cost over all scenarios. Importantly, the availability and consumption of each EV, that is, v,t, and v,t,, depend on the scenario realization. In this line, equations (2d) define the feasible set () represented by constraints (1d)-(1j) in terms of the realized values of v,t and v,t under scenario. This approach has two main drawbacks. First, it provides day-ahead strategies that are optimal on average and therefore, low outcomes may occur under advese realizations of the uncertainty. Second, the high number of variables and constraints may render this problem computationally expensive. C. Hierarchical Formulation As previously mentioned, the time periods when the EVs are available are uncertain in nature. Alternatively to the use of scenarios, we propose to characterize such uncertainty using the parameter set v = (K v, v,t, v,t ), which can be estimated from the corresponding historical availability profiles. By using Fig. 1, in which we show three historical profiles for an EV, we briefly explain next the meaning and computation of each of the parameters in the set v. The parameter K v is set to the floor integer of the average of the total number of time periods that the EV has been available for each historical availability profile. In Fig. 1, we can observe that the EV has been available 10, 15, and 13 periods in profiles 1, 2, and 3, respectively, so K v = 12. In Fig. 1, there are some periods when the EV is always available and/or unavailable for all historical records. For those periods in which the EV is always available, we can set v,t = v,t = 1. Similarly, for those periods in which the EV is always unavailable, we can set v,t = v,t = 0. In the remaining periods, we set v,t = 0 and v,t = 1, thus resulting in the range of time periods in which the availability is unknown. Note that, in Fig. 1, the time periods when the availability is known are indicated with a grey fill. Therefore, this EV can be characterized as a highly predictable EV. We describe next the proposed approach, which is built upon the deterministic formulation. This approach explicitly accounts for the fact that the availability of each EV and, consequently, the energy it requires for transportation are both uncertain and characterized by the parameter set v. To do so, the expected values v,t and v,t are replaced by decision variables v,t and v,t in the proposed formulation. The hierarchical optimization model we proposed is depicted in Fig. 2. The upper level models the profit-maximizer aggregator's decisions on the EV-fleet operation. The individual charging and discharging plan of the EVs, i.e. c v,t and d v,t, are passed on to a series of lower-level problems (one per EV) to compute the EVs availability profiles that are worstcase in terms of battery draining and energy exchange with the market. The outcome of the lower-level problems is the availability profile v,t and the corresponding total net energy injections into the EV-battery wc v that results in a robustified operation of the EVs. Both v,t and wc v are fed back into the upper-level problem. This approach takes inspiration from the robust contingency-constrained unit commitment proposed in and is formulated as the following single-leader-multifollower problem: subject to: The set of decision variables is. Unlike in the deterministic formulation, both v,t and v,t become now decision variables. The objective function (3a) and constraints (3b) are identical to (1a)-(1c). Expressions (3c) define the feasible set () represented by constraints (1d)-(1j) in terms of the decision variables v,t and v,t. Constraints (3d) impose that the energy required for transportation throughout the optimization horizon must be equal to the expected daily value demand of EV v. The EV energy demand per period, i.e. v,t, is now assumed to be unknown for the EV v since it depends on the EV availability, which becomes a decision variable in the proposed formulation. Constraints (3e) enforce that the expected daily value demand must be distributed among the time periods in which the EV is in a motion status (i.e. v,t = 0). To do that, we introduce parameter v imposing the maximum energy consumption for EV v in one hour. Constraints (3f) define the non-negative character of the decision variables v,t. Constraints (3g) set that the worst case of the total net energy injections into the EV-battery, corresponding to the worst case of availability, must be greater than or equal to the expected daily value of the energy required for transportation. As expressed in (3h)-(3i), variables wc v and v,t are the outcome of two lower-level optimization problems characterizing the availability of the EV v, which depend on the upperlevel variables c v,t and d v,t given by the aggregator. The set v in (3h) includes the availability profiles of the EV v that most severely jeopardize the fulfilling of its expected daily energy demand. The set v in (3i) comprises, in contrast, those availability profiles that most reduce the interaction of the EV-fleet with the market, thus diminishing the opportunities for making profit. Importantly, the aggregator can plan for a charge greater than the expected daily value of the energy demand per EV. This can be deemed a preventive measure to protect the operation of its EV-fleet against the worse-case availability profiles, thus resulting in a robustified operation of the EV-fleet. Next, we describe the mathematical characterization of the sets v and v for each EV v. 1) Lower-level Problems Determining the Sets v : As mentioned above, the set v consists of all those availability profiles that are worst-case for the fulfilling of its expected daily energy demand. In other words, these availability profiles are those for which the net energy injection into the EVbattery throughout the optimization horizon is taken to its minimum value. Given the uncertainty set that characterizes the availability profile of the EV in question, these worst-case availability profiles can be computed as the solution to the optimization problem for each EV v. subject to: where v,t are the decision variables. Dual variables for the relaxed linear version of are shown in parentheses after The objective function (4a) aims to minimize the energy which enters into the EV-battery over the day. Constraint (4b) sets the minimum number of time periods (K v ) that the EV v must be available throughout the time horizon. Expressions (4c) set the minimum and maximum availability status and serve us to easily enforce the availability or unavailability of the EV v in time period t by imposing v,t = v,t = 1 or v,t = v,t = 0, respectively. Constraints (4d) set the binary character of variables v,t. Naturally, the parameter set v = (K v, v,t, v,t ) should be estimated a priori from historical data, as discussed above. Problem essentially aims to drain the battery of the EV as much as possible. Note that, variables c v,t and d v,t cannot take simultaneously non-zero values for the EV v at time period t. Then, the availability is pushed to be 0 when the coefficient of the objective function (4a), i.e. v c v,t − 1 v d v,t, is positive, and 1 when it is negative. However, the worst case of availability profiles that problem determines for each EV, does not deter the aggregator from planning large charging-discharging cycles of the EV-batteries in order to perform market arbitrage, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The upper plot of Fig. 3 shows the charging/discharging plan for an EV with highly predictable patterns, as given by the hierarchical model (3a)-(3h) once transformed into an MILP according to the methodology outlined in. The lower plot depicts the availability profile that leads to the maximum draining of the EV-battery. Such profile does not keep the aggregator from implementing an aggressive market strategy essentially based on arbitrage, which may potentially result in an unacceptably risky operation of the EV-fleet. In order to obtain more conservative strategies, the considered availability profile is obtained instead through set v. 2) Lower-level Problems Determining the Sets v : The lower levels presented in the previous subsection do not prevent the aggregator from planning the discharge of an EV (in the hope of benefiting from market arbitrage) in time periods where the availability of that EV is uncertain. To cope with this issue, we force the scheduling plan of the aggregator to be also robust against a second type of worst-case availability profiles, namely those whereby the interaction of the EV with the grid, and thus, with the market is minimized. Consequently, the consideration of these availability profiles encourages the aggregator to play a less aggressive but safer market strategy. The set v for each EV v is mathematically given by the following optimization problem: where v,t are the decision variables and dual variables for the relaxed linear version of problem are shown in parentheses after a colon next to the corresponding constraint. Problem is structurally almost identical to optimization problem, except for the objective function, which, in this case, minimizes the interaction of the EV with the market. In other words, problem determines the availability profile that minimizes the planned exchange of power between the EV and the main power grid through the feeder. Note that lower level intends to push the availability statuses of the EV to be zero when the aggregator schedules either charging or discharging, while also satisfying the expected energy required for transportation (3g). To better illustrate the impact of problem, Fig. 4 represents the solution of the EV used to obtain the results given in Fig. 3. To do that, we solve the hierarchical model, i.e. with both lower levels and, once transformed into an MILP according to the methodology described in Section IV. As can be seen, the aggregator schedules a charging and a discharging plan for the EV in the time periods when the availability is known, i.e. periods 1-3, 22-24. The aggregator also obtains profits, but they are lower than when using only the lower level for the EV in question. Therefore, the use of both lower-level problems leads to a more conservative decision than when using just the lower level. IV. METHODOLOGY The hierarchical problem can be transformed into a mixed-integer linear single-level equivalent as follows: 1) Lower-level problems and are non-convex because variables v,t and v,t are binary. In order to circumvent such a caveat, we can relax the binary character of those variables since both lower levels are characterized by two conditions: (i) their corresponding constraint matrices are totally unimodular (TU), as we show below, and (ii) the parameters K v, v,t, and v,t characterizing the EVs are integer. Thus, under these conditions, we can guarantee that there exists an optimal solution to the relaxed lower-level problems for which the variables v,t and v,t take integer values. Therefore, the lower levels can be treated as linear optimization problems. 2) Under the assumption of convexity of the lower-level problems and, results from duality theory of linear programming can be applied to transform the original hierarchical program into a non-linear singlelevel equivalent as follows: a) wc v can be replaced by the dual objective function of the lower-level optimization problem (4a)-(4c) for each EV v. b) The lower level can be then replaced by the dual feasibility constraints associated with (4a)-(4c). c) The lower level can be replaced by its primal and dual feasibility constraints as well as the equality corresponding to the strong duality theorem. 3) In order to avoid multiplicity of solutions because of the continuous character of variables v,t, we enforce back its binary character in the single-level equivalent. 4) The resulting non-linear products between continuous and binary variables (i.e., c v,t v,t and d v,t v,t ) can be easily linearized by using results from integer algebra, given that variables c v,t and d v,t are naturally bounded. The resulting single-level equivalent MILP can be found in. As previously mentioned, the lower-level problems and differ from each other only in their objective function. They share, therefore, the same constraint matrix. There are several ways to prove that this matrix is TU. If we first resort to Proposition 2.3 in, Chapter III.1, the proof boils down to showing that the matrix formed by all the rows of the constraint matrix of the lower-level problems except for those corresponding to bounds on the -variables is TU. This matrix turns out to be the one-row matrix (1, 1,..., 1), whose total unimodularity trivially follows from the fact that (1, 1,..., 1) is a (0, 1, −1)-matrix with only one single nonzero entry in each column (see Proposition 2.6 in, Chapter III.1). V. COMPARISON METHODOLOGIES The results from the proposed hierarchical formulation, which is hereinafter referred to as HF, are compared against two benchmarks: (i) Deterministic Formulation (see Subsection III-A) and (ii) Stochastic Formulation (see Subsection III-B). These methods are denoted as DF and SF, respectively. To fairly compare the performance of these methods, we solve a feasibility problem by assuming that the uncertainty is realized and the aggregator must at least sell the energy agreed in the day-ahead market (hereinafter denoted as the minimum value of the energy sold) and consume, at most, the energy purchased in such a market. In this setup, we can minimize the magnitude of the deviations from the energy balance of EV-batteries to satisfy their energy demand and the deviations caused by unfulfilling the minimum value of the energy sold, as given by expression (6a). Thus, this feasibility problem can be formulated as: where the set of decision variables s v,t, p − t ) and I{p t < 0} is the indicator operator, being 1 if p t < 0, and 0 otherwise. Constants C p 1 and C p 2 are penalty parameters. Constraints (6b) set the maximum charging of the EVfleet as the power bought in the day-ahead market and its minimum discharging as the power sold in the day-ahead market. Constraints (6c) define the feasibility set (), given by constraints (1d)-(1j), in terms of the realizations of the availability and consumption, i.e. v,t and v,t. Note that there is no need to take the battery degradation costs into account in this feasibility problem. Finally, expressions (6d) impose the non-negativity character of variables p − t. In this feasibility problem, slack variables s v,t are the violations of the energy required for transportation of the EV v at time period t. In addition, slack variables p − t represent the violation of the power sold at time period t. Since the main purpose of the aggregator is to satisfy the EVs' energy demand for transportation, we assume, for the sake of comparison, that the penalty parameter C p 1 >> C p 2. VI. CASE STUDY We analyze here the benefits of the proposed approach through simulation results. In Subsection VI-A, the data for a real-life case study are presented. In Subsection VI-B, we analyze the results for a base case. Next, we provide a sensitivity analysis of the robustness of our model to the parameter K v in Subsection VI-C. Finally, we show the behavior of our model when the feeder capacity is limited in Subsection VI-D. A. Data We assume an aggregator with a fleet of 100 EVs. For the sake of simplicity, the technical parameters of each EV are identical: The maximum charging and discharging power is 7.4 kW; the round trip efficiency is 0.95; the minimum and maximum energy capacity of the EV batteries are 10 and 51.1 kWh, respectively; the energy rating per kilometer is, as described in. The electricity prices are provided by the ENTSO-e Transparency Platform for the year 2018 in Spain. In addition, we consider that the penalty costs C p 1 and C p 2 are set to 2000 and 1000 e/kWh, respectively. The capacity of the feeder is assumed unlimited, i.e. P G = 8000 kW, unless stated otherwise. Finally, daily simulations with hourly time steps have been run for four months spanning from February 1 st till May 31 st. Let us assume that the optimal market strategy is being determined for February 1 st (Thursday). The electricity prices considered for all models are the average of the prices of the four previous days. The different models use the historical availability and consumption data as follows: -The deterministic model is solved using the average availability and consumption of the previous four Thursdays. -The stochastic model is solved using four equiprobable scenarios containing the availability and consumption for each of the previous four Thursdays. -The set v required by the proposed hierarchical model is computed using the observed availability for the previous four Thursdays. The consumption of each EV is set to the average value for such days. The simulations have been run on a Linux-based server with one CPU clocking at 2.6 GHz and 2 GB of RAM using CPLEX 12.6.3 under Pyomo 5.2. Table I summarizes the results from the proposed approach HF and the benchmarks DF, and SF. We can find the following metrics for the whole optimization horizon: The total dayahead cost T C DA, the day-ahead purchase cost C DA, the day-ahead battery degradation cost D DA, the day-ahead sale revenue R DA, the total energy bought and sold, i.e. E B and E S, and deviations from both the energy balance s F P and the sale energy cleared in the day-ahead market E − F P. The latter metrics are obtained from the feasibility problem described in Section V. B. Results for the Base Case The total cost of the optimal day-ahead operation attained by the proposed approach HF amounts to 2888.4 e. Such strategy leads to 4.0 MWh of energy deviations s F P for the EV-batteries, whereas the deviations E − F P from the minimum value of the energy sold are equal to 0.4 MWh. The deterministic and stochastic methods (DF and SF) achieve 21.0% and 6.2% reduction in total day-ahead cost, in that order, compared to the proposed HF, as these models are less conservative than HF. However, the total day-ahead costs attained by DF and SF are reduced at expense of (i) increasing the energy deviations from EV-batteries by 157.5% and 17.5%, respectively; and (ii) substantially increasing the deviations from the minimum value of the energy sold from 0.4 MWh for the HF to 13.4 and 1.2 MWh for the DF and SF approaches, respectively. The high energy deviations attained by the deterministic method DF compared to HF are expected since DF is unable to capture the uncertainty in driving patterns, as opposed to SF and HF. Finally, when it comes to the degradation costs of the EVbatteries, DF and SF are more costly than the hierarchical model HF, since both DF and SF lead to more aggressive market strategies in terms of arbitrage compared to HF. As a consequence, both DF and SF buy more energy than the HF, i.e. the EVs are scheduled to charge more power, and thus the day-ahead purchase cost increases. In addition, the aggregator sells more energy when using both DF and SF (the EVs are scheduled to discharge more power) than the HF, and thus leading to greater sale revenues. As a result, the degradation costs attained by DF and SF increase due to an increase in the number of charging/discharging cycles in the EV-batteries. The daily average computational time for this base case with 100 EVs is 11.6s, 12.3s and 2.7s for HF, SF, and DF, in that order. If we increase the number of EVs to 1000, the computational time rises to 90.5s, 121.7s and 27.8s, respectively. The computational burden of DF is low compared to HF and SF because DF ignores the uncertainty in the driving patterns. Besides, HF is substantially faster than SF when increasing the EV-fleet size due to the complexity of the scenario-based modeling by SF. C. Impact of the Parameter K v The parameter K v sets the minimum time periods that the EV v is estimated to be available. This way, the uncertainty about the availability of that EV is considered higher as K v decreases. In order to assess the impact of K v, we have run two extra cases in which the value of K v is increased/decreased by five hours whenever feasible. Let us denote them as K v − 5 and K v + 5, respectively. Table II summarizes the results for those cases along with the base case. When decreasing the value of K v up to 5 periods, the energy deviations s F P are reduced by 22.5% with respect to the base case. This happens because the aggregator buys more energy, i.e. the purchase costs increase by 11.9%, and sells less energy, i.e. the sale revenues decrease by 3.0%, to hedge against the uncertain availability. As a consequence, the deviations E − F P from the minimum value of power sold are equal to 0.0 MWh. As expected, this strategy leads to a more robustified solution for the aggregator. Conversely, when the EV has more time periods to be available, the aggregator behaves as a risk-taker with the goal of maximizing profits. Consequently, the energy deviations s F P increase by 20.0% and E − F P by 75% from the base case. D. Impact of the Feeder Capacity In this section, we analyze the impact of the feeder capacity P G on the EV-fleet operation. To emphasize such an impact, we assume a fleet of 1000 EVs and reduce P G by 25%, 50% and 75%, whose results are shown in Table III. First, E − F P is equal to 0 for all cases, i.e. there are only deviations from the energy balance of the vehicles' batteries regardless of P G. As can be seen, the total day-ahead cost increases by 12.5, 13.2, and 17.5% as reducing the feeder capacity by 25, 50, and 75%, respectively, compared to the unlimited case. Restricting the feeder capacity makes the aggregator to perform a less aggressive arbitrage strategy, i.e., the vehicles' charging power is more and more limited, thus leading to a decrease in its discharging power. This can be translated into lower sale revenues compared to the unlimited case. Besides, the energy deviations from EV-batteries slightly decrease up to 9.1% for the most restrictive case. This reduction stems from the fact that the energy bought in the day-ahead market is redistributed into a greater number of periods when lowering the value of P G. VII. CONCLUSION This paper presents a computationally efficient robust optimization approach to model the profit-maximizer aggregator's decisions on the EV-fleet operation. A hierarchical program is used to represent the aggregator's operational model in the upper level, whereas a series of lower-level problems computes the vehicles' availability profiles that are worst case in terms of battery draining and energy exchange with the market. The original program is then reformulated as a mixed-integer linear model thanks to the unimodularity of the system matrices and results from duality theory. From the numerical results, we can conclude that the proposed model leads to a robustified and notably safer operation of the electric vehicles in terms of deviations from the energy balance of their batteries, naturally at the expense of increasing the total trading costs in the dayahead market compared to stochastic and deterministic models.

A Canadian man allegedly caught with 51 live turtles stuffed down his pants as he tried to re-enter Canada from the U.S. was denied bail in Detroit on Friday. Following an appearance in federal district court, Kai Xu, 26, of Windsor, Ont., was remanded in custody, said Gina Balaya, a spokeswoman with the U.S. attorney's office. Co-accused Lihua Lin of the Toronto area was released earlier this week on US$10,000 bail on condition he have no contact with Xu and that he enter the U.S. only for court. Story continues below advertisement According to American court documents, officers with the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted Xu as he attempted to cross into Windsor from Detroit last month. Xu was found to have 51 live turtles — 41 strapped to his legs and 10 hidden between his legs, Kenneth Adams, a special agent with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stated in an affidavit outlining the criminal complaint. Canadian authorities seized the turtles, which included North American varieties such as eastern box turtles, red-eared sliders and diamondback terrapins — some of which sell for $800 each — and turned them over to American officials. Xu and Lin, 30, were arrested and charged in U.S. district court this week following an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Both are charged with smuggling, illegal trading, and exporting and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. None of the allegations has been proven in court. The investigation began in August after a courier company in Detroit tipped the wildlife service to a package that had been shipped from Alabama addressed to Xu. According to the court documents, agents watched as Xu allegedly opened various boxes in the rear of his SUV, took out several round clear plastic containers, and placed their contents into plastic baggies. He also had packaging tape and scissors. Story continues below advertisement Story continues below advertisement "Special Agent (James) Fuller noticed irregularly shaped bulges under Xu's sweatpants on both his legs," the document states. Xu then drove toward Windsor, where he was stopped and the turtles found during a secondary inspection. On Wednesday, according to the court documents, Xu dropped Lin off at the airport bound for Shanghai, China. Lin was arrested after a search of his checked luggage turned up more than 200 North American pond turtles.

As much as he may want it Kevin Rudd can't have his Liberal Party Policy Cake and be a Labor Party Comrade too. "an ideology that will destroy the Australian economy built by the Coalition." Well done Coalition....must be hard building an economy that has ridden on the back on one of the biggest resource booms in history. "Labor is eager to shelve industrial relations reforms implemented by the Howard Government. It will remove WorkChoices or radically scale back the reforms the legislation introduced." I don't have nearly such a clear sense of what the ALP would destroy as our learned contributors do. With any luck, and if this Government finally receives the defeat it deserves (after so many attempts to lose), something or other may get broken. Destroying AWAs would be nice. So would a bit of cut and run on military adventurism. Anyway, Mr Deane and Ms McMahon may be relieved to receive assurances that the ALP is not the "unrepentantly socialist Party" they fear. Labor is not really unrepentant about anything. On the one hand, that might be why its MPs and state governments were so willing to rally in support of a national apology to the stolen generations. On the other hand, it makes them very reluctant to stand for much at all. The optimists among us hope that Rudd is minimising his commitments, picking his battles selectively, reasoning that electoral victory will free him up to do whatever it is he really stands for. After all, that worked for Howard in 1996. Sadly, I think Howard had a clearer idea of what he stood for -- unrepentantly so. I believe a working family is one where people in the family work. So Tom due to labor being unrepentant this must be why this is going on and why the labor party does not want the full picture out there or even tell the truth. One would also have to question the ethics of the labor party due to the number of people going to court as pedophiles. Thats right a labor party president who had resigned. But this has to question the relationship between labor and the church. This makes one wonder how rife this problem is within the labor party as they like keeping their little secrets. If the papers and parties want to keep this hidden, i am quite happy to bring it out as I have a special needs daughter and do not need this from a party who says they are there to represent the people. A “socialist” Labor Party “dominated by a fear of progress”? I can’t see that, even with an electron microscope. I guess that is why the people of Australia have elected Labor to govern their states and territories in 21 consecutive elections. They look at the real achievements of Labor Governments, and they just want more. If we choose Kevin Rudd, we will have fast broadband, improvements to education, improvements to our working lives via the end of WorknotcalledChoicesanymore, one of the worst pieces of legislation to be inflicted on the Australian people, a denial of the essence of Australian life built up over a century ago. “Kevin Rudd is no John Howard.” That’s why he will win. Thank you for responding, James. Should that mean Rudd is ignoring those families where nobody has a job? Or those selfish workers who lack families to go home to? Or would it mean children and the elderly need to pull their weight? Anyway, that is why I want to know what it means actually, specifically, and concretely.

Predicting the appropriate use of carotid endarterectomy, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and coronary angiography. BACKGROUND AND METHODS In a nationally representative population 65 years of age or older, we have demonstrated that about one quarter of coronary angiographies and upper gastrointestinal endoscopies and two thirds of carotid endarterectomies were performed for reasons that were less than medically appropriate. In this paper we examine whether specific characteristics of patients (age, sex, and race), physicians (age, board-certification status, and experience with the procedure), or hospitals (teaching status, profit-making status, and size) predict whether a procedure will be performed appropriately. RESULTS In general, we found that little of the variability in the appropriateness of care (4 percent or less) could be explained on the basis of standard, easily obtainable data about the patient, the physician, or the hospital. For all three procedures, however, performance in a teaching hospital increased the likelihood that the reasons would be medically appropriate (P = 0.09 for angiography, P = 0.30 for endoscopy, and P less than 0.01 for endarterectomy). In addition, angiographies were more often performed for appropriate reasons in older or more affluent patients (P less than 0.01 for both). Being treated by a surgeon who performed a high rather than a low number of procedures decreased the likelihood of an appropriate endarterectomy by one third, from 40 to 28 percent (P less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Appropriateness of care cannot be closely predicted from many easily determined characteristics of patients, physicians, or hospitals. Thus, for the present, if appropriateness is to be improved it will have to be assessed directly at the level of each patient, hospital, and physician.

Today is supposed to be the last date for aspiring candidates to submit application forms to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections on an AIADMK ticket. The party holds as many as 37 out of 39 of Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary seats today, with BJP holding one and PMK another. A lot of water has flown under the bridge since that divvying of the state. For one Jayalalithaa the titan passed away, then the party split up, now there is anti-incumbency topping it all, and a DMK-Congress alliance on the other side looking to reverse the 2014 verdict in the state. This is what is driving AIADMK to ally with BJP, to somehow buttress its crumbling fortress. But despite all the chatter around it the deal isn’t yet sealed, because even this fortification strategy carries multiple risks. It could alienate the minority vote. The anti-incumbency effect could be doubled, with the alliance facing the ire of both voters disgruntled with the state government and those feeling similarly about the Centre. As D Govardan writes today, the situation is reminiscent of the Tamil proverb that one cannot step on it thinking it to be a rope nor can one step away taking it for a snake. But being Hamlet is a losing strategy. Dither dither your odds wither.

Endoscopic transorbital route to the cavernous sinus through the meningo-orbital band: a descriptive anatomical study. OBJECTIVE Exposure of the cavernous sinus is technically challenging. The most common surgical approaches use well-known variations of the standard frontotemporal craniotomy. In this paper the authors describe a novel ventral route that enters the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus through an interdural corridor that includes the removal of the greater sphenoid wing via a purely endoscopic transorbital pathway. METHODS Five human cadaveric heads (10 sides) were dissected at the Laboratory of Surgical NeuroAnatomy of the University of Barcelona. To expose the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus, a superior eyelid endoscopic transorbital approach was performed and the anterior portion of the greater sphenoid wing was removed. The meningo-orbital band was exposed as the key starting point for revealing the cavernous sinus and its contents in a minimally invasive interdural fashion. RESULTS This endoscopic transorbital approach, with partial removal of the greater sphenoid wing followed by a "natural" ventral interdural dissection of the meningo-orbital band, allowed exposure of the entire lateral wall of the cavernous sinus up to the plexiform portion of the trigeminal root and the petrous bone posteriorly and the foramen spinosum, with the middle meningeal artery, laterally. CONCLUSIONS The purely endoscopic transorbital approach through the meningo-orbital band provides a direct view of the cavernous sinus through a simple and rapid means of access. Indeed, this interdural pathway lies in the same sagittal plane as the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. Advantages include a favorable angle of attack, minimal brain retraction, and the possibility for dissection through the interdural space without entering the neurovascular compartment of the cavernous sinus. Surgical series are needed to demonstrate any clinical advantages and disadvantages of this novel route.

