Protein kinase C (PKC) undergoes specific inactivation by nanomolar concentrations of calphostin C. Both PKC‐α (a Ca2+‐dependent conventional isoform) and PKC‐α (a Ca2+‐independent novel isoform) are similarly inactivated by calphostin C (75–100 nM produced 50% inhibition), suggesting that inactivation requires a site common to both classes of PKC. We therefore performed studies to identify a critical region in the regulatory domain of PKC‐α required for inactivation by calphostin C. A series of N‐terminal–truncation mutants of bovine PKC‐α expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was tested with 500 nM calphostin C, a concentration sufficient to inactivate wild‐type PKC‐α by 80–90%. This concentration was as effective with mutant proteins containing deletions of up to 91 amino acid (aa) residues from the amino terminus (ND91), whereas a mutant protein truncated by 140 aa (ND 140) was inactivated by only 20%. These findings imply that the aa sequence 92–140 is a structural determinant of PKC‐α inactivation by calphostin C. This sequence contains one of the phorbol ester‐binding sites (aa 102–144), which is highly conserved among most PKC isoforms including PKC‐α. In addition to aa 92–140, PKC‐stimulating cofactors (phosphatidylserine, phorbol ester, and Ca2+) are required for inactivation by calphostin C even in the case of PKC mutants that do not require these cofactors for enzymatic activity. These results suggest that cofactors provide a template that is required for productive interaction of PKC and the inhibitor. The significance of the proposed proximity effect of calphostin C action is discussed. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss Inc.


Abstract : This study attempts to determine those World War II unconventional warfare leadership attributes that might help us in selecting today's special operations leaders. In doing so, the author first develops a template of special operations leadership qualities by starting with those attributes required of any leader whether in charge of a Cub Scout pack or an international corporation. Next, he adjusts the list based on the unique requirements of military leadership. Finally, he tunes the list to take into account the differences between general military and special operations leadership based on interviews, correspondence with, and transcripts from oral history interviews with Air Force special operations leaders both officers and enlisted men alike. Next, he describes the backgrounds and influencing factors of Philip G, Cochran and John R, Alison two men who would become the first commander and deputy of the 1st Air Commando Group in WWII. Following this he tells how these two men built their unit and led the first aerial invasion force. Using these biographical sketches and historical case study, the author shows that Cochran and Alison fit nicely into the proposed template. Finally, he describes briefly how this template might be used by the Air Force special operations community.


La1-xSrxMnO3 (x=0.2, 0.04)/Si PN heterostructures were prepared by RF magnetron sputtering method, which have evident rectifying properties. Furthermore, the excellent rectifying properties are presented in a relatively wide temperature range for La0.8Sr0.2MnO3/Si heterostructures. The diffusion voltage decreases with increasing the temperatures, which is attributed to the modulation of the interfacial electronic structure of the heterostructures.


The advantage and disadvantage of the teaching language used by Chinese teacher not only reflect the high or low of the teacher's professional quality,but also have a subtle influence on students.An excellent Chinese teacher can help his students have a further understanding of texts with the help of the well-designed teaching language,thus arousing students' interests in language itself.The teaching language of a teacher should have such characteristics as humor,accuracy and moving.The teacher also should adopt scientific training methods to improve teaching language in the classroom.


The questions found in carrying out the radiographic standard for pressure vessels JB 4730-1994 are discussed on the basis of the practical situation of pressure vessel inspection.


Detecting objects of interest from a video sequence is a fundamental and critical task in automated visual surveillance. Those objects can be either moving or stationary. However, most of current approaches only focus on discriminating moving objects by background subtraction. In this work, we propose layers segmentation to detect both of moving and stationary target objects from surveillance video. We first construct a codebook with set of codewords for each pixel and then extend the matrix entropy statistical model to segment layers with codewords features. Our experimental results are presented in terms of success layer segmentation rate


Sensors are used to monitor certain aspects of the physical or virtual world and databases are typically used to store the data that these sensors provide. The use of sensors is increasing, which leads to an increasing demand on sensor data storage platforms. Some sensor monitoring applications need to automatically add new databases as the size of the sensor network increases. Cloud computing and virtualization are key technologies to enable these applications. A key issue therefore becomes the performance of virtualized databases and how this relates to physical ones. Traditional SQL databases have been used for a long time and have proven to be reliable tools for all kinds of applications. NoSQL databases have gained momentum in the last couple of years however, because of growing scalability and availability requirements. This paper compares three databases on their relative performance with regards to sensor data storage: one open source SQL database(PostgreSQL) and two open source NoSQL databases (Cassandra and MongoDB). A comparison is also made between running these databases on a physical server and running them on a virtual machine. A minimal sensor data structure is used and tested using four operations: a single write, a single read, multiple writes in one statement and multiple reads in one statement.


The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) will, when it is completed in 2012, be the world's largest millimeter & sub-millimeter radio telescope. It will consist of 64 antennas, each one 12 meters in diameter, connected as an interferometer. The ALMA Test Interferometer Control System (TICS) was developed as a prototype for the ALMA control system. Its initial task was to provide sufficient functionality for the evaluation of the prototype antennas. The main antenna evaluation tasks include surface measurements via holography and pointing accuracy, measured at both optical and millimeter wavelengths. In this paper we will present the design of TICS, which is a distributed computing environment. In the test facility there are four computers: three real-time computers running VxWorks (one on each antenna and a central one) and a master computer running Linux. These computers communicate via Ethernet, and each of the real-time computers is connected to the hardware devices via an extension of the CAN bus. We will also discuss our experience with this system and outline changes we are making in light of our experiences.


The nature of static and dynamic reserves of the transport system and the degree of their influence on the technological process of delivery are given. The structure of flows connecting a specific supplier and consumer is considered. It was found that dynamic reserves are management reserves, and their size is determined by the amount by which static reserves can be reduced. The classification of dynamic reserves is given, the conditions of their occurrence are described, and interaction schemes are given. It is shown that assigning the priority of one of the jets in the flows of the transport system leads to the acceleration of the passage of one jet at the expense of slowing down the other (others), and the delays are transferred from one jet to another while maintaining their total amount, that is, at an unchanged average speed of the flows. It was found that the acceleration of the flow leads to the release of a certain group of vehicles, which can be used as a reserve, and when it slows down, on the contrary, additional vehicles are absorbed due to an increase in their number on the road. There are also a number of technological mechanisms for speeding up and slowing down the progress of flows. It has been found that the transport system can actively adapt to changes in the rhythms of senders and receivers due to the management of stream jets, but the possibilities of its adaptation are quite limited. And therefore, if the rhythms of the jets in the flow are too much out of sync, there is a possibility of a moment when reliable transport communication cannot be ensured and the transport system begins to play the role of limitation. It was found that the set of dynamic reserves allows to significantly increase the efficiency of the transport system in conditions of unevenness, but it requires the development of new approaches to the principles and methods of optimization, as well as the choice of effective work organization. It is assumed that the management capabilities and the size of the dynamic reserves of the transport system are greater, the more different jets are released in the flow, and therefore the greater the diversity in the subsystems, the more noticeable is the effect of organization, combining them into a single system.


Governments have a responsibility to ensure that informed scientific decisions are taken to provide for proper health, safety of citizens, protection of civil rights, social security, international relations and protection of the environment. This article raises the following research question: Is research significant in informing policy-decision in South Africa other than the dictates of politics and economic contexts of the country? Roux (2002) has argued that the role of outside experts in South Africa's policy research is important because they are in a position to provide an objective answer than public officials in the service, who in regular circumstances base their decision on issues in political interest of the ruling elite than objectively meant for the benefit of the citizens. In answering this question, the author will keep the relevance of this article to the following issues; the significance of research in public policy; public administration and research in South Africa, use of research in public policy choices, research and the South African government affair and whether or not science, politics or economics determines policy choices in government.


This study investigates influence of fringing field effect on the voltage dependent behavior of electrostatically actuated micro-beams. For this purpose, the size dependent beam model is used. Strain gradient formulation is utilized to consider size effects. The effect of fringing field effect on the beam's behavior is investigated and it is shown that lack of considering the fringing field effect in the formulation of the problem may lead to considerable error in predicting the size dependent micro-beams behavior under the effect of electrostatic actuation. The results of this research can be used for safe and stable design of electrostatically actuated micro-beams.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


To generate the GPS(Global Positioning System) electronic map for train control systems,GPS data with high accuracy are required.However,GPS receivers with high-accuracy cost too much.Therefore,learning high-accuracy GPS data from multiple low-accuracy GPS data measured by the low-cost GPS receiver through the information fusion algorithm is of great use.The existing information fusion algorithm can reach the target,but it is only applicable to simple tracks and the optimization time is too long.Based on the theory of principal curves and the special feature of the fixed high-accuracy points of interest in railways,we proposed the improved algorithm by adding a point in the area whose error is maximal and using local optimization in this paper.The results of the experiments show that the new algorithm can learn high-accuracy GPS data from multiple low-accuracy GPS data and has great advantages in the time of computation and the scope of application.


