ABSTRACT Many countries call for more men to be teachers in early childhood education and care (ECEC). In Sweden, the issue has been discussed since the early 1970s, but despite these discussions there is little Swedish research that examines the notions and expectations associated with male teachers. International research has found that perceptions of men in ECEC can be very ambivalent and that physical contact between the male educator and children is a sensitive issue. By focusing on the interaction between educators and children, the purpose of this study is to investigate gender-specific beliefs about male preschool teachers. The empirical material consists of interviews with 50 informants. Of these, 17 are men and 33 are women. The results show that "the fun guy" and "the possible perpetrator" are two gender-specific positions that male informants are subjected to. The article discusses how men take up and resist the two positions, and argues for the need to further challenge gendered stereotypes in preschools.


The regional chat-rooms in Switzerland show an extremely high portion of dialectal contributions (up to 90%). This non-standardized spontaneous writing of a dialectal language still reflects the geolinguistic distribution described in the linguistic atlas of German speaking Switzerland SDS (1962-1997) based on recordings of the 1940s and 1950s.
This paper shows some reflexes of this geolinguistic distribution in four chat-rooms. The graphemic representation of the ending vowel of infinitives clearly confirms the traditional structure. Deviating e-graphemes in chat-rooms of alpine regions can be rated as common Swiss German variants for centralized vowels. On the other hand a-graphemes in chat-rooms of the Swiss midlands are to be rated as marking of the phonetic deviation from the standard German pronunciation. This variation is not only found in inherited words, but also in neologisms with an almost identical distribution. The SDS illustrates a distribution for the use of t-endings in the 2nd and 3rd singular of sein 'to be'. These t-flexives cannot be found anymore in midland chat-rooms. They appear only in alpine chat-rooms, and there they become morphologized in a new way. The dialectal writing of neologisms confirms the validity of the principles for the Standard German writing.


In this study, the BMI characteristics and food preference were examined according to the Sasang constitution typology. The constitution type of the subjects was judged by SCAT2 (SC) and Sasang specialists (SP), and the data were compared with the group (SS) in which the two results coincided. The results of SC and SP were consistent with 55 (38.2%) out of 144 subjects. Among the 55 subjects, there were 36 (65.5%), 15 (27.2%), and 4 (7.3%) Soeumin, Taeeumin, and Soyangin, respectively. The BMI of Taeeumin was significantly higher than that of Soeumin (p< .001) in all analytical methods. On the other hand, there was a difference in determining the body shape of Soyangin between the SCAT2 and specialists. The Taeeum-Soeum Food Preference Index was applied to compare the food preference to 41 types of food. In SS analysis, 13 kinds of foods preferred by Taeeumin or Soeumin were found, of which 8 (19.5%) were consistent with the existing food data. Taeeumin preferred 6 kinds of food, such as cold soybean-soup noodles, wild sesame seaweed soup, pan-fried tofu, Yeongun-jorim, Doraji-namul, and soy milk. In contrast, the favorite foods of Soeumin were black rice and Dak-galbi.


Background— This prospective, multicenter study sought to evaluate the incidence of asymptomatic cerebral emboli (ACE) during ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) using a multielectrode radiofrequency (MER) system when specific procedural changes were applied. Methods and Results— Sixty subjects (age 60±10 years; 87% paroxysmal; CHADS2 score, 0.6±0.7) undergoing AF ablation with a circular MER catheter were studied. Three procedural changes were specified: (1) ablation was performed under therapeutic vitamin K antagonist and heparin to maintain activated clotting time >350 seconds; (2) submerged loading of the catheter into the introducer before sheath insertion to minimize air ingress; and (3) either the distal or proximal electrode of the circular MER catheter was deactivated to prevent inadvertent bipolar radiofrequency interaction. MRI was performed <7 days preablation and 2 days postablation. Subjects with new cerebral findings after ablation underwent repeat MRI after 1 month. An acute ACE lesion was defined by a new hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery cerebral MRI sequences. Neurological function was evaluated at baseline, postablation, and 1 month. All target pulmonary veins were isolated. In 60% (36/60) of patients, pre-existing cerebral lesions were seen on the preprocedure MRI (8 lesions per subject; interquartile range, 3–22). New postprocedural ACE occurred in only 1/60 patients (incidence, 1.7%; 95% confidence interval, 0.04–8.9), which was no longer visible on MRI after 1 month. Conclusions— Applying procedural changes to MER ablation significantly reduces the ACE incidence to 1.7%, which is on the low end of reported ACE rates of any technology. Clinical Trial Registration Information— ClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier: NCT01520532.


A one-day symposium made possible by a USC Libraries Dean's Challenge Grant and cosponsored by the Thornton School of Music.


AIM
The aim of this study is to show the practical use of, and to discuss the rationale for, high-end computed tomography (CT) integrated with intrinsic low-resolution single-photon emission tomography (SPECT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS
All examinations performed on three new SPECT/CT systems with diagnostic CT capabilities were recorded retrospectively. The use of CT was classified as low-dose, using the CT with restraint as to the tube current and radiation dose, or diagnostic, with an optimum use of the CT, using CT protocols as used in ordinary radiological practice. The number of low-dose CT was compared with the number of diagnostic CT examinations. The report is based on 436 patient examinations from three hospitals in Norway with recently installed SPECT/CT systems, the time of use varying from 6 months to 2 years. The examinations performed were myocardial perfusion (45%), various tumors (thyroid, parathyroid, neuroendocrine 37%), malignant skeletal disease (12%), brain perfusion (4%), sentinel nodes in breast cancer (1%) and gastrointestinal bleeding (1%).

RESULTS
Of the 436 patients, 431 had a low-dose CT for attenuation correction, anatomic localisation and, also for diagnosis, whereas five patients had a diagnostic CT. In these series, as was found in recent literature, the diagnostic potential of the CT was seldom used to its capacity and always in predetermined diagnostic situations.

CONCLUSION
There is a low degree of utilization of the diagnostic capabilities of the CT in the SPECT/CT context, for a number of reasons. This raises questions about the cost-benefit of investing in high-end CT for SPECT/CT applications.


Response characteristics are presented for a dual-enzyme fiber-optic biosensor for glutamate. An enzyme layer composed of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) is used to produce reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at the tip of a fiber-optic probe. NADH luminescence is monitored through this probe and the measured fluorescence intensity is related to the concentration of glutamate. GDH catalyzes the formation of NADH, and GPT drives the GDH reaction by removing a reaction product and regenerating glutamate. Optimal response is obtained in a pH 7.4 Tris-HCl buffer maintained at 25 degrees C in the presence of 4 mM NAD+ and 10 mM L-alanine. The temperature profile reveals a strong negative temperature effect which is attributed to the temperature dependency of NADH luminescence. Under optimal conditions, the sensor sensitivity is 0.127 nA/microM over the 1-10 microM concentration range, the detection limit is 0.13 microM, and response times range from 4 to 8 min. The sensor response is stable for 12 days when stored at 4 degrees C. Selectivity for glutamate is excellent over most of the common amino acids as well as ascorbic acid, uric acid, taurine, and GABA. Only slight responses were observed for glutamine and lysine. The effect of ammonia on the glutamate response was found to be minimal at total ammonia nitrogen concentrations as high as 200 microM.


BACKGROUND
Traditional seven-day proton pump inhibitor triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication has recently shown disappointing results outside of Canada. Prolonging therapy may be associated with poorer compliance and, hence, may not have a better outcome in a real-world setting.

OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcomes of seven- and 14-day triple therapy for first-line treatment of H pylori infection in an effectiveness setting in Canada.

METHODS
A total of 314 consecutive treatment-naive, adult H pylori-infected patients were allocated to either a seven- or 14-day triple therapy regimen, with a subgroup of 172 consecutive patients quasi-randomized to treatment according to date of visit. Eradication was confirmed using either urea breath test or gastric biopsies. Analysis was by intention to treat.

RESULTS
Eradication was achieved in a higher proportion of patients who underwent 14-day versus seven-day treatment regimens (overall: 85% versus 70% [P≤0.001]; subgroup: 83% versus 64% [P≤0.01]). Although successful eradication was also associated with older age and a diagnosis of ulcer disease, multivariate analysis revealed only longer treatment duration and lack of yogurt ingestion as independent predictors of successful eradication. There was a trend toward reduced success in the latter years of the study. Side effects were similar in both groups and were not prevented by yogurt ingestion.

CONCLUSIONS
The currently recommended duration of proton pump inhibitor triple therapy in Canada should be increased from seven to 14 days, the latter having achieved an excellent result in this particular real-world setting. Yogurt added no benefit. Further study is required to compare 10-day with 14-day treatment regimens.


The Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) has a long history of support of evolving areas of research, such as groupware, group support systems and knowledge management and the nurturing of these new concepts and ideas. Groupware and knowledge management has benefited from the information ?birds of a feather? gatherings and at the daily receptions to discuss ?pros? and ?cons? and to share insights and information. Both collaboration and knowledge management are currently popular topics and hopefully, from this minitrack, we can gain insight for their effective and efficient use on a day-to-day basis. Over the years, these researchers and practitioners have led the way in their organizations to dramatically improve productivity and organizational efficiency and effectiveness.This minitrack will focus on user experience from real organizations and real problems. The authors of papers share the technological and process advances gained through years of research and practical experience in this session. The following four sessions and papers describe the recent advances in groupware and knowledge management development and experiences. We are fortunate to assemble this group of authors and experts who are willing to share insights and knowledge gained from their experiences. The content of each session is as follows:Session 1. User Experience: Collaboration Systems and Knowledge Management. ?A GDSS Based Approach to the Strategy Analysis of Forest Industries,??Conceptual Approaches for Personal and Corporate Information and Knowledge Management,??Coupling Computer-supported Co-Operative-Work-and Hypermedia Technology for Distance Education Solutions,??Group Support for Negotiating Change in Global, Highly Politicized Inter-Organizational Network,??A Conceptual Model for Learning Internet Searching on the Internet,??Use of GDSS in Technology Selection: Experiences and Findings.?Session 2. User Experience: Collaboration Systems and Knowledge Management. ?A Framework for Collaboration and Knowledge Management,??The Technology Transition Model: A Key to Self-Sustaining and Growing Communities of GSS Users,??Surfacing Tacit Knowledge in Requirements Negotiation: Experiences Using Easy Win Win,??Consequence Management Through an Innovative Use of Collaborative Tools,??The Automated Application of a Group Support System (GSS) for a Quality Self-Assessment Process,??Thinklets: Achieving Predictable Repeatable Patterns of Group Interaction with Group Support Systems (GSS).?Session 3. User Experience: Collaboration Systems and Knowledge Management. ?GroupIntelligence: Automated Support for Capitalizing on Groupknowledge,??Experience Using Collaborative Technology with the United Nations and Multi-National Militaries During the Rim of the Pacific Strong Angel: A Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise,??Improving Group Creativity: Brainstorming Versus Non-brainstorming Techniques in a GSS Environment,??Developing Use-Cases in a Group,??Supporting University Education through Electronic Meeting Support,??Experiences with Collaborative Applications that Support Distributed Modeling.?Session 4. User Experience: Collaboration Systems and Knowledge Management. ?Applying the Technology Transition Model to GSS Fielding,??Meeting Analysis: Findings from Research and Practice,??Bridging Japanese and American Business Procedures Using SMAD (Structured Manuals Analysis and Design) and its Effect on Knowledge Management and Enterprise Education.??Building a Group Decision Support Laboratory,??An Agent-based Network Consultation System Using Cooperation between a Sales Organization and Multi-Agents.?The papers in this session describe efforts in process design, planning, and development of practical guidelines for collaboration and knowledge management. All of the papers and speakers bring insight and lessons learned to real world applications. The GroupSystems software will be available throughout the sessions to identify research questions and opportunities for further study.


This working paper is based on a literature review and country case studies in six Sub-Saharan African countries: Eritrea, Mali, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania. It looks at the role of secondary education and training in promoting health, civics and life skills among the African youth. Specifically, this study focuses on examining which schooling programs are effective in equipping young people with life skills, which programs reduce dropout and increase participation and how schools can become agents in tackling health and social issues.


Although front-end activities are critical to the success of NPD, they are in fact almost ineffective in practice because the existing methods were developed for stand-alone applications. A bibliographical review showed that technology roadmapping (TRM) and project portfolio management (PPM) are stand out methods for the front-end of NPD. This finding motivated the research question of our work: Can the integration of TRM and PPM contribute to improve the frontend of NPD? Hence, this paper evaluates the potential of this integration based on a case study at a high-tech company. The TRM applied here is based on the T-Plan developed at the University of Cambridge, and a sequence of steps and tools are proposed for PPM based on a synthesis of the findings of numerous authors. In this specific case, the front-end of NPD benefited from the integration. The set of product proposals were aligned with business and technological strategies, providing synchronization between market trends, NPD and new technology. Project portfolio management provides feedback for technology roadmapping. Therefore, the integration of NPD front-end methods appears to constitute a productive field of research and should be considered by hightech companies.


Elucidation of the factors responsible for hepatitis B virus (HBV) is extremely important in order to understand the viral life cycle and pathogenesis, and thereby explore potential anti-HBV drugs. The recent determination that sodium taurocholate co-transporting peptide (NTCP) is an essential molecule for the HBV entry into cells led to the development of an HBV infection system in vitro using a human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line expressing NTCP; however, the precise mechanism of HBV entry is still largely unknown, and thus it may be necessary to elucidate all the molecules involved. Here, we identified ATP5B as another essential factor for HBV entry. ATP5B was expressed on the cell surface of the HCC cell lines and bound with myristoylated but not with non-myristoylated preS1 2-47, which supported the notion that ATP5B is involved in the HBV entry process. Knockdown of ATP5B in NTCP-expressing HepG2 cells, which allowed HBV infection, reduced HBV infectivity with less cccDNA formation. Taken together, these results strongly suggested that ATP5B is an essential factor for HBV entry into the cells.


Significant developments have occurred in the area of III-V compound semiconductor nanostructures. The scope of developments includes quantum dots and nanowires epitaxially grown on Si substrates, as well as their applications in light emitting diodes and lasers. Such nanoscale heterostructures exhibit remarkable structural, electrical, and optical properties. The highly effective lateral stress relaxation, due to the presence of facet edges and free surfaces, enables the achievement of nearly defect-free III-V nanoscale heterostructures directly on Si, in spite of the large lattice mismatches and the surface incompatibility. With the incorporation of multiple quantum dot layers as highly effective three-dimensional dislocation filters, self-organized quantum dot lasers monolithically grown on Si exhibit, for the first time, relatively low threshold current (Jth = 900 A/cm2) and very high temperature stability (T0 = 244 K). III-V semiconductor nanowire light emitting diodes on Si, with emission wavelengths from UV to near-infrared, have also been demonstrated.


Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article by Taksande et al. published in the latest issue of your journal. First, we would like to commend the authors for their endeavor. We have comments regarding the methodological issues which require further clarification by the authors for the benefit of the readers of JPNIM. This corrispondence refers to the following article: Taksande AM, Yeole M. Risk factors of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) in under-fives in a rural hospital of Central India. J Pediatr Neonat Individual Med. 2016;5(1):e050105. doi: 10.7363/050105 . Authors' reply can be found in the following article: Taksande A, Yeole M. Correspondence: risk factors of acute respiratory infection in under-fives in a rural hospital of Central India – Authors' reply. J Pediatr Neonat Individual Med. 2016;5(2):e050208. doi: 10.7363/050208 .


Supernatants harvested from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) incubated either with the non‐specific mitogen phytohaemagglutinin‐P (PHA) or with the specific antigen tuberculin purified protein derivative for 72 h decreased collagen synthesis by dermal fibroblasts. PHA‐induced mononuclear cell factors (PHA‐MCF) responsible for decreases in collagen synthesis by dermal fibroblasts were localized by column chromatography on Sephacryl S‐200 to fractions of 30,000‐60,000 daltons. Proteolytic enzymes destroyed the activity of PHA‐MCF, but after incubation with neuraminidase some activity of these factors remained, The activity of PHA‐MCF was not inhibited by incubation with the monosaccharides L‐fucose, L‐rhamnose. N‐acetylglucosamine, and α‐melhyl‐D‐mannoside but was partially destroyed by heating at 80°C for 10 min. The factors were not mitogenic to PBMC. These factors did not appear to resemble any previously characterized factors produced by non‐adherent mononuclear cells. The mechanism by which these factors decreased fibroblast collagen synthesis appeared complex. There was no detectable increase in the release of collagenasc by fibroblasts, nor was a cytotoxic effect apparent. Increased PGE2 production by fibroblasts could not be related to the factor‐induced decrease in fibroblast collagen synthesis.


Thymoma is an unusual tumour, but it is the most common malignancy in the anterior mediastinum. This tumour is unique in its frequent association with paraneoplastic syndrome and its potential for indolent growth. The distinction between thymomas and other tumours which arise in the anterior or superior mediastinum is important, and the optimal therapy for these malignancies is quite different. Indeed, even in advanced disease, systemic therapy may not only prolong the disease-free survival, but may also be curative in various malignancies. The therapy for patients with thymoma has been evolving over the past few years.


