Background

Obesity is one of the most prominent public health challenges globally. Mutations in mitochondrial genes can similarly lead to the onset of childhood obesity remains unclear.

Methods

we conducted a clinical, genetic, and molecular profiling of a Han Chinese family with evident of matrilineally-inherited obesity. Obesity was evident in 2/6 matrilineal relatives in a single generation of this family (of 3 available generations). When the mitochondrial DNA of these individuals was sequences and a pedigree analysis was performed.

Results

We were able to identify a novel homoplasmic mutation of the mitochondrial tRNAGly gene (10029A>G) in these individuals. This mutation was linked to destabilization of a conserved base pair in the anticodon of this tRNA. This position (position 43) is known to be important for mediating effective codon recognition and tRNA stability. Consistent with the importance of this conserved site, we found that the predicted structure of a tRNAGly structure bearing a 10029A>G mutation was markedly altered in a molecular dynamics simulation relative to the wild-type isoform. All other mutations identified in the mtDNA of this individual were known variants associated with Asian haplogroup D4.

Conclusion

Our report provides novel evidence of a link between a tRNA mutation and an elevated risk of maternally-transmissible obesity risk, offering potentially novel insights into the underlying nature of obesity.


Asthma is a major noncommunicable disease (NCD), affecting both children and adults, and is the most common chronic disease among children. It is common in all ages and the prevalence is increasing in most countries, especially among children as because of urbanization. Multiple therapeutic modalities are available for management of acute asthma. The commonly used formulation is Racemic Salbutamol which contains equal amounts of both R and S isomers. Levosalbutamol contains only R isomer. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of levosalbutamol and racemic salbutamol for the treatment of acute exacerbation of asthma in children (5 to 15 years). A randomized double blind clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, Bangladesh from October 2013 to March 2014. In this study randomization was done in two groups. Group A received nebulized levosalbutamol (LEV) and Group B received nebulized racemic salbutamol (RAC). The study parameters were respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation in room air (SpO₂), PEFR, asthma score and serum K+ level. The results of treatment outcome were compared between two groups. After treatment the respiratory rate was 24.4±5.6 per minute versus 27.6±5.3 per minute (p<0.05); heart rate was 115.5±16.4 per minute versus 124.5±12.0 per minute (p<0.05); SpO₂ was 97.2±1.8% vs 95.0±1.6% (p<0.05); PEFR was found 159.6±30.7L/min versus 143.8±27.1L/min (p<0.05) in the LEV and RAC group respectively. LEV is more effective than RAC in respect to significant improvement of asthma score. Regarding adverse events racemic salbutamol causes significant tachycardia. The study concluded that nebulized levosalbutamol is superior to racemic salbutamol in children in the treatment of acute exacerbation of asthma.


Functional data analysis (FDA) and longitudinal data analysis (LDA) are the main approaches to analyze repeated measures data (in which multiple measurements are made on the same subject across time). Typically, FDA is applied when the data are dense, assumed to be observed in the continuum, and without noise. LDA is usually applied when data are sparse, possibly with different number of measurements across individuals, and subject to error.
In elite sport, the parameters of the training program (intensity, volume, frequency, distribution and duration of high-intensity, recovery, and competition periods) should be manipulated systematically to optimize performance and reduce the risk of injury. Sport training data are recorded densely over time. However, measurements, such as duration of follow-up or duration of the season, vary among subjects. Subject-specific variations may introduce substantial measurement error.
The statistical objectives of this study were the following:
- First, to review the literature on the most commonly used methods for clustering of time evolution curves with a publicly available R code.
- Second, to implement FDA and LDA methods presenting publicly available R code: k-means based on the standard Euclidian distance, a discrete Frechet distance, and a distance of functions; Gaussian mixture model - based clustering for standard, longitudinal and functional data; and latent class mixed models.
- Third, using data from a twenty - year longitudinal study of training practices of elite athletes, to perform a clustering analysis using relevant methods.
- Fourth, to compare the results and interpret them. Comparison criteria were mainly based on computational and practical aspects.
The practical goal of this project was to identify training profiles and to characterize them to provide relevant tools for supporting decision-making in monitoring athletes' training programs.


This study aimed to evaluate hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of Spirulina Platensis and its bioactive components (phycocyanin (PC), phycocyanopeptide (PCP) and phycocyanobilin (PCB)) on male diabetic Rats compared to controls and glibenclamide drug. For this reason, male Albino rats were equally divided into seven groups designated as normal control, diabetic control, diabetic + glibenclamide (Glyburide) drug (600 μg kg−1 body weight), diabetic + Spirulina biomass suspension (50 mg/ml/ kg −1 body weight), diabetic + phycocyanin (50 mg kg −1 body weight), diabetic + phycocyanopeptide (49 mg kg −1 body weight) and diabetic + phycocyanobilin (982 μg kg −1 body weight). The results show a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.05) level of fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance and lipids levels in diabetic animals administration with Spirulina Platensis, phycocyanin, phycocyanopeptide and phycocyanobilin compared with diabetic control. Also, there were an increase in HDL–cholesterol levels and β-cell function in these treatments. Histopathologically, diabetic rats treated with spirulina, PC, PCP induced a slight improve of pancreatic cells and an obvious recovery of pancreatic cells. The expression of insulin secretion from cells (β-cells) of diabetic rats was improved in the groups treated with Spirulina, phycocyanin, phycocyanopeptide. While, diabetic rats treated with phycocyanobilin recorded insulin levels lower than them. From this study it can be concluded that Spirulina Platensis, phycocyanin, phycocyanopeptide and phycocyanobilin possessed hypoglycemic, insulin sensitivity and hypolipidemic effects. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Spirulina Platensis may be attributed to phenolic compounds and phycocyanin. The antidiabetic effect of PC is most likely due to its ability to reduction of insulin resistance, enhance β-cell function and recovery of β-cells. The effect of PC may be attributed to selenium-binding phycocyanopeptide or/ and phycocyanobilin responsible for the antioxidant activity and chromium-binding phycocyanopeptide which activates insulin receptors.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether high-pass resolution perimetry detected glaucomatous visual field progression earlier than conventional perimetry.

METHODS
In a prospective longitudinal study, we observed 113 patients with open-angle glaucoma and with early to moderate visual field damage and 119 healthy control subjects. Each subject underwent testing at 6-month intervals using conventional and high-pass resolution perimetry (program 30-2 of the Humphrey Field Analyzer [Humphrey Instruments, Inc, San Leandro, Calif] and the Ring program of the Ophthimus perimeter [Hi-Tech Vision, Göteborg, Sweden], respectively). Our predetermined criterion for progression with conventional perimetry was the presence of at least 4 overlapping nonedge locations outside the fifth percentile for test-retest variability of threshold deviations (defined by the Glaucoma Change Probability Analysis of the Statpac 2 program) in 2 of 3 consecutive visual fields. We employed the identical criterion for progression with high-pass resolution perimetry using our own test-retest variability data. We repeated this procedure in the controls to measure the false-positive rate of progression.

RESULTS
Patients were observed for a median of 4.5 years and 11 examinations with each technique. Fifty-seven patients (50.4%) did not show progression with either technique. Twenty-four patients (21.2%) showed progression with high-pass resolution perimetry alone, whereas 6 (5.3%) showed progression with conventional perimetry alone. Of the remaining 26 patients (23.0%) who showed progression with both techniques, 14 (54%) showed progression with high-pass resolution perimetry first (median, 12 months earlier); 5 (19%), with conventional perimetry first (median, 6 months earlier); and 7 (27%), with both techniques at the same time. Controls were observed for a median of 5 years and 11 examinations with each technique. One control (0.8%) showed progression with high-pass resolution perimetry.

CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that high-pass resolution perimetry detects glaucomatous visual field progression earlier than conventional perimetry in most patients with progression.


The Goreme National Historical Park with its natural and cultural values is one of the distinguished potential areas where recreation and tourism activities can be carried out. This study has been undertaken with the aims of determining the recreational and tourism use value of Goreme Historical National Park with the contingent valuation method, examining effective factors of users' willingness to pay. After completing preliminary works to achieve the objectives, a survey was conducted in the Goreme Historical National Park. Then, the data was entered into the computer using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) 15.0 statistical program to create a database for the statistical analysis. After that, the recreational and tourism use values (willingness to pay) for the National Park were calculated by doing necessary statistical analysis for Contingent Valuation Methods. As a result of the study, according to survey results which conducted in Goreme Historical National Park, annual willingness to pay value for current situation $ 8.672.788 and according to survey results which conducted out of Goreme Historical National Park, annual willingness to pay value for current situation $ 7.347.404 were calculated by using Contingent Valuation Method.


