I offer a model that captures the stalemate between North Korea's nuclear and military threats and the United States' responses. The model is based on a war of attrition during a nuclear crisis in continuous time with incomplete information. The true state of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs is not clearly known; however, North Korea's military technology becomes better as the status quo continues. Therefore, the leaders in the United States and South Korea should use an unyielding strategy that involves a counterthreat of military attack. The shorter the period until the commitment of the counterthreat provides a greater chance of North Korea backing down from its escalatory provocations.


The Auger electron yield from xenon has been measured in the vicinity of the 4d inner-shell ionization threshold. Just above this ionization threshold the Auger line profile is modified by the post-collision interaction effect involving a slow photoelectron. The process is followed through threshold into a region where the photoelectron is recaptured and either shaken up/down or remains in its Rydberg orbital during the Auger decay. By measuring the electron yield as a function of both incident photon energy and electron kinetic energy a comprehensive study of these processes is made.


The number of detected baryons in the low-redshift Universe (z < 1) is far small er than the corresponding number of baryons observed at higher redshift. According to hydrodynamical simulations for the formation of structure in the Universe, up to 2/3 of the 'missing baryons' may have escaped identification so far, due to their high temperature and low density. One of the few ways to detect this matter is to look for its UV absorption signature on the light from background sources. Here we show that the amplitude of the average velocity vector of 'high velocity' OVI absorbers detected in a UV survey of AGN decreases significantly in moving from the Local Standard of Rest, to the Galactic Standard of Rest and Local Group frames. At least 82 % of these absorbers are not associated with any 'high velocity' HI complex (HV-HI) in our Galaxy, and so are strongly implicated as being due to primordial Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM) pervading an extended Galactic Corona or our Local Group. We estimate that the total baryonic mass contained in this medium is as large as ~ 1e12 solar masses, similar to the combined mass of the two most massive virialized constituents of the Local Group (the Andromeda and the Milky Way galaxies), and of the order of the mass required to dynamically stabilize the Local Group.


Traceability of the current ratio is crucial for the measurement of electrical energy in revenue metering. A comparison of the AC current ratio was therefore performed within EURAMET in the time period 2012 - 2016, using a precision CT as the traveling device. The Czech Metrology Institute (CMI) as coordinator processed the measurement results of the 15 European participating laboratories. The comparison of the results for transformer ratios of (4, 5, 6, 8, 10) kA/5 A at 15 VA burden and (4 and 10) kA/5 A ratios at 5 VA burden indicates good agreement between the participating laboratories. The main differences are found for phase displacement, at least in part due to instability of the traveling standard.


The main objective for this research was to analyse soil microbial diversity in the oil palm plantation in order to understand the soil microbial community which could help to formulate new and innovative management of the basal stem rot (BSR) disease. Soil sampling was conducted at FELDA Jengka 24. Sampling areas include sites with empty fruit bunches (EFB) application, high BSR incidence and no BSR incidence. For comparisons, soils from the
 adjacent forest were sampled. Plate count technique was adopted for evaluation of overall soil microbial populations. Functional microbes were evaluated using specific media. Identification and characterisation of functional microbes were carried out by molecular means. BIOLOG EcoPlate was used to analyse microbial community. Plate count data (Colony forming unit = CFU) were subjected to Student's t-Test for significance test. Optical density (OD) values from the BIOLOG EcoPlate were subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results showed that significant difference was not detected
 for fungal populations in EFB applied versus non-EFB applied sites. Similar observations were recorded for bacterial and actinomycetes. This has indicated that EFB application didn't seem to affect fungal, bacterial and
 actinomycetes populations. Although non-significant differences were reported for fungal, bacterial and actinomycetes in high BSR versus BSR-free sites,
 observations that prompt further investigations were discovered. Fungal population in high BSR sites fluctuates, ranging between 3.2x102 to 2.3x105
 CFU/gram, as opposed to stable bacterial and actinomycetes populations. Sites with low fungal but high bacterial count could be potential indicator for
 BSR infestation. Phosphates solubilisers assessments revealed that they were not influenced by BSR incidence, supported by non-significant difference with average population of 1x105 CFU/gram. Similar observations were recorded for nitrogen fixers. Although not significantly different, lignin degraders in BSRfree sites (average 1.3x103 CFU/gram) were higher than BSR infested sites
 (average 63 CFU/gram). This has suggested that soils with low lignin degraders are conducive for BSR. EFB applied sites recorded with significantly higher lignin degraders population, indicating EFB contributing to lignin degraders. Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria were not affected by BSR incidence indicated by significance test. EFB applications seemed to contribute to both with high and consistent population with average count of
 2.13x106 CFU/gram and 1.2x104 CFU/gram for Pseudomonas and Bacillus respectively. Trichoderma sp. fungi with average 2.8x104 CFU/gram population was not affected by BSR incidence and EFB application. A total of 27 microbes from various functional groups were identified including bacteria (Burkholderia sp., Klebsiella sp., Bacillus sp., Chryseobacterium sp.,Streptomyces sp., Chromobacterium sp., Pseudomonas sp.) and fungi (mainly from orders Hypocreales and Eurotiales). PCA for microbial community
 assessment have revealed the closely related microbial communities in oil palm cultivated sites. In contrast, sparsely tabulated data points recorded for forests soils indicated low relative similarity of microbial communities. These results were further supported by analysis of carbon sources utilisation. The PCA analyses for EFB and non-EFB applied sites yielded non-distinct
 difference, indicating high relative similarity of microbial communities in both sites. It has also indicated that the application of EFB might not cause drastic changes to the soil microbial community. Similarly, PCA analyses for microbial communities in high BSR and BSR free sites yielded high relative similarity.
 The closely related microbial communities in BSR and BSR free sites also indicated that BSR disease infestation did not seem to affect soil microbial communities. Both comparisons above demonstrated presence of stable
 resilient microbial communities in oil palm soils. This research will provide valuable information on soil microbial community in oil palm soil and draw leads
 for future research.


Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is caused by transcriptional repression of the nuclear FXN gene encoding the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Based on the hypothesis that the acetylation state of the histone proteins is responsible for gene silencing in FRDA, previous work in our lab identified a first generation of HDAC inhibitors (pimelic o-aminobenzamides), which increase FXN mRNA in lymphocytes from FRDA patients. Importantly, these compounds also function in a FRDA mouse model to increase FXN mRNA levels in the brain and heart. While the first generation of HDAC inhibitors hold promise as potential therapeutics for FRDA, they have two potential problems: less than optimal brain penetration and metabolic instability in acidic conditions. Extensive optimization focusing on modifying the left benzene ring, linker and the right benzene ring lead to a novel class of HDAC inhibitors that have optimized pharmacological properties (increased brain penetration and acid stability) compared to the previous HDAC inhibitors. This article will describe the chemical synthesis and pharmacological properties of these new HDAC inhibitors.


Aspirin has set the gold standard for platelet inhibition in prophylaxis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Invasive techniques and novel platelet-inhibitors have fundamentally changed therapeutic approaches to antithrombotic treatment and further diversification is to be expected in the future. Three trends are essentially obvious: 1) the combination of established inhibitors such as aspirin with ticlopidine or clopidogrel, 2) the use of new IIb/IIa antagonists in various molecular forms, pharmacologies and doses and 3) the combination of established platelet-inhibitors with theses novel IIIb/IIIa antagonists.


Preparations of glucan obtained from baker's yeast and sclerotia of Sclerotinia Libertiana were found to be completely hydrolysed by enzymes of the Sclerotinia fungus. Some differences in the molecular structure of the glucans were found upon examination of the modes of degradation by the successive action of Rhizopusand Sclerotinia enzyme preparations of which the former had only a partial hydrolytic effect. The dissolution of glucan in intact cells of yeast, that could be estimated from the rate of autolysis of the cells, was proved to be insignificant on the action of glucanase alone in the Sclerotinia enzyme solution. The combined action of glucanase with lipolytic enzyme in the fungus enzyme solution are shown to promote the solubilization of intact yeasts and sclerotium cells.


A prospective, randomized, blinded study was performed to determine whether prophylactic antibiotics would reduce the incidence" of infection in peripheral vascular surgery and whether the route of antibiotic administration was important. Patients undergoing a vascular procedure with a groin incision were allocated to one of four groups with respect to prophylactic antibiotics. Group I received no antibiotic. Group II had topical cephradine instilled in their incisions prior to closure. Group HI received a 24-hour perioperative course of intravenous cephradine, and Group IV received both topical and intravenous cephradine. Groin and abdominal incisional infections were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) among patients who received prophylactic antibiotics by either the topical, systemic, or combined routes of administration. No significant differences were noted among the three antibiotic groups. Profundoplasty, femoral embolectomy, and femoral aneurysm repair were each associated with an increased incidence of infection (p < 0.01). Other risk factors were only important in patients not receiving antibiotics. Either intraoperative topical antibiotics or perioperative systemic antibiotics prevent infection in peripheral vascular surgery, but antibiotic administration by both routes is unnecessary.


Abstract By developing their character and philosophy, Freemasons have sought to improve their communities and society through the arts, sciences, humanities, and other fields and have made important contributions. Freemason physicians such as Alexander Fleming, Charles Mayo, William Withering, and Edward Jenner have left a medical legacy that still impacts our daily lives. The foundation of Freemasonry beliefs is taught through two primary symbols, known as the working tools of an entered apprentice mason: the 24-inch gauge and common gavel. The meaning behind each of the working tools has parallels to the education and professional standards embodied within the medical profession.


