Treatment of wild rats from a known scrub typhus focus in the Philippines with cyclophosphamide did not significantly enhance the isolation rate of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, using mouse inoculation techniques. Similarly, cyclophosphamide treatment of mice inoculated with organs of wild rats did not increase the recovery of rickettsiae, and isolation of rickettsiae was about equal from biopsies obtained before and after immunosuppression of wild rats.


Chloride channels located on the basolateral membrane are known to be involved in chloride absorption in several parts of the renal tubule, and particularly in the thick ascending limb and distal convoluted tubule. The data available suggest that the ClC-K channels play the major role in this process. We provide here a description of the electrophysiological properties of these channels, still very incomplete at this stage, and we attempt to compare ClC-Ks to three chloride channels that we have identified in the basolateral membrane of microdissected fragments of the mouse renal tubule using the patch-clamp technique. Based on anion selectivity and dependence on external pH and calcium shown by the ClC-Ks, we propose candidate ClC-K1 and ClC-K2 in native tissue. We also discuss the possibility that chloride channels that do not belong to the ClC family may also be involved in the absorption of chloride across the cortical thick ascending limb.


The authors relate the anomalies of string theories to the mathematical obstructions of Dirac's canonical quantisation. The cohomological features of the deformation approach to the quantisation procedure determine the topological nature of such anomalies.


The properties of nanowires are distinctively different from those of bulk materials because they are affected by quantum confinement effect and large surface-to-volume ratios. A fundamental understanding of the intrinsic properties of nanowires, in terms of their structure, electronic and optical properties as well as a study of the nanowire surface is required to develop them for future device applications. The morphology and properties of the nanowires are strongly dependent on the synthesis process and growth parameters. Key to realizing the full potential of nanowires is the ability to synthesize uniform, defect free nanowires. Any deviation from stoichiometry leads to imperfections within the nanowire crystal lattice and affects its properties. Efforts to optimize growth conditions are spearheaded by investigations to identify and control native point defects inherent in semiconductors. Structural characterization using electron microscopy is usually the first step towards identifying the quality of the nanowire in terms of composition, morphology and defects like twinning and stacking faults. Optical characterization tools like Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy is useful for extracting information on band-to-band transition and other sub-band electronic transitions, thus providing information on any deviations from stoichiometry. However, it cannot provide a comprehensive view of every aspect of the optical properties of nanowires. Hence, complementary experiments like time-resolved PL, pump probe measurements, cathodoluminescence, absorption and reflection spectroscopy are often used. In this chapter, we will present a brief review of some of the techniques used in identifying and characterizing defects in semiconductor nanowires. Studies drawn primarily from the author's work, addressing the role of intrinsic point defects in nanowires and discussion of strategies for determining the type, energy and concentration of defects in nanowires will be presented in this chapter. The presence of low energy luminescence bands in un-intentionally doped nanowires is evidence that intrinsic point defects (IPDs) play a significant role in the emission spectrum. IPDs in a compound semiconductor are vacancies, interstitials and antisites. In bulk semiconductors, IPDs are often studied by Optical Detection of Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) studies. However, the use of such studies on nanowires is only recent (Mal et al., 2010). It is important to understand the behavior of IPDs for the successful application of any semiconductor, since they control, directly or indirectly, doping, compensation, minority carrier lifetime, and luminescence efficiency. Semiconductor doping, in particular, can be adversely affected by IPDs, by causing self-compensation. For example, IPDs which act as donors may compensate the deliberately introduced acceptors. In group II-VI semiconductors like ZnO, specific native defects have long been believed to play 13


Illegal hunting has constituted an expression of contested legitimacy of wildlife regulation across the world for centuries. In the following report, we critically engage with the state of the art on the illegal hunting phenomenon. We do so to reveal emerging scholarly perspectives on the crime. Specifically, we aim to capture the complexity of illegal hunting as a socio-political phenomenon rather than an economically motivated crime. To do so, we adopt a critical perspective that pays particular attention to the societal processes that contribute to the criminalization of historically accepted hunting practices.

To capture perspectives on illegal hunting, fifteen researchers from various countries participated in an illegal hunting workshop in Copenhagen 16-17th June 2014. A primary contribution of the research workshop was to bring together criminologists, sociologists, anthropologists and geographers, each equipped with their own research perspective, to engage in a critical and interdisciplinary discussion on how to apprehend and constructively address the challenges of illegal hunting in contemporary society. A majority of those that attended were primarily based in the Nordic and the UK context, which motivated a strong focus on the illegal hunting that currently takes places in these countries. Similar trends of illegal hunting were identified across Europe, many of which traced from EU legislation on the reintroduction of large carnivores or other controversial wildlife conservation projects.

In the workshop, proceedings took the form of individual presentations, plenary discussions and group work. Common themes that emerged from these presentations were: illegal hunting as communicating socio-political resistance; the targeting of specific species based on its symbolism or environmental history; illegal hunting as symptom of class struggles; the role of rewilding and domestication of nature on wildlife regulation; corruption, complicity and conflicts of loyalty in enforcement, and discrepancies and discontinuities in legality. These themes were framed in an understanding of illegal hunting as a complex, multifaceted expression that transgresses livelihood based motivation.

Critical discussions conceptualised illegal hunting as a crime of dissent. This meant situating crimes as everyday forms of resistance against the regulatory regime. In so doing, the relationship between hunters and public authorities was highlighted as a potential source of disenfranchisement. In this interactionist perspective, illegal hunting tells us not just about the rationales of the offenders. It also elucidates the broader context in which non-compliance with regulation serves as symptoms of democratic and legitimacy deficits on the state level. Erratic transitions in legislation and a subsequent discord between legal, cultural and moral norms in society were identified as factors that contribute to the conflict.

Crucially, the research workshop and the report contribute with three perspectives. First, it emphasizes the need to uncover the grey areas of complicity in wildlife crime. Previously corruption, bribery and selective law enforcement have been associated with wildlife trafficking in the global south, but this understanding is too blunt for the complicity that exists in many other contexts. Here conflicts of loyalty exist across several strata of society and differ in degrees. In highlighting this fact, we show a more opaque and contingent climate of complicity around illegal hunting in Northern Europe and elsewhere. Second, as crimes of dissent seeking to publicise injustices, illegal hunting and its associated resistance tactics are counterproductive by constituting a 'dialogue of the dead'. With this is mean that such communication is prone to distortion, misunderstanding and exaggeration and does no favors to hunters. There is consequently a need to move to a clarity of messages, as in institutionalised diogue processes. Third, hunting regulation cannot be seen in isolation to the broader differences in society in terms of values, economic factors and development.

Research questions for future scholarship concluded the workshop and are summarized in the report. In terms of illuminating the junctures at which additional research is needed, these questions may provide important guidance. Above all, the report is intended as help for policy-makers, wildlife managers and law enforcement in better understanding and responding to the complexities of illegal hunting. We hope this will lead to more long-term preventative measures that address the core of the issue rather than proximate causes.

The workshop was organized by the Environmental Communication Division of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The event constituted a part of the FORMAS funded research project Confronting challenges to political legitimacy of the natural resource management regulatory regime in Sweden - the case of illegal hunting in Sweden whose members include Erica von Essen, Dr. Hans Peter Hansen and Dr. Helena Nordstrom Kallstrom from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Tarla R. Peterson from Texas A&M University and Dr. Nils Peterson from North Carolina State University.


Extreme replacement of skeletal muscles by adipose tissue was found in an 86-year old Japanese male cadaver during dissection practice for medical students at Oita University School of Medicine. Especially, the bilateral sartorius muscles looked overall like adipose tissue. The man had suffered from diabetes mellitus, renal failure, hypertension and hypothyroidism before his death. He was also an alcohol drinker. He had been bedridden late in life. The cause of death was renal failure. In microscopy, the adipose tissue-like sartorius muscle was shown to consist of leptin-positive adipocytes with a small number of degenerated muscle fibers. Fatty replacement, or fatty degeneration, appears to result from endocrine and metabolic disorders, and being bedridden leads to muscle atrophy and damage, although the origin of the adipocytes which emerged in the degenerated muscles is unknown.


Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder with abnormal primary haemostasis due to defects in, or decreased concentration of the glycoprotein von Willebrand factor. In Denmark, the estimated prevalence of VWD is 1% corresponding to approximately 50,000 patients, but only a few hundred have been diagnosed, mostly due to prolonged bleeding after a trauma or during surgery. Thus, VWD is underdiagnosed in the general population. Improved anamnestic screening for bleeding disorders such as VWD in certain high-risk groups can facilitate institution of prophylactic treatment.


