This investigation is concerned with the evaluation of an e-learning program developed as an educational tool for the primary grades in real factors in mathematics. The objectives of such a mathematical program designed for school students in primary stages are to encourage them to study mathematics through introducing a lot of examples and exercises that aid them to understand the basic operations on real fraction, as well as to present and explain the subject matter in a clear and user-oriented manner through visual illustrations and alternations. The paper will highlight the advantages of introducing e-learning in schools and describe its later impact on the students' learning process in the Palestinian National Authority schools, through usability tests aimed at investigating the effect of using computerized methods on the achievement of primary grade students in mathematics, in comparison with traditional non-computerized systems of education.


A methodology is proposed in this paper allowing the classification of anomalies and subsequently their possible localization in nuclear reactor cores during operation. The method relies on the monitoring of the neutron noise recorded by in-core neutron detectors located at very few discrete locations throughout the core. In order to unfold from the detectors readings the necessary information, a 3-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network is used, with the training and validation of the network based on simulated data. In the reported work, the approach was also tested on simulated data. The simulations were carried out in the frequency domain using the CORE SIM+ diffusion-based two-group core simulator. The different scenarios correspond to the following cases: a generic "absorber of variable strength", axially travelling perturbations at the velocity of the coolant flow (due to e.g. fluctuations of the coolant temperature at the inlet of the core), fuel assembly vibrations, control rod vibrations, and core barrel vibrations. In all those cases, various frequencies were considered and, when relevant, different locations of the perturbations and different vibration modes were taken into account. The machine learning approach was able to correctly identify the different scenarios with a maximum error of 0.11%. Moreover, the error in localizing anomalies had a mean squared error of 0.3072 in mesh size, corresponding to less than 4 cm. The proposed methodology was also demonstrated to be insensitive to parasitic noise and will be tested on actual plant data in the near future.


This memo identifies guidelines on how 6Bone sites might operate, so
that the 6Bone can remain a quality experimentation environment and to
avoid pathological situations that have been encountered in the past.
It defines the 'best current practice' acceptable in the 6Bone
for the configuration of both Interior Gateway Protocols and Exterior
Gateway Protocols. This memo provides information for the Internet
community.


As a method specifically intended for the study of messages, content analysis is fundamental to mass communication research. Intercoder reliability, more specifically termed intercoder agreement, is a measure of the extent to which independent judges make the same coding decisions in evaluating the characteristics of messages, and is at the heart of this method. Yet there are few standard and accessible guidelines available regarding the appropriate procedures to use to assess and report intercoder reliability, or software tools to calculate it. As a result, it seems likely that there is little consistency in how this critical element of content analysis is assessed and reported in published mass communication studies. Following a review of relevant concepts, indices, and tools, a content analysis of 200 studies utilizing content analysis published in the communication literature between 1994 and 1998 is used to characterize practices in the field. The results demonstrate that mass communication researchers often fail to assess (or at least report) intercoder reliability and often rely on percent agreement, an overly liberal index. Based on the review and these results, concrete guidelines are offered regarding procedures for assessment and reporting of this important aspect of content analysis.


Toxic symptoms of plants treated with a metal ion may not always be due to the increase of the uptake of this metal by plant but might be the result of the effect of the addition of this metal on the uptake of the other metal ions by plant. Thus, the study of the effects of combined treatments with more than one metal is important. In the present study, we have studied using root-treatment and foliar-treatment the combined effect of lead, cadmium and copper on the growth of broad beans, radishes, carrots and marrow vegetables. The effect of presence of each metal ion on the uptake of the other metal ions on the various parts of the plants by both root-treatment and foliartreatment of plants have also been studied. The results have shown that the combined effect of metal ions differs from one case to another with variation of the metal ions, piant, part of piant or type of treatment.


Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a clinically diagnosed chronic pain syndrome characterized by severe pain and functional disability following a minor injury. The affected limb often has evidence of changes in sensory, vasomotor, sudomotor/edema, and/or motor/tropic function. The diagnosis of CRPS in the pediatric population is increasingly common, especially among female adolescents. The pain experience of adolescents with CRPS is best understood using the biopsychosocial framework, and the most effective treatment programs target biological, psychological, and social factors. Treatment for CRPS is multidisciplinary and typically includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychology. The parent-child dyad that develops when the child has CRPS is complex and characterized by significant psychological distress, ineffective parenting, and poor coping. The purpose of this article is to describe the role of parents in the treatment of adolescents with CRPS. To promote successful remission from pain and restoration of functional ability, parents should be included in treatment programs. Nurses caring for adolescents with CRPS can assist parents in developing adaptive parenting skills.


UNLABELLED
Radioimmunopharmaceutical agents enabling rapid high-resolution imaging, high tumor-to-background ratios, and minimal immunogenicity are being sought for cancer diagnosis and imaging. Genetic engineering techniques have allowed the design of single-chain Fv's (scFv's) of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognizing tumor-associated antigens. These scFv's show good tumor targeting and biodistribution properties in vivo, indicating their potential as imaging agents when labeled with a suitable radionuclide.

METHODS
Divalent (sc(Fv)(2)) and tetravalent ([sc(Fv)(2)](2)) scFv's of mAb CC49 were evaluated for radioimmunolocalization of LS-174T colon carcinoma xenografts in athymic mice. scFv's were radiolabeled with (99m)Tc by way of the bifunctional chelator succinimidyl-6-hydrazinonicotinate hydrochloride using tricine as the transchelator. The immunoreactivity and in vitro stability of the scFv's were analyzed after radiolabeling. Biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies were performed to determine the tumor-targeting potential of the radiolabeled scFv's. Whole-mouse autoradiography illustrated the possible application of these (99m)Tc-labeled multivalent scFv's for imaging.

RESULTS
The radiolabeling procedure gave > or =95% radiometal incorporation, with a specific activity of >74 MBq/mg scFv. In solid-phase radioimmunoassay, both sc(Fv)(2) and [sc(Fv)(2)](2) exhibited 75%-85% immunoreactivity, with nonspecific binding between 0.8% and 1.2%. Size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography showed sc(Fv)(2) as a 60-kDa protein and [sc(Fv)(2)](2) as a 120-kDa protein. Blood clearance studies showed the elimination half-life of (99m)Tc-labeled sc(Fv)(2) as 144 min and that of [sc(Fv)(2)](2) as 307 min. Whole-body clearance studies confirmed the rapid elimination of scFv's, with half-lives of 184 +/- 19 min for sc(Fv)(2) and 265 +/- 39 min for [sc(Fv)(2)](2) (P < 0.001). At 6 h after administration, the tumor localization was 7.2 +/- 0.7 percentage injected dose per gram of tumor (%ID/g) for (99m)Tc-sc(Fv)(2). (99m)Tc-[sc(Fv)(2)](2) showed a tumor uptake of 19.1 +/- 1.1 %ID/g at the same time; the amount of radioactivity in the tumors was 4-fold higher than in the spleen and kidneys and 2-fold higher than in the liver. Macroautoradiography performed at 6 and 16 h after administration clearly detected the tumor with both scFv's.

CONCLUSION
(99m)Tc-labeled multivalent scFv's show good tumor-targeting characteristics and high radiolocalization indices (tumor-to-background ratio). These reagents, therefore, have the potential for use in clinical imaging studies of cancer in the field of nuclear medicine.


The aim of present work was to improve physical and soldering properties of tin- zinc alloy and produce new Sn-Zn-Bi alloy with superior soldering properties for electronic applications. To verify this aims microstructure, electrical resistivity, elastic modulus, internal friction, thermal diffusivity, melting pointand wetting behavior of Sn96-xZn4Bix (x=0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30) alloys have been investigated. Melting point, elastic modulus and thermal diffusivity values of Sn96 Zn4 alloy decreased but electrical resistivity and internal friction values increased after adding bismuth content. Wetting behavior,contact angle, of Sn96Zn4 alloyvaried after adding bismuth content. The Sn72Zn4Bi24lead free solder alloy has the beast soldering properties for electronic application compared to commercial Pb- Sn alloy.


Ladybird spiders (Eresus spp.) have attracted scientific interest since the 18th century, but taxonomical knowledge of the genus is unsatisfactory. Early classification based on colour and size variation divided European Eresus into numerous species. These were later lumped into one predominant morphospecies, Eresus niger/E. cinnaberinus, which could be found from Portugal to Central Asia. Here, we perform a major revision of Eresus from northern and central Europe using morphological, phenological, habitat, distribution and molecular data. Three species, E. kollari, E. sandaliatus and E. moravicus sp. n. were distinguished. The name E. niger (originally Aranea nigra) cannot be used as the name A. nigra was used for a previous spider species. The name E. cinnaberinus is considered a nomen dubium. The three species differ in size, colour pattern, shape of prosoma and copulatory organs, phenology, and have slightly different habitat requirements. No morphologically intermediate forms were recorded. In contrast to distinct morphology and phenology, the genus is genetically complex. Genetically, the mitochondrial haplotypes of E. sandaliatus and E. moravicus sp. n. are monophyletic, whereas those of E. kollari are paraphyletic. Eastern central European E. kollari is likely a hybrid lineage between E. sandaliatus and the monophyletic western central European E. kollari. Because eastern and western European E. kollari are morphologically and phenologically indistinguishable, we did not formally split them. However, detailed population‐based research in the future may partition E. kollari into additional species.


