A Bayesian approach is presented for detecting and characterizing the signal from discrete objects embedded in a diffuse background. The approach centres around the evaluation of the posterior distribution for the parameters of the discrete objects, given the observed data, and defines the theoretically optimal procedure for parametrized object detection. Two alternative strategies are investigated: the simultaneous detection of all the discrete objects in the data set, and the iterative detection of objects. In both cases, the parameter space characterizing the object(s) is explored using Markov-chain Monte Carlo sampling. For the iterative detection of objects, another approach is to locate the global maximum of the posterior at each iteration using a simulated annealing downhill simplex algorithm. The techniques are applied to a two-dimensional toy problem consisting of Gaussian objects embedded in uncorrelated pixel noise. A cosmological illustration of the iterative approach is also presented, in which the thermal and kinetic Sunyaev–Zel'dovich effects from clusters of galaxies are detected in microwave maps dominated by emission from primordial cosmic microwave background anisotropies.


This paper examines the decision of private firms to go public through two alternative routes – IPO vs. backdoor listing (BDL). The latter involves a sequence of structured inter-company events by which a private firm achieves a listing status by undertaking a reverse takeover of a publicly-listed firm and using the corporate shell of the listed entity as a vehicle to go public. By pooling samples of BDL and matched IPO firms together in a logit regression framework, this paper presents and tests a choice model based on the importance of firm characteristics and deal-level variables as differentiating factors in the choice between alternative routes. Results indicate that BDL firms are more heavily concentrated in the high-tech sectors and are less liquid, less profitable and more at a development stage than their IPO counterparts. Contrary to common belief, BDL transactions generally take a longer duration to complete than IPOs. In addition, BDL transactions are associated with more cashing-out activity and lower retained ownership by private firm owners (i.e., more sell down). BDL firms also raised smaller proceeds than their IPO counterparts at the consummation of the deal and are less likely to engage the service of an underwriter. Nevertheless, no significant difference in the degree of underpricing (first-day return) between the matched BDL and IPO sample can be established.


A method of fabricating low-stress dielectric thin film as the supporting material of micromachined devices is reported. The film is processed by post thermal oxidation of silicon-rich nitride (SN) deposited on a silicon substrate by LPCVD. Due to the compensation on the nitride by its top oxide, an ultra-low residual stress less than 10 MPa can be obtained with a proper oxidation scheme. Characteristics of the oxidized nitride were analyzed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and ellipsometry. Large floating membranes of 4/spl times/4 cm/sup 2/ and 400-nm thick can be made by this method with TMAH etching.


Biotechnology has produced transgenic herbicide-tolerant (tHT) crops that are tolerant to broad-spectrum herbicides such as glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium. In the U.S. and Canada, several tHT crops are already grown on a large scale, e.g., glyphosate-resistant soybean, glufosinate-resistant oilseed rape, and bromoxynil-resistant cotton. tHT crops might be marketed in Europe in 2000. Transgenic herbicide tolerance has aroused much debate in Europe. Elements of this debate in the Netherlands were analyzed in a Technology Assessment Program funded by the Dutch Ministry for Agriculture (Bijman and Lotz 1996). The following concerns were identified during the technology assessment: (1) there is uncertainty about the long-term agronomic and ecological effect of tHT crops; (2) growing tHT crops means a continuation of weed management strongly dependent on chemical weed control and may actually result in increased herbicide dependence; (3) successful introduction of tHT crops may lead to a slowdown in the development of innovative nonchemical weed control methods; and (4) there is a difference of opinion on the environmental quality of the herbicides for which tHT crops are being developed. The starting point in this debate is a Dutch policy document, called the Multi-year Crop Protection Program, which urges stimulation of the development of n.o~el systems for crop protection that are less reliant on pesticide use. The plan aims to achieve an average pesticide use reduction of approximately 600/0 by 2000 compared with the mean use from 1984 to 1988. For herbicides, the reduction target is 400/0. In our view, growing tHT crops offers both advantages and disadvantages for agricultural practice and the environment. tHT crops may hold benefits for sustainable agriculture such as the following: (1) currently used herbicides may be replaced by more environmentally benign compounds; (2) these may contribute to integrated weed management by increasing the options for weed control. Risks of poor results of mechanical weed control, due to unfavorable weather, may be reduced by using a broad-spectrum herbicide. tHT crops fit well with the goals of site-specific management because preemergence would be replaced by postemergence treatments; (3) they rnay promote systems for minimal tillage and mixed cropping; and (4) they might lower the cost of weed control. tHT crops threaten sustainable agriculture because they may: (1) decrease the number of herbicides available; (2) provide fewer incentives for the development of nonchemical weed control methods; (3) increase development of resistance in weeds; (4) change weed species composition or increase weed problems from volunteer crops; (5) result in new weeds through introgression; and (6) increase the amount of herbicide used. Because tHT crops will inevitably be a part of weed management, we must accept the challenge of reaping the benefits as we work to avoid the disadvantages. This can be done by monitoring programs and by stimulating integrated weed management. At present, experiments with tHT crops in Europe have been limited to small-plot studies. Because there are no published records where crop rotation systems have been evaluated to determine the agronomic, economic, and environmental effects of tHT crops, case studies are urgently needed to explore in detail any risks linked to widescale use of tHT crops and their associated herbicides. In this respect, farmer and consumer perspectives and attitudes should also be assessed when considering the effect of this technology. As a first step in these assessments, representatives of the Dutch Farmers Organization (LTO) were asked to comment on the aforementioned advantages and disadvantages. These farmers agreed with the above-listed advantages, though they asked if systems involving minimal tillage and mixed cropping were relevant to their current farming practices (where tillage and monocropping are widely practiced). They also indicated they would carefully follow seed prices of tHT crops, stating that at this moment it cannot be concluded that the weed control in these new crops will be less expensive. The concrete advantage farmers mentioned was that volunteer potatoes would be much easier to control in sugar beet than at present. The farmers' representatives also agreed with the disadvantages, especially concerning a possible decrease in the number of herbicides available and an increase in the risk of resistance development in weeds and changes in weed


Aims To study the provision of paediatric liver services in a regional centre in the South of England Methods Children with liver diseases seen in paediatric Hepatology clinics over the last 5 years were included in the study. Details of demographics, underlying diagnosis, investigations and treatments were extracted in a database. Results There are two paediatric liver clinics in Southampton; one in conjunction with the supra-regional liver centre in London and the other a regional transitional clinic, with 3 consultants (supraregional, regional and transitional), dietetic, specialist nursing support and representation of the national charity Children Liver Disease Foundation in the clinics. Overall 223 children (Median Age: 12.2 years IQR: 6.8–17.1 years) were seen in the services (M:F 54.7:45.3) over the last 5 years (45 patients diagnosed/year). Children were referred from 11 hospitals across the network (Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Sussex). The most common 3 diagnoses seen in the clinics were Alpha-1-Antitrypsin deficiency (17%), Viral Hepatitides (11.7%) and Autoimmune liver disease (9.9%). With an increasing national incidence, 9.4% of the children presented with fatty liver and 15 patients with liver transplant are seen in the services. Nearly a third of patients graduated from the joint supra-regional clinic to the regional transitional clinic with provision of local radiology, bile duct stenting, bile duct botox and variceal banding services (endoscopic). Conclusions This study reflects the busy work load of a regional liver paediatric gastroenterology centre in the South of England. The paediatric liver services bridge an important gap between DGHs and supra-regional centres providing family centred specialist care for children with liver diseases, at convenience and closer to their homes. With an increasing new patient referral from DGHs and nearly third of patients transitioning to adult services, the need of a regional hepatology transitional clinic cannot be underestimated which can work in tandem with the joint supra-regional liver clinics providing uninterrupted smooth transition and continuity of care. With these increasing responsibilities, the role of a regional paediatric GI centre needs to be better recognised in managing paediatric liver patients, as currently highlighted in the NHS England specialist liver disease services contract.


Panel data make it possible both to control for unobserved confounders and allow for lagged, reciprocal causation. Trying to do both at the same time, however, leads to serious estimation difficulties. In the econometric literature, these problems have been solved by using lagged instrumental variables together with the generalized method of moments (GMM). Here we show that the same problems can be solved by maximum likelihood (ML) estimation implemented with standard software packages for structural equation modeling (SEM). Monte Carlo simulations show that the ML-SEM method is less biased and more efficient than the GMM method under a wide range of conditions. ML-SEM also makes it possible to test and relax many of the constraints that are typically embodied in dynamic panel models.


This paper presents a novel stabilization FACTS-based scheme that acts as a switched compensator for grid-connected wind energy systems. It is a member of a family of devices and switched dynamic voltage stabilization converters that were developed to ensure minimal loss of excitation, voltage stabilization, energy efficient utilization, power quality enhancement and harmonic distortion reduction in AC distribution grid networks. A novel-dual action distributed FACTS based–switched power filter compensator (SPFC) scheme is developed for efficient utilization of wind energy under varying wind conditions and major load excursions. A dynamic multi-level error-driven decoupled time de-scaled multi regulation control strategy is used to guarantee better power quality performance in terms of voltage enhancement and stabilization of the AC buses, improvement of power factor, and harmonic distortion reduction. The proposed SPFC was controlled using an inter-coupled weighted modified proportional-integral-derivative (WM-PID) controller. Cuckoo search (CS) optimization algorithm is employed to get the PID controller gains in terms of variations and excursions in wind speed and dynamic load excursions to reflect the performance of the compensator scheme. The effectiveness of the proposed SPFC with the multi-level control strategy has been assessed by time-domain simulations in Matlab/Simulink environment. The results obtained show the robustness of the proposed topology.


