A 69-year-old male presented with medically refractory vertebrobasilar insufficiency and paroxysmal subjective dizziness for six months. Severe stenosis of a dominant left V2 vertebral artery segment was identified on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with an irregular intraluminal filling defect immediately above the stenosis. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated a normal lumen at the distal end, with red thrombus detected distal to the stenosis. Atherosclerotic plaque containing fibro-lipid was also identified and treated with a drug-eluting stent. Distal red thrombi were not covered by stenting, indicating embolization risk in the future. Clear posterior fossa symptoms occurred after intervention, and treatment with a standard dual antiplatelet regimen and statin therapy was prescribed for one year. Six months after treatment, the symptoms improved, and six-minute walking distances were successful with no gait impairment. To our knowledge, this is the first V2 segment stenosis assessed by OCT imaging before and after stenting, indicating an intact fibrous cap with thrombus formation, as well as plaque erosion. Understanding the role and careful use of OCT may improve the identification of red thrombus and plaque erosion when clinically indicated.


The paper reports the preparation of thin sheets of expanded graphite decorated with -Fe 2 O 3 and SiO 2 by compression molding. Different formulations have been prepared to study the effect of dielectric and magnetic constituent on the electrical, magnetic and dielectric properties of multiphase composite. One of the formulations shows unprecedented microwave shielding response with absorption dominated shielding effectiveness value of 55.40 dB which strongly depends on dielectric losses and magnetic losses. The results show that the dielectric loss of the composites can be attributed to natural resonance, electron polarization relaxation, interfacial polarization and the unique layered nanostructures etc.; whereas eddy current effect mainly causes the magnetic loss. Since observed attenuation is greater than the recommended limit (30 to 40 dB) of commercial application, therefore, these are potentially applied for absorbing mobile signal interference in daily life.


This paper reports on health care and social service providers in Seattle whose clients are mainly inner-city teens. Interview data are presented regarding the history of Seattle's organized response to HIV/ AIDS, and the organizational roles and inter-organizational relationships among local community health and social service providers that affect the production and distribution of information and resources available locally for HIV education, prevention, and interventions. The paper also discusses the benefits and costs of collaboration among these organizations for adolescent service delivery. Finally, the conditions that support and threaten collaborative relationships are discussed with special reference to the general perception that the changing complexion of HIV/ AIDS in North America will result in reduced public support for HIV interventions. By way of a postscript, research organizations are challenged to seek out partnerships with service providers to support requests for increased public sector funding for community health care services.


Seed legumes are extremely important crop plants, which are widely cultivated in the Middle East. The study was conducted to determine the effect of different seeding times and seed rates on the growth, yield and quality of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The experiment was laid out using RCBD under split plot arrangement with three replications. Three Row space as main plot R1 (50), R2 (40) and R3 (30) and tow sowing dates D1 (2 June) and D2 (14 June) as sub plot. Obtained result from this research showed that grain yield, 100 seed weight, number of pods and seeds per plant, stem height and harvest index of bean were affected significantly by row space and sowing date treatments. Highest amount of all of these characters was measured in 50 cm row space between bean crops and lowest amount of them was recorded in 30 cm distance between beans. Among two sowing date maximum amount of grain yield, 100 seed weight, number of pods and seeds per plant was obtained in D1 (sowing in 2 June).

 Key words: Bean, row spacing, sowing date, yield components.


In this study, we investigate the feasibility of utilizing state-of-the-art image perceptual metrics for evaluating audio signals by representing them as spectrograms. The encouraging outcome of the proposed approach is based on the similarity between the neural mechanisms in the auditory and visual pathways. Furthermore, we customise one of the metrics which has a psychoacoustically plausible architecture to account for the peculiarities of sound signals. We evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed metric and several baseline metrics using a music dataset, with promising results in terms of the correlation between the metrics and the perceived quality of audio as rated by human evaluators.


The electronic instrument transformers located in the process layer of smart substation may have important technical significance to the relay protection devices located in the bay layer, and it is meaningful to evaluate and analyze the transient characteristics of the electronic instrument transformers. In this paper, taking the electronic current transformer (ECT) based on Rogowski coil for a research object, its working principle and equivalent structure are introduced firstly. Furthermore, using MATLAB/SIMULINK, the ECT's simulation model is built, and its transient responses to decaying DC component and steady-state AC component under different integral parameters are respectively simulated. On the basis of the simulation results, it can be observed that, this kind of current instrument transformer has the ability of measuring the transient current accurately, and accordingly the operating performance of the relay protection associated with this ECT can be enhanced to a certain extent. At the end of this article, some engineering application problems are investigated and discussed in brief.


Purple Top White Globe turnips were planted in 5- by 20-ft row beds with 22-inch interrow and 4 to 6-inch interplant spacing on Jul 26 '77 and Jul 27 '78, at Yakima, WA. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block with 4 replicates. The at-planting granular treatments of Dasanit were applied and incorporated, by using the "bow wave" method whereby the opening and covering shoes of the seeder are used to distribute and incorporate the insecticide. These were followed by the 30-day postplanting (= 40-day preharvest) application of a band spray of the SC formulation to the soil surface applied in 3.5 gal water/1000 lineal ft of row through "TEEJET" 8005 even spray flat fan nozzles operated at 60 psi by air pressure. Both methods resulted in 6-inch wide bands of insecticide over the row. The efficacy of the treatments was determined by removing, washing, and examining the roots of 15 plants selected at random from each bed at harvest. The number of plants injured and the degree of inury were noted and recorded.


In this report a Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model for razor clams (Ensis directus) is presented. A DEB model is a generic model describing growth and development of individual organisms as a function of environmental conditions. The DEB model for Ensis directus is based on the standard DEB model. The species specific primary DEB parameters are estimated with the Add_my_pet procedure, using literature data and the results of laboratory experiments with Ensis directus. The performance of the model is demonstrated by theoretical model experiments with varying environmental conditions. In following projects, the model will be used to predict and quantify the effects of sand mining on the shellfish community in the Dutch coastal zone. For this purpose the functional response of the model should be adapted so that the combined effect of changing phytoplankton and suspended sediment concentration on the uptake rate can be simulated.


This study aims to determine the impact of training program to the improvement of teaching competency in Adaptive Physical Education (APE) of special educators. The provided training is competency-based and conventional training program. The teaching competency consist of professional and pedagogical of APE. This research using experiment method with factorial model 2X2. The sample are teachers of intellectual disability student. The sampling data collection using stratified cluster random sampling. The samples are 60 teachers divided to four groups that joined 60 hours of training program. The statistical analysis applied with T-Test sample paired test, Anova test (Two Way Anova with Main Effect and Interaction Effect), and PostHoc Test.   The results shows that group of teachers in competency-based training program gain a high competency test score, average score higher than other groups. There is no interaction between training program and competency test result to the enhancement of teaching competency in APE


Abstract. Drought events and their impacts vary spatially and temporally due to diverse pedo-climatic and hydrologic conditions, as well as variations in exposure and vulnerability, such as demographics and response actions. While hazardous severity and frequency of past drought events have been studied in detail, little is known about the effect of drought management strategies on the actual impacts, and how the hazard is perceived by relevant stakeholders for inducing action. In a continental study, we characterised and assessed the impacts and the perceptions of two recent drought events (2018 and 2019) in Europe and examined the relationship between management strategies and drought perception, hazard and impacts. The study was based on a pan-European survey involving national representatives from 28 countries and relevant stakeholders responding to a standard questionnaire. The survey focused on collecting information on stakeholders' perceptions of drought, impacts on water resources and beyond, water availability and current drought management strategies at national and regional scales. The survey results were compared with the actual drought hazard information registered by the European Drought Observatory (EDO) for 2018 and 2019. The results highlighted high diversity in drought perceptions across different countries and in values of implemented drought management strategies to alleviate impacts by increasing national and sub-national awareness and resilience. The study concludes with an urgent need to further reduce drought impacts by constructing and implementing a European macro-level drought governance approach, such as a directive, which would strengthen national drought management and lessen harm to human and natural potentials.


During the 1975, 1976, and 1977 football seasons, the National Athletic Injury/Illness Reporting System (NAIRS) obtained records of the nature and severity of injuries and illnesses experienced by an annual average of 5361 high school and college athletes. Associated circumstances, including type and brand of helmets being worn by the injured and non-injured, also were obtained. From these data, and against specified epidemiologic criteria for significance, the possibility that particular helmets were associated unduly with cerebral and spinal neurotrauma was examined. The results revealed that (1) one permanent severe neurological injury (cervical spinal cord) was experienced, the mechanism of which was unrelated to helmet design; (2) cerebral concussions were infrequent (one significant concussion per 10,000 athlete exposures) and of a consistent rate from year to year; and (3) no particular helmet was associated with a disproportionate number of concussions or cervical spine fractures within those experienced. Continuing surveillance with multivariate analysis of possible causal relationships among all factors associated with these injuries is in progress.


When our human ancestors migrated out of Africa, they faced a considerably harsher climate, but the extent to which human cranial morphology has adapted to climate is still debated. In particular, it remains unclear when such facial adaptations arose in human populations. Here, we explore climate-associated features of face shape in a worldwide modern human sample using 3D geometric morphometrics and a novel application of reduced rank regression. Based on these data, we assess climate adaptations in two crucial Upper Palaeolithic human fossils, Sungir and Mladeč, both of which have been archaeologically associated with a boreal-to-temperate climate. We found several aspects of face shape, especially the relative dimensions of the external and internal nose as well as of the maxillary sinuses, that are strongly associated with temperature and humidity, even after accounting for auto-correlation due to geographical proximity of populations. For these features, both fossils revealed adaptations to a dry environment, with Sungir being strongly associated with cold and Mladeč with warm-to-hot temperatures. As both fossils are dated among the earliest recent modern humans in Europe, our results suggest a relatively fast rate of climate adaptation in human respiratory morphology.


