This paper proposes a high step-up dc-dc converter based on Cockcroft-Walton (CW) voltage multiplier without step-up transformer. Providing high step-up rate, the proposed converter is quite suitable for applying to low-input level dc generation systems. The proposed converter improves the impractical operation of the conventional boost dc-dc converter at high duty ratio due to non-ideal characteristics of the circuit components, such as the equivalent series resistance of the inductor. For easy design, a commercial average-current-control continuous conduction mode (CCM) integrated circuit (ICE1PCS01) and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) LC4256V are used to implement the control strategy of the proposed converter. A modified switching function, which is built in CPLD, controls the switches to generate an alternating source to the CW voltage multiplier. Under CCM operation, the output voltage ripple of the proposed converter can be limited by the flexibly adjustable frequency. A 200W laboratory prototype is built for test and the experimental results demonstrate the validity of the proposed converter.


At a time when German was generally despised as a barbaric tongue, Salomon Gessner was hailed in Europe as a poet of universal significance. Yet today he is scarcely known. John Hibberd sets the writer in context, traces the story of his impact, and stresses his significance as a key to the taste of his age. He finds the reasons for Gessner's remarkable success in his appeal to the feeling for nature and natural simplicity nascent in the mid-eighteenth century, and in his ability to be many things to many men by reconciling the main cultural trends of that time - Pre-Romanticism and Neo-Classicism. Originally published in 1976, this was the first book on the subject in English. It went beyond previous books on Gessner in both detail and scope; it called for a greater appreciation of Gessner's historical importance, but also assesed his achievements as a writer, engraver and painter.


In this work, we studied the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of CaCO(3) within regular arrays of picoliter droplets created on patterned self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The SAMs provide well-defined substrates that offer control over CaCO(3) nucleation, and we used these impurity-free droplet arrays to study crystal growth in spatially and chemically controlled, finite-reservoir environments. The results demonstrate a number of remarkable features of precipitation within these confined volumes. CaCO(3) crystallization proceeds significantly more slowly in the droplets than in the bulk, allowing the mechanism of crystallization, which progresses via amorphous calcium carbonate, to be easily observed. In addition, the precipitation reaction terminates at an earlier stage than in the bulk solution, revealing intermediate growth forms. Confinement can therefore be used as a straightforward method for studying the mechanisms of crystallization on a substrate without the requirement for specialized analytical techniques. The results are also of significance to biomineralization processes, where crystallization typically occurs in confinement and in association with organic matrices, and it is envisaged that the method is applicable to many crystallizing systems.


Compared to 1D structures, 2D structures have higher specific and active surface, which drastically improves electron transfer and extensibility along 2D plane. Herein, 2D‐single crystal silver microflakes (AgMFs) are prepared for the first time in situ on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) by solvothermal synthesis with thickness around 100 nm and length around 10 μm. The oriented attachment mechanism is hypothesized to control the silver crystal growth and self‐assembly of reduced silver units to form single‐crystal AgMF structure on RGO sheets. Employing it as an electrode to fabricate reliable and extremely sensitive pressure sensors verifies the applicability of this novel 2D structure. Contrary to nanowires, 2D microflakes can intercalate better within the polymer matrix to provide an enhanced network for electron movement. The designed sensor can retain more than 4.7 MPa−1 after 10 000 cycles. The design proves functional for monitoring various actions such as wrist movement, squatting, walking, and delicate finger touch with high durability.


This study explored geospatial technologies to support efforts of community organizations and of the Chicago Gun Violence Research Collaboration to reduce gun-related crimes. It entailed (1) identification of spatial trends in gun-related crimes during 2012 to 2017 in each of the following four areas: Austin, East Garfield, North Lawndale, and Englewood; (2) investigation of changes in crime patterns near safe school zones in the areas before and after the establishment of the city's safe passage routes in 2009 to protect the youth from street violence when traveling to school; and (3) development of a web-enabled mobile application to provide researchers and residents with spatial information on local crime incidents and to enable community members to collect and share their information in a GIS environment. The results of this research revealed that, although the number of safe passage routes has increased in these areas over the past several years, hotspot trends for gun-related crimes have intensified in most of the communities in these areas, which include school zones and safe passage routes. Accordingly, it turned out that GIS can serve as an ideal platform supporting collaborative efforts between communities and researchers.


The synthesis of chromeno[2,3-b]indole from simple starting materials remains a demanding process. Herein, 2-bromoindole undergoes nucleophilic attack from salicylaldehyde, followed by intramolecular insertion of an aldehyde group and aromatization to generate the desired chromeno[2,3-b]indoles. Moreover, various functional groups were tolerated and a gram-scale synthesis of the product could be achieved under the optimized condition.


Purpose
Servant leaders focus on their direct reports to enable them to grow to be independent and autonomous leaders. The purpose of this paper is to understand the way personal values and personality traits collectively influence this other-centered behavior. This will go a long way to unravel this unique style of leadership.

Design/methodology/approach
The study surveys managers and their direct reports. Leaders rated their personality trait and personal values, while their direct reports rated the leader's servant leadership behaviors. Age, educational level, conscientiousness, extraversion and neuroticism of leaders were used as controls. The study also checked for endogeneity threats.

Findings
Using a sample of 81 leaders and 279 of their direct reports, the study finds that the personal value of benevolent dependability relates negatively to servant leadership behaviors. In addition, the personality traits of agreeableness and openness/intellect moderate the relationship between benevolent dependability and servant leadership behaviors.

Research limitations/implications
The findings shed important insights into what motivates servant leaders to engage in other-directed behaviors, thereby enabling future research into individual characteristics that define servant leaders.

Originality/value
Although studies have examined how values and personality traits influence leadership behaviors, no research has examined both types of individual differences in a single study. Studies examining the individual differences of servant leaders are few, and this study answers the call by Liden et al. (2014) to examine individual characteristics that are both personality based (traits) and malleable (values).


OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcome of three techniques of congenital syndactyly release; to identify factors leading to difference in outcome, and to identify the incidence of neurovascular abnormalities in various types of syndactyly.

METHODS
The chart review was conducted at The Indus Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of all patients who had undergone syndactyly release between August 2008 and December 2014. Three techniques of release were included as described in literature by Bauer, Skoog and Niranjan. The data was collected through Health Management Information System. A detailed questionnaire was designed to address variables of interest.

RESULTS
The age of the 29 patients with 50 webs in the study ranged from 2.2 to 17.1 years. The male to female ratio was 21:8. The complications encountered were web creep, skin flap necrosis, flexion deformity and contracture of joint. Single neurovascular bundle was found in 04(8%)webs and 45(90%) required skin graft for resurfacing of the digits.

CONCLUSIONS
Bauer technique was found to be to be superior for web formation and there was low incidence of web creep compared to Skoog technique. Inclusion of syndromic cases may lead to increased complication and dissatisfaction rate. Tight closure of flaps should be avoided and generous use of skin grafts is advocated for success.


Introduction To anaesthetise the vocal cords during bronchoscopy there are 2 methods in general use, transcricoid lidocaine or lidocaine administered directly through the bronchoscope (direct vision). The choice between the two methods is down to individual operator choice and there has been little work comparing each method. We performed a survey assessing several aspects of bronchoscopy to see if there was a difference between the 2 approaches. Methods The bronchoscopist (one of three consultants and two registrars) and two nurses assessed patients degree of coughing, choking, sedation and overall tolerance of the procedure using a 10-point visual analogue scale. All patients were given 2–4 mg of midazolam as a sedative as is normal practice in our trust. Method of local anaesthesias and outcome of the bronchoscopy were noted. Results were analysed with a paired t test. Results 33 patients were assessed, 14 patients had direct vision lidocaine and 19 had transcricoid lidocaine. 2 of the procedures were abandoned due to patient's intolerance (both in the direct vision group). There was a significant reduction in coughing (3.5 vs. 5.7 p value 0.009) choking (1.9 vs. 3.9 p 0.004) and overall tolerance was better in the transcricoid group (8.0 vs. 5.6 p 0.003). There was no difference in the degree of sedation ( 5.4 vs. 4.9 p 0.4). There was no significant difference in the amount of successful biopsies performed in each group. There was no difference in the amount of midazolam given to each group (2.65mg vs. 2.68mg) and the differences were preserved despite the individual bronchoscopist. Conclusions In this small pilot study The transcricoid group coughed and choked less and tolerated the procedure better in this survey. There was no difference between the groups in terms of sedation, total midazolam dosage or operator suggesting that this difference may due to the differing methods of local anaesthesia. A previous patient survey in our trust has shown patients themselves tolerated the transcricoid approach well. Further studies are needed to fully assess the differences between these two approaches and inform further practice.


This study investigated on Gender Equality and Equity in Teacher Education in Uganda. The aim of the study was to examine the extent to which pre-service teacher education prepares future teachers to be gender responsive in their teaching career. A total sample of 90 tutors was obtained from 15 government teacher training colleges. Questionnaires, interviews to key stake holders in teacher education in the Ministry of Education and observations were used for data collection. Data was analyzed by using simple random sampling. The study revealed that though tutors understood what the term gender meant their socialization process continues to perpetuate gender inequality in their way of life. This socialization process impacts on how teacher trainers treat male and female students. The study found that tutors associated female students with weak issues while male students where associated with the hard work and good performance in class. The study concludes that low levels of gender responsiveness reinforces the superiority of males over females. The research demonstrated that the tutors" gender played a significant role in influencing how male and female students learn and conceptualize what they are taught. The outcome was the continuous gender inequalities and inequities in our societies. The study made recommendations that would help teachers to unlearn, relearn and reconstruct the way they perceive gender issues and how they teach and train teachers to- be who are the foundation of education systems worldwide.