Experts estimate that 1–14% of pregnant women in the United States will develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (1). Women with a history of GDM have a 60–70% chance of developing the metabolic disorder with a subsequent pregnancy (2). Among women with GDM, it is well established that risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal macrosomia are associated with less than optimal blood glucose control during pregnancy (2). Health care providers must promote access to medical/obstetrical care, proper treatment, and optimal GDM diabetes self-management education (DSME). GDM occurs more frequently in women of certain ethnic groups (e.g., Hispanic/Latino American), who are also at higher risk for recurrent GDM (3). In fact, GDM is increasing among U.S. women with various racial/ethnic backgrounds, including Hispanic women (4,5).

Our aim was to develop, implement, and evaluate a culturally sensitive education intervention for Hispanic women at risk for GDM within our existing CenteringPregnancy (CP) model at a University of Kentucky prenatal clinic. The CP model provides prenatal care encompassing three components: health assessment, education, and support services (6). The program is composed of 10 prenatal care sessions offered in a small-group setting once monthly for 4 months and then twice monthly for the remainder of the pregnancy. Women who participate in CP group prenatal care have been reported to have improved birth outcomes compared to women who receive traditional prenatal care (7,8).

Efforts to Maximize Perinatal Outcomes in Women at Risk (EMPOWR) is an ongoing research study that utilizes the evidence-based CP model. Before 20 weeks' gestation, specialized CP care is offered for Medicaid or Medicaid-eligible patients.

Evidence-based interventions throughout prenatal care for patients within the diabetes/obesity arm of the EMPOWR protocol include, but are not limited to: 1 ) baseline intensive review of nutrition in pregnancy, with emphasis …


Thermal conductivity data for a homologous series of base-catalyzed silica aerogels confirm that the different length scale regions in the aerogel structure are reflected in the dynamic behaviour, and we determine the contributions from long-wavelength phonons, fractons and particle modes, respectively. In the fracton regime a linear temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity is found as predicted theoretically. Further we observe that the thermal conductivity is proportional to the specific heat in the regime where the thermal properties are dominated by particle modes. From the proportionality constant we deduce a measure of the network connectivity.


Dermatologists provide special expertise in the care of patients with skin disease, whereas primary care providers have special expertise in preventive care. Patients bypassing their primary care provider to use dermatologists directly may miss an opportunity for identification of preventive health needs. We conducted a pilot study to determine whether patients seeing a dermatologist have unmet general preventive health care needs. A 1-page assessment was developed in accordance with the US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines and was distributed to a convenience sample of 161 patients in a dermatology clinic. Unmet needs were identified in the areas of screening tests, counseling, immunizations, vitamins, and replacement hormones. Of subjects aged 25 to 64 years, 94% without a primary care provider had unmet needs compared with 28% of subjects with a primary care provider. We found that patients seeing a dermatologist often had unmet preventive health needs. Dermatologists and primary care providers must work together to provide optimal skin care and preventive health care needs for the patient.


Protein suspensions comprising soluble and insoluble components are purified via flocculation with anionic polymers, such as polyacrylamides, potato starch, or modified cellulose. The procedure improves the efficiency of solid/liquid separations and can minimize or eliminate the requirement for centrifugation and/or filtration in large scale biotechnological processes. The method is particularly well suited for the purification and clarification of protein suspensions containing soluble somatotropin monomer using polyacrylamide and polysaccharide flocculants.


In the present study, the interactions among stallions, semen extenders and cooling treatments before stallion semen samples were frozen were studied. In Expt 1, the effects of four cooling treatments and three semen extenders were investigated (11 stallions x four split ejaculates), whereas in Expt 2, the effects of two semen extenders, two egg yolk concentrations and two glycerol concentrations were investigated (six stallions x five split ejaculates). Sperm motility after thawing was evaluated. In Expt 1, the extender x cooling treatment interaction was significant. Centrifugation and addition of glycerol at 22 degrees C, followed by filling the straws at 4 degrees C and immediate freezing had detrimental effects in INRA82 + 2% (v/v) egg yolk + 2.5% (v/v) glycerol semen extender and in Gent semen extender compared with the same processes in Kenney + 4% (v/v) egg yolk + 3.6% (v/v) glycerol semen extender. The other cooling treatments, including moderate cooling of semen to 4 degrees C before freezing, resulted in higher sperm motility and had similar effects among treatments. Semen samples from some stallions appeared to withstand freezing more effectively after some cooling treatments than other treatments. Some stallion spermatozoa demonstrated higher motility in Kenney semen extender, whereas other semen samples had the same motility in all extenders. In Expt 2, the stallion x extender interaction was not significant. Increasing the glycerol concentrations from 2.5 to 3.5% (v/v) enhanced sperm motility in semen extenders containing 4% (v/v) egg yolk (INRA82 and Kenney). Increasing the egg yolk concentrations from 2 to 4% (v/v) in extenders containing 3.1-3.6% (v/v) glycerol improved sperm motility in Kenney semen extender only. These experiments demonstrate that there are possible differences in the ability of spermatozoa from different stallions to withstand different cooling treatments, but not necessarily in their tolerance to different semen extenders.


story drift is defined as the difference in lateral deflection between two adjacent stories. Lateral deflection and drift have three effects on a structure; the movement can affect the structural elements (such as beams and columns); the movements can affect non-structural elements (such as the windows and cladding); and the movements can affect adjacent structures. Without proper consideration during the design process, large deflections and drifts can have adverse effects on structural elements, nonstructural elements, and adjacent structures. Drift problem as the horizontal displacement of all tall buildings is one of the most serious issues in tall building design, relating to the dynamic characteristics of the building during earthquakes and strong winds. Drift shall be caused by the accumulated deformations of each member, such as a beam, column and shear wall. In this study 20 story building with RC shear wall analysis is done with changing structural parameters to observe the effect on the drift (lateral deflection) of the tall building due to both wind and earthquake loading. There are three major types of structures were identified in this study, such as rigid frame, coupled shear wall and wall frame structures. So lateral forces due to wind or seismic loading must be considered for tall building design along with gravity forces vertical loads. Tall and slender buildings are strongly wind sensitive and wind forces are applied to the exposed surfaces of the building, whereas seismic forces are inertial (body forces), which result from the distortion of the ground and the inertial resistance of the building. These forces cause horizontal deflection is the predicted movement of a structure under lateral loads and The structural prototype is prepared and lots of data is been collected from the prototype. All the aspects such as safety of structure in shear, moment and in story drift have been collected. Main problems that would be arising due to earthquake in the structure are story drift and deflection of the building due to its large height and also torsion and others, so if the structure is proved to be safe in all the above mentioned problems than the structure would be safe in all cases in respect earthquake. Keywordsstory drift, wind load, frame structure, Seismic Load, shear wall


Background and Objectives Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is an active drug in treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), but has adverse effects on patients. In order to enhance antileukemic effectiveness and to reduce dosage of ATO, combinatorial effect of it with Azidothymidine (AZT) in apoptosis induction was evaluated on APL cell line (NB4). Materials and Methods The cells cultured and treated with 50 μM AZT and/or ATO for 48 hrs and then with apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, and P21 mRNA levels in comparison with untreated cells (control) were analyzed by flow cytometry and Real Time PCR, respectively. Results ATO led to induction of apoptosis (50.14% ± 7.12) in comparison with the control (3.9% ± 2.97) through the increment of the cell cycle arrest in G2/M. The apoptotic effect of ATO had been inhibited in cells treated with combination of AZT/ATO (24.35% ± 4.65). This inhibition was associated with the relative reduction of the cells in G2/M and relative increase of the cells in G1 phase. While ATO had suppressive effect on p21 gene expression (0.27±0.14), AZT (1.81 ± 0.21) and AZT/ATO (2.06 ± 0.32) induced it. Conclusions AZT attenuates ATO-caused apoptosis possibly through the induction of p21 expression and subsequent relative evasion from G2/M arrest and accumulation of cells in G1 phase.


The present study was carried out to evaluate the acute effect of profenofos, in broiler chicken in relation to haematological and biochemical alterations. Twenty day old chicks were divided into two groups (Group I and Group II), ten in each group. Group I was kept as control in whereas Group II was treated with 16 mg profenofos (LD50) once orally. Blood was collected periodically from 0 to 36 hours to estimate haematological (Hb, TEC, TLC, Lymphocyte count and Heterophil) and biochemical (ALT, AST, ALP, Uric acid, Total cholesterol and cholinesterase) changes. The level of all haematological parameters tested was found to be significantly higher except the lymphocyte count. Under biochemical estimation the level of cholinesterase was significantly lower while the rest showed significant elevation. The results indicated that the profenofos cause significant changes in both haematological and biochemical parameters.


The formation of social groups provides safety and opportunities for individuals to develop and practice important social skills. However, joining a social group does not result in any form of obvious, immediate reinforcement (e.g., it does not result in immediate copulation or a food reward), and individuals often remain in social groups despite agonistic responses from conspecifics. Much is known about neural and endocrine mechanisms underlying the motivation to perform mate- or offspring-directed behaviors. In contrast, relatively little is known about mechanisms underlying affiliative behaviors outside of these primary reproductive contexts. Studies on flocking behavior in songbirds are beginning to fill this knowledge gap. Here we review behavioral evidence that supports the hypothesis that non-sexual affiliative, flocking behaviors are both (1) rewarded by positive social interactions with conspecifics, and (2) reinforced because affiliative contact reduces a negative affective state caused by social isolation. We provide evidence from studies in European starlings, Sturnus vulgaris, that mu opioid receptors in the medial preoptic nucleus (mPOA) play a central role in both reward and the reduction of a negative affective state induced by social interactions in flocks, and discuss potential roles for nonapeptide/opioid interactions and steroid hormones. Finally, we develop the case that non-sexual affiliative social behaviors may be modified by two complementary output pathways from mPOA, with a projection from mPOA to the periaqueductal gray integrating information during social interactions that reduces negative affect and a projection from mPOA to the ventral tegmental area integrating information leading to social approach and reward.


Permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM) suspension system has the merits of no friction, high-speed, high response and so on, using the normal force achieve the mover suspension. The servo performance is affected by the nonlinear coupling between the horizontal trust and vertical normal force, parameters uncertainties and load disturbances. The feedback linearization method is used to achieve the dynamic decoupling of the PMLSM suspicion system and decoupling it Into two linear subsystems; to solve the conflict between disturbance restraint and fast tracking performance, increase the robustness and dynamic stiffness for system, H∞ speed controller based on PDFF and position proportional controller are designed. Simulation results show that the proposed control strategy guarantees the high speed and high precision positioning performance for horizontal axis; the good rigidity and stability for normal suspension length and the strong robustness against load disturbances and parameters variations for the two axes.


Boston is experiencing a real estate boom while also facing the challenge of adapting to climate effects in the form of rising sea levels, increasing precipitation, and the threat of catastrophic weather events as weather patterns shift. Developers and property owners currently lack incentive to make investments in climate resilience measures given evolving regulatory requirements, lack of a business case for making the investments, uncertainty as to the extent of climate effects, and a short time horizon for development and ownership. This paper explores how the City of Boston and related stakeholders can engage and incentivize developers and property owners to invest in climate resilience measures on privately-owned land and buildings. The paper outlines possible financial and non-financial incentives. For financial incentives, the paper explores 11 potential new revenue streams to finance these investments. The paper also discusses ways to leverage these revenue streams with outside capital through a green bond or environmental impact bond, as well as mechanisms for deploying financing to developers and property owners, such as a revolving loan fund.


The Web is often the theatre of public denunciations, prompted by intense outrage. These actions sometimes take a punitive turn, which draws them towards the field of digital vigilantism. Indeed, not only do they involve alerting the authorities or public opinion, but they are also an attempt to "take justice into one's own hands" by engaging in forms of active and targeted surveillance, repression or dissuasion. These are often achieved by an excess of unsolicited attention or negative publicity. This article first seeks to identify different modalities of online self-justice. Building on a number of case studies, it looks at the types of practices at stake, the roles within each situation, and the justifications presented by the actors, in order to highlight four main dimensions: flagging, investigation, hounding, and organized denunciation. The article also shows how the digital public sphere, due to its specificities as a regime of visibility on the one hand and its bias towards self-organization on the other, can now more easily be seized as a space for collective trials and in some cases as an instrument for direct coercion.


The single crystal X-ray diffraction study of capped γ-peptide reveal that the peptide adopts helical conformation which self-assemble to form a supramolecular parallel double helical structure using intermolecular hydrogen bonding as well as π-π stacking interactions in the solid state.


Measurements of the dielectric constant in crystals of MgO doped with Li+ ions have been carried out after quenching from anneals at 1300 °C in static air. Prior to heat treatment, the crystals showed no discernible dielectric loss, but afterwards, the loss tangent exceeded 0.4. For 10‐min anneals, the dielectric relaxation is very close to a Debye process, and the temperature dependence of the maximum of the loss peak corresponds to an activation energy of 0.724 eV. When plotted in the form of a Cole‐Cole arc, the data indicate that deviation from a Debye relaxation amounts to a distribution of relaxation time no greater than that which can be accounted for with a distribution of activation energies of only 0.007 eV. For longer heating times, overlapping relaxation processes appear. The lack of broadening of the loss peak, and the magnitude of the relaxation time, yield clues as to possible loss mechanisms.


Formation and motion of the silver nanoparticles inside an ion-exchanged soda-lime glass in the presence of a focused high intensity continuous wave Ar+ laser beam (intensity: 9.2 × 104 W/cm2) have been studied in here. One-dimensional diffusion equation has been used to model the diffusion of the silver ions into the glass matrix, and a two-dimensional reverse diffusion model has been introduced to explain the motion of the silver clusters and their migration toward the glass surface in the presence of the laser beam. The results of the mentioned models were in agreement with our measurements on thickness of the ion-exchange layer by means of optical microscopy and recorded morphology of the glass surface around the laser beam axis by using a Mirau interferometer. SEM micrographs were used to extract the size distribution of the migrated silver particles over the glass surface.


South-Eastern Mediterranean gas findings have raised much interest in recent years. Even though the estimated quantity of reserves is not globally significant, it is enough to be a regional game changer, promising a considerable amount of gas surplus to be exported. The main export route and potential customers are still being debated. Turkey, with its growing gas consumption, geographical location and existing pipeline system, is considered to be the most feasible option both as a customer and a transport route. Nevertheless, the fact that Israel and Cyprus, with whom Turkey had difficult relations, are the first two explorers of significant resources complicates considerably the situation. Optimistically, the reserves may lead to a solution to the Cyprus conflict and restore diplomatic ties between Israel and Turkey. However, energy resources are known to be a double-edged sword that can lead to collaboration but also to conflict. Either way, gas production will find its way to the markets. It will be up to regional actors to decide whether this way will be paved via interim agreements or via a permanent settlement that could initiate regional energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.


S SECTION TOPIC AREAS The purpose of this section is to help readers keep abreast of current personal selling and sales management literature. We review more than 60 different academic publications containing contemporary sales-related articles. Abstracts are classified according to their appropriates are classified according to their appropriate topic areas. The surname (in brackets) at the conclusion of each abstract identifies the staff member who prepared the summary. The topic areas used to categorize abstracts are: . Buyer/customer behaviour – Perceptions – Negotiations – Decision-making . Buyer–seller relationships – Purchasing – Supplier issues – Alliances – Partnerships . Compensation – Incentives – Sales contests . Customer relationship management . Diversity issues – Image . Ethics – Legal – Environmental – Social . General selling and sales management topics . Global selling and sales management – Cross-cultural issues – National character . Hiring practices – Recruiting –Assessment – Selection . Job performance – Productivity – Effectiveness – Effort – Failure . Leaders in selling and sales management . Marketing-Sales interface –Cross-functional interface . Methodology – Measurement . Motivation – Job involvement – Satisfaction . National/Major/Key account management . Organizational climate – Culture . Organizational commitment – Work commitment . Performance evaluation . Personal traits/Characteristics . Role stress – Physical stress – Coping – Anxiety . Sales careers – Stages – Paths . Sales education issues – Student and academic perspectives . Salesforce control Abstracts Editorial Staff Raj Agnihotri Katherine Hartman Jay Mulki Ohio University Ohio University Northeastern University Elten Briggs C. Shane Hunt Christopher R. Plouffe University of Texas Arlington Arkansas State University University of Akron Joseph Chapman Fernando Jaramillo Bruce Robertson Ball State University University of Texas Arlington San Francisco State University Susan K. DelVecchio Felicia G. Lassk Leroy Robinson East Carolina University Northeastern University University of Houston Clear Lake Tanya Drollinger Terry W. Loe Michael Rodriguez University of Lethbridge Kennesaw State University Elon University Karen E. Flaherty Javier Marcos Cuevas Stacey Schetzsle Oklahoma State University Cranfield University Ball State University Jason Garrett Alma Mintu-Wimsatt Trent Wachner Bradley University Texas A&M University-Commerce Creighton University David Gilliam Jesse N. Moore J. Andy Wood University of Arkansas at Little Rock Clemson University James Madison University


Oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases including anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) are implicated in numerous solid and hematologic cancers. ALK mutations are reported in an estimated 9% of neuroblastoma and recent reports indicate that the percentage of ALK-positive cases increases in the relapsed patient population. Initial clinical trial results have shown that it is difficult to inhibit growth of ALK positive neuroblastoma with crizotinib, motivating investigation of next generation ALK inhibitors with higher affinity for ALK. Here, alectinib, a potent next generation ALK inhibitor with antitumor activity was investigated in ALK-driven neuroblastoma models. Employing neuroblastoma cell lines and mouse xenografts we show a clear and efficient inhibition of ALK activity by alectinib. Inhibition of ALK activity was observed in vitro employing a set of different constitutively active ALK variants in biochemical assays. The results suggest that alectinib is an effective inhibitor of ALK kinase activity in ALK addicted neuroblastoma and should be considered as a potential future therapeutic option for ALK-positive neuroblastoma patients alone or in combination with other treatments.


