Background
Neuro-oncology caregivers face unique challenges. Caring for a patient who has a catastrophic, life-threatening diagnosis combined with progressive neurological decline can produce great distress. Experts agree that a formalized plan of care to address the needs of the neuro-oncology caregiver is needed.

Methods
In 2013, the Division of Neuro-Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco initiated a program designed to provide additional services to address the needs of the neuro-oncology caregiver. Records have been kept outlining program development, the caregivers seen, their identified needs, and services provided.

Results
From October 2013 through August 2015 staff met with 334 "new to clinic" caregivers, 90 of whom were caring for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. One hundred ninety-eight caregivers were deemed at high risk for distress due to transitions in patient care that were occurring. One hundred forty-nine caregivers of former patients received bereavement services for up to 6 months. The areas of highest need were emotional support and advocacy issues. The number of caregiver needs increased as patients moved along the disease trajectory. The program was able to identify resources that were lacking. Dedicated staff allowed for improvement in the kinds of caregiver-specific support services offered.

Conclusion
Dedicated caregiver staff allows for developing relationships with caregivers across the disease trajectory and appears to be important in being able to offer individualized assessments and tailored care plans. Evaluation of caregiver and patient outcomes is the next step in understanding program effectiveness.


Background Memantine is licensed for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance does not recommend the use of memantine in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI)). The underpinning meta-analysis was disputed by the manufacturer. Objectives To compare the efficacy of AChEI monotherapy with combination memantine and AChEI therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe AD and to examine the impact of including unpublished data on the results. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Data sources The Cochrane Dementia Group trial register, ALOIS, searched for the last time on 3 May 2011. Data synthesis Data from four domains (clinical global, cognition, function, behaviour and mood) were pooled. Sensitivity analyses examined the impact on the NICE-commissioned meta-analysis of restricting data to patients with moderate-to-severe AD and of including an unpublished trial of an extended release preparation of memantine. Results Pooled data from the trials, which were included in the NICE-commissioned meta-analysis but which were restricted to moderate-to-severe AD only, showed a small effect of combination therapy on cognition (standardised mean difference (SMD)=−0.29, 95% CI −0.45 to −0.14). Adding data from an unpublished trial of an extended release memantine (total three trials, 1317 participants) showed a small benefit of combination therapy on global scores (SMD=−0.20, 95% CI −0.31 to −0.09), cognition (SMD=−0.25, 95% CI −0.36 to −0.14) and behaviour and mood (SMD=−0.17, 95% CI −0.32 to −0.03) but not on function (SMD=−0.04, 95% CI −0.21 to 0.13) at 6 months. No clinical data have been reported from a 1-year trial, although this found 'no significant benefit' on any clinical measures at 1 year. Conclusions These results suggest that there may be a small benefit at 6 months of adding memantine to AChEIs. However, the impact on clinical global impression depends on exactly which studies are included, and there is no benefit on function, so its clinical relevance is not robustly demonstrated. Currently available information from randomised controlled trails indicates no benefit of combination therapy over monotherapy at 1 year. Legislation on the form and content of registry posted results is needed in Europe.


Abstract Censorship in post-communist Russia is outlawed. while the right to information is legally guaranteed. In practice, however, access to information is a frequently mentioned problem tor journalists and citizens alike, The information climate is still characterised by secrecy rather than openness. The buzzword of "confidential information" (commercial, state, or military secrets) replaces earlier references to political or ideological control but is equally open to wide interpretations. This article describes the limited access to information in Russia as a form of highly effective censorship. Although these means of censorship are not exclusively Russian, the article focuses on why Russia seems especially vulnerable to this kind of censorship. The concept of "information culture" is used to describe the (Russian) attitude towards information and towards the distribution of information based on the values of collectivism and particularism rather than individualism and universalism.


CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2008 Abstracts

Abstract #6106

Purpose: To use individual patient data from three sequential large UK randomised trials to facilitate an integrated comparison of the cost-effectiveness of three generations of chemotherapy plus a no treatment option. The ABC trial compared CMF versus no chemo (1991 patients), NEAT trial Epirubicin-CMF versus CMF (2391 patients) and TACT FEC-Docetaxel vs FEC or epi-CMF (4162 patients) Methods: The model estimates lifetime costs and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). Model inputs include transition probabilities which are estimated from a longitudinal observational study using parametric survival models incorporating characteristics such as number of positive lymph nodes, ER status, grade and tumour size that allow analyses to be conducted for women with differing baseline prognoses. The effects of each chemotherapy regimen on preventing recurrence are taken from the above UK trials and are assumed to be additive on the log scale to facilitate previously untested comparisons. Costs and utility decrements associated with chemotherapy, its toxicity, and type of recurrent disease, are informed from the trial data and published literature. A secondary analysis is performed by basing the effects of each chemotherapy regimen on published meta-analyses based on individual level data that include RCTs conducted in a range of multi-national settings. Results: For a woman aged 50 years with 1 positive node, grade 2 tumour size 2cm, ECMF is expected to be the most cost-effective regimen. However, the cost-effectiveness of the chemotherapy options varies between women with different risk factors. On the basis of the results of the TACT trial, 3rd generation chemotherapy is not cost-effective, but including evidence of the relative risk of recurrence from non-UK trials, particularly those with ER- and HER2+ phenotype, may alter this conclusion. Indicative lifetime costs and QALYs for a woman aged 50 years, with 1 positive node, grade 2 tumor size 2cm, with and without ER+ are shown: ![][1] ![][2] Conclusions: Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of chemotherapy regimens in women with early breast cancer who have differing prognoses is feasible using an integrative synthesis and model. Thought does, however, need to be given to how best present cost-effectiveness results when there are differing levels of baseline risk.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6106.

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1. A breath‐by‐breath analysis was made of tracheal pressure records from fetal lambs in utero at 117‐‐130 days gestation. 2. Episodes of rapid irregular breathing were accompanied by diaphragmatic e.m.g. activity and were characterized by a gradual increase in breathing rate initially and a terminal decline. Within each episode breathing was very irregular. 3. Inspiratory time increased with increasing expiratory time rapidly as the rate fell to about 80/min, and thereafter more slowly. 4. The principal effects of hypercapnia (a rise in fetal Pa, CO2 by approximately 11 mmHg) were to increase the depth of fetal breathing, by nearly twofold, and to make breathing much more regular. A change in rate was doubtful because of the skew distribution of normal breath intervals.


In many practical environments we wish to extract several desired speech signals, which are contaminated by nonstationary and stationary interfering signals. The desired signals may also be subject to distortion imposed by the acoustic room impulse responses (RIRs). In this paper, a linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamformer is designed for extracting the desired signals from multimicrophone measurements. The beamformer satisfies two sets of linear constraints. One set is dedicated to maintaining the desired signals, while the other set is chosen to mitigate both the stationary and nonstationary interferences. Unlike classical beamformers, which approximate the RIRs as delay-only filters, we take into account the entire RIR [or its respective acoustic transfer function (ATF)]. The LCMV beamformer is then reformulated in a generalized sidelobe canceler (GSC) structure, consisting of a fixed beamformer (FBF), blocking matrix (BM), and adaptive noise canceler (ANC). It is shown that for spatially white noise field, the beamformer reduces to a FBF, satisfying the constraint sets, without power minimization. It is shown that the application of the adaptive ANC contributes to interference reduction, but only when the constraint sets are not completely satisfied. We show that relative transfer functions (RTFs), which relate the desired speech sources and the microphones, and a basis for the interference subspace suffice for constructing the beamformer. The RTFs are estimated by applying the generalized eigenvalue decomposition (GEVD) procedure to the power spectral density (PSD) matrices of the received signals and the stationary noise. A basis for the interference subspace is estimated by collecting eigenvectors, calculated in segments where nonstationary interfering sources are active and the desired sources are inactive. The rank of the basis is then reduced by the application of the orthogonal triangular decomposition (QRD). This procedure relaxes the common requirement for nonoverlapping activity periods of the interference sources. A comprehensive experimental study in both simulated and real environments demonstrates the performance of the proposed beamformer.


This paper investigates experimentally and theoretically the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) characteristics of 100 Gb/s all-optical demultiplexing using a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM). The analysis takes into account two effects that degrade the SNR associated with NOLM demultiplexing. First is channel crosstalk originating from the leakage of nontarget channels. Second is the intensity fluctuations of demultiplexed signals caused by the combined effects of timing jitter and a profile of the switching window. Considering these two effects, power penalties associated with NOLM. Demultiplexing are theoretically evaluated using the conventional noise theory of an optical receiver followed by an optical preamplifier. Experimental results of bit error rate measurements for 100 Gb/s demultiplexing using three different NOLMs with different intrinsic crosstalk values, defined by signal transmittance in the absence of control pulses, show that the power penalties are in good agreement with the evaluation based upon our proposed analysis. It can be found from our investigation in demultiplexing from 100 to 10 Gb/s that intrinsic crosstalk of less than -25 dB, corresponding to a coupling ratio, K, of |K-0.5|/spl les/0.03, is required for the power penalty of less than 1 dB. The root-mean-square (rms) value of the relative timing jitter necessary for obtaining a sufficient timing tolerance width for combining control and signal pulses is determined.