A theoretical framework for solute flux through spatially nonstationary flows in porous media is presented. The flow nonstationarity may stem from medium nonstationarity (e.g., the presence of distinct geological layers, zones, or facies), finite domain boundaries, and/or fluid pumping and injecting. This work provides an approach for studying solute transport in multiscale media, where random heterogeneities exist at some small scale while deterministic geological structures and patterns can be prescribed at some larger scale. In such a flow field the solute flux depends on solute travel time and transverse displacement at a fixed control plane. The solute flux statistics (mean and variance) are derived using the Lagrangian framework and are expressed in terms of the probability density functions (PDFs) of the particle travel time and transverse displacement. These PDFs are given with the statistical moments derived based on nonstationary Eulerian velocity moments. The general approach is illustrated with some examples of conservative and reactive solute transport in stationary and nonstationary flow fields. It is found based on these examples that medium nonstationarities (or multiscale structures and heterogeneities) have a strong impact on predicting solute flux across a control plane and on the corresponding prediction uncertainty. In particular, the behavior of solute flux moments strongly depends on the configuration of nonstationary medium features and the source dimension and location. The developed nonstationary approach may result in non‐Gaussian (multiple modal) yet realistic behaviors for solute flux moments in the presence of flow nonstationarities, while these non‐Gaussian behaviors may not be reproduced with a traditional stationary approach.


The problem of learning the material geometrical properties particulary rectangular prisms and triangular prisms are: in the learning process, the teacher is not using a variety of methods such as focus group discussions were held infrequently. The results of studying the properties of rectangular and triangular prisms in fifth grade at elementary school with STAD in cycle I and II, which increased the average value obtained in the first cycle an average of 62.04 and the second cycle an average of 81, 04. Of the ability of teachers to design lessons from 75 % to 93%. Activities teachers from 57% to 91% increase. Student activity increased 68.75% from 87.51%. It can be concluded that the STAAD tpess can Abstract Based on the results of observations conducted by researchers in class IV SDI of Bukittinggi Community, it was seen that learning to reduce the disputed fractions was not the same, often dominated by teachers which caused students to be less active. Research procedures include: planning, implementation, observation and reflection. The approach in this study is a qualitative and quantitative approach. Research procedures include: planning, implementation, observation and reflection. The results of the research from each cycle carried out have increased. Seen in: a) Learning cycle I planning 75% while the second cycle 93%. b) Implementation of learning on researchers in cycle I 71% and cycle II 89%. Whereas for the first cycle students 57% and the second cycle 91%. c) Student learning outcomes cognitive aspects of cycle I 68.40 and cycle II 78.40, affective aspects of cycle I 62.04 and cycle II 81.04 and psychomotor aspects of cycle I 70.16 and cycle II 77.0.


ABSTRACT High-resolution digital topography is essential for land management and planning in any type of territory as well as the reproduction of the Earth surface in a geocoded digital format that allows several Digital Earth applications. In a volcanic environment, Digital Elevation Models are a valid reference for multi-temporal analyses aimed to observe frequent changes of a volcano edifice and for the relative detailed morphological and structural analyses. For the first time, a DTM (Digital Terrain Model) and a DSM (Digital Surface Model) covering the entire Mt. Etna volcano (Italy) derived from the same airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) are here presented. More than 250 million 3D LiDAR points have been processed to distinguish ground elements from natural and anthropic features. The end product is the highly accurate representation of Mt. Etna landscape (DSM) and ground topography (DTM) dated 2005. Both models have a high spatial resolution of 2 m and cover an area of 620 km2. The DTM has been validated by GPS ground control points. The vertical accuracy has been evaluated, resulting in a root-mean-square-error of ± 0.24 m. The DTM is available as electronic supplement and represents a valid support for various scientific studies.


Exporting is of great interest for SMEs in Jordan from both microeconomic and macroeconomic perspective. The objective of this study was to identify to what extent specific internal factors contribute to export success of SMEs in Jordan. This study hypothesized that export performance of SMEs is directly affected by three groups of internal factors. These include firm characteristics, managerial characteristics, and marketing strategy. A multiple case approach is used to conduct this research and a structured interview is developed to collect the data directly from the participants. A pattern matching approach was used to test the hypotheses. The results show that export performance is positively affected by firm characteristics, managerial characteristics, and marketing strategy. Additionally, the demographic characteristics of managers and adaptation of distribution channels are unlikely to have an influence on export performance. This was unexpected, because of the plenty of empirical evidences in the literature that support the impact of these variables on export success.


A new fuzzy neural network, termed FUZAMP, has been used to deal with situations where the available training data from a machine vision system includes uncertainty. It performs well when used to recognize different types of fuzzy objects presented at different locations and orientations in the camera field of view. FUZAMP has been implemented to correlate human evaluations with machine evaluations of the cleanliness of dishes. Results are compared to those obtained using the so-called fuzzy ARTMAP neural network, with FUZAMP achieving better accuracy than the fuzzy ARTMAP using the same training exemplars.


Usually visualization is applied to gain insight into data. Yet consuming the data in form of visual representation is not always enough. Instead, users need to edit the data, preferably through the same means used to visualize them. In this work, we present a semi‐automatic approach to visual editing of graphs. The key idea is to use an interactive EditLens that defines where an edit operation affects an already customized and established graph layout. Locally optimal node positions within the lens and edge routes to connected nodes are calculated according to different criteria. This spares the user much manual work, but still provides sufficient freedom to accommodate application‐dependent layout constraints. Our approach utilizes the advantages of multi‐touch gestures, and is also compatible with classic mouse and keyboard interaction. Preliminary user tests have been conducted with researchers from bio‐informatics who need to manually maintain a slowly, but constantly growing molecular network. As the user feedback indicates, our solution significantly improves the editing procedure applied so far.


A writing program was initiated for mechanical engineering undergraduate students. The program is part of a larger, university-wide effort called the Writing Enriched Curriculum (WEC) program. The purpose of WEC is for faculty, in a bottom-up process, to infuse disciplinespecific writing instruction into their curricula. The three-phase WEC process is (1) to develop a writing plan based on discipline-specific writing outcomes desired for graduating majors, (2) implement the plan and (2) assess the plan and revise based on the assessment. The plan for mechanical engineering defined nine attributes of mechanical engineering writing and 14 desired writing ability outcomes for graduating majors. Stakeholders agreed that problem sets were the number one form of writing for engineering students and that attention paid to writing a problem set would help students to learn the material. The plan was implemented by targeting three core courses for explicit writing instruction and raising the awareness of writing in other required courses in the program. Assessment is on-going and is tied to the ABET accreditation process.


The Laser Communications Lab (LCL) of the Wright Laboratory Avionics Directorate is heavily involved in designing optical communications systems to meet our current and future military communications requirements. Due to the reluctance of many DOD agencies to adopt laser communications because of the potential eye-safety hazards associated with lasers, work is being accomplished in the LCL to develop an eye-safe laser communications system which will be powerful enough to provide communications over an extended range. This paper summarizes a system which has been designed, built and tested in the LCL using a prototype one watt continuous wave, two micron wavelength, laser diode. Also summarized is the work accomplished using the Moderate Resolution Atmospheric Transmittance and Radiance Model, MODTRAN to choose the wavelength for the design.


Abstract Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rarely seen, life-threatening soft tissue infection characterized by progressive necrosis of skin, subcutaneous tissues and fasciae. Herein, we present a case of NF in a patient with bullous pemphigoid. A 78-year-old female patient was admitted with the left leg pain, swelling, redness and blistering. Streptococcus pyogenes was isolated from the wound culture. In the skin biopsy and the left leg magnetic resonance imaging, signs of NF were observed. The diagnosis of NF was considered. Then, urgent surgical debridement was performed by the department of plastic surgery. While under treatment with intravenous antibiotics therapy, unfortunately the patient died of acute renal insufficiency.


From January 1990 to December 1999, we treated twelve patients with cervical lymph node tuberculosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological findings of biopsy, 10 cases by resection of lymph node, 1 case by fine needle aspiration biopsy and 1 case was diagnosed following resection of lymph node at another hospital. After diagnosis, all patients received antituberculous chemotherapy and one patient with pocket formation underwent total resection of neck masses with infectious skin. Four cases were lost to follow-up, but the others showed good response and had no recurrence.Tuberculosis is an important infectious disease demanding constant attention because of the possibility of herd infection. We should consider tuberculosis when cervical lymph node swelling is seen, and early diagnosis and treatment are needed to prevent the spread of infection to others. Antituberculous chemotherapy is effective, however, when pocket and abscess formation occur, combination therapy of chemotherapy and operation such as neck dissection are needed in early course.


In this paper, heat transfer analysis of peristaltic mixed convection flow through a vertical channel is presented in addition, effects of heat generation are also investigated. The mathematical model is represented by the system of non-linear partial differential equations. The analysis is made in the presence of non-zero wave and Reynolds numbers. The results of the long wavelength assumption in a creeping flow can be deduced. These results thus predict new features in the peristaltic transport in the absence of the approximation of long wave length and low Reynolds number. The moderate finite elements based technique has been used to compute the highly accurate solution of the governing problem. To ensure the accuracy of the computed solution, the results obtained are validated against the available results in the literature and found good agreement. The obtained result are presented through graphs and the influence of involved pertinent parameters is analyzed.


This study reported various Persia americana seed extracts for the presence and total content of
phytochemicals, antibacterial activity and inhibitory activity against monoamine oxidase (MAO) A &
B enzymes. Phytochemical studies showed that phenols, flavonoids and tannins were found in all the
polar solvents. The highest antibacterial activity was exhibited against Gram-positive bacteria by acetone
extract on Enterococcus faecium and methanol extract on Enterococcus faecalis. From the monoamine
inhibition experiments, a significant inhibitory activity was observed from ethanolic extracts against
MAO-A and from n-hexane extracts against MAO-B. This study demonstrates the antimicrobial activity
of P. americana seed extracts against enterococci bacteria, E. faecium and E. faecalis. This finding
offers hope of a potential new antibacterial compound in the treatment of these multidrug resistant
bacteria.