Background. This study aimed to evaluate the surface scale changes in the denture base material using different polymerization techniques, such as heat-cure/pressure polymerization system and injection molding technique with the stereophotogrammetric technique. The function of a complete denture is related to the adaptation of its base to the supporting areas. Proper adaptation of the base depends on the stability and retention of dentures. The surface scale changes of dentures during processing and in service are of great importance since they affect the denture base material's fit. Methods. This study focused on the use of a computer-assisted stereophotogrammetric method for measuring changes in the volume of three different denture base resins of an edentulous maxillary ridge. A stone master model simulating the shape of an edentulous maxillary arch was used to prepare three groups of denture base resins. The stereophotographs were evaluated to determine the surface scale differences of maxillary jaws. Results. The results showed no significant differences between the denture borders for three denture base materials (P > 0.05). Conclusion. In the evaluation made using this technique, no significant difference was found in the different polymerization techniques in terms of surface scale changes for three denture base materials. Stereophotogrammetry, especially the digital stereophotogrammetric technique, has several useful research applications in prosthodontics.


This study investigates the marketing performance of Dates among retail traders in North-western Nigeria. A total of seventy (70) questionnaires containing both closed and open ended questions were randomly distributed among the respondents while only sixty-three (63) were retrieved and utilized for the analysis of this study. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics as well as budgetary and regression analysis. The study revealed that the trade is a male dominant business and that the traders' ages ranges within <30 – 60 years which is within the economically productive years. Western education had little or no effect on their ability to engage in this kind of business because the highest form of education obtained by some (23.81%) of the respondents was primary school. Majority (93.65%) of the respondents were married and maintain large family sizes. The trade is profitable with an annual revenue and Net Income (NI) of N224,386.10 and N217,797.57 respectively, the market is oligopolistic in structure signifying that a few marketers dominate the market. Cost incurred on variable inputs such as transportation, storage and packaging materials significantly determine the revenue and NI of the trade.


The percutaneous treatment of patients with obstructive atherosclerotic disease in diseased coronary saphenous vein bypass grafts still remains a challenge in interventional cardiology. We discuss the actual evidence-based knowledge for the percutaneous management of this lesion subset, focusing on the devices that are actually considered the gold standard for this treatment: bare-metal stents and distal protection devices. We also comment the negative results of the trials regarding the promising covered stent-grafts. We finally offer insights into the currently available evidence for the use of drug-eluting stents in saphenous vein grafts. These devices are potentially a promise for the successful sealing of vein graft disease, however, available long-term safety and effectiveness data are conflicting and give reason for caution.


A new standard has been developed from the FRS4 piston gauge that was presented at the Second International Seminar organized by the Consultative Committee for Mass and Related Quantities (CCM), Paris, 1993. This instrument extends the range of absolute pressure normally achieved with pressure balances below the minimum 1.5 kPa. It offers improved uncertainties over series expansion calibration systems down to pressures of a few pascals. It also has a continuously variable output pressure, which provides very rapid calibrations. The vacuum FRS4 has a large area piston attached to an electronic balance and held centrally in the cylinder by flexure hinges. The resolution is 2 × 10-3 Pa from 0 kPa to 2 kPa and 2 × 10-2 Pa to 7 kPa. The reference pressure under the piston is maintained with a hybrid turbomolecular and triple section drag pump. It should be noted that in the FRS4 the reference pressure is under the piston rather than above as it is with normal piston gauges. The gas flowing down the gap between the piston and cylinder is pumped from the gap before it reaches the base of the piston by the intermediate stage of the hybrid pump operating in a split-flow mode. This allows the reference pressure to be held at 1 × 10-3 Pa or better for the lower pressures in the measurement range and not more than 1 × 10-2 Pa above 2 kPa. The instrument is readily transportable and should offer a level of reproducibility of 0.01% of reading or better plus a few millipascals, which, until now, has not been available except in a few highly specialized and definitely non-portable instruments.


This paper reports on an exercise on constructing a visual animation layer for a behaviourally-intensive reactive system. We assume that the requirements of the system under consideration are described by use cases, and the behaviour of each use case is detailed by a collection of scenario descriptions. These use cases and scenarios are translated into a Coloured Petri Net (CPN) model, which is subsequently complemented with animation-specific elements. We describe how the CPN model must be structured to facilitate the animation process, and we present the supporting tools for creating the animation. We consider an elevator controller system as a case study, to demonstrate that a CPN model complemented with a visual animation layer constitutes a solid basis for addressing behavioural issues in an early phase of the development process, namely during the validation task.


This paper investigates the short-run effects of the 2007-09 global financial crisis on growth in (mainly non-fuel exporting) low-income countries (LICs). Four conclusions stand out. First, for many individual LICs, 2009 was not extraordinarily calamitous; however, aggregate LIC output declined sharply because LICs were unusually synchronized. Second, the growth declines are on average well explained by the decline in export demand. Third, if the external environment facing LICs improves as forecast, their growth should rebound sharply. Finally, and contrary to received wisdom, there are few robust relationships between the cross-country growth variation and the policy and structural environment; the main exceptions are reserve coverage and labor-market flexibility.


This study was conducted to determine if engineered nanoparticles are released into the air when nanocomposite parts are shredded for recycling. Test plaques made from polypropylene resin reinforced with either montmorillonite nanoclay or talc and from the same resin with no reinforcing material were shredded by a granulator inside a test apparatus. As the plaques were shredded, an ultrafine condensation particle counter; a diffusion charger; a photometer; an electrical mobility analyzer; and an optical particle counter measured number, lung-deposited surface area, and mass concentrations and size distributions by number in real-time. Overall, the particle levels produced were both stable and lower than found in some occupational environments. Although the lowest particle concentrations were observed when the talc-filled plaques were shredded, fewer nanoparticles were generated from the nanocomposite plaques than when the plain resin plaques were shredded. For example, the average particle number concentrations measured using the ultrafine condensation particle counter were 1300 particles/cm3 for the talc-reinforced resin, 4280 particles/cm3 for the nanoclay-reinforced resin, and 12,600 particles/cm3 for the plain resin. Similarly, the average alveolar-deposited particle surface area concentrations measured using the diffusion charger were 4.0 μm2/cm3 for the talc-reinforced resin, 8.5 μm2/cm3 for the nanoclay-reinforced resin, and 26 μm2/cm3 for the plain resin. For all three materials, count median diameters were near 10 nm during tests, which is smaller than should be found from the reinforcing materials. These findings suggest that recycling of nanoclay-reinforced plastics does not have a strong potential to generate more airborne nanoparticles than recycling of conventional plastics.


Actuator fault detection for sampled-data systems was investigated from the viewpoint of jump systems. With the aid of a prior frequency information on fault, such a problem is converted to an augmented H_∞ filtering problem. A simple state-space approach is then proposed to deal with sampled-data actuator fault detection problem. Compared with the existed approaches, the proposed approach allows parameters of the sampled-data system being time-varying with consideration of measurement noise.


This book aims to fill gaps in existing knowledge about early childhood development (ECD) efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean by reviewing a selection of ECD programs in the region, including those in early childhood education, health, and nutrition, and distilling lessons related to their design, implementation, and institutionalization. The book surveys existing evidence on the impact of programs worldwide that provide support to children during the period before birth through age six, including programs in developed and developing nations. It presents a compelling evidence-based argument for greater investment in ECD programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, while highlighting the need for both more rigorous evaluations and more accurate cost accounting of such programs. Improved evaluations and cost tracking will generate better data on how to effectively design, fund, and provide quality ECD programs to all children in the region, especially those from low-income families.


The calculation of the acceleration factor between an accelerated test and a single field condition is simple and straightforward. But a single-condition case seldom exists in the field, which normally sees a distribution of conditions. This paper shous that a new and single term called generalized acceleration factor can be developed analytically from such a distribution. The new factor has all the characteristics required by an acceleration factor and is unique to each distribution. With this new parameter in place, it not only simplifies the reliability assessment for a complicated field, but also broadens the conceptual contents of the acceleration factor.


Researchers from diverse disciplines have identified chronic pain as a critical national problem. Despite its preponderance, however, definitive diagnosis of benign chronic pain is usually elusive and direct medical intervention is often ineffective. Stressing self-management, Drs. Hanson and Gerber offer an alternative approach to biomedical management or simply learning to live with it' by presenting a comprehensive description of an integrated treatment approach for chronic pain sufferers. The biopsychosocial perspective on the assessment and treatment of chronic pain that is described in this volume is based on the day-to-day operation of an effective outpatient pain clinic that evaluates clients, about 1/3 of whom are treated in an intensive 21-day patient program. The book opens with an explication of a theoretical model and a detailed description of its clinical implementation. The model's application with patients is described with emphasis on the need for a flexible theoretical approach and individualized treatment, which may include psychotherapy as an integral part of the self-management paradigm. The biomedical and biopsychosocial models are discussed in detail with respect to how they presume pain mechanisms operate, how each views the phenomenology of the pain experience, and what are considered appropriate interventions. It is demonstrated how, rather than focusing on repairing mechanical breakdowns in the body machine, the biopsychosocial model concentrates on the individual with chronic pain. How a person appraises, reacts to, and copes with the problem and its treatment are considered crucial issues. The sociocultural context of the patient is also taken into account. The evaluation and preparation of patients for self-management training is explicated. Topics include the reciprocal interactions among physical sensations, cognitive factors, emotional responses, overt behavior, and socioenvironmental features. The neurophysiological underpinnings of this model are briefly discussed, common self-management goals are summarized, and essential targets for change such as dysfunctional action tendencies, perceptions of uncontrollability, and self-focused attention are delineated. Complete chapters cover the critical issues of physical activity reconditioning, attentional refocusing, and a non-narcotic preventive approach for acute pain episodes. Another chapter addresses administrative, budgetary, and staff issues for operating a comprehensive pain center. Providing a flexible and comprehensive approach that is particularly effective for chronic pain sufferers, but is also applicable to all types of illness, this volume will be of value to psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, and physical therapists. Ancillary health care professionals and administrators will also find much of interest.


