No one has done more over the past four decades to draw attention to the importance of, and attempt to solve, a particularly vexing problem in ethics—the Trolley Problem—than Judith Jarvis Thomson. Though the problem is originally due to Philippa Foot ("The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of Double Effect"), Thomson showed how Foot's simple solution would not do and offered some solutions of her own. No solution is uncontroversial and the problem remains a thorn in the side of non-consequentialist moral theory. Recently, however, Thomson has changed her mind about the problem. She no longer thinks she was right to reject Foot's solution to it. I argue that, though illuminating, Thomson's current take on the Trolley Problem is mistaken. I end with a solution to the problem that I find promising.


BACKGROUND
Galectins are characterized by specific affinity for beta-galactoside sugars, and they play a role in diverse biological processes, including cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Galectin-1, -3, and -9 have been implicated in modulating the immune response.

METHODS
Nephrotoxic serum nephritis, which is characterized by crescent formation and glomerular influx of CD8+ cells into glomerular capillaries, was induced in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats by injecting rabbit antiglomerular basement membrane serum. Following induction, the rats were treated either with phosphate-buffered saline or dexamethasone, galectin-1, galectin-3, or galectin-9 on alternate days and were sacrificed at day 14. At day 8, splenic lymphocytes were isolated and employed for terminal deoxytransferase-mediated uridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay to assess the degree of apoptosis, and the kidneys were utilized to determine the extent of influx of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells and glomerular damage.

RESULTS
Dexamethasone induced a marked apoptosis of splenic CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells, and it inhibited the production of anti-rabbit IgG and the influx of CD8+ cells and macrophages into the renal glomeruli. Crescent formation and excretion of urinary proteins were also reduced. Galectin-9 failed to induce apoptosis in the CD4(+) cells; however, it induced apoptosis in the CD8(+) cells and inhibited the infiltration of CD8(+) cells. Although galectin-1 and -3 did not induce the apoptosis in the T cells, they inhibited the accumulation of macrophages in the renal glomeruli. Like dexamethasone, the galectins also reduced the crescentic formation, proliferation of glomerular cells, and excretion of urinary proteins.

CONCLUSIONS
Galectin-9 selectively induces apoptosis of the activated CD8(+) cells, while the macrophage influx into the kidney is modulated by all three galectins. This finding raises an interesting possibility for the utility of galectins in the modulation of macrophages that are involved in immune-mediated glomerular diseases.


A dual thermosensitive behavior, i.e., self-assembly at both high and low temperatures, was achieved in water using vinyl ether block copolymers with imidazolium salt side-chains (exhibiting a UCST behavior) and oxyethylene side-chains (exhibiting an LCST behavior). The block copolymers were precisely prepared via living cationic polymerization in the presence of a weak Lewis base. They formed micelles at lower temperatures and vesicles at higher temperatures in water, as confirmed via UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), static light scattering (SLS), variable temperature 1H NMR, and fluorescence measurements using pyrene as a polarity-sensitive probe. Furthermore, concentrated aqueous solutions of the block copolymers underwent sol–gel transitions by either raising or lowering the temperature.


Context. IGR J11014-6103 is one of the still unidentified hard X-ray INTEGRAL sources, reported for the first time in the 4th IBIS/ISGRI catalog. Aims. We investigated the nature of IGR J11014-6103 by carrying out a multiwavelength analysis of the available archival observations performed in the direction of the source. Methods. We present the results of the timing and spectral analysis of all the X-ray observations of IGR J11014-6103 carried out with ROSAT, ASCA, Einstein ,S wift, andXMM-Newton. We used them to search for possible counterparts to the source in the optical, infrared, radio and γ-ray domain. Results. Our analysis reveals that IGR J11014-6103 is comprised of three different X-ray emitting regions: a point-like source, an extended object, and a cometary-like "tail" (∼4 arcmin). A possible radio counterpart positionally coincident with the source was also identified. Conclusions. Based on these results, we suggest that the emission from IGR J11014-6103 is generated by a pulsar wind nebula produced by a high-velocity pulsar. IGR J11014-6103 might be the first of these systems detected with INTEGRAL IBIS/ISGRI.


Previous research by the author has involved the investigation of sound shapes produced by the multipoint spatial diffusion of independent spectral bands. Fundamentally two implementations emerged through this research: one that primarily dealt with only the diffusion of spectra (i.e. spectral spatialisation) and another further extension of this approach that accounted for unique frequency-space distributions unfolding through time (i.e. timbre spatialisation implemented in the frequency domain). Through the process of exploring these possible sound shapes, a range of multi-point distributions emerged making it possible to form a categorical set of distinct multi-point distributions. The classifications were informed by the writings of Gary Kendall, Francis Rumsey, Robert Normandeau, Ewan Stefani, and Karen Lauke on spatiality, writings by Albert Bregman on auditory scene analysis (ASA), writings on directionality and immersion within the field of psychoacoustics, writings by Denis Smalley on spectromorphology, spatiomorphology, spatial texture, contiguous space, and non-contiguous space (i.e. zones), writings by Gary Kendall on spectral correlation and decorrelation, and writings by Trevor Wishart on spatial motion.


The literature on press–state relations has shown that a high degree of consensus among officials limits the appearance of dissenting voices in news coverage. In the present article, we examine this proposition with regard to the debate in the Israeli media concerning how Israel should have reacted to Hamas' victory in the 2006 Palestinian elections. The data presented here show that even though the debate within the Israeli leadership was limited, national newspapers did produce counterviews that strongly challenged the government's position of penalizing the Palestinian Authority. In addition, the longer the debate continued, the larger the proportion of oppositional actors, especially Palestinian, that were heard. Finally, the study also points to the important role that the journalists themselves can play in preventing official control by presenting their own views on the issue.


The paper proposes a model of capacity adjustment in the competitive ocean shipping industry the case of which is almost unique as a flexible response to market signals under operational constraints. While the concept of capacity adjustment is related usually with long-term investment or disinvestment, in the past shipping firms have responded extensively to the cyclicality of the market; a common medium-term solution has been the laying-up of ships. Although not without cost, lay-up allows minimization of losses without conceding assets in an unfavorable market for capital goods which is the case with ships during periods of shipping crises. We validate the hypothesized dependence of changes in the lay-up rates for ships on the speed of mean-reversion and volatility of freight rates on the basis of tanker market data. The results confirm that, for tankers at least, the lay-up decision is a function of more than the relation of prevailing freight rates to operating expenses levels. The speed of mean reversion is significant as faster mean reversion increases the perceived probability of recovery when the market is at low levels. The results can be considered also as proof of a rational response of firms to the rise in the cost of entry and exit of vessels from a full inactivity state as the case has been in recent years.


-We studied the effect of deer-browsing on reproductive success of the forb Lactuca canadensis (Asteraceae) in an old field at Cedar Creek Natural History Area, Minn. Height and vertical growth between 2 sample dates were significantly reduced as a result of browsing by deer. The number of flower heads per plant was over seven times greater on unbrowsed vs. browsed plants. Fruits from browsed and unbrowsed plants showed a bimodal weight distribution. Unbrowsed plants had a greater proportion of large fruits, with the result that average fruit weight was greater for unbrowsed plants than for browsed plants. Our data indicate that Lactuca canadensis is not able to compensate for damage resulting from browsing by deer.


OBJECT
Ideal surgical training models should be entirely reliable, atoxic, easy to handle, and, if possible, low cost. All available models have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice of one or another will depend on the type of surgery to be performed. The authors created an anatomical model called the S.I.M.O.N.T. (Sinus Model Oto-Rhino Neuro Trainer) Neurosurgical Endotrainer, which can provide reliable neuroendoscopic training. The aim in the present study was to assess both the quality of the model and the development of surgical skills by trainees.

METHODS
The S.I.M.O.N.T. is built of a synthetic thermoretractable, thermosensible rubber called Neoderma, which, combined with different polymers, produces more than 30 different formulas. Quality assessment of the model was based on qualitative and quantitative data obtained from training sessions with 9 experienced and 13 inexperienced neurosurgeons. The techniques used for evaluation were face validation, retest and interrater reliability, and construct validation.

RESULTS
The experts considered the S.I.M.O.N.T. capable of reproducing surgical situations as if they were real and presenting great similarity with the human brain. Surgical results of serial training showed that the model could be considered precise. Finally, development and improvement in surgical skills by the trainees were observed and considered relevant to further training. It was also observed that the probability of any single error was dramatically decreased after each training session, with a mean reduction of 41.65% (range 38.7%-45.6%).

CONCLUSIONS
Neuroendoscopic training has some specific requirements. A unique set of instruments is required, as is a model that can resemble real-life situations. The S.I.M.O.N.T. is a new alternative model specially designed for this purpose. Validation techniques followed by precision assessments attested to the model's feasibility.


Breast parenchymal density has been found to be a strong indicator for breast cancer risk, however, to date, measures of breast density are qualitative and require the judgement of the radiologist. Objective, quantitative measures of breast density are crucial tools for assessing the association between the risk of breast cancer and mammographic density as well as for quantification of density changes to the breast. Various schemes have been proposed for classifying breast density patterns, though again each requires the judgement of the clinician to assign a particular region of tissue to its class and so it is time-consuming and prone to inter- and intra-radiologist disagreement. Motivated by recent results in texture classification, we present a new approach to breast parenchymal pattern classification. The proposed scheme uses texture models to capture the mammographic appearance within the breast area: parenchymal density patterns are modelled as a statistical distribution of clustered, rotationally invariant filter responses in a low dimensional space. This robust representation can accommodate large variations in intra-class mammogram appearance and can be trained in a straight-forward manner. Key to the approach is that parenchymal patterns can occupy disconnected regions in feature space. Objective descriptors of breast density based on the digital mammogram, are developed and validated.


