Introduction The aim of this study was to understand the present nursing roles at the PICU and the changes nurses want to be accounted for or are seen as a valuable addition to their nursing profession. Methods A qualitative study. Data were collected by face-to-face focus groups. Results After three focus-group meetings, seventeen themes were identified. Major specific nursing roles were 1) nurse led weaning from the ventilator was identified by nurses as well as physicians. 2) case management to improve PICU care and transition of the long stay patient, identified by nurses as well as physicians. 3) More effective painmanagement when the nurse was responsible for titration. 4) the role of a consultative nurse. This role was mentioned by nurses only. In the subthemes main subjects were the need for appropriate care for the long stay patient and the need of ongoing education. Discussion Both, nurses and physicians recognised a need for change in nursing care for the long stay patient at the PICU. This suits with the changing PICU environment. Nurses could have a role in bedside procedures such as pain and sedation management and weaning from the ventilator. This will enhance the area of nursing autonomy, control and responsibility and from literature we know satisfaction in the workplace also will grow. The deployment of a consultative nurse may improve the satisfaction of patients and parents after discharge from the PICU and will unburden the growing responsibility of the nurses on the paediatric ward.


A Starshade is a large deployable structure and sole payload of an external occulter. At 34m in diameter or more, starshades are designed to block most of the light from a nearby star so that a small orbiting space telescope can image and characterize the Earth-like exoplanets in orbit around it. The starshade resembles a sunflower with a circular central disk supporting petals that are arrayed around its periphery. The petal edges are precisely shaped to match an optical profile that prevents diffraction. The area circumscribed by the edges must be completely opaque, black, and non-reflective. The petals and ring structure are covered by specially designed deployable blankets that must remain completely opaque even if they become perforated by micrometeorites. The blankets must also not cause any significant on-orbit thermoelastic loads on the lightweight supporting ring and petal structures despite very large differential thermal strains that are developed between these Kapton blankets and the thermally stable composite ring and petal structures. There are two types of blankets: one for the deployable petals and one for the central support disc that is formed by a lightweight deployable ring truss structure.The starshade blankets cover such a large area that they must be unusually lightweight compared to conventional multi-layer insulated (MLI) spacecraft blankets. The blankets must also stow around the central hub of the spacecraft with the deployable ring and petal structures in a highly repeatable fashion. This makes them ideal candidates for origami folding schemes. Based on prior studies of large deployable rigid arrays, we began with variants on the origami flasher to fold the central ring blanket, which is a minimum of 20m in diameter. We looked at the simplest methods for integrating this large blanket with a mechanical ring truss while providing ample optical baffling and little to no thermally induced loads on the structure. Petal blankets were also developed using deployable softgoods with pseudo-mechanical and shingled designs with optically blocking folds for deployment. The design was developed iteratively utilizing a variety of prototypes to explore and demonstrate the interaction between the softgoods and rigid elements.© 2014 ASME


The results of treatment in 17 patients with morphologically confirmed resectable primary or recurrent retroperitoneal tumor using intraoperative photodynamic therapy with photogem (5 patients), radaсhlorin (7 patients) and photodithazine (5 patients). The drugs were administered intravenously in following regimen: photogem 48 h before surgery in dose 2.5–3.0 mg/kg, radaсhlorin and photodithazine – 0.7 and 0.7–1.0 mg/kg, respectively, 2–3 h before resection. Irradiation was performed to tumor bed after complete radical removal from one or several positions depending on tumor localization. The light dose accounted for 30 J/cm 2 , duration of treatment session depended on area of irradiation. Two patients with recurrent tumor had two reoperations with session of photodynamic therapy. One patient had repeated recurrence requiring third surgery with photodynamic therapy. Thus, 17 patients underwent 25 sessions of intraoperative photodynamic therapy. There were no intraoperative complications. One patient had an early post-operative complication in the form of pancreonecrosis which could be associated with extended resection. The recurrence rate was 17.6%. The results showed safety of the method and affinity of utilized photosensitizers to retroperitoneal tumors of different histological types (sarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor and others).


Abstract Background Studies have established an increased risk of radiocarpal joint posttraumatic arthritis in patients with displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal radius, although this phenomenon has yet to be evaluated in the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Purpose We hypothesized that patients with displaced intra-articular fractures of the sigmoid notch would have a higher prevalence of DRUJ arthritis and greater upper extremity dysfunction after operative treatment of distal radius fractures compared with fractures without sigmoid notch involvement. We also hypothesized that the degree of sigmoid notch incongruity would be correlated with the grade of DRUJ arthritis and the severity of upper extremity dysfunction. Patients and Methods A retrospective review was conducted on surgically treated patients with distal radius fractures with pre- and/or postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans. Patients were divided into groups based on presence or absence of fracture extension into the sigmoid notch. Within the sigmoid notch group, postoperative CT scans were used to measure sigmoid notch fracture step-off and diastasis (mm), as well as volar or dorsal DRUJ subluxation (%). Patients were administered Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaires and radiographs were obtained to grade DRUJ arthritis using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) radiographic criteria. Results Thirty-three patients were included (19 with sigmoid notch involvement and 14 without) with an average radiographic follow-up of 6.3 years (range: 3.5–10.1 years). DASH scores were available for all patients, and radiographic follow-up was available in 24 patients (73%). A trend toward higher grade of DRUJ arthritis and poorer average DASH was found in those with sigmoid notch involvement, but was not statistically different. In the sigmoid notch group there were poorer DASH scores in patients with coronal step-off > 1.0-mm (p < 0.05). There were no significant correlations between sigmoid notch step-off, diastasis or DRUJ subluxation and either KL grade of arthritis or DASH scores. Conclusion Fractures involving the sigmoid notch did not appear to have a greater prevalence of DRUJ posttraumatic arthritis in operatively treated patients at greater than 6 years of follow-up. Postoperative sigmoid notch step-off, diastasis or DRUJ subluxation had a minimal effect on upper extremity function, but fractures with a coronal step-off of > 1.0-mm exhibited higher levels of upper extremity dysfunction. Level of Evidence Prognostic, Level III–Case control.


Resonant sideband production in stretched-pulse fiber lasers operating with net normal dispersion is investigated. A theoretical formulation is compared with numerical modeling and experimental results. The inherent difference from sideband generation in soliton lasers is discussed. We also consider the implications of sideband formation in related dispersion-managed soliton transmission systems.


The invention relates to compressed domain video lens mutation and gradient union automatic segmentation method and system. In the invention, aiming at three factors of feature extraction, dissimilarity measure and segmentation rules affecting segmentation performance of lens, a video feature extraction method based on principal component analysis and a method for building a texture feature map with a compressed domain are provided; secondly, a dissimilarity measure method in a time domain with multi-scale is provided; a method based on adaptive threshold is provided according to parameters oflocal features which can effectively characterize lens change and adaptively determine the length spaced by an N-frame time domain through a dissimilarity measure operator spaced by a 1-frame time domain; and the dissimilarity measure operator and effective distinguishing rules are designed for mutation and gradient lens. The invention can effectively strengthen the robustness of interference ofa lens segmentation algorithm to a camera or object movement in the lens by fully considering the three factors affecting the lens segmentation performance, have strong noise resistant performance andlow false drop rate, be fast and accurate, and greatly enhance the segmentation performance of the lens.


A modification of standard linear iterative methods for the solution of linear equations is investigated aiming at improved data-sparsity with respect to a rank function. The convergence speed of the modified method is compared to the rank growth of its iterates for certain model cases. The considered general setup is common in the data-sparse treatment of high dimensional problems such as sparse approximation and low rank tensor calculus


In this paper we describe a new method for constructing integrable systems of differential equations. We are looking for systems in two variables in such forms that the reduction v = u leads us to a single equation in u . We give a complete classification of such systems that reduce to Korteweg-de Vries-type equations. Furthermore, we present an extensive (and complete for the systems of the Sawada-Kotera and Kaup-Kupershmidt types) classification of fifth-order equations in the same weighting. We show that the scalar integrable equations give rise to large classes of integrable systems. Moreover, we present a previously unknown example of a system that can be written in biHamiltonian form in infinitely many different ways, thereby solving the problem of the number of biHamiltonian forms that can have a differential equation. Finally, we present examples of nondegenerate systems possessing degenerate symmetries, which is impossible in the scalar case.


Organic polymer aerogels and carbon aerogels are important nanoporous materials, of which the nanopore structures can be modified by the chemical reactions. These materials have received considerable attention in fundamentals on materials science and commercial applications. This paper discusses with the current patents involving in synthesis and modifications of nanostructures and surfaces of organic polymer aerogels and carbon aerogels. It emphasizes the recent developments in fabrication pathways of lower cost and their applications for template synthesis and nanostructural assembling.


Jumping and military (three days events) horses are exposed, during sports activities, to a particularly high stress especially in the region of the extremities (limbs). The genesis of tendon, joint and bone diseases are traced in accordance to the centers of the load during movement sequence. A special statistics on injuries concerning the German competition horses does not exist yet. Out of the available statistics about the German competition horses it is not obvious that as a result of its use as sports horses a particular high loss occur among these horses.


We describe the operation of a pulsed positronium beam based on a two-stage buffer gas positron trap (BGT) or a Surko trap. The BGT allows the areal density and temporal spread of the positron beam to be tailored. This tailored positron beam is used to form a positronium beam via charge exchange with an atomic or molecular gas. The resulting positronium beam is energy tunable, and the collimated beam relies on the angular differential positronium production cross section of the atomic or molecular gas used.


Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and to compare the accuracy of implant casts obtained by open tray pick-up impression technique using 2 types of custom-made trays and a specialized aluminum stock impression tray. Materials and Methods: A heat-cure acrylic resin master model was fabricated. Two implants were placed parallel to each other. Ten impressions were made from each group. Polyvinylsiloxane impression material with single step putty wash technique was used for making all the impressions. The resultant casts obtained were compared to the master models with respect to the distances measured between the reference points using a stereomicroscope. The data obtained was statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc procedures, and t-test. Results: Mean value obtained was 2.012967 cm (±0.007060) for corimplant stock tray, 2.012627 cm (±0.007945) for autopolymerizing acrylic resin tray, 2.010279 cm (±0.006832) for light-cure hybrid composite tray. P value was calculated to be >0.05; hence, there was nonsignificant deviation of observations from standard value in each group. Conclusion: Statistically insignificant difference was found between the accuracy of casts obtained by the different impression trays. However, light-cure hybrid composite trays showed best results followed by autopolymerizing acrylic resin trays and Corimplant stock tray.


While our understanding of the developmental biology of the skeleton, like that of virtually every other subject in biology, has been transformed by recent advances in human and mouse genetics, we still know very little, in molecular and genetic terms, about skeletal physiology. Thus, among the many questions that are largely unexplained are the following: why is osteoporosis mainly a women's disease? How is bone mass maintained nearly constant between the end of puberty and the arrest of gonadal functions? Molecular genetics has emerged as a powerful tool to study previously unexplored aspects of the physiology of the skeleton. Among mammals, mice are the most promising animals for this experimental work. This has been previously demonstrated e.g. through the tremendous impact of the different osteopetrotic models on our molecular understanding of osteoclastic bone resorption. Until recently the only way of studying bone loss situations and osteoporosis in mice was by using ovariectomy with all its limitations. Today, however, we have access to more sophisticated osteoporotic mouse-models from four different origins: Transgenic mice (HSV-TK), knock-out mice (OPG), inbred-strains (SAMP6), and through physiological modulation (icv application). These new models have already taught us several important lessons. The first is, that bone remodeling is more than just an autocrine/paracrine process. Multiple experimental evidence has demonstrated that the latter regulation exists, but genetics prove that there is no functional cross-control between resorption and formation. The second lesson is, that remodeling is, at least in part, subject to central regulation. Thus, osteoporosis is partly a central or hypothalamic disease. However, the most dramatic change and the most important advantage we feel is, that today we have models to test a new hypothesis regarding the etiology of osteoporosis before it turns to dogma. Taken together, mouse-studies may lead to a shift in our physiological understanding of skeleton biology and to the emergence of novel paradigms. These, in turn, should help us to devise new treatments for degenerative diseases of the skeleton such as osteoporosis and its associated clinical problems.


Heat waves are increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity and are strongly linked to anthropogenic climate change. However, few studies have examined heat waves in Florida, despite an older population and increasingly urbanized land areas that make it particularly susceptible to heat impacts. Heavy precipitation events are also becoming more frequent and intense; recent climate model simulations showed that heavy precipitation in the three days after a Florida heat wave follow these trends, yet the underlying dynamic and thermodynamic mechanisms have not been investigated. In this study, a heat wave climatology and trend analysis are developed from 1950 to 2016 for seven major airports in Florida. Heat waves are defined based on the 95th percentile of daily maximum, minimum, and mean temperatures. Results show that heat waves exhibit statistically significant increases in frequency and duration at most stations, especially for mean and minimum temperature events. Frequency and duration increases are most prominent at Tallahassee, Tampa, Miami, and Key West. Heat waves in northern Florida are characterized by large-scale continental ridging, while heat waves in central and southern Florida are associated with a combination of a continental ridge and a westward extension of the Bermuda–Azores high. Heavy precipitation events that follow a heat wave are characterized by anomalously large ascent and moisture, as well as strong instability. Light precipitation events in northern Florida are characterized by advection of drier air from the continent, while over central and southern Florida, prolonged subsidence is the most important difference between heavy and light events.


Background: Movima, Yuracare, Ignaciano and Trinitario are Amerindian populations living in the Bolivian lowlands of the Amazonian basin. The cultural and genetic affinity of the peoples living in this area is poorly known, despite many archaeological studies demonstrating its importance in pre-Columbian times. Densely populated Amerindian groups occupied the region, both in the Llanos and along the river streams of the Amazonian basin, practising intense agricultural activities and exchange of goods. The historical and linguistic records indicate that the land was occupied through successive migrations that gave rise to complex socio-economic communities. Genetic information suggests that the colonization of the American continent was fairly simple from a emigrational point of view, but other evolutionary processes, such as genetic drift or natural selection, could have also shaped the genetic background of present day populations in the Beni region. Aim: The objective of this study is to characterize the genetic diversity of these populations by analysing the sequence variability of the HVR-I control region in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The Amerindian origin of these populations suggests that close genetic similarities should be evident between the Beni samples studied here and other Amerindian groups. However, complex processes of population interactions and/or isolation in the Beni region might result in non-expected genetic affinities. Subjects and methods: DNA was extracted from pulled-out hairs obtained in situ from non-closely related individuals living in the Beni Department in Bolivia. DNA was extracted using a standard Chelex™ 100 method and a 401 bp DNA fragment of the HVR-I region was amplified using specific primers (L-15978 and H-16412). DNA amplicons were purified by centrifugation using Microspin™ S-300 HR columns and both SNA strands were sequenced after asymmetric PCR using direct Dye-Terminator 2 sequencing kit (Perkin-Elmer). Two independent 401 and 328 bp DNA fragments were sequenced separately for each sample. The sequence analyses includes mismatch distributions and mean pairwise differences, median network analysis, and neighbour joining, maximum likelihood phylogenetic comparisons. Genetic diversity of DNA sequences was also measured in various ways for the sample studied and UPGMA trees were drawn, including a large number of South Amerindian sequences. Results: The genetic diversity of 401 nucleotide long mtDNA sequences in the hypervariable control region, from positions 16 000–16 400, was characterized in a sample of 54 Amerindians living in the Llanos de Moxos. A total of 34 distinct lineages were observed, defined by 41 variable nucleotide positions, and 70.6% of all lineages were single sequences. All four major Amerindian haplogroups were detected (A 18.5%, n=10 ; B 24.1%, n=13, C 50.0% n=27 ; and D 5.6%, n=3). The median network analysis observed suggests that processes of population expansion took place in the Beni region. However, no clear haplotype differentiation by population could be detected. High levels of molecular variability and a bimodal pair-wise mismatch distribution were seen within the sample. The analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that most of the variance observed was due to intrapopulation variability, and that the highest among-groups variance was obtained when a linguistic classification criteria was used. The phylogenetic comparison revealed unique lineages in the Beni areas, not reported for other Amerindian populations. Conclusions: The genetic diversity observed in the Beni area is higher than that observed in other American populations living in much larger areas and with a long, known evolutionary history, despite the reduced area of Moxos. This could result from processes of reproductive isolation between groups, followed by population expansions and migration, where genetic drift might have be a major evolutionary force in population differentiation.


This review discusses the different duck species and their feeding management used in meat production in various countries. The initial review describes the requirements of meat type ducks for energy, proteins and amino acids and minerals, vitamins and trace-elements. Other areas discussed include recommendations regarding feed management (feed presentation, feed restriction, use of enzymes and feedstuffs, fatty acid composition of diets). The main breeds used for meat production in the world are Pekin, Muscovy and mule ducks. As growth rate, efficiency and body composition of these three genotypes are different, the specific features of each type of duck are examined when reared under intensive production systems.


This data set includes information on collections of fecal or cloacal samples from wild birds at the landfill in Soldotna, Alaska, USA. Samples were screened for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and tested for resistance to multiple antibiotics.


Diphosphoglycerate mutase has been purified to homogeneity from outdated human erythrocytes. The native enzyme has a molecular weight of 57 000 as determined by equilibrium centrifugation and exclusion chromatography. Disc gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate yields a single protein band with a molecular weight of about 26 500, indicating that diphosphoglycerate mutase is comprised of two subunits of similar mass. The enzyme exhibits the following intrinsic activities: diphosphoglyceratemutase, monophosphoglycerate mutase, and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate phosphatase. The latter activity is enhanced in the presence of either organic or inorganic anions. Glycolate-2-P, particularly, has a profound activating effect. Nonspecific phosphatase and enolase activities are absent. The enzyme has an extinction coefficient at 280 nm of 1.65 cm2/mg. The amino acid composition of the homogeneous protein has been determined.


We previously cloned a lepidopteran insect cell cDNA that encodes a class II alpha-mannosidase that is localized in the Golgi apparatus but is cobalt-dependent, has a neutral pH optimum, hydrolyzes Man(5)GlcNAc(2) to Man(3)GlcNAc(2), and cannot hydrolyze GlcNAcMan(5)GlcNAc(2). This enzyme was designated SfManIII to distinguish it from Golgi alpha-mannosidase II and indicate its derivation from the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. In the present study, we prepared a polyclonal antibody and used it to study the biosynthesis and processing of SfManIII. The results showed that Sf9 cells produce at least three different forms of SfManIII. SfManIII is initially synthesized as a precursor glycoprotein, which is slowly converted to two smaller end products with at least some endoglycosidase H-resistant N-glycans. The smallest form of SfManIII is the only one of these two products that accumulates in the extracellular fraction. Tunicamycin blocked the production of SfManIII activity and the secretion of SfManIII protein and activity. Castanospermine blocked production of the larger SfManIII product, retarded production of the smaller, increased intracellular SfManIII activity, and decreased extracellular SfManIII activity. Together, these results indicate that SfManIII is initially synthesized as a high-mannose glycoprotein precursor, its N-glycans are trimmed as it is transported to the Golgi apparatus, and a subpopulation, which appears to be proteolytically cleaved, is secreted in enzymatically active form. N-glycosylation is required for the production of active SfManIII, and N-glycosylation and N-glycan trimming are both required for the efficient secretion of an active form of this protein.