Risk factors in percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. In percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsies, statistical analysis of complications in men and women of different age groups is believed to be helpful in borderline cases for a better evaluation of risk factors versus the value of the information gained by the procedure. The 95 percent confidence interval and the X2 test showed a significantly lower rate of pneumothorax in mediastinal and pleural based lesions as compared to intralobar changes. Age and sex were found to be the most important parameters for the rate and degree of pneumothorax. The incidence of pneumothorax (mean value 27,2%) steadily increased with age from 2 of 10 in the age group of 9 to 29 years, to 3 to 10 in age group up to 69 years in both sexes, and after 70 years it was as high as 4 of 10. In women the relative frequency of pneumothorax was lower for the respective age groups than in men. Other factors influencing the complications include: experience of the operator, size and depth of the lesion to be punctured and to a certain degree the outer diameter of the needle being used.

Making learning support contextually responsive Abstract Research indicates that the success of inclusive education lies within the provision of adequate support for learners who experience barriers to learning in mainstream schools as well as in the changing roles of teachers and support services staff. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) implemented a learning support model, designed to systemically deal with barriers to learning in some primary schools in the province. An evaluation of the WCED model established that this learning support model is not completely contextually responsive to the South African context with specific reference to resources, both human and physical. Although the WCED endeavours to distribute resources more even-handedly across schools in the Western Cape Province, there is still a general lack of resources and institutional capacity which hampers the successful implementation of inclusive education. This situation creates specific barriers that are responsible for the gap between current educational policies and the implementation thereof in schools.

Nearly 50 graduates lined the halls of Pasadena Community College’s Community Education Center on Wednesday to celebrate their graduation from the school’s continuation program. The Community Education Center program is designed for students who have gone back to school to earn either a state accredited high school diploma or general equivalency degree. The newly minted graduates played with their caps and repositioned their tassels, trying to make certain they would look right in their photos. Romo works at T.J. Maxx unloading trucks and is the father of two children. The degree means a lot to his whole family, he said. “To my kids, if I can do it, then they can graduate as well,” he said. Like Romo, Jamie Knight, 24, of Pasadena, is a parent. And just like her fellow graduate, her accomplishment is one she plans to share with her daughter. Knight was joined by her uncle Donnell Taylor, 46 of Pasadena, who shared in his niece’s joy. The commencement ceremony is named in honor of broadcaster Larry Carroll, who has served as its keynote speaker for more than two decades. He told the graduates that the celebration doesn’t mark the end but the beginning of their journey. “We hope that commencing becomes a process with you,” he said. Carroll weaved together pieces of his own experience and 40 years of his life spent as a journalist. He told the graduates to take an active role in their lives and their communities. For the educators commencement is a special time. Paul Martin, who runs the GED program at the center, was brought to tears as the graduates marched in. For Naomi Garcia, an instructor at the center, it’s not just the graduation but the life for the graduates that brings her satisfaction. “My joy is when I see them and they have their college degree, their new career and have bought their first home,” she said.

Two siblings born preterm with large ears and hypopigmented hair who developed palmoplantar keratoderma and frontal skull bossing: a new syndrome? This article discusses two children with an unknown syndrome characterized by palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK), hypopigmented hair, large ears, and frontal bossing. The children were both born preterm, with low birthweights, to consanguineous parents. They developed PPK shortly after birth. In addition, the younger child also has esotropia affecting the right eye. We made a thorough review of the literature but were unable to find a syndrome with all the features described above. To the best of our knowledge, we describe a new syndrome with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.

Why is it still disputed that information technology is an integral part of business? As obvious as it may seem, advocates still are needed to champion the idea of closely linking the IT plan to the business plan. The root of this controversy is the aged claim that technology is "just a tool." Perhaps at one time it was, but that is no longer the case. Technology changes business. For greater understanding of the role of IT, let's look at a few other modern "tools." The telephone is just a tool to let us communicate with each other, and originally it only let us talk. Today, the transfer of data on telephone systems holds the world together. The automobile is just a tool for getting from Point A to Point B, but ease of mobility has transformed society. Even in these last months of the 1990s, some senior executives think business can and should establish strategic directions that are independent of technology and then dictate that technology enable these strategies. No successful executive would attempt to set strategy without understanding the financing of a plan, so just as financial capabilities help define what an organization can achieve, so can IT open avenues to new services and improved productivity. A case in point is Las Vegas, which has a strategy to enable all city services for the World Wide Web (www.ci.las-vegas.nv.us). Every new system is designed to work on the Web, and new front ends are being developed for existing systems. This shapes the very nature of all services, not just the delivery mechanism. There is no point in strategy-setters leaving a director of information services waiting for planning results. Service and infrastructure departments have to work collaboratively on technology and service strategies. As usual, customer acceptance of new service strategies is fraught with problems. A most disconcerting problem is citizens' initial fear when information previously available only in dusty files turns up on the Internet. That is, it remains a problem until the information satisfies an urgent need. This year Calgary, Alberta, changed to a market-value assessment approach to property taxation, and every house had a new assessed value. Instantly, on the day of the release of the newly assessed values, thousands of people turned to the Internet to compare their assessments with others, a service available for the first time electronically at home. Even though the demand overwhelmed the capacity of the security system, the same level of privacy was maintained on the information as when it is delivered in paper format. And previously voiced concerns disappeared in the hunger for detailed, accurate information. One of the most pernicious reasons for the exclusion of IT in planning is that many local governments have not formalized their business-planning processes. My view is that as long as business continues to be conducted, planning is going on. Few people may be privy to the plans, or plans may be in the heads of a privileged few, but every government runs to a tune. Computing and the Web have a tendency to move the business imperative into new arenas. E-commerce has proved to be a sort of magic wand in the private sector, but it has not found a comfortable niche in government. I all but abandoned the concept of travel agents. I found I could fill out information forms faster than the agent, and Internet search engines would do the rest. What are the implications for governments? For example, why shouldn't a small business be able to license itself with all government agencies in one session via the Web? Couldn't we actually improve compliance through standardization? Children brought up in the Web culture are growing into adults empowered by instant information. Figuring out how to derive a business strategy from IT is difficult, but in the local government arena, we must quickly learn how to serve these new citizens and voters. - Judith Umbach is executive director for the Year 2000 at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She can be reached at jumbach@home.com.

Business coach Cat LeBlanc regularly sees clients whose work is meaningful, but they're still unhappy in their jobs. That's because meaning alone isn't enough to make you love a job, she explains. Your day-to-day work has to align with your mission, or you'll still be unhappy. It seems like everyone is talking about meaningful work lately. Having a sense of meaning at work is listed as one of the top three factors to engagement and employee satisfaction, studies are done on the most and least meaningful jobs, and a great deal of attention is paid by upper management to bringing purpose to work. But there's a growing proportion of people who come to me for business coaching who on the surface appear to already be doing meaningful work - and they still have low levels of job satisfaction and are searching for alternatives. Often these people are in the medical or teaching professions, the very professions supposed to have the most meaning. So why are people in supposedly meaningful jobs still experiencing low job satisfaction? It's not because having purpose in work isn't important — it's because meaningful work isn't enough. What I've discovered through speaking with many of these people is even if your work is aligned with your values and you believe in the mission, it doesn't matter if your day-to-day job is not suited to how you prefer to work. This is because you need to show up and perform your tasks on a daily basis, and if those tasks are grating against your personality, you can't do your best work — and you certainly won't feel satisfied. I have spoken with doctors who feel they are unable to truly help their patients because of the way they are forced to organize their schedule. I've spoken with occupational therapists who love their work but want to be able to try more innovative approaches and can't. I've honestly lost count of the number of teachers I've spoken with whose restrictive work environments takes all meaning out of their role. "Align your personality with your purpose, and no one can touch you." Your individual patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving matter, and if you are working against your natural work style, even with meaningful work, you are still going to be unhappy. If you are in a corporate environment with little flexibility, look at where there is freedom within your role to work to your strengths. If you work better on single tasks at a time, can you batch certain tasks so you work on one thing before the next? If you are problem-solving and are someone who prefers using proven processes, can you find existing methodologies rather than feeling under pressure to come up with something on the fly? If you are in business you will have more freedom over your environment, but don't automatically think that everything is going to just fall into place just because you are the boss! It absolutely is possible to reconcile your work style with a meaningful role. The key is to be aware of how you work best rather than operating on autopilot. In order to achieve your goals and be satisfied in your work you need to feel good on a day-by-day basis. When you approach purposeful work deliberately and work with your natural work style rather than against it, you will be infinitely more satisfied and truly get the best of both worlds. "Meaning" might sound good, but it isn't the full picture. To learn more about aligning your work with your personality type, download your free individual Entrepreneurial Design Profile. Cat LeBlanc helps future online business owners design, build and grow a business that is truly unique to you, so that you can live life on your terms. Follow her on Twitter:@catjleblanc.

The High Commission of Canada, as Patron of the Sri Lanka Canada Business Council (SLCBC), hosted the 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the SLCBC on 13 June 2017. A key stakeholder in strengthening the existing bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Canada, the SLCBC operates under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and engages with the High Commission of Canada to further enhance trade ties between the two countries. The High Commissioner of Canada Shelley Whiting, speaking at the event stated that ‘the Sri Lanka Canada Business Council has been a longstanding partner of the High Commission in promoting Trade. I look forward to innovative initiatives that will showcase the Council’s activities in Sri Lanka and add value to its membership’. She further noted the strength and the depth of relationship between the two countries, the market potential in Sri Lanka and the country’s growth and the opportunities to further trade ties. Addressing the members, the newly elected President Mr. Harith Jayasuriya, Director/Chief Marketing Officer, MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., thanked Mr. Chandev Abhayaratne, the outgoing President, for the immense contribution made towards the growth of Sri Lanka Canada Business Council during the last 2 years. Mr. Jayasuriya highlighted the Council’s main objectives as to promote Bilateral Trade, Investment, Technical & Economic Co-Operation, Tourism and Services between Sri Lanka and Canada. He further stressed the need for SLCBC to take leadership in promoting investment and trade initiatives between Sri Lanka and Canada. The AGM was followed by a networking reception for the local business community, stakeholders in the government and international organizations. The key note address of the evening was delivered by Ms. Jeevani Siriwardena, Director General of the Export Development Board (EDB) of Sri Lanka on the agreement between the EDB with Canada’s Trade Facilitation Office (TFO). TFO is a non-government organization in Canada working to source products from developing countries, such as Sri Lanka, and supporting small and medium scale enterprises. The presentation focussed on the nature of the agreement, opportunities such as market orientation programs and market visits, and how Sri Lankan companies can avail themselves of the benefits of the agreement. The membership of the Sri Lanka Canada Business Council is comprised of approximately 60 companies across diverse sectors such as logistics and tourism, imports, exports, manufacturing and services amongst many others. The primary focus of the Council is to facilitate trade between Sri Lanka and Canada, encourage partnerships, exchange of information between the two countries and promote investments. The Business Council also engages with partner organizations in Canada to promote the socio-economic conditions in Sri Lanka. The event is supported by the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) of the Canadian High Commission in Sri Lanka. The TCS is the Canadian government’s network of Trade professionals that promotes Canadian goods and services, facilitates innovation and R&D, as well as builds networks between Sri Lanka and Canada.

On the Value of Mobile Business Intelligence: an Affordance Approach Mobile BI (m-BI) is an extension of BI delivered on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Even though proponents of m-BI are highlighting its capabilities and outcomes, still its value-generating potential in organizations is surrounded by ambiguity. Given this uncertainty, we use an affordance approach to explore the action possibilities and benefits arising from the interaction of m-BI and users. We conduct a case study in a retail organization where m-BI has been in use for more than four years. Three affordances - cursory scanning, aligning distributed intelligence in real time and real-time performance tracking - are explored in detail based on their constitutive elements, namely, technological capabilities, user intention and key differences with its closest technological rival. Each affordance is further theorized in relation to the decision making process. The affordances primarily support the intelligence and the review phase of decision-making; the design phase is minimally supported, while the choice phase is not supported. Moreover, we note the performative nature of affordances, highlighting the behavioural expectations and practices they produced. (Less)

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for detecting gripping force associated with holding and swinging sports equipment for transmitting energy generated by a sports participant to a movable object with conservation of maximum energy. More specifically the invention relates to an assembly for detecting the gripping force applied to the handle of an elongate sports implement, such as a golf club, tennis racket, hockey stick, and the like, comparing the gripping force to a previously determined optimum gripping force and signaling any difference between the two. In the many and varied pursuits of sports and athletics, the drive for improved performance has been aided significantly by the use of feedback to show participants how to relate their technique to achievement of a desired objective. A video camera, for example, may be used in individual sports, such as golf, tennis, and hockey to reveal how a change in body position can be effective in overcoming a weakness in a particular aspect of a chosen, sport. Use of such feedback frequently aids in the development of fundamental actions required for successful participation in a selected sporting activity. Beyond the fundamentals, which can often be appreciated visually, there are subtleties of technique that may have to be sensed in some other way. Physical activity directed towards achievement in sports often relies upon muscle memory. Muscle memory involves the performance of movement or action accompanied by a desired outcome. A person performing the movement or action thereby recognized how it feels to execute movement that results in a successful outcome. The use of muscle memory allows an individual to experience the subtleties of movement that make the difference between an average result and a superior result. A number of sporting activities depend upon the transfer of energy from one object to another using an assortment of implements and projectiles. Baseball, for example, uses the energy from a moving, swinging bat to drive a ball away from the bat when there is contact between the two. Similarly, a hockey puck will ricochet from a swinging hockey stick. and a golf ball will be launched by contact with the head of an accelerating golf club. In each case, the hand position and amount of force that a player exerts to grip the bat, stick or club will influence the resultant velocity between the implements of a bat and a ball and the direction in which the ball releases from the bat. It is also recognized that an individual""s performance may often times be improved by changing the grip pressure of the hand or hands on the handle of the sports implement. In search of a home run or the fastest slap shot or the longest drive, players may refine their technique, for greater velocity and distance, by consulting with a sports expert and by using any one of a number of training devices. A wide variety of training devices are known for improving swing fundamentals related especially to the sports of golf and tennis. Training devices may employ means for measuring the magnitude of a signal produced during performance of a given sport. Measurement of a signal usually includes an arrangement or means that provides feedback, often audio feedback, when a signal exceeds a set level. U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,118 refers to a golf swing training device comprising a modified golf club grip. The shaft of the club, in the grip area, includes openings machined in the shaft to accommodate a pair of pressure sensitive transducers. A player gripping the modified grip holds the club so that a pressure transducer is located beneath each of the player""s hands. Wires from the transducers exit from the terminal portion of the grip for connection to a monitor that includes a recorder of hand pressure changes occurring during execution of a golf swing. The connecting cord, used between an external recorder and the golf grip, is at risk of becoming entangled with the golfer""s arms during the back swing during use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,034 describes a golf grip attachment that preferably wraps around the shaft of a golf club. The attachment comprises a sandwich structure having foam separators between metallic strips. A battery powered alarm responds to a signal produced when there is contact between metal strips resulting from the application of hand pressure. The hardness of the foam separators will influence the amount of hand pressure needed to trigger the audible alarm. This may prevent sensing of subtle pressure changes, rendering the. device of limited training value. U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,088 provides a complex arrangement of sensors, measurement devices and feedback systems that require attachment to various parts of a golfer""s body. To receive audio feedback the player wears a set of earphones. A unit that senses shoulder movement and body tilt may be worn between the player""s shoulder blades. Weight distribution sensors, inside the golfer""s shoes, provide feedback for correct address before commencing the golf swing. Added to this equipment is a hip mounted control unit that receives signals for encoding from the various sensors. Attempts to simultaneously improve several facets of one""s movements using the multiple response device can lead to confused frustration from trying to concentrate on too many different aspects of a golf swing. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,322,281; 5,431,395 and 5,439,217 describe a device including a sheet having sensors strategically positioned over its surface to occupy key locations on the handles of either a tennis racket or golf club about which the sheet may be wrapped. The key locations represent points where a player may apply hand pressure while hitting a tennis ball or swinging a golf club. An objective of the device is to notice the application of an optimum amount of pressure to the sports implement, i.e., racket or club, during play. The wrap-around feature of the sheet changes the radial dimension of the object contacting the player""s hand. When the sheet is removed, however, the feel of the racket or golf club changes, compromising any benefit derived from practicing with the device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,217 discusses other tennis and golf training devices, using means for feedback to the player. Another golf swing training device, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,563, provides a handle construction comprising an electrically conducting shaft having a plurality of grooves formed annularly therein. The handle is suitably weighted to simulate the weight and inertia of an actual golf club. Resilient separators provide spacers between the electrically conductive shaft and a conductive wrapping. Application of hand pressure, during execution of a golf swing, flattens the separators producing contact between the shaft and the conductive wrapping. Contact between these parts of the swing simulation device activates an indicator that signals when a player""s grip exceeds a desired amount of pressure. A device of the type described does not discriminate a specific point of application of too much pressure upon the grip. The assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,541 includes a single sensor for detecting grip pressure on the grip portion of a golf club. The sensor may be repositionable at the surface of the club handle and between golf clubs. An indicator, included in the assembly, provides output signaling of a pressure condition exceeding a certain value. A covering extends over the sensor attached to the handle. The assembly includes a connecting wire between the sensor and a battery pack that may be attached outside or inside the shaft of the golf club. As disclosed, a single point sensor limits the area of the grip over which pressure may be sensed during execution of a golf swing. The previous discussion indicates that currently available training aids for sports such as baseball, golf, tennis and hockey have a variety of disadvantages related to either device complexity or failure to produce a full range of response to applied hand pressure. Still further, there is no method or device disclosed that provide for the taking of an activity xe2x80x9chistoryxe2x80x9dfrom an individual, such as a noted sports figure and/or professional, and then providing an arrangement through which another individual, such as a novice or trainee player, is automatically coached toward replication of the professional""s recorded moves. In view of the above described deficiencies associated with the use of known designs for sports training aids for determining, among other traits, grip pressure, the present invention has been developed to alleviate these drawbacks and provide further benefits to the user. These enhancements and benefits are described in greater detail hereinbelow with respect to several alternative embodiments of the present invention. The present invention in its several disclosed embodiments alleviates the drawbacks described above with respect to conventionally designed grip pressure monitoring assemblies and incorporates several additionally beneficial features. A grip pressure monitor according to the present invention provides a compact monitoring assembly contained in a tubular housing that preferably fits inside a hollow handle portion of a sports implement such as a golf club, hockey stick, baseball bat and the like. The tubular housing, through its construction and placement, provides reinforcement to the hollow handle that may be weakened by the machining of openings to accommodate exposure of one or more sensors. Wires from the sensors pass through the openings in the hollow handle for connection to a microprocessor held within the tubular housing. The microprocessor monitors and records micro-volt changes produced by application of hand pressure to the sensors during execution of a movement, such as a golf swing, that is a key element of a sport of choice. Electrical signals may be recorded intermittently or continuously by the microprocessor over the time period spanning from initiation to completion of the movement of interest. Information recorded in this way may later be compared with another movement of the same type to determine the similarity between the two and comparative differences. A preferred use of a grip pressure monitor according to the present invention is the measurement of the hand pressure profile of a professional golfer, tennis player or other sports expert. The microprocessor may store information for a variety of experts, depending on storage capacity. Stored profiles may be used to improve the proficiency of less skilled players. Although it will be recognized that a grip pressure monitor assembly according to the present invention has application to a number of sports, for convenience, the following description makes primary reference to the use of such a device for producing a more consistent and effective golf swing. A preferred method for use of a grip pressure detector assembly according to the present invention involves comparison of the hand pressure profile of a novice golfer to that of an expert or professional golfer. When used in this way, the grip pressure detector assembly first measures and records the hand pressure profile of a professional golfer. It will be recognized that the use of an expert will also apply when using the grip pressure detector assembly for other sports. The microprocessor module stores the information generated by an expert golfer. Grip pressure profiles may be stored for any number of expert or professional golfers to be later. used in a comparative mode to improve the proficiency of a less skilled player. The beneficial effects described above apply generally to the exemplary devices and mechanisms disclosed herein for an activity training aid. The specific methods and structures through which these benefits may be delivered will be described in greater detail hereinbelow.

Effect of irradiation at the early foetal stage on adult brain function of mouse: learning and memory Purpose : To study the long-term effect of early foetal irradiation on the learning and memory in the adult mouse. Materials and methods : The abdominal area of pregnant Swiss albino mice was exposed to a single dose of 0.25-1.5Gy -radiation on the 14th day of gestation and the mice were left to deliver their offspring. At 6 months of age, the learning and memory functions of the F 1 mice were tested by hole-board activity, conditioned avoidance response and radial arm maze performance. The animals were again subjected to the radial arm maze test at 12 and 18 months of age. Results : There was a significant dose-dependent decrease in the learning ability and memory retention of 6-month-old mice at doses > 0.25Gy. The significant changes persisted to 18 months of age in mice exposed to ≥0.5Gy. All changes showed a linear dose-response at doses < 1Gy. Conclusions : The gestational day 14 of Swiss albino mice is a sensitive stage in brain development to -ray-induced impairment of learning and memory during the adult life. Permanent deficits in these functions can be induced by a dose of ~0.5Gy at this stage, when the developmental activity of the cerebral cortex is at its peak.

DES MOINES, Iowa - Nevada's late run was not enough as the University of Florida defeated the Wolf Pack 70-61 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. At one point Florida had an 18-point lead. UF entered the game with a record of 19-15 and Nevada was 29-4 heading into the first round contest. Florida's next game is on Saturday, the Gators will play against the winner of Michigan vs. Montana. This is the third year in a row Florida has made it to the dance. The last time the Gators won the National Title was in 2007, Florida defeated Ohio State University 84-75.

Rethinking Industrial Relations, or at least the British radical frame This article provides a short overview of the analysis in John Kellys 1998 book Rethinking Industrial Relations (RIR) of long-run cycles and trends in worker collective mobilization and conflict, Kellys development of a model to explain these patterns, the models integrative combination of ideas drawn from Kondratiev long wave theory, Marxian political economy, and Tillys sociological model of social mobilization theory, and the books central prediction a resurgence in union growth and industrial conflict. The second part of the article provides a critical evaluation of RIR as a general work in industrial relations theory, the strengths and weaknesses of Kellys theoretical model, and an assessment of its empirical explanatory power. The conclusion is that RIR provides an insightful conceptual framework for studying worker mobilization but falls short in both theory and empirical explanation because of defects in its Marxian/long wave foundation and overly British-centric focus.

Business Cycle with Bank Intermediation in Oil Economies The structural model in this paper proposes a micro-founded framework that incorporates an active banking sector with an oil-producing sector. The primary goal of adding a banking sector is to examine the role of an interbank market on shocks, introduce a national development fund and study its link to the banking sector and the government. The government and the national development fund directly play key roles in the propagation of the oil shock. In contrast, the banking sector and the labor market, through perfect substitution between the oil and non-oil sectors, have major indirect impacts in spreading shocks.

Effect of feeding heat-treated colostrum on risk for infection with Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis, milk production, and longevity in Holstein dairy cows. In summer 2007, a randomized controlled field trial was initiated on 6 large Midwest commercial dairy farms to investigate the effect of feeding heat-treated (HT) colostrum on transmission of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and on future milk production and longevity within the herd. On each farm, colostrum was collected daily from fresh cows, pooled, divided into 2 aliquots, and then 1 aliquot was heat-treated in a commercial batch pasteurizer at 60°C for 60min. A sample from each batch of colostrum was collected for PCR testing (MAP-positive vs. MAP-negative). Newborn heifer calves were removed from the dam within 30 to 60min of birth and systematically assigned to be fed 3.8 L of either fresh (FR; n=434) or heat-treated (HT; n=490) colostrum within 2h of birth. After reaching adulthood (>2 yr old), study animals were tested once annually for 3 yr for infection with MAP using serum ELISA and fecal culture. Lactation records describing milk production data and death or culling events were collected during the 3-yr testing period. Multivariable model logistic and linear regression was used to investigate the effect of feeding HT colostrum on risk for testing positive to MAP during the 3-yr testing period (positive/negative; logistic regression) and on first and second lactation milk yield (kg/cow; linear regression), respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to investigate the effect of feeding HT colostrum on risk and time to removal from the herd. Fifteen percent of all study animals were fed PCR-positive colostrum. By the end of the 3-yr testing period, no difference was noted in the proportion of animals testing positive for MAP, with either serum ELISA or fecal culture, when comparing the HT group (10.5%) versus the FR group (8.1%). There was no effect of treatment on first- (HT=11.797kg; FR=11,671kg) or second-lactation (HT=11,013kg; FR=11,235kg) milk production. The proportion of cows leaving the herd by study conclusion was not different for animals originally fed HT (68.0%) versus FR (71.7%) colostrum. Although a previous study showed that feeding HT colostrum (60°C for 60min) produces short-term benefits, including improved passive transfer of IgG and reduced morbidity in the preweaning period, the current study found no benefit of feeding HT colostrum on long-term outcomes including risk for transmission of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis, milk production in the first and second lactation, and longevity within the herd.

