The objective of Named Entity Recognition (NER) is to categorize all named entities in a document into predefined classes like person, organization, location, brand names and others. Named Entity Recognition is a difficult process in Indian languages like Telugu, Hindi, and Bengali, Urdu etc., where sufficient gazetteers and annotated corpora are not available compared to English language? A rule based systems is very difficult to implement because of lack of grammatical and linguistic analysis to make rules in Indian languages like "Telugu". In this paper we describe the identification of Named Entities using various features, gazetteer lists using language dependent features and rule based approaches for Telugu language. Here we described two phase representation of Named Entity Recognition. The first phase describes the noun identification using Telugu dictionaries, noun morphological stemmer and noun suffixes. The second phase identifies the Named Entities using transliterated gazetteer lists related to different Named Entity tags, various Named Entity suffix features, context features and morphological features.


The invention discloses a method and a system for implementing service application division. The method comprises the following steps of: when a user terminal outputs service flow, identifying and classifying the service application of the service flow; typing characteristic fields which can be identified by network equipment on message of the service flow according to the classification result respectively; and after the network equipment receives the service flow, detecting the characteristic fields in the message of the service flow, and typing a corresponding priority mark in the message of the service flow according to a mark of the service flow and a mapping rule of a priority. The method and the system implement division and identification on the same user and different services, meanwhile integrate soft terminals of the services of the user, facilitate unified management and maintenance on the user terminal, and have the advantages of simple implementation, reliable technology, high safety, low overhead, strong expandability and the like.


K.F. Turkman discuss the asymptotic distribution of the maxima of a class of quasi-stationary sequences. In this paper, we apply the convergence theorem of point process theory to obtain the convergence of the point process of exceedances and the asymptotic distributions of rth largest Maxima and asymptotic joint distributions for a finit number of the rth largest maximum.


Ritual artifacts are produced by individuals and/or small groups, left over-there, in the environment, perceivable, sharable, and more or less available. Artifacts of this type can be considered cognitive mediators, insofar as they are collective memory stores of related habits, in the sense that they mediate and make available the story of their origin and the actions related to it, which can be learnt and/or re-activated when needed. Indeed, symbolic habits embedded in rites can also be seen as memory mediators which maximize abducibility, which is the human capacity to guess hypotheses, because they maximize recoverability of already stored cognitive contents. In sum, once suitable representations are externalized in a ritual artifact, they can be sensorially picked up and manipulated to re-internalize them when humans attend the rite: the externalization can be seen as the fruit of the so-called "disembodiment of the mind" as a significant cognitive perspective, able to show some basic features of what I called manipulative abduction, which I will describe in my presentation. When analyzing artifacts and habits in ritual settings, it is important to remember that interesting cases of creative meaning formation are also at play. Actually, we can distinguish two kinds of habits that are at play in rites: (a) a knowledge-based kind of habit, for the analysis of which the concept of "affordance" is useful, which also plays a pivotal role in the justification of the agent's own beliefs; and (b) an ignorance-based kind of habit, which will be proved as necessary for the beginning of thought, and which is at the base of the ampliative abductive reasoning.


We have derived a surface-area-based version of the generalized Born model (S-GB) as a well-defined approximation to the boundary element formulation of the Poisson−Boltzmann (PB) equation. The relationship of the surface area methodology to the volume-integration-based approach of Still and co-workers is elucidated. On the basis of insights obtained from these results, we then develop empirical correction schemes which yield significant improvements in accuracy, as compared to the uncorrected GB model, in reproducing accurate solutions of the Poisson−Boltzmann equation. A large suite of energetic comparisons of GB, corrected S-GB, and PB for multiple conformations of peptides and proteins is presented.


Chronic pain is a highly prevalent condition in modern medicine. Is the main cause of consultation, the principal cause of disability worldwide and represent enormous costs for all health systems. In most cases, chronic pain is a consequence of long exposures to untreated or subtreated acute pain. Efforts should be done in situation where acute pain is expected in order to prevent its transformation into chronic pain. Surgery is one of those situations. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a powerful tool that has proved its utility for monitoring the brain under general anesthesia. Unfortunately most of the achievements have been developed in the study of unconsciousness and amnesia with little progress in the pain/nociception field. Today the electroencephalographic feature more commonly associated with pain perception is the variation in the amplitude of evoked-related potentials (ERPs). However, new date shows that the ERPs do not always reflect the stimulus intensity nor the amount of perceived pain. New data has shown strong and clear evidence that transient Gamma (30-100 Hz) oscillations are a constant electroencephalographic feature associated with pain perception. Gamma oscillations appear, then, as a promising EEG marker than has the potential to be used for monitoring pain/nociception in anesthesia.


ABSTRACT Three new species are described in the dung beetle genera Scarabaeus s. str. L., 1758, and Escarabaeus Zídek & Pokorný, 2011. Two comprise, Scarabaeus karae sp. nov. and Escarabaeus remii sp. nov. and are novelties. The third comprises Scarabaeus geminogalenus sp. nov., which describes a new species previously misidentified by Péringuey in 1901 and involved in a false synonymy by Janssens (1940). Notes are provided on the type specimen of Scarabaeus galenus. A close relative, Scarabaeus vicinus is recorded for the first time. Scarabaeus natalensis is synonymized with Scarabaeus basuto. Relationships and validity of a further five species are discussed: Scarabaeus convexus with S. spretus and S. rusticus; S. ebenus with S. interstitialis. The type specimen of Scarabaeus rixosus is also discussed. Distribution maps are provided for the new species and those in the S. galenus species complex. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CEC29F9E-2B2B-4568-8AE2-4CC65F79EC96


email@example.com Background: DMFT index is the most common caries detecting index worldwide. The aim of present study was to determine DMFT as well as the prevalence of highest caries rate or Significant Caries Index (SiC), among 15 years of age female students in the city of Rasht, Iran. Materials and methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 228 female students were selected using stratified multi-stage sampling method. Demographic status was assessed by questionnaire. Clinical examinations were conducted by a trained senior dental student. DMFT index was firstly determined by WHO criteria. At the next stage, SiC index was extracted by calculating DMFT among one third of study population who had the highest rate of DMFT. Analyzed by SPSS 21. Spearman correlation, Kruskal Wallis و Chi-square T-test, Data were used for data analysis. Results: The mean DMFT was 3.29±2.7, and SiC index was 6.19±0.76. Spearman correlation determined that there was a positive direct correlation between DMFT and the number of children within the family (P<0.0001). A negative correlation was observed between DMFT and daily tooth brushing(P<0.0001). Conclusion: The mean DMFT index among 15 years-old females was similar to mean national scores. The number of siblings and tooth brushing were correlated with DMFT score in the study population.


The paper analyzes the world-wide research and application status of pipeline risk assessment technology, and puts forward that Ge-La pipeline crossing permafrost strip and earthquake strip has strong risk based on its operational and environmental performance, which need to be evaluated. For the permafrost strip pipeline, a two-phase assessment system of qualitative method and finite-element method is advanced. For the earthquake strip pipeline, assessment measures of four kinds of pipelines are introduced,which are general field pipeline, traversing river pipeline, spanning river pipeline and traversing faultage pipeline. The corresponding ways can be used to guide risk assessment of Ge-La pipeline to ensure operaing safely and credibly.


Multi-system game controller operable to various USB (Universal Serial Bus) mode, which can be used, such as different types of host gaming system PC and console game systems. In the implementation, when connecting the first host gaming system of the game controller having a first USB mode of a set of operational parameters of the operation, and when the connection of the second host game system having a first another set of operating parameters two USB mode. The game controller is designed for determining whether to be connected to which host game system, and to switch to the appropriate USB mode based on the determination.


Summary

This manual was developed to guide a move towards common standards for undertaking and reporting research microscopy for malaria parasite detection, identification and quantification. It contains procedures based on agreed quality assurance standards for research malaria microscopy defined at a consultation of: TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases; the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN), United Kingdom; the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Switzerland; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA; the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and later expanded to include Amref Health Africa (Kenya); the Eijkman-Oxford Clinical Research Unit (EOCRU), Indonesia; Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC); Institut de recherche pour le Developpement (IRD), Senegal; the Global Good and Intellectual Ventures Laboratory (GG-IVL), USA; the Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Thailand; Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia, and the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Thailand.

These collaborating institutions commit to adhering to these standards in published research studies. It is hoped that they will form a solid basis for the wider adoption of standardized reference microscopy protocols for malaria research.


Objective To investigate the effect of psychosocial factors on mental health of Three Gorges immigrants.Methods The group sampling was used for the investment.Both immigrant group and local resident group were investigated by four questionnaires that included Questionnaire of General Status、Psychosocial Stress Survey for Groups(PSSG)、Symptom Checklist 90(SCL-90)、Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS).Results Besides hostility,horror and crankiness,all factor scores of SCL-90 in the immigrant group were higher than those of local resident group;Immigrants of different sex showed significant difference on horror factor of SCL-90.Immigrants of different age showed significant differences on somatization,interpersonal sensitivity,depression,hostility factors.Immigrants of different income showed significant differences on obsessive-compulsive,anxiety factors.Immigrants of different time showed significant differences on somatization,obsessive-compulsive,horror factors.Correlation analysis revealed that somatization,obsessive-compulsive,interpersonal sensitivity factors were related to the negative emotion,and somatization,anxiety,hostility factors were related to the objective support.Conclusion The mental health status of immigrant group was much worse than that of the local resident group.Taking relevant measures according to psychosocial factors is beneficial to Three Gorges immigrants.


