This Master's thesis in library and information science deals with the development of Lankskafferiet, a SBIG created in 1994 by NetLab of the University Library of Lund. Lankskafferiet maintains a selection of quality controlled Internet links for the use of Swedish school children. We have had access to archives and files from the start of Lankskafferiet in 1994 to 2005 and have also interviewed key figures in the project. The case is an interesting example of how librarians and technicians join their skills in order to create an information system, and has a value in itself as a representation of a very dynamic era when Swedish librarians were introduced to and step by step accepted the use of the Internet as a relevant information source. A prerequisite in our thesis is the idea that technological development is a social construction, and thus the result of social negotiations.
The aim of the thesis is to study and elucidate the creation and development of Lankskafferiet from 1994 to 2005, as a technological event history. Based on the theories Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) and Social Shaping of Technology (SST) - as explained by Bijker and Pinch 1987, and MacKenzie and Wajcman 1985 - our analysis focuses on the strategies and acts of the social groups involved in the project. A combination of SCOT and SST provides us with the method as well as the theoretical basis of our analysis, and enables us to understand the social processes that are embedded in technological development.
Bijker and Pinch introduced multidirectional models as an illustration of technological development. As classical technological artefacts (e.g. the Penny Farthing bicycle) are less dynamic than information technology, where closures tend to be temporary, we found it necessary to develop an improved version of multidirectional model in order to show the process behind the artefact. This allowed us to show that the rules and values of the social groups involved in the development of Lankskafferiet changed during different stages of the process, in order to meet different problems and solutions. Social negotiations constantly occurred as a result of conflicts between social groups, financial problems or technological difficulties. Furthermore, our version of multidirectional model showed that social groups were not static but could split, disappear or regroup in new combinations depending on what the artefact required at the moment. We showed that the affinity between different social groups changed over time and how these changes influenced their work, with a focus on the librarians in the project. Their influence in the development of Lankskafferiet was great, partly because they found the work stimulating and because of personal enthusiasm, but mostly as a result of the tradition at NetLab with its testing milieu and close cooperation between librarians and technicians. We also found that Lankskafferiet was a part of the seamless web of technology and society, i.e. the political, cultural, economical and social context that influences the development of an artefact.


The visual behaviour analysis of individual and group dynamics is a subject of extensive research in both academia and industry. However, despite the recent technological advancements, the problem remains difficult. Most of the approaches concentrate on direct extraction and classification of graphical features from the video feed, analysing the behaviour directly from the source. The major obstacle, which impacts the real-time performance, is the necessity of combining processing of enormous volume of video data with complex symbolic data analysis. In this paper, we present the results of the experimental validation of a new method for dynamic behaviour analysis in visual analytics framework, which has as a core an agent-based, event-driven simulator. Our method utilizes only limited data extracted from the live video to analyse the activities monitored by surveillance cameras. Through combining the ontology of the visual scene, which accounts for the logical features of the observed world, with the patterns of dynamic behaviour, approximating the visual dynamics of the world, the framework allows recognizing the behaviour patterns on the basis of logical events rather than on physical appearance. This approach has several advantages. Firstly, the simulation reduces the complexity of data processing by eliminating the need of precise graphic data. Secondly, the granularity and precision of the analysed behaviour patterns can be controlled by parameters of the simulation itself. The experiments prove in a convincing manner that the simulation generates rich enough data to analyse the dynamic behaviour in real time with sufficient precision, completely adequate for many applications of video surveillance. Keywords-Video Surveillance; Video Analytics; Individual and Group Dynamics; Behaviour Patterns; 3D simulation.


Objective
To describe the use of autologous transfusion using a red blood cell salvage device for the management of large volume hemorrhage in 3 dogs with hemoperitoneum.

Case Series Summary
Three dogs were managed for large volume hemorrhage by autologous transfusion of red blood cells after cell salvage. In all cases, blood was salvaged from the abdominal cavity during surgery. The causes of hemorrhage included testicular arterial hemorrhage after castration, hepatic parenchymal hemorrhage following hepatic dissection for intrahepatic portosystemic shunt ligation, and intra-abdominal serosal hemorrhage associated with Angiostrongylus vasorum infection. In all cases, autologous transfusion was not associated with any identified complications and contributed to improved cardiovascular stability and packed cell volume.

New or Unique Information Provided
This case series is the first to describe the use of a semiautomated red blood cell salvage system for the clinical management of acute hemorrhage in dogs. This case series provides evidence that this procedure can be used safely and effectively for the management of clinical hemorrhage. On this basis, further veterinary evaluation can be justified.


ABSTRACT Drawing on linguistic anthropological notions of language ideologies and sociolinguistic approaches to stance, this study examines the meaning-making resources through which Spanish heritage language (HL) learners orient toward ideological perspectives on language value and linguistic expertise in classroom interaction. Part of a larger ethnographic study, data in the present study include about 26 hours of audio and video recordings from three different intermediate Spanish HL classrooms and filmed interviews with the students. The analysis indicates that discourses of legitimacy and expertise are embodied within multiple levels of classroom interaction, including affective stancetaking, expert/novice positioning, and the reframing of both ascribed social positions and previous discourse. Results suggest that the role of language ideologies in HL learning can be better understood through an examination of stancetaking in interaction and that the construction of different kinds of expertise should be an important consideration in the development of HL instructional practices.


We describe the application of the photoacoustic technique to the thermal characterization of liquids. An experimental method which allows the experimental determination of the thermal effusivity in transparent as well as in light absorbing samples is proposed. The method is tested by measurements in water, ethanol, diffusion-pump oil, glycerol and petroleum. Our results agree quite well with the literature reported values for these samples.


A consequence of an increasing tendency to manage oncological patients on an outpatient basis is that, apart from the care-providing oncologist, family doctors are also being involved. Only with the aid of adequate supportive measures is it possible to ensure treatment of such patients with the more intensive forms of therapy as chemotherapy or combined radiochemotherapy within their social environment. In addition to enteral and parenteral nutrition adapted to individual requirements, differentiated pain control is of major importance. Side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy often necessitate rapid intervention, and thus also short communication pathways between family doctor and oncologist. Joint efforts are also necessary when helping the patient cope with his/her disease.


Fluid inclusions in fluorite from the Appalachian Mississippi Valley-type fluorite-barite deposits of the Sweetwater district in east Tennessee indicate that the mineralizing solutions were sodium-potassium-chloride brines with an average temperature of 107 degrees C and an average salinity of about 16 equiv. wt percent NaCl. A strong negative correlation of homogenization and freezing temperatures, which was observed for inclusions from the southeast part of the district, was interpreted to indicate that two solutions were present during fluorite deposition in this area: a warm (160 degrees C), less saline (12%) solution and a cool (80 degrees C), more saline (30%) solution. A connate source is considered likely for both solutions and the warm, less saline solution appears to have come from at or beyond the east edge of the district. Mixing of these solutions could have caused ore deposition in the southeast belt, although cooling probably caused deposition elsewhere in the district. Published data suggest that two similarly distinct solutions were present in the nearby east Tennessee zinc district.


Advanced neuroimaging capabilities enabled by the MAGNUS (ultra-high performance head gradient) system was leveraged in this study to assess subject-specific microstructural changes with acute and chronic mild traumatic brain injury. MAGNUS allows for a four-fold increase in maximum gradient-amplitude compared to current clinical whole-body scanners and enables identification of new imaging biomarkers for improved detection of microstructural changes in the brain. We present an outlier analysis approach that allows study of microstructure differences in individual subjects rather than solely on a group basis. Preliminary results demonstrate identification of several white-matter regions in patient groups that differ from healthy controls.


OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present the clinical features, microbiological patterns of odontogenic infection and treatment outcome associated with cases of Cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) seen in a South-South Nigerian population.METHODS: A 6-year retrospective review of patients diagnosed of CNF. The data analyzed were patients' age, gender, site of infection, implicated tooth, co-morbid conditions, microbiology profile, treatment modalities, length of stay in the hospital, treatment outcome and possible cause of death.RESULTS: There were 6 patients diagnosed of CNF during the period of study, consisting of 2 (33.3%) males and 4 (66.7%) females, giving a ratio of 1:2. The patients' mean age was 59.5 + 7.9 years (SEM) and 5 (83.3%) patients presented with associated medical conditions, among which 2 (33.3%) patients each had diabetes mellitus, hypertension and jaundice. Acute apical periodontitis was the most common odontogenic infection and the second mandibular tooth was the most frequently affected tooth type (n=4, 66.7%). All the patients presented with infected facial space swelling especially the submandibular space. Most of the patients had mixed bacterial infection, with peptostreptococcus sp and klesiella sp occurring in 2(33.3%) patients each. Most patients' (n=4, 66.7%) treatment included exodontia of infected tooth, fasciotomy, debridement, twice daily dressings and antimicrobial therapy. The mortality rate was 50%, with 3 patients, death resulting from septic shock (n=2, 33.3%) and thromboembolism (n=1, 16.7). CONCLUSION: CNF in the head and neck region mimics facial space infections. A high index of suspicion is needed for prompt management of CNF. Mortality can thus be reduced by early diagnosis and treatment of the patients.


The end of December 2019 was a critical turning point in the global epidemiological concept of a newly discovered type of pneumonia that killed several people within a short period with complications of acute respiratory syndrome just hours after hospitalization. This would later be referred to as the corona virus of 2019. The outbreak was made known to the global health body by Chinese government though with a lot of controversy as regarding the exact time of the infection, mortality and disease incidence among different regions. The world was kept gazing as to what actions were necessary to deal with the epidemic. The world Health Organization was also put into a disarray as to the proper steps and policy issues regarding the declarations of the epidemic as a pandemic. Corona virus disease 2019 remains a threat to the global populations to date 2022.This threat is far from over with still surging cases being reported hence our recent critical look of the literature as regards this infection.


Abstract A new technique is formulated for using eigenvectors of covariance matrices to retrieve atmospheric parameters from spectral radiance observations. The eigenvector method permits the use of all spectral radiances in a simultaneous solution for cloud-free infrared sounding radiances from cloud-contaminated observations as well as for the vertical profiles of temperature, moisture and cloudiness. The effects of random observation errors are minimized without suppressing the influence of any real information structure contained in the spectral radiance distribution. Also, since the method provides for the most economical representation of any variable from a number of "terms required" point of view, computer storage and computation requirements are much less than those of other methods. The eigenvector method is tested using radiance observations synthesized for the Nimbus-6 infrared and microwave sounding instruments. Although the method has been successfully applied for the routine processing of o...


: PTSL is a national strategic program aimed at achieving complete land certification in Indonesia. Starting in 2017, it is expected that by the end of 2024, all land parcels will be registered, and a reliable land information system will be established for public services. One of the key components in realizing a reliable land information system is the development of a valid and reliable cadastral map. This study aims to assess the validity and reliability of the cadastral maps created under the PTSL program in Kalisari village and Tlogopandogan village of Demak Regency. The research method employed in this study is a descriptive method based on a quantitative approach. The study is conducted in two PTSL villages, namely Kalisari and Tlogopandogan. PTSL implementation in Kalisari started in 2018, before the issuance of the Complete Systematic Land Registration regulation for the Regency/City in 2019. On the other hand, PTSL implementation in Tlogopandogan commenced in 2020. The validity of cadastral map content was analyzed using Pearson's correlation technique. The reliability of the map was tested using the Cronbach's alpha technique. In general, the findings revealed that the level of validity and reliability of the cadastral map in Kalisari village was assessed as low or less reliable, while the cadastral map in Tlogopandogan village received a high rating in terms of validity and reliability. The high validity and reliability of the cadastral map in Tlogopandogan can be attributed to its adherence to the regulations of the Complete Systematic Land Registration for Regency/City.


62 patients with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis (7 with Stage 0, 9 with Stage I, 20 with Stage II, 26 with Stage III) underwent right heart haemodynamics (Swan Ganz) and M-mode echocardiography. Haemodynamic study showed mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension in many patients with Stage II and III sarcoidosis, and 5 patients with Stage 0 healed sarcoidosis, showed borderline values of right sided pressures. Echocardiographic study showed increased right ventricular index (RVI) and right ventricular anterior wall thickness (RVAWT) in most patients. The good correlations between echocardiographic and haemodynamic data suggest that echocardiography may be a useful technique for the non-invasive assessment of the effects of pulmonary hypertension on the right heart in sarcoidosis.


Moving smoothly is generally considered as a higher-order goal of motor control and moving jerkily as a witness of clumsiness or pathology, yet many common and well-controlled movements (e.g., tracking movements) have irregular velocity profiles with widespread fluctuations. The origin and nature of these fluctuations have been associated with the operation of an intermittent process but in fact remain poorly understood. Here we studied velocity fluctuations during slow movements, using combined experimental and theoretical tools. We recorded arm movement trajectories in a group of healthy participants performing back-and-forth movements at different speeds, and we analyzed velocity profiles in terms of series of segments (portions of velocity between 2 minima). We found that most of the segments were smooth (i.e., corresponding to a biphasic acceleration) and had constant duration irrespective of movement speed and linearly increasing amplitude with movement speed. We accounted for these observations with an optimal feedback control model driven by a staircase goal position signal in the presence of sensory noise. Our study suggests that one and the same control process can explain the production of fast and slow movements, i.e., fast movements emerge from the immediate tracking of a global goal position and slow movements from the successive tracking of intermittently updated intermediate goal positions. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show in experiments and modeling that slow movements could result from the brain tracking a sequence of via points regularly distributed in time and space. Accordingly, slow movements would differ from fast movement by the nature of the guidance and not by the nature of control. This result could help in understanding the origin and nature of slow and segmented movements frequently observed in brain disorders.


In this paper, we present a fast architecture of real-time CAVLC decoder (CAVLD) implemented in a FPGA. The real-time performance is achieved by exploring the pipelining possibilities between the sub-modules and multi syntax decoding. The implemented fast CAVLD architecture, when integrated with H264 decoder was capable of parsing at 30fps for 1080p streams for an encoded bit stream at a bit rate of 200 Mbps to achieve the real-time performance, while the clock is operated at 74.25 MHz. The result numbers of ALUs are 3266 and the critical path is within 10.5ns


List of Karl SIMMS: Introduction. PART I: ALTERITY: RACE, ETHNICITY, CULTURE. Basil HATIM: Intertextual intrusions: towards a framework for harnessing the power of the absent text in translation. Lance HEWSON: Change in translation and the image of the translator. Marion EDWARDS: And yet ... it's strange how such a small word can make such a big difference! Philip SUTTON: A translator's dilemma. Alet KRUGER: The translator as agent of reconciliation: translating an eye-witness report in a historical text. B. SAUNDERS and J. van BRAKEL: The phantom objectivity of colour: with reference to the works of Franz Boas on the Kwakiutl. Mary BRENNAN: Seeing the difference: translation across modalities. PART II: INSTITUTIONS: POLITICS, STATE, LAW. Mona BAKER: Non-cognitive constraints and interpreter strategies in political interviews. Christina SCHAEFFNER: Political texts as sensitive texts. Juan J. ZARO: A war seen from afar: translation discontinuities in ... and Spain Sings (1937). A.P. BERBER SARDINHA: Patterns of lexis in original and translated business reports: Textual differences and similarities. A. GEOFFROY-SKUCE: Polysemous adjectives in legal translation. Geoffrey VITALE: Legal and politico-legal translation in Quebec. Catherine WAY: The translation of Spanish academic transcripts: implications for recognition. PART III: SACRED TEXTS. Eugene A. NIDA: Translating a text with a long and sensitive tradition. Paul ELLINGWORTH: Text and translation: model and reality. John MYHILL: Problems of lexical semantics in the Old Testament: ra' and yr'. R.A. MEGRAB: Standards of textuality and the translation of Hadith. Adrian CHAN: The sinless Chinese: a Christian translation dilemma. PART IV: PROFANE TEXTS. Peter FAWCETT: Macerated Malraux: A study of La Voie Royale in translation. Francisco SANCHEZ-BENEDITO: Pragmatic presuppositions in translation: Henry Miller's Tropics, a case in point.... Michael HOLMAN: The sanification of Tolstoy's Resurrection. Carmen MILLAN-VARELA: Linguistic evidences of a conflict in the Galician Ulysses. Bibliography. Name index. Subject index.


The channel-length dependence of the charge-pumping current for MOSFETs is investigated using a two-dimensional simulation technique. The dependence of charge-pumping current on signal offset voltage for various MOSFET channel lengths is studied using energy-dependent interface trap distributions. Simulation results are compared to experimental charge-pumping measurements on irradiated MOSFETs with different gate lengths with good agreement for the shape of the curves. It is found that as the effective channel length decreases the accepted charge pumping model has decreasing accuracy that results in an underestimation of the mean interface trap density. The loss in accuracy is due to the nonuniformity of surface potential across the channel caused by source/drain proximity. Using the charge-pumping technique to measure interface trap densities on advanced devices with an effective channel length less than 1 mu m may result in unacceptable errors. >


13 C NMR spectroscopic analysis was carried out to clarify the formed hydrate structure in specific conditions on hydrate phase diagram of ternary methane, neohexane, and water system. The obtained NMR spectra at three different conditions suggested that both structure I and H were formed simultaneously and coexisted at 273.6 K and 50 bar. But, for both conditions of 273.6 K, 25 bar and 283.1 K, 50 bar the formed hydrate was identified as structure H only. These results showed that the pure CH4 hydrate of structure I was formed and coexisted with mixed CH4+neohexane hydrate of structure H in low temperature and high pressure region after passing through the phase boundary of pure CH4 hydrate. We have examined the structure coexistence at 273.6 K and 50 bar with other structure H formers of isopentane, methylcyclopentane, and methylcyclohexane. In case of isopentane, the obtained NMR spectrum showed that structure I and H coexisted and the amount of methane molecules in structure I was two times as many as in cages of structure H. However, there were no resonance lines of structure I when methylcyclohexane formed structure H with methane molecules.


Background: The Colombian health system is complex. There are more than 3200 healthcare service providers aiming at offering quality of care to more than 48 million citizens. Unfortunately, health services are not integrated, a citizen has a fraction of its health record in the different health services provider organizations without a chance for integration.
Objective: The objective of this paper is to propose a reference architecture for an integrated Electronic Health Record System in Colombia based on the ISO/HL7 CDA standard. Methods: A formal system architecture is defined based on the Health Information Systems Development Framework (HIS-DF).
Results: The architecture is described as platform independent architecture expressed by three different models: The enterprise model describing business process and policies, the information model describing dynamic and static information flows, and the computational model, describing the systems components and interrelations, based on software engineering architectural styles and patterns.
Conclusions: The proposed architecture has been compared with traditional architectural models for Integrated Electronic Health Record Systems. The architecture was evaluated through a case study in dental care were the availability, chronology, completeness and timeliness of the EHR stored in the system were considered high. Also perceived quality was high as evaluated by the users.


abstract:This article discusses the politics of hope in N. K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy. Drawing on scholarship in utopian studies, science fiction studies, and Africana studies, it discusses the ways in which Jemisin uses two intentional community experiments depicted in the trilogy as "critical utopias" in order to work through problems involved in collective living, including the potentially anti-utopian aspects of these communities' shortcomings. Ultimately, despite the apocalyptic setting that has attracted the most attention from critics, this article argues that The Broken Earth ultimately affirms the necessity of utopian hope, even amid anti-utopian circumstances, and as such is an important and timely political statement. In a historical moment marked by social and racial strife and, in the literary realm, by what Sean Guynes calls "dystopia fatigue," Jemisin's trilogy does not promise utopia, but insists on the need for hope in seemingly hopeless times, the "anti-anti-utopian" orientation described by Fredric Jameson.


BACKGROUND
A computerised morphometric analysis of some vascularisation aspects of epulides is presented. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between morphometric aspects and histological classification of epulides and to investigate its usefulness for the histopathologic diagnosis.

METHODS
The study was carried out on epulides from 72 patients (30 males, 42 females, age-range 16-60). Epulides were fixed in alcohol, paraffin embedded, and stained with haematoxyilin eosin, thereafter epulides were histopathologically classified as granulomatous epulides, fibrous epulides and giant cell epulides. Images of histological samples were then digitised, and by an image analysis system some morphometric vessels characteristics were evaluated: percent image area occupied by vessels, vessels number, mean vessels area and standard deviation of vessels area. Finally, the correlation between morphometric data and the histological classification of epulides was evaluated.

RESULTS
The statistic evaluation of morphometric data allowed to classify epulides in six groups characterised by a various degree of vascularisation, these groups showed a good correlation with histopathological classification.

CONCLUSIONS
The morphometric analysis of vessels is a powerful aid for the histopathologic diagnosis and for a better knowledge of the etiopathogenetic factors of epulides.


There are several known iterative algorithms, which reconstruct the phase of an unknown wavefront from two intensity measurements. These algorithms are based on a Fourier connection between the input and output plane. An algorithm based on a Fourier connection must contain additional optical setup for the implementation and in addition needs more longitudinal space. Since a wavefront is a function that obeys the wave equation, it is only natural to implement the iterative algorithms using free space propagation relation between two intensity planes. We propose to make phase retrieval calculations between any two arbitrary planes interrelated through the Fresnel domain. Since any two arbitrary parallel planes are interconnected by the Fresnel domain, no additional setup is needed. The calculation of the free space propagation is based on the angular spectrum approach, which is calculated using the fast Fourier transform. This approach can be applied with any of the algorithms that rely on a Fourier connection between the input and the output planes.


: The chronic effect of terephthalic acid and its dimethyl ester on rats causes a significant decrease of uptake of norepinephrine by gray matter synaptosomes and activates the monoaminoxidase and catechol-O-methyltransferase in cerebral hemispheres.


Fingerprints are widely used biometrics in security systems and law enforcement. It is essential that possible distortions in the measurement of fingerprints are detected before the images are saved or used, to prevent incorrect matches. One possible distortion in fingerprints is called the ghost fingerprint. To train and test ghost fingerprint detection algorithms, a large amount of data is needed. Obtaining this data is not always possible due to cost, time and privacy issues. This paper proposes a method to create realistic ghost fingerprints by combining real fingerprint images which can be used as data for ghost fingerprint detection algorithms. This method uses masks to determine the region of overlap and threshold binarisation to replicate the overlapping lines as seen in real ghost fingerprint images. To create variation in the created fingerprints different transformation such as scaling, rotation, position, and changing line thickness are, within a range, randomly applied. The result is a system that is able to generate a large variety of realistic looking ghost fingerprints. Three databases are created with different classes separated by the percentage of ghost presence, the intensity of the ghost, and a combination of both. These databases are fed into two ghost fingerprint detection algorithms; one based on the local binary pattern, and one on frequency estimation. Comparing the results with real ghost fingerprints shows that the accuracy of the detection of the artificial ghost fingerprints is lower than the detection of real ghost fingerprints. The proposed separation parameters for the classes have effect on the accuracy of detection, however not as much compared to the different classes of the real ghost fingerprints.


Traditionally (Sethe/Gardiner), the difference between reduplicated (formerly 'geminated') and non-reduplicated participles is seen to lie in tense/ aspect. According to more recent interpretations, the choice of the reduplicated participle is determined by the aspect of plurality (Schenkel), distributivity (Allen) and/or intensification (Jansen-Winkeln). The observation that provided a point of departure (Schenkel), and which now forms the basis for a refutation (Depuydt), is the juxtaposition of phrases such as mr.y it(i)=f "beloved of his father" and mrr.w śn(·w.w)=f "beloved of his brothers". The thesis presented here is that in the case of mr.y as opposed to mrr.w, for example, we are dealing not with a simple paradigmatic opposition of participles but rather that mr.y, which lexicographers have classified as a participle, is in fact a substantivized participle, i.e. is a substantive, whereas mrr.w, which pre-Polotsky, when used in relative constructions, was considered to be a participle, should, according to Polotsky, be understood as a Relative Form and not a participle. As a consequence, the juxtaposition of mr.y and mrr.w alone does not enable one to prove either the contextual (paradigmatic) relevance or irrelevance of the aspects of plurality, distributivity or intensification. Not affected is the co-textual relevance of plurality, distributivity or intensification since the choice of reduplicated Relative Forms obviously (also) depends on co-textual factors.


The process region at the tip of a crack in a linear elastic structure has been modelled by a cohesive zone. Growth of the front end of the cohesive zone is governed by a critical stress intensity factor criterion, and advance of the original traction free crack is determined by a critical crack opening at the rear end of the cohesive zone.

Damage resistance curves relating the applied stress intensity factor to the growth of the cohesive zone have been calculated for an idealized structure containing two characteristic dimensions. Instability resulting in failure of the structure is found to occur either by unstable growth of the front end of the cohesive zone, without a fully developed cohesive zone, or by unstable growth of the original flaw, when the crack opening displacement at the rear end of the cohesive zone reaches a critical value.

The influence of the size of the structure compared to the length of the cohesive zone is investigated, and conditions for the limits of validity of the small scale yielding assumption are discussed. Comparisons are made between the maximum load and the length of the cohesive zone at instability resulting from the present analysis, and the values predicted by linear elastic fracture mechanics.


BACKGROUND
In recent years, the efficacy of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) drugs in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has attracted extensive interest owing to the close associations between the two diseases.

OBJECTIVE
Here, we screened traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and multi-target ingredients that may have potential therapeutic effects on both T2DM and AD from T2DM prescriptions.

METHODS
Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used.

RESULTS
Firstly, the top 10 frequently used herbs and corresponding 275 active ingredients were identified from 263 T2DM-related TCM prescriptions. Secondly, through the comparative analysis of 208 potential targets of ingredients, 1,740 T2DM-related targets, and 2,060 AD-related targets, 61 common targets were identified to be shared. Thirdly, by constructing pharmacological network, 26 key targets and 154 representative ingredients were identified. Further enrichment analysis showed that common targets were involved in regulating multiple pathways related to T2DM and AD, while network analysis also found that the combination of Danshen (Radix Salviae)-Gancao (Licorice)-Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) contained the vast majority of the representative ingredients and might be potential for the cotreatment of the two diseases. Fourthly, MAPK1, PPARG, GSK3B, BACE1, and NR3C1 were selected as potential targets for virtual screening of multi-target ingredients. Further docking studies showed that multiple natural compounds, including salvianolic acid J, gancaonin H, gadelaidic acid, icos-5-enoic acid, and sigmoidin-B, exhibited high binding affinities with the five targets.

CONCLUSION
To summarize, the present study provides a potential TCM combination that might possess the potential advantage of cotreatment of AD and T2DM.


Title Development of the new protocol for habitat modeling of urban red fox to improve Echinococcus multilocularis control strategy [an abstract of dissertation and a summary of dissertation review] Author(s) 池田, 貴子 Citation 北海道大学. 博士(獣医学) 甲第11514号 Issue Date 2014-09-25 Doc URL http://hdl.handle.net/2115/57159 Rights(URL) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.1/jp/ Type theses (doctoral abstract and summary of review) Additional Information There are other files related to this item in HUSCAP. Check the above URL. File Information Takako_Ikeda_review.pdf (審査の要旨)


In this paper, we proposed a new crossover operator and a population initialization method for solving multiple traveling salesmen (MTSP) problem in genetic algorithm (GA) framework. The group theory based technique of intital population generation ensures the uniqueness of members in population, hence no redundancy in the search space and also remove the random initialization effect. The new crossover is based on the intuitive idea that the city in sub optimal / optimal tours occurs at same position. In this crossover the Hamming distance is preserved and there is very less chance to generate child same as members in the population, so diversity of the population is not much affected. For efficient representation of search space we exploited the multi-chromosome representation technique to encode the search space of MTSP. We evaluate and compare the proposed technique with the methods using crossover TCX, ORX +A, CYX +A and PMX +A reported in [35] for two standard objective functions of the MTSP, namely, minimising total travel cost of m tours of the m salesman and minimising the longest tour cast travel by any one salesman. Experimental results show that the GA with proposed population initialization and crossover gives better result compared to all four methods for second objective, however, in very few cases slightly degraded result for first objective.


BACKGROUND
Few dehydration assessment measures provide accurate information; most are based on reference change values and very few are diagnostically accurate from a single observation or measure. Bioelectrical impedance may lack the precision to detect common forms of dehydration in healthy individuals. Limitations in bioimpedance may be addressed by a unique resistance-reactance (RXc)-score graph method, which transforms vector components into z scores for use with any impedance analyzer in any population.

OBJECTIVE
We tested whether the RXc-score graph method provides accurate single or serial assessments of dehydration when compared with gold-standard measures of total body water by using stable isotope dilution (deuterium oxide) combined with body-weight changes.

DESIGN
We retrospectively analyzed data from a previous study in which 9 healthy young men participated in 3 trials: euhydration (EUH), extracellular dehydration (ED; via a diuretic), and intracellular dehydration (ID; via exercise in the heat).

RESULTS
Participants lost 4-5% of their body weight during the dehydration trials; volume loss was similar between trials (ID compared with ED group: 3.5 ± 0.8 compared with 3.0 ± 0.6 L; P > 0.05). Despite significant losses of body water, most RXc vector scores for ED and ID groups were classified as "normal" (within the 75% population tolerance ellipse). However, directional displacement of vectors was consistent with loss of volume in both ED and ID conditions compared with the EUH condition and tended to be longer in ED than in ID conditions (P = 0.054).

CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that, whereas individual RXc-score graph values do not provide accurate detection of dehydration from single measurements, directional changes in vector values from serial measurements are consistent with fluid loss for both ED and ID conditions. The RXc-score graph method may therefore alert clinicians to changes in hydration state, which may bolster the interpretation of other recognized change measures of hydration.


The food industry is continually growing with new products becoming available every year. Extrusion combines a number of unit operations in one energy efficient rapid continuous process and can be used to produce a wide variety of snacks foods. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of extrusion temperature, screw speed, and amount of cassava leaf flour mixed with cassava starch on the physical properties of extruded snacks processed using a single screw extruder. A central composite rotational design, including three factors with 20 treatments, was used in the experimental design. Dependent variables included the expansion index, specific volume, color, water absorption index, and water solubility index. Among the parameters examined, the amount of cassava leaf flour and extrusion temperature showed significant effects on extruded snack characteristics . Mixtures containing 10% of cassava leaf flour extruded at 100°C and 255 rpm shows favorable levels of expansion, color, water absorption index, and water solubility index.


The signal-induced change of the refractive index in an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) causes a phase modulation imposed on a signal when passing the EDFA. In this paper, we apply our extended EDFA model on an optical communication system. The model includes this phase modulation, by including the nonlinear dispersion in an EDFA, and the spontaneous emission noise. The influence of these effects on an optical communication system is examined by means of Q-factor and eye diagram. We assume an intensity modulated-direct detection (IM-DD) system operating at 193 THz (1552.5 nm) with a bit rate of 10 Gb/s in the anomalous dispersion regime and a total fiber length of 500 km. The fibers are assumed to be dispersion shifted ones, EDFAs are used to compensate for the fiber loss. By numerical simulation we obtain results for the influence of the phase modulation (nonlinear dispersion) due to the signal induced change of the refractive index in an EDFA and the spontaneous emission noise at different input peak powers. Neglecting the signal-induced change of the refractive index strongly underestimates the Q-factor in the anomalous dispersion regime. Therefore it should be included for reliable system simulations. This can be done with the numerical model presented here.


Given the motor problems of infants and young children who have cerebral palsy, increasing emphasis is being placed on early therapeutic strategies, such as neurodevelopmental treatment. Although the underlying rationale for neurodevelopmental treatment is the inhibition of abnormal motor development, this approach may in fact also limit the child's interaction with the environment, a prerequisite for subsequent intellectual development. There may be potential conflict for an interventionist who must make a decision between focusing on motoric gain for children with motor problems and facilitation of their cognitive development.


This paper reports the results of a case-control study of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) cases born in Great Britain after the statutory reinforcement of the ban (BARB) on the feeding of mammalian-derived meat and bone meal on 31 July 1996. A total of 499 suspect clinical cases of BSE, born after 31 July 1996, and reported negative by July 31, 1996 and were compared with the set of 164 confirmed Great BARB cases in Great Britain detected by both passive and active surveillance. Animal-level risk factors (age and type of feed offered) and herd-level risk factors (herd size and type, number of prereinforced feed ban BSE cases born on the holding, the presence of other domestic species and waste management) were obtained for the analysis. BARB cases were 2.56 times (95 per cent CI 1.29 to 5.07) more likely to be exposed to homemix or a combination of homemix and proprietary feeds were 0.59 times (95 per cent CI 0.50 to 0.69) as less likely to be exposed to the unit increases in the number of prereinforced feed ban BSE cases diagnosed on the natal holding. A supplementary spatial analysis of these cases revealed three areas of excess BARB density: Northwest and Southwest of Wales and Northeast of Scotland.


The diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is complicated by issues with current laboratory testing, particularly the ristocetin cofactor activity assay (VWF:RCo). We have recently reported a sequence variation in the von Willebrand factor (VWF) A1 domain, p.D1472H (D1472H), associated with a decrease in the VWF:RCo/VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) ratio but not associated with bleeding in healthy control subjects. This report expands the previous study to include subjects with symptoms leading to the diagnosis of type 1 VWD. Type 1 VWD subjects with D1472H had a significant decrease in the VWF:RCo/VWF:Ag ratio compared with those without D1472H, similar to the findings in the healthy control population. No increase in bleeding score was observed, however, for VWD subjects with D1472H compared with those without D1472H. These results suggest that the presence of the D1472H sequence variation is not associated with a significant increase in bleeding symptoms, even in type 1 VWD subjects.


Using the first‐principles pseudopotential method within a local density approximation of the density functional theory (DFT), the structural, electronic properties of SrS in the NaCl(B1) and CsCl(B2) structures have been studied. The calculated lattice parameters, bulk modulus and elastic constants are in excellent agreement with the experiment value and other theoretical value, whereas the minimum gap error is as high as 50.46% in the B1 structure. To get the reliable band gap values of the B1 structure, we employ the GW (G is Green's function and W is the screened Coulomb interaction) approximation method. The result in GW approximation improves the band gap value of the B1 structure greatly and agrees with the value of experimental measurement. And we also predict the band gap value of the B2 structure reliably by GW approximation.


Over five million people in the United States are diagnosed with some form of dementia, and many more with cognitive impairment remain undiagnosed. In addition, most individuals with dementia experience one or more neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, agitation, hallucinations, or delusions at some point during disease progression. The vast majority of individuals with dementia, including those with symptoms of serious mental illness, are cared for in home and community based settings by unpaid caregivers, often family members, who struggle with the daily challenges of providing care and services to someone with dementia. This article will briefly review selected aspects of the need for community care for individuals with dementia and cultural aspects related to dementia and mental health. A detailed case study will illustrate some of the challenges related to the mental health of individuals with dementia living in the community. We specifically discuss culturally competent care, using the example of a Nepalese refugee family caring for a family member with dementia and depression, as a critical aspect of the care plan. Finally, we provide implications for practice for organizations wishing to engage families in a comprehensive system of home-based dementia care.


Crack initiation along surface persistent slip bands (PSBs) has been widely observed and modelled. Nevertheless, from our knowledge, no physically-based fracture modelling has been proposed and validated with respect to the numerous recent experimental data showing the strong relationship between extrusion and microcrack initiation. The whole FE modelling accounts for: localized plastic slip in PSBs; production and annihilation of vacancies induced by cyclic slip. If temperature is high enough, point defects may diffuse in the surrounding matrix due to large concentration gradients, allowing continuous extrusion growth in agreement with Polak's model. At each cycle, the additional atoms diffusing from the matrix are taken into account by imposing an incremental free dilatation; brittle fracture at the interfaces between PSBs and their surrounding matrix which is simulated using cohesive zone modelling. Any inverse fitting of parameter is avoided. Only experimental single crystal data are used such as hysteresis loops and resistivity values. Two fracture parameters are required: the {111} surface energy which depends on environment and the cleavage stress which is predicted by the universal binding energy relationship. The predicted extrusion growth curves agree rather well with the experimental data published for copper and the 316L steel. A linear dependence with respect to PSB length, thickness and slip plane angle is predicted in agreement with recent AFM measurement results. Crack initiation simulations predict fairly well the effects of PSB length and environment for copper single and polycrystals.


Recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans believe that climate change is happening and is a problem that the nation must address. Likewise, political activity in the past year has catapulted climate change to the top environmental issue being considered by the current U.S. Congress. Even corporate America has demanded action on climate change. Several factors have contributed to this more proactive attitude toward climate change. The scientific community, the media, individual observations, recent extreme weather events, and the efforts of a wide array of governmental, grassroots, and business organizations have all played a role in changing the tenor of the public dialogue. As a result, the nation is poised to take substantive action on climate change in the next couple of years and many governmental leaders are already seeking solutions.


EDITOR,-The need for facilities to provide extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for the newborn is as yet undetermined in the UK. To estimate the number of babies who may be candidates for this form of neonatal intensive care, we carried out a prospective study in the four Thames regional health authorities (June-November 199 1) and the Oxford Regional Health Authority (November 1991-April 1992) at a time when ECMO was generally unavailable. A baby was considered to be a potential candidate for ECMO as an alternative to conventional intensive care if the fractional inspired oxygen was >0 90 for more than six hours with a preductal oxygen tension (Pao2) <5 3 kPa (<40 mm Hg). Babies were not included in the monthly returns if any of the following criteria were present: cyanotic congenital heart disease, intracranial haemorrhage, gestational age <34 weeks, birth weight <2000 g, artificial ventilation >10 days, bleeding diathesis, severe congenital abnormality, chromosome abnormality, or severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. Sixteen neonatal units capable of providing intensive care in the four Thames regional health authorities and 10 in the Oxford region returned complete records. The total number of babies born at the 26 hospitals during the study period was 72 791. Six babies met the criteria for ECMO, an incidence of 0-08/1000 live births a year. One further case might have been included: that of a baby with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in whom satisfactory oxygenation was never achieved (Pao2 1-36-3-01 kPa). At postmortem examination, severe pulmonary hypoplasia was found with a combined lung weight of 10 g. These data need to be confirmed, but they suggest that the need for ECMO for the newborn in England and Wales may be estimated at the present to be in the order of 50-60 babies annually. RODNEY RIVERS Thames Regional Perinatal Group


A relationship for estimating the spectrum of the power delivered from multiple wind turbines from the spectrum of the power delivered by a single wind turbine is derived. It is assumed in the derivation that the wind power time series of each wind turbine is stationary and can be related to time series or neighboring wind turbines by a spatial coherence function. The multiple wind turbine power spectra is derived for two cases: operation at rated power and operation at below rated power. The theoretical results are compared with measurement data, showing excellent agreement. >


The exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine contains approximately 30% of the thermal energy of combustion. Waste heat recovery systems aim to reclaim a proportion of this energy in a bottoming thermodynamic cycle to raise the overall system thermal efficiency. The inverted Brayton cycle considered as a potential exhaust-gas heat-recovery system is a little-studied approach, especially when applied to small automotive power-plants. Hence, a model of an air-standard, irreversible Otto-cycle and the inverted Brayton cycle using finite-time thermodynamics (FTT) is presented to study heat recovery applied to an automotive internal combustion engine. The other two alternatives power cycles, the pressurized Brayton cycle and the turbo-compounding system, are compared with the inverted Brayton cycle (IBC) to specify the strengths and weaknesses of three alternative cycles. In the current paper, an irreversible Otto-cycle model with an array of losses is used as a base for the bottoming cycle. The deviation of the turbomachinery from the idealized behavior is described by the isentropic component efficiencies. The performance of the system as defined as the specific power output and thermal efficiency is considered using parametric studies. The results show that the performance of the inverted Brayton cycle can be positively affected by five critical parameters — the number of compression stages, the cycle inlet temperature and pressure, the isentropic efficiency of the turbomachinery and the effectiveness of the heat exchanger. There exists an optimum pressure ratio across the IBC turbine that delivers the maximum specific power. In the view of the specific power, installing a single-stage of the inverted Brayton cycle appears to be the best balance between performance and complexity. Three alternative cycles are compared in terms of the thermal efficiency. The results indicate that the pressurized and inverted Brayton cycles can improve the performance of the turbocharged engine only when the turbomachinery efficiencies are higher than a value which changes with the operating condition. High performance of the IBC turbomachinery is required to ensure that the turbocharged engine with the inverted Brayton cycle is superior to that with turbo-compounding system.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


Background : Anxiety and depressed mood are common symptoms in hospitalized advanced cancer patients. It is often presumed that anxiety and depression affect the occurrence and experience of physical symptoms. Purpose : To analyse the relation between anxiety, depressed mood and the presence and intensity of physical symptoms. Patients and methods : Anxiety and depressed mood were assessed in a hospitalized advanced cancer population (n = 79) primarily by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and also by a single-item question `Are you anxious and/or depressed?' and by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Physical symptoms were assessed by a semi-structured interview and by the ESAS. Results : Thirty-four percent of the patients reported anxiety, 56% depressed mood and 29% both, as assessed by the HADS. The correlations between HADS, the single-item question and the ESAS were low. No association was found between anxiety or depressed mood and the presence of physical symptoms. Patients who were anxious or depressed had higher ESAS scores for insomnia and drowsiness; scores for pain, anorexia, asthenia, nausea and dyspnea were independent of anxiety and/or depressed mood. Conclusion : The relationship between anxiety, depressed mood and the presence and intensity of physical symptoms in hospitalized advanced cancer patients is very limited. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21: 341—346


Aimed at more than 60 shaft linings damaged in Huaibei, Datun, Xuzhou and Yanzhou mine areas, this paper presents a new type of sliding shaft lining with asphalt blocks sliding layer. By model test, it is obtained that the deformation characteristics and the me-chanical mechanisms of the sliding shaft lining under the condition of ground subsidence. The research results provide a testing basis for the sliding shaft lining design. By now, this kind of sliding shaft lining had been applied in 9 shafts in China and Ban.clladesh.


The optic chiasm is formed when the optic nerves come together in order to allow for the crossing of fibers from the nasal retina to the optic tract on the other side. This enables vision from one side of both the eyes to be appreciated by the occipital cortex of the opposite side. This review makes note of the embryology, anatomy and vascular supply of the optic chiasm, then discusses the clinical syndromes associated with chiasmal disease, and the diseases which commonly influence its function. Clin. Anat. 27:1149–1158, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Many theories of fertility predict that mass education reduces fertility, but this effect may be produced in a variety of ways. In this paper, microdemographic data from a rural community in Nepal, in which the spread of mass education and fertility limitation is just beginning, are used to examine these links. The analyses contrast the influence of parents' and children's educational experiences of parents' fertility preferences and behaviour. The results indicate that children's schooling has a strong influence on both fertility preferences and behaviour. The effects of parental schooling are weaker, and also inconsistent in different models. These findings provide support for theories that link mass education to the onset of fertility limitation through children's schooling experience.


ObjectivePublished data describing scintigraphic evaluation of perfusion changes in patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) after embolization are very scarce. The aim of our study was to evaluate these changes by using 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography. Materials and methodsThe examinations were performed in 20 patients before and after the treatment. Voxel-based analysis was used for semiquantitative assessment of single photon emission computed tomography. Hypoperfusion in basal single photon emission computed tomography was diagnosed when asymmetry index was higher than 10% in a cluster volume (CV) greater than 10.0 ml. The change of perfusion between basal and control studies was considered significant when relative difference (RD) was higher than 10% in a CV greater than 10 ml. ResultsObliteration of AVMs was total or nearly total in 12 patients and partial in 8 patients, No serious complications were observed after the procedure. Before embolization hypoperfusion in the region of an AVM was seen in 17 cases, perfusion defects in areas distant from an AVM were found in 12 patients. After embolization, perfusion around an AVM deteriorated in 11 patients (CV=10.7–68.7 ml, mean 28.6±18.4, RD=14–26%, mean 17.8±4.5). Improvement was seen in three cases (CV=13.7–17.7 ml, mean 16±2, RD=16.5–20.1%, mean 18.2±1.8). Perfusion deterioration in areas distant from AVMs was found in nine cases, improvement in three cases. ConclusionThe changes of perfusion caused by endovascular embolization of AVM can rely on both deterioration and improvement, and occur in the parenchyma surrounding the AVM and in the distant regions of the brain. Although deterioration of perfusion indicated that more frequent follow-up was necessary, it was not related with serious complications in our group of patients.


Within the hospital setting, food, nutrition, and the composition of the diets, acquires special relevance, given the particular physiopathological characteristics of the recipients thereof. We intended to know the composition and adequacy of the diets, as well as determining the degree of utility given to the facilities used. This is a transversal study of a week's duration, on the diets of the basic menu of the Alto Deba Hospital, by means of a random selection of 20% of the daily occupancy of each floor (N = 140), marking the trays and weighing the respective remains. The economic calculation was conducted by direct and indirect cost evaluation. The theoretical caloric supply (2372-3375 kcal/day) turns out to be excessive, with it being adequate in proteins (11.5-14.5%), deficient in carbohydrates (33.3-44%), and excessive in fats (42.4-53.4%). 19.3% fo the patients made changes between the two free choice diets of the menu with there being a high acceptance of the vegetables, as well as a high index of remains of those foods rich in bony residues, such a chicken, rabbit, or trout. The choice of deserts is balanced. On the whole, excepting breakfast and mid-afternoon snacks, there is a high percentage of remains (33.7%). We deem neccessary to have the knowledge of personnel qualified in hospital food services, to make, control and adapt the diets to the needs and tastes of the patients, as well as to achieve efficient food services.


"The international jurisdiction of courts is part of the public order, and State Courts shall have no competent jurisdiction to consider claims filed against a foreigner who has no domicile or address in the State, unless such claim is related to a commitment concluded, executed, or conditioned to be executed in the State, or the foreign entity whose head administrative office is located abroad has a branch in the State, provided that the dispute is related to such branch."


A new micro bioactuator was proposed which has a circular truncated cone tube shape and is made of a PDMS sheet covered with a muscle cell sheet. This bioactuator is driven by the contractile force of the muscle cell sheet without an electrical source. For the realization of the bioactuator, we developed the arch-type muscle cell stretching system. This system stretches cells in the circumferential direction in contrast to a conventional system. Thus, the generative force of muscle cells is raised and the muscle cells are oriented uniformly in the most effective direction to transmit their contraction force to the PDMS sheet. The muscle cells are cultured on the thin PDMS sheet and elongated and contracted by using an external magnetic field as driving source. We successfully cultured cells in a totally non-contaminated environment with the system. We also conducted a experiment using cultured skeletal myoblast and observed the change in cell orientation.


The present report puts on record the pros and cons of two methods of eye worm retrieval in 26 horses. Docile animals, allowing restraint, were included in group A (n=7) and aggressive animals evading head restraint were included in group B (n=19). The worm was removed by needle paracentesis at 7-8 O' clock positions of the cornea; approximately 1 mm away from the limbus under regional nerve blocks in group A. In group B, however, a 2-3mm corneal incision was made close to the limbus at 10-2 O'clock positions under general anesthesia and regional nerve blocks, to retrieve the worm. Eye ball movements could not be stopped completely in group A but in group B there were no movements of either the eye ball or the animal during surgical intervention. Higher success rate (100%) was achieved in group B as compared to group A (85.71%). Postoperative complications were minimal in both groups. Vision was restored in all the animals without corneal opacity within 15-25 postoperative days. Although removal of ocular parasite through needle paracentesis under regional nerve block analgesia is more economical and less time consuming, the nick incision under general anesthesia is preferable for the management of ocular setariasis in horses particularly in aggressive animals.


After a brief presentation of the theme of the Oedipus complex in Freud and the director's point of view from which it is thematized, the article shows that in psychoanalytic theories of Lacan and Winnicott this central theme in Freud's theory is radically changed. Finally, the article concludes by indicating a similarity between the two formulations of the Oedipal conflict, as well as a fundamental difference.


Low energy dissipation and ability to operate at low temperatures provide for Josephson junction circuits a niche as a support for low temperature devices. With high speed operation (Chen W. et al., 1999) capability the Josephson junction circuits make a prime candidate for applications which are difficult to engineer with existing CMOS technology. The development of Josephson junction technology took a major turn for the better with the invention of the Rapid-Single-Flux-Quantum (RSFQ) devices (Likharev K.K. et al., 1991), an improvement over voltage biased Josephson Junctions logic which were plagued with the junction switching and reset problems. The modern applications of SFQ circuits extend to a larger range of temperature operation and the applications vary from low temperature magnetic sensor, to high speed mixed signal circuits, voltage and current standards (Turner C.W. et al., 1998), and auxiliary components for quantum computing circuits. Most of the SFQ circuits are fabricated with Niobium, but Aluminum based circuits are being used for quantum gates (Nielsen M.A. et al., 2000) and qubit operations. SFQ circuits based on Magnesium di-Boride junctions are being developed for higher temperature operations (Tahara S. et al., 2004). Predominantly most of the Josephson junction circuits today are operated at around 4K. All the circuits are optimized usually for liquid helium temperatures, so the circuits operated in helium bath Dewars or cryostat's do not experience any temperature gradients or drift effects which can affect the operating margins. With the improvement in the fabrication technology and soft-wares for SFQ circuit technology, the designing complex circuits have become easier. Complex Circuits with over 20K junctions such digital synthesizer and digital RF Trans-receiver have already been demonstrated (Oleg M.A. et al., 2011). Development of circuits over 100K junctions are actively under progress. However, with enormously large circuits, power requirements also increase. Looking at the range of applications and complexity of the problems of energy minimization, we try to look at the problem in two approaches. One for large complex circuits, we try to reduce the power bias itself, or the overall load of current that is supplied


Large and strongly growing organizations tackle the issue of finding a way to decide which business requirements to fulfill and which projects to move forward but often forget the strategic. Once a strategy has been developed, its implementation appears to be seen as a matter of operational detail and tactical adjustment. As efforts and resources risk to be put on the wrong projects, how do you make sure that the project portfolio is in line with the strategy?

The purpose is to investigate how an organization can make sure that the IT project portfolio is in line with the strategy and that decisions are based on balanced prioritization criterions

The process involved continuous movement between the empirical world where the purpose was addressed through a case study conducted at Scania CV´s IT Area R&D department. Also, four minor case studies at Astra Zeneca, ICA Sweden, Perstorp and SEB were performed. A theoretical frame was conducted around the presented keywords in this abstract.

By standardizing the process with recurrent feedback loops it decreases the so called political play, as projects are evaluated and validated against preset criterions and capabilities. The mapping of actual strategic capabilities enables a stronger strategic fit and decreases the risk of allocating resources into the wrong projects.


The frequency with which pleural adhesions are found at necropsy and accidentally by roentgenologic examination would indicate that the milder form of pleurisy is common. Undoubtedly patients often recover without the diagnosis of pleurisy having been made. Because of the obvious difficulty of classifying the milder cases of pleurisy, it is not feasible to include them in a study of the prognosis in cases of idiopathic pleurisy, although they may be of the same etiology and type as those of pleurisy with effusion. If it were possible to classify the cases accurately, conclusions regarding the outcome of primary pleurisy would be greatly modified. This study is limited to the primary or idiopathic pleurisy with effusion in which there is an appreciable accumulation of serous fluid, and does not include the idiopathic pleurisy of lesser degree. The etiology is generally considered to be tuberculous and, although the condition is termed primary


In criminal trials with a jury, judges have many opportunities to engage in adjudicative fact-finding before the jury retires. English law has no conceptual framework for examining this judicial fact-finding which encompasses two categories of collateral fact (preliminary and underlying fact) and foreign law. A third category of collateral fact (conditional fact) is decided by the jury. The article examines the nature of judicial fact-finding and the history and rationale for this allocation of fact-finding responsibility between judge and jury.


In this article we develop a simple algorithm for localization of electrical sources in neurons. The algorithm is based on multiple measurements of neuron's action potentials acquired from multiple sensors, such as tetrodes. We show that in many cases this problem can be solved analytically. We also give an alternative formulation of the problem that is applicable when the analytical approach has no solution. We further show that the problem of source localization and the estimation of the source strength are coupled and can be solved simultaneously. Our method was tested on a single- neuron model with complex dendritic geometry and realistically modeled membrane dynamics. Simulation results suggest that our technique is capable of accurately estimating the location and strength of nearby current sources.


We take the JUNO experiment as an example to explore nuclearites in the future large liquid scintillator detector. Comparing to the previous calculations, the visible energy of nuclearites across the liquid scintillator will be reestimated for the liquid scintillator based detector. Then the JUNO sensitivities to the nuclearite flux are presented. It is found that the JUNO projected sensitivities can be better than $7.7 \times 10^{-17} {\rm cm^{-2} s^{-1} sr^{-1}}$ for the nuclearite mass $10^{15} \; {\rm GeV} \leq M \leq 10^{24}$ GeV and initial velocity $10^{-4} \leq \beta_0 \leq 10^{-1}$ with a 20 year running. Note that the JUNO will give the most stringent limits for downgoing nuclearites with $1.6 \times 10^{13} \; {\rm GeV} \leq M \leq 4.0 \times 10^{15}$ GeV and a typical galactic velocity $\beta_0 = 10^{-3}$.


ABSTRACT Environmental management accounting (EMA) is an innovative management accounting approach that covers a large range of tools with the purpose to support different actors in environmentally beneficial decision-making in companies. While the existing literature has been systematised and many EMA tools and case study applications have been discussed in depth, the links to sustainability are mostly rather assumed than explicitly discussed. This article addresses links and missing links between EMA and ecological aspects of sustainability. As its name reveals, EMA focuses on issues of the natural environment. It would thus be inappropriate to harshly criticise missing explicit links to social issues and other non-environmental aspects of sustainability (e.g. as proposed by the UN sustainable development goals). The question, however, remains whether and how exactly EMA links or could be linked to global ecological issues of sustainability. This paper therefore examines EMA links to global environmental issues based on the concept of planetary boundaries as it covers key ecological issues of global sustainability.


ABSTRACT Globally, never before has there been such formal support of children's and young people's meaningful participation, nor has there been so many attempts to make it a reality. Despite support, institutional structures and adult decision makers have not been able to engage in a paradigm shift and to involve children meaningfully, effectively and sustainably. Children's participation in their own protection can improve these protection efforts through clarifying children's specific needs and collaboratively finding solutions. This article will use the 2015 Facilitating International Child Participation in Child Protection Conference to explore critical issues at the intersection between children's participation and child protection and the role of interconnectedness and collaboration between children and adults within and across sectors to identify opportunities for children and young people to be engaged as partners in international conferences and meetings. The scholars, practitioners, policymakers and young people from diverse disciplines and sectors identified current ethical, legal, political and practical tensions and priorities affecting the field. The author posits that learnings and action points from the conference can act as a pivotal leverage point to build a continuous exchange between children and adults on the development of policies, programmes and measures in relevant contexts. The article will conclude with recommendations for future conferences and continuous collaboration between children and adults in international forums.


From the simple economic organization to the complicated economic organization, the nature of the enterprise itself has not changed, is still an economic organization of profit purpose and the demands from the society and the market have changed. Enterprise's investment decision is a comprehensive trade-off process of the investment objectives and the cost that to obtain the future compensation at the expense of the existing resources. With the development of global economy, social responsibility has become one of the factors to take into account in corporate investment decision-making; researching the investment decision model contain the social responsibility factor has important significance. This paper establishes the investment decision model based on social responsibility behavior of two states: short-term profit-maximizing and long-term utility-maximizing, gives a clear mathematical expression demonstrated of social appeal and the real social responsibility development, shows that in order to achieve short-term profit-maximizing enterprises will not invest on CSR and gives an investment proportion when for long-term utility-maximizing.


The study comprised 236 pigs selected for resistance or susceptibility to oedema disease. The susceptibility to colonization of the small intestine by an Escherichia coli strain causing oedema disease was determined: (1) by monitoring faecal excretion of weaned pigs orally inoculated with E. coli strain O139:K12(B):H1:F18ab serotype; and (2) by an in vitro adhesion assay using an F18ab positive E. coli strain and small intestinal enterocyte preparations. Susceptibility to adhesion by these bacteria was shown to be controlled by a dominant (B) allele of the ECF18R locus and resistance by the alternative recessive allele (b). Pigs were typed for 14 blood group systems, 11 biochemical polymorphisms and the polymorphism at nucleotide 1843 of the RYR1 locus. Linkage was demonstrated between the locus for F18 E. coli receptors and the loci S, RYR1, GPI, EAH, A1BG and PGD (Z > 20). The most likely gene orders are: S-ECF18R-RYR1-GPI-PGD or GPI-RYR1-ECF18R-S-PGD. The recombination frequencies between ECF18R-S and ECF18R-RYR1 were estimated to be theta = 0.5% and 3.1%, respectively.


Abstract This research aims at describing: (1) Implementation of school-based management at SD Muhammadiyah Tonggolan Klaten in improving learning quality; (2) supporting and inhibiting factors of implementation of school-based management at SD Muhammadiyah Tonggolan Klaten in improving learning quality. This research was qualitativedescriptive. Object of this research was implementation of school-based management in improving learning quality at SD Muhammadiyah Tonggolan Klaten from August to October 2017. Subject of this research was the Principal and informants were teacher, administration staff, some students, and Chief of school committee. Method of collecting data used observation, interview, and documentation. Technique of data analysis applied interactive model encompassing data
collection, data reduction, data display and conclusion.
The result of this research shows that: (1) Implementation of school-based management at SD Muhammadiyah Tonggolan Klaten is conducted through 4 management process, i.e. planning, organizing, implementing, and monitoring. It is also based on the essence of school-based management, i.e. autonomy, flexibility, participation, transparency, and accountability. All those functions have been implemented well. (2) Supporting factors are the involvement of community, parents, committee in school events, as well as complete and active homeroom teacher having academic qualification. Inhibiting factors are any assumptions for active, creative, effective and fun learning require much cost, time, and energy because it needs preparation. However, SD Muhammadiyah can handle it well.
Keywords: Implementation, School-based Management


The diversity and longitudinal variation of zooplankton in the lower Vistula River were analyzed. Samples were taken from 40 stations located along a 272-km long section of the lower river course. During the study the unique technique of taking samples from "the same water" was used. The zooplankton community was dominated by rotifers and nauplii — larval stages of copepods. The most abundant species were: Brachionus angularis, Brachionus calyciflorus and Brachionus budapestiensis. The zooplankton species diversity in the main channel of the lower Vistula River was similar to other large European rivers; however, its abundance was lower. The diversity, abundance and biomass of potamoplankton steadily decreased downstream. This could be related both to scarcity of storage zones for potamoplankton development in the river due to the extensive regulation processes, and changes in hydrological conditions of the main channel (by the straightening of riverbed) where the samples were collected.


Acute bacterial parotitis (ABP) used to be described as a nosocomial postoperative infection associated with a high mortality. A review of the literature on acute bacterial sialadenitis (ABS) revealed Staphylococcus aureus as the most common pathogen. Between 1970 and 1988, 17 patients with ABP and 12 with acute bacterial submandibular sialadenitis (ABSS) were admitted to a university hospital. Cultures of purulent discharge from the salivary ducts of these patients revealed S. aureus in 53% and viridans streptococci in 31%. During the study period, only six nosocomial cases of ABP occurred out of 289,234 admissions. S. aureus was the organism isolated most frequently in the nosocomial cases. There were no deaths, and all patients recovered following antibiotic treatment without surgical drainage. Advances in antimicrobial therapy and fluid management of hospitalized patients have made nosocomial ABS a rare disease with a favorable prognosis. S. aureus remains the most common pathogen causing ABS even in nosocomially infected patients who are not critically ill.


Among many disciplines within engineering, welding is probably one of the most inexact - rather more of an art than a science. As weldment is meant the complete joint comprising the weld metal, heat affected zones (HAZ) and the adjacent parent metal and should have the same properties as the parent metal. This paper aims provides a basic understanding of the metallurgical principles involved in how aluminium alloys achieve their strength and how welding can affect these properties. The most important and applied welding processes to Al alloys are here shortly introduced, as well as the preparation of parent metals prior to welding and good welding practice to avoid and/or keep under control defects and failures. Some case studies with possible failures will be introduced together with actions and suggestions to solve the observed problems.


Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of non-bioartificial liver in treating the patients with chronic severe hepatitis at early, middle and late stage. Methods A total of 132 patients with chronic severe hepatitis received treatment of non-bioartificial liver. Before and after the therapy, liver function, renal function, blood routine test, prothrombin activity (PTa), blood amine were analyzed. Symptoms and signs of all patients were observed closely. The survival rates of patients underwent non-bioartificial liver treatment were investigated. Results After the treatment of non-bioartificial liver, the symptoms and manifestation of patients improved. Serum total bilirubin (TB), alanine amino-transferase (ALT) and blood amine decreased. PTa increased significantly (P0.01). The side effects were very limited. The survival rates of patients with chronic severe hepatitis at early, middle and late stage were 90.0%, 50.3%, 14.9%, respectively. Conclusion The non-bioartificial liver is an effective means for chronic severe hepatitis, especially at early stage and middle stage.


Summary form only given. The massive roll-out of mobile broadband, driven by tablets and smart phones, put tough requirements on the backhaul capacity which quickly become a bottleneck in the mobile networks. Means to increase capacity for different flavours of backhaul (copper, microwave and fiber) are currently being researched; for example vectorized and bonded DSL for copper, higher modulation and higher frequency bands for microwave. However, the ultimate choice for most high capacity scenarios is of course fiber with its virtually unlimited bandwidth. Today, fiber based backhaul solutions are primarily used in green field scenarios, or where fiber is already present as a legacy.


About 15% of heterosexual couples in the USA suffer from infertility issues; male infertility accounts for ∼50% of all infertility cases and roughly 50% of male infertility is idiopathic. Increased levels of plasma cholesterol affect spermatogenesis and male fertility negatively, but by unclear mechanisms. Clearly, spermatogenesis occurs in immune-privileged seminiferous tubules that are protected by the blood-testis barrier (BTB), and BTB disruption results in sperm damage and male infertility. Accordingly, using rabbits fed a 2% cholesterol-enriched diet for 2, 4, and 6 wk to raise levels of plasma cholesterol, we tested the hypothesis that elevated levels of plasma cholesterol disrupt the BTB functionally and biochemically. The cholesterol-enriched diet increased lipid deposition dramatically and time-dependently in the seminiferous tubules and disrupted the BTB as evidenced by increased IgG staining within the seminiferous tubules. Total protein levels of the tight-junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin were increased in the seminiferous tubules of rabbits fed the cholesterol-enriched diet, and the distribution patterns of tight-junction proteins were markedly affected, including an increased accumulation of tight-junction proteins in endosomes. Disruption of the integrity of the BTB due to increased plasma levels of cholesterol might play a role in male infertility.


Yokenella regensburgei, a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae, is usually isolated from environmental samples and generally resistant to early generations of cephalosporins. To characterize the resistance mechanism of Y. regensburgei strain W13 isolated from the sewage of an animal farm, whole genome sequencing, comparative genomics analysis and molecular cloning were performed. The results showed that a novel chromosomally encoded class C β-lactamase gene with the ability to confer resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, designated blaYOC–1, was identified in the genome of Y. regensburgei W13. Kinetic analysis revealed that the β-lactamase YOC-1 has a broad spectrum of substrates, including penicillins, cefazolin, cefoxitin and cefotaxime. The two functionally characterized β-lactamases with the highest amino acid identities to YOC-1 were CDA-1 (71.69%) and CMY-2 (70.65%). The genetic context of the blaYOC–1-ampR-encoding region was unique compared with the sequences in the NCBI nucleotide database. The plasmid pRYW13-125 of Y. regensburgei W13 harbored 11 resistance genes (blaOXA–10, blaLAP–2, dfrA14, tetA, tetR, cmlA5, floR, sul2, ant(3″)-IIa, arr-2 and qnrS1) within an ∼34 kb multidrug resistance region; these genes were all related to mobile genetic elements. The multidrug resistance region of pYRW13-125 shared the highest identities with those of two plasmids from clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, indicating the possibility of horizontal transfer of these resistance genes between bacteria of various origins.


Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an important breakthrough for the drug-refractory heart failure patients with reduced left ventrical ejection fraction (LVEF: <35%) and wide QRS (>120 ms). The primary objecive of CRT is the coordination of the myocardial contraction with a right atrial (RA), right ventrical (RV) and a left ventrical (LV) lead and a biventricular device. The standard approach for implantation of the LV lead is transvenous epicardial approach through the subclavian vein to the lateral or posterolateral sidebranch of the coronary sinus. The average implantation time of CRT in high volume centers is under 120 minutes. Nowadays the procedural success ranges between 87% and 96% (Alonso, 2009). Early complications were seen in 10% and late complications were reported in further 5.5% (Khan et al., 2009). However we do not have all the evidence based predicting criterias to select the CRT responders and the different definitions of responders are numerous (Paul et al., 2009), the basics of all comparison is the successful left and right ventricular lead implantation. The growing numbers of heart failure patients recieving CRT and the limitation of the first line transvenous approach enhanced the evolution of alternative techniques. In this chapter we focus on the advanced CRT techniques which might help to reach the optimal lead positions and increase the success rate of implantations. The standard transvenous approach unfortunately has significant drawbacks as it is totally dependent on the inconsistent venous anatomy. The tributaries of the coronary sinus is usually visualised by the late phase of left coronarography, direct contrast injecion or by inserting an occlusion balloon into the coronary sinus (CS). Several reasons can cause the inabilty to reach the desired sidebrach and to insert the LV lead. The main reasons are: inability to cannulate the CS caused by dilatated right atrium, atypical orifice of CS, prominent Thebesian valve, small vessel size of the CS, severe kinking of the vein or venous valve in the CS. The secondary reasons are the high pacing threshold or phrenic nerve stimulation at the optimal site, inability to fixate the lead at the desired position and the insuffitient experience of the implanters. Stenosis or occlusion of the subclavian vein, or presence of a persistent left superior vena cava might be the cause for alternative LV implantations. Small or occluded sidebranches or tortuous branches and CS dissection or perforations might overcome with advanced transvenous techniques. The selection of the optimal site is an unsettled debate. Several noninvasiv and invasive techniques were investigated to confirm the optimal site, but no clear proven evidence is shown for the selection. However there is a consesus that the lateral and posterolateral veins are preferable rather than the anterior or apical veins. The anterolateral vein might be selected as a last resort in the absence of lateral and posterolateral veins. The identification of the veins


We identified eight patients with a distinct magnetic resonance imaging pattern of inhomogeneous cerebral white matter abnormalities and selective involvement of brainstem and spinal tracts. Proton magnetic resonance imaging showed increased lactate in the abnormal white matter. Clinically, the patients had slowly progressive pyramidal, cerebellar, and dorsal column dysfunction. The uniform, highly characteristic magnetic resonance imaging pattern and the similarities in clinical and magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings provide evidence for a new disease entity. Autosomal recessive inheritance is likely.


The results of a study with Molteno-implants in eyes with intractable glaucoma, performed for the first time in Switzerland, are presented and discussed with regard to visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and painlessness.


Service Clouds are a key emerging feature of the Future Internet which will provide a platform to execute virtualized services. To effectively operate a service cloud there needs to be a monitoring system which provides data on the actual usage and changes in resources of the cloud and of the services running in the cloud. We present the main aspects of Lattice, a new monitoring framework, which has been specially designed for monitoring resources and services in virtualized environments. Finally, we discuss the issues related to federation of service clouds, and how this affects monitoring in particular. © 2010 The authors and IOS Press. All rights reserved.


"The flipside of nose job popularity is that up to 25% of rhinoplasty patients are dissatisfied with the outcome, according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), says Robert Kotler, M.D., F.A.C.S., president of Cosmetic Surgery Associates of Beverly Hills: Results? Many unhappy patients search for a better nose through additional nose surgeries, most commonly revision rhinoplasty."


The current categorization of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is based on biomarkers of the glomerular function (estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR) and injury (urinary albumin creatinine ratio, UACR) and provides information on the risk of death and of progression of kidney disease. However, there are gaps in knowledge regarding the risk stratification of elderly patients with eGFR 45-60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and of younger patients with higher eGFR but physiological albuminuria. In this regard, most of the kidney cell mass is composed of tubules. Recent studies have explored whether biomarkers derived from the acute kidney injury literature, which are mainly tubular injury markers, may improve the information provided by eGFR and UACR. We now review the potential role of kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1, T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-1 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)/lipocalin 2 as biomarkers for kidney or cardiovascular outcomes in CKD patients. In general, neither urinary KIM-1 nor urinary NGAL (uNGAL) outperform or add relevant information to eGFR or UACR. However, promising results were obtained for circulating KIM-1 prediction of renal outcomes in type 1 diabetes. Additionally, uNGAL may have some value in non-proteinuric patients and increased values have been observed in persons at risk for Mesoamerican nephropathy. Further studies are warranted in these niche populations.


Using the particle swarm optimization algorithm on crystal structure prediction, we first predict that MgY alloy undergoes a first-order phase transition from CsCl phase to P4/NMM phase at about 55 GPa with a small volume collapse of 2.63%. The dynamical stability of P4/NMM phase at 55 GPa is evaluated by the phonon spectrum calculation and the electronic structure is discussed. The elastic constants are calculated, after which the bulk moduli, shear moduli, Young's modui, and Debye temperature are derived. The brittleness/ductile behavior, and anisotropy of two phases under pressure are discussed in details. Our results show that external pressure can change the brittle behavior to ductile at 10 GPa for CsCl phase and improve the ductility of MgY alloy. As pressure increases, the elastic anisotropy in shear of CsCl phase decreases, while that of P4/NMM phase remains nearly constant. The elastic anisotropic constructions of the directional dependences of reciprocals of bulk modulus and Young's modulus are also calculated and discussed.


This study entitled "Use of Instagram Social Media in Improving Health Literacy in Syiah Kuala University Students" aims to assess the use of Instagram social media by seeking information about health in improving student health literacy at Syiah Kuala University. This study uses the uses and gratifications theory. This research is a qualitative research with descriptive type. The criteria for informants in this study were Syiah Kuala University students, active users of Instagram social media, and using Instagram for health-related purposes. Data collection methods used are interviews, and documentation. The results of this study indicate that Instagram is proven to be able to meet the needs of students to get access to the health information needed. The seven informants have good conceptual knowledge so that they can improve their health literacy through the use of Instagram social media. Students also have a better understanding of health after being exposed to health content on Instagram. This is in line with the students' motives to obtain useful health information in increasing their understanding of health, so that they can make the right health decisions, it contributes to improving students' health literacy.


Abstract Adopting the format of an edited and annotated conversation, Danish researcher and designer Rosa Tolnov Clausen, American artist and professor Marianne Fairbanks and British writer and professor Jessica Hemmings discuss some of the circumstances in which community hand weaving projects may flourish. Decisions around the types of space Clausen's Weaving Kiosk (2017–ongoing) and Fairbanks's Weaving Lab (2016–ongoing) have occupied, how hand weaving may be made portable, the impact of duration and responsibility toward the material, as well as social, outcomes are discussed. While our conversation tries to understand what is shared by the Kiosk and Lab, we also acknowledge where different cultural and historical contexts cause the potential and challenges of these two initiatives to differ. The Weaving Kiosk and Weaving Lab are not intended as performances, but instead place emphasis on how hand weaving may build social connections. The format of this article foregrounds the conversational nature of social hand weaving and hopefully offers inspiration to others interested in expanding the purpose of contemporary hand weaving and textile scholarship.


The editor of this special issue on "Intelligent Control in Energy Systems" have made an attempt to publish a book containing original technical articles addressing various elements of intelligent control in energy systems. The response to our call had 60 submissions, of which 27 were published submissions and 33 were rejections. This book contains 27 technical articles and one editorial. All have been written by authors from 15 countries (China, Netherlands, Spain, Tunisia, United States of America, Korea, Brazil, Egypt, Denmark, Indonesia, Oman, Canada, Algeria, Mexico, and Czech Republic), which elaborated several aspects of intelligent control in energy systems. It covers a broad range of topics including fuzzy PID in automotive fuel cell and MPPT tracking, neural network for fuel cell control and dynamic optimization of energy management, adaptive control on power systems, hierarchical Petri Nets in microgrid management, model predictive control for electric vehicle battery and frequency regulation in HVAC systems, deep learning for power consumption forecasting, decision tree for wind systems, risk analysis for demand side management, finite state automata for HVAC control, robust μ-synthesis for microgrid, and neuro-fuzzy systems in energy storage.


For many protected areas, sharing benefits with local indigenous communities is an important management requirement. This paper explores indigenous involvement in and benefits from tourism, using a study of Australia's World Heritage–listed Purnululu National Park and the nearby Warmun Aboriginal Community. Interactions between the Community, the Park and tourism were explored using semi-structured interviews. The results illuminate an ongoing cultural connection to the Park providing indigenous people with intrinsic, non-financial benefits. Significant financial benefits are possible through art sales to tourists but are currently limited. Physical difficulties in visiting the Park, issues related to skills, resources and motivation, and problems with joint management all contribute to this limited benefit accrual, as well as fostering a sense of separation from the Park. The findings have broader relevance to efforts elsewhere to engage indigenous people in meaningful ways in the benefits accruable from protected areas and associated tourism. Identifying and further enhancing intrinsic benefits and addressing perceptions of separation are promising areas for attention as part of efforts to progress sustainable tourism. The paper also raises the important fact that some indigenous people may not wish to engage in tourism and that underengagement may be a part of the achievement of sustainable tourism.


We study a Hamilton-Jacobi partial differential equation, arising in an optimal control problem for an affine non-linear singularly perturbed system. This equation is solvable iff there exists a special invariant manifold of the corresponding Hamiltonian system. We obtain exact slow-fast decomposition of the Hamiltonian system and of the special invariant manifold into slow and fast components. We get sufficient conditions for the solvability of the Hamiltonian-Jacobi equation in terms of the reduced-order slow submanifold, or, in the hyperbolic case, in terms of a reduced-order slow Riccati equation. On the basis of this decomposition we construct asymptotic expansions of the optimal state-feedback, optimal trajectory and optimal open-loop control in powers of a small parameter.


Recently, natural policy gradient algorithms gained widespread recognition due to their strong performance in reinforcement learning tasks. However, their major drawback is the need to secure the policy being in a ``trust region'' and meanwhile allowing for sufficient exploration. The main objective of this study was to present an approach which models dynamical isometry of agents policies by estimating conditioning of its Jacobian at individual points in the environment space. We present a Jacobian Policy Optimization algorithm for policy optimization, which dynamically adapts the trust interval with respect to policy conditioning. The suggested approach was tested across a range of Atari environments. This paper offers some important insights into an improvement of policy optimization in reinforcement learning tasks.


In this article, a three-dimensional microscale computational framework utilizing the discrete element method is presented to analyze the seismic response of soil-foundation- MDOF structure systems. The proposed approach is used to explore the response of MDOF structures on a square embedded footing founded on a dry granular deposit. Computational simulations were conducted to investigate the response of the system to several base excitations. The impact of replacing a MDOF structure with its equivalent single degree of freedom (ESDOF) structure while accounting for soil-foundation-structure interaction (SFSI) is investigated. Detrimental or beneficial effect of SFSI on the response is also examined.