Print View - Return to Normal View The Clutter Culture By Jack Feuer UCLA's Center on Everyday Lives of Families continues its fascinating study of contemporary suburban America with a book titled Life at Home in the 21st Century. Thirty-two Los Angeles families opened their doors to CELF's researchers. What they found: a staggering number of possessions and an array of spaces and furnishings that serve as the stage for multiple family activities—and tell us a lot about who we are as a society. Get stuff. Buy stuff. Keep it . Get more of it . Keep that, too. Display it all, and proudly. Walk into any dual-income, middle-class home in the U.S. and you will come face to face with an awesome array of stuff—toys, trinkets, family photos, furniture, games, DVDs, TVs, digital devices of all kinds, souvenirs, flags, food and more. We put our stuff anywhere in the house, everywhere there's room, or even if there's no room. Park the car on the street so we can store our stuff in the garage. Pile the dirty laundry in the shower because there's nowhere else to store it and no time to wash it. George Carlin famously observed that "a house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it." We are a clutter culture. But all that stuff also serves a serious purpose as source material for scientists and scholars. Today's action figure is tomorrow's historical artifact. Yet while researchers record our purchases, take surveys, conduct interviews, even sift through our trash, a systematic documentation of the material worlds of contemporary American families has proven elusive, says linguistic anthropologist Elinor Ochs, director of UCLA's Center on Everyday Lives of Families (CELF), a nine-year interdisciplinary research project and one of six Sloan Centers on Working Families. That's because this area of research has heretofore stopped at our front doors. A Cluttered Life: Middle-Class Abundance (Trailer) UCLA anthropologists venture into the stuffed-to-capacity homes of dual income, middle-class American families. Click here to watch full episodes. Video by UCTV Prime Now, however, a new book titled Life at Home in the 21st Century: 32 Families Open Their Doors takes the exploration of contemporary material culture inside American homes for the first time. Based on a groundbreaking, four-year, ethnoarchaeological CELF study conducted in 2001-2005, Life at Home is an intimate look at the material worlds of more than 30 busy families in the greater Los Angeles region. The Life at Home families—dual-income, middle-class households with school-age children—agreed to open their homes and their lives to a week of filming and detailed photography of their houses and possessions. They live in all kinds of neighborhoods, earn varying levels of household incomes, are ethnically diverse and own their homes. And they represent a wide range of occupations: teachers, firefighters, nurses, small-business owners, lawyers, airline pilots and contractors, among others. Life at Home is co-authored by Ochs; Jeanne Arnold, UCLA professor of anthropology; Anthony P. Graesch '97, M.A. '00, Ph.D. '06, at the time an anthropology graduate student and a postdoctoral scholar in archaeology at UCLA and now an assistant anthropology professor at Connecticut College; and Italian photographer Enzo Ragazzini. The project generated almost 20,000 photographs, 47 hours of family-narrated video home tours and 1,540 hours of videotaped family interactions and interviews. But Life at Home is not just a scholarly catalog; it also delves deep into the psychological and social meanings of our possession obsession. Too Much Is Never Enough "The American workplace is intense and demanding; when we come home, we want material rewards, like people all around the globe," Ochs says. "What distinguishes us is the normative expectation of hyperconsumerism. American middle-class houses, especially in Los Angeles, are capacious; refrigerators are larger than elsewhere on the planet. Even so, we find food, toys and other purchases exceeding the confines of the home and overflowing into garages, piled up to the rafters with stockpiled extra 'stuff.' " Ironically, the study found that our need to reward ourselves materially may actually increase our stress—at least for moms. In their video tours, mothers use words like "mess," "not fun" and "very chaotic" to describe their homes. The CELF team's psychologist colleagues, Darby Saxbe M.A. '04, Ph.D. '09, postdoctoral fellow at the University of Southern California, and UCLA Psychology Professor Rena Repetti, looked at study participants' levels of diurnal cortisol, a measure of stress, through saliva provided by the families. And they found that there did seem to be a link between how families, especially mothers, talk about their home spaces and their diurnal cortisol levels. "It's difficult to find time to sort, organize and manage these possessions," says Graesch. "Thus, our excess becomes a visible sign of unaccomplished work that constantly challenges our deeply engrained notions of tidy homes and elicits substantial stress." Ochs has encountered some of this in her own life. The most crowded room in her house until April was her study, which used to contain a floor-to-ceiling bookcase, desk computer, printer, small television, couch, rocking chair, coffee table, piano, guitar cases, amplifiers, yoga benches and mats. Then she and her husband bought a large, flat-screen TV and suddenly there was no longer any room for her desk and work tools. As of this writing, Ochs admits to being "a nomad wandering around the rest of the house, trying to find a new niche to call my study." So the stress of the material world can get to anybody. Well, almost anybody. "Fathers in their home tours would walk in the same rooms their wives had come through and often made no mention whatsoever of the messiness and were unaffected psychologically," says Arnold. "This was pretty astonishing." For these dads and for many of the older children, Arnold observes, artifacts are a source of pleasure or pride, and so for these family members, possession leads to contentment. Besides, she adds, "Who has time to clean up?" Everything I Need To Know Is Stuck On My Refrigerator Chez nous, the kitchen is the command center. The study notes that "the kitchen is perhaps the most important space in daily family life: a site of frequent congregation, information exchange, collaboration, negotiation and child socialization. It is a crucial hub of logistical organization and everyday operations for dual-income households." And in the domestic command center, the refrigerator is mission control. "I don't know what American couple has a refrigerator that doesn't get things stuck to it," says one mom in her video home tour. "You can see there are quite a lot of things stuck to ours. Pictures, reminders, addresses, phone lists that have not been good for years and years." The typical Life at Home refrigerator front panel holds 52 objects (and sometimes stuff is stuck on the side panel, as well). Some household fridges were fairly clear of clutter, but almost all had what the study calls "high object densities." The most crowded refrigerator was covered with 166 different objects. This stuck-on stuff, in fact, often covers as much as 90 percent of the fridge. It's a multi-purpose, place-based, 270-degree representation of the family's history and activities, highlighting the personal (photos, child's art projects or school work, awards); the practical (calendars, schedules, coupons, invitations, rosters, phone numbers); or the pretty (the most common objects displayed were decorative magnets). "It's such an effective organizing device," says Arnold, whose own refrigerator hosts abstract art magnets and travel magnets from such evocative destinations as Australia and Sequoia National Park. Also a couple of phone numbers, but no photos or schedules. As they moved deeper into their study, the researchers noticed a correlation between the number of objects families put on their refrigerators and the rest of the stuff in their homes. They write that "a family's tolerance for a crowded, artifact-laden refrigerator surface often corresponds to the densities of possessions in the main rooms of the house … the refrigerator panel may function as a measuring stick for how intensively families are participating in consumer purchasing and how many household goods they retain over their lifetimes." It's Our Kids' World; We Just Live in A focus on children exists in every culture, of course, but Americans have, inevitably, taken the impulse to a whole other level. Indeed, the study found kids' stuff everywhere, crowding out their parents' possessions to such an extent that even home offices and studies (more than half of the 32 households had rooms dedicated to work or schoolwork) were crammed with toys and other childrelated objects. "Every good girl should have a whole ton of Barbies," one Life at Home mom helpfully explains. Graesch surmises that "Dual-income parents get to spend so very little time with their children on the average weekday, usually four or fewer waking hours. This becomes a source of guilt for many parents, and buying their children toys, clothes and other possessions is a way to achieve temporary happiness during this limited timespan." Our progeny's role in the constant creation of clutter is not necessarily a sign that the toddlers have taken over the kindergarten, though. Sometimes, in fact, the relationship between our children and our possessions can even be touching. Arnold recalls one study father who positioned three rocks near his front door that in some way reminded him of his three daughters, so he was happy every time he came home. Ochs adds, "At first we thought that children's objects flooded the house, but then we came to realize that parents as well liked these objects and displayed child-themed possessions (such as Disney figures) in public areas (like living-room shelves) and their own bedrooms." A Clutter Culture Coda A lot has happened since the Life at Home study concluded in 2005. If invited into the same kinds of homes today, what do the researchers think they'd find? Same stuff, different year. "If we were to study the same types of families in 2012, I don't think the results would be significantly different," says Graesch, whose home refrigerator boasts 66 magnets on three vertical surfaces, most of them letters and numbers that his toddlers play with. "We are still a child-centered society, we still have trouble managing our massive inventories of objects, and we still struggle to find a balance between work, school and family." Well, perhaps not completely. Ochs agrees that if the CELF researchers returned to knock on the same families' doors today, "most of the homes would look the same," but "having said that, one family talked with us about our study and redesigned their home dramatically to allow for more open, less cluttered family living." No word on what they did or didn't do to their refrigerator.

Test-Driven Development - Still a Promising Approach? Test-Driven Development (TDD) has been regarded as a useful practice during the last decade as well in industry as in academia. It has been suggested to have several benefits in software development process. This paper is focused on the reported empirical research on TDD. A systematic literature review was conducted in order to analyze the current empirical evidence. Based on the review data, TDD may improve external code quality, but it also leads to increase in development time. However, there are a lot of contradictory results and it raises a question about the actual factors behind them. More systematic research, specifically controlled experiments and well reported case studies, is needed in order to better understand TDD.

Oct 16, 2013 The Night Before Booker Won Newly elected U.S. Senator Cory Booker was seen visiting the Rebbe's Ohel in Queens with 2 rabbis on election eve. By COLlive reporter On the night before he won the special election to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate, Democratic star Cory Booker was spotted late Tuesday night at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Cambria Heights, Queens, New York. Eyewitnesses told COLlive.com that the Newark Mayor was seen praying and lighting a memorial candle at the Ohel - the holy gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. His small entourage was made of close and long-time friends, including author and media personality Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Rabbi Shmuly Hecht of the Eliezer Society at Yale University. "He came around 12:15 AM with a small group of people led by Rabbi Boteach who was praying with Booker and left at around 2:00 AM," one person said. "No one expected to see him at such an hour, but it wasn't a surprise that he was there since he's been here more than once in the past," noted a person that was present at the time. Booker defeated Republican Steve Lonegan to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Senator Frank Lautenberg. The 44-year-old will become the first black senator from New Jersey. AP said Booker built a national following for his consensus-building and his personal story. He was a suburbanite who went to Stanford and Yale Law before moving into a tough Newark neighborhood promising to do good before he ran for office. A pioneering politician on Twitter, Booker never hesitated to share his keen interest and knowledge in Torah and Jewish ethics. He's spoken at three consecutive gala dinners of the Colel Chabad charity. "This organization is truly part of my heart," he has said. Booker once commented that his favorite Jewish holiday was Sukkos and Simchas Torah, remembering the joyous celebrations at Chabad of Oxford. He later became the President of Rabbi Boteach's L'Chaim Society at Oxford. In speeches to Jewish groups - among them the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, NJ and Chabad of Greenwich, CT - he often evokes Yiddish words, the parsha and Rambam. His favorite opening line is stating that the dvar Torah will be delivered "by the large goy from Newark." Having met Chabad at the age of 23, he once said: "Lubavitch is one of these organizations that once they have you, they never let you go."

By Kumar Saurabh, CEO of LogicHub Database setup costs for budding startups have plummeted in the past decade or so, thanks largely to the cloud. Twenty-five years ago, a significant portion of seed or A round funding went to hiring a system administrator who set up a server room with a raised floor and stacks of equipment. Today, founders have the opportunity seamlessly sign up for Amazon Web Services with a credit card. Cloud infrastructure is available quickly, easily and affordably, enabling founders to focus on writing code and finding customers, instead of unboxing servers and running Cat5 cables. Founders trust Amazon and other cloud providers to run all their services—and they trust them for security, too. After all, every SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS has some language on their site about security. Cloud security, in general, has improved. So why shouldn’t tech startups assume that their cloud services are secure? Here are five reasons startups tend to get complacent around cloud security: 1. Limited security coverage AWS and other PaaS and IaaS services provide infrastructure security, not application-level security. They do nothing to thwart security attacks against application vulnerabilities. AWS and other PaaS and IaaS services provide infrastructure security, not application-level security. They do nothing to thwart security attacks against application vulnerabilities. 2. Default or commonly used security settings that are inherently risky In the past few months, we’ve seen news stories about the Republican National Committee (RNC) leaking voting records for 198 million Americans and Verizon leaking 6 million customer records, among others. All these breaches resulted from faulty configurations of public-cloud security features. The problem is so widespread that Amazon is now warning S3 users to be more careful about the security settings for their S3 buckets. The fast, easy sign-up process for cloud services needs to be followed with a rigorous security assessment and possible investment in additional IT security tools. In the past few months, we’ve seen news stories about the Republican National Committee (RNC) leaking voting records for 198 million Americans and Verizon leaking 6 million customer records, among others. All these breaches resulted from faulty configurations of public-cloud security features. The problem is so widespread that Amazon is now warning S3 users to be more careful about the security settings for their S3 buckets. The fast, easy sign-up process for cloud services needs to be followed with a rigorous security assessment and possible investment in additional IT security tools. 3. Lack of security expertise and dedicated personnel Along with the raised-floor computer room went the IT administrator who managed and kept an eye on data security. Founders and other team members may have a basic understanding of security best practices, but early stage startups tend to de-prioritize employing a full-time person dedicated to the availability and security of the company’s infrastructure. Along with the raised-floor computer room went the IT administrator who managed and kept an eye on data security. Founders and other team members may have a basic understanding of security best practices, but early stage startups tend to de-prioritize employing a full-time person dedicated to the availability and security of the company’s infrastructure. 4. Cultural differences that lead to security being an afterthought Even if a startup has a security lead, that person’s priorities are liable to be a cultural and operational mismatch for the developer-centric priorities of the rest of the organization. Founders and investors are typically focused on developing products and gaining market share, not battening down the hatches of IT infrastructure. Security inevitably restricts choices and complicates workflows—practices that are anathema to the “move fast and break things” culture of startups today. Even if a startup has a security lead, that person’s priorities are liable to be a cultural and operational mismatch for the developer-centric priorities of the rest of the organization. Founders and investors are typically focused on developing products and gaining market share, not battening down the hatches of IT infrastructure. Security inevitably restricts choices and complicates workflows—practices that are anathema to the “move fast and break things” culture of startups today. 5. Security attacks that can damage your company Startups would be wise to consider the cautionary tale of CodeSpaces.com, a code-hosting and project management service run by a New Jersey-based startup called Able Bots. The service promised fully redundant back-ups of the software it was hosting. Unfortunately, hackers broke into the company’s Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) account, accessed its control panel, and deleted all its customer data—including code stored in Amazon S3, Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS) snapshots, Amazon Machine Images (AMIs), EBS instances, and test machine images. Unable to restore the contest entrusted to it by over 200 companies despite having advertised a business continuity plan, CodeSpaces.com was forced to close its doors. As PC World noted, “the incident overall is an unfortunate example of the challenges companies face when it comes to securing their cloud-based environments and assets.” Addressing Cloud Security Challenges with Modern Automation The cloud reduces costs and improves scalability, but it doesn’t change the fundamentals of IT security. Now as before, startups must put rigorous security controls in place, or hackers—who are increasingly determined and ingenious—will find a way to break in, steal or erase data, and wreak havoc. Fortunately, the cloud does offer startups one powerful new advantage, even if it’s an advantage that—at least in the area of security—is often overlooked. That advantage is automation, including automation powered by machine learning. In addition to reviewing all their security settings and ensuring that permissions are appropriately strict, startups should look for ways to automate threat detection and threat analysis. Startups have a wealth of data already on hand for detecting and characterizing threats. For example, many have Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) Flow logs or AWS CloudTrail logs. They might keep these files around for the sake of troubleshooting or compliance, but few analyze them routinely as part of an ongoing security practice. We recently helped a startup client whose IT team had assumed their cloud logs would be devoid of value for security analysis. Examining the files, though, we discovered some of their servers were wide open to public scanning. More troubling, some of these servers were being accessed by IP addresses that IBM X-Force had identified as high risk. We also found signs of suspicious traffic. Manual inspection of log files is not always practical or cost-effective for lean, fast-moving startups, but automating this analysis is. By automating threat detection and analysis, and leveraging deep data analysis and data correlation using machine learning, startups can enjoy the power and cost-savings of cloud services like AWS, while remaining confident their services are secure.

mTOR: a possible Signaling Intermediate in the LeptinKisspeptin Pathway during the Pubertal Transition in Female Rats While leptin and kisspeptin have both been implicated in the onset of puberty in mammals, the pathway linking leptin and kisspeptin is still not completely understood. Such knowledge could play an important role in treating or preventing infertility, both in humans, for the purpose of child bearing, and in other mammals, for agricultural reasons. Recent studies have suggested that mTOR, a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase involved in cell and tissue growth and also a target of leptin signaling in the paraventricular and arcuate nuclei of the hypothalamus, may act as a signaling intermediate in the leptinkisspeptin pathway. Therefore, increases in mTOR in the hypothalamus may correlate with increases of leptin and kisspeptin in the hypothalamus as well. In this experiment, the gene expression of leptin, kisspeptin, and mTOR were examined using reversetranscriptase and polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) from the hypothalami of female rats in ten day intervals beginning on postnatal day10 through postnatal day60. An increase in mTOR expression at day 40 correlated with increased expression in both leptin and kisspeptin. These findings suggest that mTOR could be involved in the leptinkisspeptin pathway and, therefore, the onset of puberty. This research was supported by a Lander University Foundation Grant.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -– As she continues to battle two candidates fueled by monster crowds and widespread enthusiasm, Hillary Clinton has committed to a campaign strategy that prioritizes the exact opposite. While Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump consistently whip seas of fans into frenzies, Clinton often favors modest public appearances that rely heavily on policy and can seem almost intentionally boring. Over the last year, in at least a dozen states, Clinton has dedicated hours and hours to events so small that members of the media often match or outnumber the attendees. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton holds a discussion with women and families on work-life balance and family issues during a visit to a cafe in Stone Ridge in Loudon County, Virginia May 9, 2016. KEVIN LAMARQUE / Reuters Her campaign is hopeful this uncommon campaign style will pay off in Tuesday’s Kentucky primary, where she made a point of hosting low-key events with voters in the lead-up to today's contest. In a primary election where Sanders and Trump continually draw thousands, Clinton has only matched her largest crowd – the campaign’s Roosevelt Island launch rally crowd of 5,000 – once. This is wholly intentional. Aides have characterized the tactic as one of the biggest “gambles” of the campaign and the closer she gets to clinching the Democratic nomination, the more vindicated they feel in taking this approach. Smaller, more intimate events, aides argue, allow voters to see a different side of Clinton that doesn’t always come across in more traditional campaign settings. Play Facebook Twitter Embed Hillary Clinton floats White House role for Bill - and gets attacked 3:23 autoplay autoplay Copy this code to your website or blog As Clinton has admitted herself, she is not as “natural” a politician as her husband or President Obama. Her strengths lie in serious policy discussion and one-on-one interactions with voters who have specific problems they want her to solve. Aides say this format emphasizes that Clinton is more interested in listening to voters than talking at them. But this preference for muted events has also produced problematic optics for Clinton at times. Sanders’ speeches have attracted more than 25,000 people, per the campaign, and Trump’s raucous rallies regularly bring out thousands as well. "My best investment is my rallies," the presumptive Republican nominee recently told the AP. "The people go home, they tell their friends they loved it. It's been good." The contrast is striking and could present a problem for Clinton in the general election. The only time she's rivaled her sizable launch event was at a New York rally with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio in March. Clinton’s events are typically small enough that she is sometimes surprised if there’s an overflow space or a line of people still waiting to get in when she takes the stage. Aides said they don’t yet know when the campaign will hold its first large-scale, arena-style rally, but are confident that smaller events will remain a core part of the strategy through November. A recent discussion on economic challenges facing young families in key Loudoun County, Virginia is a good example. The campaign expects to organize many more conversations like this in battleground states in the weeks and months to come. The decision not to have gigantic rallies – or take the bait Sanders has presented in terms of trying to match attendance – has held steady for more than a year. That gamble, aides say, shows restraint amidst outside pressure to counterpunch Sanders more effectively. But beyond the risk of not being able to fill a giant venue the way the Vermont senator has, the Clinton campaign believes big events don’t necessarily translate to votes. Take the New York primary, for example. In the week leading up to the vote, Sanders held three huge events in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx. Clinton instead focused on retail stops and smaller rallies. On the night of Sanders’ Washington Square Park mega-event, Clinton spoke to about 1,000 people at a public housing community center in the Bronx. Ironically enough, Sanders did not win any of the boroughs in which he held his largest gatherings. Still, the Clinton campaign continues to face questions over how to explain or account for the enthusiasm gap between the former secretary of state and her primary rival. This challenge could easily extend to the general if the Clinton campaign can’t optically compete with the excitement generated at a Trump rally. But substance-heavy events also allow Clinton to employ a strategy her aides say will be instrumental in the fall: focusing on issues instead of being forced to “get in the mud” with Trump. Earlier this month, when Trump called Clinton a “nasty, mean enabler” and invoked her name repeatedly during his rallies, Clinton hosted a handful of cozy discussions focused on women’s and children’s issues like equal pay and early childhood education. Though she continues to call out Trump during her rallies – where the capacity rarely exceeds 1,500 – Clinton has notably spent more time engaging voters in intimate, issue-oriented exchanges. At a recent discussion on childcare in Lexington, for instance, Clinton did not mention Trump or Sanders once. Her recent swings through Appalachia and Kentucky also harken back to the types of events she kicked off her campaign with in Iowa, which were similar to the listening tours she launched her 2000 Senate campaign with. The approach this cycle is derived from a lesson learned in 2008, where aides felt she didn’t have enough of these in-depth discussions.. They’ve also made for some of the most memorable moments between voters and Clinton on the trail. At a community roundtable in the heart of coal country, Clinton was confronted by a man who had recently lost his job at a coal company and was furious about her comments earlier this year on putting miners “out of business.” The exchange ended up being the biggest headline from Clinton’s tour through the region and it took place in a tiny office lobby that was not open to the general public. “I’ve had some extraordinary conversations – tough and honest,” Clinton later said of her trip through West Virginia. The man, Bo Copley, was not swayed by Clinton’s apology and explanation. After their meeting, he told reporters that he “wasn’t sure about Donald either.” Four days later, however, Copley was met with thunderous and sustained applause when an introductory speaker recognized him at a Trump rally. The campaign is well aware that these intimate, policy-laden events can occasionally backfire. But the candidate herself seems to enjoy showing off who she is at her core, according to many close friends and aides: a wonk. At a recent hospital visit in Camden, New Jersey, Clinton turned a 5-minute photo op into a 35-minute discussion on health care initiatives. When a nurse practitioner praised her work at the State Department on clean cookstoves in developing countries, Clinton beamed. “That just lights up my wonkish heart,” she said.

Korea 7th best country to be a social entrepreneur? Reflections from within the ecosystem Stefan Panhuijsen Blocked Unblock Follow Following Dec 15, 2016 The Thomson Reuters Foundation, together with Global Social Entrepreneurship Network (GSEN), conducted a global survey to find out what is ‘the best country to be a social entrepreneur’. Of 44 countries, Korea, to some surprise, was deemed the 7th best country to be a social entrepreneur. Thomson Reuters Foundation research on best country to be a social entrepreneur We talked to actors within Korea — investors, government officials and, of course, social entrepreneurs themselves — to share their reflections on being the 7th best country to be a social entrepreneur. What can other countries learn from Korea and how can the sector continue to grow? Social entrepreneurship in Korea As a movement, the social entrepreneurship ecosystem has grown tremendously since the introduction of the 2007 Social Enterprise Promotion Act. As the only country in Asia to legally define “social enterprise,” government policy has supported the creation of the social sector, including financial benefits for social enterprises that attain government certification. The rigorous certification process can take years to complete. In addition, the Korean government has invested heavily in the creative economy, encouraging a growing ecosystem of start-ups and social enterprises. With links to the recent political scandal and impending impeachment of President Park, government sponsored programs are coming under scrutiny and have an uncertain future. Despite the buzz that Korean social entrepreneurship may be stemming unemployment and that Korea is a new innovation hub within Asia, many in the ecosystem feel there’s still a long way to go. Experts we consulted were “extremely surprised” and in some cases “shocked” to hear that Korea was named 7th in the recent Thomson Reuters poll. We spoke to some players within the ecosystem. Here’s what we learned: Social entrepreneurship is bolstered by government support Government policy is coordinated by the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency (KoSEA) which aims to ‘foster and promote social enterprises effectively’. The high position from the global survey was clearly due to being one of the few countries in the world with a policy framework for assessing and certifying social enterprises. The training, technical assistance, and financial support from the government (mainly delivered through intermediate organisations) encourages social entrepreneurs to take on risk and has created a robust ecosystem to support them. Local government is very active as well. The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) established the Seoul Social Economy Center (SSEC), which provides technical support, capacity building, and connections to local social enterprise networks. In 2015, the Seoul Metropolitan Government purchased nearly 70 million USD worth of goods and services from social enterprises, according to the report “Status of Social Economy Development in Seoul.” Daniel Jintaek Oh of The Test Kitchen confirms that government takes its role as customer seriously: “Yes, they buy our products.” Understand Avenue. A place in Seongdong-gu where social enterprises can offer there products. The strong government support comes with caveats, however, as more social entrepreneurs are foregoing certification. The strict standards are pushing social entrepreneurs to seek other ways to demonstrate their commitment to business and social objectives. One social entrepreneur commented: “The government doesn’t understand what social entrepreneurship is about.” With the added pressure of social returns, some argue that the government financial support may be a crutch that is helping to keep the sector afloat. More business skills needed Coming in at #26 for attracting a skilled staff and #30 for making a living, social entrepreneurs are seen as being too soft. Few Korean social enterprises have been able to scale to other markets. According to Hyekyung Hwang, Co-founder of Hive Arena, social entrepreneurs need more mature models that are scalable and sustainable, differentiating separate social enterprises from non-profits. Few social ventures have the long-term business and market experience that can support growth. Marie Myung-Hee Lee of the Work Together Foundation noted that social enterprises are too similar to non-profits. Seen as a separate movement from start-ups and non-profits, social enterprises in Korea are not viewed as “real businesses” under the current government social enterprise certification criteria. HIve Arena, a buzzing co working space in Seoul Growing private-sector ecosystem and impact investment While Korea’s social enterprise ecosystem was built through government investment, a growing group of private-sector enterprises has begun to emerge in Seongsu-dong, a trendy neighbourhood in Seoul. Heyground (a project of Root Impact) will help bring together 24 of the largest social enterprises in South Korea under one roof in 2017. Bright future ahead? While one can question if Korea is the 7th best in the country in the world to a social entrepreneur, it’s clear that the ecosystem has developed impressively since 2007. Government policy is in place, investors step up and the idea of social entrepreneurship is gaining traction among youth who seek purpose in their professional life. But to really take it to the next level a few hard challenges need to be confronted. Here are a few of our ideas which can help the Korean social enterprise sector develop further: Involve experienced business leaders Most social enterprises are founded by (young) idealists, but these change makers often lack the ‘hard’ business skills which are needed to survive in the competitive Korean market. At the same time there’s a large pool of business leaders from the chaebols which are interested in bringing more purpose to their work. These groups can be linked to combine best of both worlds. Align government policy more with need of social entrepreneurs Government policy has been crucial to the development of the social enterprise sector, but complaints about the lack of alignment with entrepreneurs on the ground are severe. First step is to review if the certification process can be redesigned to make it more accessible and if non certified social enterprises can be supported as well. Celebrate failure Most (social) enterprises fail. Always and everywhere. But in Korea, failure is everything but celebrated and this is an important reason why people don’t start new social enterprises. It should be understood that ‘failure’ is part entrepreneurship and that the experience of setting up a start-up is very valuable for future employers. In a culture that equates success as money or power, failure is seen as reflection not only on one’s work but also on one’s character. The Korean social entrepreneurship ecosystem is currently developing from a government project to a bottom up movement where private sector actors take the lead. If public and private initiatives can learn from each other and create a joint movement, the future of the Korean social enterprise sector looks very promising. Please feel free to comment on this post! Diana Won is a former Luce Scholar and has gained insight in the Korean social enterprise sector during her work as a consultant at MYSC. Stefan Panhuijsen is the Head of Policy at Social Enterprise NL and is currently based in Seoul for six months where he studies the Korean social enterprise sector.