This thesis reports on a study that examined customer accounting (CA) in Australian companies. The broad aims of the thesis are to develop an understanding of the organisational role played by CA practice and the role accounting plays in providing information about a firm's customer base. Three empirical phases have been undertaken in the study. The first phase involved exploratory interviews with accountants and marketers from a number of Australian firms. The second phase comprised an in-depth case study that involved the development of a segmental customer profitability analysis in a major Australian telecommunications company. The third empirical phase involved the administration of a survey questionnaire to chief accountants and marketing managers from a number of large Australian companies. A number of significant findings are reported and include: (1) A level of CA practice has been observed that is reasonably in line with what was anticipated based on the minimal previous academic interest in this area. (2) There appears to be a potential for further CA development in Australian companies. (3) The interview findings identified 'short-term tactical decisions' and 'focus attention on maximising customer value' as the two most important organisational roles CA may play. (4) CA systems were found to provide important information for marketing resource allocation decisions, customer retention decisions, customer service management decisions and customer pricing decisions. (5) The main barriers to CA implementation identified during the segmental CPA case study and exploratory interviews concerned information technology and data acquisition problems. This finding was supported by the results of the survey questionnaire phase of the study where in addition to these two barriers, 'other competing organisational priorities' was rated highly as an impediment to CA system development. (6) Some support was found for the proposed relationships between CA and the contingent factors of company size, customisation, and organisational structure. (7) Limited support was found for the proposed positive association between CA systems and competition intensity and marketing orientation. (8) No support was found for the proposed relationships between perceived environmental uncertainty, organisational strategy, organisational performance and CA systems. (9) Customisation was the only contingent factor found to have a significant impact upon the potential of CA to aid management.


The petrochemical industry has made the economic development of many local communities possible, increasing employment opportunities and generating a complex network of closely-related secondary industries. However, it is known that petrochemical industries emit air pollutants, which have been related to different negative effects on mental health. In addition, many people around the world are being exposed to highly stressful situations deriving from the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns adopted by national and regional governments. The present study aims to analyse the possible differential effects on various psychological outcomes (stress, anxiety, depression and emotional regulation strategies) stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown experienced by individuals living near an important petrochemical complex and subjects living in other areas, nonexposed to the characteristic environmental pollutants emitted by these kinds of complex. The sample consisted of 1607 subjects who answered an ad hoc questionnaire on lockdown conditions, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS) and the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). The results indicate that people living closer to petrochemical complexes reported greater risk perception [K = 73.42, p < 0.001, with a medium size effect (η2 = 0.061)]. However, no significant relationship between psychological variables and proximity to the focus was detected when comparing people living near to or far away from a chemical/petrochemical complex. Regarding the adverse psychological effects of the first lockdown due to COVID-19 on the general population in Catalonia, we can conclude that the conditions included in this survey were mainly related to changes in the participants' impulsivity levels, with different total impulsivity scores being obtained if they had minors in their care (p<0.001), if they had lost their jobs, if they were working (p<0.001), if they were not telecommuting (p<0.001), if they went out to work (p<0.001) or if they established routines (p = 0.009). However, we can also be fairly certain that the economic effects are going to be worse than those initially detected in this study. More research will be necessary to corroborate our results.


A B S T R A C T Orthopedic surgery and general dentistry residency program directors were surveyed about treatment considerations for dental patients with prosthetic joints. The majority believed dental diseases can affect joint prostheses and thought orthopedic surgeons should be consulted before dental treatment. Both groups recommended antibiotic prophylaxis for these patients.


AbstractThe attractive market town of Vic, 60 kms north of Barcelona, is home to one of Spain's newest translation and interpretation faculties (FCHTD), opened in 1993. The FCHTD provides integrated instruction at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level, specializing in translation into Spanish and Catalan. Innovative aspects of the approach taken at the faculty include an emphasis on translation as a set of transferable skills independent of particular language pairs and a highly coordinated multidisciplinary syllabus. The doctoral programme focuses directly in many of its components on translation and minority issues and is outlined in some detail in this profile.


EGUGUOJU E guguoju having succeeded his father, became the leader of his people to O y o ; the camp at Ku s u was broken up and they carried the remains of the late King with them for state funeral at home. They encamped next at Iju Sanya, a desert place. Whilst there two large birds an Igbo and an Oyo were seen fighting, and they chased each other from the bough of the tree under which the King sat until they came down to the ground, and he ordered both to be caught and killed. This occurrence was regarded by him as a happy omen; he therefore resolved to build a city there and to remove the seat of government to that place From the example of the birds, he was resolved to fight to the last drop of blood in his veins any army that came against him there, never showing the "white feather." The city was accordingly built there, and was named O y o Igboho, after the two birds, Igbo and Oyo, and there he buried the remains of his father. Nothing remarkable was recorded of this King except that he built Igboho, which became the last resting-place of four Yoruba Kings before the government was again removed to the ancient capital.


In County Clare, western Ireland, the Namurian consists of a sandstone-shale sequence made up of repeated coarsening-upward, deltaic cyclothems, each 200 to 400 ft (60 to 120 m) thick. Sedimentologic details of these cyclothems indicate that they were deposited in deltas of high load input but low wave and littoral-drift influence; the ancient sequences are comparable to those of the modern Mississippi delta. Syndepositional disturbances are an essential part of the cyclothems: the controlling and dominant feature is that of growth faults. These are scoop-shaped normal faults, that dip down current, and have a steep upper surface which passes downward into a flat shear plane. The insides of the scoops are filled almost entirely by overthickened sequences of distributary-mouth sandstones. It is suggested that the growth faults of County Clare simply indicate the release of gravity forces inherent in a sediment column with an inverted density profile (sands over lighter, more mobile clays) like that in front of a prograding distributary. Release of the gravity forces by faulting allowed the entire delta mass to move downward and basinward, as an enormous "delta slip" abetted by continuous, rapid sedimentation. The presence of growth faults in the sequence is both typical and symptomatic of the type of progradation.


A muscle hernia of the lower extremity can occur when the overlying fascia has become weakened. Often it is diagnosed clinically as a soft bulge on active movement and can be confirmed by ultrasound or MRI. If conservative treatment is not effective, surgical fascial reinforcement is required for either cosmetic reasons or clinically symptomatic patients. We are presenting a case of symptomatic, bilateral lower extremity hernias.


Ice melts at 0C under a pressure of 1 atm, and increasing the pressure decreases the melting temperature. In the present paper, a new problem is posed that describes the process of phase transition in an incompressible viscous fluid, taking into account the above-described pressure effect. This problem is described as a free boundary problem in terms of the Navier–Stokes equations coupled with the heat equation, where the equilibrium temperature is assumed to be related to the pressure by the Clapeyron–Clausius equation. We prove the existence of a global-in-time solution.


Expanded polyglutamine stretches have been shown to form aggregates and to be toxic to cells. In this study, we hypothesized that amino acid sequences flanking the polyglutamine stretches influence the aggregate formation potential of these stretches. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins containing glutamine repeats of various lengths and a fixed number of flanking amino acids of ataxin-2, huntingtin, dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy protein (DRPLAP) or ataxin-3 were transiently expressed in COS-7 cells. The aggregate formation potential of ataxin-2 and DRPLAP increased in a CAG-repeat-length-dependent manner, with a threshold between 34 and 36. Truncated ataxin-2-Q56-GFP and truncated huntingtin-Q56-GFP showed a significantly higher aggregate formation potential than truncated DRPLAP-Q56-GFP or truncated ataxin-3-Q56-GFP. These results are in agreement with the clinical observation that ages of disease onset in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 or Huntington's disease are lower than those in patients with DRPLA or Machado-Joseph disease having expanded CAG repeats of the same length. Furthermore, mutagenesis of the flanking sequence of ataxin-2 markedly reduced its aggregate formation potential. These results indicate that the amino acid sequences flanking the polyglutamine stretches significantly influence their aggregate formation potential.


In average 26 death events in mountaineering per year for the time span from 2003 to 2012 is reported. The number of women dying during the mountaineering is significantly smaller than males (3.5 deaths male for one female death). This study aims to analyze the differences of risk perception based on gender and provide recommendations as education basic to prevent accidents in mountaineering. This study utilizes the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Delphi Method. A total of 200 mountaineer respondents (100 males and 100 females) participated in this study. The independent variable in this study was gender. The dependent variable was risk perception including perception toward the serious accident, perception toward the probability of accident event as well as anxiety level and perception of efficacy and self-efficacy. The study result showed that the risk perception of women is higher than men with significant difference (p-value = 0.019). The recommendations from Delphi method result are by developing a positive mental attitude, showing about the risks that exist in nature, implementing Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to raise awareness of the safety of ownself, following the climbing or mountaineer school, and using instructors to give lessons about safety in outdoor activities.


