The anticonvulsant actions of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, methazolamide, and diphenylhydantoin show the following similarities: both 1) cause abolition of the tonic extensor component of the maximal electroshock seizure; 2) cause elevation of the CS50 for such seizures in normal and hyponatremic mice; 3) show enhancement and prolongation of their anticonvulsant effect against maximal electroshock seizures by ammonium chloride; 4) show reduction of anticonvulsant activity by sodium chloride; 5) show lack of effect against "minimal" pentylenetetrazol and "psychomotor" seizures in mice. The important differences found to date are: 1) reserpine has marked ability to antagonize the anticonvulsant effect of methazolamide but only a relatively weak antagonistic action on that of chiphenylhydantoin; 2) methazolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase while sodium diphenylhydantoin has no such action; 3) methazolamide is more potent in rats than in mice; the reverse is true of sodium diphenylhydantoin.

The absence of parallelism between the dose-effect curves of the two agents against maximal electroshock seizures makes quantitative comparisons difficult. At the ED50 level of response in mice, the two drugs are about equipotent; at the ED95 level, sodium diphenylhydantoin is about two and one-half times more active. The potency of methazolamide is about ten times that of sodium diphenylhuydantoin its rats. Combinations of the two drugs appear to have an additive effect against maximal electroshock seizures in mice. In ability to elevate the CS50 for maximal electroshock seizures in normal and hyponatremic mice, sodium diphenylhdantoin is the far more effective agent. Methazolamide is three to four times more potent than acetazolamide against maximal electroshock seizures its mice; it is about twice as active in rats.

Rats do not develop a tolerance to the anticonvulsant effect of methazolamide. The anticonvulsant effectiveness of methazolamide, acetazolamide and sodium diphenylhydantoin is reduced to an equal degree in mice treated with the drugs, starch, or receiving no treatment at all. This reduction its the anticonvulsant effect of these drugs in mice does not appear to be due to the development of tolerance since it appears to be independent of prior drug treatment.

Methazolamide is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of the mouse; following intravenous administration, maximum concentration of inhibitor in the brains of mice is achieved within 5 minutes.

From the marked ability of reserpine to antagonize the anticonvulsant action of methazolamide, it is inferred that the anticonvulsant action of carbonic anhydrase inhibition differs from that of diphenylhydantoin in having a comparatively weak effect on seizure spread.


Background Treatment of posthypoxic myoclonus (PHM) can be a challenge in patients not responsive to first-line medications. PMH is a rare condition that has a dramatic impact on patients' quality of life. Refractory cases are not uncommon. Case report We report a patient with PHM non-responsive to conventional treatments who showed a dramatic improvement with sodium oxybate (SBX). Cases of PHM treated with SBX reported in the literature were reviewed. Discussion Resting and stimulus-induced myoclonus respond robustly to SBX, with significant improvement in patients' quality of life. SBX may be considered in patients with PHM resistant to first-line medications.


Self-imaging of ultrashort-pulsed nondiffracting needle beams, i.e., fringe-free Bessel beams, is analyzed. In contrast to the classical diffractive Talbot effect, pulse revivals with minimum spectral and temporal distortion are obtained. Robustness is further enhanced by self-reconstruction. The high-fidelity pulse transfer enables spatial and temporal multiplexing in free space without the need for a nonlinear medium, even at pulse durations down to the few-cycle range.


OCLC Online Computer Library Center In interwar Japan, urban middle-class audiences patronized Hollywood movies rather than domestic native films that should have appealed to them as native and culturally familiar. The rise of militant nationalism and cultural nativism fueled the growth of official movements that celebrated an indigenous Japanese essence and eschewed allegedly foreign, modern "contamination." The alleged Americanizing influence of Hollywood cinema became an increasingly worrisome problem for Japanese officials beginning in the early 1930s. This article examines Japan's efforts to impose tighter restrictions on American films during the 1930s, culminating in a total ban on film imports following the onset of the Sino-Japanese War in 1937.


Objective: To determine factors associated with access to health insurance among adults in Zimbabwe. We used statistical analysis to determine the association between various variables and access to health insurance using the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey, 2015-16 data. Results: Overall, only 11% of 7397 females and 12% of 7420 males included in the analysis had access to health insurance. Age, educational level, marital status, religion, area of residence and wealth quintile were associated with access to health insurance for both females and males. For females, HIV status was associated with access to health insurance. Although not statistically significant, a smaller proportion of HIV positive males (10%) had access to a medical insurance compared to their HIV negative counterparts (12%), p=0.189. Our study showed that geospatial distribution of individuals with access to health insurance in Zimbabwe is concentrated around urban areas. Since the bulk of Zimbabweans do not have access to health insurance and mainly use the public health sector for services, there isa need for the Ministry of Health to enhance its investment in these facilities so that the bulk of the population can also get quality healthcare.


By constructing a production function and using neural networks the authors study major trends of small business development in China. Comparative analysis of these methods is given as well as relative forecast calculations


This study presents the results on the impact of dividend policy on the share price volatility of the Malaysian listed construction and material companies using the least square regression method after controlling for debt, firm size, investment growth and earnings' volatility. The study found only 43.43 percent of the changes in the share prices are explained by dividend yield (DY), dividend payout ratio(DPR), and investment growth(Growth), size of the firm )FZ), leverage (Lev) and earnings volatility (EV). These companies recorded 94.41 percent share price volatility during 2005 until 2010. Dividend payout ratio significantly influences the changes in share price. The greater the size of the company, the more significant impacts the volatility of share price would be. Dividend yield, investment growth and earnings volatility insignificantly influence the changes in the company's share prices. Leverage is negatively influence the movement of the share price.


Various means of modern transports have already taken the initiative to incorporate computing and communication technology. This cross field area is coined as intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Transport systems of the future require fast and precise monitoring to ensure safety of such systems is guaranteed. Thus, the communication aspect demands seamless and minimal error whilst delivering vital data. However, the dynamic surroundings always post a challenge to wireless communications, taking account into a myriad of interference such as multipath fading, shadowing, dispersing and path loss. Furthermore, there is also case of mobility. In this paper, the performance of wireless communications with adaptive modulation and coding in vehicular scenarios were compared against rigid transmission techniques. Simulations were conducted over different mobility channel models against Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR) to provide thorough analysis. Performance measure of Bit Error Rate (BER) and Packet Error Rate (PER) were used to provide understanding of the overall picture.


Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the initial clinical program among graduates of the Faculty of Dental medicine of Casablanca (FDMC), previously received during their training at the Dental Treatment and Consultation Center (DTCC). Materials and Methods: Through a cross-sectional descriptive study, 106 graduates were interviewed, namely, doctoral students of the year 2015-2016, interns and residents of the DTCC in practice during the year 2015-2016, as well as the private practitioners installed in Casablanca between 2010 and 2015. A twenty questions survey was designed to collect the required information for the present study. Discussion: The evaluation of the initial clinical training received at the DTCC allowed us to highlight some disparities between the different disciplines. However, the most of our sample appreciates a clinical reorganization based on a problem-based-learning approach and considers it useful or even indispensable. Our respondents also suggest an open space organization for the new care center, where dental chairs are equipped for an overall patient management, clinical control and better caregiving. Conclusions: In light of this work, some strengths have emerged needed to be maximized and some weaknesses to be corrected, through a problem based-learning (PBL) and multidisciplinary education action plan, which was suggested to the DTCC board.


The generally positive record of Members in complying with adverse rulings by panels, the Appellate Body or both has been an important factor in the success of the WTO dispute settlement system to date. In approximately 90 percent of the adopted reports, one or more violations of WTO obligations have been found by panels and/or the Appellate Body. In virtually all of these cases the WTO Member found to be in violation has indicated its intention to bring itself into compliance and the record indicates that in most cases has already done so. It is noticeable, if not unsurprising, that compliance has been more rapid where the WTO violations can be corrected through administrative action as opposed to legislative action. A closer review of the compliance record of the United States and the European Communities, which together have been the object of approximately half of all adverse WTO rulings, shows that these Members have generally succeeded in bringing themselves into compliance with such rulings, although both Members have experienced some residual compliance difficulties in a small number of cases. As a final note, the overall positive record of Members in complying with adverse WTO rulings is reflected in, and confirmed by, the low number of cases where Members have sought and received authorization to impose retaliatory measures.


Introduction: The diagnostic sensitivity of repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) varies as a function of the number of muscles or the choice of muscles studied. Methods: By exploring 12 muscles bilaterally, we evaluated the global sensitivity of RNS at rest, the sensitivity in different clinical forms, and the sensitivity of different combinations of muscles studied. Results: The global sensitivity of RNS was 82%, and specificity was 100%. The sensitivity in the MG subgroups was as follows: ocular (O) = 67%; oculobulbar (OB) = 86%; and generalized (G) = 89%. The most sensitive muscles were the anconeus in group O, orbicularis oculi (OO) or nasalis in group OB, and the trapezius in group G. Maximum sensitivity was obtained by exploring OO, trapezius, and anconeus bilaterally. Conclusions: We recommend bilateral exploration of at least 3 muscles, a facial muscle, trapezius, and anconeus. Muscle Nerve 55: 532–538, 2017


The design of a 600-MS/s 5-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for serial-link receivers has been investigated. The A/D converter uses a closed-loop pipeline architecture. The input capacitance is only 170 fF, making it suitable for interleaving. To maintain low power consumption and increase the sampling rate beyond the amplifier settling limit, the paper proposes a calibration technique that digitally adjusts the reference voltage of each pipeline stage. Differential input swing is 400 mV/sub p-p/ at 1.8-V supply. Measured performance includes 25.6 dB and 19 dB of SNDR for 0.3-GHz and 2.4-GHz input frequencies at 600 MS/s for the calibrated A/D converter. The suggested calibration method improves SNDR by 4.4 dB at 600 MS/s with /spl plusmn/0.35 LSB of DNL and /spl plusmn/0.15 LSB of INL. The 180 /spl times/ 1500 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ chip is fabricated in a 0.18-/spl mu/m standard CMOS technology and consumes 70 mW of power at 600 MS/s.


