Experimental acoustic scene analysis using One-Eighth spherical fraction microphone array.

This paper investigates the performance of one-eighth Spherical Fraction Microphone Array through experimental measurement to analyze acoustic scenes in one-eighth of space. The array geometry is designed to be placed in a room corner at the junction of three acoustically rigid walls. Two prototypes are built with 8 and 16 microphones, respectively. The sampling strategy is discussed and a spatial aliasing analysis is carried out both analytically and by numerical simulations. The array performances are evaluated through Spherical Fraction Beamforming (SFB). This approach is based on the decomposition of the acoustic pressure field in a rigid bounded domain. The localization angular error and Directivity Index criterion are evaluated for both arrays. In a first experiment, the arrays are mounted in an eighth of space built inside an anechoic room. The results are compared with simulation and show consistency. The theoretical limitations of SFB in a rigid bounded one-eighth of space are retrieved experimentally. These limitations are also observed in a real configuration: an office room. Further investigations on SFB are also conducted in the case of a virtual scene constructed with two sound sources.

"How Did I Do?": Giving learners effective and affective feedback.

Borup et al. (Educ Technol Res Dev 63: 161-184. 10.1007/s11423-015-9367-8, 2015) examined teacher candidate and instructor perceptions of feedback in blended learning environments. Their work juxtaposed two different modalities of learning and feedback; it serves as a critical anchor to support future efforts to ensure students and instructors are engaged in an efficient feedback experience that offers affective benefits in digital learning spaces. In this article, I offer applicable feedback delivery strategies for educators as an extension of Borup et al.'s work.

Bioconversion of crude glycerol by fungi.

The production of synthetic glycerol from petrochemical feedstocks has been decreasing in recent years. This is largely due to increasing supplies of crude glycerol derived as a co-product from the oleochemical industry, especially biodiesel production. The price of glycerol is at historic lows, and the supply of crude glycerol is projected to grow faster than its industrial uses. This oversupply is driving the transition from glycerol as a product to glycerol as a precursor for new industrial applications, including its use as a substrate for bioconversion. This article reviews the use of fungi for the bioconversion of crude glycerol to the value-added products 1,2-propanediol, ethanol, single cell oil, specialty polyunsaturated fatty acids, biosurfactants, and organic acids. Information on the impurities of crude glycerol from different industrial processes is also included.

Engaging Equity Pedagogies in Computer Science Learning Environments.

In this position paper, we advocate for the use of equity-focused teaching and learning as an essential practice within computer science classrooms. We provide an overview of the theoretical underpinnings of various equity pedagogies (Banks & Banks, 1995), such as culturally relevant pedagogy (Ladson-Billings, 1995, 2006) and share how they have been utilized in CS classrooms. First, we provide a brief history of CS education and issues of equity within public schools in the United States. In sharing our definition of equity, along with our rationale for how and why these strategies can be taken up in computer science (CS) learning environments, we demonstrate how researchers and educators can shift the focus from access and achievement to social justice. After explaining the differences between the relevant theoretical frameworks, we provide practical examples from research of how both practitioners and researchers might use and/or examine equity-focused teaching practices. Resources for further learning are also included.

Generalized similarity in finite range solar wind magnetohydrodynamic turbulence.

Extended or generalized similarity is a ubiquitous but not well understood feature of turbulence that is realized over a finite range of scales. The ULYSSES spacecraft solar polar passes at solar minimum provide in situ observations of evolving anisotropic magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in the solar wind under ideal conditions of fast quiet flow. We find a single generalized scaling function characterizes this finite range turbulence and is insensitive to plasma conditions. The recent unusually inactive solar minimum--with turbulent fluctuations down by a factor of approximately 2 in power--provides a test of this invariance.

CaM kinase signaling induces cardiac hypertrophy and activates the MEF2 transcription factor in vivo.