Accurately estimating patterns of population connectivity in marine systems remains an elusive goal. Current genetic approaches have focused on assigning individuals back to their natal populations using one of two methods: parentage analyses and assignment tests. Each of these approaches has their relative merits and weaknesses. Here, we illustrate these tradeoffs using a forward-time agent-based model that incorporates relevant natural history and physical oceanography for 135 Kellet's whelk (Kelletia kelletii) populations from Southern California. Like most marine organisms, Kellet's whelks live in large meta-populations where local populations are connected by dispersive larvae. For estimating population connectivity, we found parentage analyses to be relatively insensitive to the amount of genetic differentiation among local populations, but highly sensitive to the proportion of the meta-population sampled. Assignment tests, on the other hand, were relatively insensitive to the proportion of the meta-population sampled, but highly sensitive to the amount of genetic differentiation found among local populations. Comparisons between the true connectivity matrices (generated by using the true origin of all sampled individuals) and those obtained via parentage analyses and assignment tests reveal that neither approach can explain >26% of the variation in true connectivity. Furthermore, even with perfect assignment of all sampled individuals, sampling error alone can introduce noise into the estimated population connectivity matrix. Future work should aim to improve the number of correct assignments without the expense of additional incorrect assignments, perhaps by using dispersal information obtained from related individuals as priors in a Bayesian framework. These analyses dispel a number of common misconceptions in the field and highlight areas for both future research and methodological improvements.


TRH and TRH analogues improve physiological function, survival, and neurological outcome in a variety of models of CNS trauma, including impact spinal cord injury in cats and rats, fluid-percussion-induced brain injury in rats, and compression-induced brain injury in cats. The mechanism by which TRH improves such functions may relate to its ability to improve blood flow and metabolism in the region of injury. Beneficial effects on blood flow may possibly relate to antagonism of the physiological effects of endogenous opioids, leukotrienes, or platelet-activating factor.


Piezoelectric transformers (PTs) are currently being used to accelerate charged-particle beams for various applications [1, 2]. Beam interactions at the output of the PT can be treated as a parallel RC electrical load. The impedance of the load can affect the output voltage due to the small, finite amount of charge available in the PT. High output voltages necessary for beam acceleration cannot be achieved if the current output from the PT is too high. A thermionic electron emitter was used to provide a controllable beam current for testing the effects of electrical loading on the PT. The electron beam was operated in vacuum pressures of 10-6-10-5 Torr. Variations in the electron beam current were used to vary the resistive portion of the load while beam distance was used to vary capacitance. The effects of such variations were measured via bremsstrahlung interactions at the output electrode of the PT to determine output voltage and optical techniques for finding internal operating parameters such as electric field.


Background: There have been dramatic clinical improvements in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients commenced on the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI). Sputum proteomics is a powerful research technique capable of identifying important airway disease mechanisms. Using this technique, we evaluated how ETI changes the sputum proteome in people with CF. Methods: Sputum samples from 21 CF subjects pre- and post- ETI, 6 CF controls ineligible for ETI, and 15 healthy controls were analysed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Results: Post-ETI, mean FEV1% increased by 13.7% (SD 7.9). Principal component and hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that the post-ETI proteome shifted to an intermediate state that was distinct from pre-ETI and healthy controls, even for those achieving normal lung function. Functional analysis showed incomplete resolution of neutrophilic inflammation. The CF control sputum proteome did not alter. At the protein-level many more proteins increased in abundance than decreased following ETI therapy (80 vs 30; adjusted p value <0.05), including many that have anti-inflammatory properties. Of those proteins that reduced in abundance many were pro-inflammatory neutrophil-derived proteins. Several important respiratory proteases were unchanged. Conclusions: Sputum proteomics can provide insights into CF lung disease mechanisms and how they are modified by therapeutic intervention, in this case ETI. This study identifies imbalances in pro- and anti- inflammatory proteins in sputum that partially resolve with ETI even in those achieving normal spirometry values. This post-ETI intermediate state could contribute to ongoing airway damage and therefore its relevance to clinical outcomes needs to be established.


The paper describes a digital low-frequency ac voltage source with amplitude stability better than 10−6 V/V per hour. It was developed to be used as a transfer standard for calibrations with ac Josephson systems and fast synchronous ac-dc transfer measurements. Its low-distortion and superb phase adjustment resolution makes it suitable for impedance measurements as well.


THE WORLD ECONOMY now depends almost entirely on fossil fuels for its energy. Even according to the most optimistic assumption of the Atomic Energy Commission, fossil fuels, especially oil and natural gas, will be dominant sources of energy until well into the twenty-first century. The supplies and demands for energy are, however, intricately connected in terms of both fuels and locations, so that marginal changes in one part of the system elicit responses in other parts, especially affecting the United States, which is both the largest producer and the largest consumer. The stress on the system in 1973 and 1974 became apparent when world oil prices were raised sharply, intensifying interest in reducing U.S. dependence on foreign supplies. Events since then bear plain witness to this phenom-


Recent studies of strongly interacting atoms and photons in optical cavities have rekindled interest in the Dicke model of atomic qubits coupled to discrete photon cavity modes. We study the multimode Dicke model with variable atom-photon couplings. We argue that a quantum spin-glass phase can appear, with a random linear combination of the cavity modes superradiant. We compute atomic and photon spectral response functions across this quantum phase transition, both of which should be accessible in experiments.


Through a very detailed analysis of the homeric Margites the authoress emphasizes the parodical features of the character within the preserved fragments so on its formal point of view as on its content. On the second part of the paper she studies the testimonia of Hegemo from Thebae in order to characterize him as the first one who made the parody a genre by itself.


In a case study in five Dutch primary schools teachers reported that they are reluctant to speak their minds, propose new ideas and give feedback to colleagues (Hulsbos et al., 2016). The study indicated that there is a lack of professional relatedness in these schools, a type of relationship between colleagues that is based on trust, mutual respect and a shared vision. The authors argue that professional relatedness supports teacher professional development (TPD) through supporting social learning. To further explore the concept of professional relatedness in Dutch schools and its relationship to TPD a PhD project has been initiated. The aim of the PhD project is, amongst others, to develop an instrument and intervention specifically designed for Dutch schools to study and enhance professional relatedness and TPD. The main questions for this roundtable session focus on the development of the instrument and intervention.


A procedure which reduces the memory requirements for computing the viscous flow over a modified Orbiter geometry at a hypersonic flight condition is presented. The Langley Aerothermodynamic Upwind Relaxation Algorithm (LAURA) code which incorporates a thermochemical nonequilibrium chemistry model, a finite rate catalytic wall boundary condition and wall temperature distribution based on radiation equilibrium is used in this study. In addition, the effect of choice of 'min mod' function, eigenvalue limiter and grid density on surface heating is investigated. The surface heating from a flowfield calculation at Mach number 22, altitude of 230,000 ft and 40 deg angle of attack is compared with flight data from three Orbiter flights.


OBJECTIVES
Retrospective symptom reports tend to overestimate actual symptom intensity. This study explored how focusing on sensory-perceptual or on affective-motivational aspects of a somatic experience influenced retrospective symptom reports in high and low habitual symptom reporters (HSR). We hypothesized that a focus on affective-motivational aspects of somatic episodes contributes to retrospective overestimation compared to a focus on sensory-perceptual aspects.

DESIGN
Dyspnoea (rebreathing) and pain (cold pain) were induced during two experimental sessions in healthy women: 21 high and 24 low HSR, selected using cut-off scores on a symptom checklist. Within-subject manipulation of sensory and affective processing focus (PF) took place at the encoding phase before symptom induction.

METHODS
Dyspnoea and pain ratings were collected immediately after the symptom inductions and after 2 weeks. Breathing behaviour was recorded during dyspnoea trials, while affective state and symptom measures were collected after each trial.

RESULTS
Compared to pain, dyspnoea induction was perceived as more unpleasant, arousing, and threatening (ps < .001). Affective PF led to higher arousal (p < .01) and threat ratings (p = .01) than sensory PF. Affective PF also led to an increase in retrospective dyspnoea ratings over the course of 2 weeks (p = .039), which was not observed for pain, nor for dyspnoea after sensory PF. The effects of PF on symptom ratings were independent of the HSR levels.

CONCLUSIONS
The PF during symptom encoding may explain previously observed bias in retrospective symptom reporting. The results are relevant to understand the mechanisms underlying symptom overreporting. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Retrospective symptom ratings are often biased when compared to the momentary assessments. Attending to either sensory or affective aspects of the somatic experience is one of the factors affecting self-reported symptoms. What does this study add? Focusing on affective aspects elicited by the somatic experience led to an increase in retrospective symptom ratings over time. This is particularly so for more aversive somatic experiences. Directing the processing focus to sensory aspects during symptom encoding can attenuate bias in retrospective symptom reporting.


The poverty rate in Indonesia is still at 7.60% or equivalent to 26.50 million people, which is still relatively high as of September 2021—women are the vulnerable subgroup among the impoverished and are often inevitably stigmatized. On the contrary, women's tenacity to face an economic crisis following their capacity to sustain the household economy is an ineluctable fact. This is proven by the productive business ventures that have survived the economic crisis, founded and managed by Indonesian women. Household economic resilience may significantly impact a community's economic resilience. Thus, women in households' empowerment in the economic realm are notably crucial. Looking for the best strategies to strengthen households' economic resilience and upgrade the ability to compete in an intense economic rivalry becomes urgent. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) empowerment is one of the most efficient ways to develop a community. Tuksono Village is one of the villages with a high poverty rate in Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta. Yet, based on early observations, several MSMEs exist in Tuksono Village, although Covid-19 has severely impacted most since early March 2020. Based on the latest MSME situation in Tuksono Village, The analysis indicates that various issues must be addressed immediately. Some problems were that most MSMEs are not currently competitive, unstable offline marketing progress due to the pandemic, and the absence of indicators to measure the effectiveness of household economy's products marketing. This activity aims to design an information system and digital marketing platform for MSME products in Tuksono Village.


