Jonathan Boston gives us an important overview of the statistics and regulations behind child poverty. This is an important basis on which to construct any further argument concerning child poverty. The figures both reveal and conceal a level of distress which can only be illustrated by finer-grained research drawing on more qualitative methodologies (see for instance Zhang and Devine, 2013). There can be no argument, now, I think, that child poverty exists in this country, and that it has reached unacceptable levels, especially since the Treasury has now discovered a 'mistake' in its calculations which, when corrected, puts child and (to a lesser extent) elder poverty at even greater levels (Collins, 2014). However, how it is understood, and consequently how we should approach/resist/relieve/reject it is a matter for argument. I want to respond to Boston's position from two angles: one is to rehearse the point that these statistics are an inevitable result of the programme of economic rationalism which we have enjoyed or endured since 1984, in its various forms, the two most significant of which are public choice theory (Devine, 2004) and human capital theory (Stuart, 2011), both of which, I argue, have a significant (and to an extent contradictory) part to play in the production and conceptualisation of child poverty. The second angle is a discussion as to why we should focus on child poverty, in the face of the poverty and distress experienced by the families and whanau of which the children are part. The two viewpoints are inextricably linked, and I will not attempt to separate them here. Let me start with my concerns about the concept 'child poverty'. I appreciate that this is a tactical move: that even the most hard-hearted of neo-liberals, wedded to a notion of absolute individual autonomy, will have difficulty ascribing responsibility for child poverty to the children themselves. There is a logical problem for economic rationalists embedded in this difficulty, as to whether a child is a person, by their definitions (rational, self-interested, consistent in their preferences) since children are often less than rational (by adult judgments), often but not always self interested, and far from consistent. Hayek disposes of this problem in relation to the insane by blithely announcing that the insane man 'is not a man to us' (O'Neill, 1973, p. 67), essentially because '... all mind must run in terms of certain universal categories of thought' (O'Neill, 1973, p. 66). It is possibly in this denial of personhood that the charm of child poverty lies: here is an animal which is undeniably human, but to which the rigours of public choice theory


Objective To analyze HIV VCT service in Panlong district in 2008-2009 and provide information for further improving local AIDS prevention and care.Methods The demographic and behavioral data of VCT clients were collected and their risk behaviors and results of HIV tests were statistically analyzed.Results A total of 2325 clients attended VCT service in 2008-2009.Among them,849 were male and 1476 were female and their average age was 30.8 years.Of them 1628(70.0%) had extramarital heterosexual behaviors,and 444(19.1%) were injecting drug users;77 were HIV positive,among whom 52(67.5%) were injecting drug users and 19(24.7%) had extramarital heterosexual behaviors.Conclusion VCT is an effective entry point for HIV prevention and care.It is necessary to improve VCT service and expend its coverage in the future.


A 76mm diameter combustor with single axial flat 8 bladed swirlers of 30°, 45° and 60° vane angle were investigated at a reference Mach number of 0.05 or combustion intensity of 20MW/(m2bar), which represents all the combustion air passing through the swirler. The influence of a swirler outlet shroud or outlet orifice plate was investigated. This increased the pressure loss and the outer dump expansion recirculation zone size, D/d, and these were the main influences on the combustion performance. The swirlers were very large relative to the combustor so that they had a high air flow capacity. They had the same outer diameter, d, of 70mm with a cylindrical combustor diameter, D, of 76mm, D/d = 1.1. These swirlers had a decreasing hub size as the vane angle was increased. There was no significant effect of the outlet shroud on the weak extinction. The presence of the shroud promoted more rapid flame development and this produced a reduction in HC and CO. This also reduced the prompt NOx due to the reduction in HC. The overall NOx was reduced as the axial swirler outlet shroud diameter was reduced. The trends were the same for all three swirler vane angles, but there was little advantage of using higher swirl number large vane angle swirlers when compared at the same pressure loss. The minimum NOx at 15% oxygen for premixed combustion at 1750K with 600K inlet temperature was 2ppm for 30° shrouded axial swirlers, 3ppm for 45° shrouded swirlers and 2.5ppm for 60° shrouded swirlers. However, a 45° unshrouded axial swirler with smaller central hub and large D/d had NOx emissions of 2ppm.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


A synthesis is proposed of coastal management policies in the Rhone detta over the last fifty years . Various key elements are highlighted which need to be taken into account in the future. First, the present situation concerning the appropriation of the coast (DPM) and human use made of is analysed. Emphasis is given to the importance of industrial and tourist activities and to their implications for the local socio-economic situation. Second, the history of coastal management policies is discussed. It shows the heterogeneity of both the engineering structures and the objectives ; in the latter case, many were only partially attained and often at an extremely high cost. Finally, this study recalls the present understanding of coastal morphosedimentary and hydrodynamicprocesses. On this basis a number of future scenarios are proposed concerning management strategies and their morphological implications.


During 2005-2007, a series of interviews were carried out with the riverside populations of the Oil Province of Urucu (AM, Brasil). The main goal of this work was to characterize the knowledge of the inhabitants of this area regarding the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) (listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List). Interviews were conducted with 74 local inhabitants from 33 communities. Between 2004 and 2007, 20 poached or entangled Amazonian manatees were reported in the area. Poaching with harpoon is the principal cause of mortality, but manatees are also incidentally caught in fishing nets. Interviewers described details of manatee hunting techniques in the area. The trade of manatee meat, although currently forbidden by Brazilian laws, still occurs in the area. Data obtained from the interviews suggest a dietary preference of the manatee for at least 29 species of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants. The interviewed fishermen showed a sound knowledge of Amazonian manatee biology and behavior. This information may be important to assist future conservation plans in the Amazon.


Presents two robust fault isolation observer design approaches for linear uncertain systems. The proposed fault isolation observer is robust to structural uncertainties by producing disturbance decoupled residuals. The first method uses a direct eigenstructure assignment scheme to make a diagonal transfer function between faults and residual. The second method is carried out through transformation of the system into its special coordinate basis form such that the disturbance decoupled fault detection observer can be combined easily with Beard-Jones detection filter theory to produce a robust fault detection filter.


This paper had examined 'feminism in international relations'. It utilized secondary sources of data with content analysis and guided by the following research questions: 1. what is the nature/characteristic of feminism international relations paradigm? 2. What is new in feminist international relations? 3. Is feminism relevant in the study of international relations? 4. What is the possible scientific classification of feminism international relations? Feminism international relation arose as a result of disciplinary dissatisfaction with the mainstream international relations. They brought gender and gender hierarchy analysis, inclusive policy making and implementation. There are diverse views of feminism international relations but focus on foreign policy and diplomacy, international political economy, war, security and peace and international law dimension. Feminism  international relations emphasis the role of femininity in foreign policy making and implementation, women trafficking and drugs in international political economy, looked at security from individual than state horizon, women involvement in peace making process and inclusion of gender and chances for women in international law, feminism international relations can be classified into classical feminism and neo-feminism.


Allozyme data are used to investigate the parentage of an aberrant rattlesnake from west Texas. A phylogenetic evaluation of the electrophoretic data leads to the hypothesis that the specimen is a hybrid between the Mojave rattlesnake, Crotalus scutulatus, and the prairie rattle- snake, C. viridis viridis.


Background: Women entrepreneurs, especially those from the rural areas, often struggle to develop balance between business decisions and their well-being. Objective: To examine the relationship between rural women entrepreneurs' competence and their quality of life. Methods: A questionnaire survey measuring life competencies and the quality of life was carried out on a group of 152 women entrepreneurs from rural Perak using the purposive sampling technique. The main research method was quantitative using survey design. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis using frequency, mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficient were used to assess the relationship between entrepreneurial competence and quality of life. Results: Findings showed that rural women entrepreneurs have a higher level of life competencies and achieved a good quality of life. There is a strong relationship between their life competencies and quality of life and similarly, between rural women entrepreneurs' entrepreneurial skills and spiritual skills and their quality of life. Implication: The applicability of Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Spencer and Spencer's theory is highly proven by the evidence of a relationship between life competencies and rural women entrepreneur's quality of life. These findings have implications for enhancing the efficiency of rural women entrepreneurs through the implementation of competency development programs.


DNA primers, based on the ribosomal sequences of lethal yellowing-type disease (LYD) phytoplasmas, were used to analyse genetic variation within the lethal yellowing-type diseases of coconut in East Africa. Samples were collected from palms in Kenya, Mozambique and high, medium and low disease incidence areas of Tanzania. The mollicute-specific primer pair P1 and P6 amplified a 1.5 kbp product from all diseased palms and no product from symptomless palms, indicating that phytoplasmas were associated with all of these diseases. However, the Rohde forward and Rohde reverse primers (a second rRNA primer pair designed to detect East African LYD-associated phytoplasmas) only amplified products from Tanzanian and Kenyan diseased palms and not from those of Mozambique. Conversely, primers Ghana 813 and AK-SR, designed for specific detection of coconut-associated phytoplasmas in West Africa, amplified products only from the Mozambique palms, indicating that the phytoplasma associated with LYD in Mozambique is more closely related to those from West Africa. This was supported by restriction enzyme digestion of PCR products. DNA sequencing of PCR products from phytoplasmas within Tanzania revealed no detectable differences in the rDNA sequences of isolates from high, medium and low incidence areas.


Recent and projected federal legislation has offered new hope that correctional manpower problems will be not only addressed but overcome. However, this will not occur if the field remains in bondage to the clinical model of prevention and rehabilita tion because (1) this model has not proven itself successful and (2) even if we assume its success, there will not be enough social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists to man it. Both the opportunity and the challenge are now at hand for experimental programs which will demonstrate how to utilize more effectively a whole range of personnel from the unedu cated to the highly educated in correctional work.