For a sustainable economic performance of apple production, the determination of efficient farming options considering production risk is crucial. Relying on a permanent crop, apple producers are less flexible to react upon disturbances. Based on data of 134 apple producers operating in the two main production areas in Germany, we compare and determine efficient production options. Furthermore, appropriate risk management instruments (RMIs) are identified using stochastic dominance criteria. In addition, we use Stochastic Efficiency with Respect to a Function to evaluate farming options for defined ranges of relative risk aversion. The results indicate that Red Prince is the most efficient variety in the north and subsidized hail insurance with frost irrigation is superior to frost irrigation as single RMI. In the south Braeburn should be chosen by rational decision makers, but the tested insurance solutions are not as efficient as the common practice of producing apple under hail nets.


Leaf water gets isotopically enriched through transpiration, and diffusion of enriched water through the leaf depends on transpiration flow and the effective path length (L). The aim of this work was to relate L with physiological variables likely to respond to similar processes. We studied the response to drought and vein severing of leaf lamina hydraulic conductance (K(lamina) ), mesophyll conductance for CO(2) (g(m) ) and leaf water isotope enrichment in Vitis vinifera L cv. Grenache. We hypothesized that restrictions in water pathways would reduce K(lamina) and increase L. As a secondary hypothesis, we proposed that, given the common pathways for water and CO(2) involved, a similar response should be found in g(m) . Our results showed that L was strongly related to mesophyll variables, such as K(lamina) or g(m) across experimental drought and vein-cutting treatments, showing stronger relationships than with variables included as input parameters for the models, such as transpiration. Our findings were further supported by a literature survey showing a close link between L and leaf hydraulic conductance (K(leaf) = 31.5 × L(-0.43) , r(2) = 0.60, n = 24). The strong correlation found between L, K(lamina) and g(m) supports the idea that water and CO(2) share an important part of their diffusion pathways through the mesophyll.


Fostering
creativity and social responsibility in children and youth are essential for
more effec- tively addressing society's most pressing problems. This article
proposes alternative pedagogy and methods for fostering creativity and
enhancing teaching and learning for creativity. It emphasizes the importance of
connecting the goals of teaching creative education to the broader goal of
education for social and global responsibility. Two schools attempting to
implement the latter are described.


Neural speech decoding-driven brain-computer interface (BCI) or speech-BCI is a novel paradigm for exploring communication restoration for locked-in (fully paralyzed but aware) patients. Speech-BCIs aim to map a direct transformation from neural signals to text or speech, which has the potential for a higher communication rate than the current BCIs. Although recent progress has demonstrated the potential of speech-BCIs from either invasive or non-invasive neural signals, the majority of the systems developed so far still assume knowing the onset and offset of the speech utterances within the continuous neural recordings. This lack of real-time voice/speech activity detection (VAD) is a current obstacle for future applications of neural speech decoding wherein BCI users can have a continuous conversation with other speakers. To address this issue, in this study, we attempted to automatically detect the voice/speech activity directly from the neural signals recorded using magnetoencephalography (MEG). First, we classified the whole segments of pre-speech, speech, and post-speech in the neural signals using a support vector machine (SVM). Second, for continuous prediction, we used a long short-term memory-recurrent neural network (LSTM-RNN) to efficiently decode the voice activity at each time point via its sequential pattern-learning mechanism. Experimental results demonstrated the possibility of real-time VAD directly from the non-invasive neural signals with about 88% accuracy.


ABSTRACT The liberal international order is widely believed to be resilient because it has always had a remarkable ability to adapt in response to crisis and adversity. Today, the liberal order is clearly in crisis, and yet decisive action to adapt it is not taking place. Using insights from the resilience-thinking literature supplemented with insights from the literature on ontological security, the article seeks to understand why agents often fail to take decisive adaptive action, even when such action is clearly needed. The article develops a conceptual framework, including agent-level theorizing, to better understand agent motivation for undertaking adaptive action and a conception of the social site for resilience as an ideal-type social domain in which resilience is constituted and defined in the interaction between patterns of power, principles, and practice. The article contributes to resilience-thinking by demonstrating a plausible link between agents' ability to invoke their agency and their ontological security.


Objective: To compare the immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine used for the vaccination in public security officers with different immunization schedules. Methods: From January to February, 2021, 405 public security officers in Taiyuan were randomly divided into 3 groups. Two doses of SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine were injected according to the immunization schedule of 0-14 days, 0-21 days or 0-28 days, respectively. The nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were tested by microdose cytopathogenic efficiency assay of live virus. The GMT, seroconversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody and safety of the vaccine were analyzed for the 3 groups. Results: The seroconversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody was 100% in all the 3 groups. The SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody level of 0-21 day group [166.70 (95%CI: 148.30-185.10)] was similar to that of 0-28 day group [179.50 (95%CI: 156.50-202.60)] (P>0.05), significantly higher than that of 0-14 day group [86.08 (95%CI: 72.36-99.80)] (P<0.001). The incidence rates of adverse reaction in the 3 groups were 1.48% (2/135), 0.74% (1/136) and 1.49% (2/134) respectively (P=0.750), all the adverse reactions were mild. Conclusions: The vaccination of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine with different immunization schedules in public security officers showed good safety and high seroconversion rate, and the GMTs of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody in 0-21 day group and 0-28 day group were higher than that in 0-14 day group.


The purpose of the conference is to share knowledge and experience in research as well as to establish academic network between the two universities. Participations are mainly from post graduate students from both institutions to encourage them to present and defend their work confidently and improve their research. This could be a platform for the participants to write high quality articles in the future. It is also a venue to expose the participants to establish networking and generate discussions for potential collaborations. This conference can give opportunities for participants from both countries to communicate and learn from each other not only in terms of academic research but also the culture.


Purpose: This paper set out to critically examine the challenges faced by libraries and librarians in Nigeria in their services provision to users in this era known for information explosion and the use of Information and Communication Technologies in information handling processes. Design/Methodology/Approach: The approach adopted for this study was library research which an over-view of Developing Nations meeting the challenges of the 21 century. Findings: The paper identified information literacy, training and food interpersonal and communication skills as vital for librarians to be relevant and functional in the 21 century. They also require technical competencies such as ability to embrace change, comfort in the online environment, ability to troubleshoot and learn new technologies, and ability to keep up with new ideas in technology and librarianship. Practical Implications: the 21 century ear of advances in ICT should be accepted by librarians as opportunities for libraries and librarians to showcase themselves for greater relevance in the information age. Originality/Value: The paper's value lies in its submission strategies that will ensure that librarians meet the challenges of the 21 century which include automation of libraries, training of librarians and promotion of information literacy among others.


S UMMARY . There are growing employ- ment opportunities in the burgeoning landscape industry for well trained, ecologically sensitive landscape designers. This paper describes an approach to beginning design for horticulture and landscape architecture students at Temple University's Ambler, Pa., campus, where the emphasis is on teaching design process and principles within an ecological framework. Preliminary exercises focus on an examination of landscape values, the application of design principles and the study of design precedent. Students then apply principles learned within an ecological design process as they design a campus garden or public space.


Number series problems in IQ tests are challenging, especially for humans and computer programs. This thesis presents a comparison study between the IGOR algorithm and human performance on number series problems. IGOR's task was to find a correct function for number series problems with different complexity factors, in order to generate the number series from this function. IGOR's performance results bring closer the capabilities of a computer program to the human intelligence. The introduction of this thesis describes induction and the psychological background. Furthermore, different computer models for solving number series problems, such as MagicHaskeller, ANN, Semi-analytical model, Spaun, Asolver and Seqsolver, are given. A short introduction to the IGOR algorithm in Maude and representation of number series problems in IGOR is also given. The results first focus on the human performance and the preliminary study on number series problems with IGOR. Secondly, the comparison of both performances of IGOR and humans are represented and summarized. The conclusion gives an overview of the results, problems and some corresponding solution suggestions, as well as ideas for further research on number series problems with IGOR.


The most common male sexual disorder is premature ejaculation as it affects 30-40% of sexually active men. Various studies showed that the correlation of prostatic inflammation and chronic bacterial prostatitis with premature ejaculation is present in more than half of the sufferers. These studies also show that more than 85% of prostatic inflammation cases was shown to be caused by chronic prostatitis in the premature ejaculation patient group. Even though this relation is evident, the effect of antibiotic treatment of premature ejaculation in patients with chronic prostatitis has only recently being investigated extensively. In this study, 36 men suffering from secondary premature ejaculation who were included the study. These patients had no erectile dysfunction problems and were included in the study after they timed intravaginal ejaculatory latency in their last 3 intercourses to see that time was less than 2 minutes in each trial. To evaluate the prostatic inflammation, diagnosis was made by identifying 10 or more white blood cells per high power field in expressed prostatic secretions. 22 of 36 premature ejaculation patients in our study had more than 10 white blood cells in thier expressed prostatic secretions and were diagnosed to have prostatic inflammation. The other 14 patients were included in the study as the control group. Following one month antibiotic treatment 78% patients in the study group returned with the information that all 3 of their last intercourses ended with more than 2 minutes of intravaginal ejaculatory latency time while none of the control group reported similarly. No side effects were reported by any of the patients due to antibiotic usage. Our study shows that patients with PE that may benefit from month-long quinolone antibiotic therapy can be screened for by checking their expressed prostatic secretions under a microscope in the office. A more accurate definition of premature ejaculation, a scale for measuring the severity of PE, and a larger patient population would help generalize the findings of this study.