ABSTRACT Patients and those close to them often have an intimate understanding of their condition and can participate in a broad range of clinical processes. During times of deterioration, their concerns might go unheard. Advocacy of family and friends can fulfil an important safety function and can support patients and healthcare professionals looking after them. If concerns by patients are not heard by the patient's primary team in hospital, patient and family activated rapid response systems allow patients and family members to alert critical care outreach teams directly. These types of systems are stipulated by regulators in Australia and in parts of the USA, and there are examples in the UK built around the 'Call for Concern' model championed by the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Implementation is not without its problems and requires a deep understanding of barriers and enablers. Empowering patients to escalate directly might help to change safety culture and have protective effects for patients and staff. Policy makers are urged to consider standardised regulation to aid implementation.


Among the new facilities to be offered by the National Science Foundation through the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) are pulsed fields that can only be achieved at a national user facility by virtue of their strength, duration, and volume. In particular, a 44 mm bore pulsed magnet giving a 60 tesla field for 100 ms is in the final design stage. This magnet will be powered by a 1.4 GW motor-generator at Los Alamos and is an important step toward proving design principles that will be needed for the higher field quasi-stationary pulsed magnets that this power source is capable of driving. This report will discuss specifications and parameters of this magnet.


Low trans fats were synthesized by interesterification of rice bran oil (RBO), palm stearin (PS) and high oleic sunflower seed oil (HO) using TLIM from Thermomyces lanuginosa. After 24-h reaction, physicochemical characteristics such as fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition, solid fat content, melting point, tocopherol, oryzanol and phytosterol contents were evaluated. Trans fatty acid contents of the produced low-trans fats showed less than 0.5 wt%. Mostly, triacylglycerol species in the products were palmitoyl-linoleoyl-oleoyl-glycerol (PLO), palmitoyl-oleoyl-oleoyl-glycerol (POO) and palmitoyl-oleoyl-palmitoyl-glycerol (POP). Total tocopherol contents ranged from 6.94 to 11.83 ㎎/100 g while 0.18~0.49 ㎎/100 g of γ-oryzanol and 182.47~269.08 ㎎/100 g of phytosterols were observed depending on the substrates ratios. When the content of PS in the reaction substrate was increased, solid fat content and slip melting points were increased.


by Jennifer S. Hirsch. Berkeley, CA-university of california Press, 2003, 376 pp. A Courtship After Marriage provides a fascinating look at social change among Mexican families. Jennifer Hirsch skillfully documents how the shift to modernity has changed the face of Latino intimate relationships, including love, sexuality, conceptions of gender, and the meaning and practice of marriage. Her book is based on a study of transnational families who are connected both to Atlanta, Georgia, and one of two neighboring communities in Mexico. Some families own property in both countries; others do not but move from one country to the other for work. Thus, Hirsch has focused on a group of migrants who feel and act both Mexican and American, which challenges earlier research over simplistic notions about identity and assimilation. The economic and social contexts of Mexico and the United States differ radically, and Hirsch's subjects live in both worlds. Her ethnography reveals the consequences of these differences for the intimate family relationships of men and women. Hirsch developed extensive life histories from 13 women in each location, visiting each at least eight times. The descriptions of the research context and the methods used to collect her data provide a rich background to her study. Life histories were organized into six topical interviews, including (1) childhood and family life; (2) social networks, migration, and differences between life in the United States and Mexico; (3) gender, earning and spending money, and the household division of labor; (4) menstruation, reproduction, and fertility control; (5) reproductive health, STDs, and infidelity; and (6) dating, marriage, and sexuality. Interviews were conducted in both Atlanta and Mexico; in Atlanta she often conducted interviews while assisting women with errands, such as driving them to the doctor. In Mexico she provided transportation to weekly rosary. In many ways Hirsch became an important fixture in their communities and their lives. Her initial intention was to interview each woman's husband, but the sex segregation among Mexicans made this virtually impossible. Unrelated men and women typically do not interact with one another; private interviews violated the tradition of separate spheres and made both Hirsch and the respondents highly uncomfortable. Consequently, Hirsch was forced to make a significant but understandable compromise: to gain the trust of married women, she could interact little with men. Thus, she was afforded only a rare glimpse into the male social world. Instead, she focused her fieldwork on women and their mothers. Therefore, her analysis of men in family relationships, including their attitudes, behaviors, and norms, are most often filtered through the lens of the women in their lives. This distinction is important because the book is purportedly about sexuality and love in Mexican transnational families, not simply about women's experience and interpretations within these families. Despite that caveat, I found this book to be a fascinating story of social change. We see dramatic differences in "ideal" relationships between older and younger women. …


Ferns play an important role for humans and forest ecosystem. To know the diversity of ferns especially terrestrial ferns in Forest Area with Special Purpose (KHDTK) Kaliurang Yogyakarta, this research was conducted using entercept method in three study areas i.e. A with 876 m asl, B (899 m asl) and C (925 m asl). There were 20 stands for every study area and for each stand, the frequency frame equipment was placed 10 times with a total of 2000 times placing the equipment. This study found a total of 15 ferns from 7 family (Thelypteridacea, Sellaginellaceae, Polypodiaceae, Pteridaceae, Dryopteridacea, Marcileaceae dan Athyriaceae). In general, Parathelypteris japonica (Back.) Ching. from Thelypteridaceae family was the most dominant fern in KHDTK Kaliurang especially in A and B study area. The highest Important Value Index (INP) for the three study area was Parathelypteris japonica (68,76% ) while the lowest INP was Nephrolepis bisserata (Sw.) Schott (0,60%). The diversity index (H') for KHDTK Kaliurang was low (0.15-0.27).


Objective & Design. We undertook a retrospective review of children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and treated with modern COG protocols (n = 80) to determine longitudinal changes in body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence of obesity compared with a healthy reference population. Results. At diagnosis, the majority of patients (77.5%) were in the healthy weight category. During treatment, increases in BMI z-scores were greater for females than males; the prevalence of obesity increased from 10.3% to 44.8% (P < 0.004) for females but remained relatively unchanged for males (9.8% to 13.7%, P = 0.7). Longitudinal analysis using linear mixed-effects identified associations between BMI z-scores and time-dependent interactions with sex (P = 0.0005), disease risk (P < 0.0001), age (P = 0.0001), and BMI z-score (P < 0.0001) at diagnosis and total dose of steroid during maintenance (P = 0.01). Predicted mean BMI z-scores at the end of therapy were greater for females with standard risk ALL irrespective of age at diagnosis and for males younger than 4 years of age at diagnosis with standard risk ALL. Conclusion. Females treated on standard risk protocols and younger males may be at greatest risk of becoming obese during treatment for ALL. These subgroups may benefit from intervention strategies to manage BMI during treatment for ALL.


"Yinghong 9" is a widely cultivated large-leaf variety in South China, and the black tea made from it has a high aroma and strong sweet flavor. "Huangyu" is a light-sensitive tea variety with yellow leaves. It was cultivated from the bud-mutation of "Yinghong 9" and has a very low level of chlorophyll during young shoot development. Due to chlorophyll being involved in carbon fixation and assimilation, the changes in photosynthesis might potentially affect the accumulation of flavor metabolites, as well as the quality of "Huangyu" tea. Although "Huangyu" has a golden yellow color and high amino acid content, the mechanism underlying the formation of leaf color and drinking value remains unclear. The widely targeted metabolomics and GC-MS analysis were performed to reveal the differences of key metabolites in fresh and fermented leaves between "Yinghong 9" and "Huangyu." The results showed that tea polyphenols, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids were more abundant in "Yinghong 9." Targeted metabolomics analysis indicated that kaempferol-3-glycoside was more abundant in "Yinghong 9," while "Huangyu" had a higher ratio of kaempferol-3-glucoside to kaempferol-3-galactoside. Compared with "Yinghong 9" fresh leaves, the contents of zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin palmitate were significantly higher in "Huangyu." The contents of α-farnesene, β-cyclocitral, nerolidol, and trans-geranylacetone, which were from carotenoid degradation and involved in flowery-fruity-like flavor in "Huangyu" fermented leaves, were higher than those of "Yinghong 9." Our results indicated that "Huangyu" was suitable for manufacturing non-fermented tea because of its yellow leaf and flowery-fruity-like compounds from carotenoid degradation.