Supplier selection in a Turkish textile company by using intuitionistic fuzzy decision-making Abstract After businesses realized the direct and indirect effect of suppliers on product quality, time-to-market, companys reputation; therefore, on their profit, purchasing function and supplier relationship management flourished in practice as well as in research. To manage purchasing function, gain competitive advantage, and enhance performance, supplier selection (SS) process should have appropriate methods and criteria for evaluating suppliers. The involvement of multi-criteria, several alternatives and decision-makers with different perspectives complicates the SS process. Therefore, this study proposes an extended use of the well-known TOPSIS method for solving a group decision-making problem under intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) environment in which all decision-makers ideas are presented as IF values. The paper also aims to use IF numbers to explain the importance of alternatives and the weights of criteria. The application part of the paper focuses on selecting the best raw material supplier for a specific Turkish textile company by using ranking function.

Research on Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Poly(m-Phenyleneisophthalamide) Paper The dynamic mechanical properties of PMIA-Pulp applied paper were investigated. At the same time, the dynamic mechanical properties of DuPont T410 paper were compared. Measurements of the dynamic mechanical properties were carried out on samples of low crystallinity and low orientation over a temperature range from 20°C to +500°C, at a frequency of 110 Hz, at a heating rate of 3°C/min. As the temperature from low to high, three different mechanical states with glassy state, rubber state and fluid state were appeared on DMA temperature curve, it responded the different mode of molecular motion. Storage modulus and glass transition peak of DuPont T410 paper were higher than the self-made applied paper. It means DuPont T410 Paper had a high resistance to external forces and deformation, as well as a good rigidity. Molecular chain freedom movement was difficult and the energy required to move relatively larger.

I like the pic of the guy bending over to take it up the chute from The Spirit of Wall Street. No more "trickle down" economic theories. It's time to try "trickle up" economics. Put more $$ via tax breaks in the hands of the people who will spend it in the American economy buying goods & services which will also benefit corporations & both big & small businesses. 70% of our economy is fueled that way....people buying "stuff" Tax cuts are great in theory. It's better that the government has less control over our money and we have more control. Politicians are untrustworthy. But it stands to reason that if you don't wanna go bankrupt, you have to manage your deficits. If you lower taxes, you need to lower government spending. Take it out of the insanely bloated defense budget and leave the poor and needy their healthcare. Otherwise you (our "representatives") are just providing further proof that you're the unethical scumbags most people think you are.

SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras, who was the European Left’s candidate for Commission president, is to meet several of his rival hopefuls in Brussels on Wednesday. Tsipras is due to hold talks with Martin Schulz (Party of European Socialists), Guy Verhofstadt (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party) and Ska Keller (European Green Party) to discuss the process of electing a new European Commission chief. The SYRIZA leader has already gone on record as saying that he believes former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker should have the opportunity to gain the support of MEPs as the European People’s Party formed the largest group in the European Parliament. “During the campaign, I stood as the candidate of the European Left. I stood in vigorous disagreement with the policies of the European People’s Party and of their candidate, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker. Those disagreements stand, and they will stand,” Tsipras said in a statement last week. “The European People’s Party, nevertheless, won the election. Therefore, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, should be the first to attempt to form the required majority, starting negotiations with the other political groups.” The SYRIZA leader insisted that this was the process put to voters before the European Parliament elections on May 25 and as such should be followed. «According to the Treaty on European Union, the European Parliament has the right to approve, and therefore the right to disapprove, the nominee presented to it for the Presidency of the European Commission by the European Council,” said Tsipras. “During the recent campaign, the citizens of Europe were asked to express their choice among five candidates, each of them selected by the major European parties. As candidates we campaigned, debated, and sought the votes of European citizens.” Tsipras warned that European Union leaders should not be able to override this process. «It is my position that the European Council should not nominate any candidate for the Presidency of the Commission, who did not compete in this election,” he said. “It is my position that the European Parliament should not approve any candidate who did not compete in this election. The presentation of any other nominee would have as its effect to discredit the entire recent election, turning it, after the fact, into a charade. “This is a basic democratic principle. It is a moral obligation of the European Council to put forward the candidate who secured the leading position in the European election.” While in Brussels, Tsipras is also due to meet with the Pablo Iglesias, the academic who leads the new Spanish left-wing party Podemos. Podemos won 8 percent of the vote in the EU elections in Spain and elected five MEPs. Iglesias has already indicated a willingness to work with SYRIZA in the European Parliament.

Understanding Bench Press BiomechanicsThe Necessity of Measuring Lateral Barbell Forces Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Abstract Mausehund, L, Werkhausen, A, Bartsch, J, and Krosshaug, T. Understanding bench press biomechanicsThe necessity of measuring lateral barbell forces. J Strength Cond Res 36: 26852695, 2022The purpose of this study was to advance the expertise of the bench press exercise by complementing electromyographic (EMG) with net joint moment (NJM) and strength normalized NJM (nNJM) measurements, thus establishing the magnitude of the elbow and shoulder muscular loads and efforts. Normalized NJMs were determined as the ratio of the bench press NJMs to the maximum NJMs produced during maximum voluntary isokinetic contractions. Furthermore, we wanted to assess how changes in grip width and elbow positioning affected elbow and shoulder NJMs and nNJMs, and muscle activity of the primary movers. Thirty-five strength-trained adults performed a 68 repetition maximum set of each bench press variation, while elbow and shoulder NJMs and EMG activity of 7 upper extremity muscles were recorded. The results show that all bench press variations achieved high elbow and shoulder muscular efforts. A decrease in grip width induced larger elbow NJMs, and larger EMG activity of the lateral head of the triceps brachii, anterior deltoid, and clavicular head of the pectoralis major (p ≤ 0.05). An increase in grip width elicited larger shoulder NJMs and nNJMs, and larger EMG activity of the abdominal head of the pectoralis major (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, all bench press variations may stimulate strength gains and hypertrophy of the elbow extensors and shoulder flexors and horizontal adductors. However, greater adaptations of the elbow extensors and shoulder flexors may be expected when selecting narrower grip widths, whereas wider grip widths may induce greater adaptations of the shoulder horizontal adductors.

Lithium batteries, which are also known as lithium secondary batteries, have a liquid or gelatinous polyelectrolyte, and generate a current by the migration of lithium ions. Lithium batteries include those provided with positive and negative electrodes formed of active polymers. Lithium batteries are used as power supplies for personal computers, portable remote terminals, such as pocket telephones and PDAs, video cameras, electric vehicles, industrial robots, artificial satellites and the like, and as energy storage batteries. The package of the lithium ion battery is a cylindrical or parallelepipedic metal can formed by pressing a metal sheet or a pouch formed by working a packaging laminated structure consisting of a base layer, and an aluminum layer and a sealant layer. Packages for lithium batteries have the following problems. The metal can has rigid walls and hence the shape of the battery is dependent on that of the metal can. Since the hardware is designed so as to conform to the shape of the battery, the dimensions of the hardware are dependent on the shape of the battery, which reduces the degree of freedom of designing the shape of the hardware. A package, such as a pouch made from a packaging laminated structure for holding a lithium ion battery module therein or an embossed package formed by pressing a packaging laminated structure, has been developed. Such a package does not place any limit to the degree of freedom of designing the shape of hardware. However, any packaging materials sufficiently satisfactory in physical properties and functions required by packages for lithium batteries have not been developed so far. High moistureproof capability or insulating property is a requisite property of packages. Moistureproof capability is particularly important. A packaging laminated structure for forming a package for a lithium ion battery has, as essential components, a base layer, a barrier layer, and a heat-sealable layer. It is confirmed that adhesion between the layers of the packaging laminated structure affects the requisite properties of a package for a lithium ion battery. If adhesion between the barrier layer and the heat-sealable layer is insufficient, external moisture penetrates a package formed from the packaging laminated structure and holding a lithium ion battery module therein package into the package, the electrolyte of the lithium ion battery module reacts with the moisture to produce hydrofluoric acid. The hydrofluoric acid thus produced corrodes the surface of an aluminum layer serving as the barrier layer to cause the delamination of the barrier layer and the heat-sealable layer. Various means for solving such a problem have been proposed. When sealing a lithium ion battery module in a package, gaps between the tabs of the lithium ion battery and the package must be securely sealed. However, any measures have been taken to prevent the separation of the package from the tabs due to the corrosion of the surfaces of the tabs. Accordingly, the surfaces of the tabs are corroded gradually in a long time, and the heat-sealable layers or the adhesive films of the package bonded to the tabs separate from the tabs and the sealed system of the lithium ion battery is destroyed.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced iron sequestration and oxidative stress in human endothelial cells. OBJECTIVE Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced endothelial injury, which is associated with atherosclerosis, is mediated by intracellular reactive oxygen species. Iron is essential for the amplification of oxidative stress. We tested whether TNF-alpha accelerated iron accumulation in vascular endothelium, favoring synthesis of hydroxyl radical. METHODS AND RESULTS Diverse iron transporters, including iron import proteins (transferrin receptor and divalent metal transporter 1 ) and an iron export protein (ferroportin 1 ) coexist in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). TNF-alpha caused upregulation of TfR and DMT1 and downregulation of FP1, which were demonstrated in mRNA as well as protein levels. These changes in iron transporters were accompanied by accumulation of iron that was both transferrin-dependent and transferrin-independent. Modifications of these mRNAs were regulated post-transcriptionally, and were coordinated with activation of binding activity of iron regulatory protein 1 to the iron responsive element on transporter mRNAs. Using a salicylate trap method, we observed that only simultaneous exposure of endothelial cells to iron and TNF-alpha accelerated hydroxyl radical production. CONCLUSIONS TNF-alpha could cause intracellular iron sequestration, which may participate importantly in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

By nature, he's a bird trainer. But he's no chicken. Ever since the horse he trains, Kentucky Bear, officially entered the Preakness, Reade Baker has had the same answer to the question he's asked most often: How are you going to beat Big Brown, who hasn't lost a race yet? "He hasn't raced against us yet," Baker deadpans. He repeated the line for a national audience at ESPN Zone late yesterday afternoon, moments after Kentucky Bear got post position 8 at the Preakness draw. As everybody found out later, Kentucky Bear is next to Big Brown at No. 7 on Saturday. Big Brown's opening odds were 1-2; none of the others is better than 8-1, with six of them at 30-1. Kentucky Bear is in the middle at 15-1. In other words, Big Brown is supposed to go past everybody, regardless of his trainer's big talk, as if he's standing still. Big whoop appears to be Baker's attitude. "We're going to go to the Preakness, we're going to have fun," he said, and added, without pause, "and we're going to win." The relaxed, jocular and borderline cocky attitude - while several furlongs short of the bluster Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow serves up regularly - is a natural fit for Baker, who turned 61 two weeks ago. He comes off as someone who won't lose a wink of sleep if Kentucky Bear fails, or even fails miserably. He does this because, he said, "I'm a sportsman. "If you're a sportsman, if you lose, you come back and try again another day," he said. "This isn't a game of finance, it isn't a game of X number of dollars. This is a game of sportsmen - that's what we're supposed to be." That's why Baker likes describing himself not as a horse trainer, but as "an animal trainer." And the other animals he trains are birds. Not to fight, let's be crystal clear about that. And not to eat. To show and to compete, chickens, roosters and ducks, in their version of Westminster. Baker has won numerous national championships in his native Canada over the decades. Sounds unusual, doesn't it, a guy buying and breeding and grooming Rhode Island reds and grey mallards running a thoroughbred in a Triple Crown race? "I'm an animal person," Baker said. "I love animals. Horses or birds, no difference." He has worked with both his entire life, ever since he was a child on his family farm near Toronto. He officially got into the horse business in 1965 and has performed every task imaginable, from being a groom to a practice rider to a trainer to an agent to a writer. Baker's complete immersion not just in handling horses but all animals under his care cultivated a desire to put their care first. Not that he would imply that his fellow trainers don't do the same. If he is at odds with anyone in the racing industry as it stands today, it's with ... well, with the entire industry. For example, he is fully aware that if Kentucky Bear pulls off the impossible Saturday, he's almost a sure thing to run the Belmont three weeks later, because that's what the owners will want. It just isn't necessarily what Baker thinks is right. A month between Triple Crown races makes more sense, he said. A horse can handle the breaks of two, then three, weeks, but don't necessarily expect him to win. The lineup for Saturday pretty much proves that, with only Big Brown and Gayego entered from the Kentucky Derby. Kentucky Bear, Baker figured, didn't need to make all three races. But common sense doesn't determine that, nor do true horse people - or animal people. Money has determined that. But Baker said, "I don't think you do this if you love money. If you love money, go to the bank." Yet he added later: "That's what our generation [of horsemen] have become. We've gone from a Paul Mellon to a Frank Stronach." Ouch. Talk about biting the hand that's going to feed you in just three days. Of course, he did describe the Magna CEO as "a man who will fire you in a heartbeat" just two days after news broke of Stronach's readying to give yet another head of the Maryland Jockey Club the boot. One can only hope that Big Brown's other competitors share more of Baker's outlook on Saturday's events. "Winning is winning," he said. "If we get out there on the track that day and we beat them, then that's great." If not, there's always another bird show. Listen to David Steele on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. on WNST (1570 AM).

The Republic of Korea's Small and Medium-Size Enterprises and Their Support Systems The authors evaluate the effectiveness of private and collective technical, marketing, and financial support systems for the Republic of Korea's small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. Their report draws on a survey of 122 SMEs that make woven textiles (42 firms), auto parts (20 firms), electronic parts (20 firms), and factory-automation products (40 firms). Although Korea has a dense network of public technology-support institutions, Korean SMEs tend to turn to private sources of technical support (especially from buyers, suppliers, and moonlighting engineers) more often than in public institutions. Even so, some collective support was used often and valued highly, especially in technologically dynamic sectors. For technical assistance to be timely and relevant, its delivery must increasingly be decentralized - to industry-specific institutes and to geographic clusters of SMEs in the same industry. Among various collective providers of technical support for Korean SMEs, at least one was used by more than half of the SMEs surveyed. Collective marketing support was used much less than private sources and was not considered very useful - except by firms in the initial stages of exporting or in the pioneer stage of a new export industry. Generally, networks of local agents and foreign traders developed as firms gained in export experience. Financial assistance is the most critical form of support for SMEs. The Korean government has made extensive use of parastatal finance institutions, target credit, and credit guarantee schemes. Government intervention in finance was so pervasive that the line between private and collective support blurred. Most SMEs sampled used at least one collective institution of financial support, and rated them very positively.

Re-evaluating Education As a Community Good A Way Forward for 21st Century Schooling The author's previous articles for FORUM, some co-authored with Dr Andrew Allen, propose a radical restructuring of English schooling to enable more effective engagement with the community and a reassessment of the purposes of schooling. What follow here are a few suggestions that individual schools and academy trusts might take up to bring about some innovations independently of legislative change.

Class-Wide Curricular Modification to Improve the Behavior of Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders We examined the effects of class-wide curricular modification on the engagement and challenging behaviors of students enrolled in a self-contained science class. Participants were six students between the ages of 13 and 14, all with labels of severe emotional disturbance in addition to a variety of other diagnoses. Class-wide curricular modifications consisted of providing opportunities for choice making and ensuring that activities were of high interest to students. Findings showed that the curricular modifications resulted in increased levels of engagement and decreased levels of problem behaviors. Results are discussed in the context of system-level behavior support within the school setting.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday signaled that it still intends to raise interest rates next month, despite increasing public pressure from President Donald Trump to keep rates low. According to newly released minutes from the most recent meeting of the Fed’s rate-setting committee, the central bank said it “would likely soon be appropriate” to hike rates again if economic data continue in line with expectations. The committee meets next on Sept. 25-26. The central bank stuck to its mantra that any decisions would take into account a range of data, including on inflation, the labor market, financial conditions and international developments. There was not even an implicit mention of Trump’s July 19 comments that he was “not thrilled” about the Fed’s rate hike campaign. The meeting took place July 31-Aug. 1. “I don’t like all of this work that we’re putting into the economy and then I see rates going up,” Trump told CNBC in July. He underscored that sentiment in an interview with Reuters on Monday, in which he said he would criticize the Fed if it continued to raise rates. The Fed zealously guards its ability to make monetary policy decisions free from short-term political pressures, a key feature of its structure. Chairman Jerome Powell, a Trump appointee, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the central bank’s independence. Trump can remove a member of the Fed board only “for cause,” which does not include policy disagreements. Still, continued public criticism from him could embolden the central bank’s critics in Congress — a result that could have more practical impact on the Fed. Yet Republicans are more likely to advocate that rates be higher, not lower. Most of the Fed’s business contacts “had not yet cut back their capital expenditures or hiring but might do so if trade tensions were not resolved soon,” the minutes state. Some officials expect wage growth to finally pick up “before long,” the minutes state, citing discussions with businesses that “now exhibited greater willingness to grant wage increases.” A pickup in wages could also increase inflation, bolstering the case for continued rate hikes by the Fed, unless it’s coupled with increased productivity. Keeping rates low is also risky for the financial system because it can encourage financial institutions to make riskier investments to turn a profit, since they earn less interest on loans. A few Fed officials argued that the central bank should require large banks to raise more capital while times are good to help ensure they have enough of a buffer to avoid failure in the event of a financial crisis. Powell also suggested that the committee discuss its methods for implementing monetary policy in the fall. Richard Clarida, Trump’s nominee for Fed vice chairman, would be an important voice in that conversation if he is confirmed by the Senate by then.

Experimental investigation of the leading parameters influencing the hydroplaning phenomenon Tire hydroplaning is a phenomenon that occurs when the tire is no longer able to evacuate water from the road due to excessive speed. A water layer will then be interposed between the tire and the road, reducing their contact surface and decreasing the tire's ability to transmit forces. The purpose of this work is to analyse this loss of contact surface through the experimental point of view with real scale tests, which are perfectly suitable to understand the mechanisms. These tests consist in observing and then measuring the contact area of the tire with the ground in hydroplaning conditions through a measurement window. An investigation of the main factors engaged in hydroplaning situation is performed and the key parameters involved are identified. For a given tire, these surface losses are measured as a function of speed under different experimental conditions (inflation pressure, water level, tire wear, etc.). These results are then partially extended to the study of three other tires.

A temperature-driven reversible phase transfer of 2-(diethylamino)ethanethiol-stabilized CdTe nanoparticles. Nanoparticles (NPs) play an important role in applications such as biological imaging, energy conversion, and environmental remediation due to their unique optical and electrical properties. The chemical synthesis of NPs is usually conducted in the presence of either hydrophilic stabilizers in aqueous solution or hydrophobic ligands in an organic solvent. However, the distinct solubility differences of NPs in media with different polarities limit their broader application. For instance, NPs capped with hydrophobic stabilizers can be dispersed and used in organic solvents but not in aqueous solutions, and vice versa. 6] Much effort has therefore been devoted to understanding and controlling the phase-transfer behavior of NPs. The successful strategies reported to date can be classified into two types: 1) changing the wettability characteristics of the stabilizers, and 2) changing the composition of the medium. Both these methods involve altering the hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of NPs by changing the nature of either the stabilizers or the medium to realize repetitive transfers between the immiscible phases. Herein we report a reversible phase transfer of 2-(diethylamino)ethanethiol (DEAET)-stabilized CdTe NPs in water/toluene which is driven solely by temperature. The mechanism of this phase transfer between the two immiscible phases is investigated in detail. The DEAET-stabilized CdTe NPs were prepared as reported in the literature. DEAET molecules (molecular formula: (CH3CH2)2NCH2CH2SH) bind to the surface of the NPs through their thiol group, which means that the hydrophilic amino group and two hydrophobic ethyl groups are exposed to the medium. Previous studies have shown that the amphiphilic nature of the ends exposed to the medium endows the NPs with a unique temperature-dependent dispersion behavior in water: they precipitate at 0 8C while they dissolve at higher temperatures (70 8C). These observations prompted us to study the phase-transfer behavior of DEAET-stabilized CdTe NPs in a two-phase system of immiscible liquids. As shown in Figures 1 A and 1D, the orange-emitting DEAET-stabilized CdTe NPs are present in the toluene phase at 0 8C. Upon increasing the temperature to 27 8C, however,

. OBJECTIVE To study the expression of PSMA7 and its effect on proliferation, invasion and migration of gastric cancer and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice. >and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice. METHODS Specimens of tumor tissues and paired adjacent tissues were collected from 60 patients with gastric cancer for detecting the expression levels of PSMA7 using immunohistochemical method. Gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 was transfected with a lentiviral vector to inhibit PSMA7 expression, and the changes in cell proliferation and invasion were observed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), clone formation assay and Transwell assay. A BALB/c mouse model bearing subcutaneous gastric cancer xenograft was established using SGC7901 cells with stable PSMA7 knockdown to assess the effect of low expression of PSMA7 on xenograft growth. RESULTS Gastric cancer tissues expressed significantly higher levels of PSMA7 than the paired adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). In SGC7901 cells, interference of PSMA7 expression significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and invasion (P < 0.05). In the tumor-bearing BALB/c mice, the xenografts derived from SGC7901 cells with PSMA7 expression interference showed significant growth suppression as compared with the control xenografts (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS PPSMA 7 is overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues, and PSMA7 knockdown inhibits the proliferation, invasion, migration and subcutaneous tumorigenesis of gastric cancer cells in nude mice.

Survival outcomes comparing radical nephroureterectomy versus endoscopic treatment in solitary kidney patients diagnosed with upper tract urothelial carcinoma. 477 Background: Solitary kidney patients who develop upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) present a significant management challenge. Radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) renders these patients anephric with a need for dialysis, which is associated with lower life expectancy and decreased quality of life. However, organ-sparing endoscopic treatment may result in undertreatment of the cancer process. We sought to compare survival outcomes between RNU and endoscopy in solitary kidney patients diagnosed with clinically localized UTUC. Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was linked to Medicare records to identify patients diagnosed with UTUC through 2017. This data was then linked to the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review and National Claims History databases to identify patients with a solitary kidney. Only patients with an established diagnosis of solitary kidney prior to developing clinically node-negative and non-metastatic disease (cN0M0) UTUC were included. Patients were stratified by treatment with RNU versus endoscopy. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to estimate survival between the two groups. Results: A total of 2108 solitary kidney patients with cN0M0 UTUC were identified, with a median age of 75.3 years at diagnosis . Median follow-up time was 2.8 years . High-grade disease was present in 1531 patients (72.6%), of whom 1344 underwent RNU and 195 underwent endoscopy. Between the two treatments, there was no difference in either cancer-specific survival ( P=0.18) or overall survival ( P=0.10). When combining high- and low-grade UTUC patients, 1839 underwent RNU and 269 underwent endoscopy. Again, no difference was observed in cancer-specific survival ( P=0.31) or overall survival ( P=0.17). Patients with high-grade disease demonstrated higher rates of cancer-specific and overall mortality than those with low-grade disease (both P<0.001). Conclusions: Solitary kidney patients diagnosed with clinically localized UTUC demonstrate no difference in survival outcomes when comparing RNU to endoscopic treatment. This potentially suggests that, when weighed against the option of endoscopic treatment, the benefits of RNU in these patients may not outweigh the risks of becoming anephric and therefore dependent on dialysis.

