HIV pseudotypes bearing native hepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoproteins (strain H and Con1) are infectious for the human hepatoma cell lines Huh-7 and PLC/PR5. Infectivity depends on coexpression of both E1 and E2 glycoproteins, is pH-dependent, and can be neutralized by mAbs mapping to amino acids 412–447 within E2. Cell-surface expression of one or all of the candidate receptor molecules (CD81, low-density lipoprotein receptor, scavenger receptor class B type 1, and dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3 grabbing nonintegrin) failed to confer permissivity to HIV–HCV pseudotype infection. However, HIV–HCV pseudotype infectivity was inhibited by a recombinant soluble form of CD81 and a mAb specific for CD81, suggesting that CD81 may be a component of a receptor complex.


The notion that surface texture may provide important information about the geometry of visible surfaces has attracted considerable attention for a long time. The present study shows that skin texture plays a significant role in the judgment of female facial beauty. Following research in clinical dermatology, the authors developed a computer program that implemented an algorithm based on co-occurrence matrices for the analysis of facial skin texture. Homogeneity and contrast features as well as color parameters were extracted out of stimulus faces. Attractiveness ratings of the images made by male participants relate positively to parameters of skin homogeneity. The authors propose that skin texture is a cue to fertility and health. In contrast to some previous studies, the authors found that dark skin, not light skin, was rated as most attractive.


We study numerically and demonstrate experimentally a novel type of singular optical beams formed by the phase imprinting of an optical vortex into the structure of the three-Airy beams. In contrast to a vortex-free product of three Airy beams, in this type of singular-Airy beam, the vortex in the beam axis causes a twist in the beam transverse intensity profile with propagation. Such a new type of singular beams appears especially attractive for applications in optical micromanipulation.


The digitalization of business processes is a crucial method for cutting down administrative costs, improve productivity in business processes, and achieving process transparency. Since invoices are some of the most important documents exchanged between business partners, it makes sense that invoices be sent and received electronically. There are no formal rules that determine the format of electronic invoices. However, companies benefit most when invoices contain structured data that can be processed automatically. The acceptance and adoption of structured electronic invoicing is generally rather low in the European Union, but it differs significantly among European countries. The electronic data interchange with the invoice standard EDIFACT is most favored by larger companies. An XML-based invoice could fill the gap between EDIFACT invoices and unstructured invoices like PDF and paper invoices. Some European countries have already established a national XML-based invoice standard. This paper addresses critical success factors to the adoption of XML-based standards. In an explorative study with experts, various aspects of acceptance were derived, and the results adapted to the Technology-Organization-Environment framework.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Introduction: This report details findings from a study undertaken by the School of Primary Care, Severn Deanery and the School of Health and Social Care, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE) between November 2008 and November 2009 to evaluate and develop GP appraisal processes in an area in the South West of England.
A process of licensing for all doctors practising medicine in the UK is currently being implemented by the General Medical Council (GMC). All licensed doctors will need to demonstrate at regular intervals that their practice meets the generic standards set by the GMC, as described in Good Medical Practice (GMC 2006). Licensing will involve a process of revalidation for individual practitioners. It is planned to incorporate revalidation into the current appraisal processes for all medical professionals (GMC 2008).
Although a statutory requirement, GP appraisal has until recently had primarily a formative, developmental purpose (DH 2002). Despite being obligatory, the uptake of GP appraisal has been problematic and inconsistent (Martin et al 2003). To date, only a limited amount of research or evaluation about GP appraisal has been published. However, there is recognised tension between the concept of appraisal as both a supportive developmental process and as a measure for judging fitness to practise.
STUDY AIMA: This study set out to evaluate existing evidence submitted by GPs for the purposes of appraisal, and to explore how a model for appraisal could be developed that meets the needs of revalidation but also acts as a developmental process for individual GPs.
METHODS: Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used for this study, in order to provide both breadth and depth to the evaluation. Quantitative data sources comprised all the appraisal evidence checklists used by appraisers in one Primary Care Trust (PCT) over the financial year April 2008 to May 2009 (n=123). The evidence checklist provides a basic template for recording the types of evidence a GP appraisee submits for appraisal purposes, and whether the evidence submitted relates to an individual's personal practice, or to organisational practice within the GP practice as a whole. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Comparative analysis of types of evidence was conducted for appraiser, appraisee age and appraisee status.
Qualitative data were collected through 5 focus groups held with 23 attendees at a GP appraisal stakeholder event hosted by the Deanery, and through interviews with all the appraisal leads for PCTs within the Deanery's geographical area (n=7). Data were analysed thematically.
The study was approved by a University research ethics sub-committee.
MAIN FINDINGS AND POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION: Findings from this study raise particular points for consideration in relation to the appraiser role; the nature of evidence required for appraisal; the situation of sessional doctors; appraisee age; sharing expertise and experience; and the role of the Deanery in appraisal.