Article Details: Received: 2018-10-26 | Accepted: 2019-03-04 | Available online: 2019-06-30 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2019.22.02.46-51 The study aimed to examine the effect of pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaf meal diets on blood characteristics of rabbits. A total of 48, male rabbits were randomly divided into four experimental groups of twelve animals each, with four rabbits constituting a replicate. Each group was assigned to one of the experimental diets containing pawpaw leaf meal (PLM) at 0% (control), 15%, 30% and 45% for 56 days in a completely randomized design (CRD). Blood samples for analysis were obtained from each replicate and data obtained were analyzed statistically. Results on chemical composition of the PLM revealed 87.67% DM, 17.30% CP, 12.86% CF, 8.88% ash, 0.81% EE 47.82% NFE and 2348.05 Kcal/kg ME. PLM at 15% inclusion increased (P  0.05) across the treatments. Total protein was however best (P <0.05) at 45% supplementation. The results indicated that PLM enhanced haemopoiesis and health status of the experimental rabbits and therefore should be incorporated into rabbit feeding to enhance blood formation and health status of the animals. Keywords: rabbits, pawpaw leaf, phytogenic compound, haematology and serum biochemistry References A.O.A.C. (2000) Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL (OMA). 6th ed., Washington: AOAC. ADUKU, A.O. and OLUKOSI, J.O. (1990) Rabbit management in the tropics: production, processing. utilization, marketing economics, practice, research and future prospects. Abuja FCT: GU Publication. ARAVIND. G. et al. (2013) Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Carica papaya. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 7–15. AYOOLA, P.B. and ADEYEYE, A. (2010) Phytochemical and Nutrient Evaluation of Carica papaya (Pawpaw) Leaves. IJRRAS, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 325–328. BENSON, K.G. and PAUL-MURPHY, J. (1999) Clinical pathology of the domestic rabbit. Acquisition and interpretation of samples. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract., vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 539–551. BOSHRA, V. and TAJUL, A.Y. (2013) Papaya – An Innovative Raw Material for Food and Pharmaceutical Processing Industry. Health and the Environment Journal, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 68–75. BRADLEY, T.A. (2001) What every veterinarian needs to know about rabbits. Zoological Education Network, Lake Worth, pp. 42–45. BURKE, J. (1994) Clinical care and medicine of pet rabbit. In: Proceedings of the Michigan Veterinary Conference, pp. 49–77. CHAVEZ-QUINTAL, P. et al. (2011) Antifungal Activity in Ethanolic Extracts of Carica papaya L. cv. Maradol Leaves and Seeds. Indian J Microbiol., vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 54–60. EDEH, H.O. (2013) Physiological response of broiler birds to oral supplementation with aloe vera and neem leave extracts: MSc. Thesis. Nsukka: University of Nigeria. GANZON-NARET, E. S. (2015) Effects of incorporated swamp cabbage (Ipomea aquatica) and papaya (Carica papaya) leaf meals at different dietary levels in order to replace fish meal protein in practical diets for sea bass (Lates calcarifer). ABAH Bioflux, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 93–102. GIDENNE, T. and JEHL, N. (1999) Zootechnical response of the growing rabbit face to a decrease in fiber supply, for diets rich in digestible fibre. In: J.M. Perez (Ed), 8eme J. Rech. Cunicoles Fr., ITAVI editions, 9–10 Juin, Paris, pp. 109–113. GIDENNE, T. and LEBAS, F. (2002) Role of dietary fibre in rabbit nutrition and in digestive troubles prevention. In: 2nd  Rabbit Congress of the Americas, Habana City, Cuba, June 19–22, 2002. JIWUBA, P.C. et al. (2016a) Haematological and serum biochemical indices of weaner rabbits fed varying levels of dried Gmelina arborea leaf meal. International Blood Research & Reviews, no. 6, pp. 1–8. JIWUBA, P.C. et al. (2016b) Haematological and Serum Biochemical Indices of Growing Rabbits Fed Diets Containing Varying Levels of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal. British Biotechnology Journal, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 1–7. JIWUBA, P.C. (2018) Effect of pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaf meal on productive parameters of growing rabbits. Agricultural science and technology, vol. 10, no. 2, pp.102–106. doi: https://doi.org/10.15547/ast.2018.02.022 LEBAS, F. (2013) Feeding strategy for small and medium scale rabbit units. In: 3rd Conference of Asian Rabbit Production Association – Bali Indonesi, 27–29 August 2013, pp. 1–15. MAYER, J. (1955) Nutrition of rabbits. In: Tropical Agricultural Series C.T.A. London: Macmillan Education Ltd., pp. 39–50. NATH, R. and DUTTA, M. (2016) Phytochemical and Proximate Analysis of Papaya (Carica papaya) Leaves. Sch J Agric Vet Sci, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 85–87. Nguyen, T.T. et al. (2013) Anticancer activity of Carica papaya: a review. Mol Nutr Food Res., vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 153–164. doi: https://10.1002/mnfr.201200388 NRC. (1977) Nutrient requirements of rabbits. National Research council. Washington: National Academy of Science. OGBUEWU, I.P. et al. (2014). Responses of pubertal rabbits to dietary supplementation of ginger rhizome powder. Nig J Anim Prod, vol. 41, pp. 53– 60. OGBUOKIRI, U.D.E. et al. (2014) Effect of pawpaw leaf (Carica papaya, Linn.) meal on some performance attributes of starter broiler chicks. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, no. 4, pp, 826–832. OTSUKI, N. et al. (2010) Aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves exhibits anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects. Ethnopharmacol, no. 127, pp. 760–767. PATIL, T. et al. (2014) Carica papaya Leaf Extracts – An Ethnomedicinal Boon. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 260–265. POND, W.G., CHURCH, D.C. and POND, K.R. (1995) Basic animal nutrition and feeding. 4th ed., New York: John Wiley and Sons, pp. 495–504. PUTWAIN, S. (2008) Clinical pathology updates: haematology and biochemistry of the rabbit. UK Vet Publications, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 75–77. Research Animal Resource (RAR). (2009). Reference values for laboratory animals: Normal Haemotological values. [Online]. Minneapolis: RAR, University of Minnesota. Retrieved 2019-02- 28 from http://www.ahe.umn.edu.rar.refvalues.html UNIGWE, C.R. et al. (2014) The Nutritive Profile of Sun-Dried Paw-Paw (Carica papaya) Leaf Meal and its Effect on the Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens. Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., vol. 20, no. 2, pp.72–78.


A new and unique millimetre wave radar capability is described. A coherent quasi-monostatic 77 GHz polarimetric short range phase coded pulse Doppler (PCPD) radar is integrated with a coherent monostatic 77 GHz co-polar continuous wave (CW) fast event radar data capture facility to provide unparalleled functionality in a single unit. The PCPD radar, originally designed for the short range radar measurement of vehicles travelling at velocities up to 200 m/s, is shown to offer significant additional benefits beyond original expectations. Results showing the complex Doppler from a rotating target and illustrating the PCPD system capabilities are presented. The CW radar, configured to measure objects travelling at velocities up to 2000 m/s, is also shown to be a useful asset. System verification tests and measurement results for Browning gun firings of spinning high velocity metallic spheres and cubes are discussed. Evidence has also been provided suggesting that the velocity of a small flat facetted projectile, fired from a Browning gun, can be estimated from radar measurements of spin rate given a priori knowledge of the rifling characteristics of the Browning gun.


Objective: This case report aims to discuss the diagnosis of mental retardation as insanity defence in a crime offender. Methods: We report a gentleman who committed murder and rape 9 years ago, and currently being treated at a mental institution. Results: Patient was certified to have mental retardation, and was pleaded on the defence of unsoundness of mind because he had defect of reason at the time of alleged offence. Conclusion: Mental retardation does fulfil the McNaughton's rule. Unsoundness of mind becomes the insanity defence even for murder under section 84 of the Penal Code. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 15 (1): January – June 2014: 97-100.


The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of calcium blockers on the prostaglandin system of blood platelets and the vessel wall with respect to a possible beneficial effect on atherosclerosis. The influence of diltiazem, isradipine, nifedipine and verapamil was examined on ADP- and collagen-induced in vitro platelet aggregation, platelet malondialdehyde formation and other platelet function tests. All the calcium blockers investigated inhibited platelet activation in a dose-dependent manner, isradipine being the most effective. Malondialdehyde formation (measured photometrically) and thromboxane (TX) B2 production were decreased too. Vascular tissue PG12 formation was investigated in rat aortic rings (6-oxo-PGF1 alpha-RIA). PG12 formation was enhanced by all the calcium blockers investigated (p less than 0.01), isradipine again having the most pronounced effect. Platelet adenylate cyclase was stimulated by diltiazem only (RIA, HPLC). Ex vivo ADP-, collagen- and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation and serum TX were studied 90 minutes after ingestion to diltiazem (60 mg), nifedipine (20 mg) and verapamil (40 mg). ADP- and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation (19-36%) and serum TX were reduced significantly (p less than 0.01), but collagen-induced aggregation was not significantly affected. These results suggest a possibly beneficial effect of calcium blockers on atherosclerosis via the prostaglandin system.


This Article looks at the intersection of the Fourth Amendment, which protects Americans' personal security against arbitrary and oppressive searches by law enforcement officials, and the Eighth Amendment, which proscribes excessive bail. The focus is on the validity and effectiveness of an arrested person's agreement to relinquish some or all of her Fourth Amendment rights as a means of gaining freedom from pre-trial detention. In other words, can an arrested person validly "consent" to waive some of her Fourth Amendment rights to avoid pre-trial detention? Recently, in a case of first impression in the federal courts of appeal, the Ninth Circuit invalidated a search of a home that rested on such a waiver. In United States v. Scott, the Ninth Circuit concluded that such a waiver is not always effective. In borderline cases, in which the judicial officer is leaning toward detention, the waiver issue can be the deciding factor. The ability of arrested persons to bargain away some of their Fourth Amendment rights may prove especially important to indigent defendants who have little or no money, property or means to offer as collateral. With the capacity to relinquish some of their Fourth Amendment protections, indigent defendants would gain an additional bargaining tool to obtain their release from jail. This Article contends that such waivers are legally effective and can be properly limited. The Fourth Amendment, the Eighth Amendment, the Bail Reform Act, the Unconstitutional Conditions Doctrine, and basic offer and acceptance principles of contract law will confine waivers and protect pre-trial defendants from potential abuse by the government, which might otherwise capitalize on an arrested person's vulnerability to subordinate one constitutional right to protect another.


Purpose of Study: Child exploitation and slavery have become a new phenomenon of global crime because it occurred in every part of the world. The exploitation of infants and children in our public perception is underestimated because of cases subject to prosecution only mild and included unusual punishment.
Methodology: This research was normative, in analyzing phenomena that occur in society, the authors attempted to answer some of the problems of the rule of positive law in Indonesia in solving the problems of exploitation of children, how to tackle the exploitation of children by other countries, and recommendations to resolve the problems of exploitation against children.
Results: Exploitation crimes against children or slavery more appropriately included as an extraordinary crime committed against children, because such measures will not only affect the physical and psychological health but also will greatly affect the future of children and the future of a nation.
Implications/Applications: Comparative law between the State of Australia, Senegal, and England, can be recommended for the legislature to make the formulation of regulations on the handling of the exploitation of children more effectively and quickly.


Otomandibular dysplasia is a congenital malformation defined by a certain degree of temporomandibular or pterygomandibular hypoplasia. The syndrome is characterised by the variability of clinical findings, but the three major features are auricular, mandibular and maxillary hypoplasia. All the laterofacial structures may be affected. The deformity is usually unilateral but bilateral cases exist; a lot of associated malformations have been described. Multiple classification systems have been published. Some of them are very complex, but it is possible to define a simple diagnostic diagram based on ethiopathogenic data. Bilateral involvement affects predominantly the zygoma, and concerns hereditary syndromes. When the mandibular hypoplasia is evident Franceschetti or Goldenhar syndrome is suspected; otherwise Treacher-Collins syndrome is probable. Unilateral cases are not, in general, hereditary and the hypoplasia predominates on the mandible. The difference between hemifacial microsomia or mandibular dysplasia is made by the presence of associated laterofacial deformities.


OBJECTIVES AND METHODS
Twelve patients to be undergone cholecystectomy and 4 patients to be undergone Billroth II gastric resection were examined before and after surgery in order to evaluate the association between duodenogastric reflux and gastric mucosal cell proliferation. Duodenogastric reflux was assessed by measuring the concentration of bile acids in gastric juice and expressed as fasting bile reflux in mumol/h. Gastric mucosal cell proliferation was assessed by measuring the concentration of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) in biopsy specimens and expressed in mumol/g of tissue.