Objective To compare the efficacy of combination therapy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and corticosteroids versus corticosteroids alone in the treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Methods A retrospective study was conducted. Totally, 65 consecutive patients diagnosed as either TEN or SJS from January 1993 to October 2007 were included in this study. For 45 patients collected from 1993 to 2000, including 35 cases of TEN and 10 cases of SJS, methylprednisolone of 1 - i.5 mg per kilogram bodyweight per day or equivalent hydrocortisone or dexamethasone was given; for the remaining 20 patients collected from 2001 to 2007, including 12 cases of based on SCORTEN, a severity-of-illness-score system for TEN/SJS prognosis. Results Among the 45 patients treated with corticosteroids alone, 8.63 patients were expected to die based on SCORTEN system, while 10 deaths were observed. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) analysis revealed that the patients treated with corticosteroids alone were 16% more likely to die than those treated with routine therapy (SMR = 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.56 - 2.13). In the remaining 20 patients who received combination therapy, 3 deaths occurred, while 3.51 deaths were expected based on the SCORTEN system. SMR analysis showed that the combination therapy had a trend to reduce the mortality rate of TEN/SJS (SMR = 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.18 - 2.50). No significant difference was noted in the mortality rate of TEN/SJS between the combination therapy and corticosteroid monotherapy (16.7% vs 22.8% in TEN, 12.5% vs 20% in SJS, respectively, both P > 0.05). In patients with TEN, the combination therapy significantly reduced the time to arrest disease progression (4.30 ± 2.36 days vs 7.15 ± 3.35 days, t = 2.46, P 0.05) compared with the corticosteroid monotherapy did; so was the case for SJS. Conelusious Compared withsolo administration of corticosteroids, the combination therapy with corticosteroid and IVIG seems to reducethe mortality rate of TEN/SJS. Also, the combination therapy could arrest the progression of TEN/SJS earlier accompanied by a decrease in hospitalization time. However, the time period of corticosteroid tapering is not shortened by the combination therapy.

Key words:
Toxic epidermal necrolysis;  Stevens-Johnson syndrome;  Corticosteroid;  gamma-Globulins;  Drug therapy, combination


because a medical assessment was essential. There was no permanent doctor on duty at the Police facility and, indeed, this chamber was often out of use. It was not reasonable to require the Chief Constable to keep his facility permanently open and staffed: availability of the chamber for emergencies was entirely voluntary. It was not the practice of the Police to scramble until a medical diagnosis had been made, and again that was reasonable. Likewise, it was not negligent of the Health Authority to close its facility at weekends. That allegation involved an assessment of the priority of allocation of resources, which the court could not perform. In any event, there are only about 150 cases of decompression illness in the whole of the UK annually. Allegations of negligence against the individual doctor at the RVI were also unsustainable. For all those reasons, the claim against both defendants failed. Dr Michael Powers QC and Dr Margaret Bloom (instructed by Peter Maughan & Co.) appeared on behalf of the claimant. Christina Lambert (instructed by Eversheds) appeared on behalf of the Health Authority. Ben Hytner QC and Toby Wynn (instructed by Crutes) appeared on behalf of the Chief Constable.


AbstractThe building sector is widely recognized as having a major impact on sustainable development. Both in developed and developing countries, sustainability in buildings approaches are growing. Laterite dimension stone (LDS) is a building material that was traditionally used in sub-Saharan Africa, but its technical features still need to be assessed. This article presents some results of a study focused on the characterization of LDS exploited in Burkina Faso for building purposes. The measured average thermal conductivity is 0.51  W/mK, which increases with water content and evolves with the specific gravity and with porosity. Rock mineral phases (quartz, goethite, hematite, magnetite) are cemented by kaolinite. The porosity of the material is high (30%), with macropores visible on the surface and found in the rock inner structure as well. Results from the hygrothermal monitoring of a pilot building are also presented.


M. R. Fortet [5, Th. Ill, p. 32] proves that if T is a continuous linear operator of norm one on a strictly convex Banach space, then the kernel of T — I is orthogonal to the range of T — I. Proposition 1 is a generalisation of this result, since the numerical radius is less than or equal to the norm [2, Th. 4.1]. Proposition 1 is also related to the theorem of N. Nirschl and H. Schneider that an eigenvalue in the boundary of the numerical range has ascent one [8, Th. 4, p. 362] and [2, Th. 10.10]. If T is a continuous linear operator on a Banach space X (over the complex field), the numerical range V(T, &) of T is the set


Recent drives to improve initial teacher education in Wales identify the need to build professional capital and to develop and sustain research capacity within the sector (Furlong, 2015). However, such capacity, and the integration of research into teacher education remains underdeveloped (Leat et al, 2014; Furlong, 2016). This paper reports on the experiences of three teacher educators who are novice researchers. They engaged in a small-scale close-to-practice research project with primary and secondary schoolteachers, under the guidance of a more experienced research colleague. Using evidence from self-study (Lunenberg and Willemse, 2006) and reflective enquiry (Lyons, 2006) the paper discusses how collaborative engagement in research allowed the participants the opportunity to reclaim a 'sense of wonder' (Berry, 1998) about their practice (where we define a sense of wonder as a sense of inquiry into their practice). The paper's central argument is that whilst a national policy drive has necessitated a change in research culture within initial teacher education, reasons for involvement go beyond a feeling of 'because we have to'. The participants regarded involvement as key to their professional growth. Time and opportunity to research pedagogical practices in other teacher's classes opened up space for the participants to 'wonder' about their own practices. They also felt that the experience supported a shift towards adopting the identity of 'researcher'. The paper considers why this is so important in the current climate of educational change in Wales.


Purpose of the Study. To determine whether inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy can be reduced or eliminated in patients with persistent asthma after adding a long-acting β2-agonist to their treatment regimen.

Study Population. Four hundred twenty-two patients ages 12 through 65 years, entered a common 6-week run-in period for 2 companion studies—Salmeterol or Corticosteroids (SOCS) and Salmeterol ± Inhaled Corticosteroids (SLIC). Three hundred sixty-one patients completed the run-in period of treatment with inhaled triamcinolone acetonide (400 μg twice daily). One hundred sixty-four patients achieved good asthma control according to preestablished clinical and pulmonary function criteria and were entered into the SOCS trial. One hundred seventy-five patients did not achieve good asthma control and were entered into the SLIC trial. …


If it were not for the hard work of my colleague, Claude Tellier, I would not be in a position to emphasize the broad scope of this study, its innovative vision and the impact it will have as a precursor on parallel research projects in behavioural and organizational psychology in a prison environment. The results, regardless of changes to its initial structure or the temporary nine-month shutdown for administrative reasons unrelated to this research, are due to her. Some of her earlier work also served as the foundation for the implementation of the Correctional Training Program in 1997 (Tellier et al., 2001; Tellier & Serin, 2001) and the profile for new recruits hired after September 1998 (Dowden & Tellier, 2001).


ABSTRACTThree anther-specific cDNAs, which hail been isolated by differential screening of a cDNA library of a sunflower inflorescence at an thesis, have been studied and were found to code for proline-rich proteins containing an N-terminal signal peptide (which in two of the proteins is highly conserved). These structural features suggest that the three proteins are cell wall proteins. The mRNAs corresponding to the three cDNAs are found exclusively in the cell laver surrounding the pollen sacs. Genomic clones coding for two of these proteins have been isolated and studied. They are split by a single intron at the same position and appear to have originated by an exon shuffling event involving a part of the coiling region the region encoding the signal peptide), a part of the intron, as well as regulatory sequences in the upstream region.


We have investigated the effect that lipopolysaccharide extracted from Chlamydia trachomatis has on human spermatozoa. A lipopolysaccharide of 0.1 microgram ml-1 caused a spermatozoa mortality rate of 65 +/- 4% evaluated by eosin exclusion test. The toxic activity occurred rapidly even after brief incubation times, reaching the maximum (100% mortality) within 60 min.


This article provides a review of the literature on coronary heart disease, namely stable angina pectoris – one of the forms of chronic coronary heart disease. The role of CHD in mortality and disability of the population is considered. The literature review describes the etiology, risk factors, classification, pathogenetic nature of the disease, diagnostic methods, and also addresses issues of treatment and medical and labor expertise that are relevant today. The importance of subjective and objective methods of examination along with highly informative laboratory and instrumental methods currently being introduced is noted. A fundamental step towards eliminating risk factors is lifestyle modification. Of particular relevance is the issue of drug treatment of stable angina pectoris, the main purpose of which is to reduce the symptoms of angina pectoris and prevent cardiovascular complications. The article presents data from clinical studies examining the effectiveness of modern antianginal, antithrombotic, lipid-lowering therapy. The data on the possibility of using the valsartan and sacubitril complex in order to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death in the presence of symptomatic CHF (LVEF ≤ 35%) are presented.


It can be waited for that Guangdong certain hydraulic steel mill increases its stability for raising its product quality and raising working efficiency,for the piston structure of hydraulic pressure jar,sealing can improve in order to reach satisfactory effect.


