News & Views: Groundbreaking Discoveries in Immunology The Epithelial Barrier Hypothesis: a 20-year journey Yagiz Pat1,2*, Ismail Ogulur1,3* 1 Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland 2 Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey 3 Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey *Corresponding authors: Yagiz Pat, Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Herman Burchard Str. 9, 7265 Davos Wolfgang, Switzerland, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Ismail Ogulur, Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Herman Burchard Str. 9, 7265 Davos Wolfgang, Switzerland, e-mail: email@example.com


Maintenance of power systems and apparatus is among the most discussed issues at the moment, since utilities require to reduce costs to make their companies competitive. It is obvious that reducing maintenance costs while keeping the high system reliability is not an easy task. In order to redesign the maintenance programs, the failure database and maintenance information must be provided. High voltage (HV) circuit-breakers are one of the most important equipment in power systems. They are subject to many abnormal conditions such as major and minor failures during the lifetimes. In order to study reliability and availability of HV circuit-breakers, these failures have been recorded in terms of database. In this study, the failure database of different types of HV circuit-breakers from 1960s is applied in order to investigate reliability of HV circuit-breakers. The durations between failures were investigated to establish the trend of failure development. Afterwards, cascading reliability model is developed. Finally, the exponential reliability distribution is implemented to simulate the failure development and to study reliability of HV circuit-breakers.


Several studies indicate that some steroid derivatives have activity at cardiovascular level; nevertheless, there is scarce information about the effects of the estradiol derivatives on cardiac injury ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Therefore, in this study, an estradiol derivative was synthetized with the objective of evaluating its activity on I/R in an ischemia-reperfusion model. In addition, molecular mechanism involved in the activity of effect induced by estradiol derivative on perfusion pressure and coronary resistance was evaluated using the Langendorff technique by measuring left ventricular pressure in absence or presence of the following compounds; tamoxifen, yohimbine, ICI 118,551 and LNAME. The results showed that estradiol derivative reduced infarct size compared with control. In addition, another results showed that the estradiol derivative significantly decrease the perfusion pressure and coronary resistance in isolated heart. Additionally, another data indicate that estradiol derivative low left ventricular pressure in a dose-dependent manner (1 × 10 -9


As an arbitral institution called to resolve sports-related disputes, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) can only accept claims/appeals if there is a valid arbitration clause between the parties, either inserted in the contract or in the rules of the sports association to which the parties form part. The paper examines the conditions of jurisdiction as they are enumerated in Article R27 CAS Code and, more specifically, the formal and material conditions of validity of the arbitration clause as established though the CAS case law and the judgments of the Swiss Federal Tribunal (SFT).


have attractedmuch attention because of advantages such as mild acidicproperties, shape-selectivities, environment-friendly natureof catalysts, the easy work-up, the high purity of the prod-ucts, and the recycling of catalysts. In 1995, the preparationof a new type of hexagonal mesoporous molecular sieves(HMS) by neutral assembly pathways was reported byTanev and Pinnavaia.


We provide two results concerning the optimality of the maximum mutual information (MMI) decoder. First, we prove that the error exponents of the typical random codes under the optimal maximum likelihood (ML) decoder and the MMI decoder are equal. As a corollary to this result, we also show that the error exponents of the expurgated codes under the ML and the MMI decoders are equal. These results strengthen the well known result due to Csiszar and Korner, according to which, these decoders achieve equal random coding error exponents, since the error exponents of the typical random code and the expurgated code are strictly higher than the random coding error exponents, at least at low coding rates. While the universal optimality of the MMI decoder, in the random-coding error exponent sense, is easily proven by commuting the expectation over the channel noise and the expectation over the ensemble, when it comes to typical and expurgated exponents, this commutation can no longer be carried out. Therefore, the proof of the universal optimality of the MMI decoder must be completely different and it turns out to be highly non-trivial.


Extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) synthesized by Streptococcus mutans in vitro and insoluble in the culture supernatant are shown to be mixtures of water-insoluble and water-soluble EPS. After dissolving in potassium hydroxide and subsequent neutralization only part of the EPS precipitates (insoluble fraction). Another part can be isolated from the neutralized solution by the addition of ethanol (soluble fraction). Some samples show remarkable amounts of carbohydrate material, soluble even in 70% ethanol or material which can pass dialysis membranes. The insoluble fraction shows a higher share of α-(l→3)-linkages and is less susceptible to dextranase than the soluble fraction. It is suggested that the soluble fraction might be surrounded by insoluble polysaccharide or might be linked to cell-associated glucosyl-transferase, thus becoming part of an insoluble complex. Insoluble EPS synthesized by isolated glucosyltransferase of 5. mutans showed no fractionation after alkaline treatment.


Here's a unique photographic look at American tractors with captions telling their amazing stories. Historian C.H. Wendel uncovers the companies who made big and small discoveries that led to some very unusual workhorses.


The first case of a patient with interrupted inferior vena cava, four post‐renal veins and an azygoshemiazygos continuation is presented. The complicated anomalies were omphalocele and atrial septal defect. Cine‐magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac catheterization showed an anomalous retroaortic left innominate vein, azygos‐hemiazygos continuation in the prerenal portion, arch formed renal vein in the renal portion and four embryonic vessels in the post‐renal portion.


Across both marketing and management-information-system disciplines, download time has been identified as an important factor for on-line business success. This research is intended to clarify counterintuitive findings generated from previous research and Web-based experimentation. Here the roles of several factors, including download time, on the overall evaluation of an e-retailer are explored. With an experimental design, the article explores the impact of 5-, 30-, and 45-second download delays on attitude toward an e-retailer. Consistent with prior works, findings from both a main study and replication study indicate that objective download delay is not a critical determinant of attitude toward an e-retailer. However, findings show there are other direct and indirect delay effects, including those resulting from perceived retailer control of delay, that impact Web-system success. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


ABSTRACT A 54-year-old female with vertigo and sarcoidosis presented to the emergency department with a 4-day history of generalised malaise, headache, fever, and near syncope. She was noted to have severe bradycardia and was admitted for possible pacemaker implantation. During the admission, the patient voiced left eye complaints, the workup of which revealed a left internal carotid aneurysm that ruptured, causing a direct carotid-cavernous fistula. The patient underwent multiple procedures to tamponade the fistula, and the bradycardia resolved, avoiding pacemaker implantation.


During the last months of the 1848–1849 Hungarian War of Independence, Polish immigrants in Constantinople elaborated a large-scale cooperation plan against Russia. According to two letters found in the archives of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, a would-be Circassian–Polish–Hungarian cooperation and alliance would engage considerable Russian forces in the Caucasus, dividing thus the country's power. It would effectively support the Hungarians' fight, give the Circassians the opportunity to attain their freedom, the Ottoman Empire would considerably strengthen its position in the area, and it would eventually help to restore the independence of Poland. The late and bold plan however contained too many obstacles. The Porte's extensive support would have been by all means necessary, but at that time the Ottomans, considering the political and military circumstances, did not dare to go into a confrontation with Russia yet. At the date of the documents the Hungarian War of Independence was nearing to defeat. Circassians were weakened by tribal, religious and political conflicts; and though they scored numberless tactical victories over Russians, they were unable to inflict strategic defeat on the Tsar's battle-hardened troops.


: Besides the wealth of nothosaur and pachypleurosaur fossils from the Vossenveld Formation, there are fi ndings of bones that show very peculiar shapes, not easily attributable to the aforementioned groups. Among these are vertebrae with very long transverse processes, curved dorsal ribs with broadened portions known as uncinate processes, and peculiar shaped dermal armour (generally referred to as osteoderms), usually in the form of small bony cones. For a long time, the identity of these bones remained obscure, but lately, there is increasing evidence that all those materials belong to a single enigmatic diapsid, Eusaurosphargis, known from several European fossil localities. With plates and spikes - the heavily armoured Eusaurosphargis Abstract Saurosphargis voltzi was described based on a fragmentary specimen, which was lost during WWII. Because of this, the nature of this taxon and its exact relationships, particularly to the placodont Paraplacodus broilii to which it was considered to be closely related, are unclear. However, since then, a much more complete fossil has emerged from Monte San Georgio that exhibits striking similarities with Saurosphargis . This complete but disarticulated fossil was assigned to the new taxon Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi . Recently, a fossil assigned to this species from the Prosanto Formation has been found in the Ducan region of Switzerland. The postcranial skeleton is completely intact, allowing us a good insight into the appea-rance of the animal. Further knowledge about this species comes from compari-son with fossils from China, such as Sinosaurosphargis and Largocephalosaurus . These Chinese fossils help us understand how the characteristic armour of these animals, with the transversely elongated vertebral processes, bone plates, and spines, is functionally put together. In the Vossenveld Formation of Winterswijk, fossils are found that we can best describe as Eusaurosphargis aff. dalsassoi . Further research may change this, in particular, because many of the fossils from Winterswijk are much larger than the specimens known from E. dalsassoi .


Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has been around for two decades and research in this field has been exponentially rising. Much of this research has been dominated by basic science. Recent trends have brought the clinical realm into play in which valuable contributions can still be made. Helping the clinician understand the basic concepts behind an fMRI experiment is crucial to further developing and evaluating functional paradigms and research. Critical to designing an fMRI experiment is understanding the related physics and how fine tuning scanning parameters affects the image quality, which in turn affect the findings of an fMRI study. In addition, understanding the physiology behind the acquired signal and anatomy of the brain is also important. To appreciate the complexity of the fMRI process see (Amaro & Barker, 2006; Savoy, 2005).


