Humans are intrinsically motivated to learn. Such motivation is necessary to be a human-like learner, and helpful for any learning system designed to achieve general intelligence. We discuss the limited existing computational work in this area, and link them to known and theorized properties of the dopamine system. The relatively well-understood mechanisms by which dopamine release signals unpredicted reward can also serve to signal new learning. Dopamine release leads to maintenance of current representations, which serves to "lock" attention onto topics or tasks in which useful learning is occurring. We thus propose a novel but natural extension of known aspects of dopamine function to perform self-directed learning of arbitrary self-defined tasks. If this hypothesis is correct, detailed experimental evidence on dopamine function can help guide computational research into human-like learning systems.


The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (MNMS) was the nation's first sanctuary, originally established in 1975 to protect the famous civil war ironclad shipwreck, the USS Monitor. Since 2008, sanctuary sponsored archeological research has branched out to include historically significant U-boats and World War II shipwrecks within the larger Graveyard of the Atlantic off the coast of North Carolina. These shipwrecks are not only important for their cultural value, but also as habitat for a wide diversity of fishes, invertebrates and algal species. Additionally, due to their unique location within an important area for biological productivity, the sanctuary and other culturally valuable shipwrecks within the Graveyard of the Atlantic are potential sites for examining community change. For this reason, from June 8-30, 2010, biological and ecological investigations were conducted at four World War II shipwrecks (Keshena, City of Atlanta, Dixie Arrow, EM Clark), as part of the MNMS 2010 Battle of the Atlantic (BOTA) research project. At each shipwreck site, fish community surveys were conducted and benthic photo-quadrats were collected to characterize the mobile conspicuous fish, smaller prey fish, and sessile invertebrate and algal communities. In addition, temperature sensors were placed at all four shipwrecks previously mentioned, as well as an additional shipwreck, the Manuela. The data, which establishes a baseline condition to use in future assessments, suggest strong differences in both the fish and benthic communities among the surveyed shipwrecks based on the oceanographic zone (depth). In order to establish these shipwrecks as sites for detecting community change it is suggested that a subset of locations across the shelf be selected and repeatedly sampled over time. In order to reduce variability within sites for both the benthic and fish communities, a significant number of surveys should be conducted at each location. This sampling strategy will account for the natural differences in community structure that exist across the shelf due to the oceanographic regime, and allow robust statistical analyses of community differences over time.


YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by Chad Hurley , Steve Chen , and Kari, a former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos. The company is based in San Bruno , California, and uses Adobe Flash Video and HTML5 technology to display a wide variety of user-generated video content, including movie clips , TV clips, and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short original videos. Most of the content on YouTube has been uploaded by individuals, although media corporations including CBS , the BBC , VEVO , Hulu , and other organizations offer some of their material via the site, as part of the YouTube partnership program. Unregistered users can watch videos, while registered users can upload an unlimited number of videos. Videos considered to contain offensive content are available only to registered users at least 18 years old. In November 2006, YouTube, LLC was bought by Google for US$1.65 billion, and now operates as a subsidiary of Google.


X-linked reticulate pigmentary disorder (XLPDR, Mendelian Inheritance in Man #301220) is a rare syndrome characterized by recurrent infections and sterile multiorgan inflammation. The syndrome is caused by an intronic mutation in POLA1, the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase-α (Pol-α), which is responsible for Okazaki fragment synthesis during DNA replication. Reduced POLA1 expression in this condition triggers spontaneous type I interferon expression, which can be linked to the autoinflammatory manifestations of the disease. However, the history of recurrent infections in this syndrome is as yet unexplained. Here we report that patients with XLPDR have reduced NK cell cytotoxic activity and decreased numbers of NK cells, particularly differentiated, stage V, cells (CD3–CD56dim). This phenotype is reminiscent of hypomorphic mutations in MCM4, which encodes a component of the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase complex that is functionally linked to Pol-α during the DNA replication process. We find that POLA1 deficiency leads to MCM4 depletion and that both can impair NK cell natural cytotoxicity and show that this is due to a defect in lytic granule polarization. Altogether, our study provides mechanistic connections between Pol-α and the MCM complex and demonstrates their relevance in NK cell function.


The article focuses on the relation between Latin and vernacular ›benedictions‹ and asks for their situational and functional use within the particular context of transmission. The analysis of certain examples from the 9th to the 16th century offer various types of how the situational and functional use had been connected during literary history. Without claiming a teleological transition, the article states, that those types track a conceptual development starting with the original Latin functional use over to its de-contextualization right up to vernacular re-contextualization in the sense of an emancipation of vernacular language.


Purpose Multimorbidity is commonly defined and measured using condition counts. The UK National Institute for Health Care Excellence Guidelines for Multimorbidity suggest that a medication-orientated approach could be used to identify those in need of a multimorbidity approach to management. Objectives To compare the accuracy of medication-based and diagnosis-based multimorbidity measures at higher cut-points to identify older community-dwelling patients who are at risk of poorer health outcomes. Design A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study with a 2-year follow-up (2010–2012). Setting 15 general practices in Ireland. Participants 904 older community-dwelling patients. Exposure Baseline multimorbidity measurements based on both medication classes count (MCC) and chronic disease count (CDC). Outcomes Mortality, self-reported health related quality of life, mental health and physical functioning at follow-up. Analysis Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) adjusting for clustering by practice for each outcome using both definitions. Results Of the 904 baseline participants, 53 died during follow-up and 673 patients completed the follow-up questionnaire. At baseline, 223 patients had 3 or more chronic conditions and 89 patients were prescribed 10 or more medication classes. Sensitivity was low for both MCC and CDC measures for all outcomes. For specificity, MCC was better for all outcomes with estimates varying from 88.8% (95% CI 85.2% to 91.6%) for physical functioning to 90.9% (95% CI 86.2% to 94.1%) for self-reported health-related quality of life. There were no differences between MCC and CDC in terms of PPV and NPV for any outcomes. Conclusions Neither measure demonstrated high sensitivity. However, MCC using a definition of 10 or more regular medication classes to define multimorbidity had higher specificity for predicting poorer health outcomes. While having limitations, this definition could be used for proactive identification of patients who may benefit from targeted clinical care.


A \emph{majority coloring} of a digraph is a coloring of its vertices such that for each vertex $v$, at most half of the out-neighbors of $v$ has the same color as $v$. A digraph $D$ is \emph{majority $k$-choosable} if for any assignment of lists of colors of size $k$ to the vertices there is a majority coloring of $D$ from these lists. We prove that every digraph is majority $4$-choosable. This gives a positive answer to a question posed recently by Kreutzer, Oum, Seymour, van der Zypen, and Wood in \cite{Kreutzer}. We obtain this result as a consequence of a more general theorem, in which majority condition is profitably extended. For instance, the theorem implies also that every digraph has a coloring from arbitrary lists of size three, in which at most $2/3$ of the out-neighbors of any vertex share its color. This solves another problem posed in \cite{Kreutzer}, and supports an intriguing conjecture stating that every digraph is majority $3$-colorable.


It is difficult to determine whether ghettos are good or bad, partly because racial segregation may have some effects that are unobservable. To overcome this challenge, we present a migration choice model that allows for estimating the overall effects of racial segregation. The key idea underlying our empirical approach is that if segregation indeed has a negative overall effect, migrants should be willing to give up some earnings to avoid living in segregated cities. Using decennial census data from 1980 to 2000, we provide new evidence that ghettos are bad. It is shown that both black and white migrants prefer to live in less segregated cities. For example, for a one-percentage-point reduction in the dissimilarity index, the estimated marginal willingness to pay of blacks is $436 (in 1999 dollars) in 2000. Among whites, this marginal willingness to pay is $301.