Objective: Tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) has been associated with several mutations in the TNF receptor super family 1A (TNFRSF1A), including most cysteine substitutions. However, the nature of two substitutions, P46L and R92Q, remains a topic of discussion. The aim of this study was to assess the actual role of these two sequence variations in a series of patients with TRAPS. Methods: The main clinical data of 89 patients with TRAPS have been prospectively registered on a standard form. 84 patients or members of families with recurrent episodes of inflammatory symptoms spanning a period of more than 6 months and harbouring a TNFRSF1A mutation were studied. Clinical data have been analysed according to the nature of the mutation—P46L, R92Q or others. Results: P46L is often seen in patients from Maghreb and is associated with a mild phenotype. P46L appears as a polymorphism with a non-specific role in inflammation. R92Q is associated with a variable phenotype and presents as a low-penetrance mutation. Interpreting these results will require a comparison with clinical signs and genetic background.


OBJECTIVE: To develop a quantitative means to measure lung inflammation using the murine models of chronic asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF). STUDY DESIGN: Translational-based medicine often utilizes animal models to study new and innovative therapeutics. In asthma and CF, the animal models focus on airway inflammation and remodeling. The asthma model is based on hypersensitivity-induced airway disease, whereas the CF model focuses on the inflammatory response to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Qualitative measures of inflammation and lung pathophysiology introduce significant variability and difficulty in interpreting interventional outcomes. The highly sensitive and reproducible quantitative computational program interfaced with Image Pro Microscopy to monitor changes in lung inflammation and lung pathophysiology. The software interfaces with image microscopy and automates the lung section review process. RESULTS: Results from this program recapitulated data obtained by manual point counting of inflammation, bronchoalveolar lavage differential, and histology. The data show a low coefficient of variation and high reproducibility between slides and sections. CONCLUSION: Utilization of this new microscopy program will enhance the quantitative means of establishing changes in lung structure and inflammation as a measure of therapeutic intervention with the ability of refining interpretation of in vivo models potentially shortcircuiting translation into the clinical setting. (Anal Quant Cytol Histol 2011;33:245–252)


The trend of cerebrovascular mortality (ICD-9: 530-538) is analyzed. Age-standardized mortality rates for men and women were calculated, covering the the period 1970 to 1994. Furthermore, the development of mortality rates (1974 to 1994) was analyzed for age groups and birth cohorts (5-years intervals). The number of deaths has decreased, from a total of 14,734 in 1970 (6109 men, 8625 women) to 9917 (-32%) in 1994 (men 3541, -42%; women 6376, -26%); age-standardized death rates in men from 201.4/10(5) (-54.7%) to 91.9/10(5), in women 160/10(5) to 77/10(5) (-51.7%). The trend within individual age groups does not show any sex-specific differences. In all birth cohorts the mortality trend in men and women decreases towards younger age groups. The observed linear decrease of mortality in men and women towards younger age groups leads to the assumption that this trend is determined by decreasing incidence, indicating a secular trend. This trend may only be explained but by its risk reducing effect in both, men and women of any age group. Establishing a representative stroke register seems most desirable, in order to make possible assertions as to the trend of incidence and prevalence.


The aim of our program was to find an original chemotherapeutical treatment (and eventually a preventive treatment) of malaria, an illness largely predominant in developing countries, by interfering on an essential metabolism developed by Plasmodium during its erythrocytic phase. Apart from what has been learnt about metabolism and the pharmacological target, a crucial step has been taken during this contract by passing from micromolar in vitro active concentrations (during 1986-1990) to nanomolar ones (during 1990). These compounds should naturally short-circuit resistance phenomena already established against drugs in current use, as has already been verified on polypharmacoresistant strains or isolates of P. falciparum. The administration of a therapeutic dose of our molecules would now appear to be possible in all cases.


Academic athletic advisors have the difficult task of arranging class schedules for student-athletes so that they can take advantage of their educational opportunities, while at the same time taking into account the number of classes that will be missed because of athletic competitions. This paper discusses how the Office of Student-Athlete Support Services at a Division I university attacked the missed class problem by developing an innovative lecture capture technology program to record missed classes. This program greatly reduced the effects of student-athletes being away from class and feedback from both faculty members and student-athletes revealed a high level of satisfaction with the use of this technology. Further, with the success of this program for student-athletes, the use of lecture capture technology increased greatly throughout the university with the widespread support of deans, department heads and senior university administrators.


Diarrhoea has been recognized as being responsible for high mortality rate among the population especially in infants. Many cases of diarrhoea are fortunately, acute in nature and respond well to a number of well tried remedies including traditional remedies. The leaves of Dialium guineense have been used traditionally in the treatment of diarrhoea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiarrhoeal activity of D. guineense leaf extract in mice using different experimental model. The results showed that the aqueous leaf extract of D. guineense caused a significant (P< 0.001) reduction in the number of stools and frequency of diarrhoea in castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice. The extract produced significant (P< 0.01) inhibition of intestinal transit with the dose of 400 mg/kg having the highest effect. The extract also produced a dose dependent and significant (P< 0.01) reduction in volume and weight of fluid accumulated in the GIT compared to the control. It was thus concluded that the aqueous leaf extract of D. guineense possesses significant anti-diarrhoeal activity probably due to its effect of decreasing GIT motility and fluid accumulation. Keywords : Diarrhoea; Rats; Mice; Dialium guineense, Castor oil


The discovery of stem cells (SC) has shed new light on the understanding of mechanisms responsible for ischemic and degenerative disorders, and opened a new field for regenerative medicine. Furthermore, dysregulation of SC self-renewal and their transformation seem to be involved also in the development of cancer, suggesting that pharmacological treatment devoted to regulate SC genomic and phenotypic functions might represent a potential new strategy even for the treatment of neoplastic disorders. SC display a promiscuous set of transcription factors and an open chromatin structure which are required to maintain their multipotentiality, while they are progressively quenched during differentiation into specific multiple lineages. The mechanisms that govern stem cell fate decisions are under tight control but remain potentially alterable. Recent studies have shown that several currently used drugs such as colony stimulating factors, statins, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists/ACE-inhibitors, Erythropoietin, nitric oxide donors, estrogens and glitazones, have modulatory activity on SC functions. These drugs mostly enhance SC survival and mobilization. Furthermore, a series of new pharmacological agents such as the chemokine receptor antagonist AMD3100, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), that modulate the growth, differentiation and mobilization of SC, have been recently discovered and are currently under evaluation in both in vivo experimental models and preliminary clinical trials. Thus, modulation of SC properties through pharmacological treatment represents a new field of investigation which may lead to the development of novel strategies for the treatment not only of ischemic and degenerative disorders, but also of cancer.


Magnetic properties of the quadruple perovskite solid solutions Ca1–xYxCu3Fe4O12 and Y1–yCeyCu3Fe4O12 are investigated. Ca1–xYxCu3Fe4O12 shows continuous increase in the ferromagnetic transition temperature as x increases. Y1–yCeyCu3Fe4O12 exhibits a ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition in the vicinity of y = 0.5. These observations demonstrate the electron doping effect on magnetic properties of charge-disproportionated ACu3Fe4O12 phases.


This paper reports on a first attempt at adopting a new perspective in characterizing speech disorders in Parkinson's Disease (PD) based on individual patient profiles. Acoustic data were collected on 13 Belgian French speakers with PD, 6 male, 7 female, aged 45-81, and 50 healthy controls (HC) using the "MonPaGe" protocol (Fougeron et al., LREC18). In this protocol, various kinds of linguistic material are recorded in different speech conditions, in order to assess multiple speech dimensions for each speaker. First, we compared a variety of voice and speech parameters across groups (HC vs. PD patients). Second, we examined individual profiles of PD patients. Results showed that as a group PD participants most systematically differed from HC in terms of speech tempo and rhythm. Moreover, the analysis of individual profiles revealed that other parameters, related to pneumophonatory control and linguistic prosody, were valuable to describe the speech specificities of several PD patients.


We studied two extended families in which not only multiple sclerosis (MS) segregates, but also approximately 18% of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) investigated blood relatives have 'MS immunopathic trait', an oligoclonal CSF immunopathy similar to that seen in MS, but with no neurological symptoms. Both families fit a genetic model for autosomal dominant inheritance for MS immunopathic trait, although with reduced penetrance in family A. In order to identify genetic factors of importance for the development of MS immunopathic trait, we performed a genome scan using the CHLC/Weber Screening Set (ver 6A), with 285 successful markers, to test the hypothesis that a single gene is causing the MS immunopathic trait in these families. Using a parametric method, we identified regions with suggestive linkage at chromosome 6q12 with a LOD-score of 2.4, putative linkage with LOD-score 1.5 at chromosome 6p21 (HLA region), putative linkage at chromosome 12q24 with a LOD-score of 1.7 and suggestive linkage at chromosome 19q13.2 with a LOD-score of 1.8. The LOD-score at chromosome 19q13.2 increased to 2.2 when only family A was analysed. In family A, all MS patients and two of five individuals with MS immunopathic trait had HLA DRB1*(15) and in family B, all blood relatives had the rare HLA type DRB1*0103, which is associated with other autoimmune diseases. We suggest that DRB1*0103 is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the susceptibility for MS immunopathic trait in this family.