This study aimed to findout forms and causes of gender exploitation and violence as well as reveal the effect of gender exploitation and violence on the health status of women and girls. The researcher collected secondary data from District Police Office and Women Cell of the same office of Chitwan. Primary data was collected from purposive sampling method. The study reveals that majority of the victims of exploitation and violence suffers from grave physical health problem, psychological and mental health problem and reproductive health problems. Similarly, the study also reveals that the causes of gender exploitation and violence are economical, political, educational and social backwardness. From the research, it is concluded that women and girls are dominated due to lack of education, patriarchal society, polygamy society, sexual dissatisfaction and dowry. Moreover, women are discriminated from birth. This study also shows that literate women are equally victimized as well as the illiterate women and girls. The Sapta Gandaki JournalVol. IX, 2018 Feb. Page: 26-33


Usage of appropriate high-level abstractions is very important for development of reliable and maintainable programs. Abstractions can be more effective if applied at the level of language syntax. To achieve this goal, analysis of programs based on the syntax is needed. This paper presents Haskell Syntax Analyzer tool that can be used for analysis of Haskell programs from the syntactic perspective. It allows to retrieve derivation trees of Haskell programs, visualize them and perform their statistical analysis. We also propose approach for recognition of recurring patterns in programs that can be used as a basis for automated introduction of abstractions into the language.


Using the stopped-flow circular dichroism (SFCD) technique, we investigate the kinetics of the pH-induced folding and unfolding process of the DNA i-motif. The results show that the molecule can fold or unfold on a time scale of 100 ms when the solution pH is changed. It is also found that the folding and unfolding rates strongly depend on the solution pH. On the basis of quantitative data, we propose theoretical models to decipher the folding and unfolding kinetics. Our models suggest that the cooperativity of protons is crucial for both the folding and unfolding process. In the unfolding process, the cooperative neutralization of two protons (out of the total six protons in the i-motif molecule) is the only rate-limiting step. In the folding process, there exists a critical step in which three protons bind cooperatively to the DNA strand. These results offer an in-depth understanding of the folding and unfolding kinetics of the DNA i-motif and may give precise guidance for constructing novel nanodevices based on the DNA i-motif.


Background: We aimed to elucidate the preventive effects of taurine against osteopenia in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and the mechanisms by which taurine regulates osteoblastogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The effects of the taurine on human osteoblast MG-63 cell differentiation and osteoblastogenesis effect in OVX rat were examined Konkuk University in 2018 by evaluating osteoblast differentiation, and expression of osteoblast-specific factors by western blotting analysis. Results: Taurine supplementation significantly improved alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization in a concentration-dependent manner. Further, taurine induced the expression of osteogenic growth factors such as bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), small mothers against decapentaplegic 1/5/8 (SMAD1/5/8), wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 3A (Wnt3a), and collagen type 1 (COL-1) via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt). Moreover, the RUNX2 activity of the taurine-treated group was enhanced by protein–protein interactions such as Wnt3a-induced p-AKT/RUNX2 and BMP-mediated SMADs/MAPK/RUNX2 interactions. Conclusion: Our in vitro and in vivo results suggested that taurine can be considered as a potential therapeutic candidate agent for preventing bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporosis.


Attentional influence on sound-localization behavior of barn owls was investigated in a cross-modal spatial cuing paradigm. After being cued to the most probable target side with a visual cuing stimulus, owls localized upcoming auditory target stimuli with a head turn toward the position of the sound source. In 80% of the trials, cuing stimuli pointed toward the side of the upcoming target stimulus (valid configuration), and in 20% they pointed toward the opposite side (invalid configuration). We found that owls initiated the head turns by a mean of 37.4 ms earlier in valid trials, i.e., mean response latencies of head turns were reduced by 16% after a valid cuing stimulus. Thus auditory stimuli appearing at the cued side were processed faster than stimuli appearing at the uncued side, indicating the influence of a spatial-selective attention mechanism. Turning angles were not different when owls turned their head toward a cued or an uncued location. Other types of attention influencing sound localization, e.g., a reduction of response latency as a function of the duration of cue-target delay, could not be observed. This study is the first attempt to investigate attentional influences on sound localization in an animal model.


This paper deals with the problem of distributed fault detection for a team of multi-agent systems with linear dynamics using output observers. The proposed output observer is employed to estimate the state of virtual models based on relative outputs in order to generate a set of residual signal that are indicative of the presence of a fault. The convergence of the observer is proven for any initial condition and fault detectability conditions are defined. The proposed method ensures distributed actuator fault detection using input-output relations, where each agent is capable of detecting not only its own faults, but also those that occur in its neighbours solely by using exchanged relative outputs. Results of numerical simulations are provided to show the robustness of the proposed approach.


Fritless packed beds comprised of magnetically responsive octadecylsilane bonded silica particles have been constructed for reversed-phase electrochromatography. The magnetic particles were immobilized in the capillary by applying an external magnetic field transverse to the direction of electroosmotic flow. Being subjected to the interplay of fluid dragging and magnetic forces, the initial loosely packed particle assembly was compacted into a uniform packing structure. The magnetically immobilized beds obtained were used as stationary phases for separation of neutral compounds, with retention behavior and column efficiency similar to those of slurry-packed columns. The results suggest that the magnetic attraction approach to fritless column packing may be used for construction of advanced chip-based chromatography, especially in complex architectures comprising curved and intersecting channels.


The objective of this study is to analyse ways of measuring gender segregation, and to consider specifically how the different types of indices can be used and interpreted. The different indicators of segregation are calculated for the EU member-states and a comparative analysis of the situation of European labour markets is made using the different indices. This paper also intends to make a general discussion on the issue of gender segregation, to give recommendations as to how segregation should be measured using current tools and to suggest improvements to existing ways of measuring segregation.


A–According to the robot-hypothesis, there is an unambiguous mapping of sensory input to behavioral output. If the behavioral output is not constant in a constant environment, there are a number of possible sources of noise, which would be responsible for the varying output.

B–In a competing hypothesis, non-constant output is generated intrinsically by an initiator of behavioral activity. Note that the sources of noise have been omitted in B merely because their contribution may be small, compared to that of the initiator, not because they are thought to be non-existent.


Optical injection and optoelectronic feedback are efficient techniques to externally control the spectral characteristics of a semiconductor laser. This paper presents theoretical and experimental results about the effects of a delayed optoelectronic feedback loop on the stability of an optically injected diode laser. In particular, negative feedback configurations (out-of-phase carrier reinjection) are shown to widen the injection-locking domain of the laser and reduce its unstable region. On the contrary, in positive feedback configurations (in-phase carrier reinjection), the laser diode generates a modulation with tunable multigigahertz frequency.


Large-eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent combustion is a relatively new research field. Much research has been carried out over the past years, but to realize the full predictive potential of combustion LES, many fundamental questions still have to be addressed, and common practices of LES of nonreacting flows revisited. The focus of the present review is to highlight the fundamental differences between Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and LES combustion models for nonpremixed and premixed turbulent combustion, to identify some of the open questions and modeling issues for LES, and to provide future perspectives.


The flyback converter is one of the most attractive isolated converters in small power applications because of its simple structure. However, it suffers from a high device stress and a large transformer size. To relieve these drawbacks, a high-efficient pulsewidth modulation resonant single-switch isolated converter is proposed. The proposed converter derives the power using the resonance between transformer leakage inductor and secondary capacitor without a large filter inductor. Therefore, the switch turn-off loss and snubber loss are reduced by a sinusoidal-shaped current. Moreover, it has a reduced voltage stress on the secondary diodes without a dissipative snubber and a smaller transformer size. Therefore, it features a simple structure, low cost, and high efficiency. The operational principle and characteristics of the proposed converter are presented and verified experimentally with a 300~400 Vdc input, 70 Vdc/1.5 A output prototype converter.


A pelvic radiographic examination was performed on 15 large breed dogs without history and clinical sign of hip dysplasia. The effect of anaesthesia and of two stress-radiographic methods on the coxofemoral subluxation was evaluated. With anaesthesia a mild coxofemoral subluxation was seen in 31 per cent of the dogs, which all appeared radiographically normal when sedated. The Norberg angle was significantly decreased in anaesthetised dogs (P < 0–05). When dogs with a radiographically normal coxofemoral joint conformation were submitted to a stress-radiographic examination there was a shift towards an increased coxofemoral subluxation. Subluxation was seen in 70 per cent of the dogs when the knee fixation method of positioning was applied and in 100 per cent of the dogs when the wedge method was used. Correspondingly the Norberg angle decreased significantly when the coxofermoral joints were stressed (Pkneefix < 0–00003; Pwedge= 0–000008). The study concludes that the currently used procedure for evaluation of the hip joints does not necessarily disclose whether or not a dog has hip dysplasia.