Background The objective of this review was to determine whether the use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) would provide greater support in developing undergraduate nursing students' clinical reasoning, in comparison to more traditional resources such as textbooks. Search strategy The search strategy sought to identify published data from five electronic databases: CINAHL, Medline, Cochrane Library, Meditext and Scopus. Unpublished literature was also sought in digital dissertations, conference proceedings, relevant scholarly websites and reference lists. Selection criteria All undergraduate nursing students were considered eligible for inclusion. Types of interventions considered for this review were inclusive of all forms of PDAs and traditional resources. The research setting of this systematic review reflects the diversity of nursing practice, and includes the classroom, clinical or simulated environment. The process of clinical reasoning was defined by four outcome measures; alterations in theoretical nursing knowledge, clinical skills, problem solving and reflection. Assessment and extraction of data Studies of potential significance to the review were assessed for methodological quality independently by two reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument. Authorship of the studies was not concealed from the two reviewers. From the nine studies assessed for quality, only data from four studies were included in the review. Results Four published studies were included in the systematic review of literature. The designs of the studies included a nonrandomised quasi‐experimental design, case control study, comparative descriptive design and a pre test post test mixed method study. Four outcomes were identified by the four included studies. These outcomes addressed possible effects of PDA usage on undergraduate nursing students' practice of medication administration, self‐efficacy, anticipation to exercise professional nursing judgment and clinical reasoning. This systematic review provides evidence that the use of PDAs is able to improve nursing students' self‐efficacy and accuracy in clinical situations that require direct and context‐free answers, such as medication administration, but is not as supportive as textbooks in assisting students to apply this knowledge critically in decision making and problem solving. Implications for practice The use of PDAs by undergraduate nursing students can improve students' confidence in the often stressful clinical environment. This bears significance in contemporary nursing education where undergraduates are failing to maximise the clinical experience because of insufficient support or guidance from busy clinicians or supervisory staff. From these findings, PDAs are also beneficial in improving the accuracy and efficiency of medication administration in nursing students. However, the application of the knowledge provided by PDAs is not supported to be used critically in its application to decision making and problem solving. Nursing students need to be educated in methods to develop critical analysis in order to use these resources effectively. Implications for research This systematic review highlights the poor quantity of literature currently available in nursing and the subsequent need for primary quantitative studies examining the effect of PDAs in developing undergraduate nursing students' clinical reasoning skills.


In this article an attempt is made to rethink the phenomenon of emerging social media, not merely as a means of communication, but as social space wherein confrontational activities of political significance take place. How do political movements manifest new forums, promoting or resisting state power through social networking sites such as Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, or YouTube? How do states exert authority in the realm of digital activism? Unrest over official election results in Iran represents a case in which social media sites shape distinct sites wherein dissent is virtualized to challenge authoritarian rule, both offline and in cyberspace. Such cyberspaces of protest should be viewed in close connection with online governance through which the state can exert authority through surveillance operations, propaganda, and hacktivism. Online social media are agonistic arenas where information, ideas, values, and subjectivities are contested between (uneven) adversaries, and where new contexts could potentially emerge for new ways of doing politics.


Abstract Loss‐of‐function mutations in glutaminase (GLS), the enzyme converting glutamine into glutamate, and the counteracting enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS) cause disturbed glutamate homeostasis and severe neonatal encephalopathy. We report a de novo Ser482Cys gain‐of‐function variant in GLS encoding GLS associated with profound developmental delay and infantile cataract. Functional analysis demonstrated that this variant causes hyperactivity and compensatory downregulation of GLS expression combined with upregulation of the counteracting enzyme GS, supporting pathogenicity. Ser482Cys‐GLS likely improves the electrostatic environment of the GLS catalytic site, thereby intrinsically inducing hyperactivity. Alignment of +/−12.000 GLS protein sequences from >1000 genera revealed extreme conservation of Ser482 to the same degree as catalytic residues. Together with the hyperactivity, this indicates that Ser482 is evolutionarily preserved to achieve optimal—but submaximal—GLS activity. In line with GLS hyperactivity, increased glutamate and decreased glutamine concentrations were measured in urine and fibroblasts. In the brain (both grey and white matter), glutamate was also extremely high and glutamine was almost undetectable, demonstrated with magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging at clinical field strength and subsequently supported at ultra‐high field strength. Considering the neurotoxicity of glutamate when present in excess, the strikingly high glutamate concentrations measured in the brain provide an explanation for the developmental delay. Cataract, a known consequence of oxidative stress, was evoked in zebrafish expressing the hypermorphic Ser482Cys‐GLS and could be alleviated by inhibition of GLS. The capacity to detoxify reactive oxygen species was reduced upon Ser482Cys‐GLS expression, providing an explanation for cataract formation. In conclusion, we describe an inborn error of glutamate metabolism caused by a GLS hyperactivity variant, illustrating the importance of balanced GLS activity.


Massive, white quartz occurs in abundance in the pegmatites, in ledges, stringers and often in large segregated bodies. Often, quartz constitutes the principal mineral of a dyke, and if transport conditions permit, the dyke can sometimes be worked Ior quartz, with feldspar as a by-product. In the Buckingham district, Que., Iarge tonnages of pegmatitic quartz are mined, or saved at feldspar mines, and shipped to the works of the Electric Reduction Company, at Buckingham. Most of the quartz is cloudy and non-transparent. Occasionally, it is smoky, and sometimes milky. Clear, glassy quartz is not common, but is found at some of the mines in small amount. Pale, rose quartz occurs at the Vil leneuve mine, Que., and in a dyke in Lyndoch township, Ont.: the colour is not, however, good enough to be suitable for ornamental purposes. Freely crystall ized quartz is not common, owing to the comparative rarity of vugs or cavities in the dykes,and when found, is generally cloudy and of poor quality. Small, distorted crystals of smoky qtartz occur scattered through calcite at the McDonald mine, near Hybla, Ont. In many of the pegmatites, a large proportion of the quartz present occurs in graphic granite intergrowth with the feldspar, and some dykes consist almost wholly of graphic granite. Others contain irregular masses of graphic granite, distributed through or around zones of segregated feldspar and quartz.


"The COVID-19 pandemic presented rapid, unpredictable shifts in education, which had rippling effects on school leaders' responsibilities. In the early stages of the pandemic, school leaders throughout the United States, and the rest of the world made the strategic decision to transition to remote learning in adherence to CDC guidelines. This decision presented critical and immediate challenges for school leaders to manage their institutions. Emotional intelligence (EI) is well documented in the literature as a contributor to leadership effectiveness. We considered the novelty of the pandemic and the myriad of changes that accompanied it. To this end, we conducted a qualitative study to learn how emotionally intelligent school administrators leveraged EI in their daily leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic. A sample of eight emotionally intelligent K-12 principals from a larger study on school leadership across North Carolina was selected for analysis. We utilized Goleman's emotional intelligence model to frame our analysis of principals' emotionally intelligent leadership. Four coders analyzed semi-structured interviews through a series of open coding followed by axial coding techniques. The findings revealed that emotionally intelligent school principals across North Carolina generally displayed key emotional competencies that supported self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. In their crisis leadership during the pandemic, the principals attended most to relationship management. Given that EI is known to positively impact school leadership, these findings can help us understand how it works in practice to lead schools during difficult times. This work adds a US perspective to current education conversations that aim to unpack the COVID-19 experience, by providing practical knowledge from principals rated high in EI. Our work has implications for professional development and principal preparation programs as they forge forward to prepare principals for these unpredictable experiences."


The effects of the measurement system error to measurement were verified via comparing and analyzing the test data made by different measurement methods during the high accurate cylindricity measurement with MMQ400 cylindricity measuring instrument.The method to eliminate the system error was proposed.


Prediction of time series data for chaotic and web driven business transactions. Prediction technologies: linear regression, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms and Quacol algebra. Dilemma in prediction technique: functional or stochastic model. Fit composition of prediction functions – Quacol predictor model. Elaboration on rank exclusivity, on continuity of n-point graph and theorem on sign independent algebraic operations. Practical prediction data from chaotic behavior in a ferroresonant circuit. Elaboration on prediction of web driven trading process. Modeling prediction error in Quacol algebra using triangle inequality.


The composite electrode 18 for the rechargeable lithium battery is disclosed. The composite electrode may be mixed containing carbon fine particles having a metal current collector 12 in contact with the conductive laminate (14) of organic polymer to the annealing the polymer mixture, covered with an electrode active material-containing layer 16. The conductive polymer laminate can be changed by the number of places, with the resistivity only at the reversible portion thereof, thereby reducing the localized over-current and over-heat in the rechargeable lithium battery.


The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) construction as well as the European Union (EU) enlargement from 15 to 25 members have taken place within a minimum institutional framework as regards common budgetary policies. The achievement of the Single European Market and the introduction of the single currency gave primacy to the idea that, beside an independent monetary policy implemented by the European Central Bank, the coordination of decentralized budgetary policies could ensure optimum economic conditions for the EMU. The European Union's enlargement to Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) has increased the heterogeneity of the community's members. In this article, we will examine the convergence issue between Southern and Eastern and CEEC, trying to check whether Europe's enlargement to CEEC is likely to increase asymmetries that are already quite significant between Southern European countries and the rest of the Union. This trend is reinforced by the patterns of foreign direct investments in the CEEC which tend to concentrate in a small number of countries and in only one or two regions within these countries. The EU cohesion policy has to face with this challenge. Lastly, we examine Europe's regional policy as it is being renegotiated and try to lay down some orientations so that it should be profitable to the cohesion of all member states in an enlarged Union.


Many manufacturers of loudspeakers are now using a magnetic liquid cooling agent known as ferrofluid. Commercialized by Ferrofluids Corporation, ferrofluid is a liquid material in which sub-microscopic particles of iron oxide are permanently suspended. Injected into the voice coil segment of speaker system, magnetic liquid serves as superior heat transfer medium for cooling the voice coil, thus substantially increasing the system's ability to handle higher power levels and decreasing chance of speaker failure. Ferrofluid offers several additional advantages which add up to improved speaker performance, lower manufacturing costs and fewer rejects.


Boron carbide (B{sub 4}C) particles with filamental, distorted ellipsoidal, platelike, and polyhedral shapes were formed from vapor generated from an amorphous boron/graphite powder mixture with 14% starting density using a cylindrical shock-wave technique. The crystal phases of shocked compact and microstructures of the B{sub 4}C particles were characterized by X-ray diffractometry and electron microscopy, respectively.


