Abstract Rio Grande sucker (Pantosteus plebeius) is continuously distributed in parts of its range, but occurs in geographically isolated populations at the periphery. We used 10 microsatellites and DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene to characterize genetic diversity and reconstruct evolutionary relationships of five peripheral populations in the southwestern United States. An isolated population in Rio Bonito (Pecos River drainage) is most closely related to a central Rio Grande population in Alamosa Creek, and part of the monophyletic Rio Grande lineage. Another disjunct population, Bluewater Creek in the western Rio Grande drainage, has a Mimbres lineage mtDNA haplotype that likely originated via interbasin transfer. Both peripheral populations are important for conservation of the species as a whole. Three other isolated populations are closely related to mainstem "core" populations in the Mimbres and Gila rivers that colonized these intermittently connected tributaries. One peripheral population in Allie Canyon, Mimbres River, has persisted longer in isolation than Rocky Canyon or Trout Creek in the Gila system. In general, a process of range expansion during relatively cool and wet periods, followed by retreat to wetted refugia during warm and dry periods, leads to genetic differentiation of peripheral populations of Rio Grande sucker at local and across-basin scales.


Implanonⓡ is a single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant. It is usually located located and palpable around the insertion site,so it is easily inserted and removed. Most impalpable implanon is localized ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.We report a patient whose implanon was undetected by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, but she pregnantand gave birth to a baby after insertion past five years.


The "present participle" form of the verb, today only a noun phrase, worked either as a noun or as a verb in Spanish Middle-Age and Renaissance. It was perhaps due to latinism or to gallicism. Its behavior as a noun is observed either as an adjective or as a substantive. On the other hand, the verbal function is shown either as a personal form or as a form with ah l the typical complements: direct and indirect objects, circumstantial complements, etc. This kind of construction is named "absolute or incidental construction". Finally, the adverbial elements "no obstante" and "non embargante" and the prepositions "mediante" and "durante" are observed working as a "present participle".


[1] Refinements to GPS analyses in which we factor geodetic time series to better estimate both reference frames and transient deformation resolve 34 slow slip events located throughout the Cascadia subduction zone from 1997 through 2005. Timing of transient onset is determined with wavelet transformation of geodetic time series. Thirty continuous stations are included in this study, ranging from northern California to southwestern British Columbia. Our improvements in analysis better resolve the largest creep events and also identify many smaller events. At 48.5°N latitude, a 14-month average recurrence interval has been observed over eight events since 1997. Farther north along Vancouver Island a host of smaller events with a distinct 14-month periodicity also occurs. In southern Washington State, some of the largest transient displacements are observed but lack any obvious periodicity in their recurrence. Along central Oregon, an 18-month recurrence is evident, while in northern California an 11-month periodicity continues through 2005. We invert GPS offsets of the 12 best recorded events for thrust slip along the plate interface using a cross-validation scheme to derive optimal smoothing parameters. These 12 events have equivalent moment magnitudes between 6.3 and 6.8 and have 2–3 cm of slip. Unlike other subduction zones, no long-duration events are observed, and cumulative surface deformation is consistently less than 0.6 cm. The many newly resolved smaller transient events in Cascadia show that slow slip events occur frequently with GPS best capturing only the largest events. It is likely that slow slip events occur more frequently at levels not detectable with GPS.


This paper concerns the use of linear hybrid automata (LHA) to verify properties of hybrid dynamic systems based on the concept of simulation relations. Following a review of basic concepts and a description of the LHA analysis tool PHAVer, assume-guarantee reasoning is described as a method for compositional verification. The results from the literature are summarized with an example to illustrate the concepts. Finally, the paper outlines some research directions for making this approach more useful.


The utility model relates to a high-precision compound roller framework straightening machine. In the utility model, three or four pairs of straightening rollers are installed in a rotating framework, revolve along with the framework around the center line of pipes and bars, and simultaneously autorotate around the central axial cords of the straightening rollers, wherein, the roller type of one pair of straightening rollers is a convex-concave roller type with a large inclination angle, or a deep convex type and a shallow convex type, and the rest straightening rollers are in hyperbolic roller type, so the pipes and the bars are straightened in the scope of full length, and the straightness f is smaller than a value which ranges from 0.2% to 0.5%.


Six ruthenium(II)- and four gold(I)-phosphine based complexes were synthesized and fully characterized. Some of them displayed strong antiproliferative properties for several types of cancer including colon, breast, and lung. Notably, two of the Ru(II) complexes displayed an IC50 of around 2 μM, which is exceptional for these types of complexes. The dramatic impact of the nature of the arene coordinated on the ruthenium center was clearly evidenced.


Reference management tools have been widely used by researchers to store, organize, and manage their references for theses, dissertations, journal articles, and other publications. There are a number of RM (Reference Management) tools available. In order for the users to decide which tool is best for their needs, it is important to know each tool's strengths and weaknesses. The present study compares prominent RMs Tools like RefWorks, EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero in terms of features offered and the other associated properties.


This year, the Department of Health in England has blessed us with over 400 press releases announcing and re-announcing old and new initiatives. Our good friend Golden Wonder (Nigel Crisp) sends us weekly newsletters about plans to decentralise the NHS by increasing central control of all aspects of NHS employees' activities (have you filled in your tick-box survey on bodily functions yet?). We all strive to avoid paralysis by poor analysis.


Urban and rural areas differ in economic, social and environmental terms. Due to the diverging dynamics in urban and rural areas, the social and economic distance between them might increase in the future even more. Rural entrepreneurs with linkages to urban areas are able to bridge the rural–urban divide by accessing some of the urban features, such as knowledge and markets, while at the same time profiting from the advantages of their peripheral location. This paper highlights exploratory results from qualitative interviews with rural entrepreneurs, and we illustrate entrepreneurial linkages to urban centers. The interview data show that rural entrepreneurs with rural–urban linkages develop sensibility for core market demands and trends, they valuate rural assets, and they combine rural and urban sources of knowledge for innovation. Through their entrepreneurial activity, rural entrepreneurs with linkages to urban areas might constitute an opposite force to polarizing concentration of economic activities in cities. Hence, rural entrepreneurs with urban linkages might contribute to sustainable economic relationships between urban and rural areas.


To investigate the effect of time of weeding on quality of flue cured tobacco, an experiment was conducted in Tobacco Research Station of Guilan in 2006. In this experiment the importance of weeding in early growth stages of tobacco was compared with late weeding stages on cigarette filling potential, percent of sugar and percent of nicotine by using two sets of treatments with three replications. On the first set, all the weeds were removed up to 10, 30, 50, 70, 90, 110 days after tobacco transplantation (Weed free control) with hand, then left unweeded after harvest of all tobacco leaves. On the similar treatments of the second set, weeds were allowed to compete with tobacco plants up to determined periods, and then removed until crop harvest. The numbers of weeds, their fresh and dry weight from a square meter of each plot were determined before weeding. The mature leaves of tobacco were picked up based on maturation 6 times, then their cigarette filling vigor, percent of sugar and percent of nicotine of each treatment were measured and compared. The results showed that tobacco weed control in early growing periods provided better weed control, yield quality and crop competition, then late weeding, it also increased percent of nicotine and filling power. There was no meaningful difference among treatments on sugar contents. Percent of nicotine and filling vigor in middle leaves (harvest 3 and 4) were significantly higher than the others. همدقم زا زره ياهفلع دنشاب يم ايند رد نوتوت گرب ديلوت و دشر هدنرادزاب لماوع نيرتمهم . تيمك شهاك رب هولاع هدناوخان ياه نامهيم نيا م اهنآ اريز ،دنراد يا هدنزرا شقن مه يتعنص هايگ نيا تيفيك ندروآ نيياپ رد لوصحم أ اهسوريو نوچ يهايگ يازيراميب لماوع و تافآ نم دنرثوم نوتوت گرب تيفيك ندروآ نيياپ رد اميقتسم هك دنشاب يم اهچراق و . هدوب مك يداصتقا شزرا ياراد نيياپ تيفيك اب نوتوت ياهگرب دش دهاوخ ديلوت زيچان يدنسپرازاب و لزان تميق ،مك تيبوغرم اب يناخد داوم و . يگ زا يكي نوتوت هلحرم ات هك تسا يياشن ناها 8 7 يگرب


estimated heritability, 0.327 't 0.03 l; and realized heritability,0. 198 t 0.016. observed response was estimated to be 0.61 of the predicted. Examination of additive genetic variance, selection differentials, drift variance, inbreeding and regression of post-weaning average daily gain on generation time indicated that the pedigreed Yorkshire control population served as an adequate control. Gene effects were not found to be dependent on the sex ofthe organism as assessed by the genetic correlation between sexes, covariance between half-sib family means and the relative magnitude of parent-offspring-based estimates of heritability'


The laminae and petioles of two recently named species of Alangium (A. circulare and .4. grisolleoides) have been investigated. The placement of A. circuJ late under Conostigma section of Bloembergen on exomorphic grounds is justified and strengthened on the basis of its leaf anatomy. Likewise the position and relationships of A. grisolleoides that have been controverted is now accorded a place under Bloembergen's section Rhytidandra based on its foliar anatomy and the preli minary observations on wood anatomy.