Alterations in liver and renal functions are among the complications of HIV infection, and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been implicated. The combined nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects of HAART were determined by assessing the renal and liver functions of HIV sero-positive subjects on HAART in a tertiary hospital. Liver enzymes activities; Aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST & ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl ‐ transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and renal function parameters; uric acid and creatinine clearance were determined in sera of 90 consenting subjects comprising of 30 HIV seropositive subjects on HAART, 30 HAART naive and 30 apparently healthy HIV sero-negative controls using colorimetric methods. CD4 T cell count was done by flow cytometry while estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined by calculation. Anthropometric data and socio demographic information were obtained. Data was analyzed using ANOVA, LSD post hoc and Pearson's correlation at p<0.05. The body mass index and CD4 T cell count were significantly higher and AST, ALT, LDH and uric acid levels lower in HIV sero-negative controls compared to HIV on HAART and HAART naïve subjects. HIV on HAART had higher AST, ALT, GGT and LDH activities compared to HAART naïve. A significant negative correlation (r = -0.881, p = .000) was observed between uric acid and CD4 T cell count in HAART naïve subjects only. HIV infection and HAART is associated with low grade hepatotoxicity but no impairment of renal functions in the population studied.


Two-dimensional probabilistic maturation reaction norms (PMRNs) define the probabil- ity that individuals mature as a function of age and size. PMRNs have recently been used to derive empirical support for the hypothesis that high fishing mortality has induced genetic change towards earlier maturation in exploited populations. However, the 2-dimensional PMRN method does not, strictly speaking, disentangle phenotypic plasticity from genetic change in maturation. Instead, it dis- entangles the contribution of variation in growth and mortality from other sources of variation con- tributing to changes in maturation. After removing the contribution of variation in growth and mortality, any remaining change is not necessarily purely genetic. Environmental factors may exist that directly affect the propensity to mature at a certain size and age. An observed trend in the size- age PMRN may therefore be partly or fully explained by a co-incidental trend in an (environmental) factor. As pointed out by Grift et al. (2007; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 334:213-224), such co-dependence is captured conceptually by multi-dimensional PMRNs, as opposed to 2-dimensional (size-age) PMRNs, where the higher dimensions represent the relevant variables. Dimensions that may partly or fully explain the observed trends in size-age PMRNs, other than evolution, include temperature, polluting endocrine-disrupting chemicals, the social structure of the population, and body condition; changes in the last two may be fisheries-induced. To illustrate these views, I re-analysed data on North Sea plaice, and demonstrated that temperature explains part of the shift in the size-age PMRN but that a residual shift remains. The latter finding supports the hypothesis of genetic change.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the management and survival of elderly patients hospitalized with syncope in 2 healthcare delivery systems.

STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Using hospitalization records from Medicare and a group-model health maintenance organization (HMO) in Oregon, we identified individuals with an admission or discharge diagnosis of syncope between 1992 and 1994. Among patients 65 years or older (median age = 79 years), we randomly selected a sample of the standard Medicare patients (primarily fee-for-service; n = 473) and all of the group-model HMO patients (n = 583). Use of inpatient testing and consultation was ascertained by chart review; all-cause mortality was obtained from the National Death Index.

RESULTS
Median diagnostic testing and consultation costs were the same (P = .35) in the standard Medicare population ($643) and the HMO population ($619), although the use of specific tests differed. More cardiovascular syncope was identified in the Medicare population (23% vs 18%; P = .02). Inpatient, 30-day, 1-year, and 4-year mortality rates were higher in the Medicare population (1.7%, 3.8%, 16.7%, and 50.6% respectively) than in the HMO population (0.7%, 1.5%, 13.2%, and 41.8%). After adjusting for age, gender, comorbidity, diagnostic testing, and administrative factors, the relative risk (RR) of dying was lower for group-model HMO patients (RR = 0.74; 95% confidence interval = 0.60, 0.91) than for standard Medicare patients (RR = 1.0).

CONCLUSIONS
The inpatient management of these elderly patients with syncope was similar in the group-model HMO and standard Medicare settings, but survival was better for the individuals in the HMO. The reason for the differential survival is not obvious and warrants additional study.


In this work, we present large scale, ultralight aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) structures which have densities an order of magnitude lower than CNT arrays, have tunable properties and exhibit resiliency after compression. By stacking aligned sheets of carbon nanotubes and then infiltrating with a pyrolytic carbon (PyC), resilient foam-like materials were produced that exhibited complete recovery from 90% compressive strain. With density as low as 3.8 mg cm(-3), the foam structure is over 500 times less dense than bulk graphite. Microscopy revealed that PyC coated the junctions among CNTs, and also increased CNT surface roughness. These changes in the morphology explain the transition from inelastic behavior to foam-like recovery of the layered CNT sheet structure. Mechanical and thermal properties of the foams were tuned for different applications through variation of PyC deposition duration while dynamic mechanical analysis showed no change in mechanical properties over a large temperature range. Observation of a large and linear electrical resistance change during compression of the aligned CNT/carbon (ACNT/C) foams makes strain/pressure sensors a relevant application. The foams have high oil absorption capacities, up to 275 times their own weight, which suggests they may be useful in water treatment and oil spill cleanup. Finally, the ACNT/C foam's high porosity, surface area and stability allow for demonstration of the foams as catalyst support structures.


Williamson and Sabath (1982) have demonstrated a significant relationship between modern population size and environment by examining atoll area and rainfall in the Marshall Islands. The present work seeks to extend that argument into prehistory by examining the relationship of ancient habitation sites and size of aroid pit argricultural systems to atoll land area and rainfall regime along the 1,500-3,500 mm precipitation gradient in the Marshall Islands. Four atolls were selected for study: Ebon at the wettest extent in the extreme south; Ujae and Maloelap near the center of the archipelago; and Utrok at the dry north. The first phase of this long-term archaeological program is reported. During the survey of Ujae Atoll (98°05'N, 165°40'E), three habitation sites, an aroid pit agricultural zone, one early historic burial, and seven fish traps, weirs, and enclosures were recorded. Along with excavations at two habitation sites (8m total area), 35 traditional artifacts were recovered (shell adzes, ornaments, and manufacturing tools). Seven radiocarbon age determinations document land use beginning as early as the third century A.D.A beachrock sample dated to 2450±70 BP relates to atoll development. Some 4,748 bones of fish, birds, turtles, Pacific rats, lizards, humands, and possible cetaceans, along with nearly 13 kg of shellfish, provide the basis for understanding prehistoric subsistence, human adaptations to the atoll setting, and land use patterns.


On major obstacle in current medicine and drug development is inherent in the way we define and approach diseases. Here, we will discuss the diagnostic and prognostic value of (multi-)omics panels in general. We will have a closer look at breast cancer subtyping and treatment outcome, as case example, using gene expression panels - and we will discuss the current "best practice" in the light of critical statistical considerations. Afterwards, we will introduce computational approaches for network-based medicine aka. systems medicine. We will discuss novel developments in graph-based machine learning using examples ranging from Huntington's disease mechanisms via lung cancer drug target discovery back to where we started, i.e. breast cancer subtyping and treatment optimization - but now from a systems medicine point of view. We conclude that systems medicine and modern artificial intelligence open new avenues to shape future medicine.


Epigenetics data is very important for understanding the differentiation of cells into different cell types. Moreover, the amount of epigenetic data available was and still is considerably increasing. To cope with this big amount of data, statistical or visual analysis is used. Usually, biologists analyze epigenetic data using statistical methods like correlations on a high level. However, this does not allow to analyze the fate of histone modifications in detail during cell specification or to compare histone modifications in different cell lines. Tiled binned scatter plot matrices proved to be very useful for this type of analysis showing binary relationships. We adapted the idea of tiling and binning scatter plots from 2D to 3D, such that ternary relationships can be depicted. Comparing tiled binned 3D scatter plots--the new method--to tiled binned 2D scatter plot matrices showed, that many relations that are difficult or impossible to find using tiled binned 2D scatter plot matrices can easily be observed using the new approach. We found that using our approach, changes in the distribution of the marks over time (different cell types) or differences between different replicates of the same cell sample are easy to detect. Tiled binned 3D scatter plots proved superior compared to the previously used method due to the reduced amount of overplotting leading to less interaction necessary for gaining similar insights.


As the communication requirements of current and future Multiprocessor Systems on Chips (MPSoCs) continue to increase, scalable communication architectures are needed to support the heavy communication demands of the system. This is reflected in the recent trend that many of the standard bus products such as STbus, have now introduced the capability of designing a crossbar with multiple buses operating in parallel. The crossbar configuration should be designed to closely match the application traffic characteristics and performance requirements. In this work we address this issue of application-specific design of optimal crossbar (using STbus crossbar architecture), satisfying the performance requirements of the application and optimal binding of cores onto the crossbar resources. We present a simulation based design approach that is based on analysis of actual traffic trace of the application, considering local variations in traffic rates, temporal overlap among traffic streams and criticality of traffic streams. Our methodology is applied to several MPSoC designs and the resulting crossbar platforms are validated for performance by cycle-accurate SystemC simulation of the designs. The experimental case studies show large reduction in packet latencies (up to 7×) and large crossbar component savings (up to 3.5×) compared to traditional design approaches.


The present study aimed at 1) exploring early childhood teachers' perceptions about teaching writing in Qatari early years settings, and 2) identifying the impact of several social-demographics variables on these views. To achieve the objectives of the study, a reliable and validated self-administrated questionnaire was utilized. Early Childhood teachers from private and independent schools in Doha voluntarily participated in the study. Results indicated that early childhood teachers expressed positive views regarding teaching writing in Qatari early years' settings and their views were in line with recent theories and practices in teaching writing in early years' education. Moreover, the results showed statistical significant differences due to a number of study variables. These results were discussed and implications for supporting teaching writing in early years' settings were presented accordingly. هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى 1) استكشاف تصورات معلمي مرحلة الطفولة المبكرة حول تدريس الكتابة في إعدادات السنوات ...