Modeling of signals using Hermite functions is a very appropriate technique for ECG data compression. ECG signal can be highly nonstationary in ambulatory monitoring or during stress test. Adaptive algorithms with a fast convergence are necessary, when data compression of nonstationary signals must be performed. Here, the authors analyse several adaptive algorithms that improves the behaviour of classical least mean squares.


Introduction: Infection with any of the 4 dengue virus serotypes results in a diverse range of symptoms, from mild undifferentiated fever to life-threatening hemorrhagic fever and shock. Given that dengue virus infection elicits such a broad range of clinical symptoms, early and accurate laboratory diagnosis is essential for appropriate patient management. So a study was carried out to know its clinical profile, correlation between the laboratory profile and the severity of dengue fever and outcome in dengue patients.
Aim: To study the clinical profile, correlation between the laboratory profile and the severity of dengue fever and outcome in dengue patients at tertiary care center.
Method: Retrospective Observational study from 1st May 2019 to 31st April 2021.
Result: Total 323 patients were studied during 1st May 2019 to 31st April 2021. Most common presentation was fever (100%), most common clinical finding is hepatomegaly (14.2%). All severe dengue infection has platelet count < 50000/cumm. In study of 323 patients 194(60%) of dengue fever,85(26.4%) of DHF GRADE 1,9(2.8%) of DHF GRADE 2 were discharged .13(4%) patients of DSS were expired.22 patients (6.8%) went DAMA.
Conclusion: Reliable diagnosis of dengue fever in endemic areas can be done by clinical parameters like presence of nausea, vomiting, pain abdomen and hepatomegaly. Monitoring platelet count, hematocrit and WBC count is very useful for management of dengue cases.
Keywords: dengue fever, platelet count, outcome


ABSTRACTOil mists, which are colloids composed of solid core particles surrounded by oil, are commonly removed from air by fibrous filters. However, unlike the filtration of pure solid or pure liquid particles, mist filtration is not yet fully understood. This study performed a series of experiments to investigate filter performance throughout a clogging process and evaluated the influence of oil content on the variance of pressure drop and filter efficiency. A model was developed for predicting the efficiency of the colloid particles and used to explain how the variance of the oil content changed the efficiency. Results showed that the filter became saturated, showing a constant pressure drop and efficiency, after a relatively short period of fluctuation. The particles with higher oil content used less time to reach the equilibrium state, and had a lower pressure drop and higher efficiency. The amounts of oil coated on the solid cores influenced both the particle diameters and the saturation of filters. Filter efficiency can notably increase with decreasing saturation until saturation was less than 0.5, and the efficiency of particles that were most affected were those with diameters of approximately 30 nm and 500 nm.


Having a child is mostly every parent's dream. As of late adoption was to give childless guardians an occasion to get their own loved ones yet that should have been occurred inside the confined relations. Yet, presently the circumstances are different and adoption laws are outlined as to give JUSTICE TO CHILDREN. In India, adoption has been polished for bunches of years. Hinduism being the significant religion polished in India, sagas and chronicled records have aggregated information of holy people and royals who had been received and who embraced. Ramayana and Mahabharata are the two such splendid legends of Hinduism which propose references to adoption. Adoption isn't just one of the most productive and effective segments of India's kid government assistance program, yet additionally one of the most directed legitimately and procedurally. In any case, there exists a specific section of the Indian populace which has for some time been and still is, condemning of numerous parts of adoption, intra-nation adoption specifically, trusting it to be a zone of youngster government assistance that is unregulated and open to manhandle. Intermittent accounts of infants and kids being "sent out", embraced youngsters winding up in unfamiliar massage parlours just as real adoption tricks, similar to the one as of late disentangled in Andhra Pradesh just fan the fire. This is unquestionably a difficulty for the reason for adoption in the nation. As per the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS), for each 10 new parents in India, just a single child is accessible. There are insufficient children open for adoption in light of the fact that the standardized consideration proportion of abandoned children to kids is disproportionate. The framework of our Indian law within the context of adoption law is pretty complex and controversial. This paper will analyse these laws and also make a comprehensive understanding of the moral aspect in the society. Volume II Issue I IJLLR | Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research May 2021 ISSN: 2582-887 w w w . i j l l r . c o m | email@example.com | email@example.com


Tracking keypoints through a sequence of images is one of the first major steps of structure-from-motion approaches. This paper presents a robust method to extend from two-frame keypoint matching to multi-frame tracking. The transition from matching to tracking is implemented through the propagation of the predicted 3D position of the keypoint. The uncertainty level of the tracking results is calculated based on the uncertainty of the motion parameters. Experiments on KITTI dataset as well as on a synthetic dataset show that dense and accurate tracking is attainable.


We present a method to perform online Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) of known object categories in monocular video data. Current Tracking-by-Detection MOT approaches build on top of 2D bounding box detections. In contrast, we exploit state-of-the-art instance aware semantic segmentation techniques to compute 2D shape representations of target objects in each frame. We predict position and shape of segmented instances in subsequent frames by exploiting optical flow cues. We define an affinity matrix between instances of subsequent frames which reflects locality and visual similarity. The instance association is solved by applying the Hungarian method. We evaluate different configurations of our algorithm using the MOT 2D 2015 train dataset. The evaluation shows that our tracking approach is able to track objects with high relative motions. In addition, we provide results of our approach on the MOT 2D 2015 test set for comparison with previous works. We achieve a MOTA score of 32.1.


Abstract Thermosolutal natural convection heat and mass transfer in a 2D square cavity are studied numerically in the presence of Soret effect and uniform volumetric heat generation. A hybrid scheme with simple relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method (SRT-LBM) is used to obtain the velocity field while the temperature and concentration fields are deduced from energy and species balances using a finite difference method (FDM). The study focuses on the effect of three parameters, which are the Soret parameter (, 0, and 0.5), the buoyancy ratio ( and 1), and the internal to external Rayleigh numbers ratio (). Combined effects of these parameters on fluid flow and heat and mass transfer characteristics are examined for Lewis number Le =2, Prandtl number , and external Rayleigh number . The interaction between the heat generation and the thermodiffusion may play an important role in purifying/charging the confined fluid from/with species by considering positive/negative values of .


Based on L¨auter's (Biometrics, 1996) exact t test for biometrical studies related to the multivariate normal mean, we develop a generalized F -test for the multivariate normal mean and extend it to multiple comparison. The proposed generalized F - tests have simple approximate null distributions. A Monte Carlo study and two real examples show that the generalized F -test is at least as good as the optional individual L¨auter's test and can improve its performance in some situations where the projection directions for the L¨auter's test may not be suitably chosen. It is discussed that the generalized F -test could be superior to individual L¨auter's tests and the classical Hotelling T 2 -test for the general purpose of testing the multivariate normal mean. It is shown by Monte Carlo studies that the extended generalized F - test outperforms the commonly-used classical test for multiple comparison of normal means in the case of high dimension with small sample sizes.


Mitral valve (MV) repair is the preferential treatment for mitral regurgitation (MR) associated with degenerative MV disease, and the functional benefits of early surgery are known. Our goal was to evaluate the changes in LV shape following MV repair, using a new method based on real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE). Fifty patients with severe asymptomatic MR were enrolled. Transthoracic RT3DE imaging was performed the day before, 6 and 12 months after MV repair. A group of 66 normal subjects (NL) was studied as a reference. LV 3D shape indices of sphericity (S) and conicity (C) were computed. Post-operatively, LV volumes were decreased compared to pre-surgical values. EF was slightly decreased 6 months after surgery, but restored at 12 months. Modifications in end-diastolic LV shape were found: prior to surgery, S was elevated and C was decreased compared to NL; at 6 months, these changes were reversed with no further improvement at 12 months. Early MV repair in asymptomatic patients is associated with changes in LV shape which remodels to near normal morphology. Novel 3D shape analysis based on RT3DE, allows serial examination of the complex relationship between LV performance and shape.


Objective To investigate the influence of smoking cessation on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods Two hundred and sixteen ACS patients with smoking history were divided into two groups: cessation and smokers. An additional 40 ACS patients without smoking history were enrolled as controlled group. Risk factor profile was assessed at the beginning of the study. The hs-CRP, fibrinogen and white blood cell count were examined in every patient. Results (1) As for general condition (age, SBP, LDL-C, TG, etc.) except for cardiovascular event, there was no significant difference between these three groups (cessation, smokers and controls). (2) hs-CRP (4.16±0.52 vs 5.46±0.68 vs 2.68±0.32), fibrinogen (3.84±0.41 vs 4.38±0.53 vs 2.52±0.33) and WBC count (6.23±0.82 vs 7.58±0.78 vs 5.44±0.65) in three groups were significantly different from each other (p<0.05). (3) Cessation group was further divided into three subgroups according to how long a patients quit smoking: 1 year, 1–5 years, >5 years. hs-CRP, fibrinogen and WBC count were also significantly different among these three subgroups. There is no significant difference between subgroup (>5 years) and controls. Conclusion Smoking cessation can lower the possibility of cardiovascular events and reduce inflammatory biomarkers in patients with ACS. This reduction is related with time of cessation.


The results of Sample surveys play a vital role in decision making. One of the main issues being faced by survey statisticians during the collection of survey data is the problem of non-response which may affect survey cost and accuracy of estimates. The problem of non-response becomes more severe if the survey contains sensitive questions like related to family planning methods, use of drugs. To diminish the non-response rate arising in the case of direct questioning (DQ) technique, Warner (1965) proposed an indirect survey technique known as the randomized response (RR) technique. He addressed this problem for a cross-sectional data. This method is a well-known procedure that produces more valid responses on sensitive questions in surveys. The method avoids the direct link between respondent's response and the sensitive question through the help of a randomization device. Thereby protecting respondent's privacy which in turn greatly increases survey response rate. However, due to the complex nature of panel estimator, the work is missing the in the context of RR technique. To cover this gap, we propose a linear regression model in the context of panel surveys/longitudinal studies under the application of the RR technique. We solve all these issues through simulation study.