SPP301 is a competitive antagonist of ET‐1 with a high selectivity for the ETA receptor. A double‐blind, placebocontrolled study was performed to investigate the tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of SPP301 after single oral doses in male healthy subjects; doses of 5, 20, 50, 100, and 200 mg were given to different groups of 4 or 8 subjects each. The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of SPP301 was assessed for the 50‐mg dose according to a sequential design in the same subjects. At regular intervals, blood pressure and pulse rate, plasma levels of ET‐1 and of SPP301 and its hydroxymethyl metabolite, and urinary excretion of the parent drug and its metabolite were determined. SPP301 was generally well tolerated. At doses > 20 mg, adverse events that are typical for vasodilating agents—namely, headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and postural hypotension—were observed. Maximum plasma levels of SPP301 were reached within 4.5 hours. Cmax and AUC values increased linearly with doses up to 100 mg. The apparent terminal half‐life was quite constant over the whole dose range and ranged from 7.5 to 15.2 hours. Urinary excretion of SPP301 was below 0.1% of any dose. Cmax and AUC of the metabolite amounted only to about 5% of the values for SPP301. Concomitant food intake had no effect on the overall exposure but increased average peak plasma concentrations of SPP301 by around 50%. Plasma ET‐1 increased nearly twofold at the 5‐mg SPP301 dose, with no further relevant increase at higher doses. In conclusion, SPP301 is an active ET‐1 antagonist and is well tolerated. The pharmacokinetics of the drug and its metabolite are linear up to 100 mg. Food does not affect overall exposure of SPP301 but increases Cmax. Urinary excretion of SPP301 is below 0.1% of the dose administered.


Abstract Background: Most patients with advanced-stage cervical cancer have been treated with palliative intent. The aim of this article is to report chemoradiotherapy treatment in a patient who ha...


The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between counterproductive work behaviors and personality traits. In this research, survey method has been used. The surveys have been given to the participants with an explanation attached about the objective of the research and volunteer basis it is on. In this context, a survey, consisted of Goldberg (1992) and Spector vd. (2006) studies, has been applied to 228 fourth-year students of Health of School in Dumlupinar University. The data obtained from the research has been analyzed by using SPSS sofware. Research results have shown that conscientiousness factor, from Five Factor Model of Personality, is a valid precursor for the whole aspects of counterproductive work behaviors. Furthermore, these results have shown that openness, extraversion, and agreeableness factors are also valid precursors but for some aspects of counterproductive work behaviors. Meanwhile, the existence of negative oriented and significant relationships has been determined between the aspects of five factor model of personality and counterproductive work behaviors


Objective: To determine learning styles of students of 3rd year MBBS with special focus on gender and it correlation with the performance in examinations.
Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College and VARK questionnaire was used assess the performance in exams. The obtained marks of students were divided into three groups: Group I= 50-60%, Group II= 60-70% and Group III=70-80%. All data was analyzed by SPSS v. 21.
Results: Out of 100 students, 83.5% students had uni modal while 16.5 % had multimodal learning style. Among unimodal style, auditory and kinesthetic (29.7% each) were the common learning styles. Among girls, 35% had preference for kinesthetic and auditory style while visual style was least common (3%). The kinesthetic and visual students were found to be high achievers in class. The listeners were found to be mediocre. The readers did not show good performance.
Conclusion: Performance of medical students is related to the learning style and gender


We report two cases of disseminated hyperinfection by filariae in free‐living primates Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus niger from eastern Amazon. Histopathological examination showed the presence of Dipetalonema gracile microfilariae in blood, liver, lungs, spleen, small intestine, kidney, brain, liver, and adults in peritoneal thoracic cavity.


The power requirements for a satellite power beaming laser system depend upon the diameter of the beam director, the performance of the adaptive optics system, and the mission requirements. For an 8 meter beam director and overall Strehl ratio of 50%, a 30 kW laser at 850 nm can deliver an equivalent solar flux to a satellite at geostationary orbit. Advances in diode pumped solid state lasers (DPSSL) have brought these small, efficient, and reliable devices to high average power and they should be considered for satellite power beaming applications. Two solid state systems are described: a diode pumped Alexandrite and diode pumped Thulium doped YAG. Both can deliver high average power at 850 nm in a single aperture.


Twelve commercial grape juices, representing the majority of grape juices presentely marketed in Brazil, were analysed. With reference to the "Standards of Identity and Quality of Crape Juices" established by the National Commission for Food Norms and Standards (CNNPA), it was established that: a) two grape juices contained an iron content higher than 15 mg per liter, the maximum content permitted and b) five grape juices contained a sulfur dioxide content higher than 200 mg per liter, the maximum content permitted.


give sufficient individual service. Nevertheless, we had agreed that it was impossible, with the existing staff, to give all the service needed in the community and the most important immediate step was the reduction of our case loads to the point where adequate and intensive case work service could be conducted. We realized that this was only one step in the direction of determining the function of our agency.


In this paper, extended Klein-Gordon field systems will be introduced. Theoretically, it will be shown that for a special example of these systems, it is possible to have a single zero rest mass soliton solution, which is forced to move at the speed of light provided it is considered a non-deformed rigid object. This special soliton solution has the minimum energy among the other solutions, i.e. any arbitrary deformation in its internal structure leads to an increase in the total energy.


Nickel-base superalloy 718 is a new kind of materials that is difficult to drilling. In this paper, the superfine deep-hole (ø36×5440mm)drilling test is based on the material. This paper analyzes the causes and laws of the tool wear , tool breakage ,and the hole axis deflection from the blade material, tool geometry parameters, cutting parameters and drilling methods.


Food image has begun to influence tourist behaviour, so understanding the food image of a destination is important. This study examined the relationships among destination food image, preference, and intention to eat destination foods. A total of 357 tourists in Korea participated in this study. The results of structural equation modelling confirmed empirically that image affected behavioural intention as it applied to food. Cognitive image had a stronger influence than affective image on preferences for destination foods and intention to eat destination foods. In addition, preference for destination foods predicted intention to eat destination foods. This study indicates that the cognitive image of destination foods should be identified and that image strengthened to increase tourists' intentions to eat destination foods. Marketing strategies should appeal to both authenticity and the unique cognitive image of destination foods as well as encourage tourists to experience destination foods and gain internal information.


Abstract Martin Arnold is an experimental composer currently residing in Toronto, Canada. His unique approach to composition originates in the close relationship that he developed with Czech-Canadian composer Rudolf Komorous while Arnold was a doctoral student at the University of Victoria. Martin Arnold's desire to create music both familiar and unfamiliar, known and unknown, generates paradoxical listening experiences that reside on the edges of things. In this article, the author explores a number of these edges and meeting places, especially as they occur within the composer's very singular string quartet, Contact; Vault.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an over-the-counter device for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in females.

METHODS
A multicenter, interventional, single-arm study involving 5 different sites was conducted including women diagnosed with symptomatic SUI using a self-inserted pessary device. A 1-week baseline period was followed by a 2-week period of wearing the device. The main outcome of our study was to determine if the device was able to reduce at least 50% the number of leakage events and pad weight.

RESULTS
Across all study sites, 73 subjects were enrolled and 51 completed the study. Efficacy analyses were conducted on the modified intent-to-treat population (n = 48), whereas the safety analysis was conducted on all consented participants. The average pad weight gain was 0.9 g/h at baseline and 0.5 g/h during the treatment phase. The number of leakage episodes per day decreased from 2 at baseline to 0.9 during the treatment phase (P < 0.0001). Seventy-one percent of the study population experienced a more than 50% reduction in leakage volume, leakage episodes, or both. The quality of life scores improved from baseline to posttreatment phase by 4.35 points on average (P < 0.0001). A total of 40 adverse events were recorded, and only 4 subjects withdrew due to adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS
The self-deployable pessary device evaluated in this study is an alternative option for women seeking an over-the-counter method to manage symptoms of SUI. Further studies are required to determine the long-term effects and compliance using the device.