Technology management is concerned with minimizing the risks associated with new technologies and ensuring the successful integration of those technologies into systems and operations. The role of an Advanced Technology Manager is to identify the technologies that will enhance project operations, identify applications throughout the project that can benefit from appropriate new technologies, and ensure that these technologies are developed and/or transferred for insertion into operations.

This paper describes the creation of a technology management process and the development of technology assessments, analysis, and evaluation methodologies developed for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's (GSFC's) New Technology and Data Standards Manager and the CSC Systems, Engineering, and Analysis Support (SEAS) project. The paper also includes a detailed description of the six stages of technology commitment. Note that the technology management process discussed in this paper is undergoing evaluation and will mature as it is implemented in the coming months.


Indonesia ratified the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and pledged to reduce its carbon emissions. This commitment, however, contrasts Indonesia's development plan under Joko Widodo's administration. His policy has enabled the development of additional power plants, hence perpetuating Indonesia's reliance on coal. Thus, it is essential to examine why Indonesia is still struggling to break free from its dependence on coal, despite its ambitious goal to tackle climate change. This paper will apply the Copenhagen School's securitisation theory to explore how security is defined and shapes Indonesia's energy transition process. Furthermore, this research will use distributive and procedural justice theory to examine the decision-making process and climate change policy implementation. In order to accomplish so, we will employ qualitative methods such as desk studies, which will comprise academic literature as well as government statements and regulations. This paper argues that Indonesia's energy transition is impeded by how other security issues are prioritised above climate change. In addition, the lack of justice principles in the climate policy formulation and implementation has contributed to Indonesia's reliance on coal. Since Indonesia is the world's largest coal exporter and one of the top ten global polluters, this study intends to contribute to identifying challenges in the transition to renewable energy.Keywords: Indonesia; coal dependence; energy transition; securitisation; distributive and procedural justice


Therapeutic communities for chemical dependents are important resources, described by National Antidrug Secretary, to the network of care for disorders related to the abuse of psychoactive substances. The professional team in these therapeutic communities and represented, mainly, by advisers in chemical dependency. There is a consensus among the experts, the complexity of the problem, that treatment must approach the patient in their family environment (Stanton and Todd, 1990). The purpose of the present study is to present and assess a program of prevention and treatment for chemical dependents in therapeutic communities with a focus on their family environment, we called TRA: therapy of network for addiction. A program for counselor in chemical dependency, working in these communities. Based on thought-new-paradigmatic, Esteves de Vasconcellos (2002), and the social representation of Moscovici (2003), we used the method an interventional research, with qualitative design constructivist, based in Pakman (1995), which means, in the context of this work, that the model of TRA was built together with the participants, counselors, and patients in the therapeutic community where we have the research. The main techniques used were: the family of origin of the counselor and the collective subject discourse (DSC), according to Lefèvre and Lefèvre (2003). For the analysis of the results, we used the technique of data triangulation, second Denzin and Lincoln (2000). The results contributed to know the social representations of the participants on their families, and systemically, we understand the many aspects involved in the complexity of the cycle of drug-addiction. The interventional techniques helped with the rescue of the aspects resilient and the skills of the family systems and the empowerment of the therapeutic community, patients and their families to approach with the problems of chemical dependency. These techniques also collaborated for the understanding and approach of unpredictability that occurred in a number of areas in the development of the research. The different social representations in DSC were analyzed under the gaze of the intersubjectivity, providing a rich Exchange of views between the participants. The participation in colaboration, in drawing up this model contributed mainly to build together a new knowledge in treatment and prevention for the therapeutic communities, with a broader perspective and global vision, for the family system and other systems involved in the problem of drug-addiction. Key-words: drug addiction, family systems, counselor for chemical dependence, therapeutic community, netting-therapy to drugs addicts.


Background/Aim. Fluoride has beneficial effect on dental caries prevention and enables high hardness of enamel. However, fluoride intake above optimal levels can have adverse effects on teeth and bones, especially in young children during the period of intense growth and teeth development. The aim of this study was to assess fluoride intake from water and toothpaste among 3-year-old children in Belgrade, Serbia, in the municipalities of Vracar and Novi Beograd. Methods. A questionnaire for the parents (n = 40) was used to provide information on the water consumption (tap and/or bottled water) and the brand of toothpaste used by children as well as the frequency of tooth brushing and the amount of toothpaste during brushing. Fluoride concentrations in water and toothpaste samples were determined electrochemically by using fluoride-selective electrode. Fluoride intake was estimated through a mathematical model commonly used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Results. The obtained results indicate no significant difference in daily fluoride intake through drinking water and toothpaste in 3-year-old children in Vracar (n = 19) compared to Novi Beograd (n = 21) (p > 0.05). However, all estimated fluoride levels (0.089?0.625 mg/day) are significantly lower than the optimal daily intake level for caries protection (0.7 mg/day for children up to 4 years, FNB-USA National Institute of Medicine) and two to six times lower than tolerable upper fluoride level for the children of same age (1.3 mg/day, FNB-USA National Institute of Medicine). Furthermore, calculated daily fluoride intake per kilogram body weight confirm very low fluoride intake by water and toothpaste in children of investigated municipalities in Belgrade, being significantly below the recommended an adequate intake (0.05 mg/kg/day, EFSA). Conclusion. This preliminary study has shown that daily fluoride intake in 3-year-olds is lower than tolerable upper fluoride level, even not sufficient for the prevention of dental caries.


The purpose of this study is to analyze farm management in improving rice production. Besides, to know the effect of land area, fertilization, pesticide and labor, production cost, labor cost and selling price of production to farming income of paddy field. Based on the results is obtained that the area of land, fertilization, pesticides and labor simultaneously affect the production of wetland rice in the District of Tangan-Tangan. Partially test got only the Area of Land that affect to production. While fertilizers, pesticides and Labor have no effect on rice production. In addition, from the results of the analysis on the income of paddy field farming by using the same model that simultaneously, the cost of production facilities, labor costs and selling price of production affect the income of paddy field farming. Keywords: Production, Land Area, Fertilization, Manpower, Revenue


A capacitive-strainmeter transducer is calibrated using a variable-spacing, Fabry-Perot interferometer. Optical flats are mounted on a spring parallelogram. Thermal expansion of a steel tube deforms the parallelogram, smoothly displacing one of the optical flats. This modulates the intensity of the 5016 àline, observed at the central zone of the interference pattern, and thus produces sharp peaks on a pen recorder. A theoretical analysis of the peak width, based on the work of Chabbal (1958), agrees with that recorded by the interferometer. This calibration permits earth-strain measurements to an accuracy of 1 per cent.


Coprinus section Coprinus is defined and delimited to comprise four subsections: Atramentarii, Coprinus, Lanatuli and Alachuani. A key to the subsections is given as well as a key to the species of subsection Alachuani known from the Netherlands or to be expected in the Netherlands on account of records from neighbouring countries. Three new species, Coprinus epichloeus, Coprinus fluvialis and Coprinus sclerotiorum are described as well as a new variety of C. urticicola: var. salicicola. In addition the following species are fully described: C. argenteus, C. echinosporus, C. episcopalis, C. filamentifer, C. friesii, C. gonophyllus, C. goudensis, C. herinkii, C. kimurae, C. kubickae, C. luteocephalus, C. phaeosporus, C. phlyctidosporus, C. picaceus, C. piepenbroekii, C. pseudofriesii, C. rugosobisporus, C. spilosporus, C. stanglianus, C. strossmayeri, C. tigrinellus, C. urticicola, C. vermiculifer, C. xantholepis, and C. xenobius.


The present invention pays soluble phosphorus-containing acid provides an oil-soluble complexes and alcohols. The complexes are useful as anti-wear additives in lubricating oils, particularly automatic transmission fluids.


Abstract We investigate the perception and production of Czech / / and / /, a contrast traditionally described as quantitative. First, we show that the spectral difference between the vowels is for many Czechs as strong a cue as (or even stronger than) duration. Second, we test the hypothesis that this shift towards vowel quality as a perceptual cue for this contrast resulted in weakening of the durational differentiation in production. Our measurements confirm this: members of the / /-/ / pair differed in duration much less than those of other short-long pairs. We interpret these findings in terms of Lindblom's HH the authors concluded that quantity in Hungarian is not as important as it had been considered. Pind [3] found that in Icelandic, for the [ ]-[ ] vowel pair differing in quality (despite the transcription), this quality difference can work as a stronger perceptual cue than duration. The Czech language has five vowel pairs distinguished by phonological length. Traditionally, the long vowels had been described to be approximately twice as long as the short vowels [4]. However, our informal observations suggested that this may not be the case in the / /-/ / pair. This is perhaps because there is also a difference in quality between its members. While this qualitative difference, and therefore an exceptional status of / /-/ / among Czech short-long vowel pairs, has been recognized in literature [5: 33] (even though quite reluctantly by prescriptive linguists) its potential contribution to the contrast has not been meaningfully considered. Recall the finding by Pind about Icelandic cited above. In a subsequent paper [6], Pind tested the hypothesis, based on Lindblom's


In the reconstruction of digital city buildings, this paper introduce the basic principle of 3D laser scanning briefly firstly, the paper focus on data process ,methods and process of abstracting key points of construction from 3D laser scan data. By measuring the points cloud of 3D laser scanning , a construction contour model has been built with the Sketchup software, which will offer a good exploration for application of 3D laser scan in the course of 3D city buildings reconstruction.


