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This study proposes a model for appraising the overall contract price of build–operate–transfer (BOT) projects with default risk in public works construction situations. The contract is assumed to have been terminated during its implementation period; then, this assumption is used to estimate the final simulated default situation and to calculate the BOT option price. Taiwan’s highway expansion project is used for an actual appraisal, analysing the project sensitivity and default price. A numerical solution is obtained using the Monte Carlo simulation method.

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata] is an important legume crop for South East Asia. Smallholder farmers rely on this crop to diversify income streams and enrich soils through N-fixation. To produce new varieties that stabilize mungbean productivity under biotic and abiotic stresses, breeders need to take advantage of genomic tools. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) are an effective strategy to associate agronomic traits with underlying genes. A key factor to avoid false associations in GWAS is a thorough understanding of the population structure. In this study, we analyzed the population structure of the World Vegetable Center’s (WorldVeg) mungbean mini core collection and performed a GWAS to identify loci associated with seed coat luster (SCL) utilizing SNP markers. The mini core collection consisted of 297 most genetically diverse accessions selected from 6700 global accessions held by the WorldVeg genebank. Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) produced a total of 24,870 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers. After filtering, 5288 highly polymorphic SNPs were used for analysis. Population structure analysis predicted four sub-populations based on the non-parametric Wilcoxon test. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) was found to decline to half of the maximal r2 value at approximately 350 kb; and a pilot GWAS study investigating seed coat luster (SCL) revealed two loci in chromosome 5 significantly associated with SCL.

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilzeck var. radiata) is a protein-rich short-duration legume that fits well as a rotation crop into major cereal production systems of East and South-East Asia. Salinity stress in arid areas affects mungbean, being more of a glycophyte than cereals. A significant portion of the global arable land is either salt or sodium affected. Thus, studies to understand and improve salt-stress tolerance are imminent. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to mine genomic loci underlying salt-stress tolerance during seed germination of mungbean. The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) mungbean minicore collection representing the diversity of mungbean germplasm was utilized as the study panel and variation for salt stress tolerance was found in this germplasm collection. The germplasm panel was classed into two agro-climatic groups and showed significant differences in their germination abilities under salt stress. A total of 5288 SNP markers obtained through genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were used to mine alleles associated with salt stress tolerance. Associated SNPs were identified on chromosomes 7 and 9. The associated region at chromosome 7 (position 2,696,072 to 2,809,200 bp) contains the gene Vradi07g01630, which was annotated as the ammonium transport protein (AMT). The associated region in chromosome 9 (position 19,390,227 bp to 20,321,817 bp) contained the genes Vradi09g09510 and Vradi09g09600, annotated as OsGrx_S16-glutaredoxin subgroup II and dnaJ domain proteins respectively. These proteins were reported to have functions related to salt-stress tolerance.

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilzeck var. radiata) is a protein-rich short-duration legume that fits well as a rotation crop into major cereal production systems of East and South-East Asia. Salinity stress in arid areas affects mungbean, being more of a glycophyte than cereals. A significant portion of the global arable land is either salt or sodium affected. Thus, studies to understand and improve salt-stress tolerance are imminent. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to mine genomic loci underlying salt-stress tolerance during seed germination of mungbean. The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) mungbean minicore collection representing the diversity of mungbean germplasm was utilized as the study panel and variation for salt stress tolerance was found in this germplasm collection. The germplasm panel was classed into two agro-climatic groups and showed significant differences in their germination abilities under salt stress. A total of 5288 SNP markers obtained through genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were used to mine alleles associated with salt stress tolerance. Associated SNPs were identified on chromosomes 7 and 9. The associated region at chromosome 7 (position 2,696,072 to 2,809,200 bp) contains the gene Vradi07g01630, which was annotated as the ammonium transport protein (AMT). The associated region in chromosome 9 (position 19,390,227 bp to 20,321,817 bp) contained the genes Vradi09g09510 and Vradi09g09600, annotated as OsGrx_S16-glutaredoxin subgroup II and dnaJ domain proteins respectively. These proteins were reported to have functions related to salt-stress tolerance.