6 months after fertilizing, spatial distribution of the nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the fertilizer cave soil and the rubber tree root system were determined to study the correlation between fertilizer nutrient and the distribution of the root system. The results showed that there were high NH_(4)~(+)-NN and NO_(3)~(-)-N contents in the soil of 0--50 cm and 100--120 cm deep; in the depth of 60--100 cm, the NH_(4)~(+)-NN and NO_(3)~(-)-N contents were low. There was little correlation between NH_(4)~(+)-NN distribution and root system distribution, but there was certain correlation between NO_(3)~(-)-N distribution and root system distribution. Phosphorus distribution was quite different in the soil from the top layer to the lower layers, and in the fertilizer cave from the inner part to the outward parts. P fertilizer maintained high concentration in some parts of the soil for a long time. P distribution was in conformity with the root system distribution in the fertilizer cave of 0--60 cm deep. In the depth lower than 60 cm, there was little P distribution. K distribution reduced gradually in the soil from the top layer to the lower layers, which was in conformity approximately with the perpendicular distributiono f rubber tree root system. N, P, K contents outside the fertilizer cave were similar to those in the original soil. And there were few absorbing root distributions outside the fertilizer cave.


The incidence of hepatolithiasis is variable. Globalization has additionally altered disease dynamics globally. A multi‐disciplinary team approach is deemed necessary for the timely diagnosis, safe, affordable treatment, and good prognosis.


Protein phosphorylation plays a cardinal role in regulating cellular processes in eukaryotes. Phosphorylation of proteins is controlled by protein kinases and phosphatases. We previously reported the light-dependent phosphorylation of the Drosophila transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel at multiple sites. TRP generates the receptor potential upon stimulation of the photoreceptor cell by light. An eye-enriched protein kinase C (eye-PKC) has been implicated in the phosphorylation of TRP by in vitro studies. Other kinases and phosphatases of TRP are elusive. Using phosphospecific antibodies and mass spectrometry, we here show that phosphorylation of most TRP sites depends on the phototransduction cascade and the activity of the TRP ion channel. A candidate screen to identify kinases and phosphatases provided in vivo evidence for an involvement of eye-PKC as well as other kinases and phosphatases in TRP phosphorylation.


Inpatient pain management is a necessary skill set for all physicians, but it is particularly important for hospitalists working in the inpatient setting. Pain is so pervasive in the hospital setting that it is sometimes referred to as "the fifth vital sign," and a failure to manage pain has important implications not only for hospitalists, but also for the hospitals where they practice. Hospitalists play a critical role not only in comanaging postoperative patients, but they also manage a wide range of conditions in which pain is prevalent, from pancreatitis to small bowel obstructions to sickle-cell disease. While opioid monotherapy has long been the primary approach to pain management in the inpatient setting, the medical literature has documented numerous significant negative effects of opiate and analgesic use in hospital-based practice. These negative effects include opioid addiction, gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and vomiting, constipation and ileus, and serious complications such as respiratory depression and sedation, which increase the risk of respiratory failure, aspiration, decreased mobility, and falls. 1 Research also indicates that current pain management strategies often fail to adequately control patient pain. One study found that more than 80% of U.S. patients who have surgery report significant postoperative pain. 2 Data from another study indicate that fewer than half of postoperative patients


Three hundred fifty-nine software professionals in 11 software companies of different size categories were studied in terms of potential reasons for leaving their present company. The most important reasons for the sample as a whole were salary, more experience, more interesting and challenging work, need for a change, and promotion. Those people in the companies with less than 50 people were significantly more likely to want to leave to run their own company, go to a more successful company, or obtain an equity stake, or because their present company was getting too large. Those in larger companies were significantly more likely to want to leave to obtain promotion, because the present company were getting too large, or to obtain more challenging work. These results support previous findings and also suggest that research criteria for smaller companies should include characteristics associated with the effects of different organizational size. The implications for managers suggest that the particular demands of those with a small-organization rather than a large-organization mentality need to be taken into account. >


Rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare-associated costs. In this study, a novel assay based on bacterial cell elongation after exposure to an antibiotic (ceftazidime) was evaluated for its ability to rapidly detect resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. The assay was used to detect resistance in a large collection of strains containing 320 clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii, 171 clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 212 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the results were compared to those obtained using standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods. The assay identified ceftazidime-resistant strains with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for A. baumannii, 100% sensitivity and 97.2% specificity for K. pneumoniae, and with 82.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity for P. aeruginosa. Importantly, results were obtained in 1 hour 15 minutes from exponentially growing cultures. This study demonstrates that changes in cell length are highly correlated with phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility determined using standard susceptibility testing methods. This study therefore provides proof-of-concept that changes in cell morphology can be used as the basis for rapid detection of antibiotic resistance and provides the basis for the development of novel rapid diagnostics for the detection of antibiotic resistance.


Background Antibodies might protect against low doses of environmental carcinogens by decreasing systemic uptake, activation of metabolic pathways, and redistribution of carcinogens within the organism. The features of antibody formation in relation to environmental carcinogens and sex steroids under natural conditions should be determined to identify breast cancer risk, then to develop cancer immune prevention strategies. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate antibodies specifications to benzo(a)pyrene, estradiol and progesterone in postmenopausal women with invasive breast cancer. Patients and Methods A semi-quantitative non-competitive immunoassay of IgG antibodies to benzo(a)pyrene (IgG-Bp), estradiol (IgG-Es), and progesterone (IgG-Pg) has conducted. The assay has performed on 322 serum samples from patients with breast cancer and 179 serum samples from healthy postmenopausal women by using low-molecular-weight Bp, Es, and Pg conjugated with bovine serum albumin. ROC analysis has also conducted to determine the odds ratio (OR). Results Combination of the high levels of IgG-Bp and IgG-Es without IpG-Pg was more frequent in breast cancer patients than that in healthy women, and the OR has increased to 3.8. Combination of the high levels of IgG-Pg with high levels of both IgG-Bp and IgG-Es were significantly more frequent in breast cancer patients (36.9%) than that in healthy women (5.6%), and the OR increased to 11.7. These differences have peculiarly expressed in breast cancer patients with hormone status ER+/PR- (OR = 26.7). The minimum OR (0.4) has obtained at low levels of the three antibodies. Conclusions Immunoassay of antibodies against environmental carcinogens and sex steroid hormones could use to detect breast cancer risk. Induction of antibodies against Bp for cancer immunoprevention could lead to antibody formation against steroid hormones, thereby increasing breast cancer risk.


A novel composite material based on mixture of samarium-doped ceria (SDC)-carbonate was studied as electrolyte in low temperature solid oxide fuel cells.The phase and microstructures of composite electrolyte were examined by XRD and SEM.The electrical conductivity was investigated by AC impedance spectroscopy at 400-700℃in different atmospheres.An abrupt change in the con- ductivity at about 500℃indicates that different mechanisms affect transfer in different temperature ranges.The conductivity increases with the carbonate fraction above 500℃.The conductivity in reduce atmosphere is higher than that in oxide atmosphere.An anode-supported fuel cell using SDC-carbonate as electrolyte was fabricated and tested.The result shows that all the composite electrolytes exhibit better performance than pure SDC electrolyte.The electrolyte with 20wt% carbonate can achieve the highest power density of 415mW·cm~(-2) and an open circuit voltage of 1.00V at 500℃.


THE AIM OF THE STUDY
was an assesment the impact of weight loss in patients undergoing gastric by-pass surgery on an aggressive behavior affecting the satisfaction with the connubial or cohabitation relationship

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study included a total number of 100 people (50 people with morbid obesity underwent gastric-bypass surgery and their male or female partners). The study was conducted by using two questionnaires: the Psychological Inventory of Aggression Syndrome-1 authorship by Z.B. Gaś as well as Extinguishes and the Chosen Marriage Questionnaire-2 developed by M. Plop and J. Rostowski

RESULTS
The analysis of the results showed the influence of the weight loss on the aggressive behaviour at the examined group. Important differences were shown in the first phase of the examination among the examined group and the control group on scales: emotional self-aggression, the hostility towards surroundings and directed outside aggression. Regression analysis showed a statistical relationship between outward aggression and disappointment, 0.346 p<0.01, intimacy 0.943 p<0.01, and the result of general satisfaction with the relationship 0.832 p<0.05.While self-realization is negatively correlated with a displaced aggression -0.342 p<0.01 and the intermediate one -0.225 p<0.01. Hostility towards the environment correlates positively with intimacy 0.326 p<0.01. Indirect aggression correlates negatively with a disappointment -0.324 for p <0.05. Important differences were shown in the second stage of the examination among groups examined on the scale inspection of the aggressive behaviour. Substantial results weren't demonstrated on scales: emotional self-aggression, hostility towards the environment and directed outside aggression In the regression analysis we received a statistically significant result: controlling an aggressive behavior correlates negatively with disappointment -0, 355 p <0,01. However, no statistically significant results were received from the partners of obese people.

CONCLUSIONS
Weight loss after gastric-by-pass surgery has the significant impact on the rarer occurrence of an aggressive behavior, which improving the quality of the connubial or cohabitation relationship.