The success or downfall of any organisation is highly sustained by the quality and performance of its employees. Hence, in order to stay ahead in the today's competitive market, to grow and to be successful, organisations must train its employees with the appropriate training method. In many companies, employees are considered as the backbone of the firm, they are highly significant and are accountable for accomplishing most of the task. Furthermore, without the right training technique, it would not be possible for an employee to gain to relevant competencies and knowledge needed to perform their duties to their full capacity (Elnaga and Imran, 2013). The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of on-the-job training versus formal training on employee performance. The primary research will be carried out in a B2B Telemarketing company called IDG Direct through the consent of the company. A quantitative research design will be used for this research with an attempt to evaluate employees' opinion on which method of training has more impact on their performance. As there was no previous scale that measures OJT and formal training on employee performance, the researcher created some questions with the aim of answering the research question. The data was distributed to 256 employees in the company through a web-based structured questionnaire with a total of 110 responses. The findings that were derived pointed out that both on-the-job training and formal training has an impact on performance but OJT has a greater impact. It was suggested and recommended the training provided by companies should be tailored to each individual needs. Furthermore, the training session should be constantly evaluated to ensure that the employee have learnt or gained the relevant skills.


This paper presents the key principles and processes of transformational lifelong learning and positive change in a community development program with a Samoan community in Australia. The paper takes a qualitative approach to community development using participatory action learning and action research. Our inquiry shows that while the Samoan community is a disadvantaged migrant group in Australia, collaborative community partnerships can help to address disadvantage in level of education and consequently in employment within the community. Participatory action learning and action research are powerful methodologies for achieving quality learning at the personal, professional, team and community levels. These methodologies are particularly relevant when working with Pacific communities as they align with practices that are culturally appropriate to these communities. The community development program entailed a low-cost, pragmatic, supportive and self-sustaining approach to education through an enabling framework designed by the Global University for Lifelong Learning (GULL). Although the framework was designed mainly for communities in developing countries, it proved to be an effective system for promoting lifelong learning and positive change in a disadvantaged community in a 'developed' country. The research and development discussed in this paper therefore have implications for other disadvantaged communities. In Australasia, these include refugees and Indigenous groups. However the insights gained through this study may be useful for community development in disadvantaged communities in any national context, in both 'developing' and 'developed' countries. We present findings in new models that enhance understanding of the key principles and processes involved in lifelong learning and positive change through a community development program. The models clarify the utility of these principles and processes for application wherever disadvantaged communities need a low-cost, self-sustaining approach to education as an enabling vehicle to address disadvantage.


The traditional Capital Asset Pricing Model stating that the risk premium of a financial asset is positively related to its market risk, was found to be insufficient in explaining the expected returns of stocks. Fama and French (1993) introduced the "Three-Factor Asset Pricing Model" via inserting the size and book-to-market factors to the standard Capital Asset Pricing Model. In this study, the validity of the Three-Factor Model in Istanbul Stock Exchange within 1999-2011 period is investigated. The model is tested on ISE-100 Index non-financial companies monthly data by utilizing panel data analysis. The findings reveal that Three-Factor Model gives statistically significant results in Istanbul Stock Exchange. In the forecast of the cost of capital, Three-Factor Model can be used instead of one-factor Capital Asset Pricing Model by the investors in Turkey. Our findings are consistent with most of the studies that suggested the validity of the Three-Factor Model in developed and emerging markets.


The contents of this thesis are concerned with a detailed study
of the implementation of parallel algorithms for solving integral
equations. The study is not one which solves a specific kind of
problem of integral equations, but instead we consider the general
problem of the design and analysis of the methods that are suitable
to be run on a MIMD-type parallel computer. [Continues.]


Aims and Objectives: To assess the demographics, career paths and factors affecting chiropractic graduates of Durban University of Technology (DUT) from June 1994 to June 2007. Method: A retrospective qualitative survey was conducted on 62 chiropractic graduates of DUT. The sample represented 25.5% of the total chiropractic population. Raw data regarding the demographics, respondents' perception of their education, current career paths, the factors responsible for affecting these career paths, as well as a profile of chiropractic practices in South Africa (SA) was obtained. All data acquired was assessed using SAS (Statistical Analysis System) version 9.1.3. The data was purely descriptive, describing respondents' career paths and their experiences, and no specific hypothesis was investigated. Results: The average respondent was found to be a married, white male who started his chiropractic career at age 25-26 years. A total of 98.4% (n = 61) of the respondents were currently in practice, with 80.6% (n = 50) indicating career satisfaction. The majority (62.9%; n = 39) of respondents perceived there to be a growing acceptance of chiropractic within the medical community, whilst 98.4% (n = 61) stated that they are currently part of an active referral system between various other medical practitioners. 46% (n = 23) listed DUT as their preferred choice of chiropractic institution. Conclusion and Recommendations: The majority of respondents' indicated DUT as the preferred choice of chiropractic institution due to its location and the system of chiropractic taught (diversified). However, shortcomings in the education were highlighted to be a lack of practically applicable knowledge taught at undergraduate level, most especially business skills and speciality areas and that respondents' perceived the qualification not to be as versatile and widely accepted as other international chiropractic qualifications. Factors responsible for positively affecting the career paths of chiropractic graduates were indicated to be the personality type of the graduate, the means to finance a practice, support from parents and spouse or partner and the level of acceptance graduates received from the public and other professions within the medical sector. A recommendation for future studies is that a longer time period be given for questionnaires to be returned and a larger sample group be established in order to ensure that the sample group and total population is homogenous.


To improve the tracking servo performance, a novel signal waveform multi-level (SWML) read-only disc realized on the digital versatile disc (DVD) platform is presented. The characteristic of the differential phase detection (DPD) signal of the SWML read-only disc is analyzed both in theory and experiment. The amplitude of the DPD signal of the SWML read-only disc in an open tracking servo loop is about 2/3 of that of the DVD read-only disc. The uniformity and symmetry of the DPD signal of the SWML read-only disc are similar to those of the DVD read-only disc and better than the former multi-level run-length limited (ML-RLL) read-only disc.


Sapium baccatum is usually used as a timber in Malaysia. Its medicinal values are not well known and very little research has been conducted concerning the plant. Consequently, this study was conducted to observe toxicity effects of hexane extract of stem bark of S. baccatum. The toxicity effects were assessed through observation of physiological changes of the rats as well as through gross and histological examinations of its livers. The doses for the treated groups were given intraperitoneally for T2, T3 and T4 group which were given 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. Meanwhile, control group (T1) was administered with 80% PEG 200 only. The observation period was 14 days. If the rat died, it was dissected and the liver was removed and examined. Some physiological effects observed include ataxia and hind-legs paralysis. The gross observations of the livers, growth of abnormal spots and connective tissues attachment to lobes of the livers were observed. The experiment was followed by histopathological observation, which indicated the presence of abnormal hepatocytes with a distorted shape and undefined cell linings for T2 group. Results also indicated an increase in the distortion of hepatocytes, presence of massive cytoplasm and necrosis of hepatocytes for T3 and T4 groups. The results suggest that non polar extract of the stem bark of S. baccatum may promote toxic effects to the animals.


Axinte Ionit¸˘ a (ABSTRACT) Several rubber diaphragms, of the same type used inside an hydraulic accumulator, failed a short time after they were mounted. While there is nothing special with these failures the cost, in some cases can be high. A closer look, at the damaged diaphragms reveal an interesting nonsymmetric radial deformation accompanied in some cases by cracks. Most of the analyses regarding the failures of rubber diaphragms offer explanations only from a chemical or material science point of view. We propose in this thesis a new perspective from a mechanical-structural engineering view. Therefore the main goal of the thesis is to investigate the deformation of a diaphragm and based on this analysis to propose an explanation for formation of the cracks. It is shown that the analysis of the diaphragm problem leads to a pseudo-nonconservative system and involves a buckling, a post buckling (dynamic snap-through), an eversion, and a load response analysis. The problem is approached numerically using the finite element method. The character of pseudo-nonconservativeness of the system requires, in this case, an update of the tangent stiffness matrix with a certain stiffness correction. This new correction is proposed also. The result is valid not only for this particular problem but for the entire class of problems to which the diaphragm belongs. This correction is implemented in an existing finite element program (NIKE3D) and used to analyze the diaphragm deformation. The results indicate that under the typical load condition for a diaphragm a certain deformation pattern occurs, and this can lead to the formation of cracks. This deformation matches extremely well with the actual deformed shape of a typical failed diaphragm. It is shown that the deformation pattern depends on the structural properties of the diaphragm rather than on the magnitude of the applied load. The nonsymmetry in the diaphragm deformation and the difference in the crack development is explained also. and suggestions helped me present many of the ideas in this thesis more clearly. I would like also to thank Prof. Dr. Henneke, in his position of as the head of the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department, for providing me support for my Ph.D. studies. VA for the opportunity of working with them: George Land (he actually assigned me the diaphragm problem),


The correlation was examined between the angina-producing arteries predicted to be responsible for the sites of ST segment elevation during spontaneous ischemic attacks and the arteries in which spasm was induced by intracoronary injection of either acetylcholine or ergonovine in patients with variant angina. From 1991 January to 1996 June, 42 patients with variant angina, 40 men and 2 women with a mean age of 61.6 years old, underwent the acetylcholine provocation test within 2 weeks of observation of the last ST segment elevation. After discontinuation of antianginal agents for at least 24 hours, a bolus of acetylcholine was injected in incremental doses of 20, 50 micrograms (occasionally 80 micrograms) into the right coronary artery and of 20, 50 and 100 micrograms incrementally into the left coronary artery to provoke coronary spasm. Intracoronary injection of ergonovine was added in nine patients, in whom intracoronary injection of acetylcholine failed to document coronary spasm on the arteries predicted to be responsible for the sites of ST segment elevation during anginal attacks. Ergonovine was injected in total doses of 40 micrograms into the right coronary artery and of 64 micrograms into the left coronary artery. Positive spasm was defined as induction of more than 99% reversible stenosis. The correlation between the arteries predicted to be responsible for the sites of ST segment elevation during attacks and the vessels in which spasm was induced by acetylcholine test was 78.6% for all patients and 80.0% for all sites of ST segment elevation. By adding the ergonovine test after the acetylcholine test, the correlation increased to 95.2% for all patients and 95.6% for all sites of ST segment elevation. The correlation observed agrees with previous studies in which the ergonovine test was performed in patients without induced spasm by intracoronary injection of acetylcholine and that the super-imposed ergonovine test is useful for diagnosing patients with variant angina.