In this paper, we cover a decade of research in the field of spectral-spatial classification in hyperspectral remote sensing. While the very rich spectral information is usually used through pixel-wise classification in order to recognize the physical properties of the sensed material, the spatial information, with a constantly increasing resolution, provides insightful features to analyze the geometrical structures present in the picture. This is especially important for the analysis of urban areas, while this helps reducing the classification noise in other cases. The very high dimension of hyperspectral data is a very challenging issue when it comes to classification. Support Vector Machines are nowadays widely aknowledged as a first choice solution. In parallel, catching the spatial information is also very challenging. Mathematical morphology provides adequate tools: granulometries (the morphological profile) for feature extraction, advanced filters for the definition of adaptive neighborhoods, the following natural step being an actual segmentation of the data. In order to merge spectral and spatial information, different strategies can be designed: data fusion at the feature level or decision fusion combining the results of a segmentation on the one hand and the result of a pixel wise classification on the other hand.


Subject of the present invention is a novel method for preparing the composite powder from a porous filler (filler) and a thermoplastic material. In addition, the subject of the invention is a composite porous filler, especially porous silica, and the use thereof containing a thermoplastic material.


A sulfur element is a promising anion dopant for synthesizing new multifunctional materials and for exploring unusual physical phenomena. However, owing to its volatility, sulfur substitution to oxide materials is challenging, and thus the sulfurization effects on the associated properties have been limitedly studied. Here, a facile method for sulfurization to a perovskite oxide $\mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{Zr},\mathrm{Ti}){\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ is developed and demonstrated. A thiourea $(\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_{4}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}\mathrm{S})$ solution is used as a precursor for the sulfurization and its doping-level control. By manipulating the sulfur concentration ($x$), we systematically examine the physical properties of sulfur-doped $\mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{Zr},\mathrm{Ti}){\mathrm{O}}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{S}}_{x}$ films. An enhancement in the tetragonality and ferroelectricity by sulfurization is observed with the band-gap reduction, which is consistent with our theoretical predictions. In the sulfurized films, the ferroelectric phonon modes become softened progressively, probably due to the substitution of apical oxygens with sulfur atoms. Our work is of practical interest for designing ferroelectric photovoltaic devices with high performances.


Dynamic characteristics of braided streams formed on beds with non -uniform sediment are discussed by means of numerical analysis. Results are summarized as follows.(1) Sedime nt particles are exchanged to fine ones in dry bed regions and coarse in streams, respectively, under steady flow conditions, whereas, under unsteady flow conditions, mean diameter in trough increases in the rising stage of water discharge and decreases in the falling stage.(2) If the frequency with which water covers bars decreases by reducing peak flood discharge, vegetation growth will be promoted. Furthermore, vegetation suppresses the development of small streams and grows large streams.(3) If huge amount of sediment is excavated artificially, number of streams will decrease with eroding bed in main streams.


Two double mutants carrying pea symbiotic gene pairs sym13, sym40 and sym33, sym40, respectively, were constructed using single mutants blocked at different nodule developmental stages: E135f (sym13), SGEFix–‑1 (sym40) and SGEFix–‑2 (sym33). The epistasis of the mutant allele sym40 over the mutant allele sym13 and sym33 over sym40 was shown with respect to nodule histological and ultrastructural organisation. Thus, the proposed earlier sequential functioning of genes during infection process: Sym33→Sym40→Sym13 has been confirmed.


This paper addresses culturally rooted factors within web design and how their theoretical study must affect the design process. We describe and relate theories that have developed over a period of 20 years, traceable in the published literature. We follow the links that connect them in the study of cultural and cognitive aspects in web design and how they finally converge in practical recommendations for designers, providing an original point of view combining academic research on categorization of culture elements and suggestions for designers stemming from user experience models applied to web sites.


Marriage is defined as a legal union of two different people. This union affects the individual's life in many different ways. For this reason, it is crucial to examine the institution of marriage from both theoretical and therapeutic objectives. This study aims to measure the validity and reliability of Turkish Version of Golombok-Rust Inventory of Marital State – GRIMS (Golombok-Rust Evlilik Durumu Envanteri – GREDE). In the scope of the study, 133 married couple are included in the sample who are married for 12.59 years on average and who have an approximate income of 2818.71 Turkish Liras. The average age of the sample is 39.60 for men whereas it is 36.82 for women. The results show that item-total score correlation varies between 0.251 and 0.654 for married men, 0.237 and 0.647 for married women and 0.235 and 0.587 in total. Also, since the data is fit for factor analysis, (KMO= 0.86; X2 = 1799.785; p= 0.00), principal components analysis is applied and it is found that the Inventory is a single factoral model as it originally was, it explains the 25.2% of the variance, and the values of item-weight vary between .29 and .66. In consequence, it is found that the Turkish version of GRIMS, which was developed to measure the quality and level of satisfaction that married and co-residing couples, is satisfactory, has high validity and reliability, and has valid factor structure for both men and women.


We report all-electron-based true 3d bionanofabrication, termed "3d electron printing", to precisely produce the biomimetic, hierarchical and heterogeneous nanostructures from biologically functional genetically engineered spider silk proteins as the printing medium. The fabrication process uses only water to remove the unexposed/uncrosslinked area and eliminates the need to use and dispose of noxious chemicals. This biofriendly method offers a promising route toward fabrication of 3d functional nanodevices and nanointerfaces with unprecedented precision at ∼ 50 nm resolution.


Indians outside India - Indian indentured migration and settlement overseas, three fundamental spheres of change among Indians overseas Indians in Trinidad - social consolidation, cultural homogenization, religious institutionalization socio-economic change socio-religious change contemporary Hindu practice. Appendix: emigration from India to Trinidad by District of Registration, 1881-1917.


In this paper, a novel method of facial expression recognition based on adaptive weighted higher-order local autocorrelation coefficient (WHLAC) is presented. Firstly, The method gets whole face region and sub-regions of eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth. Secondly, the global features of the face regions and local features of the sub-regions are extracted by HLAC, the weights of sub-regions are calculated by fisher linear discriminant (FLD), and then these two parts features are fused together by the weights. Finally, the fused features are classified by FLD. The experimental results show that the proposed method has higher recognition rate and lower computational cost than Gabor, WLBP, HLAC for facial expression recognition.


Current developments towards assessment of surface finish using the area averaging technique have gained attention in the field of automotive manufacturing. In particular, use of tiny non-contact sensors plays a vital role during in-situ and online monitoring and process control. In this work, an attempt has been made for using non-contact capacitive sensor for characterisation of different theoretical (periodic) profiles. The capacitive response model is developed to predict equivalent theoretical capacitive displacement profile and relate accurately to a measured surface finish of the profile. The proposed model is simulated to predict dimensional parameters of various theoretical profiles. Furthermore, the feasibility to relate the capacitive response to dimensional and non-dimensional parameters of the theoretical profile is studied. The developed model is validated with the different theoretical profiles. Further, the model is validated with experimentally processed theoretical profiles using measurement setup. The results show that the observed and predicted non-dimensional parameters are well agreed with model output and measured output results. Further, it can be applied in non-periodic profile measurement using a sensor.


The aim of this viewpoint is to show how state policy has shaped the everyday environment in two South African communities, rural Masemola and urban Phola, and how women in particular have responded to the challenge of development. A case is made for gender sensitivity in policy‐making.


The importance of synchrotron radiation for the evaluation of stress fields in polycrystalline specimens is outlined. As a special example we investigated residual stress-fields σχχ(ζ) and oyy(z) which vary significantly below the surface of the polycrystalline specimens within the penetration depth τ of the X-rays. The individual crystals are elastically anisotropic. However on a macroscopic scale inside the irradiated volume the specimens are supposed to be isotropic and homogeneous. Special effects related to plastic deformations are neglected. It is shown how properly normalized strain curves εφφ are obtained from the diffraction experiments. From the ε-data a 'universal curve' is calculated which is independent of the reflecting lattice planes and the wavelength and which should be the same for experiments performed in the Ωand in the iP-mode. It was possible to demonstrate that strongly non-linear e(siny>)-curves observed for the (531) reflection of a cold-rolled nickel plate are related to strong stress gradients. The experiments yield σχχ(τ) and σ",(τ) which are closely related to the Laplace transforms of the corresponding curves in z-space.


