Author(s): Fryxell, David | Advisor(s): Palkovacs, Eric | Abstract: Much can be learned of complex ecological communities by identifying the ecologically-important species and studying the contingencies of their interactions. Recent evidence suggests that a major mediator of species interactions is trait variation within such species. Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) is a globally invasive predator with potent effects on ecosystems and substantial trait variation among populations. In this dissertation, I sought to determine the traits and environmental conditions that mediate variation in the community and ecosystem effects of mosquitofish populations. In Chapter 2 I tested for the effects of mosquitofish sex ratio variation on experimental pond ecosystems. Mosquitofish exhibit sexual dimorphism and their sex ratios vary widely across their global range from highly female-biased to highly male-biased. In experimental ponds, female-biased populations had higher rates of prey depletion and nutrient excretion which induced stronger pelagic trophic cascades, causing significant increases to important ecosystem variables such as water temperature and pH. In Chapter 3 I tested how temperature mediates the importance of mosquitofish trait variation for experimental pond ecosystems. A growing literature demonstrates that top-down effects increase under warming. Thus, I predicted that the differences in ecological role among mosquitofish populations would become larger under warming. In support of my prediction, warming increased top-down effects and increased the ecological divergence between mosquitofish populations. In Chapter 4 I tested how evolutionary adaptation to temperature affects traits and ecological effects of mosquitofish. Mosquitofish exhibited increased mortality, and evolved slower growth and earlier maturity at higher temperatures. Warm-adapted mosquitofish also consumed smaller pelagic zooplankton prey and did not show a strong ontogenetic niche shift to consuming large benthic macroinvertebrates. Because warm-adapted mosquitofish grew slower, reproduced earlier, and continued to consume zooplankton throughout life, they exacerbated warming-induced shifts towards smaller zooplankton communities. This dissertation reveals considerable effects of mosquitofish demographic variation, interpopulation variation, and contemporary evolution on community and ecosystem ecology. These results suggest that the structure and functioning of an ecosystem can depend strongly upon the traits of the ecologically important species present.


Nowadays, search ranking and recommendation systems rely on a lot of data to train machine learning models such as Learning-to-Rank (LTR) models to rank results for a given query, and implicit user feedbacks (e.g. click data) have become the dominant source of data collection due to its abundance and low cost, especially for major Internet companies. However, a drawback of this data collection approach is the data could be highly biased, and one of the most significant biases is the position bias, where users are biased towards clicking on higher ranked results. In this work, we will investigate the marginal importance of properly handling the position bias in an online test environment in Tripadvisor Hotels search. We propose an empirically effective method of handling the position bias that fully leverages the user action data. We take advantage of the fact that when user clicks a result, he has almost certainly observed all the results above, and the propensities of the results below the clicked result will be estimated by a simple but effective position bias model. The online A/B test results show that this method leads to an improved search ranking model.


Objective evaluation of quantitative imaging (QI) methods using measurements directly obtained from patient images is highly desirable but hindered by the non-availability of gold standards. To address this issue, statistical techniques have been proposed to objectively evaluate QI methods without a gold standard. These techniques assume that the measured and true values are linearly related by a slope, bias, and normally distributed noise term, where it is assumed that the noise term between the different methods is independent. However, the noise could be correlated since it arises in the process of measuring the same true value. To address this issue, we propose a new no-gold-standard evaluation (NGSE) technique that models this noise as a multivariate normally distributed term, characterized by a covariance matrix. In this manuscript, we derive a maximum-likelihood-based technique that, without any knowledge of the true QI values, estimates the slope, bias, and covariance matrix terms. These are then used to rank the methods on the basis of precision of the measured QI values. Overall, the derivation demonstrates the mathematical premise behind the proposed NGSE technique.


Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an economically important animal pathogen which is closely related to Hepatitis C virus. Of the structural proteins, the envelope glycoprotein E2 of BVDV is the major antigen which induces neutralizing antibodies; thus, BVDV E2 is considered as an ideal target for use in subunit vaccines. Here, the expression, purification of wild-type and mutant forms of the ectodomain of BVDV E2 and subsequent crystallization and data collection of two crystal forms grown at low and neutral pH are reported. Native and multiple-wavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) data sets have been collected and structure determination is in progress.


Specific binding of 125I-insulin was found in cultured human endothelial cells obtained from human umbilical veins. The binding reaction was rapid and reversible, demonstrated receptor site-site interactions of the negatively cooperative type, and was dependent on the temperature, pH and duration of incubation. At 21 degrees C, steady-state conditions of binding occurred in 90 minutes, the pH optimum was 7.8 and less than 10% of the labeled hormone was degraded. Binding of tracer amounts of 125I-insulin was inhibited by concentrations of unlabeled insulin as low as 0.2 ng/ml and 50% inhibition was obtained at 2-5 ng/ml of unlabeled insulin. Unlabeled porcine insulin, porcine proinsulin and desoctapeptide insulin inhibited the binding of 125I-porcine insulin in direct proportion to their biological potencies, whereas to the cells was inhibited by antibodies against insulin receptors. We conclude that human endothelial cells possess specific receptors for insulin whose physio-chemical properties are similar to those of insulin receptors in other tissues.


At the inceptions of the United Nations (UN) on October 24 1945 and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on May 25 1963 - the OAU later changed to African Union (AU) in 2001- the common denominator between the AU and the UN is peace and security. While the UN created and enabled the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to function as the harbinger for global peace and security and serves as a neutral arbiter among brawled member nations, the O/AU values unity among member through the agency of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC). The UNSC has carried out several intervention projects on African nations as elsewhere since 1945 with a view to enforcing peace and security on resistant population or transformation of existing conflicts through adoption of resolutions or direct military interventions. The conflict records of Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Libya only lent credence to Michael Doyle's assertion that peace cannot be enforced on any resistant population. As such, UNSC intervention tactics have actually enabled acrimonies between the organ and the affected countries and sometimes the AU, especially, in Africa's security affairs. This paper presses further the account that conflicts in Africa have enjoyed the combined support of the AU and the UNSC.


Model-based recursive partitioning (MOB) is a semi-parametric statistical approach allowing the identification of subgroups that can be combined with a broad range of outcome measures including continuous time-to-event outcomes. When time is measured on a discrete scale, methods and models need to account for this discreetness as otherwise subgroups might be spurious and effects biased. The test underlying the splitting criterion of MOB, the M-fluctuation test, assumes independent observations. However, for fitting discrete time-to-event models the data matrix has to be modified resulting in an augmented data matrix violating the independence assumption. We propose MOB for discrete Survival data (MOB-dS) which controls the type I error rate of the test used for data splitting and therefore the rate of identifying subgroups although none is present. MOB-ds uses a permutation approach accounting for dependencies in the augmented time-to-event data to obtain the distribution under the null hypothesis of no subgroups being present. Through simulations we investigate the type I error rate of the new MOB-dS and the standard MOB for different patterns of survival curves and event rates. We find that the type I error rates of the test is well controlled for MOB-dS, but observe some considerable inflations of the error rate for MOB. To illustrate the proposed methods, MOB-dS is applied to data on unemployment duration.


Background and Aims Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), a major process of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), usually occurs after various activated proinflammatory cytokines, which are produced by macrophages such as liver macrophages. Macrophages can secrete not only proinflammatory mediators but also inhibitory inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10, leading to two different functional states defined as "polarization". The main purpose of this study was to demonstrate the polarization of liver macrophages during severe acute pancreatitis and to explore whether the polarization of these activated Liver macrophages could be reversed in vitro. Methods Liver macrophages were isolated from rats with acute pancreatitis. These primary culture macrophages were treated with IL-4 or regulatory T cells in vitro to reverse their polarization and was evaluated by measuring M1/M2 marker expression using real time PCR and immunofluorescence staining. Results Acute pancreatitis was induced successfully by intra-pancreatic ductal injection of 5% sodium taurocholate. The liver macrophages demonstrated M1 polarization from 4 h to 16 h after the onset of acute pancreatitis. However, after IL-4 or Treg treatment, the polarization of the liver macrophages was reversed as indicated by increased expression of M2 markers and reduced expression of M1 markers. Furthermore, the effect of Treg on modulating macrophage polarization was slightly better than that of IL-4 in vitro. Conclusion Liver macrophages, a pivotal cell type in the pathogenesis of SAP, become M1 polarized during pancreatic inflammation. Treatment of these cells with IL-4 and Treg can reverse this activation in vitro. This method of altering macrophage polarization could be a prospective therapy for SAP.


"Ouroboros" is a shared virtual space, a world-scale tunnel built by chaining video-conferencing cameras and projectors in a closed loop around the world. This virtual space comes into contact with the Earth at several entry points or "Gates" situated in different cities, each standing in a location particularly representative of the place (public squares, markets, private homes, etc). Each Gate is simply composed of a projection screen, a video camera a little far away, and an "interstitial" public space in between. The camera captures the whole view – that is, the passersby and the standing projection screen blended in the background – and the resulting live stream is sent over the Internet to be projected onto a similar structure – in a different city, in a different country, in a different continent. The process repeats itself until the loop is completed, as the final video is projected back onto the first screen – only to restart a tour in an eternal circulation. In its (almost) instantaneous travel around the world, the video stream will gather "souvenirs" of the visited places. People from all around the world will appear on the screen as standing in the middle of a tunnel whose walls are composed by an infinite recursion of (Matryoshka-like) nested video windows; one can recognize the actual location of the shooting in each of these rectangular frames. http://www.alvarocassinelli.com


When their child is hospitalized, parents take on new caregiving roles, in addition to their existing home and work-related responsibilities. Previous CSCW research has shown how technologies can support caregiving, but more research is needed to systematically understand how technology could support parents and other family caregivers as they adopt new coordination roles in their collaborations with each other. This paper reports findings from an interview study with parents of children hospitalized for cancer treatment. We used the Role Theory framework from the social sciences to show how parents adopt and enact caregiving roles during hospitalization and the challenges they experience as they adapt to this stressful situation. We show how parents experience 'role strain' as they attempt to divide caregiving work and introduce the concept of 'inter-caregiver information disparity.' We propose design opportunities for caregiving coordination technologies to better support caregiving roles in multi-caregiver teams.