The neosporosis is a disease of great economic importance, is distributed worldwide and is considered today one of the major causes of abortion and neonatal deaths in cattle. The pathogenesis of Neospora caninum infection is not fully understood and some issues in this regard are important in determining the most efficient measures of control and prophylaxis of a flock. The exclusive use of animals in these studies are expensive and time consuming so, some species of animals, such as, the rodents, can be used to make it possible. The gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) mimic infection in cattle and are considered highly sensitive to replication of the protozoan. This study evaluated the responses of these animal models, at different moments of infection, especially in the amount and severity of acute and chronic/persistent infections by N. caninum. In addition, the research sheds light the tissues preferred location/replication the protozoan in these rodent at different conditions depending on disease progresses. The results are presented in two articles. In chapter one, the aim was to characterize the acute infection by the protozoan for to determine the major tissue sites of replication in experimental models of M. unguiculatus. Thus we have demonstrated that, initially the protozoan made a replication, but there is a distribution in virtually all tissues of the host. In addition, we observed that without an effective action of the immune system to combat agent, the infection progresses to death of animals with characteristic signs rapidity detected between 3 and 5 days after initiation of infection. The second chapter, sought to establish in rodents (M. unguiculatus) chronically infected, which places the N. caninum prefers to develops chronic evolutive form bradyzoites that are characteristic of a phase of persistent disease, especially in regions of the CNS. Furthermore, we note that the dose inoculated interfere significantly in the induction of acute and chronic infection and this is reflected in the amount of detection of nucleic acids in different tissues, above all in the CNS. In this context, it was observed that the emergence of clinical signs was milder without the induction of severe and lethal infections in most chronically infected animals. Thus, through this study we can conclude that highly sensitive techniques are necessary to detect nucleic acids from N. caninum, especially in the CNS tissues in animals chronically infected.%%%%A neosporose e uma enfermidade de grande importância economica, encontra-se distribuida em todo o mundo e pode ser considerada atualmente, umas das maiores causas de aborto e perdas neonatais em bovinos. A patogenia da infeccao pelo Neospora caninum nao esta totalmente esclarecida e algumas questoes a este respeito sao importantes para determinar medidas mais eficientes de controle e profilaxia de um rebanho. A utilizacao exclusiva de bovinos nestes estudos e dispendiosa e demorada, com isso, algumas especies de animais, como os roedores, podem ser utilizadas para torna-la…


Apatite formation on the surfaces of various silica gels prepared in different media and silica glass was investigated in SBF1.5Ca. After the soaking in SBF1.5Ca for 7d, the bonelike apatite was formed on the surfaces of all the silica gels having abundant silanol groups. It was not, however, formed on the surface of the silica glass having little silanol groups even after the soaking for 2 weeks. From the results, it can be concluded that all the kind of silanol groups developed on the silica gels can induce the apatite nucleation, although there is some differences in their nucleating abilities. It is interesting to know what type of the silanol groups is most effective for the apatite nucleation. Unfortunately, however, Raman spectra in Fig. 1 give no information about difference in surface structure among the gels. Further study is needed for revealing the most effective structural unit.


Some new methods are presented for calculating the density of states n(E) and other aspects of electronic structure in a tight-binding band, without use of Bloch's theorem or the band structure E(k). The methods are therefore applicable to calculating the local density of states at surfaces, impurities etc. and relate the electronic structure to the local atomic environment. They depend on developing the Green function as an infinite continued fraction. There is no difficulty in obtaining n(E) in a few minutes computing time correct to the first 50 moments for an s-band and 10 moments for d-bands. The present paper discusses the methods and ideas, with specific applications to follow.


Abstract Background Since the last decade, non-communicable diseases, most commonly diabetes mellitus (DM2) have become the main threat to global health. Based on a prevalence of 9 million diabetic patients per year, DM2 constitutes a considerable medical and economic burden in Germany. The healthcare spending and its cost drivers are not yet sufficiently known. Aims of the study The primary objective of this study was to describe the resource use in health care and the cost of DM2 treatment in Germany, focusing on the most significant cost drivers and opportunities for cost-savings. The secondary objective was to analyse the impact of technical progress on diabetes care. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Embase. Following the PRISMA guidance, the review identified the study design, epidemiological approach, analytical perspective, and data collection approach in each of the included studies. Results From 1.965 records, the final sample included 41 articles. The annual diabetes-specific direct costs of DM2 ranged from 542 € to 6.323 € per patient. The most used method was the incremental or excess cost approach (1.8-fold higher costs compared to individuals without DM2). Intangible costs – such as psychological well-being - were randomly considered in the existing cost-of-illness studies. Confirmed risk factors included physical inactivity, obesity, genetic predispositions, and tobacco use. The major cost drivers are demographic change with aging, increasing obesity, the availability of medications and therapies and the increased use of medical services by patients. Conclusion DM2, based on the results of this study, constitutes a considerable medical and economic burden in Germany and has a serious impact on the government health expenditures.


The paper presents the basic principles of Base Isolation (Earthquake/Vibration) in brief. Transmissibility could be reduced either by shifting the phase between the moving element and the foundation block or by increasing the absorption of energy in the propagating medium. Salient points in Mechanical and Geodynamic Isolation have been reviewed. Utilisation of liquefaction potentiality of sand to decrease the transmissibility of earthquake tremor to the superstructure has been included


Talking about education, firstly, education is a conscious effort in realizing the learning process in order to make students actively develop their potential to be able to have noble character, intelligence and personality that are good for themselves and society. Along with the development in the world of education that continues to change rapidly or develop rapidly which can change the mindset of educators, from being rigid to modern. That is very influential to education. The main purpose of education is to produce or make someone to have quality, knowledge and character, so that he has a broad view to get the desired ideals and to be able to adapt in environment. Education provides motivation to be a good person in all aspects of life. Education itself is a very important thing in human life. Therefore all citizens have right to get good quality of education. In education the role of a teacher is very important. A teacher is an educator, a teacher and an example for his students. Teaching is a very complicated matter, not as easy as we imagine when teacher is teaching, he must know each character of the students. In addition the teacher must also prepare designs before conducting the teaching and learning process. The teacher must think of ways that are used to increase students' interest in learning and improve the quality of teaching. With the rapid development of technology, teachers must be able to use these technological developments in the teaching and learning process in the classroom. So that there will be no lag in that development. In the teaching and learning process the teacher only uses the monotonous lecture method that will reduce students' interest in learning because students may feel bored or think it is not interesting for them. Therefore the teacher is able to apply the technology in learning. It is usually known as Educational Technology. Educational Technology is a medium that is used as a tool in education or the learning process to be more effective, and can be easily observed by students. The purpose of this Educational Technology is as a media to solve problems in learning that can improve learning performance. So that it can increase learning interest for students. Educational technology also help teachers in making media used in the learning process, so that students can attract the desire to learn. By Educational Technology, teachers can create media that enable them to apply the material presented with images on the internet. The material can be presented through videos or stories on YouTube. It is the same as making a TTS column from this technology the teacher can make questions through this TTS. So there is a touch of games in learning. This can increase students' desire to learn. In addition, this can also make students more active and critical in learning activities.


This study extended the technology acceptance model (TAM) by applying it to the context of biometric systems in the hotel industry and by introducing a consumer-oriented construct, perceived innovativeness, as an antecedent of perceived ease of use. Using data collected from hotel guests who traveled during a 12-month period prior to the study, the model explained 79% of the variability in guests' intentions to use biometric systems in hotels. The results showed that the TAM is an appropriate theoretical framework for the examination of adoption of biometrics in hotels, and that hotel guests are ready to adopt biometric systems, especially if they are perceived as useful.


Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely used in patients who are at high risk of cardiovascular events. A consensus has emerged that ACEIs can reduce the risk of stroke. This programme of overviews of randomized trials was established to investigate the effects of ARBs on the risk of stroke in patients at risk for cardio-cerebrovascular events. Electronic databases were searched up toJanuary 2009, for randomized clinical trials comparing ARBs with other active treatments and placebo in patients at risk for cardio-cerebrovascular events. Data were extracted for patients' characteristics, interventions, quality of trials, and rates of stroke. The efficacy measures were the odds ratios of strokes. We did separate overviews of trials comparing ARBs with placebo, with ACEIs, and with calcium antagonists. The pooled effects were calculated using the random effects model. Twenty three with 1832 patients were included in the analysis. The overview of placebo-controlled trials (11 trials, 44961 patients) revealed ARBs was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of stroke, with a pooled odds ratio of 0.91 (0.84 to 0.98). In the overview of trials comparing ARBs with ACEIs (6 trials, 26537 patients), there were no significant reduced risks of stroke with ARBs (odds ratio 0.93, 0.84 to 1.03). In the overviews comparing ARBs with calcium antagonists (4 trials, 22446 patients), no significant difference was found, with a pooled ratio of 1.16 (0.91 to 1.48). Evidence of the benefits of ARBs on the risk of stroke is provided by the overviews of placebo-controlled trials. There was no evidence of differences when comparing ARBs with ACEIs, and with calcium antagonists. Therefore, ARBs should be regarded as suitable treatments for preventing stroke in patients who are at high risk of cardiovascular events.

 Key words: Stroke, angiotensin receptor blockers, meta-analysis.


This paper adopts measurement for close-range photograph.However,the recent proposed measurement algorithms for non-metric digital cameras ate mainly based on Direct Linear Transformation(DLT)or Bundle Adjustment,which has defects of demanding too highly for both the quantity and the distribution of the control points.In order to overcome the defects in application,this paper proposes a topographic data extraction technique that uses non-metric digital cameras to obtain data and has Close-Range measurement and digital image processing technique as its theory.Some Experiments show that the perpendicular measurement method and its process algorithm are valid and effective.


In this study we investigate maximization of shareholders wealth in financial operations. We revealed that the budgetary chief can best serve business people by identifying stock and undertakings that improve the firm in light of the fact that the business focus needs and regard what the firm offers. We also examine the fundamental aim of assignment. Issues on maximization benefit, weaknesses of PM and the monetary market are widely discussed in the paper. We also investigated that the Financial boss has the obligation to act in their best interest. It was revealed that cash related organization covers broad assortment of issues, for instance, budgetary angles, financing and accounting. Objectives of affirmation of possible threats and benefit, monetary adequacy, wander valuation advantage may be reinvested, created off or paid in benefits. The idea that each objective financial specialist, at a given level of hazard, will acknowledge just the biggest expected return. That is, given two ventures at precisely the same of hazard, every other thing being equivalent, each objective financial specialist will put resources into the one that offers the higher return. The Markowitz Portfolio Theory endeavours to scientifically distinguish the portfolio with the most noteworthy return at each level of hazard.


