The current study aimed to explore active metabolites of locally recognized and high yielding cultivar cluster bean (BR-99) with a wide range of adaptability having antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic potential. Six solvents were used (crude methanol, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and aqueous) with escalating polarity for colorimetric determination of antioxidants such as total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), and free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) by DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Moreover, an antidiabetic and anticancer study was conducted by α-amylase inhibition and MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay. Biological investigations were carried out against the most commonly found infectious microbial strains. The significant results (P ≤ .001) of each activity were seen among six tested solvent extracts. The ethyl acetate and methanol extract have more antioxidant potential with the highest TPC (16.38 ± .13 mg GAE/g) and TFC (8.15 ± .24 mg CE/g), respectively. Similarly, methanol extract presented the highest free radical scavenging activity (46.31 ± .91%), followed by ethyl acetate, butanol, chloroform, aqueous, and n-hexane extract. However, the maximum α-amylase inhibition (62.54 ± 1.47%) and anticancer activity against human lung cancer cells were congregated (78.31 ± 1.46%) in butanol and chloroform, respectively. A positive correlation was seen between TPC with TFC (R2= .8356), FRSA (R2= .8381), and anti-diabetic activity (R2= .8082), which highlights the phenolic contents as strong anti-oxidant agents especially flavonoids. Each extract of cluster bean (BR-99) showed significant antimicrobial activities for all tested bacterial strains except B. cereus and E. coli. The profound results of maximum antibacterial activity were witnessed by chloroform extract while ethyl acetate extracts showed great antifungal potential against all tested fungal strains. The HPLC quantitative analysis results of cluster bean (BR-99) revealed the presence of active phytochemicals such as gallic acid, HB acid, vanillic acid, kaempferol, sinapic acid, ferulic acid, salicylic acid, coumarins, quercetin, rutin, p-coumaric acid, and catechin, and the variation in both phytochemical and biological spectrums envisioned the cluster bean (BR-99) used in future as a cheap, safer, and potent source of bioactive drugs.


This paper deals with the analysis and the visualization of large graphs. Our interest in such a subject-matter is related to the fact that graphs are convenient widespread data structures. Indeed, this type of data can be encountered in a growing number of concrete problems: Web, information retrieval, social networks, biological interaction networks... Furthermore, the size of these graphs becomes increasingly large as the progression of the means for data gathering and storage steadily strengthens. This calls for new methods in graph analysis and visualization which are now important and dynamic research fields at the interface of many disciplines such as mathematics, statistics, computer science and sociology. In this paper, we propose a method for graphs representation and visualization based on a prior clustering of the vertices. Newman and Girvan (2004) points out that "reducing [the] level of complexity [of a network] to one that can be interpreted readily by the human eye, will be invaluable in helping us to understand the large-scale structure of these new network data": we rely on this assumption to use a priori a clustering of the vertices as a preliminary step for simplifying the representation of the graphs - as a whole. The clustering phase consists in optimizing a quality measure specifically suitable for the research of dense groups in graphs. This quality measure is the modularity and expresses the "distance" to a null model in which the graph edges do not depend on the clustering. The modularity has shown its relevance in solving the problem of uncovering dense groups in a graph. Optimization of the modularity is done through a stochastic simulated annealing algorithm. The visualization/representation phase, as such, is based on a force-directed algorithm described in Truong et al. (2007). After giving a short introduction to the problem and detailing the vertices clustering and representation algorithms, the paper will introduce and discuss two applications from the social network field.


More than half of the global population uses rice as the fundamental staple food; therefore, it is one of the most popular crops in the world. However, it is susceptible to salt stress, particularly among monocot crops, which reduces rice cultivation yield and threatens global food security. is research investigates the role of some factors, including amino acids, antioxidant enzymes, and sugars, in the response to the salinity stress of three contrasting rice cultivars, Dai om 8 (salt-sensitive), OC 10 (moderately salt-tolerant), and OM 9577 (salt-tolerant) in the seedling stage. e salt-tolerant varieties exhibited remarkable differ-ences in physiological and biochemical traits, including enhancement of growth capacity, reduction of cell membrane damage via lowering lipid peroxidation, minimization of ROS generation, enhancement of free radical scavenging activity, and SOD, POD, and CAT enzyme activities. Additionally, the study analyzed the presence of 13 sugars using GC–MS and found that all three rice cultivars shared seven common sugars in similar quantities. However, OM 9577 had a higher content of the other six sugars compared to OC 10 and Dai om 8. It is one of the important biochemical factors responsible for the difference in the response mechanism to NaCl stress among rice varieties, specifically lyxofuranose (3.268%), a-D-xylopyranose (5.727%), mannopyranose (12.86%), α-D-glucopyranose (6.399%), β-D-glucopyranose (5.509%), and D-arabinose (1.512%). Furthermore, the quantification of 20 amino acids through HPLC-DAD revealed that the salt-tolerant rice cultivars had higher concentrations of 11 amino acids than the salt-sensitive ones, including proline, isoleucine, serine, ornithine, histidine, glutamic acid, asparagine, alpha-alanine, aspartic acid, glutamine, and valine. ese findings provide promising biochemical indicators for selecting salt-tolerant rice cultivars or improving existing varieties through traditional hybridization or gene transfer methods. Understanding these responses can significantly contribute to enhancing rice cultivation and ensuring food security in regions facing salinity challenges.


Recently, a five‐year trial period without a set timetable for compulsory school education in 79 municipalities was concluded in Sweden. The overall idea of the trial was to facilitate local participation, local time governance and flexible learning. Within the pilot trial, each individual pupil's school activities were supposed to be designed to suit his/her needs, interests and prerequisites. This article examines how teachers, principals and students describe students' schoolwork as being located in the intersection between school/home, work/leisure, time/task and individual/collective spheres. Three empirical studies indicate that the essential part of new temporal habits of school concerns a reconstructed task orientation. Time has been taken into the service of tasks and clock‐time is not always a taken for granted regulator in educational settings. Potential disadvantages with a more task‐oriented education are also discussed.


While recent literature focuses on drug promiscuity, the characterization of promiscuous binding sites (ability to bind several ligands) remains to be explored. Here, we present a proteochemometric modeling approach to analyze diverse ligands and corresponding multiple binding sub‐pockets associated with one promiscuous binding site to characterize protein‐ligand recognition. We analyze both geometrical and physicochemical profile correspondences. This approach was applied to examine the well‐studied druggable urokinase catalytic domain inhibitor binding site, which results in a large number of complex structures bound to various ligands. This approach emphasizes the importance of jointly characterizing pocket and ligand spaces to explore the impact of ligand diversity on sub‐pocket properties and to establish their main profile correspondences. This work supports an interest in mining available 3D holo structures associated with a promiscuous binding site to explore its main protein‐ligand recognition tendency.


SETTING
Nationwide study in Japan.

OBJECTIVE
To identify the clinical characteristics of and risk factors for tuberculosis (TB) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving adalimumab.

DESIGN
A post hoc case-control study involving 7755 RA patients evaluated in an all-case post-marketing surveillance of adalimumab from 18 June 2008 to 20 January 2011 and spontaneous report of TB during adalimumab treatment.

RESULTS
The analysis included 22 TB cases and 7733 non-TB controls. Despite the high frequency of extra-pulmonary TB (17/22, 77.3%), all 22 TB cases had pulmonary signs or symptoms. Of patients enrolled in all-case post-marketing surveillance, there were relatively high percentages of patients who had latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) at baseline. The percentage of patients who received prophylaxis was about six times higher in patients with LTBI than those without. Of those patients who received prophylaxis, none developed TB after treatment with adalimumab. Multivariate (non-matched and age-matched) and propensity score analyses identified age ⩾65 years (OR 4.59, 95%CI 1.52-13.89, P = 0.0070), moderate to severe RA (OR 4.61, 95%CI 1.07-20.00, P = 0.0408], past or current renal dysfunction (OR 4.65, 95%CI 1.47-14.71, P = 0.0089) and diabetes mellitus (OR 3.30, 95%CI 1.31-8.26, P = 0.0110) as potential risk factors for TB.

CONCLUSION
Screening, prophylaxis and monitoring for TB are essential to ensure the safety of adalimumab treatment.


Stochastic gradient descent in continuous time (SGDCT) provides a computationally efficient method for the statistical learning of continuous-time models, which are widely used in science, engineering, and finance. The SGDCT algorithm follows a (noisy) descent direction along a continuous stream of data. The parameter updates occur in continuous time and satisfy a stochastic differential equation. This paper analyzes the asymptotic convergence rate of the SGDCT algorithm by proving a central limit theorem (CLT) for strongly convex objective functions and, under slightly stronger conditions, for non-convex objective functions as well. An Lp convergence rate is also proven for the algorithm in the strongly convex case. The mathematical analysis lies at the intersection of stochastic analysis and statistical learning.


In elite sport the amount of physical activity requires a professional athlete to have a stable energy balance when the energy intake (EI) is equal to energy expenditure (EE). Its maintenance provides high performance across the phases of the training cycle. The purpose of this research was to analyze the compliance of EI to EE among skiers during the preparation phase of the training cycle. Material and methods. The single-centre, prospective, longitudinal, full-design, noncontrolled study has been performed on 55 highly trained cross-country skiers (mean age 20.1±4.7 years) during the preparation phase of the training cycle. EI was estimated by a 24-hour dietary recall. EE was estimated at rest and during physical activity by indirect calorimetry using the Oxycon Pro system. Results. During the preparation phase dietary calorie intake in skiers (3191±961 kcal/ day), estimated excluding sports drink consumption during the training, was lower approximately by 40% than the reference norms for people engaged in intensive physical activity. At the same time, there was 1.3-fold excess of fats in the diet against the background of low consumption of carbohydrates. Our results showed that in 75% of athletes the measured rest energy expenditure (REE) was higher than the calculated REE by 20% and amounted to 2139±363 kcal/day. Total EE during the preparation phase, calculated by application of Physical Activity Level (PAL) coefficient equal 2.4 (according FAO/ WHO/UNU recommendations), was 5137±873 kcal/day (73.9±12.3 kcal/kg per day). In most cases registered total EE was more than 5000 kcal/day, in other words, total EE exceeded the energy value of the daily diet and thus required the increase of EI. In addition, in our study we observed an increase of carbohydrate contribution to the total EE during high-intensity exercise. Conclusion. The discrepancy between dietary calories and daily EE among the elite athletes was revealed. An imbalance between carbohydrates and fats was identified in the diet, and that did not provide the optimal expenses of macronutrients during highintensity exercise.