Schizochytrium mangrovei PQ6 is a heterotrophic marine microalga which was isolated from Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang province. It has many unique characteristics, including ability to be adapted to varying culture environmental conditions, such as temperature, salinity, pH as well as producing high biomass (30-40 g of dry cell weight - DCW per liter), lipid content (up to 70% DCW), and especially rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid-DHA, C22: 6n-3; eicosapentaenoic acid-EPA, C20: 5n-3, docosapentaenoic acid-DPA, C22: 5n-6. The biomass of this strain was studied to use for aquaculture feed, functional food, biodiesel and some bioactive compounds (polyunsaturated fatty acid, squalene) production. However, until now no scientific reports published in the world pertaining karyotype analysis of this species as well as others species belonging to the genus Schizochytrium . In this paper, for karyotype analysis experiment, we used colchicine to arrest the cell cycle at the metaphase. To obtain clear images, the cells of PQ6 strain were treated with maceration enzymes and chromosomes were stained with DAPI (4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) and observed under fluorescence microscopy. The experimental results showed that PQ6 strain has three chromosomes. On the other hand, four bands (equal four chromosomes) were separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The different of obtained number of chromosome allowed us to suggest that maybe, this microalga has a plasmid. And thus, this question needs to be clarified in the near future. However, the result of our research provides first evidence about karyotype and served as an initial basic for genomic assembly and annotation of this microalga.


Orbit uncertainty propagation usually requires linearized propagation models [1–3] or full nonlinear Monte Carlo simulations [4]. The linear assumption simplifies the problem, but fails to characterize trajectory statistics when the system is highly nonlinear or when mapped over a long time period. On the other hand, Monte Carlo simulations provide true trajectory statistics, but are computationally intensive. The tools currently used for the robust detection and prediction of planetary encounters and potential impacts with Near Earth Objects (NEO) are based on these two techinques [5–7], and thus suffer the same limitations. A different approach to orbit uncertainty propagation has been discussed by Junkins et al. [8,9], in which the effect of the coordinate system on the propagated statistics is thoroughly analyzed; however, the propagation method was based on the linear assumption and the system nonlinearity was not incorporated in the mapping. An alternate way to analyze trajectory statistics by incorporating higher-order Taylor series terms that describe localized nonlinear motion was proposed by Park and Scheeres [10]. Their appoach is based on proving the integral invariance of the probability density function via solutions of the Fokker–Planck equations for diffusionless systems, and by combining this result with the nonlinear state propagation to derive an analytic representation of the nonlinear uncertainty propagation. This method is limited to systems derived from a single potential. Differential algebraic (DA) techniques are proposed as a valuable tool to develop alternative approaches to tackle the previous tasks. Differential algebra provides the tools to compute the derivatives of functions within a computer environment [11–13]. More specifically, by substituting the classical implementation of real algebra with the implementation of a new algebra of Taylor polynomials, any function f of v variables is expanded into its Taylor series up to an arbitrary order n. This has an important consequence when the numerical integration of an ordinary differential equation (ODE) is performed by means of an arbitrary integration scheme. Any explicit integration scheme is based on algebraic operations, involving the evaluations of the ODE right hand side at several integration points. Therefore, carrying out all the evaluation in the DA framework allows differential algebra to compute the arbitrary order expansion of the flow of a general ODE initial value problem. The availability of such high order expansions is exploited to improve the Monte Carlo simulation approach by replacing thousands of integrations with evaluations of the high order expansion of the flow, reducing the computational time significantly. This algorithm is applied to the prediction of Apophis planetary encounter and potential impact taking into account its measurement uncertainties. The availability of high order maps in space and time and intrinsic tools for their inversion are then exploited in an algorithm that reduces the computation of the minimum distance from the Earth of all the asteroids belonging to the initial uncertainties cloud to the simple evaluation of polynomials. The second part of the paper deals with the rigorous study of Apophis close encounter by means of Taylor models (TM). The first methods introduced to perform validated integrations of dynamical systems [14] were based on the use of interval analysis, originally formalized by Moore in 1966 [15]. The main idea beneath this theory is the substitution of real numbers with intervals of real numbers; consequently, interval arithmetic and analysis are developed in order to operate on the set of interval numbers in place of the real numbers. This turned out to be an effective tool for error and uncertainty propagation, as both the numerical errors and the uncertainties can be bounded by intervals and rigorously propagated using interval analysis. Several codes, which implement a variety of features to improve the performances of naive interval algebra based on interval analysis, have been implemented for the rigorous integration of ODE [16– 19]. Unfortunately, all of them produce an unacceptable overestimation of the solution when applied to Solar system dynamics [20]. The reasons for such an overestimation are the so-called dependency problem and wrapping effect [21]. Taylor model integrators have shown to be a powerful tool for the validated integration of ordinary differential equations as they successflully address both these problems [22,23]. The Taylor Model approach combines high-order multivariate polynomial techniques and the interval technique for verification. In particular, it represents a multivariate functional dependence f by a high order multivariate Taylor polynomial P and the remainder bound interval I. The n-th order Taylor polynomial P captures the bulk of functional dependency. Because the manipulation of those polynomials can be performed by operations on the coefficients where the minor errors due to their floating point nature are moved into the remainder bound, the major source of interval overestimation is removed. Thus, the overestimation only occurs in the remainder bound, the size of which scales with order n of the width of the domain. When applied to the verified integration of ODE, the relationships between the state vector at a generic time t and the initial conditions are expressed in terms of a Taylor model (P, I) and a tight enclosure for the action of the differential equations on an extended region is then provided. The TM-based integrator implemented in COSY VI [22] has been already succesfully exploited for the long-term rigourous integration of asteroids motion [24]. In this paper, an improved version of the integrator that exploits dynamic domain decomposition, automatic step size control, and a flow operator based on Lie derivatives [25], is applied to the more challenging task of Apophis close approach rigorous integration. The paper is organized as follows. The models developed to describe Apophis dynamics and to evaluate the planetary ephemerides are illustrated first. The improved version of the Monte Carlo simulation together with the minimum close encounter distance algorithm are then presented. The last part of the paper is devoted to the presentation of the rigorous integration of Apophis flyby. Conclusions end the paper.


Aim: To investigate and record the palatal changes in individuals habituated to reverse chutta smoking in rural coastal Andhra population. Materials and Methods: Sixty individuals out of whom 47 females and 13 males habituated to reverse smoking with no other tobacco and alcohol habits and no other systemic disturbances were selected. The palatal changes were recorded by six examiners. Database were searched for the following terms "reverse smokers," "nicotina palatini" and "palatal lesions." Results: The mean and percentage prevalence of the each lesion recorded and agreed by six examiners among 60 subjects showed presence of 87.77% hyperpigmented areas, 64.44% depigmented areas, 51.66% excrescences, 32.22% potentially malignant lesions and 9.72% frank ulcerations. Conclusion: Reverse smoking is an endemic tobacco habit still practiced in the coastal rural Andhra Pradesh. It is a well-established and socially acceptable habit among adult females. The changes recorded clinically shows characteristic features that are unique among this population group.


The knowledge related with lexical items can be realized as including relations of meaning a cross words. Words that share a similarity of meaning are called to be synonymous, and words that share a contrary of meaning are called to be antonymous. Both of them are universal linguistic phenomenon that exist in terms of linguistic system of every language. The present study aims at finding out areas of difficulty that Iraqi EFL learners encounter in the use of synonymy and antonymy, both on the recognition and production levels. Also tries to detect the main reasons behind such difficulties. A diagnostic test of two parts, namely, recognition and production, is designed. The test is built to include two linguistic phenomenon which are: synonymy and antonymy. A random sample of one (100) third year College students of two Colleges of Education, in University of Baghdad and University of Diyala, (50) students each. Data analyzed were based on Cruse's taxonomy (1986). The study has come up with the following conclusions: in spite of being students at an advanced level in learning English, they used a general lexical item, instead of their other synonyms and antonyms which imply a narrower sense of meaning. And although Iraqi EFL learners learn a number of synonym words and antonym words during their academic years of studying English, still they cannot utilize them correctly in context.


Between 1350 and 1750-a time of empires, exploration, and exposure to radically different lands and cultures-the world reached a tipping point of global connectedness. In this volume of the acclaimed series A History of the World, noted international scholars examine five critical geographical areas during this pivotal period: Eurasia between Russia and Japan; the Muslim world of the Ottoman and Persian empires; Mughal India and the Indian Ocean trading world; maritime Southeast Asia and Oceania; and a newly configured transatlantic rim. While people in many places remained unaware of anything beyond their own village, an intense period of empire building led to expanding political, economic, and cultural interaction on every continent-early signals of a shrinking globe. By the early fourteenth century Eurasia's Mongol empires were disintegrating. Concurrently, followers of both Islam and Christianity increased exponentially, with Islam exerting a powerful cultural influence in the spreading Ottoman and Safavid empires. India came under Mughal rule, experiencing a significant growth in trade along the Indian Ocean and East African coastlines. In Southeast Asia, Muslims engaged in expansion on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and the Philippines. And both sides of the Atlantic responded to the pressure of European commerce, which sowed the seeds of a world economy based on the resources of the Americas but made possible by the subjugation of Native Americans and the enslavement of Africans.


