Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk and threshold doses of lens opacity among residents exposed to low-dose radiation. Residents aged ≥45 years were recruited from a high natural background radiation (HNBR) area in Yangjiang City and a control area selected from nearby Enping City. Lens opacities (LOPs) were classified according to the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III system. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect information on lifestyles, migration and medical history. Life-time cumulative doses were estimated using gender, age, occupancy factors and environmental radiation doses received indoors and outdoors. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the dose response and determine thresholds. In the HNBR area, among 479 study participants, 101 (21.1%), 245(51.1%) and 23 cases (4.8%), respectively, of cortical, nuclear and posterior subcapsular (PSC) LOPs were found. In the control area, those types of LOPs were identified among 58 cases (12.6%), 206 cases (51.2%) and 6 cases (1.3%) of 462 examinees, respectively. Cumulative eye lens dose was estimated to be 189.5 ± 36.5 mGy in the HNBR area. Logistic analyses gave odds ratios at 100 mGy of 1.26 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.60], 0.81 (95% CI 0.64–1.01) and 1.73 (95% CI 1.05–2.85) for cortical, nuclear and PSC LOPs, respectively. For cortical LOPs, a logistic analysis with a threshold dose gave a threshold estimate of 140 mGy (90% CI 110–160 mGy). The results indicated that population exposed to life-time, low-dose-rate environmental radiation was at an elevated risk of cortical and PSC LOPs. A statistically significant threshold dose was obtained for cortical LOPs and no threshold dose for PSC LOPs.


This paper describes the implementations and test results of elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and elliptic curve digital signature algorithm (ECDSA) algorithms based on Java card. A 163-bit ECC guarantees as secure as the 1024-bit Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) public key algorithm, which has been frequently used until now. According to our test results, the 163-bit ECC processing time is about five times faster compared with the 1024-bit RSA, and the amount of resource usages of ECC is smaller than RSA. Therefore, ECC is more appropriate for use on secure devices such as smart cards and wireless devices with constrained computational power consumption and memory resources.


In the late 19th century, Belgian engineer Jules Arthur Vierendeel registered the patent for a new type of beam. This would be later on better known as the Vierendeel truss. It is characterized by the frame's lack of diagonal members, something which would appear to contradict conditions of steadiness and balance, along with its notable deformation and difficult calculation, caused technicians in his time to be skeptical about its applicability. Nevertheless, its application surged in popularity during the 20th century, being used both in civil engineering and architecture. What are the advantages of the Vierendeel truss as compared to other types, such as diagonal trusses? In this article, the Vierendeel typology will be introduced along with its main features, its calculation as well as its implementation in civil engineering and architectural works. Keywords: Vierendeel, Pratt, statistically indeterminate structures.


The investigation was carried out on 45 men aged 43.1 +/- 2.9 years which were team members of the Antarctic station Academician Vernadsky. Among participants of expedition, we revealed 22% of winterers with the heterozygotic genotype C/T HIF-1alpha. It was shown that the persons with a heterozygotic genotype were more predisposed to the latent hypoxia development during long stay in Antarctica.


This case, which forms the basis of this paper, came under the observation of one of us during an investigation, by balance experiments, of the metabolism of atrophic infants. During life, the condition was diagnosed as one of congenital obliteration of the bile ducts, and it was thought that a study of the absorption and retention might prove useful in observing the effect of a low fat absorption on the absorption of calcium, phosphorus, carbohydrate and protein. The importance of disorders of fat digestion in producing infantile atrophy has been largely stressed by the German school, particularly by Czerny and Finkelstein. The former believes that the cause of atrophy is demineralization of the body, the demineralization being the result of inability to assimilate fat, and the formation of fatty acids in excess. To neutralize these acids, alkalis are taken from the tissues; in constipation, calcium; in diarrhea, sodium and potassium


Edge networking has become an important technology for providing low-latency services to end users. However, deploying an edge network does not guarantee continuous service for mobile users. Mobility can cause frequent interruptions and network delays as users leave the initial serving edge. In this paper, we propose a solution to provide transparent service continuity for mobile users in large-scale WiFi networks. The contribution of this work has three parts. First, we propose ARNAB architecture to achieve mobile service continuity. The term ARNAB means rabbit in Arabic, which represents an Architecture for Transparent Service Continuity via Double-tier Migration. The first tier migrates user connectivity, while the second tier migrates user containerized applications. ARNAB provides mobile services just like rabbits hop through the WiFi infrastructure. Second, we identify the root-causes for prolonged container migration downtime. Finally, we enhance the container migration scheme by improving system response time. Our experimental results show that the downtime of ARNAB container migration solution is 50% shorter than that of the state-of-the-art migration.


Abstract This paper introduces a non-linear and continuous-time opinion dynamics model with additive noise and state-dependent interaction rates between agents. The model features interaction rates which are proportional to a negative power of the opinion distances. We establish a non-local partial differential equation for the distribution of opinion distances and use Mellin transforms to provide an explicit formula for the stationary solution of the latter, when it exists. Our approach leads to new qualitative and quantitative results on this type of dynamics. To the best of our knowledge these Mellin transform results are the first quantitative results on the equilibria of opinion dynamics with distance-dependent interaction rates. The closed-form expressions for this class of dynamics are obtained for the two-agent case. However, the results can be used in mean-field models featuring several agents whose interaction rates depend on the empirical average of their opinions. The technique also applies to linear dynamics, namely with a constant interaction rate, on an interaction graph.


Triglycine sulfate (TGS) is the first ferroelectric material that has been reported to exhibit the effect of stochastic resonance. We observed the effect experimentally, varying the noise strength added to a periodic signal, that was too weak to cause switching between the two possible states of polarization in ferroelectric TGS. Despite the fact that most of the theoretical predictions could be confirmed in our experiments, there occured some peculiarities that have not been observed in other systems with stochastic resonance. The most obvious effect is the dependence of the spectral amplification and the signal-to-noise-ratio on the direction of noise variation. It can be explained taking into account the mechanism of domain switching in ferroelectric materials.


In Windermere charr, Salvelinus willughbii, are either (1) autumn spawners, main breeding period November, most spawning on the lake shore, in shallow water, some in the main inflowing stream; or (2) spring spawners, main breeding period February-March, spawning in the lake only and in deep water. The comparison of these two is mainly based on the autumn spawners netted on the lake spawning grounds at Low Wray Bay and Bed Nab, and on a river spawning ground in Brathay, at Purdom's Dub, and on the spring spawners netted on the spawning ground at Holbeck Point. Information on their breeding habits was obtained by rearing fish in hatchery ponds and on their spawning behaviour by observation in the field and in aquaria. This paper, which deals with the breeding habits of the two types of spawners and the implications arising from them, is divided into two parts, with the Discussion in between. Part I describes the breeding habits of the autumn and spring spawners and shows how these separate the two types from each other. It is concerned with the question of whether these autumn and spring spawners so isolated represent distinct populations. (There is a note on the charr from other English Lake District waters.) The Discussion comes at the end of Part I. Part II gives further details of breeding habits of autumn and spring spawners and describes early stages in the life history of the charr. Aspects of the reproductive life of autumn and spring spawners are compared between themselves and also with other Salmonidae. Some of the information given expands that mentioned in Part I. Part I The difference in spawning times of autumn and spring spawners cannot be explained by reference to the light penetration and temperature conditions during the spawning periods, but day-length may be a factor associated with spawning time. Although the spawning places of autumn and spring spawners differ markedly in depth, both are characterized by a stony substratum, an essential feature of the breeding site. Autumn and spring spawners tagged on their breeding grounds were all recovered in subsequent seasons on their previous breeding grounds. Furthermore among autumn spawners the consistent return to a particular spawning place (tested by displacement experiments) further emphasizes the constancy of the spawning habits of individual Windermere charr. Thus Windermere charr 'home' in the sense of repeatedly returning to the same place to spawn and to this extent autumn and spring spawners keep separate. There is some indirect evidence, from experimental planting of eggs and fry, that spawners home in the sense of returning to spawn in their natal stream. Of characteristics in which autumn and spring spawners differ two are of particular significance: the pattern of early scale growth and the mean number of gill rakers. The difference in the pattern of scale growth and in the number of gill rakers may be associated with environmental conditions but they are good evidence that autumn spawners breed autumn spawners and spring spawners breed spring spawners. Thus it is highly probable that there are two distinct self-perpetuating populations of charr in Windermere: the distinction may be imposed on each generation or be genetical. Evidence from rearing experiments in hatchery ponds shows that the time of spawning is not genetically fixed and there is no barrier to cross-fertilization. Experiments on homing (return of the adult to spawn in the natal stream) suggest that the difference in spawning sites of autumn and spring spawners is not genetic but that without genetical aid the two spawning populations can be kept separate. The difference in depth of autumn and spring-spawning sites is explained by the selective effect of temperature on the developing eggs. Although the possibility of some genetical difference cannot be ruled out, the evidence so far suggests that imposition and imprinting are sufficient to explain the division of Winder-mere charr into autumn and spring breeding populations. The Discussion considers other examples of situations comparable to that in Windermere in Europe and in the British Isles in view of which the taxonomic status of the Windermere charr is discussed. Theories are suggested of the possible origin of the autumn and spring-populations. It is noted that in none of the other Lake District waters have two populations been found. Part II Comparative information is given on frequency of return of spawners to the breeding ground, time spent there, proportions of the sexes, estimated number of spawners and estimated survival rates. The spawning behaviour (based on observations in field and aquaria) is briefly described. Comparison of the female's weaving (undulating) and cutting actions with similar activities in the genus Salmo leads to the suggestion that in Salvelinus weaving is replacing the cutting-to-cover activity of Salmo and that cutting of any kind is becoming vestigial in Salvelinus. On the evidence from rearing and field observation, the eggs of autumn spawners hatch about the first week in March and those of spring spawners about the first week in May. Therefore the former have 2 months longer growing time which may account for their being larger than the spring-spawned fish at the end of their first year of life. It also seems likely that there is an association between the hatching of eggs in May and the habit of spawning-in deep water. Observations on alevins and fry indicate that the latter are not territorial. Predation, which is on both adult charr and their eggs, is much greater on the autumn than on the spring spawners.


