Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at how recent corporate scandals have translated into heightened interest in understanding various facets of corporate governance, notably the effectiveness of boards of directors and the composition of boards with particular attention to the gender dimension. In this context, the current study gauges the perceptions of Lebanese women managers regarding corporate governance issues pertaining to board effectiveness, roles and responsibilities and the benefits of female representation on boards.Design/methodology/approach – The approach takes the form of a literature review and survey type questionnaire deriving from the literature. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 61 top and middle level women managers, drawn from the context of 12 different banks in the Lebanese context.Findings – The findings suggest that Lebanese women managers consider current board performance as not being satisfactory, that women are important board member candidates and...


This paper studies the eects of changes in collateral requirements on the cyclical properties of unemployment and job creation. I develop a general equilibrium model in which labor market frictions prevent the costless adjustment of employment. Financial frictions arise from an imperfect enforcement contract. An environment in which borrowing limits are linked to the rm's physical capital stock can quantitatively account for the sluggish response of labor market variables to productivity shocks. I nd that uctuations in those variables are mainly driven by changes in nancial conditions. The model can explain 75% of the variation in job creation observed in the data, and it can also account for the persistent reduction in both output and leverage that follows a contraction in credit availability.


As the joint between the present hi -tech industry especially the information technology industry and tradition industry,power electronics industry has been playing an important role in the country economy.Staring from an evidence,this paper studies and analyses the actuality of power electronics industrialization in China,and points out the problem of power electronics industrialization development in China.Eventually,the paper advances the developing way to solve this problem where the key link lies.


Mediterranean monk seal distribution is, at present, mostly limited to the eastern part of the basin. Monk seals inhabiting the Turkish and Greek archipelagos are estimated at 150 to 250 individuals (Reijnders 1998a). There is, on the other hand, a significant information gap on the conservation status of the species along extensive stretches of north African coast in Mediterranean countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya (Aguilar 1998). Consideration of these small groups is most important for a correct global conservation strategy of the species in the Mediterranean (Reijnders 1998b). To this end, identification of the distribution of such individuals and scattered groups, as well as conservation measures for their recovery, should be undertaken in an effort to ensure survival of these nuclei.


This article describes the recent advances in the field of nickel-catalyzed hydroarylation reaction of alkenes, alkynes, and arenes. All reactions proceeded either through internal hydride transfer or in presence of...


A series of MnOx/CeO2 (Mn/Ce), MnOx/ZrO2 (Mn/Zr), and MnOx/Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 (Mn/CZ) catalysts prepared by an impregnation method were tested for their ability to catalyse the oxidation of Hg0 at relatively low temperature (423 K). Various characterization techniques, namely, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and H2-temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR) were employed to understand the structural, surface, and redox properties of the prepared catalysts. Specific aspects of the catalysis of Hg0 oxidation that were investigated included the influence of MnOx loading (5, 15, and 25%) and the influence of HCl and O2. Among the catalysts tested, the 15Mn/CZ catalyst achieved the best Hg0 oxidation performance (~83% conversion of Hg0 to Hg2+) in the presence of HCl and O2. The higher activity of the 15Mn/CZ catalyst was most likely due to the presence of more oxygen vacancies, enhanced Mn4+/Mn4+ + Mn3+ + Mn2+ ratio and more surface adsorbed oxygen, which were proved by XRD, BET, Raman, and XPS. H2-TPR results also show that the strong interaction between the Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 support and MnOx improved the redox properties significantly as compared to pure CeO2 and ZrO2 supported MnOx catalysts.


The reliability of cytologic diagnosis of salivary gland tumors by ultrasonically guided fine needle aspiration biopsy was examined preoperatively in 61 cases of parotid gland tumors. To intensify the image of the needle on the electronic linear scan, thin transverse or longitudinal grooves were made at the tip of the needle. Biopsy ecimens were taken by an aspiration pistol with a 21-gauge intravenous needles and 20ml disporsable syringe. The specimens were stained with Papanicolaou, May-Grunwald-Giemsa and occasionally with hematoxylin-eosin. In some cases, electron microscopic studies were performed. In 42 cases of benign tumors there were two false positive diagnoses. In 13 cases of malignant tumors there was one false negative. In six cases of tumor-like lesions there were three poor materials. With regard to the risk to the patient from aspiration biopsy no complication was seen in this series. It is concluded that ultrasonically guided fine needle aspiration biopsyis a safe and reliable technique.


This paper aims to characterize two dental bridges made from Co-Cr alloy, the first one obtained by the conventional method (casting) and the second one by Selective Laser Sintering technique (SLS). The elemental composition, microstructure, hardness and corrosion behavior in artificial saliva were investigated, allowing a parallel analysis of this two samples obtained with the two methods mentioned above.


The effect of fluorine addition on silicon oxide film properties as a function of SiF4/O2 gas flow ratio was investigated. The films were deposited by using electron cyclotron resonance plasma chemical vapor deposition with SiF4 and O2 as source gases diluted in Ar. Characterization of films was carried out in terms of various gas flow ratios (SiF4/O2=0.2–1.0). The microwave power and substrate temperature during deposition were fixed at 700 W and 300 °C, respectively. The chemical bonding structure of the films was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluorine concentration by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and refractive index by ellipsometry. The dielectric constant was determined from C–V measurements at 1 MHz. FTIR spectra show that as the fluorine concentration increased, the intensities of the Si–F bonding peak and the shoulder peak (at around 1160 cm−1) of the Si–O stretching mode both increased. Refractive index and deposited film density decreased with increasing SiF4/...


Objective To study the feasibility of calcium dibutyryladenosine cyclophosphate being used to prevent intra-operative high blood pressure caused by cervical plexus block(CPB).Methods Eighty patients,ASAⅠorⅡ,aged 40 to 70 and scheduled for thyroma resection,were randomly divided into observation group and control group of 40 patients each.0.375% ropivacaine 30 ml CPB was used in both groups.In the observation group 40 mg calcium dibutyryladenosine cyclophosphate was added into Ringer lactated solution 500 ml at an infusion rate of 8 ml /(kg·h) while in the control group only Ringer lactated solution was infused at the same rate.The blood pressure and heart rate changes were observed.Results In the two groups,the incidence of intra-operative high blood pressure was 2.5%(observation group) and 95%(control group),and that of tachycardia was 5%(observation group) and 90%(control group),respectively.There was statistically significant difference between the two groups(P0.01) Conclusions Calcium dibutyryladenosine cyclophosphate effectively prevents intra-operative high blood pressure and tachycardia caused by CPB.


The Korean stichaeid fish "Min-be-do-ra-chi", reported previously as Zoarchias glaber, is reviewed taxonomically and described based on a single specimen collected from Jeju Island, Korea. "Min-be-do-ra-chi" was identified as Z. major by the following morphological characteristics: U-shaped markings on the dorsal and anal fins, 31 dorsal fin spines, 78 dorsal fin soft rays, 87 anal fin soft rays, and 109 vertebrae. In contrast, Z. glaber has triangular markings on the dorsal and anal fins, 92–96 anal fin soft rays, and 112–122 vertebrae. Therefore, our results suggest that the scientific name of this species reported previously as Z. glaber should be changed to Z. major.


Abstract Complex chaotic systems are systems of high dimension and are unpredictable but often contain subsystems that are simple and predictable. The existence of such simple, ordered subsystems would indicate a predictability of climate if the underlying complex chaotic system is the phase space describing solid earth, oceans, and atmosphere. Often, some components of these systems are only poorly observed. A variational method is proposed in order to determine such parameters indirectly. The dynamic law for the simple, ordered subsystem can be determined once these system variables are known. Two examples are given for this procedure, the forecast of a river outflow and the forecast of the surface pressure at Darwin several months ahead. The model for the latter forecast is two-dimensional in phase space and its design incorporates current knowledge of the physical mechanism of the Southern Oscillation.


Beginning in the late 1970s, social history was criticized for its tendency to privilege "normal" behavior, its overdependence on static structures, and on categorizing individuals in preset groups. In replacing social history as the dominant new prospective on the past, cultural historians tried to address some of the serious questions raised about the methods of social historians while they adopted the new subjects that social historians had brought into the field. In their revised strategies, cultural historians brought back into awareness issues relating to the contingent, the personal, and the eccentric. At the same time, in swinging away from the vigorous research methods and forms of disciplined inquiry that had become the hallmarks of social historians, cultural historians frequently fell into a variety of problems that have now become quite visible in the field. By urging that the close alliance between cultural and social history be refreshed, Paula Fass suggests ways in which contemporary cultural historians can strengthen their research and writing by learning from the methods and strategies of social history.


Comments General comments 1. The manuscript presents a sensitivity analysis of potential evaporation (PE) estimates to changes in climate variables by using two different PE formulations. This issue is clearly not novel but to my opinion, the wide range of climatic settings of the studied sites and the fact that no clear consensus emerged from the literature on this issue justify the proposed manuscript. The paper is easy to follow and the discussion is interesting and nicely put into perspective with other related recent studies. My main concern is on the likelihood of the way the authors dealt with sampling the climate perturbations and on the potential impact of these choices on the proposed sensitivity analysis. In principle, Sobol analyses should be applied on models with non-correlated inputs, which is not the case of PE climate inputs. This does not mean that the analysis proposed is wrong but that a careful attention should be paid on these correlations and on the way they can be reduced/ taken into account. To shed light on this issue, I suggest the authors show the correlations between variables on the studied sites. The other related major comment is on the way the authors sampled the climate perturbations. As far as I understand, they sample individually the perturbation for each climate variable by ignoring the interactions between variables. This is a strong assumption since some perturbations are likely to be interdependent. For instance, RH is often estimated on the basis of dew-point and air temperatures. Consequently, the perturbations should concern dew-point temperature (or water vapour pressure) and air temperature rather than relative humidity and air temperature. Besides, the range of possible might be criticized since some perturbations might not be realistic (e.g. an increase of Rs will likely not be possible with a decrease in temperature).