The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor is a membrane-bound tyrosine kinase. The pathogenesis of several cancers is closely related to aberrant forms of ALK or aberrant ALK expression, including ALK fusion proteins, ALK-activated point mutations, and ALK amplification. Clinical applications of different ALK inhibitors represent significant progress in targeted therapy. Knowledge of different aspects of ALK biology can provide significant information to further the understanding of this receptor tyrosine kinase. In this mini-review, we briefly summarize different features of ALK. We also summarize some recent research advances on ALK fusion proteins in cancers.


The study reported here deals with elastohydrodynamic point contacts and it is focused on the influence of contact ellipticity. In five velocity–load reference cases, ellipticity was varied from slender to wide configurations, including the circular contact. For each case, Hertzian pressure, Hertzian area, load, and entrainment velocity were kept constant while the ellipticity was varied by changing the curvature radii. In this context, the maximum central film thickness did not occur for the infinitely wide contact, but for a slender configuration close to the circular case. Moreover, the minimum film thickness reached its optimum for a wide but finite elliptical contact. For low ellipticity ratios, specific film thickness features were obtained. In particular, very high central/minimum film thickness ratios are found. The cause of these behaviors was found in the change of the convergent shape. When the ellipticity was varied, the Poiseuille flows parallel and transverse to the entrainment direction were significantly modified and these modifications were quantitatively analyzed for the different cases. The competition between the Couette and the Poiseuille flows was totally different between the narrow and the wide elliptical contact, and this change was responsible for the film thickness variations with ellipticity. Ellipticity also had an effect on friction as it influenced the maximum pressure which in turn impacts the fluid viscosity.


Aims Reported cases of childhood vitamin D deficient rickets in the UK are rising. The Department of Health (DoH) and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence have recognised this and devised guidelines on vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood. 'Healthy Start', a recent Government initiative, allows access to free vitamin D for women and children from low-income families. Despite these measures, evidence suggests that supplementation rates remain poor. The aim of our study is to assess the awareness of vitamin D supplementation among different key groups of healthcare professionals. Methods Questionnaires were distributed to health visitors, general practitioners (GPs), and midwives within a South London borough from June to July 2010. Abstract G18(P) Figure 1 Which healthcare professionals routinely advise Vitamin D supplementation? Abstract G18(P) Figure 2 For those who do not advise routine vitamin D supplementation, which high-risk groups are identified? Abstract G18(P) Figure 3 How many health professionals knew more than one risk factor for vitamin D supplementation? Abstract G18(P) Figure 4 Which GPs and health visitors knew of an occasion (s) when to supplement non breast fed infants/children? Abstract G18(P) Figure 5 Which groups of healthcare professionals are aware of "Healthy Start" scheme? Abstract G18(P) Figure 6 How many GPs, health visitors and midwives requested further clarity on vitamin D supplementation guidelines? Results A total of 77/116 healthcare professionals responded. Pregnant women were routinely advised about supplementation by 8/34 (24%) midwives and 2/21 (10%) GPs. Supplementation advice for breastfeeding women and breast-fed babies was given by 10/22 (45%) health visitors and 3/21 (14%) GPs. Of those who do not routinely advise supplementation, 8/12 (67%) health visitors and 17/26 (65%) midwives targeted one or more high-risk groups, compared to 2/19 (11%) GPs. One or more occasions when formula fed children would need supplementation was recognised by 13% of GPs and 68% of health visitors. Knowledge of vitamin D deficient rickets was evident in 96% of health visitors and fewer midwives (53%). No GPs, 65% of midwives and 95% of health visitors were aware of 'Healthy Start'. All groups requested further clarity on vitamin D supplementation (95% of GPs, 74% of midwives and 50% of health visitors). Conclusions Less than half of the health visitors and fewer midwives routinely advised vitamin D supplementation to their patient groups. Interestingly, the vast majority of GPs were unaware of the various aspects of supplementation. General uncertainty exists among these groups, regarding which high-risk patients to target. Unless healthcare professionals have sufficient education and clarity on vitamin D supplementation, cases of preventable rickets will continue to rise. Educational programmes should particularly target GPs, who have the opportunity to intervene at all stages of pregnancy and childhood, and antenatal care providers, who are instrumental in early prevention.


We report the heterodyne detection and phase locking of a 2.5 THz quantum cascade laser (QCL) using a terahertz frequency comb generated in a GaAs photomixer using a femtosecond fiber laser. With 10 mW emitted by the QCL, the phase-locked signal at the intermediate frequency yields 80 dB of signal-to-noise ratio in a bandwidth of 1 Hz.


The occurrance of onset in (magneto-plasma-dynamic) MPD thrusters is investigated by means of a steady MPD formulation and an onset hypothesis. The onset boundary curve for Argon propellant is obtained and is found to be consistent with experimental observations. It is shown that in order to attain high specific impulse before occurrance of onset, it is necessary to increase the low temperature plasma electrical conductivity.


This paper investigates the attitudes and behavior of Greek drivers with specific focus on mobile phone use while driving. The research is based on the data of the pan-European SARTRE 4 survey, which was conducted on a representative sample of Greek drivers in 2011. The analysis of the drivers' behavior was carried out by the statistical methods of factor and cluster analysis. According to the results of factor analysis, Greek drivers' responses in the selected questions were summarized into seven factors, describing road behavior, accident involvement probability, but also their views on issues concerning other drivers' road behavior, enforcement for road safety and mobile phone use while driving. The results of cluster analysis indicated four different groups of Greek drivers: the cautious, the moderate, the conservative and the thoughtless drivers and the characteristics of each group where identified. These results may be useful for the appropriate design of targeted road safety campaigns and other countermeasures.


A complete, historical dataset is presented of radionuclide resuspension-factors. These data span six orders of magnitude in time (ranging from 0.1 to 73,000 d), encompass more than 300 individual values, and combine observations from events on three continents. These data were then used to derive improved, empirical models that can be used to predict resuspension of trace materials after their deposit on the ground. Data-fitting techniques were used to derive models of various types and an estimate of uncertainty in model prediction. Two models were found to be suitable: a power law and the modified Anspaugh et al. model, which is a double exponential. Though statistically the power-law model provides the best metrics of fit, the modified Anspaugh model is deemed the more appropriate due to its better fit to data at early times and its ease of implementation in terms of closed analytical integrals.


Abstract Background: Pregnant women living in rural locations in the USA have higher rates of maternal and infant mortality compared to their urban counterparts. One factor contributing to this disparity may be lack of representation of rural women in traditional clinical research studies of pregnancy. Barriers to participation often include transportation to research facilities, which are typically located in urban centers, childcare, and inability to participate during nonwork hours. Methods: POWERMOM is a digital research app which allows participants to share both survey and sensor data during their pregnancy. Through non-targeted, national outreach a study population of 3612 participants (591 from rural zip codes and 3021 from urban zip codes) have been enrolled so far in the study, beginning on March 16, 2017, through September 20, 2019. Results: On average rural participants in our study were younger, had higher pre-pregnancy weights, were less racially diverse, and were more likely to plan a home birth compared to the urban participants. Both groups showed similar engagement in terms of week of pregnancy when they joined, percentage of surveys completed, and completion of the outcome survey after they delivered their baby. However, rural participants shared less HealthKit or sensor data compared to urban participants. Discussion: Our study demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of enrolling pregnant women living in rural zip codes using a digital research study embedded within a popular pregnancy app. Future efforts to conduct remote digital research studies could help fill representation and knowledge gaps related to pregnant women.


CONTENTSIntroduction § 1. p-adic numbers § 2. Characters of the field Qp § 3. Invariant measure on the field Qp § 4. Test functions and generalized functions § 5. Homogeneous generalized functions § 6. The Fourier transform § 7. The Fourier transform of homogeneous generalized functions § 8. The analogue of the (fractional) differentiation and integration operator § 9. Convolution equations § 10. Fundamental solution of the Laplace operatorReferences


The survival of airborne Flavobacterium sp. in particle sizes ranging from 1 to 5 μm was significantly influenced by atmospheric temperature. A progressive increase in temperature from −18 to 49 C resulted in increases in death rates of the airborne organism. The lowest death rates were observed in the temperature range of −40 to −18 C, and the highest death rates were observed in the 29 to 49 C range. At 24 C, the survival of airborne Flavobacterium did not appear to be significantly affected by relative humidity ranging from 25 to 99%.


Including fillers or distractors in psycholinguistic experiments has been standard for decades; yet, relatively little is known how the design of these items interacts with critical manipulations. In this paper, we ask about the role that contextual statistical information in filler items plays in determining if and how to correct a given error, and how grammatical expectations interact with context. We first replicate a speech restoration experiment conducted by Mack, J. E., C. Clifton, L. Frazier & P. V. Taylor. 2012. (Not) hearing optional subjects: The effects of pragmatic usage preferences. Journal of Memory and Language 67. 211–223, measuring usage preferences of null-subject constructions. Then we report two additional experiments in which we manipulated only the filler items, either having noise appear uniformly at random, or with a particular bias. Our results (1) demonstrate that listeners are sensitive to statistical patterns in the distribution of noise within the experiment, and (2) suggest that this paradigm can be used to investigate interaction between the mechanisms that govern grammatical preferences, and those that govern error correction processes.


