Environmental crisis has imposed the need to revise the role of nature in economics. A new approach to the relations between nature and society has emerged, imposing on the economic system the need to internalize ecological and cultural conditions for an equitable, diverse and sustainable development. Economic rationality has impinged on the self-organizing mechanisms of biological and ecological systems that support the production and the conditions for regeneration of natural resources. Market mechanisms do not value either the long-term synergy of socio-environmental processes that support ecological balances and natural productivity, nor social equity and cultural diversity. This rationality can be neither subsumed in biological laws nor incorporate the specificity of social rights, interests and institutions that define the conditions for the participatory and democratic management of natural resources.
I will analyze in this paper the limitations of the concept of entropy and an energetic approach to construct a new economics on physical basis and to address complex socio-environmental issues such as the social appropriation of nature and the equitable and sustainable management of natural resources. I will then argue for an alternative productive paradigm built upon the concept of ecotechnological productivity that integrates ecological, technological and cultural levels of productivity to maximize the sustainable production of socially defined wealth, by enhancing the capacities of the planet to produce natural use values through the negentropic production of biomass from the process of photosynthesis and design a technological system to minimize the entropic transformation processes. This productive rationality emerges from principles of cultural diversity, democracy, basic needs, ecological balance and quality of life, offering new perspectives for a sustainable development.


This report consists of tables and listings from the results of the Phase I data gathering activities of the Clinch River Environmental Restoration Program (CR-ERP). The table of contents outlines the presentation of the material and has been annotated to indicate the key fields used to order the printing of each data table. Definitions of selected column headings are provided. Sample collection information is shown first and then more specific information for each matrix type is presented. The analytical results have been reviewed by independent validators and the qualifiers shown are the results of their efforts. No data that were rejected by the validation process are included in this listing. Only results of routine samples are listed; quality control sample results were excluded. All data, both detected and nondetected values, were used to calculated the summary table values. However, only Detected values are given on the analyte specific listings.


Purpose

The Western New South Wales Integrated Care Strategy (ICS) was rolled out from November 2014 across three rural sites. The purpose of this paper is to assess its impact on general practices, and examine the feasibility of implementing an ICS, within a predominantly fee-for-service delivery model.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods were used to analyse the implementation of the ICS, including practice-level patient data on changes in service provision. This includes unit-record data on 130 enroled patients across three rural sites, as well as qualitative data collection from providers.

Findings

There were significant increases in both revenue-generating and non-revenue-generating activities (primarily care coordination activities) associated with implementing the ICS. Each occasion of service involved greater contact time with practice staff other than GPs, as well as greater administration time. There is evidence that ICS activities such as case conferencing and team care planning substitute for traditional GP consultations. Overall, the study found that a significant investment of resources – namely staff time devoted to a range of activities – was required to support the implementation of the ICS. Such an investment was supported both externally and through revenue-generating practice-level activities.

Research limitations/implications

The data collection and evaluation project is ongoing, with analysis based on the first wave of data from three sites.

Practical implications

At the practice level, a substantial commitment of resources is required to invest in, and sustain, a new model of integrated care (IC). This commitment can currently be supported both through higher revenue generation at the practice level, and externally by health system stakeholders, but changes in financial settings could impact on financial viability.

Originality/value

This paper provides evidence on the role of blended payment mechanisms in facilitating the implementation of IC in a rural setting where there are medical workforce constraints.


The Barents Sea capelin is a major forage species for many apex predators, for example, fish, marine mammals, sea birds, and man. The fishery for Barents Sea capelin increased exponentially in the early 1970s with the demise of the Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery along the Norwegian coast. The collapse of the herring spawning-stock resulted in the disappearance of young herring from the southern Barents Sea and the diet of the larger (ca. 3+ ages), piscivorous cod. Since then the only major dietary alternative for these larger cod has been capelin. The over-all trend in the biomass of the Barents Sea cod. however, has been one of decline since the late 1940s. As there was a marked decrease in the biomass of the 3+ ages of cod from ca. 3 • 106 tonnes to ca. 1 • 106 tonnes from 1974 to 1983, this would have simultaneously caused a great reduction in the predation pressure from cod on the capelin. The Barents Sea capelin is an r-strategist. Its weight-at-age is inversely related to population size, and thus the number of cohorts and subsequently age-at-maturity are positively related to population size. Principal components analysis (PCA) indicates that the biomass of 2+ ages of capelin and population characteristics already exhibited a declining trend from about 1975, despite a declining cod stock. Coupling of independent Russian and Norwegian data clearly shows that the percentage occurrence of prawns in the stomach of 3+ cod increased disproportionately from the mid-1970s despite a decrease in the cod biomass, probably indicating a lack of capelin as primary-choice prey. The nominal capelin catch between 1978 and 1983 is probably an unreliable estimate of fishing mortality. A drastic decline in the capelin stock occurred after 1983/1984, with marked predation from the potentially strong 1983 cod year-class. The capelin, as an r-strategist, is very difficult to manage in the fluctuating biological and climatic environment of the Barents Sea. Fisheries for capelin should be limited within the framework of multispecies perspectives, with much of its production being primarily used to sustain an elevated long-term yield of cod.


OBJECTIVE
To identify in vitro effects of hydrochloric acid, valeric acid, and other volatile fatty acids (VFAs) on the pathogenesis of ulcers in the nonglandular portion of the equine stomach.

SAMPLE POPULATION
Gastric tissues from 13 adult horses.

PROCEDURE
Nonglandular gastric mucosa was studied by use of Ussing chambers. Short-circuit current (Isc) and potential difference were measured and electrical resistance and conductance calculated after tissues were bathed in normal Ringer's solution (NRS) or NRS and hydrochloric, valeric, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids. Treated tissues were examined histologically.

RESULTS
Incubation in 60mM valeric acid at pH < or = 7.0 abruptly and irreversibly abolished Isc, which was followed by a slower decrease in resistance and an increase in conductance. Incubation in 60mM acetic, propionic, and butyric acids and, to a lesser extent, hydrochloric acid at pH < or = 7.0 significantly decreased Isc, which was followed by an increase in resistance and a decrease in conductance.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Incubation in valeric acid at pH < or = 7.0 caused a dramatic decrease in mucosal barrier function in the nonglandular portion of the stomach. Changes in barrier function attributable to exposure to valeric acid were associated with histopathologic evidence of cellular swelling in all layers of the nonglandular mucosa. Because of its high lipid solubility, valeric acid penetrates the nonglandular gastric mucosa, resulting in inhibition of sodium transport and cellular swelling. Valeric acid and other VFAs in gastric contents may contribute to the pathogenesis of ulcers in the nonglandular portion of the stomach of horses.


The last few decades have seen a significant increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) for private and public transportation around the world. This has resulted in high power demands on the electrical grid, especially when fast and ultra-fast or flash (at the bus-stop) charging are required. Consequently, a ground storage should be used in order to mitigate the peak power request period. This paper deals with an innovative and simple fast charging infrastructure based on supercapacitors, used to charge the energy storage system on board electric buses. According to the charging level of the electric bus, the proposed fast charging system is able to provide the maximum power of 180 kW without exceeding 30 s and without using DC–DC converters. In order to limit the maximum charging current, the electric bus is charged in three steps through three different connectors placed between the supercapacitors on board the bus and the fast charging system. The fast charging system has been carefully designed, taking into account several system parameters, such as charging time, maximum current, and voltage. Experimental tests have been performed on a fast charging station prototype to validate the theoretical analysis and functionality of the proposed architecture.


Abstract As the generation and use of big data becomes more prevalent in youth work, young people grow up in a world that "knows" more about their lives than ever before. Beyond school attendance and grades, these systems know about out-of-school program participation, social service resources, therapeutic interventions, and more. Though data historically was used to understand and improve program achievements, communicate with funders, and track participants, it is increasingly used to suggest and even perform interventions in young peoples' lives. Young people are rarely asked how they feel about these systems. This study, presented as a counter-narrative from their perspective, differentiates the big data collected and analyzed about them from the "big data" - or stuff that they feel really matters about who they are and the challenges they face. It concludes by offering four questions to help youth-serving organizations consider the ways they generate and use data, in light of the many issues young people raise about new big data trends.


Shannonite, ideally PbzOCO3, is a new mineral species that occurs as mm-sized white porcellanous crusts, associated with fluorite, at the Grand Reef mine, Graham County, Arizona, USA. Other associated minerals are plumbojarosite, hematite, Mn-oxides, muscovite-2M1, quartz, litharge, massicot, hydrocerussite, minium, and unnamed PbCO3.2PbO. Shannonite is orthorhombic, space group P21221 or oP212~2b with unit-cell parameters (refined from X-ray powder data): a 9.294(3), b 9.000(3), c 5.133(2) A, V 429.3(3) ,g3, a:b:c 1.0327:1:0.5703, Z = 4. The strongest five lines in the X-ray powder pattern (d in A (/)(hk/)) are: 4.02(40)(111); 3.215(100)(211); 3.181(90)(12l); 2.858(40)(130); 2.564(35)(002). The average of eight electron microprobe analyses is PbO 89.9(5), CO2 (by CHN elemental analyser) 9.70, total 99.60 wt.%. With O = 4, the empirical formula is Pbl.91C1.0504.o0. The calculated density for the empirical formula is 7.31 and for the idealized formula is 7.59 g/cm 3. In reflected light, shannonite is colourless-grey to white, with ubiquitous white internal reflections ( x 16 objectives), weak anisotropy, barely detectable bireflectance, and no evidence of pleochroism. The calculated refractive index (at 590 nm) is 2.09. Measured reflectance values in air and in oil ( x 4 objectives) are tabulated. Transmission electron-microscopy studies reveal that individual crystallites range in size from 10-400 nm, are platy, and are anhedral. Physical properties for cryptocrystalline crusts include: white streak; waxy lustre; opaque; nonfluorescent under both long- and short-wave ultraviolet light; uneven fracture; brittle; VHNloo 97 (range 93-100); calculated Mohs' hardness 3-3t,/2. Shannonite is soluble in concentrated HC1 and in dilute HNO3 and H2SO4. The mineral name is for David M. Shannon, who helped collect the samples and who initiated this study.


