Accelerated aging experiments have been conducted on a representative oil-pressboard insulation model to investigate the effect of constant and sequential stresses on the PD behavior using a built-in phase resolved partial discharge analyzer. A cycle of the applied voltage starting from the zero of the positive half cycle was divided into 16 equal phase windows (/spl Phi//sub 1/ to /spl Phi//sub 16/) and partial discharge (PD) magnitude distribution in each phase was determined. Based on the experimental results, three stages of aging mechanism were identified. Gumbel's extreme value distribution of the largest element was used to model the first stage of aging process. Second and subsequent stages were modeled using two-parameter Weibull distribution. Spearman's non-parametric rank correlation test statistic and Kolmogrov-Smirnov two sample test were used to relate the aging process of each phase with the corresponding process of the full cycle. To bring out clearly the effect of stress level, its duration and test procedure on the distribution parameters and hence of the aging process, non-parametric ANOVA techniques like Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher's LSD multiple comparison tests were used. Results of the analysis show that two phases (/spl Phi//sub 13/ and /spl Phi//sub 14/) near the vicinity of the negative voltage peak were found to contribute significantly to the aging process and their aging mechanism also correlated well with that of the corresponding full cycle mechanism. Attempts have been made to relate these results with the published work of other workers.


Introduction People have long been intrigued by the notion of a virtual space that could offer an escape from reality to new sensory experiences. As early as 1965, Sutherland envisioned that the 'ultimate display' would enable users to actively interact with the virtual space as if it were real, giving them "a chance to gain familiarity with concepts not realizable in the physical world" (Sutherland, 1965, p. 506). William Gibson appears to have shared this vision when coining the term 'cyberspace' in his 1984 novel Neuromancer , defining it as "a consensual hallucination experienced daily by billions of legitimate operators, in every nation, by children being taught mathematical concepts …" (p. 51). While the image may have seemed farfetched at the time, the mounting popularity of home video game consoles, massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs), and massive open online courses (MOOCs) all demonstrate that virtual reality (VR) is an increasingly integral component of our everyday lives. Despite some romanticized versions of VR, much of the previous literature focused on its dangers. Early studies voiced concerns about how individuals would no longer be able to receive true emotional and social support online (e.g., Kraut et al., 1998) and more recent research focused on Internet addiction (e.g., Lam et al., 2009) as well as the antisocial effects of playing violent games (e.g., Bartholow, Bushman, & Sestir, 2006). Overall, the results suggest that spending extensive amounts of time in VR can result in apathetic or even violent attitudes and behavior toward others. Indeed, early conversations between Jaron Lanier, one of the pioneers of the technology, and William Gibson, who consulted Lanier while writing his manifesto, focused on this tension. Lanier envisioned prosocial uses for the technology he championed, but Gibson felt compelled to write about the less wholesome applications, saying, "Jaron, I tried. But it's coming out dark" (Lanier, 2013, p. 329). In terms of academic research, there is a group of scholars who focus on a more positive outlook; the unique affordances of virtual environments actually promote prosocial behavior when leveraged. Recent developments show that even brief virtual interventions can increase environmental awareness, reduce racial bias, and enhance general altruistic behavior. These interventions have been found to be especially powerful when the user feels fully immersed in the virtual world.


The effect of graphite size and spacing upon the elastic constants of spheroidal graphite cast iron has been studied for different graphite-matrix interface conditions through a finite element analysis of two dimensional idealized configuration of inclusion and matrix. The interface conditions considered cover situations ranging from complete rigidity to complete elastic deformation of the inclusion. It has been attempted to throw light on the probable modes of elastic deformation of graphite in spheroidal  graphite iron castings based on comparison of analytical values with experimentally determined values available in the literature. While the interfacial conditions considered appear to influence the overall elastic modulus when the inclusion is hard, such effect is shown to be relatively insignificant for soft inclusions such as graphite.


Anthrax is the widespread acute infection disease, affecting animals and humans, refers to the bioterrorist threat agents of category A, because of the high resistance of Bacillus anthracis spores to adverse environmental factors and the ease of receiving them. We obtain a representative panel of 20 monoclonal antibodies against the key component of pathogenic exotoxins, anthrax protective antigen. Quantitative sandwich-ELISA for protective antigen with antibody obtained was developed. Six pairs of monoclonal antibodies showed the detection limit up to 1 ng/ml concentration of the protective antigen in blood serum.


Experimental observations collected during meteorological field studies conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration near the Russian River of coastal northern California are combined with SSM/I satellite observations offshore to examine the role of landfalling atmospheric rivers in the creation of flooding. While recent studies have documented the characteristics and importance of narrow regions of strong meridional water vapor transport over the eastern Pacific Ocean (recently referred to as atmospheric rivers), this study describes their impact when they strike the U.S. West Coast. A detailed case study is presented, along with an assessment of all 7 floods on the Russian River since the experimental data were first available in October 1997. In all 7 floods, atmospheric river conditions were present and caused heavy rainfall through orographic precipitation. Not only do atmospheric rivers play a crucial role in the global water budget, they can also lead to heavy coastal rainfall and flooding, and thus represent a key phenomenon linking weather and climate.


The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of 50 mg atenolol test drug manufactured by Hana Pharmaceuticals (Seoul, Korea; Hana Atenolol ® ) with 50 mg atenolol reference drug manufactured by Hyundai Pharmaceuticals (Seoul, Korea; Tenor-min ® ) in 24 healthy Korean male volunteers


With the rise in the use and misuse of prescription opioids, there is an increasing need for the confirmed identification of opioid analgesics in toxicology laboratories. The goals of this study were to (i) systematically evaluate the hydrolysis efficiency of four β-glucuronidase enzymes under optimized condition; (ii) evaluate compound recovery, matrix effects and precision of three protein precipitation plates and (iii) develop and validate a qualitative liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay to identify 13 opioids in urine. A recombinant β-glucuronidase exhibited the best overall hydrolysis efficiency for seven opioid glucuronide conjugates compared with β-glucuronidase from red abalone, Escherichia coli and Patella vulgata One of the protein precipitation plates tested exhibited overall better recovery of the opioids and lower ion suppression compared with the other two plates. An ESI positive mode LC-MS/MS assay for qualitative opioid analysis was developed and validated. Linearity, LOD, precision, matrix effect, recovery, carryover and interference of the method were evaluated. Sixty-two patient samples were analyzed by both a legacy GC-MS opioid method and the LC-MS/MS method, and 22 samples were analyzed by the LC-MS/MS and an LC-MS/MS reference method. The results of the comparisons showed good concordance. Overall, we described an efficient sample preparation procedure for a sensitive qualitative opioid confirmation assay in urine.


Argument Much of the long controversy concerning the workings of electric batteries revolved around the concept of the contact potential (especially between different types of metals), originated by Alessandro Volta in the late eighteenth century. Although Volta's original theory of batteries has been thoroughly rejected and most discussions in today's electrochemistry hardly ever mention the contact potential, the concept has made repeated comebacks through the years, and has by no means completely disappeared. In this paper, I describe four salient foci of its revivals: dry piles, thermocouples, quadrant electrometers, and vacuum phenomena. I also show how the contact potential has maintained its presence in some cogent modern scientific literature. Why has the death of the Voltaic contact potential been such an untidy affair? I suggest that this is because the concept has displayed significant meaning and utility in various experimental and theoretical contexts, but has never been successfully given a simple, unified account. Considering that situation, I also suggest that it would make sense to preserve and develop it as a multifarious concept.


The combustion of seventeen metals was studied using a pressurized oxygen index apparatus. The procedure measures the metal's flammability limits (minimum concentration or minimum pressure that enables equilibrium combustion). Metals tested included 201, 304, and 430 stainless steels, copper, brass 360, Monel® 400, carbon steel, 9% nickel steel, Incoloy® 800, Inconel® 600, Stellite® 6, and to a lesser extent, 316 and 410 stainless steels, zinc, titanium, and Ti-6Al-4V. Vertical rods 6.4-mm (0.25-in.) in diameter were principally studied, although some 3.18-mm (0.125-in.) rods and 6.4-mm (0.25-in.) diameter, 0.89-mm (0.035-in.) wall tubes were also tested. Tests of 304 rods were also conducted with specimens at up to 90° to the vertical to assess the effect of melt drainage patterns. In all cases, the tests explored upward propagation against a small downward gas flow at gage pressures to 10.34 MPa (1500 psig). Metals were ranked in the following order of lowest to highest compatibility: aluminum, carbon steel, 9% nickel steel, 10.5% aluminum bronze, zinc, 201, 304, 430, and Incoloy® 800, which exhibited propagations at pressures below the 10.34 MPa (1500 psig) limit of the apparatus. Stellite® 6, brass 360, Inconel® 600, copper, and Monel® 400 all resisted propagation at the maximum gage pressure of 10.34 MPa (1500 psig). Stainless steel 304 rods exhibited much greater thresholds than did tubes; whereas carbon steel rods and tubes produced more nearly equal thresholds. Alloy 304 also exhibited much lower thresholds after annealing and exhibited the lowest threshold with a vertical orientation. An approach to using these and other data to support increased usage of 304 is reviewed.