The interrelated effects of initial surface preparation and precursor predosing on defect passivation of atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3/InGaAs(100) interfaces are investigated. Interface trap distributions are characterized by capacitance-voltage and conductance-voltage analysis of metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors. Thermal desorption conditions for a protective As2 layer on the InGaAs surface and dosing conditions of trimethylaluminum prior to ALD-Al2O3 are varied to alter the interface trap densities. Experimental results are consistent with the predictions of ab initio electronic structure calculations showing that trimethylaluminum dosing of the As-rich In0.53Ga0.47As(100) surface suppresses interface traps by passivating As dangling bonds prior to the initiation of Al2O3 deposition.


The use of targeted ultrasound screening for 'at risk' hips in order to reduce the rate of surgery in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is unproven. A prospective trial was undertaken in an attempt to clarify this matter. Over an 8-year period, there were 28, 676 live births. Unstable and 'at risk' hips were routinely targeted for ultrasound examination. One thousand eight hundred and six infants were ultrasounded, 6. 3% of the birth population. Twenty-six children (19 dislocations and 7 dysplasia) required surgical intervention (0. 91 per 1000 births for DDH/0. 66 per 1000 births for dislocation) Targeted ultrasound screening does not reduce the overall rate of surgery compared with the best conventional clinical screening programmes. The development of a national targeted ultrasound screening programme for 'at risk' hips cannot be justified on a cost or result basis.


In this paper, a method of enhancing gain in a microstrip patch array antenna using two metallic plates for 24 GHz radar applications is presented. A 4 × 1 linear microstrip square patch array antenna covering the 24.0 to 24.25 GHz frequency range and using a shunt-connected series feed network with a tapered power distribution was first designed with a measured maximum gain of 9.8 dBi and dimensions of 30 mm × 12 mm. Two metallic plates were appended along the array axis of the antenna to double the gain in the 4 × 1 array antenna. Effects on performance from varying the tilting angle and length of the metallic plates, such as the input reflection coefficient, the radiation patterns, and gain, were investigated through simulation. Gain enhancement in the 4 × 1 patch array antenna with metallic plates was highest when the tilting angle was around 70∘, and gain kept increasing as the length of the metallic plates increased. A prototype of the 4 × 1 patch array antenna was fabricated with plates at a tilting angle of 70∘, a length of 50 mm, and a measured maximum gain of 16.8 dBi. Therefore, a gain enhancement of about 7 dB was achieved by adding the metallic plates along the array axis of the 4 × 1 patch array antenna.


This correspondence formally defines partial Radon trans- forms for functions of more than two dimensions. It shows that a generalized projection-slice theorem exists which connects planar and hy- perplanar projections of a function to its Fourier transform. In addition, a general theoretical framework is provided for carrying out -dimensional backprojection reconstruction in a multistage fashion through the use of the partial Radon transform.


Carol Vincent (a former teacher in London primary and special schools, now a lecturer in Special Education at the Open University), and Jennifer Evans, Ingrid Lunt & Pam Young (from the London Institute of Education) draw on data collected in a recent research project, which studied the effects of LMS on the funding and organisation of specials education services and resources, to provide a snapshot of some recent developments in special education provision.


The present research is concerned with schizophrenic patients' perceptions of their own mental health and the relationship of these perceptions to clinical characteristics and cognitive performance. A structured interview was administered to 20 male and 16 female outpatients. When queried about their mental status, 30% of the males and 6% of the females reported that they did not perceive themselves as mentally ill. This sex difference was statistically significant, and there were trends toward greater willingness on the part of women to acknowledge symptoms. Patients who stated that they perceived themselves to be mentally ill had a shorter duration of most recent hospitalization, a smaller number of previous hospitalizations, and greater compliance with treatment. These patients also showed better performance on a measure of attentional abilities. The results are inconsistent with the idea that self-labeling in mental illness has negative consequences. The theoretical, clinical and legal implications of the findings are discussed.


Throughout a 24‐h period, immunoreactive melatonin concentrations in Harderian glands of female golden hamsters were approximately 200 pg/mg protein with a significant decline to 80 pg/mg protein only at about 0600, 2 h after light on. Concentrations in glands of males are diurnally constant and low (ca. 20 pg/mg protein). Castration increases immunoreactive melatonin in glands of males to female levels. While blinding alone had no effect, it did prevent the castration‐induced increase. Lower conentrations were measured in glands of blinded or blinded ovariectomized females but this decrease was not significant. These data suggest that immunoreactive melatonin concentrations in the Harderian glands of hamsters are controlled by testosterone or its derivatives; these same factors also control the male or female character of these glands.


The use of renewable energy increased greatly just after the first big oil crisis in the late seventies. At that time, economic issues were the most important factors, hence interest in such processes decreased when oil prices fell. The current resurgence of interest in the use of renewable energy is driven by the need to reduce the high environmental impact of fossil-based energy systems. Harvesting energy on a large scale is undoubtedly one of the main challenges of our time. Future energy sustainability depends heavily on how the renewable energy problem is addressed in the next few decades. Although in most power-generating systems, the main source of energy (the fuel) can be manipulated, this is not true for solar and wind energies. The main problems with these energy sources are cost and availability: wind and solar power are not always available where and when needed. Unlike conventional sources of electric power, these renewable sources are not "dispatchable"—the power output cannot be controlled. Control is one of the key enabling technologies for the deployment of renewable energy systems. Solar and wind power require effective use of advanced control techniques. In addition, smart grids cannot be achieved without extensive use of control technologies at all levels. This section of the report will concentrate on one form of renewable energy—wind—and on the role of smart grids in addressing the problems associated with the efficient and reliable delivery and use of electricity and with the integration of renewable sources Keyword: smart grids, renewable energy, wind turbine


In this paper, we consider the problem of finding the maximum routing throughput between any pair of nodes in an arbitrary multirate wireless mesh network (WMN) using multiple paths. Multipath routing is an efficient technique to maximize routing throughput in WMN, however maximizing multipath routing throughput is a NP-complete problem due to the shared medium for electromagnetic wave transmission in wireless channel, inducing collision-free scheduling as part of the optimization problem. In this work, we first provide problem formulation that incorporates collision-free schedule, and then based on this formulation we design an algorithm with search pruning that jointly optimizes paths and transmission schedule. Though suboptimal, compared to the known optimal single path flow, we demonstrate that an efficient multipath routing scheme can increase the routing throughput by up to 100% for simple WMNs.


illustrative tales employed in sermons and in the later jest-books, and finally in modern European literature and tradition. The present article purposes to survey this history briefly with the publication of a number of hitherto unprinted versions.' The story is of course a familiar one. It relates how a man proud of his virtue elects to commit the least of three sins, drunkenness, adultery, and murder, and before his intoxication is finished he


For decades, the focus of experimental and theoretical research into premixed turbulent combustion was placed on flame speed St, i.e. the speed of a mean flame surface with respect to the unburned gas, and burning velocity Ut, i.e. the mass rate of product creation per unit area of a mean flame surface, divided by the density of the unburned gas. Nevertheless, obtained results are still contradictory and the values of St and Ut measured by various groups are strongly scattered, e.g. see Fig. 4.11 in Ref. [1], even if the basic conditions of the experiments were similar, i.e. the fuel, equivalence ratio, pressure, and temperature were the same, while rms turbulent velocities and turbulence length scales were comparable. As shown in many studies, e.g. see Refs. [2-5], the quantitative scatter of available experimental data on St and Ut results in particular from the strong sensitivity of measured values of turbulent flame speeds or burning velocities to a method used to process experimental data. However, as far as qualitative trends in the behavior of St or Ut are concerned, sensitivity of such trends to evaluation method still requires a target-directed study. In particular, it is not yet clear whether or not the scaling exponent for dependence of St or Ut on the rms turbulent velocity u', length scale L, or laminar flame speed SL is substantially sensitive to a method used to evaluate St or Ut. The present study aims at filling this gap.


This research work presents a method for automatic classification of medical images in two classes Normal and Abnormal based on image features and automatic abnormality detection. Our proposed system consists of four phases Preprocessing, Feature extraction, Classification, and Post processing. Statistical texture feature set is derived from normal and abnormal images. We used the KNN classifier for classifying image. The KNN classifier performance compared with kernel based SVM classifier (Linear and RBF). The confusion matrix computed and result shows that KNN obtain 80% classification rate which is more than SVM classification rate. So we choose KNN algorithm for classification of images. If image classified as abnormal then post processing step applied on the image and abnormal region is highlighted on the image. The system has been tested on the number of real CT scan brain images.


With the vigorous development of science and technology, specialists and scholars pay their attention to the 2D-to-3D media conversion more and more. As the next generational display, 3D-TV has lots of problems to solve, which must depend on depth estimation. Here it proposes a novel line tracing method and depth refinement filter as core of depth estimation framework. First, edge detection is performed with the downscaled input image. The line tracing algorithm traces strong edge positions to generate an initial staircase depth map. The initial depth map is further improved by a recursive depth refinement filter. It finally presents visual results from depth estimation and stereo image generation. The experimental results show that the algorithm is effective and feasible which leads a good result.


Common mode failure(CMF) is dependent failure event,which increases joint failure probability of complex systems and reduces the reliability of redundant systems so that CMF causes huge security risks to the systems.According to the basic concept of CMF,the causes of CMF are analyzed and the qualitative analysis process is given for the CMF.Based on extend fault tree and Markov analysis,the probability calculation methods of CMF are put forward.