It is known that the solutions of pure classical 5D gravity with $AdS_5$ asymptotics can describe strongly coupled large N dynamics in a universal sector of 4D conformal gauge theories. We show that when the boundary metric is flat we can uniquely specify the solution by the boundary stress tensor. We also show that in the Fefferman-Graham coordinates all these solutions have an integer Taylor series expansion in the radial coordinate (i.e. no $log$ terms). Specifying an arbitrary stress tensor can lead to two types of pathologies, it can either destroy the asymptotic AdS boundary condition or it can produce naked singularities. We show that when solutions have no net angular momentum, all hydrodynamic stress tensors preserve the asymptotic AdS boundary condition, though they may produce naked singularities. We construct solutions corresponding to arbitrary hydrodynamic stress tensors in Fefferman-Graham coordinates using a derivative expansion. In contrast to Eddington-Finkelstein coordinates here the constraint equations simplify and at each order it is manifestly Lorentz covariant. The regularity analysis, becomes more elaborate, but we can show that there is a unique hydrodynamic stress tensor which gives us solutions free of naked singularities. In the process we write down explicit first order solutions in both Fefferman-Graham and Eddington-Finkelstein coordinates for hydrodynamic stress tensors with arbitrary $\eta/s$. Our solutions can describe arbitrary (slowly varying) velocity configurations. We point out some field-theoretic implications of our general results.


In this paper, some of the dynamical characteristics and the thermal structure of the monsoon depressions formed during July-August 1979 in the Bay of Bengal are presented. The vorticity budget terms are examined for the eastern and western halves of three depressions in a Lagrangian reference frame. Two of the depressions moved westward and one northward. The vorticity divergence term and the horizontal advection term (in the upper troposphere) apparently caused the westward movement, whereas the vertical advection term and tilting term had little influence on the movement. The residual term is predominantly negative in the western half of the monsoon depression where convective activity and rainfall are greater, compared to the eastern half. This corroborates the inference of Sui and Yanai that the appearance of large vorticity budget residuals is associated with intense cumulus convection. The computational study of energetics shows that the zonal available potential energy was the source for eddy available potential energy. This, in turn, was converted into eddy kinetic energy on most of the days during the life cycle of monsoon depressions. Eddy kinetic energy was converted into zonal kinetic energy on many days, thus maintaining the monsoon current. Computations of the momentum transport show that the transport was southward over the region 18°N to 25° N during the strengthening of the depressions and northward during the decaying stage. From analysis of thermal structure, the August depression (6–13 August 1979) had a warm core until two days after it reached peak intensity; subsequently it had a cold core. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1989.tb00380.x


This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the inline skating skill test. Based on previous skating experience forty-two skaters (26 female and 16 male) were randomized into two groups (competitive level vs. recreational level). They performed the test four times, with a recovery time of 45 minutes between sessions. Prior to testing, the participants rated their skating skill using a scale from 1 to 10. The protocol included performance time measurement through a course, combining different skating techniques. Trivial changes in performance time between the repeated sessions were determined in both competitive females/males and recreational females/males (-1.7% [95% CI: -5.8-2.6%] - 2.2% [95% CI: 0.0-4.5%]). In all four subgroups, the skill test had a low mean within-individual variation (1.6% [95% CI: 1.2-2.4%] - 2.7% [95% CI: 2.1-4.0%]) and high mean inter-session correlation (ICC = 0.97 [95% CI: 0.92-0.99] - 0.99 [95% CI: 0.98-1.00]). The comparison of detected typical errors and smallest worthwhile changes (calculated as standard deviations × 0.2) revealed that the skill test was able to track changes in skaters' performances. Competitive-level skaters needed shorter time (24.4-26.4%, all p < 0.01) to complete the test in comparison to recreational-level skaters. Moreover, moderate correlation (ρ = 0.80-0.82; all p < 0.01) was observed between the participant's self-rating and achieved performance times. In conclusion, the proposed test is a reliable and valid method to evaluate inline skating skills in amateur competitive and recreational level skaters. Further studies are needed to evaluate the reproducibility of this skill test in different populations including elite inline skaters.


Vortex rings are ubiquitous in fluids, with smoke rings being a familiar example. The interaction of multiple vortex rings produces complex dynamical behaviour, such as the leapfrogging motion first analysed by Helmholtz more than a century and a half ago. Here we report on numerical investigations of vortex ring dynamics in a different setting from fluids, namely, as solutions of the Landau–Lifshitz equation that models the evolution of the local magnetization in a ferromagnetic medium. We present the results of the first study on the dynamics of interacting magnetic vortex rings and provide a novel link between fluids and magnetism, by showing that a range of phenomena familiar in fluids are reproduced in ferromagnets. This includes the leapfrogging motion of a pair of vortex rings and evidence for the chaotic dynamics of a trio of rings.


Albian turbidites and intercalated shales were cored from ~1145 to 1700 meters below seafloor at Site 1276 in the Newfoundland Basin. Strata at this level dip ~2.5° seaward (toward an azimuth of ~130°) based on seismic profiles. In contrast, beds dip an average of ~10° in the cores. This higher apparent dip is the sum of the ~2.5° seaward dip and a measured hole deviation of 7.43°, which must be essentially in the same seaward direction. Using the maximum dip direction in the cores as a reference direction, paleocurrents were measured from 11 currentripple foresets and 11 vector means of grain fabric in planar-laminated sandstones. Five of the planar-laminated sandstone samples have a grain imbrication ≥8°, permitting specification of a unique flow direction rather than just the line-of-motion of the current. Both ripples and grain fabric point to unconfined flow toward the north-northeast. There is considerable spread in the data so that some paleoflow indicators point toward the northwest, whereas others point southeast. Nevertheless, the overall pattern of paleoflow suggests a source for the turbidity currents on the southeastern Grand Banks, likely from the long-emergent Avalon Uplift in that area. On average, turbidity currents apparently flowed axially in the young Albian rift, toward the north. This is opposite to what might be expected for a northwardpropagating rift and a young ocean opening in a zipperlike fashion from south to north. 1Hiscott, R.N., 2007. Paleoflow directions of Albian basin-floor turbidity currents in the Newfoundland Basin. In Tucholke, B.E., Sibuet, J.-C., and Klaus, A. (Eds.), Proc. ODP, Sci. Results, 210: College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program), 1–27. doi:10.2973/ odp.proc.sr.210.103.2007 2Earth Sciences Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's NF, A1B 3X5, Canada. firstname.lastname@example.com Initial receipt: 5 January 2006 Acceptance: 14 July 2006 Web publication: 14 May 2007 Ms 210SR-103 R.N. HISCOTT PALEOFLOW DIRECTIONS OF ALBIAN BASIN-FLOOR TURBIDITY CURRENTS 2 INTRODUCTION The source of deep-sea turbidites can be inferred from majorcomponent petrography (e.g., Dickinson et al., 1983; Zuffa, 1985; Marsaglia, this volume), heavy minerals (Hubert, 1971), trace element or rare earth element geochemistry (e.g., McLennan et al., 1990), and/ or paleocurrent analysis (Potter and Pettijohn, 1963). The latter technique might not point unambiguously to the source region if flows took a circuitous path to the site of deposition (e.g., Zuffa et al., 2000). This paper employs paleocurrent analysis using flow directions determined from ripple foresets and grain-fabric studies of Albian sandstone turbidites recovered in Hole 1276A east of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland (Fig. F1). No downhole geophysical logs were obtained in Hole 1276A, preventing the reorientation of core samples to a modern geographic reference frame using, for example, high-resolution Formation MicroScanner (FMS) images. In the absence of this type of straightforward way to reorient samples, a different approach was used: seismic dips, bedding dips in cores, and the availability of a single measurement of the amount of the borehole deviation (but not its direction) were all considered in order to infer the azimuth of the dip line in core pieces. The dip line was then used as a reference direction to reorient the core samples and paleocurrent measurements. Site 1276 is located in 4560 m of water east of the Grand Banks and south of Flemish Cap. Coring began 800 meters below seafloor (mbsf) and proceeded to approximately the Aptian/Albian boundary at 1739 mbsf. The sedimentation rate was generally <5–7 m/m.y. from the earliest Oligocene to the Cenomanian but was ~20–100 m/m.y. during the Albian. As a consequence, the Albian section predominates and extends from ~1145 to 1700 mbsf (Fig. F2). This interval consists of ~ hemipelagic bioturbated mudrocks, ~ mud-dominated gravity-flow deposits, and volumetrically minor but numerous black shales rich in terrestrial organic carbon. The Albian succession belongs to previously defined lithologic Subunits 5B and 5C (Shipboard Scientific Party, 2004a). The proportion of black shales decreases below ~1400 mbsf, whereas the proportion of thick bedded to very thick bedded muddy turbidites, some as graded units thicker than 2 m, increases below ~1500 mbsf (Fig. F3). The thicker turbidites are characterized by ductile soft-sediment deformation and pseudonodule development. Sorting in these beds is poor, and there are common plant fragments and mud clasts. The Albian succession corresponds to seismic Sequence B (Shipboard Scientific Party, 2004a), which is characterized by mostly parallel reflectors that typically extend for tens to hundreds of kilometers. In its upper part, minor local downlap and onlap suggest some depositional relief. There is a slight seaward dip over a broad area around Site 1276. This dip is crucial to unraveling paleocurrents in the Albian succession and will be discussed more fully in "Data and Methods," p. 4. During the Albian, a narrow seaway had opened between the Grand Banks and the western margin of Iberia (Fig. F4). The central segment of the North Atlantic Ocean was much wider; northwest Africa had separated from Nova Scotia in the Middle Jurassic. By the Albian, the African plate had slid along the south Newfoundland transform margin to a position well east of the Grand Banks. Hence, the narrow seaway at Site 1276 faced a wide ocean basin to the south. Potential source areas for the Albian turbidites include Flemish Cap, the southern Grand Banks, and the more northerly extension of the propagating North At54°W 52° 50° 48° 46° 44° 42° 40° 5000 4000 300


An attempt is made in the present study to analyse the larvicidal effect of the leaf extract of a vastly grown (in the hilly regions of the Nilgiris district) weed plant, Ageratina adenophora on two important mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The larval mortality of fourth instar larvae of A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus after 24 h of treatment were observed separately in control, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 ppm concentrations of the leaf extract (acetone) of A. adenophora. Based on the Probit analysis, the 24 h Lc50 value of the leaf extract of A. adenophora was found to be 356.70 ppm for A. aegypti and 227.20 ppm for C. quinquefasciatus. When compared to neem, the leaf extract of A. adenophora is more toxic to both A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus and could be effectively used for the control of mosquito larvae.