"This paper describes a new holistic motion control approach for personalized and efficient vehicle dynamics. The control system is part of Continental's Holistic Driverless Technologies and contributes to the Program Autonomous Driving making cars intelligent and driving safer than ever before. The goals and use-case scenarios of the key functionalities, the logical architecture and the common interface structure leading to best reusability of existing system elements will be presented in the paper. An object oriented design pattern maps the overall system into parent and child systems along different chain of effects. The chains are either build for specific purposes or represent emergent properties like waste heat. Examples of parent/child system pairs are vehicle/chassis, chassis/corner or corner/actuator. Each system distinguishes internally between information providers (observer functions) and managers. Observer functions provide information for the own and the parent level and coordinate limits received from the child level. Manager functions determine requests to control the respective child system. The application of holistic motion control is demonstrated using the example of an electric vehicle with wheel individual electric motors at the front axle and friction brakes at each corner. Vehicle level longitudinal and lateral requests are determined by a dynamic feedforward control with personalizable vehicle responsiveness and damping characteristics. The central element on chassis level is a Model Predictive Controller (MPC) requesting corner module forces while accounting for limits of stability and energy. A twin track model is used to describe the dynamics of the chassis. Time variant system matrices are generated by linearization and discretization at every sampling instant. Tire-road friction circles constraining the admissible forces at the wheels are approximated by polygons. The purpose of these measures is to ensure the applicability of convex quadratic programming suitable for real time embedded optimization. Corner modules process the incoming stream of chassis requests and generate a stream of requests to the actuators. A corner module MPC framework at the front axle is able to optimally split the wheel braking torque among the redundant actuators, while providing anti-lock braking features by wheel slip regulation. This approach offers fast transient response, without compromising the energy recuperation efficiency of the electric motors taking different dynamic authorities of friction brake and electric motor into account. Continental is aware of its responsibilities in the transformation of mobility and energy efficiency and has actively taken up the challenges. In doing so, we are paving the way to deliver intelligent and sustainable mobility far into the future, while at the same time making a significant contribution to maintaining the attractiveness of personal mobility."


The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the nutrient quality  of  leucaena leaf meal (LLM)  with addition of sheep rumen liquor enzyme  for nile tilapia feed which incubated 24 hours (in vitro); This experiment was designed in completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 3 replications each with different level of enzyme addition (0; 20; 40; 60; 80; and 100 ml/kg LLM).  Results of the experiment showed that nutrient quality of LLM  with addition of sheep rumen liquor enzyme which incubated for 24 hours, where significantly affected (P<0.05) on decrease of crude fiber (53,640%), NDF, ADF component and phytic acid (68,088%).  Over all conclusion is a great potential for using sheep rumen liquor enzyme for improving nutrition quality of leucaena leaf meal


The religion of the Yezidi Kurds, which has often been inaccurately characterized as "devil-worship," has been claimed by Kurdish nationalists since the 1930s as the "original" religion of the Kurdish people. It has likewise been asserted that the Yezidi faith is a form of Zoroastrianism, the official religion of Iran in pre-Islamic times. These notions have won official support from most Kurdish political organizations and have broadly penetrated Kurdish society. The identification of Yezidism with Zoroastrianism is historically inaccurate, however, and should be seen as a product of modern nation-building ideology. Sentimental attachment to Yezidism and/or Zoroastrianism among Kurds today is best understood in most cases as a political rejection of Islam and its perceived Arab connections, rather than in terms of genuine devotional commitment.


Economic research on the demand for cultural products focuses upon thecomposition of the audience, emphasizing its homogeneity and the determinants of consumer choice, highlighting the influence of income, price and time. The paper argues that such analyses are limited in scope, since recent transformations in the economy and in consumer expectations should lead to examine the growing complexity and diversification of cultural consumption. The cognitive process of cultural consumer is therefore analysed, and its economic implications are used in order to identify a path of effective strategies on the part of cultural producers, and to suggest a design of policies aimed at the satisfaction of consumer expectations and needs. Such a market is characterised by a high degree of monopoly, while competition is occurring for accessing public funds. Policies should incentive entrepreneurial responsibility toward consumers, in order to expand the market for culture.


then, ii g = Xp + 1, where X and p are any integers, the remainder when a is divided by p is c" + cn_x + . . . + ̂ +0$ and so ̂ > is a factor of a if cn + c"_j + . . . + cx + c0 is divisible by p. For example, if ^ = 16, so that Xp = 15, a is divisible by 3 or 5 if the sum of its integers is a multiple of 3 or 5 respectively. Also, if g — Xp -1, the remainder when a is divided by p is cn c"_1 + . . . + ( l)"c0, and then p is a factor of a if this remainder is a multiple of p. For example, if g = 16, then a = (15, 1, 11, 1, 12, 2) is divisible by ( l , l ) ( 1 7 t o b a s e l 0 ) b e c a u s e l 5 l + l l l + 1 2 2 = (2,2) =2(1,1) . This a is also divisible by 3, because the sum of its digits is (2, 10) (i.e. 42 to base 10), which is 3 (14).


This study presents a programmable and configurable motion estimation (ME) processor capable of performing ME across several state-of-the-art video codecs that include multiple tools to improve the accuracy of the calculated motion vectors. The core can be programmed using a C-style syntax optimised to implement arbitrary block matching algorithms and configured with different execution units depending on the selected codec, the available inter-coding options and required performance. This flexibility means that the core can support the latest video codecs such as H.264, VC-1 and AVS at high-definition resolutions and frame rates. The configuration and programming phases are supported by an integrated development environment that includes a compiler and profiling tools enabling a designer without specific hardware knowledge to optimise the microarchitecture for the selected codec standard and motion search technique leading to a highly efficient implementation.


A solution to the problem of scattering from a perfect electromagnetic conducting (PEMC) circular cylinder buried inside a half-space and excited by an infinite electric line source is provided. The line source is parallel to the cylinder axis, and is located in the other half-space. The two half spaces are isorefractive to each other. The source fields when incident at the planar interface separating the two half spaces, generate fields that are transmitted into the half-space where the cylinder is. These fields then become the known basic incident fields for the buried PEMC cylinder. Scattering of these incidents fields by the cylinder will consequently generate fields at the interface that get reflected back into the same half-space and transmitted frontward into the source half-space, all of which are unknown. Imposing appropriate boundary conditions at the surface of the buried cylinder and at a specified point on the interface, enables the evaluation of these unknown fields. The refection coefficient at the specified point is then computed for cylinders of different sizes, to demonstrate how it varies with the PEMC admittance of the buried cylinder, the intrinsic impedance ratio of the two isorefractive half-spaces, and the burial depth of the cylinder.


This book offers a series of reflections on the state of Christianity, and especially Catholicism, in the world today. The centrepiece of the volume is a lecture by the renowned philosopher Charles Taylor, from which the title of the book is taken. The lecture, delivered at Dayton University in January of 1996, offered Taylor the opportunity to speak about his theological views and his sense of the cultural placement of Catholicism, its history and trajectory. Four well-known commentators on religion and society were invited to respond to Taylor's lecture: William M. Shea, George Marsden, Jean Bethke Elshtain, and Rosemary Luling-Haughton. Their chapters offer a variety of astute reflections on the tensions between religion and modernity, and in particular on the role that Catholicism can and should play in contemporary society.


In high-speed SONET rings with point-to-point WDM links, the cost of SONET add-drop multiplexers (S-ADMs) can be dominantly high. However, by grooming traffic (i.e., multiplexing lower-rate streams) appropriately and using wavelength ADMs (WADMs), the number of S-ADMs can be dramatically reduced. In this paper, we propose optimal or near-optimal algorithms for traffic grooming and wavelength assignment to reduce both the number of wavelengths and the number of S-ADMs. The algorithms proposed are generic in that they can be applied to both unidirectional and bidirectional rings having an arbitrary number of nodes under both uniform and nonuniform (i.e., arbitrary) traffic with an arbitrary grooming factor. Some lower bounds on the number of wavelengths and S-ADMs required for a given traffic pattern are derived, and used to determine the optimality of the proposed algorithms. Our study shows that using the proposed algorithms, these lower bounds can he closely approached in most cases or even achieved in some cases. In addition, even when using a minimum number of wavelengths, the savings in S-ADMs due to traffic grooming (and the use of WADMs) are significant, especially for large networks.


ABSTRACT The most broadly expressed and studied aspect of sensory transduction is receptor tuning to the power spectral density of the incoming signals. Temporal cues expressed in the phase spectrum are relevant in African and American pulse-emitting electric fish showing electroreceptors sensing the signals carried by the self- and conspecific-generated electric organ discharges. This article concerns the role of electroreceptor phase sensitivity in American pulse Gymnotiformes. These fish show electroreceptors sharply tuned to narrow frequency bands. This led to the common thought that most electrosensory information is contained in the amplitude spectra of the signals. However, behavioral and modeling studies suggest that in their pulses, Gymnotiformes electroreceptors also encode cues embodied in the phase spectrum of natural stimuli. Here, we show that the two main types of tuberous primary afferents of Gymnotus omarorum differentially respond to cues embodied in the amplitude and phase spectra of self-generated electrosensory signals. One afferent type, pulse markers, is mainly driven by the amplitude spectrum, while the other, burst coders, is predominantly sensitive to the phase spectrum. This dual encoding strategy allows the fish to create a sensory manifold where patterns of 'electric color' generated by object impedance and other potential sources of 'colored' images (such as large nearby objects and other electric fish) can be represented. Summary: Total energy, amplitude and phase spectra of electrosensory signals are differently encoded by two types of primary afferents, originating a multidimensional manifold for evaluating electric qualia of actively explored objects.


The political, economic, ideological, and symbolic roles that stone tools and their production have played in many contexts have been clearly shown in archaeological and ethnographic research results. However, lithics in China have been absent from this discourse. This chapter looks at survey lithics recovered from a 313-square-kilometer regional area in Rizhao, Shandong Province, China, and at excavated lithics from the Liangchengzhen site, a regional elite-oriented late Neolithic Longshan period (ca. 2600–2000 B.C.) center in the midst of this survey area. These lithics are used to identify the nature of relationships between settlements, the social identity of stone workers, and the role of stone-working in the creation and maintenance of place in Neolithic China. Production in three different locations varied considerably and lithic production in the region's most important center was replete with political, economic, and ideological meaning. This study concludes that stone-working and its products would have been important in the creation of Liangchengzhen as a powerful place in the late Neolithic world of eastern China.