The following report presents the results of the archaeological fieldwork carried out between 2000 and 2003 along the A120 between Stansted Airport and Braintree in north-west Essex. Essex County Council undertook the preliminary stages of work in 1990 with a comprehensive fieldwalking programme to identify sites of potential interest accompanied by documentary searches and other related works. In 1993 Essex County Council also undertook a large scale rescue excavation at Stebbingford Farm, Felsted, subsequently published (Medlycott 1996). In 2000 Oxford Archaeology undertook the initial field evaluations on 19 targeted sites and subsequently, between 2001–2003, Oxford-Wessex Archaeology completed the evaluation programme with follow-up excavations where deemed necessary and finally undertook a watching brief. The 2001–2003 seasons were undertaken concurrently with the construction of the road. The work was funded by the Highways Agency and at the completion of fieldwork some 47 'sites' had been investigated. Evidence for the presence of human activity was documented from the Mesolithic through to modern times with clear evidence of settlement and manipulation of the landscape from middle Bronze Age times. The earliest evidence for activity came from finds of distinctive flintwork and nearly every site yielded at least one piece of struck flint. Two isolated Mesolithic tools were identified, one from Clobbs Wood/Grange Farm and one from West of Ongar Road. Assemblages of reasonable size were recovered from Strood Hall, West of Ongar Road and West of Stone Hall. These can be dated to the early Neolithic, mid/late Neolithic and late Bronze Age respectively, thus providing a valuable chronological sequence of technological development. At Strood Hall the flintwork was accompanied by sherds of early Neolithic pottery. During the middle Bronze Age we get the first significant appearance of prehistoric farming communities establishing a pattern of settlement that developed across the landscape throughout the Iron Age. The number of sites within each chronological period suggests a peak of activity in the late Bronze Age/early Iron Age, falling sharply to the late Iron Age. However, when the duration of each period is considered there is a relatively consistent density of settlement within the landscape from the middle Bronze Age through to the Roman period. One noticeable focus of activity was the combined watersheds of the River Roding and its tributary to the east, with middle Bronze Age features being recorded at three sites, North of Frogs Hall Stables, Stone Hall and Strood Hall and residual middle Bronze Age pottery being found at another four (Warish Hall; Frogs Hall East; Highwood Farm and South of Great Dunmow). The area to the east of the River Chelmer displayed evidence for far less extensive middle Bronze Age activity. Late Bronze Age/early Iron Age activity represents a continuation of the developments witnessed during the middle Bronze Age. The range of features is similar, comprising again mainly pits and ditches. However, some of the ditches, particularly at Stone Hall, can be seen to form a more recognisable layout of fields and droveways. In addition, there is for the first time an identifiable structure in the form of a four-post structure at Stone Hall, and there is quite widespread evidence of burial practices. The increase in the number of locations containing late Bronze Age/early Iron Age features, from six (in the middle Bronze Age) to thirteen, points clearly to both the intensification of settlement in areas of the clay plateau landscape that were already occupied, and the expansion of settlement into previously unoccupied areas. With the exception of South of Great Dunmow and Clobbs Wood all the sites producing evidence of middle Bronze Age activity witnessed continued activity in the late Bronze Age/early Iron Age. The middle and late Iron Age saw a reduction in the number of sites encountered which seems to reflect a change in the pattern and distribution of settlement, with a greater emphasis on the nucleation and in some cases the enclosure of settlement. These are processes well illustrated by three sites: Highwood Farm, Grange Lane and East of Little Dunmow Road. Seven sites yielded in situ evidence for late Iron Age and Roman-period activity. Strood Hall was the largest. Excavation revealed the nearly complete plan of a mid 1st to mid 4th-century farmstead, complete with roundhouses, at least one rectangular building, and a cemetery. Investigation at Rayne Roundabout provided evidence of field systems and enclosures. Another field system was encountered at Parsonage Lane, this time confined to the late 1st to early 2nd century AD, although some resumption of activity is evident from the later 3rd century. Ephemeral traces of Roman-period activity were recorded at Valentine Cottage and Frogs Hall East , both early Roman, and West of Panners Roundabout, which dated to the late Roman period. Ditches dating to the late Iron Age/early Roman period were recorded at Warish Hall. Artefactual scatters incorporating late Iron Age or Roman pottery were collected at Greenfields, Blatches and Clobbs Cottage/Grange Farm. Evidence for Saxon activity remained elusive with one notable exception, a single timber building dating to the beginning of the 8th century at Takeley. If the generally accepted understanding of the Saxon period in northwest Essex is one of the slow expansion and coalescence of initially sparse and dispersed settlement, then the period from the 11th to the 14th century is one of development on an increasingly rapid scale, followed by a relatively abrupt collapse. The archaeology uncovered appears to reflect this, with a single short-lived xxiii Summary farmstead at Blatches and two other small examples of sites reflecting an equally transient industrial focus: a pottery production site to the West of River Roding and a windmill at Clobbs Wood. Overall the excavations yielded a very modest artefactual assemblage within which pottery was the most prolific find, providing a good sequence from the middle Bronze Age through to the later Roman period. Several of the Roman burials from the cemetery at Strood Hall produced grave goods. No artefactual material was recovered dating to the Anglo-Saxon period. Small assemblages, again mainly ceramic, represent the medieval period from settlement sites at Blatches, Stebbingford Farm and the kilns west of the River Roding. Cremated human bone was recovered from eight sites with examples dating to the late Bronze Age, late Iron Age, Romano-British and non-specific prehistoric. The majority derived from the late Iron Age/early Romano- British or early Romano-British period from the cemetery at Strood Hall. Deposit types include the remains of urned and unurned burials, most of the latter including deposits of pyre debris recovered as one with the remains of the burial. Other contexts represent the remains of discrete deposits of pyre debris within grave fills, fragments of bone apparently incidentally included in the fill of vessels forming grave goods or within the general grave fill, and one possible memorial/ cenotaph deposit. The remains of a single inhumation burial were recovered from Strood Hall, situated within the confines of the cremation cemetery. The quality of the environmental remains was variable with some sites producing very well-preserved samples of charred plant remains and charcoals and others poorly preserved material. The collective animal bone assemblage was generally poor with poor preservation and a high fragmentation rate. The evidence from the A120 sites supports the suggestion that animal husbandry was more important than arable cultivation up until the late Iron Age. Charred plant remains were recovered in low concentrations from Stone Hall, West of Ongar and Greenfields. All three sites produced emmer/spelt wheat grains and chaff, hulled barley and a few hazelnut shell fragments. Charcoal analysis of samples from domestic contexts and cremation burials from Greenfields, Stone Hall and Grange Lane indicated that mixed oak/ash deciduous woodland was available as a resource throughout the late Bronze Age and Romano-British periods. The molluscs indicate that the area around the Iron Age farmstead at Highwood Farm had been cleared for some time. The assemblages from all the A120 sites examined indicate an Iron Age and Romano-British lowland pasture, with little intensive use of the local landscapes. The early Roman evidence primarily from Strood Hall and Rayne Roundabout shows an expansion of production from increases in the quantities of bone and charred cereal remains. The first evidence for large scale spelt processing was recovered from both sites, with several deposits of concentrated spelt processing waste being recorded. Blatches was the only medieval site to produce useful quantities of environmental evidence. This produced a typical medieval assemblage of mixed cereals, legumes (horse bean, pea and possibly cultivated vetch) and all the main species of domesticated animals.
12/06/2018 - Unpublished post-excavation assessments added


Tracing of neurons plays an essential role in elucidating neural networks in the brain and spinal cord. Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) is already widely used as a tracer although its use is limited by the need for immunohistochemical detection. A new construct incorporating non-canonical azido amino acids (azido-CTB) offers a novel way to expand the range and flexibility of this neuronal tracer. Azido-CTB can be detected rapidly in vivo following intramuscular tongue injection by 'click' chemistry, eliminating the need for antibodies. Cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide (CdSe/ZnS) core/shell nanoparticles were attached to azido-CTB by strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition to make a nano-conjugate. Following tongue injections the complex was detected in vivo in the brainstem by light microscopy and electron microscopy via silver enhancement. This method does not require membrane permeabilization and so ultrastructure is maintained. Azido-CTB offers new possibilities to enhance the utility of CTB as a neuronal tracer and delivery vehicle by modification using 'click' chemistry.


Coherent beam combination (CBC) of fiber lasers based on self-imaging properties of a strongly confined tapered waveguide (SCTW) is studied systematically. Analytical formulas are derived for the positions, amplitudes, and phases of the N self-images at the output of a SCTW, which are important for quantitative analysis of waveguide-based CBC. The formulas are verified with numerical examples by a finite difference beam propagation method (FDBPM) and the errors of the analytical expressions are studied. This study shows that the analytical formulas agree well with the FDBPM simulation results when the taper angle is less than 1.4° and the phase distortion is less than λ/10. The relative errors increase as the taper angle increases. Based on the theoretical model and the FDBPM, we simulated the CBC of fiber laser array and compared the CBC based on the tapered waveguide with that based on the nontapered one. The effects of input beam number, aperture fill factor, and taper angle on the combination performance have been studied. The study reveals that a beam which has near-diffraction limited beam quality (M2≤1.41) and a single beam without side lobe in the far field can be achieved with tapered-waveguide-based CBC. It is shown that beam quality depends on input beam number, aperture fill factor, and taper angle. There exists a best fill factor which will increase as input beam number increases. The tolerance of the system on the fill factor and the taper angle is studied, which is 0.45


Summary

Conservation of the threatened green sturgeon Acipenser medirostris in the Sacramento River of California is impeded by lack of information on its historical distribution and an understanding of how impassable dams and altered hydrographs are influencing its distribution. The habitat preferences of green sturgeon are characterized in terms of river discharge, velocity, channel gradient, and air temperature associated with 2590 sightings of green sturgeon in the Klamath and Rogue rivers using the Mahalanobis distance D2, a multivariate measure of distance from the mean habitat conditions associated with the sightings. D2 was then calculated for reaches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries under historic and current (2007) hydrographs to assess where and when habitat conditions in the Sacramento–San Joaquin basin are similar to those known to support green sturgeon. The model for current habitat conditions was validated with observations of acoustically-tagged green sturgeon at large in the basin in 2007. The model predicts that in the absence of impassable dams and altered hydrographs, green sturgeon would utilize the mainstem Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, and several major tributaries including portions of the lower Feather River, American River, and Yuba River. While dams block access to about 9% of historically available habitat, it is likely that the blocked areas contained relatively high amounts of spawning habitat because of their upstream position in the river network. Flow regulation below the reservoirs has mixed effects on habitat suitability for green sturgeon, with many reaches showing increased suitability in winter and spring, but with some reaches showing decreased suitability in many months, particularly late spring through early autumn. Overall, it appears that the main effect of construction of large water-storage reservoirs in the Sacramento–San Joaquin river basin has been to curtail the distribution of green sturgeon within this basin.


