Objective: Recent studies have reported that ICRU-38 point doses did not provide accurate estimations and clinical correlations. In this study the significance of the correlation between 2cc volumetric doses and point doses have been statistically analyzed. Methods: Sixty intracavitary gynecological applications has been selected. Patients were treated with EBRT dose of 46Gy/23# followed by 9Gy/2session of brachytherapy. Each patient underwent for CT-simulation scan and 3D treatment planning for brachytherapy session. Bladder and rectum were contoured and doses to the bladder and rectum were reported according to ICRU-38 and GEC-ESTRO recommendations. Result: The data was analyzed in SPSS 16.0 software. Q-Q plot test showed that data is normally distributed and unweighted for bladder and rectum. For bladder and rectum, the ratio test was found to be1.009 and 1.056 respectively for point dose to 2cc volume dose. The Pearson correlation coefficient is found to be 0.685, 0.639 and covariance is 67.51, 26.65 for bladder and rectum resp. Mean standardized residual came 0.000, 0.000 and standard deviation evaluated is 1.019 and 0.991 for bladder and rectum resp. The Kruskal Wallis test showed p value for bladder 2cc volumetric and point dosimetry is 0.018* and for rectum 0.004*. The regression analysis curve fit line equation has been modeled from intercept model. The regression equations shows that it is under estimating the dose to the bladder as well as it is over estimating the rectum doses. Conclusion: However, point dosimetry might not be the alternative for defining the doses to the OARs. Thus for precise and accurate dosimetry of OARs (bladder and rectum) three dimensional imaging and volumetric dosimetry is necessary. Introduction: Intracavitary Brachytherapy combined with external beam therapy is the mainstay for the management of carcinoma of cervix.[1] High Dose Rate brachytherapy has replaced Low Dose Rate brachytherapy due to its precision and sophisticated dose delivery mechanism through remote after-loading system, improved safety and patient comfort. [3,4] Various fractionation regimen are used to reduce the normal tissue complications.[1,5] The rapid dose fall-off in brachytherapy facilitates delivery of high dose to tumor while sparing the critical and normal organs such as bladder and rectum. [2] Classically for dose prescription to the tumor volume and to analyze the doses received by bladder and rectum, the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) report-38 recommendations were followed. [6] Two Dimensional Radiograph-based treatment planning was used for dose reporting in Intracavitary Brachytherapy. Reference points for Bladder and rectum used to be marked on the orthogonal radiograph with the help of radio-opaque markers.[7-9] The recent advances in imaging technique have helped in the three dimensional image acquisition and volumetric dosimetry for the tumor and normal organs. The gynaecological (GYN) brachytherapy group of European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (GEC-ESTRO) has published its guidelines for 3-dimensional brachytherapy treatment of cervix. It is recommend that normal organ volumetric doses of 0.1cc, 1cc, 2cc, 5cc and 10cc be reported and dose volume histogram (DVH) be analyzed.[10] for improved care and evaluations. Several studies had found the correlation between ICRU point doses and 2cc volumetric doses. Various Studies supported the equivalence of 2cc volume to the ICRU prescribed point and the doses were compared. The present study has been designed to analyze statistically the suitability and feasibility of correlation between point doses and 2cc volumetric doses and its significance. Material and Methods: Sixty intracavitary brachytherapy applications have been


The properties of ultra purity ferritic stainless steels and the difficulty of carbon and nitrogen removal from its molten steel were expounded. Based on the thermodynamic theory and the research results ,the influence factors of decarburization and denitrogenization in VOD were discussed,and the smelting data in spot was statistically analyzed. Lastly,the modified process measures,such as controlling high vacuum,strongly blowing argon from bottom,increasing the temperature of the liquid steel into VOD,raising carbon content and decreasing nitrogen content of molten steel into VOD,strengthening blow-oxygen volume during decarburization,completely blowing argon process in high vacuum and choosing low carbon or no carbon material and so on,were presented for smelting ultra purity stainless steels in VOD and the development after adopting the technology was introduced in TISCO.


This study examines the relationship between corporate heritage brand design identity and customer experience of John Lewis Partnership (JLP), one of the most successful British retail heritage brands. The research addresses the key factors of corporate heritage brand design identity including modernity, uniqueness and creative style and the impact of these factors on customer experience. The findings establish the moderating role of brand innovation on the relationship between corporate heritage brand design dimensions and customer experience. The paper examines the customer experience of the John Lewis brand through which corporate heritage brand design influences customer satisfaction. An online survey targeting over 6000 customers in five main cities in England is used in this study, in addition to a 596-respondent survey undertaken in JLP stores, shopping centres, and public places within the United Kingdom. Finally, data from JLP online customers and followers to their social media channels contribute to this analysis. The results confirm the impact that heritage brand design identity has on attaining and sustaining customer satisfaction apropos an established UK corporate heritage retail corporate brand. The outcomes confirm that corporate heritage brand design identity represented through a creative design sustains the brand and acts as a bearer of brand ethos down the years. It also confirms that creative heritage brand design has a positive impact on customer experience. Furthermore, brand innovation has a significant impact on the relationship between corporate heritage creative brand design and customer experience. This study is one of the few empirical studies to introduce a theoretical framework vis-a-vis corporate heritage brand design identity and is also one of the first studies on corporate heritage brand management in the retail sector. This study confirms the proposition that creative design has the potential to help brand managers develop and augment their corporate heritage brand management strategy, especially in the retail sector. Marketers, designers and brand managers need to be aware of corporate heritage brand design traits that can be highly meaningful for their heritage products.


Objective
To investigate the difference of endothelial lipase(EL)expression in in-stent restenosis(ISR)patients and its clinical significance.

Methods
A retrospective study was performed on 48 cases of patients who were admitted and underwent coronary angiography(CAG)and drug-eluting stents(DES)from January 2014 to December 2017.According to the results of CAG review 6 months to 4 years after the first stent placement, patients were divided into the stent restenosis group(20 cases)and the non-stent restenosis group(28 cases). Fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and serum EL levels were measured in the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze ISR risk factors.ROC curve was used to evaluate the clinical recognition ability of EL in ISR patients.

Results
The proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes and smoking in the stent restenosis group was higher than that in the non-stent restenosis group(P<0.05). LDL-C and EL in the stent restenosis group were higher than those in the non-stent restenosis group(P<0.05). The total length of stent implantation in the restenosis group was greater than that in the non-restenosis group(P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that type 2 diabetes mellitus, total stent length and EL were all risk factors for ISR.ROC curve showed that EL had certain clinical recognition ability for ISR [AUC =0.757, 95% CI(0.645 ~ 0.899), P<0.05].

Conclusion
Type 2 diabetes, the total length of stent placement and EL are independent risk factors for ISR.EL is closely related to ISR, which has a better predictive ability for ISR after DES implantation.

Key words:
Coronary artery disease; In-stent restenosis; Endothelial lipase; Drug-eluting stents


The evaluation of probabilistic constraints plays an important role in reliability-based design optimization. Traditional simulation methods such as Monte Carlo simulation can provide highly accurate results, but they are often computationally intensive to implement. To improve the computational efficiency of the Monte Carlo method, this article proposes a particle splitting approach, a rare-event simulation technique that evaluates probabilistic constraints. The particle splitting-based reliability assessment is integrated into the iterative steps of design optimization. The proposed method provides an enhancement of subset simulation by increasing sample diversity and producing a stable solution. This method is further extended to address the problem with multiple probabilistic constraints. The performance of the particle splitting approach is compared with the most probable point based method and other approximation methods through examples.


The equation of transfer for polarized radiation is solved rigorously in the first order with respect to anisotropy for the case of a homogeneous but anisotropic universe with flat comoving space. The percentage polarization of the cosmic background radiation is found to be extremely sensitive to the recombination dynamics and to the epoch of secondary heating. If the primordial radiation were discovered to exhibit quadrupole anisotropy, then by measuring its percentage polarization one could place severe constraints on the conditions of secondary ionization.


Structural engineers inherently rely on the ductility of a member to absorb energy, give prior warning of failure, control the drift of columns, and redistribute moments in beams. However, quantifying the ductility of reinforced concrete members has been a seemingly difficult or even intractable structural engineering problem mainly because of the softening characteristics of concrete. In this paper, a numerical model of the hinge region of a reinforced concrete beam bonded with fiber reinforced fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tension face plates is described, which simulates four mechanisms that contribute to the rotation of the member and, significantly, defines the limit to rotation imposed by concrete softening.


In a passive double star optical access system, an optical line terminal and multiple subscriber units are connected in a Point to Multi-Point (P-MP) configuration. In this case, the downstream signals from the optical line terminal are broadcast and delivered to all of the subscribers. Therefore, security is necessary for the communication of each subscriber to be protected from the other subscribers. In this paper, of the previously proposed encryption methods, we focus on stream ciphers that feature a compact cryptography circuit and are affected slightly by the bit errors generated in the transmission path, define the unique conditions of this system, and propose an encryption method for downstream signals that satisfies these system conditions. This new proposed encryption method features strengthening resistance to attack by using the upstream signal as the key and can be implemented in a small-scale circuit. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 86(4): 42–49, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10068


In this article is studied a new ichnological site (34IGR) of the Synclinal of Iouaridene already mentioned by the authors though still not described. The footprints are characterized by the ichnological heterogeneity and irregularity of his forms and dimensions. Both biomorphic and morphometricv characters answer to the variability showed in the ensemble of sinclinal sites relative to the biological diversity and to the morphology and structural response induced on the footprints by the physical characteristics of the mud. This site is also an expression of the evolution of the basin since he is in a sector that alone has one ichnological bed, against the deposits of the western part in which has been detected the overlapping of a number, still not assessed, of beds and levels with footprints.