Appraiser role: Most focus group and interview participants were adamant that appraisal should retain a strong developmental element. Clear definition of the role and appropriate national training were seen as essential factors contributing to the success of the process.

Evidence required for appraisal: A notable feature of the focus group data was the confusion expressed by many participants about the nature and amount of evidence required for appraisal. Given the perception that appraisal for revalidation is extremely time-consuming for individual GPs, it was felt that having a clear brief about the evidence required is essential. The revised RCGP guidelines published after these data were collected (RCGP 2009, 2010) may go some way to ameliorating this problem, particularly with respect to the description of what constitutes audit for appraisal purposes.

Sessional doctors: Many focus group participants and at least one appraisal lead were concerned that sessional doctors would have problems collecting the required evidence for appraisal. However, the data from this study also suggest that these problems can be addressed. The checklist data revealed very few substantive differences between principal and sessional doctors with regard to evidence submitted for appraisal. In particular, there was no statistically significant difference between the proportions of principal and sessional doctors who provided supporting information concerning their personal practice in relation to significant events, data or audit collection, multi-source feedback and complaints; this was notable, as these four areas have been identified as potentially problematic for sessional doctors (RCGP 2009, 2010). A number of the study participants were able to provide anecdotal evidence concerning innovative practice among sessional doctors with respect to the collection of evidence for appraisal, both at personal and collective levels. All these data, taken together, suggest that sessional doctors' problems in this regard may be overstated, as long as appropriate support is provided by employing practices and PCTs.

Appraisee age: The stereotype of the older GP, near retirement and not computer-literate, and not wishing to engage with appraisal, was present in the data. However, this was counterbalanced by examples of exceptions, and concern expressed about some younger, part-time GPs, whose personal circumstances do not support their involvement in appraisal. No differences were found in the checklist data between younger and older GPs with regard to the evidence they provided for appraisal. This applied to all GPs, and also only to locum GPs. It appears that difficulties encountered arise due to individuals' particular circumstances or personalities, rather than because they belong to a defined category of appraisee.

Sharing expertise and experience: A very strong feature of the qualitative data was the extent to which participants enthused about the benefits they experience when presented with opportunities for sharing expertise and experience. A number of suggestions concerning format were made, including both face to face and on-line media.

The role of the Deanery in appraisal: There was no consistency with regard to participants' opinions about the degree to which the Deanery should be involved in the co-ordination of the appraisal process. However, all the participants, both from the focus groups and the appraisal leads, were clear that the Deanery has a valuable role to play in training and preparation for appraisal for both appraisers and appraisees. They welcomed the idea that the Deanery could provide fora for sharing expertise and experience, as well as providing structured, dedicated preparation for appraisees. The Deanery was also thought to be well placed to help address any lack of consistency among appraisers through appropriate training.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Change the organisational culture of practices and trusts to encourage access for sessional and locum doctors to Clinical Governance, Significant Event, Audit and Data Collection, through meetings and improved communication. This could be accelerated by including locum access as a quality criterion to be reviewed at practice inspections by PCTs or by the Care Quality Commission.
2. Encourage, establish and facilitate fora and self directed groups for isolated locums and sessional GPs.
3. Provide examples of innovative ways of collecting evidence for this group.
4. Establish new tools designed specifically for this group, such as patient and colleague feedback.