An overview is presented of the current state of knowledge of the salient aspects of the sources, transport, and alterations of arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, and nickel. This information is considered vital for a better assessment of the scope of potential human hazard to these ubiquitous toxicants and their compounds. Stress is focused on both natural and industrial activities, particularly on the latter's projected trends. Increasing use patterns per se of most of these metals, as well as aspects of waste disposal and the anticipated increased combustion of fossil fuels for power generation and space heating (particularly in the United States), are major causes of potential health concern. Additionally, attention is drawn to the need for increased research to fill the gaps in our knowledge in these vital areas, all in the hope of permitting a more facile identification and quantification of the potential hazard to exposure to these agents.


We present a two-band model based on periodic Hückel theory, which is capable of predicting the existence and position of Dirac cones in the first Brillouin zone of an infinite class of two-dimensional periodic carbon networks, obtained by systematic perturbation of the graphene connectivity by bond decoration, that is by inclusion of arbitrary π-electron Hückel networks into each of the three carbon-carbon π-bonds within the graphene unit cell. The bond decoration process can fundamentally modify the graphene unit cell and honeycomb connectivity, representing a simple and general way to describe many cases of graphene chemical functionalization of experimental interest, such as graphyne, janusgraphenes, and chlorographenes. Exact mathematical conditions for the presence of Dirac cones in the spectrum of the resulting two-dimensional π-networks are formulated in terms of the spectral properties of the decorating graphs. Our method predicts the existence of Dirac cones in experimentally characterized janusgraphenes and chlorographenes, recently speculated on the basis of density functional theory calculations. For these cases, our approach provides a proof of the existence of Dirac cones, and can be carried out at the cost of a back of the envelope calculation, bypassing any diagonalization step, even within Hückel theory.


The purpose of the presented work is an accurate determination of magnetic loss far from gyromagnetic resonance (/spl Delta/H/sub eff/), in a wide frequency range using resonant cavities completely or partially filled with magnetic material. The rigorous analytic field expressions are given for any mode of each device. The importance of the relative metallic loss is pointed out and the accuracy of the determination of the conductivity of metallic walls is discussed. The accuracy of the /spl Delta/H/sub eff/ determination is studied for each structure. >


Learning English in the school is a must; with the existence of English lessons
at school, then students will recognize and know English early. Thus, they will have a
basic knowledge better before continuing to higher education level. But the students at
the eighth graders students of SMP N 1 Sedayu had the problem in learning reading, they
got low score in the reading tests. This research aims (1) to describe how Collaborative
Strategic Reading can improve students' reading comprehension, and (2) to find out the
significant improvement of students' reading comprehension using Collaborative
Strategic Reading.
The method used in this research is Classroom Action Research (CAR) which
is to identify and solve the problem on students reading comprehension. This research is
carried out in the VIII E class at SMP N 1 Sedayu and involves 32 students. To analyze
the data, it uses tests; pre test and post test score.
The research findings showed that the use of Collaborative Strategic Reading
(CSR) could improve students' reading comprehension. The improvement included: (1)
students were able to identify the form of text; (2) students were able find the meaning of
difficult word in the text (vocabulary); (3) students were able to get the detail
information in the text; (4) students were able to identify the main idea in the text.
Besides, the improvement of students' reading comprehension could be seen from the
improvement of the mean score of pre test, that was 50, post test first cycle which was
67, and post test second cycle was 81. Thus, the researcher suggested that CSR could be
used as a technique to help students in learning especially in getting their reading
comprehension.


Turkey and chicken rotaviruses were successfully adapted to replicate in a rhesus monkey embryo kidney (MA104) cell line. Trypsin treatment of virus and cells was essential for serial passage of the viruses. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separated the viral RNA into 11 segments with clear resolution of segments 10 and 11. Segment 5 migrated with size class I, and this characteristic appeared to be a unique feature of the avian rotavirus genome. The ability of the avian rotaviruses to haemagglutinate a variety of erythrocytes was demonstrated. A type-specific antigen was detected by haemagglutination-inhibition assays and a group or subgroup antigen by enzyme immunoassays. Treatment of serum with heparin-MnCl2 was shown to be the best method for removing non-specific inhibitors of haemagglutination.


This research intends to examine the roles of institutional quality on tourism-led growth and growth-led tourism hypothesis in Malaysia in both short run and long run analysis. This study uses yearly data from 1996 to 2015 to verify whether institutional quality significantly affects the relationship between tourism and economic growth in Malaysia. It provides a comprehensive dataset by investigating all the institutional quality dimensions including control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence in addition to the aggregate value and average value of these dimensions. The findings provide empirical supports that institutional quality such as control of corruption and government effectiveness do play important roles in the tourism and economic growth in Malaysia. In this essence, any policy planning that enhances the corruption and government effectiveness of Malaysia could promote the tourism development and economic growth in Malaysia.


INTRODUCTION It has been shown that soluble milk proteins are more efficient in the recovery of muscle mass after a period of immobilization. However, their effect on muscle functional properties remains unknown. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of milk proteins quality on the recovery of muscle functional properties after an immobilization. METHODS After an initial (I0) evaluation of the contractile properties of the plantar flexors (isometric torque and concentric power), the ankle of 30 adult rats was immobilized by casting for 8 days. After cast removal, rats were fed either with a diet with 13% of casein (CAS); or 13% of native soluble milk proteins (NAT); or 13% of proteins from whey (WHEY). During the recovery period, contractile properties were evaluated 7 (R7), 21 (R21) and 42 days (R42) after cast removal. RESULTS The immobilization induced an homogeneous depression of isometric torque and concentric power in all the experimental groups. At R21, isometric torque had fully recovered in WHEY and NAT, but was still significantly depressed in CAS, where complete recovery occurred at R42. No significant difference of power recovery kinetics was observed between CAS, WHEY and NAT at R21. However, power was increased in NAT at R42 as compared to I0 (+ 14.7 ± 26.0% ; P<0.001), but not in CAS and WHEY. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Soluble milk proteins clearly speed up the recovery of isometric torque as compared to casein. However, in dynamic condition, the increase of concentric power above baseline values is only observed in the group fed with native soluble milk proteins.


OF DISSERTATION THE PARTISAN STRATEGY OF VOTER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: BARRIER TO THE BALLOT OR MOBILIZER OF MINORITIES? The 2000 US Presidential Election brought the confusing array of electoral rules to the minds of many in the mass media and politics. One reform advocated to improve the integrity of elections was to require voters to present identification at the polls prior to receiving a ballot. This particular reform generated much controversy, as critics worried that millions of citizens would be denied a ballot because they lacked government-issued photo ID, a form of ID advocated by many Republican officials. The controversy extended to the courts, with photo ID requirements upheld by a 6-3 US Supreme Court decision in 2008 in part due to the lack of evidence that ID laws prevented any citizens from voting. Consequently, over 30 states now require some form of ID of all voters in elections prior to receiving a ballot. Surprisingly, extant research has failed to uncover evidence of a consistent impact on voter participation. My research shows that the best way to understand whether and how voter ID laws impact turnout in national elections is to begin with a theory of how these laws are shaped by the strategic environment faced by the state political parties whose job is to win elections. Using a variety of data sources, I examine how ID laws impact political participation in the US. This includes examining both what factors led some states to adopt these laws as well as their impact on voter participation and mobilization. I find that laws appear to be adopted primarily for strategic reasons rather than to combat voter fraud. States with growing minority populations and large gaps between midterm and presidential election turnout are more likely to enact photo ID laws than other states. Showing that partisan concerns impact adoption. However, using aggregate turnout from both states and counties in past federal elections I do not find any consistent negative impact. Surprisingly, photo ID laws appear to increase turnout in states with large African American populations, with a significant negative impact only in areas with few minority voters. I attribute this to a change in campaign strategy where Democratic groups are using laws to mobilize minority voters. Using survey data from 2010 and 2012 I show that African Americans are more likely to be contacted in states with photo ID laws, which helps explain the surprising impact of these laws on voter turnout. While ID laws may have been enacted to achieve a partisan advantage for Republicans, these reforms do not take place in a vacuum where they are immune to any response. Critics and opponents of voter ID requirements may be successfully using these laws to mobilize the very groups they are thought to suppress.