Objective To detect the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human renal cell carcinomas,and study its relationship to cellular proliferation.Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed by using avidin-biotin peroxidase complex procedure.Results The positive rate of COX-2 expression in renal cell carcinoma was 23/45.But there was no or weak expression in noncancerous tissues of kideny.Overexpression of COX-2 in renal cell carcinomas was related to its pathologic grading,clinical staging and history types ~(P ~0.005). Although expression of Ki-67 was found in all RCC,there was a faint stain in normal renal tissue.The expression of Ki-67 was closely related to the pathologic grading,clinical staging and history types ~(P ~0.005). There was a correlation between COX-2 and Ki-67.Conclusion The overexpression of COX-2 in renal cell carcinoma may play a crucial role in its pathologic grading,clinical staging,history types and cell proliferation in renal cell carcinoma.


performance in the classroom seems to be influenced in large measure by what the teacher expects of them. Research convincingly demonstrates that teachers' expectations sometimes act as selffulfilling prophecies. A few studies have revealed that teachers' expectations influence pupil achievement, and a number have re vealed that expectations affect teacher-pupil interaction. Investigators who have explored the diversity of teacher-pupil contacts within the same classroom consistently report great dif ferences. Pupils differing in social status, achievement level, or sex regularly differ in the type of interactions they have with their teachers (for example, Davis and Bollard, 1940; Hoehn, 1954; Lahaderne, 1967). The cumulative weight of this evidence suggests that teachers in fact differ greatly in their treatment of and interaction with pupils. Charters (1963), describing the work of Davis and Dollard (1940), suggested that lower class pupils gather most of the teach ers' corrections, while higher class pupils reap rewards. Becker (1952), who inter viewed 60 teachers in the Chicago public school system, noted that these teachers vol untarily made evaluations of their pupils and that evaluations were based primarily on pupils' social status. Inequalities in the ratio of teacher-pupil interactive contact cannot be explained fully by the social class of the pupil. De Groat and Thompson (1949), for example, reported that high achievers more frequently received teacher praise, while low achievers received a disproportionate share of teacher disap proval. Similarly, Hoehn (1954) reported that the low-achieving pupil received a greater proportion of conflictive and dominative teacher contacts, while the high-achieving pupil received more promotive and supportive contacts. Lahaderne (1967) suggested that the kind of pupil-teacher interaction, as well as the absolute and relative frequency of interaction, differed with the achievement level of the pupil. Frequent suggestions have been made (for example, Ayers, 1909; St. John, 1932; Davidson and Lang, 1960) that elementary school is more meaningful for girls than for boys. Males seem to exhibit a classroom behavior pattern that is alien to the behavior demanded by female first-grade teachers. Teachers then are forced to evoke classroom strategies to transform the male pupil so that he will accept the passive demands of school life. Teachers have been regularly reported to manifest more disapproval contacts with boys than they do with girls (Meyer and Thompson, 1956; Lippitt and Gold, 1 959).


The present work is a diagnosis of the actual conditions of a section of the river San Marcos (tributary of the Laja River) in the Municipality of San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato, where during several years it has been extracted gravel and sand of the zone of flood of the river, leaving pits which they have become wetlands caused by the extractive activity. This activity also has caused the modification of the channel and the deterioration of the strips of vegetation in the two borders of the channel, causing significant impacts to the fluvial ecosystem and the people of the riparian comunities. For that reason, with this diagnosis it is tried to design a model for the rehabilitation and conservation of the riparian forests in this section of the river San Marcos. This work is complementary to the design of wetlands in the zone of extraction of gravel and sand, that tries of integral form the creation of a riparian park handled by the local community of Cruz del Palmar.


: Along with the continuous improvement of the level and quality of China's quality education, the scale and functional structure of the campus are gradually becoming more and more perfect, and a lot of schools are facing the problem of remodeling the old campus and constructing the new campus. This paper takes Xinjian County No. 2 Middle School Wangcheng New Campus in Jiangxi Province as an example, expounds and analyzes the constructive detailed plan and design requirements, objectives and principles of featured campus, and starts from the case overview, featured elements and cultural landscape, and summarizes and summarizes the actual architectural effect so that the actual architectural effect can be summarized. It also summarizes the actual architecture from the three aspects of case overview, characteristic elements and cultural landscape, so as to provide reference ideas for the plan and design of similar campus projects.


This paper presents a non-invasive glucose-monitoring sensor that is based on a tunable band reject filter. The filter topology comprises a feeding network at a top layer that excites eight open loop resonators embedded in the ground plane. The shape of the resonators is inspired by the vasculature anatomy of a human arm. The embedded resonators are designed to resonate at 8 different frequencies in order to track the variations of the glucose level across the 1.5 GHz - 2.4 GHz frequency span. Furthermore, the filter's frequency operation is also tuned by relying on integrated varactors in order to enhance the sensor's dynamic responsiveness to glucose variations. The proposed tunable filter is fabricated and tested on diabetic rats, and in a clinical setting. A high correlation between the scattering parameters of the proposed sensor and the variations in glucose levels is noted. A Gaussian Process regression model is also developed using data obtained from experiments. Results demonstrate that the proposed sensor detects glucose variation with an accuracy that reaches 98.55% well within clinically acceptable performance.


The invention provides a drive circuit for a vehicle-mounted humidifier. The drive circuit comprises a voltage switching circuit and a drive circuit body. The positive pole switching-in end of the voltage switching circuit is connected with the positive pole of a power socket. The negative pole switching-in end of the voltage switching circuit is connected with the negative pole of the power socket. The positive pole output end of the voltage switching circuit is connected with the positive pole input end of the drive circuit body. The negative pole output end of the voltage switching circuit is connected with the negative pole input end of the drive circuit body. The drive circuit body comprises an inductor L1, a resistor R2, an electrolytic capacitor C1, a resistor R2, an audion Q1, a resistor R3, an inductor L2, an inductor L3, a resistor R5, an audion Q2, a capacitor C2 and a piezoelectric ceramic plate. By means of the voltage switching circuit and the drive circuit body, the piezoelectric ceramic plate can be directly connected with the power socket of an automobile, so that the purpose of humidifying air in the automobile is achieved. The circuit is reasonable in design, low in cost, convenient to use and beneficial for use; according to the circuit, the power socket on the automobile can be directly used, and a voice control melody lamp can flash.


The invention relates to a furnace (10) for heating preforms (20), of the type that comprises a preform-heating tunnel (12). According to the invention, the tunnel consists of a heating module (18) comprising vertical walls (14, 16) between which the preforms (20) travel. Moreover, at least one wall (16) of the module (18) is provided with at least one heating means (32) which is mounted to supports (34) such that it can move transversely and means (40) for adjusting the transverse position of the heating means (32) comprising at least one member (42) for controlling the movement of the heating means (32) between at least two indexed positions. The invention is characterised in that the control member (42) comprises an indexing boss (54) which can deform elastically such as to fit inside the complementary indexing notches (56, 58) on the corresponding support (34) at proximal and distal positions respectively.


This paper deals with basic and advanced principles and consequences of the informational in a philosophical, formalistic (symbolic), schematic, and graphical way. The central notion is informational entity as the operand and its interaction (operational property) with other entities and itself. Informational externalism, internalism, metaphysicalism, and phenomenalism are principles constituting the informational conceptualism together with informational emergence and circularity of entities (operands). Formulas and formula systems are expressions for describing and interpreting situations and attitudes existing physically and phenomenally. Informational decomposition is provided for generating formulas and formula systems in the given informational environment. At last, informon is conceptualized as a conscious informational component of a conscious system. A new math-like formalism is introduced for the expression of simple and complex informational entities together with the new self-explaining symbolism.


The inverter and motor is Treated as one part in voltage space-vector. So it has simple model and can be realized using digital technic. Low torque pulse, low noise and high using rate of voltage is the advantage of SVPWM. The fundamental principle of voltage space-vector(SVPWM) is recounted in this paper. The present paper discusses advantages and disadvantages between asymmetrical SVPWM wave and symmetrical SVPWM wave. The method of producing SVPWM is also presented. Symmetrical SVPWM wave under V/F control is produced using digital signal processor TMS320F240 in the paper. The wave produced by SVPWM is similar with optimization PWM.


Passiflora tripartita var. mollisima (banana passion fruit) is an edible fruit widespread in the Andean highlands of Colombia and Ecuador. The fruit is used for juices as well as for the sedative properties of the leaves. As a contribution to the chemical characterization of this species, a new compound, 4'methoxyluteolin-8-C-6"acetylglucopyranoside, was isolated from the ethanolic extract of Passiflora tripartita var. mollisima leaves and identified by spectroscopical data (NMR, MS, UV).


Reactor physics studies in the Engineering Mockup Critical (EMC) assembly of the Fast Test Reactor (FTR) facility are reported. The study included measurements of the neutron spectrum, Doppler effect, sodium-void worth, reaction rates, subassembly worths, material replacement worths, and FTR control, safety and shim rod worths. Each of these physics studies were made in a clean plutonium (low-Pu-240) fuel composition environment and a dirty plutonium (high-Pu-240) fuel composition environment. The fuel studies were in support of determining the attendant effects of operation and safety of utilizing Light Water Reactor (LWR) plutonium fuel in the FTR. Comparison of the measured and calculated results are presented.


One of the most important elements of tourism developing sustainably is tour guide services, it passes through the whole services. The object of this paper is Mt. Lu's tour guide services, begin with the importance of tour guide services, first of all, analyze the common problems that existed in Mt. Lu, make the best of IPA analysis and get the data of it to study the degree of tourists satisfaction, by the way of questionnaire, then we find some factors could not let tourists satisfaction, not even to want to get the services that desired before. An important role of raising the tour guide services quality of Mt. Lu, the tourists' loyalty, the image in tourists' eyes, it makes Mt. Lu become the famous brand and scenic spot. And bring up some found questions from the questionnaires, then solves them and puts forward several ways to settle, it's significant that raising the degree of tourist satisfaction and tour guide services quality.


We discuss the design issues on lightweight and FIPA compliant agent platform for Java-enabled mobile phones and describe the design of such agent platform. This platform changes Java-enabled mobile phones to ubiquitous terminals by providing place for agent applications. Combined with location services, it can be used for various ubiquitous services. We also show the performance comparison of the prototype with LEAP, another lightweight agent platform.


Chatbots are becoming complex software artifacts that require a high-level of expertise in a variety of technical domains. This technical briefing will cover the software engineering challenges of developing high-quality chatbots. Attendees will be able to create their own bots leveraging the open source chatbot development platform Xatkit.