We have developed a mathematical tool able to track irreversible processes in magnetic systems described by the Stoner-Wohlfarth model, under any applied field history. A graphic representation is worked out that accounts for interactions, and turns out to be an extension of the one operating in the Preisach model. The response to alternating and rotating magnetizing fields have been investigated in detail. We have found a strategy in dealing with hysteretic memory effects which speeds the computational work needed to get the materials magnetization. This approach can represent a suitable tool aimed at estimate the energy loss and entropy production in magnetic systems.


This paper studies monetary and exchange rate policy in a world of global value chains. Using recent microdata from Japan and Russia, devaluations are shown to negatively affect exporters in terms of employment, domestic revenue and profitability relative to nonexporting firms. Given their substantial dependence on imported intermediate inputs, exporting firms are more exposed to marginal cost shocks following exchange rate movements. Standard macro models are too simplistic in their microstructure to capture these transmission channels. I propose a New Keynesian general equilibrium model with firm heterogeneity, varying intermediate import intensities, and international dollar pricing to explain the findings. Strategic complementarities improve the quantitative performance of the model without changing its qualitative properties. The new paradigm is successful in matching key firm-level moments as well as the evolution of inflation and net exports.


Carotid artery stenosis is a condition where the carotid artery is blocked by fatty cholesterol deposits called plaque, increasing the risk of stroke. Elderly individuals with high cardiovascular risk are more susceptible, along with smokers, those with high cholesterol, males, and older individuals. Young females may also be affected by fibromuscular dysplasia. Carotid stenosis significantly raises stroke risk, and the severity is closely linked to stroke incidence and other cardiovascular events. Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent complications. Treatment options include medical and surgical interventions, such as carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS). The choice between surgery and medical management varies depending on patient characteristics and risk factors. This review explores carotid artery stenosis pathophysiology, risk factors, the importance of early detection and treatment, and the surgical approaches of CEA and CAS, addressing their roles and controversies. Healthcare professionals must understand these aspects to provide optimal care to patients with this condition.


: Several peptides of the tachykinin family are reviewed. Special attention is spared to mammalian tachykinins as peptide neurotransmitters. Conformational possibilities of the tachykinins are considered in connection with their ability to interact with specific receptors. The results of theoretical and experimental studies suggest a significant identity of spatial structures of the tachykinins and explain the absence of the strict specificity in tachykinin-receptor interactions.


In Bayesian inverse problems, the posterior distribution is used to quantify uncertainty about the reconstructed solution. In fully Bayesian approaches in which prior parameters are assigned hyperpriors, Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms often are used to draw samples from the posterior distribution. However, implementations of such algorithms can be computationally expensive. We present a computationally efficient scheme for sampling high-dimensional Gaussian distributions in ill-posed Bayesian linear inverse problems. Our approach uses Metropolis--Hastings independence sampling with a proposal distribution based on a low-rank approximation of the prior-preconditioned Hessian. We show the dependence of the acceptance rate on the number of eigenvalues retained and discuss conditions under which the acceptance rate is high. We demonstrate our proposed sampler by using it with Metropolis--Hastings-within-Gibbs sampling in numerical experiments in image deblurring, computerized tomography, and NMR relaxometry.


Despite societal imperatives for equity—whether espoused by nation states or transnational agencies like UNESCO—current models of higher education are unequivocally failing to provide universal access.  This paper seeks to explore the (cyber)spaces (un)occupied by higher education, specifically in the area of curriculum studies, arguing that the World Wide Web can be used to effect the democratization of education.  Further, it argues for the benefits of Open Access research by means of a small-scale empirical study, the results of which indicate that making research openly accessible does not diminish the impact of research, but rather may actually increase it. Keywords: Open Access, Open Education, curriculum studies, higher education, Web 2.0


A surface geophysical investigation consisting of electromagnetic (EM) and resistivity survey techniques was carried out on the Gaborone old dumpsite that was commissioned in 1982 and decommissioned in 1992. The aim of the study was to map the physical boundaries of the decommissioned dumpsite, map the distribution of waste and identify zones of leachate concentrations within the dumpsite The results of conductivity measurements using the EM technique show a wide distribution of conductive materials, which represents zone of active leaching. This zone is mostly concentrated in the centre of the old dumpsite. Inhase measurements also identified zones occupied by metallic waste that are less distributed over the dumpsite. Results of the resistivity survey indicate a three layer structure in the area. The top layer is a more resistive cover material (68 - 127 Ωm.) and varies in thickness from place to place. The second layer is a low resistivity zone (3-40 Ωm) and indicates a zone of high leachate activities. At the bottom is a more resistive layer (greater than 500 Ωm) which is likely to be basement rocks that underlie the old dumpsite. The resistivity survey results provide better information about the subsurface conditions in the old dumpsite. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 10 (3) 2006: 87-92


Dynamic models of the cable-driven continuum robots are commonly employed for those robots that are actuated by the cables' forces. In this paper, a dynamic model is proposed for the cable-driven continuum robots actuated by position and/or force actuated cables, which is appropriate for any desired number of actuation cables and their routing. The robot is supposed to have an extensible backbone with the capability of bending and torsion in three-dimensional spaces. The proposed dynamic model is developed based on the Euler–Lagrange formulation of equations of motion taking into account all the effective forces including gravity force, cable actuation forces, external forces, and cable-disk friction forces. Furthermore, an iterative numerical solution method is presented for the dynamic model which requires much less memory and computational effort in comparison with the closed-form methods. The static model of the robots is also developed based on the dynamic model and the results obtained from the simulations and experiments are used for the validation of the static and dynamic models. The final results indicate the accuracy of the proposed models for estimating the kinematics, statics, and dynamics of the cable-driven continuum robots.


Abstract Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) increases in patients with adult type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and is used for early detection of macrovascular complications. We aimed to investigate the change of C-IMT in prediabetes and type-2 DM patients compared to subjects with normal glucose metabolism (NGM). A total of 180 individuals (60 subjects with NGM, 60 patients with prediabetes and 60 patients with type-2 DM) were included in this study. Routine laboratory and micro-macrovascular involvement were investigated. Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was measured for urinary albuminuria detection. In addition to routine laboratory examination, right-left common and internal C-IMT (CC-IMT and IC-IMT) were measured. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were found to be higher in prediabetes and type-2 DM groups than NGM group. The prevalence of nephropathy and presence of CAD were higher in type-2 DM groups than prediabetes. Glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and urinary ACR were significantly higher in patients within prediabetes and type-2 DM groups than NGM group. Glucose, HbA1c and hs-CRP levels were found to be higher in type-2 DM groups than prediabetes. Estimated glomerular filtration rate and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level was found to be lower in patients within prediabetes and type-2 DM groups than NGM group. Right-left-mean CC-IMT and IC-IMT values were found to be higher in prediabetes and type-2 DM groups than NGM group. Left IC-IMT, left CC-IMT, and mean IC-IMT values were found to be higher in type-2 DM patients compared to prediabetes. LDL and HDL cholesterols, HbA1c, and hs-CRP levels were independently associated with IC-IMT and CC-IMT. C-IMT values were significantly higher in impaired glucose metabolism compared to NGM. C-IMT measurement may be used as part of routine screening of macrovascular complication in patients with prediabetes and newly diagnosed type-2 DM.


OBJECTIVE
Age-related macular degeneration is a multifactorial disease involving inflammation, neovascularization, and vascular leakage. As a result, a rationale exists for investigating combination treatments that target the different pathological processes involved in this disease. We propose triple therapy consisting of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal bevacizumab, and intravitreal dexamethasone.

DESIGN
Retrospective chart review.

PARTICIPANTS
Thirty-two eyes of 30 patients were included. None of the patients demonstrated concurrent eye pathology, and none of the patients had received previous treatment for their choroidal neovascularization.

METHODS
One cycle of triple therapy consisted of reduced-fluence PDT (300 mW/cm(2) for 83 seconds to deliver 25 J/cm(2)) followed immediately by an 800 microg (0.08 mL) intravitreal dexamethasone (IVD) injection. At 1 and 7 weeks after PDT and IVD, patients received a 1.25 mg (0.05 mL) bevacizumab injection. At 13 weeks after PDT and IVD, each patient had a repeat optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography to assess choroidal neovascularization activity. Patients were followed for 12 months.

RESULTS
The mean number of treatment cycles was 1.4. The mean number of bevacizumab injections was 2.8. Visual acuity improved from 0.74 (SD 0.33) logMAR (20/100) to 0.53 (SD 0.32) logMAR (20/70) (p < 0.005). Foveal thickness decreased from 328 (SD 116) microm to 216 (SD 85) microm (p < 0.001). Ninety-four percent of patients lost fewer than 3 lines, 31% gained more than 3 lines, and 6% lost more than 3 lines.

CONCLUSIONS
By combining agents with complementary mechanisms of action, triple therapy could maintain visual acuity and macular anatomy while allowing a reduction in the number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections required.