1. From two independent experimental studies conducted in 48 minipigs with oesophageal sclerotherapy and concomitant treatment with epidermal growth factor, blood samples together with bone marrow biopsies were analysed for safety data. 2. Four to five weeks of systemic treatment with epidermal growth factor induced a decline in blood haemoglobin concentration in a time- and dose-dependent and reversible manner but without an effect on leucocyte or platelet counts. 3. The bone marrow expressed decreased amounts of haematopoietic tissue and reduced numbers of erythropoietic cells. 4. Four to five weeks of systemic treatment with epidermal growth factor induced reversible increases in serum concentrations of creatinine and urea, most likely reflecting renal impairment. 5. Groups in which creatinine and urea were not increased also had reduced blood haemoglobin concentrations. 6. These findings suggest that epidermal growth factor selectively impaired the erythropoiesis and stress the importance of risk-benefit analysis concerning the potential therapeutic applications of epidermal growth factor.


Several factors determine safety and reliability of steel structures. Structural connections are one of the crucial components, playing an essential role in this regard. With the higher capacity of present-day structural members, namely hybrid fabricated columns, it is imperative to design connections capable of taking advantage of this opportunity. The proposed modular pre-fabricated connection, which is investigated in this research, is shown to be a practical choice for filling this gap. The moment and rotation capacity of this innovative connection allows its use in various moment-resisting frames. It can minimise on-site welding, and increase the construction speed, and quality.


This paper takes a closer look at the references to commonality, which are a salient, albeit ambiguous feature of the current discussion on Arctic governance. It does so from a legal perspective and with the purpose to unveil a twofold divide in the discussion. Legal and political purposes intersect and they vary depending on whether they are made from an Arctic or a nonArctic perspective. Despite similar rhetoric, intentions may differ greatly and it is not unusual that different players refer to the law in irreconcilable or controversial ways. In a first step, the variety of references to commonality is charted and the underlying rhetorical strategies are carved out. In a second step, the references' legal accuracy and their conceptual contribution to the development of a legal framework for Arctic cooperation are analysed. This should enable a better understanding of the diverging intentions and strategies at play in the discussion and the difficulties to reach a common understanding of how to govern the Arctic region.


Cultural intelligence is defined as an individual's ability to function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity. With contributions from eminent scholars worldwide, the "Handbook of Cultural Intelligence" is a 'state-of-the-science' summary of the body of knowledge about cultural intelligence and its relevance for managing diversity both within and across cultures. Because cultural intelligence capabilities can be enhanced through education and experience, this handbook emphasizes individual capabilities - specific characteristics that allow people to function effectively in culturally diverse settings - rather than the approach used by more traditional books of describing and comparing cultures based on national cultural norms, beliefs, habits, and practices.The Handbook covers conceptional and definitional issues, assessment approaches, and application of cultural intelligence in the domains of international and cross-cultural management as well as management of domestic activity. It is an invaluable resource that will stimulate and guide future research on this important topic and its application across a broad range of disciplines, including management, organizational behavior, industrial and organizational psychology, intercultural communication, and more.


Abstract. Ephemeral streamflow events have the potential to transport sediment and pollutants downstream, which, in predominently agricultural basins, is especially problematic. Despite the importance of ephemeral streamflow, the duration and timing of the events are characteristics that are rarely measured. Ephemeral streamflow sensors have been created in the past with varying degrees of success and this paper presents a solution which minimizes previous shortcomings in other designs. The design and setup of the sensor network in two agricultural basins, as well as considerations for data processing are explored in this paper with regard to monitoring ephemeral streamflow at high spatial and temporal resolutions.


There are few studies on associations between respiratory health and allergens, fungal and bacterial compounds in schools in tropical countries. The aim was to study associations between respiratory symptoms in pupils and ethnicity, chemical microbial markers, allergens and fungal DNA in settled dust in schools in Malaysia. Totally 462 pupils (96%) from 8 randomly selected secondary schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, participated. Dust was vacuumed from 32 classrooms and analysed for levels of different types of endotoxin as 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH), muramic acid, ergosterol, allergens and five fungal DNA sequences. Multiple logistic regression was applied. Totally 13.1% pupils reported doctor's diagnosed asthma, 10.3% wheeze and 21.1% pollen or pet allergy. Indian and Chinese children had less atopy and asthma than Malay. Carbon dioxide levels were low (380–690 ppm). No cat (Fel d1), dog (Can f 1) or horse allergens (Ecu cx) were detected. The levels of Bloomia tropicalis (Blo t), house dust mite allergens (Der p 1, Der f 1, Der m 1) and cockroach allergens (Per a 1 and Bla g 1) were low. There were positive associations between levels of Aspergillus versicolor DNA and daytime breathlessness, between C14 3-OH and respiratory infections and between ergosterol and doctors diagnosed asthma. There were negative (protective) associations between levels of C10 3-OH and wheeze, between C16 3-OH and day time and night time breathlessness, between cockroach allergens and doctors diagnosed asthma. Moreover there were negative associations between amount of fine dust, total endotoxin (LPS) and respiratory infections. In conclusion, endotoxin at school seems to be mainly protective for respiratory illness but different types of endotoxin could have different effects. Fungal contamination measured as ergosterol and Aspergillus versicolor DNA can be risk factors for respiratory illness. The ethnical differences for atopy and asthma deserve further attention.


Coumarin and cinnamate derivatives were positioned as either polymer chain ends or side groups to synthesize photoactive macromolecules and gain the ability to reversibly control molecular weight and crosslink density using UV light. The cinnamates and coumarins were reacted onto the polymers via multiple reaction pathways. Polymers were functionalized with coumarin or cinnamate groups via an esterification reaction between hydroxyl functionalities and an acid chloride derivatized coumarin group. In addition to the esterification reaction, cinnamates were also coupled to polymers via a ring opening reaction between a hydroxyl functionalized cinnamate derivative and a maleic anhydride repeat unit copolymerized into the polymer. Both functional groups undergo a [2π + 2π] photodimerization reaction (coumarin groups in the UVA and cinnamate groups in the UVB), which was utilized to crosslink and chain-extend macromolecules. Coumarin dimers possess the additional ability to photocleave and thus reverse when irradiated at 254 nm. The coumarin reversible photodimerization reaction was utilized to reversibly increase the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of coumarinfunctionalized PEG monols and diols. For example, the number average molecular weight of the coumarin-functionalized PEG diol doubled and the molecular weight distribution increased from 1.08 to 2.75 when exposed to 110 J cm of UVA irradiation. Subsequent photocleavage (UVC irradiation, 2 J cm) of the chain-extended PEGs, cleaved coumarin dimers decreasing the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution to their original values. A number of poly(alkyl acrylate) and poly(methyl acrylate) systems were functionalized with coumarin groups to study the effect of the glass transition temperature and alkyl ester side group composition on the photodimerization reaction and subsequent crosslinking. The glass transition temperature (Tg) acted as an on/off switch for the photodimerization reaction. While the absolute difference between Tg and irradiance temperature did not affect the rate or extent of photodimerization reaction, polymers with a Tg greater than the irradiance temperature displayed less reaction than those with a Tg lower than the irradiance temperature. The final extent of conversion was controlled by a complex combination of factors including alkyl ester side chain steric bulkiness. Coumarin-functionalized alkyl acrylates based on ethylhexyl acrylate were tested as detachable PSAs. A 98% decrease in the adhesive peel strength was observed after exposure to UVA irradiation. Cinnamate groups were utilized in the design and synthesis of UV-curable hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs). The cinnamate groups were attached to the PSAs to provide a method to increase molecular weight and add a small amount of crosslinking leading to an increase the adhesive strength of the PSAs. Broadband UV irradiation from a laboratory scale industrial lamp increased the peel strength of the adhesives. Postcure of the irradiated cinnamate-


Western gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) aggregate off the northeastern coast of Sakhalin Island, Russia during summer-autumn to feed on benthic and near-benthic prey. During summer 2001, 3D seismic surveys were conducted during a six-week period in known gray whale foraging areas off Sakhalin Island. To test the hypothesis that the distribution of gray whales on the feeding ground would shift away from nearby seismic surveying, we examined the number of whales and number of pods (dependent variables) sighted during systematic scans in relation to three independent variables (i.e. preseismic, seismic, post-seismic). Results showed the main effect of condition was significant, with both the number of whales and the number of pods during preand postseismic conditions significantly differing from the seismic condition. Although the relationship between the seismic survey operation period and the observed change in distribution of whales is only a correlation at this time, we strongly believe that it warrants an appropriate management response. The western gray whale population is critically endangered and depends on the northeastern Sakhalin Island feeding ground for the majority of its annual food intake. Disruption of feeding in preferred areas is a biologically significant event that could have major negative effects on individual whales, their reproductive success, and thus the population as a whole.