In modern rugby, the spine is subjected to great physical pressure, with an increased number of impacts, on both the cervical and the lumbar spine. This case report illustrates overuse injuries of the lumbar spine in international professional rugby players. A 32-year-old sportsman had been practising rugby for 24 years and was playing for a championship level French team when he started suffering from a right lateral pain in the lumbosacral spine. A CT scan showed a unilateral isthmolysis and a coronal irregular fracture of the right pars interarticularis of L5. This led to discussion of (1) the importance of the decision on the date of return to playing rugby and (2) the future of professional rugby players with chronic spinal injuries.


Fifteen patients with micrognathia and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are presented. All patients were evaluated before and after surgery by physical examinations, cephalometric, fibroptic pharyngoscopy and oxygen saturation (SaO2). A method that allows isolated advancement of the genial tubercle and genioglossus muscle is described. The operation could enlarge the pharyngeal airway space at the base of the tongue (P < 0.05), increase SaO2 and decrease MP-H (P < 0.05) so that the symptoms of OSAS improved or disappeared. The facial symmetry and chin prominence also improved significantly. This method is simple and effective for the treatment of OSAS due to micrognathia and obviates the need for intermaxillary fixation. But it is not indicated for patients with severe malocclusion or airway obstruction on more than one sites.


We show an improved ping − pong protocol which is based on the protocol showed by Kim Bostrom and Timo Felbinger [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 187902 (2002)]. We show that our protocol is asymptotically secure key distribution and quasisecure direct communication using a mixed state. This protocol can be carried out with great efficiency and speed with today's technology, e.g. single photon source and linear optical elements technology.


The characteristics of a dielectric probe for scanning near-field millimeter wave microscopy are presented in this paper. The dielectric probe was fabricated from Teflon and shaped like a cone. The beam profile of the millimeter-wave radiated from the tip of the Teflon probe was measured by three-dimensional scanning using a different Teflon probe. The 93.5 GHz millimeter wave was focused on the tip of the probe at the wavelength level, and the millimeter-wave power was found to decrease exponentially with distance from the tip, the same as a near-field wave.


We describe a 7-year-boy with severe prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, skeletal changes, normal intellect, and unusual facial appearance. The skeletal changes are suggestive of osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (OPD II). He is the first patient of this kind from the Indian subcontinent and the 18th to be reported, based on a literature search (MEDLINE; 1982 to April 1997). He also represents the first case of OPD-II with normal intellect but delayed central nervous system myelination.


The article examines issues of political manipulation from the linguistic point of view. Diversified review of studies of the phenomenon of political manipulation was accomplished and the role of means of language in the process of manipulation was described. It is postulated that manipulation inherently belongs to the people`s speech and in particular to the speech of the politicians. In this respect, it is deemed to be wrong to study manipulation in an exclusively negative light. The focus of the research is the effect of the manipulatory impact and this interest is predetermined by the emphasis on the linguo-pragmatic aspects of communication.

Political discourse is characterized by manipulative features in order to conduct a propaganda conflict, which is achieved using various linguistic units and methods, such as nominalization, euphemisms, precedent phenomena. The political discourse of the media has a huge impact on the formation of public opinion, which is done with the help of the above tools of speech manipulation.

The article examines the features of manipulative technologies of political discourse. The severity of the problem of the manipulative potential of speech is determined by direct communication between the institutionalized addressee and the mass addressee, which takes place in the political discourse of the media. A brief analysis of the types of manipulation depending on the nature of information transformations is given, which determines the presence of specific features of the language of politics, as well as the use of special tools that contribute to the implementation of the main functions of political discourse.

According to the author, the media are forming a new political reality in which manipulation technologies become a key instrument of political behaviour of the masses.


This study aimed at investigating the relationship between teaching moral education in school as far as learning content is concerned and pupilsrsquo behaviour. The hypothesis which guided this study was ldquothere is a significant relationship between learning content related to moral education and pupilsrsquo behaviorrdquo. Through a survey design where 50 teachers randomly selected from 11 primary schools in Santa sub-division, the findings revealed that the correlation between learning content, and pupilsrsquo behavior was significant. The study confirmed also that if most pupils showed a disruptive behavior, it was because most teachers did not involve children in activities that permitted them to develop life skills and competences.


This paper describes a new wavelet-based denoising algorithm based on a non-stationary noise assumption. Even though stationary noise models can simplify the development and implementation of denoising algorithms, they do not always accurately describe the statistical properties of the noise. The proposed algorithm has been developed to address signal processing problems under environments where the noise is spatially varying. We illustrate two signal denoising examples in order to show the performance of the proposed algorithm.


This paper presents the basic production parameters of seven broiler farms with a capacity of 6,000 birds per round in the Banja Luka region, obtained by analysis of production records of 70 rounds, achieved in 2013-2014. Methods of descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance and correlation analysis were used. Average values of production parameters were as follows (M±SD): day-old chick weight 43.04±2.63 g; fattening duration 38.91±2.55 days; final chick weight 2.13±0.24 kg; feed conversion ratio 1.80±0.07; total mortality rate 4.07±1.95%, and European production efficiency factor 291.14±22.50. Significant differences were found for average total mortality rate among broiler farms and feed conversion ratio between production years (p0.05). Fattening duration was in positive correlation with feed conversion ratio (0.76, p0.01), final chick weight (0.90, p0.01), but in negative with EPEF (-0.28, p0.05). Comparable production performances could be related to uniform the technology and similar requirements of meat industry, although comprehensive research is suggested for reliable evaluation of broiler farm productivity in the Banja Luka region.


OBJECTIVE
T lymphocytes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Patients with myeloperoxidase (MPO) antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) experience relapses less frequently than those with proteinase 3 ANCA, suggesting greater immune regulation. This study was undertaken to investigate MPO-specific T cell reactivity during disease remission and the factors regulating their responsiveness.

METHODS
MPO-specific T cells were quantified by enzyme-linked immunospot assay with additional Treg cell depletion or exogenous interleukin-2. Serum tryptophan and its metabolites were measured. In vivo blockade of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) was performed, and its effect on MPO reactivity was assessed.

RESULTS
During disease remission, MPO-specific interferon-gamma-producing T cell frequencies were comparable with those found in healthy controls and significantly lower than those found in patients with acute disease. CD4+CD25+ regulatory cells did not play a role in maintaining these low MPO-specific T cell frequencies, since depletion of Treg cells did not augment MPO-specific responses, and FoxP3 levels were diminished in patients compared with controls. Treg cell function, however, was comparable in patients and controls, suggesting numerical rather than functional deficiency. We found diminished serum tryptophan levels and elevated levels of its metabolite kynurenine in patients with MPO AAV as compared with controls. To confirm the effect of tryptophan degradation on MPO responses in vivo, we inhibited degradation in MPO-immunized WKY rats and found greater immune responsiveness to MPO and a tendency to more severe glomerulonephritis.

CONCLUSION
Our findings indicate that MPO-specific T cell frequencies are regulated during disease remission in association with tryptophan degradation. The tryptophan regulatory pathway is induced during active disease and persists during disease remission.


Simulation and role play as techniques of teaching have been studied and believed to be effective for teaching speaking. In speaking class, students' interest and motivation were also improved as effect of the techniques.This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of simulation and role-play as techniques of teaching speaking to the students with different levels of motivation. The design of this research was quasi-experimental study with 2 X 2 factorial designs. The independent variables were simulation and role play technique while dependent variable was students' speaking ability. The data were gathered through a test, questionnaire, observation, and informal interview with teachers and students. Then, I analyzed the result from questionnaire and speaking test using t-test and ANOVA.The results of this study showed that simulation technique to teach speaking to the students with high and low motivation (80.8 and 65) and role-play technique is (71.9 and 70.9). Mean score of simulation technique was higher than role-play technique and and the total mean of the students with high motivation was higher than the students with low motivation. However, both of techniques were effective to students with high and low motivation. The value of sig. of techniques and motivation was 0.00. It meant that sig.value was lower than 0.05. It indicated that there was significant difference between techniques and students' motivation to teach speaking. In other words, speaking techniques were able to improve students' speaking competence and those correlated directly with the level of students' motivation.Based on the result of the study, it can be inferred that students were getting advantages of using simulation and role-play techniques to teach speaking. The students' score was significantly increased. they were also indirectly motivated to speak English and they gradually forgot the negative feeling such as shyness and lack of confidence


Customer value has become the key to achieve customer satisfaction and loyalty in the future by the
international air courier industry. The main purpose of this article was to apply the fuzzy analytic hierarchy
process (AHP) method to study the key customer value factors for international air courier service providers
based upon Taiwanese customers' perspective. At first, a hierarchical structure with four assessment aspects
and twenty assessment factors was constructed. Then, the proposed fuzzy AHP method was to employ to
measure the relative weights via the AHP experts' questionnaires for customer value factors. Finally, the
empirical results showed that: (1) 'time' is the highest assessment aspect for customer value; and (2) the top six
key customer value factors for international air courier service providers are 'inland transit time at both ends of
the warehouse and the airport,' 'lower administrative processing time,' 'warehouse processing and handling
time,' 'high accuracy,' 'fast turnover rate,' and 'high safety.' Furthermore, the first six factors are mainly
distributed in 'time' and 'quality' value metrics. Hence, the international air courier industry should strengthen
the related factors of 'time' and 'quality' value metrics, in order to provide customers with higher customer
value.


