More and more organizations are decentralizing authority and experimenting with new management approaches. Although, self-management as a management approach for teams and organizations has been applied over decades, research on the experiences of employees working with this approach is scarce. As many organizations and teams use individual approaches to self-management, the question of what experiences they have in common arises. The research objectives of this study were to identify the key topics for employees when switching to self-management and to identify the main benefits and challenges of the change to self-management for teams and organizations.
To meet the research objectives a qualitative multiple case study approach was chosen. The research was based on interviews with employees of two organizations in Germany that implemented self-management over one year ago. One implemented self-management in just one team and the other for the whole organization. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with five employees from each organization.
The results showed that the main topics for teams and organizations when switching to self-management are the change of the structures and processes, the change to self-organization and the processes of payment. Furthermore, the redistributed responsibilities lead to employee satisfaction as they have more options to bring in their skills according to their interests. However, the responsibility is also perceived as a burden because employees need to take final decisions themselves. They appreciate the personal development and the development of their team, but the ongoing process of change is time-consuming. Conflicts are uncovered and need to be solved during the process. Coming from hierarchical structures a higher desire for guidance was communicated.
The findings indicate that increasing the quantity of scientific results would be beneficial for gaining more understanding of the influences of self-management on employees. Moreover, the results can serve to raise practitioners' awareness of what topics are especially relevant when introducing self-management in teams or organizations.

Key words: self-management, sociocracy, Holacracy, organizational structures, teams, learning organizations, management models, decentralization authority, New Work


Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a diverse group of disorders having blister formation as their common feature. Tissue separation occurs at variable depths in the skin and/or mucosa depending on the specific EB type. Marked oral involvement of the soft and hard tissues can produce potentially devastating alterations, with oral tissue fragility and blistering common to all EB types. Oral debilitation resulting from soft tissue scarring is limited primarily to the recessive dystrophic EB subtypes. Individuals with generalized recessive dystrophic EB typically have microstomia, obliteration of the oral vestibule, and ankyloglossia. Generalized enamel hypoplasia appears to be limited to junctional EB, whereas rampant dental caries afflicts many individuals having either junctional or generalized recessive dystrophic EB. Although systemic treatment remains primarily palliative, it is possible to prevent destruction and subsequent loss of the dentition through appropriate interventions and dental therapy. The severely affected soft and/or hard tissues frequently seen in patients having generalized recessive dystrophic and junctional EB often require aggressive dental intervention to maintain optimal oral health. Even the most severely affected individuals with EB can retain their dentition through the use of modern dental restorative techniques delivered using general anesthesia.


The chloramphenicol resistance of some flavobacteria was investigated comparatively. This resistance can be explained either by acetylation of chloramphenicol to O-acetylchloramphenicol via constitutively formed acetyltransferases, followed by cometabolic degradation (strain CB 60), or by limited uptake and total degradation (strain CB 6) by inducible enzymes or by other mechanisms (F. devorans). The mechanisms of resistance, CM-acetylation, CM-degradation and limited uptake are discussed.


In Reply:—We thank Dr. Dupanovic for his comments regarding our article, giving us the opportunity to point out some important questions in this field of research. First, Dr. Dupanovic states that our results appear surprising, with an intubation success rate of about 50% for the conventional technique with a Macintosh blade and about 90% with the GlideScope (Verathon Medical Europe, Ijsselstein, Netherlands). However, when you compare our results with other studies looking at the success rate of intubation performed by medical personnel intubate only occasionally, or in novices of tracheal intubation, these results are very similar. Second, according to Mulcaster et al. manikin-only training is inadequate for learning tracheal intubation properly, and the step from manikin intubation to intubation of patients makes a major difference. We totally agree. That is exactly the point where difficulties for the inexperienced operators occurred. They had to deal with airways that differed from patient to patient, and they had to overcome their reluctance to use the necessary force to lift the laryngoscope against the resistance of the soft tissue. At this early step of training, the novices felt much more comfortable and had a higher success rate with the GlideScope technique. Third, Dr. Dupanovic points out that the operators failed to intubate because they failed to achieve a better view of the glottis. Dr. Dupanovic speculates that they might have benefitted from difficult airway training at the manikin before their first intubation attempts in patients. This might have been true. However, we kept our training close to the present training for paramedics, medical students, or novices in anesthesia. Currently, these training sessions start with normal, "easy" intubation in the manikin and patients and progress to difficult intubation after the students have learned easy intubations. In most training centers, manikins for simulated difficult airway training are not available yet. We share the view that training of simulated difficult intubation before intubation of patients might have changed our results, but that was not our study design. We think it is a good idea to integrate simulated difficult airway training in the upcoming years, even for beginners before intubation of patients. Fourth, the conventional laryngoscope with a Macintosh blade is still the most common approach for tracheal intubation. It is widely available, less expensive, and the maintenance is easier than that of the GlideScope. Therefore, in the near future the GlideScope and comparable devices cannot entirely replace the conventional technique, but can be looked upon as an important alternative technique for expected and unexpected difficult intubations. Finally, the most important question is whether the extensive use of alternative laryngoscopes lead to a deficit in training and skills with the conventional laryngoscope. Dr. Dupanovic states that in the beginning, training with the GlideScope might improve the training with the Macintosh blade because the trainees recognize what they are supposed to see, and the attending anesthesiologist can give more precise directions. However, after the first improvements they might not progress to a level that they might reach if they are solely focused on the conventional technique. Basically, this dilemma is comparable to the situation in obstetrics, where the skills for difficult intubations can hardly be taught because most cesarean deliveries are performed under regional anesthesia; therefore, the residents might not get enough exposure and experience. Overall, we think that for anesthesia residents tracheal intubation with conventional laryngoscopes should still be one of the major skills that have to be learned during residency. It is the obligation of the attending anesthesiologists to ensure that the residents receive enough exposure and expertise under controlled conditions. In contrast, for medical personnel who only perform occasional intubations, often in emergency situations, it is not the place and the time to train difficult airway management with the conventional laryngoscope but to switch to a monitor-assisted device like the GlideScope that has a higher success rate. A success rate of about 50% in rather inexperienced medical personnel is too low to withhold more effective devices, even when their overall training with the conventional laryngoscope might suffer. Therefore, in the setting of the emergency room or in the field in highly equipped ambulance cars, a device like the GlideScope should be available. Future research will show if significant improvements can be made. We thank Dr. Dupanovic for voicing his concerns and pointing out how much is still unclear in this field. We also thank the editor for presenting this important discussion.


The self-biasing effects of ion gel from source and drain electrodes on electrical characteristics of single layer and few layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) field-effect transistor (FET) have been studied. The self-biasing effect of ion gel is tested for two different configurations, covered and open, where ion gel is in contact with either one or both, source and drain electrodes, respectively. In open configuration, the linear output characteristics of the pristine device becomes nonlinear and on-off ratio drops by 3 orders of magnitude due to the increase in "off" current for both single and few layer MoS2 FETs. However, the covered configuration results in a highly asymmetric output characteristics with a rectification of around 103 and an ideality factor of 1.9. This diode like behavior has been attributed to the reduction of Schottky barrier width by the electric field of self-biased ion gel, which enables an efficient injection of electrons by tunneling at metal-MoS2 interface. Finally, finite element method based simulations are carried out and the simulated results matches well in principle with the experimental analysis. These self-biased diodes can perform a crucial role in the development of high-frequency optoelectronic and valleytronic devices.


This thesis explores the use of lossless data compression in the memory hierarchy of
contemporary computer systems. Data compression may realise performance benefits by
increasing the capacity of a level in the memory hierarchy and by improving the bandwidth
between two levels in the memory hierarchy. Lossless data compression is already widely
used in parts ofthe memory hierarchy. However, most of these applications are characterised
by targeting inexpensive and relatively low performance devices such as magnetic disk and
tape devices. The consequences of this are that the benefits of data compression are not
realised to their full potential.
This research aims to understand how the benefits of data compression can be realised for
levels of the memory hierarchy which have a greater impact on system performance and
system cost. This thesis presents a review of data compression in the memory hierarchy and
argues that main memory compression has the greatest potential to improve system
performance. The review also identifies three key issues relating to the use of data
compression in the memory hierarchy. Quantitative investigations are presented to address
these issues for main memory data compression.
The first investigation is into memory data, and shows that memory data from a range of
Unix applications typically compresses to half its original size. The second investigation
develops three memory compression architectures, taking into account the results of the
previous investigation. Furthermore, the management of compressed data is addressed and
management methods are developed which achieve storage efficiencies in excess of 90% and
typically complete allocation and de allocation operations with only a few memory accesses.
The experimental work then culminates in a performance investigation. This shows that when
memory resources are strecthed, hardware based memory compression can improve system
performance by up to an order of magnitude. Furthermore, software based memory
compression can improve system performance by up to a factor of 2.
Finally, the performance models and quantitative results contained in this thesis enable us
to identify under what conditions memory compression offers performance benefits. This may
help designers incorporate memory compression into future computer systems.