The current text examines the attempts at imposing innovation journalism in media practice as an independent journalistic beat. It is an example of how academic efforts could be harnessed for legitimization of a qualitatively new kind of journalism. However, some factors opposed the efforts of scientists and practitioners who strongly supported the idea, and therefore innovation journalism, for which a new scientific field was formed in the first decade of the 21st century, has frozen between the idea and the realization.


Three patients with high spinal lesions, admitted to the hospital for cystoscopy and lithotripsy, showed signs of severe hypertension due to mass reflex during this operation. This symptom was controlled with an intravenous drip of Arfonade®, and the patients felt quite comfortable without any other anaesthesia. Other possibilities for handling such patients are discussed.


BACKGROUND
The authors report their experience in the management of seminomas.

MATERIALS
They examine 12 cases of seminoma among a series of 19 patients with testicular germ cell tumours observed at the Second Surgical Department of the Second University of Naples.

RESULTS
Their results showed a better prognosis for patients in early stage of the disease who underwent surgery and adjuvant prophylactic radiotherapy; good survival rates for patients in advanced stages of the disease were achieved by the combined use of surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

DISCUSSION
The authors discuss risk factors, clinical and diagnostic features of seminomas, relating their prognosis with the combined use of both surgery and adjuvant therapies. They consider total orchiectomy, followed by prophylactic radiotherapy, the treatment of choice, especially in stages IA and IIA. They don't perform the routine retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, differently from American authors, who always achieve it to stage the disease.

CONCLUSIONS
The authors stress the improvement in the prognosis of seminoma, which has actually reached the 98% of five-year survival rate, for stages I and II.


This is the case of a 60-year-old man with no known medical history who presented with progressively worsening lumbar pain and was found to have idiopathic dorsal epidural lipomatosis. The patient's condition improved significantly with pain management. Therefore, no surgical intervention was warranted at the time, but the patient was advised to keep close follow-up as an outpatient. Being familiar with this potential cause of lumbar pain is vital, as it can lead to severe morbidity if left unrecognized.


The articulations are subject to static and dynamic loads during daily living. Small impact forces can cause damage on articular surfaces as a result of repetitive impact stress. This paper describes a project for a drop tower to allow dynamic impact test in cartilage tissue aiming to understand the mechanics of the cartilage response to impact and seeking to obtain dynamic properties of cartilage, that are relevant for the description of contact-impact events. An instrumented drop tower was designed to enable controlled impact loads to be applied to small samples of biological materials. Different masses and weights can be applied to simulate different situations of impact severity. Quantitative information such as Young's modulus, coefficient of restitution, damping parameters and absorbed energy can be used in models for numerical and/or analytical calculations in contact-impact events.


Modern English privacy law has diverged from that of other Commonwealth countries. This article responds to arguments that these countries should seek to align their privacy torts with English law. It catalogues five significant ways in which English privacy law has fashioned a robust right of action, and shows how the comparatively more restrained privacy torts emerging in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia have more in common with each other than they do with the "new methodology" adopted in England. These observations inform a normative question: should Commonwealth jurisdictions embrace English privacy jurisprudence? Harmonization is tempting because of a general underdevelopment of privacy torts in Commonwealth jurisdictions, which have not had the same opportunities to hone principles through decided cases that England has experienced. Yet, that disparity is itself revealing. We suggest that the English approach is a product of England's legal and social climate, as the more restrained approaches of other Commonwealth jurisdictions are an expression of theirs. The developments in Britain's former dominions nonetheless reflect a principled way to reconcile privacy and countervailing free expression interests in the context of those jurisdictions.


Simulations and field experiments in previous works suggest that a freeway's general purpose lanes (those not dedicated to high occupancy vehicles) discharge vehicles from bottlenecks at an equal or higher average rate when one of the lanes is devoted to high occupancy vehicles than when it is not. This result was used in these previous works to develop formulae for the total discharge rate of bottlenecks, with and without dedicated lanes, as a function of the percentage of high occupancy vehicles in the traffic stream. This present paper extends these ideas by examining the effect of dedicated lanes on the density of traffic queues. We find that an underutilized dedicated lane reduces a queue's density (in vehicles per km of freeway) when the downstream flow of both high occupancy and low occupancy vehicles is the same in both scenarios and exogenously determined; e.g., as would happen if the queue's service rate is dictated by recurrent downstream congestion. A formula is given; and the reduction in density turns out to be small if the underutilization is small. Reductions in queue density without changes in bottleneck flows or traffic demand imply spatially longer queues, and this could be problematic. The paper also shows that the extra space consumed by a queue adjacent to a dedicated lane can contribute significantly to congestion, but only if heavily traveled routes that do not go through the bottleneck pass through this extra space. To quantify this effect, the paper analyzes dedicated lanes on multi-ramp freeways and beltways. Formulae are given for the changes in the people-hours and vehicle-hours of travel due to dedicated lanes both, when there is uncongested freeway space upstream of the queue for it to expand, and when there is not. The recipes are based on readily observable data and can be used to evaluate existing and planned installations of dedicated lanes. Building on these formulae, the paper finally presents qualitative principles that can be used to plan city-wide systems of both, high occupancy vehicle lanes on freeways and dedicated bus lanes on surface streets.


There is an ongoing debate on the benefits of magnetic stimulation in neurological disorders. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the influence of magnetic stimulation on blood oxygenation of the motor cortex using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Methods: A total of 16 healthy volunteer participants were subjected to four protocols. In the first two protocols, the participants remained at rest without (and then with) magnetic stimulation. In the next two protocols, motor cortex stimulation was achieved using a finger-tapping task, with and without magnetic stimulation. Changes in blood oxygenation levels within the motor cortex were recorded and analysed. Results: No characteristic changes in the blood oxygenation level-dependent responses were observed in resting participants after magnetic stimulation. No statistically significant difference was observed in the amplitude of the fNIRS signal before and after magnetic stimulation. We observed characteristic blood oxygenation level-dependent responses after the finger-tapping task in the second protocol, but not after magnetic stimulation. Conclusions: Although we did not observe any measurable effect of the magnetic field on the haemodynamic response of the motor cortex, understanding the mechanism(s) of magnetic stimulation may be important. Additional, detailed studies are needed to prove or negate the potential of this medical procedure.


Existing tool for environmental impact assessment of buildings and districts according to the LCA procedure are based upon a static method, considering yearly average processes and impacts. A dynamic method has been developed in order to model the temporal variation of electricity production and allocate environmental impacts to different uses. It allows to evaluate low-energy and plus energy buildings on a more precise basis. Based upon data from the French electricity grid manager, the model evaluates the production mix in terms of temperatures in French climates and several periodic functions corresponding to variation frequencies identified by a Fourier analysis. In a second step, specific production mixes are derived for different uses: heating, cooling, domestic hot water, domestic appliances and office appliances. The model has been tested on a single family passive house, allowing solar hot water and photovoltaic systems to be assessed using a dynamic method. Dynamic Life-cycle Assessment, Buildings, Electricity production, consequential life cycle assessment Introduction In France in 2011 almost 60% of the total electricity production was consumed in buildings [1]. 33% of dwellings and 25% of office buildings are heated by electricity [2] and more than 45% of dwellings also use electricity to produce hot water [2]. This consumption is highly time-dependent, from summer to winter, from day to night and from week to weekends. Production of electricity follows this variability. For instance, electric heating induces a seasonal peak demand in winter with a high dependency to temperature, which is increasing every year [1]. Local production of electricity, such as photovoltaic panels on buildings roofs, also has a time-dependent production.


In this paper, it discusses and performs lab experiment of detecting LQI value from ZigBee wireless sensor network and from the variation of LQI values to determine is there any intrusion. In closed and no one existence indoor area it has a steady LQI value while it changes when someone intrudes into the area. An intrusion detection system is developed by using the variation in LQI values. After the system is validated we further develop an in house intrusion monitor system that when someone intrudes into the house the system will alarm or send a message to the house owner's cell phone to alarm the house has been intruded so as to attain the in house security protection effect.


Moir, GL, Dale, JR, and Dietrich, WW. The acute effects of heavy back squats on mechanical variables during a series of bilateral hops. J Strength Cond Res 23(4): 1118-1124, 2009-The purpose of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of performing a heavy resistance exercise (HRE) protocol on the mechanical variables during a series of bilateral hops. In a block-randomized design, 10 strength trained men performed an HRE or a control treatment before performing 5 series of bilateral hops separated by 2 minutes of passive recovery. Each series of bilateral hops was performed for 15 seconds on a force platform with the subject hopping at a frequency of 2.0 Hz. From the vertical force trace, the vertical force during the countermovement phase of each hop, the negative displacement during the countermovement phase, and the vertical stiffness were calculated. The HRE treatment consisted of performing parallel back squats with 40, 50, 60, and 80% of each subject's 1-repetition maximum after a series of dynamic stretches. The control treatment consisted of the dynamic stretches only. No significant differences in any of the mechanical variables were reported after the 2 treatments (p > 0.05). There were no significant correlations between the absolute maximal strength values and the percent change in any of the mechanical variables after the 2 treatments. Despite the lack of significant changes reported for the group, there were some notable individual responses. It is possible that increases in vertical stiffness during bilateral hops can be achieved after an HRE protocol in certain individuals. However, practitioners should be aware of the specificity issues and the individual nature of the responses to such protocols.


