Prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) is greatly significant for improving the safety and reliability of manufacturing equipment. However, in real industry, it is difficult for RUL prediction models trained on a small sample of faults to obtain satisfactory accuracy. To overcome this drawback, this paper presents a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network with transfer learning and ensemble learning and combines it with an unsupervised health indicator (HI) construction method for remaining-useful-life prediction. This study consists of the following parts: (1) utilizing the characteristics of deep belief networks and self-organizing map networks to translate raw sensor data to a synthetic HI that can effectively reflect system health; and (2) introducing transfer learning and ensemble learning to provide the required degradation mechanism for the RUL prediction model based on LSTM to improve the performance of the model. The performance of the proposed method is verified by two bearing datasets collected from experimental data, and the results show that the proposed method obtains better performance than comparable methods.


Novel bioactive, degradable polymer/glass/ceramic composite microspheres were developed using a solid-in-oil-in-water (s/o/w) emulsion solvent removal method. Modified bioactive glass (MBG) powders were encapsulated into the polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses revealed that the MBG powders were mostly embedded in the polymer matrix, and submicron-size pores were present at the surface. Immersion in simulated physiological fluid (SPF) was used to evaluate the surface reactivity of the microspheres. The polymeric surface was fully transformed into carbonated calcium hydroxyapatite (c-HA) after 3 weeks of immersion. In contrast, PLA microspheres showed no evidence of any calcium phosphate deposition. Ion concentration analyses revealed a decrease in Ca and P concentrations and an increase in Si concentration in the SPF immersed with composite microspheres during the 3-week period. The Ca and P uptake rates decreased after 2 days of incubation. This coincided with the decrease of the Si release rate. These data lend support to the suggestion that the Si released from the MBG powders present in the polymer matrix is involved in the formation of the Ca-P layer. Our results support the concept that these new bioactive, degradable composite microspheres may serve as microcarriers for synthesis of bone and other tissues in vitro and in vivo.


An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of growth, biomas yieds and nutritive value of Lablab purpureus, Centrosema pubescens and Mucuna pruriens under rain fed condition in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The field experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with the plot divided into three main plots and replicated three times measuring 5x5m with inter and intra row spacings of 0.5m. The five harvesting stages are 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 weeks, respectively. The growth in height increases with stage of growth and declined with reduction in rainfall. Higher growth were recorded in T3 (3.8 -354.8cm) followed by T2 (2.96-260.20cm) and then T1 (1.50-213.00cm) and the results were presented graphically. The result of the chemical composition of all the legumes showed that the crude protein decreases with stage of growth from weeks 6 -14 (14.40, 12.26, 10.65-10.08, 6.79, 6.49) and ADF and NDF (25.20, 32.15, 27.35-42.13, 40.33, 36.50 and 32.20, 54.45, 47.00- 51.24, 63.53, 66.33), respectively. The biomass yields were significantly different (P<0.05) for all the legumes at different harvesting stages T1 (2744.53-3186.93), T2 (2696.47- 3006.70) and T3 (2843.73-3147.63). It is therefore concluded that legumes could best be harvested between weeks 10 and 12 when the yield and quality are at levels to sustain the animals both for maintenance and production.


This article analyses the effects on key organisations responsible for immigration control and law enforcement of the UK's signing in March 2007 and ratification in December 2008 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. It shows how opportunities for organisational change and innovation arose from the 2006 crisis in the UK immigration system and also looks at how narrative constructions of the issue of human trafficking, of migration control and of public management more generally provided important frameworks for interpretation of ostensibly new and challenging issues. We show how the 2006 crisis in the immigration system caused by the 'foreign prisoners' scandal' created opportunities for adaptation of existing organisational roles and narratives and for the development of new ways of working which, in turn, prompted some innovation and change in UK responses to human trafficking.


In this paper, we focus on two-dimensional solid/fluid phononic crystal in megahertz range. The case of Ethanol rods embedded in a ceramic lattice has been computed. The plane wave expansion method is used to calculate the dispersion relations which are in good agreement with the transmitted sound pressure level spectra established by the finite element method. Results show that this structure exhibit some absolute bandgaps with suitable bandwidth. So with the help of adding suitable defects, and by introducing methyl nonafluorobutyl ether as a defect inclusion, perfect modes were obtained among bandgaps region. Also, by designing a quasi-periodic structure and with the help of coherent cavities, a distinct frequency was obtained. So, by combining a row of defect rods as a moderate waveguides and designed quasi-periodic structure, we led to the design of acoustic add/drop filter. The designed filter receives the frequencies range from f=1.47MHz to f=1.51MHz and send them in to one distinct output with high confinement and due to the quasi-periodic structure frequency f=1.498MHz is use as the add-drop frequency.


Chromitite lenses rich in the platinum-group elements (PGE) have recently been discovered in the deeper part of the mantle section of the northern part of the Oman ophiolite. In terms of stratigraphic level, there are two types of chromitite: Moho transition zone (MTZ) and mantle types. The mantle type can be further classified into two subtypes: PGE-poor and PGE-rich. Platinum-group minerals (PGM) have been mainly observed in the PGE-rich mantle chromitite and, to a lesser extent, in the PGEpoor mantle chromitite, although a few PGM grains have been detected from the MTZ chromitites. The PGM comprise four main categories in the following order of abundance: (1) sulfides [Os-rich laurite, erlichmanite and unnamed (Ir,Rh)(Ni,Cu,Fe) 2S3], (2) sulfarsenide and arsenide (irarsite–hollingworthite series, palladoarsenide), (3) alloys and native metals [Os–Ir alloy, (Cu–Pt –Fe– Ir–Rh) alloy, Pt–Fe alloy, (Ni–Ru–Os–Ir) alloy, Ir–Pt alloy, Ir–Rh alloy and native Pd metal], and (4) PGE oxide (Ru–Os–Ir oxide). Base-metal sulfides (BMS) and base-metal alloys (BMA) also are found, as inclusions in chromian spinel and interstitial matrix, mainly in the MTZ and PGE-poor mantle chromitites. The common abundance of PGE sulfides, i.e., Os-rich laurite, in the Oman chromitites is ascribed to the sulfide-undersaturated nature of the magma involved in chromitite formation. However, the sulfur fugacity was sufficiently high to produce the Os-rich laurite and, to a lesser extent, erlichmanite and Ru-poor Os–Ir al loy. The sulfur fugacity was higher in the formation of the PGE-poor mantle chromitite relative to the PGE-rich chromitite, as indicated by the presence of the unnamed Ir-rich sulfides and, to a lesser extent, BMS. The presence of PGE oxide commonly associated with fractured chromian spinel indicates that the PGE distribution in rocks can easily be modified at an early stage of serpentinization.


Early modern Italian preachers who had been condemned by the Holy Office of the Inquisition for words uttered from the pulpit were often forced to abjure the doctrinal errors contained in their sermons. In some cases the abjuration was made in public in the same venue where the heretical statements had been pronounced, supposedly so as to be heard by the same people who had already listened to the incriminated sermons. The text of the abjuration put into writing by the inquisitors was a different version of the spoken words previously uttered by the preacher in church; the defendant had to read it aloud word by word before the same people. This article considers public abjurations as an attempt to substitute the 'wrong' orality of the preachers with the 'right' orality written by religious authorities, a replacement of the original performance with a new one that would erase from the audience's mind the memory of the heretical propositions. The aim is to analyse the reasons, the nature, the consequences, and the implications of this process.


A novel approach to detect anomalies in superconducting radio-frequency cavities is presented, based on the parity space method with the goal to detect quenches and distinguish them from other anomalies. The model-based parity space method relies on analytical redundancy and generates a residual signal computed from measurable RF waveforms. The residual is a sensitive indicator of deviation from the model and provides different signatures for different types of anomalies. This new method not only helps with detecting faults, but also provides a catalogue of unique signatures, based on the detected fault. The method was experimentally verified at the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (EuXFEL). Various types of anomalies incorrectly detected as quenches by the current quench detection system are analysed using this new approach.


The anatomical and physiological premises of liver scintigraphy with radiocolloids as a useful study in patients suffering from various stages of breast cancer are analysed. A series of 111 cases is then reported. The technique was used on these cases one or more times and revealed the presence of a scintigraphic picture suggesting liver metastasis in 36% of cases (27.5% at first observation). These data proved higher than those previously reported in the literature by other workers. The technique is therefore proposed as a routine investigation in patients suffering from breast cancer.


By means of documentary and interview and methods of summarizing and induction, this paper analyzes major problems existing in Physical Education laboratory construction, namely low starting point, scanty funds, unreasonable structure of laboratory staff, low resource utilization and poor management, then strategies are put forward as suggestions to improve the adverse situation. Apart from necessary experimental equipments, materials, approaches and highly qualified personnel, a favorable environment and necessary facilities are also required. What's more, the key to lab construction lies in the recognition from leaders and support and collaboration from functional department. A lab contributes its adaptability of teaching and scientific research to emphasizing not only hardware reinforcement but the software construction like, the cultivation of teachers. Last but not least, it is effective to improve students' innovationess and hand-on skill by opening laboratory to students and merge ring those ones with overlapping functions into one interdepartmental and interdisciplinary PE lab centre.


Fibrillary glomerulonephritis is a disease from a group of glomerular diseases with organized deposits. Its etiology and pathogenesis have not been studied. The paper deals with the clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic studies of 45 patients with fibrillary glomerulonephritis. The electron microscopic study revealed the microtubule pattern of fibrils in fibrillary glomerulonephritis. Comparative immunohistochemical analysis of the protein tubulin in nephrobiopsy specimens was made in patients with fibrillary glomerulonephritis and in those diagnosed as having minimal changes.