Abstract Objective To highlight key anatomical and technical considerations for facial artery identification, and harvest and transposition of the facial artery buccinator (FAB) flap to facilitate its future use in anterior skull base reconstruction. Only a few studies have evaluated the reverse-flow FAB flap for skull base defects. Design Eight FAB flaps were raised in four cadaveric heads and divided into thirds; the facial artery's course at the superior and inferior borders of the flap was measured noting in which incisional third of the flap it laid. The flap's reach to the anterior cranial fossa, sella turcica, clival recess, and contralateral cribriform plate were studied. A clinical case and operative video are also presented. Results The facial artery had a near vertical course and stayed with the middle (⅝) or posterior third (⅜) of the flap in the inferior and superior incisions. Seven of eight flaps covered the sellar/planar regions. Only four of eight flaps covered the contralateral cribriform region. Lastly, none reached the middle third of the clivus. Conclusions The FAB flap requires an understanding of the facial artery's course, generally seen in the middle third of the flap, and is an appropriate alternative for sellar/planar and ipsilateral cribriform defects.


In this communication we study the convergence of the augmented-space recursion and illustrate the errors produced because of using only a finite part of the full augmented space and termination of the recursion after a finite number of steps. We illustrate this by using a TB-LMTO-based augmented-space formalism for a 50 - 50 AgPd alloy and studying how the moments of the density of states, the Fermi energy and the band energy converge


This is a book that should join the pillars of a student's library. It is a direct descendant of Cowdry's earlier volume, completely revised and rewritten. The concepts of cellular structure are elucidated under the light of an electron microscope, with discussions of intracellular substances, tissues, and organs. In conformance with usual teaching, the basic tissues are brought together in a single section beginning with a chapter on Epithelium and Glands. The final section relates to the structure of all organs, grouped according to systems. Photomicrographs have been added to the many illustrations retained from the fourth edition. An interesting feature is the visualization of ultramicroscopic structures, which gives great clarity and insight. Thus, the older but still acceptable concepts have been dressed up with the skills of technology. The summaries for each chapter are colorful and exacting. No one will forget such graphic references as the "liver is the


Vulnerabilities and threats are being discovered at a pace that traditional exploit-based attack detection technology cannot meet. Vulnerability-focused detection technologies provide the solution to this problem with broader threat detection, fewer signatures, and day-zero detection capabilities. This paper describes the difference between exploitfocused and vulnerability-focused detection and how Cisco intrusion prevention systems (IPSs) use vulnerability-focused detection to provide comprehensive threat protection.


Intramolecular insertion of a C-C double bond into a C-C single bond was achieved by treatment of cyclobutanone bearing an o-styryl group at the 3-position with a catalytic amount of a cationic rhodium(I)-dppp complex. Initially, rhodium is inserted between the carbonyl carbon and the alpha-carbon of the cyclobutanone. Intramolecular coordination of the vinyl group results in its migratory insertion into the C-Rh linkage. Reductive elimination affords benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one. Notably, a ring-opened alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone was obtained when dppe was used instead of dppp. In this reaction, rhodium cleaved the bond between the alpha sp3 carbon and the beta sp3 carbon of the cyclobutanone. The coordinating vinyl group directs this new regioselectivity of cleavage observed with the dppe ligand.


Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an urgent health threat being the most common healthcare‐associated infection, and its management is a clinical conundrum. Over 450 000 infections are seen in the United States with similar incidence seen in the rest of the developed world. The majority of infections seen are mild–moderate with fulminant disease and mortality being rare complications seen in the elderly and in those with comorbidities. The most common complication of CDI is recurrent infection with rates as high as 60% after three or more infections. A dilemma in the management of primary and recurrent CDI is testing due to the high sensitivity of the nucleic acid amplification tests such as the polymerase chain reaction, which leads to clinical false positives if patients are not chosen carefully (with symptoms) before testing. A newer testing regimen involving a 2‐step strategy is emerging using glutamate dehydrogenase as a screening strategy followed by enzyme immunoassay for the C. difficile toxin. Microbiota restoration therapies are the cornerstone of management of recurrent CDI to prevent future recurrences. The most common modality of microbiota restoration is faecal microbiota transplantation, which has been tainted with heterogeneity and adverse events such as serious infectious transmission. The success rates for recurrence prevention from microbiota restoration therapies are over 90% compared with less than 50% of recurrence prevention with courses of antibiotics. This has led to development and emergence of standardized microbiota restoration therapies in capsule and enema forms. Capsule‐based therapies include CP101 (positive phase II results), RBX7455 (positive phase I results), SER‐109 (positive phase III results) and VE303 (ongoing phase II trial). Enema‐based therapy includes RBX2660 (positive phase III data). This review summarizes the principles of management and diagnosis of CDI and focuses on emerging and existing data on faecal microbiota transplantation and standardized microbiota restoration therapies.


ABSTRACT COVID-19 vaccination rates among pregnant people are among the lowest in the United States. To better understand how pregnant people are seeking, assembling, and making meaning of different types of information and support, this essay reports on a study of a social media forum created for pregnant and breastfeeding people to discuss COVID-19 vaccination. Data come from 435 forum posts and 17 interviews with forum participants. Findings document four rhetorical strategies that participants developed to move themselves from vaccine uncertainty to vaccine confidence: (1) seeking embodied evidence to personalize vaccine decision making, (2) localizing scientific evidence to their lived contexts, (3) optimizing vaccination, and (4) attending to the affective and relational dimensions of vaccination. These strategies show how participants calibrated two powerful and conflicting rhetorics—one rhetoric that they should get vaccinated as soon as possible, and another that they should make personalized health decisions for their families.


OBJECTIVE
To prospectively evaluate the clinical result of Cable-Pin system in the treatment of olecranon fractures and compare with tension band wiring (TBW) method.

METHODS
From March 2008 to June 2010,65 patients with olecranon fractures were divided into two groups: 32 patients in Cable-Pin group were treated with Cable-Pin system, including 18 males and 14 females, ranging in age from 21 to 69 years, with an average of (53.69 +/- 13.42) years; 33 patients in TBW group were treated with Kirschner tension bend, including 20 males and 13 females, ranging in age from 20 to 70 years, with an average of (53.18 +/- 13.36) years. The incision length, operation time, the amounts of hemoglobin after operation, fracture healing time, complications and HSS elbow scores were recorded and analyzed statistically. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 24 months, with an average period of 18.4 months.

RESULTS
There were statistical differences (P<0.05) in fracture healing time (t= 2.588, P=0.012), complication rate (chi2=4.534, P=0.033) and HSS elbow joint scores (Z=-2.039, P=0.041) between two groups, which all were superior to TBW in Cable-Pin group. There was no statistical differences (P>0.05) in the length of incision (t= 0.416, P=0.679), operation time (t=0.816, P=0.417) and the postoperative amounts of hemoglobin (t=-0.553, P=0.294) between two groups.

CONCLUSION
Cable-Pin system is an easy and reliable method for the treatment of olecranon fractures with less complications and better functions than TBW.


This study illustrates how the isolation and perceived worthlessness of the Great Basin's West Desert led the military and livestock industry to create a sacrificial landscape. In focusing on the material activities of these two groups, this study also explores vital yet largely neglected issues regarding the tensions between the defense industry, economic prosperity, and ecological health, revealing the largely unacknowledged social and ecological costs of maintaining national security. The narrative traces the nineteenth-century rise of the sheep industry, growing friction between pastoral and national security landscapes in the mid twentieth century, and the social and environmental consequences of Army weapons testing programs during World War II and the Cold War. In focusing on Western settlement and early economic development, as well as the critical period during and after WWII, this study offers an extended view into North Americans ' largely dysfunctional relationship to arid lands. Dedicated to my mother IV


In terms of its implications for work and production, studies of teamworking have generally relied on concepts of autonomy and flexibility. An in-depth, qualitative case study of the UK Inland Revenue reveals a form of teamworking in which both autonomy and flexibility play little part. It is argued that teamworking in this case is best conceptualized by giving greater weight to interdependence. In particular, teamworking in the Inland Revenue works through the outcome interdependence engendered by the emphasis on the team's work targets. This form of teamworking is given the name 'target-based teamworking'. Certain aspects of the nature of production appear to encourage this form of teamworking. More generally, the case promotes interdependence as a means of understanding teamworking, and suggests that the key to this understanding is an analysis of the relationship between interdependence and autonomy.


Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) is becoming increasingly prevalent as human activity expands, and monitoring the impact of habitat quality on wildlife mortality related to HWC is critical for the well-being of wildlife and people. Using ten years of necropsies from free-ranging Asian elephants in the Northwestern Wildlife Region (NWR) of Sri Lanka, we quantified the effect of habitat quality on human–elephant conflict (HEC) (i.e., human-caused elephant mortality), hypothesizing that both artificial (e.g., forest cover loss) and natural (e.g., water availability, temperature) changes would be associated with elephant mortality. We collated necropsies from 348 elephants that died due to human activity from 2009 to 2018, comparing the results with data on forest cover loss, perennial water, rainfall, temperature, and human population sizes. Over the study period, we found that forest cover loss was significantly correlated with human-caused mortality in a district-specific manner. Similarly, access to perennial water and precipitation levels appeared to influence mortality, but not temperature, human population density, or percent land cover used for agriculture. We conducted emerging hot spot analyses to identify areas within the NWR that should be prioritized for protection, which included landscapes that are not currently protected (approximately 43% of the hot spots we identified). Similarly, areas that we identified as cold spots included many areas with minimal forest cover loss. Together, our results emphasize the impact that human activity can have on the measurable outcomes of HEC. We suggest that adaptive HWC management strategies that use retrospective analyses should inform any potential changes to the protection of vital wildlife habitats, such as the north central dry zone of Sri Lanka.


Abstract This paper develops a 3D homogenisation based continuum damage mechanics (HCDM) model for fibre-reinforced composites undergoing micromechanical damage under cyclic loading. Micromechanical damage in a representative volume element (RVE) of the material occurs by fibre-matrix interfacial debonding, which is incorporated in the model through a hysteretic bilinear cohesive zone model. The proposed model expresses a damage evolution surface in the strain space in the principal damage co-ordinate system or PDCS. PDCS enables the model to account for the effect of non-proportional load history. The material constitutive law involves a fourth order orthotropic tensor with stiffness characterised as a macroscopic internal variable. Cyclic damage parameters are introduced in the monotonic HCDM model to describe the material degradation due to fatigue. Three dimensional damage in composites is accounted for through functional forms of the fourth order damage tensor in terms of components of macroscopic strain and elastic stiffness tensor. The HCDM model parameters are calibrated from homogenisation of micromechanical solutions of the RVE for a few representative cyclic strain histories. The proposed model is validated by comparing results of the HCDM model with pure micromechanical analysis results followed by homogenisation. Finally, the potential of cyclic HCDM model as a design tool is demonstrated through macro-micro analysis of cyclic damage progression in composite structures.


Although primogeniture is commonly assumed to have prevailed throughout the world and firstborns are regarded as most likely to achieve success, many of the most prominent figures in biblical literature are younger offspring, including Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, and Solomon. Adducing evidence from a wide range of disciplines, this study demonstrates that ancient Israelite fathers were free to choose their primary heirs. Rather than being either legally mandated or a protest against the prevailing norm, the Bible's propensity for younger offspring conforms to a widespread folk motif, evoking innocence, vulnerability, and destiny. Within the biblical context, this theme heightens God's role in supporting ostensibly unlikely heroes. Drawing on the resources of law, anthropology, folklore, and linguistics, Greenspahn shows how these tales serve as complex parables of the relationship of God to his chosen people, also reflecting Israel's own discomfort and confusion about the contradiction between its theology of election and the reality of political weakness.


The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that vibrations of a truss structure can be suppressed nicely by a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid variable damper for semiactive vibration suppression. A variable MR fluid damper was designed and fabricated for this study. The principal characteristics of an MR damper were measured in dynamic tests, and a mathematical model of the damper was proposed. To investigate if the variable damper effectively suppresses the vibration of actual truss structures, semiactive vibration suppression experiments were performed using a cantilevered ten-bay truss beam. The experimental result has shown that the vibration was suppressed nicely by the variable MR damper, and that was compared with that of an electro-rheological (ER) damper investigated in previous research. The MR damper showed a higher performance than that of the ER damper.


Overexpression and activating mutations of cKIT are associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis in various cancer patients such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and mastocytoma. Since small molecule inhibitors including imatinib frequently have a limited therapeutic application due to eventual drug resistance and severe adverse events, we developed the cKIT-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), NN3201, for the treatment of wild-type and mutant cKIT-positive cancers. NN3201 is an ADC conjugate of the antimitotic payload MMAE to the fully human 2G4 antibody, directed against cKIT, via the cysteine re-bridging technology ThioBridge® at a drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) of 4. NN3201 displayed preferable biophysical properties and broadly potent in vitro antitumor activities across various cKIT-positive tumor cell lines. NN3201 exhibited potent in vivo antitumor activities in cKIT-positive tumor cell line xenograft and patient-derived tumor xenograft models of SCLC and AML, representing robust and durable antitumor responses. Furthermore, in a single-dose toxicity study with cynomolgus monkey, no significant or severe clinical toxicity signs were observed in animals dosed at 1, 2, and 3 mg/kg. Even though a decrease in reticulocyte, red cell mass (hemoglobin and red blood cell), neutrophil, and monocyte counts, along with bone marrow recovery and reticulocyte compensatory mechanism, red blood cell and white blood cell recovery were observed from day 14 in the low and medium dose groups and day 21 in the high dose group, dose-dependently. These preclinical results suggest that NN3201 is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cKIT-positive cancers and support the further clinical evaluation in SCLC and AML.
 Citation Format: Han-Jik Ko, Sung Tae Kim, Jin Gu Cho, Jin-Ock Kim, Jung Tae Lee, Sang Gyu Park. In vivo efficacy and preclinical safety profile of NN3201, an anti-cKIT antibody-drug conjugate, for treating SCLC and AML [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 2648.


Several different versions of couple stress theory have appeared in the literature, including the indeterminate Mindlin-Tiersten-Koiter couple stress theory (MTK-CST), indeterminate symmetric modified couple stress theory (M-CST) and determinate skew-symmetric consistent couple stress theory (C-CST). First, the solutions within each of these theories for pure torsion of cylindrical bars composed of isotropic elastic material are presented and found to provide a remarkable basis for comparison with observed physical response. In particular, recent novel physical experiments to characterize torsion of micro-diameter copper wires in quasi-static tests show no significant size effect in the elastic range. This result agrees with the prediction of the skew-symmetric C-CST that there is no size effect for torsion of an elastic circular bar in quasi-static loading, because the mean curvature tensor vanishes in a pure twist deformation. On the other hand, solutions within the other two theories exhibit size-dependent torsional response, which depends upon either one or two additional material parameters, respectively, for the indeterminate symmetric M-CST or indeterminate MTK-CST. Results are presented to illustrate the magnitude of the expected sizedependence within these two theories in torsion. Interestingly, if the material length scales for copper in these two theories with size-dependent torsion is on the order of microns or larger, then the recent physical experiments in torsion would align only with the self-consistent skewsymmetric couple stress theory, which inherently shows no size effect.


Host-guest architectures provide ideal systems for investigating site-specific physical and chemical effects. Condensation events in nanometer-sized confinements are particularly interesting for the investigation of intermolecular and molecule-surface interactions. They may be accompanied by conformational adjustments representing induced fit packing patterns. Here, we report that the symmetry of small clusters formed upon condensation, their registry with the substrate, their lateral packing, and their adsorption height are characteristically modified by the packing of cycloalkanes in confinements. While cyclopentane and cycloheptane display cooperativity upon filling of the hosting pores, cyclooctane and to a lesser degree cyclohexane diffusively redistribute to more favored adsorption sites. The dynamic behavior of cyclooctane is surprising at 5 K given the cycloalkane melting point of >0 °C. The site-specific modification of the interaction and behavior of adsorbates in confinements plays a crucial role in many applications of three-dimensional porous materials as gas storage agents or catalysts/biocatalysts.


The difference between classical publishers and «digital publishers» represents the object of this article. Dubini describes the traditional publisher's duties in terms of scouting and selecting, editorial activity, copyright management, marketing and distributive strategies. Then she analyses the impact of the new technologies on the critical stages of the publishing process. Those effects can be very different, according to the strategy, incremental or integrated, adopted by the publishing house. To become an integrated digital publisher can have many advantages, on condition that the publishing house is ready to redefine its dimension and mainly its organisational criteria.


Telescopes, particle accelerators, thermometers, but also Fourier series, measurement units and computer programs: Physicists have developed and employ many tools which are (not only) today essential components of their practices. Over the last decades, historians of science have become increasingly sensitive to the material and performative dimensions of scientific endeavors, and to the fact that scientific knowledge is no abstract content, but is deeply intertwined with the instruments, codes, and procedures employed to produce, communicate, and apply it. Scientific instruments as well as other tools of the scientific trade are not simply "reified theorems" (Bachelard 1933), but have a life of their own, which has often shaped not only specific scientific experiments, but also larger conceptual frameworks. Indeed, in modern physics there are many notions that are constitutively shaped by the apparatuses which helped "discover" them, e.g., in thermodynamics or electromagnetism. The construction, diffusion, and use of scientific instruments is in itself a process of knowledge production and communication which has served and serves to connect both different cultural spheres and different cultures. Because of their often highly refined technical features, the tools of scientists – and of physicists in particular – have also at times become symbols of wisdom and power. Consequently, in premodern and early modern times astronomical and mathematical devices like astrolabes or armillary spheres were gifts fit for kings. Yet not only the devices which we regard as proper scientific instruments are worth our attention, but also more modest tools, such as telescope mounts, simple computational aids, or hand-drawn sketches. Moreover, physicists manipulate not only instruments, but also apparently abstract constructs, such as mathematical notations or computer code, which may therefore display their own specific epistemic dynamics as non-material tools. Reconstructing how the tools of physics lead a "life of their own" constitutes a challenge, and requires, on the one hand, close cooperation between historians and museum curators and other instrument experts, and on the other hand efforts to provide a thick description of the context in which the tools have been employed. Historically accurate reconstructions of instruments and re-enactments of experiments play a central role in this context, and studies in this direction have brought to light the role of the body of the scientist in experimental practice. Likewise, the interplay between the development of an instrument and the performance with that instrument in aiming at stabilizing the experimental procedures and the knowledge production gave insights into the complexity of laboratory practices. Research on physicists-tools has also uncovered new historical actors, the "invisible technicians". More generally, a focus on tools of scientific practice reveals the entanglement of science with other cultural spheres and its manifold connections to social, economic and political contexts. Recognizing how material instruments produce and communicate knowledge also helps bridging the gap between theory and practice in the physical sciences, as it contributes to our understanding of how theory, as well, is highly dependent on its own set of tools, like symbolic notation, diagrams, mathematical techniques, and, more recently, computing machines and codes.