Blood-loss Studies for new non-steroidal anti-iJiftammatory drugs Sir: The AUstralian Drug Evaluation Committee has recently issued guidelines for assessment of new non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID). Assessment of the potential for gastrointestinal bleeding, originally quantitated over one week by means of chromium-labelled red blood cell loss in the stools, is now required to be conducted over a four-week period. We report the results of a study on a new lIlSAID, isoxepac (Hoechst Roussel Pharmaceuticals Ply Ltd). Ten patients (seven with rheumatoid arthritis, and three with osteoarthritis) were studied. A single dose of chromium51-labelled red blood cells was given during a one-week "washout" period, in which all NSAID therapy was stopped, and paracetamol was given for pain relief. The total radiation dose given varied between 7.4 Bq and 11 Bq (200 JlCi and 300 JlCi) per patient. Stools were collected on four consecutive days at the end of the washout period (A); after one week of therapy with isoxepac (200 mg four times a day) (B); and after four weeks of therapy with isoxepac (200 mg four times a day) (C). Sufficient radioactivity remained after four weeks to permit accurate assessment of blood loss without the necessity ofa second relabelling of red blood cells. Mean blood loss figures for the treatment periods were as follows: (A) 0.67±0.75 mL/day; (B) 1.27±0.56 mL/day; and (C) 2.17± 1.60 mL/day. The blood loss increased significantly (P<0.02) after four weeks, compared with pre-treatment levels,


The use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) by the civil engineering community spans more than two decades. It has been applied to many purposes for civil engineering structures not only for new structures but also for strengthening of the deteriorated structures. Many researches have been done to apply the FRP materials for strengthening, particularly due to an increase on load requirement, a change of use or due to a degradation problem or some design/construction defects. However, it is still very rarely studies on application of the FRP materials for strengthening of the yielded reinforced concrete members. This study presented the results of the application of GFRP sheet for strengthening of yielded reinforced concrete beams. A series of specimen of reinforced concrete beams with dimension of 15 cm x 20 cm x 270 cm were casted. All casted specimens were pre-load to the yielding of steel reinforcement before application of GFRP sheet. The specimens of the strengthened yielded beams using GFRP sheet were divided into four types which were: type FH-1 was specimen with 1 layer on full length of the beam span, type FH-12 was specimen with 1 layer on full length of the beam span added 1 layer with length of half of the beam span patched at the beam centre, type FH-3 was specimen with 3 layer on full length of the beam span and type FH-32 was specimen with 3 layer on full length of the beam span added 2 layer with length of half of the beam span patched at the beam centre, respectively. The results indicated that the flexural capacity of beams strengthened with one layer (type FH-1) and two layers (type FH-2) of GFRP sheet on overall length of beam were 26 kN and 35 kN, respectively. On the FH-12 beams with one layer on full length added with two layer of GFRP with the length of half of the beam span at the beam centre indicated higher capacity which was 30 kN. Furthermore, on the FH-32 beams with three layers of full length added with two layer of GFRP with the length of half of the beam span at the beam centre indicated higher capacity which was 42 kN. For the comparison, it was noted that the ultimate flexural capacity of strengthened concrete beams beyond that of original beam (ultimate capacity of original beam (BN) was 16.5 kN). The presence of cracks influenced to the prematurely debonding of the GFRP laminate. This caused the limitation of the experimental ultimate capacity.


Phase transfer catalysed oxidation of benzaldehyde and substituted benzaldehydes by permanganate ion have been studied in non polar solvents like ethyl acetate and toluene. The obtained products were charecterised by melting point determination and infra red spectral analysis. Benzoic acid and corresponding substituted benzoic acids were formed as the product with very high yield. The oxidation reactions were carried out by using various quaternary ammonium and phosphonium salts as phase transfer catalyst. The effect of non polar solvents and various phase transfer catalysts on yield of product was also carried out.


The formula for the area eigenvalues obtained by many authors within the approach known as loop quantum gravity states that each edge of a spin network contributes an area proportional to times the Planck length squared to any surface it transversely intersects. However, some confusion exists in the literature as to a value of the proportionality coefficient. The purpose of this rather technical note is to fix this coefficient. We present a calculation which shows that in a sector of quantum theory based on the connection , where is the spin connection compatible with the triad field, K is the extrinsic curvature and is Immirzi parameter, the value of the multiplicative factor is . In other words, each edge of a spin network contributes an area to any surface it transversely intersects.


In this work, in-situ growth of titanium dioxide micro-plug (TDMP) having mesoporous channels at the tip of glass micropi-pette induced by space-confined evaporation is reported. Moreover, clear ion current rectification (ICR) of single-material nanopore in saturated potassium chloride solution is observed for the first time. The TDMP presents an asymmetrical chan-nel structure with the top and bottom apertures of 12.3 ± 6.1 nm and 42.6 ± 19.7 nm, respectively. The TDMP exhibits out-standing ICR capability as the ions get transported through it due to the applied potential. The values for rectification coef-ficient (r = log2|I+1V/I-1V|) in saturated KCl solution under acidic (pH of 3.0) and alkaline (pH of 10.0) environments are 1.32 and -0.84, respectively. The intensity and direction of ICR can be adjusted by pH, or through the modification of citric acid. Meanwhile, the length and ion transport behavior of TDMP under different growth conditions (time and diameter) were also investigated. The TDMP with asymmetric mesoporous channels, maintaining ICR in saturated salt solution is expected to expand the application of nanopores in high-salt environment. Furthermore, growth of mesoporous material in the micropi-pette facilitates the miniaturization of the nanopore device, which further promotes its application potential.


The essential oil of Cotinus coggyria Scop.' leaves was found to be rich in α-pinene (43.1%), limonene (21.3%) and β-myrcene (8.5%). In the antimicrobial screening, essential oil was notably active on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, S. aureus ATCC BAA-977, Candida albicans ATCC 14053 and C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019 using the disc diffusion and volatilisation assays. The fumigant assay of the essential oil caused 70% and 100% mortality on the two pest adults of Acanthoscelides obtectus and Tribolium castaneum at 80 μL L− 1 air concentration at 96 h, respectively. In the toxicity assay on weeds, a dose-dependent decrease was observed in the germination and seedling growth of Silybum marianum and Portulaca oleracea. The present results indicated that oil could be suggested as an effective biocontrol agent in various fields.


For quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris , we constructed linkage map using cleaved amplified plymorphic sequences (CAPS) and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) analysis with disease rating of F 3 families obtained from a susceptible broccoli and resistant cabbage [Green commet P09 × Reiho P01]. We established inoculation technique. In this technique, leaves from approximately 50-day old F 3 plants were inoculated by cutting 1.0 cm at mid vain near the margins. A total of 38 CAPS and 60 SRAP primer pairs were screened to assess parental polymorphism against black rot resistance. Ninety two markers were distributed in 10 linkage groups (LGs) covering 320.5 cM (centimorgan), with average 3.56 cM interval between markers. Two genomic regions on LG 2 and LG 9 were significantly associated with resistance to the disease. The analysis revealed QTLs in the map interval between CAM1 – GSA1 on LG 2 accounting for up to 10% of the phenotypic variation and one QTL in the map interval between F12-R12e – BORED on LG 9 explaining 16% phenotypic variation with LOD score of 3.09. Two additional non-significant QTLs on LG 3 in the interval between CHI – ASB1 (LOD = 2.04) and on LG 7 in the interval between IPI – FLC3 (LOD = 2.25) were also detected for resistance to the disease. The QTLs, which were mapped to LG 2 and LG 9 for the disease, could be useful for marker-assisted selection in resistance breeding. Key words: Linkage map; QTL; Black rot; Resistance; Brassica oleracea DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v1i1.8591 International Journal of Natural Sciences (2011), 1(1):1-6


ABSTRACT Research on adolescent best friendships typically focuses on school-based friendships, ignoring important differences between classroom-based and out-of-school friendships. With data from 156 ninth-grade students, many of whom named more than 1 best friend across the 14-day period, the authors examined associations between the daily school context of one's best friendship and adjustment. Benefits of in-grade best friendships were found in academic engagement when a composite was assessed across the 2-week period. Daily findings were more complex and were different between weekends and school days. Out-of-grade best friends were named more frequently on weekends, and on weekend days in which they named an out-of-school best friend participants spent more time with that friend but felt like less of a good student. Implications for our understanding of friendship context and for the measurement of friendship itself are discussed.


We demonstrate pump-power-tunable slow and superluminal pulse propagation at room temperature in an erbium-doped fiber amplifier. Signal pulses at 1550 nm were sent through an EDF with various pump intensities, obtaining signal group velocities as slow as 19,000 m/s and as fast as -16,000 m/s.


We examine the refractive index sensor ability of the terahertz surface plasmon modes supported by a planar plasmonic terahertz (THz) waveguide. The waveguide is comprised of one-dimensional array of periodically arranged subwavelength scale pyramidal corrugations resulting in a plasmonic metamaterials waveguide. The waveguide exhibits strong field confinement along with the corrugated pattern. We have analyzed the dispersion property and quality factor of the fundamental as well as higher-order modes of the waveguide. In order to examine sensor capability, we used analytes of different refractive indices and observed a corresponding frequency shift. We further analyze the sensitivity of all the modes for the given volume of analyte and compare their sensing performance. We have employed the semi-analytical model to understand the numerical observations. The proposed waveguide approach can potentially result in highly sensitive refractive index sensors at terahertz frequencies.