Although psoriasis has been recognized at least since Biblical times, new forms, associations and influences continue to be described in the twentieth century. New forms include the rupioid, erythema annulare centrifugum‐like and follicular patterns. Associations with vitiligo, bullous pemphigoid and lupus erythematosus have been recently described. Endoscopic surgery has increased para‐umbilical psoriasis while Sun Smart campaigns have reduced photo‐aggravated psoriasis. Infections such as paediatric perianal streptococcal cellulitis and drugs including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and cytokines exacerbate psoriasis.


Manufacturing is main industry in China's national economy,technological introduction is an important path,but there are some problems about the absorption which restrict development of manufacturing.By analyzing the subjective and objective causes for the weak absorption,the paper proposes a new pattern of absorption which proves fessible with the full exertion of the advantages of Chinese manufacturing industry as a late starter play fully last-move advantages during technological introduction,it possesses the stronger intention and maneuverability.


tabersonina ABSTRACT : Indole alkaloids from Peschiera australis (MUELL. ARG.) MIERS. VAR. Australis . P. australis (Muell. Arg.) Miers has been analized concerning the alkaloid content in its various parts. Three majors indole alkaloids were isolated and identified: olivacine, from the root bark and leaves; coronaridine, from the seeds and roots bark and tabersonine, from the seeds.


Sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV disproportionately affect men who have sex with men (MSM) in the U.S. Deep South. The South also continues to bear the majority of incident HIV in the U.S.; concomitantly, STIs have increased among MSM in this region. HIV virologic suppression effectively prevents sexual transmission of HIV (treatment as prevention, TasP), but STIs occur commonly in MSM living with HIV despite this. Here, we describe the incidence of gonorrhea and chlamydia in MSM living with HIV in the context of their viral load (VL) management from 2016 to 2019.

 We analyzed data from adult MSM living with HIV from 2016-2019 in HIV care in Birmingham, AL. Eligible MSM were prospectively enrolled in the CFAR Network of Integrated Clinical Sites (CNICS) and had documentation of at least one HIV viral load and one STI test (gonorrhea or chlamydia at any anatomic site) in the same calendar year. Demographic data is presented by year. STI incident rates were calculated by year by viral load (VL) category, suppressed (VL < 200 copies/ml) and unsuppressed (VL ≥ 200 copies/ml), with incident rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals for comparing suppressed VL to unsuppressed VL.

 The study cohort included 943, 1084, 1080, and 1106 MSM in each year from 2016-2019, respectively. Of these men, 551 (58%), 623 (58%), 639 (63%), and 676 (61%) were Black or African American with a median age (years) of 46, 45, 44, and 43 from 2016-2019. Most had VL < 200 (79%, 81%, 82%, and 80% from 2016-2019). There were 100, 131, 139, and 168 men with positive GC or CT results per year from 2016-2019. The annual incident rates per 100 person years (PY) for MSM by suppressed and unsuppressed VL as well as IRR are presented in Table 1; the IRR ranged from 3.00-4.34 through the study period. Figure 1 shows incidence rate by VL category.

 Figure 1. Incidence Rate by Viral Load Category. PY, person years.

 In this cohort, incident bacterial STIs were common and increased each year in this analysis for both groups, reflecting national STI trends. MSM with suppressed VL had higher bacterial STI incidence rates and higher risk for incident STI compared to MSM with unsuppressed VL. Novel approaches to STI prevention, such as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis or vaccines, are necessary to alter the STI epidemic in this population and limit its impact on HIV transmission.

 All Authors: No reported disclosures


This article explores the relationship between how students conceive school rules and codes as a protolegal framework of the hidden curriculum and citizenship education. The robustness of Ewick and Silbey's legal consciouness model, as well as Westheimer and Kahne's citizenship typology in describing this relationship is evaluated through the study of two cases where high school students must resolve a legal situation. The results of the analysis lead to conclude that the third level of Ewick and Silbey's model does not allow for a distinction between legitimately contesting a law and an anomic rejection of the law. It further highlights the importance of distinguishing legal education from rights education.


This book contains the proceedings of a conference of the International Society for Optical Engineering. Topics covered include: Fiber and optoelectronic components; Optical fibers; Interconnection technology, including a paper on Coupling noncircular core optical fibers to laser diodes; and Coherent lightwave communications.


An unusual case of alternating jejunal obstruction, caused by a former latero-lateral anastomosis stenosis, complicated by two stones into the afferent jejunal tract bottom, is described. The anamnestic data of previous cholecystectomy and operative finding of no one biliary fistula clue, make the authors doubtful about a hypothetic calculi migration: it is likely calculi are formed into the bowel.


The reports on chemical constituents of Hyoscyamus niger were summarized. The compounds include alkaloids, saponins, lignans, coumarinolignans, flavonoids, and some other nonalkaloidal compounds. TLC, HPLC, and GC were used for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of some chemical constituents in H. niger. Modern pharmacological experiments showed that H. niger had the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anticonvulsant, spasmolytic, antidiarrhoeal, antisecretory, bronchodilatory, urinary bladder relaxant, hypotensive, cardiosuppressant, vasodilator, antitumor, and feeding deterrent properties. In addition, the toxicities of this medicinal plant were also described.


For the electronic music combined the audio and video,the dialectical relations between the audio and video with their combination will determine the final art expression,while the corresponding method of the audio and video related elements are the foundation of all kinds of relationship.This paper discussed the electronic music combined the audio and video Light Diffraction-for light and glassware,through analysis of its specific creative process with its structure pattern,to explore the general laws of audio and video combined in this kind of works.


Plots hatched in coffee shops, insider threats, and the boarding of vessels is the common theme in the Straits of Malacca. The heyday of piracy may be over but big money can still be caught at sea. A deep dive into the Strait can find that piracy may be bigger than a simple gang of pirates commandeering ships. Much more is in play with cooperate interests taking advantage of the instability and lawlessness of the region. Ten-grand is enough for a simple pirate for a year if a successful heist can bring back millions of dollars' worth of oil for a corporation in Southeast Asia. This paper looks into the nature of piracy in Malacca and how the forces of geography, law, insurance, and profits make piracy a common business practice in the region.


Aiming at the problem that it is difficult to identify the internal mechanical fault of transformer accurately and effectively, a method of transformer internal mechanical fault diagnosis based on improved complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (ICEEMDAN) and improved multi-verse optimization algorithm optimized hybrid kernel based extreme learning machine (IMVO-HKELM) is proposed. Firstly, to avoid the generation of false modal components, an improved ICEEMDAN is used to decompose the original vibration signal of the transformer. Secondly, the Pearson correlation coefficient method is used to select the modal component with the highest correlation and calculate its MFE value. Then, the MFE value is used as the feature quantity to construct the feature dataset, and the core parameters and regularization coefficients of HKELM are optimized using the spiral update and adaptive compressibility factor improved MVO. Then, the MFE value is used as the feature quantity to construct the feature dataset, and the HKELM kernel parameters and regularization coefficients are optimized by using the spiral update and adaptive compressibility factor improved MVO. Finally, the feature dataset is input into the established IMVO-HKELM model for classification and recognition. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method can accurately diagnose mechanical faults of transformer winding and iron core looseness, with a diagnostic accuracy of over 99%, and can provide certain guidance for the formulation of on-site maintenance strategies for transformers.


In this paper we investigate the methods by which aggregate democratic forces influence dyadiclevel interactions. We examine the causal linkage between a global democratic community and the involvement of third parties in attempts to settle dyadic claims that may otherwise lead to violence. We hypothesize that a strong democratic community and its institutions make third party settlement attempts more frequent and successful, and that these third party mediators are likely to be democracies or international institutions. Using data from the ICOW project as well as from Kadera, Crescenzi and Shannon (2003), we test these hypotheses and find broad but not universal support for the notion that when the democratic community has the ability to influence international politics, it does so through the propagation of democratic societal norms of dispute resolution. ince the classic Liberals proposed republican governance of states as a foundation for a "perpetual peace," a plethora of empirically minded scholars have investigated this claim. Almost without exception, they have found little support at the monadic level of analysis and strong support at the dyadic level: although democracies are just as likely as nondemocracies to participate in conflicts, they do not fight each other (e.g., Chan 1984, Maoz and Russett 1993, Morgan and Schwebach 1992, Russett and Oneal 2001). Kant ([1784] 1991, [1795] 1991, and [1797] 1991) exemplifies the original vision of the democratic peace as a systemic phenomenon, a tranquility produced by a developed international society of republican (representative) governments (Harrison, 2002; Huntley, 1996). Yet, rigorous systemic democratic peace analyses have only recently been conducted. These recent investigations indicate that augmenting global democracy ultimately has a pacifying effect, though there is some debate about whether the path to peace involves a monotonic lessening of conflict or initial increases in warfare up to some critical value after which war levels subside (cf. Crescenzi and Enterline 1999; Gleditsch and Hegre 1997; Kadera, Crescenzi, and Shannon 2003; Mitchell, Gates, and Hegre 1999). Nonetheless, much is left to learn. We do not yet know much about the mechanisms by which systemic peace is achieved. This paper seeks to investigate the processes by which aggregate democratic forces produce pacific benefits. S We theorize that a "strong democratic community" (Kadera, Crescenzi, and Shannon 2003) nurtures the expansion of democratic norms in international society. While there are multiple ways to practice democratic norms, we focus this paper on conflict alleviation strategies. In particular, we ask how does the strength of the democratic community affect the willingness of states to allow third party involvement in the resolution of contentious issues?