This Essay responds to the Supreme Court's recent decision in Arizona v. United States, which struck down all but one of the disputed sections of Arizona's S.B. 1070 immigration law. It advances the theory that although the Arizona Court purported to apply classic conflict and field preemption analyses, it was actually using a different form of preemption, one that gives particular weight to federal interests where questions of national sovereignty are at stake. The Court did so through doctrinal borrowing of the "plenary power doctrine," which gives the political branches special deference when passing or executing immigration legislation, even where doing so would otherwise violate individual constitutional rights. This Essay labels the form of preemption used in Arizona and other alienage cases "plenary power preemption." It shows how this doctrine developed over time, as the scope of the legitimate exercise of state police power and federal immigration changed, and federal and state regulation of noncitizens became more complex and enmeshed. It argues that plenary power preemption has two important effects: it allows courts to evade the thorny question of the scope of executive — as opposed to legislative — power over immigration, and it substitutes for the lack of an equal protection doctrine.


While children acquire new words and simple sentence structures extremely fast and without much effort, the ability to process complex sentences develops rather late in life. Although the conjoint occurrence between brain-structural and brain-functional changes, the decrease of plasticity, and changes in cognitive abilities suggests a certain causality between these processes, concrete evidence for the relation between brain development, language processing, and language performance is rare. Therefore, the current dissertation investigates the tripartite relationship between behavior (in the form of language performance and cognitive maturation as prerequisite for language processing), brain structure (in the form of gray matter maturation), and brain function (in the form of brain activation evoked by complex sentence processing). Previous developmental studies indicate a missing increase of activation in accordance to sentence complexity (functional selectivity) in language-relevant brain areas in children. To determine the factors contributing to the functional development of language-relevant brain areas, different methodologies and data acquisition techniques were used to investigate the processing of center-embedded sentences in 5- and 6-year-old children, 7- and 8-year-old children, and adults. Behavioral results indicate that children between 5 and 8 years show difficulties in processing double embedded sentences and that their performance for these type of sentences is positively correlated with digit span. In 7- and 8-year-old children, it was found that especially the processing of long-distance relations between the initial phrase and its corresponding verb appears to be associated with the subject's verbal working memory capacity. In contrast, children's performance for double embedded sentences in the younger age group positively correlated with their performance in a standardized sentence comprehension test. This finding supports the hypothesis that processing difficulties in this age group may be mainly attributed to difficulties in processing case marking information. These findings are discussed with respect to current accounts of language and working memory development. A second study aimed at investigating the structural maturation of brain areas involved in sentence comprehension. To do this, whole-brain magnetic resonance images from 59 children between 5 and 8 years were collected and children's gray matter was analyzed by using voxel-based morphometry. Children's grammatical proficiency was assessed by a standardized sentence comprehension test. A confirmatory factory analysis corroborated a grammar-relevant and a verbal working memory-relevant factor underlying the measured performance. While children's ability to assign thematic roles is positively correlated with gray matter probability (GMP) in the left inferior temporal gyrus and the left inferior frontal gyrus, verbal working memory-related performance is positively correlated with GMP in the left parietal operculum extending into the posterior superior temporal gyrus. These areas have been previously shown to be differentially engaged in adults' complex sentence processing. Thus, the findings of the second study suggest a specific correspondence between children's GMP in language-relevant brain regions and differential cognitive abilities which underlie complex sentence comprehension. In a third study, functional brain activity during the processing of center-embedded sentences was investigated in three different age groups (5–6 years, 7–8 years, and adults). Although all age groups engage a qualitatively comparable network of the left pars opercularis (PO), the left inferior parietal lobe extending into the posterior superior temporal gyrus (IPL/pSTG), the supplementary motor area (SMA) and the cerebellum, functional selectivity of these regions was only observable in adults. However, functional activation of the language-related regions (PO and IPL/pSTG) predicted sentence comprehension performance for all age groups. To solve the question of the complex interplay between different maturational factors, a fourth study analyzed the predictive power of gray matter probability, verbal working memory capacity, and behavioral differences in performance for simple and complex sentence for the functional selectivity of each activated region. These analyses revealed that the establishment of the adult-like functional selectivity for complex sentences is predicted by a reduction of the left PO's gray matter probability across age groups while that of the IPL/pSTG is additionally predicted by verbal working memory capacity. Taken all findings together, the current thesis provides evidence that both structural brain maturation and verbal working memory expansion provide the basis for the emergence of functional selectivity in language-related brain regions leading to more efficient sentence processing during development.


We introduce a new primal-dual reconstruction algorithm for fluorescence and bioluminescence tomography. As often in optical tomography, image reconstruction is performed by optimizing a multi-term convex cost function. Current reconstruction methods employed in the field are usually limited to cost functions with a smooth data fidelity term; quadratic in general. In addition, the use of a composite regularization term (a sum of multiple terms) requires a substantial adaptation of these methods. Typically one would have to solve a subproblem via a primal-dual method at each iteration. The primal-dual scheme presented here is designed to handle directly cost functions composed of multiple, possibly non-smooth, terms. This allows more freedom for the design of tailored cost functions leading to enhanced reconstructions. We illustrate the method on two cases. First, we use a cost function composed of ℓ1 fidelity and regularization terms. We compare to the reconstructions obtained with the quadratic fidelity counterpart. Second, we employ a cost function composed of three terms : ℓ1 for data fidelity, total-variation plus (2,1)-mixed norms for regularization.


The paper provides essentially a summary of PD measurements applying the UHF range in order to increase the detection threshold, to improve the localization accuracy and to perform on-line measurements of Partial Discharge (PD) in noisy environments. The electromagnetic UHF technique offers good signal to noise ratios, because external PD signals and disturbances can be shielded effectively. A new developed method allows the localization of PD in gas-insulated substations (GIS) by frequency domain measurements. The basic idea is the displacement law of Fourier transformation. The interference phenomena of superposed signals from two sensors give information about the time delay of the sensor signals. On-site PD measurements are made at cable connectors by means of monopole antennas housed in a barrel sleave, while the cable is in service. Thus a sensitive PD measurement even in noisy environment is possible. PD measurements on several 72 kV cable connectors were performed in an unshielded laboratory. On-site measurements during operation showed the great potential for condition assessment. For decoupling sensitive UHF PD signals from the inner of a power transformer tank UHF sensors applied through drain/oil valves are used. Experimental studies indicate that all relevant types of PD possibly occurring within a transformer emit high frequency spectra to be detected with UHF sensors. Furthermore in laboratory experiments and on-site measurements very moderate UHF signal attenuations have been observed.


Nickel plating processes, popularly used in Europe in the 1950s, have been increasingly employed in Turkey in recent years. As a result, industrial usage has developed rapidly. Nickel plating is the preferred process for this study because of the uniformity of the plating thickness on the plated surface and the ease with which complex components can be plated. It is also resistant to corrosion and has good levels of hardness. In this experiment, the following parameters were investigated: the effect of varying the amount of nickel, the thickness of the plating, and sheen (whether shiny or dull). In this study, brightener and carrier agents have been used to determine the best operational parameters for the Kale Kilit Factory. The compositions of the brightener and carrier agents used in the experiment are included in this text. Additionally, investigations have been conducted on how the plating color changed when compared to the original bath as a result of using Fe 2+ complex concentration in nickel plating baths, as a brightener and for analyzing the color of the plated plate, under a visible region spectrophotometer at 350 nm and 6500 Kelvin light power and D65 (Average North Sky Daylight) light. In our research, the most important feature of analysis is that the desired color effect is obtained by using brightener agents containing Fe 2+ complex concentration without any interference from any colorant after nickel plating by electrolysis. In a study where nickel plating bath characteristics are researched, physical tests such as brittle test are applied to the plated plates, which provide us important ideas about the accuracy of the choices made according to standards.


In this work the software application called Glotaran is introduced as a Java-based graphical user interface to the R package TIMP, a problem solving environment for fitting superposition models to multi-dimensional data. TIMP uses a command-line user interface for the interaction with data, the specification of models and viewing of analysis results. Instead, Glotaran provides a graphical user interface which features interactive and dynamic data inspection, easier -- assisted by the user interface -- model specification and interactive viewing of results. The interactivity component is especially helpful when working with large, multi-dimensional datasets as often result from time-resolved spectroscopy measurements, allowing the user to easily pre-select and manipulate data before analysis and to quickly zoom in to regions of interest in the analysis results. Glotaran has been developed on top of the NetBeans rich client platform and communicates with R through the Java-to-R interface Rserve. The background and the functionality of the application are described here. In addition, the design, development and implementation process of Glotaran is documented in a generic way.