Eight-dimensional (8D) transition-state wave packet simulations have been performed on two latest potential energy surfaces (PES), the Zhou-Fu-Wang-Collins-Zhang (ZFWCZ) PES [Y. Zhou, B. Fu, C. Wang, M. A. Collins, and D. H. Zhang, J. Chem. Phys. 134, 064323 (2011)] and the Xu-Chen-Zhang (XCZ)-neural networks (NN) PES [X. Xu, J. Chen, and D. H. Zhang, Chin. J. Chem. Phys. 27, 373 (2014)]. Reaction rate constants for both the H+CH4 reaction and the H2+CH3 reaction are calculated. Simulations of the H+CH4 reaction based on the XCZ-NN PES show that the ZFWCZ PES predicts rate constants with reasonable high accuracy for low temperatures while leads to slightly lower results for high temperatures, in line with the distribution of interpolation error associated with the ZFWCZ PES. The 8D H+CH4 rate constants derived on the ZFWCZ PES compare well with full-dimensional 12D results based on the equivalent m-ZFWCZ PES, with a maximum relative difference of no more than 20%. Additionally, very good agreement is shown by comparing the 8D XCZ-NN rate constants with the 12D results obtained on the ZFWCZ-WM PES, after considering the difference in static barrier height between these two PESs. The reaction rate constants calculated for the H2+CH3 reaction are found to be in good consistency with experimental observations.


In tort law negligence is the vital element of liability. Despite the fact that Gradation of negligence is not stated as a general rule in Iranian civil law, in the future laws and regulations, Including civil liability law, maritime law and others, it has been noted on several conditions. There have been some categories of negligence that it has been grouped under certain topics. Here we'll go deeply through these groupings and the well- reviewed categories of mentioned titles. Thus in this article we will review the examples of rating of fault in Iranian Legal system as well as some comparisons of Iranian legal system with other notable and major systems in the world. Maintain the importance of grouping negligence in the legal systems; we maintain the most important jurists' ideas as well as doctrine in the scope of this research.


Objective To examine the combined effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation-resistance training (NMES-RT) and functional electrical stimulation-lower extremity cycling (FES-LEC) compared to passive movement training (PMT) and FES-LEC in adults with SCI on (1) oxygen uptake (VO2), insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal in adults with SCI; (2) Metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers; (3) skeletal muscle, intramuscular fat (IMF) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) cross-sectional areas (CSAs). Materials and methods Thirty-three participants with chronic SCI (AIS A-C) were randomized to 24 weeks of NMES-RT + FES or PMT + FES. The NMES-RT + FES group underwent 12 weeks of evoked surface NMES-RT using ankle weights followed by an additional 12 weeks of progressive FES-LEC. The control group, PMT + FES performed 12 weeks of passive leg extension movements followed by an additional 12 weeks of FES-LEC. Measurements were performed at baseline (BL; week 0), post-intervention 1 (P1; week 13) and post-intervention 2 (P2; week 25) and included FES-VO2 measurements, insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness using the intravenous glucose tolerance test; anthropometrics and whole and regional body composition assessment using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and magnetic resonance imaging to measure muscle, IMF and VAT CSAs. Results Twenty-seven participants completed both phases of the study. NMES-RT + FES group showed a trend of a greater VO2 peak in P1 [p = 0.08; but not in P2 (p = 0.25)] compared to PMT + FES. There was a time effect of both groups in leg VO2 peak. Neither intervention elicited significant changes in insulin, glucose, or inflammatory biomarkers. There were modest changes in leg lean mass following PMT + FES group. Robust hypertrophy of whole thigh muscle CSA, absolute thigh muscle CSA and knee extensor CSA were noted in the NMES-RT + FES group compared to PMT + FES at P1. PMT + FES resulted in muscle hypertrophy at P2. NMES-RT + FES resulted in a decrease in total VAT CSA at P1. Conclusion NMES-RT yielded a greater peak leg VO2 and decrease in total VAT compared to PMT. The addition of 12 weeks of FES-LEC in both groups modestly impacted leg VO2 peak. The addition of FES-LEC to NMES-RT did not yield additional increases in muscle CSA, suggesting a ceiling effect on signaling pathways following NMES-RT. Clinical trial registration identifier NCT02660073.


Emphasizing the contributions of Matthew Lipman and Gareth Matthews, Chapter 1 examines the P4C movement, which promotes the idea that both children and children's literature have philosophical tendencies. For P4C, to think philosophically means to think both critically and creatively. This vision of philosophy aligns with a similar understanding of theory. P4C got its start in the United States and has since spread to other countries and continents. At one point there were reportedly 5,000 P4C programs in the United States alone. P4C is enjoying a recent resurgence and continues to be influential worldwide. Chapter 1 examines the evolving use of children's literature in P4C, as a way of understanding the mutualities of children's literature and philosophy. P4C has helped to establish children's literature as philosophical and ethical engagement, linking it with progressive education and children's rights. It promises also to keep philosophy fresh for practitioners and the larger public. Contemporary PwC (philosophy with children) gives priority to the use of picturebooks.


To obtain non-stoichiometric titanium dioxide, TiO2 powder was sintered in a graphite die by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructure and the crystal type of the compacts were examined. Thermoelectric properties of the compacts were measured and discussed. The results revealed that TiO2 could be easy to be reduced in the graphite die by SPS to obtain non-stoichiometric titanium dioxide, TiO2¹x with uniform composition distribution. Electrical resistivity of the compacts decreased with increase of SPS temperature. Seebeck coefficient also decreased with increase of SPS temperature, but kept large absolute values over 300µV·K ¹1 . Therefore, the compacts fabricated by SPS showed relatively high thermoelectric performance. The power factor reached 5 © 10 ¹5 Wm ¹1 K ¹2 at 523K. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.E-M2012808]


Final results are presented of an experiment to study the interactions of cosmic ray neutrinos deep underground, at a depth of 7.6 x 105 g cm-2 (standard rock). Clear examples have been recorded of neutrino-induced muons, including cases of upward moving particles and neutrino interactions within the detector assembly itself. The observed rate of events is compared with expectation and conclusions are made about the variation of the inelastic cross-section with energy and the lower limit to the mass of the intermediate boson. An examination has also been made of the celestial coordinates of the detected neutrinos and details are presented.


The Institute of Environmental Management at the University of Miskolc, as a major Hungarian research entity in groundwater management, is dedicated to finding solutions to regional issues of global sustainable water resource management challenges, thus further developing its scope of groundwater management competence. WELLaHEAD is an EU-funded fundamental research program coordinated by the faculty members of the institute, covering a broad spectrum of relevant groundwater related research topics based on Northern Hungarian test sites. The research concept is described in the detailed Research Plan of the project, and after 14 project months some of intermediate results can be presented from three research modules.


The Noise Transfer Function (NTF) of ΔΣ modulators is typically designed after the features of the input signal. We suggest that in many applications, and notably those involving D/D and D/A conversion or actuation, the NTF should instead be shaped after the properties of the output/reconstruction filter. To this aim, we propose a framework for optimal design based on the Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov (KYP) lemma and semi-definite programming. Some examples illustrate how in practical cases the proposed strategy can outperform more standard approaches.


Christopher Isherwood's A Single Man is set in California in the early 1960s and follows a day in the life of the gay protagonist George, who finds it necessary to keep his sexuality hidden due to the widespread intolerance of homosexuals. The purpose of this essay is to examine how Isherwood draws parallels between different misfit groups to shed light on the situation of homosexuals at a time when homosexual acts were still illegal in California. The essay will consider not only the more familiar correlation between discrimination against homosexuals and ethnic minorities, but also the alienation from heteronormative society that can affect individuals of all genders and sexualities. Using the ideas of queer theory and intersectionality, I will compare the similarities between George's situation as a gay man and that of his ethnically diverse college students and of his friend, the divorcee Charlotte, and the exclusion from society which they all experience in one way or another.


A proposal as to how to combine animal welfare with other goals using an ethical account for livestock farming is presented. The purpose of an ethical account is to report on the consequences of individual events and routine methods on the farm for all affected parties, and to ensure that the farmer is conscious of his ethical priorities. A procedure for an annual account is presented and the concepts involved in it are explained. Welfare assessment involves information from four sources: the system, the system's application, animal behaviour and animal health. Welfare assessment is an aid for operational management as well as for strategic planning. This ethical account was developed in collaboration with twenty livestock farms over a period of three years. In the course of its evaluation farmers were interviewed by a social scientist who was not directly involved in the project. It was concluded from these interviews that the implementation of welfare assessment, in this way, in the ethical account was a success.


The pollution of waterbodies and the environment by the petroleum industry is of particular concern in Nigeria. This problem can be addressed by the application of a constructed wetland (CW) which is a naturebased system that is simple to construct, has low operational and maintenance costs in terms of supply of energy and periodic maintenance. The application of CWs in Nigeria for polishing of petroleum refinery wastewater is an unprecedented research. This PhD thesis focused on some specific objectives which were characterization of treated secondary refinery wastewater, design, construction, operation and monitoring of planted (T. latifolia, C. alternifolius and C. dactylon) and unplanted vertical subsurface flow, horizontal subsurface flow and hybrid CWs for the removal of suspended solids, nutrients,heavy metals, organic matter and organic pollutants. The CWs effectively treated the petroleum contaminated wastewater to effluent compliance limits. In this study, T. latifolia planted CWs had consistently higher removal efficiencies for all the measured parameters than C. alternifolius and C. dactylon planted CW systems. Therefore, in order to improve the wastewater quality discharged by the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) and meet the stringent guidelines as well as protect the recipient streams, installation of CWs at the effluent discharge point of KRPC is strongly recommended.