BACKGROUND
Endothelial dysfunction is an early event in the development and progression of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. Various human studies have identified that measures of endothelial dysfunction may offer prognostic information with respect to vascular events. Microparticles (MPs) are a heterogeneous population of small membrane fragments shed from various cell types. The endothelium is one of the primary targets of circulating MPs, and MPs isolated from blood have been considered biomarkers of vascular injury and inflammation.

CONTENT
This review summarizes current knowledge of the potential functional role of circulating MPs in promoting endothelial dysfunction. Cells exposed to different stimuli such as shear stress, physiological agonists, proapoptotic stimulation, or damage release MPs, which contribute to endothelial dysfunction and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Numerous studies indicate that MPs may trigger endothelial dysfunction by disrupting production of nitric oxide release from vascular endothelial cells and subsequently modifying vascular tone. Circulating MPs affect both proinflammatory and proatherosclerotic processes in endothelial cells. In addition, MPs can promote coagulation and inflammation or alter angiogenesis and apoptosis in endothelial cells.

SUMMARY
MPs play an important role in promoting endothelial dysfunction and may prove to be true biomarkers of disease state and progression.


Normal Auger decay spectra of the 2p core hole in potassium have been measured both for molecular gas-phase and crystalline solid-state samples of KCl. While the spectrum for the latter is easily interpreted using a strictly ionic approach, the molecular spectrum gives evidence of strong additional effects. The observed differences between the two phases are discussed from the viewpoint of the ionic model, considering also the perturbation by the different environments and symmetries. The uniquely molecular effects seen in the Auger electron spectra are attributed to the sudden change in character of the valence (Cl 3p) orbital upon core-hole decay, accompanied by dynamic relaxation processes.


This article reviews the Keynesian/heterodox critique of free trade and the principle of comparative advantage, and offers some prima facie empirical evidence for North America that contradicts the basic predictions of the traditional free trade model. The evidence supports, instead, the view that trade liberalization actually promoted a perverse neo-mercantilist export-led growth (ELG) strategy that generates deflationary pressures not so much because NAFTA promoted greater international competition, but primarily because ELG relied on the macroeconomic role of the state in its implementing of restrictive fiscal and monetary policies to keep a lid on wage growth. The article argues that there is need for an alternative NAFTA that should promote the free circulation of goods, and that an institutional structure should be put in place that firmly ties each national government to an explicit full-employment commitment.


Dietary protein from fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM), widely used in poultry diets in China, had regulating effects on lipid metabolism. To understand the effects of FCSM on the lipid metabolism in broilers, we analyzed the biochemical indexes, enzyme activity, hormone level and metabolites in serum responses to FCSM intake. One hundred and eighty 21-d-old Chinese yellow feathered broilers (536.07±4.43 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates and 3 diets with 6 % supplementation of unfermented CSM (control group), FCSM by C. Tropicalis (Ct CSM) or C. tropicalis plus S. Cerevisae (Ct-Sc CSM). Result showed that: (1) FCSM intake decreased significantly the content of triglyceride (TAG), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.05) in serum; (2) FCSM intake could significantly increase enzyme activity of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) (P<0.05); (3) Ct-Sc CSM intake increased significantly the levels of adiponectin (ADP) (P<0.05); (4) FCSM intake caused significant metabolic changes involving glycolysis, TCA cycle, synthesis of fatty acid and glycogen, and metabolism of glycerolipid, vitamins B group and amino acids. Our results strongly suggested that FCSM intake could significantly affect lipid metabolism via multiple pathways. These finding provided new essential information about effect of FCSM on broilers and demonstrated the great potential of nutrimetabolomics, through which to research complex nutrients included in animal diet.


OBJECTIVE
To construct a diagnostic algorithm based on Bayes's theorem and using simple clinical tests to allow accurate diagnosis without resort to nerve conduction studies.

METHOD
A cohort of patients being referred with possible carpal tunnel syndrome had clinical and electrophysiological testing, from which the simple calculations for sensitivity, specificity and prevalence were made and subsequently used in the formula of Bayes's theorem. The algorithm was then tested prospectively in a further cohort of similarly referred patients.

RESULTS
The algorithm proved to be reliable when tested prospectively, and was similar to nerve conduction studies in diagnostic accuracy.

CONCLUSION
A simple algorithm of clinical tests can identify patients without resort to nerve conduction studies, facilitating early treatment.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a hybrid treatment for acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism in patients with hemodynamic impairment by combining mechanical fragmentation, local thrombolysis, and clot aspiration.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Within a period of 35 months, 25 patients with hemodynamic impairment (eight men and 17 women; age range, 35-77 years) were treated with mechanical thrombus fragmentation using a modified rotating pigtail catheter. After embolus fragmentation, all patients received an intrapulmonary injection of recombinant human-tissue plasminogen activator and then underwent manual clot aspiration with a large-lumen percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty guide catheter.

RESULTS
All the patients survived, and their clinical status improved. Posttreatment angiography showed an improvement in pulmonary perfusion in all patients (mean Miller score before treatment, 22.2; after treatment, 13.6; p < 0.01). Mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 32.6 to 23.4 mm Hg (p < 0.01). Mean treatment time was 124.6 min.

CONCLUSION
Hybrid treatment with mechanical fragmentation using a rotating pigtail catheter combined with local fibrinolysis and manual clot aspiration resulted in a rapid and safe improvement in the hemodynamic condition of patients with acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism. This hybrid treatment appears to be especially useful in patients at high risk for right ventricular failure and is a minimally invasive alternative to surgical embolectomy.


Background: Adenocarcinoma is the most common primary lung malignant tumor. However, pulmonary carcinoid tumorlets are rare neuroendocrine tumors, and the coexistence of adenocarcinoma and pulmonary carcinoid tumorlets is extremely rare. Herein, we describe a case of lung adenocarcinoma complicated with carcinoid tumorlets.Case presentation: A 71-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital after physical examination, multiple micronodules were in the inferior lobe of the left lung and right lung for 2 years, and a tumor was in the superior lobe of the left lung for 1 month. The patient underwent resection of the superior lobe of the left lung and wedge resection of the inferior lobe of the left lung by Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery(VATS). The pathology of the superior lobe of the left lung was adenocarcinoma (pathological stage pT1cN0M0, IA3 stage), and the pathology of the inferior lobe of the left lung was carcinoid tumorlets. The patient was discharged from the hospital one week after the operation and recovered well after follow-up without recurrence.Conclusions: The lack of understanding of carcinoid tumorlets in the clinic causes their misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. At the same time, the lack of understand also suggests that we should pay attention not only to mass-type lung tumors but also to pulmonary micronodules.


BACKGROUND
Microfluidic-based systems are ideal for handling small microliter volumes of samples and reagents, but 'real-world' or clinical samples for bioanalysis are often on the milliliter scale. We aimed to develop and validate a large-volume centrifugal or compact disc-based device for blood plasma separation, capable of processing 2 ml undiluted blood samples.

RESULTS
This automated blood sample preparation device was shown to yield high purity plasma in less than half the time of commercial plasma preparation tubes, while enabling integration with downstream analysis and detection steps.

CONCLUSION
This article draws upon a novel large-volume device to further illustrate the challenges in combining microfluidics structures with large-volume samples and the implications for sample-driven microfluidics systems.


Multiple sensor arrays provide the means for highly accurate localization of the (x,y) position of a source. In some applications, such as microphone arrays receiving aeroacoustic signals from ground vehicles, random fluctuations in the air lead to frequency-selective coherence losses in the signals that arrive at widely separated sensors. We present performance analysis for localization of a wideband source using multiple, distributed sensor arrays. The wavefronts are modeled with perfect spatial coherence over individual arrays and frequency-selective coherence between distinct arrays, and the sensor signals are modeled as wideband, Gaussian random processes. Analysis of the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) on source localization accuracy reveals that a distributed processing scheme involving bearing estimation at the individual arrays and time-delay estimation (TDE) between sensors on different arrays performs nearly as well as the optimum scheme while requiring less communication bandwidth with a central processing node. We develop Ziv-Zakai bounds for TDE with partially coherent signals in order to study the achievability of the CRB. This analysis shows that a threshold value of coherence is required in order to achieve accurate time-delay estimates, and the threshold coherence value depends on the source signal bandwidth, the additive noise level, and the observation time. Results are included based on processing measured aeroacoustic data from ground vehicles to illustrate the frequency-dependent signal coherence and the TDE performance.


Differences in mRNA expression for inflammatory markers have been observed between subjects with asthma vs. controls and in relation to corticosteroid response. However, these studies utilized methods (e.g., bronchoscopy) that are too invasive to be used routinely in children and in the clinic. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of obtaining RNA of adequate quantity and quality from buccal mucosa of children and adults for gene expression studies. Secondly, this study aimed to determine whether gene expression patterns in buccal mucosa are similar to those that have been observed in respiratory epithelium.