The standards ISO 14001:2004 and SA 8000:2008, recognized worldwide, are a international consensus on the state of the art in technology or in the good management practices. Both ISO 14001 and SA8000 are presented in a general way to allow your application actually different but at the same time, can not be separated from a certain sternness as this that aim to protect - the environment and people - can not be subject of bargaining. However, there are other ways beyond standardization with which you can create a policy of stability, it can not be ignored by certain requirements to ensure that this is efficient and effective. An example of an alternative to the aforementioned methods we find in the multinational IKEA has decided to achieve the same goals by adopting ISO 14001 and SA8000, however, a system that fully supports the specific needs of the company. The purpose of this work is precisely to find a point of contact between the ISO 14001, SA8000 and the alternative adopted dall'IKEA.


The anastomoses between the deep femoral artery and the femoro-popliteal arterial axes are clearly visible in angiographic studies when there is an obstruction of the main arterial axis. These anastomoses which allow blood to flow into the distal arteries occur especially in the femoral perforating arteries (ramus perforans arteriae femoralis) in the lateral circumflex femoral artery (arteria circumflexa femoris lateralis) and in the medial circumflex femoral arteries (arteriae circumflexae femoris medialis).


Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have drawn lots of attention in tumorigenesis and progression. However, circRNAs as crucial regulators in multitudinous biological processes have not been systematically identified in breast cancer (BC). Our research aims to explore novel circRNAs in BC and their mechanisms of action.Methods: The circRNA expression profile data, as well as RNA-sequencing data of BC, were downloaded from public database, respectively. The differentially expressed circRNAs, miRNA, and mRNA were determined via fold change filtering. The competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) network were established on the foundation of the relationship between circular RNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs. GO and KEGG analysis of the overlapped genes were performed to predict the potential functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in BC. The CytoHubba was used to determine the hub genes from the PPI regulatory network. Morever, we further used Kaplan–Meier plotter to perform survival analysis of these hub genes. Real-time PCR was used to validate the expression of the circRNAs in BC tissues.Results: A total of seven differential expressed circRNAs were screened. After the predicted target miRNA and DEmiRNA were intersected, four circRNA-miRNA interactions including three circRNAs and four miRNAs were determined. Furthermore, the Venn diagram was used to intersect the predicted target genes and the downregulated differentially expressed genes, and screened 149 overlapped genes. Moreover, we constructed a PPI network, and selecting six hub genes, including DGAT2, ACSL1, ADIPOQ, LPL, LEP, PCK1. Moreover, the survival analysis results revealed that low expression of ADIPOQ, LPL, LEP were obviously correlated with poor prognosis of BC patients. The real-time PCR results demonstrated that, the levels of circ_0028899, circ_0000375, and circ_0000376 were significantly down-regulated in breast cancer tissues.Conclusions: Our study constructed and analyzed a circRNA-associated ceRNA regulatory network and discovered that circ_0028899, circ_0000375, and circ_0000376 may function as ceRNAs to serve key roles in BC.


In this study, using the personal color analysis system featuring KOSCOTE, (Korean Standard Color of Textile)face skin color, pupil color, hair color, inside color of wrist, and head skin color of 273 women in their 20s through 40s who live in Seoul and its peripheral areas were observed from February 14, 2005 to July 30, 2005 being classified into warm and cold types. As a result of categorizing seasonal types, warm type was 51 (18.7%), cold type was 222 (81.3%); and spring type was 6 (2.20%), summer type was 160 (58.61%), autumn type was 19 (6.96%), winter type was 68 (24.90%), and combined type was 20 (7.33%), showing that summer type as cold one accounts for the greatest portion. It is ascertained in this study that KOSCOTE can be utilized also in the personal color field as it is used as a color analysis tool. This study attempted to use the color codes in the KOSCOTE as a personal color analysis tool for the first time to analyze seasonal types, systemizing the color codes of the personal color analysis tool and presenting it as an appropriate personal color analysis tool. It is expected that the findings in this study would be helpful in developing personal analysis cloth in Korea.


Abstract This paper argues that economic voting is not limited to first-order elections and also can be observed in local elections (usually considered as second-order). Though local governments do not have the power to shape the macro-economic policy of the state, they may have some instruments to influence the well-being of their regions. Moreover, voters may perceive them as accountable for the state of the economy in the region and punish or reward them in local elections on basis of the economic trends. Lithuania appears to be a quite interesting case in which to test these theoretical arguments. Party identification and cleavages are quite weak here: therefore economic voting can be expected to provide at least some explanation of voting (it should not be shadowed by other social factors). Six local municipal council elections were held in Lithuania since the transition to democracy: the first were held in 1995 and the last in 2011. While controlling for important political-contextual factors, this paper strives to compare the impact of economic voting at Lithuania's municipal elections across time five separate time periods. Results of the empirical analysis reveal that Lithuanians are learning the economic vote with unemployment being more significant as a factor in explaining changes in votes for dominant parties in the municipal councils in the more recent period than in the first several elections. A referendum effect is also observed: parties that belong to the national government parties are punished more during economic downturns.


Objective: To evaluate the effect Chlamidiae pneumoniae on clinical and immunological parameters in children with chronic bronchiolitis obliterans Materials and Methods: 106 children with COPD were examined at the age from 1 year to 15 years. In 47 patients the results of research on chlamydial infection were positive. The concentration of specific IgG and IgM to Clamydiae pneumoniae were determined by enzyme immunoassay.The method of indirect immunofluorescence for the presence of membrane antigens assessed phenotypic composition of peripheral blood lymphocytes (CD3, CD4, CD8). Results: In patients with chlamydial infection clinic during exacerbation was characterized by the brightness of displays. The symptoms of intoxication were pronounced. Bronchoobstructive syndrome (BOS): shortness of breath, spastic paroxysmal cough, part of the auxiliary muscles in the act of breathing on a background of low grade or febrile temperature comes to the fore. Auscultation listened to the mass of dry whistling and buzzing and wet wheezing. Radiographs of the chest determines the gain and distortion bronchopulmonary figure, extension roots phenomenon peribronhita. However, the duration of these symptoms was short. IgG concentration in Chlamidiae pneumonia in the acute stage of -0,65 ± 0,04, in remission-0.2 ± 0,05 n =. 0-0,257. The level of IgM to Chlamidiae pneumonia: 0,5 ± 0,01 and 0,06 ± 0,01pri n = 0-0,173 Conclusion: The presence of chlamydial infection in the genesis of the disease contributes to a prolonged course of bronchial obstruction syndrome with frequent recurrent relapses. There was moderate cell type immunosuppression.


I read the above paper by Guptasarma (1983) with great interest since it concerns the work done jointly by a group that includes me (Apparao et al., 1980). While I agree with some of his conclusions, I disagree with the others. The article reports an interesting result that, in physical modeling for resistivity and IP, an excitation current frequency of at least twenty times the maximum characteristic frequency (fc)max must be used along the length of the profile, when one employs either a solid metallic conductor as a target or electronic conducting material in the target. He also reports that the value of fc is as low as 4.5 Hz with some models. For many others (not measured by Guptasarma), (fcmax) may turn out to be much less than 1 Hz. He hastened to conclude that all the laboratory measurements carried out at 50 or 60 Hz (referring to our papers) are likely to be grossly erroneous and should be viewed with "suspicion." That his conclusion is incorrect can be seen from the following five‐point discussion.


Within the last decade mid infrared absorption spectroscopy between 3 and 20 μm, known as Infrared Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (IRLAS) and based on tuneable semiconductor lasers, namely lead salt diode lasers, often called tuneable diode lasers (TDL), and quantum cascade lasers (QCL) has progressed considerably as a powerful diagnostic technique for in situ studies of the fundamental physics and chemistry of molecular plasmas. The increasing interest in processing plasmas containing hydrocarbons, fluorocarbons, organo-silicon and boron compounds has lead to further applications of IRLAS because most of these compounds and their decomposition products are infrared active. IRLAS provides a means of determining the absolute concentrations of the ground states of stable and transient molecular species, which is of particular importance for the investigation of reaction kinetics. Information about gas temperature and population densities can also be derived from IRLAS measurements. A variety of free radicals and molecular ions have been detected, especially using TDLs. Since plasmas with molecular feed gases are used in many applications such as thin film deposition, semiconductor processing, surface activation and cleaning, and materials and waste treatment, this has stimulated the adaptation of infrared spectroscopic techniques to industrial requirements. The recent development of QCLs offers an attractive new option for the monitoring and control of industrial plasma processes as well as for highly time-resolved studies on the kinetics of plasma processes. The aim of the present article is threefold: (i) to review recent achievements in our understanding of molecular phenomena in plasmas, (ii) to report on selected studies of the spectroscopic properties and kinetic behaviour of radicals, and (iii) to describe the current status of advanced instrumentation for TDLAS in the mid infrared.