EDITOR,-A recent publication by the Health Education Authority, The Smoking EpidemicManifesto for Action, presents estimates of the numbers of deaths caused by smoking in Britain as a whole and in local authority areas and British and European Community parliamentary constituencies.' This follows the publication by the Health Education Authority of The Smoking Epidemic-Counting the Cost, which also presents estimates for local geographical areas.2 Both sets of figures are based on a method of estimation which, although widely used (R Peto, seventh world conference on tobacco and health, 1990), does not seem to have been presented and justified in any publication that is externally refereed.' Furthermore, an alternative and fundamentally different method of estimation emanating from the same source and published recently4 does not seem to have been taken into account by the Health Education Authority. All estimation procedures require assumptions about the structure of the phenomenon concerned, which to a considerable extent determine the results obtained. The two procedures outlined above share some common assumptions but differ in fundamental respects. When the procedures are applied to the same data the resulting estimates would be expected to differ, perhaps widely for small geographical areas. Furthermore, the process of forecasting the number of people "killed by smoking" (to use the Health Education Authority's colourful terminology) has the particular disadvantage that whatever figures are produced can never be verified since individual deaths caused by smoking cannot be identified. In particular, it will never be possible to determine empirically whether the assumptions underlying the procedure used by the Health Education Authority are more or less realistic than those underlying the alternative procedure. In this respect, the process of estimating mortality from smoking lies outside the ambit of the scientific method as conventionally defined since no hypothesis can ever be tested. The implications of the publication of the alternative procedure is that the original procedure (used by the Health Education Authority) is less than perfect. Neither procedure, however, has attracted universal approval. The procedure applied by the authority has been questioned on the grounds that the underlying assumptions are unrealistic and represent a gross simplification of the smoking phenomenon.8 The revised procedure has been described as "flawed in execution,"9 and Sterling et al have stated that "no-one knows" how to distribute deaths among a number of competing risk factors.'0 One of us has asserted that, in the present state of knowledge, the estimation of the number of deaths caused by tobacco can never be a scientifically valid process, whatever method is chosen." It is surprising that the Health Education Authority has chosen to present its most recent analysis without any qualification. Lay people could be excused for believing that the results are completely accurate (to the nearest whole number of deaths) and produced by a process that satisfies the generally accepted criteria for scientific validity. In the circumstances, the wisdom of a publicly funded body promoting statements such as "In England there were estimated to be 95 202 smoking-related deaths in 1989" on the basis of the methods actually used must be seriously questioned. While pronouncements by "government experts" in, for example, economic forecasting merely require the passage of time to ensure that they receive the respect that they deserve, the estimation of mortality related to smoking (which has many technical similarities) is not subject to this discipline. However good the end, the means by which the end is achieved must surely be subject to some restraint.


We evaluate the performance of LQG controllers built on autoregressive dynamical models of order 2 in the case of Low Earth Orbit satellite tracking case. End-to-end simulations have shown impressive performance improvement with respect to the standard integral action regulator. Robustness results to errors on wind profile prior are also presented.


This paper examines New Labour's social security and related policies since 1997 in the light of evidence on public attitudes. The list of measures where policies have been in or have come into line with public attitudes is much longer than the list of measures where policies have been out of line with public attitudes or appear to have led them. One interpretation is that policy has been led by opinion surveys and focus groups, with opportunities lost to take more radical action and then persuade people of the need and justification for it. An alternative would be that policy has navigated with the grain of some of the more progressive parts of public opinion to achieve a result that has carried the public with it, in a way that would not have been sustainable if there had simply been an increase in the generosity of an unreformed social security system.


A theoretical model was tested for its ability to explain persistence and delayed credibility (or "sleeper") effects in attitude change via persuasive variables. The model predicted opinion effects f:cm two major components: a multiplicative eftect of message repetition and credibility, and a simple effect of time since receipt of message. The subjects, 124 college students, read a cover story, a speaker description (the source credibility manipulation) , and one of three messages advocating federal control of education. Four time increments were selected for measurement of opinion, varying from immediately after the treatment to six weeks later. Thus, the students were presented with variations in repetition and credibility and their cpinions were assessed over time. The experiment yielded data supperting the viability of the time explanations, but failed to support the hypothesized multiplicative effect on opinions. Problems in inducing manipulations may have contributed to obtaining only partial support for the model. The results suggested the need to reevaluate previous research. (ELI *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDR are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** s ' a Li s oepARTmENTOF NEASTN. EOucATION 4 WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of EoucATioN .4) -HIS DOCUMENT HAS SEEN REPRO. DUCED E sAC TLY AS RECEIVE() CSOM T . E PETaSON OR ORGANIZATION OR pOislC\J Ai ,N0 1 T POINTS ot V I FW OR OfitNuONS STAIFO DO NO1 NECESSARILY REPRE SENT Ot t ICIAt NATIONAL INSTITUTE 0 c tr\ EDIJC A T rON POSITION OR POL ICY AN EXPLANATION OF PERSISTENCE AND SLEEPER EFFECTS: AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF THE DELAYED OPINION RESPONSE MODEL.


The smart city transport concept is viewed as a future vision aiming to undertake investigations on the urban planning process and to construct policy-pathways for achieving future targets. Therefore, this paper sets out three visions for the year 2035 which bring about a radical change in the level of green transport systems (often called walking, cycling, and public transport) in Turkish urban areas. A participatory visioning technique was structured according to a three-stage technique: (i) Extensive online comprehensive survey, in which potential transport measures were researched for their relevance in promoting smart transport systems in future Turkish urban areas; (ii) semi-structured interviews, where transport strategy suggestions were developed in the context of the possible imaginary urban areas and their associated contextual description of the imaginary urban areas for each vision; (iii) participatory workshops, where an innovative method was developed to explore various creative future choices and alternatives. Overall, this paper indicates that the content of the future smart transport visions was reasonable, but such visions need a considerable degree of consensus and radical approaches for tackling them. The findings offer invaluable insights to researchers inquiring about the smart transport field, and policy-makers considering applying those into practice in their local urban areas.


Abstract This article analyses the material of a European Project on Responsible Research and Innovation in Neuroenhancement (NERRI) to explore how the brain is articulated in this field. Since brains are closely connected to ideas of self, responsibility, free will and being human, and since brain metaphors have important effects on research practices and perspectives, it also matters how people talk about and use the brain. In the NERRI project, the brain is articulated as an agent interacting with or substituting the self; as a system that can, cannot or should not be analysed; and as the part of oneself that can potentially change human nature in positive and negative ways. Since most of the material analysed was produced by neuroscientists or other neuroenhancement experts, this article emphasises the responsibility of the experts in this process. By showing what brain images are disseminated within the field of neuroenhancement, and analysing how this depiction is related to ideas of self or being human, this article does not only intend to contribute to a more empirically based and societally relevant neuroenhancement debate, but also to a more realistic and societally relevant idea of the brain.


Modern Internet-based technologies pose a threat to privacy, as they possess multiple sensors or features that collect data about users. There is a need to determine the privacy risks that affect users in South Africa as there are a few studies on the subject. A qualitative study was done which involved interviewing seven experts and a survey consisting of 101 respondents. The results show that regulators view emerging technologies as potentially risky and are motivated by public interest to develop protective laws. It therefore is necessary that regulators develop robust laws to help prevent privacy violations. Furthermore, this paper proposes a conceptual framework that conceptualizes how emerging technologies affect users to inform policymaking.


Summary It is suggested that the Benue Trough may have been initiated by the extension of the equatorial oceanic fracture zones onto the continent during the early stages of the separation of Africa and South America. A transcurrent movement along deep-seated faults of the basement is responsible for the structure of the trough. After a period of extension characterized by the sedimentary infilling of the trough and igneous activity, the trough is turned into a chain through a short phase of compression. A discrete pattern of 'en echelon' folds and the strain pattern deduced from the analysis of large scale and microfracturing correspond to a N–S to N160° E direction of compression coupled to a sinistral transcurrent movement along a NE–SW direction. The difference in age of the folding phase in the northern and southern parts of the chain indicates a diachronous nature for this tectonic event in relation to the wrench regime. The Tertiary evolution of the trough marked by a tensional regime resulting in an E–W extension is to be related to the Cameroon Volcanic Line.


The mechanical approach of utilizing high-pressure water for scale removal has gained wider acceptance by multinationals despite facing poor downhole performance challenges (cavitation) that need abrasion compensation (sand) with side effect of jeopardizing the integrity of the well completions. The replacement of sand with sterling beads was excellent with good post descaling well completion integrity at the expense of environmental complexity. While the recent single nozzle, solid free aerated jetting descaling technique was characterized with poor scale coverage and high descaling time. This investigation presents the novel technique of scale removal utilizing multiple high-pressure flat fan nozzles at different distances, nozzle configurations and injection pressure to remove soft scale sample made of paraffin. The scale shaped in two different patterns of hollow and solid signifying different growth stages of paraffin in production tubing. The results at 25 mm stand-off distances showed that the scale removal was within the range of 0.8 to 42.8 g (for hollow shape scale) and 0.3 to 5.2 g (for solid shape scale) at 4.8 MPa with different nozzle configurations. Increasing the injection pressure to 6 MPa removed more scale within the range of 1.1 to 93.7 g (for hollow shape scale) and 0.7 to 7.3 g (for solid shape scale). Moreover, at 10 MPa injection pressure the scale removal was within the range of 1.1 to 253.8 g (for hollow shape scale) and 1.1 to 103.7 g (for solid shape scale). This result will provide a practical approach to the removal of organic scales at varying descaling conditions of injection pressure, standoff distance and nozzle configurations.

 Key words: Scale removal, multiple nozzles, high-pressure water spray, flat-fan nozzle.