Since mobile apps' privacy policies are usually complex, various tools have been developed to examine whether privacy policies have contradictions and verify whether privacy policies are consistent with the apps' behaviors. However, to the best of our knowledge, no prior work answers whether the personal data collection practices (PDCPs) in an app's privacy policy are necessary for given purposes ( i.e. , whether to comply with the principle of data minimization ). Though defined by most existing privacy regulations/laws such as GDPR, the principle of data minimization has been translated into different privacy practices depending on the different contexts ( e.g. , various developers and targeted users). In the end, the developers can collect personal data claimed in the privacy policies as long as they receive authorizations from the users. Currently, it mainly relies on legal experts to manually audit the necessity of personal data collection according to the spe-cific contexts, which is not very scalable for millions of apps. In this study, we aim to take the first step to automatically investigate whether PDCPs in an app's privacy policy are over-broad from the perspective of counterpart comparison . Our basic insight is that, if an app claims to collect much more personal data in its privacy policy than most of its counterparts, it is more likely to be conducting overbroad collection. To achieve this, P OLICY C OMP , an automatic framework for detecting overbroad PDCPs is proposed. We use P OLICY C OMP to perform a large-scale analysis


During past decades, acetylation has emerged as a general post-translational modification that is widespread and distributed on lysine residues of histones and nonhistone proteins. Lysine acetylation has been suggested to create a platform for the recruitment of bromodomaincontaining proteins that serve as "readers" to decode information within the acetylated lysine residues [1]. However, the precise mechanism of acetylation-mediated regulatory effects is still not fully understood. p53 is the first identified non-histone protein modified by lysine acetylation; p53 acetylation regulates p53-dependent gene-specific transcription during stress responses [2]. Our recent study focusing on acetylation of the p53 C-terminal domain (CTD) revealed the acidic domain-containing proteins as novel "converse readers" of protein acetylation [3]. Unlike bromodomain "readers" that preferentially bind with acetylated ligands, the acidic domain "readers" specifically recognize the unacetylated forms of their ligands. By performing an in vitro proteomic screen, we identified the oncoprotein SET as a major binding partner of p53 when the CTD is unacetylated; conversely, this p53-SET interaction was completely abolished by CTD acetylation. Of note, this acetylation-mediated regulation was unique, as other modifications on the same lysine residues including methylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation and neddylation, had no obvious effect on p53-SET interaction. Functionally, SET negatively regulated p53 transactivity by acting as a co-repressor inhibiting p300/CBP-mediated H3K18 and H3K27 acetylation on p53 target promoters. Depletion of endogenous SET in p53-wildtype cells significantly suppressed xenograft tumor formation, indicating that p53-SET interplay is crucial for p53-mediated tumor growth repression. During DNA damage response, p53 is stabilized and CTD acetylation is highly induced; the p53-SET interaction in both soluble and chromatinbound fractions was severely disrupted, releasing p53 in an activated status. This observation was further proved in physiological conditions by using a CTD acetylationmimicking mouse model (p53KQ/KQ) where p53 failed to interact with SET. More importantly, p53KQ/KQ mice exhibited neonatal lethality due to p53 hyperactivity in multiple tissues, consistent with the notion that CTD acetylation activates p53. SET consists of an N-terminal dimerization domain, a middle "earmuff" domain and a C-terminal acidic domain (AD). Biochemical analysis indicated that the p53 CTD directly interacted with the SET AD. The p53 CTD is a lysine-rich domain, which harbors a positive charge. Conversely, the SET AD is enriched with acidic amino acids, exhibiting a highly negative charge. Therefore, we postulated that p53-SET interaction is mediated by a charge effect between the CTD and the AD. Upon acetylation, the positive charge of the CTD is neutralized, resulting in a dissociation of the p53-SET complex due to disruption of the charge effect between the CTD and the AD. Bioinformatic analysis of human proteomics revealed that numerous proteins contain acidic domains or lysinerich domains; our additional binding assays suggested a general mechanism that the acidic domain acts as a "reader" of unacetylated lysine residues and acetylation acts as a "switch" to determine the interaction between acidic domain-containing proteins and their lysine-rich domain-containing ligands. This mechanism was further illustrated by the observation that other acidic domain-containing factors of p53 including VPRBP, DAXX and PELP1, also interacted with the p53 CTD through their acidic domains; of note, their interactions were completely blocked by CTD acetylation. More importantly, all these proteins lost their interactions with p53 in p53KQ/KQ mouse model, Editorial


Stereo-controlled multilayer growth of supramolecular porous networks at the interface between graphite and a solution was investigated. For this study, we designed a chiral dehydrobenzo[12]annulene (DBA) building block bearing alkoxy chains substituted at the 2-position with hydroxy groups, which enable van der Waals stabilization in a layer and potential hydrogen bonding interactions between the layers. Bias voltage-dependent scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments revealed the diastereoselectivity of the bilayer with respect to both the intrinsic chirality of the building blocks and the supramolecular chirality of the self-assembled networks. Top and bottom layers within the same crystalline domain were composed of the same enantiomers but displayed opposite supramolecular chiralities.


Commentary Seizures that accompany fever (febrile seizures) occur in 2 to 4 percent of children in countries with advanced economies and represent the most prevalent form of seizure disorder (1). Febrile seizures typically occur in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years (median age of first seizure: 18 months), are associated with a fever of 101°F (39°C) or higher, and occur in the absence of an infection of the central nervous system or previous seizure history (1). Febrile seizures can be classified into two somewhat broad clinical categories: simple and complex (2). A febrile seizure is classified as simple if the seizure is generalized, short in duration (<15 minutes), and does not reoccur within 24 hours. Febrile seizures that last longer than 15 minutes, have focal clinical features, and are recurrent, or that comprise a combination of these features, are considered to be complex. Although the vast majority of children (60–70%) who have a febrile seizure will have no further complications (1), repeated or prolonged febrile seizures are thought to be a risk factor for subsequent epilepsy. This is especially true for children who experience febrile status epilepticus, which is a complex seizure that lasts more than 30 minutes. At present, it remains unknown how febrile seizures might contribute to the development of epilepsy later in life, but data from animal models of prolonged febrile seizures have uncovered a number of long-lasting changes that alter neuronal function and plasticity (3). And although there have been a number of genes and proteins identified as being putatively involved (4), the biology that underlies the genesis of febrile seizures continues to be poorly understood. Recently, it has been demonstrated that hippocampal slices in vitro can exhibit fairly dramatic increases in intrinsic excitability when exposed to hyperthermic conditions, suggesting that elevated temperature can directly mediate hyperexcitability (5). The present study by Radzicki and colleagues follows up on this earlier work and provides evidence that L-type voltage-gated calcium channels may modulate firing rates of pyramidal neurons in a temperature-dependent manner, suggesting that these channels may contribute to a state of hyperexcitability during febrile episodes. For these experiments, hippocampal slices were prepared from 18-dayold Long-Evans rat pups, and recordings were made in the CA1 region of the hippocampus using either loose-seal (extracellular) or whole-cell intracellular recordings. Slice temperature was manipulated during the recordings by simply varying the temperature of the bath perfusate (artificial cerebrospinal fluid [aCSF]). Under both recording conditions, the authors were able to convincingly demonstrate that a steady increase in aCSF temperature from 32 to 40°C resulted in depolarization and spontaneous firing in about 40% of recorded neurons in CA1. Similar results were obtained in the entorhinal cortex and, to a somewhat lesser extent, in the occipital cortex. It is important to note that this spontaneous firing is an intrinsic property, as the hyperexcitability persists even in the presence Temperature-Sensitive Cav1.2 Calcium Channels Support Intrinsic Firing of Pyramidal Neurons and Provide a Target for the Treatment of Febrile Seizures.


With the development of movie media websites, online WOM (word-of-mouth) has become an important reference for people to choose movies. This article aims to study the impact of online WOM on the movie box office market. To tackle this problem we collected 48 movie data released in 2018 as independent variables, including the movie score, the average score of the content of comments, etc. Which are used as independent variables, and the movie box office as the dependent variable to establish the model. Specifically, the fine-grained sentiment analysis is performed on the content of the comment. The results show that the average rating of comments and the positive and negative proportions of movie scores have a significant positive correlation effect on the box office of a movie. And they also highlight the importance of online user-generated reviews to the audience's decision-making.


H.264 employed inter Prediction technique in time domain to enhance coding efficiency,To reduce the complexity of the H.264 encoder,a fast inter prediction algorithm is proposed in this paper.It acts as follows:in the process of inter block partition mode decision,based on the computed results of part partition modes,the probable mode group is decided,from which the best partition mode is selected.And in the process of motion estimation of the partition block,according to the search result of some local positions,the most probable motion area of the searching block is early identified,and then some special search masks are applied accordingly.The experimental results show that,compared with the fast algorithms in the JM reference software,the proposed algorithm can maintain high PSNR and enhance encoding speed obviously.


Objective:To construct an bacvirus expression vector which carries the gene of recombinant human nerve growth factor(rh-NGF),and investigate the expression of rh-NGF in insect cells.Methods:The rh-NGF was amplified by RT-PCR method from total RNA of the human placenta tissue.The rh-NGF segment was recombined into bacvirus expression vector pFastBac TM Dual to generate pFastBac TM Dual+[rh-NGF]recombinant plasmid.The orientation and sequence of the recombinant plasmid was confirmed by PCR,double enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing.Then,the recombinant plasmid was transfected into the insect cell line Sf9 by lipofection and the expression of rh-NGF was detected by sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA).Results:The sequence of the rh-NGF was matched with that of Genebank,and the rh-NGF was detected in supernatant of transfected Sf9 cells by ELISA analysis.Conclusion: Successfully constructed a bacvirus expression vector pFastBac TM Dual+[rh-NGF],and confirmed that the rh-NGF can be expressed in Sf9 cells.It will establish a foundation for producing large amounts of rh-NGF in the future.