A colored bright pigment, characterized in that it comprises a scaly glass and, formed on the surface thereof, a silica-based coating film containing an organic pigment. It is preferred that a titanium oxide is coated on the surface of the above scaly glass, or, that a metal is coated on the surface of the above scaly glass and further the above silica-based coating film is coated. The above colored bright pigment is compounded in a paint, a resin composition, an ink, a cosmetic and the like, and can provide a color which exhibits high feeling of transparency and brightness, and also exhibits high saturation and clearness and accuracy.


In biochemical assays, the transmembrane domains of SNAREs have been found to be crucial in mediating membrane fusion. Yeast cells in which a particular essential ER–Golgi SNARE's transmembrane domain has been removed remain viable and devoid of forward-trafficking defects.


The research undertaken in these studies aimed to investigate the feasibility of developing and manufacturing innovative solid lipid carriers, such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and/or nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) using a hot high pressure homogenization method, for didano,sine (DDI). In addition, studies using in vitro differential protein adsorption were undertaken to establish whether the SLN and/or NLC have the potential to deliver DDI to the central nervous system (CNS). Prior to initiating pre-formulation, formulation development and optimization studies of DDI-Ioaded SLN and/or NLC, it was necessary to develop and validate an analytical method for the in vitro quantitation and analysis of DDI. An accurate, precise and sensitive RP-HPLC method with UV detection set at 248 nm was developed, optimized and validated for the quantitative in vitro analysis ofDDI in formulations. Pre-formulation studies were designed to evaluate the thermal stability of DDI and to select and characterize lipid excipients that may be used for the manufacture of the nanocarriers. It was established that DDI is thermostable at temperatures not exceeding 163°C and therefore a hot high pressure homogenization technique could be used to manufacture DDI-Ioaded SLN and/or NLC. Lipid screening studies revealed that DDI is poorly soluble in both solid and liquid lipids. A combination of Precirol® A TO 5 and Transcutol® HP was found to have the best solubilizing-potential for DDI of all lipids investigated. The inclusion of Transcutol® HP into Precirol® A TO 5 changed the polymorphic form of the solid lipid from the stable 13modification to a material that exhibited the co-existence between 0.and p-polymorphic forms. The relatively high solubility ofDDI in Transcutol® HP compared to Precirol® ATO 5 was an indication that a solid lipid matrix prepared from a binary mixture of Precirol® A TO 5 and Transcutol® HP was likely to have a higher loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency for DDI than a matrix consisting of Precirol® A TO 5 alone. Furthermore, the potential for the solid lipid matrix to exist in the aand/or ~-modifications when Transcutol® HP was added to Precirol® ATO 5 suggested that expulsion of DDI from a solid lipid matrix during prolonged storage periods was likely to be minimal. Therefore it was considered logical to investigate the feasibility of incorporating DDI into NLC and not in SLN. However, due to the limited solubility of DDI in lipids, formulation development of DDIloaded NLC commenced using small quantities ofDDI. Formulation development and optimization studies ofDDI-loaded NLC were initially aimed at selecting a surfactant system that was capable of stabilizing NLC in an aqueous environment. Solutol® HS alone or a ternary mixture consisting of Solutol® HS, Tween® 80 and Lutrol® F68 was found to stabilize the nanoparticles in terms of particle size and the polydispersity index. The use of the ternary mixture as the surfactant system was preferred to using Solutol® HS alone as Lutrol® F68 and especially Tween® 80 have been successfully used to target the delivery of API to the brain. Aqueous DDI-free and DDI-Ioaded NLC containing increasing amounts of DDI were manufactured using hot high pressure homogenization at 800 bar for three cycles. The NLC formulations were characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and polymorphism, degree of crystallinity, encapsulation efficiency (EE), shape and surface morphology. The mean particle size for all formulations was below 250 nm with narrow polydispersity indices, indicating that narrow particle size distribution had been achieved. The d99% values for all formulations tested, were generated using laser diffractometry, and were below 400 nm, with span values ranging from 0.84 1.19 also suggesting that a narrow particle size distribution had been achieved. The zeta potential values measured in double distilled water with the conductivity adjusted to 50 flS/cm ranged from -18.4 to -11.4 mY. In addition, all the formulations showed a decrease in the degree of crystallinity as compared to the bulk


The Miracula sancti Ursmari recounts an eleventh-century tour of relics during which monks from Lobbes brought peace to squabbling Flemish knights. While it could be assumed that the monks mediated between antagonists or organized reconciliation ceremonies, peacemaking in this text is not the arbitration of disputes but rather a conveyance of transformative grace; it is a sacrament offered to Flemish communities whose ethos of fighting reflects the region's need for religious reform. Methods of arbitration or compromise undertaken in the absence of the saint are parodies of peace: any tranquility they bring is illusory and consequently betrayed by renewed conflict. This text prompts us to reexamine conflict narratives for theological understandings of pax that structure the depiction of a dispute resolution. The descriptions should not be taken as prima facie evidence of medieval social ordering but treated as guides to monastic aspirations during a period of church reform.


Purpose: To demonstrate the effects of bimatoprost on the optic nerve head (ONH) and peripapillary retinal blood flow. Methods: Sixteen healthy volunteers were recruited. In a randomized, double-blind design, one eye received a drop of bimatoprost and the other eye a drop of placebo. ONH and peripapillary retinal blood flow parameters (flow, volume, velocity) were measured with HRF before, and at 1, 6 and 24 hours after eyedrops and blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded. Results: The 16 subjects comprised 13 males and 3 females with a mean age of 27.32.4 years. IOP decreased significantly in the bimatoprost-treated eyes at 1, 6 and 24 hours after eyedrops (p


Summary form only given. The coaxial virtual cathode oscillator (vircator) developed by Texas Tech University was studied in order to improve the efficiency of microwave generation. The microwave frequency and mode were diagnosed. The results were used to design a microwave reflector that enhances the microwave fields in the vircator area. The experimental results with the microwave reflector have shown that both the microwave output power and the direction of microwave field polarization strongly depend on the configuration of the microwave reflector. These results indicate that the microwave reflector could be used as a control of the beam-field interaction in the vircator. The objective of this experiment is to improve the vircator performance by means of this control.


Positive parent-teacher relationships are associated with positive child outcomes (Minke, 2010).  Teachers' work contexts, such as the number of children/families each teacher serves each day/week and a teacher's self-efficacy may influence teachers' abilities to build those relationships.  Participants in this pilot study included families of children enrolled in publicly- funded preschool programs and their teachers.  To assess their perceptions of self-efficacy regarding parent-teacher relationships, preschool teachers completed the Teacher Efficacy for Promoting Partnerships Scale (Moen, Sheridan, & White, 2016).  Findings suggest that preschool programs using a single all-day session model with fewer children and families assigned per teacher, may permit teachers to more quickly establish partnerships with parents, or at least establish a confidence in working with parents sooner in the relationship than teachers assigned to teach to double (two half-day) sessions each day.


In this article we explore further applications of a deformation technique for Killing foliations, based on results of Haefliger and Salem, studied in a previous work. More precisely, we analyze the behavior of the basic equivariant cohomology under these deformations, obtaining that part of the algebraic structure of this invariant is preserved throughout the deformation. This leads to a sufficient condition for the basic Betti numbers to also be preserved. Furthermore, we obtain transverse generalizations of the theorems of Bochner and Synge from classical Riemannian geometry, by reducing them to their orbifold versions via those deformations.


This study refers to determine the structural elements and moral values in the short story " Keadilan" by Putu Wijaya. This research can be useful for readers and can improve the ability to analyze the structural elements contained in the short research is qualitative descriptive. Source of data taken from the newspaper Jawa Pos October 07 2012. The data were analyzed by the structuralist approach, that is analyzing and interpreting the structural elements (intrinsic) in the short story. The results of the analysis found the elements of structure in the short story in the from of theme, plot, figure, background, the point of view, language style, conflict and elements it is unity to build a short story so that the work of literature. In addition, moral values are also found. Moral value are also found. Moral value is a value associated with good-bad, ethical and good character. That is the behavior shown by the character in the story.


The growth and disappearance of crystalline Se whiskers in glassy GexSe1−x films ( with x=0.1 and (1)/(3) ) during the process of Ag photodoping have been studied by electron microscopy. The longitudinal growth direction of the whiskers is found to be parallel to the c axis of the Se hexagonal lattice.


Through the landscape design of the "Hope City" Community, the paper not only discloses some of the misunderstanding and confusion related to the current landscape design of housing estate, but also explores the principles and methodology. Furthermore, the paper presents the following topics for designers'consideration:(1)Should the ideal residential environment be natural or man-made?(2)Should the Plants Design focus on the natural eco-community style of plants, or focus on the man -made geometrical design to achieve merely the sight attraction.


