Teachers often tell anecdotes about children or classroom events. Such accounts are regarded as oral narratives of personal experience which are a natural part of teacher-to-teacher talk in occupational culture. In this thesis, models of narrative analysis are reviewed from the disciplines of sociology and sociolinguistics, psychology, literature and anthropology. In the empirical work, nearly one thousand narratives told by primary teachers were elicited in interviews or recorded in teachers' meetings. These are analysed in terms of their content and tellers' perspectives, both of which are considered elements of teachers' culture. Through narrative analysis a picture of primary teaching is built up, as portrayed by teachers. Particular narrative themes focussed upon include children who stand out, breakthroughs in learning, teachers' planning and teachers' experiences of disaster, humour and 'awkward' parents. Based on the analysis of these themes a number of models of teachers' cultural perspectives are suggested. The study proposes that narrative analysis can be used to study the cultural perspectives of occupational groups, in this case of teachers.


This study aimed to assess changes in contrast sensitivity and aberrations in cases of myopia greater than 5.0 diopter (D) who had photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). In this semi-experimental study, 20 eyes of ten patients were studied. Inclusion criteria were at least 5.0 D of myopia, stable refraction in the past year, no history of refractive surgery, a minimum corneal thickness of 480 μm, and having surgery in both eyes. Exclusion criteria were the presence of any corneal condition. In addition to the routine tests, aberrometry and assessment of contrast sensitivity was done using the WaveLight Allegro Analyzer and the VectorVision CSV-1000. After PRK using the Concerto Excimer Laser (WaveLight, Alcon), patients were scheduled to have follow-up visits at 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery. Contrast sensitivity with glare showed an increasing trend only at the spatial frequency of 3 cycles per degree (cpd) (P=0.013). Contrast sensitivity without glared increased postoperatively at special frequencies of 3, 6, and 18 cpd (P<0.05). The preoperative level of higher order aberrations root mean square (HOA RMS) of 0.24±0.08 reached 0.71±0.25 at 12 months after surgery. Assessment of comma and trefoil showed no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative values, but the amount of spherical aberration changed from a mean preoperative value of 0.0±0.09 to 0.27±0.15 at 12 months after surgery. In the treatment of myopia greater than 5.0 D, PRK with the Concerto Excimer Laser can improve contrast sensitivity in certain spatial frequencies. This is while HOA RMS and spherical aberration increase.


A series of terpolymers were synthesized comprising the following monomers: N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), a stimuli-responsive structural unit that swells and collapses in response to temperature; methacryloxybenzophenone (MaBP), a photo-cross-linking unit that is activated at a wavelength of 365 nm; and phenacyl methacrylate (PHEm), a photolabile protected carboxyl group that can be deprotected at a wavelength of 254 nm. It is shown that the terpolymers can be photo-cross-linked at long UV wavelength light (λ = 365 nm) to establish surface-attached, cross-linked coatings and subsequently photochemically cleaved at short UV wavelength light (λ = 254 nm), which is found to be consistent with first-order kinetics. The photocleavage reaction produces free carboxylic groups, which can be used to locally tune the swelling characteristics and transition temperature of the coating, which depends on both the irradiation exposure and the overall PHEm content. For instance, for a terpolymer with 7.1 mol % PHEm, the transition temperature between the swollen and collapsed states increased from 20 to 50 °C at a pH of 8.5 with an exposure dose of 0.52 J/cm(2) at 254 nm. Finally, photocleavage can be used to create chemically patterned regions to provide a basis by which to conjugate cationic markers, proteins, or nanoparticles to the terpolymer coating.


Abstract Concussion can occur from a variety of events (falls to ice, collisions etc) in ice hockey, and as a result it is important to identify how these different impact sources affect the relationship between impact kinematics and strain that has been found to be associated to this injury. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between kinematic variables and strain in the brain for impact sources that led to concussion in ice hockey. Video of professional ice hockey games was analyzed for impacts that resulted in reported clinically diagnosed concussions. The impacts were reconstructed using physical models/ATDs to determine the impact kinematics and then simulated using finite element modelling to determine maximum principal strain and cumulative strain damage measure. A stepwise linear regression was conducted between linear acceleration, change in linear velocity, rotational acceleration, rotational velocity, and strain response in the brain. The results for the entire dataset was that rotational acceleration had the highest r2 value for MPS (r2 = 0.581) and change in rotational velocity for cumulative strain damage measure (r2 = 450). When the impact source (shoulder, elbow, boards, or ice impacts) was isolated the rotational velocity and acceleration r2 value increased, indicating that when evaluating the relationships between kinematics and strain based metrics the characteristics of the impact is an important factor. These results suggest that rotational measures should be included in future standard methods and helmet innovation and design in ice hockey as they have the highest association with strain in the brain tissues.


This paper describes two examples of state of the art digital video cameras which provide features which can enhance the ease and/or accuracy of product quality inspection. One camera incorporates a progressive scan CCD and a built-in frame store allowing capture of high resolution still images of fast moving objects without the need for a strobe light, mechanical shutter, or external frame grabber. The second camera incorporates digital signal processing for improved dynamic range, color balance, and detail enhancement to allow more accurate determination of color or contrast attributes of objects being inspected. Video cameras can be used with monitors and/or computers with frame grabbers to overcome human visual limitations such as inability to freeze motion of fast moving objects or to see well in dim light or they can reduce the need for human interaction by providing visual data for pattern recognition. Video cameras have also traditionally had limitations relative to the human observer or film cameras with respect to dynamic range and color tracking.


The zooplankton distribution, abundance and composition at Cahuita coral reef (Cahuita National Park, 9° 45' N and 82° 49 'W, Costa Rica) were studied in four stations from January to November 1984. The samples were collected monthly using a net witb 0.47m diameter opening and 280J.lm mesh. Copepods were predominant tbroughout tbe year (32-95%), followed by foraminiferans (1-34%), fish larvae and eggs «1-28%), crustacean larvae (2-13.8%) and chaetognatba (1- 6.5%). Mollusc and echinoderm larvae were also presento High densities of zooplankton were obtained in January, August and October, with peak abundance in May. Low densities were found in April and November. Sorne groups like Copepoda, Chaetognatha, crustacean larvae and Polychaeta showed significant differenees in tbeir abundanees from station to station. Amphipoda, Urochordata, mollusc and echinoderm larvae as well as ichtbyoplankton showed no such differences. Comparing tbe rainy and dry season, a significant difference,-Was detected between holo- and merozooplankton abundanees; holozooplankton population dominated botb in number and diversity. The lower diversity of larval forms is assumed to be a result of strong sedimentation and sediment resuspension. The variability of zooplankton abundance and its distribution are influenced by tbe current system tbat predominates in Cahuita. Qualitative analysis suggests tbat too zooplankton sampled in tbe Cahuita coral reef corresponds more lo pelagic-oeeanic zooplankton than to demersal zooplankton. Differenees between the sampling sations may reflect tbe intensity of exchange between tbe reef water and surrounding water.


Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate postural stability with Nintendo Wii-Fit Plus in children with special learning disabilities (SLD) and also to investigate the effect of simultaneous cognitive and motor tasks on postural stability. Methods The study included 70 children (35 children with SLD and 35 children age-matched normal development). All children were assessed for stability on Nintendo Wii-Fit Plus platform on one-leg stance (OLS). Postural stability percentages were calculated by asking for cognitive and motor tasks simultaneously with the task of standing on OLS. Results Children with SLD were found to have poor postural stability scores in comparison with children with normal development with Nintendo Wii-Fit Plus (p < .05). Compared to single task performance in both study and control groups; it was found that the addition of a motor task impaired postural stability, while it was observed that the addition of a cognitive task only affected postural stability in the control group (p < .05). Conclusion Postural stability in children with SLD was found to be worse than normal children. Although the addition of concurrent motor task with postural control disrupted postural stability in both normal and SLD children, it was determined that the effect of dual task was more significant in children with SLD. While the addition of cognitive task did not affect the postural stability of children with SLD, the postural stability of normal children was observed to be affected. While performing postural control evaluations of children with SLD, not only posture task but also cognitive and motor dual task performances should be evaluated.


The concept of a traveling-wave free-electron laser (TWFEL) is presented. This hybrid device consists of both a periodic waveguide and a planar wiggler. It combines the interaction mechanisms of both the traveling-wave tube (TWT) and the free-electron laser. This combination produces a synergistic interaction. A linear model of the TWFEL is derived in this paper. It results in a general dispersion equation for the TWFEL interaction. Coupling coefficients are derived for various ratios between the wiggler period ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathit{W}}$ and the periodic waveguide period ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathit{p}}$. It is shown that when ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathit{W}}$=${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathit{p}}$ the parametric interaction is composed of a double FEL interaction, a TWT interaction, and a hybrid interaction. All these are in resonance with three different spatial harmonics. The coupling coefficient for this scheme is a complex sum of the known FEL and TWT terms, and of complex terms for their cross coupling. It is shown that the coupling coefficient of the synergistic TWFEL interaction (and consequently its gain) can be larger than the sum of the two separate interactions. Simpler TWFEL schemes in which ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathit{W}}$\ensuremath{\ne}${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathit{p}}$ (single-harmonic interaction) and ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathit{W}}$=2${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathit{p}}$ (two-harmonic interaction) are presented first as an introduction for the analysis of the ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathit{W}}$=${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathit{p}}$ TWFEL interaction. A compact TWFEL based on a miniature wiggler, which functions also as a periodic waveguide, is proposed for operation in the millimeter-wave range with a tenuous low-energy e beam.