Background. The purpose of the research: to study the content of interleukin-6 and interleukin-15 cytokines in the blood serum of children with urinary tract infection and to establish their pathogenetic role in the development of various clinical forms of the disease. Materials and methods. The study groups consisted of 84 children (mean age of 10.0 ± 1.3 years). The main group was divided into subgroups: the first one — 17 children with acute pyelonephritis, the second — 21 patients with chronic pyelonephritis, the third — 16 children with acute cystitis, the fourth subgroup — 10 patients with unspecified urinary tract infections. The control group included 20 relatively healthy children. The content of interleukin-6 and interleukin-15 was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. It was established that the development of acute urinary tract infections was accompanied by a high level of serum pro-inflammatory interleukin-6. We found the highest level in children with cystitis, which exceeded that of the control group by 2.8 times (р < 0.01). In children with acute pyelonephritis, this cytokine was 1.8 times higher (р < 0.05). However, patients with chronic pyelonephritis had only a tendency towards its increase (p > 0.05). Interleukin-15 in the main group was statistically higher than in controls (р < 0.05). In children of subgroups 3 and 4, its level did not differ from that of the control group (p > 0.05). However, in subgroups 1 (р < 0.05) and 2 (р < 0.01), we observed a statistically significant increase in interleukin-15 level. A direct correlation between interleukin-15 content and disease duration (r = 0.64, р < 0.05) was also found. Conclusions. The development of an acute inflammatory process in the urinary tract in children occurs against the background of a marked increase in the expression of interleukin-6, while a chronic inflammatory process develops with a statistically significant increase in the level of interleukin-15 in blood serum.


Under the background of digital revolution, the level of power grid intelligence and automation has been improved, and a large number of data of various types have been gathered. Through the analysis of multi-source data of power grid, the new profit growth point of power grid enterprises can be mined. In this paper, the "STP theory" is introduced into the power data commodity market. Through the in-depth analysis of the three elements of power data market segmentation, target market selection and market positioning, the power data product types facing different data trading objects, such as government, power grid itself, third-party enterprises and ordinary users, are constructed. This study will provide a basis for grid companies to explore new data business model.


The LC-MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous determinations of seven avermectin anthelmintics and four polyether antibiotics. CAPCELL PAK ADME was used for LC column, and good separation conditions were determined. The samples were extracted by a method similar to the QuEChERS method, and solid-phase extraction was used for purification. As a result of investigation of the purification method, Oasis ® HLB was used, the loading solution was 25 % acetonitrile solution adjusted to pH 9, and good recovery was obtained by elution with methanol. Spike or recovery tests were performed on cattle muscle and cow milk, and each parameter was evaluated in accordance with the guidelines for validating analytical methods for testing agricultural chemical residues in food. The results showed that the cattle muscle trueness ranged from 83-102 % , repeatability precision from 2.5-8.0 % , and intermediate precision from 3.8-13.9 % , while the cow milk showed trueness ranged from 87-94 % , repeatability precision from 4.6-11.0 % , and intermediate precision from 4.6-11.0 % . The selectivity and limit of quantification were also good, suggesting that this method is useful as a simultaneous analysis method.


Genotype differences on the ultra drying tolerances in rice have been reported, but the mechanism is still unknown. Here the relationship between ultra drying tolerance and heat stable proteins was studied in different rice.


Fig 1 : Histograms showing the sectorial distribution of photographed moths , Sp odop tera exe m p ta (Walker 1 8 5 6 ) [Lepidoptera : Noctuidae ] , throughout the night of observation . Time hours local time , N numbers of moths v isible in the photographs, (p) significance of distribution , NS not significan t ; circles (empty, half darkened , darkened) indi cation of eclipse position of the moon , also indication of the rising sun . TIME ( p i T IME ( p i N N 2 4 2 6 1900 N 5


Many important systems can be described as discrete event systems, including a manufacturing cell and patient flow in a clinic. Faults often occur in these systems and addressing these faults is important to ensure proper functioning. There are two main ways to address faults. Faults can be prevented from ever occurring, or they can be detected at the time at which they occur. This work develops methods to address faults in event-based systems for which there is no formal, pre-existing model. A primary application is manufacturing systems, where reducing downtime is especially important and pre-existing formal models are not commonly available. There are three main contributions. The first contribution is formalizing input order robustness inputs occurring in different orders and yielding the same final state and set of outputs and creating a method for its verification for logic controllers and networks of controllers. Theory is developed for a class of networks of controllers to be verified modularly, reducing the computational complexity. Input order robustness guarantees determinism of the closed-loop system. The second contribution is an anomaly detection solution for event-based systems without a pre-existing formal model. This solution involves model generation, performance assessment, and anomaly detection itself. A new variation of Petri nets was created to model the systems in this solution that incorporates resources in a less restrictive way. The solution detects anomalies and provides information about


Work, especially paid work, has been assumed to enhance women's autonomy, particularly their household autonomy. However, this assumption does not work in one causal direction. The causality relationship works both ways, that women work due to their high level of autonomy, but also because their employment status will increase their autonomy. The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between women's work status and their household autonomy. This study used data from the Indonesian Demography and Health Survey 2012, together with a multinomial logistic regression analysis on married women's work status and autonomy as dependent and independent variables, respectively. It was found that work status influences married women's household autonomy and vice versa. However, the direction and strength of the influence depend on the type of work status and autonomy.


The purpose of the current study was two-fold. First, the authors aimed to explore preservice teachers' attitudes toward integrating drama in the elementary school curriculum and to identify the latent dimensions underlying the attitudinal survey data. A second objective of the study was to demonstrate the application of exploratory factor analysis with a small sample using the Bayesian estimation procedure. The sample consisted of 32 preservice teachers (29 females and 3 males) enrolled in a university-based early childhood education program in the United States of America, who participated in several drama workshops over a period of two academic years. During the last semester of their teacher preparation program, preservice teachers were asked to complete a subset of the Drama-Infused Pre-service Teacher Experience Survey, which measures preservice teachers' attitudes and beliefs about using drama in their teaching. Models with one, two, and, three factors were estimated. The optimal solution showed very good fit to the data and included two factors (F1 and F2). Items in F1 refer to integrating drama to improve teaching, whereas items in F2 refer to integrating drama to enhance student outcomes. The location of each individual on the identified latent variables was estimated by computing mean plausible values. The identification of these two factors is a first step in the development of assessment tools for measuring attitudes regarding drama integration. Further, the current study demonstrates the application of Bayesian EFA, a new approach to factor analysis, which improves estimation accuracy with small sample sizes and non-normal data.


To augment or replace the audio output from the telephone, the speaker system is detachably attached to the phone or the phone case. In one example, the speaker system includes a protective case with a built-in speaker phone. Attachment mechanism may be used as a universal attachment unit for the alternative or in addition to a mobile phone accessory. The speaker system may include a locking mechanism configured to lock attaching any accessories on the phone surface.


Growth conditions of GaAs layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on (111)B-oriented GaAs substrates were optimized by surface morphology observation and Hall measurement. Good surface morphology was obtained by use of 1.5° off-oriented (111)B substrates. This paper reports for the first time that electron mobilities as high as those on (100) substrates can be obtained even at growth temperature as low as 530°C if the off-oriented (111)B substrates are used, whereas one higher than 600°C is necessary to obtain the same electron mobility on exactly (111)B-oriented substrates. MESFET's and Schottky diodes fabricated on the layer grown at the optimized condition show high electron mobility and suggest low concentration of defects.


Our objective is to demonstrate, via a proof-of-principle experiment, particle acceleration by crossed laser beams in a single dielectric accelerator cell in vacuum. We expect to observe a laser-induced energy modulation of 15 keV on an electron beam with an initial energy of 32 MeV.


The traditional goods-dominant logic of marketing is under challenge and leading researchers are now emphasizing the new service-dominant logic. Evolving to a new dominant logic for marketing. One of the key foundational propositions of this logic is the customer as ¿always being a co-creator of value¿ where ¿the brand becomes the experience. The co-management of value. In this paper, we examine the concept of brand relationship experience in the context of co-creation and service-dominant logic and outline a conceptual model for designing and managing the customer experience. Case study research illustrates how this model helps in the design and management of the brand relationship experience for an innovative new product.


Abstract : The purpose of this paper is to report satellite observation of solar cosmic rays in a low energy range, to make comparisons with other observations, and to present detailed data concerning the time dependence of these particle fluxes and their relation to solar, geomagnetic and associated phenomena. These data make it possible to infer certain relationships between the various events observed, and to propose a general picture for the sequence of such events.


Leaf spring is a complete of suspension, with relatively complicated mechanical properties. It is both an elastic component, and a longitudinal, lateral ground force delivery component. Thus, establishing an accurate model of leaf spring is a difficult thing for constructing multi-body model of vehicle. In this paper, according to the structure of leaf spring and its loading feature, the flexible multi-body model of leaf spring is established in the software of ADAMS.Large deformation, hystereses behavior of interleaf friction and nonlinear contact considered of the leaf spring processing in the model. Then simulate its dynamics character. The simulation results are compared with the test results, which verified the correctness of the model.


Bruising of potato tubers leads to losses of 20% of the UK annual crop. The relationship between bruising, tuber physical and mechanical properties, and composition of phenolic acids, tyrosine and cell wall monosaccharides was explored in this thesis. Three field trials were undertaken and the varieties Lady Rosetta (LR), Maris Piper (MP) and Russet Burbank (RB) were grown in replicate field plots.

Field trial 1 was designed to investigate the effect of harvest time and defoliation; field trial 2 was designed to investigate the effect of harvest and storage time and a third field trial was undertaken to investigate the effect of nitrogen application to soil (in variety LR only).

Bruising was induced using a falling bolt for severe bruising and bruising index assessment. Weight, specific gravity and oxidative potential were also measured. Cortex and skin mechanical properties were measured using a TA.XT2i Texture Analyser. Phenolic acids, tyrosine and cell wall monosaccharides were analysed chemically using HPLC.