This article describes the stabilization/solidification (S/S) of a steel industry waste, using a common type-F fly ash from a coal power station as the main binder. The waste, which contains hazardous levels of metals, may be stabilized by a conventional S/S to achieve permissible Pb, Cd, and Zn concentrations in the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) leachates of S/S solids. On the other hand, the stabilization of Cr(VI), also present in the waste, requires a reducing pretreatment stage with ferrous sulfate to attain TCLP leachates within limits. A bibliographic study on the stabilization of Cr(VI)-containing wastes is included in the paper, along with a discussion on the lowest Cr concentration in TCLP and aqueous (DIN) leachates.


DEAD-Box Helicase 3 X-Linked (DDX3X) is essential for RNA metabolism and participates in various cellular processes involving RNA. DDX3X has been implicated in cancer growth and metastasis. DDX3X is involved in antiviral responses for viral RNAs and contributes to pro- or anti-microbial responses. A better understanding of how human cells regulate innate immune response against the viral "non-self" double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) and endogenous viral-like "self" dsRNAs is critical to understanding innate immune sensing, anti-microbial immunity, inflammation, immune cell homeostasis, and developing novel therapeutics for infectious, immune-mediated diseases, and cancer. DDX3X has known for activating the viral dsRNA-sensing pathway and innate immunity. However, accumulating research reveals a more complex role of DDX3X in regulating dsRNA-mediated signaling in cells. Here, we discuss the role of DDX3X in viral dsRNA- or endogenous dsRNA-mediated immune signaling pathways.


Fourier domain mode locked (FDML) lasers are excellent tunable laser sources for frequency domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) systems due to their combination of high sweep rates, large tuning ranges, and high output powers. However, conventional FDML lasers provide coherence lengths of only 4-10 mm, limiting their use in demanding applications such as intravascular OCT where coherence lengths of >20 mm are required for optimal imaging of large blood vessels. Furthermore, like most swept lasers, conventional FDML lasers produce only one useable sweep direction per tunable filter drive cycle, halving the effective sweep rate of the laser compared to the filter drive frequency. Here, we demonstrate a new class of FDML laser incorporating broadband dispersion compensation near 1310 nm. Elimination of chromatic dispersion in the FDML cavity results in the generation of forward (short to long wavelength) and backward (long to short wavelength) sweeps with substantially identical properties and coherence lengths of >21 mm. This advance enables long-range, high-speed FD-OCT imaging without the need for optical buffering stages, significantly reducing laser cost and complexity.


Abstract. The estimation of the precipitable water vapour content ( W ) with high
temporal and spatial resolution is of great interest to both meteorological
and climatological studies. Several methodologies based on remote sensing
techniques have been recently developed in order to obtain accurate and
frequent measurements of this atmospheric parameter. Among them, the relative
low cost and easy deployment of sun–sky radiometers, or sun photometers,
operating in several international networks, allowed the development of
automatic estimations of  W from these instruments with high temporal
resolution. However, the great problem of this methodology is the estimation
of the sun-photometric calibration parameters. The objective of this paper is
to validate a new methodology based on the hypothesis that the calibration
parameters characterizing the atmospheric transmittance at 940 nm are
dependent on vertical profiles of temperature, air pressure and moisture
typical of each measurement site. To obtain the calibration parameters some
simultaneously seasonal measurements of  W , from independent sources, taken
over a large range of solar zenith angle and covering a wide range of  W ,
are needed. In this work yearly GNSS/GPS datasets were used for obtaining a
table of photometric calibration constants and the methodology was applied
and validated in three European ESR-SKYNET network sites, characterized by
different atmospheric and climatic conditions: Rome, Valencia and Aosta.
Results were validated against the GNSS/GPS and AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET)
 W  estimations. In both the validations the agreement was very
high, with a percentage RMSD of about 6, 13 and 8 % in the case of
GPS intercomparison at Rome, Aosta and Valencia, respectively, and of 8 %
in the case of AERONET comparison in Valencia. Analysing the results by W  classes, the present methodology was found to
clearly improve W  estimation at low W  content when compared against AERONET in
terms of % bias, bringing the agreement with the GPS (considered the
reference one) from a % bias of 5.76 to 0.52.


Introduction:

 Globally the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children is increasing. For effective population level dietary intervention comprehensive packages, including policy action across food environments, food supply chains and behaviour change communication are required to ensure that it is easy for both adults and children to make healthy food choices. The World Health Organization has called on governments to implement recommendations on the marketing of foods and beverages to children. Public support of government intervention is likely to influence government action in this area: thus this study aimed to explore public attitudes to government intervention in the area of unhealthy food marketing to children and related matters.

 Methods:
 Data for this study were collected using a computer-assisted telephone interview. Households were randomly selected and the person aged ≥18 years with the most recent birthday was selected for interview. Respondents were asked to report their agreement on a five point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree on questions relating to the role of government in: regulating food advertising to children, educating parents on healthy eating, and in requiring manufacturers to make food healthier, and their opinion on current food advertising practices. Data are presented as the proportion of respondents who agreed/strongly agreed with each statement.

 Results:
 A total of 3911 adults responded to this survey (2008: n=1910, 2011: n=2001) and overall there was high agreement with most survey statements: 87.0% of respondents strongly agreed/agreed that governments should regulate the way food or drink is marketed to children; 92.9% strongly agreed/agreed that governments should help educate families on healthy eating; 85.7% strongly agreed/agreed that governments should require manufacturers to make children's food healthier; and 75.9% strongly agreed/agreed that there is too much advertising of unhealthy food during children's television viewing time. When asked how governments should intervene, 60.8% of respondents strongly agreed/agreed on a total ban on advertising unhealthy foods and 86.4% strongly agreed/agreed on a ban on advertising of unhealthy food at times when children watch television.

 Conclusions:

 The results of this study demonstrate that there is high public support for governments to intervene to decrease unhealthy food marketing to children. Despite this, governments have been reluctant to act and more effort is needed to harness public opinion to influence and inform policy development.


The ambition of this issue of Portal is to reach across the methodological boundaries of history, politics, literature and geography to apply their complementary perspectives to the study of identity and its relation to space and place, an aim that involves attempting to identify the many different ways the notoriously slippery concepts of identity and geography may intersect. For this issue we have selected articles that cast a fresh perspective on two areas where identity and geography intersect: the construction of identity through the imaginative recreation of place in literature: Mapping Literary Spaces; and the study of the shifting relationships of centre and periphery, exclusion and inclusion in urban settings and geopolitical confrontations: Social and Political Peripheries. Gerard Toal has written that geography is not a noun but a verb: it does not describe what space is but studies what we do with space, imaginatively and politically. The articles in this issue illustrate the exercise of the literary and political imagination and the role of materiality and memory in the creation of geographic representation. They show too a new awareness of the centrality of space in the constitution of identities, and the need for a new geocritical reading of its discourse, as the interrelations of place and community are played out on the many scales of social and political life, from the local to the global. The special issue is organised thus: Introduction Matthew Graves (Aix-Marseille University) & Liz Rechniewski (Sydney University): "Imagining Geographies, Mapping Identities." I. Mapping Literary Spaces - Isabelle Avila (University of Paris XIII), "Les Cartes de l'Afrique au XIXe siecle et Joseph Conrad : Perceptions d'une Revolution Cartographique." - Daniela Rogobete (University of Craiova), "Global vs Glocal: Dimensions of the post-1981 Indian English Novel." II. Social and Political Peripheries - Elizabeth Rechniewski (Sydney University), "The Perils of Proximity: The Geopolitical Underpinnings of Australian views of New Caledonia in the 19 th Century." - Annie Ousset-Krief (Paris III), "Le Yiddishland newyorkais." - Carolyn Stott (Sydney University), "Belleville: Space, Place and Identity." - Esme Cleall (University of Sheffield), "Silencing Deafness: Marginalising Disability in the 19th century."


Purpose: Compare differences in serum and follicular �uid thyroid hormone levels in euthyroid versus levothyroxine-replaced women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Methods: Prospective cohort study involving 46 euthyroid (anti-TPO antibody negative) and 16 levothyroxine-replaced women with baseline TSH < 2.5 mIU/L attending a university-based reproductive medical centre. TSH, free T3 and T4 measurements (serum and follicular �uid) were measured at various time points across controlled ovarian stimulation and numbers of mature oocytes retrieved, fertilisation and pregnancy rates were compared between groups. Results: Median TSH levels were similar at baseline, 1.76 vs 1.24 mIU/L (p=0.053), but free T3 levels were lower (4.5 vs 4.8 pmol/L, p=0.029) in levothyroxine-replaced compared with euthyroid (anti-TPO antibody) women. Serum TSH levels in levothyroxine-replaced women increased across controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (p=0.006) and remained signi�cantly higher than baseline (p=0.030) at pregnancy testing. Follicular �uid free T3 levels were lower in levothyroxine-replaced (median 4.3 vs 4.6 pmol/L, p=0.032) and fertilisation rates fewer (52% vs 71%, p=0.043). Numbers of mature oocytes retrieved, early pregnancy loss and live birth rates did not differ. Conclusion: Levothyroxine women, with baseline TSH levels < 2.5 mIU/L, have lower serum and follicular �uid free T3 levels and poorer fertilisation rates than euthyroid women undergoing a cycle of controlled ovarian stimulation.