The aim of this work was to determine whether it is possible to distinguish between fertile (control group, already fathers) and infertile men (suspected infertility), by comparing the fluorescence intensity of the sperm-DNA after incubation with appropriate dyes. First we examined two different DNA-specific dyes (DAPI and YOYO-1) using bull spermatozoa. Based on good results in immunohistochemical applications, YOYO-1 was chosen for further work. The fluorescence-intensity of 200 single, morphologically normal spermatozoa in each semen sample were measured in a cytophotometer, means + SD determined and histograms delineated. Of 20 samples from the control group, 17 had markedly higher fluorescence-intensity than did 7/15 of the suspected infertile men. It is concluded that the DNA of the latter seven samples was less accessible to the dye than was the DNA of the control group. There are cases of infertility known in which there is loss of one or more of the DNA-binding proteins, which in spermatozoa are mainly (85%) protamines. The relationship between the stainability of the sperm-DNA and the packaging with DNA-binding proteins is discussed. Two of the histograms showed abnormalities in the distribution of the fluorescence-intensities, one sample was extremely fragile and most of the sperm lysed during the staining-procedure. Five samples showed normal histograms in comparison with the control group.


Rotational transitions belonging to 2-iodobutane (sec-butyl-iodide, CH3CHICH2CH3) were measured over the frequency range 5.5-16.5 GHz via jet-pulsed Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The complete nuclear quadrupole coupling tensor of iodine, χ, was obtained for the gauche (g)-, anti (a)-, and gauche' (g')-conformers as well as the four (13)C isotopologues of the gauche species. Rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, quadrupole coupling constants, and nuclear spin-rotation constants were determined for each species. Changes in χ of the iodine nucleus, resulting from conformational and isotopic differences, are discussed. Isotopic substitution of g-2-iodobutane allowed for an rs structure to be determined for the carbon backbone. Additionally, isotopic substitution in conjunction with an ab initio structure allowed for a fit of various r0 structural parameters belonging to g-2-iodobutane.


Carbohydrates are crucial for living cells, playing myriads of functional roles that range from being structural or energy-storage devices to molecular labels that, through non-covalent interaction with proteins, impart exquisite selectivity in processes such as molecular trafficking and cellular recognition. The molecular bases that govern the recognition between carbohydrates and proteins have not been fully understood yet. In the present study, we have obtained a surface-area-based model for the formation heat capacity of protein-carbohydrate complexes, which includes separate terms for the contributions of the two molecular types. The carbohydrate model, which was calibrated using carbohydrate dissolution data, indicates that the heat capacity contribution of a given group surface depends on its position in the saccharide molecule, a picture that is consistent with previous experimental and theoretical studies showing that the high abundance of hydroxy groups in carbohydrates yields particular solvation properties. This model was used to estimate the carbohydrate's contribution in the formation of a protein-carbohydrate complex, which in turn was used to obtain the heat capacity change associated with the protein's binding site. The model is able to account for protein-carbohydrate complexes that cannot be explained using a previous model that only considered the overall contribution of polar and apolar groups, while allowing a more detailed dissection of the elementary contributions that give rise to the formation heat capacity effects of these adducts.


Wild type Escherichia coli usually does not accumulate L-threonine, but E. coli strain TWF001 could produce 30.35 g/L L-threonine after 23-h fed-batch fermentation. To understand the mechanism for the high yield of L-threonine production in TWF001, transcriptomic analyses of the TWF001 cell samples collected at the logarithmic and stationary phases were performed, using the wild type E. coli strain W3110 as the control. Compared with W3110, 1739 and 2361 genes were differentially transcribed in the logarithmic and stationary phases, respectively. Most genes related to the biosynthesis of L-threonine were significantly up-regulated. Some key genes related to the NAD(P)H regeneration were up-regulated. Many genes relevant to glycolysis and TCA cycle were down-regulated. The key genes involved in the L-threonine degradation were down-regulated. The gene rhtA encoding the L-threonine exporter was up-regulated while the genes sstT and tdcC encoding the L-threonine importer were down-regulated. The up-regulated genes in glutamate pathway might form an amino-providing loop which is beneficial for high yield of L-threonine production. Many genes encoding 30S and 50S subunits of ribosomes were also up-regulated. The findings are useful for gene engineering to increase L-threonine production in E. coli. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


The development of the Internet is a key revolution of the 20th century. The Internet has led to a boom in e-commerce. Online shopping is generally the most popular shopping option for consumers. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in adopting various measures, such as lockdown and stay-at-home orders, in various countries. This has led to changes in people's consumption habits. In Taiwan, consumer behavior has also rapidly shifted to online shopping after the outbreak of the COVID-19. As livestreaming breaks time and space barriers, its real-time, interactive, and authentic features are unparalleled compared to other marketing methods, thereby creating a brand-new shopping experience for consumers. Accordingly, livestream shopping, a new consumption model, has developed and become an essential part of people's daily lives. Live-streamers, who are similar to salespersons in traditional markets, play a vital role in e-commerce livestreaming. The success of livestream shopping has highlighted the importance of live-streamers. The competition among live-streamers has become more intense because of the arrival of many newcomers. Thus, operators must make careful hiring decisions. However, no related literature in the past has investigated this important topic. Therefore, this study applied a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model comprising the fuzzy Delphi method (screen the selection criteria), analytic hierarchy process (AHP) (obtain the weight of each dimension and criterion), and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) (rank the alternatives) to assist the managers of shopping websites in selecting live-streamers. We interviewed the managers of shopping websites and reviewed the related literature to compile the selection criteria. Following the fuzzy Delphi method, 15 important selection criteria were retained based on the 30 managers' opinions. Further, the criteria were classified into dimensions based on the previous literature and interviews conducted on managers to establish a hierarchical framework. On the basis of this hierarchical framework, AHP and TOPSIS were applied to help a case company select live-streamers. A comparative analysis between the outcomes from AHP and AHP/TOPSIS was also conducted in this study. This study is the first empirical study on live-streamers' selection and adds to the literature on livestreaming.


– This paper is on the synchronization of a wind based microgrid with main grid. The wind power is generated using the permanent magnet brush less DC generator (PMBLDCG) and the MPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) is executed with P&O (perturb & Observe) approach to extract the maximum power from the wind generation. This power is fed to the AC load using a voltage source inverter (VSI) through the battery bank (BSS) at DC link. The control algorithm operates in standalone mode and grid connected mode. I can switch in islanded and grid connected modes seamlessly according to the wind conditions. In standalone mode, this wind power is fed to the load through a VSI, during low wind conditions, the battery discharges itself to fulfill the load demand. A ſt er that, the grid is connected to give power to the load during low wind conditions, and for this, control algorithm operates in grid connected mode. Therefore, the control algorithm switches from voltage control to current control mode to provide smooth synchronization and vise versa at de-synchronization. A MA TLABI Simulink model is developed to simulate the system performance during wind variations ,and during synchronization and resynchronization.


This paper describes fraud risk factors identified by practicing auditors relative to their own clients, and the relationship of those factors to fraud risk assessments and audit planning decisions. When the U.S. Auditing Standards Board (ASB) developed SAS No. 82, a major concern was whether and how to incorporate specific fraud risk factors into the standard. This issue remains important, as the ASB and the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) continue to examine auditor's responsibilities for fraud detection. This paper contributes to the literature by providing evidence on the prevalence of certain types of fraud risk factors in audit practice and their impact on audit planning. To address these issues, we asked practicing Big 5 auditors to identify specific fraud risk factors of an actual client, assess the client's level of fraud risk, and plan audit tests to address fraud. We find that a high proportion of clients exhibit one or more fraud risk factors, most frequently related to industry/competitive position, management integrity, internal control system quality, financial condition, and pressure to meet financial targets. While fraud risk factors are often documented, fraud risk assessments are not well related to the number of those factors, overall or by individual type. All types of fraud risk factors are statistically associated with some form of audit testing response, but the nature of the audit test planned varies by risk factor type. Results of the study also show that the effect of fraud risk assessments on audit test planning varies according to the nature of the audit test planned.


The average English speaker knows 50,000 words in contemporary use - 25 more words than there are stars in the night sky visible to the naked eye. Yet stripped down to its origins, this apparently huge vocabulary is in reality a much smaller number of words from Latin, French and the Germanic languages. It is estimated that every year, 800 neologisms are added to the English language: acronyms - 'yuppie', blended words - 'motel', and those taken from foreign languages - 'savoir-faire'. The Bloomsbury Dictionary of Word Origins provides a concise history of over 8,000 of the most commonly used words. The range of information spans from derivations as simple as 'a' and 'one' from 'an', to historical relations between words which would be obscure to all but the most lexically-minded. For instance 'vice' with its several uses in English - a wickedness, a holding tool - is derived via Old French from two separate Latin words: 'vitium' (defect, offence), and 'vitis' (vine) which gave 'viticulture'. The Bloomsbury Dictionary of Word Origins demonstrates how the diverse influences on English have given rise to some unlikely but fascinating lexical relations. 'Bishop' had no ecclesiastical origins, but was in fact derived from the Greek 'episkopos', meaning 'overseer', and shares origins with 'spy'. In strict etymological terms, a 'dairy' should employ a female kneader of bread. Laid out in an A-Z format with detailed cross references, written in a style that is both authoritative and accessible, the Bloomsbury Dictionary of Word Origins is a valuable historical guide to the English language.


