The uncertainty of the precipitation parameter in the ECMWF twentieth-century (ERA-20C) centennial reanalysis is assessed by means of a comparison with the GPCC in situ product Full Data Monthly Version 7 (FDM-V7). For the spatial and temporal validation of ERA-20C, global temporal scores were calculated on monthly, seasonal, and annual time scales. These include contingency table scores, correlations, and differences in the trend, along with time series analyses. Not surprisingly, the regions with the strongest deviations correspond to regions with data scarcity, such as mountainous regions with their upwind and downwind effects, and monsoon regions. They all show a strong systematic bias (ERA-20C minus FDM-V7) and significant breaks in the time series. The mean annual global bias is about 37 mm, and the median is about 8 mm yr−1. Among the largest mean annual biases are, for example, 3361 mm in the southern Andes, 2603 mm in the Western Ghats, and 2682 mm in Papua New Guinea. However, if there is high station density, the precipitation distribution is correctly reproduced, even in orographically demanding regions such as the Alps.


In 2012, the European Union Directive (2012/29 EU) was adopted establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of the victims of crime replacing the Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings. Both documents are legally binding of the general kind, the first of that kind, when it comes to victims of crime and EU legislation. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the importance of this Directive for promotion of the position and rights of the victim of crime and the necessity for its implementation in national legislation. Moreover, the Republic of North Macedonia, as a country that has already started the accession negotiations for EU membership, must take into account the minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime as one of the conditions for gaining this status in the EU in the framework of harmonization of national with European legislation. In this regard, we can point the implementation of the Victims' Rights Directive as one of the priorities of Serbia in the negotiations for its accession to the EU (specifically foreseen in the Action Plan for Chapter 23 - Judiciary and Human Rights). The main method used in this paper will be the content analysis of the Victims' Rights Directive and of domestic legislation regarding the (non) existence of provisions which imply its consistent application. Keywords: EU Victims' Rights Directive of Crime (2012), minimum standards, national legislation, harmonization of legislation


In a sample of Japanese war brides 48 per cent of those with Japanese husbands have very congenial relationships with their in-laws. These were the only war brides in the sample who share the cultural background of their husbands' families. They are in contrast to the larger proportion of war brides who have congenial relationships with their in-laws to be found among the Japanese wives of non-Japanese (72 per cent), European wives of Japanese (60 per cent), and European wives of non Japanese (55 per cent). Evidently, sharing the cultural backgroud tends to restrict personal relations to the prescribed forms and to hamper spontaneous interaction, while where cultural backgrounds differ, behavior is determined by the necessity to adjust one's self to another on the basis of the situation at hand. There is then mutual roletaking and hence spontaneous identification of one's self with the other and appreciation of one another.


OBJECTIVE
A novel human leukocyte antigen-B (HLA-B) allele, B*9526, was identified and analyzed by sequencing-based method in a Chinese donor.

METHODS
HLA typing was performed by PCR-sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO). Molecular cloning and DNA sequencing were used to identify the sequence of the potential novel allele and the difference between this new allele and other known alleles were analyzed.

RESULTS
HLA genotyping of one sample gave different results. The sequencing result showed HLA-B alleles of the proband as B*5403 and a novel allele. The nucleotide sequence of the novel allele was different from all known B alleles and harbored one nucleotide change from the closest matching allele B*1507 at nucleotide 425 (A to G) in exon 3, resulting in an amino acid change from Y (TAC) to C (TGC) at codon 142.

CONCLUSION
A novel HLA allele was identified and officially designated as HLA-B*9526 by WHO Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System.


In (13] we have discussed the possibility of 144 MHz sporadic E propagation triggered by dynamical processes in the lower atmosphere which are associated with thunderstonns. We have in particular discussed the model of atmospheric convection breaking the tropopause which causes the generation of atmospheric gravity waves which finally propagate from the lower atmosphere into the upper atmosphere. Arriving at E region heights. the gravity waves may stimulate or support the generation of wind shears which are accepted one cause of sporadic E Thal model appears plausible to many scientists but. as far as we can see, it Isn't yet verified In all aspects.


Arduino is an open platform designed to create prototypes of objects and interactive environments using open electronics. It consists of both hardware and software: a printed circuit board that can be acquired for a low cost or assembled following free available diagrams, as well as an open-source development environment with libraries for writing the codes to control the board. It enhances the teaching-learning process through experimentation and also provides an affordable and exible support for students, professors and researchers, in a sort that they can count on a basis to develop multiple and diverse projects in sciences, technologies and engineering, settling that way the opportunity to build a wide portfolio of innovating applications and prototypes that will act as vectors to detonate creativity and improve the student's skills and capabilities, in order to bring technological solutions for educational purposes, public or private organizations and industries from diverse sectors. This paper presents an essential


The multi-step attack is one of the primary forms of the net attack.Intrusion detection system only detects attack,but cannot forecast next step attack.An approach to forecast attack based attack utility is presented after analyzing the traditional approaches to forecast attack.To recognize the attacker's final intention and forecast next possible attack based on attack utility is distributed to each attack in accordance with the principle of maximizing the benefits by the attacker.Experiment proves the validity of the approach.


We note that the neutron spin must be treated as an intrinsically quantum variable when determining electromagnetically induced phase shifts in neutron interferometry by computing the otherwise-classical action over the classical orbit. We show that a putative acceleration of the neutron (γ/mc)Ex(μxB), recently suggested by Anandan, is essentially unobservable in such measurements over segments of the orbit where the electric 'and magnetic fields are constant (or vary slowly), within standard electroweak theory


We report photo-induced carrier recombination properties for crystalline silicon in steps of NP junction formation. Transmissivity of 9.35GHz microwave was measured and analyzed under illumination of 532 nm green light at 4~20 mW/cm to the top or rear surface. Phosphorus ions with 2x10 cm were implanted to 525 μm thick p-type silicon coated with 100 nm thick thermally grown SiO2 layers. The implantation markedly increased the surface recombination velocity S much higher than 2.6x10 cm/s, while S was 501 cm/s for initial sample. The implanted surface regions were activated by 940 nm infrared semiconductor laser irradiation at 100 kW/cm for 2.5 ms. 1.3×10 Pa H2O vapor heat treatment at 260C for 3 h was also conducted for defect reduction. These processes markedly decreased S to 307 cm/s. When the SiO2 layer at the top surface was removed, S increased to 1500 cm/s, which indicated an ability of photo-induced carrier separation by NP junction.


In lignocellulosic biomass, the volatile matter can vary from 65 to 85%. Different standards are described in the literature for obtaining this parameter. However, it is observed that some studies of regression models have not considered these differences. They create a volatile matter content database, where the standards for obtaining the same parameter are different. Thus, the objective of the study was to verify whether different standards for volatile matter present statistically equal values. That is if they can be compared with each other, without danger of bias. For this, three types of biomasses of Brazil used were used (eucalyptus chips, pine chips, and sugarcane bagasse). The samples were collected, size reduction, size separation, and stored in the laboratory. Three standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D1762, ASTM E872, ASTM D3175) and one standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 18123) were tested. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of four treatments and five replications. The central limit theorem was tested in some literature databases of the volatile matter. The results showed statistical differences when changing the type of standard used. For eucalyptus sawdust, the four standards resulted in methodologies with different averages. Still, the central limit theorem was not observed in some databases of different articles. This was explained by the non-standardization of a single standard when grouping data from different works. Therefore, different volatile content standards produce different results and when comparing values, it is important to take this assumption into account.


In this study, an iterative scheme of sixth order of convergence for solving systems of nonlinear equations is presented. The scheme is composed of three steps, of which the first two steps are that of third order Potra-Pták method and last is weighted-Newton step. Furthermore, we generalize our work to derive a family of multi-step iterative methods with order of convergence 3 r + 6 , r = 0 , 1 , 2 , … . The sixth order method is the special case of this multi-step scheme for r = 0 . The family gives a four-step ninth order method for r = 1 . As much higher order methods are not used in practice, so we study sixth and ninth order methods in detail. Numerical examples are included to confirm theoretical results and to compare the methods with some existing ones. Different numerical tests, containing academical functions and systems resulting from the discretization of boundary problems, are introduced to show the efficiency and reliability of the proposed methods.


To investigate changes in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures in limbic system white matter of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) using diffusion tensor tractography.


Oxygen consumption and maximum pumping performance were measured in situ perfused trout (Salmo gairdneri) hearts at acclimation temperatures of 5° and 15° C. Myocardial oxygen consumption increased linearly as a function of myocardial power output at both acclimation temperatures. The slope of the regression equation was significantly lower at 5° C compared with that at 15° C This difference was attributed to power output related changes in mechanical efficiency at 5° C (but not at 15° C) and a lower mass-specfic oxygen consumption for maximal performance of the larger heart of cold-acclimated fish.