RUSKIN — The Lennard Lady Longhorns return to the friendly confines of their high school gym this Friday, Dec. 14, to face rival East Bay after a tough match with 8A District 9 leader Tampa Bay Tech Dec. 11 in Tampa. Last week ended on a high note, as the Longhorns used a dominant second quarter to beat Plant City 51 to 35 at home on Dec. 7. Lennard was sparked by its team captain Latevia Hall. Hall, #2, not only exhibited leadership on the hardwood but dominated the stats as well, hitting for 17 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and registering 3 steals and 2 assists. Lennard fell behind 11-10 in the first quarter to Plant City. The big Longhorn turnaround was in the second quarter when the girls outscored their Plant City visitors 17-4 to take a 27-15 halftime lead, which they never surrendered. The Longhorns won going away to move their record to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in district heading into this week’s games. Coach Jerome Mcwhorter said the Longhorns “turned the corner for their season” in this victory over Plant City. The coach felt like getting out of the early and unsuccessful, packed-in-the-paint zone and switching to a man-to-man defense enabled the Longhorns to take control of the game and get the much-needed win. In the Dec. 4 loss to Jefferson, 56-46, the Longhorns battled tooth and nail in a physical game. The Longhorns, according to Mcwhorter, made too many mistakes in the second half, allowing Jefferson open looks, which they cashed in on. Halei Murrell, #14, was the Longhorns top point producer with 19. Murrell, displaying versatility, also notched 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 23 steals. In the Strawberry Crest game the next night, the foes also presented a physical challenge. Lennard could not adjust to the opponent’s size, losing 57-41, despite another stellar night for Murrell who had 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals.