In this research we study productivity trends of hybrid corn - an important subdomain of food production. We estimate the yearly rate of yield improvement of hybrid corn (measured as bushel per acre) by using both information on yields contained in US patent documents for patented hybrid corn varieties and on field-test data of several hybrid corn varieties performed at US State level. We have used a generalization of Moore's law to fit productivity trends and obtain the performance improvement rate by analyzing time series of hybrid corn performance for a period covering the last thirty years. The linear regressions results obtained from different data sources indicate that the estimated improvement rates per year are between 1.2 and 2.4 percent. In particular, using yields reported in a sample of patents filed between 1985 and 2010, we estimated an improvement rate of 0.015 (R2 = 0.74, Pvalue = 1.37 x 10^-8). Moreover, we apply two predicting models developed by Benson and Magee (2015) and Triulzi and Magee (2016) that only use patent metadata to estimate the rate of improvement. We compare these predicted values to the rate estimated using US States field-test data. We find that, due to a turning point in patenting practices which begun in 2008, only the predicted rate (rate = 0.015) using patents filed before 2008 is consistent with the empirical rate. Finally, we also investigate at the micro level - on the basis of 70 patents (granted between 1986 and 2015) - whether the number of citations received by a patent is correlated with performance achieved by the patented variety. We find that the relative performance (yield ratio) of the patented seed is positively correlated with the total number of citations received by the patent (until December 2015) but not the citations received within 3 years after the granted year, with the patent application year used as control variable.


Imbalance in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors contribute considerably to abnormal connective tissue degradation prevalent in various orthopaedic joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Matrix metalloproteinase expression has been detected in ligament, tendon, and cartilage tissues in the joint. They are known to contribute to the development, remodeling, and maintenance of healthy tissue through their ability to cleave a wide range of extracellular matrix substrates. Their role has been extended to cell growth, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis. In orthopaedics, their clinical applications constantly are being explored. The multiple steps in matrix metalloproteinase regulation offer potential targets for inhibition, useful in drug therapy. The correlation between matrix metalloproteinases and progression in joint erosion presents potential prognostic and diagnostic tools in rheumatoid arthritis. Matrix metalloproteinases also can be incorporated into scaffold design to control the degradation rate of engineered tissue constructs. This current review aims to summarize and emphasize the importance of matrix metalloproteinases and their natural inhibitors in the maturation of musculoskeletal tissue through matrix remodeling and, therefore, in the generation of a new clinical potential in orthopaedics.


Lead-free Na0.5K0.5NbO3 (NKN) piezoelectric ceramics were fairly well densified at a relatively low temperature under atmospheric conditions. A relative density of 96%–99% can be achieved by either using high-energy attrition milling or adding 1 mol% oxide additives. It is suggested that ultra-fine starting powders by active milling or oxygen vacancies and even liquid phases from B-site oxide additives mainly lead to improved sintering. Not only were dielectric properties influenced by oxide additives, such as the Curie temperature (Tc) and dielectric loss (D), but also the ferroelectricity was modified. A relatively large remanent polarization was produced, ranging from 16 μC/cm2 for pure NKN to 23 μC/cm2 for ZnO-added NKN samples. The following dielectric and piezoelectric properties were obtained: relative permittivity ɛT33/ɛ0=570–650, planar mode electromechanical coupling factor, kp=32%–44%, and piezoelectric strain constant, d33=92–117 pC/N.


The study of host response in periodontal disease may provide a mechanism to monitor disease progression. The purpose of the present research was to determine the levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-6sR, IL-8, IL-10, MMP-3 and MMP-8 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in order to evaluate therapy response. Methodology: Eleven patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis and eleven healthy subjects were selected for this study. Clinical measurements, including probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were carried out in patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis and periodontal healthy controls. The clinical indexes evaluated were: gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI). Samples of GCF were taken from one tooth per quadrant before and 45 days after NSPT. The levels of inflammatory mediators were measured by ELISA. Results: The values of all clinical parameters decreased significantly after treatment. The concentration levels of all cytokines and MMP-3 and MMP-8 in the GCF sample were higher in patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis compared to the healthy group. All inflammatory mediators decreased after therapy, but did not reach control values; IL-6, Il-6sR, IL-10 and TNF-α, attained the highest reduction (70% -54%); the vales of MMP3, IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-8 were reduced between 50% - 34%; and MMP-8 showed the lowest decrease (28%). Conclusion: All clinical parameters and cytokines levels decreased after NSPT. The mediators TNF-α IL-6, IL-6sR, and IL-10 showed the largest variation between before and after NSPT and could thus be used to evaluate therapy response.


It is one thing to acquire electronic information resources (EIRs) and quite another thing to use them. This paper explores several factors that motivate postgraduate researchers to use the e-resources available in their university libraries. The study reveals challenges that constitute inhibiting factors to EIRs use and strategies that will encourage maximum utilization are recommended. The research design adopted in this study is a descriptive survey. The sample size for the study is one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. The simple random sampling method was used to select five (5%) of the total population for the study. Two complementary instruments were used for collecting primary data; questionnaire and unstructured interview of Heads of ICT Unit of the university libraries. At varying percentages, the study reveals that PG students are motivated to use the EIRs in their university libraries because they found e-resources to be: More Informative; Easy access and use; Save time; more useful or Less expensive. The study also reveal that the challenges to use as: Insufficient computers with Internet facilities; Incessant power outage; Slow Internet connectivity; Lack of ICT skills; Difficulty in finding relevant information and inadequate IT Infrastructure. Strategies to improve motivation to use of EIRs, among others include: Increase ICT infrastructure/facilities; Have stable electrical backup Information Literacy Training for users.

 Key words: Electronic Information Resources, motivation of EIRs use, PG library users, Nigerian Federal Universities.


Background There has been increasing evidence showing that stingless bee honey exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Pharmacologically-active components in honey such as flavonoids and phenolic constituents are known to contribute to its medicinal benefits. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on evaluating anti-cancer effects of locally-produced Malaysian stingless bee honey from Heterotrigona itama sp. on malignant glioma cells. Methods Proliferation and apoptosis studies of U-87 MG cells following stingless bee honey treatment were carried out using MTS assay and acridine orange/propidium iodide dual staining, respectively. Results Results demonstrated time and dose-dependent cytotoxicity using 0.625%, 1.25% and 10% stingless bee honey (P < 0.05). IC50 values were calculated using cells treated with 10% stingless bee honey. It was also observed that 10% stingless bee honey induced nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation and nucleus fragmentation, indicating that cellular changes were consistent with the apoptotic characteristics of the cells. Conclusion These data provide a good basis for further evaluation of the medicinal properties of stingless bee honey from Heterotrigona itama sp. This source of honey may serve as a potential therapy for malignant glioma.


ABSTRACT Francisella tularensis, a small gram-negative intracellular bacterium responsible for causing tularemia, is highly pathogenic and classified as a category A agent of bioterrorism. As for other intracellular pathogens, successful protective immune responses to Francisella tularensis require rapid and efficient induction of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production. Studies using intracellular bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes as well as Francisella suggest that natural killer (NK) and T cells are important sources of IFN-γ. However, comprehensive characterization of specific sources of IFN-γ produced during Francisella infection in vivo remains incomplete, and depletion of NK cells before infection of mice with the F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) has little impact on the course or outcome of infection. In this study, we determined the cell subpopulations that respond quickly to intradermal F. tularensis LVS infection of mice by producing IFN-γ within hours to a few days. Splenic and liver lymphocytes were obtained from LVS-infected mice and analyzed for IFN-γ mRNA by reverse transcription-PCR, for intracellular cytokine expression by multiparameter flow cytometry, and for ex vivo production of IFN-γ protein by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cells producing IFN-γ were readily detectable by day 3 after infection, and numbers progressively increased through days 5 to 7. Importantly, the cell types responsible for IFN-γ production were much more varied than expected: these included not only NK cells and T cells, which might be predicted, but also other cells, including dendritic cells (DCs), "NK DCs," NK T cells, and neutrophils. Most importantly, since RAG-1 knockout mice appeared to exhibit a frequency of IFN-γ-producing cells comparable to that of intact wild-type mice, early IFN-γ production by innate immune cells does not depend on the presence of T or B cells.


Background Adherence to current monomorbidity-focused, mono-disciplinary guidelines may result in undesirable effects for persons with several comorbidities, in adverse interactions between drugs and diseases, conflicting management strategies, and polypharmacy. As yet no satisfactory approaches exist to address multimorbidity (MM) in clinical guidelines since this patient group is too heterogeneous as to be met by guideline recommendations. Objectives to develop a set of case-based (N = 1) guidelines for common disease combinations identified through epidemiological research and expert (GP) consultations. Methods We followed a new 5-step, mixed methods approach comprising: (1) review of epidemiological data on MM patterns; (2) interdisciplinary focus groups developed case vignettes according to both internal evidence and the results of step 1; (3) development of case-based recommendations according to case vignettes (N of one guidelines); (4) informal consensus of recommendations; (5) formal consensus. Results Step one revealed three different approaches for the selection criteria of case vignettes: first, cases addressing MM disease patterns from epidemiological studies (MM clusters); second, cases addressing triads of the 6 most prevalent chronic conditions; third, cases according to a problem-oriented prioritisation of focus group participants. All in all 10 N-of-one guidelines according to 10 cases could be developed according to the new 5-step-process. Discussion We present a new approach in order to capture the complex and heterogeneous problems of MM through evidence-based and case-based recommendations. This set of N-of-one-guidelines may serve as a framework of evidence-based recommendations for MM patients as the base for the development of meta-tools for both guideline developers and clinicians.