Ti oxidation has been studied by using AES combined with PCA. The authors found three different compounds for an exposure of 60 L identified as Ti, TiO and TiO2. They also conclude that the formation of TiO2 starts at the expense of TiO.


This work utilizes our recently developed spin-echo EPTI technique with minimal T2'-contamination and high specificity to map the layer-dependent responses in primary motor cortex at 7T and further investigate the impact of large vessel bias from T2' contamination. EPTI resolves multi-contrast images across the readout that are free from distortion and blurring, and simultaneously obtains a SE image with pure T2-weighting and multiple asymmetric SE images with various T2'-weightings. The activation of finger-tapping task was studied using SE-EPTI at 0.9-mm isotropic resolution. Improved specificity of layer-dependent responses was observed using pure SE images.


The paper aims to examine images of the Basilisk in Polish children's and young adult literature. It also compares the monster's image known from traditional urban legends with its depictions in their postmodern versions. In the original variants of the legends, this creature takes various forms — supposed to be a monster that hatches from the egg laid by a rooster, it is often described as an animal the size of a hen, with a turkey neck and head and a frog's eyes; partially a cock, partially a reptile, etc. The hybrid image of the Basilisk allows the elements of its characteristics to be used in later versions of the story and its re-workings. The analysis herein focuses on Legendy Warszawskie. Antologia [Warsaw Legends: An Anthology] (2016) which presents six versions of the Basilisk's legend. These texts are juxtaposed with the project "Legends of Poland" by Allegro (e-book and a short movie Operacja Bazyliszek [Operation Basilisk]), as well as with the novel Felix, Net i Nika oraz Pułapka Nieśmiertelności [Felix, Net and Nika and the Trap of Immortality] (2007) by Rafał Kosik, and Księga Potworów [The  Book of Monsters] (2016) by Michał Rusinek. The author concludes that the Basilisk may be seen as a transfictional figure that transcends the boundaries of the original storyworld, which shows that — as many other legendary monsters — it should be seen not as a past phenomenon, but rather as something that still "lives" in culture and constantly evolves.


A stability indicating reverse phase-HPLC method was designed for determination of dexibuprofen in drug solution and in nanocream formulation. Chromatographic conditions were optimized simply by adjusting the content and different compositions of reverse phase associated with mobile phases. Different parameters like specificity, limit of quantification (LOQ), limit of detection, linearity, range, system suitability, precision and accuracy were determined. Stability studies of dexibuprofen in nanocream were taken under the stressed situations of alkali, acid, oxidation process, UV and heat degradation. Tailing factor and % RSD were found >2000 and <2% respectively. The method was identified linear over the range of 0.2-1.6mg/ml having co-efficient of correlation 0.9995. Intra-day and inter- day precision and accuracy values for dexibuprofen were < 0.6% and <1.1032 and < 0.3% and 1.10% respectively. Stability studies showed that dexibuprofen was stable in nanocream against alkali, acid, oxidation, UV light and heat. The developed validated method was precise and accurate for the evaluation of dexibuprofen in solution as well as in nanocream formulation.


Significance Plants and animals carry intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors. How NLR receptors activate defense on perceiving pathogen molecules is poorly understood, especially in plants. Some NLRs function in pairs, with one NLR carrying a domain that mimics a pathogen effector target. Effector action on this domain activates the second "helper" NLR. In the Arabidopsis RPS4 and RRS1 pair, RRS1 carries a WRKY transcription factor domain targeted by bacterial effectors AvrRps4 and PopP2. We monitored conformational changes in RPS4–RRS1 during activation and developed a "molecular padlock" to reversibly restrict such changes. This revealed domains within RRS1 required to keep the RRS1–RPS4 complex inactive prior to effector detection, and specific domain–domain interactions whose disruption or modification contributes to defense activation. Plant intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors often function in pairs to detect pathogen effectors and activate defense. The Arabidopsis RRS1-R–RPS4 NLR pair recognizes the bacterial effectors AvrRps4 and PopP2 via an integrated WRKY transcription factor domain in RRS1-R that mimics the effector's authentic targets. How the complex activates defense upon effector recognition is unknown. Deletion of the WRKY domain results in an RRS1 allele that triggers constitutive RPS4-dependent defense activation, suggesting that in the absence of effector, the WRKY domain contributes to maintaining the complex in an inactive state. We show the WRKY domain interacts with the adjacent domain 4, and that the inactive state of RRS1 is maintained by WRKY–domain 4 interactions before ligand detection. AvrRps4 interaction with the WRKY domain disrupts WRKY–domain 4 association, thus derepressing the complex. PopP2-triggered activation is less easily explained by such disruption and involves the longer C-terminal extension of RRS1-R. Furthermore, some mutations in RPS4 and RRS1 compromise PopP2 but not AvrRps4 recognition, suggesting that AvrRps4 and PopP2 derepress the complex differently. Consistent with this, a "reversibly closed" conformation of RRS1-R, engineered in a method exploiting the high affinity of colicin E9 and Im9 domains, reversibly loses AvrRps4, but not PopP2 responsiveness. Following RRS1 derepression, interactions between domain 4 and the RPS4 C-terminal domain likely contribute to activation. Simultaneous relief of autoinhibition and activation may contribute to defense activation in many immune receptors.


In this article I describe how a permanent underclass is being inadvertently created in a South Pacific city. I use Descola's idea of equivalence in human relations to explain urban tenure and evictions in the postcolonial South Pacific city of Port Vila. Vanuatu is a nation of 82 islands. Its archipelagic geography segregates most people's autochthonous lands, preventing ready access to the national capital. Port Vila, then, is a city of non‐citizens of the urban space: by accident of birth, a small number of people now control the land where virtually all poor migrants to the capital will live. This article describes how two non‐equivalent relations—production and protection—feature prominently in the ways that people talk about tenure insecurity. In sum, these non‐equivalent relations form the basis of how people relate to each other in terms of urban land occupancy. The pervasiveness of non‐equivalence indicates a fundamental difference between denizens of Pacific cities, whose urban policies will need to adapt to account for its presence. A right to the city may look different in places where non‐equivalence is at the very stamba (foundation) of how the city is made.


The meta-stable SUSY breaking mechanism of Intriligator Seiberg and Shih can be used to simplify the Pentagon model of TeV scale physics. The simplified model has only a single scalar field and no troublesome low energy axion. One significant signature is llX plus missing energy, where X might be the two photons of gauge mediated models, but is likely to be different. There is a new strongly interacting sector with a scale around 1.5 TeV. The penta-hadrons of this sector have masses of order 6 TeV or more. Dark matter is probably the pseudo-goldstone boson of spontaneously broken penta-baryon number. This can be a viable dark matter candidate if an appropriate asymmetry in penta-baryon number is generated in the early universe. The pseudo-Goldstone particle has a mass of ∼ 1 eV and is produced predominantly in flavor changing charged current decays of ordinary particles. The model solves the flavor problems of SUSY, but has two low energy CP violating phases, whose value is strongly constrained by experiment.


Without doubt HTML5 is the future of the web and HTML5 in easy steps demonstrates all you can achieve NOW in the latest browsers - all described in easy to follow steps.HTML5 in easy steps instructs you how to employ the latest development for web page design with HyperText Markup Language (HTML5). Modern web browsers have united to support exciting new features of the HTML5 standard that allows easy creation of stunning web pages and engaging interactive applications.HTML5 in easy steps contains examples and screenshots that illustrate each feature of HTML5, describing how to incorporate meta information about a document within its 'head' section and how to add structured 'body' content. You'll learn how to create web pages to display text, images, lists, tables, hyperlinks, forms, audio, and video - and also how to write script instructions that draw and animate graphics on embedded 'canvas' areas. Each chapter builds your knowledge so by the end of the book you'll have gained a sound understanding of HTML5.HTML5 in easy steps has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to anyone looking to create compelling web pages for the latest browsers. Ideal for programmers who need to quickly learn the latest HTML5 techniques,


Cloud computing is a highly-scalable distributing computing platform in which resources are offered as services. The security of data in cloud is one of the important issue which act as an obstacle in the implementation of cloud computing. This paper is proposing an efficient cloud security model in which the model is providing the multi-level encryption mechanism over the data to be uploaded at the cloud as well as role-based authentication for the users. The model is including four parties: Data owner, Private Cloud, Admin and User. The encryption mechanism is using the RSA algorithm first and further re-encrypts the data with MD5 to enhance the security of the data. The Message authentication Code is being generated before uploading the encrypted data which will be used after downloading of the data. The Message Authentication Code of downloaded data will be decrypted first by user and then send to Data owner for data integrity check. After that the user can decrypt the downloaded data if he get confirmation from Data owner. The model is using the best possible multiple techniques in a single approach.