RESULTS
The median increase in fasting bile reflux was 34 mumol/h after cholecystectomy and 238 mumol/h after Billroth II gastric resection (P = 0.008). After cholecystectomy the median value of putrescine levels in antrum was 39 mumol/g, whereas after Billroth II gastric resection putrescine levels in pre-anastomotic area was 79.5 mumol/g (P = 0.008). There was a positive correlation between fasting bile reflux and putrescine levels either in antrum (r = 0.37, P = 0.04) or body (r = 0.48, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS
The increase in cell proliferation activity of gastric mucosa after Billroth II gastric resection might explain the increased risk for cancer of gastric remnant.


OBJECTIVE
To clarify risk factors for the development of clinical features of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in patients with anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS
We studied 65 SLE patients, all with positive IgG and/or IgM aCL. Patients were divided into 2 groups; I: 29 SLE patients with features of APS (SLE/APS) and II: 36 aCL positive SLE patients without any feature of APS (SLE/aCL). Serum samples were collected from our serum bank. Anti-beta2-glycoprotein I (anti-beta2-GPI) were tested by ELISA using irradiated plates in the absence of cardiolipin. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were tested by standard Farr assay.

RESULTS
There were no major differences between SLE clinical manifestations in both groups. However, the frequency of IgG anti-beta2-GPI was markedly increased in SLE/APS (18/29, 62%) than in SLE/aCL (4/36, 11%) (chi-squared 18.6, p=0.0001). The levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies in the same samples were slightly lower in SLE/APS.

CONCLUSION
Our data suggest that increased levels of IgG anti-beta2-GPI may be a specific feature of SLE/APS patients rather than reflecting a polyclonal B cell activation.


Fluorescent proteins with long emission wavelengths are particularly attractive for deep tissue two-photon microscopy. Surprisingly, little is known about their two-photon absorption (2PA) properties. We present absolute 2PA spectra of a number of orange and red fluorescent proteins, including DsRed2, mRFP, TagRFP, and several mFruit proteins, in a wide range of excitation wavelengths (640-1400 nm). To evaluate 2PA cross section (sigma(2)), we use a new method relying only on the optical properties of the intact mature chromophore. In the tuning range of a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser, 700-1000 nm, TagRFP possesses the highest two-photon cross section, sigma(2) = 315 GM, and brightness, sigma(2)phi = 130 GM, where phi is the fluorescence quantum yield. At longer wavelengths, 1000-1100 nm, tdTomato has the largest values, sigma(2) = 216 GM and sigma(2)phi = 120 GM, per protein chain. Compared to the benchmark EGFP, these proteins present 3-4 times improvement in two-photon brightness.


Tricaine methane sulfonate (TMS), often called MS-222, is the most common anesthetic used with fishes. Because it is very acidic (pKa about 3) it must be neutralized especially when used in soft fresh water. Much of the literature on fish anesthetics recommends neutralizing with bicarbonate. However, much of the zebrafish literature uses the protocol in "The Zebrafish Book" that recommends neutralizing with TRIS. Three considerations when comparing these buffers are: first, TRIS has the advantage that the pH tends to remain constant, whereas the pH of solutions containing bicarbonate tends to increase as CO2 diffuses from the water to air; second, the CO2 produced by bicarbonate may have some sedative effects in and of itself; and third, there is some evidence that the efficacy of TMS changes with pH. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of TMS using these two buffers and show that there is no substantial difference in anesthetic properties in zebrafish.


A methodology for surveillance of multiple targets through a distributed mobile sensor network is proposed in this paper. We examine coordination among sensors that monitor a rectangular surveillance zone that is crisscrossed by targets. After a target is detected, monitoring sensors either remain stationary or begin following their targets. The decision to remain stationary or to track a target is based on a scheme of priority ascription to the target and the coordination mechanism between the sensors. The priorities are computed with a fuzzy inference scheme. Coordination between sensors considers the geometry of the future target path and the number of expected observations a sensor is likely to make on the target. Simulation results validate the efficacy of the proposed methodology.


Background and Purpose: Aspergillus species are implicated as the etiology of approximately 26% of endocarditis cases. Central nervous system aspergillosis is a life-threatening condition that has a mortality rate of 80%. Case report: Herein, we report a four– year- old female who was admitted to the pediatric infectious ward due to a fever of unknown origin in January 2020. She was a known case of Marfan syndrome with a family history of this syndrome in her mother. The species was identified using (PCR) and the antifungal susceptibility test was performed using four antifungal agents based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38 3rd edition. Fluconazole-resistant Aspergillus flavus was identified to be responsible for endocarditis and meningitis as well as fever of unknown origin. Conclusion: The clinicians should be aware and consider fungal endocarditis in blood culture-negative endocarditis even in patients with no significant risk factor when antibiotic therapy fails.


Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or sham stimulation was given over the motor cortex daily for 10 days to two randomly assigned groups of 26 patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients otherwise continued their normal treatment. Disability scales measured before rTMS, at the end of the last rTMS session, and 10 days later showed that real rTMS improved patients' scores more than sham.


Introduction. Among patients suffering from atrial fi brillation (AF), there is a certain population with episodes of typical atrial fl utter (AFL). A detrimental effect of atrial remodelling caused by AF is well known, therefore duration of AF is an important prognostic issue for such patients. In our study we attempted an approach consisting of cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) radiofrequency (RF) ablation and aldosterone receptor blocker administration for a purpose of maintaining sinus rhythm. The aim of this study was to assess long-term effects of such treatment in patients with AFL and/or AF. Materials and methods. Population of 64 patients aged 64.7 years was divided into 3 groups: I — AFL (n = 34); II — AFL with paroxysmal AF (n = 13); III — persistent AF despite antiarrhythmic treatment (n = 17). CTI ablation was performed in all individuals, with subsequent direct current cardioversion in group III. Postablative antiarrhythmic medications were started in all patients in group II whilst in group III the current treatment was continued. Aldosterone receptor blocker was implemented in a part of group I and in all remaining patients. The mean follow-up period was 13.9 months. Results. In group I, typical AFL recurrence occured in 3 patients (8.8%). In group II, 1 AFL recurrence was successfully treated with repeated ablation, and 1 AF relapse was noted. In group III, 7 AF relapses were treated defi nitely with pulmonary vein isolation or accepted as permanent AF. The primary success rate of the procedure was 91% vs. 85% vs. 59 % (p < 0.05). Conclusions. CTI ablation is a therapeutic procedure for AFL and AFL concomitant with paroxysmal AF. Such procedure makes a moderately successful alternative for patients with persistent AF, while treatment with propafenone and aldosterone receptor blocker is provided. CTI ablation may constitute a bridging therapy aimed at preserving sinus rhythm in patients awaiting the pulmonary vein isolation.


AIM
To observe the effect of octreotide on apoptosis rate of human pancreatic cancer cells PC-3 after transfected with somatostatin receptor type 2 (SST2) gene.

METHODS
SST2 plasmid was transfected into PC-3 cells by liposome. Result of transfection was detected by immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting. Apoptosis rates of PC-3 cells under different dosages of octreotide were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTS
Apoptosis rate caused by octreotide of transfected PC-3 cells was 7.56+/-1.06% at the dosage of 0.20 microg/mL, 9.25+/-1.73% at the dosage of 0.40 microg/mL and 14.18+/-2.71% at the dosage of 0.80 microg/mL. Apoptosis rate caused by octreotide of non-transfected PC-3 cells was 5.76+/-0.75% at the dosage of 0.20 microg/mL, 6.69+/-0.80% at the dosage of 0.40 microg/mL and 7.26+/-1.28% at the dosage of 0.80 microg/mL. Transfected PC-3 cells growth inhibition rate caused by octreotide was 9.36+/-1.34% at the dosage of 0.20 microg/mL, 12.03+/-1.44% at the dosage of 0.40 microg/mL and 20.23+/-4.21% at the dosage of 0.80 microg/mL. Non-transfected PC-3 cells growth inhibition rate caused by octreotide was 6.44+/-0.66% at the dosage of 0.20 microg/mL, 7.65+/-0.88% at the dosage of 0.40 microg/mL and 9.29+/-1.32% at the dosage of 0.80 microg/mL. We found that octreotide caused higher apoptosis rate and inhibition rate in transfected groups than in non-transfected groups (P<0.05) at the tested dosages (0.20, 0.40 and 0.80 microg/mL).

CONCLUSION
Deficiency of SST2 was probably the major reason why octreotide had little effect on PC-3 cells. Transfecting SST2 gene could strengthen the ability of octreotide of killing PC-3 cells. It provided an experimental evidence for using both octreotide and transfection with SST2 gene on clinical treatment of pancreatic cancer.


Aquatic and wetland plants tend to be very phenotypically plastic, which accounts for the taxonomic difficulties in many groups. In the genus Sparganium, which comprises about 14 species, numerous taxa at different ranks are described. The classification of the genus is based on generative characters on the fruit, which are less influenced by the environment than vegetative characters. Nevertheless, the intraspecific division of Sparganium erectum poses problems, especially the existence of several intraspecific taxa along with intermediate individuals. In this study we examined four European subspecies of S. erectum (subsp. erectum, subsp. microcarpum, subsp. neglectum and subsp. oocarpum) from 64 populations in the Czech Republic. A combination of multivariate morphometrics, AFLPs and genome size estimation allowed us to confirm the current subspecies classification and investigate putative intraspecific hybridization. Four genetic groups with different genome sizes corresponding to the subspecies were found. Morphological characters that were described in previous studies correlated with these genetic groups and thus affirmed the classification. The most important characters for subspecies differentiation were width and length of fruit, style length, length of the upper part of the fruit and constriction in the middle part of the fruit. In addition, admixed individuals between the genetic groups were recorded. The hybrid origin of subsp. oocarpum was confirmed, being derived from the crossing of subsp. erectum and subsp. neglectum. Finally, three other hybrid combinations were detected, suggesting recent hybridization: subsp. erectum × subsp. microcarpum, subsp. microcarpum × subsp. neglectum, and subsp. erectum × subsp. oocarpum.