With emerging technologies, Web-based teaching and learning has become one of the revolutionary directions in state-of-the-art education. In September 2001, we launched a Web-based course, "ESCE 500 Introductory Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology" at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). This course was a collaborative work with the University's Center for Enhanced Learning & Teaching (CELT) and was implemented through the WebCT platform. Of all the courses offered at HKUST, ESCE 500 employs the highest percentage of Web-based teaching, with only the final written examination not delivered online. ESCE 500 was a password-protected course targeting MSc Environmental Science and Engineering students who did not have sufficient background in chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology for the Core Course "ESCE 520 Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology". Our Web-based teaching facilitated traditional classroom education by providing the students with a flexible learning environment without temporal and physical barriers. This flexibility was exceptionally important for the part-time students who were the majority in the MSc Program. They could only spend limited time on campus due to the constraints of their full-time jobs. In addition, students were encouraged to learn in an independent and collaborative environment. At the same time, the instructor maintained active interactions with the students through the built-in Email Box and Discussion Forum, as well as through telephone calls. A preliminary survey showed that the students highly appreciated this kind of innovative teaching environment. The materials in the Web-based course were considered very useful in making up their deficiency in related fields. As expected, the students mainly relied on the printouts downloaded from the course for study purposes, yet most of them still visited the Website frequently for the figures in the course content and the messages in the Discussion Forum (the printout files of the course content were figure-free because most of the figures are copyright-protected). The students enjoyed articles (in the Discussion Forum) that were related to real-life issues, such as the topic of "Biological and Chemical Weapons", after the 911 terrorist attack on US. In rare situations, the students voluntarily offered their feedback or initiated discussions among themselves. In summary, ESCE 500 was an HKUST pioneer course in delivering instruction purely through the Web, except for the final examination. The course is in line with the University's intention of making greater use of the Internet in teaching. We anticipate that our experience and findings may facilitate other instructors in designing their Web-based teaching.


Purpose: This study aimed to (1) estimate the point prevalence of persistent postoperative pain (PPP) identified using the Self-Administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) after unilateral primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using data from a registry of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients in Ontario, (2) estimate the effect of PPP on function, (3) estimate the prevalence of neuropathic pain (NP) features among patients with persistent pain, (4) determine participant characteristics in order to estimate the potential predictors of NP classification among individuals with persistent pain after TJA, (5) estimate the extent to which the estimates of prevalence depended on the measure used (i.e., S-LANSS vs. NP sub-scale of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 [NP-SF-MPQ-2]), and (6) determine the difference in characteristics between those with and without NP. Method: This was a prospective follow-up study of a historical cohort of individuals who had undergone primary unilateral THA or TKA. Persistent pain was operationally defined as pain rated as 3 or more (out of 5) on the Oxford Pain Questionnaire 6 months or 1 year after THA or TKA. Participants with persistent pain completed the S-LANSS and the NP-SF-MPQ-2. Results: A total of 1,143 participants were identified as having had a TJA, 148 (13%) of whom had PPP. A total of 67 recipients completed the S-LANSS and the NP-SF-MPQ-2. Of these, an NP subtype was identified among 19 (28%; those with an S-LANSS score ≥ 12) to 29 (43%; those with an NP-SF-MPQ-2 score ≥ 0.91). Individuals with persistent pain of the NP subtype after TJA reported severe pain intensity and higher disability levels 1.5-3.5 years after surgery compared with those without persistent pain. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients have persistent pain post-unilateral THA or TKA.


Temperature dependent pulsed and ramped substrate bias measurements are used to develop a detailed understanding of the vertical carrier transport in the buffer layers in a carbon doped GaN power heterojunction field effect transistor. Carbon doped GaN and multiple layers of AlGaN alloy are used in these devices to deliver an insulating and strain relieved buffer with high breakdown voltage capability. However, understanding of the detailed physical mechanism for its operation is still lacking. At the lowest electric fields (<10 MV/m), charge redistribution within the C doped layer is shown to occur by hole conduction in the valence band with activation energy 0.86 eV. At higher fields, leakage between the two-dimensional electron gas and the buffer dominates occurring by a Poole-Frenkel mechanism with activation energy ∼0.65 eV, presumably along threading dislocations. At higher fields still, the strain relief buffer starts to conduct by a field dependent process. Balancing the onset of these leakage mechanisms is essential to allow the build-up of positive rather than negative space charge, and thus minimize bulk-related current-collapse in these devices.


Duplex soils are widespread in Western Australia and occupy about 60% of the south-west agricultural area. The physical and chemical properties of these soils reflect their origin as erosional surfaces of old laterite profiles and the predominance of underlying, quartz-rich, granitic materials. The resulting combination of high contents of quartz sand, kaolin clay, and iron and aluminium oxides has important consequences on water-holding capacity, fertility, nutrient leaching, phosphate fixation, anion and cation exchange capacity, and buffering capacity. These soils are generally held to have a number of physical and chemical problems. Among these, low fertility and low permeability of the clay B horizon have greatest effect. While data on the chemical properties of these soils are limited, significant data sets on the physical properties of duplex soils are available from several studies of catchment hydrology. These studies reflect concern with runoff, waterlogging, and the development of secondary salinisation. Depth to clay varies from 5 to >100 cm. The shallower depths (10-40 cm) predominate and, in medium and high rainfall areas, combine with low permeability in the clay to result in widespread waterlogging. Commonly, the sand surface can be hardsetting and can have high strength from structural decline, from the presence of cementing agents, and from traffic effects. Sodicity is widespread and has effects on hardsetting in the A horizon and on permeability of the B horizon. Management strategies are available to treat some of these problems, but generally, much has yet to be done to develop sustainable agricultural systems on these soils.


This study aimed to examine Turkish education policies between 1980-2014 through the decisions in the meetings of the Turkish National Education Council and the indexes of Journal of Announcements in terms of Fullan's Educational Change Model. Historical research, a qualitative research method, was used in the study. The data obtained from the written documents were coded using the five dimensions of the Educational Change Model, and agenda items were retrieved. Frequency distributions were obtained and percentages were calculated. The scope of the study covered the period between 1980-2014. The decisions by the National Education Council and 33 indexes of the Journal of Announcements published after 1980 were examined in terms of the agenda items. The results showed that the most frequently addressed item in the meetings of the National Education Council was the dimension 'improving the conditions of work' and in the indexes of the Journal of Announcements it was the dimension 'curriculum'. The decisions related to the dimension 'teacher learning' were the least addressed items both in the Journal of Announcements and the National Education Council. The meetings of the National Education Council held between 1980-2014 did not include agenda items that represented all dimensions of the Educational Change Model. This shows that the council decisions regarding teacher learning are not paid due attention during implementation. It can be argued that in structuring and development of educational policies, all dimensions of educational change should be attached the same level of importance and studied as a whole.


When exposed to DNA-damaging agents, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae induces the expression of at least six specific genes. We have previously identified one damage inducible (DIN) gene as a gene fusion (din-lacZ fusion) whose expression increases in response to DNA-damaging treatments. We describe here the identification of five additional DIN genes as din-lacZ fusions and the responses of all six DIN genes to DNA-damaging agents. Northern blot analyses of the transcripts of two of the DIN genes show that their levels increase after exposure to DNA-damaging agents. Five of the din-lacZ fusions are induced in S. cerevisiae cells exposed to UV light, gamma rays, methotrexate, or alkylating agents. One of the din-lacZ fusions is induced by either UV or methotrexate but not by the other agents. This finding suggests that there are sets of DIN genes that are regulated differently.


Abstract Pregnancy complicated with uncorrected Ebstein's anomaly is uncommon and may pose a serious threat to maternal and foetal life in the clinical setting of altered hemodynamics of pregnancy. Data of eight pregnancies in four women with Ebstein's anomaly who delivered in a tertiary care institute was analysed. Among the four women, one had associated atrial septal defect, one had pulmonary hypertension and three had right bundle branch block. There were two miscarriages and six successful pregnancies resulting in live births. Three of the pregnancies were delivered by caesarean section. There was one pregnancy complicated by severe preeclampsia, no preterm births or maternal cardiac complications. There was one neonate with congenital ostium secundum atrial septal defect. All patients were managed by a multidisciplinary team involving Obstetrician, Cardiologist, Anaesthesiologist and Neonatologist. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital anomaly with apical displacement of the septal tricuspid leaflet in association with leaflet dysplasia. It may cause varied presentation in pregnancy depending on the severity of the lesion. What do the results of this study add? Ebstein's anomaly may become symptomatic for the first-time during pregnancy. Patients with NYHA class II symptoms and no cyanosis generally tolerate pregnancy well. Miscarriages and intrauterine growth restriction may occur in the presence of this condition. Vaginal delivery is advised and caesarean is done only for obstetric indications. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practise and/or future research? The management of pregnancy with uncorrected Ebstein's anomaly is highly challenging especially in a low resource setting and requires tertiary centre care. Multidisciplinary team involvement can help to improve the outcomes in such pregnancies.


In sensor networks, it is useful for developers to simulate applications before actual deployment. In this paper, we report a high-fidelity instruction-level sensor network simulator using an accurate CC2420 model. This simulator is independent of the target node's operating system and it supports MICAz motes which contain Atmega128 and CC2420. Besides its cycle-accurate processor emulation, the CC2420's internal operations are accurately modeled so that our simulator shows realistic wireless communication timing during the simulation. In addition, our simulator shows power consumption of each sensor node. Using this simulator, researchers can accurately verify the sensor network's behavior and power consumption without actual hardware deployment.