Abstract The effect of formulation and adjuvants on absorption and translocation of 14C-clethodim was determined at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment (HAT) in bermudagrass under greenhouse conditions. Absorption of 14C-clethodim with the 0.12 kg L−1 (15 to 85%) formulation was higher than with the 0.24 kg L−1 (5 to 40%) formulation, regardless of presence or absence of adjuvant. There was considerable variation in the effect of adjuvant on 14C-clethodim absorption. When either ammonium sulfate (AMS) or AMS plus crop oil concentrate (COC) was added to the 0.12 kg L−1 formulation, 14C-clethodim absorption increased significantly at all harvest times except at 12 HAT compared with 0.12 kg L−1 formulation alone, whereas, 14C-clethodim absorption after addition of COC to the 0.12 kg L−1 formulation was similar to the 0.12 kg L−1 formulation alone up to 24 HAT. Conversely, COC enhanced 14C-absorption at all harvest times when added to 0.24 kg L−1 formulation. Most of 14C-clethodim (79 to 100% of absorbed) remained in the treated leaf, independent of formulation or adjuvant. Formulation did not have an impact on distribution of absorbed 14C-clethodim; however, presence of an adjuvant increased movement of 14C-clethodim out of treated leaf. Of the absorbed 14C-label, most remained in the treated leaf. 14C-clethodim that translocated out of the treated leaf remained in the shoot, and negligible amount of 14C-clethodim translocated to roots. These results demonstrated improved absorption of clethodim with formulations containing half the active ingredient (0.12 kg L−1) and inclusion of both AMS and COC. Nomenclature: Clethodim; bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. CYNDA.


Cosalane is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication with activity against a broad range of viral targets. However, the oral bioavailability of this highly lipophilic compound is extremely poor (<1%). Also, cosalane accumulates in high concentration in the liver after intravenous administration, with clear resistance to hepatic metabolism. In the present study, the transcellular permeability of cosalane was examined using Transwell(R) filter as well as plastic-grown confluent Caco-2 cell monolayers. A cell-culture-based biophysical model was adopted to understand the interactions of protein binding, membrane partitioning, and aqueous solubility of cosalane in limiting transcellular flux of cosalane across Caco-2 cell monolayers. The transcellular permeability (P(app)) of cosalane was extremely low (4.494 x 10(-8) cm/s) and the effect of p-glycoprotein on the efflux of cosalane was negligible. A characteristic disparity exists between the kinetics of cosalane uptake from apical (AP) donor solution and efflux into basolateral (BL) receiver side. The AP uptake of cosalane was rapid, exhibiting exponential kinetics, and reached equilibrium within 60 min, whereas the concomitant appearance of the compound into the BL receiver side was slow but linear over time. Furthermore, the uptake of cosalane was significantly reduced in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). In unidirectional efflux studies, AP efflux of cosalane was limited in the absence of BSA. Also, no detectable metabolites were found in Caco-2 cell incubations. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that diffusion of cosalane across Caco-2 cell monolayers is extremely limited and kinetically regulated essentially by the equilibrium between protein-bound and free drug partitioning into cell membrane.


OBJECTIVES
To validate the construct of abuse in 2 ways: first, to examine female patients' perceptions of abusive behaviors that are typically used in standardized abuse scales; and second, to determine health status symptom and medical utilization differences between women who report emotional abuse and women who are not abused.

DESIGN
Cross-sectional interviews and medical record reviews.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Modified directions to the Conflict Tactics Scale were used to identify women's perceptions of abusive behaviors. Personal history of abuse was determined by self-report. Health status was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey-36 and medical services utilization was determined from medical records. The Wahler Physical Symptom Inventory was used to measure symptom experience.

SETTING
Patients were interviewed in either a rural primary care practice or an urban medical university practice.

PATIENTS
Four hundred seven women older than 18 years were interviewed. Half were from an urban and half from a rural setting. Sixty-four percent of the sample was black.

RESULTS
Women saw more behaviors as abusive than are typically identified by the Conflict Tactics Scale and abused women identified more abusive behaviors than nonabused women. Significant health status differences were found between women who reported emotional abuse with no concurrent physical or sexual abuse and nonabused women on 7 of the 8 dimensions of the Short-Form Health Survey health status scales and on 25% of measured symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings reflect the idea that women consider many behaviors to be abusive and that abused women perceive more behaviors as abusive than do nonabused women. Given that significant health status differences are shown between emotionally abused and nonabused women, emotional abuse can be viewed as a critical variable in patient health behavior.


Adolescence is a sensitive window for reward- and stress-associated behavior. Although stress during this period causes long-term changes in behavior in males, how females respond is relatively unknown. Here we show that social isolation stress in adolescence, but not adulthood, induces persistent but opposite effects on anxiety- and cocaine-related behaviors in male vs. female mice, and that these effects are reflected in transcriptional profiles within the adult medial amygdala (meA). By integrating differential gene expression with co-expression network analyses, we identified crystallin mu (Crym), a thyroid-binding protein, as a key driver of these transcriptional profiles. Manipulation of Crym specifically within adult meA neurons recapitulates the behavioral and transcriptional effects of social isolation and re-opens a window of plasticity that is otherwise closed. Our results establish that meA is essential for sex-specific responses to stressful and rewarding stimuli through transcriptional programming that occurs during adolescence.


Background
This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the leukocyte esterase (LE) band in two groups of patients receiving and not receiving antibiotics and compare the results.

Methods
This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 105 joints with clinical suspicion of infectious arthritis (based on Kocher criteria) admitted in Shohada Hospital, Tabriz, Iran, within 2017-2018. Patients were divided into two groups, including receiving antibiotics (n=29; group 1) and not receiving antibiotics (n=76; group 2). Articular fluid aspiration was performed under sterile conditions with an 18-gauge angiocath with at least 1 ml volume of the hip, knee, ankle, elbow, and shoulder joints. Polymorphonuclear cell percentage count, cell count, Gram staining (GS), culture, and leukocyte esterase test were performed immediately after the aspiration of the specimens.

Results
Levels of synovial fluid white blood cell count, serum white blood cell count, PMN, serum glucose, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and time of aspiration (TOA) were significantly higher in the group receiving antibiotics (P<0.05). Synovial glucose levels were significantly lower in the group receiving antibiotics. Furthermore, the positive frequency of glucose esterase, blood culture, GS, serum culture, and ultimate diagnosis of septic arthritis tests were significantly lower in the antibiotic receiving group (P<0.05). The sensitivity, and positive predictive value of the leukocyte esterase test were obtained at 100%, and 96.55% in the antibiotic receiving group, respectively. Moreover, in the group not receiving antibiotics, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the leukocyte esterase test were estimated at 72.22%, 92.50%, 89.66%, 78.72%, respectively.

Conclusion
Antibiotic use and the prolongation of TOA lead to increased inflammatory products, which is interfering with lab variables. As a result, they increase the sensitivity of the test. The sensitivity and specificity of the leukocyte esterase test in patients who did not receive antibiotics showed that this was a suitable and reliable laboratory method for the rapid detection of infectious arthritis that required an emergency rescue procedure.


Identifying frail older people at risk of falling is a priority in order to apply preventive strategies. This cross-sectional study included community-dwelling pre-frail and frail people (Fried's criteria) aged 70 years and older to assess the prevalence of falls and identify screening strategies based on comprehensive geriatric assessments to detect an increased risk of falling and recurrent falling in community-dwelling frail and pre-frail old people. Of the 229 participants, 121 (54.9%) had fallen in the previous 12 months, and 20 of these (16.5%) were recurrent fallers (≥2 falls). A score of 20 points or more on the Falls Efficacy Scale International was predictive of falling (area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.61–0.74, p < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 51.7% and a specificity of 73.9%. Polypharmacy, Short Physical Performance Battery score of 8 points or less, and Falls Efficacy Scale International score of 20 points or more show an area under the curve of 0.78 (95% confidence interval: 0.67–0.89, p < 0.001) for recurrent falling.


A novel copper (II) complex of Schiff base prepared through condensation between 2-formyl-17-deoxyestrone and d-glucosamine was synthesized and characterized. Fluorescence spectroscopy was conducted to assess their binding ability with CT-DNA. The results showed that the copper (II) complex could bind to DNA with a weak intercalative mode. The interaction between the copper (II) complex and DNA was also investigated by gel electrophoresis. Interestingly, we found that the complex could cleave plasmid DNA (pUC19) to nicked and linear forms through an oxidative mechanism without the use of exogenous agents.


Climate change is an issue of social justice, as it affects different social groups in the urban space differently. Yet, while formulating climate action plans, local governments often disregard the relationship between climate change and justice. By using content analysis, this article explores climate change action plans of Turkish municipalities from the perspective of climate justice. It concludes that action plans of Turkish municipalities do not consider climate change as a problem of justice despite the emerging or exacerbated inequalities in the urban space caused by climate change.


Beginning university life demands from students the establishment of certain work rrelated academic skills that are necessary for the successful development of their learning process. Research recognized the lack of good study habits and the use of inappropriate techniques for it. (Escalante, Escalante, Linzaga and Merlos, 2008). This research analyses from a descriptive transactional approach, and using quantitative methodology, the study habits and learning approaches from first year students from three majors at Universidad Mayor, Temuco rChile. This research concluded that, once the study process questionnaire (R rSPQ r2F), adapted to Spanish by Hernandez (2001) and Study Habits Inventory Wrenn (2003) were applied, the predominant focus of first year students, in each one of the majors mentioned, is deep with a medium intensity. The habits and attitudes towards the study show that, according to the scale of the instrument applied, behaviours and habits tend to be inadequate and can in some cases affect, or not, academic performance and to a lower extent they can significantly, or highly significantly, affect it.