The final second of the landing approach of black bean aphids, Aphis fabae, was analysed in three dimensions using video techniques. A yellow landing platform was placed upwind or downwind from aphids aggregating under a ceiling light in a laboratory wind tunnel with 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 cm s–1 wind speeds, and up‐tunnel or down‐tunnel in still air. As individual aphids flew to the platform, body orientation (assessed by direct observation) was predominantly into‐wind whether the initial flight direction to the landing platform was upwind or downwind. A greater proportion showed into‐wind body orientation as wind speed increased. Flight track parameters which differed significantly between wind speeds were the track length, linear start to finish distance, linearity index, horizontal ground speed, speed vertical to the ground, vertical turning rate, and horizontal turning rate. The position of the landing platform was important for track length, linear start to finish distance, horizontal ground speed, three‐dimensional turning rate, horizontal turning rate, vertical turning rate, and sinuosity. As wind speed increased above 30 cm s–1 the ground speed became more consistent and indicated considerable variation in air speed to adjust for ground speed. For the majority of aphids there was a strong preference (88%) for into‐wind landings with initial upwind directed flight, while for downwind flights a significant number (55%) of insects reversed initial flight direction and landed into‐wind. Field recorded landings showed that 66% of aphids landed into‐wind and there was a mean bearing to the wind of 71 ± 42°, a similar finding to wind‐tunnel studies.


BACKGROUND Surgical treatment is an accepted method for intertrochanteric fractures. For the older adults accompanied by severe osteoporosis and other diseases, how to treat intertrochanteric fractures still remains controversial. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of proximal femoral nail antirotation versus hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in older adults through meta-analysis.


The index composition, the band index, the index band manufacturing method, the index using the band structure and the joint construction method, jisupan for the joint construction and joint hardware is started. A joint structure for forming a structure having a predetermined shape by stroke after the concrete is constructed in advance, and is followed by beating surface formed line (先) pouring concrete structure on its surface, mold and concrete, which is installed to partition the outer appearance of the structure a body portion that is embedded in the structural body, in accordance with the chamfering ear connected to the body portion and a pair of wing portions of which extend in a T-shape with two sides, jisupan including a band groove formed in the wing portions and, to be inserted into the band groove is installed in the ear stroke side, followed by stroke and the indices first band to penetrate block the water along the surface, connected to the formwork and with a joint groove forming the ssokeot on the surface of the concrete structure, one end being connected to the joint groove other end concrete construction joint structure including a joint hardware including a metallic lath to be installed is bound to the wing so as to cover the ear stroke side is improved so you can build the index claim band dually jisupan and, to facilitate the installation of jisupan by about after beating if bending the galvanized steel to be the dice role and use of bonded hardware by forming a metal lath, and resolve the problem in accordance with the installation of jisupan, to simplify the construction of the construction joints, ssokeot the concrete surface as well as to simplify the process of forming, may implement a watertight construction is a concrete structure, which can cut off the cracks and leaks in the grave. The index, jisupan, joining hardware, construction joints


Background and aims: Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) was identified as the major allergen responsible for most contact reactions due to black henna tattoos. Lawsone, a naphthoquinone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphtoquinon) and the allergenic compound in henna, seemed to have low sensitization potential. As a consequence, lawsone was not considered important in adverse reactions to henna tattoos. Methods: 12 Patients with adverse reactions to black henna tattoos were investigated. Epicutaneous tests were performed using a standard series. Furthermore, PPD at a concentration of 1% and lawsone at a concentration of 10% were used. The substances were applied to the upper back. Readings were made after 3 days. Reactions were scored as recommended by the ICDRG. Results: Patch test results revealed 11 allergic reactions to PPD 1%, 4 allergic reactions to lawsone 10%, 4 to benzocaine 5% and 2 to IPPD 0,1%. Conclusion: All patients with allergic reactions after black henna tattoos reacted as expected to PPD, but 4 of 11 also to lawsone. In this context, lawsone might have more relevance than previously assumed. Furthermore, 4 of 11 patients showed cross-sensitization to benzocaine which, in this circumstance, might be attributed more clinical value as well. Taken these observations and the rare occurrence of contact allergic reactions due to lawsone into consideration, it seems that the allergic reaction caused by the potent allergen PPD triggers sensitization to weak allergens.


interpellated as mothers and wives 'who should ensure the biological survival and moral progress of the nation' (p. 121). This is described as a shift from an economically enforced 'proletarization' and politically enforced 'emancipation' to a domestication of women which is also economically and politically enforced. The second editor, Robert L. Miller concludes the book by drawing together some of the central trends and themes that emerge in the study of gender and societies in transition. One trend is the decanting of women from institutional politics so that they are pushed into pursuing alternative strategies, most notably by taking their grievances into the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector. Women also choose, or are forced into modes of adapting/surviving such as compliance with the project of matemity, family and relegation to domestic sphere; reinterpreting dominant patriarchal ideologies in ways that are more liberating; remaining silent and invisible in the public sphere, or leaving their national community. Overall, this book is a useful resource for those interested in the interrelationships between gender, nation and ethnicity in societies undergoing profound change.


The COVID-19 pandemic has become a critical concern for the health nursing industry, especially in the city of Jakarta, due to the very high population density of the city of Jakarta. This pandemic has placed a huge burden on nursing professionals as the frontlines deal directly with such a huge disaster. How can Workplace Resources combat the challenges of increasing Job Demands and provide a healthy Work-Life Balance? So that nurses get Job Satisfaction during this pandemic. This study aims to analyze the mediating role of Work-Life Balance on the effect of Job Demand and Workplace Resources on Job Satisfaction. The data used in this study is cross-sectional, namely data collected on selected respondents at a certain time. The research sample consisted of 301 nurses from eight hospitals in Jakarta who received covid-19 patients. The data analysis used for hypothesis testing was the Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis with the help of SmartPLS 2.0 software. The results showed an effect of Job Demand and Workplace Resources on Work-Life Balance. There was an effect of Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction, and the Work-Life Balance variable was proven to mediate the effect of Job Demand and Workplace Resources on Job Satisfaction. Hospitals Management needs to calculate the maximum number of patients that nurses can handle and give them autonomy so they can make changes to work methods. Also, encourage nurse supervisors to help deal with stress in the workplace by maintaining a work-life balance. Nurses support nurse supervisors to provide recognition for nurses who perform well to increase job satisfaction.


Porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) was previously shown to enhance the mechanical properties of healing medial collateral ligaments (MCL), and the histomorphological appearance and collagen type V/I ratio were found to be close to those of normal MCL. We hypothesized that at a longer term, 26 weeks, SIS could guide a better organized neo‐ligament formation, increasing mechanical properties and increasing collagen fibril diameters mediated by a reduction in collagen type V. A 6 mm gap injury in the right MCL was surgically created in 38 rabbits, while the contralateral intact MCL served as a sham‐operated control. In half the animals, a strip of SIS was sutured onto the severed ends. In the other half, no SIS was applied. The cross‐sectional area (CSA) was determined with a laser micrometer system. The femur–MCL–tibia complex was mechanically tested in uniaxial tension. Histomorphology was determined through H&E and immunofluorescent staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Sodium‐dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) was used to determine collagen type V/I ratio. SIS‐treated MCLs displayed a 28% reduction in CSA, a 33% increase in tangent modulus, and a 50% increase in tensile strength compared with the nontreated group (p < 0.05). TEM showed groups of collagen fibrils with larger diameters in the SIS‐treated ligaments in comparison with uniformly small fibrils for the nontreated group. H&E staining showed more densely stained collagen fibers in the SIS‐treated group aligned along the longitudinal axis with more interspersed spindle‐shaped cells. Immunofluorescent staining showed less collagen type V signals, confirmed by a 5% lower ratio of collagen type V/I compared with the nontreated controls (p < 0.05). The findings extend the shorter term 12‐week results, and support the potential of porcine SIS as a bioscaffold to enhance ligament healing. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res


In Aikido: The Complete Basic Techniques, Gozo Shioda, renowned master and teacher as well as the top student of modern Aikido's founder, offers lucid and detailed explanations of all of the most important basic Aikido techniques. He demonstrates how the Basic Exercises that form the core teachings of Aikdo will help the practitioner develop physical focus, and will teach him how to harness that focus for wider practical applications.


Revised version of a paper presented at the workshop on "The Irish border in perspective"
as part of the Mapping frontiers, plotting pathways programme, Queen's University, Belfast, 1 October 2004


Recently there are several budding medical journals which are coming from developing countries and also there is a large number of publishers. It will foster medical research from these countries. Authors will improve the skill of medical writing because of these journals senior, experienced international/ national editorial and review board. Also this team is responsible for the quality of the journal. Journals primary aim should not be making money and get other benefit to the people who are dealing with it. Journals should produce evidence based new information to the medical science which will benefit to the new generation physicians, scientists and readers.  There is a tremendous increase in the medical research articles in the recent years because most of the institutions, universities and funding agencies consider the publication history of the scientists for their promotion and incentive. It results with good practice and bad practice of research. There are several scientists and teaching faculty members who publish the articles without proper data or they plagiarise other scientist work.  It can be stopped only by the national medical research authorities like Indian Council of Medical Research [India], Nepal Health Research Council [Nepal], etc. for each country level and the Institutional Research and Ethics Committee in  the institutional level.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v4i3.10661 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2014; 4(3):348-50


A study of the motor skills of 60 children aged 8–13—30 who were sighted and 30 who had moderate low vision—found that the children with low vision had poorer motor skills than did the children who were sighted. Furthermore, the children with low vision had weaker gross motor skills, especially balance, than fine motor skills. Implications for intervention are discussed.