Electric bicycle laws Many countries have enacted electric vehicle laws to regulate the use of electric bicycles. Countries such as the United States and Canada have federal regulations governing the safety requirements and standards of manufacture. Other countries like the signatories of the European Union have agreed to wider-ranging legislation covering use and safety of their term EPAC (electric vehicles) However, laws and terminology are diverse. Some countries have national regulations but leave the legality of road use for states and provinces to decide. Municipal laws and restrictions add further complications. Systems of classification and nomenclature also vary. Jurisdictions may address "power-assisted bicycle" (Canada) or "power-assisted cycle" (United Kingdom) or "electric pedal-assisted cycles" (European Union) or simply "electric bicycles". Some classify pedelecs as distinct from other bikes using electric power. Thus, the same hardware may be subject to many different classifications and regulations. New South Wales In New South Wales, motor assisted pedal cycles with electric engines only does not need to be registered if the maximum engine output is less than 250 watts. Riders of cycles exempt from registration must follow the same rules as for cycles without motors, and vehicles requiring registration (mopeds) are treated as motorcycles. However, as of October 2014 all petrol powered cycles are banned. Victoria A bicycle, which is designed to be propelled by human power using pedals, may have an electric or petrol powered motor attached provided the motor's maximum power output does not exceed 200 watts. As of 18 September 2012, the Victorian road rules have changed to enable a pedelec to be used as a bicycle in Victoria. The change will allow more options of power assisted pedal cycles under bicycle laws. A pedelec is defined as meeting EU standard EN15194, has a motor of no more than 250w of continuous rated power and which is only to be activated by pedalling, when travelling at speeds of between 6 km/h and 25 km/h. Queensland In Queensland, the situation is similar to Victoria. There are two types of legal motorised bicycle. For the first type, the electric motor must not be capable of generating more than 270 watts of power. For the second type, known as a "pedalec", the vehicle must comply with the European Standard for Power Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194). The pedals on a motorised bicycle must be the primary source of power for the vehicle. If the motor is the primary source of power then the device cannot be classed as a motorised bicycle. For example, a device where the rider can twist a throttle and complete a journey using motor power only without using the pedals, would not be classed as a motorised bicycle. Motorised bicycles can be ridden on all roads and paths, except where bicycles are specifically excluded. Riders do not need to have a driver licence to ride a motorised bicycle. Canada Eight provinces of Canada allow electric power assisted bicycles. In all eight provinces, e-bikes are limited to 500 W output, and cannot travel faster than 32 km/h (20 mph) on motor power alone on level ground. In Alberta prior to July 1, 2009, the limits were 750 W and 35 km/h (22 mph), but presently match federal legislation. Age restrictions vary in Canada. All require an approved helmet. Regulations may or may not require an interlock to prevent use of power when the rider is not pedaling. Some versions (e.g., if capable of operating without pedaling) of e-bikes require drivers' licenses in some provinces and have age restrictions. Vehicle licenses and liability insurance are not required. Generally, they are considered vehicles (like motorcycles and pedal cycles), so are subject to the same rules of the road as regular bicycles. In some cases, regulatory requirements have been complicated by lobbying in respect of the Segway PT. Bicycles assisted by a gasoline motor or other fuel are regulated differently from e-bikes. These are classified as motorcycles, regardless of the power output of the motor and maximum attainable speed. Note that in Canada, the term "assist bicycle" is the technical term for an e-bike and "power-assisted bicycle" is used in the Canadian Federal Legislation, but is carefully defined to only apply to electric motor assist, and specifically excludes internal combustion engines (though this is not the case in the United States). Federal requirements Since 2000, Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR) have defined Power Assisted bicycles (PABs) as a separate category, and which require no license to operate. PABs are currently defined as a two- or three-wheeled bicycle equipped with handlebars and operable pedals, an attached electric motor of 500W or less, and a maximum speed capability of 32 km/h from the motor over level ground. Other requirements include a permanently affixed label from the manufacturer in a conspicuous location stating the vehicle is a power-assisted bicycle under the statutory requirements in force at the time of manufacture. All power-assisted bicycles must utilize an electric motor for assisted propulsion. A power-assisted bicycle may be imported and exported freely within Canada without the same restrictions placed on auto-mobiles or a moped. Under federal law, power-assisted bicycles may be restricted from operation on some roads, lanes, paths, or thoroughfares by the local municipality. Bicycle-style PABs are permitted on National Capital Commission's (NCC) Capital Pathway network, but scooter-style PABs are prohibited. All PABs (bicycle- and scooter-style) are permitted on dedicated NCC bike lanes. All PABs are prohibited in Gatineau Park's natural surface trails. Alberta Alberta identifies e-bikes as "power bicycles" and is consistent with the federal definition of "power-assisted bicycle" in MVSR CRC, c 1038 s 2. Motor output must not exceed 500 W (0.671 hp) and e-bikes cannot travel faster than 32 km/h (20 mph). Fully operable pedals are required. No driver's license, vehicle insurance, or vehicle registration is required. Operators must be 12 years of age or older. All operators are required to wear a motorcycle helmet meeting the standards set in AR 122/2009 s 112(2). A passenger is permitted only if the e-bike is equipped with a seat designated for that passenger. British Columbia An e-bike is identified as a "motor assisted cycle" (MAC) in British Columbia, which differs from electric mopeds and scooters, which are "limited-speed motorcycles." Motor assisted cycles must: have an electric motor of no more than 500 W; have fully operable pedals; not be capable of propelling the device at a speed greater than 32 km/hr [19.9 mph]. The engine must disengage when (a) the operator stops pedaling, (b) an accelerator controller is released, OR (c) a brake is applied. A driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance are all not required. Rider must be 16 years old or more, and a bike helmet must be worn. E-bikes in British Columbia must comply with all standards outlined in Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation, BC Reg 151/2002. Ontario Ontario is one of the last provinces in Canada to move toward legalizing power-assisted bicycles (PABs) for use on roads, even though they have been federally defined and legal in Canada since early 2001. In November 2005, "Bill 169" received royal assent allowing the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) to place any vehicle on road. On October 4, 2006, the Minister of Transportation for Ontario Donna Cansfield announced the Pilot Project allowing PABs which meet the federal standards definition for operation on road. PAB riders must follow the rules and regulations of a regular bicycles, wear an approved bicycle helmet and be at least 16 years or older. There are still a number of legal considerations for operating any bicycle in Ontario. On October 5, 2009, the Government of Ontario brought in laws regulating electric bikes in the province. E-bikes, which can reach a speed of 32 kilometres per hour, are allowed to share the road with cars, pedestrians and other traffic throughout the province. The new rules limit the maximum weight of an e-bike to 120 kilograms, require a maximum braking distance of nine metres and prohibit any modifications to the bike's motor that would create speeds greater than 32 kilometres per hour. Also, riders must be at least 16 years of age, wear approved bicycle or motorcycle helmets and follow the same traffic laws as bicyclists. Municipalities are also specifically permitted by the legislation to restrict where e-bikes may be used on their streets, bike lanes and trails, as well as restricting certain types of e-bike (e.g. banning "scooter-style" e-bikes from bicycle trails). E-bikes are not permitted on 400-series highways, expressways or other areas where bicycles are not allowed. Riding an e-bike under the age of 16 or riding an e-bike without an approved helmet are new offences in the legislation, carrying fines of between $60 and $500. E-bike riders are subject to the same penalties as other cyclists for all other traffic offences. Manitoba E-bikes are legal in Manitoba, so long as certain stipulations are met. The bike must not be designed to have more than three wheels touching the ground, the motor must stop providing motive power if the bike exceeds 32 km/h for any reason, the motor must be smaller than 500W, it has to have functioning pedals, if it's engaged by a throttle, the motor immediately stops providing the vehicle with motive power when the driver activates a brake, and if engaged by the driver applying muscle power to the pedals, the motor immediately stops providing the vehicle with motive power when the driver stops applying muscle power. The bike must also have either a mechanism to turn the electric motor on and off that can be operated by the driver, and if the vehicle has a throttle, is separate from the throttle, or a mechanism that prevents the motor from engaging until the vehicle is traveling at 3 km/h or more. You must also be at least 14 years of age to operate an E-bike. All other Manitoba laws regarding cycling also apply. New Brunswick To be allowed on the road it needs wheel rims larger than 9 inches, have a headlight for night, a seat at least 27 inches off the ground. New Brunswick's Policy on Electric Motor Driven Cycles and Electric Bicycles The Registrar will permit an electric motor driven cycle to be registered if it meets Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) as a Limited Speed Motorcycle, or Scooter as is done with gas powered motor driven cycles. If the vehicle was manufactured after 1988 it will bear a compliance label stating that it meets these standards. The operator will be subject to all the requirements placed on operators of motor driven cycles. If the vehicle is able to powered by human force and has a motor 500W or less, and the motor is not capable of assisting when the vehicle is traveling at a speed greater than 32 km/h then it can be considered a bicycle and all the requirements placed on bicyclists are applicable. It is important to note that if a vehicle has an electric motor greater than 500 watts and is capable of powering the vehicle when traveling at a speed greater than 32 km/h and it does not have a CMVSS compliance label it cannot be registered unless the owner can prove, by having the vehicle certified by an engineer, that it is safe for operation on NB highways. Also, not all vehicles are suitable for operation on NB highways and it could be that the vehicle in question may not be a motor driven cycle or a bicycle and cannot be operated on the highway at all. Power Assisted Bicycle Label: Manufacturers of e-bikes must permanently affix a label, in a conspicuous location, stating in both official languages that the vehicle is a power-assisted bicycle as defined in the regulations under the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Homemade e-bikes will not have this label. NOTE 1: The previous version of the policy had a section on it needing to "look like a bike" or a "bike style frame" but never defined what those were. That has been dropped and is no longer part of the new policy. NOTE 2: The top speed of the bike if propelled by human power is the posted speed limit, but the motor is only allowed to get you up to and keep you at 32 km/hr. If the posted limit is under 32 then the posted limit is the limit allowed. NOTE 3: There is no maximum weight limit. NOTE 4: Ebikes are allowed to use cargo trailers/kid trailers. NOTE 5: There is no minimum age set. NOTE 6: DUI – If you have a DUI conviction the restrictions of the DUI override the ebike policy definition of an ebike as a bicycle and put it into the motor vehicle category. Nova Scotia In Nova Scotia power-assisted bicycles are classified similarly to standard pedal bicycles. The Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act defines a power-assisted bicycle as a bicycle with an electric motor of 500 watts or less, with two wheels (one of which is at least 350 mm) or four wheels (two of which are at least 350mm). PABs are permitted on the road in the province of Nova Scotia as long as you wear an approved bicycle helmet with the chinstrap engaged. They do not have to meet the conditions defined within the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations for a motorcycle (they are not classed as "motor vehicles"), but they do have to comply with federal regulations that define Power Assisted Bicycles. Prince Edward Island Are treated as Mopeds and will need to pass inspection as a moped. Quebec In Quebec power-assisted bicycles are often classified similarly to standard pedal bicycles. They do not have to meet the conditions defined within the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (they are not classed as "motor vehicles"), but they do have to comply with federal regulations that define Power Assisted Bicycles. The Quebec Highway Safety Code defines a power-assisted bicycle as a bicycle(2 or 3 wheels that touch the ground) with an electric motor with a maximum power of 500W and a top speed of 32 km/h bearing a specific compliance label permanently attached by the manufacturer. PABs are permitted on the road in the province of Quebec, but riders have to be 14 and over to ride the electric bicycle and if they're under the age of 18, must have a moped or scooter license. Saskatchewan Power assisted bicycles are classified in two categories in Saskatchewan. An electric assist bicycle is a 2 or 3-wheeled bicycle that uses pedals and a motor at the same time only. A power cycle uses either pedals and motor or motor only. Both must have engines with 500 watt power or less, and must not be able exceed 32 km/h (20 mph), i.e., electric motor cuts out at this speed or cycle is unable to go this fast on a level surface. The power cycle has to meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) for a power-assisted bicycle. The power cycle requires at least a learner's driving licence (class 7), and all of the other classes 1–5 may operate these also. The electric assist bicycle does not require a licence. Helmets are required for each. Both are treated as bicycles regarding rules of the road. Gas powered or assisted bicycles are classified as motorcycles regardless of engine size or if using pedals plus motor. Stickers identifying the bicycle's compliance with the Federal classification may be required for power cycles by some cities or municipalities. Mainland In China, e-bikes currently come under the same classification as bicycles and hence don't require a driver's license to operate. Previously it was required that users registered their bike in order to be recovered if stolen, although this has recently been abolished. Due to a recent rise in electric-bicycle-related accidents, caused mostly by inexperienced riders who ride on the wrong side of the road, run red lights, don't use headlights at night etc., the Chinese government plans to change the legal status of illegal bicycles so that vehicles with an unladen weight of 20 kg (44 lb) or more and a top speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) or more will require a motorcycle license to operate, while vehicles lighter than 20 kg (44 lb) and slower than 30 km/h can be ridden unlicensed. In the southern Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Dongguan and Shenzhen, e-bikes, like all motorcycles, are banned from certain downtown districts. There are also bans in place in small areas of Shanghai, Hangzhou and Beijing. Bans of "Scooter-Style Electric Bikes" (SSEB) were however cancelled and in Shenzhen e-bikes may be seen on the streets nowadays (2010–11). Electric powered bicycles slower than 20 km/h without pedaling are legally recognized as a non-mechanically operated vehicle in China. According to "TECHNOLOGY WATCH", this should help promote its widespread use. Electric bicycles were banned in some areas of Beijing from August 2002 to January 2006 due to concerns over environmental, safety and city image issues. Beijing has re-allowed use of approved electric bicycles as of January 4, 2006. Some cities in China still ban electric bikes. Hong Kong Hong Kong has independent traffic laws from mainland China. Electric bikes are considered motorcycles in Hong Kong, and therefore need type approval from the Transport Department, just as automobiles. All electric bikes available in Hong Kong fail to meet the type approval requirement, and the Transport Department has never granted any type approval for an electric bike, making all electric bikes effectively illegal in Hong Kong. Even if they got type approval, the driver would need a motorcycle driving license to ride. As a side note, Hong Kong doesn't have a moped vehicle class (and therefore no moped driving license), and mopeds are considered motorcycles too. Electric bicycles are not allowed in any public area, meaning an area where there is full or partial public access. Any kind of pedal assist, electric bike, scooter, moped or vehicle which has any form of propulsion, whether in full or as assist, other than human power, must be approved as either a car, motorcycle, van, truck, bus or similar. This makes pedelecs and tilt-controlled two-wheel personal vehicles illegal in all practical ways, as they cannot be registered as a motor cycle. European Union definition European Union directive 2002/24/EC exempts vehicles with the following definition from type approval: "Cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kW, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25km/h (15.5mph) or if the cyclist stops pedaling." This is the de facto definition of an electrically assisted pedal cycle in the EU. As with all EU directives, individual member countries of the EU are left to implement the requirements in national legislation. On 1 January 2016 directive 2002/24/EC was repealed by regulation 168/2013, but the definition remains substantively the same. European product safety standard EN 15194 was published in 2009. The aim of EN 15194 is "to provide a standard for the assessment of electrically powered cycles of a type which are excluded from type approval by Directive 2002/24/EC". Belgium Technical laws passed on 09/09/2016 and 17/11/2017 allow for three types of ebikes: 250 W 25 km/h limited "e-bikes" for all ages without a helmet. 1000 W 25 km/h limited "motorized-bikes", over 16 years, with conformity certificate, without helmet. 4000 W 45 km/h limited "speed pedelecs", which are classed as mopeds for all requirements. Denmark Parliament has decided to approve the speed pedelec – a type of super electric bike that can reach speeds of up to 45 km/h – for riding on cycle paths. Danish Parliament has decided that as of 1 July 2018 those operating the super bikes only need to have turned 15 and wear a helmet, while the licence and number-plate demands will no longer be in play. Finland A bicycle can have a 250 W electric motor providing the top speed is limited to 25 km/h. Also the motor can only assist, rather than replace pedalling. 250-1000 W electric motors can be used, with proper insurance. Norway In Norway, e-bikes are classified as ordinary bicycles, according to the Vehicle Regulation (kjøretøyforskriften) § 4-1, 5g. Hence, e-bikes are not registered in the Vehicle Registry, and there is no demand for a license to drive them. Still, there are constraints on the bicycle construction. The maximum nominal motor power output can be no more than 250 watts and the maximum performance speed of the vehicle when the engine is running is 20 km/h (15 mph). A function that reduces motor power when vehicle speed exceeds 25 km/h is mandatory. However, if the motor is not running, the e-bike, or any other bike, answer only to the constraints of the ordinary speed limits. Being member of European Economic Area (EEA), Norway implemented the European Union directive 2002/24/EC. This directive defined legal ebikes for all EU and EEA countries to cycle "with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kW, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h or if the cyclist stops pedaling." The definition became part of Norwegian vehicle legislation in 2003. A more detailed specification will become effective when the new European ebike product safety standard EN 15194 is published in 2009. Sweden In Sweden, e-bikes are classified as ordinary bicycles as long as the maximum nominal motor power output isn't more than 250 watts and the maximum performance speed of the vehicle when the engine is running is 25 km/h according to the Swedish Vehicle Regulation (Trafikverket). Switzerland Switzerland (not in EU) has led the way on speed e-bikes in Europe, liberalizing standards and allowing for an easier process of obtaining a license to use 45 km/h ebikes as an alternative to the common 25 km/h pedelecs found in the EU and the rest of the world. Turkey The engine assistance of electric bike automatically cuts off at 25 km/h and enables safe driving. United Kingdom Northern Ireland, under devolved power, remains under the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983. Harmonisation with European Union directive 2002/24/EC has not yet been achieved by the Northern Ireland Assembly. But in Great Britain, the European Union definition is applicable, and the tighter restrictions of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 (including a 40 kg weight limit on solo bicycles) were removed on 6 April 2015 by the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Riders must be at least 14 years of age, but no driving licence is required. India Indian law requires that all electric vehicles have ARAI approval. Vehicles with below 250W and speed less than 30 km/h, do not require certification- hence not following full testing process, but needs to get exemption report from ARAI. Whereas more powerful vehicles need to go through a full testing process following CMVR rules. This can take time and cost money but assures safe and reliable design for Electric Vehicles. These regulations are not promulgated by the Regional Transport offices, and riders are not required to obtain a licence to drive, to carry insurance, or to wear a helmet. New Zealand In New Zealand, the regulations read: "AB (Power-assisted pedal cycle) A pedal cycle to which is attached one or more auxiliary propulsion motors having a combined maximum power output not exceeding 300 watts." This is explained by NZTA as "A power-assisted cycle is a cycle that has a motor of up to 300 watts. The law treats these as ordinary cycles rather than motorcycles. This means that it is not necessary to register or license them. Note that the phrase "maximum power output" that is found in the regulation (but omitted in the explanation) may create confusion because some e-bike motor manufacturers advertise and print on the motor their "maximum input power" because that number is larger (typically motors run at about 80% efficiency ) thus give the impression the buyer is getting a more powerful motor. This can cause misunderstandings with law enforcement officers who do not necessarily understand the difference, and when stopping a rider on an e-bike in a traffic stop, look at the number on the motor to determine if the e-bike is legal or not. Vehicles with an electric power and power of less than 300W are classified as "not a motor vehicle". Such electric bicycles must comply with the same rules as bicycles. You must wear a helmet even on a scooter or bike under 300W. If the power is over 300W or a combustion engine is used it is a "low powered vehicle" and the moped rules apply. Specifically, a drivers license and registration are required. Philippines In the Philippines, the Land Transportation Office issued Memorandum Circular 721-2006 stating that registration is not needed for electric bicycles (i.e. electric motor assisted bicycles with working pedals), and even extended the exemption to "bicycle-like" vehicles. Russian Federation According to Russian law, bicycles can have electric motor with nominal output power 250 watts or less which automatically turns itself off on speeds above 25 km/h. No driver's license required. Federal laws and regulations on sales The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Act states that electric bicycles and tricycles meeting the definition of low-speed electric bicycles will be considered consumer products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has regulatory authority to assure, through guidelines and standards, that the public will be protected from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of electric bicycles. Defined The federal Consumer Product Safety Act defines a "low speed electric bicycle" as a two or three wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals, a top speed when powered solely by the motor under 20 mph (32 km/h) and an electric motor that produces less than 750 W (1.01 hp). The Act authorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect people who ride low-speed electric vehicles by issuing necessary safety regulations. The rules for e-bikes on public roads, sidewalks, and pathways are under state jurisdiction, and vary. In conformance with legislation adopted by the U.S. Congress defining this category of electric-power bicycle (15 U.S.C. 2085(b)), CPSC rules stipulate that low speed electric bicycles (to include two- and three-wheel vehicles) are exempt from classification as motor vehicles providing they have fully operable pedals, an electric motor of less than 750W (1 hp), and a top motor-powered speed of less than 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) when operated by a rider weighing 170 pounds. An electric bike remaining within these specifications is subject to the CPSC consumer product regulations for a bicycle. Commercially manufactured e-bikes exceeding these power and speed limits are regulated by the federal DOT and NHTSA as motor vehicles, and must meet additional safety requirements. The legislation enacting this amendment to the CPSC is also known as HR 727. The text of HR 727 includes the statement: "This section shall supersede any State law or requirement with respect to low-speed electric bicycles to the extent that such State law or requirement is more stringent than the Federal law or requirements." (Note that this refers to consumer product regulations enacted under the Consumer Product Safety Act. Preemption of more stringent state consumer product regulations does not limit State authority to regulate the use of electric bicycles, or bicycles in general, under state vehicle codes.) State requirements for use While Federal law governs consumer product regulations for "low speed electric bicycles", as with motor vehicles and bicycles, regulation of how these products are used on public streets is subject to state vehicle codes. There is significant variation from state to state, as summarized below. Alabama Every bicycle with a motor attached is defined as a motor-driven cycle. The operation of a motor-driven cycle requires a class M driver license. Restricted class M driver licenses are available for those as young as 14 years of age. Arizona Under Arizona law, motorized electric bicycles and tricycles meeting the definition under the applicable statute are not subject to title, licensing, insurance, or registration requirements, and may be used upon any roadway authorized for use by conventional bicycles, including use in bike lanes integrated with motor vehicle roadways. Unless specifically prohibited, electric bicycles may be operated on multi-use trails designated for hiking, biking, equestrian, or other non-motorized usage, and upon paths designated for the exclusive use of bicycles. No operator's license is required, but anyone operating a bicycle on Arizona roads must carry proof of identity. A "motorized electric bicycle or tricycle" is legally defined as a bicycle or tricycle that is equipped with a helper motor that may be self-propelled, which is operated at speeds of less than twenty miles per hour. Electric bicycles operated at speeds of twenty miles an hour or more, but less than twenty-five miles per hour may be registered for legal use on the roadways as mopeds, and above twenty-five miles per hour as a registered moped with an 'M' endorsement on the operator's driving license. However, mopeds in Arizona are prohibited from using bike lanes on motor vehicle roadways. The Arizona statute governing motorized electric bicycles does not prohibit local jurisdictions from adopting an ordinance that further regulates or prohibits the operation of motorized electric bicycles or tricycles. Arkansas Arkansas does not define E-bikes. The following definition describes a combustion engine. E-bikes being electric do not have a cylinder capacity and thus this law is not technically applicable. The state defines a "Motorized bicycle" as "a bicycle with an automatic transmission and a motor of less than 50cc." Riders require either a certificate to operate a motorized bicycle, a motorcycle license, a motor-driven cycle license, or a license of class A, B, C or D. Certificates cannot be issued to riders under 10 years of age. California Electric Bicycles are defined by the California Vehicle Code. New legislation became effective January 2016. The current regulations define an "electric bicycle", a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, separated into three classes: A "class 1 electric bicycle," or "low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. (2) A "class 2 electric bicycle," or "low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. A "class 3 electric bicycle," or "speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and equipped with a speedometer. Local government ordinances are allowed to permit or ban any class of electric bicycles on dedicated bicycle paths and trails, with Class 1 & 2 permitted, and Class 3 banned, by default. Beginning January 1, 2017, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles will be required to apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle, indicating its class. Should a user "tamper with or modify" an electric bicycle, changing the speed capability, they must replace the label indicating the classification. Driver's licenses, registration, insurance and license plate requirements do not apply. An electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle. Drinking and driving laws apply. Additional laws or ordinances may apply to the use of electric bicycles by each city or county. Colorado Ebike definition in Colorado follows the HR 727 National Law: 20 mph (30 km/h) e-power and 750 W (1 hp) max, 2 or 3 wheels, pedals that work. Legal low-powered ebikes are allowed on roads and bike lanes, and prohibited from using their motors on bike and pedestrian paths, unless overridden by local ordinance. The city of Boulder is the first to have done so, banning ebikes over 400W from bike lanes. Bicycles and Ebikes are disallowed on certain high speed highways and all Interstates unless signed as "Allowed" in certain rural Interstate stretches where the Interstate is the ONLY means of travel. Connecticut Section 14-1 of Connecticut state law classifies electric bicycles as "motor-driven cycles" if they have a seat height of not less than 26 inches and a motor which produces brake horsepower of 2 or less. Motor-driven cycles may be operated on the roadway without registration, but the operator must have a driver's license. The cycle may not be operated on any sidewalk, limited access highway or turnpike. If the maximum speed of the cycle is less than the speed limit of the road, the cycle must operate in the right hand lane available for traffic or upon a usable shoulder on the right side of the road unless the operator is making a left turn. District of Columbia Electric-assist and other "motorized bicycles" do not need to be inspected, do not require a license, and do not require registration. The vehicle must meet all of the following criteria: a post mounted seat for each person it is designed to carry, two or three wheels which contact the ground, fully operative pedals, wheels at least 16 inches in diameter and a motor not capable of propelling the device at more than 20 mph on level ground. The driver does not need a license, but must be at least 16 years old. DC law prohibits motorized bicycles from traveling anywhere on the sidewalk or in the bike lanes. DC Regulation 18-1201.18 provides: "Except as otherwise permitted for a motor vehicle, no person shall operate a motorized bicycle on any sidewalk or any off-street bikepath or bicycle route within the District. This prohibition shall apply even though the motorized bicycle is being operated solely by human power." So, if cars are prohibited in a particular place, motor-assisted bikes are also prohibited. Florida Florida DMV Procedure RS-61 II. "(B.) Dirt bikes noted for off road use, motorized bicycles and Go-Peds are not registered." Electric Helper-Motor Bicycles If you are at least 16 years old, a person may ride a bicycle that is propelled by a combination of human power (pedals) and an electric helper-motor that cannot go faster than 20 mph on level ground without a driver license. Motorized Bicycles and Motorized Scooters Under Title 23, Chapter 316 of the code, bicycles and motorized bicycles are defined as follows: Bicycle—Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or similar device. No person under the age of 16 may operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle. Motorized Scooter—Any vehicle not having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, designed to travel on not more than three wheels, and not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on level ground. In addition to the statutory language, there are several judicial rulings on the subject. Georgia Georgia Code 40-1-1 Part 15.5 (15.5) "Electric assisted bicycle" means a device with two or three wheels which has a saddle and fully operative pedals for human propulsion and also has an electric motor. For such a device to be considered an electric assisted bicycle, it shall meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Section 571, et seq., and shall operate in such a manner that the electric motor disengages or ceases to function when the brakes are applied. The electric motor in an electric assisted bicycle shall: (A) Have a power output of not more than 1,000 watts; (B) Be incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on level ground; and (C) Be incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the device at or more than 20 miles per hour. Hawaii A Federal agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has exclusive jurisdiction over electric bicycles as to consumer product regulations, but this does not change state regulation of the use of electric bicycles on streets and highways. "Bicycle" means every vehicle "propelled solely by human power" upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any vehicle generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels except a toy bicycle. Now (by update on September 20, 2019), the DOT of HI STATE has announced the normalization of electric bicycles on city roads (registration fee of $30) under HB.812 (- any 2-3 wheel electric bikes with a DC motor below or up to 750W is qualified to be a bicycle; minimal age to ride an e-bike is 15). HB.812 was passed in both House and Senate floors in March 2019, and it was signed to be effect by Governor David Ige in July 2019. "Moped" means a device upon which a person may ride which is DOT Approved. Under the statute, mopeds must be registered. To be registered under Hawaii law a moped must bear a certification label from the manufacturer stating that it complies with federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). A moped must also possess the following equipment approved by the D.O.T. under Chapter 91: approved braking, fuel, and exhaust system components; approved steering system and handlebars; wheel rims; fenders; a guard or protective covering for drive belts, chains and rotating components; seat or saddle; lamps and reflectors; equipment controls; speedometer; retracting support stand; horn; and identification markings. Indiana An ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles. Iowa In 2006 a bill was passed that changed the definition of a bicycle to include a bicycle that has an electric motor of less than 1 hp (750 watts). The new definition, found in Iowa Code section 321.1(40)c states: "Bicycle" means either of the following: (1) A device having two wheels and having at least one saddle or seat for the use of a rider which is propelled by human power. (2) A device having two or three wheels with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden, is less than 20 miles per hour. Kentucky Electric bicycle fits under the definition of "moped" under Kentucky law. You don't need tag or insurance, but you need a driver's license. "Moped" means either a motorized bicycle whose frame design may include one (1) or more horizontal crossbars supporting a fuel tank so long as it also has pedals, or a motorized bicycle with a step-through type frame which may or may not have pedals rated no more than two (2) brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty (50) cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged, and capable of a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour Helmets are required. Louisiana Louisiana Revised Statute R.S. 32:1(41) defines a motorized bicycle as a pedal bicycle which may be propelled by human power or helper motor, or by both, with a motor rated no more than one and one-half brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission, and which produces a maximum design speed of no more than twenty-five miles per hour on a flat surface. Motorized bicycles falling within this definition must be registered and titled under Louisiana law. Additionally, a motorized bicycle operated upon Louisiana roadways or highways by a person fifteen years of age or older and producing more than five horsepower must possess a valid driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement and adhere to laws governing the operation of a motorcycle, including the wearing of approved eye protectors or a windshield and the wearing of a helmet. The statute also states that "Motorized bicycles such as pocket bikes and scooters that do not meet the requirements of this policy shall not be registered." As R.S. 32:1(41) refers to motorized bicycles using "an automatic transmission" with helper motors rated in horsepower and cylinder capacity, not by watts or volts, the statute arguably does not cover bicycles powered by an electric motor(s), whether self-propelled or pedal-assist designs. Maryland Maryland defines an "electric bicycle" as a vehicle that (1) is designed to be operated by human power with the assistance of an electric motor, (2) is equipped with fully operable pedals, (3) has two or three wheels, (4) has a motor with a rating of 500 watts or less, (5) and is capable of a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour on a level surface when powered by the motor. (Senate Bill 379, approved by the Governor 5/5/2014, Chapter 294.) This legislation excludes "electric bicycle" from the definition of "moped", "motorized minibike", and "motor vehicle", and removes the titling and insurance requirements required for electric bicycles under prior Maryland law. Before September 20, 2014, Maryland law had classified an electric bicycle as a moped. Mopeds are specifically excluded from the definition of "motor vehicle" per § 11-135 of the Maryland Transportation Code. Mopeds may not be operated sidewalks, trails, roadways with posted speeds in excess of 50 mph, or limited-access highways. Standard requirements for bicycle lighting, acceptable bicycle parking locations, and prohibitions on wearing earplugs or headsets over both ears apply. Recent legislation has passed putting Maryland ebike laws in line with the popular class 1,2,3 systems previously implemented in states such as California. This legislation becomes effective October 2019. The most significant portion of this change is the increased max limit on power and speed. It will be increased from a max of 500w / 20 mph to 750w / 28 mph (assuming the ebike in question meets class 3 criteria) Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws define three classes of motorized two-wheeled vehicles: Motorcycle, Motorized bicycle, and Motorized scooter. Although the definition of motorized scooter includes two-wheeled vehicles propelled by electric motors with or without human power, motorized scooter specifically excludes anything which falls under the definitions of motorized bicycle and motorcycle. Motorized bicycle is a pedal bicycle which has a helper motor, or a non-pedal bicycle which has a motor, with a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission, and which is capable of a maximum speed of no more than thirty miles per hour. Motorcycle includes any bicycle with a motor or driving wheel attached, with the exception of vehicles that fall under the specific definition of motorized bicycle. Thus, a pedal bicycle with an electric motor or a non-pedal bicycle with an electric motor, automatic transmission, and maximum speed of 30 miles an hour would fall under the definition of motorized bicycle. An electric bicycle that did not meet those restrictions would be either a motorized scooter or motorcycle, depending on specific characteristics. A motorized bicycle shall not be operated by any person under sixteen years of age, nor at a speed in excess of twenty-five miles per hour, upon any public highway, private way laid out under authority of statute, way dedicated to public use, or way under the control of park commissioners or body having like powers, within the commonwealth. A motorized bicycle shall not be operated on any way by any person not possessing a valid driver's license or learner's permit. Every person operating a motorized bicycle upon a way shall have the right to use all public ways in the commonwealth except limited access or express state highways where signs specifically prohibiting bicycles have been posted, and shall be subject to the traffic laws and regulations of the commonwealth and the regulations contained in this section, except that the motorized bicycle operator may keep to the right when passing a motor vehicle which is moving in the travel lane of the way, and the motorized bicycle operator shall signal by either hand his intention to stop or turn. Motorized bicycles may be operated on bicycle lanes adjacent to the various ways, but shall be excluded from off-street recreational bicycle paths. Every person operating a motorized bicycle or riding as a passenger on a motorized bicycle shall wear protective headgear conforming with such minimum standards of construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe, and no person operating a motorized bicycle shall permit any other person to ride a passenger on such motorized bicycle unless such passenger is wearing such protective headgear. A response to an inquiry made to the Mass DOT/RMV indicates that Massachusetts does recognize the federal low speed electric bicycle Federal Law (15 U.S.C. § 2085) and interprets that to mean these ebikes do not require license or registration. However, some of the materials available on the RMV website do not distinguish between "Motorized Bicycle" and low power ebikes. One form, Bicycle Conversion to Motorized Bike, does document the exemption of low power ebikes. Michigan (Updated May 29, 2015) If you are a moped operator, you must follow the same traffic rules as other motor vehicle operators. A moped is defined by law as a motor vehicle with two or three wheels that: •Has an engine that does not exceed 100 cc piston displacement •Does not have a gearshift •Has a top speed of 30 mph or less on a level surface Vehicles exceeding any of the criteria above must be registered and titled as a motorcycle. Other types of vehicles, such as electric scooters, "pocket rockets" and mini-choppers, may fit the definition of a moped or a motorcycle, but cannot be registered by the Department of State if they lack the equipment required by law to legally drive on public roads. Minnesota Electric-assisted bicycles, also referred to as "e-bikes," are a subset of bicycles that are equipped with a small attached motor. To be classified as an "electric-assisted bicycle" in Minnesota, the bicycle must have a saddle and operable pedals, two or three wheels, and an electric motor of up to 1,000 watts, as well as meet certain federal motor vehicle safety standards. The motor must disengage during braking and have a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour (whether assisted by human power or not). Minn. Stat. §169.011, subd. 27. Legislative changes in 2012 significantly altered the classification and regulatory structure for e-bikes. The general effect was to establish electric-assisted bicycles as a subset of bicycles and regulate e-bikes in roughly the same manner as bicycles instead of other motorized devices with two (or three) wheels. Laws 2012, ch. 287, art. 3, §§ 15-17, 21, 23-26, 30, 32-33, and 41. The 2012 Legislature also modified and clarified regulation of e-bikes on bike paths and trails. Laws 2012, ch. 287, art. 4, §§ 1-4, 20. Following the 2012 change, electric-assisted bicycles are regulated similarly to other bicycles. Most of the same laws apply. Minn. Stat. § §169.011, subd. 27; 169.222. The bicycle does not need to be registered, and a title is no longer necessary. Minn. Stat. §§ 168.012, subd. 2d;168A.03, subd. 1 clause(11) A license plate is no longer required to be displayed on the rear. See Minn. Stat. § 169.79, subd. 3. It is not subject to motor vehicle sales tax (the general sales tax would instead be owed on e-bike purchases). A driver's license or permit is not required. Unlike a non-powered bicycle, the minimum operator age is 15 years old. Minn. Stat. § 169.222, subd. 6a. The device does not need to be insured. See Minn. Stat. § 65B.43, subds. 2, 13. Electric-assisted bicycle operators must follow the same traffic laws as operators of motor vehicles (except those that by their nature would not be relevant). The bicycles may be operated two abreast. Operators must generally ride as close as is practical to the right-hand side of the road (exceptions include when overtaking another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, and to avoid unsafe conditions). The bicycle must be ridden within a single lane. Travel on the shoulder of a road must be in the same direction as the direction of adjacent traffic. Some prohibitions also apply, such as on: carrying cargo that prevents keeping at least one hand on the handlebars or prevents proper use of brakes, riding no more than two abreast on a roadway or shoulder, and attaching the bicycle to another vehicle. Minn. Stat. § 169.222, subds. 3-5. The vehicles may be operated on a sidewalk except in a business district or when prohibited by a local unit of government, and must yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk. Minn. Stat. § 169.223, subd. 3. By default, electric-assisted bicycles are allowed on road shoulders as well as on bicycle trails, bicycle paths, and bicycle lanes. A local unit of government having jurisdiction over a road or bikeway (including the Department of Natural Resources in the case of state bike trails) is authorized to restrict e-bike use if: the use is not consistent with the safety or general welfare of others; or the restriction is necessary to meet the terms of any legal agreements concerning the land on which a bikeway has been established. Electric-assisted bicycles can be parked on a sidewalk unless restricted by local government (although they cannot impede normal movement of pedestrians) and can be parked on streets where parking of other motor vehicles is allowed. Minn. Stat. § 169.222, subd. 9. During nighttime operation, the bicycle must be equipped with a front headlamp, a rear-facing red reflector, and reflectors on the front and rear of pedals, and the bicycle or rider must have reflective surfaces on each side. Minn. Stat. §169.222, subd. 6. An electric-assisted bicycle can be equipped with a front-facing headlamp that emits a flashing white light, a rear-facing lamp that has a flashing red light, or both. The bicycle can carry studded tires designed for traction (such as in snowy or icy conditions). Helmets are no longer required for e-bike use. Mississippi In Opinion No. 2007-00602 of the Attorney General, Jim Hood clarified that a "bicycle with a motor attached" does not satisfy the definition of "motor vehicle" under Section 63-3-103. He stated that it is up to the authority creating the bike lane to determine if a bicycle with a motor attached can be ridden in bike lanes. No specifications about the motor were made. In Opinion No. 2011-00095 of the Attorney General, Jim Hood stated that an operator's license, helmet, safety insurance, title, registration, and safety inspection are all not required of bicycles with a motor attached. Missouri Electric bicycles appear to be considered as "motorized bicycles" under Missouri law. (307.180 RSMo). The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has this policy for electric bicycle use on the Katy Trail, the state's longest trail partially funded with federal funds: All motorized equipment is prohibited except official and emergency vehicles. Electrically assisted pedal-powered bicycles and tricycles (maximum speed of 20 mph) as well as electrically powered-mobility devices for persons with disabilities such as motorized wheelchairs and scooters are allowed. Montana The law uses a three-part definition where the first two parts describe a human-powered bicycle and one with an independent power source respectively, while the third describes a "moped" with both a motor and pedal assist. (Montana Code 61-8-102). As of April 21, 2015, mopeds were reclassified to be treated as bicycles in Montana, not requiring a driver's license. 61-8-102.(2)(b) "Bicycle" means: (i) a vehicle propelled solely by human power on which any person may ride, irrespective of the number of wheels, except scooters, wheelchairs, and similar devices; or (ii) a vehicle on which a person may ride that has two tandem wheels and an electric motor capable of propelling the vehicle and a rider who weighs 170 pounds no faster than 20 miles an hour on a paved, level surface. 61-8-102.(2)(n) "Moped" means: a vehicle equipped with two or three wheels, foot pedals to permit muscular propulsion, and an independent power source providing a maximum of 2 brake horsepower. The power source may not be capable of propelling the device, unassisted, at a speed exceeding 30 miles an hour on a level surface. The device must be equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only and does not require clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged. The definition as written does not define the power of the motor in Watts as is conventionally done for electric bicycles, but rather in brake horsepower. Thus for an electric bicycle, motor kit, or electric bicycle motor that is not rated by the manufacture in brake horsepower, but rather in Watts, a conversion must be made in the units a conversion which is not given in the code of the law and thus the court will have to consider a factor of conversion that is not directly encoded in the law. Industry standard conversion for Watts to horsepower for electric motors is 1 horsepower = 746 watts. Acceptance of that conversion factor from industry, however, as interpretation of the law is subject to the process of the courts since it is not defined specifically in the law. In addition the specific wording of the law may or may not prohibit the use of a "mid-drive" or "crank-drive" motor set-up where the motor drives the rear wheel of the bicycle through the existing chain drive of a bicycle that has multiple gears depending on several points of interpretation of the law. Specifically the interpretation of the wording, "does not require clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged". A "mid-drive" or "crank-drive" motor set-up on an electric bicycle does indeed allow the operator to change gears in the power drive system between the motor and the rear wheel of the bicycle. Whether or not such a mechanism which allows the operator to change gears satisfies the wording that requires the operator to change gears is a matter of legal interpretation by the courts. Just as "shall issue" and "may issue" (as in laws governing the issuing licenses) in application of the law have two different meanings (in the first case if you meet the requirements they have to give you the license and in the second they don't have to if they decide not to even if you meet the requirements for the license) whether or not "does not require shifting" outlaws electric bicycles where shifting is possible but is not necessarily required is a matter of interpretation. Thus the legality of electric bicycles equipped with a "mid-drive" or "crank-drive" motor set-up in the U.S. state of Montana is not clearly defined. Nebraska Nebraska defines a Moped as "a bicycle with fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, an automatic transmission, and a motor with a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters which produces no more than two brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the bicycle at a maximum design speed of no more than thirty miles per hour on level ground." However, under a bill passed February 20, 2015 electric bicycles are explicitly defined. Bicycle shall mean (1) every device propelled solely by human power, upon which any person may ride, and having two tandem wheels either of which is more than fourteen inches in diameter or (2) a device with two or three wheels, fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, and an electric motor with a capacity not exceeding seven hundred fifty watts which produces no more than one brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the bicycle at a maximum design speed of no more than twenty miles per hour on level ground. Nevada As of May 19, 2009, Nevada amended its state transportation laws to explicitly permit electric bicycles to use any "trail or pedestrian walkway" intended for use with bicycles and constructed with federal funding, and otherwise generally permits electric bicycles to be operated in cases where a regular bicycle could be. An electric bicycle is defined as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals with an electric motor producing up to 1 gross brake horsepower and up to 750 watts final output, and with a maximum speed of up to 20 miles per hour on flat ground with a 170-pound rider when powered only by that engine. New Jersey As of May 14, 2019, a new vehicle class (“Low-speed electric bicycle”) was added to NJRS Title 39, described as “a two or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by a motor, while operated by a person weighing 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per hour.” Additionally, the existing class of “motorized bicycles” has been expanded to include—in addition to gas-powered vehicles such as mopeds—electric bicycles that can achieve speeds between 20 mph and 28 mph. For these vehicles, a driver's license and registration are still required. Under previous regulations, all e-bikes were classified as motorized bicycles (mopeds) and required registration, but could not actually be registered since the law was written only for gas-powered vehicles. The new legislation, which applies to both “pedal-assist” and “throttle” bicycles, removes e-bikes from that legal gray area. New Mexico New Mexico has no specific laws concerning electric or motorized bicycles. MVD rules treat motorized bicycles the same as bicycles, requiring no registration or drivers license. Prior to this clarification by the MVD, electric bicycles were often treated as mopeds, which require a standard drivers license, but no registration. New York New York State (NYS) includes "motor-assisted bicycles" within its list of vehicles which cannot be registered. A Federal agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has exclusive jurisdiction over electric bicycles as to consumer product regulations. Despite the illegal status in the state of New York, enforcement of this law varies at the local level. New York City enforces the bike ban with fines and vehicle confiscation for throttle activated electric bikes. However, Mayor Bill de Blasio has recently changed the city's official policy to legalize pedal-assist electric bikes that have a maximum speed limited to 20 mph. Contrarily, Tompkins County supports electric bike usage, even providing grant money to fund electric bike share/rental projects. Several bills have been sponsored to legalize electric bicycles for use on NYS roads, and several have overwhelmingly passed at the committee level, but none of these initiatives has been able to be heard and then passed in the New York State Senate, until 2015. The latest bill S3997, "An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the definition of electric assisted bicycle. Clarifying the vehicle and traffic law to define electric assisted bicycles; establish that electric assisted bicycles, as defined, are bicycles, not motor vehicles; and establish safety and operational criteria for their use." has passed in the Senate for the first time ever in 2015. The related Assembly bill A233 was not brought to a vote in the assembly even though it had passed with little issue in prior years. The New York Bicycle Coalition has supported efforts to define electric bicycles in New York State, but has so far been unable to win Legislative passage. New York City has repeatedly drawn media attention for its enforcement of a ban on electric bicycles in certain neighborhoods, with fines of up to $3,000. Ohio The Ohio Revised Code 4511.01 distinguishes motorized bicycles and mopeds from motorcycles or scooters by describing them as "...any vehicle having either two tandem wheels or one wheel in the front and two wheels in the rear, that is capable of being pedaled and is equipped with a helper motor of not more than fifty cubic centimeters piston displacement that produces no more than one brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of no greater than twenty miles per hour on a level surface." One brake horsepower converts to 0.75 kW, or (rounded) 750W. Thus, a bicycle with an electric helper motor operating under 750W, and not propelling the bicycle over 20 mph, does not qualify to be registered under Ohio state law. Local jurisdictions may have other regulations. Oklahoma Oklahoma defines an Electric-Assisted Bicycle in 47 O.S. 1-104 as "Two or three wheels; and Fully operative pedals for human propulsion and equipped with an electric motor with a power output not to exceed one thousand (1,000) watts, incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground, and incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the device at a speed of thirty (30) miles per hour or more. An electric-assisted bicycle shall meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as set forth in federal regulations and shall operate in such a manner that the electric motor disengages or ceases to function when the brakes are applied." Oklahoma the following restrictions on the operation of Electric-Assisted Bicycle in 47 O.S. 11-805.2 as follows: 1. Possess a Class A, B, C or D license, but shall be exempt from a motorcycle endorsement; 2. Not be subject to motor vehicle liability insurance requirements only as they pertain to the operation of electric-assisted bicycles; 3. Be authorized to operate an electric-assisted bicycle wherever bicycles are authorized to be operated; 4. Be prohibited from operating an electric-assisted bicycle wherever bicycles are prohibited from operating; and 5. Wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet which meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation Standards for protective headgear for use in bicycling, provided such operator is eighteen (18) years of age or less. Oregon Oregon Law (ORS 801.258]) defines an electric assisted bicycle as an electric motor-driven vehicle equipped with operable pedals, a seat or saddle for the rider, no more than three wheels in contact during travel. In addition, the vehicle must be equipped with an electric motor that is capable of applying a power output of no greater than 1,000 watts, and that is incapable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on level ground. In general, electric bicycles are considered "bicycles", rather than motor vehicles, for purposes of the code. This implies that all bicycle regulations apply to electric bicycles including operation in bike lanes. Exceptions to this include a restriction of operation on sidewalks and that a license or permit is required if the rider is younger than 17 years of age. Pennsylvania State law defines a motorized pedalcycle as a motor-driven cycle equipped with operable pedals, a motor rated at no more than 1.5 brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission, and a maximum design speed of no more than 25 miles per hour. Subchapter J of Publication 45 spells out the vehicle requirements in full. As of 2008 a standard class C license, proof of insurance, and registration (annual fee: $9.00) are required for operation of any motorized pedalcycle in Pennsylvania. Additionally, there are strict equipment standards that must be met for operation, including: handlebars, brakes, tires/wheels, electrical systems/lighting, mirrors, speedometer, and horns/warning devices. The definition was clearly written with gasoline-powered pedalcycles in mind. The requirement of an automatic transmission is troublesome for those who just want to add an electric-assist motor to a bicycle, for almost all bicycles have transmissions consisting of chains and manually shifted sprockets. The registration form asks for a VIN, making it difficult to register some foreign-made ebikes. The fine for riding an unregistered electric bike is approximately $160.00 per event as of 2007. On February 4, 2014, SB997 was introduced by Senator Matt Smith, which seeks to amend PA Vehicle Code to include "Pedalcycle with Electric Assist". In a memo addressed to all senate members, Smith said the definition shall include "bicycles equipped with an electric motor not exceeding 750 watts, weighing not more than 100 pounds, are capable of a maximum speed of not more than 20 mph, and have operable pedals." On October 22, 2014 PA house bill 573 passed into law, which is Act 154, which changes the definition of "pedalcycle" (bicycle) in the PA state vehicle code. "Pedalcycle" is now defined as a vehicle propelled solely by human-powered pedals or a "pedalcycle" (bicycle) with electric assist( a vehicle weighing not more than 100 pounds with two or three wheels more than 11 inches in diameter, manufactured or assembled with an electric motor rated no more than 750 watts and equipped with operational pedals and travels at speeds less than 20 mph). This bill allows the usage of pedal assisted bicycles in PA that follow the adopted state guidelines. Tennessee Electric Bicycles are defined in Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-301 – 307 This legislation passed in 2016 and defines an "electric bicycle", as a bicycle or tricycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, separated into three classes: (1)        A "class 1 electric bicycle," or "low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. (2)        A "class 2 electric bicycle," or "low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. (3)        A "class 3 electric bicycle," or "speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, (no throttle) and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and equipped with a speedometer. Electric bicycles are governed by the same law as other bicycles, subject to any local restrictions. They may be operated on any part of a street or highway where bicycles are authorized to travel, including a bicycle lane or other portion of a roadway designated for exclusive use by bicyclists. Class 1 and 2 electric bicycles are allowed on greenways and multi-use paths unless the local government bans their use by ordinance. Class 3 bikes are banned unless the local city council passes an ordinance to allow their use. Beginning January 1, 2017, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles were required to apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle, indicating its class. Driver's licenses, registration, insurance and license plate requirements do not apply. An electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle. Drinking and driving laws apply. Additional laws or ordinances may apply to the use of electric bicycles by each city or county. Texas "Bicycles" and "Electric Bicycles" are legally defined in the Texas Transportation Code Title 7, Chapter 551 entitled "Operation of Bicycles, Mopeds, and Play Vehicles" in Subchapter A, B, C, and D. Under Chapter 541.201 (24), "Electric bicycle" means a bicycle that is (A) designed to be propelled by an electric motor, exclusively or in combination with the application of human power, (B) cannot attain a speed of more than 20 miles per hour without the application of human power, and (C) does not exceed a weight of 100 pounds. The department or a local authority may not prohibit the use of an electric bicycle on a highway that is used primarily by motor vehicles. The department or a local authority may prohibit the use of an electric bicycle on a highway used primarily by pedestrians. "Medical Exemptions" are also a standard right in the State of Texas for motorcycles & even bicyclists. Through Texas's motorcycle helmet law (bicycle helmet laws from city ordinances), it is only required for those 21 years old or younger to wear a helmet. However, a medical exemption, written by a certified licensed medical physician or licensed chiropractor, which exempts one from wearing a helmet, can be used for bicyclists if helmets are required. Utah According to Utah Code 41-6a-102 (17) <https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title41/Chapter6A/41-6a-S102.html?v=C41-6a-S102_2016051020160510> an electric assisted bicycle is equipped with an electric motor with a power output of not more than 750 watts and is not capable of further assistance at a speed of more than 20 MPH, or at 28 MPH while pedaling and using a speedometer. New laws specifically exclude electric pedal-assisted bicycles as "motorized vehicles" and bicycles are permitted on all state land (but not necessarily on Indian Reservations, nor restrictive municipalities, such as in Park City Code 10-1-4.5 where electric bicycles are generally not allowed on bike paths²) if the motor is not more than 750 Watts, and the assistance shuts off at 20 mph (Utah Traffic Code 53-3-202-17-a ¹). E-bikes sold in Utah are required to have a sticker that details the performance capacity. Children under 14 can operate an electric bicycle if accompanied by a parent/guardian, but children under 8 may not. (Utah code 41-6a-1115.5) No license, registration, or insurance is required by the State but some municipalities may require these measures (Salt Lake City and Provo require registration). ¹ Utah Traffic Code https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title41/Chapter6A/41-6a-S102.html?v=C41-6a-S102_2016051020160510² Park city, Utah Municipal Code https://parkcity.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=ordinances#name=10_Motor_Vehicle Vermont "Motor-driven cycle" means any vehicle equipped with two or three wheels, a power source providing up to a maximum of two brake horsepower and having a maximum piston or rotor displacement of 50 cubic centimeters if a combustion engine is used, which will propel the vehicle, unassisted, at a speed not to exceed 30 miles per hour on a level road surface, which does not require clutching or shifting by the operator. The designation is a replacement for "scooter" and "moped;" Vermont doesn't seem to have laws specifically for e-bikes. Operators of motor-driven cycles are required to have a valid driver's license but not a motorcycle endorsement. Virginia "Electric power-assisted bicycle" means a vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and is equipped with (i) pedals that allow propulsion by human power and (ii) an electric motor with an input of no more than 1,000 watts that reduces the pedal effort required of the rider. For the purposes of Chapter 8 of this title, an electric power-assisted bicycle shall be a vehicle when operated on a highway. Every person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, or an animal or driving an animal on a highway shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter and shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, unless the context of the provision clearly indicates otherwise.

