Introduction Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer among Zimbabwean women; HIV positive women are disproportionately affected. Access to cervical cancer screening (CCS) is sub-optimal. To improve access, PSI-Zimbabwe integrated CCS with HIV testing services from September 2013. We used serial qualitative interviews to explore evolution of client views on service integration and barriers and facilitators to CCS uptake. Methods In-depth interviews were held with clients at four clinics providing integrated services in November/2013–March/2014 and November/2014–March/2015. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated and analysed thematically. Results 32 and 37 women accessing integrated services were interviewed in Phases 1&2 respectively. Participants (aged 18–52 years) included women who had declined CCS and women who had been screened. Demand increased and views on CCS became more positive over time. In both phases women were positive about services being integrated because it enabled i) access to services under one roof; ii) information to spread (many in Phase 1 had not known about CCS before visiting integrated services for other reasons). Other factors that facilitated CCS uptake were i) knowing someone who have suffered/died of cervical cancer, ii) peers iii) having suspicious symptoms iv) free services. Barriers were the same across phases; i) fear of cancer diagnosis which was greater among HIV positive women ii) concern that CCS is complex, women sometimes called it 'an operation' iii) belief that the cervix is very fragile and should not be tampered with, some feared that 'tampering' would cause cancer. Low risk perception was common with many believing that i) only old/HIV positive women are affected, ii) absence of signs/symptoms equates with low risk of disease. Conclusion Integration has increased access to CCS while also facilitating spread of information on CCS, resulting in more positive views over time. Interventions that address myths/misconceptions are likely to improve uptake of CCS. Disclosure of interest statement The study was funded by the Integrated Support Programme and no conflicts of interest are declared.


Visual messages are omnipresent in our daily life. They are constantly attempting to persuade us to buy, learn and act. Some are more successful than others in infl uencing our behavior and choices. What is the secret power of these messages? How do they succeed in changing our behavior?
This book analyzes advertising beyond the persuasive power of the imagery itself. It explains the psychology behind 33 effective infl uence techniques in visual persuasion and how to apply them.
The techniques range from infl uencing essentials to more obscure and insidious ones. The reader will gain deep insights into how visual means are constructed to infl uence behavior and decisionmaking on an unconscious level.
All techniques are supported by rich visual references and additional information on the psychology of behavior change. This publication is not just an eye-opener for professionals and students in the communications and design field, but also for anybody who wants to understand how our behavior is infl uenced unconsciously by advertising, social campaigns and governmental messages. The book is co-authored by leading figures in social infl uence and visual persuasion. It is designed as an accessible modern reference book for creating and understanding persuasive visual imagery. It will open your eyes, we promise!
* The psychology behind communication
* Eye-opening for professionals and the general public
* Leading authors in social influence and visual persuasion


ScorpiusTM is a Microcosm program, under two Phase III Small Business Innovation Research contracts at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate. The ScorpiusTM program is to develop an entirely new launch vehicle family with the objective of reducing total launch cost by a factor of 5 to 10. This paper reports on status and substantial progress of the program since our last USU update. Specifically, the Sprite Mini-Lift Vehicle is projected to have a first DT&E flight in the first quarter of 2001 and first production flight in the first quarter of 2002. It has a planned payload capability of 440 lb. to low Earth orbit (due east launch). Total cost to orbit of the system is projected at $2 million (FY99$) after 10 launches. System development has focused initially on smaller suborbital and orbital vehicles, although system level design has been done for vehicles ranging from a small, single engine suborbital, the SR-S, to massive heavy lift vehicles capable of putting 160,000 lb. into low-Earth orbit. The first test vehicle, the SR-S suborbital, was successfully launched at White Sands Missile Range on Jan. 27, 1999 and a larger single stage suborbital is scheduled for launch in late 1999. * Copyright 1999, Microcosm, Inc. † Work on the Scorpius program is funded by the US Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicle Directorate; BMDO; NASA Marshall Space Flight Center; and Microcosm internal R&D.


As a young pathologist, Donald A.B. Lindberg, M.D., tirelessly sought scientific solutions to clinical and research problems. Directing several clinical laboratories at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Dr. Lindberg developed the world's first computerized laboratory information system, speeding analysis and reporting. He directed his team in building computer systems to help clinicians retrieve medical knowledge, enable patients to find information about personal or family health issues, and provide expert automated assistance to physicians in reaching differential diagnoses outside their specialties. Developing superior functionalities with the limited information technologies of the time, Dr. Lindberg's pioneering work in Columbia foreshadowed his subsequent inspired leadership as Director of the United States National Library of Medicine.


Communication networks are often partitioned into tiers to provide a convenient framework for their optimization, graceful growth, and evolution. We extend the application of the Network Global Expectation model, which we have recently described, by considering a two-tier architecture for a communication network and analyzing the corresponding network requirements and costs using expectation values evaluated over the entire network. We also explicitly treat nonuniform traffic in the form of population-dependent demand. The capability of the model is illustrated by demonstrating scenarios for which the two-tier architecture may be used to reduce the cost of an optical fiber backbone network relative to a single-tier solution.


Human rIL-4 is able to induce the expression of low-affinity receptors for IgE (Fc epsilon RL/CD23) on resting B lymphocytes, as determined by the binding of either the anti Fc epsilon RL/CD23-specific mAb 25 or IgE. Stimulation of B cells with insolubilized anti-IgM antibody increases the number of cells expressing Fc epsilon RL/CD23 upon culturing with IL-4 and enhances the level of Fc epsilon RL/CD23 expression on these cells. Fc epsilon RL/CD23 induction is specific for IL-4 since IL-1 alpha, IL-2, IFN-gamma, B cell-derived B cell growth factor (BCGF), and a low-molecular-weight BCGF were ineffective. IFN- gamma strongly inhibited the induction of Fc epsilon RL/CD23 by IL-4.


Ribosome dynamics play an essential role in orchestrating all stages of protein synthesis. Recent
biochemical, structural and computational studies have shown large-scale conformational
changes of the ribosome, its tRNA substrates and translation factors during the elongation phase
of protein synthesis. Dynamic movements of the ribosome not only govern the translation
process but are also targeted by many antibiotics resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis.
Therefore, complete understanding of conformational rearrangements in the ribosome will
improve our knowledge about translation mechanism and its regulation which will also help to
design novel antibiotics. One of the key dynamic processes important for ensuring forward
movement of the tRNA-mRNA complex during translocation is the rotation of the small subunit
(SSU) of the ribosome relative to the large subunit (LSU). Ribosomal subunits rotate
spontaneously, i.e. in the absence of auxiliary translation factors, in the counterclockwise (CCW)
direction upon the formation of deacylated tRNA in the P site of the ribosome as a result of
peptide bond formation. Elongation factor G (EF-G) promotes the tRNA-mRNA translocation at
the cost of GTP hydrolysis, which is accompanied by the clockwise (CW) rotation of the SSU.
However, the exact role of subunit rotation in translocation is not properly understood.
In this thesis, I present the real time kinetics of spontaneous subunit rotation and show
how EF-G promotes and coordinates the rotation of the subunits with the movement of the tRNAmRNA
complex along the ribosome. We used ribosomal subunits labeled with fluorescence
reporters forming a FRET (Forster resonance energy transfer) pair and monitored the kinetics of
subunit rotation relative to peptide bond formation and translocation using ensemble kinetics and
single-molecule FRET (smFRET). We observed that spontaneous rotation of the SSU in CCW
direction is rapid and reversible and is independent of the rate of preceding step of peptide bond
formation. EF-G binding to the ribosome in the non-rotated state accelerates CCW rotation of the
SSU by 5-fold. The transition back of the SSU body in clockwise (CW) direction to the non-rotated
state starts early on the translocation pathway and precedes CW movement of the SSU head but
overall coincides kinetically with the tRNA-mRNA translocation. The uncoupling of the movement
of body and head of the SSU results in unlocking of the ribosome that allows translocation of the
tRNA-mRNA complex. In addition, we show how the smooth synchronized motion of the SSU body
and head can be perturbed by diverse antibiotics. Our work demonstrates how large-scale
thermally driven movements of the ribosome are gated by its ligands such as EF-G, tRNAs and
antibiotics.


The human gut microbiome is composed of 100 trillion microorganisms that create complex foreign to local interactions. Current research suggests variability of microbes relevant to type of subject (i.e. humans, mice), gravity of disease, age, glucose intake or weight of subjects. The goal of this review is to determine the role of nutrition in human gut microbiota of type 2 diabetics, determining the causative, preventative and correlative role of microbe-host interaction in type 2 diabetes and seeking interventions to prevent toxic formation of microbes. Sufficient data will be closely examined, including research methodologies studies, advanced techniques utilized in the interface between human gut microbiome and diabetes. Nutritional intake accounts for 57% in the alteration of intestinal integrity and diabetes development while genetics only accounts for 12%. Therefore, scrutinizing dietary behavior is crucial in determining the formation of diverse microbiome. According to studies present, we conclude that probiotics are immensely correlated with preventing T2D. Carbohydrates had dual role, positive and negative in modulating inflammatory processes that cause T2D. Complex Carbohydrates positively modulated T2D through short chain fatty acids. High fatty acids such as omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines which inhibit T2D. Protein rich diets decreased proinflammatory pathways depending on amino acids like glutamate. Symbiotic microorganisms in the gut are modulated by dietary compounds, minimizing and further eradicating the proliferation of pathogenic microbial population.