Common neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system are characterized by progressive damage to the function of neurons, even leading to the permanent loss of function. Gene therapy via gene replacement or gene correction provides the potential for transformative therapies to delay or possibly stop further progression of the neurodegenerative disease in affected patients. Adeno-associated virus has been the vector of choice in recent clinical trials of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases due to its safety and efficiency in mediating gene transfer to the central nervous system. This review aims to discuss and summarize the progress and clinical applications of adeno-associated virus in neurodegenerative disease in central nervous system. Results from some clinical trials and successful cases of central neurodegenerative diseases deserve further study and exploration.


Deals with a successful attempt to improve the linguistic proficiency of international graduate students at Tennessee Technological University. Without proper guidance by skilled English language instructors at the very beginning of their graduate program, these newly arrived students may find themselves at a disadvantage in the American classroom because they lack the necessary aural comprehension and oral proficiency to take advantage of the learning environment. A pilot program at Tennessee Technological University has demonstrated that the international student's ability to process technical and nontechnical English efficiently in oral and aural models can be improved without requiring the student to take time-consuming intensive English programs on arrival in the US. Concentrated aural practice in the areas of listening acuity, inferencing, and problem solving yielded gains in proficiency over a short period. Graduate faculty members have reported improvements in student attitudes and in course work, as well as greater ease in communicating with these students.


The Controller Area Network (CAN) is one of the most popular networks for industrial distributed embedded systems, particularly automotive systems. In these systems the timely transmission of data messages is a key requirement. In this paper, a physical testbed is presented that allows the evaluation of the timing behavior of CAN message transmissions. The use of FPGAs as processing nodes allows to accurately perform measurements without influencing the original system due to the inherent parallelism of programmable hardware. As a case study, the improvement of response times by using dynamic scheduling of messages is shown with the testbed. Furthermore, the testbed helps to identify time critical simulation parameters.


The essay proposes a project of enhancement and valorization of the Fort of Charles V to guard the harbor of Agrigento, in 1549. Starting from those visual references testified by the sixteenth and seventeenth century representations between the defensive fort, the harbor of Agrigento, and the ancient Greek city taking shape in the landscape configurations of Camiliani and Spannocchi, the article proposes the enhancement of the building starting from a photogrammetric digital survey with a phase of digital elaboration of the model on virtual platforms for the immersive exploration to be concluded with the definition of paths differentiated by users from a wide range of sources (scholars, citizens, students of different ages).


This study aims to help business community understand other cultures by utilizing the database. Particularly, the comprehensive information on the member states of ASEAN, which should be perceive as Blue Oceans, will be used for the companies to survive the global competition. In the midst of the global business arena, cultural literacy plays a very important role in expanding business overseas. That is, companies' international management is in an inseparable relation with their competence in cultural understanding. In this regard, the DB will enable the businesses to have multicultural understanding, which is essential to resolve the problems resulted from cultural differences. Also, it will strengthen national competitiveness in the long run.


Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third form of cancer in both men and women. In Romania, the incidence of CRC in 2000 is 17.74 %ooo, in 2002 becoming the second cause of death. We reviewed a series of studies that are related to colon cancer and studied the epithelial-mesenchymal transition at the front of tumor invasion (EMT). Cellular phenotypic changes characteristic of EMT can be induced by the absence of transition cofactor (p300) involved in cellular regulation. Loss of syndecan-l marker is associated with local tumor stage and metastasis. Modulators of protein kinase resistance was associated with changes in genes involved in EMT (including vimentin hyperexpression) and genes involved in invasion (N-cadherin) with a decrease expression of genes involved in epithelial cell adhesion (E-cadherin). Progression in colon cancer is characterized by activating mutations in Ras genes and tumor growth factor action. Vimentin expression associated with EMT initiates molecular program. One of the characteristics of EMT is the loss of E-cadherin. TGF-p (transforming growth factor beta) induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colon cancer cell lines with the microsatellite stability, inducing cell invasion and migration. EMT is a critical early event involved in invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer, characterized by the presence of markers specific to each phenotype, epithelial or mesenchymal. Multiple biomarkers involved in the induction of EMT may represent future therapeutic target in the treatment of colonic neoplasia.


Assessing the value of ecosystem services in a particular area helps provide information about the economic benefits these services provide to the community. In many situations, to avoid the full cost of primary data collection, value estimates may be applied from secondary sources in a process known as benefit transfer. However, in many countries, including Australia, the stock of economic value estimates for ecosystem services is limited and this restricts the application of benefit transfer. In this paper, the non-market values of three ecosystems (native vegetation, waterways, and wetlands) in a coastal peri-urban town are assessed using benefit transfer. Ecosystems in a peri-urban environment are generally fragmented and in a degraded condition, but can have very high values within the residential urban area. Three main limiting factors are identified. First, there is a general paucity of relevant source study estimates. Second, there is a need for scale adjustment factors so that source study estimates which are often assessed at a catchment or regional level can be adjusted to a small local council jurisdiction. Third, there is a need for some level of scope adjustment to account for the very high values of very small patch sizes, with low ecological value, within an urban area.


Adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive K+channels [K+(ATP)] are the protein channels responsive to changes in ATP/adenosine diphosphate (ADP) ratio and provide a means to couple movement of potassium ions, to relate membrane potential with cellular energy status. Various subfamilies of K+(ATP) channel proteins, designated as Kir1.0 to 7.0, share significant amino-acid homology (40%) among them. The Kir6.0 subfamily consists of Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 proteins with around 70% amino acid homology. Kir6.1 is widely expressed in tissues, including pancreatic islets, heart, skeletal muscle and brain. K+(ATP) channels are assembled from two different subunits, a Kir subunit that forms the ion-conducting pore and a sulfonylurea receptor (SUR), a member of the ABCC subfamily. Activation of an K+(ATP) channel is known to be an important part of endogenous protective signalling that promotes cellular survival under conditions of metabolic stress. More recently, evidences suggest that activation of sarcolemmal and mitochondrial K+(ATP) channels may promote cellular survival and act as central effector molecules in ischemic/hypoxia preconditioning.


The Malaspina Glacier on the southern coast of Alaska is a partial analog of the late Wisconsinan Laurentide Ice Sheet that occupied New England and adjacent areas. Ice lobes of the Malaspina are similar in size to end moraine lobes in southern New England and Long Island. Estimated ablation rates, surface slopes, and meltwater discharge per unit of surface area for the Laurentide Ice Sheet are comparable to measured ablation rates, surface slopes, and meltwater discharge rates for the Malaspina Glacier.

Meltwater moves from the surface of the Malaspina down-glacier and toward the bed of the glacier along intercrystalline pathways and through a series of tunnels. Regolith beneath the glacier, which is eroded and transported to the margin of the glacier by subglacial and englacial streams, is the source of essentially all fluvial and lacustrine deposits on the Malaspina Foreland. By analogy, a similar hydrologic system existed at the southeastern margin of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Subglacial regolith, which was eroded from beneath the ice sheet by meltwater, was the source of most stratified sediment deposited in New England and adjacent areas during the late Wisconsinan. Similarly, Wisconsinan ice-contact landforms in New England were built by the same processes that are constructing landforms composed of stratified sediments in contact with the Malaspina Glacier. For the Malaspina Glacier and the Laurentide Ice Sheet, therefore, we reject the concept of the "dirt machine" by which debris near the base of the glacier is carried to the surface of the glacier along shear planes and then washed off the surface to form ice-contact stratified deposits.


Electron emission diffraction and x-ray absorption in the presence of an unscreened excited atom core hole - responsible for a long-range Coulomb force distorting the outgoing electron waves - are described within the muffin-tin potential model by means of the Green's operator multiple-scattering formalism: a case especially relevant for molecules and polyatomic clusters. The approach has the merit of allowing analytical and closed-form expressions to be obtained for all amplitudes and of yielding the possibility of expanding the scattering amplitudes in multiple-scattering terms. The treatment is mathematically consistent avoiding the appearance, in the expanded scattering amplitudes, of terms which are either indefinite or divergent.


Growth and development, and auxin polar transport in Arabidopsis thaliana transformed with iaaH gene were studied under simulated microgravity conditions on a three-dimensional (3-D) clinostat. Simulated microgravity conditions on a 3-D clinostat did not affect the number of rosette leaves but promoted the growth and development (fresh weight of plant and the elongation of flower stalk) of transformants. Final growth of transformants under simulated microgravity conditions on a 3-D clinostat was almost equivalent to that grown on 1 g conditions in the presence of 1 micromoles IAM (indole-3-acetamide). The activities of auxin polar transport in the segments of flower stalk (inflorescence axis) of transformants grown on 1 g conditions were significantly promoted by the addition of IAM. Interestingly, simulated microgravity conditions on a 3-D clinostat also promoted the activities of auxin polar transport of transformants grown on the medium with or without IAM. Based on the results in this study, transgenic plants may not have an efficient homeostatic mechanism for the control of growth and development, and auxin polar transport activity in microgravity conditions in space.


TRIM cascade calculations were utilized to simulate the defect production and energy deposition in the ion implanted silicon. A guide line for carbon ion beam defect engineering implant is obtained to reduce the size of residual defects in the high energy Ge+ preamorphized and low energy BF/sub 2/+ implanted silicon.