Background: Diabetes is a common disease known to cause morbidity and mortality. Individuals with diabetes are at greater risk of complications from coronavirus and have recently gains attention of researchers and practitioners. Aim: To assess the effect of diabetes mellitus on clinical course and outcome of coronavirus infection. Study design: Prospective cohort study Place and duration of study: Coronavirus Disease High Dependency Unit Jinnah Hospital, Lahore from 01-01-2021 to03-04-2021. Methodology: Three hundred and seventy six patients of either genders and age range of 15-75 years were enrolled. They were divided into diabetic or non-diabetic groups. The various attributes such as demographic data, medical history, COVID-19 exposure history, symptoms and signs, laboratory findings, chest radiograph findings, the treatment measures and complications of diabetes and in hospital outcome were compared for both the groups. Result: Statistically different from each other in terms of oxygen requirement, lymphocyte %, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (P=0.026), alanine aminotransferase (P=0.038), C-reactive protein (P=0.048), ferritin (P=0.031), lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) (P=0.011), D-dimer (P=0.024), Quick sequential organ failure assessment score (qSOFA score) (P=0.001) and Chest X-ray (P=0.049), blood sugar random (P=0.000), treatment during hospital stay (P=0.000), insulin dose increase (P=0.000), complications during hospital stay (P=0.042) and shifting to the intensive care unit (P=0.002). Conclusion: Diabetic coronavirus patients have poorer prognosis due to higher risk of severe pneumonia and related complications including mortality than their non-diabetic counterparts. Keywords: Diabetes, Coronavirus, Diabetes mellitus, COVID-19, Co-morbidity, Cytokine syndrome, Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)


Neoliberalism has create structurization process in post collonial states. The structurization is not only affecting the state souvereignty, but also shape norms and identity. By using the constructivist's view of the "steering", this paper tries to elaborate patterns of disciplinary regime imposed by international development institutions toward post-colonial states. This paper assured that the post-colonial ties is not the attribution, but rather a construction that has a long process of the integration process in the previous phase of capitalism.


The collision of sports and labor law has prompted a rise in scholarly activity best exemplified by the recent Workshop on Sports Law at the Southeastern Association of Law Schools (SEALS). Featuring a number of scholars, the workshop moderated by Professor William Berry surveyed an array of issues. One issue concerns the implications that correspond with the question whether or not the football players at Northwestern University, who receive grant-in-aid scholarships, ought to treated as employees within the meaning of Section (2)(3) of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (NLRA).Although Richard Posner's understanding of economic theory suggests that the NLRA can be viewed as a kind of reverse Sherman Act designed to encourage cartelization of labor markets, it is equally possible to adduce evidence showing that universities, as putative employers, richly defended by the NCAA, possess unjustified market power. If universities are properly seen as employers, they can be viewed as monopsonies that extract unjustified benefits from their employees who possess inferior bargaining power in spite of the NCAA's self-proclaimed mission to prevent exploitation of student-athletes under the umbrella of "amateurism." This brief essay suggests that an economic case can be established favoring the unionization of Division I football players grounded in the likelihood that college players face employers with monopsony power. This remains true despite the fact that complications arise with regard to the possible adverse effects of unionization on both the status of Division II and Division III programs and university athletic programs outside of the domain of football.


Despite the high food price crisis of 2008 and 2012, most governments in developing countries continue to support an open trade stance with the rest of the world and promote agricultural exports. However, there is scarce evidence on the synergetic effects of promoting agricultural export on domestic food security, and more particularly on the distributional effects of such policies on food access by households. This study uses a micro-macro modelling approach to examine the impacts of enhanced agricultural export orientation on the four dimensions of food security in three structurally food insecure African economies: Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. Our findings suggest that agro-export promotion is likely to negatively affect staple food consumption by urban households while gains are observed for rural households. These effects are stronger for Ethiopia and Kenya. We also find that risks associated with international commodity price and productivity failures can further deteriorate access to food in countries implementing agricultural export promotion policies.


We study the roles of thermal ionization and electronic damage in the internal modification of bulk borosilicate glass by high repetition rate picosecond laser pulses. Laser-induced plasma generation, nonlinear energy deposition and steady temperature distribution are numerically analyzed. The simulated modified regions show good agreement with the experimental results, thereby revealing the roles of thermal damage and electronic damage in the internal modification. While the elliptical outer structure is recognized as the molten region, we found that the teardrop-shaped inner structure is the damaged zone caused by high-density free-electrons. In the formation of the inner structure, cascade ionization is seeded by thermal ionization instead of multi-photon ionization and dramatically increases the free-electron density to the damage threshold. The contour of the inner structure is found to be corresponding to a characteristic isotherm of around 3000 ~4000 °C.


DNA demethylases (dMTases) are essential proteins in plants that regulate DNA methylation levels. The dMTase genes have been explored in a number of plant species, however, members of this family have not been reported in wheat. We identi fi ed 12 wheat dMTase genes divided into two subfamilies: repressor of silencing 1 (ROS1) and DEMETER-Like (DML). The TadMTases in the same subfamily or clade in the phylogenetic tree have similar gene structures, protein motifs, and domains. The promoter sequence contains multiple cis -regulatory elements (CREs) that respond to abiotic stress, hormones, and light, suggesting that the majority of TadMTase genes play a role in wheat growth, development, and stress response. The nuclear localization signals (NLSs), subcellular localization, and SRR motifs were also analyzed. The expression pro fi le analyses revealed that TadMTase genes showed differential gene expression patterns in distinct developmental stages and tissues as well as under heat stress (HS). Furthermore, the qRT-PCR analysis revealed that TadMTase gene expression differed amongst wheat cultivars with varying degrees of HS tolerance. Overall, this work contributes to the understanding of the biological function of wheat dMTases and lays the foundation for future investigations.


Abstract
Global Mindset (GM) is a multifaceted construct that has received broad interest among practitioners and academics. It is a fragmented construct at this point in time, due to definitional overlap with other constructs such as global leadership and cultural intelligence. This overlap has created complexity for research that attempts to understand GM in isolation. Lack of clear boundaries in defining and conceptualizing this construct challenges researchers who are attempting to capture fully what constitutes GM. Our work seeks to better understand and explain what underlines the individual GM construct and how does this impact the development of global competencies in individual managers.

We systematically review and analyze the individual GM literature thematically to provide an overview of the extant research from a broad array of scholarly sources dating from 1994 to 2017. Our work offers a thematic analysis that provides a visual guide to GM by tracking the corpus of individual-level GM studies. We categorize the research according to its theoretical groundings and basic concepts and proceed review how GM has been operationalized at the individual level and measured. Next, we integrate major dimensions in the GM research and propose a framework to enhance understanding of the phenomenon. Finally, we discuss the implications of our review for the development of GM for practitioners, coaches and trainers.


The changed friction resistance coefficient of the pipeline after the oilfield water injection pipe network system is used for a long term cannot reflect the actual conditions of the pipeline accurately. As the main parameter in the water injection system, the friction resistance coefficient of the pipeline concerns to the accuracy of the simulating calculation of water injection system and the efficiency of operation optimization.


Abstract. The Cambodian floodplains experience a yearly floodpulse that is essential to sustain fisheries and the agricultural calendar. Sixty years of data from 1960–2019 are used to track the changes to the floodpulse there. We find that minimum water levels in 2010–2019 have increased by up to 1.55 m at Kratie and maximum water levels have decreased by up to 0.79 m at Prek Kdam when compared to 1960–1991 levels, causing a reduction of the annual flood extent. Concurrently, the duration of the flooding season has decreased by about 26 days (Kompong Cham) – 40 days (Chaktomuk), with the season starting later and ending much earlier. Along the Tonle Sap River, the average annual reverse flow from the Mekong to the Tonle Sap Lake has decreased by 56.5 %, from 48.7 km3 in 1962–1972 to 31.7 km3 in 2010–2018. As a result, wet-season water levels at Tonle Sap Lake has dropped by 1.05 m in 2010–2019 since 1996–2009, corresponding to a 20.6 % shrinkage of the Lake area. In addition to known upstream contributors such as hydropower dams, two anthropogenic causes of the drastic alterations to the floodpulse are identified: irrigation and channel incision. We estimate that water withdrawal in the Cambodian floodplains is occurring at a rate of (2.1 ± 0.3) km3/yr and incision-induced water levels reduction is in the order of (0.43–1.02) m. As the floodpulse is essential for the ecological habitats, fisheries and livelihoods of the region, its reduction will pose major implications throughout the basin, from the Tonle Sap system to the Vietnamese Mekong Delta downstream.


Study Design. A retrospective study to determine the efficacy of posterior-only unit rod instrumentation and fusion in a skeletally immature neuromuscular scoliosis population. Objective. To determine whether the posterior-only approach to this population adequately addresses the concerns of correction of scoliosis and pelvic obliquity, maintenance of that correction over time, and the incidence of crankshaft phenomenon. Summary of Background Data. Controversy exists regarding the need for anterior release to improve curve flexibility and the need to obtain an anterior arthrodesis in those skeletally immature patients at risk for crankshafting with continued anterior growth. Methods. From 1992 through 1997, 28 consecutive skeletally immature patients with neuromuscular scoliosis underwent posterior-only unit rod instrumentation and fusion for the treatment of progressive, symptomatic spinal deformities. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and final follow-up radiographs were analyzed with respect to scoliosis and pelvic obliquity correction, maintenance of that correction over time, and the development of the crankshaft phenomenon as evidenced by loss of correction and/or increased rib–vertebral angle difference. The average age of the patients was 12.8 years and the average follow-up was 58 months with a minimum of 2 years. Results. Twenty-six patients were available for final follow-up. The initial Cobb angle correction averaged 66%, with 75% of the pelvic obliquity corrected. These corrections were maintained over time. Before surgery 27 of 28 patients were Risser 0, 1, or 2. The triradiate cartilage was open in nine patients, and five patients were ≤10 years of age. At the final follow-up 22 of the 26 patients were Risser 5 and 4 were Risser 4. There was one patient with increased rib–vertebral angle difference over the length of follow-up, with no loss of frontal or sagittal plane alignment. Conclusions. These results indicate that even in the very young neuromuscular patient, acceptable amounts of curve correction can be achieved and maintained with posterior-only unit rod instrumentation and fusion. The biomechanical stiffness of this construct seemed to be able to prevent the crankshaft phenomenon in the majority of those patients at risk.