ABCD Arq Bras Cir Dig 2012;25(4):215 In recent years we have seen an unprecedented advance in technical and professional training in surgery. There were years when the huge leap in quality of the equipment, coupled with the development of new skills and great technical ability of surgeons, improved surgery greatly in many aspects. Most notable are the clinical evaluation and preoperative examinations, surgical time, postoperative recovery, use of perioperative medications, hospitalization time and, more importantly, significant improvement in results with greatly reduced morbidity and mortality on procedures. These advances have changed greatly also on the digestive tract surgery with sophisticated techniques that improved the prognosis of operations on liver, pancreas, bowel transplants, bariatric surgery, and gastrointestinal cancer. Despite all this progress, a very important aspect has been sadly overlooked: prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing these procedures. VTE is the leading preventable cause of death in hospitalized medical and surgical patients. Its incidence is much higher than that usually seen clinically, and about 50% to 60% of cases are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, making it very difficult to their perception and diagnosis. In general surgery the incidence of VTE without prophylaxis varies widely depending on the type of transaction and the risk factors of the patient; it affects around 20% to 25%. In oncological and bariatric surgery the incidence increases to 30% to 35%. Pulmonary embolism occurs in approximately 650,000 people per year in the U.S., with about 200,000 deaths. About 80% of these cases are related to hospitalization and procedures. A study in 2002 showed that two out of three cases of VTE could be avoided if the recommendations for prophylaxis were followed in accordance with the existing guidelines. The literature data are quite worrying. A 2008 U.S. survey showed that only 30% of surgical patients received appropriate VTE prophylaxis. In Brazil, data from the ENDORSE study (2008)1 showed 46% of correct prophylaxis in surgical patients admitted to reference hospitals. The reasons for non-use or misuse of VTE prophylaxis are many; however, in some surgical patients are: incorrect stratification of VTE risk, focus on the underlying disease, fear of bleeding, and ignorance or disbelief in the evidence in favor of prophylaxis. Several studies have tried to show options to correct this flaw in the treatment of our patients; however, the best way seems to be the professionals' awareness regarding the incidence and risks for the patient and the availability of tools for proper assessment of these risks with clear guidelines and easy implementation to prevent VTE. In this issue of the ABCD, Malafaia et al.2, describe a tool with guidelines for both risk assessment and application of methods for pharmacological and mechanical prophylaxis for VTE. It is presented as a guideline and was based on the most current techniques for making guidelines, to formulate key questions and answers, constructed on evidence-based literature pretty solid. This guideline is in perfect harmony with the new guidelines published by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP February 2012)3 that are globally accepted and developed the most rigorous standards of evidence-based medicine by the renowned Mc Master University in Canada. Despite this similarity, Malafaia et al.2 presents adaptations to our reality. Of course, this guideline is not intended to replace the assessment, judgment and experience of the physician responsible for the patient; their goal is to help surgeons to make decisions better suited for each patient at the time of treatment. It has answers to key questions and to doubts that often appear in surgical practice, as the choice of prophylaxis, the best time of onset and duration. This initiative of the CBDC, in achieving this guideline, is worthy of praise and hopefully serve as an example for other Brazilian medical associations. It can lessen the burden that this enemy often invisible carries on over the treatment and, unfortunately, often takes away the lives of our patients.


The development of word recognition: The use of the possible word constraint by 12-month-olds Elizabeth K. Johnson (email@example.com) Johns Hopkins University, Department of Psychology Peter W. Jusczyk, ( firstname.lastname@example.com ) Johns Hopkins University, Department of Psychology Anne Cutler (email@example.com) Max-Planck-Institute for Psycholinguistics Dennis Norris (email@example.com) MRC Applied Psychology Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom Fluent speech contains no reliable pauses between words. By 7.5 months infants can segment words from fluent speech. At this age infants rely most heavily on prosodic cues such as word initial stress and distributional cues such as the transitional probabilities between syllables (Saffran et al, 1996). During the second year of life, infants' word recognition abilities undergo considerable improvement. Finally, by the age of 24 months, infants appear to be approaching adult-like word recognition skills (see Jusczyk, 1999 for review). Many adult word recognition models emphasize the importance of existing items in the lexicon for recovering words from fluent speech (see Brent, 1999 for review). A question that arises about these segmentation abilities has to do with how infants integrate information from different types of word boundary cues. For instance, Norris et al (1997) suggested that a Possible-Word Constraint (PWC) could ease word recognition by limiting the number of lexical candidates activated by a given input. This constraint requires that, whenever possible, the input should be parsed into a string of feasible words. Any segmentation resulting in impossible words (i.e. a single consonant) is impossible. Norris et al (1997) used a word spotting task to demonstrate that adults find words such as apple more easily in a possible condition (ie vuffapple) rather than in an impossible condition (fapple). In the present study, we investigated whether or not 12- month-olds could use the PWC to aid them in word recognition. In Expt. 1, we exposed 32 infants to lists of 2 words: rush and lop or rack and win. After 30 seconds of familiarization to both words, the head-turn preference procedure was used to determine whether these words were easier to recognize in a possible as opposed to impossible condition. During the test phase, infants were presented with test lists containing the target words embedded within possible (i.e. niprush) or impossible (i.e. prush) conditions. Infants tested with targets in possible conditions listened significantly longer to the lists containing the targets words (p <.01), whereas infants tested with lists containing targets in impossible conditions did not. This result suggests that 12-month-olds, like adults, may use existing knowledge about possible words to constrain their hypotheses concerning words in the input. Infants familiarized with the word rush did not recognize the word rush when it was buried within a container like prush. This result fits with the PWC because positing that rush is contained within prush would leave a residue which cannot form a word on its own: the consonant p. Experiment 2 tests whether infants use PWC when processing fluent speech. Infants are familiarized with pairs of words (rest and low or rise and lay). However, in the test phase they hear passages rather than word lists. Half of the infants in each of these two conditions are being tested with passages containing the target words in a possible condition (i.e. delay ), while the other half are being tested on passages containing the words in impossible conditions (i.e. play ). Preliminary results suggest that infants will recognize the words when they are presented in a "possible" condition. In addition to Expt. 2, we have been carrying out 2 additional studies similar to Expts. 1 and 2. However we have moved the target to the beginning of the filler rather than the end. For example, the target word dull has been buried in a possible container such as dullkef or an impossible container such as dullk. In combination, these 4 studies provide some interesting evidence concerning the role of context on infants' ability to find words in fluent speech. References Brent, M.R. (1999). Speech segmentation & word dis- covery: a computational perspective. TICS 3,294 301. Jusczyk, P.W. (1999). How infants begin to extract words from speech. TICS 3, 323-327. Norris, D., McQueen, J.M., Cutler, A. & Butterfield, S. (1997). The possible-word constraint in the segmentation of continuous speech. Cog Psychology 34, 191-243. Saffran, J.R., Aslin, R.N. and Newport, E.L. (1996). Statistical learning by 8-month-old infants. Science, 274, 1926-1928.


ABSTRACT Tropomyosin (Tpm) isoforms are the master regulators of the functions of individual actin filaments in fungi and metazoans. Tpms are coiled-coil parallel dimers that form a head-to-tail polymer along the length of actin filaments. Yeast only has two Tpm isoforms, whereas mammals have over 40. Each cytoskeletal actin filament contains a homopolymer of Tpm homodimers, resulting in a filament of uniform Tpm composition along its length. Evidence for this 'master regulator' role is based on four core sets of observation. First, spatially and functionally distinct actin filaments contain different Tpm isoforms, and recent data suggest that members of the formin family of actin filament nucleators can specify which Tpm isoform is added to the growing actin filament. Second, Tpms regulate whole-organism physiology in terms of morphogenesis, cell proliferation, vesicle trafficking, biomechanics, glucose metabolism and organ size in an isoform-specific manner. Third, Tpms achieve these functional outputs by regulating the interaction of actin filaments with myosin motors and actin-binding proteins in an isoform-specific manner. Last, the assembly of complex structures, such as stress fibers and podosomes involves the collaboration of multiple types of actin filament specified by their Tpm composition. This allows the cell to specify actin filament function in time and space by simply specifying their Tpm isoform composition. Summary: This Commentary explains how tropomyosin isoforms determine the function of individual actin filaments in the cytoskeleton, and their subsequent use in directing cell structure and function.


This study was conducted in Sekelemariam Dry Evergreen Montane Forest which is situated within 37° 27' and 37° 30' east, and 10° 34' and 10° 36' north, near Dembecha Town in west Gojam Zone, North Western Ethiopia. It is characterized by steeply sloped areas with huge Rocky Mountains extended throughout the middle parts of the forest. The aim of this study was to estimate the soil carbon stock potential of the forest. A systematic transect sampling technique was adopted in this study and following these transects plots of 1mx1m (1m2) data was taken from the field. The carbon stock density of soil organic carbon was calculated from the volume and bulk density of the soil as V = h× r2. The data analysis was conducted using Microsoft excel sheet used as platform in carbon calculations, and SPSS software version 20 to determine the impact of altitude gradient and slope factors on soil carbon stock potential and to compare the relationship between dependent and independent variables. The carbon stock of the SOC showed increasing trend with increasing elevation. In contrast to the elevation, the forest soil carbon stock decreases as increasing slope gradient. Soil laboratory analysis was conducted in Holeta Agricultural Research center to determine the soil organic carbon density and was estimated to be101.56 ± 3.66 t C ha-1. All in all, this study gives estimation of the soil carbon stock in Sekelemariam State Forest.


Significance
 However, coordination and implementation challenges still weigh on its prospects.

 Impacts
 The AfCFTA is projected to increase continental GDP by 0.97%.
 Employment should increase by 1.17%, but regional distribution will be sufficiently uneven that some countries will face downturns.
 The AfCFTA could increase Africa's bargaining power with the EU in post-Cotonou negotiations.