We demonstrate that the extrusion speed of thermoplastic urethane elastomer can modify its optical transmission by a factor of more than 100. Varying extrusion speed at constant temperature may tune optical properties along the axis of a filament, for example creating absorbent regions that are sensitive to length and diameter changes, surrounded by more transmissive segments that carry the sensor signal over long distances. Such waveguiding in a stretchable optical fiber requires a stretchable cladding with lower refractive index than the core. In experiments toward a rugged, stretchable fiber cladding, we investigated whether solvents could modify the outer structure of the filaments. Soaking the filaments in NMP (n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), then stretching the filaments while the solvent dried, turned out to modify the filaments in a way that solvents alone did not, creating porosity and reducing the appearance of optical clarity.


Vector-based amplitude panning in three dimensional sound reproduction aims to preserve both sound image direction and distance perception. While in the estimation process, the loudspeakers are supposed to place on a sphere. It is possible that this requirement cannot be met in home environment. An alternative method to estimate gain factors in vector-based amplitude panning is proposed to preserve distance perception in this study. The experiments confirm that listeners do not perceive obvious distance differences when panning and confirm the validation of the proposed method. Keywords-panning; distance; factor; reproduction;


Milk and milk products are the main nutritional foods for all age groups, especially for infants and children. Milk may be dangerous to consume due to the presence of a harmful substance called Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). The objective of this study was to assess the levels of AFM1 in milk, particularly those that exceed the standards set by the European Union (50 ng/L), the Food and Drug Administration (500 ng/L), and the Iranian National Standards Organization (100 ng/L). The study included one hundred and eighty samples of raw cow's milk from various retail dairy markets in Gorgan, with 45 samples collected during each season. The level of Aflatoxin M1 in the samples was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. AFM1 was detected in 139 (72.2%) raw cow milk samples with a range of 3.5–357 ng/L. All of the samples collected had Aflatoxin M1 concentration levels that were below the maximum limit of 500 ng/L set by the FDA. However, 41 samples (22.7%) exceeded the EU's limit of 50 ng/L, and 26 samples (14.4%) exceeded the INSO's limit of 100 ng/L for Aflatoxin M1 in raw cow's milk. The lowest and highest AFM1 levels of contamination were detected in the summer and winter seasons, which constituted 32 (71.1%) and 38 (84.4%) samples, respectively. The consumption of raw cow milk can lead to health risks for individuals from various age groups because regulatory limits are not being followed.


Now a days low power circuits are most popular, in the circuit as the scaling increase the leakage powers increases. So for removing these kind of leakages we are using many types of power gating techniques and to provide a better power efficiency. In this paper by using low power VLSI design techniques we are going to analyze the different types of power gated circuits. We are going to display the comparison results between different nano-meter technologies. Micro-wind Layout Editor & DSCH software tools are used for simulations & circuit design. The results were tabulated.


Adaptive decisions require that decision makers factor in the subjective values of different possible outcomes, and the probability of these outcomes occurring. Subjective values depend, among other things, on how far an outcome is away in time. This can be captured by assessing an individual's delay discounting of different options. An individual's risk preference also affects how attractive particular choice options appear to them. In humans, probability discounting and delay discounting are often related. People who show more risky behaviors also tend to be more impulsive and less patient. Based on such findings, single-process models of delay discounting and probability discounting have been suggested. In the current study, we tested if this relationship is equally present in chimpanzees, one of human's closest extant evolutionary relatives. We presented 23 chimpanzees with a patience task and a risky-choice task. The patience task was designed to explicitly distinguish between delay preference and self-control (i.e., the ability to wait a given delay). Still, we found no strong correlations between risk and delay preferences. As this task has not been used with humans before, we implemented a computerized version and tested it in a sample of twenty adult participants. Initial results indicate that the task is well suited to capture patience, and it makes a promising candidate to be used in behavioral delay discounting experiments in humans.


A two-component pressure sensitive paint has been designed to perform wind tunnel tests in low speed flow. In order to increase the measurement accuracy, the sources of errors have been reduced by using a low temperature sensitive paint. Furthermore, this PSP allows to measure the variations of the excitation light between wind-on and wind-off images by means of the second component, insensitive to pressure. The PSP is applied on an non-instrumented delta wing model and pressure data are obtained by using separate calibration on small samples of paint. PSP images present some defects of non-uniformity due to a problem with the paint itself. Pressure fields are obtained from 50 down to 24 m/s. Comparison between measurements obtained with pressure taps and PSP results on separated tests shows a significant shift due to the paint calibration.


Under the influence of the materialistic values, many people have regarded the wealth as the key factor to measure happiness, and have wanted to show their well-being through bandwagon consumption or conspicuous consumption. In order to explore the materialism and bandwagon consumption influencing on subjective well-being, based on college students as a sample, this article collected 438 effective questionnaires by questionnaire survey. Through exploratory factor analysis, related analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, the results show that materialism and bandwagon consumption have significantly negative influence on subjective well-being, during the materialism influencing on the subjective well-being, bandwagon consumption exists partial mediating effect. The research has enriched the study of subjective well-being, and will help us to think about how to desire for the happiness.


Two methods, High-Performance Receptor Binding Chromatography (HPRBC) and Cell Proliferation (CP), have been developed as alternatives to the classical hypophysectomized rat weight gain bioassay for the determination of potency for recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). In the HPRBC assay, rhGH is combined with an excess of the soluble extracellular domain of the recombinant human growth hormone receptor (referred to as 'receptor' in the discussion of the HPRBC assay). Nondenaturing size-exclusion chromatography is used to analyzed the resulting complex, which forms in a 2:1 receptor to rhGH ratio. The 2:1 complex is assayed at a concentration near the Kd (approximately 0.4 nM), providing high specificity for rhGH and detection of rhGH variants with reduced activity. In the CP assay, a mouse myeloid leukaemia cell line (FDC-P1) transfected with the full-length receptor is exposed to varying levels of rhGH for 16-20 h. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA is used as an index of cell proliferation. The results show that the HPRBC assay provides significantly improved precision with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of < or = 5% vs. an RSD of 23% for the rat bioassay. The CP assay has RSDs of 4-16%. Analysis of rhGH variants and mutants shows that the potencies measured by both the HPRBC and CP assays are in general agreement with the rat weight gain bioassay. Both of the HPRBC and CP assays are sufficiently rugged for operating in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) routine batch release testing environment. In vitro alternatives such as the HPRBC and CP assays build a foundation for replacing the hypophysectomized rat weight gain bioassay by correlating receptor dimerization, binding specificity and signal transduction with the biological activity of rhGH.


PDF Version August. 28, 2018 TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED: SUBJECT: Distinguished Teacher and Principal Talent Pool Recommendation The Texas Education Agency (TEA) would like to invite the education community to recommend distinguished classroom teachers and/or principals to be included in th


Injury Control Council of Western Australia has implemented multi-level suicide prevention programs across rural Western Australia (WA) since 2005. Our work focuses on building resilience at a community and individual level and is funded by the Australian Government via the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS). Working groups in each community developed Action Plans based on the following objectives. (1) Advocate to improve access to services (2) develop local strategies to assist people to connect with their community. (3) Develop resilience building strategies and provide suicide prevention training. (4) Increase community awareness of suicide and knowledge of referral and support services. This approach has not only focused community action on these objectives, but has also initiated many innovative and collaborative activities between various sectors within the region. Some examples are Working with SW Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS), the WA Country Health Service-South West and other stakeholders to ensure culturally secure services for Indigenous clients New cross-sector networking groups established. Training delivered in partnership with Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention (MCSP), Lifeline WA, health and education sectors, SWAMS and Gay and Lesbian Community Services Training and resilience building sessions based on Ros Snyders visual tool The Map of Loss Received sponsorship for community events to promote messages for the WA Mental Health promotion campaign – Act, Belong Commit Working with high risk groups such as prisons This work has evolved significantly since the initial research phase in 2005 and our success was nationally recognised in September 2009 by receiving an Award from Suicide Prevention Australia.


Weaning is a critical period for the growth and development of mammals, in which various physiological and biochemical indicators of the body have undergone great changes. The development, differentiation, and maturation of the nervous system are regulated by many proteins. Changes in related proteins affect the physiological functions of the nervous system. However, the regulation of self-renewal and differentiation of the nervous system at this stage is still poorly understood. The mechanism of differentiation and regulation of the major proteins in the nervous system during this special period of weaning remains to be investigated. Therefore, this paper aims to summarize the alteration of the nervous system during weaning and provide the basis for subsequent research.


The creation of apple varieties with a high level of f lesh f irmness and long shelf life is one of the important goals in breeding. Among the genes controlling these traits, the role of the endogenous ethylene biosynthesis control gene, Md-ACS1, the expansin gene, Md-Exp7, and the polygalacturonase gene, Md-PG1, has been established. The use of DNA marker analysis to solve problems in breeding for fruit quality traits allows one not only to track several target genes simultaneously, but also to cull plants with undesirable alleles at the early stages of development. In order to select complex donors of breeding traits, molecular genetic identif ication of the genes that determine the quality traits of apple fruits Md-Exp7 and Md-PG1 was performed in 256 breeding selections carrying the scab resistance gene Rvi6 and valuable allelic variants of the Md-ACS-1 gene, which determines the endogenous synthesis of ethylene in fruits: 90 samples with the Md-ACS1 allele (2/2) and 166 samples with Md-ACS1 (1/2). As a result of the study, an allelic combination for the Md-Exp7 and Md-PG1 genes was established. Analysis of the parental cultivars (Renet Simirenko, Modi, Smeralda, Renoir, Fulzhion and Granny Smith) used to obtain hybrid selections revealed three alleles 198, 202, 214 bp according to the DNA marker of the Md-Exp7 gene. The SSR marker for the Md-PG1 gene amplif ied three alleles (289, 292, 298 bp) on the abovementioned cultivars. Within the 256 breeding selections samples that have the most priority for breeding alleles of the desired genes in combination with the Rvi6 gene and/or with selection-priority allelic variants of the Md-ACS-1 gene were identif ied. Of the most valuable for breeding, 46 accessions carrying the combi nation Md-Exp7 (202:202) + Md-ACS1 (2/2) were distinguished. Hybrids with alleles Md-PG1 (292:292) + Md- ACS1 (2/2) are also most valuable for use in breeding and as donors of selection-valuable alleles; 21 samples were identif ied. Accessions with a complex of breeding-valuable target alleles are valuable complex donors, as well as valuable breeding material for creating varieties with improved fruit quality characteristics and scab resistance.