Poland is one of the "puzzling-cases" where the lowest-low fertility occurs in a society strongly orientated towards family and children. As childbearing is still quite universal in Poland and the decline in TFR is mostly attributed to the reduction of the higher order births and some fertility postponement, it seems that economic and institutional factors are mostly responsible for that state of affairs. However, with our results we argue that deeper understanding of the value of children may improve the interpretations of the current fertility patterns. Drawing on a qualitative analysis we identify two key categories of benefits associated with parenthood. They relate to: (1) the image of the "normal" life course; and (2) the expectations as to the old-age. We show that given the value of children shared by the respondents, childlessness is not approved, while stopping at parity one may be an acceptable, even though not an ideal, solution.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The falcine sinus has been considered as a rare variation of the venous pathway between the dural layers of the falx cerebri. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of falcine sinus and its anatomic characteristics by using CTA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 586 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. A falcine sinus on CTA was defined as a midline venous structure connecting the vein of Galen or the internal sagittal sinus with the superior sagittal sinus. When present, anatomic features of the falcine sinus were evaluated. RESULTS: Falcine sinuses were present in 12 patients (2.1%). Only 1 case was associated with a congenital anomaly, a dysplastic tentorium. Eight patients had absent or rudimentary straight sinuses, and 4 patients had normal straight sinuses. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous reports, falcine sinuses were not rare in the adult population, and most falcine sinuses were not associated with a congenital anomaly or sinus occlusion. Knowledge and recognition of these falcine sinuses are useful and important during the interpretation of brain CTA.


In Bates v. Dow Agrosciences LLC, the US. Supreme Court took a narrow view of the preemptive effect of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Lower courts had previously read FIFRA to preempt virtually all state tort liability for inadequate labeling and failure to warn. As a result, pesticide manufacturers enjoyed years of virtually no liability for the injuries caused by their products. This Comment supports the holding of Bates. Unlike an earlier labeling statute for cigarettes, FIFRA confronted a heterogeneous and dynamic product market. In such a market, a decentralized state tort regime provides the best regulatory structure. The prophylactic effect offederal preemption in such areas results in grievous externalities that outweigh the social costs of litigation. Hence, the policy rationales underlying the Bates decision counsel careful consideration when using federal preemption as a general method of tort reform.


Summary: To elucidate the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) as an autocrine growth factor for vascular endothelial cells (ECs), we studied the effects of phosphoramidon, an inhibitor of ET-l-converting enzyme, on the production of ET-1-like immunoreactivity (LI), [125I]ET-1 binding activity, ETB receptor mRNA expression, phosphoinositide breakdown, and DNA synthesis in cultured bovine carotid artery ECs. Phosphoramidon dose-dependently decreased ET-1-LI production but reciprocally increased [125I]ET-1 binding capacity. ET-1 and ET-3 equipotently inhibited the binding of [125I]ET-1 only in the presence of phosphoramidon. Northern blot analysis revealed that ETB receptor mRNA expression was more evident in phosphoramidon-treated cells than in nontreated cells. In the presence of phosphoramidon, ET-1 and ET-3 equipotently stimulated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation and [3H]-thymidine incorporation into cultured ECs. Both phosphoramidon and anti-ET-1 antibody inhibited basal [3H]thymidine incorporation. These data suggest that endogenous ET-1 constitutively secreted by ECs is an autocrine growth factor via ETB receptors.


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Inhibition of the DNA damage checkpoint and repair functions is a promising approach to improve chemosensitivity. Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) is an important checkpoint kianse responsible for organizing both normal and stressful DNA replication. In previous, we discovered a natural compound protoapigenone (WYC02) and its synthetic derivate WYC0209 are able to inhibit ATR-mediated Chk1 phosphorylation, impair the G2/M checkpoint, and improve cancer sensitivity to cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo. Although all evidences convince ATR signaling is disrupted by WYC compounds, the effect of compounds on ATR kinase activity is still unknown. In this study, we further provide evidences to prove that WYC02 and WYC0209 are undoubted ATR inhibitors by using of in vitro kinase assay. The data showed WYC0209 inhibits ATR kinase activity at least 4 times greater than WYC02, and enhances MDA-MB-231cells sensitivity to DNA replication-affecting agents such as doxorubicin, mitomycin C, and etoposide, but has little or no effect to mitosis-affecting microtubule inhibitor palcitaxol. The result of this study proposes a strategy to improve most of current chemotherapeutics in which aim to selective disrupting DNA replication in fast growing cancers.

Citation Format: Hui-Chun Wang, Alan Yueh-Luen Lee, Chin-Chung Wu, Yang-Chang Wu. Discovery of ATR kinase inhibitors from natural products. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1637. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1637


Stress profoundly impacts quality of life and may lead to various diseases and conditions. Understanding the underlying physiological and neurological processes that take place during stress and meditation techniques may be critical for effectively treating stress-related diseases. The article examines a hypothetical physiological homeostatic response that compares and contrasts changes in central and peripheral oscillations during stress and meditation, and relates these to changes in the autonomic system and neurological activity. The authors discuss how cardiorespiratory synchronization, which occurs during the parasympathetic response and meditation, influences and modulates activity and oscillations of the brain and autonomic nervous system. Evidence is presented on how synchronization of cardiac and respiratory rates during meditation may lead to a homeostatic increase in cellular membrane potentials in neurons and other cells throughout the body. These potential membrane changes may underlie the reduced activity in the amygdala, and other cortical areas during meditation, and research examining these changes may foster better understanding of the restorative properties and health benefits of meditation.


This research was done because there are many students who are less active, less enthusiastic in the learning process and fewer utilization media that the learning outcomes obtained are less optimal. This research aims to determine the influence of the utilization of computer media and visual media toward mathematics learning outcomes of students' grade VII at SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Kalasan Sleman of even semester in the academic year 2015/2016. This was the control group posttest only. The population in this research were students class VII SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Kalasan district Sleman. Samples were taken using random sampling techniques derived from class VII D as an experimental class and class VII E as the control class. The data collection is done with the test method. A testing instrument using validity and reliability. Data were analyzed using analysis prerequisite tests including normality test with the formula Chi -Kuadrat, homogeneity test by test Bartlett, and hypothesis testing with t-test. Based on calculations by the significant level 𝛼 = 5% and the degrees of freedom 54, we concluded that: (1) There are differences in learning outcomes of students using computer media and using visual media. This is indicated by the results of the first test of the hypothesis that 𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 = 2,040 > 𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 = 2,005 (2) learning using computer medial is more effective than learning using visual media. It is shown on the second hypothesis that the test results 𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 = 2,040 > 𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 = 1,674.


Exercise training is unique in that it represents a stress that elicits positive adaptations in the heart. Hallmark adaptations of the heart to training include resting and submaximal exercise bradycardia, increases in end-diastolic dimension, improved ventricular function, and an increase in the resistance of the heart to ischaemic insult. Endurance exercise training has also been shown to be effective in the treatment and/or prevention of the cardiac functional deficits that are known to occur in settings of chronic hypertension, advanced age, and myocardial infarction. Over the last 20-25 years, considerable effort has been directed towards identifying the cellular basis for the global adaptations of the normal and pathologically involved heart to endurance exercise training. It is the intent of this brief review to identify some of the known and hypothetical cellular adaptations that underlie the positive effects of endurance exercise training on the heart.


Marriage is widely thought to confer mental health benefits, but little is known about how this apparent benefit may vary across the life course. Early marriage, which is nonnormative, could have no, or even negative, mental health consequences for young adults. Using survey data from waves 1 and 3 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 11,695), I find that married young adults exhibit levels of psychological distress that are similar to those of young adults in any kind of romantic relationship. Married and engaged young adults also report lower frequency of drunkenness than those who are not in a romantic relationship. Married young adults, especially those who first married at ages 22 to 26, report higher life satisfaction than those in other type of romantic relationships,those in no romantic relationship, and those who married prior to age 22. Explanations for these findings are examined, and their implications are discussed.


The PERICLES system is a stored-program electronic switching system. The type presently being developed is meant to cover the predicted French Post Office needs from 1972 in the range of 4000-30 000 lines. The typical features of the system are described. A PERICLES exchange is composed of three different parts: the central control unit, the switching network, and the access devices to the links. The PERICLES central control unit consists of two processors which operate in traffic sharing. The processors have been designed to enable a low hardware cost and a high traffic efficiency. The switching network has its own control logic unit; it is considered as a peripheral of the processor. An advantage of this process is that PERICLES is independent of the crosspoint technology (reed relay, microcrossbar, p-n-p-n junction, etc.). For the moment the studies have been geared toward a reed-relay crosspoint with an electric hold (three wires). A 2000-subscriber prototype manufactured by SO.CO.TEL. and Le Materiel Telephonique will be in service in the Parisian public network in 1969.