Objective:To observe the effect of radiotherapy combined with S-1 chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods: From March 2008 to March 2011,45 cases whose pathological diagnosis were squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx and stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ from Cancer Center,Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were randomly divided into the radiotherapy alone group and radiochemotherapy group.The total radiation dose was(68-72) Gy/30f,5 times/week,cervical lymph node dose was 56-70Gy/5.5-7 weeks,2Gy/f.Synchronized oral S-1 chemotherapy(40mg/m2,2 times/d,orally,42d was a cycle,when radiotherapy finished,patients continued to under went the chemotherapy after two cycles).Results: All patients completed the treatment.Toxicity effect was small,and compared with 23 cases with radiotherapy alone,radiotherapy alone group CR rate was 60.87%,radiochemotherapy group CR rate was 90.91%(P0.05).Treatment toxicity: nausea and vomiting had a high incidence in radiochemotherapy group,the majority was at light or middle,the difference was statistically significant(P0.05);myelosuppressive in radiochemotherapy group compared with radiotherapy alone group was significantly(P0.05);radiochemical group had no significant increase of skin reactions(P 0.05),but Ⅲ,Ⅳ degree of the high incidence of oral mucositis,compared with radiotherapy alone group,the difference was statistically significant(P0.05).Conclusion: Synchronous radiotherapy chemotherapy for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma was effective,toxicity can be tolerated,can significantly improve patients' quality of life.


Introduction: Traumatic brain injuries represent 12% global burden of disease and main cause of death among 1-40 year old. Though some studies have described about traumatic brain injuries in India, very limited information is available from central part of India Aims and objectives: To evaluate the incidence, Mode, severity, 128 Slice Computed tomography scan findings, and clinical outcome of head injuries at central part of India (Haroti area of Rajasthan and Malwa area of Madhya Pradesh). Materials and Methods: For the study 800 patient's of Traumatic head injuries that admitted between April 2018-march 2019 in Jhalawar medical College Jhalawar Rajasthan India were included. Their medical records were reviewed and data on epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes analysed. Results: Among 800 patient's of head injuries, median age was 28 year (range 1-90 years) Road traffic accident (60%) was most common mode of injuries followed by accidental fall from height (25%). Cerebral contusion (16%) was most common finding on 128 slice Computed tomography scan followed by acute subdural hematoma (11%) and skull bones fracture (10%). Good recovery (independent for day to day activities) was seen in 70%, mild disability was seen in 27%, severe disability in 3% and persistent vegetative state seen in 1% patient's. Conclusion: Road traffic accident are the most common cause of traumatic head injuries in central part of India and mainly occurs in young productive age groups. At least 10% mortality or severe disability occurred in Traumatic head injury patients. Knowledge about epidemiology, etiology, clinical outcome are extremely helpful for further policy making, research and health management at national level in developing countries. Higher incidence of Post traumatic seizures occurred in severe head injuries (12.5%) followed by Moderate (2%) and least (1%) in mild head injuries patient's. © 2019 Published by Innovative Publication.


This chapter tells the story of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, or Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, and their search for more than 500 grandchildren who were kidnapped by the Argentine military or born in captivity during military rule from 1976 to 1983. Most of the parents of these children were executed and buried in clandestine graves, while their children were given to childless military and civilian couples. Hope turned the Abuelas into detectives. Over many years, they examined thousands of pages of public documents, conducted stakeouts, and went undercover in their search for clues to the whereabouts of their missing grandchildren. But sleuthing was easy compared to convincing courts that the children they had located were biologically related to the grandparents who claimed them. In spring 1984, several foreign geneticists came to the aid of the Abuelas. Six months later, the first grandchild was identified on the basis of genetic analysis and returned to her grandmother. DNA sequencing soon followed, and in 1987, the Argentine Congress passed a law establishing the Banco Nacional de Datos Genéticos (National Genetic Data Bank), dedicated exclusively to identifying Argentina's missing children. To date, 127 stolen children have been identified, most of them based on DNA analysis. While tracing this history, the chapter explores the scientific, legal, and psychosocial challenges that have arisen during the Abuelas' search for their missing grandchildren.


We compare government investment and consumption multipliers in developed economies during the initial years of the ongoing fiscal consolidation. We find that, in countries with high public debt, the investment multiplier is likely to be higher than what has been assumed by policy-makers and higher than the consumption multiplier. This leads to the conclusion that the consolidation should be accompanied by increased public investment.


Identification of system is one of the major
applications of an adaptive filters, mainly Least Mean Square
(LMS) algorithm, because of its ease in calculations, the ability to
withstand or overcome any conditions. The unknown System can
be a FIR or an IIR filter. Same input is fed into both undefined
system (which is unknown to us) and the adaptive filter, their
outputs will be subtracted and the error subtracted signal will be
given to adaptive filter. The adaptive filter is modified until the
system which is unknown and the adaptive filter becomes
relatively equal. System identification defines the type and
functionality of the system. By utilizing the weights, the output of
the system for any input can be predicted.


The problem of forecasting the workload in the autoscaling services of cloud systems is considered. Methods are proposed for mathematical modeling of the non-stationary process of receiving users requests, allowing as a result to form an analytical model of the workload. Using the models generated in real time, the required configuration of the cloud system is synthesized. The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of using the developed methods as part of the automatic scaling modules of cloud systems, ensuring more efficient management of their infrastructure resources.


general characteristics and transitions The many sources throwing light on the existence, function and significance of the towns of south-eastern England during the middle ages are, as for other regions, fragmentary and incomplete. Measures of urbanisation are crude and below the top rank of towns indicators of urban function are lacking. The contemporary terminology for towns can mislead, although in the South-East, unlike East Anglia, those settlements whose urban status achieved formal recognition broadly corresponded to those which can be demonstrated to have been towns by virtue of social or economic function (Map 22.1). Thus, much of the discussion is concerned with the 150 or so places within the eleven counties surrounding London which at some time during the period were legally identified as towns (Map 22.2). This definition of south-eastern England, more extensive than that adopted in many regional studies, emphasises the capacity of the region for internal communication and for interaction with commercial networks overseas. The definition also acknowledges the role of London in shaping the region. Since Roman times London has been the dominant city of the British Isles and one of the most substantial in Western Europe. Yet over at least the first half of the period London occupied a site which was marginal in relation to kingdoms whose heartlands lay far from the city. Nevertheless, it was a powerful attraction and perhaps at times a seat of power shared between competing authorities. A continuing theme throughout the period, therefore, concerns London's integrating function, manifested in its special impact on the countryside and towns around it and in the way it gave shape to the English state whose capital it became shortly before 1300.


Infections with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the etiological factor of certain types of human cancers in anogenital tract and head and neck cancers. Extensive epidemiological studies demonstrated the association of persistent high-risk HPV infection and the later development of cervical and other cancers. Experimental data using cell lines models and cervical cancers demonstrate that in more than 99 % of clinical samples the viral E6 and E7 genes are retained and expressed. These genes can transform human cells and inhibition of their expression in cancer cells results in loss of neoplastic growth properties. Molecular mechanisms of immortalization and transformation by E6 and E7 have extensively been investigated. However, the mechanism of E6 and E7 deregulation that triggers the shift from permissive infection to neoplastic transforming infection is still unclear. This review describes the current knowledge about the viral life cycle and discusses the molecular mechanisms that potentially allow the virus to escape its normal control and may trigger neoplastic progression. The molecular clarification of these events required for transformation of HPV-infected cells into cancer will provide a basis for conceptually novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and approaches.


1. Introduction 2. What is Public Service Efficiency? 3. Technical Efficiency 4. Allocative Efficiency 5. Distributive Efficiency 6. Dynamic Efficiency 7. Managing for Efficiency in a Democracy 8. Conclusion


IN recent years the systems approach to Latin America's political economy has emerged largely within the categories of dependency theory. Central to this theory is the assumption that international relationships are directed by commonly recognized, pervasive, and one-way patterns of subservience and exploitation. The interaction of independent and dependent nations creates an international system in which political and economic relationships determine the internal social and political organization of dependent countries. Theot6nio dos Santos, one of the earliest proponents of this approach, broadly conceived of dependence as a situation in which Latin American countries had their economies, and, by extension, their sociopolitical lives, shaped and dominated by the development and expansion of the economies of industrialized western powers. In his view, dominant nations possessed technological, commercial, and capital-resource predominance over dependent nations that resulted in de facto colonization or informal empire. 1 According to dependency theorists, the deleterious influence of unequal economic relationships between subordinate and dominant countries brings political ramifications on the "local," i.e., national, level. Often an intimate association develops between foreign capitalists and local oligarchies. Consequently, capital resources tend to be allocated for political reasons in such a way that an economic structure of underdevelopment is set up, in which Latin American states are exploited by foreign interests whose concern lies mainly with profit remittances and the export of primary products. Empirically, the focus of dependency theory has been broadly global or international, while the sheer scope of the data admits to a wide variety of interpretations. Little has been done on a local specification of theory.