In this study, the purpose is to investigate the information use pattern of library resources and related issues among undergraduate (U.G) students of Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology (RIT) at Chennai. A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed but 120 were returned duly filled in. A structured questionnaire was designed for collecting data from the chosen sample group. The study covers the students undergoing their first year of engineering education from four departments and the study was limited to students from Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology (RIT), in Chennai. We examined and found that 97.5% of students were using library for study activities while 2.5% do not feel so. 65.83 % of students were using the text books as the most consulted source whereas 34.17 % were using Lecture Notes, Central Library and other sources. Majority (95.0%) of students were aware of search engines, while only 5.0% do not know what it means. 91.67% of students have opined that 'Google & Yahoo' are the most sought after search engines they have used. Also, the results indicated that the library and its resources can be expected to be used by the coming day generations and they are eager to learn everything. The study was aimed at identifying the needs and the level of awareness of the student community on networks such as internet and the like. A study based on the same topic among various colleges and universities and comparative study can be carried out. The data obtained were analyzed using Simple Percentile analysis to generate tables and to arrive at conclusion.


The Internet of Things (IoT) vision is increasingly being realized to facilitate convenient and efficient human living. To conduct effective IoT research using the most appropriate tools and techniques, we discuss recent research trends in the IoT area along with current challenges faced by the IoT research community. Several existing and emerging IoT research areas such as lightweight energy-efficient protocol development, object cognition and intelligence, as well as the critical need for robust security and privacy mechanisms will continue to be significant fields of research for IoT. IoT research can be a challenging process spanning both virtual and physical domains through the use of simulators and testbeds to develop and validate the initial proof-of-concepts and subsequent prototypes. To support researchers in planning IoT research activities, we present a comparative analysis of existing simulation tools categorized based on the scope of coverage of the IoT architecture layers. We compare existing large-scale IoT testbeds that have been adopted by researchers for examining the physical IoT prototypes. Finally, we discuss several open challenges of current IoT simulators and testbeds that need to be addressed by the IoT research community to conduct large-scale, robust and effective IoT simulation, and prototype evaluations.


Water-based drilling mud is one of the commonly used fluid systems for drilling operations. The loss of drilling fluid in porous media and fractured formations have been one of the industry's focus in the past decades. However, the dynamics and constantly changing wellbore conditions push the boundaries for more research into accurate quantification and mitigation methods for fluid loss. In the design and development of drilling fluids, most test conditions are kept constant during fluids property testing. Drilling fluid loss and rheological parameters are determined experimentally at constant test conditions, and according to the combination of mud additives, rather than a comprehensive approach. In addition, conventional methods of quantifying drilling fluid loss properties for field application can be is time-consuming, considering that multiple factors impact fluid loss.
 This study presents a statistical engineering approach for pore-scale characterization of water-based mud (WBM) invasion. The methods used in this research are: special case of factorial design of experiment (DoE), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and regression. Important field parameters based on previous studies and industry recommendations were carefully integrated in the DoE and result analyses. These parameters include but not limited to: porous media type, temperature, type of lost circulation material (LCM), concentration of LCM, drilling string rotary speed, and eccentricity. Ceramic filter tubes were used for the first set of experiments and Upper Grey sandstone rock samples were used for the second set of experiments. The statistical analyses performed in this study were based on a 95% confidence interval (CI). The results show that for single factor interpretation, increase in temperature and rotary speed increased dynamic fluid invasion significantly. Increase in LCM concentration resulted to a significant decrease in fluid invasion. LCM concentration and rotary speed interaction revealed a significant decrease in fluid invasion. LCM concentration and temperature interaction significantly increased fluid invasion. Rotary speed and temperature interaction also increased fluid invasion significantly. The three-factor interaction effect of LCM concentration, rotary speed, and temperature was not significant in reducing fluid invasion. For the conditions used in this study, the regression analysis showed that dynamic fluid invasion in Upper Grey sandstone can be explained from variation in LCM concentration and rotary speed. The results and methods from this study can provide reliable information for drilling fluids design and selecting operating conditions for field application.


Speech is a natural, convenient and rapid means of human communication. The
abil ity to respond to spoken language is of special importance in computer
application wherein the user cannot use his/her limbs in a proper way, and may be
useful in office automation systems. It can help in developing control systems for
many applications such as in telephone assistance systems.
Rough sets theory represents a mathematical approach to vagueness and uncertainty.
Data analysis, data reduction, approxi mate classification, machine learning, and
discovery of pattern in data are functions performed by a rough sets analysis. It was
one of the first non-statistical methodologies of data analysis. It extends classical set
theory by incorporating into the set model the notion of classification as
indiscernibility relation.In previous work rough sets approach application to the field of speech recognition
was limited to the pattern matching stage. That is, to use training speech patterns to
generate classification rules that can be used later to classify input words patterns.
In this thesis rough sets approach was used in the preprocessing stages, namely in the
vector quantization operation in which feature vectors are quantized or classified to a
finite set of codebook classes. Classification rules were generated from training
feature vectors set, and a modified form of the standard voter classification
algorithm, that use the rough sets generated rules, was applied.
A vector quantization model that incorporate rough sets attribute reduction and rules
generation with a modified version of the K-means clustering algorithm was
developed, implemented and tested as a part of a speech recognition framework, in
which the Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) neural network model was used in
the pattern matching stage.
In addition to the Arabic speech data that used in the original experiments, for both
speaker dependant and speaker independent tests, more verification experiments
were conducted using the TI20 speech data.
The rough sets vector quantization model proved its usefulness in the speech
recognition framework, however it can be extended to different applications that
involve large amounts of data such as speaker verification.


The Chalk Group forms important hydrocarbon reservoirs offshore and water aquifers onshore Denmark. Within a day of fieldwork, a 450 m long reflection seismic profile was acquired onshore in an area in southeast Denmark, where the Chalk Group extends almost to the surface and is approximately 900 m thick. The main objective of the study was to image the complete Chalk Group in high resolution and to study the origin of reflectivity within the different chalk units. A 45 kg accelerated weight-drop source, in combination with dense receiver spacing using microelectromechanical sensors mounted on a streamer and 48 planted geophones, was used for data acquisition. The profile runs subparallel to the cliffs of Stevns, and the recorded signal reaches the base of the Chalk Group at approximately 600 ms. The fully cored 443 m-deep Stevns-1 borehole, which is located at the recorded seismic line, provides excellent control on lithologic and facies changes. Comparison with the borehole data demonstrates that our seismic data set provides a high-resolution image of the internal layering of the Chalk Group. We find that the internal reflection coefficients of the Chalk Group are, in general, small based on wireline-log data. However, the reflected amplitudes are just big enough to be recorded with the receiver setup used, even from the pure chalk beds of the Chalk Group. The reflectivity seen on the high-resolution seismic profile is influenced by occurrences of clay-enriched chalk layers. Flint bands consisting of numerous flint nodules are a characteristic of the uppermost part of the Chalk Group at Stevns. The flint nodules appear to produce significant scattering of the seismic signals, and flint-rich layers appear with diffuse internal reflectivity characteristics. Outcrop-scale mound structures in Danian and Upper Cretaceous outcrops are for the first time seismically resolved.


This thesis describes the theory, design, and implementation of chopper operational amplifiers (op-amps) in CMOS integrated circuits (ICs). The chopping technique periodically corrects DC errors of such op-amps, so that low 1/f noise and stable, microvolt-level offset can be achieved. However, chopping causes switching artifacts at the amplifier's output, e.g. up-modulated ripple and glitches, which are usually attenuated by low-pass filtering. Therefore, chopper op-amps have mainly been limited to low frequency applications. In this thesis, advanced circuit techniques are proposed to attenuate such switching artifacts without decreasing the usable signal bandwidth, thus enabling the use of chopper op-amps in a broader range of applications. Three chopper op-amps are designed, fabricated, and measured, so that the proposed techniques can be evaluated and compared with those of the other state-of-the-art designs. In the first design, a ripple reduction technique called auto-correction feedback (ACFB) is proposed, which continuously detects and cancels the ripple in a power and area efficient manner, so that the overall op-amp only draws 13µA from a 1.8V to 5.5V supply and occupies a 0.64mm2 die area. In the second design, an adaptive clock boosting technique for input switches is proposed, so that their charge injection mismatch is minimized and independent of changes in the supply and input common-mode voltages. As a result, 0.5µV maximum offset and 5.6nV/√Hz noise PSD are achieved over the op-amp's entire rail-to-rail input common-mode range. In the third design, six parallel input transconductors are driven by interleaved 800kHz clocks, which pushes the PSD peak up to 4.8MHz. Furthermore, an on-chip charge mismatch compensation circuit is employed to reduce the maximum input bias current from 1.5nA down to 150pA in post-production trimming.


In the early twentieth century, the worldwide rubber boom led British enterpreneur Lord Leverhulme to the Belgian Congo. Warmly welcomed by the murderous regime of King Leopold II, Leverhulme set up a private kingdom reliant on the horrific Belgian system of forced labor, a program that reduced the population of Congo by half and accounted for more deaths than the Nazi holocaust. In this definitive, meticulously researched history, Jules Marchal exposes the nature of forced labor under Lord Leverhulme's rule and the appalling conditions imposed upon the inhabitants of Congo. With an extensive introduction by Adam Hochschild, "Lord Leverhulme's Ghosts" is an important and urgently needed account of a laboratory of colonial exploitation.


Palliative care specialists (PCS) and burn surgeons (BS) were surveyed regarding: 1) importance of goals of care (GoC) conversations for burned seniors; 2) confidence in their own specialty's ability to conduct these conversations; and 3) confidence in the ability of the other specialty to do so. A 13-item survey was developed by the steering committee of a multicenter consortium dedicated to palliative care in the injured geriatric patient and beta-tested by BS and PCS unaffiliated with the consortium. The finalized instrument was electronically circulated to active physician members of the American Burn Association and American Academy for Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Forty-five BS (7.3%) and 244 PCS (5.7%) responded. Palliative physicians rated being more familiar with GoC, were more comfortable having a discussion with laypeople, were more likely to have reported high-quality training in performing conversations, believed more palliative specialists were needed in intensive care units, and had more interest in conducting conversations relative to BS. Both groups believed themselves to perform GoC discussions better than the other specialty perceived them to do so. BS favored leading team discussions, whereas palliative specialists preferred jointly led discussions. Both groups agreed that discussions should occur within 72 hours of admission. Both groups believe themselves to conduct GoC discussions for burned seniors better than the other specialty perceived them to do so, which led to disparate views on perceptions for the optimal leadership of these discussions.