This study aimed to investigate the effect of pentoxifylline on complications of prolonged usage of morphine upon the testis and sperm parameters of rats. In this study, forty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 8) and treated for 56 days to only saline, only morphine, only pentoxifylline, pentoxifylline + morphine and naltrexone + morphine. The diameters of seminiferous tubules, the maturity of germ line epithelium and sperm parameters were evaluated. The expression of inflammatory‐related factors in testis tissues were also investigated at gene and protein levels. The data were calculated by one‐way ANOVA test followed by Tukey's post hoc test using SPSS software for windows (version 20). Seminiferous tubule diameter, the maturity of spermatogonia and sperm parameters were significantly decreased in morphine group in comparison with control, pentoxifylline and pentoxifylline + morphine groups (p < .001). The expression of anti‐inflammatory markers, at both gene and protein levels, was significantly increased in testis of morphine‐treated rats in comparison with other groups (p < .001). Chronic morphine administration induces destructive effects on male reproductive system by regulating inflammatory responses. Pentoxifylline recovers the destructive effects of morphine on male reproductive system by inhibiting TLR (Toll‐like receptor) activity, as an anti‐inflammatory response.


Parasite findings in sambaqui and similar archaeological sites are scarce. The water percolation seems to be one of the taphonomic causes for this rarity, as well as the contamination of inferior layers by eggs that came from superior layers. One hundred and one sambaqui samples previously examined were negative for parasite eggs, and therefore the hypothesis that the technique is another factor that contributes to this rarity must not be discarded. In order to test the percolation of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs in sediments from sambaqui Sernambetiba, Guapimirim municipality, RJ, three columns of undisturbed sediment derived from archaelogical profiles with different sedimentary constitution were collected, with aluminum tubes, and stratigaphically documented. Samples of control sediments were also gathered. In the sediment columns, one million of A. lumbricoides eggs were introduced, weekly during a 45 days period for two times every week, 350 ml of distilled water were used for humidify the sediment. All the sediment from the layers was collected, based on the archaeostratigraphic profile, and 20g from each layer were separated for analysis. The efficiency of three techniques (spontaneous sedimentation, centrifugal-flotation with sugar, d=1300, and centrifugalflotation with zinc sulphate 33%, d=1180) was tested in the columns and sedimentscontrol. Paleoparasitological research was also made in sediments derived from burial 1 from the same site and from layers from another sambaqui, the Guapi, from the same municipality. The introduced eggs were retained in the superior layers of the tubes reducing the chances of the inferior layers contamination, increasing safety of the paleoparasitological findings in sambaquis. In correspondent sediment-control of tube 1 (sandy) and 3 (clayey), as well as the sediment within the tube 3 were found ascarid-like eggs. In sambaqui Guapi sediments were found two eggs of Acanthocephala, one egg of Heterakoidea superfamily and one egg of Ascaridoidea superfamily. The percolation does not seem to be the responsible for the rarity of parasite eggs in sediments from sambaquis. Regarding the techniques tested, the spontaneous sedimentation and the centrifugal-flotation with sugar were more efficient in recovery of experimentally introduced eggs. The nonexperimental eggs found in the sediments of these sambaquis are the first findings in this kind of site in Rio de Janeiro. Key-words: paleoparasitology, sambaquis, taphonomy, helminthiasis, Ascaris lumbricoides.


A description of the role public relations has played in "selling" Northampton and leading it through the recession into a thriving and commercially desirable regional centre.


There are some problems in distribution network such as large power losses, low reliability, needing reactive power, power quality and difficult to control the power flow, etc. The VSC-HVDC is for small-scale power and long distance with flexible control and operation mode. Based on analysis of the structure, technology characteristics and application scope of VSC-HVDC and distribution network, an alternative form of VSC based distribution network is presented in this paper. The configuration, control and operation characteristics are analyzed. Simulation results based on software PSCAD/EMTDC show that the VSC based DC distribution network can operate stably and return stable quickly after faults.


Studies were conducted in Maryland between 1984 and 1988 using racemic disparlure to manage gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), populations at low levels. Laminated plastic dispensers were manually applied in 1984, 1986, and 1988 at a dose rate of 50 g (AI)/ha (release rate of 12.0 g/ha/yr; 100 release points/hal. Biological effects were measured as reduction of male trap catch in (+)-disparlure traps and mating of monitor females. Efficacy was measured by intensive annual egg mass surveys. Significant reductions in male trap catch and mating of females clearly demonstrated that the disruptant remained biologically active for two consecutive seasons. Nevertheless, egg mass surveys showed that repeated applications of racemic disparlure failed to maintain gypsy moth populations at low levels over the 5-yr period. We attributed lack of efficacy to inadequate levels of mating disruption during peak male activity, ineffective permeation of disruptant throughout the upper canopy of trees, and close proximity of treated woodlots to dense gypsy moth populations. Improvements in the efficacy of this technique might be achieved by higher application rates of plastic laminated tape, identification of formulations which deliver higher release rates (particularly during peak male flight) and use of this tactic only on isolated populations.


Abstract — Automatic syllabification lies at the heart of script processing especially for the South East Asian scripts like Myanmar. Myanmar syllabification algorithms implemented so far are either rule-based or data-driven approach. This paper proposes a new method for Myanmar syllabification which deploys formal grammar and un-weighted finite state transducers (FST) as Myanmar syllabification relies heavily on formal model of syllable structure. Our proposed method focuses on orthographic way of syllabification for the input texts encoded in Unicode. We tackle syllabification of Myanmar words with standard syllable structure as well as words with irregular structures such as kinzi, consonant stacking which have not been resolved by previous methods. Our FST based syllabifier was tested on 11,732 distinct words extracted from Myanmar Orthography Corpus. The 11,732 words yielded 32,238 syllables and are compared with correctly hand syllabified words. Our FST based syllabification method performs with 99.93% accuracy and we use Stuttgart FST tools for our experiments.


For Victorian lawmakers and judges, the question of whether a book should be allowed to circulate freely depended on whether it was sold to readers whose mental and moral capacities were in doubt, by which they meant the increasingly literate and enfranchised working classes. The law stayed this way even as society evolved. In 1960, in the obscenity trial over D. H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover, the prosecutor asked the jury, "Is it a book that you would even wish your wife or your servants to read?" This book traces the history of British censorship from the Victorians to Margaret Thatcher, exposing the tensions between obscenity law and a changing British society. The book goes behind the scenes of major obscenity trials and uncovers the routines of everyday censorship, shedding new light on the British reception of literary modernism and popular entertainments such as the cinema and American-style pulp fiction and comic books. In doing so, it reveals the thinking of lawyers and the police, authors and publishers, and politicians and ordinary citizens as they wrestled with questions of freedom and morality. The book describes how supporters and opponents of censorship alike tried to remake the law as they reckoned with changes in sexuality and culture that began in the 1960s. It reveals how the issue of censorship challenged British society to confront issues ranging from mass literacy and democratization to feminism, gay rights, and multiculturalism.


Although mixed flock has been widely studied in various locations elsewhere, very little information was reported from Indonesia. This study was aimed at re-discovering the mixed-flocks that were reported existed in Gunung Gede-Pangrango National Park three decades ago. Transects between 1,600m and 2,400m with 200 m interval were surveyed for 50h in Gunung Putri Resort. Flock size, composition, dominance and sighting probability were calculated. Five mixed flocks were re-discovered in the study site (probability 0.10), decreased in number compared to previous research (probability 0.57). The flocks were found between 2,000m and 2,300m asl, consisted of 9 species, averaging 39.6 individual birds (ranged 9-11 birds) and. Blue Nuthatch, Mountain White-eye and Little Pied Flycatcher were dominant and always part of every flock member. Ashy Drongo and Lesser Racquet-tailed Drongo could play role as flock leaders.


The discovery of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) opened the doors to new insight and therapy for peptic ulcer disease. Earlier eradication treatment modalities based on bismuth compounds, with or w ...


Abstract : The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been found by us and others to induce normal and neoplastic mammary epithelial cells (MECs) to acquire mesenchymal traits and, in addition, many of the characteristics of stem cells. However, none of these observations showed that the products of EMT are actually bona fide stem cells. To demonstrate this, I had optimized efficient EMT induction in several different cell types, tested new ways of separating stem cell and non-stem cell populations of normal and breast cancer cells and identified EMT transcription factors most likely involved in stem cell biology. Preliminary results directly demonstrate that transient induction of EMT increases the number of mammary epithelial stem cells capable of generating an entire mammary ductal tree. With these observations and optimizations I can now move closer to uncovering the connection between EMT and entrance into a stem-cell state. The outcome of these experiments holds important implications for the mechanisms controlling the formation of normal mammary epithelial stem cells as well as the formation of breast cancer stem cells.


Due to the development of image segmentation and reconstruction technology, it provides a larger space for development of the image enhancement technology. Under the promoting of the image processing calculation, the capture and recognition function of digital X-ray photography technology are stronger, and the image processing precision is higher. Based on the variation principle, this paper uses the function approximation to improve the X-ray photography image processing technology, and obtains the new boundary value reconstruction condition of X-ray photography. In order to verify the effectiveness and reliability of the mathematical model and algorithm of the boundary value reconstruction, this paper uses MATLAB software and C language to debug the algorithm, and realizes the digital color rendering for the images at the terminal of track and field, obtains the image reconstruction algorithm under different boundary values. It provides a new computer method for the research on image enhancement technology.


This paper uses duration analysis to investigate factors influencing starting and quitting smoking, in particular the role of tobacco taxes. Applying a variety of parametric duration models, including a split population model, to a sample of Irish women, it finds mixed results regarding the effect of tobacco taxes. In general the coefficient on tobacco taxes is in the expected direction but in some cases statistical significance is low. The paper finds among other factors education, health knowledge and marital status to be most important with very little role for advertising bans.