Aim: To assess work safety levels at an industrial plant engaged with the production of plastics and explosives. Introduction: Accidents at work are unexpected incidents occasioned by external causes, giving rise to injury or loss of life. From a global viewpoint, they create a serious health and economic problem. Worldwide, hundreds of thousands people lose their life each year and 1 Politechnika Śląska, Gliwice / The Silesian University of Technology, Poland; firstname.lastname@example.com; 2 Wkład merytoryczny w powstanie artykułu / Percentage contribution: D. Wandzich – 75%, G. Płaza – 25%; BiTP Vol. 40 Issue 4, 2015, pp. 139–148 DOI:10.12845/bitp.40.4.2015.11 140 Z PRAKTYKI DLA PRAKTYKI many millions become disabled as a result of accidents at work. In Poland, every year, there are tens of thousands accidents at work where about a thousand people die (Data GUS – 2014). One of the most hazardous industries, associated with an inherent risk of much danger, involves the production of explosives. Production, storage and transportation of explosives was always a hazardous occupation. Accidents associated with these activities culminated in thousands of deaths, but material losses are simply impossible to estimate. Tragedies, which occurred during production and use of explosives gave rise, eventually, to an emergence of many laws and other regulations aimed at minimising dangers associated with such materials. Regulatory documents contain a range of requirements, which must be complied with, during production, distribution and use of explosive substances. Methodology: Analysis of severity and nature of accidents, and evaluation of accident indicators at work. Conclusions and relevance for practice: Survey and recording of accidents at work, analysis of causes and circumstances, as well as analysis of accident frequency at individual plants, industry, region and across the entire country, are all important elements of monitoring in the work domain and are essential for prevention of accidents. In order to improve industrial health and safety at work it is necessary to introduce organisational improvements such as improvements to the quality of training, dissemination of information about dangers and need for application of protective measures, expanding the range of protective measures, display of safety posters across the plant and making employees aware of the necessity for compliance with health and safety regulations as well as personal protection measures.


High-current pulsed electron beam(HCPEB)with different pulses was utilized to irradiate AISI 304 Lstainless steel.The surface microstructures of the irradiated samples were characterized in detail.In particular,the corrosion behaviors of the stainless steel surface with and without HCPEB treatment were evaluated.The experimental results show that the corrosion resistance of the stainless steel after HCPEB treatment is remarkably improved compared with the original sample.Beside the surface purification effect of eliminating impurities due to the crater eruption,the formation of dense surface passive layer,which effectively inhibits the pitting events,is also an important mechanism for the improvement of corrosion resistance of the irradiated materials.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)observations suggest that a large amount of supersaturated vacancy defects combined with abundant line and planar defects are introduced when the material surface is subjected to the HCPEB irradiation.Furthermore,the agglomerations of the vacancy defects result in the formation of the vacancy cluster defects,such as vacancy dislocation loops and stacking fault tetrahedra(SFTs).Those structural defects in the irradiated surface layer promote the formation of a thick and dense surface passive layer.It prevents corrosive anionic species from passing through the surface oxidation layer and delays the corrosion process,resulting in the improvement of corrosion performance of the irradiated materials.


e16019Background: Advanced UC treatment is being revolutionized by immunotherapy (IT). However, < 30% of patients (pts) will benefit from IT, and additional therapeutic targets are needed. Findings...


Abstract. Folds and fractures are important structures that preserve information on the past stress evolution; however, folds remain largely unexplored. Studying folds remains challenging, as no simple and unified method can be used to evaluate fold parameters, which include the fold axis, axial plane, and interlimb angle with depth. In this study, we propose a method to calculate the fold parameters of cylindrical concentric
folds by considering the point at which the bedding trend changes as an
inflexion point of the fold. The inflexion point is identified from the
analysis of bedding orientation, which can be obtained by borehole image
log. The orientation of the fold axis and the axial plane were geometrically calculated based on the inflexion surfaces at both ends of the folds. The application of this method is illustrated using a simulated fold model. It is shown that these fold parameters are calculated using the depth of the fold and are reliable to a certain extent, despite the uncertainty of the inflexion points. Although the extraction method assumes cylindrical concentric folds, it can be applied to symmetric folds to estimate the orientation of the fold axis and axial planes. The method developed in this study is expected to have a wide range of applications in structural geology as it can estimate the fold parameters of each fold traversed by a borehole.


The formulation of the problem in this study is how the role of the teacher in motivating students' learning in VIII grade SMP Negeri 2 Pulau Makian. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of teachers in fostering learning motivation of eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 2 Pulau Makian Regency of South Halmahera in 2015/2016. The research approach used is qualitative. The research location was SMP Negeri 2 Pulau Makian, Malapat Village, West Makian Subdistrict, South Halmahera Regency, which was held from February to April 2017. The subjects of this study were teachers and students of class VIII of SMP Negeri 2 Pulau Makian with a technique of collecting data through observation, interviews, documentation. The results of this study are then processed and analyzed qualitatively using the theories or opinions of relevant experts. Based on the results of research on the motivation of independent learning of students in Civics education in SMP Negeri 2 Pulau Makian, it was concluded that motivation for independent learning in PKn subjects was to arouse students to learn, give teachings on achievement which students reach later on and form good learning habits. The forms of motivation for independent learning include determining the atmosphere of fun teaching and learning, providing interesting learning material giving gifts to those who excel, giving punishment, to those who commit violations, and giving praise. Factors that influence the motivation of independent learning, namely the lack of attention from parents (father and mother): Parents tend to let their children take care of themselves, and the influence of friends or peers. Friends like to invite negative things, such as skipping and not going to school. Keywords: Motivation, for Independent, Learning Students, PKn Subjects


We study the problem of characterizing the behavior of lossy and data corrupting communication channels in a networked control setting, where the channel's behavior exhibits temporal correlation. We propose a behavior characterization mechanism based on a hidden Markov model (HMM). The use of a HMM in this regard presents multiple challenges including dealing with incomplete observation sequences (due to data losses and corruptions) and the lack of a priori information about the model complexity (number of states in the model). We address the first challenges by using the plant state information and history of received/applied control inputs to fill in the gaps in the observation sequences, and by enhancing the HMM learning algorithm to deal with missing observations. Further, we adopt two model quality criteria for determining behavior model complexity. The contributions of this paper include: (1) an enhanced learning algorithm for refining the HMM model parameters to handle missing observations, and (2) simultaneous use of two well-defined model quality criteria to determine the model complexity. Simulation results demonstrate over 90% accuracy in predicting the output of a channel at a given time step, when compared to a traditional HMM based model that requires complete knowledge of the model complexity and observation sequence.


Objectives: to assess the prevalence and knowledge of diabetes and hypertension among adults and to find the association between knowledge level and variables.Methods: Descriptive survey was conducted among adults in the selected villages of Udupi district during July 2009 - July 2010. The study subjects were interviewed to collect the details with a questionnaire. Total 385 adults were selected by non - probability convenient sampling technique. Data were entered in SPSS11.5 version and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Out of 385 adults, 27.8% of adults were females and 72.2% had their education up to primary level. Majorit y (82.2%) of the adults were having unskilled occupation and 96% of them had exposure to mass media. Majority (50.4%) of them had average knowledge on diabetes mellitus and prevalence was found to be only 5%. Majority (50.6%) of the samplehad average level of knowledge about hypertension and the prevalence of hypertension was 19.5%. Result shows that there is no significant association between knowledge and selected variables.


This article presents the structure and design of the test bench for identifi cation and investigation of dynamic parameters of dry uncolumn friction causing appearance of friction auto-oscillations. The characteristic with «falling» part of friction force relative sliding speed was accepted as the model of dry uncolumn friction. The identifi cation of parameters of this model is realized trough measurement, registration and following computerized processing of experimental data being obtained in the process of testing of investigated materials. Elaborated test bench allows to forecast the possibility of appearance of friction auto-oscillations at friction pairs interaction and gives the opportunity to form such friction pairs in which friction auto-oscillations will be absent.


Forced copulations are a type of sexual coercion that typically occurs when the fitness interests of males and females are in conflict. Forced copulations are rare in most species of birds, and there are only a few reports in passerine species. Here we report the first published observation of an immature Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus male attempting a forced copulation on a nesting Red-winged Blackbird female. We describe the behaviour and discuss potential explanations and implications for our observations.


ABSTRACT As a crucial component of redox flow batteries (RFBs), porous electrode provides active sites for redox reaction to realize electrochemical energy conversion. The coupling reaction kinetics and mass transfer process of active materials in porous electrode have great impact on the battery energy efficiency. As pore structure of porous electrode and its internal electrolyte flow regime jointly determine the convective mass transfer properties and electrochemical reaction efficiency in RFBs, based on the existing studies about the gradient porous electrode and the developed flow channel structure in recent years, this paper aims to investigate the coupling effects of gradient porous electrode and flow channel pattern on the mass transfer process in electrodes and the electrochemical performance of RFBs. A macroscopic three-dimensional model on non-aqueous iron-vanadium flow battery is established according to the actual operation characteristics of RFBs by finite element method. The numerical results reveal the operation process properties of iron-vanadium flow battery affected by the different flow field and gradient structural porous electrode, thus obtaining the optimal flow channel pattern and gradient morphology of porous electrode to improve the cell performance.