Palpable cervical nodes were found in 56% of 561 adult outpatients studied. The incidence decreased with advancing age. Only two patients with palpable nodes had a history of neck cancer.


This paper questions the status of the individual listed in a therapeutic test designed as a scientific experimentation. From an analysis of a process of a trial carried out in Abidjan on the benefits and risks of an early treatment for HIV-positive patients, the aim is to show how an individual is categorized (medical community/ profession, subjective individual, subject of a test, amongst others), then objectified. The conception of the trial focused on the individual as an object is replaced by the conception of the trial focused on the interactions between, on one side, the virus itself and, on the other side, the individual seen as the virus' environment of life, or Umwelt. Within this frame, far from being a passive actor, the subject becomes an active member of the experimental system and takes part in his own objectivation.


Despite the pervasiveness of felon-juror exclusion, this is the first study to systematically explore public opinions about the exclusion of convicted felons from voting and jury service. While results from 815 Californians revealed greater support for felon-voters than for felon-jurors, a majority opposed felon-juror exclusion and rejected the rationales for doing so. Findings also revealed stark ideological divides, as conservatives were less likely to support felon-voters or felon-jurors, and were more likely to endorse the justifications for felon-juror exclusion. As states debate legislation permitting felon-juror inclusion, our findings indicate that support for such policies is likely greater than courts and policymakers had previously thought, suggesting that officials might benefit from re-considering whether this form of civic marginalization actually represents the will of the people.


Due to increasing population and urbanization, the necessity for capturing and predicting stress factors on humans rises. Low noise exposure, among others, is widely perceived as a measure for life quality while high noise levels are commonly accepted as a health risk. However, it remains unclear to what extend current noise evaluation methods support the actual emotional state. In an interdisciplinary attempt to determine common factors through statistical analysis, many physical impact factors on the human body in urban areas have been measured and interviews have been performed simultaneously. This contribution will discuss methodology and presents intermediate evaluation results.


This study aims to identify and analyze the influence of work-family conflict management, training, health and safety on the performance of female nurses in RSUD BLAMBANGAN Banyuwangi. This study uses primary data obtained from respondents' answers on the questionnaires used in the study. Method of data analysis using Descriptive Statistics, Instrument Test, Classical Assumption Test and Hypothesis Test consisted of Multiple Linear Regression Analysis, T test, and F Test. The result of the research shows that the work-family conflict management, training, health and safety have positive and significant influence on the performance of female nurses in RSUD BLAMBANGAN Banyuwangi. This leads to better work-family conflict management , health and safety coach will improve the performance of female nurses at BLAMBANGAN Banyuwangi Hospital. Keywords: Work-Family Conflict Management, Training, Health and Safety, Performance.


Objective:discussion of CT diagnosis of traumatic rupture of spleen.Methods:CT diagnosis and operative approval to 30 cases traumatic rupture of spleen at hospital.Result:traumatic rupture of spleen mainly features crescent and low-density mix shadow around the spleen by the CT imaging,according to CT scanning,hematoma under the capsule of spleen shows a crescent and low-density shadow which is outward along the spleen edge,when scanning is enhanced,the shadow marking spleen substance becomes thicker,but the shadow marking the hematoma won't be.The hematoma within spleen shows round or patchy and high-density shadow.rupture of spleen usually shows low-density shadow within spleen substance.Conclusion: traumatic rupture of spleen can be approved by common and enhance scanning with CT diagnosis.


The GRASSHOPPER (GaN-based Resonant Aerospace Switching-mode Supply, for High Output Power with Promising Efficiency and Reliability) has the potential to bring highly efficient power conversion into space applications (e.g. from MPPTs to regulated buses) in a robust, failure-tolerant way. Since C3S has extensive experience in traditional, Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET)-based power supplies in both the Nanosat and the High-ReI industry, we have looked for a technology to increase both power and efficiency levels in our converters. In the GRASSHOPPER project, we implemented a 750W Switching-Mode Power Supply with 2 parallel Phase-Shifted Full Bridge cores to achieve these goals, and to bring the advantages of GaN FETs into both space and stratospheric applications. There is an example of a similar converter being designed previously [1]. Our design tackles an extended input voltage range and power needs with scalability and a higher efficiency target in mind, as requested by the proj ect needs incorporating this converter.


This article aims to give a critical account of t he historiography about the Athenian metics, discussing the limits and possibilities of studies made by four central authors (Clerc, Whitehead, Rom an and Baslez). The article ends with a analysis of a Lysias' speech called Againt Philon , about a Athenian citizen who become a metic in the polis of Oropus, near Athens, during the Thirty regime and the subsequent democratic restoration war; this analysi s is presented here as an example of surpassing of the traditional dichotomy citizen (homo politicus)/metic (homo oeconomicus), showing in the same time an economic motivation in a citizen's choice before th e political loyalty of metics who fought in democratic ranks


"onward-and-upward progress." (20) In this version of women's history, "a more naïve, celebratory form of women's history" was displaced by a "more complex one" (23); "gender history" improved upon "women's history"; and a superior poststructuralist-inflected cultural history triumphed over an earlier, outmoded materialist social history. In contrast, Sangster offers an overview of Canadian women's history since the 1960s that is as attentive to what has been lost as to what has been gained. Through Feminist Eyes is autobiographical and self-reflexive. Sangster has been involved in history making as well as history writing, and she meditates in interesting ways throughout the book on how her life experiences and political involvement shaped her own historical scholarship. Sangster turns her critical feminist lens on herself as well as others. Through Feminist Eyes allows us to see how we are all made by our histories and how the historical actors we seek to recreate can only be retrieved encased in the historical moments in which they lived. Sangster is a gifted historian whose many decades-long contributions to the making of feminist history can be savoured in this gem of a book. We are all in her debt. Dorothy Sue Cobble Rutgers University


The present state of academic book reviewing, in literary studies at any rate, is neither happy nor healthy. A few journals pay close attention to their reviews and reviewers, and some good critiques do appear, but too often stand ards are lax and reviews mediocre. Scholarly reviews are too frequently brief, impressionistic, formulaic, bland, badly written, or, most distressing of all, nothing more than sales pitches or gratuitous hatchet jobs, ever so thinly disguised. (Hoge and West, "Academic Book Review ing" 35)


[Objective] To research the acute genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity of Loquat leaf.[Methods] Test of maximum tolerated dose,Ames test,born marrow cell micronucleus test,mice sperm abnormality test and 90-day feeding study in rats were used to assess the safety of Loquat leaf.[Results] Its maximum tolerated dose(MTD) in mice was greater than 10.0g/kg.bw.Ames test,micronucleus test and sperm shape abnormality were negative.All the physiological indexes of the treated mice were normal in 90d feeding study.[Conclusion] Loquat leaf(Eriobotrya japonica) has no acute toxicity,no genotoxicity,and maximal-no-observed-adverse-effect-level(MNOAEL) is more than 6.4g/kg·bw.


Among other things, the present invention provides a jet fuel composition and its preparation and use. In some embodiments, the fuel composition comprising at least one at least partially from a microorganism readily and efficiently produced in the fuel component. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a fuel composition comprising a high concentration of at least one bioengineered fuel component. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a fuel composition comprising a bicyclic C10 isoprenoid, such as carane, pinane, juniper alkoxy, or combinations thereof.


To assess the effect of military land use on recreation, a visitor monitoring scheme was implemented on part of the Otterburn Training Area (OTA), which lies within Northumberland National Park. A questionnaire survey and visitor counts were used to assess recreational use and to appraise the attitude of visitors to the military presence. Visitors were predominantly middle aged, repeat visitors, walking long distances in small groups. Most were aware of the designation of OTA, but frequently unaware of any military activity. Use levels and patterns at five locations provide the basis of an estimate of use for the year.


The production of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is a multiple industrial process that depends on the quality of the used raw materials, mixing ratios as well as on the consistency between the chemical and mechanical performance of the mixing unit in a mixing tower. Optimizing the mixing process, ratios and many other overlapping elements are important factors for its ideal design to ensure reducing production costs and reducing waste of the basic raw materials, that could be happened due to the inflexibility of the used dosing system design. Since the aluminum paste is one of the most important basic raw materials for the manufacture of autoclaved aerated concrete with a low participation rate in the mixture of about 0.1% (e.g., AAC ‐G4 type), however, in terms of production costs, it constitutes a part of not less than 10% of the total raw materials cost per cubic meter of autoclaved aerated concrete (e.g., AAC‐G4 type), according to several real studies in several factories. Through this research, we present a comparison between two aluminum paste dosing system designs already implemented in several AAC factories: (1) shift pre‐mixing and weighting model and system‐ ASMD, (2) Batch pre‐mixing and weighting Model‐ ABMD. This research will illustrate the differences between the two systems in terms of technical and financial aspects based on the reality of practical experience.


We obtain analytical expressions for the large- and small-radius polarons on the one-dimensional lattice in the TBA approximation. The equations of motion for this model are treated classically for the oscillator subsystem, while a quantum description is used for the electron. The electron-phonon interaction is considered in the linear Su--Schrieffer--Heeger approximation. Good agreement between analytical formulae and accurate numerical simulation is obtained. The dynamics of polaron formation from different initial conditions is considered. Some features of the wave function evolution, governed by the finite lattice length, are elucidated.


The theory of forming cam-profile with translating flat-faced follower is introduced. The new method of CAD animation and the processing for drawing cam profile with flat-faced follower on the AutoCAD are discussed.