According to the Canadian Association of Journalists, Canada's federal health ministry, Health Canada, is the most secretive government department in Canada. On 9 May the association awarded Health Canada its fourth annual "code of silence" award for showing "remarkable zeal in suppressing information" and "concealing vital data about dangerous drugs."

"Government officials everywhere hide vital information that they think might embarrass them, their departments, or their political leaders," said the association's president, Paul Schneidereit. The code of silence award honours government officials' efforts to "shroud open government."

According to …


Acquired A Haemophilia (AHA) is a rare autoimmune disease caused by production of anti VIII factors antibodies that could cause multiple haemorrhagic manifestations. Usually idiopathic, could be related with other conditions, such as Bullous Pemphigoid (BP), an autoimmune dermatologic disease.


Use the different method, partical, time and age-grade to make a contrast test about Ginkgo elite graft nursetry. The result indicated that the survival rate and live rate of bud graft plant is higher than branch graft plant clearly, the survival rate and live rate of 2 years root-stock bad graft plant and 3 years root-stock bud graft are beyond 81 %, thinking about the nursery cycle and economic efficiency, select the 2 years seedling-pland as the root-stock, the survival rate and growth ration of 1 years is higher than others, early spring (April) is a good season of graft, obviously, high-graft suit nursery of scion field, because it could shorten nursery cycle.


An antenna array made of non-isotropic sensors is used to estimate the parameters of an emitting source. The estimation accuracy depends on the radiation pattern of the individual sensor, and so, in a non-trivial manner. Estimation performance is evaluated in terms of the Cramer-Rao bound for which an analytical expression is found and compared to the classic case of antenna arrays of isotropic sensors. A gain function is introduced that expresses the benefit from using directional sensors. It is interpreted to derive a certain number of general conclusions, independently from the actual sensors, algorithms or array configurations.


The novel Brother is absolutely worth reading in the contemporary literature.Through the silent characters,Yuhua described the real social life and showed the relationship of different-aged people and emotional degrees.But its warm consciousness is complicated and multi-leveled.On the basis of brief analysis of Brother,it introduces several different levels of warm consciousness.


The socialist democratic politics is the concentrated expression of the superiority of socialism.On the bases of the eternal nature of the political and human political,people must have the basic qualities of political subjectivity.As the essential requirements of socialist democratic politics practice,constructing people′s political subjectivity is not only the driving force of democracy-building,but also the value needs of democracy-building.Subject to historical and practical factors,China′s building of political democracy has yet to be perfect;construction of the people′s political subjectivity is bound with its continuous development.To this end,we need to constantly enhance the people′s political subjectivity,from the perspective of thinking of establishing inter-subjective orientation,adhering to the people-oriented values,strengthening institutional arrangements of scientific and standardized,to broaden the channels for political participation,and establishing a responsibility of civil political point of the times,thereby promoting the continuous development of socialist political civilization.


BACKGROUND
Maxillary artery has traditionally been considered the main blood supply of the facial skeleton. However, the deep and concealed location makes the harvest of facial allografts based on this artery challenging, giving preference to the facial artery. There is growing evidence that the junction between the hard and soft palate may represent a watershed area in facial artery based allografts. The aim of this study was to review the occurrence of partial allograft necrosis and modify the available craniofacial techniques allowing for a reliable harvest of maxillary artery based facial allografts.

METHODS
PubMed/Medline databases were searched for papers presenting allograft perfusion details and the occurrence of partial flap necrosis. Next, 25 fresh cadaver heads were used: 8 allografts harvested via a traditional Le Fort III approach, in 6 the maxillary artery was injected with latex, in 3 cadaver heads lead oxide gel was injected in the maxillary artery, and 8 full facial allografts were harvested through a modified approach.

RESULTS
Seven patients developed palatal fistulas or palatal necrosis (41%) when allograft was perfused via the facial artery. The traditional Le Fort III approach demonstrated consistent injury to maxillary artery/branches. The modified approach allowed for preservation of the maxillary artery under direct vision.

CONCLUSIONS
Current facial transplantation outcomes indicate that facial artery based allografts containing Le Fort III bony components can experience compromised palate perfusion. The described modified Le Fort III approach allowed the safe dissection of the maxillary artery, preserving the arterial blood supply to the facial skeleton.


The "judicial phenomenon" which regulates the sphere of public finances, the complex problems raised through it, accentuates the dynamics of this domain which had developed intensely among the years. Today the existence of financial law is an unquestionable reality, but by its outlining as an autonomous discipline a series of theorists and practitioners had contributed and their role must be accentuated.


Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a common mental health challenge among women of reproductive age. Allopregnanolone (3α, 5α-THP; ALLO) mediated functional alterations of GABAA receptors (GABAA-R) are involved in PMDD pathogenesis, however, the specific mechanism remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the role of ALLO mediated GABAA-Rα4 in the pathophysiology of PMDD. Purpose: We determined whether the pathogenesis of PMDD is associated with ALLO mediated GABAA-Rα4 expression changes in different brain regions. Methods: Rat models of PMDD liver-qi invasion syndrome (PMDD-LIS) were established via the resident intruder paradigm. Behavioral changes of rats were assessed by aggressive behavior tests, EPM and OFT. The levels of progesterone and ALLO in serum as well as brain areas were determined by ELISA. Variations in GABAA-Rα4 levels in brain regions were assessed by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. Medicated serum was used to interfere with rat hippocampal neurons, and changes in Cl- current were recorded through electrophysiology. Results: Premenstrual anxiety and irritability of PMDD-LIS patients can be simulated in PMDD-LIS rat models. Exogenous ALLO significantly improved the anxiety behaviors of PMDD-LIS rats. Changes in ALLO among different brain regions varied. GABAA-Rα4 expressions were low in the amygdala and abnormally high in the hippocampus, however, ALLO alleviated these deviations. Whole-cell patch clamp recording technique showed a weaker Cl- current intensity of PMDD-LIS rats, reduced neuroinhibitory functions and increased Cl- current intensity in the ALLO group drug serum intervention and enhanced emotional inhibition function. Conclusion: We established that ALLO regulation of the GABAA-Rα4 subunit in the amygdala and hippocampus is involved in PMDD-LIS pathogenesis.


Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacillus is an opportunistic organism. Infections caused by this pathogens needs to be treated promptly and is life-threatening in neonates (1, 2). The most common clinical presentations are pneumonia and bacteremia. Treatment includes limited number of antimicrobials with defined Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) cutoffs by US Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CSLI). These include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), levofloxacin, ticarcillin-clavulanate, minocycline, ceftazidime and chloramphenicol (1). Treatment of choice is TMP-SMX based on reliable in-vitro activity and favorable clinical outcomes (1, 2). Levofloxacin is a potential alternative to TMP-SMX (1). Usually we encounter high resistant rates to ceftazidime (3). Ticarcillin-clavulanate is not readily available in Iran. Also it is shown to be less active than TMP-SMX in vivo (2). One of the concerns with sulfa antibiotics in neonates is the potential risk of hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus (2, 4-6). The landmark study was in 1956 in which Andersen et al elucidated that premature infants receiving a penicillin/sulfisoxazole combination had a significantly higher rate of mortality and kernicterus compared with oxytetracycline (4). In the study by Thyagarajan et al., suggested that the concept of kernicterus and TMP-SMX remains a theory and needs to be further illuminated in trials. Based on their experience, who prescribed TMPSMX for treatment of sepsis and pneumonia in newborns and infants in rural and tribal areas in India in a homebased neonatal care setting, no adverse effects, including any signs of central nervous system (CNS) toxicity was J Pharm Care 2019; 7(3):42-43.


We discuss the maximum kinematical invariance group of the quantum harmonic oscillator from the viewpoint of a Ermakov-type system. As an example, we consider a six-parameter family of the square integrable oscillator wave functions, which appears to be not obtainable by standard separation of variables. Finally, the invariance group of the generalized driven harmonic oscillator is shown to be isomorphic to the corresponding Schrödinger group of the free particle.


The purpose of this study is to examine the trends and traits of suicide by analyzing formal statistics and investigation documents of police. Suicide makes a lot of social interests, but the scientific research of suicide are still insufficient. Major findinds of this study is as follow ; 1) in Korea suicide has increased consistently, especially during the era of the economic crisis in 1998. 2) the motives of suicides are mainly a pessimistic view and suffering from illness. 3) more than fifty percent of suicides are by hanging or taking poison. 3) suicides happen more in spring and summer, time zones daytime, and a large majority of suicides commit suicide at their place of residence or around. 4) about 1/3 of the suicides leave their testament, and the recipient testaments are their children, spouse and parents. 5) the contents of testaments are concerns for the bereaved family, self-accusation, asking the funeral process, self-abandonment and so on. 6) 13.7% of the suicides have experience of attempted suicide. 7) the suicides told something related to death before suicide, and 26.7% of the suicides showed the advance notice of suicides For encountering the suicide, the authorities concerned make an expression of 〈Five-year Plans for Reduce Suicides〉 containing 'promoting the life-respect culture', 'making report guideline for suicide news', 'promoting mental fitness of juveniles', 'prevention hypochondria', 'planning reducing suicides system', 'detecting suicide risk in early stage and treatment', 'after-manageme of the attempted suicide', 'education and discipline of counselor' and 'supporting research of suicide'. And the following measures can make up the government's plan ; 'promoting the family role and activating a local community for detecting suicide risk', 'establishment of intervention strategy for characteristic of the group' and 'designing the social welfare program for social minority'.