The need to maintain quality environment despite the increasing human activity and pressure on energy resources remains a topical issue in the field of Environmental Economics. However, we observe that the impact of energy consumption on ecological footprint in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has not received keen attention in the literature. This study thus delves into the nexus for the country group. For a more robust policy bearing, we partition the countries into Middle-East and non-Middle-East members because of their huge energy supply and consumption differences. Summarizing the results, energy consumption increases environmental degradation across all samples. However, despite the Middle-East countries being the highest per capita energy consumers, their energy consumption contributes less to environmental degradation compared to the non-Middle-East countries. For completeness, we report the long-run country-specific estimates and find that only in Congo is environmental quality enhanced by energy consumption.


One of the main issues concerning different versions of content externalism is whether or not they are compatible with the privileged access thesis. According to the so-called 'illusion version' of externalism, in reference failure cases (such as cases in which an empty proper name is involved) the subject suffers an illusion of entertaining a thought. In this paper, I shall concentrate on a recent argument offered by Jessica Brown, which she calls the "illusion argument", to the effect that the illusion version of externalism undermines the privileged access thesis (Brown, 2004). After criticizing Brown's argument, I shall try to reconstruct the illusion argument in a more defensible and straightforward way. I will exploit, in my argument, solutions proposed by Goldman and Alston for the so-called 'generality problem' (Goldman, 1986; Alston, 1995). Moreover, I shall offer a stronger formulation of the global reliability condition for knowledge, upon which my reconstruction of the illusion argument is based.


INDICATIONS AND USAGE TOPAMAX® is an antiepileptic (AED) agent indicated for: • Monotherapy epilepsy: Initial monotherapy in patients ≥10 years of age with partial onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (1.1) • Adjunctive therapy epilepsy: Adjunctive therapy for adults and pediatric patients (2 to 16 years of age) with partial onset seizures or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and in patients ≥2 years of age with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) (1.2) • Migraine: Treatment for adults for prophylaxis of migraine headache (1.3)


This paper reports a systematic study of an assessment on the effects of refurbishing the skylights on building energy consumption in a national gallery housed in a stone-built building of architectural, cultural and historical significance. Energy consumption is obtained from past years' Building Meter Readings. As no sub-metering is available, the detailed energy usage is also predicted by a dynamic thermal model developed in a previous study. The detailed data is compared against the degree days obtained over these years. A comparison is made before and after the refurbishment event in the gallery to highlight the useful effects of the renovation work. A comparison is also made with other similar buildings and energy benchmarks. Furthermore, the research work extends to the definition of new control parameters which have then been used to assess the indoor hygrothermal and environmental control quality in the gallery space and a comparison of this control quality has been made before and after the refurbishment activity. As a part of a three-year research project of the renovation of the Scottish National Gallery building, this work is expected to produce a realistic data for cost analysis and quantitative assessment of the renovation project. It will also encourage the use of quantitative assessment in developing renovation solutions for historical buildings as a part of the campaign of carbon reduction and building conservation.


Abstract This study explores the efficacy of γ-radiation for destroying nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) in a simulated mixed waste, formulated to mimic a complex concentrate waste stored at the U. S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site. NTA was added to an inorganic waste matrix, which contained no radionuclides. The simulant then received a γ-dose of 7.5 × 1O6 ±10% R in a 60Co-source (operating temperature 90-95 °C). Virtually all of the NTA was destroyed, and only 9.1% of the simulant's original organic content was detected after irradiation. Six degradation products, 4 chelator fragments and 2 carboxjylic acids, were identified by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry. Control studies were also carried out to assess the impact of the harsh chemistry of the waste's inorganic matrix and the 60Co-source's heat on the chemo-degradation of NTA. The matrix caused only partial NTA degradation (22.2%), with the formation of only 2 chelator fragments, while the source's heat itself had little additional impact.


The modified probabilistic neural network was initially derived from Specht's (1990) probabilistic neural network classifier and developed for nonlinear time series analysis. It can be described as a vector quantised reduced form of Specht's general regression neural network. It is typically trained with a known set of representative data pairs. This is quite satisfactory for stationary data statistics, but for the nonstationary case it is necessary to be able to adapt the network during operation. This paper describes adaptive learning schemes for the modified probabilistic neural network for both stationary and nonstationary data statistics. A nonlinear control problem is used to illustrate and compare the network's learning ability with that of the general regression and radial basis function neural networks.


In this study, we report changes in the phospholipid and free fatty acid (FFA) content in rat brain mitochondria following linseed dietary supplementation. Male Wistar rats at the age of three months were fed a standard chow diet supplemented with linseed at a dose of 3 g/day for three weeks. Afterwards, the control and experimental animals were sacrificed by decapitation, the brain mitochondrial fraction was isolated and lipids were extracted. The phospholipid content was measured by thin-layer chromatography and spectrophotometrically. FFA content was measured by gas-liquid chromatography. In the brain mitochondria of rats fed linseed, we found 9% increase of the total phospholipids. Phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were the predominant phospholipid classes and they together accounted for 88.8% of the total phospholipids. The content of the total FFA increased by 42.3% and stearic acid and arachidonic acid were the most pronounced components of the FFA pool.


Rapid solidification of NiTi under splat-quenching (SQ) and laser-melting (LM) produces several structural modifications. The SQ material exhibits a marked (200) texture with columnar growth. LM produces epitaxial regrowth with a similar grain size. XRD indicates the presence of B2 and martensite in the SQ material. In general, TEM indicates similar results. Martensite formation is suppressed in the near-surface region, presumably as a result of high cooling rates. The R phase observed by AEM may be incommensurate, only present in small amounts, or present only near the midplane of the SQ material. As such, additional XRD and TEM studies are planned to address these points. The near-surface region of the SQ material also exhibits Ti-rich (TiX) precipitates, and Cu/sub 2/O cubes. The dominant phase indicated by XRD in the LM material is a Ll/sub 0/ structure with a slight monoclinic distortion. A significant reduction in the amount of martensite in the LM zone relative to the SQ material is indicated by both XRD and TEM. On the basis of TEM, the near-surface region of the LM material exhibits only a B2 (possibly Ll/sub 0/) matrix and a thin surface layer of TiC, which depletes the adjacent B2 of titanium. Nomore » amorphization or decrease in order of the B2 phase was observed after rapid solidification. 11 refs., 3 figs.« less


IN the broad field of Latin American history few topics have drawn the interest of more scholars than the Mexican Revolution. From Frank Tannenbaum's Mexican Agrarian Revolution (1929) to Ramon Ruiz' Great Rebellion (1980) to Alan Knight's Mexican Revolution (1986) and John Hart's Revolutionary Mexico (1987), historians have explored and argued questions about the nature of this great conflict.' Was it the epic agrarian revolution that Tannenbaum celebrates? Or was it, as revisionists such as Ruiz suggest, only a series of lesser revolts with significant elite and middle-class direction and participation and with agrarian radicalism confined to specific areas like Morelos? Resolution of this historiographical impasse awaits the completion of studies of localized revolutionary movements in northern Mexico, where the revolution began in LgLo and where its main thrust originated during most of the revolutionary decade. Historians have studied exhaustively the prominent leaders (Madero, Zapata, Carranza, Obregon, and others), but until recently have displayed less interest in the anonymous doings of more ordinary agrarian revolutionaries who usually have minimal historical visibility outside their own communities.2 Similarly, scholars have


— In this paper, we propose a method of estimating the care recipient's posture on the bed in detail and predicting the care recipient's getting out of the bed. In order to grasp the movement and posture of the care recipient on the bed in real time, a classifier that estimates the posture of the care recipient on the bed is created by machine learning. The explanatory variables were the position of the center of gravity of each part of the care recipient, the average value of the velocity and acceleration of the position of the center of gravity over a certain period of time, and the variance and covariance of the position of the center of gravity, and 16 types of body positions were classified. As a result of Random Forest, we were able to classify with an F value of 0.72 or more. This suggests that it is possible to estimate the getting out of the bed of a care recipient in real time.


Mesoporous 3D architectures of silicon dioxide, nickel silicate, and cobalt silicate are for the first time prepared by using reed leafs as a sustainable silica source. Due to the 3D mesoporous architecture, nickel and cobalt silicate allow efficient charge transfer and mass transport, while at the same time buffering the volume changes during ion lithiation/delithiation processes. Especially, the nickel silicate electrode with the mesoporous 3D architecture shows a high specific capacitance, a good rate capability, and cycling stability for electrochemical capacitors.


The invention relates to an environment-friendly pesticide scavenger which comprises the raw material formulation components by weight percent: 50% of sodium acetate buffer solution, 20-24% of coconut oil, 5-8% of chlorophytum comosum extract, 2-6% of cholinesterase and 15-20% of honeysuckle flower distillate. The environment-friendly pesticide scavenger is remarkable in effect, free from residue and environmental pollution and wide in application.