This concluding chapter reflects on W. Arthur Lewis's death on June 15, 1991, and his legacy. Since his days growing up on the island of St. Lucia and studying at the London School of Economics, he had focused his writings, research, teaching, and public service on three critical issues: racial justice, end of empire, and improved standards of living for the less well off. The instrumentality to accomplish these goals became the field of economics, in large part, as he so often reminded people, because he was unable to pursue what had once seemed to him more attractive occupations. Lewis would never have suggested that his life should be measured by the successes that he had in advancing these goals, but there is much to be said for concluding this study by considering the methods that Lewis favored and the achievements that he realized in the three arenas that he held so high: eradicating racial injustice, bringing empires to a close, and promoting worldwide economic progress. Ultimately, development economics was the academic interest in which Lewis made his most lasting contributions, and it was as a development economist that he came to prominence after World War II.


Conventional vortex-induced vibration (VIV) prediction tools are semi-empirical, in other words, based on several empirical parameters extracted from model tests in laboratory. Generally, the lab tests are costly, include small scale test conditions and with a limited test matrix. The extracted empirical databases are not directly applicable to full-scale VIV predictions of various slender marine structures. Therefore, large safety factors have been used by industry for VIV prediction in the past decades.
 To reduce the uncertainty (e.g. over-conservatism) related to semi-empirical VIV prediction tools, the NLPQL algorithm for parameter optimization of a semi-empirical time-domain prediction tool has been investigated.
 This methodology was demonstrated on pure cross-flow VIV prediction in an earlier study. It was shown that by setting appropriate constraints and cost functions of the optimization algorithm, this method is feasible to improve the VIV prediction accuracy. In this study, the NLPQL optimization algorithm was applied for combined cross-flow and in-line VIV predictions using time domain numerical model. Selected cases from field measurements representing multi-fidelity data were used to validate and verify the method.


In order to discuss the destructive rule in deep tunnel and offer technique sustain to it,in this paper,the support pattern in mine deep tunnel and the deformation and failure process of wall rock were analyzed.Conclusion was drawn.Only the wall rock of tunnel was stressed uniformly,the objective of coupling deformation would be realized,that can enable the tunnel wall rock stress and support pattern to reach the optimal combination and decrease the cost of support.


A fractal model of critical crack extension force is proposed to indicate that the fractal dimension of a fractured surface is incompatible with the elastic fracture mechanics.Consequently,only the mechanical parameters characterizing the dissipation in crack propagation process can be employed in fracture research using the fractal.


Functional validation is one of the major bottlenecks in processor design methodology due to combined effects of increasing complexity and decreasing time-to-market. Increasing complexity of designs leads to larger set of design errors. Shorter time-tomarket requires a faster validation scheme. Simulation using functional test vectors is the most widely used form of processor validation. While existing model checking based approaches have proposed several promising ideas for efficient test generation, many challenges remain in applying them to realistic pipelined processors. The time and resources required for test generation using existing model checking based techniques can be extremely large. This report presents an efficient test generation technique using SAT-based bounded model checking. To demonstrate the usefulness of this approach, we have applied this technique to generate test programs for validation of the VLIW MIPS processor.


The Association of Latin American Integration, Reciprocal Payments and Credits Agreement (the ALADI Treaty) is a multilateral agreement signed in August, 1982 by representatives of the Central Banks of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Similar agreements have been in effect since 1965. The ALADI Treaty governs the flow of funds between Latin American countries by replacing the international payment mechanisms that have been traditionally utilized. These changes in procedure result in greater intraregional trade by reducing the need for hardcurrency U.S. dollars and the risk of local currency inconvertibility, and by providing a mechanism for replacing cross-border foreign private bank risk with local central bank risk.


A good deal of consideration is needed in designing the growth masks to get the intended bandgap profile due to a complex interplay of chemical reactions and physical effects such as gas phase diffusion and surface migration. This work presents a simulation tool for selective area growth metal-organic vapor epitaxy (SAG-MOVPE) of InGaAsP-based photonic integrated circuits.


In 1991, American Patent Bureau Published the Patent of Photon Scanning Tunnel- ing Microscopy CUSP 5,018,865). Now we name that instrument 1st generation PSTM. Our group obtained first PSTM image of a holographic grating with resolution of 100nm october 1991, and super-resolution images with lateral beter than 10nm and longitude bet- ter than 1nm, using the 1st generation PSTM in 1993.


Despite there are several Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) investigating Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) as a guide in lung biopsies, conclusions remain contentious. To address this dispute, we performed a detailed meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy and safety of LDCT-guided lung biopsies.


FPGA based Quasi Z-Source Cascaded Multilevel Inverter (Quasi Zs-CMLI) using multicarrier PluseWidth Modulation (PWM) techniques are presented in this paper. Multicarrier based PWM techniques have been proposed for seven level Quasi Zs-CMLI and implemented using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). For generating gating pulses to the inverter switches, Phase Disposition (PD), Inverted Phase Disposition (IPD), Phase Opposition Disposition (POD) and Alternative Phase Opposition Disposition (APOD) techniques are programmed on FPGA. In the proposed system, three solar PV emulator modules are used. These are acting as input source to the inverter. Finally, THD comparison made between different carrier based modulation with shoot through and non-shoot through the states. The proposed quasi Zs-CMLI and PWM techniques are verified through MATLAB/Simulink. For confirmation of simulation results, A laboratory prototype model have been implemented using FPGA. The capture hardware results are matched with simulation results.


Various applications in science and industry demand a precise measurement of the flow rate of fluids. We are researching on a novel flow sensor principle based on ultrasonic beamforming. For this the precise knowledge of the emitted acoustic field is key. To test the acoustic field of the used ultrasonic phased array we build a measurement setup which can scan a defined volume of interest with a spatial resolution 0.l°mm. The measurement is performed with the help of an optical microphone.


1. In a recent paper the author (1951) showed that the simple rectangular lattice for p(p 1) varieties or treatments in blocks of (p 1) plots developed by Harshbarger (1947) is a partially balanced incomplete block (p.b.i.b.) design and that the triple rectangular lattice developed by him (1949) for the same number of varieties and size of block is not a p.b.i.b. design, except when p = 3 and 4. 2. Harshbarger (1951) has recently developed the Near Balance Rectangular Lattice for p(p 1) varieties in blocks of (p 1) plots and with every variety replicated p times. It is interesting to note that this lattice is a p.b.i.b. design having two associate classes. In fact, it follows as a special case of a general rectangular lattice design given on p. 370 (Section 7.5) of the paper by Bose and Nair (1939). The parameters of their design are:


A very uncommon instance of facial nerve palsy involving isolated temporal bone with associated uncontrolled diabetes mellitus has been noticed. A 53-year-old diabetic male presented himself with facial asymmetry, ear pain, and discharge in the right ear of one-month duration. Clinical examination revealed grade IV [House-Brackmann] right sided facial palsy, and otoscopy of small central perforation. Clinically acute otitis media with facial palsy diagnosis was made. There was minimal response to medical treatment. As per CT scan and audiometry findings, patient was subjected for exploratory mastoidectomy showing pale granulation tissue involving geniculate ganglion of facial nerve. The histopathology was suggestive of mucormycosis, an unusual presentation in middle ear. The patient was treated with injectable Amphotericin B. This case highlights a rare cause of isolated facial palsy and physicians should be aware of such atypical clinical presentation.


We propose "BlockJack", a system based on a distributed and tamper-proof consortium Blockchain that aims at blocking IP prefix hijacking in the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). BlockJack provides a synchronization amongst a BlockChain and BGP networks through interfaces ensuring operational independence. This approach preserves the legacy system and accommodates the impact of a race condition if the Blockchain process exceeds the BGP update intervals. BlockJack is also resilient to dynamic routing path changes during the occurrence of the IP prefix hijacking in the routing tables. We implement BlockJack using Hyperledger Fabric Blockchain and Quagga software package and we perform an initial set of experiments to evaluate its efficacy. We evaluate the performance and resilience of BlockJack in various attack scenarios including single and multiple paths attacks, and attacks from random sources. Our results show that BlockJack is able to handle multiple attacks caused by Autonomous Systems (AS) path changes during a BGP prefix hijacking. In experiment settings with 50 random routers, BlockJack takes on average 0.08 seconds (with standard deviation of 0.04 seconds) to block BGP prefix hijacking attacks.


A symmetric supercapacitor has been fabricated using activated carbon adopted different concentration the nanoparticle manganese dioxide (MnO2)-activated carbon (AC) composite as the electrode materials. The composite electrodes were prepared by mechanically mixing the activated carbon, MnO2, and PVDF polymeric solution as a binder. The concentration of MnO2 was varied from 0% until 20%. The charge storage mechanism in MnO2 electrode, used in the aqueous electrolyte, was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and the impedance testing was done on two electrodes system. The result clearly showed that the low concentration of nanostructured MnO2 has improved the specific capacitance of supercapacitor via pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanism and the increased of surface area. However, further increasing the MnO2 content in the electrode decreased the capacitive performance and deteriorated the specific surface area of the electrode, mainly due to the aggregation of the MnO2 particles within the composite. Structural analysis of the nanocomposite electrodes was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Additionally, the electrochemical properties are evaluated through cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectra, and galvanostatic cycling measurements. The results demonstrate this MnO2/AC composite owes homogeneous particle size of nanometer dimension. The experimental results showed that the highest specific capacitance of 372 F/g at the scanning rate of 10 m/V is achieved with a fairly low MnO2 nanomaterials loading (5 wt. %) in 3 M KOH. The maximum cycle life of the supercapacitors 4500 cycles. Besides, the impedance tests results show that the charge transfer resistance of this composite is 0.88 Ω.