Rabbits softly swept to domestication When people domesticate animals, they select for tameness and tolerance of humans. What else do they look for? To identify the selective pressures that led to rabbit domestication, Carneiro et al. sequenced a domestic rabbit genome and compared it to that of its wild brethren (see the Perspective by Lohmueller). Domestication did not involve a single gene changing, but rather many gene alleles changing in frequency between tame and domestic rabbits, known as a soft selective sweep. Many of these alleles have changes that may affect brain development, supporting the idea that tameness involves changes at multiple loci. Science, this issue p. 1074; see also p. 1000 The domestication of rabbits primarily shifted the frequencies of alleles represented, rather than creating new genes. [Also see Perspective by Lohmueller] The genetic changes underlying the initial steps of animal domestication are still poorly understood. We generated a high-quality reference genome for the rabbit and compared it to resequencing data from populations of wild and domestic rabbits. We identified more than 100 selective sweeps specific to domestic rabbits but only a relatively small number of fixed (or nearly fixed) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for derived alleles. SNPs with marked allele frequency differences between wild and domestic rabbits were enriched for conserved noncoding sites. Enrichment analyses suggest that genes affecting brain and neuronal development have often been targeted during domestication. We propose that because of a truly complex genetic background, tame behavior in rabbits and other domestic animals evolved by shifts in allele frequencies at many loci, rather than by critical changes at only a few domestication loci.


Innovation and technological change are the main drivers of companies' productivity and growth. But public information on companies' efforts to innovate (namely, their investment in science and technology and the consequences of that investment) is generally scant and not timely. To alleviate this impediment to the valuation of companies' performance and prospects, we examined the ability of a new set of publicly available patent-related measures to reflect science- and technology-based companies' potential and growth. We tested the ability of the patent-related measures to predict stock returns and market-to-book ratios. Our empirical results indicate that patent measures reflecting the volume of companies' research activity, the impact of companies' research on subsequent innovations, and the closeness of research and development to science are reliably associated with the future performance of R&D-intensive companies in capital markets.


We consider the influence of the relative size of the gas reservoir on the states visited by a simple fluid adsorbed in a nanopore of ideal geometry (a slit). We focus on the intermediate states that appear in between the main hysteresis branches comprising gaslike and liquidlike states and we study the adsorption and desorption paths actually followed by the system as one changes the reservoir size. We find that these paths may display discontinuous sections associated with transitions between different nonuniform states. We also discuss the stability of the states in such situations.


Abstract By most accounts, Plagiomnium cuspidatum is a typical bisexual, diploid species with n  =  12 throughout its wide range. Beginning with Lowry's (1948) chromosome count of n  =  6 for a collection from northern Florida, however, there have been sporadic reports of haploid or unisexual plants of this species. Unfortunately, none of these cases has been examined closely enough for sexuality, ploidy level, and possible morphological or other differences to be firmly established. Our studies of natural populations from Florida and Georgia reveal that there is a previously undescribed species that differs from P. cuspidatum in sexual condition, ploidy level, morphology, and ecology. This unisexual species has a chromosome number of n  =  6, elliptic leaves with teeth that extend more than halfway down the margin, leaf cells mostly < 25 µm, and a preference for circumneutral soils associated with limestone. Its closest relatives in sect. Plagiomnium are P. cuspidatum and P. acutum, but Nei's (1978) unbiased genetic identities of 0.669 and 0.705, respectively, show that it is strongly differentiated from both (Wyatt & Odrzykoski 1998). Independent evidence of the distinctiveness of these populations from the southeastern United States comes from phylogenetic reconstructions based on sequencing of chloroplast (rps4, rpL16) and nuclear (ITS2) gene regions by Harris (2008).


This paper offers a precise, formal definition of an audio-to-score alignment. While the concept of an alignment is intuitively grasped, this precision affords us new insight into the evaluation of audio-to-score alignment algorithms. Motivated by these insights, we introduce new evaluation metrics for audio-to-score alignment. Using an alignment evaluation dataset derived from pairs of KernScores and MAESTRO performances, we study the behavior of our new metrics and the standard metrics on several classical alignment algorithms.


This paper presents a method for simultaneously detecting the position and timing error in bit patterned media (BPM). Conventionally the position error is determined only in the servo area while the timing error is determined in the data area. However, the regular spatial arrangement of bits in BPM allows position information and timing information to be extracted from the data. The new method exploits interference between adjacent tracks by employing a read head wider than the track pitch. The new method also provides the capability of reading data from two tracks at the same time.


The square wave inverter with adjustable filter is proposed for high speed motor power supply. The six-step square wave inverter can reduce the switching frequency which is beneficial to high frequency inverter due to the switching frequency limitation. The adjustable filter combines low-pass filter with band-blocking filters which have adjustable inductance. The band-blocking filters can adjust the band width following the output current frequency of the inverter. The simulation results show that the proposed adjustable filter can reduce the harmonic components of output inverter current effectively.


While the NHS is likely to face severe funding pressures in the next 50 years and absorb a growing proportion of public spending, the financial position looking forward is not hopeless, a meeting at the King's Fund in London on 18 July was told.

John Appleby, chief economist at the fund, said that it was possible that by 2059 health spending would represent 16% of GDP, double the present 8%. "It doesn't seem to me that will break the bank," he said. The precise outcome was sensitive to many assumptions and would depend on political decisions and choices, but the US already spends more than 16% of its GDP on health.

The discussion was framed around the Office for Budget Responsibility's Fiscal Sustainability Report.1 The office's central estimate was that by 2060-1 NHS spending would …


The optical conductivity spectra of Fe1-xAlx alloys with x = 0.50, 0.45 and 0.40 were measured by spectroscopic ellipsometry over the energy range of 1.5 to 5.4 eV. The optical properties change appreciably as the atomic concentration changes. The electronic structures, magnetic moments and the optical conductivity spectra for FeAl, Fe9Al7 and Fe5Al3 alloys were calculated using the linear-muffin-tin-orbital method within the local spin-density approximation. The spin-orbit interactions were included and the defect-specific supercell method was employed for Fe5Al3 and Fe9Al7 alloys. Although the calculated ground state for the perfectly ordered equiatomic FeAl alloy was ferromagnetic, the total-energy difference between the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states is only 0.43 mRyd. The calculated magnetic moment is similar to the previous calculated value for Fe5Al3, while it differs significantly for Fe9Al7. The so-called -fitting, which simulates the effects of the real part of the self-energy in the optical conductivity spectra calculations, markedly improves the agreement between the experiment and theory.


t-Entropy is a principal object of the spectral theory of operators, generated by dynamical systems, namely, weighted shift operators and transfer operators. In essence t-entropy is the Fenchel – Legendre transform of the spectral potential of an operator in question and derivation of explicit formulae for its calculation is a rather nontrivial problem. In the article explicit formulae for t-entropy for two the most exploited in applications classes of transfer operators are obtained. Namely, we consider transfer operators generated by reversible mappings (i. e. weighted shift operators) and transfer operators generated by local homeomorphisms (i. e. Perron – Frobenius operators). In the first case t-entropy is computed by means of integrals with respect to invariant measures, while in the second case it is computed in terms of integrals with respect to invariant measures and Kolmogorov – Sinai entropy.


Background: Super selective transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has emerged as a bridging therapy for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients awaiting liver transplantation. This study aimed at assessing the expression profiles of circulating MiR-210 and MiR-373 as potential predictors of response to TACE bridging therapy in a group of Egyptian HCC cases on top of chronic hepatitis-C infection, awaiting liver transplantation. Methods: Fifty-three HCC cases awaiting liver transplantation referred for TACE, were followed up for three months, resulting in forty-five responders and eight non-responders based on modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST). Circulating pre TACE MiR-210 and MiR-373 expressions were determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Circulating pre TACE MiR-373, but not MiR-210, was significantly higher in non-responders than responders. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis of MiR-373, pre-TACE tumor volume, inflammatory score, and albumin bilirubin (ALBI) grade revealed highest sensitivity for pre-TACE tumor volume (cutoff>11.49 cm3) and highest specificity for pre-TACE MiR-373 (cutoff>1.46-fold change). Multivariate logistic regression revealed pre TACE MiR-373 as a significant independent predictor of TACE response after adjusting for pre TACE tumor volume. Conclusion: Circulating pre-TACE MiR-373 could assist as a noninvasive predictor marker of response to TACE bridging therapy in early HCC patients awaiting liver transplantation.


We describe a generic algorithm for computing discrete logarithms in groups of known order in which a smoothness concept is available. The running time of the algorithm can be proved without using any heuristics and leads to a subexponential complexity in particular for finite fields and class groups of number and function fields which were proposed for use in cryptography. In class groups, our algorithm is substantially faster than previously suggested ones. The subexponential complexity is obtained for cyclic groups in which a certain smoothness assumption is satisfied. We also show how to modify the algorithm for cyclic subgroups of arbitrary groups when the smoothness assumption can only be verified for the full group.


The Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm enables the development of new kind of services and mass market applications in multiple domains such as mobile marketing, social networks, smart cities, health care, and business processes. These applications consume high-level context data computed by processing and filtering numerous raw context data collected from the physical environment. Those applications are based upon cooperating services, which have to be designed and dynamically composed. For instance, those services manage heterogeneous context data, distribute both processing and flows of data, manage the quality of context for appropriate decision-making, enhance privacy of personal context data, and identify situations from data coming both from the IoT and from knowledge bases. Providing context-aware applications in the IoT necessitates the interaction of numerous heterogeneous services deployed in a multiscale complex distributed architecture. Research on IoT has first focused on the IoT foundations (smart objects, network of sensors). Based on those foundations, new services and applications are from now on possible. However the scalability challenges brought by the IoT in terms of network size, number of events, volatility, dynamicity and heterogeneity require new middleware solutions before context-aware applications can fully benefit from the IoT potential. With the Internet of Things (IoT), the middleware community is currently working on new paradigms and abstractions to face multi-scale Internet distribution


An orally bioavailable inhibitor of the serine/threonine kinase, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor type 1 (TGFBR1), also known as activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon oral administration, vactosertib inhibits the activity of TGFBR1 and prevents TGF-beta/TGFBR1-mediated signaling. This suppresses tumor growth in TGFBR1-overexpressing tumor cells. TGFBR1, which is overexpressed in a variety of tumor cell types, plays a key role in tumor cell proliferation. Expression of TGF-beta promotes tumor cell proliferation, enhances the migration of tumor cells and suppresses the response of the host immune system to tumor cells.


The article describes the designer of electronic lessons in the platform "Electronic Game School", created by a creative group of teachers of the Sterlitamak branch of Bashkir State University.


We consider the problem of robustness, in particular that of robust stability. Such a problem is amenable to analysis by frequency domain techniques, and also using state space methods. Using some recent state space theory yielding the exact radius of the ball around a nominally stable system within which all additive perturbations retain stability, we show how control action may be implemented to increase the radius of this ball. We present further some material on how destabilizing perturbations may be constructed from solutions of Riccati equations, and how the above mentioned radii may be found with respect to an alternative norm to the one used above. Finally we give some remarks on the use of Lyapunov functions for systems.


Most histories have analyzed China's 1983 Campaign to Eliminate Spiritual Pollution through the lens of elite politics. This article proposes a new interpretation of "spiritual pollution," drawing upon anthropological theories of taboo and pollution to reinterpret the campaign's role in reform-era culture and identity construction. The early reform era was a time of collapsing social borders that erased the obsessively delineated identities of the previous decades. Within this context, I reinterpret the struggle against spiritual pollution as an attempt to employ taboos to reinstate schematic boundaries in a world suddenly in flux. This process of post-Maoist boundary building particularly focused upon the distinction between "East" and "West," as well as the distinction between the economic and political realms. The results of the campaign can still be seen today: the construction of a pure official identity based in overcoming Mao-era economic taboos alongside the perpetuation of political and cultural taboos.


The empirical literature that pertains to phobias of blood, injury, or illness (BII) is surveyed. BII phobia is selectively associated with a vasovagal fainting response upon exposure to phobic stimuli, and the clinical entity may represent an exaggeration of a response that is relatively prevalent in the general population. Clinical, demographic and etiological information obtained from a series of 15 BII phobics is presented, and the suggestion is made that this disorder warrants a diagnostic category separate from simple phobia.


The effect of styrene on unsaturated phosphate ester polymers was investigated. Copolymerization was carried out by adding different proportions of styrene when the unsaturated phosphate was polymerized to obtain an unsaturated phosphate-styrene copolymer. The structure and crosslink density of the copolymer was determined by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and gel fraction (G) testing. The heat resistance and flame retardancy of the polymer were tested by thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis, limiting oxygen index (LOI) and micro-combustion calorimeter (MCC). The infrared test proved that the styrene was successfully introduced into the polymer system. The gelation test results showed that the introduction of the rigid benzene ring increased the crosslink density of the copolymer. The tensile strength increased from 17.84 MPa to 34.63 MPa, and the impact strength remained stable within a certain range. At the same time, the solid ultraviolet absorption test results showed that the light transmittance of the materials was higher than 90%. The TG and DTG spectra showed that the heat resistance of the polymer was improved, but the residual carbon ratio was reduced from 30.47% to 25.54%. The LOI value decreased from 29.0% to 26.1%, and the UL-94 vertical burn rating was all V-0.


The structure of the anterior pituitary gland of rats with protein-calorie malnutrition was studied at the light and electron microscopic levels. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a low-protein diet from 20 to 50 days of age. The hypophyses from these animals, along with those from age-matched controls, were then removed and fixed for light microscopic immunocytochemical analyses, using anti-rat PRL or anti-ovine LH beta serum, or for routine ultrastructural study. The overall number of mammotrophs and gonadotrophs appeared to be unaffected by the deficiency in dietary protein. However, the nuclei, in both cell types, were significantly smaller in the malnourished rats. Cytoplasmic volume was also apparently less than in control rats, leading to the "crowding" of adjacent cell types. Additionally, in the malnourished rats, the mammotrophs assumed a less polygonal profile, while the gonadotrophs, which were more irregularly shaped in the central zone, rarely displayed the negative image of a Golgi complex. Ultrastructurally, the mammotrophs in the experimental rats had a less extensively developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. The number of secretary granules was not different; however, their size was markedly less and their shape was round to ovoid, rather than pleomorphic. Two types of gonadotrophs were distinguished, based on the classification of Kurosumi et al. ('76). The type-I cell (former "FSH" cell) had a smaller Golgi complex, less vesicular endoplasmic reticulum and smaller secretory granules. The major alteration in the type-II gonadotroph (former "LH" cell) was the smaller size of the secretory granules. The morphological changes found in this study support our previous physiological observations (Herbert, '80), which demonstrate that prolactin and gonadotrophin secretion are severely impaired in rats suffering from protein-calorie malnutrition.


The majority of body lice colonies examined in Moscow were permethrin resistant and susceptible to organophosphorus (fenthion, malathion) and neonicotinoid insecticides. Metabolic resistance of body lice to permethrin was investigated using synergists piperonyl butoxide (PBO), S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithioate (DEF) and diethylmaleate (DEM). Synergism with enzyme inhibitors in permethrin-resistant body lice demonstrated that in some cases enhanced metabolism was involved in pyrethroid resistance. Resistance to permethrin was partially suppressed by` PBO, DEM and DEF, which suggests possible involvement of monooxygenases, esterases and glutathion-S-transferases in the resistance mechanism. Since the use of synergists did not lead to full suppression of resistance, it appears that lice also posses knockdown resistance (kdr). Body lice were studied by real-time PCR to detect kdr mutations (T917I and L920F) in the para-orthologous voltage-sensitive sodium channel gene, which are associated with permethrin resistance. The frequency of occurrence of the pyrethroids resistance gene was measured in 153 lice. Of these, 101 (66.0%) turned out to be homozygous resistant, 18 (11.8%) homozygous susceptible, and 34 (22.2%) heterozygous.


Not all patients with renal artery stenosis will benefit from angioplasty or surgery. For this reason it is not sufficient to diagnose the presence of renal artery stenosis, but one also has to evaluate its functional significance. Ultrasonographic detection of renal artery stenosis can be made with a sensitivity and specificity exceeding 90% by an experienced investigator. A combination of Doppler parameters making use of both direct and indirect signs of stenosis should be used. In our hands, a renal-renal ratio greater than 4 and--if this parameter was not measurable--an acceleration time longer than 70 msec was the best combination. The reversibility of hypertension or impaired renal function (i.e. the presence of renovascular hypertension or azotemia) after successful correction of renal artery stenosis can be assessed by measuring segmental artery resistance indices. A resistance index value greater than 0.80 makes a treatment effect highly unlikely, and these patients should not undergo angioplasty or surgery of their stenosis.


A subalgebra B of a Lie algebra L is called a c-ideal of L if there is an ideal C of L such that L = B + C and B ∩ C ≤ B L , where B L is the largest ideal of L contained in B. This is analogous to the concept of c-normal subgroup, which has been studied by a number of authors. We obtain some properties of c-ideals and use them to give some characterisations of solvable and supersolvable Lie algebras. We also classify those Lie algebras in which every one-dimensional subalgebra is a c-ideal.


Tacinga inamoena (K. Schum.) [N. P. Taylor & Stuppy] is a native Cactaceae from the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil whose fruit is eaten by the local population. It seems that there is a significant amount of functional compounds such as polyphenols and betalains in this fruit as reported for other well-known cacti. Although there are not enough studies that have been conducted, it has attracted interest regarding nutritional and functional viewpoints. In this sense, changes in bioactive compounds during maturation need to be evaluated as this fruit faces very unstable conditions during its development, which can lead to drastic changes of the constituents in the pulp and peel. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity during the maturation of Tacinga inamoena fruit from fruit bearing plants grown under Brazilian semiarid conditions. The contents of total chlorophyll declined parallel to an increase of the total carotenoids, yellow flavonoids, and betalains. However, a sharp difference between the content of these pigments in the peel and pulp was observed which characterized the main changes during fruit maturation. This fruit presented considerable carotenoid content, reaching 348 μg/100 g in the peel and 29 μg/100 g in the pulp when fully ripe. Total antioxidant activity (TAA) was higher in the pulp of more mature fruit. TAA was correlated with the bioactive compounds, with the exception of betacyanins, which were betalains present in smaller amounts in this fruit.