Abstract : The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Area Studies ToolBook is an attempt to quantify a broad range of information about the twelve states which comprise the CIS. The authors of the ToolBook present and analyze this information on the leadership, system essentials, infraststructure, population, and military forces of each country in an attempt to inform the reader of some basic facts as well as draw some conclusions about the direction the states of the former Soviet Union are headed. The ToolBook employs Colonel (retired) John A. Warden' s Five Rings analysis method to examine each area for each country and presents a summary analysis section to synthesize the information presented. The implicit question the ToolBook seeks to answer is whether the CIS constitutes a threat to US interests in the near to mid-term future. To even the casual observer it would appear that political and economic upheaval have left the CIS states incapable of posing a threat even to any of their own number, let alone to anyone outside their borders. The ToolBook bears this conclusion out to a large degree with the possible exception of Russia, who as the successor to the lion's share of the military, and natural and manmade resources of the former Soviet Union, has demonstrated a proclivity toward playing first among equals within the CIS. The CIS as an organization, however, exercises only as much centralizing influence as its constituent members decide to accord it, and thus far they have not accorded it much, preferring instead to develop independently of one another and cooperating only in those areas where it suits their individual interests.


This paper is aimed at making an overview of the concepts of poverty and cultism in our contemporary society. The origin, causes, prevalent patterns, the implications on Nigerian students and the challenges posed by these concepts in our society were all x-rayed. Whereas proper and adequate funding of public schools by both the Federal and State governments, advancement of international grants and aids, promotion of "pro-poor" policies i.e., Policies that focus on the welfare of the poor masses, good governance and to increase the performance and employment rate of Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) among others were identified as measures to be adopted for curbing poverty in the Nigerian society, some techniques found to be effective strategies for combating cultism in the society also include: coercion, persuasion, mass mobilisation campaign, public renunciation among others. The author concludes that the target of the government and stakeholders in education to eradicate cultism and poverty in our society would be achieved if only the successive government do not jettison their predecessors' agenda in line with the programme, rather incorporate theirs and allow both to run concurrently in order to reach their target audience.


Cisco Systems application oriented networking (AON) product is an important network element towards building next generation service oriented intelligent information network (IIN). AON processes application-level content and moves far beyond a conventional content-aware Web switch. It creates a novel content delivery platform and allows more sophisticated load balancing schemes to be deployed in a switch among back-end servers to reduce user-perceived response time. In this paper, we investigate different scheduling techniques for an AON system to maximize overall throughput and minimize latency per message for a heterogeneous server cluster consisting of different application servers. Based on a thorough evaluation of the three existing load balancing algorithms of AON, we propose a novel message type based service adaptive scheduling algorithm that makes AON more efficient and more intelligent. Systematic performance measurements, analyses, and comparisons are conducted to demonstrate the superiority of our intelligent message scheduling technique.


Purpose
Ancient theatres and odea are one of the most significant and creative socio-cultural edutainment centres of human history that are still in use. They stood and served as huge multi-functional structures for social, religious, propaganda and political meeting space. Meanwhile, ancient theatres' sites have an intrinsic value for all people, and as a vital basis for cultural diversity, social and economic development, they should continue to be a source of information for future generations. Though, all places with ancient theatre heritage should be assessed as to their potential risk from any anthropogenic or natural process. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
The main paper's objective is to discuss mainly the anthropogenic and technical risks, vulnerability and impact issues on the ancient classical theatres. While elaborating on relevant recent studies, where the authors were involved in ERATO and ATHENA European projects for ancient theatres and odea, this paper provides a brief overview of the main aspects of the anthropogenic qualitative risks and related issues for selected classical antiquity theatres. Some relevant cases are critically presented and investigated in order to examine and clarify the main risk mitigation issues as an essential prerequisite for theatre heritage preservation and its interface with heritage reuse.

Findings
Theatre risk mitigation is an ongoing and challenging task. By preventive conservation, theatre anthropogenic qualitative risks' management can provide a framework for decision making. The needed related guidelines and recommendations that provide a systematic approach for sustainable management and planning in relation mainly to "ancient theatre compatible use" and "theatre technical risks" are analysed and presented. This is based on identification, classification and assessment of the theatre risk causes and contributing factors and their mitigation.

Originality/value
The paper also suggests a new methodological approach for the theatre anthropogenic qualitative risk assessment and mitigation management, and develop some recommendations that provide a systematic approach for theatre site managers and heritage experts to understand, assess, and mitigate risks mainly due to anthropogenic and technical threats.


Purpose Children with single-sided deafness (SSD) experience difficulty understanding speech in multisource listening situations. Case reports and retrospective studies have indicated that a cochlear implant (CI) may improve masked speech recognition in children with SSD. This prospective study was conducted to determine whether providing a CI to children with SSD supports spatial release from masking (SRM), an improvement in speech recognition associated with separating the target and masker sources. Method Twenty children with at least a moderate-to-profound hearing loss in one ear and normal hearing in the contralateral ear underwent cochlear implantation. The average age of implantation was 5.5 years (range: 3.5-12.7). After 12 months of CI use, subjects completed a sentence recognition task in multitalker masker with and without the CI. The target was presented from the front, and the masker was either colocated with the target (0°) or from the side (+90° or -90°). A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was completed to investigate SRM with and without the CI. Results Pediatric CI recipients experienced significant SRM when the masker was directed to the normal-hearing ear or to the affected ear. Conclusions The results indicate that cochlear implantation in children with SSD supports binaural skills required for speech recognition in noise. These results are consistent with improved functional communication in multisource environments, like classrooms.


The purpose of this study is to develop a prosthetic ankle joint intelligently controlled by specially designed linear MR (magneto-rheological) brake. MR fluid changes its rheology depending on the intension of an applied magnetic field. The brake using MR fluid (we call it MR brake) has a simple structure and can control its braking force with a low voltage. Prosthesis users often tumble because they don't have dorsiflexor, so that we propose putting MR brake taking the place of dorsiflexion. We hope that prosthesis users can walk more naturally and smoothly by use of developed intelligent prosthetic ankle joint with MR brake. We developed a prototype of it and evaluated it with walking experiments before. But there were some problems with the prototype in terms of hardware and experimental environments. Therefore we have developed a 2nd prototype of the intelligent prosthetic ankle joint with the MR brake, which was improved considering previous problems, and then we have carried out the walking experimental evaluation of it


Pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder is an unusual tumor that typically presents with hypertensive crises related to micturition. We report, herein, the case of a 62‐year‐old woman with bladder pheochromocytoma. The patient presented with a bladder tumor that was incidentally found by computed tomography (CT) without the triad of sustained hypertension, hematuria and postmicturitional syncope. Cystoscopy revealed a yellowish submucosal tumor in the right lateral wall of the bladder. Treatment consisted of transurethral resection in the initial diagnosis of bladder tumor. A definitive diagnosis was made postoperatively upon pathological examination. The patient has been followed up for 12 months and has shown no recurrence.


Abstract We have applied theoretical models to explain spectral energy distribution (SED) of three radio-loud broad absorption line (BAL) quasars: an extended hybrid object PG 1004+130 and two compact sources 1045+352 and 3C270.1. We calculate the emission from the very inner part of the sources which accounts for more than 90% of the observed X-ray radiation. In our analysis we consider a scenario in which the observed X-ray emission comes from the inverse-Compton (IC) scattering inside a jet and from the accretion disk corona. The compact objects 1045+352 and 3C270.1 are high-redshift quasars (z = 1.604 and 1.532 respectively), with strong radio cores. We argue that in the case of these two sources a non-thermal, inverse-Compton emission from the innermost parts of the jet can explain a large fraction of the observed X-ray emission. The large scale object PG 1004+130 with a peculiar radio morphology is a low-redshift (z = 0.24), lobe-dominated BAL quasar with a weak radio core. In this case simulated inverse-Compton X-ray emission of the jet is relatively low. However, the corona emission appears strong enough to explain the observed X-ray spectrum of this object.


Reading text or searching for key words within a historical document is a very challenging task. one of the first steps of the complete task is binarization, where we separate foreground such as text, figures and drawings from the background. Successful results of this important step in many cases can determine next steps to success or failure, therefore it is very vital to the success of the complete task of reading and analyzing the content of a document image. Generally, historical documents images are of poor quality due to their storage condition and degradation over time, which mostly cause to varying contrasts, stains, dirt and seeping ink from reverse side. In this paper, we use banks of anisotropic predefined filters in different scales and orientations to develop a binarization method for degraded documents and manuscripts. Using the fact, that handwritten strokes may follow different scales and orientations, we use predefined sets of filter banks having various scales, weights, and orientations to seek a compact set of filters and weights in order to generate different layers of foregrounds and background. Results of convolving these filters on the gray level image locally, weighted and accumulated to enhance the original image. Based on the different layers, seeds of components in the gray level image and a learning process, we present an improved binarization algorithm to separate the background from layers of foreground. Different layers of foreground which may be caused by seeping ink, degradation or other factors are also separated from the real foreground in a second phase. Promising experimental results were obtained on the DIBCO2011 , DIBCO2013 and H-DIBCO2016 data sets and a collection of images taken from real historical documents.