Anti‐Ro and anti‐La antibodies are important in pathogenesis and diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Ro60, Ro52 and La are RNA binding proteins of Y RNA, which were discovered more than three decades ago. Significance of Y RNA is not appreciated as much as Ro and La in SS. It can be hypothesised that 5′‐YsRNA, short fragment derived from Y RNA may be recognized by TLR7 in pDC, which induces type I interferon signature in SS. New genomics tools, namely RNA seq, enables assay of 5′‐YsRNA in blood. 5′‐YsRNA has the potential to be a novel biomarker of SS.


Ionophores are antibiotics that induce ion transport across natural and artificial membranes. The specific function of a given ionophore depends upon its selectivity and the kinetics of ion capture, transport, and release. Systematic studies of complexed and uncomplexed forms of linear and cyclic ionophores provide insight into molecular mechanisms of ion capture and release and the basis for ion selectivity. The cyclic dodecadepsipeptide valinomycin, cyclo[(-L-Val-D-Hyi-D-Val-L-Lac)3-], transports potassium ions across cellular membrane bilayers selectively. The x-ray crystallographic and nmr spectroscopic data concerning the structures of Na+, K+, and Ba+2 complexes are consistent and provide a rationale for the K+ selectivity of valinomycin. Three significantly different conformations of valinomycin are observed in anhydrous crystals, in hydrated crystals grown from dimethylsulfoxide, and in crystals grown from dioxane. Each of these conformations suggests a different mechanism of ion capture. One of the observed conformations has an elliptical structure stabilized by four 4<--1 intramolecular hydrogen bonds and two 5<--1 hydrogen bonds. Ion capture could be readily achieved by disruption of the 5<--1 hydrogen bonds to permit coordination to a potassium ion entering the cavity. The conformation found in crystals obtained from dimethyl sulfoxide is an open flower shape having three petals and three 4<--1 hydrogen bonds. Complexation could proceed by a closing up of the three petals of the flower around the desolvating ion. In the third form, water molecules reside in the central cavity of a bracelet structure having six 4<--1 hydrogen bonds. Two of these bracelets stack over one another with their valine-rich faces surrounding a dioxane molecule. The stacked molecules form a channel approximately 20 A in length, suggesting that under certain circumstances valinomycin might function as a channel. A series of analogues of valinomycin differing in ring composition and size have been synthesized and their transport properties tested. Peptide substitution and chiral variation in the dodecadepsipeptide can result in stabilization or modification of the different conformers. While contraction of the ring size results in loss of ion transport properties, expansion of the ring size permits complexation of larger ions and small positively charged molecules. Gramicidin A is a pentadecapeptide that functions as a transmembrane channel for transporting monovalent cations. Crystal structures of the cesium chloride complex and two uncomplexed forms of gramicidin A have been reported. In all three structures the gramicidin A molecule is a left-handed, antiparallel, double-stranded helical dimer. In the cesium complex the beta 7.2-helix has 6.4 residues per turn with an internal cavity large enough to accommodate cesium ions. In the uncomplexed structures the channel is 31 A long and has 5.6 amino acids per turn. Because the helix is too tightly wound to permit ion transport, ion transport would require breaking and reforming of hydrogen bonds.


Reflecting progressive aging of society, many special diets for patients suffering from swallowing disorders (i.e. dysphagia diets) have been developed. Texture modification for less risk of aspiration is one of the important elements in dysphagia diets from the viewpoint of safety assurance. However, no attempt has been done to add chemicals to such diets to facilitate swallowing initiation. For this, sensory inputs from the oropharynx play an important role in swallow initiation. Animal studies showed that stimulation by umami taste is effective stimulus of this area. Therefore, to study the effect of umami taste on swallow initiation in humans, we examined the effect of application of Monosodium L-Glutamate (MSG) solution as an umami taste to the oropharynx on the latency of the swallow reflex evoked by electrical stimulation of the oropharynx. Distilled water (DW) and 0.15 M sodium chloride (NaCl) solution (saline) were used as vehicles of MSG. Each of the DW, saline, 0.1 M MSG dissolved with DW (MSGDW) and 0.1 M MSG dissolved with saline (MSG-saline) were slowly injected approximately 1 s prior to electrical stimulation. The amount of each solution was 0.1 ml. No swallow was evoked when each of the solutions was applied to the posterior wall of the oropharynx without electrical stimulation, and the subjects could not discriminate the solutions. Results showed that application of DW to the oropharynx shortened the latency of the swallow reflex, but saline application elongated the latency of the reflex. Also, application of MSG-saline solution counteracts the elongation of the latency induced by saline application. This counteractive effect of MSG was concentrationdependent. Above findings suggest that using MSG as a food additive with NaCl (i.e. salty taste) may serve not only as a flavor enhancer but also as an enhancer of swallow initiation.


Background: Many countries in Africa are making progress towards reducing the incidence of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and possibly eliminating them completely. Through the accepted global strategy of Mass Drug Administration (MDA), the COUNTDOWN project1 has made significant attempts through a partnership with the Ghana Health Service to reduce the incidence and impact of NTDs particularly Schistosomiasis (SCH), Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH), Onchocerciasis (OV), and Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) in Ghana. However, elimination can be achieved only when the key players including the community members comply with the programme guidelines and requirements by participating in MDA campaigns against NTDs. The objective of the paper is to examine the factors influencing community members' participation in MDA programs that seeks to bring the services of NTDs prevention to the doorstep of individuals. Methods: We used a population-based survey data of 1,034 people from 296 households collected in the Assin North Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. First, chi-square test was used to test the association of socio-economic factors and participation in MDAs. Subsequently, we ran a multilevel logistic regression model to estimate the association of factors that influence non-participation in MDA by community members. Results: Nearly a quarter of respondents had once suffered from STH (22.5%) and a small fraction from bilharzia (7.4), river blindness (1.1%), and nobody suffered from LF. Although almost all respondents (97%) had ever heard of MDA campaign, 22% of respondents missed or did not participate in a MDA program. Factors that were found to correlate with non-participation in MDA programs are marital status and previously receiving tablets from a MDA campaign. Conclusion: Results showed that MDA participation by community members is relatively high and thus Ghana's efforts at eliminating NTDs through MDA is on course. However, continues public education is required to maintain high participation and possibly improve upon it. 1The project looks at the parasitological, epidemiological as well as the socio-economic factors that influence the acceptance, effectiveness, efficiency and equity impact of scale-up from a health systems approach


Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent and diffuse inflammatory disease of the intestine. It is widely prevalent in developed countries. Approximately 30% of patients with UC suffer from widespread and aggressive colitis and are at increased risk of colon cancer. In this study, the genetic features and potential molecular mechanisms shared between UC and colorectal cancer were investigated. The datasets from GEO and TCGA were analyzed to obtain differentially expressed genes, of which there were 116 overlapping genes. A module containing 15 genes was obtained using String and Cytoscape to analyze the module and identify hub genes. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify co-expression modules associated with UC and colon cancer, with 52 overlapping genes. Functional clustering of the two gene cohorts was performed using the Metascape online tool, with three significant functions or pathways associated with both gene cohorts. A total of 19 key genes were included, and CCT2 was identified after expression and survival analyses. CCT2 is highly expressed in colon cancer and lowly expressed in UC, and its low expression is associated with a poor prognostic ratio. This study reveals, for the first time, that CCT2 may be a promoter of UC transformation into colon cancer and identifies new gene candidates that could be used as biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets.


In this article, we report the formation of nanoring structures on Fe coated substrate and their application in guiding the growth of carbon nanotube (CNT) patterns with hierarchical structures. The formation of nanorings involves the etching of polystyrene (PS) monolayer colloidal crystals (MCCs) under reactive ion etching (RIE), and the redeposition and cross-linkage of the active degradation products at the contact line between the MCCs and the substrate. After washing out the MCCs, insoluble nanorings with hexagonal order on the substrate are developed. The RIE process can control the morphology of the nanorings, as well as the distribution of the Fe element on the substrate; thus, a continuous Fe layer and separated Fe discs on the substrate are created on substrate after washing, depending on the etching time and the shield of MCCs. The surviving Fe element can work as the catalyst to initiate the in situ growth of aligned CNTs in the following chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, while the Fe element underneath the nanorings keep its inactivity. Eventually, CNT patterns with hierarchical structures are formed. One level originates from the surviving Fe layer; the other level is templated from the nanoring structures, which cause the blank area in the CNT bundles.


In the last 2 decades, foreign direct investment (FDI) flows have grown rapidly all over the world. This is because many countries and especially developing countries see FDI as an important element in their strategy for economic development. This paper provides a review of the foreign direct investment economic growth literature in the context of developing countries, and particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. The two main findings are as follows, first, FDI contributes to economic development of host country in two main ways, augmentation of domestic capital and enhancement of efficiency through the transfer of new technology, marketing and managerial skills, innovation and best practices, secondly FDI has both benefits and costs and its impact is determined by the country specific conditions in general and the policy environment in particular in terms of the ability to diversify, the level of absorption capacity, targeting of FDI, and opportunities for linkages between FDI and domestic investment. The findings of the review suggest that FDI is necessary but not a sufficient condition for economic growth.