Maternal glucose is a major substrate for placental and fetal metabolism. The kinetics of its uptake into placental trophoblast cells has not been characterised yet and was therefore investigated in the present study. In addition to trophoblast cells isolated from human term placentae, JEG-3 and JAR choriocarcinoma cells were used. Measurements were carried out in 5 s intervals until 30 s with the non-metabolisable glucose analogue 3-O-[14C]methyl-D-glucose using confluent cells adhering to glass coverslips. L-[1-14C]glucose was used to correct for extracellular trapped tracer and diffusion. The uptake was rapid and saturable. It reached equilibrium after 30 s at 20 degrees C and could be inhibited by 0.4 mmol/l cytochalasin B up to 98%. The choriocarcinoma cells took up twice as much glucose as trophoblast cells. Fitting the experimental data to the Michaelis-Menten equation by non-linear regression failed to adequately describe the data, even when a contribution of diffusion to total uptake was considered. Introducing the Hill coefficient n into the Michaelis-Menten equation significantly improved the quality of the fits as was assessed by three statistical criteria. Using this equation modified for allosteric kinetics (v = k[To] [S]n)/(Km + [S]n)), parameters were calculated as Km = 12 mmol/l, Vmax = 17 fmol/l s-1 per cell, n = 1.1 for trophoblast cells; Km = 13 mmol/l, Vmax = 27 fmol/l s-1 per cell, n = 1.2 for JEG-3 cells and Km = 29 mmol/l, Vmax = fmol/l s-1 per cell, n = 1.4 for JAR cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


A technique is described whereby the keratin layer of the skin is removed by stripping and the inflamed porous site is pretreated with inflammatory and antiinflammatory agents. Fluorescein and sodium anazolene (Coomassie Blue) are used as indicators of capillary permeability. By means of this technique the effects of inflammatory and antiinflammatory agents and the dynamics of inflammation of human skin is explored. Some of the effects of histamine, compound 48/80, nicotinic acid-furfuryl ointment, serotonin, and bradykinin on stripped skin and on capillary permeability are described, and their role as inflammatory agents is discussed. The action of antihistamine, antiserotonin, and hydrocortisone on inflamed skin and on some of the probable mediators of inflammation is also explored.


Abstract Power delivery infrastructures are overstrained and suffer from overaged conditions, not only in the developed, but also in the more industrialized countries. The aim of the smart grid is to provide a more reliable and efficient electric power grid. Condition assessment is an essential and effective part of the reliability for electric grid components; also, it reflects the physical state of the electricity asset in a generation, transmission, distribution, and consumers sides. In this paper, condition assessment of electric grid assets will be discussed and illustrated within the context of smart grid principle. In addition, the proposed condition assessment architecture and the objective of condition assessment for smart grid equipment will be explored and analyzed. Moreover, the potential benefits of such smart system as compared to the traditional power system will be presented. This paper aims to add significant contribution to a smart grid theory.


Porous structured metallic implants are preferable as bone graft substitutes due to their faster tissue integration mediated by bone in-growth and vascularization. The porous scaffolds/implants should also mimic the graded structure of natural bone to ensure a match of mechanical properties. This article presents a method for designing a graded porous structured acetabular implant and identifies suitable parameters for manufacturing the model through additive manufacturing. The design method is based on slice-wise modification to ensure continuity of gradation. Modification of the slices was achieved through the binary image processing route. A geodesic dome-type design was adopted for developing the acetabular cup model from the graded porous structure. The model had a solid shell with the target porosity and pore size gradually changing from 65% and 950 µm, respectively, in the inner side to 75% and 650 µm, respectively, towards the periphery. The required dimensions of the unit structures and the combinations of pore structure and strut diameter necessary to obtain the target porosity and pore size were determined analytically. Suitable process parameters were identified to manufacture the model by Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) using Ti6Al4V powder after carrying out a detailed experimental study to minimize the variation of surface roughness and warping over different build angles of the strut structures. Dual-contour scanning was implemented to simplify the scan strategy. The minimum diameter of struts that could be manufactured using the selected scanning strategy and scanning parameters was found to be 375 µm. Finally, the model was built and from the micro-CT data, the porosities and pore sizes were found to be closely conforming to the designed values. The stiffness of the structures, as found from compression testing, was also found to match with that of human trabecular bone well. Further, the structure exhibited compliant bending-dominated behaviour under compressive loading.


SRI investments in Australia now exceed AUD1.9 billion. A number of high profile superannuation funds have recently embraced SRI strategies, and strong growth is forecast. This momentum, however, has not been matched with a robust legal framework for appraising SRI strategies. The Report addresses the central proposition of SRI - whether it is possible to "invest for good" without any financial sacrifice. Using a unique methodology, the Report tests the effect of removing shares in companies that operate in the so-called "sinful industries" from the market portfolio - these are principally companies in the alcohol, armaments, gaming, pornography or tobacco sectors. Over a seven year period, the analysis concludes that, in the Australian context, investors avoiding shares in the "sinful industries" sacrificed returns of approximately 0.70% per annum. This Report reveals significant differences between the approaches used by different Australian fund managers to construct SRI portfolios. For example, some Australian funds do not exclude undesirable companies; instead, they downweight the shares of those companies relative to the company's market capitalisation. Thus, notwithstanding a fund's "environmentally-aware" or ethical labelling, that fund's investment portfolio may, in fact, include "polluters" and "shooters" (that is, chemical, mining and petroleum companies, and armaments manufacturers).


We study the influence of thermal fluctuations on the dynamics of a fine magnetic particle in a uniaxial potential. At low temperature, the transverse component of the magnetization precesses coherently about the easy axis. With rising T, thermal fluctuations reduce the precession frequency and, as the thermal energy approaches the anisotropy potential, they drive a crossover to incoherent motion. Our findings agree with recent neutron scattering data.


Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma (HTA) is a rare primary thyroid neoplasm. Ever since its initial descriptions, controversy has surrounded the lesion, particularly in regard to its malignant potential and most appropriate terminology. HTA shares many features with medullary thyroid carcinoma and particularly papillary thyroid carcinoma, making it an especially treacherous lesion on fine‐needle aspiration (FNA). This manuscript reviews the history and pathologic features of HTA, with particular attention to cytologic findings and differential diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Objective assessment of the health status and medical care of the elderly in the context of progressive aging of the population is one of the leading health problems. Purpose of the study. Based on the analysis of the medical and demographic situation and the incidence of the population, as well as the results of our own research, to give recommendations on the health protection of the population older than working age. Research methods: statistical, sociological, expert assessments, direct observation. The forms of federal and sectoral statistical observation for 2018–2021 were analyzed. Results of sociological surveys of patients older than working age. Results. Over the 10 years of analysis (2012–2021), the overall incidence rate of the entire population in Russia increased by 4,5%, the adult population – by 8,2% and the working-age population – by 1.3%, in children and adolescents the indicators decreased by 8,8 and 4,7%. The overall incidence of the population older than working age in 2021 in the Russian Federation was 209164‰00, which is 1.2 times higher than the total population (167714‰00). The difference in the general morbidity rates of the population older than working age in the federal districts of the Russian Federation was 1.3 times, in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation 2.3 times. 2020, there is a significant decline in the overall incidence rate in all age groups, which is associated with the COVID‑19 pandemic. The first detected incidence of the population older than working age (in 2021) amounted to 66183,5 per 100 thousand of the corresponding population, which is lower than the total population by 22,6% (85531,6‰00). The population older than working age has significantly higher rates of newly diagnosed morbidity than the entire population in the classes: diseases of the circulatory system by 103%, the indicators were 6191,7‰00, 3048,3‰00, respectively; neoplasms (by 66%), musculoskeletal and connective tissue (by 16%) and diseases of the endocrine system, eating disorders and metabolic disorders (by 15,6%). The results of the study should be taken into account for planning the volume of preventive and dispensary work for people of older age groups. The article gives recommendations on the health protection of the population of pre-retirement and older working age using hospital-replacing technologies.


Aims: Oils with high levels of omega-3 are being commercialized as the natural supplement to avoid serious consequences related to metabolic syndrome. Sacha inchi ( Plukenetia volubilis ) oil is a natural product used as a nutraceutical in Peru. Otherwise, genotoxicity is the main test for assessing the toxicity of drugs, food and other substances. Sacha inchi is known as an oil with high content of omega-3 and others polyunsaturated fatty acids. The objective of this study was to determine the antimutagenic effect of Plukenetia volubilis (Sacha inchi) oil in BALB/c mice. Study Design: Sacha inchi oil was obtained using standardized methods in order to determine its antimutagenic effect in BALB/c mice by using micronucleus test, according to the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru, from January to February 2017. Methodology: A total of 100 Balb/C albino mice (20 - 30 g) of male sex were randomly divided into five groups (n = 20). The groups were normal saline group (NS), cyclophosphamide group (CP; 40 mg/kg i.p.) and the three other groups received cyclophosphamide and Sacha inchi oil of concentrations 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg respectively. The substances were administered three times during 24 hours. The genotoxicity in mice was evaluated determining micronucleus levels in blood and bone marrow. Results: CP group showed higher micronucleus levels in blood and bone marrow compared with Sacha inchi oil 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg groups (ANOVA Test P < 0.001 Scheffe's Post Hoc P < 0.001). Conclusion: In our findings, Sacha inchi oil was not mutagenic under experimental conditions.