Simple Summary Liquid biopsy is a highly useful tool for the management of NSCLC patients and could provide valuable information on early detection of resistance to osimertinib. Epigenetic biomarkers are very promising for the early diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of drug response in many types of cancer. We performed a DNA methylation analysis in plasma cell-free DNA and paired CTCs of NSCLC patients before osimertinib treatment and at progression of disease (PD). Our results revealed a significant increase in DNA methylation at PD. Epigenetic alterations should be further evaluated as a possible resistance mechanism to osimertinib and their detection in liquid biopsy samples can be valuable for the follow-up of patients in real time. Abstract Osimertinib has been an effective second-line treatment in EGFR mutant NSCLC patients; however, resistance inevitably occurs. DNA methylation has been previously implicated in NSCLC progression and often in therapy resistance, however its distinct role in osimertinib resistance is not elucidated as yet. In the present study, we directly compared DNA methylation of nine selected genes (RASSF1A, RASSF10, APC, WIF-1, BRMS1, SLFN11, RARβ, SHISA3, and FOXA1) in plasma-cfDNA and paired CTCs of NSCLC patients who were longitudinally monitored during osimertinib treatment. Peripheral blood (PB) from 42 NSCLC patients was obtained at two time points: (a) baseline: before treatment with osimertinib and (b) at progression of disease (PD). DNA methylation of the selected genes was detected in plasma-cfDNA (n = 80) and in paired CTCs (n = 74). Direct comparison of DNA methylation of six genes between plasma-cfDNA and paired CTC samples (n = 70) revealed a low concordance, indicating that CTCs and cfDNA give complementary information. DNA methylation analysis of plasma-cfDNA and CTCs indicated that when at least one of these genes was methylated there was a statistically significant increase at PD compared to baseline (p = 0.031). For the first time, DNA methylation analysis in plasma-cfDNA and paired CTCs of NSCLC patients during osimertinib therapy indicated that DNA methylation of these genes could be a possible resistance mechanism.


A new quanta1 permeation current flowing between i n t e r a c t i n g heavy ions is i d e n t i f i e d and va l ida ted by exact numerical so lu t ions of a model SchrBdinger system. This cur ren t i s driven by t h e d i f fe rence between t h e depths of the p o t e n t i a l wel ls on t h e two s i d e s of t h e dinuclear window. It is not included i n t h e conventional descr ip t ions of heavy ion processes, which assume a cur ren t dependent only upon t h e d i f fe rence between t h e nucleonic chemical p o t e n t i a l energies. Accumulating da ta on t h e Nand Z-drif ts observed i n deep i n e l a s t i c c o l l i s i o n s a l s o con t rad ic t the conventional descr ipt ion. By care fu l exact ca lcu la t ion with the one-dimensional Schrodinger model, t h e permeation cur ren t is here quant i f i ed and then extended t o th ree dimensions. The r e s u l t i n g cor rec t ions a r e q u a l i t a t i v e l y such a s t o ameliorate the discrepancies between t h e observations and t h e conventional descr ipt ion. 1. Observed D r i f t s Vio la te the P o t e n t i a l Energy Surface's Pred ic t ion I n t h e conventional Fokker-Planck descr ip t icn of _nucleon t r a n s f e r i n deep i n e l a s t i c c o l l i s i o n s [I], t h e time evolut ion of N and Z f o r t h e p ro jec t i l e l ike fragment -is assumed t o be dr iven by t h e gradient of the dinuclear energy on the N-Z plane [2]. Such an energy sur face is exhibi ted i n Fig. 1 f o r the reac t ion [3] 56Fe+'65~o, together with t h e d r i f t p red ic ted by i ts grad ien t , and t h e experimental d r i f t in fe r red from t h e da ta a f t e r cor rec t ion f o r neutron emission. Although t h e predicted proton d r i f t i s q u a l i t a t i v e l y cor rec t , t h e neutron d r i f t is nearly zero, desp i te the energy sur face ' s c l e a r preference f o r an increase i n N,,. F igure 2 e x h i b i t s another reac t ion [ 4 ] , Fe*, i n which t h e d i r e c t i o n of t h e d r i f t i s even more dramatical ly opposed t o t h e gradient of the p o t e n t i a l energy sur face (PES), here a c t u a l l y running up h i l l . Here a l s o t h e cor rec t ion f o r neutron emission ( c i r c l e s vs . crosses) i s so small a s t o be i r r e l e v a n t . Similar s i t u a t i o n s a l s o have been observed i n the reac t ions [ 3 , 4 , 5 ] Caw, Cl+Bi and Fe+Bi. On t h e o ther hand observat ions of d r i f t s i n experiments involving t h e doubly closed s h e l l nucleus, 1 3 2 ~ e , have been in te rpre ted a s conforming b e t t e r [6], although not completely 171, t o the p o t e n t i a l energy surface. Article published online by EDP Sciences and available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/jphyscol:1987239 C2-260 JOURNAL DE PHYSIQUE


Serving people with HIV encompasses the traditional social work role of advocate for an under-served client population and poses professional challenges for all social work professionals. This issue makes social work practice more distinct in an Indian setting, due to the complex multi-pluralistic nature of society and the need for multi-pronged interventions. The current paper begins with a brief introduction of the contemporary scenario of HIV in an Indian setting. It then examines the multiple levels of intervention at the grassroots. Citing various case studies from the field, the paper analyses social work roles, tasks, and challenges in the field of HIV. The uniqueness of the paper lies in its analysis of several models being implemented by non governmental organisations to deal with the issue. Adopting the theoretical framework of social work practice, it explores the role of social workers in HIV testing, crisis intervention, counselling, building support groups, awareness generation with various stakeholders e.g. schools, community, formation of advocacy groups, developing innovative programmes. The paper also seeks to critique several micro and macro-level field projects. In addition to these, the author develops an indigenous framework for building effective strategies in working with HIV from a social work perspective.


Thousands of nurses in Poland are entering the second month of their strike for better wages. The national union of nurses and midwives has reported that nurses at 154 healthcare facilities have stopped caring for patients.

The union has asked the government for a minimum gross monthly wage of 1400 zloty (£499; $332). Polish nurses currently earn an average of 700 zloty a …


documented RP and bleeding were reviewed. Nine males had prostate cancer and one female had vaginal cancer. Mean age was 72 years. Two patients were on warfarin, one on aspirin, and the last on aspirin and clopidogrel. Five patients had CKD, and 2 of the 10 patients were transfusion dependent. Prior treatments were attempted in 6 patients–2 recieved APC of whom 1 patient failed 5 sessions. Canasa, formalin, and epinephrine injection were previously used. Halo 90 focal catheter was used in 6 patients; Halo 60 was used in the remaining four. Nine out of ten patients had excellent response: all had resolution of bleeding and the majority had improved hemoglobin. Seven patients required only one session. Two patients required two sessions, and one patient five sessions. Of interest, of those requiring 2 RFA sessions, one was on warfarin and the other had received 5 prior APC sessions. The patient who received 5 RFA sessions was considered refractory to treatment. His comorbidities included coagulopathy, CKD, and altered rectal anatomy. Symptoms resolved after an additional treatment with the Halo Channel RFA catheter, which seemed to provide improved contact, enabling adequate hemostasis. No adverse effects were observed in any patient. Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the largest case series of patients with RP treated with RFA. This study demonstrates both efficacy and safety of this treatment modality. Our study showed O 90% success rate. Advances in through-the-scope technology may further improve success. RFA may provide advantages over other treatment methods including broader surface area coverage, consistent depth of ablation, improved re-epithelialization, and lower risk of complication. RFA may be considered first line therapy for RP or to those who failed other treatments.


The main purpose of our study is to do Corporate Governance Characteristics Affect the Level of Sustainability Reporting in Saudi Arabian Banks? A descriptive research design was employed targeting 12 banks. Secondary data were collected from the banks' annual reports. Time series data comprising three years (2015 to 2017) were used. The study established that the relationship between corporate governance characteristics (board size, independent directors, CSR committee) and sustainability reporting was increasing with time. Regarding control variables firm size and firm age did not have a significant controlling effect on sustainability reporting. The results of our study will be useful for bank managers, government officials, practitioners, and policymakers to provide the opportunity to Saudi banks to expand the globally market liberalization. Our study also contributes to the existing literature, which investigates how Corporate Governance Characteristics Affect the Level of Sustainability Reporting in Saudi Arabian Banks.


Through the presentation of an integrated intervention program an attempt was made to minimize difficulties with the reading process experienced by eight underachieving grade two students. The literature review presented suggested that early reading acquisition had always been associated with developmental strengths in the visual, auditory and motor modalities and in oral language facility. The integrated intervention program focused on activities for developing these areas through the presentation of the McInnis structure for acquiring alphabetic coding and decoding skills, language processing skills, spatial and directional skills and a specific language of instruction. This structure was presented using the Nelson Networks grade two language arts content and the students' oral and written language. Through daily presentation, using a small group context, students were involved in an integrated grade two program for a four month period. This program resulted in growth in the visual, auditory and motor modalities and in increased oral language facility. It resulted in minimizing or eliminating difficulties with reading acquisition for all eight students. Pre and post testing indicated increased achievement levels with all eight students achieving at or near their expected grade level.


The utility model discloses a micro-leakage detector used to monitor the leakage of a pipeline, which comprises a micro-leakage collection plate, an observation opening, one or more than one drip tube, and an alarm system; wherein, the micro-leakage collection plate is assembled at the joint between the pipeline and a valve; the observation opening is arranged on the pipeline; the upper end of each drip tube is communicated with the micro-leakage collection plate; the lower end of each drip tube is positioned in the observation opening; an oil collection tank is arranged under the drip tubes; and the alarm system is assembled in the oil collection tank. The micro-leakage detector used to monitor the leakage of the pipeline has the advantages of simple and compact structure, convenient and quick assembly, low cost and wide application range.


Summary form only given. Vertical-cavity, surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) diodes offer an alternative and potentially more efficient pump source. We report on Nd:YVO/sub 4/ microchip lasers operating with surface-emitting pump lasers and demonstrate the potential of VCSELs to produce low pump power devices.