The results from the field trials showed that tubers harvested ~ 150 days after planting varied in susceptibility to bruising for MP (11-60%), LR (14-52%) and RB (50-92%). Earlier harvest (98-139 days) showed lower incidence of bruising for MP (0-16.7%) and LR (17-23%) but not always for RB (0-66.7%). Late harvest (180 days) presented high incidence of bruising for all varieties varying from 81-88%.

Short storage periods (until January) did not increase bruising significantly. Long storage periods (March) increased incidence of bruising for all varieties, and is associated with higher specific gravity, higher tissue deformability and higher phenolic acid and tyrosine levels.
Potato plants defoliated 49 days before harvest showed lower bruising incidence than undefoliated samples, but had significantly (p<0.05) lower weight. Application of nitrogen increased weight of tubers and was associated with higher bruising incidence of LR when tubers were harvested later than 92 days after planting.

Tyrosine levels or specific gravity were not always associated with highest bruising incidence. Hot dry conditions during tuber development (observed in field trial 2) was associated with early plant senescence and high tuber bruising incidence.

In conclusion, bruising is affected by agricultural and post-harvest practices, and is determined by a number of physical and biochemical factors that vary between variety. The factors determining bruising seem to be dependent upon variety and the maturity of the tubers at harvest. Understanding these factors will help growers manage their crop to optimize quality and minimize waste.


the article presents the results of research on the use of the national ornament of the Kabardins and Balkars as an architectural decoration of facades of buildings, contributing to the increase of architectural and artistic expression of facades of buildings. Classification of the national ornament of the Kabardins and Balkars is given, stylized schemes of the national ornament are considered and variants of their placement on facades of buildings as an architectural decor are offered.


The Tennessee Self-concept Scale was administered to a university sample of 54 married couples in an earlier study. Although the self-esteem scores of husbands and wives were moderately correlated and relatively close in magnitude, the scores did not tend to converge with length of marriage, supporting the hypothesis that mate-selection processes are responsible for the observed similarity in self-esteem between husbands and wives.


It may sound surprising, but I believe the central problem in discussions about Literaturtheorie lies in the lack of a standard understanding of the term's semantic scope. The problem can be alleviated somewhat by adopting – as in the title of this journal – the internationally accepted term ›literary theory‹ (also the usual translation of German Literaturtheorie): the meaning is then that of theory concerned with literature – theory with ›literature‹ as its object domain, and, in addition, theory for the scholarly study of literature (note that ›methodology‹ suggests itself as a possible alternative when the term is understood in this latter sense).1 There is no doubt that a particular scholarly understanding of the object ›literature‹ and of specific text-context relations can have implications for the development or selection of a scholarly method. But there are plenty of examples to show that scholars of literature who share a single definition of ›literature‹ can differ with respect to the practical methods they use. So as to bring the above-mentioned problem closer to a solution, I will now consider how the term ›theory‹ has been used in scholarly engagement with literature in the past fifty years, and list the possible meanings this reveals – the list, of course, makes no claim to completeness. (1) In the 1960s, ›theory‹ was, in a rather vaguely stated understanding, linked to an academic habitus of literary scholars who, as their discipline was taken in the direction of a science, pressed for it to be given a theoretical foundation (see further points 2 and 3 below) and carried out ›theoretical work‹. This was often criticized with the comment that people who don't know anything about ›literature‹ (the interpretation of literature and the writing of literary history) busy themselves with ›theory‹ instead. Despite such criticism, the expansion of the German university system between 1965 and 1975 created an environment in which ›contributions to theory‹ provided a way of rapidly gaining ›scholarly standing‹ (and in some cases jobs as well).


The antibacterial efficacy of the methanol extract of whole flowers of Mesua ferrea Linn. was studied against various strains of bacteria. It could inhibit a large number of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria at concentration ranges of 100 to 50 µg/ml, or even lower, as against vibrios and Escherichia coli. In in vivo tests, used at concentrations of 100 and 200 µg/g of body weight, it offered significant protection to Swiss strain of albino mice when challenged with 50 MLD of a virulent strain Sulmonella typhimurium ATCC 6539. Mortality in mice due to these two dosages of the extract alone was insignificant. The extract at 200 µg/g body weight dosage, could significantly reduce the viable count of the strain Sulmonella typhimurium ATCC 6539 in liver, spleen and heart blood of the extract treated challenged mice. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


This report includes a discussion of a variety of current regional and local Outer Continental Shelf related issues. The Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is an established hydrocarbon-producing region since 1896. Almost 77,000 barrels of oil are produced from the California Federal OCS each day as of December 1981, and leases on State tidelands produce about 40,000 barrels of oil per day. To date, offshore drilling operations have resulted in the delineation of 11 offshore oil and gas fields and 2 gas fields in the Southern California OCS. Reserve estimates have been made for the known fields in the region. Remaining recoverable reserves are estimated at 787 million barrels of oil and over 1.7 trillion cubic feet of gas as of December 31, 1980. Estimates of undiscovered recoverable resources in the offshore Santa Maria Basin and Southern California OCS are over 3.5 billion barrels of oil and in excess of 5 trillion cubic feet of gas. To date, there have been seven oil and gas lease sales in the Pacific OCS Region. Exploration, development, and production in the Pacific OCS Region are increasing at a moderate pace. Pipelines continue to be the preferred mode of transporting Pacific OCS hydrocarbons tomore » shore. The nearshore and onshore petroleum processing facilities in the Pacific Region service onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration, development, and production, as well as the international oil market. Several new facilities have been proposed, are currently under construction, or have recently opened.« less


Applying the electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS),a assurance system of navigation safety was developed.The system could provided many function like basic ocean environment factor information forecast, promoting initial heading,course environment analysis,spring layer analysis,etc.The system has good functions, strong compatibility,and is easy to use for displaying the ocean environment information factors with figure or image for- mat mainly.As the system combines with data explain of history database,it has preferable application value.


The magnitude of detection thresh will influence the effect of watermarking detector.The asymptotically optimal detector is a blind watermarking detection adopting Rao test,but its detection thresh is determined by experience.In order to make asymptotically optimal detection thresh more objective and accurate,the minimum error probability criterion was analyzed.The detection thresh based on asymptotically optimal detector was theoretically deduced to gain an expression of optimal detection thresh which made error rate of watermarking detection system lowest.Simulation results indicate that this method is adaptive and objective and can make error rate of watermarking detection system theoretically minimum.


The method about time series analysis of stochastic measurement in the signal detection is given, and the statistic specificity of parameter θ s is studied in this paper.


Nowadays music production-consumption is very diverse. It involves possibilities including live, recorded, virtual, online, commercial, non-commercial, mass-oriented, and niche-oriented. In this context, music production-consumption behaves as a service or as a good and, for the sake of better management, ought to be understood within the service-good spectrum.


A technique is discussed in this paper for evaluating the performance of IR emitters in heating and drying fabrics. The efficiency of IR heating depends on both the fabric spectral absorption characteristics and the spectral emission of the infrared source. An FTIR spectrometer with an integrating sphere is used to measure the infrared absorptivities of fabrics over the range of wavelengths from 0.7 to 25 microns (the range of operation of commercial infrared emitters). Spectral absorptivities are used with the normalized emission characteristics of blackbody emitters to calculate average fabric absorptivities for blackbody emitter temperatures ranging from 500 to 3000 K. Overall radiant efficiencies for heating fabrics with blackbody emitters are calculated by multiplying average fabric absorptivities by the radiant efficiencies of emitters in converting input power to IR radiant output power. The effects of fabric characteristics on spectral absorptivities, average absorptivities, and overall radiant efficiencies are studied. Parameters include fiber type, fabric weight, moisture regain, fabric construction, and dyeing. The technique used in this investigation is useful in matching IR emitters with applications for the textile industry.


Several combining types of Low-E glass and common glass are designed,calculating and comparing their thermal resistance of heat conduction.Through the comparison,the P-L-L(3)and L-L-P(3) combination are more conducive to building energy efficiency.And the optimal combination will be selected according to the market price.


Tourist products are the start point of tourism economics study,and the study of tourist products and the related issues is the start point and important basis for tourism economic theories.The discussion about the concept of tourism products and its related issues are from different angles and has not reached agreement.Based on the study and analysis of present tourism product theories,the author of this article makes an attempt to study and analyze the concept of tourism product from the perspective of experience economy,thinking that tourism products are the touring experience offered by tourism operators,tourists' touring experience is correspondent to the touring experience offered by the tourist operators,the core of tourism products is touring experience,and in experience economy,the nature of tourism products is the undoubted intangibility and remarkable participation.


After the reform and opening up,the large scale flow of rural surplus labors to cities has brought many-sided problems to the urban dwelling space.This paper discusses two categories of dwelling space for the workers which are low rent house and dormitory.Then by referring to the international studies and practices,it sets up the design standards for the low rent house and dormitory for the workers.


AbstractHigh-amplitude convectively coupled equatorial atmospheric Kelvin waves (CCKWs) are explored over the tropical Atlantic during the boreal summer (1989–2009). Focus is given to the atmospheric environmental conditions that are important for tropical cyclogenesis.CCKWs are characterized by deep westerly vertical wind shear to the east of its convectively active phase and easterly vertical wind shear to the west of it. This dynamical signature increases vertical wind shear over the western tropical Atlantic ahead of the convectively active phase, and reduces vertical wind shear after its passage. The opposite is true over the eastern tropical Atlantic where the climatological vertical wind shear is easterly.Positive total column water vapor (TCWV) anomalies progress eastward with the convectively active phase of the CCKW, whereas negative TCWV anomalies progress eastward with the convectively suppressed phase. During the passage of the convectively active phase of the CCKW, a zonally oriented strip o...