Introduction: cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of death in many countries. Objective: to evaluate the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction in smoking patients in a Venezuelan population section. Methods: a case-control study was carried out with a randomly selected sample of 70 cases and 70 controls. Sociodemographic and premorbid factors as well as toxic habits were studied. The statistical analysis was based on univariate strategy with odd ratios estimated for every hypothetically influential risk factor and their confidence intervals of 95 %. Finally, a multivariate study determined the independent value of each risk factor. Results: in the univariate analysis, all factors represented a risk for the onset of acute myocardial infarction. Hypercholesterolemia was the main risk factor in the multivariate analysis, since it increased the risk of myocardial infarction by 4.2 times (OR 4.20 CI 1.1814.97), followed by the length of the smoking habit (OR 3.60 CI 1.46 8.91) and the quantity of cigarettes smoked daily (OR 2.32; IC 1.02 4.95). Conclusions: hypercholesterolemia has greater effect on possible occurrence of myocardial infarction than the rest of risk factors studied in smoking patients; therefore it is the most significant factor.


The purposes of this research study were (1) to examine the effects of utilizing online language multimedia reading on improving BUU students' English reading comprehension skills, (2) to compare the effectiveness of online languageinstruction with that of the traditional classroom teaching which combine lectures with print-based reading activities, and (4) to examine the correlation between BUU students' achievement and their attituades and motivation toward online language learning. This research study was a quasi-experimental research design. The population of the research study was approximately one thousand first-year undergraduate students registering for the English III cours. Subjects were selected form this population and assigned to two groups. The experimental group was taught in mode including self-access learning. The control group taught by using a traditional lecture and private reading approach.  The results of this research study can be summarized as follows: 1.The analysis of the data  using quantitative and qualitative approaches indicated an obvious improvement in reading comprehension skills among the experimental group students using the online language multimedia reading modules. 2. The experimental group students especially enjoyed listening to a native speaker's voice reading the passages, the vivid animation, and the edutainment activities used inthe modules. These led to students accessing the online language multimedia reading modules repeatedly, thus impriving not only their reading skills but their listening and speakingskills as well. 3. When comparing the affectiveness of online language instrution wiht that of the traditional classroom teaching methods, the analysis concluded that: 3.1 The post-learning mean scores of students in the experimental group using the online language multimedia reading modules higher than those of thestudenta in the control group. 3.2 The post-learning achievement scores of the experimental group as compared to those of the control group differed at the .001 level of statistical significance.  4. For the correlation coefficients among learning achievement, attitudes, and motivation toword noline English language learning, the following  conclusions were drawn: 4.1 Attitude had a statistically significant correlation with motivation.  4.2 Midterm exam scores had a statistically significant correlation with both the final exam scores and students grade point average (GPA). 4.3 Final exam scores had a statistically significant correlation with grade point average (GPA).


BACKGROUND
Foreign body (FB) ingestion is frequently encountered in all departments that treat children. FB may bring about significant anxiety for parents and physicians. The present study aims to determine the appropriate approach for FB ingestion in children.

METHODS
The records of 1000 children with a history of FB ingestion between the years 2005 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively in this study.

RESULTS
Of 1000 children, 53.8% were male. The most common types of FBs were coins (35%). X-ray was negative in 49% of the patients, and 86% of these patients received no intervention. Of the 504 (51%) X-ray-positive patients, the oesophagus (68%) was the most common location. Life-threatening complications were tracheo-oesophageal fistula (1), Meckel's diverticulum perforation (1), and perforation due to rigid endoscopy (1).

CONCLUSION
We demonstrated that coins, which are the most commonly ingested FBs, have various types and sizes according to their countries of origin, and this affects spontaneous passage. We found that only 48% (quite low compared to the literature) of the coins passed spontaneously. In asymptomatic patients with a gastric button battery, we suggest a "watchful waiting" approach. The patients should be observed and managed at home. In our study, we found that 85% of the button batteries that reached the stomach passed spontaneously.


In this study, a new microstrip antenna is proposed for 5G mobile communication in IEEE802.11ad standard. Hairpin shaped radiating patch is analyzed on three different substrates; FR4, Rogers R054350B and Arlon AD255C. Directivity and bandwidth analyzes based on permittivity are performed to select the most suitable substrate among these three dielectric layers for 60 GHz operating frequency. Rogers RO4350B has 1.17 dBi higher directivity compared to FR-4 and 0.13 dBi smaller directivity gain compared to Arlon AD255C, but offers 2.4 GHz more bandwidth and more compactness than the others. Finally, the proposed antenna is analyzed on four different thickness of Rogers RO4350B and the best performance is observed at 1.2 mm.


This study aims to reveal descriptively about the use of learning methods in improving students' learning motivation in Mas Bahrul Hikmah Konawe North Sultra to find out what methods are applied during the learning process at Mas Bahrul Hikmah Konawe Utara and to find out how the motivation of student learning Mas Bahrul Hikmah Konawe North. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative method in order to give explanation about the use of learning method in improving students' learning motivation Arabic in Mas Bahrul Hikmah Konawe Utara Sultra. The data obtained through interviews with informants research related to the achievement of the purposes of research. Subjects in this study were teachers and students at Mas Bahrul Hikmah Konawe Utara Sultra. The result of the research are: (1) The method applied when the learning process of Arabic language in Mas Bahrul Hikmah is, conversation method or muhadatsah, the method of reading that is qira'ah (muthala'ah), grammatical method or qowa'id (al-kitabah) and Listening method (al-istima'i) this method is commonly used when imla learning process, besides using special method of learning Arabic language also using general methods, such as lecture method, discussion method, group work method, question and answer method and method Assignment. There is also a new method addition, reward method. The reward method applied is the method of punishment and reward method. (2) The use of reward method in Mas Bahrul Hikmah is very effective besides can grow student's motivation in learning also help student get high test value, because after use method of reward value of student exam much increase.


We calculate the radial surface brightness profile of the image of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow. The afterglow spectrum consists of several power-law segments separated by breaks. The image profile changes considerably across each of the spectral breaks. It also depends on the density profile of the ambient medium into which the GRB fireball propagates. Gravitational microlensing by an intervening star can resolve the afterglow image. We calculate the predicted magnification history of GRB afterglows as a function of observed frequency and ambient medium properties. We find that intensive monitoring of a microlensed afterglow light curve can be used to reconstruct the parameters of the fireball and its environment and provide constraints on particle acceleration and magnetic field amplification in relativistic blast waves.


A deep understanding of the epoch of reionization is still missing in our knowledge of the universe. While future probes will allow us to test the precise evolution of the free electron fraction from redshifts between z≃ 6 and 0z≃ 2, at present one could ask what kind of reionization processes are allowed by present cosmic microwave background temperature and polarization measurements. An early contribution to reionization could imply a departure from the standard picture where star formation determines the reionization onset. By considering a broad class of possible reionization parameterizations, we find that current data do not require an early reionization component in our universe and that only one marginal class of models, based on a particular realization of reionization, may point to that. In addition, the frequentist Akaike information criterion (AIC) provides strong evidence against alternative reionization histories, favoring the most simple reionization scenario, which describes reionization by means of only one (constant) reionization optical depth τ.


Due to volatile and rising energy prices, smart microgrids appear to be increasingly popular. Instead of one centrally located power plant, the microgrids will rely on solar panels and wind turbines on every house sharing renewable energy among houses. How to efficiently and optimally share energy is a challenging problem. In order to efficiently share renewable energy, routing protocols in the data network are needed, which introduces another design challenge that is how to feasibly detect and defend the major attacks against routing protocols for smart microgrids. Most of the existing secure routing protocols for other networks (such as ad hoc networks) either ignore the most challenging internal attacks such as spoofed route signaling and fabricated routing messages, or have often produced inefficient security mechanisms. In this paper, we develop a novel secure energy routing mechanism (SERM) for securely and optimally sharing renewable energy in smart microgrids. SERM detects most internal attacks by using message redundancy. The simulation results have demonstrated the effectiveness of our proposed secure energy routing mechanism.


A prerequisite in refining volcanic hazard at explosive volcanoes is a better quantification of the timescales of the syn-eruptive processes, such as magma degassing and crystallization prior to eruption. To this aim, new data on the matrices (microlites, residual glasses, and bubbles) of pumice, scoria, and dense clasts erupted during the AD 1530 andesitic eruption of La Soufrière of Guadeloupe are combined with published data from phase-equilibrium and kinetic experiments, in order to estimate pressures of microlite crystallization and magma ascent rates. From the timescale data, we infer that the AD 1530 eruption started with phreatomagmatic explosions tapping magmas that ascended during about 1 month (decompression rate of ∼50 Pa/s) from the coldest parts of the reservoir (∼825°C and a 74 wt% SiO2 melt). These magmas continuously crystallized microlites (∼25 vol% plagioclase, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, magnetite, quartz, and apatite), but did not outgas likely due to sealed conduit margins. The flank collapse (preexisting "cold" edifice) that followed the phreatomagmatic phase triggered a sub-Plinian eruption that progressively tapped the hotter main reservoir (∼875°C and 71 wt% SiO2 interstitial melt), emitting banded and homogeneous pumice. The banded pumice did not significantly outgas and mostly lack decompression-induced microlites, suggesting short ascent durations of the order of 0.5–1 day (decompression rates of 1,400–4,000 Pa/s). The following Strombolian phase emitted dark scoria that did not significantly outgas and only crystallized rare microlites, suggesting ascent duration of the order of 2 days (decompression rates of ∼550 Pa/s). The terminal lava dome growth involved fully outgassed magmas ascended during more than 1 month, giving time for microlite crystallization (∼40 vol% plagioclase, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, magnetite, and cristobalite). The detection of any shallow new magmatic intrusion is crucial, since it can trigger a sequence of conduit processes leading to an eruption marked by a succession of different and disastrous eruptive styles, following a scenario similar to the AD 1530 eruption. Overall, we provide a combined approach of petrological, geochemical, and experimental data that may be used to infer ascent conditions and rates at other volcanic systems.