The superplastic behavior of adding 0.22%Sc into the Al-6Mg alloy was studied by simple superplastic pretreatment process—warm rolling and cold rolling. The optimum superplastic temperature and strain rate of the alloys were defined and satisfactory results were obtained during the superplastic deformation at 811 K and initial strain rate 0=1.67×10-3 s-1. The average elongation of Al-6Mg-0.22Sc alloys reaches to 1 125%, and the maximum elongation is 1 200%, maximum m value (strain rate sensitive index) is 0.879. But under the same condition the elongation and maximum m value for Al-6Mg alloy were only 377% and 0.595, respectively. The superplastic deforming mechanism for Al-6Mg-0.22Sc alloys was also discussed.


Third functional step in the evolution of language: recursionThis article reflects on what recursion is, how it evolved, what frame of mind lies before this linguistic feature, which brain areas are involved, and whether it is a unique feature of human language. Recursion is conceived as the third and last functional step in the evolution of language, within the framework of TELES3 (Theory of Language Evolution by Three Emergencies and Natural Selection). This theory is based in the idea that a lexical symbolic protolanguage emerged first, and later only in our species emerged modern speech. The type of recursion taken into account is the central-embedding, which recently arose as a critical point emergence that caused an epigenetic change in the previous language system, which profoundly increased its verbal working memory. Recursion is not a separate system from the rest of the artifacts that make up the distributed functional neural linguistic system. Finally, this paper analyzes the implications for TELES3 about the possibility of the absence of recursion in piraha and others languages.


Background: The human bone marrow can become a target of disseminated tumor cells in a relevant proportion of breast cancer patients. However, the underlying pathophysiology is incompletely understood. This study aims to identify and characterize potential mechanisms modulating the bone marrow hematopoietic microenvironment by invading breast cancer cells (BCC) as a basis for experimental evaluation.
Methods: Static cell-cell communication networks, representing the integrated signaling among breast carcinoma cell lines (MCF-7 or MDA-MB-231), bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC), were constructed in-silico by combining differentially overexpressed genes of the involved cell populations with known ligand-receptor interactions. Using the networks as guidance, pathophysiological relevance of the analyzed populations to breast cancer-initiated hematologic abnormalities was appraised by systematic literature mining. In-vitro co-culture modeling was performed to evaluate the paracrine effects of BCC on MSC-HSPC signaling and to validate main implications of the exposed signaling network.
Results: Breast cancer cells exhibited intensive bidirectional intercellular signaling with MSC and to a lesser extent with HSPC. BCC-derived signals were reported to recruit MSC to sites of breast cancer, activate tumor associated fibroblasts (TAF) and modify MSC differentiation. Hematopoietic microenvironment-derived signals were predominantly associated with BCC attraction and metastatic progression. Potential ligands that protect from metastases were exclusively HSPCderived. In-vitro co-culture modeling revealed that BCC mediated loss of the niche-derived hematopoiesis-supporting factor SDF-1 and the emergence of FGF-2 in the MSC-HSPC interaction.
Conclusion: We propose a modulation of MSC by BCC, inter alia via the FGF-2/FGFR1 pathway, resulting in activation of TAF, generation of a vascularized tumor stroma, breast cancer progression and consequential impairment of hematopoiesis by reduction of SDF-1 levels. Those indirect changes in the HSC niche upon BCC invasion might increase the vulnerability for bone metastasis in breast cancer patients.


BACKGROUND
Surgery for lung cancer invading the spine remains challenging associated with high morbidity and mortality. We describe our surgical approach and assess the outcome of surgical treatment lung cancer invading the spine.

METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed our recent experiences of lung cancer with vertebral invasion, in which we have performed total or partial vertebrectomy from 2011 through 2015.

RESULTS
We experienced 8 patients who were treated with partial or total vertebrectomy for lung cancer. Vertebral invasion was evaluated by chest computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging findings. N factors were estimated as cN0 in all patients based on chest CT and PET-CT findings. Two patients were treated by preoperative induction therapy. Total vertebrectomy was performed in 2 patients, hemivertebrectomy in 2 patients and transverse-process resection in 4 patients. In all 8 cases, complete resection was performed. Morbidity was 75% (6 patients) and no mortality occurred. Overall survival rate( 5 years) was 75%.

CONCLUSION
Lung cancer surgery combined with vertebrectomy is highly aggressive suegery associated with high morbidity, however, this procedure is a promising treatment option for selected lung cancer patients, such as N0M0 disease with invasion to the spine.


A cross-correlation technique has been applied to quantify the dependence of the dynamic characteristics of retinal ganglion cell responses in goldfish on intensity, wavelength, spatial configuration, and spot size. Both theoretical and experimental evidence justify the use of the cross-correlation procedure which allows the completion of rather extensive measurements in a relatively short time. The findings indicate the following. (a) The shape of the amplitude characteristics depends on the energy per unit of time (power) falling within the center of a receptive field rather than on the intensity of the stimulus spot. For spot diameters of up to 1 mm, identical amplitude characteristics can be obtained by interchanging area and intensity. Therefore the receptor processes do not contribute to the change in the amplitude characteristics as a function of the power of the stimulus light. (b) For high frequencies the amplitude characteristics obtained as a function of power join together in a common envelope if plotted on an absolute sensitivity scale. For spontaneous ganglion cells this envelope holds over a range of three log units and the shape is identical for central and peripheral processes. (c) The amplitude characteristics of the central and peripheral processes converging to a ganglion cell are identical, irrespective of the sign (on or off) and the spectral coding of the response. Therefore we have no evidence for interneurons in the goldfish retina unique to the periphery of the receptive field.


Big Data brings new challenges to the field of e-Discovery or digital
 forensics and these challenges are mostly connected to the various methods
 for data processing. Considering that the most important factors are time and
 cost in determining success or failure of digital investigation, the
 development of a valid indexing method for efficient search should come first
 to more quickly and accurately find relevant evidence from Big Data. This
 paper, therefore, introduces a Distributed Text Processing System based on
 Hadoop called DTPS and explains about the distinctions between DTPS and other
 related researches to emphasize the necessity of it. In addition, this paper
 describes various experimental results in order to find the best
 implementation strategy in using Hadoop MapReduce for the distributed
 indexing and to analyze the worth for practical use of DTPS by comparative
 evaluation of its performance with similar tools. To be short, the ultimate
 purpose of this research is the development of useful search engine specially
 aimed at Big Data indexing as a major part for the future e-Discovery cloud
 service.


The prognosis of oncological therapy of some malignancies is favourable. Unfortunately the majority of young patients remain sterile. Sperm cryopreserved before treatment was successfully used in IVF-ICSI (in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection) cycles. Testicular biopsy (TESE) was performed after successful oncological treatment in three men without previous sperm cryopreservation. No spermatozoa were found for oocyte fertilization. TESE could not ensure sperm recovery in all patients after oncological treatment. Sperm cryopreservation should be highly recommended to all patients before any treatment is offered.


The objective of the study: to investigate the efficiency of surgical treatment in pulmonary tuberculosis patients and to define main risk factors of tuberculosis re-activation in those who had surgery Methods The postponed surgery results (in 6-7 years) were investigated in 273 patients, who were operated in 2010-2011 Two groups were formed: Group 1 included patients taken off the register due to recovery, Group 2 included patients who had relapse or exacerbation of the disease after the surgery Those taken off the register due to some other reasons were not included in the comparative analysis Results. It was proved that postponed treatment efficiency exceeded 90% Tuberculosis re-activated in 77% of cases, in those with multiple and extensive drug resistance (533%), lung tissue destruction (62%), fibrous-cavernous tuberculosis (333%), concurrent conditions (524%) and complications in the early post-operative period (95%)  The re-activation occurred more often after large surgeries including consecutive corrective thoracoplasty Should there be indications for surgery, it is sensible to decide about the surgery within the 1st year of follow-up.


Rupture of Achilles tendon is a common accident affecting professional and recreational athletes. Acute and chronic pains are symptoms commonly observed in ruptured patients. Despite that, no studies have described whether Achilles tendon rupture is able to promote disorders in CNS. Based in these finds, the current study aimed to evaluate nociceptive alterations and inflammatory response in L5 lumbar segment of Balb/c mice spinal cord after Achilles tendon rupture. We demonstrated increased algesic response in the paw of ruptured group on the 7th and 14th days post tenotomy when compared with control group. This phenomenon was accompanied by over expression of COX-2 and NOS-2 as well as hyperactivation of astrocytes and microglia in nociceptive areas of L5 spinal cord as evidenced by intense GFAP and IBA-1 immunostaining, respectively. Biochemical studies also demonstrated increased levels of nitrite in the L5 spinal cord of tenotomized animals when compared with control group. Thus, we have demonstrate for the first time that total rupture of the Achilles tendon induces inflammatory response, nitrergic and glial activation in the CNS at L5 spinal cord region.


Numerical simulations of laser propagation with contamination on components are performed with the CEA-DAM MIRO code. Light intensification at their rear surface, due to diffraction by front surface particles, is observed for metallic and dielectric particles at 0.355 µm- and 1.053 µm-wavelengths. Highest intensification is obtained for dielectric circular particles.