Understanding the factors underlying species coexistence is a major focus in community ecology. When dealing with competition between native and exotic species, the competitive exclusion of the 'weaker' species can have consequences for biodiversity conservation. We examined interspecific interactions during foraging between black vultures Coragyps atratus and Andean condors Vultur gryphus in Southern Argentina. Previous studies suggest facilitatory interactions between them. However, in most parts of their distribution ranges, these species did not coexist until recently, when black vultures expanded their geographic range following human development. Thus, facilitatory processes or segregation patterns could not be fine‐tuned enough to allow their coexistence. Our hypothesis is that black vultures and Andean condors compete for food resources, and that this competitive scenario can change depending on local species abundances and habitat humanization. We experimentally placed sheep carcasses in two habitats differing in degrees of humanization to study the foraging patterns in these species. Both species exploited carcasses with similar temporal patterns. However, the first to arrive and the dominant species were different in both habitats, according to their abundances. Although black vultures do not completely prevent the arrival of Andean condors to carcasses, they represent serious obstacles for feeding. Thus, while dominance hierarchy at carcasses could be related to body size, carcass consumption was determined by species abundance. Our results support the hypothesis that the expansion of a 'winning' species may trigger interspecific competition with other 'loser' species, with negative responses towards human activities when they became abundant. Although the results are not conclusive, invasion and extinction processes could be occurring and they can have serious consequences for the diversity (i.e. richness and evenness) of the New World scavenger guilds.


The characteristics of a surface, particularly the roughness, play an important role in different fields of the industry and have to be considered to ensure quality standards. Currently, there are numerous sophisticated methods for measuring surface roughness but plenty of them cause long-term damage because they are in contact with the sample. This article presents a non-contact method to accurately determine small surface roughnesses resulting from the consideration of the depolarization effects caused by the rough surface. This technique can be applied as an extension in various roughness measurements and improves the approach of Chandley's technique, which does not take into account the depolarization of the light scattered by the sample. The experimental setup and the measurements are easy to perform. The essential component is a quarter wave plate, which is incorporated into a Michelson interferometer. With the resulting two different contrasts and the recorded intensities of the sample and the reference mirror, the surface roughness can be estimated straightforwardly. This article details the theoretical approach, followed by the experimental results and the corresponding uncertainties. The experimental results are compared with Chandley's method. In order to have reference roughness values of the samples, measurements with a stylus profilometer and with a confocal microscope are performed and compared.


In rehabilitation programs involving muscle re-education and endurance exercise, it is necessary to confirm when fatigue occurs. It is also necessary to quantify fatigue, to confirm whether the muscle has been exercised sufficiently. In general, as fatigue occurs, the force-generating ability of the muscle is reduced. If the median frequency (MDF) obtained from electromyogram (EMG) power spectrum is correlated highly with work, then the timing and degree of fatigue may be confirmed. This study examined the relationship between work and MDF obtained from the EMG power spectrum during repetitive isokinetic exercise. Surface EMG signals were collected from biceps brachii and vastus lateralis of 52 normal subjects (26 males, 26 females) at and while performing an isokinetic exercise. The exercise was finished at 25% of peak work. MDF data was obtained using a moving fast Fourier transformation (FFT), and random noise was removed using the inverse FFT, then a new MDF data was obtained from the main signal. There was a high correlation between work and MDF during repetitiv isokinetic exercise in the biceps brachii and vastus lateralis of males and the biceps brachii of females (r=.50~.77). However, there was a low correlation between work and MDF in the vastus lateralis of females (r=.06~.19).


Enterococcal infections are becoming increasingly prevalent, in part because of the widespread use of cephalosporins and a greater number of immunosuppressed patients. Most infections where enterococci are isolated are pelvic or intraabdominal. The actual pathogenic role of the enterococcus remains controversial, since many types of organisms are usually cultured as well. Although specific therapy directed at the enterococcus may not always be necessary, reasonable indications for specific therapy include the presence of shock, immunosuppression, or persistent or recurrent infection. Enterococcal bacteremia is associated with a mortality rate in excess of 40 percent. This entity, as well as enterococcal endocarditis and meningitis, should be treated with bactericidal, combination antibiotic therapy, which includes a penicillin and an aminoglycoside. Mixed infections probably can be treated with a penicillin alone. Penicillin-allergic patients should be treated with vancomycin. The costs of nosocomial infection or superinfection are very high; costs incurred as a result of enterococcal infection or superinfection may be prevented by avoiding prolonged prophylactic or broad-spectrum therapeutic regimens (such as cephalosporins) that lack antienterococcal activity. Extended-spectrum penicillins may be effective prophylactic regimens for intraabdominal or pelvic procedures and should serve as adequate therapy for mixed infections in these sites.


The paper examines the effect of top income shares on the crude death and infant mortality rates. We use balanced panel data that covers nine advanced countries over the period 1952-1998. Top income shares are measured as the shares of pre-tax income going to the richest 0.1%, 1% and 10% of the population. We also estimate separate effects on both female and male mortality rates. The most important finding is that there is no overall relationship between top income shares and mortality. If anything, the estimates based on gender breakdown show that there is evidence that an increase in income inequality is associated with a decrease in the crude death rate for males.


In this chapter we focus on the growth of "new religions" and new religious movements in Latin America and attempt to find explanations for this growth. Although other explanations for the increase in religious plurality exist, we focus on the role of women in this development. The expansion of movements such as Pentecostalism is challenging the centrality of Catholicism in many Latin American countries. Basically, we therefore aim to answer the following question: Why has Pentecostalism grown so much in some Latin American countries while Catholicism has experienced a certain decline? One possible explanation for this is the role of women in this expansion, which has fostered greater social cohesion within families and communities. Pentecostalism has led to a certain empowerment of the women living in precarious conditions, affording them greater visibility and importance within their communities and giving them a role in the re-education of behaviours that are rooted in male domination. Angel Belzunegui Eraso Rovira i Virgili University, Spain David Dueñas Cid Rovira i Virgili University, Spain The Role of Women in the Development of New Religious Movements in Latin America


Covid 19 is a type of virus that is endemic and can be life-threatening, everyone can be exposed to the virus including pregnant women and pregnant women are one of the groups at risk from the virus, therefore there are pregnant women who do not come to check their pregnancy during this pandemic. Pregnancy check-ups are very important to monitor the condition of the mother and fetus. The sample used was pregnant women who visited for ANC at the Obgyn Clinic at Grandmed Lubuk Pakam Hospital. Sampling technique using accidental sampling technique. The data were analyzed using the chi square test (> 0.05). The results obtained indicate that there is a relationship between age factor and ANC visits (0.02), there is a relationship between education factors and ANC visits (0.00), there is no correlation between parity factors and ANC visits (0.75), there is a relationship between knowledge and visits. ANC (0.04), there is a relationship between husband's support and ANC visits (0.01) and there is no relationship between work and ANC visits (0.19). So it can be concluded that there are 4 factors related to pregnant women not having ANC visits and there are 2 factors that are not related. It is recommended for pregnant women to continue to make ANC visits even during a pandemic using health protocols


Emerging infectious diseases (EID) pose a growing threat to public health each year. Viruses and bacteria alike are major causes of EIDs and as these pathogens mutate, reemergence occurs, leading to the need for advanced understanding of the pathogens' life-cycle and evolution in order to control outbreaks as well as drug resistances. Tularemia, the disease caused by the highly infectious, bacterium, Francisella tularensis (Ft), is commonly acquired via natural infection and is a threat for biological warfare. However, previous data has indicated that Ft may persist in the environment without a host, but the mechanism by which Ft survives in adverse environments is not well understood. Furthermore, HIV, the causative agent of AIDS, has been treated with a combination therapy for the last two decades and has now developed mutations, conveying resistance to drugs within the combined therapy regimen. The goal of this study is to better understand the mechanisms of action that has led to the evolution of each of these very different pathogens in order to provide information necessary to treat these diseases and control the reemergence of these notable pathogens.


PurposeFlood preparedness and response from the perspective of community engagement mechanisms have been studied in scholarly articles. However, the differences in flood mitigation may expose social and behavioural challenges to learn from. This study aimed to demonstrate how text mining can be applied in prioritising existing contexts in community-based and government flood mitigation and management strategies.Design/methodology/approachThis investigation mined the semantics researchers ascribed to flood disasters and community responses from 2001 to 2022 peer-reviewed publications. Text mining was used to derive frequently used terms from over 15 publications in the Scopus database and Google Scholar search engine after an initial output of 268 peer-reviewed publications. The text-mining process applied the topic modelling analyses on the 15 publications using the R studio application.FindingsTopic modelling applied through text mining clustered four (4) themes. The themes that emerged from the topic modelling process were building adaptation to flooding, climate change and resilient communities, urban infrastructure and community preparedness and research output for flood risk and community response. The themes were supported with geographical flood risk and community mitigation contexts from the USA, India and Nigeria to provide a broader perspective.Originality/valueThis study exposed the deficiency of "communication, teamwork, responsibility and lessons" as focal themes of flood disaster management and response research. The divergence in flood mitigation in developing nations as compared with developed nations can be bridged through improved government policies, technologies and community engagement.


An approach to the layout design of a robot based flexible automation cell is described. A case study is presented for the design of a sixteen workstation laboratory automation system based around a track mounted robot, in which an exceptionally high level of operational flexibility is required. A graphical simulation model of the proposed system has been developed using AT&T Istel's "Witness" visual interactive simulation software. Visual feedback from the animated display provides process insight and aids in finding more effective workstation arrangements within the cell, reducing cycle time and allowing increased throughput and capacity. The development of the simulation model is described, including the features that allow it to be quickly reconfigured, the selection of a layout for the first iteration and the choice of appropriate evaluation criteria.