continent. 1.4 (2011): 286—310. This mad play of writing —Stephane Mallarme Somewhere in between mathematics and theory, light and dark, physicality and projection, oscillates the poetry of Alessandro De Francesco. The texts hold no periods or commas, not even a capital letter for reference. Each piece stands as an individual construction, and yet the poetry flows in and out of the frame. Images resurface from one poem to the next, haunting the reader with reincarnations of an object lost in the grass or a representation of a pear in a Dutch still life, embedded in cycles of cinematic close ups and multiple dimensions. As a whole, De Francesco's oeuvre suggests, to use the title of one of his works, a redefinition —linguistic, epistemological, personal. The poem The End (un'agenda) (The End (an agenda)) opens with a quote by literary theorist Maurice Blanchot, which may be translated as follows: Speaking is not seeing. Speaking frees thought from this optical imperative that in the Western tradition, for thousands of years, has subjugated out approach to things, and induced us to think under the guaranty of light or under the threat of its absence.[1] In writing, De Francesco seeks to redefine our approach to things. His poems, like Blanchot's writings, speak to both illuminate and to obscure. The reader hangs in an absence of reality within language that necessitates an attempt at interpretation, yet renders such a search ultimately futile. De Francesco draws the anonymous images that appear in this poem from the city of Paris, his current home. The fragmented narrative depicts an inner doubt of realness, calling for a confirmation of a physical existence beyond verbalization and cogitation. Cyclical references to film throw into question the reliability of the reality he creates. The light, sometimes red and safe, other times absent and murky, cannot necessarily be trusted as a guaranteed means of illumination. Blanchot's distinction between language and visualization, and the relationship of each to reality, though linked specifically to The End (un'agenda) , can be a lens through which to read any of the three works that follow. assente obliqua (absent oblique) is composed of descriptions of six still life paintings, ranging from Dutch masterpieces of the seventeenth century to 1960s minimalism. The actual images of the paintings are absent, and the text is the sole source and object of a virtual reality created around the artwork. "Absent oblique" refers to the light source placed outside of the frame, which both informs and distracts viewing of the scene. Although mere description can be unreliable and unsatisfying in its necessary limitation, the representational act of description is shown as more than just a human want. It is a need, a means by which to grapple with an unsure reality. As the illustrations progress, they descend into abstraction and chaos. The precariously placed plate triggers the movement: the bottle bursts and the objects collapse into the movement of a tracking film camera. corpo estraneo in moto ascensionale (foreign body in ascending motion) is prose poetry in action. Its objective tone of description is skewed by the subjectivity of the narrative as horrific images are relayed in fragmented but matter-of-fact manner. A "foreign body" is both a mass of cancerous cells, and a corporeal description, and the poem takes the reader on a journey back and forth between the two, destination unclear. Beyond a questioning of the real, corpo estraneo in moto ascensionale is an examination of the possible. De Francesco's poetry becomes a camera obscura through which to observe the constant flux of light and dark that blurs our reality. His work is colored by the idea of apo koinou , a Greek term meaning "from the common" that involves a construction of two clauses with a shared word or phrase. Through such melting of meaning, De Francesco creates a fluid ambiguity that is nonetheless grounded in bodily concepts. In assente obliqua , the reader is confronted with a description of a still life that rapidly transforms into a more chilling scene: the membrane of the mushroom in the basket emerges behind the white cloth a body could hide itself that asks for help In the realm of pure description, there is a mushroom that peeks out from behind a white cloth in a basket. Behind the white cloth, too, there could be a body, hiding, asking for help. Such an elision elicits disorienting mistrust in temporality, but also expands the planar possibilities of syntactical meaning. A white cloth is not merely a construct in still life painting, but veil that both shields and reveals potential mysteries. It is a proposed alternative to a traditional Western binary of subjectivity and objectivity. The apo koinou construction is rare in modern English, having slipped out of use after its resurgence in Old English poetry. De Francesco reintroduces this blur of object and subject relations into a modern light. He draws inspiration from a device used by Gruppo 63 founder and avant-garde poet Antonio Porta tended toward repetition of phrases in third person perspective. In Italian, it is perfectly grammatically correct to omit the subject, including only a verb conjugation. Gender, even humanity unknown, the subject dissolves into the action, thus giving to the poetry the power to change the reader's perception of who or what is actually acting. To further push the relative boundaries of experience, De Francesco expands his written poetry into what he calls "reading environments." In these sound experiments, De Francesco's voice reading his poetry is manipulated by real time digital voice processing. The written is transformed to the spoken, and then injected with currents of electric sound. "At each activation of word in the darkness," (from The End (un'agenda) ) language is permutated into a nonphysical yet all-encompassing being. In these projects, realized all over Europe, De Francesco continues his examination of the word's potency beyond the page and into an "n-dimensional space," where the lines between nature and affect are intertwined. To publish excerpts of De Francesco's oeuvre is to show screen shots of full-length film, to read pull quotes from a philosophy treatise. In these poems, there are questions, not to be answered, but to be questioned again. The words will oscillate in and out of the square construction found in his poems, out of the borders of the page, out of the rectangle of the laptop screen. NOTES (1) Blanchot, Maurice. The Infinite Conversation . Trans. Susan Hanson. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1993. 27. EDITORS' NOTE The .pdf above contains about twenty pages of translation and the original Italian poetry. Below we provide only a brief account. The End (an agenda) Parler, ce n'est pas voir. Parler libere la pensee de cette exigence optique qui, dans la tradition occidentale, soumet depuis des millenaires notre approche des choses et nous invite a penser sous la garantie de la lumiere ou sous la menace de l'absence de lumiere. —Maurice Blanchot in this n-dimensional space i could spy on myself from the cracks while going back and forth from the summer to the wardrobe from the night to the parking lot but something filters in through the half-closed shutters becomes an event        enunciation we stay without explanation like parallel curves on the back of a solid growing older she enters the garden always repeats certain phrases the elevator to be redone the neighbor's music the steps        the pavement furls like the leaves of a fern when touched she is framed from behind while she moves rocking she covers distances slowly a bag overflows from the wardrobe something stirs inside but then the suitcase comes open not even by my hand it's the objects that are starting to filter out the little red haired monster watches idling the appointments written on one of your agendas two years old still seem urgent each letter holds itself upright on the page with flourishes and arabesques each angle has its own geography i'm trying to describe the path the fingers trace on the carpet the zipper takes the opposite route we are suspended on the stairs above the water in the center is the summer seen from above the darkness of the city passes from one headlight to the next the surfaces of our arms cohere and are shiny underneath the blinking of a sign each pore is an open expanse the body dreams the hair gives form to the possible some daring swimmers were throwing themselves into the seine they swam upstream up to the first quay look there could exist         behind the screen a room where even when the lamp is out and the curtains drawn even when the suitcase wasn't closed everything seemed red everything calm construction of a four-dimensional tetrahedron by R. Courant – H. Robbins, What is Mathematics? Oxford University Press, 1941


Probability estimation is one of the fundamental tasks in statistics and machine learning. However, standard methods for probability estimation on discrete objects do not handle object structure in a satisfactory manner. In this paper, we derive a general Bayesian network formulation for probability estimation on leaf-labeled trees that enables flexible approximations which can generalize beyond observations. We show that efficient algorithms for learning Bayesian networks can be easily extended to probability estimation on this challenging structured space. Experiments on both synthetic and real data show that our methods greatly outperform the current practice of using the empirical distribution, as well as a previous effort for probability estimation on trees.


This research aims to investigate clay silt reserve in brick farmer area. This research applies geoelectricity by using Schlumberger configuration conducted by doing injection of electric current with low frequency to surface of earth. Value of resistance will bring information about structure and materials across by it. Research site is in four stations and based on the geographical location in the station I at coordinate N 00 ° 35'43.7 ", E 123 ° 03'41.6" directed to east west, station 2 in coordinate N 00 ° 35'43.8 ", E 123 o 03'41.4 "directed to north south, station 3 in coordinate N 00 ° 35'42.4", E 123 ° 03'41.5 "directed to north south and station 4 in coordinate N 00 ° 35'45.4", E 123 ° 03 '42 .1 "directed to south north. Research finding reveals that depth or density of clay silt ie in S1 is 8 m, in S2 is 2.5 m, in S3 is 7 m while in S4 is 8,5 m. Density in S2 is the thinnest is the river thinnest gravel and sand are found there. Then, based on the four points after straight line is drawn, it shapes geometry which makes the volume of clay silt reserve can be calculated. And based on finding of measurement and calculation, it obtains volume of clay silt reserve in the village of Dulohupa for 15000 m3.


Purpose Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been used as a curative and specific treatment of allergic diseases. However, no data on the prescription patterns of AIT in Korea is available. Therefore, we surveyed the prescription patterns of AIT by allergy specialists in Korea. Methods We emailed a questionnaire on AIT prescription patterns to the 690 members of the Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology with clinical practice experience. All returned answers were evaluated. Results The response rate was 21.0%. Only 69.0% of the respondents performed AIT in practice. Hindrance factors for performing AIT in the practice included a lack of facilities (21%), lack of practical experience during their subspecialty or postgraduate educational training programs (15.8%), no need for AIT because of sufficient pharmacotherapy (14.5%), insufficient economic profits (14.5%), and risks for adverse reactions (13.2%). Ninety-two allergy specialists (82%) performed AIT subcutaneously subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and 20 allergy specialists (18%) performed it sublingually sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Only 8 specialists performed both SCIT and SLIT. The allergens used for SCIT were house dust mites (98.9%), pollens (72.8%), and animal dander (23.9%). SLIT was prescribed only for house dust mites. Twenty-eight physicians (30.4%) observed anaphylactic reactions during SCIT. Eight physicians (40.0%) who prescribed SLIT observed adverse reactions, including local reactions, but none of them observed anaphylactic reactions. Conclusions In this survey, 69.0% of the respondents performed AIT in clinical practice. SCIT prescription is more popular than SLIT. The Lack of facilities and clinical education is a critical barrier to performing AIT. Therefore, proper clinical education of AIT is necessary for Korean allergists.