In 1969, the Cuyahoga River burned. Although it was not the first time that the River was in need of assistance, it was the 1969 fire that helped to compel a radical transformation in the way that we interact with the environment. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio was not called upon to adjudicate the liabilities resulting from this pivotal event. But in the years preceding the Cuyahoga fire, the district court was asked to navigate conflicting jurisprudential approaches to the use of land, air, and water. This chapter explores a handful of these cases in order to illustrate the nation's struggle over suspicious conceptions of economic advantage and fairness, flexible distinctions of private and public property, and evolving ideas of nature and health. The chapter begins with the 1924 decision in Ambler Realty Corporation v. Village of Euclid, which remains the most famous challenge to the constitutionality of zoning regulations. It then turns to the 1930 decision in Swetland v. Curtiss Airports Corporation, where the district court addressed the inevitable limitations in property rights above land following the advancement of powered human flight. Finally, it considers an opinion released on the eve of the Cuyahoga River fire, when the court was asked to choose between saving a town and protecting railroad operations in Biechelle v. Norfolk Western Railway Company. Although the district court's decisions in these controversies do not bear the indelible character that we often attribute to law, the federal district courts for the Northern District of Ohio contributed to a legal framework in which the fire could occur and, perhaps more significantly, in which the fire could be perceived as an important event.


1. Although it is now easy to treat most patients with hypertension without producing troublesome side effects, a few patients remain refractory to conventional methods of treatment. These patients will progress to die of renal failure unless the blood pressure is controlled. 2. Thiazides potentiate the effect of other hypotensive agents and this potentiation is probably independent of their diuretic action. Diazoxide actually produces salt and water retention at the same time as marked decrease in the blood pressure. Spirono-lactone in a dose of 400 mg daily produced a highly significant reduction in blood pressure in an unselected group of patients with severe refractory hypertension. 3. β-Adrenergic blocking agents either alone or in combination with other drugs may be useful in the control of severe hypertension. An increasing effect on the blood pressure was demonstrated with doses between 1 and 2 g per day. 4. A new drug, prazosin hydrochloride, with properties somewhat similar to hydrallazine but with few side effects promises to be useful in the control of severe refractory hypertension particularly in combination with β-adrenergic blocking drugs.


Several scholars have proposed alternative views to conceptual metaphor theory (see, for example, Ortony, 1993; Barnden, 2006; Wilson and Carston, 2006, 2008; Vega, 2007; Gibbs, 2008). How are the modified, refined, and alternative theories related to each other and standard conceptual metaphor theory, and which theory provides the best account of the phenomenon of metaphor? The particular approaches I will consider in this paper include the theory of metaphor as categorization, standard conceptual metaphor theory, blending theory, the neural theory of metaphor, conceptual metaphor theory as based on the idea of main meaning focus, and relevance theory. I will present the various theories through the analysis of a single metaphorical sentence: This surgeon is a butcher . I will propose that conceptual metaphor theory as based on the idea of the main meaning focus gives us a good way of characterizing the emergence of the sentence's meaning. This characterization consists of a four-stage process. First, there exist two independent conceptual categories: BUTCHERY and SURGERY. Second, due to the similarity between the two, a metaphorical relationship is established between them. Third, the property of incompetence emerges in the concept of BUTCHERY in light of and against the background of the concept of SURGERY. Fourth, this property is projected into the blend, in which the property will now characterize the surgeon. I will point out that this approach is compatible with several other views, such as Ruiz de Mendoza's Combined Input Hypothesis and with aspects of relevance theory.


Research infrastructures (RI) include major scientific equipment, scientific collections, archives, structured information and ICT-based infrastructures and services3. They support top-level research and can be organized at the national and regional level, at EU Member State, European and global level. RIs have become a topic of interest and priority for funders, political bodies, and (increasingly) institutional decision makers. In Europe the European Commission is a funder of RIs, complementing funding done by EU Member States at the national level. Over the last ten years hundreds of RI-projects have been planned and some received funding for design, extension and improvement of operations and services to scientific communities. The ESFRI4 roadmap for research infrastructures represents a financial volume of approx. 20 billion EUR for ten years to construct 44 RIs. From the perspective of realizing the objectives set for RI, 2012 is an essential milestone, as the discussion of the HORIZON 2020 programmes at the European level will take place as well as consultations with member states. The following overview is by no means complete. It focuses on some RIs majorly influenced by the production and management of scientific information and which have relevance for the European political and funding agenda. RI projects include a variety of typologies, ranging from hard, single-site facilities to distributed, soft facilities relying on networks. Typically they have emerged from discipline-specific or cross-disciplinary requirements. RIs produce, process or manage big and small but heterogeneous volumes of information. They are the so-called 'scientific data factories' of the 21st century. They comprise various types of information resources such as publications, digitized collections, learning objects and research data. Key issues on today's agenda for RIs are their uptake by researchers, and their viability, sustainability and interoperability. Research libraries' engagement with RIs has been low. While this could be understandable in 2005 when the first priorities for RI investments were defined, it now represents a big gap in the European strategy. Key initiatives such as the ESFRI Research Infrastructures involve no participation by research libraries, except for DARIAH. Participation in EC-funded projects (through LIBER or directly through institutions) focused (with a few exceptions) on the areas of digitization, cultural heritage and publications. Research libraries need to become visible actors in strategic discussions on RIs and should actively explore their engagement in research data infrastructures. Open Access, open science (data), research data infrastructures and management are the catalysts to get research libraries back into the awareness of researchers beyond the humanities and social sciences. 'Open Access is global — but implementation is local'. This is a popular slogan of the OpenAIRE project and gives local research libraries an important role in the European context. Research data are discipline-specific, but policies, workflows and standards also need to be implemented at the local level. Creating participatory infrastructures by involving institutional, national and disciplinary actors has been identified by the EC as a key task for the current decade. The term 'participatory' is also considered to be of fundamental relevance for European policy strategy, as it matches well with national and European coordination for cost efficiency and is instrumental in avoiding duplication of work. The primary challenges to building a coherent, fundable and sustainable ecosystem do not lie in ICT technology, but rather in governance, law, organization, socio- cultural aspects, trust, and, of course, costs.