The importance of providing students with challenge has become entrenched in our understanding of learning, set down as the first teaching standard and sought by Ofsted. But what do we mean by challenge? Challenge implies a testing task, a result of struggle. While struggle may be a path to learning for some, reproducing Piaget's idea of cognitive conflict as the precursor of change, I would argue that for many children mathematical struggle is not stimulating but threatening, and leads to the phenomenon of mathematics anxiety. This paper uses my doctoral research of six intervention sessions with each of four small groups to illustrate the reaction of low-attaining students to challenge. I find that the learning of algebraic concepts is hampered by feelings of panic and low self-esteem, and that the more challenging the material, the less appropriate the response. Improved results were achieved by reinforcing and developing students' understanding of unchallenging material, corresponding to Bryant's belief that confirming evidence is better for learning. The significance of this for teachers is to recognize that challenge is not universally positive, but developing unchallenging material by stealth can be preferable.


In order to study the variations of the non-Darcy flow permeability coefficient and the porosity of permeable friction courses (PFCs), as well as the effects of the coupled seepage and stress fields on them, repeated uniaxial compression tests were carried out under the coupled action of water and a load. A set of water and load coupling tests were conducted, and a non-Darcy flow permeability coefficient tester was also made. After the PFC-13 specimen was carried out by the repeated uniaxial compression test under the water and load coupling, the total air void ratio and effective air void ratio were measured by the vacuum sealing method, and the non-Darcy flow permeability coefficients were obtained by a non-Darcy flow permeability coefficient tester. It was found that the coupled action of water and a load caused the total air void ratio, effective air void ratio, and permeability coefficient to sharply increase and reduced the number of repeated uniaxial compression cycles. These results are helpful for the design, construction, and maintenance of PFC mixtures.


Embracing diversity: Adult education and integration This article deals with the role of education for adult immigrants in their adaptation to Icelandic society. The main focus is on integration and the role of courses in enhancing immigrants' access to the society and their chances of participation in daily life. Adult education for immigrants is an important part of the integration process as it is an important aspect for the development of future possibilities of people's participation and coexistence. The aim of this article is to examine how, in the case of Iceland, a multicultural society is constructed, by taking a look at one important aspect the field of adult education. We examine the state policies regarding education for immigrants and their goals and how they are put into practice. What types of courses are available and what governs which courses are taught? What are the expectations of organizers, teachers and participants towards these courses? Unnur Dis Skaptadottir is a professor in anthropology at the University of Iceland and Helga Olafsdottir is a graduate student in anthropology at the University of Iceland.


A formulation is proposed of Abelian chiral gauge theory which is invariant with respect to a gauge symmetry and admits both fermion and vector-boson mass terms, without invoking the Higgs mechanism. The issues of unitarity and renormalizability are discussed, and a lattice chiral regularization free from the problem of fermion-species doubling is constructed and compared with others.


OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of reporting network system on death cases among Henan Province and above levels' medical institutions. METHODS Data on variables related to county no-reporting cases rate, unit reporting rate, timeliness of reporting, auditing rate, timeliness of auditing, and the accuracy of underlying cause of death coding was applied to the assessment of reporting deaths. RESULTS County no-reporting cases rate was 11.24% in Henan Province level, 68.48% at the units; with auditing rate 99.21%. The percentage of obvious coding errors among deaths reported by county and above levels' medical institutes was 13.41%. CONCLUSION Network reporting system of death cases among county and above levels' medical institutes has remarkable increase in the timeliness of data reporting system. However, there still are some problems such as the poor timeliness of reporting, and the poor accuracy of coding, which indicating that the training on ascertainment and coding of underlying death causes needs to be strengthened.


The recent introduction by McManus and Mowry (1952) of a sulphuric acid-haematoxylin method for the demonstration of basement membrane prompted us to investigate the effects of pre-treating histological sections with sulphuric acid on the capacity of tissue elements to strain meta-chromatically


Square-wave switching of the intensities of the orthogonal linearly polarized components of the output of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser(VCSEL) found previously in experiments with polarization-changing optical feedback, is not found in rate equation models incorporating only birefringence and gain anisotropy, but is found in the model for VCSELs developed by San Miguel, Feng, and Moloney [M. San Miguel, Q. Feng, and J. V. Moloney, Phys. Rev. A 52, 1729 (1995)]. The dynamics is sensitive to both the feedback strength and the relaxation rate of the magnetization in the quantum well sublevels.


BACKGROUND: Drug-associated conditioned stimuli are a key factor to induce morphine relapse. To date, limited evidence is available regarding the impact of drug history on propensity or vulnerability to relapse after long-term abstinence.


Gradient algorithms are most commonly implemented in the commercial IMRT planning systems.However,line minimization which is required for each iteration in gradient algorithms is very slow and can considerably reduce the overall speed.The scaled conjugate gradient(SCG) algorithm,which eliminates the second derivative resulted from line search,can improve the conjugate gradient algorithm remarkably.SCG algorithm implemented as an inverse planning algorithm for determining the intensity-modulated beams that will most closely generate a desired dose distribution is presented as well as a method for dose calculation in IMRT using pencil beam model.


This paper analyses the willingness to pay (WTP) for green electricity among residential consumers in Poland. The current share of renewable energy sources (RES) in energy consumption is around 13.5% and is expected to increase. Data were collected through a telephone survey of a representative sample of Poles. The results obtained indicate that - above all - age, income, environmental attitudes, peer support, but also, education and knowledge about RES play the most important role in explaining consumers' WTP for green electricity. Statistical analyses indicate that the mean WTP of Polish consumers is currently very low (around 0.5 USD), which is due to the relatively low GDP per capita, the lack of knowledge about green energy and no past experience with green electricity tariffs.


Al‐4% Cu thin‐film stripes have been examined by high‐voltage electron microscopy after being powered to failure. Particular emphasis was given to the study of damage sites in order to get a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for mass depletion. It was found that these mechanisms were the same as have been reported for pure Al films, namely, structural damage at mixed grain‐size interfaces and at triple points in regions having a uniform grain‐size distribution.


A numerical analysis has been conducted with the three-dimensional panel code VSAERO for two interacting lifting surfaces that are separated in the spanwise direction by a narrow gap, with the angle of attack of the outboard section being set independently of the inboard section, as in the 'free tip' rotor blade system proposed for helicopters. Computed values of tip surface lift and pitching moment coefficients are correlated with experimental data to determine the most suitable method for modeling the gap region between the surfaces. It is shown that the induced drag of the tip surface is reduced for negative incidence angles relative to the inboard section.


Some parameters (age, education and parental aged) in 59 infertile male patients with secretory azoospermia and have had chromosomal examination were studied and compared to the normal fertile male. Secretory azoospermia can be caiegorized as a clinical entity with genetic background. As already known, de novo patient of some genetic entities in the family, is influenced by parental age. Statistical test were done to differentiate all parameters of both groups. The parental age (matemal and patemal) were signifi-andy higher in the azoospermic as compared to the control group. This finding can be interpreted as the possibility ofparental age influence on the occuuence of azoospermia in their son.


In addition to Chamaesyce and Poinsettia, another segregate genus from Euphorbia recognized by some workers is Tithymalus Gaertn., which embraces most of the species of Euphorbia sens. lat. familiar to North Temperate field botanists. However, since many workers still prefer to retain a broad concept of Euphorbia in the Linnaean sense, it is necessary that new combinations should be made for any new species and names which are assigned by their authors to Tithymalus.


This representational still-life shows Bettie Cilliers-Barnard's thoughtful
handling of a conventional still-life theme. It shows Impressionist brushwork,
emphasis of light accents on a dark background and the use of pure colour. Her
technical skill in portraying the flowers, vase and cloth in the foreground
attracts attention.


Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of the gastrointestinal tract. One of the diagnostic steps is to perform a magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). The purpose of the study was to compare MRE findings with clinical index of the disease activity - CDAI score, in order to verify the usefullness of magnetic resonance enterography.

 The study included 46 patients who underwent MRE according to a standard protocol, with dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences. All studies were performed in prone position, using mannitol as a positive oral contrast agent. The MRE severity grading was performed according to the consensus recommendations. CDAI score was assessed prior to examination by a specialist.

 32 patients had multifocal lesions, 14 presented with unilocular lesions and 14 had a history of previous bowel resection. Penetrating disease was diagnosed in 15 subjects. The results indicate for good correlation between MRE and CDAI assessment in groups of patients with moderate and severe clinical symptoms. However, there is a significant discrepancy in MRE findings in the group of patients with mild disease activity according to CDAI. Out of 23 patients with clinically mild symptoms, 1 exhibited MRE characteristics of severe, 9 of moderate and 7 of mild inflammatory intestinal lesions.

 There is good accordance between MRE and clinical findings in patients with prominent disease symptoms, indicating that MR enterography might be a promising modality in terms of lesion activity grading. Nonetheless, there exist a significant group of patients with mild disease symptoms, in whom MRE tends to show full spectrum of disease severity.


Knowledge and learning improve performance and development of economy. The academic literature in organization learning and knowledge management has progressed over the last decade and has demonstrated increasing diversity and specialization. To understand the role of knowledge management and organization learning in knowledge management, research was conducted in Indian IT industry. The findings with respect to the knowledge management strategies, the organization learning and the effect of technological innovation was obtained. The findings show that the ever changing technologies is compelling companies to put more effort on improvising on tools. Further, employees do believe that knowledge management leads to technological innovation, but that is not the sole factor.