Diverse heterocyclic compound's production involved chalcones. Many studies have proven that chalcone derivative compound possess assorted biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiplatelet, antiulcerative, antimalarial, anticancer and antiviral properties. Cardamonin's analogues 3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(5-methylfuran-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (L31) was synthesized. Cell viability was resolved by conducting MTT cytotoxicity assay. L31 has a firm suppression effect upon eotaxin, MCP-1 and RANTES but did not inhibit the secretion of chemokines GRO-α and IL-8. The molecular target of L31 on several major proinflammatory pathways was furtherdissected. The results from western blots reveal that L31 targets the NF-kB but not the MAPK pathway. These findings confirm the selectivity and specificityof L31. Dose-response studies were conducted on female Balb/c mice in which doses (0.2, 2, 20 and 100 mg/kg) of L31 were administered intraperitoneally to mice following sensitization and aerosolized doses of ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were then subjected to methacholine challenge with an ultrasonic nebulizer and airway hyperresponsiveness was determined by comparison of enhanced pause (Penh) responses. Whole-body plethysmography system (Buxco) was used to measure the Penh value. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BALF) showed that all doses of L31 caused significant reduction in airway eosinophilia, tissue inflammatory scores and goblet cell metaplasia. L31 suppressed the secretion of eotaxin, RANTES, interleukin (IL) 4, IL 5 and IL 13.L31 also inhibits the gene expression of the all the mediator except for IL13. Collectively,these findings are vital in making decisions for further development of L31 compounds into anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic drug. The ultimate aim would be to enter clinical trials since the current therapy involves administration of combinations of steroids and β-agonists which in long term would mask untreated inflammation and lead to a higher risk of adverse outcomes.


The surface layer of the welded joint of 7A52 aluminum alloy was treated by using high-energy shot peening(HESP) technique,the sample was analyzed by means of XRD,TEM and micro hardness instrument.Experimental results show that after the 20 minutes of HESP,the initial coarse in the top surface layer is refined into nanocrystalline grains,which are homogeneous and refined.Meanwhile,η phase is precipitated from base materials.


A light-receiving amplifier circuit in which diodes 105 and 106 having a differential amplifier circuit 118 in common are connected in series between an NPN transistor 109 of differential input stage that is inverting input unit, and PDS 101 and 102 in a forward direction with respect to a direction of the photocurrent, and current supply switch NPN tran sistors 103 and 104 are connected in parallel between the differential input NPN transistor 109 and the respective PDs 101 and 102. When the light enters into the PD 101, the NPN transistor 103 is ON while the NPN transistor 104 is OFF, and a diode 106 is biased in a backward direction, so that the current generated due to the light having entered into the PD 102 is prevented from flowing into the differential amplifier circuit 118.


In the battery (3), opening of the battery case (10) is sealed with a sealing plate (13). Sealing plate (13) projections extending outwardly of the battery case (10) has a (13a), the outer peripheral surface side to the ring-shaped insulator of the protrusion (13a) is (32) It is provided. The inner peripheral portion of the insulator (32) (32e) is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion (13a) (13b), the open end of the outer peripheral portion of the insulator (32) (32d) the battery case (10) extend to above the section (10a).


Spherical gold (Au) nanoparticles are formed onto glass surface by sputtering of Au foil and the following annealing process. By employing electric field assisted annealing of above as-prepared samples, the original spherical Au nanoparticles are dissolved to lunar-eclipselike structure and even fully dissolved. When applied voltages are increased in steplike feature, spikelike sharp current increase is observed at every voltage step, and it is followed by a rather long current decaying process. The spikelike current increase indicates the onset of electronic transport, leading to Au nanoparticles polarization and ionization. Long current decaying process is assigned to the electronic conduction from cathode to recombine with as-ionized positive charges, along with Au cationic transport resulting in dissolution of Au atoms from the nanoparticles. Our current study provides straightforward evidence of electric field assisted dissolution of Au nanoparticles on glass surface.


sion in what God has done for them, which they could never do for themselves? Again, does Habakkuk :, a key text for Paul (quoted in Gal : and Rom :), truly mean that people are saved by their "faithfulness" (Hebrew ʾemunah), as Bates urges ()? The prophet's original situation involved an apparent delay in the fulfillment of God's visionary promise, calling for steadfast faith while waiting (one sense of ʾemunah). Bates may enhance the reception of his proposal by delimiting it more carefully. Could it be that faith-as-allegiance (including obedience to God through actual grace) does characterize Christian discipleship in the present age from regeneration to Last Judgment, whereas faith-as-lettingGod-act-on-our-behalf from beginning to end (excluding any contribution of ours) defines the comprehensive sphere of absolute grace within which alone allegiance can come about? After all, that too is a way to incorporate both perspectives from the historic debate. Bates'main thesis is important, and this book should be in libraries, classrooms, and pastors' studies, even though some will hesitate to concur with some of the author's points.


he paper seeks to establish the transmission mechanism from exchange rate to consumer prices in Nigeria using a recursive vector autoregression (VAR) model. It uses data from first quarter 2000 to fourth quarter 2013.The impulse response results show that exchange rate depreciation is transmitted to consumer prices through a decrease in the final goods and services that are supplied from foreign countries and through an increase in net exports and aggregate demand. The exchange rate depreciation is not transmitted to consumer prices through an increase in the price of the capital goods imported by the manufacturers as inputs. The impact of exchange rate depreciation on consumer prices will be reduced if more capital inputs are imported for the production of the final goods and services in Nigeria.


Samples of approximately five wild rabbits were obtained each week over the 4-year period 1967–70, and their intestines examined for adult tapeworms. Pour species of anoplocephalinae were found, Cittotaenia pectinata, C. denticulata, C. ctenoides and Andrya cuniculi. C. pectinata was found in 29% of the 968 rabbits examined, C. denticulata in 14%, C. ctenoides in 12% and A. cuniculi in 6%. There were 63 double infections, of which 44 involved A. cuniculi, and three triple infections. The most frequent number of worms per infection was one for C. pectinata and A. cuniculi and two for C. denticulata and C. clenoides, although the mean numbers for these species were respectively 7·2, 5·3, 2·7 and 1·8. A. cuniculi, and to a lesser extent C. ctenoides, were very restricted in distribution within the study area, occurring only on the higher, chalk downland (250–550 ft A.S.L.). This finding implies that individual rabbits usually spend their lives within relatively small areas. Considering all the material a seasonal trend in host infection rate was apparent only with C. denticulata, which increased in abundance from July to a peak in September and then declined gradually to a low level, lasting from April to June. Infections, including small specimens of any of the four species, were rare from February to June and it is presumed that infected intermediate hosts were correspondingly rare during this period. Except for C. denticulata, which was found more frequently in male rabbits than females, the sex of the host had no influence on its likelihood of infection. However, except for C. pectinata, the age of the host was important. Thus, C. denticulata and A. cuniculi were significantly more frequent in juveniles than adults whilst the reverse was true for C. ctenoides. Small ('young') specimens of C. denticulata and A. cuniculi were more frequent in juvenile than adult rabbits, but the difference was not significant for the other two species. It is concluded that only C. ctenoides survives for more than a year and that this species and C. pectinata are more likely to infect rabbits that are adult than are the other two species.


Motivated by the industrial observation of the increasing application of blockchain in the supply chain and its improvement in terms of consumer demand, this study examines the impact of investment decisions of blockchain data acquisition nodes upstream and downstream of the supply chain on firms' product recycling and pricing, market demand, and profits. The influences of different pricing leadership (i.e. supplier-led vs. retailer-led) in a supply chain are also thoroughly investigated. First, the presence of a strong retailer dramatically reduces suppliers' incentive to invest in blockchain. However, the supplier is still likely to invest more in a retailer-led supply chain than that in a supply chain led by itself under certain conditions; that is, the cost of blockchain is relatively small, or consumers' sensitivity to blockchain or product recycling benefits is rather large. Second, the total number of blockchain data acquisition nodes, market demand, and supply chain profit in a retailer-led supply chain are higher than in a supplier-led supply chain. Finally, interestingly, the supplier will be better off in a retailer-led supply chain when the return effect of product recycling is relatively high, while the cost-effectiveness of blockchain investment is relatively low.


Greedy-like algorithms have been a popular approach in combinatorial optimization, due to their conceptual simplicity and amenability to analysis. Surprisingly, it was only recently that a formal framework for their study emerged. In particular, Borodin, Nielsen and Rackoff introduced the class of priority algorithms as a model for abstracting the main properties of (deterministic) greedy-like algorithms; they also showed limitations on the approximation power of such algorithms for various scheduling problems.
In this thesis we extend and modify the priority-algorithm framework so as to make it applicable to a wider class of optimization problems and settings. More precisely, we first derive strong lower bounds on the approximation ratio of priority algorithms for two well studied problems, namely facility location and set cover. These are problems for which several greedy-like algorithms with good performance guarantees exist. Subsequently, we address the issue of randomization in priority algorithms, and show how to prove bounds on the power of greedy-like algorithms with access to random bits. Finally, we propose a model for priority algorithms in the context of graph theoretic optimization problems; the later class of problems turns out to be of particular interest, since it poses certain conceptual challenges when studying priority algorithms. Our goal is to define a model in which it is possible to filter out certain overly powerful algorithms, while still capturing a very rich class of greedy-like algorithms. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


A description is given of a fiber-optic angular sensor designed and tested for use in biomedical applications where accurate measurement of the angle of an object displaced is required. The information obtained will allow the physician to prescribe better treatment in cases of neuromuscular damage. The sensor can also be used for measuring the degree of tremor in patients with Parkinson's disease. Another potential application is in gravitational biology, when a subject is in between a supine and an upright position. The sensor is free from electromagnetic hazards and has a high sensitivity.<<ETX>>


To better understand the long-term effects of rapid boom growth, we reexamine four subjective indicators of community satisfaction and social integration in Delta, Utah, that were originally analyzed by Brown, Geertsen, and Krannich in 1989. With 24 years of longitudinal data, we find that within approximately a decade of the boom period three of the four indicators returned to or exceeded pre-boom levels. We argue that we need to modify our theories and vocabulary regarding boomtowns to account for a ''boom- bust-recovery cycle'' that better takes into consideration the dynamic nature of communities and their residents and how they subjectively adjust to shifts in objective conditions.