This study uses the Global Assessment of Soil Degradation (GLASOD) to map sediment sources and erosion process types within the Congo Basin as part of a scoping study to guide a basin wide sedimentation study. The GLASOD map is validated using information from literature and published sediment concentration data at the Brazzaville gauging station, which includes over 95% of the basin area. Validation is complemented by analysis of timelapse satellite images and surface water transition maps derived from Landsat images. The upper catchments are shown to be the main sources of sediment, with the largest exporter by quantity being the Upper Congo sub-basin followed by the Kasai. In terms of severity, the Kasai has the highest specific sediment pro- duction rates at 8.92t/km 2 /year, followed by the Sangha and Upper Congo at 8.52t/km 2 /year and 7.61t/km 2 / year, respectively. The dominant erosion/degradation type is the loss of topsoil through water erosion (sheet erosion), occurring in 32% of the entire Congo Basin area, followed by loss of nutrients and organic matter through chemical degradation, 21% of area. The mapping also shows that a large proportion of the Basin (39%) consists of stable terrain under natural conditions, without any human induced erosion. The erosion levels in the Basin are generally low with the predominant mapped erosion processes occurring mostly infrequently and with low levels of severity. The GLASOD map performs satisfactorily as a tool for mapping erosion sources and process types, but fails to explain the process dynamics within the sub-basins, for example, the high sediment ex- portation rates published for the Sangha sub-basin despite consisting mainly of stable natural terrain (84%). Analysis of satellite images shows an increase in sediment concentration in the Congo River's waters over the years. However, this temporal increase in sediment concentration is neither reflected in the GLASOD map nor the quantitative studies reviewed for this paper, pointing to the urgent need for future research on sediment dy- namics in the Basin. Questions are also raised on the roles of the Malebo Pool and Cuvette Centrale in the sediment transport processes of the Basin. The questions raised, and observations made from this study have been used to identify strategic sampling sites for further field studies.


Giving the necessity to know the price of a non-marketed good, our objective throughout the present paper is the proposal of a mechanism for their determination. Starting from the contingent valuation method (CVM) used in a crisp environment; we will propose a methodology to aggregate fuzzy opinions in order to get the equilibrium price. Further analysis will allow us to evaluate the convenience of fixing subsidies or taxes on such non-marketed goods. Previous works have deal with fuzzy demand and supply functions (Yager, 2000; Dompere, 1997). This paper will focus on the process of requesting supplying information. Two groups of experts were selected, one representing demand and the other supply. After successive phases, both prices were determined, and their intersection made it possible to obtain the market price in accordance with classical theory. The study established criteria for determining the maximum number of phases, bearing in mind the dispersion of opinions and their variation in two consecutive phases. Finally, the mechanism was applied to determine the market price of treated wastewater in the province of Alicante (Spain). A survey was made to the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) as suppliers and farmers and water distribution companies as consumers.


A multiple instruction stream-multiple data stream (MIMD) computer is a parallel computer with a large number of identical processing elements. The essential feature that distinguishes each MIMD computer family is the interconnection network. In this paper, we are concerned with two representative types of interconnection networks that are called the hypercube and the chordal ring networks. A family of regular graphs is presented as a possible candidate for the implementation of a distributed system and for fault-tolerant architecture. The symmetry of these graphs makes it possible to determine message routing by using a simple distributed algorithm. Arbitrary data permutations are generally accomplished by sorting. For certain classes of permutations, however, (for example, many frequently used permutations in parallel processing, such as bit reversal, bit shuffle, bit complement, matrix transpose, butterfly permutations in FFT algorithms, and segment shuffles), there are algorithms that are more efficient than the best sorting algorithm. One of these is the bit permute complement (BPC) class of permutations. We have developed algorithms for bidirectional networks. The developed algorithm in hypercube networks requires only 1 token memory register in each node. The algorithm takes the same number of steps as the maximum Hamming distance. Therefore, we have concluded that the presented algorithm is the optimal one. On the other hand, the developed algorithm in chordal ring networks requires 2 token storage register. The number of required routing steps in two kinds of networks is evaluated.


This paper will describe some basic negative entropy models for living system growth and repair. In so doing we will find that the laws of thermodynamics are unable to explain why growth and repair would spontaneously occur in nature. The models will show that the Second Law is not able to justify growth and repair without a Fifth Law. A Fifth law is needed to include tendencies of living systems to create order from available work and matter. In this paper, the Second Law short comings are exposed and the need for a Fifth Law is demonstrated and proposed.


The present invention provides a solid basis of 1 to 10 mass% of the composition containing antipruritic Kumazasa extract, and promote wound healing compositions. The composition of the present invention, since a significantly higher than the previous concentrations that Kumazasa extract having a high antipruritic effect of difficult to treat previously alleviated atopy skin diseases, and has an excellent promoting wound healing effect.


Risk management is important to the development of enterprise as well as social-economic prosperity. Virtual enterprise is the potential mode of future enterprise under electronic commerce environment and the risk management for it is a popular research area recently. Due to the complexity of its risk management a decision support system (DSS) with 3-bases-1-cell structure was designed. By coordinating data base, model base, algorithm base and dialogue cell, the functions of project management, risk identification, risk assessment, risk evaluation and risk programming was supported. The user-friendly system has such main characteristics as generality for verity virtual enterprise as well as different projects and the flexibility of model and algorithm, ensuring a standardized, scientific and informational risk management for virtual enterprises.


The purpose of this study is to describe the Learning of Entrepreneurship of AUD to improve the attitude of child self-reliance in kindergarten Khalifah Sukonandi Yogyakarta, as well as supporting factors and inhibiting the attitude of independence of children through entrepreneurial learning in kindergarten Khalifah Sukonandi Yogyakarta.
This research is a qualitative research by using the method of observation, interview, and documentation in collecting data. Data analysis technique with interactive model. Data validity uses triangulation of methods and sources.
Based on the results of data analysis conducted, the implementation of the entrepreneurship learning of AUD in TK Khalifah Sukonandi Yogyakarta includes: the initial activities, core activities, rest and cover. Children perform dhuha prayers together, where it is the way that is done to instill the value of successful entrepreneurs in the child's self by praying dhuha before learning begins. Because by training a child praying dhuha there is a value of discipline which is one of the values of entrepreneurship. General learning activities with centers and there are special activities for entrepreneurship, such as market day, outing class and cooking class. Children look spirit and child independence attitude is good in offering merchandise. Children's collaboration is good where children remind each other of their friends when choosing food or drink taken. In the implementation adjust the theme and conditions. For the special activities of market day TK Khalifah Sukonandi Yogyakarta made a semester program and the process of preparing a daily activity plan is incorporated into learning such as role play. The curriculum is centralized and distributed in the finished form. Teachers develop their own activities that will be implemented and adapted to the situation. Cooking class activity done twice a month. Market day activity is done three times. Outing activities are conducted two to three times. The factors supporting child self-reliance through entrepreneurship learning include: (1) from their own children, (2) the relationship between teachers and students, (3) good teamwork between teachers and (4) geographical location. Inhibiting factors of child self-reliance through entrepreneurial learning include: (1) limited places for outing, (2) limited number of children in market day activities, (3) limited educational game tools.


The Multithreaded Application Real-Time executor (MARTe) is a data driven framework environment for the development and deployment of real-time control algorithms. The main ideas which led to the present version of the framework were to standardise the development of real-time control systems, while providing a set of strictly bounded standard interfaces to the outside world and also accommodating a collection of facilities which promote the speed and ease of development, commissioning and deployment of such systems. At the core of every MARTe based application, is a set of independent inter-communicating software blocks, named Generic Application Modules (GAM), orchestrated by a real-time scheduler. The platform independence of its core library provides MARTe the necessary robustness and flexibility for conveniently testing applications in different environments including non-real-time operating systems. MARTe is already being used in several machines, each with its own peculiarities regarding hardware interfacing, supervisory control configuration, operating system and target control application. This paper presents and compares the most recent results of systems using MARTe: the JET Vertical Stabilisation system, which uses the Real Time Application Interface (RTAI) operating system on Intel multi-core processors; the COMPASS plasma control system, driven by Linux RT also on Intel multi-core processors; ISTTOK real-time tomography equilibrium reconstruction which shares the same support configuration of COMPASS; JET error field correction coils based on VME, PowerPC and VxWorks; FTU LH reflected power system running on VME, Intel with RTAI.


The purpose of this research is to answer the question if and how information and communications technology (ICT) combined with the Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) helps kindergarten students to enhance their effectiveness in addition and subtraction. Our research compares the level of mathematical competence of the students taught using our ICT oriented learning method which specifically takes advantage of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) for the concept of addition and subtraction, as opposed to traditional teaching methodology. The study dealt with kindergarten students in the city of Crete Rethymno, who were divided into two groups (experimental and control) during the school year 2012-13. The experimental group consisted of 165 students who were taught addition and subtraction with the support of computers and RME. There were 170 students in the control group which were not exposed to the computer oriented curriculum. Students in both groups were pre-tested and post-tested for their mathematical achievement. The educational software consisted of math activities, designed following the background of realistic mathematics education and more specifically that of the learning teaching trajectory for the domain of addition and subtraction. The results of the research support a positive correlation between kindergarten children's early numeracy competence and the integration of computers in teaching and learning addition and subtraction based on Realistic Mathematics Education.


Importance Twitter represents a growing aspect of the social media experience and is a widely used tool for public education in the 21st century. In the last few years, there has been concern about the dissemination of false health information on social media. It is therefore important that we assess the influencers of this health information in the field of cardiology. Objective We sought to identify the top 100 Twitter influencers within cardiology, characterize them, and examine the relationship between their social media activity and academic influence. Design Twitter topic scores for the topic search "cardiology" were queried on May 01, 2020 using the Right Relevance application programming interface (API). Based on their scores, the top 100 influencers were identified. Among the cardiologists, their academic h-indices were acquired from Scopus and these scores were compared to the Twitter topic scores. Result We found out that 88/100 (88%) of the top 100 social media influencers on Twitter were cardiologists. Of these, 63/88 (72%) were males and they practiced mostly in the United States with 50/87 (57%) practicing primarily in an academic hospital. There was a moderately positive correlation between the h-index and the Twitter topic score, r = +0.32 (p-value 0.002). Conclusion Our study highlights that the top ranked cardiology social media influencers on Twitter are board-certified male cardiologists practicing in academic settings in the US. The most influential on Twitter have a moderate influence in academia. Further research should evaluate the relationship between other academic indices and social media influence.


n this article from the standpoint of social conflict resolution are considered controversial for the planet key social events in Russia during the 100 year history: the October Revolution, Victory 1945, Launch into space, collapse of the USSR.