Samples of undoped GaAs‐ and Si‐doped GaAs were oxidized at different oxidation temperatures, for different durations. Three different experimental techniques that complete each other were used: Raman scattering, Auger electron spectroscopy, and the ellipsometry technique. The growth of crystalline arsenic layer takes place after oxidation during 10 h, 45 min, and 5 min at temperatures of 400, 500, and 600 °C, respectively. The oxide layer is formed as a result of three competing processes: diffusion in accordance with Fick's law, diffusion with larger diffusion coefficient through the oxide layer, and stopping of diffusion by the crystalline arsenic layer that grows at the GaAs/oxide interface. The effect of Si doping on the oxidation process of GaAs is to impede the crystallization of the arsenic layer, to diminish the diffusion coefficient in the course of the initial stages of the reaction between the oxygen and GaAs, and to cause a small rise in the activation energy.


The synthesis of a control algorithm that stirs a nonlinear system to a given manifold and keeps it within this constraint is considered. Usually, what is called sliding mode is employed in such synthesis. This sliding mode is characterized, in practice, by a high-frequency switching of the control. It turns out that the deviation of the system from its prescribed constraints (sliding accuracy) is proportional to the switching time delay. A new class of sliding modes and algorithms is presented and the concept of sliding mode order is introduced. These algorithms feature a bounded control continuously depending on time, with discontinuities only in the control derivative. It is also shown that the sliding accuracy is proportional to the square of the switching time delay.


Thermal vacuum test should be performed prior to launch to verify satellites' functionality in a harsh space environment which is represented by extremely cold temperatures and vacuum conditions. A thermal vacuum chamber which consists of a vacuum vessel, a pumping system, and a thermal control system are used to perform thermal vacuum tests of a satellite system and its components. A cryogenic blower is a core component of the closed loop thermal control system for thermal vacuum chambers. This paper describes the fan design of the cryogenic blower, the design of the thermal protection interface between the driving part and the fluid part, which were verified by thermal and structural analyses. The performance of the cryogenic blower is confirmed by similarity test on the test bench.


Notes that contemporary caregivers minister in a situation characterized not only by cultural pessimism, but also by the decline of Christian pastoral theology. Argues that the current renewal in theology, which involves a shift to nonfoundationalism, holds promise for a corresponding renewal in pastoral theology that could lead to a retrieval of the unique grammar of the Christian practitioner; namely, the language of hope. Opines that nonfoundationalist Christian pastoral theology would set forth a hope that is particular, eschatological, and pessimistic in contrast to the foundationalist hope with its focus on the hopeful human person, a hope that is directed beyond the human toward the God of the Bible who promises life from the dead.


In this paper I offer a novel interpretation of the challenges posed by 'constitutional drift'—the tendency for de facto political procedures to alter when these procedures no longer are incentive-compatible for those wielding political power—for sound governance institutions, with special reference to the American republic. While it is widely recognized that various watershed political events, most obviously the New Deal, have upended American constitutional arrangements, what is less obvious is how the new constitutional order presents severe difficulties for discovering which political projects, out of the limitless number which are technically feasible, are truly in the interests of both governors and governed. These difficulties, incorrectly identified as problematic only for adherents of conservatism or classical liberalism, in fact exist for a wide range of political philosophies. Drawing on insights from constitutional political economy and market process economics, I discuss possibilities for escaping the accompanying tragedy of the political commons JEL Codes: H11, H40, H77, P14, P16


This review of the literature on community and distributed leadership marks out the potential for a more context‐rich understanding of the nature of leadership. We begin by reviewing the literature on distributed leadership, noting a shift from cliched ideals to more structured frameworks. We then highlight the need to further contextualize notions of distributed leadership before going on to identify a number of concepts relating to community that are useful for theoretical reflection, research and practice. These concepts are symbolism, a sense of belonging, a sense of community, individualism, values and ethics, language, dialect and discourse, liminality and friendship. We also develop a discussion around postmodern views of community and the importance of recognizing multiple belonging and multiple identities. From the review we develop areas of reflection for theory, research and practice regarding distributed leadership and the concept of community. We highlight practical implications from the review by discussing the importance of taking these ideas into consideration in management and leadership development initiatives and in managerial practice in general.


This thesis concerns M-finite groups and a notion of discrete measure in models of Peano Arithmetic. First we look at a measure construction for arbitrary non-M-finite sets via suprema and infima of appropriate M-finite sets. The basic properties of the measures are covered, along with non-measurable sets and the use of end-extensions. Next we look at nonstandard finite permutations, introducing nonstandard symmetric and alternating groups. We show that the standard cut being strong is necessary and sufficient for coding of the cycle shape in the standard system to be equivalent to the cycle being contained within the external normal closure of the nonstandard symmetric group. Subsequently the normal subgroup structure of nonstandard symmetric and alternating groups is given as a result analogous to the result of Baer, Schreier and Ulam for infinite symmetric groups. The external structure of nonstandard cyclic groups of prime order is identified as that of infinite dimensional rational vector spaces and the normal subgroup structure of nonstandard projective special linear groups is given for models elementarily extending the standard model. Finally we discuss some applications of our measure to nonstandard finite groups.


Abstract Proximate to nuclear power plant severe accidents, sustained high levels of gamma radiative flux are perilous not only to human health but also to the functionality of conventional radiation-monitoring devices. Effective accident mitigation presents a significant challenge because the gamma radiation adversely affects the means by which it is measured. Deployments of large numbers of radiation-hardened monitoring devices, required to meet the demands of adequate system reliability and the large spatiotemporal scales associated with such accidents, are expected to be prohibitively expensive. As an affordable alternative, this paper proposes usage of a wireless sensor network (WSN) built with unshielded low-cost integrated circuits (ICs) acting as consumable proportional sensors of gamma radiation dose. Adverse responses of ICs to damaging gamma radiation dose can be characterized statistically, in controlled laboratory experiments. In subsequent field application, responses of individual ICs, transmitted over a WSN to a remote computer, can be translated into local dose measurements using correlations obtained via the laboratory characterization. Experiments to characterize adverse response to radiation dose were performed on multiple complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor–based electrically erasable programmable read-only memory devices in a Gammacell 220 Cobalt-60 Irradiation Unit (60Co source) at the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Details of the experiments, data analyses, and a small-scale prototype WSN are discussed in this paper. Outcomes of the experiments a nd analysis support the concept of using low-cost consumable ICs in a WSN to measure high levels of gamma radiation dose associated with nuclear power plant severe accidents.


The safety relevant components of nuclear power plant Neckarwestheim 1 — in service since 1976 — have been reviewed and updated for long-term operation (LTO). The actions included hardware retrofits as well as updates of analysis according to the latest state of the scientific and technical knowledge. For large piping such as the steam lines, the established pipes have been retained while the supports have been optimized. All shock absorbers (snubbers) including corresponding inertia have been eliminated resulting in a defined guidance and statically defined displacements.The integrity analyses for the optimized steam lines, including break preclusion, have been validated successfully with comprehensive measurements. The verification has delivered an extra high level of credibility, exceeding the "standard" requirements to achieve fitness for service in long-term operation.Measurement and validation, which are the main focus of this paper, range from monitoring of service loads to the static and dynamic measurements of pressure, local temperatures and displacements during initial start-up after implementation of the design modifications. The proper function of supports has been proved and the quality of the simulation models has been confirmed.Some expected and some unexpected dynamic events have been detected during blow-down tests. It was demonstrated that the amplitudes of all dynamic loads stay within limits.The validation of analyses with comprehensive measurement has been an important proof of quality and delivered the redundancy required for the integrity of a nuclear power plant in service, enhancing the high level of safety even more.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


Common-mode voltage (CMV) in voltage-source inverters (VSIs) has been well defined and is frequently referred to in the literature. While often referred to, there is no real consistency with respect to how the CMV properties of an individual modulation scheme are evaluated, lacking tools to assess the relative merits or disadvantages of a certain topology or modification of a control scheme. The way that it is analyzed is still mostly a matter of the different authors' foci. In this paper, we propose a metric for the analysis of the CMV, aiming to fill the aforementioned gap. Thereby, the CMV in VSIs is quantified by the number of possible levels and the step sizes between different levels, as well as the respective frequencies of occurrence. The first two are given by the number of levels and the number of phases of the inverter. Depending on the modulation (control) schemes, all possibly available levels or a few of these levels are present in the CMV. We illustrate the use of the tool by applying it to thoroughly study the CMV properties intrinsic to the topologies of multilevel multiphase single- as well as double-ended diode-clamped VSI drive systems. As part of this analysis, we uncover new relationships concerning the existence of zero CMV level. Furthermore, we exemplarily apply the developed tool to the assessment of the CMV properties of selected pulse width modulation (PWM) control schemes and translate the findings into an interpretation of the endangerment of a given drive to suffer damage from inverter-induced bearing currents. The theoretical findings are supported by measurements. This paper also reviews the literature on CMV in multilevel multiphase VSI systems. With the proposed metric in mind, the CMV being mostly discussed as an element of different foci becomes even clearer, confirming again the need for the development of such a tool.