This reflexive account is of a phenomenological study that took place over two years. It explores how a group of primary-aged children perceive, express and reflect on their embodiment through movement. Children aged between four and eleven took part in sessions of yoga, somatic movement and developmental play during the school day. The data include field notes, observations, a reflexive journal, photographs of and by the children, their drawings, mark-makings, writing and posters. Children were also interviewed at the end of the study, when they had an opportunity to reflect on all their work and experiences. All the children were capable of expressing and reflecting on their experiences, and the oldest children in particular appeared to enjoy and seemed to benefit from the reflective process. By linking together a sense of self-awareness and reflection, the children appeared able to gain insight into their embodied experience and reflect on emotions, feelings and events. Embodiment is a process as much of a state of being, and as such has implications for perceptions of mind and body, learning, and reflective practice. This approach to embodied reflective practice thus has potential for educators, and teacher trainers as well as direct work with children.


We must explore how studies enhance diversity, inclusion Precision medicine is at a crossroads. Progress toward its central goal, to address persistent health inequities, will depend on enrolling populations in research that have been historically underrepresented, thus eliminating longstanding exclusions from such research (1). Yet the history of ethical violations related to protocols for inclusion in biomedical research, as well as the continued misuse of research results (such as white nationalists looking to genetic ancestry to support claims of racial superiority), continue to engender mistrust among these populations (2). For precision medicine research (PMR) to achieve its goal, all people must believe that there is value in providing information about themselves and their families, and that their participation will translate into equitable distribution of benefits. This requires an ethics of inclusion that considers what constitutes inclusive practices in PMR, what goals and values are being furthered through efforts to enhance diversity, and who participates in adjudicating these questions. The early stages of PMR offer a critical window in which to intervene before research practices and their consequences become locked in (3).


Background and Importance: The coexistence of pituitary adenoma and another type of brain tumor is a very rare clinical scenario. Even though such a presentation can be an incidental event but the possible pathogenesis of coexistence of different lesions in the sella and suprasellar region has not yet been elucidated. Case Presentation: Two cases of concomitant sellar and suprasellar region tumors are reported. A 37-year-old lady with Prolactinoma and a suprasellar meningioma and a 42-year-old Acromegalic man with suprasellar meningioma and a pituitary adenoma (PA). Conclusion: Both meningiomas were removed transcranially while the Prolactinoma could be managed medically and the growth hormone (GH) secreting adenoma was removed trans-sphenoidally. The visual problems and hormonal imbalances of both patients improved postoperatively and there has been no sign of recurrence of the lesions after a mean of five years follow up. The literature is reviewed on this topic and the possible pathogenesis and management protocol of similar lesions are discussed.


Background: Once daily (OD) tacrolimus, recently launched for post liver transplant immunosuppression might offer better compliance and efficacy compared to standard twice daily (BID) tacrolimus. Data from India, however is sparse. Aim: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of OD versus BID tacrolimus formulation in liver transplant recipients. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, comparative study of 115 patients who were on tacrolimus based regimens (tacrolimus BID: 92; M: F-75:17 and tacrolimus OD: 23; M: F-22:1). Total daily dose and trough levels of tacrolimus were recorded at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after transplantation. Results: Median age in tacrolimus BID and OD groups were 45 years (6-64 years) and 50 years (1-70 years), respectively. The median tacrolimus dose was significantly lower in the tacrolimus OD arm at all the time points studied. Tacrolimus trough levels were significantly lower in the tacrolimus OD group at 3 and 6 months. The biopsy proven rejection rate was 15.2% and 0% in the tacrolimus BID and OD groups, respectively. Two year patient and graft survival rate was 89.4% in the tacrolimus BID and 87.5% in the tacrolimus OD group. The incidence of new onset diabetes, renal dysfunction, dyslipidemia, neurotoxicity, hyperkalemia and weight gain were comparable between the two arms. Conclusion: Tacrolimus OD has a lower rejection rate compared to its BID formulation. However, this does not translate into better patient or graft survival. Both the formulations appear to be comparable with respect to the adverse effect and tolerability profile. Key words: Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection, Graft Survival, Patient Survival, Liver Transplantation, Tacrolimus Once Daily, Tacrolimus Twice Daily.


Decarboxylative formylation of aryl and heteroaryl halides with glyoxylic acid is enabled by synergistic catalysis using an organic dye, 2,4,5,6-tetra(9H-carbazol-9-yl)isophthalonitrile (4CzIPN), and a phosphine ligated palladium catalyst under mild irradiation conditions. A wide range of aryl halides and heteroaryl halides are amenable to deliver functionalized aryl and heteroaryl aldehydes. The reaction represents a new application of organophotoredox/palladium synergistic catalysis for catalytic decarboxylative cross-couplings.


A study of the effects of human modification of a coastal plain mainly involving land reclamation and flood protection is proposed. The approach involves historical, geomorphological and hydrological data as a whole, taking into account the equilibrium of rivers, plains and coastal areas. The test area, a telling example of profound economic and social transformation of a coastal plain, is the Piana di Sibari (Calabria, southern Italy), subject to major human modifications over the last 150 years. The study area, at most 300 m a.s.l., is 450 km2 wide and comprises 24 hydrographic basins. The approach is based on the creation and analysis of four databases: 1) a historical series of geo-coded flood damage (DAMAGES database), concerning damaging floods which occurred over the past few centuries in the study area; 2) a geocoded series of protection works for land reclamation, protection from floods and improvement of soil stability in steep areas (WORKS database), gathered from the archives of the agencies that carried out the works, organized in a GISformat; 3) a historical series of maximum flood discharges and extreme rainy events (HYMAX database) aimed at defining the trends of occurrence and the intensity of flooding; 4) a coastal line position and migration over time (COASTAL database), created using mainly literature data based on discontinuous data such as historical maps and images. The work describes the complex succession of floods, protection and reclamation works, human transformation of the plain and major land use changes over the last two centuries in the test area. The new characteristics of the plain and its modifications, including major engineering works, land-use transformation and urbanisation, are illustrated. The damaging floods of the last 200 years, the modifications of runoff and flooding due to works built over the basins, hydrological data and the records concerning coastal modifications were Correspondence to: O. Petrucci (email@example.com) used to create specific databases and a GIS in which these data can be analyzed by typology, location and extension. The proposed approach highlights the high degree of correlation between drainage basin management, mainly in terms of increasing protection from natural hazards, and anthropogenic development in a broad coastal plain.


BACKGROUND
GB virus C (GBV-C), which is not known to be pathogenic in humans, replicates in lymphocytes, inhibits the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro, and has been associated with a decreased risk of death among HIV-positive persons in some, but not all, studies. Previous studies did not control for differences in the duration of HIV or GBV-C infection.

METHODS
We evaluated 271 men who were participants in the Multicenter Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Cohort Study for GBV-C viremia (by means of a reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assay) or E2 antibody (by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) 12 to 18 months after seroconversion to positivity for HIV (the early visit); a subgroup of 138 patients was also evaluated 5 to 6 years after HIV seroconversion (the late visit).

RESULTS
GBV-C infection was detected in 85 percent of men with HIV seroconversion on the basis of the presence of E2 antibody (46 percent) or GBV-C RNA (39 percent). Only one man acquired GBV-C viremia between the early and the late visit, but 9 percent of men had clearance of GBV-C RNA between these visits. GBV-C status 12 to 18 months after HIV seroconversion was not significantly associated with survival; however, men without GBV-C RNA 5 to 6 years after HIV seroconversion were 2.78 times as likely to die as men with persistent GBV-C viremia (95 percent confidence interval, 1.34 to 5.76; P=0.006). The poorest prognosis was associated with the loss of GBV-C RNA (relative hazard for death as compared with men with persistent GBV-C RNA, 5.87; P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS
GBV-C viremia was significantly associated with prolonged survival among HIV-positive men 5 to 6 years after HIV seroconversion, but not at 12 to 18 months, and the loss of GBV-C RNA by 5 to 6 years after HIV seroconversion was associated with the poorest prognosis. Understanding the mechanisms of interaction between GBV-C and HIV may provide insight into the progression of HIV disease.


This paper critiques the usefulness of cognitive-behavioural therapy, which is often seen as a means of redressing the loss of community and friendship networks within society. Therapy in this context they runs the danger of becoming an Iatrogenesis at worst and just another `technology of mood' at best. In this paper we develop the critiques made elsewhere and provide a more nuanced argument that considers a wider range of psychological therapies. While all psychological therapies operate at an individual level, there are wide differences in the epistemological stances taken by differing therapeutic schools. Cognitive-behavioural therapy focuses on the idea of dysfunctional thinking within the individual, psychoanalytic therapy focuses upon developmental legacies, whereas person-centred therapy focuses on currently active social influences. In this form one to one therapy can be a route to change which is compatible with our sociological critique. However, the broader criticism that psychological therapies attempt to compensate for breakdowns in friendship and social networks remains. Furthermore reviews of psychotherapeutic outcome data and qualitative enquiry both point to the experience of authentic relationship rather than psychotherapeutic technique as the major determinant of outcome. Preventing social dislocation rather than trying to repair it post hoc should be the goal. This would beg a wider range of questions such as; what does social isolation actually mean in contemporary western society and what does this mean for people with mental health problems in particular? What are the various ways in which social networks provide support functions and what may be missing in an individual's life and then what can be done to try and compensate for that lack?