The soil geochemical survey of the Greater London (UK) area, comprising over 6400 sample sites, is the most detailed and comprehensive urban mapping project carried out to date. In order to give insight into the environmental impacts of urbanisation and industrialisation, as well as to characterise the geochemical baseline of the UK's most populous city, samples were collected at a density of 4 sites per km2. The <2 mm fraction from the topsoil samples (5 – 20 cm) was analysed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS). Resulting data for over 50 elements were subject to rigorous quality control procedures to ensure accurate and inter-comparable data.
Anthropogenic modification to soil baseline concentrations is evident across the urban area. A notable feature is the 'central zone' of higher concentrations of, for example, Pb, Sb, Ca, Zn, Cu, Sn and As in the oldest, most intensely urbanised parts of the city. In the cases of Pb and Sb in particular, high-density traffic is a likely source. Local 'hotspots' of elevated concentrations, related to particular anthropogenic activities, can also be identified. For example Se, Cd, Ni, Cu and Zn show particularly elevated concentrations in the vicinity of an industrial area on the banks of the river Lee in north London, whilst Cr and Cd also display high concentrations around Heathrow airport in the west.
Despite these anthropogenic controls, a strong geological control on soil chemistry is observed for many elements. This is particularly evident in south London where high baseline concentrations of, for example, Ca, Ce, I, La, Mn, Nd, P, Sr, Y and Zr, relate to the influence of the Cretaceous chalk bedrock. In the north-western quadrant of London and along the northern boundary of the project area, high baseline concentrations for a number of elements (Al, Fe, Mg, K, Cr, La, Ti, Ga, Rb and Ni) are associated with the outcrop of Palaeogene clays. Elevated levels of Hf and Zr correspond to areas of Eocene marine and Quaternary wind-blown deposits.
One of the most interesting features of the mapped data is the consistently low concentrations of metals associated with the Royal Parks (Bushy and Richmond), Hampton Court and nearby Wimbledon Common in southwest London, which contrast with surrounding areas. Throughout the urban evolution of London these parks have avoided significant residential or industrial activity and remain free of imported soil, wastes or 'made ground'. Consequently, comparison of geochemical baselines within and outside the parks, where underlying geology is consistent, can help to provide an indication of ambient anthropogenic geochemical modification of London's soils.


This book analyzes scientific problems within the history of physics, engineering, chemistry, astronomy and medicine, correlated with technological applications in the social context. When and how is tension between disciplines explicitly practised? What is the conceptual bridge between science researches and the organization of technological researches in the development of industrial applications? The authors explain various ways in which the sciences allowed advanced modelling on the one hand, and the development of new technological ideas on the other hand. An emphasis on the role played by mechanisms, production methods and instruments bestows a benefit on historical and scientific discourse: theories, institutions, universities, schools for engineers, social implications as well. Scholars from different traditions discuss the emerging style of thinking in methodology and, in theoretical perspective, aim to gather and re-evaluate the current thinking on this subject. It brings together contributions from leading experts in the field, and gives much-needed insight into the subject from a historical point of view. The volume composition makes for absorbing reading for historians, philosophers and scientists


Introduction: Mental retardation, is one of the most common causes for referral to genetic counseling centers, and is one of the greatest challenges in health care services in the world. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormalities in humans. Methods: This study performed in Medical Genetic Counseling Center of Welfare Organization in south of Iran with high consanguineous marriages with aim of comparison between mental retarded children due to Down Syndrome and other causes of mental retardation between 2006-2014. Participants were 44 children with Down Syndrome and 71 mental retarded children due to another causes. Results: The prevalence of mental retardation was 4.2 and the most common cause of mental retardation was Down Syndrome (38.2). There was a significant statistical association between Down Syndrome and congenital heart defects (P=0.001). Conclusion: First and second trimester prenatal screening could help to detect pregnancies with increased risk of fetal chromosomal anomalies.


Neutrophils dominate the early immune response in pathogen-induced acute lung injury, but efforts to harness their responses have not led to therapeutic advancements. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been proposed as an innate defense mechanism responsible for pathogen clearance, but there are concerns that NETs may induce collateral damage to host tissues. Here, we detected NETs in abundance in mouse models of severe bacterial pneumonia/acute lung injury and in human subjects with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from pneumonia or sepsis. Decreasing NETs reduced lung injury and improved survival after DNase I treatment or with partial protein arginine deiminase 4 deficiency (PAD4+/-). Complete PAD4 deficiency (PAD4-/-) reduced NETs and lung injury but was counterbalanced by increased bacterial load and inflammation. Importantly, we discovered that the lipoxin pathway could be a potent modulator of NET formation, and that mice deficient in the lipoxin receptor (Fpr2-/-) produced excess NETs leading to increased lung injury and mortality. Lastly, we observed in humans that increased plasma NETs were associated with ARDS severity and mortality, and lower plasma DNase I levels were associated with the development of sepsis-induced ARDS. We conclude that a critical balance of NETs is necessary to prevent lung injury and to maintain microbial control, which has important therapeutic implications.


The increasing demand for aquaculture products globally is leading to greater demand
for coastal marine farm space, intensification within existing aquaculture areas, and
conversion of production to high value species, especially finfish. Among the many
environmental interactions that arise with finfish aquaculture development, one of the most
dramatic impacts is local-scale organic enrichment of the benthic ecosystem due to deposition
of fish faeces and uneaten feed. A benthic impact is typically evident as severe organic
enrichment beneath finfish cages (e.g. species-poor, near-azoic conditions), with a gradient of
decreasing enrichment extending to background conditions across scales of tens to hundreds
of metres distant from cages.
The overall hypothesis of this thesis was that seabed organic enrichment (degradation
and recovery) can be accurately and quantitatively determined using biological and physicochemical
variables that can be applied across geographic regions and contrasting
environments. This was accompanied by an objective to refine knowledge of processes
underpinning benthic enrichment, and to develop or refine tools for the prediction, monitoring
and management of enrichment effects associated with fish aquaculture. The thesis comprises
six sequential, related chapters that address: site- and region-specific ecological
characterisation of benthic communities and the development on a new environmental
indicator variable; comparisons of existing biological indicators and indices in different
hydrodynamic regimes; application and validation of a depositional model for predicting
effects under very different environmental conditions; and a detailed analysis of long-term
and medium-term recovery from highly enriched states, and consideration of re-impact rates
and implications for farm management strategies. The analyses are based on both targeted
recent studies as well as longer-term monitoring undertaken at six salmon farms situated in
the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand; four of which are situated in low flow environments,
and two are situated in high flow (dispersive) environments. Characterising the differences
associated with the sites' dispersive properties is a theme that runs throughout this study.
Chapter 2 used best professional judgement methods to develop a quantitative benthic
enrichment index termed 'enrichment stage', which unifies information from biological and physico-chemical variables. The resulting seven stage bounded continuous variable was used
to assign enrichment tolerance groups to benthic taxa using quantile regression splines. A
number of key indicator taxa were discriminated along the enrichment gradient, including
several that were responsive to low-level changes in enrichment stage (ES), but not necessarily
organic matter (%OM), and 10 taxa for which ecological understanding was previously limited.
In Chapter 3, the gradient was also used to evaluate the performance of five benthic indicators
and ten biotic indices for defining organic enrichment under different flow regimes. A subset
of variables was recommended comprising: two biotic indices, total abundance, and a
geochemical variable. A subsequent but related study in Chapter 4 revealed pronounced flowrelated
differences in the magnitude and spatial extent of benthic enrichment. Total
macrofaunal abundances at high-flow sites were nearly an order of magnitude greater than at
comparable low flow sites, representing a significant benthic biomass, and occurred in
conjunction with moderate-to-high species richness and the absence of appreciable organic
accumulation. The atypical ecological conditions associated with high-flow sites were
attributed to i) minimal accumulation of fine sediments, ii) maintenance of aerobic conditions
in near-surface sediments, and iii) an abundant food supply.
Chapter 5 explored the relationship between predicted depositional flux (using
DEPOMOD) and enrichment stage, calculated using the methods developed in the previous
chapters (1 to 3). Observed impacts at farms with contrasting flow regimes were examined to
evaluate the role of modelled resuspension dynamics in determining impacts. When
resuspension was included in the model, net particle export was predicted at the most
dispersive sites. However, significant seabed effects were observed, suggesting that although
the model outputs were theoretically plausible they were inconsistent with the observational
data. When the model was run without resuspension the results were consistent with the
field survey data. This retrospective validation suggested that approximately twice the flux
was needed to induce an effect level at the dispersive sites equivalent to that at the nondispersive
sites. Flux estimates are provided for detectable enrichment and highly enriched
states. This study shows that the association between current flow, sediment resuspension
and ecological impacts is more complex than presently encapsulated within DEPOMOD and
emphasises the need for validation of such models, particularly at dispersive sites.
The final two data chapters (Chapters 6 and 7) examine the spatial and temporal
recovery processes that take place following a highly enriched state. Chapter 6 provides a comprehensive analysis of a long-term (8 year) dataset in relation to a variety of proposed
recovery and remediation definitions. Many challenges associated with quantifying the
endpoint of 'recovery' were identified. The concept of dynamic and spatial equilibria proved
to be valid in this situation, and alternate state theories may apply. In combination with
visualisation of plotted data, statistical tests for parallelism in temporal trajectories of cage and
reference sites proved to be an effective method for characterising recovery, but the method
was highly sensitive to window time-length. Simple, univariate indicators of enrichment
tended to be less sensitive, and indicate recovery earlier, than more complex multivariate
indicators. Recovery was assessed to be complete after approximately five years, but there
was some evidence of on-going instability in the composition of the macrofauna, which was
partly attributed to spatial and temporal processes and patterning in the macrobenthos. The
last data chapter (Chapter 7) examined shorter-term recovery and re-impact patterns and
revealed some interesting successional patterns in time and space, especially between %OM,
TFS and abundances of opportunistic taxa. The discussion brings together findings from the
targeted and long-term studies to reveal alternate oscillations between sediment chemistry
and biological response, which have temporally distinct signals. It is proposed that the large
oscillations that occur in the early stages of recovery represent the extreme end of the
environmental instability that occurs as a result of a severe perturbation (in this case,
cessation of extreme enrichment) that abates through time as recovery ensues.
This integrated study has a number of important implications for the management of
organic enrichment in general but is especially pertinent for fish farming. In particular,
recommendations are made regarding the i) adequacy of chemical and biological benthic
indicators and their performance in typical non-dispersive and atypical dispersive sites; ii) use
and applicability of depositional models in the same environments with emphasis on the role
of resuspension, and iii) timing and approach for reintroduction of impacts, with respect to
monitoring and management of rotational fallowing strategies to ensure on-going
sustainability.