Objective. To investigate the utility of AD8 for cognitive impairment in a Chinese physical examination population. Methods. Military cadres who took routine physical examination in Chinese PLA General Hospital from Jan 1, 2013, to Dec 31, 2013, were subjected to AD8 scale. Individual information such as age, gender, and education was also collected. All data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0. Results. 1544 subjects were enrolled in this study with mean age 75.4 ± 10.6 years. The subjects who scored 0 to 8 of AD8 scale were 1015, 269, 120, 60, 30, 14, 19, 8, and 9, respectively. Corresponding proportions were 65.7%, 17.4%, 7.8%, 3.9%, 2.0%, 0.9%, 1.2%, 0.5%, and 0.6%, respectively. The endorsement prevalence of 8 questions was 5.6%, 9.2%, 6.6%, 9.2%, 4.8%, 4.5%, 8.9%, and 24.1%, respectively. The endorsement prevalence of question 8 was significantly higher than others (P < 0.05). 260 subjects were scored equal to or greater than 2. The abnormal rate was 16.9%. All the participants were stratified into 9 groups by age; the prevalence of dementia was highly correlated with age (P < 0.01). Conclusion. AD8 scale is a convenient and effective tool for cognitive screening in routine physical examination population.


ABSTRACT Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is a problem worldwide. A carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae lineage classified as multilocus sequence type 258 (ST258) is prominent in the health care setting in many regions of the world, including the United States. ST258 strains can be resistant to virtually all clinically useful antibiotics; treatment of infections caused by these organisms is difficult, and mortality is high. As a step toward promoting development of new therapeutics for ST258 infections, we tested the ability of rabbit antibodies specific for ST258 capsule polysaccharide to enhance human serum bactericidal activity and promote phagocytosis and killing of these bacteria by human neutrophils. We first demonstrated that an isogenic wzy deletion strain is significantly more susceptible to killing by human heparinized blood, serum, and neutrophils than a wild-type ST258 strain. Consistent with the importance of capsule as an immune evasion molecule, rabbit immune serum and purified IgG specific for ST258 capsule polysaccharide type 2 (CPS2) enhanced killing by human blood and serum in vitro. Moreover, antibodies specific for CPS2 promoted phagocytosis and killing of ST258 by human neutrophils. Collectively, our findings suggest that ST258 CPS2 is a viable target for immunoprophylactics and/or therapeutics. IMPORTANCE Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae are difficult to treat, and mortality is high. New prophylactic approaches and/or therapeutic measures are needed to prevent or treat infections caused by these multidrug-resistant bacteria. A strain of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae, classified by multilocus sequence typing as ST258, is present in many regions of the world and is the most prominent carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae lineage in the United States. Here we show that rabbit antibodies specific for capsule polysaccharide of ST258 significantly enhance human serum bactericidal activity and promote phagocytosis and killing of this pathogen by human neutrophils. These studies have provided strong support for the idea that development of an immunotherapy (vaccine) for carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae infections is feasible and has merit. Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae are difficult to treat, and mortality is high. New prophylactic approaches and/or therapeutic measures are needed to prevent or treat infections caused by these multidrug-resistant bacteria. A strain of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae, classified by multilocus sequence typing as ST258, is present in many regions of the world and is the most prominent carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae lineage in the United States. Here we show that rabbit antibodies specific for capsule polysaccharide of ST258 significantly enhance human serum bactericidal activity and promote phagocytosis and killing of this pathogen by human neutrophils. These studies have provided strong support for the idea that development of an immunotherapy (vaccine) for carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae infections is feasible and has merit.


A piecewise quintic G spline surface interpolating the vertices of a triangular surface mesh of arbitrary topological type is presented. The surface has an explicit triangular B ezier representation, is a ne invariant and has local support. The twist compatibility problem which arises when joining an even number of polynomial patches G continuously around a common vertex is solved by constructing C-consistent boundary curves. Piecewise C boundary curves and a regular 4-split of the domain triangle make shape parameters available for controlling locally the boundary curves. A small number of free inner control points can be chosen for some additional local shape e ects.


This study aimed to investigate the effect of financial ratios to predict probability of financial distress in the company. Financial ratios in this study using the indicators leverage ratio, liquidity ratio, activity ratio, and profitability ratio. The population in this study are all of the companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange and continuously published financial statements in the year 2008-2012. Based on purposive sampling method, samples obtained are 59 companies in the period 2008-2012, so obtain 295 observations. As for the criteria of financial distress in this study was measured by using interest coverage ratio, whilst statistic analysis that used in this study was logistic regression. The result of this research showed that leverage ratio (debt ratio), liquidity ratio (current ratio), and activity ratio (total asset turnover ratio) were financial ratios that have significant value to predict financial distress in the company, whilst profitability ratio (return on asset) is only financial ratios which not significant to predict financial distress in the company.


Understanding and recognizing the activities performed by people is a fundamental research topic for a wide range of important applications such as fall detection of elderly people. In this paper, we present the technical details behind Freedom, a low-cost, unobtrusive system that supports independent livingof the older people. The Freedom system interprets what aperson is doing by leveraging machine learning algorithmsand radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. To dealwith noisy, streaming, unstable RFID signals, we particularlydevelop a dictionary-based approach that can learn dictionariesfor activities using an unsupervised sparse coding algorithm. Our approach achieves efficient and robust activity recognitionvia a more compact representation of the activities. Extensiveexperiments conducted in a real-life residential environmentdemonstrate that our proposed system offers a good overallperformance (e.g., achieving over 96% accuracy in recognizing23 activities) and has the potential to be further developed tosupport the independent living of elderly people.


Fatigue cracking occurs over long time period because dynamic strength of slab continuously decreases by vehicle loading repetitively applied to the concrete pavement. To more accurately predict the fatigue life of the concrete pavement, the stress due to environmental loading should be considered prior to calculating the stress due to the vehicle loading because the stress due to temperature and moisture distribution always exists within the slab. Accordingly, a new fatigue model considering the environmental loading was developed in this research by evaluating factors of existing fatigue models most widely used and by making data points from the models. The applicability of the new model was evaluated by performing a fatigue analysis on the general concrete pavement structure using local climatic and traffic conditions in Korea. It was concluded that the top-down cracking due to the tensile stress at top of the slab is dominant cause of the fatigue failure than the bottom-up cracking occurred at bottom of the slab. More advanced fatigue analysis considering vehicle speed is expected by developing this study.


Workplace Spirituality is a contextualized phenomenon that seeks to identify and build meaning, connectedness and the sense of transcendence at workplace. In this regard, this paper analyzes the different approaches of researchers to pin down the concept of workplace spirituality. Further, it probes into the diverse ways in which various research constructs of workplace spirituality have been operationalized. In this connection, discussion is made with regard to levels of analysis of the constructs of workplace spirituality. The concept of workplace spirituality is situated as a contextualized phenomenon of spirituality in general, even as religion is distinguished from spirituality. The originality of this paper lies in the comparative study that it makes of the constructs of workplace spirituality conceptualized and operationalized by prior research at individual, group and organizational levels. Further, this paper has critically reviewed the scales that have been developed to capture the construct of workplace spirituality in its varied conceptualizations. Furthermore, this paper has identified the elements of commonly agreed upon dimensions of workplace spirituality that are sought to be operationalized across different measurement scales of workplace spirituality. Accordingly, this paper has theoretically contributed towards the development of robust measurement scales of the sub-constructs of workplace spirituality.


Abstract Data obtained from rocket soundings of the stratospheric circulation at White Sands Missile Range, N. Mex., and Pacific Missile Range, Point Mugu, Calif., indicate a close relationship between minima in the winter westerly zonal flow of the 45–55 km stratopause layer and the occurrence of tropospheric cut-off lows in the southwestern United States. Time sections of the zonal winds which illustrate this relationship are presented along with appropriate tabulations. A similar, but somewhat less well defined, relationship is indicated between maxima in the stratopause zonal flow and the subsequent filling and/or eastward movement of cut-off lows. Available temperature data indicate cooling in the region between 20 and 50 km preceding or concurrent with cut-off low development.


The human observer functions as the signal detector in many systems and is frequently subjected to distractions, including artifacts, that can affect identification of important events. In this study subjects were shown moving strip charts containing a background signal and target patterns for identification. On one strip there was randomly located artifact. The results show a statistically significant difference between average performance in the two cases as well as between individual observers. These results have implications with respect to the design and use of monitoring equipment.<<ETX>>


Abstract The utility of injury characteristics for predicting the severity of post-concussion outcomes remains equivocal. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantify the predictive relationship between these variables to inform classification of acute injury severity. Thirty-one empirical samples of concussed athletes, for which rates of loss of consciousness and/or amnesia were reported, were included in a meta-analysis evaluating acute outcomes following sports-related concussion. Outcome measures of interest were neuropsychological tests first administered 1–10 days post-injury. Loss of consciousness and anterograde amnesia significantly predicted more severe neuropsychological deficits within 10 days of concussion in studies using pre-injury baseline, but not control group, comparisons. Retrograde amnesia significantly predicted acute neuropsychological dysfunction (d = -1.03) irrespective of comparison group. Although small sample sizes require conservative interpretation and future replication, the evidence suggests that retrograde amnesia, rather than loss of consciousness, may be used to classify the acute severity of concussion. (JINS, 2014, 20, 81–87)


The impact of the sporting industry on economic decision making has increased dramatically since the global media explosion in the 1980s. Tourism and advertising revenues generated by these mega-events have become a major boost to the economies of hosting nations. In addition, globalisation has placed great emphasis on the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI), especially to developing countries. This paper seeks to examine the impact of the pre-event phase expenditure attributed to the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on the South African economy. In this phase, expenditure is mainly geared towards the construction and improvement of infrastructure required to successfully host the event. Using a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model developed specifically for the South African economy, the impact of the pre-event phase on the local economy is measured. It is found that there is a positive impact on most macroeconomic variables, including GDP and employment. With the potential economic benefits of the event and post-event phases of the World Cup also taken into account, it can be concluded with relative certainty that the impact of hosting a mega-event on the South African economy is beneficial towards achieving higher economic growth and development. In addition to analysing the impact of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the outcomes are also used to briefly examine the feasibility of South Africa's bid to host the 2011 IRB World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.