Angiogenesis, the process through which new blood vessels arise from preexisting ones, is regulated by several "classic" factors, among which the most studied are vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). In recent years, investigations showed that, in addition to the classic factors, numerous endogenous peptides play a relevant regulatory role in angiogenesis. Such regulatory peptides, each of which exerts well-known specific biological activities, are present, along with their receptors, in the blood vessels and may take part in the control of the "angiogenic switch." An in vivo and in vitro proangiogenic effect has been demonstrated for erythropoietin, angiotensin II (ANG-II), endothelins (ETs), adrenomedullin (AM), proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP), urotensin-II, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, neuropeptide-Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and substance P. There is evidence that the angiogenic action of some of these peptides is at least partly mediated by their stimulating effect on VEGF (ANG-II, ETs, PAMP, resistin, VIP and PACAP) and/or FGF-2 systems (PAMP and leptin). AM raises the expression of VEGF in endothelial cells, but VEGF blockade does not affect the proangiogenic action of AM. Other endogenous peptides have been reported to exert an in vivo and in vitro antiangiogenic action. These include somatostatin and natriuretic peptides, which suppress the VEGF system, and ghrelin, that antagonizes FGF-2 effects. Investigations on "nonclassic" regulators of angiogenesis could open new perspectives in the therapy of diseases coupled to dysregulation of angiogenesis.


Abstract. In this article, we present a study on the surface energy balance of a polygonal tundra landscape in northeast Siberia. The study was performed during half-year periods from April to September in each of 2007 and 2008. The surface energy balance is obtained from independent measurements of the net radiation, the turbulent heat fluxes, and the ground heat flux at several sites. Short-wave radiation is the dominant factor controlling the magnitude of all the other components of the surface energy balance during the entire observation period. About 50% of the available net radiation is consumed by the latent heat flux, while the sensible and the ground heat flux are each around 20 to 30%. The ground heat flux is mainly consumed by active layer thawing. About 60% of the energy storage in the ground is attributed to the phase change of soil water. The remainder is used for soil warming down to a depth of 15 m. In particular, the controlling factors for the surface energy partitioning are snow cover, cloud cover, and the temperature gradient in the soil. The thin snow cover melts within a few days, during which the equivalent of about 20% of the snow-water evaporates or sublimates. Surface temperature differences of the heterogeneous landscape indicate spatial variabilities of sensible and latent heat fluxes, which are verified by measurements. However, spatial differences in the partitioning between sensible and latent heat flux are only measured during conditions of high radiative forcing, which only occur occasionally.


After having been for decades the province of a relatively small group of scholars, the Hellenistic polis has become central to the research agenda of Ancient historians more broadly. This development can be traced from the early nineties of the last century, and has picked up pace in a sustained fashion at the turn of the millennium. Recent research has started approaching the Greek polis of the centuries between Alexander and Cleopatra as a specific historical phenomenon, striving to define its most peculiar aspects from as many angles as possible, and to point to new avenues of interpretation that might contribute to recognizing its historical role. In this general framework, this volume attempts to explore new lines of thought, to question established ways of reading the evidence, and to take stock of recent developments. The contributors do not subscribe to any particular shared approach; on the contrary, their approaches and questions stem from many different scholarly traditions and methodologies. Rather than seeking to achieve a complete coverage, the volume provides a selection of current research agendas, in many cases offering glimpses of ongoing projects.


One measure of the communicative function of gestures is to test how speakers' gestures are influenced by whether an addressee can see them or not, that is, by manipulating visibility between participants. We question traditional dependent variables (i.e., rate measures), suggesting that they may have been insufficient for capturing essential differences in the gestures speakers use in each condition. We propose that investigating the qualitative features of gestures is a more nuanced, and ultimately more informative approach. We examined how speakers distributed information between their gestures and words, testing whether this distribution was affected by the visibility of their addressee. Twenty pairs of undergraduates took part in conversations that were either face to face (n = 10) or on the telephone (n = 10). Each speaker described a drawing of an elaborate dress to the addressee. We used a semantic feature analysis to analyze descriptions of the dress' skirt and assessed when words or gestures contributed information about five categories pertaining to features of the skirt's unusual shape. Although speakers' rates of gesturing and number of words did not vary significantly between conditions, speakers contributed more information and conveyed more categories in their gestures when the addressee would see them, while words carried the informational burden when addressees would not see the gestures (p's < .001). These results suggest that gestures serve a communicative function. The semantic feature analysis is thus an example of how to explore gestures' qualitative features within a quantitative paradigm.


Introduction: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a non-halophilic microbe and is used to indicate faecal contamination. Salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) is a common food additive and is used in preservatives to counter microbial growth. Previous studies had shown that pathogenic E. coli has a higher salt tolerance than non-pathogenic E. coli. The effect of how E. coli interacts with the salt present in the human diet is under-studied. Thus, it is important to investigate this relationship. Methods: In this study, we observed the genetic changes and growth kinetics of E. coli ATCC 8739 under 3% 11% NaCl over 80 passages. Growth kinetics was estimated by generation time, cell density and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NaCl. Results: Our results suggested that E. coli was able to adapt from 1% NaCl to 11% NaCl with an increment of 1% NaCl per month. Our MIC results suggested that E. coli was able to grow at NaCl concentration of more than 7.5% based on the Area under Curve (AUC) from 5% at passage 44 (cultured in 5% NaCl) to 13% at passage 72 (cultured at 7% NaCl). Conclusion: We conclude that E. coli ATCC 8739 can be adapted to grow in 11% NaCl by incremental adaptation.


In a series of weather exposure tests of sheet duralumin, upon which accelerated corrosion tests in the laboratory by the wet-and-dry corrosion method in a sodium chloride solution has already been carried out, a close parallelism between the results of the two kinds of tests was found to exist. The exposure tests showed that the lack of permanence of sheet duralumin is largely, if not entirely, due to corrosion. A corrosion attack of an intercrystalline nature is very largely responsible for the degree of embrittlement produced. The rate of embrittlement was greatly accelerated by a marine atmosphere and by the tropical climate. Variations in corrosion and embrittlement are noted in relation to heat treatment, cold working, and types of protective coatings.


A Good Read Theory of Mind is the human capacity to comprehend that other people hold beliefs and desires and that these may differ from one's own beliefs and desires. The currently predominant view is that literary fiction—often described as narratives that focus on in-depth portrayals of subjects' inner feelings and thoughts—can be linked to theory of mind processes, especially those that are involved in the understanding or simulation of the affective characteristics of the subjects. Kidd and Castano (p. 377, published online 3 October) provide experimental evidence that reading passages of literary fiction, in comparison to nonfiction or popular fiction, does indeed enhance the reader's performance on theory of mind tasks. Experimental evidence suggests that reading good fiction helps us to understand others. Understanding others' mental states is a crucial skill that enables the complex social relationships that characterize human societies. Yet little research has investigated what fosters this skill, which is known as Theory of Mind (ToM), in adults. We present five experiments showing that reading literary fiction led to better performance on tests of affective ToM (experiments 1 to 5) and cognitive ToM (experiments 4 and 5) compared with reading nonfiction (experiments 1), popular fiction (experiments 2 to 5), or nothing at all (experiments 2 and 5). Specifically, these results show that reading literary fiction temporarily enhances ToM. More broadly, they suggest that ToM may be influenced by engagement with works of art.


The propagation of one and two electron beams in a plasma is considered in the case when the source is time-dependent. When the electron-plasmon interaction time is assumed to be much less than the electron flying-off time, the main gasdynamic equations are obtained on the basis of the quasilinear theory of weak turbulence. The solution for a monoenergetic beam is a beam–plasma structure moving with constant velocity. In general, two beams propagate as two beam–plasma structures with constant velocities. However, the second electron beam influences the flying-off dynamics of both beams. This peculiar interaction modifies the shapes of the structures.


Oligodendrocytes are produced from the same region of the ventral spinal cord that earlier generated motor neurons in bird and rodent embryos. Motor neuron and oligodendrocyte precursor cells express Olig genes, which encode basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors that play important roles in the development of both motor neurons and oligodendrocytes. We found that oligodendrocytes develop similarly in zebrafish embryos, in that they arise from ventral spinal cord and migrate to new positions. Developing primary motor neurons and oligodendrocytes express olig2 as do neural plate cells that give rise to both primary motor neurons and oligodendrocytes. Loss of olig2 function prevented primary motor neuron and oligodendrocyte development, whereas olig2 overexpression promoted formation of excess primary motor neurons and oligodendrocytes. We provide genetic evidence that Hedgehog signaling is required for zebrafish olig2 expression and oligodendrocyte development. However, olig2 overexpression did not promote primary motor neuron or oligodendrocyte development in embryos with reduced Hedgehog signaling activity. One possibility consistent with these data is that Hedgehog signaling, partly by inducing olig2 expression, specifies neural precursor cells that have potential for primary motor neuron or oligodendrocyte fate.


Sustainable aspects are of increasing importance concerning the chances in the market, the reliability of performance, and the duration of the life cycle of buildings. Aside from their impact on the condition of the environment, sustainability serves primarily occupiers and tenants. This is of strong influence on the economical success of an investment. The question arises, why planning, constructing and running of buildings still lack of strategies that take sustainable criteria into account. Do the actors need more information about how to deal with such goals? Is there a problem of knowledge or of acceptance? But the reason can be suspected elsewhere. The commonly uses methods in the decision making process are not able to properly picture the chances and risks of real estate developments considering sustainable aspects. This paper takes a close look at selected techniques that are frequently used during the initiating process of a development. These techniques are for instance: the net present value method, the cost-benefit analysis and the real estate analysis. Decision-making is a constant task for all the actors during the whole life cycle of a building. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that there are a lot of decisions being made that counteract with sustainable strategies only because people don't have access to adequate means. This research project deals with the requirements for developing relevant methods and the impact on the users.