To reveal correlations between the elementary parameters of emotional and cognitive processes in endogenous depressions, the author suggests an original quantification of the "color" type according to Rorschach's test. As a result of a correlation analysis of the protocols of examining depressed patients, it has been discovered that stability of emotional processes is directly proportional to the degree of categorical accuracy and the degree of conformity of the ideas formed and is inversely proportional to the level of summarization. The correlation indicated supplements the general psychological ideas of the relationship between emotional and cognitive processes.


Mobility is one of the most interesting assets in modern communications. The need of a very fast data access in wireless communication is become a necessity. It is obligatory to have a good throughput in a wireless limited bandwidth. In this paper we propose to implement a combination of Network Coding and Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (called NC-QAM), started by a simulation and followed by a realization in a Wireless Open-Access Research Platform (WARP) module. Our model consists of two sources and one relay and one receiver. Based on an analytical simulation, theoretically we found that the combination of CQAM gives us a throughput improvement up to 31.8% compared to QAM without network coding. Based on the same model, the implementation on WARP has been carried-out. Two measurements and evaluations have been performed, with indoor and outdoor channel, by considering distance between two different sources. The evaluation shows that the improvement of combination NC-QAM can reach 14.02% compared to a system without network coding.


In the present study, we examined various freezing protocols, effects of controlled seeding, and changes in cooling rate and determined the endpoint (temperature at which sample could be plugged into liquid nitrogen (LN) without visible effect on survival rate after thawing) to reveal the relative importance of each different stage of cooling on freezing success during cryobanking of carp sperm. Sperm samples from different individual carp males were frozen in 0.5 mL straws by conventional freezing. Cooling rates were determined by monitoring the sample's internal temperature. We compared four freezing protocols, which involved placing sperm samples at various levels (1, 3, 6, and 9 cm) above the LN surface (corresponding to -190°C, -150°C, -110°C, and -70°C, respectively) for 20 minutes followed by transferring the samples into LN. Freezing at 3 cm above the LN surface resulted in the highest motility (33% ± 8%) and velocity (118 ± 9 μm/s) of spermatozoa after thawing and diluting in swimming medium. We determined that -90°C is an optimal temperature at which immersing the samples in LN does not affect sperm motility after thawing and shorten the process of freezing for around three times. Motility of spermatozoa cryopreserved with or without a seeding procedure was not significantly different after thawing. Therefore, we hypothesize that supercooling the sample during the conventional freezing procedure is not the main damaging factor during carp spermatozoa cryopreservation. However, the cooling rate itself is important, because it determines the ability of the sperm to dehydrate and survive cryopreservation.


BACKGROUND
Midkine (MK), a 13-kDa heparin-binding growth factor, is overexpressed in various human cancers. However, its role in the development and progression of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is still unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of MK in samples of OCSCC, leukoplakia, and healthy oral mucosa (control).

METHODS
Surgically excised specimens from patients with primary OCSCC (n = 28) were immunostained for MK, Ki-67, PCNA, p53, bcl-2, Bax, and CD31. Besides this, MK expression was also investigated in leukoplakia and normal oral mucosa. The relationship of MK(+) cells with clinical parameters (tumor location, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and survival) and microscopic parameters (WHO histological grading, intensity of inflammation, proliferation index, apoptosis, and angiogenesis) was also evaluated.

RESULTS
The results showed that MK expression was increased in OCSCC in relation to leukoplakia and normal mucosa. Furthermore, MK expression was increased in late-stage tumors (T3/T4) compared with early-stage lesions (T1/T2). MK-positive lesions also showed increased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2.

CONCLUSION
OCSCC, particularly late-stage tumors, exhibits increased MK expression, which may be involved in tumor progression via upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes, as shown by the augmented bcl-2 positivity in MK-positive tumors.


In this study, new types of deterioration related to ergonomic risk factors in machine scheduling problem are investigated. By the ergonomic risk, we mean that the employees are exposed to risk of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) for the reasons of repetitive activities. Rapid The Upper Limp Assessment (RULA) was used to assess the WMSD risks. We accepted that the deterioration and the processing time are related to the ergonomic risks. Given that the learning effect is ignored and the RULA score value is equal to zero, the actual processing time is equal to the basic processing time. As the level of ergonomic risk increases, processing time is prolonged. In this study, makespan minimization on single machine scheduling problems were handled. Job dependent learning effect and ergonomic risk deterioration is included to assignment problem model. Ergonomic risks are designed as a composite risk index in the assignment problem model. The composite risk index means that effects of all the technical activities within the shift carried out are until the end of the shift. Designed assignment problem models are solved with the help of LINGO. In this study, it has been shown that the scheduling problems that are handled with composite risk-indexed deterioration and work-dependent learning effects remain solvable.


Hygroscopic lithium-bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (Li-TFSI) and corrosive pyridine doped 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxy-phenylamine)-9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) in perovskite solar cells generally results in poor device ambient stability due to moisture-induced degradation of the perovskite absorber. Simultaneously fulfilling good ambient stability and high efficiency, this work proposes the use of a p-type and highly conductive reduced graphene oxide (RGO) reduced by ferrous iodide acid solution, combined with dopant-free spiro-OMeTAD as a hole extraction and transport material in perovskite solar cells, achieving a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.6%, greatly outperforming the reference devices based on pure dopant-free spiro-OMeTAD (PCE = 6.5%). Impressively, only a 15% PCE degradation is observed for the device with RGO/dopant-free spiro-OMeTAD without encapsulation after 500 h, whereas the PCE drops by 65% for the device with Li-TFSI and pyridine doped spiro-OMeTAD. This work represents a significant step toward the realization of stable and high-efficiency perovskite solar cells.


The known hormonal-metabolic changes lead to developing first of all senior cardiopathy and encephalopathy in the elderly. Encephalopathy doesn't equal to senior dementia. Thyroid pathology with manifest or subclinical hyperthyroidism exceeds the heart and brains dystrophy complicated arrhythmias and early developed chronicle cardiac failure. It requires the ability to diagnose hyperthyroidism in elderly to treat it correct and early.


In the present study, laboratory evaluation of the effect of garlic volatile (Allium sativum) was done at various time intervals on the shell ratio and length of silk filament of Bombyx mori. The shell ratio and length of silk filament were determined for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minute exposure duration with respect to single, double, triple, treatment of 5th, 4th-5th and 3rd, 4th and 5th instar larvae respectively. With the increasing 15 to 45 minute exposure duration and stage of larval treatment from single to triple, the shell ratio and silk filament length increased but further increase exposure of garlic as plant volatile for 60 minute exposure caused declining trend. The shell ratio increased from 12.81±0.52% (control) to 15.34±0.30% and silk filament length increased from 816.41±12.21 m (control) to 989.86±9.75 m in case of the triple treatment with 45 minute exposure duration. Further increase exposure duration cause notable reduction in shell ratio and silk filament length in case of triple treatment for 60 minute exposure. The present study reveals that, if volatile applied tactfully in the silkworm rearing they may be useful to improve the production of silk at commercial scale.


Background: Since evidence-based interventions are the standard, there is an urgent need for more information concerning individual ways of measuring clinically relevant outcomes of interventions in cognitive disorders such as dementia. Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) seems to offer a meaningful outcome measure. Aim: To examine the applicability of GAS in psychogeriatric patients with cognitive disorders. Methods: A systematic review was performed on the available literature on the clinimetric aspects and the feasibility of GAS when used as an outcome measure for psychogeriatric patients with cognitive disorders. Eight databases were screened. Two authors independently reviewed all the data. Ten studies were included. Results: Mixed results were found for responsiveness, content validity, inter-rater reliability and construct/convergent validity. The involvement of patient and/or caregiver in the goal-setting procedure is possible and multiple domains can be implemented. The possibility to set at least 3 realistic goals per patient in less than 30 min is unclear and the need for involvement of a blinded assessor is not well established. Conclusion: GAS proved to be useful on important aspects of an outcome measure for psychogeriatric patients with cognitive disorders. Since other relevant aspects showed mixed results and the number of studies investigating the use of GAS in psychogeriatric patients with cognitive disorders is small, the evidence is not strong enough yet to state that GAS is an applicable outcome measure in this population.


The main objective of this study is to indicate the influence of local macroeconomic factors, consequently GDP growth rates, the reference interest rate, industrial production growth rates, Warsaw Stock Exchange Index (WIG) returns and the volume of private equity investments, on the number of initial public offerings (IPOs) in an emerging market, Poland, over the period of 2004 to 2012. Our sample includes 218 local enterprises that conducted an IPO on the Main Market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Financial and privatized companies are excluded from the data processing. As follows from the previous studies, the situation in the year preceding the companys initial public offering is crucial. Therefore, we used a model with one-year delay for all the explanatory variables in relation to the dependent variable (i.e. number of new listing). The model estimation was performed with the Ordinary Least Squares method. The main conclusion of our model is that the GDP growth has a significant impact on the number of new issues. This result implies that the business cycle has a direct impact on the IPO activity in the Polish capital market. The next conclusion is that the attractiveness of a capital market for investors measured by annual index returns appears to be an important factor for going public activities. Surprisingly, the model could confirm that other macroeconomic and capital market factors have had no explanatory power for IPO numbers in Poland between 2004 and 2012.