This doctoral thesis, developed within the Ambientes Potencializadores para a Inclusão (API) reseach group at the Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho/ Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (Unesp/FCT), studies the context of teacher training under the theme axes: Use of Information and Communication Digital Technologies (Tecnologias Digitais de Informação e Comunicação - TDIC) in Education, Inclusive Education and Distance Education. The theoretical and methodological approach underpinning the study is Constructivist, Contextual and Meaningful (Construcionista, Contextualizada e Significativa - CCS), making use of input from the studies of Papert, Valente, Schlünzen, Almeida and others, which presuppose valuing different ways of teaching and learning by using the TDIC. These ways of teaching imply a reorganization of pedagogical practice through the development of skills and promotion of strategies where all students (including those with disabilities), have the right of access and to stay in school, learning with quality. UNESP is committed to the training of elementary school teachers and, along with the Universidade Virtual do Estado de São Paulo (UNIVESP), offers Degrees in Pedagogy UNIVESP / UNESP, and is currently training 1004 (one thousand and four) teachers working in basic education in the state of São Paulo. Held in a semipresential modality, the course curriculum is organized in modules and themes / disciplines from broad areas of undergraduate training. There are Articulator Axes in these modules and, among these, the Articulator Axis: Inclusive and Special Education - 120 hours/class (linked to Block 2: Didactic of Contents). The focus of this research is directed to the preparation and monitoring of the development of this articulator axis. The research questions are: Is it possible, in the process of training teachers in a course of semipresential Pedagogy, to guide them to work using TDIC in a CCS approach to generate an inclusive school? How does the Articulator Axis enable teachers to apply the knowledge constructed in this context? In order to answer these questions, the general goal is to analyze the process of teacher training aimed at teaching the fundamentals of Inclusive Education in a perspective of working with TDIC projects using a CCS approach. The methodological nature is of a qualitative intervention type, and the subjects of semipresential training comprise a sample of 160 students from the UNIVESP / UNESP Degree in Pedagogy and 8 guiding discipline (tutors responsible for 4 classes where students are enrolled). Analysis of preliminary data available in the Virtual Learning Environments of selected classes indicate that the discussion on curricular and teaching strategies was expanded in the development of Articulator Axis; students developed plans for inclusive education in transdisciplinary perspectives and began to look further into such issues as the use of TDIC and working with cross-cutting themes, namely, meanings attributed to theory and practice. It is expected that it will be possible to characterize the effective contributions of the proposal and the impacts of the development of inclusive education plans, by the end of the study, featuring not only an approach to teaching but also to CCS training.


The aim of this study was to know the immune respon of chronic heat stress exposed broiler chicken and vaccinated with ND vaccine. This research was conducted over three months. DOC animals used were as many as 32 male Cobb strain. DOC are adapted for 14 days. After the age of 14 days, broilers were divided randomly into four treatment groups are P0 without stress and without the ND vaccine (SV-), P1 treatment without stress and vaccinated ND (S-V +), P2 treatment with stress and without vaccine ND (S + V-) and P3 the treatment of stress and vaccinated with ND (S + V +). Vaccination in the treatment group P1 and P3 performed on 29 day old broiler chickens.  HI examinations conducted at age 14 days, 28 days, 42days. The conclusion of this research is in the group of chickens who got vaccinated ND heat stress and heat stress in the receiving phase is in the resistance or adaptation.


Often under ultrafast laser excitation, structuring of materials on submicron scales occurs via characteristic nanoscale periodic self-arrangement of matter on irradiated surfaces. Nanostructured features are strongly influenced by inhomogeneous light coupling on the local crystal orientation, the nascent topology and the complex material response as the surface material undergoes conditions of extreme nonequilibrium for several picoseconds. In that context, understanding the nature of spatial localization of the absorbed energy requires the knowledge of the transient variation of optical response during irradiation. To provide insights into the dynamics of optical response of a metallic surface, pump-probe ellipsometric measurements and ab initio calculations of transport properties have been coupled, shining a new light on the recurring problem of yet unknown optical coupling during Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structure (LIPSS) formation under ultrashort excitation. Calculations are carried out in the framework of the density functional theory associated to quantum molecular dynamics. The approach allows elucidating the influence of carrier nonequilibrium on optical properties. Simulation of the 3D energy deposition profiles on excited materials based on Finite Difference Time Domain method is then performed to depict the laser pulse interaction with an initially random distributed rough surface, revealing a competition between several periodic energy deposition patterns where light flux can be channeled depending on the nonequilibrium optical properties. Following such localized photoexcitation arrangements, the sub-surface region undergoes phase transformation and thermo-mechanical change at the nanoscale, depending on the surface crystal orientation. Dedicated electron backscatter diffraction experiments reveal that lattice defects are distributed inhomogeneously in the LIPSS profiles and the subsurface region, indicating that LIPSS formation is one of the different relaxation ways. A specific focus involving complex laser excitation mechanisms will be made to the interpretation of this inhomogeneous surface response.


This work reports and describes a novel alkali-activated metakaolin as a potential binder material for the granulation of zeolites, which are widely used as CO2 adsorbents. The alkali-activated binders are zeolite-like materials, resulting in good material compatibility with zeolite-based adsorbents. A major problem during the granulation of zeolites is that their adsorption capacities decrease by about 15–20%, because typical binder materials (for example bentonite or kaolin clay) are inactive towards CO2 adsorption. A possible pathway to solve this problem is to introduce a novel binder that is also able to sorb CO2. In such a case, a binder plays a dual role, acting both as a binding material and as a sorbent. However, it is important that, alongside the adsorptive properties, a novel binder material must fulfil mechanical and morphological requirements. Thus, in this work, physical and mechanical properties of this novel binder for zeolite granulation for CO2 adsorption are studied. Alkali-activated metakaolin was found to be efficient and competitive as a binder material, when mechanical and physical properties were concerned. The compressive strengths of most of the obtained binders reported in this work are above the compressive strength threshold of 10 MPa. The future work on this novel binder will be conducted, which includes granulation-related details and the CO2 adsorptive properties of the novel binder material. Metakaolin was used as a precursor for alkali-activated binders. Binders were synthesized using varying molarity of a NaOH solution and at varying curing conditions. The final products were characterized using density measurements, compressive strength tests, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).


Cellular autophagy in convoluted tubules of kidney was studied in 24 rats, killed in pairs at constant time intervals during one diurnal cycle, by (a) morphometric evaluation of tubular cells by the point- counting method in randomly sampled micrographs, and (b) selective search for autophagic vacuoles (AV) directly on the electron microscopy screen. The total area of tubular cells recorded in the electron microscopy sections was 93 X 10(-4) mum2. Since the distal convoluted tubules, covering about 12% of the whole tubulocellular area, contained only 3-4% of all AV, they were omitted from the main calculations. The number of AV per area unit and the total amount of segregated material showed a distinct diurnal rhythm, synchronous for the different types of AV which were distinguished from each other according to their contents. The minimum was found during the night, the maximum during the day. This rhythm appears similar to that described elsewhere in liver cells. The mean segregated fractions were calculated from the relation of segregated to nonsegregated material in proximal convoluted tubular cells. The segregated fraction of the mitochondria was 4.4 X 10(-4). This value could account for the degradation of all mitochondria in a cell within 15 days, i.e., the upper limit of the lifetime of mitochondrial DNA in the cortex of the kidney, if one assumes that a mitochondrion is destroyed within 10 min after being segregated. The degregated fraction of microbodies was 11.7 X 10(-4). This suggests a shorter lifetime of these organelles. It is concluded that cellular autophagy plays a significant role in the turnover of cytoplasmic constituents, including the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum.


Abstract:Nucleotide mixtures in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) population sequences reflect sequence diversity. We evaluated gag and pol ambiguous nucleotide frequencies during an analytic treatment interruption (ATI) in an HIV-1 therapeutic vaccine study. The proportion of ambiguous nucleotides was significantly higher at ATI week 16 than at either the time of first detectable viremia (P < 0.001 gag and P = 0.03 reverse transcriptase) or preantiretroviral therapy (P = 0.007 gag). No significant differences were observed in the proportion of ambiguous nucleotides between those receiving vaccine and placebo. Increased HIV diversity during the ATI may represent a potentially higher barrier to success for a therapeutic as compared with a preventative vaccine targeting cell-mediated immunity.


Dynamic cables used for connection of offshore floating renewable energy sources are subjected to strain from tidal motions and there is little knowledge on the effects of strain on electrical tree growth. Laboratory electrical trees are often grown in small-scale opaque samples for visual imaging of degradation. Here, combined electromechanical test techniques have been developed to examine electrical tree characteristics in full-scale cable core experiments to examine the scalability of laboratory work. Testing methodology has been developed for testing on 66 kV power cable samples energized to grow electrical trees from a needle electrode. Partial discharge (PD) data was recorded, and optical microscopy used for imaging of tree growth post-testing. PD behavior was consistent with studies conducted in laboratory scale needle-plane tests, but the final tree geometries were shorter in length and width than expected in many cases. Followup investigations to review the electrode geometry are presented. It has been shown that only by careful control of conditions can samples be fabricated which will allow combined electrical and mechanical testing in future.


Although the OSHA Ergonomics Standard was repealed this year, home care agencies and visiting staff should be conscious of the issues surrounding workplace safety. This article explains ergonomic terms and applies them to situations home care staff encounter daily. Helpful ideas to prevent these injuries support thinking in new ways to prevent injuries.


A method of preparing stereodefined δ-/γ-alkoxy-β-hydroxy-α-alkyl-substituted Weinreb amides containing two successive hydroxyl-alkyl stereocenters has been developed. Further, this strategy coupled with organo-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation culminates in the synthesis of a critical intermediate of (-)-brevisamide and its diastereomers.


We statistically investigated the total A-resource record (RR) based DNS query request packet traffic from the campus network to the top domain DNS server in a university during January 1st to December 31st, 2014. The obtained results are: (1) we found significant query keyword based entropy changes in the total DNS query request traffic at February 5th, 2014. (2) In the total A-RR based DNS query request packet traffic, we observed 73-90% of unique query keywords including eleven source IP addresses (i.e. Kaminsky and/or Kaminsky-like attack). (3) Also, we found that the source IP addresses were assigned to the home/broadband routers in campus laboratories, as open DNS resolvers. (4) Also, we calculated frequency distribution of the Levenshtein distance between the DNS query keywords and the peaks that were observed at 10-15 per day. Therefore, we can conclude that the Levenshtein distance model is useful for developing a detection model of open DNS resolvers.