1. INTRODUCTION TO MODEL BUILDING. An Introduction to Modeling. The Seven-Step Model-Building Process. Examples. 2. BASIC LINEAR ALGEBRA. Matrices and Vectors. Matrices and Systems of Linear Equations. The Gauss-Jordan Method for Solving Systems of Linear Equations. Linear Independence and Linear Dependence. The Inverse of a Matrix. Determinants. 3. INTRODUCTION TO LINEAR PROGRAMMING. What is a Linear Programming Problem? The Graphical Solution of Two-Variable Linear Programming Problems. Special Cases. A Diet Problem. A Work-Scheduling Problem. A Capital Budgeting Problem. Short-term Financial Planning. Blending Problems. Production Process Models. Using Linear Programming to Solve Multiperiod Decision Problems: An Inventory Model. Multiperiod Financial Models. Multiperiod Work Scheduling. 4. THE SIMPLEX ALGORITHM AND GOAL PROGRAMMING. How to Convert an LP to Standard Form. Preview of the Simplex Algorithm. The Simplex Algorithm. Using the Simplex Algorithm to Solve Minimization Problems. Alternative Optimal Solutions. Unbounded LPs. The LINDO Computer Package. Matrix Generators, LINGO, and Scaling of LPs. Degeneracy and the Convergence of the Simplex Algorithm. The Big M Method. The Two-Phase Simplex Method. Unrestricted-in-Sign Variables. Karmarkar"s Method for Solving LPs. Multiattribute Decision-Making in the Absence of Uncertainty: Goal Programming. Solving LPs with Spreadsheets. 5. SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS: AN APPLIED APPROACH. A Graphical Introduction to Sensitivity Analysis. The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis. Managerial Use of Shadow Prices. What Happens to the Optimal z-value if the Current Basis is No Longer Optimal? 6. SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS AND DUALITY. A Graphical Introduction to Sensitivity Analysis. Some Important Formulas. Sensitivity Analysis. Sensitivity Analysis When More Than One Parameter is Changed: The 100% Rule. Finding the Dual of an LP. Economic Interpretation of the Dual Problem. The Dual Theorem and Its Consequences. Shadow Prices. Duality and Sensitivity Analysis. 7. TRANSPORTATION, ASSIGNMENT, AND TRANSSHIPMENT PROBLEMS. Formulating Transportation Problems. Finding Basic Feasible Solutions for Transportation Problems. The Transportation Simplex Method. Sensitivity Analysis for Transportation Problems. Assignment Problems. Transshipment Problems. 8. NETWORK MODELS. Basic Definitions. Shortest Path Problems. Maximum Flow Problems. CPM and PERT. Minimum Cost Network Flow Problems. Minimum Spanning Tree Problems. The Network Simplex Method. 9. INTEGER PROGRAMMING. Introduction to Integer Programming. Formulation Integer Programming Problems. The Branch-and-Bound Method for Solving Pure Integer Programming Problems. The Branch-and-Bound Method for Solving Mixed Integer Programming Problems. Solving Knapsack Problems by the Branch-and-Bound Method. Solving Combinatorial Optimization Problems by the Branch-and-Bound Method. Implicit Enumeration. The Cutting Plane Algorithm. 10. ADVANCED TOPICS IN LINEAR PROGRAMMING. The Revised Simplex Algorithm. The Product Form of the Inverse. Using Column Generation to Solve Large-Scale LPs. The Dantzig-Wolfe Decomposition Algorithm. The Simplex Methods for Upper-Bounded Variables. Karmarkar"s Method for Solving LPs. 11. NONLINEAR PROGRAMMING. Review of Differential Calculus. Introductory Concepts. Convex and Concave Functions. Solving NLPs with One Variable. Golden Section Search. Unconstrained Maximization and Minimization with Several Variables. The Method of Steepest Ascent. Lagrange Multiples. The Kuhn-Tucker Conditions. Quadratic Programming. Separable Programming. The Method of Feasible Directions. Pareto Optimality and Tradeoff Curves. 12. REVIEW OF CALCULUS AND PROBABILITY. Review of Integral Calculus. Differentiation of Integrals. Basic Rules of Probability. Bayes" Rule. Random Variables. Mean Variance and Covariance. The Normal Distribution. Z-Transforms. Review Problems. 13. DECISION MAKING UNDER UNCERTAINTY. Decision Criteria. Utility Theory. Flaws in Expected Utility Maximization: Prospect Theory and Framing Effects. Decision Trees. Bayes" Rule and Decision Trees. Decision Making with Multiple Objectives. The Analytic Hierarchy Process. Review Problems. 14. GAME THEORY. Two-Person Zero-Sum and Constant-Sum Games: Saddle Points. Two-Person Zero-Sum Games: Randomized Strategies, Domination, and Graphical Solution. Linear Programming and Zero-Sum Games. Two-Person Nonconstant-Sum Games. Introduction to n-Person Game Theory. The Core of an n-Person Game. The Shapley Value. 15. DETERMINISTIC EOQ INVENTORY MODELS. Introduction to Basic Inventory Models. The Basic Economic Order Quantity Model. Computing the Optimal Order Quantity When Quantity Discounts Are Allowed. The Continuous Rate EOQ Model. The EOQ Model with Back Orders Allowed. Multiple Product Economic Order Quantity Models. Review Problems. 16. PROBABILISTIC INVENTORY MODELS. Single Period Decision Models. The Concept of Marginal Analysis. The News Vendor Problem: Discrete Demand. The News Vendor Problem: Continuous Demand. Other One-Period Models. The EOQ with Uncertain Demand: the (r, q) and (s,S models). The EOQ with Uncertain Demand: the Service Level Approach to Determining Safety Stock Level. Periodic Review Policy. The ABC Inventory Classification System. Exchange Curves. Review Problems. 17. MARKOV CHAINS. What is a Stochastic Process. What is a Markov Chain? N-Step Transition Probabilities. Classification of States in a Markov Chain. Steady-State Probabilities and Mean First Passage Times. Absorbing Chains. Work-Force Planning Models. 18.DETERMINISTIC DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING. Two Puzzles. A Network Problem. An Inventory Problem. Resource Allocation Problems. Equipment Replacement Problems. Formulating Dynamic Programming Recursions. The Wagner-Whitin Algorithm and the Silver-Meal Heuristic. Forward Recursions. Using Spreadsheets to Solve Dynamic Programming Problems. Review Problems. 19. PROBABILISTIC DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING. When Current Stage Costs are Uncertain but the Next Period"s State is Certain. A Probabilistic Inventory Model. How to Maximize the Probability of a Favorable Event Occurring. Further Examples of Probabilistic Dynamic Programming Formulations. Markov Decision Processes. Review Problems. 20. QUEUING THEORY. Some Queuing Terminology. Modeling Arrival and Service Processes. Birth-Death Processes. M/M/1/GD/o/o Queuing System and the Queuing Formula L=o W, The M/M/1/GD/o Queuing System. The M/M/S/ GD/o/o Queuing System. The M/G/ o/GD/oo and GI/G/o/GD/o/oModels. The M/ G/1/GD/o/o Queuing System. Finite Source Models: The Machine Repair Model. Exponential Queues in Series and Opening Queuing Networks. How to Tell whether Inter-arrival Times and Service Times Are Exponential. The M/G/S/GD/S/o System (Blocked Customers Cleared). Closed Queuing Networks. An Approximation for the G/G/M Queuing System. Priority Queuing Models. Transient Behavior of Queuing Systems. Review Problems. 21.SIMULATION. Basic Terminology. An Example of a Discrete Event Simulation. Random Numbers and Monte Carlo Simulation. An Example of Monte Carlo Simulation. Simulations with Continuous Random Variables. An Example of a Stochastic Simulation. Statistical Analysis in Simulations. Simulation Languages. The Simulation Process. 22.SIMULATION WITH PROCESS MODEL. Simulating an M/M/1 Queuing System. Simulating an M/M/2 System. A Series System. Simulating Open Queuing Networks. Simulating Erlang Service Times. What Else Can Process Models Do? 23. SPREADSHEET SIMULATION WITH @RISK. Introduction to @RISK: The Newsperson Problem. Modeling Cash Flows From A New Product. Bidding Models. Reliability and Warranty Modeling. Risk General Function. Risk Cumulative Function. Risktrigen Function. Creating a Distribution Based on a Point Forecast. Forecasting Income of a Major Corporation. Using Data to Obtain Inputs For New Product Simulations. Playing Craps with @RISK. Project Management. Simulating the NBA Finals. 24. FORECASTING. Moving Average Forecasting Methods. Simple Exponential Smoothing. Holt"s Method: Exponential Smoothing with Trend. Winter"s Method: Exponential Smoothing with Seasonality. Ad Hoc Forecasting, Simple Linear Regression. Fitting Non-Linear Relationships. Multiple Regression. Answers to Selected Problems. Index.


This paper describes the design and implementation of a behavior that allows a robot with a compliant arm to perform wiping motions that are involved in bed baths. A laser-based operator-selection interface enables an operator to select an area to clean, and the robot autonomously performs a wiping motion using equilibrium point control. We evaluated the performance of the system by measuring the ability of the robot to remove an area of debris on human skin. We tested the performance of the behavior algorithm by commanding the robot to wipe off a 1-inch square area of debris placed on the surface of the upper arm, forearm, thigh, and shank of a human subject. Using image processing, we determined the hue content of the debris and used this representation to determine the percentage of debris that remained on the arm after the robot completed the task. In our experiments, the robot removed most of the debris (>96%) on four parts of the limbs. In addition, the robot performed the wiping task using relatively low force (<3 N).


The hotel, catering and tourism (HCT) sector is one of the world's major growth industries. However, the sector faces many problems – especially those relating to representation of its workers, communication between workers and management, and working conditions. The HCT sector is atypical in its working hours, seasonality and pay. Generally it has a low union density. This guide is a contribution to help solve its problems now and in the future – through social dialogue that builds on openness, trust and the involvement of the main stakeholders in the industry. This publication is designed to help and enable policy-makers, trainers and practitioners among the ILO constituents to understand, promote and facilitate social dialogue in the HCT sector.


Land subsidence is the gradual settling or sudden sinking of the earth's surface. According to the United States Geological Survey more than 80% of identified subsidence in the United States is a result of groundwater removal. Due to the hydrologic structure and reliance on the Potomac Aquifer, the Southern Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia has suffered from land subsidence since the 1940s. In coastal regions, land subsidence can increase the risk of flooding. This paper presents a mathematical simulation that predicts land subsidence from groundwater pumping. This simulation is used to see how the location of groundwater pumping, as well as the amount of amount of groundwater pumped would differ from two different groundwater pumping policies. The first policy is aimed at limiting land subsidence in the region, while the second policy aims at limiting the damages from land subsidence. These two policies are used to show that a spatially heterogeneous groundwater pumping policy is necessary to minimize the damages from groundwater pumping when land subsidence is present.


This study aim of this is to estimate the relationship between gold and Gold Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) and the performance of Gold ETFs in India by using various statistical models. The data for the study covers a period of three years from 2015 to 2018. The data was collected from the National Stock Exchange database and other sources. The outcome of this study was to find out whether there is a relationship between gold and Gold ETFs. It was found out that Gold ETFs has more returns than the physical gold; Axis ETF performed the best among those Gold ETFs selected for the study. This study will be beneficial for the market researchers and investors who find the best opportunities in the Gold ETFs.


In 2011, 62% of estimated new HIV diagnoses in the United States were attributed to male-to-male sexual contact (men who have sex with men, MSM); 39% of these MSM were black or African American. HIV testing, recommended at least annually by CDC for sexually active MSM, is an essential first step in HIV care and treatment for HIV-positive individuals. A variety of HIV testing initiatives, designed to reach populations disproportionately affected by HIV, have been developed at both national and local levels. We assessed changes in HIV testing behavior among MSM participating in the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System in 2008 and 2011. We compared the percentages tested in the previous 12 months in 2008 and 2011, overall and by race/ethnicity and age group. In unadjusted analyses, recent HIV testing increased from 63% in 2008 to 67% in 2011 overall (P<0.001), from 63% to 71% among black MSM (P<0.001), and from 63% to 75% among MSM of other/multiple races (P<0.001); testing did not increase significantly for white or Hispanic/Latino MSM. Multivariable model results indicated an overall increase in recent HIV testing (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.07, P<0.001). Increases were largest for black MSM (aPR = 1.12, P<0.001) and MSM of other/multiple races (aPR = 1.20, P<0.001). Among MSM aged 18–19 years, recent HIV testing was shown to increase significantly among black MSM (aPR = 1.20, P = 0.007), but not among MSM of other racial/ethnic groups. Increases in recent HIV testing among populations most affected by HIV are encouraging, but despite these increases, improved testing coverage is needed to meet CDC recommendations.


Speaking means a process of how to communicate, in which people share thought, ideas, and feeling with others in understandable ways. English department, as one of the departments of University of Muhammadiyah Malang has a goal to assist the students to be able to master all of the English skills in many ways, and one of those ways was English day, which is held twice a week on Wednesday and Friday.
In fact, there were still many speaking problems appearing during English day among the students. The purpose of this study was to find out the problems faced by the students of English Department in speaking English on English Day, and how they cope with those problems.
In the present study, the researcher used descriptive quantitative research as the research design. The researcher took all of the active students of English department as the population, and the sample was 10% of 834 students, they were 83 students. The instruments used to collect the data were questionnaire and observation.
The researcher found, the problems of English department students University of Muhammadiyah Malang in using English on English day were inhibition, nothing to say, low or uneven participation, mother tongue use, desire to communicate, comprehension as well as expression, personality factor, limitation of expression and also correction of errors.
To solve those problems, there were some ways used by the students to cope with. They used group works, simple language, made a careful and various choices of topic, gave the same priority in speaking English to members of group, made the target language, and also other way suggested by the students themselves, that was making English as a habit in the students' daily communication.


The curiosity of different beliefs to "tragedy" between the two worlds, Eastern where tragedy is unpleasant and Western where tragedy is praised as high art form since Ancient Greek. The reason that they are very different as two ends from one point and how to present them directly to understandable stage in art forms itself are questioned. This essay is a research into philosophical living and belief relates to tragedy in Eastern and Western views toward tragedy in art forms. The way tragedy has been put differently and the way people treat this feeling. There is a border which is deep-seated into each cultures. The relation of time is used to explain tragedy in Ancient Greek. Western tragedy is big enough to play a main role while Eastern tragedy play a part of the whole in one legend or story. The study of Andy Warhol's method "Traumatic Realism" which is relevant to starting question explains the direction of using repetition as presentation in order to bring viewers get into trauma at its surface. Picasso's painting "Tragedy", Edward Gorey's storytelling illustration "The Hapless Child", and Marina Abramovic's performance "Balkan Baroque", are used to discuss their techniques and statements based on tragedy from different forms. There is a touching point from Warhol's and Abramovic's works. Conclusion talks about the method to present tragedy right there in the work. Selections of pictures are used to tell direction of tragedy in the work. Hierarchy of perception and changing of time in works are explained by Ancient Greek tragedy philosophy and Warhol's repetition. Feeling is gradually changed. Traces can be found. Time is taking it away.


Primary fatty alcohols are present in all phyla, where they serve various unique biological functions, either in structural materials or biochemical compounds. Fatty alcohols and derivatives provided by living organisms are also important feedstock for the oleochemical and lubricant industries. Since they are biodegradable and generally non-toxic, they can also be used in the manufacture of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Fatty alcohols are produced by Fatty Acid Reductases (FAR), which catalyse the reductions of fatty acyl-CoA/ACPs. The reductions are conducted in two consecutive reactions; a fatty acyl-CoA/ACP is first reduced to a fatty aldehyde, which is then further reduced into a fatty alcohol. In prokaryotes, the two-step reduction has until now been considered to be catalysed by two different enzymes, while in eukaryotes it has been found that one enzyme carries out both reduction steps via an intermediate fatty aldehyde, which is thought not to be released during the reductions.
This thesis presents data on the in vivo and in vitro characterisation of FARs from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtFARs) and Marinobacter aquaeolei VT8 (Maqu_2220). Contrary to available literature, Maqu_2220 was found to catalyse both steps in the reductions of fatty acyl-CoA/ACPs into fatty alcohols. Thus, at least two biochemical pathways exist among prokaryotes for the reductions of activated fatty acyl chains to fatty alcohols, one of which is the above-identified activity in analogy with eukaryotic FARs. Characterisation of AtFAR6, AtFAR2/MS2 and the bacterial Maqu_2220 revealed that under in vitro conditions, intermediate fatty aldehydes were released and free fatty acids were observed, in addition to fatty alcohols produced as end-products.

The in vitro characterisation of AtFAR2/MS2 and AtFAR6 showed that the ratio of fatty alcohol/fatty aldehyde produced by these enzymes depends strongly on chain length and saturation state of the substrates and substrate concentration. Both in vitro and in vivo data consistently showed that the highest activity of AtFAR2/MS2 and AtFAR6 is for the production of C16:0-alcohol from C16:0-CoA/ACP substrates. In a subsequent study, AtFAR6 was found to be a chloroplast-localised FAR enzyme involved in production and accumulation of C16:0-alcohol within this organelle.


Background: The anemia not only negatively affects physical function but also the cognition, mood, and quality of life in adult patients due to hypoxic condition as per its severity. This study has been planned to investigate the cross-section association of anemia with cognitive function in neurologically intact patients. Methods: In this study, a total 200 subjects were enrolled out of which 100 were cases and 100 age and sex matched controls. Mini-mental status examination (MMSE) and short portable mental status questionnaire (SPMSQ) scales were used to assess cognition in all the subjects. Results: This study showed that there was a significant correlation between the anemia and the cognitive skills in the neurologically intact patients. Conclusion: The cognitive functions were strongly related to hemoglobin levels as seen by low MMSE score and higher SPMSQ error in those with low hemoglobin levels compared with those with higher hemoglobin levels.


Habits like addictions are resulting from tensions between multiple living phenomenons, unknowables and unobjectivables ; inside of organs, consciousness, humain body, there are subjectif language and interhumain relation-sheeps. Being affraid about the possible drift of the game of neuroscientific images, those of algorithms and protocols, we prefere the possibilities emerging from an intersubjectivity, with care-giving target. Take care of somebody else represents, first of all, a meeting-point between two subjects and the quality of this meeting will considerably influence the technicity or the effects of some medecines. The technical healthcare proposed in addictions does not escape the influence of the healthcare relation-sheep and the support of hypnosis for a person called « addict » is a good way between other possibles propositions. In the practice of hypnosis, we prefer images founded by the person that we support ; in other words, a visualisation of their insight, in the middle of their intimate immensity : an ephemeral space rich in possibilities insight the subjectivity, wich remains unobjectivable. The person is not « thrown into the world » but opens a world of a hidden depth and greatness, singular, radicaly subjective, intimate, constructive. The « elsewhere » and the « once » are stronger than the « here » and « now ».


Chile initiated in 1981 a privately managed, individual-account pension system that inspired similar reforms in many Latin American countries, and that has been considered as a possible model for Social Security in the United States. After 30 years in place, the Chilean pension system has been criticized for replicating existing inequalities in labor markets and increasing the risk of old-age poverty; for achieving lower levels of coverage; and for providing low pension benefits. Aiming at guaranteeing a minimum level of consumption upon retirement and increasing the incentives to contribute, in 2008 Chile reformed the Pension System, widening the welfare tier and improving the contributory tier through a means-testing scheme. This paper examines the impact of the 2008 Chilean pension on labor supply and well-being, using a version of the difference-in-difference estimator that assesses the effects of the reform through exogenous changes in pension wealth. Using longitudinal data from 2006 through 2012, and a sample of individuals that were not retired by the time of the implementation of the reforms, our preliminary estimates suggest that the pension reforms induced an increase in the probability of working formally, but at least among females, they reduced labor market participation. However, we find limited impacts of the reform on nonlabor outcomes. Besides some improvements in aggregate household expenditures and in measures of subjective well-being measures among males, we do not detect robust changes in health and well-being among individuals near retirement.


This thesis is about the experience of Muslim British
Pakistani families coping with thalassaemia (a chronic,
inherited blood disorder) and the implications for service
delivery. Its central concern is to illustrate that
simplistic and culturally-biased assumptions are an
unsatisfactory base on which to devise health service
delivery for minority populations, and that with careful study
it is possible to deliver culturally sensitive and
appropriate services.
The thesis is written in four parts. The first part contains
the research methods and the clinical aspects of thalassaemia.
It also provides an introduction to the families in the study.
The British Pakistani population is considered in the context
of migration to Britain, which has created a plural society
requiring adaptations to services to meet the diverse health
needs of the different ethnic minorities.
The second part deals with the socio-economic and cultural
background of British Pakistanis in Pakistan: this (is) crucial to
an understanding of their present situation. Family
dynamics, marriage patterns and decision-making processes are
explored, as is the central role of religion and kinship
networks in the lives of British Pakistanis. It also examines
their settlement process and present living conditions and
illustrates how the social structures prevalent in Pakistan have been re-established in England, albeit in a modified
form.
The third part documents, using case studies, the experiences
of British Pakistani families with thalassaemic children.
These are analysed to highlight deficiencies in health service
delivery and areas where cultural misconceptions exist. These
areas require attention to provide an effective genetic
counselling service for this population.
The final part examines the social and clinical implications
of consanguineous marriage. It gives the results of a study
showing increased frequency of consanguineous marriage among
British Pakistanis than among Pakistanis in Pakistan. It then
illustrates how kinship networks within communities practising
this marriage pattern provide an opportunity to offer a
genetic counselling service in a unique way, by making
positive use of the practice. This proposed approach applies
not only to thalassaemia but also to other inherited diseases.