Background: Emergency departments (ED) are common entry points for the healthcare system among elders. Statistics show higher ED utilization among minority elderly. Objectives: Characterize ED use by elderly minority as compared to non-minority elderly. Setting: Urban Academic ED Methods: Retrospective chart review and prospective telephone survey. Elderly patients were defined as age 65 years or older. Minority groups were defined using U.S. Bureau of Census classifications and included African American, American Indian, Asian, Latino, and Pacific Islander. Results: Three hundred and thirty-two elderly patient charts were reviewed of which 288 (86.7%) were for minority patients and 44 (13.3%) were for non-minority patients. The majority of patients were women (69%) with a mean age of 70.8 ± 6.1. There was a significant difference in the average patient age by race (p=0.008), with the mean age of Caucasians being the highest. A greater percentage of non-minority ED visits were triaged as urgent or emergent as compared with minority groups (79.5% vs. 59.7%, p=0.004) whereas minority patients had a higher incidence of non-urgent triage classifications (34.0% vs. 13.6%, p=0.005). There were no significant differences between the mean number of ED visits between minority and non-minority patients (p=0.40). Despite being Medicare-eligible, more minority patients indicated lack of insurance coverage as the primary reason for seeking emergency care. (p=0.003) Conclusion: Elderly minority patients tended to be slighter younger and seek care from EDs for less urgent conditions than nonminority elderly patients. Race and ethnicity did not appear to be important determinants of emergency departments use. However, these data suggest that interventions that could provide greater access to primary care and preventive services may favorably impact ED utilization among minority elderly. Further investigation into racial and ethnic disparities regarding insurance coverage despite near-universal coverage by Medicare among an elderly population is also warranted.


The large-amplitude nonlinear plasma wake wave driven by ultra-relativistic electron beams of different lengths and densities is studied using the analytical theory of the ultra-relativistic fluid equations. The approximate analytical solution for the wake wave is obtained and how to obtain large-amplitude wake waves is discussed.


Patients of physicians using physician's assistants in their practices were surveyed to determine attitudes toward these assistants. Fifty-four percent of the patients responded and 12% of the nonrespondents were interviewed to insure that respondents were representative of the sample. Patients rate the physician's assistants highly in terms of technical competence (89%), professional manner (86%), and report improvements in the quality of care (71%) and access to services (79%), since the physician's assistants began working. Eighty-seven percent of the patients who received physical examinations from physician's assistants were very satisfied. Patient's age, social class, and access to medical services are significantly related to certain attitudes toward physician's assistants. ( JAMA 228:63-67, 1974)


Health care professionals including doctors, nurses and paramedical staffs are, in some ways, the guardians of the community. Nursing relies on multiple ways of knowledge because it has close relationship with social, behavioural and biological sciences. It is the duty of the entire health care establishment to ensure speedy recovery of their patients by providing quality health care.


This paper develops and tests three hypotheses about the effects of European
integration on voting behavior in the 2001 British General Election. First, preferences over
joining the common currency (Euro) influence voting behavior, as predicted by the EU issue
voting hypothesis. Second, economic voting is weaker among those who believe the national
economy to be influenced more by the EU than by the national government. Third, voter
abstention is higher among those who believe that the economy is influenced more by the EU
than by the national government. Analyses of data from the 2001 British Election Study find
support for the first and third hypotheses, suggesting multiple ways in which European
integration influences national elections and highlighting several avenues for further research.


In June 1986, bacteriological and chemical examinations of drinking-water were carried out in Abeokuta (Ogun State, Nigeria) and in surrounding areas. The analysis showed that the population of this region is not provided with drinking-water of suitable quality, as defined by international standards. In could also be established that secondary contamination, due to inappropriate transport and storage of the water, leads to further reduction in the quality of the already contaminated water. These results show that this contaminated drinking-water must be considered as the major cause of numerous intestinal infections.


Background—The purpose of this study was to compare long-term outcomes of coronary stenting in all lesions (elective stenting) or only in lesions with inadequate morphological and functional results after balloon angioplasty (guided PTCA). Methods and Results—Treatment of multivessel disease, with any lesion length and vessel size, was allowed provided that all lesions were suitable for stent implantation. Patients were randomized to elective stent implantation (n=370) or guided PTCA (n=365). An optimal PTCA result (residual diameter stenosis ≤35%, coronary flow reserve measured with a Doppler guidewire >2.0, absence of threatening dissections) was achieved in 166 lesions (43%). The remaining 218 lesions underwent stent implantation (provisional stenting). Final residual diameter stenosis was lower in the elective and provisional stent groups (9.3% and 10.2%) than in the optimal PTCA group (24.8%, P <0.00001). On an intention-to-treat analysis, the probability of ≥1 major adverse cardiac event at 12 months was 17.8% in the elective stenting group and 18.9% in the guided PTCA group (20.1% for optimal PTCA and 18.0% for the provisional stenting subgroup, P =NS). The incidence of repeat target lesion revascularization at 1 year was 14.9% in the elective stent group and 15.6% in the guided PTCA group (17.6% for optimal PTCA and 14.1% for the provisional stenting subgroup, P =NS). Conclusions—When balloon angioplasty is guided by online quantitative angiography and Doppler-derived coronary flow reserve, with provisional stenting reserved for suboptimal results, early and late clinical outcomes are comparable to those achieved by elective stenting of all patients.


A fecal filtrate of human origin containing the Norwalk agent of epidemic viral gastroenteritis was administered by stomach tube to chimpanzees in an attempt to induce diarrheal disease. Significant postchallenge serum antibody rises against Norwalk viral antigens were demonstrated in all animals using the techniques of immune electron microscopy and radioimmunoassay. In addition, viral antigens were detected in feces from five of nine animals using radioimmunoassay. Clinical illness characterized by diarrhea and/or vomiting did not occur. Infection was transmitted subsequently by feeding four additional chimpanzees a fecal filtrate prepared from one of the previously infected animals. Development of an antibody response in four animals and detection of viral antigen in two animals that received this passage filtrate indicated that viral replication had occurred in the absence of clinical illness. The availability of the chimpanzee as an experimental animal host susceptible to infection with the Norwalk agent should facilitate the study of epidemic viral gastroenteritis.


The biosorption process of Zn (II) ions in industrial wastewater was investigated using derived composite biosorbents from walnut and snail shells. Composite adsorbents were produced by activating walnut shell carbon (WSC) with phosphoric acid to obtain acid-treated walnut shell carbon (AWSC) and WSC and AWSC were independently impregnated on chitosan to produce walnut shell carbon impregnated on chitosan (WSCC) and acid-treated walnut shell carbon impregnated on chitosan (AWSCC) respectively.  The removal efficiencies of Zn (II) ions from synthetic wastewater using the prepared adsorbents were determined.  The effects of operational parameters on Zn (II) ions adsorption were investigated. The adsorption data of Zn (II) ions were analysed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. The Langmuir isotherm fitted the adsorption data excellently for the derived composite biosorbents, giving an indication of monolayer coverage on the derived composite biosorbents and the determination coefficients were close to unity.  Also, the maximum adsorption capacities of 3.1104, 3.8052, 16.4474 and 17.6991 mg/g were obtained for WSC, AWSC, WSCC and AWSCC at pH=5, 1 g of adsorbent dosage, Zn (II) ions initial concentration of 30 mg/L, contact time of 2 h, agitation speed of 150 rpm, particle size of 60 BSS and temperature of 30°C. The kinetic modelling of Zn (II) ions adsorption showed that pseudo second-order kinetic model gave the best fit amongst the investigated kinetic models. The adsorption of Zn (II) ions on the prepared adsorbents was film-diffusion controlled. The experimental results of this study showed that acid-treated walnut shell carbon impregnated on chitosan has the potential to be applied as alternative efficient low-cost biosorbent in the remediation of heavy metal contamination in wastewater. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption of Zn (II) ions on the derived composite biosorbents was exothermic, endogonic, favourable, non-spontaneous with changes in enthalpy (, negative), entropy [, nearly zero (though negative)], and Gibbs free energy (, positive), for all the prepared adsorbents.

 Key words: Adsorption, biosorbents, chitosan, isotherm, kinetic models, film diffusion.


In 2015, Airbus Helicopters unveiled the secrecy around its Dauphin successor and presented the all new H160 heli-copter. A special feature immediately attracting attention is its unusual and revolutionary fore-aft swept main rotor blade. This design, aiming at significantly reducing the blade-vortex interaction noise signature and also reducing fast forward flight power requirements, finds its origins far back in the 1990s, when DLR and ONERA formed a joint team to acoustically optimize a rectangular reference rotor blade. Based on state-of-the-art comprehensive rotor codes and a 50-50 work share, the ERATO rotor blade design was developed, patented worldwide and tested on a rotor test rig and in the wind tunnel. Airbus Helicopters (then: Eurocopter) took up that design, optimized hover and forward flight high lift performance and prepared it for serial production, until it finally made it as the Blue EdgeTM rotor blade on the Airbus Helicopters H160 helicopter. The paper covers the history and technical achievements, wind tunnel test results and flight tests.


Objective: to demonstrate the possibilities and advantages of wide-detector computed tomography for performing dynamic studies and evaluating the effectiveness of microsurgical autotransplantation of tissue complexes in the urogenital region, by using a perfusion computed tomography and dynamic voiding computed cystourethrography. Subjects and methods. This investigation enrolled 36 patients with different urogenital diseases, who were examined using a wide-detector computed tomographic scanner and the procedures of dynamic perfusion computed tomography and dynamic voiding computed cystourethrography. Results. Perfusion examination revealed that none of the patients had hypoperfused areas of autografts, which suggests their good engraftment. Dynamic voiding computed cystourethrography estimated the width of the urethral lumen in all segments and identified the regions of its greatest narrowing and their extension. Computed uroflowmetry was scheduled for all patients. Conclusion. The advantages of wide-detector systems with their unique properties made it possible to apply them in the new area – in planning and evaluating the effectiveness of the microsurgical reconstruction of the urogenital region, by obtaining additional, previously unavailable diagnostic information.


Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction. All doctors and other medical staff should be familiar with the treatment of anaphylaxis. Food, insect bites and drugs and are principal agents responsible for anaphylaxis in children and adolescents. In the absence of treatment, the reaction may rapidly progress with severe manifestations including fatal outcome. Intramuscular adrenaline is first-line therapy for anaphylaxis. Additional measures, such as removing the trigger, call for help, the correct position of the child or adolescent, high-flow oxygen, volume support, bronchodilator and adrenaline inhalations, systemic antihistamine and glucocorticoid, are supplementary to adrenaline. At discharge from hospital it is necessary to assess the risk of future anaphylaxis to determine the individualized management plan in case of anaphylaxis and to prescribe adrenaline auto-injector. Training of the child, parents and others who take care of the child, on when and how to use the self-injectable devices of adrenaline is necessary. Allergy assessment at an allergists office is obligatory in all children with a history of anaphylaxis in order to determine the cause of anaphylaxis, to provide detailed instructions on allergen avoidance and, if possible, to start with specific immunotherapy.


In presenting this subject for your consideration, we do so because of the diversity of opinion concerning it, hence evident need for more thorough study and discussion. Our consideration must leave out many of the features and characteristics of that arch mimic of all diseases, malaria, and be confined to that disease characterized by hemoglobin in the urine and due to malaria in some of her protean manifestations, discarding for the time Yersin's supposed discovery of a specific cause other than the malarial plasmodium, and all other theories and suppositions born of efforts to account for this peculiar manifestation. In making an effort to clear up some of the uncertainty enveloping the subject, and to arrive at the truth concerning this disease, it was determined to depend, not alone on the individual conclusions of those who saw the disease, influenced no doubt by former teachings and impressions


Previous studies have found that the Multiple Access Interference (MAI) effect is strongly associated with which sequence pairs are spread over Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Space-Time Spreading (MIMO-STS) systems. An improved method of determining which sequence pairs are to be spread is proposed. The choice of these pairs from the selected spreading code families results in a number of ways to mitigate the MAI effects. A Software Defined Radio (SDR) test bed system has been developed to evaluate the selected spreading sequences, in an attempt to mitigate the MAI effects over 2 × 1 MIMO-STS systems. The SDR test bed results reveal that, for a number of the spreading sequence families, improved transmission properties for asynchronous transmission can be achieved.


Seventeen cotton samples with small-to-moderate stickiness contamination were created by mixing sticky cottons with non-sticky cottons, and then processed through ring and rotor spinning. Trehalulose contents ranged from 0.002% to 0.034% of the fiber weight (corresponding to 1.8% and 16.8% of the total sugars), while melezitose contents ranged from 0.023% to 0.071% (corresponding to 10.5% and 22.5% of the total sugars). High-speed stickiness detector (H2SD) readings of the card slivers ranged from 2.0 to15.7. At these relatively low levels of contamination there was no correlation between ends-down in spinning and H2SD readings. Results showed that in the short term, less than 12 H2SD spots within a mix of cotton does not seem to influence spinning productivity on either ring (Saco-Lowell SF-3H) or rotor (Rieter R20) systems. A slight, but significant, negative effect on the ring-spun yarn quality was found even at low levels of stickiness. In the long term, it appears likely that even very small amounts of trehalulose slowly contaminate the equipment. This accumulation of sugars would be expected to have a cumulative, negative impact on both productivity and yarn quality.


3D multi-object tracking (MOT) is an essential component technology for many real-time applications such as autonomous driving or assistive robotics. However, recent works for 3D MOT tend to focus more on developing accurate systems giving less regard to computational cost and system complexity. In contrast, this work proposes a simple yet accurate real-time baseline 3D MOT system. We use an off-the-shelf 3D object detector to obtain oriented 3D bounding boxes from the LiDAR point cloud. Then, a combination of 3D Kalman filter and Hungarian algorithm is used for state estimation and data association. Although our baseline system is a straightforward combination of standard methods, we obtain the state-of-the-art results. To evaluate our baseline system, we propose a new 3D MOT extension to the official KITTI 2D MOT evaluation along with two new metrics. Our proposed baseline method for 3D MOT establishes new state-of-the-art performance on 3D MOT for KITTI, improving the 3D MOTA from 72.23 of prior art to 76.47. Surprisingly, by projecting our 3D tracking results to the 2D image plane and compare against published 2D MOT methods, our system places 2nd on the official KITTI leaderboard. Also, our proposed 3D MOT method runs at a rate of 214.7 FPS, 65 times faster than the state-of-the-art 2D MOT system. Our code is publicly available at this https URL


Recent studies indicate that deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), which activates various nucleoside analogues used in antileukemic therapy, can be regulated by post‐translational modification, most probably through reversible phosphorylation. To further unravel its regulation, dCK was overexpressed in HEK‐293 cells as a His‐tag fusion protein. Western blot analysis showed that purified overexpressed dCK appears as doublet protein bands. The slower band disappeared after treatment with protein phosphatase lambda (PP λ) in parallel with a decrease of dCK activity, providing additional arguments in favor of both phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of dCK.


This article presents the author's conclusions on firmonyms (chrematonyms) located in urban space, drawn partly on the basis of the object-oriented philosophy. The material in the form of photographs of shop signs was collected during the field exploration, mostly in Poznań. The design context of firmonyms is based on relevant communicative functions they fulfil as described in the theory of business communication (see Wacław Šmid). New design context, which, in the author's opinion, should constitute a separate category in research on proper names that blend into our "urban (linguistic) landscape", can be a starting point for conclusions concerning aesthetics, utility or simplicity of form and can underline marketing or linguistic assets as well as problems of onomastic texts. The author also presents another methodological suggestion based on the word-picture composition created in the 16th century, i.e. an emblem. It can be used in the onomastic-design aspect, using literary terms such as lemma, imago or subscription as components of the emblem, connecting the image with the text. The above-presented research problem shall be the scope of further studies in the field of marketing and design in its broad sense, bordering on onomastics.


This report describes three experiments on auditory saltation, studied with click stimuli presented at interclick intervals (ICIs) from 30 to 240 ms. In experiment 1, subjects rated the strength of the saltation illusion evoked by trains of six monaural clicks (i.e., three presented to one ear followed by three to the other ear), and six dichotic clicks on which were imposed either a 500-micros interaural time difference or a 9-dB interaural level difference (ILD). The interaural disparity of theclicks was reversed at the midpoint of the train. Subjects reported equivalent strengths of saltation for the dichotic clicks, but weaker saltation for the monaural ones. These data indicated that saltation is supported by dichotic clicks, regardless of the stimulus manipulation used to generate the lateralized images. In experiment 2, subjects rated the strength of the saltation evoked by six click trains lateralized, in separate trials, by ILDs ranging from 9 to 30 dB, and by a train of monaural clicks. In all ILD conditions, the level of the clicks at the "quiet" ear was above click-detection threshold when presented monaurally. Saltation weakened with increasing ILD, and approximated that seen with monaural clicks when the ILD was 30 dB. These data indicated that for the range of ICIs used here, saltation weakened as the stimuli became more strongly lateralized. In experiment 3, the number of dichotic clicks preceding the disparity reversal was, in separate trials, varied from 3 to 10, and subjects were asked to detect the presence of spatial stationarity in the click train. By plotting the subjective ratings as a function of the length of the leading click train, it was shown that the temporal window within which the saltation effect operates varies between listeners, but is usually less than about 350-400 ms.


This book brings together researchers in linguistics, computer science, psychology and cognitive science to investigate how motion is encoded in language. The book is divided into two parts. Part I considers the parameters at play in motion encoding (including directed motion) by presenting new research on Estonian, English, Norwegian, Bulgarian, Italian, German, Russian, Persian, and Tamil. Part II investigates the way in which different levels of spatial resolution or granularity play a role in the encoding of motion in language.


For this symposium on Lochner, I examined the jurisprudence of the man commonly thought to be the Lochner majority's fiercest foe, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Holmes wrote the famous dissent in Lochner and other cases of the era. But as Barry Cushman notes in his contribution to this symposium, Holmes joined many a Lochner-era majority in striking down any number of economic regulations. Holmes's Fourteenth Amendment opinions suggest: 1) that, while Holmes advocated a somewhat more pointed rule of deference to legislatures than did most of his colleagues, his language in this respect was far less radical than is often supposed; 2) that, while he expressed disgust at the uses to which the language of "liberty of contract" and the like were put, his own deployment of "takings" language manifested values and concerns very similar to those of the other justices; 3) that, in cases that others might decide by reference to unconstitutional conditions, he seized the chance to vindicate a rather extreme version of state autonomy, not so much because state autonomy was a good idea but simply because the Constitution still commanded judges to recognize some such sphere. For the most part, Holmes really wasn't interested in defending any particular substantive policies of his own. He was far more interested in exposing the political dimension of constitutional law even as he insisted that a legal dimension survived the politics. The substance of his supposedly anti-Lochner constitutional theory actually put him more or less in the mainstream of the Court, but the rhetoric of his opinions made it forever afterwards an embarrassment - even for a judge - to pretend that the language of law could wholly conceal the political dimensions of the Court.