Although the results of colonial expansion have been described in other general studies of the region, this is the first book to take a close look at the case of the Swazi in Swaziland. Jonathan Crush shows that while the Swazi experienced many of the classic problems of underdevelopment, there were also a number of significant differences. For example, traditional relationships between chiefs and commoners showed much greater resilience than elsewhere. This considerably affected the pace and nature of Swaziland's incorporation into South Africa's notorious migrant labour system. As well, because of the country's proximity to a number of alternative labour markets, the Swazi had a greater choice of employment than did many other groups in the region. Crush shows how the Swazi were able to use the system to their own advantage and how this helped shape the patterns of early Swazi migrancy. The Struggle for Swazi Labour examines the changing nature of the Swazi migrant labour force, the spatial patterns and temporal rhythms of migration, and the emergence of the Witwatersrand as the dominant, though by no means exclusive, employer of Swazi labour. It also shows how the local history of white settlement and land alienation influenced the manner in which the Swazi were subordinated to foreign economic and political control. The book fills an important gap in the history of Swaziland and in the economic history of the south African region as a whole. It will be helpful to anyone wishing to understand the pre-eminence of traditional personalities and institutions in contemporary Swaziland, and to those seeking an explanation for South African economic domination of the surrounding countries. Its comparative perspective makes it valuable to a wide range of scholars with interests in the social and economic development of southern Africa, as well as to labour and social historians, rural economists, and economic geographers.


1. The seasonal variation of fasting blood glucose, peroral glucose tolerance, fasting plasma insulin and triglycerides and the sum of insulin values during glucose tolerance test was studied in 100 patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction. These patients comprised a population of all men who had suffered a myocardial infarction below the age of 55 years and had survived. 2. The material was divided into four numerically equal groups covering two dark, cold periods and two warm, light periods of the year. 3. Lower fasting blood glucose and insulin values during glucose tolerance test as well as a trend to higher glucose tolerance were found during the warm, light part of the year in comparison with winter. Triglycerides and fasting insulin values did not vary significantly in these infarction patients. The variation could not be explained by a difference in age or body weight between the groups. 4. It is suggested that glucose tolerance and insulin secretion are subjected to seasonal variation in man as has previously been shown in laboratory animals.


We present the complexities in terms of designing automotive exterior seating materials (seat coverings and interior linings) at Sage Automotive Interiors (UK), which is a division of a global international automotive textile supplier with headquarters in the US. Sustainability and innovation are emphasized in documents communicating the company's vision. Using a case study approach, we consider the current design, development and manufacture process and examine it for the potential for feedback loops, identify potential leverage points to effect change and how the process could divert wastes from disposal. We will highlight where sustainable decisions can be incorporated and the difficulties in achieving true sustainability. We argue that a systems approach is needed from conception to final product to ensure economic recycling of textiles and fibres used in automotive seating. Without which, the reality is at best incineration for energy and/or landfill, thus losing important, finite resources forever from a diminishing resource pool of raw materials.