An approach for designing antennas using the concept of current control and reactive loading is presented. This scheme is based on a modal analysis referred to as Characteristic Modes (CM) which is used to obtain physical insight about the antenna's behavior and to modify/improve the antenna's currents to achieve the desired goals. The scheme could be applied to obtain wideband impedance and radiation pattern behavior; however, the reactive loads may exhibit a non-foster behavior which requires active devices. If the wideband condition is relaxed, the technique can be applied to design multiband antennas for various applications where the loads can be foster (lumped elements). The technique was applied to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) antennas and yielded a much improved antenna performance.


The Doring River is a fairly large river system in the Western Cape between Clanwilliam and Vanrynsdorp. Its main catchment area encompasses the Tanqua Karoo and the eastern portion of the Cederberg Mountains as well as the Oorlogskloof River that drains part of the northern escarpment. It is a tributary of the perennial Olifants River (the catchment area of which encompasses the Cederberg and Olifants River Mountains and parts of the Winterhoek Mountains in the south). The Tanqua Karoo, isolated between mountain ranges and falling in a rain shadow, is in fact the closest desert to Cape Town with a rainfall often less than 25 mm per annum! Several interesting endemic plants occur there and I have always wanted to explore the north-western gateway to the Tanqua - the gorge where the Doring River passes between the Cederberg and the Gifberg and flows into the Olifants River. As the Doring River dries up during summer, expeditions are only possible in winter - and then only if enough rain falls. Then, during a recent botanical expedition to the farm Melkbosrug on the Doring River, the farmer, Richard Kotze, told me about local canoe expeditions that start from his farm.


The invention relates to a terminal device for a vehicle AC generator which can easily reply diverse connectors on sides of vehicles and has low cost and high reliability, comprising: a common base terminal group (100A1) provided with a plurality of terminals such as an electric brush terminal (F), a grounding terminal (E), a storage battery terminal (B) and so on; and an external connector terminal (200A1) integrating a plurality of individual connector terminals whose one sides are provided with connecting terminals (L1, RC, A) forming a connector portion connected with an external device and the other sides are provided with connecting terminal portions connected with a regulator circuit via pre-molding. The external connector terminal is arranged at predetermined positions of the common base terminal group, and the common base terminal group and the external connector terminal are integrally mold-formed with resin, so as to integrate an ingathering portion of a circuit substrate for brush holding and ingathering adjustors, a keeping portion for keeping the common base terminal group and the external connector terminal, and the connector of the external connector terminal.


This article is part of a comprehensive research on the film image as an advertising medium. We study the advertising insertion on animation cinema for being preferred for several audiencies as entertainment option. The results prove that animated film is an interesting platform to analyze the advertising strategies used by companies and institutions to disseminate messages and ideologemes. Concealed advertising is the most frequent, where the brand placement is reaching greater presence.


Insufficient supplies of donor kidneys continue to represent a major barrier to renal transplantation in many countries. Solutions to this problem lie not only in hotly anticipated scientific developments such as stem cell therapies, but also in the evolution of clinical practices and protocols, legislation, and sociocultural attitudes that will facilitate the identification of potential donors, encourage consent for donation, and enable timely procurement of available kidneys. Data from the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation showing vast inequalities in kidney transplantation rates (KTR) between countries and evidence of rapid improvements within countries such as Croatia suggest that identification of ingredients for – or impediments to – success could provide a road map to national self-sufficiency in kidney transplantation. In search of this knowledge, a number of national and international studies have examined the influence of specific variables on indicators of success such as KTR. In this issue, Bendorf et al. present an ambitious study that strives to analyse the influence of 15 socioeconomic and demographic factors on KTR from living and deceased donors in 53 countries. Their work highlights the utility of pooling knowledge, and learning from the international experience. However, it also reveals some of the hazards and limitations of ecological study design: drawing conclusions regarding the influence of particular variables, especially in the absence of data at the individual level, risks ecological fallacy. In addition, where key factors are overlooked, data may be confounded. For example, two of the countries studied, Iran and Saudi Arabia, provide financial incentives for donation. Setting aside the significant ethical concerns of this practice, it is difficult to understand the rationale for including data from these countries without taking incentives into account as a variable, given that payment is widely considered responsible for the high rates of KTR in Iran at least. Finally, although unexpected associations between variables may provide exciting avenues for new research through hypothesis generation, they may also produce speculative conclusions of uncertain benefit. With the exception of the negative association found between presumed consent legislation and KTR from living donors – previously reported and of uncertain cause – Bendorf et al. discovered no statistically significant factors influencing living donation (LD) KTR. From this, they conclude that, 'efforts to increase KTR should regard LD and DD [deceased donation] as completely separate and distinct entities with factors influencing them unique to each.' However, rather than considering policies governing LD and DD in isolation, a more united approach may be precisely what is needed. The positive association Bendorf et al. find between DD KTR, nationalized transplantation programmes, and economic development, is supported by evidence from the world's most successful DD programmes: investment in the healthcare infrastructure necessary for DD and oversight of programmes by national authorities have been critical to the success of the famed 'Spanish Model' and similar strategic paradigms implemented in Portugal and Croatia, for example. Societal and political support for DD and transplantation may well manifest in the introduction of presumed consent legislation, leading to the strong association between DD KTR and presumed consent policies that Bendorf et al. report. In keeping with the findings of other studies exploring the influence of DD consent policies on rates of organ donation, they suggest this positive correlation is likely indicative of additional factors rather than evidence of a causal effect. The practical requirements for deceased donation are such that DD KTR will depend to a large extent upon societal commitment to – and investment in – the goal of meeting public needs for transplantation through DD. Living donation allows for a less communal approach, with individual donor-recipient pairs able to form on an ad hoc basis. In contrast to the collective, often nationally framed responses to DD issues, efforts to encourage and facilitate living kidney donation frequently fall within the purview of provinces, states, or even individual healthcare institutions. Strategies that have successfully increased LD KTR such as targeted education programmes and the use of laparoscopic nephrectomy are often confined to specific hospitals or regions. Although, like DD, LD often requires a highly sensitive and personalized approach in clinical practice, this should not discourage analysis of successful strategies that could be trialled on a larger scale, adapted to suit different healthcare systems, and subjected to international comparison. Systematic implementation of new strategies to enhance LD at the national level, using public health and educational resources, may prove as effective as international adoption and adaptation of the 'Spanish model'. By correlating data across nations in a study such as this, researchers may be diverted from further exploration of important variables. For example, the apparent lack of statistically significant economic influences on LD KTR may be indicative of the need for more detailed data, especially given prior evidence that socioeconomic factors do play a role in facilitating or impairing access to living donor kidney bs_bs_banner


Background Vascular access is required for haemodialysis (HD), a form of renal replacement therapy required when a child has acute or end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Central venous catheter (CVC) line infections are the second most common cause of vascular access loss in the long term HD patient, commonly caused by poor hand hygiene practices, clinical environment or inadequate sterilisation procedures. In the literature the reported rates of infection range from 0.8–4.8 episodes/1000 catheter days in this patient group. Aim To audit CVC line related infection rates in our tertiary HD unit in Temple Street Children's University Hospital (TSCUH) over a 5 year period. Methods A retrospective review was carried out on all patients who had HD from January 2012- January 2017 (inclusive) using a CVC. Results/Findings 34 patients required HD, of which 44% were female and 56% male. Twenty-three patients (68%) were aged between 5–10 years of age. Dysplastic kidneys was the most common reason for requiring HD (n=9, 26.2%). Eight patients required HD for 1–6 months, 5 patients for 6–12 months, 19 patients for 12–48 months, and 2 patients for >60 months. Five out of 34 children developed CVC line infections with an overall infection rate of 0.22 episodes per 1000 catheter days. Loss of protective caps was the main reason for infection (n=3). Staph-aureous, pseudomonas oryzihabitans, enterococcus faecalis and mixed coagulase negative staphylococci were the identified organisms causing infection. Conclusions CVC line infections in long-term HD patients attending TSCUH are maintained at a low rate in comparison to published data. Strict application of Aseptic Non Touch Technique shows favourable results without the need for prophylactic antibiotics locks. Future work includes a cost benefit analysis of this practice.


In this paper, we consider a parametric family of convex inequality systems in the Euclidean space, with an arbitrary infinite index set,T, and convex constraints depending continuously on a parameter ranging in a separable metric space. No structure is assumed forT, and so the dependence of the constraints on the index has no particular property. In this context, the possibility of approaching the nominal system by means of sequences of finite subsystems associated to proximal parameters is analyzed. This possibility, of combining both approximation and discretization techniques, is formalized in terms of the lower semicontinuity of the feasible set mapping depending on a double parameter: The original one and the finite subset of indices (grid) itself. The paper characterizes this property in terms of the lower semicontiuity of the feasible set mapping depending only on the original parameter (and considering, then, all the constraints). Since in any approximation process we consider, as a last resort, a countable amount of constraints, the first step in this work consists of justifying the possibility of considering, without loss of generality, N(set of all natural numbers) as the proper index set. Moreover, in order to be able to consider any subset of indices as a new parameter, a suitable metric is introduced in the set of all the nonempty subsets of N, entailing desirable properties in relation to approximation strategies.