To address the problem of less rare data and low detection accuracy, The paper proposes a heterogeneous classifier integrated by the random forests, support vector machines, clustering and Bayesian classifier to increase the detecting accuracy of rare class, and to detect rare class with the greatest weighted voting. Experimental results show that utilizing integration of heterogeneous classifiers in intrusion detection system can improve obviously detection precision and decrease false positive rate.


In screening endophytic fungi from Costa Rica for bioactivity, fungal culture CR200, isolated from a buttonwood tree, was found to contain compounds that initiate DNA damage in a test strain of E. coli (Biochemical Induction Assay, BIA) and inhibit growth of Gram-positive bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Two new bisanthraquinones (cytoskyrins A and B) and five new related octaketides (cytosporones A-E) were isolated from fermentation broths of this fungus. Cytoskyrin A exhibited potent in-vitro antibacterial (MICs against Gram-positive bacteria, 0.03 – 0.25 μg/mL) and DNA-damaging activities (10 ng/spot), whereas cytoskyrin B was inactive in these assays. Among the cytosporones, only D and E exhibited Gram-positive activity, but they were inactive in the BIA. Mechanistically, cytoskyrin A specifically inhibited DNA synthesis in E. coli imp at its MIC; however, it also moderately inhibited protein synthesis at 2x its MIC. Cytoskyrin A exhibited poor cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines (IC50 > 5 μg/mL) compared to known antitumor agents. The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region of CR200 was found to share highest similarity (94–96%) with Cytospora spp. Micro- and macroscopic morphological observations of the conidia and conidiomata, respectively, also suggested this fungus to be a Cytospora sp.


We study effects of long-term transcranial infrared light stimulation on cognitive functions of the elders. The fraction of photon energy penetrating to the brain is estimated noninvasively to enable the optimization of light source parameters.


Actuated signal control is very efficient for isolated intersections, but along arterials it lacks the means to synchronize signals, leading to high delays and frequent stops which produce high emissions and fuel consumption. This research aims to use new paradigms based on actuated control that can lead signals to synchronize with their neighboring intersections resulting in reduction of emissions, fuel consumption and travel time in the arterials. In this research, traffic signal coordination software Synchro 8 was used to coordinate the signals on closely spaced intersections in Enghelab avenue in Ahvaz. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed control logic, a simulation test bed was developed in the traffic simulation model SimTraffic 8 and 3D viewer 8.The Proposed logic resulted in total travel time, emissions and fuel consumption reductions of up to 25.6 %, 12.61% and 16.4% respectively compared to current condition logic in Enghelab avenue.


because of coincident age related neurogenic changes in these muscles. 18 These newly recognised features of incontinence have practical implications: thus treatment by electronic devices intended to stimulate sphincter muscles is unlikely to be effective if there is pronounced muscle denervation, nor will drugs to promote contraction of denervated muscles be of any use. Surgical treatment of urinary or faecal incontinence should offer more help, and one of its objectives should be to reconstruct the pelvic floor muscle plane, as, for example, in the operation of postanal repair for anorectal incontinence devised by Parks.4 Finally, there is a place for preventive action, by attending to the factors that underlie damage to the innervation of the pelvic floor during childbirth,"5 and to the deranged defecatory pattern in patients with constipation, perineal descent, and straining at stool. Such measures should reduce the frequency of this distressing disability.


A multi-attribute decision making method based on inclusion degree and possibility degree is presented for normal distribution interval number.Firstly,some basic concepts and operations of normal distribution interval number are introduced,and its inclusion degree and possibility degree are defined and relevant properties are also proved.Secondly,the calculation formula of attribute weights is given by extracting the positive ideal object with inclusion degree,and an aggregating method for normal distribution interval number is proposed.Finally,the possibility degree matrix is constructed by using possibility degree,and the optimal decision is obtained by ranking vector method,and a practical example is analyzed to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.


The formalization of patterns is a basic theoretical problem of workflow. Based on the WfMS's concepts and the characteristics of workflow, we present some new concepts to help modelling patterns. Moreover, Logic is the control semantics of patterns and is stable and general, and to formalize patterns, we abstract logic from workflow and discuss how to model logic of patterns. With comparing and analyzing patterns' logic, we specify patterns with the classical P/T nets without additional elements. Based on our method, the number of patterns is reduced and the specification of patterns is simplified significantly. Furthermore, a algebra method with synchronic distance is also presented to specify patterns. Accordingly, the patterns are also described by synchronic distance based on the P/T nets specification.


Abstract Egyptian history textbooks are examined through the prism of historical thinking dimensions and skills, utilizing a critical discourse analysis. The analysis focuses on how the textbooks portray two historically significant events: the advent of Christianity (ca. 33 CE) and Islam (ca. 641 CE) to Egypt. It reveals that the historical narrative presented in the textbooks does two things: first, it essentializes a dominant identity—mainly an Arab Muslim one—eclipsing the multilayered identity informed by the country's long history. Secondly, the textbooks miss several opportunities to promote historical thinking skills such as 'cause and consequence' and 'change and continuity'. As an entry point to revising the textbooks to include currently missing indigenous minority narratives, a narrative approach that focuses on cultural continuity and change is proposed. The article also calls for further investigation of how these textbooks influence students' sense of citizenship and historical consciousness, especially that they are increasingly exposed to alternative and competing historical narratives outside the history classroom.


Development is at present,the main subject in the world.Choices on business financial action must be made at a strategic height due to the rapid development of businesses.However,choices on financial strategy should recur to overall analyses prosecuted on political and juristic surroundings,economic surroundings,and social agricultural surroundings.And only on the basis of these activities can be general regulations and ideas of financial strategic choices be formed.


Abstract Four fuzzy logic fault isolation methods suitable for implementation in smart final control elements are proposed. The methods are suited for real time diagnostics applications considering computing power limitations typical for applications in intrinsically safe zones. The comparison of isolability features of presented algorithms is given in examples.


In this paper, gas drilling is used for dry hot rock drilling. According to the first law of thermodynamics and the basic principles of heat transfer, a mathematical model for the temperature field of dry hot rock gas drilling wellbore is established. The model is solved by the full implicit finite difference method. Then, relevant sensitivity analysis was carried out. The model can be used for the temperature distribution of drill string, annulus and formation under actual dry hot rock well circulation conditions.


This paper presented characterization of spray velocity and angle of spray nozzle systems for cosmetic products. Diameter and length of nozzle orifice were chosen as shape factors of the spray system. Combinations of the factors were determined by using Central Composite Design. Fluid analysis was conducted by using Fluent to obtain spray angle and velocity. RSM (Response Surface Method) was used to approximate the relationship between these 2 factors and spray characteristics. To evaluate the proposed method, experimental work with existing was conducted and good agreement between simulation and experimental results.


For areas with more sand and less soil,it is economical and reasonable to use sand to fill roadbed.Drawing on the successful experiences of this field in western areas,the application of fine sand in Hutuo River is studied in filling roadbed.The ideal construction technique can be obtained through several experiments.


Diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming one of the leading causes of death worldwide because of its adverse complications that include cardiovascular related diseases and chronic kidney disease. DM is considered a menace to public health due to the unavailability of adequate drugs to manage this condition, especially in poor developing countries such as those in the African continent. Proper management and treatment of this is lacking, which possibly explains escalating percentages of morbidity and mortality associated with it. In Africa, as a result of poor socio-economic conditions, it is nearly impossible to properly monitor and manage DM. Globally, the commercially available drugs used in diabetes treatment regimens have been associated with drastic side effects and are also mostly unaffordable in some developing countries (particularly in Africa), hence the need to investigate cheap and readily available medicinal plants such as Hypoxis hemerocallidea . It is important to thoroughly investigate the activities of medicinal plants in animal models to identify both their therapeutic and toxic effects. This review paper examines the potential anti-diabetic benefits of Hypoxis hemerocallidea based on experimental studies done on this plant between the years 2000 and 2016. The authors recommend that further studies on the different extracts of the plant be undertaken to discover the exact mechanisms of their action.


Objectives: Ischemic postconditioning (PC) with "stuttering" reintroduction of blood flow after prolonged ischemia has been shown to offer protection from ischemia reperfusion injury to the myocardium and brain. We hypothesized that four 20-s pauses during the first 3 min of standard CPR would improve post resuscitation cardiac and neurological function, in a porcine model of prolonged untreated cardiac arrest. Methods: 18 female farm pigs, intubated and isoflurane anesthetized had 15 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation followed by standard CPR (SCPR). Nine animals were randomized to receive PC with four, controlled, 20-s pauses, during the first 3 min of CPR (SCPR + PC). Resuscitated animals had echocardiographic evaluation of their ejection fraction after 1 and 4 h and a blinded neurological assessment with a cerebral performance category (CPC) score assigned at 24 and 48 h. All animals received 12 h of post resuscitation mild therapeutic hypothermia. Results: SCPR + PC animals had significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction at 1 and 4 h compared to SCPR (59 ± 11% vs 35 ± 7% and 55 ± 8% vs 31 ± 13% respectively, p < 0.01). Neurological function at 24 h significantly improved with SCPR + PC compared to SCPR alone (CPC: 2.7 ± 0.4 vs 3.8 ± 0.4 respectively, p = 0.003). Neurological function significantly improved in the SCPR + PC group at 48 h and the mean CPC score of that group decreased from 2.7 ± 0.4 to 1.7 ± 0.4 (p < 0.00001). Conclusions: Ischemic postconditioning with four 20-s pauses during the first 3 min of SCPR improved func post resuscitation cardiac arrest in pigs.