Large scale occupational disease surveillance has been challenging in many countries, with a few notable exceptions, such as the Nordic countries with their substantial record linkage abilities. We present initial results for lung cancer from a new Canadian Occupational Disease Surveillance System. The surveillance cohort was created using data from Ontario, Canada time-loss workers' compensation claims 1983–2016 (96% for injuries) linked to cancer registry records. Follow-up was from first claim date until diagnosis, death, loss-to-follow-up or 2016. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for each industry/occupation using Cox Proportional Hazard models, adjusted for year of birth and stratified on gender. The study population was 7 40 000 women and 1,430,000 men. Significant excess risks were observed in many of the a priori suspected occupations and industries, particularly in construction, mining, and transportation occupations. In addition, other relevant associations were observed among both women and men, such as for janitors and cleaners (men: HR=1.22, 95% CI=1.16–1.29, women: HR=1.22, 95% CI=1.13–1.32) and primary metals industry (men: HR=1.18, 95% CI=1.11–1.25, women: HR=1.20, 95% CI=0.89–1.60). Many sex-specific associations were also observed, particularly in women (such as printing and publishing industries: HR=1.42, 95% CI=1.23–1.65 and chemical, rubber and plastic processing occupations HR=1.31, 95% CI=1.15–1.51), which will need further investigation. The excess risks observed in many a priori suspected groups provides a good confirmation that this study can produce valid results and identify new associations. Triage methods are being developed to target new associations in need of further investigation. Future analyses will use hospital discharge data and outpatient visits.


Advanced upper limb prosthetics, such as the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL), are now available for research and preliminary clinical applications. Research attention has shifted to developing means of controlling these prostheses. Penetrating microelectrode arrays are often used in animal and human models to decode action potentials for cortical control. These arrays may suffer signal loss over the long-term and therefore should not be the only implant type investigated for chronic BMI use. Electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals from electrodes on the cortical surface may provide more stable long-term recordings. Several studies have demonstrated ECoG's potential for decoding cortical activity. As a result, clinical studies are investigating ECoG encoding of limb movement, as well as its use for interfacing with and controlling advanced prosthetic arms. This overview presents the technical state of the art in the use of ECoG in controlling prostheses. Technical limitations of the current approach and future directions are also presented.


As the application of high-temperature superconductivity gradually becomes a reality it is clear that painstaking incremental progress in the development of materials is the key to success. Superconducting materials can only be applied against an engineering specification that has to be determined for each particular application from the design requirements for economic viability and for operation and safety margins in service. As a consequence the type of research activity appropriate for the development and optimization of a conductor processing route varies depending on the maturity of the technology. In this overview the evolution of research activity will be followed from near market industry driven design and development of fully engineered conductors through to research on basic and enabling science for materials processing that is largely academic and curiosity driven. The most effective path to applications depends on a considered balance of research that is different for each conductor family depending on the state of maturity of the conductor processing route.


Ensuring fairness in machine learning algorithms is a challenging and essential task. We consider the problem of clustering a set of points while satisfying fairness constraints. While there have been several attempts to capture group fairness in the $k$-clustering problem, fairness at an individual level is relatively less explored. We introduce a new notion of individual fairness in $k$-clustering based on features not necessarily used for clustering. We show that this problem is NP-hard and does not admit a constant factor approximation. Therefore, we design a randomized algorithm that guarantees approximation both in terms of minimizing the clustering distance objective and individual fairness under natural restrictions on the distance metric and fairness constraints. Finally, our experimental results against six competing baselines validate that our algorithm produces individually fairer clusters than the fairest baseline by 12.5% on average while also being less costly in terms of the clustering objective than the best baseline by 34.5% on average.


The complex pathophysiologic response of hypermetabolism plays a central role for the acute and long term outcomes in severely burned patients. Burns encompassing greater than 20% total body surface area (TBSA) are characterized by stress, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, lipolysis and catabolism. The objective of this review is to discuss landmark studies in the field of hypermetabolism postburn with regards to the current best practice for efficacious burn care and to investigate the pros and cons of those treatments. Different modalities were identified from the literature to ameliorate the hypermetabolic condition. These include early excision and closure of the burn wounds, external thermoregulation, adequate nutritional supplementation, exercise and the utilization of various pharmacologic treatments. Furthermore, we included future avenues of research with regards to treating the complex condition of hypermetabolism and determining how we can create personalized treatments for the unique set of hypermetabolic conditions presented in each patient.


In most Swedish felling operations high stumps are created from living trees to increase the amounts of dead wood in the forest. The fauna of saproxylic beetles and aradid bugs (Heteroptera) in spruce (Picea abies) high stumps were studied to determine which characteristics (diameter, height, amount of bark and fungal flora) had the strongest influence on the species composition. The practical aim was to see whether it is possible to increase the biodiversity values by management recommendations. The high stumps (n=59) were situated in the middle boreal zone in Sweden and were 6 years old. The insects were sampled by sieving 0.25 m2 bark on each stump In total, 803 saproxylic beetles and Aradus bugs were found, representing 42 different species, five of which were red-listed. The most important factor for determining the beetle community was the presence or absence of two polyporous fungi, Fomitopsis pinicola and Trichaptum abietinum. Other factors were much less important, indicating that it is difficult to influence the stumps' biodiversity values significantly simply by selecting trees of certain diameters or optimizing cutting heights.


Multidisciplinary teamwork is one of the key processes through which care is managed in the British National Health Service. Working in a multidisciplinary team requires many skills, which include understanding not only one's own role but also that of other professionals. The aim of this paper is to provide an understanding of occupational therapists', nurses' and care managers' perceptions of each other and how these influence interprofessional relationships. In total, nine occupational therapists, nine care managers and 19 nurses within an acute physical health care setting were interviewed using the critical incident approach. The findings revealed that the interprofessional relationships between nurses, care managers and occupational therapists were often problematic owing to role confusion and competing priorities, which influenced communication. To prevent role ambiguity, occupational therapists must define their role clearly. It is suggested that multidisciplinary team members need continuing interprofessional education in order to understand the changing roles in the National Health Service.


The measurements of quantities providing information on the values of the fundamental physical constants bring together a wide variety of measurements in very different parts of physics in a unique way. Taken both separately and together these measurements provide stringent tests of theory. They also throw light on the question: `How well do we understand physics via measurements at the highest level of accuracy?' They also have important practical applications. In this way they can point the way to the inadequacies and strengths of our knowledge and be used to benefit mankind. The first thorough review of the measurements relevant to the determination of the values of fundamental physical constants was that of Birge in 1929, and the latest CODATA review by Mohr and Taylor was published in 2000. Over the intervening period most of the old textbook methods have either disappeared or been considerably refined. Many of them have been replaced by determinations based on developments in such diverse areas as, for example, quantum electrodynamics, solid-state physics, low-temperature physics and laser spectroscopy. These have improved our knowledge of the values of the fundamental constants by many orders of magnitude. In accordance with their role as the natural units of physics, many of the methods have already found important applications for both defining and maintaining the SI units. These provide the basic units for the measurements used in science, technology and everyday life. The measurements involved in the latest evaluation by the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Physical Constants are discussed together with the likely developments in the next few years. The pace of the subject reflects the overall pace of physics and technology and this can be used as a guide to future developments.


This study analyzes coverage by newspapers, network television news, and newsweekly magazines of mass killings that occurred between 1976 and 1996. The findings indicate that although virtually all of the mass murders were locally newsworthy, only a small minority were nationally newsworthy. The widely publicized mass killings were more likely to involve large numbers of fatal and wounded victims, stranger victims, public locations, assault weapons, workplace violence, interracial victim-offender relationships, and, to a lesser extent, older offenders and gun use. Given that the high-profile incidents were the most extreme and atypical mass murders, it is argued that the overemphasis placed on these massacres is part and parcel of the news media's attempt to maximize the size of their audience and therefore their profits by catering to the public's fascination with rare and sensational acts of violence. This study concludes by discussing the implications that these results have for the social construction of mass murder.


ZVex™ and GLAAS™ are two dendritic-cell (DC) targeting platform technologies designed to enhance immune responses through the in vivo induction of antigen specific CD8 and CD4 T-cells, respectively. ZVex™ is a lentiviral vector pseudotyped with a modified Sindbis virus envelope engineered to deliver tumor antigen-encoding nucleic acids to dendritic cells in vivo. GLAAS™(Glucopyranosyl Lipid A Adjuvant System) activates DC by binding to the TLR-4 receptor and inducing strong Th1 type CD4 responses against co-delivered recombinant proteins. Currently both platform technologies are being investigated in phase I clinical trials in cancer patients. Human carbonic anhydrase 9 (hCAIX) is a tumor-associated transmembrane antigen that is over-expressed on various cancer cell types. We mapped hCAIX specific, multi-functional CD8 and CD4 T-cell epitopes within the extracellular and transmembrane regions of the protein for the mouse haplotype H-2b by intracellular cytokine staining. Mice lethally challenged s.c. on the flank with a B16-F10 tumor cell line expressing the hCAIX protein (designated BC.12) fully controlled large tumors (>100 mm2) when therapeutically immunized (subcutaneously at the base of tail) with ZVex™ encoding hCAIX or the recombinant hCAIX protein with GLAAS™ (either s.c. or i.m.). In both models, tumor control was dose-dependent. Additionally, the presence of a strong transmembrane H-2b restricted CD8 T-cell epitope was required for tumor control and regression. hCAIX-specific CD8 T-cell responses were detectable as far out as day 67 post challenge in mice displaying full regression of tumor. These results demonstrate proof of concept for ZVex™ and GLAAS™ platform technologies in an aggressive murine melanoma model. Citation Format: David J. Campbell, Rebecca S. Reeves, Patrick A. Flynn, Scott H. Robbins, Peter Berglund, Jan H. ter Meulen. Therapeutic efficacy of the ZVex™ and GLAAS™ platforms in a B16-F10/hCAIX melanoma mouse model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2505. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2505


A wideband-tunable optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated based on a tunable microwave photonic filter (MPF) consisting of a polarization modulator, a chirped fiber Bragg grating, and a polarization beam splitter (PBS). By simply adjusting the polarization state of the signal before the PBS, the center frequency of the MPF is tuned. The proposed OEO is experimentally demonstrated. A high-purity microwave signal with a tunable frequency within 5.8-11.8 GHz is generated. The single-sideband phase noise of the generated signal is �104.56 dBc/Hz at 10-kHz offset.