ABSTRACT A description of the microstructure of interpersonal processes is developed, based on the analysis of interaction as a succession of reflexive triadic units. This account can be modified in some aspects so as to provide a detailed theory of the process of dementia care. The theory is particularly relevant to moderate and severe dementia, and to formal care settings. A key concept is that of facilitation. The idea of a 'culture of dementia' is explored. Cautiously optimistic conclusions are reached about the possibilities for enabling dementia sufferers to remain in a state of relative well-being.


SETTING
St John's District, Grand Bassa County, Liberia.

OBJECTIVES
In households with children aged <5 years, to examine the coverage and use of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs), factors associated with non-use and the characteristics and conditions of bed nets.

DESIGN
Cross-sectional study involving interviews with mothers and visual inspection of LLINs.

RESULTS
Of 663 households visited, 492 (74%) had no LLIN and 135 (20%) had one LLIN. Of 171 households with LLINs, these were consistently used by 73 (43%) children. The main reasons for inconsistent use included LLINs being old or damaged, and LLINs generating too much heat for 20-30% of children. Visual inspection of LLINs in 130 households showed that 98% of LLINs were white, 20% were not hung above the child's sleeping place, 30% had holes, 84% were double-bed sized and 82% had been washed in the previous 6 months.

CONCLUSION
Despite reports of 100% LLIN coverage in St John's District, this study showed that only a quarter of households had an LLIN, over half of the children used LLINs inconsistently and the LLINs had several deficiencies. More surveys should be conducted to determine the true coverage of LLINs in Liberia, and measures must be taken to improve the use of LLINs.


The study focuses on the effectiveness of savings on loan delivery to SACCOS members at workplaces using four selected SACCOS in Shinyanga region. Various methods were used for data collection such as questionnaires, interviews and documentary review. The study has revealed that generally there is a positive relationship between savings and loans issued to members. Nevertheless, all the four studied SACCOS are faced by a challenge of none adherence to rules and policies set out for the best running of cooperative societies' activities including that of loan delivery to members. Study recommends training members on the Cooperative Societies Rules and other SACCOS operating policies to enable them know their responsibilities and rights in SACCOS. The Cooperative Societies Rules should be reviewed to accommodate issues addressed as challenges in loan delivery to SACCOS members at workplaces.


Background: Oral candidiasis is a common opportunistic infection of the oral cavity caused by an overgrowth of the Candida species, in particular, Candida albicans. The incidence varies depending on age and certain predisposing factors. In the practice of dentistry, doctor-patient communication is an important component. Effective communication between doctor and patient is needed to convey information and educate patients so that treatment can be administered appropriately. Purpose: This case aimed to discuss the clinical appearance of acute pseudomembranous candidiasis (APC) in children and the importance of good communication, information and education of patients. Case: A five-year-old male patient came with his mother on November 6, 2020 complaining of white deposits on the mucosa of the upper and lower lips that had been present for a week. Case management: The diagnosis was defined as a typical APC lesion although the potassium hydroxide (KOH) test showed negative results. Characteristic lesions found in APC are often seen clearly in some cases and treatment can begin immediately. Patients receive the empirical therapy, Nystatin oral suspension 100.000 i.u, and the patient is instructed to maintain optimal oral hygiene care, maintain nutrient intake and book a follow-up consultation. Conclusion: Mistakes in patient preparation procedures in taking supporting examinations will result in false negative/positive results, so communication and education information regarding the preparation of supporting examinations for patients is important to note.


Software attestation seeks to verify the authenticity of a system without the aid of trusted hardware, and has important applications in the field of security. Such attestation schemes are of particular interest in the embedded domain, where simplicity and limited resources constrain more complex security solutions. At the same time, these properties enable attestation approaches that rely on predictable side-effects. Most software attestation schemes aim to verify the integrity of memory using a combination of cryptographic schemes, internal side-effects like TLB misses, and known timing constraints. However, little attention has been paid to leveraging non-traditional side-effects, in particular, externally observable side-effects such as power consumption. In this paper we introduce a method for software attestation using power consumption as the side-effect. We show how to circumvent the undecidable nature of program execution for this purpose and present a static compiler transformation which implements the technique. Our approach is less intrusive than traditional software attestation because the system does not require interruption to compute a cryptographic checksum. It is particularly well suited to real-time systems where consistent timing is more important than speed.


The first translators of the Bible had to start their work before the standardisation of Afrikaans. This article firstly explores the difficulties encountered by the Bible translators in breaking with the language of the Statenbijbel. Secondly, it is indicated how translators were able to utilise the insights of linguists and language practitioners who were in the process of standardising the Afrikaans language. The article explores difficulties encountered by the 1933 translators regarding vocabulary, pronouns, verbs and adjectives. From the translations it is clear that by 1922 the Afrikaans is/was/wees already fell into disuse regarding verbs referring to movement and the changing of state. Not one of the translators considered the imperfect seriously; only in the 1933 translation was the historical present tense used in a stylistically satisfactory manner. The plurals of adjectives in a substantive function, and the negative imperative, were not used consistently in the 1933 translation. Article text in Afrikaans.


The flow field inside a seven cavity labyrinth seal with a 0.00127 m clearance was measured using a 3-D laser Doppler anemometer system. Through the use of this system, the mean velocity vector and the entire Reynolds stress tensor distributions were measured for the first, third, fifth, and seventh cavities of the seal. There was one large recirculation region present in the cavity for the flow condition tested, Re = 28,000 and Ta = 7,000. The axial and radial mean velocities as well as all of the Reynolds stress term became cavity independent by the third cavity. The azimuthal mean velocity varied from cavity to cavity with its magnitude increasing as the flow progressed downstream.


Background Early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and precancerous lesion is vitally important for mitigating CRC morbidity and mortality. Aberrant DNA methylations in certain promoter regions have been identified to be closely associated with CRC development and progression, suggesting their potential as diagnostic biomarkers for early detection. In this study, we evaluated the performance of methylated CLIP4 in stool specimens as a potential biomarker for CRC detection. Methods A total of 321 subjects out of 365 enrolled participants were included in the final analysis, including 154 CRC patients, 23 advanced adenoma (AA) patients, 49 small polyp (SP) patients, and 95 healthy controls. CLIP4 methylation level was examined by qPCR with bisulfite converted DNA purified from approximately 5 g stool specimen. Results Methylated CLIP4 test showed high sensitivities of 78.3% (95% CI: 55.8%–91.7%) and 90.3% (95% CI: 84.2%–94.3%) for detecting AA and CRC, respectively, with a specificity of 88.4% (95% CI: 79.8%–93.8%). CLIP4 methylation level discriminated AA and CRC patients from control subjects with area under the curve values of 0.892 (95% CI: 0.795–0.988) and 0.961 (95% CI: 0.938–0.983). Further analysis indicated no significant difference in sensitivities among different ages, genders, stages, locations, sides, tumor sizes and differentiation statuses. Conclusions Methylated CLIP4 showed a strong potential as a noninvasive biomarker for early CRC detection.


In this paper, an application method of association rule mining algorithm based on 5G technology in information management system is proposed to solve the problems of long running time and low processing efficiency in traditional financial information processing system. The association rule mining algorithm's employment in information management systems is the main topic of this research study, which is based on 5G technology. The efficiency and efficacy of information management systems have a lot of room to grow with the introduction of 5G. Large datasets may be mined for patterns and associations using the potent approach known as association rule mining. We want to improve the performance of information management systems by fusing association rule mining with the capabilities of 5G technology. The experimental findings indicate that in the first group of trials, the traditional system's time for information mining is identical to that of the developed system, which is around one minute. The typical system's time to mine financial information, however, steadily grows with the amount of experimental data. The difference between the two is most obvious in the sixth experiment. Because the design system can delve deeply into the financial information, the overall information mining time of the financial information management system based on the association rule mining algorithm of the design is shorter. It is confirmed that the system for automatically processing financial information described in this study has a high level of processing accuracy and a positive processing outcome.


The pilot melds quality improvement, coordinated care management, and patient educational services into primary care practices. The program is aimed at lowering overall costs for employers and absenteeism. It is an opt-out program.


In this paper, we investigate the effect of a learning rate for the mean in Evolution Strategies with recombination. We study the effect of a half-line search after the mean shift direction is established, hence the learning rate value is conditioned to the direction. We prove convergence and study convergence rates in different dimensions and for different population sizes on the sphere function with the step-size proportional to the distance to the optimum. We empirically find that a perfect half-line search increases the maximal convergence rate on the sphere function by up to about 70%, assuming the line search imposes no additional costs. The speedup becomes less pronounced with increasing dimension. The line search reduces---however does not eliminate---the dependency of the convergence rate on the step-size. The optimal step-size assumes considerably smaller values with line search, which is consistent with previous results for different learning rate settings. The step-size difference is more pronounced in larger dimension and with larger population size, thereby diminishing an important advantage of a large population.