 Key words:  Foreign Direct investment, economic growth, diversification, absorption capacity, Sub –Saharan Africa.


The authors studied the parameters of the systemic and cerebral circulation in 58 patients with a stroke involving a reversible neurological deficit and compared them with the clinical course of the disease and analogous parameters in 53 patients with ischemic stroke. The efficacy of some vasoactive drugs in a combined treatment of "minor stroke" was evaluated.


The diagnostic step-program in arterial hypertension can be divided in a so called basic program and in special differential-diagnostic programs. The basic evaluation for every hypertensive subject contains family and personal history, clinical investigation, blood pressure measurement, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, blood tests (creatinine and potassium) and urine analysis. The extended basic program enables the evaluation of global cardiovascular risk. Furthermore other blood and urine examinations (including vanilmandelic acid), fundoscopy, echocardiography and sonography of the kidneys are of particular value for determining severity and etiology of the disease. After this program an extension of diagnostics can be renounced in about 90% of hypertensives.


Poultry farming is one of the most important livestock sectors in Spain, where about 210 eggs are consumed per person per year, a fact that reflects the great social importance of this food. The consumer is more and more aware of the quality and food safety of the products. The quality of the egg is determined by the control of its internal quality and by the absence of external defects on the shell. The alterations of the shell will depend on several factors: age of the hen, handling and situations of stress, nutrition, pathologies. These factors are going to have an influence on the external appearance of the egg and on its food security, which, in short, can mean its withdrawal from the consumption chain. This article makes a review of the influence of the productive phase of the hen in the incidence of presentation of alterations in the shell of the eggs, which will cause a decline in their economic value.
Keywords: Ca metabolism, stress in hens, cracked egg.


Since the beginning of the present campaign against tuberculosis a vast amount of literature bearing on the subject of preventive measures and cure in regard to the disease has been distributed among the laity. Besides what has been distributed by those desiring to educate the public, numerous articles have appeared in magazines. Almost every writer dwells on the point that there is no medical cure for tuberculosis and everything is laid aside for the so-called outdoor treatment, which all admit is the most important part of the treatment for tuberculosis when properly administered. In our anxiety to educate the public on the subject we overlook the result of our therapeutic nihilistic statements, which often leaves the poor victim of tuberculosis convinced that a physician can give him no aid, as it has been acknowledged that there is no cure for consumption. In his fight for life and health he naturally


It is generally claimed that there exist exceptional circumstances when taking human life may be approved and when such actions may be justified on moral grounds. Precise guidelines in the medical field for making such decisions concerning patients who are terminally ill or have irreparable injuries incompatible with a bearable life, are difficult to establish. Recommendations that take the particular logical form of a rule, such as "in dubio pro vita", "when in doubt favour life") have been suggested and in some countries incorporated into legal texts (Germany). We claim here that such a rule is of no value since it is open-ended and always allows for doubt, and a decision to employ measures that would support human life could always be argued to be a valid choice. Preservation of this rule could be encouraged, but giving it the force of law may put physicians at risk, as they may be challenged for choosing to terminate life in otherwise ethically and medically uncontroversial circumstances.


PPM-18, identified as a novel analog of vitamin K, has been reported to play a critical role in the suppression of seizures. However, the concerns that whether PPM-18, like vitamin K, exerts anticancer activity remain to be further investigated. Here, we found that PPM-18 remarkably suppressed the proliferation and induced apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. Furthermore, a significant autophagic effect of PPM-18 on bladder cancer cells was also demonstrated, which profoundly promoted apoptotic cell death. Mechanistically, PPM-18 activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), whereas it repressed PI3K/AKT and mTORC1 pathways in bladder cancer cells. Inhibition of AMPK markedly relieved PPM-18–induced autophagy and apoptosis, indicating that PPM-18 is able to induce autophagy and apoptosis in bladder cancer cells via AMPK activation. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were notably accumulated in PPM-18–treated bladder cancer cells, and treatment with ROS scavengers not only eliminated ROS production but also abrogated AMPK activation, which eventually rescued bladder cancer cells from PPM-18–triggered autophagy and apoptotic cell death. In bladder cancer xenografts, the anticancer activities of PPM-18, including suppressing the growth of tumors and inducing autophagy and apoptosis in tumor cells, were also established. Collectively, this study was the first to demonstrate the anticancer effect of PPM-18 on bladder cancer cells in vitro and in vivo through eliciting autophagy and apoptosis via ROS and AMPK pathways, which might provide new insights into the potential utilization of PPM-18 for future bladder cancer treatment.


After the exploration of different kind of thinking skills oriented to discerning complex issues and phenomena, this article argues about the need to use a new modality of thinking, defined as integral thinking. Based on the holonic theory and on the proprieties of the holons and their part-whole relationships, the paper proposes and characterizes integral thinking, a kind of thinking that is holistic but also has span and profundity, going beyond conventional Aristotelian epistemic-inspired ways. Integral thinking joins in a single model the assets of premodern, modern and postmodern thinking systems; and helps in going beyond the nowadays syncretism of many perspectives. Integral thinking is the kind of thinking appropriated to the contemporary need to think integrally in science, culture, professions, and arts or about the evolution of personal consciousness. It's useful also to be applied in the diverse professional fields, especially when comprehensive approaches are needed. Integral thinking can be used in holistic education and pedagogies. The use of integral thinking in the educational actuality can help to characterize the integral education practice and agenda.


Quality in healthcare is high on the political agenda in England. This paper examines the model of inspection used by the Care Quality Commission to inspect healthcare provision in England. The paper comprises a critical review of the literature to examine the model of judgement used by the Care Quality Commission in their inspection framework. It is argued that the model of judgement used makes various assumptions which throw into doubt the notion that such inspections provide an objective picture of quality in healthcare. However, the contrary view, that such inspections are highly subjective, is rejected in favour of developing a perspective informed by the later philosophy of Wittgenstein; one which recognises the importance of social agreement and understanding in developing meaning. This perspective highlights the importance of the different social groups that work in healthcare, and those who are treated in the healthcare system, for developing shared understandings and meanings of terms such as 'quality'.


Despite of recent advances on acknowledge of hepatitis B virus (HBV) structure and biology, little is known about the morphogenesis and release of virions. In this study, the ultrastructural analysis of HBV components in liver biopsies from chronically HBV-infected patients disclosed complex assembly and morphogenesis pathways for HBV. HBV core (HBcAg) and surface (HBsAg) antigens were specifically identified in all liver biopsies from HVB-infected patients. HBcAg containing core-like particles 24-28 nm in diameter were observed both in nucleus and cytoplasm of hepatocytes. Dane's-like particles were detected either budding to or into the lumen of ER close to HBsAg containing tubular structures. Besides, Dane's-like particles were detected in different vesicular compartments resembling multivesicular endosomes. Other kind of enveloped HBV-like particles similar to the previously described cobra-shaped and horn-shaped particles were also observed in hepatocytes. Some of these particles were connected to the vesicle membrane through a stalk 20-22 nm in diameter. On the other hand, spherical subviral particles (SVP) were frequently observed in cytoplasmic vesicles. Moreover, a minor proportion of enveloped HBV-like particles budding through the plasma membrane to the extracellular space and bile canaliculi were detected. Interestingly, Dane's-like particles in the bile canaliculi and entering into ductular-like cells were shown. Strikingly, Dane's-like particles close to tubular structures and specific immunolabeling for HBcAg both in cytoplasm and nuclei of stellate-like cells were detected. Remarkably, HVB-like particles appeared entering hepatocytes from large cytoplasmic processes of fibrocytes raising the interesting possibility of a cell to cell passage of HBV through direct transcellular migration.


We consider a graph theoretic approach for automatic construction of options in a dynamic environment. A map of the environment is generated on-line by the learning agent, representing the topological structure of the state transitions. A clustering algorithm is then used to partition the state space to different regions. Policies for reaching the different parts of the space are separately learned and added to the model in a form of options (macro-actions). The options are used for accelerating the Q-Learning algorithm. We extend the basic algorithm and consider building a map that includes preliminary indication of the location of "interesting" regions of the state space, where the value gradient is significant and additional exploration might be beneficial. Experiments indicate significant speedups, especially in the initial learning phase.


Given an industrial robot equipped with a dexterous hand and an object to be grasped with four grasping points determined on its faces, this paper deals with the problem of finding the joint configurations that allow to grasp that object. The proposed solution is based on an iterative optimization method that consecutively moves the joint that best contributes to reduce the distance of the fingertips to the desired locations. The method is particularized for a Stäubli RX90 robot and the dexterous hand MA-I with four fingers developed at the IOC's Robotics Lab.


The study aimed to investigate the association of varying body mass index (BMI) with oral health status among children aged 5–14 years and correlate the concentration of salivary levels of 1,5-AG with varying BMI, dental caries, and periodontal disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted on subjects aged 5 to 14 years. The children were recruited from the Pediatric Dental Clinic, College of Dentistry, Majmaah University, by convenient sampling method. Sociodemographic details and clinical parameters, including body mass index (BMI), DMFT/def (deciduous decayed tooth (d), deciduous extracted tooth (e), deciduous filled tooth (f), permanent tooth decayed (D), permanent missing tooth (M), and permanent filled tooth (F)), plaque index (PI), and modified sulcular bleeding index (mSBI), were evaluated. Salivary 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) was analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for all the subjects. Statistical analyses performed using SPSS v. 27 (IBM Statistics, Chicago, IL, USA) and the Kruskal–Wallis and chi-square tests were used for comparisons. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to examine the association between the study subjects' independent variables, BMI, and caries activity. The mean def score, PI, and mSBI scores were higher in obese children. PI score, mSBI score, and salivary concentrations of 1,5-AG between the BMI categories were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The study emphasizes promoting preventive oral health regimes, health awareness campaigns, and nutritional educational programs among the pediatric population.