Women are cited less frequently than men in a variety of scientific fields. Drawing theoretical resources from Fricker and Hookway, I argue that these gendered citation practices constitute a form of participatory epistemic injustice insofar as they prevent female scientists from fully engaging in the epistemic practices of science. Furthermore, Longino's notion of "uptake" gives us a way of understanding gendered citation practices as an epistemic harm accrued not simply by individuals but by scientific communities as a whole. Finally, I discuss the cumulative harms of this kind of participatory epistemic injustice for individuals and for marginalized groups.


The molecular basis of the Al avoidance rule has been investigated by performing ab initio self-consistent field molecular orbital calculations on two different isomers of the molecular anion SirAlrOoHr2-, in which the Si and Al atoms are either alternating, i.e., ...Si-O-A1-O-Si-O-A1..., or paired, i.e., ...Si-O-Si-O-AI-O-A1..., around the four-membered ring. When all geometric parameters are optimized at the polarized split valence SCF level and both a many-body perturbation theory correction to the SCF energy and the zeropoint vibrational energy are added, the alternating isomer is found to be more stable than the paired isomer by 63.0 kJ/mol of SirAlrOoHfr-, as expected from Loewenstein's Rule. Addition of singly coordinated Na+ ions to the bridging O atoms reduces the energy difference of the isomers by about 22kJ/mol. This isomeric energy difference is equivalent to an energy decrease of about l0 kJ for the transformation of Y+ mole of Al-O-Al and Y+ mole of Si-O-Si linkages to Yz mole of Si-O-Al linkages. This calculated value compares reasonably well with experimental values of between 9 and 25 kJ found in sodiumand calcium aluminosilicate minerals and glasses. Previous theoretical studies obtained erroneously high values for the instability of the Al-O-Al linkage because the molecular clusters considered were too small and were not properly charge balanced. Similar calculations on a number of TrTlOoH, four-membered rings show that the magnitude of instability of the paired geometry isomer depends on both the difference of T and T' valences and the difference of T-O and T'-O bond distances. Nuclear quadrupole coupling constants (NQCC) at O have been calculated for all the species studied and show good agreement with available experimental data. O atoms that bridge two Al atoms are predicted to have a NQCC only about half as large as those in Si-O-Si bonds. Calculations of NMR shieldings indicate that O is deshielded by about l0 ppm in PrAlrOoH, compared with SioOoH8, whereas it is shielded by about 5 ppm in SirAlrOoHrNa?", both trends consistent with experiment. The calculated frequencies of the symmetric O breathing vibrational modes decrease from Si.O.Hu to SioOoHr, consistent with experiment, and from SioOoH, to SirAlrO4HA . The best hope for direct spectroscopic identification of Al-O-Al linkages seems to be through their uniquely small '?O NQCC values, but identification based upon O NMR shieldings or upon vibrational spectra is a possibility.


In the demodulation apparatus for demodulating a BPSK-modulated signal, suppressing deterioration of demodulation performance due to analog circuits such as manufacturing variation, further, to be able to follow to the frequency variation of the BPSK-modulated signal. A carrier wave generated from the BPSK modulated signal by a carrier wave information extracting circuit 101 and a carrier wave generating circuit 102, multiplied by BPSK modulation signal and a multiplier circuit 105 digitized by the A / D converter 104 the BPSK-modulated signal through the LPF103 , the multiplication result, and integrated with a period of the carrier wave in the carrier period integrator circuit 106, then, binarized at decision 107 the result of integration, to realize the demodulation.


Summary: Nurses should support patients in the choices they make; particularly not stepping away from the difficult decisions patients are making as they live with multiple long-term conditions. This research offers a thoughtful interpretation of nurses' conversations exploring experiences and perceptions concerning patient choice and how this links to nursing partnership. Content Outline: Patient choice is an aspect of 'promoting clinical outcomes' worthy of contemporary critique and research. Patient choice does not feature prominently in health system or patient-orientated research. In the past physician-driven decision-making was typical, and people were given little choice and control over their treatment. Nowadays patient choice means that nurses and other health professionals directly involved in healthcare need to be open to seeing and working with the patient according to their choice, not health professional choices. Hence, our research is focused on nurse-participant experiences of patient choice for people living with long term conditions (LTC). The aim of our research is for RNs to engage in conversation to reveal their experiences. Madden Furze and Lewin (2011) write about their findings concerning patient choice in the context of choices for cardiac rehabilitation. They found that nursing staff thought they had given patients choices. Conversely, the patients interviewed described how they faced barriers in making the choices, including a lack of information on which to base a choice. Added to this there were insufficient systems of referral; a lack of appropriately trained staff; limited choice of times to attend the hospital services; the physical site of service was restrictive, plus inflexible work hours and a lack of transportation to services all contributed to lack of patient choice (Madden, Furze & Lewin, 2011). Informed choice relies on the provision and accessibility of suitable health services. Our research aims to reveal contemporary experiences nurses have had. The conversation between the nurse participants in our research is likely to cover the topics revealed by Madden et al. (2011), but then again the conversation will remain open to further issues and questions; particular interest lies in promoting clinical outcomes that support patients in making their own choices in partnership with nursing staff. Partnership is described by Jonsdottir et al. (2004) as "the dialogue is open, caring, mutually responsive and non-directive. The nurse attends to that which is of concern to the patients in relation to their health predicaments and the meaning in the health experience unfolds" (p.241). Therefore the partnership is about a caring relationship between patient and nurse, with a focus on what is significant in terms of the patient's perspective of health. Partnership as per Jonsdottir et al., places the patient in the centre of nursing care. Partnership as described by Jonsdottir et al. (2004) is in alignment with the sustainable development goals (WHO, 2017); part of the intention of the research conversation is to draw from current global health goals and demonstrate how partnership and patient choice are central the WHO sustainable development goals. The methodology of interpretive description underpins how the research develops. It is a methodology supported by interpretivism whereby interpretation is undertaken by the participants. Our research is focused upon making meaning of clinical phenomena such as patient choice from a nurse's perspective. Effectively, a research partnership develops; in the words of Jonsdottir et al. (2004) describing a nursepatient partnership, they are equally applicable to the participants partnership, that the conversation is "open, caring, mutually responsive and non-directive" (p. 241). To conclude, our research aims to reveal what constitutes patient choice for those with LTC, as experienced and hence described by nurse participants. Choices of healthcare offered to patients should be real and not predetermined. Our research will examine the scope of choice and partnership for people living with LTC. First Primary Presenting Author Primary Presenting Author Kim van Wissen, PhD, RN Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand School of Health, Faculty of Health, Kelburn Campus Teaching Fellow Kelburn Wellington New Zealand Professional Experience: Teaching and research 2000-2017, as a lecturer at Massey University, New Zealand. In September 2017 joined the Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand as a Teaching Fellow, to develop a course in human biology for a broad spectrum of students. Research activities are directed at people's experience of long term conditions, especially prediabetes, diabetes and cardiac conditions. Research methodology focus has been mainly interpretive, with particular interest in phenomenology and interpretive description. Research context is orientated toward the clinical setting, issues for people with long term conditions, more latterly to that of patient choice and patient participation in healthcare. Author Summary: Kim has a strong background in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students. She has been involved in teaching and research at her local School of Nursing but has recently moved to Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) as a Teaching Fellow for the new Faculty of Health to develop new course material. Research activities are directed at people's experience of long term conditions, especially prediabetes, diabetes and cardiac conditions. Second Secondary Presenting Author Corresponding Secondary Presenting Author Denise L. Blanchard, PhD, RN Charles Sturt University School of Nursing Midwifery and Indigenous Health Senior lecturer Bathurst, New South Wales Australia Professional Experience: I have undertaken courses with the Joanna Briggs Institute; the Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Program Modules and JBI COnNECT 6 steps to evidencebased practice module. I have also attended Teaching Evidence-based Practice delivered by Professor Chris Del Mar (Bond University) and Professor Paul Glasziou (Oxford University) in 2006. I have developed teaching strategies for evidence-based practice in curricula, undergraduate and postgraduate; nursing, allied health and medicine. I have also worked with clinicians and librarians to develop a strategy for bed-side searching for best evidence and implemented this as policy for all health professionals in the clinical context. Author Summary: Dr Denise Blanchard is a highly motivated and energetic Registered Nurse with experience in the clinical, management, education, research and policy-related domains of nursing. Denise recently spent two years in a senior clinical management role within the industry context that required her to oversee change management processes; engaging with a range of industry stakeholders; and bridging the gap between academe and clinical settings. Denise is a visible and active champion for improvement. Third Author Annabel K. Matheson, PhD Charles Sturt University School of Nursing, Midwifery & Indigenous Health Lecturer


This paper studied the linearity performance of double heterostructure T-gate HEMT with graded back-barrier using the Silvaco Atlas simulator. The proposed device has the graded back-barrier feature, which improves the electron confinement at the GaN/AlGaN junction by increasing the conduction band discontinuity. A precise comparison has been made of the linear and nonlinear parameters of the proposed structure with the conventional one. The linear change of Al composition in the back-barrier layer effectively improved the linearity parameters. All the linear and nonlinear parameters such as gm2, gm3, VIP2, VIP3, IIP3, IMD3, and 1-dB compression point were investigated. Besides, the effect of channel length variation on the device's performance has also been investigated. The simulated results reveal that 30 nm channel length is the optimum value to uplift the linearity performance.