This paper presents a novel approach to the exact design and synthesis of general-order active-RC Bode-type variable-amplitude (VA) equalizers. The proposed design approach is based on, (a) the realization of the VA equalizer transfer function as the input-pair transmittance of a two-pair signal-flow network having the shaping transfer function as its output-pair terminating transmittance, and (b) the realization of the output-pair terminating transmittance in terms of a singly-terminated positive-real impedance function. The resulting VA active-RC equalizers permit the continuous variation of the equalizer transfer function from the shaping transfer function to its inverse through the use of a single positive variable resistor only.. In addition, they exhibit the important practical feature that a geometrically symmetric change in the value of the variable resistor causes a corresponding arithmetically symmetric change in the logarithmic magnitude-frequency response of the equalizer. An application example is given to illustrate the main results.


The portion of the Po Valley we usually define as the Milan metropolitan region is a multi-millennial place of human settlements due to the extraordinary abundance of water, and seat of hydraulic civilisations that represent tangible and intangible heritage among the most significant at a global level. The partial abandonment of agricultural practices, which in the past century has led to a deterioration related to the decay of the continuous monitoring and maintenance of the entire settlement system, currently shows signs of a turnaround: the increasing consolidation of the Milan agricultural districts may certainly be read as an indicator of the persistence of a value attribution to the genuine agricultural tradition of Milan, and brings again in the foreground exactly the need for a new design of its extraordinary water system. It forms the strategic matrix underpinning the process of neo-ruralisation of the Milan territories in which Local authorities and businesses are already engaged. The project "Milan rural metropolis", pivoting on the districts in agriculture, represents a highly innovative model: the district businesses of Milan, appropriately cooperating with Public governments and, more generally, with the settled community, intend to develop a shared strategy for the development of an agriculture able, above all, to transform the abundance of well-governed water in good quality food.


This study is attempted to propose a quality evaluation method of the materials for nutrition education by applying readability test of printed materials for nutrition education. It is significantly important for the teaching class with nutrition education materials to consider students understanding level and education materials topics or choosing words in developed printed materials. This study performed an evaluation of the readability of text in teachers` guidebook, which is devised for elementary school students` education material about sugar, sodium and trans-fat and attempted to estimate the developing materials through analyzing difficulty level of the text. We utilized "The Teacher`s Guidebook for Cooking Activity" that had been developed for elementary school by Ministry Education Science and Technology, as the readability evaluation standard. Compared with the average score of readability about "The Teacher`s Guidebook for Cooking Activity", 72.94 ± 6.85, "Sugar Guidebook" was 70.94 ± 7.46, "Sodium Guidebook" was 68.76 ± 14.50, and "Trans-fat Guidebook" was 58.87 ± 10.79. Considering the subjects careers or ages, "The Teacher`s Guidebook for Cooking Activity" has little deviation by the subjects careers or ages and was "intermediate" or "easy" level; however, "Sugar Guidebook", "Sodium Guidebook", "Trans-fat Guidebook" was "intermediate" or "difficult" level (p < 0.05). Readability score was especially low when the contents of some particular subjects were too professionalized or scientific terms were frequently used, and thes results were definitely seen in the "Sodium Guidebook" and "Trans-fat Guidebook". With Cloze test score, the readabilityevaluation will be using as an evaluation tool for the nutrition education materials. (Korean J Community Nutr 15(5): 648~655, 2010)


The article deals with the phenomenon of communication in religious spheres and its role in the changing and transformation of the category of the "other". It is about how religion, as a social institution, used the principles of social (artificial) kinship by imitating the principles of biological kinship and thus turned the "alien" people into co-religionists. Singling out the religious communication as an independent issue (along with other types of communication, such as social, political, ethnic, economic, legal, cultural, etc.) is one of the components of the recently introduced system-communication approach to the study of history. Another aspect of this approach is the use of a "cross-cultural method". Among its working principles this method has a reference to semantically equivalent (or similar) phenomena, which occur in different cultures and traditions.


The task of reducing food insecurity in Africa is very challenging. This is because of the changing conditions such as adverse climate change impacts. This study examined food insecurity, urbanisation and ICT in Africa. The paper employed a combination of both secondary and historical information obtained from different sources (UNHCR, FAO, Mo Ibrahim Foundation etc). Analytical method used include descriptive statistics such as charts. Food security indices in Africa is alarming and disturbing. One in four people in Africa do not have access to food in adequate quantities and one in five African children are underweight. African agriculture is rendered unattractive by low productivity hence the exodus of labour from rural to urban areas. Africa is the most rapidly urbanising continent in the world with enabling factors comprising of infrastructure deficits in rural areas, dearth of employment opportunities and glamour of city life. However, Africa's urban centres are not immune to the challenges inducing rural-urban migration in the first place. In fact, youth unemployment in Africa is 6 times higher in urban areas than in rural areas. About 72percent of urban dwellers live in slums with the most of them having no access to basic amenities. These culminated in what is regarded in literature as 'urbanisation of poverty'. Migrants are generally scapegoated as the causes of crimes, violence and even unemployment in urban areas. Therefore, they are subjected to sub-human living conditions. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is particularly critical to the achievement of food security in Africa. This is because of the huge gap between markets and farmers which it is capable of filling. The paper therefore recommends increased but monitored investments in infrastructure in Africa in order to make rural areas more attractive and discourage rural-urban migration. There is also the need to provide favourable micro and macro-environment for businesses to grow especially in rural Africa.


The rapid expansion of the Australian gas industry has seen massive investment in mega-projects, but benefits from this have been impeded by the impact of severe project delays. Risks causing delays in upstream mega-projects are high, leading to frequent cost and schedule overruns. However, the absence of research concerning delays during this complex phase of mega-projects provides the opportunity to critically examine underlying challenges experienced by various project participants involved in upstream gas projects in Australia.
 Data was gathered through an extensive literature review, interviews with industry experts, and a survey. A list of risk factors extracted from the literature was checked with industry experts for relevance in upstream mega-projects, and missing risks were added. The survey was circulated to a random sample of people working within the natural gas projects domain, including clients, consultants, and contractor organisations. Using Likert-style five-point scales, participants rated the frequency of occurrence and severity of each of the risks impacting delays.
 A total of 70 risk factors were identified, which were then traced back to 10 risk sources that impact delays in upstream gas projects. The findings reveal that 72% of participants believe that the average delay in gas projects is between 10% and 30% in Australia. Moreover, 93% of participants mentioned that schedule slippage in the upstream phase causes severe challenges in attaining "first gas" and results in overall project delays. Based on the frequency of occurrence and severity indices, the magnitude of risk factors and sources was used to ascertain critical risks causing major delays. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied to check the differences in perception of risk criticality influencing delays among the participants, who differed depending on work experience, job position, and the type of participants' company. These tests indicated a good association in such perceptions. Key risk factors causing major delays included frequent change orders being issued by clients, unrealistic time schedules imposed on contracts, and poor organisational structures.
 Risks in mega-projects cannot be eliminated completely. However, a more precise identification and prioritisation of risks causing major delays, along with differences in risk perceptions of various project parties, will provide an informed and broader perspective to industry practitioners and stakeholders in managing risks more effectively to reduce upstream gas project delays.


The dislocation of a shoulder joint in infancy is extremely rare and is usually the result of traumatic birth injuries, a sequel to brachial plexus injury, or a true congenital dislocation of shoulder. With more advanced obstetric care, the incidence of first two types has drastically decreased. We report a case of true congenital dislocation of shoulder, second of its kind, in a child who was delivered by cesarean section thereby negating any influence of trauma. We report the case because of its rarity, and review the available literature on this topic. We also discuss the management options when encountered with such a rare case scenario.


Curriculum modification has been suggested as one means of providing appropriate educational experiences for gifted children. While several models have been suggested at the level of junior high and above, little has been done in terms of a structured approach at the preschool level. The present article suggests a model for adapting Bloom's taxonomy to a unit approach at the preschool level. Rationale for the model is presented, model objectives are provided at each level of the taxonomy, and an example of how the model can be applied to a specific unit is suggested.