Identification of all phosphorylation forms of known proteins is a major goal of the Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP). Recent studies have found that certain phosphoproteins can be encapsulated in exosomes and function as key regulators in tumor microenvironment, but no deep coverage phosphoproteome of human exosomes has been reported to date, which makes the exosome a potential source for the new phosphosite discovery. In this study, we performed highly optimized MS analyses on the exosomal and cellular proteins isolated from human colorectal cancer SW620 cells. With stringent data quality control, 313 phosphoproteins with 1091 phosphosites were confidently identified from the SW620 exosome, from which 202 new phosphosites were detected. Exosomal phosphoproteins were significantly enriched in the 11q12.1-13.5 region of chromosome 11 and had a remarkably high level of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins (6.4%), which were functionally relevant to ephrin signaling pathway-directed cytoskeleton remodeling. In conclusion, we here report the first high-coverage phosphoproteome of human cell-secreted exosomes, which leads to the identification of new phosphosites for C-HPP. Our findings provide insights into the exosomal phosphoprotein systems that help to understand the signaling language being delivered by exosomes in cell-cell communications. The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange consortium with the data set identifier PXD004079, and iProX database (accession number: IPX00076800).


In a variety of emergency settings robot assistance has been identified as highly valuable, providing remote, and thus safe, access and operation. There are many different forms of human-robot interactions, allowing a team of humans and robots to take advantage of skills of each team member. A relatively new area of research considers interactions between human and a team of robots performing as a swarm. This work is concerned with the interactive use of autonomous robots in fire emergency settings. In particular, we consider a swarm of robots that are capable of supporting and enhancing fire fighting operations co-operatively and we investigate how firefighters in the field work with such a swarm. This paper outlines some of the key characteristics of this emergency setting. It discusses possible forms of interactions with swarm robotics being examined in the GUARDIANS project. The paper addresses the use of assistive swarm robotics to support firefighters with navigation and search operations. It reports on existing firefighters operations and how human-swarm interactions are to be used during such operations. The design approaches for human-swarm interaction are described and the preliminary work in the area are outlined. The paper ends by linking current expertise with common features of emergency related interaction design.


The majority of hearing-impaired students in the United States are exposed to at least one, if not several, forms of simultaneously signed and spoken English input (e.g., Seeing Essential English, Signing Exact English, Signed/Manual English, or combinations of these systems). It was the purpose of this study to investigate teachers' and interpreters' consistency with regard to following the rules of three of these systems. Subjects were asked to interpret a carefully designed set of stimuli; their performance was videotaped for later bimodal transcription and analysis. Careful descriptive analysis of the form and content of the data revealed that some professionals who purported to use a particular system frequently do not follow accurately the rules of that system, but many can encode in sign the meaning of what they are saying. Signing Exact English (SEE-II) users were able to follow the rules of that system at a significantly higher percentage of time than users of either of the other two systems (p less than .03 and p less than .001). They also were able to encode the meaning in sign of what they were saying an average of 86% of the time--significantly higher than users of Signed/Manual English (p less than .02). However, the average percentage of ability to follow the precise rules of a system was below 57% for even the adults who used SEE-II. It is possible that the acquisition of English is confounded for hearing-impaired children when professionals do not consistently sign the system they purport to use.


The different expressions of mental decline in elderly people, from simple senile benign forgetfulness to SDAT, can be evaluated by psychometric and neurophysiological tests. In the present study, the effects of oxiracetam, piracetam and placebo were compared in a group of elderly subjects. The results of the trial, structured as single blind, clearly showed that nootropics positively effect both clinical and neurophysiological performances and that oxiracetam produces a more pronounced effect when compared to piracetam. In fact, oxiracetam was found more effective in improving psychometric scales such as GDS (clinical performances) as well as the amplitude and the latency of the P300 (neurophysiological performances), which reflect a functional recovery of the cerebral pathways related to attention and memory.


In this paper the problem of model selection for measurement purposes is studied. A new selection procedure in a deterministic framework is proposed. The problem of nonlinear bounded-error estimation is viewed as a set inversion procedure. As each candidate model structure leads to a specific set of admissible values of the measurement vector the worst-case criterion is used to select the optimal model. The selection procedure is applied to a real measurement problem: grooves dimensioning using remote field eddy current inspection.


We present a Multi-sample Micro-capillary Rheometer (MMR) which is capable of measurements over a broad range of temperatures, viscosities and shear rates. The instrument is simple as the flow is generated by external gas pressure and the shear rate is measured optically. We test the MMR against two National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Materials (SRMs), three low viscosity standards and one commercial polymer (Polydimethlysiloxane, Polyisobutylene solution, Oils and Polystyrene) and report a high level of accuracy and precision. This instrument will be particularly useful as a combinatorial method and in cases of limited material quantity (typical sample size � 20 µL). The dynamic range of the instrument is eight orders of magnitude in viscosity and four orders of magnitude in shear rate.


Recently, machine vision is gaining attention in food science as well as in food industry concerning food quality assessment and monitoring. Into the framework of implementation of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) in the food industry, image processing can be used not only in estimation and even prediction of food quality but also in detection of adulteration. Towards these applications on food science, we present here a novel methodology for automated image analysis of several kinds of food products e.g. meat, vanilla crème and table olives, so as to increase objectivity, data reproducibility, low cost information extraction and faster quality assessment, without human intervention. Image processing's outcome will be propagated to the downstream analysis. The developed multispectral image processing method is based on unsupervised machine learning approach (Gaussian Mixture Models) and a novel unsupervised scheme of spectral band selection for segmentation process optimization. Through the evaluation we prove its efficiency and robustness against the currently available semi-manual software, showing that the developed method is a high throughput approach appropriate for massive data extraction from food samples.


This paper presents a comparison between a new face recognition algorithm based on EBGM which replaces Gabor features by HOG descriptors and the original EBGM. The experiments results show a better performance behavior using public available databases. This better performance is explained by the properties of HOG descriptors which are more robust to changes in illumination, rotation and small displacements, and to the higher accuracy of the face graphs obtained compared to classical Gabor-EBGM ones.


The effects of nitrate concentration on the capability of phosphorus uptake in the main anoxic stage were investigated.Meanwhile, the biomass fractions — heterotrophs, phosphateaccumulating organisms( PAOs),and nitrifying organisms in a pilot-scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal( EBPR) system— were both experimentally and theoretically evaluated( from the mass balance calculations of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus),under optimum nitrate concentration in the main anoxic stage,in which the influent chemical oxygen demand( COD)concentration was stabilized at( 290 ± 10) mg·L- 1and the influent total phosphorus( TP) concentration was stabilized at( 7. 0 ± 0. 5)mg · L- 1. In long term operations,the process exhibited high performance in removing organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Approximately 46. 41% of organic matter,57. 21% of nitrogen,and 48. 14% of phosphorus were removed from the influent in the form of carbon dioxide,nitrogen gas,and polyphosphate,respectively. XH( heterotrophs),XPAO( PAOs),and XAUT( autotrophs) were regarded as the major organisms responsible for biomass production. The yield fractions of XHgrowth in the first anoxic,the second anoxic,and the aerobic stages were 10. 24%,19. 11%,and 19. 71%,respectively; the yield fractions of XPAO growth in the second anoxic and the aerobic stages were 24. 34% and19. 86%,respectively; the yield fraction of XAUTgrowth in the aerobic stage was 6. 74%. These results showed that XHand XPAOformed the major community. Moreover,a higher amount of XPAOgrowth on stored poly-hydroxyalkanoates( PHAs) under the anoxic condition was seen in this EBPR system for municipal wastewater treatment.


Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Hydrogen Sulfide synthesis blocker induced enzyme inhibition by estimation of mucin in Psychological Stress-Induced Ulcers in Mice. Material and methods: Acute ulcers were induced in Swiss albino mice by using stress. The experimental groups consist of the following 2 groups: sender, responder groups. Sender animals received a foot shock of 10 sec duration at intervals of 50 sec for 3 hour. The electrical current for the shock 1.6 mA to 2.0 mA per hour for 3 day sender animals are changed daily. On day-3, after completing the foot-shock period, the responders were sacrificed, and their stomachs were removed. Drug (O- carboxy methyl hydroxylamine hemihydrochloride) was administered intraperitoneally with low (2mg/kg), medium (5 mg/kg), high (10 mg/kg) dose daily for 3 days respectively, 30 min before the shock period. Result: The proper development of ulcer with an average ulcer index of 5 mg/kg found which with to control at increased the which was corroborated by histopathology studies. Conclusion: The present study that observed inhibition of H 2 S synthesis blocker exacerbated the psychological stress induced ulcer implicacy an important role of H 2 S in regulator of stress. by inhibiting the activities of CBS and / or CAT [7]. AOAA is soluble in physiological saline solution and the pH was adjusted to 7.4 by using a NaOH. AOAA was tested on membrane potential and spontaneous motility. AOAA did not depolarize on the smooth muscle cells and produced a transient increase in motility [8]. Previous studies done in our laboratory indicate an important role of H 2 S in pathophysiology of stress induced ulcers in mice. It was demonstrated that L-Cysteine a H 2 S doner produced marked improvement in the prognosis of stress induced ulcers [5]. O-CHH is also called AOAA.