Now days, most object-oriented software systems are developed using an evolutionary process model. In evolutionary development lifecycle, it needs to change from time to time. An important kind of change to objectoriented software is Refactoring. The motive of refactoring is to improve the quality of the software system, such as its understandability, extensibility and maintainability, without


[1] There is no doubt that the Taiwan Warm Current (TWC) flows through the Taiwan Strait in summer and it reaches the East China Sea (ECS) proper, bringing with it a great deal of nutrients. Here satellite temperature, as well as hydrological, satellite-tracked drifter, and 18O data, are used to show that in winter, warm waters from the South China Sea and a branch of the Kuroshio south of Taiwan reach only the southern part of the Taiwan Strait and that in no way do they flow up freely through the northern part of the Taiwan Strait. This is a clear sign that in winter most of the TWC must originate in the Kuroshio, which moves onto the ECS shelf northeast of Taiwan.


Rice production is the cornerstone of food security in our country.Beginning with analyzing the change of rice production in Nanjing urban development,the paper also explores the function change of rice production in the process of urbanization,and puts forward some multi-functional ways in rice production such as scientific planning,policy support,relying on science and technologies,etc.


This article is a case study of the financial ties between Freeport-McMoRan Corporation and Loyola University, New Orleans. Freeport is a large transnational corporation that has a deplorable domestic and international environmental and human rights record in West Papua Loyola University is a so-called social justice university that is advertised as an independent university that fosters critical thinking. The following analysis centers on Freeport's endowment of the environmental communication chair at Loyola and how Freeport constrained the internal operations of the university when faculty members and students protested the investment. It is argued that Freeport's investment in a social justice university provides a public relations function of greenwashing and human rights sterilization.


With the overarching aim of making the management of depression easier, Lewisham PCT have implemented a multifaceted programme to develop primary health care workers' skills, knowledge and resources so as to improve their service to patients with depression. Now in its second year, the programme has, and still is, constantly evolving. This article outlines the programme's key messages and components during its first year, and briefly refers to its expansion and future aims.


— Fermented cassava flours (lafun) sold in Ogun and Oyo States of Nigeria were collected from 10 markets for a period of two months and analysed to determine their safety status. The presence of trace metals was due to high vehicular movement around the drying sites and markets. Cyanide and moisture contents of samples were also determined to assess the adequacy of fermentation and drying. The result showed that sample OWO was found to have the highest amount of 16.02±0.12mg/kg cyanide while the lowest was found in sample OJO with 10.51±0.10mg/kg. The results also indicated that sample TVE had the highest moisture content of 18.50±0.20% while sample OWO had the lowest amount of 12.46±0.47%. Copper and lead levels were found to be highest in TVE with values 28.10mg/kg and 1.1mg/kg respectively, while sample BTS had the lowest values of 20.6mg/kg and 0.05mg/kg respectively. High value of cyanide indicated inadequate fermentation.


Rapid urbanization has caused an increase in the discharge of inorganic elements into the environment; however, the knowledge about the fate and annual variations of multiple elements in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is limited. To understand the distribution and change of those elements, we collected and analyzed wastewater and sludge samples from seven WWTPs in a southeast city of China. Results revealed the elemental concentration ranging from 0.06 μg·L−1 (Tl) to 221.90 μg·L−1 (Mn) in the influent, below the detection limit (Er), to 206.40 μg·L−1 (Mn) in the effluent, and 0.58 mg·kg−1 (Tl) to 309.30 mg·kg−1 (Zn) in the sludge. The removal analysis revealed that rare earth elements (REEs) were removed well from the wastewater with removal efficiencies ranging from 88.03% (Tm) to 97.37% (Sm), while heavy metals were poor, with removal efficiencies ranging from 10.71% (Mn) to 89.17% (Pb). The elemental flux analysis highlighted that activated sludge served as a major temporary storage site for 23 elements, while excess sludge acted as the major sink for REEs. Significant spatial variations were detected among different WWTPs. On the contrary, the temporal variations were insignificant based on the monitoring data from 2010 to 2020, indicating the satisfactory implementation of current environmental regulations.


Hearing impairment (HI) presents a burden on the daily life of people as it is shown to be associated with considerably higher risk of social isolation, depression and declining cognitive functions. In addition, the prevalence of HI increases with advancing age, affecting nearly one-third of persons above 65 years. If HI remains untreated, the negative consequences can severely affect long-term health and quality of life. Auditory rehabilitation (AR) to improve auditory skills and prevent or decrease participation restrictions could alleviate these negative consequences. Some persons with HI are entitled to AR in the clinic, but many people do not benefit from AR. Moreover, the efficacy of AR remains debated at least partly driven by an important need for high-quality evidence.


BACKGROUND
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is the most common form of adult-onset autoimmune diabetes. Isotretinoin is a very effective treatment for severe acne. There are various reports on the effect of isotretinoin on autoimmunity. We present a case of LADA, probably related to isotretinoin treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this case was the second case of LADA that occurred after isotretinoin treatment. In this study, we discuss a hypothesis on the pathophysiology of how isotretinoin can induce LADA.

CASE PRESENTATION
A 55-year-old female was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) one month after the end of a nine-month isotretinoin treatment period. At the time of diagnosis, the patient's fasting blood glucose level was 257 mg/dL, and HbA1c level was 10.3%. After that, she was followed up for T2DM for two years. Since the patient did not comply with classical T2DM characteristics and the C-peptide level was 0.4 ng/ml (0.78-5.18), an autoantibody test was performed. The patient was found positive for anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (>2000 IU/mL). Her oral antidiabetic drug treatment was discontinued, and insulin degludec and insulin aspart therapy were started. Three months after this adjustment HbA1c level decreased to 7.2%. Except for 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, which was low (10.9 ng/mL), all other laboratory parameters were within the normal range.

CONCLUSION
Isotretinoin is known to have some immunomodulating effects. There are some case reports on the relationship between isotretinoin and autoimmune diseases. The negative immune environment that developed due to the long-standing moderate-severe VitD deficiency may have taken a turn toward autoimmunity upon isotretinoin treatment. This hypothesis on how isotretinoin can cause autoimmune diabetes needs to be validated.


In order to make full use of the large amount of teaching data existing in the data center, the author proposes a mining algorithm using classification technology and association rules in data mining technology; the teaching quality evaluation data and student achievement data were mined. By constructing the C4.5 decision tree algorithm, this method taps the potential links between teachers' professional titles, degrees, ages, and teaching quality evaluation results, through correlation analysis theory; the correlation between professional courses was mined from the student's course achievement database, and some reasonable and reliable course association rules were obtained. Experimental results show that the correct rate of C4.5 decision tree algorithm under different sampling times is above 80%. The conclusions drawn have certain guiding significance for college teaching and personnel training.


One of the trending terms Internet of things as been around since the concept of wireless devices have been conceived. A dais where every device is connected with internet and are synchronized, IoT allows devices communicate in intelligent way. This smart way of communication by linking machine to machine has created abundance of new opportunities leading to business innovation. Its application is found in various areas namely- Manufacturing, education, healthcare facility, smart home, transportation etc. Even though wealth of opportunities is produced, this has led increasing security risks. Enabling intelligent and robust cyber security will make way for secured IoT. There are various definitions of IoT available on public domain. The International Telecommunication Union's Global Standards Initiative have defined IOT in following manner: The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects or "things" embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and connectivity to enable objects to exchange data with the production, operator and/or other connected devices based on. The another definition (Morgan J., 2014) given is : IoT is a giant network of connected ―things‖ (which also includes people). The relationship will be between people-people, people-things, and things-things. (3) It is a simple idea where network devices can sense and from various objects around, data is collected. Internet of things is a simple concept where network devices could sense and collect data from various objects around us and then share this data through internet where it could be processed and analyzed for any business or personal purpose. In simple words IOT can be described as all the physical things or objects in this world translated to a computer which is connected to internet. According to Gartner, they expect a 30 percent rise in the number of devices allied with the Internet of Things (IoT) this year. This growth will result in more than 6 billion devices joining the IoT, with an addition of 20 billion devices expected to be a part of the IoT by 2020.


Eye state ID is a sort of basic time-arrangement grouping issue in which it is additionally a problem area in the late exploration. Electroencephalography (EEG) is broadly utilized in a vision state in order to recognize people perception form. Past examination was approved possibility of AI & measurable methodologies of EEG vision state arrangement. This research means to propose novel methodology for EEG vision state distinguishing proof utilizing Gradual Characteristic Learning (GCL) in light of neural organizations. GCL is a novel AI methodology which bit by bit imports and prepares includes individually. Past examinations have confirmed that such a methodology is appropriate for settling various example acknowledgment issues. Nonetheless, in these past works, little examination on GCL zeroed in its application to temporal-arrangement issues. Thusly, it is as yet unclear if GCL will be utilized for adapting the temporal-arrangement issues like EEG vision state characterization. Trial brings about this examination shows that, with appropriate element extraction and highlight requesting, GCL cannot just productively adapt to time-arrangement order issues, yet additionally display better grouping execution as far as characterization mistake rates in correlation with ordinary and some different methodologies. Vision state classification is performed and discussed with KNN classification and accuracy is enriched finally discussed the vision state classification with ensemble machine learning model.