Study design Retrospective. Objective To evaluate the clinical and radiographical results. Summary of background data The evolution of posterior approach for burst fractures was from long-segment to short-segment and then to monosegmental fixation. Decompression of the spinal cord is performed by anterior or posterior approaches. The technique attempts to decompress the spinal cord by a paramedian subpedicle approach, and simultaneous vertebral reconstruction with pile-up titanium spacers (subpedicle decompression and body augmentation [SpBA]) was developed. Methods Eighty patients with symptomatic single thoracolumbar Magerl incomplete burst fractures were included. After manual reduction, transpedicle body augmentation and shortsegment fixation (TpBA group) were performed in 38 patients and SpBA in 42 cases. The mean follow-up was 52.6 ± 18.7 (TpBA) and 42.1 ± 7.8 (SpBA) months, and the age was 57.9 ± 7.2 and 59.1 ± 8.3 years. Clinical and radiographical outcomes were analyzed. Results The operation time was 66 ± 11 (TpBA) versus 34.5 ± 5.5 (SpBA) minutes. The initial anterior vertebral correction was 46.8 ± 12.2% (TpBA) versus 53.2 ± 15.0% (SpBA) (P = 0.03) and the final correction was 44.0 ± 10.8% versus 51.5 ± 15.3% (P = 0.01). Initial corrections of the lateral Cobb angle were 22.3° ± 2.6° versus 22.8° ± 2.7° and the final corrections were 19.1° ± 3.4° versus 20.5° ± 2.9°. The VAS score was 7.7 ± 1.2 versus 7.9 ± 1.2 preoperatively and 2.2 ± 0.7 versus 1.8 ± 0.6 (P = 0.02) at the final visit. Seventy-five patients maintained or recovered to Frankel grade E. Three patients in the TpBA group and 2 in the SpBA group improved from grade C to D. Technical complications included 1 root overstretch in the SpBA group and one incomplete decompression in the TpBA group. Conclusion SpBA is a safe and fast technique to treat Magerl incomplete burst fractures and leads to good clinical results. Level of evidence N/A.

Unexpected project risk events are important for managers to evaluate and control large-scale projects. In the past, these issues are widely handled by event studies. However, event studies have been criticized for its irrational assumption, such as normal distribution and constant variance. In this paper, we consider a dummy GARCH model, which releases the assumption of the normal distribution, to deal with the impact of unexpected project risk events. In addition, the important events are detected automatically by using the ICSS, instead of determining by decision makers. From the result of our empirical studies, it can be seen that the flexibility of the proposed method is better than that of traditional event studies.

Exhausted coffee residue (ECR), a processing by-product from the soluble coffee industry, was evaluated as a potential feedstock for preparing biochar fuel. Its thermochemical characteristics were first investigated using the standard methods, showing that the biomass obviously comprises a large percentage of volatile matter and less amount of ash. Its molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon (H/C) is about 1.59, which is close to the cellulose (H/C = 1.67) and hemicellulose (H/C = 1.60). Under the pyrolysis temperature of 673–973 K and the heating rate of about 10 K/min studied, the yields and calorific values for the resulting biochar products reached to the maximum at the condition of around 673 K. The calorific value (around 31.9 MJ/kg) of the optimal biochar from ECR was relatively high as compared to that of coal. However, the resulting biochar has greater nitrogen content, which may contribute to greater nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions during combustion or co-firing. On the other hand, the resulting biochars were characterized using helium-based solid density (true density), showing that the density increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature in accord with the conversion of low-density disordered carbon to high-density turbostratic carbon.

An efficient in vitro regeneration system was developed for the hermaphrodite papaya ‘Red Lady’ using nodal explants. Nodal explants were cultured on modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) concentrations (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 mgL -1 ) or kinetin (10 mgL -1 ) in combination with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mgL -1 ). Media consisted of 0.5 or 1.0 mgL -1 BAP in combination with 0.1 mgL -1 NAA were determined to be the most effective based on the percentage of explants that produced shoots (93.33 and 86.67 % , respectively), mean number of shoots (1.79 and 1.81 shoots, respectively) and shoot height (2.26 and 1.95 mm, respectively). Shoot multiplication and elongation was achieved 30 days after transferring the initiated shoots to full-strength MS supplemented with 0.5 mgL -1 BAP, 0.1 mgL -1 NAA, and 200 – 400 mgL -1 casein hydrolysate (CH). Effect of full and haft-strength MS medium supplemented with different indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations (0.0 – 4.0 mgL -1 ) was tested for rooting. Adventitious rooting occurred after subculturing excised shoots on a medium containing 2.0 or 2.5 mgL -1 IBA and 300 mgL -1 CH, and plantlets were successfully acclimatised on potting medium consisting of peat moss: perlite (1:1). After 40 days of acclimatisation, plantlets grew normally and vigorously. This protocol can be used for commercial production of ‘Red Lady’ papaya plantlets.