This article explores the nexus between life (dis)satisfaction, migration aspirations and return and development within the context of a previously relatively developed but in the meantime deprived post-Soviet country, Ukraine. It is based on a mixed method quantitative and qualitative study conducted from 2010 to 2013. Three key findings have been emerging. First, life dissatisfaction significantly contributes to the emergence of migration aspirations and thus is an important driver of migration. This points to a correlation between the state of development of a country, according life (dis)satisfaction of its populations' and their propensity to migrate. Second, the study suggests that the better educated have stronger intentions to migrate abroad; this trend rather undermines the country's capability to develop further. And third, our findings suggest that (a) expected dissatisfaction with life in Ukraine upon return undermines migrants' aspirations to return or to stay and instead inspires remigration and (b) that those who return have little incentive to invest skills and capital and thereby contribute to the country's development. This raises various policy concerns for so far absent diaspora politics or reintegration measures which we will discuss.


The essential purpose of a pallet racking system is to support the largest load possible in relation to its self weight, while maintaining ready access to individual pallets and preventing damage to stored goods. This should be achieved within the constraints imposed by design and safety considerations. This basic requirement has ensured that most current rack designs consist of thin-walled (<3mm) steel elements whose self weight typically accounts for between 2% to 3% of the total weight of the structure. In general, the design is complicated by the semi-rigid nature of beam/upright and upright/floor connections, and by the use of perforated upright members in large, multistorey sway frames.Currently, a UK code exists (SEMA) to design racking installations using a permissible stress philosophy. However, the development of limit state design in conjunction with advances in computing power and the emergence of the single European market have combined to create an environment in which the development of a new European design code has become logical and desireable. A code has been developed at the request of the European industrial pallet racking manufacturers association (FEM), to take account of the latest developments in steel design. When the FEM code has been fully evaluated (to April 2000), and assuming that no modifications are necessary, it will be implemented as a Euro-norm with the intention of replacing all of the national codes in Europe. This thesis is intended to form a part of that evaluation process. The purpose of this document is to examine the performance of a single manufacturers industrial pallet racking system in relation to the FEM code. In the first instance, this involved the design and application of suitable experimental procedures, followed by the completion of a sufficient number of tests to generate a reliable statistical characterisation of each of the components in the system. Approximately 2000 tests were completed during the course of this exercise. An approach was subsequently established using this characteristic test data, and based on the recommendations contained within the FEM, in order to predict the load capacity of any given racking system. To this end, the use of finite element predictive software was investigated, typically incorporating second order analysis techniques to the treatment of sway frames with loose and semirigid connections. This 'novel' design approach has been documented using a detailed worked example. Any considerations necessary for the purposes of design are included within a full design procedure.The European code has subsequently been compared to the national SEMA code, in order that an assessment can be made of the accuracy and limitations of each. This includes an investigation into the key differences between test methodologies and the interpretation of experimental results. In addition, twenty eight structures possessing a broad range of rack geometries have been analysed using each code, in order that conclusions can be drawn on the consequences for the UK racking industry of designing to a new European code. This investigation has calculated a mean reduction in load carrying capacity of 15.2% for FEM designed rack, with a range distributed between a 12.8% increase in capacity to a 36.5% reduction. This is the first indication available as to the effect of the implementation of the FEM code on the load capacity of racking. Finally, a sensitivity analysis has been performed on twenty four further structures to identify some of the critical factors that are most influential in determining the load carrying capacity of a rack, based on the design approach already identified. Variables included: beam end connector looseness; moment capacity and rotational stiffness; floor connector stiffness and upright yield stress.


The capacity for molecular hydrogen (H2) to hydrogenate oxygen and carbon is critical to the origin of life and represents the basis for all known life-forms. Major sources of H2 that strictly involve nonbiological processes and inorganic reactants include (1) the reduction of water during the oxidation of iron in minerals, (2) water splitting due to radioactive decay, (3) degassing of magma at low pressures, and (4) the reaction of water with surface radicals during mechanical breaking of silicate rocks. None of these processes seem to significantly affect the current global atmospheric budget of H2, yet there is substantial H2 cycling in a wide range of Earth's subsurface environments, with multifaceted implications for microbial ecosystems.


Preface. Dedication. Contributors. 1 Cell Wall Polysaccharide Composition and Covalent Crosslinking (Stephen C. Fry). 1.1 Remit. 1.2 The classic primary cell walls of dicots. 1.3 Secondary cell walls. 1.4 Taxonomic consideration of primary cell walls. 1.5 Covalent bonds between wall polysaccharides. 1.6 Methodology. 1.7 Conclusions. Acknowledgements. References. 2 Dissection of Plant Cell Walls by High-throughput Methods (Staffan Persson, Iben Sorensen, Isabel Moller, William Willats and Markus Pauly). 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Enzyme fingerprinting. 2.3 Structural determination of oligosaccharides. 2.4 Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). 2.5 Microarray-based polymer profiling. 2.6 Additional high-throughput methods. 2.7 Future perspectives. References. 3 Approaches to Chemical Synthesis of Pectic Oligosaccharides (Sergey A. Nepogodiev, Robert A. Field and Iben Damager). 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Pectic polysaccharides: structures and availability of fragments from natural sources. 3.3 Reported preparations of pectic oligosaccharides by chemical synthesis. 3.4 Oligosaccharide synthesis - basic principles and key features. 3.5 Synthesis of homogalacturonan fragments. 3.6 Rhamnogalacturonan-II fragments. 3.7 Rhamnogalacturonan-I fragments. 3.8 Future perspective. References. 4 Annotating Carbohydrate-active Enzymes in Plant Genomes: Present Challenges (Pedro M. Coutinho and Bernard Henrissat). 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 CAZy: what's behind the name? 4.3 Plant CAZymes: the quest for 'function'. 4.4 Plant CAZymes: problems in functional annotation. References. 5 Biosynthesis of Plant Cell Wall and Related Polysaccharides by Enzymes of the GT2 and GT48 Families (Bruce A. Stone, Andrew K. Jacobs, Maria Hrmova, Rachel A. Burton and Geoffrey B. Fincher). 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Structures and distribution of ss-d-glucans synthesized by GT2 and GT48 enzymes. 5.3 Early biochemical approaches to plant ss-d-glucan synthases. 5.4 Functional genomics and the identification of GT2 cellulose synthases. 5.5 Identification of the functions of other GT2 enzymes from plants. 5.6 Comparative genomics and the identification of GT2 (1,3 1,4)-ss-d-glucan synthases. 5.7 Genes for GT2 synthases for bacterial (1,3)-ss-d-glucans and related polysaccharide. 5.8 Enzymic properties and catalytic mechanisms of the GT2 proteins. 5.9 Subcellular locations of GT2 enzymes in plants. 5.10 Proteomics and biochemical approaches to the identification of GT48 (1,3)-ss-d-glucan synthases from plants. 5.11 Enzymic properties of the GT48 proteins. 5.12 Future role of biochemistry in the characterization of GT2 and GT48 enzymes. 5.13 Applications of modified levels of plant ss-d-glucans. Acknowledgements. References. 6 Glycosyltransferases of the GT8 Family (Yanbin Yin, Debra Mohnen, Ivana Gelineo-Albersheim, Ying Xu and Michael G. Hahn ). 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Phylogeny of family GT8. 6.3 GT8 clades related to plant cell wall polysaccharide synthesis. 6.4 GT8 clades not related to cell wall synthesis. 6.5 Conclusions. Acknowledgements. References. 7 Genes and Enzymes of the GT31 Family: Towards Unravelling the Function(s) of the Plant Glycosyltransferase Family Members (Jack Egelund, Miriam Ellis, Monika Doblin, Yongmei Qu and Antony Bacic). 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Identification and characterization of the first ss-(1,3)-GalTs. 7.3 Grouping of accessions based on their phylogenetic relationship. 7.4 Conserved motifs and implications for catalysis. 7.5 Domains conserved within the plant-specific clades. 7.6 Conclusions. Acknowledgements. References. 8 Glycosyltransferases of the GT34 and GT37 Families (Kenneth Keegstra and David Cavalier). 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Family GT37 enzymes. 8.3 Family GT34 enzymes. 8.4 Concluding comments. References. 9 Glycosyltransferases of the GT43 Family (Nadine Anders and Paul Dupree). 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 GT43 glycosyltransferases in plants - putative ss-1,4-xylosyltransferases. 9.3 GT43 glycosyltransferases in animals - ss-1,3-glucuronosyltransferases. 9.4 Structural characteristics of GT43 proteins 9.5 Concluding remarks. References. 10 Glycosyltransferases of the GT47 Family (Naomi Geshi, Jesper Harholt, Yumiko Sakuragi, Jacob Kruger Jensen and Henrik Vibe Scheller). 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Phylogenetic analysis of CAZy GT47. 10.3 Group A. 10.4 Group D. 10.5 Group B. 10.6 Group C. 10.7 Subcellular localization and protein-protein interactions. 10.8 Conclusion. References. 11 The Plant Glycosyltransferase Family GT64: in Search of a Function (Ellinor Edvardsson, Sunil Kumar Singh, Min-Soo Yun, Agata Mansfeld, Marie-Theres Hauser and Alan Marchant). 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 GT64 family members are found in a diverse range of species. 11.3 The Arabidopsis GT64 family. 11.4 Possible activities of the plant GT64 enzymes. 11.5 Concluding remarks. References. 12 Glycosyltransferases of the GT77 Family (Bent Larsen Petersen, Kirsten Faber and Peter Ulvskov). 12.1 Introduction. 12.2 The oldest cell wall. 12.3 Pfam and fold prediction. 12.4 Establishing GT77. 12.5 Discussion. Acknowledgments. References. 13 Hydroxyproline-rich Glycoproteins: Form and Function (Marcia J. Kieliszewski, Derek T.A. Lamport, Li Tan and Maura C. Canno). 13.1 Introduction. 13.2 Post-translational modifications. 13.3 Molecular function, biological role. 13.4 Evolution. 13.5 Epilogue. Acknowledgments. References. 14 Plant Cell Wall Biology: Polysaccharides in Architectural and Developmental Contexts (Maureen C. McCann and J. Paul Knox). 14.1 Introduction. 14.2 Plant cell wall biology basics. 14.3 Analytical tools to study cell wall microstructures and the diversity of cell wall architectures. 14.4 Cell wall architectures: primary cell walls. 14.5 In vitro polysaccharide composites. 14.6 Cell wall diversity. 14.7 Cell wall architectures: secondary cell walls. 14.8 Prospects for plant cell wall biology. Acknowledgements. References. 15 Enzymatic Modification of Plant Cell Wall Polysaccharides (Jens Obro, Takahisa Hayashi and Jorn Dalgaard Mikkelsen). 15.1 Introduction. 15.2 In vivo modifications. 15.3 Post-harvest modifications. 15.4 Perspectives. Acknowledgments. References. 16 Production of Heterologous Storage Polysaccharides in Potato Plants (Xing-Feng Huang, Jean-Paul Vincken, Richard G.F. Visser and Luisa M. Trindade). 16.1 Introduction. 16.2 Starch: native and modified starch, consequences for its properties. 16.3 Production of novel storage polysaccharides in plants. 16.4 Final remarks. References. 17 Glycan Engineering in Transgenic Plant (Muriel Bardor, Jose A. Cremata and Patrice Lerouge). 17.1 Introduction. 17.2 N-glycosylation: a major post-translational modification of secreted proteins. 17.3 Strategies for glycan engineering in transgenic plants. 17.4 Conclusions. Acknowledgements. References. 18 Polysaccharide Nanobiotechnology: A Case Study of Dental Implant Coating (Marco Morra, Clara Cassinelli, Giovanna Cascardo, Hanna Kokkonen, Juha Tuukkanen, Claudio Della Volpe, Stefano Siboni, Giordano Segatta, Marco Brugnara and Giacomo Ceccone). 18.1 Introduction: titanium dental implants and surface modifications. 18.2 Rationale for the surface modification of titanium dental implants by nanolayers of MHRs. 18.3 Surface modification of titanium dental implants by MHRs. 18.4 Reflections and conclusions. Acknowledgments. References. Index.


Background: Bread is the staple food of Iranian society. Attention to its health and hygiene is important. Nowadays, the use of baking soda in the production of bread has seen by most of bakers which is because of producing bread with more beautiful and appearance and is more public acceptance. Methods: In this cross-sectional study that 40 people were taken, consumer satisfaction of prepared Barbari bread using three types additives Fenugreek juice, baking soda, and tomato juice by means of questionnaires were evaluated. Results: The results of this study showed that consumer satisfaction of taste and smell (34 of 40), appearance, glazing, and quality (36 of 40) of prepared bread by tomato juice was more than Fenugreek juice and baking soda. Consumer satisfaction of taste, smell, appearance, glazing, quality, shopping satisfaction, and quality of bread over time of three types of additives (baking soda, tomato juice, and Fenugreek juice) was significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Tomato juice has the attributes necessary for public acceptance and satisfaction of consumers, nevertheless donrt have the complications of baking soda. So it can be a reasonable alternative for the processing of bread dough instead of baking soda.


In this paper a procedure for subjective evaluation of the new JPEG XR codec for compression of still pictures is described in details. The new algorithm has been compared to the existing JPEG and JPEG 2000 standards when considering compression of high resolution 24 bpp pictures, by mean of a campaign of subjective quality assessment tests which followed the guidelines defined by the AIC JPEG ah-hoc group. Sixteen subjects took part in experiments at EPFL and each subject participated in four test sessions, scoring a total of 208 test stimuli. A detailed procedure for statistical analysis of subjective data is also proposed and performed. The obtained results show high consistency and allow an accurate comparison of codec performance.


We present results from the LymAn Continuum Escape Survey (LACES), a Hubble Space Telescope (HST) program designed to characterize the ionizing radiation emerging from a sample of Lyα-emitting galaxies at redshift z ≃ 3.1. As many show intense [O iii] emission characteristic of z > 6.5 star-forming galaxies, they may represent valuable low-redshift analogs of galaxies in the reionization era. Using HST Wide Field Camera 3/UVIS F336W to image Lyman continuum emission, we investigate the escape fraction of ionizing photons in this sample. For 61 sources, of which 77% are spectroscopically confirmed and 53 have measures of [O iii] emission, we detect Lyman continuum leakage in 20%, a rate significantly higher than is seen in individual continuum-selected Lyman break galaxies. We estimate that there is a 98% probability that ≤2 of our detections could be affected by foreground contamination. Fitting multiband spectral energy distributions (SEDs) to take account of the varying stellar populations, dust extinctions and metallicities, we derive individual Lyman continuum escape fractions corrected for foreground intergalactic absorption. We find escape fractions of 15%–60% for individual objects and infer an average 20% escape fraction by fitting composite SEDs for our detected samples. Surprisingly, however, even a deep stack of those sources with no individual F336W detections provides a stringent upper limit on the average escape fraction of less than 0.5%. We examine various correlations with source properties and discuss the implications in the context of the popular picture that cosmic reionization is driven by such compact, low-metallicity star-forming galaxies.


Purpose – This paper aims to report on a case in which encouraging climate-smart agriculture in the form of
better irrigation techniques in India can contribute to both climate change mitigation and adaptation goals by
improving resource-use efficiency. It provides grounded institutional analysis on how these transformations
can occur.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors based their research on three complementary approaches:
institutional, sociological and technical. The institutional approach analyzed actors and interests in the waterenergy nexus in India via over 25 semi-structured key informant interviews. The sociological approach surveyed
over 50 farmers and equipment suppliers for insight into technology adoption. The technical component
analyzed water and energy consumption data to calculate potential benefits from transitioning to more efficient
techniques.
Findings – Because policymakers have a preference for voluntary policy instruments over coercive reforms,
distortions in policy and market arenas can provide opportunities for embedded actors to leverage technology
and craft policy bargains which facilitate Pareto superior reforms and, thereby, avoid stalemates in
addressing climate change. Enlarging the solution space to include more actors and interests can facilitate
such bargains more than traditional bilateral exchanges.
Practical implications – The analysis provides insights into crafting successful climate action policies in
an inhospitable institutional terrain.
Originality/value – Studies about climate change politics generally focus on stalemates and portray the
private sector as resistant and a barrier to climate action. This paper analyzes a contrary phenomenon,
showing how reforms can be packaged in Pareto superior formats to overcome policy stalemates and generate
technology-based climate and environmental co-benefits in even unpromising terrain such as technologically
laggard and economically constrained populations.


The Bangladeshi readymade garment (RMG) sector is an important feature of the country's economic development, as it is the highest contributor to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Bangladesh. This industry initiated a revolution in the employment sector particularly through involving women in the workplace, in a culture where employment of women remains rare. While offering new opportunities to women, this sector has failed to ensure a secure and safe working environment for female employees. Consequently, women workers are vulnerable to multiple hazards, frequent disasters, and adverse occupational health outcomes. These vulnerabilities have become a prime concern for national and international communities, particularly highlighted by the devastation of the Rana Plaza factory collapse on 24 April 2013. Within this context, this paper focuses on the existing nature of vulnerabilities produced from the routine work, as is required for women employed in the RMG sector. The study primarily draws on first-hand interviews with women who had direct work-related experiences with the Rana Plaza disaster. The findings suggest that the politicization of the RMG sector, the power of political forces, and factory owner's tendency toward primitive accumulation (theorized as more money through less investment), are primarily responsible for this unprecedented disaster in the garment sector of Bangladesh. At an individual level, Rana Plaza survivors are still reeling from the disaster and in the absence of political will and social support, are deeply vulnerable to further morbidity and mortality related to this workplace disaster.


Nanostructured host-guest materials are important for various applications in nanoscience, and therefore, a thorough understanding of the dynamics of the guest molecules within the host matrix is needed. To this aim we used single-molecule fluorescence techniques to simultaneously examine the spectral and the orientational behavior of single molecules in nanostructured porous host materials. Two types of host-guest systems have been investigated. First, oxazine-1 dye molecules were fixed rigidly in the channels of microporous AlPO4-5 crystals. Second, it was shown that terrylenediimide (TDI) dye molecules move in the mesoporous network of an uncalcined M41S thin film. In the first sample both spectral fluctuations ( approximately 5 nm) and rare spectral jumps (>10 nm) of the emission maximum were observed. However, the orientation of the emission dipole of the dye molecules remained constant. In contrast, the second system showed orientational dynamics as well as substantially more spectral dynamics. In this system the molecules were found to move between different regions in the host. The typical motion of the TDI molecules in the pores of M41S was not continuous but characterized by jumps between specific sites. Moreover, the spectral and orientational dynamics were correlated and arose directly from the different environments that were being explored by the mobile molecule.


Abstract. Significance: This study is a preliminary step toward the identification of a noninvasive and reliable tool for monitoring the presence and progress of gaiting dysfunctions. Aim: We present the results of a pilot study for monitoring the motor cortex hemodynamic response function (HRF) in freely walking subjects, with time-domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy (TD fNIRS). Approach: A compact and wearable single-channel TD fNIRS oximeter was employed. The lower limb motor cortex area of three healthy subjects was monitored while performing two different freely moving gaiting tasks: forward and backward walking. Results: The time course of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin was measured during the different walking tasks. Brain motor cortex hemodynamic activations have been analyzed throughout an adaptive HRF fitting procedure, showing a greater involvement of motor area in the backward walking task. By comparison with the HRF obtained in a finger-tapping task performed in a still condition, we excluded any effect of motion artifacts in the gaiting tasks. Conclusions: For the first time to our knowledge, the hemodynamic motor cortex response was measured by TD fNIRS during natural, freely walking exercises. The cortical response during forward and backward walking shows differences, possibly related to the diverse involvement of the motor cortex in the two types of gaiting.


Businesses continually face critical challenges: the global economic crisis of 1929, the oil crises of 1973 and 1979/80 and the bursting of the dot-com bubble in early 2000 are all examples of historical significance. What these external influences have in common is that they were, to a greater or lesser extent, unforeseen and therefore difficult to manage. Moreover, they had a short- to midterm influence on the global economy and certainly changed the way of understanding and conducting business nowadays. This change directly corresponds to the purpose of this master's thesis, which in great part results from an increasing need to rethink different aspects of human capital. Nevertheless, there are great discrepancies concerning the predictability and the chronological impact of demographic change. According to Thomas A. Stewart who published in the Harvard Business Review, "the necessary information had been baked into the demographic pie long before," and "is almost always visible for years before it hits" (Stewart 2004: 10) Realising this particular issue it seems that there are mainly two possible reasons why most businesses, although aware of the significance, do not factor the demographic change into their decision-making process. Firstly, companies within their foresight might not consider the demographic change capable of severe impact within the next years. Secondly, addressing this subject matter may provoke tension, rejection, or even insurgency from senior employees. The latter issue is a rather heated subject in America, as "employers are also often afraid to discuss retirement plans for fear of lawsuits under age-discrimination legislation" (The Economist 2006: 67). Whether it is not yet perceptible or simply unpleasant and difficult to address, organisations will have to face both an aging workforce and consequently also a labour shortage within the next decade. Hence, visualising these two interconnected aspects in all their facets is of great importance for economic survival and, even more evidentiary, for a comparative advantage. Over the past years, different publications clarified that many older employees will have to stay in the workforce because they simply cannot be replaced due to a lack of qualified, or even existing, young workers. Moreover, "future leaders are likely to face not simply a labour shortage, but a knowledge shortage, as organisations bleed technical, scientific, and managerial know-how at unprecedented rates" (DeLong 2004: 18). It therefore is of utmost importance that businesses start emphasising special retention strategies for retaining older employees such as constant provision of good training as well as motivation and energy. The aim of this master's thesis comprises of the evaluation and comparison of different strategies to cope with demographic challenges. In this regard, literature with a specific focus on an ageing workforce has been examined thoroughly. Furthermore, three diverse companies situated in Austria, Germany, and Scotland were investigated in order to ascertain current organisational approaches towards a changing workforce. Finally, recommendations from literature and organisational measures and plans were compared and contrasted in order to pinpoint the discrepancies between the two. Findings will show that literature and organisational measures relating to demographic changes are equivalent in large part. Those topics that do not occur in literature but in the conducted interviews and vice versa, those issues occurring in literature but not in the conducted interviews represent further findings of this thesis. Ultimately, the combination of aggregated literature and the topics only occurring in interviews provide a clear spectrum of promising measures that will lead organisations to overcome the impacts of demographic change in the future.


OF THESIS GETTING TO 40 WEEKS: CONSTRUCTING THE UNCERTAINTY OF DUE DATES In the United States as many as 15% of births occur before 39 weeks because of elective inductions or cesarean sections. This qualitative study employs a grounded theory approach to understand the decisions women make of how and when to give birth. Thirty-three women who were pregnant or had given birth within the past two years participated in key informant or small group interviews. The women's birth narratives and reflections reveal how they construct the uncertainty of their due dates and how this construction influences their birth decisions. Problematic integration theory is used to analyze this construction and identify points of influence. The results suggest that women construct the uncertainty of due dates as a reason to wait on birth and as a reason to start the process early. The results suggest that information about a baby's brain development in the final weeks of pregnancy may persuade women to remain pregnant longer. The results demonstrate the utility of using problematic integration theory to understand a medical situation that is the result of epistemological and ontological uncertainty. The analysis suggests the existence of a third type of uncertainty, axiological uncertainty. Axiological uncertainty is rooted in the values and ethics of outcomes.


Article clarified the research entitled 「「初級学習者における日本語の語彙学習においてのマイ ンド・マッピングの効果」which were translated as "The Effectiveness of Mind Mapping In Japanese Vocabulary Learning for A Basic Level Learners". In previous studies, mind mapping was tested on reading skill, but for this research it was focused on vocabulary with the assumption that the language learners usually got difficulties in learning both languages. Technique of mind mapping was tested on a two-semester student to find out the effectiveness of its techniques in learning Japanese vocabulary. This research used experimental methods. This design involved two groups of subjects. One group, as experimental group, was given the mind mapping learning technique, and the other group (the control group) was treated with the conventional learning techniques. Data were taken in two ways, the quantitative method was using instrument in the forms of pre test and post test on both sample class. The qualitative method applied interview to complete the descriptive data analysis. Then, the pre test and post test data were analyzed by measuring the normality of data and test-t to know to what extent the effectiveness of mind mapping techniques was successfully applied to the sample. To strengthen those results, the outcomes of interview was transcribed to see the sample's responses in line with mind mapping techniques to the study of Japanese vocabulary. The research result indicates that mind mapping technique is proven more effective in learning Japanese vocabulary compared to the conventional way.


Objective: Although many educational student activities addressing global awareness are highlighted in the literature, the global nursing approach and how it is applied by students in clinical education is not widely described. After the implementation of a new global nursing curriculum, nursing students educated at The Swedish Red Cross University College are now engaged in counteracting inequalities in health. This paper aims to describe how nursing students apply the global nursing perspective during their clinical education. Methods: The study is based on students' written individual reflective reports. The procedure for data analysis was inspired by a thematic and interpretive data synthesis. The four stages in Kolb's learning cycle was used as a framework. Results: Four themes were identified: 1) Experiencing frailty, suffering and vulnerability; 2) Advocating quality of life and priorities in health; 3) Conceptualizing autonomy, involvement and participation; 4) Making a difference and acting with respect and an open mind. Conclusions: Consequently, students at the The Swedish Red Cross University College are confident in applying global nursing perspective in care actions. Nursing educators have a mutual responsibility to facilitate students' knowledge transfers in global competencies and strategies to reduce the impact on the environment and on humans.


This study, commissioned by the Center for American Progress, examines broader economic considerations—jobs, incomes, and economic growth—through the lens of two government initiatives this year by the Obama administration and Congress. The first is the set of clean-energy provisions incorporated within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The second is the proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act which is now before Congress. Our analysis in this paper shows that these measures operating together can generate roughly $150 billion per year in new clean-energy investments in the United States over the next decade. This estimated $150 billion in new spending annually includes government funding but is notably dominated by private-sector investments. We estimate this sustained expansion in clean-energy investments can generate a net increase of about 1.7 million jobs. This expansion in job opportunities can continue as long as the economy maintains a commitment to clean-energy investments in the $150 billion per year range. If clean-energy investments expand still faster, overall job creation will increase correspondingly. These investment could, therefore, not only guide us out of our fossil-fuel dependent crisis, but serve as a powerful engine of economic recovery and long-term economic vigor in the U.S. >> Read more about "The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy" and download state fact sheets>> Download "The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy"


ABSTRACT During the course of the 14th century the Swedish Crown and the Catholic Church made robust attempts to include the areas beside the Bothnian bay within their central fiscal and clerical organization. Salmon fishing in the productive river rapids became major targets for external commercial interests. Written records inform us about the situation from the perspective of the exploiters. However, there is a story running in parallel – that of the local population already occupying the lands and the fishing grounds. The study aims to analyse the significance of hunting and fishing to the overall subsistence of coastal communities in northern Sweden during the period AD 500–1600. The social context is of particular interest, specifically in relation to the successive conformation by the local communities to the Swedish fiscal system. The study draws on archaeological records and on historical records from the 14th to the 17th century, in addition to ethnographic accounts for hunting and fishing. We conclude that the legal cultures embraced by the indigenous population and that of the Swedish central powers were in essence incompatible. The acquisition of land and fishing rights was never settled between two equal parties, but one-sidedly enforced by the party holding the pen.


PURPOSE
To evaluate under controlled clinical conditions the outcomes of cast-metal slot-retained resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) in which resin composite interlocked the restoration retainers in place after cementation in cases with single missing first molars, and to collect survival data on this esthetic RBFDP design combined with an economical metal fit-surface treatment method and resin luting system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty-one tub-shaped inlay-retained RBFDPs were clinically observed for up to 7.7 years in 35 recipients of both genders between 18 and 52 years of age. Clinical examinations were performed at baseline and 6 and 12 months after restoration placement, and thereafter at regular 1-year intervals. Modified US Public Health Service (USPHS) parameters, sulcus bleeding index, Silness-Löe plaque index, pocket depths, tooth mobility, pulp vitality, and periapical radiographs regarding the abutment teeth were assessed at these follow-up appointments. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimation method was performed to detect the overall and functional survival rates and mean survival times of the RBFDPs at the end of the study. The Breslow (Generalized Wilcoxon) test was used to evaluate the influence of restoration location and age and gender of the patient regarding the overall survival probability at the end of the follow-up (α = 0.05).

RESULTS
At the end of the study, 34 RBFDPs (83%) were still functioning with a mean follow-up of 6.3 years. According to the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, the overall and functional survival probabilities were calculated as 76% and 83%, with mean survival times of 6.8 years and 7.2 years, respectively. All clinical parameters monitored throughout the follow-up period predominantly revealed clinically acceptable results. Breslow test statistics presented nonsignificant differences with better results for the RBFDPs placed in the mandible of female recipients younger than 30 years of age. The most common failure noted with the RBFDPs was fracture of the occlusal veneering composite restoration over the retainer of a single abutment, leading to a predisposition of the restoration to partial debonding.

CONCLUSION
Within the limitations of this prospective cohort study, it can be concluded that cast-metal slot-retained RBFDPs utilizing the interlocking mechanism of a resin composite to obtain additional retention from the abutment cavities show acceptable clinical success rates, and can be considered a minimally invasive, economical, and time-saving treatment alternative for the prosthetic rehabilitation of single missing first molars.


Background: The Project Yi Jin (PYJ), an alternative pathway for secondary school leavers and adults to further their education, has been receiving full support from the government, the Federation for Continuing Education in Tertiary Institutions (FCE) in Hong Kong and the public. Graduates of PYJ have the equivalent academic status of their counterparts in the main stream education. It was first implemented in 2000/01 by the FCE and has been offered to more than 35,000 students by 2006/07. With the success of the programme as a safety-net for a mass education system, it should continue to function more vigorously as new reforms are being implemented in the Hong Kong education scene in the future. The Chief Executive in his 2004 Policy Address has set out the direction to develop a new secondary and university system, i.e., (3+3) for secondary + 4 (tertiary) [the old one is (3+2+2)+3], to be launched in 2010/11, that will effectively prepare the next generation to cope with the challenges of the 21st century and the demands of the rapidly developing knowledge-based society. The new system, together with substantial modified curricula including the newly developed applied learning courses (ApL), is supposed to be able to look after all secondary students. Aims and focus of discussion: This paper aims to argue the necessity of launching a new version of Project Yi Jin (nPYJ) concurrently together with the new 3+3+4 academic system. In light of the contemporary global educational systems as compared to that of Hong Kong, it is postulated that the launching of nPYJ as a continuation of the successful PYJ is both legitimate and indispensable with regard to the carefully observed current global fashion of lifelong learning and continuing education in which diversity, equity, and flexibility are highly valued. Method: A comprehensive comparative review was carried out on eleven selected oriental and occidental countries and regions, namely, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States, China, Taiwan, Singapore and Macao, focusing on the worldwide trend of constant high school drop-out rate as well as the mentioned countries' respective senior secondary schooling articulation policy leading to higher education, in particular shedding light on the establishment of alternative pathways towards tertiary education alongside the conventional educational track. Conclusion: With the literature backdrop and empirical support, it is shown that high school drop-outs are inevitable no matter how well-defined an education system may be. Thus this is where the "safety-net" contingency plan is found essential. A new version of Project Yi Jin (nPYJ), to be offered in parallel with the Hong Kong's new 3+3+4 secondary academic curricula, is indispensable to the new educational structure in the territory which fundamentally helps transform the conventionally somewhat segregated and elite educational system into a mass one. Regarding the curricular design, both PYJ and nPYJ will focus on generic skills and a wide range of electives will be offered as well to arouse students' interest of study.


PART 1 the CHILD PATIENT: the First Appointment. Techniques of Behaviour Management. PART 2 TREATMENT of DENTAL CARIES. PREVENTIVE METHODS: Dental Health Education. Fluorides. Pit and Fissure Sealants. PART 3 TREATMENT of DENTAL CARIES. OPERATIVE METHODS: Local Analgesia. Isolation of Teeth. Treatment of Carious Primary Teeth. Pulp Treatment of Primary Teeth. Treatment of Carious Permanent Teeth. PART 4 TREATMENT of ABNORMALITIES of the PRIMARY and MIXED DENTITIONS: Normal Development of Occlusion. Abnormalities of Tooth Eruption. Abnormalities of Tooth Structure. Abnormalities of Tooth Form. Abnormalities of Tooth Number. Intrinsic Staining of the Teeth. Premature Loss of Primary Teeth. Crowding of Erupting Permanent Incisors /Crossbites. Proclined Maxillary Permanent Incisors. Persistent Digit Sucking. Permanent First Molars with Poor Long-Term Prognosis. Tooth Wear and Erosion. PART 5 TREATMENT of PERIODONTAL DISEASE and COMMON ORAL SOFT TISSUE LESIONS: Periodontal Disease. Viral, Bacterial and Mycotic Infections of the Mouth. Miscellaneous Soft Tissue Lesions. PART 6 TREATMENT of TRAUMATIC INJURIES to TEETH: Prevention of Trauma to Teeth. Assessment and Immediate Treatment of Traumatised Anterior Permanent Teeth. Intermediate and Final Treatment of Traumatised Anterior Permanent Teeth. Trauma to Primary Teeth. Non-Accidental Injuries to Children. APPENDIX 1: Bur Numbering Systems. APPENDIX 2: Antibiotic Prophylaxis of Infective Endocarditis Before Tooth Extraction, Scaling or Periodontal Surgery.


On June 26, 2012, close to 50 members of the World Intellectual Property Organization signed the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances. A little more than a year later, WIPO also adopted the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled. Does the rejuvenation of WIPO norm-setting activities suggest the impending end of a much-feared 'non-multilateral era', precipitated by the active negotiation of bilateral, plurilateral and regional trade agreements? Do the recent norm-setting activities reinforce the Development Agenda painstakingly created by developing countries? Or do these activities indicate just the growing complexity of the international intellectual property regime, within which both multilateralism and non-multilateralism proceed at the same time? This chapter puts the recent multilateral and non-multilateral intellectual property developments in their proper historical contexts. Specifically, it examines three sets of recurring developments: (1) the establishment of development agendas; (2) the negotiation of non-multilateral agreements; and (3) the rejuvenation of multilateral norm-setting activities. From these developments, this chapter draws a simple but valuable historical lesson: international intellectual property developments are influenced by the repeated swings of an invisible pendulum. As this pendulum swings back and forth, history will repeat itself, causing us to feel like it is deja vu all over again. This chapter concludes by suggesting that this simple lesson provides three key insights into the current and future development of the international intellectual property regime.


The 2007 discovery of fragmentary human remains (two molars and an anterior mandible) at Zhirendong (Zhiren Cave) in South China provides insight in the processes involved in the establishment of modern humans in eastern Eurasia. The human remains are securely dated by U-series on overlying flowstones and a rich associated faunal sample to the initial Late Pleistocene, >100 kya. As such, they are the oldest modern human fossils in East Asia and predate by >60,000 y the oldest previously known modern human remains in the region. The Zhiren 3 mandible in particular presents derived modern human anterior symphyseal morphology, with a projecting tuber symphyseos, distinct mental fossae, modest lateral tubercles, and a vertical symphysis; it is separate from any known late archaic human mandible. However, it also exhibits a lingual symphyseal morphology and corpus robustness that place it close to later Pleistocene archaic humans. The age and morphology of the Zhiren Cave human remains support a modern human emergence scenario for East Asia involving dispersal with assimilation or populational continuity with gene flow. It also places the Late Pleistocene Asian emergence of modern humans in a pre-Upper Paleolithic context and raises issues concerning the long-term Late Pleistocene coexistence of late archaic and early modern humans across Eurasia.


The last decade has seen the rise of large knowledge bases, such as YAGO, DBpedia, Freebase, or NELL. In this paper, we show how this structured knowledge can help understand and mine trends in unstructured data. By combining YAGO with the archive of the French newspaper Le Monde, we can conduct analyses that would not be possible with word frequency statistics alone. We find indications about the increasing role that women play in politics, about the impact that the city of birth can have on a person's career, or about the average age of famous people in different professions.


Precision is a crucial property of noisy circadian oscillators that can be quantified by the quality factor (Q). Until now, deterministic properties of circadian oscillations like the period or amplitude attracted most of the attention while relatively few studies addressed the problem of assessing Q. One reason is that Q is more difficult to access experimentally and even theoretically. The main objective of this thesis is to provide methods to efficiently estimate Q both in experimental data of cell-autonomous circadian oscillations and stochastic models. First a theoretical study, in an effort to unify existing low noise approximations of Q with different domains of validity near or away of Hopf bifurcations (HBs), shows that the link between the two cases lies in the projection of the Langevin Equation onto the phase gradient vector. Furthermore we formulate both approximations in a way that permits application to generic oscillator models undergoing HBs and applied them to a 16-dimensional circadian model. We find that as the noise increases, the precision of oscillations of individual chemical species and agreement with the global precision predicted by the low noise approximations, become species dependent. In a second part we first discuss in detail which methods, based on our theoretic study, are best suited to reliably estimate Q for different types of experimental data. Comparing the simple brownian phase model with single cell resolution bioluminescence data, we then support the assumption, that it is reasonable to consider different cells as identical oscillators. This allows to compensate the relatively short time scales available in experimental data by sampling many different cells. Then we extend existing software to accurately track bioluminescence emitting mammalian cells, subjected to different conditions of reduced transcription rates, and, taking advantage of the methods that we elaborated, estimate Q. Comparing this additional information to the prediction of the minimal Normal Form model we arrive at the conclusion that these noisy oscillators are operating in a self-sustained rather than damped regime. This work yields a better understanding of how molecular noise affects the precision of biochemical oscillators and has important implications for the interpretation and design of experiments aimed at measuring the precision of molecular oscillators.