Large Language Models (LLMs) have revolutionized the domain of natural language processing (NLP) with remarkable capabilities of generating human-like text responses. However, despite these advancements, several works in the existing literature have raised serious concerns about the potential misuse of LLMs such as spreading misinformation, generating fake news, plagiarism in academia, and contaminating the web. To address these concerns, a consensus among the research community is to develop algorithmic solutions to detect AI-generated text. The basic idea is that whenever we can tell if the given text is either written by a human or an AI, we can utilize this information to address the above-mentioned concerns. To that end, a plethora of detection frameworks have been proposed, highlighting the possibilities of AI-generated text detection. But in parallel to the development of detection frameworks, researchers have also concentrated on designing strategies to elude detection, i.e., focusing on the impossibilities of AI-generated text detection. This is a crucial step in order to make sure the detection frameworks are robust enough and it is not too easy to fool a detector. Despite the huge interest and the flurry of research in this domain, the community currently lacks a comprehensive analysis of recent developments. In this survey, we aim to provide a concise categorization and overview of current work encompassing both the prospects and the limitations of AI-generated text detection. To enrich the collective knowledge, we engage in an exhaustive discussion on critical and challenging open questions related to ongoing research on AI-generated text detection.


Arteriovenous malformations have been reported as rare clinical entities in the foot. When these lesions present, they are most often found in the brain, lungs, and pelvis/thigh of the lower extremity and develop as a result of failed fetal vascular development. Arteriovenous malformations can present with a variety of dermatologic and osseous manifestations. A delayed or missed diagnosis can have severe effects, including chronic ulcerations and osseous manifestations, and lead to amputation. Once identified, a complete evaluation is needed to provide the clinician with a full understanding of the magnitude of the deformity and the potential implications to the limb's vascular status after treatment. A concise review of the literature is provided with a case presentation of an arteriovenous malformation within the foot that was not suspected based on the clinical and imaging evaluation.


To say that this book covers a wide range of topics is certainly an understatement. It intriguing title is, however, somewhat misleading since the human brain is only discussed very briefly. The book will be a valuable source of reference for data ranging from elemental abundances in carbonaceous chondrites, through mineral distribution co-efficients to the average concentrations of elements in the Earth's oceans and the elemental compositions of various biological reference materials.

Chapter 1 starts off with a comprehensive summary of basic chemical principles, such …


Purpose

An interest in social transmission as a source of welfare and income inequality in a society has re-emerged recently with new vigour in leading economic research (see Piketty, 2014). This paper presents a mixed Bourdieu-Mincer (B-M) type micro-economic model which provides a testable mechanism for culturally biased socio-economic inter-generational transmission. In particular, the operationalisation of this mixed B-M type model seeks to find evidence for individual and local cultural capital effects on the economic achievements, in addition to the human capital effect, for both migrants and locals in the Netherlands. The purpose of this paper is to examine two sources of wage differential in the local labour market, namely: individual cultural capital (approximated by immigrant background), which affects schooling results; and the local cultural capital (approximated with the cultural milieu), which directly biases the selection of employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilises the 2007-2009 data set for higher professional education (in Dutch termed HBO) graduates registered in the Maastricht database. The Mincer-type equation is augmented with a control variable for the local cultural milieu. The authors cope with this model empirically by means of 2SLS and 3SLS methods.

Findings

The authors find convincing evidence for the existence of both an individual cultural capital and a local cultural capital effect on schooling and wage differentials. This can be interpreted as a migrant background effect leading to a disadvantaged position on the labour market due to less frequently attending high-quality secondary schools.

Originality/value

More importantly, the authors find evidence for a classical Myrdalian effect of self-fulfilling prophecy, in which graduates with second-generation migrant background have a disadvantaged position due to access only to poorer quality of schooling.


SYNOPSIS Objective. This paper aimed to examine the contributions of a second assessment time point of attachment security, along with assessments of maternal behavior (sensitivity and autonomy support), to the prediction of children's behavior problems. Design. Maternal behavior and mother–child attachment were assessed in 73 mother–child dyads when children were between 15 months and 26 months old. Children's internalizing and externalizing problems were reported by their teachers in kindergarten and first grade. Results. Each assessment time point of attachment security, as well as maternal behavior, explained comparable portions of the variance in children's anxious/depressed behavior, jointly predicting more than three times the variance explained by either measure of attachment alone. Conclusion. Researchers should consider a multidimensional approach to the assessment of the quality of mother–child relationships, at least when attempting to explain the development of child internalizing problems.


PURPOSETo create a thermal map of ambient air, radiant, and evaporative temperatures and humidity throughout the NICU nursery by season across a calendar year. SUBJECTSEach cubicle of the 32-bed NICU, distributed across 5 rooms, in a level III nursery was measured. METHODSTemperatures were recorded at a consistent time on one day during January, April, July, and October. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESAn electronic monitor (QUESTemp° 34; Quest Technologies, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin) was used to measure dry bulb, wet bulb, and globe thermometer temperatures. RESULTSAnalysis of variance revealed statistically significant (P < .000) differences in season, room, and season by room interaction. Room ambient air temperatures differed by less than 2°F across season. Radiant temperature paralleled air temperature. Humidity, the predominant difference across season, produced evaporative temperatures considerably lower than room air temperature, and the gradient between mean nursery dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature was 9.3°F in summer and 16.8°F in winter. CONCLUSIONSThe thermal map revealed seasonal thermal differences, particularly in humidity level and evaporative temperature. Room temperature alone does not reflect the total thermal environment. Recommendations include periodic assessment of nurseries along with air, evaporative, and radiant temperatures as well as humidity to fully appreciate the impact of the thermal environment on infants.


Model Driven Engineering (MDE) is based on the principle of unification. Most of the artifacts used or produced in a software project may be uniformly represented by models conforming to various metamodels. In this paper we show how two independent projects could be bridged to produce additional results. The first one is about discovering models from legacy code and the second one is about measuring various kind of models. Due to the interoperability properties of MDE, the integration of these projects was straightforward and allowed to provide a new generic legacy measurement infrastructure.


The purpose of this study is to develop a valid, reliable, and useful scale to measure high school students' levels of acceptance of mobile technologies in learning mathematics based on the second version of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model. The study was designed based on a sequential exploratory mixed-method research design. To this end, both qualitative (interviews with students, review of literature, and expert panel evaluation) and quantitative procedures (Lawshe content validity technique, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, discriminant validity, nomological validity, criterion validity, internal consistency reliability, and temporal reliability) were used to develop and validate the Mobile Technology Acceptance Scale for Learning Mathematics (m-TASLM). As a result, a 5-point Likert scale with 36 items grouped under 8 factors was developed and confirmed. Both validity and reliability studies yielded favorable results.


A digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) is designed using 180 nm CMOS process and a 3.3 V power supply. It operates in the frequency range 200 MHz–1 GHz. The DPLL operation includes two stages: (i) a novel coarse-tuning stage based on a flash algorithm, and (ii) a finetuning stage similar to conventional DPLLs. The flash portion of the DPLL is made up of frequency comparators, an encoder and a decoder which drives a multiple charge pump (CP)/low pass filter (LPF) combination. Design considerations of the flash DPLL circuit components as well as implementation using Tanner design tools are presented. Spectra simulations were also performed and demonstrated a significant improvement in the lock time of the flash DPLL as compared to the


This comparison of the treatment of Oliver Twist by the magistrate Mr. Fang and other adults in Dickens' 1837 novel with the treatment of Jacob by Justice Rough and other adults in Richler's 1975 book, along with a comparison of some of George Cruikshank's illustrations with some of Fritz Wegner's illustrations, reveals stylistic echoes and riffs on the early-Victorian work by the late-20th century work and a deep shift in social, cultural, and legal attitudes to the child. Oliver is helpless and powerless on his own in a harsh, adult world, while Jacob is a "little person" with his own rights, his powerlessness coming from within. Dickens and Cruikshank trap the non-adult in a pre-Marxist, materially threatening society, whereas Richler and Wegner move the pre-adult through a post-Freudian society where Jacob is psychologically belittled by adults threatened by "Child Power."


We use the synoptic maps of the photospheric magnetic field observed at Wilcox Solar Observatory, Mount Wilson Observatory, Kitt Peak, SOHO/MDI, SOLIS/VSM, and SDO/HMI to study the distribution of weak photospheric magnetic field values in 1974–2018. We fit the histogram distribution of weak field values for each synoptic map of the six data sets separately with a parameterized Gaussian function in order to calculate the possible shift (to be called here the weak-field asymmetry) of the maximum of the Gaussian distribution from zero. We estimate the statistical significance of the weak-field asymmetry for each rotation. We also calculate several versions of lower-resolution synoptic maps from the high-resolution maps and calculate their rotational weak-field asymmetries. We find that the weak-field asymmetries increase with decreasing map resolution. A very large fraction of weak-field asymmetries are statistically significant, with the fraction of significant weak-field asymmetries increasing with decreasing resolution. Significant weak-field asymmetries of high- and low-resolution maps mainly occur at the same times and have the same sign. Weak-field asymmetries for the different data sets and resolutions vary quite similarly in time, and their mutual correlations are very high, especially for low-resolution maps. These results give strong evidence for weak-field asymmetries reflecting a real feature of weak field values, which is best seen in medium- and low-resolution synoptic maps and is most likely related to the supergranulation scale of the photospheric field.