Important changes in civil liability laws arose from the Review of the Law of Negligence in Australia undertaken in 2002 (the Ipp Report). One key recommendation of this review was the introduction of a modification of the Bolam Principle: "Medical Practitioners will not be found negligent if the treatment provided is in accordance with a significant body of opinion in the medical profession." This article examines the concept of practitioner competence in medical negligence cases. It also examines the diverse forms of medical evidence used and evaluates whether the changes in laws have altered the legal approach to the use of medical evidence in cases utilising peer professional opinion. This article argues that, despite the amendments in 2002, regulatory concepts of medical competence are little used by the courts. Peer professional opinion utilising medical evidence has played only a minor role in determining the outcome of medical negligence cases.


The coordination of C-F moieties to electrophilic metal cations has been increasingly recognized in f-element chemistry over the last two decades. These C-F→Ln/An interactions are readily identified in the solid state and can persist in solution. The binding energies of C-F→Ln/An interactions lead to their ready displacement to expose metal centers to substrates, which is implicated in cationic polymerization catalysts. C-F→Ln/An coordination is also an elementary step in C-F bond activation, proceeding through either homolytic or heterolytic cleavage of chemically inert C-F bonds. The influence of C-F→Ln/An interactions on the geometries of coordination compounds and their electronic impact on metal cations are also examined in this Perspective article.


THE WAR has quite naturally caused a cut-back in the amount of scholarly work done in the field of music during the period under review. There are signs, however, of a renewed interest both in research and in publication. The Journal of Musicology has reappeared after having skipped a number of its publication dates but is not yet back on its regular publication schedule. The papers read at the 1939 meetings of the International Congress of Musicology have finally been published (29) after a delay of almost five years. And the editorial board of The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism has been revamped. Its new policy will be to encourage the publication of articles of a research nature as well as those which are more philosophical in character.


Switchable micropatterned adhesives exhibit high potential as novel resource‐efficient grippers in future pick‐and‐place systems. In contrast with the adhesion acting during the "pick" phase, the release during the "place" phase has received little research attention so far. For objects smaller than typically 1 mm, release may become difficult as gravitational and inertial forces are no longer sufficient to allow shedding of the object. A compressive overload can initiate release by elastic buckling of the fibrils, but the switching ratio (ratio between high and low adhesion force) is typically only 2–3. In this work, new microfibrillar designs are reported exhibiting directional buckling with high switching ratios in the order of 20. Their functionality is illustrated by in situ optical observation of the contact signatures. Such micropatterns can enable the successful release of small objects with high placement accuracy.


We describe a new method called t-ETE for finding a low-dimensional embedding of a set of objects in Euclidean space. We formulate the embedding problem as a joint ranking problem over a set of triplets, where each triplet captures the relative similarities between three objects in the set. By exploiting recent advances in robust ranking, t-ETE produces high-quality embeddings even in the presence of a significant amount of noise and better preserves local scale than known methods, such as t-STE and t-SNE. In particular, our method produces significantly better results than t-SNE on signature datasets while also being faster to compute.


All cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) reported to the Kuwait Cancer Registry between 1980-1989 were analyzed. Age specific and age standardized incidence rates were calculated for Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti males and females for the two periods of 1980-1984 and 1985-1989, and compared to detect short term changes. The study of 153 cases of HD and 325 cases of NHL in 1980-1984 and 213 cases of HD and 338 cases of NHL in 1985-1989 showed that HD incidence was stable in the two periods, the mixed cellularity subtype frequency and incidence declined, while the frequency and the incidence of nodular sclerosis increased significantly in the second period. These changes were most significant in the non-Kuwaiti males. The NHL incidence declined significantly in the 1985-1989 period. The incidence of low grade and intermediate grade NHL declined in the period of 1985-1989. The high grade NHL frequency increased, however, the annual incidence rate increase was not significant. The change in the HD subtypes may probably be related to the improvement in the socio-economic condition. The higher proportion of high grade lymphomas may be related to the population structure in Kuwait and is not related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.


The purpose of this research test the influence of leadership, motivation, and discipline work of the performance of employees.The study is done in the industry and trade provincial central java. A method of the sample collection in this research using a technique conveniance sampling with a period research 2014-2016.Kuosioner used as data collection method. The sample of the in research namely 69 respondents employees office of industry and trade provincial central java. Regression analysis linear multiple with software spss 20 used to test hypotheses research. This research result indicates: leadership, motivation, and discipline work significant on performance. Leadership is not significant on performance, motivation influential positively and significant impact on performance, discipline work not significant on performance . R2 to research this is of 39,9 %, this means that model research that could explain 39,9 % for the performance, while 60,1 % described by other variables that not included in this research. Keywords: leadership, motivation, discipline work, performance


Food irradiation process has a potential to promote of a safe, adequate and nutritious food supply for hospital diets. It has two applications that can contribute to the health and well being of humanity, i.e. the elimination of foodborne pathogens microorganisms, and the preservation of foods by the destruction of pests. Effects of ionizing radiation on tempe pasta selected as samples for patient food intake through Naso Gastric Tube (NGT) has been studied. Tempe pasta was vacuum packed in a laminate pouch of po lyesteraluminum foil- linear low density polyethylene and gamma irradiated at doses of 10 kGy and 25 kGy , respectively under cryogenic condition and then stored at room temperature for 6 and 12 weeks. Some quality parameters were observed. There was no significant differences between un irradiated and irradiated tempe pasta on the moisture content, pH, protein content and viscosity. Meanwhile isojlavon genestein content and antioxidant capacity showed an increase by increasing irradiation dose up to 12 weeks of storage. Malonaldehyde content in tempe pasta was accelerating by increasing the irradiation dose and extending the storage period but Peroxide value was not detected in all treated samples. The irradiated tempe pasta at certain degree of viscosity and particle size could be considered as protein base food intake for immunocompromised patients through Naso Gastric Tube (NGT). Keywords: Tempe pasta, food irradiation, isojlavon genestine, nutritious food, immunocompromised patients.


SUMMARY The relationship between the density of lst-stage larvae of Elaphostrongylus rangiferi on the infection rate into the gastropod intermediate host, Arianta arbustorum, was studied experimentally. Within a range of densities between 30 and 1100 larvae/cm2 the experimental data gave a good fit to the conventional epidemiological assumption of direct proportionality between the net infection rate and the density of infective stages. The instantaneous rate of infection was estimated to be about 1 × 10−3/larvae/snail/2 h. At higher densities (> 1100 larvae/cm2) the instantaneous rate of infection showed a densitydependent decline.


In this article, the most essential aspects related to the development and study of chatbots are examined. In the given context, the essential types, particularities of chatbots and methods of creating chatbots at the current stage are studied from the perspective of the development of Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML). The most important achievements in the respective field obtained over time as well as the trends in the development of modern chatbots are examined.


The "revolutionary transformation" (Gorbachev 1987, p. 33) that in a very short time dismantled the Soviet empire and shattered communist control was set in motion when Mikhail Gorbachev rose to power in 1985 in the midst of worsening economic crises and public discontent. By 1987 Gorbachev had introduced the concepts of glasnost (opening Soviet society to internal criticism and external comparison) and perestroika (the need for restructuring that society). Together, these concepts set the course for destruction of the old order and the creation of a new Russian nation. That transformation is still under way, as a new order seeks to replace 70 years of communist authoritarianism and central planning with democratic institutions and a market economy able to survive global competition in the modern age. Restructuring the economy and relinquishing bureaucratic and political control are complex and daunting tasks in this nation, which even without its former republics is the largest land mass on Earth (17.075 million square miles with a population of 148.7 million people). When Gorbachev introduced "the most important and radical program for economic reform our country has had since Lenin introduced his New Economic Policy in 1921" (Gorbachev 1987, p. 33), he did not envision the destruction of the entire system. He recognized, however, that the central government system of setting production outputs and fixing prices for more than 200,000 individual commodities was wasteful, inefficient, and not sustainable in a postindustrial world, and that corruption and the lack of individual incentives were stifling productivity. By 1990, as communist power was being rejected throughout Eastern Europe and the new political freedom to criticize the power structure was being actively demonstrated (Smith 1991, p. xxi),1 Russians chose, in free elections, reform-minded mayors for the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, and elected Boris Yeltsin as president of the new Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic. With apparent popular support, the economic reformers in the Gorbachev government proposed a 500-day plan that would begin the transition from a command economy to a market economy. It included price reforms; stabilization measures; budget, tax, and monetary policies; and land privatization. The plan was predicated in part on the economic independence of the Soviet republics, which had declared their sovereignty, but was met with a firestorm of opposition from the Soviet power structure. The disagreements were not so much about economic reforms as about loss of control (Posner 1992, pp. 104–10). The clash between reformers and the old guard escalated and culminated in the failed coup on August 19, 1991, on the eve of Gorbachev's return to Moscow to sign a new treaty with eight


Purpose: Educating patients about their diagnosis and proposed management is integral part of healthcare. Often patient noncompliance is due to a lack of knowledge that could result in irreversible ocular damage. In an era where access to information is virtually unlimited, an understanding of the preferred method of eye care education among patients is required for greater effectiveness in lowering morbidity and mortality of diseases. Subjects and Methods: Patients visiting the ophthalmology clinics of a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were interviewed. This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2014 and March 2015. A representative sample of 200 patients was enrolled. Close-ended questionnaire covering current and client preferred health promotion methods were used to collect clients′ response. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: Out of the 200 participants, 110 (55%) were males. The majority (n = 154; 77%) listed an ophthalmologist as their current primary source of information regarding their eye condition. Approximately half of the participants (n = 95; 48%) were keen to be educated regarding the causes of the eye disease. The top four educational methods preferred by patients were one-on-one session with an eye care provider (n = 116; 58%), a group session with an eye care provider (n = 30; 15%), an application on a smartphone (n = 53; 27%), video lectures on eye health and diseases (n = 8; 4%). Conclusion: Majority of patients in ophthalmic care prefer a one-on-one session with an eye care provider for their eye care education.