Background: Multiple osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) have been treated with polymethylmethacrylate augmentation; however, there are cement complications and long-term fracture healing that are unknown. Transpedicle body augmenter (a porous titanium spacer) has been reported as an internal support to reconstruct the vertebral body combining short-segment fixation in burst fracture and Kümmell′s disease with cord compression. Transpedicle body augmenter for vertebral augmentation (TpBA) also has been reported successfully in treating single painful VCF and vertebral metastasis lesions including pending fractures and pathologic compression fractures. To test the hypothesis that TpBA can effectively and safely treat the symptomatic multiple VCFs, this retrospective study was done by analyzing the radiographic and clinical results. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiographic results of TpBA for symptomatic multiple (more than two levels) VCFs in 62 patients with a total of 236 levels, i.e. 3.8 VCFs per patient. Manual reduction and TpBA via paramedian incisions with blunt dissection were done. One incision was made for two continuous levels and alternative side was selected for next incision. Mean age was 74.3 years (range, 62-87 years), and female-male ratio was 5.2:1. Anterior vertebral height and wedge angle by radiographic findings were measured at preoperative, initial follow-up and final follow-up. Clinical results were assessed by questionnaires and clinical observations. By July 2008, 58 patients returned to answer the questionnaire including quantification of pain on the visual analog scale, the response to operations (better, same, or worse after operation), returned to their pre-fracture function (yes/no) and satisfaction (a scale of 0 = completely dissatisfied to 10 = completely satisfied). Results: The mean symptom duration was 7 months, and follow-up, 48 months. The average operation time was 21 min per level, blood loss was 74 cc per level and hospitalization was 4.4 days. No patient had neurological deterioration. There was no dislodgement of implant in the final visit. Forty-eight patients (77.4%) could walk within 6-8 h after operation and the others, within 24 h. The anterior vertebral restoration was 7.3 mm initially and 6.2 mm at final follow-up. Wedge angle correction was 10.4° initially and was 9.3° at final follow-up. Pain, by the visual analog scale, was 8.5 preoperatively, 2.7 at day 7 follow-up and 2.9 at final follow-up. By the questionnaire, 52 of 58 respondents reported a decrease in discomfort after TpBA and 48 of 58 patients reported a return to normal activity after operation. The final satisfaction rate was 89.7%. Discussion: The symptoms of multiple osteoporotic compression fracture may be due to unstable fracture, radiculopathy, and global traumatic kyphosis with posture changes, which can be corrected by multiple TpBA. The transpedicle body augmenter was initially stabilized by the sinking and locking mechanism and finally by bone ingrowth. Conclusions: TpBA via a minimally invasive method led to early and medium-term clinical improvements and anatomic restoration of multiple symptomatic VCFs.

Background: Short-segment fixation alone to treat thoracolumbar burst fractures is common but it has a 20-50% incidence of implant failure and rekyphosis. A transpedicle body augmenter (TpBA) to reinforce the vertebral body via posterior approach has been reported to prevent implant failure and increase the clinical success rate in treating burst fracture. This article is to evaluate the long-term results of short-segment fixation with TpBA for treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Materials and Methods: Patients included in the study had a single-level burst fracture involving T11-L2 and no distraction or rotation element with limited neurological deficit. Patients in the control group (n = 42) were treated with short-segment posterior instrumentation alone, whereas patients in the augmented group (n = 90) were treated with a titanium spacer designed for transpedicle body reconstruction. The follow-up was 48-101 months. The radiographic and clinical results were evaluated and compared by Student′s t test and Fisher′s exact test. Results: The blood loss, operation time and hospitalization were similar in both the groups. The immediate postoperative anterior vertebral restoration rate of the augmented group was similar to that of the control group (97.6% ± 2.4% vs . 96.6% ± 3.2%). The final anterior vertebral restoration was greater in the augmented group than in the control group (93.3% ± 3.4% vs . 62.5% ± 11.2%). Immediate postoperative kyphotic angles were not significantly different between the groups (3.0° ± 1.8° vs . 5.1° ± 2.3°). The final kyphotic angles were less in the augmented group than the control group (7.3° ± 3.5° vs . 20.1° ± 5.4°). The augmented group had less ( P < 0.001) implant failure [0% (n=0) vs . 23.8% (n=10)] for the control group and more patients ( P < 0.001) with no pain or minimal or occasional pain (Grade P1 or P2) than the control group [90.0% (n=81) vs . 66.7% (n=28)]. All patients in the augmented group and 39 (92.8%) patients in the control group experienced neurological recovery to Frankel Grade E. Three patients in the control group had improvement to Frankel Grade D from Frankel Grade C, but later had deterioration to Frankel Grade C because of loosening and dislodgement of the implant. Conclusion: Posterior body reconstruction with TpBA can maintain kyphosis correction and vertebral restoration, prevent implant failure and lead to better clinical results.