Generally due to the strategic equatorial region, Malaysia is advancing into solar
energy as a replacement of alternative source for an electrical energy production to
meet the escalation load demand. Thus, the integrated hybrid system like PVGenset
set system are developed to generate power to meet load demand where it can be
fitted into its local geography and others according to specification. However, this
does not guarantee the hybrid system to generate power optimally as weather
conditions (solar insolation, temperature and others) changes periodically and
influence the power generation and the power dispatch to the load. Therefore, the
hybrid system does not operate at the optimal state and without a proper dispatching
controller it may lead to over stress one or the other hybrid system component causes
frequent wear and tear with higher maintenance cost to the system. In order to curb
this situation, the hybrid system requires a specific approach along with a controller
to search and to dispatch the hybrid PV-Genset system generated power at the best
potential optimal state. A Bio-Heuristic approach can be applied to determine the
optimal power generation while a dispatch controller dispatches the electric hybrid
power system to the load demand. The aim of this research is to implement the
selected bio-heuristic approach such as Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) while
Fuzzy Logic is used as a dispatch controller for a small scale hybrid PV-Genset
system. The simulation of the hybrid PV-Gertset system modelling is simulated using
two types of tropical weather conditions (sunny and rainy). From this research,
simulation results are obtained and series of analysis is conducted using
MATLAB/SlMULINK. Through the analysis, results have shown the contribution of
each hybrid system component operates at the optimum level while power is dispatch
to the load based on the hybrid system capability.


In the sociological part of the IDEFIKS-study pupils from high schools and secondary modern intermediate schools as well as their parents were questioned about sport behaviour, the form of nutrition and consumption of stimulants. In general it can be seen that sport and physical activity play an important role in the leisure time of the pupils. 63 % of the pupils answered, that sport is one of the four most frequent leisure time activities. It can be seen, that the number of pupils active in sport is much higher in high school than in other types of school. Furthermore it is obvious that in families with sport-active parents the percentage of sport-active children is also higher. This effect is especially clear with regard to competitive sport. It is stated that girls prefer disciplines like gymnastics and dancing whereas boys tend to game and team sports. It was found that girls have a more healthy life style than boys according to ordinary standards of healthy forms of nutrition. The same goes for high school students in comparison with pupils of other types of school. The results were similar with regard to consumption of stimulants. In high schools, the use of alcoholic drinks and tobacco was lower then in other types of schools. Furthermore, girls drink less alcohol than boys. A clear correlation was found with regard to use of tobacco by the parents and their children. The results show that leisure time and sport behaviour, form of nutrition and consumption of stimulants as indicators of health behaviour correspond closely with the sense of values depending on the social situation of the family.


In late 2004, Hilmi Panigoro, CEO of the publicly traded Indonesian oil company Medco Energi Internasional, is striving to regain majority control of the company his brother Arifin founded in 1980. The Asian financial crisis of 1999 led to a major restructuring that left the Panigoros with a 34.1% equity stake in Medco. Two other large shareholders are now looking to sell their combined stake of 50.9%, and have selected Temasek, the Singapore government's investment arm, as their preferred bidder. The Panigoros have a right of first refusal, but only a four-month window to raise the capital needed to head off Temasek's bid. Hilmi and Arifin Panigoro are considering a two-stage plan: a Leveraged Buy-Out (LBO) to be followed by a secondary equity offering at a share price high enough to enable them to repay the loan and retain majority control of their company. As attractive as the plan seems, they worry about the high cost of the loan and the risk that the offering might fail. In January 2005, with no time left to consider alternative financing plans, the Panigoro brothers have to decide whether to go ahead with the plan or lose control of Medco to Temasek. Students are required to evaluate the benefits and risks of the proposed financing plan from the perspective of both the controlling family and minority shareholders.


For analyzing behaviors of hairiness entanglement during fabric pilling, nonlinear dynamic motion equations are deduced based on the elastic thin rod element, combined with the moving characteristics of hairiness, which follow the principles of mechanical equilibrium and energy conservation. The finite element simulation model of the effects of hairiness performance on behaviors of hairiness entanglement was established by ABAQUS. The analysis solution values of nonlinear dynamics were compared with the finite element simulation results. The results showed that hairiness elastic modulus, hairiness friction coefficient and hairiness diameter have significant effects on frictional dissipation energy, strain energy and kinetic energy produced by hairiness entanglement during pilling. Compared the finite element simulation results with analysis solution values, they are in good agreement. The fitness is greater than 0.96, which verifies the validity of finite element method.


A useful check-list of authors and works in chronological order is provided by the editor (pp. 9-12). Some of the information should be treated with caution, however, Thus the inclusion of Bhavivikta is questionable: he is identified by Cakradhara in his Nydyamanjarigranthibhanga as a Lokayata philosopher who wrote a commentary of the Lokayatasutra (cf. Matilal in A history of Indian literature, ed. J. Gonda, Wiesbaden, 1977, vi, 2, 84 f.). Prasastamati is described as author of a ' Tika on Vaisesikasiitras, Vakya ', but Matilal has argued (op. cit., 61) that the work was a Tika on a Bhasya which in turn written on a commentary called Vakya. A correction may be suggested with reference to the helpful information furnished at the end of the book in footnotes to the summaries. With reference to an idea occurring in Vyomavati, V. Varadachari writes (701, n. 31) ' It is easy to trace it to the influence of the Bhagavadgitd and YogasQtras which preach the act of surrendering everything to God '. In fact, the Yogasfitra does not suggest anything of the sort, though Vyasa on 2.1. indeed betrays a bias in favour of the Bhagavata Bhakti and the influence of the Bhagavadgitd (cf. Vyasa on 3.30, 5.10, 9.27, 12.6, 18.56-8). There are a number of errors and omissions. For instance, abhyudaya, the goal of life of the non-mystic Hindu, is rendered by ' exultation ' (see index); ' exaltation ' appears to have been intended, though the common rendering ' prosperity (worldly as well as heavenly) ' would have sufficed. On p. 744 (1. 16) read 409 for 407; on p. 409 (1. 2) read trsv-d. The criticisms offered here must be viewed in the right perspective. This is by and large a very useful undertaking whose success may be measured by the timely and profitable discussion to which it gives rise and which it will greatly facilitate.


This article reports on the implementation of the Balanced Scorecard model for facilitating strategic management at the Academic Information Service (academic library) of the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Robert Kaplan and David Norton developed the concept of the Balanced Scorecard in the early 1990s for motivating and measuring business performance. This management methodology is seen as an excellent vehicle for implementing organisational transformation measures in the Academic Information Service. The article starts by giving a short theoretical introduction to the concept of the Balanced Scorecard, followed by an outline of the implementation of the Scorecard on both the strategic and operational levels. It concludes by examining the ways in which the Balanced Scorecard is currently being used to facilitate the strategic management process at the Academic Information Service.


English doctors sometimes remark that British medicine is run by a Scottish mafia (a Macfia, perhaps). I reply that English medicine should count itself lucky and the conversation usually ends there. National pride on both our parts prevents me explaining that anyone can be Scottish if they really want to be.

Some people, of course, are born Scottish but aspirants should not let this deter them. Nowadays congenital Scots are rarely tall, bony, or red haired and many have a sense of humour. In fact, they seem just like everyone else until they start to speak.

Achieving Scottishness, like any worthwhile …


Background Oncology clinical trials can lead to relevant financial savings in drug acquisition for healthcare providers. Considerable methodological heterogeneity is observed among previous studies estimating these savings. Methods We developed a methodology to estimate the economic benefit obtained from the enrollment of patients into clinical trials through the analysis of drug cost avoidance. We designed a decision algorithm to determine if a clinical trial is associated with drug cost avoidance. This algorithm is based on five scenarios according to the availability or not of standard treatment, the presence or absence of a control arm (placebo or active treatment), and the provider of the medication. We considered as reference the cost of the standard treatment that the patient would have received in routine clinical practice. We standardized drug doses and treatment durations according to the literature. Costs were considered from a National Health System perspective. We applied this methodology at a single, research-active University Hospital in 2019. A cost avoidance analysis per trial and patient was carried out on cancer patients. Results We analyzed 140 trials in which 198 patients were recruited. Drug cost avoidance was found in 120 trials (85.7%). The estimated total drug cost avoidance amounted to over €3,200,000. Melanoma and genitourinary tumors were the tumor types associated with the highest cost avoidance. The average drug cost avoidance per patient was €16,245. Conclusion We describe a standardized method to estimate drug cost avoidance in clinical trials. We have applied it to all ongoing oncology clinical trials in our center. This methodology could be valuable for other centers to analyze the potential saving of clinical trials.


3-O-methylrhamnose was found in cell walls of Catellatospora ferruginea. This sugar was purified and identified by proton and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy, using the acetylation method. It is localized in the cell wall fraction and occurs at a constant ratio among the cell wall sugars when various carbon sources are used for growth. 3-O-methylrhamnose was found in nine strains of Catellatospora species containing MK-10 as the major menaquinone, but not in nine strains containing MK-9. Among 22 type strains of genera related to Catellatospora (Actinoplanes, Amorphosphorangium, Ampullariella, Dactylosporangium, Micromonospora, Glycomyces, and "Catenuloplanes"), 4 strains contained only trace quantities, and the remainder contained none. Thus, we propose that 3-O-methylrhamnose is a key sugar in the chemotaxonomy of the genes Catellatospora.