The purpose of this paper is to analyze the unexplained wealth inside the corporation and to initiate and apply unexplained wealth order in the Indonesian corporation based on the Indonesian legal system and prevailing laws. An effective tool needs to be implemented because of the facts that numerous corporate illegal activities lead to economic and financial crime. Meanwhile, there are difficulties to implement the corporate criminal liability. Non-conviction-based asset forfeiture will be a way out to deal with the current condition.,This paper explores and analyzes the Indonesian legal system, particularly a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture for corporate illegal activities. This paper is based on the research paper conducted with the legal normative approach.,Non-conviction-based asset forfeiture through unexplained wealth order will be an effective tool and a revolutionary pattern in the crime prevention perspective dealing with corporate crime. Corporate criminal liability in anti-corruption regime can be viewed from two perspectives by combining and integrating crime prevention approach as well as the repressive approach. The Indonesian Supreme Court Regulation number 13 of 2016 is a breakthrough in the criminal justice system to redesign case handling procedure toward corporate crime. It needs to be supported by precise asset forfeiture law. Furthermore it is necessity to strengthening and built corporations with moral and ethical business values.,This paper can be a source to explore the unexplained wealth that can occur in the corporation and the way to overcome it through unexplained wealth order and non-conviction-based asset forfeiture.,This paper contributes by initiating a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture, which is implementing the in rem proceeding, to make sure the crime does not pay and the victim and society suffer less because of the corporate crime.


Personally constructed teaching metaphors have been successful in initiating and sustaining change in practice for both experienced and pre-service teachers. Yet few studies have focussed on the teaching metaphors used by beginning teachers in their first year of teaching. In this chapter we feature narrative accounts by three beginning science teachers of their lived experiences as first-year teachers. In particular, we consider their evolving use of metaphor (and analogy) in their teaching and the corresponding shifts in their teaching metaphors.


Recent advances in genomics and related technologies have the potential to improve health care throughout the world. In this cross-sectional study, we examine genetics education, knowledge, and genetics-related experiences among the nurses and physicians who provide primary care in a Brazilian city. Fifty-four healthcare professionals from family health units participated in the study (response rate: 90%). Data were collected using a structured 36-item questionnaire divided into five axes: sociodemographic data and academic background; genetics education; genetics knowledge; genetics-related experiences in family practice; and knowledge regarding the National Policy for Comprehensive Care in Clinical Genetics in the Unified Health System. Although most participants (85.2%) acknowledged receiving some genetic content during their undergraduate education, the majority (77.8%) advised that they did not feel prepared to deliver genomics-based health care in primary care. The results suggest that nurses and physicians often lack the knowledge to provide genomics-based health care in primary care. Therefore, continuing education in genetics/genomics should be provided to primary healthcare professionals in order to enhance family practice and compliance with national policies.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to complement existing research of the relationship between concentrated ownership and firm performance by theoretically exploring the impact of outside blockholders on the firm, primarily from the perspective of voting power.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes theoretical propositions based on analyses and logical extension of results of the existing theoretical and empirical studies.

Findings

This paper proposes three theoretical predictions: First, voting power provides outside blockholders a necessary condition to pursue shared and private benefits of control, and it is positively correlated with blockholders' capability of influencing firm value. Second, everything else being equal, an outside blockholder is more (less) likely to pursue private benefits than shared benefits when the equity market is efficient and when the blockholder's voting power is less (more) than 50 per cent. Third, controlling outside blockholders can capitalize on their voting power to appoint managerial delegates and board representatives to the invested firms for the purpose of pursuing private benefits of control.

Originality/value

This paper tries to make two contributions to the corporate governance literature. First, this research relies on a new perspective to explore the relationship between ownership structure and firm value. Second, this paper presents the first theoretical argument which states that controlling outside blockholders rely on their managerial delegates and board representatives to pursue their private benefits of control.


Governments at all levels in the United States are rocked by budget shortfalls, lack of direction, unprecedented public frustration and anger. A few state and local governments are developing innovative and effective solutions that confront complex policy issues from radically new angles, often at minimal or no cost to the taxpayers. Presented here are 25 programs dealing with some of the most vexing dilemmas facing government: education, health care, drug abuse, the environment, housing, and economic development. The profiles are written not only from the perspective of the program administrators but also the people who benefit from them. Each of the five sections opens with a brief overview of the issues, identifying problems and key issues. A summary chapter examines such issues as program management, content, organization, and funding. Programs were selected from among those described in applications for Ford Foundation Innovation Awards from 1986 to 1992.


Totally 4 479 malaria cases were reported through the annual reporting system from 782 counties of 27 Provinces/ Municipalities/Autonomous Regions (P/M/A) in 2011, this created a new-low number representing 43.0% reduction compared with 7 855 cases in 2010, and accordingly the annual incidence was reduced to 0.033 4/10 000. However, the number of malaria deaths increased to 33 from 19 in 2010. Among the 782 counties with reported cases, 2 counties of Motuo (16.466 0/10 000) in Tibet and Ruili (12.235 2/ 10000) in Yunnan had an incidence of more than 10/10 000, 10 counties in Yunnan and 1 county in Guizhou had an incidence between 1/10 000 and 10/10 000, and that of the others was below 1/10 000. The malaria areas and transmission got further confined than in 2010. Out of the 4 479 malaria cases, a proportion of 29.3% was reported as the indigenous cases who mainly distributed in the provinces of Anhui (40.0%), Yunnan (25.8%), Henan (12.6%), Guizhou (10.4%) and Hubei (6.1%), a proportion of 66.4% was reported as the abroad-imported cases who mainly distributed in Yunnan (36.5%), Jiangsu (12.0%), Henan (6.2%), Sichuan (5.8%) and Hunan (4.8%), and the remaining 4.3% were domestically-mobile cases. Meanwhile, the confirmed cases took 81.7% while the other 18.3% were clinically diagnosed cases. Among the confirmed cases, 56.7% were Plasmodium vivax cases reported from 25 provinces, 40.2% were P. falciparum cases reported from 22 provinces, 1.1% were mixed infections of P. vivas and P. falciparum reported from 10 provinces, and the remaining 1.9% were P. malariae or P. ovale cases reported from 14 provinces. The 32 indigenous falciparum malaria cases were found only in Yunnan Province. Yunnan was still the major malaria province which ranked No.1 in the country in terms of the case number, 1 522 cases representing 42.4% decrease of the last year with an incidence of 0.331 4/10 000. Among the cases, 301 were falciparum malaria accounting for 20.3% of the national falciparum malaria figure. As previous key malaria province however, Hainan reported only 9 malaria cases indicating 88.5% decrease of the last year with an incidence of 0.010 4/ 10 000, and ranked down to No. 25. In central China, another major malaria region, the case number decreased considerably. However, Anhui still reported 644 malaria cases though with a decrease of 65.5% in comparison to that of 2010, ranked No. 2, accounting for 14.4% of the country's malaria cases with an incidence of 0.100 0/10 000. In Jiangsu, 374 cases were reported and decreased by 3.1% with an incidence of 0.050 8/10 000. In Henan, the number of reported cases was 358 and decreased by 59.9% with an incidence of 0.038 7/10 000. In Hubei, 167 malaria cases were reported and decreased by 61.1% with an incidence of 0.027 7/10 000. Cases reported from other provinces occupied 31.4% of the total. Respectively from Guizhou, Sichuan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hunan and Shandong provinces, 100-200 malaria cases were reported; and the number of cases was less than 100 in the provinces of Fujian, Chongqing, Shanghai, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Xinjiang, Ningxia, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Gansu and Tibet. Although a delightful progress was made with a substantial reduction of malaria transmission, China had to face the following challenges relating to malaria endemic situation: 1) Malaria cases appeared in almost one thousand counties in most provinces and nearly 200 counties reported indigenous cases. In some counties the transmission is still high, and it is still critical for the provinces of Anhui, Yunnan, Henan, Guizhou, Hubei and Tibet to interrupt the local malaria transmission. 2) Imported malaria cases were dominant and widely distributed in the country including the 4 plasmodium species, this could bring about high risks of re-introduction of malaria transmission in areas where malaria was effectively under control, particularly could cause more malaria deaths in the circumstances of increased imported falciparum malaria cases, therefore provinces with more mobile population and imported cases need to pay higher attention. 3) A number of clinically diagnosed but unconfirmed cases still exist in malaria elimination stage which need to be addressed through strengthening local laboratory diagnosis capabilities.


The oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Therefore, probes for detection of oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) in atherosclerotic plaques and plasma are expected to be useful for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Recently, we found that four fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled heptapeptides (Lys-Trp-Tyr-Lys-Asp-Gly-Asp, KP6)-(FITC)KP6 and (FITC-AC)KP6- and then substitution with D-Lys at the N-terminus-(FITC)dKP6 and (FITC-AC)dKP6- bind with high specificity and high affinity to two oxidized forms of LDL, heavily oxidized LDL and minimally modified LDL (MM-LDL), through binding to lysophosphatidylcholine and oxidized phosphatidylcholine, present abundantly in heavily oxidized LDL and MM-LDL. Moreover, (FITC)dKP6 and (FITC-AC)dKP6 were more stable than (FITC)KP6 and (FITC-AC)KP6 in plasma in vitro. (FITC)KP6 could detect foam cells in atherosclerotic aortic plaques of apoE-knockout mice. These results suggest that four fluorescence-labeled heptapeptides could be efficient fluorescent probes for the specific detection of ox-LDL, and can therefore contribute to the identification, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of atherosclerosis.