Wear and surface damage of tools (die materials) in the hot metal forming industry is a critical problem observed and is producing an adverse effect on the process economy. The problem occurs when tool and workpiece interact at higher temperatures. However, the research related to the wear and friction of dies is still lacking. In the present investigation, tribological (wear and friction) studies were conducted with an aim to explore the potential of Cr3C2–NiCr surface coating. The high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spray technique was used to formulate the coatings. The microhardness, surface roughness, bond strength, and porosity of the coated specimens were found and analyzed. Subsequently, elevated-temperature wear and friction study of the uncoated and coated specimens were done in the laboratory. The study was conducted at 25 N and 50 N loads. The coated specimens showed an increase in wear resistance at all test parameters. The lowest value of coefficient of friction (COF) and the specific wear-rate for the coated specimens were observed at 400 °C. Wear mechanisms were studied by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The wear mechanisms were observed to be adhesive in nature at room temperatures and the combination of abrasive/oxidative/adhesive in nature at higher temperatures for the Cr3C2–NiCr-coated specimens.


During the latter half of the last century, evidence of reproductive competition between males and male selection by females led to the development of a stereotypical view of sex differences that characterized males as competitive and aggressive, and females as passive and choosy, which is currently being revised. Here, we compare social competition and its consequences for selection in males and females and argue that similar selection processes operate in both sexes and that contrasts between the sexes are quantitative rather than qualitative. We suggest that classifications of selection based on distinction between the form of competition or the components of fitness that are involved introduce unnecessary complexities and that the most useful approach in understanding the evolution and distribution of differences and similarities between the sexes is to compare the operation of selection in males and females in different reproductive systems.


Objective MicroRNA (miRNA) is an abundant class of small noncoding RNAs that act as gene regulators. Recent studies have suggested that miRNA deregulation is associated with the initiation and progression of human cancer. However, information about cancer-related miRNA is mostly limited to tissue miRNA. The aim of this study was to find specific profiles of serum-derived miRNAs of ovarian cancer based on a comparative study using a miRNA microarray of serum, tissue, and ascites. Methods From 2 ovarian cancer patients and a healthy control, total RNA was isolated from their serum, tissue, and ascites, respectively, and analyzed by a microarray. Under the comparative study of each miRNA microarray, we sorted out several miRNAs showing a consistent regulation tendency throughout all 3 specimens and the greatest range of alteration in serum as potential biomarkers. The availability of biomarkers was confirmed by qRT-PCR of 18 patients and 12 controls. Results Out of 2222 kinds of total miRNAs that were identified in the microarray analysis, 95 miRNAs were down-regulated and 88 miRNAs were up-regulated, in the serum, tissue, and ascites of cancer patients. Among the miRNAs that showed a consistent regulation tendency through all specimens and showed more than a 2-fold difference in serum, 5 miRNAs (miR-132, miR-26a, let-7b, miR-145, and miR-143) were determined as the 5 most markedly down-regulated miRNAs in the serum from ovarian cancer patients with respect to those of controls. Four miRNAs (miR-132, miR-26a, let-7b, and miR-145) out of 5 selected miRNAs were significantly underexpressed in the serum of ovarian cancer patients in qRT-PCR. Conclusions Serum miR-132, miR-26a, let-7b, and miR-145 could be considered as potential candidates as novel biomarkers in serous ovarian cancer. Also, serum miRNAs is a promising and useful tool for discriminating between controls and patients with serous ovarian cancer.


Historical photography has always played a crucial role in historiography, in the creation of collective memory, and in the perpetuation of historical traditions. Of all the photographic genres, portrait photography is the most prevalent genre and remains the "vera icon" of illustrated histories. The significance of portrait photography in historiography is amply illustrated by its use in the creation of so-called "Bulgarian national heroes," historical figures that acquired an almost mythic significance largely through their depictions in photographic portraits. In this article I examine the specific use of this particular photographic genre in Bulgarian illustrated histories and provide analyses of the motifs and symbols of the portraits themselves, both as historical primary sources and as epistemological instruments that have had a decisive and continuous influence on the historical process of the creation of "true" national heroes. My aim is to outline the genesis of these photographic portraits in order to shed light on the process of their framing within the historical imagination as authentic representations.


Dinosaurs are a source of enormous public interest and as such are useful for fostering greater interest in basic science and technology. With the increasing popularity of dinosaur films that claim to portray realistic dinosaur behaviour, one question that is regularly posed for palaeontologists to answer is how we know that our reconstructions are accurate. Dinosaur locomotion is no exception to this line of questioning and one technique for estimating how dinosaurs may have moved is multibody dynamic simulation (MBDA) of high biofidelity musculoskeletal computer models. Such simulations uses Newton's Law's of Motion to calculate how the different parts of the animals body would have moved depending on the internal forces generated by the muscles and the external forces due to gravity and physical contact with the ground. In this project we designed a system that allowed the user to directly control the muscles forces generated using a Kinect for Xbox One sensor attached to a PC using the Kinect Adaptor for Windows. The Kinect output is used to drive the muscles using customised software and models (Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus, Edmontonia, Edmontosaurus, Gorgosaurus) based on our standard GaitSym MBDA system. The initial system was trialled over 7 days at the 2015 Cheltenham Science Festival which showed that the bipedal models were relatively easy to control using human body movements and provided a good vehicle to explain how the physics and physiology behind dinsoaur locomotor reconstruction. The quadrupedal models in their current form are much more difficult to control and further work is needed in this area. The 3D models and software for this project are freely available to download (http://www.animalsimulation.org or DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.2008977) and it is hoped that they will find further uses in areas such as 3D printing for anatomical education and virtual world simulations.


STUDY OBJECTIVES
The ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO) and the orexin/hypocretin neuronal system are key regulators of sleep onset, transitions between vigilance states, and energy homeostasis. Reciprocal projections exist between the VLPO and orexin/hypocretin neurons. Although the importance of the VLPO to sleep regulation is clear, it is unknown whether VLPO neurons are involved in energy balance. The purpose of these studies was to determine if the VLPO is a site of action for orexin-A, and which orexin receptor subtype(s) would mediate these effects of orexin-A. We hypothesized that orexin-A in the VLPO modulates behaviors (sleep and wakefulness, feeding, spontaneous physical activity [SPA]) to increase energy expenditure.

DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS
Sleep, wakefulness, SPA, feeding, and energy expenditure were determined after orexin-A microinjection in the VLPO of male Sprague-Dawley rats with unilateral cannulae targeting the VLPO. We also tested whether pretreatment with a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA, TCS-1102) or an OX2R antagonist (JNJ-10397049) blocked the effects of orexin-A on the sleep/wake cycle or SPA, respectively.

RESULTS
Orexin-A injected into the VLPO significantly increased wakefulness, SPA, and energy expenditure (SPA-induced and total) and reduced NREM sleep and REM sleep with no effect on food intake. Pretreatment with DORA blocked the increase in wakefulness and the reduction in NREM sleep elicited by orexin-A, and the OX2R antagonist reduced SPA stimulated by orexin-A.

CONCLUSIONS
These data show the ventrolateral preoptic area is a site of action for orexin-A, which may promote negative energy balance by modulating sleep/wakefulness and stimulating spontaneous physical activity and energy expenditure.