Using in silico docking approaches, we scan the various subunits of Complex V (FoF1ATPase) for putative adenosine nucleotide binding sites. We find that multiple generic ADP/ATP binding sites are present on the alpha-beta binding sites and a conserved ATP binding site is present on the epsilon subunit. These findings support the murburn model of Complex V.


The present invention relates to an automatic transmission power transmission system, in particular, the automatic transmission device for a power transmission without increasing the size of the automatic transmission that can be implemented in the forward sixth speed and reverse first relates to a for. The present invention includes a first gear and a coarse, second coarse gear, a third coarse gear and a fourth input shaft is provided with a coarse gears; Claim is connected with the second coarse gear by the first clutch is connected to the first sun gear and a plurality of first planetary gears that are gear-connected with the first sun gear being the first brake is connected to the connection and the fourth coarse gear claim by a second clutch connected to the input shaft and the first planetary gear set including a first ring gear that is the second brake and the first carrier is connected, and gears coupled to the first planetary gear coupled to the third coarse gears; Said first coarse gears and gear-connected first driven gear, and the second coarse gears and gear-connected second driven gear, a second driven gear, and coupling the fourth coarse gears and gear gear-connected to the third coarse gears that speed change shaft having a fourth driven gear; The second carrier and the second sun gear which is connected by a third clutch to said transmission shaft, said second sun gear and the gear coupling connecting the plurality of second planetary gears that are coupled to the third driven gear, the output coarse gear connection and a gear engaged with the second planetary gear and the second planetary gear set including a second ring gear coupled to the fourth driven gear; And it provides said coarse output gear and the gear connected with the output gear, the automatic transmission for power transmission comprising an output shaft having a differential gear connected to the output gear.


We study the impact of the SiGe thickness in starting substrates composed of Si/Si0.25Ge0.75/SOI(100) structures for the Ge condensation process on the resulting Ge-on-insulator (GOI) film properties. We evaluate the physical properties of the GOI films using AFM and Raman spectroscopy. It is found that 10-nm-thick GOI films with higher compressive strain (ec = 1.75%) and more uniform spatial strain distribution are obtained for 40 nm-thick-Si0.75Ge0.25 through a Ge condensation process with slow cooling than 60 nm-thick-SiGe. This suppression of strain relaxation is due to the lower total strain energy by the thinner SiGe layer. By using this GOI substrate, 10-nm-thick GOI p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (pMOSFETs) are demonstrated with the high performance of μh = 467 cm2 V−1 s−1 and Ion/Ioff > 7.2 × 105. The effective hole mobility of the 10 nm-thick GOI pMOSFET increases significantly with reducing measurement temperature from 298 K to 100 K, indicating the high contribution of phonon scattering to the mobility.We study the impact of the SiGe thickness in starting substrates composed of Si/Si0.25Ge0.75/SOI(100) structures for the Ge condensation process on the resulting Ge-on-insulator (GOI) film properties. We evaluate the physical properties of the GOI films using AFM and Raman spectroscopy. It is found that 10-nm-thick GOI films with higher compressive strain (ec = 1.75%) and more uniform spatial strain distribution are obtained for 40 nm-thick-Si0.75Ge0.25 through a Ge condensation process with slow cooling than 60 nm-thick-SiGe. This suppression of strain relaxation is due to the lower total strain energy by the thinner SiGe layer. By using this GOI substrate, 10-nm-thick GOI p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (pMOSFETs) are demonstrated with the high performance of μh = 467 cm2 V−1 s−1 and Ion/Ioff > 7.2 × 105. The effective hole mobility of the 10 nm-thick GOI pMOSFET increases significantly with reducing measurement temperature from 298 K to 100 K, indicating the high contributi...


Bacterial wilt caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum is a main limiting factor in the production of tobacco. The objective of this study is to investigate the survival of P.  solanacearum in the rhizosphere of presumed nonhost plants. The results indicated that in the sugarcane rhizosphere, the pathogen population decreased along with the time course. The bacteria could not infect the root of sugarcane. On the other hand, the pathogen could infect the root of Mimosa invisa , although the population also decreased along with the time course.


Background: Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. It greatly affects children particularly young children in developing countries. However, there is a paucity of information in Dire Dawa Administration. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of trachoma and its associated factors among school children aged 4-9 years in Dire Dawa, eastern Ethiopia. Methods: School-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 15-30, 2019 in Dire Dawa Administration. A total of 823 school children aged 4-9 years were examined to identify clinical signs of trachoma. Multistage stratified sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. The data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire and observation check list. Data analysis were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 25. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the predictors of trachoma. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of trachoma was 4.3% (95% CI: 2.9, 5.7), of which 74.3% had Trachomatous inflammation – Follicular, and 25.7% had Trachomatous inflammation- Intense. Family size >5 (AOR=2.24; 95 % CI: 1.53, 8.53), presence of more than 3 school children in the household (AOR=3.30; 95 % CI: 1.37, 5.94), family monthly income 10 meters away from the main house (AOR=6.11; 95% CI: 2.41, 11.46) were the factors significantly associated with trachoma. Conclusion: This study revealed that school children aged 4-9 years old were affected by Trachoma. Therefore, it is very crucial to implement the SAFE strategy components, particularly focusing on facial hygiene and environmental sanitation improvement to reduce the problem.
Keywords: Associated Factor; Children Aged 4-9 Years, Dire Dawa; Prevalence; Trachoma.


My answer to the above very pertinent question 1s a confident and optimistic "Yes". The production of cultivars having a large number of favorable genes for yield in my environment has been more talked about than worked on by plant breeders...


The antigenic properties of leukemic cells from five patients with adult T-cell leukemia were studied with rabbit anti-MOLT-4 and anti-human thymocyte antisera using indirect membrane immunofluorescent staining. The E rosette-positive, surface immunoglobulin (sIg) negative leukemic cells from these patients gave a positive reaction with appropriately absorbed antisera, which reacted specifically with thymocytes, cells from T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-ALL derived lymphoblastoid cell lines (T-LCLs) and normal fresh peripheral T-cells. Nevertheless, antisera further absorbed with fresh peripheral blood lymphocytes (FN-PBL) lost almost all reactivity with the leukemic cells as well as with normal peripheral blood T-cells but still retained reactivity with thymocytes, T-LCLs and T-ALL cells. The results suggest that adult T-cell leukemic cells possess a mature T-cell antigen but not a thymus-specific antigen.


Gamma-ray reconstruction from Cherenkov telescope data is multi-task by nature in astrophysics. The image recorded in the Cherenkov camera pixels relates to the type, energy, incoming direction and distance of a particle from a telescope observation. We propose γ-PhysNet, a physically inspired multi-task deep neural network for gamma/proton particle classification, and gamma energy and direction reconstruction. We compare its performance with single task networks on Monte Carlo simulated data and demonstrate the interest of reconstructing the impact point as an auxiliary task. We also show that γ-PhysNet outperforms a widespread analysis method for gamma-ray reconstruction. Finally, we study attention methods to solve relevant use cases. All the experiments are conducted in the context of single telescope analysis for the Cherenkov Telescope Array data


Objective To construct the ultrasound PACS image system based on B/S mode.Methods The modern internet technology was used to build the PACS image system based on B/S mode.The B/S mode was typical three layer structures,namely,client presentation layer,middle service logic layer and storage layer.Results Client presentation layer was a figure surface to provide application service for clients.The function of service logic layer was performing application strategy and packaging application mode which was shown to client application program.Storage layer was used to define,service,visit and update data.Conclusion The versatility of B/S mode is good.Besides,the software is easy to operate and upgrade with low cost.


Server virtualization is a common trend in modern IT infras- tructures. Virtualization of the x86 processor architecture brought this development a big step further, because this hardware architecture is widely spread and cheap compared to other platforms which supported virtualization for a long time, such as IBM mainframes. While virtual- ization has a lot of advantages, it introduces a considerable drawback in terms of dependability. If multiple physical machines are consolidated into virtual machines running on one single physical host, they all will fail, if the physical host breaks down. Vendors of virtualization solutions have recognized this problem and therefore developed solutions to in- crease fault tolerance in virtualized environments. In this report we will give a short survey of existing virtualization solutions and their relia- bility features and then deeply analyze one solution, namely VMware vSphere. In the end we will also say a few words about Kemari, an open source research project concerned with virtual machine synchronization for Xen and recently also for KVM. It uses a dierent synchronization


In this study light elements Si , S for Si(α,n)S reaction as well as α-particle energy from (5.001) MeV to (6.284) MeV are used according to the available data of reaction cross sections with threshold energy (3.959MeV). The more recent cross sections data of Si(α,n)S reaction is reproduced in fine steps in the specified energy range , as well as cross section (α,n) values were derived from the published data of (n,α) as a function of energy in the same fine energy steps by using the principle of inverse reaction . This calculations involves the first exited state of Si , S in the reactions Si(α,n)S and S(n,α)Si . These data are listing , plotted and dissection .