Abstract. Large wildfires markedly alter regional atmospheric composition, but chemical complexity challenges model predictions of downwind impacts. Here, we elucidate key facets of gas-phase photochemistry and assess novel chemical processes via a case study of the 2013 California Rim Fire plume. Airborne in situ observations, acquired during the NASA Studies of Emissions, Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys (SEAC4RS) mission, illustrate the evolution of volatile organic compounds (VOC), oxidants, and reactive nitrogen over 12 hours of atmospheric aging. Measurements show rapid formation of ozone and peroxyacyl nitrates (PNs), sustained peroxide production, and prolonged enhancements in oxygenated VOC and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Measurements and Lagrangian trajectories constrain a 0-D puff model that approximates plume photochemical history and provides a framework for evaluating key processes. Simulations examine the effects of 1) previously-unmeasured reactive VOC identified in recent laboratory studies, and 2) emissions and secondary production of nitrous acid (HONO). Inclusion of estimated unmeasured VOC leads to a 250 % increase in OH reactivity and a 70 % increase in radical production via oxygenated VOC photolysis. HONO amplifies radical cycling and serves as a downwind NOx source, although two different HONO production mechanisms (particulate nitrate photolysis and heterogeneous NO2 conversion) exhibit markedly different effects on ozone, NOx, and PNs. Analysis of radical initiation rates suggests that oxygenated VOC photolysis is a major radical source, exceeding HONO photolysis when averaged over the first 2 hours of aging. Ozone production chemistry transitions from VOC-sensitive to NOx-sensitive within the first hour of plume aging, with both peroxide and organic nitrate formation contributing significantly to radical termination. To simulate smoke plume chemistry accurately, models should simultaneously account for the full reactive VOC pool and all relevant oxidant sources.


Microbial fuel cells have undergone several modifications since their creation, mainly due to the different substrates that can be used as fuel for the generation of electrical energy. In this research, a deep and updated analysis of the characteristics of the literature published in the Scopus database from 1990 to 30 December 2022 has been carried out, finding 7055 documents indexed. The most used keywords are microbial fuel cells, performance, and electricity generation. From 2011 to the present, 5289 article-type documents were published; the article entitled "Microbial Fuel Cells: Methodology and Technology" by Logan B. E. et al. (2006) from Pennsylvania State University, USA in the Environmental Science and Technology journal of the ACS publisher was the most cited (4496 citations). On the other hand, in recent years, Chinese universities have begun to produce and highlight a number of documents positioning in the top ten, with six universities having the greatest presence in publications and as the country with the highest number of published and indexed documents (2773) in Scopus. Research on microbial fuel cells tends to grow, with China as a leading country on the subject, written by the author Wang X. It is observed that the new cell research trends deal with the modification and fabrication of electrodes with nanomaterials in order to improve their power and reduce costs to show their viability on a larger scale.


INTRODUCTION
Opiate addiction remains a major threat to public health worldwide. It also had a number of negative consequences for the psychosocial and economic functioning of abusers. One of the most common addiction treatment method is maintenance methadone therapy. An important part of evaluating the effectiveness of the participation of a person addicted to methadone treatment is to assess the quality of life determined by participation in substitution therapy.

AIM OF THE STUDY
Quality of life of persons addicted to psychoactive substances determined by socio-demographic situation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study involved 234 outpatient addicts included in the methadone maintenance treatment programs in Szczecin, Warsaw and Lublin. It was based on a diagnostic survey performed using an original questionnaire and the SF-36 v2.

RESULTS
In a research of subjective qual- ity of life, respondents obtained results at the level sufficient, higher values were obtained in the domains of physical than mental health. Respondents from Szczecin and Warszawa scored higher, statistically significant, the assessment than patients from Lublin.

CONCLUSIONS
1. Variation of respondents quality of life was conditioned by the place of performance of therapy. 2. Respondents had the greatest disparity in the subjective evaluation of physical and mental health. 3. Age was an important factor affecting the marks obtained by the respondents in the SF-36 v2.


Recently there has been an increasing realization that for the prevention of transfusion-associated HIV infection, HIV screening alone is insufficient1. In 1988, a treatment protocol for children under 5 years with severe anaemia, was introduced in Ekwendeni Hospital2. Initial results showed that it was possible to reduce the number of blood transfusions without increasing the mortality rate. By January 1992 the protocol was being widely disregarded by ward staff, and transfusion rates had increased. Strict enforcement of the transfusion protocol from the 16 January produced a sharp drop in the percentage transfused from 44% to 11%. Mortality rates remained similar throughout the period of the study. Thus, it would appear to be possible, with the use of the transfusion protocol, to reduce the number of blood transfusions carried out, without affecting mortality rates, and hence to reduce the risk of transfusion-associated HIV.


In 1991, a suburban city in Minnesota found its lawn and nuisance weed ordinance the center of controversy as a citizen sought to develop a naturalized landscape that contrasted greatly with her neighbors' mowed lawns. This decision case study presents that situation as faced by the city policymakers and, when presented in a class setting, provides an opportunity to explore real options in a real issue of today. The case objectives are to prepare policymakers to deal with similar issues, and to broaden the outlook of students based in plant and environmental sciences to include the social factors of people– plant interactions. Group problemsolving skills also can be enhanced by this exercise. The abridged teaching note provides guidance for classroom and extension use.


OBJECTIVE--To develop an epidemiological database of morbidity in the community as presented to general practitioners and to support epidemiological research in general practice. DESIGN--The project is a sentinel network of 23 general practices in Northern Ireland that report the incidence of a list of selected diseases to a central unit for analysis. RESULTS--Results are presented for depression, diabetes, and myocardial infarction. The age--sex distributions of diabetes and myocardial infarction are comparable with other published data but the incidence of depression is under estimated. CONCLUSIONS--The importance of complete accuracy of data reported within sentinel networks depends on the purposes for which information is to be used. For some diagnoses, such as diabetes and acute myocardial infarction, the accuracy of the reported incidence is high while for other diseases, such as depression, where diagnostic behaviour varies more between doctors, the figures are much less reliable.


In our view there has been a "Neoclassical Revival" in growth economics spurred by the empirical findings of Mankiw, Romer, and Weil (1992), Barro and Sala-i-Martin (1995), and Young (1994 and 1995). By this we mean a revival of the neoclassical growth model-which features a common level of productivity but different levels of human and physical capital across countries-as a viable candidate for explaining the major part of country differences in levels and growth rates of output per worker. Marshaling existing evidence from the labor literature on the returns to schooling and experience, we construct new measures of human capital across countries. We find that productivity differences are the dominant source of the large international dispersion in levels and growth rates of output per worker. We conclude that, although models that focus on physical and human capital are clearly important, research needs to be re-focused on explaining the causes of productivity differences across countries.


In the present work, polybutylene succinate (PBS)/stearate modified magnesium-aluminium layered double hydroxide (St-Mg-Al LDH) composites were prepared via melt processing and the effect of different loadings of St-Mg-Al LDH on the degradation behaviour of PBS under marine conditions was investigated. The morphological, mechanical and thermal characteristics of the composites were studied using different characterisation techniques. Optical imaging and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the incorporation of St-Mg-Al LDH accelerates the degradation of PBS along with the activity of microorganisms adhered to the composite films. PBS/St-Mg-Al LDH composites are found to have lower thermal degradation temperatures than those of pure PBS. The decrease in thermal stability is correlated with the degradation of PBS due to the catalytic action Mg and Al present in LDH. Tensile and DMA analysis revealed that the addition of St-Mg-Al LDH did not have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of PBS.


Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) shall be applied in context of the power system to efficiently manage (renewable) generation, storage and consumption of electrical energy. Discussed under the term Smart Grids, this trend also impacts the ICT-architectures of enterprises concerned with the power system. Especially utilities are expected to adapt their enterprise ICT-architectures regarding various technology fields from grid automation to customer services in order to ensure the systems reliability and realize new business capabilities. This contribution outlines a domain specific planning approach to derive business requirements from technology roadmaps as external reference models for the long-term planning of enterprise ICT-architectures supporting Smart Grid functionalities.


Renal failure with severe uremia is still an important cause of mortality, despite effective renal replacement therapy. Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is the most severe complication during hemodialysis (HD). To acquire more information about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during HD, we retrospectively enrolled 24 patients (11 males and 13 females) who had CPR during HD in a medical center during a 3-year period. Their mean age was 66.8 ± 16.8 years. The CPR rate of the patients from our outpatient department (0.02%) was significantly lower than that from general wards (0.11%), the intensive care unit (ICU, 0.16%), or the emergency room (ER, 0.38%). Eighteen patients (75%) were initially resuscitated successfully. Only 11 patients (45.8%) survived more than 24 h after CPR, and 2 patients (8.3%) survived more than 1 month, but none survived until discharge. The rates of surviving 24 h and surviving to discharge during HD were lower than those in the general wards, the ICU or the ER. Sepsis (33.3%) and cardiogenic shock (25%) were the two leading causes of death. For analyzing factors affecting the outcome of CPR, we divided the patients into 2 groups by survival time (≦24 vs. >24 h). Patients with heart disease or with prolonged CPR durations (>30 min) had shorter survival. No significant survival difference between the 2 groups was found due to factors of age, sex, diabetic nephropathy, pre-arrest morbidity scores, pre-arrest laboratory data, renal failure pattern, HD duration, the preceding HD time and ultrafiltrated volume.


A 46-year-old man with mental retardation, growth failure and some dysmorphic features is found to have a 46,XX,r(3)(p26q29) karyotype in 93% of his peripheral lymphocytes. This observation is compared with previously cases of ring 3. The existence of a "ring syndrome" is considered.


Link failures are a common cause of service disruptions in computer networks. When a network link fails, all communications using that link are interrupted. Techniques have been deployed to improve the consequences of hardware failure networks by rerouting traffic from the failed link to other working links. The main theme of this thesis is to develop methods and tools that study and evaluate Fast ReRoute (FRR) schemes. These schemes offer fast recovery around failed components in packet networks. First, we investigate and evaluate several network protection techniques by carrying out tests in a research testbed environment. We show the effect of link failures for several recovery scenarios, including: IGP recovery, global or end-to-end recovery, and local or segment recovery. We also study, implement and evaluate the performance of two FRR mechanisms in IP/MPLS core networks. Such mechanisms enable, in the case of a network fault, the fast switchover of protected traffic onto pre-established backup paths within 50 ms to minimize traffic loss. In our tests, we consider single link failures protected with pre-provisioned backup paths using Traffic Engineering (TE)-FRR tunnels, or IP Fast ReRoute (IP-FRR) alternate paths. We evaluate the two techniques through experimentation. For this purpose a testbed, consisting of Juniper and Nortel equipments, is established.