Traditionally, intercalary allograft reconstruction after tumor resection has had a high rate of complications, particularly nonunion. Plate and intramedullary nail fixation have been used alone and in combination to improve union rates. This study sought to evaluate a new technique that uses a magnetic growing intramedullary nail to compress the osteotomy sites to aid in healing and to answer 2 questions: (1) What is the union rate and the time to union when using magnetic growing intramedullary nails? (2) What complications occur with this technique? Eight patients with 15 osteotomy sites with a minimum follow-up of 14 months were retrospectively reviewed. Seven of the 8 patients underwent initial reconstruction with the magnetic nail, whereas 1 patient underwent treatment of a nonunion that occurred with prior carbon fiber nail fixation. Twelve of the 15 osteotomy sites had healed by an average of 9 months. Nonunions occurred in 2 patients with an associated failure of the hardware. One of these patients healed after revision surgery. Of the patients who healed at both sites, 1 had a fracture through the allograft, 1 had backing out of a locking screw that required removal, and 1 required a manipulation under anesthesia of the knee. Two patients underwent successful limb lengthening needed because of an expected limb-length discrepancy after healing occurred. Use of growing intramedullary nails in compression mode led to an 87% union rate at final follow-up with acceptable complications. This technique provides a viable alternative to standard nail and plate fixation when intercalary allografts are used. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(6):330-335.].


Based on the known experimental Ah receptor binding affinities of 18 kinds of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), the quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) model for PBDEs' Ah receptor binding affinities was established via 13 substituent parameters (total number of substituent, substituent number in different position, substituent positional relationship parameters, substituent difference between two rings) to complement unknown binding affinities of other 191 PBDEs. Then, the full factorial experiment with 10 factors which correlated with each substituent position and 2 level (0,1) was applied to analyze the main effect and second-order interaction effect of each substituent position on PBDEs' Ah receptor binding affinities. Meanwhile, different analysis methods were used for the views of the total number of substituent, the similarity of different phenyl ring in single congener and the distribution of substituents on single phenyl ring to expound the correlation between substituent characteristics and Ah receptor binding affinities of PBDEs comprehensively. The obtained results have shown that: PBDEs' Ah receptor binding affinities are significantly affected by the main effect and second-order interaction effect of substitution positions, especially, the ortho-substituents can weaken the PBDEs' Ah receptor binding affinities and para-substituents have the opposite effect. The order of the importance for different position is presented as: para>ortho>meta. The main effect of meta-substituent is small which often affects the Ah receptor binding affinities of PBDEs by representing the second-order interaction effects combined with ortho/para-substituent. For other substituent characteristics, the total number of substituent and the similarity of different phenyl ring in single congener cannot control the Ah receptor binding affinities of PBDEs effectively, but the more decentralized for substituents on single phenyl ring, the smaller Ah receptor binding affinities for PBDEs.


The thermophilic bacillus Geobacillus stearothermophilus is a predominant spoilage bacterium in milk powder manufacturing plants. If its numbers exceed the accepted levels, this may incur financial loses by lowering the price of the end product. ABSTRACT Geobacillus species are important contaminants in the dairy industry, and their presence is often considered an indicator of poor plant hygiene with the potential to cause spoilage. They can form heat-resistant spores that adhere to surfaces of processing equipment and germinate to form biofilms. Therefore, strategies aimed toward preventing or controlling biofilm formation in the dairy industry are desirable. In this study, we demonstrated that the preferred temperature for biofilm and spore formation among Geobacillus stearothermophilus A1, D1, P3, and ATCC 12980 was 65°C. Increasing the total dissolved milk solid concentration to 20% (wt/vol) caused an apparent delay in the onset of biofilm and spore formation to detectable concentrations among all the strains at 55°C. Compared to the onset time of the biofilm formation of A1 in 10% (wt/vol) reconstituted skim milk, addition of milk protein (whey protein and sodium caseinate) caused an apparent delay in the onset of biofilm formation to detectable concentrations by an average of 10 h at 55°C. This study proposes that temperature and total dissolved solid concentration have a cumulative effect on biofilm and spore formation by G. stearothermophilus A1, D1, P3, and ATCC 12980. In addition, the findings from this study may indicate that preconditioning of stainless steel surfaces with adsorbed milk proteins may delay the onset of biofilm and spore formation by thermophilic bacteria during milk powder manufacture. IMPORTANCE The thermophilic bacillus Geobacillus stearothermophilus is a predominant spoilage bacterium in milk powder manufacturing plants. If its numbers exceed the accepted levels, financial losses may be incurred because of the need to lower the price of the end product. Furthermore, G. stearothermophilus bacilli can form heat-resistant spores which adhere to processing surfaces and can germinate to form biofilms. Previously conducted research had highlighted the variation in the spore and biofilm formation among three specific strains of G. stearothermophilus isolated from a milk powder manufacturing plant in New Zealand. The significance of our research is in demonstrating the effects of two abiotic factors, namely, temperature and total dissolved solid concentration, on biofilm and spore formation by these three dairy isolates, leading to modifications in the thermal processing steps aimed toward controlling biofilm and spore formation by G. stearothermophilus in the dairy industry.


The prediction of springback is probably the area in sheet metal forming simulation, where the least success has been achieved in terms solution accuracy. The springback is caused by the release of the residual stresses in the work piece after the forming stage. An accurate prediction of residual stresses puts, in turn, high demands on the material modeling during the forming simulation.
Among the various ingredients that make up a reliable material model, the hardening law is one of the most important ones for an accurate springback prediction. The hardening law should be able to consider some, or all, of the phenomena that occurs during bending and unbending of metal sheets, such as the Bauschinger effect, the transient behavior, and permanent softening. The complexities of existing hardening laws do of course vary within quite wide ranges. One purpose of the present study has been to try to identify a model of reasonable complexity, which at the same time can fulfill the requirements concerning accuracy. Five different hardening models have been evaluated in the present investigation. The simplest model, the isotropic hardening one, involves only one history variable, while the most advanced model involves ten history variables and four additional material parameters.
The unknown material parameters used in the description of the hardening behavior is determined by inverse modeling of a three point bending test. A new effective optimization technique based on Response Surface Methodology is presented for this purpose.
Furthermore, the unloading behavior is investigated in detail. It is shown that the elastic stiffness is decreasing with increased effective plastic strain. Since the springback deformation is an elastic recovery process, the elastic stiffness has a large influence on the final amount of springback. Thus, the degradation of elastic stiffness has to be considered for an accurate springback prediction.
Four different materials, frequently used in the car manufacturing industry, were considered in this study: Two DP600 steels from two different suppliers and with different thicknesses, a mild DX56 steel and, finally, a 220IF steel, classified somewhere in between the two latter material classes.
For all these materials the springback for the well known U-bend benchmark problem from the NUMISHEET'93 conference has been calculated. From the results of these simulations some conclusions regarding the appearance of a proper material model are drawn.


Autosomal Dominant Spinocerebellar Ataxia's (ADCAs) are a subset of hereditary spinocerebellar ataxias showing atrophy of the cerebellum and loss or Purkinje cells (PCs) leading to uncoordinated movement and gait. Most SCA subtypes can be attributed to CAG trinucleotide repeat expansions with several lengths, leading to protein misfolding and aggregation mainly in the cerebellum. Defects in cholesterol metabolism have been observed in SCA and it has already been shown in other neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington disease and Niemann-Pick type C that it contributes to neurodegeneration. A defective clearance of cholesterol might be the cause of cholesterol accumulation observed in SCA. CYP46A1 is responsible for the turnover of cholesterol to 24-OHC and be excreted from the brain. In SCA, CYP46A1 levels are decreased, leading to cholesterol accumulation in the brain. In addition, CYP46A1 mediates autophagy in the brain. When CYP46A1 levels are decreased, autophagy is attenuated due to defects in late-endosomes and leads to aggregation of the misfolded proteins seen in SCA. The aggregated proteins cause Endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) stress. ER stress might be the start of a vicious cycle of cholesterol synthesis and defective clearance, leading to cholesterol accumulation and contributes to pathology. Cholesterol metabolism in spinocerebellar ataxias: trying to unravel the underlying mechanism in the neurodegenerative


Recovery from sensory deprivation is slow and incomplete in adult visual cortex. In this study, we show that visual stimulation during locomotion, which increases the gain of visual responses in primary visual cortex, dramatically enhances recovery in the mouse. Excitatory neurons regained normal levels of response, while narrow-spiking (inhibitory) neurons remained less active. Visual stimulation or locomotion alone did not enhance recovery. Responses to the particular visual stimuli viewed by the animal during locomotion recovered, while those to another normally effective stimulus did not, suggesting that locomotion promotes the recovery only of the neural circuits that are activated concurrent with the locomotion. These findings may provide an avenue for improving recovery from amblyopia in humans. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02798.001


Abstract This paper examines voluntary disclosure of profit forecasts by bidding companies during takeovers. Disclosure is examined from two perspectives: (i) factors influencing disclosure and (ii) the influence of good news and bad news on disclosure. Takeover documents published during 701 takeover bids for public companies listed on the London Stock Exchange in the period 1988 to 1992 were examined. Two variables accounted for almost all the influences on disclosure of forecasts: bid horizon and type of bid. Probability of forecast disclosure was greater the shorter the bid horizon and during contested bids. In addition, there was some evidence that the nature of the purchase consideration offered by the bidder (cash or paper) and the industry of the bidder influenced disclosure. Disclosure was significantly more likely in paper bids and in the durable goods industry. Forecasts were more likely to be disclosed when firms had good news to report.