One of the issues in sustaining collaborative partnerships involves the drivers of change and transformation in the process. In particular to this study, various factors have gradually transformed the collaborative partnership activities in the quest for sustaining the collaborative efforts to empower children in orphanages. The paper seeks to explain one of the factors considering the significant discussion among the stakeholders regarding their perspectives on whether long-term partnership is valuable. Using a qualitative case study design, this study uses two methods of data collection with interview as the main method, supported by document review. The data collected were analysed thematically and the findings from the interviews were compared to the findings from documents reviewed. Later the findings are placed alongside the findings of the previous studies from the literature reviewed in the discussions. Based on the interview responses of 24 participants from five stakeholder groups in this collaborative setting and the review of available documents, the findings mainly revealed that partnerships are mostly pragmatics and programme based. Diverse views are given in considering the importance of partnerships to be sustained over a long period in order to be effective. This challenges the common notion that long-term commitment or relationships are needed for effective partnerships. Keywords: Community collaboration, community partnership, sustainability, long-term partnership, corporate social responsibility.


Abstract Swabs sampled from beaks and cloaca of 123 live Mallard ducks (also referred to as wild ducks) were subjected to routine mycological diagnostics. Out of 246 samples analysed, positive results were noted in 210 (85.4%) cases. The taxonomic analysis revealed 30 species of yeast and yeast-like fungi and 24 species of mould fungi, included 35 classified to BSL categories. The most frequently isolated species were: Candida albicans, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, Cryptococcus neoformans, Cr. laurentii, Rhodotorula rubra, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, and Fusarium solani. The results demonstrated that wild duck breeding in the proximate vicinity of man constitutes a rich reservoir of potentially-pathogenic fungi and a significant link in epidemiology of many mycotic diseases.


Author(s): Xu, Z; Wen, J; Schneeloch, J; Christianson, AD; Birgeneau, RJ; Gu, G; Tranquada, JM; Xu, G | Abstract: We report neutron scattering measurements on low-energy (â.,I‰â5 meV) magnetic excitations from a series of Fe1+yâz(Ni/Cu)zTe1âxSex samples which belong to the "11†Fe-chalcogenide family. Our results suggest a strong correlation between the magnetic excitations near (0.5,0.5,0) and the superconducting properties of the system. The low-energy magnetic excitations are found to gradually move away from (0.5,0.5,0) to incommensurate positions when superconductivity is suppressed, either by heating or chemical doping, confirming previous observations. © 2014 American Physical Society.


Infrared transmission/absorption measurements of cells and biofluids in water are restricted to very short optical pathlengths. When the amide I and amide II bands of protein constituents have to be analysed, path-lengths of less than 8 μm are necessary. Infrared spectra of cancer cells were collected from physiological buffer solutions utilizing custom-made mid-infrared compatible IR-cuvettes. The technology permitted to obtain cell-type specific spectral signatures and probe biochemical changes induced by varying temperatures or cell-drug interaction. Optical path-lengths of 8-30 μm were used on a set of microbial test strains to evaluate, whether the methodology can also be used to discriminate and identify micro-organisms. A semi-automatic methodology was developed for the analysis of liquid serum samples, which combines simple sample handling with high sample throughput and extreme measurement reproducibility. The applicability of this infrared technology to the analysis of liquid serum samples from cattle and human beings suffering from various acute viral or bacterial infections was explored testing the interrelationship between α-helical and β-sheet specific spectral signatures in the amide I band contour and total albumin and globulin content in serum. The technical details, advantages, and limitations of the new technology are described in the context of developing a routine, IR-based biodiagnostic technique for biofluids and biological cells.


Summary Objective: Evaluation of mammographic findings of women withno breast symptoms visiting family practice outpatient clinic ac-cording to BI-RADS categories and determination of benign andmalign disease rates. Methods: The mammographic evidence of 874 women over age40 submitting to family practice outpatient clinic between Aprilthe 1st 2005 and October the 15th 2007 were evaluated. Results: Most women going under mammography were in theage group of 50-59 years. The most frequent categories found inall age groups were BI-RADS 1,2,3 respectively. Cystic changeswere seen 18,9% as the most frequent bening lesions of the bre-asts . The rate of breast cancer was %0.45. Conclusions: The rate of benign lesions is lower than expected.The rate of breast cancer is close to that of found in the Westerncountries' breast cancer screening programs. Women need to bethoroughly informed on the importance of mammography inscreening breast cancer. Key words: Family practice, mammography, BI-RADS, breast di-seases, breast cancer.


s:Objective To investigate changes of plasma coagulation parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus,and the relationship of plasma coagulation parameters with angiopathy.Methods The levels of prothrombin time(PT),partial thromboplastin time(APTT),thrombin time(TT),fibrinogen(FIB),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(CH) were determined in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(n=85) and controls(n=60).Results Compared with those of control group,the levels of PT,APTT were significantly shorter in diabetes mellitus,the level of fibrinogen(FIB) increased.Furthermore,in diabetes patients,those with micro or macroangiopathy showed shorter the levels of APTT,TT and higher the level of FIB.These changes of plasma coagulation parameters have independent relationship with serum TG.Conclusions Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus could cause coagulation disturbance,there were increasement of blood clotting activity in the paitents with micro or macroangiopathy.


Network traffic utilization finds extensive applications in network management, network security, IT business, and various other fields. The traffic utilization process comprises three stages: traffic collection, traffic storage, and traffic analysis application. The network traffic storage system serves as the fundamental foundation for traffic utilization. However, the rapid growth in network performance and the diversification of network applications pose significant challenges to the design of network traffic storage systems, including concerns over traffic storage overhead and traffic processing overhead. In this paper, we introduce an efficient network traffic storage system design, which applies three algorithms—compression, decompression, and sorting—to achieve storage efficiency and traffic query efficiency. Furthermore, we explore the utilization of efficient hardware to accelerate these key algorithms. Additionally, we provide a preliminary evaluation of the effect of hardware acceleration.


Background: The growing appropriateness of the use of herbal preparations in the treatment of countless diseases must be thoroughly accompanied by the evaluation of the safety of these remedies. Despite the availability of known antidiabetic medicine in the pharmaceutical market, diabetes and the related complications continue to be a major medical problem . Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicological effects of the methanolic leaf extract of Piliostigma reticulatum (DC) Hochs in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: This evaluation was carried out both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, acute toxicity test was evaluated according to Lorke's method. This method was carried out in two phases. In the first phase, the rats were grouped into three with three rats in each group and administered 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg of the extract. In the second phase, the rats were also grouped into three and administered 1600 mg/kg, 2900 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg. The extract at a single dose of 5000 mg/kg showed no signs of toxicity nor mortality in any of the animals tested during 7 day observation period.Liver function test was also evaluated in this study. The rats were grouped into nine made up of fifteen rats each and were administered the methanolic leaf extract of Piliostigma reticulatum (DC) Hochst for 14 days. The serum levels of alanine and aspartate transaminases (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were carried out. Results: Results from the in vitro toxicological evaluation reveals that the LD 50 is greater than 5000 mg/kg according to Lorke's method. There was no death recorded, neither was there any convulsion, salivation or a change in the skin color recorded. Also, the liver function tests carried out revealed a significant (p<0.0001) increase in the activities of Alanine (ALT), Aspartate transaminases (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes compared to the negative control rats. This indicates that there was a problem with liver function. Treatment with the methanolic leaf extract of Piliostigma reticulatum (DC) Hochstand gilbenclamide significantly (p<0.0001) reduced the activities of AST, ALT and ALP and ameliorated the alteration in liver function. Treatment with extracts alone (without diabetes) did not have any significant effect on AST, ALT and ALP compared with the negative control rats. Conclusion: The findings in this study revealed that the methanol leaf extract of Piliostigma reticulatum (DC) Host does possess properties that reverse hepatocellular damage in rats. Toxicological evaluation carried out showed no mortalities or adverse clinical manifestations. The biochemical analysis also revealed that the plant is considered very safe up to 5000 mg/kg. This extract is however recommended to cure damage that may have taken place in the liver.


Abstract : This research is motivated by the students who still have difficulties in understanding the subject matter taught especially on the subjects of  Indonesian Language and still not maximally in the mastery of the concept, the teachers only rely on books and teaching materials from the government so that they can not develop the learning process in the classroom. The problem in this research is whether the application of Quantum Learning in Indonesian Language subjects can improve the achievement of students of grade V SD Pedurungan Kidul 02 Semarang. Results Improved learning completeness before and after learning by applying quantum Learning can be seen by the calculation of gain scores. Gain obtained in the research shows that the pretest used is the result of learning on the pre cycle while the postest is the result of cycle II. The number of pre-cycle values 2592 and the number of cycles of II 3276. While the average value on the pre cycle is 65% and the average value in cycle II is 81.9%. The N-gain obtained from pretest and postest is 0.475% by using the normalized gain formula, the N-gain analysis on pretest and posttest shows 8 students in the high category ie at g0 0, 7 and 27 student interval in medium category ie at interval gain 0.3≤g <0.7 and 5 students in the low category that is at g <0.3. From that category the N-gain results fall into the moderate category within the gain interval of 0.3 ≤ g <0.7. The data is supported by an increase in student activity showing from cycle 1 63% and on cycle II 87%. And also strengthened from the data attitudes of discipline obtained in 40 students the number of cycles I is 817 with 81.7% percentage and on the second cycle the number of scores obtained is 885 with 88.5% percentage.