Genetic disruption of protein kinase C (cid:1) reduces endotoxin-induced lung injury. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 303: L880–L888, 2012. 2012; doi:10.1152/ajplung.00169.2012.—The pathogenesis of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome is characterized by sequestration of leukocytes in lung tissue, disruption of capillary integrity, and pulmonary edema. PKC (cid:1) plays a critical role in RhoA-mediated endothelial barrier function and inflammatory responses. We used mice with genetic deletion of PKC (cid:1) (PKC (cid:1) (cid:2) / (cid:2) ) to assess the role of PKC (cid:1) in susceptibility to LPS-induced lung injury and pulmonary edema. Under baseline conditions or in settings of increased capillary hydrostatic pressures, no differences were noted in the filtration coefficients ( k f ) or wet-to-dry weight ratios between PKC (cid:1) (cid:3) / (cid:3) and PKC (cid:1) (cid:2) / (cid:2) mice. However, at 24 h after exposure to LPS, the k f values were significantly higher in lungs isolated from PKC (cid:1) (cid:3) / (cid:3) than PKC (cid:1) (cid:2) / (cid:2) mice. In addition, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from LPS-exposed PKC (cid:1) (cid:3) / (cid:3) mice displayed increased protein and cell content compared with LPS-exposed PKC (cid:1) (cid:2) / (cid:2) mice, but similar changes in inflammatory cytokines were measured. His-tology indicated elevated LPS-induced cellularity and inflammation within PKC (cid:1) (cid:3) / (cid:3) mouse lung parenchyma relative to PKC (cid:1) (cid:2) / (cid:2) mouse lungs. Transient overexpression of catalytically inactive PKC (cid:1) cDNA in the endothelium significantly attenuated LPS-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction in vitro and increased k f lung values in PKC (cid:1) (cid:3) / (cid:3) mice. However, transient overexpression of wild-type PKC (cid:1) cDNA in PKC (cid:1) (cid:2) / (cid:2) mouse lung vasculature did not alter the protective effects of PKC (cid:1) deficiency against LPS-induced acute lung injury. We conclude that PKC (cid:1) plays a role in the pathological progression of endotoxin-induced lung injury, likely mediated through modulation of inflammatory signaling and pulmonary vascular barrier function.


The roles of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and aldosterone in the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome were investigated with rats following subcutaneous injections of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) for 7 d. Prominent reduction in plasma renin activity (PRA) was observed at day-15 after the initial treatment with PAN preceded by the onset of the nephrosis and there was no significant difference in plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) between the nephrosis and normal control groups despite the higher levels obtained in the nephrosis animals. Although we could not elucidate the precise mechanism of reduction in PRA, it was suggested that neither the RAS nor aldosterone secretion played a primary role in the pathogenesis of the nephrosis. PAN-induced nephrosis is interesting in studying the pathophysiological mechanism of the lowered activity of plasma renin in some patients with nephrotic syndrome.


The visual and audio information from movies can evoke a variety of emotions in viewers. Towards a better understanding of viewer impact, we present our methods for the MediaEval 2018 Emotional Impact of Movies Task to predict the expected valence and arousal continuously in movies. This task, using the LIRIS-ACCEDE dataset, enables researchers to compare different approaches for predicting viewer impact from movies. Our approach leverages image, audio, and face based features computed using pre-trained neural networks. These features were computed over time and modeled using a gated recurrent unit (GRU) based network followed by a mixture of experts model to compute multiclass predictions. We smoothed these predictions using a Butterworth filter for our final result. Our method enabled us to achieve top performance in three evaluation metrics in the MediaEval 2018 task.


The sedimentary record of biogenic silica from Lake Baikal in south-central Siberia suggests that this region of central Asia was impacted by two major cooling episodes at 2.8 to 2.6 and 1.8 to 1.6 million years ago. The spectral evolution of this continental interior site parallels the evolutionary frequency spectra for various marine oxygen isotope records. In the Baikal record, the 41,000-year obliquity cycle is particularly strong from 1.8 to 0.8 million years ago; variance in the 100,000-year eccentricity band increases during the past 0.8 million years. The expected precession frequency of 23,000 years is highest during the past 400,000 years. The modulation of the predicted 23,000- and 41,000-year insolation forcing by the 100,000- and 400,000-year eccentricity bands indicates that the transfer of variance from the precession and obliquity frequencies to the eccentricity part of the spectrum occurred in the Eurasian continental interior, as well as in tropical and high-latitude ocean sites.


On pig farms, many piglets die because they are crushed when sows roll from side to side or lie down. On average, 1.2 piglets are crushed by sows every day. To resolve the piglet mortality issue, this article proposes PigTalk, an artificial intelligence (AI) based Internet of Things (IoT) platform for detecting and mitigating piglet crushing. Through real-time analysis of the voice data collected in a farrowing house, PigTalk detects if any piglet screaming occurs, and automatically activates sow-alert actuators for emergency handling of the crushing event. We propose an audio clip transform approach to pre-process the raw voice data, and utilizes min-max scaling in machine learning (ML) to detect piglet screams. In our first contribution, the above data preprocessing method together with subtle parameter setups of the machine learning model improve the piglet scream detection accuracy up to 99.4%, which is better than the previous solutions (up to 92.8%). In our second contribution, we show how to design two cyber IoT devices, i.e., DataBank for data pre-processing and ML_device for real-time AI to automatically trigger actuators such as floor vibration and water drop to force a sow to stand up. We conduct analytic analysis and simulation to investigate how the detection delay affects the critical time period to save crushed piglets. Our study indicates that PigTalk can save piglets within 0.05 s with 99.93% of the successful rate. Such results are validated in a commercial farrowing house. PigTalk is a new approach that automatically mitigates piglet crushing, which could not be achieved in the past.


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

Neuropilins (NRP1 and NRP2) are receptors for class-3 semaphorins that are guidance molecules involved in nerve growth patterning, tissue development, immune response, angiogenesis, and cancer development. Upon semaphorin binding, neuropilins transmit signals to the co-receptor, the plexins. Interestingly, neuropilins are also receptors for VEGF. Semaphorins control cell protrusion, spreading and adhesion and can trigger migratory responses often in a repulsive manner but also attractive depending on the cellular context.

We previously cloned SEMA3F, coding for a class-3 semaphorin, in the chromosome 3p21.3 region which undergoes frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in lung cancer. We further reported that levels of SEMA3F inversely correlated with tumor aggressiveness in human lung cancer and we demonstrated the tumor suppressor activity of SEMA3F in experimental xenograft models. In addition, SEMA3F is directly downregulated by ZEB1, a transcription factor involved in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Recently, we found an inverse correlation between the transcription factor Snail and NRP2 expression in a panel of 19 lung cancer cell lines. Interestingly, Snail is induced during EMT and NRP2 is the best affinity receptor for SEMA3F. Data will be presented with the H358 NSCLC cell line model where Snail induction decreases NRP2 expression both at the RNA and protein levels. Chromatin immunoprecipation (ChIP) experiment suggests Snail direct binding to the NRP2 promoter. In addition, in lung cancer tissue microarrays, Snail and NRP2 stainings are frequently mutually exclusive.

Our results suggest that loss of SEMA3F and NRP2 would trigger EMT and promote metastasis. Therefore, targeting the semaphorin/neuropilin pathway would be an interesting therapeutic approach in lung cancer.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4969.


Mining and industrial activities are the primary sources of soil pollution in the open-pit coal mine. The concentrations of PAHs in 11 sampling sites in the industrial district and 9 sampling sites with different land use types in Pingshuo open-pit coal mine, China, were measured to investigate the distributions of PAHs and possible sources in soil profiles (0–100 cm). In the topsoil layer (0–20 cm), concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 2.15 to 33.51 mg kg−1, with a mean value of 11.93 mg kg−1. PAHs were more variable in the middle soil layer (20–50 cm), ranging from 0.199 to 36.888 mg kg−1 with the average value of 9.21 mg kg−1. Comparable extreme concentrations were detected from the samples in the subsoil layer (50–100 cm). Compared with those in topsoil, the average concentrations of the most individual PAH species were less in the middle soil and subsoil layers. The concentrations of most of the individual PAHs in the topsoil were higher than those in the middle soil and subsoil. Distribution patterns of PAHs in the three soil layers correlated well with each other. The high concentration hotspots were concentrated around the old coal washery, reaching about 30 mg kg−1. The average concentrations of PAHs with different rings in the industrial district exceeded those in the other land use types. However, only the concentrations of 5-ring PAHs in topsoil showed difference with different land use types (P < 0.05). Diagnostic ratios and the total index showed that petroleum combustion was the main source of PAHs.