Abstract Large numbers of a new species of megaspore, Paxillitriletes vittatus, have been recovered through bulk maceration of a sample from the Dakota Formation (Cenomanian) of Kansas. Transmission electron microscopy has revealed a spore wall ultrastructure similar to both modern and fossil lycopod mega‐spores, consisting of a spongy reticulum of sporopollenin threads which are more compact towards the interior. The wall structure is similar to that of modern Isoetes, as well as another Mesozoic genus, Minerisporites, which has been found in situ in Isoetites megafossils. Monolete microspores, similar to those of Isoetes, were found entangled in the capilli of P. vittatus. The Paxillitriletes megaspores were found in great abundance in a dark brown, organic‐rich clay which has been interpreted sedimento‐logically as a marshy lake‐margin deposit. This abundance of a single species of megaspore suggests that the parent plants were a conspicuous part of this marsh community, similar to the habitat occupied...


Melanoma, one of the most aggressive neoplasms, is characterized by rapid cell proliferation. Transducin-like Enhancer of Split (TLE) is an important regulator of cell proliferation via Histone deacetylase (HDAC) recruitment. Given that HDAC activity is associated with melanoma progression, we examined the relationship between TLE3, a TLE family member, and melanoma. TLE3 expression was increased during the progression of human patient melanoma (p < 0.05). Overexpression of Tle3 in B16 murine melanoma cells led to an increase in cell proliferation (p < 0.01) as well as the number of cyclinD1-positive cells. in vivo injection of mice with B16 cells overexpressing Tle3 resulted in larger tumor formation than in mice injected with control cells (p < 0.05). In contrast, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Tle3 in B16 cells or TLE3 in HMV-II human melanoma cells decreased proliferation (p < 0.01). Treatment of B16 cells with trichostatin A (2.5 μM), a class I and II HDAC inhibitor, prevented the effect s of Tle3 on proliferation. In conclusion, these data indicate that Tle3 is required, at least in part, for proliferation in the B16 mouse melanoma model.


The present study aimed to analyze the participation of the government of Piauí in the bottom-up funding of sport and leisure public policies from 2013 to 2017, embracing four aspects: (1) comparison of expenditure with tax revenue; (2) comparison of expenditure with other social agendas, notably Social Assistance and Culture; (3) identifying the spending behavior regarding subfunctions; (4) analyzing the efficiency in resource liquidation comparatively. Quantitative data were collected from the National Treasure website and submitted to descriptive statistics. In a conclusive manner, the study indicated that: (a) state government expenditure with the SLF is far shorter than the estimated by the II National Sport Conference; (b) expenditure has not followed the positive revenue variation during the period; (c) when compared to Social Assistance and Culture, Sport and Leisure has been the less considered area on the government's agenda; (d) there has been an abrupt chance in the government's agenda towards performance sport; (e) the government acts in an efficient way regarding the liquidation of planned resources.


A method for using mobile communication system to manage the park charge to road features that all the park positions are encoded, user can apply its money deposit account number, and the charge center can apply short message access of mobile communication. After a car is stopped at an encoded park position, it can transmit its park position code and account number to the charge center by short message. The charge center can perform relative processing and transmit the result back to the user.


The D1 dopamine receptor (D1R) and its signaling is associated with several important neurological processes and neuropsychiatric disorders. Enhancing D1R signaling in the prefrontal cortex is associated with increased cognition and therefore is an appealing treatment strategy for the cognitive decline observed in schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and other disorders. Because of the clinical liability inherent with D1R agonists, positive allosteric modulators of the D1R have been proposed as an alternative, due to their potential for high selectivity and larger therapeutic windows. Currently, the location and characteristics of potential binding site(s) for allosteric modulators on the D1R is unknown. We have identified two structurally diverse D1R positive allosteric modulators, MLS1082 and MLS6585, via a high throughput screen of the NIH Molecular Libraries Program. The compounds potentiate dopamine‐stimulated G‐protein‐ (cAMP stimulation, 3–5 fold) and β‐arrestin‐mediated (6–8 fold) signaling pathways and increase the binding affinity of dopamine for the D1R (3–6 fold). Neither compound displayed agonist activity in the absence of dopamine. Taking advantage of our structurally distinct potentiators, G‐protein signaling and β‐arrestin recruitment experiments using maximally effective concentrations of MLS6585 and MLS1082 in combination were used to determine if the compounds act at similar or separate sites. In combination, MLS1082 + MLS6585 caused an additive potentiation of the potency of dopamine beyond that caused by either compound alone for both β‐arrestin recruitment (11–20 fold) and cAMP accumulation (4–6 fold). This suggests that the two compounds are acting at separate sites on the receptor. We also observed similar results using analogs of the two compounds, with analogs of MLS6585 having additive activity with MLS1082 and vice‐versa. However, analogs are not additive with their parent compound, meaning the parent compounds and their analogs act at similar sites. The combination experiments were repeated with Compound B, a known D1R positive allosteric modulator. Compound B was additive with MLS6585 but not MLS1082, further suggesting that the D1R has two separate positive allosteric modulator binding sites. Point mutation studies are currently underway to identify the location of these putative sites as well as whether these sites may contribute separately to potentiation of signaling efficacy versus dopamine binding affinity.


The design of new strategies that exploit methods from Machine Learning to facilitate the resolution of challenging and large-scale mathematical optimization problems has recently become an avenue of prolific and promising research. In this paper, we propose a novel learning procedure to assist in the solution of a well-known computationally difficult optimization problem in power systems: The Direct Current Optimal Transmission Switching (DC-OTS). This model consists in finding the configuration of the power network that results in the cheapest dispatch of the power generating units. For this, the model includes a set of binaries that determine the on/off status of the switchable transmission lines. Therefore, the DC-OTS problem takes the form of a mixed-integer program, which is NP-hard in general. Its solution has been approached by way of exact and heuristic methods. The former employ techniques from mixed-integer programming to solve the problem to certified global optimality, while the latter seek to identify good solutions quickly. While the heuristic methods tend to be comparatively much faster, they may suggest suboptimal or even infeasible networks topologies. The proposed approach in this paper leverages known solutions to past instances of the DC-OTS problem to speed up the mixed-integer optimization of a new unseen model. Although it does not offer optimality guarantees, a series of numerical experiments run on a real-life power system dataset show that it features a very high success rate in identifying the optimal grid topology (especially when compared to alternative competing heuristics), while rendering remarkable speed-up factors.


The title of this article embodies in essence the main issues my good friend and colleague, the late prof. R.M. Ranaweera Banda, focused on in his work, most notably his dissertation which was posthumously published earlier this year under the title 'Transnational Culture and Expert Knowledge: Responses from a Rural Community in Sri Lanka' (Ranaweera Banda 2013). Around a case study of the village Denagama in Southern Sri Lanka, he deals in this book extensively with issues of knowledge production, both globally in terms of transnational culture, and in the Sri Lankan context from pre-colonial and colonial times to the post-independence era. In the contemporaneous setting he specially elaborates on the role development plays. He describes how development as a knowledge and practice is promulgated and promoted by international development experts, local elites and local bureaucrats, and interacts with the village that, however, shows its own agency in appropriating or rejecting part of the development package offered.


Mutants of Escherichia coli impaired in fructose 1-phosphate kinase activity (Fpk) accumulate fructose 1-phosphate from fructose, which arrests their growth. Phenotypic revertants to fructose tolerance have lost either the histidine-containing protein (HPr) or enzyme I of the phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system (ctr), and consequently utilize neither fructose nor glucose, or an enzyme II specific for the uptake of fructose and its concomitant phosphorylation to fructose 1-phosphate (PtsF). However, PtsF—-mutants can still grow on high concentrations ( > 2 mM) of fructose, and take up this sugar via a low-affinity enzyme II designated PtsX that effects its uptake and phosphorylation to fructose 6-phosphate. Mutants of the Hfr-strain KL16 were isolated that lacked PtsF, or PtsF and PtsX, activities. The consequence to, and rôle of these functions in, the uptake and metabolism of fructose are described.


Power spectrum analysis of the RR variability (RRV) signal is compared with the spectrum obtained from the RT variability (RTV) signal. The analysis is carried out on a population of 16 normal subjects and 24 patients, 15 days after an acute episode of myocardial infarction (MI). While in normal subjects the RTV signal is satisfactorily correlated with RRV, presenting the same trend in a rest/tilt maneuver, in MI patients such a correlation strongly decreases. This finding demonstrates that the pathophysiological link between the two variability signals is complex, and local properties of the ventricular cells may be accounted for by the noticed difference in their behavior. RRV and RTV signal analysis can be used to investigate the relations between the beat-to-beat variability of ventricular depolarization and repolarization durations.<<ETX>>


Molecules sorbed by zeolites interact with the aluminosilicate lattice as well as the cations compensating the charge of the latter. The contributions of both to the total sorption energy are, among others, determined by the arrangement of the cations in the unit cell. In lanthanum faujasite type zeolites the cations, contrary to the sodium containing, almost completely occupy structural sites outside the supercages (SC) [1, 2], thus not interacting with sorbed benzene molecules. Therefore in LaX and LaY zeolites the sorption is expected to be governed by benzene-lattice interaction whereas in sodium containing samples it is superimposed by sorbate-cation interaction. Consequently, comparing equilibria data on these molecular sieves enables one to determine the influence of both mechanisms upon sorption by faujasite type zeolites. Mobility and diffusion of benzene investigated by nmr technique showed marked different behaviour on sodium and lanthanum faujasite type zeolites [3, 4], Corresponding sorption equilibria data are hardly published [3, 5] whereas the systems benzene-NaX and benzene-LaY have been investigated repeatedly, e.g. [6-9],


INFOSYS, an IT services and consulting company, is a leader in management innovation in India, says its unique human resource practices are major reasons for its success.