Steganography is the practice of hiding information or data in a seemingly innocuous cover medium, such as message, file, image, audio, and video. In the past decades, many approaches of steganography in images were proposed for various applications. In social communication and the information highly exposed society, steganography requires high embedding capacity to transmit secret data efficiently. Generally, there is a trade-off between fidelity and embedding capacity. In this paper, we propose a novel and efficient data hiding algorithm in 24-bit color images with super high embedding capacity and acceptable peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) using spatial-domain-adjacent mean. In the proposed algorithm, the embedding rate is about 7.4 bits per pixel (bpp) when the PSNR is nearly 30, and the embedding rate is about 8.88 bpp when the PSNR is nearly 25. The advantage of the proposed method is no need to transform data in another domain and without training data. Experiments also demonstrate the imperceptibility under some state-of-art steganalysis. The proposed steganography provides an efficient way to transmit sensitive information in the information highly exposed society.


Independent review report on the available information concerning the technologies needed for forecourts producing 150 kg/day of hydrogen from natural gas.


With globalization, there have been many developments in the accounting area. Among these developments, the Institute of International Accounting Standards proposed the standards for accounting and reporting. 41st one of these standards is on agricultural activities. This standard comprises Biological assets and agricultural products in the time of harvesting. Biological assets and agricultural products are classified under the biological assets heading in the balance sheets. Among agricultural facilities, biological assets go through biological processes such as growing in quality and quantity, deterioration, production and breeding. Thus recognition of these goods is an important issue. Biological assets like farm animals and fruit trees produce goods during their lifetimes. According to this standard, for biological assets, depreciation must be allocated. As in the other standards, in this standard the method for calculating the depreciation is crucial. However when we examine the depreciation calculating and recording practices in Turkey, there are differences between Tax Procedure Law and 41st International Accounting Standards. This study examines and compares amortisement practises accordingto Tax Procedure Law and 41st International Accounting Standard and also, it propounds the discrepancy between different practices.


This research is motivated by the changing era of the industrial revolution which continues to grow and humans are required to have the ability to use cyberphysical systems in all aspects, especially in the entrepreneurial aspect. However, the condition of students at MA Al-Mahrusiyah still lacks the expertise to become entrepreneurship, this condition is because students prioritize their religious values more than their external values. So from this condition, deeper research is needed to solve problems about students in order to get the provision of entrepreneurial skills through studentpreneurship in order to face the industrial 4.0 changes out there.

The aims of this study include: (1) knowing the implementation of the studentpreneurship work program at MA Al-Mahrusiyah which is held once a year and (2) knowing the improvement of entrepreneurial character in students through studentpreneurship in facing the era of the industrial revolution 4.0. The research method used is qualitative research with a phenomenological approach to field studies. Data collection using observation and documentation techniques. The results show that entrepreneurial activities with studentpreneurship run smoothly and have a positive impact on students by creating an entrepreneurial spirit by making such as dowries, screen printing skills and bread making. The role in entrepreneurship is expected to be able to equip students after graduation and face entrepreneurial competition in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0.
Keywords: [Studentpreneurship, Character of Entrepreneurship, Industrial Revolution 4.0].


Cancer Immunotherapy based on one's own immune system to fight cancer is emerging as an important treatment option for advanced stage diseases. The earliest attempts of cancer therapy based on the provocation of the immune system with infectious agents can be traced back to the 18 century, and the field of immunotherapy has since developed into three main groups: cellular-, antibodyand cytokinetherapies. Recently, especially the treatment with so called checkpoint blocking antibodies has led to a breakthrough in the treatment of some cancers, and at the time of writing this thesis the Nobel Prize in medicine is to be awarded to the discoverers of the two first such checkpoint pathways targeted with successful, approved drugs. These agents however, seems not work if there is not a weak suppressed immune response already in the patient and alternative strategies are needed to help the patients where checkpoint blockade is unsuccessful. One such immunotherapy that has proven successful is adoptive transfer of tumor specific T-cells grown in the lab to the patient. Previous studies in our research group found that sentinel lymph nodes, which are the lymph nodes first draining the tumor, may be sites of specific T-cell responses to the tumor since antigens from the tumor are presented there by professional antigen presenting cells. Due to the fact that these lymph nodes are also the first ones to be colonized by metastasizing tumor cells from the primary tumor, the histopathological status of these tumor draining lymph nodes is essential for staging and prognosis, and this analysis usually involves destructive processing of the lymph node tissue. As the lymph node Tcells are a potential source for tumor-specific T-cell therapy of cancer, it is essential to find a method of metastasis detection that does not require destruction of the whole lymph node tissue. Thus our lab has developed a method to dissociate the cells of the lymph node for flow cytometric analysis based on markers found on tumor cells and not normal lymph node tissue, sparing a large number of lymphocytes for therapeutic use and at the same time enhancing the sensitivity of metastasis detection. In this thesis, this analysis strategy is extended to the micro-metastasis detection in lymph nodes draining penile cancer. We find that, using pan-cytokeratin staining of tumor cells the single cell preparation from lymph nodes of patients, we are able to identify metastasis in all cases also confirmed by standard pathological examination of other parts of the lymph nodes, and additional we identify metastasis in two patients where no metastasis was found by standard measures. We also present preliminary data from an analysis of the cellular composition of the patient lymph nodes, and data on the possible reactivity of the lymph node T-cells to antigens found in autologous whole tumor lysates. As a large proportion of penile cancers are associated with HPV infection we also tested the reactivity of lymph node T-cells to the Gardasil® vaccine antigen preparation. The thesis also presents a clinical study extending earlier clinical immunotherapy studies on the expansion of tumor reactive, sentinel lymph node T-cells for the treatment of colorectal cancer. We performed a phase I/II clinical study on 71 colorectal cancer patients. No treatment-related toxicity was observed among the patients who received the T-cell therapy. The 9 patients with stage IV that received the sentinel node T-cell therapy showed an increased 24-month survival rate compared to the control group of 16 patients who received standard therapy and there was a tendency to increased overall survival after conclusion of the 33-month follow up. Our study demonstrates that tumor draining lymph node based T cell immunotherapy is feasible and safe for patients with colorectal cancer. LIST OF SCIENTIFIC PAPERS I. Yunhuan Zhen, Xiaohui Liu, Yuan Yang, Bo Li, Jingling Tang, Qiangxing Zeng, Jiehu, Xingnan Zeng, Lu Zhang, Zejun Wang, Xiaoyun Li, Huixin Ge, Ola Winqvist, Pingsheng Hu, Jin Xiu. Phase I/II study of adjuvant immunotherapy with sentinel lymph node T lymphocytes in patients with colorectal cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother (2015) 64:1083–1093 II. Lu Zhang, Jin Hu, A. Ali Zirakzadeh, Jesper Rosvall, Mats Hedlund, Ping Sheng Hu, Robert P.A. Wallin, Amir Sherif, Ola Winqvist Detection of micro-metastases by flow cytometry in Lymph Nodes from patients with penile cancer. BMC Urol. 2018 Oct 5;18(1):86 III. Lu Zhang, Jin Hu, A. Ali Zirakzadeh, Jesper Rosvall, Mats Hedlund, Ping Sheng Hu, Robert P.A.Wallin, Amir Sherif, Ola Winqvist Investigations on immune responses against autologous tumor and human papilloma virus in lymph nodes from patients with penile cancer. [Manuscript] CONTENTS


The method of density matching between the solid and liquid phases is often adopted to effectively eliminate the effect of sedimentation of suspensions on dynamic behavior of a colloidal system. Experiments on crystallization of charged colloidal microspheres with diameter of 98 nm dispersed in density-matched and -unmatched media (mixtures of H2O and D2O in proper proportion) are compared to examine the influence of sedimentation. Reflection spectra of colloidal suspensions were used to monitor the crystallization process. Results showed that the crystal size of the density-unmatched (namely, in the presence of sedimentation) sample grew faster than that of the density-matched (in the absence of sedimentation) case at the initial stage of the crystallization, and then the latter overtook and outstripped the former. To explain these observations, we assume that in the settling of crystals sedimentation facilitates result in more particles getting into the crystal structures. However, as the crystals increase to varying sizes, the settling velocities become large and hydrodynamic friction strips off some particles from the delicate crystal structures. Overall, the sedimentation appears to accelerate the crystal size growth initially and then retard the growth. In addition, the crystal structures formed under microgravity were more closely packed than that in normal gravity.


The reaction of electron transfer from ascorbic acid to N-alkylphenothiazine radical cations was studied in the pH range 0 to 7.2. The radical cations were produced by oxidation with Br/sub 2//sup -/ or Cl/sub 2//sup -/ using the pulse radiolysis technique. The radical cations are reduced by the deprotonated form of ascorbic acid in the pH range 2.2 to 7.2. The product of this reaction has a spectrum which is identical with that of the ascorbate radical. It is concluded that, if a charge-transfer complex is formed upon the reaction of ascorbic acid with the phenothiazine radical cations, its lifetime is shorter than 7 x 10/sup -8/s. It is suggested that even at high acidities no long lived complex is formed and it is proposed that at very low pH the thermodynamically stable species in this reaction is the phenothiazine radical cation rather than the ascorbic acid radical. It is shown experimentally that at 1 M HCl the ascorbic acid radical oxidizes N-alkylphenothiazine to give the radical cation of the latter in reverse to the direction of the electron transfer at higher pH. 8 figures, 2 tables.