With the rise of the internet especially and information- and communication technology in general, the opportunities for fast and effective communication and sharing of information have proliferated. In relation to the new technologies, the citizens' demands on organizations' communicative efforts have increased. Today's citizens have high standards regarding transparency, the opportunity to dialogue and have hopes to influence the public sector. With the development of social media in society new opportunities have therefore been created for the ways in which public sector organizations can and should relate to their residents. Today's municipalities must address citizen demands and needs to communicate on their terms, which has led to a situation where a number of municipalities around the country are using social media in their e- government. That social media are used in municipal e- dialogue with residents is however a new phenomenon. There is therefore no official guidelines from the parliament regarding how social media should be used for successful communication or dialogue with citizens, and this circumstance has created some difficulties for how the local governments should use the new technology effectively. The purpose of the studie is to examine how three communes in Varmland have used social media in their e- government. To be able to perform the study, representatives from Forshaga, Hammaro and Karlstad commune have been interviewed. Theories about e- governance, e- democracy, internet, social media, publicity laws, citizen as customers and public organizations changes and possibilities in society have been used to analyze the results from the interviews. The study shows that local governments find that work with social media is primarily positive, but that there are also disadvantages and difficulties. Tips from the government have been used even if local modifications sometimes are needed and the reason that social media is used are the communes endeavor on interactivity and fast citizen dialogue. In the future, the municipalities will be required to try to work more efficiently with the new technologies in demand for a greater transparency, which is considered important.


Most methods of determining amino acid (AA) requirements are based on endpoints that determine adequacy for protein synthesis. However, the sulfur AA (SAA) cysteine is believed to be the rate-limiting substrate for synthesis of the most abundant intracellular antioxidant, glutathione (GSH). Our objectives were to determine whether supplementation of cysteine in a diet containing adequate SAA for protein synthesis, as methionine, increased GSH synthesis by measuring the fractional and absolute synthesis rates, and if concentration of GSH changed in response to feeding 5 graded intakes of cysteine (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) in a random order with a fixed methionine intake of 14 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and a protein intake of 1 g x kg(-1) x d(-1). Each subject received a multivitamin and choline supplement during the study. Four healthy adult men each underwent 5 isotope infusion studies of 7-h duration after a 2-d adaptation to the level of cysteine intake being studied on the isotope infusion day. The isotope used was [U-(13)C(2)-(15)N]glycine. Analyses included erythrocyte GSH synthesis rates and concentration and urinary sulfate excretion. The GSH synthesis rates and concentration, measured at a methionine intake of 14 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), did not change with increasing intakes of cysteine. Urinary sulfate excretion showed a significant positive relationship with cysteine intake (r = 0.92; P < 0.01). In conclusion, this study provides preliminary evidence that consumption of SAA adequate to meet the requirement for protein synthesis does not limit GSH synthesis in healthy adult men receiving an otherwise adequate diet.


10.5937/vojdelo2101088D he subject of this paper is integration as an objective tendency and the most important element of the current global processes and increasingly intensive disintegration processes. Qualitative analysis points to the main characteristics of integration as a consequence of growing interdependence, connectivity and cooperation and disintegration, which is strongly encouraged by the instrumentalization of this process for hidden and masked specific goals. The established process and the worrying and devastating implications in the economic and social function have been analysed. Emerging forces with current and potential geopolitical power as an alternative to the existing order are placed in the context of influencing both opposing processes. The research objective is to consider the inevitability of intertwining and the collision of integration and disintegration, a number of manifested economic and social problems as a consequence of global economic processes, while identifying the significance and impact of different coercive actions on the sustainability and possibility of the established process. The results indicate that the importance of the military force is growing rapidly; the polarization between the developing and developed world is getting deeper, and the border between them is a source of tension and conflict. The constant state of instability, clash and conflict has the potential for numerous and greater dangers in the world in the long well as their scale, show visibly that the line between the developed and developing world is the source of tension and conflicts. As a result, the world is always in the state of instability, conflicts and clashes, which in the long term may have a potential for more and greater dangers in world.


OBJECTIVE
To separate essential oil of Caryophyllix flos from oil-in-water emulsion, and to enrich the essential oil by microfiltration (MF).

METHOD
Using membrane flux and removal rate of COD as the indicatrixes, the membrane material as well as the operating conditions containing pressure, surface speed, temperature were optimized.

RESULT
The results showed that QWLM membrane of hydrophilic is the proper membrane, and the best operating conditions was at 0.06 MPa, 60 degrees C, and 150 r min(-1) stir speed.

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that MF is a reasonable way to enrich essential oil of C. flox.


Iterative Estimators of Parameters in Linear Models with Partially Variant Coefficients A new kind of linear model with partially variant coefficients is proposed and a series of iterative algorithms are introduced and verified. The new generalized linear model includes the ordinary linear regression model as a special case. The iterative algorithms efficiently overcome some difficulties in computation with multidimensional inputs and incessantly appending parameters. An important application is described at the end of this article, which shows that this new model is reasonable and applicable in practical fields.


We present experimental results for the effect of an increased supervisory signal power in a high-loss loopback supervisory system in an optically amplified wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmission line. The study focuses on the investigation of increasing the input power for the supervisory signal and the effect on the co-propagating WDM data signals using different channel spacing. This investigation is useful for determining the power limitation of the supervisory signal if extra power is needed to improve the monitoring. The study also shows the effect of spacing on the quality of the supervisory signal itself because of interaction with adjacent data signals.


Despite the fact that about 150 millions women must have taken hormonal contraceptives all over the world since the 1960s, the risk/benefit ratio of this birth control method has yet not been reliably assessed. The side effects of the pill on the skin do not pertain, in general, to those (like thrombo-embolism or, perhaps, breast cancer) which might be life-threatening, but they are probably more frequent and may have a potential to alter the quality of life of women who use it. The aim of this paper is to review the dermatological effects of hormonal contraceptives from the point of view of everyday prescribing, with the emphasis on the quality of life of patients. The reported side effects of the pill are therefore classified according to their real or probable frequency, not to their severity or the theoretical importance of their mechanisms. As it would be unwise to speak of the risks without consideration for the benefits, an attempt is made to compare the dermatological safety profile of oral contraceptives to that of other birth control methods (barrier contraceptive methods, intrauterine devices, etc.) on the one hand; on the other hand, one insists upon the fact that the pill in itself may have health benefits, general (reduction in the incidence of some cancers) or dermatological (e. g. an effect on acne).


Arshiya Mahajan and Himanshu Agarwal are Young Professionals, NITI Aayog  Lockdown for India was both a historic and necessary step for countering the spread of the virus. In the meantime, the government undertook many initiatives to defend the country against covid-19. However, to devise an effective strategy for ghting covid-19 while minimizing risks and maximizing results, it is crucial to identify the internal and external factors correctly. A SWOT analysis has been done to assess India's current position in tackling the pandemic. This analysis examines India's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats on the covid front and aims to come out with recommendations that can help battle the crisis. This will also act as the foundation for various stakeholders to pursue and convert opportunities into strengths and prevent weaknesses from turning into threats. Strengths  Institutional (Government and Governance) and Infrastructure


Children with constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome (CMMRDS) are prone to
different types of cancers. A 16-year-old girl who was misdiagnosed with neurofibromatosis
Type-I (NF-I) for 1 years had experienced glioblastoma and colonic adenocarcinoma. After
operation, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were started for adenocarcinoma. Genetic analysis
from the patient, effected brother, and mother showed heterozygote (c.479 + 36A> G) mutation
in the intron 4 region of NF-1 gene. Initially, it was thought that this genetic variant was
causative. Furthermore, next generation sequencing showed that the index patient and his
brother have homozygote (c.1444 C>T) mutations in the MSH6 gene which are associated with
CMMRDS both died because of colonic adenocarcinoma, and T cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma,
respectively. Patients with CMMRDS may resemble NF-I. The physicians must not be confused
with the previous diagnosis. Increased awareness of CMMRDS, and prompt evaluation for an
underlying genetic background is advised if there are unexpected cancer in patients with NF-I.


31s19251 CORRESPONDENCE. THE BRITI9S canniot come into labouLr ulntil after puberty. Now let us see whlat occurs with regard to the loclhia when shaving hias beeni done. The dischalrge, inistead of beilng conlveyed a distance from the vulva, remains oii it anid becomes caked, thus forming splendid pabulumn for the hunigry and migratory bacteria that are boucnd to be in the nieighbourlood, and we all know that well fed bacteria ilncrease and miiultiply with great rapidity. On the other halnid, it may be urged that when shavinig lhas niot beeni dolne clotting might occur on the hairs. No doubt. But the tapering slhape of the hairs, the fluidity of the lochial dischlarge as it emerges from the vulva, anid the force of gravity all tend to prevent that clotting till the dischlar-ge has tr aver sed a distinct distance froom the vulva. The questioni arises, too, as to whether the bacteria cani travel along ite hairs, executing a sort of tight-rope dancinig. I am a thorough believer in Listeirisiii, aind accordingly would say, " Use suitable antiseptics certainily, but let the irazor rest peacefully in its case." Anid instead of keeping the woman glued to the bed in. the lhorizontal position for days and days, as was the fate of oulr motlhers anid grandmotlhers, allow lher to sit up genitly from time to timie to pr-omote drainage, which will be facilitated by the vuilvatr hairs. If that is done I feel conifidient that w-e will have gone a long way on tlle road tow-ards preyenting that terr ible bugbear, ptierperal sepsis, the opprobriumn of the obstetric physician, anid we will avoid the sliglht of being nicknamed lthe " barber-surgeons."-I am, etc., cork, Jan. 10th. HENRY C0o1u3Y.