Much of what we know about the properties of ion channels in cell membranes has come from experiments using voltage clamp. In general, the method allows ion flow across a cell membrane to be measured as electric current, whilst the membrane voltage is held under experimental control with a feedback amplifier. The method was first developed by Cole (1949) and Hodgkin et al. (1952) for use with the squid giant axon. Since then, many variants of the technique have evolved and voltage clamp analysis has been extended to a wide range of tissues. The usefulness of the voltage clamp stems firstly from the fact that it allows the separation of membrane ionic and capacitative currents. Secondly, it is much easier to obtain information about channel behaviour using currents measured from an area of membrane with a uniform, controlled voltage, than when the voltage is changing freely with time and between different regions of membrane. This is especially so as the opening and closing (gating) of most ion channels is affected by the membrane potential. This chapter will concentrate on voltage clamp methods that are used to measure currents from whole cells or large areas of membrane containing at least a few hundred channels; such currents are usually called macroscopic currents. We shall give particular attention to the single and double microelectrode methods. The use of both these techniques is increasing; double microelectrode clamp is being used for studies of channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, while the switched clamp circuitry used for single microelectrode clamp is sometimes used with whole cell patch pipettes because it provides a neat way of dealing with the series resistance problems that can arise with such electrodes. The patch clamp technique has extended the application of voltage clamp methods to the recording of ionic currents flowing through single channels, but in its whole cell configuration has also become the most


Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology is becoming popular in South African companies, motivated by the drive to reduce costs and optimise operational processes. There are indications from literature of various challenges experienced by companies in their journey to implement and sustain LSS. There is no authoritative statistics around the scale of LSS implementations in South African organisations or on the success and failure rates of these implementations. This research's chief objective was the development of a dynamic model which could be used to predict and sustain LSS deployments in local companies. The research also purposed to expand the body of knowledge on factors affecting the sustainability of LSS. Multiple case studies were employed for concept building in this research. A three phased approach using interviews and a survey was employed in conducting the research. The research confirmed that companies were experiencing various challenges including lack of top management buy-in and support and lack of skilled and knowledgeable employees. Positive feedback was received, as the measures of LSS sustainability and existence of the predictors for LSS sustainability received generally high scoring. The data collected from the case studies was limited as the population of employees who have received various levels of LSS and actively participating in LSS projects was limited within organisations. This research contributed to the body of knowledge by increasing understanding on the sustainability of LSS implementations and by developing a dynamic model which could be used to predict and sustain LSS deployments.


In the era of intelligent biohybrid neurotechnologies for brain repair, new fanciful terms are appearing in the scientific dictionary to define what has so far been unimaginable. As the emerging neurotechnologies are becoming increasingly polyhedral and sophisticated, should we talk about evolution and rank the intelligence of these devices?


In this study, we have evaluated biodegradability of diesel-oxygenates including DBM and gasoline-oxygenates having similar physio-chemical properties using indigenous aerobic microorganisms from a diesel-contaminated soil. Toluene and Ethanol have shown higher biological activity and the first-order degradation rate constants ranged around 0.11∼0.3 day?¹. However, MTBE, gasoline-oxygenate has shown as a limited substrate. Moreover, As increased initial concentrations of DBM and TGME, degradation rates of those were decreased relatively. As a strategy to evaluate biodegradability of DBM and TGME, reduction of dieseloxygenates, CO₂ production and toxicity by algae were monitored. This results indicated possible mineralization of diesel-oxygenates, But we could predict that residual byproduct produced even though complete consumption of diesel-oxygenates were observed if algal toxicity variation considered. In conclusion, it is the first report that diesel-oxygenates including DBM could be biodegraded effectively by indigenous soil microorganisms and this result increased the possibility of bioremediation technology to apply into oil-contaminated sites.


This study measured high school students' thought disposition through a questionnaire on critical thinking. Factor analysis of the questionnaire revealed 4 factors that showed the aspects of thought disposition. Each factor score was examined to determine differences relating to gender and student grade level. The results showed that no significant differences were identified except in one factor. The thought disposition of high school teachers was also measured. The results of a comparative examination between students and teachers revealed significant differences.


The dense plasma focus (DPF) is a Z-pinch that has been studied for 50 years. Within ten years of its discovery by Fillipov and Fillipova in Russia and Mather in the USA, this dense pinch was scaled up to 2-MA currents and neutron outputs of ~ 1012/pulse. More remarkable is the fact that most of the relevant physics and scaling laws were elucidated within this first decade. The subsequent period has seen this type of pinch used as a teaching tool, developed as a portable neutron source for security applications, as a soft X-ray source for lithography, and as an energetic ion source for nanofabrication applications. This review builds upon several prior reviews. From the plasma physics standpoint, DPF physics is examined in light of fast Z-pinches to examine the similarities. More cross-fertilization between the two communities is suggested as a means to improve both types of pinches. From the applications standpoint, the many uses of DPFs are summarized to demonstrate the versatility of these pinches. Their ease of assembly and relatively low voltage operation have allowed DPFs to be disseminated worldwide as fusion testbeds (unlike their fast Z-pinch counterparts). Smaller or less economically developed nations have made valuable contributions to our understanding of the physics, as evidenced by the rich lode of publications that have advanced the field.


Understanding the nature of bullies and bullying is of considerable theoretical and practical importance. We offer a commentary on a recent debate on this topic between Sutton, Smith, and Swettenham (1999a, 1999b) and Crick and Dodge (1999). In this commentary, we first summarize the main points of the debate, including alternative views of bullies as social inadequates versus Machiavellian schemers. Then we clarify some unresolved issues concerning the nature and limits of social competence and the roles of values in both social competence and in bullying. Finally, it is argued that variations in children's emotion processes, such as emotionality and emotion regulation, also may underlie some of the individual differences that have been found in empathy, social information processing, and in reactive ('hot-headed') and proactive ('cold-blooded') aggressive and bullying patterns.


Synopsis Dry stone walls are used to trace fans of glacial erratics from outcrops of two small, adjacent but distinctive bodies of essexite near Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire. Contour maps of data point values representing erratic frequency in the walls reveal classic patterns of fans of erratics. A marked contrast in the rate of decline in the frequency of the two varieties in the walls down-ice from the outcrops is attributed to the difference in the spacing of joints in the two rock types. The action of crushing on the closely-jointed variety during glacial transport is believed to have produced erratics generally too small for wall-building within a short distance of the outcrop, whereas blocks of the more massively-jointed variety are still common in the walls up to 20 km from the source. Divergent flow of erratic-bearing ice is suggested as the main agent responsible for spreading erratics in directions at variance to that of general ice flow. Although inferences about glacial processes are made from the wall data, the restricted size range of wall stones has necessitated careful interpretation of the results.


Multiple i.p. injections of low-dose streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) produce insulitis, beta cell destruction, and diabetes in male CD-1 mice. Recent data also suggest that macrophages figure in the low-dose streptozotocin model. Because other recent studies have shown that essential fatty acid deficiency prevents autoimmune nephritis in mice, decreases the number of resident Ia-positive glomerular macrophages, and decreases the elicitation of macrophages into the glomerulus in inflammation, we examined the effect of essential fatty acid deficiency on the incidence and severity of insulitis and diabetes in CD-1 mice treated with low-dose streptozotocin. Streptozotocin-treated mice on the control diet uniformly developed diabetes (19/19). Essential fatty acid-deficient mice treated with streptozotocin did not develop diabetes (1/13). Mean plasma glucose levels for the control and essential fatty acid-deficient mice were 384.5 +/- 23.6 and 129.1 +/- 15.5 mg/dl, respectively, at the end of 1 month. To discern whether essential fatty acid deficiency prevented the streptozotocin-induced beta cell injury or the inflammatory response to injured beta cells, mice were repleted with daily injections of 99% pure methyl linoleate beginning 3 days after the last streptozotocin injection. These mice also quickly developed severe (3/4) or mild (1/4) diabetes. Histologic examination of the pancreata of control mice or repleted mice showed marked insulitis and beta cell destruction; in contrast, the pancreata of essential fatty acid-deficient mice showed preservation of beta cells and only focal mild peri-insulitis. Essential fatty acid deficiency thus prevents the insulitis and resultant diabetes in low-dose streptozotocin-treated CD-1 mice, suggesting a central role for macrophages and lipid mediators in this autoimmunity model.


We have investigated the nanoscale switching characteristics and piezoelectric response based on polycrystalline BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films with different orientations deposited on different oxide bottom electrodes. The BFO film deposited on the LaNiO3 (LNO)-coated Si substrate shows a (001) preferred orientation and higher ferroelectric properties, while the BFO film grown on the SrRuO3 (SRO) buffered Si substrate shows a random orientation. The domain structures have been determined via piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) for both films, predicting that the BFO film with the LNO bottom electrode has a larger piezoelectricity property corresponding to the ferroelastic domain. Through local switching spectroscopy measurements, the evidence of ferroelectric switching and the origin of the enhanced piezoresponse properties have been provided. A greatly improved piezoelectric response has been demonstrated using PFM that is 66.8 pm V−1 for the BFO with a SRO bottom electrode, while we obtain a value of 348.2 p...


The prime objective of this study is to validate the extended technology acceptance model (ETAM) by incorporating two intrinsic motivation attributes, namely, computer self-efficacy and satisfaction into the original TAM to compare its viability testing on their satisfaction of the wireless internet service at a university. Besides, it evaluates gender invariant of the causal structure of this extended TAM. A total of 285 students from five major faculties (Education, Human Sciences, Engineering, ICT and Economics) were taken as respondents. The questionnaire's reliability and validity were established through a RASCH analysis. The results as analyzed by Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) indicate that students' perceived ease of use had a statistically significant effect on their satisfaction. The study revealed that gender did not exert any influence as a moderating variable towards students' satisfaction in using Wireless Internet. The findings contributed to a better understanding of the TAM and technology satisfaction among students.