1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to paved surfaces, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a fiber modified layer having improved fatigue or crack resistant properties. 2. Description of the Related Art One of the most adaptable tools in road maintenance is slurry mixture. Slurry mixture is a polymer-modified cold-mix paving system that can remedy a broad range of problems on today's streets, highways, and airfields. Slurry mixture begins as a mixture of dense-graded aggregate, asphalt emulsion, water, additives, recycled materials, and mineral fillers. While conventional slurry seal is used around the world as an economical treatment for sealing and extending the service life of both urban and rural roads, slurry mixture has added capabilities, due to the use of high-quality, carefully monitored materials, including advanced polymers and other modern additives. Slurry mixture is recognized as a cost-effective way to treat surface wheel-rutting problems and a variety of other road surface problems. Slurry mixtures are hereafter referenced only as slurry mixture. Slurry mixture is made and applied to existing pavements by a specialized machine, which mixes the components on site, and spreads the mixture onto the road surface. Materials are continuously and accurately measured, and then thoroughly combined in the slurry mixture machine's mixer. As the machine moves forward, the mixture is continuously fed into a variable-width “surfacing” box which can apply materials to the width of a traffic lane in a single pass. Alternately, specially engineered “rut” boxes, designed to deliver the largest aggregate particles into the deepest part of the rut to give maximum stability in the wheel path, may be used. Edges of the slurry mixture are automatically feathered. The new surface is initially a dark brown color and changes to the finished black surface as the water is ejected and the surface cures, permitting traffic within one hour in most cases. Continuous-load pavers utilize support units that bring the materials to the job site and load the machine while it is working, thus maximizing production and minimizing transverse joints. Because slurry mixtures can be effectively applied to most surfaces, more area is covered per ton of mix, resulting in cost-effective surfacing. Traditional hot mix used approximately 165 lbs to 220 lbs of mixture to apply a 1.5 inch to 2 inch layer over a 1 square yard area. Conversely, slurry mixtures typically use 15 lbs to 30 lbs of mixture per square yard to provide a suitable surface. Slurry mixtures also create a new, stable surface that is resistant to rutting and shoving in summer. The mixture fills in cracks and surface imperfections. Because of its quick-traffic properties, slurry mixture can be applied in a broad range of temperature and weather conditions, effectively lengthening the paving season. Slurry mixture begins with the selection of high-quality materials—asphalt emulsion, aggregate, emulsifiers, water, and additives—which must pass special laboratory tests, both individually and when combined, as a slurry mixture system. The International Slurry Surfacing Association's (ISSA) broad range of specialized mix design tests help to insure that the mixture has the desired slurry mixture characteristics. To this end, although slurry mixture as currently practiced is an efficient road maintenance process, further improvements are desirable to a process for enhancing the fatigue resistant properties of paved surfaces. It is to such a fiber modified layer and method of selection and use that the present invention is directed. Fibers have been used to enhance the crack resistance of paved layers like slurry seal and slurry mixture. The known art used a variety of fibers ≦0.25 inches in length to enhance the crack resistant properties of the layer. When tested for crack resistance like the ISSA Flexural Bend Test crack resistance was enhanced by using fibers. While fatigue resistance, fracture energy, and fracture toughness of the mixture can be somewhat enhanced by ≦0.25 inch fibers, surprisingly crack resistance is generally unaffected. Literature is laden with grid, mat, and lattice systems to assist crack resistance in road construction and rehabilitation. These processes have many drawbacks. They are expensive, require an extraordinary amount of fiber type materials and are difficult to construct. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a fiber modified layer with enhanced fatigue and crack resistant properties.

At its education event in New York City today, Microsoft announced a new edition of its latest operating system: Windows 10 S. Available on first-party and third-party hardware — Microsoft will be releasing its own Windows 10 S device and will also let manufacturers sell their own — Windows 10 S is a streamlined edition of Windows 10 aimed at the education market. Microsoft partners will begin offering PCs running Windows 10 S this summer, starting at $189, and Microsoft will also ship its own Surface Laptop running Windows 10 S, starting at $999, on June 15. The main way that Windows 10 S differs from the other editions is that it can only run apps from the Windows Store. That includes Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps and Win32 apps that Microsoft has accepted into its app store. Not coincidentally, Microsoft is bringing Office to the Windows Store. The goal is to avoid the problems of traditional Win32 apps that often run in the background and push their own updates. Microsoft wants to stop apps from hooking into the boot and sign-in process to handle all their own updates, which in turn slows down startup time. Windows Store can take care of this today, but Windows 10 S makes it the only way to install and update apps. As a result, Microsoft hopes Windows 10 S will be able to offer faster sign-in times (about 15 seconds) and better battery life. Terry Myerson, executive vice president for Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group, demoed Windows 10 S on stage. He showed how users are blocked from installing apps from the web (pictured above); how much faster Windows 10 S sign-in is compared to Windows 10 Pro, which has many apps in the boot process; and how schools can manage hundreds of devices. For example, teachers can preload software using only a USB key. This is still a full version of Windows 10. It’s just locked down to only work with apps that Microsoft has approved, similar to how Apple and Google lock down iOS and Android to their respective app stores. Windows 10 S also differs in two other ways. It is cloud-manageable (Windows 10 Home is not, but Pro is) through Microsoft’s Intune, Intune for Education, and other modern management systems. It also sets up OneDrive cloud syncing by default, whereas other editions allow the user to skip this step and opt out of using OneDrive. Here’s the picture Microsoft is trying to paint for schools. You have a 45-minute class. Your students need to be able to sign in on a device they didn’t use yesterday. The login process gets all their content, reliably and quickly. You don’t sit there waiting five minutes for your kids to log in. The devices need to last all day (no battery dying in 7th period). Lastly, the devices need to be easy to manage so you can install and update apps effortlessly. For the record, the “S” in Windows 10 S does not stand for “student.” It refers to Windows being more streamlined and secure and having superior performance. It’s the same idea as the Xbox One S — Windows 10 S is the core essence of Windows. Myerson called it the “soul” of today’s Windows. The reason Microsoft isn’t using the word “student” in the name is pretty simple: Although Windows 10 S is clearly aimed at this group, the company doesn’t want to pigeon-hole it. Microsoft is hoping non-students buy Windows 10 S devices as well. If they find it inadequate, they can always upgrade. Windows 10 S will be easily upgradeable to Windows 10 Pro via the Windows Store. For educators, the upgrade is free. For end users and businesses, the cost is $49. Schools running earlier Windows Pro editions can move to Windows 10 S for free. This means running a later version of Windows, but they have to be okay with limiting their devices to only Windows Store apps. Windows 10 S is Microsoft’s answer to Google’s Chrome OS, and even Apple’s iPad push in schools. Myerson didn’t mention the latter, but he did knock Chromebooks a few times onstage. This will be a fierce battle as tech giants strive to have students taught on their own platforms — get them young and you could win them over for life.

. OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect of integrative Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) in treating severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and its influence on T-lymphocyte subsets. METHODS Comparative study was conducted in 133 SARS inpatients in Beijing Ditan Hospital, who were divided into 3 groups according to the treatment applied, the basic treated group, the low dose steroid group and the high dose steroid group, and all the 3 groups were subdivided into two groups, Chinese herbs and non-Chinese herbs added, respectively. Chinese drugs for clearing-up heat, dispelling dampness, detoxication, removing stasis, supplementing Qi and nourishing Yin were selected according to patients' syndrome and given additionally to all the three ICWM groups. Retrospective analysis for significance test on changes of T-lymphocyte subsets before and after treatment were carried out. RESULTS T-lymphocyte counts, including CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, lowered in all patients before treatment, but increased significantly after treated for 3 weeks, the increment in all the low dose steroid treated groups was higher than that in the basic treated groups, and that in ICWM groups was higher than that in non-ICWM groups, respectively. CONCLUSION Glycocorticosteroid and Chinese herbal medicine treatments could promote the recovery of T-lymphocyte profile, rationally use of them is the effective therapeutic method.

Quality of artisan production yoghurt in the communities of the district of Xai-Xai Yogurt is a product derived from milk fermented by the action of lactic bacteria (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) that use part of the lactose, transforming into lactic acid and aromatic compounds that characterize yogurt. The present research had the perspective of evaluating the yogurt traditionally produced by the communities of Xai-Xai, seeking to know (i) the physicochemical constitution by determining pH by electrometry, titratable acidity by titration, moisture by desiccation at 105oC, of the ashes by incineration at 550oC and fat by the Soxhlet method and (ii) microbiological quality by the most likely number method. Data were evaluated in Completely Randomized Design with 16 yogurt samples, of which 15 were artisanal and 1 industrial, at a significance level of 5%. The results showed pH from 3.84±0.01 to 4.49±0.00, titratable acidity from 0.21±0.03 to 0.39±0.05%, moisture from 80.95±0.26 to 91.84±1.78%, ash from 0.22±0.26 to 1.88±0.25% and fat in the amount of 0.34±0.31 to 5.27±1.46%; the microbiological count was <3.0 to 9.2 NMP/mL for total and thermotolerant coliforms. There were no significant differences between artisanal yogurt and Cactinoza in terms of pH, moisture, ash and fat. Characteristics differed in terms of titratable acidity for both technics of yogurt production artisanal and industrial. Regarding microbiological quality, thermotolerant coliforms were free of turbidity differently from total coliforms, which presented one sample with 2 cloudy tubes. All samples analyzed were in accordance with legislation established by National Health Surveillance Agency and Technical Regulation on Identity and Quality of Fermented Milk.

President Donald Trump on Friday ordered tighter restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba and a clampdown on U.S. business dealings with the island’s military, saying “with God’s help a free Cuba is what we will soon achieve.” As Trump laid out his new Cuba policy in a speech in Miami, the White House announced plans to roll back parts of former President Barack Obama’s historic opening to the communist-ruled country after a 2014 diplomatic breakthrough between the two former Cold War foes. But Trump was leaving many of Obama’s changes, including the reopened U.S. embassy in Havana, in place even as he sought to show he was making good on a campaign promise to take a tougher line against Cuba. “We will not be silent in the face of communist oppression any longer,” Trump told a cheering crowd in Miami’s Cuban-American enclave of Little Havana, including Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who helped forge the new restrictions on Cuba. Trump’s revised approach, which will be enshrined in a new presidential directive, calls for stricter enforcement of a longtime ban on Americans going to Cuba as tourists and seeks to prevent U.S. dollars from being used to fund what the new U.S. administration sees as a repressive military-dominated government. But facing pressure from U.S. businesses and even some fellow Republicans to avoid turning back the clock completely in relations with communist-ruled Cuba, the Republican president chose to leave intact many of his Democratic predecessor’s steps toward normalization. The new policy bans most U.S. business transactions with the Armed Forces Business Enterprises Group, a Cuban conglomerate involved in all sectors of the economy, but makes some exceptions, including for air and sea travel, according to U.S. officials. This will essentially shield U.S. airlines and cruise lines serving the island. However, Trump will stop short of breaking diplomatic relations restored in 2015 after more than five decades of hostilities. He will not cut off recently resumed direct U.S.-Cuba commercial flights or cruise-ship travel, though his more restrictive policy seems certain to dampen new economic ties overall. The administration, according to one White House official, has no intention of “disrupting” existing business ventures such as one struck under Obama by Starwood Hotels Inc, which is owned by Marriott International Inc, to manage a historic Havana hotel. Nor does Trump plan to reinstate limits that Obama lifted on the amount of the island’s coveted rum and cigars that Americans can bring home for personal use. While the changes are far-reaching, they appear to be less sweeping than many U.S. pro-engagement advocates had feared. Still, it will be the latest attempt by Trump to overturn parts of Obama’s presidential legacy. He has already pulled the United States out of a major international climate treaty and is trying to scrap his predecessor’s landmark healthcare program.

Dendritic Growth and its Dependence on Various Conditions Printed circuit board (PCB) as a basic supporting structure of electronic devices is a significant reliability factor in electronic manufacturing. The miniaturization in electronics leads to lower gaps between pads with different electrical potential and that increases the probability of fault caused by dendritic growth. Not just the ambient environment has influence on electrochemical migration, but the surface finish, the solder mask, used solder and the cleaning process influences the dendritic growth and its composition and thus the reliability of PCBs and the final product. The results indicate, that the use of suitable soldering mask without any doubt hinders, though not fully the dendritic growth. An unexpected result is that the dendritic growth was also hindered when the flux residues were present. The lowest resistance against dendritic growth was discovered with organic solderability preservatives (OSP) surface finish, the highest with electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG). The element analysis showed that the dendrites do not grow directly from the soldering pads. The surface finish therefore does not have a direct influence on dendrites, but rather on the chemical compound that is formed between the surface finish and the solder. These compounds are then prone to electrochemical migration.

Surgical treatment of lumbosacral plexus injuries. OBJECT The purpose of this study was to analyze therapeutic possibilities and clinical outcomes in patients with lumbosacral plexus injuries to develop surgical concepts of treatment. METHODS In a retrospective investigation 10 patients with injuries to the lumbosacral plexus were evaluated after surgery. The patients were assessed clinically, electrophysiologically, and based on the results of magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography myelography. In most patients a traction injury had occurred due to severe trauma that also caused pelvic fractures. In most cases the roots of the cauda equina of the lumbosacral plexus had ruptured. In cases of spinal root ruptures repair with nerve grafts were performed. In cases in which proximal stumps of the plexus could not be retrieved palliative nerve transfers by using lower intercostals nerves or fascicles from the femoral nerve were performed. CONCLUSIONS Lesions of the proximal spinal nerves and cauda equina occur in the most serious lumbosacral plexus injuries. Patients with such injuries subjected to reconstruction of spinal nerves, repair of ventral roots in the cauda equina, and nerve transfers recovered basic lower-extremity functions such as unsupported standing and walking.

Congressional Republicans face a stark choice with upcoming immigration legislation. Last Sunday night at the Tony Awards show, actor Robert De Niro spewed out one of the principal Democrat Party planks for the 2018 midterm elections. Two others are their intent to raise taxes and [impeach] President Donald Trump for some yet-to-be-discovered offense. One might think this toxic combination would spell doom for a party whose once-vaunted “blue wave” had actually flipped in favor of the GOP. Unfortunately, Republicans aren’t called the “Stupid Party” for no reason. In a push utterly antithetical to conservative voters, the GOP will bring a couple of bills to the House floor for a vote next week — and amnesty and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers is part of the agenda. What makes the latter different from what Democrats want is anyone’s guess. Moreover, the GOP’s refusal to distinguish themselves from Democrats should surprise no one. The party that should be offering Americans a wholly different agenda is the one that made 2014 election promises to thwart Barack Obama’s socialist and unconstitutional agenda — including his executive order on DACA — and then broke them. The 50-plus times the GOP-controlled House voted to repeal ObamaCare, knowing Obama could veto any attempt to do so, was also revealed as a fraudulent effort by their failure to kill it when they had complete control of Congress and the presidency. So was their promise to defund Planned Parenthood. And their passage of a massive, debt-filled omnibus bill revealed their assertions that they’re the party of fiscal responsibility are absurd. That petition, based on a “queen of the hill” rule would have set up votes on four immigration measures, with the one receiving the most votes above a simple majority prevailing. It was being pushed by the aforementioned moderate Republicans and was designed to bypass House leadership. Ryan managed to maneuver past it, but the House will bring a pair of immigration bills to the floor for a vote next week to “resolve the border security and immigration issues,” stated Ryan spokesperson AshLee Strong in an email. Nonetheless, those moderate Republicans remain committed to working with Democrats, and amnesty coupled with a pathway to citizenship remains their primary objective. Why? “The latest push for an amnesty is being driven by business groups who oppose the modest wage raises that are happening in President Donald Trump’s high-pressure economy, which is forcing companies to bid up workers’ wages in a tight labor market,” reveals columnist Neil Munro. Tragically — and quite revealingly — less than half of one political party stands up for those ordinary Americans. So why would they do a complete flip-flop and reward wholesale lawbreaking in 2018? There are two possible reasons. One is rank cynicism. When the choice in the midterms is between a socialist/Marxist Democrat Party that embraces overt hatred and hysteria as a political platform, and a Chamber of Commerce-beholden Republican Party that embraces rank hypocrisy and the routine betrayal of its core constituency, the lesser of two evils remains in play. The other possibility is far more chilling. It is quite possible that Democrats and Republicans showcase their differences solely for public consumption, and that America is run by a Ruling Class managing a singular, public-be-damned globalist agenda. Such a possibility goes a long way toward explaining why we have ever-increasing levels of debt, an increasingly amoral culture, a increasingly two-tiered “justice” system — and the ongoing march toward amnesty — regardless of which party controls Congress and the presidency. Where is the wall? Where is merit-based immigration? Where is E-verify? If they exist in any incarnation in the bills Republicans bring to the House floor next week, it is quite likely they’ll either be at the back of the line behind amnesty and a “pathway to citizenship,” or watered down to the point of virtual impotency — despite the fact that every poll showing Americans favor amnesty only if such requirements and other are met. Donald Trump was elected largely on his immigration agenda, which was many things. But first and foremost, it was a repudiation of a globalist status quo that dismissed anyone who stood against it as a “populist” — along with the subliminal message that such populism was akin to Nazism. It was a repudiation of the idea that Americans are just another nation of people in a world full of them, no more or less exceptional (and just as expendable) as any other — making it wholly unnecessary to address their needs above and before anyone else’s. And just as much as anything else, it was a repudiation of the insufferable political correctness used like a club to keep the burgeoning discontent in check. Ryan claims Trump backs a compromise immigration plan. So do a lot of Americans. But if rock-solid enforcement of the law and air-tight border security aren’t the primary parts of any plan, it is highly unlikely our “America First” president will eviscerate his own agenda.

Democrats, liberals and some progressives might be feeling a little perplexed over what has happened to Russia-gate, the story that pounded Donald Trump every day since his election last November – until April 4, that is. On April 4, Trump fully capitulated to the neoconservative bash-Russia narrative amid dubious claims about a chemical attack in Syria. On April 6, Trump fired off 59 Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian airbase; he also restored the neocon demand for “regime change” in Syria; and he alleged that Russia was possibly complicit in the supposed chemical attack. Since Trump took those actions – in accordance with the neocon desires for more “regime change” in the Middle East and a costly New Cold War with Russia – Russia-gate has almost vanished from the news. I did find a little story in the lower right-hand corner of page A12 of Saturday’s New York Times about a still-eager Democratic congressman, Mike Quigley of Illinois, who spent a couple of days in Cyprus which attracted his interest because it is a known site for Russian money-laundering, but he seemed to leave more baffled than when he arrived. “The more I learn, the more complex, layered and textured I see the Russia issue is – and that reinforces the need for professional full-time investigators,” Quigley said, suggesting that the investigation’s failure to strike oil is not that the holes are dry but that he needs better drill bits. Yet, given all the hype and hullabaloo over Russia-gate, the folks who were led to believe that the vague and amorphous allegations were “bigger than Watergate” might now be feeling a little used. It appears they may have been sucked into a conspiracy frenzy in which the Establishment exploited their enthusiasm over the “scandal” in a clever maneuver to bludgeon an out-of-step new President back into line. If that’s indeed the case, perhaps the most significant success of the Russia-gate ploy was the ouster of Trump’s original National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who was seen as a key proponent of a New Détente with Russia, and his replacement by General H.R. McMaster, a protégé of neocon favorite, retired Gen. David Petraeus. McMaster was viewed as the key player in arranging the April 6 missile strike on Syria and in preparing a questionable “intelligence assessment” on April 11 to justify the rush to judgment. Although McMaster’s four-page white paper has been accepted as gospel by the mainstream U.S. news media, its many weaknesses have been noted by actual experts, such as MIT national security and technology professor Theodore Postol. How Washington Works But the way Official Washington works is that Trump was made to look weak when he argued for a more cooperative and peaceful relationship with Russia. Hillary Clinton dubbed him Vladimir Putin’s “puppet” and “Saturday Night Live” portrayed Trump as in thrall to a bare-chested Putin. More significantly, front-page stories every morning and cable news segments every night created the impression of a compromised U.S. President in Putin’s pocket. Conversely, Trump was made to look strong when he fired off missiles against a Syrian airbase and talked tough about Russian guilt. Neocon commentator Charles Krauthammer praised Trump’s shift as demonstrating that “America is back.” Trump further enhanced his image for toughness when his military dropped the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), nicknamed the “mother of all bombs,” on some caves in Afghanistan. While the number of casualties inflicted by the blast was unclear, Trump benefited from the admiring TV and op-ed commentaries about him finally acting “presidential.” But the real test of political courage is to go against the grain in a way that may be unpopular in the short term but is in the best interests of the United States and the world community in the longer term. In that sense, Trump seeking peaceful cooperation with Russia – even amid the intense anti-Russian propaganda of the past several years – required actual courage, while launching missiles and dropping bombs might win praise but actually make the U.S. position in the world weaker. Trump, however, saw his fledgling presidency crumbling under the daily barrage of Russia-gate, even though there was no evidence that his campaign colluded with Russia to interfere with the U.S. election and there wasn’t even clear evidence that Russia was behind the disclosure of Democratic emails, via WikiLeaks, during the campaign. Still, the combined assault from the Democrats, the neocons and the mainstream media forced Trump to surrender his campaign goal of achieving a more positive relationship with Russia and greater big-power collaboration in the fight against terrorism. For Trump, the incessant chatter about Russia-gate was like a dripping water torture. The thin-skinned Trump fumed at his staff and twittered messages aimed at changing the narrative, such as accusing President Obama of “wiretapping” Trump Tower. But nothing worked. However, once Trump waved the white flag by placing his foreign policy under the preferred banner of the neoconservatives, the Russia-gate pressure stopped. The op-ed pages suddenly were hailing his “decisiveness.” If you were a neocon, you might say about Russia-gate: Mission accomplished! Russia-gate’s Achievements Besides whipping Trump into becoming a more compliant politician, Russia-gate could claim some other notable achievements. For instance, it spared the national Democrats from having to confront their own failures in Campaign 2016 by diverting responsibility for the calamity of Trump’s election. Instead of Democratic leaders taking responsibility for picking a dreadful candidate, ignoring the nation’s anti-establishment mood, and failing to offer any kind of inspiring message, the national Democrats could palm off the blame on “Russia! Russia! Russia!” Thus, rather than looking in the mirror and trying to figure out how to correct their deep-seated problems, the national Democrats could instead focus on a quixotic tilting at Trump’s impeachment. Many on the Left joined in this fantasy because they have been so long without a Movement that the huge post-inaugural “pussy hat” marches were a temptation that they couldn’t resist. Russia-gate became the fuel to keep the “Movement” bandwagon rolling. #Resistance! It didn’t matter that the “scandal” – the belief that Russia somehow conspired with Trump to rig the U.S. presidential election – amounted to a bunch of informational dots that didn’t connect. Russia-gate also taught the American “left” to learn to love McCarthyism since “proof” of guilt pretty much amounted to having had contact with a Russian — and anyone who questioned the dubious factual basis of the “scandal” was dismissed as a “Russian propagandist” or a “Moscow stooge” or a purveyor of “fake news.” Another Russia-gate winner was the mainstream news media which got a lot of mileage – and loads of new subscription money – by pushing the convoluted conspiracy. The New York Times positioned itself as the great protector of “truth” and The Washington Post adopted a melodramatic new slogan: “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” On Thanksgiving Day, the Post ran a front-page article touting an anonymous Internet group called PropOrNot that identified some 200 Internet news sites, including Consortiumnews.com and other major sources of independent journalism, as guilty of “Russian propaganda.” Facts weren’t needed; the accused had no chance for rebuttal; the accusers even got to hide in the shadows; the smear was the thing. The Post and the Times also conflated news outlets that dared to express skepticism toward claims from the U.S. State Department with some entrepreneurial sites that trafficked in intentionally made-up stories or “fake news” to make money. To the Post and Times, there appeared to be no difference between questioning the official U.S. narrative on, say, the Ukraine crisis and knowingly fabricating pretend news articles to get lots of clicks. Behind the smokescreen of Russia-gate, the mainstream U.S. news media took the position that there was only one side to a story, what Official Washington chose to believe. While it’s likely that there will be some revival of Russia-gate to avoid the appearance of a completely manufactured scandal, the conspiracy theory’s more significant near-term consequence could be that it has taught Donald Trump a dangerous lesson. If he finds himself in a tight spot, the way out is to start bombing some “enemy” halfway around the world. The next time, however, the target might not be so willing to turn the other cheek. If, say, Trump launches a preemptive strike against North Korea, the result could be a retaliatory nuclear attack against South Korea or Japan. Or, if the neocons push ahead with their ultimate “regime change” strategy of staging a “color revolution” in Moscow to overthrow Putin, the outcome might be – not the pliable new leader that the neocons would want – but an unstable Russian nationalist who might see a nuclear attack on the U.S. as the only way to protect the honor of Mother Russia. For all his faults, Trump did offer a more temperate approach toward U.S.-Russian relations, which also could have tamped down spending for nuclear and other strategic weapons and freed up some of that money for infrastructure and other needs at home. But that was before Russia-gate. Investigative reporter Robert Parry broke many of the Iran-Contra stories for The Associated Press and Newsweek in the 1980s. You can buy his latest book, America’s Stolen Narrative, either in print here or as an e-book (from Amazon and barnesandnoble.com).