The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of forming a common currency area in Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries (OIC). Based on the experience of Euro area in recent crises, this article emphasizes economic competitiveness differentials as a benchmark Optimum Currency Area criterion. In order to detect competitiveness differentials, this study relies on panel co integration techniques and uses the Pooled Mean Group method. Then the exchange rate misalignments in these countries are calculated and the co-moved pattern of misalignments and the sigma convergence of exchange rate misalignments are analyzed. The results indicate that most of Islamic regions experience diminishing competitiveness differentials and there is an obvious convergence in economic competitiveness levels in Islamic regions. In addition, the countries of Arab Economic Unity (AEU) are experiencing the lowest exchange rate misalignment; hence, it seems this is the most appropriate region satisfying the preliminaries of forming a common currency area.


This paper presents a novel framework for dense piecewise semantic reconstruction in dynamic scenes containing complex background and moving objects via exploiting superpixel relations. We utilize two kinds of superpixel relations: motion relations and spatial relations, each having three subcategories: coplanar, hinge, and crack. Spatial relations provide constraints on the spatial locations of neighboring superpixels and thus can be used to reconstruct dynamic scenes. However, spatial relations can not be estimated directly with epipolar geometry due to moving objects in dynamic scenes. We synthesize the results of semantic instance segmentation and motion relations to estimate spatial relations. Given consecutive frames, we mainly develop our method in five main stages: preprocessing, motion estimation, superpixel relation analysis, reconstruction and refinement. Extensive experiments on various datasets demonstrate that our method outperforms competitors in reconstruction quality. Furthermore, our method presents a feasible way to incorporate semantic information in Structure-from-Motion (SFM) based reconstruction pipelines.


Everyday fi nancial decisions are the product of diverse factors, including instinct, habit, emotion, reason, and social interaction. Psychologists have long aspired to unravel the determinants of intuitive judgment and choice. Slowly but surely, they have identifi ed various psycho lo gical mecha- nisms that cause predictable decision biases. This survey puts special emphasis on behavioral research in fi nance that investigates information overload, emotion, social infl uence, and ambiguity aversion. It also discusses selected cognitive models that attempt to integrate the way individuals interpret and act upon information. In general, behavioral research casts serious doubt on the validity of some of the key insights of mainstream fi nance such as portfolio theory, the positive risk-return trade-off, and effi cient markets.


Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA serum concentration, quasispecies complexity, and sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the nonstructural 5A gene (NS5A) interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR) were determined in pretreatment serum samples from 47 patients with chronic hepatitis C (36 infected by HCV genotype 1b and 11 by 3a). Among HCV genotype 1b-infected patients, virus load was lower (P = .003) and the number of NS5A-ISDR amino acid changes was higher (P = .001) in long-term responders than in non-long-term responders, but there were no differences in quasispecies complexity. Multivariate analysis showed a close association between response to interferon and NS5A-ISDR phenotype. Phylogenetic analysis showed that isolates from non-long-term responders clustered apart from the majority of isolates from long-term responders. There was no association between virologic features and therapeutic response in HCV genotype 3a-infected patients. In conclusion, low virus load and mutant NS5A-ISDR phenotype are closely associated with long-term response to interferon in HCV genotype 1b- but probably not in 3a-infected patients.


Quantum chemical cluster calculations show that reactions of C+ with HCN or HNC embedded in the surface of an icy grain mantle can account for the formation of a recently detected molecule, glycolonitrile, which is considered to be an important precursor to ribonucleic compounds. Reactions of cations deposited on ice mantles with minimal kinetic energy have been found theoretically to result in previously unknown pathways to significant organic compounds in protostellar systems and the interstellar medium. In density functional theory cluster calculations involving up to 24H2O, C+ reacts consistently with HCN embedded in ice to yield the neutral HOCHNC radical with no barrier, along with H3O+ as a byproduct. If HOCHNC then reacts with H, three species can be formed: HOCH2NC (isocyanomethanol), HOCH2CN (glycolonitrile), and HOCHNCH. For the C++ HNC reaction on ice, the HOCHCN and H2OCCN radicals form as intermediates, the first of which is another direct precursor to glycolonitrile via H addition. In addition to characterizing reaction pathways, predictions are provided of the vibrational and electronic spectra of the HCN and HNC starting clusters and the HOCHNC ice-bound intermediate.


Proteases, for a long time have received the attention of biochemists as degrading enzymes. The first scientific documented research was published by P.A. Levine entitled "The Cleavage Products of Proteoses" in the first issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry (October 1, 1905). Now, after about 110 years and with more than 468,000 entries in MEDLINE database, proteases remain one of the focused topics of current research. Approximately 2% of the genes in most organisms are transcribed for proteases, which is second in number only to transcription factors. Proteases are involved in virtually every physiological and pathological process. Thus, proteases are considered as one of the important targets in drug development. Proteases have likely arisen at the earliest stage of protein evolution as simple destructive enzymes necessary for protein catabolism and generation of amino acids in primitive organisms. For many years, studies on proteases have been focused mainly on their roles associated with protein degradation. However, it has now become clear that their role is not limited to breaking down of proteins and have multiple functions: it modulates enzymes activity, regulates membrane function, alters receptor channel properties, affects transcription, cell cycle, and reproduction, forms active peptides and many more than we had assumed. The hydrolysis of peptide bonds often involves multiple steps, for example, ubiquitination often requires the activity of enzyme complexes. Their activation, modification, and inactivation, therefore, play important roles in biological functions. Inhibitors of many of the proteases have now been well characterized and they attract much importance because of their great therapeutic potential in a number of diseases and some of which are already in clinical use. Proteolytic enzymes, which are known to play important roles in numerous cellular and extracellular processes in health and diseases, are characterized. In addition to new discoveries of proteolytic principles in a variety of biological systems, proteases have gained importance as laboratory tools in the experimental


This thesis explores the work being done by the Ministry of Social Services (MSS) with youth-in-care in the province of Saskatchewan who are displaying suicidal behaviours. It aims to answer the research questions: 1) How are youth-in-care with suicidal behaviours being supported? 2) Are these approaches successful? and 3) how do the supports and services provided by MSS align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children and the Truth and Reconciliation Committee's Calls to Action? The goal of this research was to explore what services and supports are being provided by MSS to those youth-in-care exhibiting suicidal behaviours; determine if these supports are successful in reducing the prevalence of those behaviours and examine those supports from a human rights perspective. This study used a qualitative, multiple case study method; utilizing content analysis to review and analyze the cases of eight different youths, all of whom had been exhibiting suicidal behaviours while in the care of MSS. This research demonstrates just how significant the issue of youth mental health is, and how intertwined it is with many other significant issues faced by today's youth, including addictions, trauma, and historic abuse. This study analyzes the complexities of working with youth, many of whom are dealing with multiple issues concurrently, but also in partnership with other organizations who are trying to help the youths. This study demonstrates that strong and supportive treatment plans being created for youth exhibiting suicidal behaviours can be successful in reducing the prevalence of those behaviours. I conclude that by providing appropriate mental health and addictions programming, and by appropriately supporting a youth's independence, there is potential to reduce a youth's suicidal behaviours.


The ^{22}Ne(p,γ)^{23}Na reaction takes part in the neon-sodium cycle of hydrogen burning. This cycle affects the synthesis of the elements between ^{20}Ne and ^{27}Al in asymptotic giant branch stars and novae. The ^{22}Ne(p,γ)^{23}Na reaction rate is very uncertain because of a large number of unobserved resonances lying in the Gamow window. At proton energies below 400 keV, only upper limits exist in the literature for the resonance strengths. Previous reaction rate evaluations differ by large factors. In the present work, the first direct observations of the ^{22}Ne(p,γ)^{23}Na resonances at 156.2, 189.5, and 259.7 keV are reported. Their resonance strengths are derived with 2%-7% uncertainty. In addition, upper limits for three other resonances are greatly reduced. Data are taken using a windowless ^{22}Ne gas target and high-purity germanium detectors at the Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics in the Gran Sasso laboratory of the National Institute for Nuclear Physics, Italy, taking advantage of the ultralow background observed deep underground. The new reaction rate is a factor of 20 higher than the recent evaluation at a temperature of 0.1 GK, relevant to nucleosynthesis in asymptotic giant branch stars.


An open source simulation model of the mechanical properties of a fully functional insulin pump was made in Matlab Simscape. The model simulates realistic behavior of an insulin pump, parts of which are validated against real-world systems. Simulations include mechanical forces and internal pressures, and the following fluid dynamics. Failure modes, such as occlusions, can be simulated and the resulting simulations can give new insights on how these failures affect the pump and how to detect them.Clinical relevance— Realistic pump simulations can be used to analyze how pump failures affect the system and in turn how to most effectively detect them before posing a hazard to the user, increasing the safety and reliability of the system.


Phenylethanoid glycosides are a group of phenolic compounds with diverse biological activities such as hypotensive, diuretic, and hypoglycemic effects. In this study, a target profiling analysis approach using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS) was established on the basis of parent ion scanning for m/z 161, the characteristic product ion for phenylethanoid glycosides. It was successfully employed to discriminate the chemical composition of phenylethanoid glycosides between Plantaginis Herba and Plantaginis Semen, two medicinal parts of Plantago plants, which are widely used as herbal medicine in China. Totally, 34 phenylethanoid glycosides were characterized and tentatively identified by their retention times, MS, and tandem quadrupole MS (MS/MS) data. Combined with chemometrics analysis of principal component analysis and orthogonal projection to latent structural discriminate analysis, eight of them, especially acteoside and plantamajoside, were picked out and contributed to the chemical distinction between Plantaginis Herba and Plantaginis Semen, which might be responsible for the differences in diuretic and hypotensive effects between the two medicinal parts. This new approach for target profiling provides not only a novel idea for specific analysis of active chemical constituents in the same type, but also a promising and reference method for quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicines.