NASA senior management commissioned the Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis (EDL-SA) Study in 2008 to identify and roadmap the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) technology investments that the agency needed to make in order to successfully land large payloads at Mars for both robotic and human-scale missions. This paper summarizes the motivation, approach and top-level results from Year 1 of the study, which focused on landing 10-50 mt on Mars, but also included a trade study of the best advanced parachute design for increasing the landed payloads within the EDL architecture of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission


When Sex Threatened the State: Illicit Sexuality, Nationalism, and Politics in Colonial Nigeria, 1900-1958, by Saheed Aderinto. Urbana, University of Illinois Press, 2015. xviii, 241 pp. $95.00 US (cloth), $32.00 US (paper). In seven engaging chapters and an epilogue, Saheed Aderinto has produced a very important contribution to African social history and Nigerian historiography specifically. His intellectual journey, as revealed in his introduction, is a "must read" for graduate students for this book is the outcome of a scholar who listened closely to his sources and grappled with the complex realities they revealed. Aderinto had initially planned to write a history of gender and prostitution in colonial Nigeria by examining the correlation between sex work and social class. However, as he followed his sources along the pathways they presented, he came to appreciate that to do justice to the topic he had to engage multiple archives and literatures (6-7). Sexuality was of concern to legal, medical, social welfare, and military arms of the state, as well as multiple social groups including the clergy, nationalists, elite women, village elders, and landlords. While keeping these different actors and their competing perspectives and objectives in the same frame, Aderinto provides a clear and accessible narrative that locates the evolution of prostitution and state sanctions within the changes in the larger political economy. Sexuality, and more specifically prostitution, also raises questions of morality and Aderinto illustrates throughout the text the multiple ways in which discussions about morality and prostitution were further nuanced by ideas about race, gender, and class. Aderinto argues that African men and women were at the forefront of discussions to prohibit prostitution. Without creating monolithic or binary oppositions, he illustrates the points of conversion, overlap, and disagreement as Nigerian men, women, and different branches of the colonial state debated prostitution in public and in private. Africans too connected morality and prostitution; however, that connection unfolded in discourses that challenged colonial racism, critiqued colonial policy and practice, and anticipated a post-colonial future. The Lagos Women's League offered the first concerted effort to compel the government to prohibit prostitution (65). Motivated in part by a politics of respectability and guided by their cosmopolitan experiences in London, the Lagosian elite wanted the colonial state to invest similar levels of resources to address prostitution in Lagos. Both colonial officials and the Lagosian elite expressed moral panic about child prostitutes, and shared the developmentalist notion that mitigating adult crime required juvenile intervention (158). Whereas elite women imagined that they would play a significant role in the infrastructure created to address female delinquents, colonial officials could not imagine educated African women serving in any administrative capacity. …


Patz (1990, 1992) presented evidence that total enterprise simulations are biased in favor of a particular personality type. This study directly tests Patz's hypotheses but uses individuals rather than groups to isolate the effects of personality type on simulation performance from that caused by group dynamics. No support for Patz's conclusions is found.


Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is a rare type of nonischemic cardiomyopathy accompanied by a transient ballooning and akinesis of the left ventricle. It has been reported mainly in the Japanese literature, although awareness is increasing in the United States and Europe. The reason for the increased incidence in postmenopausal women remains unclear, as does why the apex and left ventricular midcavity are commonly affected. The degree of symptom presentation and severity varies widely and is usually accompanied by an unremarkable medical history. The most frequent presentation is left ventricular dysfunction with or without pulmonary edema. Identifying signs and symptoms and its correlation with physical or emotional stress will lead to early diagnosis and intervention. This case report describes a premenopausal woman in whom TC developed in the immediate postoperative period following general anesthesia.


 Abstract — In the present days security is the major goal in all applications. For securing data in cloud computing there are lot of techniques available. Various disadvantages in cloud are like security, data protection, network security, privacy concerns and are also prone to a variety of attacks like Denial of Service, IP spoofing etc. To overcome these attacks, we can use authentication, authorization, access control and encryption techniques. A user can access cloud services as a utility service and begin to use them almost instantly. The fact that services are accessible any where any time lead to several risks. Some of the concerns are lack of confidentiality, integrity and authentication among the users of cloud and service providers. Main goal of my proposal is to provide security in cloud and protecting the data transmitted through various secure channels by providing security using encryption. The cryptographic algorithms like DES, AES, GOST 28147-89, CAST, RC6, SERPENT, and TWOFISH can be adopted for the optimization of data security in cloud computing.


Medieval theology had an important influence on later philosophy which is visible in the empiricisms of Russell, Carnap, and Quine. Other thinkers, including McDowell, Kripke, and Dennett, show how we can overcome the distorting effects of that theological ecosystem on our accounts of the nature of reality and our relationship to it. In a different philosophical tradition, Hegel uses a secularized version of Christianity to argue for a kind of human knowledge that overcomes the influences of late-medieval voluntarism, and some twentieth-century thinkers, including Benjamin and Derrida, instead defend a Jewish-influenced notion of the religious sublime. Frank B. Farrell analyzes and connects philosophers of different eras and traditions to show that modern philosophy has developed its practices on a terrain marked out by earlier theological and religious ideas, and considers how different philosophers have both embraced, and tried to escape from, those deep-seated patterns of thought.


A relevancy‐ranking algorithm for a natural language interface to Boolean online public access catalogs (OPACs) was formulated and compared with that currently used in a knowledge‐based search interface called the E‐Referencer, being developed by the authors. The algorithm makes use of seven well‐known ranking criteria: breadth of match, section weighting, proximity of query words, variant word forms (stemming), document frequency, term frequency and document length. The algorithm converts a natural language query into a series of increasingly broader Boolean search statements. In a small experiment with ten subjects in which the algorithm was simulated by hand, the algorithm obtained good results with a mean overall precision of 0.42 and mean average precision of 0.62, representing a 27 percent improvement in precision and 41 percent improvement in average precision compared to the E‐Referencer. The usefulness of each step in the algorithm was analyzed and suggestions are made for improving the algorithm.


In order to investigate the antimicrobial interactions against multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, thirty-seven strains resistant to antimicrobial agents of five different chemical classes were exposed in vitro to the combination of three carbapenems. DX-8739, a novel DHP-I stable analogue, meropenem and imipenem with amikacin. The tested combinations expressed an enhanced killing activity against 38-46% of strains and an additive effect against 5-13%. These effects were the same whether the applied carbapenem was DX-8739, meropenem or imipenem; they were also independent of the MIC of any antimicrobial.


Objective This study aimed to develop loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) combined with lateral flow dipstick (LFD) and compare it with LAMP-AGE, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and standard Salmonella culture as reference methods for detecting Salmonella contamination in animal products and animal production environmental samples. Methods The SalInvA01 primer, derived from the InvA gene and designed as a new probe for LFD detection, was used in developing this study. Adjusting for optimal conditions by temperature, time, and reagent concentration includes evaluating the specificity and limit of detection. The sampling of 120 animal product samples and 350 animal production environmental samples was determined by LAMP-LFD, comparing LAMP-AGE, PCR, and the culture method. Results Salmonella was amplified using optimal conditions for the LAMP reaction and a DNA probe for LFD at 63°C for 60 minutes. The specificity test revealed no cross-reactivity with other microorganisms. The limit of detection of LAMP-LFD in pure culture was 3×102 CFU/mL (6 CFU/reaction) and 9.01 pg/μL in genomic DNA. The limit of detection of the LAMP-LFD using artificially inoculated in minced chicken samples with 5 hours of pre-enrichment was 3.4×104 CFU/mL (680 CFU/reaction). For 120 animal product samples, Salmonella was detected by the culture method, LAMP-LFD, LAMP-AGE, and PCR in 10/120 (8.3%). In three hundred fifty animal production environmental samples, Salmonella was detected in 91/350 (26%) by the culture method, equivalent to the detection rates of LAMP-LFD and LAMP-AGE, while PCR achieved 86/350 (24.6%). When comparing sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy, LAMP-LFD showed the best results at 100%, 95.7%, 86.3%, and 96.6%, respectively. For Kappa index of LAMP-LFD, indicated nearly perfect agreement with culture method. Conclusion The LAMP-LFD Salmonella detection, which used InvA gene, was highly specific, sensitive, and convenient for identifying Salmonella. Furthermore, this method could be used for Salmonella monitoring and primary screening in animal products and animal production environmental samples.


The HNNS radical has been promoted recently as a viable intermediate in the interstellar creation of the spectroscopically elusive nitrogen molecule. Any confirmation of this pathway or utilizing HNNS as a tracer of N2 depends upon the ability to observe the radical intermediate whether in the laboratory or in the interstellar medium. Established and accurate quantum chemical procedures are employed here to produce spectroscopic constants, fundamental vibrational frequencies, and intensities that can be utilized for any possible detection of HNNS. While trans-HNNS is confirmed here to be 3.0 kcal/mol lower in energy than cis-HNNS, the latter will be more readily observed rotationally due to its significantly larger dipole moment. The N-N bond in cis-HNNS is stronger than in trans-HNNS, and earlier work has suggested that cis-HNNS is more useful in the creation of N2 from NH and NS. Hence, the detection of cis-HNNS may be of greater value anyway. Furthermore, the N-N stretch in either conformer is also exceptionally bright and will occur in the mid-infrared with nearly 30 cm-1 separating the fundamentals of the two conformers. Finally, the low isomerization barrier can be affected significantly upon deuteration also making ND an interesting consideration as a starting material in the interstellar formation of N2.