Nocturnal migration of mesopelagic fish into surface waters is well-documented. Yet, although there is increasing evidence of individual-based deviations from average population migrations and of the importance of small-scale individual behavior for predator-prey interactions and energetic cycling, little is known about what mesopelagic animals do when in upper waters. Using high-resolution data from an upward-facing, moored, split-beam echosounder we analyzed the night-time individual vertical swimming behavior of pearlsides (Maurolicus muelleri) over one winter. The population behavior is characterized by migration to the surface after sunset, "midnight-sinking" and another migration to the surface in the morning, followed by return to the daytime habitat. Focusing on individuals unveiled diverse behavioral patterns during different phases of the migration. After ascending to upper layers at dusk, M. muelleri leaves the surface waters, not by sinking, but by actively swimming in a step-wise pattern characterized by relocations alternated by pauses. Following the descent, vertical swimming is sustained at lower levels. Around midnight, the vertical swimming direction changes from predominantly downwards to upwards. Several hours before dawn, the fish start ascending towards the surface in a step-wise pattern. During population ascent in the afternoon and descent in the morning, some individuals at the fringes of schools migrate without intermittent pauses. This study documents the feasibility of using submerged, stationary echosounders in unveiling the individual behavior of mesopelagic fish.


We comment on the fact that gradient ascent for logistic regression has a connection with the perceptron learning algorithm. Logistic learning is the "soft" variant of perceptron learning.


The complex thermal, chemical, and mechanical environment of the gas turbine engine makes it extremely difficult for one material to meet all of the different requirements imposed on the various engine components. Coatings are thus required to provide corrosion, resistance, wear resistance, insulation, and abradability. In the turbine section of the engine, in particular, the overall operating conditions are becoming progressively more hostile in terms of temperature and mechanical environment as engine efficiency and performance are improved. In certain types of operation the corrosive environment is emphasized. Thus, coatings must provide increasing protection, the need for which is often aggravated by the limitations which considerations such as strength requirements may place on the inherent environmental resistance of the base material. Perceived future coating needs are discussed. It is probably only in the last decade that coating requirements, in terms of application and behavior, have been recogn...


Many design/build contractors have publicized successes using three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided-design (CAD) models. Structural engineers contribute equipment support structures as part of a highly integrated, multi-discipline project. The 3D CAD model enables better project management through visual reference and automated interference checking as design progresses from conceptual to final design. Since physical modeling techniques are used, drawings can be extracted from the model. These structural engineers have pioneered state-of-the-art integration of CAD and structural engineering. This paper describes why these techniques should also apply to building design.


By assuming that retailer risk attitude is divided into risk preference,risk neutral and risk aversion,computing experiment method is used to discuss supply disruption risks management in this paper.The impact of retailer's different attitude toward risks on their average profit and customer service level is analyzed,and the results show that the larger supply disruptions probability becomes,the higher average profit and customer service level risk aversion enterprise have.This can give some help for coping with supply disruption risks.


Objective — to analyse the state of the relative composition of gut microbiota (GM) at the level of the main phylotypes in patients with non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with different body mass index and degree of liver fibrosis.
Materials and methods. The study involved 105 people. The main group consisted of 85 patients with NAFLD with obesity of 36.50 [32.00; 40.60] kg/m2, who were divided into three subgroups depending on the degree of obesity. Subgroup I included 38 patients who were diagnosed with the first degree of obesity. Subgroup II included 23 patients diagnosed with the second degree. Subgroup III consisted of 24 patients with the third degree of obesity. The control group consisted of 20 practically healthy individuals 23.50 [21.35; 25.78] kg/m2. Determination of the degree of fibrosis according to METAVIR scale by measuring the average stiffness of the liver parenchyma in the mode of shear wave elastography. The composition of GM at the level of the main phylotypes was studied by identifying total bacterial DNA and DNA of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, as well as Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio by quantitative real‑time polymerase chain reaction using universal primers for the 16S rRNA gene and taxon‑specific primers. Statistical processing was performed using Statistica 13.1.
Results. In the comorbid course of NAFLD and the first degree of obesity, 47.37 % of patients had no signs of fibrosis and the same number were diagnosed with F1 fibrosis, two patients (5.26 %) had F2 fibrosis, and F3 fibrosis was not diagnosed in any patient. In subgroup II, two‑thirds actually had liver fibrosis, but F3 fibrosis was not detected in any patient. In patients of subgroup III, only 20.83 % of patients had no signs of liver fibrosis, while 37.50 % were diagnosed with F1 fibrosis, 33.33 % with F2 fibrosis, and 8.33 % with F3 fibrosis. In other words, the most severe F3 fibrosis was observed in patients with the third degree of obesity. In patients of the subgroup I, the statistically significant increase in the relative ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was found compared to the control group: 3.07 times (p < 0.01) in the absence of fibrosis and already in the presence of the 1st stage of fibrosis this indicator increased to 3.21 (p < 0.01), while in the 2nd stage it increased almost 4 times (p < 0.01). However, when comparing this indicator in the first subgroup between the stages of fibrosis, no statistically significant deviations were found (p > 0.05), i.e., the changes were only tendency‑like. In patients of the subgroup II, the statistically significant increase in the relative ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was also found compared to the control group: 3.25 times (p < 0.01) in the absence of fibrosis, 3.81 times (p < 0.01) in the 1st stage of fibrosis, 5.08 times (p < 0.01) in the 2nd stage of fibrosis, which was the maximum value. Also, the statistically significant increase in the relative ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes by 1.57 times (p < 0.01) was found at F2 compared to F0, while between other stages of fibrosis, the changes were trending and had no statistically significant differences. In patients of subgroup III in the absence of fibrosis, the relative ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes also exceeded that of the control group and progressively increased with increasing fibrosis. It should be noted that the statistically significant increase in the relative ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes between F2 and F0 by 1.28 times (p < 0.01) and between F3 and F0 by 1.35 times (p < 0.01) was found.
Conclusions. When analysing the relative composition of GM in the studied subgroups depending on the stage of fibrosis, it was found that the increase in the stage of liver fibrosis is associated with certain disorders of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, the relative content of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Thus, in the subgroup I, the relative composition of GM significantly differed only from the control group, while in patients of the subgroup II with F2 fibrosis there was the statistically significant increase in the relative ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes by more than one and a half times compared to patients without signs of fibrosis. At the same time, in patients of the subgroup III with fibrosis, not only F2, but also F3, the statistically significant increase in the relative ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes was found.


Soil moisture (SM) plays a significant role on the Earth's water, energy, and carbon transfers. Thus, global sensing of SM is vital. Conventional active and passive monostatic instruments have been used for SM retrieval for decades. For the sake of increasing spatiotemporal resolutions and decreasing costs, Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) have been examined recently. However, the high number of dynamic factors that affect GNSS-R observables in land applications make the use of this technique challenging. In this paper, we aim to present our preliminary observations about simulated GNSS-R signatures through a vegetated terrain in order to unveil GNSS-R sensitivity to dynamic land parameters. We exploited our recently developed coherent bistatic vegetation scattering model (SCoBi-Veg) for these simulations. We modelled a full growing season of corn field by using in situ measurement data. We observed received power variations as a function of observation angle and corn growth stage. First findings indicate the dominance of the coherent contribution over incoherent one. Results also demonstrate the effect of the growth stages on the received power.


Introduction: The incidence of proximal facet violation with lumbar transpedicular fixation has been reported as high as 35%; however, its contribution to biomechanical instability at the supradjacent level is unknown. Therefore, our objectives were to evaluate the effect of unilateral and bilateral facet violations following oneand two-level reconstructions on supradjacent segment kinematics. Methods: Biomechanical testing was performed on ten human cadaveric spines under axial rotation(AR), flexion-extension(FE), and lateral bending(LB) loading. After intact analysis pedicle screws were applied from L5-S1 and testing repeated with: 1)preserved L4-L5 facets, 2)unilateral facet breach, 3)bilateral breach, 4)L5 laminectomy. Following biomechanical analysis, instrumentation was extended to L4 and L3-L4 level evaluated in the same order. Full range of motion (ROM) and intradiscal pressure at the proximal adjacent levels were recorded and normalized to intact (100%). Results: Proximal level ROM was increased for all groups under all loading modalities relative to intact (p 0.05). However, AR testing revealed progressive instability at the adjacent level in groups 3 and 4 relative to group 1 following single and two-level fixation (p 0.05). During FE, proximal level ROM was significantly increased for group 4 specimens compared to group 1 (p 0.05). Interestingly, under LB facet joint destabilization did not change adjacent segment ROM. Intradiscal pressure analysis revealed similar trends. Conclusion: Results indicated significant changes in proximal level ROM immediately after posterior stabilization. However, an additional increase in supradjacent segment ROM was recorded during AR following bilateral facet breach. Therefore, extra care in avoiding the cephalad-most segment facet joints is warranted. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S O C I E T Y F O R T H E S T U D Y O F L U M B A R S P I N E


The meaning of p.d.f. is different for discrete and continuous random variables. For discrete variables p.d.f. is the probability distribution function and it provides the actual probabilities of the values associated with the discrete random variable. For continuous variables, p.d.f. is the probability density function, and probabilities are determined by integrating this function. The probability of any specific value of the random variable is zero.