An amperometric sensor has been created using the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide, which is catalyzed by the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and generates an electroactive product. An electrochemically modified graphite electrode is used, with acetylcholinesterase covalently bonded directly to its surface. The characteristics of the sensor, such as the response time, repeatability, reproducibility, stability, dynamic range, activation energy, and temperature coefficient of the current are evaluated. The optimum working conditions (pH, temperature, and rotation speed) are established.


PurposeThis study investigates the long-run relationship between workers' remittances and human capital formation in Sri Lanka by using the macro-level time series data during the period of 1975–2020.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and Philips–Perron (PP) unit root tests, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds cointegration technique, the Granger causality test, the forecast error variance decomposition technique and impulse response function analysis were employed as the analytical techniques.FindingsIn accordance with the results of unit root tests, the variables used in this study are mixed order. Results of cointegration confirm that workers' remittances in Sri Lanka have both long-run and short-run beneficial relationship with human capital formation. The Granger causality test results indicate that there is a two-way causal relationship between workers' remittances and human capital formation. The results of forecast error variance decomposition expose that innovation of workers' remittances contributes to the forecast error variance in human capital in bell shape. Further, the empirical evidence of impulse response function analysis reveals that a positive standard deviation shock to workers' remittances has an immediate significant positive impact on human capital formation in Sri Lanka for a period of up to ten years.Practical implicationsThis research provides insights into the workers' remittances in human capital formation in Sri Lanka. The findings of this study provides evidence that workers' remittances help to produce human capital formation.Originality/valueBy using the ARDL Bounds cointegration and other techniques in Sri Lanka, this study fills an important gap in academic literature.


Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are chemicals used in e.g. electronic equipment, textiles and plastics for the prevention of fire. Over recent decades, concern has been raised regarding some hea ...


Online engineering learning relies so much on web space in addition to its essential tools` elements. Since the evolution of individual elements masterminds, the dynamic behaviour of technology-enhanced learning, understanding the drifts of the various aspects of the learning tool is inevitable. It indicates the imperativeness of investigating the previous events of the elements of the learning tools and outcomes pointing to the future. This study examines related theories and past heuristic summaries that covered the learning tool. It also reviews pieces of literature that highlighted grey areas in the future because of changing technology. It uses a web search process for free, full-text and peer-reviewed articles available as at search time, and subsequently applies inclusion-exclusion principles to arrive at relevant texts. The review finds that studies on these elements came after the year 2000, and more focused on technology and design even though the mainstay of various empirical works was towards efficient learning of skills in engineering. It features definite highlights requesting for consideration in the future as internet-of-things reaches the global space.


We investigate how the direction of polarized light can affect the dichroism pattern seen in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. To this end, we prepared a sample composed of highly-oriented Bi(111) micro-crystals that macroscopically has infinite rotational and mirror symmetry of the point group $\rm{C}_{\infty\rm{v}}$ and examined whether the dichroism pattern retains the $\rm{C}_{\infty\rm{v}}$ symmetry under the stationary configuration of the light and sample. The direction of the light was imprinted in the pattern. Thereby, we apply group theory and classify the pattern with the configuration of light taken into account. We complete the classification by discussing the cases when the out-of-plane component of the polarization can be neglected, when the incidence angle is either 0$^{\circ}$ or 90$^{\circ}$, when the polarization is either elliptic or linear, and also when the sample is a crystal.


Introduction : The developing brain is extremely sensitive to exogenous signals, and recent studies suggest that adverse experiences during the perinatal period, including maternal stress, trauma, or infection, may profoundly alter developing neural circuits. We have previously shown that a single inflammatory insult on the day of birth significantly alters opioidergic neural circuits within the midbrain PAG, permanently changing subsequent responses to pain and stress. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, are particularly vulnerable to early life perturbations, which may have profound consequences for future immune responses. However to date, the impact of early life pain on microglia expression and activation are unknown. Methods : On the day of birth, male and female rat pups received an injection of the inflammatory agent carrageenan into the hindpaw or were handled. In adulthood postnatal day 60-90), rats were implanted with a Thermicron iButton to monitor autonomic output, and 7 days later, received an injection of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an immune challenge. Tissue was collected six hours after LPS injection and stained for microglia using immunohistochemistry. Microglia were characterized as ameboid, activated or quiescent based on morphology. Results : No differences microglial colonization in the PAG were observed for early life pain versus control rats; similarly, no sex differences were observed. PAG sections are currently being analyzed for sex and treatment effects in glial morphology. We predict that the rats that received an early life injury will have more glial activation than the rats who were handled, indicating a lower threshold for activation. We also predict a difference in male and female microglial activation, consistent with what we have observed in past studies. Discussion : While early life injury does not affect the density or baseline phenotype of microglial cells in the PAG, it may result in a lower activation threshold in comparison to controls. These results would have significant implications for subsequent immune challenges,


Deriving neurishment from folk song,Liu Yu-xi wrote 《Zhu zhici》 in the form of folk song,which is an example of learning from folk song,depicting daily life, and embodying the charm of folk song.


Counter to commonly accepted views observations of interactive seeking behavior in different search environments show that a user behaves precisely in the same manner in traditional IR systems and on the Web. Unmediated users resort to the same tactics of successive search based on the principle of least effort (PLE). On the contrary, an intermediary in classical mediated searching follows the 'principle of the guarantied result' (PGR) rather than PLE. However, other mode of mediated search, more frequent at present time, differs from the classical one and follows PLE. A decision-theoretic model of successive search is considered; and optimal strategies of seeking are formulated for different criteria. 'Lazy user' behavior based on PLE and 'responsible intermediary' behavior based on PGR are compared with the optimal strategies. It is shown that lazy tactics usually yield suboptimal strategy under uncertainty of search environment. On the contrary, PGR-based seeking at the average is not effective.


Frame synchronizer for serial telemetry is rapidly reconfigured for changing formats. Synchronizer generates signals marking data-word boundaries, beginning of each frame, and beginning of each paragraph. Also derived are search, check, and lock status signals. Existing unit is assembled from standard random-access memory elements and MOS and low-power-Schottky logic.


Chapter One Introduction Problem Identification Stakeholder Identification Objectives of the Project Chapter Two Literature Review Theoretical and/or Translational Framework Chapter Three Methodology Description of Intervention Setting Consent Procedure Sample Population Activities of the Project ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP 3


This paper describes a Qt-based C++ application for full-reference stereoscopic video quality assessment. The application is platform independent and provides a friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI). The stereoscopic video signals used in the application are based in two-view model, such as the H.264/AVC standard with Multiview Video Coding (MVC), and several spatial resolutions are available. The application provides objective video quality algorithms, such as PSNR, SSIM and PW-SSIM and incorporates a recently published technique for stereoscopic video quality assessment, called disparity weighting (DW), DPSNR, DSSIM and DPW-SSIM. Numerical results corresponding to the performance of the objective measurements acquired using the proposed application are presented. The ultimate goal is that the application will contribute, as an open-source tool to be used by academia and industry, for standardization and development of objective algorithms and evaluation of impairments in stereoscopic video signals caused by some processing techniques.


The authors examine an evaluation method including road pricing that can be used as part of a transportation policy package, with London pricing scheme applications. Making a benefit incidence table (BIT), in which the benefit/cost origin, transfer and incidence is expressed for each impact(s) category and affected agent, is involved in the evaluation methodology. This enables evaluation of both the efficiency of the overall scheme and the distribution issue, key to the equity issue, thus being acceptable (Morisugi and Ohno, 1992, 1995; Morisugi, Ohno and Miyagi, 1993). The authors conclude that in this study using the BIT to consistently express net benefit distribution across economic sectors (affected agents), which straightforwardly relates with public acceptability and the equity issues. Since the BIT expresses each benefit/cost item's origin, transfer, and incidence for each affected agent within the economic equilibrium framework. The net disbenefit of car users was shown to be quite small due to the large congestion relief that almost compensates for the charge payment while net gains are enjoyed by the implementing agency (TfL) and bus users, through the London road pricing scheme BIT construction on the TfL's CBA report basis. Bus service improvements encouraging many users of cars to switch to buses is also worked out by this result. Finally, explanation of high public acceptance may be made, in comparison to many cases of pricing opposition by car users who suffer a big loss.


In this paper, an experimental study about bamboo reinforced concrete beams is presented and discussed. Ten reinforced concrete beams were tested, where eight of them were reinforced with Dendrocalamus giganteus bamboo-splint and two reference beams were reinforced with steel bars. Two factors were studied: the longitudinal reinforcement ratio (1.6 and 3.2%) and the area/perimeter ratio of the bamboo-splint (0.25 and 0.33 cm). For each factor combination, two beams were cast. Force vs. displacement and force vs. strain curves are presented and discussed. It was found out that the structural behaviour of bamboo-concrete beams follow the Bernoulli-Kirchoff bending theory. Therefore, the usual design procedures of reinforced concrete can be used to design the bamboo-concrete beams. The load capacity of the bamboo-concrete beams is almost the same as that of reinforced with steel; nevertheless, are more stiffer than those ones.


Accepted: 5 Apr, 2016 Abstract Background and Objectives: Addiction is a destructive scourge that severely threatens human society, especially the adolescents and young adults. Individuals' perception and reaction to environmental stimuli and their disability in cognitive processing of emotional information and emotional regulation can propel individuals toward addiction. Hence, this study was performed with the purpose of investigating the correlation between sensory processing sensitivity and alexithymia with tendency to addiction.