Recent developments in shape-controlled synthesis of metallic nano-particles present a promising path for precisely tuning chemical activity, selectivity, and stability of nano-materials. While previous studies have highlighted the macroscopic description of synthesis processes, there is less understanding as to whether individual atomic-scale processes possess any significant role in controlling the growth of nano-products. The presented molecular static and dynamic simulations are the first simulations to understand the underlying atomistic mechanisms of the experimentally determined growth modes of metal nano-clusters. Our simulations on Ag nano-cubes confirm that metal nano-seeds enclosed by {100} facets can be directed to grow into octopods, concave, truncated cubes, and cuboctahedra when the relative surface diffusion and deposition rates are finely tuned. Here we further showed that atomic level processes play a significant role in controllably fine tuning the two competing rates: surface diffusion and deposition. We also found that regardless of temperature and the initial shape of the nano-seeds, the exchange of the deposited atom with an edge atom of the seed is by far the governing diffusion mechanism between the neighboring facets, and thus is the leading atomistic process determining the conditions for fine tuning of macroscopic processes.


Background:
 The NIHSS is used for the initial assessment of patients with acute stroke for hospitals seeking Primary Stroke Center certification by The Joint Commission. There is a gap between online education and performance at the bedside. By implementing face-to-face instruction, scenario based return competency and remediation, we can we can narrow the gap between e-learning and application.

 Methods:
 In a rural hospital pursuing Primary Stroke Center certification, nurses from the ED, ICU, Medical-Surgical, and the Float Pool were required to complete NIHSS training within 6 weeks. The training was divided into multiple phases. During the first phase, the nurses completed the online NIHSS certification appropriate for their respective group to complete. In addition to the mandatory online certification course, face-to-face instruction was offered to supplement the online training. In the second phase, the nurses' competency was evaluated in a simulated scenario. The third phase was reserved for the nurses that failed the competency evaluation. They were required to receive face-to-face instruction as a remedial measure and repeat the competency evaluation. All nurses received the training from the same two nursing educators with a critical care background.

 Results:
 Of the 114 nurses that completed the first two phases of training 36 (32%) failed the competency in phase two. The total of failure per specialty in the overall group that failed: Med-Surg 19 (53%), ICU 10 (28%), ED 5 (14%), and Float Pool 2 (0.06%). Eight (89%) of nurses that voluntarily completed the face-to-face instruction in phase one passed the evaluation in phase two. In the third phase, 36 (100%) nurses that received remedial face-to-face instruction passed the repeat competency evaluation. Failure rate according to level of group certification was NIHSS Group A 35 (97%) and Group B 1 (0.03%).

 Discussion:
 Face-to-face instruction clearly enhances stroke assessment. Every nurse (n=36) passed the competency evaluation after receiving remedial face-to-face instruction, and of those nurses who opted to supplement their online training with face-to-face instruction before their initial competency evaluation, 8 (89%) passed.


To be efficient and patient focused, healthcare units need to be process oriented and integrated with the processes and IT systems of other healthcare units. A process manager facilitates integration of different systems by using graphical and executable process models. The process manager also communicates directly with healthcare personnel via desktop computers and mobile devices. This article reports on a Swedish project where a prototype system was developed and tested with several healthcare units. The experience shows several advantages and opportunities. For example, current information about patients can be transferred automatically between healthcare units; resource intensive manual tasks can be replaced with automated tasks; and long-term process monitoring and quality assessment can be enabled. However, introducing a process manager requires attention to issues of security, ethics and legality. Healthcare units may also show differences in security awareness and IT maturity, which could obstruct the introduction of a process manager.


Utilizing the reasoning processing technology, a new cellular movie loading structure, known as AMESCloud, which has two main parts: AMoV (adaptive cellular movie streaming) and ESoV (efficient public movie sharing). AMoV and ESoV build a personal broker to offer movie loading services efficiently for each cellular customer. For a given customer, AMoV lets her undercover broker adaptively adjust her stream flow with a scalable movie programming technique in accordance with the reviews of link quality. Likewise, ESoV watches the online community communications among cellular users, and their personal providers try to prefetch movie content in advance. We apply a model of the AMES-Cloud structure to show its performance. It is shown that the personal providers in the atmosphere can effectively offer the flexible loading, and perform movie discussing (i.e., prefetching) in accordance with the online community analysis.. We first recommend an precise Comparison-based Profile Related method (eCPM) which runs between two parties, an initiator and a -responder. The eCPM enable the initiator to acquire the comparison-based matching outcome about a specified feature in their profiles, while stop their feature values from exposure. We then recommend an implied Comparison-based Profile Related method (iCPM) which allows the initiator to straight acquire some information instead of the evaluation outcome from the -responder. The information unique to customer profile can be separated into multiple groups by the -responder. The initiator unquestioningly selects the involved category which is unknown to the -responder.


[1] The connection between the production of the cosmogenic isotope 10Be and changes in heliomagnetic activity makes ice core 10Be an attractive proxy for studying changes in solar output. However, interpreting 10Be ice core records on centennial timescales is complicated by potential climate-related deposition changes that could obscure the 10Be production signal. By using the Goddard Institute for Space Studies ModelE general circulation model to selectively vary climate and production functions, we model 10Be flux at key ice-coring sites. We vary geomagnetic field strength and the solar activity modulation parameter (ϕ), CO2, sea surface temperatures, and volcanic aerosols to assess impacts on 10Be. Specifically, we find significant latitudinal differences in the response of 10Be fluxes to changes in the production function. In the climate experiments the 10Be deposition changes simulated over ice sheets in both hemispheres are comparable to those seen in the production experiments. This altered deposition combined with changes of snow accumulation results in significant climate-related 10Be concentration variation in both Greenland and Antarctica. Over the Holocene our results suggest that the 10Be response to climate change should not be neglected when inferring production changes.


Do financial market participants free-ride on liquidity? To address this question, we construct a dynamic general equilibrium model where agents face idiosyncratic preference and technology shocks. A secondary financial market allows agents to adjust their portfolio of liquid and illiquid assets in response to these shocks. The opportunity to do so reduces the demand for the liquid asset and, hence, its value. The optimal policy response is to restrict (but not eliminate) access to the secondary financial market. The reason for this result is that the portfolio choice exhibits a pecuniary externality: An agent does not take into account that by holding more of the liquid asset, he not only acquires additional insurance but also marginally increases the value of the liquid asset which improves insurance to other market participants.


Markers of oxidative stress in the hepatopancreas and carotenoid and vitamin E content in the carapace of the invasive crab Percnon gibbesi and the native crab Pachygrapsus marmoratus were compared as indicators of their physiological condition and environmental adaptation. Crabs similar in size were collected from coastal waters of Portals Vells (Mallorca Island, Spain; 39°28'18.79"N, 2°28'19.63"E) at P. marmoratus than in P. gibbesi , whereas all carotenoid concentrations, except astaxanthin, were significantly higher in P. gibbesi . Catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities were significantly greater in P. marmoratus . Malondialdehyde concentration, a marker of lipid peroxidation, was higher in the hepatopancreas of P. gibbesi . The differences in carotenoid and vitamin E contents and in the antioxidant enzyme activities are a reflection of the different physiological activity of the two species and may suggest that P. gibbesi is not a potential competitor for the native crab P. marmoratus .


Background: Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT) results from mutations in the genes ITGA2B and ITGB3, located on chromosome 17q21–23 which encodes the platelet glycoprotein αIIbβ3 complex, namely GPIIb (αIIb) and GPIIIa (β3), the fibrinogen receptors on platelets, which play an important role in platelet aggregation. Patients with GT can require frequent hospitalization and can be a burden on the nation's health resources. The possibility that GT could be cured by gene replacement therapy makes it essential to study the molecular basis of the GT patients in a particular family or kindred. Objectives: Our aim was to identify the underlying mutations responsible for GT in Omani patients in order to establish a strategy for genetic counseling and carrier detection to prevent the occurrence of the homozygous state by prenatal diagnosis. Methods: GT was diagnosed in a 17 year old Omani female at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. The diagnosis of GT was based on clinical features, platelet aggregometry and biochemical studies. Platelet surface expression of GPIIb/IIIa was also studied by flowcytometry. Molecular studies performed at Medical Genetics Department, Tsukuba University, Japan, include DNA sequencing of all exons and exon-intron junctions of ITGA2B and ITGB3 of the two genes by the ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer®. [Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA]. Genomic DNA was also analyzed by Illumina Human-1 Bead Chip Illumina® (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) to exclude the whole region of the two genes that could produce an apparent homozygous state. Results: We have identified a novel nonsense causative mutation (Q694X) by sequencing the ITGB3 gene. [Figure 1a & b]. In addition, sequencing ITGB3 gene also revealed 2 SNPs (rs 3809863; IVS14+9C/T, rs 3809865; 3383T/A). The Micro-Array assay using Illumina Human-1 Bead chip excluded the possibility of deletion of these genes in chromosome 17 in this patient. Summary/Conclusion: A stop codon was found in exon 13 of ITGB3 gene causing the translated protein to be abnormally shortened. It is hypothesized that the altered form of ITGB3 gene is both extremely unstable and rapidly degraded after its biosynthesis, leading to a loss of function of the protein. Further RNA expression studies, transfection tests and cDNA sequencing are ongoing to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for GT.