In the career planning of university students,there exists its rich connotation,which includes not only the employment guidance,but also the pioneering education.As for the guide to students' planning a career,both the employment guidance and the pioneering education should be taken as a principle;what to do,where to go and how to do should be set up as a career design model.As a result,students can first have a better self-assessment and improve their self-confidence in employment and pioneering;they can also develop a comprehensive understanding of the society and strengthen their employment and pioneering targets;finally,they can improve their own overall quality and enhance their competitiveness in employment and pioneering.


In Austin, Texas, trends indicate a movement away from home delivery of mail to neighborhood mailbox units (MBU): boxes are clustered at certain locations, or in some cases, one location within the subdivision. Thus, residents have a walk or a drive to their mailboxes. A study was made to determine appropriate design guidelines or regulations for MBU installation. Five MBU sites ranging in size from 98 mailboxes at one location to 1,280 mailboxes at another location were chosen for study. The article describes the study sites, the data collection, and the data evaluation. Based upon field work and calculations, there appear to be two critical factors affecting MBU operational characteristics: location within the subdivision; and the number of active boxes at the location. Characteristics that were observed are listed, and show that the design guidelines and ordinance regulations governing the placement of MBUs are warranted.


Hydrocephalus is the most common congenital disease in children leading to decrease
quality of life, however it can be prevented. The cause of hydrocephalus is still poorly
understood and its risk factors have not been much studied. Objective: To evaluate and
identify the risk factors associated with pediatric communicating and non
communicating hydrocephalus. Method: An analitic observational case-control study,
that was conducted in 80 patient who suffer hydrocephalus. Then identified related
factor to hydrocephalus such as congenital hydrocephalus, age, sex, brain hemorrhage,
post infection meningitis, CMV infection, encephalitis, tuberculosis,
meningoencephalitis, brain edema, blood cancer, pneumonia, brain abscess, brain
cyst, myelocele and chronic otitic media using secondary data at center of medical
records in RSUD dr. Soetomo. Analysis using binary logistic regression. Result and
Discussion: Prevalence of communicating hydrocephalus is 35,9% and prevalence of
non-communicating hydrocephalus is 51,1%. The result showed that
meningoencephalitis has correlation to communicating hydrocephalus(sig=0.01) while
other factors don't have significant relevancy to either communicating nor non
communicating hydrocephalus. Statistic data showed the most clinical manifestation of
hydrocephalus is brain edema. Conclusion: meningoencephalitis is a risk factor of
communicating hydrocephalus. Other factors need further study


Recently, the water supply process has experienced serious challenges, because, with the intensification of drought, the imbalance between available water resources and demand for water in different sectors has led to increased system risk. Therefore, this study proposed an optimal dynamic framework under different scenarios aimed at improving the drought risk of the water supply system. In this sense, given the negative effects of drought on the water supply procedure, the degree of drought risk is analyzed and improved according to system performance parameters. After examining the developed model by initial data collected from a real case study of Hamoun wetland in Iran, the most sensitive parameters were included reliability and vulnerability, which, in this regard, the highest degree of drought risk is related to the agricultural and industrial sectors due to the acquisition of less reliability and greater vulnerability. In addition, given the final output, adaptation measures such as demand governance scheme and weight scenario analysis have been developed in order to investigate the drought risk of the system in more detail.


Abstract. This paper presents a methodology for tracking multiple skaters in short track speed skating competitions. Nonrigid skaters move at high speed with severe occlusions happening frequently among them. The camera is panned quickly in order to capture the skaters in a large and dynamic scene. To automatically track the skaters and precisely output their trajectories becomes a challenging task in object tracking. We employ the global rink information to compensate camera motion and obtain the global spatial information of skaters, utilize random forest to fuse multiple cues and predict the blob of each skater, and finally apply a silhouette- and edge-based template-matching and blob-evolving method to labelling pixels to a skater. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method are verified through thorough experiments.


In the present work, RP-HPLC method has been developed for the quantitative estimation of Gefitinib in Pharmaceutical formulations. A rapid and sensitive RP-HPLC Method with UV detection (246 nm) for routine analysis of Gefitinib in Pharmaceutical formulation was developed using gradient pump (LC-10AT vp pump), The separations were achieved on a Agilents's 5μ C18 (2) 100A, 250X4.6mm, column with UV detection at 246 nm. Chromatography was performed with mobile phase containing a mixture of 0.1% Triflouroacetic acid and Methanol (35:65 v/v) with flow rate 1 ml/min and retention time at 3.8 min. In the range of 5 -30μg/ml, the linearity of Gefitinib shows a correlation co-efficient of 0.999. The proposed method was validated by determining sensitivity, accuracy, precision, linearity, selectivity and system suitability parameters.


Abstract Background Inappropriate use of antimicrobials contributes to antimicrobial resistance, which increases hospital length of stay, mortality and health care costs. Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) are coordinated quality-improvement efforts to promote the judicious and effective use of antimicrobials to optimize clinical outcomes while minimizing adverse effects. The present study was designed to determine the clinical improvement of patients with healthcare associated infections (HAI) using antimicrobial stewardship policies in Colombian acute care hospitals. Methods We conducted a quasi-experimental study between January 2007 and December 2014 in four acute care hospitals in two Colombian cities. The study variables were evaluated two years before and two years after ASP implementation. Adult patients with HAI episodes in intensive care units or general wards were included. Clinical and economic patient outcomes were compared between groups. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results Nine hundred patients with bacterial HAIs were hospitalized in four institutions. The cohort treated before the implementation of ASPs consisted of 471 patients. The cohort treated after ASP implementation consisted of 429 patients. The median age was 62; 70% of patients had at least one comorbidity. Urinary infection was the most common infection (28%), followed by bloodstream infections (26%). After the ASP was implemented, the rate of adherence to empiric treatment clinical guidelines increased from 9% to 45%, while the rate of de-escalating increased from 8% to 92%. Multivariate analysis showed that patients receiving treatment under ASP experienced 10 times clinical improvement compared with patients not treated under ASP. Septic shock after targeted therapy was observed as an independent risk for lack of clinical improvement. Compared with the pre-ASP cohort, the post-ASP cohort experienced a shorter length of stay (10.8 vs. 14 days) and lower total infection cost ($3,307 USD vs. $4,655 USD, P < 0.001). Conclusion The use of ASPs results in substantial clinical improvement in patients and contributes to fewer infection complication, shorter length of stay, and decreased costs associated with treating patients. Disclosures C. Hernández-Gómez, Merck Sharp & Dohme: Consultant, Consulting fee; Pfizer: Consultant, Consulting fee; C. Pallares, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer: Consultant, Consulting fee; M. V. Villegas, Merck Sharp & Dohme: Consultant, Consulting fee and Research support; Pfizer: Consultant, Consulting fee and Research support


AIM To develop appropriate humanized three-dimensional ex-vivo model system for drug testing. METHODS Bioengineered humanized livers were developed in this study using human hepatic stem cells repopulation within the acellularized liver scaffolds which mimics with the natural organ anatomy and physiology. Six cytochrome P-450 probes were used to enable efficient identification of drug metabolism in bioengineered humanized livers. The drug metabolism study in bioengineered livers was evaluated to identify the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity responses. RESULTS The bioengineered humanized livers showed cellular and molecular characteristics of human livers. The bioengineered liver showed three-dimensional natural architecture with intact vasculature and extra-cellular matrix. Human hepatic cells were engrafted similar to the human liver. Drug metabolism studies provided a suitable platform alternative to available ex-vivo and in vivo models for identifying cellular and molecular dynamics of pharmacological drugs. CONCLUSION The present study paves a way towards the development of suitable humanized preclinical model systems for pharmacological testing. This approach may reduce the cost and time duration of preclinical drug testing and further overcomes on the anatomical and physiological variations in xenogeneic systems.


This article attempts an examination of conflict resolution among the Nchumuru. First, I shall examine the socio-political institutions evolved by the Nchumurus to deal with conflict resolution. In the second part of the paper, I shall examine the various forms of conflicts among the Nchumuru and the mechanisms evolved to give notice of the existence of a conflict. The third section of the paper deals with the resolution of conflict at the various levels -village, town, clan and ethnic. In the final part of the paper, I will take a look at the role of the Asafo companies in conflict resolution. Data for writing this paper was obtained from interviews I had with some Nchumuru traditional rulers from Northern Region and annual reports of the region submitted to the Chief Commissioner of Northern Ghana by Colonial District and Provincial Commissioners.


A chronic problem for democratic governments is generating legitimacy for policy decisions that go against substantial groups of citizens' legitimate interests. The primary means of achieving this aim involve the arrangements through which policy decisions are made. Whereas research in the field has tended to focus on the arrangements leading up to a decision, this paper draws attention to developments after a formal policy decision has been made. We theorize that the formal decision constitutes a focal event that motivates affected individuals to update their beliefs about the decision. We identify four types of potential legitimacy-enhancing post-decision arrangements: how the decision is announced; how it is publicly explained; whether the process allows for post-decision voice; and whether decision-makers take actions to mitigate its negative consequences. The results from two survey experiments with large samples of Swedish adults addressing the case of school closures suggest that post-decision procedures have legitimacy-enhancing potential and that this effect is not dependent on the pre-decision process.