Ball bearing is one of the most easily damaged parts of rotating machinery. Envelope demodulation technique is one of the most effective methods for ball bearing early fault diagnosis. However, in the process of using the resonance demodulation technique, it is difficult to determine the resonant band which contains side band of bearing components failure characteristics. In order to resolve the issue, this paper proposes a method of automatic selection of band-pass filter enter frequency, which is based on envelope spectral kurtosis. Experimental result shows that the proposed method can be used to indicate the best band to demodulate for envelope analysis and achieves adaptive fault diagnosis of ball bearing.


In ten normal subjects the effect of propranolol on serum gastrin concentration and HC1 secretion during insulin hypoglycemia (0.2 U/kg) was studied. Under the influence of propranolol (50 mug/kg intravenously in 3 min) the gastrin response to insulin was abolished. The insulin-induced HC1 secretion was reduced by propranolol from 38 to 18 mEq/2h (p less than 0.01). These results are compatible with the hypothesis of beta-adrenergic stimulation on serum gastrin concentration and HC1 secretion during insulin hypoglycemia.


Rats are rodent that harm to human life and able to adabt to the environment including port area. The increasing flow of passanger and goods through seaport need to be awareagainst the transmision of rodent borne disease in port area. The purpose is to assess the density of rat and ectoparasites in Cilacap seaport wich includes port of Tanjung Intan and fishing port of Cilacap (PPSC). The reserch was done in February 2014. This was a descriptive research used survey method with cross sectional approach. A single live trap mounted in the perimeter and buffer area with grilled coconut bait for four consecutive days.The result of the research at port of Tanjung Intan obtained species Rattus tanezumi (45%), R. norvegicus (38%) and Suncus murinus (17%). In PPSC obtained species Rattus tanezumi (37%), R. norvegicus (47%), R. norvegicus javanus (2%), Mus musculus (1%), Bandicota indica (2%) and Suncus murinus (11%). The relative density rats on Tanjung Intan is 6,6% and PPSC 13%. A kind of ectoparasites obtained in both location identified as flea of  Xenopsylla cheopis, lice of Hoplopleura oenomidis and mites of Echinolelaps echinidnus and Laelaps nuttalli. The flea index of X. cheopis on port of Tanjung Intan is 1,5 and on PPSC 1,9. Mite index in port of Tanjung Intan higher(1,05) than PPSC (0,35). Lice infestement in port of Tanjung Intan (1,9%) lower than PPSC (17,2%). The conclusion is port of Cilacap need to be alert to the possible spread of rodent and vector borne disease related to the density of rat and the ectoparasites. Rodent control in PPSC and port of Tanjung Intan need to be done.


In the era of Web 2.0, the development of information communication technologies (ICTs) promotes consumer–company and consumer–consumer interactions. The prosperity of social networking sites (SNSs) is a fine illustration, which not only promotes people's communication but also drives social advertising. Product selling and brand information diffusion are equally important for a company. Therefore, this study investigates how social advertising promotes consumers' brand purchase intention and brand content-sharing intention. That is, entertainment-oriented brand content characteristics affect the attitude toward brand content and then promote brand purchase intention and brand content-sharing intention. An empirical study will be done to examine the research hypotheses. There will also be a discussion about academic and practical implications corresponding to the study findings as well as future research directions.


Human vulnerability to floods may be generated from human interaction with the environment. This interaction could result in an event that causes harm to humans by surpassing household and community resistance and resilience. This study sought to examine how decreasing access to and deteriorating conditions of key assets has increased human vulnerability to floods in the Savannah. The main aim of the study was to demonstrate how demographic characteristics of people affect their ability to access key assets to cope with floods. Two towns in the Savannah region which have been identified as highly vulnerable to flooding due to their history of floods were selected. Data collected and analysed
for the study was both qualitative and quantitative and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. The chi square test was used to determine relationship between variables. The results of the analysis showed that most of the respondents lacked access to key assets. Lack of access to these key assets affects their ability to anticipate, resist and recover from floods. At both study areas the most vulnerable groups were females and the aged. The study showed that respondents in the rural area were more vulnerable to floods than those at the urban centre. The study concludes that, to establish effective programs to reduce human vulnerability to environmental hazards, there is the need to understand how demographic characteristics affect ability to access key assets and influences level of vulnerability.


We consider the construction of an internet site for students of technical university. We use the construction and management of the site program JOOMLA. The site can contain the materials for the students, results of an exam and so on.


In this article we define an encoding for parabolic permutations that distinguishes between parabolic $231$-avoiding permutations. We prove that the componentwise order on these codes realizes the parabolic Tamari lattice, and conclude a direct and simple proof that the parabolic Tamari lattice is isomorphic to a certain $\nu$-Tamari lattice, with an explicit bijection. Furthermore, we prove that this bijection is closely related to the map $\Theta$ used when the lattice isomorphism was first proved in (Ceballos, Fang and Mühle, 2020), settling an open problem therein.


Exploring complex social contagion, especially the social reinforcement dynamics when exposing to multiple sources, is of vital importance for understanding the spread of complicated collective behaviors nowadays. While previous works exclusively focus on single-layer networks, the detailed impacts of multilayer reinforcement which characterizes the promoting effects among multiple social circles remain largely unknown. To this end, we incorporate multilayer reinforcement into ignorant-spreader-ignorant (SIS) model on multiplex networks. Our theoretical analysis combines pairwise method and mean-field theory and agrees well with large-scale simulations. Surprisingly, we find this complex social contagion mechanism triggers the emergence of bistability phenomena, where extinction and outbreak states coexist. Further, we show that the final state of bistable regions depends on the initial density of adopters, the critical value of which decreases as the contagion transmissibility or the multilayer reinforcement increases. In particular, we highlight two possible conditions for the outbreak of social contagion: to possess large contagion transmissibility, or to possess large initial density of adopters with strong multilayer reinforcement. Our results show the powerful and non-negligible impacts of complex dynamical mechanisms, which provides valuable insights toward the spreading behaviors in the digital age.


The contribution of human capital to the survival of libraries cannot be underestimated, this necessitates their regular training and development for increased performance. The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which human capital development in the Sam Jonah Library improves performance of staff. The qualitative method was used, where interview was used to solicit information from senior management. Six out of the eight senior management members were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data from the interviews conducted. The findings of the study showed that though there were training programmes organized in the library and outside the library, they were not adequate for the number of staff who required training. It was also found out that some staff had training in other fields other than library related programmes. Further, there was no improvement in the performance of staff who received training especially those who undertook professional library studies. Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, it is recommended among others that the library should regularly measure the performance of trained staff in order to identify gaps in their skills which will enable the library to design relevant training programmes to boost staff performance. The Library should also develop and document a training policy to be used as a guide to training so as to select programmes that will be constructive to all staff from all sections of the library.


Water Storage tanks have proved to be effective for runoff control in drainage systems. Standard design procedures follow an event-based approach: a single flood at a time is considered and tank is assumed completely empty at the beginning of its filling. The possibility of pre-filling from previous events is then neglected and underestimation of storage volume can occur. In this paper an analytical probabilistic approach to estimate the probability of pre-filling is presented and effects due to outflow rate and storage volume are investigated. Derived formulas are validated by their application to a case study.


The subject of this paper is the stand taken by the European Union towards the complex and decades-long Kosovo issue viewed from an international ethical perspective. The author is trying to prove that the issue, such as it is, represents a continuity of an inconsistent attitude of most European states towards the Serbian state territorial issue, which attitude has been persisting for two decades. The stand taken by the author is that by acquiescing to the formation and stabilization of a newly-created state in the Serbian territory, the European Union has actually assumed the role of a medium of overseas attempts at attaining as painlessly as possible the goal of the secession of Kosovo, which territory has been proclaimed of special American national interest and hence, of a legitimate influence. During the process, it was also the unreserved choice of Serbia for a "European future" after October 5, 2000 that was taken into account. In the conclusion of this paper, the author points to possible consequences that the method of resolving this important state territorial issue could have on the stability of the Western Balkans in near or remote future.


The unique properties of optical vortex beams, in particular their spiral wavefront, have resulted in the emergence of a wide range of unique applications for this type of laser output. These applications include optical tweezing, free space optical communications, microfabrication, environmental optics, and astrophysics. However, much like the laser in its infancy, the adaptation of this type of laser output requires a diversity of wavelengths. We report on recent progress on development of optical vortex laser sources and in particular, focus on their wavelength extension, where nonlinear optical processes have been used to generate vortex laser beams with wavelengths which span the ultraviolet to infrared. We show that nonlinear optical conversion can be used to not only diversify the output wavelength of these sources, but can be used to uniquely engineer the wavefront and spatial properties of the laser output.


Foreign direct investment (FDI) -which is the investment of foreign assets into domestic structures, equipment, and organization- is a type of durable investment unlike foreign investment into the stock markets that leaves suddenly when the economy faces any challenge. FDI is also considered to be a significant source of economic development by increasing employment, productivity, and constituting a bridge for skill and technology transfers. Developing countries differ from each other in benefiting from and attracting FDI. Despite its potential, Turkey is not one of them that crucially succeed in inflows of FDI. The objective of this study is to figure out the determinants of foreign direct investment in Turkey. In order to undertake it, we performed an econometric model based in time series data analysis for the period of 1988-2012.


This attachment expands on the general description of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) presented in the Introduction to the Nevada Test Site Environmental Report 2008 (National Security Technologies, LLC [NSTec], 2009a). Included are subsections that summarize the site's geological, hydrological, climatological, and ecological setting. The cultural resources of the NTS are also presented. The subsections are meant to aid the reader in understanding the complex physical and biological environment of the NTS. An adequate knowledge of the site's environment is necessary to assess the environmental impacts of new projects, design and implement environmental monitoring activities for current site operations, and assess the impacts of site operations on the public residing in the vicinity of the NTS. The NTS environment contributes to several key features of the site that afford protection to the inhabitants of adjacent areas from potential exposure to radioactivity or other contaminants resulting from NTS operations. These key features include the general remote location of the NTS, restricted access, extended wind transport times, the great depths to slow-moving groundwater, little or no surface water, and low population density. This attachment complements the annual summary of monitoring program activities and dose assessments presented in the main body of this report.