 Key words: Cactaceae, quipa, carotenoids, polyphenols, betalains, antioxidant activity.


Many studies have been conducted in the past few years that focus on interaction and embodiment in the field of virtual reality. However, despite the recent widespread use and continuing rise of controller-based head-mounted display (HMD) hardware for VR, there is little research on the use of handheld controllers in this context. We explore the effects of different virtual hand representations on interaction and the user's sense of embodiment, extending the work of Argelaguet et al. in 2016, in this case using controllers. We designed an experiment where users perform the task of selecting and moving a cube from and to specific positions on a table inside an immersive virtual environment, interacting with three representations: the abstract shape of a Sphere, the 3D model of the Controller, and a realistic human-looking Hand. For each representation, users were asked to perform the same task with and without obstacles (Brick Wall, Barbed Wire, Electric Current). Statistical analysis of the results show that although no significant differences were identified in the sense of agency, the users' performance with the Sphere was significantly worse compared to the other two, and in the case of the positioning task the Controller outperformed the others. Additionally, the Hand generated the strongest sense of ownership, and it was the favorite representation.


Analytics is a well-known form of capturing information about the user behavior of an application. Augmented reality applications deal with specific data such as the camera pose, not being supported by popular analytics frameworks. To fill such gap, this work proposes an analytics framework solution for augmented reality applications. It supports both markerbased and markerless augmented reality scenarios, collecting data related to camera pose and time spent by the user on each position. Besides the multiplatform capture tool, the framework provides a data analysis visualization tool capable of highlighting the most visited 3D positions, users main areas of interest over the marker plane, the 3D path performed by the camera and also a recovery of the content viewed by the user based on the collected camera pose information. Tests were performed using as case study a promotional campaign scenario and user behavior information was extracted using the proposed visualization tools.


The Childhood and Youth as well as School Children Research as a heterogeneous field have their origin and common endeavour in the hypothesis that children acquire their world co-interpreting it and participating actively in its constituting. In consequence, research on childhood and youth is concentrating on the perspectives of children and adolescents. Accordingly School Children Research looks at the reality as it appears to pupils.Regarding the (scientific) reflection on lectures in school, it is of central interest how competences can be developed, fostered, maintained, exercised, instructed, approved etc. In the new national and regional curricula the core and specialized competences the pupils have gained informally in their everyday life, are considered as the starting point of educational processes in school. The further development of these competences forms the preliminary objectives in school. In order to conceptualize and explore the practical challenges connected with these objectives empirically the essential, general and complex question occurs how experience is built up in children and how they gain operational knowledge that is relevant in their life-worlds - actually and of course prospectively.


This paper proposes a theoretical analysis of final-offer arbitration in which disputants may be represented by lawyers who can be paid by flat, contingent, or conditional fees. We derive the equilibrium lawyers' efforts to defend their clients and the equilibrium parties' proposals made to the arbitrator, and evaluate each payment mechanism's performance according to its ability to enhance effort and to promote convergence between the disputants' claims. Following these criteria, the contingent payment structure is shown to be the best regime, since it improves the client-lawyer relationship by enhancing the lawyer's incentives to provide effort, without altering the gap between the parties' positions in arbitration.


Scene perception involves extracting the identities of the objects comprising a scene in conjunction with their configuration (the spatial layout of the objects in the scene). How object identity and configuration information is weighted during scene processing and how this weighting evolves over the course of scene processing however, is not fully understood. Recent developments in convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have demonstrated their aptitude at scene processing tasks and identified correlations between processing in CNNs and in the human brain. Here we examined four CNN architectures (Alexnet, Resnet18, Resnet50, Densenet161) and their sensitivity to changes in object and configuration information over the course of scene processing. Despite differences among the four CNN architectures, across all CNNs, we observed a common pattern in the CNN's response to object identity and configuration changes. Each CNN demonstrated greater sensitivity to configuration changes in early stages of processing and stronger sensitivity to object identity changes in later stages. This pattern persists regardless of the spatial structure present in the image background, the accuracy of the CNN in classifying the scene, and even the task used to train the CNN. Importantly, CNNs' sensitivity to a configuration change is not the same as their sensitivity to any type of position change, such as that induced by a uniform translation of the objects without a configuration change. These results provide one of the first documentations of how object identity and configuration information are weighted in CNNs during scene processing.


AIM
To assess the effect of maternal diet during pregnancy on the risk of delivering a large for gestational baby (macrosome).

METHODS
A food intake survey of 350 healthy pregnant Tunisian women, 52 in group macrosomia and 298 in group control. Only term (> or =37 completed Weeks of gestation) infants were included. All women in the study group completed food frequency questionnaires on their diet in the last 24 hours before delivery.

RESULTS
Frequency of foetal macrosomia was 15.8% (n=52). Pregravid maternal BMI >30 (OR = 3.06 [1.51-6.17]), prolonged term of pregnancy (> 41 weeks of gestation) (OR = 249 [1.04-5.88]) and the antecedent of a macrosomic delivery (OR = 6.53 [2.89-14.74]) were significantly associated with the risk of fetal macrosomia. The mean daily total energetic intakes, protein intakes and carbohydrate intakes were significantly higher in the macrosomia group than in the control group. However, with multivariate analysis after adjustment for term and Pregravid BMI, no significant correlation was found between nutrient intakes and risk of fetal macrosomia.

CONCLUSION
Maternal food intakes in the end of pregnancy are not a significant determinant of fetal macrosomia compared to maternal BMI, and term of pregnancy.


The Industry 4.0 vision entails collaborations between technology specialists and industrial experts who are adept at integrating their specialized knowledge and disciplinary expertise. Preparing graduates for their future involvement in such interdisciplinary collaborations requires educators to design and implement interdisciplinary teaching in higher education. In order to foster students' engagement in interdisciplinary learning, a meaningful understanding of how interdisciplinary learning actually occurs in interdisciplinary workplace is essential. This chapter provides a useful description of, and explanation for, interdisciplinary learning that are based on a multi-case study of three completed interdisciplinary projects.


Sustainable development is the goal of a balance between economy and the environment, whilst establishing a better spread prosperity across the world. In order to make this possible, the environmental load of our commodities needs to be reduced by a factor of 20. This factor 20 can also be translated to the office market. The PhD research presented in this thesis focussed on finding solutions effectively contributing to factor 20 environmental improvement of office accommodation. In order to determine the current environmental performance and to find the main aspects and building components causing environmental damage, twelve offices designed without a special focus on sustainability were environmentally assessed. This case study reveals that recently constructed offices are hardly more sustainable than in the reference year 1990 and that, on the basis of a lifespan of 75 years, almost 80% of the environmental load of office buildings is related to energy consumption. Heating (and cooling), lighting and use of equipment (mainly computers) together constitute approximately 90% of energy consumption. The supporting structure of a building causes almost 60% of the environmental load of building materials. Consumption of water proves unimportant to the environmental performance. The age and expected service life of a building had not yet been accounted for in environmental performance. This thesis presents a methodology for the account of these factors of time, facilitating decisions about, for example, renovation and re-use of an existing building versus demolition and construction of a new building. On the basis of this methodology it can be established that with an eventual service life of the building of around 20 years - a realistic value for modern offices - the use of building materials becomes equally important as energy consumption. Studies indicate that there are two main service life strategies that effectively improve the environmental performance of offices: design of long-lasting monumental buildings with an over-sized structure, or buildings with a demountable or short-cyclic supporting structure. The lifespan of components other than the supporting structure play no significant role in environmental performance. Theoretically, the use of sustainable energy resources can lead to more than a factor 20 environmental improvement of energy consumption. Many technologies and solutions are known and available. The supporting structure of a building can be improved by choosing optimal structural spans and combinations of building materials for the structural components. A maximum difference of a factor 4.5 can be found between favourable and unfavourable, yet common, solutions for supporting structures. Best solution found is a floor of TT slabs spanning the entire building depth, supported by timber beams and columns. For offices this is a flexible solution as well. Further enhancements will be possible through the use of new building materials. As a result of different effects, the basic shape of a building does not substantially influence its environmental performance. When comparing different building heights, however, an optimal number of stories can be found for each net floor area required for an office organisation. In the case of large buildings, the maximum difference between favourable and unfavourable solutions is around a factor of 1.6. The use of space inside offices defines the size and geometry of the building. Layout principles other than the cellular office enable substantial environmental improvement of the use of building materials. As case studies of European redevelopments around nodes of public transport reveal, on the urban scale, intensive and multiple use of space can lead to significant environmental improvement related to travel and the green area preserved outside the city. In regards to average mono-functional urban plans, stacking and mixing of functions offer the better opportunities for sustainability. Comparison of telework concepts with traditional concepts for office work demonstrate that limited improvement can be achieved in terms of employee travel and the use of space, building materials and energy. The best achievements are possible through complex forms of telework based on distributed working. In this case, office workers basically work where they are for business: with the client, in a business centre, at home, or anywhere in-between. In the near future, the best opportunities for sustainable office accommodation will be a new sustainable organisation of office work. This should be based on the concentration of general, shared office functions at nodes of public and private transport, together with home and district offices as basic workplaces for office employees, and virtual offices anywhere. In this concept, the traditional central office is transformed into a clubhouse office, where only the basic functions for management, administration and support of the office are accommodated, and where employees meet for their corporate identity and exchange of experience. This much smaller central office can be located in the heart of cities or at the already mentioned business nodes. The new organisation of office work leads to environmental improvement by a factor of 2, not yet taking into account potential additional improvements of the space, time and technology factor. Beside the environmental benefits, this new office work concept leads to revaluation and animation of urban areas, and offers more freedom with regard to the combination of business and private activities. A final assessment was done of the overall improvement potential through a combination of measures, starting with the organisation of office work, followed by solutions for an efficient use of space, optimal building designs and technologies, and finally based on sustainable strategies for the time factor. This assessment indicates that, on the basis of an optimal combination of measures, environmental improvement by a factor of 50 is possible. A less optimal combination still makes factor 10 possible. Therefore, the factor 20 seems feasible for office accommodation. Decisive to this end-result is an integral strategy, in particular involving the use of sustainable energy resources, a wiser approach to aspects of the lifespan, and a new organisation of office work. And people of course will have to do it.


This paper will examine the benefit of linking the two relatively new concepts of 'Emotional Intelligence' and 'Peace Journalism'. The aim is to explore how media people, media interest groups and the general public, together, can influence the current media culture through an increased awareness about the impact of media productions, reporting styles, journalistic conventions, and the risks affecting journalists today, including that of becoming traumatized through emotionally challenging media work. The objectives further include raising public awareness about the impact of media productions on populations in different contexts and the need for active public participation in the debate about the desirability of certain media productions in society. Views from the fields of psychology, trauma therapy, journalism, and peace and conflict studies will be presented and examined to ascertain how findings and experiences from these areas can be beneficially combined to work towards achieving these objectives in the media context.


Glycosylation of proteins is one of the most prevalent post-translational modifications occurring in nature, with a wide repertoire of biological implications. Pathways for the main types of this modification, the N- and O-glycosylation, can be found in all three domains of life-the Eukarya, Bacteria and Archaea-thereby following common principles, which are valid also for lipopolysaccharides, lipooligosaccharides and glycopolymers. Thus, studies on any glycoconjugate can unravel novel facets of the still incompletely understood fundamentals of protein N- and O-glycosylation. While it is estimated that more than two-thirds of all eukaryotic proteins would be glycosylated, no such estimate is available for prokaryotic glycoproteins, whose understanding is lagging behind, mainly due to the enormous variability of their glycan structures and variations in the underlying glycosylation processes. Combining glycan structural information with bioinformatic, genetic, biochemical and enzymatic data has opened up an avenue for in-depth analyses of glycosylation processes as a basis for glycoengineering endeavours. Here, the common themes of glycosylation are conceptualised for the major classes of prokaryotic (i.e. bacterial and archaeal) glycoconjugates, with a special focus on glycosylated cell-surface proteins. We describe the current knowledge of biosynthesis and importance of these glycoconjugates in selected pathogenic and beneficial microbes.


Protein engineering has been the most attractive strategy for biologists to redesign enzymes. As the simplest technique of protein engineering, directed evolution has been applied to many fields, such as industry, agriculture and medicine. An experiment of directed evolution comprises mutant libraries creation and screening or selection for enzyme variants with desired properties. Therefore, a successful application of directed evolution depends on whether or not one can generate a quality library and perform effective screening to find the desired properties. Directed evolution is already increasingly used in many laboratories to improve protein stability and activity, alter enzyme substrate specificity, or design new activities. Meanwhile, many more effective novel strategies of mutant library generation and screening or selection have emerged in recent years, and will continue to be developed. Combining computational/rational design with directed evolution has been developed as more available means to redesign enzymes. Keywords: Protein engineering, directed evolution, sequence diversity creation, novel strategy, computational design, rational design


DNases are DNA hydrolyzing enzymes. The well-characterized bovine pancreatic DNase I, the first DNase discovered, is a model DNase for studying the structure-function relationships of the DNase I type enzymes. The Epstein-Barr virus produces a DNase with an unknown biologic function other than degrading DNA, and this viral DNase has been used as an Epstein-Barr viral marker. Human DNase I exhibits polymorphism that can be used for forensic identification and for correlation with certain diseases. Variations in serum DNase activities have been implicated as the result of disease states and measurements of DNase activities are often used for diagnosis and prognosis. Recombinant human DNase I has been administered in cystic fibrosis patients to improve mucociliary clearance and pulmonary function. Thus, although the primary function of DNase is to degrade DNA, there are many reports of its clinical applications.


Abstract:  Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis) are comprised of red-dewlapped (RD) forms that are found throughout the southeastern USA and a gray-dewlapped (GD) form that is restricted to southwest Florida. Prior research has shown that RD A. carolinensis produce headbob displays of three distinct types that differ primarily in their temporal patterns. Based on known morphological, physiological, and genetic differences between GD and RD populations, we hypothesized that these populations also would differ in headbob display structure. To test this hypothesis we quantified 440 displays from 39 males (24 GD and 15 RD) and assigned displays to type using numerical decision criteria. Although comparison of the same display types between GD and RD males revealed differences in the durations of several homologous display units (i.e., bobs or interbob pauses), only one unit differed following statistical correction for multiple comparisons. By taking into account all display variation in both populations simultaneously, however, discriminant function analysis correctly assigned display units with high accuracy to population and display type. Nevertheless, differences in unit durations often were greater between two RD populations occurring within Florida than they were between our GD and RD study populations. Thus, despite our demonstration of differences in the display temporal structure between GD and RD forms of A. carolinensis, these differences appear to be no greater in magnitude than those observed between RD populations.


In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Egypt, laid out in its Programme of Action an impressive and ambitious set of goals for improving sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) all over the world, by the target date of 2015 (International Conference on Population and Development 1994). One of these goals was the provision of universal access to a full range of safe and reliable family-planning methods. However, notwithstanding increases in budgets for family planning during the years following the ICPD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), there has been an alarming neglect from the international community for the topic since the year 2000. As a result, the progress made during the second half of the nineties slowed down considerably between 2000 and 2010; in a sense, one could say that ten years were almost wasted! This is astonishing, the more since meeting the need for family planning would have beneficial impacts on public health, environmental sustainability and social and economic development. In this paper, we explore these impacts and urge for a strong renewed commitment of the global community in the form of a global family planning decade.


Vietnam's voluntary social insurance (VSI) policy has been in force since 2008 and by 2018 included 270,000 participants (accounting for 0.79% of
the labor force). Hanoi City is the capital of Vietnam, with 21,156 participants (0.56%). The proportion of people participating in VSI is still very low. Workers who have at least 20 years of participation will receive a monthly pension and their beneficiaries will receive a death benefit in case of their demise. The opinions of workers about VSI policies are presented in the report through interviews with 170 voluntary social insurance participants and 168 non-participants in Tay Ho District, Hanoi City. The research results in new findings using comparison between participants and non-participants. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 people, including social insurance officials in Tay Ho District, ward officials, and workers, to clarify why the number of VSI participants is low. Based on the research and evaluation of workers concerning VSI policies and regulations, we identify the main causes of this situation, as well as the policy- and communication-related shortcomings, and suggest solutions for improving the social insurance participation rate of individuals in Hanoi City in particular, and Vietnam in general.


This article is a review of electroencephalography (EEG) studies of different types and subtypes of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). The review outlines the definitional history of AD/HD, and changes that have been made to the conceptualization of the disorder as these different definitions have impacted on the EEG literature. EEG studies are examined using various models of AD/HD based on either behaviour or underlying central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities. From these studies, it appears that AD/HD children generally have increased absolute and relative power in the theta band, either at the frontal electrode sites or over the entire scalp. Reductions in absolute and relative power in the alpha and beta bands have also been found in several studies, although relative power measures appear to be more reliable than absolute power. Increased delta activity in both absolute and relative power has also been noted in several studies. These results are discussed in terms of existing CNS-based models of AD/HD, which attribute the disorder to hypoarousal or a maturational lag in CNS development. Implications of these data for clinical use and future research and development in AD/HD are considered.


The crystal structure of N-[(1-{2-oxo-2-[2-(pyrazin-2-ylcarbonyl)hydrazin-1-yl]ethyl}cyclohexyl)methyl]pyrazine-2-carboxamide monohydrate (Pyr-Gpn-NN-NH-Pyr·H2O), C19H23N7O3·H2O, reveals an unusual trans-gauche (tg(-)) conformation for the gabapentin (Gpn) residue around the C(γ)-C(β) (θ1) and C(β)-C(α) (θ2) bonds. The molecular conformation is stabilized by intramolecular N-H...N hydrogen bonds and weak C-H...O interactions. The packing of the molecules in the crystal lattice shows a network of strong N-H...O and O-H...O hydrogen bonds together with weak C-H...O and π-π inteactions.


Organic anions of particular importance to biochemistry such as Krebs cycle intermediates, glycolysis intermediates, simple fatty acids, adenine nucleotides and CoA derivatives can be quantitatively extracted from a buffered solution by high-molecular-weight ammonium salts in an organic solvent. Phosphate salts of tertiary amines in chloroform were the most efficient extractants. The isolation procedure was found to be an example of amine neutralization. The effect of pH, different inorganic anions, volume ratios between the two phases, concentration of the isolated anions and concentration of the ammonium salts have been investigated. The extraction technique has been applied to rapid and sensitive radiochemical methods for the determination of acetylcholinesterase and 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase activities.


Digitalis has been used to treat congestive heart failure for more than 200 years, although the dual effects (proliferation and death) induced by digitalis on cell growth have been known for many years, the mechanisms by which digitalis causes the actions were not completely known. The aim of this work was to characterize the proliferative effect of ouabain on cell growth in endothelial cells, and, to do the differential proteomic analysis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in response to ouabain and examine changes in protein expression. HUVEC were exposed to different concentrations (0.1-100 nM) of ouabain at 12-48 h intervals. Cell growth and morphological changes of HUVEC treated with ouabain were compared with cells under nontreated conditions. Ouabain stimulated HUVEC cell proliferation at low concentrations and induced cell death at higher concentrations. Using proteomics study, we identified 32 proteins of HUVEC with various important cellular functions and revealed 8 proteins such as Annexin A1, Annexin A2, Malate dehydrogenase, Myosin regulatory light chain 2 (MRLC2), Profilin-1, S100 calcium-binding protein A13, Triosephosphate isomerase and Translationally controlled tumor protein, regulated by low-dose ouabain treatment and MRLC2 was subsequently confirmed by Western blot. Our results give new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the proliferation action of low-dose ouabain on HUVEC and provide new avenues for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.


The increasing uptake of electric vehicles suggests that vehicle charging will have a significant impact on the electricity grid. Finding ways to shift this charging to off-peak periods has been recognized as a key challenge for integration of electric vehicles into the electricity grid on a large scale. In this paper, electric vehicle charging is formulated as a receding horizon optimization problem that takes into account the present and anticipated constraints of the distribution network over a finite charging horizon. The constraint set includes transformer and line limitations, phase unbalance, and voltage stability within the network. By using a linear approximation of voltage drop within the network, the problem solution may be computed repeatedly in near real time, and thereby take into account the dynamic nature of changing demand and vehicle arrival and departure. It is shown that this linear approximation of the network constraints is quick to compute, while still ensuring that network constraints are respected. The approach is demonstrated on a validated model of a real network via simulations that use real vehicle travel profiles and real demand data. Using the optimal charging method, high percentages of vehicle uptake can be sustained in existing networks without requiring any further network upgrades, leading to more efficient use of existing assets and savings for the consumer.


Massachusetts' new universal coverage law has been lauded as a national model. The legislation expands Medicaid HMOs to cover all of the poor (free of charge) and near poor (with partial subsidies), and requires the rest of the uninsured to pay for private coverage. Large employers that don't offer coverage will pay a small tax. Other provisions raise Medicaid payment rates to providers; expand some smaller programs for the poor; allow dependents to remain on family policies up to age 25; and require increased public disclosure of medical price and quality data. Unfortunately, the legislation includes grossly inadequate funding for the promised subsidies and assumes that the uninsured, most of whom are in lower-income families, can afford substantial premiums. Moreover, the required coverage will leave gaping holes—co-payments and deductibles that will leave families vulnerable to bankruptcy. All of the new coverage will be purchased from private insurers with high overhead costs. The bill includes no credible cost-containment mechanisms. The legislation reflects a political calculus favoring private insurers, and ignores the imperative of cost control and the financial realities of cash-strapped families. Hence, it is unlikely to achieve universal coverage or to stabilize the state's health care financing system.


Strategic forms of impact assessment have seen increased application around the world since their conception. Expansion has produced considerable variation and this range of tools and processes can create practitioner confusion and blurred boundaries in practice. This research draws on empirical data from England and Scotland to examine different systems to understand how the purposes of strategic assessment are framed and to consider how purposes are translated into practice. Four key purposes of strategic assessment are examined; overcoming EIA shortcomings, strategic thinking, representation of the environment and consideration of sustainability. It is concluded that various scales (international, national, local and individual) influence how strategic assessment purpose is framed. We find that as multiple purposes come together they interact, with regulatory compliance potentially dominating. Strategic assessment is also found to be described as information provider, and excluded or distant from strategic thinking as part of plan formulation.


Tight tolerances have been a leading driver of cost in recent stellarator experiments, so improved definition and control of tolerances can have significant impact on progress in the field. Here we relate tolerances to the shape gradient representation that has been useful for shape optimization in industry, used for example to determine which regions of a car or aerofoil most affect drag, and we demonstrate how the shape gradient can be computed for physics properties of toroidal plasmas. The shape gradient gives the local differential contribution to some scalar figure of merit (shape functional) caused by normal displacement of the shape. In contrast to derivatives with respect to quantities parameterizing a shape (e.g. Fourier amplitudes), which have been used previously for optimizing plasma and coil shapes, the shape gradient gives spatially local information and so is more easily related to engineering constraints. We present a method to determine the shape gradient for any figure of merit using the parameter derivatives that are already routinely computed for stellarator optimization, by solving a small linear system relating shape parameter changes to normal displacement. Examples of shape gradients for plasma and electromagnetic coil shapes are given. We also derive and present examples of an analogous representation of the local sensitivity to magnetic field errors; this magnetic sensitivity can be rapidly computed from the shape gradient. The shape gradient and magnetic sensitivity can both be converted into local tolerances, which inform how accurately the coils should be built and positioned, where trim coils and structural supports for coils should be placed, and where magnetic material and current leads can best be located. Both sensitivity measures provide insight into shape optimization, enable systematic calculation of tolerances, and connect physics optimization to engineering criteria that are more easily specified in real space than in Fourier space.


In this talk, we share our R&D experiences in developing simulation systems for games. We have developed systems for cloth, hair, fur and grass simulations as well as their interactions with dynamically changing weather such as wind and rain. During R&D processes, we have encountered many interesting challenges. In recent years, there have been many simulation techniques with higher performance and better realism proposed in the CG community. However, we have found that directly integrating the techniques into games does not work with the unique requirements of games, e.g., artist-designed looks that defy physics and artistry controls of physics behaviors. Therefore, adaptations of the techniques are inevitable for each system. Moreover, differences between technical-minded people and artists are one of the biggest challenges in games development environments. In an ideal situation, R&D Engineers will implement many impressive features for a game engine, and then artists exercise their creativity and imagination to utilize the features and create interesting results. The reality, in fact, is that artists usually struggle with how to control the features. It does not matter how many parameters we provide for artists to control, but rather the way we let artists using the features largely influence the end results. This talk addresses the R&D processes of our simulation systems and what are the differences between R&D processes in academics and in games, and how we maximize the advantages of having creative professional artists in our team.


Representing the interests of the express parcel transport industry, SAEPA is a non-profit organisation with a deep-seated mission. Candice Landie profiles the organisation and finds out how it effectively promotes the use of express delivery services.


Objective: This study examined the prospective association of parental reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) involvement (perpetration and/or victimization) with offspring trauma symptoms an average of 6 years later and the moderating influence of positive and negative parenting. Method: The Children in the Community Study followed a representative sample of youth (Generation 2) and their parents (Generation 1) over 25 years, including their own offspring (Generation 3) in the final 2 of these 7 assessments. The sample includes male (n = 92) and female (n = 151) original Generation 2 study members who completed measures of IPV and had children (Generation 3) by Wave 5 (1999). Parents completed measures of parenting at Wave 6 (2001–2004), and child's trauma symptoms at Wave 7 (2006–08). Results: IPV predicted child trauma symptoms, controlling for demographic risks. For fathers, but not mothers, this association held when controlling for stressful life events and psychopathology. IPV predicted lower positive and higher negative parenting practices. Positive parenting moderated the association of IPV with child trauma symptoms. Conclusion: Childhood exposure to IPV between parents may increase the distal risk for trauma symptoms. IPV predicts more negative and less supportive parenting practices. Positive parenting may be protective, though perhaps not at extreme levels of IPV.


Purpose Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. This review aims to describe the relationship between acetylsalicylic acid and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – a chronic disease that causes deterioration of visual acuity and is one of the most common ophthalmological diseases these days. Methods Data presented in this review were collected from both research and review articles concerning ophthalmology and pharmacology. Results The results of the studies analyzed in this review are not unambiguous. Moreover, the studies are not homogenous. They differed from one another in terms of the number of patients, the age criteria, the ASA dose, and the duration of control period. The reviewed studies revealed that ASA therapy, which is applied as a protection in cardiovascular diseases in patients with early forms of AMD and geographic atrophy, should not be discontinued. Conclusion On the basis of the present studies, it cannot be unequivocally said whether ASA influences people's vision and if people endangered with AMD progression or who are diagnosed with AMD should use this drug. It may increase the risk of AMD, but it can also reduce the risk of life-threatening conditions. The authors suggest that in order to avoid possible risks of AMD development, people who frequently take ASA should have their vision checked regularly.


Cell Biology
The cell contains a number of organelles that lack membranes. Their interiors, composed of the disordered regions of proteins, probably form a mesh-like hydrogel, which behaves as a distinct solvent phase inside the cell. Nott et al. created model membraneless organelles in culture. These organelles destabilized double-stranded nucleic acids and preferentially bound single-stranded (ss) DNA and RNA, especially structured ssDNA or ssRNA, favoring compact oligonucleotide structures over extended ones. The interiors of membraneless organelles thus provide the cell with solvent properties that can modulate the behavior of the molecules they absorb.

Nat. Chem. 10.1038/NCHEM.2519 (2016).


Pendred syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by early childhood deafness and goiter. A century after its recognition as a syndrome by Vaughan Pendred, the disease gene ( PDS ) was mapped to chromosome 7q22-q31.1 and, recently, found to encode a putative sulfate transporter. We performed mutation analysis of the PDS gene in patients from 14 Pendred families originating from seven countries and identified all mutations. The mutations include three single base deletions, one splice site mutation and 10 missense mutations. One missense mutation (L236P) was found in a homozygous state in two consanguineous families and in a heterozygous state in five additional non-consanguineous families. Another missense mutation (T416P) was found in a homozygous state in one family and in a heterozygous state in four families. Pendred patients in three non-consanguineous families were shown to be compound heterozygotes for L236P and T416P. In total, one or both of these mutations were found in nine of the 14 families analyzed. The identification of two frequent PDS mutations will facilitate the molecular diagnosis of Pendred syndrome.


Much work has been done in building systems that can recognise gestures, e.g. as a component of sign language recognition systems. These systems typically use whole gestures as the smallest unit for recognition. Although high recognition rates have been reported, these systems do not scale well and are computationally intensive. The reason why these systems generally scale poorly is that they recognize gestures by building individual models for each separate gesture; as the number of gestures grows, so does the required number of models. Beyond a certain threshold number of gestures to be recognized, this approach becomes infeasible. This work proposes that similarly good recognition rates can be achieved by building models for subcomponents of whole gestures, so-called cheremes. Instead of building models for entire gestures, we build models for cheremes and recognize gestures as sequences of such cheremes. The assumption is that many gestures share cheremes and that the number of cheremes necessary to describe gestures is much smaller than the number of gestures. This small number of cheremes then makes it possible to recognize a large number of gestures with a small number of chereme models. This approach is akin to phoneme-based speech recognition systems where utterances are recognized as phonemes which in turn are combined into words. We attempt to recognise and classify cheremes found in South African Sign Language (SASL). We introduce a method for the automatic discovery of cheremes in dynamic signs. We design, train and use hidden Markov models (HMMs) for chereme recognition. Our results show that this approach is feasible in that it not only scales well, but it also generalizes well. We are able to recognize cheremes in signs that were not used for training HMMs; this generalization ability is a basic necessity for chemere-based gesture recognition. Our approach can thus lay the foundation for building a SASL dynamic gesture recognition system.


The syntheses of (E)-1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-buten-4-yl diphosphate ((E)-4-hydroxydimethylallyl diphosphate, HDMAPP), an intermediate in the methyl erythritol phosphate pathway, and (E)-[4-(2)H]HDMAPP were accomplished in two steps from (E)-4-chloro-2-methyl-2-butenal. The synthetic route is easily adaptable for the facile incorporation of tritium at C-4 of the diphosphate.


This paper presents a new image segmentation algorithm (called FDGA-Seg) based on a combination of fuzzy logic, multiagent systems and genetic algorithms. We propose to use a fuzzy representation of the image site labels by introducing some imprecision in the gray tones values. The distributivity of FDGA-Seg comes from the fact that it is designed around a MultiAgent System (MAS) working with two different architectures based on the master-slave and island models. A rich set of experimental segmentation results given by FDGA-Seg is discussed and compared to the ICM results in the last section.


Single electron transfer (SET)-photochemical decarboxylation of free carboxylic acids was performed in a polar solvent using several arenes such as phenanthrene, naphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, biphenyl, triphenylene, and chrysene in the presence of various electron acceptors such as 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-dicyanobenzenes, methyl 4-cyanobenzoate, and 1,4-dicyanonaphthalene. The decarboxylation reaction was influenced by the arenes, electron acceptors, and solvent. The best result was achieved by the photoreaction using biphenyl and 1,4-dicyanonaphthalene in aqueous acetonitrile.


This study evaluates the implementation of volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) using multicriteria optimization (MCO) in the RayStation treatment planning system (TPS) for complex sites, namely extremity and body sarcoma. The VMAT-MCO algorithm implemented in RayStation is newly developed and requires an integrated, comprehensive analysis of plan generation, delivery, and treatment efficiency. Ten patients previously treated by intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with MCO were randomly selected and replanned using VMAT-MCO. The plan quality was compared using homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI) of the planning target volume (PTV) and dose sparing of organs at risk (OARs). Given the diversity of the tumor location, the 10 plans did not have a common OAR except for skin. The skin D50 and Dmean was directly compared between VMAT-MCO and IMRT-MCO. Additional OAR dose points were compared on a plan-by-plan basis. The treatment efficiency was compared using plan monitor units (MU) and net beam-on time. Plan quality assurance was performed using the Sun Nuclear ArcCHECK phantom and a gamma criteria of 3%/3 mm. No statistically significant differences were found between VMAT- and IMRT-MCO for HI and CI of the PTV or D50 and Dmean to the skin. The VMAT-MCO plans showed general improvements in sparing to OARs. The VMAT-MCO plan set showed statistically significant improvements over the IMRT-MCO set in treatment efficiency per plan MU (p<0.05) and net beam-on time (p<0.01). The VMAT-MCO plan deliverability was validated. Similar gamma passing rates were observed for the two modalities. This study verifies the suitability of VMAT-MCO for sarcoma cancer and highlighted the comparability in plan quality and improvement in treatment efficiency offered by VMAT-MCO as compared to IMRT-MCO. PACS number(s): separated by commas 87.55.D, 87.55.de, 87.55.Qr.


This paper presents a longitudinal case study of the introduction of voice mail, applying media richness theory to develop and assess a set of 16 tasks with varying levels of equivocality, and to compare different media. Through t-tests, reliability, factor, and multidimensional scaling analyses, evaluation of task equivocality and voice mail is discussed and potential shortcomings of current approaches are highlighted. Results show that equivocality does not seem to be unidimensional and includes aspects of authority across organizational boundaries. Across all tasks, telephone would be most likely selected by respondents, but face-to-face and telephone were more likely to be selected for more equivocal tasks. Unlike prior studies, voice mail is perceived as similar to documents and face-to-face. >


India is recognized as diabetic capital of the world now and among all chronic diseases increased prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus has been recognized globally. Though various modifiable risk factors are identified for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus such as prediabetes, overweight, obesity, poor diet, smoking, physical inactivity and given importance in the management of disease. But among all stress and anxiety has not been getting proper importance in development and management of Type 2 diabetes. Though number of studies have been identified stress as risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Thus, the present write up is aimed to review the effect of different emotional stressor as risk in the development and uncontrolled hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with effective solutions. Material and Methods: This review is based on data collected from classical Ayurvedic literature, and published research works in various journals. Observations and Results: cited based on research reviews to find out risk odds of different emotional stressor and type 2 diabetes with solutions based on Ayurveda and Yoga principles such as role of Raga therapy, Yogasan, Pranayama (breathing technique), Panchakarma procedures and use of Medhya Rasayana (nootropic) drugs. Conclusion: Counselling would be one of the best strategy to create awareness among healthy individual and type 2 diabetic to opt healthy behaviour to manage emotional stress and for the prevention and better control of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thus, Present write up is an effort to provide attention on various emotional stressor as risk factor and also discuss the various healthy behavioural techniques to control emotional stress.


The sliding-mode control problem is studied for a class of state-delayed systems with mismatched parameter uncertainties, unknown nonlinearities and external disturbances. By integrating neural-network approximation and the Lyapunov theory into the sliding-mode technique, a neural-network-based sliding-mode control scheme is proposed. The major advantage of the present work over traditional sliding-mode designs is the relaxation of the requirement that the unknown nonlinearities are to be bounded. By means of linear matrix inequalities, a sufficient condition for ensuring the asymptotic stability of the sliding-mode dynamics restricted to the defined sliding surface is given. Further, by utilising a neural-network model to approximate the unknown nonlinearity, a sliding-mode control scheme is proposed to guarantee that the system state trajectory is attracted to the designed sliding surface.


The paper presents an X ray diffraction study for a cooper based shape memory alloy. The behavior of CuAl13Ni4 alloy, which exhibits a peculiar property, is evaluated by structural changes. On cooling, the martensitic transformation takes place from the ordered structures to the long period two layered structure. The crystalline phase transformations of those alloys are very sensitive to the heat treatments, deformation degrees and also to the undesired aging effects. In particular, the study has been made on the CuAl13Ni4 shape memory alloy samples after being hot extruded, quenched and aged in martensitic state.


Existing systems for patients' data storage are not scalable enough for the increasing number of patients and applications. Cloud computing promises low cost, high scalability, availability and disaster recoverability which can be a natural solution for some of the problems faced in storing and analysing patients' medical records. This paper examines the impact of cloud computing on improving healthcare services. More specifically, this research details the architectural design for a personal health record system called "MedCloud" that utilizes and integrates services from Hadoop's[1] ecosystem in conjunction with HIPAA privacy and security rules[2]. A scalable platform is proposed for developers to use in application development and Restlet[3], a web portal, is presented to users, to access the MedCloud system. Later on, the development of the MedCloud model is illustrated through issues analysis followed by an in-depth performance evaluation.


Chemical management services (CMS) is an application of the Product Service System in the chemical sector. It is a new business model based on a long term relation between customers and service suppliers, who both have the same goal of reducing the costs and volume of chemicals used in the customer's processes. CMS started in the early 1980's in the US and transferred to Europe later. CMS is not implemented widely in developing countries due to the difference of social, economical and legal conditions between developed countries and developing countries.

This thesis is based on a comparison analysis of the benefits and barriers between chemical management services in Egypt and in Europe & the US. It presents the current and future opportunities for implementing CMS in the Egyptian industries. The case of Egypt can be used as an example for a preliminary examination of CMS implementation in other developing countries having similar social, economic and environmental conditions.


In this study we examined the influence of estrone on proliferation and differentiation in the mammary gland of female Noble rats. Estrone treatment increased proliferation in mammary epithelial cells at days 3 and 7, and peaked by day 11 of estrone exposure. In addition, estrone exposure altered cell cycle kinetics. Animals exposed to estrone for 11 days demonstrated a 9-fold increase in the cells in G1 phase and a 48-fold increase in the cells in S phase, compared to those of controls. Differentiation, measured by the degree of lobular maturation, was significantly increased in the treatment group by day 7 and continued to mature through day 21 post estrone implant. The appearance of the mammary glands in these animals approached the morphology normally found during pregnancy and lactation. In a subset of animals we examined the effects of a concurrent treatment with luteolin, a bioflavonoid which has been shown to inhibit estrone binding to type II estrogen receptors. Luteolin significantly reversed the effects of estrone treatment on both proliferation and differentiation in these animals. Changes in proliferation and cell cycle kinetics have been shown to lead to genetic instability, ultimately resulting in cell transformation. Our results indicated an increase in proliferative cells by > 2-fold and a perturbation in cell cycle kinetics from estrone exposure. These changes may play a role in the induction of estrone-induced mammary cancer in the Noble rat model. In addition, the anti-proliferative action of luteolin suggests that it may play a protective role in estrone-induced mammary carcinogenesis.


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Within the internal military medicine the subject of neurology and psychiatry is relatively independent, which results from the specific demands in military medicine to the whole subject and to the peculiar practical and scientific task of military psychiatry. At the same time the neurology and psychiatry carry markedly interdisciplinary character in medical aid during medical evacuation, since it likewise participates in medical aid for injured of surgical and internal profile. In the stages of the first medical and qualified medical aid this neurological and psychiatric help must be taken over by the physicians of other specialties working there. An unrestricted neurological and psychiatric help by specialists for neurology and psychiatry can be given only at the level of the specialized medical help.


Aims START is a new compulsory assessment for final year trainees introduced by the RCPCH in 2012. The purpose of START is to provide targeted developmental feedback: a process which is critically dependent on engagement and understanding from trainees We assessed trainee understanding of the purpose and requirements of START and their beliefs regarding how the results would be used. Methods We asked trainees who had been chosen to represent their Trusts at a Deanery level to complete a survey in August 2012. 17 trainees completed the survey from 14 different trusts. Trainees were from all training levels (1–3). Results There was mixed understanding of the purpose of START. Beliefs include; to identify training needs, that it is a CCT requirement and to ensure competency for the consultant role. Less than half of trainees were clear who is required to take START. Nearly all understood that the assessment is formative rather than summative There was wide variation in trainees' beliefs about the cost of the assessment. All except two trainees believed it to be cheaper than the actual cost and three trainees thought that it was free to take the assessment. The majority of trainees understood that they will receive written feedback. A significant proportion believed that they would be issued a pass/fail grade and that they could be required to retake the examination. Nearly half of trainees believed that their START score would be recorded on their CCT paperwork. Conclusions We have demonstrated mixed understanding of the purpose of START. Trainees are overall poorly informed about the process of START and showed mixed understanding of how the results will be used. To maximise trainee benefit from START and to ensure ongoing success of the assessment we need to urgently address these gaps in knowledge and understanding.


In Agriculture the automatic methods for counting the number of fruits play a critical role in crop management. In this paper a review of previous studies and systems to count the number of fruits on trees and their yield estimation is performed. The various computer vision and optimization techniques are presented to automate the process of counting fruits. Further the main features and drawbacks of the previous systems in this area are summarized in this paper.


Designing a secure system has always been a difficult exercise. In practice, much of the focus for designers and developers has been on delivering a working system in the first place. Security concerns have long been considered only in retrospect, especially after serious flaws are discovered. On the contrary, safety issues are commonly taken into account from the very first development phases. However, the size, heterogeneity, and communication features of modern embedded systems make it compelling to develop an appropriate engineering methodology to more explicitly define security objectives and threats. All this complexity also makes it compelling to verify that requirements are consistent with and satisfied by a candidate design before any commitment to a particular implementation.
This paper introduces SysML-Sec, a new SysML environment that makes it possible for security experts to intervene at all methodological stages, as well as to assess the impact of security over safety. Safety and security requirements are first captured within extended SysML Requirement diagrams. Attacks are organized within Parametric diagrams, where assets are represented with blocks. Since assets in embedded system are composed of functional and architectural elements of the system, requirements are linked to as- sets, and subsequently attacks, in a partitioning stage. The partitioning phase includes a functional description, a description of the hardware architecture, and a mapping stage in which functions and communications between functions are to be mapped over hardware components. Once partitioned, software-implemented functions are designed with communicating blocks and state machines. Executable code can then be generated from design diagrams.
An automotive embedded application, developed with industrial partners in the scope of the FP7 European project EVITA, illustrates the relevance of SysML-Sec. This use case was modeled with the open-source tool TTool, which supports SysML-Sec as well as safety/security simulation and formal proof.


To investigate clinical characteristics of muscular sarcoidosis presenting muscle mass as initial symptom. The clinical data of 10 patients diagnosed with muscular sarcoidosis and admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from May 2014 to October 2020 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. All patients were female, including 2 patients with unilateral involvement of lower extremities, 7 patients with bilateral involvement of lower extremities, and 1 patient with bilateral involvement of upper and lower extremities. Lung lesions were presented in all patients, and 9 cases had mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (sACE) was 57-118 IU/ml. No specific characteristics were found by ultrasound. Typical "dark-star" sign and "three-stripe" sign were shown in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The pathology of striated muscle was non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Three patients were not treated. In 7 patients treated with prednisone 0.5-1 mg ·kg-¹·d-¹, immunosuppressants were combined in 3 patients at initial and the other 4 patients later on. During the follow-up of 7-62 months, 1 patient was stable, 6 improved and 3 relapsed. Till now, 5 patients are still on the treatment of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant.


In the early 1970s, Basinski et al. (1972) observed that, if two solid solutions of different solutes in a given solvent (copper or silver) had the same initial flow stress at a given temperature in the range 4-380 K, then they had the same activation volume. Moreover, two alloys based on the same solvent metal, which had the same initial flow stress and activation volume at a given temperature, would show the same temperature dependence of initial flow stress and activation volume throughout that range. These observations, which are known as the 'stress equivalence of solution hardening', have been shown to be readily accounted for in terms of the kink-pair formation model of solid-solution hardening.


In early days of quantum theory it was believed that the results of measurements performed on two distant physical systems should be uncorrelated thus their quantum state should be separable it means described by a simple tensor product of the individual local state vectors or a tensor product of individual local density operators. It was shown many years ago by EPR that two systems which interacted in the past and separated afterwards had to be described in most cases by particular non-separable states which are called entangled. It was noticed by Zanardi et al. that a Hilbert space of possible state vectors of compound physical system could be partitioned in different way by introducing various tensor product structures induced by the experimentally accessible observables (interactions and measurements). Therefore a separable state in one partition could become entangled in different partition. In this sense the entanglement was relative to a particular set of experimental capabilities. Continuing this line of thought Torre et al. claimed to prove that for any separable state there existed strongly correlated physical observables therefore all quantum states were entangled. The same claims one may find in several recent papers. In this paper we will discuss in operational way the differences existing between separable, non-separable and entangled states and we will show that the conclusions of Torre et al. were unjustified. A sufficient condition for entanglement is the violation of BI-CHSH and/or steering inequalities. Since there exist experiments outside the quantum physics violating these inequalities therefore in the operational approach one cannot say that the entanglement is an exclusive quantum phenomenon.