Soft robotics opened a new set of technological challenges in using soft materials to build robots. The ability of change stiffness is among the most important, because it enables the possibility to tune forces exchanged with the environment. Granular and layer jamming transition have already demonstrated to be a promising approach for developing variable stiffness structures, but no studies have been dedicated to specifically fiber jamming so far. In this paper, we report a preliminary comparative study on fiber jamming applied to cylindrical structures. Fibers of different materials have been used as filler and tested under bending conditions. The results show that up to 380% of stiffness increase can be achieved, in line with data collected on similar devices that use granular jamming. The role of the main mechanical and geometrical parameters have been discussed: elastic properties are fundamental, but optimal performance can be achieved only with ordered arrangements of the fibers; geometrical features seem secondary, but surface roughness has an important role in preventing sliding. This is a preliminary study, but it already defines a first set of guidelines that can help and promote future works on the development and integration of the fiber jamming in soft systems.


Background Fracture-risk assessment tool (FRAX) using just clinical risk factors of osteoporosis has been developed to estimate individual risk of osteoporotic fractures. We developed prediction model of fracture risk using bone mineral density (BMD) as well as clinical risk factors in Korean, and assessed the validity of the final model. Methods To develop and validate an osteoporotic FRAX, a total of 768 Korean men and women aged 50 to 90 years were followed for 7 years in a community-based cohort study. BMD as well as clinical risk factors for osteoporotic fracture including age, sex, body mass index, history of fragility fracture, family history of fracture, smoking status, alcohol intake, use of oral glucocorticoid, rheumatoid arthritis, and other causes of secondary osteoporosis were assessed biannually. Results During the follow-up period, 86 osteoporotic fractures identified (36 in men and 50 in women). The developed prediction models showed high discriminatory power and had goodness of fit. Conclusions The developed a Korean specific prediction model for osteoporotic fractures can be easily used as a screening tool to identify individual with high risk of osteoporotic fracture. Further studies for validation are required to confirm the clinical feasibility in general Korean population.


Naa10 is a Nα-terminal acetyltransferase that, in a complex with its auxiliary subunit Naa15, co-translationally acetylates the α-amino group of newly synthetized proteins as they emerge from the ribosome. Roughly 40-50% of the human proteome is acetylated by Naa10, rendering this an enzyme with one of the most broad substrate ranges known. Recently, we reported an X-linked disorder of infancy, Ogden syndrome, in two families harboring a c.109T>C (p.Ser37Pro) variant in NAA10. In the present study we performed in-depth characterization of a yeast model of Ogden syndrome. Stress tests and proteomic analyses suggest that the S37P mutation disrupts Naa10 function thereby reducing cellular fitness, possibly due to an impaired functionality of molecular chaperones, Hsp104, Hsp40 and the Hsp70 family. Microarray and RNA-seq revealed a pseudo-diploid gene expression profile in ΔNaa10 cells, likely responsible for a mating defect. In conclusion, the data presented here further support the disruptive nature of the S37P/Ogden mutation and identify affected cellular processes potentially contributing to the severe phenotype seen in Ogden syndrome.


A growing body of research is focused on identifying and understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms that underlie tinnitus. Unfortunately, however, most current models cannot adequately explain the majority of tinnitus features. For instance, although tinnitus generally appears within minutes after entering a silent environment, most models postulate that tinnitus emerges over a much larger timescale (days). Similarly, there is a limited understanding of how the severity of tinnitus can differ in patients with a similar degree of hearing loss. To address this critical knowledge gap, we have formulated a novel explanatory model of tinnitus, the perception-update (PU) model, which rests on a theory of information processing and can explain several key characteristics of tinnitus onset. The PU model posits that the brain continuously updates the information received from the inner ear by comparing it to the received information immediately before. That is, the auditory system processes the relative change in sensory input, as opposed to the absolute value of the auditory input. This is analogous to the functioning of data compression technology used for music and images called differential pulse code modulation (differential PCM). The PU model proposes that the inner ear transmits sound change to the auditory cortex via an auditory N1 response, an event-related potential component that constitutes is a prime signaler of auditory input change. In cases of hearing impairment, the PU model posits that the auditory system finds itself in a state of uncertainty where perception has to be predicted based on previous stimulation parameters, which can lead to the emergence of tinnitus.


Importance Ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Percutaneous coronary Intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) represent the primary treatment options for coronary revascularisation in patients with significant coronary artery disease. Significant left main coronary artery disease is increasingly being treated with PCI. This is despite the CABG remaining the gold standard of treatment in left main disease – and holding class 1A indication from both US and European Societies. However, as interventional techniques have become more refined coupled with the advent of drug eluting stents and – the outcomes of patients with left main disease treated with PCI have improved. This serves to threaten the long-standing position of CABG as the primary treatment of left main disease. Objective Since July 2013 PCI for unprotected LMCA stenosis has been performed in the cardiology department of the University Hospital Limerick (UHL). The primary aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of patients with unprotected significant LMCA stenosis (> 50%) who underwent PCI in the cardiology department of UHL in 2013 and 2014. The performance of this cohort will then be compared to those underwent CABG for unprotected left main disease within the same time frame. Methods Patients with significant ULMCA disease who attended UHL between January 2013 and July 2014, and subsequently underwent PCI or CABG, were identified from the clinical registry. Baseline demographic and cardiac risk factor data was collected for each patient. The SYNTAX 5 and the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (euroSCORE) were calculated for each subject. This determined their severity of coronary artery disease and surgical risk. The primary end points of this study were in-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and length of hospital stay. MACCE were defined as death, Q wave myocardial infarction, CVA, the requirement for repeat revascularisation, and re-admission within 30 days. Finally, in October 2014, 50 of 57 participants were followed up by telephone questionnaire where; angina severity (CCS score), heart failure status (NYHA classification), and quality of life (EQD5L) were also determined. Analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows Version 22. Categorical variables were compared across both groups using Fischer's exact test or the Chi-Square test where appropriate. Continuous variables were compared using the Independent Samples Median Testing. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results 57 patients with significant LMCAD attending UHL were identified from the clinical registry. 27 patients underwent PCI (median age 67.71) and 30 CABG (median age 68.59). A high volume of emergency index admissions was common to both the PCI and CABG arms of the study (PCI 70.4 vs CABG 75.9, p = 0.765). Male patients dominated both the PCI and CABG groups, at 85.2% and 82.8% respectively. Diabetes was present in under 20% of both groups (PCI 18.5 vs. 17.2, p = 1). A history of myocardial infarction (inclusive of the index admission) was also common to both cohorts (PCI 51.9 vs 41.4), p = 0.592. Angina was seen in 81.5% of the PCI-treated patients and 75.9% of the CABG grip, p = 0.748. Renal impairment as determined by creatinine clearance was significantly associated with allocation to CABG surgery (PCI 80.8 vs CABG 56.3, p = 0.004). While the PCI patients had a higher surgical risk as measured by the euroSCORE, this difference was not of statistical significance (PCI 19.2 vs, 6.9, p = 0.236). The PCI group had a shorter length of stay (6.6 vs. 37.6 days, p = 0.06). What is more, those who were treated with CABG had to wait significantly longer for their revascularisation (PCI 3.4 vs CABG 8 days, p = 0.04). PCI is the treatment of choice in 90.5% of patients presenting to UHL with mild to intermediate left main disease. On the contrary however, when disease burden is severe the Heart team in UHL refer 77% of patients for CABG. Both of these differences were of statistical significance (p < 0.001). Conclusions This study has provided baseline and outcome data on patients at UHL with left main disease and subsequently treated with PCI or CABG. At UHL, patients with mild to moderate coronary artery disease (SYNTAX 0–32) are most often treated with PCI. However, in the presence of severe disease (SYNTAX > 33) tend to be referred to a tertiary centre for CABG. The average follow up for all patients was 293 days. At the time, there was no significant differences in the occurrence of all MACCE, death, myocardial infarction, stroke or target vessel revascularisation. Patients treated with CABG had a longer hospital stay but this was not of statistical significance. The EuroQoL questionnaire provides an interesting insight into the subjective experience of the patient after PCI or CABG. Both PCI and CABG can be viewed as reasonable options for treating left main coronary artery disease, as they share similiar short term outcome. More data is need on the durability of PCI in the long term.