Abstract

This study aims to determine the differences in the level of motivation of work between Civil Servants and employees of the BLUD (Regional Public Service Agency) in a hospital. The researcher hypothesized that there were differences in the level of motivation of work between Civil Servants and employees of the Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD). The sample taken was 200 employees consisting of 100 Civil Servants and 100 BLUD employees. he method of data collection uses quantitative research with a work motivation scale measurement tool with cluster random sampling. This study uses Mann-Whitney Test data analysis techniques. Based on the analysis of the data obtained results that there are differences in the level of motivation of work between Civil Servants and BLUD employees. This is based on the results of 2 tailed significance, namely 0, 013 (p <0.05) which is seen from the mean results on PNS work motivation of 51.92 and BLUD employees of 50.47, thus the level of motivation of the work of Public Servants Civil society is higher than BLUD employees.

Keywords: employee, PNS, BLUD, work motivation


Students can learn a great deal from a study of tactisms and usually find it a stimulating topic. However, because of practical problems the topic is often avoided. The author describes a sequence of computer simulation programs designed to supplement practical work on the topic.


Fuzzy systems provide a mathematical framework to capture uncertainty. The complete description of real, complex systems or situations often requires far more detail and information than could ever be obtained (or understood). Fuzzy approaches are an alternative technology for both system control and information processing and management. In this paper, we present the design of a fuzzy control system for a melter used in the vitrification of hazardous waste. Design issues, especially those related to melter shutdown and obtaining smooth control surfaces, are addressed. Several extensions to commonly-applied fuzzy techniques, notably adaptive defuzzification and modified rule structures are developed.


The paper investigated gender difference in achievement goals and performance in English Language and Mathematics of senior secondary schools students in Borno State, Nigeria.  The study specifically sought to determine gender differences in students' academic performances in English Language, Mathematics and overall academic performance as well as the effects of gender on these differences in performance if any.  The study was based on the 'A Hierarchical Model of Approach and Avoidance Achievement Goals Motivation' propounded by Elliot and Church (1997).   The study used Correlational design with a sample of 827 (414 boys and 413) students selected via stratified random sampling form 18 schools across the state.  "A Hierarchical Model of Approach and Avoidance Achievement Goals Motivation" Scale was used to measure achievement goals, tests in English and  Mathematics were used to measure achievement measures in the two subjects domains while  the aggregate of average scores in the two  tests  was used to measure overall academic performance.  The instruments were administered to the participants in a classroom seating position and collected on the sport and the data was analyzed using MANAVA. The results revealed that males performed significantly better than females in English Language and overall academic performance but there is no gender difference in Mathematics performance; and there is significant effect of gender on students' learning goal orientation in faviour of males, whereas there are no gender effects on performance –approach and performance-avoidance goals orientation of students. The implications of the study for education and research were highlighted. Keywords : Gender, differences, achievement goals, performance, English language, Mathematics, senior secondary schools students.  Nigeria


This study intends to examine the influencing factors in conformity and individuality of make up. For the study, a questionnaire survey was conducted of 436 women in between their twenties to fifties residing in the Kyeongnam region. Obtained data were analyzed pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The result is summarized as follows.; The influence on conformity and individuality of make up can be described into 4 factors that are included in the decision making process of conformity and individuality, in other words, the demographical characteristic, the body cathexis, the need and the clothing value. The demographic characteristics, the marriage status and the education had a direct influence on conformity, however the body cathexis did not have a direct influence on any subordinate factors of conformity and individuality, but had indirect influence having the need as a parameter or had no influence having the clothing value as a parameter.


Thermal conductivity of low-temperature-grown GaAs(LT GaAs) was measured at room temperature using a self-heated photolithographically patterned platinum wire on the surface of the sample. Finite element calculations were performed to extract the thermal conductivity from the nonlinear I–V characteristic of the wires. For LT GaAs grown at a substrate temperature of 240 °C, the thermal conductivity was found to be only 23% of the value for stoichiometric GaAs. Rapid thermal annealing of the sample at 650 °C for 30 s increased the thermal conductivity to 46% of the GaAs value. Strong phonon scattering by point defects could account for reduced thermal conductivity in the as-grown material. The reduced thermal conductivity in the annealed material, however, is not consistent with our current understanding of the defects in annealed LT GaAs.


This study addresses the question of whether the effects of volunteer service during the undergraduate years persist once students leave college. Data are drawn from 12,376 students attending 209 institutions who were followed up four and nine years after college entry. Results show that even when pre-college service participation is controlled, student participation in volunteer service during the undergraduate years is positively associated with a variety of cognitive and affective outcomes measured nine years after entering college.


Central and South America. This case, and most other Case report cases of prostatic coccidioidomycosis [1,2], was diagnosed and treated in California, USA, where the incidence A 62-year-old Cuban man presented with an elevated PSA level of 14.7 ng/mL. He was asymptomatic with no of coccidioidomycosis is the highest in the world and where outbreaks are becoming increasingly common. voiding symptoms. His prostate felt diCusely firm with a 1 cm nodule on the left. Prostatic biopsy revealed moderPatients become infected by inhaling C. immitis arthrospores and are usually asymptomatic, but some may ately diCerentiated adenocarcinoma, BPH and chronic prostatitis. The metastatic evaluation was unremarkable. develop pneumonia. Occasionally pulmonary infection is associated with erythema nodosum and is referred to as His medical history was notable for disseminated coccidioidomycosis 4 years earlier, for which he was treated 'valley fever' or 'valley bumps'. Multiorgan disseminated coccidioidomycosis is uncommon and tends to occur in and maintained on daily prophylactic antifungal therapy with no evidence of active disease. He underwent radical patients with increased skin pigmentation, immunocompromised status, or at the extremes of age [1,3]. Patients retropubic prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. An enlarged left obturator lymph node was with coccidioidomycosis prostatitis may be asymptomatic or have symptoms of prostatitis or bladder outlet obstrucidentified intraoperatively and the prostate was adherent to the surrounding tissues. Pathology revealed a Gleason's tion. A DRE may be normal or may detect tenderness, bogginess, or firmness [1]. Urine analysis, culture of 3+3 T3aN0 adenocarcinoma of the prostate with Coccidioides immitis involvement of the prostate (Fig. 1) urine or expressed prostatic secretions, skin antigen tests, and serum immunological studies are occasionally diagand the left obturator lymph node (Fig. 2). His postoperative course was unremarkable, with an undetectable PSA nostic. The disease is diagnosed definitively when C. immitis spherules are found in the pathological tissue level. He continues to take antifungal medications. (Fig. 1). Prostatic and other genitourinary coccidioidal infection represent disseminated disease and are manComment aged initially with systemic antifungal therapy. Supplemental prophylactic antifungal therapy is Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease endemic in the semi-arid regions of the southwestern USA, Mexico, and


The magnetic properties of hydrogenated or/and nitrogenated SmFe/sub 3/ alloys are studied. It is found that SmFe/sub 3/ can be readily hydrogenated while not nitrogenated. There are two hydrogenation temperatures, that at 195 degrees C corresponding to the formation of SmFe/sub 3/H/sub x/ and that at 450 degrees C corresponding to decrepitation of SmFe/sub 3/ phase forming SmH and alpha -Fe, respectively. The SmFe/sub 3/H/sub 1.34/ has the highest saturation magnetization of all, while anisotropy field decreases due to hydrogenation. The difficulty in nitrogenation is attributed to kinetic reasons of the formation of SmN compound, around 20 nm in size, on the surface or grain boundary of the powder, retarding further diffusion of nitrogen into the matrix. >


The cumulative reaction probability, flux–flux correlation function, and rate constant are calculated for a model, two‐state, electronically nonadiabatic reaction, given by Shin and Light [S. Shin and J. C. Light, J. Chem. Phys. 101, 2836 (1994)]. We apply straightforward generalizations of the flux matrix/absorbing boundary condition approach of Miller and co‐workers to obtain these quantities. The upper adiabatic electronic potential supports bound states, and these manifest themselves as ''recrossing'' resonances in the cumulative reaction probability, at total energies above the barrier to reaction on the lower adiabatic potential. At energies below the barrier, the cumulative reaction probability for the coupled system is shifted to higher energies relative to the one obtained for the ground state potential. This is due to the effect of an additional effective barrier caused by the nuclear kinetic operator acting on the ground state, adiabatic electronic wave function, as discussed earlier by Shin an...


Wireless Capsule Endoscopy (WCE) generates a large number of images in one examination of a patient. It is very laborious and time-consuming to detect the WCE video, and limits the wider application of WCE. It is urgent and necessary to develop an automatic and intelligent computer aided bleeding detection technique. This paper proposes the color vector similarity coefficients to measure the color similarity, and based on which, a novel algorithm is implemented to recognize the bleeding in WCE images. The novel algorithm is implemented in RGB color space, and is featured with simple computation and practicability. The experiments show the sensitivity and specificity of this algorithm are 90% and 97% respectively.


The paper presents the technology for prefabrication of prestressed concrete slab beams spanning 20m and 16m respectively in a precasting yard with long casting beds.The control of stretching of single steel tendon and integral stretching of all the steel tendons in the technology for tensioning of prestressed steel tendons in slab beams are also described in the paper.


It is often claimed that, because of semantic underdetermination, one can determine the content of an utterance only by appealing to pragmatic considerations concerning what the speaker means, what his intentions are. This supports 'inferentialism' : the view that, in contrast to perceptual content, communicational content is accessed indirectly, via an inference. As against this view, I argue that primary pragmatic processes (the pragmatic processes that are involved in the determination of truth-conditional content) need not involve an inference from premisses concerning what the speaker can possibly intend by his utterance. Indeed, they need not involve any inference at all : communication, I argue, is as direct as perception.