Background: Fetomaternal haemorrhage may occur during pregnancy or at delivery and may lead to allo-immunization to the D antigen if the mother is Rhesus (Rh) negative and the baby is Rh-positive. Objectives: To determine the incidence, socio-demographic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of Rh negative pregnant women in a Nigeria Tertiary health care institution. Methods: A review of the clinical records of all Rh-negative pregnant women, managed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, South-east Nigeria between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2013 was done. Data were entered into Excel Spread sheet and analysed using computer Epi-Info 2013 version 7. Results: There were a total of 5561 deliveries and 117 Rh negative pregnancies during the period, given an incidence of 2.1%. Of the 117 Rh negative pregnancies, only 89 (76.1%) case files were available for analysis. Majority, 55.1% of the women were of ABO Blood Group O while ABO blood group discordance occurred in 33.7% of male partners. Seventy-one (79.8%) of the women have had previous pregnancies and only 33(46.5%) of these received anti-D prophylaxis in the previous pregnancies. Sixty-three (70.8%) of the pregnancies were booked and 48 out of 63 (76.2%) of them booked after 20 weeks of gestation. Indirect Coombs test was done in 61 out of 63 (96.8%) women that were booked but only one (1.6%) woman tested positive. None of the women had a follow-up testing. Only the woman that tested positive for indirect Coombs test had her antibody titre subsequently determined. Forty-five (50.6%) pregnancies were carried beyond date while 88.5% of the women that had postdate were delivered via caesarean section (p<0.001) with the commonest indication being fetal distress (42.9%). Sixty-one (68.5%) babies were tested post-delivery while 49 (80.3%) of 61 babies were rhesus incompatible with the mother. Only 40 (81.6%) of the incompatible mothers had Rh anti-D immunoglobulin administered after delivery. Neonatal jaundice occurred in 21.3% of the babies. There were 14 (15.7%) perinatal deaths. Conclusions: The incidence of Rhesus negative pregnancies was 2.1% while Rh isoimmunization rate was 1.6% and the uptake of Rhesus Anti-D immunoglobulin is suboptimal. Rh negative primigravida?s tend to be unbooked and had significantly higher still births than their multigravid counterparts. Rhesus negative pregnancies carried beyond their dates had a significantly higher caesarean section rates than those delivered at term or before the expected date of delivery. There is need for further studies to clearly explore these trends.


Contemporary technologies can be harnessed to meet communitybuilding and emotional health objectives for university students. Cross-functional teams, student advisory committees, and campus partners add value when building a collaborative website designed to serve the campus community. To better engage and meet the needs of site users, websites need continual reevaluation and adaptation in response to the various feedback streams. Edutainment may have an important place in higher education, especially when used judiciously and strategically to increase student engagement.


The Liberal Imagination is one of the most admired and influential works of criticism of the last century, a work that is not only a masterpiece of literary criticism but an important statement about politics and society. Published in 1950, one of the chillier moments of the Cold War, Trilling's essays examine the promise -and limits-of liberalism, challenging the complacency of a naive liberal belief in rationality, progress, and the panaceas of economics and other social sciences, and asserting in their stead the irreducible complexity of human motivation and the tragic inevitability of tragedy. Only the imagination, Trilling argues, can give us access and insight into these realms and only the imagination can ground a reflective and considered, rather than programmatic and dogmatic, liberalism. Writing with acute intelligence about classics like Huckleberry Finn and the novels of Henry James and F. Scott Fitzgerald, but also on such varied matters as the Kinsey Report and money in the American imagination, Trilling presents a model of the critic as both part of and apart from his society, a defender of the reflective life that, in our ever more rationalized world, seems ever more necessary-and ever more remote.


With improvements to both scan quality and facial recognition software, there is an increased risk of participants being identified by a 3D render of their structural neuroimaging scans, even when all other personal information has been removed. To prevent this, facial features should be removed before data are shared or openly released, but while there are several publicly available software algorithms to do this, there has been no comprehensive review of their accuracy within the general population. To address this, we tested multiple algorithms on 300 scans from three neuroscience research projects, funded in part by the Ontario Brain Institute, to cover a wide range of ages (3–85 years) and multiple patient cohorts. While skull stripping is more thorough at removing identifiable features, we focused mainly on defacing software, as skull stripping also removes potentially useful information, which may be required for future analyses. We tested six publicly available algorithms (afni_refacer, deepdefacer, mri_deface, mridefacer, pydeface, quickshear), with one skull stripper (FreeSurfer) included for comparison. Accuracy was measured through a pass/fail system with two criteria; one, that all facial features had been removed and two, that no brain tissue was removed in the process. A subset of defaced scans were also run through several preprocessing pipelines to ensure that none of the algorithms would alter the resulting outputs. We found that the success rates varied strongly between defacers, with afni_refacer (89%) and pydeface (83%) having the highest rates, overall. In both cases, the primary source of failure came from a single dataset that the defacer appeared to struggle with - the youngest cohort (3–20 years) for afni_refacer and the oldest (44–85 years) for pydeface, demonstrating that defacer performance not only depends on the data provided, but that this effect varies between algorithms. While there were some very minor differences between the preprocessing results for defaced and original scans, none of these were significant and were within the range of variation between using different NIfTI converters, or using raw DICOM files.


Urban India has around 3000 urban local bodies (ULBs). The Seventy Fourth Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) has bestowed political power, administrative authority and functional autonomy on local bodies. The functional domain of ULBs now covers planning, regulation and development aspects. With autonomy, ULBs are required to provide for the services irrespective of their individual administrative or financial capabilities. To perform a vast array of functions (obligatory or discretionary), ULBs require adequate financial resources. Their revenues fall under four categories: (i) tax revenue; (ii) non-tax revenue; (iii) grants-in-aid; and (iv) loans. Property tax is the single largest source of revenue for local bodies in states where there is no provision for Octroi (a tax levied on entry of goods into a local area for consumption or sale, which accounts for 60 to 80 percent of total revenue for local bodies in states where in it levied). However, due to scathing criticism many states have abolished Octroi. For almost all ULBs the property tax has or would become the single largest component of their total revenue. Property tax is levied on building and lands and its basis of taxation is either the annual rental value or market rent or market value in case of land. Local bodies have the power to impose, suspend, reduce or abolish the tax or partly/wholly exempt any person or class of persons of any such tax on any property or description of property. Local bodies have begun to review their property taxation system in order to improve their finances and widen the property based tax base to take on added responsibilities. Some State Government and municipalities in Delhi, Patna, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad have modified their method of assessment or property tax significantly. The main objective of the paper is to review the existing or proposed property taxation system for select municipalities in India to evaluate their strengths and anomalies and to contrast and compare the system of property taxation in India with a land value taxation system which has been discussed or implemented elsewhere in the world.


Variation in the morphology of the adductor muscle-scar pattern of Darwinula cicatricosa Wakefield, 1994 is demonstrated, and is shown to affect specific segments within the essentially rosette-shaped scar. Potential subdivisions of individual segments can be identified in fossil specimens as 'scar-sutures'. All fossil and Recent species of Darwinula studied are shown to have different patterns to their adductor muscle-scar rosette. These differences can be used as an aid in species identification, particularly of fossil species, in which the muscle-scars are the best indicator of soft part morphology.


: Virtual reality (VR) technology now provides players with immersive and realistic experiences as never before. Spatial presence plays a crucial role in the introduction of immersive experience in a VR environment. Spatial presence is a special feeling of personal and physical presence in the displayed environment. In this study, we found that the first-person perspective (1PP) was more effective in raising the sense of spatial presence that induces immersive experience compared to the third-person perspective (3PP) in a VR shooting game. Moreover, eye blink rate was significantly higher in the 1PP compared with the 3PP. The 1PP game setting was more realistic than the 3PP setting, and may have raised participants' sense of immersion and facilitated eye blink. These results indicate that eye blink rate is increased by the sense of spatial presence, and can be a good measure of subjective immersive experience in a VR environment. Neuroscientific evidences suggest that dopaminergic system is involved in such emotional experiences and physiological responses.


Zein, a major corn protein, has an amphiphilic molecule capable of self-assembling into distinctly different structures, i.e., rods, sheets, and spheres. In this work, ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) was applied to investigate the formation of self-assembled zein structures in binary solvent systems of ethanol and water. The study included observing structural changes due to aging. Three distinctive regions, each corresponding to different co-existing structures having a hierarchical organization, were observed in zein-solvent systems. Rod shaped (Rg = 1.5-2.5 nm, P = 1) primary structural units were identified, believed to be molecular zein. Two-dimensional sheet-like structures (Rg = 80-200 nm, 2 < P < 3) were observed, believed to be formed by primary units first assembled into one-dimensional fibers and then into 2D sheet structures. Also, large three-dimensional spherical aggregates were observed (Rg > 1000 nm, P = 4), believed to have assembled from two-dimensional sheet structures. Aging did not change the size or the shape of the primary units, but USAXS detected changes in Rg and P values of the intermediate structures, pointing to a further level of self-assembly where proteins develop a more regular and organized structure. The viscoelastic moduli (G' and G''), the consistency index (K) and the flow behavior index (n), were also measured to investigate the effect of zein structural development by self-assembly on rheological behavior. Samples became more solid-like with aging. Raman spectra suggested that zein underwent secondary structure transformations from α-helix to β-sheets, which influenced the size and morphology of molecular assemblies and ultimately the rheological properties of zein solutions.


Condensation, where a single quantum state is macroscopically populated, lies at the heart of superfluidity, superconductivity, and Bose-Einstein condensation. A longstanding goal is to find systems that show condensation at higher temperatures than the well-known case of ultracold atomic gases, even at or above room temperature. Bosonic quasi-particles in solids are excellent candidates due to their low effective masses, and condensation has been observed for semiconductor exciton-polaritons, magnons and cavity photons. I will present and discuss experimental signatures of thermalization and cooling, a precursor for condensation, of plasmon-exciton-polaritons (PEPs) at room temperature. The system consists of an array of metallic nanorods covered by an organic dye layer. PEPs are formed by strong coupling between organic molecule excitons and surface lattice resonances (hybrid photonic-plasmonic states). The effective PEP mass is seven orders of magnitude below the electron mass and two orders of magnitude below exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities. PEPs can be easily pumped and observed due to their photonic component. By increasing the PEP density through optical pumping, we observe signatures of thermalization and cooling, despite the nonequilibrium character of this driven and dissipative system. For increased pumping, we observe saturation of the strong coupling and emission in a new weakly coupled band, which again shows thermalization and cooling. More information on IFIMAC Website


Background: The first checklist for the Soutpansberg was published in 1946, and the second list was compiled by the author in 2006 as part of his doctoral thesis. Currently, there is a need for an updated account of the biodiversity of the Soutpansberg Centre of Endemism and Diversity for conservation planning in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, within which the Soutpansberg is the principle geomorphological feature.Objectives: To present an updated list of vascular plants recorded for the Soutpansberg.Method: The list was compiled from various sources including literature reviews, herbarium specimens, herbarium databases and personal observations.Results: This article presents the most geographically accurate and taxonomically updated list of the indigenous vascular flora of the Soutpansberg, the northernmost mountain range of South Africa. Altogether 2443 taxa are recorded belonging to 922 genera in 187 families and 64 orders.Conclusion: The list presented in this article confirms the status of the Soutpansberg as a centre of floristic diversity in southern Africa. Notable is the higher-order diversity of the flora. It is likely that both future surveys and reviews of herbarium collections will add new taxa to the current total.