BACKGROUND Many patients obtain medical information from the Internet. Inaccurate information affects patient care and perceptions. OBJECTIVE To assess the accuracy and completeness of information regarding Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) on the Internet. METHODS Prospective cross‐sectional Internet‐based study reviewing 30 consecutive organic results from three U.S. urban areas on "Mohs surgery" using Google. Text was assessed using a consensus‐derived rating scale that quantified necessary and additional or supplementary information about MMS, as well as wrong information. Websites were classified according to type of sponsor. RESULTS Ninety‐one percent of sites conveyed basic information about MMS. There was variation in the mean amount of additional information items (range 0–9) according to website type: 8.4, medical societies; 6.7, academic practices; 5.9, web‐based medical information resources; 4.7, private practices; and 4.4, other (p < .001). Cumulatively, academic practices and professional societies (mean 7.42) provided more additional information than private practices and web‐based sources (mean 5.11, p < .001). There were no differences based on geographic location. Wrong items included misspelling Mohs (10%), indicating that only plastic surgeons could reconstruct (7%), and noting MMS was never cost‐effective (7%). CONCLUSIONS High‐ranking websites provide basic information about MMS. Academic practice and professional society sites provide more‐comprehensive information, but private practice sites and web‐based medical information sources also provide additional information.


Background Chronic cough is a common symptom in primary care. There appears to be significant variation in investigation and empirical treatment prior to referral on to secondary care. We looked at; a) Investigation/treatment undertaken prior to referral to secondary care and b) a survey of how GPs manage cough. Method The study consisted of; a) Retrospective review of referrals (January 2012-January 2013) to a secondary care cough clinic and b) an online questionnaire on cough distributed to colleagues in primary care. Results Of the primary care referrals, 47/58 casenotes were available (mean age was 59(27–84), 63% female). Only 4/47(8.7%) were current smokers. Median duration of symptoms at referral was 7 months (2–420), 35/47(74.5%) had a chest X-Ray prior to referral, 18/47(39.1%) spirometry, 3/47 had used ACE inhibitors. Most investigations performed prior to referral were normal. Empirical treatment attempted included; antireflux therapy 23/47(50%), inhaled corticosteroids 12/47(26.1%) and nasal steroids 9/47(19.6%). Various other treatments were used (including cough suppressants, antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists and antibiotics) in 22/47(46%). Only 16/51(31%) of questionnaire respondents were aware of published cough guidelines. Most respondents were aware of the definition of chronic cough (37/51(72.5%)). When asked to list the 3 commonest causes of chronic cough, asthma was identified by 33 (64.7%), GORD by 38 (74.5%) and rhinitis/post-nasal drip by 20 (39.2%). Treatments most commonly initiated included acid suppression (PPI's) 33/51(64.7%), nasal spray 18/51(35.3%) and inhaled steroids 4/51(7.8%). The majority of patients do not get referred on to secondary care; 34/51(66.6%) of respondents estimate they refer less than 10% of cases. Referral was usually triggered by the following factors - unclear diagnosis, failed treatment, patient concern or abnormal tests. Conclusions Many patients are referred on to secondary care without basic investigations and appropriate trials of recommended therapy. Knowledge of chronic cough in primary care is limited and most GPs are unaware of published guidelines. Increased education and awareness of cough guidelines could improve management of cough in the community. This is a topic that requires further systematic study as there is very little research in this area.


During protein synthesis, some peptidyl-tRNA molecules dissociate from the ribosomes and become hydrolysed by peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase (Pth). Two different in vitro systems, poly(U) and natural mRNA programmed ribosomes, have been used in order to determine dissociation (drop-off) rates of deacylated- and peptidyl-tRNAs from different sites on ribosomes.A direct measurement of the rates of dissociation of dipeptidyl-tRNAs from the A- and P-site of poly(U) programmed wild-type (wt), hyper-accurate (SmD and SmP, altered in ribosomal protein S12) and error-prone (ram, altered in ribosomal protein S4 or S5) ribosomes has been performed. Dipeptidyl-tRNA dissociates faster from the A-site of wt than from ram ribosomes and it dissociates faster from SmD and SmP than from wt ribosomes. The dissociation of dipeptidyl-tRNA from the P-site has an opposite behaviour compared to the A-site. Dipeptidyl-tRNA dissociates faster from the P-site of ram than from wt ribosomes and faster from wt than SmD and SmP ribosomes. Aminoglycoside antibiotics [streptomycin (Sm)and neomycin (Nm)] reduce the dissociation rate of dipeptidyl-tRNA from the A-site and increase it from the P-site for all these ribosomal variants. Remarkably, when the binding of dipeptidyl-tRNA to the A-site is weak, the affinity for the P-site is strong, and vice versa. In the absence of Sm non-cognate dipeptidyl-tRNA dissociates 150 times faster from the A-site of ram ribosomes than cognate. In the presence of Sm the rate difference is only eight fold. This suggests that Sm may distort the 16S rRNA conformation and, consequently, the codon-anticodon structure.Using a new in vitro system with heteropolymeric mRNAs has revealed that i) Initiation factors IF1 and IF2 synergistically remove short peptidyl-tRNAs from the P-site of ribosomes in a way that depends both on the length and sequence of the nascent peptide. ii) Ribosome recycling factor (RFF), elongation factor G (EF-G) and release factor 3 (RF3) stimulate dissociation of short peptidyl-tRNAs from the P-site in almost the same manner as IF1/IF2. iii) RRF, EF-G, GTP and initiation factor 3 (IF3), after termination, split the 70S ribosomes and remove deacylated tRNA from the P-site of ribosomes in a mechanism that is strictly dependent on GTP hydrolysis. In vivo experiments, showing that overexpression of RRF or simultaneous overexpression of IF1/IF2 impairs growth rate in thermosensitive pth mutant strains, are consistent with the in vitro results.


This paper presents a measurement of the technical efficiency of textile industries with 4-digit codes in China by using the cross-section data from 2002 and 2007 and a fully nonparametric stochastic frontier estimation approach. The technical efficiency of these textile industries is compared across six economic ownership types and across seven regions in China. This uncovers the effects of the proprietary characteristics and the location of a firm on its technical efficiency performance. The nonparametric estimation provides some interesting findings. First, textile production in China performs with a decreasing return to scale. The difference between the output elasticity of labor and that of capital decreases from the year 2002 to 2007. Second, the technical efficiency of the 4-digit textile industry in China is significantly contingent on its ownership and location. Privately-run textile enterprises on average perform with the highest level of technical efficiency among the six ownership types while state-owned enterprises perform with the lowest level of technical efficiency, whether or not the location dummies are accounted for. Third, the technical efficiency evaluated by regions follows the order: i°eastern area > southern area > central area > northern area,i± which remains unchanged across the two years.


Abstract The bryozoan fauna from the Bjarsjolagard Limestone in the type area is investigated. Ten species of Bryozoa are identified from samples collected at the now abandoned quarry at Bjarsjolagard, Skane and in investigated museum material from the same locality. One of these species, Batostoma scanicum, is new to science. The bryozoan fauna is naturally divided into two groups, one dominated by Batostoma scanicum and Pseudoleptotrypa podolica Astrova, and another by Saffordotaxis ludlovensis Brood and Asperopora ludlovensis Owen. These two groups appear to be typical of a marly environment where reefs are absent, since none of these communities are found on Gotland, although the species occur there.


The resurgence of visible light photocatalysis for carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) has resulted in the generation of various homogeneous and heterogeneous paradigms. Herein, a new system has been established by incorporating dual catalytic sites into porous coordination polymer toward the photocatalysis of CO2RR. A functional ligand, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4'-(terpyridinyl)phenyl]porphyrin (TTPP), has been used to assemble discrete divalent nickel ions into the coordination polymer (TTPP-Ni) through metal bis(terpyridine) nodes. Both the porphyrin and terpyridine moieties prefer to bind with nickel ions, giving rise to TTPP-Ni with dual active catalytic sites. By controlling different molar ratios of ligand and metal and the reaction temperature, four samples including TTPP-Ni-n (n = 1, 2, 3, and 4) with different molar ratios of nickel porphyrin and nickel bis(terpyridine) subunits have been fabricated. The predesigned two-dimensional chemical structures of TTPP-Ni samples have been fully characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and IR and UV-vis spectroscopies. The photocatalytic activities of these coordination polymers have been screened using [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2·6H2O as a photosensitizer together with triisopropanolamine as the sacrificial electron donor in CH3CN and H2O. Among these photocatalysts, TTPP-Ni-3 and TTPP-Ni-4 with almost saturated metal sites are able to display extraordinary photocatalytic performance including a CO generation rate of ca. 3900 μmol g-1 h-1 and 98% selectivity. The mechanism associated with dual active sites has been rationalized on the basis of theoretical simulations.


This paper presents a robust digitally programmable CMOS analogue processor designed for sensor output conditioning in embedded applications. In addition, system adaptability allows for correction of the deviations in circuit operation due to ageing, mismatch or environmental effects, lending a smart nature to the devices. In order to tune the free parameters of the system, two training strategies based on perturbative algorithms are compared. The processor performance is validated by adjusting the response of an angular position sensor and the insensitivity to parameter mismatch is demonstrated through high-level simulations based on Monte Carlo electrical simulation data.