Abstract Breast cancer prevention is of great importance to reduce high incidence in South Africa. This study aimed to investigate adherence to the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Cancer Prevention Recommendations and the association with breast cancer risk in black urban women from Soweto, South Africa. A total of 396 breast cancer cases and 396 population-based controls from the South African Breast Cancer study (SABC) matched on age and demographic settings were included. Validated questionnaires were used to collect dietary and epidemiological data. To assess adherence to these recommendations, an eight-point adherence score was developed, using tertiles among controls for scoring each recommendation (0, 0·5 and 1) with zero indicating the lowest adherence to the recommendations. OR and 95 % CI were estimated using multivariate logistic regression models to analyse associations between the WCRF/AICR score and breast cancer risk. Greater adherence (>4·5 v. <3·25) to the 2018 WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention Recommendations was associated with a significant inverse association with breast cancer risk overall (OR = 0·54, 95 % CI 0·35, 0·91) and specifically in postmenopausal women (OR = 0·55, 95 % CI 0·34, 0·95), in cases with oestrogen positive and progesterone positive breast cancer subtypes (OR = 0·54, 95 % CI 0·39, 0·89 and OR = 0·68, 95 % CI 0·43, 0·89, respectively) and in obese women (OR = 0·52, 95 % CI 0·35, 0·81). No significant association with breast cancer risk was observed in premenopausal women. Greater adherence to the 2018 WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention Recommendations may reduce breast cancer risk in this black urban population of Soweto. Adherence thereof should be encouraged and form a part of cost-effective breast cancer prevention guidelines.


A method is described for simple and rapid preparation of human dendritic cells (DC) and monocytes (Mo) from peripheral blood. The phenotype of enriched DC and Mo was determined and compared by means of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Mab's). The distribution and quantitative expression of HLA class II molecules encoded by the subloci DP, DO, and DR were the same on the two cell types. During in vitro culture a rapid decrease of class II antigens on Mo was observed, whereas the expression of class II antigens on DC was relatively stable. The absence of monocyte markers on DC may indicate that this cell type docs not belong to the monocyte/macrophage cell lineage. The phenotypic analysis shows that peripheral blood DC also lack differentiation antigens expressed by epidermal Langerhans cells (OKT6) and lymph node follicular dendritic reticulum cells (DRC‐1). The relationship between peripheral blood DC and tissue‐localized DC thus remains unsolved. With relatively high numbers of DC now available, production of DC lineage‐specific Mab's may be approached.


BACKGROUND
It has been suggested that measurement of continuous cardiac output (CCO) is an advancement in the management of critically ill patients. Our objective was to determine the accuracy of CCO during the rapid hemodynamic changes induced by hemorrhage and resuscitation.

METHODS
In 12 anesthetized dogs (20.2+/-0.9 kg), pulmonary artery blood flow, our "gold standard" cardiac output, was measured with an sonographic flowprobe, whereas CCO, intermittent bolus cardiac output (ICO), and mixed venous oxygen saturation were measured with a thermodilution fiberoptic pulmonary artery catheter with a thermal filament. A graded hemorrhage (20 mL/min) was produced to a mean arterial pressure of 40 mm Hg, which was maintained at this level for 30 minutes. Total shed blood volume (701+/-53 mL) was retransfused at a rate of 40 mL/min, over 30 minutes, after which a massive hemorrhage (100 mL/min) was produced over 10 minutes.

RESULTS
Hemorrhage induced significant decreases in mean arterial pressure, mixed venous oxygen saturation, and oxygen delivery, which were all restored during early resuscitation. However, CCO showed a delayed response after hemorrhage and resuscitation, compared with pulmonary blood flow, throughout the study (r = 0.549), matching only at baseline and at the end of both graded hemorrhage and resuscitation periods. There was a good correlation between ICO and pulmonary artery blood flow (r = 0.964) and no significant differences between them throughout the study.

CONCLUSION
CCO has a delayed response during acute hemodynamic changes induced by hemorrhage and resuscitation. When sudden changes in mean arterial pressure or in mixed venous oxygen saturation are detected, cardiac output must be estimated by the standard bolus thermodilution technique, not by CCO.


The mdx mouse has been used as an animal model for human Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Unlike DMD, skeletal muscles of mdx mice undergo successful regeneration and do not show extensive fibrosis and functional impairment. Growth factors have been proposed to be involved in muscle growth and regeneration. We compared mitogenic activity for skeletal myoblasts released after injury in mdx and control mice, using crushed muscle extract (CME) as a model system. We found that CMEs from normal and mdx mice contained similar mitogenic activities per microgram protein, and produced similar maximal levels of mitogenic stimulation. Skeletal muscles from mdx mice, however, released higher amounts of CME protein per gram of muscle weight compared to controls, possibly as a result of histological or physiological alterations in mdx muscle tissue. Adequate mitogenic activity in CME from mdx muscles may be related to successful muscle regeneration in mdx mice.


This graphic design research paper focused on the problems users have in understanding the meaning of icons used on mobile devices. This research was to find out why some graphical icons can help the user understand while others prevent the user from getting the meaning easily. If the icons are not meaningful to users, this study is also intended to explore how to re-design problematic icons to deliver the message more efficiently. It is assumed that: a) People will have trouble in understanding some of the icons on mobile devices because they are over-simplified due to their reduced size. b) The design of icons on mobile devices can be improved to deliver the intended message without affecting their simplicity. This can be done through greater concern for recognizability, relevance, and uniqueness. Two surveys were conducted to evaluate if subjects could have understood the meanings of a set of 5 problematic icons which were identified as being oversimplified to the point where they lacked recognition, relevance, and uniqueness; in response to the survey, a set of new prototype icons was designed. Subsequently, another three comprehension tests were conducted with new test subjects to see how well users were interpreting the new icons. The test results show that these subjects could understand the meanings of the new icons better compared with the


A combination of neutron elastic and inelastic, resonant x-ray scattering, and 57Fe Mössbauer experiments are used to determine the unusual magnetic ground state of CeFe2. The complementarities between different time-scale techniques may allow one to understand the dynamic features of the ground state in CeFe2 and its pseudobinary compounds, and how the frustration of Fe tetrahedra leads the appearance of antiferromagnetic fluctuations in the presence of ferrimagnetism. The resulting model can be used to rationalize many of the unusual and conflicting experimental results reported for this material in the literature.


Self-emulsifying pellets (SEPs) of Atorvastatin Calcium (AtrCa) were developed and processed into tablets (SETs). Self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) composed of oleic acid, Tween 20, Span 80 and N-Methyl-2-pyrolidone gave great solubility improvement and was used as oil in water emulsion for the preparation of SEPs. Due to the high 60% w/w SEDDS content required to achieve a therapeutic dose in the final tablet form, sonication was necessary to improve fluidity and stability. Colloidal silicon dioxide (CSD) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were the solids in the pellet formulation employed at a ratio 7:3, which enabled production of pellets with high SEDDS content and acceptable friability as well. Emulsions were characterized physico-chemically, SEPs for physical properties and reconstitution, and tablets of compressed pellets for mechanical strength, disintegration into pellets and drug release. SEPs compressed with 30% MCC at 60 MPa gave tablets of adequate strength that disintegrated rapidly into pellets within 1 min. Emulsion reconstitution took longer than drug release due to adsorption of SEDDS on CSD, implying dissolution at the pellet surface in parallel to that from the dispersed droplets. Compared to the commercial tablet, drug release from the self-emulsifying forms was faster at pH 1.2 where the drug solubility is poor, but slower at pH 6.8 where the solubility is higher. Permeability and cytotoxicity were also studied using Caco-2 cells. The results showed that drug transport from the apical to basolateral compartment of the test well was 1.27 times greater for SEPs than commercial tablets, but 0.86 times lower in the opposite direction. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of these results. Toxicity was slightly reduced. Therefore, the increased permeability in conjunction with the protection of the drug being dissolved in the SEDDS droplets, may reduce the overall effect of presystemic metabolism and enhance bioavailability.


Objectives To identify a substance found in female genital tract secretions that enhances HIV expression in infected cells. Design Cervico-vaginal lavages (CVL), collected in sterile normal saline, were fractionated and tested for HIV-inducing activity using HIV-infected monocytes. Methods To purify the component(s) of CVL that enhance HIV production, Mono-Q ion exchange chromatography followed by Superose-12 molecular sieve analysis, and SDS–PAGE were performed. The purified protein was identified by amino acid sequence analysis. Results SDS–PAGE of bioactive fractions showed a 14 kDa polypeptide band. Amino acid sequence analysis of selected peptides from the 14 kDa band showed 100% homology with the myeloid-related protein (MRP)-8, an inflammatory protein found in mucosal secretions. Western blot analysis revealed that bioactive CVL contained more immunoreactive MRP-8 than samples without bioactivity. The HIV-inducing activity of MRP-8 was further confirmed by showing that human recombinant MRP-8 increased HIV expression by up to 40-fold. Conclusions MRP-8 in cervico-vaginal secretions stimulates HIV production. Strategies aimed at blocking MRP-8 activity in the genital tract could reduce risk of sexual as well as maternal–infant transmission of HIV.


Abstract:While there has been a plethora of analysis on diverse subjects within Holocaust studies, there remains some reluctance to engage with women's unique experiences, which were largely subsumed under those of men in the decades following World War II. This article examines how women's specific experiences, both biological and social, are often denied or suppressed in research and literature on the Holocaust, even in survivors' own testimonies, despite the fact that these are often clearly gendered experiences. By revisiting key themes from the testimonies of female survivors, such gendered analyses contribute to a fuller picture of the unprecedented and relentless killing that the Final Solution's anti-Semitism entailed.


During 2017–2019, a total of 88/753 (11.7%) of patients 5–90 years of age in hospitals in Saravan Province, Laos, were seropositive for hepatitis C virus antibodies. Viral RNA was found in 44 samples. Sequencing showed high diversity within genotype 6. We recommend exposure-risk investigations and targeted testing and treatment.