Duplications of the alimentary tract are uncommon congenital anomalies that usually present during infancy and early childhood. The case of an adolescent presenting with small bowel obstruction secondary to a duplication cyst is presented and the challenges in the management described.


Objective: Platelet functions have important roles in the development of vascular complications in diabetic patients. Platelets with increased volume have increased activity compared to smaller ones; therefore, mean platelet volume (MPV) is used as a marker for platelet activity. In the present study, we evaluated MPV in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associations with diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications. Methods: Consecutive type II diabetic patients were screened from outpatient clinic of Internal Medicine De


Abstract A numerical study is presented of the effective gain in degenerate two-wave mixing, for a reflection geometry in a photorefractive crystal. Apart from the so-called 'shooting method' we employ a simple explicit method of 'finite differences' to obtain numerical solutions of the nonlinear coupled-wave equations. A comparison between the two indicates that the computed results from the finite differences method are still in reasonable agreement with those obtained from the shooting method. At the same time the finite differences method is more straightforward and usually found to be faster than the shooting method for a small number of discrete points. The dependence of the effective gain on various parameters is shown at the saturation as well as non-saturation (i.e. below saturation) stage of the refractive-index modulation. A significant difference in gain is found to exist between these two regimes of modulation. Numerical results are compared and presented as graphs.


Although the small joints are the most frequently affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), involvement of the larger joints is not uncommon. The involvement of the hip joints is an important cause of morbidity in RA, as many of these patients will require hip arthroplasty. Duthie & Harris (1) studied 84 patients with seropositive RA and noted radiographic changes of the hips in 40% of them.


Regulation magazine celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, which is also roughly the anniversary of the beginning of the deregulation era in federal domestic policy. This article reviews the history of the rise of federal regulation in the United States, the intellectual and political reasons for deregulation, and the subsequent expansion of federal regulation so far in the 21st century. It concludes with a discussion of what antecedents might produce a second wave of deregulation.


A report of a comparative survey of the letters page of the British Journal of Occupational Therapy and three similar journals.


This paper will make a research,from the perspective of cultural heritage and development of traditional sports of ethnic minorities,which is on the origin of dragon boat activities and current status of it in Shi-dong town of Taijiang County, Zhenyuan County and Majiang County which are under the jurisdiction of Autonomous Prefecture.According to the different characteristics of Dragon Boat activities in southeast area of Guizhou Province,the paper intends to indentify the problems of the development process and then find out the corresponding countermeasures.


"People-oriented" theory is the core idea of human resources development and management and is an important theoretical basis for China's current higher education,which is consistent with the mainstream values of education in this transition period.The implement of"people-oriented"management philosophy in management of college students is the inherent requirements of scientific development concept and is the fundamental way to improve the management level and promote the comprehensive development of college students.The implement of"people-oriented"management philosophy in college management is to serve students,promote their personality development and comprehensive development;to strengthen democratic awareness and fully mobilize the students' enthusiasm and initiative;to focus on the management art and care for students;to put importance on cultural development and to enhance the soft power of college students.


This study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of rabies, antropozoonose 100% lethal in Bahia, using technologies of geoprocessing, contributing to the government organization responsible for its control. It was studied 79 cases of rabies in cattle, horse, sheep and goats through the notifications of cases of rabies in the state of herbivores, together with the identifi cation of reports of visits to the properties in the period January 2006 to August 2007, and, through the positive results confirmed by laboratory and fi les of the Agency for Defense Agropecuaria State of Bahia. Bovine were involved in the major animal disease. It can be observed that the Rabies is spread across the State, however, the identification of areas without notification, and the Coordination for Paulo Afonso and Guanambi, surrounded by area of risk, suggests a situation of under-reporting, which involves need for greater surveillance for the disease, in addition to increased health education of the population of these areas. The Geographical Information System has allowed the manipulation, and spatial visualization of data, is central to the analysis of the epidemiological situation highlighted. The Geoprocessing yet allowed to start training for a database with all the important variables for the disease in question.


The following article is from Towards Open Management: Leadership and Integrity in Open Learning and Distance Education, a new book by Ross Paul which will be published by Kogan‐Page in the spring of 1990. Based primarily on the author's experience as Vice‐President Academic of Canada's Athabasca University, the book applies a value‐driven leadership philosophy to a number of basic practical concerns in open learning and distance education. The article is derived from a chapter on 'Managing for Success: Learner Interaction and Independence'. It follows an analysis of such standard measures of success as completion and persistence rates and advocates a higher order objective ‐ the development of independent learners.1 The last part of the chapter, which explores the practical implications of this strategy for the operation of open learning institutions, is not included here because of space limitations.


Charge redistribution indicates the ESIPT tendency. Two different ESIPT mechanisms have been found in toluene and DMF. Solvent effects may control the excited‐state behavior of a‐QD.


Most research about NGOs is related to governments and international organizations. There is less research about how regulation constrains and defines the role of NGOs in the political systems where they operate. This article analyzes the evolution of regulations effecting NGOs in Spain, specifically those NGOs related to foreign aid. The goal is to explain how opportunities and organizational costs vary due to State intervention. Through the analysis of Spanish regulation it is shown that State intervention affects how NGOs organize and professionalize, and institutionalize the interaction between the two actors. State intervention constrains NGO's capacity to survive and to consolidate as major actors within the political system.


The Green-house gas Observation SATellite (GOSAT) was launched to determine the continental CO2 inventories. Its sensor is based on a passive remote sensing technique developed to achieve less than 1% relative accuracy for atmospheric CO2 measurements. Meanwhile, a laser remote sensor with the differential absorption spectrometry has been developed for a candidate of a future space-based mission to observe the atmospheric CO2 or other trace gases. A prototype of the newly developed active remote sensor has been performed to demonstrate a properly validated performance for ground-based and airborne systems. This study shows the results of the in-house and field measurements. The in-house measurement demonstrated the linearity with the correlation coefficient of over 0.99 between the instrumental response and the known CO2 density in the cell. The diurnal variation obtained from our system is consistent (correlation coefficient of 0.95) with that of multi-positioned in situ sensors, indicates the spatial responsibility of the atmospheric CO2 obtained from our remote sensor with two ~3-km observation paths.


In June 1974, 61 students received the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from the General College. Of these 61 graduating students, 41 (67.2%) were male and 20 (32.8%) were female. This report is a descriptive study of the academic profiles of these students.


We report on the filaments that develop self-consistently in a new numerical simulation of cloud formation by colliding flows. As in previous studies, the forming cloud begins to undergo gravitational collapse because it rapidly acquires a mass much larger than the average Jeans mass. Thus, the collapse soon becomes nearly pressureless, proceeding along its shortest dimension first. This naturally produces filaments in the cloud and clumps within the filaments. The filaments are not in equilibrium at any time, but instead are long-lived flow features through which the gas flows from the cloud to the clumps. The filaments are long-lived because they accrete from their environment while simultaneously accreting onto the clumps within them; they are essentially the locus where the flow changes from accreting in two dimensions to accreting in one dimension. Moreover, the clumps also exhibit a hierarchical nature: the gas in a filament flows onto a main, central clump but other, smaller-scale clumps form along the infalling gas. Correspondingly, the velocity along the filament exhibits a hierarchy of jumps at the locations of the clumps. Two prominent filaments in the simulation have lengths ∼15 pc and masses ∼600 M☉ above density n ∼ 103 cm−3 (∼2 × 103 M☉ at n > 50 cm−3). The density profile exhibits a central flattened core of size ∼0.3 pc and an envelope that decays as r−2.5 in reasonable agreement with observations. Accretion onto the filament reaches a maximum linear density rate of ∼30 M☉ Myr−1 pc−1.


Embryos of Caenorhabditis elegans develop into fertile adults after cell fragments, containing presumptive cytoplasm of somatic and germ line precursors, are extruded from uncleaved eggs or early blastomeres through laser-induced holes in the eggshells. This suggests that the determinate development of this worm is not dependent on the prelocalization of determinants in specific regions of the egg cytoplasm.


In this paper, the initial boundary value problems for a class of multidimensional nonlinear pseudo- hyperbolic system of higher order have been studied by Galerkin method, combining with the priori estimate of solution and Sobolev imbedding theorems, the existence and uniqueness of the global strong solution have been proved.


This paper reports the differences between boys and girls in the way they cope with everyday problems. A representative sample of 1,715 students from Madrid was selected. Coping strategies were evaluated by using the Adolescents Coping Scale –ACS– (Frydenberg and Lewis, 1997). The results showed that girls use a great variety of coping strategies and also differences in coping styles obtained through the factor analysis conducted over the 18 strategies.


Introduction We have been investigated the relation between phase separation in binary mixtures of ganglioside GM3 and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine(DPPC) and physiological properties of GM3 in biomembrane. In this report we focused on binary mixtures of lactosylceramide(LacCer) and DPPC. LacCer is widely distributed in epithelial tissues and it may be the receptor for disseminated disease such as certain kinds of cryptococcus and candida 1) and also involves in human aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation 2) . As shown in Fig.1, the difference between LacCer and GM3 is whether acetyl neuraminic acid is present or not in oligosaccharide portion. Thus, it is expected that x-ray diffraction study of LacCer/DPPC system gives some information about the role of neuraminic acid in the mechanism of phase separation in GM3/DPPC system.