Univariate polynoimial rootnding is an oldest classical problem, which is still an important research topic, due to its impact on computational algebra and geometry. The Weierstrass (Durand{Kerner) approach and its variations are most popular practical choices for simultaneous approximation of all roots of a polynomial, but these methods require computations with a high multiple precision. We apply some novel techniques of structured matrix computations to avoid this serious de ciency, thus giving decisive acceleration to the approach. We also show two ways (based on the Lagrange interpolation formula and on Newton's iteration for the eigenproblem for a generalized companion matrix) to unifying the derivation of the Weierstrass (Durand{ Kerner) algorithm (having quadratic convergence) and its extensions having convergence rates 4; 6; 8; : : : , and we study application of the inverse power iteration to (generalized) companion matrix for polynomial rootnding. Supported by NSF Grant CCR 9732206 and PSC CUNY Award 66383-0032


This article introduces the East Asian studies in Harvard University on the basis of the author's experience, including the institutions and the activities relating to East Asian studies. The author thinks that the main reasons of Harvard's leading position in the field of East Asian studies overseas due to its strong atmosphere of academic researches, its brilliant faculty,its strict academic rulers, its superior research resources and its frequent international academic exchanges.


This paper puts forward the coupling model of the heat-moisture-stress field based on the governing equation of non-stationary heat transfer, moisture movement and the basic differential equations of deformation problem by displacement under axisymmetric conditions. Using a detailed calculation example for the section of the Xiang Pi Mountain in 109th National Highway, a mechanical model of the cylinder made by typical silty clay soil is simulated. Results show that in the coupling process, dynamic stress pays little contribution to the distribution of temperature field along different depths, and the amount of thawing deformation increased with dynamic loading time under the same frequency and amplitude.


The role of the customer has been established as a key stakeholder of organisations. Following keen competition among firms, marketing managers use a series of customer service activities designed to ensure their products or services meet customer expectation. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) dominates the economic activities of the Wa Municipality with keen competition but has over the years lacked attention by empirical research on their application of quality customer services. This paper seeks to contribute in bridging the gap in literature on how SMEs deliver services with customer service practices in the Wa Municipality. A survey was conducted on 83 managers of SMEs selected at random in the Wa Municipality. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric (Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance Test) statistical procedures. Firms were observed to have shared mixed characteristics. They find good customer service and communication of messages that are consistent with deliveries critical to their business success. However, the results suggests that firms lack good application of management practices in the area of ensuring quality customer service delivery. The results have useful implications for the development of SMEs in the Wa Municipality. Keywords: Good Customer Service, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance Test


The general purpose of the study is to fabricate and improve upon FeS2 thin films which can be used as the photon absorber layer for a heterojunction or homojunction solar cell. This work deals with the preparation of the pyrite by an unconventional sol-gel approach. Thin pyrite films were prepared by sulfurizing the iron oxide films previously deposited through the sol-gel method using iron (III) chloride as a precursor. The structural, morphological, electronic and optical properties of the deposited films were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Hall effect and profilometry. The effects of annealing and sulfurization temperatures were studied. The work was also devoted to the research of sodium diffusion from the substrate due to the thermal treatment and its affect on the pyrite films functionality.


Symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) is a well‐established method to compute accurate intermolecular interaction energies in terms of physical effects such as electrostatics, induction (polarization), dispersion, and exchange. With many theory levels and variants, and several computer implementations available, closed‐shell SAPT has been applied to produce numerous intermolecular potential energy surfaces for complexes of experimental interest, and to elucidate the interactions in various complexes relevant to catalysis, organic synthesis, and biochemistry. In contrast, the development of SAPT for general open‐shell complexes is still a work in progress. In the last decade, new developments from several research groups, including the author's, have greatly enhanced the capabilities of SAPT. The new and emerging approaches are designed to make SAPT more widely applicable (including interactions involving multireference systems, complexes in arbitrary spin states, and intramolecular noncovalent interactions), more accurate (enhanced description of intramolecular correlation, a better account of exchange effects, relativistic SAPT, and explicitly correlated SAPT), and more efficient (enhanced density‐fitted implementations, linear‐scaling variants, empirical dispersion, and an implementation on graphics processing units). The new developments open up avenues for SAPT applications to an unprecedented variety of weakly interacting complexes.


The optical characteristics and the recombination dynamics of Er-doped Si/SiO2 planar microcavities are reviewed. We show that the emission characteristics of the optically excited Er3+ ions are significantly changed by microcavity effects. For emission-resonant microcavities, the intensity, spectral characteristics, far-field distribution, and spontaneous lifetime are changed. For absorption-resonant microcavities, the absorption efficiency of the 980 nm excitation is strongly enhanced. The results demonstrate that the employment of microcavities in optical as well as optoelectronic devices provides new possibilities to enhance the properties of photonic and optoelectronic devices.


Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating pheromones trigger dissociation of a heterotrimeric G protein (G (cid:1)(cid:2)(cid:3) ) into G (cid:1) guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and G (cid:2)(cid:3) . The G (cid:2)(cid:3) dimer regulates both mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade signaling and cell polarization. Here, by independently activating the MAP kinase pathway, we studied the polarity role of G (cid:2)(cid:3) in isolation from its signaling role. MAP kinase signaling alone could induce cell asymmetry but not directional growth. Surprisingly, active G (cid:2)(cid:3) , either alone or with G (cid:1) -GTP, could not organize a persistent polarization axis. Instead, following pheromone gradients (chemotropism) or directional growth without pheromone gradients (de novo polariza- tion) required an intact receptor–G (cid:1)(cid:2)(cid:3) module and GTP hydrolysis by G (cid:1) . Our results indicate that chemoattractant-induced cell polarization requires continuous receptor–G (cid:1)(cid:2)(cid:3) communication but not modulation of MAP kinase signaling. To explore regulation of G (cid:2)(cid:3) by G (cid:1) , we mutated G (cid:2) residues in two structurally distinct G (cid:1) –G (cid:2) binding interfaces. Polarity control was disrupted only by mutations in the N-terminal interface, and not the Switch interface. Incorporation of these mutations into a G (cid:2) –G (cid:1) fusion protein, which enforces subunit proximity, revealed that Switch interface dissociation regulates signaling, whereas the N-terminal interface may govern receptor–G (cid:1)(cid:2)(cid:3) coupling. These findings raise the possibility that the G (cid:1)(cid:2)(cid:3) heterotrimer can function in a partially dissociated state, tethered by the N-terminal interface. activity in response to a gradient or uniform field of pheromone. We show that in addition to G (cid:2)(cid:3) , the receptor and G (cid:1) are required not only to sense pheromone gradients during chemotropism but also for directionally persistent growth during de novo polarization. In addition, by using a series of mutations in G (cid:2) (Ste4) to disrupt regulation of G (cid:2)(cid:3) by G (cid:1) , we observed qualitatively different polarity phenotypes depending on which G (cid:1) -G (cid:2) interaction interface is disrupted. Our results suggest that one G (cid:1) –G (cid:2) interface controls signaling, whereas the other facilitates directional responses by allow- ing receptor–G (cid:1)(cid:2)(cid:3) coupling.


This Masters Thesis investigate the possibility of using software-based Error Detection And Correction (EDAC) to protect the storage of space-borne computers from Single Event Upsets (SEU s). Two software-based fault-injectors are implemented, which simulate the effects of SEU s as stochastic processes, and a number of experiments are performed on programs running on prototypes of the onboard computer of a small satellite, DTUSat. The faults are injected in a continuous manner until a failure is detected (i.e. test until destruction ), after which the state of the target is examined. One of the targets programs is the DTUSat boot-software, while the other is an program resembling the application software for the DTUSat. In order to perform a large number of experiments, two harnesses have been implemented, which allow batches of experiments to be carried out automatically. The results of the experiments are analyzed, an a number of metrics are measured (time of first error, runtime before failure, cause of failure etc.). The injectors are designed to be quite flexible, in that the user can control the fault-rates and injection model. Also, a number of experiments are performed with different fault-rates, and it is found that the results obtained are representative over a large interval of injection-rates. In order to carry out the experiments in a resonable amount of time, the injection-rates used are somewhat higher than what can be expected in a low earth orbit (LEO).


OBJECTIVE
Pachydermoperiostosis is manifested by finger clubbing, hypertrophic skin changes, and periosteal bone formation. We describe 5 cases revealed primarily by their rheumatologic manifestations. Also reported are preliminary experiences on the use of intravenous pamidronate as a treatment.

METHODS
This is a retrospective study including the analysis of clinical manifestations, laboratory results and morphological examinations gathered from patients' medical records. We evaluated efficacy of treatment with 1 mg/kg iv pamidronate in the 3 new cases.

RESULTS
Before treatment with iv pamidronate, the patients' global assessment was poor (twice) and very poor (once). The physician's global assessment was poor in 3 patients. After treatment with iv pamidronate, 2 patients had significant improvement. Physician and patient global assessments were very good, good, and moderate. No side effects were observed. All biological variables were within normal ranges at 12 month followup visit.

CONCLUSION
Pachydermoperiostosis must be recognized by the rheumatologist, since it can present symptomatically through articular manifestations. When conventional treatment modalities fail, iv pamidronate might be useful.


This paper is directed the Solution of special point of two basic geome trie form intersect and drawing intersection. Expounding application of inference drawing and the Remet is inference application of the way in three swrfaces who used same point. The article lists untilizing spherical surface and spherical cone snrface to drauing auxiuiary surface to solve inference drawing of special point and offer reference for students.


This study aims to develop a decision support system using the fuzzy method in order to assess the quality of education and training of prospective civil servants and highlight possible improvement considerations. The assessment consists of six criterias, namely coaches, lecturers, preachers, mentors, examiners, and administrators. Based on the evaluation result of the quality level of each criterion, it is obtained that the top two criterion are examiners and preachers, followed by coaches, lecturers, advisors, and the lowest is organizer. In addition, the quality of the civil servant class III training is better than the class II civil servant training. It also shows that the value of the organizers criterion has different level of satisfactions. Overall, the quality of the training (according to the participants' opinion) was very good with a score of 92.50 for training class II and 95.20 for training class III. Furthermore, it is necessary to conduct research to determine the quality of the training each year by looking at the achievements of the participants. The >system testing obtained an accuracy of 100%, whichs implies that the system can be used to assess the quality of education and training appropriately.