DNA-repair of two patients affected with xeroderma pigmentosum was evaluated in lymphocytes after UV-exposure by mitotic index, sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and nucleoid sedimentation. The first patient showed no increase in SCE-rate and a sedimentation profile typical of repair deficient cells. In the second patient an increase in SCE-rate and a considerable, but delayed DNA-repair activity in nucleoid sedimentation was found indicating 2 genetically different defects of DNA-repair. In the second patient a defect of postreplication repair is assumed.


The case of an aggressive and malignant ameloblastoma of the maxilla in a 22-year-old Nigerian man has been presented. The features that may lead to the development and diagnosis of malignancy in this type of tumor are briefly described and discussed. The relatively young age of this patient, especially in an environment in which medical advice is sought very late, is noteworthy.


Total osmotic pressure does not differ significantly in suction blister fluid or in serum of healthy persons from blister fluid, suction blister fluid or serum of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, bullous contact dermatitis and pemphigus vulgaris. The average values reach about 293 mOsmol/kg. This results from direct measurement of total osmolality with an electronic semimicroosmometer based on the principle of freezing point reduction. In opposite to colloid osmotic pressure the total osmotic pressure does not take part in blister formation of human skin in spite of the different concentrations of the single electrolytes in the fluids of various blisters.


Extinct Birds of New Zealand. By Alan Tennyson and Paul Martinson. Te Papa Press, Wellington, New Zealand, 2006. 190 pp. NZ$65. ISBN 9780909010218. Extinction and Biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds. By David W. Steadman. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2006. 608 pp. $110, £69.50. ISBN 9780226771410. Paper, $45, £28.50. ISBN 9780226771427. Steadman uses the paleontological and archaeological records to reconstruct the prehistoric avian communities of tropical Pacific islands, chart their postsettlement fates, and discuss the theories of island biogeography. Tennyson and Martinson describe and portray 58 endemic species of birds that disappeared within a few hundred years of the settlement of New Zealand.


Current and future problems are presented for the land, sea, and air transportation environments that are, or can be, solved using time/frequency technology. Problem areas in transportation encompass vehicle surveillance and location, traffic management, collision avoidance, command and control, communications, navigation, and search and rescue. Time accuracy requirements vary widely from seconds to submicroseconds. The need for time/frequency technology in the orderly and safe movement of people and material is shown to be a function of the type of transportation and environment involved. Various characteristics of the transportation environments are discussed, and time-related aspects of transportation both today and in the future are designated. Transportation statistics indicate tremendous growth in the years ahead with concomitant problems. We consider the impact of the vast difference in the various economic budgets of transportation medium users, and the stated government policy of requiring users of federally operated aids and services to pay their fair share of the costs. Recommendations are presented for broad coordination in the development and introduction of electronic systems for transportation services. We conclude that time/frequency technology can solve some of today's problems in transportation, and it offers economic integrated-system solutions to future problems with concurrent frequency spectrum conservation. The interrelationships of navigation, communication, and time/frequency systems should encourage coordinated efforts of disciplines in the design of multipurpose systems as opposed to a proliferation of new single-use facilities.


The fly visual system, although tiny when compared to the mammalian visual system, can still perform highly sophisticated spatial tasks like collision avoidance, landing on objects, pursuit of prey, etc. Flies outperform human-made autonomous flying systems in solving such spatial tasks by a long way. This is partly due to their ability to perceive and respond to optical flow generated by motion in the environment. They are also known to take actions that alter the image flow on their eyes. Higher level neurons in the fly visual system respond to different types of complex optical flows due to rotation and translation, by pooling information from local motion detectors called the elementary motion detectors (EMDs) in the lower level. In this sense, neuronal responses (spikes) from these optical flow detectors in the fly carry highly encoded signals: a single spike can represent a complex dynamical pattern of movement in the visual field. In this paper, we investigate how such highly encoded signals can be interpreted and utilized in the fly's brain, while solely operating on the encoded internal spike patterns within their brain and no direct external (unencoded) sensory information, i.e. a form of grounding. With a computational model of the optical flow detectors based on those in the fly, we show that specific pattern of action (or coordinated motor output) is the only way that a fly can decode its internal spikes and generate meaningful, relevant behavior based on that.


The treatment of pyoderma gangraenosum (PG) is still a therapeutic challenge. Although several drugs such as corticosteroids, dapsone, clofazimine, azathioprine, tacrolimus and cyclosporine A have been shown to be effective in this disease, side-effects of these agents limit their systemic use in seriously ill patients. In recent years, topical treatment of the disease has gained attention. Several reports show an improvement of cutaneous lesions of PG following topical treatment. These earlier reports as well as our own observations suggest that topical therapeutic regimens can be a useful and safe alternative to systemic immunosuppressive therapy in the treatment of PG. We give a review about these topically used drugs and the mechanisms probably involved.


Boundary conditions are analyzed for a class of preconditioners used for the incompressible Navier- Stokes equations. We consider pressure convection-diffusion preconditioners (SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 24 (2002), pp. 237-256) and (J. Comput. Appl. Math., 128 (2001), pp. 261-279) as well as least-square commutator methods (SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 30 (2007), pp. 290-311) and (SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 27 (2006), pp. 1651-1668), both of which rely on commutators of certain differential operator s. The effectiveness of these methods has been demon- strated in various studies, but both methods also have some deficiencies. For example, the pressure convection- diffusion preconditioner requires the construction of a La place and a convection-diffusion operator, together with some choices of boundary conditions. These boundary conditions are not well understood, and a poor choice can critically affect performance. This paper looks closely at properties of commutators near domain boundaries. We show that it is sometimes possible to choose boundary conditions to force the commutators of interest to be zero at boundaries, and this leads to a new strategy for choosing boundary conditions for the purpose of specifying precondi- tioning operators. With the new preconditioners, Krylov subspace methods display noticeably improved performance for solving the Navier-Stokes equations; in particular, me sh-independent convergence rates are observed for some problems for which previous versions of the methods did not exhibit this behavior.


This study tests several hypotheses concerning the effects that family structure has on an individual's personality development and its influence on his success in a science or engineering curriculum. One of the principal ideas tested is that success in college in science or engineering requires that the student develop strong feelings of independence and consequently be free from over-concern with interpersonal relations. Data were gathered on sixty undergraduates at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Two groups of thirty students each were selected: one a "successful" group and the other an "unsuccessful" group. Success and lack of success were defined in terms of academic performance. In general, the successful students come from homes in which the power structure and the roles of the parents are more clearly defined, thus allowing these boys to have a stronger identification with their fathers. The successful students are also found to be less concerned with interpersonal relations. The low achievers showed a stronger preference to work with people than did the high achievers. To explore further the origins of concern with interpersonal relations, two deviate subgroups, one from each sample, were studied in depth: the high achievers who preferred to work with people, and the low achievers who preferred not to work with people.


Reverberation severely degrades speech intelligibility for cochlear implant (CI) users. The ideal reverberant mask (IRM), a binary mask for reverberation suppression which is computed using signal-to-reverberant ratio, was found to yield substantial intelligibility gains for CI users even in highly reverberant environments (e.g., T60 = 1.0 s). Motivated by the intelligibility improvements obtained from IRM, a monaural blind channel-selection criterion for reverberation suppression is proposed. The proposed channel-selection strategy is blind, meaning that prior knowledge of neither the room impulse response nor the anechoic signal is required. By the use of a residual signal obtained from linear prediction analysis of the reverberant signal, the residual-to-reverberant ratio (RRR) of individual frequency channels was employed as the channel-selection criterion. In each frame, the channels with RRR less than an adaptive threshold were retained while the rest were zeroed out. Performance of the proposed strategy was evaluated via intelligibility listening tests conducted with CI users in simulated rooms with two reverberation times of 0.6 and 0.8 s. The results indicate significant intelligibility improvements in both reverberant conditions (over 30 and 40 percentage points in T60 = 0.6 and 0.8 s, respectively). The improvement is comparable to that obtained with the IRM strategy.


Abstract This study is about expressing spatial relationships between Figure and Ground in Finnish Sign Language discourse and shows that the variation in this expression is primarily discourse dependent. The main findings are, first, that Ground mainly precedes Figure whether the Figure is new or a known referent within the discourse; the reverse order is possible only when the Figure is known. Second, the lexical sign olla ('have') appears more frequently in expressing spatial relationships with a new Figure and less frequently with a known Figure but never in a construction with Figure preceding Ground; the form oli ('had'), referring to the past, appears only in Figure preceding Ground constructions when Figure is known. Finally, the main way to express the spatial relationship between Ground and Figure is either the simultaneous production of the units, or Ground and an adposition sign. A sequential strategy is another way of expressing spatial relationships but this can be used only when the Figure is new within the discourse. The choice of strategy can be attributed to the emphasis put on the Figure's presence when it is new while with a known Figure, the emphasis is on the location of that Figure.