Electrocardiography is a test that checks for problems with the heart. It gives details of the state of the heart and any disturbance in the heart sound can be diagnosed. It is very useful for the medical field. The XML ontology integrates ECG waveform data, data descriptions, and cardiac diagnosis rules. It is used for providing an ability to both represent ECG waveform as well as do automated diagnosis of 37 cardiac abnormalities. It does not tune-up the image of the ECG before image processing as the noise percentage misleads to the diagnosis report. The histogram process is performed to rectify the noise from the input image and the image is tuned up. The RGB image is converted to the grayscale using the image blending technique for the segmentation process. The tuned up image with enhancement in quality is performed in perfectly. In the proposed system, an image validation of histogram process is formulated and it is to change the noise obtained in the input ECG Image. The Validated ECG image has been measured with its amplitude and height to measure the abnormalities using XML ontology. It overcomes in terms of time and accuracy has been visualized graphically.


We consider an online regression setting in which individuals adapt to the regression model: arriving individuals may access the model throughout the process, and invest strategically in modifying their own features so as to improve their assigned score. We find that this strategic manipulation may help a learner recover the causal variables, in settings where an agent can invest in improving impactful features that also improve his true label. We show that even simple behavior on the learner's part (i.e., periodically updating her model based on the observed data so far, via least-square regression) allows her to simultaneously i) accurately recover which features have an impact on an agent's true label, provided they have been invested in significantly, and ii) incentivize agents to invest in these impactful features, rather than in features that have no effect on their true label.


In this paper we present a novel method for tracking 3D nonrigid motion and 3D structure from a sequence of monocular, perspective images, where range data of the first frame is available. No a priori knowledge of point correspondences is assumed. A genneral approach and formulas for polynomial (second order) displacement functions are presented. An analysis of the number of equations versus the number of unknowns is given. Results for synthetic and real image sequences are presented.


Having resistance to beta-lactamase-producing strains and showing resistance to not only cephalosporin resistant strains of E. coli and Klebsiella but also to Citrobacter, Proteus and Enterobacter, Cefuroxime (CXM) was used in pediatric field for both fundamental and clinical studies. CXM was found to be a useful antibiotic in views of high clinical efficacy rate obtained and no side effect noted. As for the dose, the single dose of 25 mg/kg achieved sufficient blood levels. Also in view of good clinical effect, the dose of 25 mg/kg three or four times daily seems appropriate for treatment of children.


D2O decreases the isometric contraction force of papillary muscles from the left ventricle of rats. This effect can be compensated only partially by increasing the calcium content in the perfusion solution. Differences in the effect of D2O under different calcium concentrations point also to an action site other than at the contractile proteins. The enlargement of the restitution of contraction 300 msec after the basic beat, the diminution of the postextrasystolic tiation and the disappearance of postextrasystolic depressions because of high calcium potencontent in the bathing solution make it more probable that the action site lies in cell compartments which may be involved into the supply of activator calcium. The increasing occurrence of aftercontractions alredy at slightly enhanced extracellular calcium is in good agreement with this fact.


Due to its very low moisture content, the solid waste from the two-phase olive oil extraction process (dry olive mill residue, DOR) can be easily stored and used as a readily available basal liquid culture medium via its reconstitution with water. Five white-rot fungi (namely Phanerochaete chrysosporium NRRL 6361, Lentinus tigrinus CBS 577.79, Pleurotus pulmonarius CBS 664.97, Phlebia radiata DABAC 9 and Botryosphaeria rhodina DABAC P82), previously selected in a screening program, were compared for their ability to grow and to produce laccase on non-supplemented aqueous extracts of the dry olive mill residue (ADOR). The most effective strains, namely L. tigrinus and P. radiata, grown in a 3-l bubble-column reactor on 25% (w/v) ADOR, produced 6602 and 6001 nkatal l with respective mean volumetric productivities (MVP) of 68 and 83 nkatal l h and production yields of 375 and 418 nkatal g COD consumed, respectively. These results show that non-supplemented ADOR might constitute the basis of a growth medium allowing promising productions of laccase amenable to further enzyme optimization.


Livestock products comprise an important component of agricultural production in the Nile River Basin, which supports more than 200 million lives in its riparian countries where most of them are found in poverty. Despite this fact, it has largely been ignored in water management for food security. Livestock production interacts with the water resources directly or indirectly and the interaction can be positive or negative depending on the type of production. Evidences suggest that there is a huge knowledge gap and much misinformation about livestock's use of and impact on water resources. This book tries to answer the questions that what type of interaction exists in the Nile River Basin and how much is the productivity of the water for livestock production. This book should be useful for any level researchers and professionals in environment, livestock, agriculture and similar fields.


The manufacturing processes and the control systems for automatic production lines mainly are evaluated through usage of statistical methods as recently machine learning algorithms are also used. The aim of the paper is to present an approach for control measurement systems evaluation, based on a combination of statistical techniques like attribute repeatability and reproducibility analysis, measurement system analysis and supervised machine learning algorithms like random forest and KNN. The proposed method is verified in the production of the G8680x connector, which is used in the automotive industry. The control is performed 100% for all manufactured parts immediately after the "injection molding" process. It is proved that taking advantages of the statistics and machine learning, the manufacturing process and control measurement systems could be evaluated with very high accuracy. The exploration and analysis leads to the formulation of some recommendations in support of process engineers and managers.


This work is introducing a new approach for modeling shoreline change rate from AIRSAR Cvv- band. The hologram algorithm has been applied to simulate the wave spectra propagation pattern. In addition, Doppler frequency and azimuth cut off models are used to model longshore current movement and rate change of sediment transport volume. The results show that the phase information of AIRSAR hologram image can be used to simulate the wave refraction pattern. Furthermore, the Shoreline change rate is less than -0.5m /day which indicates an erosion event with accuracy error of plusmn 0.05 m/day.


The Medical Illustration Service within West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust found itself under threat of being classified as a non-clinical service. This came to light when the Trust asked the Head of Department to provide non-clinical output specifications for use in a Private Finance Initiative for the proposed new Western Infirmary project. However as the author believed that Medical Illustration was a 'Clinical Service', evidence was submitted to the Trust to justify this point of view in the form of a Clinical Functional Specification. This paper presents the arguments for a clinical functional specification for a medical illustration service, using as an example the specification which was prepared for the new Western Infirmary project. The view point of the author is supported by evidence from an extensive literature search.


Applying the intuitive multiple trapping theory, we have calculated the time-of-flight (TOF) charge-collection µτ product, (µτ)cc, under the condition of dispersive transport and find that (µτ)cc=(1/α-α)µ0τfd≈µ0τfd, where α is a temperature-dependent constant, µ0 is the free-carrier mobility, and τ fd is the TOF charge-collection free-carrier deep-trapping time. The steady-state photoconductivity µτ product, (µτ)ss, is argued to be (µτ)ss=µ0τfr where τfr is the steady-state free-carrier recombination lifetime. As a result, (µτ)ss/(µτ)cc≈τfr/τfd. Our calculation shows that the presence of dispersive transport does not affect the ratio of (µτ)ss and (µτ)cc, and that the difference between (µτ)ss and (µτ)cc is due almost entirely to a difference between the free-carrier recombination lifetime in the steady state and the free-carrier deep-trapping time in the TOF charge-collection experiment. The origin of the difference between (µτ)ss and (µτ)cc is discussed.


Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 was investigated on carbon electrodes modified with lignin and cuprous oxide. The electrodes were modified by electropolymerization of lignin and subsequent pulse electrodeposition of Cu2O. Characterization of the electrodes was performed by SEM microscopy, Raman, IR-ATR and UV-visible spectroscopies, as well as electrochemical methods. Lignin films provide a micro-environment where Cu2O is stabilized and also its reactivity is modified toward C–H–O containing compounds. The main products obtained from the reduction of CO2 are formaldehyde, methyl formate and ethyl acetate, as detected and quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Our results demonstrate that lignin is a good material for the formation and support of the electrodeposited Cu2O, where the Cu2O enables the potential use of solar energy for the photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 at low overpotentials.


Two dimensional mid-infrared upconversion imaging provides unique spectral and spatial information showing good potential for mid-infrared spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging. However, to extract spectral or spatial information from the upconverted images an elaborate model is needed, which includes non-collinear interaction. We derive here a general theory providing the far field of the upconverted light when two arbitrary fields interact inside a nonlinear crystal. Theoretical predictions are experimentally verified for incoherent radiation and subsequently applied to previously published data with good agreement.