When the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established and began its work during the early part of 1995, with the intention of contributing to nation-building, it generated widespread interest from various quarters for a variety of reasons. While journalists wrote about the TRC's effects on South African society while it was in session, academics analysed different aspects of the TRC to gauge whether it produced important findings that were of relevance to the international community. As a result of their extensive and rich outputs in the popular media and in peer-reviewed journals, the TRC invariably attracted the attention of another set of interested individuals, namely bibliographers who had also witnessed the TRC proceedings unfolding. They, as stakeholders, realised that the TRC had gradually generated a vast body of knowledge that needed to be monitored and recorded in a useful compilation that would serve many local and international researchers, scholars and academics. Although by the beginning of 2000 a handful of these bibliographers had their works published on the Internet and in journals, none of them annotated their entries - with only one exception; in response to this glaring 'shortcoming', The South African TRC: an annotated bibliography was prepared.
The purpose of this article is to reflect on the trials and tribulations of compiling, annotating and editing The South African TRC: an annotated bibliography, which was published by the New York-based Nova Science at the end of 2009. The aim is to assess the bibliographical articles/compilations published and in progress by the end of 2008, and thereafter the argument is about why and how this bibliography differed from those that had been published or were in the process of being published. Apart from sharing thoughts about the decision-making process that pertained to the overall presentation of the bibliography, the author prefaces the discussion with a detailed reflection on the process of knowledge production - a process inextricably tied to the compilation and formatting of this bibliography.


Satellite-derived profiles of temperature and dewpoint (retrievals) are obtained using radiance data from the Visible-Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer Atmospheric Sounder. Individual fields of view that are input to the retrieval algorithm must be horizontally averaged to provide suitable signal-to-noise ratios. This paper investigates three methods for performing this averaging: 1) a blocking approach that is employed operationally, 2) a manual procedure that seeks to maximize atmospheric gradients, and 3) an objective procedure called clustering that takes advantage of similarities in satellite measurements to avoid smearing the gradient information. The three techniques are examined on 10-11 July 1989 when intense gradients of humidity were present over the Florida peninsula. Results show that the clustering scheme produced retrievals that were very similar to those obtained manually. Both schemes indicated strong humidity gradients in the lower troposphere. The blocking procedure produced less intense gradients. The retrieval information is used to examine conditions leading to fair weather on 10 July but intense thunderstorm development on 11 July


Abstract Mathematical and experimental errors cast doubt on the ice nucleus activity spectrum of falling dry ice pellets as reported by Fukuta et al. (1971). Preliminary laboratory studies have established that ice embryos or small ice crystals will survive at ice saturation for periods up to 15 min in the Colorado State University Isothermal Cloud Chamber following dry ice seeding. These facts suggest that a re-evaluation be made of the methodology, amounts used, and the effects expected from dry ice seeding of natural clouds.


The multi-armed bandit (MAB) problem is a classical problem that models sequential decision-making under uncertainty in reinforcement learning. In this study, we propose a new generalized upper confidence bound (UCB) algorithm (GWA-UCB1) by extending UCB1, which is a representative algorithm for MAB problems, using generalized weighted averages, and present an effective algorithm for various problem settings. GWA-UCB1 is a two-parameter generalization of the balance between exploration and exploitation in UCB1 and can be implemented with a simple modification of the UCB1 formula. Therefore, this algorithm can be easily applied to UCB-based reinforcement learning models. In preliminary experiments, we investigated the optimal parameters of a simple generalized UCB1 (G-UCB1), prepared for comparison and GWA-UCB1, in a stochastic MAB problem with two arms. Subsequently, we confirmed the performance of the algorithms with the investigated parameters on stochastic MAB problems when arm reward probabilities were sampled from uniform or normal distributions and on survival MAB problems assuming more realistic situations. GWA-UCB1 outperformed G-UCB1, UCB1-Tuned, and Thompson sampling in most problem settings and can be useful in many situations. The code is available at https://github.com/manome/python-mab.


This report provides the results of a study by the British Geological Survey (BGS). It refers to work carried out on behalf of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), under the International Business Development (IBD) and the Physical Hazards Programmes of the BGS.
This report details the first phase of work carried out to investigate the nature and instability of the Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat, West Indies. The purpose of the monitoring programme is to provide the best possible information to the MVO to assist in decisions about the long-term management of the current volcanic crisis.
This primary aim of the survey was to provide a 'baseline' survey, incorporating a terrestrial LiDAR (Light Distance And Ranging) survey of the volcanic crater to allow a future assessment to be made, based on subsequent periodic 'monitoring' surveys of any changes in the conditions, in particular, the continued growth of a new lava dome or the potential weakening of the crater walls.


The production of wine is a recent endeavour in Quebec. In 1996, 95 p. cent of the commercial vineyards were found in the Eastern Townships and Monteregie regions, where climate puts severe constraints on viticulture. Very low winter time temperatures can occur and it is important to match vine hardiness to climate reality. This can be accomplished by plant selection and/or by application of variety of phytoprotective measures. Field measurements of the thermal regime of different parts of vines ( Vitis vinifera L. var. Melon) are reported here. Intratissular temperatures were recorded semi-continuously using fine (A WG n° 40) thermocouples and datalogger system. Measurements were recorded throughout the winters 1993-1994 in a vineyard near Sherbrooke, Quebec. The measurements show that snow is very important factor ameliorating root-zone temperatures. Snow is also very important to keeping the aerial parts of the plant at temperatures well above their winter hardiness. Temperatures of 0°C to 4°C were recordeding snow cover parts of the plants even at ambient air temperatures near -30°C. During cold spells, following periods of melt with complete removal of the snow cover, cooling was notes down to a depth of 60 cm in the soil and the aerial parts of the plants closely followed the air temperatures. By contrast, if the cold front marking the end of the melting event was accompanied by snowfall, such extreme cooling did not occur. Even just a few centimeters of snow had very important thermal effects. Our results suggest that noble grapes, which give a more interesting wine, but which are less hardy than their hybrid counterparts, can survive in Quebec, provided they remain snow covered. A snow cover of only about 10 cm would suffice to protect the vines. Active management of snow cover conditions by means of snow fences, or even by production of artificial snow, may be useful venues to investigate.


An analysis of errors in measurement yields new insight into clas- sically forbidden quantum processes. In addition to "physical" values, a realistic measurement can yield "unphysical" values; we show that in sequences of measure- ments, the "unphysical" values can form a consistent pattern. An experiment to isolate a particle in a classically forbidden region obtains a negative value for its kinetic energy. It is the weak value of kinetic energy between past and future state vectors.


The thesis is aimed to study the characteristics nonlinear seismic response of the isolated continuous girder bridges with LRB. In order to achieve the aim, force-deformation properties of the LRB is considered as bilinear first, the bouc-wen model is adopted to imitate the force nonlinear deformation behavior of LRB, and by using Finite element method, the motion equation of the Isolation system of continuous girder bridge is established, then some shaking table tests towards the model of isolated continuous girder bridges with LRB is done. On this basis of it, by comparing the experimental results and calculation results, such as the acceleration and displacement of deck, vertical force of bearing, and the relationship between the Isolation layer displacement and the Level force displacement of the Bearing, we can see that the difference between the analytical results and the experimental results are very small. The results show that the calculation method can analyze Nonlinear Seismic Response of isolated continuous girder bridges with LRB efficiently. But when the vertical earthquake component is larger, whether the results of the Vertical tension are produced or not, designing the Rubber bearings should be considered.


Mohammed Heikal, foreign policy adviser to Egypt's president Gamal Abdel Nasser, recalls the following bizarre scene during his state visit to Moscow in June 1970. With consultations already in full swing, the door opened and a Foreign Office official came in and handed a document to the deputy foreign minister, Vladimir Vinogradov. Vinogradov gave the paper to [Andrei] Gromyko, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who read it, got up, and took it to [Aleksei] Kosygin. Kosygin read it, and gave it to [Leonid] Brezhnev. Brezhnev read it, and gave it back to Kosygin. Kosygin then gave it to [Nikolai] Podgornyi. Podgornyi read it, and gave it back to Kosygin, who gave it back to Brezhnev. Then Brezhnev signed it, and gave it to Kosygin, who signed it too. Then Podgornyi signed. Then Podgornyi gave it to Gromyko, who gave it to Vinogradov, who gave it back to the Foreign Office official. The official then left the room. The whole transaction took, I suppose, about five minutes. (1) Brezhnev explained to the flabbergasted Egyptians that they had just signed a telegram warning General Mohamed Siad Barre in Somalia that an attempt to assassinate him was being planned. Upon leaving the room, Nasser said to Heikal, "Did you see what happened?" "Over that bit of paper, you mean?" he asked. "Yes," said Nasser. "If a telegram to General Siad in Somalia needs the signature of all those three, then we are in trouble." (2) Heikal and Nasser had just witnessed the collective leadership practice that Brezhnev had introduced upon taking up his duties in 1964. Western historians have long speculated that Khrushchev was removed because he had embarrassed the country internationally in the Cuban Missile Crisis or because he was blamed for food shortages. (3) However, in October 1964 the members of the party Presidium were less concerned about Khrushchev's foreign and domestic failures than they were about their own sinecures. Before going on holiday in 1964, Khrushchev had announced that when he returned, he would break up the party Presidium, which he described as a "bunch of old men." (4) Khrushchev had already proved that his intentions were serious. He had reformed the structure of a number of ministries and the party committees and had limited terms in office. (5) At the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CC CPSU) meeting on 14 October 1964, Brezhnev accused Khrushchev of suffering from "restructuring-itis": "Comrade Khrushchev literally suffered from the itch of having to reorganize or restructure everything and believed blindly in its magical, secret power." (6) Above all, Brezhnev accused Khrushchev of breaking with the principle of "collective leadership." (7) Accordingly, the Presidium decreed that the offices of first secretary and chairman of the Council of Ministers were never again to be held by a single person. (8) So to justify the overthrow of Khrushchev and secure his own power, Brezhnev declared himself the irreplaceable guarantor of "collective leadership." (9) Though it is common to speak of "collective leadership" under Brezhnev, this article seeks to shed light on Brezhnev's specific practices of maintaining power as Heikal described it above, using unpublished and mostly unstudied shorthand minutes of the CC plenary sessions and a number of memoirs. "Collective leadership" is defined here as a technique of ruling over the Politburo and the Central Committee. It did not mean that every Politburo member had the same impact on decision making, or that there was a free and controversial exchange of opinions, as in Western democracies. Rather it referred to the Leninist idea that the Party should speak with a single voice that reflected the one and only party line. This dogma had existed since Lenin had banned the formation of factions within the Party, thereby criminalizing every deviant opinion. (10) But since there was no fixed rule concerning how "consensus" should be reached or how "collective leadership" should function, it was up to every party leader to determine which practices, rituals, or discourses he would subsume under this term. …