Hypertrophic growth is an adaptive response of the heart to diverse pathological stimuli and is characterized by cardiomyocyte enlargement, sarcomere assembly, and activation of a fetal program of cardiac gene expression. A variety of Ca(2+)-dependent signal transduction pathways have been implicated in cardiac hypertrophy, but whether these pathways are independent or interdependent and whether there is specificity among them are unclear. Previously, we showed that activation of the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin or its target transcription factor NFAT3 was sufficient to evoke myocardial hypertrophy in vivo. Here, we show that activated Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases-I and -IV (CaMKI and CaMKIV) also induce hypertrophic responses in cardiomyocytes in vitro and that CaMKIV overexpressing mice develop cardiac hypertrophy with increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and decreased fractional shortening. Crossing this transgenic line with mice expressing a constitutively activated form of NFAT3 revealed synergy between these signaling pathways. We further show that CaMKIV activates the transcription factor MEF2 through a posttranslational mechanism in the hypertrophic heart in vivo. Activated calcineurin is a less efficient activator of MEF2-dependent transcription, suggesting that the calcineurin/NFAT and CaMK/MEF2 pathways act in parallel. These findings identify MEF2 as a downstream target for CaMK signaling in the hypertrophic heart and suggest that the CaMK and calcineurin pathways preferentially target different transcription factors to induce cardiac hypertrophy.

Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Chemo-intensity-modulated Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Cancer.

AIMS: To determine the toxicity and tumour control rates after chemo-intensity-modulated radiotherapy (chemo-IMRT) for locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancers (LA-NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with LA-NPC were enrolled in a trial to receive induction chemotherapy followed by parotid-sparing chemo-IMRT. The primary site and involved nodal levels received 65 Gy in 30 fractions and at risk nodal levels received 54 Gy in 30 fractions. Incidence of ≥grade 2 subjective xerostomia was the primary end point. Secondary end points included incidences of acute and late toxicities and survival outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stages II (12%), III (26%) and IV (62%) (World Health Organization subtype: I [5%]; II [40%]; III [55%]) completed treatment between January 2006 and April 2010 with a median follow-up of 32 months. Incidences of ≥grade 2 acute toxicities were: dysphagia 83%; xerostomia 76%; mucositis 97%; pain 76%; fatigue 99% and ototoxicity 12%. At 12 months, ≥grade 2 subjective xerostomia was observed in 31%, ototoxicitiy in 13% and dysphagia in 4%. Two year locoregional control was 86.2% (95% confidence interval: 70.0-94.0) with 2 year progression-free survival at 78.4% (61.4-88.6) and 2 year overall survival at 85.9% (69.3-93.9). CONCLUSIONS: Chemo-IMRT for LA-NPC is feasible with good survival outcomes. At 1 year, 31% experience ≥grade 2 subjective xerostomia.

A domain necessary for the transforming activity of SnoN is required for specific DNA binding, transcriptional repression and interaction with TAF(II)110.

sno is a member of the ski oncogene family and shares ski's ability to transform avian fibroblasts and induce muscle differentiation. Ski and Sno are nuclear proteins that form homodimers and heterodimers. Ski activates transcription of cellular and viral enhancers and we have identified a DNA binding site (GTCTAGAC) through which it represses transcription. In this work, we show that SnoN binds this site and represses transcription of reporters with this binding site as an upstream element. Using fusions with the Gal4-DNA binding domain in a heterologous reporter assay, we identify a tripartite repression domain in SnoN. A 107 amino acid stretch of the SnoN repression domain, that contains two of the subdomains, is closely related to the minimal region of Ski required for transformation. The third subdomain is unique to SnoN. By analysing deletions involving each of the subdomains, we show that subdomains II and III are also required for DNA binding and cellular transformation. We provide evidence for a quenching mechanism of transcriptional repression by which subdomain II binds to TAF(II)110.

Genetics of club foot in Maori and Pacific people.

The role of major gene and multifactorial inheritance in the aetiology of club foot in the New Zealand Polynesian population was studied using 287 New Zealand Maori and Pacific club foot families. The club foot family data were analysed by complex segregation analysis under the mixed model using the computer program POINTER. This analysis shows that the best genetic model for club foot in this population is a single dominant gene with a penetrance of 33% and a predicted gene frequency of 0.9%. These data provide a scientific foundation for molecular studies in the Maori and Polynesian population to identify putative club foot genes.

The performance of amnesic subjects on tests of experimental amnesia in animals: delayed matching-to-sample and concurrent learning.

A group of amnesic Korsakoff subjects and a group of alcoholic controls were trained on a test of visual recognition, delayed matching-to-sample with trial unique stimuli. This test was modelled on comparable tasks used in the development of animal models of human amnesia. It was found that the Korsakoff subjects were severely impaired when the task difficulty was increased by lengthening the retention delay beyond 10 sec or by increasing the number of items intervening between sample presentation and test. The amnesic subjects were also impaired on the acquisition of a set of concurrent visual discriminations. These results bear clear similarities to those obtained from experimental amnesic syndromes in monkeys.

Temperature step changes: a novel approach to control biofilms of Streptococcus thermophilus in a pilot plant-scale cheese-milk pasteurisation plant.