The diet and predatory behaviour of the nudibranch Roboastra europaea (Mollusca) is described and compared with other nudibranch-hunting opisthobranchs. The natural diet in the Strait of Gibraltar was studied by the analysis of gut contents. Roboastra europaea is a specialist predator of nudibranchs, and the diet is comprised essentially of the polycerids Polycera sp., Polycerella emertoni, Limacia clavigera and conspecific R. europaea. One or several Polycera species appeared as the most dominant prey.  The complete assemblage of potential prey of this predator—the fundamental diet—was assessed in laboratory trials that included all likely prey groups. This predator consistently rejected both non-nudibranch species and non-polycerid nudibranchs. Roboastra europaea is exclusively a predator of polycerids and previously unencountered polycerids are also potential prey items.  As most of the hunter opisthobranchs, R. europaea exhibited cannibalistic behaviour, to the extent that aggressiveness prevailed over mating in intraspecific encounters. Roboastra europaea as prey showed a complex result in laboratory trials: (a) if one individual was small enough complete ingestion proceeded; (b) if there was not enough difference in size, a cannibal attack proceeded, but if ingestion was not possible, it could result in mating behaviour.


Vehicular accidents in Ghana have become one of the growing concerns to most Ghanaians in recent times. This is as a result of the tremendous negative effects of accidents on human lives, properties, and the environment as well as and the economy at large. Many researchers have come out with the causes, effects and recommendations to vehicular accidents, which include drunk driving, machine failure and over speeding just to mention a few. Yet every year the Road Safety Commission, Ghana Statistical Service and other statutory organizations report an increase in vehicular accidents in Ghana. The systematic yearly increase in the number of accidents therefore calls for statistical analysis of this global and of course national canker. This study attempts to show statistical evidence of relationship between road traffic accidents and population growth in Ghana in order to ascertain additional information in contributing to previous researches that have emerged in dealing with this menace. Time series data on yearly road traffic accidents and population values for Ghana covering the period 1990 to 2012 was used. The results from the analysis shows three key findings: a systematic visible pattern of growth in both road traffic accidents and population over the period; evidence of statistical relationship between road traffic accidents and population growth in Ghana as given by the correlation coefficient (r) of 0.854, with a corresponding coefficient of determination (r-square) of 72.9% indicating that for the period under study based on the available data, population is able to account for 72.9% of the changes in accidents in Ghana; and finally a regression model developed for the purposes of estimating and forecasting on the basis of the analysis, specifically based on test of hypothesis and model validation.


Determination of the optimum mount zone to minimize gravitational deformation of mirrors, when gravity is aligned with the optical axis vertical, is well-documented. Less has been written about such optimum zones when such mirrors, particularly lightweight cored optics, are aligned with the gravity axis normal to the horizontal optical axis. An equation is herein presented to determine the optimum axial mount zone to minimize wavefront error in this environment, for powered optics (finite radius of curvature). Generally, for most optical systems, wavefront error is lower in this configuration than in the vertical axis orientation, important for ground test of space-based optics. When mounted at three near-kinematic points, determined is an equation to find ideal axial mount location at any radial mount zone to minimize error and an equation to predict gravitational deformation that bounds all mount zones to conservatively estimate performance error. Optimum zones are found to lie near, but not coincident to, the mirror centroid and/or neutral surface. These analyses allow the engineer to quickly determine first order errors considering design envelope restrictions, prior to more detailed finite element analyses.


The tomato processing industry generates a large amount of waste, usually composed of peels and seeds. It is known that the tomato is rich in bioactive compounds, mainly carotenoids (lycopene and ?-carotene), however, studies on the functionality of its residues are scarce. Thus, these residues are discarded without the knowledge of possible antioxidant potential. The objective of this work was to determine the stability of bioactive in soybean oil added to the extract of agroindustrial tomato waste under heating.  The extract obtained with ethyl alcohol at the ratio of 1: 5 (w/v) was initially analyzed for total phenolic compounds, lycopene, ?-carotene, and antioxidant activity using the DPPH and ?- carotene / linoleic acid. Subsequently, the extract and the synthetic antioxidants, butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) were applied in soybean oil, and the treatments subjected to heating in Rancimat (180oC/5 h). The thermoxidated samples were analyzed for the composition of tocopherols by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), phytosterols, and fatty acid profile by gas chromatography (GC). The extract of agro-industrial tomato residues showed moderate results concerning its antioxidant activity, 68% by the DPPH method, and 26.2% of auto-oxidation of the ?-carotene / linoleic acid system. The synthetic antioxidant TBHQ had a greater protective effect on soybean oil when compared to the control, providing greater retention of phytosterols (85%) and tocopherols (93%). Tomato extract can be used as a natural antioxidant in industrialized oils, but with less effectiveness than the antioxidant TBHQ.


Organization scholars are interested in the new spheres where organizations expand their presence as a cultural form of collective action (Bromley & Meyer, 2015). Yet, there are social worlds (Strauss, 1978) in which organizations were always present but they did not gain much attention from researchers. The domain remaining in the shadows in many societies is sex work. Moreover, the organizational aspect of sex work is also under-researched. Paid sex as an interaction between a client and sex worker often requires an organizational context and involvement of third parties. Prostitution is an object of – usually strongly negative – moral valuations and therefore in many states it is either penalized or present in the gray area of social activities. For social sciences, it is usually framed as a social problem or aspect of criminal activities. For this reason, it is taken up as a topic of studies by sociologists of deviance or criminologists. Izabela Ślęzak in her research monograph 'The work of female sex workers in escort agencies', written in Polish, applied the approach of grounded theory and decided to reconstruct the social definitions of prostitution used by sex workers and other participants of the sex industry, not the moral valuations of outsiders.1 In order to achieve this aim, Ślęzak conducted a qualitative study of 'escort agencies' [agencja towarzyska] in the Polish city of Łódź, in which she, over the course of four years, has been observing four organizations and conducted interviews with 77 informants (56 of whom were sex workers). The theoretical framework of the study was the grounded theory (Charmaz, 2006) and the tradition of symbolic interactionism (Blumer, 1969). Ślęzak looks from a micro-perspective at the day-to-day organization, watches the interactions between members of the organizations, listens to the organizational stories and relations about the organizational context. The book consists of nine chapters, the first three of which present the background: (i) the historical and legal context of prostitution; (ii) review of the literature on prostitution; (iii) and research design. The next six chapters outline the results of the study and each chapter is devoted to another aspect of the day-to-day organization: (iv) management of the escort agency; (v) interactions among sex workers; (vi) interactions between sex workers and clients in public zones of escort agencies; (vii) interactions between sex workers and clients in private zones of escort agencies; (viii) issues of security; and (ix) the process of getting involved in the work. Transparency of the methodology applied is a very strong aspect of Ślęzak's work. The 29 pages long chapter presents methodological assumptions of the grounded theory, techniques of observation and interviewing, and the possible limitations of her data. In the case of shadow social worlds, 884036OSS0010.1177/0170840619884036Organization StudiesBook Reviews book-reviews2019


11536 Background: The diagnosis of cancer can adversely affect mental wellbeing. In addition to treating cancer, the emotional wellbeing of patients must simultaneously be addressed. A previous pilot exploring the feasibility of creative writing workshop (CWW) in cancer patients showed apositive effect on patients' mental health. Methods: To longitudinally evaluate the efficacy of CWW on mood, we conducted a phase II study with cancer patients (any stage, any cancer type); randomized 2:1 to CWW vs. active control (AC). Patients in the CWW arm attended at least 4, 1.5-hour bi-monthly CWW x 8 wks, whereas AC patients completed independent writing at home with the help of a book (bi-monthly x 8wks). We used validated tools, [Emotional Thermometer Scales (ETS), PHQ-9, GAD-7] to assess changes in overall mood, depression, and anxiety. Primary end point: a) ETS scores before and after intervention b) Changes in depression and anxiety based on PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores. We present results from ETS scores. Descriptive statistics were generated for these quantitative scales measured in each group, pre and post intervention. Comparisons between groups (gp) were made using Wilcoxon Rank-sum tests. All tests were two sided and the statistical significance level used was 0.05. Results: Amongst evaluable patients, N of 50 (demographics in table below), twenty-six patients in the CWW gp attended at least one class and 19 attended at least 4 classes. Patients in CWW showed significant mood improvement vs. AC when comparing the final overall ETS (p=0.0063). Three of the five sub-scale ETS scores were significantly lower for the CWW vs. AC gp: anxiety (p=0.0027), depression (p=0.0009), and anger (p=0.0027). Conclusions: Group led CWW have a positive effect on mood. Our results suggest potential therapeutic benefit of this intervention on the emotional wellbeing of cancer patients. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the effect of CWW in cancer patients. Clinical trial information: NCT03536702. [Table: see text]


Homologous recombination (HR) is required to protect and restart stressed replication forks. Paradoxically, the Mrc1 branch of the S phase checkpoints, which is activated by replicative stress, prevents HR repair at breaks and arrested forks. Indeed, the mechanisms underlying HR can threaten genome integrity if not properly regulated. Thus, understanding how cells avoid genetic instability associated with replicative stress, a hallmark of cancer, is still a challenge. Here I discuss recent results that support a model by which HR responds to replication stress through replicative and repair activities that operate at different stages of the cell cycle (S and G2, respectively) and in distinct subnuclear structures. Remarkably, the replication checkpoint appears to control this scenario by inhibiting the assembly of HR repair centers at stressed forks during S phase, thereby avoiding genetic instability.