In this paper there are results of a punching shear test of slab samples, which were modeling post-tensioned reinforced concrete floor slabs when they are punched by columns. Geometrical dimensions of slab samples and properties of used materials are listed as well. There were 4 series of samples which differed to each other by level of prestress. Load have been applied through stamps of several types, which have allowed to research different positions of tensioned reinforcement relatively to the punching pyramid. Obtained results are discussed. Recommendations, which compliance may allow to obtain positive effect in ultimate punching shear loads for unbonded post-tensioned slabs are given.


ABSTRACT
Due to their pluripotent qualities, human impelled pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have awesome potential for restorative application and for the investigation of degenerative diseases. These cells are produced from typical substantial cells, multipotent undifferentiated cells, or cancer cells. They express embryonic immature microorganism markers, for example, OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, SSEA-3, SSEA-4 and REX1, and can separate into all grown-up tissue sorts, both in vitro and in vivo. In any case, a portion of the pluripotencyadvancing elements have been involved in tumor genesis. Here, we depict the benefits of tumor suppresser qualities as reinventing elements for the era of iPSCs without tumorigenic action. The underlying stride of reconstructing is actuation of the exogenous pluripotent components to create the oxidative anxiety that prompts senescence by DNA harm and metabolic anxieties, along these lines instigating the statement of tumor silencer qualities, for example, p21CIP1 and p16INK4a through the initiation of p53 to be the pre-affected pluripotent undeveloped cells (pre-iPSCs). The receptive oxygen species (ROS) created by oxidative anxiety may be basic for the actuation of endogenous reconstructing component qualities by means of epigenetic changes or cancer prevention agent responses.


A stochastic differential equation for intermittent plasma density dynamics in magnetic fusion edge plasma is derived, which is consistent with the experimentally measured gamma distribution and the theoretically expected quadratic nonlinearity. The plasma density is driven by a multiplicative Wiener process and evolves on the turbulence correlation time scale, while the linear growth is quadratically damped by the fluctuation level. The sensitivity of intermittency to the nonlinear dynamics is investigated by analyzing the nonlinear Langevin representation of the beta process, which leads to a root-square nonlinearity.


abstract:Ground-level stone structures constructed of unworked or minimally shaped slabs and cobbles are a ubiquitous feature of the archaeological landscape of western Tian Shan. However, little is known about their architecture other than surface morphology, which can appear quite homogeneous. This article presents the latest results of surveys and excavations of selected clusters of Bronze Age stonework from the contiguous Bortala River Valley and Ili River Valley in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. In examining the distinctive forms and layouts applied to different building functions, including burial and habitation, we delve into regional variations in construction and land use straddling the intermontane valleys. In Bortala, the configuration and characteristics of the building components evince cumulative phases of use and construction on staggered timescales resulting from the aggregation of burials, repurposing of building parts, and designation of specific locales as alternately transhumant encampments and sites of burial and commemoration of broad social networks and lineal relations. In comparison, the architectural remains in Ili reflect a prolonged temporality that correlates with sedentary agricultural practices, diversified space use, and localized craft production and exchange. The field research provides important data for identifying autochthonous features of building practices independent of existing typologies of highly homogenized architectural schemas to inform broader contexts of subsistence patterns and social customs that resurgent interests in the Andronovo of Xinjiang seek to address.


The use of dither to linearize the gradient quantizer in a digitally implemented LMS adaptive algorithm is described. In a previous paper by the authors (see ibid., vol.CAS-34, no.7, p.848-54, 1987), a theoretical model for the performance of the system was presented. Now the theory is applied to the design of dither which prevents algorithm stalling yet does not significantly effect the steady-state mean square error of the algorithm. It is demonstrated that the contribution of dither to steady-state mean square error is negligible compared to the contribution of quantization noise when the dither vector has a high-pass temporal spectrum. >


We have analyzed the mechanisms of leakage current conduction in passivating silicon dioxide (SiO2) films grown on (0 0 0 1) silicon (Si) face of n-type 4H-SiC (silicon carbide). It was observed that the experimentally measured gate current density in metal-oxide-silicon carbide (MOSiC) structures under positive gate bias at an oxide field Eox above 5 MV/cm is comprised of Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling of electrons from the accumulated n-4H-SiC and Poole-Frenkel (PF) emission of trapped electrons from the localized neutral traps in the SiO2 gap, IFN and IPF, respectively at temperatures between 27 and 200 °C. In MOSiC structures, PF mechanism dominates FN tunneling of electrons from the accumulation layer of n-4H-SiC due to high density (up to 1013 cm-2) of carbon-related acceptor-like traps located at about 2.5 eV below the SiO2 conduction band (CB). These current conduction mechanisms were taken into account in studying hole injection/trapping into 10 nm-thick tunnel oxide on the Si face of 4H-SiC during electron injection from n-4H-SiC under high-field electrical stress with positive bias on the heavily doped n-type polysilicon (n+-polySi) gate at a wide range of temperatures between 27 and 200 °C. Holes were generated in the n+-polySi anode material by the hot-electrons during their transport through thin oxide films at oxide electric fields Eox from 5.6 to 8.0 MV/cm (prior to the intrinsic oxide breakdown field). Time-to-breakdown tBD of the gate dielectric was found to follow reciprocal field (1/E) model irrespective of stress temperatures. Despite the significant amount of process-induced interfacial electron traps contributing to a large amount of leakage current via PF emission in thermally grown SiO2 on the Si-face of n-4H-SiC, MOSiC devices having a 10 nm-thick SiO2 film can be safely used in 5 V TTL logic circuits over a period of 10 years.


Abstract The Tay Bridge disaster of 1879 shocked the world and led to important changes in bridge design, construction, and inspection. The Court of Inquiry produced its final report in six months, and condemned the structure for its design and materials defects. However, the court did not specify exactly how the final collapse of the 'high girders' section occurred on the night of the accident. By reexamining the wealth of evidence surviving from the time, in particular the photographic archive and the court proceedings, we have looked again at the causes of the disaster. Our reappraisal confirms the conclusions of the original inquiry, but it also extends them by suggesting that lateral oscillations were induced in the high girders section of the bridge by trains passing over a slight misalignment in the track. The amplitude of these oscillations grew with time, because joints holding the bridge together were defective, and this in turn resulted in fatigue cracks being induced in the cast iron lugs, which reached criticality on the night of the disaster. Numerous east–west lugs fractured when a local train passed over the bridge in a westerly gale on the evening of 28 December 1879. The express train which followed was much heavier, and the towers in the high girders collapsed progressively as the train was part way over the section. Although wind loads contributed to the disaster, the bridge was already severely defective owing to failure of its most important stabilising elements.


A study carried out by the World Health Organization has produced the first compelling evidence of a long suspected link between the contraceptive pill and cervical cancer. The research, carried out by the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer, found that prolonged use of the oral contraceptive pill increased the risk of cervical cancer up to fourfold, but only in women who carry the human papillomavirus (HPV).

The agency's Multicentric Cervical Cancer Study Group reviewed eight studies from Thailand, the Philippines, Morocco, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Colombia, and Spain. Their results are published in last week's Lancet (2002;359:1085-92). Women who had taken the pill for 5-9 years were nearly three times more likely than non-users to develop cervical …


Solvatochromism is commonly used in many fields of chemical and biological research to study bulk and local polarity in macrosystems (membranes, etc.), or even the conformation and binding of proteins. Despite its wide use, solvatochromism still remains a largely unknown phenomenon due to the extremely complex coupling of many different interactions and dynamical processes which characterize it. In this study we analyze the influence of different solvents on the photophysical properties of selected charge-transfer probes (4-AP, PRODAN, and FR0). The purpose is to achieve a microscopic understanding of the intermolecular effects which govern the absorption and fluorescence properties of solvated molecular probes, such as solvent-induced structural modifications, polarization effects, solubility, solute-solvent hydrogen-bonding interactions, and solute aggregation. To this aim we have exploited a time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) approach coupled to complementary solvation approaches (continuum, discrete and mixed discrete and continuum). Such an integration has allowed us to clearly disentangle the complex interplay between specific and nonspecific interactions of the solvent with the probes and show that strong H-bonding effects not only can lead to large solvatochromic shifts but also can affect the nature of the emitting species with resulting reduction of the quantum yield.


The preparation and C-6 epimerisation of benzyl 6α-isocyanopenicillanate is described. By utilising the activating influence of the isocyanide group and a subsequent conversion of this group into an amino-group under mild conditions, 6α-substituted penicillins were thereby prepared. Additionally, several novel rearrangements of these isocyanides are described.