The research proposed a developed methodology for evaluation the system performance in uncertainty associated with traditional modelling methodology is focused on either load L or resistance R variability, but not both. A two-dimensional (2D) fuzzy set (traditional model), represent with the one dimension for universe of discourse (in x-direction) and the second dimension of his membership degree (in y-direction), is not full sufficient to handle both, load and resistance variation of system performance. The theoretical principle basis of this research is based on development of the three dimensional (3D) of fuzzy set that includes system performance variability in load and resistance from two dimensional. The proposed methodology (traditional model) extends the acceptance level of partial performance of system concept to a 3D-dimantion representation. This representation allows to capturing the changing of preferences of decision makers in load and resistance. The major objective of the research is to proposed the original methodology for evaluate system performance and management that is capable of; (a) addressing uncertainty caused by load and resistance variability and ambiguity; (b) integrating objective and subjective evaluation; and (c) assisting system performance management decision making based on a more detailed certainty evaluation of load and resistance variability.
The study proposed two models for fuzzy reliability performance indexes: first traditional model included (I) 2D fuzzy reliability-vulnerability Rv index, (II) 2D fuzzy robustness Ro index; the second developed model (i) 3D fuzzy reliability-vulnerability Rv index, (ii)  3D fuzzy robustness Ro index; and comparing between them. These indexes have the capability of evaluating the operational performance of complex systems. Proposed methodology is illustrated by using the Al-Wathba Water Supply System (WWSS) as a case study.


Context: Adolescence is a period of transition and is associated with the risk of many nutrition and health-related problems. Teachers and grass root level health service providers i.e., multi-purpose health workers, being the key stakeholders, are expected to provide them nutrition and health guidance. Aims: To assess nutrition and health guidance to adolescents by their school teachers and multipurpose health workers. Settings and Design: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in rural block in the field practice area attached to Department of Community Medicine, Pt BD Sharma PGIMS Rohtak (India). Materials and Methods: All the multipurpose health workers (males and females) [i.e., MPHW (M and F)] who were working in the study area i.e., those posted at the sub-centers, Primary Health Centers, or Community Health Centers for more than 6 months were included in the study. For selecting the teachers, 4 large schools with strength of more than 250 students (2 Girls and 2 Boys Senior Secondary Schools) were randomly selected by simple random sampling. All the teachers who were teaching the standards 9 to 12 in those schools were also enrolled in the study. Thus, the study population comprised of 49 and 94 such workers and teachers, respectively. Data were collected with the help of predesigned, pre-tested, and semi-structured schedules by interviewing the study subjects. Statistical Analysis Used: Proportions, chi square test, Fisher exact test Results and Conclusion: Only 58/94 (61.7%) and 40/94 (42.6%) teachers stated to have provided guidance on substance abuse and HIV/AIDS/STDs/RTIs/Menstrual hygiene, respectively. Surprisingly, 35/49 (71.4%) workers provided guidance on nutrition and anemia to the adolescents, whereas only 10/49 (20.4%) and 11/49 (22.4%) workers provided the guidance on substance abuse and HIV/AIDS/STDs/RTIs/Menstrual hygiene, respectively.


The short article explores new aspects of digital museology that become apparent during the global COVID-19 crisis, drawing on the experience of Russian museum activity. Under the circumstances of complete digitization, the digital sphere becomes the sole possibility for the economic survival of a whole group of cultural organizations, but also provides an opportunity for the establishment of new roles of the museum in society.


3 Abstract: Within the rapid development of the recent computer-based applications; software quality becomes one of the critical issues to be considered. Software development is complex, costly, widely used and a core (heart) for critical and risky applications that have great affect on human life. Software testing is an essential issue in software quality. To get an efficient and effective testing we need a proper set of test data. One of the difficult and expensive parts of applying software-testing techniques is the generation of actual or meaningful test data since although there are several techniques and tools to automatically generate test data but mostly they generate meaningless data. This paper proposes a new model for generating meaningful test data. The model is based on using sample of real data and statistical techniques in generation process. The implementation results show that the samples of the generated data are meaningful and reflected the real world or field for testing processes. This leads to enhance the software quality.


In this study, empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) are used as basis functions in a spectral model of the atmospheric circulation. Two hypotheses are tested. The first hypothesis is that a basis of EOFs is more efficient in describing large-scale atmospheric dynamics compared to spherical harmonics. The second hypothesis is that, by using EOFs as basis functions, the forecast skill and climatology of the model can be improved. Two experiments are performed with a three-level, quasigeostrophic, hemispheric spectral T21 model. In the first experiment, a perfect model approach is taken. In the second, T21 is used to produce forecasts for the Northern Hemisphere in winter. In the perfect model experiment, EOFs are determined from a long model integration; in the second experiment, EOFs are determined from 10 winters of ECMWF analyses. The first hypothesis is tested by comparing the forecast skill of EOF truncated versions of T21 with the skill of a T17 version. In both experiments it is found that with less than half the number of degrees of freedom the EOF model beats T17. However, although the EOF model is more efficient with respect to the number of degrees of freedom, it is more expensive to integrate numerically. The second hypothesis is tested in the perfect model experiment by producing forecasts of the T21 circulation with T17, filtered on the leading EOFs, in an attempt to reduce the error propagation from the trailing EOFs and thus improve the forecast skill of T17. In contrast to previously obtained results in the barotropic case, the filter does not improve the forecast skill. With an empirically determined dissipation on the EOFs as a closure for neglected interactions, both the forecast skill and the climatology of T17 show some improvement. In the second experiment T21 is filtered on the leading atmospheric EOFs. Also in this experiment, the EOF filter does not improve the forecast skill of T21. By introducing an empirically determined dissipation on the EOFs, the variability of T21 shows some improvement.


With plate-making prototype,this paper has conducted an experiment to analyze the four types of plate-making methods and garments tailoring effect about Siamese-cowl with no-crepe-on-shoulder neck on women's upper dress,and has explored the basic principles of designing Siamese-cowl and the methods of achieving the effect of hanging down.


Walter Pohl, Gerda Heydemann (ed.), Strategies of Identification. Ethnicity and Religion in Early Medieval Europe, Turnhout (Brepols) 2013, XIII–349 p. Cultural Encounters in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, 13), 3 fig., 2 tabl., ISBN 978-2-503-53384-1, EUR 90,00.


S-notation is a computer-based method for tracing the writing process. It presents the whole text with all the revisions that the writer performed during the writing session at their position in the text. In this paper, the S-notation is used as a language for describing the episodic structure of revisions made in computer-based writing. Three types of structural revision episode are defined and discussed. These definitions are free from interpretations of the writer's intentions with the revisions, since the goal here is to use the definitions in a computer analysis of revisions. Previous research has shown that the way in which revisions are grouped into episodes is an important property of revising behaviour. We are designing a tool for revision analysis that will identify revision episodes based on the definitions suggested. This will give new possibilities to study this complex and interesting aspect of revising behaviour.


We propose an object representation which allows the integration of range information with time, without the large computational and storage requirements of earlier representations. Potential obstacle regions in the image are described in terms of their range and direction with respect to the vehicle. Much effort has been put into matching Cartesian maps from frame to frame given the large uncertainty for distant objects. A directional representation however maintains the high accuracy of directional information (which is limited only by pixel density and camera calibration). Tracking objects from frame to frame is easier since the potentially large uncertainty in range does not corrupt the directional information. The use of this representation to identify untraversable regions is demonstrated on a series of real images taken from an off road vehicle.


Objective:To study and evaluate the safety and efficacy of Compositive Puhuang Injection.Methods:By intramuscular and intraperitoneal injection in guinea pigs,rabbits,NIH mice and SD rats,acute toxicity,musle stimulation,sensitization,hemolyzation,hemorrhage experiments and contraction experiments in isdated and nonisolated uterin were investigated.Results:The results of acute toxicity,musle stimulaton,sensitization and hemolyzation experiments confirm that the dosage and pathway of the present clinical administration are safe.The results of hemorrhage and uterine contraction experiments confirm that the injection can arrest bleeding and enhancing uterine contraction.Conclusions:Compositive Puhuang Injection is safe and effective,the experiments provide a founded theoretical basis for the clinical study of the injection.


Speech signal processing is used in many applications. There exist situations where conversation takes place under high noise environment. A specific example is the telephonic conversations held at airport with background aeroplane sound. Other examples are the conversation held in industrial environment with high noise machines, in railway stations etc. In all of these conditions, conversation (voice signal) get corrupted by background sound (noise) reducing its intelligibility. Thus, the need arises for an effective method that helps in reducing the background noise thereby increasing clarity of the conversation. Wavelet Transform (WT) is widely used for audio, image and video signal processing. This paper presents a wavelet-based approach to reduce the effect of background noise. This approach is compared with the standard, freely available softwares such as Audacity, Wavepad and Ocenaudio which are widely used for the purpose of noise reduction. The AWGN (Additive White Gaussian Noise) is assumed to be a model of background noise. Using extensive simulation study and analysis which is carried out using MATLAB®2016a, WT based approach is found to perform better than the other standard softwares that are considered here. Correlation co-efficient is considered as a measure of performance improvement by the WT approach over the other software. The work has useful implications in various applications in which speech signal gets degraded by background noise.


This article argues that compared with adjudicative immunity, which has developed to be restrictive instead of absolute, the enforcement immunity of foreign States still tends to be interpreted as it has long been interpreted in States practice. By discussing domestic legislations, the court practices of major players in this area and rules provided in regional multilateral conventions concerning the linkage requirement in enforcement immunity, as well as the fact that the UN Convention on Jurisdictional Immunities of States and Their Property also endorses the linkage requirement, a conclusion is drawn that the linkage requirement is not only an established rule of customary law but also has gained universal acceptance at least in opinio juris as evidenced by the adoption of the UN Convention.