Chicken eggs are important as food to humans. The present study was conducted in Kafrelsheikh governorate, Egypt. A total of 250 samples (each sample contains 3 eggs) were purchased from different retail stores (conventional and organic, 125samples for each). These samples were subjected to microbiological examination for assessment of the sanitary quality and detection of incidence, serological and molecular characterization of salmonella, and subjected to chemical examination to detect the incidence of 2 antibiotic residues (oxytetracycline and tylosin) in both types of egg. Aerobic plate count showed mean values of 8.0×102 ± 4.6×10 cfu/ml for conventional eggs and 6.2×102 ± 3.2×10 cfu/ml for organic eggs, the coliform count showed a mean value of 4.6×102 ± 3.2×10 cfu /ml and 3.7×102 ± 2.6 ×10 cfu/ml for conventional and organic eggs respectively. Staphylococcus aureus count showed a mean value of 3.1×102±3.1 ×10 cfu/ml for conventional eggs and 2.3×102 ± 2.7 ×10 cfu/ml for organic egg. Mold and yeast count showed a mean value of 7.3×10 ± 3.8×10 cfu/ml and 4.2×10 ± 1.8 ×10 cfu/ml for conventional and organic eggs respectively. Salmonella was detected in 4 samples (1.6 % from total samples). All of them were only isolated from conventional eggs with a percentage of 3.2%. Serotype identification of four isolates was S. Kentucky. Salmonella Species were not isolated from organic egg contents. Multiplex PCR detected 3 virulence genes (hila, spvC, and stn) (100% of Salmonella isolates). No positive samples for microbial inhibitor test and no antibiotic residues in organic eggs and 4 conventional egg samples were detected positive for microbial inhibitor test with bacillus subtilis, which confirmed by HPLC for detection of 2 antibiotic residues (oxytetracycline and tylosin) and results revealed that 2 out of 4 positive inhibitor test samples were positive for oxytetracycline residues (317 µg /gm and 382 µg /gm) respectively, and 3 out of the same 4 samples were positive for tylosin residues (8.6 µg /gm, 48 µg /gm, and 18.5 µg /gm) respectively, and all positive samples exceeded the maximal residues limit (MRL 0.2 µg /gm) for both oxytetracycline and tylosin residues. The rate of detection of oxytetracycline and tylosin residues was (1.60%) and (2.4%) respectively from the conventional egg. Public health and economic importance for the isolated microorganisms and antibiotic residues were investigated. Results revealed that organic egg is safer than the conventional one.


The availability of a bulk of genomic data of Apicomplexa parasites is a unique opportunity to identify groups of related proteins that are characteristic of this phylum. The Cpa135 protein of Cryptosporidium parvum is expressed and secreted through the apical complex at the invasive stage of sporozoite. This protein is characterised by an LCCL domain, a common trait of various secreted proteins within Apicomplexa. Using the Cpa135 as a "virtual template", we have identified Cpa135 orthologous genes in four apicomplexan species (Plasmodium falciparum, Theileria parva, Toxoplasma gondii and Eimeria tenella). In addition, the architecture of the deduced proteins shows that the Cpa135-related proteins are a distinct family among the apicomplexan LCCL proteins.


Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice reconstituted with lymphocytes from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) negative human donors develop aggressive tumors after the chimeric mice are infected with EBV. The tumors were composed of human B cells that expressed EBV encoded antigens (latent membrane protein and EBV nuclear antigen2). Southern blot analysis of DNA from 16 SCID/ hu tumors with human lg gene probes showed that each tumor contained multiple heavy and light chain gene rearrangements. lg K gene rearrangements were frequent, while clonal A gene rearrangements were infrequent. Analysis of EBV terminal repeat sequences indicated two or more fused termini in each tumor, consistent with a multiclonal origin. Linear


For some young people, the experience of having a facial disfigurement such as a cleft lip and palate can result in negative social interactions, often originating from the stereotyping reaction of others. Using the social rank theory of shame, the effects of bullying and teasing were investigated in a patient group of 16,12-18 year olds with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate. The patient group were compared with a group of 16 of their peers with regards to their experiences of bullying and teasing, shame-proneness and the focus of their shame. The interactional effects of shame and bullying were also investigated in order to test a shaming-loop model of negative social interaction. The investigation necessitated two separate studies. The first study involved 215 adolescents from a secondary school and was required for the development of a focus of shame scale and the gathering of data for establishing its psychometric properties. It also enabled data to be collected regarding the experiences of shame and bullying in adolescents without cleft lip and palate, in order that a random sample of 16 school adolescents matched with the patient sample on age and gender, may act as a comparison group. Participants completed self-report questionnaires concerning shame-proneness and focus of shame, and a semi-structured interview regarding their experiences of bullying. The second study involved the administration of the same measures to the patient sample. Results showed high levels of bullying for both groups although there was no overall difference between the groups. Differences were seen in focus of shame scores, with the patient group having higher scores on shame related to facial appearance than their comparisons. No overall differences were seen on scores of shame-proneness. The implications of the findings are discussed and limitations of the study acknowledged.


The switching of the total solar irradiance (TSI) backup radiometer (PREMOS-B) to a primary role for 2 weeks at the end of the PICARD mission provides a unique opportunity to test the fundamental hypothesis of radiometer experiments in space, which is that the sensitivity change of instruments due to the space environment is identical for the same instrument type as a function of solar-exposure time of the instruments. We verify this hypothesis for the PREMOS TSI radiometers within the PREMOS experiment on the PICARD mission. We confirm that the sensitivity change of the backup instrument, PREMOS-B, is similar to that of the identically-constructed primary radiometer, PREMOS-A. The extended exposure of the backup instrument at the end of the mission allows for the assessment, with an uncertainty estimate, of the sensitivity change of the primary radiometer from the beginning of the PICARD mission compared to the end, and of the degradation of the backup over the mission. We correct six sets of PREMOS-B observations connecting October 2011 with February 2014, using six ratios from simultaneous PREMOS-A and PREMOS-B exposures during the first days of PREMOS-A operation in 2010. These ratios are then used, without indirect estimates or assumptions, to evaluate the stability of SORCE/TIM and SOHO/VIRGO TSI measurements, which have both operated for more than a decade and now show different trends over the time span of the PICARD mission, namely from 2010 to 2014. We find that by February 2014 relative to October 2011 PREMOS-B supports the SORCE/TIM TSI time evolution, which in May 2014 relative to October 2011 is ~0.11 W m−2 , or ~84 ppm, higher than SOHO/VIRGO. Such a divergence between SORCE/TIM and SOHO/VIRGO over this period is a significant fraction of the estimated decline of 0.2 W m−2 between the solar minima of 1996 and 2008, and questions the reliability of that estimated trend. Extrapolating the uncertainty indicated by the disagreement of SORCE/TIM and PREMOS with respect to SOHO/VIRGO, we can conclude that it is currently not possible to assess centennial timescale changes in solar irradiance based on any of the presently existing TSI composites. It is imperative to accurately estimate solar irradiance changes from observations in order to extrapolate centennial scale trends important for understanding both long-term solar irradiance changes and the Sun's influence on the Earth's climate.


Few-shot learning has recently attracted wide interest in image classification, but almost all the current public benchmarks are focused on natural images. The few-shot paradigm is highly relevant in medical-imaging applications due to the scarcity of labeled data, as annotations are expensive and require specialized expertise. However, in medical imaging, few-shot learning research is sparse, limited to private data sets and is at its early stage. In particular, the few-shot setting is of high interest in histology due to the diversity and fine granularity of cancer related tissue classification tasks, and the variety of data-preparation techniques. This paper introduces a highly diversified public benchmark, gathered from various public datasets, for few-shot histology data classification. We build few-shot tasks and base-training data with various tissue types, different levels of domain shifts stemming from various cancer sites, and different class-granularity levels, thereby reflecting realistic scenarios. We evaluate the performances of state-of-the-art few-shot learning methods on our benchmark, and observe that simple fine-tuning and regularization methods achieve better results than the popular meta-learning and episodic-training paradigm. Furthermore, we introduce three scenarios based on the domain shifts between the source and target histology data: near-domain, middle-domain and out-domain. Our experiments display the potential of few-shot learning in histology classification, with state-of-art few shot learning methods approaching the supervised-learning baselines in the near-domain setting. In our out-domain setting, for 5-way 5-shot, the best performing method reaches 60% accuracy. We believe that our work could help in building realistic evaluations and fair comparisons of few-shot learning methods and will further encourage research in the few-shot paradigm.