For a variety of applications, it is important to measure the sensitivity of the pointing of a beam emerging from a collimator, as a function of temperature changes. A straightforward method for carrying out this measurement is based on using interferometry for monitoring the changes in beam pointing, which presents its own problems. The added temperature dependence and complexity issues relating to using an interferometer are addressed by not using an interferometer in the first place. Instead, the collimator is made part of an arrangement that uses a minimum number of low-cost, off-the-shelf materials and by using a quad diode to measure changes in beam pointing. In order to minimize the influence of the test arrangement on the outcome of the measurement, several steps are taken. The collimator assembly is placed on top of a vertical, 1-m-long, fused silica tube. The quad diode is bonded to a fused silica bar, which, in turn, is bonded to the lower end of the fused silica tube. The lower end of the tube rests on a self-aligning support piece, while the upper end of the tube is kept against two rounded setscrew tips, using a soft rubber string. This ensures that very little stress is applied to the tube as the support structure changes dimensions due to thermal expansion. Light is delivered to the collimator through a bare fiber in order to minimize variable bending torque caused by a randomly relaxing, rigid fiber jacket. In order to separate the effect of temperature on the collimator assembly from the effect temperature has on the rest of the setup, multiple measurements are taken with the collimator assembly rotated from measurement to measurement. Laboratory testing, with 1-m spacing between the collimator and the quad diode, has shown that the sensitivity of the arrangement is better than 100 nm rms, over time spans of at least one hour, if the beam path is protected from atmospheric turbulence by a tube. The equivalent sensitivity to detecting changes in pointing angle is 100 nanoradians.


Software is among the most complex human artifacts, and visualization is widely acknowledged as important to understanding software. In this paper, we consider the problem of understanding a software system's architecture through visualization. Whereas traditional visualizations use multiple stakeholder-specific views to present different kinds of task- specific information, we propose an additional visualization technique that unifies the presentation of various kinds of architecture-level information, thereby allowing a variety of stakeholders to quickly see and communicate current development, quality, and costs of a software system. For future empirical evaluation of multi-aspect, single-view architectural visualizations, we have implemented our idea in an existing visualization tool, Vizz3D. Our implementation includes techniques, such as the use of a city metaphor, that reduce visual complexity in order to support single-view visualizations of large-scale programs.


The Met Office has been using data from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) on board the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites for nowcasting, assimilation in numerical weather prediction (NWP) and for providing guidance to forecasters since September 2004. This paper describes the cloud mask derived from MSG imagery which is used by all downstream products. The Met Office SEVIRI mask is compared with that of the Nowcasting Satellite Applications Facility (SAFNWC), and with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro‐Radiometer (MODIS) cloud mask. These comparisons show good agreement between the cloud masks: the Met Office and SAFNWC masks are in accord with the MODIS mask for 90.65% and 89.69% of SEVIRI pixels tested, respectively. © Crown Copyright 2011. Published with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland


Our knowledge of quantum mechanics can satisfactorily describe simple, microscopic systems, but is yet to explain the macroscopic everyday phenomena we observe. Here we aim to shed some light on the quantum-to-classical transition as seen through the analysis of uncertainty relations. We employ entropic uncertainty relations to show that it is only by the inclusion of imprecision in our model of macroscopic measurements that we can prepare a system with two simultaneously well-defined quantities, even if their associated observables do not commute. We also establish how the precision of measurements must increase in order to keep quantum properties, a desirable feature for large quantum computers.


Objective: Multiple renal artery grafts of kidney transplant patients developing complications and results for long-term kidney function were evaluated. Material and Method: From 2010 to 2014, 115 kidney transplant patients were evaluated retrospectively. A sum of, 115 donor nephrectomies were performed in our instution. Kidney were transplanted with a single artery to 99 patients and sixteen (approximate 14%) with more than one. For five of these 16 patients, the organs were transplanted from a cadaver and eleven were transplanted from living donors. Results: Mean age was 38,5 years (range 9–58 years), mean follow up time was 22,5 month (min. 3,5 and max. 41 month) and mean cold ischemia time was 153 minutes for living donor transplantations and 1396 minutes for cadaveric transplantation, and also warm ischemia time was 236 seconds for living donor transplantation. In all cases, the grafted kidney began to function immediately after reperfusion. Fourteen of the recipients had no any early kidney dysfunction, a problem that is usually attributed to prolonged anastomosis time. Conclusion: Transplanting kidneys with multiple renal arteries may result in significant risks. Prolonged cold or hot ischemia time may elevate incidence of non functional graft and rejection. Results of this study points that unifying artery anastomosis at the backtable would reduce the risk.


This narrative is an autoethnographic study of how discrimination and prejudice counteract the academic meritocratic system. In Sweden, which is one of the most gender-equal countries in the world, opposition to gender equality and prejudices against what is considered the Other can be hidden and thus reproduced in decision-making processes and structures. This narrative shows how a professorial recruitment process bypassed the meritocratic system i.e., the system in which qualifications and educational results in combination with the individual's achievements should play the greatest role in the promotion process. This is a story about how the supposed meritocracy is twisted and manipulated within university contexts and how the "temperament" of a foreign female researcher is utilised to exclude her from entering through the coveted doors of academic departments. Different experiences, characterised by demanding conditions, have been analysed with the help of gender theoretical perspectives, opposition to gender equality, intercultural perspectives and a number of social psychological perspectives linked to prejudice. The description is interwoven with previous experiences from younger years, which together contribute to an increased understanding of the individual narrative and its specific context.


This research applied a cognitive model to identify item features that lead to irrelevant variance on the Test of Spoken English™ (TSE®). The TSE is an assessment of English oral proficiency and includes an item that elicits a description of a statistical graph. This item type sometimes appears to tap graph-reading skills—an irrelevant construct; TSE raters report that many examinees perform worse on this item type than they do on the other 11 items in the test. We adapted a cognitive theory of graph comprehension to predict the degree to which TSE graph items tap irrelevant skills such as graph reading. Through analyses of existing TSE data as well as an experiment, we show how the theory provides specific, empirically justified recommendations on the construction of graph items that minimize the influence of extraneous skills.


In this paper, drawing inspiration from the human creativity literature, we explore the optimal balance between novelty and usefulness in generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. We posit that overemphasizing either aspect can lead to limitations such as hallucinations and memorization. Hallucinations, characterized by AI responses containing random inaccuracies or falsehoods, emerge when models prioritize novelty over usefulness. Memorization, where AI models reproduce content from their training data, results from an excessive focus on usefulness, potentially limiting creativity. To address these challenges, we propose a framework that includes domain-specific analysis, data and transfer learning, user preferences and customization, custom evaluation metrics, and collaboration mechanisms. Our approach aims to generate content that is both novel and useful within specific domains, while considering the unique requirements of various contexts.


Author(s): Calabrese, Andrea; Keyser, Samuel Jay | Abstract: This paper deals with Grassmann's and Bartholomae's Laws in Sanskrit. The former has the effect of distributing aspiration inside a root. The second accounts for the progressive assimilation of voicing and aspiration. Grassmann's Law, for example, is responsible for the alternation between bodh-ati '3rd sg. pres. ind' of the root /bhaudh/ 'know, wake' and bhot-sya-ti '3rd sg. fut'. In the former aspiration appears on the final consonant of the root while in the latter it appears on the initial consonant of the root. Grassmann's Law is intended to account for this migratory behavior. Bartholomae's Law, on the other hand, is intended to account for what happens in the form buddha 'past participle' from /bhudh + ta/ where in addition to progressive voicing assimilation, aspiration migrates from the root final consonant to the following consonant.


One of the classic findings in the literature of visual orienting of attention is that performance is facilitated by a valid cue even when it is non-informative. This facilitation is then followed by a period of inhibition of the cued area, known as "inhibition of return". Researchers have suggested that the early facilitation is the result of orienting of attention. However, because cues are commonly presented for 100-200 msec, the facilitation usually overlaps cue presentation. Thus, it is possible that facilitation could be attributed to sensory summation rather than to attention. Hence, facilitation may not occur when cue and target do not overlap. Three experiments were designed to clarify this issue. We found early facilitation followed by inhibition. The facilitation was the same whether the cue was present or not. Moreover, facilitation was not affected by cue duration or by target duration. These results reaffirm the idea that a non-informative peripheral cue can activate the exogenous orienting ...


Abstract Introduction A spinner knob attached to the steering wheel enables one-handed driving. However, changes in steering performance and muscle activity of the upper extremity based on the differences in the position of the knob are unknown. Aim To quantify changes in steering performance and their muscle activity according to the position of the knob. Method Twenty right-handed healthy men with a mean age of 30.9 years participated in the study. Steering operation (reaction time, accuracy, right-left balance and adaptability) as assessed by steering with both hands and left one-handed driving with the spinner knob at three positions (8, 10, and 12 o'clock) were evaluated using a driving simulator. Muscle activities of the left anterior deltoid, biceps brachii and long head of the triceps brachii during the simulated tasks were also recorded using a wireless surface electromyography. Results Muscle activity while steering with the knob at 8 o'clock was significantly lower than with the knob at 10 or 12 o'clock, and was equivalent to the steering performance and muscle activity when driving with both hands. On the other hand, muscle activity while driving with the knob at 10 o'clock was significantly higher than with the knob in the other positions. Conclusion The present study provides basic data for determining the position of the spinner knob attached to the steering wheel when driving one-handed with the non-dominant left hand. Positioning of the knob at 8 o'clock can be recommended on the basis of steering performance and lower muscle activities. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The safe driving of an automobile requires the driver to have an adequate range of motion and advanced voluntary motor control of the upper and lower extremities. When steering with the bilateral hands becomes difficult and driving with one-hand is required, it is necessary to attach a spinner knob on the steering wheel. This study provides objective and valuable information for clinicians and therapists to determine the optimum position of the spinner knob.