In this paper, a modelling approach is described that represents human-robot social interactions as partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs). In these POMDPs, the intention of the human is represented as an unobservable part of the state space, and the robot's own intentions are expressed through the rewards. The state transition structure for the models is created using action rules that capture the effects of the robot's actions, relate the human's behavior to their intentions, and describe the changing state of the environment. State transitions are modified using data from humans interacting with other humans. The policies obtained by solving these models are used to control a robot in a socially situated task with a human partner. These interactions are compared to those of human pairs performing the same task, demonstrating that this approach produces policies that exhibit natural and socially appropriate behavior.


Compton scattering cross sections of 661.6 keV γ rays of 137Cs from Al and 12 compounds containing hydrogen and carbon or hydrogen, carbon and oxygen have been measured at three different scattering angles of 60°, 90° and 115°. Differential Compton scattering cross section values for Al have been obtained theoretically by means of incoherent scattering function calculation. Comparing the experimental data with the theoretical cross section values for Al, an experimental arrangement has been calibrated for each scattering angle. So, differential Compton scattering cross sections for the 12 compounds at three scattering angles have been obtained. The corresponding theoretical differential cross sections were calculated by means of incoherent scattering functions. A comparison between the experimentally determined results and the theoretically calculated values shows good agreement. Also, a linear relation has been obtained between the differential Compton scattering cross sections and the hydrogen weight fraction for H–C compounds but not for H–C–O compounds. The absolute electron densities of these compounds have been estimated.


Star Golden State Warriors Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant are great shooters but they are not streak shooters. Only rarely do they show signs of a hot hand. This conclusion is based on an empirical analysis of field goal and free throw data from the 82 regular season and 17 postseason games played by the Warriors in 2016-2017. Our analysis is inspired by the iconic 1985 hot-hand study by Thomas Gilovitch, Robert Vallone and Amos Tversky, but uses a permutation test to automatically account for Josh Miller and Adam Sanjurjo's recent small sample correction. In this study we show how long standing problems can be reexamined using nonparametric statistics to avoid faulty hypothesis tests due to misspecified distributions.


Three-dimensional quasi-direct numerical simulations have been performed to investigate a thermal plasma reactor with a counterflow jet. The effects of the momentum flux ratio and distance between the counterflow jet and the thermal plasma jet on the flow characteristics are addressed. The numerical results show that the dimensionless location of the stagnation layer is significantly affected by the momentum flux ratio, but it is not dependent on the distance. Specifically, the stagnation layer is closer to the plasma torch outlet with the increase of the momentum flux ratio. Furthermore, the flow regimes of the stagnation layer and the flow characteristics of the thermal plasma jet are closely related to the momentum flux ratio. The characteristic frequencies associated with the different regimes are identified. The deflecting oscillation flow regimes are found when the momentum flux ratio is low, which provokes axial velocity fluctuations inside the thermal plasma jet. By contrast, for cases with a high momentum flux ratio, flapping flow regimes are distinguished. The thermal plasma jets are very stable and the axial velocity fluctuations mainly exist in the stagnation layer.


Numerous considerations influence the thermal design of an underground power cable, including the soil thermal resistivity, thermal diffusivity and thermal stability. Each of these properties is a function of soil moisture which is, in turn, a function of past weather, soil composition, and biological burden. The Neher-McGrath formalism has been widely used for thermal cable design. However, this formalism assumes knowledge of soil thermal properties (resistivity and diffusivity). For design purposes, these parameters should be treated statistically, since weather varies greatly from year-to-year. As well, soil thermal property surveys are normally required along the route to assess the thermal quality of the native soil. This project is intended to fill the gap between the need to carry out thermal design and the use of the Neher-McGrath formalism which is normally employed. This goal has been addressed through: (1) development of instrumentation and methods of measuring soil thermal properties in situ and in the laboratory; (2) recommendation of methods for conducting soil surveys along a proposed cable route and of assessing the thermal quality of soils; and (3) development of a computerized method to treat soil thermal design parameters on a statistical basis using computerized weather records as supplied by themore » US Environmental Data Service. This volume discussed methods for determining the thermal properties of soils. The use of the methods and instrumentation developed as a result of this contract should permit less conservative thermal design thereby improving the economics of underground transmission. As well, these techniques and instrumentation facilitate weather-dependent prediction of cable ampacity for installed cables, monitoring of backfill thermal stability, and many other new practices.« less


A 57-year-old male patient presented with precordial squeezing chest pain, which lasted for 1 hour. The patient rated the pain as 3 out of 10 in intensity and it was associated with diaphoresis. The patient had a past medical history of atherosclerotic heart disease with a history of a myocardial infarction 4 years ago and was on aspirin, beta-blockers, statins, and ACE inhibitors with excellent effort tolerance and no symptoms within the past 2 years. The patient had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 1 month before presentation and started on interferon-beta treatment within the past month. Physical examination revealed a pulse of 80 bpm, respiratory rate of 18/ min, temperature of 98.48F, and a blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg. The patient was a middle-aged male with normal skin, hair, nails, no JVD, and no carotid bruit. Lungs were clear bilaterally with vesicular breath sounds and no evidence of heart failure. Abdomen was soft with no tenderness or guarding. No organomegaly was noticed. Extremities were grossly normal. On neurological exam, the patient had a bilateral visual field deficit in the lateral field, left upper medial field, and right lower medial field from the multiple sclerosis. Electrocardiogram revealed sinus rhythm, ventricular rate of 80/minute, normal axis, and ST depressions in anterior precordial leads (V2, 3, 4). Laboratory revealed a normal creatinine phosphokinase, troponin, and hemoglobin with no electrolyte abnormalities. In the emergency room the patient was given morphine, sublingual followed by intravenous nitroglycerin, intravenous heparin, beta-blockers, and glycoprotein 2b-3a inhibitors. Patient was managed as unstable angina and was advised cardiac catheterization, which he refused. He was discharged over the course of the next 4 days with discontinuation of the interferon therapy and follow-up with cardiology and neurology. Conclusion Interferon is known to aggravate anemia and cause ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, this patient with stable CAD, who had been symptom free for 2 years and did not have anemia, presented with unstable angina with normal hemoglobin 2 weeks after being started on interferon therapy for multiple sclerosis. It is possible that interferon may have a direct action on the coronaries or the myocardium to cause this effect.


It is commonly assumed that jobs in the United States require ever greater levels of skill and, more strongly, that this trend is accelerating as a result of the diffusion of information technology. This has led to substantial concern over the possibility of a growing mismatch between the skills workers possess and the skills employers demand, reflected in debates over the need for education reform and the causes of the growth in earnings inequality. However, efforts to measure trends have been hampered by the lack of direct measures of job skill requirements. This paper uses previously unexamined measures from the Quality of Employment Surveys and the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to examine trends in job education and training requirements and provide a validation tool for skill measures in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, whose quality has long been subject to question. Results indicate that job skill requirements have increased steadily over the 1970s-1990s but that there has been no acceleration in recent years that might explain the growth in earnings inequality. There is also no dramatic change in the number of workers who are undereducated. These results reinforce the conclusions of earlier work that reports of a growing skills mismatch are likely overdrawn.


We study the elliptic modular surface attached to the commutator subgroup of the modular group. This has an elliptic curve as base and only one singular fibre. We employ an algebraic approach and then consider some arithmetic questions.


Objective: Bipolar disorder is a common psychiatric disorder, although the diagnosis is often delayed until. Especially depressed and hypomanic episodes misdiagnosis are very frequent. We aimed in this study, patients with the major depression, detect possible diagnosis of bipolar disorder to using Hypomania Checklist-32 (HCL-32). This study we also aimed to see whether certain HCL-32 items in favor of distinguishing bipolar disorder, we planned this study as a pilot study for a future large-scale multicenter study. Methods: This study included 100 patients who diagnosed as major depressive disorder according the DSM-IV in first admission and patients were asked to complete the HSL-32. HSL-32 cut-off score of 14 was considered to be bipolar and unipolar patients were divided into two groups. Results: 52 patients took more than 14 on HCL-32 and these patients were evaluated as bipolar group. There were no differences about sociodemographic variables between groups. Answers of the two groups were compared according to the HCL-32; bipolar group had significantly higher rate of answering "yes" to following question; the increase in self-esteem, increased energy, psychomotor activation, goal-oriented activity, increased talkativeness, creativity and elevated mood. Conclusions: We found 52% bipolarity rate of our study group. There are lower and similar rates are exist in the literature. By looking at these high rates, HCL-32 is quite sensitive in determining the incidence of bipolar disorder, but not specific enough to say that a screening tool. Especially bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and recurrent major depressive disorder necessary to distinguish said to be needed at a higher cut-off points. Bipolar group had significantly higher rate of answering "yes" to certain questions; so in depressed patients with suspected clinical practice examination bipolarity putting more focus on these areas would be beneficial, especially in terms of bipolarity can be interpreted as the tip.