Background: Clinical trials examining the therapeutic benefit of carvedilol on patients with dilated cardiomyopathy have reported inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of carvedilol on patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, web of science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and Chinese Scientific and Technological Journal (VIP) databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) before March 2018. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the effects of carvedilol on patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Results: Twenty one studies including 1146 participants were included. There were significant improvements on heart rate (HR) (WMD = –14.18, 95% CI: –17.72 to –10.63, P < .001), LVEF (WMD = 7.28, 95% CI: 6.53–8.03, P < .001), SBP (WMD = –10.74, 95% CI: –12.78 to –8.70, P < .001), DBP (WMD = –4.61, 95% CI: –7.32 to –1.90, P = .001), LVEDD (WMD = –2.76, 95% CI: −4.89 to −0.62, P = .011), LVESD (WMD = –3.63, 95% CI: –6.55 to –0.71, P = .015), LVEDV (WMD = –9.30, 95% CI: –11.89 to –6.71, P < .001), LVESV (WMD = –12.28, 95% CI: –14.86 to –9.70, P < .001) under carvedilol treatment compared with control. Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates that carvedilol significantly improves cardiac function on patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Further large scale, high-quality and multicenter RCTs are still required to confirm the impacts of carvedilol on patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.


Compressively stressed thin films with low adhesion frequently buckle and delaminate simultaneously into different shapes including straight and circular blisters. The mechanism of formation and propagation of such blisters in the case of elastic films have been widely investigated. However, up-todate, no proper study of the effect of plasticity in the propagation and the stability of these blisters has been presented. In this study, we have coupled a geometrically nonlinear plate relying on a rigid plane with a cohesive zone model to simulate the kinematics of blisterspropagation. The effect of plasticity have been investigated, with a particular focus on straight and circular blisters. Mots clefs: Cloquage; films minces; plasticité ; méthode des éléments finis ;


Abstract Disclosure: C. Chinthammit: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. Stock Owner; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. R. Mody: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. Stock Owner; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. D. Liu: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. Stock Owner; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. B.D. Benneyworth: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. Stock Owner; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. C. Vallarino: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. Stock Owner; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. Early initiation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) therapy is associated with improved glycemic outcomes among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, there is limited real-world evidence suggesting a similar impact on weight reduction. This study examined the relationship between timing of initiation of a GLP-1 RA and magnitude of weight reduction. This retrospective cohort study used data from the Optum® de-identified Market Clarity database from April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2020. Adults with T2D who initiated GLP-1 RA treatment during the index period, April 1, 2016 - March 31, 2019, were included. Date of first prescription was defined as index date. Patients were required to have continuous enrollment ≥2 years pre-index and 1-year post-index; have ≥1 weight and BMI values during the 6-month baseline and 1-year post-index periods; baseline BMI ≥25 kg/m2, and ≥1 pre-index oral antihyperglycemic drug (OAD) claim. Timing of GLP-1 RA initiation was proxied by the number of classes of OADs (1 OAD, 2 OADs, 3+ OADs) prescribed in the pre-index period, with fewer OADs indicating initiation of GLP-1 RA earlier in disease progression. Outcomes included weight change from baseline to 6 and 12 months of follow-up and proportion of patients achieving ≥5% weight reduction after GLP-1 RA initiation. In order to control for confounding, multivariable analyses (MVA) used weights based on propensity scores to examine the relationship between timing of GLP-1 RA initiation and post-index weight outcomes. Of the 4,194 patients evaluated, 1,317 (31.4%), 1,480 (35.3%), and 1,397 (33.3%) were classified into the 1 OAD, 2 OAD, and 3+ OAD cohorts, respectively. Baseline characteristics were fairly uniform across the three cohorts, but the 1 OAD cohort had more females (59.5%) than 2 OAD (51.1%) and 3+ OAD (44.7%), and a higher mean baseline BMI (1 OAD: 38.7 kg/m2; 2 OAD: 37.4 kg/m2; 3+ OAD: 36.4 kg/m2; p<0.0001). The 1 OAD cohort experienced a larger magnitude of weight reduction from baseline to 6 months (-3.0 kg) and 12 months (-3.1 kg) of follow-up vs 2 OAD (-2.4 kg and -2.7 kg) and 3+ OAD (-2.3 kg and -2.4 kg). The 1 OAD cohort had the largest proportion of patients who achieved ≥5% weight reduction at 6 months (24.9%) and 12 months of follow-up (25.5%) vs 2 OAD (19.7% and 22.1%) and 3+ OAD (21.4% and 20.6%). MVA showed that earlier GLP-1 RA initiation (1 OAD) was associated with greater weight reduction at 6 months (p=0.008) and 12 months (p=0.012) of follow-up compared to later initiation (3+ OAD). No significant differences in weight change were observed between the 2 OAD and 3+ OAD cohorts. This study showed that earlier initiators (1 OAD) of a GLP-1 RA experienced a larger magnitude of weight reduction than later initiators (3+ OADs). The research underscores the importance of further exploring the potential impact of early T2D treatment on weight reduction. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023


This study aims to explore archetypes and symbols in Swan Lake from the perspective of C. G. Jung's analytical psychology. Though Swan Lake is a Russian classical ballet, renowned contemporary choreographers continue to reinterpret it, and the iconic image of the swan is frequently exploited in commercial advertisement, films and other forms of popular culture all over the world. By drawing attention to its diverse and repetitive socio-cultural applications, this study illuminates the psychological meaning of archetypes by analyzing symbols in the three different versions of Swan Lake: Marius Petipa's Swan Lake, Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, and Darren Aronofsky's film, Black Swan. As a result, Petipa's Swan Lake portrays the dual aspects of the anima in the process of man's self-actualization, and the other two deal with an eternal boy and girl archetype, representing the images of an adult who remains emotionally a child, often dependent on a mother or father.


One of the functions of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is to examine and assess accident investigation methods and techniques. In this paper we present an approach being explored to assess human actions in aviation accidents that draws from fault tree analysis and cognitive work analysis. The paper shows how these two different approaches can be used to model human actions in an aviation accident, and then integrate the results of that process into an overall accident investigation process. The paper begins by showing how a fault tree depicts the sources of human interaction failures with aircraft systems, and then proceeds to describe the steps taken to derive the failures using cognitive work analysis. The paper concludes with a discussion of ongoing efforts to test the method and to explore other techniques.


Many good books have been written in the last four decades on aspects of Malawi's history but none, since Robert Rotberg's long outdated study, The Rise of Nationalism in Central Africa, on the history of nationalism in Malawi. In very different styles, the two books under review go a considerable way towards filling the gap. Both the similarities and the contrasts between them are strikingly illustrated by the photographs on their covers. That on Ross's book depicts the author conducting a funeral service in 1962. He is surrounded by many leading politicians of the time including, at his right-hand, the raincoated figure of Dr Banda. We are made immediately aware that this is no mere academic tome – although Ross, following his years as a missionary in Malawi, became a distinguished academic with four important monographs to his name. Rather, it is the work of a political activist, one of the first two expatriates to join the Malawi Congress Party. Written towards the end of the author's life (Ross died before the book was completed) it marks a return to the site of his own most intense political experiences, the country where his ashes now lie scattered. The cover of the second book is even more striking. It depicts not a flag-lowering ceremony or a political rally but rather a crashed car, its bonnet staved in. Building Kwacha, bringing about the new dawn of independence, was a deeply ambiguous process, so the author tells us, one in which violence, whether accidental or deliberate, was never far below the surface. This then is a resolutely twenty-first century book, sceptical of heroic narratives and very different in tone from Ross's more traditional study. Apparent differences, however, conceal striking similarities, for both photographs bear witness to the appalling carnage suffered by drivers on Malawi's roads. Power's crashed car belonged to Dunduzu Chisiza, the most intellectually ambitious of all Malawian politicians, killed on the Blantyre–Zomba road in September 1962. Ross's funeral is of Lawrence Makata, Blantyre's leading businessman and political fixer, killed in another crash near Lilongwe only five months earlier. Ross's book, for all its admirable features, represents a missed opportunity. As a radical young Church of Scotland missionary, Ross – between 1958 and his enforced departure from Malawi in 1965 – developed close ties with several leading Malawian politicians, including particularly Henry Masauko Chipembere, who led an abortive revolt against Banda in 1964–1965. As Chipembere's go-between in his contacts with the CIA during this period, Ross was admirably well placed to write a personal memoir throwing light on Malawi's cabinet crisis of 1964 and on Chipembere's subsequent defeat. Instead, what he provides is a lucid general history, much of it written from the top downwards, largely reliant on published secondary sources, though frequently illuminated by his personal experiences and insights. There is, for example, an excellent, sympathetic portrait of his friend, J.F. Sangala, a much underestimated politician from the 1940s and 1950s, who in both Ross's and Power's accounts emerges as the most attractive and effective of early post-war politicians. Much of the extensive discussion of Federal and British colonial strategies relies on sources that have now been made redundant through the opening of the colonial archives. However, Ross is able to bring new light to bear on the not inconsiderable influence of the Church of Scotland during the 1959 State of Emergency, although, surprisingly, he avoids any discussion of the major rifts that emerged between both Scottish missionaries and Malawian ministers at that time. Ross's sudden illness and death prevented him taking the story


This book cover five different eassy topics. The topics are as follows; Capital Based Macroeconomic model and 100 percent reserve system, free banking system and BFH system: A Comparism among Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. What does a comparison between Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan tell about the cognition and institutions as social capital in the extended market order? Urban governance and planning for Economic growth Western Guilt and Third World Development: Part 1 Western Guilt and Third World Development - The Final Verdict: Part 2