As an electrode to be attached or fixed to the skin surface of a patient to transmit an electric signal from the skin surface of the living body to a medical or diagnostic equipment, or a connector to remove static electricity on the surface of a material to be bonded or to electrically connect materials to be bonded, an electrode with a terminal portion which is provided with a clip, a hook or a connector terminal for insertion of a pin has been proposed. In the above electrode, however, the main body and a connector terminal are formed separately. Thus, the number of parts is increased, the administration becomes complicated, and the number of steps in production is increased. Production costs result in an increase. Particularly when such electrode is used as an electrode for medical attention, various problems arise. For example, since the electrode comprises the main body and a connector terminal provided to the edge portion of the main body, when the connector terminal is erected and connected to the terminal of the medical or diagnostic equipment, the electrode bonded to the skin is raised at the point of the connector terminal and peeled off, resulting in the generation of stress by the force between the connector terminal portion and the skin surface. Since the connector terminal portion is peeled off, the attachment of the electrode becomes insufficiently low, and the stability of electric signal is lost. This phenomenon cannot be neglected when the electrode is used in the long term monitoring. In order to overcome the such problems of the above electrode, applicant proposed the electrode wherein the electrode plate has a cut therein which provides a tongue to be connected to a clip etc. for a connector terminal portion as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,563. In this electrode, the tongue must be raised at use. However, the tongue cannot be easily raised and the such work becomes complicated since the tongue is provided in the electrode plate so as to be in the same level as that of the electrode plate. Therefore, the improvement of the such electrode has been desired.

OneWeb appears to be wasting no time. Less than a week after the FCC approved OneWeb’s request to deploy a global network of 720 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, OneWeb Satellites inaugurated its assembly line in Toulouse, France, to begin end-to-end validation, testing and integration of its first satellites. The facility will lay the framework for a larger two-line OneWeb Satellites factory near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. OneWeb Satellites is OneWeb's joint venture with Airbus. After undergoing a set of tests, the initial 10 pilot and Toulouse-built satellites will become the first of OneWeb's fleet. And that’s coming faster than one might expect. The first satellites to come from the Toulouse factory are set to be launched in March 2018. Mobile World Congress 2019 Attend the 2-Day Executive 5G Panel Series FierceWireless is returning to Barcelona, Spain, during Mobile World Congress 2019 with a two-day Executive 5G Panel Series at the Fira Congress Hotel, conveniently located across the street from the MWC Convention Center. The panel events will take place on Feb. 25-26 and will cover 5G and The Fixed Wireless Access Opportunity, Taking 5G Indoors, and Making 5G Ubiquitous. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and hear from 5G leaders including Verizon, Vodafone, Orange, Sprint, NTT Docomo, Boingo Wireless, Qualcomm, and more over the course of two days. Secure your spot at the event today! Now is your chance to join fellow industry professionals for networking and education. Registration information and the schedule can be found on the website here. Register today "We have just about nine months until the first of our fleet launches into orbit," said Greg Wyler, founder and chairman of OneWeb, in a press release. "Then, if all goes well, we will begin the world's largest launch campaign, sending new satellites up every 21 days, and building not just a fleet but a digital bridge to enable affordable broadband access for the billions of unconnected around the world." Indeed, Airbus CEO Tom Enders said never before have high-quality satellites been produced at such little cost, at such a fast pace and in such high quantities. As such, “OneWeb is truly a transformational project—not just for Airbus but for the space industry as a whole," he said in the release. RELATED: OneWeb gets FCC approval for 720 low-Earth orbit satellites to offer global internet services OneWeb has said that starting in 2019, it will enable high-speed access for all of Alaska where homes, tribal health centers and tens of thousands of residents are without adequate broadband access. Within its first two years of service, OneWeb plans to make significant progress toward closing the digital divide in the U.S. According to OneWeb majority owner SoftBank, the company will eventually provide inexpensive internet to up to 1 billion subscribers worldwide via download speeds of up to 200 Mbps, upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps and lower latency than existing services. RELATED: Top 10 ISPs to watch: OneWeb FCC Chairman Ajit Pai noted last week that after OneWeb filed its petition, several other companies did the same or applied for a U.S. license in the same spectrum bands. Indeed, SpaceX, Boeing and ViaSat all have designs on launching new satellite constellations. “These applications are being reviewed by the International Bureau’s excellent satellite engineering experts,” Pai said. “We hope to approve many more constellations because we know that the more companies compete, the more consumers win.”

The effects of water temperature on gastric motility and energy intake in healthy young men Purpose Although immediate pre-meal water ingestion has been shown to reduce energy intake in healthy young men, no studies are available regarding potential mechanisms underlying the effect of energy intake in response to different temperatures of pre-meal water ingestion. This study examined the effects of consuming different temperatures of water on gastric motility and energy intake in healthy young men. Methods Eleven young men were completed three, 1-day trials in a random order. Subjects visited the laboratory after a 10-h overnight fast and consumed 500 mL of water at 2 °C, 37 °C, or 60 °C in 5 min. Then, subjects sat on a chair over 1 h to measure the cross-sectional gastric antral area and gastric contractions using the ultrasound imaging systems. Thereafter, subjects consumed a test meal until they felt completely full. Energy intake was calculated from the amount of food consumed. Results Energy intake in the 2 °C (6.7±1.8 MJ) trial was 19% and 26% lower than the 37 °C (7.9±2.3 MJ, p=0.039) and 60 °C (8.5±3.2 MJ, p=0.025) trials, respectively. The frequency of the gastric contractions after 1-h consuming water was lowered in the 2 °C trial than the 60 °C trial (trial-time interaction, p=0.020). The frequency of gastric contractions was positively related to energy intake (r=0.365, p=0.037). Conclusions These findings demonstrate that consuming water at 2 °C reduces energy intake and this reduction may be related to the modulation of the gastric motility. Introduction Public health research is addressing on the long-term management of weight loss by creating a negative energy balance through increased physical activity and/or decreased food intake in overweight and obese individuals. However, estimates in many countries suggest that most individuals do not complete a sufficient amount of physical activity to meet the guidelines set out by expert panels. Thus, while promoting physical activity for all individuals is important, strategies to prevent a positive energy balance and subsequent weight gain in healthy individuals may be important for the long-term weight management. Among available methods for preventing a positive energy balance, water consumption is a simple method and has potentially a key role to play in reducing energy intake. To date, three laboratory-based studies have examined the effects of pre-meal water ingestion on subsequent energy intake in various individuals with disparate effects. These studies vary in protocols including the amount of water ingested (i.e., 375-568 mL), and the time interval between ingestion of water and the subsequent meal (i.e., immediately before to 30 min before a meal). In addition, only one study has clearly reported the temperature of water used in the study (5-7 °C). Although the reasons for these discrepant findings among studies are not clearly known, Corney et al. have suggested that the rate of gastric emptying of liquid meals was slower in older adults than in younger adults, indicating that gastric distension may be a factor for influencing subsequent energy intake. In addition, the rate of gastric emptying or the magnitude of gastric motility (i.e., measured via cross-sectional antral area reflecting gastric distention, rate of gastric emptying, and frequency of gastric contractions) are known to be influenced by the temperatures of consumed "energy-containing drinks". Collectively, to our knowledge, none of previous studies have examined the effects of pre-meal water ingestion on gastric motility and subsequent energy intake in healthy young adults. Furthermore, there is as yet no evidence regarding how different temperatures of "water" affect energy intake and subjective feelings of appetite in healthy young adults. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different temperatures of water on gastric motility and energy intake in healthy young men. Subjects After approval from the Ethics Committee on Human Research of Waseda University (approval number: 2017-260), 11 healthy, lean men gave written informed consent to participate in this study. The physical characteristics of the subjects were as follows: age 23.4 ± 1.4 years, height 1.71 ± 0.04 m, body mass 64.0 ± 9.8 kg, body mass index 21.8 ± 2.6 kg/m 2, and waist circumference 73.1 ± 5.4 cm . All subjects were nonsmokers and were not taking any medicine, and their body masses had been stable for at least 3 months before the study. Experimental protocol The subjects underwent three, 1-day laboratory-based trials in random order: water at 2 °C, water at 37 °C, and water at 60 °C. The interval between trials was at least 6 days. All subjects were asked to maintain their normal eating habits among the trials and to refrain from vigorous exercise and alcohol intake for 24 h before each trial. In the 24 h before the first trial, subjects measured and recorded all dietary intakes, and then they replicated these dietary intakes in the 24 h preceding the second and third trials. Food diaries were analyzed by software to determine energy intake and macronutrient content (Excel Eiyoukun Ver 5.0, Kenpakusha, Japan). On each trial day, subjects reported to the laboratory at 0850 after a 10-h overnight fast-subjects were allowed to drink only one glass of water no later than 2 h prior to each trial. The subjects were asked to sit on a comfortable chair in a fixed position (i.e., the angle between the upper part and lower part of the body was approximately 120°) and to consume a 500 mL of water at 2 °C, 37 °C or 60 °C over a 5-min period at 0900. The water temperature was measured by an electric thermometer (testo 106, Testo K.K., Japan). The 500 mL of water was chosen, because this volume has been shown to reduce subsequent energy intake in a previous study. Subjects then sat on a chair in a fixed position as above in the laboratory until 1005. Whilst subjects rested until 1005, 2D ultrasound scan was performed to assess the change in the cross-sectional gastric antral area and gastric contractions before and after consuming a 500 mL of water at 2 °C, 37 °C, or 60 °C. Then, subjects were asked to consume the test meal from 1005 and were instructed to eat as much as they satisfied until 1105. The interval of 60 min between water ingestion and subsequent meal was chosen, since we thought that this interval may be long enough to assess gastric motility using ultrasound imaging as this was the case in the previous study. Subjects also completed a 100-mm visual analogue scale questionnaire, assessing the subjective perceptions of appetite, at 0900 (i.e., pre), immediately after consuming water (i.e., post), and 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after consuming water. Subjective appetite perceptions and energy intake The acceptability of the test meal was ensured by a prior written survey and selected instant noodles as a test meal. Subjects were provided with a bowl of instant noodles (i.e., 9.7% energy as protein, 20.5% energy as fat, and 69.8% energy as carbohydrate) at 1005. Subjects were offered with repeated small bowls of noodles throughout the meal time. Warm food was continuously available until the subjects finished eating the test meal. Subjects were instructed to eat until they felt "comfortably full and satisfied" and that additional food was available if desired. This ensures that subjects were not able to know how much they had consumed while eating. Drinking water was restricted, while the subject was taking the test meal. The upper limit of meal intake time was 1 h, and mean time to consume the test meal in the 2 °C, 37 °C, and 60 °C trials was 18.2 ± 6.5 min, 21.8 ± 9.4 min, and 24.1 ± 11.9 min, respectively. The total amount of food intake (g) was ascertained by examining the weighted difference in the test meal remaining compared to that initially presented. The total energy intake from the test meal was calculated using the manufacture-reported values. Subjects completed 100-mm visual analogue scales before (i.e., pre), immediately after (i.e., post), and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after consuming water, to assess the perceptions of appetite (i.e., hunger, fullness, and desire to eat sweet, sour, fatty, and salty foods). In addition, subjects completed 100-mm visual analogue scales before (i.e., pre), immediately after (i.e., post), and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after consuming water, to assess the perceptions of feelings of stomach condition (i.e., "Does your stomach feel uncomfortable?", "Do you feel your stomach is expanding?", and "Do you want to eat now?"). Verbal anchors "not at all" and "extremely" were placed at 0 and 100 mm on the visual analogue scales, respectively. Assessment of gastric motility Several previous studies suggest that the antrum is the most suitable area in which to evaluate the stomach capacity (for a review of this, see Ref. ). Antral area measurements were performed using a 2D ultrasound machine (LOGIQ-e, GE Healthcare, USA) and a 5.0 MHz sector transducer. All metals were removed from the surrounding area to avoid the possibility of interference during acquisition. To optimise precision, the transducer was positioned vertically to obtain a parasagittal image of the antrum, with the superior mesenteric vein and the abdominal aorta in a longitudinal section, as described previously. After obtaining these signals for measuring antral area for 3 min before (i.e., pre), immediately after (i.e., post), and at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min after consuming water. The gastric antral area (cm 2 ) was determined using an image-editing software (ImageJ 1.47, National Institute of Mental Health, USA). The gastric contractions of the antral area were defined as the frequency of contractions per 3 min, and were measured before (i.e., pre), immediately after (i.e., post), and at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min after consuming water. Statistical analysis Data were analyzed using the Predictive Analytics Software (PASW) version 23.0 for Windows (IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0, SPSS Japan Inc., Japan). The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check for normality of distribution-all parameters were found to be normally distributed. Repeated-measures one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess differences among the three trials in energy intake and the length of meal. Repeated-measures, two-factor ANOVA was used to examine differences over time among the three trials in cross-sectional antral area, frequency of gastric contractions, subjective appetite perceptions (i.e., hunger, fullness and desire to eat sweet, sour, fatty, and salty foods), and subjective perception of the stomach. Where significant trial-time interactions and trial effects were found, the values were subsequently analyzed using a Bonferroni multiple-comparison test. The correlation coefficients were determined using Pearson's product-moment tests between the frequency of gastric contractions and energy intake. The 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the mean absolute pairwise differences among the three trials were calculated using the t-distribution and degrees of freedom (n − 1). Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviations (SD). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Subjective appetite perceptions For subjective appetite perception of hunger, there was a significant main effect of time (p < 0.001) and trial-time interaction among the three trials (p = 0.027) (Fig. 2). Post hoc analysis revealed that subjective appetite perception of hunger tended to be lower during the 2 °C trial than the 60 °C trial at 30 and 60 min after consuming water (30 min: p = 0.074, 95% CI −1.557 to 38.557, 60 min: p = 0.086, and 95% CI −2.318 to 40.984). In each trial, subjective appetite perception of hunger peaked 60 min after consuming water (main effect of time: p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the other subjective appetite perceptions (i.e., hunger and desire to eat sweet, sour, fatty, and salty foods) or perception of the stomach (i.e., "Dose your stomach feel uncomfortable?", "Do you feel your stomach is expanding?", and "Do you want to eat now?"). Fig. 2 Subjective appetite perceptions of hunger before and after consuming water (500 mL) at 2 °C, 37 °C, and 60 °C. Data are mean ± SD. Black rectangle indicates consuming water in 5 min. Data were analyzed using two-factor ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni multiple-comparison test. There was a significant main effect of time (p < 0.001) and trial-time interaction (p = 0.027). (*)Different between the 2 °C and 60 °C trials (p < 0.10) Fig. 3 Cross-sectional gastric antral area before and after consuming water (500 mL) at 2 °C, 37 °C and 60 °C. Data are mean ± SD. Black rectangle indicates consuming water in 5 min. Data were analyzed using two-factor ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni multiple-comparison test. There was a significant main effect of time (p < 0.001) and trial-time interaction (p = 0.020). *Significantly different between the 2 °C and 60 °C trials (p < 0.05). Significantly different between the 37 °C and 60 °C trials (p < 0.05) Relationships between energy intake and frequency of the gastric contractions There was a positive relationship between energy intake from the test meal and the frequency of the gastric contractions measured immediately after consuming water. The reduction in frequency of the gastric contractions measured immediately after consuming water was associated with a reduction in energy intake (r = 0.365, p = 0.037). Discussion The present study is, to our knowledge, the first to investigate how different water temperatures influence gastric motility and energy intake using ultrasound imaging systems. The main findings of the present study are that consuming 500 mL of water at 2 °C suppressed gastric contractions and ad libitum energy intake compared with consuming 500 mL of water at 37 °C and 60 °C. Furthermore, subjective appetite perception of hunger tended to be lower after consuming 500 mL of water at 2 °C than after consuming 500 mL of water at 60 °C. In addition, reduced energy intake after consuming cold water (i.e., at 2 °C) ingestion was accompanied by a change in gastric contractions. These findings add new knowledge to the existing literature that water temperature may play an important role in modulating gastric motility and energy intake. Although these findings need to be confirmed in larger and more diverse populations, the present study is of value in showing that pre-meal cold (vs. warm) water ingestion may provide additional benefits to weight management in healthy individuals as this method can be applied inexpensively and easily on a daily basis. Three laboratory-based studies have demonstrated reductions in energy intake after acute water ingestion which were seen in the present study. One study found that premeal (i.e., 30 min) water ingestion was effective in reducing subsequent energy intake in overweight and obese older adults. Another study found similar results in response to pre-meal (i.e., 30 min) water ingestion in healthy older adults, but not in healthy young adults. One recent study found that water ingestion immediately before a meal was effective in reducing subsequent energy intake in healthy young adults. Although the precise reasons for the discrepant findings observed in the study by Van Walleghen et al. are not known, the timing of ad libitum energy intake in response to water ingestion may affect subsequent energy intake. Indeed, a previous study has reported that inter-meal interval between drink ingestion and ad libitum meal was associated with gastric antral area and energy intake, although nutrient drink was used in this study. Another reason for the discrepant findings is that differences in the rate of gastric emptying between young and older individuals might affect subjective energy intake. Alternatively, given the well-documented slower rate of gastric emptying at cold water (i.e., at 5 °C) compared with warm water (i.e., at 37 °C), the temperature of ingested water may be the proposed reason for the discrepant findings among the studies. Indeed, among three available studies examined the effect of pre-meal water ingestion on energy intake in humans, only one study has clearly mentioned the temperature of water used in the study (i.e., at 5-7 °C). The most plausible explanation for why different temperatures of water affected ad libitum energy intake is likely to be the changes in gastric motility. In the present study, the cross-sectional gastric antral areas measured immediately after consuming water (i.e., post) increased significantly in the 2 °C and 37 °C trials compared with the 60 °C trial. On the other hand, the frequency of the gastric contractions measured over 1 h after consuming water was lowered in the 2 °C trial than the 60 °C trial. The temperature of a drink is known to be one of the major factors affecting the gastric motility. Although no studies have addressed the effects of different water temperatures on the cross-sectional antral area, Mishima et al. reported that the values of the lag-phase time, as an index of gastric emptying, were shorter after consuming nutrient drinks at 60 °C than consuming the same drinks at 37 °C. Several studies have suggested that gastric distention is one of the key factors in the regulation of energy intake. The previous study has reported that subjective appetite perception of fullness was linearly related to the total gastric volumes. Other Fig. 4 Frequency of gastric contractions before and after consuming water (500 mL) at 2 °C, 37 °C, and 60 °C. Data are mean ± SD. Black rectangle indicates consuming water in 5 min. Data were analyzed using two-factor ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni multiple-comparison test. There was a significant main effect of trial (p < 0.001), main effect of time (p < 0.001), and trial-time interaction (p = 0.020). *Significantly different between the 2 °C and 60 °C trials (p < 0.05). # Significantly different between the 2 °C and 37 °C trials (p < 0.05). Significantly different between the 37 °C and 60 °C trials (p < 0.05) studies have also reported that gastric distension prior to a meal is related with energy intake. In addition, there was a relationship between the frequency of the gastric contractions measured at immediately after consuming water and energy intake as demonstrated in the present study. One possible mechanism for these changes in gastric contractions associated with subjective energy intake is changes in gut hormones including motilin, a hormone that stimulates proximal stomach tone and enhances meal-induced satiety. Future studies are required to address a more mechanical understanding of water temperature-induced modulation of gastric motility and energy intake. Furthermore, internal and external changes in temperature affect the physiological response in humans. Boschmann et al. have reported that consuming water induced thermogenesis with the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and the temperature of water in healthy adults. In addition, the previous studies have addressed that exercising in a cold environment (2 °C) increased energy intake compared with a neutral condition (20 °C) in overweight adults, and fluid temperature affected gastric emptying rate in healthy adults. Nonetheless, no studies are available to compare directly the effects of water-induced thermogenesis on gastric motility and appetite. Thus, further studies are warranted to examine these issues. This study has several strengths. We examined the effects of different temperatures of water on both gastric motility and energy intake. The physical characteristics of the subjects, the amount of water drunk, and the time interval between ingestion of water and the subsequent meal were often used to address the factors for the influence of premeal water ingestion on energy intake. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to examine the effects of different temperatures of water on subsequent energy intake. Moreover, we have tried to address the role of gastric motility, a potential mechanism underpinning the modulation of energy intake, on subsequent energy intake. The findings of the present study may help to support appetite adjustment in healthy young individuals as an inexpensive and easy method of weight management. The limitations of the present study include measuring gastric distention and contractions as the only indices of gastric motility. Future studies should examine how different water temperatures affect appetite-regulating hormones, including acylated ghrelin and peptide YY, and the effect of gastric blood flow on subsequent energy intake-appetite-regulating hormones and gastric blood flow are known to influence appetite and/or gastric motility. Furthermore, our findings are from an acute experimental study without a no-pre-meal water condition, indicating that our methodology has lack of a strong internal validity for assessing energy intake. Since a 12-week of pre-meal water ingestion has a positive impact on weight reduction in overweight/obese middle-aged and older adults, and obese middle-aged adults, it would be interesting for future studies to examine the effects of long-term pre-meal water ingestion at different temperatures on weight management in various populations. In addition, since the present study did not ask or objectively measure daily fluid intake for each subject, this habitual fluid intake and hydration status might play a role in subjective appetite and energy intake. Thus, further studies should examine the effects of daily fluid intake and hydration status on gastric motility and energy intake. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that gastric contractions and ad libitum energy intake were dependent on the temperatures of pre-meal water in healthy young menconsuming 500 mL of water at 2 °C 1 h before a meal was more effective in reducing gastric contractions and ad libitum energy intake than consuming the same amount of water at 37 °C and/or 60 °C. The present findings also show that cold water-induced reduction in energy intake appears to be related to the modulation of the gastric motility.

Whether you live in a city or you’re just visiting, catching a ride on public transportation can quickly become part of your daily routine – and for good reason. Transit systems such as subways and trains are a convenient and cost-effective way to travel, plus they reduce our carbon footprint. But before you grab the pole or steady yourself with the strap, ask yourself one question: How many germs are traveling on the subway or train with you? We sent a team to gather bacteria samples from the handles on public transit systems in five major cities: New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco. Overall, surprisingly few germs lurked on these surfaces, with one major exception: the subway in New York City. Read on for the full results of our study, advice on avoiding germs on public transit, and more. To determine how many germs are riding each city’s transit system, we tested samples to check bacteria levels based on colony-forming units (CFU), which refers to the number of viable bacteria cells. The New York City subway samples revealed a shocking average of 2 million CFU per square inch. On the other end of the spectrum was the subway in Boston, with a sample that turned up a scant average of about 10 CFU per square inch. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) in San Francisco was the second germiest, with 483 CFU per square inch; the Chicago “L” train was third with 180; and the Washington, D.C. Metro turned up only 30. The average for every city’s transit system was about 400,000 CFU per square inch, though excluding the bacteria-ridden New York subway dropped the average to 176 CFU. What’s the reason behind the New York City subway’s staggering bacteria numbers? Though every public transit system we examined serves millions of travelers per year, the NYC subway transports more than three times as many travelers as the other four transit systems combined. But before you swear off the subway, keep in mind one thing: Not all bacteria are bad. Several types are harmless or even beneficial. Next, we dug deeper to break down the bacteria we found by type: Bacillus, yeast, and various gram-positive and gram-negative strains. The subway in New York contained an even split of gram-negative rods (which can cause respiratory and other infections) and yeast (types of which commonly live on skin and rarely cause infection). The “L” train in Chicago was home to the most varied bacteria types, the brunt of which were yeast. BART in San Francisco and the Metro in Washington, D.C. both predominantly hosted gram-positive cocci, which are a common cause of skin infections. The Metro was also the only location that yielded type II gram-positive cocci, and only BART and the L-train contained Bacillus (which can cause a range of infections, including respiratory illnesses). Our samples from the Boston subway, home to the fewest bacteria, didn’t reveal any specific types.