Accident reports are typically divided into chapters which re ect the di erent per spectives of various specialists It is sometimes the case that these alternative view points lead to inconsistencies and omissions where an incident covered at length by one specialist may be ignored by another This creates a problem in that the con clusions of the report may thus be muddled or incomplete and consequently lead to further errors of comprehension amongst those who need to understand the ndings Similarly several di erent reports of the same accident may be produced This cre ates problems for the companies and regulators which must act on the ndings of these inconsistent accounts It is therefore desirable to have a rigorous method for checking consistency between di erent chapters and accounts We present the novel application of the idea of cross viewpoint consistency typi cally used in software engineering to unify di erent accident perspectives Further more we propose a method of consistency checking that should ensure a new more detailed view of the overall accident is produced This will encompass two or more di erent viewpoints In doing so we show for the rst time how cross viewpoint consistency checking may be achieved for accident analysis It is hypothesised that this will help to resolve the inconsistencies that frequently arise between di erent accounts of the same accident


This article contributes to the scholarly discussion on the meaning of Anzac by investigating the Anzac bond in the Bougainville Truce Monitoring Group (TMG) experience in 1997–1998. An analysis of the way Australian and New Zealand military and defence staff liaised during the planning and operational stages of the TMG peacekeeping mission reveals that the Anzac relationship still exists. As with the original Anzac experience, initial conflict and rivalry coexisted with cooperation in the TMG. In addition, the Bougainville experience highlights New Zealanders' continued determination to distinguish themselves from Australians within Anzac. This article has been peer-reviewed.


Total-body PET opens a new diagnostic paradigm with prospects for personalized disease treatment, yet the high cost of the current crystal-based PET technology limits dissemination of totalbody PET in hospitals and even in the research clinics. The J-PET tomography system is based on axially arranged low-cost plastic scintillator strips. It constitutes a realistic cost-effective solution of a total-body PET for broad clinical applications. High sensitivity of total-body J-PET and triggerless data acquisition enable multiphoton imaging, opening possibilities for multitracer and positronium imaging, thus promising quantitative enhancement of specificity in cancer and inflammatory diseases assessment. An example of dual tracer analysis, becoming possible with total-body J-PET system, could be a concurrent application of Food and Drug Administration–approved Rb-Chloride and [F]FDG, allowing simultaneous assessment of myocardium metabolic rate and perfusion of the cardiovascular system.


Background: Digital radiographic technology comprising computed radiography (CR) and direct digital radiography (DDR) have significantly reduced repeats due to inappropriate exposure factors in film-screen radiography (FSR). The opportunity cost, however, is the introduction of dose creep which jeopardizes radiation protection. Minimizing or elimination of dose creep is, therefore, imperative but this is difficult to achieve. A radiographic exposure chart can forestall dose creep as it minimizes unnecessary arbitrariness in the selection of exposure intensity. This work was an attempt to use exposure index (EI) and deviation index (DI), two imaging software tools found at the workstation, to derive an exposure chart for addressing dose creep in computed radiography. Results: Three hundred sthenic and hyposthenic adult patients and 150 paediatric patients were enlisted in this study, and with focus on seven specific anatomical regions. With standard exposure index of 250 – 350, deviation index was reduced from a range of -11.1 to +8.1 to a lower range of -2.6 to +1.4 without loss in image quality. There was however, an 8 to 28 % upward adjustment in tube current (mA) to reduce quantum noise. A new exposure chart was derived at the end of the study that has great potential to address digital dose creep in hyposthenic and sthenic Negroid subjects. Conclusion: Dose creep in digital radiographic technology can be mitigated with an empirically-derived exposure chart. Keywords: Dose, Radiography, Charts, Exposure, dose creep, ALARA, Digital Radiography


My argument will proceed as follows. I will first sketch out the broad internalist case for pitching its normative account of sport in the abstract manner that following Dworkin's lead in the philosophy of law its adherents insist upon. I will next show that the normative deficiencies in social conventions broad internalists uncover are indeed telling but misplaced since they hold only for what David Lewis famously called 'coordinating' conventions. I will then distinguish coordinating conventions from deep ones and make my case not only for the normative salience of deep conventions but for their normative superiority over the abstract normative principles broad internalists champion.


The present theory work means to think about the numerical examination on models of channel segment with middle and complex edge stiffeners and web gaps under pivotal pressure. A wide scope of parameters, for example, slimness proportion, spine width and thickness have been considered in the investigation. An aggregate of 12 channel models with various parameters, for example, length, thickness and rib width are reenacted. The limited component non-direct examination program ABAQUS V6.14-2 is utilized to reproduce the models. The material properties are acquired from Coupon test. Component type utilized in this non-straight examination is SHELL. A Static, Riks step is utilized to complete examination. The Failure modes, extreme burden and the pressure conveyance around web gaps are inquired about. The relocation parts in every augmentation of burden along X, Y and Z bearings and Rotation segment about X course are gathered. The Von-Mises pressure forms, Deformed shapes and disappointment modes including nearby, horizontal distortional and parallel torsional clasping modes are acquired. The pivotal burden limits of pressure individuals with various parameters are looked at.


One embodiment of the present invention relates to an ultra-low power wideband asynchronous binary phase shift keying (BPSK) demodulation method and a configuration for a circuit thereof. In the configuration for a BPSK demodulation circuit, an ultra-low power wideband asynchronous BPSK demodulation circuit can be provided, the ultra-low power wideband asynchronous BPSK demodulation circuit comprising: a sideband digital separation and phase detection clock generation unit for digitalizing a modulated signal by separating the same into an upper sideband and a lower sideband through a second-order high pass filter, which has a carrier frequency as a cutoff frequency, and a second-order low pass filter, for enabling a digital output of an upper sideband comparator to have a completely opposite phase to that of a digital output of a lower sideband comparator so as to minimize jitters, thereby separating a lower sideband in-phase digital signal while increasing a yield, and for enabling a phase difference between an upper sideband negative phase digital signal, which is an output of the upper sideband comparator, and the lower sideband in-phase digital signal to be aligned at 180 degrees, and simultaneously, the signals to be respectively compared at the same rising edge and at the same falling edge, thereby generating a phase detection clock signal in which small glitches are generated by a difference of the signals; a data demodulation unit for generating, from the phase detection clock signal, through a deglitch filter, a symbol edge signal from which glitches are removed, and for demodulating data by synchronizing the lower sideband in-phase digital signal with a falling edge of the symbol edge signal; and a data clock restoration unit for generating a data clock by using the lower sideband in-phase digital signal and the demodulated data signal.


For the investigation of the chaotic dynamics of drop detachment from an orifice, a novel dripping faucet apparatus was constructed, and its design and use are described. It is equipped with high‐resolution timing (1 μs) and flow rate control (0.05%), and can be operated at different temperatures, and at constant as well as continuously varying flow rates. The last feature allows for the direct recording of the ''dripping spectrum'' (drop period versus flow rate) in a single run. Examples of results not obtainable with previous instruments are presented.


Background: Sickness absence is a common ''prescription'' in health care in many Western countries. Despite the significance of sick-listing for the life situation of patients, physicians have limited training in how to handle sickness-certification cases and the research about sickness-certification practices is scarce. Aim: gain knowledge on physicians' learning regarding management of sickness certification of patients in formal, informal, and non-formal learning situations, respectively, and possible changes in this from 2004 to 2008. Methods: Data from two comprehensive questionnaires to physicians in Sweden about their sickness-certification practice in 2004 (n = 7665) and 2008 (n = 36898); response rates: 71% and 61%, respectively. Answers from all the physicians ≤64 years old and who had sickness certification tasks (n = 4019 and n = 14210) were analysed. Outcome measures: ratings of importance of different types of learning situations for their sickness-certification competence. Results: Few physicians stated that formal learning situations had contributed to a large or fairly large extent to their competence in sickness certification, e.g. undergraduate studies had done that for 17%, internship for 37%, and resident training for 46%, respectively. Contacts with colleagues had been helpful for 65%. One-third was helped by training arranged by social insurance offices. There was a significant increase between 2004 and 2008 in all items related to formal and non-formal learning situations, while there were no changes regarding informal learning situations. Conclusions: This study of all physicians in Sweden shows that physicians primarily attain competence in sickness certification in their daily clinical practice; through contacts with colleagues and patients.


: The development of a scientific disposition opens opportunities for youth to see science as relevant in their daily lives. Four building blocks promote disposition development: gaining competence , sparking curiosity , belonging and contributing to one's communities , and bridging personal connections . In this paper, we explore the role technology played in supporting unified disposition development by detailing the experiences of two focal learners. We found that technology can act as a boundary object that supports connections across the building blocks in integrated ways, and we include challenges and implications for design.


Strengthening of the annual financial statements of companies that are in some cases explicitly regulated is a legal obligation stemming on the part of international practice and on the other side of prudential requirements and supervision. Specificity and impact on the banking, financial and economic environment, coupled with the trend of globalization of banking, requires more than paying special attention to strengthening of the annual financial statements of the banks. On paper, there are presented a series of issues related to the strengthening of the annual financial statements of the banks which are Romanian legal entities.


The school libraries and librarians in America play an important role in the development of American younger generation or even the whole nation.Generally,the pre-service school librarians should some related certificates.ALA/AASL Standard for Initial Preparation of School Librarians(2010) is the most important criterion of those certificates.With a great literature and web survey,this article analyzed the function,connotation and characteristics of ALA/AASL Standard,in the hope of providing some references to other researchers.