In this paper, a rectangular unit of steel roof in Zhenghou International Conference Exhibition Center is investigated about the effects of different structural parameters on its dynamic performances with ANSYS software. Response spectrum method is adopted to calculate the natural vibration characteristics, the dynamic displacements, the support reactions, the ratio of the maximum dynamic forces over static forces, and the ratio of the maximum dynamic displacement over static displacement, etc. The results indicate that the influences of pre-tensions on the dynamic properties of the pre-tensioned steel roof may be ignored, but, boundary condition will have great effects on its mechanical performances under seismic response.


Abstract High-resolution sedimentological and biostratigraphic data recently recovered from Upper Cambrian strata in the northern Rocky Mountain and central Appalachian regions reveal that meter-scale cycles of very different character developed synchronously during deposition of the basal subzones of the Ibexian Series in both the carbonate facies belt and the distal part of the inner detrital, mixed siliciclastic–carbonate facies belt of the Laurentian paleocontinent. A typical mixed siliciclastic–carbonate cycle in the Snowy Range Formation of Wyoming and Montana consists of the following lithofacies in ascending order: shale, shale with very thin grainstone interbeds, grainstone with subordinate thin shale interbeds, flat-pebble conglomerate, and (in some cycles) thrombolitic bioherms. Internal transitions between the constituent lithofacies are mostly gradational, but cycle boundaries are sharp with shale directly overlying flat-pebble conglomerate and/or thrombolitic boundstone. We postulate that these mixed siliciclastic–carbonate cycles developed in response to different depositional dynamics than meter-scale cycles developed in carbonate-belt facies. Specifically, cycles in the carbonate belt were produced largely by temporal variation in accommodation space, and associated filling of that space through progradation of the carbonate system and aggradation to sea level. In contrast, cyclic deposition within the inner detrital belt was controlled by variations in terrigenous sediment input and resulting effects on carbonate productivity. In this case, enhanced delivery of siliciclastic mud by rivers was triggered by regression and/or a shift to more humid climatic conditions. An upward increase of carbonate in the main part of the cycles reflects enhanced carbonate production in response to the reduction of terrigenous clay supply during shoreline retreat. Widespread cementation of fine grainstone substrates led to deposition of extensive beds of flat-pebble conglomerate, possibly in association with elevated sea-surface temperatures and enhanced storm intensity. Thrombolites formed at times of maximum transgression as microbial communities thrived in the absence of turbidity, colonizing the irregular surfaces of flat-pebble conglomerate beds. We thus interpret these wholly subtidal cycles to record full changes in paleobathymetry with the bulk of the cycles recording upward deepening, rather than shoaling associated with regression. Comparison with age-equivalent shoaling cycles of the Conococheague Formation of the carbonate belt of the Appalachian Mountains highlights the different depositional dynamics in the mixed siliciclastic–carbonate systems, and underscores the peril in extrapolation of depositional models derived from carbonate systems to mixed systems, regardless of age or paleogeographic setting.


In recent years, the field of public health has experienced a great influx of specialists. Prior to 1910, medicine and nursing were almost the sole professions within the health department. At that time medicine was almost entirely clinical. As preventive medicine developed it was imperative to enlist the services of many scientific disciplines in a cooperative attack upon the complex problems of modern public health. Thus we now find that the dentist, the sanitary engineer, the bacteriologist, the mycologist, the virologist, the physicist and may others have a definite place in the field of preventive medicine.
As each of these professions has increased its activity in research and field operations for the control and prevention of disease, it has had to reach for new tools with which to perform its task. Today an examination will show that a surprising proportion of these tools are not biological, statistical or diagnostic in nature but are instead purely physical tools, apparatus and equipment.


Silicon can host a large amount of lithium, making it a promising electrode for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. Upon absorbing lithium, silicon swells several times its volume; the deformation often induces large stresses and pulverizes silicon. Recent experiments, however, indicate that under certain conditions lithiation causes inelastic deformation. This paper models such an inelastic host of lithium by considering diffusion, elastic-plastic deformation, and fracture. The model shows that fracture is averted for a small and soft host—an inelastic host of a small feature size and low yield strength.


This chapter introduces a novel, chemical-free "steam coating" method for preparing films on magnesium (Mg) alloys and assesses their effectiveness in improving the corrosion resistance of two different Mg alloys. A film composed of crystalline Mg(OH)2 and Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) was successfully formed on AZ31 Mg alloy, and its corrosion resistance was evaluated through electrochemical measurements and immersion tests in an aqueous solution containing 5 wt.% NaCl. An anticorrosive film was also formed on Ca-added flame-resistant AM60 (AMCa602) Mg alloy via the same steam coating method and found to be composed of crystalline Mg(OH)2 and Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH). Its corrosion resistance was also investigated, and the effectiveness of the steam coating method for improving the corrosion resistance of Mg was fully explored.


Background: Effective communication between healthcare professionals and relatives of patients approaching the end-of-life is vital to ensure patients have a 'good death'. To improve communication, it is important to first identify how this is currently being accomplished. Aim: To review qualitative evidence concerning characteristics of communication about prognosis and end-of-life care between healthcare professionals and relatives of patients approaching the end-of-life. Design: Qualitative systematic review (PROSPERO registration CRD42017065560) using thematic synthesis. Peer-reviewed, English language articles exploring the content of conversations and how participants communicated were included. No date restrictions were applied. Quality of included studies was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Data sources: An electronic database search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE was performed. Results: Thirty-one papers were included. Seven themes were identified: highlighting deterioration; involvement in decision-making, post-decision interactional work, tailoring, honesty and clarity, specific techniques for information delivery and roles of different healthcare professionals. Varied levels of family involvement in decision-making were reported. Healthcare professionals used strategies to aid understanding and collaborative decision-making, such as highlighting the patient's deterioration, referring to patient wishes and tailoring information delivery. Doctors were regarded as responsible for discussing prognosis and decision-making, and nurses for providing individualized care. Conclusion: Findings suggest training could provide healthcare professionals with these strategies to improve communication. Interventions such as question prompt lists could help relatives overcome barriers to involvement in decision-making. Further research is needed to understand communication with relatives in different settings and with different healthcare professionals.


Constraint-based applications such as configurators, recommenders, and scheduling systems support users in complex decision making scenarios. Typically, these systems try to identify a solution that satisfies all articulated user requirements. If the requirements are inconsistent with the underlying constraint set, users have to be actively supported in finding a way out from the no solution could be found dilemma. In this paper we introduce techniques that support the calculation of personalized diagnoses for inconsistent constraint sets. These techniques significantly improve the diagnosis prediction quality compared to approaches based on the calculation of minimal cardinality diagnoses. In order to show the applicability of our approach we present the results of an empirical study and a corresponding performance analysis.


To see the trend in managing singleton breech pregnancy after the term breech trial. Secondly to compare the safety of different modes of delivery for term, singleton breeches by looking at the immediate neonatal outcome, based on our own experience. Breech infants were identified by examining computer-stored maternal discharge records of hospitalization for the years 1990 and 2000 respectively. Parameters studied included planned mode of delivery, actual mode of delivery, parity, previous vaginal delivery, Apgar score at five minute, birth weight, referral to special care nursery and neonatal morbidity. Of 6,496 deliveries in 1990 and 5,081 in 2000, there were 220 (3.4%) and 148 (2.9%) term breech infants respectively, of which 115 (for 1990) and 102 (for 2000) case records were available. In 1990, 62.6% of the women had trial of vaginal breech delivery but only 24.5% of the women in 2000 were allowed to do so (p < 0.05). Caesarean section rate for singleton breeches increased from 51.3% in 1990 to 84.3% in 2000 ( p < 0.05). Mean Apgar score at five minutes was significantly lower after vaginal breech delivery (9.40 ± 1.36) compared to after Caesarean section (9.72 ± 0.712) but there was no clinical significance. There was a noticeable trend towards Caesarean section and less trial of vaginal delivery. Neonatal outcomes of babies born abdo- minally were statistically better than those born vaginally but there was little clinical impact. Perhaps in properly selected cases, a planned vaginal breech delivery still has a role to play. (JUMMEC 2003-2005; 8: 39-44)


High performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass (MS/MS) detector was employed to scan the urinary metabolites of Wistar rats (n=5 each group) fed with either control diet or high fat diet with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) for 14 weeks. Principle component analysis (PCA) of the LC-MS data was performed for pattern re-cognition and it clearly showed that the dosed animals displayed different metabolic responses even though they received the same treatment. Components responsible for the separation were identified with MS/MS. Glucose and malonic acid were among some other components in Krebs cycle to show high loading strength in PCA. It was therefore postulated that the high fat diets have driven the animals toward the metabolic flux to gluconeogenesis and then energy production through Krebs cycle. Excess energy was also stored through fatty acid biosynthesis with the observation of high loading strength of malonic acid. This experiment demonstrated that a triple quadruple mass spectrophotometer is capable of the metabonomic study on diet modulation of animals. Since metabonomics is a congruous part of nutrigenomics that can provide information on nutritional status, toxicity and gene function of an organism, it is hoped that this technique be extended to study the efficacy of functional foods and the development of personalized foods.