Abstract
This master thesis analyses the relation of classical dance to dancers of both female and male sex. The first part briefly describes the history of classical dance, especially in terms of its key personalities, revolutionary moments which somehow influenced the view of ballet dancers from a gender perspective, the development of classical dance technique and pedagogy. The second part consists of a methodical analysis of the elements of classical dance in which both female and male dancers present themselves significantly - females for example by the technique ?sur les pointes?, and males by ?allegro?. In general, it is difficult to determine the strict boundary between the elements performed exclusively by male or female dancers. Nowadays, the differences between the sexes in terms of classical dance technique are vanishing.


This article describes SECav, an educational software developed in the context of a research project, with the aim of supporting the teaching and learning processes of a Numerical Calculus course that is taught for several courses of the Exact and Natural Sciences Faculty of the UNLPam University. SECav focuses on the numerical resolution of nonlinear equations, polynomial interpolation and approximation, and adjustment of least squares, numerical integration and ordinary differential equations. The application was developed entirely with free tools.


This research was carried out to evaluate two methods of follicular wave synchronization of emergence and two frequencies of collection, to obtain oocytes by...


Drawing on Paget Henry's field-defining Caliban's Reason and Lewis R. Gordon's Introduction to Africana Philosophy, this chapter maps the historical terrain of Caribbean political thought written primarily in English and in French. Beginning with explicitly antislavery writings, it then turns to the range of intellectual efforts to forge an independent, no longer colonial, Caribbean future. It concludes by emphasizing the irony of Caribbean political writings teeming with philosophical insights in a tradition that has not until very recently explicitly cultivated philosophical endeavor and by arguing that, in exemplifying a creolizing orientation, Caribbean thought shares an affinity with some, but not all, models of comparative political theorizing.


Electric energy consumption data acquisition system is an important part of the smart grid, with the construction and development of the State Grid Corporation electric energy consumption data acquisition, micro-power wireless communication is becoming one of the important local communication technologies for electric energy consumption data acquisition. However, many micro-power wireless provider different standards also brought many problems. This article describes the status of the domestic energy consumption data acquisition, the characteristics of micro-power wireless communications Interconnection and Interworking as well as prospects for the future research directions in the field of micro-power wireless communications.


Traditional database system is not only difficulty to realize the complex query system, but also inconvenient in extending other query functions. By means of injecting XML into multi-tie Web system, we can develop the advantage of XML that "interpreted at once, used in variety". In practice, this method appeared to be very successful when it was used to realize complex query in multi-tie Web system.


................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. iv List of Figures ........................................................................................................ viii List of Tables............................................................................................................ ix List of Boxes ............................................................................................................. xi Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................. 2 Purpose & Importance ...............................................................................................2 Research Questions .....................................................................................................4 Overview & Methods .................................................................................................4 Literature Review & Contribution ............................................................................7 Chapter 2: Context .................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Housing Association Origins .................................................................. 10 Early Organisations .................................................................................................. 11 Community Initiatives ............................................................................................. 13 State Funding & Coordination ............................................................................... 15 2.2 Market-Orientated Expansion ................................................................ 18 Public Sector Reform ............................................................................................... 19 Innovative Financing ............................................................................................... 21 Sector Restructuring ................................................................................................. 26 Regulatory Controls ................................................................................................. 28 2.3 Categorising Housing Associations ........................................................36 The Third Sector ...................................................................................................... 37 Hybrid Models .......................................................................................................... 40 2.4 Conclusions .............................................................................................42 Chapter 3: City Regions ...........................................................................................44 3.1 San Francisco Bay Area ...........................................................................46 Affordability Challenges .......................................................................................... 48 Public housing & HOPE VI ................................................................................... 49 Tenure Mix ................................................................................................................ 50 Housing Associations .............................................................................................. 51 3.2 Metropolitan Melbourne..........................................................................56 Housing Affordability .............................................................................................. 58 Partnership Working at VicUrban ......................................................................... 59 Public Housing Renewal.......................................................................................... 60


Annotation: In article from problem positions the right of the lawyer-defender to collect the proof reveals, the point of view on existence of "parallel investigation» or «lawyer investigation» from a position of the current legislation and legal positions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation is analyzed. Keywords: criminal trial, provement, the lawyer-defender, collecting of proofs, «parallel investigation», «lawyer investigation». Пункт 2 части 1 ст . 53 УПК РФ


The importance and interest about green space continue to grow as people's interest in the quality of life increases with global environmental issues in recent years. Accordingly, various studies have been conducted on the direct and indirect benefits provided by the green space in the urban. And the benefits have impact on surrounding area. These effects of parks are not only positive but also negative. the park constructed in the city plays a role in raising the property value in the surrounding area, and various studies about this effect have been steadily conducted in many countries. In particular, research on the effects of parks using hedonic models has been actively conducted. These results show that the closer the distance from the park, the greater the impact on property value and many studies show similar results. Many studies show the effect of an urban park on neighborhoods, but the effect of urban park on the specific commercial environment of the neighborhood is relatively less studied. The Gyeongui Line Forest Park is a good study area to understand the diverse pattern of commercialization according to the characteristics of the neighborhood and also it has worth doing research. Therefore, this study carried out research with two purposes. First, we suggest the sustainable management plan through empirically exploring the mechanism of commercialization triggered by the Gyeongui Line forest park. Especially, we classify the retail services into six types to identify the characteristics of retail location decision. Second, after clustering neighborhoods through statistical method, we aim to derive the academic implications that need for effective urban management planning by identifying the characteristics of retail opening according to classified neighborhoods. As a result, the construction of the Gyeongui Line Forest park led to the commercialization of adjacent neighborhoods. In particular, it was confirmed that the total retail increased 1.6 to 1.8 times in the neighborhood nearest to the park(0-100m). In addition, the increase of the occupation of all retail type in the residential area increased, and the effect was larger the closer to the park. Therefore, commercialization due to the formation of the Gyeongui Line Forest Park has been triggered, and it has been confirmed that it occurs intensively in the residential area. The patterns of retail opening induced by parks construction are as follows. In the case of restaurant, the number of entrepreneurs increased more than twice in the area adjacent to the park. Among the retail services classified in this study, the restaurant is highly productive, which is a result of empirically revealing the self-destruction of diversity as claimed by Jane Jacobs(1961). On the other hand, in the case of the neighbor retail, the result was significantly decreased only in the section(100-200m). However, it can be said that the crowding low productivity retail out has occurred. In the case of bar, it is expected that the high productivity of bar pushed off the low productivity of the neighboring retail when considering that the section between the decrease of the neighbor retail and the increase of the bar is same. In case of café, it decreased in the neighborhoods adjacent to the park, while it increased in the residential neighborhoods adjacent to the park. This result suggests that the café sector has moved to a low rent residential area due to the park construction As a result of the above-mentioned results, commercialization was induced by the park construction, and it was confirmed that the industries with high productivity in the residential area increased in particular. These results indicate that eco-gentrification phenomenon, similar to highline parks, is needed a concern. Therefore, policy instruments for sustainable neighborhood management are needed.


Thank you for reading psychological and educational perspectives on learning disabilities. As you may know, people have look hundreds times for their chosen novels like this psychological and educational perspectives on learning disabilities, but end up in infectious downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they cope with some infectious virus inside their laptop.


Purpose:To explore the clinical value of multi-slice CT perfusion imaging on cerebral hemodynamics of carotid artery stenosis causing cerebral ischemia and on pre-surgical management evaluation of carotid artery stenosis.Methods:Twenty-one patients with carotid artery stenosis were enrolled in this study,including 19 unilateral stenosis and 2 bilateral stenosis.Multi-slice CT perfusion was used to measure the cerebral blood flow(CBF),mean transit time(MTT).The patients' cerebral hemodynamics was evaluated.Results:Nineteen of 21 patients had impairments ipsilateral to the stenosis side,including decrease of CBF and delay of MTT.Conclusion:CT perfusion can sensitively evaluate the cerebral hemodynamic impairment in patients with moderate or severe carotid artery stenosis,and therefore if CT perfusion show disorder in cerebral hemodynamic,surgical management can improve the symptom.


The Suprime-Cam is a CCD camera which is attached to the prime focus of the Subaru Telescope. Ten MIT/LL CCDs are tiled with small gaps to realize large field of view (34' x 27') with 0.2 arcsec sampling. This makes the Suprime-Cam very powerful and unique instrument among 8-10m class telescopes. We present basic design, key techniques, current status and performance of the Suprime-Cam. We also mention ongoing survey programs with the Suprime-Cam, followed by future upgrade plans of the camera.


A pyraustine, Anania syneilesidis n, sp,, is described from Japan, with mtDNA COI sequence and the 1arval habit, The species is distinct from the closely related species, A. crocealis in the western Palaearctic Region, in having different wing marking$ and genitalic features, in addition to well-developed pinacula on the 1arval skin. The larva feeds on Syneilesis palmata (Asteraceae), which is limited to eastern Asia and a new host plant for Anania species. The 1arvae live gregariously on the host leaves, and cut the proximal parts of the leaf veins before feeding, This perfbrmance might be explained as a defensive behavior against poisonous exudates from the host plant, The taxonomic status of the genus Ebzalea which is treated as a synonym is discussed, with special reference to the genitalic features.


Lipotoxicity causes liver inflammation, which leads to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a causal agent of lipotoxicity. Recently, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) was identified as an enzyme that catalyzes the esterification of LPC, which potentially decreases LPC levels. However, the effect of LPCAT in lipotoxicity of the liver is not fully understood. Our aim was to determine whether LPCAT attenuates lipotoxicity in the liver.