This paper proposes an Indirect Matrix Converter (IMC)-based grid-tied Photovoltaic (PV) system for Smart Grids (SGs). The PV array injects current in the 'dc link' of the IMC through an inductive link, and is connected to the SG with shunt and series connections, allowing for the compensation of current- and voltage-related Power Quality (PQ) issues, respectively, for the sensitive loads and the SG connection. A direct sliding mode-based controller is proposed to guarantee nearly sinusoidal currents in the connection to the SG, and sinusoidal voltages guaranteeing compliance with international standards, when supplying the sensitive loads. Additionally, a novel control approach for the 'dc link' voltage is synthesised to allow for the control of both the PV array current and the power flow to the SG. To guarantee the semiconductors safe commutation an asynchronous commutation strategy is derived. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed system significantly improves PQ in the SG, minimizing the total harmonic distortion of the currents injected in the SG, and guaranteeing the quality of the voltage supplied to the sensitive loads, even in the occurrence of voltage sags or overvoltages.


Partial nitritation-anammox (PN-A) has gained increasing interest for municipal wastewater treatment in recent years due to its high energy-saving potential. Moving the PN-A technology from side- to mainstream exhibited a set of challenges. Conditions are quite different, with much lower ammonium concentrations and temperatures. Biomass retention becomes highly important due to the even lower growth rates. This study compared two laboratory-scale reactors, a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), employing realistic seasonal temperature variations over a 1-year period. The results revealed that both systems had to face decreasing ammonium conversion rates and nitrite accumulation at temperatures lower than 12°C. The SBR did not recover from the loss in anammox activity even when the temperature increased again. The MBBR only showed a short nitrite peak and recovered its initial ammonium turnover when the temperature rose back to >15°C. The SBR had higher biomass specific rates, indicating that suspended sludge is less diffusion-limited but also more susceptible to biomass wash-out. However, the MBBR showed the more stable performance also at low temperatures and managed to recover. Ex situ batch activity tests supported reactor operation data by providing additional insight with respect to specific biomass activities.


Purpose In spite of its enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects in clinical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy, the therapeutic efficacy of antitumor angiogenesis inhibitor sorafenib (SFB) is still restricted due to short in vivo half-life and drug resistance. Here, a novel SFB-loaded dendritic polymeric nanoparticle (NP-TPGS-SFB) was developed for enhanced therapy of HCC. Methods NP-TPGS-SFB was fabricated by encapsulating SFB with biodegradable dendritic polymers poly(amidoamine)-poly(γ-benzyl-L-Glutamate)-b-D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (PAM-PBLG-b-TPGS). Results NP-TPGS-SFB exhibited excellent stability and achieved acid-responsive release of SFB. It also exhibited much higher cellular uptake efficiency in HepG2 human liver cells than PEG-conjugated NP (NP-PEG-SFB). Furthermore, MTT assay confirmed that NP-TPGS-SFB induced higher cytotoxicity than NP-PEG-SFB and free SFB, respectively. Lastly, NP-TPGS-SFB significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice bearing HepG2 xenografts, with negligible side effects. Conclusion Our result suggests that NP-TPGS-SFB may be a novel approach for enhanced therapy of HCC with promising potential.


Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect all organs in the body. It is characterized by overexpression of antibodies against autoantigen. Although previous bioinformatics analyses have identified several genetic factors underlying SLE, they did not discriminate between naive and individuals exposed to anti-SLE drugs. Here, we evaluated specific genes and pathways in active and recently diagnosed SLE population. Methods GSE46907 matrix downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was analyzed using R, Metascape, STRING, and Cytoscape to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), enrichment pathways, protein-protein interaction (PPI), and hub genes between naive SLE individuals and healthy controls. Results A total of 134 DEGs were identified, in which 29 were downregulated, whereas 105 were upregulated in active and newly diagnosed SLE cases. GO term analysis revealed that transcriptional induction of the DEGs was particularly enhanced in response to secretion of interferon-γ and interferon-α and regulation of cytokine production innate immune responses among others. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the expression of DEGs was particularly enhanced in interferon signaling, IFN antiviral responses by activated genes, class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) mediated antigen processing and presentation, and amyloid fiber formation. STAT1, IRF7, MX1, OASL, ISG15, IFIT3, IFIH1, IFIT1, OAS2, and GBP1 were the top 10 DEGs. Conclusions Our findings suggest that interferon-related gene expression and pathways are common features for SLE pathogenesis, and IFN-γ and IFN-γ-inducible GBP1 gene in naive SLE were emphasized. Together, the identified genes and cellular pathways have expanded our understanding on the mechanism underlying development of SLE. They have also opened a new frontier on potential biomarkers for diagnosis, biotherapy, and prognosis for SLE.


A technique of time-to-digital conversion is utilized in a digital demodulator for a low-power 2.4-GHz CMOS GFSK transceiver. The proposed time-to-digital converter (TDC) employs a self-sampling technique and an auto-calibration algorithm to avoid edge synchronization problems and the need of a delay-locked loop (DLL). With the TDC, a limiter and a digital demodulator can be employed simultaneously in the receiver to achieve low power consumption and high performance. Additionally, in the transmitter, the open-loop VCO modulation is adopted to save hardware and power consumption. The transmitter frequency drift in open-loop modulation and frequency offset between the receiver and the transmitter can be easily resolved by the proposed receiver architecture. All required building blocks of the proposed transceiver, except a RF matching network and a crystal, were implemented on a 4-mm2 chip by a 0.18-¿m CMOS process. The receiver achieves -89 -dBm sensitivity at 0.1% BER with 1-Mb/s data rate, and the transmitter delivers up to 0-dBm output power. The receiver and transmitter consume 13.3 mA and 10.7 mA, respectively, from a 1.8-V power supply.


One new steroid alkaloid, 12β-hydroxylveratroylzygadenine (1) and four known compounds, verdine (2), jervine (3), veramarine (4), and veratroylzygadenine (5), have been isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum L. processed by rice vinegar. Their structures were established through a combined analysis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic evidence. The assay results revealed that compounds 1, 4, and 5 exhibited cell toxicity against human HL-60 cells with IC50 values 52.67, 52.90, and 56.51 μmol/l, respectively.


Particular challenges exist for science education in the developing world, where limited resources beget curricula designed to balance state-of-the-art knowledge with practical and political considerations in region-specific contexts. Project-based biology teaching is particularly difficult to execute due to high infrastructural costs and limited teacher training. Here, we report our results implementing short, challenging, and low-cost biology courses to high school and college students in Bolivia, designed and taught in collaboration between scientists from developed nations and local science instructors. We find our approach to be effective at transmitting advanced topics in disease modeling, microscopy, genome engineering, neuroscience, microbiology, and regenerative biology. Importantly, this approach was unaffected by the students' backgrounds, education level, socioeconomic status, or initial interest in the course, and increased participants' interest in pursuing scientific careers. These results demonstrate efficacy of participatory learning in a developing nation, and suggest that such techniques could drive scientific engagement in other developing economies.


The ultrastructure of the mucosa of the eustachian tube was studied in four temporal bones showing tympanosclerosis, cholesteatoma, otitic meningitis and a grafted tympanic membrane (tympanoplasty). The mucosa of tube was abnormal in the four cases confirming the relationship between the state of the eustachian tube and the inflammatory process in the middle ear. The observed abnormalities included: ciliary loss, abnormal ciliary morphology and motility, oedema of the microvilli, hyperplasia of the goblet cells and the seromucinous acini, desquamation of the non-ciliated cells and appearance of mast cells in the lamina propria of the tube. Ciliary changes were the most frequent abnormalities and the morphological changes, in general, were fewest in the case of healed tympanoplasty. The pathophysiology of the morphological changes was discussed and correlated with the disease in the middle ear.


Sensory disturbances are usual manifestations of trigeminal neuropathy, but only a few cases of isolated unilateral pure trigeminal motor neuropathy were reported. We describe a rare case of a 65-year-old woman who presented with a 4-year history of progressive facial asymmetry and chewing weakness which was shown on imaging to be caused by unilateral atrophy of masticatory muscles, probably due to a neurovascular conflict between the third trigeminal branch and superior cerebellar vein. To the best of our knowledge, this probable association has never been described. We aimed through this article to describe the clinical presentation of this entity that clinicians might face in their daily practice and radiological aspect of it.


Corn straw is a kind of biomass material with huge reserves, which can be used in plate processing, handicraft manufacturing, indoor decoration, and other fields. To investigate the dyeing mechanism of corn straw with different dyes, corn straw was pretreated and dyed with Acid Red GR and Brilliant Red X-3B. The dyeing properties and light resistance of the two dyes were analyzed by dyeing rate, photochromaticity, FTIR, SEM, and water-washing firmness. The results showed that the structure and stability of the dyes were the main factors which influenced fading. A bleaching pretreatment could remove the waxiness of the corn straw epidermis and increase the porosity on the surface of the straw, which accelerated the photochromic coloring of the corn straw skin. The corn straw dyed with both dyes had good light resistance, but the straw dyed with Reactive Brilliant Red X-3B had higher dyeing rate, brighter color, and higher photochromaticity than the straw dyed with Acid Red GR. FTIR and water-washing firmness showed that Acid Red GR mainly bound to lignin, while Reactive Brilliant Red X-3B mainly bound to cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in corn straw through covalent bonds, which increased the coloring rate.


The paper represents analysis and modelling of urban spaces through their topological properties in order to make them safer in terms of robberies, larceny and motor vehicle thefts, stolen properties, weapons and drugs. The research is performed on a macro-scale in the city of New Haven, Connecticut, USA. The topological properties of streets were calculated and analyzed by the application of space syntax method and DepthMap software, GIS and SPSS. The results are explained in the terms of people movement and presence on the main streets which are on the natural search paths of possible criminals, and which on the other hand have been assigned to a greater surveillance effect from movement.


This article summarizes some of the challenges encountered and accomplishments achieved by the 2nd Dental Battalion/Naval Dental Center, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while preparing U.S. Marines for deployment. Due to the intense operational tempo after recruit training, there is limited access to patients for required treatment prior to deployment. The utilization of Military Medical Support Office funding and other command initiatives introduced during Operation Iraqi Freedom are used to ensure that all Marine Expeditionary Units are deployed with high levels of Operational Dental Readiness.