Lattice damages induced by BF+2 ion implantation in single‐crystalline silicon have been analyzed using secondary‐ion mass spectrometry, ion channeling technique in Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Concentration depth profiles of boron and fluorine showed the same values of projection range 400 A at all doses for 50‐keV energy. A considerable amount of damage was formed in the silicon lattice and the surface region of the substrate was amorphized when the dosage exceeded a critical value, which was determined to be 8.0 × 1014/cm2 experimental dose. The amorphized layer showed a clear boundary to the crystalline silicon, which contains severely damaged regions identified to be microamorphous clusters. He2+ ion channeling data revealed that the integrated damage in implanted layers increases linearly with dosage up to the critical dose and increases with a much smaller rate with further increase in the dosage. It is suggested that the integrated damage shows a sm...


This paper is part of a volume on the anthropology of global institutions and it draws from the anthropology of law and knowledge to analyze a "propaganda trial" at an international criminal tribunal. The majority of high-level defendants who are charged at international criminal tribunals with ordering or instigating crimes against humanity are not accused of participating directly in physical acts of violence. Prosecuting political leaders for speech acts conventionally requires proof of a direct causal nexus between a speech act and subsequent felonies. This paper looks closely at what demonstrating causation involves in the trial of Serb nationalist Vojislav Seselj, and it examines the assumptions and models of cause-and-effect used by prosecutors and judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. To qualify as instigation, international criminal law requires that speech acts directly cause the crimes in question, and this necessitates a paring down of multiple factors into a single chain of causation that can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The model of causation commonly employed at international tribunals is markedly different from that of social science, and actors in the two systems handle evidence in distinctive ways. Despite the very high standard of proof required by criminal law, in practice prosecutors, lacking solid insider testimony, rely upon weak chronological evidence to demonstrate causation. The paper concludes by assessing the pitfalls of arguing legal causation by way of temporal proximity and chronology, and by reflecting on wider epistemological problems in criminal law's understandings of propaganda and inciting speech.


Globalization and talent flow around the world have resulted in greater demands on managers and leaders to adapt to different cultures. This chapter explores the role of intercultural communication in the world of business. Intercultural competence refers to the interaction that occurs when two or more cultural groups come together and is part of a broader set of global management competencies, which includes culture and communication. We document how intercultural communication, as a part of intercultural competence, is crucial for facilitating international trade and business and managing a multicultural workforce in an era of globalization. Multinational firms benefit when leaders and managers demonstrate intercultural competence in international business activities such as expanding to foreign market expansion, negotiating with host country nationals, and in managing foreign subsidiaries. Intercultural competence is also essential for managing a multicultural workforce and realizing the benefits of diversity such as greater creativity and innovation. We conclude with emerging issues in intercultural communication and identify ways to develop intercultural competence for managers and leaders.


Ion-beam modified polyimide is very attractive material for use in field emitters because it can emit electrons at relatively low electric fields with a stable emission rate. The use of organic material as the starting material makes it possible to prepare emitter arrays using the stamp technology. The stamp technology is able to prepare uniform emitter arrays with high geometrical accuracy. In the previous study, a long wedge-type emitter array has been fabricated using the stamp technology. In order to increase emission current density and decrease operating voltage, it highly required to shorten the length of the wedge and to fabricate gated device structure. In this work, we demonstrate successful preparation of short-wedge emitter arrays using a modified stamp process. Fabrication of the gated field emitter arrays from the short-wedge emitters is also demonstrated.


The issue of global warming associated with CO2 emissions has attracted many researchers to develop new solvent to reduce CO2 emissions. Blended amine mixtures have been identified as one of the promising chemical solvent to perform the task due to their capacity to capture high volume of CO2 without major modification of the existing equipment. In order to access the potential of the blended amine mixture to capture CO2, it is necessary to determine the solubility of CO2 in the mixtures. Therefore, in this work, the potential of blended mixture of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate [B3MPYR][BF4] as a solvent for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) was studied using high pressure jacketed reactor. The CO2 solubility in aqueous mixtures of AMP-[B3MPYR][BF4] were performed at temperatures of 303.15 K to 323.15 K and pressures from 200 kPa up to 5000 kPa. The concentrations of [B3MPYR][BF4] were varied from 0.05 to 0.3 M. Similar to other amine mixtures behavior, the experimental results demonstrated that the CO2 solubility in the AMP-[B3MPYR][BF4] mixtures increases as the pressure increased and increasing the temperature will reduce the CO2 loading. It appears that increasing the concentration of [B3MPYR][BF4] will decrease the CO2 loading. This indicates that adding more [B3MPYR][BF4] to AMP is not favorable for CO2 capture and compared to single AMP, the blended AMP-[B3MPYR][BF4] mixtures have less CO2 absorption capacity.


It is a challenging work to implement authorization service for Virtual Organization in Grid Computing Sys- tem because of the dynamic and distributed nature of Virtual Organication. After analyzing the requirement of autho- rization service and the existing mechanisms for implementing authorization services in Grid Computing Systems, the paper proposes an efficient multi-level architecture named MLA for implementing authorization in Grid Computing Systems. With the use of threshold closure mechanism, the proposed architecture has the scalability and the strong power to express authorization policy, hence can provide flexible and efficient approach to implement authorization service in GCS.


The article discusses regional and municipal development asymmetry in Georgia, focusing on the main sources of financing for the economic policies of self-governing territorial units, including the budget, central budget assistance, and the support fund of international donor organizations. Based on the analysis of key economic indicators such as Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita as well as living conditions such as absolute poverty level, the article identifies significant variations in public prosperity among different regions of Georgia. The article examines the following hypothesis: "The size of regional asymmetric development is inversely proportional to the growth of the country's territorial scale". This hypothesis is supported by two pieces of evidence: first, a 2019 study conducted by the World Bank (WB) on poverty indicators; and second, an analysis of average monthly values of household incomes and expenditures within relatively small territorial units. To address the high marginal relative error resulting from the small sample size, future research should consider empirical implementation of the following models: Fay-Herriot (FH), Elbers, Lanjouw, and Lanjouw (ELL), and time series analysis.


In 2009, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) launched the Practice Innovation And Clinical Excellence (PINNACLE) Network ™ to provide the leadership necessary to help members transform their practices during these turbulent times in healthcare. Network members use the resources of the ACC to systematically measure, review, and improve their performance; to continuously learn; and to design or redesign care to meet the needs of their patients and the new realities of healthcare payment reform. The PINNACLE Network is comprised of three components. The PINNACLE Registry ™ is the nation's largest cardiovascular ambulatory quality improvement registry. The PINNACLE Network Portfolio provides an organized set of programs, tools, and services for cardiovascular practices. And at its core is an interactive community of peers committed to delivering coordinated, efficient, safe, and effective cardiovascular care for their patients; and sharing their experience with others.


Background:  Adrenal injuries following blunt abdominal trauma is uncommon. Recent increased detection of traumatic adrenal haemorrhage (TAH) prompted this study.


Police help behavior is a kind of constabulary administrative behaviors,producing along with the establishment of modern constabulary system.From the angle of legal principle seeing police help behavior,cognizing correctly help feature and principle of police help behavior which are important to enforcing the law strictly for police and executing the law for the people.Police helps behavior should negate non authority help,embody constabulary function better,exert constabulary organization the biggest effectiveness of this public resource.Realize fair and justice,push forward administration according to law.


Vivo Heme Oxygenase-1 Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy In Vitro and In Print ISSN: 0009-7322. Online ISSN: 1524-4539 Copyright © 2004 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. is published by the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231 Circulation doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000135475.35758.23 2004;110:309-316; originally published online June 28, 2004; Circulation. http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/110/3/309 World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on the


We previously described the use of a differential hybridization screen of a genomic DNA library of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify sporulation-specific (SPS) genes (A. Percival-Smith and J. Segall, Mol. Cell. Biol. 4:142-150, 1984). This initial screen identified 14 SPS genes that are first expressed 6 to 8 h after transfer of cells to sporulation medium. Accumulation of transcripts corresponding to these genes becomes maximal at 8 to 12 h of sporulation, the time at which meiotic events are nearing completion, and by 15 h of sporulation, transcript levels are beginning to decrease. In the present study two additional SPS genes, first expressed at 12 h of sporulation, were isolated. The steady-state level of transcripts corresponding to these two genes, termed SPS100 and SPSIOI, remains unchanged from 15 to 35 h, a time coincident with spore wall maturation. The nature of the putative 34.2-kilodalton protein encoded by the SPSIOO gene is consistent with its being a component of the glycoprotein matrix of the spore wall; the protein contains a potential signal sequence and cleavage site and numerous sites for potential glycosylation. A MATa spslOO/MATa spslOO strain was found to be indistinguishable from the wild-type strain when assessed for efficiency of ascus formation and


The basic objective of Federal fossil fuel RD and D - commercialization of new technologies leading to increased use of domestic resources and a reduction of oil imports - has become increasingly elusive. The goal in much of fossil fuel RD and D has been to substitute more costly, environmentally more difficult energy sources for conventional oil and natural gas. The direct benefits often defy conventional economic or social justifications. Rather they are of broad national scope - improved military security and monetary stability, greater freedom to implement foreign policy and trade objectives, etc., not cheaper energy. Various administrative, legislative and regulatory approaches so far have either failed or have poor prospects. This includes loan guarantees, cost, sharing, construction grants, tax credits, favorable regulatory treatment in case of synthetic pipeline gas, and several combinations and permutations of these means to compensate the producer, user and investor for higher costs and risks. It has been next to impossible to have the stockholder, tax payer and consumer or rate payer assume costs or risks on behalf of the national interest which they perceive to be inequitable. Thus, in spite of good R and D and widespread acceptance of the overall goal, littlemore » progress has been made. Apparently, the model, the logic and the entire approach have been faulty. The biggest problem is, of course, that synthetic fuels continue to cost about twice as much as their fossil fuel counterparts. As an alternative, I would like to propose a plan for new fossil fuel technology development and commercialization modeled after the legislatively mandated automotive fuel efficiency standards.« less


Automated trust negotiation establishes trust between strangers through the exchange of digital credentials and the use of access control policies controlled by the negotiation strategy.Based on the architecture of Petri net and automated trust negotiation process,this paper models the policies participating trust negotiation and proposes a trust negotiation by combining the characteristics of the model with the behaviors of auto trust negotiation.