A one-pot multicomponent reaction of aryl aldehydes, 2-amino benzimidazole and ethyl 2-mercaptoacetate is described as an efficient and environmentally method for the synthesis of some novel ethyl 2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-ylamino)(Aryl)methylthio) acetates in the presence of nano-Copper Y Zeolite (NCZ) as a catalyst in ethanol at room temperature. After optimizing of reaction conditions for this reaction, the amount of catalyst obtained was 10W%. The yield of reactions was in the range of 75-89%. The synthesized compounds 4a-j were characterized using IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR spectroscopy and Elemental Analysis. The present procedure offers several advantages, such as use of available, safety and reusable of the catalyst, high yields, short reaction times, easy and quick isolation of the product. This method may provide a developed groundwork for the synthesis of new commercial fungicide Benomyl and Carbendazim derivatives. Also, this procedure may be used as a synthetic pathway for preparation of new sulfur-bearing peptide derivatives based on 2-amino benzimidazole core under mild conditions.


Abstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasingly condition in medical practice. In the absence of an effective therapeutic management, it can lead to significant maternal and neonatal complications with adverse health effects. Reducing the risk of morbidity is the goal achived by screening of all pregnant women and active involvement of health care staff and early medical intervention in case of detection of GDM. The aim of this review is to present the nowadays strategy of GDM approach. The management challenge is to maintain blood glucose levels within the targets recommended by current guidelines, which are in relatively narrow ranges. Nutritional intervention and lifestyle changes are of primary importance. If necessary insulin therapy is initiated, insulin analogues are preferable due to lower risk of hypoglycemia. Oral antidiabetics are not recommended in pregnancy, even if they are used in certain circumstances.


Cigarette smoking is a practice in which tobacco (leaf of Nicotina Tabacum) is burned and the smoke (heterogeneous aerosol) is tasted or inhaled. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly elevated among smokers as compared with non smokers. This study was done to assess the blood pressure in healthy male cigarette smokers in order to compare this parameter with healthy male non smokers. This comparative study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, from July 2013 to June 2014. One hundred healthy male subjects (75 male were cigarette smokers as study group and 25 male were non smokers as control group) aged between 16 to 40 years were enrolled in this study. Blood pressure of the individual was measured by an android sphygmomanometer with appropriate size of cuff and stethoscope. Data were expressed as mean±SD and statistical significance of difference among the groups was calculated by unpaired student's 't' test. The mean±SD of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in smoker group in comparison to the non smoker group. There were gradual increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the smokers as the duration of smoking was increased. This study concludes cigarette smoking increase systolic and diastolic blood pressure in accordance with the duration of smoking.


A recent preparation method by citrate synthesis in combination with pyrolysis has been applied to the new high-Tc superconductors. A step-by-step procedure is given to obtain the ultra-fine and homogeneous powder. X-ray diffraction analyses were performed to characterise the powder and to study the influence of the calcination temperature. Resistance measurements exhibit complete superconductivity at 91.2 K.


Modeling images/videos with covariance matrices has attracted increasing attentions in various vision tasks, especially in visual classification. For covariances-based visual classification, measuring the distances between covariances is one of the key issues and has been studied for decades. Since the space of covariances is a Riemannian manifold, the geometrical structure of covariances should be favorably considered when designing distance metrics. Although this problem has been widely studied, designing an effective and efficient metric between high-dimensional covariances (HDCOV) for scalable classification is still an open problem. In this paper, we present an information geometry-based distance (IGBD) to tackle this challenge from the perspective of information geometry. Our idea is based on the fact that each covariance can be viewed as a zero-mean Gaussian distribution, and thus the distances between covariances are measured by those between the corresponding Gaussian distributions. The core of our method is to project each distribution, in the form of a set of random samples, to a vector on the tangent space of a common, known distribution on the statistical manifold, based on Fisher information metric and maximum likelihood method. On the tangent space, the Euclidean norm can be used to measure the distances between those sets of projection vectors (or equivalently distributions). The proposed IGBD for HDCOV is computationally efficient and easily combined with a linear support vector machine, suitable for scalable visual classification. The experiments are conducted on various kinds and sizes of benchmarks, and results show the proposed method is efficient and the combination of HDCOV can achieve very competitive performance.


The possibility of awareness during general anesthesia causes apprehension for the patient and the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). The goals of general anesthesia are to prevent the sensation of pain and produce a state of sedation, hypnosis, and unconsciousness so the patient will not remember the surgical procedure. An inadequate level of anesthesia can result in patient awareness during surgery. The current practice of anesthesia relies on indirect hemodynamic measurements such as blood pressure and heart rate to monitor the sedative hypnotic state of the patient's brain during general anesthesia. Hemodynamic responses are not reliable for predicting awareness just as blood pressure and heart rate are not indicative of consciousness. Electroencephalogram (EEG) waveforms are known to be affected by anesthetics. Characteristic EEG waveforms are a direct indication of the patient's level of consciousness. Unprocessed and computer-processed EEG recordings have been used in an attempt to monitor the patient's level of consciousness during general anesthesia. A raw or unprocessed EEG recording to monitor the level of consciousness during general anesthesia is problematic. The EEG signal is complex, affected by artifact, and it requires a dedicated interpreter. Conventional processed EEG monitoring systems are problematic because of the complexity of the equipment and technical difficulty of reading the EEG recording. The purpose of this article is to describe the history of awareness during anesthesia and introduce a new processed EEG monitor, the Bispectral Index (BIS) (Aspect Medical Systems, Inc., Natick, MA) with implications for future clinical use and research.


video files to the education and research community and is distinguished by an innovative user interface that offers multiple kinds of visual surrogates to people searching for video content. The OVDL is used by several thousand people around the world each month and part of this success is due to its user interface. This article examines the interplay between research and practice in the development of this particular digital library with an eye toward lessons for all digital libraries. We argue that theoretical and research goals blur into practical goals and practical goals raise new research questions as research and development progress—this process is akin to walking along a Möbius strip in which a locally two-sided surface is actually part of a globally one-sided world. We consider the gulf between the theories that guide current digital library research and current practice in operational digital libraries, provide a developmental history of the OVDL and the research frameworks that drove its development, illustrate how user studies informed its implementation and revision, and conclude with reflections and recommendations on the interplay between research and practice.


This study addresses the validation of an oral proficiency test by examining the language that is obtained from the items presented in the test. The study focused on the language elicited by a form of the Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (SOPI), the Spanish version of the Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT). The TOPT is used to measure the oral proficiency of foreign language and bilingual education teachers seeking certificat.on in Texas. The result of an analysis of the responses of a number of examinees representing a wide range of overall proficiency levels was the development of a typology of SOPI.characteristics. The broad categories of the typology are speaker, topic, audience, and setting. Inter-item relationships and grammatical features of the test were also examined. An appendix outlines the typology of prompt characteristics. (MDM) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** CONSIDERATIONS IN WRITING ITEM PROMPTS FOR SIMULATED ORAL PROFICIENCY INTERVIEW (SOPI) PAVLOS Y. PAVLOU and SYLVIA RASI Georgetown University, Washington D.C. 'PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATER'AL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office ot Educahonst Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced es recemecl (corn the person 01 orgemzehon 9096011)09 it h4..0, Changes have bean mule to improve reproduchon guehty Points of suer., o opuone statedm thisdocumeat do nol necessanly represent othvai OEM POsibon or pohcy Paper presented at annual Language Testing Research Colloquium Washington, D.C., March 1994


There is described a novoel isocyanate-based polymer foam. The isocyanate-based polymer foam is derived from a reaction mixture comprising: (a) an isocyanate; (b) a mixture of active hydrogen-containing compounds; and (c) a blowing agent. The mixture of active hydrogen-containing compounds comprises: (i) a bio-based polyol having an OH functionality of greater than about 2.0, an OH number in the range of from about 90 to about 200 and a molecular weight (Mn) of at least about 1100, and (ii) a petroleum-based active hydrogen-containing compound. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly discovered that relatively high amounts (compared to the prior art) of such a bio-based polyol may be incorporated into an isocyanate-based polymer foam while maintaining a desirable balance of properties in the foam. Use of such a bio-based polyol (as a single bio-based polyol or a mixture of bio-based polyols) allows for displacement of at least a portion of petroleum-based polyols conventionally used in the production of isocyanate-based polymer foam while maintaining a desirable balance of properties in the foam, particularly molded foam. The addition benefit is that such displacement is of a component that this non-renewable and relatively more expensive than bio-based polyols.