The authors study the dynamics of three developing country labor markets using recent advances in the estimation of continuous time Markov processes. They first examine the flows of workers among five states: three types of paid labor, unemployment, and out of the labor force. The authors find a high degree of commonality in patterns of worker flows among the three countries and attempt to compare the flexibility of the markets by examining an index of overall mobility. Second, they seek to establish whether the issues of advanced country labor markets apply to developing country markets or whether the latter constitute a different phylum. Paralleling the mainstream literature on the role of being out of the labor force as discouraged unemployment, the authors then identify some common stylized facts about the role of the informal self-employed and salaried sectors and to what degree they serve as a holding pattern versus a desirable alternative to formal sector work. In the process, the authors identify very strong differences in mobility patterns between men and women and attempt to shed some light on whether these differences arise from discrimination or perhaps instead the constraints imposed by household responsibilities. Finally, they study labor market adjustment across the business cycle in Mexico and identify patterns of job creation and destruction among the three paid sectors and confirm the mainstream view of the role of out of the labor force as a procyclical phenomenon.


Herein, three categories of collagens with different hierarchical architectures, including collagen molecules (Col), collagen microfibrils (F-col), and collagen fiber bundles (Ag-col), were systematically biofabricated based on the biosynthesis pathway of natural collagen. Their macroscopic properties, that is, physicochemical and biological properties, and hierarchical structures were evaluated synthetically. The results showed that Col had a rigid rod-like fibrous triple helix structure, whereas F-col and Ag-col had the typical D-periodic cross-striated patterns with lengths of about 54 and 60 nm in the longitudinal direction, respectively. We further found that collagens with higher hierarchical structures had more superior thermal stability, mechanical properties, and biodegradability. Among all three collagens, Ag-col was the best: it had the highest bioactivity and hemostatic properties and could better promote cell adhesion, growth, and proliferation and better improve the secretion of growth factors. Overall, we have a reason to believe that collagens with a higher hierarchical structure can serve as a better alternative source of collagenous materials for further applications in biological industries.


As is well known, Deleuze says in Difference and Repetition that 'the task of contemporary philosophy has been defined: to reverse Platonism'. This task is then continued in Logic of Sense, through its discussion of Stoic logic. Deleuze says there that 'the Stoics are the first to reverse Platonism'. And, at the same time, in the big Spinoza book, we see Deleuze present Spinoza's 'anti-Cartesian reaction'. This anti-Cartesian reaction is equivalent to the reversal of Platonism. We can say then that the task of the reversal of Platonism unifies the three books Deleuze published at the end of the Sixties. The thesis of this essay will consist in arguing that ethics we find in Logic of Sense – which we can call 'the ethics of the univocity of being' – completes, in a constructive way, Deleuze's early project of the reversal of Platonism. The ethics centres on the idea of counter-actualisation. We shall argue that there are four senses of counter-actualisation. Here is a summary of the four senses of counter-actualisation: (1) beatitude against resentment (against presentist modes of measurement); (2) caring for the sense against neglecting the sense (denouncing any one determinate answer); (3) the embodiment of plural hopings and rememberings against the embodiment of one hope and one memory (against the character); and (4) 'just enough' against 'too much' (against suicide). Yet, as we shall see, there is a fifth meaning of counter-actualisation, the ultimate meaning. The ultimate sense of counter-actualisation is universal freedom. This is where my essay will end.


Objective We assessed the value of dynamic sequential three-dimensional Fourier transformation (3DFT) MRI in differentiating various types of small liver tumors. Materials and Methods Forty-seven patients with 65 liver masses <3 cm in size (42 hepatocellular carcinomas, 11 hemangiomas, 12 metastatic tumors) were studied by 3DFT fast imaging with steady-state precession (FISP) MRI [TR(ms)/TE(ms)/flip angle (°): 20/8/30]. The slab thickness was 21–35 mm, and there were seven partitions. The 3DFT-FISP MR images were obtained immediately after 0.1 mmol/kg of gadopentetate dimeglumine was administered intravenously over 2–3 s (early phase), 60 s after (late phase I), and 120 s after (late phase II). Results Eighty-six percent of small hepatocellular carcinomas showed hyperintense enhancement relative to the surrounding liver parenchyma and isoor hypointense enhancement with or without capsular enhancement in the late phase. Eighty-two percent of small hemangiomas showed peripheral globular enhancement in the early phase and total hyperintense or peripheral enhancement in the late phases. Ninety-two percent of the small metastatic liver tumors showed doughnut-like ring enhancement in the early phase. Conclusion By dynamic 3DFT-FISP MRI, we were able to accurately evaluate the hemodynamics and morphological findings of each type of small liver tumor.


A 40GHz wide-locking-range frequency divider and a low-phase-noise VCO are implemented in 0.18mum CMOS technology. The frequency divider demonstrates a locking range of 10.6GHz with 0dBm input power while the VCO exhibits a phase noise of -108.65dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset. Each of the 2 circuits consumes 6mW from a 1V supply.


At first encounter, many students find simulation games to be very complex. As they overcome their initial frustration, the game becomes more challenging and beneficial. However, many students soon determine (justifiably or not) that they have discovered "how to play to the game" and their subsequent actions reflect their decreasing interest in the game. This paper discusses steps that the game administrator or developer may take which will reduce the initial student frustration as well as allow the game to become increasingly complex and challenging as play develops. Most suggestions concern the development of a marketing management game comparable to such existing games as Marketing in Action, MARKSIM, Marketing Strategy, and Compete.


In the inner rift valley of the active spreading center within the Panama Basin, narrow lava plains occur between the axial ridge of pillow basalt (the central high) and the fault scarps of the inner walls. These nearly horizontal flows are decorated with small-scale forms typical of subaerial pahoehoe, although they are at a water depth of 2.5 km. In particular, large (1- to 4-m diameter) coils of ropy pahoehoe have been mapped during a deep-tow survey and are believed to mark shear zones at the edges of individual streams of mobile lava. Eruption of plain-forming pahoehoe probably modifies the magnetic signature as well as the geomorphology of the axial zone.


Background: Long term risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD) associated with vascular diseases in people with colorectal cancer is unknown. Objective: To determine the risk of ADRD in association with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), stroke, hypertension, and diabetes in a cohort of patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: This retrospective cohort study consisted of 210,809 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age≥65 years in 1991–2015 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database with follow-up from 1991–2016, who were free of any ADRD at the baseline (<12 months prior to or < 30 days after the date of cancer diagnosis). Results: The crude 26-year cumulative incidence of total ADRD in men and women with colorectal cancer was higher in those with versus without CVD (31.92% versus 28.12%), with versus without stroke (39.82% versus 26.39%), with versus without hypertension (31.88% versus 24.88%), and with versus without diabetes (32.01% versus 27.66%). After adjusting for socio-demographic and tumor factors, the risk of developing ADRD was significantly higher in patients with CVD (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.17, 95% confidence intervals: 1.14–1.20), stroke (1.65, 1.62–1.68), hypertension (1.07, 1.05–1.09), and diabetes (1.26, 1.24–1.29) versus persons without. For those with 1, 2, 3 and 4 vascular diseases present versus absent, the risk of AD increased from 1.12 (1.07–1.16) to 1.31 (1.25–1.36), 1.66 (1.57–1.75), and 2.03 (1.82–2.27). Conclusion: In older patients with colorectal cancer, a significant dose-response relationship was observed between an increasing number of these vascular diseases and the risk of all types of dementia.


In cooperation with the Centre culturel suisse, Paris An admiring yet critical appraisal of more than 40 Swiss architects, from the world-famous stars to the new discoveries of thee younger generation. Contemporary Swiss Architecture has an astonishingly international reputation with stars such as Mario Botta, Herzog & de Meuron and Peter Zumthor being celebrated throughout the world. This publication accompanies an exhibition which aims at reviewing and taking stock of the current architectural scene in Switzerland, analysing it from three contrasting perspectives. The first part examines 18 individual buildings which are considered representative of the high quality of current Swiss architecture. Subsequently, six chapters focus on specific features which are characteristic of this architecture. Concluding the volume are five essays each providing illuminating analyses and setting the present-day situation in a historical context. These are written by Joseph Abram, Jacques Lucan, Bruno Marchand, Stanislaus von Moos and Martin Steinmann. The exhibition Contemporary Swiss Architecture will take place in the Centre Culturel Suisse in Paris in May 2001. The exhibition will move to Lausanne, Marne-la-Vallee, Marseille, Mendrisio, Nancy, Rennes, and other European cities.


Phenolic acids are naturally occurring compounds that are known for their antioxidant and antiradical activity. We present experimental and theoretical studies on the antioxidant potential of the set of 22 phenolic acids with different models of hydroxylation and methoxylation of aromatic rings. Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay was used to evaluate this property. 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid was found to be the strongest antioxidant, while mono hydroxylated and methoxylated structures had the lowest activities. A comprehensive structure–activity investigation with density functional theory methods elucidated the influence of compounds topology, resonance stabilization, and intramolecular hydrogen bonding on the exhibited activity. The key factor was found to be a presence of two or more hydroxyl groups being located in ortho or para position to each other. Finally, the quantitative structure–activity relationship approach was used to build a multiple linear regression model describing the dependence of antioxidant activity on structure of compounds, using features exclusively related to their topology. Coefficients of determination for training set and for the test set equaled 0.9918 and 0.9993 respectively, and Q2 value for leave-one-out was 0.9716. In addition, the presented model was used to predict activities of phenolic acids that haven't been tested here experimentally.