Purpose: The recent correctional administration emphasizes not only aspects of detention-security focused on the execution of prisoners in the past but also the rehabilitation ideology through personality education. A correctional officer who must pursue these two conflicting ideologies at the same time has no choice but to feel a role conflict. Therefore, the focus of this study is to examine role conflicts based on the contradictory role expectations of "punishment ideology" and "rehabilitation ideology" required of correctional officers from the perspective of role conflicts. Method: This study is based on a survey that targeted 431 current correctional officers and the collected questionaries were analyzed by the statistics program of SPSS 22.0. For specific research methods, factor analysis, reliability analysis and correlation analysis were conducted to verify the reliability and validity of each variable. In addition, ANOVA analysis was conducted for the purpose of proving the research hypothesis to verify the differences in the correctional concepts and role conflicts by the socio-demographic characteristics of correctional officers and the differences in role conflicts according to the correctional orientation. Results: Although the punishment orientation of correctional officers differed depending on age, period of service and first department of work, the rehabilitation orientation differed only in the first department of work, this means that the first department of work was the only common link reinforcing either a punishment and rehabilitation ideology. Also, the more the punishment ideology was followed, the greater the chance that role conflict could be experienced. However, there are no difference in role conflicts according to the socio-demographic characteristics, such as gender, age, period of service, current and first department of work. Conclusion: In order to further examine role conflicts of correctional officers, various approaches such as indepth interviews and panel research will be required. It is also necessary to study various forms of organizational culture to reduce the role conflicts of correctional officers and to efficiently accept contradictory ideologies of punishment and rehabilitation simultaneously. [Keywords] Correctional Officer, Ideology of Korean Correctional Service, Punishment Ideology, Rehabilitation Ideology, Role Conflict


Bradykinin drives normal lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, induces fibroblast proliferation and activates mitogen activated protein kinase pathways (MAPK) but its effects on bronchial fibroblasts from asthmatics (HBAFb) have not been yet studied. We studied bradykinin-induced fibroblast proliferation and differentiation and the related intracellular mechanisms in HBAFb compared to normal bronchial fibroblasts (HNBFb). Bradykinin-stimulated HBAFb and HNBFb were used to assess: bradykinin B2 receptor expression by Western blot analysis; cell proliferation by [ H] thymidine incorporation; α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression/polymerization by Western blot and immunofluorescence; epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and p38 MAPK activation by immunoprecipitation and Western blot, respectively. Constitutive bradykinin B2 receptor and α-SMA expression was higher in HBAFb as compared to HNBFb. Bradykinin increased bradykinin B2 receptor expression in HBAFb. Bradykinin, via bradykinin B2 receptor, significantly increased fibroblast proliferation at lower concentration (10 M) and α-SMA expression/ polymerization at higher concentration (10 M) in both cells. Bradykinin increased ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation via bradykinin B2 receptor; EGF receptor inhibitor AG1478 and panmetalloproteinase inhibitor GM6001 blocked bradykinin-induced ERK1/2 activation but not p38 phosphorylation. Bradykinin, via bradykinin B2 receptor, induced EGF receptor phosphorylation that was suppressed by AG1478. In HBAFb AG1478, GM6001, the ERK1/2-inhibitor U0126 and the p38 inhibitor SB203580 suppressed bradykinininduced cell proliferation, but only SB203580 reduced myofibroblast differentiation. These data indicate that bradykinin is actively involved in asthmatic bronchial fibroblast proliferation and differentiation, throughMAPK pathways and EGF receptor transactivation, by which bradykinin may contribute to airway remodeling in asthma, opening new horizons for potential therapeutic implications in asthmatic patients. & 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


The 15-methyl analog of prostaglandin F2α(15-ME-PGF2α), administered in a 3-mg dose via a single vaginal suppository and supplemented at 24 hours by intramuscular injection(s) of 250 µg, successfully induced abortion in 80 of 81 patients in the midtrimester of pregnancy. The mean abortion time was 19.6 hours. Two thirds of the patients aborted after treatment with the suppository alone in a mean time of 14.6 hours; the remaining 27 patients required intramuscular injections of 15-ME-PGF2αto effect expulsion of the products of conception. Twenty-six of these 27 patients subsequently aborted in a mean total abortion time of 29.6 hours. Fifty-eight patients aborted within 24 hours of the initial prostaglandin administration, and 78 aborted by 36 hours. Parity and length of gestation did not significantly affect abortion time in this series, although the mean abortion time for parous patients and patients with gestations earlier than 17 weeks tended to be somewhat shorter than that of nulliparous patients and those with more advanced gestations. The placenta was spontaneously expelled in the majority of patients. Abortion was incomplete in 3 patients and required curettage. Uterine activity, as measured via an intraamniotic catheter in 6 patients, developed very gradually with the suppository, peaking at 3 hours after insertion, and was characterized by regular contractions with low intrauterine baseline tonus. The gastrointestinal side effects that occurred in 59% of patients who received the suppository were also most frequently observed at 3 hours after administration. In contrast the gastrointestinal disturbances elicited by intramuscular injections of the analog immediately followed the administration.


This study investigated the adverse effects of sound treatment on physiological processes of the American leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii, during several developmental stages. Larval feeding activity was analyzed by measuring feeding tunnel length. It was significantly suppressed by sound treatment (5,000 Hz, 95 dB). Sound treatment delayed the pupal period at 315 - 5,000 Hz and prevented adult emergence at 1,000 - 5,000 Hz. Female oviposition was also inhibited by the stress sound treatments. However, phototactic adult movement was not affected by sound treatment. Pupae treated with 5,000 Hz showed marked changes in protein pattems analyzed by two dimensional electrophoresis. MALDI-TOF analysis of specific protein spots indicated that trafficking protein particle complex I, triosephosphate isomerase, hypothetical protein TcasGA2_TC013388, polycystin-2, paraneoplastic neuronal antigen MAl, and tropomyosin I (isoform M) were predicted in the control insects and disappeared in the insects treated with sound. By contrast, DOCK9, cytoskeletal keratin II, and F0F1-ATP synthase beta subunit were predicted only in the sound-treated insects. Furthermore, stress sound significantly increased the susceptibility of L. trifolii to insecticides. These results suggest that physiological processes of L. trifolii are altered by sound stress, which may be exploited to develop a novel physical control tactic against L. trifolii.


A new rotor flux linkage estimator based on sliding mode control (SMC) is proposed for vector controlled induction machine (IM) to improve the performance of the flux orientation and torque control for IM. The stator current and rotor flux sliding mode estimators were constructed in stator coordinate frame. Furthermore, the adjusting parameters for SMC are optimized to improve the estimation accuracy and the choosing principle is given in the paper. Meanwhile, the stability of the SMC flux estimator is also analyzed, which verifies that the new estimator has excellent disturbance resistance to motor parameters change. The experiments show that the presented flux observer is able to deliver accurate estimation in both steady and transient state.


The postoperative anastomotic leakage is the most severe complication and the principal cause of death after resection of esophageal carcinoma. Especially, anastomosis above the aortic arch is accompanied by high incidence of anastomotic leakage usually with fatal prognosis. The authors improved the conventional method of anastomosis by using a mediastinal pleura flap to cover and suspend the anastomotic area with excellent result. From January of 1990 to April of 1995, 210 patients with esophageal carcinoma were so treated. No anastomotic leakage or stricture developed. Only one patient died of extensive myocardial infarction with an overall mortality of 0.47%. The major merit of this procedure was that the mediastinal pleura flap could cover the area of anastomosis and sustain the dragging force acting on this area, providing a better condition for the anastomosis to heal and thus reducing the possibility of anastomotic leakage.


: Background: 4 medication addicts frequently current through lifespan menacing outflow from broken diseased femoral pseudoaneurysm in emergency. Back up of private, friends also incomes remain bordering through those patients. In this research numerous measures as of modest debridement to added anatomic circumvent are described. Objective: The aim of this research was to measure consequence of ligation of outside iliac artery underneath homemade anesthesia in rapports of existence, appendage recover also viability. Methodology: Our current research remained short-term research led in Lahore General Hospital. Period of research remained 5 months as of April 2018 to June 2018. Altogether patients awarding through flow or else cracked femoral pseudoaneurysm in the period extent remained acknowledged. Weight bandage finished flow aneurysm remained finished; extensive bore peripheral IV streak/CV line remained approved; unsolidified revival remained in progress; comprehensive range antibiotics remained inoculated; appeal for plasma preparation directed in addition essential inquiries remained directed; superior agreement remained occupied. Resident Anesthesia remained vaccinated in breakwater impartial overhead aneurysm ketamine assumed their desired. Outside iliac artery remained traveled in supra inguinal location in addition ligated. Information concerning age, sex, medication of exploitation, vascular position of limb, essential for plasma transfusion throughout process, lifetime security, appendage recover remained examined. Information remained arrived in addition examined through using SPSS version 23. Results: We ligated exterior iliac vein just proximal to aneurysm in 55 patients underneath the local anesthesia. Lifetime also appendage remained protected in 45 (88.9%) patients. 10 patients (11.1%) essential overhead knee exclusion in future. Conclusion: Ligation of exterior iliac artery underneath local anesthesia in broke pseudo aneurysms remains modest besides harmless.


High levels of ammonia in grass silage have been up for discussion by Swedish advisers. One
reason is that it is more difficult for the rumen-microbes to utilise high levels of ammonia. A
low level of ammonia is also good because if the cattle can use more of the protein in the
silage, they don't need so much protein concentrate. That is very good for the economy at the
farm, and it is also good for the environmental problems caused by high levels of ammonia.
In this project, 24 samples of silage have been taken at 20 different farms in the south west of
Sweden. The samples were tested for ammonia at a laboratory, and the same samples were
also tested with the "black box method". In the laboratory analyse ammonia was defined as
percent of total nitrogen in the samples. The tested samples had a very high level of ammonia
in percent of the total nitrogen. In this project information has been collected about the ration
of fertiliser and manure and how long the grass was lying in the swath rows at the field.
One of the clearest results from these tests was that low dry matter in the silage gave the
highest level of ammonia, and that concerned both for the "blackbox-method" and for the
laboratory analyses. In Denmark they have done some tests with broadcasting the grass row,
in purpose to make the grass dry faster. These tests turned out well and gave a low level of
ammonia in the silage.