Herodotus noted that the least expensive form of mummification was where no treatment was given and the body was simply wrapped in linen. ROM I, autopsied in Toronto in August 1974, was just such a mummy. The name is shorthand for the Royal Ontario Museum, to which the mummy belongs. The autopsy was an international operation, demonstrating cooperation among members of several disciplines from the Royal Ontario Museum, the Toronto Academy of Medicine, the University of Toronto and the Detroit group of the Paleopathology Association (Lewin et al . 1974; Hart et al . 1977a). The study arose as the result of a lecture on PUMII given by Aidan Cockburn and Theodore Reyman in February 1974 at the Academy of Medicine in Toronto. The following day, Eve Cockburn suggested a joint Canadian-United States project, and a day later Nicholas B. Millet offered to provide a mummy from the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum. Following the unwrapping by Millet and his staff, the examination of ROM I was carried out in the anatomy department of the Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto. Radiographic examination had been completed by D. F. Rideout prior to the unwrapping. The autopsy was directed by Reyman, Zimmerman and Lewin. Specimens obtained from the dissection were distributed to qualified participants and observers as this had the advantage of ensuring greater coverage in the search for abnormalities.


Maternal care is a major determinant of offspring well‐being, but psychiatric conditions, such as depression and addiction, can interfere with maternal behavior and lead to poor offspring outcomes. We report an ongoing pilot study performed to develop tasks that objectively quantify maternal behavior in three groups of early postpartum women: healthy, depressed and opioid dependent. These innovative tasks are modified classical behavioral paradigms that exploit the Stroop effect (infant Stroop task, iStroop), and delay and social discounting (Maternal Baby Discounting Task, MBDT). Preliminary pooled data (n=4) show strong correlations between multiple MBDT discounting behaviors and mother‐infant bonding (Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire), stress (Parenting Stress Index‐Short Form), and paternal involvement (Parental Responsibility Scale). Lower delay and infant discounting was associated with impaired bonding, pathological anger and rejection, total stress, and paternal involvement. As expected in the iStroop, infant emotion (distressed versus neutral) had no effect as a distractor in this small, primarily depressed sample.


TM. Kearney, J. McEneny, GW. Davison, MJ. O'Kane, MH. Murphy and AM. Gallagher Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA. Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast BT12 6BJ. Sport and Exercise Science Research Institute, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB. and Department of Clinical Chemistry,Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK


Abstract We have studied the agreement between theoretical computations and experimental results of surface strains of bonded joints of two types: tenon and mortise, and single-lap joints, for different lengths of the lap. For instance, with the single-lap joint, we have tested four lengths of the overlap from 14 mm to 88 mm. Surface strains are measured by an extensometrical method with electrical gauges, when the specimen is loaded in uniaxial traction on a universal testing machine. Experimental results and computations made by an improved method, such as the asymptotic expansions method, agree but only if the global traction load applied on the specimen is low, or if the overlap in respect with the others dimensions of the section of test specimen is long. In these joints, effectively, stress fields are disrupted near the butts and become very difficult to compute. Actually, near the ends of the overlap, stresses can reach high limits with only low global load applied on the test specimen. With a shor...


The study examined the effectiveness of television in disseminating COVID-19 control messages to rural areas of Kwara State, Nigeria. The State consist of four ADP administrative zones. From the selected zones, 80 respondents were selected using random sampling technique. Thus, a total 160 respondents were selected for the study. Interview schedule was used to elicit information from the respondents. Respondents were made to watch a special documentary video that centred on COVID-19 over a period of two days, after which there was a "before and after" evaluation after watching the documentary video. In order to determine the level of effectiveness of the message, the evaluation results were subjected to statistical analysis. The results reveals that the television message resulted in about 25% increase in the awareness and knowledge level of respondents about COVID-19 in the study areas. The study concluded that the use of television as the only means of communicating COVID19 control messages in rural areas was not too effective. It was therefore recommended that the use of television should be effectively combined with a host of other means of communication in order for COVID-19 messages to effectively impact rural dwellers in Kwara State, Nigeria.


Study aimed at determining the extent to which the institutional environment in Timisoara, public and private, responds to the needs of service users, homeless adults, in terms of staff communication. At the same time, we analyzed and institutional infrastructure in terms of services offered at the moment. Such a study is a first, others have not been undertaken in Timisoara.


Dielectric measurements on water mixtures of polymers such as poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(ethylenimine) (PEI), and poly(allylamine) (PAlA) were performed over a frequency range from 300 MHz to 15 GHz at 25 °C. Dielectric dispersion and absorption curves related to the orientational motion of water can be described well by the Cole−Cole equation. The distribution of the relaxation time is interpreted by the variation of the water structure. The logarithmic plot of the relaxation time against the parameter for the distribution of the relaxation time suggests two groups of polymers. One group contains nonelectrolyte polymers and another contains electrolyte polymers and PVA. This result implies that water structures in the mixtures of the former group are more uniform and stable than that in the mixtures of the latter group.


The freshwater discharge and tidal range are important factors for estimating the intrusion length and salt-concentration distribution for rivers. Observing discharge is difficult for a complex system like the Red River system (RRS) that consists of many branches. Thus, this study determines the discharge distribution in the multi-estuary branches of the RRS using Savenije's salt-intrusion model. To compute the freshwater discharge, we use a series of salinity and tidal data acquired in the dry season of 2006. We obtain reasonable results for the discharge in the neap tidal phases, whereas, in the spring tidal phases, the results of the model deviate from the empirical discharge data. It appears that the fraction of discharge distributed into each branch is nearly constant at high water level and low water level for the spring and neap tides. Savenije's model is a useful tool to compute the discharge distribution for estuarine systems with multi-estuary branches.


The technical innovation has been carried out in accordance with the existing problems in the vacuum dechlorination,such as the bad effect of dechlorination and the big flow rate of dilute brine.One heat exchanger is added in order that the high-temperature chlorine water from vacuum dechlorination seperator can be cooled down and sent back into the vacuum pumps;internally closed circulation is adopted so as to supply the sealing water for the liquid-circulation dechlorination vacuum pumps and make the excess chlorine water overflow into the dilute brine tank.After innovation,the dechlorination effect has been improved and the use level of potassium sulfite has reduced.


We have previously shown that acute hypoglycemia alters both the kainate-type glutamate receptor and the MK-801 binding site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)-type glutamate receptor in newborn piglet brain. The present study tests the hypothesis that acute hypoglycemia modifies the glutamate binding site of the NMDA receptor, potentially increasing excitotoxicity. Studies were performed in 3 control (C) and 5 hypoglycemic (H) newborn piglets. Hypoglycemia (blood glucose concentration 1 mmol/L) was induced with 150 U/kg IV bolus of regular insulin and maintained for 2 hr with continuous insulin infusion. Brain cell membranes were prepared from cerebral cortex and saturation binding assays were performed using 150 μg of membrane protein and 3H-glutamate at concentrations of 25-1000 nM. NMDA-dependent binding was determined in the presence of 1 mM NMDA. Bmax(number of receptors) and Kd (dissociation constant) were calculated from Scatchard plots. Bmax (mean ± SD) in hypoglycemic animals was significantly increased from the control value of 746 ± 42 to 992± 64 fmol/mg protein (p < 0.05). Kd was 296 ± 64 nM in H, not significantly different from the value of 251 ± 4 nM in C. Thus acute hypoglycemia increased the apparent number of glutamate binding sites of the NMDA receptor but did not alter receptor affinity for glutamate. The increased number of glutamate sites may be the mechanism for the increase in activation of MK-801 binding by glutamate during hypoglycemia which we reported previously. The results of the present study support the speculation that hypoglycemia enhances the sensitivity of cerebral cortex to excitotoxicity under conditions which increase extracellular glutamate concentration in the newborn. (Supported by NIH #HD-20337, UCP #R-503-93)


The development of wearable technologies has generated considerable interest in the last decade. It opens doors to the emergence of user-centered assistive technologies, which are targeting senior citizens suffering from memory loss. This paper is dedicated to introducing the conceptual, behavioural and architectural design of a remote controllable head mounted display. The Indicator-based Smart Glasses are designed to assist senior citizens in daily navigational tasks with the guidance of human remote caretakers. The use of eyeglasses among the senior citizens is quite common, and it derived us to construct navigation interface prototype by implanting a set of light-emitting diode indicators on the frame of eyeglasses. The system aims to provide senior citizens with visual cues that could be perceived intuitively for navigational commands. Furthermore, the system would improve the independent mobility of senior citizens. The global positioning system- and geographical information system-based location-aware system could be integrated into Indicator-based Smart Glasses to facilitate the remote assisting process. The research method of the study is constructive design science with applied qualitative and quantitative approaches to improve and evaluate the system. The Living Lab, Wizard of Oz methods, plus observation and interviews are used to evaluate and improve the system through iterative pilot and usability tests.


Summary We have shown selective activity of tilorone with regard to humoral and cell-mediated responses. The compound enhanced antibody production as shown by an increase in IgM and IgG antibody-forming cells in the primary and secondary immune responses, it enhanced reactivity to thymus-dependent and thymus-independent antigens, and it increased circulating IgE-like antibodies in the rat. Tilorone inhibits cell-mediated responses as shown by its suppression of paralysis in EAE, blocking of the tuberculin skin reactions, and its inhibition of inflammation in adjuvant arthritis. We thank Mr. V. G. Butler, Ms. N. Munro, and Ms. L. L. Thomas for their excellent technical assistance. We also thank Dr. J. P. Gibson for the histologic examination of tissues.