A pilot plant-scale cheese-milk pasteurisation plant was designed and constructed to study the development of biofilms of Streptococcus thermophilus during pasteurisation of milk, and to investigate methods for preventing this growth from occurring. Under base run conditions, S. thermophilus grew on surfaces in the cool-down sections of the pilot plant, between 50 and 35 degrees C (bulk milk temperature), and could be detected in the product stream after 8-10 h production, reaching levels of 10(6) CFU ml-1 after 16 h. Thermoduric bacteria also grew in the heating sections of the pilot plant, although to a lesser extent, as did non-thermoduric bacteria that originated in the raw milk. The novel application of temperature step changes, implemented periodically to the growth region of S. thermophilus, successfully controlled the development of biofilms of these organisms. The growth of bacteria on the heating side of the pilot plant was also prevented by the implementation of these same step changes. The optimum step change conditions required to achieve a 20-h production run without detectable growth of S. thermophilus comprised a step change to 55 degrees C, applied for 10 min, with a 60-min interval between step changes.

A mathematical simulation of growth of fusarium in maize ears after artificial inoculation.

ABSTRACT Fusarium spp. in maize can contaminate the grain with mycotoxins if environmental conditions are favorable for fungal growth. To quantify the relationship between growth of Fusarium spp. and environmental conditions, a mathematical model was developed to simulate growth of F. graminearum and F. verticillioides on maize ears following silk inoculation in field experiments from 1992 to 1995. Each species was inoculated separately and as a mixture of the two for 3 of the 4 years on one maize hybrid. Disease progress in ears was measured by a visual rating scale that was converted to percent visual infection. Measurements were made at regular time intervals after silks were inoculated 5 days after silk emergence. Differential equations were used to relate growth rates of Fusarium spp. in maize ears to hourly air temperature and relative humidity and to daily precipitation. Integration of these equations over time produced quantitative estimates of fungal growth. Model calculations compared well with measurements (R(2) = 0.931, standard error of estimate [SEE] = 2.11%) of percent visual disease infection of maize ears over 3 years. The model was tested against a second set of data (R(2) = 0.89, SEE = 5.9%) in which silks were inoculated at nine different times after first silk emergence for each of 2 years (1994 and 1995) with the two species of fungi on the same maize hybrid. At this time, a silk function was developed to account for changes in the susceptibility of silks to disease. F. graminearum responded to wet conditions more than F. verticillioides, and for the conditions of this experiment, grew much faster than F. verticillioides when inoculated separately. When they were inoculated together, F. graminearum growth rates were much lower, indicating some interference by F. verticillioides. During 1993, weather conditions before inoculation reduced the growth of both species in silks.

Interaction of Fusarium graminearum and F. moniliforme in Maize Ears: Disease Progress, Fungal Biomass, and Mycotoxin Accumulation.

ABSTRACT To investigate the interaction between two major ear-rotting pathogens, maize ears were inoculated with either Fusarium graminearum, F. moniliforme, or an equal mixture of the two. Silk and kernel tissues were periodically harvested throughout the growing season so that a time course of the experimental variables (disease severity, ergosterol content, fungal DNA content, and mycotoxin concentration) could be recorded. Over the 3 years tested (1992 to 1994), the highest levels of disease and ergosterol were found in the F. graminearum treatment, followed by the mixture treatment (F. graminearum plus F. moniliforme) and, finally, the F. moniliforme treatment. Kernel ergosterol content and disease rating were correlated for both pathogens, but the highest correlation coefficients were obtained in the F. graminearum treatment. The DNA analysis revealed that, in the mixed inoculum, F. moniliforme had a greater growth rate than did F. graminearum. In 1994, appreciable F. moniliforme from natural inoculum was found in the F. graminearum treatment. Fumonisin B(1) levels did not differ between the F. moniliforme treatment and the mixed inoculum treatment. The effect of temperature on the growth rate of the two species explained some of the field results, with temperatures in the silks being more favorable to F. moniliforme. Data on the growth rate on silks obtained by the incorporation of radiolabeled precursor to ergosterol demonstrated that F. graminearum was able to grow well at 26 to 28 degrees C, whereas F. moniliforme grew well over a broader range, including at higher temperatures.

Lytic spondylolysis. Repair by wiring.