Calibrated simulation of a NZEB: The Solar Decathlon China 2018 SCUTxPoliTo Prototype. The aim of this work was to test a fast way to calibrate a Building Energy Model able to perform a dynamic simulation of the behaviour of a single-family house. In particular, the case study was the SCUTxPoliTo prototype and the calibration was done with the scope of refining and enhancing the reliability of the model of the house during the contest conditions and for further energy planning, optimization and last days modification. The performed Calibration relies on the computer aided optimization. The first step was to set up a data collection campaign to monitor the behaviour of the prototype, considering the envelope, the energy systems and the outdoor weather [1]. All of these data will be used for comparison to assess the precision of the BEM [2]. To make the simulation match the real behaviour, a list of parameters have been selected and ranked using a sensitivity analysis procedure. After picking up only the most influential parameters, those have been variated among a pre-selected threshold following a hybrid optimization method (GPSPSOCCHJ) [3]. The main innovation lies in the use of a mathematical based optimization method to maximize the effectiveness of the Calibration, reducing the chance of human errors and allowing to search a wider hyperspace of solutions within a reasonable computational cost. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis, based on the Morris method, has been modified to match the Campolongo [4] optimized pattern search method to highly reduce the possibility of superposition in the variation of Calibration parameters, using at its best the hyper cube generated by the parameters matching [5]. The validity of the study has been proved by both the comparison with ASHRAE 14 guidelines (the BEM is considered fully calibrated) and the real operation [6]. To this last regard, during the SDC18 competition the reliability of the model helped the team to optimize properly the prototype and create a daily energy planning procedure to match energy production and consumption, giving a considerable help to the final score. Due to the superposition of Building phase and part of measurements campaign the calibration has been divided into two different steps: the first to be performed on the envelope, the second on the systems. The former focus on the air tightness, thermal transmittance and glazing characteristic, the latter on set points, real efficiency and schedule of the HVAC system. The results showed how the air infiltrations were underestimated, that the thermal transmittance of the main insulant was set to a higher value than the operational one and other minor change in the selected parameters. For what it may concern the systems, the main tuning regarded the set point of the HVAC (due to an error in the placing of the thermostats of the VRVs) and on the schedule of the ventilation system.


Snow on the Pine presents a compelling view of the Japanese foreign policy that runs counter to the common wisdom reducing Japan's post-war efforts to the pursuit of purely commercial interests. This book takes a new approach - the eventual Japanese defeat in the Second World War did not transform Japan into an "exceptional state" seeking only economic interests. Like any other nations, economic issues have always played a crucial role in policy decisions. However, this is but only one amongst the many interweaving threads determining foreign policy decisions.In the authors' eyes, Japan's foreign policy is characterized by the drive to dominate and influence the East Asia region, which has been a consistent motivation since the days of the Meiji restoration. Thus, the post-war period in this analysis provides a continuation rather than a break with the country's previous history. Tactics, and even strategies, may have changed over time to meet the challenges of the ever evolving economic and political environments but the overall objective has essentially remained constant. The snow melts, but the pine endures .


We assess whether global social welfare has improved in the last decades despite (or because of) the substantial increase in global population. We use for this purpose a relatively unknown but simple and attractive social evaluation approach called critical-level generalized utilitarianism (CLGU). CLGU posits that social welfare increases with population size if and only if the new lives come with a level of living standards higher than that of a critical level. Despite its attractiveness, CLGU poses a number of practical difficulties that may explain why the literature has left it largely unexplored. We address these difficulties by developing new procedures for making partial CLGU orderings. The headline result is that we can robustly conclude that world welfare has increased between 1990 and 2005 if we judge that lives with per capita yearly consumption of more than $1,248 necessarily increase social welfare; the same conclusion applies to Sub-Saharan Africa if and only if we are willing to make that same judgment for lives with any level of per capita yearly consumption above $147. Otherwise, some of the admissible CLGU functions will judge the last two decades' increase in global population size to have lowered global social welfare.


Design and Shielding of Radiotherapy Treatment Facilities provides readers with a single point of reference for protection advice to the construction and modification of radiotherapy facilities. The book assembles a faculty of national and international experts on all modalities including megavoltage and kilovoltage photons, brachytherapy and high-energy particles, and on conventional and Monte Carlo shielding calculations. This book is a comprehensive reference for qualified experts and radiation-shielding designers in radiation physics and also useful to anyone involved in the design of radiotherapy facilities.


BACKGROUND
An accepted pathogenesis of catheter-related bacteraemia (CRB) is the seeding of microorganisms from the intraluminal biofilm of central venous catheters. Antibiotic locks (ABL) are solutions containing high concentrations of antimicrobials with or without anticoagulants that aim to destroy the biofilm.