This article attempts to answer the following question: how significant is theological normativity for church development practice? At a time when many leaders are busy developing local churches according to secular organisational theories, models and experiences, the following question arises: to what extent does the normative character of the Bible impact Christian faith, church life and ministry and how might normative theology affect development projects that are carried out by churches? The overriding issue that both current practice and the article focus on, is how theological normativity and empirical data can be integrated in the area of church development. After explaining the concepts of theological normativity and empirical data and the logical relationship between them, the article discusses how different national (Norwegian) and international researchers within practical theology attempt to resolve problems relating to the integration of normative theology with empirical data. The article's authors believe that these attempts end up with either assimilation or integration, neither of which is beneficial for church development practice. Therefore, the authors propose an alternative integration model that distinguishes between three levels / degrees of theological normativity, corresponding to three different fields and areas of church development. From this perspective, one can see how the integration of empirical data in the three levels of normativity brings both challenges and opportunities. The authors' conclusion and recommendation concerning the function and significance of the theological normativity in church development is that theological normativity bestows the church with identity and at same time has a guiding and corrective function.


The aim of this study was to find out the anti-cancer activity of Tanshinone and its mechanism of action. Human hepatic carcinoma cell line (SMMC-7721) and leukemia cell line (HL60) were treated with tanshinone the cancer cell proliferation indices were measured by Brdu Labeling and immuno-histochemical stain of PCNA. The Brdu labeling rates of human hepatic carcinoma and leukemia cells treated with tanshinone were 8.95% and 19.01%, which were lower than those of controls (28.0%, 25.57%) respectively (P < 0.01), PCNA positive rates were 57.0% and 30.32%, which were significantly lower than those of controls (74.3%, 47.05%) (P < 0.01). The results indicate that Brdu labeling and PCNA detection may have important utility in the studies of tumor cell proliferation and the relative factors affecting the cell proliferation. The inhibitory effect of tanshinone on cancer cell proliferation might be associated with inhibiting DNA synthesis, PCNA expression and activity of DNA polymerase delta of the tumor cells.


Background: Nowadays the molecular methods widely use for rapid identification of Mycobacterium other than tuberculosis (MOTT). The Mycobacterium simiae isolates are cause of majority of human pulmonary diseases compared with other atypical mycobacteria. As sensitivity of primers and digestion patterns for diversified fragments is different, this survey evaluated the three various fragments using the PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PRA) for rapid diagnostic of M. simiae isolates. Patients and methods: Strains that were identified as M. simiae (17 isolates) by phenotypic (photochromogen and positive niacin) methods were selected for this study. The fragments of the 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer and hsp65 gene were amplified by PCR. Subsequently the amplicons were digested with three restriction enzyme namely AvaII, HphI and HpaII for a 644bp region of hsp65 DNAs, BstEII and HaeIII endonucleases for 439bp region of hsp65 gene (TB11 and TB12 fragment) and HaeIII digestion for 225bp region of 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer. Results: Of 962 culture positive specimens, 17(1.7%) were identified as M. simiae species; majority of them were multidrug-resistance (12; 70.5%). The overall detection rate by Tb11, Tb12 and SP primers were 82.3% whereas hsp65 primer was 100% (p>0.005). We also found out that the HpaII and HphI enzymes were more specific to distinguish M. simiae species than other restriction enzyme used in this study. Conclusion: The high discriminative power of hsp65 pattern particularly HpaII digestion, provide an exact and costeffective method for rapid identification of M. simiae strains among registered pulmonary cases.


Starting with the release of Half-Life 2 in November 2004, Valve has been shipping games based upon its Source game engine. Other Valve titles using this engine include Counter-Strike: Source, Lost Coast, Day of Defeat: Source and the recent Half-Life 2: Episode 1. At the time that Half-Life 2 shipped, the key innovation of the Source engine's rendering system was a novel world lighting system called Radiosity Normal Mapping. This technique uses a novel basis to economically combine the soft realistic


: Objectives: Paralysis or vocal cord paresis due to iatrogenic recurrent laryngeal nerve damage (RLNI) is one of the major problems in thyroid surgery. Although many procedures have been introduced to prevent nerve damage, the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy ranges between 1.5–14%. The purpose of this study is to assess the risk factors for recurrent laryngeal nerve injury during thyroid surgery. Place and Duration: In the Surgical department of Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi for two years duration from May 2018 to April 2020. Methods: Patients who underwent thyroid surgery were admitted to the surgical unit were qualified for retrospective review. Factors predisposing to recurrent laryngeal nerve damage, such as pathology of the lesions and type of surgery, and identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve intra-operatively were assessed. All patients underwent pre-operative and postoperative indirect laryngoscopic examinations. Results: 340 patients were included in the study. Transient unilateral problems with the vocal cords occurred in 11 (3.2%) cases and in 1 (0.3%) cases permanent (after Rt hemithyroidectomy). Bilateral problems with the vocal cords occurred in 2 cases (0.58%), but none became permanent. There was a significant increase in recurrent laryngeal nerve damage during secondary surgery (21.7% in secondary vs. 2.8% in primary, p=0.001), total/near total thyroidectomy (7.2% in total vs. 1.9% in subtotal, p=0.024), non-identification of RLN during surgery (7.6% in non- identification vs. 2.6% in identification, p=0.039) and in malignant disease (12.8% in malignant vs. 2.9% in benign, p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference in the frequency of recurrent laryngeal nerve damage in relation to sex (4.1% in men vs 3.8% in women, p = 0.849). Conclusion: The current study showed that thyroid cancer, recurrent goiter surgery, lack of RLN identification and total thyroidectomy were associated with a significantly increased risk of surgical recurrent laryngeal nerve damage.


Salmonellosis in people is a costly disease, much of it occurring because of food associated exposure. We develop a farm-to-fork model which estimates the pork associated Salmonella risk and human health costs. This analysis focuses on the components of the pork production chain up to the point of producing a chilled pork carcass. Sensitivity and scenario analysis show that changes that occur in Salmonella status during processing are substantially more important for human health risk and have a higher benefit/cost ratio for application of strategies that control Salmonella compared with on-farm strategies.


Critical current densities (Jc) in YBa2Cu3O7−x films made at deposition rates from 0.1 to 14.5 nm/s (∼50 μm/h) were measured using a direct transport method. As the deposition rate was increased by two orders of magnitude, the films exhibited no marked degradation in current carrying capability with Jc of ∼4×106 A/cm2 at 77 K and zero field. Jc for all the films showed similar behavior under a magnetic field up to 8 T, although extra structural defects were found in the films deposited at the higher rates. The results from this experiment indicate the feasibility for coating wires, tapes, and other macroscopic shapes with high Tc superconductors using proper vapor deposition techniques.


have a good prognosis at early stages, but for recurrent or metastatic EC the prognosis remains poor. EC treatments are related to known prognostic factors included in ESMO-ESGOESTRO risk classes classification, but they are not sufficient to predict outcomes or recurrence rate of early stages. To improve patient clinical management and allow personalized therapy a better characterization of risk classes in EC is needed. To fill this gap, we investigated EC immune escape processes, customized on the knowledge of maternal-fetal interface immune mechanisms, since the two processes share common pathways. Methodology This has been addressed by the identification of potential shared immune-based signatures between maternalfetal interface and EC, such as those linked to lectin-type oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX-1) and NALP3 inflammasome, in order to achieve a potential immune score implementation to better characterize EC risk classes. The immunohistochemical assessment of LOX-1 and NALP3 was performed on formalinfixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) endometrial tissues. Result(s)* 41 patients divided in 3 groups were enrolled: healthy endometrial tissue, endometrial hyperplasia and EC. We detected an increased expression of LOX-1, by immunohistochemistry (IHC), within the endometrial carcinoma tissues, a lower expression in cases of hyperplasia, to arrive to an absent staining in the healthy endometrial tissue (*p< 0.05, *Kruskal-Wallis followed by Mann-Whitney test). This grading is inverted in NALP3, which expression appears to be lower in EC (*p< 0.05). A proportional relationship between LOX-1 and NALP3 expression was demonstrated (p=0.006, Spearman test, confirmed through a linear regression test): increasing the expression of LOX-1, NALP3 decreases. Conclusion* An increased LOX-1 and a decreased NALP3 expression seems be associated with EC progression. To identify patients at risk of developing EC from pre-cancerous lesions, by searching potential immune prognostic factors, such as LOX-1 and NALP3 on endometrial biopsy, could redefy the actual EC risk classes through a potential 'immune score' creation. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to define EC transcriptome immune-based signature. Furthermore, pathways detected by deciphering the immune changes linked to EC progression, could be potential target for immunotherapy.