I investigated the relationship between microhabitat use and behavioral thermoregulation in the lizards Sceloporus occidentalis and S. graciosus. I studied two populations of each species along a 1300-m elevational gradient in the San Gabriel Moun- tains of southern California. These species occupy different, but overlapping, elevational ranges, with S. graciosus occurring at higher elevations. Because their ranges differ, the species experience different thermal environments; however, they are nearly identical in several measures of thermal physiology. Body temperatures of active lizards varied little with altitude, although air temperatures decrease substantially over this range. Both species compensated behaviorally for variation in thermal environments by varying basking frequency and microhabitat use. By ther- moregulating, lizards maintained body temperatures that favor high levels of locomotor performance and other physiological functions. Microhabitat use varied markedly with elevation. Sceloporus occidentalis was almost completely arboreal at low elevation; lizards of both species were partly arboreal, partly terrestrial at intermediate elevation; and S. graciosus was mainly terrestrial at high ele- vations. Thus, the species converged in microhabitat use where sympatric. These shifts in microhabitat use paralleled altitudinal changes in (i) the spatial location of thermally suit- able microhabitats and (ii) habitat structure. Behavioral thermoregulation, then, appears to be an important determinant of habitat use in these lizards. Results of this study may have important implications for lizard community ecology. Microhabitats that are otherwise appropriate for lizards can be thermally unsuitable, de- pending on the local thermal environment. Hence, the thermal environment and lizard thermal biology constrain patterns of structural habitat use. As a result, physiological considerations could limit the behavioral and evolutionary options for species experiencing interspecific competition. For example, competitors in sympatry may be unable to evolve microhabitat resource partitioning because only a subset of microhabitats are thermally suitable.


This paper investigates the factors associated with the postponement and recuperation of childbearing in Britain. First, the paper uses aggregate data from vital registration statistics to examine trends in the timing and quantum of fertility among British birth cohorts from 1940 to 1963. Then, the paper investigates, at the individual level, the demographic and socio-economic factors associated with recuperation among one specific birth cohort. Patterns of childbearing in Britain have changed dramatically over the past 50 years, including an increase in the average age at entry into motherhood, increases in childbearing rates at older ages and an increase in childlessness (Kneale and Joshi, 2008; Sigle Rushton, 2008). However, most recent estimates of cohort fertility suggest that the postponement of fertility may have stabalized, with the 1980 birth cohort experiencing higher fertility rates in their late twenties than was the case for those born in 1975 (ONS, 2009). Fertility patterns in Britain are characterised by large educational differences in the timing of entry into childbearing (Rendall and Smallwood, 2003) and the percentage remaining childless (Berrington, 2004). In this paper we investigate these educational differences for women born in Britain in one week of March 1958 who have been followed up since birth within the National Child Development Study (NCDS). The NCDS is unique in that it provides information on the respondent's fertility intentions recorded at ages 23, 33 and 42 with observed fertility through to age 50. At each sweep of the study a wealth of other demographic and socio-economic information (such as partnership and employment status) is available. Hence we can extend previous work (Berrington, 2004) examining, in a prospective framework, the relationship between fertility intentions and childbearing outcomes between ages 23 and 33, ages 33 and 42 and ages 42 and 46.


The current Social Web is centralized. Large information silos store all the users' profiles, their social links and much of the other personal data. In return for the reliable service the users allow their data and activities to be data mined by the service providers, which in this way increase their advertising revenue. As the social applications are storing increasingly more data and attracting more users, many questions about privacy, data ownership and data portability arise. In this paper we are going to critically assess the current state of the Social Web, identify several novel research problems and outline the possible solution: friend-tofriend computing (F2F). F2F is a completely decentralized architecture in which two computers can communicate only if their owners know one another. Constraining the connections to friends-only solves many of the security problems of the peer-to-peer architectures. We argue that a reliable social application platform can be built using F2F as the substrate. The platform gives the users much more control over their data than the current Social Web and ensures the level of privacy and security not possible in any centralized architecture. Groups can easily build their own ad-hoc networks and collaborate without the need for any servers or third-party services.


Objective: To investigate the effect of specimen storage time on blood glucose level for neonates in order to avoid misdiagnosis of neonatal hypoglycaemia.
Methods: (1) Five fasting blood samples were collected from 50 new-borns, with storage times of 0.5 h, 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, and 3 h. The serum was centrifuged and blood glucose level was measured by the hexokinase method. (2) One 8 ml Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid Dipotassium (EDTA-K2) anticoagulant sample was divided into three portions of different pressure product and then mixed at room temperature in different time for glucose detection.
Results: (1) Blood glucose values of the samples placed at room temperature for 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, and 3 h decreased significantly. (2) Higher red cell volume (Haematocrit, Hct) correlated with faster decrease in blood glucose concentration.
Conclusion: Neonatal blood sample storage time has a significant influence on blood glucose level, which is closely related to the Hct level. Therefore, the detection process should be performed immediately after sample collection; if testing is not performed in a timely manner, serum should be separated to ensure accuracy of neonatal blood glucose test results.


The cataclysmic COVID-19 pandemic erupted silently causing colossal impact worldwide, the repercussions of which indicated a lackadaisical vigilance in preparation for such a pandemic. This review assessed the measures taken by nations to contain this pandemic. A literature review was conducted using Medline, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and WHO website. There were 8 nations (selected from the GHS index list) appraised for containment strategies. This was achieved by using mortality rate (per million) as the primary endpoint. The nations which were proactive, initiated scientific strategies earlier with rigor, appeared to have succeeded in containing the pandemic, although it is still too early to arbitrate a verdict. The so called "pandemic war" mandates international, interdisciplinary, and interdepartmental collaboration. Furthermore, building trust and confidence between the government and the public, having transparent communication, information sharing, use of advanced research-technology, and plentiful resources are required in the fight against COVID-19.


The structure of the Neogene–Quaternary Ptolemais sedimentary basin exemplifies the importance of deformation partitioning in the kinematic history of basin formation. Structural analyses were carried out at outcrop from the metre to kilometre scale on basin marginal faults, and on structures reflecting deformation of the interior of the basin. Deformation is partitioned into three spatially separated, but kinematically linked domains. Two transtensional-dominated domains in the northern and in the southern parts are separated by a transpressional-dominated domain in the central part of the basin. Intense synsedimentary deformation of Pliocene–Quaternary deposits occurred in all three domains. Dominant structures that affected pre-Neogene lithologies and the basin-fill include (E)NE–(W)SW- and NW–SE-trending basin kilometre-scale marginal faults. We propose that the structures of the three domains were active simultaneously during progressive deformation reflecting an overall transtensional-dominated regime. The deformation is imposed by boundary conditions and is consistent with the Pliocene–Quaternary large-scale deformation in northern Greece that includes clockwise (dextral) rotations of crustal blocks and gravity-driven NNW–SSE extension. Strong partitioning of deformation produced contrasting structures, which do not reflect a sequence of events related to a regional stress fields that changed with time.


Chris Culpin has been a history teacher, examiner, text book writer and the Director of the Schools History Project (1997-2008). He was also a member of the National Curriculum History Working Group in 1990. He reviews his early teaching carer in Norwich and Exmouth in the late 1960s then moves on to his teaching in Suffolk where he began examining CSE and in particular Mode 3 courses. He became Chief Examiner for the SHP Syllabus at CSE level. He discusses the way in which the Schools History Project has influenced examinations in history, especially the GCSE. He then considers the impact of the National Curriculum on history teaching over the past twenty years. He reflects on the longevity of the SHP and its continuing attraction to history teachers. Interviewed by Dr Nicola Sheldon


The purpose of the study was to provide a better understanding of the movement of waste and its effects in Scotland. The study provides a strategic review of the current waste movements in Scotland and has developed the basis of a decision making tool which can be used by waste strategists and planners. The relative environmental impacts of different transport modes for waste are reviewed and presented. The legislative and policy background for waste transport is given together with recommendations to develop the appraisal framework for examining waste transport options. A baseline waste data review was carried out to collect and validate data for waste transport in Scotland. Gaps in the data were found to impact on the quality of waste data available at the present time. Cost models were created to examine the modal shift of waste for road, rail, canals and coastal shipping. Road transport represented the most complete of the cost models represented. The models were used to run various scenarios for waste transport in Scotland. The results suggest that only marginal modal shift is feasible with existing waste and transport infrastructure in Scotland. It was found that waste consolidation can improve the economics of transport of waste by modes other than road. The study concludes that the model needs to be developed so that it can be applied to specific studies rather than taking a strategic view of the whole of Scotland.


With Didon, Piccinni demonstrated his ability to combine both Italian and French styles to create a compelling tragedie lyrique. The opera includes lyrical Italian melodies and a second-act finale, as well as French choruses and numbers that transition continuously without pauses. Didon was premiered at Fountainebleau on 16 October 1783, and it remained one of Piccinni's most popular French operas, with performances through the first part of the nineteenth century. The story of Dido had been realized on the operatic stage before Piccinni's setting, including Cavalli's Didone (1641), Purcell's Dido and Aeneas (c. 1689), and Vinci's Didone abbandonata (1726) with a libretto by Metastasio.


The promise of 'big data' has generated a significant deal of interest in the development of new approaches to research in the humanities and social sciences, as well as a range of important critical interventions which warn of an unquestioned rush to 'big data'. Drawing on the experiences made in developing innovative 'big data' approaches to social media research, this paper examines some of the repercussions for the scholarly research and publication practices of those researchers who do pursue the path of 'big data'–centric investigation in their work. As researchers import the tools and methods of highly quantitative, statistical analysis from the 'hard' sciences into computational, digital humanities research, must they also subscribe to the language and assumptions underlying such 'scientificity'? If so, how does this affect the choices made in gathering, processing, analysing, and disseminating the outcomes of digital humanities research? In particular, is there a need to rethink the forms and formats of publishing scholarly work in order to enable the rigorous scrutiny and replicability of research outcomes?


The use of plausible stochastic price processes in price risk analysis has allowed advances not seen in crop yield risk analysis. This study develops a stochastic process for yield modeling and risk management. The PA³lya urn process is an internally consistent dynamic representation of yield expectations over a growing season that accommodates agronomic events such as growing degree days. The limiting distribution is the commonly used beta distribution. Binomial tree analysis of the process allows us to explore hedging decisions and crop valuation. The method is empirically flexible to accommodate alternative assumptions on the growing environment, such as intra-season input decisions.