In this essay an overview of the theoretical issues pertaining to the collection of essays assembled is given. Addressing the issue of dizversity in religions and in the study of religion the argument is made that religions as lived phenomena constitute discursive formations in which diversity as a problem is an index of encounter. However it is especially the way this strategy of reducing the many to the one in the history of theorising religion that comes in view. In this context, the political nature of religion as discourse and the discourse of the study of religion is discussed with particular reference to the history of Christianisation of South Africa, religion in education, and the history of theorising religion.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationships across a range of glucose and insulin measures at 12 weeks of gestation with the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and birth size.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Prospective study of pregnant women booking before 15th week of gestation. At the first antenatal visit, standard measures of height, weight, blood pressure (BP) and social status were recorded, and blood sample was drawn for measurements of fasting glucose and plasma insulin. Oral glucose tolerance test with 75  g glucose load was performed after overnight fast. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI were calculated to determine the risk of developing PIH or GDM depending on quartiles of blood glucose or tertiles of plasma insulin levels.

RESULTS
One thousand six hundred and fifty pregnant women were included in the study. Of them, 1484 delivered a live infant of whom 70 were preterm, 166 did not complete the study, 155 mothers developed PIH (10.4%), 18 were diagnosed with GDM (1.2%) and four had both PIH and GDM. At 12 weeks of gestation, women who became hypertensive were heavier (P<0.001), with higher BMI (P<0.001) than controls. Both systolic (P<0.001) and diastolic BPs (P<0.001) were already higher in women who developed PIH. Fasting insulin concentrations were higher in PIH group (P<0.002). Fasting glucose level >6.8 mmol/l was associated with the likelihood of delivering a macrosomic baby (OR 3.1 (95% CI: 1.21-8.0); P=0.02); the effect was heightened in multiparous mothers (OR 4.0 (95% CI: 1.4-11.1); P=0.01). Fasting plasma insulin had, however, no effect on size at birth in this study.

CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that women who develop PIH may be metabolically challenged at early stages of pregnancy with hyperinsulinism, insulin insensitivity and slightly higher BP.


Abstract The aim of the study is to evaluate the potential of enhancing thermal comfort and energy consumption created by three different radiant systems in the newly-built Energetikum office building. A representative office, Simulation room 1/1, was selected from 6 areas equipped with portable sensor groups for the indoor environment monitoring. The presented data obtained from 3 reference weeks; the heating, transition and cooling periods indicate overheating, particularly during the heating and transition period. The values of the indoor air temperature during the heating and transition period could not meet the normative criteria according to standard EN 15251:2007 (cat. II.) for 15-30% of the time intervals evaluated. Consequently, a simulation model of the selected office was created and points to the possibilities of improving the control system, which can lead to an elimination of the problem with overheating. Three different radiant systems - floor heating/ cooling, a thermally active ceiling, and a near-surface thermally active ceiling were implemented in the model. A comparison of their effects on thermal comfort and energy consumption is presented in the paper.


The innate immune system plays a critical role in the ethanol-induced neuroimmune response in the brain. Ethanol initiates the innate immune response via activation of the innate immune receptors Toll-like receptors (TLRs; e.g., TLR4, TLR3, TLR7) and NOD-like receptors (inflammasome NLRs) leading to a release of a plethora of chemokines and cytokines and development of the innate immune response. Cytokines and chemokines can have pro- or anti-inflammatory properties through which they regulate the immune response. In this chapter, we will focus on key cytokines (e.g., IL-1, IL-6, TNF- α ) and chemokines (e.g., MCP-1/CCL2) that mediate the ethanol-induced neuroimmune responses. In this regard, we will use IL-1 β , as an example cytokine, to discuss the neuromodulatory properties of cytokines on cellular properties and synaptic transmission. We will discuss their involvement through the set of evidence: 1) changes in gene and protein expression following ethanol exposure, 2) association of gene polymorphism (humans) and alterations in gene expression (animal models) with increased alcohol intake, and 3) modulation of alcohol-related behaviors by transgenic or pharmacological manipulations of the chemokine and cytokine systems. Over the last years, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating cytokine- and chemokine-dependent regulation of immune responses has advanced tremendously, and we review evidence pointing to cytokines and chemokines serving as neuromodulators and regulators of neurotransmission.


ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare cardiorespiratory demand during manual wheelchair (MWC) propulsion among MWC users with a spinal cord injury (SCI) in a natural environment with and without the use of a trained mobility assistance dog (MAD). DesignIn this quasi-experimental repeated-measures analysis of difference, 13 experienced MWC users with an SCI propelled themselves with and without their trained MAD at a self-selected natural speed along a standardized 630-m course in a natural environment. Participants were equipped with a portable gas analyzer to measure their oxygen consumption, ventilation, tidal volume, respiratory quotient, respiratory rate, and heart rate before, during, and after completing the course. Participants also rated their perceived exertion on a modified Borg scale following each trial. ResultsAll cardiorespiratory outcome measures decreased significantly with the use of a MAD (P ⩽ 0.013; mean difference, −9% to −38%). Furthermore, most participants completed the course significantly faster (P ⩽ 0.001; mean difference, −34%), while reporting considerably lower perceived exertion rates (P = 0.007; mean difference, −65%). ConclusionsA trained MAD decreases cardiorespiratory demand and rate of perceived exertion during MWC propulsion on a 630-m course among experienced MWC users with SCI. Trained MADs represent a valuable mobility assistive technology option for MWC users.


The Goos-Hänchen shift is calculated when total internal reflection occurs at an interface between "normal" and negatively refractive media. The shift is negative, consistent with the direction of energy flow in the negatively refractive medium.


This paper reports on how the US Defense Department has been slowly reducing its annual budget for computer science research in favor of near-term projects with a strictly military focus. While researchers can seek funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), their grants tend to be smaller than compared to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which appears to favor industry laboratories over the academia. Despite denials from DARPA officials, those familiar with budgetary decision making within the Pentagon say that there in fact has been a shift at DARPA, driven in large part by the country's ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are also those who believe that the IT industry, rather than the federal government, should sponsor its own research.


Introduction Skin cancer caused by exposure to certain harmful substances has been a part of the list of occupational diseases in Germany for some time. In 2015 certain types of skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma or multiple actinic keratosis of the skin caused by natural UV-irradiation) were added as a new occupational disease to the list of occupational diseases. These types of skin cancer are recognised as occupational disease if the insured person has been exposed to certain effective doses of sunlight at his or her workplace. There is a rising number of such cases reported to the statutory social accident insurance and its institutions which are the entities in charge of prevention, rehabilitation and compensation of occupational diseases in accordance with the German social security system. The institutions for statutory social accident insurance have developed concepts to handle the growing numbers of these cases. Methods Based on research and the discussion with medical experts, standards for the procedure, for the medical treatment, the rehabilitation of workers affected by occupational skin cancer and the prevention of occupational skin cancer have been established. Concepts for follow-up care have been developed and new methods of therapy have been admitted for the medical treatment of patients suffering from occupational skin cancer. Results The statutory social accident insurance has established measures to provide effective methods of rehabilitation for the patients concerned in accordance with the basic principle governing this social security scheme in Germany – acting 'with all appropriate means'. Discussion Apart from providing effective help for the workers affected a major aim for the institutions of statutory accident insurance is the prevention of occupational skin cancer caused by exposure to natural UV-irradiation. The institutions of statutory social accident insurance will continue their efforts to reduce the risk for workers of contracting skin cancer caused by exposure to natural UV-irradiation at the workplace.


AEE-PLC (Adaptive power control method to Electromagnetic Environment for the Power-Line Communication) system was proposed by the authors to achieve the maximum throughput performance without radiation. As its radiation detection method, two methods were also proposed. One was called Scan and Sum (SAS) method which detected the radiation of burst packets. Another was Periodic Packet Sound (PPS) method which did it of ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) packets generated by the PING (Packet Internet Groper) command. When the throughput performance was measured for the SAS method, the received number of the burst packets was used. For the PPS method, extra burst packets were needed. To avoid them, ICMP packets generated by the utility software of Pchar (Path Characteristics) has been introduced in this paper. The relationship between the size of ICMP packets and the detection sensitivity has been also studied to optimize the size. The result has been confirmed that 1500 Bytes was the optimum size which achieved the high sensitivity with the low channel occupation.


The objective of this paper is to provide a method of safely estimating reliability based on small samples. First, it is shown that the commonly used estimators of the parameters of the normal distribution function are biased, and they tend to lead to unconservative estimates of reliability. Then, two ways of making this estimation conservative are proposed: (1) adding constraints when a distribution is fitted to the data to bias it to be conservative, and (2) using the bootstrap method to estimate the bias needed for a given level of conservativeness. The relationship between the accuracy and the conservativeness of the estimates is explored for a normal distribution. In particular, detailed results are presented for the case when the goal is to achieve a 95% likelihood to be conservative. The bootstrap approach is found to be more accurate for this level of conservativeness. It is then applied to the reliability analysis of a composite panel under thermal loading. Finally, we explore the influence of sample sizes and target probability of failure on estimates quality, and show that for a constant level of conservativeness, small samples and low probabilities can lead to a high risk of large overestimation while this risk is limited to a very reasonable value for samples above.


In the current paper, a macroscopic differential model for the hysteretic dynamics in shape memory alloy actuators is constructed by using the modified Landau theory of the first order phase transformation. An intrinsic thermo-mechanical coupling is achieved by constructing the free energy as a function depends on both mechanical deformation and the material temperature. Both shape memory and pseudoelastic effects are modeled. The hysteretic dynamics is linearized by introducing another hysteresis loop via nonlinear feedback strategy, which cancels the original one.