Mrs H B, aged 46, a Polish housewife Admitted as an emergency on 30.11.63. History: For six months she had had intermittent attacks of 'rapid thumping of the heart, pounding in the head, and gripping upper abdominal pain' on standing, particularly in the mornings. For twenty-four hours she had been unable to get out of bed as sitting up produced an attack. She also complained of sweating, nausea, dyspnoea and headache with the attacks. The attacks were also precipitated by lying on her right side. On examination: Blood pressure 100/70. Pulse 100/min regular. Nothing else abnormal found. Investigations: Blood count, blood urea, electrolytes andWR normal. Lumbar puncture: protein 70 mg/100 ml, otherwise normal. ECG inverted T wave in AVL, sinus rhythm (2.12.63: T wave upright in AVL). Occult blood: trace. Urine: salicylates present in excess. 2.12.63: She had now become extremely hypotensive (70/50) and metaraminol was given to maintain the blood pressure. A sudden hypertensive episode followed the administration of metaraminol (Fig 1). 6.12.63: Further hypertensive episode. Pheochromocytoma suspected.


The basic types of symbol rhetoric methods and the characteristics of each type were introduced based on semiotic theory.The practical applications of rhetorical methods were analyzed with cases.The functions of rhetorical methods in product design were discussed.


Work on the Middle East's first synchrotron light source received a major boost last month after scientists began commissioning parts of its accelerator system.


The chain of crises experienced during the first two decades of the 21st century has changed life on Earth and concluded in a list of incredibly difficult challenges. It has become obvious that our traditional ways of acting do not work anymore. We need to search for new ideas and approaches. We want to believe in the potential of education. It manifests itself in different ways in beliefs, declarations, and actions. The work of education systems and institutions is a huge investment of commitment, time, and money. Governments, experts, workers, and service users have high hopes and enormous resources to keep education functioning. Everyone involved in designing solutions and carrying out tasks must understand how to respond to the global context and the challenges that humanity must deal with in order to survive. The environment and problems of public health, diversity and inequalities, technologies and social media, and the crisis of democracy affect the social reality and the world of education today. To be able to respond, both to challenges and to expectations, the human approach to leadership has to be transformed. The main problem for reformers is to define leadership again, using new assumptions and new intellectual tools. The research question worth asking is: what kind of educational leadership is needed? In this article, I propose a paradigm shift in thinking about educational leadership and a departure from the dominant classical paradigm. I propose a new model of educational leadership and adequate activities.


Magneto-convection simulations with two scenarios have been performed: In one, horizontal magnetic field is advected into the computational domain by fluid entering at the bottom. In the other, an initially uniform vertical magnetic field is imposed on a snapshot of non-magnetic convection and allowed to evolve. In both cases, the field is swept into the intergranular lanes and the boundaries of the underlying mesogranules. The largest field concentrations at the surface reach pressure balance with the surrounding gas. They suppress both horizontal and vertical flows, which reduces the heat transport. They cool, become evacuated and their optical depth unity surface is depressed by several hundred kilometers. Micropores form, typically where a small granule disappears and surrounding flux tubes squeeze into its previous location.


The present invention provides a prestressed concrete girder bridge variable cross-section, including a top plate, a bottom plate constituting the box girder webs and the chamber, and further comprising: a surface disposed at the top panel, and an outer surface of the web in the two-layer inner surface of said FRP plate, and the FRP plate assembly box on the lower surface of the floor structure, said structure comprising a combination of FRP tank FRP plate FRP plate and a box-shaped stiffeners, the box-type FRP stiffener disposed the box-type FRP stiffeners, and the FRP plate layers forming the paste cured FRP plate assembly box structure. The present invention greatly improves the stress crack resistance and a box girder, reducing or even avoiding the phenomenon of cracks Box, improved structural integrity, and to improve the quality and durability of the cross-section of prestressed concrete girder bridge. The present invention also provides a construction method and construction of prestressed concrete structures Basket variable cross-section of a variation of a sectional girder bridge box girder bridges prestressed concrete.


This article reports on the findings of a study consisting of two phases. Both phases aimed at investigating how professional development, physical resources and instructional support influenced teachers' responses to curriculum change. Despite more than 90% of Grade R teachers being under-qualified, they have had to implement two radically different curricula over the past decade. The initial study ('Phase 1'), conducted in 2007–2010, investigated teachers' responses to the National Curriculum Statement. The 2015 follow-up study ('Phase 2') focused on the same teachers, but the focus fell on the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements. The latter occurred in a drastically different context because of the improved monitoring and support systems. A qualitative case study design was employed within an interpretive paradigm. The findings of Phase 1 suggested that the teachers ignored, resisted, adopted and adapted curriculum change. Their highly individualised responses could be attributed to their professional isolation. In contrast, the findings of Phase 2 reveal policy fidelity because of their enhanced capacity to adopt curriculum change. Notably, curriculum implementation is presently occurring within a community of practice. This has the potential to be a catalyst for effecting curriculum change.


A case of meningococcemia with meningococcal meningitis, complicated by gangrene of the lower extremities, is reported. Amputation of the lower third of both legs was performed. The patient is living and in good health.


ABSTRACT Scratching behavior observed after epicutaneous challenge with the antigen 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) in the ear of BALB/c mice passively sensitized with anti-dinitrophenol (DNP). Immunoglobulin (Ig) E was characterized pharmacologically and compared with that caused by compound 48/80. Although DNFB application itself caused scratching behavior in non-sensitized mice, the number of scratchings apparently increased in sensitized mice from 60 min after antigen application in comparison with non-sensitized control mice. Prednisolone, cyproheptadine, dibucaine and naloxone significantly inhibited the DNFB-induced scratching behavior, whereas the histamine H 1 -receptor antagonists HSR-609, cetirizine and terfenadine only showed a tendency to inhibit scratching. Injection of 48/80 into the rostral part of the back also caused scratching. The first scratching was observed within 10 min after injection and lasted intermittently for 30 min. The 48/80-induced scratching was markedly inhibited by cyproheptadine, dibucaine and naloxone, but not by prednisolone and the histamine H 1 -receptor antagonists. Ear edema caused by DNFB application in sensitized mice was markedly inhibited by prednisolone, HSR-609, cetirizine, terfenadine and cyproheptadine, whereas dibucaine and naloxone failed to affect ear edema. These results indicate that scratching behavior could be induced in mice in association with an IgE-mediated allergic cutaneous reaction and that the reaction is pharmacologically similar, but not identical, to that caused by 48/80. Although histamine is considered to participate in the formation of ear edema, it may not play an important role in the generation of scratching.


Multi-touch surfaces are predestined to be used by many users at the same time. However, most systems are not able to distinguish touches of different users. This paper presents ongoing work on using wristbands, equipped with infrared LEDs, to provide touches with identities. The LEDs transmit coded light pulses as an identifier. We are using a specific blinking-pattern to determine the orientation of the wristband in order to reliably associate corresponding touches.


Author(s): Mark, David M., editor; NCGIA SUNY Buffalo | Abstract: Human conceptualization of space and its reflection in language represent a critical element in the research agenda for geographic information systems and spatial analysis. Spatial reference also is an important topic in linguistics, and spatial concepts play a central role in cognitive science. Development of a "general theory of spatial relations" has been identified as a critical research topic for the National Science Foundation's proposed National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis. Thus far, it seems that research in the spatial sciences has been conducted in relative isolation from research in the cognitive and linguistic sciences. In response to this situation, a 2-day workshop entitled "Cognitive and Linguistic Aspects of Geographic Space" was held in 280 Park Hall on the Amherst campus of the State University of New York at Buffalo. The primary purpose of the proposed meeting is to bring together key researchers from both the cognitive/linguistic and the geographical sciences, in order to advance progress in both areas. This report attempts to summarize the scientific content of the discussions which went on during the workshop, and makes recommendations for further work in general, and for a future similar meeting to possibly be held at some time in the near future.


My name is Natasha Lepore and I am a 4th year student in the Honours Specialization in Medical Sciences program. I started volunteering at SARI Therapeutic Riding six years ago. I got involved with this organization because of my desire to make a difference in the community. SARI is a therapeutic horse riding centre whose mission is to improve the physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth with special needs. My experiences with SARI has complemented my understanding of …


When firms recruit new graduates, the employer has expectations regarding the contribution a new employee will make to the organisation. These expectations, for both employee and employer, may involve matters such as the duties to be performed within the position, the skills and knowledge to be applied, and forms of remuneration. The theory known as the psychological contract, which looks at the unwritten agreements made between employee and employer, provides a basis for investigation into this area. The following paper presents an investigation into the expectations of employers within the accounting industry. Applying similar methods to studies on the employment of graduates – and research within the psychological contract – the researcher gathered data on the pre-employment expectations of employers to find that employers rank (in order) 'teamwork skills', 'oral and written communication skills', 'ability to work independently', 'ability to think critically' and 'analytical skills' as the 5 most important Knowledge Skills Abilities (KSAs).