Introduction Malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD) co-morbidity have previously been reported in Ghana. However, there is paucity of data on haematological profiles and oxidative stress in comorbidity states. This study identified novel inflammatory biomarkers associated with malaria in SCD and analyzed the levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α oxidative stress biomarker in malaria-SCD co-morbidity in Ghanaian patients. Methods Blood (5ml) was collected from malaria patients into K3-EDTA tube. Malaria parasites speciation and quantification were then done according WHO guidelines. All eligible samples were assayed for haematological profile, sickle cell phenotyping, infectious markers (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and HIV 1&2) and plasma levels of 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α.. Results Prevalence of malaria in SCD (malaria-SCD) was 13.4% (45/335). Male: female ratio was 0.8:1 (X2=1.43, p=0.231). Mean ages for malaria in normal haemoglobin type (malaria-HbAA) and malaria-SCD were 12.79±4.91 and 11.56±3.65 years respectively (p=0.048). Geometric mean of parasite density was higher in malaria-HbAA (20394 parasites/μl vs. 9990 parasites/μl, p=0.001) whilst mean body temperature was higher in malaria-SCD (39.0±0.87°C vs. 37.9±1.15°C, p=0.001). Mean leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, platelets and platelet indices values were significantly elevated in malaria-SCD. Significant reduction in RBC and RBC indices in malaria-SCD were also observed. Eosinophils-to-basophils ratio (EBR) and monocytes-to-basophils ratio (MBR) were novel cellular inflammatory biomarkers which could predict malaria in SCD. The sensitivities of cut-off values of EBR>14, MBR>22 and combined use of EBR>14 and MBR>22 were 79.55%, 84.09% and 91.11% respectively. Mean 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α was 338.1pg/ml in malaria-HbAA and 643.8pg/ml in malaria-SCD (p=0.001). 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α correlated with parasite density (r=0.787, p=0.001), temperature (r=0.566, p=0.001) and leucocytes (r=0.573, p=0.001) and negatively correlated with RBC (r=−0.476, p=0.003), haemoglobin (r=−0.851, p=0.001) and haematocrit (r=−0.735, p=0.001). Conclusion Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia increases oxidative damage and causes derangement haematological parameters. Cut of values of EBR>14 and MBR>22 could predict malaria in SCD.


This volume is part of the ongoing collaboration between the RMC series and the Socio-Economic Institute for Firms and Organization (ISEOR), a French intervention-research think tank codirected by Henri Savall and Veronique Zardet. Building on an earlier collaboration on the ISEOR approach - Socio-Economic Intervention in Organizations: The Intervener-Researcher and the SEAM Approach to Organizational Analysis (IAP, 2007) – Buono and Savall bring together over 30 talented intervener-researchers to explore and examine the ongoing evolution of the Socio-Economic Approach to Management (SEAM). This volume revisits the application of SEAM in the context of intervention challenges in the wake of the recent economic crisis and the disruptive change that has taken hold across the world. The basic foundation of SEAM – built on the idea of strategic patience, the need to undertake holistic intervention in organizations, and the challenge to get organizational members to listen to themselves (through what they refer to as the mirror effect) – has remained the same. In response to economic and organizational pressures in the current environment, however, there has been a concomitant emphasis on helping client organizations achieve short-term results while still maintaining focus on the long term. Many ideas that have become part of the current discourse within ISEOR today were not as explicitly addressed in the initial volume – from the destructive effect of the Taylorism-Fayolism-Weberism (TFW) virus, to the need to focus on ways to ensure the sustainability of a SEAM intervention, the growing importance of collaborative interactions between external and internal consultants, and the growing importance of cocreating knowledge with client firms and organizations.


Tourette's syndrome, or Gilles de la Tourette's disease, is a disorder characterized by involuntary tic-like muscular movements, compulsive behaviour and involuntary vocalization of sounds, words or profanities. It begins in childhood and may persist for life, with a varied pattern and course. Recent studies indicate an organic basis for the disorder, and an abnormality of dopamine or purine metabolism has been suggested. The treatment of choice is haloperidol administration; most patients do well with low or moderate doses for long periods. Because these patients are often mistakenly regarded as anxious, psychoneurotic or hysterical, correct diagnosis is important if they are to be treated appropriately and regarded properly in the home, school and society.


The structure of the title compound, [Mg(C10H6O6S2)(C3H7NO)2]n, consists of MgO6 octahedra ( symmetry) connected to naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate ligands ( symmetry) in the equatoral plane, forming a two-dimensional network propagating parallel to (010). The coordination sphere of the Mg atom is completed by the O atoms of two N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) molecules in the axial positions. The title compound represents the first time the naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate anion is bound directly to a Mg2+ atom. Disorder over two positions was found in the DMF molecule in a 0.518 (8):0.482 (8) ratio.


Tidal marsh wetlands in the Yellow River Delta provide valuable eco-services to the local population and global ecology. However, this area is suffering from serious degradation under the stresses of social development and climate change. Hydrological connectivity, a new framework in hydrology and ecology, has been proposed as the main factor affecting the ecological processes in coastal wetlands; however, its role in hydrology–soil–vegetation interactions remains unclear. In this study, the researchers parametrically quantified the hydrological connectivity in the tidal marsh wetlands and analyzed its relationship with Phragmites australis, one of the dominant species in this area. Our results showed threshold-like effects on the interaction between hydrological connectivity and P. australis on the plot scale. When biomass is lower than 2.2 kg/m2, the population density and structure size were found to increase with hydrological connectivity. When the biomass is higher than the threshold, the plots disconnected hydrologically because of high water consumption. Compared with soil chemistry, salinity, and water soil content, hydrological connectivity in the surface soil layer is more strongly linked to the plant traits and spatial structure in the tidal marsh wetlands due to the narrow ranges of other variables. Based on the authors' analysis, the researchers do not recommend dense plantation of P. australis, especially near the freshwater sources in the tidal marsh, because of its high reproduction ability and competitive nature, which may cut the freshwater connectivity off, lowering the richness of plant species and habitat diversity.


The aim of this multicenter, national clinical audit is to evaluate the predictive factors and management of postoperative macular edema (ME) after retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lens (RICI) implantation and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Preoperative, surgical and postoperative data were collected. Number and type of intravitreal injections (IT) administered (anti-VEGF or dexamethasone implant), visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and central retinal thickness (CRT) assessed by OCT were collected at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. From 325 eyes (325 patients), 11.7% (38/325) developed postoperative ME. Previous complicated cataract surgery with no capsular support was the only significant predictive factor for developing postoperative ME (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.38–4.52, p = 0.02) after RICI implant. Mean time to ME development was 11.4 ± 10.7 weeks, and mean CRT peaked at 3 months follow-up. Different treatment options were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drops (31.6%, 12/38), dexamethasone (DEX) implant (50%, 19/38), anti-VEGF (7.9%, 3/38) or combined IT (10.5%, 4/38). Cumulative probability of ME resolution was higher in the group treated with IT than in the group treated with topical NSAIDs (85.2% vs. 58.3%, p = 0.9). Performing RICI implantation after complicated cataract surgery is a risk factor for the development of postoperative ME. DEX implants may be an effective treatment for postoperative ME in these cases.


A discrete-time queueing problem involving two queues in tandem, with unit service time, is considered. Such a situation can arise within a packet-switching network. Arrivals at the queues occur from separate sources, which may be correlated. The joint arrivals from the two sources are assumed to be independently and identically distributed in each unit time interval. In addition, the output of the first queue enters the second queue. Both queues are assumed to have unlimited size, and the generating function of the steady state distribution of the two queue lengths is calculated, under the assumption that the mean combined input rate from the two sources is less than unity. The average waiting times are also derived, under the assumption that all arrivals take place at the end of a unit time interval. A particular example, in which the input to the first queue is geometrically distributed in each unit time interval, while the input from the source into the second queue is either 0 or 1, with fixed probabilities, is analyzed. The steady state probability that the length of the second queue exceeds m is calculated. The asymptotic behavior for m \gg 1 changes significantly when a certain threshold, depending on the mean input rates, is reached. Numerical results are presented.


Purpose
Over the past decade, governments around the world have implemented open government data (OGD) policies to make their data publicly available, with collaboration and citizen engagement being one of the main goals. However, even though a lot of data is published, only a few citizens are aware of its existence and usefulness. The purpose of this paper is to identify the requirements for an application that raises awareness of Open Government Data (OGD) to citizens.

Design/methodology/approach
This study followed a design research science approach to collect citizens' requirements for the design of such an application through interviews with 10 citizens and evaluated through user testing with 25 citizens.

Findings
This study identified and validated 11 requirements that can be implemented to raise citizens' awareness of OGD. The most useful are listing OGD reuses with information about data used and receiving notification when a new OGD reuse is released. Furthermore, the evaluation results provided evidence of the effectiveness of using an application to improve OGD awareness to citizens.

Originality/value
This research provides requirements that can be used by developers to implement a usable tool to raise citizen awareness or by researchers to evaluate applications whose objective is to raise citizen awareness. Finally, it provides a mobile application that can used by developers to showcase their OGD reuses or by researchers to aware citizens of OGD through real-world examples.


The optical absorption spectra associated with transitions from the first valence subband to donor impurities are calculated in a three-dimensional corner under an applied electric field. It is found that there are two peaks for the absorption spectra in the corner, and the width of the absorption spectra increases with the increase in the electric field strength. The comparison between the optical absorption spectra in the corner and in a cubic quantum box shows that there is one absorption peak in the cubic quantum box, and the width of the absorption spectra in the equivalent quantum box is larger than that in the corner.


A novel fly ash supported solid acid catalyst (HClO4/FA) has been synthesized by using F-typefly ash and HClO4 as precursor. The variation of surface and physico-chemical properties ofthe fly ash by activation methods resulted in improved acidity and therefore, catalytic activityfor acid catalyzed esterification reactions. The HClO4/FA catalyst was characterized by XRF,XRD, FT-IR, SEM and BET surface area. The catalytic performance of HClO4/FA catalystwas evaluated for the esterificationt reaction of acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol to giveisoamyl acetate (Banana oil), which is an important fine chemical intermediate, widely usedin pharmaceuticals and as flavouring agent in confectionary. The catalyst was completelyrecyclable without significant loss in activity up to four reaction cycles, which confers itsstability during reaction. The work reports an innovative use of solid waste fly ash as aneffective solid acid catalyst. Cite this Article. Anita Bhatia. Synthesis of Isoamyl Acetate (Banana oil) Using Fly Ash Supported Nano Crystalline Solid Acid Catalyst. Journal of Catalyst and Catalysis. 2017; 4(2): 1–8p.


Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in combination with radioimmunoassay, three forms of alpha-MSH (des-acetyl, mono-acetyl and di-acetyl alpha-MSH) were separated and identified in tilapia neurointermediate lobes and plasma, and in medium from lobes superfused in vitro. The presence of acetylated forms in lobe extracts indicated that the peptides are acetylated intracellularly. Di-acetyl alpha-MSH was, especially in comparison with monoacetyl alpha-MSH, relatively more abundant in lobe extracts than in plasma. This suggests that the three forms of alpha-MSH are not released according to their relative intracellular abundances. The possibility of regulation of this differential release by dopamine and TRH was investigated, using a microsuperfusion system. Dopamine was a potent inhibitor of alpha-MSH release, but did not modulate the relative abundance of the different forms of alpha-MSH released from the MSH cells. TRH was a potent stimulator of alpha-MSH release. It enhanced in vitro the release of di-acetyl alpha-MSH more than the release of mono-acetyl alpha-MSH. Thus tilapia may be able to modulate not only the quantitative but also the qualitative signal from the MSH cells. This might enhance the flexibility of the animals to respond to environmental challenges.


Fatigue crack growth in natural rubber is studied using fracture mechanics concepts and an extension of Griffith's criterion. The effects of load ratio, temperature, and environment are examined. It appears that, for cycles without compression, a mean stress in tension improves the fatigue behavior by inducing crystallization, whereas a minimum stress in compression greatly damages the material. Tests under inert atmosphere show that, in addition to the mechanical damage, an important chemical damage due to oxygen is present. The fatigue cracking of natural rubber is also approached studying the influence of damage mechanisms in relation to microstructural aspects. In this way, SEM observations of fracture surfaces show a marked dependence on crack growth rate, load ratio, temperature, and environment. For high growth rates, we observe some fatigue striations, and we notice a microscopic mechanism for formation of tongue structure, which is highly dependent on gaseous oxygen and typical of natural rubbers.


In vitro fertilization (IVF) is used to produce mouse embryos for a variety of reasons. We evaluated the effect of the method of euthanasia on the fertilization rate in 2 different IVF protocols. Oocytes collected from C57BL/6J female mice euthanized by CO2 inhalation or cervical dislocation were used in IVF with fresh sperm from either wild-type or genetically engineered C57BL/6J. Compared with CO2 inhalation, cervical dislocation improved the resulting rate of fertilization by 18% in an IVF method using Cook media and by 13% in an IVF method using methyl-B cyclodextrin and reduced glutathione. The lower fertilization rate due to euthanasia by CO2 inhalation was accompanied by changes in blood pH and body temperature despite efforts to minimize temperature drops. In our hands, euthanasia by cervical dislocation improved fertilization rates and consequently reduced the number of egg-donor mice required.


Hereditary cancer syndromes are inherited disorders caused by germline pathogenic variants (PVs) that lead to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, frequently at an earlier age than in the rest of the population. The germline PVs promote cancer development, growth and survival, and may represent an ideal target for the personalized treatment of hereditary tumors. PARP inhibitors for the treatment of BRCA and PALB2-associated tumors, immune checkpoint inhibitors for tumors associated with the Lynch Syndrome, HIF-2α inhibitor in the VHL-related cancers and, finally, selective RET inhibitors for the treatment of MEN2-associated medullary thyroid cancer are the most successful examples of how a germline PVs can be exploited to develop effective personalized therapies and improve the outcome of these patients. The present review aims to describe and discuss the personalized systemic therapies for inherited cancer syndromes that have been developed and investigated in clinical trials in recent decades.


At physiological pH, negatively charged glycosaminoglycans in the extracellular matrix may influence distribution volume of a probe. We hypothesized that by varying the probe charge we would be able to observe a graded response of available volume fraction. Human serum albumin (HSA) (isoelectric point (pI) 5.0) was made more positive by cationization. Using reaction times of 10, 45 and 60 min, cationized HSA (cHSA) with respective pIs of 6.5, 7.3 and 8.0 were made. After eight days of equilibration in a buffer containing labelled native HSA and cHSA, the distribution volumes were calculated relative to that of 51Cr‐EDTA, an extracellular tracer. The available volume in fully swollen dermis for native albumin relative to that of the extracellular tracer averaged 0.485 ± 0.008 (n= 49), with corresponding volumes for cHSA‐10 min, cHSA‐45 min and cHSA‐60 min of 0.554 ± 0.012 (n= 17), 0.647 ± 0.026 (n= 17) and 0.718 ± 0.021 (n= 12), respectively. Increasing the ionic strength of the bathing solution to 1 M NaCl, thereby screening the fixed charges of tissue elements and probes alike, resulted in similar available and thereby excluded volumes of native HSA and neutral cHSA‐45 min. These experiments suggest that fixed negative charges, most likely glycosaminoglycans, contribute significantly to interstitial exclusion of charged macromolecules, a phenomenon of importance for hydration of the interstitial fluid phase and therefore for body fluid balance. Moreover, the data indicate that previous findings of similar excluded volumes for the two differently sized major plasma proteins albumin (molecular mass 66 kDa) and IgG (molecular mass 160 kDa) may be explained by a more pronounced electrostatic repulsion of the former by the extracellular matrix.


We previously reported on the effects of a lactobacilli probiotic (SynForU-HerCare; two capsules/day of 9.5 log CFU/capsule) in improving symptoms of vaginal irritation, discharge and burning in pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis upon administration for 8 weeks, accompanied by improved emotional and social quality of life parameters. Thus, the present study aimed to analyse vaginal microbiota and inflammatory changes in hope to better understand the improved clinical symptoms as observed previously. Patients in the probiotic group showed a decreased abundance of Candida glabrata after 8 weeks (p = 0.009) in the lower vaginal region, while patients in the placebo group did not show any changes over time. In the higher vaginal and cervicovaginal regions, patients in the placebo group showed a decreased abundance of Candida albicans only within 4 weeks (p < 0.05) but no changes in abundance of C. glabrata over time, while patients in the probiotic group showed a continuous decreased abundance of C. albicans and C. glabrata over 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Patients in the placebo group also had a decreased abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus over 4 weeks (p = 0.023) in the lower vaginal region and a decreased abundance of L. jensenii over 8 weeks in the cervicovaginal region (p = 0.001). Meanwhile, patients in the probiotic group had an increased abundance of L. crispatus in the lower vaginal region after 8 weeks (p = 0.012) and Lactobacillus jensenii over 4 weeks in the cervicovaginal region (p < 0.001). Inflammation may have occurred in both low and high vaginal regions, predominantly observed by the increased concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha in patients from the placebo group (p < 0.05), while the administration of probiotics has shortened the period of inflammation as observed from the reduced need for anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 and IL-10 over time (p < 0.05). Taken together, our present new data further support previous findings that probiotic SynForU-HerCare had a beneficial effect against vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women via modulation of the vaginal microbiota and microenvironment.


Both of the ingression of chloride (Cl) ions along the movement of NaCl solution due to capillary suction and diffusion through crack were studied. Cracked reinforced concrete specimens were exposed to NaCl solutions and penetrated profiles were tested by Electron Probe Microanalyser (EPMA). Diffusion coefficients (Dap) from crack surface of partially dry samples showed higher than those of exposed surface whereas saturated samples showed almost same from both surfaces. Dap were found to be time dependency as decreasing with time mainly due to continuation of hydration and other mechanisms. An empirical formula was proposed to estimate the notational surface Cl ions concentrations (Cs).


One of the major challenges in manufacturing automotive lithium-ion batteries and battery packs is to achieve consistent weld quality in joining multiple layers of dissimilar materials. While most fusion welding processes face difficulties in such joining, ultrasonic welding stands out as the ideal method. However, inconsistency of weld quality still exists because of limited knowledge on the weld formation through the multiple interfaces. This study aims to establish real-time phenomenological observation on the multilayer ultrasonic welding process by analyzing the vibration behavior of metal layers. Such behavior is characterized by a direct measurement of the lateral displacement of each metal layer using high-speed images. Two different weld tools are used in order to investigate the effect of tool geometry on the weld formation mechanism and the overall joint quality. A series of microscopies and bond density measurements is carried out to validate the observations and hypotheses of those phenomena in multilayer ultrasonic welding. The results of this study enhance the understanding of the ultrasonic welding process of multiple metal sheets and provide insights for optimum tool design to improve the quality of multilayer joints.


OBJECTIVES The Southwest German Interventional Study in Acute Myocardial Infarction (SIAM III) investigated potentially beneficial effects of immediate stenting after thrombolysis as opposed to a more conservative treatment regimen. BACKGROUND Treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by thrombolysis is compromised by Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow rates of only 60% and high re-occlusion rates of the infarct-related artery (IRA). Older studies showed no benefit of coronary angioplasty after thrombolysis compared with thrombolytic therapy alone. This observation has been challenged by the superiority of primary stenting over balloon angioplasty in AMI. METHODS The SIAM III study was a multicenter, randomized, prospective, controlled trial in patients receiving thrombolysis in AMI ( 12 h). Patients of group I were transferred within 6 h after thrombolysis for coronary angiography, including stenting of the IRA. Group II received elective coronary angiography two weeks after thrombolysis with stenting of the IRA. RESULTS A total of 197 patients were randomized, 163 patients fulfilled the secondary (angiographic) inclusion criteria (82 in group I, 81 in group II). Immediate stenting was associated with a significant reduction of the combined end point after six months (ischemic events, death, reinfarction, target lesion revascularization 25.6% vs. 50.6%, p 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Immediate stenting after thrombolysis leads to a significant reduction of cardiac events compared with a more conservative approach including delayed stenting after two weeks. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2003;42:634–41) © 2003 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation


How can theologians recognize the church as a historical and human community, while still holding that it has been established by Christ and is a work of the Spirit? How can a theological account of the church draw insights and concepts from the social sciences, without Christian commitments and claims about the church being undermined or displaced? In 1927, the 21-year-old Dietrich Bonhoeffer defended his licentiate dissertation, Sanctorum Communio: A Theological Study of the Sociology of the Church. This remains his most neglected and misunderstood work. Christ Existing as Community thus retrieves and analyses Bonhoeffer's engagement with social theory and attempt at ecclesiology. Against standard readings and criticisms of this work, Mawson demonstrates that it contains a rich and nuanced approach to the church, one which displays many of Bonhoeffer's key influences—especially Luther, Hegel, Troeltsch, and Barth—while being distinctive in its own right. In particular, Mawson argues that Sanctorum Communio's theology is built around a complex dialectic of creation, sin, and reconciliation. On this basis, he contends that Bonhoeffer's dissertation has ongoing significance for work in theology and Christian ethics.


Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) is one of the most widely deployed control system infrastructures in the large experimental physics community. At EPICS' foundation are 1) the real-time process database, which allows integrators to build the control system from reusable building blocks (e.g., device drivers) into a coherent whole without much coding or other kind of development, and 2) the Channel Access protocol, which allows the database to be distributed across several computers in a scalable way. In this contribution, we describe the objectives of the next major EPICS release (v4). In particular, we focus on the improvements of the Channel Access protocol that will allow it to support additional functionality, such as structured process variable data (pvData) and clientspecified filters. We also describe how this functionality is implemented while simultaneously further improving the Channel Access' performance (no-copy get, flow control improvements, beacon traffic reduction, zero-length queues, etc.). We also discuss potential for future improvements, such as use of IP multicast and a layer for implementing remote-procedure call style of communication.


The thesis is a history of the office of Australian High Commissioner in London from its creation in 1909 to the eve of the Second World War. It tests the validity of the conventional view that the office was invariably used as a political reward and, prior to the 1930s, marginal to the conduct of Anglo-Australian relations. It sets the office in the context of colonial representation in London since the 1850s, and notes the limits to the position of the High Commissioner created by the Agents- General of the Australian States and the institutions established by the Imperial government for the conduct of Anglo-Dominion relations. The careers of the first five High Commissioners are examined with reference to the principal issues in Anglo- Australian relations during their High Commissionerships, and their roles are analysed in terms of their relations with the Commonwealth government, the British authorities and, to a lesser extent, the Agents-General. The thesis argues that there was always scope for a High Commissioner to play a diplomatic role within Anglo- Australian relations, and that the post also gradually acquired functions in a more general system of inter-imperial consultation which mirrored the wider political development of the Dominions. The Australian government, however, was also hampered by a limited choice of candidates and invariably appointed senior politicians, as exercises in patronage, but also because they were the most eligible representatives. Yet, reflecting underlying values in Australian political culture, legislators were determined to create a non-political High Commissionership. The combination of political appointments and a non-political office, however, meant that High Commissioners often found it difficult to adapt to the demands of their new position and did not enjoy the full confidence of the government.


This research is made possible by Graduate Sponsorship Research Award (GSRA6-1-
0509-19021) from Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF). The statements made herein
are solely the responsibility of the authors.


Two weeks before parturition, 38 Holstein primiparous and multiparous cows were assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: control animals (n = 13) received regular total mixed rations (TMR), the low-dose group (n = 14) received the control TMR plus 6 x 10(10) cfu/cow of Propionibacterium strain P169 (P169), and the high-dose group (n = 11) received the control TMR plus 6 x 10(11) cfu/cow of P169 from -2 to 30 wk postpartum. Weekly milk samples were analyzed for percentage of milk fat, protein, lactose, and SNF, milk urea nitrogen, and somatic cell counts. Daily milk production expressed as 4% fat-corrected milk was affected by treatment and week x parity. High-dose and low-dose P169-treated cows exhibited 7.1 and 8.5% increases above controls in daily 4% fat-corrected milk, respectively. Treatment x parity and week significantly influenced percentage of milk fat, lactose, and protein, whereas treatment x parity and treatment x week influenced SNF. Ruminal propionate levels were influenced by treatment such that high-dose P169 cows had greater molar percentage of propionate than did low-dose P169 and control cows. Change in body weight postpartum was influenced by week x parity and treatment x parity such that high-dose and low-dose P169 multiparous cows exhibited a more rapid recovery of wk-1 body weight than did control multiparous cows. There was no treatment, parity, or interaction on days to first postpartum ovulation or on estrous behavior at 45 and 90 d postpartum. We concluded that P169 might have potential as an effective direct-fed microorganism to increase milk production in dairy cows.


Over the last decade all industrial nations have recognized the crucial role that CIM can play in creating World Class manufacturing companies. With this recognition has come a growing concern, especially in the U.K., over the failure of many companies to gain the full benefits from the introduction of expensive CIM systems. Though many explanations have been offered as to the cause of this problem, most commentators now appear to accept that the central reason is the failure adequately to involve, train, and motivate those who use and manage these new systems. This article strongly supports this view but also argues that this failure is itself brought about by a deeper and potentially more damaging problem: the inappropriateness of and compatibility between the structures and cultures that exist in many organizations. If this is so, and we strongly believe it is, it presents not only a real and substantial barrier to the efficient and effective use of CIM but also, more importantly, poses a threat to the overall ability of companies to survive in the increasingly competitive world of the 1990s. The article begins by describing our research into the introduction and use of CIM in U.K. companies. It then goes on to examine and discuss the importance and implications of organizational structure and culture. In conclusion, it is argued that a long-term, strategic program of change and renewal will be necessary for many companies if they are to compete with, and themselves become, the best in the world.


This article presents a study of land suitability analysis and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) of a campus station of Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus). The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and multi-criteria evaluation were used to identify the most suitable areas, in which its geospatial databases were derived from various organizations of Thailand. Eventually, the collective data was analyzed by map overlay analysis technique in an ArcView Model Builder program. In addition, integrating spatial analysis technique with the Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Making Analysis (SMCDA) as applied to establish criteria weights and ranking them in order to analyze impacts on the transit-oriented communities and to supporting urban designer and planners with some practical approaches in decision making while planning. These analysis techniques are effective and prevalently used in various fields of studies such as geography, environmental science, landscape architecture and urban planning. Subsequently, the gathering analyzed data was applied for design guidelines of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Master Plan of Thammasat University and its surrounding communities. The study purposed various land uses such as commercial areas, real estate development, and necessary facilities.


Purpose Coumadin identified by Institute for Safe Medication Practice as high–risk medication with narrow therapeutic window and high risk of life threatening adverse effects Anticoagulants identified as one of the top five drug types associated with patient safety incidents Maintaining INR in recommended therapeutic ranges reducing the incidence of adverse effects Improve INR–TTR(time in therapeutic range) in patients managed through the Coumadin Clinic Comply with nationally established INR goal guidelines Methods Develop routine order sets Define team roles/expectations Develop point–of–care resource optimising access to INR testing. Educational program targeting stakeholders Monthly meeting auditing patients with goal analysis utilising tracking tools Review of process/outcome measures. Intervene for change utilising PDSA methodology PDSA Cycle 1: Retrospective data collection–2008 No systematic approach in place/data regarding patient TTR not available No structured staff/patient education program PDSA Cycle 2: Implement changes Web–based software purchased Structured approach to INR management implemented including stakeholder education program PDSA Cycle 3: Problem monitoring/notifying overdue INR patients Team member roles/responsibilities redefined 'Buddy system' implemented to monitor/notify overdue patients Results TTR increased from 66%-2008 to 79%-2013 following implementation of structured policies/programs Re–implementation of education program, revision of policy/procedures TTR increased to 80% Jan–May–2015 Optimized point–of–care for INR testing–office finger–stick/remote laboratory testing/home monitoring Increased INR home monitoring Conclusion With development of systematic approach to high risk patients on anticoagulation therapy, using a web–based software program, significant changes were evident: Improved patient follow–up, communication, decrease in overdue patient numbers Increased percentage of patients' within INR range Approach driven by the PDSA CQI methodology


This document discusses the importance of connecting pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetics in considerations when developing feeder and stocker cattle antibiotic treatment protocols. Simple illustrations of the use of the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic link for commonly used FDA-approved antibiotics are explored. Additionally, important residue avoidance points to consider are discussed when using medication in feeder and stocker cattle with special emphasis on extra label drug use is employed.


: A small supernumerary non-satellited submetacentric chromosome was found in a dysmorphic mentally retarded girl. A number of chromosome staining techniques were used and the small chromosome was thought to be the p11 yields q14 region of chromosome 2.


Tyrosinase (TYR) catalyzes rate-limiting reactions of cellular melanin synthesis, and its inhibitors are of commercial interest as potential skin whitening agents. However, the limited availability of human TYR makes the screening of TYR inhibitors difficult. To overcome this hurdle, we transformed nonmelanocytic human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells to express human TYR constitutively. Using these cells as a source of human TYR, the ethanolic extracts of 52 medicinal plants grown in Korea were tested for human TYR activity, and the extract of Vitis Viniferae Caulis (dried stems of the grape tree, Vitis vinifera L.) was found to inhibit human TYR activity potently. An active compound was isolated from this extract by solvent fractionation followed by liquid column chromatography and identified as resveratrol by spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses. Resveratrol was determined to be a highly potent inhibitor of human TYR (IC50 = 0.39 μg mL−1) as compared with p-coumaric acid (IC50 = 0.66 μg mL−1) and arbutin (IC50 > 100 μg mL−1) and inhibited melanin synthesis by human epidermal melanocytes at subtoxic concentrations. This study suggests that resveratrol and resveratrol-containing extracts of Vitis Viniferae Caulis have a potential use as skin whitening agents.