Secure communication is a necessity. However, encryption is commonly only applied to the upper layers of the protocol stack. This exposes network information to eavesdroppers, including the channel's type, data rate, protocol, and routing information. This may be solved by encrypting the physical layer, thereby securing all subsequent layers. In order for this method to be practical, the encryption must be quick, preserve bandwidth, and must also deal with the issues of noise mitigation and synchronization.
In this paper, we present the Vernam Physical Signal Cipher (VPSC): a novel cipher which can encrypt the harmonic composition of any analog waveform. The VPSC accomplished this by applying a modified Vernam cipher to the signal's frequency magnitudes and phases. This approach is fast and preserves the signal's bandwidth. In the paper, we offer methods for noise mitigation and synchronization, and evaluate the VPSC over a noisy wireless channel with multi-path propagation interference.


Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is considered the most important whitefly species harmful to agriculture. Experiments were conducted at MARDI Station in Jalan Kebun, Klang, Selangor from 9 September 2006 to 11 November 2007. The objective of this study was to evaluate the population of whitefly on chilli plants fertilised with different rates of nitrogen (0, 33, 43, 53 g/plant). The results showed that high rates of nitrogen treatment significantly (P<0.05) increased B. tabaci immature population as compared to lower rate treatments. The mean number of B. tabaci immature per plant stratum was significantly different (P<0.05) among plant strata as well as among the treatments. Generally, the mean number of B. tabaci eggs and larvae was significantly (P<0.05) greater in the upper strata than in the middle and lower plant strata. Whereas, the mean number of B. tabaci pupa was significantly greater in the lower strata than in the upper and middle plant strata. The mean number of B. tabaci immature was significantly different (P<0.05) among the sampling periods in all treatment. Generally, B. tabaci population was significantly greater during the early season and gradually declined as the season progressed except during the third and seventh week after transplanting.


Lupus nephritis (LN) affects up to 50% of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and is associated with a worse prognosis. LN usually develops within the first 5 years of the onset of the disease. We report three patients with very delayed LN (DLN) diagnosed after 15 or more years after SLE diagnosis. The three patients were non-Caucasian women with adolescent or adult-onset SLE. Each had antinuclear, anti-dsDNA and anti-Ro antibodies. Hydroxychloroquine was prescribed for each. Their disease courses were characterised by sporadic non-renal flares controlled by steroids and, in two cases, by one cycle of rituximab. Unexpectedly, they developed proteinuria, haematuria and lowering of estimated glomerular filtration rate with clinical signs of renal disease. LN was confirmed by renal biopsy. Reviewing them, each showed serological signs of increasing disease activity (rising levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies and fall in C3) that predated clinical or laboratory signs of LN by 1–3 years. Reviewing the literature, we found a lack of knowledge about DLN starting more than 15 years after SLE diagnosis. With the increasing life expectancy of patients with SLE it is likely that more cases of very DLN will emerge.


Children younger than 7 years are at increased risk of otitis media because of their immature immune systems and poorly functioning eustachian tubes that normally ventilate the middle ear space and equalize pressure with the external environment. More than 80% of children have at least one episode of acute otitis media (AOM) before the age of 3 years and 40% experience six or more recurrences by the time they are 7 years old. 1 By the age of 3 years, approximately 7% of children undergo surgery for tympanostomy tube insertion for a range of otitis media issues, most commonly for chronic otitis media with effusion (OME), recurrent acute AOM, and acute otitis media that persists despite antibiotic therapy. 2 However, tympanostomy tube insertion is associated with risks and remains a controversial practice especially in children with OME of less than three months' duration and in children with recurrent AOM. Adverse effects associated with tympanostomy tube insertion include those associated with anaesthesia and its complications (laryngospasm, bronchospasm), as well as tube related sequelae such as recurrent (7%) or persistent (16–26%) otorrhoea, blockage of the tube lumen (7%), granulation tissue (4%), premature extrusion of the tube (4%), tympanostomy tube displacement into the middle ear (0.5%) and persistent perforation of the tympanic membrane (1%–6%). 3 This article offers guidance for family practitioners wishing to optimize health outcomes in children potentially requiring tympanostomy tube placement.


The aim of this research is to use Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) to identify and understand reasons why students choose to study Computer Science (CS) at university. SCCT focuses on students' prior experience, social support, self-efficacy and outcome expectation. The research is partly motivated by the desire to increase female participation rates in CS, particularly in the UK. Policymakers can use the factors that both females and males identify as influencing their choice of studying CS to enhance the experiences of all students prior to coming to university, but female students in particular. The study uses a semi-structured interview with 17 mixed gender subjects currently studying CS at three Scottish universities. The findings are that social support from family, teachers, friends and mentors is a particularly important factor in choosing to study CS, especially for female subjects. The career paths offered by a CS degree is another major factor, not just the potential jobs, but also the general value of a CS education and the potential to make useful contributions to society. School education appeared to have limited influence, though exposure to problem solving, programming, online self-learning and internships are positive influences. The stereotypical view of CS students as 'geeks' is outdated and unhelpful - it is more appropriate to see them as 'analytical' or 'over-achievers'. Subjects make many suggestions for improving the CS education provided at school, especially to make it more attractive to females, including: make it compulsory, teach it earlier, include more programming and problem solving, and increase the visibility of female exemplars and role models.


For industrial application self-checking designs are required which are having complete fault coverage with low power and high speed as functionality of an arithmetic circuit is destroyed if basic full adder circuit is faulty. This error detection and correction completely depends on internal functionality of self-checking and self-repairing circuit. This proposed self-checking and self-repairing full adder circuit consumes low power and high speed when compared to existing circuits. Single and double fault are detected during testing of full adder circuit having transient and permanent fault. Proposed structures subsume lower area overhead relative to traditional structures.


Abstract We report a 23- gene-classifier profiled from Asian women, with the primary purpose of assessing its clinical utility towards improved risk stratification for relapse for breast cancer patients from Asian cohorts within 10 years' following mastectomy. Four hundred and twenty-two breast cancer patients underwent mastectomy and were used to train the classifier on a logistic regression model. A subset of 197 patients were chosen to be entered into the follow-up studies post mastectomy who were examined to determine the patterns of recurrence and survival analysis based on gene expression of the gene classifier, age at diagnosis, tumor stage and lymph node status, over a 5 and 10 years follow-up period. Metastasis to lymph node (N2-N3) with N0 as the reference (N2 vs. N0 hazard ratio: 2.02 (1.05–8.70), N3 vs. N0 hazard ratio: 4.32 (1.41–13.22) for 5 years) and gene expression of the 23-gene panel (P=0.06, 5 years and 0.02, 10 years, log-rank test) were found to have significant discriminatory effects on the risk of relapse (HR (95%CI):2.50 (0.95–6.50)). Furthermore, survival curves for subgroup analysis with N0-N1 and T1-T2 predicted patients with higher risk scores. The study provides robust evidence of the effectiveness of the 23-gene-classifier and could be used to determine the risk of relapse event (locoregional and distant recurrence) in Asian patients, leading to a meaningful reduction in chemotherapy recommendations.


The current rhetorical study used McGee's theory of ideographs to identify how cultural politics influence efforts to portray "leadership" in a military setting. Such an approach seeks to better address some of the enigmas that have complicated the understanding of military leadership—and leadership in general—for decades. McGee's theory emphasizes that language reflects political as well as referential qualities and, in some instances, these attributes come into conflict. Acknowledging this reality in an applied setting can help address ambiguous issues that escape the net of prevailing social-science approaches to leadership inquiry. The rhetorical analysis, which examines U.S. Air Force leadership training material, documents the manner in which ideographic portrayals of leadership were pervasive in each training program, and it considers practical implications of such a situation. Most notably, the analysis provides an explanation of how ideographic portrayals of leadership implicitly emphasize cultural indoctrination over promoting social influence skills. Such an orientation fortifies the military hierarchy and perpetuates romantic views of the military profession, but it also blurs key distinctions between social control and social influence. It is suggested that because ideographs reflect vital cultural motives, associated problems are inherently difficult to remedy.


Background: As adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are getting older, acquired comorbidities play an important role in morbidity and mortality. Data regarding their prevalence in ACHD that are representative on a population level are not available. Methods: The German National Register for Congenital Heart Defects was screened for ACHD. Underlying congenital heart disease (CHD), patient demographics, previous interventional/surgical interventions, and comorbidities were retrieved. Patients <40 years of age were compared to those ≥40 years. Results: A total of 4673 patients (mean age 33.6 ± 10.7 years, female 47.7%) was included. At least one comorbidity was present in 2882 patients (61.7%) altogether, and in 56.8% of patients below vs. 77.7% of patients over 40 years of age (p < 0.001). Number of comorbidities was higher in patients ≥40 years (2.1 ± 2.1) than in patients <40 years (1.2 ± 1.5, p < 0.001). On multivariable regression analysis, age and CHD complexity were significantly associated with the presence and number of comorbidities. Conclusions: At least one acquired comorbidity is present in approximately two-thirds of ACHD. Age and complexity of the CHD are significantly associated with the presence of comorbidities. These findings highlight the importance of addressing comorbidities in ACHD care to achieve optimal long-term outcomes.


Central Queensland University (CQU) has used paper based distance education materials, such as course profiles, study guides and resource materials since 1971. The purpose of this exploratory study was to review three different approaches to online delivery and assessment currently being used in the Faculty of Business and Law, CQU, and to analyse the rates of take‐up and involvement, and students' reactions generally, to the use of non‐traditional forms of delivery and assessment. This study highlights that the key to success in this environment is accepting the constant demand to provide manageable and cost‐effective courses whilst at the same time ensuring that the needs of a large and diverse group of students are met. In this context, the use of technology in education although considered a necessity can also be a value‐adding tool.