Orientation: The voluntary disclosure of non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (non-GAAP) earnings may lack decision-usefulness if not faithfully represented or comparable. Commonly accepted as being well defined, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) may be misleading if labelled, defined and calculated inconsistently. Research purpose: To assess the decision-usefulness of EBITDA disclosure by Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)-listed companies. Motivation for the study: Prior research on voluntary disclosure largely excluded EBITDA from its focus, accepting it as standardised. Research approach/design and method: A quantitative content analysis was used to analyse the EBITDA disclosure in 220 Stock Exchange News Service (SENS) reports in which JSE-listed companies reported their annual results for the period 2014–2016. Main findings: Companies inconsistently labelled, defined and calculated EBITDA. Twenty-four per cent of the SENS reports labelled and defined EBITDA as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, but calculated it by adjusting for other items as well. Companies' definitions of EBITDA also differed widely, with 27 different definitions identified in 52 SENS reports that disclosed an unmodified EBITDA label. Practical/managerial implications: Existing JSE reporting requirements appear lacking in ensuring that companies disclose EBITDA that is faithfully represented and comparable. The identified diversity of definitions has implications where EBITDA is used for valuation and contracting purposes. Contribution/value-add: The study contributes to the voluntary disclosure literature by focussing on a non-GAAP earnings measure that has largely been ignored by prior research, namely EBITDA. Empirical evidence is presented on the diversity that exists in EBITDA disclosure by JSE-listed companies.


Background and Objectives Coronary lesions with mismatched functional and anatomical significance are not uncommon. We assessed the accuracy and predictors of mismatch between fractional flow reserve (FFR) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) analyses in patients with coronary lesions. Subjects and Methods A total of 643 lesions with pre-interventional FFR and QCA measurements were consecutively enrolled and divided into four groups using FFR ≤0.80 and percent diameter stenosis (%DS) ≥50% as cutoffs for functional and anatomical significance, respectively. Accordingly, FFR >0.80 and DS ≥50%, and FFR ≤0.80 and DS <50% defined false-positive (FP) and false-negative (FN) lesions, respectively. Results Overall, 40.4% (260/643) of the lesions were mismatched, and 51.7% (218/414) and 18.3% (42/229) were FP and FN lesions, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of FP were non-left anterior descending artery location {odds ratio (OR), 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.28-0.56; p<0.001}, shorter lesion length (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98; p<0.001), multi-vessel disease (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.30-0.75; p=0.001), and larger minimal lumen diameter by QCA (OR, 2.88; 95% CI,1.65-5.00; p<0.001). Independent predictors of FN were multi-vessel disease (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.24-5.27; p=0.048), aging (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.99; p=0.034), smoking (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.14-0.93; p=0.034), and smaller reference vessel diameter by QCA (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10-0.87; p=0.026). Conclusion A mismatch between FFR and angiographic lesion severity is not rare in patients with coronary artery disease; therefore, an angiography-guided evaluation could under- or over-estimate lesion severity in specific lesion subsets.


As an important form of future energy utilization, the operation of combined electricity-gas energy systems is also threatened by high-level penetration intermittent renewable energy. The application of power to gas (P2G) technology has deepened the coupling between the concerned power system and the natural gas system, and hence, bidirectional energy flow between the power system and the natural gas system can be implemented. P2G technology provides an alternative solution for the optimal operation of the combined electricity-gas energy systems to accommodate intermittent renewable energy, particularly, wind power. In this new environment, the unit commitment optimization of high permeability wind power and P2G is addressed, where the objective is to minimize the total operating cost of combined electricity-gas energy systems. First, the P2G technology and the application and supportive policies are introduced. Second, considering the characteristics of P2G devices and the combined system, a two-level economic dispatch model of the combined system with security constraints is proposed. Third, based on the Karush Kuhn Tucker optimality condition, the two-level optimization model is transformed into a mixed integer linear programming. Finally, the case study shows that the proposed unit commitment model is effective and accurate in optimizing the combined energy systems with high penetration level wind power.As an important form of future energy utilization, the operation of combined electricity-gas energy systems is also threatened by high-level penetration intermittent renewable energy. The application of power to gas (P2G) technology has deepened the coupling between the concerned power system and the natural gas system, and hence, bidirectional energy flow between the power system and the natural gas system can be implemented. P2G technology provides an alternative solution for the optimal operation of the combined electricity-gas energy systems to accommodate intermittent renewable energy, particularly, wind power. In this new environment, the unit commitment optimization of high permeability wind power and P2G is addressed, where the objective is to minimize the total operating cost of combined electricity-gas energy systems. First, the P2G technology and the application and supportive policies are introduced. Second, considering the characteristics of P2G devices and the combined system, a two-level ec...


This study extends a previous investigation using the passive seismic Spatial Autocorrelation (SPAC) and Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) methods on microtremor observations in the Port Melbourne area. The area has up to 80 m thickness of Quaternary gravels, sands, and silts, with the near-surface Coode Island Silt being so soft that the base of the unit could not be resolved in a previous study. In order to extend the previous work, further surveys using instrumentation more suited to low-frequency measurements (SPAC and HVSR methods) and a larger array radius (SPAC method) were undertaken. Despite the use of significantly larger array radii and long-period seismometers, coherencies in the sub 1–2 Hz range were poor and allowed only marginally deeper shear-velocity information to be obtained. We have attributed this deficiency in the SPAC spectrum to a lack of energy in the vertical component of Rayleigh wave motion, as indicated by a high-amplitude peak in the HVSR spectrum around 1–2 Hz. Despite the poor low-frequency SPAC results, a combined modelling approach using both HVSR and SPAC results, along with the results from the large array survey, allowed deeper shear-velocity values (to depths of 70–100 m) to be estimated with greater precision than the initial surveys. We note that the HVSR spectrum is more sensitive to variations in shear velocities at these depths than the SPAC spectrum, providing an additional constraint on interpreted shear-velocity profiles from SPAC data. Lack of a secondary HVSR peak below 1 Hz that could be attributed to the sediment-bedrock interface leads us to believe that this expected peak is masked by the high amplitude peak resulting from the large shear-velocity contrast closer to the surface in the sediment profile (a silt–gravel interface).


Abstract We report the preliminary results of work with a unique, web-site-based approach designed to help individual bioscientists identify and develop their individual creative capacity. The site includes a number of features that encourage individuals to interact with creativity techniques, communicate with colleagues remotely using an electronic notice board, then participate in group sessions. A total of 19 postgraduate students engaged with the web site during two structured sessions, two weeks apart, and were encouraged to communicate with one another during the intervening period. Quantitative and qualitative measures were used to assess individual creativity, and attitudes to creativity and the approach in general, before and after interaction with the web site. Participants were overwhelmingly positive about the site indicating that it helped them see themselves as creative people and offered new ways to generate ideas and/or solve problems. Perhaps not surprisingly, we noted no marked increase in individual creativity during this short study. However, the preliminary data and students' responses warrant further investigation involving larger numbers of participants using the web site over much longer periods.


In the new competitive order, Australian electricity systems have been oriented to growth of electricity sales based on low margins and the capture of market share. Electricity is a premium fuel. The second law of thermodynamics testifies to this, as does the relationship between coal-fired electricity and the negative externality of greenhouse warming. Electricity prices should reflect its status as a premium fuel. Ease of transition in such a regime would be fostered by the taking up of options for energy efficiency and renewable sources of supply.


In October 2005, as the United States still was reeling from Hurricane Katrina in August and as the alphabet was too short to contain all of that year's named Atlantic tropical storms (Hurricane Wilma was forming near Jamaica), a timely workshop in Bermuda focused on climate extremes and society (see Eos, 87(3), 25, 17 January 2006). This edited volume, which corresponds roughly to the presentations given at that workshop, offers a fascinating look at the critically important intersection of acute climate stress and human vulnerabilities.

A changing climate affects humans and other living things not through the variable that most robustly demonstrates the role of rising greenhouse gases—globally averaged temperature—but through local changes, especially changes in extremes. The first part of this book, "Defining and modeling the nature of weather and climate extremes," focuses on natural science. The second part, "Impacts of weather and climate extremes," focuses on societal impacts and responses, emphasizing an insurance industry perspective because a primary sponsor of the workshop was the Risk Prediction Initiative, whose aim is to "support scientific research on topics of interest to its sponsors" (p. 320).


Foreign language enjoyment and speaking anxiety in the classroom are two potential emotion-inducing factors for foreign language learning. This sequential mixed methods study investigated whether and to what extent Iranian EFL students experienced foreign language enjoyment and public speaking anxiety in their English classrooms, and how they characterize the sources of the enjoyment and speaking anxiety in such a context. To these ends, 128 learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) from several English language institutes, selected based on convenience sampling, took part in this research. They completed Dewaele and MacIntyre's (2014b) Foreign Language Enjoyment and Yaikhong and Usaha's (2012) Public Speaking Class Anxiety questionnaires, and write down about an episode in which they had experienced enjoyment and speaking anxiety in the EFL classroom. Quantitative and qualitative statistical data analyses were applied to examine foreign language enjoyment and public speaking class anxiety. Descriptive data analysis showed that the learners had a medium-to-high foreign language degree of enjoyment and a low level of public speaking anxiety. Besides, they reported more enjoyment than public speaking anxiety in class. Further qualitative data analysis revealed 12 sub-themes and four main themes of Teacher, Learning, Class Activities, and Class Atmosphere in explaining their enjoyment, as well as eight sub-themes and four main themes of Exam Phobia, Reaction/Feedback, Personal Failure, and Lack of Self-Confidence for speaking anxiety. The findings provide implications for language teachers and policymakers to gain better insights into factors underlying enjoyment and speaking anxiety in the field of foreign language learning.