ABSTRACT Background :Smoking is the single most important cause of death. The use of tobacco in cigarettes among smokers is the leading cause of premature mortality and morbidity. Objective : The aim of the study is to determine socioeconomic factors associated with smoking among rural adult population in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Methods :A cross sectional study was carried out from 1,136 respondents by using a questionnaire which waspre-tested, and face to face interview was conducted. The questionnaire was divided into 5 separate sections which were socio-demographics characteristics, tobacco use patterns, peers and family influences, knowledge related to smoking and perception on anti-smoking programme.A multistage random sampling method was used to obtain the sample size. The target population was from District of Jempol, a rural District in state ofNegeri Sembilan.. Result :Out of 1,136 eligible respondents, a total of 998 respondents have participated in this study which made the response rate 87.85 percent.The findings showed that 45.3% of the respondents were smoker. The age range of respondents wasbetween 45 and 64 years old. 51.8% are male,married (64.6%), and with education level of secondary school (47.9%) and majority of them were Malay (95.6%) and Muslim (95.9%). Main occupation is lorry drivers (41.3%), and 96.1% of the respondents with income between RM1000-1999 (96.1%).The findings showed that the followings are important factors influencing smoking behavior among respondents: friend influence (β= 4.347, P-value= 0.001), employment status (β= 3.574, P-value= 0.001), family member (β= 2.123, P-value= 0.001), income (β= 2.066, P-value= 0.011), advertisement (β= 1.452, P-value= 0.001), marital status (β= 1.050, P-value= 0.001), education level (β= -0.549, P-value= 0.036) and knowledge (β= -2.759, P-value= 0.001).Social factors aremore important than economic factors. Conclusion :The study concluded that both social and economics factor play important role influencing respondents smoking behavior and social factors play more important role. Keywords : Smoking, Socioeconomic factors, Adult, Rural.


This study compared the continuous positive airways pressure mode of the demand valve system of the Engstrom Erica ventilator with a custom‐made continuous flow continuous positive airways pressure system in terms of the oxygen cost of breathing during weaning from mechanical ventilation. Ten consecutive patients in our intensive care unit, with thermodilution pulmonary artery flotation catheters in situ, were studied. Measurements were carried out under steady‐state conditions, initially when breathing spontaneously with continuous positive airways pressure via the Erica and then when transition to the continuous flow system was achieved. There were no significant differences between the two methods of providing continuous positive airways pressure in terms of the measured and derived physiological variables studied, with the exception of oxygen consumption. Oxygen consumption with the continuous flow system was significantly less than with the Erica (142.8 (SEM 31.4) ml.min‐1.m‐2 compared with 165.8 (SEM 30.5) ml.min‐1.m‐2, p < 0.05). This difference reflects the reduced oxygen cost of breathing when the custom‐made continuous flow system was used during weaning.


BackgroundSteroid drugs are particularly important for disease prevention and clinical treatment. However, traditional chemical methods are rarely implemented during the whole synthetic process to generate steroid intermediates due to the intricate steroid structure. Novel steroid drug precursors and their ideal bacterial strains for industrial production have yet to be developed. Among these, 9-OH-4-HP is a potential steroid drug precursor for the synthesis of corticosteroids. In this study, a combined strategy of blocking Δ1-dehydrogenation and the C19 pathway as well as improving the intracellular environment was investigated to construct an effective 9-OH-4-HP-producing strain.ResultsA Δ1-dehydrogenation-deficient strain of wild-type Mycobacterium neoaurum DSM 44074 produces 9-OH-4-HP with a molar yield of 4.8%. hsd4A, encoding a β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and fadA5 encoding an acyl-COA thiolase, were separately knocked out to block the C19 pathway in the Δ1-dehydrogenation-deficient strain. The two engineered strains could accumulate 0.59 g L-1 and 0.47 g L-1 9-OH-4-HP from 1 g L-1 phytosterols. Furthermore, hsd4A and fadA5 were knocked out simultaneously in the Δ1-dehydrogenation-deficient strain. The 9-OH-4-HP production from the Hsd4A and FadA5 double-deficient strain was 11.9% higher than that of the Hsd4A -deficient strain and 40.4% higher than that of the strain with FadA5 deficiency, and its selectivity reached 94.9%. Subsequently, the catalase katE from Mycobacterium and an NADH oxidase, nox, from Bacillus subtilis were overexpressed to improve the intracellular environment. Ultimately, 9-OH-4-HP production reached 3.58 g L-1 from 5 g L-1 phytosterols, and the selectivity of 9-OH-4-HP improved to 97%.Conclusionhsd4A and fadA5 are key enzymes in the C19 pathway for phytosterol side chain degradation. Deletion of hsd4A and fadA5 could almost entirely block the C19 pathway. Improving the intracellular environment of Mycobacterium during phytosterol bioconversion could accelerate the conversion process and enhance the productivity of target sterol derivatives.


Due to increasing healthcare system demands, coupled with greater promotion of patient-centred care approaches, supported self-management (SSM) models are increasing in popularity. However, one element that may be overlooked in implementing SSM models is staff beliefs towards adopting this approach. Health psychology models may play an important role in healthcare through providing a framework to assess staff beliefs and design interventions accordingly. The present study seeks to use the theory of planned behaviour to assess beliefs towards SSM in staff working with patients' of long-term conditions in a regional Scottish health board.
Francis et al.'s (2004) theory of planned behaviour questionnaire development guide will be used to assess staff beliefs towards SSM. An elicitation study has been facilitated, recorded, transcribed, qualitatively coded and inter-rater coding agreements reached by two researchers (NA, GO). The next stage is to use the belief codes (identified by the elicitation study) to generate a questionnaire that will be piloted, amended and disseminated. Responses shall be collated and analysed using multiple regressions.
Elicitation study inter-rater coding by two researchers produced 82 codes (7 behavioural, 7 normative and 6 control belief categories). Based on the elicitation study codes, it is predicted that staff will have positive behavioural beliefs towards SSM but low perceived normative and control beliefs.
The study aims to provide an implementation science example for how a health psychology model may be used to assess long-term condition healthcare staff beliefs towards SSM in order to bridge the research-practice gap.


Most studies of dexamethasone (DXN) effects on experimental glioma have used doses 10-500 higher (on mg/kg basis) than those used for patients with brain tumour. The relevance of findings to patients with glioma are therefore uncertain. In order to evaluate the effects of clinical doses of DXN (0.22 mg kg(-1)day(-1)) on the pathophysiology of an experimental glioma we have treated rodents with established C6 gliomas for 3 days. The effects of therapy on local cerebral blood flow (LCBF), tumour blood flow (TBF), tumour capillary permeability (TCP), and inducible nit ric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression were evaluated. DXN caused a significant reduction in TCP (21 +/- 1.9 to 7.7 +/- 2.2 ml.gm(-1)min(-1)10(-3)) and iNOS mRNA production within and around tumour, but no significant change in either TBF or LCBF. The reduction in TCP was identical to that reported after higher doses of DXN and is probably mediated by glucocorticoid receptors. Further in vivo stud ies using either behavioural or neuropathological paradigms in rodents with established cerebral glioma should be treated with similar doses of DXN to optimise clinical relevance.


Immortalized cells are commonly used as analogs for primary cells in many cell mechanics, tissue engineering, and biochemical assays. However, it is not well-established whether immortal cell lines can mimic the behavior of primary cells in more physiological (three-dimensional) environments. For this project, we investigate the mechanical properties of primary cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and 3T3 transformed fibroblasts when cultured in cell bi-layers by comparing the cells' viscoelastic properties.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


2-[11C]Thymidine (TdR), a PET tracer for cellular proliferation, may be advantageous for monitoring brain tumor progression and response to therapy. Kinetic analysis of dynamic TdR images was performed to estimate the rate of thymidine transport (K1t) and thymidine flux (KTdR) into brain tumors and normal brain. These estimates were compared to MRI and pathologic results. Methods: Twenty patients underwent sequential [11C]CO2 (major TdR metabolite) and TdR PET studies with arterial blood sampling and metabolite analysis. The data were fitted using the five-compartment model described in the companion article. Results: Comparison of model estimates with clinical and pathologic data shows that K1t is higher for MRI contrast enhancing tumors (p > .001), and KTdR increases with tumor grade (p > .02). On average, TdR retention was lower after treatment in high-grade tumors. The model was able to distinguish between increased thymidine transport due to blood–brain barrier breakdown and increased tracer retention associated with tumor cell proliferation. Conclusion: Initial analysis of model estimates of thymidine retention and transport show good agreement with the clinical and pathological features of a wide range of brain tumors. Ongoing studies will evaluate its role in measuring response to treatment and predicting outcome.


Background

Cerebral oxygenation monitoring may reduce the risk of death and neurologic complications in extremely preterm infants, but no such effects have yet been demonstrated in preterm infants in sufficiently powered randomised clinical trials. The objective of the SafeBoosC-III trial is to investigate the benefits and harms of treatment based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring compared with treatment as usual for extremely preterm infants.

Methods/Design

SafeBoosC III is an investigator-initiated multinational randomized, pragmatic phase III clinical trial. It is open label, but parts will be conducted blinded to intervention. Inclusion criteria consists of infants born below 28 weeks postmenstrual age and parental informed consent (unless the site has is using 'opt-out' or deferred consent). Exclusion criteria consists of missing parental informed consent (or if 'opt-out' is used, lack of record that clinical staff have explained the trial and the 'opt-out' consent process to parents and/or a record in the infant's clinical file of parents' decision to opt-out); decision not to provide full life support; and no possibility to initiate cerebral NIRS oximetry within 6 hours after birth. Participants will be randomized 1:1 into either the experimental or control group. Participants in the experimental group will be monitored during the first 72 hours of life with a cerebral NIRS oximeter. Cerebral hypoxia will be treated according to an evidence-based treatment guideline. Participants in the control group will not undergo cerebral oxygenation monitoring and will receive treatment as usual. Each participant will be followed up at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. The primary outcome will be a composite of either death or severe brain injury detected on any of the serial cranial ultrasound scans that are routinely performed in these infants up to 36 weeks postmenstrual age. To detect a 22% relative risk difference between the experimental and control group, we intend to randomize a cohort of 1600 infant.

Discussion

Treatment guided by cerebral NIRS oximetry has the potential to decrease risk of death or survival with severe brain injury in preterm infants. There is an urgent need to assess the clinical effects of NIRS monitoring among preterm neonates.


The efficacy of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the quality of Japanese apricot was investigated at 25 ℃ . X-ray computed tomography (CT) was employed to measure pixel-based average CT values in terms of gray scale (GS) value. The ethylene production rate and weight loss were minimal, whereas firmness, apparent density and soluble solids content were higher in 1-MCP-treated fruits. The histogram profile was almost the same during the storage period in 1-MCP-treated fruit. Differences in the internal structure between 1-MCP and control fruits could be identified by CT images. The standard deviation (GS) and low-density pixel volume were negatively correlated, whereas average CT value (GS) and peak height were positively correlated with the bio-yield stress and apparent density. X-ray CT images could thus be used for quality evaluation. Further, 1-MCP significantly delayed the ripening of Japanese apricot, thereby maintaining the internal structure at harvesting for seven d.


This research is motivated by a sense of concern about the rise of phenomena that indicate a moral crisis and exemplary behavior among students, especially elementary school students. To overcome this, it is necessary to know effective learning media in learning in schools, especially in the subjects of Islamic Religious Education and Characteristics about the role models. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the use of puppet media in learning the story of the examplary of Wali Sanga. The subjects were 23students from grade IV MI Dharwata Sikampuh Kroya. The method uses descriptive qualitative. The results showed that puppet media was effectively used in the learning of Islamic Religious Education and Characteristics for the theme of exemplary Wali Sanga characters as evidenced by the creation of a conducive learning climate and student assessment results that reached KKM by 78% and the achievement of basic competencies in Islamic Religious and Characteristics classes IV SD and MI.


Earlier studies had indicated that β-amino butyric acid (BABA) treatment of pearl millet seeds influenced seedling vigor and protected seedlings from downy mildew disease caused by the oomycetous biotrophic fungus Sclerospora graminicola. Application of 50mMBABAreduced disease severity and offered protection against S. graminicola of ∼74%. The protection induced was durable and operative during the vegetative and reproductive growth periods of the crop. In the present study an attempt was made to understand the biochemical basis for this protection. A close association was found between BABA-induced protection and increased accumulation of defence-related proteins like phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase, β-1,3-glucanase and cell wall hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGP). Isoelectric focusing of β-1,3-glucanases indicated the presence of several isoforms, of which isoforms of pI 9.6 and 8.8 were markedly increased in BABA-treated seedlings upon S. graminicola infection. Increased accumulation of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins was also observed at 9 h after inoculation in these samples. Western blots with MAC 265, a monoclonal antibody against pea HRGP identified a 17-kDa HRGP molecule that significantly increased in concentration in BABA-treated pearl millet seedlings as a response to S. graminicola infection. The postinfectional protection offered by BABA involved induction of defence responses which were comparable to the highly resistant cultivar.


The sharp change in slope of the ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray spectrum around 10^{9.6} GeV (the ankle), combined with evidence of a light but extragalactic component near and below the ankle which evolves to intermediate/heavy composition above, has proved exceedingly challenging to understand theoretically. Recently, we introduced a very general model in which, for a range of source conditions, photo-disintegration of ultrahigh-energy nuclei in the region surrounding the accelerator naturally accounts for the observed spectrum and composition of the entire extragalactic component, which dominates above about 10^{8.5} GeV. In this communication we review the generalities of the model and show that starburst galaxies provide a compelling source example.


Objectives: In the present study, Pediococcus acidilactici Ch-2 isolated from Chuli has been evaluated for its
 probiotic potential and its ability to produce bioactive compounds.
Methodology: Isolation was done on MRS agar followed by the safety assessment of isolates. Isolates were
 screened on the basis of their antagonistic potential against pathogenic bacteria. Probiotic attributes of screened
 isolate Ch-2 i.e. acid and bile tolerance, survival in simulated gastrointestinal conditions, bile salt tolerance, autoand
 co-aggregation, antimicrobial potential and metabolic profiling have been performed.
Results: It was observed that P. acidilactici Ch-2 was resistance to low pH and bile salts (0.3%) and simulated
 gastric and intestinal conditions, was able to produce bacteriocin and lactic acid against a number of serious food
 borne and spoilage causing microorganisms. The susceptibility to selected eleven antibiotics, inability to produce
 gelatinase and DNase and non-hemolytic nature revealed its safe status for further use in food and nutraceutical
 industry. In the present study, Squalene – a rare and therapeutic anticancerous compound has been reported for the
 very first time from a probiotic bacteria isolated from fermented food product and recommended for its further
 investigation as a potential source of Squalene.
Conclusion: In conclusion, most of the results in the present work revealed P. acidilactici Ch-2 as a potential
 probiotic candidate with many functional properties and novel compounds.


The variation of the bending stiffness of various materials is studied from the point of view of the electronic band characteristics. As far as the electronically generated bending stiffness κe (which we refer to as electro-stiffness) is concerned, the relevant factors are the orbital overlap t, the gap width u between the valence band and the conduction band, and the electron filling fraction γ. A perturbative calculation leads to the approximate expression κe ~ t2/√u2 + t2. This shows that materials with a large overlap and narrow band gap should be stiffer. The electro-stiffness also depends on the electron filling-fraction. We find that κe(γ) ≤ κe(1/2). These kinds of behavior are confirmed by numerical calculations. In addition, we study the variation in the projected length of flexible molecules under a voltage bias. The nonlinear variation of the bending rigidity is shown to give rise to a length contraction or dilation, depending on the voltage bias.


MRI has enabled significant advances in our understanding of human speech production. This application benefits from a lower magnetic field due to reduced off-resonance effects at air-tissue interfaces. Here, we evaluate the SNR and parallel imaging performance of a dedicated speech coil at 0.55 Tesla, and compare it to that of a head-neck coil. Over the upper airway regions of interest, the dedicated coil shows approximately 1.3- to 4.6-fold improvement in SNR efficiency compared to the head-neck coil.


An ongoing decrease in habitat and species diversity is occurring in many areas across Europe, including in grasslands in mountain areas, calling for adapted biodiversity management and measures. In this context, we carried out 79 interviews with grassland farmers in five alpine mountain regions in Germany, France, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. We analyzed farmers' perceptions about the functions and services of their grasslands, how they qualify "good" grasslands, which grassland management practices have changed over the last 10 years, and proposals to increase species diversity on the farm. They related them primarily to cultural ecosystem services, secondly to provisioning services, and thirdly to regulating and supporting services. Good pastures or meadows were mostly related to composition, quality of forage and productivity, structural criteria, and certain characteristics of soils and topography. The measures for increasing biodiversity that were most frequently proposed were upgrading of forest edges, planting hedges or fruit trees, less or late grassland cutting, reduction or omission of fertilization, and more general extensification of farm productions. Factors hindering the implementation of these measures were mainly increased workload, insufficient time, and a lack of financial means or support to cover additional costs for biodiversity management. These factors have to be taken specifically into account for future policies for enhanced biodiversity management of grasslands, also beyond mountainous areas. Overall, we found that farmers have good but varying knowledge about biodiversity management of their grasslands, but also different perspectives on how to improve it. Here, local initiatives that bring together farmers and flora or fauna specialists to exchange knowledge could be designed and used in participatory pilot schemes to enhance the implementation of improved biodiversity management.


AbstractIn the complex business environments of today, firms are in need of external expertise in order to achieve a competitive edge. The increased complexity is partly due to technological devel-opment and facilitated global access affecting most markets. Therefore, marketing activities has increased importance in a firm's core strategy. Being able to communicate to customers in a creative and more direct way is vital in order to survive in a global battlefield. One interesting question is how one should involve external expertise in achieving successful marketing in an effective manner. There seem to be difficulties in maintaining long-term agency-client relation-ships and one could question why? Quite often one finds clear differences reflecting role defi-nition and what the parties expect of each other.The purpose of this thesis is to analyse the relationship between advertising agencies and their clients. The authors aim to investigate how companies use external influence/advertising agencies in their marketing communication process and identify the crucial factors leading to suc-cess/failure of agency-client relationships.A pre-study was made in order to get an understanding about the actual situation on the field, and gave us the interest in investigate the agency-client relationship. Then, a qualitative multiple case studies have been made and gave a relatively good insight in the agency-client relationship. Insight in where the relationships are lacking and where improvement is needed.The authors discovered that why agencies and clients fail in their relationships, many times is a result of miscommunication and misunderstandings. Attitudes towards each others field of op-erating and lack of dialogue seem to be the reasons why this appears. They need to meet at a level somewhere in between the points at the present, hence need for agencies to have a deeper understanding than present client desire and for agencies to be able to adjust to client needs, and correlating their abilities. The key is communication. A lot of the improvements is up to agencies in mediating and marketing themselves in a more efficient manner than today. Advertising agencies are often failing in establishing an effective communication process with their clients.


In this paper we study the relationship between the resources of social networks by exploring the Web as big data based on a simple search engine. We have used set theory by utilizing the occurrence and co-occurrence for defining the singleton or doubleton spaces of event in a search engine model, and then provided them as representation of social actors and their relationship in clusters. Thus, there are behaviors of social actors and their relation based on Web.