Background Antenatal diagnosis of a fatal fetal anomaly (FFA) confronts parents with their child's mortality and creates difficult decisions including whether to terminate or continue with the pregnancy. Media offers an insight into health-related information available to the public. Readers are both active and selective in their interpretations of text, however the influential nature of media is well documented as readers are constrained by the framing of these texts. This study aimed to examine how information on FFA, termination of pregnancy for FFA (TOPFA) and perinatal palliative care (PPC) were framed in Irish published media. Methods This qualitative study applied a critical discourse analysis, which examines the relations between discourse and social and cultural phenomena. The analysis of the text, actors, language used and its context assists in the deconstructing of text to facilitate interpretation and understanding of socially produced meanings, recognising the ability of language to generate a social world. An Irish broadsheet and online journal, both of which were easily accessible online with daily outputs and both having a daily readership in excess of 3 00 000 were chosen for this study. An online search of FFA, PPC and TOPFA was undertaken. Language and visuals of the articles were analysed to identify the potential influence on the reader. Results 130 articles, dated from 2012 to 2017 referencing FFA, TOPFA and PPC were identified. Themes of power and politics, international influence, ethical dilemmas and emotional appeal were embedded in the discourse, creating political influence and appealing to the emotional side of the reader to influence perceptions and views. The use of different terminology e.g. 'FFA' versus 'life-limiting condition' and the use of the word 'fetus' versus 'baby' were evident throughout the results. Representatives with different ideological standpoints chose these terms in attempts to create varying contexts and support arguments e.g. those from pro-choice groups used 'FFA' to convey the lethal prognosis and those who were pro-life used 'baby' to personify the individual who is being terminated. Conclusion Connotations and intentional terminology were evident within the articles to convey a particular influence to the reader. Language is not neutral and therefore it is important to analyse the information being delivered through media to the general public. This is of additional relevance as a referendum to adapt Irish Abortion Laws is imminent which has the potential to change health service provision and requires the delivery of accurate knowledge to the public.


Since the end of the apartheid regime, the number of advertisements casting actors from different racial backgrounds simultaneously has significantly increased. Comments about this development are multi-faceted. While some observers praise this technique as the ideal social mirror of the "new" South Africa, others criticize it as a pervasive commercial tactic. Consistent with this debate, it is important for brands to understand consumers' perceptions of multi-racial advertising. Indeed, these perceptions are also assumed to influence consumers' attitude towards the advertised brand. Based on the attribution theory, this study investigates whether South African companies, by integrating a multi-racial feature in an advertisement, create the perception amongst consumers that their advertisement is socially responsible and, in so doing, increase their brand equity. The empirical results of this study support that consumers' attitude towards a brand is significantly influenced by the extent to which they attribute a social responsibility to its advertisements. Nevertheless, it is also found that using multi-racial advertising is a necessary but not sufficient condition to generate this social attribution.


Abstract In the last several years, the European societies, that in their majority were fairly uniform as far as race, culture or religion, have been converted into intercultural places where many different visions of the world live together. Together with a factor of exogenous plurality, produced by the increase in immigration, an internal desegregation should also be highlighted in our own societies. In this new environment of diversity, it is without a doubt, difficult for the Law to accommodate all the different ethical, religious or cultural demands of the people. In my paper I study the means of accommodation rooted in our legal tradition such as: the conscientious objection, the agreements of the State with religious groups, mediation and arbitration as a way of accommodation of plurality in the field of Family Law, etc. I conclude by stressing the fact that allowing space for diversity does not mean giving up our own values. Quite the opposite, accommodation comes from our own values: that is, from the respect for freedom and non-discrimination, founded on the dignity of the person.


Anastomosis in vessels of different caliber may predispose to irregularities and thrombosis. Techniques have been described to manage the discrepancy such as mechanical expansion, end to side anastomosis, oblique cut, sleeve procedure, mechanical devices, grafts, adhesives and glues. We performed sleeve anastomosis introducing the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) into the femoral artery of 20 Wistar rats. Permeability, endothelialization and anastomosis remodeling was assessed. Although slight narrowing of the anastomosis was found in 30% of cases, 100% permeability was achieved and endothelialization was completed in the second week. We conclude that the sleeve procedure is a reliable method to manage SIEA discrepancies in microvascular anastomosis. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 20:173–175 2000


We propose a novel criterion called modified generalized perfect rate graph (MGPRG) to facilitate efficient synthesis of recurrent digital signal processing (RDSP) algorithms on application specific multiprocessor systems. We prove that a rate optimal schedule, which is a multiprocessor realization with maximum throughput rate, exists if and only if the dependence graph of the corresponding RDSP algorithm is unfolded sufficient number of times to satisfy the MGPRG condition. We show that MGPRG is a more general and unified criterion compared to earlier proposed criteria. An advantage of MGPRG is that the original algorithm needs not to be unfolded too many times before it can be guaranteed to have a rate optimal schedule. Consequently, the resulting MGPRG will consist of fewer nodes and edges, making it easier to find the rate optimal schedule. >


The potassium silicate (K-silicate) alteration zone is the main ore contributor in porphyry copper deposits worldwide. Knowledge of element behaviors in the alteration and mineralization processes is essential for an improved understanding of porphyry copper mineralization, but they are still not well understood. In this study, we reacted synthetic Cl-rich fluids, containing K, Na, Cu, Mo, Zn, etc., with andesite in a complex experimental system to simulate the shallow porphyry copper mineralization process. We aimed to bridge the gap between simple experimental studies and complex natural systems and to evaluate the contribution of sulfate reduction to porphyry ore formation and its relationship with early alkali metasomatism. The results show that increasing temperature (from 300 to 500 °C) enhances the K-silicate alteration by promoting ion-exchange reactions, and the K-feldspar is mainly formed by the transformation of plagioclase via a dissolution-reprecipitation processes. The low-salinity vapor phase has a stronger capacity for K-silicate alteration than the liquid phase at similar temperatures. In addition, increasing temperature from 300 to 500 °C favors sulfate reduction to further enhance metal sulfide precipitation. The limited availability of reduced sulfur in the fluid causes preferential precipitation of Cu-(Mo) sulfides, while most of the Zn is soluble in the fluid, and Cu precipitation as sulfides in the vapor is much more efficient than in the coexisting liquid. The overlap between the K-silicate alteration zone and the mineralization triggered by sulfate reduction in porphyry copper deposits is controlled by several concomitant factors, e.g., relatively high temperature (e.g., at 400−500 °C), vapor formation, and decompression. Moreover, K-silicate alteration would further promote mineralization by changing fluid compositions, e.g., removing K from the fluid.


The main objective of this study was to examine social implications of roads traffic accidents in Musoma Municipal Council between 2014 and 2016.The study were guided by four specific objectives that are; to determine factors contributing to the roads traffic accidents between 2014 and 2016, to examine social impacts of road traffic accidents between 2014 and 2016, to find out vulnerable groups affected in road traffic accidents between 2014 and 2016 and lastly to determine measures to be taken to reduce roads traffic accidents in Musoma Municipal Council between 2014 and 2016. The study employed case study design, the sample of 100 respondents was selected using convenient sampling which was purposive and simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Semi-structured interviews, Focus Group Discussion, observations and documentary review methods of data collection were used to gather information and data were analysed using descriptive statistics for data related to quantitative and used thematic technique of analysing the qualitative data. The study findings showed that presence of counterfeit spare parts, alcoholism and drug abuse to drivers, illegal issuing of driving license and lack of important road signs contributes to the occurrences of road traffic accidents. Recommendations given include: government should provide civic education through the radio and television on proper use of the road, establishing a permanent control unit, inspection of all modes of transportation and the National Institute of Transport should be given a statutory mandate to train the drivers


Doped CaS powder samples were prepared using two methods: (i) a metathesis reaction of carbonate with H2S at 1200°C; (ii) reaction with Na2Co3/S flux at 1000°C in nitrogen, followed by washing in an alkaline solution, drying and sieving to give 20–30 μm particles.

Powders produced from both reactions were strongly photoluminescent and singificant AC electroluminescence (ACEL) was observed when samples produced by the metathesis reactions were copper coated. Samples prepared using the flux technique on pre-copperdoped carbonate also showed ACEL.

The EL excitation process in the flux grown material differs from that in samples prepared using H2S; this stems from Cu2S microdeposits on the particle surfaces of the former. The formation of the needle-like deposit results from precipitation of copper from solid solution with decreasing temperature. The EL emission arises from observable point sources rather than the more uniform emission from copper-coated samples.


Aim To investigate effects of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activated by acetaldehyde in precision-cut liver slices (PCLS). Methods PCLS were incubated with 700µmol•L^(-1) acetaldehyde and 200~800µmol•L^(-1) I3C for 6h. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in liver slices was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The leakages of glutathione S-transferase (GST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and content of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in media were assayed. Contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) in tissue were also determined. Expressions of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) in media were analyzed by the western blot. Results The increase of activated HSCs due to acetaldehyde was inhibited by I3C (200~800µmol•L^(-1)). Meanwhile, I3C treatment (200~800µmol•L^(-1)) showed significant and concentration-dependent antagonistic actions on the increment of GST, LDH leakages into the media and MDA, Hyp contents in tissues induced by acetaldehyde. The increase of TGF-β1 was also remarkable inversed by I3C (200~800µmol•L^(-1)). As compared with acetaldehyde group, the ratio of MMP-1/TIMP-1 was increased significantly by I3C treatment (800µmol•L^(-1)) (P<0.01). Conclusions I3C markedly protects liver slices from acetaldehyde-induced HSC activation, and it might involve the mechanism of the antioxidation against acetaldehyde and the promotion of ECM degradation.