The enhancement of light-matter interactions using the strong fields associated with surface plasmons in metallic structures is a powerful concept used for example in surface enhanced Raman scattering and plasmonic sensing. We investigated the coupling between nanoscale emitters and surface plasmons in sharp metal tips and smooth metal films by detecting the angular distribution of the emitted radiation. The localized nature of the interaction is utilized in a scanning-probe approach for high-resolution Raman and photoluminescence microscopy of one-dimensional nanostructures.


The safety benefits of the Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) technology have been demonstrated in a number of studies in Australia (eg. TAC SafeCar project) and overseas (eg. Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, United Kingdoms). These safety benefits apply to both the active limiting and supportive versions of the technology, with the former linked to the larger reduction in road trauma. Despite the favourable outcomes of these studies, penetration of ISA into the market place has made little progress to date internationally and has been met with a number of difficulties. Barriers include the need for a current up to date speed limit database, the notion of a limiting system being too restrictive and 'big brother', and manufacturer reluctance to investigate and promote the technology. So what are the approaches to help ISA gain acceptance in the community? This paper will explore, with a view to bringing into focus, the steps that are likely to provide safety dividends.


"Introduction: WHO defines adolescence as period between 10-19 years. Menarche is a milestone in a woman\'s life as it denotes the start of reproductive capacity but there is gross lack of information on menstrual preparedness and management among adolescent girls. Women with better knowledge of menstrual hygiene and safe practices are less vulnerable to reproductive tract infection and its consequences.
Aim and Objectives: 1.To study of menstrual hygiene status among adolescent girls in rural area. 2. To study availability of facilities to maintain menstrual hygiene.
Material and Methods: Community based cross-sectional study. One village Kusgaon from rural field practice area was randomly selected based on feasibility and all adolescent girls who have attended menarche were included in the study.
Result: Out of the total 190 participants, 58.4% of the adolescents were using only sanitary napkins during menses. 24.2% girls had no toilet facility and 34.2% had open bathrooms. 138 girls restricted religious work during menstruation followed by school absenteeism, not playing during menses.
Conclusion and recommendations: Though the use of sanitary napkins is increased among the rural adolescent girls, availability of the toilet and bathroom facility is still poor.
"


Abstract In both Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre (1847) and George Eliot's Middlemarch (1871–72) an earnest and ambitious man falls in love with a superficial and beautiful woman named Rosamond. This essay explores the "Rosamond plots" to argue that Middlemarch stages a radical revision of the version of subjectivity vaunted in Jane Eyre . Via its invocation of Jane Eyre 's Rosamond plot, Middlemarch challenges the very nature of self-knowledge, questions the status of identification in intersubjective relationships, and insists upon the unknowability of the other. In Eliot's retelling, the self-awareness promoted in Jane Eyre is not only insufficient, but also verges on self-absorption and even solipsism. One way in which Eliot enacts this revision is by shifting the focus of positive affective relationships away from models of identification. The change marks an evolution in our understanding of the way in which character and communal life is conceived by each author. More specifically, Eliot's revisions situate empathic response as being dependent upon the recognition of the radical alterity of the other.


This study is about young people (age 11-16) with diabetes. Based on fieldwork in a paediatric diabetes centre in Scotland, it describes the ways diabetes is lived and done by young people, their health carers and insulin pumps. This enactment is contrasted with other ways of doing diabetes, as observed on short fieldwork trips to paediatric centres in Brussels, Gothenburg and Boston. I explore the dynamics of diabetes care on two levels. I consider the interaction between health carers and patients. Comparative data from various paediatric centres make apparent how culturally and socially informed approaches towards adolescence, health and illness shape both care practices and patients' experiences, resulting in different medical outcomes. Concretely in the Scottish centre, a non-hierarchical holistic care approach by health carers emphasizing quality of life over health, informs the young people's perspective on diabetes. Being a free adolescent takes priority over managing diabetes, with the results of ill health and possible future complications. The existing dynamics in this care framework change as a third actor ente,rs the scene: the insulin pump, a pager-sized technological device continuously attached to the body. I explore the balancing act between young people and their pumps. As the adolescents actively engage with their pumps not to search for better health but rather to pursue a better quality of life, the guiding question becomes: how can a technological device for insulin injection double as a tool towards a desired identity and a different illness? This work then, can be read as a concrete case study of how a uniform technological device is embedded and used in a specific cultural and social context. It can also be read as an argument for a re-orientation of paediatric diabetes care in the Scottish centre: care centred on collaboration and inclusion rather than focused on merely containing underlying conflict (between adults and adolescents, diabetes and life, health and quality of life). Centres in Brussels, Gothenburg and Boston, and the insulin pump concretely, show how collaboration can lead to good health and quality of life. To leave us to wonder: is 'doing diabetes differently' synonymous with 'doing a different diabetes'?


The incentive thesis for patents is challenged by the existence of alternative means by which firms can capture returns on innovation. Taking into account patent alternatives yields a robust reformulation of the incentive thesis as mediated by organizational form. Patents enable innovators to make efficient selections of firm scope by transacting with least-cost suppliers of commercialization inputs. These expanded transactional opportunities reduce the minimum size of the market into which any innovator – or the supplier of any other technological or production input – can attempt entry. Disaggregation of the innovation and commercialization process then induces the formation of secondary markets in disembodied technology inputs. These organizational effects over transactional, firm and market structure generate specialization economies that minimize innovation and commercialization costs, which in turn exerts incentive effects consistent with the standard thesis and market growth effects that extend beyond it. Conversely, the absence of patents, and the resulting obstacles to bargaining over ideas, can compel innovators to select integrated structures that inflate commercialization costs, resulting in distorted R&D investment and product output. These proposed relationships are broadly consistent with organizational patterns in selected historical and contemporary technology markets, as illustrated in particular by disintegration processes in the "fabless" segment of the semiconductor market.


This research aims at answering the following questions: How do specialization patterns look like in member countries of Mercosur and how have they evolved over time? How do concentration patterns look like and how have they evolved over time? What are the main determinants of locational patterns? Did Mercosur have an impact on location of economic activities? What are the consequences for the smaller countries? Do we see production clusters? We analyse specialization, concentration, and locational patterns in Mercosur using production value data for the period 1971-1998. We identify the determinants of those patterns during the period 1985-1998 using econometric techniques. In addition, we calculate intraindustry trade statistics within Mercosur and with the Rest of the World for the period 1986-2001 in order to investigate the formation of clusters and uncover their determinants. We complement this analysis with a brief description of production developments in border regions with the purpose of determining whether this phenomenon has a specific spatial dimension. Finally, we draw some conclusions about the implications for smaller countries within the bloc and some lessons for upcoming trade initiatives such as a deepening of integration within the region, the establishment of FTAA, and a free trade agreement with the European Union.


Objective: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a metabolic disorder with several cardiovascular risk factors such as insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, Diabetes Mellitus (DM), obesity, abdominal fat accumulation, dyslipidemia and hypertension (HT). Recently, excessive emphasis has been put on the relationship between Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency and MS. However, studies are limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its association with metabolic syndrome and its components in Turkish women.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Ankara Training and Research Hospital Internal Diseases Polyclinic between February 2012 and August 2012. Patients were questioned about the use of medication for HT, DM and dyslipidemia as well as Calcium-Vit D. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference) were evaluated. Biochemical parameters related to Metabolic Syndrome such as the levels of fasting plasma glucose (mg/ dl), 2-h postprandial blood glucose (mg/dl), fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and 25 (OH) Vit D were studied. Levels of insulin and 25 (OH) Vit D were measured using DRG Diagnostics (DRG Instruments GmbH, Germany) ELISA kits and Tandem MassSpectrometer (Tandem-MS), respectively. Patients were assessed for MS according to the IDF (International Diabetes Foundation) criteria. Insulin sensitivity was assessed using the HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) method. The data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows 11.5 software package. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant for the results.
Results: The study included 191 adult female cases among patients presenting at the Internal Diseases Polyclinic, who met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of the patients was 47.1 ± 9.8 (22-73) y. There was no statistically significant difference in Vit D levels between the women with and without MS diagnosis based on IDF criteria (p>0.05). The results from the analysis of correlation between fasting blood glucose and Vit D levels were similar (p=0.447, p=0.255). There was a statistically significant correlation between fasting insulin levels, HOMA-IR and HDL (p 0.05). The correlation between TG levels and Vit D levels were similar (p:0.299). Components of the MS that were not associated with serum Vit D levels including waist circumference and blood pressure (p:0.259; p:0.621).
Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in this Turkish women population. Presence of metabolic syndrome was not associated with presence of vitamin D deficiency. We concluded that long-term and detailed studies with broad case series are required to investigate the relationship between Vit D deficiency and MS components.