The new educational reality requires teachers to have skills and competencies to improve the teaching-learning process and, therefore, the quality of teaching, integrating new technologies. To assess the competence level of teachers, a descriptive study was designed, in which 150 teachers from different stages in Spain took part and were administered the DigCompEdu Check-in questionnaire. Non-probabilistic (purposive) sampling was used. The results show an intermediate level of competence among teachers at all the educational stages surveyed. However, this level varies according to the stage at which they work, with secondary education, vocational training, GCE and university teachers standing out the most in the fields of competence analysed using the questionnaire. Different proposals for improvement are proposed too, as well as the existing coincidences with previous studies; furthermore, the need for training from the beginning of teacher preparation is highlighted, as well as the need for continuous training for active teachers to optimise the potential offered by the new technologies, also is very important that taking on challenges such as the correct communication trough technologies, the use and creation of digital content or the protection and security of online data, among others.


THE COWLES COMMISSION FOR RESEARCH IN ECONOMICS is a not-for-profit corpora tion, founded in 1932 for the purpose of conducting and encouraging investigations into economic problems. A function of the CoMMISSION is to issue from time to time papers and monographs of an econometric or economic-statistical nature without, however, assuming responsibility for theories or opinions expressed there in. The COMMISSION is affiliated with the ECONOMETRIC SOCIETY, an international society for the advancement of economic theory in its relation to statistics and mathematics.


This Article summarizes the legislative history, notable provisions, and current status of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (S. 754), the Protecting Cyber Networks Act (H.R. 1560), the Executive Order 13636, and the Cybersecurity Act of 2015. The Article ended with four ethical implications and recommendations. And the most important take-away is: when in doubt, attorneys should not share.


Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Its pathogenesis is not completely clear; there are some suggestions that psychological factors may play an important pathogenic role. Objective: To evaluate the influence of stressful life events on exacerbation of psoriasis and comorbidity of depression. Patients and Methods: 77 psoriatic individuals, aged 18–78 years, were included in the study. Stress was assessed according to the Social Readjustment Rating Scale by Holmes and Rahe. All patients underwent psychiatric examination for depression (according to ICD-10). Intensity of depression was evaluated by Hamilton and Beck scales. Results: 61% of psoriatic patients reported having experienced stressful life events in the month before exacerbation of the disease. Severity of psoriasis (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, PASI) in patients with stressful life events (22.8 ±9.3 points) was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) compared to those without stress (14.0 ±9.2 points). There was no correlation between intensity of stress and severity of psoriasis. Depression was diagnosed in 16.9% of the patients. Psoriatic individuals suffering from depression were significantly younger (p < 0.05). No significant relationship was found between intensity of depression and the PASI score, nor between intensity of stress and severity of depression. Conclusions: More than half of the psoriatic patients studied had experienced at least one stressful life event in the month before psoriasis exacerbation. Moreover, the severity of psoriasis is significantly increased in patients with preceding stressful life events. Depression could be diagnosed in less than 20% of psoriatic patients, the majority of them suffering from reactive disorders.


Can tighter cargo security measures lead to higher trade costs and increased trade frictions? This paper examines the impact of the Container Security Initiative (CSI), implemented by the United States in several foreign ports after the September 11 terrorist attacks. It analyzes monthly data for all containerized U.S. imports from 1999 to 2006, by foreign port and country of origin. The analysis exploits these longitudinal data at the port-level and the varying starting dates across CSI ports to identify the causal effect of the initiative. While higher import charges over time are observed, the results find no significant evidence of a "CSI effect" on either import costs or import flows.


Southeast Asian men exhibit a series of distinct behaviors related to sexuality and reproductive health. Traditional circumcision practices use of penis implants the practice of dry sex and the avoidance of condom use or vasectomy are behaviors that can place men and their partners at risk of disease and dysfunctional sexual relationships. This paper examines these issues with particular attention to Indonesia. While most married men worry about their wives reproductive health substantial portions practice risky behaviors extramaritally. Many maintain exploitative expectations of sexual relations sometimes based on gender-inequitable religious teachings. Programs to promote reproductive health in Southeast Asia need to address indigenous concepts of gender and sexuality more effectively. Concepts of maleness are often defined in terms of sexual rights sexual prowess and sexual performance. The ideas underlying the dangerous sexual behavior are based on concepts of appropriate gender relations that must be addressed more effectively through the school and health services systems and promoted through public education campaigns. Otherwise men will remain accessories rather than central subjects of reproductive health programs. (authors)


We discuss first order optimality conditions for state constrained optimal control problems. Our concern is the treatment of problems, where the solution of the state equation is not known to be continuous, as in the case of boundary control in three space dimensions or optimal control with parabolic partial differential equations. We show existence of measure valued Lagrangian multipliers, which have just enough additional regularity to be applicable to all possibly discontinuous solutions of the state equation.


In order to easily and rapidly measure the insitu rock stress in the deep mine and improve the measuring accuracy,the paper had a study on two ground stress measuring modes with the casing fracturing method and they were the single hole casing fracturing method and the controlled fracturing method.The analysis showed that due to the restriction of the main stress difference,the application the casing fracturing method would have certain limitation and the measurement and test of the controlled fracturing method would require a three directional controlled fracturing operation and the workload would be high.Thus the two methods were combined and a parallel drilling casing fracturing method was provided for the ground stress measurement.The parallel drilling casing fracturing method would have the rapid and simple features and would apply the FLAC3D software for the numerical calculation analysis.The results showed that the calculation results of the theoretical formula would be 0.89~1.00 times of the numerical calculation results.Those two results would be basically fitted.The effectiveness of the method was approved.


The pulp and paper industry must rethink some of its capital expenditure strategies to create more value. Life cycle analysis is a good place to start.


GSI accelerators are currently equipped with four Beam Induced Fluorescence (BIF) monitors. They determine the transverse beam profiles without beam disturbance by detecting the fluorescence light generated by excitation of a working gas (N2) with the passing ion beam. Therefore, they are well suited to observe the beam at multiple positions simultaneously [1]. The fluorescence photons are detected by two microchannel plate (MCP) based image intensifier systems using FireWire CCD cameras to determine the horizontal and vertical beam profile. Each camera lens has a remote controllable iris to adjust the number of photons hitting the photo cathode of the intensifier system. Irises and MCP amplification are controlled by an Ethernet connected DAC electronics. Additionally, each BIF monitor comprises a pressure control unit to inject defined gas pressures into the beam pipe and a timing decoder to trigger the cameras and the MCPs.


The body fluid sampling, pre-processing and the input apparatus are disclosed. Invention may be a body fluid in the capillary tip and the collection portion of engaging plate having, located in the upper end portion taken dropper injection pipe is formed in the upper portion connected to the capillary tip and the collection portion capillary tip for collection of blood or body fluid component analyzer disclosed before and the samples are stored, which may be pre-treatment, the recovery of additional by including the sample tube to keep the confidentiality of the outer circumferential surface is inserted after harvesting portion specialized training for the user is also a quantitative recovery of the sample did not receive the treatment, and the sample applied to the process professional to We can expect accuracy. In addition, reducing the number of supplies needed for expensive precision instrument groups are unnecessarily being can be expected to enhance user convenience. The capillary tip, taken part, dropper, the sample bottle lid


Objective: Diabetes is a major worldwide health problem, leading to markedly increased mortality and serious morbidity. It is characterised by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from a diversity of aetiologies and environmental and genetic factors acting together. Type 2 diabetes mellitus itself leads to dyslipidemia like elevated triglyceride levels and low HDL levels, which are known risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). Increased lipoprotein (a)[Lp(a)] concentrations are predictive of CAD. The study was designed to estimate serum lipoprotein (a) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in south Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and compare them with healthy controls. Material and Methods: The study included 50 patients of type 2 diabete mellitus and 50 age and sex matched controls. Fasting venous blood sample was analysed for fasting blood glucose(FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile and serum Lp(a). Statistical analysis was done using student t test. Results: The serum Lp(a) and HbA1c levels were significantly elevated in type 2 diabetics compared to healthy controls (p<0.001). There was significant elevation in the levels of FBG ,total cholesterol, total triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and TC/HDLcholesterol ratio in type2 diabetics compared to the control group(p<0.05). Conclusion: Diabetic patients have higher levels of serum Lp(a) and HbA1c compared to healthy controls. Serum Lp(a) associated with lipid abnormalities - high total cholesterol, high triglyceride ,high LDL and low HDL makes diabetics prone for CAD.


This paper presents results from a preliminary sampling strategy developed to track agricultural contaminants found in surface and subsurface media and used commonly in rice paddy cultivation in the dry, tropical forest coastal region of Guanaeaste, Costa Rica. The emphasis is on the impact of eight indicator pesticides, five forms of nitrogen and phosphorus that are common nutrients found in fertilizers. After the field sampling strategy was developed, soil and water samples were collected twice: once during the beginning: of the wet season and once during the initiation of the dry season. Hydrological parameters, soil classifications, agricultural product toxicology, irrigation and drainage networks, cultivated areas, land ownership, and pristine environments have been studied, mapped, and entered into a database in order lo understand the spatial and temporal distribution of potential contaminants and their pending ecological degradation.

Alternative crops and agricultural practices are suggested to reduce or eliminate impacts on biological preserves. Database development and basin characteristics have been entered into a Geographic Information System (GIS) that is capable of fully integrating suggested site modeling. Field sampling results indicate that proposed rice paddy cultivation in a relatively undisturbed basin is likely lo have minimal impact on downstream biological preserves.