Building the narrative space of the place is one of the technical elements that contribute to the integration of the narrative text, and it is the general framework - in addition to the time - in which the events take place.  Personalities are depicted through and must exist within certain place and time.  The place is the necessary companion of time in a sense that two are essential components of technique in the narrative structure. The place is the space in which elements of narration are met.
After studying the construction of the narrative space in the poetry of al-Jizani, the researcher recognizes a large presence of natural and public space. The researcher also notices that the natural place is not a general framework in which events take place only.  Rather, it carries deep connotations that benefit the general meaning of the text.  Furthermore, the public place is mentioned abundantly, especially the vital places that bustle with the population movement such as cities, markets, cafes.  This indicates the poet's realism and his integration into society.


The study presented in this paper analyzes the challenges and opportunities of micro and small manufacturing enterprises in Easter Zone of Tigray. The study has collected relevant information from a survey of 323 entrepreneurs and interviewees from micro and small enterprises agency as sources of primary data for the study. Systematic random sampling was used to select sample respondents from the selected district towns, while purposive for interviewees from the micro and small enterprises Agency. Then the analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20 software. The result indicated that there are seldom young entrepreneurs with high school level of education. The entrepreneurs have good attitude towards the business. The entrepreneurs face financial difficulties due to high collateral requirements from the financial institutions. The plants do not have adequate machineries and modern technology. They are not good in distributing their products to their respective customers. The enterprises have good relationship with customers. Hence there is a scope for developing and expanding their business. There is an interruption in electric power supply which hinders the enterprises performance. Therefore, entrepreneurs should intend to take basic trainings and/or formal education so as to be more competent in the business world. Moreover, both entrepreneurs and government should make effort to ensure electric power supply


We have described the peculiarities of 6-year survival rate of the disabled due to acute myocardial infarction and stroke by the joint cohort of Zhytomyr oblast over 2007-2012. The cohort comprised 533 disabled people: 303 disability cases due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 230 due to stroke. Survival rate data were compared to the results of foreign cohort studies. During the period of 6 years the survival rate was 79,5 % in AMI patients and 93,0 % in patients with stroke. The peculiarities of survival rate according to factors of medical care have been studied. Among others, timeliness of hospitalization significantly (р=0,036) modified lethality by 44 % in case of AMI and by 51 % in case of stroke. Comorbidity, measured by comorbidity Charlson's index, significantly increased lethality by 69 % in patients with stroke only. From the list of prevalent drugs the significant impact on survival was rendered by β-blockers (р<0,0001) and reperfusion administered during the first 24 hours (р=0,012). Administration of aspirin, clopidogrel, nonfractioned heparin, statins, APF inhibitors failed to modify survival rate significantly.


Abstract More than 75% of households belong to at least one frequent-buyer club program and over 90% of these households use their cards almost every time they shop. Presently, customer-loyalty efforts are a major promotional priority for 56% of marketers. However, marketing scientists have not compared the social class participation levels of frequent-buyer club members to those of coupon-users and "ordinary" customers. By performing this comparison, it was found that the coupon-user (p < 0.01) and frequent-buyer (p < 0.01) groups had lower social class standings than did the "ordinary" households. Moreover, because there were no significant (p < 0.20) differences between the upper, middle, and lower social class standings of coupon-users and frequent-buyers, managerial substitutions of frequent-buyer promotions for coupon efforts seem rational.


Low carbon transition is an important climate change mitigation measure. It entails a switch from fossil fuels to renewable sources. The presence of cost-competitive domestic coal in coal-producing countries like Indonesia is often cited as a major stumbling block to renewable energy development. This article aims to probe the cheap domestic coal argument. It does so by examining the changing share of renewable energy sources in electricity production over a certain timeframe. The study finds mixed observations across important coal-producing countries. It thus argues that there is a need to go beyond the low-cost domestic coal axiom and examine deeper underlying factors that support or hinder renewable energy development in coal-producing countries.


Objective To compare differentially expressed proteins in bone marrow cells at chronic and blast phases of chronic myeloid leukemia by means of different grouping methods,and to screen the proteins involving in the transformation.Methods Two-dimensional electrophoresis(2-DE) was used to separate proteins and compare the changes of proteins expression in bone marrow cells at these two stages with three grouping methods,including the mixing samples group,the random samples group and the individual group.The differentially expressed protein spots were identified by peptide mass fingerprint in combination with database searching.Results The protein spots of the two stages were resolved with a match rate of 70.0678% in the mixing samples group;6 gel pages from CP and BC respectively were matched by pairs in the random samples group,and the range of match rate was from 43.2604% to 58.3477%.The match rate was 74.0988% in the individual group.The common differentially expressed protein spots from the mixing samples group and the random samples group were 103,and χ2 test result was P0.05.Twenty protein spots were selected from the co-expressed different spots among these 3 groups for identification by peptide mass fingerprint in combination with database searching,and 15 spots were identified.Conclusion Distinct protein profiles can be obtained by using the mixing bone marrow cells in the comparative proteomics analysis.The distinction of individuals can be eliminated efficiently by this method and the steps of experiment can be simplified.


The development of shock absorbing polymer foams requires an appreciation of the complex phenomena involved. Isolation of the main parameters controlling shock mitigating potential is the essential prerequisite to any programme of research, and this paper outlines some of the problems involved. Comment is made on the matrix and structure of foam materials along with a brief survey of the mechanisms of energy dissipation that can operate during impact conditions. Methods of testing are discussed and essential differences between swinging pendulum, free fall and load/compression tests outlined. The role of density/property relationships is highlighted and emphasis given to the importance of incorporating appropriate material factors controlling stiffness, strain dependence and strain rate dependence into any equations used to predict depth of penetration and maximum deceleration of an impacting object.


Measurements of power loss have been made on individual grains in polycrystalline specimens of commercial 3% grain-oriented silicon-iron under longitudinal and transverse ac magnetization and rotational flux conditions. The domain configurations have also been observed using a stroboscopic Kerr magnetic-optic apparatus. The effect of longitudinal stress and dc bias fields on the domain patterns and power loss under these ac magnetization conditions has also been investigated. It can be concluded that the highest power loss occurs under pure rotational flux conditions and that the application of longitudinal compressive stress increases the power loss, but to a lesser extent when a transverse ac flux is present. The application of a longitudinal dc field increases the power loss for all ac magnetizing conditions, and it has been observed that a longitudinal tensile stress has the opposite effect on the domain configuration to the application of a transverse dc field.


Seven undescribed phenylspirodrimane derivatives, stachybochartins A–G (1–7), and four known analogues (8–11) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Stachybotrys chartarum obtained from Pinellia ternata. Stachybochartins A–D are four rare C–C-coupled dimeric derivatives and stachybochartin G features a seco-bisabosqual skeleton. Their structures and configurations were elucidated via spectroscopic analysis, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, the ECD exciton chirality method and the modified Mosher's method. Stachybochartins A–D and G displayed cytotoxic activities against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and U-2OS osteosarcoma cells, with IC50 values ranging from 4.5 to 21.7 μM. Stachybochartins C and G exerted strong anti-proliferative activities against U-2OS cells in concentration- and time-dependent manners and induced apoptosis.


This paper will try to review the special problems of religion in the aqidah is faced with a growing culture of trust in our society today. Although it has experienced a shift towards the establishment and implementation of the values to Islamization in this case is a creed, but not necessarily completely eroded confidence entrenched culture of our ancestors. It is important to understand and inculcate the belief in the values of a civilized society, because Islam itself is very appreciative of cultural values, even culture is one tool to spread the religion in a historical context. So that people can discover the truth aqidah as guidance in religious community life and culture. That is, people who are subject to the rule of God, the people who have social ties of kinship and community ties and strong cultural religiosity.


Abstract This paper quantifies the effect of GMO regulation on bilateral trade flows of agricultural products. We develop a composite index of GMO regulations and using a gravity model we show that bilateral differences in GMO regulation negatively affect trade flows. This effect is especially driven by labeling, approval process, and traceability. Our results are robust to the endogeneity of GMO standards to trade flows.


Tritium activity concentration were monitored in monthly precipitation at five locations in Serbia (Meteorological Station of Belgrade at Zeleno Brdo, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Smederevska Palanka, Kraljevo and Niš) over 2005, using electrolytic enrichment and liquid scintillation counting. The obtained concentrations ranged from 3.36 to 127.02 TU. The activity values obtained in samples collected at Zeleno Brdo were lower or close to the minimum detectable activity (MDA), which has a value of 3.36 TU. Significantly higher tritium levels were obtained in samples collected in Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences compared with samples from the other investigated locations. Amount of precipitation were also recorded. A good linear correlation (r = 0.75) for Zeleno Brdo and VINS between their tritium activity was obtained. It was found that the value of the symmetrical index n (which indicates the magnitude of tritium content changes with time (months) through its second derivative) is the highest for Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences compared to other locations, which is in accordance with the fact that the highest concentrations of tritium were obtained in the samples from the cited place.


Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The principal as action researcher is a book that can be placed on the same shelf as many other action research resources that are written to support, guide, and improve the practice of educators. However, this text distinguishes itself from the many books on action research by aiming to support and guide school leaders. Principals are often left to their own devices to interpret and extend texts related to education and educational research. There are few resources that lead principals through the action research process that can be critical for faculty professional development. In electing to address this issue, the author, Nancy Fichtman Dana, has chosen to open the text with a passage penned by Michael Fullan, an expert in change and leadership in education. With this endorsement, the book is instantly credible in my eyes as this foreword complements and dissects the book in an encouraging and economical manner.


Purpose: Dynamic electron radiation therapies such as dynamic electron arc radiotherapy (DEAR) utilize small fields to provide target conformity and fluence modulation. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of virtual scanning mode using small fields. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations (EGSnrc/BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc) were performed using validated Varian TrueBeam phase space files for electron beam energies of 6, 9, 12, and 16 MeV and square/circular fields (1×1/1, 2×2/2, 3×3/3, 4×4/4, 5×5/5 cm2/cm diameter). Resulting dose distributions (kernels) were used for subsequent calculations. The following analyses were performed: (1) Comparison of composite square fields and reference 10×10 cm2 dose distributions and (2) Scanning beam deliveries for square and circular fields realized as the convolution of kernels and scanning pattern. Preliminary beam weight and pattern optimization were also performed. Two linear scans of 10 cm with/without overlap were modeled. Comparison metrics included depth and orthogonal profiles at dmax. Results: (1) Composite fields regained reference depth dose profiles for most energies and fields within 5%. Smaller kernels and higher energies increased dose in the build-up and Bremsstrahlung region (30%, 16MeV and 1×1 cm2), while reference dmax was maintained for all energies and composite fields. Smaller kernels (<2×2 cm2) maintained penumbra and field size within 0.2 cm, and flatness within 2%. Deterioration of penumbra for larger kernels (5×5 cm2) were observed. Balancing desirable dosimetry and efficiencies suggests that smaller kernels are used at edges and larger kernels in the center of the target. (2) Beam weight optimization improved cross-plane penumbra (0.2 cm) and increased the field size (0.4 cm) on average. In-plane penumbra and field size remained unchanged. Overlap depended on kernel size and optimal overlap resulted in flatness ±2%. Conclusion: Dynamic electron beam therapy in virtual scanning mode is feasible by employing small fields to achieve desired dose distributions and acceptable efficiencies.


Abstract:Mark Twain's early literary experimentation in the West gave rise to his most recognizable narrative voices, tropes, and techniques—including expressions of anger. These newspaper endeavors featured and were fundamentally shaped by invective, especially the insult, a robust and flexible form of verbal abuse. Twain used insults to establish his literary superiority, demonstrate or reinforce his various group identities, and contest his place within social and professional in-group hierarchies. This article constructs a framework for Twain's rhetoric of insults in his western newspaper contributions prior to his 1866 trip to the Hawaiian Islands, focusing on insults in three contexts: the rivalry, the hoax, and the honor contest. It analyzes the multiple rhetorical dimensions of Twain's varied forms of mock and malicious insults (including vehicle, intensity, and invective loci) and traces the social bonds created or affected by his insults.


This article reports a critical case of systematic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) due to wound infection. By intensive local wound treatment including debridement, topical negative pressure, and topical antibiotics, SIRS was effectively controlled, vital signs stabilized, and the wound healed in 45 days. This case reflects the close association between wound infection and SIRS while highlighting early diagnosis of local pathology and local treatment.


SOS Alarm has had an increasingly number of urgent calls to the number 112. With that come high demands on errand handling within the company. To measure and follow the effects of national reception of urgent 112 calls is therefore an important priority for 2016. The Purpose of this study is to investigate if the call time is longer with a national operator with relationship to a local operator. That is achievable by studying the mean value of the call time for local and national reception of calls. The goal is by statistical analysis and hypothesis testing study if the operator's localization and distance to the caller effects call time. The result shows that there is a statistical significant difference between mean value of call time for national and local reception, with national reception being longer. The lognormal distribution is non-linear, therefore the difference between the call times before the transformation is not being analyzed. The conclusion of this study is that that local knowledge has a significant influence on call time, where mean call time is longer for national reception. Provided that there is no difference in call time between the call types, it is further discussed in closing discussions.


Phantom limb is a sensation of a missing hand that patients feel after amputation, and phantom limb pain or phantom pain is a pain in a phantom limb. Phantom limb pain occurs in 45 % – 85 % of amputees, and a part of them becomes refractory. Thus, it is needed to fully understand the pathophysiology of phantom limb pain for the devel-opment of effective treatments. To elucidate the central mechanisms of phantom limb pain, functional and anatomical changes in the brain has been explored by using non– invasive brain activity recording technique such as electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In 1995 , Flor and colleagues reported that the somatotopic organization of the primary somatosensory cortex had altered in patients with phantom limb pain and the magnitude of this alteration had been associated with the intensity of their phantom limb pain. Based on these results, they proposed a model that alterations in the somatotopic organization of a missing hand are involved in phantom limb pain. Now, this model is known as the maladaptive reorganization model. Over the following 20 years, a variety of supporting evidence has been provided, and this model has been widely accepted. However, Makin and colleagues provided evidence against this model in 2013 . They demonstrated that cortical representation of a missing hand had been preserved and activation evoked by phantom limb movement had been related to the severity of phantom limb pain. After that, the maladaptive reorganization model has been revisited, and recent studies have suggested that functional alterations in the primary motor cortex rather than the primary sensory cortex are associated with phantom limb pain. Most recently, by using brain–machine interface technology, Yanagisawa and colleagues demonstrated that the activity of the missing hand area in the sensorimotor cortex is closely related to phantom limb pain. However, detailed neural mechanisms of phantom limb pain remain unclear so far, although many changes in the peripheral


The World Health Organization Call to Eliminate Cervical Cancer resonates in cities like Manaus, Brazil, where the burden is among the world's highest. Manaus has offered free cytology-based screening since 1990 and HPV immunization since 2013, but the public system is constrained by many challenges and performance is not well-defined. We obtained cervical cancer prevention activities within Manaus public health records for 2019 to evaluate immunization and screening coverage, screening by region and neighborhood, and the annual Pink October screening campaign. We estimated that among girls and boys age 14–18, 85.9% and 64.9% had 1+ doses of HPV vaccine, higher than rates for age 9–13 (73.4% and 43.3%, respectively). Of the 90,209 cytology tests performed, 24.9% were outside the target age and the remaining 72,230 corresponded to 40.1% of the target population (one-third of women age 25–64). The East zone had highest screening coverage (49.1%), highest high-grade cytology rate (2.5%) and lowest estimated cancers (38.1/100,000) compared with the South zone (32.9%, 1.8% and 48.5/100,000, respectively). Largest neighborhoods had fewer per capita screening locations, resulting in lower coverage. During October, some clinics successfully achieved higher screening volumes and high-grade cytology rates (up to 15.4%). Although we found evidence of some follow-up within 10 months post-screening for 51/70 women (72.9%) with high-grade or worse cytology, only 18 had complete work-up confirmed. Manaus has successfully initiated HPV vaccination, forecasting substantial cervical cancer reductions by 2050. With concerted efforts during campaigns, some clinics improved screening coverage and reached high-risk women. Screening campaigns in community locations in high-risk neighborhoods using self-collected HPV testing can achieve widespread coverage. Simplifying triage and treatment with fewer visits closer to communities would greatly improve follow-up and program effectiveness. Achieving WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination goals in high-burden cities will require major reforms for screening and simpler follow-up and treatment.


Network coding is a powerful technique introduced at the turn of the millennium, when a simple but far-reaching observation was made that, in communication networks, one can allow intermediate nodes to not only forward but also combine and process the incoming information flows [1]. Today, the field is attracting significant interest from engineers, computer scientists, and mathematicians in both academia and industry, and we are beginning to see first practical applications. In this article, we explain basic ideas, concepts, and power of network coding in a particular traffic scenario of network multicast.


A powerful data transformation method named guided projections is proposed creating new possibilities to reveal the group structure of high-dimensional data in the presence of noise variables. Utilising projections onto a space spanned by a selection of a small number of observations allows measuring the similarity of other observations to the selection based on orthogonal and score distances. Observations are iteratively exchanged from the selection creating a non-random sequence of projections which we call guided projections. In contrast to conventional projection pursuit methods, which typically identify a low-dimensional projection revealing some interesting features contained in the data, guided projections generate a series of projections that serve as a basis not just for diagnostic plots but to directly investigate the group structure in data. Based on simulated data we identify the strengths and limitations of guided projections in comparison to commonly employed data transformation methods. We further show the relevance of the transformation by applying it to real-world data sets.


We present and evaluate Deep Private-Feature Extractor (DPFE), a deep model which is trained and evaluated based on information theoretic constraints. Using the selective exchange of information between a user's device and a service provider, DPFE enables the user to prevent certain sensitive information from being shared with a service provider, while allowing them to extract approved information using their model. We introduce and utilize the log-rank privacy, a novel measure to assess the effectiveness of DPFE in removing sensitive information and compare different models based on their accuracy-privacy trade-off. We then implement and evaluate the performance of DPFE on smartphones to understand its complexity, resource demands, and efficiency trade-offs. Our results on benchmark image datasets demonstrate that under moderate resource utilization, DPFE can achieve high accuracy for primary tasks while preserving the privacy of sensitive information.