Multiplex detection techniques are emerging within the fields of life science research and medical diagnostics where it is mandatory to analyze a great number of molecules. The detection techniques need to be highly efficient but often involve complicated and expensive fabrication procedures. Here, we present the immobilization and geometric separation of fluorescence-labeled microbeads for a multiplex detection in k levels. A compound of differently sized target molecules (DNA, proteins) is channeled into the respective detection levels by making use of a hydrogel as a size selective filter. The immobilized microbeads (10-20 μm) are considerably larger than the pores of the hydrogel network and therefore stay fixed at the well bottom and in higher elevations, respectively. Small biomolecules can diffuse through the pores of the network, whereas medium-sized biomolecules pass slower and large molecules will be excluded. Besides filtering, this method discriminates the used microbeads into k levels and thereby introduces a geometric multiplexity. Additionally, the exclusion of large entities enables the simultaneous detection of two target molecules, which exhibit the same affinity interaction. The hydrogel is formed through the combination of two macromonomers. One component is a homobifunctional polyethylene glycol linker, carrying a strained alkyne (PEG-BCN) and the second component is the azide-functionalized dendritic polyglycerol (dPG-N3). They react via the bioorthogonal strain-promoted azide alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC). The hydrogel creates a solution-like environment for the diffusion of the investigated biomolecules all the while providing a stable, bioinert, and surface bound network.


In the present article, a summary and analysis of literature published in Mexico on the removal and burial of dung by dung beetles, a primary function that represents an ecosystem service of great importance for livestock production, is presented. Studies from distinct ecosystems are examined, emphasizing the findings in livestock pastures with active grazing in several different states of Mexico. In addition, the unpublished results of the authors obtained in pastures across an altitudinal gradient in central Veracruz are presented for a dung exposure time of 24 hours. No significant differences were found in species richness among sites. However, differences were found in the dung removal rate; higher values were found at the sites with higher elevation and lower values at sites with lower elevation. The species with the highest biomass included the 3 largest species and small but very abundant species. Nocturnal tunnelers reincorporated the largest quantity of dung over the first 24 hours; in contrast, rollers only removed dung at the lowest areas of the gradient (< 250 m asl). However, much more information is still required regarding the capacity of the different functional groups and dung beetle species for dung burial in the livestock production zones of Mexico.


Interviews are an important part of investigations, as the information obtained from interviewees generates leads and evidence. However, for several psychological reasons, even cooperative victims and witnesses do not spontaneously report all the information they know, and their accounts may incorporate errors. Furthermore, suspects often deliberately withhold information or may attempt to mislead the interviewer. First, known psychological factors promote complete and accurate reports by cooperative witnesses and victims. Such factors relate to the social dynamics between the witness and interviewer (e.g., developing rapport), the interviewee's and the interviewer's cognitive processes, and communication between the witness and interviewer. Empirical research examines interviewing techniques that incorporate these interviewing principles. Second, some suspects may be reluctant to volunteer information. Typically, two interview styles encourage suspects to talk: An information-gathering style seeks to establish rapport with interviewees and uses open-ended exploratory questions to elicit information and establish guilt. An accusatorial style uses closed-ended confirmatory questions to elicit confessions. The former approach performs better at eliciting accurate information and true confessions. In any interview, the ability to detect truth from deceit is important. Many lie detection techniques are based on listening to speech or observing behavior, but only some discriminate between truth and deceit.


Because of its role in preserving DNA/RNA stability, there is an increasing number of studies addressing the relationship between Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) expression and cancer. However, the disparity in FUS/FUS oncogenic vs. tumor-suppressive roles may be attributed to the complex molecular pathways associated with FUS regulation in different cancer types, and its role in cervical carcinogenesis remains largely unexplored. Methods: We determined FUS protein expression in specimens of 61 patients with advanced cervical cancer. Long-term (> 10 years) clinical follow-up data for these patients were available, and we determined disease-free, cancer-related and overall survival as related to FUS expression. Results: There were no significant associations between FUS expression and patients' age, tumor grade, and acute/late toxicity events related to treatment (either radiation alone or chemoradiation). However, multivariate Cox regression analysis for disease-free survival (recurrence), overall survival (death) and cancer-related survival showed that patients with high average FUS expression fared significantly better than their counterparts with low average FUS expression, both in terms of disease-free survival (HR = 0.31; 95%CI 0.12 to 0.77; p = 0.01) and cancer-related survival (HR = 0.41; 95%CI 0.17 to 0.98; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Our study shows that high FUS protein expression in advanced cervical cancer specimens is a potent harbinger of better prognosis, and can as such be used in clinical practice to help characterize patients and, possibly, plan treatment and follow-up strategies.


Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by plants are essential indicators of their physiological response to environmental conditions. But evidence of natural variation in VOC emissions and their contributing factors is still limited, especially for non-cultivated species. Here we explored the natural volatile emissions of Dracophyllum subulatum Hook.f., an endemic shrub to the North Island Central Plateau of New Zealand, and determined some environmental factors driving the plant's emissions. Volatile emissions of D. subulatum were measured on four separate occasions from December 2017 to September 2018 using the "push-pull" headspace sampling technique and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). D. subulatum was classified based on the volatiles measured on each sampling occasion using linear discriminant analysis (LDA). On each sampling occasion, we also recorded and compared ambient air temperature, herbivory damage, total soil nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and soil moisture content. The relationship between environmental variables that differed significantly between sampling occasions and volatile emissions were estimated using generalized linear models (GLMs). Based on VOCs measured on each sampling occasion, we were able to distinguish different chemical profiles. Overall, we found that total emission and the relative proportions of all major chemical classes released by D. subulatum were significantly higher during summer. The GLMs reveal that differences in environmental factors between the four sampling occasions are highly associated with changing emissions. Higher temperatures in summer had a consistently strong positive relationship with emissions, while the impacts of soil moisture content, P and K were variable and depended on the chemical class. These results are discussed, particularly how high temperature (warming) may shape volatile emissions and plants' ecology.


The effect of pulp flow recirculation on energy efficiency and pulp properties development in low consistency refining of TMP has been studied. Trials were made with TwinFlo 58 refiners in two mills in Sweden. The refiners were operated at constant specific refining energy but different flow conditions. No effect of recirculation was seen on refining energy efficiency, pulp quality or fibre wall delamination/internal fibrillation. At high degree of recirculation though, a somewhat larger fibre length reduction was seen. This means that a large degree of recirculation can be used to attain a high specific energy in one stage low consistency refining, without significant negative effects on fibre properties. If a high specific energy input is desirable, it is more cost effective to install one large refiner with recirculation compared to several small without recirculation in series. When recirculation was increased by means of increased flow through the refiner, the outlet pressure dropped. The lower pressure drop over the refiner probably decreased the internal recirculation between rotor and stator, which could explain the observation that there was little effect on fibre development by recirculation. This means that at certain conditions the distribution in fibre treatment might not increase so much when the outer recirculation is increased, since the internal recirculation might be reduced simultaneously.


Abstract. Using a well-established magnetospheric very-low-frequency (VLF) ray tracing method, in this work we trace the propagation of individual rising- and falling-frequency elements of VLF chorus from their generation point in the equatorial region of the magnetosphere through to at least one reflection at the lower-hybrid resonance point. Unlike recent work by Bortnik and co-workers, whose emphasis was on demonstrating that magnetospheric hiss has its origins in chorus, we here track the motion in the equatorial plane of the whole chorus element, paying particular regard to movement across field lines, rotation, and compression or expansion of the wave pulse. With a generation point for rising chorus at the equator, it was found the element wave pulse remained largely field aligned in the generation region. However, for a falling tone generation point at 4000 km upstream from the equator, by the time the pulse crosses the equator the wavefield had substantial obliquity, displacement, and compression, which has substantial implications for the theory of falling chorus generation.


Recently, in forest areas of Gyeonggi-Do where golf courses are developed indiscriminately due to the rapid increase in demand, two and three golf courses are being concentrated and combined to develop and it`s occurring lots of problems. This study therefore, aims to examine their problems and propose environment-friendly improvements of combined development, by analyzing laws related to golf course`s location and the current location status. The results of this study are as followings; Firstly, when analyzing related laws, it was found that unified standards should be established in relation to regulation of the external conditions of golf course sites and individual index. Secondly, standards of a proper separated distance are needed, when developing golf courses. Thirdly, we need to preferentially preserve areas where should be protected environmentally, and establish criteria approving golf courses built close to the boundary of a buffer area only, by introducing the concepts of a buffer area based on the UNESCO MAB. Lastly, we have to set up criteria considering Network elements for maintaining the connectivity of the ecosystem.


This volume explores the reversing language shift (RLS) theory in the Mexican scenario from various viewpoints: The sociohistorical perspective delves into the dynamics of power that emerged in the Mexican colony as a result of the presence of Spanish. It examines the processes of external and internal Indianization affecting the early European protagonists and the varied dimensions of language shift and maintenance of the Mexican colonial period. The Mexican case sheds light upon language contact from the time in which Western civilization came into contact with the Mesoamerican peoples, for the encounter began with a demographic catastrophe that motivated a recovery mission. While the recovery of Mexican indigenous languages (MIL) was remarkable, RLS ended after fifty years of abundant productivity in MIL. Since then, the slow process of recovery is related to demographic changes, socioreligious movements, rebellion, confrontation, and survival strategies that have fostered language maintenance with bilingualism and language shift with culture preservation. The causes of the Chiapas uprising are analyzed in connection with the language attitudes of the indigenous peoples, while language policy is discussed in reference to the new Law of Linguistic Rights of the Indigenous Peoples (2003). A quantitative classification of the MIL is offered with an overview of their geographic distribution, trends of macrosocietal bilingualism, use in the home domain, and permanence in the original Mesoamerican settlements. Innovative models of bilingual education are presented along with relevant data on several communities and the philosophies and methodologies justifying the programs. A model of Mazahua language use is presented along the Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale.