If the dielectric of a single-conductor concentric cable is homogeneous, the voltage gradient at any diameter x is given by d v/d x = 0.868 V/x log10/D/d where d v/d x is the voltage gradient or dielectric stress, V the voltage between conductor and sheath, D the diameter over the dielectric and d the diameter over the conductor. A complete discussion of the above formula is followed by considerable experimental data and curves accumulated from many breakdown tests. Results of tests on cables with large ratios of dielectric diameter to conductor diameter are included and a modification of the above theoretical formula is discussed. The modified formula is checked by tests on a special cable which was constructed for this purpose. A new relation between the rupturing gradient at the surface of the conductor and the ratio D/d is suggested and curvnes of experimental data given. Breakdown tests on three-conductor cables are included and the calculated rupturing stresses compared with those for single-conductor ductor cables. Special cables were constructed so that measurements could be made of voltages between layers of insulation. From data obtained from these tests, curves are given showing the change in potential gradient as the internal heat of the cable is increased. Curves are given showing the effect of a change of temperature on the dielectric strenrenth, the stresses and the factor of safety of cables. A complete description is given of the low-capacitance electrostatic voltmeter used in the temperature-potential-gradient tests.


Objective: We aimed to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical features, laboratory findings, and treatment regimens of patients with brucellosis in the Tokat region.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data of 236 adult patients followed with brucellosis in Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Medical Faculty Hospital between January 2016 and December 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. Diagnostic criteria of brucellosis were determined as culture positivity, or positivity in the Wright test at ≥ 1/160 titration, or a 4-fold increase in titer of the Wright test repeated at 2 – 3 week intervals. Demographic data, symptoms, physical examination findings, and laboratory results of the patients were evaluated.

Results: 72% (n=170) of the patients were male, and the mean age was 44.47±16.64. 53% (n=125) were engaged in animal husbandry, 21.6% (n=51) consumed unpasteurized dairy products, and 13.1% (n=31) had a family member with brucellosis. Seven (2.9%) patients with a prediagnosis of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) were diagnosed with acute brucellosis. The most common symptoms were muscle-joint pain (70.3%), fever (50.8%), and sweating (43.2%). Spondylodiscitis was observed in 13.6%, epididymal-orchitis in 8.2%, and neurobrucellosis in 0.4% of the patients. Blood culture positivity was detected in 7.2% of the cases. 91.5% had elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and 48.3% had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates. The most common hematological findings were anemia (28%), leukopenia (10.6%), and thrombocytopenia (8.5%). As a therapy doxycycline + rifampicin combination was started at 36%, doxycycline + gentamicin to 5.8%, doxycycline + streptomycin to 5.4%, and doxycycline + rifampicin + gentamicin to 29.7% of the patients. Alternative treatment regimens were given to 22.9% (n=54) of the patients.

Conclusion: Brucellosis is still a critical zoonotic disease in our region. It should be kept in mind when diagnosing patients with fever, muscle-joint pain, and sweating, with epidemiological histories, have elevated acute phase reactants and cytopenia. It should also be remembered that brucellosis can be confused with CCHF in endemic areas.


This study presents reliability analysis of virtual machine instances in public cloud environments in the face of dynamic pricing. Different from traditional fixed pricing, dynamic pricing allows price to dynamically fluctuate over arbitrary period of time according to external factors such as supply and demand, excess capacity, etc. This pricing option introduces a new type of fault: virtual machine instances may be unexpectedly terminated due to conflicts in the original bid price and the current offered price. This new class of fault under dynamic pricing may be more dominant than traditional faults in cloud computing environments, where resource availability associated with traditional faults is often above 99.9%. To address and understand this new type of fault, we translated two classic reliability metrics, mean time between failures and availability, to the Amazon Web Services spot market using historical price data. We also validated our findings by submitting actual bids in the spot market. We found that overall, our historical analysis and experimental validation lined up well. Based upon these experimental results, we also provided suggestions and techniques to maximize overall reliability of virtual machine instances under dynamic pricing.


Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma is an uncommon soft-tissue tumor of intermediate malignancy that is often misdiagnosed initially. As there is not one immunohistochemical marker that consequently stains positive or negative for angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, molecular diagnostics are becoming more widely used. So far three translocations have been reported to arise in angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma: FUS-ATF1, EWSR1-CREB1, or EWSR1-ATF1. We present a case of angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma on the upper arm of a 40-year-old female, which was initially misdiagnosed as metastatic melanoma in a lymph node. Revision of the pathology revealed an angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, which was later confirmed by a EWSR1-CREB1 translocation with molecular diagnostics. Furthermore, we review the relevant literature and provide an overview of all available case reports in the past ten years. This case report illustrates the importance for pathologists of knowing the typical pathology features of AFH and integrating immunohistochemical and molecular findings in order to prevent overdiagnosis of lymph node metastasis of a malignancy.


Many undergraduate students are required to study statistics, but often struggle understanding concepts, lack engagement, lack confidence, or feel anxious about statistics. Kahoot is a game-based learning platform that can be used to increase student engagement and learning through real-time quizzes. This study aimed to evaluate the use of Kahoot on improving students' experience of studying statistics in an undergraduate (year 2) course. Pre and post Likert scale questionnaires (including Statistical Anxiety Measure - SAM) were used to collect student responses about their statistics study experience. Questions related to anxiety, confidence, and for the post quiz, additional questions on the impact of Kahoot on behavioural engagement. Post survey results indicate positive changes in students' perceptions towards studying statistics in terms of anxiety and confidence. Kahoot was shown to have a significant and positive effect on student confidence and was also linked to lowered anxiety. Despite limited data, help-seeking anxiety explained over 50% of variation in final exam performance. Further research is recommended on the effect of Kahoot on student anxiety when studying statistics, particularly as it relates to confidence and performance.


It has been suggested that chorioangiomas should be added to the list of causes of elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. We undertook a review of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in chorioangiomas histologically diagnosed in our department, and a review of the literature. Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level was elevated in only 1 of our 11 cases of chorioangioma. To date, there have been 14 case reports of chorioangiomas in which maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels have been recorded; 12 of these were associated with elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. We consider that, although chorioangiomas may be a cause of elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, it is likely to be infrequently a cause of such elevations in our population.


The Gorgon gas plant produces 15.6 Million Tonnes per Annum (MTPA) Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from the Gorgon and Jansz-Io subsea gas fields. First LNG production commenced on the Barrow Island, Australia facility in 2016. One of the first systems commissioned was the wastewater treatment, collection and disposal system, a critical support utility for production operations. The Produced Water Disposal (PWD) facility is unique on Barrow Island due the location's national nature reserve status, and all treated waste must be disposed downhole. The objective of this paper is to review key lessons from design, startup and steady state operations. Perspectives will be given on facility/well management and production operations of PWD at the Gorgon plant.
 Wastewater on Barrow Island is generated from several sources: Condensed water originating from hydrocarbon gas (separated at gas dehydration and Mono-Ethylene Glycol (MEG) regeneration facilities), drainage and runoff water from the plant, treated sewage effluent and other ad hoc liquid waste. These sources are collected and treated before the final product is pumped into two available onshore disposal wells. One of the challenges initially faced was that the disposal water quality did not meet the design specification required to maintain well performance. This problem reduced as the plant reached steady state operations and the team gained a better understanding of well performance over time. Other current challenges include hydrocarbon carryover and water polishing, so Engineering and Operations work together closely to ensure reliable water disposal and hence LNG production.
 This case study will explore the success and lessons learnt in Gorgon PWD through a summary of field data, facility descriptions and experiences. An overview of the design will be given along with photographs of key components. The required design performance will be compared against actual operating data. In the new energy landscape, the Upstream Operators' social license to operate centers around our environmental performance. In our work we demonstrate that it is possible to treat and dispose of waste liquids responsibly while generating cashflow through LNG production.


'Gamification' is understood as the application of game systems – competition, rewards, quantifying player/user behaviour – into non-game domains, such as work, productivity and fitness. Such practices are deeply problematic as they represent the capture of 'play' in the pursuit of neoliberal rationalization and the managerial optimization of working life and labour. However, applying games and play to social life is also central to the Situationist International, as a form of resistance against the regularity and standardization of everyday behaviour. In this article, the authors distinguish between two types of gamification: first, 'gamification-from-above', involving the optimization and rationalizing of work practices by management; and second, 'gamification-from-below', a form of active resistance against control at work. Drawing on Autonomism and Situationism, the authors argue that it is possible to transform non-games into games as resistance, rather than transferring game elements out of playful contexts and into managerial ones. Since the original 'gamification' term is now lost, the authors develop the alternative conception as a practice that supports workers, rather than one used to adapt behaviour to capital. The article concludes with a renewed call for this 'gamification-from-below', which is an ideal form of resistance against gamification-from-above and its capture of play in pursuit of work.


Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has a strong clinical association with the development of hip osteoarthritis (OA); however, the pathobiological mechanisms underlying the transition from focal impingement to global joint degeneration remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to use whole‐genome RNA sequencing to identify and subsequently validate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in femoral head articular cartilage samples from patients with FAI and hip OA secondary to FAI. Thirty‐seven patients were included in the study with whole‐genome RNA sequencing performed on 10 gender‐matched patients in the FAI and OA cohorts and the remaining specimens were used for validation analyses. We identified a total of 3531 DEGs between the FAI and OA cohorts with multiple targets for genes implicated in canonical OA pathways. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction validation confirmed increased expression of FGF18 and WNT16 in the FAI samples, while there was increased expression of MMP13 and ADAMTS4 in the OA samples. Expression levels of FGF18 and WNT16 were also higher in FAI samples with mild cartilage damage compared to FAI samples with severe cartilage damage or OA cartilage. Our study further expands the knowledge regarding distinct genetic reprogramming in the cartilage between FAI and hip OA patients. We independently validated the results of the sequencing analysis and found increased expression of anabolic markers in patients with FAI and minimal histologic cartilage damage, suggesting that anabolic signaling may be increased in early FAI with a transition to catabolic and inflammatory gene expression as FAI progresses towards more severe hip OA. Clinical significance:Cam‐type FAI has a strong clinical association with hip OA; however, the cellular pathophysiology of disease progression remains poorly understood. Several previous studies have demonstrated increased expression of inflammatory markers in FAI cartilage samples, suggesting the involvement of these inflammatory pathways in the disease progression. Our study further expands the knowledge regarding distinct genetic reprogramming in the cartilage between FAI and hip OA patients. In addition to differences in inflammatory gene expression, we also identified differential expression in multiple pathways involved in hip OA progression.


Laser-metal interactions typically results in vaporization and plume formation. These phenomena are complex and depend upon the details of the laser-vapor-melt interactions. As such, plume characteristics are sensitive to changes in process characteristics. Here, a spectroscopybased imaging technique is presented for the monitoring of directed energy deposition of Inconel 718. Plume geometry is shown to be related to the processing parameters and geometry of singlebead deposits.


The aim of this study is to examine the effects of rope-jump training program in physical education lessons on strength, speed and VO2 max in 10-12 year old boys. 240 male students; rope-jump group (n=120) and control group (n=120) participated in the study. Rope-Jump group continued 10 weeks of regular physical education and sport lessons and at the same time rope jump training program exercise 3 days a week, while the control group continued physical education and sports lessons only. Body weight, body fat percentage, leg strength, 20m speed test and VO2 max test measurements were taken before and after the 10 week period in both groups. The obtained data were evaluated in the SPSS 16 program. In the statistical analysis, t test was used in dependent and independent groups. As a result of pre-test and post-test, significant differences were found in all parameters except speed of control group (p<0.05). When the measurement differences between pre-test and post-test were compared according to the groups, it was determined that weight, body fat ratio, 20m sprint, VO2 max and leg strength measurements were significantly different in favor of rope jump group (p<0.05). In 10-12 year old boys, rope-jump training program was the result of having a positive effect on strength, VO2 max and especially speed. As a result, the inclusion of rope-jump programs in physical education and sports lesson curriculum, and in sports branch training programs may contribute to the development of children's motor skills and accelerate the development of the children.


Hydatid disease is helminthic infection caused by tape worm echinococcus granulosis. It commonly involves liver (65-75%) and the lungs (25 to 30%). Involvement of bones and skeletal muscle is very rare, i.e. 3 to 5%. This is the report of a 21-year girl, city resident, presented with mass involving left proximal thigh. The mass was painless and had gradually increased in size over three years. MRI revealed solid cum cystic lesion in vastus medialis muscle. Tru-Cut needle biopsy of the lesion revealed necrotic material. Intraoperative findings were of different sized cystic lesions, typical of hydatid cyst. The cysts were removed intact. No recurrence was seen in 11-month follow-up. Hydatid cyst involving skeletal muscle is very rare entity, but should be considered while making differential diagnosis of soft tissue mass.


In this paper, we propose a Region-based multi-parametric Vocal Tract Length Normalization (R-VTLN) algorithm for the problem of automatic speech recognition (ASR). The proposed algorithm extends the well-established mono-parametric utterance-based VTLN algorithm of Lee and Rose [1] by dividing the speech frames of a test utterance into regions and by warping independently the features corresponding to each region using a maximum likelihood criterion. We propose two algorithms for classifying frames into regions: (i) an unsupervised clustering algorithm based on spectral distance, and (ii) an unsupervised algorithm assigning frames to regions based on phonetic-class labels obtained from the first recognition pass. We also investigate the ability of various mono-parametric and multiparametric warping functions to reduce the spectral distance between two speakers, as a function of phone. R-VTLN is shown to significantly outperform mono-parametric VTLN in terms of word accuracy for the AURORA4 database.


The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since November 2019 has increased the challenges of human existence. Before the pandemic there were the issues of insecurity, religious and racial bigotry, climate change, poverty and so forth, which to a large extent have affected humanity negatively. The lockdown, which was introduced as a measure to curb the spread of the virus, exacerbated the anguish of the already tense world. Suddenly, the government proscribed gatherings of people in large numbers, thereby suspending economic, cultural and social activities. The continued increase of the COVID-19 cases necessitated the shutdown of worship centres. It was the first time churches would be shut down in Nigeria. The incident provoked concerns and interests in public discourse and intellectual circles. Therefore, this study examines the effects of COVID-19 on churches, using a historical approach and basically depending on secondary sources from available literature and Internet sources of information. The findings show that it was the lockdown that affected the churches most, rather than the virus. The suspension of corporate worship, sacramental rites, evangelistic outreaches and pastoral visits posed a significant challenge to the churches, affecting members' psychology and leading to a decline in church revenue and an increase in charity services. The study therefore recommends that churches be digitalised and house fellowships be revitalised.Contribution: Regardless of the impact the lockdown had on the churches, it conscientised them about the proper use of their personnel and material resources. Nowadays, churches do ministry differently, adapting to changing circumstances and harnessing divergent Christian concepts of faith and divine healing by combining science and faith in health-related theologies.


Abstract Polymorphisms in the genes encoding enzymes in the folate metabolism pathway have been associated with male infertility and chromosome abnormalities. The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MTR), and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) polymorphisms in fertile men and infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). A case-control study comprising 85 infertile men with NOA and 246 fertile men as controls was carried out. MTHFR c.677C > T (rs1801133), MTHFR c.1298A > C (rs1801131), MTR c.2756A > G (rs1805087), and MTRR c.66A > G (rs1801394) polymorphisms were determined using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. There were significant differences in AC + CC genotype (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1–3.2) and C allele frequencies (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2–2.8) of MTHFR c.1298A > C polymorphism between NOA patients and controls after applying the Bonferroni correction. Moreover, the 1298AC genotype, 1298AC + CC genotype, and 1298C allele frequencies were statistically significant in NOA with chromosomal abnormalities and/or a Y chromosome deletion compared to the controls (AC genotype: OR = 3.0; AC + CC genotype: OR = 3.0; C allele: OR = 2.3). Considering the other polymorphisms, no differences were found between cases and controls. Our findings suggest the MTHFR c.1298A > C polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of male infertility, i.e., NOA.


The World Wide Web keeps on developing vault of site pages and connections at an exponential rate which makes abusing all valuable data a standing test. It has as of late an extensive variety of uses in E-trade site and E-administrations, for example, building intelligent showcasing systems, Web proposal and Web personalization. Web utilization mining is the way toward separating helpful use designs from the web information. Web personalization utilizes web utilization digging strategy for the procedure of information obtaining done by investigating the client navigational examples premium. These days, the Web is an essential wellspring of data recovery, and the clients getting to the Web are from various foundations. The use data about clients is recorded in web logs. Examining web log documents to extricate helpful examples is called Web Usage Mining. Web use mining approaches incorporate bunching, affiliation lead mining, successive example mining and so forth. This article gives a study of the accessible writing on Web utilization mining and audits the exploration and application issues in web use mining. Keywords— Web usage mining, server log file, web logs, clustering, fuzzy logic.


We review on the viability of $F(R)$-gravity. We show that recent cosmic acceleration, radiation/matter-dominated epoch and inflation could be realized in the framework of $F(R)$-gravity in the unified way. For some classes of $F(R)$-gravity, the correction to the Newton law is extremely small and there is no so-called matter instability (the very heavy positive mass for additional scalar degree of freedom is generated). The reconstruction program in modified gravity is also reviewed and it is demonstrated that {\it any} time-evolution of the universe expansion could be realized in $F(R)$-gravity. Special attention is paid to modified gravity which unifies inflation with cosmic acceleration and passes local tests. It turns out that such a theory may describe also dark matter.


The oral form of amprenavir, intended for those who cannot use the capsules, could be harmful to some patients because they cannot metabolize large amounts of an ingredient used to dissolve the drug into liquid form.


The occurrence of fungi in drinking water systems has received increased attention in the last decades and fungi are now generally accepted as drinking water system contaminants. However, fungal contamination of bottled water has received little attention. Forty unopened bottled water samples, of different trademarks, were collected from various localities of Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia and analyzed for fungal contamination 1) immediately after opening the bottles and 2) after closing and storing them for 180 and 365 days. The fungal species were identified under a compound microscope followed by molecular sequencing. At least one fungal species were found in 58% of the bottles. A total of 18 fungal species belonging to 11 fungal genera was identified. Rhizopus nigricans and seven different species of Aspergillus were found to frequently contaminate the bottled water samples. Penicillium sp. were found in one sample. The 180 days storage of opened and reclosed bottles did not substantially affect the abundance of fungi or the species found. Some of the fungi identified may be pathogenic and the contamination of fungi in bottled water should be paid attention to during the processing of water.


Hypertension is often difficult to control in patients with chronic kidney disease. Clinicians often view thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics as being ineffective in reducing blood pressure in patients with chronic kidney disease, and prefer to use loop diuretics, especially if the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is below 50 ml/min/1.73m(2). Recent clinical trial data indicate that thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics possess important and clinically significant antihypertension properties, that are likely independent of volume reduction, even in patients with eGFR in the 15-45 ml/min range. Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics should be given consideration for use in the treatment of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease, especially if there is no clinical evidence of volume overload.


Abstract This paper examines the degree to which language shift or maintenance is obtained across four generations in Belarus. Linguistic homogeneity and heterogeneity receive particular attention as potential contributing factors to language shift or maintenance in the home, arguably the last bastion in terms of language maintenance. In an effort to elicit feedback from participants relative to language use, the survey instrument developed for this research inquired as to respondents' language use with their maternal and paternal grandparents during childhood versus their language use with their mother and father in childhood. Furthermore, this paper examines the degree to which maintenance of Belarusian receives support among respondents as evidenced by self-reported language use with spouses and children, including prospective use with children for those either married without children or single. Finally, the question of language maintenance or shift is analysed in terms of self-reported concern (or la...


This study analyzes the performance and comparative efficiency between the Caixa de Credito Agricola Mutuo da Regiao de Braganca e Alto Douro bank branches, credit cooperative that integrates "Credito Agricola Mutuo Integrated System" (SICAM). With the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), we perform a bidimensional approach, evaluating the efficiency in a transactional perspetive and also for their capacity to generate results. Considering the increasing role that the automated service channels are taking in the costumer's relationship, the transactional perspetive has been subdivided into presential and not presential. This study, based on a specific analysis for each efficiency dimensions, in the overall institution and each branches that make up your network, allowed us to gauge the institution performance in production and profitability perspetives. Face to the agency heterogeneity size checked, have been applied constant returns to scale and variable returns to scale approaches, verifying higher scores when considering the effect of each agency production scale. To consider also the future application possibilities for this methodology, by introducing qualitative variables that relate the metrics now achieved with the service quality provided to internal and external customers and demographic variable of the action areas.


Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of color Doppler ultrasound with computed tomography angiography in patients with lower limb ischemia and to assess the severity of stenosis. Study Design: Cross Sectional Analytical study. Setting: Shalamar Hospital, Lahore. Period: May 2020 to October 2020. Material & Methods: Data were collected according to the Age, Height, Weight, BMI, Duration of diabetes, Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride, Gender, Socioeconomic status, Diabetes, Hypertension, Stenosis, Collateral, calcification. Sample size of46 patients were included in this research comprising 32 males (69.6%) and 14 females (30.4%).Data entry and analysis will be done by using SPSS version-23. Results: Total numbers of 46 patients were included in this research comprising 32 males (69.6%) and 14 females (30.4%). According to the result analysis 34 patients had shown peripheral arterial disease at color Doppler and 12 patients had not shown peripheral arterial disease at color doppler. 38 patients had shown peripheral arterial disease at CTA and 8 patients had not shown peripheral arterial disease at CTA. Conclusion: This study concludes that computed tomography angiography for detection of peripheral arterial disease as the gold standard, MDCT angiography shows higher sensitivity (82.6%) than color-coded Doppler ultrasonography (73.9%) in the assessment of peripheral arterial disease.


The tradition of prescribing the medications at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day in an attempt to maintain constant drug levels throughout 24-hour period may be a thing of the past as it has been reported that some medications may work better if their administration is coordinated with day-night pattern and biological rhythms. Chronotherapeutics is delivery of medications in concentration that vary according to physiological needs at different times during the dosing period. Chronotherapeutic decisions are based on the observation that there is an interdependent relationship between the peak to trough rhythmic activity in disease symptoms and the risk factors, pharmacologic sensitivity and pharmacokinetics of many drugs. A brief about potential benefits of chronotherapeutics in management of number of diseases and the role of the pharmacist has been outlined in this article.


The key to shadow removal is recovering the contents of the shadow regions with the guidance of the non-shadow regions. Due to the inadequate long-range modeling, the CNN-based approaches cannot thoroughly investigate the information from the non-shadow regions. To solve this problem, we propose a novel cleanness-navigated-shadow network (CNSNet), with a shadow-oriented adaptive normalization (SOAN) module and a shadow-aware aggregation with transformer (SAAT) module based on the shadow mask. Under the guidance of the shadow mask, the SOAN module formulates the statistics from the non-shadow region and adaptively applies them to the shadow region for region-wise restoration. The SAAT module utilizes the shadow mask to precisely guide the restoration of each shadowed pixel by considering the highly relevant pixels from the shadow-free regions for global pixel-wise restoration. Extensive experiments on three benchmark datasets (ISTD, ISTD+, and SRD) show that our method achieves superior de-shadowing performance.


Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain and the ability of gaze fixation were investigated in patients with unilateral loss of labyrinthine function during the time course of compensation (four days to 6 months). A marked directional difference in the VOR gain in the acute stage (0.51 to 0.73 at four days) decreased proportionately to the logarithm of time on rotations to the affected side and to the intact side by an increase and a slight decrease of the gain, respectively. Gaze disturbance, which occurred only on rotations to the affected side, recovered in parallel with the decrease of directional difference in the VOR gain; it was still found at 1 Hz at 6 months. Recovery of gaze disturbance in unilateral lesions seems to be accomplished not only by the change in the VOR gain, but also by intensified amplification of this gain to make up for a low VOR gain.


To determine which of the faster and slower large myelinated nerve fibers (alpha fiber group) are more sensitive to chronic lead exposure, the distribution of nerve conduction velocities (DCV) as well as conventional sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) were measured once a month for 20 and 11 months in two male lead workers with blood lead concentrations of 70 to 121 and of 63 to 85 micrograms/dl, respectively. Differences in the frequency beyond the "normal" ranges between conduction velocities of faster nerve fibers (V80, V90, or SCV) and those of slower fibers (V10 or V20) were analyzed by the McNemar test. In the two lead workers, the values below the lower normal limits for the V80 and V90 velocities were more frequent than those for the V10 and V20 velocities; similarly, lower values for the SCV were more frequent than those for the V10 and V20 velocities (P < 0.05). It was suggested that faster nerve fibers are more sensitive to chronic lead exposure than slower nerve fibers. These findings agree with our published data on the effects of local vibration, thallium, n-hexane, styrene, mixed organic solvents, alcohol dependency, and diabetes mellitus.


In order to obtain a global approach of the patient centered activity and relative costs, we propose to add to the DRG a care workload evaluation. Such an application was developed and integrated to the automated medical record implemented in each medical department of the hospital. The "Soins Infirmiers Individualisés à la Personne Soignée" (SIIPS) indicator was chosen to estimate nursing acuity. Implementation of the application in ten departments and first results permit to demonstrate the system feasability and the fiability of this indicator. These conclusions conducted us to propose the extension of this experimentation to all the clinical departments of the hospital before the end of 1995.


Giant planet formation by gravitational disc instabilities has become theoretically and observationally acceptable at large distances, but remains theoretically contentious at distances inside about 20 au. Several new three-dimensional hydrodynamics models are presented, where radiative transfer is handled in the flux-limited diffusion approximation from the very start of the model, rather than being employed only after clumps have begun to form. The three models show that the use of the flux limiter has little appreciable effect on the early evolution of a disc instability, in agreement with the conclusions of the previous models, which studied later phases. In addition, two new models are presented where the central protostar is either held fixed or is allowed to wobble in such a manner as to preserve the centre of mass of the star–disc system. While spiral arms and clumps form in both models, the wobbling protostar model appears to be better able to form self-gravitating clumps that could contract to form gas giant protoplanets. Combined with previous results, the new models imply that disc instability should be able to form self-gravitating clumps inside, as well as outside, 20 au in suitably massive and cool protoplanetary discs.


An attempt has been made here to investigate occurrence of total phenol in the leaves , bark and wood of cannabina are medicinally important plants of Marathwada Comparative account of total phenol content of leaves ,bark and wood of three species revealed that , Sesbania grandiflora Sesbania bispinosa ( range 2.67 to 4.62 mg 4.26 mg/g dry wt.) in all seasons.


Zinc-finger protein (ZFP) transcription factors are among the largest families of transcription factors in plants. They participate in various biological processes such as apoptosis, autophagy, and stemness maintenance and play important roles in regulating plant growth and development and the response to stress. To elucidate the functions of ZFP genes in the low-temperature response of winter (Brassica rapa L.) B. rapa, this study identified 141 members of the C2H2 ZFP gene family from B. rapa, which are heterogeneously distributed on 10 chromosomes and have multiple cis-acting elements related to hormone regulation and abiotic stress of adversity. Most of the genes in this family contain only one CDS, and genes distributed in the same evolutionary branch share mostly the same motifs and are highly conserved in the evolution of cruciferous species. The genes were significantly upregulated in the roots and growth cones of 'Longyou-7', indicating that they play a role in the stress-response process of winter B. rapa. The expression level of the Bra002528 gene was higher in the strongly cold-resistant varieties than in the weakly cold-resistant varieties after low-temperature stress. The survival rate and BrZAT12 gene expression of trans-BrZAT12 Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) were significantly higher than those of the wild-type plants at low temperature, and the enzyme activities in vivo were higher than those of the wild-type plants, indicating that the BrZAT12 gene could improve the cold resistance of winter B. rapa. BrZAT12 expression and superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activities were upregulated in winter B. rapa after exogenous ABA treatment. BrZAT12 expression and enzyme activities decreased after the PD98059 treatment, and BrZAT12 expression and enzyme activities were higher than in the PD98059 treatment but lower than in the control after both treatments together. It is speculated that BrZAT12 plays a role in the ABA signaling process in which MAPKK is involved. This study provides a theoretical basis for the resolution of cold-resistance mechanisms in strong winter B. rapa.


The phenomenon of poverty has been going on for a long time in Pidie Jaya Regency, so that the Regional Government has also made various breakthroughs to reduce the poverty rate. The conclusion of the study shows that one of the ways to reduce poverty in Gampong Lancang Paru, Bandar Baru District, Pidie Jaya Regency is done through the Community Salt Business Development (PUGaR). This is done by taking into account the quantity of productivity, quality and continuity of production. During the PUGaR program, the results increased tens of times so that it had the capacity to escape poverty. Then the people's salt business development model is carried out with the old model and the new model. The old model is synonymous with the traditional way, where people carry out salt-making activities by relying on natural resources and existing human resources so that it is still very dependent on the weather or climate and in the old model the production process takes 2 to 4 days for one production so it is inefficient in terms of time and has an impact on the least amount of production so that implications for the total income of only around Rp. 700,000 per month per person. Meanwhile, the new model has the support provided by the government both through regulation and capital so that it can increase income to 3.5 to 4,000,000 per month per person.


INTRODUCTION
Outbreaks of Paederus dermatitis have been documented worldwide. A case of Paederus dermatitis from Ethiopia is presented to highlight the importance of this clinical entity in the deployed setting.

CASE PRESENTATION
A 31-year-old male presented with a 3- day history of scattered areas of a purulent, vesicating erythematous rash to his mid-back and neck. The largest of these measured 5 × 7 cm with erythematous borders and an erosive center. One to 2 days prior, 15 troops reported similar and less severe vesicating lesions to their extremities and backs. All patients participated in the same outdoor recreational event. A survey of the event's location revealed signs of the Paederus beetle.

DISCUSSION
Although a known phenomenon, there are no literature reports of Paederus dermatitis within AFRICOM. Crushing the Paederus beetle against the skin causes an intense rash because of paederin in the hemolymph. Most present with typical linear lesions likely caused by brushing off the beetle from the skin. Fortunately, patients respond favorably to topical steroid treatment.

CONCLUSION
Paederus beetle exposure in the deployed setting can impact force health. Increased awareness among providers and personnel should mitigate potential exposure and limit the morbidity associated with this beetle.


This paper investigates what can contribute to explaining why household saving rate levels are persistently so dispersed across EU countries, ranging from –10% of household income in Romania to +16% in Germany in 2013. Factors explaining changes over time or forecasting of household savings fall out of the scope of this paper. First, we argue that caution is needed when comparing household saving rates across countries. Institutional differences and data reliability are likely to hinder the international comparability of saving rates. Second, we discuss various determinants of household saving behaviour. We find that traditional explanatory variables like income levels, age dependency and uncertainty can explain more than half of the cross section variance in saving rates. However, large unobserved country fixed effects (e.g. because of institutional differences and measurement error) appear to be present.


CO2 fertilization affects plant growth, which modifies surface physical properties, altering the surface albedo, and fluxes of sensible and latent heat.We investigate how such CO2-fertilization effects on vegetation and surface properties would affect the climate system. Using a global three-dimensional climate-carbon model that simulates vegetation dynamics, we compare two multicentury simulations: a 'Control' simulation with no emissions and a 'Physiol-noGHG' simulation where physiological changes occur as a result of prescribedCO2 emissions, but whereCO2-induced greenhousewarming is not included. In our simulations, CO2 fertilization produces warming; we obtain an annual- and global-mean warming of about 0.65 K (and land-only warming of 1.4 K) after 430 yr. This century-scale warming is mostly due to a decreased surface albedo associated with the expansion of the Northern Hemisphere boreal forests. On decadal timescales, the CO2 uptake by afforestation should produce a cooling effect that exceeds this albedo-based warming; but if the forests remain in place, the CO2-enhanced-greenhouse effect would diminish as the ocean equilibrates with the atmosphere, whereas the albedo effect would persist. Thus, on century timescales, there is the prospect for net warming from CO2 fertilization of the land biosphere. Further study is needed to confirm and better quantify our results.


The fundamental nature of rapidly rotating, stably stratified (ie. quasi-geostrophic) turbulence has been debated since Charney (CHARNEY J. G., Geostrophic turbulence, J. Atmos. Sci., 28 (1971) 1087-1095) proposed an isotropic theory for it. That theory implies that the (total) energy is partitioned, in spectral space, equally between the x, y and z wave number components after scaling z in the governing equations by Prandtl's ratio f/N, or the ratio of the rotational and buoyancy frequencies. In (scaled) physical space, this implies that structures, i.e. vortices, would have equal dimensions, i.e. they would be spheres on average. Recent numerical results (DRITSCHEL D. G., DE LA TORRE JUAREZ M. and AMBAUM M. H. P., The three-dimensional vortical nature of atmospheric and oceanic turbulent flows, Phys. Fluids, 11 (1998) 1512-1520), obtained at exceptionally high resolution, have confirmed for the first time Charney's prediction that vertical- to horizontal-scale ratios in quasi-geostrophic turbulence are equal to f/N. These results were largely unanticipated because the simulations analysed in Dritschel, de la Torre Juarez and Ambaum (1998) began with two-dimensional, height-independent vortices, and previous numerical simulations (McWILLIAMS J. C., WEISS J. B. and YAVNEH I., Anisotropy and coherent vortex structures in planetary turbulence, Science, 264 (1994) 410-413) showed the emergence of approximately two-dimensional vortices at late times from isotropic, three-dimensional initial conditions. One key difference between Dritschel, de la Torre Juarez and Ambaum (1998) and McWilliams et al., 1994 is the vertical boundary conditions used; in the former rigid, isothermal boundaries were used, while in the latter periodic boundaries were used. This difference was explored in (DRITSCHEL D. G. and MACASKILL C., The role of boundary conditions in the simulation of rotating, stratified turbulence, submitted to Fuid Dyn. Res., which revealed that periodic boundaries tend to suppress three-dimensional behaviour by constraining the range of interactions between vortices, all other things being equal. Using a sufficiently wide domain, for fixed domain height, eventually reduces this constraint, allowing continued, three-dimensional behaviour. Here, we re-examine quasi-geostrophic turbulence in vertically periodic boundaries, at times well before two-dimensional vortices might emerge. We focus specifically on the characteristic scale ratio of structures, and how it compares to that found for rigid, isothermal boundaries (Dritschel, de la Torre Juarez and Ambaum, 1998).


Abstract Objective: To identify and describe patterns and challenges in communication in sudden-onset major incidents. Methods: Systematic scoping review according to Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Data sources included Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SweMed+, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Non-indexed literature was searched as well. The included literature went through data extraction and quality appraisal as per pre-registered protocol. Results: The scoping review comprised 32 papers from different sources. Communication breakdown was reported in 25 (78.1%) of the included papers. Inter-authority communication challenges were reported in 18 (56.3%) of the papers. System overload and incompatibility was described in 9 papers (28.1%). Study design was clearly described in 30 papers (93.8%). Conclusions: The pattern in major incident communication is reflected by frequent breakdowns with potential and actual consequences for patient survival and outcome. The challenges in communication are predominantly inter-authority communication, system overload and incompatibility, and insufficient pre-incident planning and guidelines.


A short revision of the main antecedents on the nuclear cusp conditions is followed by a derivation of the general expressions of the conditions which must be accomplished by wave functions and densities. It is stressed that in case of the molecular densities, besides Kato's cusp condition, there are also simple cusp conditions for the three dipole-type terms of the densities but not for terms of order higher than dipole. The degree of fulfillment of standard atomic and molecular calculations with Slater basis sets is tested, concluding that errors of spherical terms usually affect the third or fourth significant figures, being smaller as nuclear charges increase, and the errors of dipole-type components are greater than those of the spherical terms. In practice, improvements in the computational method or in the basis set do not guarantee a better fulfillment of the cusp conditions. Hydrogen is a special case which can yield poor results. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


We aimed to find out predictive markers for lymph node (LN) metastasis of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) by separating evaluation of protein expression in mucosa and submucosa considering tumor heterogeneity. We selected 37 pN1–3 EGCs and depth‐ and size‐matched 31 pN0 EGCs as training set and 72 EGCs including 14 pN1–3 EGCs as test set. Protein expression for β‐catenin, E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, galectin‐3, c‐MET, TrkB, and Ki‐67 was assessed by immunohistochemistry in mucosal (‐m) and submucosal (‐sm) portions of tumor. In the training set, Ki67‐m was higher than in Ki67‐sm (mean ± SD: 82.67 ± 11.99% vs 61.79 ± 22.53%, p < 0.001). Altered E‐cadherin‐sm, high Ki67‐m, and high Ki67‐sm were correlated with LN metastasis (p < 0.05) and Ki67‐sm was independent with lymphatic invasion and desmoplasia (p = 0.015 by multivariate logistic analysis). The test set confirmed Ki67‐sm and E‐cadherin‐sm as predictors of LN metastasis (p < 0.05). Submucosal EGCs with ≥2 predictive factors out of high Ki67‐sm, altered E‐cadherin‐sm, large tumor size (≥3 cm), diffuse type histology, and present lymphatic invasion yielded 100% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity for prediction of LN metastasis in 21 submucosal EGCs of test set. The proliferative activity of tumor in submucosa is suggested to be an independent predictor for LN metastasis in EGC.


The objectives of dairy processing cooperatives differ from those of investor-owned firms (IOFs). However, the literature usually assumes the same performance measures for cooperatives vis-a-vis IOFs. This study compares the performance of dairy cooperatives and IOFs in major European dairy producing countries. A traditional input oriented approach is used and two alternative approaches are used to account for the differential objectives of cooperatives. Cooperatives' performance differs across the two approaches from being outperformed by IOFs using the input oriented approach to outperforming them when using an approach that is more in line with cooperatives' objectives.


In this feasibility trial, 32 consecutive patients undergoing transtibial or knee disarticulation amputation had application of a prefabricated immediate postoperative prosthesis in the operating room following lower extremity amputation. Partial weightbearing was initiated on the first postoperative day. Twenty-nine underwent primary amputation as a consequence of nonsalvageable gangrene or diabetic foot infection. Others were performed at the time of wound closure following traumatic amputation for a crushed extremity and one was performed for an infected nonunion of the tibia and fibula. Seventeen of the 29 patients with diabetes were insulin dependent. Nine patients required renal dialysis and were diagnosed with concurrent malnutrition. Twenty were male and 12 were female, with an average age of 61.6 (range, 42–90) years. The average time to custom prosthetic limb fitting was 8.1 (range, 4–16) weeks. This preliminary experience with a commercially available pneumatic immediate postoperative prosthetic limb system supports its role in the early rehabilitation of lower extremity amputees.


Simple Summary Each year, many people around the world get a pet dog. With so many different types and breeds of dogs available, and a variety of sources from which to obtain a dog, the process of getting a dog can be complex. The decisions involved in this process are likely influenced by a variety of human- and dog-related factors and this review explores the factors that appear to be the most important. Abstract Given the prevalence of pet dogs in households throughout the world, decisions regarding dog acquisition affect many people each year. Across the stages of dog acquisition there is potential for practices that may promote or compromise canine welfare. For instance, prospective owners may not fully understand the time, energy and financial commitment entailed in their decision to acquire a dog. Thus, it is pressing that stakeholders, including those working in the canine welfare sector, refine their ability to identify and respond to trends in the behavior of potential dog owners. The motivations, attitudes and behaviors of current and prospective dog owners is a small but growing area of interdisciplinary study. Yet, no synthesis of the evidence exists. To address this gap, this critical review collates data and insights from studies published by academic researchers and animal welfare charities. The most widely reported factors associated with acquisition behavior include: the dog's physical appearance, behavior and health; social influences, such as trends in the popularity of certain breeds; demographic and socioeconomic factors; and the owner's previous ownership experience. Overall, the research discussed in this paper highlights that complex interactions likely underpin the various factors that might influence prospective owners' motivators and behaviors.


We propose a Bootstrap resampling approach for Feature Selection (FS) using the weights obtained by a linear Support Vector Machine (SVM) when it is applied to high-dimensional input spaces. We build our approach on a practical application with an extremely high-dimensional input space. The application is the detection of Anastomosis Leakage (AL) after colorectal cancer surgery using free text Bag-of-Words in Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer type, and surgery is the only curative treatment, making the detection of AL of prime importance. The reduced input space obtained by the proposed FS strategy in combination with the linear SVM provided a much improved performance for early detection AL after colorectal cancer (earlier/final sensitivity 97%/100% and specificity 47%/89%). Further extensions of the method can be the basis for a principled FS strategy in high-dimensional input spaces.


CIOs of the future have to do more than react to change: they need to become more efficient at connecting themselves to the source of change and managing it for tangible business improvement. This article outlines seven steps CIOs can follow potentially drive their careers to a strategic role. The initial four steps outline a process to better locate and manage change in their organization. If done well, an additional three steps provide a path for CIOs to pursue (and promote themselves) toward a new "strategic business planning" role that will benefit their current organization and their own long-term career plans.


In the framework of this thesis a new setup for attosecond time-resolved measurements has been built and observations of ionization dynamics in rare gas atoms have been made. This new technique is entitled Ionization Chronoscopy and gives further evidence that time-resolved experiments in the attosecond regime will become a powerful tool for investigations in atomic physics.


In Becoming the Tupamaros, Lindsey Churchill explores an alternative narrative of US-Latin American relations by challenging long-held assumptions about the nature of revolutionary movements like the Uruguayan Tupamaros group. A violent and innovative organization, the Tupamaros demonstrated that Latin American guerrilla groups during the Cold War did more than take sides in a battle of Soviet and US ideologies. Rather, they digested information and techniques without discrimination, creating a homegrown and unique form of revolution. Churchill examines the relationship between state repression and revolutionary resistance, the transnational connections between the Uruguayan Tupamaro revolutionaries and leftist groups in the US, and issues of gender and sexuality within these movements. Angela Davis and Eldridge Cleaver, for example, became symbols of resistance in both the United States and Uruguay. and while much of the Uruguayan left and many other revolutionary groups in Latin America focused on motherhood as inspiring women's politics, the Tupamaros disdained traditional constructions of femininity for female combatants. Ultimately, Becoming the Tupamaros revises our understanding of what makes a Movement truly revolutionary.


It is by now widely appreciated that normal heart rhythms show features of deterministic chaos, and it is also corrupted by a great deal of physiological noises from surroundings as the inputs to the chaotic system. We study the effects of measurement and dynamical noises on low-dimensional chaotic systems, and present a numerical algorithm for estimating to what extent heart rhythm is corrupted by dynamical noises. Further analysis shows that adding increasing amounts of dynamical noise increasingly develops the complexity of chaotic dynamics. The method need not fully reconstruct an attractor, thus it is robust to measurement noises. Finally, the ECG of 53 subjects falling into three groups were used to test the algorithm. From the measured R-R intervals, a time series of 1000 first order difference points was used to estimate dynamical noise levels. We found that the estimated dynamical noise levels were correlated to the different classes of ECG.


This study examined direct and indirect associations between overt and covert interparental conflict (IPC), parent—child conflict, and their links to youth problem behaviors. Data were collected from a sample of 641 school-age youth, ages 12 to 18 years, using a school-based survey. Analyses yielded direct positive linkages from overt IPC to antisocial behavior and from covert IPC to depression and antisocial behavior. When parent—child conflict was added to the model, significant direct associations were again observed between covert conflict and depression, with significant indirect effects through increased parent—child conflict. Likewise, significant direct associations were observed between overt conflict and antisocial behavior, with significant indirect effects through increased parent—child conflict. Although there was little variance in the findings when contextualized, youth ratings of religiosity were moderately and negatively associated with antisocial behavior. These findings document distinct pathways in the spillover of IPC to parent—child relations and youth well-being.


The use of nonlinear loads, which inject undesired harmonic currents into low voltage distribution systems, is increasing rapidly. Active power filters are being considered as a potential candidate for solving harmonic problems in order to meet harmonic standards and guidelines. A new digital signal processor (DSP) based control method for a single phase active power filter (APF) is presented in this paper. Compared to conventional analog and microprocessor based methods the DSP based solution provides a flexible and cheaper method to control the APF. The proposed scheme employs a carrier based control that requires less feedback information compared to other reported solutions. Only one current sensor is used to sense the nonlinear load current and two voltage sensors to sense the input supply voltage and the DC bus voltage. It also reduces the total chip count of the system using on-chip power electronics peripherals of the DSP controller (TMS320F240). The proposed method provides both harmonic elimination and power factor correction. The PSpice simulation and experiments using the DSP controller are made to verify the feasibility of the method.


The invention provides a method for generating an oligonucleotide with which an exon may be skipped in a pre-mRNA and thus excluded from a produced mRNA thereof. Further provided are methods for altering the binding of an SR protein and/or methods for altering the secondary structure of an mRNA to interfere with splicing processes and uses of the oligonucleotides and methods in the treatment of disease. Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods and means for inducing skipping of several exons in a pre-mRNA.


AIMS
To synthesize data from published studies and international experience to identify evidence of potential benefits and drawbacks of direct patient reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by patients.

METHODS
Structured search of MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO supplemented by internet searches and requests for information to key contacts.

RESULTS
Seven studies (eight papers) were included in the review. None of the studies concerned spontaneous reporting by patients. Information on patient reporting systems was obtained for six countries, with summary data reported by four. Patient reports identified possible new ADRs that had not previously been reported by health professionals. The quality of patient reports appears to be similar to that of health professional reports. There is some evidence that patients report an ADR when they consider their health professional has not paid attention to their concerns. Patient reports may, at least initially, be more time consuming to process.

CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the evidence indicates that patient reporting of suspected ADRs has more potential benefits than drawbacks. Evaluation of patient reporting systems is needed to provide further evidence.


RETROLENTAL fibroplasia (RLF), the retinopathy of prematurity, first identified by Terry 1 in 1942, soon became one of the largest causes of child blindness. The identification of oxygen overuse as its cause in the early 1950s led to a general curtailment of oxygen therapy, and the disease virtually disappeared. During the early and mid 1960s, several reports appeared which documented the severe oxygen deprivation and the need for high concentrations of oxygen for infants with the respiratory distress syndrome. As a result, the pendulum which swung in the 1950s toward a rigid restriction in oxygen therapy for the premature infant began to swing back in the 1960s toward more liberal use of oxygen. In early 1967 I examined a significant number of new patients with RLF from several premature centers. Recalling our earlier nursery study 2 and the kitten studies of Ashton and Cook, 3 in which the majority of


Section 5(4) (nurse's holding power) of the Mental Health Act 1983 empowers mental health nurses to legally prevent an informal in-patient from leaving hospital for up to six hours. The section may be applied for the patient's health or safety or the protection of others. Since its introduction in September 1983 there have been 34,000 applications of the section, an average of 1460 per annum. The application of Section 5(4) is likely to: lead to further detention under the Act; have implications for the practice of nurses; and affect the care received by patients in the aftermath of its use. However, the literature review revealed a paucity of research on the subject. The existing research has focused on three main areas: nurses' opinions of their holding power; their knowledge of Section 5(4); and trends associated with the implementation of the section. However, no attempts have been made to examine the events before, during and after the implementation of Section 5(4). This qualitative study sought to address this deficit by examining why and how Section 5(4) was implemented from the perspective of the nurses and patients involved in the process.A collective case study approach was utilised to generate data from one mental health NHS Trust over a period of one year. Data were generated from three sources: archival (statistical) records on 803 applications of the section; documentary accounts of the detention process, for example nursing notes; and interviews with 30 nurses and four patients. Within- and cross-case narrative analysis was undertaken on the data set. The method of narrative analysis employed was developed specifically for this study.The analysis produced a six-part typology of nurses' stories that explained why Section 5(4) was implemented. The six types were: 'health, safety or protection'; Tack of knowledge'; 'catalyst'; 'medical inaction'; 'self-protection'; and 'last resort'. The analysis also constructed a collective story of nurses' experiences that identified the key stages in the detention process. Stories were also constructed from patients' experiences of being detained. These stories generated in-depth accounts of patients' admission to hospital, the events leading up to their detention, the implementation of Section 5(4), and the aftermath of their experiences.The implications of the study's findings are considered for education, policy, practice and research and focus on four main areas: informal admission to hospital; information giving; reasons for implementing Section 5(4); and the consequences of the detention for both nurses and patients.


Dynamically tuning the concentration and profile of ions and vacancies in transition metal oxides provides a route to control of new functionalities. Transition metal oxides exhibit an astonishing array of functionalities that result from a combination of the strongly polarizable metal-oxygen bond and the so-called strong correlations between the localized transition metal valence electrons. The polarizability of transition metal oxides causes a heightened sensitivity to external electric fields, which can be exploited in applications such as highly insulating dielectrics in microcapacitors. Strong electron correlations, which cause each valence electron to explicitly affect the response of all other valence electrons in the system, are believed to underlie exotic phenomena such as high-temperature superconductivity. The coexistence and cross-couplings between these functionalities (see the figure, panel A) enables materials properties that have led to the widespread use of oxides—for example, as piezoelectric transducers that convert mechanical energy to electrical energy—and may form the basis of new device paradigms, such as the control of magnetism with electric fields.


The aim of this paper is to provide a practical kit in French for bibliographic retrieval using MEDLINE on PubMed new version, a World Wide Web retrieval service. We explain screen by screen how this bibliographic research tool works and try to make it easy to use to every single French-speaking end-user.


R#2: However, due the variability between canopies and chemical interactions encountered by different compounds, the findings are less generalisable than the authors suggest and remain relevant mainly to bVOCs and coniferous forest. This should be clarified throughout the manuscript and I suggest to rename the title to "Effect of chemical degradation on fluxes of reactive bVOCs over coniferous forest" to reflect this


BACKGROUND
Proteomic candidate biomarkers for systemic sclerosis (Ssc) useful for appropriate patient evaluation and follow-up were identified in mass-spectrometry studies; however, most of these biomarkers were not evaluated and confirmed on independent patient samples. Up-regulation of reticulocalbin 1 (RCN1) and reticulocalbin 3 (RCN3) in the dermal fibroblast secretome originating from Ssc patients was previously described. The aim of the study was to evaluate circulating RCN1 and RCN3 as candidate biomarkers for Ssc clinical expression.

METHODS
40 consecutive Ssc patients and 20 gender and age matched controls were included. Serum RCN1 and RCN3 was evaluated using commercial ELISA kits.

RESULTS
Serum RCN1 and RCN3 were not statistically significant different between Ssc patients and healthy controls. Serum RCN1 and RCN3 were correlated in both Ssc and healthy control groups (p < 0.001). Serum RCN1 was positively correlated with Ssc disease activity score (EUSTAR, p = 0.02) and remained associated with EUSTAR after adjusting for disease duration in multivariate analysis. 6 Ssc patients (15%) had elevated RCN1 values compared to reference values obtained from healthy control samples. These patients had higher prevalence of digital ulcers, higher disease activity scores, and tended to have esophageal hypomotility, calcinosis, telangiectasia, and diffuse Ssc subtype.

CONCLUSIONS
RCN1 and RCN3 expression was not statistically significantly different to healthy controls. However, RCN1 was associated with disease activity score and could be used as a stratification biomarker for Ssc patients, as patients with high RCN1 shared a particular disease pattern.


OBJECTIVE
To study antigenicity of HCV NS5 protein and dynamic changes of anti-NS5 in post-transfusion hepatitis C (PT-HC).

METHODS
Epitopes of HCV NS5 protein were analyzed by Goldkey Program. NS5 gene fragment was amplified by reverse transcription and polymerize chain reaction (RT-PCR) from sera of PT-HC patients. Sequence analysis was performed, and recombinant strain was constructed. Series sera from PT-HC were detected for anti-NS5, ALT and HCV RNA.

RESULTS
The homology of nucleotide and amino acid with genotype II in the same region was 91.8% and 92.4%, respectively. SDS-PAGE analysis showed an expressing band around 50 kD, the fusion protein represented about 21.4% of total bacterial protein. Western blot result proved the expressing band could specifically react with sera from hepatitis C patients. Detection results of series blood samples from PT-HC showed that the antibody against NS5 appeared relatively late, the positive conversion time was 182.9 +/- 168.5 day. Dynamic changes of anti-NS5 were correlated with serum ALT in most cases. The types of dynamic change of anti-NS5 were passing positive; intermittent positive; persistent positive, and persistent negative in two years.

CONCLUSION
Antibody against NS5 may reflect the disease activity to some extent. It appears relatively late, and is of no value in early stage diagnosis.


Future imaging applications in the submillimeter-Wave range (300GHz to 3THz) require RF systems that can achieve high sensitivity and portability at low power consumption levels. In particular, CMOS process technologies are attractive due to their low price tag for industrial, surveillance, scientific, and medical applications. Recently, CMOS-based detectors have shown good sensitivity up to 1THz with NEPs on the order of 66pW/√(Hz) at 1THz [1]. However, CMOS terahertz imagers developed thus far have only operated single detectors based on lock-in measurement techniques to acquire raster-scanned images with frame rates on the order of minutes [2]. To address these impediments, we present a low-power 1kpixel terahertz camera chip fully compliant with an industrial 65nm ft/fmax=160GHz/200GHz CMOS process technology. The active-pixel circuit topology is designed to accommodate the optics for wide bandwidth (0.6 to 1THz) in stand-off detection with a 40dBi Si-lens. It includes row/col select and integrate-and-dump circuitry capable of capturing terahertz images with video frame rates up to 25fps at a power consumption of 2.5μW/pixel.


A photonic multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) router was developed to integrate IP/MPLS router functions and MP/spl lambda/S switching function. The developed system achieved a distributed optical path set-up/tear-down protocol with an extended CR-LDP protocol. Fast self-healing through automatic protection switching and a new restoration scheme were also realized. These functions were successfully implemented and the performance was verified on a demonstration network. Less than 20 ms was achieved in the protection switching scheme, less than 500 ms was achieved in the optical path restoration scheme. The performance is sufficiently quick for fast recovery in IP over photonic networks.


This study aimed to evaluate the impact of plant-based food additives on growth performance, body composition and survival of Nile tilapia. Four isonitrogenous (25% CP) and isolipidic (13% CL) experimental diets were prepared and designated as R1, R2, R3, and R4. R1 contains (3% Cymbopogon citratus ), R2 contains (3% Ocimum basilicum ), R3 contains (3% Mentha spicata ) and R4 (control or 0% additive). 180 Nile tilapia fry with an initial average weight of 0.2g were distributed in 12 plastic tanks (50 L/tank) at the stocking density of 15 fish per tank in an isolated system. Fish were fed with experimental diets 3 times per day (8:00 am, 1:00 pm and 5 :00 pm) for 3 months. After 90 days of experiment, the results revealed that the final average weight ranged from 2.62g to 8.00g, the absolute average weight gain (AAWG) from 2.42 to 7.8g, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 1.31 to 2.67 and specific growth rate (SGR) from 3.06 to 4.36%/d. The survival rate (SR) varied between 64 and 100%. Of the parameters studied such as the absolute average weight gain (AAWG), the specific growth rate (SGR), the feed conversion ratio (FCR), and the survival rate, the best were obtained by the group of fish fed with the R2 diet containing 3% Ocimum basilicum . The results of the analysis of the flesh showed that the addition of 3% O. basilicum does not modify the contents of dry matter, crude protein, and ash but slightly increased the fat content. Based on the results, the inclusion of natural plant-based food additive (3% Ocimum basilicum ) in the diet of Nile tilapia improved the parameters of growth, feed efficiency, and survival.


In present study, a full-scale testing of reinforced concrete (RC) frame sub-assemblage has been investigated under fire subsequent to simulated seismic loading. First part of the sequential loading consisted of a quasi-static cyclic lateral loading corresponds to life safety level of structural performance on the test frame. In the second part of the test, a compartment fire was ignited to the pre-damaged test frame for one hour duration simulating fire following earthquake (FFE) scenario. The results showed that the first cracking was observed at the end joints of the roof beams after the frame experienced a 30 mm cyclic lateral displacement. One hour heating and eleven hour cooling was tracked and temperatures were recorded. A knocking sound was heard from the fire compartment after 5 minutes of the fire ignition. An excessive degradation of the concrete material at a number of locations of the frame sub-assemblage was observed during visual inspection after the fire test. The Nondestructive tests (NDT) were also conducted to ascertain the damage in the RC frame at the various stages of loading. The test results developed an understanding of the behaviour of RC frame sub-assemblage in FFE.


As a rule, both lobes of Fanaroff-Riley (FR) type-II radio sources are terminated with hotspots, but the 3C 328 radio galaxy is a specimen of an FR II-like object with a hotspot in only one lobe. A conceivable reason for such asymmetry is that the nucleus of 3C 328 was temporarily inactive. There was no energy transfer from it to the lobes during the period of quiescence, and so they began to fade out. However, under the assumption that the axis connecting the two lobes makes an appreciable angle with the sky plane, and hence one is considerably farther from the observer than the other, the lobes are observed at two distinct stages of evolution due to the light-travel lag. While the far-side lobe is still perceived as being of the FR II type with a hotspot, decay of the near-side lobe is already apparent. No jets are visible in the VLA images, but the VLBA observations of the inverted-spectrum core component of 3C 328 have revealed that it has a jet of a sub-arcsecond length pointing towards the lobe that shows evidence of decay. Since the jet always points to the near side, its observed orientation is in line with the scenario proposed here. The presence of the jet supports the inference that the nucleus of 3C 328 is currently active; however, given the fact that the jet is short (∼200 pc in projection), the activity must have restarted very recently. The lower and upper limits of the quiescent period length have been calculated.


We describe the fundamental equations for description of electron-photon interactions in insulating nanostructures. Since the theory for the nanostructures are based on the theory for the bulk crystals, we shall describe elements of the theory for the bulk crystals [1]-[3] in the first three subsections. It is important in discussions on optical phenomena that both the envelope function and the Wannier functions (or, equivalently, cell-periodic parts of the Bloch functions) should be taken into account. The theory for the nanostructure is discussed in the fourth subsection. In the final subsection, we briefly mention quantum optics in nanostructures.


In a review of my first published book one of the founding figures of african historical studies suggested that instead of giving so much attention to European colonial administrators and African traditional chiefs I should have focused upon "the clerks, the schoolmasters and the evangelists, who were to take the lead when indirect rule had failed." The terms in which this admonition was expressed implies a confidence in the nationalist project of "educated elites" that is less tenable today than it was during the 1960s. Nonetheless, in the late stages of my own career I have come to the conclusion that of the various occupational categories cited by Roland Oliver, African clerks do deserve greater examination than they have received so far in the historiography of colonial Africa. However, if they do prefigure the political leadership of postcolonial Africa, it is less in the heroic and innovative mode of "nation-building" than in the more problematic and continuous role as "gate-keepers," or "brokers" (honest or not) between subject populations and external sources of power/patronage. I am not alone in this concern and an entire recent volume of essays has been dedicated to the study of such colonial "African intermediaries." I contributed a chapter to this book and have continued to pursue a study of colonialism from "the middle" (as opposed to the "above" of my previous work as well as the social history "from below" that emerged in more recent decades). The focus of my research on this topic is upon two figures who are of both historical and literary significance: Amadou Hampâté Bâ (1900-1991), the very renowned Malian writer and scholar who produced a memoir about his early career as a colonial clerk; and "Wangrin," a clerk and interpreter of an earlier generation, who is the subject of Hampâté Bâ's most widely read book.


OBJECTIVE
The emergency department (ED) is among the most at-risk settings for violence by patients and visitors against ED workers. A first response to potential or actual events of workplace violence is often contacting hospital security officers for assistance. The purpose of this study is to describe ED workers' views of security officers' effectiveness during actual events of verbal and/or physical violence.

PARTICIPANTS
Healthcare workers (n=31) from an urban pediatric ED in the Midwest United States.

METHODS
Participants were interviewed regarding their experiences with workplace violence. Verbatim transcripts were qualitatively analyzed.

RESULTS
Six themes were identified: (1) a need for security officers, (2) security officers' availability and response, (3) security officers' presence or involvement, (4) security officers' ability to handle violent situations, (5) security officers' role with restraints, and (6) security officers' role with access.

CONCLUSIONS
It is important that early communication between security officers and ED workers takes place before violent events occur. A uniform understanding of the roles and responsibilities of security officers should be clearly communicated to ED workers. Future research needs to be conducted with hospital-based security officers to describe their perceptions about their role in the prevention and management of workplace violence.


A trial with large the flowered chrysanthemum cultivar Dark Westland was carried out in an unheated greenhouse. Three rates of nitrogen fertilization were studied: 0, 100 and 140 kgN/ha, as well as two modes of plant formation – single- and two-stemmed plants. Parameters of the biometric characteristics, leaf gasexchange
and leaf pigment content were determined. The best results about growth and decorative behaviour were achieved at nitrogen fertilization level of 100 kgN/ha. It was established that nitrogen fertilization in rates of 100 and 140 kgN/ha enhances photosynthetic rate in both modes of plant formation.


A noise autocorrelation estimator based on the optimal first-order smoothing recursion and minimum energy algorithm is described in this paper. The estimator can be combined with any speech enhancement algorithm based on subspace which requires an accurate estimate of noise autocorrelation. Unlike the other approaches used to estimation noise autocorrelation, the proposed approach estimated it from the autocorrelation of noisy speech directly. The simulation results show that the proposed estimator performed better than the traditional estimators, especially in the nonstationary noise environment.


EDM, or Electronic Dance Music for short, has become a big and lucrative genre. The once nerdy and uncool phenomenon has become quite the profitable business. Superstars along the lines of Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Avicii, and Tiësto have become the rock stars of today, and for many, the role models for tomorrow. This is though not the case for females. The British magazine DJ Mag has an annual contest, where listeners and fans of EDM can vote for their favorite DJs. In 2016, the top 100-list only featured three women; Australian twin duo NERVO and Ukrainian hardcore DJ Miss K8. Nor is it easy to find female DJs and acts on the big electronic festival-lineups like EDC, Tomorrowland, and the Ultra Music Festival, thus being heavily outnumbered by the go-go dancers on stage. Furthermore, the commercial music released are almost always by the male demographic, creating the myth of EDM being an industry by, and for, men. Also, controversies on the new phenomenon of ghost production are heavily rumored among female EDM producers. It has become quite clear that the EDM industry has a big problem with the gender imbalance. Based on past and current events and in-depth interviews with several DJs, both female and male, this paper discusses the ongoing problems women in EDM face. Finally, this thesis addresses the central research question on how we can narrow down the existing gender gap in EDM through actions such as closing down the sexism, motivating role models, and further raising awareness, thus creating a better future for women in EDM.


Purpose
The Catholic Church expects theological institutes, priests and seminarians to be well-informed, critical and creative users of information and communications technology. Currently, most theological institutes use the traditional face-to-face teaching method. An attempt to implement blended learning as an innovative teaching and learning modality for communication theology was made at the Saint Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bangalore, India, using the lab-rotation model for one semester. This paper aimed to study the two important course outcomes: participation and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach
The course was designed using the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation (ADDIE) model, developed, implemented and evaluated for 21 first-year theology students. The combination of descriptive and quasi-experimental research used an online questionnaire containing statements on a five-point Likert scale. The study evaluated the potentials of blended learning as an innovative modality through student participation and satisfaction.

Findings
This research found that a high level of participation augmented satisfaction among the students during the implementation of the blended learning modality. The positive results revealed that future shepherds in the Catholic Church could effectively integrate information and communications technologies (ICTs) in their life and mission and serve digital citizens.

Research limitations/implications
The research was conducted in St. Peter's Pontifical Institute of Theology (SPPI) for an elective course, Communication Theology, taught once a week. Only two outcomes; participation and satisfaction were studied. The respondents were 21 first-year theology students of the SPPI, which could have limited the generalizability of the results. They were not allowed to use any gadgets. So this research had to adopt a lab-rotation model wherein the students followed part of their course in the computer room.

Practical implications
This pilot experience in blended learning modality will help SPPI recognize the advantage of such an approach and possibly decide to adopt it as one modality in the institute. It may also serve as a model for other Catholic schools and this could trigger the wider adoption of blended learning among Catholic schools. Results of the study can demonstrate to the faculty how blended learning is designed and a sample module can easily guide them on how it may be implemented. Hence, this can equip them already with knowledge and skills about the new modality.

Social implications
The positive learning experiences will help the professors to further discover and adopt new and existing learning technologies that can enhance the learning atmosphere for post-millennials. They can now innovate teaching and learning strategies to best address the learning needs in their classroom, given the pervasiveness of ICTs in the everyday lives. This study will also provide a new learning option for the students as they undergo a new student-centred learning exercise.

Originality/value
The pioneering effort of integrating ICTs in the form of blended learning in theology curriculum was executed in SPPI. The application of the blended learning approach to teaching communication theology is innovative in that educational technology is not only applied to theology courses but involves the promotion of technology use among future religious leaders. From a long-term perspective, this attempt can transform traditional face-to-face dominated teaching approaches.


Background: PE due to congestive heart failure is not always a transudate, almost 12% of patients with cardiac disease have an exudative PE. Serum BNP > 500 pg/ml has high diagnostic accuracy in recognizing PE of cardiac origin nevertheless in some cases only more invasive procedures such as medical thoracoscopy (MT) can make a final etiological diagnosis. To our knowledge there are not report about the endoscopic and histological pattern of an exudative PE of cardiac origin

Aim: to describe endoscopic and histopathological findings in patients with evidence of cardiac disease (BNP plasma values >500 pg/ml) and an exudative PE.

Methods: We carry out a retrospective study of 202 MT performed in our hospital for undetermined exudative PE. Only patients with BNP > 500 pg/ml were included. Thoracoscopic findings (TF) were graded as Type 1 : diffuse pleural thickening, Type2 : non-specific pleural inflammation with or without nodules, Type 3 : normal pleura. At least 10 pleural biopsies were taken from each patient.

Results: of 202 patients with exudative PE, 15 (7.4%) had a BNP plasma level > 500 pg/ml (Mean, SE: 891±204). Type 1 TF were observed in 13 patients (87%), Type 2 in 2 cases (13%). All patients with Type 1 TF had a faint pleural thickening and histopathological changes characterized by mesothelial cell hyperplasia, polymorphic flogistic infiltration with lymphocyte predominance. The 2 patients with type 2 TF had a final diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis

Conclusion: A diagnosis of cardiac pleurisy is characterized by endoscopic evidence of diffuse faint pleural thickening and histopathological findings of mesothelial cell hyperplasia with polymorphic flogistic infiltration.


Neurological studies were performed in a young boy with keratitis, ichthyosis and deafness syndrome. Skin biopsy showed features of ichthyosis. Clinically and electrophysiologically, he had normal motor and sensory systems, but there was an acoustic nerve lesion and absence of tendon reflexes. Audiometry and brainstem auditory evoked potentials showed bilateral neurosensory deafness. Poor vision may not be due to an optic nerve lesion as evidenced on visual evoked potential findings, but is probably due to pronounced vascularizing keratitis of the cornea. Computer tomography scan showed mild hypoplasia of the inferior vermis and left side of the cerebellum.


Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) primarily causes respiratory infection in patients with underlying lung disease or disseminated disease in immunocompromised patients. We report a unique case of MAC disease in the terminal ileum of a healthy patient, mimicking appendicitis. This case emphasizes the need to further explore MAC pathogenesis in immunocompetent hosts.


Monitoring plays a significant role in improving the quality of service in cloud computing. It helps clouds to scale resource utilization adaptively, to identify defects in services for service developers, and to discover usage patterns of numerous end users. However, due to the heterogeneity of components in clouds and the complexity arising from the wealth of runtime information, monitoring in clouds faces many new challenges. In this paper, we propose a runtime model for cloud monitoring (RMCM), which denotes an intuitive representation of a running cloud by focusing on common monitoring concerns. Raw monitoring data gathered by multiple monitoring techniques are organized by RMCM to present a more intuitive profile of a running cloud. We applied RMCM in the implementation of a flexible monitoring framework, which can achieve a balance between runtime overhead and monitoring capability via adaptive management of monitoring facilities. Our experience of utilizing the monitoring framework on a real cloud demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of our approach.


Tin mono-sulfide (SnS) nanorods (NRs) have been successfully synthesized through a solvothermal process using hydrated tin(II) chloride and sodium sulfide as precursors and N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) as solvent. The Reitveld refined powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman and 119Sn solid-state NMR experiments have confirmed the presence of a SnS phase with Pnma space group and a SnS2 phase with Pm1 space group as a minor impurity. HRTEM and HRSEM studies have confirmed the nanoparticle shape as nanorods (NRs). The growth of the NRs has been explained from the observation that by increasing the solvothermal temperature, nanorods grow preferentially in the [100] direction. Optical properties of the SnS nanorods were measured and it was found that all NRs have an indirect band gap in the range of 1.10 eV to 1.2 eV. The electrochemical properties for lithium storage (half-cell configuration) have been tested against Li/Li+ using conventional polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder and an eco-friendly, low cost binder, carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC). After fifty cycles of charge–discharge, the CMC binder electrode shows a superior electrochemical charge storage property of 591 mA h g−1 compared with 385 mA h g−1 for the PVDF binder electrode, at 160 mA g−1 current rate. At a high current rate of 350 mA g−1, the SnS NRs with the CMC binder shows a discharge capacity of 565 mA h g−1 after 50 cycles, therefore exhibiting excellent properties for a lithium battery anode as it can maintain a high capacity and coulombic efficiency continuously for 50 cycles.


Five fast-neutron-derived mutants were isolated from the wheat line Hobbit 'sib' that show enhanced field resistance towards Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici, the causal agent of yellow rust. Subsequent testing showed the yellow rust resistance phenotypes to differ between mutants, to be expressed at different growth stages and, in some cases, to show an isolate interaction. Three mutants, I3-48, I3-49 and I3-54, exhibited an enhanced yellow rust resistance phenotype from the third seedling leaf onwards, while mutants I3-27 and I3-30 did not show an altered yellow rust phenotype until later growth stages. Additional resistance for brown rust (causal agent Puccinia triticina) was identified in mutants I3-27, I3-30, I3-48 and I3-49, and for powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici in mutants I3-27, I3-30, I3-48 and I3-54, although in some cases the resistance was isolate-specific.


The interaction between oxygen and hydrogen on a clean polycrystalline iron surface was studied by Auger electron spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. To avoid having the reaction kinetics limited by the slow adsorption of hydrogen on the oxidized surface, hydrogen was supplied by permeation through the thin iron specimen. For oxygen coverages of more than one monolayer, this procedure resulted in the rapid titration of oxygen by the formation and desorption of water. In the temperature range of 475-625 K, the reaction path consists of the initial formation of OH from coadsorbed oxygen and hydrogen, followed by the disproportionation of two hydroxyl species to form H/sub 2/O. An overall activation energy of 7-8 Kcal/mole was measured for the above reaction sequence. Oxygen in coverages of less than one monolayer could not be removed by hydrogenation, in agreement with a previous study on an Fe(100) single crystal substrate. This present study shows that this apparent stability of the chemisorbed oxygen is not due to the kinetics of hydrogen adsorption.


In this paper, we consider Internet models, which respond to a congestion signal from the network described by a stochastic differential equation. We consider Internet networks with one source and n access links, as well as with r sources and one access link. We analyze the conditions for the existence of a solution and the algorithms needed to determine the solution. We carry out numerical simulations for certain parameter values.


ABSTRACT This study aimed to give insights into the dynamics underpinning different types of coaching questions by exploring the interactions between solution-focused (SF) and problem-focused (PF) coaching questions and approach/avoidance goals. Past research has found that SF coaching questions lead to more positive outcomes than PF questions. Another body of research has explored the differential effects of approach and avoidance goals. These two separate theoretical frameworks have significantly influenced the coaching practitioner literature, but no research has explored their conjoint effects. We combine these by randomly allocating 140 participants (university students) in a 2 × 2 (coaching question: SF vs. PF) (goal type: approach vs. avoidance) study. SF questions led to a greater increase in positive affect, self-efficacy and goal progress and a greater decrease in negative affect than PF questions. Contrary to expectations, there were no differences between approach and avoidance goals on any outcomes. Findings provide further support for SF approaches and insight into the multifaceted nature of goal setting in coaching.


As part of ongoing efforts aimed at the development of extensive structure−property relationships for moisture-curable polysiloxane coatings containing tethered quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) moieties for potential application as environmental friendly coatings to combat marine biofouling, a combinatorial/high-throughput (C/HT) study was conducted that was focused on four different compositional variables. The coatings that were investigated were derived from solution blends of a silanol-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (HO-PDMS-OH), QAS-functional alkoxysilane, and methyltriacetoxysilane. The compositional variables investigated were alkoxysilane functionality of the QAS-functional silane, chain length of the monovalent alkyl group attached to the QAS nitrogen atom, concentration of the QAS-functional alkoxysilane, and molecular weight of the HO-PDMS-OH. Of these variables, the composition of the alkoxysilane functionality of the QAS-functional silane was a unique variable that had not been previously investigated. The antifouling (AF) and fouling-release (FR) characteristics of the 24 unique coating compositions were characterized using HT assays based on three different marine microorganisms, namely, the two bacteria, Cellulophaga lytica and Halomonas pacifica, and the diatom, Navicula incerta. Coatings surfaces were characterized by surface energy, water contact angle hysteresis, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A wide variety of responses were obtained over the compositional space investigated. ANOVA analysis showed that the compositional variables and their interactions significantly influenced AF/FR behaviors toward individual marine microorganisms. It was also found that utilization of the ethoxysilane-functional QASs provided enhanced AF character compared to coatings based on methoxysilane-functional analogues. This was attributed to enhanced surface segregation of QAS groups at the coating-air interface and confirmed by phase images using AFM.


To what extent does immigration affect the economic institutions in destination countries? While there is much evidence that economic institutions in developed nations are either unaffected or improved after immigration, there is little evidence of how immigration affects the economic institutions of developing countries that typically have weaker institutions. Using the Synthetic Control Method, this study estimates a significant and long-lasting positive effect on Jordanian economic institutions from the surge of refugees from the First Gulf War. The surge of refugees to Jordan in 1990–1991 was massive, equal to 10 percent of Jordan's population in 1990. Importantly, these refugees were able to have a large and direct impact on Jordanian economic institutions because they could work, live, and vote immediately upon entry due to a quirk in Jordanian law. The refugee surge was the main mechanism by which Jordan's economic institutions improved in the decades that followed.


Summary

Three clones of Norway spruce (Picea abies) were studied for their response to mass-inoculation with the blue-stain fungus Ceratocystis polonica. The effect of different pretreatments (fungal inoculation and wounding) before mass-inoculation was investigated for their possible role in an acquired resistance reaction. Pretreated trees showed enhanced resistance to the subsequent mass-inoculation relative to control trees that received no pretreatment. Furthermore, the fungal colonization of inoculated trees was less than that of wounded trees. The phenolic content of the bark, analysed by RP-HPLC, was compared in trees receiving different treatments. Trees inoculated with C. polonica had higher average concentration of (+)-catechin, taxifolin and trans-resveratrol than wounded trees. Both inoculated and wounded trees had higher average concentrations of these compounds than control trees. The effect of the phenolic extract of Norway spruce bark on the growth of the root rot fungus Heterobasidion annosum and the blue-stain fungi C. polonica and Ophiostoma penicillatum were investigated in vitro. Heterobasidion annosum was not negatively affected, and the extracts had fungistatic effects on the blue-stain fungi. The growth of O. penicillatum was more inhibited than the growth of the more aggressive C. polonica.