To detect the effects of tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) on SIRT1 expression and p53 deacetylation, involving cell senescence, in activated human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) in vitro, human HSC LX‐2 was cultured with TWEAK for 24 h. The result showed that the expression of membrane receptor Fn14 was remarkably increased by TWEAK, which upregulated SIRT1 in LX‐2 cells, detected by Western blotting and real‐time PCR. The expression of p53 was not significantly altered; however, the ac‐p53 was decreased. Furthermore, the viability of LX‐2 cells was significantly enhanced by TWEAK. The activity of SA‐β‐Gal was notably inhibited, showing a suppressing effect of TWEAK on the senescence of activated HSC. Primary cultured HSC on days 7 and 11 was used to examine the expression of TWEAK, Fn14, SIRT1, and the activity of SA‐β‐Gal. The result indicated that the mRNA of TWEAK, SIRT1, and Fn14 was all decreased on day 11 compared to that on day 7, and the activity of SA‐β‐Gal was higher on day 11 than that on day 7. The present study suggested that TWEAK enhanced the expression of SIRT1 and decreased the acetylation of p53, probably inhibiting the senescence of activated HSC in vitro, which provides a molecular basis for TWEAK as a potential target in the therapy of liver fibrosis.


Soil salinity is one of the major environmental stresses affecting plant growth, development, and reproduction. Salt stress also affects the accumulation of some secondary metabolites in plants. Glehnia littoralis is an endangered medicinal halophyte that grows in coastal habitats. Peeled and dried Glehnia littoralis roots, named Radix Glehniae, have been used traditionally as a Chinese herbal medicine. Although Glehnia littoralis has great ecological and commercial value, salt-related mechanisms in Glehnia littoralis remain largely unknown. In this study, we analysed the transcriptome of Glehnia littoralis in response to salt stress by RNA-sequencing to identify potential salt tolerance gene networks. After de novo assembly, we obtained 105,875 unigenes, of which 75,559 were annotated in public databases. We identified 10,335 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; false discovery rate <0.05 and |log2 fold-change| ≥ 1) between NaCl treatment (GL2) and control (GL1), with 5,018 upregulated and 5,317 downregulated DEGs. To further this investigation, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and the Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. DEGs involved in secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways, plant signal transduction pathways, and transcription factors in response to salt stress were analysed. In addition, we tested the gene expression of 15 unigenes by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to confirm the RNA-sequencing results. Our findings represent a large-scale assessment of the Glehnia littoralis gene resource, and provide useful information for exploring its molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance. Moreover, genes enriched in metabolic pathways could be used to investigate potential biosynthetic pathways of active compounds by Glehnia littoralis.


This paper focuses on the strategy adopted by the MNE Nestlé in Japan between the establishment of a branch at Yokohama in 1913 and the end of World War II. It highlights the difficulties encountered by the firm in its attempts to open up and operate production facilities due to strong opposition from local condensed milk makers, supported by the state. Eventually, in 1934, Nestlé opened a factory by founding an incorporated company, ARKK, all of whose shareholders were Japanese working for Nestlé. Although the war drastically curtailed the activities of both Nestlé Japan and ARKK, the organisational facilities set up during the inter-war period provided a springboard for Nestlé's post-war success in Japan.


Job satisfaction is essential in the public service sector because satisfaction an employees are the key to providing high quality service, which very important in determining the success of the organization. Theoretically, proactive personality contributes to a higher job satisfaction over time through three essential features, which is that it's self-initiative, is change-oriented, and a focus on the future. The purpose of this study was to know the impact of proactive personality on employee job satisfaction at the Class IIB Klaten Correctional Insttitution. This study uses quantitative research methods with a non-probability sample technique of 80 respondents. The data collection technique was carried out using a questionnaire distributed via google form. There are 47 statements that are used as indicators in this study. The data analysis technique was carried out through descriptive analysis tests, simple linear regression tests, significance tests and determination tests which were processed using IBM SPSS software version 22. The results showed that the independent variable, namely proactive personality, had a positive and significant influence on the dependent variable, namely job satisfaction. with the results of the t arithmetic significance test of 6.342 > t table 1.991. The results of the determination test were obtained with an R square value of 0.34 which indicates that the proactive personality variable has an influence of 34% on the job satisfaction variable, while the remaining 66% is influenced by other variables not described in this study. From the results of the study, it can be concluded that there is a positive and significant relationship between proactive personality and job satisfaction in the Class IIB Klaten Correctional Institution


We present evidence for a sporadic precipitation into the north polar cusp of ionospheric O + and He + ions accelerated up to the magnetosheath flow speed during a magnetic storm. This is deduced from data obtained on board the Interball-Auroral satellite showing that the energy/charge ratios of the H + , He ++ , He + and O + populations are similar to those of ion masses. These measurements pertain to a very disturbed magnetic period. A storm was in progress with a D st reaching -149nT during the cusp measurements, while the AE index reached values higher than 1000nT. This result is discussed in terms of ion circulation from the magnetosphere to the magnetosheath and back to the magnetosphere. We suggest that the acceleration of O + and He + ions up to a magnetosheath-like velocity is directly linked to the large B y component of the IMF.


Nearly all bacteria contain a peptidoglycan cell wall. The peptidoglycan precursor molecule is LipidII, containing the basic peptidoglycan building block attached to a lipid. Although the suitability of LipidII as an antibacterial target has long been recognized, progress on elucidating the role(s) of LipidII in bacterial cell biology has been slow. The focus of this review is on exciting new developments, both with respect to antibacterials targeting LipidII as well as the emerging role of LipidII in organizing the membrane and cell wall synthesis. It appears that on both sides of the membrane, LipidII plays crucial roles in organizing cytoskeletal proteins and peptidoglycan synthesis machineries. Finally, the recent discovery of no less than three different categories of LipidII flippases will be discussed.


Question answering (Q&A) sites, where communities of volunteers answer questions, may provide faster, cheaper, and better services than traditional institutions. However, like other Web 2.0 platforms, user-created content raises concerns about information quality. At the same time, Q&A sites may provide answers of different quality because they have different communities and technological platforms. This paper compares answer quality on four Q&A sites: Askville, WikiAnswers, Wikipedia Reference Desk, and Yahoo! Answers. Findings indicate that: (1) similar collaborative processes on these sites result in a wide range of outcomes, and significant differences in answer accuracy, completeness, and verifiability were evident; (2) answer multiplication does not always result in better information; it yields more complete and verifiable answers but does not result in higher accuracy levels; and (3) a Q&A site's popularity does not correlate with its answer quality, on all three measures.


The objective of this thesis is to investigate whether the corporate governance practices adopted by Chinese listed firms are associated with the quality of earnings information. Based on a review of agency and institutional theory, this study develops hypotheses that predict the monitoring effectiveness of the board and the audit committee. Using a combination of univariate and multivariate analyses, the association between corporate governance mechanisms and earnings management are tested from 2004 to 2008. Through analysing the empirical results, a number of findings are summarised as below. First, board independence is weakened by the introduction of government officials as independent directors on the boards. Government officials acting as independent directors, claim that they meet the definition of independent director set by the regulation. However, they have some connection with the State, which is the controlling shareholder in listed SOEs affiliated companies. Consequently, the effect of the independent director's expertise in constraining earnings management is mitigated as demonstrated by an insignificant association between board expertise and earnings management. An alternative explanation for the inefficiency of board independence may point to the pre-selection of independent directors by the powerful CEO. It is argued that a CEO can manipulate the board composition and choose the "desirable" independent directors to monitor themselves. Second, a number of internal mechanisms, such as board size, board activities, and the separation of the roles of the CEO and chair are found to be significantly associated with discretionary accruals. This result suggests that there are advantages in having a large and active board in the Chinese setting. This can offset the disadvantages associated with large boards, such as increased bureaucracy, and hence, increase the constraining effects of a large and resourceful board. Third, factor analysis identifies two factors: CEO power and board power. CEO power is the factor which consists of CEO duality and turnover, and board power is composed of board size and board activity. The results of CEO power show that if a Chinese listed company has CEO duality and turnover at the same time, it is more likely to have a high level of earnings management. The significant and negative relationship between board power and accruals indicate that large boards with frequent meetings can be associated with low level of earnings management. Overall, the factor analysis suggests that certain governance mechanisms complement each other to become more efficient monitors of opportunistic earnings management. A combination of board characteristics can increase the negative association with earnings management. Fourth, the insignificant results between audit committees and earnings management in Chinese listed firms suggests that the Chinese regulator should strengthen the audit committee functions. This thesis calls for listed firms to disclose more information on audit committee composition and activities, which can facilitate future research on the Chinese audit committee's monitoring role. Fifth, the interactive results between State ownership and board characteristics show that dominant State ownership has a moderating effect on board monitoring power as the State totally controls 42% of the issued shares. The high percentage of State ownership makes it difficult for the non-controlling institutional shareholders to challenge the State's dominant status. As a result, the association between non-controlling institutional ownership and earnings management is insignificant in most situations. Lastly, firms audited by the international Big4 have lower abnormal accruals than firms audited by domestic Chinese audit firms. In addition, the inverse U-shape relationship between audit tenure and earnings quality demonstrates the changing effects of audit quality after a certain period of appointment. Furthermore, this thesis finds that listing in Hong Kong Stock Exchanges can be an alternative governance mechanism to discipline Chinese firms to follow strict Hong Kong listing requirements. Management of Hong Kong listed companies are exposed to the scrutiny of international investors and Hong Kong regulators. This in turn reduces their chances of conducting self-interested earnings manipulation. This study is designed to fill the gap in governance literature in China that is related to earnings management. Previous research on corporate governance mechanisms and earnings management in China is not conclusive. The current research builds on previous literature and provides some meaningful implications for practitioners, regulators, academic, and international investors who have investment interests in a transitional country. The findings of this study contribute to corporate governance and earnings management literature in the context of the transitional economy of China. The use of alternative measures for earnings management yields similar results compared with the accruals models and produces additional findings.