[1] This paper describes a new parameterization to represent surface and groundwater interaction dynamics for land surface models. With the new parameterization, effects of surface and groundwater interactions on soil moisture, evapotranspiration, runoff, and recharge can be dynamically taken into account. The new parameterization is implemented into the three-layer variable infiltration capacity (VIC-3L) model, which is a hydrologically based land surface scheme. The new version of VIC (called VIC-ground) is applied to two watersheds in Pennsylvania over multiple years. Results show that VIC-ground can properly simulate the movement of the daily groundwater table over multiple years at the study sites. Preliminary comparisons of VIC simulations with and without consideration of the dynamics of surface and groundwater interactions show an important impact of such interactions on the partitioning of water budget components. In particular, soil moisture of the lower layer from the VIC-ground simulations is generally wetter than that from VIC-3L. For the top thin soil layer and the upper layer of VIC-3L, soil moisture is generally drier in VIC-ground than that in VIC-3L. Such characteristics of VIC-ground result in lower surface runoff peaks and higher base flow, as well as generally less evapotranspiration compared to VIC-3L at the two study sites. Results at both sites show that it takes 3–4 years to have the effects of the initializations of groundwater tables disappear when the groundwater table is initialized to be deeper than the observed level, while it takes much less time (e.g., about 1.5 years) if the groundwater table is initialized to be shallower than the observed level. In addition, the preliminary sensitivity studies at both sites show that there is a more significant persistent signature of the impact of the precipitation when its amount is halved (i.e., 0.5 ppt) than that when its amount is doubled (i.e., 2 ppt). INDEX TERMS: 1655 Global Change: Water cycles (1836); 1833 Hydrology: Hydroclimatology; 1836 Hydrology: Hydrologic budget (1655); 1829 Hydrology: Groundwater hydrology; 1866 Hydrology: Soil moisture; KEYWORDS: surface and groundwater interactions, groundwater table, soil moisture, evaporation, runoff, VIC land surface model Citation: Liang, X., Z. Xie, and M. Huang, A new parameterization for surface and groundwater interactions and its impact on water budgets with the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) land surface model, J. Geophys. Res., 108(D16), 8613, doi:10.1029/2002JD003090, 2003.


A 45-year-old male patient presented with necrotizing scleritis after 2 weeks of having undergone ptyregium surgery with bare sclera technique. Examination revealed a scleral thinning measuring 3 x 3 mm with anterior chamber inflammation. Lamellar scleral graft was dissected from the donor sclera and trephined to the approximate size of the scleral melt. Edges of the host scleral melt were freshened and fibrin tissue glue was used to attach the lamellar graft at the site of defect. Conjunctival autograft was simultaneously harvested from superior quadrant and attached over the bare sclera with the help of fibrin glue. Postoperatively the patient was prescribed high dose oral steroids along with topical antibiotics, steroids and lubricants. The patient improved symptomatically and showed good graft apposition.


There have been many calls for more information about the natural resistome and these have also highlighted the importance of understanding the soil resistome in the preservation of antibiotics for the treatment of infections. However, to date there have been few studies which have investigated the culturable soil resistome, which highlights the difficulties faced by microbiologists in designing these experiments to produce meaningful data. The World Health Organization definition of resistance is the most fitting to non-clinical environmental studies: antimicrobial resistance is resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial medicine to which it was previously sensitive. The ideal investigation of non-clinical environments for antibiotic resistance of clinical relevance would be using standardized guidelines and breakpoints. This review outlines different definitions and methodologies used to understand antibiotic resistance and suggests how this can be performed outside of the clinical environment.


Traumatic anterior dislocation of the hip forms approximately 11% of hip dislocations and is divided into superior and inferior types. Anterior superior hip dislocation accounts for 10% of anterior hip dislocations. The clinical appearance of anterior superior hip dislocation resembles that of a fracture of the femoral neck, whereas the radiological appearance resembles that of posterior hip dislocation. The objective of this article is to use three cases to describe the management of this condition and highlight pitfalls in the same. The article also points out unusual mechanisms causing this injury. Key words: Anterior dislocation, Hip joint, Open reduction, Iliofemoral ligament


Israelis and Palestinians have been caught in what seems a forever war with routine terror in the promised land for more than 100 years. This book is the first to bring together commentary and anguished personal insights from people on both sides of the battle. Readers get a personal look at-and a clearer, more nuanced understanding of-the psychological trauma that is common for men, women and children there. Psychologists in the regions, as well as scholars from across disciplines, tell their personal stories, interwoven with academic reflections on important issues fueling the conflict such as humiliation, revenge, hate, and the need for a homeland and identity. Readers are brought face-to-face with controversial issues, like the psychological impact of Israel's Separation Wall, and unique perspectives, including the stories of eight Palestinian female martyrs, the insights of a young student helping to save blasted bodies after the bombing of a bus, the compassion of a Jewish doctor treating suicide bombers, the thinking of a Jidhadist woman raised to hate Jews but now working for peace with Israelis, and a doctor bringing together Palestinians and Israelis using meditation to find peace.


Climate warming has changed the spatial distributions and temporal behaviours of several taxa. A key question that remains is how behaviours that alter microclimatic conditions might be used to buffer the effects of climate change. In this study, we focus on the aggregation behaviour of four species of terrestrial isopods, in which groups of individuals clump together to prevent moisture-loss, and use a laboratory protocol to investigate the effects of changes in relative humidity (RH) and temperature on aggregation. We find that three species aggregate more at lower RH and at higher temperatures, and that species that are better adapted to reducing moisture loss aggregate less than do species with fewer such adaptations. These results suggest that behavioural variation can buffer the effects of changes in microclimate. We finish by suggesting that it is critical to determine how such behavioural shifts will affect isopod densities and competitive hierarchies.


THE CHRONIC vasomotor nose is seen at least as commonly in rhinoplasty patients as in general otolaryngological practice. It involves the soft tissues about the nose as well as the intranasal membranes. Control of the vasomotor factor before surgery is advisable to minimize the amount of bleeding during the procedure and the degree of the postoperative reaction. Although the vasomotor changes are usually of psychosomatic origin, the usual sedation before surgery does not suffice to control the vasomotor symptoms. These symptoms are the result of autonomic nervous system imbalance. More definitive therapy consists of a trial of various antihistamines to determine which affords the most symptomatic relief. The optimum antihistamine prevents the autonomic imbalance from effecting the changes in the blood vessel tone and the secretory activity of the mucous and serous glands. The antihistamines are so specific that even isomers will vary greatly in effect in a particular patient.


Land-surface processes include a broad class of models that operate at a landscape scale. Current modelling approaches tend to be specialised towards one type of process, yet it is the interaction of processes that is increasing seen as important to obtain a more integrated approach to land management. This paper presents a technique and a tool that may be applied generically to landscape processes. The technique tracks moving interfaces across landscapes for processes such as water flow, biochemical diffusion, and plant dispersal. Its theoretical development applies a Lagrangian approach to motion over a Eulerian grid space by tracking quantities across a landscape as an evolving front. An algorithm for this technique, called level set method, is implemented in a geographical information system (GIS). It fits with a field data model in GIS and is implemented as operators in map algebra. The paper describes an implementation of the level set methods in a map algebra programming language, called MapScript, and gives example program scripts for applications in ecology and hydrology.


The association of secreted frizzled related protein type 4 (Sfrp4) as an antagonist of Wnt molecules in apoptotic events has been reported previously. Moreover, its increased expression has been reported in the ovary of women with polycystic ovary (PCO). We have demonstrated increased Sfrp4 in PCO-induced rat ovary related to an increased number of apoptotic follicles showing nuclear βcatenin subcellular localization. The aims of present study were twofold 1) to ascertain nuclear βcatenin presence with apoptosis by using immunolocalization of Bax and active cleaved casapase-3, and 2) to elucidate whether Sfrp4 could be an inducer of apoptosis by using isolated rat granulosa cell culture in the presence of recombinant human SFRP4. To this end, immuno-expression of two key molecules in Wnt signaling, GSK3β and β-catenin and apoptotic markers were investigated in normal and PCO-induced rat ovary by daily administration of testosterone propionate (TP) for four weeks. We showed that in PCO-induced as well as in normal ovaries there was nuclear or cytoplasmic subcellular localization of GSK3β and a weak pGSK3β ser9 immuno-staining in apoptotic granulosa cells. Interestingly, intracellular βcatenin localization was observed in Bax and active caspase-3 positive granulosa cells in normal as well as in PCO-induced rat ovary. Treatment of granulosa cells with rhSFRP4 showed co-localization of nuclear subcellular β-catenin and active caspase-3 as revealed by double immuno-fluorescence. Our results suggest that rhSFRP4 induces apoptosis and that there is an association between Wnt-independent βcatenin nuclear subcellular localization and apoptotic events of rat ovary.© 2011 Progress in Biological Sciences. Vol. 1, No. 2, 1-10.


Millennials are a generation that is close to technology. Habits in the use of technology have a profound impact on lifestyle, patterns of thought and values of millennials, even when they become parents. Millennials that have become parents feel for themselves the adverse effects of using these technologies in everyday life. Technology in the millennial era gave rise to addictive traits which made them tend to be apathetic, individual, asocial, preferred something instant and practical, focused on materialistic values, and cared less to help others. Technology has a negative impact on children's development. Meanwhile, children have the nature of imitating their parents in using technology. This study focuses on the relationship of millennial parent communication to children who use technology as a factor in forming the child's self-concept. This study uses a descriptive type of qualitative research. The paradigm used is the interpretive paradigm and uses phenomenological traditions. By using role theory and maintainance relationship theory, this study wants to see the phenomenon of how millennial parents act as role models and maintain communication relationships with children. The results of the study show that millennial parents have awareness about the effects of good and bad for children in using everyday technology. Parents have differences in maintaining relationships between family members by showing behavioral patterns that can affect children's attitudes. In addition, millennial parents know that social interaction is the most important part of a child's personality development, even though parents do not like to socialize with others. Millennials have characters who tend to behave badly due to the frequent use of technology, especially in the scope of information and communication, but millennial parents try so that it doesn't happen to their children. Millennial parents prefer to be a consensual type, namely the type of family that highly values open communication but family authority is a parent.