Marangoni forced convective MHD flow of second grade liquid is scrutinized. Heat source/sink, Joule heating and dissipation are addressed in energy equation. Physical aspects of entropy optimization with binary chemical reaction are addressed. Energy and entropy expressions are computed. Marangoni convection influenced on the surface pressure difference is calculated through temperature gradient, magnetic field and concentration gradient. Nonlinear PDE's are reduced to ordinary one through suitable variables. Nonlinear system is computed for convergent solution by employing of OHAM. Characteristics of different influential parameters on entropy generation, concentration, temperature, Bejan number and velocity are graphically deliberated. Velocity enhances via Marangoni ratio parameter. Velocity and temperature have reverse effects for higher approximation of magnetic variable. For higher second grade fluid parameter the velocity is augmented. An increment occurs in temperature against higher values of Brinkman number and fluid parameter. Concentration decrease versus higher Marangoni ratio parameter. Entropy optimization upsurges for rising values of fluid parameters. Some relevant applications of Marangoni convection effect include atomic reactor, semiconductor processing, thin-film stretching, silicon wafers, soap films, material sciences, nanotechnology and applied physics etc. Entropy supports to progress the importance of numerous engineering and electronic devices development.


Classification is an important operation in Automatic Target Recognition in sonar images. However, when a sonar image snippet contains an object belonging to a new class that was not seen during the training phase, the classifier cannot assign the correct class to it. Meta-learning is a solution to this problem. In one form of meta-learning, the original system is trained to emit a similarity measure between a support image and a query image. Then in inference, a given query image is classified into the class of the support image that has the highest similarity with the query image. Inference in such a system can be viewed as "inverse image search". In this work, we consider the problem of inverse image search in the context of an target recognition operator support module for synthetic aperture sonar images. The core challenge in building a system for image retrieval based on inverse image search is to design an algorithm that can output a relevant similarity measure for two input images. In this paper, we use a convolutional neural network (CNN) for similarity computation. Our experiments show that these measures are able to capture the similarity as perceived by humans and independent of class.


Online instructors necessitate the implementation of immediacy and authenticity on a continuous basis within an instructional endeavor. Towards more fully understanding the immediacy and authenticity of an instructor's efforts, aspects related to interactive activities, instructor's philosophical beliefs systems, and understanding cognitive vulnerability within an online instructional environment are vitally important to learner success. Further, while developing a community of practice supports the instructor's efforts to engage learners more fully within the instructional success capable within an online instructional environment, while also focusing upon enhancing the talent pool within the course environment. A talent-propelled instructional environment supports the learners while also enhancing the instructor's viability and strength of positive instructional experience.


This paper analyses the reasons for the descent in operational capability of some seafarers as observed during PSC inspection, and provides some suggestions on the measures to be taken to promote seafarers'practical operational capability, with a view to avoiding detention and accident.


The purpose of this project was to design and implement a prototype "communications briefcase" for transportation applications in remote rural areas. The original concept was to develop a briefcase that would serve as a gateway to the Internet, providing access to multiple users via a cellular data connection. The concept was changed to investigate instead the potential for multiple devices to provide mesh networking capabilities in similar remote rural areas. An off-the-shelf, consumer-grade router was selected as the primary component for the system, with an enclosure to support the router, as well as a power management system that was custom-developed to manage a set of rechargeable batteries within the enclosure. Flexibility was provided by using various external antennas, including magnetic mount antennas for vehicular operation. The resulting units were called "MeshBoxes" and 10 units were constructed for research and demonstration purposes. The MeshBoxes were demonstrated to transportation professionals at several venues and were well received, although they represented only a first prototype. The principal demonstration of the MeshBoxes occurred during a Department of Homeland Security funded project to demonstrate a mobile, ad-hoc network (MANET) to public safety officials from Wyoming. In conjunction with a rockslide scenario, the MeshBoxes were used to provide connectivity among several simulated and real public safety vehicles. Video was served over the network along with several collaborative applications. Internet access was provided via a satellite connection. During the Wyoming demonstration it was discovered that there was noticeable variation in the performance of the MeshBoxes despite the fact that they were configured identically. Subsequent testing was conducted to determine viable link distances for node-to-node communication. Additional factors such as antenna type were taken into consideration. Ultimately it was determined that much of the observed variability could be attributed to the use of consumer-grade equipment and the battery power of the MeshBoxes. Unfortunately, no industrial equipment was available at the time to provide the same flexibility for research and development in an open, Linux-based system, so there was no apparent alternative. Commercial proprietary mesh networking systems are available, and these could be considered for production deployments. This project demonstrated that there is applicability of mesh networks to transportation and public safety in remote rural areas. Possible applications include remedies for problems with fixed infrastructure such as sensor networks, as well as a variety of mobile applications.


Neurorehabilitation
Often taken for granted, gravity—the force that keeps you on the ground—becomes a notable challenge during rehabilitation from injury. Mignardot et al. "harnessed" gravity, using a robotic body weight–supportive device to supply upward and forward forces to the torso to assist with locomotion. Patients recovering from stroke or spinal cord injury demonstrated improved gait performance with the robotic harness. An algorithm was developed to adjust the forces provided by the robotic harness according to the patient's needs. Nonambulatory patients were able to walk naturally with the harness, and ambulatory patients showed improved balance, limb coordination, foot placement, and steering. A clinical trial using this robot-assistive rehabilitation approach for patients with spinal cord injury is now under way.

Sci. Transl. Med. 9 , eaah3621 (2017).


The development of modern information technology has turned the on-line education platform into the orientation of reform and development of modern education technology.The relevant technologies of the on-line education platform is analysed exploring how the on-line multi-media education platform based on SCORM is designed and the methods to fulfill the major techniques.


Objective: To evaluate the Taylor spatial frame (TSF) for primary and definitive fixation of lower limb long-bone fractures in patients with multiple traumatic injuries. Design: Retrospective. Setting: Level I trauma center. Patients: Consecutive series of 52 patients, 57 fractures (25 femoral and 32 tibial), treated between 2005 and 2009. Forty-nine fractures (86%) were open. Injury Severity Score ≥16 for all patients. Intervention: Fifty-four fractures (95%) underwent definitive fixation with the TSF and 3 were treated primarily within 48 hours of injury. In 22 cases (39%), fractures were acutely reduced with the TSF, fixed to bone and the struts in sliding mode without further adjustment, and in 35 cases (61%), the total residual deformity correction program was undertaken. Main Outcome Measure: Clinical and radiological. Results: Complete union was obtained in 52 fractures (91%) without additional surgery at an average of 29 weeks. Four nonunions and 1 delayed union occurred. Results based on Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov criteria: 74% excellent, 16% good, 4% fair, and 7% poor for bone outcomes and 35% excellent, 47% good, and 18% fair for functional outcomes. Eighty-eight percent of patients returned to preinjury work activities. Conclusions: Primary and definitive fixation with the TSF is effective. Advantages include continuity of device until union, reduced risk of infection, early mobilization, restoration of primary defect caused by bone loss, easy and accurate application, convertibility and versatility compared with a monolateral fixator, and improved union rate and range of motion for lower extremity long-bone fractures in patients with multiple traumatic injuries. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


disease with onset in the 20s and 30s that was ultimately fatal in one patient. Neuropathology at the time of


Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare autosomal dominant disease caused by a mutation in the MEN1 gene. We present a 65-year-old man with MEN1 who has primary hyperparathyroidism, microprolactinoma, meningioma and gastrinoma. He had undergone parathyroidectomy followed by tumour excision of meningioma. The duodenal gastrinoma lesion was inoperable as it was close to the superior mesenteric artery with high surgery risk. Medical therapy with octreotide LAR had been initiated and showed good biochemical response as well as disease progression control. Chemoembolization was proposed if the duodenum lesion reduces in size on maintenance treatment with octreotide LAR. This case highlights the challenges in managing this rare condition and octreotide LAR has shown to be effective in controlling the disease progression in MEN1 with inoperable gastrinoma.


v Chapter One: Introduction 1 Statement of the Problem 4 Research Questions 4 Hypotheses 5 Significance 5 Definitions 6 Chapter Two: Literature Review 8 The Development of the Mind and Reasoning Capacities 8 Historical Analysis as a Level of Thinking 10 Triadic Reciprocal Causation and the Modeling of Critical Thinking 12 Guided Mastery Modeling and Perceived Self-Efficacy 13 Good Work and Good Thinking: Thinking Dispositions 16 The Theories of Mindfulness and Ambiguity 17 General Summary of the Literature 19 Summary 24 Chapter Three: Methods 26 Research Design 26 Subjects 26 Instrument Selection 27 i


A new solid-phase synthetic method using Mukaiyama's reagent under mild conditions is reported to prepare amides in high purity without purification after cleavage from the resins.