Kidney stone disease is an increasing disorder of humans. It affects about 12% of the world population. Epidemiological data have shown that calcium oxalate is the predominant mineral in a majority of kidney stones. [1] It has been associated with an increased risk of end-stage renal failure. Kidney stones   result from a succession of several physicochemical events including super saturation, nucleation, growth, aggregation, and retention within the kidneys. Kidney stones may cause extreme pain and blockage of urine flow .The average life time risk of stone formation has been reported in the range of 5-10 %.Recurrent stone formation is a common part of the medical care of patients with stone disease.[2] Kidney stone disease is usually treated with medications that may cause a number of side-effects. Even improved and besides the high cost that imposes, compelling data now suggest that exposure to shock waves in therapeutic doses may cause acute renal injury, decrease in renal function and an increase in stone recurrence. Data from in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials reveal that phytotherapeutic agents could be useful as either an alternative therapy in the management of urolithiasis. The present review therefore critically explains the potential usefulness of herbal medicines in the management of urolithiasis.
Keywords:  Kidney stones, Calcium oxalate, Herbal plant extracts, Alternative medicine


Isoniazid has been recognized as a cause of liver dysfunction in some patients receiving antituberculous therapy. The medical literature contains reports of isoniazid-induced hepatic injury in adults, but essentially none in children. We used this drug to treat a 6-year-old Caucasian boy for active tuberculosis, and he suffered a reaction characterized by high fever, a morbilliform exanthem, peripheral eosinophilia, enlargement of the liver, and abnormal liver function and histologic findings. The histologic appearance of the liver lesion and the clinical manifestations were suggestive of a hypersensitivity reaction, probably of the delayed type.


Aim: To determine the demographic characteristics & determinants of the outcome of Snake bite cases. METHODOLOGY: A Hospital record based retrospective study (Dec. 2010 to Nov.2011) was carried out & information regarding demographic characteristics & determinants of outcome of Snake bite cases were entered in a pre-structured proforma. The data was analyzed using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: During the one year study period, 146 cases of snake bite were hospitalized. 65 % were Males & 35% Females. 16 – 45 year age group accounted for 61.64% of cases. Majority of cases were from rural area (78%). 37.6% cases occurred during July to September (Rainy Season). Lower limb was the most common site of bite (52%). 106(72.6%) cases were due to non poisonous snake bites & 40 (27.4%) were due to poisonous snake bites (Vasculotoxic 22.6% & Neurotoxic 4.8%). Cellulitis (84.4%) was the most common complication followed by acute renal failure (6.25%) & respiratory paralysis (6.25%). Out of 40 poisonous snake bite cases only 3 died (1 Vasculotoxic & 2 Neurotoxic).Time lapse has a significant role on the outcome of the patients. Most of the patients were hospitalized for 1-4 Days. CONCLUSION: Snake bites are common in rural population of developing countries. There is need to educate the people about the hazards of Snake Bite, early Hospital referral & treatment.


Microarray analyses facilitate the investigation of quantitative information coded in the genome by measuring transcriptome, which records the decoded information from the genome. The state of a cell and differences from other states can be studied through genome information, by comparing one set of transcriptome data to other sets. Clearly, those data should be shared and compared with researchers, and the knowledge should be integrated. Unfortunately, at present data comparisons in microarray analyses are quite difficult; the accuracy as well as the reproducibility is low. The difficulties are originated from data analyses methods. Data comparison requires an intelligent framework, such as that discussed by philosopher Sir Karl R Popper. Frameworks for microarray analyses have been developed by many efforts of bioinformatitians. The frameworks currently used are being inspected and critically discussed. By checking the mathematical models that form the practical frameworks, arbitrariness such as the lack of falsifiability has been pointed out. The paradigm in this field of analyses is also criticized by disagreement with the scientific standard, and it is shown as the origin of errors in analyses. The excessive numbers of frameworks produced in an ad hoc manner has also been criticized, since the existence of so many allows researchers to select different frameworks, discussions beyond frameworks are always difficult. A new framework that uses a parametric model is introduced with an explanation of the bases of the framework and the process of testing. Additionally, differences of obtained results by these frameworks are presented using GeneChip data, in stability of log-ratio measurements and reproducibility of analyses. The possibility of artificial decoding of genome information by an extended framework is also discussed.


In order to compare the frequency of elevated lymphocyte proportions and elevated Leu3/Leu2 (helper/inducer to suppressor/cytotoxic) ratios in sarcoidosis with those in clinically similar interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lymphocyte proportions and Leu3/Leu2 ratios were determined for 20 patients with sarcoidosis and 30 patients with other (non-sarcoidosis) ILDs [cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis (seven), lung connective tissue disease (seven), extrinsic allergic alveolitis (four), lymphoproliferative disease (two), and asbestosis (ten)], as well as in eight control subjects. BAL lymphocyte proportions were elevated above control values in 19 (95%) patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis (mean value 36 +/- 3%) but also in 12 (39%) patients with non-sarcoidosis ILDs (mean value 17 +/- 4%). Leu3/Leu2 ratios were over 2.5 in 15 (75%) of the sarcoidosis patients (mean ratio 4.4 +/- 1). In all control subjects, however, and in all but one of the non-sarcoidosis groups, Leu3/Leu2 ratios were below 2.5 (p less than 0.001 for each compared to sarcoidosis patients). Helper/suppressor ratios over 2.5 are found in the majority of our sarcoidosis patients and, unlike raised lymphocyte proportions alone, are not commonly seen in other ILDs, suggesting that evaluation of BAL helper/suppressor cell ratios may be of value in the investigation of patients with ILD.


As part of our ongoing research program to produce a high-efficiency, low-cost, photovoltaic cell based on the fullerene C60, we report here on our first attempts at the intercalative doping of C60 thin films by the electrodiffusion of metals. Semiconductor behavior with decreased values of conductivity activation energy has been demonstrated for the doped samples. The results are explained by electrodiffusion of Au from an electrode, dominated by grain boundary diffusion. r 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.


Background and Aim The multiple organ dyfunction syndrome (MODS) is associated to worse prognosis in critical setting. Its role after open heart surgery is still purely studied. Methods We made a retrospective cohort of 121children to study factors associated to mortality after open heart surgery such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), MODS, sepsis, low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), respiratory and cardiac support time. Results 7.4% of non survivors occurred. The presence of sepsis in the first postoperative day had the highest odds ratio (OR) = 31.71(2.6 to 393.8), followed by renal dysfunction on the third day, OD=14.1 2.9 to 66.6); uni ventricular correction, OD=14.2 (2.9 to 66.66); the presence of MODS on the third day, OD=10.0 (1.9 to 50 9); presence of LCOS on the fifth day, OD=9.1 (2.1 to 40.2); and cardiac and respiratory dysfunction in the fifth day, OD=6 (1.4 to 25.6). On the other hand, the absence of SIRS in the immediate postoperative period was protective, with OD=0.92 (0.87 to 0.97). Furthermore, the mean time of cardiac support was higher in non survivors (98.8 vs. 53.7 hours), also respiratory support (42.2 h vs. 87 hours) and time of hypotension (85.2 h vs. 62.2 hours) than in survivors (p<0.05). Conclusions The increased risk of mortality due to MODS appears to be caused by primary cardiac dysfunction, as there is also an association with LCOS, renal and respiratory dysfunctions secondary to the first.


Introduction: As with other black men of West African ancestry, prostate cancer (PCa) significantly impacts Bahamian men. To address the burden of this deadly disease, an annual PCa week with community awareness programs and free prostate examinations (DRE and PSA) were introduced in the Bahamas in 1994. We conducted a retrospective study of the clinical profile of PCa prior to, and after the implementation of the annual PCa week to better understand the burden of PCa in the Bahamas. In addition, a cross-sectional survey was implemented during the 2008 PCa awareness week to explore participants9 personal and family history of PCa. Materials and Methods: For the retrospective study, PCa detection and staging were retrieved from medical records in hospitals, pathology logs, private practices and the National Department of Statistics for years 1990, 2000, and 2005. Patients were classified using D9Amico9s low, medium, and high risk clinical profiles for PCa outcomes based on the three pre-treatment prognostic indicators of PSA, cancer stage and Gleason score. For the follow-up cross-sectional study in 2008, participants were recruited at the PCa screening clinics in Nassau, Bahamas. A self-administered questionnaire was given to participants during the annual PCa awareness week to assess the personal and family history of PCa. The usual descriptive analysis was used to summarize the data. Results: There were 139 biopsy proven PCa cases identified in the Bahamas in 1990 (31 cases), 2000 (49 cases) and 2005 (59 cases). In 1990 and 2000, less than 10% of the patients had a low-risk favorable profile of a PSA less than 10, a Gleason score less than 6 and a non-clinical palpable disease. In 2005, 16% of the patients had a low-risk and 70% were in the high risk, poorly favorable group. The national cancer specific death rates for PCa were 13.6, 23.0 and 23.4 /100,000 in 1990, 2000 and 2005. The reported personal and family history of PCa by the men who participated in the 2008 survey provided an interesting view. Majority of the 100 men recruited for the study were between 40 and 49 years, married, had no college degree, employed full-time and had household income more than $30,000. None of the men reported personal history of PCa while about 11% reported that their father was diagnosed with PCa. It was curious to find that a relatively high number of the men were unsure of their family history of PCa: 25% stated that they were unsure whether their father had PCa; 16% were unsure about their brother; 6% were unsure about their son; and 2% were unsure if they were previously diagnosed with PCa. Thirty percent (30%) of the men indicated a family history of other types of cancer while 16% were unsure of their family history of other types of cancer. Conclusion: For about 14 years, we have aggressively addressed PCa in the Bahamas through the annual community awareness programs and free prostate examinations. However, we are yet to see any significant decrease in PCa morbidity and mortality. An added concern is the uncertainty of the men about their family history of PCa. In addition to race/ethnicity (African American) and age, family history is one of the confirmed risk factors for PCa. To successfully decrease PCa morbidity and mortality in Bahamian men, it will be necessary to implement a community-based PCa educational program that will empower black men in Bahamas to take charge of their health.