Gesture based communication is relatively adopted in areas like medicine, sports, inventory etc. Human factors are involved in the algorithms to determine the nature of the gesture and the computer tool translating it should be an autodidactic tool. Traditional systems use touch screens of any touch points to communicate with the system either via a control panel or following a user journey. Gesture communication varies with the traditional in the sense that human communication is transferred to technical form of algorithms for a system to decipher them. There are few issues relating to the performance such gesture communication systems namely accuracy, transfer of human knowledge to computer and various other observations needs to be addressed. A case study in the form of a simple experiment relating to a basic two handed gesture and human interaction in a 3D database is analyzed in this paper.


This work evaluates and analyzes the combination of imitation learning (IL) and differentiable model predictive control (MPC) for the application of human-like autonomous driving. We combine MPC with a hierarchical learning-based policy, and measure its performance in open-loop and closed-loop with metrics related to safety, comfort and similarity to human driving characteristics. We also demonstrate the value of augmenting open-loop behavioral cloning with closed-loop training for a more robust learning, approximating the policy gradient through time with the state space model used by the MPC. We perform experimental evaluations on a lane keeping control system, learned from demonstrations collected on a fixed-base driving simulator, and show that our imitative policies approach the human driving style preferences.


Code inspections have been used on the 5ESS switch project since 1983. Beginning with a training program for all the developers involved in the project, code inspections have improved with each new 5ESS switch generic. Variations on a standard SQC (statistical quality control) technique, the control chart, have been used to track the metrics indicative of the effectiveness of code inspections. Parameters used in the computation of these metrics include the preparation effort, inspection time, number of inspectors, the size of the inspected unit of code, and the number of errors found at the inspection. It is noted that the exact form that these control charts have taken has evolved and improved with experience. >


The paper presents a high performance FMCW radar sensor operating at 77 GHz and its implementation in an experimental vehicle. The car is fully equipped for automatic intelligent cruise control (AICC) and collision warning/avoidance (CW/CA) operation. Beginning with the waveform design and the necessary hardware, the radar frontend as well as the applied signal processing are described in detail. In addition to these, typical questions which come up in conjunction with the use of radar sensors for intelligent cruise control systems are discussed. The concept of the radar system was developed by the radar team at the Institute for Communications Engineering of the Technical University of Braunschweig. A vast amount of experience was gathered in more than five years of research in the field of automotive radar and other sensors. Together with industrial partners, the sensors and fully operational AICC systems were built and thoroughly tested.


Time-series forecasting has a large number of applications. Users with a partial time series for auctions, new stock offerings, or industrial processes desire estimates of the future behavior. We present a data driven forecasting method and interface called similarity-based forecasting (SBF). A pattern matching search in an historical time series dataset produces a subset of curves similar to the partial time series. The forecast is displayed graphically as a river plot showing statistical information about the SBF subset. A forecasting preview interface allows users to interactively explore alternative pattern matching parameters and see multiple forecasts simultaneously. User testing with 8 users demonstrated advantages and led to improvements.


Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne virus maintained in sylvatic cycles between mammalian wildlife hosts and ticks (primarily Ixodes spp.). There are two currently recognized lineages, POWV-lineage 1 (POWV-L1) and deer tick virus (DTV; lineage 2), both of which can cause fatal neurologic disease in humans. Increased numbers of human case reports in the northeastern and north central United States in recent years have fueled questions into POWV epidemiology. We inoculated three candidate wildlife POWV reservoir hosts, groundhogs (Marmota monax), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), with either POWV-L1 or DTV. Resulting viremia, tissue tropism, and pathology were minimal in most inoculated individuals of all three species, with low (peak titer range, 101.7-103.3 plaque-forming units/mL serum) or undetectable viremia titers, lack of detection in tissues except for low titers in spleen, and seroconversion in most individuals by 21 days postinoculation (DPI). Pathology was limited and most commonly consisted of mild inflammation in the brain of POWV-L1- and DTV-inoculated skunks on four and 21 DPI, respectively. These results reveal variation in virulence and host competence among wild mammalian species, and a likely limited duration of host infectiousness to ticks during enzootic transmission cycles. However, POWV can transmit rapidly from tick to host, and tick co-feeding may be an additional transmission mechanism. The rare and low-level detections of viremia in these three, common, wild mammal species suggest that vector-host dynamics should continue to be explored, along with eco-epidemiological aspects of enzootic POWV transmission in different regions and virus lineages.


This paper explores the importance of supporting young people in exploring identities and belongings in the cultural heritage sector. When working with young people in British museums, creating open and safe spaces for discussing the entanglements of contemporary multicultural identities with the legacies of British colonialism is necessary and long overdue.  By employing the principles and practices of critical pedagogy, heritage organisations can interrogate the dominant narratives about identity and belonging in Britain, and work with young people to highlight shifting, fluid and multiple identities and belongings in contemporary Britain.
Drawing on my experiences as the Our Shared Cultural Heritage Project Coordinator at Manchester Museum, I argue the case for cultural and heritage institutions to create safe spaces for young people from diverse ethnic and class backgrounds to explore and celebrate the meanings and complexities of their lived experiences of Britishness. Museums can become crucial cultural sites where young people can lead a critical interrogation of the idea of nation, through an exploration of the discourses attached to British identities that play out at local, national and global levels.  Critical pedagogy is an emancipatory and transformative approach to democratising education, and we urgently need more of it in museums to radically transform heritage spaces.


The authors studied the submicroscopic structure of the human fetal periosteum. The mandible was in the 4 ..5th month of the fetal life formed of woven bone. The periosteum consisted of the cambial and fibrous layers. The cambial layer contained active osteoblasts, characterized by numerous endoplasmic reticulum profiles, flat cells with signs of osteolytic activity in their surroundings, and cells anchored to the bone matrix by their processes. From these cells the osteocytes developed. The submicroscopic structure of the young osteocytes was similar to that of osteoblasts. The fibrous layer contained numerous collagen fibres and fibroblasts, which were in the resting or active metabolic state. The results and literature are discussed in the paper.


In chick blastoderms at primitive streak stage, lengths of the primitive streak were cut out and replaced with their antero-posterior orientation reversed. In some experiments the region immediately in front of the primitive streak (presumptive prechordal head) was also included in the excisedpiece. Control operations involving excision and replacement without reversal were also performed. The embryos were subsequently grown in vitro by Waddington's technique. After reversal of a variety of different parts of the streak at various developmental stages, many cases of regulative development were obtained. In these, the original orientation of the blastoderm was maintained, and while there were abnormalities of various kinds in the embryos, they were no different from the abnormalities found in the controls. Very occasionally the regulated axis was partially doubled after a reversal, though not after a control operation. A few specimens which had undergone reversal of long pieces of the primitive streak and had completely healed showed a failure of regulation in that there was some tendency for the reversed-piece to develop according to its own orientation. But at best this reversed differentiation was very distorted and incomplete. Evidently the orientation of the primitive streak does not at any stage control the orientation of the embryo; and the primitive streak, when it is fully developed and contains most of the presumptive axial material, is highly labile in its powers of differentiation. In spite of its well-known 'organizer' activity, the primitive streak is subject to control by the surrounding blastoderm.


Two-dimensional helical wheel diagrams and calculations of mean hydrophobic moments show mastoparan, mastoparan X, and Polistes mastoparan to have all the properties expected for amphiphilic helices. Circular dichroic properties are consistent with a random form for these peptides in dilute aqueous solution, but greater than 50% helix is apparent when the peptides are dissolved in 70% trifluoroethanol/water mixtures (v/v) or when the peptides are bound to calmodulin. Changes in the fluorescence spectra, anisotropy, and accessibility of tryptophan whose indole side chain is on the apolar surface of the amphiphilic helix imply a significant role for the apolar surface in the binding of the mastoparans and another amphiphilic peptide, melittin, to calmodulin. These data provide a useful model for designing high-affinity synthetic peptide inhibitors of calmodulin.


Background and Objective: Demarquay-van der Woude (DVWS) and Popliteal Pterygium (PPS) syndromes are distinct autosomal dominant conditions generally presenting with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Both syndromes are genetically associated with mutations of the gene coding for Interferon Regulatory Factor 6 (IRF6) and grouped together as the IRF6-Related Disorder. In addition to a cleft, DVWS characteristically includes generally two labial pits on the lower lip. The pits may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, with saliva draining from them, or may also be abnormally flabby or conical-shaped mucosal elevations without distinct pitting. In PPS, the cleft patient commonly presents with an extensive single lower lip pit with salivary drainage, as well as popliteal webs/pterygia of the lower limb/limbs. Additional defects may include intraoral synechial web, syndactyly and genito-urinary malformations. Methods: One case (infant) with two family members presented with overlapping deformities associated with DVWS, as well as PPS. Sequencing of the IRF6- gene was performed on one of the members. Results: The surgical records of 4182 patients of a major cleft lip and palate clinic recorded 71 (1.70%) patients diagnosed with DVWS, 12 (0.29%) with PPS and one infant (0.02%) as an interlinked DVWS-PPS. In the family of the baby presented in this paper, all three affected individuals are females and each the third child in the family, who have lip pits typically associated with DVWS that are both bilateral and symmetrical. The grandmother and grandchild, but not the mother, has underdeveloped or minor unilateral popliteal webs. All three have syndactyly of their feet with hypoplastic toenails (involving one to three phalanges) and pyramidal-shaped (or redundant) skin above the hallux nail of the main phalanges. Conclusion: The infant and two family members are identified as interlinked DVWS-PPS.