To the Editor.— Bindman et al 1 contend that the closure of a public hospital negatively affects the health care status of the poor. Those involved in the closing of Shasta General Hospital agree with their conclusion but object to how they got there and how they express it. The question arises as to why the authors neglected to communicate with the following informed sources: Shasta General Hospital's former medical director, Redding (Calif) hospital administrators, the county administrative officer, the county health officer, or the county medical society. If they had made such efforts, they would have acquired some important facts. Virtually all Shasta General inpatients were cared for by house staff of the Shasta-Cascade Family Practice Residency, a program affiliated with the University of California at Davis. As Shasta General Hospital closed, Mercy Medical Center assumed sponsorship of the residency, anxious to preserve it as an access point for


An accurate, highly sensitive, precise and reproducible isocratic RP-HPLC method was developed and subsequent validated for the simultaneous analysis of Hydrochlorthiazide and Eprosartan in bulk and tablet dosage forms. Method development was carried out on Agilent Eclipse XBD-C18 (5μm, 150mm × 4.6mm I.D.) column. The mobile phase was a mixture of buffer (20mM KH2PO4) and methanol in the ratio of 80:20 v/v. The flow rate was set at 1.0 ml/min and UV detection at 225nm. The retention time of Hydrochlorthiazide and Eprosartan were found to be 3.34 min and 4.75 min respectively. Validation parameters such as linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were evaluated for the method according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Q2 R1 guidelines. In the linearity study, the regression equations Hydrochlorthiazide and Eprosartan were found to be y=0.0123x + 0.0019 and y=0.0034x - 0.0163. Correlation coefficient was 0.9984 and 0.9989 for Hydrochlorthiazide and Eprosartan respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied for the quantification of bulk and active pharmaceutical present in tablet dosage form.


RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVESBy using digital ROI (region of interest) processing techniques, we measured and compared directly the angiographic opacification of ioxaglate and iodixanol in an experimental circulation model. METHODSA pulsatile pump circulated water into a 2-mm plastic tube for digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Altogether, 90 digital imaging series were registered during injections of two contrast media with 320, 300, and 270 mg/mL iodine concentrations. By selecting a "vessel" ROI and a subtracted background ROI, a time-density curve (TDC) was created. From the TDC, the average density of contrast media and the appearance time of contrast media into the selected ROI were measured. RESULTSThe average density was statistically different (P < .01) among three various iodine concentrations of the contrast media, but no difference was found between the two contrast media. The appearance times of ioxaglate with 320 mg/mL iodine concentration were statistically shorter (P < .01) than those of iodixanol. In both contrast medium groups, the appearance times were statistically shorter (P < .05) with 270 mg/mL iodine concentration than with two higher iodine concentrations. CONCLUSIONThe current experimental set-up facilitates reproducible measurement of angiographic opacification during the injection of contrast media. The average densities between ioxaglate and iodixanol are the same, but are significantly different among three iodine concentrations. The different appearance times of the two CM and the three iodine concentrations may be caused by the various viscosities of the contrast media.


Abstract Background Prostate cancer is a frequently diagnosed cancer and made up 6% of male cancer deaths globally in 2008. Its incidence varies more than 25-fold worldwide, which is primarily attributed to the implementation of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test in developed countries. To reduce harm of overdiagnosis, most international guidelines recommend surveillance programmes. However, this approach can entail negative psychosocial consequences from being under surveillance for an (over)diagnosed prostate cancer. Aim To explore men's feelings and experiences in a surveillance programme. Design and setting Qualitative study with Danish men diagnosed with asymptomatic prostate cancer Gleason score ≤ 6, who are in a surveillance programme Methods 12 semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted and analysed with systematic text condensation and selected theories. Results Most informants reported that they were astonished at the time of diagnosis. They were aware of the small likelihood of dying from cancer, but in some cases, the uncertainty created ambivalence between knowing and not knowing. The men expressed their risk awareness in different ways: a realization that life does not last forever, uncertainty towards the future, a feeling of powerlessness, and a need for control. Conclusions The men in this study had substantial psychosocial consequences from being labelled with a cancer diagnosis. Bearing these men's high risk of overdiagnosis in mind, it is important to discuss whether the harms of this diagnosis outweigh the benefits. The psychosocial consequences of being in a prostate cancer surveillance programme should be explored further. KEY POINTS Current awareness: The number of men living with an asymptomatic prostate cancer has increased the last 20 years after the implementation of the PSA test. Main Statements: Men living with an asymptomatic, low-risk prostate cancer experience negative psychocosial consequences GPs should consider the possible negative psychosocial consequences in their decision-making of measuring the PSA level


The unprecedented growth of human-dominated landscapes has led to population decline and the extinction of many animal species. A major paradigm shift that perceived wildlife as problem animals into threatened species that need protection triggered human-wildlife conflict studies. Although human-wildlife conflict incidences can be found globally, they have unique characteristics in each region of the world. However, little is known about the characteristics of human-wildlife conflicts in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. There is a need for a comprehensive insight into human-wildlife conflict studies in Indonesia to understand past advancements and propose future priorities. This study examined the literature that provides the overall view of the human-wildlife conflict patterns in the country. The results showed that there was a comparatively small number of studies because this field was a relatively new subject in Indonesia. Furthermore, there were big gaps regarding animal species and the geographic distribution of study sites. A total of 35 species belonging to eight taxonomic groups experienced conflicts with humans. However, the studies heavily focused on three groups of animals and certain areas of the country. The predominant conflict sites were secondary forest, agroforestry, and farmlands. The conflicts in these areas unveiled the significance of local beliefs and social norms for formulating mitigation strategies.


Kallio J, Blomberg H, Kroll C. Social workers' attitudes towards the unemployed in the Nordic countries

In recent decades, municipal social workers have become the implementers of new types of social policy measures aimed at activating the unemployed. These policies put a greater emphasis on the individual's own responsibility for being unemployed. Little is known, however, about how social workers view the unemployed – one factor that might influence how policies are in fact implemented. Therefore, our purpose was to analyse Nordic social workers' attitudes towards the unemployed and their determinants: Do social workers' attitudes correspond with a more individualistic view on unemployment? We utilised the data from surveys of professional social workers in four Nordic countries. Our analyses showed that individualistic attitudes towards the unemployed appeared to be rather rare among Nordic social workers. However, attitudinal differences were found between and within countries.


Machine translation evaluation is a very important activity in machine translation development. Automatic evaluation metrics proposed in literature are inadequate as they require one or more human reference translations to compare them with output produced by machine translation. This does not always give accurate results as a text can have several different translations. Human evaluation metrics, on the other hand, lacks inter-annotator agreement and repeatability. In this paper we have proposed a new human evaluation metric which addresses these issues. Moreover this metric also provides solid grounds for making sound assumptions on the quality of the text produced by a machine translation.


THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE MOST RECENT, FORESEEABLE TRENDS IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC TOOLS. THE "ME NEWSPAPER" (WEBSITES WITH PERSONALIZED INFORMATION) IS JUST AROUN THE CORNER. THIS KIND OF SERVICE WILL ALLOW USER TO SELECT WHAT INTEREST HIM, A PHENOMENON THAT SUGGESTS THAT THE USER WILL NO LONGER BE A PASSIVE RECEPTOR, BUT RATHER AND ACTIVE CREATOR OF VERSION OF EVENTS. THE "NEW COMMUNICATORS" WILL BE A HYBRID OF THE JOURNALIST AND THE DOCUMENTARY MAKER AND THEREBY EXERCISE CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE IN THE APPEARANCE OF PERSONALIZED INFORMATION.


Objective: To describe how men and women experience their use of powered wheelchair (PW) and powered scooters (PS) in everyday occupations, in the home and society at large. Methods: A qualitative research approach with focus group methodology was used. Four focus groups were created, with men and women as well as PW and PS users in different groups. Applying a descriptive approach, data were analyzed according to the principles described by Krueger. Findings: Three categories emerged and revealed that even though use of PW and PS increased independence and enabled everyday occupations, participants struggled to be independent powered mobility device (PMD) users. They experienced many accessibility problems in dwellings and in society, described similarly by users of PW and PS. Men and women experienced their use of (PMD differently, especially in relation to the service delivery process. Conclusions: The study contributes with new knowledge on accessibility for PW and PS users and related service delivery processes, stating that gender differences regarding provision and training must be taken into account. Occupational therapists can contribute to an enhanced understanding of the PMD users' challenges in person-environment-occupation transactions in the home and society, and thereby promote occupational justice for PMD users.


Healthcare Monitoring Systems (HMSs) are promising to monitor patients in hospitals and elderly people living in Ambient Assisted Living environments using Wireless Sensor Networks. HMSs assist in monitoring chronic diseases such as Heart Attacks, High Blood Pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. Wearable and implanted devices are types of Body sensors that collect human health related data. Collected data is sent over Personal Area Networks (PANs). However, PANs are facing the challenge of increasing network traffic due to the increased number of IP-enabled devices connected in Healthcare Monitoring Systems to assist patients. ZigBee technology is an IEEE 802.15.4 standard designed to address network traffic issues in PANs. To route traffic, ZigBee network use ZigBee Tree Routing (ZTR) protocol. ZTR however suffers a challenge of network latency caused by end to end delay during packet forwarding. This paper is proposing a New Tree Routing Protocol (NTRP) for Healthcare Monitoring Systems to collect Heart Rate signals. NTRP uses Kruskal's minimum spanning tree to find shortest routes on a ZigBee network which improves ZTR. Neighbor tables are implemented in NTRP instead of parent–child mechanism implemented in ZTR. To reduce end to end delay, NTRP groups' nodes into clusters and the cluster heads use neighbor tables to forward heart rate data to the destination node. NS-2 simulation tool is used to evaluate NTRP performance.


We analyse the feasibility of using a building management system (BMS) with multimedia communications over an automation network, focusing our attention on the requirements and limitations for digital video transmission. First, we address the communications requirements of BMS video information, selecting a quarter of intermediate format (QCIF). We choose an 1.25 Mbit/s LonTalk bus as the BMS communications subnetwork. The LonTalk medium access delay is analysed. Performance figures are obtained for a case study scenario, and we conclude that the selected bus fits our requirements.