Research has been conducted to determine the effect of sterilizer combination to the contamination level of Pegagan's (Centella asiatica L. Urban ) explant. Lamina and petiolus were used as an explant. Sterilizer combination is divided into two groups; Methods 1 (M1) and Methods 2 (M2). M1 consists of 0,5% Tetracycline solution, 0,3% Bayclean solution, 0,7% Dithane suspension, 0,3% Tetracycline solution, and aquadest. Meanwhile, M2 consists of Dettol solution, alkohol 70%, 20% Bayclean solution, 0,3% Dithane suspension, and Aquadest. The difference of both methods were on the presences of antibiotics (Tetracycline) in M1 and desinfectans (Bayclean) in M2. Research shows that lamina sterilized by M2 has less contamination than M1, although the petiolus show the same level of contamination. It is believed to be related to the structure that makes lamina contaminated easily.


The Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas) is an invasive species in the Wadden Sea transforming parts of it permanently. M. gigas, as an ecosystem engineer, builds reef structures that are characterized by highly complex and variable surfaces consisting of densely packed, sharp-edged individuals connected with cement-like bonds. To investigate the interactions between reef structure, shape and formation and wave as well as tidal currents, an understanding of the surface roughness is essential. This work reports on observations of oyster reefs for which seven new structural classes (Central Reef, Transitional Zone, Cluster I, Cluster II, Patch I, Patch II, and Garland) are proposed. For each class, high resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) have been elaborated based on Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry and analyzed using spatial statistics. By determining probability density functions (PDFs), vertical porosity distributions, abundances, orientations and second-order structure functions (SSFs), topographical parameters that influence the hydraulic bed roughness have been determined. The results suggest, that by applying the structural classification and their distinct topographical roughness parameters, the oyster reef surfaces can be described appropriately accounting for their complexity. The roughness accounts to a total roughness height kt = 103 ± 15 mm and root-mean-square roughness height krms = 23 ± 5 mm. These values were found similar across all structural classes, yet the shape of the PDFs reveal differences. With decreasing abundance, the distributions become more positively skewed and are characterized by more extreme outliers. This is reflected in the higher statistical moments, as the skewness ranges between Sk = 0.4–2.1 and the kurtosis between Ku = 2.2–11.5. The analysis of the orientations and the SSFs confirms anisotropic behavior across all structural classes. Further, the SSFs reveal the oyster shells as significant roughness elements with exception of Cluster I and II, where the clusters are identified as significant roughness elements. The provided set of topographical roughness parameters enhances the knowledge of oyster reef surfaces and gives insights into the interactions between biogenic structure and surrounding hydrodynamics. The new intra-reef classification allows for more accurate determination of the overall roughness as well as the population dynamics of the habitat forming oyster. Combined with hydraulic measurements, the results can be used to estimate the hydraulic bed roughness induced by the oyster reef surfaces.


Echinoderms are widely distributed in intertidal zones and are thus subject to wide salinity variations and even air exposure. Physiological studies have shown them to be osmoconformers, but also to specifically, although moderately, regulate certain ions. Morphological studies associated with salinity challenges were not found in a literature search. Two populations of the sea urchin, Echinometra lucunter Linnaeus 1758, were studied: 1 intertidal and 1 subtidal population. Urchins from both populations were exposed for 5 d to hyposaline seawater (SW) of 25 ppt, or for 40 h to hypersaline SW of 45 ppt, and were compared to control urchins kept in full-strength SW of 35 ppt. Two external tissues, bathed by SW, the peristomial gills (PG) and ambulacral feet (AF), and 2 internal tissues, the coelomic wall of the ambulacral system (CWAS) and the intestinal rectum (IR), were investigated using transmission electron microscopy. With respect to the effect of salinity, there was more tissue damage in 45 ppt than in 25 ppt, coherent with the more-frequent SW dilution than concentration in marine shore habitats. Damage detected by electron microscopy included tissue disruption, destruction of microvillae, or evidence of fragmenting or peeling off of cells. Tissues of subtidal urchins were as sensitive to salinity stress as were those of intertidal urchins. PG, AF, and the IR presented evidence of an excretory function by the presence of large morula cells within these tissues. Only the IR displayed an ultrastructure compatible with metabolically active epithelia, in that it possessed numerous mitochondria.


The role played by archives in the making of a Portuguese science of imperial administration is scarcely known. Systematic research is still lacking on what literature suggests was a critical dimension in the management of the empire. By focusing on the Casa da India's activities of production, record-keeping and retrieving of information and knowledge, this study intends to contribute to a better understanding of the links between empire and Portuguese early-modern archival experiences. For more than a century, the Casa da India was the institution responsible for the circulation and storage of commodities, information and people within the Portuguese empire, as well as the payment of duties and taxes. What challenges did territorial expansion entail for the Portuguese monarchy, and, in particular, for its archival organization and practices? How did the Casa da India register these imperial dynamics? Did its archive materialize the Empire at home? Finally, was its archive relevant to the emergence of a Portuguese science of imperial administration?


An acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) was used to analyse the impact of an agricultural sprayer's agitation system settings on fluid velocities inside the tank. A 3000 L capacity sprayer equipped with a 4-nozzle hydraulic agitation system was used. ADV measurements were carried at 32 points inside the tank under the following settings: circuit pressures of 8, 10, or 12 bar; water level in the tank of 1000, 2000, or 3000 L; 2 or 4 active nozzles. An agitation test with a concentration of 0.4% copper oxychloride was employed to analyse the concentration of active matter as a function of tank fill level and number of active nozzles. All parameters significantly affected the fluid velocity, which increased with increasing pressure, but decreased with increasing water level in the tank and an increased number of active nozzles. Concentration tests showed greater active matter concentrations when higher velocities were recorded by the ADV. The ADV was shown to be a useful tool for the rapid assessment of fluid velocities; in the future, it could be used to validate the design of agitation systems, and to estimate their capacity to ensure an adequate level of active matter concentration in the fluid.


The analysis of communicative strategies, tactics and techniques that are implemented in the texts of social advertising are presented in the article. The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that for social advertising, the issue of communicative effectiveness, which is closely related to the concept of communicative perspective and the choice of strategies and tactics that ensure the greatest effectiveness in achieving the goal, is significant and ambiguous. Particular attention is paid to the frustration strategy, which is aimed at creating psychological tension in order to remove the recipient from the so-called "comfort zone" through intimidation with a negative prognosis. The tactics and techniques that implement this strategy in the messages of both Russian and foreign outdoor social advertising are described in detail. This strategy from the author's point of view is the basic (most frequent and most effective) for social advertising, the remaining selected strategies (management of criticality of perception, mnemonic, association and dissociation, etc.) are considered as additional, aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the frustration strategy. Since the influencing nature of social advertising is achieved, among other things, through the creolization of the text, special attention is paid to the verbal and visual implementation of the selected strategies, tactics and techniques.


The objective of this work was to design and build a wind turbine which can be used to power small street lights. Considering the typical wind speeds in Abu Dhabi, UAE and ease of construction, the design of the wind turbine was chosen to be Sea Hawk design from vertical axis wind turbine category. A three phase AC generator was used for its availability over the DC motors within the region. A 12V battery was used for storage and a charge controller was used for controlling the charge flow into the battery and for controlling the turbine rotation when the battery is fully charged. The blades used in the turbine were made of foam board according to the NACA 0018 airfoil shape with a chord length of 15cm. The connecting shaft was made of stainless steel. Structural analysis and CFD analysis were performed along with other calculations. Testing was executed to calculate the voltage output from the turbine at different wind speeds. The maximum voltage the turbine produced at 6.4 m/s wind speed was 2.4Vand the rotational speed of the turbine was 60.3 rpm.


By the end of the nineteenth century Glasgow had become one of the world's centres of naval and marine engineering. Engineers on the Clyde had managed to establish a culture of scientific engineering, drawing on both theory and experimentation. When in 1909 the newly established Australian Navy commissioned five torpedo-boat destroyers, it was not surprising that shipbuilders from the Clyde
successfully tendered for the contract. However, the Australian Navy did not simply want to acquire modern warships; they also wanted to learn how to build them.
Therefore, two destroyers were built in Glasgow, one, the HMAS Warrego, was built, taken apart and rebuilt in Sydney, and two more were built in Sydney, using the experience acquired from reconstructing HMAS Warrego. This first part of the paper looks at shipbuilding on the Clyde and tries to understand the Australian Navy's reasoning behind the rebuilding of HMAS Warrego; a second part, which will be forthcoming, aims to examine the shipbuilding and yard practices and their appropriation in Australia.