The present work focused on the role of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) in
synaptic plasticity, memory and emotionality in mice. CB1 is abundantly expressed in
the central nervous system and is mainly (if not exclusively) located on GABAergic
and glutamatergic nerve cells. CB1 is a G-protein coupled receptor which is
essentially inhibiting transmitter release from presynaptic GABAergic or glutamatergic
nerve terminals.
To differentiate between the physiological significance of CB1 expressed on
glutamatergic and GABAergic nerve terminals, the studies included work with three
different CB1-deficient mouse lines: A conventional knock-out mouse line (total-CB1-
ko mice) with a deficiency of CB1 in the entire brain and two conditional knock-out
mouse lines using the Cre/lox P recombination system, and leading to cell type
specific deficiency of CB1 on GABAergic neurons (GABA-CB1-ko mice) or
glutamatergic neurons (Glu-CB1-ko mice).
As a common model for alterations in synaptic plasticity and hippocampus-dependent
memory, we studied long-term potentiation in the hippocampus at first. The
hippocampus is an essential brain structure being involved in spatial and episodic-like
memory. We showed that there is an increase of hippocampal LTP in vivo at the
perforant path-dentate gyrus granule cell synapse in total-CB1-ko mice, but failed to
detect any difference in LTP levels for GABA-CB1-ko and Glu-CB1-ko mice. Also,
short-term plasticity using a paired-pulse stimulation protocol is unchanged in the
three mouse lines. Eventually, augmented theta rhythm that is believed to underlie
enhanced cognitive abilities could not be found in total-CB1-ko mice.
Our hypothesis of memory improvement in CB1-deficient mouse lines could not be
verified in three tests for memory that are based on a spontaneous preference for
novelty: The social recognition test, the object recognition test and the open field
habituation test. We consequently tested the mice in two memory tasks that rely on
an aversive test situation. In the water maze spatial discrimination task, again no
differences could be assessed for acquisition of the task in total-CB1-ko and Glu-CB1-ko mice. Curiously, Glu-CB1-ko mice demonstrate more flexible behaviour in
reversal learning indicating that CB1 on glutamatergic neurons may lead to
perseverant and persistent behaviour. Eventually, we could show for the first time
that there is a differential contribution of CB1 on either GABAergic neurons or
glutamatergic neurons in the background contextual fear conditioning task. Here,
mice were tested in the shock context and in a different context containing the grid
floor as a similar aspect to the shock context, called grid context. GABA-CB1-ko mice reveal increased fearful behaviour specifically in the grid context. This might indicate an increased context generalisation and/or a feature learning strategy in GABA-CB1-ko mice. In contrast, Glu-CB1-ko mice display increased fearful behaviour specifically for the shock context, indicating a conjunctive learning strategy. Total-CB1-ko mice showed an increased fear response in both contexts, representing a mixed phenotype of Glu-CB1-ko and GABA-CB1-ko mice. Another novel finding confirming
a large body of evidence is the fact that total-CB1-ko and Glu-CB1-ko mice manifest
a deficit of extinction for the conditioned tone, providing first evidence that CB1 on
glutamatergic neurons is essential for short-term extinction of auditory-cued fear
memory.
Any changes in memory performance might be obscured by altered emotionality in
the knockout mouse lines. In classical tests for anxiety such as the elevated plusmaze
and the light/dark box, we found a tendency of increased anxiety in total-CB1-
ko and Glu-CB1-ko mice and a tendency of a decrease of anxiety in GABA-CB1-komice at most. Strikingly, we were able to show that CB1-ko and Glu-CB1-ko mice, in
contrast to GABA-CB1-ko, avoid the open arms of the elevated plus-maze more than
wildtype mice on a second exposure to the maze indicating an increased one-trial
sensitisation. Furthermore remarkably, CB1-ko and Glu-CB1-ko mice showed
increased anxiety-related behaviour whereas GABA-CB1-ko mice revealed an
unchanged or anxiolytic phenotype in three different tests of emotionality: The open
field test, the novel object exploration test and the novel juvenile exploration test.
These tests were carried out under low and high light conditions. Here, as opposed to
the elevated plus-maze and the light/dark box, the animals cannot retract from an
aversive situation that is bright light in the testing environment which may cause
sufficient activation of the endocannabinoid system thus leading to a detectable and
profound phenotype in the animals. Interestingly, altered emotionality seems to
depend on the averseness of the test situation, as CB1-ko and Glu-CB1-ko animals
do not or only mildly differ from their wildtype littermates under lowly aversive
conditions but show increased anxiety under highly aversive conditions in the
aforementioned tests. This strongly suggests that the endocannabinoid system might
dampen states of anxiety in highly aversive and stressful environments. More
precisely, CB1 on GABAergic neurons rather leads to an anxiogenic effect, whereas
CB1 on glutamatergic neurons prominently leads to an anxiolytic phenotype which
we refer to as "the Yin and the Yang effect" of CB1 in emotionality.
Altogether, our study illustrates the value of conditional mouse mutants for which celltype
specific ablation of a gene of interest exist in order to understand the role of CB1
in synaptic plasticity, memory and emotionality. Our findings add another level of complexity to the picture of endocannabinoid action in fear and anxiety, which has to be considered if the endocannabinoid system is going to be exploited as a therapeutic target for the treatment of anxiety disorders.


As software requirements grow increasingly complex, the need to connect to and re-use existing, tested software, grows with it. Open systems, such as the Internet, aid this process by connecting together software services provided by a range of organisations, and the distributed nature of the system allows the services to be regularly updated and improved. Applications can be deployed within the open systems that opportunistically attempt to make use of the best functionality available at any one time. Agent-based systems have been proposed as an ideal way to implement such applications, due to their flexibility and distributed control. However, a balance must be kept between acting opportunistically and ensuring that each application operates to the standards demanded by the application requirements. Determining whether an application will perform to its requirements necessitates justifying the design decisions made in creating it. Our goal is to provide application developers with the means to create justified designs for opportunistic applications. The main contribution of this thesis is a software engineering methodology, agent interaction analysis, based on a set of independently valuable techniques we have developed. The first of these is a novel approach to modelling applications as being instantiated by a set of agent interactions, allowing such applications to be described with minimal restrictions on their implemented structure. Second, we provide a technique, based on design patterns, for comparing mechanisms for instantiating parts of multi-agent system. Finally, we provide an approach to more detailed analysis and comparison of coordination mechanisms.


Temozolomide (TMZ) is the preferred chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of glioma following surgical resection and/or radiation. Resistance to TMZ is attributed to efficient repair and/or tolerance of TMZ-induced DNA lesions. The majority of the TMZ-induced DNA base adducts are repaired by the base excision repair (BER) pathway and therefore modulation of this pathway can enhance drug sensitivity. N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase (MPG) initiates BER by removing TMZ-induced N3-methyladenine and N7-methylguanine base lesions, leaving abasic sites (AP sites) in DNA for further processing by BER. Using the human glioma cell lines LN428 and T98G, we report here that potentiation of TMZ via BER inhibition [methoxyamine (MX), the PARP inhibitors PJ34 and ABT-888 or depletion (knockdown) of PARG] is greatly enhanced by over-expression of the BER initiating enzyme MPG. We also show that methoxyamine-induced potentiation of TMZ in MPG expressing glioma cells is abrogated by elevated-expression of the rate-limiting BER enzyme DNA polymerase β (Polβ), suggesting that cells proficient for BER readily repair AP sites in the presence of MX. Further, depletion of Polβ increases PARP inhibitor-induced potentiation in the MPG over-expressing glioma cells, suggesting that expression of Polβ modulates the cytotoxic effect of combining increased repair initiation and BER inhibition. This study demonstrates that MPG overexpression, together with inhibition of BER, sensitizes glioma cells to the alkylating agent TMZ in a Polβ-dependent manner, suggesting that the expression level of both MPG and Polβ might be used to predict the effectiveness of MX and PARP-mediated potentiation of TMZ in cancer treatment.


Let X be a statistical variable representing student ratings of University teaching. It is natural to assume for X an ordinal scale consisting of k categories (in ascending order of satisfaction). At first glance, student ratings can be summarized by a location index (such as the mode or the median of X) associated with a convenient measure of ordinal dispersion. For instance, the median of X may be associated with the dispersion index of Leti, resulting in a synthesis that takes into account the ordinal nature of data and also communicates information in an effective way. More generally, there are many indexes (such as the ordinal entropy) that can be properly employed to measure the ordinal dispersion. On the other hand, student ratings are often converted into scores and treated as a quantitative variable. More generally, it is possible to measure student satisfaction by means of a real-valued function defined on the standard simplex and satisfying some appropriate conditions. Finally, such a measure of satisfaction can be associated with a suitable measure of variability.


This study refers to disaster risk management at the local level. The topic was selected by the members of the Natural Disasters Network of the Regional Policy Dialogue, and was presented during its 3rd Meeting, on March 6 and 7, 2003. The goal of this document is to achieve a better knowledge of the best practices and benefits that disaster risk management represents for Latin America and the Caribbean. Included are comparative case studies of the Philippines, Colombia, Guatemala and Switzerland. Also discussed are strengths and weaknesses of local organizations in decentralized systems and financial services for disaster risk management.


Background: In recent years, patients' safety has become high priority for health-care organizations. It has been documented that poor knowledge and compliance of health-care providers toward hand hygiene have contributed to poor patient safety outcomes. College students of health sciences may not receive adequate education and training on hand hygiene best practices. Objectives: To assess the health profession students' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward hand hygiene and to investigate the factors associated with poor hand hygiene knowledge and practice. Methods: This cross-sectional, correlational, descriptive study was conducted at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences performing clinical rotations at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A proportional sampling was used to calculate the required proportions that reflect the size of student population form each of the three colleges. A total of 270 students including 140 medical, 83 nursing, and 47 respiratory therapy students who were selected using a simple random sampling method were included in the study. An adapted and validated knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire was used to assess four domains: general information, knowledge, self-reported compliance to the WHO 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene, and general satisfaction on received education. Results: The overall average of knowledge score was 81.13 points out of 100. The results revealed that the knowledge score of hand hygiene was higher for nursing school (84.22 ± 12.98), followed by medical school (81.71 ± 11.31) and then respiratory therapy program (75.53 ± 11.76). The results also showed that students who took courses covering hand hygiene scored higher in knowledge score (83.28 ± 11.3) as compared to students who did not take such courses (75.16 ± 12.89). In the compliance domain, the results showed that there were no significant differences in compliance of hand hygiene between students in all categories. In terms of overall student satisfaction with hand hygiene education and training, the results showed that nursing students have higher satisfaction score (72.7%) than their counterparts in medical school (48.3%) and respiratory therapy program (49.7%). Conclusion: Hand hygiene knowledge among students was generally good, and the highest was among nursing students and the lowest among respiratory therapy students. The compliance of students toward the WHO 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene did not vary across different colleges. Improved knowledge was found to be associated with improved compliance with hand hygiene best practices. Recommendations: Increasing the academic focus on hand hygiene in both the curriculum and clinical rotations with periodic standardized educational courses and focusing on hands-on workshops could have a positive impact on the knowledge and practice of hand hygiene for current health sciences students and future health-care providers. Future studies are needed to assess the hand hygiene KAP among students in hospital settings using observation of actual practice.


Surface-drained level-basin systems, consisting of a series of terraced level basins in which a portion of the applied water is drained from the inlet end of the basin, can be used to irrigate rice as well as other field crops. The uniqueness of the conveyance and distribution channel, coupled with the precision finishing of the basin surface, provides an improved practice over conventional contour-levee systems. Flooding and maintaining the flood for rice production or irrigating conventionally for other crops can be easily accomplished. Basins oriented 'on-the-contour' rather than the more conventional 'square-with-the-world' approach should be considered because of reduced land preparation costs and minimized reclamation requirements for cut areas. Surface-drained level basins and contour-levee systems should be designed using standard guidelines in use for conventionally irrigated level basins. Current recommended design procedures for contour-levee systems are inappropriate when producing paddy rice in rotation with conventional field crops. Paddy rice production is adversely affected when depth of flooding exceeds about 7.5 cm, suggesting that not only is the targeted depth of flooding important to rice production, but that precisely leveled field surfaces are important as well.