Various surgical ablation devices have been developed to simplify the maze procedure. The pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using ablation devices has become feasible without making any atrial incision. Focal activation arising from the pulmonary veins is one of the mechanisms in atrial fibrillation (Af). The PVI is effective for the Af with this mechanism. However, the PVI is not necessarily effective for the Af with the other mechanisms such as reentry in the right or left atrium. Therefore, it is very important to select optimal surgical procedure for each mechanism of Af.


Studies have demonstrated the importance of online activities to wellbeing, especially in later life. The present study seeks to determine whether and how online religious counseling can improve the wellbeing of older believers. A six-month qualitative study was conducted with a group of Orthodox Jewish older adults (N = 26, aged 70-96) who manifest various types of age-related distress. The participants were home trained to use a dedicated, accessible online platform featuring religious questions and answers (Q&A). Data were collected through netnographic observation, monthly online inquiry and in-depth interviews with counselees and counselors alike. Analysis indicated that online spiritual Q&A for the elders are characterized by unique content, types and styles of discourse. Their variety reflects the heterogeneity of needs, areas of interest and worldviews among older religious adults. Participation in online religious counseling provided them with numerous religious, intellectual and social rewards. At the same time, their counselors—six rabbis that volunteered in this project—gained religious, communal, professional and psychological benefits from the opportunity to share their knowledge and advice. Anonymity, asynchronicity, digital literacy and types of questions were identified as issues that may have opposite effects on the experiences of participants and counselors, respectively. Although some factors may delay and/or diminish positive contributions, involvement in online religious counseling appears to promote wellbeing in later life. This service is particularly beneficial to Orthodox older adults with detrimental health conditions whose use of online religious Q&A helps them cope with the difficulties they face and maintain their enjoyment of life.


The starfish Asterias amurensis is one of the common species in Japanese coastal area. The species is considered an extremely rich source of biological active compounds, including saponin. Saponins are secondary metabolites and exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities. The species of starfish caught in Kobe, Hyogo prefecture, Japan, was analyzed for species identification and micronutrient content. The starfish extract was evaluated for different biological properties and its fractions obtained using thin layer chromatography (TLC). Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene fragment of mitochondrial DNA indicated that partial sequences of PCR products of the species was identical with that of A. amurensis. The micronutrient contents results showed that nitrogen (N) content of the starfish was 1.50% of dry weight and the copper content was 2.10 µg/g. The crude extract of A. amurensis exhibited predominant growth inhibitory activity against six human fungal pathogens and also showed hemolytic activity against 2% sheep erythrocyte. The present findings suggest the possible pharmacological applications of A. amurensis that can be used as food ingredients and antifungal component.

 Key words: Asterias amurensis, crude extract, biological property, saponin, antifungal component.


Flexibly switching attentional strategies is crucial for adaptive behavior in changing environments. Depending on the context, task demand employs different degrees of the two fundamental components of attention– attentional selectivity (preferentially attending to one location in visual space) and effort (the total non-selective intensity of attention). Neuronal responses in the visual cortex that show modulation with changes in either selective attention or effort are reported to partially represent motivational aspect of the task context. The relative contributions and interactions of these two components of attention to modulate neuronal signals and their sensitivity to distinct motivational drives are poorly understood. To address this question, we independently controlled monkeys' spatially selective attention and non-selective attentional intensity in the same experimental session during a novel visual orientation change detection task. Attention was controlled either by adjusting the relative difficulty of the orientation changes at the two locations or by the reward associated with stimuli at two locations while simultaneously recording spikes from populations of neurons in area V4. We found that V4 neurons are robustly modulated by either selective attention or attentional intensity. Notably, as attentional selectivity for a neuron's receptive field location decreased, its responses became weaker, despite an increase in the animal's overall attentional intensity. This strong interaction between attentional selectivity and intensity could be identified in single trial spike trains. A simple divisive normalization of spatially distributed attention performances can explain the interaction between attention components well at the single neuron level. The effects of attentional selectivity and attentional intensity on neuronal responses were the same regardless of whether the changes were motivated by reward or task difficulty. These results provide a detailed cellular-level mechanism of how fundamental components of attention integrate and affect sensory processing in varying motivational and stimulus contexts.


Two o-carboranyl compounds containing 1,2,4-triazole groups, each appended with an N-aryl ring (either N-phenyl or N-diisopropylphenyl), were strategically designed and prepared to elucidate the relationship between their structural orientation (planarity) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT)-based radiative decay. The photophysical analysis of both compounds shows that the N-phenyl appended compound shows a much higher quantum yield and larger radiative decay constant for ICT-based emission in the rigid state (solution at 77 K and film) than those of the N-diisopropylphenyl appended compound, even exhibiting an additional ICT-based emission in solution at 298 K. Theoretical calculations on their ground and excited states indicate that the planarity of the N-aryl appended triazole moiety affects the efficiency of radiative decay for the ICT transition. These findings firmly establish a strong relationship between the planarity of the appended aryl groups relative to the triazole ring and ICT-based radiative decay in these o-carboranyl luminophores.


The Greater Bongkot North (GBN)'s condensate stabilization system initially utilizes multi-stage flashing concept through the multi-stage separators. Most of the flashing gas at the last stage separator could not be recovered as being operated at very low pressure (0.05 barg) resulting in the continuous flaring through Low Pressure (LP) Flare Header at the Production Platform of the GBN since 1st operation day. Recovery of the unrecoverable low-pressure gas has been unsolved since then.
 Regarding lower gas nomination forecasted and exported condensate rate in low condensate production mode, LP flare rate is being simulated at 1-3 MMSCFD whilst the existing condensate and gas recovery system shows the available capacity left over even the field potential is maintained. This information energized the opportunity of Recovery Scheme by boosting the pressure of LP Flare Gas and feeding the recovered gas to the existing FGRU compressor within the minimal modification scope. Entire feasible recovery options had been technically examined including essential requirements of modification to evaluate the Pros and Cons on each development scenarios.
 Key engineering challenge on recovery of the low-pressure heavy flare gas is the closed recirculation of recovered hydrocarbon which wastefully occupies the system capacity. Selection on the returning point of the recovered gas is crucial to minimize the recirculation while increasing production yield. The selected option provides less modification works whereas the entire recovered gas feeding back to the existing FGRU compressor is feasible while the existing facilities at its maximum capacity are utilized and new equipment installation requires only one (Wet Screw) compressor and one liquid recovery (Vertical in-line centrifugal) pump. Each equipment was technically selected through evaluated technical specifications and limitation of installation spaces. Furthermore, the installation scenarios on the aging production platform are key challenge as deck extension, which new equipment are installed, is heavy-lifted, and installed on the existing lower deck of Production Platform using the available margin of platform load on the existing piles. Cost estimation is conducted together with economic evaluation for investment decision. The project is budgetary approved providing an attractive positive NPV. The economic evaluation results in positive NPV mainly due to the condensate gain from the flare gas recovery insisting that greenhouse gas reduction project could be performed in the techno-economical way.
 The implementation of GBN New LP Flare Recovery scheme will soonest be getting started by FEED and Construction phases accordingly to shape up essential details of required engineering aspects to make the start-up of this project meets the timeline supporting Sustainable Development framework (Green-house gas reduction) as PTTEP strategic directions.


Future power systems will rely heavily on micro grids with a high share of decentralised renewable energy sources and energy storage systems. The high complexity and uncertainty in this context might make conventional power dispatch strategies infeasible. Reinforcement-learning-based (RL) controllers can address this challenge, however, cannot themselves provide safety guarantees, preventing their deployment in practice. To overcome this limitation, we propose a formally validated RL controller for economic dispatch. We extend conventional constraints by a time-dependent constraint encoding the islanding contingency. The contingency constraint is computed using set-based backwards reachability analysis, and actions of the RL agent are verified through a safety layer. Unsafe actions are projected into the safe action space while leveraging constrained zonotope set representations for computational efficiency. The developed approach is demonstrated on a residential use case considering real-world measurements.


The simulation of space-based visible surveillance images can offer technical support to the index argumentation, scheme design and ground-tests of spatial optical system. Based on the analysis of the space-based visible surveillance principle, this paper establishes the simulation framework of space-based visible surveillance images, as well as its workflow, and simulates the images of the celestial background and space objects respectively with OpenGL. Firstly, concerning its visual features, the celestial background can be divided into point objects and surface objects. The rendering methods based on OpenGL for both objects are given and the basic space background rendering workflow is also established. The 14-magnitude stars are rendered in the simulation of celestial background which can satisfy the need of the space-based visible surveillance. Secondly, this paper calculates the orbital elements of the objects through utilizing TLE data and SGP4/SDP4 model and obtains the positions of them in the CCD through coordinate transformation. Simultaneously, the brightness model is built up in combination with the distribution features of the space objects' surface and the simulation of the space objects' images is realized with the attainment of the brightness in the CCD through greyscale conversion. Finally, the space-based visible surveillance images are generated by overlapping the star background and the objects' images. The fidelity of the simulation images is almost identical to the images which are obtained by the SBV camera, which convincingly proves that the proposed rendering method can effectively simulate the celestial background and the target images when observed with space-based visible camera.


Environmental degradation, pollution and poverty are said to be destroying most countries worldwide. This article responds to the need for the recognition of role that ecologically-concerned art can play in environmental education. However, political and economic agendas are at odds with these concerns and are at the core of much contemporary ecological art that questions humankind's relationship to the land. The processes of critique in these artworks engender the idea of "a future" and artists are redefining their role as socio-political activism, collaborating with communities and environmentalists to effect change. Ecological artworks represent an interdisciplinary approach, are based on the concepts of collaboration and biodiversity, place an even greater emphasis on natural processes and time sequences, provide these creative activists with new ways to synthesise art, science, nature and life, and sensitise the viewer to the fragility of nature. The article is based on the premise that art is imaginative, visionary and multi-dimensional thus able to provide creative programmes, that are educative, create environmental awareness and promote a paradigm shift that incorporates concepts of interconnectedness between people and the planet, and that of living lightly on the planet.


OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that the specific acute-phase response program of the pancreas is a powerful emergency defense mechanism that is beneficial during acute pancreatitis.

DESIGN
Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study.

SETTING
Research laboratory in a university medical school.

SUBJECTS
Female Wistar rats, weighing 250 to 300 g.

INTERVENTIONS
An acute-phase response was induced in rats subjected to hyperstimulation with cerulein. The development of the acute-phase reaction was monitored by the expression of the pancreatitis-associated protein I. In control animals, no acute-phase response was induced. After the first experimental procedure at periods of 2, 48, or 168 hrs, the pancreas was challenged by inducing severe necrotizing pancreatitis with retrograde infusion of taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. The course of necrohemorrhagic pancreatitis and survival of the rats to the challenge was monitored with time.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Forty-eight hours after the onset of edematous pancreatitis, the acute-phase response was strong, as judged by the overexpression of mRNA, which encoded the pancreatitis-associated protein I, and the resulting increase in concentrations of this protein in the pancreas. When necrotizing pancreatitis was induced, the survival rate was significantly higher than in the corresponding control group. In contrast, expression of the pancreatitis-associated protein I was not detectable after 2 hrs, indicating that the acute phase had not fully developed, nor after 168 hrs when the acute phase had ended. In both cases, challenge by necrotizing pancreatitis led to similar survival rates in cerulein-treated and control rats.

CONCLUSIONS
The acute-phase response of the pancreas seems to be a powerful emergency defense mechanism against further pancreatic aggression, as shown by the improved survival of the animals. The factors mediating this protection are unknown. Due to the strong overexpression of the pancreatitis-associated protein I during the climax of the acute phase, this protein might be involved in the defense mechanism.


Objective: Compare the prognosis and complications of diabetic and non-diabetic patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass surgery at a hospital with a high surgical volume. Methods: Data of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery from June 2009 to July 2010 were analyzed. We selected diabetic and non-diabetic patients and evaluated their postoperative and long-term prognosis based on clinical complications. To reduce the disparity within the sample, statistical analyses were performed using propensity scores. Results: We included 2,688 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery; 36% of them had diabetes, their mean age was 62.1±9.49 years and 70% (1,884) of them were men. Patients with diabetes were older (63±9 years vs. 61±10 years; P<0.001), more often obese (BMI>25 kg/m2: 70.7% vs. 64.5%; P<0.001), dyslipidemic (50.4% vs. 41.1%; P<0.001), hypertensive (89.2% vs. 78.7%; P<0.001), and presented chronic renal failure (8.3% vs. 3.8%; P<0.001). They also presented higher rates of acute renal failure (5.6% vs. 2.7%, P<0.001), infection (11.4% vs. 7.2%, P<0.001) and mortality after one year (9.1% vs. 5.6%, P<0.001). Pneumonia was more common among patients with diabetes (7.7% vs. 4.0%, P<0.001). According to propensity scoring, 430 patients (215 diabetics and 215 non-diabetics) had a mean age of 61.3±8.97 years, and 21.2% (91 of 430) were women. However, diabetes was not an independent factor for poor prognosis. Conclusion: Patients with diabetes were at higher risk for postoperative complications and mortality after undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. However, diabetes did not explain the poor prognosis of these patients after pairing this factor with the propensity score.


Introduction: Self-medication signifies using drugs that have not been prescribed, recommended or controlled by a licensed health professional. At present self medication is reportedly a global issue and the practice is predominant in developing and under-developed countries. The main aim of this study is to try and uncover the attitude and practice of students in a medical school located inside Kathmandu valley towards prescription and self-medication
Methods: A total of 104 students currently studying in one of the medical schools located inside Kathmandu Valley was provided a informed implied and verbal consent to participate in the study. All students were given a pre-validated, semi-structured questionnaire inside a lecture hall in their free hours between lectures. The data was analyzed and chi square test was done (p value<0.05) to see the association between medical students and their mind-set towards self medication.
Results: Among the total respondents, 80.8% thought that self medication was a part of self-care and 89.4% planned to continue self medication, 47.1% of them reported that they would advise their friends to stop practicing self medication, 70% reported having a registered medical practitioner with permission to prescribe medicines within 5-9 minutes walking distance from their abode, whereas around 1% reported that they self medicated so that they would not disturb the practioners. From the total, 6.7% presented with some side effects and had to visit the hospital
Conclusions: High incidence of self medication among undergraduate medical students might be able to sense false entitlement of almost being a doctor with authority to prescribe soon.


This note considers the problem of realization of bilinear stochastic systems (BLSR). First an explicit statement for the BLSR problem is presented. Next a realization algorithm is developed. In this algorithm the state vector is picked as a basis in the subspace obtained by projecting an appropriately defined past vector onto an appropriately defined future vector. Also, the realization algorithm involves solving a matrix nonlinear equation which is akin to the algebraic Riccati equation, except for one additional term.


Acknowledgments Introduction: Playing Innocent: Childhood, Race, Performance * 1 Tender Angels, Insensate Pickaninnies: The Divergent Paths of Racial Innocence * 2 Scriptive Things * 3 Everyone Is Impressed: Slavery as a Tender Embrace from Uncle Tom's to Uncle Remus's Cabin * 4 The Black-and-Whiteness of Raggedy Ann * 5 The Scripts of Black Dolls Notes Index About the Author


This study examines the impact of land tenure on housing bubbles. A housing bubble is defined as the portion of housing prices not justified by market fundamentals that determine the consumption demand for housing. While there are many factors that contribute to the formation of housing bubbles, we hypothesize that a housing bubble is likely to be bigger in a market with freehold properties than in one with leasehold properties. This is because the value of the real redevelopment option embedded in a freehold property is affected by changes market expectations to a much greater extent than its use value. Therefore a small change in market sentiment will affect the prices of housing units situated on freehold land more than those on leasehold land. We use a state-space model to empirically estimate the sizes of housing bubbles in Taipei and Hong Kong since the 1980s. The land tenure in the former is freehold, while that in the latter is leasehold. We find that the average size of housing bubbles is larger in Taipei during the period of observation, which supports our hypothesis. The change in Hong Kong's land policy after July 1997 has effectively turned its land tenure system from one of leasehold to "almost freehold" (i.e., the market expects that leasehold land will be automatically be renewed without payment of a premium upon the expiry of a lease). Our result shows that there has been an increase in the magnitude of housing bubbles in Hong Kong since 1997, which provides further empirical support to our hypothesis. The results also have important policy implications for developing markets where the land tenure systems are still evolving.


Abstract This article examines the recontextualization of traditional Mongolian verbal art khuuriin ülger ('fiddle story') by Mongolian folk singers in the context of the spread of COVID-19 in Inner Mongolia, China. Drawing on the concept of intertextuality, I analyze the verbal and visual signs in 94 videos of Mongolian fiddle stories. The article argues that the minority Mongols participate in the dominant global and national discourses while at the same time creating a sense of Mongolian-ness by marrying Mongolian verbal art with public health messages related to COVID-19. The article also finds that the multivocal COVID-19 Mongolian fiddle stories are a medium to articulate the very heteroglot sense of the world in which minority Mongols dwell and to construct and reaffirm their multi-layered identities. The study contributes to our understanding of how traditional genres and symbols evolve in response to the pandemic.


Knowledge of the aortic arch branching pattern is important during supra-aortic angiography, aortic instrumentation, thoracic and neck surgery. The aortic arch (AA) is located in the superior mediastinum. In 65–80% of the cases, the three branches arise from the aortic arch, namely, the brachiocephalic trunk (BCT), the left common carotid artery (LCCA), and the left subclavian artery (LSA). The purpose of this study is to describe different branching patterns of the arch of the aorta in Indian subjects. This observational study is based on dissection performed on Sixty embalmed arches of the aorta in adult Indian cadavers (in manuscript it was written as, 20 dissected heart specimens were collected of still-born fetuses) were exposed and their branches examined during cadaveric dissection in the department of Anatomy. The anatomical variations of the arch of the aorta and its branches, its branches at site of origin, and the distance of each branch from the point of origin to the median plane were measured. The usual three-branched pattern of arch of aorta was found in 44 specimens (73.33%). The common trunk for both brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery was present in 11 specimens (18.33%). In 2 specimens (3.33%), the arch gives four branches. In 1 specimen (1.67%), give three branches. The wide spectrum of variations in the anatomical arrangement of the human aortic arch and its branches offer valuable information to catheterize the aortic arch and its branches for safely performing endovascular surgery. These anatomical and morphologic variations in the arch of the aorta and its branches are significant for diagnostic and surgical procedures in the thorax, head and neck regions.


Three new polyoxygenated cyclohexenes, named uvacanols F, G, H (1–3), were isolated from the roots of Uvaria calamistrata (Annonaceae). Their structures were determined to be 2-acetoxyl-5-chlorine-benzoyloxymethylcyclohex-1 (6)-ene-4-ol-3-benzoate (1), benzoyloxy-methylcyclohex-1 (6)-ene-2,3,4-triols-5-benzoate (2), 3-acetoxyl-benzoyloxymethylcyclohex-1 (6)-ene-4,5-diols-2-benzoate (3) by spectroscopic methods and chemical derivatization.