The invention relates to a method for automatically switching over a night scene mode and an image pickup device, wherein the method for automatically switching over the night scene mode comprises the following steps: obtaining the relevant parameters of pixel brightness in a preview image, and calculating the brightness of the preview image; and opening the night scene mode when the brightness of the preview image is lower than a first threshold value. The embodiment of the invention obtains the brightness of the current ambient environment of the shot scenes by the preview image; when the brightness of the ambient environment is lower than the first threshold value, the night scene mode of the image pickup device is opened and the exposure time of a photoreceptor in the image pickup device is increased so as to increase the image brightness and cause that a user automatically obtains the image with the reasonable brightness.


Background
Aging of the workforce poses a dramatic challenge for health and safety in all European countries.
Method
Our study was based on a comprehensive review of the literature on productive aging, work engagement, and human engineering, with particular reference to older worker issues.
Results
Productive aging, work engagement, and participatory ergonomics appear to be the most promising areas of research in the field of worker aging. An analysis of intervention programs enabled us to identify three main approaches that could be used to tackle the problem. These include encouraging older adults to be involved in work activities, enhancing their work engagement, and sustaining their productive efforts through participatory changes in the working environment and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Occupational health and safety services in the workplace must extend their activities of prevention to encompass not only traditional environmental risk factors, but also non-occupational risk factors, so that this holistic approach promotes good practices and positive attitudes.
Conclusions
A set of recommendations and policy briefs for supra-national, national and local authorities was formulated.


The optimum population theory was first put forward by the Western demographers,and has had a century of history.But what is an appropriate population has not been determined.The auther has made a study of the connotation of "the optimum population"in "the New Theory of the Optimum Population",whose logic conclusion is that "the optimum population is the sum of the propriate workforce population needed by a certain period of time material production sectors and non-material production sectors as well as of the appropriate population that the community needs to support.From the conclusion we can see that the optimum population is composed of two parts: first,the workforce population that a modest community needs;second,the population needs supporting by society,which is decided by the appropriate workforce population.This article,from the perspective of an appropriate composition of the population,makes a further exploration into the issue of the optimum population.


The article implements the adaptation of existing approaches to the regulation of working capital in accordance with the industry specificity of the furniture enterprise and the requirements of anti-crisis management. The presented results made it possible to determine the possible economic effect from the introduction and compliance with the norms of working capital at the enterprise.


A modified version of the Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes (SSHA) consisting of 122 items was administered to students in the eighth grades of three junior high schools. Factor scores obtained ...


The nonisothermal crystallization behavior of poly (trimethylene terephthalate)(PTT) / Montemo-rilonite (MMT) composite prepared by melt blending was tested and analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. The results indicated that at the same cooling rate, the crystalline peak temperature of PTT/MMT composite changed toward the direction of higher temperature, the crystalline peak became nar-rower,the half crystalline time became shorter with the increasement of MMT content; the crystalline peak temperature of PTT/MMT composite changed toward lower temperature and the half crystalline time be-came shorter with the increasement of the cooling rate. The nonisothermal crystallization process of PTT / MMT composite was dealt with Ozawa method, and the results indicated that the addition of MMT changed the nucleation mechanism of PTT and increased the crystalline rate of PTT.


We examine chief executive officer (CEO) compensation, CEO retention policies, and mergers and acquisition (M&A) decisions in firms in which founders serve as a director with a nonfounder CEO (founder-director firms). We find that founder-director firms offer a different mix of incentives to their CEOs than other firms. Pay-for-performance sensitivity for nonfounder CEOs in founder-director firms is higher and the level of pay is lower than that of other CEOs. CEO turnover sensitivity to firm performance is also significantly higher in founder-director firms compared with nonfounder firms. Overall, the evidence suggests that boards with founder-directors provide more high-powered incentives in the form of pay and retention policies than the average US board. Stock returns around M&A announcements and board attendance are also higher in founder-director firms compared with nonfounder firms.


Dihydrocodeine was orally administered to mice and the effect of fluid volume on intestinal absorption and acute toxicity was investigated. An increase in fluid volume from 5 to 20 ml/kg resulted in a significant increase in maximum plasma dihydrocodeine concentration (Cmax); the time required to reach Cmax (Tmax) was reduced from 15 to 5 min. However, fluid volume had little effect on the area under the plasma dihydrocodeine concentration-time curve (AUC0→90). The acute toxicity of dihydrocodeine in the initial stage after oral administration increased in proportion to the fluid volume. These results indicate that early acceleration of the gastric emptying rate due to the increase of fluid volume increases the rate, but not the extent, of dihydrocodeine absorption, resulting in the enhancement of acute toxicity. As for thiopental, the influence of fluid volume on intestinal absorption was also examined using [35S]-thiopental. The Cmax value increased and Tmax was reduced from 20 to 5 min by increase of the fluid volume. However, the volume did not influence AUC0→60 values.


Biological effects resulting from exposure to lithotripter fields include hemorrhage in soft tissues, such as the kidney, lung, and intestine, the production of premature cardiac contractions, malformations in the chicken embryo, and killing of Drosophila larvae. Pulsed ultrasound can produce similar bioeffects at comparable pressure thresholds. Tissues that contain gas bodies, either naturally or after the addition of ultrasound contrast agents, are particularly susceptible to damage from low‐amplitude lithotripter fields. Lung and intestine contain gas naturally and are hemorrhaged by exposure to lithotripter fields on the order of 1 MPa. After the introduction of an ultrasound contrast agent into the vasculature, many organs and tissues, such as the bladder, kidney, fat, muscle, and mesentery, show extensive hemorrhage after exposure to lithotripter pressures less than 2 MPa. Tissues near developing bone are also selectively susceptible to damage from exposure to low‐amplitude lithotripter fields. The ...


Objective: This case report highlights the challenges encountered in arriving at the diagnosis of a case with 'behavioural variant Frontotemporal Dementia'. Methods: We report a case of 'behavioural variant Frontotemporal Dementia' diagnosed in a 49 year old Chinese lady. Results: This patient was misdiagnosed as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Parkinson Disease and Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS), deemed not responding to medications which was later complicated with Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Her diagnosis was revised only after 2 years, after which her behavioural problems stabilised, bringing some relief to her family's distress. Conclusion: Though not rare, 'behavioural variant Frontotemporal dementia' is often misdiagnosed and patients and their families suffer unnecessary suffering before the condition is finally diagnosed. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 14 (1): January – June 2013: XX XX .


PART I Women and the sciences Introduction Marie de Lepervanche Feminism and science E. A. Grosz & Marie de Lepervanche Mathematics: a barrier for women? Mary Barnes Biology, the popular weapon: sex differences in cognitive function Lesley Rogers PART II Women and the humanities Introduction E. A. Grosz Towards a feminst philosophy of the body Moira Gatens Polyandry, "pollution", "prostitution". The problems of eurocentrism and androcentrism in Polynesian studies Caroline Ralston Feminist readings: the case of Christina Stead Susan Sheridan The in(ter)vention of feminist knowledges E. A.


Fusarium verticillioides is a fungal pathogen that commonly infects the stalk, ear, and kernels of corn and can produce fumonisins, a family of mycotoxins linked to disease in livestock and humans. Our goal is to characterize the role of the disaccharide trehalose in growth and stress response in F. verticillioides. Trehalose synthesis in fungi occurs via two steps, the first catalyzed by trehalose‐6‐phosphate synthase (TPS), and the second by trehalose‐6‐phosphate phosphatase (TPP). Previously, we found that trehalose synthesis is completely abolished in a strain lacking TPS, encoded by the TPS1 gene. We report here that mutant strains lacking either one (ΔTPS2) or both (ΔTPS2/ΔTPS3) of the putative TPP genes in F. verticillioides retain the ability to produce trehalose, albeit at reduced levels. The effects of osmotic and thermal stress on these mutants are being investigated.


There are number of factors which control the rate of process of natural carbonation and make it very slow in cement based material. Studies show that the effect of carbonation is mostly limited to corrosion of steel reinforcement in R.C.C. structures (including cover depth design and service life prediction). Research at global level is focused on developing a cost effective and safe technology for the possibility of carbon dioxide sequestration as per IPCC guide lines, and attempts are being made to apply the accelerated carbonation technology for CO2 sequestration in concrete.  This paper discusses about the detailed study on the uptake quantity of carbon dioxide in concrete, increase of strength and changes in mineral content by adopting. The concrete grades of M15, M20, M25 and M30 were taken for investigating the strength with respect to time of exposure and pressure by adopting Accelerated Carbonation Technology by using commercially available pure CO2 for carbonation curing. After the testing of concrete for strength, XRD analysis was carried out to study the conversion of calcium hydroxide into calcium carbonate due to carbonation.  This green technology would help cement, concrete, precast product and other similar manufacturing industries to obtain carbon credit and they can adopt this green technology to reduce their industrial carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere to reduce global warming.