Importance Clinical guidelines recommend that clinicians estimate the probability of malignancy for patients with indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs) larger than 8 mm. Adherence to these guidelines is unknown. Objectives To determine whether clinicians document the probability of malignancy in high-risk IPNs and to compare these quantitative or qualitative predictions with the validated Mayo Clinic Model. Design, Setting, and Participants Single-institution, retrospective cohort study of patients from a tertiary care Department of Veterans Affairs hospital from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2015. Cohort 1 included 291 veterans undergoing surgical resection of known or suspected lung cancer from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2015. Cohort 2 included a random sample of 239 veterans undergoing inpatient or outpatient pulmonary evaluation of IPNs at the hospital from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2012. Exposures Clinician documentation of the quantitative or qualitative probability of malignancy. Main Outcomes and Measures Documentation from pulmonary and/or thoracic surgery clinicians as well as information from multidisciplinary tumor board presentations was reviewed. Any documented quantitative or qualitative predictions of malignancy were extracted and summarized using descriptive statistics. Clinicians' predictions were compared with risk estimates from the Mayo Clinic Model. Results Of 291 patients in cohort 1, 282 (96.9%) were men; mean (SD) age was 64.6 (9.0) years. Of 239 patients in cohort 2, 233 (97.5%) were men; mean (SD) age was 65.5 (10.8) years. Cancer prevalence was 258 of 291 cases (88.7%) in cohort 1 and 110 of 225 patients with a definitive diagnosis (48.9%) in cohort 2. Only 13 patients (4.5%) in cohort 1 and 3 (1.3%) in cohort 2 had a documented quantitative prediction of malignancy prior to tissue diagnosis. Of the remaining patients, 217 of 278 (78.1%) in cohort 1 and 149 of 236 (63.1%) in cohort 2 had qualitative statements of cancer risk. In cohort 2, 23 of 79 patients (29.1%) without any documented malignancy risk statements had a final diagnosis of cancer. Qualitative risk statements were distributed among 32 broad categories. The most frequently used statements aligned well with Mayo Clinic Model predictions for cohort 1 compared with cohort 2. The median Mayo Clinic Model–predicted probability of cancer was 68.7% (range, 2.4%-100.0%). Qualitative risk statements roughly aligned with Mayo predictions. Conclusions and Relevance Clinicians rarely provide quantitative documentation of cancer probability for high-risk IPNs, even among patients drawn from a broad range of cancer probabilities. Qualitative statements of cancer risk in current practice are imprecise and highly variable. A standard scale that correlates with predicted cancer risk for IPNs should be used to communicate with patients and other clinicians.


BACKGROUND
Although both the SHARP and the Asian-Pacific trials showed improved overall survival (OS) for sorafenib, the magnitude of benefit was substantially less for Asians, who have a higher prevalence of hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection. Whether the worse prognosis is related to ethnicity or to the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors among patients with HCC who received sorafenib in British Columbia (BC), which has a sizeable Asian population.

METHODS
A total of 255 consecutive patients with advanced HCC who initiated sorafenib from January 2008 to February 2013 were identified using our pharmacy database. Clinicopathological variables and outcomes were retrospectively collected. Prognostic factors were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS
Median age was 63 years, 80.2% were men, and 38% were Asian. Among them, 34.5% had HBV and 29.8% had hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. In addition, 68.6% had cirrhosis and 45.9% had liver-limited disease. Median progression-free and OS were 3.7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.3-4.2] and 7.5 months (95% CI: 5.7-9.2), respectively. On multivariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) and HCV positivity correlated with better OS (P<0.001 and 0.04, respectively), but ethnicity did not (P=0.622).

CONCLUSIONS
When treated with sorafenib at the same institution, Asians and Caucasians with advanced HCC had similar OS. ECOG PS and HCV were the only significant prognostic factors. A higher proportion of HCV positivity might explain why the SHARP trial achieved better OS when compared to the Asian-Pacific trial.


Do you have many regrets from last year? To answer that question, you might start searching your memory and accumulating evidence. But your answer might not depend on how many regrets you remember. Instead, it might depend on how easy it feels to remember them. People often think that they have a larger pool of experiences to sample from when remembering feels easy than when remembering feels difficult. Thus, the relative ease of remembering can give us a quick indication of how many experiences we have had. Do people also rely on this feeling when thinking about their regrets? Across 3 experiments, we asked people to remember easy or difficult numbers of regrets from the past year, and then to rate how much regret they had for that year. Contrary to our predictions and the literature, we found that people relied on both number and ease: after remembering a small but easy number of regretted experiences, they rated the past year as less full of regret than others who remembered a large but difficult number. This pattern of results remained even when we drew people's attention to the ease or difficulty of remembering. These results add nuance to the published literature, and suggest that when we think about how many regrets we have, what matters most is quantity and missed opportunity.


Submerged oil, oil in the water column (neither at the surface nor on the bottom), was found in the form of oil droplet layers in the mid depths between 900–1300 m in the Gulf of Mexico during and following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The subsurface peeling layers of submerged oil droplets were released from the well blowout plume and moved along constant density layers (also known as isopycnals) in the ocean. The submerged oil layers were a challenge to locate during the oil spill response. To better understand and find submerged oil layers, we review the mechanisms of submerged oil formation, along with detection methods and modeling techniques. The principle formation mechanisms under stratified and cross-current conditions and the concepts for determining the depths of the submerged oil layers are reviewed. Real-time in situ detection methods and various sensors were used to reveal submerged oil characteristics, e.g., colored dissolved organic matter and dissolved oxygen levels. Models are used to locate and to predict the trajectories and concentrations of submerged oil. These include deterministic models based on hydrodynamical theory, and probabilistic models exploiting statistical theory. The theoretical foundations, model inputs and the applicability of these models during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill are reviewed, including the pros and cons of these two types of models. Deterministic models provide a comprehensive prediction on the concentrations of the submerged oil and may be calibrated using the field data. Probabilistic models utilize the field observations but only provide the relative concentrations of the submerged oil and potential future locations. We find that the combination of a probabilistic integration of real-time detection with trajectory model output appears to be a promising approach to support emergency response efforts in locating and tracking submerged oil in the field.


Software agent based systems have long been used in the design and implementation of complex systems. This paper discusses a framework for the regulation service auction market for investigating the behaviors of software agents representing the various participants including the auction coordinator (ISO). The main emphasis is to consider the profit maximizing bidding strategies employed by the power suppliers to gain from the competitive market setup. The Java Multi-Agent Development Kit (Madkit) is used for the auction simulations and Java Native Interface (JNI) methods are employed to invoke Matlab computations. Finally, two examples are shown for procurement of regulation service involving five suppliers over a twenty-four hour auction period.


The author informs on the status of animal welfare legislation in the EU as well as in the Federal Republic of Germany.


Dense perovskite hollow-fiber membranes based on BaCo0.7Fe0.2Ta0.1O3−δ (BCFT) are prepared by a phase inversion spinning process. The thermal cycling performance and the dependences of oxygen permeation on the air flow rate on the shell side, the helium flow rate on the core side, the oxygen partial pressures, and the operating temperatures are experimentally investigated. The oxygen transport through the U-shaped hollow-fiber membrane is controlled by both surface reaction and bulk diffusion at the temperature ranges of 750–950 °C, whereas the oxygen permeation is predominantly controlled by the surface reaction at 700 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses of the spent hollow-fiber membrane after oxygen permeation for 250 h show the good stability of the U-shaped BCFT hollow-fiber membrane.


We demonstrate 10 Gb/s directly-modulated 1.3 μm InAs quantum-dot (QD) lasers grown on GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. The active region of the QD lasers consists of five-stacked InAs QD layers. Ridge-waveguide lasers with a ridge width of 4 μm and a cavity length of 600 μm are fabricated with standard lithography and wet etching techniques. It is found that the lasers emit at 1293 nm with a very low threshold current of 5 mA at room temperature. Furthermore, clear eye-opening patterns under 10 Gb/s modulation rate at temperatures of up to 50° C are achieved by the QD lasers. The results presented here have important implications for realizing low-cost, low-power-consumption, and high-speed light sources for next-generation communication systems.


Trees participate in mitigating the urban heat island phenomenon thanks to their transpiration and shading. This cooling potential is highly dependent on leaf area. Nevertheless, leaf traits potentially vary across different land management practices in urban settings, thereby challenging the models used to estimate thermal budgets. The present study aims to investigate the variability of leaf area traits of linden (Tilia spp.) urban trees, and their effect on simulated tree transpiration. Reconstruction of the leaf area was undertaken at the tree scale at three different urban land management sites from three cities: London and Birmingham (UK) and Chantilly (France). The reconstruction combined allometric measurements at shoot and leaf scales, and a tree-scale 3D digitization with laboratory analysis using field data collected by citizen scientists. The management practices had a significant impact on leaf area, and on tree allometric relationships, which were propagated through the reconstruction process. Relative differences between the management practices ranged between 12% and 48% according to the city where the variable was considered (e.g., leaf area index, total leaf area, or tree transpiration). Trees in managed sites (i.e., individualized leaf crowns, frequent leaf litter removal, and standard thinning/pruning operations) develop a higher leaf area, thus promoting cooling potential. This study shows that the variability of leaf traits, and their responses to different land management, can be studied by comprehensive data collection through citizen science and lab-based modelling. It also highlights the importance of appropriate, well-designed urban planning, where landscaping using urban trees can play an even better role in climate proofing cities.


This book has over 1,183 entries in the dictionary section, these being mainly on playwrights and plays, but others as well including managers and critics, and also on specific theatres, legislative acts and some technical jargon. Then there are entries on the different genres, from comedy to tragedy and everything in between. Inevitably, the chronology is quite long as it has a long period to cover and the introduction provides the necessary overview. The Historical Dictionary of British Theatre: Early Period concludes with a pretty massive bibliography. That will be of use to particularly assiduous researchers, but this book itself is a good place to start any research since it covers periods that are far less well-known and documented, and ordinary theatre-goers will also find useful information.


Introduction Coughs are defined by their characteristic sound and the gold standard for determining cough frequency is by ear (Smith, J. et al. Cough 2006; 2:6). Audio editing software can be used to display graphs of sound amplitude. We measured the effect of visual information on cough counting.