A technique for repairing the defect in spondylolysis by wiring is presented together with the results achieved in seven patients; the follow-up ranged from 2 to 12 years. The relative simplicity of the technique is stressed; and the technical problems likely to be encountered, together with the modifications of the basic technique necessary to cope with them, are noted. When conservative methods have been tried without success and the patient has a lesion at one or more levels and is less than 30 years old at presentation, then the technique described will give predictable results with regard to union of the defect and patient function.

Correction of combined tibial torsion and valgus deformity of the foot.

Patients with spina bifida cystica commonly have significant disability from a combination of valgus deformity of the ankle and subtalar joints with lateral tibial torsion and plano-abduction deformity of the foot. These deformities can be corrected by a single procedure which combines a supramalleolar tibial osteotomy with a lateral inlay triple fusion. This procedure was carried out on 20 feet in 15 patients and the results were reviewed after an average of three years (range 18 months to 7 years). In 75 per cent of feet the combination of deformities was fully corrected, ulcers and callosities were eliminated in 95 per cent, the use of calipers minimised in 95 per cent, and in all patients the problem of shoe-wrecking was reduced. Complications included recurrent valgus deformity, delayed union of the tibial osteotomy and failure of midtarsal fusion.

Efficacy of Piper (Piperaceae) extracts for control of common home and garden insect pests.

Extracts from three species of the plant family Piperaceae, Piper nigrum [L.], Piper guineense [Schum & Thonn, and Piper tuberculatum [Jacq.], were tested for efficacy against insects from five orders. All three species contain isobutyl amides, plant secondary compounds that act as neurotoxins in insects. These materials are considered safe to mammals because Piper spp. were used for centuries for spice and medicinal purposes. When 24-h P. nigrum LC50 values were compared between common insect pests from eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, the most sensitive species in order of increasing lethal concentration were eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum (F.) < European pine sawfly larvae, Neodiprion sertifer (Geoffroy) < spindle ermine moth larvae, Yponomeuta cagnagella [Hübner] < viburnum leaf beetle larvae, Pyrrhalta viburni [Paykull] < stripped cucumber beetle adults, Acalymma vittatum (F.) < Colorado potato beetle adults, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) < Japanese beetle adults, Popillia japonica [Newman] < hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtis [Montandon]. The life stage tested was the point at which each species causes the greatest amount of damage to the host plant and the point at which most gardeners would likely choose to treat with a conventional synthetic insecticide. Greenhouse trials revealed that the pepper formulations also had a repellent activity, thus protecting plant leaves from 1) herbivory (lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii [Scopoli], adults and larvae and stripped cucumber beetle adults) and 2) oviposition [European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)]. Combinations with other botanical extracts were additive at best in toxicity and repellent trials. Nontarget toxicity to beneficial invertebrates is a possibility because the P. nigrum LC50 for beneficial ladybird beetles was 0.2%. P. nigrum extracts can provide a reasonable level of control against lepidopteran and European pine sawfly larvae and also will work as a short-term repellent and feeding deterrent. It is recommended that the use of Piper extracts be restricted to small-scale spot treatments in residential areas where insect pest outbreaks have occurred.

The use of the simplex method for the optimisation of non-linear functions on a laboratory microcomputer.

The use of the microcomputer for the processing of analytical data in the laboratory is currently increasing. However, computational methods which have been used successfully on minicomputers may not be suitable for microcomputer implementation due to the lack of available precision. This paper describes a technique, namely the simplex method, which may be successfully applied to the processing of laboratory data on an 8-bit microcomputer. The method is used to optimise a non-linear function in order to fit a curve to radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunoradiometricassay (IRMA) data. The microcomputer package described has been tested on laboratory data and is currently in use in a clinical biochemistry laboratory.

BCG osteitis: a case report.

Osteomyelitis of the left tibia of a two year old boy secondary to neonatal BCG immunisation is described. He made a good recovery following surgical debridement and anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy.

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: a five year review.

This review of patients presenting with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm over a five year period shows a high mortality. The natural history of the problem of abdominal aortic aneurysm and the place of elective aneurysmectomy is stressed. Factors affecting the outcome after rupture in the forty-six patients presenting in this five year period are reviewed. Ten patients survived to leave hospital.

A study of the normal range of blood pressure in the aged New Zealand male.

A study of blood pressure in males 60 years of age and over, its relationship to age, ideal body weight and time of day, was performed by taking a total of 442 recordings on 133 subjects. No relationship between arterial pressure and increasing age was demonstrable. The relationship between arterial pressure and ideal body weight which exists in other sectors of the population also exists in this age group. In this age group, arterial pressure was not found to vary significantly during the day.