Abstract Stakeholder collaboration has been identified as a facilitator for positive transition outcomes for all children, and especially for children in need of special support. However, the type and extent of stakeholder collaboration have shown to be related to teachers' view of their transition practises. Thus, this study set out to examine the transition activities reported by 253 teachers in Compulsory School for Students with Learning Disabilities in Sweden. The purpose was to study the type of transition activities performed and how important teachers regarded these activities to be. The results show that overall teachers are engaged in transition activities that can be described as mainly traditional, as they do not differ from transition activities carried out in other educational settings. The results also show that untraditional transition activities, such as home visits and joint parent meetings with preschools, are viewed as important, but rarely executed. The results are discussed from an ecological systems perspective, emphasising the interconnectedness of individuals and their environment. Focus is given to individualised transition processes and developmentally appropriate transition activities for young children with learning disability.


This book summarizes the work of several Council for Asia-Europe Cooperation (CAEC) task forces and reviews the role of Asia-Europe cooperation in the contemporary world. Convinced that the most important rationale behind Asia-Europe cooperation is the shared interest in preventing a further deterioration of multilateralism and of international institutions, editor Karl Kaiser finds it crucial for the two regions to cooperate --in order to ensure that multilateral rules, regimes, and institutions remain the basis of the emerging world order. The book explores the specific roles of Asia and Europe in the twenty-first century and ways they can work together to avert crises, restore peace where necessary, and create a better structure of global governance.


The control of the major sugarcane pest, Diatraea saccharalis, is limited by the stem location of the caterpillar. As part of a long-term project towards the development of an alternative and efficient delivery system of Cry proteins to control the sugarcane borer, the current work describes the selection and characterization of a Brazilian B. thuringiensis strain with prominent activity towards D. saccharalis. Strain S76 was eleven-fold more active than the HD-1 Lepidoptera-standard strain, as estimated by the LC50 of 13.06 µg/L and 143.88 µg/L, respectively. We observed bipiramidal and cuboidal crystals similar to those found in other B. thuringiensis strains with entomopathogenic activity against Lepidoptera and Diptera. In addition, smaller and spherical crystalline inclusions were also observed. The plasmid profile of strain S76 is similar to that of HD-1. PCR amplifications of S76 DNA using cry specific primers confirmed the presence of cry1Aa,cry1Ab,cry1Ac,cry2Aa1, and cry2Ab2, but not cry1Ad, cry2Ac and cry9 type genes. No differences that could explain the superior activity of S76 when compared to HD-1, the Lepidoptera standard strain, were observed. Nevertheless, its higher entomopathogenic activity has pointed this strain S76 as a potential source of cry genes to control sugarcane borer, an important pest that affects sugarcane, a crop that occupies a planted area of about 6 million ha in Brazil.


Abstract Hydraulic engineers often divide a flow region into subregions to simplify calculations. However, the implementation of flow divisibility remains an open issue and has not yet been implemented as a fully developed mathematical tool for modeling complex channel flows independently of experimental verification. This paper addresses whether a three-dimensional flow is physically divisible, meaning that division lines with zero Reynolds shear stress exist. An intensive laboratory investigation was conducted to carefully measure the time-averaged velocity in a rectangular open channel flow using a laser Doppler anemometry system. Two innovative methods are employed to determine the locations of division lines based on the measured velocity profile. The results clearly reveal that lines with zero total shear stress are discernible, indicating that the flow is physically divisible. Moreover, the experimental data were employed to test previously proposed methods of calculating division lines, and the results show that Yang and Lim's method is the most reasonable predictor. Hydraulic engineers often divide a flow region into subregions to simplify calculations. However, the implementation of flow divisibility remains an open issue and has not yet been implemented as a fully developed mathematical tool for modeling complex channel flows independently of experimental verification. This paper addresses whether a three-dimensional flow is physically divisible, meaning that division lines with zero Reynolds shear stress exist. An intensive laboratory investigation was conducted to carefully measure the time-averaged velocity in a rectangular open channel flow using a laser Doppler anemometry system. Two innovative methods are employed to determine the locations of division lines based on the measured velocity profile. The results clearly reveal that lines with zero total shear stress are discernible, indicating that the flow is physically divisible. Moreover, the experimental data were employed to test previously proposed methods of calculating division lines, and the results show that Yang and Lim's method is the most reasonable predictor.


A Development of the Bible Study Material: The "Troas" Series Myung Son Kim Doctor of Ministry 1997 School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary In this dissertation, I examine the cause of the decline of the membership in the Korean churches. I find the cause in the lack of education in the Bible. I propose that we should go back to the Bible in order to revive the church. This dissertation is consisted of the three chapters and an appendix. In the introduction, the purpose and range of the study, and the method and circumstance of the research is stated. The first chapter deals with the definition of the Bible Study, the motivation and the purpose of the Bible Study, and the necessity and the fundamental principles of the Bible Study with the method and process. In the second chapter, the representative Bible Study materials which receive good responses in several churches currently are compared and analyzed. In this process, the materials for the adult groups and for the young adult groups are distinguished. The third chapter, a new Bible Study material is presented for the model of the education of the Bible in the church. In the appendix, "Droa Bible Study" is included. The Word of God is not changing but the method of studying it can change. And the change should be actively sought and achieved. The revival of the church is preceded by the serious study of the Bible in the church. In this study I argue that the Bible Study should occupy the highest priority over social activity so that the Bible may be the guiding principle in the life of the church. I also argue that like "Berean Christians" church members should develop the habit of examining the Bible as an individual as well as the whole church. Since the division of the church and the challenge against the church arise from the anti-intellectual tendencies that despise the study of the Bible, the congregation should be rigorously trained in the Word. Finally, the priority should be set to apply the Word in the actual life after learning the Word so that the life itself can be changed. For this end, the intentional plans should be implemented by the church. As we face the new century, we should go back to the Word so that we should revive our individual spirituality as well as the church as a whole. We should prepare for the plan of God who wants to use Korean people to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ for the evangelization of the whole world. Theological Mentors: Seyoon Kim, Ph. D. Jeong Kii Min, Ph. D.


Occurrence and incidence of drug resistant bacteria are becoming very high and common with overuse of antibiotics. This study focused on the isolation of drug resistant strains from the clinical and environmental sample that produce extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and identification of TEM-1 genes in the plasmid and genomic DNA. 45 Clinical samples from the hospital and 7 environmental samples from the polluted water sources were collected. Among the collected samples, E. coli showed a higher incidence (36.1 %) followed by Klebsiella sp., Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Proteus sp., and Salmonella sp. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates were investigated against 25 commercially available antibiotics. All the isolated strains showed MAR index value of more than 0.2. Among the 36 isolates, 7 Gram negative isolates (19.4 %) showed positive results for ESBL production in Double disk synergy test. The plasmid and genomic DNA were isolated and analyzed using PCR with specific primers for the presence of the TEM-1 gene (716 bp). A selected PCR products of the TEM-1 gene was sequenced and analyzed using BLAST.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(3): 302-308


The Smith–Purcell radiation from a charge moving across a penetrable grating is studied. We account for the finite permittivity and the absorption effect of the grating and find that enhancement of the radiation will occur near particular angles of observation at which the phase-matching condition for the excitation of the surface-plasmon mode is satisfied.


Ferrocyanide compounds enter the environment as anti-caking additives to road salts. In illuminated aquatic environments, the salts dissociate and form toxic free cyanide, which can then be lost through volatilization. The most common techniques for analysis of cyanide in environmental samples measure total and free (generally weak-acid dissociable, WAD) cyanide species. Cyanide has been detected in urban snow and winter runoff, but its potential impact in aquatic environments is not well understood. Between 2007 and 2009, cyanide was measured in parking lot runoff after deicer application, runoff from an urban snow disposal site and stormwater ponds. Parking lot runoff concentrations were highest, with 42% of samples displaying WAD cyanide and 97% containing total cyanide at concentrations higher than the method detection limit (MDL) of 0.01 mg/L. Smaller proportions of snow disposal site runoff and stormwater pond samples displayed WAD and total cyanide levels above the MDLs. Since the MDLs achieved were higher than guideline levels, the actual number of exceedances could not be determined. While this study indicates that cyanide in road salts poses a potential risk to the aquatic environment, it also highlights the need for more sensitive analytical techniques for such samples.


This article reported and discussed the evaluation of a lecture, designed to change university students' values related with sustainable ways of living. The outcomes of the study were those obtained from the evaluation of the course titled "Education and Awareness for Sustainability", which has been offered for three years in the Department of Elementary Education, Middle East Technical University–Ankara (Turkey). The study was realized with the participation of 85 students from different faculties (faculty of education, economy, administration and engineering). The study comprised three steps: need assessment (NA), formative evaluation (FE) and summative evaluation (SE). The evaluation model of DIPO emphasizing needs-objectives relationship was used for evaluation. Analyzes, on the other hand, were realized by the use of both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. It was concluded as a result of the study that integrating real life cases with the issues in the course makes students feel comfortable about the course and feel themselves sensitive and responsible.


The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology first opened its doors in 1915, and since then has attracted visitors from all over the world as well as providing valuable teaching resources. Named after its founder, the pioneering archaeologist Flinders Petrie, the Museum holds more than 80,000 objects and is one of the largest and finest collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology in the world. Richly illustrated and engagingly written, the book moves back and forth between recent history and the ancient past, between objects and people. Experts discuss the discovery, history and care of key objects in the collections such as the Koptos lions and Roman era panel portraits. The rich and varied history of the Petrie Museum is revealed by the secrets that sit on its shelves.