In a previous paper [L. Giambruno and S. Mantaci, Theoret. Comput. Sci. 411 (2010) 1785–1792] a bideterministic transducer is defined for the bidirectional deciphering of words by the method introduced by Girod [ IEEE Commun. Lett. 3 (1999) 245–247]. Such a method is defined using prefix codes. Moreover a coding method, inspired by the Girod's one, is introduced, and a transducer that allows both right-to-left and left-to-right decoding by this method is defined. It is proved also that this transducer is minimal. Here we consider the number of states of such a transducer, related to some features of the considered prefix code X . We find some bounds of such a number of states in relation with different notions of "size" of X . In particular, we give an exact formula for the number of states of transducers associated to maximal prefix codes. We moreover consider two special cases of codes: maximal uniform codes and a class of codes, that we name string-codes. We show that they represent, for maximal codes, the extreme cases with regard to the number of states in terms of different sizes. Moreover we prove that prefix codes corresponding to isomorphic trees have transducers that are isomorphic as unlabeled graphs.


Application of information and communication technologies in the daily business of life alike by governments, civil society, the corporate sector and by the private individual is referred to as e-governance. E-governance is convenient and enhances efficiency and transparency but requires an enabling environment that demands heavy investments in terms of resources by governments, organizations and private individuals to benefit from. That is why transition to e-governance is not that fast as to harness its full potential. Particularly low and middle income countries are not ready for universal transition to e-governance regarding public service delivery. However, covid-19 pandemic has reinforced its demand and rejuvenated the enthusiasm for transition to e-governance as it best copes with the pandemic. Instead of physical visits to public offices or to the market, citizens can avail services online staying at home through technology mediated electronic devices and the internet that best complies the standard operating procedures of the covid-19. Pakistan government is also well on track for e-governance and offers certain public services through mobile phone apps and web apps along with other means but still needs a long way to go for a full scale transition. This paper studies Pakistan's readiness for transition to e-governance and public perception on convenience, efficiency and transparency e-governance brings, by investigating the usage experience of mobile phone apps Pakistan government has launched before and during the pandemic. This study is based on mixed methods approach of primary and secondary data collection (both quantitative and qualitative) including the review of relevant sources available online.


A cathodic arc plasma source equipped with a curved magnetic duct to filter macro-particles was used to study plasma transport through the duct. The optimal duct bias, at which the magnetic duct produces the maximum plasma output, for titanium cathodic arc plasma at 50, 100 and 150 A arc current was determined and the parametric effects of the arc current and guiding magnetic field on the optimal duct bias were investigated. The optimal bias decreased as the guiding magnetic field increased from 100 to 400 G and was almost independent of the guiding magnetic field when it was between 400 and 600 G, the upper limit for our equipment. The optimal duct bias at 400 G guiding magnetic field decreased with increasing arc current. Our results indicate that the optimal duct bias is related not only to the structure of the plasma source, but is also influenced by many other factors including cathode material and other plasma properties.


Author(s): Erez, Oded | Advisor(s): Levitz, Tamara Judith-Marie | Abstract: This dissertation provides a history of the practice of Greek popular music in Israel from the early 1950s to the 1980s, demonstrating how it played a significant role in processes of ethnization. I argue that it was the ambiguous play between Greek music's discursive value (its "image") and the semiotic potential of its sound and music-adjacent practices, that allowed for its double-reception by Euro-Israeli elites and Working-class immigrants from Arab and Muslim countries (Mizrahim). This ambiguity positioned Greek music as a site for bypassing, negotiating, and subverting the dichotomy between Jew and Arab. As embodied in the 1960s by the biggest local star of Greek music––Aris San (1940-1992) ––and by Greek international films such as Zorba the Greek, Greece and "Greekness" were often perceived as an unthreatening (i.e. neither Arab nor Muslim) Mediterranean culture. At the same time, much of the popular music practiced under the Greek sign betrayed the lingering influence of earlier Ottoman cafi?½ music, which it shared with other forms of popular and traditional music from across the Middle East. As such, it successfully furnished sonic spaces catering to immigrants from Arab and Muslim countries and even to Palestinian-Arab audiences, and provided a model for the hybridization and modernization of Oriental musical practices and tastes. In the 1970s, Aris San's departure opened the field for a vibrant industry of Greek music by and for working-class Mizrahim or Oriental Jews. At this point, Greek music exerted direct and indirect influence on the crystallization of a new local genre––musikah Mizrahit (Mizrahi music)––which both articulated and contributed to the consolidation of the category of the ethno-class category of "Mizrahim." As opposed to previous scholarship on musikah Mizrahit, my focus on the appropriation of Greek music in in the formative deacade of its emergance allows us to see the emergance of musikah Mizrahit not as a bid for reshaping national culture, but as a form of vernacular cosmopolitanism.


Summary.  We investigated whole blood coagulation by thrombelastography (TEG) employing activation with minute amounts of tissue factor (TF). Continuous raw data captured were transformed into novel parameters, such as the maximum velocity (MaxVel) and the time to maximum velocity (t,MaxVel) of whole blood clot formation. The courses of the whole blood clot development were very similar to thrombin generation curves reported in plasma. In this assay healthy women (n = 30) showed an earlier onset and an increased coagulation velocity compared to healthy men (n = 30). In patients with severe hemophilia, and persons undergoing thromboprophylaxis, distinctly abnormal coagulation profiles were observed with a decrease in the MaxVel, as well as a prolonged t,MaxVel. Changes appeared to be dependent on the nature and severity of the hemostatic deficit. Preliminary studies in patients substituted with recombinant factor VIIa demonstrated a marked change in the coagulation profile, in which the MaxVel and t,MaxVel shifted towards normal in a dose‐dependent way. Data suggest that the whole blood coagulation TEG profile, following activation with minute amounts of TF, may reflect the hemostatic potential in patients suspected of impaired hemostasis.


In this book the 0-approximation semantics is used to define regression in domains where an agent does not have complete information about the world, and may have sensing actions. The author started with domains having only Boolean fluents and formally related the definition of regression with the earlier definition of progression . Planning using such regression would not only give correct plans but also would not miss plans. A search algorithm for generating conditional plans was presented as an example application of the defined regression. Several heuristics and mutex computations were explored to handle sensing actions. Experimental results with respect to several planning examples were also presented. The results obtained for binary domains were then extended to multi-valued domains. In particular, a regression function for multi-valued domains was defined and its soundness and completeness was formally proved. To simplify the formulation, the STRIPS-like action representation and fluents with finite domains were employed.


In web services-based applications, Web applications can be composed of hundreds of web services. Hence, application system quality depends on the quality of the involved web services. When the service evolves, it may not satisfy anymore the requirements of end user (anyone who use the web service). Any change of a web service, it must be re-tested at the unit level, and re-used to form services-based application systems. As a result, we proposed WSRTM (web service regression testing model) for semantic web service. The semantics of the web services are defined using the Inputs,Outputs, Preconditions, Effects (IOPEs) paradigm. Based on WSRTM, This paper focuses on WSDL interface and IOPEs information changes and impacts, and proposes a test cases generation approach for operation sequences of semantic Web Services. The approach may verify the sequential functional behavior of semantic web services for end user in concrete usage scenario. Finally, the paper presents an application example.


A 13-year-old castrated male Yorkshire terrier dog had a soft splenic mass, which measured 11 cm in the greatest diameter. Microscopically, the parenchyma of the spleen was completely replaced by myxoid substances. Numerous spindle and stellate cells were loosely arranged in the myxoid stroma, and variable vessels of variable sizes were observed in a loose matrix with poorly defined margins. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that tumor cells were positive for desmin and alpha-SMA, but negative for S-100. Interestingly, intravascular tumor embolus with positive α-SMA expression was observed. This case is meaningful, because angiomyxoma, a rare tumor of dogs, occurs in the spleen. Even in human cases, splenic angiomyxoma was not reported.


Advertising is the mirror that reflects social and cultural trends and is capable of shaping society (Sivulka, 2012). We are influenced subtly by the meanings advertisers create in advertisements; in turn, our lifestyles and value priorities can affect the strategies of advertising design and branding. However, this mirror is distorted since advertising reflects only selected attitudes, values, lifestyles, and philosophies that work for sellers' interests (Pollay, 1987). This paper examined the advertisements launched in nine of the most popular lifestyle magazines in China, to identify the frequently used values manifested in advertising, and its influences on the lifestyles of Chinese consumers. Two key theories are adopted in the value and advertising study: Hofstede's five dimensions of national culture (1984) and Schwartz's theory of basic values (1992). 525 print advertisements were selected. The advertising appeals were coded to identify the values that appeared most frequently in the advertisements. Pollay's measurement of values manifest in advertising (1983) is used as the basic measurement guide. The value theme categories selected for content analysis were based on Schwartz's value system. 12 values are finally adopted in the coding process: Family, Kinship affection, Accomplishment, Enjoyment, Social status, Love, Sense of belonging, Social responsibility, Utility, Self-fulfillment, Economic value, Authority power. After content analysis, we found that "utility," "enjoyment," "social status," "accomplishment," and "authority power" are the top five most frequently used values in advertisements targeting the Chinese middle and elite classes. This finding suggests that advertisements in China still play an important role in delivering utility information in product functions and effectiveness. Enjoyment is the second most frequently used value in these advertisements. Enjoyment is considered a typical western value (Cheng, 1997), which was forbidden in Confucian tradition. In Confucian tradition, enjoyment is discouraged. Working hard and not spending more than necessary are considered virtues (Hofstede and Bond, 1988). Nowadays, enjoyment is legitimated by mass media, western movies, and advertisements. Pursuing good quality life and enjoying it is considered a reward for hard work. The value of social status is the third frequently used value theme in magazine advertisements. As elite magazines are targeting the Chinese middle class, their audiences are readers who desire to move upward to a higher social status. These people are likely to have status consumption. They want to express their social status through consumer goods. The status meanings of consumer goods are usually delivered via advertisements using "social status" value. The frequent use of social status value in advertisements shows the strong need of Chinese consumers for social status. When values of consumers are consistent with the values reflected in advertising, the likeability toward advertisements, products, and brands will increase, and consequently, advertising will be more effective (Polegato and Bjerke, 2006). This study examines value and lifestyle issues from the perspective of advertising in emerging markets. The mediating role of advertising enables us to better understand the formation of and changes in the values and lifestyles of the new middle class in emerging markets, such as China. The findings of this study can also contribute to advertisers and designers by enabling them to understand the value themes in advertisements that attract them the most.


191 Hsp90 has emerged as an exciting anticancer drug target due to its role in maintaining the conformational stability of a plethora of oncogenic client proteins. The molecular chaperone function of Hsp90 is dependent on ATP hydrolysis which is orchestrated by interactions with a number of co-chaperones including Hsp70. 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AAG) competitively inhibits the intrinsic ATPase of Hsp90 which we and others have previously demonstrated to cause cytostasis and cell line-dependent cell death in vitro, the extent of which is relatively small when compared to that induced by other clinically relevant agents such as 5-FU and oxaliplatin (Clarke et al unpublished observations). This may be due to induction of the major constitutive (Hsc70) and inducible (Hsp72) isoforms of the Hsp70 family, which we and others have previously shown to occur in response to Hsp90 inhibition. Since the Hsp70 family can have anti-apoptotic activity, we used an siRNA approach to reduce the expression of Hsp72 and/or Hsc70 in the human colon cancer cell line HCT116. Transient knockdown of Hsp72, but not Hsc70, prior to treatment with 17AAG caused an increase in the cell death response to this Hsp90 inhibitor. We hypothesized that the absence of increased cell death following Hsc70 reduction may be due to concurrent induction of Hsp72. To investigate this, the expression of the two isoforms were simultaneously reduced which resulted in increased cell death from 13.1% (± 2.18 s.e) to 40.3% (± 13.79 s.e) of the total cell population following only 24 hours exposure to 17AAG. In addition, we observed a time-dependent increase in cell death following reduction of Hsp72 and Hsc70 expression, in the absence of 17AAG exposure. This increase in cell death may be in part due to inhibition of Hsp90 since knockdown of Hsp72 and Hsc70 resulted in reduced expression of Hsp90 client proteins c-RAF, CDK4 and ErbB2. The observed reduction in Hsp90 client proteins was shown to involve ubiquitin-dependent proteasome degradation, as co-treatment with proteasome inhibitors bortezomib and MG-132 resulted in reduced degradation of these clients. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that induction of Hsp72 provides a cytoprotective effect against the cell death activity of 17AAG. In addition, reducing the expression of Hsc70 with Hsp72 produces a molecular phenotype similar to that of Hsp90 inhibition but with a degree of cell death far greater than is associated with existing Hsp90 inhibitors. This is consistent with an anti-apoptotic effect of Hsp72 and Hsc70, which makes the development of Hsp70 inhibitors an exciting prospect, both in terms of enhancing the cell death activity of existing Hsp90 inhibitors and also as anticancer therapeutics in their own right.


Pruning is an essential paradigm to build HMM based large vocabulary speech recognisers that use reasonable computing resources. Unlikely sentence, word or subword hypotheses are removed from the search space when their likelihood falls outside a beam relative to the best scoring hypothesis. A method for automatically steering this beam such that the search space attains a predefined size is presented.


Supersonic flows in the interstellar medium (ISM) are believed to be a key driver of the molecular cloud formation and evolution. Among molecular clouds' properties, the ratio between the solenoidal and compressive modes of turbulence plays important roles in determining the star formation efficiency. We use numerical simulations of supersonic converging flows of the warm neutral medium (WNM) resolving the thermal instability to calculate the early phase of molecular cloud formation, and we investigate the turbulence structure and the density probability distribution function (density PDF) of the multiphase ISM. We find that both the solenoidal and compressive modes have their power spectrum similar to the Kolmogorov spectrum. The solenoidal (compressive) modes account for ≳80% (≲20%) of the total turbulence power. When we consider both the cold neutral medium (CNM) and the thermally unstable neutral medium (UNM) up to T ≲ 400 K, the density PDF follows the lognormal distribution, whose width σs is well explained by the known relation from the isothermal turbulence as σs=ln(1+b22) (where b is the parameter representing the turbulence mode ratio and  is the turbulent Mach number). The density PDF of the CNM component alone (T ≤ 50 K), however, exhibits a narrower σs by a factor of ∼2. These results suggest that observational estimations of b based on the CNM density PDF requires the internal turbulence within each CNM clump but not the interclump relative velocity, the latter of which is instead powered by the WNM/UNM turbulence.


Microplot experiments have been carried out in Heterodera avenae infested and uninfested (control) soils with 97 cereals cultivars (wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale), in order to assess host efficiency, and effect of nematode's attack. All cereals tested were hosts of the nematode except oat cvs. Barley and wheat cvs. were the most severely damaged, followed by triticale and oat cvs., which, though resistant, showed the effects of nematode attack. Losses In grain Yield were mainly due to the reduction of head number/m² In wheat and barley cvs., and to number of grains/head in rye, triticale and oats.


This paper explores how contextual uncertainty and the use of the budgetary system explain cross-sectional variation in the organisational role of business unit controllers. We argue that there are complementarities between the role of the budgetary control system (i.e. coercive vs. enabling) and the role of the controller (i.e. corporate policeman vs. business partner). Thus, we explore both the direct effect of uncertainty on the role of the controller and the indirect effect through the role of the budgetary control system. Using survey data from 134 business unit controllers, we find that uncertainty provides a partial explanation of the variation in the role of budgetary control systems and in the role of controllers. In particular, our data suggest alignment between the coercive (enabling) use of the budgetary control system and the role of controllers acting as corporate policemen (business partners). These findings add to our understanding of the functioning of business unit controllers within their organisational context.


Rain drop size distribution (RDSD) is useful for estimation of attenuation of high frequency electromagnetic waves due to rain. In this paper, radar reflectivity (2) obtained by using an X-band radar operating at -9.4 GHz has been used for deducing the results on RDSD at different rain intensities in the range 501 50 mmlhr. The present results have been observed to match with the results obtained by other investigators by using distrometers for the same range of rain rates. The equation obtained for RDSD is of general type and it would satisfy RDSD for the other rain rates also, if the radar reflectivity (2) is calibrated properly with various rain rates. The unique feature of this distribution equation has its direct application in radar reflectivity data and rain rate for RDSD.


Background/Objective: Traumatic injury is consistently the leading cause of death up to middle age and is the largest factor in reducing the United States economic productivity. Currently, there are few murine models that emulate orthopedic polytraumatic injury. Existing models typically require sophisticated vascular access resulting in higher costs. We have identified the need for a simple and easily reproducible model. Therefore, we developed a new polytrauma mouse model which included femoral fracture, quadriceps muscle crush, andhemorrhagic shock.
Methods: Sixty 12-week-old, C57BL/6 female mice were used in this study. Briefly, a mid-shaft femur fracture was surgically induced on the right leg of each mouse and was stabilized by an intramedullary wire. Next, the ipsilateral quadriceps muscle underwent an interval of crushing injury. Then, to create hemorrhagic shock, mice had approximately 400μL removed through the retroorbital sinus. Lasty, mice were resuscitated with intraperitoneal 1.6 ml of saline 90 minutes later. Other mice served as uninjured controls. Splenocytes were harvested in the control group and at 0-, 1-, 4-, and 24-hours post-trauma (n=12/group). Flow cytometric analyses and animal survival were examined.
Results: Of the 48 C57BL/6 mice undergoing the polytrauma model, all survived to their respective time point. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in neutrophils from the 4-hour cohort compared to the control. There were also significant increases in the 24-hour group in natural killer (NK) cells compared to control (p<0.05), 0-hour (p<0.0001),1-hour (p<0.0001), and 4-hour groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The survival of all of the mice shows the effectiveness of this model to emulate non-fatal, poly-traumatic injuries. Additionally, increased levels of neutrophils, and NK cells, along with steady levels of B cells are consistent with the known immunologic traumatic response, further validating this model's ability to create survivable polytrauma conditions.


Empirical studies of corporate governance address potential endogeneity problems, but fail to place endogeneity in the context of a model and ignore the possibility of disparate treatment effects across companies. This paper tackles these defects. The model and analysis in the paper demonstrate that: (1) Valid and positive estimates for the effect of governance can only arise if there is random variation in governance and governance is systematically underproduced, or governance is chosen randomly without bias and the randomness under study concerns a subpopulation with below-average governance. (2) Governance models that correct for endogeneity using subsamples of firms, fixed effects, or instrumental variables estimates focus on subpopulations of companies that may have different responses to a governance treatment than the average firm.


Plagiarism is not a recent issue as it has existed for a long time, especially within the academic world. The study aims to examine the applicable laws in Malaysia relating to plagiarism from the academic's perspective by referring to India as the benchmark jurisdiction. The findings have shown that there are no standard policies for all educational institutions in coping with plagiarism. Therefore, it is recommended that the Malaysian government needs to address the gap in current regulations by having uniform legislation for all institutions on that particular academic misconduct on plagiarism.
Keywords: Academic Plagiarism; Research Plagiarism Misconduct; Plagiarism Policy
eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6i16.2709


Fast source optimization (SO) is in demand urgently for holistic lithography on-line at 14-5 nm nodes. Our earlier works of fast compressive sensing (CS) SO methods adopted randomly sampling monitoring pixels on layout patterns, consequently resulting in failure of SO sometimes and poor image fidelity compared to gradient-based SO with complete sampling (SD-SO). This paper proposes a novel certain contour sampling-Bayesian compressive sensing SO (CCS-BCS-SO) method to achieve the goals of fast SO and high fidelity patterns simultaneously. The CCS assures the optimized source uniquely and reduces the computational complexity significantly. The BCS theory, to our best knowledge, is for the first time applied to resolution enhancement techniques (RETs) in lithography systems to ensure high fidelity patterns. The results demonstrate that CCS-BCS-SO simultaneously achieves fast SO like CS-SO and high fidelity patterns like SD-SO.


Given the extragalactic radio reference system, it is possible to extend this system to optical wavelengths by linking the provisional Hipparcos frame to the radio reference frame. Among the varying methods of frame connection we discuss here the usage of radio stars observed by the Very Large Array (VLA) relative to extragalactic radio sources. A general adjustment algorithm has been developed for the simultaneous determination of orientation angles and angular rates of rotation. From case studies we have derived the orientation angles of the provisional Hipparcos frame with respect to the VLA reference frame for radio star observations. Typical orientation angles about the three axes of the adopted equatorial coordinate system are ?12:8, ?19:1, +5:5 milliarcsec (mas), respectively. Evidence is shown that an oo-set exists between the VLA frame and the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF). Especially in the z-axis the ooset is signiicant amounting to about 16 mas. From simulated data it is inferred that some 50 VLA observed radio stars are instrumental in linking optical and radio reference frames, with a precision of 0.5 mas/yr for the angular rates.


Numerous studies using between-subject designs have found that different decisions can be made about identical binary choice problems depending on whether the options are described or experienced. Using a within-subjects design we examined this Description-Experience 'gap' at the level of the individual. We found that: (1) the gap could be observed both at the group and the individual levels, (2) the gap was eliminated, at least at the group level, when controlling for sampling variability, and (3) riskier decisions were made by those with more positive risk attitudes, regardless of format. We conclude that the gap is likely a statistical phenomenon due to biased samples.


Water is a critical resource for rural livelihoods and lie at the heart of rural development in
Southern Africa in general, particularly in Zambia. The institutional route to accessing water
as laid by formal and informal governance has a bearing on rural livelihoods. Despite the
detail of various water management instruments in Zambia, there is lack of clarity about
who should provide this water in rural areas as well as the absence of coordination among
the different institutional actors in the development and management of water resources.
The study was carried out in Mwanachingwala ward, Zambia from the beginning of
December 2006 to the end of May, 2007. The aim of this thesis was to analyse the effects
of institutional operationalisation on rural livelihood with special focus on small holder
farmers. Key informants, focus group discussions and unstructured interviews were used
to assess institutions, in terms of their existence and their effectiveness for sustaining the
rural livelihoods. The major findings of the case study identified how households secure
water to sustain their livelihoods in the Mwanachingwala area through wells, boreholes,
streams and the Kafue River, with every few individuals accessing taped water. The
management of water resources at the local level was characterized by traditional
institutions with traditional leaders managing the water which was mostly accessed
through land plus a range of rules of access to water. These informal institutions at the
local level were however were not linked to the formal institutions. An analysis of the
statutory laws and policies indicated a missing link in the operationalisation of provision
of water for rural communities impacting negatively on the livelihoods of the community
in Mwanachingwala. This situation is further complicated by the different rules of access
to water which come into play at the local level, with field observation revealing some
discrepancy between the practices in place and the ideals highlighted by a human rights
approach. Improved water governance facilitates access to water thereby improving
livelihoods. However, it is vital to first assess the sustainability of such traditional water
management practices for effective IWRM, and therefore improved water governan,WATERnet


As greenhouses become better insulated and increasingly airtight, the humidity of the inside air rises easily and may become unfavourably high. Therefore, most greenhouses frequently open their vents to remove the moisture excess. When heated, opening the vents will increase the energy consumption. In case the greenhouse is dehumidified by internal moisture withdrawal, the loss of sensible heat via ventilation can be prevented. Moreover, condensation of moisture at an internal surface regains latent heat. Thus, internal condensation reduces the sensible heat loss of the greenhouse and regenerates part of the heat demand associated with the crop evaporation. The prevention of sensible heat loss and the capture of latent heat enables the reduction of energy consumption. The principle is not new, but the economic feasibility depends on the proper selection of capacities and engineering details and, of course, on energy costs. In order to explore and to demonstrate the potentials of this technique, Wage-ningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture employed such an internal dehumidification system in a 500 m2 experimental greenhouse growing a tomato crop year round. Energy consumption of the greenhouse and water condensed in the dehumidification unit was measured. Parallel to these measurements, an existing simulation model was extended to include the description of the dynamic behaviour of internal dehumidification on a cold surface. This work gives an overview of the practical results in the experiments and shows the sensitivity of the technique on important parameters, like greenhouse air temperature and humidity setpoint. It appears that the system has a high potential for energy saving in the moderate and cold climates


Between 1983 and 1986 the authors studied 5 patients with idiopathically dilated episcleral vessels. All of them had unilateral open-angle glaucoma (25-38 mm Hg) and elevated episcleral venous pressure (22-38 mm Hg). Orbital venography showed normal venous outflow. It is presumed that the etiological mechanism was a localized venous obstruction in the region of the extraocular muscles.


Summary Despite continued uncertainty of venous thromboembolism (VTE) caused from antipsychotic agents, this safety issue has not been examined in postmenopausal women, a population with high usages of antipsychotics and at high risk for VTE. We assessed whether antipsychotic use was associated with an increased VTE risk in women after menopause. We conducted a nested case-control study of all Taiwanese women aged ≥ 50 years (n = 316,132) using a nationwide healthcare claims database between 2000 and 2011. All newly diagnosed VTE patients treated with an anticoagulant or thrombectomy surgery were identified as cases (n = 2,520) and individually matched to select controls (n = 24,223) by cohort entry date, age, cancer diagnosis and major surgery procedure. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of VTE associated with antipsychotics were estimated by multivariate conditional logistic regressions. Current use of antipsychotics was associated with a 1.90-fold (95 % CI = 1.64–2.19) increased VTE risk compared with nonuse in postmenopausal women. The VTE risk existed in a dose-dependent fashion (test for trend, p<0.001), with a more than quadrupled risk for high-dose antipsychotics (adjusted OR = 4.60; 95 % CI = 2.88–7.33). Current parenteral administration of antipsychotics also led to a 3.46-fold increased risk (95 % CI = 2.39–5.00). Conversely, there was no increased VTE risk when antipsychotics were discontinued for > 30 days. In conclusion, current use of antipsychotics is significantly associated with a dose-dependent increased risk of VTE in postmenopausal women, especially for those currently taking high-dose or receiving parenteral antipsychotics.


: Using four rounds of nationwide household survey data from the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey from 2005 to 2014, we provide the first empirical estimates of districts' carbon emissions and their changes over time based on representative households' energy consumption. We find that hotspots for carbon emissions in Pakistan tend to cluster around megacities—Islamabad has the highest per capita carbon emissions. This is contradictory to the compact city hypothesis that denser cities are greener, with lower per-capita carbon emissions, than remote cities, and suggest that urbanization in developing countries may not reduce carbon emissions. Our results also show that ignoring household garbage would underestimate the urban carbon footprint by at least 15%. Finally, our results demonstrate the importance of incorporating rural households and their primary energy usage such as firewood, and the fluid nature of carbon emissions and greenness ranking over time in developing countries like Pakistan.


There is evidence that the rate at which oxygen uptake (V̇O2) rises at the transition to higher metabolic rates within the moderate exercise intensity domain is modulated by oxidative enzyme inertia, and also that nitric oxide regulates mitochondrial function through competitive inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase in the electron transport chain. We therefore hypothesised that inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) would alleviate the inhibition of mitochondrial V̇O2 by nitric oxide and result in a speeding of V̇O2 kinetics at the onset of moderate‐intensity exercise. Seven males performed square‐wave transitions from unloaded cycling to a work rate requiring 90 % of predetermined gas exchange threshold with and without prior intravenous infusion of L‐NAME (4 mg kg−1 in 50 ml saline over 60 min). Pulmonary gas exchange was measured breath‐by‐breath and V̇O2 kinetics were determined from the averaged response to four exercise bouts performed in each condition using a mono‐exponential function following elimination of the phase I response. There were no significant differences between the control and L‐NAME conditions for baseline V̇O2 (means ±s.e.m. 797 ± 32 vs. 794 ± 29), the duration of phase I (15.4 ± 0.8 vs. 17.2 ± 0.6), or the steady‐state increment in V̇O2 above baseline (1000 ± 83 vs. 990 ± 85 ml min−1), respectively. However, the phase II time constant of the V̇O2 response was significantly smaller following L‐NAME infusion (22.1 ± 2.4 vs. 17.9 ± 2.3; P < 0.05). These data indicate that inhibition of NOS by L‐NAME results in a significant (19 %) speeding of pulmonary V̇O2 kinetics in the transition to moderate‐intensity cycle exercise in man. At least part of the intrinsic inertia to oxidative metabolism at the onset of moderate‐intensity exercise may result from competitive inhibition of mitochondrial V̇O2 by nitric oxide at cytochrome c oxidase, although other mechanisms for the effect of L‐NAME on V̇O2 kinetics remain to be explored.


The purpose of the present study is to explore the positive effects of Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD) on other important factors such as students' motivation. STAD was used with thirty students and was compared to thirty management students who worked in groups lacking the key components of STAD. Both groups completed pretest and posttest and responded in motivational questionnaire which measured changes in exposure to writing skill in English. The findings showed that (1) there was a significant progress within each group, (2) there was also significant mean difference between the experimental and control group with the contribution of the STAD approach to students' motivation and to writing achievement


A neural-network-based classification system is constructed to handle incomplete data with missing attribute values, and applied to a medical diagnosis. In the authors' approach, unknown values are represented by intervals. Therefore incomplete data with missing attribute values are transformed into interval data. A learning algorithm for multiclass classification problems of interval input vectors is derived. The proposed approach is applied to the medical diagnosis of hepatic diseases, and its performance is compared with that of a rule-based fuzzy classification system.


This study investigates the positive relationship between intellectual capital and firm performance. It examines whether family ownership can strengthen the relationship between intellectual capital and firm performance of firms in high-technology industries in ASEAN. The data was collected from the BvD OSIRIS database and company annual reports from 2008-2014 and conducted on five countries in ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The final sample used in this study consists of a total of 1,310 observations. This study uses panel data regression model analysis, i.e. fixed effect regression and random effect regression. The results showed that intellectual capital has a positive relationship with financial performance. The result proved the role of intellectual capital in increasing firm finances and its importance as one of the primary resources in competing in the AEC challenges and as the firm's primary driver for the firm's success. It is not found in the relationship between intellectual capital and market performance. In the interaction relationship, the result is contrary to the alignment effect that becomes our previous prediction. The result is consistent with the entrenchment effect and indicates that family ownership can weaken the relationship between intellectual capital and financial performance. There is no evidence about the relationship between the interaction of intellectual capital and family ownership on market performance.