According to the workings of bicycles, this paper makes some analyses of how to ride a bicycle easily, braking and the design of the bicycle from the point of view of mechanics.


Thick film polycristalline ZnO gas sensors for hydrogen partial pressure determination in hydrogen-air mixtures present at very complex kinetic behavior that demands to be thoroughly clarified in order for them to be used in practical applications. For this reason a systematic investigation has been carried out on the time and temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of ZnO films deposited via spray pyrolysis on ceramic substrates in the temperature range 498-573 K in the presence of dispersed Pt as the catalyst


Lack of knowledge on the influence of perception based socio-economic factors capable of influencing smallholder farmers to adopt biotechnology has often been cited as a crucial policy gap. This scenario has been attributed to the retardation of the advancement of technology to smallholder farmers. Effectively, a widening gap seems to exist between large and smallholder farmers on the adoption rate of biotechnology, to the disadvantage of the latter. Low adoption rate of Bt maize by smallholder farmers amid multiple benefits from this technology presents a significant gap in literature and policy worth exploring. Understanding smallholder farmers' perceptions on biotechnology and the relative influence of these perceptions towards adoption of Bt maize may be necessary in providing answers to the slow adoption rate, which could be used to model corrective policy prescriptions. Using a Binary Logistic Regression Model, fourteen predictor independent variables were regressed against the dichotomous dependent variable of Bt maize adoption status of households. The goal was to estimate the manipulative power of smallholder perception based factors that may influence households' decision to adopt Bt maize. Results suggests that, the elimination of problems encountered in conventional agriculture, easy farm management, reduction in agricultural chemicals, improvement in overall quality and nutritional values of products possible with Bt maize, labelling of Genetically Modified foods and availability of information, were significant perceptions shared by farmers, capable of positively influencing adoption of Bt maize by smallholder farmers. Moreover, the feared technological fees, yearly purchase cost of Bt maize seed and restriction on saving Bt maize seed as returned seed, seem to be insignificant to send a disincentive signal to hinder adoption of Bt maize by smallholder farmers. Effectively, results further suggest that benefits attached may far outweigh the intrinsic costs associated. The implied message centres on lack of information on biotechnology among smallholder farmers who have shown that they may adopt the technology. Hence, policy prescriptions that focus on strategic dissemination of biotechnology information to smallholder farmers may help in the advancement of biotechnology to smallholder farmers.

 Key words: Smallholder perceptions, biotechnology adoption Bt maize, binary logistic regression.


I want to be able to teach health to every student that comes into my classroom, can you teach me to do that? (SDEP Health Education Applicant). Public schools, spurred by federal education reform (NCLB, IDEA 2004), strive to increase the performance of all students through standards, accountability, inclusive classrooms, access to the general education curriculum, and providing teachers qualified in the subjects they teach. As middle and secondary classrooms become increasingly inclusive, some special educators may not be prepared to teach content (Brouk, 2005; Washburn-Moses, 2005), and some general educators may not be prepared to address diverse learning needs (McClanahan, 2008; Ness, 2008) . This mismatch between the reality of today's schools and traditional teacher preparation (Hardman, 2009) has led to the development of new models for teacher education that integrate or merge special education and general education. Teacher education programs fall into three categories: discrete, integrated, or merged (Blanton & Pugach, 2007). Most teacher preparation is provided via the discrete model of separate general and special education programs. Recently professional organizations have questioned whether discrete programs adequately prepare either special or general education teachers for today's schools (Blanton & Pugach, 2007). Integrated and merged models are two approaches to combining special and general education pedagogy for teacher education. In an integrated model, separate general and special education licensure programs are retained but faculty work together to develop a set of courses and/or field experiences in which special education candidates learn about general education curriculum and instruction and vice-versa. Elementary and/or secondary education and special education programs are coordinated in such a way that candidates can readily add special education licensure to their general education licensure (see for examples Dieker & Berb, 2002; Hardeman, 2009; VanLaarhoven, Munk, Lynch, Bosma, & Rouse, 2007). In merged programs, faculty in general and special education collaborate to develop one program in which all candidates receive licensure in both general and special education. Merged programs are developed through the extensive and deliberate collaboration of general and special education faculty to redesign the teacher education curriculum and field experiences. However, while several merged programs have been developed to prepare elementary candidates, programs for middle/secondary candidates are scarce (Griffin & Pugach, 2007). When faculty from Curriculum and Instruction and Special Education consider creating a merged secondary program, many questions and issues arise. For example, what varied concerns do faculty members from these respective departments have regarding the preparation of secondary educators and can those concerns be addressed in one merged program? Coming from different disciplines, faculty may have misconceptions about one another's views of learning and pedagogy (Robinson & Buly, 2007) and if so, how will these be clarified and resolved? How do faculty members reach a shared vision of what teacher candidates need to know and be able to do in order to be effective in today's diverse, inclusive classrooms? Once reached, how is that vision translated into coherent curriculum and field experiences, that are hallmarks of quality teacher education (Darling-Hammond & Bransford, 2005)? How can teacher candidates gain a depth of knowledge and experience in content-specific pedagogy (Shulman, 1987) along with instructional strategies for teaching the full range of adolescent learners? How can field experiences be designed so that candidates can teach and collaborate across general and special education? How do faculty coordinate the many facets of program delivery across university departments? And finally, how will faculty learn from the early years of implementation and improve upon the initial design? …


: The operational modal analysis (OMA) technique based on the pseudo frequency response function (PFRF) method by the use of transmissibility measurements does not require the white noise excitation assumption, and has strong ability of harmonic modes rejection. However, its modal identification results depend on the selection of the PFRF to be analyzed, the stability needs to be improved. To solve this issue, an OMA method based on the pseudo frequency response function matrix (PFRFM) method is proposed. Firstly, the PFRFM with multiple reference measurement points and multiple reference loading conditions is constructed. Subsequently, the least squares complex frequency domain method is applied to the PFRFM to extract the modal frequencies and damping ratios, the transmissibility matrices are used to extract the modal shapes. Finally, the number of modes and the final modal results are determined by combing the stabilization diagram with the modal indicator function that is built on the arithmetic mean of the reciprocal of the second singular values about the transmissibility matrices with different references. The results of simulations for a 5 DOF mass-spring-damping system and experiments for a free beam demonstrate that the proposed method not only inherits the strong ability of harmonic modes rejection, but also can effectively solve the problem of insufficient stability of identification results of the PFRF method, obtain higher precision modal results to a certain extent, and is more conducive to automation.


Surgical treatment of focal epilepsy sometimes necessitates localization of the epileptigenic tissue by way of invasive electrocorticography (EcoG) measurements to measure the seizure onset zone and spiking activity. This thesis focuses on two points of improvement within the surgical workflow, the first being network analysis (Chapter 2) and the second being image registration (Chapter 3).

In Chapter 2, the use of network analysis of the EcoG data is explored to improve localization of the epileptogenic zone. For two patients with chronic multiday ECoG recordings, 10 epochs of two seconds were selected in interictal sleep state, and the Directed Transfer Function and subsequent network measures (out-strength, Betweenness Centrality and PageRank Centrality) for a multitude of frequency bands was measured. The most important findings were a significantly higher PageRank and out-strength in one patient in the resected area.

In Chapter 3, a manual and semi-automatic way of image overlapping by three clinicians and 5 non-clinicians was compared. No significant increase in accuracy was found when using the semi-automatic registration, but a significant decrease in time spent was found (mean of 132 seconds vs 321 seconds), making this method superior to an automatic approach.


Background: District hospitals (DHs) constitute a significant proportion of public hospitals and consume a more substantial percentage of the government's total hospital budget. With the level of resources disbursed to DHs, it is essential to ensure efficient allocation and utilization. Hence, this study set out to assess the technical efficiency and productivity of public DHs in KwaZulu- Natal province, South Africa. Methods: Data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Malmquist total factor productivity (MTFP) were used to assess technical efficiency, identify adjustments required to make inefficient facilities more efficient, and determine overall productivity growth. Input data such as medical personnel and output information such as outpatient visits were retrieved from the databases of the district health information system (DHIS), and personnel salary systems (PERSAL) for three consecutive financial years (2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17). A total of 38 district hospitals were included in the study. Results: The proportion of technically efficient facilities according to constant return to scale (CRS) were 12 (31.6%), 16 (42.1%) and 14 (36.8%) in 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 respectively while according to the variable return to scale (VRS) technically efficient facilities were 22 (57.9%), 19 (50.0) and 21 (55.2%) respectively for the three consecutive years. On average, the total productivity of DHs increased by 4.8 percent over the three years, which is attributed majorly to technical growth of 6.9 percent. Conclusion: This study showed that a significant proportion of the district hospitals were technically inefficiency. Also, steps that could enable more efficient use of healthcare resources to yield optimal health service delivery were recommended. Significance for public health The public health sector in South Africa is responsible for catering for the preventative and curative health care needs of more than 80% of the population. Since 1994, Government expenditure on has significantly increased for all levels of healthcare including public hospitals. District hospitals play a central role in supporting Primary health care (PHC) and at same time serves as a gateway to more specialist care offered at provincial and tertiary healthcare facilities. Assessing the efficiency of health facilities on a continual basis is critical in optimising scarce resource utilisation and minimising wastage. Such an assessment will allow policy and decision makers in health sector to make better allocative decisions towards more effective, and efficient use of health resources. Hence, this study is important as it was undertaken to assess the efficient utilization of resources at district hospitals which play a pivotal and central role in supporting primary health care service delivery.