Kümmell's disease is defined as delayed post-traumatic vertebral collapse, common in osteoporotic people with/without a trauma history. Its clinical course is progressive, and treatment modalities have to be tailored to the patient. In the literature, no staging system has been reported. Based on clinical symptomatology, radiographic and MRI imaging, a staging system for Kümmell's disease was developed. This study involved 129 Kümmell's disease patients with 348 compression fractures involving 136 vertebrae. The mean age was 72.5 ± 6.6 years, with a female to male ratio of 103 to 26. Osteoporosis is a common risk factor. Minor trauma can be traced in some of the patients. A three-stage system was proposed. Stage I: Intact or minor compression on plain X-ray films with signs of osteonecrosis on the MRI. Stage II: Body collapse with dynamic mobility, but with intact posterior body wall. Stage III: Collapse of posterior body wall with resultant cord compression. There were 19, 90 and 33 vertebrae respectively classified in Stages I, II and III. Kümmell's disease is most common threat to the thoracolumbar junction. Treatments based on clinical symptomatology and radiographic findings were well correlated with the staging system. The present staging system therefore seems appropriate to describe the natural course of Kümmell's disease and to guide management policy.

This study examined the effects of different irrigation regimes on the growth and development of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Taoyuan ASVEG No.20) irrigated under a drip irrigation system. The experiment imposed water deficit at the initial (Trt4); developmental (Trt3); mid-season (Trt2); and the late stage of growth (Trt1) comparing the stages of growth to the fully irrigated control (Control), to indicate the stage most susceptible to water stress. The results showed that plant growth, fruit production and quality were significantly affected under different water applications. The treatments (Trts3 and 4) which underwent water deficit earlier in their growth stage showed a significant reduction in leaf chlorophyll content and plant height as compared to the other treatments. The effect on fruit production and quality as a consequence of a water deficit was apparent among all treatments. The mean number of fully formed fruits on Trts1, 2, 3 and 4 was 5.8, 7.7, 6.8 and 7.5 respectively. All of which were significantly lower than average of 11.6 fully formed fruits found on the Control. The application of the deficit irrigation approach in this study was both useful and appropriate in assessing the response of L. esculentum Mill under varying soil moisture. Key words: Chlorophyll, deficit irrigation, drip irrigation, tomato, growth stage, water restriction.

STUDY DESIGN Transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty of painful vertebral tumor was retrospectively evaluated. OBJECTIVE Transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty was designed to treat spinal tumor with intractable pain refractory to conservative management, deformity, biomechanical impairment, and neural deficits. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and radiation therapy cannot restore spinal stability. Complication rates of major surgery are high. Percutaneous vertebroplasty has a high leakage rate, and tumor tissue may be displaced into the canal. Transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty was designed to treat spinal tumor for pain control and stability. METHODS There were 9 women and 9 men with a mean age of 62.7 +/- 12.6 years included. All patients had vertebral pain. Walking was impossible for 12 patients, and 15 had neurologic deficits. Treatments included manual reduction and transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty. RESULTS Mean follow-up time was 18 months. Mean hospitalization was 7.1 +/- 4.2 days, operating time was 46 +/- 25 minutes, and blood loss was 263 +/- 157 cc. Neither neurologic deterioration nor root irritation was found after transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty. No dislodgement of the transpedicle body augmenter was found at the final visit. According to the visual analog scale, pain was 9.3 before surgery, 3.2 at 2-week follow-up, and 2.2 at 3-month follow-up. There were 11 patients (92%) who recovered walking ability. Neurologic status improved in 14 patients (93%). The satisfaction rate was 89%. CONCLUSION Transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty proved to be safe and effective in reducing pain and improving functional status of patients with spinal tumor.