As one of the most common methods for natural ventilation of building, solar chimney has been studied widely in the literature. Various forms of solar chimney have been proposed for enhancing its performance for a specific application, i.e ventilation and/or heating. In this work, we examined performance of an L-shaped comprising horizontal and vertical air channels connected serially by a numerical model based on the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. Two different total lengths and gaps of the chimney were tested. The considered parameters included the flow rate, temperature rise, and thermal efficiency. The results show that as the horizontal portion is longer than the vertical one, the flow rate decreases while the temperature rise increases. The variation of the thermal efficiency depends on the ratio between the gap and the total length of the air channel. The findings can help to select suitable configurations of an L-shaped for a specific cooling or heating application.


We study the lamppost model, in which the primary X-ray sources in accreting black-hole systems are located symmetrically on the rotation axis on both sides of the black hole surrounded by an accretion disc. We show the importance of the emission of the source on the opposite side to the observer. Due to gravitational light bending, its emission can increase the direct (i.e., not re-emitted by the disc) flux by as much as an order of magnitude. This happens for near to face-on observers when the disc is even moderately truncated. For truncated discs, we also consider effects of emission of the top source gravitationally bent around the black hole. We also present results for the attenuation of the observed radiation with respect to that emitted by the lamppost as functions of the lamppost height, black-hole spin and the degree of disc truncation. This attenuation, which is due to the time dilation, gravitational redshift and the loss of photons crossing the black-hole horizon, can be as severe as by several orders of magnitude for low lamppost heights. We also consider the contribution to the observed flux due to re-emission by optically-thick matter within the innermost stable circular orbit.


Objective: to analyze the understanding of companions on the condition of the elderly as hospitalized patient. Method: qualitative field research conducted with 15 companions of hospitalized elderly. The data were produced through semi-structured interviews and submitted to thematic content analysis. The research project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, CAAE 03636112.8.0000.5183. Results: two categories emerged << Person who is in aging process >> and << Patient in need of humanized care from the companion and the nursing staff >>. Conclusion: the companions understand aging, sometimes as a natural process, sometimes as difficult and sad phase, that causes dependence and worthlessness. The presence of the companion, permeated of attention, responsibility, love and gratitude, and a nursing care founded on good communication and exchange of information between staff, caregivers and patients contribute to improve the condition of the elderly as hospitalized patient. Descriptors: Companion; Elderly; Hospitalization. RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a compreensão de acompanhantes sobre a condição do idoso como paciente hospitalizado. Método: pesquisa de campo de natureza qualitativa, com 15 acompanhantes de idosos hospitalizados. Os dados foram produzidos mediante entrevista semiestruturada e submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. O projeto de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, CAAE 03636112.8.0000.5183. Resultados: emergiram duas categorias << Pessoa que está em processo de envelhecimento >> e << Paciente que necessita de assistência humanizada do acompanhante e da equipe de enfermagem >>. Conclusão: os acompanhantes compreendem o envelhecimento, ora como processo natural, ora como fase difícil, triste, que causa dependência e inutilidade. A presença do acompanhante, permeada de atenção, responsabilidade, amor e gratidão, e uma assistência de enfermagem alicerçada de uma boa comunicação e troca de informações entre equipe, acompanhantes e pacientes contribuem para melhorar a condição do idoso como paciente hospitalizado. Descritores: Acompanhantes; Idoso; Hospitalização. RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la comprensión de acompañantes sobre la condición del anciano como paciente hospitalizado. Método: investigación de campo de naturaleza cualitativa, con 15 acompañantes de ancianos hospitalizados. Los datos fueron producidos mediante entrevista semi-estructurada y sometidos al análisis de contenido temático. El proyecto de investigación fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación, CAAE 03636112.8.0000.5183. Resultados: surgieron dos categorías << Persona que está en proceso de envejecimiento >> y << Paciente que necesita de asistencia humanizada del acompañante y del equipo de enfermería >>. Conclusión: los acompañantes comprenden el envejecimiento, sea como proceso natural, sea como fase difícil, triste, que causa dependencia e inutilidad. La presencia del acompañante, permeada de atención, responsabilidad, amor y gratitud, y una asistencia de enfermería basada de una buena comunicación e intercambio de informaciones entre equipo, acompañantes y pacientes contribuyen para mejorar la condición del anciano como paciente hospitalizado. Descriptors: Acompañantes; Anciano; Hospitalización. Bachelor's Degree Nursing Student, Federal University of Paraíba/UFPB. João Pessoa (PB), Brazil. E-mail: email@example.com; Nurse, PhD Professor in Education, Graduate and Post-graduate Course in Nursing, Federal University of Paraíba/PPFENF/UFPB. Researcher at the Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisa em Bioética. João Pessoa (PB), Brazil. E-mail: email@example.com; Nurse, Master Student, Post-graduate Program in Nursing, Federal University of Paraíba/PPGENF/UFPB. Member of the Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisa em Bioética. João Pessoa (PB), Brazil. Brasil. E-mail: email@example.com; Nursing Student from the Federal University of Paraíba, Member of the Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisa em Bioética. João Pessoa (PB), Brazil. E-mail: email@example.com; Nurse, Master Student, Graduate Nursing Program, Federal University of Paraíba/UFPB. Member of the Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisa em Bioética. João Pessoa (PB), Brazil. E-mail: email@example.com; Nurse egress from the State University of Paraíba, Member of the Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisa em Bioética, Federal University of Paraíba/UFPB. João Pessoa (PB), Brazil. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com ORIGINAL ARTICLE Evangelista CB, Sousa EBS, Lopes MEL et al. The condition of the elderly as hospitalized... English/Portuguese J Nurs UFPE on line., Recife, 9(7):8526-33, July., 2015 8527 ISSN: 1981-8963 DOI: 10.5205/reuol.7651-67144-1-SM.0907201504 Human aging is a result of a biopsychosocial and cultural process that creates complex demands and requires different care of professionals who assist the elderly. It is a stage of life with its own characteristics and values, in which many changes occur in the individual, both in the organizational structure (metabolism, biochemical balance, immunity, nutrition, functional mechanisms) such as in the emotional and intellectual conditions and in the communication itself. Like every stage of human life, aging has an existential dimension that modifies a person's relationship with time, generating changes in their relations with the world and with their own history. During hospitalization, the functional capacity of the elderly can be impaired and lead to dependence because it is a complex event that occurs in a moment of weakness, in which the elderly is taken from their environment and from their family and social life and transferred to a strange environment. Hospitalization, for the patient, is experienced as a world separation process. The hospital stay interferes directly into their routine as it implies the detachment from family and hampers their independence and causes fears about the disease and the treatment. Care for the elderly in the hospital environment involves the participation of professionals, students of the health area and the accompanying person (whether it is a family member or not), who arises in this scenario as another component to collaborate with the health team in the care for the hospitalized elderly. The presence of the companion for the hospitalized patient (in the case of this study, for the elder), who in most cases is a family member, increasingly appears as a necessity when seeking the continued provision of home care and reducing the hospital stay. The presence of the companion during the hospitalization of the elderly was guaranteed by the Ministry of Health, through Ordinance No. 280 of April, 7, 1999, by considering that the companion can help to improve the elderly's quality of life. Study shows that elderly submitted to therapeutic care in hospitals have improved quality of life in the presence of a family member or friend accompanying, since the patient feels safe and supported during the disease, hospitalization and treatment process, being assisted in their recovery. In a study on the difficulties faced by the family during the hospitalization of a family member, it was found that on the one hand, the companions feel good to be on the side of those they love. On the other hand, like the elderly, they also suffer changes in their daily lives, as they find a strange environment, with predetermined schedule, institutional protocols; they feel physical discomfort (generated by the lack of a suitable place to rest), stress, anxiety, fear and anguish on the clinical picture of the elderly. These aspects generate changes in the life and in the health of the entire family and can harm the elderly care during hospitalization. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of the nursing staff, whose job is to meet the needs of patients and caregivers, helping them to understand, to accept and to cope with the disease, the treatment and the consequences that this new situation imposes on family life. The theme of the hospitalized elderly is widespread in the literature; however, there are few studies that address the condition of the hospitalized elderly in the view of companions. Moreover, in our care practice in a hospital environment, we realize that situations such as discontinuity of care, conflicts between caregivers and patients, little involvement of family and abandonment of hospitalized elderly patients are common. Therefore, it becomes important to develop studies to examine the understanding of companions on the condition of the hospitalized elderly. That said, this study aims to analyze the understanding of companions on the condition of the elderly as hospitalized patients. This is a field research with qualitative approach, developed at the Medical Clinic Unit of the University Hospital Lauro Wanderley (HULW) at the Federal University of Paraíba Campus I, located in the city of João Pessoa, PB. Study participants were 15 companions of hospitalized elderly, selected by the following criteria: be found in the location selected for the study at the time of data collection; voluntary agreement to participate in the study; and written consent through the Informed Consent Form. The production of data was carried out from March to May 2014, through semistructured interview and with an MP3 player METHOD INTRODUCTION Evangelista CB, Sousa EBS, Lopes MEL et al. The condition of the elderly as hospitalized... English/Portuguese J Nurs UFPE on line., Recife, 9(7):8526-33, July., 2015 8528 ISSN: 1981-8963 DOI: 10.5205/reuol.7651-67144-1-SM.0907201504 used for recording. We presented the following question for the companions << How do you understand the condition of the elder as hospitalized patient?>> The answers were transcribed verbatim and analyzed according to the steps of categorical content analysis technique proposed by Bardin: pre-analysis, exploration of material and treatment of results. Pre-analysis aims to organize the initial ideas, leading the analyst to


A two‐point boundary value problem for singularly perturbed almost nonlinear systems is considered. An asymptotic solution is constructed in the conditionally stable case. The problem is solved in the case when the system dimension is not equal to the dimension of the additional conditions. The boundary function method, pseudo inverse matrices and orthogonal projections are utilized.