FTER four very successful years in a tent, the Shakespeare Festival at Stratford, Ontario, is now housed in an exciting new theatre. From the outside, with its circular scalloped roof fluting into deep folds like some great nun's coif and topped by a jaunty coronet flying two flags, it still retains the carnival atmosphere which the tent had. Inside, the stage designed by Tanya Moiseiwitsch and Tyrone Guthrie remains relatively unchanged. There is a large main stage jutting thirty-four feet into the audience and a triangular balcony at the back with steps leading up to it on each side. There are four large steps round the main stage and two platforms halfway up the stairs. There are thus seven levels of playing in the open and a large trapdoor which gives access to an invisible but very effective eighth. The auditorium has been enlarged by the addition of an 858-seat balcony, but the arc of the pit has been slightly lessened so that no spectator has his sightline interrupted by the pillars of the balcony. Surprisingly enough, though the theatre now seats over two thousand people, no one in the audience is more than 70 feet from the stage. The aisles through the audience are used for entrances and exits, three aisles running down to the stage and two running down from the stage under the audience. This makes a total of nine major entrances to playing areas on seven different levels. In a word, then, this is an Elizabethan theatre. It does not slavishly follow Hodges or Cranford Adams or any other of the scholars who have taught us so much about the Globe and its fellows, but it does reconstruct a stage which has the essential facilities for the production, in its own idiom, of a drama which demands close identification of the actor with the audience, a variety of levels for the playing of eavesdropping and discovery scenes, ease of entrance from all sides to cope with the rapid swirl of battle or the more stately pomp of royalty in progress, and a sufficient cellarage for ghosts, prisoners, and other infernal beings. Walter Kerr, summing up the theatre in his review in the New York Herald Tribune on July 7th, said: "The authorities responsible for the Canadian Festival have created something more than a dazzlingly handsome and superbly functional playhouse. They have given us the only really new stage and the only really new actor-audience experience of the last hundred years on this continent." Those same authorities were aware that they must this season offer a program worthy of their new playhouse. So far, they had staged the less popular comedies, All's Well and Measure for Measure; they had given us a pantomime


Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for X-linked disorders using ̄ uorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) allows the gender of embryos to be determined in vitro, and replacement of the appropriate sex. Recent experience with 11 cycles in 8 couples, each with a different X-linked disorder, clearly illustrates a very high attrition rate to the ® nal number of embryos suitable for transfer. Although 61 per cent of retrieved oocytes fertilised, only 55 per cent of the original oocytes produced embryos suitable for biopsy, further attrition resulting from the embryos failing to reach the appropriate cleavage stage, or not being of suitable quality for biopsy. Of those embryos biopsied, 22 per cent were rendered unsuitable for transfer due to complete non diagnosis, from either failure of the biopsy or failure of the FISH technique. Using three colour FISH (the autosome chromosome 18 is utilised as a control for normal diploidy), a further 19 per cent of embryos biopsied appeared to be aneuploid, yielding only 23 per cent of the initial normally fertilised embryos as suitable for transfer (after discarding the undesired gender). In most cycles, despite a good response to exogenous FSH stimulation, only a single embryo was available for transfer resulting in a mean of 1 ́3 embryos replaced per cycle. Couples must be counselled about the low yield and the possibility that no embryos may be suitable for transfer following pre-implantation genetic diagnosis.


With the growing number of telecommunication services,the number of alarm data of telecommunication network grows ex-ponentially.So to telecommunication integrated network management that collect and process the huge number of alarm data from the exchange network management,transmission network management,data network management,dynamic environment network mana-gement and etc,the first problem to solve is how to filter great alarm data problem.Stratified alarm filtering model and alarm filtering project basis of module is put forward to realize stratified converging alarm data fast based on analysis the characteristic of the alarm data of telecommunication network in detail.The warning relevant rule production algorithm is used,which the Apriori connection excavation algorithm and the event sliding window unifies to construct the warning association in time rule,the alarm filtering template intellectua-lized production is realized.


A ring R is said to be strongly clean if every element of R is sum of an idempotent and a unit in R which commute with each other. A ring R is said to have stable range one if for any a,b in R with aR +bR = R there exists y in R such that a + by is a unit. In this paper we give a partial answer to the following open problem: Does every strongly clean ring have stable range one? Also we give a necessary and sufficient condition for R(M )-(the idealization of R and M where M is an R-module)-to be an exchange ring and to have stable range one.


Abstract. We propose a many-body wave function that exhibits both diagonal and off-diagonal long-range order. Incorporating short-range correlations due to interatomic repulsion, this wave function is shown to allow condensation of zero-point lattice vibrations and phase rigidity. In the presence of an external velocity field, such a perfect crystal will develop non-classical rotational inertia, exhibiting the supersolid behavior. In a sample calculation we show that the superfluid fraction in this state can be as large as of order 0.01 in a reasonable range of microscopic parameters. The relevance to the recent experimental evidence of a supersolid state by Chan and Kim is discussed.


Breakdowns and malfunctions in public transport vehicles have serious impacts in terms of road safety, traffic conditions, financial profitability and environmental damage. Due to these reasons, fleet maintenance is a big share of public transport companies' budget. DIAMANTE (ESPRIT-PASO Programme), a 24 months R+D project started in January 1994, aims to develop an integral maintenance system for public transport fleets. The DIAMANTE project implements a pilot system for the automation of malfunction detection in public transport vehicles, even before they degenerate into breakdowns. The process of management of these anomalies is integrated in the information network of the public transport company. This is a first step to develop a final product that can cover this void in the information infrastructure of public transport companies. Larger scale demonstrations and activities related to standardisation are planned in the near future in the framework of the Transport Telematics Programme of the European Commission (DGXIII).


In the present paper the behavior of the heterochromoso-mes in the course of the meiotic divisions of the spermatocytes in 15 species of Orthoptera belonging to 6 different families was studied. The species treated and their respective chromosome numbers were: Phaneropteridae: Anaulacomera sp. - 1 - 2n = 30 + X, n +15+ X and 15. Anaulacomera sp. - 2 - 2n - 30 + X, n = 15+ X and 15. Stilpnochlora marginella - 2n = 30 + X, n = 15= X and 15. Scudderia sp. - 2n = 30 + X, n = 15+ X and 15. Posldippus citrifolius - 2n = 24 + X, n = 12+X and 12. Acrididae: Osmilia violacea - 2n = 22+X, n = 11 + X and 11. Tropinotus discoideus - 2n = 22+ X, n = 11 + X and 11. Leptysma dorsalis - 2n = 22 + X, n = 11-J-X and 11. Orphulella punctata - 2n = 22-f X, n = 11 + X and 11. Conocephalidae: Conocephalus sp. - 2n = 32 + X, n = 16 + X and 16. Proscopiidae: Cephalocoema zilkari - 2n = 16 + X, n = 8+ X and 8. Tetanorhynchus mendesi - 2n = 16 + X, n = 8+X and 8. Gryliidae: Gryllus assimilis - 2n = 28 + X, n = 14+X and 14. Gryllodes sp. - 2n = 20 + X, n = 10- + and 10. Phalangopsitidae: Endecous cavernicola - 2n = 18 +X, n = 94-X and 9. It was pointed out by the present writer that in the Orthoptera similarly to what he observed in the Hemiptera the heterochromosome in the heterocinetic division shows in the same individual indifferently precession, synchronism or succession. This lack of specificity is therefore pointed here as constituting the rule and not the exception as formerly beleaved by the students of this problem, since it occurs in all the species referred to in the present paper and probably also m those hitherto investigated. The variability in the behavior of the heterochromosome which can have any position with regard to the autosomes even in the same follicle is attributed to the fact that being rather a stationary body it retains in anaphase the place it had in metaphase. When this place is in the equator of the cell the heterochromosome will be left behind as soon as anaphase begins (succession). When, on the contrary, laying out of this plane as generally happens (precession) it will sooner be reached (synchronism) or passed by the autosomes (succession). Due to the less kinetic activity of the heterochromosome it does not orient itself at metaphase remaining where it stands with the kinetochore looking indifferently to any direction. At the end of anaphase and sometimes earlier the heterochromosome begins to show mitotic activities revealed by the division of its body. Then, responding to the influence of the nearer pole it moves to it being enclosed with the autosomes in the nucleus formed there. The position of the heterochromosome in the cell is explained in the following manner: It is well known that the heterochromosome of the Orthoptera is always at the periphery of the nucleus, just beneath the nuclear membrane. This position may be any in regard of the axis of the dividing cell, so that if one of the poles of the spindle comes to coincide with it, the heterochromosome will appear at this pole in the metaphasic figures. If, on the other hand, the angle formed by the axis of the spindle with the ray reaching the heterochromosome increases the latter will appear in planes farther and farther apart from the nearer pole until it finishes by being in the equatorial plane. In this way it is not difficult to understand precession, synchronism or succession. In the species in which the heterochromosome is very large as it generally happens in the Phaneropteridae, the positions corresponding to precession are much more frequent. This is due to the fact that the probabilities for the heterochromosome taking an intermediary position between the equator and the poles at the time the spindle is set up are much greater than otherwise. Moreover, standing always outside the spindle area it searches for a place exactly where this area is larger, that is, in the vicinity of the poles. If it comes to enter the spindle area, what has very little probability, it would be, in virtue of its size, propelled toward the pole by the nearing anaphasic plate. The cases of succession are justly those in which the heterochromosome taking a position parallelly to the spindle axis it can adjust its large body also in the equator or in its proximity. In the species provided with small heterochromosome (Gryllidae, Conocephalidae, Acrididae) succession is found much more frequently because here as in the Hemiptera (PIZA 1945) the heterochromosome can equally take equatorial or subequatorial positions, and, furthermore, when in the spindle area it does offer no sereous obstacle to the passage of the autosomes. The position of the heterochromosome at the periphery of the nucleus at different stages may be as I suppose, at least in part a question of density. The less colourability and the surface irregularities characteristic of this element may well correspond to a less degree of condensation which may influence passive movements. In one of the species studied here (Anaulacomera sp.- 1) included in the Phaneropteridae it was observed that the plasmosome is left motionless in the spindle as the autosomes move toward the poles. It passes to one of the secondary spermatocytes being not included in its nucleus. In the second division it again passes to one of the cells being cast off when the spermatid is being transformed into spermatozoon. Thus it is regularly found among the tails of the spermatozoa in different stages of development. In the opinion of the present writer, at least in some cases, corpuscles described as Golgi body's remanents are nothing more than discarded plasmosomes.