This paper presents a novel method for contour-based shape retrieval. First, they come from contour points which can represent the shape very well as the object contour points got by contour tracing and denoising. Corner points, sampled points and two vector sets are obtained by leading vectors from each point to the contour centroid point. Then, the polar histogram of directions and distance in the vector sets are used to describe the shape. Finally, it combines the similarity measurement criterion of two contours with the polar histogram of the two feature points. The experiment result shows that our algorithm is efficient and is with better performance in the robustness to the scaling, rotation and translation, compared with the traditional algorithms.


As the complexity of high-tech systems continuously increases, engineers look for possibilities to reduce time and cost of the development of these systems. Architecture- based design enables a front-loaded design process with knowledge reuse. By enabling the automatic synthesis of simulation models, different configurations of an architecture can be realized and simulated efficiently. Current practices are found in the automotive and aerospace industry where architecture- based design is used for the automatic synthesis of multi-physics simulation models. In this way, different architecture options and simulation model variations can be efficiently investigated early in the development process. Multi-body simulations are also frequently used in the conceptual design of complex mechatronic systems. However a suitable methodology to synthesize their simulation models is lacking. This paper demonstrates that an architecture-based design approach can be used for the automatic synthesis of multi-body simulation models and a methodology is proposed to efficiently model and synthesize them. However, due to the geometric constraints, geometrical dependencies have been introduced between the sub-systems which requires a correct synthesis sequence that needs to be determined by solving a topological sorting problem. Subsequently, the methodology was evaluated with the conceptual design of an aircraft trailing-edge high-lift system. It was found that, concerning the time efficiency of the proposed approach, a trade-off needs to be made between the time that is saved by the automatic synthesis of simulation models and the time it takes to create the architectures and compatible subsystem models. Finally, the research suggests that an architecture-based design approach can be used for a diverse set of design problems involving different domain specific engineering tools. Therefore, the applicability is not limited to aerospace industry and it can as well bring advantages to other industries where the investigation of conceptual designs is an important but time-intensive activity.


Using deep learning, we provide a way of virtually monitoring extreme UV solar spectral irradiance. Measurements of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) solar spectral irradiance (SSI) are essential for understanding drivers of space weather effects, such as radio blackouts, and aerodynamic drag on satellites during periods of enhanced solar activity. In this paper, we show how to learn a mapping from EUV narrowband images to spectral irradiance measurements using data from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory obtained between 2010 to 2014. We describe a protocol and baselines for measuring the performance of models. Our best performing machine learning (ML) model based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) outperforms other ML models, and a differential emission measure (DEM) based approach, yielding average relative errors of under 4.6% (maximum error over emission lines) and more typically 1.6% (median). We also provide evidence that the proposed method is solving this mapping in a way that makes physical sense and by paying attention to magnetic structures known to drive EUV SSI variability.


A feature of hospitals is that they face uncertain demand for the services they offer. To cover fluctuations in demand, they need to maintain reserve service capacity in the form of beds, equipment, personnel, etc. to minimize the probability of excess queuing or turning away patients, creating a trade-off between reserve service capacity and economic costs. Using a simple theoretical framework, we show how the reserve capacity established depends on institutional characteristics that can affect the objective of the hospital. In particular, we show that private and public hospitals may provide different levels of reserve capacity. In an empirical application using a panel data set of Spanish hospitals over the period 1996-2006, we model reserve service capacity using a distance frontier approach. Our results show that private hospitals generally react to a lesser extent to demand uncertainty than public hospitals.


Indicators are useful instruments in the scope of public management, given its ability to measure the effectiveness of government actions. This study aimed to develop an indicator to measure the level of implementation propensity of the Food Acquisition Program (FPA) in some municipalities of Minas Gerais State in 2011, which involves the propensity of food insecurity in the local population and the need to access the market by the local family farming. The indicator was called Propensity Index to Execution of FPA (PIE-FPA), and was produced using two proxies composed by five variables. It was found that the most resources were transferred to farmers located in the municipalities of higher demand of program activities, and that the level of coverage of the program is still incipient in face of the needs of demanding regions. There is also unequal mesorregional coverage of the program, indicating that some regions have been disregarded, especially Zona da Mata Mineira. The PIE-FPA was useful in pointing an innovative public policy in the context of how Brazilian public management has been developed and implemented.


A 54-year-old female suffered from repeated flank pain. A large, irregular cystic mass that compressed and distorted the left pelviocalyceal system was found. She underwent left nephrectomy. The cyst arose from the inner zone of the kidney. Although monolocular grossly, it was compatible with the multilocular cystic nephroma on the microscopic examination.


The essay questions the role of neurons in the concept of mind. The mind is considered as an emerging but physical property of the brain: a mental brain confi guration does exist. This confi guration is relatively resistant to brain damage, coma, hypoxia and normal (electro)physiological brain states and is envisioned as a relatively stable (nearly anatomical) structure. Consistent with this idea is that, despite the lifetime turnover of their constituents (e.g. proteins and nucleotides) and morphological changes, brain neurons do not divide. Brain neurons are continuously modifi ed, for example by lifetime experiences: genetic and epigenetic support for this thesis is provided. The presumed mental brain confi guration guarantees lifetime storage of information, but does not imply that this information and memories remain unmodifi ed during aging. In principle, neurons permanently affected by mental processes can be identifi ed in vitro or in vivo, despite anticipated practical problems. This essay may help to scientifi cally legitimate complementary neurobiological ad psychotherapeutic approaches in psychiatry.


The Fourier method of Henry and Verbeek, provides fast and accurate computation of the guided modes of 2- and 3-D waveguides with either homogeneous or inhomogeneous refractive index profiles. However, the accuracy and speed of the computation depends on the size of the numerical window and the number of terms (or truncation order) in the Fourier expansion of the solution to the reduced scalar wave equation. In this paper, we present a novel technique for the a priori determination of the numerical window and truncation order (of the Fourier method) by using the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin technique and the effective index method. This obviates the need to iteratively correct the computational parameters when using the Fourier method.


Land snails are subject to desiccating conditions in their terrestrial habitat. Our previous studies have revealed significant differences in resistance to desiccation among closely related species and among genera that share a similar life style, suggesting that the distribution pattern is correlated with the abiotic regime in its specific habitat. Our present study extends the scope of comparison to the intraspecific level, by examining the resistance to desiccation in five populations of Xeropicta vestalis, a Mediterranean-dwelling species that ranges from the 1000 mm to the 200 mm isohyet.

The resistance to desiccation varied among populations in correlation with the specific habitat of each population and with the north-to-south and the west-to-easl climatic gradients. Furthermore, in one case it exceeded the resistance of other, desert-dwelling species (Trochoidea simulata, Sphincterochila zonata). We suggest that, in spite of its physiological capacity to invade deserts, X. vestalis is prevented from doing so because it is an annual, semelparous species. The Negev Desert is an unpredictable environment, susceptible to year-to-year fluctuations to such an extent that one rainless year would wipe out all its populations.


This paper presents a robust better gray image watermarking algorithm based on the distance in the wavelet transform domain. Firstly, two images will be pretreated: the vector image is transformed into discrete wavelet domain, the level of transform is decided by the size of the watermark image, another pretreatment is that watermark image is scrambled by Arnold transform; Secondly, the edge information which is a binary image is extracted from horizontal and vertical details, and compute the their distance transform matrix which are gray- scale images. After that, the scrambled watermark will be embedded in distance transform matrix using the rule of addition, what is more, the strength parameter of embedding is adaptive, and compute their complements; Finally, The last step is the reconstruction of the watermarked image using inverse discrete wavelet transform according to secret key. The experimental results show that this algorithm has good anti- offensive and security. it has the characteristics of the frequency and spatial, and changes the attitude that the detail coefficients have poor robustness. Distance transform can expand energy of image, so, if the watermark is embedded here, the robustness and invisibility are gained at the same time.


A field study aimed to evaluate the performance of secondary schools in the examinations from the perspective of teachers, administration managers, adopted in this study, descriptive and analytical approach. Was identified research community which consisted of (3981), a school teacher, research sample stratified random way chosen by (6.882%) of the research community, as the number of respondents reached (274) of secondary teachers. Was built questionnaire included 60 items distributed among the fields of study. And make sure the two researchers of the validity and reliability. Data were analyzed using the search software (SPSS), and the researchers apply the resolution in the first semester of the academic year 2015-2016. And reached the following findings: that the performance of school principals in exams administration level was up about a year and reflects the skill and ability.


Award-winning poet and memoirist Brian Turner and 19 other writers will present and discuss their works works at the 22nd annual ASU Writers Conference in Honor of Elmer Kelton, Thursday and Friday, February 22-23.


The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) does not mandate any particular format when forensic science findings are reported to the instructing magistrate or to the fact-finder. In the limits posed by the right to a fair trial (Article 6 ECHR), national authorities are thus free to set their own rules in the matter. However, even if the scientific techniques and reasoning on which they base their analyses and interpretations are similar, not all forensic practitioners report their results in the same way, and there is vigorous debate in the relevant communities as to the (scientifically) most appropriate way to express the probative value of one's findings. We contend that the current situation is unsatisfactory as certain conclusion formats pose a risk to the fairness of the proceedings because of their lack of robustness and transparency. We make recommendations to expand current legal requirements, both at a formal and substantive level, to ensure that the right to a fair trial is effectively materialized when scientific evidence is brought against the accused.


