A rapid method for isolation of total nucleic acids from Aspergillus nidulans

With the development of molecular biology techniques and their application to the analysis of cellular events, the isolation of total nucleic acids in Aspergillus nidulans for Southern and Northern hybridization has become routine

Pinned modes in two-dimensional lossy lattices with local gain and nonlinearity

We introduce a system with one or two amplified nonlinear sites ("hot spots", HSs) embedded into a two-dimensional linear lossy lattice. The system describes an array of evanescently coupled optical or plasmonic waveguides, with gain applied at selected HS cores. The subject of the analysis is discrete solitons pinned to the HSs. The shape of the localized modes is found in quasi-analytical and numerical forms, using a truncated lattice for the analytical consideration. Stability eigenvalues are computed numerically, and the results are supplemented by direct numerical simulations. In the case of self-focusing nonlinearity, the modes pinned to a single HS are stable or unstable when the nonlinearity includes the cubic loss or gain, respectively. If the nonlinearity is self-defocusing, the unsaturated cubic gain acting at the HS supports stable modes in a small parametric area, while weak cubic loss gives rise to a bistability of the discrete solitons. Symmetric and antisymmetric modes pinned to a symmetric set of two HSs are considered too.Comment: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, in press (a special issue on "Localized structures in dissipative media"

The Effect of a Restraint Reduction Program on Physical Restraint Rates in Rehabilitation Settings in Hong Kong

Background. In view of the adverse effects of using restraints, studies examining the use of restraint reduction programs (RRPs) are needed. Objectives. To investigate the effect of an RRP on the reduction of physical restraint rates in rehabilitation hospitals. Methods. A prospective quasi-experimental clinical trial was conducted. Demographic data, medical and health-related information on recruited patients from two rehabilitation hospitals, as well as facility data on restraint rates were collected. Results. The increase in the restraint rate in the control site was 4.3 times greater than that in the intervention site. Changes in the restraint mode, from continuous to intermittent, and the type of restraint used were found between the pre- and postintervention periods in both the control site and the intervention site. Discussion. Compared with that in the control site, the RRP in the intervention site helped arrest any increase in the restraint rate although it had no effect on physical restraint reduction. The shift of restraint mode from continuous to intermittent in the intervention site was one of the positive outcomes of the RRP

Efficacy of using non-linear pedagogy to support attacking players’ individual learning objectives in elite-youth football: A randomised cross-over trial

The present study examined the efficacy of a coaching curriculum, based on non-linear pedagogy, on improving attacking players’ individual learning objectives (ILOs) in elite-youth football. Participants included 22 attacking players (i.e., centre-forwards, wide-players and attacking midfield players) from a professional football academy in England. The players were randomly appointed to both control (CON) and intervention (INT) periods following baseline measures. The INT (non-linear) and CON (linear) periods were both designed to support the ILOs provided to each player as part of the elite player performance plan. The study adopted a randomised cross-over design and ILOs considered important for attacking players (i.e., strong foot finishing, weak foot finishing, 1-v-1 and decision-making) were evaluated using the Loughborough Shooting Skill Test. The results showed significant differences for INT in 1-v-1 (P< 0.02) and decision-making (P< 0.01). However, there were no significant differences for strong foot finishing, weak foot finishing or time taken. These results support non-linear pedagogy in developing 1-v-1 game play and decision-making but not for technical shooting proficiency

A KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF TRUNK ABILITY IN WHEELCHAIR FENCING: A PILOT STUDY

The purpose of this study was to explore the trunk ability differences between category A and B participants in wheelchair fencing. The result showed that category B participants might perform similar performance as category A participants in maximum lunge velocity, maximum lunge angle and maximum fast return velocity. This result may provide information to International Wheelchair Fencing Committee (IWFC) for the need of research on Wheelchair Fencing Classification (WFC) to clarify the differences between these two categories of participants

A KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF TRUNK ABILITY IN WHEELCHAIR FENCING: A PILOT STUDY

The purpose of this study was to explore the trunk ability differences between category A and B participants in wheelchair fencing. The result showed that category B participants might perform similar performance as category A participants in maximum lunge velocity, maximum lunge angle and maximum fast return velocity. This result may provide information to International Wheelchair Fencing Committee (IWFC) for the need of research on Wheelchair Fencing Classification (WFC) to clarify the differences between these two categories of participants

Understanding Computer Forensics Requirements in China via the “Panda Burning Incense” Virus Case

In March 2012, Mainland China has amended its Criminal Procedure Law, which includes the introduction of a new type of evidence, i.e., digital evidence, to the court of law. To better understand the development of computer forensics and digital evidence in Mainland China, this paper discusses the Chinese legal system in relation to digital investigation and how the current legal requirements affect the existing legal and technical usage of digital evidence at legal proceedings. Through studying the famous “Panda Burning Incense (Worm.WhBoy.cw)” virus case that happened in 2007, this paper aims to provide a better understanding of how to properly conduct computer forensics examination and present digital evidence at court of law in Mainland China