----------------------------------------------------------------------ABSTRACT----------------------------------------------------------Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) is one the appropriate network for providing the optimal solution in real-time applications problems. The systematic allocation of tasks needs to plays the key role to optimize the overall processing reliability of the DCE. DCE consists of multiple autonomous computers that communicate through a common communication channel. The computers interact with each other in order to achieve a common goal. A computer program that runs in a distributed system is called a distributed program, and distributed programming is the process of writing such programs. The allocation problems in any computer system play the key role for deciding the performance of the system. The allocation of tasks in DCE has an important role to the evaluation of the performance of the network. The problem of processing of "m" tasks to "n" processors (m > n) in a distributed networks is addressed here through a new modified tasks allocation policy for the task processing in a DCE. The model, presented in this paper allocates the tasks to the processor to enhance the performance of the DCE.


Watson's method for determining the roots of a solvable quintic equation in radical form is examined in complete detail. New methods in the spirit of Watson are constructed to cover those exceptional cases to which Watson's original method does not apply, thereby making Watson's method completely general. Examples illustrating the various cases that arise are presented.


This paper recognizes the fact that in spite of the fact that newspapers and magazines in developed nations are fast moving away from the news stands to the internet, they are still invaluable sources of teaching materials particularly in a developing country like Nigeria where most schools do not have access to the internet. It focused on how to integrate reading and writing skills (using an integrated approach adopted here) which are important precursors in formal language learning by using the newspaper as a resource in teaching operations. The aim is to assist the teacher in finding more options to the perennial problem of lack of textbooks, enhance the reading and writing skills of these students, and forge a link between their newspaper experience and the world outside. It looks at the reading habit of Nigerians in general and with particular reference to the newspaper, explains and gives guidelines to teachers and students on what to focus on when reading and how to read for specific purposes. It then expatiates on the above techniques as well as materials which are then used in assisting the students' writing strategies. The paper concludes by making relevant suggestions to teachers, students as well as the average newspaper reader.
Date: 2010


Abstract Basic relations in diffraction theory and coherence theory are rederived in spatial coordinates in units of a wavelength for each monochromatic component of the field. It is found that each component behaves identically in these coordinates independent of wavelength. This theory makes it clear that there is an intrinsic spectral shift that always occurs for any deterministic field as it propagates from a region near its sources into the far field. This theory also leads to a set of special conditions under which a partially coherent field has the same spectrum over a plane near its sources and also at every point in its far field. These conditions are believed to be satisfied by the fields radiated by natural thermal sources. Equations are given describing the relationships between the spectra of the source, the field near the source, and the radiation field under a wide range of conditions.


: A Mutual Fund is a trust that pools the savings of a number of investors who share a common financial goal. The money collected is invested by the fund manager in different types of securities depending upon the objective of the scheme. Investing in a mutual fund can be a lot easier than buying and selling individual stocks and bonds on your own. Mutual Funds now represent perhaps most appropriate investment opportunity for most investors. As the investor always try to maximize the returns and minimize risk. The basic purpose of the study is to give broad idea on Mutual Funds and analyze various schemes to highlight diversified investment that Mutual Fund offers to its investors. Through this study one can understand how to invest in Mutual Funds and turn raw investment into ripen fruits by taking wise decisions, taking the risk factors into account. The study is to identify the best scheme among the equity funds of SBI Mutual Funds for the investors who prefer to invest in Mutual Funds by analyzing the risk and returns of the funds through standard Deviation, Alpha, Beta and Sharpe Ratio. annual returns and alpha. These results help the investors to invest in diversified schemes and also help them in gaining confidence about their return on investment. The results of the project also help the company in maintaining their current portfolio, analyzing the existing funds and also to keep the value of beta to minimum in order to reduce the risks in portfolios.


A diode equivalent circuit and extended two-dimensional network circuit models were developed for a unit dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) and modules. Based on a P-spice simulation using the developed models, we designed and fabricated 300 × 300 mm Z-type transparent DSC modules for building integrated photovoltaic windows. The developed models demonstrated that the optimized cell designs and performance can depend heavily on solar-irradiation conditions. The developed circuit models exhibited good agreement with the operational behaviors of the fabricated modules under complex irradiation conditions, which will be very useful in developing high-performance transparent DSC modules.


Abstract : A nondestructive test procedure to evaluate the structural integrity of filter/separator elements has been further developed, a prototype tested designed and built and evaluated in two plants. The tester appears to function without difficulty. Only about one element in every thousand tested was found defective when tested in this apparatus. More extensive use of the apparatus and correlation of results are required to establish performance on a statistically sound basis.


On the basis of testing inner qualities of concrete structure with carrying capacity descending, a new practical method for age diagnosing of concrete structure of civil engineering is presented. The hierarchical evaluating is up built, and theory of fuzzy mathematics is applied to analyze weighted coefficients.Many functions are discussed, such as evaluating aging degree for various hydraulic concrete construction, pointing out running and repair scheme etc.


Concentration analysis was performed on nine chlorination by-products in the brine discharged from desalination project of Dagang Xinquan Ltd and seawater once-through cooling system of Dagang Power Plant.In addition,toxic effects((L(E) C50) analysis was performed from three basic levels of aquatic organisms(Scenedemus vacuolatus,Daphnia magna and Oncorhynchus mykiss).Based on this,the quotient method from the Technical Guidance Document(TGD) on Safety Assessment of Chemical Substances by the European Union was adopted to assess the ecological risks of nine chlorination by-products in the brine discharged from seawater utilization.The results showed that chloroform,chloral,dichloroacetate,trichloroacetonitrile and pentachlorophenol had environmental risk.


In this paper, we deveıop a stability theory of the zero solution for the continuous‐time homoge‐ neous semilinear dynamical system. For the discrete‐time homogeneous dynamical system, Thieme and Jin [6, 7, 8] show that the cone spectral radius of a homogeneous operator gives the threshold value for the stability of the zero solution. We apply this idea to the continuous‐time dynamical system under appropriate conditions commonly used in population dynamics. Using this theory, we investigate a tw sex structured population model to find the threshold value for population extinction and persistence.


This case is about a family business, Taybeh Brewing Company (TBC), with strategic and succession planning issues including the need to prepare the second generation of decision makers to take over. It covers the centralization of control and issues that arise when it is time for a founder of a company to relinquish control or share in the decision making process. It also deals with the lack of interest by the second generation to continue what others initiated as a family legacy. The business has been approached to become listed on the stock exchange, but the owners have not made a decision. By reading about the small family business, students can learn about business structure that is proper for a company's future, the pitfalls of founder's syndrome, and succession planning, which according to Muna and Khoury (2012) becomes imperative for the first and second generations to take seriously.


"Orient" began to develop negative connotations following the publication of the ground-breaking work Orientalism by Edward Said. Following the ideas of Michel Foucault and Antonio Gramsci, Said emphasized the relationship between power and knowledge in scholarly and popular thinking, in particular regarding European views of the Islamic world. Said argued that Orient and Occident worked as oppositional terms, so that the "Orient" was constructed as a negative inversion of Western culture. Said's account de-emphasize the works of "Orientalists". Many genuine contributions to the study of Oriental cultures made by Westerners during the Enlightenment and Victorian eras. While many distortions and fantasies certainly existed, the notion of "the Orient" as a negative mirror image of the West cannot be wholly true because attitudes to distinct cultures diverged significantly. In any case it is a logical necessity that other cultures will be identified as "different", since otherwise their distinctive characteristics would be invisible, and that the most striking differences will hold up the mirror to the observing culture. Orientalists have provided a huge amount of information about ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Hittite, ancient Persia, whose materials predate the beginning of Islam. What they found out in orient was the matrix, from which later Hebraism and Hellenism sprang. As Erasmus initiated Renaissance in 15th century, orientalists ushered us in a new era of "Oriental Renaissance" by which later daughter civilizations, especially Hebraism and Hellenism would be properly evaluated and fathomed.