Emergency spending is often exempt from campaign period restrictions and procurement guidelines, making it attractive for opportunistic politicians, but natural disasters are seen as outside political business cycles. However, droughts are frequent but challenging to measure, so politicians can leverage discretion for electoral gain. This paper analyzes electoral cycles, term limits, and partisan targeting around municipal drought declaration in Northeast Brazil. Two sources of exogeneity (rainfall shocks, electoral calendar) isolate the effect of non-climatic factors on drought declarations. I find that drought declarations, which trigger relief, are more likely in mayoral election years. Incumbents are more likely to win re-election if they declare a drought in the election year, during below or even above average rainfall. The results are consistent with interviews suggesting voters reward competent mayors and mayors trade relief for votes. This study highlights the interaction between distributive and environmental politics, which has increasing consequences due to climate change.


The introduction of RbF into the Mg(NH2)2-2 LiH system significantly decreased its (de-)hydrogenation temperatures and enhanced its hydrogen-storage kinetics. The Mg(NH2)2-2 LiH-0.08 RbF composite exhibits the optimal hydrogen-storage properties as it could reversibly store approximately 4.76 wt % hydrogen through a two-stage reaction with the onset temperatures of 80 °C for dehydrogenation and 55 °C for hydrogenation. At 130 °C, approximately 70 % of hydrogen was rapidly released from the 0.08 RbF-doped sample within 180 min, and the fully dehydrogenated sample could absorb approximately 4.8 wt % of hydrogen at 120 °C. Structural analyses revealed that RbF reacted readily with LiH to convert to RbH and LiF owing to the favorable thermodynamics during ball-milling. The newly generated RbH participated in the following dehydrogenation reaction, consequently resulting in a decrease in the reaction enthalpy change and activation energy.


BackgroundMotivational interventions to improve health behaviors based on conventional cognitive and behavioral theories have been extensively studied; however, advances in neuroimaging technology make it possible to assess the neurophysiological basis of health behaviors, such as physical activity. The goals of this approach are to support new interventions to achieve optimal outcomes. ObjectivesThis study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess differences in brain responses in healthy weight to obese midlife women during a goal-directed decision task. MethodsThirty nondiabetic, midlife (age 47–55 years) women with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 18.5 to 40 kg/m2 were recruited. A descriptive, correlational design was used to assess the relationship between brain activations and weight status. Participants underwent a goal-directed behavior task in the fMRI scanner consisting of a learning and implementation phase. The task was designed to assess both goal-directed and habitual behaviors. One participant was omitted from the analysis because of excessive motion (>4 mm), and six were omitted because of fewer than 50% correct responses on the exit survey. Four participants developed claustrophobia in the scanner and were disqualified from further participation. The remaining 19 participants were included in the final analysis. ResultsBrain responses while participants learned goal-directed behavior showed a positive correlation with BMI in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and a negative correlation with BMI in the insula. During the implementation of goal-directed behavior, brain responses in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) negatively correlated with BMI. DiscussionThese results indicate that overweight women activate regions associated with cognitive control to a greater degree than healthy weight women during goal-directed learning. The brain regions activated (dmPFC, dlPFC, insula) are associated with cognitive control and self-regulation. On the other hand, healthy weight women activate regions associated with emotion processing, planning, and self-regulation (lateral orbitofrontal cortex, anterior insula) to a greater degree than overweight women during goal-directed learning and implementation of goal-directed behavior. Overweight women activate cognitive control regions while learning associations between actions and outcomes; however, this is not the case during the implementation phase—which may make it more difficult to transform goals into action (e.g., maintain physical activity over time). Overall, these results indicate that overweight midlife women respond differently during learning and implementation of actions that lead to positive outcomes during a general test of goal-directed behavior. Future study is needed to assess the transfer of goal-directed and habitual behavior to specific aspects of energy balance to improve health outcomes.


Using Self-Instructional Modules within the technical education can be an alternative approach and make significant contributions. Modules are not just "job sheets' or "old style work units" or "chapters of books" with questions added (Meyer, 1988). Module is a planned series of learning activities designed carefully to assist the learners to accomplish certain specific objectives (Abdul Razak, 2005; Muhamad Sam, 2005; Shaharom, 1994; Klingstedt, 1971). An attempt to develop and implement a modular approach on mind mapping techniques was made
in the secondary school. This paper will discuss various components of this modular approach by referring to Meyer Model. Fleiss's Kappa was used to determine the degree to which consensus agreement ratings vary from the rate expected by chance, with values greater than .60 indicating substantial non-chance agreement. Fleiss's Kappa for the inter-rater reliability score was κ = .7167, S.E. = .0990, 95% C.I. = .5226 to .9107, which can be taken to represent constant agreement among raters. Eight raters (content and design experts) used the instrument to rate the qualities of the module. Analysis of the raters showed an agreement on satisfactory level and above on all 34 items.


ABSTRACT Reproductive schedules are a critical aspect of life history intrinsically linked to a species' ecology. We explored dynamic trajectories of daily fecundity, egg size, and egg fertility in three size classes of Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville produced by varying larval access to food, eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller. Adult pairs were held with ad libitum food and eggs were collected daily, counted, and a subsample measured. Egg fertility declined steeply over 25 clutches in small females, gradually in large females, but remained relatively stable in medium females. In small females, egg size and daily fecundity declined in a linear manner. There was no clear indication of an egg size-number tradeoff. In medium females, both egg size and daily fecundity peaked around the 16th day of oviposition, after which both declined. Large females began oviposition earlier and achieved peak egg size about day 7, and peak fecundity around day 12. Large females thus expressed a larger proportion of their reproductive effort early in adult life, a strategy inferred to be adaptive in the context of aphidophagy; a larger proportion of progeny would develop early in the exponential growth phase of the prey population when food is most abundant. Increases in egg size during this period may improve the survival of later-developing progeny; prey become scarce as aphid outbreaks decline and competition intensifies, favoring offspring with a larger body size at eclosion. Larval diet restriction appeared to constrain these presumably adaptive changes in egg size and daily fecundity, largely through effects on maternal body size.


This paper proposes a novel density-based method for structural design considering restrictions of multiaxis machining processes. A new mathematical formulation based on Heaviside function is presented to transform the design field into a geometry which can be manufactured by multi-axis machining process. The formulation is developed for 5-axis machining, which can be also applied to 2.5D milling restriction. The filter techniques are incorporated to effectively control the minimum size of void region. The proposed method is demonstrated by solving the compliance minimization problem for different machinable freeform designs. The length to diameter (L:D) ratio geometric constraint is introduced to ensure the machinable design, where deep hole or narrow chamber features are avoided using proposed method. Several two and three-dimensional numerical examples are presented and discussed in detail.


Phytophthora root rot of Fraser fir caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi and several other Phytophthora spp. is a severe problem in Christmas tree production. Since fungicides are ineffective in disease control and host resistance is not yet available, cultural control methods are under investigation as a means of reducing disease pressure on infested production sites. Mulching systems with raised beds of pine bark, wood chips, or wood chips blended with compost were tested, along with compost or sulfur as soil amendments, at five sites spanning the western North Carolina growing region. Microbial populations and activity in soils and mulches were characterized over a two year period, using dilution plating with calculation of a log series diversity index for counts of bacteria, fungi, and cellulose-degrading micoorganisms, analysis of fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis for estimation of total microbial activity, and quantification of reducing sugars after incubation with carboxymethyl-cellulose for estimation of total cellulase enzyme activity. Bacterial and fungal counts, microbial activity, and cellulase activity were higher in mulch than in soil at all sites and times (P<0.01), and generally did not differ among mulch types nor among soils. Treatments significantly affected disease ratings and tree survival at three of five sites, with one or more mulch treatments yielding lower disease ratings and greater survival than controls. Tree mortality at each time point varied significantly with cellulase activity in the upper portion of the root zone (P=0.005). Other biological variables did not show significant relationship with disease ratings or mortality.
 To further investigate the role of cellulase enzymes in suppression of P. cinnamomi, a commercial formulation of cellulase was used to generate a standard curve which could be used to correlate cellulase activity levels in field samples with the enzyme unit concentrations commonly used in laboratory studies. Two isolates of P. cinnamomi were exposed to a range of enzyme concentrations, and data were collected on biomass and sporangia production. Cellulase exposure reduced sporangia production but did not reduce biomass within the range analogous to that observed in field-applied mulch. In a bioassay with lupine, cellulase applied to soil containing infested root fragments did not reduce disease progress.
Container trials were also used to assess the impacts of a wide range of organic and inorganic amendments on Phytophthora root rot in Fraser fir seedlings, and to examine the contributions of compost, microbial inoculants, and isolates of cellulytic fungi to disease suppression in wood chip mulches. In trials with wood chips blended into soil and trials with seedlings planted directly into wood chip mulch, seedling survival was greater when wood chips were amended with compost, a soil inoculant, or a biocontrol agent. If wood chips were amended with compost, the addition of a cellulytic fungus, including a known biocontrol agent, did not further enhance…