When gene flow accompanies speciation, recombination can decouple divergently selected loci and loci conferring reproductive isolation. This barrier to sympatric divergence disappears when assortative mating and disruptive selection involve the same "magic" trait. Although magic traits could be widespread, the relative importance of different types of magic traits to speciation remains unclear. Because body size frequently contributes to host adaptation and assortative mating in plant-feeding insects, we evaluated several magic trait predictions for this trait in a pair of sympatric Neodiprion sawfly species adapted to different pine hosts. A large morphological dataset revealed that sawfly adults from populations and species that use thicker-needled pines are consistently larger than those that use thinner needled-pines. Fitness data from recombinant backcross females revealed that egg size is under divergent selection between the preferred pines. Lastly, mating assays revealed strong size-assortative mating within and between species in three different crosses, with the strongest prezygotic isolation between populations that have the greatest interspecific size differences. Together, our data support body size as a magic trait in pine sawflies and possibly many other plant-feeding insects. Our work also demonstrates how intraspecific variation in morphology and ecology can cause geographic variation in the strength of prezygotic isolation.


Moringa oleifera is commonly used for feeding purposes in the African and Asian communities. Almost all parts of the plant have food interests and socio -economic importance in the agroecological region of far north Cameroon. The domestication of this Moringaceae is essential to its good management in this region. In order to select the best seeds, this study assessed the germination and initial growth depending on the position of the seeds in the pod. The seeds were obtained from 12 localities representative of the agro- ecological region. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments correspond to the eight positions in the pod and the experimental unit consisted of 30 seeds. The results show that the weight of the seed depends on its position in the pod (0.0000<0.001). The seeds of the middle part are heavier (263. 21±22.52mg) than those of the distal (214.29±0.86mg) and proximal (250.05±17.86mg) positions. Seed germination also depends on the position of the seed in the pod (p < 0.05). Position 2 seeds, from the proximal extremity, have the best germination rate (79.58 ± 4.2%).


Angiotensin–(1–7), (Ang–(1–7)), a metabolite of Ang II and /or Ang I, was infused into the renal artery (i.r.a) of anesthetized dogs in order to demonstrate its possible direct renal action. The dose administered, 15 Ìg/kg BW/min in isotonic saline (0.072 ml/kg BW/min) throughout the experiment, did not influence the systemic arterial pressure and water and sodium excretion from the contralateral noninfused kidney. Renal blood flow (RBF) was measured by an electromagnetic flowmeter, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by (exogenous) creatinine clearance. In other groups of animals, either EXP 3174, an AT–1 receptor antagonist alone (30 Ìg/kg BW/ min) or together with Ang–(1–7) (15 Ìg/kg BW/min), were infused. In the last group, the AT–2 receptor antagonist PD 123319, 10 Ìg/kg BW/min, was added to the infusion of Ang–(1–7). A small but significant decrease of RBF from 4.51±0.32 to 3.8±0.29 ml/g BW/min occurred after Ang–(1–7); this decrease was very similar when PD 123319 was added. However, an increase to 4.98±0.34 ml/g BW/min was seen after the addition of EXP 3174 to the i.r.a. infusion of Ang–(1–7); this increase was similar to the increase observed after EXP 3174 alone (5.21±0.33; p<0.02 in both cases). A very small but significant increase in GFR was seen after Ang–(1–7) + EXP 3174 or after the AT–1 blocker alone (0.64±0.049 and 0.62±0.05 vs. 0.6±0.05 ml/g BW/min in the Time Control Group, p<0.01 and 0.05, respectively). Water, sodium and urea excretion rates were increased in all groups infused with Ang–(1–7); after the combination of Ang–(1–7) + EXP 3174, all increases were higher than after every substance alone; however, statistical significance (p<0.05) was reached in sodium excretion values only. Potassium excretion rates were increased just in those groups in which EXP 3174 was present in the infusion fluid. In summary, Ang–(1–7) i.r.a. infusion in the dog is followed by increases in water, sodium and urea (but not potassium) excretion rates, highly probably of tubular origin. This effect is not completely blocked by the AT–1 – and not at all by the AT–2 receptor antagonist – thus indirectly suggesting another receptor could play a role. A small decrease in RBF disappears after EXP 3174, thus indicating an AT–1 receptor action.


Purpose

This paper looks at how participation in a community of learners can be a resource for learning and identity making (Wenger, 1998). The paper is an interpretation of the selected pedagogical scripts (learning journals) of three student teachers in an English Pedagogics module over a 13-week period in one university context in the south of Ireland. The paper highlights how participation is both a personal experience and a social process, and how the mind is a distributed force in meaning making and a socially mediated phenomenon. The paper draws attention to how sociocultural theory and the concept of participation can extend and support our understanding of learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is deductive and interpreted through an existing literature frame. In contrast to "indigenous concepts" inducted from the data the author draws on Patton's (2002) notion of "sensitizing concepts" which have their origins in social research theory and the research literature: "Sensitizing concepts give the analyst '[…] a general sense of reference' and provide 'direction along where to look' (Blumer,1996: 148). Using sensitizing concepts involves examining how the concept is manifested and given meaning in a particular setting or among a particular group of people" (p. 456). Connecting the theoretical sensitizing concepts of "participatory learning" and "identities-in-practice" to the data set of learning journals, three emblematic themes emerge: "Using cultural artefacts to generate teacher identities", "Participation as learning" and "Challenges of participatory learning".

Findings

The narrated excerpts from student English teachers' learning journals, read in the light of sociocultural theory, highlight the process of rendering an identity in participation. Student teachers have worked towards conceptual reach, emotional awareness, experiential understanding and understanding scaffolded learning practices.

Research limitations/implications

The reading of student teachers' written work in this paper is both particular and partial and aims to illuminate understandings of the practices and processes of participatory learning rather than make generalizable and validity claims. The student cohort is small and is not representative of larger classes.

Practical implications

Wenger (1998) writes that it is the experience of meaning that counts in our human endeavours and in this study the author focuses on student teachers' meaning making as they develop a professional identity through participation. Dam and Blom (2006) stress that the acquisition metaphor for knowledge is not adequate in preparing student teachers and he makes the case for a balanced coexistence with the participation metaphor. In this paper, the author focuses on the practice of participation for learning.

Social implications

Hall et al. (2014) explain that sociocultural theory has significant explanatory power for understanding and supporting learning. They claim that, particularly in Western societies, learning is often seen as individual, decontextualized and focused on discrete bodies of knowledge. They welcome the sociocultural perspective which does not divorce the individual from their context and highlight how participating with others has a powerful impact cognitively and emotionally.

Originality/value

There has been a dearth of empirical studies focusing on the process of participation in rendering an identity. In this paper, the author has theorised and explicated the process of participation and participatory learning. Participation in the practices of teaching, enriched with reflection and inquiry (Cremin, 2009), has the potential to change the pointing rituals (Sumara, 1996) of teaching and deepen the learning. Furthermore, through such activity, desired behavioural gestalts can be embodied, and the perennial theory practice divide in initial teacher education has the potential for more integration.


Muscle blood flow was studied in 28 patients after Blalock-Taussig anastomosis using the radioactive xenon clearance method. Insignificant differences in blood flow between the arms were found at rest, but there was a highly significant lowering of the peak blood flow on the operated side. Peak blood flow values in the first years after the anastomosis were close to the values in obliterative artery disease. The difference in maximum blood flow became less apparent beyond the first 5 years after the operation. A prolonged time of onset and duration of hyperemia after ischemic exercise were observed on the side of the operation. Statistically significant differences in circumference and length between the arms were measured and a lower strength of contraction of the affected hand was demonstrated. Abnormally low blood supply to muscles is thought to be responsible for the anatomical changes in the operated extremity.


Several herbal medicines were used as folk medicines for controlling breast and prostate cancer in traditional oriental medicine. To elucidate the pharmacological actions and mechanisms of action of those herbal medicines and their major components, in the present study, we investigated whether natural products including paeoniflorin, bacalein, hesperidin and oleanolic acid affect proliferations of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP)/\#945;-tubulin (MCF7-GT), and LNCaP, PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cells. The results were as follows: (1) Oleanolic acid inhibited proliferations of MCF7-GT, LNCaP, PC-3 and DU-145 cells; (2) Baicalein and hesperidin inhibited proliferations of MCF7-GT and LNCaP cells; (3) Paeoniflorin did not affect proliferations of MCF7-GT, LNCaP, PC-3 and DU-145 cells, even at 100 microM; (4) All the four natural compounds did not affect mitotic division of MCF7-GT cells. We conclude that oleanolic acid, hesperidin and baicalein do not show anti-mitotic mechanism in inhibiting proliferation of breast cancer cells and they should be investigated for the potential interaction with androgenic receptors and involvement in signaling pathway after receptor binding in prostate cancer cells. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 2701.


Studies were undertaken to characterize the daily patterns of secretion of testosterone (T), progesterone (P) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in young (3-4 months old) and old (19-20 months old) male Sprague-Dawley rats. In young rats, plasma T concentrations show dramatic daily variations with peak and nadir levels at 1130 and 2330 h, respectively. In old male rats, no such rhythmic pattern in plasma T was observed. Plasma P concentrations varied significantly in both young and old male rats, with peak levels occurring 8 h (1930 h) after the plasma T peak in young rats. Additionally, in old male rats, the daily increase in plasma P was significantly larger and was sustained for a longer period than in young rats. Plasma DHT concentrations were similar and changed little during the day in both young and old animals. In view of the known P influence on gonadal secretion, the possible significance of these age-related changes in daily patterns in plasma P and T are discussed.