Purpose: To explore nursing care actions that lead to culturally competent care for Hispanic patients. Background: Nurses report apprehension when delivering nursing care because of language barriers and a lack of Hispanic cultural understanding. Research is needed to inform culturally aware nursing practice actions for Hispanic patients. Design: The study used a qualitative, grounded theory design to address the questions: (a) What cultural knowledge should nurses have when caring for Hispanic patients and families and (b) What nursing actions should nurses take to provide culturally competent care? Hispanic lay health promoters and Hispanic community members were interviewed to make recommendations for care. Results: A model was identified that informs culturally competent nursing care. "Connectedness," the central phenomenon, describes nursing actions and contains subthemes explaining influences on nursing care. "Up to You" and "At the Mercy of the System" are descriptive themes influencing connectedness. Conclusion: Connectedness is central to culturally well-informed nurse–patient interactions.


Crippling, sclero-inflammatory, inveterate stricture of the urethra is a female disease which remains rare and is most often caused by trauma. Treatment by distension seems painful and useless. Simplified urethroplasty proved useful in these 6 cases, and the procedure is easy to execute.


While a growing body of literature addresses the psychological consequences of torture and war trauma, there are few empirical examinations of treatment for survivors of torture. This study offers a program evaluation of a comprehensive torture treatment program in New York City. We present literature surrounding the interdisciplinary "wraparound" approach to treating survivors of torture, and examine the relationship between clinical services and symptom reduction in a multinational sample of refugees (N 172) receiving treatment over a 6-month period. Clients were administered the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) during their intake interview and six months later. We found that approximately 45% (n 77) of treated clients displayed clinically significant improvement on either the HTQ, or the BSI subscales of Depression, Anxiety, or Somatization, over the six months following their intake evaluation. Generalized linear models revealed that gaining secure immigration status was the strongest correlate of clinical improvement. However, psychotherapy and attendance at educational sessions predicted improvement in symptoms beyond adjusting to a more secure immigration status. While this study's correlational design does not establish that treatment caused the observed improvement, results point to the pivotal role of both clinical and "nonclinical" services and provide preliminary support for the value of an interdisciplinary approach. More research is needed to understand mechanisms of change and improvement in this sensitive population.


Through picking the Desert as the artistic subject by the researcher to deal with it technically using different mural materials, to reach through the applying and recruitment of    different techniques to designing solutions that express the pictorial elements according to the artist visionary and his desire to find plastic art relations of different textures and colouring and pictorial rhythm , to achieve that purpose the artist recruit diversities of materials to gain integration between them inside the border of each piece , the applied techniques varies from flat coloured glass to fused glass in electrical oven in degrees that range between 850 to 950 Celsius above  handmade  glazed terracotta slabs or above surfaces of manufactured ceramics ,recruitment of mosaic was also applied representing the attaching units working between the glazed terracotta slabs and the colours flat glass adjacent to it in some of the art works , other material that was also applied is the ceramic colours that were fused above glazed ceramic and mixed with fused glass and mosaics in the same art piece, the exhibition also includes series of pieces that combine living elements derived from the desert environment represented by the camels heads painted and treated with varnishes and epoxies materials above coloured glass plates fused over glazed ceramic, the design construction of the exhibition art works in total ,the artist seek through it to benefit from the unique glass colours veins  to recruit it as a main attaching unit that express the desert environment and formations, and also to innovate  plastic relations triggered from the fusing reactions of coloured glass with the black glazing layers in high temperatures, the desert as an artistic subject provides a good chance to recruit mural materials to express it ,due to the natural fundamental and constructive formations  of  different textures that the desert environment includes varying between rocks and sand dunes and hills configurations.
Research Problem:- how to recruit technical diversities of mural materials having different textures and thermal properties to achieve plastic consisting and harmonic editing of the artistic subject.
- how to merge mural materials of different depth levels inside the same art work in a method that doesn't spoil the design unification.  - How to express about the artistic subjects derived from the natural domestic environment through recruiting mural materials to reach designing and technical solutions that evoke the artist visionary.
Objectives: -Mixing between different mural materials to reach plastic art relations that benefit from the diversity in their textures and depth and what emerge from their surface dimensions differentiation to enrich the art work by variegation the rhythm that dominate the vision of the work formulating elements.  -Benefiting from the possibilities that the mural materials can provide ,especially the coloured glass due to the colourful veins and textures that it includes , which give a plastic sensation that provide rich opportunity for over glazed painting of plastic art elements that integrate with it in both colour and design scheme.
Results: -the desert as an artistic subject provides a suitable space for recruiting mural materials to express about it, due to the natural and compositing structure of the desert which contains elements with diversities of textures of smooth sand dunes and hills compositions, that give opportunity for the artist to recruit coloured glass and fusing techniques of electric ovens, and also recruiting mosaics and ceramic colours to achieve a wide range of this effects by applying different mural painting techniques.-   Coloured glass once fused in high temperatures, the reactions that appears on its surface differs according to the type of the glass panel and its chemical composition, and those results varies between apparent cracks of different density or diversities and variances in textures roughness and smoothness, also in the amount of fused coloured veins integration and its reaction with the glazed ceramic tiles underneath it


This is the seventh entry in the Psychological Elements of Palliative Care (PEPC) series. Previous articles have focused on the psychological elements of the care we provide patients and the relationships we build with our referring clinician colleagues. In this entry, we focus on how the PEPC also impact clinician well being. The PEPC are bidirectional: we impact patients, but patients also impact us. The reactions that we have to patients and the boundaries we set around the care we provide are two examples of psychological factors of care that can influence our well being. Creating spaces to explore and reflect on the psychological impact of the clinical care we provide is a key component of wellness. Such spaces vary in their configuration, but all share the opportunity to self-reflect and to experience emotional validation, normalization, and reality testing from peers or mentors. In mental health training, clinical supervision is one common format for creating such a space. While this can be replicated in the palliative care setting, other strategies include integrating a psychological orientation into interdisciplinary team meetings, creating peer support or process groups, and creating small groups within teams for longitudinal self-reflection.


Introduction: Atypical Low BMI Diabetes Mellitus (ALBDM) constitutes an unclassified form of diabetes that is likely to be prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Recently, we reported in Diabetes Care that such individuals demonstrate striking defects in insulin secretion, despite absence of visible pancreatic pathology (PMID: 35522035). This study aims to determine whether defects in the incretin axis might contribute to impaired insulin secretion in ALBDM.
 Methodology: We assessed the glucagon and incretin (GLP-1, GIP, and Oxyntomodulin) responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in patients with ALBDM. Ten male subjects demonstrating features of ALBDM (n=10, age 33±8.3 years, BMI 18.5±1.1 kg/m2, HbA1c 7.5±0.7%) were compared with 7 healthy BMI-matched normoglycemic (HbA1c: 5.0±0.3%) controls. All subjects underwent an OGTT, with blood sampling for C-peptide and incretin levels at nine specific time points. Insulin secretion rate (ISR) was calculated by C-peptide deconvolution using ISEC software, and total secretion rate for incretins were calculated as area under the curve (AUC) using the Trapezoid method with linear interpolation.
 Results: As we previously reported, ALBDM subjects displayed impaired insulin secretion (50% reduction in post-OGTT insulin AUC, p=0.007). There was a profound reduction of OGTT-stimulated rise in the incretins GLP-1 (80% reduction; p=0.055), GIP (79% reduction; p=0.02) and oxyntomodulin (75% reduction; p=0.007) in ALBDM subjects compared to controls. In ALBDM subjects, mild hyperglucagonemia was observed in the early postprandial phase at 15 min of the OGTT followed by slow postprandial suppression.
 Conclusions: Significant reductions in levels of GLP-1, GIP and Oxyntomodulin and an accompanying early phase of hyperglucagonemia suggest potential defects in development and/or function of enteroendocrine cells, which may contribute to defective insulin secretion and hyperglycemia in patients with Atypical Low BMI Diabetes Mellitus.

 F.Jebasingh: None. N.Jiang: None. M.Hawkins: None. N.Thomas: None. S.Anoop: None. M.E.Kurian: None. V.N.Sandeep: None. F.Christina: None. S.Jennifer: None. A.Jose: None. P.Christudoss: None. G.Rebekah: None.

 Endocrine Society of India


A field experiment was conducted over a 2-yr period to determine the effects of reduced PRE herbicide rates on large crabgrass infestation in six tall fescue cultivars. With the exception of oryzalin and benefin plus oryzalin in 1993, there was no cultivar by herbicide interaction for large crabgrass infestation when final ratings were made in 1993 and 1994. This interaction was caused by moderate to severe turfgrass injury that thinned the turf. When cultivars were disregarded, prodiamine was the only herbicide applied at one-third recommended rate in 1993 that effectively suppressed large crabgrass for the full season. Prodiamine and dithiopyr were the only PRE herbicides applied at one-third recommended rates for two consecutive years that effectively suppressed large crabgrass in 1994. Two-thirds recommended rate was needed for two consecutive years for oxadiazon, pendimethalin, oryzalin, benefin plus oryzalin, and benefin plus trifluralin to maintain optimum large crabgrass suppression in 1994.


In this project on language ideology, I designed a sociolinguistic study to investigate the relationship between language perception (what one thinks they know about language usage) and language production (how one actually uses language) via writing and speaking tasks designed to assess general pronoun usage given specific referents in both formal and informal contexts. The qualitative responses are categorized and descriptively analyzed across queer status based off participants' background information. Participants included 61 college students who were native English speakers and between the ages of 18 and 26. Based off a question collected on the background information sheet, 18 participants were categorized as queer, and the remaining 43 participations were categorized as non-queer. The tasks for the study were presented in a way so that participants had no explicit knowledge that the study was designed to assess general pronoun usage. Predictions were that (1) queer participants will use gender-neutral pronouns (particularly singular 'they') more than non-queer participants, but that (2) both queer and non-queer participants will use gender-neutral pronouns with varying degrees, dependent upon specific referents; moreover, (3) gender-neutral pronouns will be more apparent in the speaking task than the writing task since participants are unable to monitor and revise their language usage as clearly in such an informal context. In this study, it was found that both queer and non-queer participants used gender-neutral pronouns depending upon the referent. Non-queer participants tended to use gender-neutral pronouns with typically gender-neutral referents as opposed to typically gendered referents. Furthermore, no introduced pronouns such as 'xe' were used; the only gender-neutral pronoun used was singular 'they'. Given the results that both queer and non-queer students use a form of gender-neutral pronouns, I provide recommendations for gender inclusivity on college campuses. WHO USES 'THEM' Darr 4 Who Uses 'Them'?: Gender-Neutral Pronoun Usage among Queer and Non-Queer College Students Every day we construct our own identities and the identities of those around us through a simple part of speech: pronouns. These pronouns may be singular or plural and first, second, or third person. They may also be gendered. In fact, 'he' and 'she' are the only inherently gendered terms left in the English language: 'He' functions as a singular third-person pronoun referring to one person who identifies as male, and 'she' functions a singular third-person pronoun referring to one who person who identifies as female. If the identity of someone is not known, it has been prescribed to use 'he or she' to be gender inclusive. However, there are some individuals who do not identify, physically or not, within the socially constructed gender binary. Issues arise when others are unaware of these perceived gender difference and (hopefully unintentionally) address someone as the incorrect gender. Gender-neutral pronouns serve as a way to solve misgendering individuals. Gender-neutral pronouns, as opposed to gender-inclusive pronouns such as 'he or she', attempt to avoid gendering someone based off their physical appearance. There have been many reasons from those in opposition to gender-neutral pronouns. One claim that caught my attention has been from prescriptive grammarians—amateurs and experts alike—who posit that singular 'they' is ungrammatical. While standard conventions suggest that 'they' is exclusively a thirdperson plural pronoun, people still use 'they' for a single referent. Studies (e.g., Shuy, Wolfram & Riley 1967; Wolfram 1969) have shown that certain linguistic forms are seen across all members of a group, despite stereotypes that only a certain group talks this way. Furthermore, these forms are more noticeable if they are socially prestigious or stigmatized variants (Finegan & Rickford 2004: 69). There are constraints on this WHO USES 'THEM' Darr 5 variability such as age, ethnicity, the conversation, region, and sex; however, the constraint of sex has so far only included male and female. It has not explored gender as a separate constraint from sex nor has it explored the constraint of queerness. Thus, I conducted a study on general pronoun usage and compared third-person personal pronoun usage between colleges students of the queer community and college students of the non-queer community. Predictions were that (1) queer participants will use gender-neutral pronouns (particularly singular 'they') more than non-queer participants, but that (2) both queer and non-queer participants will use gender-neutral pronouns with varying degrees, dependent upon specific referents; moreover, (3) gender-neutral pronouns will be more apparent in the speaking task than the writing task since participants are unable to monitor and revise their language usage as clearly in such an informal context. The study may provide insight into the gender neutrality that already exists subconsciously in written and spoken language. Method There are four linguistic domains of oral languages: listening and reading make up input or perception, while speaking and writing make up the output or production. Due to limited resources and equipment, this study focuses on language production through tasks and on language perception through responses to the background information. Production Tasks The study consisted of two production tasks that each assess different contexts of language: formal and informal. Writing task. A cloze test (see Appendix A), also known as a fill-in-the-blank test, was created to assess participants' writing skills and formal English. A cloze test was necessary to see what the participants would put in the blanks where pronouns are appropriate. The participants WHO USES 'THEM' Darr 6 were only instructed to fill in the blanks, and they were not explicitly told to use a pronoun. There were a total of 20 items, 5 of which were distractors. The test included three personal pronoun cases: subject, object, and possessive. These personal pronouns had five possible referents: indefinite pronouns (e.g., 'anyone'); gendered names (e.g., 'Sarah'); non-gendered names (e.g., 'Alex'); gendered generic nouns (e.g., 'lawyer'); and non-gendered generic nouns (e.g., 'student'). The writing task has specific morphosyntactic constraints that more directly dictate what the participant can do, unlike the speaking task. Speaking task. With very little direction, the storytelling was written minimally to provide insight into participants' speaking skills. The speaking prompt (Appendix B) asks for the participant to tell the researcher a story about a student and a professor for no more than three minutes. The participants were also told that the story must be fictional and that the participants could not be the professor or the student. This last restriction was implemented to ensure a participant's usage of third-person pronouns. The prompt was designed specifically to see which pronouns the participant would use given two typically gender-neutral generic nouns. After the research began the recording device, the participant could begin. Afterwards, the audio recording was transcribed and then deleted. Perception Assessment Background information was collected for social variability, queer or non-queer categorization, and perception of pronoun usage through a background information sheet (see Appendix C). Background information sheet. Data on age, year in school, race, educational attainment of parents, first language(s), identity, gender-neutral pronoun usage, self-identifying pronouns, and gender-neutral pronoun self-definition were collected. Sex, gender, and sexual WHO USES 'THEM' Darr 7 orientation were not explicitly asked. Instead, broad questions were asked to reflect how the individuals express themselves within a broader scope of general queerness and awareness of queerness. Queer or non-queer. Participants were asked, "Do you identify as something other than cisgender or heterosexual?" to ascertain queer identity from the participants. I avoided the usage of the word 'queer' in my collection since the term still has negative connotations outside of and within the queer community. Furthermore, I defined 'cisgender' and 'homosexual' in case participants were not familiar with the terms. This is the basis on which I frame my group comparison. Personal and interpersonal pronoun usage. To assess language perception of pronoun usage, I asked that participants what pronouns they use for themselves and for others. On the background information sheet, participants had to answer "What pronouns do you use to identify yourself?" Additionally, they were asked if they "use gender-neutral pronouns in [their] language?" with options corresponding to using gender-neutral pronouns until someone says their pronouns; using gender-neutral pronouns if someone asks for them to be used; and not using gender-neutral pronouns in any situation. There was also an option for participations to provide an alternative response. Defining 'gender-neutral pronoun'. At the end of the background information sheet, participants were asked, "What is a gender-neutral pronoun? Please elaborate in the remaining space." This question was incorporated to assess participants' perceptions (and misconceptions) of gender-neutral pronouns. WHO USES 'THEM' Darr 8 Deception Debrief At the end of the study, participants were made aware that the researchers withheld that the tests were designed to get them to use pronouns because studies have shown that people change their language usage to what they think researchers are trying to study (e.g., Lippi-Green 1997 and Fasold 1972). After being debriefed completely about the study, participants had the opportunity to withdraw in which case all of their data would be deleted. Participants had to sign the post-debriefing consent (Appendix D) affirm


West Africa is expected to experience rapid population growth with a projected population of 796,494,188 in 2050, most of whom will be unemployed youths in quest of job and business opportunities. The increasing growth in population with an increasing demand for livestock products and a ready workforce presents exciting opportunities for investment in livestock production, job creation, poverty reduction, and food security. Nonetheless, private investment may not happen in a form that will achieve these gains if the ECOWAS texts are left in their current form, in promoting the transhumance business model to the detriment of meaningful large-scale investments that will increase productivity and create jobs for the region's booming young population. This article adopts a socio-legal approach to examine the ECOWAS Decision and Regulation on Transhumance in order to determine whether they have adequately promoted transhumance in a form that is not inimical to other business investment options for livestock production in the region. Its aim is to show that the regulatory framework has not effectively ensured that transhumance exists in a form that will still provide other business models with opportunities to competitively engage in livestock production. This is given the fact that the transhumance method has been commercialised and even criminalised in ways that produce significant negative consequences for the livestock business. It recommends concrete plans with a view to phasing out transhumance across borders and designating rangelands in semi-arid areas of the region.


Several parts of the Software Development Department within BT have been registered against the IS09001 standard for a number of years. In this paper we discuss the experiences of one part of this organisation in introducing the tools and techniques of TQM. The paper will describe how, despite initial difficulties, TQM has led to significant changes in our approach to quality.<<ETX>>


Marine shrimp farming (cultivation of sea shrimp) has enormous socioeconomic importance in Northeastern Brazil, since this region concentrates 98% of shrimp production in Brazil. However, this activity has been suffering from low productivity and loss of competitiveness of current cultivation systems. This article aimed to perform a comparative analysis between the economic efficiency and competitiveness of sea shrimp crops in the semi-intensive (traditional) and super-intensive (water reuse and biofloc use BFT) system used in Brazil. A comparison was made between the indicators of economic efficiency and competitiveness in each of the sea shrimp farming systems studied. The data needed to carry out this comparative analysis were collected through bibliographic surveys from secondary sources. The results obtained demonstrate that sea shrimp farming in the water reuse and BFT system is, in terms of economic parameters, more efficient and competitive than farming in the semi-intensive (traditional) system. The conclusions of this work allow us to deepen the discussions on the modernization of Brazilian shrimp farming by intensifying these crops. It is necessary that the studies bring to light the adoption of technological innovations that provide an improvement in the efficiency and competitiveness of Brazilian aquaculture and that they are encouraged. The originality of this work lies in this foundation.