Methods 24h recordings were made from 3 patients with cough with the PulmoTrackTM cough monitor (KarmelSonix, Haifa, Israel). A 20-minute audio sequence from each patient was played to 10 respiratory physicians on 3 occasions with intervals of >4 weeks. No visual information was displayed on the first two occasions but on the third occasion Audacity® open source audio editing software provided simultaneous visualisation of sound amplitude. Participants counted cough sounds and cough epochs (clusters containing cough sounds separated by <2s).

Results Intraclass correlation coefficients for agreement between individuals on the first, second and third counts of coughs sounds were 0.90 (95% confidence interval 0.67-1.00), 0.86 (CI 0.53-1.00) and 0.92 (CI 0.71-1.00) respectively. For cough epochs these values were 0.84 (0.53-1.00), 0.78 (0.36-0.99) and 0.94 (0.78-1.00) (Figure). Mean counts of both cough sounds and epochs were lower when using the software display.

Conclusion Visual representations of audio sequences increase the consistency of cough counting. There is a tendency to discount potential coughs when using visual information.

![Figure][1] [1]: pending:yes


Virtual humans presented in VR learning environments have been suggested in previous research to increase immersion and further positively influence learning outcomes. However, how virtual human animations affect students' real-time behavior during VR learning has not yet been investigated. This work examines the effects of social animations (i.e., hand raising of virtual peer learners) on students' cognitive response and visual attention behavior during immersion in a VR classroom based on eye movement analysis. Our results show that animated peers that are designed to enhance immersion and provide companionship and social information elicit different responses in students (i.e., cognitive, visual attention, and visual search responses), as reflected in various eye movement metrics such as pupil diameter, fixations, saccades, and dwell times. Furthermore, our results show that the effects of animations on students differ significantly between conditions (20%, 35%, 65%, and 80% of virtual peer learners raising their hands). Our research provides a methodological foundation for investigating the effects of avatar animations on users, further suggesting that such effects should be considered by developers when implementing animated virtual humans in VR. Our findings have important implications for future works on the design of more effective, immersive, and authentic VR environments.


This paper aims to estimate the anticipated costs incurred from a standalone solar photovoltaic power system for the supply of electricity to the rural community in Sarawak, Malaysia. The life cycle cost analysis with net present value technique was employed for the evaluation of cost system. It was found that purchasing of solar photovoltaic components and the system installation cost will contribute 63% of the total investment and future anticipated costs will add to the remaining. Recurring cost will make 25% and components replacements 75% of future anticipated costs. It was discovered that the power generated from the solar photovoltaic system would be 38 times more expensive than electricity produced from the conventional sources. However, its installation in remote areas could be favourable where the grid-connected power supply is not accessible.


Web sites are either static sites, programs, or databases. Very often they are a mixture of these three aspects integrating relational databases as a back-end. Web sites require configuration and programming attention to assure security, confidentiality, and trustiness of the published information. SQL-injection attacks rely on some weak validation of textual input used to build database queries. Maliciously crafted input may threaten the confidentiality and the security policies of Web sites relying on a database to store and retrieve information. Furthermore, insiders may introduce malicious code in a Web application, code that, when triggered by some specific input, for example, would violate security policies. This paper presents an original approach that combines static analysis, dynamic analysis, and code reengineering to automatically protect applications written in PHP from both malicious input (outsider threats) and malicious code (insider threats) that carry SQLinjection attacks. The paper also reports preliminary results about experiments performed on an old SQL-injection prone version of phpBB (version 2.0.0, 37193 LOC of PHP version 4.2.2 code). Results show that our approach successfully improved phpBB-2.0.0 resistance to SQLinjection attacks.


There are several reasons to evaluate a multi-class classifier on other measures than just error rate. Perhaps most importantly, there can be uncertainty about the exact context of classifier deployment, requiring the classifier to perform well with respect to a variety of contexts. This is commonly achieved by creating a scoring classifier which outputs posterior class probability estimates. Proper scoring rules are loss evaluation measures of scoring classifiers which are minimised at the true posterior probabilities. The well-known decomposition of the proper scoring rules into calibration loss and refinement loss has facilitated the development of methods to reduce these losses, thus leading to better classifiers. We propose multiple novel decompositions including one with four terms: adjustment loss, post-adjustment calibration loss, grouping loss and irreducible loss. The separation of adjustment loss from calibration loss requires extra assumptions which we prove to be satisfied for the most frequently used proper scoring rules: Brier score and log-loss. We propose algorithms to perform adjustment as a simpler alternative to calibration.


—Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has become a modality with superior power for the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. One of the essential basic quality controls of CMR images is to investigate the complete cardiac coverage, which is necessary for the volumetric and functional assessment. This study examines the full cardiac coverage using a 3D convolutional model and then reduces the number of false predictions using an innovative salient region detection model. Salient regions are extracted from the short- axis cine CMR stacks using a three-step proposed algorithm. Combining the 3D CNN baseline model with the proposed salient region detection model provides a cascade detector that can reduce the number of false negatives of the baseline model. The results obtained on the images of over 6,200 participants of the UK Biobank population cohort study show the superiority of the proposed model over the previous state-of-the-art studies. The dataset is the largest regarding the number of participants to control the cardiac coverage. The accuracy of the baseline model in identifying the presence/absence of basal/apical slices is 96.25% and 94.51%, respectively, which increases to 96.88% and 95.72% after improving using the proposed salient region detection model. Using the salient region detection model by forcing the baseline model to focus on the most informative areas of the images can help the model correct misclassified samples' predictions. The proposed fully automated model's performance indicates that this model can be used in image quality control in population cohort datasets and also real-time post-imaging quality assessments.


We establish the general form of the generator of a completely positive dynamical semigroup of an N‐level quantum system, and we apply the result to derive explicit inequalities among the physical parameters characterizing the Markovian evolution of a 2‐level system.


1. A method is described for studying the responses of Daphnia to changes of light intensity with special attention to the behaviour of the individual and to the avoidance of "shock" effects. The types of apparatus used provide for rigid control of the temperature, for illumination from any direction, and for an adjustable rate of change of the light intensity by means of a chemical rheostat.

2. The great majority of Daphnia magna and Daphnia pulex were found to be primarily negatively phototropic and positively geotropic. That is, they always exhibited those tropistic signs under constant conditions of illumination.

3. A reduction of the light intensity causes a temporary reversal of the tropism signs. The secondary signs thus produced are positive phototropism and negative geotropism.

4. The presence of both phototropic and geotropic forces is proved by experiments in which illumination is (1) from one side, (2) from beneath, and (3) from two opposing sides or from above and below simultaneously. In these tests and in others in which very slow and very fast rates of dimming are used the phototropic and geotropic forces are resolved, antagonised, and neutralised in succession. The responses of the Daphnia indicate that there are two types of animals which exhibit exactly the same tropisms, but in one type phototropism is the stronger while in the other geotropism is the stronger.

5. In this material it was found that the temporary secondary tropistic signs persisted only a few minutes while the primary signs persisted for hours, although this effect was somewhat less marked in weak light or in darkness.

6. The difference between "time-change" and "place-change" of light in tensity is pointed out. Daphnia is stimulated by both types of change if the rate of change is sufficiently great.

7. That photosensitive animals are stimulated to respond to changes in the intensity of light only and are merely orientated by the direction of the light is shown in the work of previous, investigators as well as in this paper. The rigidity of this mechanism is indicated by experiments in which the light is graded in intensity at right angles to its direction and in which the light is rendered converging and diverging by a lens.

8. Evidence is given for believing that there is no "absolute optimum" light intensity for Daphnia but that a "relative optimum" exists which is the intensity to which the animals are adapted at the moment.

9. The interval between the inception of the reduction of the light intensity and the beginning of swimming movements in response is called the latent period. The faster the rate of dimming, the shorter is the duration of the latent period. A minimum, amount of intensity change is required to produce any response, at any speed, but beyond that the slower the rate of dimming, the greater is the amount of change required and hence the lower is the absolute intensity at which the response takes place. Ordinarily, the response is maximal in respect to both rate and magnitude.

10. Fatigue will interfere with experimentation unless guarded against.

11. Specimens of Daphinia with reversed primary signs gain temporary secondary signs following an increase of light intensity; otherwise they behave like the more usual forms.

12. The possibility that the processes of adaptation in Daphnia may account for the photic responses observed is discussed. Support for this theory is derived from the fact that it is possible to dim the light over a given range at such a slow rate that no response is produced.


Human interferon-alpha 8 was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and found to accumulate intracellularly in an insoluble form. The protein could be solubilized and converted to a biologically active form with high yield by a denaturation-refolding procedure. The interferon-alpha 8 was further purified to apparent homogeneity by copper-chelate affinity chromatography and anion-exchange chromatography and fully characterized by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), N-terminal sequence analysis, mass spectrometry, circular-dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and specific activity. Secondary-structure predictions from CD spectroscopy indicate that the molecule is correctly folded. Peptide mapping supported the correct sequence and the expected disulfide-bridge connectivity. The purified protein elutes on reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) as two peaks. Electrospray mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequence analysis of the minor component indicated the existence of an N-terminal acetyl group for the later eluting HPLC-component. In anti-viral assays, the two IFN forms were equally active. Hexagonal crystals of this interferon preparation could be obtained. On the basis of the electrophoretic mobility, HPLC profile, and biological activity assay, the crystalline material was judged to be identical to the uncrystallized interferon. Interferon in crystallized form was found to be stable for up to 24 months and, therefore, could be used for long-term storage, particularly for material intended for clinical use.