Osteoporotic compression fractures (VCFs) can result in progressive kyphosis and chronic pain. Polymethylmethacrylate has been used for augmentation of VCFs; however, there are cement complications, and long-term fracture healing is unknown. The transpedicle body augmenter (TpBA), a porous titanium spacer, has been reported as an internal support to reconstruct the vertebral body combining short segment fixation in burst fracture. We retrospectively reviewed radiographic and clinical results of TpBA vertebroplasty for single symptomatic VCF in 80 patients. Manual reduction and TpBA vertebroplasty via a paramedian incision with blunt dissection was done. Mean age was 72.3 years (range 51–87 years), and female–male ratio was 66:14. The mean symptom duration was 5 months, and follow-up 44 months. Peri-operative variables and radiographic and clinical results were evaluated. The average operation time was 26.1 min, blood loss 92 cc, and hospitalization 2.3 days. No patient had neurological deterioration. TpBA was found sinking into vertebral body initially, then locked by residual cortex, and finally stabilized within the vertebra. There was no dislodgement of TpBA in the final visit. Sixty-two patients (77.5%) could walk within 3–6 h after operation and the others within 24 h. The anterior vertebral restoration was 8.0 mm initially and 6.1 mm at final follow-up. Wedge angle correction was 11.5° initially and 9.4° at final follow-up. Pain, by the visual analog scale, was 8.6 pre-operatively, 2.5 at day 7 follow-up, and 2.9 at final follow-up. By the questionnaire, 72 of 76 respondents reported a decrease in discomfort after TpBA vertebroplasty, and 63 of 76 patients reported a return to normal activity after operation. The final satisfaction rate was 93.4%. TpBA vertebroplasty led to early and medium-term clinical improvement and anatomic restoration of painful VCFs.

The efficiency of short-segment fixation with transpedicle body augmenter (a titanium spacer with bone-ingrowth porous surface, TpBA) to treat Kümmell's disease with cord compression (stage III) was retrospectively evaluated. No laminectomy or instrumentation reduction was done. Inclusion criteria included Frankel CDE, single-level within T10-L2. FU rate was 88%, i.e. 21 cases were included. Frankel function classification was 6E9D6C. Mean age was 72+/-8 years. F:M was 16:5. FU period was 48 M (range, 30-76 M). The hospitalization was 4.5+/-2.2 days; operation time, 70.4+/-17.2 min; blood loss, 150+/-72 cc. Final Frankel class was 20E1D. Complications included two superficial infection and one pneumonia. Body height and kyphosis were all corrected significantly and well preserved at the final visit. No TpBA dislodgement or implant failure was noted; however, three cases developed new compression fractures. The clinical outcome showed 81% with P1 or P2 by Denis pain scale. This method can decompress spinal canal, maintain kyphosis correction and vertebral restoration, prevent implant failure, and attain good clinical results.

Introduction Synovial macrophages, which can release proinflammatory factors, are responsible for the upregulation of cartilage-breakdown proteases and play critical roles in cartilage degradation during the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). In addition, shear stress exerts multifunctional effects on chondrocytes by inducing the synthesis of catabolic or anabolic genes. However, the interplay of macrophages, chondrocytes, and shear stress during the regulation of cartilage function remains poorly understood. We investigated the mechanisms underlying the modulation of human chondrocyte urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression by macrophages and shear stress. Methods Human chondrocytes were stimulated by peripheral blood-macrophage- conditioned medium (PB-MCM), or exposure of chondrocytes cultured in PB-MCM to different levels of shear stress (2 to 20 dyn/cm2). Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze uPA gene expression. Inhibitors and small interfering RNA were used to investigate the mechanism for the effects of PB-MCM and shear stress in chondrocytes. Results Stimulation of human chondrocytes with PB-MCM was found to induce uPA expression. We demonstrated that activation of the JNK and Akt pathways and NF-κB are critical for PB-MCM-induced uPA expression. Blocking assays by using IL-1ra further demonstrated that IL-1β in PB-MCM is the major mediator of uPA expression in chondrocytes. PB-MCM-treated chondrocytes subjected to a lower level of shear stress showed inhibition of MCM-induced JNK and Akt phosphorylation, NF-κB activation, and uPA expression. The PB-MCM-induced uPA expression was suppressed by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist. The inhibitor or siRNA for AMPK abolished the shear-mediated inhibition of uPA expression. Conclusions These data support the hypothesis that uPA upregulation stimulated by macrophages may play an active role in the onset of OA and in the shear-stress protection against this induction.