This study examined the Kodaly approach to music teaching and investigated four different approaches to teaching first graders in elementary school to sing on pitch, echo (clap) rhythms, audiate tonal patterns, and audiate rhythm patterns. The approaches were the Kodaly approach, the traditional approach, and two eclectic approaches. One emphasized some of the techniques of the Kodaly approach, and the other emphasized some of the techniques of the Orff approach. The sample for this study consisted of one hundred twenty-one students in five classes from four different elementary schools. Two instruments were utilized: the standardized Primary Measures of Music Audiation (PMMA) by Gordon and the Individual Performance Test (IPT) designed by the investigator. The PMMA had two sections of forty examples each and measured the child's ability to audiate tonal and rhythmic patterns. This test was administered to the children as a group and they recorded their answers on an answer sheet. The IPT was tape recorded and administered individually by the investigator and assistants. It had two sections, rhythm and tonal. The children matched pitches and clapped the rhythms they heard. Responses were tape recorded and evaluated. Pretests were given shortly after the school year began and post-test were given eight weeks later. A completely randomized analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. It was hypothesized that there would be no difference in the achievement of the children in the different classes to perform the selected skills. Findings revealed that the approach to music teaching does make a difference in the musical achievement of first-graders and their abilities to echo rhythms, match pitches, and to audiate rhythm patterns. The approach to music teaching does not make a difference in the musical achievement of the subjects and their abilities to audiate tonal patterns.


Earthquake is a natural hazard which when it happens turn out to be disaster that kill thousands of people and cause devastation of cities and villages within 30-60 seconds. Natural disaster may cause large economic impact and impeded socioeconomic development. Virtually the entire population of Nepal is at risk of natural hazards. Earthquake interrupts the proper functioning of the community causing socio-cultural and economic imbalances and losses which results very hard situation to sustain life with available resources. Due to its location on a tectonic active zone Nepal has a long history of earthquake activities of smaller and greater magnitude which are an inevitable part of Kathmandu valley as well. The Statement of problem in research (based on field survey 2067) was about different socio-economic and development activities induced by people or community which made their buildings and places defenceless during natural hazard like earthquake. The research focused on earthquake risk and its management at community level by identifying, analysing and mitigating the vulnerability of the people, place and buildings at Bhaktapur Durbar Square area through physical and social vulnerability studies and was limited to study of earthquake risk management through rapid visual assessment and analysis. The study area that lies in the world heritage site is vulnerable to earthquake risk not only due to different socio economic and development activities but also due to inaction from concerned authorities. So; the earthquake risk can be mitigated through community level earthquake risk management as it is the most effective and sustainable.


The paper reports on the bioavailability of niphedipine in various pharmaceutic preparations administered in a single dose of 10 mg, per os, to volunteer subjects: Niphedipine dragees (Terapia, Cluj-Napoca), Adalat capsules (Bayer); Adalat coated tablets (Bayer and Birlaşik Alman Ilac Fabricalari, Istanbul) and Corinfar dragées (VEB Arzneimittelwerk, Dresden). In the blood samples collected, niphedipine was determined by a gas-chromatographic procedure. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the experimental data was made by a digital computer. Bioavailability of niphedipine was the best with Adalat capsules. The relative bioavailability of the other products was: tablets (Adalat); 93%; dragées (Niphedipine): 92%; dragées (Corinfar 86%). Absorption speed of Niphedipine decreases in the order: capsules, tablets, indigenous and imported dragées. Statistical analysis (Student test) shows that the differences in bioavailability among the preparations are not important. Efficiently therapeutic plasmatic concentrations are maintained for about 6 hours after a single dose of 10 mg administered as tablets and dragées and for 8 hours in the case of capsules. Important differences exist between the maximum concentration of niphedipine in blood, following some differences in the absorption speed, achieved after administration of capsules, on the one hand, and of tablets and dragées on the other hand. Choosing the type of tablet depends, therefore, on the nature of the affection treated. Niphedipine (Terapia) has corresponding biopharmaceutic properties and is useful in treating hypertension and for preventing and treating anginal attacks.


This paper examines the outcomes of 631 patients who were assessed at the Oxford Adult Eating Disorders Service between May 1994 and December 2002. After treatment, significant improvements were reported across the total sample for body mass index (BMI), the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Robson Self Concept Questionnaire. Significant improvements were also reported for all measures of the Eating Disorder Questionnaire (EDE) and for all measures of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) except for perfectionism. Patients with anorexia nervosa showed improvements in both BMI and associated psychopathology. Patients with bulimia nervosa showed a reduction in the number of self-induced vomiting occasions and the number of objective binges and improvements in the associated psychopathology. Further research is required to identify factors associated with improvements in symptomatology. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.


Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) has been suggested as an alternative to human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) for triggering ovulation, while preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Since a prospective, controlled study would be unethical at this point, we used a retrospective, case-self control approach to compare GnRHa with HCG in that context. A group of 16 in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients who had severe OHSS in previous cycles, in which HCG was given to trigger ovulation, were studied in subsequent cycles in which GnRHa was used. Each GnRHa cycle (case) was compared to a previous HCG cycle that resulted in OHSS (self control). None of these subsequent cycles resulted in severe OHSS. The use of GnRHa did not affect the number of oocytes retrieved or their quality. Serum oestradiol concentrations on the day of ovulation triggering were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the GnRHa cycles compared to HCG cycles. Exogenous progesterone and oestradiol were effective in maintaining relatively constant serum oestradiol and progesterone serum concentrations during the luteal phase. Pregnancy rate per cycle was similar in the two groups. In conclusion, the use of GnRHa to induce ovulation in IVF patients, who are at high risk for developing OHSS, effectively eliminates this risk without affecting other parameters of the stimulation cycle.


Over the last several hundred years, donkeys have adapted to high-altitude conditions on the Tibetan Plateau. Interestingly, the kiang, a closely related equid species, also inhabits this region. Previous reports have demonstrated the importance of specific genes and adaptive introgression in divergent lineages for adaptation to hypoxic conditions on the Tibetan Plateau. Here, we assessed whether donkeys and kiangs adapted to the Tibetan Plateau via the same or different biological pathways and whether adaptive introgression has occurred. We assembled a de novo genome from a kiang individual and analyzed the genomes of five kiangs and 93 donkeys (including 24 from the Tibetan Plateau). Our analyses suggested the existence of a strong hard selective sweep at the EPAS1 locus in kiangs. In Tibetan donkeys, however, another gene, i.e., EGLN1, was likely involved in their adaptation to high altitude. In addition, admixture analysis found no evidence for interspecific gene flow between kiangs and Tibetan donkeys. Our findings indicate that despite the short evolutionary time scale since the arrival of donkeys on the Tibetan Plateau, as well as the existence of a closely related species already adapted to hypoxia, Tibetan donkeys did not acquire adaptation via admixture but instead evolved adaptations via a different biological pathway.


Presents the concept of transform-domain (TD) adaptive filtering based on the discrete nonlinear Wiener model for a 2nd-order Volterra system identification application with a colored Gaussian input signal. In earlier work (1999), we presented the 2nd- and 3rd-order nonlinear discrete Wiener adaptive algorithm, and its performance analysis focused on the Gaussian white input case. In this paper, we present new results for the colored Gaussian input environment. From the analysis, we realize that the nonlinear Wiener model has many advantages over other models, such as the Volterra model. The main advantage is that, for both white and colored Gaussian input, it can have a reasonably fast convergence speed and low computational complexity. This is because the nonlinear Wiener model performs a complete orthogonalization procedure to the truncated Volterra series which allows us to use linear adaptive filtering algorithms to calculate all the coefficients efficiently. For a Gaussian colored input signal, the TD nonlinear Wiener model is introduced to decouple the colored effect. Computer simulation results of discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain nonlinear Wiener adaptive filtering with 1st-order autoregressive colored Gaussian input are presented to verify the theoretical analysis.


In this pictorial, we describe an auto-biographical design process that led to the fabrication of a soft robotic wearable for lower limb movement guidance that we designated Wearable Choreographer. We first explored the design from a first-person perspective and then shared it with four dancers. Our experiments illustrate how the wearable both constrains and inspires the dancers towards new ways of performing, challenging them to rethink their movements. Our design inquiry contributes with reflections on soft robotics that uncover the challenges and prospects designers and researchers in Human-Computer Interaction face when designing, prototyping and experimenting with such technologies for embodied interactions.


Throughout the long history of moral philosophy, the focus has generally been on moral reasoning, whereas the moral emotions have been regarded with some suspicion" (Haid, 2003, p.852). To respond to dearth of studies emphasizing emotions link with ethical leadership, this paper investigates whether ethical leadership can stimulate followers' emotions from focusing on district managers (DSMs) and medical representatives (MRs) relationship in the pharmaceutical industry in Morocco. In our study, ethical leadership is defined around two main aspects including moral person and moral manager (Brown and Trevino, 2006). Qualitative data were collected through 15 semi-structured interviews conducted with medical representatives operating as part of the pharmaceutical industry in Morocco. We based our coding process on the Gioia et al., (2012) method. Our study's results indicate that medical representatives who interacted with DSMs engaging in ethical leadership experience and express gratitude. Medical representatives have reflected experiencing thankfulness and appreciation from working with ethical DSMs, which in turn captures the experience of emotions (i.e., gratitude). In other words, medical representatives interact with their DSMs, and cognitively appraise the DSMs conducts. Through reflecting thankfulness and appreciation towards the DSM, we realize that medical representatives' gratitude is stimulated as they perceive the DSMs deeds as positive, and moral in nature. Indeed, our study's results supports the theological basis of gratitude, and indicate that moral considerations are part of the assessment of DSMs conducts and decisions.