The dynamics of phytoplankton were investigated in 40 lakes of the North Island, New Zealand. A range of environmental variables was examined on different temporal and spatial scales in relation to the surface and DCM ( deep chlorophyll maximum) phytoplankton communities in the lakes. The environmental variables that were considered relevant to these communities included turbulent mixing, limitation by light and nutrients, rates of sedimentation or ascent, and zooplankton grazing. Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is a potentially toxic species of cyanobacteria, that in summer 2002-3 formed dense water blooms (> 100 OOO cells/ml) in shallow (max. depth :5 Sm) Waikato peat lakes and a hydro-electric dam on the Waikato River. Net rates of growth calculated within individual lakes demonstrated that C. raciborskii populations grew at rates close to maximum values observed under optimal conditions in laboratory cultures. Changes in species diversity in the lakes prior to and following the invasion of C. raciborskii were assessed. During occasions of C. raciborskii water blooms there was decreased diversity and the phytoplankton assemblage became nearly mono-specific. The shallow lakes in this study have high concentrations of nutrients and low water clarity, which are ideal conditions for growth of C. raciborskii, as it has a competitive advantage at low irradiance but limited capacity for buoyancy. The ability of C. raciborskii to fix nitrogen may also have enhanced its competitive ability amongst other phytoplankton species and, while nutrients were generally considered to be replete, nitrogen was more likely to limit growth of phytoplankton than phosphorus in the lakes studied. Lake Tarawera, part of the Rotorua lakes region (area 41.6 km and mean depth 50 m), was chosen to investigate variability of phytoplankton biomass with depth and between embayments and a mid-lake station. The variability of DCM depth was contributed by internal seiching, which was most prominent at the edge of the lake. A single mid-lake station was considered representative of lake-wide biomass at the DCM as the differences between stations were small. However, during a bloom of Anabaena lemmermanni, there was large inter-station variability in phytoplankton biomass in the surface mixed layer. Therefore, when quantifying surface populations,


We present results of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microprobe analyses of ancient ceramic cross-sections aiming at deciphering the different firing protocols used for their production. Micro-focused XRF elemental mapping, Fe chemical mapping and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy were performed on pre-sigillata ceramics from southern Gaul, and terra Sigillata vessels from Italy and southern Gaul. Pieces from the different workshops and regions showed significant difference in the starting clay material, clay conditioning and kiln firing condition. By contrast, sherds from the same workshop exhibited more subtle differences and possible misfirings. Understanding the precise firing conditions and protocols would allow recreation of kilns for various productions. Furthermore, evolution and modification of kiln design would shed some light on how ancient potters devised solutions to diverse technological problems they encountered.


This book is for managers at all levels of formal organizations. The experienced author team provides suggestions and principles for managers in carrying out their training and mentoring roles. Vivid lessons from stories and films throughout the book show the impact a gifted teacher can have in helping individuals and their organizations thrive.


Interstitial deletions of the distal part of chromosome 2p are rare, with only six reported cases involving regions from 2p23 to 2pter. Most of these were cytogenetic investigations. We describe a 14‐year‐old boy with an 8.97 Mb deletion of 2p23.3–24.3 detected by array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) who had intellectual disability (ID), unusual facial features, cryptorchidism, skeletal myopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and postnatal overgrowth (macrocephaly and tall stature). We compared the clinical features of the present case to previously described patients with an interstitial deletion within this chromosomal region and conclude that our patient exhibits a markedly different phenotype. Additional patients are needed to further delineate phenotype–genotype correlations © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Due to the intermittency of renewable energies, their acceptances in electricity market are lower than fossil energies. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome the development resistance through portfolio re-equilibrium. Balance supply and demand in markets involving different stakeholders to optimize return on investment. Compared with the past, this paper proposes an integrated optimization with combined meta-heuristic for wind-solar-hydro system. It investigates to coordinate the interactions of power stations and power grid with their internal conflicts respectively. Specifically, the investment profit, the investment volume and the investment risk are considered as the optimized objectives for wind-solar-hydro system. However, power grid takes operation efficiency, surplus electricity and carbon emissions into account to be the optimal objectives. They are composed to establish a bi-level programming model. Moreover, an improved particle swarm optimization is utilized to deal with the problem-orientated model with NP-hard complexity. Finally, to verify the feasibility of the proposed model, a case of wind-solar-hydro system from Panzhihua located in southwest China is conducted. The results showed that portfolio re-equilibrium strategies had the potential to push forward sustainable development. Secondly, generating capacity was positively affected by the initial investment volume. However, the investment profit did not absolutely rise with the grow of investment risk. Thirdly, profit-oriented strategies were conducive to carbon emissions reduction. But risk-oriented strategies can reduce surplus electricity and increase the stability of electricity purchase schemes.


With the increasing frequency of young children with disabilities being included in early childhood classrooms, there is a critical need for early childhood educators and professionals to take an analytical look at the standards guiding early childhood education. By completing a qualitative document analysis of the developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the author explored what the statement articulates regarding children with disabilities included in early childhood classrooms. This discussion explicates what teachers may take away from DAP regarding disabilities and the gaps it leaves for individual interpretation in classrooms. Findings indicate that while DAP and inclusive practices have much in common, the position statement lacks the specificity necessary to assist general early childhood teachers in implementing individualized approaches.


Coconut husk and banana stem waste can be used as a source of organic material for plants which is utilized in the form of liquid organic fertilizer. This study aims to determine the interaction between types of liquid organic fertilizer and the concentration of liquid organic fertilizer. This research was carried out in Sungai Bangek, Balai Gadang Village, Koto Tangah District, Padang City from June until September 2022. The design used was a split plot in a randomized block design. The main plot is liquid organic fertilizer with 2 levels of coconut husk and banana stem while the subplot is liquid organic fertilizer concentration consisting of 7 levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 ml/liter). The data were analyzed through variance analysis using the F test and if significant, it was continued with Duncan New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) with a significance level of 5%. The data is processed with Stat8 software. The observed variables consisted of plant height, the number of tillers, leaf area index, relative growth rate, and net assimilation rate. The results obtained on the growth variable have not shown significant results in every observed observation. There was a very strong correlation between the number of tillers and the leaf area index which had a unidirectional relationship. There was a fairly strong correlation between the leaf area index and net assimilation rate which has an opposite relationship.


The study deals with the light passenger vehicle suspension system design to improve the ride quality. The fuzzy logic control approach is applied to the half car suspension system model by adjusting the control parameters and properties using online adaptation with a minimized cost function and reduced hardware complexity. The performance of resulting model is tested under the influence of trapezoidal and triangular membership functions using the 9, 25 and 49 rules-set. The controller robustness is observed at different performance indices. Road excitations in the form of disturbance input are modelled as the sinusoidal function of a speed bump to reveal the transient response of the automotive body. Ultimately, the performance of active suspension system has been improved in terms of displacement and acceleration of seat, heave, pitch, and roll by the application of proposed fuzzy logic controller. Results reported that the trapezoidal shape 25 rules set membership function based fuzzy logic controller gives the best performance between the investigated systems.


In this paper we presents preliminary results about the development of an artificial vision system for Human Robot Interaction (HRI) based on methods for recognition of facial features, object detection and tracking. The purpose is to implement a vision system in order to process perceptual information as a result of human-robot social interaction in a hybrid architecture for an omni directional test platform that is currently being developed in the Robotics Laboratory of the UFBA Polytechnic School.


Background: To investigate a possible effect of age on maternal androgen levels in uncomplicated pregnancies. Methods: A study of 134 parous women with uncomplicated pregnancies was carried out at three university hospitals in Norway and Sweden. Maternal levels of androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, testosterone and the free testosterone index were measured during weeks 17 and 33 of pregnancy. Results: Maternal levels of androstenedione and testosterone had a negative association with maternal age in weeks 17 and 33 of pregnancy, while dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and the free testosterone index were associated negatively in week 33 only. Adjustment for maternal parity, pre‐pregnancy body mass index, smoking and fetal gender did not affect the results. Conclusions: Maternal androgen levels decrease with increasing maternal age. The cause and possible implication of this finding remain unknown.


There is a renaissance of regions in the economic geography of globalisation. Sub-national regions and supra-national regions have become increasingly important and regions have become the critical foundations of development processes. National economic vitality depends to a large extent on maximising the growth potential of economic regions and their ability to compete nationally and internationally. Numerous authors highlight the region as the new economic space that can promote strategic planning and economic development in a post-modernist era ((Deas and Ward, 2000; Vigar et al., 2000; Keating, 1998). The region becomes the nexus for 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' planning processes and strategic regional-scale planning is increasingly being seen as key in achieving sustainable growth and development. In South Africa too, there is now a growing recognition of the importance of this 'new regionalist' planning agenda and the value it can add to creating an effective inter-governmental planning system. It is particularly useful when focusing on the role of provincial planning, often considered to be the weak link within the inter-governmental planning system in South Africa.


Based on data provided by a survey we studied the acquisition of innovative technology performed by Andalusian corporations from other spanish regions and overseas, paying special attention to those obtained from developed countries. Our goals focus on analyzing the intensity of technology purchasing, the process innovation-transfer and the factors which influence sectorial and territorial. Thus, we carry out a descriptive analysis, as well as factor and cluster analysis to a sample of 193 companies. Thruough the cluster analysis there are six groups of companies. In Andalusia, the process of business innovation, technology transfer and market success is related to the geographic concentration of firms, namely in metropolitan areas.


The power stable of the converters is actually coming from some milliwatts (as in a cellphone) to dozens of megawatts in an HVDC gearbox body. Along with "classic" electronic devices, power streams, as well as current, are actually utilized to hold relevant information, whereas along with power electronic devices, they lug power. This inverter may magnify source of power like gas- mobiles, little wind turbines, as well as photo-voltaic assortments (i.e. it agrees with for circulated power treatments). The principles of resources and also changes are actually described and also categorized. Coming from the general regulations of resource propinquities, a universal procedure of power converter formation exists.