The authors designed a method to evaluate possible influence of occupational hazards on lower life expectancy. Initial application of the method proved that average life expectancy of metallurgists is shorter by 2.6 years vs that of general male population in Tula Province.


From the Publisher:
3ds max™ 4 In Depth provides readers with a comprehensive reference for creating effects for film, movies, and games. This book covers the modeling and modification of structures from primitive objects, plus other parametric design tools found in the program. 3ds max™ 4 In Depth contains various projects to strengthen concepts learned with a color studio to showcase the results. CD-ROM is included with maps or clips needed for each exercise.


At the present, some automatic indexing techniques are desired in the field of image retrieving. The cost of retrieving will be reduced and indexing is done uniformly using an automatic indexing. In this paper, we study a method of automatic recognition of the motion in moving images for the purpose of the image retrieving we describe a method of the image retrieving using the moving object and the motion.


We examined whether a change in posterior cerebral artery flow velocity (PCAv) reflected the posterior cerebral blood flow in healthy subjects during both static and dynamic exercise. PCAv and vertebral artery (VA) blood flow, as an index of posterior cerebral blood flow, were continuously measured during an exercise trial using transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography and Doppler ultrasound, respectively. Static handgrip exercise significantly increased both PCAv and VA blood flow. Increasing intensity of dynamic exercise further increased VA blood flow from moderate exercise, while PCAv decreased to almost resting level. During both static and dynamic exercise, the PCA cerebrovascular conductance (CVC) index significantly decreased from rest (static and high-intensity dynamic exercise, -11.5 ± 12.2% and -18.0 ± 16.8%, means ± SD, respectively) despite no change in the CVC of VA. These results indicate that vasoconstriction occurred at PCA but not VA during exercise-induced hypertension. This discrepancy in vascular response to exercise between PCA and VA may be due to different cerebral arterial characteristics. Therefore, to determine the effect of exercise on posterior cerebral circulation, at least, we need to carefully consider which cerebral artery to measure, regardless of exercise mode.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We examined whether transcranial Doppler-determined flow velocity in the posterior cerebral artery can be used as an index of cerebral blood flow during exercise. However, the changes in posterior cerebral artery flow velocity during exercise do not reflect vertebral artery blood flow.


Of all the theories on the heredity of blood groups that have been presented up to the present time, Bernstein's theory is most satisfactory. Apparent exceptions to this theory are due to: (a) faulty technique; (b) failure to test a sufficient number of people; (c) errors in computation; (d) failure to study a homogeneous group, and (e) selection of a subgroup for study which is not representative of the entire group.


Electron absorption spectra have been measured in the 7,000-30,000 per cm region. The complex spectra of chlorite and biotite in the visible region show similarities to vivianite, known to contain Fe (super 2+) in octahedral sites. It is proposed that most of the features in the 15,000-30,000 per cm region of these spectra are due to spin-forbidden transitions of Fe (super 2+) . Spectra of all minerals show a double-band system due to spin-allowed transitions of octahedrally-bonded Fe (super 2+) . Splitting of bands is attributed to the dynamic Jahn-Teller mechanism. A relatively intense polarized band at 14,000 per cm, assigned to Fe (super 2+) Fe (super 3+) interaction, occurs in spectra of chlorite, biotite and some phlogopites. This, together with polarized high-energy charge transfer processes, is the cause of pleochroism in sections of these minerals perpendicular to the (001) cleavage.


CdS/CdSe quantum‐dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) were fabricated from ZnO nanorods deposited on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates via the application of polysulfide redox reactions and a CuS counter electrode. In the present study, a TiO2 compact layer was used to suppress the recombination process. Typically, a TiO2 compact layer prevents direct contact between the FTO and electrolyte. The TiO2 compact layer with optimal thickness was fabricated by varying the soaking time in a TiCl4 solution. In addition, the morphology and influence of the compact layer on the interface between the FTO/electrolyte were analyzed.


This paper proposes a small Shape Memory Alloy actuator unit and its control algorithm. Since the unit contains a part to sense its displacement and stiffness, no external sensors are needed. SMA deformation is driven by thermal dynamics which can be significantly effected by surrounding environment. In order to attenuate this effect, a robust and simple control algorithm, Simple Adaptive Control is adopted. The proposed method was evaluated by the developed actuator unit. Experimental results showed that the stiffness was well controlled and the position could be controlled to converge the desired displacement.


The dissemination of tumor cells in blood and organs was determined at intervals after the vascular invasion of transplanted tumors and the intravenous inoculation of tumor cell suspensions. Determinations were based on the incidence of tumor growth in fragments of various organs transplanted to normal animals. It was found that distinct patterns of tumor cell distribution differentiated the tumors studied into two groups. In one group, the distribution was limited to organs that subsequently became the site of métastases,whereas the other was characterized by a widespread organic distribution of cells, occurring without relationship to the eventual location of métastases. These findings were related to other known characteristics of the tumors hi an attempt to determine the nature of organ retention.


The estimation of age from subadult skeletal remains relies on the measurement of bones, which when unavailable or damaged hampers the ability to generate a reliable age estimate. The goal of this project was to demonstrate two methods for estimating age at death from the developing human calcaneus. These methods are generated from a sample of 32 European American and African American males and females with ages ranging from 1 to 19 years from the Hamann–Todd Collection. The first method was based on linear regression from two standard measurements of the calcaneus (maximum length and middle breadth); the second was based on transition analysis of fusion states of the calcaneal epiphysis. Results suggest that both methods perform well in estimating subadult age at death. Additional testing with larger contemporary samples would likely increase the accuracy of both methods. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Tobacco is currently responsible for the death of one in ten adults in the world. Indonesia is also most prevalent for smoking with a total amount of smokers 62,800,000 people. Cigarette smoke contains gaseous compounds, one of which is nicotine, a compound that results in addiction. Nicotine produces neurochemical effects through six pathways. One of these is dopamine that produces the feeling of reward. Due its short half-life, withdrawal symptoms occur quickly, and results in relapses that reinforce the reward and satisfaction, which starts the addiction cycle. Varenicline (champix®), a selective a4s2 nicotinic acethylcholine receptor (nAChR), is a drug for smoking cessation treatment. Varenicline is indicated for smokers (especially chain-smokers) in adults. The presence of varenicline is associated with lowered dopamine release level. Studies found that varenicline had an acceptable safety and well-tolerated. The majority of adverse events are reported to be of mild-to-moderate intensity. Health benefits of this drug starts immediately after cessation, and fifteen years afterwards, the CHD risk of the patient may be smaller to that of a non-smoker.


Arabic in Indonesia is not only the language of religion, inheritance and civilization but also the language of communication between Arabic instructors or between Arabic students. In addition, Arabic is also daily language used in boarding schools that are scattered throught the regions in Indonesia. Arabic always develops according to the times. So, all Arabic instructors must also improve their competence. Madrasah Al-Sun education institutions seemed to be a solution for all Arabic language teachers in Indonesia, because the Madrasah Al-Sun used a special strategy in its teaching, namely Uslub Al-Sun. By using Uslub Al-Sun, the instructor is able to learn more deeply about Islamic civilization and is able to master contemporary vocabulary due to active discussions conducted. This study uses qualitative methods so that researchers get more in-depth data in accordance with the facts in the foeld about Uslub Al-Sun that is used to improve the teaching competence of Arabic.


This paper provides an up-to-date overview of the current role of English among Spanish young students. To that end, an analysi sof three important issues has been carried out. First, this research focuses on the different opportunities of the students to be in contact with English outside the classroom. Secondly, the attitudes of the participants have been examined using three different indicators; students' likeability, the importance of English, and the advantages for them of knowing English. Thirdly, the participants have self-assessed their level of proficiency in English in the four different skills. The outcomes reveal that young participants have a limited contact with English, and it is basically through music, radio, books, computers and television. As regards the students' attitudes towards English, the results prove the positive attitude of the respondents. Finally, the participants' self-assessment of their proficiency in English is positive, though some questions that require a reflection are included in the discussion. Key words: Spain, young students, attitudes, proficiency level in English.


Adopting the simplified water balance model, the average infiltration coefficient of precipitation and specific yield in the Hebei Plain between 1985-1995 are simulated, and the annual average groundwater level dropping down by water use sectors and crops is calculated on the basis of the above simulations. The results show that the water use in agriculture is the main factor resulting in the decline of groundwater level in the Hebei Plain, and the industrial and domestic factors are the secondary. In the piedmont plain, agriculture has led to a decrease of 0. 63 m per year, industry of 0. 08 m and domestic of 0. 03 m, with the individual ratios being 85. 1% , 10. 8% and 4. 1% respectively. While in the low plain, the order of the decrease is 0. 23 m, 0. 005 m and 0. 015 m per year with the ratios being 92. 1%, 2. 0%, and 5. 9% accordingly. In both areas, as to the major role causing the decline of groundwater level among the crops, wheat is the first, being 0. 33 m and 0. 127 m per year, while millet is the least, being 0.01m and 0. 004 m annually. As for water consumed in producing unit output value, wheat also occupies the first place, being 1. 35m3/yuan and 0. 91m3/yuan, or resulting in the largest decline of 0. 02 m and 0. 008 m in producing 100 million yuan of wheat each. While vegetable is the least, being 0. 25 m3/ yuan and 0. 19 m3/yuan, or 0. 004 m and 0. 002 m decline per 100 million yuan. With the decline of groundwater level, a series ecological and environmental disasters have been caused which have become the key factors restricting the socio-economic sustainable development of the Hebei Plain. Therefore, it is high time to adjust planting structure in order to achieve sustainable use of the groundwater in the Hebei Plain.