METHODS
In this study, two different ABL solutions, tissue plasminogen activator (TPA)-based and heparin-based ABL, used in conjunction with systemic antibiotics, were prospectively compared in the treatment of CRB.

RESULTS
A total of 42 children on chronic haemodialysis with 11,016 catheter-days were observed for signs and symptoms of CRB over a period of 10 months. Twenty-four CRBs were diagnosed in 18 children (2.2 CRB/1000 catheter-days) and were treated with the protocol. Symptoms of CRB resolved in 83% within 48 h of treatment. None of the infected catheters required early emergent exchange or removal for poorly controlled CRB. Six children had recurrence of CRB within 6 weeks, of which four required catheter exchange. There was no specific microorganism or type of CRB that predisposed to higher recurrence rates. The mean infection-free survival of the catheters following TPA-ABL treatment was shorter than that following heparin-ABL treatment, but was not statistically significant by the log-rank test (126.8 +/- 81.6 days versus 154.5 +/- 70.4 days).

CONCLUSION
Both TPA-ABL and heparin-ABL used in conjunction with systemic antibiotics can effectively clear CRB without significant late recurrence at 6 weeks. Early use of ABL for management of CRB can potentially decrease the need for catheter removal, thus salvaging vascular access sites.


Model-based measurement techniques are relevant in the field of software analysis. Several meta models for the specification of quantitative measures have been proposed. However, they often focus either on static or dynamic aspects of a software system. Nevertheless, considering reengineering activities often both dimensions reveal valuable complementary insights. Existing meta models are also frequently bound to specific modeling languages, redefine underlying concepts for any new meta model, or provide only limited tool support for the automated computation of measurements from modeled measures. We present MAMBA, an integrated measurement architecture for model-based analysis—both static and dynamic—of software systems, that can be specified by arbitrary Ecore-based modeling languages. MAMBA extends the Structured Metrics MetaModel (SMM) by additional modeling features, such as arbitrary statistical aggregate functions and periodic aggregate functions, e.g., for dynamic analysis at runtime. To consider measurements for querying system models, we outline the MAMBA Query Language (MQL) that employs SMM measures. Furthermore, we provide tool support that applies the measures specified in an (extended) SMM model and can integrate raw measurements provided by arbitrary static and dynamic analysis tools to produce the desired measurement model. We demonstrate the applicability of the approach based on three evaluation scenarios from different contexts: migration of software systems into the cloud, model-based engineering of railway control systems, and dynamic analysis for model-driven software modernization.


The establishment and growth of the Greek stock market were coincident with development episodes, financial upheavals, and geographic expansions of the country's economy over the period 1880–1940. This article explores the growth of the Athens Stock Exchange through new listings and initial public offerings (IPOs) in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. We examine changes in exchange governance and listing requirements. On a theme not addressed before, we find that simple listings were far more numerous than actual IPOs. IPOs in Greece remained unregulated throughout the period. Their under-pricing became pronounced in the later parts of the period, especially the 1920s. The study presents data on 'quasi-IPOs' (that is, capital increases shortly after listing) and shows that they offer a more accurate assessment of the demand for the financing of listing firms in an emerging market. Robust evidence is presented to show that as the Exchange developed it also underwent a change in character, becoming more oriented to the domestic market and catering to smaller firms in domestic manufacturing in the post-First World War era that marked the end of early globalization.


Personalities in the media both influence and restrict topics of discussion and the amount of information available, thus exerting a substantial influence on the formation of the audience's political opinion. The present study examines this impact by integrating the theoretical concepts of parasocial relationship and opinion leadership. The resulting phenomenon, parasocial opinion leadership, is based on viewers' perceptions and emerges if (a) a media user ascribes certain attributes to a media communicator based on a parasocial relationship, which (b) allows for a gradual influence of the media personality on the user's opinions and attitudes by fulfilling at least one of three functions: information and reduction of complexity, orientation, or arousal of interest. A qualitative survey among TV users confirms the main assumptions of the concept.