The goal of our work is to complete the depth channel of an RGB-D image. Commodity-grade depth cameras often fail to sense depth for shiny, bright, transparent, and distant surfaces. To address this problem, we train a deep network that takes an RGB image as input and predicts dense surface normals and occlusion boundaries. Those predictions are then combined with raw depth observations provided by the RGB-D camera to solve for depths for all pixels, including those missing in the original observation. This method was chosen over others (e.g., inpainting depths directly) as the result of extensive experiments with a new depth completion benchmark dataset, where holes are filled in training data through the rendering of surface reconstructions created from multiview RGB-D scans. Experiments with different network inputs, depth representations, loss functions, optimization methods, inpainting methods, and deep depth estimation networks show that our proposed approach provides better depth completions than these alternatives.


Economic sanctions have become an important tool in the hands of world leaders. As globalization has made the world a smaller place and increased the economic ties between nations; economic sanctions have become a preferred method of coercion among the economic powers of the world. As of today, the literature on economic sanctions has largely concentrated on the overall effectiveness of economic sanctions, generally arguing that economic sanctions are ineffective. But as the literature has expanded, scholars have begun to ask the question; why do we see sanctions work in some cases and fail in others? The author of this piece provides empirical evidence that natural resource wealth increases the capacity of targeted states to persevere the negative cost associated with the implementation of economic sanctions.


Large scale clinical trials and population based research studies collect huge amounts of neuroimaging data. Machine learning classifiers can potentially use these data to train models that diagnose brain related diseases from individual brain scans. In this dissertation we address two distinct challenges that beset a wider adoption of these tools for diagnostic purposes. The first challenge that besets the neuroimaging based disease classification is the lack of a statistical inference machinery for highlighting brain regions that contribute significantly to the classifier decisions. In this dissertation, we address this challenge by developing an analytic framework for interpreting support vector machine (SVM) models used for neuroimaging based diagnosis of psychiatric disease. To do this we first note that permutation testing using SVM model components provides a reliable inference mechanism for model interpretation. Then we derive our analysis framework by showing that under certain assumptions, the permutation based null distributions associated with SVM model components can be approximated analytically using the data themselves. Inference based on these analytic null distributions is validated on real and simulated data. p-Values computed from our analysis can accurately identify anatomical features that differentiate groups used for classifier training. Since the majority of clinical and research communities are trained in understanding statistical p-values rather than machine learning techniques like the SVM, we hope that this work will lead to a better understanding SVM classifiers and motivate a wider adoption of SVM models for image based diagnosis of psychiatric disease. A second deficiency of learning based neuroimaging diagnostics is that they implicitly assume that, `a single homogeneous pattern of brain changes drives population wide phenotypic differences'. In reality it is more likely that multiple patterns of brain deficits drive the complexities observed in the clinical presentation of most diseases. Understanding this heterogeneity may allow us to build better classifiers for identifying such diseases from individual brain scans. However, analytic tools to explore this heterogeneity are missing. With this in view, we present in this dissertation, a framework for exploring disease heterogeneity using population neuroimaging data. The approach we present first computes difference images by comparing matched cases and controls and then clusters these differences. The cluster centers define a set of deficit patterns that differentiates the two groups. By allowing for more than one pattern of difference between two populations, our framework makes a radical departure from traditional tools used for neuroimaging group analyses. We hope that this leads to a better understanding of the processes that lead to disease and also that it ultimately leads to improved image based disease classifiers. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/1730 Graduate Group Bioengineering First Advisor Christos Davatzikos


Background To achieve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), multiple oral agents are used in a stepwise approach, but long-term maintenance of normoglycemia is difficult to achieve, and, eventually, most patients require insulin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of insulin with metformin for newly diagnosed, treatment-naive patients with T2DM. Methods Eligible patients were started on insulin NovoLog 70/30 and metformin 1,000 mg twice daily. Biochemical evaluation was performed at baseline and at the end of the 3-month study. Patients were seen monthly to assess side effects and compliance and make insulin dose adjustments. Patient treatment satisfaction was evaluated at the end of the study. Results Of 63 patients, 92% completed the study. The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) decreased from 10.8 to 5.9% (p < .0001), and 100% of subjects achieved an HbA1c < 7%. Weight increased from 100.0 to 101.6 kg (p = .004) but was less than expected given that patients lost an average of 7.2 kg prior to diagnosis and achieved a reduction in HbA1c of 5%. The rate of hypoglycemia was low (1.5 episodes/patient-month). Ninety-seven percent of the patients were satisfied with their insulin treatment, and 88% were willing to continue insulin. Compliance was 96.5% with insulin and 95.1% with metformin. Conclusion Outpatient initiation of insulin therapy at the time of diagnosis of T2DM is an effective, safe, and feasible strategy for rapidly lowering HbA1c levels to targets. Insulin was very well accepted by the patients, refuting the misconception of low satisfaction and acceptance of such treatment.


Bayesian hierarchical models are built to fit multiple health endpoints from a dose-response study of a toxic chemical, perchlorate. Perchlorate exposure results in iodine uptake inhibition in the thyroid, with health effects manifested by changes in blood hormone concentrations and histopathological effects on the thyroid. We propose linked empirical models to fit blood hormone concentration and thyroid histopathology data for rats exposed to perchlorate in the 90-day study of Springborn Laboratories Inc. (1998), based upon the assumed toxicological relationships between dose and the various endpoints. All of the models are fit in a Bayesian framework, and predictions about each endpoint in response to dose are simulated based on the posterior predictive distribution. A hierarchical model tries to exploit possible similarities between different combinations of sex and exposure duration, and it allows us to produce more stable estimates of dose-response


BACKGROUND:Image-guided neuronavigation has largely replaced stereotactic frames when precise, real-time anatomic localization is required during neurosurgical procedures. However, some procedures, including placement of deep-brain stimulation (DBS) leads for the treatment of movement disorders, are still performed using frame-based stereotaxy. Despite the demonstration of comparable accuracy between frame-based and "frameless" image-guided approaches, the clinical efficacy of frameless DBS placement has never been reported. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the outcomes of subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS using the frameless technique for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS:Of 31 subjects (20 men) with PD for 10 ± 4 years, 28 had bilateral STN DBS and 3 had unilateral STN DBS. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scale (III) and total medication doses were assessed before surgery on and off medication and off medication/ON DBS (off/ON) after 6 to 12 months of STN DBS. RESULTS:There was a 58% improvement from bilateral STN DBS in the UPDRS III (40 ± 16 preoperatively off, 17 ± 11 off/ON) 9.6 ± 1.9 months after surgery (P < .001). This compared favorably with the published outcomes using the frame-based technique. All motor subscores improved significantly (P < .01). The mean reduction in medication was 50%. No intraoperative complications occurred, but one subject with hypertension died of a delayed hemorrhage postoperatively. Two subjects developed postoperative infections that required lead removal and antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS:Bilateral STN DBS for PD performed by an experienced team using a frameless approach results in outcomes comparable to those reported with the use of the frame-based technique.


India's Sleemanabad Carrier Canal is a prime example of just how challenging mixed face conditions can be, although other examples exist. The water transfer tunnel is being bored using a 10 m diameter hybrid-type rock/EPB TBM. However, in 6.5 years of tunneling the machine had only advanced 1,600 m. Commercial issues for the original contractor stalled the project frequently, while ground conditions turned out to be even more difficult than predicted. Low overburden of between 10 and 14 m, combined with mixed face conditions, transition zones and a high water table restricted advance rates. The TBM manufacturer mobilized a team to refurbish the TBM and within a period of 6 weeks a team of 180 people had been deployed to take over all aspects of tunneling and support activities. Production rates improved dramatically as the TBM advanced more than 400 m in four months. This paper will discuss the problems faced and the methodology that enabled good advance rates in highly variable mixed face conditions.


Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and normal individuals. Patients and methods Totally, 60 eyes of patients with diabetes and 25 eyes of normal individuals underwent computed tomography scanning using enhanced-depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Patients with diabetes were classified into four groups: mild, moderate, severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Manual measurement of CT was carried out at the foveal center and at a distance of 500 µm and 1500 µm in both directions from the fovea. Measurement was taken from the outer limit of the retinal pigment epithelium line to the end of the choroidal image on the optical coherence tomography (choroid–sclera junction). Results The mean subfoveal CT decreased significantly with progression of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. However, CT in the control group showed the highest measurements. There was no statistically significant difference in age between the two groups (P>0.05). It was noted that the mean CT was thinnest nasally, followed by thickening subfoveally and thinning again temporally in normal individuals and patients with diabetes. Conclusion CT is altered in diabetes and may be related to the severity of retinopathy. The presence of diabetic macular edema is associated with a significant decrease in CT.


Despite good quality assurance and conformance to the standards at the treatment plants, water quality could vary considerably within the distribution network. As water flows through the pipe network, its quality undergoes various transformations due to many factors such as the properties of the finished water, pipe materials, water temperature, water age and low level of disinfectant residuals. Sampling and monitoring of water quality is, therefore, important to ensure that clean and safe water is transported to the consumers. In this paper, a model based on genetic algorithms and fuzzy logic was developed to identify locations of water quality monitoring stations in a water distribution system. While identifying the monitoring locations, multiple sources of water supply, water age and constituent concentration were considered. The developed model was applied on a hypothetical network and results indicate that monitoring stations are proposed at locations with maximum coverage of water supply within the network and maximum violation for average water age and constituent concentrations.