Prevalence of infection and level of anthelmintic resistance (AR) of strongyle nematodes to ivermectin (IV), albendazole (AB) and levamisole (LV) in Dorper lambs were determined. The overall prevalence was 67.0% and mean eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces was 357. Infection was light in 92.5%, moderate in 4.5% and high in 3.0% of animals. Proportion of L3 in coproculture was: H. contortus 92.0%, Trichostrongylus spp. 4.0%, O. columbianum 3.0% and Cooperia spp. 1.0%. Anthelmintic resistance was assessed through faecal egg count reduction (FECR %) and identification of pre- and posttreatment L3 strongyles on 28 lambs, in four equal groups. Anthelmintics were administered at recommended dose rates. FECR% in IV group was 19.6%, in AB group 22.8%, and in LV group 53.7%. H. contortus was the main resistant species to all tested anthelmintics. Farm management should practice new strategies against the emerged AR situation to limit the spread of resistant strongyles in Zimbabwe. Keywords: Prevalence, anthelmintic resistance, strongyle nematodes, Dorper lambs


Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) are comprised of highly mobile nodes that communicate with each other without relying on a pre-existing network infrastructure. Therefore they are ideally suited for use in rescue and emergency operations. Due to their applications in situations such as emergencies, crisis management, military and healthcare, message security is of paramount importance in mobile ad-hoc networks. However, because of the absence of a flxed infrastructure with designated centralized access points, implementation of hard-cryptographic security is a challenging prospect. In an adverse environment, both route discovery and data transmission are vulnerable to a variety of attacks. A misbehaving node can abide well in the route discovery phase and hence be placed on utilized routes. Later, it could tamper with the in-transit data in an arbitrary manner and degrade the network performance. This behavior can be nullifled by securing the data transmission phase. In this paper, we propose a novel method to enhance security in both phases using trust-based multi-path routing. The trustbased multi-path routing ensures secure discovery of multiple path between source and destination. Self-encrypted parts of a message are transmitted through these paths. Therefore it is di‐cult for malicious nodes to gain access to the minimum information required to break through the encryption strategy. Results show that our method is much more secure than other existing trust based multipath routing protocols.


In this paper, we develop a new intuitive visual oriented control interface for electric wheelchair instead of conventional joystick interface. The proposed visual-oriented control interface consisting of a head mounted display (HMD) with a two-dimensional acceleration sensor to measure angle based on ground gravity. In order to control the direction and/or speed of the wheelchair, head angle is used as an intuitive driving control interface, which is implemented on a newly developed fuzzy-logic based PSoC microcontroller. By applying fuzzy-logic, smooth and intuitive control can be achieved. The HMD is an intuitive information display with 360-degrees vision and accurate range information.


As the 20th century began, few effective therapies existed. This soon changed with major therapeutic discoveries turning the century into what has been called the golden age of therapeutics. The emphasis of most of these developments was on medicines for common disorders as they presented the greatest need. However, it also allowed pharmaceutical manufacturers to produce blockbuster drugs that provided a large return on investment. Rare disorders were overlooked because most are genetic in origin and scientific knowledge was lacking, making it difficult to find treatments. The first genetic disorder with a therapy was phenylketonuria. The biochemist who proposed the first successful treatment in the 1950s was actively discouraged as phenylketonuria was genetic and 'incurable'. Another reason was an absence of incentives to invest in developing medicines for which the return was limited, given the small numbers of potential patients. This changed from 1983 as several countries began introducing orphan drug policies, with Canada being a notable exception. As the millennium changed, some drugs for rare disorders (DRDs) were available, but the sequencing of the human genome in the early 2000s provided scientific knowledge to develop many more. The new therapies are often costly because they require millions, even billions, of dollars and years to develop, test and satisfy regulatory standards. Patients and their advocates have been calling for new DRDs to be prioritised through regulatory reviews and health technology assessments (HTAs) for insurance coverage, especially for ultrarare disorders where the impact on drug budgets is small, even though the cost per patient is high, because there are few patients. This is how insurance should work: a small group of people receive considerable benefit and others receive modest benefits, while most individuals gain no benefit other than the peace of mind knowing they are covered if needed. Greater flexibility is particularly called for in regulatory and HTA processes to allow for the difficulty DRD developers frequently face in performing clinical trials with limited numbers of patients owing to disease rarity. The rigid requirement of some HTA agencies for large clinical trials leads to negative recommendations for insurance coverage for DRDs due to what they perceive as uncertainties of inadequate evidence in developers' submissions. In her essay, Magalhaes argues that a disorder's rarity should not warrant special treatment. Her reasoning is that giving preference to DRDs based on the disorder's rarity is contrary to maximising population health using HTAs that commonly evaluate cost per qualityadjusted life year (QALY) to assess a medicine's value. This is a false premise. A QALY attempts to combine quality and quantity of life to assess disease burden using a linear scale between the values of 0 and 1 representing death and perfect health, respectively, which assumes that patients value a modest improvement towards perfect health the same as a modest improvement from being close to death. This assumption could well be invalid because patients may value the latter much more than the former. In reality, health quality is a complex, multifaceted physical and psychological state for which the QALY is a poor surrogate. Furthermore, QALYs fail to capture the social value of a medicine and are an inadequate gauge for assessing the value of treatments for people with disabilities and rare disorders. Magalhaes proposes that, instead of rarity, disorders should be prioritised based on disease severity. However, universal agreement on the level of prevalence defining a disorder as being 'rare' has yet to be achieved, despite prevalence being estimated numerically with reasonable objectivity. Who would decide on 'severity'—patients, physicians or government officials behind closed doors? What is the likelihood that consistency could be reached on the assessment of severity for prioritisation? It definitely should not be based on social usefulness as this sounds chillingly like eugenics. Magalhaes states that whether patients with common disorders or their clinicians get their voices heard more easily than rare disorder patients and their clinicians is beyond the scope of her discussion. We assert which patients and clinicians get heard most is a key issue. Differences exist in which diseases gain more attention from decisionmakers and the public, even among common ones. For example, breast cancer receives greater research and funding than colorectal and prostate cancers because breast cancer resonates much more with the public and funders. Magalhaes also maintains that a small number of patients may be easier to organise around common interests. However, a few dozen patients spread widely geographically and speaking different languages (for instance, only 19 cases of adenosine kinase deficiency have been reported globally) can be challenging to coordinate, although social media platforms may help. When a disorder is so rare that it impacts only a few people per million, it is critical in today's pharmaceutical environment that sufferers, families and clinicians organise to advocate for access to any innovative medicine that becomes available for their disorder, especially if its cost is high. They might still be ignored by decisionmakers, but they almost certainly will if they do not speak up. Politics and mainstream and social media come into play here. Politicians and bureaucrats do not like their feet being held to the fire when an adult or, even worse, a young child is publicly identified as being unable to access a medicine for an unmet health need that, if untreated, will lead to severe disability, suffering and/or premature death. The proposal for disorders to be prioritised based on severity becomes particularly unworkable in such circumstances because deciding what is severe enough for prioritisation would be a subjective assessment predictably prone to undue influence. While Magalhaes' proposition may have merit from a certain limited ethical standpoint, it is impractical in reality. People suffering from common diseases frequently have treatment options that do not exist for many rare disorders. Policies need to be developed that enable Independent Researcher, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Canadian PKU and Allied Disorders Inc, Toronto, Ontario, Canada


BI Norwegian School of Management Abstract: Cloud computing is becoming a buzz word for both academic discussion and industrial practice. Not only for firms but also for general pubic service is increasingly relying on cloud computing to transform ICT-based innovation. Given the ICT4D specific context, the research is cornered around leveraging cloud computing utility model to benefit the general development issues. In this paper, I bring the new perspective of industrial innovation and strategy research—disruptive innovation theory into ICT4D discussion. By pointing out the technical as well as social weakness in applying utility model of cloud computing service in ICT4D study, I introduced the disruptive cloud computing innovation for development model with a brief illustrative case analysis from "100$ laptop" public education project. The proposed disruptive potential of cloud computing service in ICT4D research provides an alternative model for future ICT/cloud computing enabled empirical research and can be leveraged to guide further ICT4D theorizing process.


Acrodipsas cuprea is the only polymorphic species in an uncommon myrmecophagous radiation within the Lycaenidae in Australia. A small cryptic butterfly, it is found almost exclusively on hilltop sites in eastern Australia where several geographically localised morphotypes are recognised. This study used mitochondrial DNA sequences extracted from museum specimens to reveal whether A. cuprea morphotypes evolved in isolation, such that intermediate populations resulted from secondary contact, or whether the distribution of morphotypes was maintained solely by selection across a primary contact zone. Genetic data were also used to assess the species' dispersal ability and to explain the historical processes resulting in its extant distribution. Analysis of molecular variance found that 81% of genetic variation was distributed among colour morphs, suggesting that different wing colours had evolved in isolation. Mixed haplotypes and morphotypes in a zone separating the otherwise discrete morphological populations, particularly along the Great Dividing Range in south-east Queensland, suggests a more recent secondary admixture. Isolation by distance detected by nested clade analysis and pairwise comparisons confirmed the limited dispersal ability of A. cuprea, which was more evident in the southern part of its range. Genetic relationships among haplotypes suggest that the species originated in the drier inland areas of central Queensland, before expanding to the coast and south to Victoria.