Khoirunnisa. 2011. D0111051. Management of Hopeful Family Programme(PKH) on Social Office in Sragen District. Thesis. Administration Department. Faculty of Social and Political Science. Sebelas Maret University. 123 pages.

Sragen Regency is one of the areas that the Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH, Hopeful Family Programme ). In carrying out the Program Keluarga Harapan needed a good managerial activities so that the program can run well because management is a major force in the implementation of the program in order to achieve the goals expected. This research aims to know the Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH, Hopeful Family Programme) in Sragen District conducted by the Social Office of Sragen.

This research is a qualitative description of the research. Sampling technique used was Purpsosive Sampling. Methods of data retrieval is done with the interview, observation and study of documentation. Test the validity of the data was performed using interactive technical analysis consists of three components, namely the reduction of the data, the presentation of the data and the withdrawal of the summary.

The results of the Research (PKH, Hopeful Family Programme) on Social Service In Sragen District shows that all management functions (planning, organizing, coorinating, actuating and controlling) has been carried out properly, but there is still a management function implementation is still weak. (PKH, Hopeful Family Programme) is top-down planning because Team Manager determined the Center. Social Service consists of organizing, Team Coordinator for the district, as well as other related service UPPKH has a clear task divisions so that doesn't happen is overlapping and mutually synergize. Coordinating can be implemented through coordination and the use of media communication tools to facilitate in coordination. Actuating is done by providing motivation and coaching to staff or the Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH, Hopeful Family Programme) so that it is able to assume the role of active. Contorolling is done through management reporting as well as field visits conducted escort as well as Social Office of Sragen as well as the Central Government. But the real problem is still found as a reference to data recipients should always be updated in order to note the changes to the data.


The main motivation of this work was to demonstrate a hollow telescopic rod structure that could be used for minimally invasive surgery. The telescopic rods were fabricated using 3D printing technology to make mold flips. During fabrication, differences in biocompatibility, light transmission, and ultimate displacement were compared between telescopic rods fabricated via different processes, so as to select the appropriate process. To achieve these goals, flexible telescopic rod structures were designed and 3D-printed molds were fabricated using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) techniques. The results showed that the three molding processes had no impact on the doping of the PDMS specimens. However, the FDM molding process had lower surface flatness accuracy compared to SLA. The SLA mold flip fabrication exhibited superior surface accuracy and light transmission compared to the other methods. The sacrificial template method and the use of HTL direct demolding technique had no significant impact on cellular activity and biocompatibility, but the mechanical properties of the PDMS specimens were weakened after swelling recovery. The height and radius of the hollow rod were found to have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the flexible hollow rod. The hyperelastic model was fitted appropriately with the mechanical test results, and the ultimate elongation increased with an increase in hollow–solid ratios under the uniform force.


This paper describes an algorithm to derive the nonlinearity performances of Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog Converters (ADCs/DACs) from FFT results. The main advantages of the new approach over conventional ones are that the test stimuli are simpler and the influence of noise on test results decreases. This method is especially useful for the BIST of converters. Experiments have shown the feasibility of this approach.


NUCLEOSOME ASSEMBLY PATHWAYS, RRM3P AND PHOSPHORYLATION OF CAF-I CONTRIBUTE TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SILENT CHROMATIN AT THE FLO GENES IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE Hollie Rowlands Advisor: University of Guelph, 2019 Professor K Yankulov Predominantly, studies of gene repression in S. cerevisiae focus on Sir2p-dependent silencing at the telomeres and the mating type loci. The FLO genes are heavily repressed in laboratory yeasts by a Sir2p-independent mechanism that is not well understood. Chromatin Assembly Factor I (CAF-I) plays a central role in the reassembly of H3/H4 histones during DNA replication. Two kinases, Cyclin Dependent Kinase (CDK) and Dbf4-Dependent Kinase (DDK), are known to phosphorylate the Cac1p subunit of CAF-I, but their role in the regulation of CAF-I activity is not well understood. In this thesis, I analysed the FLO genes, which encode cellsurface proteins and participate in the formation of floccules and biofilm. I report that the mutations in histone chaperones, the helicase RRM3 and Histone Deacetylases cause derepression of the FLO genes and reconstitute flocculation. This is linked to increased histone acetylation at the promoter of FLO1, but not the promoter of FLO11. Additionally the histone deacetylase inhibitor Nicotinamide or growth under starvation conditions enhances flocculation in strains compromised in chromatin maintenance. These effects are linked to variegated expression FLO11 and elevated expression of all FLO genes. Simultaneous mutations of both CDK and DDK target sites of CAF-I lead to growth retardation, significant cell cycle defects, altered cell morphology and increased sensitivity to DNA damage. Two of these mutants also show the reconstitution of flocculation and expression of FLO genes, but do not re-capitulate the transient losses in HML silencing or losses in sub-telomeric silencing observed in cac1Δ mutants. An additional mutant causes defects in silencing at the sub-telomere, but not at HML or the FLO genes. I provide detailed analysis of the repression of FLO genes and propose that a gain in epigenetic silencing is a major contributing factor for the loss of flocculation in laboratory budding yeast strains. I have also shown that the role of Rrm3p in silencing extends beyond interaction with CAF-I at sub-telomeric replication forks. In addition, dysfunctional CAF-I produces severe phenotypes, and locus-specific loss of silencing phenotypes which reveal a possible role of CAF-I in the coordination of DNA replication, chromatin reassembly and cell


Within the functionalist approach to SLA, this study examines the interaction of event linearization patterns in L2 with the ways temporal information is typically structured in learners' source and target languages. Specifically, film verbalisations and picture descriptions by Czech and Hungarian advanced learners of English were elicited to test learners' susceptibility to restructure linearization principles in the target language. Another aim was to test whether linearization patterns within groups interrelate with L1-L2 contrasts in temporal structuring. Analyses of non-chronological order construction frequencies and of their preferred distribution across linguistic forms showed a pronounced effect of L1-specific linearization patterns on advanced learner production; and a close interrelation of event ordering preferences with L1-driven structuring patterns. These findings suggest that the process of event linearization in L2 largely rests on L1 fundaments, and that persisting L1 principles can lead to significant digressions from target-like performance even in highly advanced learner varieties.


The interaction of electromagnetic waves with an arbitrarily shaped three-dimensional (3-D) homogeneous chiral object located above a lossy half space is investigated using the method of moments (MoM) via the coupled mixed potential integral equations (MPIEs). Based on the surface equivalence principle, the equivalent surface electric and magnetic currents are used to replace the homogeneous chiral target in the presence of the half space. Two coupled MPIEs are developed for the unknown equivalent surface electric and magnetic currents by utilizing the continuity condition of the tangential total electric and magnetic field components on the chiral body's surface. The well-known Galerkin procedure with Rao-Wilton-Glisson (RWG) basis functions is applied to solve this problem. The spatial domain half-space Green's functions are obtained from the corresponding spectral domain Green's functions via the discrete complex image method (DCIM) combined with the generalized-pencil of function (GPOF) technique. The reciprocity theorem is employed to calculate the far-zone scattered field. Numerical results are presented for characterizing electromagnetic scattering by a 3-D arbitrarily shaped homogenous chiral object located above a lossy half space so as to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed technique.


For centuries, the "left brain" prevailed and has been particularly deployed in the processes of value creation. Nowadays, the advent of creative industries seems to be synonymous to a revenge of the "right brain". The main conclusion of this article is that these new dynamics would involve mainly the Northern Hemisphere, capitalizing on age-long creative cultural genes and receptive grounds. Through the iPad stylized fact and the Sperry's model of hemispheric specialization, this article discusses the degree of appropriation of the intangible-based economic dynamics in both developed, emerging and peripheral countries, and outlines the contours of the global architectures of knowledge and creativity.


The ethnographic fieldwork I conducted in Iran reveals how some religious conservative howzevi (seminarian) women understand marriage and motherhood as constitutive of idealized womanhood. For them, the pursuit of marriage and motherhood simultaneously enables their participation in the highest levels of Islamic education and their religious and political authority in Iran. Such aspirations imposed both regulatory and emancipatory effects on the howzevi's life. Two self-imposed practices I observed from women were the practice of asking permission from the husband, and having the desire to marry a man whom she expected would want to be asked for permission. I underline the hidden yet enabling aspects of these practices. I show what a system of mutual exchange of responsibilities between nafaqeh (full financial provision) and eta'at (obedience) look like as features of a howzevi marriage. I argue that it was precisely the howzevi's observances of this mutual exchange and other constraints that facilitated her educational, social and political mobility.


The study was conducted to find out the incidence of sub clinical mastitis (SCM) in Murrah buffaloes and factors effecting it. All quarter samples oI 7l buffaloes were subjected to Modified California Mastitis Test, Somatic cell counts and Chloride test for screening of SCM. Based on the results of these tests, 23 buffaloes (18.59% Quarter wise) were found to be affected by SCM. Factors like stage of lactation (P<0.01) and milking systems (P<0.05) had significant ellect on incidence of SCM where as effect of milk yield and parity was non significant. Ttrc incidence was higher in older cows as well as those in early stages of lactation (41.67%). Though any considerable difference was not observed for the prerralence of SCM in high (33.33%), medium (32%), and low (33.33%) yielders. The per cent incidence of SCM was higher in anirnats milked by machine (53.85%) as compared to hand milking (24.49%).