The objective of this research is to determine if there is significant relationship between export market orientation (EMO) and export performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Quantitative survey method was employed and data were collected from 201 exporting SMEs registered with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. Regression analysis was used to test the relationship between export performance as a dependent variable and export market orientation as an independent variable. The result shows that significant positive relationship exists between EMO and export performance of SMEs. The finding emphasizes the importance of developing EMO among the owner/managers of SMEs for their success. Those owner/managers that adopt EMO activities in their firms would gain in terms of competitive advantage over their rivals and reap higher export performance. SME owner/managers could also anticipate future threats and seek out opportunities for further expansions in the international markets. The study limitations and implications are discussed as well as a number of directions for further research.


This paper develops an analytical framework for the analysis of adjustment to adverse shocks in the presence of limited access to the international credit market. We consider an economy producing traded and non-traded goods and experiencing a permanent, unanticipated drop in the availability of external resources. A direct effect of the shock is that previous consumption and production patterns are not feasible any more, and the economy consequently must undergo an adjustment that will allow it to regain its external balance. We introduce several frictions in the form of time-dependent reallocation costs and nominal labor contracts. We assess the welfare consequences of restricted access to the capital market by comparing the welfare loss induced by the drop in income between the cases of credit rationing and perfect access to international credit. Our analysis demonstrates that restricted borrowing has three effects -- the intertemporal cost; the contemporaneous reallocation cost and the dead-weight loss in the labor market. Restricted access to international capital markets requires a greater real depreciation, implying greater reallocation of resources and consequently greater loss of output in the short run. Access to the capital market will require smaller contemporaneous reallocation, allowing partial postponement of the adjustment to the future, when it will be associated with lower costs. In general, these costs can have first order effect. With nominal wage contracts we will observe potential losses in the labor market due to nominal rigidities. These effects can be (at least partially) overcome by optimal devaluation. Our analysis demonstrates that the effect of limited access to international credit is to increase the welfare loss due to nominal contracts, consequently necessitating a larger devaluation. We conclude that capital flows and credit assistance can have substantial benefits in reducing the welfare cost of adjustment to adverse real shocks.


The Word Problem Factor: Assessing the Ability of Utah High School Career and Technical Education Students to Do the Math Involved in Formulating and Calculating Energy Cost Factors Kristen C. Bentley School of Technology, BYU Master of Science Much research has been done showing the difficulty people have with word problems. This has been shown to be true for many types of word problems and for different demographics. Questions have remained unanswered regarding the reasons for this difficulty. It has been unclear if the word problems were hard because the people had forgotten or had not yet learned how to do the math calculations involved or for some other reason. This study deals with high school students who are currently in a high school level math class. They were given an assessment involving word problems and number-only problems. The results demonstrate that these students can do the math calculations needed for the problems but that the difficulty lies in their ability to formulate the word problems into correct mathematical expressions. Among the students in math classes higher than Secondary 2, it cannot be shown that those who have passed Financial Literacy demonstrate a significantly higher ability to do word problems with p > 0.05.


The concept of narrative has been widely invoked by theorists of digital textuality, but the promotion of what is described as the storytelling power of the computer has often relied on shallow metaphors, loose conceptions of narrative, and literary models that ignore the distinctive properties of the digital medium. Two myths have dominated this theorization. The myth of the Aleph (as I call it) presents the digital text as a finite text that contains an infinite number of stories. The myth of the Holodeck envisions digital narrative as a virtual environment in which the user becomes a character in a plot similar to those of Victorian novels or Shakespearean tragedies. Both of these myths rely on questionable assumptions: that any permutation of a collection of lexias results in a coherent story; that it is aesthetically desirable to be the hero of a story; and that digital narrativity should cover the same range of emotional experiences as literary narrative. Here I argue that digital narrative should emancipate itself from literary models. But I also view narrative as a universal structure that transcends media. This article addresses the question of reconciling the inherent linearity of narrative structures with the multiple paths made possible by the interactive nature of the digital text by distinguishing four forms of interactivity, which result from the cross-classification of two binaries: internal versus external interactivity; and exploratory versus ontological. Each of these categories is shown to favor different narrative themes and different variations of the universal narrative structure.


The in vitro efficacy of 20 Gy (2000 rad) of external beam irradiation delivered to patients with choroidal melanomas prior to enucleation was investigated in 11 patients whose tumors were grown in cell culture. Phase-contrast microscopy was used to compare growth patterns between irradiated and nonirradiated tumors. Cell types were determined by histologic stains, and electron microscopy identified intracytoplasmic melanin. Irradiated melanomas did not grow and did not attach to culture flasks, thus demonstrating that preenucleation irradiation alters the in vitro growth of melanoma cells.


This Master thesis describes the benchmarking of a DSP processor. Benchmarking means measuring the performance in some way. In this report, we have focused on the number of instruction cycles needed to execute certain algorithms. The algorithms we have used in the benchmark are all very common in signal processing today. The results we have reached in this thesis have been compared to benchmarks for other processors, performed by Berkeley Design Technology, Inc. The algorithms were programmed in assembly code and then executed on the instruction set simulator. After that, we proposed changes to the instruction set, with the aim to reduce the execution time for the algorithms. The results from the benchmark show that our processor is at the same level as the ones tested by BDTI. Probably would a more experienced programmer be able to reduce the cycle count even more, especially for some of the more complex benchmarks.


Physically, there are two main mechanisms responsible for driving the instability in the coupled buoyancy (Benard) and thermocapillary (Marangoni) convection problem for a weakly expansible viscous liquid layer bounded from below by a heated solid surface and on the top by a free surface subject to a temperature-dependent surface tension. The first mechanism is density variation generated by the thermal expansion of the liquid; the second results from the surface-tension gradients due to temperature fluctuations along the upper free-surface. In the present paper we consider only the second effect as in the Benard experiments [the so-called Benard–Marangoni (BM) problem]. Indeed, for a thin layer we show that it is not consistent to consider both effects simultaneously, and we formulate an alternative concerning the role of buoyancy. In fact, it is necessary to consider two fundamentally distinct problems: the classical shallow-convection problem for a non-deformable upper surface with partial account of the Marangoni effect (the RBM problem), and the full BM problem for a deformable free surface without the buoyancy effect. We shall be mostly concerned with the thermocapillary BM instabilities problem on a free-falling vertical film, since most experiments and theories have focused on this (in fact, wave dynamics on an inclined plane is quite analogous). For a thin film we consider three main situations in relation to the magnitude of the characteristic Reynolds number (Re) and we derive various model equations. These model equations are analyzed from various points of view but the central intent of this paper is to elucidate the role of the Marangoni number on the evolution of the free surface in space and time. Finally, some recent numerical results are presented.


Background : To resistant of Enterococcus faecalis to a range of antibiotics, has become one of the concerns of sanitation in most communities and has made many researchers raise identify and using of novel antibacterial compounds against E. faecalis as one of important strategies to control this pathogen. The present study, we assessed the antibacterial effect of thirty new thiazole, thiazolidine, imidazole, tetrahydropyrimidine oxazolidine and thiazepine derivatives against E. faecalis
Materials and Methods: After derivatives were dissolved in DMSO, to evaluate the antibacterial effect, the disk diffusion method was applied to measure the growth inhibition zone diameter and broth micro dilution was performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and then minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for all of derivatives compared with gentamicin and penicillin.
Results: Results showed of thirty derivatives tested, only imidazole derivative 4 had inhibitory effect on E. faecalis with growth inhibition zone diameter 10.2, MIC 2048 and MBC 4096 µg/ml. In the antibiogram test, penicillin had the most susceptibility on E. faecalis.
Conclusion: In this study, the antibacterial effect of imidazolidine derivative was showed on standard strain of E. faecalis and evaluating the effects of these compounds on E. faecalis treatment-resistant strains were necessary in future works.
Keywords: Antibacterial effects, New chemical derivatives, Enterococcus faecalis.


The Support Vector Machine (SVM) is found to de a capable learning machine. It has the ability to handle difficult pattern recognition tasks such as speech recognition, and has demonstrated reasonable performance. The formulation in a SVM is elegant in that it is simplified to a convex Quadratic IProgramming (QP) problem. Theoretically the training is guaranteed to converge to a global optimal. The training of SVM is not as straightforward as it seems. Numerical problems will cause the training to give non- optimal decision boundaries. Using a conventional optimizer to train SVM is not the ideal solution. One can design a dedicated optimizer that will take full advantage of the specific nature of the QP problem in SVM training. The decomposition algorithm developed by Osuna et al. (1997a) reduces the training cost to an acceptable level. In this paper we have analyzed and developed an extension to Osuna's method in order 110 achieve better performance. The modified method can be used to solve the training of practical SVMs, in which the training might not otherwise converge.


This article examines the history of primers on shenglü (tone and rhythm) in pre-modern China. The first section of the article investigates the original version of Zhu Ming's (Yuan Dynasty) Shenglü fameng (A Primer of Shenglü), as well as its sequel and revisions. The increased use and popularity of shenglü primers, especially in primary education from the Song forward, is explored in section 2. The third section illustrates how shenglü primers emphasized an integration of yun (rhyme) and dui (paired phrasing or parallelism). While tracing the rise of shiyun shu (poetic rhyme books) during the Song-Yuan transition period, the author argues that shenglü primers focused instead on tone and rhyme, aestheticizing the rules of couplet composition and tailoring couplets for singing. Through a discussion of several key developments in pairing rules and standards, the final section reveals the curious interaction between the taste of the poetry elites and that of the masses educated and informed by such popular poetry primers.