The Internet has been evolving from its origins in the early 1970s, based on work sponsored by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. While the basic design was known in 1973 and first published in 1974 and the system essentially deployed in the academic and military communities on January 1, 1983, much has happened in the intervening 20 years. The first commercial Internet services emerged in 1989 after the interconnection of the Internet to commercial e-mail services. By 1993, commercial versions of the World Wide Web had appeared, and by 2003, voice over IP service was growing rapidly, after its first commercial introduction around 1995 (See Vocaltec: http://www.vocaltec.com/html/about/company.shtml). The Internet of the future will be shaped by the tectonic forces of regulation, commercialization, technological change, and a wide range of policy concerns expressed at local, national, regional and international levels. In this paper, the effect of these forces is considered and an attempt made to project their effects into the future.


Almost half a century ago the creators of Star Wars imagined a life-sustaining planet, Tatooine, orbiting a pair of stars. Now, 44 years later, scientists have found new evidence that that five known systems with multiple stars, Kepler-34, -35, -38, -64 and -413, are possible candidates for supporting life. A newly developed mathematical framework allowed researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi and the University of Washington to show that those systems—between 2764 and 5933 light years from Earth, in the constellations Lyra and Cygnus—support a permanent "Habitable Zone", a region around stars in which liquid water could persist on the surface of any as yet undiscovered Earth-like planets. Of these systems, Kepler-64 is known to have at least four stars orbiting one another at its center, while the others have two stars. All are known to have at least one giant planet the size of Neptune or greater. This study, published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, is proof-of-principle that the presence of giant planets in binary systems does not preclude the existence of potentially life-supporting worlds.


In this paper, we investigate the performance of cooperative coding in a three-node error-prone relay network. It is widely believed that soft re-encoding at the relay will be beneficial for the overall bit error rate after turbo-decoding at the destination. In particular, soft re-encoding is supposed to combine the advantages of decode-and-forward and estimate-and-forward. However, we show that the information loss due to soft re-encoding and the forwarding of analog instead of discrete values might outbalance its benefits. We exemplarily unveil scenarios for which hard re-encoding performs best, soft re-encoding is superior or both have the same performance.


Background A large proportion of the UK population have been diagnosed with progressive, chronic diseases resulting in pain. Potentially requiring strong opioids which are often prescribed in primary care (National Collaborating Centre for Cancer, 2012). Concerns about adverse effects, confusion about which opioid to prescribe and the wide array of available options may result in undertreated pain or increased risk of adverse effects (National Collaborating Centre for Cancer, 2012). The National Collaborating Centre for Cancer has developed guidelines for NICE to clarify the pathway for initiation of strong opioids in palliative care patients. Aims To identify all patients in the practice population with progressive disease, specifically: Cancer, CKD 3/4, Heart Failure, Liver Failure, COPD who were initiated on a strong opioid and to investigate if prescribing practice and management was compliant with NICE guidance. Method Standards based audit undertaken in a London General Practice. Data collection by foundation year 2 doctor. EMIS searches by practice IT manager with retrospective identification of patients coded as chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart failure, liver failure, cancer and initiated on a strong opioid before or on 31.12.2017, review of consultation notes to identify prescribing practice and referral if appropriate. Comparison against standards outlined in NICE 'Clinical audit tool : initiating drug treatment' and data collection sheet, data input into Microsoft Excel. Results 33 patients identified for inclusion. 48% patients initiated appropriate initial strong opioid. Only 13% of patients with renal or hepatic failure were discussed with a specialist, 10% of patients were prescribed immediate release oral morphine for breakthrough pain and 21% of patients were prescribed laxatives. Conclusions This audit has identified discrepancies between prescribing and referral practice and the guidelines, which could result in poor patient management and risk of adverse effects. The findings of this audit were presented in a practice meeting accompanied by teaching and distribution of the guidelines. A re-audit is due to be undertaken in 2020.


We consider the motion of a single ellipsoidal vortex with uniform potential vorticity in a rotating stratified fluid at finite Rossby number $\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}$ . Building on previous solutions obtained under the quasi-geostrophic approximation (at first order in $\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}$ ), we obtain analytical solutions for the balanced part of the flow at $O(\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}^{2})$ . These solutions capture important ageostrophic effects giving rise to an asymmetry in the evolution of cyclonic and anticyclonic vortices. Previous work has shown that, if the velocity field induced by an ellipsoidal vortex only depends linearly on spatial coordinates inside the vortex, i.e. $\boldsymbol{u}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D64E}\boldsymbol{x}$ , then the dynamics reduces markedly to a simple matrix equation. The instantaneous vortex shape and orientation are encapsulated in a symmetric $3\times 3$ matrix $\unicode[STIX]{x1D63D}$ , which is acted upon by the flow matrix $\unicode[STIX]{x1D64E}$ to provide the vortex evolution. Under the quasi-geostrophic approximation, the flow matrix is determined by inverting the potential vorticity to obtain the streamfunction via Poisson's equation, which has a known analytical solution depending on elliptic integrals. Here we show that higher-order balanced solutions, up to second order in the Rossby number, can also be calculated analytically. However, in this case there is a vector potential that requires the solution of three Poisson equations for each of its components. The source terms for these equations are independent of spatial coordinates within the ellipsoid, depending only on the elliptic integrals solved at the leading, quasi-geostrophic order. Unlike the quasi-geostrophic case, these source terms do not in general vanish outside the ellipsoid and have an inordinately complicated dependence on spatial coordinates. In the special case of an ellipsoid whose axes are aligned with the coordinate axes, we are able to derive these source terms and obtain the full analytical solution to the three Poisson equations. However, if one considers the homogeneous case, whereby the outer source terms are neglected, one can obtain an approximate solution having a compact matrix form analogous to the leading-order quasi-geostrophic case. This approximate solution proves to be highly accurate for the general case of an arbitrarily oriented ellipsoid, as verified through comparisons of the solutions with solutions obtained from numerical simulations of an ellipsoid using an accurate nonlinear balance model, even at moderate Rossby numbers.


In recent years, the nanostructure for solar cells have attracted
 considerable attention from scientists as a result of a promising
 candidate for low cost devices. In this work, quantum dots sensitized
 solar cells with effective performance based on a co-sensitized
 CdS/CdSe:Mn2+ (or Cu2+)
 nanocrystal, which was made by successive ionic layer absorption and
 reaction, are discussed. The optical, physical, chemical, and photovoltaic
 properties of quantum dots sensitized solar cells were sensitized to
 Mn2+ and Cu2+ dopants. Therefore, the
 short current (JSC) of the quantum dot sensitized
 solar cells is boosted dramatically from
 12.351  mA/cm2 for pure CdSe nanoparticles to
 18.990  mA/cm2 for Mn2+ ions
 and 19.915  mA/cm2 for Cu2+
 ions. Actually, metal dopant extended the band gap of pure CdSe
 nanoparticles, reduced recombination, enhanced the efficiency of devices,
 and improved the charge transfer and collection. In addition,
 Mn2+ and Cu2+ dopants rose to the
 level of the conduction band of pure CdSe nanoparticles, which leads to
 the reduction of the charge recombination, enhances the light-harvesting
 efficiency, and improves the charge diffusion and collection. The results
 also were confirmed by the obtained experimental data of photoluminescence
 decay and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.


Numerous theoretical perspectives have been proposed to describe the aetiology of occupational stress, and decades of empirical research have demonstrated its associations with various work and individual characteristics. Furthermore, the high individual, organisational, and societal costs of occupational stress are well documented. Theoretical and practical implications of this research have been limited, however, due to the reliance on cross-sectional, non-experimental designs and the pathogenic focus of occupational health research. Drawing on the job demands-resources (JD-R) model (Demerouti, Bakker, Nachreiner, & Schaufeli, 2001), this research aimed to investigate longitudinal associations amongst job demands, job resources, coping, engagement, work-related burnout, and psychological strain. A stress management intervention designed to reduce strain and promote engagement specifically within a high-stress occupation (corrective services employees) was also evaluated. Therefore, this research addressed the dearth of evaluations of the longitudinal stress process, positive well-being outcomes (engagement), and stress management interventions.


Abstract. The distribution of lakes in space and its change over time are closely related to many environmental and ecological issues, and are important factors that must be considered in human socio-economic development. In this paper, the water detection method is utilized to derive monthly water bodies, and then a seed set expansion approach was explored to extract lakes larger than 0.1 km2. Since lakes number and size can effectively reflect the distribution characteristics of water bodies, their change of the number, area and distribution are analyzed. The results shows there is a prominent power exponent relation between lake size and lake number for the Qinghai-Tibet plateau (QTP), which is similar to existing analysis of global scale. The number density of medium size of lakes on the QTP is higher than other types of lakes. The number of lakes displayed a decreasing trend from 2000 to 2015 with the R2 of 0.41. There was an increasing trend with an increasing rate of 356.86 km2/year (0.72%). Specifically, 46.54% of lakes area are increasing, and mostly distributed in Alpine grassland and shrub woodlands zone of the central Tibetan plateau. Shrinking lakes mostly with the area less than 10 km2 are situated on the woodland and shrub and grass areas in south-eastern Tibet. Finally, the analysis of monthly lake area of four lakes at the source of the Yellow River demonstrates the lakes area of each month from June to September witness an increasing trend, and the largest increasing rate is on June, which has a strong seasonality.